perstition, many names of mere heathens, and some absolute non-entities.

"It is well known that it is this doctrine of a multiplicity of persons in the Deity, or, which is the very same thing, a multiplicity of Gods, at which jews and mahometans chiefly stumble. It is the doctrine of the proper divine unity that they are continually upbraiding the christian world with departing from and while they consider christians as Idolaters, it is no wonder that the christian name is held in abhorrence by them, and that their conversion is effectually prevented.

"For these important considerations, though it has been, and will be a general practice, to confine my addresses from the pulpit to the enforcing of such doctrines and duties, as all christians are agreed in acknowledging, and which are certainly of the greatest importance to the happiness of individuals in this life, and the next; I shall not fail to hold up to your view, with its proper evidence, and as much energy as I can give to it, this great doctrine of the proper unity of God, and also some others nearly connected with it. I mean such as exhibit the moral character and government of God in such a light as shall make us rejoice in the consideration of our being the subjects of it; in opposition to such opinions concerning the divine nature, and his government over us, as tend to make us regard him as an object of horror."

This liberal language was very acceptable to a people, who had been already taught to judge for themselves concerning the sacred writings, and every

e

thing that was held forth to their consideration from them, by their ministers. The gentleman, still living, whose resignation, on account of ill health, made way for Dr. Priestley, was a very accomplished scholar, and compleat unitarian, with singularly just and comprehensive views of christianity; excelling greatly also as a teacher, and in the devotional parts of his office, and adorning his doctrine by the purity of his

manners.

And I have heard it reported of this gentleman's immediate predecessor, Mr. Bourne, who is still remembered by some among them with singular veneration, for his most useful and indefatigable labours, especially with respect to the younger part of his congregation; that at times, when he has been called to preach in strange places at a distance, he was wont to ask the clerk before-hand; "Well, friend! how many Gods do you worship here? and who are they?"

And that Dr. Priestley should in this free manner speak his own sentiments to a congregation, with whom he was going to be so intimately connected as their teacher, and warn them of what he believed so grievous a corruption of the gospel, seems to have been no more than a duty on his part, nor can it give just cause of offence to any one, that he should afterwards publish them for their benefit. It is the line of conduct which you, Volusian, would have pursued in the like circumstances, and with the same conviction of the truth and importance of the doctrine; for I know your ardent, honest mind. Indeed, had you a better knowledge of him, and of his unwearied labours

labours, in his department as a minister of the gospel, and in various other ways to serve mankind, it would remove many prejudices.

But if in any thing Dr. Priestley will deserve to be particularly remembered as a benefactor of mankind, it will be for the light that he has thrown upon theolo gical subjects, and the scriptures.

And upon a general view of what he has accomplished in this way, (supposing him to be mistaken in some points, for I do not deem him infallible) he seems to have been raised up by providence, to help to preserve divine revelation and the gospel from being overwhelmed with idolatry and superstition, and from being totally rejected by the rational part of mankind.

Forgive him, if he has indiscreetly poured out too much light all at once with respect to the divine unity; and where other great names of our nation, have hesitated, and stopt short, or have had their writings and testimony suppressed, he has brought the whole truth into open day; and hath asserted and proved, that the single person of the parent of the universe, is God, by himself, alone; and neither Christ, nor any other person, any thing but the creatures of his. power, and the objects of his bounty and favour.

VOLUSIAN. Volusian's prejudices were here a little excited, and taking up the matter with some warmth, he said; I am far from denying, that the commendations you have given to this famous person, may not be just to a certain degree. His moral character I would by no means impeach; but a restless

love of novelty, and a desire of distinguishing himself by advancing singular notions, is evidently his failing. And you might be much better employed, Marcellinus, than in reading his books, which indeed follow one another with such speed, as hardly to give a man space to take breath in the intervals. They serve only to make you dissatisfied with all that has ever been said, or written, by all that have gone before him; and by the freedoms taken with antient authors and the scrip tures, he seems likely in the end to lead you into the wilds of absolute scepticism.

For my part, I am content to go to heaven in the way that others have gone before me. I aim not to be wise above what is written. Being bred up, and from the scriptures well grounded in the belief, that Jesus Christ is God, and to be worshipped, and always accustomed to pay this worship to him, I cannot endure the rudeness and impertinence, to say the least, of the man, who tells me that I am an idolater in it. ;

PHOTINUS.-Here Photinus interposed, who had not before delivered any sentiment, and said very calmly :

I should have been better pleased, Volusian, to have heard you express yourself with less vehemence upon the subject which we have inadvertently fallen upon, and which you yourself have brought forward. I wish it may not shew that you have not sufficiently considered it, and speak without proper knowledge of the very great difficulties, to say the least, attending the opinion you espouse. May I take the liberty to ask, whether you ever, in all your life, once sat down seriously

seriously to search the scriptures, to know how many Gods there are; whether one or more; and whether Jesus Christ was one of them; as I can hardly suppose you will hold him to be the only God, which some of late have strangely maintained.

This was rather a heavy accusation, as well as a question, quite out of the ordinary rules of politeness, in which however it will be well, if we are not gone into a wrong extreme: but it shews the more rational terms on which the company lived with each other. Volusian was however somewhat piqued at being thus publicly examined as it were, about his faith, and rather hastily replied;

VOLUSIAN. It is very extraordinary, my friend, that you should imagine me to have lived to these years, and never to have made proper inquiry after the. God I worship, and to whom I owe my being. I confess I have not made the scriptures my particular study, as my profession you know leads me quite away to other things. Yet I have always read the fine moral lessons of the Bible, with peculiar satisfaction, and I have sometimes attended to the proofs deduced from the writings both of the Old and New Testament, for the divinity of Christ, and the doctrine of the Trinity, and have been entirely satisfied with them. But in general we leave these theological matters to be settled by our Divines, those especially of the upper ranks, who are so liberally provided for, that they may devote themselves to this and their other duties and who are always ready by reason and scripture to defend the common faith, and acquit themselves, so

well