The present situation of the Christian community in our country renders this independent avowal of opinion the more incumbent. It cannot be denied that systematick measures are now zealously prosecuted to check the prevalent spirit of inquiry, to restrain the exercise of private judgment, and to deny Christian fellowship to all who refuse assent to an human creed. This remark is not made from any apprehension that the attempt to lord it over the heritage of God, will finally succeed. The nature of our publick institutions, and the genius of the people of our country, forbid the supposition. Did I singly regard the extensive prevalence of that system of Christian opinions which I embrace, I could not desire more efficient pioneers to remove the impediments which retard its progress, than the anathemas and excommunications which are

now threatened. The thought of crushing liberal Christianity, as many denominate it, by ecclesiastical censures, is idle. But I am appalled by a view of the temporary evils which must arise from the attempt. Angry disputes will prevail, and those divisions may take place, which must paralize the strength of many of our parishes, and leave no denomination the ability to support the publick institutions of the gospel. Evils, then, may follow of which we may be awfully afraid. Means will be wanting to maintain a pious and learned ministry : destitute parishes will be left open to impressions from ignorant and enthusiastick itinerants; and the worst evils of party, and the most extravagant excesses of fanaticism, it must be expected, will pre, vail.

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Let the voices, then, of all who discountenance an exclusive spirit among Christians, be lifted up against it, that the advocates for separation may be convinced that they have not the overwhelming majority of the intelligence, the piety, the zeal, and sincerity of the community, which promise success to their measures. Let those in the Christian ministry, who bear the title of orthodox, be told, that if they, in an unchristian manner, separate from their more liberal brethren, their liberal parishioners will separate from them. Then they may perceive the danger of their own plan, and may be induced to desist from its prosecution. They then may be inclined to inquire, not respecting points on which Christians differ, that they may divide-buț in which they agree, that they may be united. The Christian ground, which is common, is so broad, that all may stand on it, and be fellow-labourers in promoting the true interests of the kingdom of Christ, the Lord of all.

3. It is the duty of those, who verily think that they have purified their Christian faith from human corruptions, and that they hold the truths of the gospel in their simplicity and purity, to maintain a more consistent profession, and to exhibit more of the practical fruits of their religion.

Papists were incessantly goading the first reformers with charges of laxity of principle, and a disregard to the vital interests of the Christian Church; of breaking down all the barriers, that the wolf might enter the fold, and destroy the flock. Precisely the same complaints the orthodox now make against unitarians. You give up one doctrine after

another-where will you stop? You deny the truth of essential articles-what do you believe? You are blinded by the pride of philosophy, and are passing down the "stream of errour to the gulf of perdition." Thus impeached, it becomes the imperious duty of unitarian professors to make it manifest that their dissent from more common opinions arises not from the spirit of opposition, but the love of truth; not from indifference to religion, nor a fondness for latitudinarian principles, but from a superiour regard to the instruction of Christ, our common Lord and Master. They are bound to make it apparent, that they yield a cheerful, an unreserved submission to the authority of revelation; and endeavour, in the sober use of reason, to comply with the apostolick direction"Judge ye what I say." Let them show that they deem it their most sacred obligation to study diligently the scriptures, that they may learn and embrace the true doctrines of the gospel; at the same time, that they believe and assert, that men, differing in their mental powers and advantages for biblical knowledge, may, in this examination, form different opinions, and still be sincere and sound Christians.

Above all, let enlightened Christians prove that they prize revelation as the richest gift of God, by an uniform obedience to the commands of their divine Lord. Let them statedly attend on the institutions of publick worship-celebrate the death of the friend who sacrificed his life for their salvationsupport a Christian profession by general practice and conversation, which become the gospel-and

adorn their respective stations in society with virtues the most appropriate and the most useful.

In their intercourse with the members of the Christian family, let the enlightened and liberal disciple of Jesus Christ discover a forbearing and charitable temper, and manifest a disposition to meet those who in speculative doctrines differ from him, in the endeavour to promote the great design of the gospel.

In this manner, let unitarians cause their light to shine before men; and may all who see their good works, become the followers of them, as far as they are the followers of Christ.

SERMON XIV.

THE SYSTEM OF CALVINISM.

1 THESSALONIANS, v. 21.

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

UNDER this apostolick direction, my purpose is to review the Calvinistick system of theology. Calvin may perhaps be ranked as the second in point of talent and activity, of zeal and influence, among the distinguished reformers.* He was

born in a province of France, in the year 1509. Educated with a view to the priesthood, while young, he was introduced to office in the cathedral church belonging to the place of his nativity. From thence he soon removed to Paris, where he distinguished himself in various branches of literature. In this city, the diligent study of scripture, and the conversation of several men of enlightened minds, led him to embrace the primary principles of the

*See Dr. Rees's New Cyclopedia, article, Calvin.