"to take off the almost facred veneration "the people have for things, which not "their merit, but antiquity alone has confe"crated. But foreseeing, that some would object to a plan of this kind, from an apprehenfion that an eagerness for reformation might in such cases carry matters to too great a length; he ftates the objection and answers it himself.

"Would the innovator," he puts it, "herewith reft satisfied! would he not de"fire after this a revifal of the liturgy, "with the xxxix articles; and proceed "from ecclefiaftical, to civil matters? These are not neceffary," replies he to the objector, " perhaps not probable confequences: but allowing they were; what "nobler object could the parliament, could "the convocation have under their con

templation, than the petitions of ferious "and well-difpofed men; presented, at proper intervals, with becoming humility,

praying, not to be released (as in a late "instance) from the bonds by which fo"ciety is united, but that means might be devifed, the most efficacious, for quieting "their

E 4

"their confcientious fcruples, and fetting "them forward in the way of religious

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improvement?"-Critical remarks on the books of Job, Proverbs, Pfalms, Ecclefiaftes, and Canticles; pref. p. ix. by Dr. Durell, D.D. principal of Hertford college, and prebendary of Canterbury, 1772.

The fame valuable and liberal author, in p. 180. of this work, speaking of the curfes uttered against enemies, fometimes to be met with in the book of Pfalms, makes this remark.

"How far it may be proper to continue. "the reading of these pfalms in the daily

fervice of our church, I leave to the con"fideration of the legislature to determine. "A chriftian of erudition may confider "these imprecations only as the natural "fentiments of jews, which the benign re

ligion he profeffes, abhors and condemns. "But what are the illiterate to do, who "know not where to draw the line between "the law and the gofpel? They hear both "read, one after the other, and, I fear, too "often think them both of equal obliga❝tion; and even take shelter under fcripture

" to

"to cover their curfes. Though I am con"fcious I here tread on flippery ground, I "will take leave to hint, that notwith

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standing the high antiquity that fanctifies "as it were this practice; it would, in the opinion of a number of wife and good "men, be more for the credit of the chrif"tian church, to omit a few of those psalms, "and to substitute fome parts of the gofpel in their stead. See Les fentimens des theologiens de Hollande; attributed to Le "Clerc in his younger days.”

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It is worthy of your notice that this judicious writer, lately taken away from this world, where he filled his honourable station so usefully, was of opinion, that many might have confcientious fcruples with refpect to fome things in the articles and liturgy of the church of England, and find them a bar to religious improvement; and that he not only recomends a becoming and modest application to governors for relief in such cases, but intimates, that it is the duty, and for the honour of the legislature, to liften and attend to fuch petitioners.

• LET

LET no one lightly entertain fufpicions of any ferious propofal for the advancement of religious knowlege; nor, out of unreasonable prejudice, endeavour to • obftruct any inquiry, that profeffes to aim at the further illuftration of the great • fcheme of the gospel in general, or the • removal of error in any part, in doctrine, in practice, or in warship. An opinion is not therefore falfe, because it contradicts received notions: but whether true or false, let it be fubmitted to a fair examination; truth muft in the end be a gainer by it, and appear with the greater evidence. Where

freedom of inquiry is maintained under the direction of the fincere word of God, falfehood may perhaps triumph for a day; but to-morrow truth will certainly prevail, and every fucceeding day will confirm her fuperiority.'-Bp. Lowth's vifitation fermon, preached at Durham, 1758.

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Thus, 30 years ago, did this fine writer, and eminent divine, plead Dr. Priestley's cause against his adverfaries, and reprobate the practice and the little arts used by Dr. Horne, who is for having you to

con

condemn him unheard, and feeks to prejudice you against his opinions by mere declamation, and expreffions of aftonishment and dislike, instead of bringing them to the test of scripture, as Bp. Lowth recomends, whether they be true or false.

And fo far was this learned man from prefuming, that all things relating to the doctrine and worship of the church of England were right, that he invites all its members to examine for themselves whether they are fo, and bids them take care, that, through unreasonable prejudices, they do not obstruct any inquiry, that aims at the removal of error in any point, in doctrine, in practice, or in worship.

And thus have you feen, that not only this prelate lately deceased, but his present fucceffor in the fee of London, and another also high on the epifcopal bench, together with other learned and approved writers of the church of England, all agree in declaring that a revifal of her creeds, articles and forms of worship is much wanted, and that it is the duty of all to inquire how far they are agreeable to the word of God; which is nothing