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the course of a very few weeks , while in a state of mind utterly unsuited to the calm exercise of the understanding , he came to an unhesitatiug conviction , that instead of the essential , unpurchased mercy of God in Christ Jesus ,
be was henceforth to rest his hopes of acceptance on the death of Christ , as the procuring- cause of salvation ; that instead of regarding the Father as the only true God , he was to consider
Jesus Christ , whom he has sent , as himself truly and properly God ; that instead of paying religious worship to the Father only , and yielding Him alone the tribute of Supreme love , he was henceforward to have Three
Supreme Objects of adoration , thanksgiving and prayer . And it is to be observed , that this momentous decision was formed without his once conversing with those with whom be had been accustomed
to converse freely , and who , he must know , would use no means but argument to prevent his change : it was formed in circumstances , in which , as a medical man , he would have recommended another , if possible , to suspend
his judgment : it was formed with extreme rapidity , and it was communicated to the world with a precipitancy which seemed to say , that the desperate step must be made at once , or lie should relapse .
Nor can I forbear to express my surprise , that one who , in the search after Christian truth , perused the imposing assertions and eloquent declamation of Wardiaw , should have
neglected the close -and solid arguments of Yates in reply . Some of Mr . Wardiaw * s friends r I have heard , have advised iiim to relinquish the contest ; and I am of opinion that they are his wisest .
If Dr . Stock ' s recollection told him that fluctuation marked his religious history , experience and his knowledge of human nature should have taught him to suspend his decision , till it had stood the test of a calmer and more
judicious investigation , after his feelings had become tranquillized , and his powers of discrimination had acquired their usual vigour . Should I be asked , if I expect that Dr . Stock will ever return to hi *
former sentiments , I answer , not if he places religion in excitement , rather than in steady affection and principle j
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not if he makes feeling the test of truth , rather than argument ; not , in short , while he believes himself under the special guidance of Divine illumination . If that belief continue , and as long as it continues , he has but one
course to pursue ; and while so manycontribute all they can , to keep him steady to his new doctrines , and to feed the flames of enthusiasm , he will not be likely to follow that resplendent ,
but less glaring light , by which he would discern , that the spirit of truth cannot contradict itself , and that this has plainly taught , that besides Jehovah there is no God , and that the Father is the only true God .
I do not presume to set bounds to the agency or influence of God .. I believe that the Father of our spirits does afford aid to his frail children , in ways which philosophy cannot yet explain , to strengthen , to console , and
to guide : but 1 know do proof that he af present communicates ti * uth by any supernatural means . I am sure , at any rate , that we have a right , and that it is our duty , to " try the spirits ;" and I feel a firm conviction that that
spirit is not of God , which contradicts the plainest principles of common sense , and the plainest declarations of Scripture . What internal feelings can be allowed as a just ground for conviction that Jesus Christ is God
Supreme , when his own words are , " The Father is greater than I , " and when he exclusively speaks of him , in the solemn act of prayer , as " The only true God" ? ' " But after all ( it will be said ) you regret the loss of him . " Certainly we
do ; but not because we cannot do without him . His steady attendance on the duties of public worship , and the still more uniting ordinance of Christian profession , —his ardour of feeling , contributing to cherish zeal in others , —his devout and amiable
character , as well as his distinguished attainments , —made him a valuable member of the congregation with which he had been for many year * connected . Etal his importance to its prosperity hats be £ n vastly over-rated ;
not by himself , for he would not do it j but by those who wildly imagined that his change would be the deathblow to Unitarianism , in this city at least . Tp the welfare of the cougregatiou as a body , various individu als
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5 & 0 Dr . Carpenter ' s Remarks on D )\ 'Stock ' s Letter *
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Oct. 2, 1817, page 590, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2469/page/18/
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