misconception and distrust have begun to operate, ere ill opinion ripen into settled dislike. By a frank and timely explanation, in the presence of a common friend, that may be healed in an hour, which if permitted to proceed, a series of years cannot eradicate. Be affectionately free with one another. Give tender and faithful hints where it appears to you that one of your brethren is in danger of being drawn aside from the principles or spirit of the gospel. Let all be prepared, from their first entering into connexion with you, to expect them. If any one take offence at such treatment, give him to understand that he who cannot endure caution or a reproof, is unfit for Christian society, and in the utmost danger of falling into mischief.

The free circulation of the blood, and the proper discharge of all the animal functions, are not more necessary to the health of the body, than good discipline is to the prosperity of a community.

If it were duly considered how much the general interests of religion, and even the salvation of men, may be affected by the purity and harmony of Christian churches, we should tremble at the idea of their being interrupted by us. The planting of a church in a neighbourhood, that the gospel may be preached, and the ordinances of Christ administered in their purity, is a great blessing. It is a temple reared for God, in which he designs to record his name, to meet with his humble worshippers, and to bless them. We have seen churches of this description, in the midst of a career of spiritual prosperity, edifying one another in love, and gathering souls to the Reedemer's standard, all, in a little time, blasted and ruined by some unhappy event that has thrown them into disorder. One of the members, it may be, has acted unworthily; he is reproved; his relations or particular acquaintance take on his side; discipline is interrupted: the church is divided into parties; hard things are said on both sides; the bond of love is broken; tender minds are grieved and retire; worship is but thinly attended, and the enjoyment of it is vanished: God's friends mourn in secret, and his enemies triumph, saying, Aha! so would we have it! Truly it is a serious thing to occasion the ruin of church of Christ! If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy!

A

VINDICATION

OF

PROTESTANT DISSENT,

FROM THE CHARGES OF

THE REV. THOMAS ROBINSON, M. A.

Vicar of St. Mary's, Liecester:

IN A PAMPHLET ENTITLED,

A SERIOUS CALL TO A CONSTANT AND DEVOUT AT-
TENDANCE ON THE STATED SERVICES
OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND.

THE Oppositions which have of late years been made to Christianity, have happily induced its friends, of all denominations, to come to a better understanding with each other: forbearing contentions of lesser moment, they have joined their efforts in defending the common salvation. On this ground, evangelical Dissenters, though their opinion of a national establishment of religion is the same as before, yet, from a regard to the doctrine, character, and usefulness of many of its ministers, have sincerely rejoiced in their labours. Evangelical Episcopalians have also, many VOL. IV.

53

of them, laid aside smaller differences; and, whatever they might think of dissent, have esteemed the serious part of Dissenters. Thus far the malignant influence of Infidelity has not only been counteracted but made to defeat itself.

But things have not operated in this way in every instance. In various late publications by evangelical Churchmen, great stress is laid on 66 regularity," by which seems to be meant, not only a strict regard to the forms and orders of the Establishment, but the standing aloof from all Dissenters, as "sectaries and schismatics." A piece in The Christian Observer, said to be written by Mr. R., an aged and respectable clergyman in the north of England, goes so far as to dissuade ministers of his description, from having any acquaintance with them. Such Dissenters as Watts, Doddridge, and Guyse, received "great advantage," it seems, from their acquaintance with certain Clergymen ; and employed it in recruiting their congregations at the expense of the Church!!*

It would seem, from such insinuations as these, to be dangerous for Dissenters, however distinguished by talents or character, to come near these dignified men; for if in their life-time they be treated with civility, they may expect to be reproached for it after they are dead! The celebrated work of Mr. Overton, makes quite enough of this "regularity," and bears hard upon Dissenters. "Sectaries and schismatics" are names pretty liberally bestowed upon them. The same may be said of the Address of Mr. Robinson. Whether these gentlemen judge it prudent to take such measures, as feeling their churchmanship suspected by their irreligious brethren, and wish to establish it at our expense; or whatever be the reason, they seem of late, some of them at least, to be not a little desirous of renewing hostilities.

Before I proceed any farther, I desire it may be noticed, that I have no personal antipathy to any one of these ministers; that I have the happiness to be acquainted with several of them, who, I am pursuaded, are men of another spirit; that even those on whom I take the liberty of animadverting, are esteemed by me, and

*Vol. I. No. III. p. 162.

many other Dissenters, for their work's sake; that I have no desire to impeach their integrity, in adhering to the Church; that I utterly dislike all such personal reflections, leaving the judgment of motives to God only; and, finally, that, whatever objections I may have to particular parts of the Church, they are but little, compared to my aversion from its grand principle; that is, its being national, and established, and directed by civil authority.

I have no desire to "reproach or calumniate" Mr. R. for what he has written, nor do I blame him for defending the Church as far as he is able, and trying, by fair argument and Christian persuasion, to induce his hearers, who have deserted her communion to return only let him not complain if others claim the right of examining the justice of what he advances. He speaks of " a host of disputants" appearing, when he, or any of his brethren, defend their own principles. To me it appears, that, for a considerable time, Dissenters have been nearly silent on these subjects; and that what has been written, has been chiefly on the other side.

Mr. R. declares his "principal concern is with the persons who have left his ministry; that he desires to stir up no contention with others; that he casts no reflections on those who, from conscientious motives, separate from the Church; and will enter into no altercations, nor answer the idle cavils of those who delight in strife." (p. 5.) Yet he stigmatizes Dissenters in general as "sectaries," and charges them with "schism." It may be said, however, that this is only a necessary consequence of his being a Churchman on conviction; and that, whether he dealt in such language or not, he must, to be consistent, entertain such thoughts of them. Admitting this apology, then, I will conclude Mr. R.'s aversion is not to persons but things, and, on this ground, will cheerfully join issue with him.

With respect to the persons addressed in Mr. R.'s pamphlet, I do not know that they should complain of him, unless it be for their "conscientiousness" being tacitly called in question. Their minister expostulates with them, and it becomes them to hear him candidly, especially when he professes to address them with "ar