may

be of essential service to

demonstrate, that it the cause of sound religion; and that it may eventually have the effect of weaning many from the errors of heterodoxy and dissent. For when we consider how ready, on the one hand, are some of the enemies of the establishment to take advantage of the ignorant and unwary; and how soon, on the other, "men, wrapped up in the intricacies of business, or the pursuits of pleasure, are startled by objections which they are not competent to answer can we deny the utility of a work, which informs the inexperienced members of the establishment what weapons they will find in their adversaries' hands, which invites them to an earnest examination of the moderate, but scriptural doctrines of their own church, and which urges them to ask themselves upon what ground they have taken up their faith?

A Roman Catholic writer tells us with astonishment, that "malgré les croisades qui avaient exterminé tant d'Hérétiques, malgré les Inquisiteurs qui en avaient fait brûler une infinité, malgré les bûchers allumés dans toute l'Europe contre les Sectaires, on voyait à chaque instant naître de nouvelles sectes, qui bientot se divisaient en plusieurs autres," &c. But to the enlightened Protestant this affords no matter of astonishment. He is aware that many errors, which had been fostered by persecution, were annihilated so soon as fair

* Watson's Apology for the Bible.

examination and cool argument were employed against them; and he regards these as the only weapons which will be found effectual in eradicating the errors which still exist.

It is, however, to be observed, that this work is not addressed to the superficial reader. It is addressed to those only, who are anxious to be 'ready to give an answer to every man that asketh them a reason of the hope that is in them:" who are willing to "search the Scriptures," and so to read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest, that they may not be "tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine." It is addressed to those who, while they read its pages, will also have before them D'Oyly and Mant's edition of the Bible, to which the compiler refers as the organ of the Church of England, and as containing a refutation of the erroneous opinions detailed in this volume; for it must be remembered, that this compilation consists only of opinions (with a few exceptions, as for example, the Calvinistic doctrines, relating to which the members of the establishment themselves differ,) in opposition to those of the Church of England; the sentiments of this church being so ably collected and arranged in the edition of the Bible to which allusion has just been made, as to render any other similar attempt vain and superfluous.

The reader is, moreover, strongly recommended to procure Nares' "Remarks on the Unitarian Version," and Rennell's "Animadversions on the

Unitarian Translation," if he have them not

already.

To a member of the Church of England it must always be a painful task to peruse, much more to give publicity to, the Unitarian tenets. Such,

at least, it has proved to the compiler of this volume. But, acquainted as he is with the incessant efforts of the Unitarians to force their opinions upon the public; acquainted also with the effects which these opinions have produced upon persons, who believed them to be new and founded upon a more perfect acquaintance with Scripture; he felt the necessity of a publication, which should fairly and unreservedly display their sentiments, and also point out the sandy foundation upon which these sentiments rest.

However brief the annexed refutation (collected from modern writings of our eminent divines) may be, the compiler feels assured, that it must establish conviction in every unprejudiced mind. Should it prove deficient in this respect, he has undertaken a task which he will have shewn himself unfit to perform.

It is, perhaps, unnecessary to state, that in the annexed Refutation of Unitarianism, he could only dwell upon the leading tenets, as he must otherwise have increased this work to a size which would have defeated his purpose in the publication, viz. of compressing much useful information in an octavo volume. He therefore refers the reader (about to examine the Unitarian statements) in addition

to the books mentioned, to Dr. Magee's celebrated work on the Atonement; Dr. Waterland's " Vindication of Christ's Divinity;" Dr. Waterland on "the Trinity;" Bishop Pearson's works; Falconer's Eight Discourses, delivered before the University of Oxford, 1810; Bell on the "Divine Mission of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ;" and Dr. Laurence's "Critical Reflections upon some important Misrepresentations contained in the Unitarian Version of the New Testament."-The reader is particularly referred to this work of Dr. Laurence, in which he will find a refutation of the Unitarian opinions respecting Satan, Angels, &c.

At the conclusion of these prefatory remarks, the writer has only to express his hope, that he may have increased the general admiration of the venerable fabric of the Church of England, by having directed the eye to the deformities and inconsistences of the minor buildings erected around it. He is indeed confident that such must be the end of our inquiry into the truths of God, under whatever impressions it may have been commenced, and with whatever feelings it may have been carried on. He would therefore say, in the words of Dr. D'Oyly, "never let us, for a single moment, tolerate the idea of shrinking from the most nice and severe examination of the grounds on which our faith is founded." Not only because such examination must unavoidably increase our veneration for the established religion

Unitarian Translation," if he have them not already.

To a member of the Church of England it must always be a painful task to peruse, much more to give publicity to, the Unitarian tenets. Such, at least, it has proved to the compiler of this volume. But, acquainted as he is with the incessant efforts of the Unitarians to force their opinions upon the public; acquainted also with the effects which these opinions have produced upon persons, who believed them to be new and founded upon a more perfect acquaintance with Scripture; he felt the necessity of a publication, which should fairly and unreservedly display their sentiments, and also point out the sandy foundation upon which these sentiments rest.

However brief the annexed refutation (collected from modern writings of our eminent divines) may be, the compiler feels assured, that it must establish conviction in every unprejudiced mind. Should it. prove deficient in this respect, he has undertaken a task which he will have shewn himself unfit to perform.

It is, perhaps, unnecessary to state, that in the annexed Refutation of Unitarianism, he could only dwell upon the leading tenets, as he must otherwise have increased this work to a size which would have defeated his purpose in the publication, viz. of compressing much useful information in an octavo volume. He therefore refers the reader (about to examine the Unitarian statements) in addition