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believe what I could not find in my Testament , as I was always taught to believe that book to be the rale and guide of my faith . 1 could not find the word Trinity , nor could I find Ood the Father , God the Son , and God the Holy Ghost ; but I could find a great number of passages where our blessed Saviour prayed to his Father and our Father , to bis God
and our God , and where the blessed Jesus and his apostles taught prayer to be made to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ ; and St . Paul says , * There is none other God but one ; for though there be that are called Gods , whether in heaven or in earth , as there be gods many and lords many , but to us there is but one God even the Father . ' Howbeit there is not in every man this knowledge .
" Thus , Sir , I discarded that jumble of inconsistencies from my creed , for I could not reconcile it to my reasou that God the Father , God the Son , and God the Holy Ghost , should be three distinct persons , and but one God , because , Sir , I could not find it in my Bible or Testament : and I was therefore sure it was
the thoughts of man , who was as likely to err as myself . 1 therefore laid it aside , not fearing its damnatory threaten ings , and determined no longer to believe that one was three , and three one ; but , on the contrary , to worship the one living and true God , the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ , our blessed Mediator and Redeemer .
" Thus , Sir , I became a fixed Unitarian , before I knew that there was such a sect : which was not till nearly two years afterwards , the whole time of which I absented myself from any place of worship , except when duty obliged me to attend the Mayor ; till , forming a
resolution to go to all the Dissenting chapels at that time in the city , to try to find one that met my ideas , I began at that which was then called the Presbyterian Meeting , where , Sir , in that house of the devil , * Y found what I so ardently wished , the unmixed worship of the One living and true God .
" Thus , Sir , I have given you the cause . of my dissent , and * the reasou of the hope that is in me , * nor can any argument you can use shake my faith , as it is iu Jesus , to whom 1 give more merit as my Mediator uud Saviour , than you give to him by worshiping him as God ; for Christ died on the cross , to redeem sinners ; but God cannot die .
• The Unitarian clntpvl was so called by the Hev . S . IS ., of Chichester .
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" I cannot find in my Testament that be was a God-man ; the passage * yon pointed out to me , to set the question at rest , as you were pleased to say , is , I fear , a sandy foundation , for I believe it was at first but a marginal note , and is now , I think , agreed almost on all sides to be an interpolation , and is the ooly
solitary passage to be found . It is now nearly eighteen years since I left the bosom of my nursing mother , and wandered from the beaten path ; since wbicb , like the Bereaus of old , I have * searched daily to see whether those things were so , ' and I still continue one of that sect which is every where spoken against . I have read a great many arguments on
both sides the question , and , aided by my Testament , I still retain the same opinion , wbicb i * % that the doctrine of the New Testament is Unitarianism , and is the doctrine that was taught by our blessed Saviour and his Apostles , who , whilst on earth , was the most meek and lowly , bat is now exalted to the right hand of his Almighty Father ; but 1 think it inconsistent to be Father and Son himself .
" This , Sir , I think , must be the opinion of every considerate , impartial man , and is , I know , the opinion of many who , through fear or interest , dare not avow it . " Now , Sir , I would thank you to let me enjoy my own creed , without molestation , as I wish to live in charity with all men . 1 hope this will not make you
think worse of me than you were wont : I shall always be glad to see you as gaol chaplain , but would thank you uot to be harsh to my prisoners , because you are not aware what trouble you give by making them uneasy ; for f consider after prisoners are found guilty by the laws of their country , and sentenced to au imprisonment , they have no right to be pressed to a confession of their gaift , unless such as are under sentence of
death . " I am , Rev . Sir , " Your humble servant , " John Humphries , «• Gaoler of the City of Chichester . " To the Rev . . "
No comment could improve the plain good sense and inauly avowal contained iu the above letter . Such tirui and consistent believers are cheering , amidst the defections from our religions assemblies which we sometimes have to lament ,, when pride , caprice , or fashion , sway the * Iu John ' s Kpistle .
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Obituary - —Mr . John Humphries . ZB 1
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), May 2, 1831, page 351, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2597/page/63/
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