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the doctrines which they , contatBThe : corruption of - Christianity has been so radical , and the language , of the Scriptures has been so syst ^ mati * eally misinterpreted * that the reading of a few meditations and prayers ,, and a few select sermons , written in a Hheral
fctyle , can neither discover the error , nor manifest the truth ; both of which are equall y necessary for the perfect emancipation of the mind * Most persons * It i& true , have a general superficial knowledge of Christianity ^ and were a preacher to take a super * facial commonrpiace view of any
aoctnne , there , would be some justice in the objection , as far as k regards those who are really well informed . But the truth of the case too generally is , that even of those who will resort to this argument , few , I fear , have more than a superficial knowledge of
different systems of religion , or of the interpretation of the Scriptures . I have certainly a strong suspicion that their dislike of attending to the doctrines of religion , and the arguments by which they may be defended or
assailed , arises immediately and entirely from their unacquainted ness with them . I believe it to be always ^ plain , matter of fact , that those who are least acquainted with the subjects of controversy , are least interested in the discussion of them , and vice
versa . Involved in religious error as men have been for ages , systematically |> erverted as the language of the Scriptures has been from time immemorial * so completely changed as almost every expression of the Sacred Writings r . haa
been from its original intention ; \ % it at all probable that general readers , those who have a dislikeibr all controversy , fchose whose reading is tricing and fashionable , those who deem it a mark of great ignorance of the . world and rusticity of , niajaners to avow , luidisguisedly and pub ) icly singularity of religious profession or opinion , a ^ d exhibit independence , of religious character ; that thobe , who never think of
reading Any thing on religious subjects hut ; a , pr ayer \ and a . chapter , ojc pet * . chance a volume ofrsermons , or leotured , or aaeTed dramas , by some popular writer , which the aurajiopu iatis mayJaave sufficiently consecrated , with perhaps a treatise . on education , ia , which religion is forgotten—that time ^ ihould be sufficiently acquainted
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with the doctrines of Chmtianity ? J do not believe it . These pers on * surely have a dislike of-strong meats because they are by them indi gestible / But grant there are some who are w ^ H informed on such topics witt they . bg so interested in their feelings as not occasionally to allow what ^ s suitable and necessary £ or others—the
ignorant ? Tbere is certainly a numerous class that want information concerning the doctrines of Christianity . TtiQse whose education and situation in life , whose daily necessary attention to the concerns of life , to
their daily bread , preclude the acquisition of much knowledge by reading and books , are they never to be instructed in the fundamental truths of religion , and never to be informed of and guarded against erroneous opinions , lest fastidious ears should be
offended ? The young people in most societies are without much elementary knowledge on the subject of religion . Are they ^ too , to be led to suppose by the quality of the matter that always descends from the pulpit , that the Christian religion is sufficiently taught and inculcated by a few well-turned sentiments about the atniableness of
virtue , the pleasures of refined emotions , and the harmony of well-tuned affections ? I have no damnatory clauses in my creed j . but I know very well what dependence is to be placed on . this kind of Christian institution . For , one thing— our most notable defections , of which I scarcely ever knew
an instance which was grounded upon avowed : principle , are to be attributed to the } policy which dictates this kind of public instruction * It has been asserted , that contror versial preaching necessarily scandal lizes the minds of those who differ
from us , and that tjiua , frequently the most excellent and worthy men , even friends and relations , are disunited in charity and eatrang ^ d , in , affection from one another $ and that , therefore , for tfrq sake of peace 3 nd charity , controversial subjects should never be introduced into the pulpit .
Peace and char ^ y are ? cer tainly tfK ^ t excellent things , ap 4 »> w / el . l understood , are to be considered among the es $ en- < tials , of religion $ but thiey are not W * onlyi e ^ aemiala ^ nar should we »« w « that Iqrvbe ^^ erificed to them , which i » more important arid easen ^ " ^ thfw ^ v&tr ^ lrutbu ;
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f M On Docmiiat , or CoHtrcmersial Prc&ckirtg
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Aug. 2, 1816, page 458, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2455/page/22/
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