publication, and received with approbation by many in that country. It has been the opinion of some learned men, and the thing is highly probable, that Lælius Socinus, the uncle of Faustus, and several other Italians, derived their antitrinitarian opinions from Servetus' book, entitled De Trinitatis Erroribus. Lælius Socinus was but a boy when Servetus published that book, and we know of no other antitrinitarian publications, that were likely to come in his way but those of the Doctor. As Servetus was the first who wrote in defence of unitarianism, and the first martyr to the cause, after the æra of the reformation, he may with great propriety be called the reviver of the unitarian doctrine. Mr. Robinson says, From him proceeded partly, if not wholly, the unitarian baptist churches in most parts of Europe.' This will appear the more likely when it is considered how nearly the religious opinions of the Dutch general baptists, and indeed those of the general baptists every where, who lived near his time, coincided with his. He bore a faithful testimony against trinitarianism and pedobaptism, and sealed it with his blood; nor has his testimony been useless to mankind. Unitarians of every description, baptist, pedobaptist, and antibaptist, may consider him as a martyr

to the most fundamental doctrine in their religious system, the doctrine of the divine unity.

SECTION VI.

By the countenance his leading doctrines have received, from some of the greatest men, since that time.

In the age in which he suffered, the doctrines of Servetus were countenanced by many persons of eminence for learning and piety In every age they have found able advocates. Men of the most distinguished parts, of the deepest study and research, of the highest attainments in literature, science,, and philosophy, have adopted the doctrine for which he suffered; only they have stated it more clearly, and pursued it further then he did. To enumerate all the eminent persous who have espoused unitarianism, since the martyrdom of Servetus, would be to give a list of characters the most distinguished, for rational piety, urbanity of manners, unaffected virtue, and unwearied literary and scientific exertions, that any party of christians can boast. The cause in which his life was sacrificed, being espoused by such men

is an ample vindication of his conduct in maintaining and dying in its defence. Though its progress be retarded by prejudice and bigotry, its advocates assailed, from every quarter, by the partizans of mystery, and loaded with calumny and misrepresentation, unitarianism keeps making progress, and, as rationality and candor increase, it cannot fail to gain ground. As unitarianism gains ground the fair fame of Servetus will rise to view, from amid the foul aspersions of his enemies.

SECTION VII.

The failings of Servetus did not arise from a vicious principle.

Servetus had his failings; for he was but a man, and what man is free from imperfection? but his enemies could not charge him with any

vice.

It appears that his temper was warm; but, we do not find that he ever discovered a malignant disposition, or carried resentment to an injurious length. There was every thing in the conduct of his opponents to irritate his spirit, and he no doubt, sometimes, expressed himself unguardedly, and with undue warmth: yet he did

not show himself implacable or unbending; so far from it, he used these words, in his reply to the propositions which Calvin drew up against him, I wrote so, I confess, when you shall convince me of the contrary, I will not only receive it, but I will kiss the ground you go on.' This is not the language of either implacable resentment, or of unbending obstinacy.

The language he sometimes used to Calvin is not to be justified: yet some allowance ought to be made for it. It was common for disputants, in those days, to apply such epithets to each other, as could not be excused in the present more polite and liberal age; but it is to be remembered men were then less polished in their manners, and less courteous in their treatment of each other. Besides, the reformers and romanists, in their controversies with each other, had rendered customary the use of abusive language in religious disputation. Servetus' error consisted in his, in some degree, falling into what was then a general practice. Further, it is to be remembered, Calvin set him the example, by abusing him first, and that all along he exceeded Servetus in the use of opprobrious terms, calling him, dog, &c.' and that he added the treatment to the foulest epithets.

A Spanish most cruel After all,

we find Servetus, a few hours before his death, sent for Calvin, and asked his pardon for any thing he had said improper in his contention with him. This showed a spirit of forgiveness, and goodwill, towards his greatest enemy. Calvin did not meet this overture of the dying man as he ought to have done, instead of consoling, he endeavored to tease him into an acquiescence with his own opinions? and when he found he could not do that he left him, as an irreclaimable heretic. Unfeeling man!

It seems, on his examination at Vienne in Dauphine. Servetus made use of some evasion and prevarication, with a view to shun the cruel death to which he was exposed Though

his conduct in this instance cannot be defended, some excuse is to be made for him. He was arrested unexpectedly there; he was, in some degree, taken by surprise; as he had many friends at Vienne, they might advise him to such a conduct. He was but a man, his fears got the better of him, and he was betrayed into that duplicity of conduct which in his heart he disapproved. He is not the only great and good man that ever was overcome by the fear of suffering; it has been the case with many. Peter denied his Master with oaths and cursing, Cranmer recanted in order to