others, the meaning of which is seldom with any degree of precision understood by the majority of those who use them; which appear to be productive of little else than mischief, and which more peculiarly have the effect to narrow the mind, to divide christians, and to make them avoid if not hate each other.*

Whilst the christian church is, however, divided into sects and parties, it is most earnestly to be desired, that controversial writers and preachers would be cautious and candid in their language, more especially on subjects which it is impossible for any finite intellect to comprehend-The nature of God, the modus of the divine existence, the union between the Father and the Son, the operations of the Holy Spirit. Let controversialists on one side, renounce their inclination to damn those who may not receive their creeds, and explanations of scripture doctrines, and constantly bear in mind that the only heresies which are in the sacred writings pronounced damnable, are those which have the most visible effect on the tempers, conversa

* The late Lord Sandwich, who was by no means remarkable for the purity of either his faith or his morals; in a debate in the house of Lords on ecclesiastical affairs made the following observation :- "I have heard frequent use made of "the words orthodoxy and heterodoxy ; but I confess myself ་ at a loss to know precisely what they mean:" on which Bishop Warburton, in a low tone replied-" Orthodoxy my lord, is "MY Doxy, Heterodoxy is ANOTHER man's Doxy?'

tion, and conduct of mankind :* and may controversialists on the opposite side, be equally cautious of arrogating a superior degree of rationality or piety, and of branding their fellow christians with the odious appellation of idolaters, who abhor the crime of idolatry equally with themselves; many of whom, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost. teacheth, honour Jesus Christ, and pay him the same worship as the primitive christians on earth, and the assembly of the redeemed, and spirits the most exalted in the scale of creation, are represented as paying him around the throne of God. Let us rather suspect the truth of a favourite hypothesis, than seek, by far-fetched and fanciful glosses, to evade the evident meaning of plain passages of sacred writ, or deny the divine authority of the writers. On the awful and sublime subjects we have mentioned, we should never, for a moment forget, that they relate to that Being, who fills heaven and earth; who is as essentially present in each of the universe of worlds, revolving

* See particularly 2. Pet. ii. 1-4. Tit. i. 9—16.—On the former passage, Mr. Brine although he was what is termed a high Calvinist, acknowledges that the phrase denying the Lord that bought them, has no reference to any particular christian doctrine, thus agreeing with Dr. Foster and others of his sentiments. Brine on the certain efficacy of the death of Christ. p. 136. On the latter passage Dr. Doddridge very justly remarks, that in the phrase" rebuke them sharply (amclous) with a "cutting severity, that they may be sound in the faith, Paul "speaks of reproving VICE, not ERROR."

at immeasurable distances, in the infinite regions of space, as on every spot of the comparatively diminutive globe of earth on which we dwell...... Canst thou by searching find out God; canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? It is high as heaven, what canst thou do, deeper than hell what canst thou know?. Such knowledge is

too wonderful for me, it is high, I cannot attain

unto it!

However the christian church may be divided, sincere christians may at all times be encouraged by the reflection that their labour shall not be in vain in the Lord. The man who impartially and fervently, with humility and prayer, seeks after divine truth; who is determined to sacrifice his dearest worldly interests to obtain and preserve it; whose life is under its habitual influence; who proves the sincerity of his profession by his amiable temper and disposition, his care to fill up the duties he owes to his God, to himself, to his family, and to society, with the dignity of a christian; the luxury of whose life is doing good to others;-the man who in short is constantly persuaded that conformity to the image of his Saviour in this world, is the indispensible requisite to the enjoyment of his presence in a future world; such a man may rest assured, that the Divine Spirit will guide him into all truth, necessary for his salvation; and that whatever may be his views of the various human explanations of controverted doctrinal points, it is impossible he should finally fall.

It is the peculiar glory of christianity that for every important purpose, it may be understood by men of the most limited capacities, and who are possessed of the fewest advantages. The wayfaring man, although he may in the judgment of the world be accounted a fool, shall not err there, in. We have the absolute promise of our Saviour-If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God. It is indeed very remarkable, that one of the safest and soundest maxims of divinity, and which may be justly pronounced superior to those laid down in the most celebrated creeds, articles, catechisms, confessions of faith &c. a maxim which will be found unalterably true in all ages, climes, situations and circumstances, was uttered by a man who was held in the utmost contempt by the learned Rabbies of the day, a beggar who had been blind from his birth:-IF ANY MAN BE A WORSHIPPER OF GOD, AND DOETH HIS WILL, HIM HE HEARETH.* Such a man is in possession of what the author of all truth, has pronounced the GREAT FUNDAMENTAL of christianity, and of every thing excellent in the christian character,-the HONEST and GOOD HEART; and whatever treatment he may meet with from different parties—although he may be anathamatized by some, and despised by others, reason and scripture warrant me in pronouncing him "THE NOBLEST WORK OF GOD!"

Of this description was that great and good man ROBERT ROBINSON, who after passing a life * John ix.

of eminent usefulness, and experiencing much ill treatment from those who were insensible of his worth, rests from his labours, and his works follow him. Although to perpetuate his memory, neither monument nor inscription appears within the walls of that church which he raised from the lowest to the most flourishing state,-his life, his labours, and his writings will form a monument of more durable materials than brass or marble, and his worth will remain inscribed on the hearts of the wise and the virtuous, from generation to generation. The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness, as the stars for ever and ever.

Dec. 30. 1807.

P.S. The reader will perceive by the date of the Preface, that these Memoirs were begun nearly a twelvemonth since. Various avocations, however, obliged me to lay them aside. I have by far exceeded the limits I originally intended: this circumstance, together with the perpetual interruptions which have unavoidably occurred, will I hope be accepted as an apology for the delay attending the publication, and for those imperfections, which in this part of it, are but too apparent even to the candid critic.

END OF THE MEMOIRS