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ill which an image horribly distorted by tfee manner in which it is drawn , is imperfectly restored to the lineaments of nature by the counteracting" influence of a second distortion . "
The writer , having illustrated the moral power of Christianity , in respect of its distinctly teaching the unity of God , in the views which it
exhibits of the Divine character and government , and in its confirming beyond the possibility of a doubt the doctrine of a future life of retribution * suggests admirable counsel to Unitarian Christians ( 42 ) :
u Our claims Iq the profession of a doctrine according- to godliness are capable , as it appears to me , of only one refutation —and that is from ourselves . If we are foremost among" those who sacrifice the honour and the welfare of an immortal being at the shrine of power , sensuality or
fashion , if our zeal is lively only in the promotion of those objects which may interest our selfish passions by increasing * the diffusion of our own opinions , but cold and languid where the great interests of Christianity and morals are concerned ; in vain shall we profess that we maintain the entire and uncorrupted gospel /*
The progress and stability of the Western Unitarian Society are sketched with great delicacy and beauty ( 45 ) : •* The seed which was sown beneath so inclement a sky , that it might well have been doubted whether the biuder of sheaves should ever fill his bosom with the increase , lias shot up with a vigour which removes all fears for the future /'
A discourse from which such quo * tattoos can be taken , deserves the praise of genuine eloquence / N . ^^ " ^^^^^ i ^^ P ^^^^ HMI ^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^ WS ^^ SpB ^ S ^ W ^
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impolicy of legislative interference with the rights of conscience , by a reference to the schemes of usefulness which might have been frustrated , and the important discoveries which might have been prevented , had the object of such interference been accomplished .
c The great discovery of Columbus was well nigh hindered by the authority of the priests , who quoted St . Austin in proof of the assertion , that there could be no antipodes . And for maintaining that theve was , one of the Catholic bishops was accused of holding * dangerous errors . The order sent against him by the Pope ran thus : ' If he should he convicted of
maintaining" that perverse doctrine , which he has uttered against the Lord and against his own soul ; that is , that there is another world , another sun and another moon , — call a consistory , degrade him from the honour of the priesthood , and excommunicate him . * Contemplate also the fate of Copernicus , and Galileo , the fathers of modern astronomy . The first kept his
work nearly forty years before he ventured to publish it ; and the second was charged with heresy for advancing * his astronomical opinions : his works were burnt , himself imprisoned , and being released was enjoined a penanee of repeating * once a week for three years , the seven penitential psalms ! Such have been the fruits of the interference of Government with the right of private judgment !"—* Pp , 18 , 19 .
On those who , from timidity , disappointment , or a despairing temperament , are backward to assist in endeavours to obtain religious liberty , or diffuse religious truth , a penance
similar to Galileo ' s may profitably be enjoined ; and they are recommended to repeat " once a week for three years , " or till it has produced the proper degree of energy , the following
passage : u Pure , disinterested , and well-directed efforts for the g > ood of man or the glory of God , can never fail of success . Times and easons are not indeed in our hands : w £ know not what a day may bring forth . Sanguine in our expectations , and elated with hope , we may look for a speedier accomplishment of oar wishes and
endeavours than cool , sober reflection wilt sanction ; and thus perhaps disappointment may coma ia to chill our energies and to relax our exertions . Or it may be that ia the moments of trouble , of uvearisomeaiBss and dejection ( and to the best of men such moments will sometimes present them * elves ) , w * may abandon ourselves to despair , and belie re that all U vanity . £ nt
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754 Review . R —Madge on eligious Liberty . m
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Abt . II- — Religious Liberty . A Sermon , preached at the Octagon Chapel , Norwich , on Swnday , April 20 , 1817 . By T . Madge , 8 vo . pp . 40 . Hunter .
THIS sermon has the characteristic excellencies of Mr . Madge ' s pulpit compositions . The style is chaste and simple , the arguments are very effectively stated ; and many passages have a persuasive energy about them , which , if it may not be
called by the lofty name of eloquence , at teast produces a very similar impression on the hearer or reader . Ealigiou ^ Libe rt y is pleaded for as being supported by Reason , by Policy , and by Christianity . In the following remarks , the author i » proving the
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Dec. 2, 1817, page 734, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2471/page/38/
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