It is not a controversy between Presbyterians and Episcopalians, or between Calvinists and Arminians, in which men may take different sides, and yet be equally safe with regard to their eternal prospects. Although I am a decided Calvinist, yet it would never occur to me to place the peculiarities of the Calvinistick creed among the fundamentals of our common Christianity. While it is impossible for me to be satisfied myself with a theological system which does not include them; I find no difficulty in embracing as brethren in Christ, many who do not view them with the same eyes. But the controversy between the Orthodox and Unitarians, is of more vital and awful import. It is a controversy which relates to nothing less than the Object of our worship, and the Foundation of our hope. It is a controversy which involves a question of no less import than this-How you will regard the character and principles of those who would TAKE AWAY YOUR GOD AND SAVIOUR; who would tear from Christianity, not merely some important parts, but the SUM TOTAL OF ITS ESSENCE; that which alone renders it a Religion adapted to the case of miserable sinners? I cannot suppose that you

will feel at a loss, for a moment, how this question ought to be answered. I trust that every feeling of your hearts, as well as every dictate of your understandings, will furnish a prompt and decisive reply.

My dear Brethren! in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, the one living and true God, the God of the Bible, whom Unitarians reject, your Fathers believed. In the name of the ever blessed and undivided Trinity, you have all been baptized. In this adorable Trinity, the true Church of God, in all ages, as we shall see in the sequel, have steadfastly confided and rejoiced. May I not take for granted that a doctrine so obviously interesting, and so long the hope of the pious, will not be, by any who have been educated in the belief of it, lightly or hastily discarded? May I not cherish the assurance that you will inquire long, and deliberate seriously, before you will abandon YOUR FATHER'S GOD? Thus saith the Lord, stand ye the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest unto your souls.*

* Jeremiah, VI. 16.

in

LETTER II.

Prejudices cherished by many against Orthodoxy-That Orthodoxy is austere and repulsive-That it lays too much stress on opinions-That it is a spirit of perse

cution.

CHRISTIAN Brethren,

IN entering on the discussion of the points in controversy between the Orthodox and Unitarians, there are some POPULAR PREJUDICES, which continually meet us, and which seldom fail to exert an unfavourable influence on the minds of many persons who profess to be seeking the truth on this subject. I need not say that a Prejudice is an opinion taken up without solid reason or inquiry, and adhered to rather from feeling than from enlightened judgment. Nor is it necessary to remark, that prejudices ought to be carefully avoided. No man in his senses will be willing to commit himself deliberately to their guidance; yet nothing is more

common than to be under this guidance, even on the most important of all subjects. And perhaps it may be said with truth that there are no points on which men are more peculiarly apt to give themselves up to the government of prejudices, than on those which are now under consideration; because there are none on which the feelings of the corrupt heart are more apt to rise in arms. It shall be my endeavour, in this and the next Letter, to put you on your guard against some of these prejudices, and to engage those who have hitherto indulged them, to inquire impartially before they proceed further in this course.

I. The FIRST that I shall mention in this catalogue of PREJUDICES, is, "THAT THE OR

66 THODOX SYSTEM IS AUSTERE AND REPUL

"SIVE; that it gives gloomy and discouraging "views of human nature; and that the whole "method of restoration to the favour and en"joyment of God which it exhibits, is hu"miliating and melancholy while Unitarian"ism, on the contrary, represents the con"dition of man as much more favourable, "his danger as far less, his duty as more

"easy and pleasant, and the whole aspect of "religion as more attractive.""I always "feel," said a gay, worldly hearer, "I al"ways feel easy and comfortable when I listen "to the sermons and prayers of Unitarians. "There is nothing to hurt the feelings; nothing "to excite alarm; nothing to make me displea"sed with myself. But when I attend on the "ministry of the Orthodox, I am constantly ren"dered uneasy by the views which they give of "the condition of man, dissatisfied and anxious "about myself, and discouraged at their state"ment of what is necessary to salvation. From "the one I can always come away with a smile "and a light heart; from the other, if I have "listened at all, I seldom fail of coming away "trembling at my danger, full of self-reproach, "and feeling as if some serious and immediate "measures were indispensable to my safety."Such was the substance of the frank confession of an individual; but the feeling which dictated it, is doubtless that of thousands. I am confident that many, for this very reason, deliberately prefer going to Unitarian places of worship; and have little doubt that others, as deliberately, resolve to east in their lot permanently with that