ought to remain silent and inac. is fond of displaying "his mitred tive, when they perceived the front in courts and parliaments." whole of their credenda, so bold- The most obvious principles of ly as well as openly attacked by reason and equity, demand this as one of their own order, and one absolutely needful to check, and who at the same time was enjoy. as far as may be, destroy every ing his share of those temporal appearance of rancour, or peremoluments which holy church sonal animosity from the minds has so amply provided, and an- and decrees of the judges. The nexed, (at least ostensibly) to practice is invariably admitted in strict obedience and outward con- all our temporal courts; nor is formity? If however any needless the most attrocious criminal ever display of sacerdotal authority, refused the privilege of excepting or any effort of "vengeance" has against any of his peers or jurybeen resorted to on the occasion, men whom he suspects. An imit can admit of no apology or vin- portant step is thus taken that the dication. It would likewise ap- unavoidable prejudices of judges pear equally improper or unfair, or juries shall be rendered as far if any of the chief actors in this as may be, of no injury to the tragedy, were so much as sus- prisoner, but that he may have a pected of harbouring any doubts fair and impartial trial, If then concerning the system or doctrines the civil part of the "British they are in so unusual a manner constitution," has devised and defending. He, and he alone adopted such an admirable plan, who is without the inconsistency to secure even felons, or other of such duplicity and prevarica- pests of society, from the banetion, is the only one duly quali- ful effects of prejudice or malice; fied to sit in judgment, and surely the ecclesiastical part ought "cast the first stone." His or- implicitly to copy such a disinter thodoxy ought to be above all ested model, and to cause its suspicion; his conformity strict courts to be equally eminent for and universal. He ought tho- the equity of their decrees, and roughly to believe that the whole the mildness of their censures. of our ecclesiastical constitution, The church not only affects, can be proved" by express war- but openly asserts herself to be rant of holy scripture:" and more the best constituted church ever especially that whoever refuses or established, and frequently ap neglects "faithfully to believe, hold peals to the scriptures in proof and keep whole and undefiled" thereof. Surely then, as she is the Creed of the great St. Atha- "the light of the world”—a city nasius, "shall without doubt pe- so elevated and conspicuous, the rish everlastingly." He ought to whole of her judicial proceedings believe too, that this dreadful fate ought to be conducted in perfect will accompany all unbelievers, obedience to this heavenly code! without the least regard to their then, and then only, will she mere temporal distinctions; whe- prove that her daily prayer to be ther their rank in the church is delivered "from envy, hatred, that of the humble, drudging cu- and all uncharitableness," is heard rate, or the lazy personage who and granted.

The supposed culprits whom ledged even by the Catholics themshe drags to her tribunals, are not selves. Pity then that the church felons, thieves, or murderers, but of England should retain any sinmen of a virtuous, liberal educa. gle feature, which may be pointtion; of unblemished moral cha- ed out to trace a family alliance racters; and who in their official with the churches of Spain and capacity have manifested an uni- Portugal! It is much to be reform solicitude to become "ex- gretted that those among the cleramples" to their respective flocks, gy who have openly declared their in word, in conversation, in cha- objections to the established docrity, in spirit, in faith, in pu- trines, have not uniformly imitarity. (1 Tim. iv. 12.) Surely ted the noble example of the then such men are clearly entitled non-conformists of former times, to respect, instead of censure; or that of the Lindsey's, Disney's or if they are overtaken in a and other confessors of the prefault, their spiritual heads or go- sent day. It may be a question vernors, ought at least to attempt whether the common notions of to restore them, not by mere dint consistency do not demand such a of supercilious authority, but in sacrifice. Be this however as it the amiable, mild spirit of Chris- may-let no one presume to judge tian philanthropy and unaffected the servant of another master, meekness. If in the course of since to this master alone he is their professional studies, they accountable. But certainly it find reason to doubt the truth of would exhibit a fine instance of some of those theological dogmas, dauntless integrity, and what is to which in their juvenile, inex. perienced days they declared their assent and consent, and if convinced of the truth and im. portance of the doctrines they have espoused, they should presume to Allow me to conclude my letter lay their discoveries or sentiments with making a few remarks on before their fellow-christians, in your plan for assisting the wor order to excite them to a similar thy sufferer alluded to. I do not examination, such a frank pro- think it is sufficiently ample and ceeding ought not to be ascribed extensive. to any sinister, much less any criminal motives, but solely to their zeal to promote what they deem to be the cause of truth. Here then they have voluntarily . brought the debate to a final issue: let their arguments be an swered by arguments, and truth will assuredly prevail. As to mere ecclesiastical censures, or other inquisitorial acts of faith, their inutility to answer any good purpose is now generally acknow

