CONTENTS. Christianity Unveiled; being an Examination of the Principles and The Important Examination of the Holy Scriptures. The Miraculous Conception, or the Divinity of Jesus Christ consi- Letters to Eugenia, on the absurd, contradictory, and demoralizing The Life of David; or, the History of the Man after God's own A Letter to the Rev. Dr. Samuel Chandler: from the Writer of the History of the Man after God's own Heart. A LETTER TO THE REV. DR. SAMUEL CHANDLER. SIR, Soon after the appearance of the History of the Man after God's own Heart, a rumour spread abroad that you intended a reply to it. A circumstance for which the writer of it was far from being sorry; as he concluded a defence of the character of King David from so confessedly able a hand, would greatly tend to illustrate the real merits or demerits of that celebrated monarch, whose life and actions have been the subjects of such variety of opposite constructions. Eager to learn what you, Sir, had to say, in opposition to what was advanced by him, he made frequent enquiry, as opportunity offered, when your answer was to appear. Nobody knew certainly; but every one, acquainted with your former writings, ventured to predict the complexion of it: your friends were afraid that the Doctor would be too warm;' while those, not so well affected perhaps to your side of the question, declared with less reserve, excuse the repetition, that' come when it might, he would scold like a fishwoman.' The writer himself, not having read any of your former productions, except the sermon which gave rise to this controversy, was naturally led to conclude, that a Protestant Divine, long exercised in the profession of the gospel, must have profited so much by the meek spirit which it so manifestly inculcates, as to manage a B literary dispute especially, with distinguished moderation. After near twelve months had elapsed, and expectation was tired out, gradual notices of its appearance transpired. First it was whispered that the Doctor, after submitting his performance to the correction of a friend, had very near wrote the whole anew: then it would come out speedily: and, after tracing it to one of its intended publishers, and two or three times being named, at length with due solemnity the bulky review issued forth. It must be owned, that to the writer himself, whatever might have been the opinion of others, the external appearance of the little History, compared with the formidable size of your review of it, excited the recollection of the overgrown Goliah, clad in heavy armour, stalking forth with menacing steps to demolish the little David. It remains then to be tried whether the stripling can find a few smooth stones in his pouch, as well as a sling, wherewith to defend himself against this giant, who so proudly defies the armies of com mon sense. It is a fortunate circumstance to write with the prejudices of mankind strongly interested in our favour. This, Sir, is doubly your fortune: first, with regard to the subject you have chosen; secondly, with respect to your own established reputation. With these advantages, secure of welcome reception, well may the possessor advance with confidence: arguments, from his pen, are credited with double force; specious ones are accepted as genuine; assertion stands for proof; declamation is mistaken for reasoning; small errors are overlooked, and the most considerable ones excused. Belief is counted to him for righteousness; and, like charity, is permitted to cover a multitude of sins. Far different is the situation of the man, who is so deficient in prudence, as to call accepted notions in question the attempt is considered as impious; and and himself is hunted down like a wild beast, under the. name of Infidel! Thus it fared with the primitive Christians-thus it fared with the first reformers; and even now, bating the faggot-stick, thus it fares with every one who presumes to differ in opinion from his neighbours in those points from which they say, thou shalt not differ. The arguments urged by such a one, are stiled wilful perversions-his proofs are manifestations of his ignorance-his mistakes are magnified beyond measure, and he is altogether, in mere Christian charity, held out to public detestation, as a mouster in human form! An old lanthorn is thus tied to a poor cur's tail, and he is turned out with hissing and clapping of hands; bow wow! wow! cry all the yelping pack, and it is by mere good luck alone, if he escapes with whole bones! But a Had not this author met with treatment very unexpected in your animadversions on him, he would not again have set pen to paper on this subject. man must be a greater wretch than you have represented him to be, who, insensible to the opprobrium cast on him, can let you triumph with so high a hand, though with so questionable a pretension to victory. The History of the Man after God's own Heart, was evidently a juvenile production; the language of it would else have been more guarded, and not have lain open to so many extraordinary strictures, some of which shall be noticed anon: but now, Sir, that the writer of it is so fortunate as to possess the unlookedfor advantage of a thorough examen of it from your learned hand; by which means every one will allow that he has gained the knowledge of the utmost extent of what criticism can object to it, from the fair and candid, even to that of Zoilus himself; if ever, therefore, another edition of it appears, it shall certainly profit something from the acute notes you have bestowed upon it. And yet, methinks, the sanguine warmth of a young writer, who thought he perceived so clear a field before him, might have claimed some |