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Untitled Article
The result of the fierce contention between the advocates and opponents of subscription to the test , ( about the fratning of which its proposers could not unite , ) was—not agreement , nor even an external show of agreement—but the confirmation of each party in its own opinions , and such an excitement
of unchristian feelings , that 4 i the whole city was filled with their noise and clamour , and little stories were fetched and carried about , to the inflaming matters , day after day . In the mean time , among the standers-by , some greatly rejoiced at their exposing themselves so wretchedly . Others as heartily grieved and mourned in secret at their bitter animosity and contention ; and religion sadly suffered from their invectives against each
other . " Dr . Calamy , in whose character we remark a most amusing mixture of shrewdness and simplicity , was very careful to keep out of the quarrel , and managed with all discretion to do so . The Editor of the present work informs us that Dr . C . had never qualified for preaching by subscribing to certain of the Thirty-nine Articles , as required by the Act of Toleration , and that , therefore , he could not with safety join either party , lest his secret
should be discovered . Had this motive not existed , the worthy Divine would , we imagine , have acted in precisely the same manner , as the calmness of his temper and the moderation of his principles made him averse to contention , while the worldly prudence which he early studied to acquire , inclined him to maintain a friendly understanding with all sects and parties . He fell not entirely in with either Subscribers or Non-subscribers , but kept up his correspondence with both , and received civilities from each . He
tells us , however , that he was ready at all times to declare for the true eternal divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ , and that had this doctrine been the subject of dispute at the meeting at Salters' Hall , he durst not in conscience have been at all backward in stating his convictions . But he held that the meeting had a different object , and therefore absented himself ; holding himself in readiness to join with " a flying squadron , " which might possibly interpose to end the battle . There were too many side winds blowing
however , to hring up such a squadron in time , as the Doctor probably anticipated . He thought himself the less obliged to interfere as he was at this time in a course of sermons on the Trinity , which would prove his theological opinions to be sound . These sermons , in number thirteen , ( the doctrine could not certainly be proved by fewer , ) containing , among other things , a vindication of 1 John v . 7 , from being spurious , were published
in the next year . They were dedicated to the King , ( George I ., ) and a copy was presented to his Majesty by the hands of the Divine himself . The account of the interview and its results is so amusing , as presenting a picture of the emotions of a Nonconformist mind in the presence of Majesty , and of the simplicity which peculiarly characterized Dr . Calamy , that we are tempted to give it entire .
" On this occasion I thought that if King George might be induced to allow of a dedication to him , it might bring more persons to read the Discourses . Therefore I applied to Lord Townshend , Secretary of State , requesting his Lordship would be so good as to mention it to the King , and let me know his Majesty ' s answer . His Lordship undertook it with great readiness , signifying his well-pleasedness with my publishing discourses at that juncture , upon that subject ; and saying , I need not doubt but his Majesty would be very free to allow my prefixing- his name ; but that when he saw me next he would let me know more . " When I went again to his Lordship , he told me lie had made my request
Untitled Article
Calamy ' a Life . 97
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Feb. 2, 1830, page 97, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2581/page/25/
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