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of his hearers certainly have done , that liis doubts make those principles uncertain , on which the peace and virtue of mankind rest , on his own shewing they are bound to interfere . We have made these remarks in
order to mitigate , if not wholly to remove , the censure which has been so unsparingly bestowed on Semler for his theory of the three religions , and his willingness to see civil power employed in protecting that which is established . When we see how many excellent men have continued in an
establishment which they did not approve ; how many Blackburnes and Paleys there have been for one Robertson or Lindsey , we cannot harshly condemn their conduct . In the case
of Semler , there is no proof that he had renounced the principal doctrines of the Lutheran confession ; he himself declared that he had done no more than to reject the common arguments in their support ; and as
Griesbacli remained a Trinitarian , after expunging from the New Testament every passage on which the shadow of an argument for the Trinity could be maintained , so may it have been with Semler . To his own Master he
must stand or fall . He died on the 14 th of March , 1791 , of the consequences of an obstinate obstruction of the bowels , foreseeing his death for a considerable time , and contemplating it with calmness , resignation and hope . His friend F . A . Wolf , the celebrated
Editor of Homer , published an account of the interviews and conversations which he had with him in the days which preceded his dissolution . The passions which caused him to be so
harshly judged , died away when he was no more ; and , at this distance of time , few who review his life will probably refuse to add the praise of integrity to that of extensive learning and vigorous originality of thought . [ To be concluded in the next Number . ]
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The Character of Christian in Bunyan ' s Pilgrim ' s Progress . ( By the late Rev . T . Howe . ) Letter II . Sir , Bridport .
HAVING in a previous number of your Repository ( pp . 16—18 ) endeavoured to vindicate the character of Christian in the Pilgrim ' s Progress , from the charges brought
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against it b y Mr . Dunlop , in km History of Fiction , I now send you some observations on this ingenious and popular allegory . In order duly to appreciate the Pilgrim ' Progress , and to be able to
account for the vulgarisms and other faults apparent in this production , it is proper for the reader to know something of the circumstances of the life of the author , and of the peculiar disadvantages under which he laboured . JohnBunyan was born in
Elstow , in Bedfordshire , Anno Dom . 1628 , and at ten years of age was distinguished as the most profane swearer in the place . His father was a tinker , and brought up his son to the same humble employment . He had no other education than being taught to read and write . When about seventeen , he served as a soldier in the Parliament ' s
army . Though a notoriously depraved and vicious character , he was not so thoroughly hardened in sin but he occasionally felt the terrors of an accusing conscience . He was affrighted
by supposed portentous dreams and visions , warning him of his danger , and threatening him with punishment for his evil practices . These effects of a disturbed imagination , together with other concurrent circumstances , were
so graciously overruled by Divine Providence , as to lead him to serious thought , pious resolutions , and eventually to a thorough reformation and holy life . His conversion he always ascribed to the immediate and supernatural operation of the Holy Spirit .
On his becoming religious , he adopted the system of Calvinism as then professed by the Particular Baptists , to whom he joined himself , and , after some time of trial , became a preacher among them . After the restoration of that unprincipled persecutor and
ungrateful violator of sacred promises , Charles Hnd , Mr . Bunyan was tried on an indictment , at Bedford Quarter Sessions , for his Nonconformity . He was charge *} with " having devilishly and perniciously abstained from coming to Church to hear divine service , and
with being a common upholder of several unlawful meetings and conventicles , to the great disturbance and distraction of the good subjects of this kingdom , contrary to the laws of our Sovereign Lord the King . " [ Toulmin ' s Historical View , p . 335 . 1
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72 The Character of Christian , in Bunyan * Pilgrim ' s Progress .
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Feb. 2, 1821, page 72, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2497/page/8/
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