which it is so highly calculated to excite.” If such be the effect of idle, but mischievous levity, how much more detestable is the openly profane blasphemer, who hurls the bolt of blasphemy against God himself!

Imperatively then are true believers called upon to obey the injunction of St. Jude, and "to contend earnestly for our common salvation, or for the faith once delivered to the saints." That faith the Church of England holds to be a belief in the Trinity in Unity;" therefore, either the Socinians degrade and dishonor the Son of God and the Holy Spirit, or the Christian Church has been guilty of idolatry from the very days of the Apostles. In the name of the Holy Trinity we were baptized: we must either consider our Baptism to have been nugatory, or our defence of that Doctrine is imperative. Bishop Horne says, "Ignorance and malice have sometimes pronounced faith to be want of sense; but,

surely, there is as little sense in withholding assent when it ought to be given, as in giving it when it ought to be withholden."* The chief object I have in view is, to shew the error of the Socinians. I leave all other sects, for the present, to their various shades of opinion. This is the grand error of the present day. This it is which abolishes the truth of revelation; this sets up a religion of its own, according to its own worldly conceptions; a religion without any influence of the Holy Spirit, without any Mediator, Redeemer, or Intercessor; a religion which might have been imagined and believed without any Divine revelation whatever: in short, it is the wisdom of man opposed to the revealed wisdom of God.

To controvert the unscriptural doctrines of the Socinians, every sincere and zealous Christian, whether layman or

* Vide Fourteenth Discourse, Vol. V.

minister, should join their efforts. But I will now speak in the very words of Bishop Horne: "Firmness and intrepidity become the warrior in the day of battle; an appearance of timidity and irresolution will give the enemy occasion to say, that we are not sincere, that we distrust the goodness of the cause, in which we are engaged. The spectators of the combat will easily be led to think so, and fall off to the adverse party. Of two contrary opinions, men may be at liberty to profess either; but both are not therefore true; in a matter of so much moment, neutrality must be criminal. Why halt ye?' says the Prophet; in other words, Use your judgment; choose your side; and adhere to it, till you see good reason to the contrary.' It is easy to foretell the issue of a conflict, if all be activity on one part, and indolence on the other.'

"The Socinian tenets are so flattering to human pride, so congenial to human

prejudices, that they are calculated to mislead worldly persons, who set their minds to disbelieve and despise mysteries. These tenets, too, are propa gated with so much industry, manage ment, and confidence, that they ought to be confuted and withstood." They have been so in the fullest manner, by Bishop Horseley, by Archbishop Magee, and by many others. Still is it necessary to continue the conflict of argument, for

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though confuted, they can argue still." "It is a matter of the greatest consequence to mankind, that the Socinian errors should again and again be made manifest by every mode of writing. Benefit must ever arise from temperate discussion. Truth always has been, and will be, a gainer by it. Discussion forces attention, and prevents indifference, the enemy of all others most to be dreaded. It is not, however, in professed Socinian works only that their errors are inculcated. The enemy lies in ambush in the

pages of a review, in a biographical or historical work, in a poem, a tale, or a fable. Whoever takes up a work of this kind, not expecting Socinianism to lurk within its pages, is taken off his guard, and, if he is not deeply impressed with the truth of his faith, and with the importance of his continuing stedfast in it, he finds his reverence for the Doctrines of Christianity filched from him, rises, to his great surprise, half an infidel, and is not sure whether he has a soul, a Saviour, or a God." Every possible mode, therefore, through other indirect channels, as well as by direct religious treatises, should be adopted by Christian writers to meet the enemy in every field, where he can possibly be found. Instruction should be administered in such a manner, and through such vehicles, as are most likely to suit the taste of the age. Every man should exert his abilities, however humble, in the service of his Maker and Redeemer, Among

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