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cotne ' s of the whole New Testament , were well adapted for this purpose . The Improved Version , formed . on the basis of the latter , gave it an extent of circulation which it never before possessed ; and the very diversity of style which disqualified it for use , as to devotional purposes , rendered its aid efficient for detecting that self-deception which had mistaken a
recollection of the words for a knowledge of the sense of scripture . Then the Improved Version gave the public the original text , as far as it has been recovered by the most diligent and successful criticism . The produce of the labours of the learned was made common property . God's word was cleansed from man's additions . Christians have a right to its possession so purified ; but by whom else has that right been practically recognized ? Wtiat have the wise and the powerful of other denominations done for the
unlearned in this particular ? They have left the community to this day without the Word of God in its pure and undefiled state . Public Authority only sanctions , Churches only use , Bible Societies only circulate , and Missionaries only translate from , an interpolated text ; and one which they all know and alJow to be interpolated . How good and pious men answer for this to their own consciences it concerns not us to inquire . But it does
concern us that they who have the honesty and the courage to separate the chaff from the wheat , and to put into the hands of the people the words written by the apostles without the forgeries which have been added , should be remembered with honour and with blessing . And further , the Improved Version not only gave the mere English reader the results of the Critic ' s researches , and the Translator ' s labours , but furnished him with a rich
collection of materials for the formation of his own judgment upon disputed matters . The Introduction and- ] Notes are a noble monument of the learning , industry , and zeal of the Editor . He has laid bare the arcana of biblical criticism to vulgar gaze ; brought it down , as Socrates did philosophy , from the clouds to the abides of common life ; and on many a point which it used to be the privilege of the learned to discuss , made the right of private
judgment no longer a dead letter to the many , but one which they may safely and profitably exercise . Defects and errors in this great work there undoubtedly-are ; but it contains also , to a considerable extent , materials for their correction ; and no student of the New Testament , learned or unlearned , can fail , but through bis own fault , of finding its assistance highly valuable .
The earliest of Mr . Belsham ' s publications , with the exception of single sermons , was the " Review of Mr . Wilberforce's Treatise , entitled ' A Practical View of the prevailing Religious System of Professed Christians , '" &c , 1798 . This work remains the most complete statement of Unitarian Christianity which we have from his pen . What he considered the doctrines and the spirit of the gospel are exhibited in contrast with those of the popular system as portrayed by the respectable , eloquent , and devout author of the " Practical View . " Faith is opposed to faith , spirit to spirit , tendency to tendency .
The Divine character is vindicated from the imputation of vindictiveness , human nature from that of total depravity , and Christian morality from that of useless austerity . There is little , and the occasion did not require it , of minute and elaborate discussion . The writer ' s object was a general view of the two Creeds in contrast ; and that object is accomplished in a complete , perspicuous , and impressive manner . ** Look on this picture , and on that . " A rapid glance is cast over the whole circle of theological topics . It is the glance of one who knows the region well ; who is familiar with all its heights and depths ; and who has thoroughly mustered in detail the several particu-
Untitled Article
^ 84 On the Character and Writings of the Rev . T . Behhun ,
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Feb. 2, 1830, page 84, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2581/page/12/
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