con was ever convinced of the fuFrom the popularity of the tility of the arguments of the "Plea," and the deep impression it Plea, by the Examination of made on the public, we are in Mr. Lindsey." There is, how formed that a reply was at length ever, some evidence on this point, thought advisable; Mr. Lindsey presumptive and positive. Had therefore, in 1785, about nine the Archdeacon been convinced of years after its first appearance, the futility of the main arguments published, anonymously, his "Excontained in the "Plea," surely amination." A second edition, the circumstance could not have with the name of the author was escaped the attention of his friend published in 1789: of this perforLindsey, with whom he so fre- mance Mr. Belsham presents us quently corresponded, who must with a brief analysis, which he have possessed some curiosity, if concludes as follows:not anxiety, on the subject, and "The success of this Examinaand whose satisfaction at the con- tion was complete: from the time version of so eminent a man, must it was published, no person, who have been so great, that it is high- had the least pretension to biblical ly improbable it should have re- learning, was heard to open his mained a secret: but what follows lips in defence of this famous affords direct and positive evidence, "Plea:" not a syllable was writ. that the opinion of the Archdea- ten in confutation of the reply. con, respecting the general merits Those who would not retract were, of the "Plea," remained the same at least, compelled to be silent; to the close of his life; for in the and it seemed to be universally quotation from the Archdeacon's coneeded, that IF the Divinity of biographer, his son, the present Christ was to be defended at all, worthy rector of Brignal, he thus it must be upon a very different expresses himself:-"We have ground from that which was ocnot been able to discover that the cupied by this much-vaunted perArchdeacon's sentiments," [re- formance." specting the "Plea,"]" underwent To this statement, I beg leave any change, as he recommended to reply that, confident as is the the serious perusal of it, to some language of the writer, there is no young clergymen, a very few evidence to support it; on the weeks before his death," That contrary, there is much to confute the Archdeacon had attentively it. The "Examination," whatexamined the answer of his friend Lindsey, which had been presented to him when first published, cannot be doubted; and it is as free from doubt, that he would not, at the close of his life, have recommended the "serious perusal" of the "Plea❞ to the young clergymen of his acquaintance, had not his opinion of its general excellence remained unaltered.

ever are its merits, appears to have excited but little attention, compared with the "Plea ;" four edi. tions of the latter sold in less time than one of the former. In fat contradiction to Mr. B.'s assertion, "that it seemed to be universally conceded, that IF the Divinity of Christ was to be defended at all, it must be on very different ground, &c." I affirm, without fear of

refutation, that many persons of of course, not competent to give undoubted talents, learning, piety an opinion on the subject. If

and liberality, after reading both they venture to " open their lips the "Plea" and the "Examina. in defence of the Plea,"" they are tion," were of opinion that, al- modestly told-"they have not though there might be occasional in the least pretensions to biblical accuracies in the former, (and, per- learning !" Poor Archdeacon haps, in the latter) which on such a Blackburne! you were before pro. subject of controversy, need not ex- nounced a superficial judge of the cite surprise, the main arguments ological controversy, and now it of the "Plea" remained unshaken. appears, on the same authority, Will Mr. B. argue, that because that you had not "the least preno answer was written to the tensions to biblical learning," "Examination," it was unanswer. The author of the "Plea," judgable? I have never heard of any ing from the notes accompanyanswer which the learned biogra- ing that performance, to say no. pher has written to the strictures thing of his other works, was which have appeared on his fa. thought, by some, not entirely mous adulatory Jubilee Sermon, destitute of " biblical learning;" or on his still more famous Letter but now we find, that he and his of high-flown panegyric, addressed admirers, all those who presume to his favouritestatesman, the ma- to "open their lips in defence of ker and the breaker of the treaty of the Plea," must be pronounced des Amiens, the author of an inglo. titute "of the least pretensions" to rious peace and an unjust war, this important branch of science. one of the champions of corrup. All must lie prostrate under this tion, sinecures, slave-trafficking sweeping sentence. Let Chris and intolerance,-Lord Sidmouth; tians, therefore, of all classes, the or on some of his other writings. learned as well as others, who study Are we, therefore to conclude it the sacred writings, henceforth beto be" universally conceded," that ware how they differ from the neither the learned divine and oracle of "biblical learning," of politician, nor his friends venture Essex Street chapel. "to utter a syllable in their defence?" Controversialists should be cautious of using weapons which cut both ways, and which may be so effectually turned a gainst themselves.

