Изображения страниц
PDF
EPUB

Ireland, John

OR,

AN INQUIRY INTO THE SCRIPTURAL DOCTRINE

OF

MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE.

ADDRESSED TO

THE TWO HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT.

by Jr Irel and
Dear of Westminste

FIRST PUBLISHED IN 1801, AND NOW REPRINTED BY DESIRE.

The

[ocr errors]

LONDON:

JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET.

1821.

HQ814 I 1

London: Printed by C. Roworth,
Bell-Yard, Temple-Bar.

PREFACE.

THE following Treatise was first published in 1801. It appeared without a name; but the writer was not long undiscovered; and, as it contains a discussion of some of those passages of Scripture which have been recently brought into debate, repeated applications have been made to me for it. Having only my own copy, and not knowing where to procure another, I have therefore complied with the solicitation to reprint it. The circumstances which first induced me to enter into this question are stated in the opening, and towards the conclusion, of the pamphlet. Though not essential to the argument, they occupy but

a small space; they serve to excuse my interference with a public debate; and they will convey to the reader the impressions which, at the moment, were made on society by the subject itself.

It is only necessary to add, that the Prelate, so often mentioned in the course of this discussion, was DR. HORSLEY, then Bishop of Rochester. I had the honour of some acquaintance with him before the dispute arose; and I must always look back, with pleasure, to those early opportunities of meeting him which were kindly afforded to me by the late Archbishop of Canterbury, at Lord Auckland's residence near Bromley. It is a still greater satisfaction to my mind to state, that, after the first emotions occasioned by the discussion, he desired to see me again, and that the interview took place at the house of our common friend, the late Dean of Westminster.

Moore

gr Vincent

The temper of Dr. Horsley was sudden and vehement; but his nature was kind. In the tumult of his feelings, his judgment was often obscured; and he confounded the " worse " with the "better cause." The cloud, raised by the too precipitate course of his own "fervid wheels," took from him the distinct view of the objects around him. But, after a pause, his mind recovered its proper direction; and his more collected thoughts seldom failed to do homage to truth. His acknowledgments were ever open and generous, and ready as his errors. He was raised far above all lurking and lengthened resentment; and, the storm of passion once past, he became gentle, and placable as infancy itself.

He is gone, with all those friends in whose society I have seen him. I feel, that I am fast following them. One circumstance consoles me, that if, in the con

« ПредыдущаяПродолжить »