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    acts . Is there not . reason to apprehend from the conduct of our governors on this occasion , that we are indebted for the religious liberty we enjoy , more to the spirit of the times , than to dereliction in them of unjust domination ? I wish your society had linked with their dissenting bre - thren in so equitable a petition ,

    as it might have added energy to its operation . For however you may stand affected towards the enjoyment of public offices , the eligibility to them is one of your social rights , and a disqualification is not only , an injury , but

    carries with it the stigma of a crime /*—To the Bishop of Landau Dr , Percival writes ( with reference to the application for the repeal of the corporation and test acts , ) " I am truly concerned that religious liberty has still so many opponents , : both in our universities , and in our parliament . How honourable is it to those who liave not only the wisdom to distinguish , but the integrity and spirit to assort , the great and unalieriable rights of men , of Protestants arid of Christians . " ( Page 127 . )—Iri a subsequent letter to Dh Patey , ( page 146 , ) the reply to which Episcopiis has cbmmunicated to the Repository , is the foU lowing can < Jid " avowal of Dr . Percival's sentiments ' : "I am a Dissenter ; but actuated by the same spirit of Catholicism which you possess . An establishment

    I approve ; the church of England , in many respects I honour ; and should think it my \ duty to enter instantly into her communion , were the plan which you have proposed in your tenth chapter carried into execution / ' The

    plan here referred to ; is ( if I mistake hot ) the framing of a system of " doctrines and worship wide enough to comprehend all the subjects of disagreement ; and vvhith might satisfy aM , l » y unit- * ing all in the articles of their common faith , and in a mode of di ^ vine worship that omits e \ x » rv sub * '

    ject of controversy or offence /*—In reply to an inquiry of his son , then in orders , respecting a

    requisition for a meeting of the clergy of the church of England to prepare a counter petition to the legislature , againstthe dissenters , in favour of the corporation ami test acts /* Dr . Percival strongly observes , ( page 163 , ) * To perpetuate what originated in

    falsehood , injustice and despotism , cannot , I think , be consistent with the true principles of a church , which I have always thought , anxf which is universally acknowledged to be the most liberal in Christendom /' in these expressions , Mr . Editor , do we not recognise the genuine principles of our dissent , and do they eontairi fevidencx * of any acconimodatioh which the advocate

    of religious truth Would be ashamed to own ? Yet Episcopus says Dr . Percival \ vas ah accommodate ing dissenter . All may not have similar views respecting an estab . lishment in general , ' or regard with equal respect the particular religious establishment of our

    Country ; but no one could ex-. f > ress sentiments more hostile to &n y exclusive establishment , or hiore intimately connected ' with thef gre&t principles of religious liberty . Divert an establishment of its right to impose Articles 0 $ helief and modes of worship , or to infringe upon the Unp . lienabl ©

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    mfr ' , 370 Mr . Higginson ? & Vindication of the late Dr . Terciyal .

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), July 2, 1808, page 370, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2394/page/18/