and unnatural that can be conceived; principles which would be rejected with indignation if applied to any other book?-In fine, that which recognizes in the sacred volume all those features of grandeur and glory, which are adapted to fill and warm the heart; or that which would divest it of all those features, and hold up the inspired writers as continually using the most bold and high-sounding language, to express the most diminutive and common ideas?-Which of these systems, I say, ought the serious christian to countenance?-It is impossible to hesitate. The former is the humble, filial spirit of children sitting at the feet of the Saviour and learning of Him, as the great and all wise Prophet of his church; the latter, is the GENUINE SPIRIT OF INFIDELITY, to which, under all its disguises, the christian ought to say, with his MasterGet thee behind me, Satan; for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.

LETTER VII.

Truth to be tried by its practical influence-Objections to Unitarianism on this ground-Unitarianism disposed to deny or conceal its principles-Indifferent to TruthHostile to the exercises of Vital Piety-Deficient in yielding support and consolation in Death-Unfriendly to the spirit of Missions-Every where more agreeable to Infidels, than any other system which bears the Christian name.

CHRISTIAN Brethren,

THE principle, that truth must be tried by its MORAL INFLUENCE, is as old as truth itself. By their fruits ye shall know them, is a maxim of our Lord, which common sense, and every part of scripture, conspire to enforce. This is a test to which we ought to be willing to bring all our own opinions; and by which every wise man will be careful to try the spirits, whether they are of God.

Whether Unitarianism can, advantageously, stand this test, is a question which I desire in this Letter candidly to examine. The considerations urged in the foregoing Letters against the Unitarian system, are, to my mind, perfectly conclusive. That system which finds no countenance in the word of God; which has been opposed by the pious in all ages; and the advocates of which have always been cast of the Church, and denied the name of Christian, surely has little claim to our respect or confidence. But I have some further objections to this system, which press upon my mind with irresistible force, and which compel me to believe that it is "not of God," These are objections drawn from the practical influence of Unitarianism, in a great variety of respects. This branch of the controversy between the Orthodox and Unitarians, has been treated, as many of you know, in a very able and satisfactory manner, by the Rev. Mr. Fuller, in a work to which I before referred, and which I would again recommend to your careful perusal. The points, however,

to which I wish, at present, to call your attention, are such as that eminent Servant of Christ has either wholly omitted to notice, or has treated in a very cursory manner.

I. The first of the Objections which I propose to consider, is that Unitarians manifest, more re

markably than any other sect with which I am acquainted, A DISPOSITION TO DENY OR CON

CEAL THEIR RELIGIOUS OPINIONS.

The sacred Scriptures solemnly enjoin upon us, not only to search diligently after the truth; but also, having discovered it, to hold it fast; to be ever ready to profess our belief of it, and ever ready, also, to give an answer to every one that asketh a reason of the hope that is in us. Nor can I conceive how the command, to confess Christ before men, or the duty of not shunning to declare all the counsel of God, can be duly regarded, especially by ministers of the Gospel, without a frank and habitual readiness to make known the truth as it is in Jesus, to all who ask to be instructed, or are willing to receive it. And I presume it will not be denied, that the Orthodox, in general, have not only manifested a disposition to attach much importance to doctrinal opinions; but also no less of a disposition. to embrace every suitable opportunity to communicate and preach them.

But, unless I am greatly deceived, the same cannot, with truth be said of Unitarians. On the contrary, I am persuaded, that, in all ages, since the first appearance of Unitarianism in the church of Christ, a disposition to practise the arts of concealment, denial, and evasion, whenever there was any considerable temptation to do so, has been one of its most remarkable characteristicks.

More than sixteen hundred years ago, Irenœus made this complaint concerning certain Unitarians of his day. "In PUBLICK," says he, "they use ALLURING DISCOURSES, because of "the common christians, as they call those who "wear the christian name in general; and to "entice them to come often, they pretend to "PREACH LIKE US; and complain, that, althongh "THEIR DOCTRINE BE THE SAME AS OURS, we "abstain from their communion, and call them "hereticks. When they have seduced any from "the faith by their disputes, and made them "willing to comply with them, they BEGIN TO "OPEN THEIR MYSTERIES."*

* Lib: III. cap. 15..