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Untitled Article
grace is any thing more than were illusion existing in your own mind , such a proof being absolutely out of the course of nature , whilst , as I have already shewn , and could further shew , there is every substantial reason which human intelligence can require in proof of its being so . It were well if such notions were nothing more than abstract opinions ; but the worst is not yet told . This supposed gift of grace is a most dangerous
principle to take up with , for when once such a notion has got possession of the mind , from that moment the mind is no longer open to conviction ; it maUer 3 not how irrational or extravagant the doctrines entertained may be , nor it seems how uncharitable the conduct pursued—every ray of opening light seems to be precluded . Held to the pursuit of a visionary grace and blind faith , a presuming self-sufficiency takes precedence of the understanding * and the faculties merge wholly into a zeal without knowledge . And
what , in truth , is this assumed superiority or self-sufficiency , however curbed in its influence and action by the improved intellect of the day ? It is nothing less than that dread spirit of infallibility which actuated the ruthless Mary , which , in former times , filled the world with persecution and bloodshed , and which , in the language of the pious Dr . Watts , made a slaughterhouse of the church of Christ . People who can conceive that they are acting under the inspiration of a particular divine grace , of course must conclude
that they cannot be wrong . This divine grace then , and infallibility , are in result but one and the same thing , leading to persecution and the judgment of eternal torments upon others . And what , again , is this , O Christian ! but saying , in the presence of the Almighty , " Stand aside , I am holier than yau ? My faith , O God , being the work of thy particular inspiration , not only secures me thy acceptance , but also ensures me so high a standing in
thy favour above my neighbour , as to entitle me to a participation in thy power , and to hurl the bolts of heaven in condemnation upon his soul !" What a dread assumption of the judgment-seat ! Thus must the charge of inconsistency , which I have advanced , appear fully manifest , since , whilst through your faith you would throw yourself at the very foot-stool of humility ^ you , at the same time , actually do , through it , reach the very highest
summit of spiritual pride and presumption ! An awful usurpation of the province of God , since he alone can see the secret thoughts of the heart and be its judge ! I have given my arguments in plain terms , because I think the subject demands it ; but I trust you will see that I have spoken argumentatively only , and absolutely free from the fearful thought of judging you before God for your , faith ; for not for kingdoms , as I have told you , would I take upon inyself such an unscriptura ! and awful responsibility . I see too much to
lament in your faith to admit of its originating any animosity in my breast : upon every consideration I have been able to give , it , it appears to me to be oae of the weakest and most visionary held by Christian sects ; that in place of genuine humility it presents , a system of blignd presumption throughout , whilst in addition it la , bours under the most serious objection of being practically more injurious to society . Wanting charity , it scripturally wants every thing ; ancjl I assure you I do ipost sincerely give thanks that the . day is come when there can be no danger that a s ^ ct disposed as yours is can have an ascendency ia political ,
power-Let me urge upon you , then , a review of your doctrines by a due consideration of all which is to be said against them , and particularly I would lead your attention to the astounding conclusions consequent upon them . Recollect that the particujteu : charge brought against you , by the more liberal part
Untitled Article
166 Letter from a Unitarian Layman to an Evangelical Friend .
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), March 2, 1829, page 166, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2570/page/14/
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