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distrust of i » y abilities , he thought I should be examined in the same shape and manner with other candidates . He was seconded by my old friend and kin&uum , Mr . Sa&dercock , whose zeal for the power of the Assembly , and
the party which was now formed against Mr . Peircs , shewed itself in a veryjugh and angry declamation , which Mr . ( Tilling , the scribe , was meanspirited enough ta pen in characters that I might never know what he said . A debate upon this followed , which ended in a resolution to send me a
letter in the name of the Assembly . In it they expressed their concern at my preaching without licence , mo * deetly desired me to forbear till I got one , and then told me they should be glad of the assistance of my labours among them . I knew nothing of all
this till 2 came to Newton , where Mr . Gilling presented me with the letter , and gave me some account of what had passed . I was so stung with Enty ' s carrying things so high , that I refused the letter , and declared I would be no more concerned with the
Assembly , for I saw plainly that party was the bottom of all this resentment , and that I was to expect no quarter , havingin a manner declared on the side of liberty . But what chiefly disturbed me ( for I never had airp real concern about the favour or frowns of the
ministers ) wag , bow this would be relished by my father , and what effect it would have on him . All hope and prospect of seeing me in a Plymouth pulpit was absolutely gone , and this was the only reward he expected , and had set his heart upon , for all his care , trouble and expenses about me . I perceived too quickly that he was
sensible of this , and that it galled him , for in the rage of disappointment he would sometimes have a fling at bad princi p les , sometimes complain of throwing away money upon me to no purpose , and , in short , gave me very broad hints that he expected to be gratified , though he knew and was convinced of the difficulties I Jay under .
While matters were thus , one Mr . Aaron Pitt , a minister at Chard , and a relation to Mr , Gilling , came to Plymouth . He was a man of no character either for learning or preaching , but was rich , covetous and ambitious , and loved to meddle , in tilings that did not concern him . Mr . Giiling had told him wy whole storv , and desired him
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to try if he could get me to take the Assembly ' s letter . Accordingly he came , and having toM ray father his business he soon prevailed on him to open and read it . I was very much surprised at this , for I knew nothing
of Mr . Pitt ' s being in town till I came into the parlour . I goon found how matters went , and had little to say . I was convinced that my father cared not what hands I fell into , or what became of me . as long as he could
carry his point . Ojd Pitt took me into the court , and on hearing what I had to say , he offered that I should at least be examined by what ministers I pleased , and tliat he would undertake for my good usage , even from Mr . Ball himself , who was one of the heads
of the opposite party , provided I would come to the Assembly as others did . I said that the Plymouth ministers would certainly defeat any scheme of this nature ; but he answered that they should have no manner of concern in
it , and that I need not doubt of success . I thought this a very good offer in the case I was , and so 1 told him I would consult my friends , and do every thing in my power to oblige my father . They all desired me , for particular
reasons , to comply , and were of opinion that it would be carrying a point against the Plymouth ministers , and against the great Enty in particular . Accordingly a scheme was laid for choosing a moderator and persons to examine me , who could be trusted ,
next Assembly . I named Messrs . Peirce , Withers , Edg ley and Cox , who were all chosen without opposition , for they gave punctual and early attendance , and made the election both for moderator and examinantg before Enty or his party came in . He discovered some uneasiness when he found the
thing over , and that they were actually withdrawn to examine me , bust no objection could be made , because all was done according to rule . Old Pitt , who had the merit of conducting this affair , was present with them , having been desired , as he pretended , by Mr . Ball to be a witness of uw abilities ;
but the true design was to hear what account I gave of-the Trinity , and how I was questioned on that head * Mr . Pejrce immediatel y suspected t ) m , and it being discovered that Edgley , though one pf ; my examiners , had secretly made up with the other party , we thought we could not be too cautious .
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198 Memoirs of Himself \ by Mr . John Fo # .
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), April 2, 1821, page 198, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2499/page/6/
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