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    316 Observations on one of Foster ' s Essays .

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    peculiar terms , I mean unscriptural , inexplicable terms ; such as Trinity , Trinity in Unity , Triune Deity , Three Persons in One God , Immaculate Conception , Virgin Mother , Divine Humanity , Atoning blood of Deity , with a numerous retinue of ft cteteras . Such is the language in which Evangelical Christianity is expressed , and on which it is built ; is it then to be wondered at if the system itself cannot be cc

    apprehended with prompt facility ? ' * Another cause of its being rejected by Men of Taste , says Mr . F ., is the Ci bad writing"" of its advocates . This is something like arguing in a circle- The writing is bad , because the writers are bad , and the writers are bad because they are not men of learning , men of judgment or taste .

    The objection against the heathen writers ^ I consider to be in a great measure trifling , because all children are or ought to be well acquainted with the history of Jesus Christ , and instructed . in the leading principles of Christianity , before they can read Homer or Virgil . But if there be any force at all in the objection , it is by no means peculiar to Evangelical Christianity , but applies equally to every other system . But lest I should occupy too great a portion of your pages with these desultory remarks ^ I shall add but one observation more , which is , that the Essay in question , seem $ to be founded upon the opinion that all men ought to be for ever inculcating upon others the peculiar doctrines of

    their own creed . Mr . F . seems to have forgotten that men have other business to perform . many active and social duties to discharge . The apostles it is true went about from place to place , constantly preaching Christianity to all . But be it remembered , this ivas their business . And it is no more in the power of every man to act in this manner , and no more their duty to do so , / than it is in the power 5 > f Mr . Foster to make all men converts to his peculiar system , or the duty of all men ( ro > v Xoyi ^^ uojM yc ocmyoqs ^ v ^ v y 09 koci otTtoXoyHfjstvatv ) to make a profession of Calvinistic or

    Evangelical Christianity . I am Sir , with great respect , Nottingham , Yours , &c . March 20 , 1807 . I . G .

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  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), June 2, 1807, page 316, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2381/page/28/