Extraordinary as some of the opinions and language I have quoted must appear to the impartial reader, he must prepare him. self for what are still more extraordinary. The biographer adds, But, although there may be "The impression made by the many who thought, and who still Examination, on the ingenuous think, the "Plea" possesses some mind of the author of the Plea, degree of superiority, even in point was very considerable. Mr. Ro of argument, and a high degree of binson was stung to the quick, by superiority of style and manner the grave, and as his conscience of writing over the "Examina- must have testified, the not untion," it matters little, as they merited rebuke of his unknown are all pronounced ignorant, and, opponent. His friends urged him,

his opponents challenged him to unstung even at the surface, and stand upon his defence; or to whose conscience was without refulfil his promise, that if ever he buke. I appeal, therefore, with discovered his deception he would confidence to every reader of comretract his error. He resolved mon sense and common candour, however to keep aprudent silence." whether I have not a right to proTo this uneandid, unjust and cruel nounce Mr. Belsham's assump• attack on Mr. Robinson's integrity, tions, so deeply affecting Mr. RoI could, in complete refutation, binson's moral character, entirely produce ample evidence; but I groundless, contradictory to the have no occason to refer to any very plainest evidence, and, of other evidence than that, extra- course, most unwarrantable and ordinary as it may seem, present. inexcusable! They are, indeed, ed by the biographer himself, in utterly inconsistent with the terms the very page last quoted. "I do of respect, ingenuous, worthy, not intend," says Mr. Robinson in excellent, &c." applied by the a letter to a friend, "to answer biographer to Mr. Robinson, and the anonymous examiner. HE which are scarcely to be regarded, as he is at the very moment endeavouring to rob him of that character which ought ever to be deemed the most important, by the Christian more especially; a character of divine origin,-" the noblest work of GOD, AN HONEST MAN."

ΠΑΤΗ ΝΟΤ TOUCHED MY AR.

GUMENTS: his faith stands on criticisms; and my argument is, that if the doctrine require critical proof, it is not popular, and therefore not divine. Yes, they will have the last word, and let them have it."-Is this, I seriously demand, the language of a man "stung to the quick," suffering under the severe rebukes of conscience?" of a man, according to the injurious statement of Mr. B., possessing neither sufficient cou. rage to defend bis widely circulated opinions, nor sufficient honesty to fulfil his promise to the public "to retract his errors whenever he should be convinced of them;" and, therefore, with sneaking cow. ardice "prudently resolving to be silent?" No! such language is, on the contrary, that of the man

Who were these "challenging op ponents?" If their challenges were in print, they are, by this time, hurried down the stream of oblivion. As Mr. Belsham does not mention them, some may be inclined to think they were, with the exception of Mr. Lindsey, Falstaff's" men in buckram !"

There are other parts of the chapter I have noticed, in which I conceive there are mistakes respecting Mr. Robinson and his ad. mirers, too material to pass uncorrected; but I fear I have al. ready intruded on your limits, if not on the patience of your read. ers. I must, therefore, defer the remainder of my strictures to another letter.

I conclude by observing, that whatever may be thought of my conduct in the present instance, I am conscious of having no other motives than the love of truth, andfor the respect and good man; of one whose chamemory of a a great racter was thus briefly summed up by the friend of Mr. Lindsey, so often referred to by his biographer:

"ROBERT ROBINSON, one of the ABLEST and HONESTEST

writers in the kingdom." I have, therefore, no apology to make for what I have written. If, whilst endeavouring to correct the errors of others, I should, inadvertently, have committed errors myself, no one, I hope, will, on their being pointed out, be more ready to acknowledge them.

I remain, Sir,

Your constant Reader,

B. FLOWER.

Extract of a Letter from Mr. Blackburne to Mr. Lindsey.

I

March 1, 1756.

