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/ 3 Q 4 f Neal on Plots and a Standing Army ^
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accuses Modern Unitarians , with rather regarding the vicious with pity than indignation . Can any man otherwise regard them , who believes that they will suffer much more than they enjoy by their crimes , whatever be the ultimate result of such sufferings ? He who thus believes , must believe , that
he who injures another , injures himself much more , and consequently is an object of the deepest compassion . He who would not suffer death , rather than inflict it , is not a practical Unitarian This was surely the doctrine of Priestley , and this is the doctrine of the Rev . Dr . Smith , in his late ' work . Men at their ease , with all their natural wants supplied , are apt to express
great indignation at the conduct of others , in opposite circumstances , but their circumstances being changed , might alter their feelings , and indignation might become pity . As vice leads to misery , let it not be forgotten , that it originates in misery . Pain , of one sort or other , is the source of all vice . No one who is happy , can voluntarily injure another . Dr . Smith
justly resolves all vice , in its origin , to want , weakness and err on * . Can any one shew that this is false ? It was a saying of Mr . Bradbury , who was not a Modern Unitarian , when he-saw any one carried to execution , there should Bradbury have been carried if it had not been for the grace of God ; and there was as much true philosophy , as religion in that saving There is many
a man , who passes through life , in the midst of enjoyments , all called innocent , with the full approbation of his own mind , and a high character for goodness , as being free from malignity , and , from his abundance , in a certain degree beneficient . But let it not be forgotten , that all moral differences in character , are resolvable into the degree of self-denial , voluntarily imposed
by the individual for the good of others , or a sense of duty . Bv this let every man try himself ! And then let him regard the vicious , with pity or with indignation . Bad morals grow not from the Unitarian doctrine , and an Old Unitarian , in this particular , brings an accusation , that is , perhaps , not disgraceful to his more Modern Brethren , A , R .
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Sir , Clapton , July 3 , 1817 * HA VE just had great pleasure in I reading Dr . Toulmin ' s edition of NeaFs History of the Puritans , and have sent you a note by the editor , as being particularly applicable to the present times . It refers to what Mr . Neal ver y justly calls , the " mad
insurrection " of Thomas Venner , and a small number of enthusiasts , who expected " a fifth universal monarchy under the personal reign of King Jesus upon earth , and that the saints were to take the kingdom themselves . " I take this opportunity to recommend the above work , more particularly the notes of the late venerable and excellent editor , to your
correspondent " An Old Unitarian" [ p . 284 ]; he will there see that Dr . T ., though an old , very pious , and I believe in every respect , most exemplary Unitarian minister , was as great a lover of , and advocate for liberty , as any of the Modern Unitarians . If a man may not be a good Unitarian Christian , and yet a firm supporter of civil and religious
freedom , we are of all sects the most unfortunate ; and I much wish that your Correspondent had taken an opportunity to recommend his own slavish principles ; without bringing such gross charges against those who differ from him . " It plainly appeared on the examination of these insurgents , that iliev
« 7 ^ y r ^ had entered into no plot with any other conspirators . The whole transaction was the unquestionable effect of the religious frenzy of a few individuals . Yet it was the origin of a national burthen felt to this day . At the Council , on the morning after the insurrection was qwelled , the Duke of York availed himself of the opportunity to push his arbitary measures . On the
pretext , that so extravagant an attempt could not have arisen from the rashness of one man , but was the result of a plot formed by all the sectaries and fanatics to overthrow the present government , he moved « to suspend at such an alarming crisis , the disbanding of General Monk ' s regiment of foot , ' which had the guard of Whitehall ;
and was , by order of Parliament , to have been disbanded the next day . Through different causes the motion was adopted , and a letter was sent to the king to request him to approve
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), July 2, 1817, page 394, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2466/page/18/
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