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Untitled Article
Heviflg ^ Ws to be < the ^ emrii * e doouinpheithe igdspel , I canrrot but feel it to be my indispensable duty , by all fair and honourable means , t& recommend it to the attention
oh others , and to endeavour to promote its diffusion among my feJfa > w Christians . A conscious * , ness , of the prejudices- which I have myself too much indulged ,
though , 1 trust not from any vviu fuliy ? w > rung » moti v es , o ugh t i nd ee d toj make me exceedingly candid towards those-who are still subject tar their unhappy influence ; but at the same time , 1 think it ought
ta . reader me the more earnest in my endeavours to persuade theem ( o digest themselves of all improper prepossessions and to examine tbe scriptures fairly and impartially in order to learn from thence ? wbatare the , genuine truths ofetiie . gospej < j ?
the alk » aatidn of friendships he jmaat ^ y v aliaje d * and ^ perhaps the dissatisfaction of a very considerable part oft-his congregation : but wane of these things moved hiin . L In a- manner the farthest
possible from every thing like temporising , the most undisguised artd .. digBifi
CQiinsel of Gadj and by the mani - k&tSLtion of uhat appeared to him take the truth in Jesus , to com . neiuiJbijn . self . i . Q every man ' s coiu . S ^ WRu * W 4 h e s ^ P f God-* M » WFftbJJSPft l * W ^ en u&timed and active . . ^ . .. . .
Untitled Article
To his other numerous labou r * on Lord * ^ days , be added , thfpugh the whole of last winter , lectures , one a fortnight , in the evening , on the unity of God , and the nature , character , and offices of Christ . These lectures which
were drawn up with the greatest care and ability , were attended by numerous and attentive auditories , during the whole course of their delivery . He also established other meetings on
weekday evenings , at his friends' houses in various parts of the neighbourhood , besides those before men ., tioned , for the purpose of preach , ing an the doctrines of the gospel , or expounding the scriptures , at
which he also had generally many hearers . The outcry raised against him by the ignorant , the bigoted , and the interested , was , as he had expected , loud and violent ; the grossest misrepresentations were made of the doctrines he taught ; and some who had
the best opportunity of knowing his sincerity and worth , and had ever discovered a high value for his religious services , at oncfc broke off all connection with him as a minister , and were trot over cordial with him as a friencL Th $ great excellencies of his character , however , improved by his Unifa >
rian principles , as som # who are not by any means friendly to thern have been heard to acknowled ge ^ his ardent elevated piety , ' ty * warm benevolence , the catholic spirit he breathed towards elj who differed from him , and his constant
concern and aim to do good , &re&u ly lessened itoen ' s prejudices fybth againsl himself and his sentiments . AehWTtbe BkihtogRoQ % MS buftvet ^ tew of 3 jia peoplb ty * seit his ministry , and tfcat a * lie feini-
