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many of therpi however , is entirely consistent with the belief that , in their corporate capacity , and under the existing obligation to subscribe to articles which the vast majority of their number cannot have examined , they , in effect , take human authority , rather than the sacred volume , as the
standard of their religious faith . It is a dreadful evil , and a copious source of other evils : and we grieve for those by whom , and for those in regard to whom , such offences come . Few things are more desirable than that the Established clergy , both as individuals and as a class of men , should forbear
to step beyond their proper sphere ; and should gently yield to the improving spirit and knowledge of the times . Let them be the first to lift up their voices in behalf—not of antiquated , intolerant and proscriptive statutes , but—of the rights of conscience , of brotherly love , and of an equal
participation in civil privileges and political elegibilities ; let them be exclusively intent on diffusing , by their labours and examples , the mild , benevolent , humble spirit of Christianity , and they will have a large share in the affection and esteem of all the wise
and good of all denominations . When they embark on the tempestuous ocean of controversy , let it be seen that they are not unprovided with fit materials for the ballast of their vessel , and that they possess sufficient temper , skill and self-command to steer their course .
1 he worst enemy of the Church , could scarcelvframe a more fatal wish against it than that its leading articles may continue to be defended in the language and the manner in which they have of late years been defended : its most enlightened friends , on the other
hand , will be supremely desirous of the revival and increase of scriptural learning among its sons ; since it may with confidence be stated , that they who carry this learning to the discussion of points of doctrine , vvill hardly ever fail of being characterized by moderation combined with firmness .
This is the distinction of Mr . Wellbeloved . He writes like a man who , being humbly and reasonably persuaded that he has truth on his side , feels himself under no temptation to address the prejudices and passions of his readers . While he makes his theological knowledge—and it is various
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and sojid—to bear upon his subject , he is free ( from pedantry arid ostentation , nor indulges in wanton digressions an 4 irrelevant quotations . He has that judgment and good sense and penetration which qualify him for using his weapons with propriety and effect * In Mr . Wellbeloved , learning is not an .
acquaintance with a number of insulated facts , which he cannot arrange , and upon which he cannot reason , but the companion and the instrument of thought ; a cause essentially sound and good , is not in any trifling degree recommended and adorned by such aa advocate .
We particularly admire the judicious and affectionate zeal of the Archdeacon of Cleveland ' s opponent in repelling the blows aimed by the dignitary against the illustrious dead . Living authors , when unjustly
attacked , can , if they please , defend themselves . But , after the grave has imposed its silence on those who formerly needed no stranger ' s pen to vindicate their injured and insulted fame / as , on the one hand , there is a want of
manliness in renewing personal charges and invectives , which had long since been answered , so he exhibits a generous and honourable spirit who comes forward in the character of the discriminating and grateful advocate of traduced piety and virtue , of superior talents and extensive learning . While Unitarian Christians will not
acknowledge " any master upon the earth , " they gladly own , nevertheless , their peculiar obligations to the labours and the example of Dr . Priestley : they are not the less attached to his memory ,
because he suffered calumny and loss , for the sake of what they believe to be the truth : nor is it possible for them to read without lively pleasure the remarks of the writer of the
" Three Letters" and of the " Three Additional Letters , " concerning the temper and the polemical works of that distinguished individual . An able Transatlantic author , in a note to an ordination sermon , which he delivered last summer , takes a less
favourable view of Priestley than a personal intercourse with him , and a just acquaintance with his writings , would have presented . Rapidity and profoundness of thought , are not necessarily incompatible with each other : and ia this great man both these pro-
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Review —> WeUbelove # & Letters to Archdeacon Wrangham 223
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), April 2, 1825, page 223, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2535/page/31/
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