he presume to deny them the praise of eminent abili ties? But "let the eminency of their abilities be "what it may," he adds, "if the inspiration of the "sacred oracles be given up, interpolations are "pleaded for, whole chapters cashiered, the writers "taxed with reasoning inconclusively, and the whole "be declared an obscure book; these sacred oracles "will not admit them to be friends, but consider "them as adversaries in disguise *."

This induction of charges, drawn up without precision, is calculated to mislead the reader, and to impress him with sentiments of horror against the writers, at whom it points. It may be concluded from it, that Antitrinitarian writers have been wholly occupied in attacks upon the authority, perspicuity and accuracy of the scriptures. It may be concluded, that their object has been, not to elucidate the scriptures, but to undermine the weight they bear, to cast reflections upon them, and to curtail them. It may be concluded, that Unitarian commentators only have discarded the notion of a plenary inspiration, extending to all the books, and to the whole and all the parts of every book of scripture; have departed from the common reading and version; have had recourse to various readings, and, on the authority of manuscripts, rejected syllables, words, sentences, and 'paragraphs of scripture. It may be concluded, "that they have, in this, been governed not by a laudable

and pious desire to ascertain the meaning and purity of the sacred canon, but solely by a solicitude to establish their own system. It may be concluded, that the passages cashiered, or supposed to be interpolated, or considered as obscure or inconclusive, were those only, which relate to the Calvinistic and Trinitarian questions, and are considered as militating against the opinions of Unitarians. It may be concluded, that they are actuated by a consciousness, that, unless they had recourse to such a method of treating the scriptures, their sentiments could not stand an appeal to them. It may be concluded, that the alterations, proposed in the original text, are dictated merely by a bold and daring spirit of innovation; the effects of a licentious liberty taken with the scriptures, and not regulated by solid, fixed principles of criticism and interpretation. Once more, it may be concluded, that the pains bestowed by such writers, on the illustration of the scriptures, have produced nothing just and valuable, and deserving attention.

These conclusions, which Mr. Fuller's bill of indictment, indiscriminately, insinuates, can not be supported by evidence; nor are founded in real fact. The new translation given to some texts, the different readings assigned to others, the charge of obscurity, or of inconlusive reasoning, made against any, are only occasional and incidental: while they leave the general system of the christian history, the christian morals, and the christian promises and hopes, the same

as it was before. They affect particular passages, but not the whole book. In the estimation of the best judges, these Unitarian writers have cast great light upon the scriptures, and are worthy of study,

For this I appeal

though not of implicit confidence. to the encomiums bestowed on them by a Law, a Watson, a Newcome, and a Doddridge. The investigation of various readings was first taken up by the orthodox, and has been pursued by them: witness, Calvin, Beza, a Bengelius, a Kennicot, and Griesbach. It is, by no means, peculiar and appropriate to Unitarians, to deny the plenary inspiration of the scriptures. Learned men, such as Tillotson and Burnet, by no means partial to their system, have waved insisting upon it, and have admitted, that the question concerning the nature and extent of inspiration, is attended with considerable difficulties. It is not easy to see with what propriety it can be regarded as censurable to suppose, that there are obscurities and difficulties in the sacred writings. The undertaking of every commentator necessarily implieth it. apostle Peter scrupled not to assert, that in the writings of "Paul, there were things hard to be under"stood." On which an eminent orthodox divine of the las century, observes, that it is plainly intimated, that there are such things in the other parts of the holy writ. "It is indeed an undoubted truth," he adds," and what no christian is, I think, in the least "concerned to deny, that the books both of the Old " and

The

and New Testament are not every where equally "clear and intelligible*." To some, from various causes, these obscurities will appear greater, and to involve more and larger parts of scripture than to others.

But though, in all these instances, Unitarians are countenanced by the example of christians in the popular scheme, and have trod in the steps of the orthodox, yet on them is to rest the invidious charge of being "not friends to the sacred oracles, but "adversaries in disguise." They adversaries, who have bestowed intense thought and labour on the study of the scriptures: who have aimed to purify them from errors and corruptions; and have applied themselves to remove stumbling blocks in the way of their being received with veneration! They adversaries, who have opened the treasures of learning to explain them, and have endeavoured to obviate difficulties, that they might appear in their native purity, beauty, and force! They adversaries, who thought closely, attended much to the connexion, setting it in a most critical view, and have illustrated, sometimes in an admirable manner, the spirit of the sacred writer+! They adversaries, whose labours and writings go directly to evince the divine mission

[* Atterbury's Posthumous Sermons, vol. 1, p. 232.]

[† Dr. Doddridge's Character of Locke, Peirce, and Benson; particularly the last. Preaching Lectures, Ms.]

of

of Jesus Christ, and to show the certainty of those sublime and excellent "words of eternal life," which he preached! They truly adversaries in disguise, who have always stated difficulties fairly and candidly, in an open and frank manner delivered their own sentiments, and given full scope to investigation!-Such writers adversaries to the sacred oracles! Good sense rejects the imputation, as absurd-candor laments it, as ungenerous.

Here I will take my leave of Mr. Fuller. He will act, with respect to this rejoinder, as his own judgment shall dictate.. It is very immaterial to me, who has the last word; if he thinks fit to reply again, I shall readily quit the field of controvery to him. From what I have observed on the progress of opinion concerning the main points on which we differ, the unity of God and the humanity of Christ Jesus, and from my views of the tenor and declarations of scripture, a conviction is produced in my mind, that the sentiments for which I plead, and which you, Sir, embrace, on these points, will eventually be those of the whole christian world: when Mr. Fuller's name and my own, and the part each of us has taken in this controversy, shall be forgotten.

But should I be mistaken, or be too sanguine in my expectations, I hope to rest with perfect satisfaction in this general persuasion, that the TRUTH, whether it be with him, or with me, or with neither of us, will finally prevail.

I re