Изображения страниц
PDF
EPUB

look upon their Universities as guards of the National Peace. Surely these are far more beautiful and wonderful contrivances than prison walls. Thus it is that a wise selfishness ever advocates the same objects as the widest benevolence.

We trust that America will in this profit by the example of Europe, and early call to herself the favouring influences of the Muses; for to them applies what Goethe has said of the Graces:

"That he who lacks what these fair powers impart,
May much possess and much communicate,

But on his bosom we can ne'er repose."

Tasso, Act II. Scene I.

THE WIDOW'S SON AT NAIN.

C. L.

not.

"And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep And he came and touched the bier, and they that bare it stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak."

FORTH from the city gate

A dim procession passed,

Whose saddened air, and solemn tread,

And measured wailing for the dead,

Told of a mortal-spirit fled

To its home of rest at last.

With mournful step, and slow,
The pageant glided on ;

The childless widow, weeping near,
Followed, with faltering steps, the bier
That bore her only son.

Behold! the bearers pause,-
Silent, as if in sleep ;

Beside them stands, with pitying mien,

A Form majestic and serene,

Soothing maternal anguish keen,

And bids her "not to weep."

[blocks in formation]

ART. IV. THE CONCESSIONS OF TRINITARIANS. Being a Selection of Extracts from the Writings of the most eminent Biblical Critics and Commentators. By JOHN WILSON. Manchester: printed and published by the Author, Riding's Court, St. Mary's Gate. 8vo. pp. 614.

MR. WILSON has already done distinguished service to the cause of Unitarian Christianity, by his "Scripture Proofs and Scriptural Illustrations of Unitarianism," a work evincing much of the kind of research which has led to the present production, and containing an Appendix on the express subject. This subject he has been induced, by the urgent suggestions of his friends, to treat more copiously and completely, and the result is what the eminent qualities displayed in the former work would lead its readers to anticipate. The principal idea of the present work was thrown out by John Locke, whose words are thus quoted as a motto to the second and third parts, p. 78: "There is scarcely one text alleged to the Trinitarians which is not otherwise expounded by their own writers."

It has been reserved for the author of the work before us to carry out the idea by detailed proof.* This he has done in a most laborious and earnest, yet calm and temperate manner, completely establishing what even Trinitarians must surely think a startling fact, that the very principles of reasoning and interpretation for which Unitarians are denounced, are admitted and adopted by leading Trinitarian writers; and that not a passage can be found in the Old or New Testament, for which an Unitarian explanation cannot be produced from Trinitarian pens. By a skilful but fair selection from the writings of the "orthodox," Mr. Wilson has compiled an armoury of invincible weapons for those engaged on the Unitarian side in theological fencing; or, to use, perhaps, a more strictly illustrative figure, he has made it impossible for an opponent to strike except through the bodies of his own friends. The Unitarian is enabled to present arguments on every point, the validity of which his opponent cannot deny without dishonouring the signature of eminent Trinitarian authors. It is difficult to imagine how an Unitarian, with Mr. Wilson's book in his hand, can fail to silence and con

* Mr. Wilson refers, indeed, in his Preface (p. i.) to a scarce Latin work of which he has been furnished with a copy, written with a similar view, and published in the year 1678, entitled, Scriptura Sanctæ Trinitatis Revelatrix, by an eminent Prussian, Christopher Sandius, under the assumed name of Herman Cingal.

found, though he may not convince, any Trinitarian antagonist. It is observed in the Preface (p. vii.) that

"Another aim of the author was to present the readers of his work with the criticisms and reasonings employed by Trinitarians in justification of their Unitarianising interpretations. This feature of the work is subsidiary to the argument derived from the bare concessions, but will probably be found the more important to the Biblical student."

