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    rectimmendecl to be doctrinal : and far be it from me to wish the ministers of the gospel to abate in their exertions in enforcing the precepts of the gospel ,

    being fully persuaded that it is the union of good works with faith which constitutes the religion of Christ . And if the neglect of good works be thcviiatural result of doctrinal or controversial

    preaching , then by all means let us bid it farewell : but if that be not the resuh ( and I firmly believe it to be quite the contrary ) , 1 must . still recommend it , as it will not only be an entertaining treat to those who approve the doctrines preached , but a means of promoting the best interests of mankind .

    I remember having read of a book entitled f € Innocency with her Open Face ; " and thougH I am far from wishing-to assume that character , yet feeling a consciousness of it with respect to this part of -my conduct , as well as in that to which it refers , it is with pleasure I subscribe myself , JOHN BARTON .

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    Edinburgh , February llh , 281 7-Sir , OBSERVE in your latt Number I ( Vol . XI . p . 704 ) , a Letter upon Doctrinal Preaching , which I regret to see written not in that spirit of

    moderation which the subject requires . The writer indulges some ill-placed wit upon the epithet " dry" as applied to morality , and inquires what dry moral discourses can mean ? The

    answer 1 think is obvious , and deserves attention . When a minister supposes that he sufficiently discharges his duty by reading to his congregation an essay upon some branch of morality , coniposed in the style oftheancienjt heathen moralists , and enforced by arguments

    of little niore weight than such as they $ mployed , presented to them entirely l > y the light of nature , then such essays

    brought forward in our Christian asjjernblies , falja within my own knowjfojge , whether by mpjtfpHt Orthodox or JDissenters makes no difference in my present argument ; and the reasons -why- th&y are n > adc use of are also very abyious , It occurs , no * unfrequently itfiat re ^ tec ] Orthodoxy is jnjmaiy respects not very agreeable citncr to tthe

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    paste * orVis pc 6 ^ fe ; eVerf Ife > th £ fis&& bBshnietits : so th a * M getter ^ lFy af ^ irg tb themin ' fcier&krad of dtttynft 1 sr ^ rifS what to 6 uldt give offence * ^ Afhfchgsi Unitarians or Presbyterian Owseftt&rl

    the same considerations wilt < ypSrat < fc much more powerfully , if the strbrig&r dislike t 6 established opinions ^™ rf * they entertain , is accompanied at fb £ same time with a . dread of singularity nnt inferior to that of their friends 4 «

    the Establishments- —a coincidence , t believe , by no means uriebmmon . J If we examine farther what tfifc proper preaching of Christian rhoraWy by either of these classes of Ghrfetiatts sJiouIdbe 9 it will inevitably be foufwf to resolve itself into the opposite of * &e

    above , I mean into what is generally termed doctrinal preaching , choose whaft subject we may . For instarree , how can any minister , who in the sttg ; hte 3 t degree disbelieves the doctfine of the Trinity , satisfy himself that he does ' afell he can do , and ought to do , ift

    recarrimending devotional exercise aad exciting devotional habits , if he refrain from stating what the Scriptures appear to him to declare concerning the proper Object of religious worship ? And if he does this , how can he dfeclrne stating what the Scriptures appear to him to teach regarding the persori and character of our Saviour ? 'ff another

    person shall see cause to- " think that the Scriptures do not countenance th ^ ^ tin * worthy notions supported by refuted Orthodoxy ^ concern mg the jtretfce , goodness and mercy of "God , ho ?^ can he treat of these attributes of the EJ&Hy

    without controverting geneTillv ^ rcceiled opinions ? If he shall also believe that certain Orthbdb £ bbioim& have a tendency destructive 6 f an feo ' ral obligation and ptactical Ohri ^ trarnl ty , how can he enforce the observa ^ ide of

    any of the moral vittues uptki which such opinions have any effect , withottt declaring what appears to ThftnY to he the Scripture view both of the ^ p i ' nWn he disbelieves , and of the-moral precept he would incutcate ? fit nfre , how can Such ministers consctentltAisTy preach pure Christianrty , if thif ^ diu doctrinal preaching ? ' " It is to be regretted there ever should have existed a-n idea- that the projper discussiort of Christiarl idoctHnc ^' Was 7

    inconsistent with the' t u ^ h fatfimt > f Christian morality . Ther waikii ^ for doctrinal pfeacnto ^^ ariseifl ^ Wai-

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    Q 8 On the Necessity of Doctrinal Preacfiing .

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Feb. 2, 1817, page 98, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2461/page/34/