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    because they are pre-requisite to the trial of revelations . The existence of God , and in a good measure his attributes and perfections , must be understood by us , before we can expect

    him to reveal himself to us , before we can judge whether the doctrine revealed be worthy of him . In this case , therefore , natural reason must be our guide , and what that teaches , upon impartial inquiry , must be depended

    upon . " There cannot be a worse reflection cast upon religion , than to represent it , not as founded in reason , but built upon the ruins of it . It was

    plainly the opinion of the first teachers of Christianity , that their doctrine had a just foundation in reason , that it contained nothing inconsistent with it , but that the whole Christian scheme

    was agreeable thereto . Therefore tve find them often appealing to the reason of mankind in justification of it . " Since , therefore , the use of natural reason is necessary truly to distinguish a revelation coming from God , from that which does not , we may observe ,

    ** That any doctrine which contradicts the evident dictates or deductions of reason , ought not to be received as coming front God ; but to be rejected as proceeding from a spirit of error * There are certainly some

    things necessary to be received and depended upon as true , before any such thing as a revelation can be admitted . As for instance , that there is a God , and that he is a Being of never-failing truth . Till I am satisfied of these , I have no room to look

    fbr , or depend upon a revelation from him . And the only course I can take , antecedently to revelation , to come at the knowledge of these , is to consult my reason ; and all the certainty I £ an have about them , must be such

    as my reason is able to furnish me with . If , therefore , I cannot depend upon the evidence of reason , I cannot depend upon the truth of these two propositions , nor consequently upon t ] he truth of revelation , which necessarily presupposes the truth of them .

    *? It is plain , therefore , that to question tjhe evidence of reason , Ls to ^ Ofldcr revelation equally questionable ; apd tP Receive any thing as a revelation cqining from God , which cqxir tradicts the evidence of reason , ia

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    to undermine the very foundation of revelation itself , and to- leave that groundless , upon which we build the truth of the doctrine revealed . Should we admit any thing as a revelation

    coming from God , which contradicts the evident dictates of our reason , we sacrifice one revelation , that which God gave us with oiy very beings , to make way for another which is inconsistent with it . It is in effect

    admitting , that the very best gift which God has given us , is of no real use and service to us , no not even in discerning which doctrines cotne from God and which do not . For if I cannot depend upon the plainest dictates of reason , how can I be assured that any doctrine is a revelation come from 6 od ? ' If 1 receive it without

    consulting tny reason , then , for ought I know , it may be an imposture , and I am every way as liable to embrace an error as the truth . But if I embrace it upon the trial and conviction of my

    reason , then , it is plain , I admit the principles of reason are to be depended upon ; which , if I do , I cannot consistently admit any thing as true , which contradicts it . "

    Such were Dean Bullock ' s sentiments . You will probably think them worthy to be inserted in the Repository . If so > they are much at your service . EDWARD TAYLOR .

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    Sir * Islington , Aug . 3 , 18 IS * IN the Number of the Antijacobin Review , for July , which has just appeared , and at the commencement of an article , entitled Anecdotes of the

    I * tfc oj Richard Watson , Bishop of Landaff , & , c , occurs the following singular declaration respecting the Athanasian Creed , which will amuse the more intelligent and judicious readers of your Miscellany , «« The Athanasian Creed contains the most

    clear and admirable compendium of the controverted points connected with the doctrine of the Trinity . It gives us the decision of the Catholic Church on each of these points ; and whatever be th # private opinion of

    the clergyman , as . long as it continues in the Book of Common Prayeiyand : is sanctioned by public authority , it in his d ^ i ty to obey the authority to which lie has sworn obedience ! - Bishop Wateon , of course , wished its removal

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    53 S Mr . Evans on ike Athariasian Creed .

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Sept. 2, 1818, page 538, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2480/page/2/