those of the remainder, which were originally inserted in the Miscellany, relate more particularly to his Reply, and the topics which it embraces.
In preparing these letters for separate publication, the author deemed it advisable to omit some parts, to write others anew, to interweave occasional additions, and, by removing as far as possible local and personal allusions, to clothe them with a general interest, and cause them to harmonize in illustrating the point which he aims to discuss. The first and second letters, and some of the others, are wholly added.
The primary purpose of the author's undertaking has been, to trace out the influence of certain religious opinions on the character of the persons adopting them; and his ultimate object, to show that the sentiments usually denominated Unitarian have a decided preference in this respect to the high dogmas of orthodoxy. The discussion, in some of its parts, has taken a wide range, and been conducted, perhaps, in a somewhat desultory manner. This was in a measure ne
cessary from the causes in which it originated. It is believed, however, that little will be found, which has not a general bearing on the subject.
The letters on Charity, and the Christian Name, may at first be thought an exception; but when it is reflected how strong an influence the various sentiments indicated in these letters have on the temper and feelings of christians, it is presumed they will be allowed to hold an important place in connexion with other parts of the work.
The inquiry concerning the opinions of Newton, Locke, and Watts, might possibly have been spared, and yet it has a natural alliance with the succeeding letter on the morals of celebrated English Unitarians. On the whole, it is hoped, that most readers will find it no difficult task to discover sufficient harmony and directness in all the essential particulars brought under examination.
It has been no part of the author's plan to investigate the truth of opinions, nor has he approached this branch of inquiry any farther,
than was requisite for defining articles of faith explicitly and fairly. To accomplish this, it was sometimes necessary, as in the case of the Trinity and Atonement, to compare different views, and bring forward some of the reasons by which they are severally supported. But the chain of argument is never meant to be directed to this end; its ultimate bearing is exclusively on the tendency of existing opinions, as they affect piety and morals.
ADVANTAGES of religious controversy, or discussion, p. 1. The Saviour,
Apostles, and primitive Christians were controvertists, 3. Reformation
established by controversy, 5. One class of Christians to whom religious in-
quiry can be of no service, 8. Three general topics of religious controver-
sy, 9. The first pertains to Church government, ib. The second to articles
of faith, 11. The third to the influence of opinions on practice, 15. To
this latter branch of controversy the present work will be chiefly confi-
ned, 17.
of faith, 31. Scriptural view of this unity, 32. False mode of interpreting
the Scriptures adopted by the reformers, 33. Unhappy influence of creeds
after the Reformation, 34. Heresy, 37. Just remarks of Hoadly, 38.
Extent of a true christian faith, 39. Believing too little, 40. Spirit of in-
tolerance, 41. Its baleful effects, 42. Influence of creed making on mi-
nor concerns of religious societies, 44. Disorders and wickedness in the
christian church have arisen from principles opposed to Unitarianism, 46.
Evils of orthodoxy, 48.
On Charges against the Character of Unitarians.
Singular mode of attacking Unitarians, 50. Charges specified, 52, 53. Per-
tain to moral character, 54. Dr Priestley's authority improperly quoted,
55. Charges unfounded, 56. Rashly applied, 57. Unitarians as moral
and pious as other sects, 59. Unitarianism is embraced at the expense of
many sacrifices, 60. The charge of immorality against Unitarianism ex-
tends to some of the greatest and best men, whom the world has known, 61.
Many names enumerated, and testimonies quoted, 62, 63. Watts and Whitby good men after they became Unitarians, 64. Folly of rash charges against christian brethren, 65. Better to turn them from their errors by per- suasion a nd kindness, ib.
Charges against the Opinions of Unitarians.
Value of mutual discussion, 66. An attack on character, motives, and con-
duct, likely to be repelled with warmth, 68. Sincerity of Unitarians, 69.
Broad difference between charges against character, and against opinions,
70. Immorality consists not in opinion, but acts, 71. Mischievous effects
of misplaced censures, ib. Unitarians desire only to read the Scriptures and
worship God, as their consciences direct, 72. In this exercise no one has a
right to interfere with them, 73. They have charged no sect with immo-
rality, ib. Unitarians accused of denying the essential doctrines of the
christian religion, 74. Topics to be discussed; first, christian name and cha-
rity; secondly, trinity and atonement; thirdly, moral influence of Calvinism;
fourthly, sentiments and morals of English Unitarians, 75, 76.
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