LETTER VIII.

Objections likely to be made by Unitarians to the foregoing statements-Answer-Advice with respect to the proper manner of treating Unitarians-Reasons in support of that advice-Concluding Remarks and Counsels.

CHRISTIAN BRETHREN,

I HAVE endeavoured, in the foregoing pages, to the best of my knowledge and understanding, to set before you a portrait of Unitarianism as it really is. I can sincerely say, that I have not, intentionally, distorted or magnified a single feature. My aim has been to inform you, not merely what the adherents of this system say of themselves; but also what the pious have said of them, in all ages; and, further, what consequences, both in regard to doctrine and practice, appear to me naturally, and indeed

necessarily, to flow from their fundamental principles. And the whole has been done with the sole view of assisting you in forming a judgment, how they and their principles ought to be regarded by Christians.

But

It is probable that many Unitarians will tell you, that the picture I have drawn is not a correct likeness; that the representation given of their opinions, is altogether erroneous. And I have no doubt that some who go under the general name of Unitarians, may with truth say, that they abhor some of the sentiments which I have set down as parts of Unitarianism. what would such persons wish us to do? Here are embattled hosts, drawing near the camp of our Master and King, and manifesting every disposition to destroy both Him and us. They send us word, that they are willing to be at peace with us, on condition that we suffer them to come into our camp, and to vilify and stab our beloved Lord at pleasure. And when we decline to receive them as friends on these terms, they complain of us, as narrow-minded and unsocial, and even bitter and malignant. Some of this hostile army, are particularly loud.

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in their complaints of the injustice of our refusal. "Why," say they, "will you refuse to ad"mit us into your camp, since we by no means 66 carry our enmity to you and your king, so far as the great mass of our associates. We ex"ceedingly disapprove of a great deal that they "have said and done. Why, therefore, should 66 we be treated as if we resembled them? Sure"ly this is not equitable." Our reply is, doubtless, anticipated-"We cannot receive you, or "treat you otherwise than we do your associates "in arms. You confess that, although not so ❝ intensely hostile as they are, you are still ene"mies to the dignity and kingdom of our Mas❝ter. This is enough for us. We have no wish "to receive known and avowed foes into bur 66. camp. But if we were willing to take per❝sons of your character by the hand, still we ❝could not consistently do it, as long as you re❝main connected with the worst of our oppo❝sers. You say, you entirely disapprove ❝of much that they have said and done; but "still you take their name; you follow their "leader; you fight in their ranks; you aid and "abet them in all that they do; nay, you "are not willing to be friends with us, unless

"we will consent to take them to our friendship "with you. We will receive neither. We must

treat you all alike. As to all practical results, "you are equally guilty with them."

Where is the injustice of this answer? It applies, most exactly, to the case before us. Although there may be some in the Unitarian camp in the United States, who are by no means prepared to degrade the character of the Saviour to mere fallible and peccable humanity; and who are far from wholly denying, either his Atonement, or the inspiration of his Word; yet as long as they countenance, assist, and defend those who do go the whole length of all this ; and as this is evidently understood to be the predominant system of Unitarianism in our country, there can be no injustice in pursuing the course which I have done. It is against the system AS IT PREVALENTLY EXISTS, that we wish to warn christians; and especially as we believe that even the more softened and plausible forms of the general scheme, have, in reality the same spirit, and are leading to the same issue.

It is not improbable that some Unitarians may further object, that I have not, after stating each testimony or argument, in the foregoing pages, annexed the Unitarian reply; so that my readers might be able to weigh what is alledged on both sides. I answer, the volume is larger than I intended, as it is; but if I had done this, it must have swelled to twice or thrice its present size. Besides, is this demand reasonable? Do our opponents act upon it themselves? Do no Unitarians allow themselves to state and enforce their own interpretations of scripture, and their own arguments, without stopping after each, to exhibit all, or the substance of all, that learned and able Trinitarians, have said against them? They will not pretend that they do this. I can, however, assure you, my Christian Friends, that, in each case, as far as was in my power, I have carefully weighed what Unitarians are accustomed to say in reply to my testimonies and arguments; and have offered none, but what appeared to me to remain in full force, after all they have urged.

You are now, I trust, prepared, without hesitation, to answer the questions which were ask