proves, if it does any thing, that you consider him to be a person of some importance. The proper expres sion of contempt, is neglect, and so long as you persevered in treating me after that fashion, the world, I doubt not, gave you credit for cherishing such a feeling towards me, but now that you are acting upon the principle of "thrice to slay the slain," you have forfeited all claims to be believed, however strongly, in future, you may assert that you despise me. Nor will it do to allege, as the editor of the Christian Herald charitably does, that I am labouring under "mental aberration," for besides that this has often been the last resort of a weak and desperate cause,* it has often happened, as you are well aware, that a man has displayed provoking" method in his madness." I would scarcely recommend you to hurl your anathemas against me. My opinion of these, as well as the opinion I suspect of many others, has been thus admirably expressed by one of the ablest champions of the Presbyterian cause, and one, of whom the Church of Scotland has just reason to be proud,"When a man's mind is darkened with error, at the same time his temper is soured, and because he cannot reason others into the same opinion with himself, he essays to fright them into it with the argument of damnation." * John x. 20. Acts xxvi. 24. See also Corinth: iii. 18-20. iv. 10. 2 Corinth: xi. 16. The charge of dogmatism, or decision in speaking relative to what we know on the authority of God himself, comes with a very bad grace from those who profess to believe, that boldness or decision constituted one of the leading features both of our Lord himself and his Apostles. John viii. 55. Yet ye have not known him ; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying. See also John vii. 26. x. 34-39. Mark xiv. 62. John xviii. 37. Acts iv. 13, 19, 20. v. 29 -32. ix. 20, &c. ✦ Anderson's Defence of Presbyterian Church Government agt. Rhind, page 218. Edit. 1820. As a small testimony of my respect for many of the individuals composing your body, as well as a proof that my views, in regard to the glorious doctrine of the assurance of faith remain unchanged, I intend soon, God willing, dedicating to you a little treatise on that subject. you to And now, Gentlemen, in sorrow, not in anger, I take my leave of you. May the Lord enable receive in good part, and profit by the hints which I have given you. You will of course understand, that the import of this letter is to intimate to you, that my connexion with you as a body is henceforward at an end. Requesting you to accept personally of the assurance of my high and undiminished respect, I am, SIR, Your most obedient servant, Liverpool, 21st April, 1828. D. THOM. To the Rev. John Lockhart, D. D., Moderator of the Presbytery of Glasgow. (To be communicated.) Printed by R. Riddick, 46, Lord-street. SOLD ALSO BY ROCKLIFF AND DUCKWORTH, W. GRAPEL, C. GRAY, and the other Booksellers, Remarks, by the Rev. DAVID THOм, Minister of the Scotch Church, Rodneystreet, Liverpool, on a series of charges recently preferred against him, before the Reverend the Presbytery of Glasgow, by certain individuals connce.ed with the management of the said Church. With a copious Appendix. Memorial submitted by the Rev. DAVID THOM, to the Presbytery of Glasgow, regarding the Theological points of his case. A Letter to the Rev. Richard T. P. Pope, adverting to some important mistakes committed by him in his recent controversy with the Rev. Thomas Maguire. By OBSERVER. Three Questions Proposed and Answered, concerning the Life Forfeited by Adam, the Resurrection of the Dead, and Eternal Punishment, by the Rev. DAVID THOM. Also may be had Remarks on the Paraphrases of Passages of Scripture, used in Public Worship by the Church of Scotland, having been originally intended as a preface to the edition of these recently published with notes, by the Berean Society in Edinburgh, by EDWARD SANG, Kirkaldy, Fife. Brief Observations by way of Reply to Certain Remarks, privately circulated, in reference to Mr. Thom's Recent Publication, BY ALIQUIS, THREE QUESTIONS PROPOSED AND ANSWERED, CONCERNING THE LIFE FORFEITED BY ADAM, THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD, AND ETERNAL PUNISHMENT. BY THE REV. DAVID THOM, MINISTER, FORMERLY OF THE SCOTCH CHURCH, RODNEY STREET, now of SECOND EDITION, ALTERED, ENLARGED, AND IMPROVED. Εγω ἐιμι ἡ ἀνάστασις καὶ ἡ ζωή. ΙΗΣΟΥΣ. LONDON: SIMPKIN AND MARSHALL. MDCCCXXXV. |