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Untitled Article
trine of Transubstantiation is established . If the second is so taken , viz . as not meaning union of concord only , but identity , our High Church creeds will be upheld by it to their utmost stretch ; but what shall we do > then , with the third , where the same expression is repeated fr for there we must be satisfied with the union of concord alone , as identity of the disciples with
each other and with their blessed Master is impossible . The last of 1 / be above texts , if thy right hand offend thee , ' &c , enjoins what is , indeed * possible , but has not , I believe , given much disturbance to either church * men or laity , though as well entitled to do so as some others whitfh have been causes of bitter contention .. Metaphor is meant to give clearness and scope to interpretation , not to chain it down or encumber it with shackles .
It is fitted to give pleasing exercise to two of our noblest faculties . While the one is enjoying its image , the other is tracing its lesson . Imagination and understanding are natural and pleasant helpmates , who work to one another ' s hands very profitably , and were not bestowed upon us by the great Giver of all good gifts that we should divide and separate them as aliens
from one another . "—Pp . 123—129 . The conclusion of the book is admirable ; alike admirable for its modesty , its logic , and its tendency i " It is frequently urged by well-meaning persons , that in our belief of the
doctrines contained in the Bible there must be a complete prostration of our poor limited reason . True ; when , our reason assents to the words of that book in the sense proposed , as being the words of God . But this is a preliminary which human reason must settle , unless each individual be gifted with inspiration . Yes , we must subject our understanding to such high authority > and it is , therefore , more imperatively our duty to study the
whole of scripture , to the best of our abilities , for ourselves . To set aside what appears to us from the general tenour of the whole to be plainly taught therein , to follow the interpretations given by others of particular passages , is not a prostration of reason to God , but to man . To shew that it is a prostration of reason likewise to the declared opinions of men , who , with fewer advantages than ourselves , did from ambition , from fear , from a desire of conciliating others , from the love of peace , and hatred to contention , not
even dare to use their own reason , would not be difficult ; but the design of these pages forbids me to attempt it . Shall we , from a mistaken notion of
presumption , treat our sacred volume in a way which would be most unjust and injurious to any secular work ? Should we take our opinion of the writings of any great poet or philosopher from detached passages , declared by some peremptory critic as containing the beauty and vigour of the whole ,
not daring to use the affections and faculties of our own mind in perusing it ? This might do well for increasing the consequence of the critic , but would be a heinous wrong and indignity to the author . " But do not let my reader suppose that I recommend a blind , wilful
adherence to one ' s own judgment . It is well for us to consult understandings superior to our own , as we have opportunity in the writings and conversation of the pious and intelligent j but having done so , it is by no means well
Untitled Article
Joanna Baillie on the Nature and Dignity ofChriit \ 511
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Aug. 2, 1831, page 511, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2600/page/7/
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