would certainly have been cast out of it, unless it had been unfaithful, or they had concealed their principles. Whiston, it seems, does alledge that Newton was almost incurably displeased with him for having said that he (Newton) was an Arian. This looks as if, either, the charge was false, or he was ASHAMED OF HIS CREED, and wished to maintain the character of an Orthodox man. Either supposition, I should think, would be far from doing credit to the Unitarian cause. As to Mr. Locke, if there were truth and candour in the man, he was no Socinian; for he solemnly denied it while he lived; he acknowledged the doctrine of Christ's SATISFACTION FOR SIN; and after his death, a distinguished literary friend, who lived with him during several of the last years of his life, and who translated the most valuable of his works into the French language, declares, that, in his last moments, he thanked God "for the love "shewn to man in justifying him by faith in "Jesus Christ, and in particular for having "called him to the knowledge of that DIVINE "SAVIOUR."*

* LOCKE's Works-9th Vol. p. 173. 8vo. Edit.

You see, then, my Christian Friends, the amount of this prejudice founded on the authority of GREAT NAMES. It turns out to be a plea of no force whatever: or rather, so far as it has any force, it is in the proportion of FIVE HUNDRED TO ONE IN FAVOUR OF ORTHODOXY, AND AGAINST UNITARIANISM. Will you cast in your lot, then, with that comparatively small body, who have abandoned the religion of the Apostles, and of the primitive Church; some of whom have been distinguished for their talents and learning, and a few of them eminent for their moral virtues; but the generality of whom, even Dr. Priestley being judge, have never been remarkable for their piety; or will you unite your destiny with that GREAT BODY of holy men of God, of whom the world was not worthy; men as distinguished for the ardour of their piety, and the activity of their benevolent zeal, as for the vigour of their minds, and the extent of their erudition? If I must follow human authority, let the latter be my guides!

LETTER IV.

Testimony of the early Fathers on this Subject. CHRISTIAN Brethren,

THE word of God, as the Orthodox believe, is the only certain test of divine truth; the only infallible rule of faith and practice. Of course, that which is not found in Scripture, however extensively and unanimously it may have been received by those who bore the Christian name, must be rejected, as forming no part of that precious system which God has revealed to man for his salvation. But when we think we find a doctrine plainly, frequently, and solemnly taught in the Bible, it certainly does, and in the estimation of all reasonable men, it ought to corroborate the fact, that the doctrine is really found there, and is, consequently, of God, when we find the true Church, in all ages, maintaining

and cleaving to it, nay contending for it, with zeal, as a fundamental part of divine truth. I need not tell the pious that there is a consolation as well as a duty, in walking in the footsteps of the flock.

Now, if I am not greatly deceived, nothing is more easy than to show, that the doctrines of a Trinity of Persons in the adorable Godhead, and the Divinity of Jesus Christ, have always been held as doctrines of the Gospel by the true church of Christ, and been regarded and contended for as fundamental; that in the purest ages and portions of the church, they have been maintained with most care, and preached with most zeal; and that those who rejected them have been always branded as heretics, and, as such, cast out of the church, and even denied the name of Christian. If all this can be made out, as I have no doubt it can, to the satisfaction of every impartial mind, will it not go far towards demonstrating, that the views of the Orthodox on this subject are correct, and that the doctrines which they cherish, are indeed the truth of God?

In attempting to give a sketch of that portion of the testimony in favour of our doctrines which may be called historical, I might begin with the Primitive Church, and examine the evidence found on this subject in the Sacred records. But this would be to enter into so large a field, that I must at present decline it, as leading me beyond the limits which I have prescribed for these Letters. This is a branch of the testimony which, if entered upon at all, must be pursued into considerable detail. But this has been done by so many hands, and with so much ability, that I refer you to their labours; and shall feel myself warranted in taking for granted that the doctrines for which I contend are plainly and undoubtedly taught in Scripture. When I find the Scriptures declaring, in the most express and unequivocal manner, that God was manifest in the flesh; that Jesus Christ is the Lord from heaven; that He is Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, which was, and which is, and which is to come, the Almighty; that the Jews crucified the Lord of glory; that in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God; that all things were made by him, and for him, and that

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