On this page

• Text (1)

  Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

  • 

    Untitled Article

• Transcript

  • Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

    Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.

    Untitled Article

    correct sentiments , by the easiest means . In fact ? of all modern writers , Dr . Hey is the true theologian . Amongst the eminent divines of our own Church , indeed , it would be easy to select one , more conspicuous for his learning—another , for the vigour of his mind—a third , for his enlarged views of things—a fourth , for his depth of thought , and so onbut these and other great qualities Dr . Hey possessed in no ordinary

    degree : —and it would be in vain , I believe , to look for any other individual , at once so diligent in applying to the best sources of knowledgeso sagacious in selecting , and so accurate instating , whatever was of consequence to the subject of investigation — so scrupulous lest he should draw unwarrantable conclusions—and so anxious to inspire his readers with the love of truth . *—However agreeable it might be to my own inclination , I shall not attempt to give a critical account of Dr . Hey ' s Lectures in

    Divinity , or any other of his excellent works . The few observations-which I have yet to offer will relate to the learned author himself . —Assiduous in his studies , eminent for his attainments , distinguished by his publications , conscientious in the discharge of his duties , courteous in his manners , and respected for his virtues—this man was permitted to * sink into the grave , without one single mark of attention from the government of his country . Much has been said , and I think very justly , of Mr . Pitt ' s unwarrantable

    neglect of merit , in the persons of Bishop Watson and Dr . Paley . The nation had a right to expect , and did expect , that those great men should not be overlooked . There was a universal feeling with regard to them , which was very strongly expressed ; but Mr . Pitt thought proper to shew his contempt for the national voice . Still , however , those great men had their dignities . They had , indeed , wherewithal to satisfy any thing less than

    ambition . There was , besides , a certain worldliness of character about them , which deadens our sympathy with the individuals to whom it belongs . On the contrary , in the case of Dr . Hey we find modest talent and unpretending worth left in obscurity ; and our feelings for the man are mingled with our regret , that the Church of England was not permitted to behold , in the highest station the person from whom it had derived so much honour . "—Pp .

    306—309 . The following vindication of Mr . Porsou's treatment of Mr . Travis is equally spirited and just : " A cursory perusal of the work , however , would be quite sufficient to convince Mr . Porson that it had not the slightest claim to public confidence . And when he found a writer , whose statements seemed to manifest what might almost be called a systematic disregard to the truth of things , assailing the characters of the most eminent individuals with unmeasured charges of

    ignorance and fraud—Mr . Porson may surely be forgiven if his indignation excited him to some great act of retributive justice . Let us , moreover , not be exorbitant in our demands upon human nature . To protect the fame of those who have deserved well of mankind is an undertaking which may excuse some roughness in the manner of its accomplishment . How others may have been struck witli Mr . Travis ' s work , I know not ; but I perfectly recollect

    the disgust Which I experienced on the first perusal of it . In that work , Mr . Travis taxes Erasmus with having , from an inclination to Arian principles , long meditated the expulsion of the disputed text ; insinuates that he could not produce the five Greek MSS . which , according to his own account , omitted the text ; maintains that he had the authority of eight Greek MSS . in its favour ; and accuses him of conduct in the highest degree mean and disingenuous . Mr . Travis prefers against a very respectable writer , Dr . Benson , the grossest charges of ignorance or dishonesty , or both . His " * I take it for granted that no one will infer , from this strong and general commendation of the Lectures ^ that I adopt every sentiment which they contain . "

    Untitled Article

    Review . —Vindication of Pofson . ¦ 329

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), May 2, 1828, page 329, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2560/page/41/