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    tion ; and that the just criticism and accurate discrimination for which it is pre-eminent * will throw such additional light on scripture phraseology on this subject , and cu others connected with it , as may lead eventually to more accurate ideas respecting the promises and threatenings detailed in the gospel records , atid prevent the dissemination of those erroneous hopes and groundless fears founded upon a mistaken interpretation of their original import . But , Mr . Editor , whilst I justly value and , duly appreciate the testimony borne to this excellent discourse by the respectable Reviewers , I cannot help being astonished how it can have happened that an apprehension should ever have arisen in their

    minds , that there may be some danger lest the doctrine maintained in it could possibly be so misunderstood as to imply , that the important records of which the author speaks , " are nothing more thau a history of the controversy between our Saviour and the Jews of

    his age . " What , then , is it possible for any one to imagine that " the most admirable maxims of piety and virtue , " of which , to use his own words , the author affirms this history is " fruitful , " could , for a moment , be considered by him , or by any one , as

    being less interesting and important to the disciples of a future , than to those of that present age ; especially taking into the account , that this same history effectually substantiates the great facts of the exemplary life ,

    submissive death , triumphant resurrection , and glorious assumption to the right hand of power , of him who is the honoured subject of it , truths , on which all Christians , in every age , rest their dearest , their sublimest hopes ?

    Many more * I am well aware , and more conclusive arguments , might be added to the same effect , were this a proper place for it ; or could the author himself be consulted on the subject ; but unequal as I may be without such assistance to the complete

    discussion , I have felt it an hid is pen sable duty to state my own full conviction , together with some of the principles on which it rests * of what I believe to be . the groundless apprehension of the intentionally candid Reviewers . " Many of your readers , Mr , Editor ,

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    will be glad to hear that the author of the discourse above referred to , has this winter delivered a course of evening lectures explanatory of Unitarian principles as derived from the gospel . He undertook this in addition to his many other indefatigable

    and important labours , at the earnest request of several young men , who were anxious to obtain correct ideas on the subject . Contrary to his ex * pectation , especially as his intention was not publicly announced , the lectures were constantly very well

    attended , and by many strangers , who , by their perfect silence , and respectful , riveted attention , manifested their deep interest in the important investigation . Mr . Wellbeloved ' s plan was to select his texts from passages usually adduced in proof of the orthodox

    doctrines , as the following , £ Peter ii . 1 , " Denying the Lord that bought them ; " Acts iv . 12 , " Neither is there salvation in any other ; ' John viii . 58 , " Before Abraham was , I am , " &c . $ then giving specimens of the same

    terms in the original , differently applied in the common version , and examining them in their connexion with the context , and with the scenes , occasions , and discussions from whence they took their rise , and thence

    deducing the most satisfactory evidence , that , far from proving the deity of Christ , they are on the contrary , in perfect harmony with the multiplied express declarations of his being the Messiah , indeed , but of his proper humanity .

    As I give this imperfect outline entirely from memory , 1 may not have stated the general argument correctly ; but when I add , that the great animation and impressive seriousness of the preacher , evidently shewed that the

    clear development of important truth was hi « sole object , and that it appeared to be so felt by the whole audience ; also , that he was most happy and successful in demonstrating that the divine mission of Christ is of

    equal importance to Unitarians as to others , and is so considered by them ; believing , as they do , th : i the word * spoken by him were not his * owsi * but the words of the Father who srnt him / 9 in , this , I am certain , that 1 am vfii mistaken . It was the remark of an Edinbui ^ h lady , who is much connected with the

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    292 Mrs , Cappe on the Review of Mr . WellbelQued ' s Sermon .

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), May 2, 1819, page 292, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1772/page/12/