"When one sees what different

opinions are founded upon the scriptures, by different heads, and none of them void of plausibility, am strongly tempted to parody a striking passage in the gospels thus:-Except your charity exceed the Athanasians, Methodists, mystics and zealots of every sect, ye shall in no wise enter into the P.S. The following extracts kingdom of heaven. O, my friend, from Mr. Belsham's work, (p. 34 & what shall we do to unlade our 492) may serve to shew Mr. Black- hearts of the world, and to fill them burne's close attention to theology with God, so as to do, think and in general, and what is of the say all to his glory? I am so far a greatest importance, to practical mystic as to think this attainable, theology in particular: Early and am miserable, wretchedly in the summer of the year 1769, miserable, in finding myself so far these gentlemen [the Rev. W. behind those who have already at. Turner and Dr. Priestley] met tained hitherto. Pray for me, Mr. and Mrs. Lindsey, by ap- dear Mr. Lindsey, as I do daily for pointment, at the house of Arch- you, that we may be really indeacon Blackburne, at Richmond, strumental in doing some of that where they passed some days to- good which is well pleasing to God; gether, in that unreserved and de- and at least that this audoxia may lightful interchange of sentiments, receive no let, either from our inand in those free and amicable dolence, or the incongruity of our discussions, which would natu- doctrine or manners. O, what a rally take place among persons of glory to carry with us one soul high intellectual attainments, in to heaven for seraphs to rejoice whose estimation the discoveries over, and to raise the exultations of divine revelation held the most of the heavenly host! What are honourable place, and who were all the cares, riches, pleasures or all equally animated with the same anxieties in the world compared ardent love of truth, and with the to this! Teach me, for I know same generous zeal for civil and you can, how that frame of mind religious liberty." is to be put on, which must carry us to our utmost perfection in • "The pamphlet mentioned above Christ. I am, with unabated love [the Plea is the work of Mr. Robinson, for you, the unworthiest of all pastor of a Baptist church and congregation at Cambridge; one of the ablest your fellow-servants. and honestest writers in the kingdom, and author of that excellent tract, entitled Areana." Blackburne's Works, vol. i. Life, p. 126.

F. B."

John Goldie, of Kilmarnock.

SIR,

As your volume circulates in Scotland, I should wish to submit an inquiry or two, to your readers there, arising out of Maty's Review, vol. vii. for the year 1785.

hitherto escaped notice, and may be worth attending to. He ap pears to have a full conviction of the difficulty of his undertaking, and resolves to proceed with cau. tion in it."

Now, Sir, permit me to ask, whether this singular man be liv. In p. 282, is the following article ing? or when he died? how far of literary intelligence, said to be he proceeded in his philosophical "extracted from a tour through project? what was the precise reScotland, lately taken by an inge- ligious system laid down in "The nious friend." Gospel Recovered?" whether he "Kilmarnock.-In this place retained his religious sentiments is an extraordinary man, one JOHN to the last? and whether they GOLDIE, a peasant's son, who made any impression upon his first shewed his genius, by making townsmen and neighbours? a mill to grind corn, with a knife, I hope your northern readers and then a wooden clock. He will not think my questions idle, published, some time ago, Essays but believe me to be,

8vo. and just now hath brought forth a work, entitled The Gos.

PHILO.SCOTUS.

tarians.

Warrington, 14th Nov. 1812.
SIR,

I read with pleasure the re marks of Koinonos in your Repository for September, (Vol. VII. p. 570) on the Plan of an Unitarian Association.

pel Recovered, in 5 vols. 8vo. in On a General Association of Uni. which he shews that Christianity is totally corrupted; and labours with extreme ardour and zeal, to overthrow the doctrines of predestination, original sin, the Trini. ty, &c. &c. &c. I take him to be a man of great natural powers. In many things he strongly resembles Thomas Chubb. The gentry I agree with him that the union in the neighbourhood who pa- should commence between the tronise bim have very imprudently members of each society, and put into his hands the works of from thence should be extended Morgan and other deistical wri- to district, provincial and nationters, which has confused his ideas, al meetings. No other objection and made him adopt some erro. could possibly be made to the inneous notions about the Mosaic cluding of Scotland in the nationsystem, &c. At present, indeed, al meeting than the very great he is a little out of the theologic length of the journey from the line, and is preparing a great remotest situations in that part of work to confute Sir Isaac New- the island. It was a friend of ton's philosophy, and restore the mine who sent you the paper on vortices of Descartes. You do which Koinonos has favoured the not suppose that I think he will public with his remarks. My succeed in his attempt; yet I friend has for some time not only apprehend his plodding brain will entertained the views which Koi. bring forth several things that have nonos embraces, but has put them