[ocr errors]

The First Part, or Introduction, is occupied by extracts at some length from Trinitarian writers, admitting the great general principles for which Unitarians contend. The first chapter is on the Inconsistency of the spirit of Sectarianism with the spirit of Christianity, subdivided into Sections on the several positions, -that there are wise and good men in all denominations,-that Unitarians are distinguished for their worth, piety and learning, -that they are entitled to the Christian name, that belief in the Trinity or the metaphysical subtleties of articles and creeds is not essential to salvation, and that "orthodoxy," "heresy," &c., are the watchwords of party warfare. The second chapter is on the Simplicity and Intelligibleness of Christianity, containing extracts devoted to the positions, that the teachings of Christ are simple and free from mystery, and the most important doctrines in Scripture clearly revealed and universally admitted. The tenor of the extracts in the third chapter is that Reason is the gift of God, and that nothing which is opposed to it is worthy of belief, admitting that the intellectual powers should be employed in matters of religion, and that reason and revelation are consistent with each other. The fourth chapter supports the admission that Trinitarianism is Unintelligible or Self-Contradictory, giving the various attempts to define the Trinity in Unity, showing its opposition to reason, and objecting to scholastic terms. The fifth chapter consists of extracts maintaining that the Trinity in Unity and the Deity of Christ are not Doctrines of Revelation,-objecting to the terms Trinity, Person, Hypostasis, Homoousion, &c., as unscriptural and improper, and admitting that the doctrine of the Trinity was not revealed before the birth of Christ, and was unknown to the Jews-that the doctrines of the Trinity and of the Deity of Christ were not revealed by Jesus before the Day of Pentecost, and not expressly mentioned in the gospels, especially the first three, that they are not dwelt on in the Acts of the Apostles--that no doctrines not previously taught by Christ are inculcated in the Epistles -that the Trinity, and Deity of Christ and the Holy Spirit, are not doctrines of express revelation-and that the doctrine of the Trinity cannot be proved from Holy Scripture. The sixth

chapter admits the Unity and Sole Supreme Deity of the Father, and the practically exclusive worship of the Father among the Trinitarian Congregationalists or Independents. The seventh and last chapter maintains Genuine Scripture, Interpreted by Reason, to be the Only Legitimate Standard of Religious Doctrines, admitting that the Authorized Version requires correction, and laying down principles and canons of criticism and interpretation.

From this elaborate and carefully arranged Introduction, the Author proceeds in the Second and Third Parts to review all the passages in the Old and New Testaments which have been alleged in confirmation of Trinitarian doctrines, and proves their insufficiency by the admissions of Trinitarians themselves. The extracts are occasionally intermingled with brief remarks by the Author within brackets, and the work concludes with appropriate observations, adding an important admission that the doctrine of the Trinity was unknown to the first ages of the Church. A full index and summary of the contents, and a list of authors and works consulted, are subjoined. It may be added that the volume is printed and got up in a manner that reflects the greatest credit on the Author in another capacity.

It is our full conviction, after carefully looking through the work, that Mr. Wilson has amply redeemed his pledge, having most thoroughly and satisfactorily performed the laborious task which he undertook. His patience and diligence, indeed, have led him to execute his plan with a systematic fullness, to which, perhaps, the effectiveness of the work, with ordinary readers, may have been in some measure sacrificed. Through a desire to make the work logically complete to his own mind, he may have somewhat lessened its effect on the mind of an adversary, who may sometimes think that he has mistaken the difference between them, and is fighting with shadows. He has furnished the materials, of which others are left to make a brilliant application. Amidst the animation and excitement of a conflict, we are too apt to forget the indispensable industry and ability of those who erected the fortress and constructed the weapons. Ordinary readers, not versed in the investigations required for the compilation of such a work as Mr. Wilson's, will scarcely enter into his conception of logical completeness, and will not feel an interest equally strong with his in pursuing his labours into minute and systematic detail. This, like his former volume, will probably be more frequently consulted as a standard work of reference than continuously perused-a rare distinction, surely, in this age of superficial and ephemeral literature.

While thus awarding to Mr. Wilson the highest and most

« ПредыдущаяПродолжить »