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they received only one book, a spurious copy of St Matthew's gospel, curtailed of the two first chapters. You will think it no inconsiderable confirmation of the doctrine in question, that the sect, which first denied it, to palliate their infidelity, found it necessary to reject three of the gospels, and to mutilate the fourth.

Not in words therefore and in form, but with hearts full of faith and gratitude, you will join in the solemn service of the day, and return thanks to God, "who gave his only begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and, as at this time, to be born of a pure Virgin." You will always remember, that it is the great use of a sound faith, that it furnishes the most effectual motives to a good life. You will therefore not rest in the merit of a speculative faith. You will make it your constant endeavour, that your lives may adorn your profession that "your light may shine before men, that they, seeing your good works, may glorify your Father which is in heaven,"

2 A

REMARKS

UPON

DR PRIESTLEY'S

SECOND LETTERS

TO THE

ARCHDEACON OF ST ALBAN'S,

WITH

PROOFS OF CERTAIN FACTS ASSERTED BY THE ARCHDEACON.

PART FIRST.

REMARKS.

WHEN first I had the pleasure to peruse the Second Letters addressed to me by Doctor Priestley, upon the subject of our Lord's divinity; I was not ill satisfied to find the performance such, both in matter and style, as might have released me from all obligation to a formal reply; although I had made no previous declaration of the resolution, in which I am fixed, never to enter into a useless disquisition upon the main question-an exhausted subject, in which nothing new is to be said on either side;-nor to pursue an interminable controversy, with one, whom, with high respect for his natural abilities, and for his attainments in some parts of learning, I must still call an insufficient antagonist. The dislike of trouble in my natural disposition is so strong, as too often, I fear, to strive for the mastery with better

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