VOL. III.

of yet greater importance, an unshaken trust and confidence in the promises of heaven to those who forsake houses and lands for con. science sake.

This singular case should be drawn up in a plain popular style, and circulated as widely as possible. You appear to place your chief hope of success on the efforts of the Unita. rians only. Now have you duly considered, that these Unitarians are, or at least ought to be Dissenters? as such then, what peculiar business have they to interfere? Do not their own ministers loudly call for every pecuniary aid that can be spared-more

5 D

especially from a set of men, whom sonable comfort which their pea noted bishop described as inha- cuniary aid can supply. Make bitants of the frigid zone?-Ra- but the case more generally known, ther then let Dissenters remain and the success will be answeraquiet spectators of the persecution ble. Let the biographical work referred to, or at most unite their you have mentioned at the close contribution to those of their of your narrative be published by countrymen at large. Britons are subscription, the price at least remarkable for the zcal and ar- one guinea. The perusal of such dour with which they enter into a case and of such memoirs, will any rational plans of benevolence: lead the people of this country to there is therefore no danger of reflection, and it is well known their allowing a worthy man; that reflection usually leads to re-. much less a worthy, aged clergyman to suffer the loss of any rea

formation.

Your's,

A BEREAN CHRISTIAN.

MR. KENTISHI, ON THE DEATH OF MR. EDWARDS.

the moment, under a mental dis ease, there can be little question what inference the world wil form upon the matter. That Mr. E. was afflicted, more than once with a grievous disorder, I have

Jan. 4. 1809. Being persuaded that I have given a correct account of the nature of Mr. Edwards's death, I have not judged proper to detail any of the circumstances of the event. The claims of precision and truth being told the readers of my sermon. satisfied, those of sympathy come to be considered. With pleasure I have remarked, that in many, and some of them recent, instances-instances, too, where no doubt could exist as to the proximate cause of the catastrophe-de. licacy has forborne to gratify public curiosity, at the expence of the feelings of surviving friends: and I see not why a silence so common. ly observed, and in almost every case, so highly approved, should now be violated.

From a consideration, which no feeling and candid mind will cen sure, I have purposely intimated the nature of the malady in terms the least offensive to the eye and ear of friendship. More than this, I have not thought it necessary to say; because I am convinced that his death was strictly the effect of what we style accident. My readers will probably agree with me, that I am even entitled to speak of a want of correctness, in the statement on which I have I am arraigning no person's mo- animadverted, when I lay before tives. What I lament is that a them the following facts, hitherto degree of reflection has not been unnoticed, though the last could exercised sufficient to obviate mis- not be unknown:-Bathing was apprehension and complaint. On the favourite recreation of Mr. E. the point of delicacy, I have touch- he was an excellent swimmer; ed already. As to that of accu- and, at this very hour, all his racy, when one and the same clothes were found upon the Communication informs the world shore!

of an individual's losing his life in bathing, and of his labouring at

END OF VOL. III.

JOHN KENTISH.

GENERAL INDEX

OF

NAMES AND SUBJECTS.

Those articles to which the letter R is added, are to be found in the
Review Department. Those beginning with capitals and italic capitals, are
original communications.