It is well known, indeed, that there was a case (alluded to in this letter, and the same on which the Sadducees pretended to found an argument against the resurrection of the dead,1) in which a man was even required by the judicial law of the Jews to marry his brother's widow. But the reason assigned, and all the circumstances of the case, have induced commentators pretty generally, I believe, to conclude, that this was an exception from the general rule, made for the Jews only, and designed to keep their genealogies unbroken, and their inheritances in the same line.-Leviticus xviii. 18, has also been adduced in the argument: but it is very obscure, and the reader may be referred to my father's commentary upon it. With regard to the penalty' of the law,—such marriages are pronounced incestuous, and are liable at any time during the life of the parties to be declared void, and the issue of them illegitimate: and, if I am not mis-informed, the instances are neither few nor remote in which this has taken place. It seems also that any clergyman knowingly celebrating such a marriage, or being present at it, is subject 'to be suspended from his ministry for three years, and otherwise to be punished ' according to the laws.'-See Burn's Ecclesiastical Law, Article, Marriage, Title I.: and Blackstone, b. i. c. xv. ' Luke xx. 27, &c. " SIR, To J. B., Esq. Uxbridge. "Aston Sandford, July 24, 1815. "If there were the least prospect of one letter settling your mind on the subject of your last, I should (though quite overdone with engagements,) not decline the service: but volumes after volumes, for a long course of years, have been found inadequate to decide the point in contest; and to engage in such a controversy privately, as I could do little in publicly, would be useless. "I am as much dissatisfied with Mr.'s arguments as you are, and was sorry that he engaged in the controversy: and I know no book that I can recommend as satisfactory on either side of the question. The dissenters constantly charge on us, what is not true, as to oaths, &c. In a pamphlet called 'The Evils of Separation from the Church of England,' published in Ireland, by the Rev. Peter Roe, Kilkenny, (sold by Seeley and Hatchard, London,) you will find thirty pages of my writing on some of the great outlines of the argument; as well as the thoughts, moderate and candid at least, of several very pious clergymen, especially in Ireland. The object indeed is, to preserve men, already clergymen, from quitting the church at the instigation of the followers of Messrs. Haldane; and many of the statements do 'Since increased to ninety-seven pages. See second edition, of Scott's Works, vol. ix. not accord to the case of dissenters among us; of whom there seem not to be many in Ireland. : "One thing you will observe on my part of this pamphlet, namely, that I do not presume that all is exactly as it should be in the established church but that I can find no other church, or company, where all things are exactly right, or by joining which I could improve my situation, or be more at liberty to act conscientiously in my ministry. This will lead you to conclude that I am not disposed, or prepared, to defend every thing in the church of England; but only to show, that a minister may officiate and labour in the establishment conscientiously and usefully, without being required to do any thing which he regards as unlawful; that is, with the views which I have of Christianity, and of the ministry. 66 “ You will observe, that the assent and consent to the whole of the Prayer Book is required only of those who are instituted to benefices; and a man may officiate as a curate, &c., all his life, and never be called to make this strong and decided profession; to which I can only be reconciled by the consideration, that it by no means is supposed to imply putting the Prayer Book on the footing of the Bible; and by reflecting, that many things are wrong every where. But I wish it were done with. “I cannot but think, that further study, and careful examination of the words of our articles, would obviate your objections to subscription, in a general sense. Some hints in the pamphlet mentioned, as to the human authority objected to by dissenters, may be worth consideration.-Sub scription to the articles is not required of those who enter at Cambridge; nor till they take a degree. "I think the objections made to the Burial Service, (by those who think ministers have any thing officially to do with burying the dead,) are ill grounded. The persons buried are unexcommunicated members of the church of England; at least professed Christians: such as lay violent hands on themselves' are excluded: and in many peculiar cases a clergyman might, without much censure, refuse to officiate. 'We commit the body to the ground in sure and certain hope,' (not of his or her resurrection to eternal life, but) in general, of the resurrection to eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ;' while in all the rest the pronouns are expressly appointed and marked. We bury a professed Christian, in sure hope of the resurrection of all true Christians to eternal life; leaving the individual to the judgment of God, with only a general hope respecting him— 'as our hope is this our brother doth.' And, in what ordinary cases would we say, I have no hope? -As to the word 'brother' or 'brethren,' the apostles used it respecting the persecuting Jews: and shall we object to it in respect of a professed Christian? "I am not prepared to say so much of the objections to some expressions in the Baptismal Service, or in the Office of Confirmation: but ubi plurima nitent, &c.1 I except maculee every where. -I cannot see the second answer in the Catechism 1. Where so many things are excellent, I am not disposed to take offence at a few imperfections.' to be so objectionable. The sacraments must be rightly received, as well as rightly administered; they are doubtless means of grace; and, if circumcision was the seal of the righteousness of faith, why are not our sacraments pledges to assure him, who rightly receives them, of the inward and spiritual grace? "But I desist: I feel no eagerness to induce you to prefer the establishment. In the present state of things, pious, zealous, and laborious dissenting ministers, (if not bigoted, censorious, and political,) as well as pious clergymen, are much wanted, and may be very useful. I question whether your previous habits, &c. will not make our armour to you like Saul's to David. Were you a clergyman, I should bestow more pains to keep you among us.-There are some expressions in Mr. N. which I should object to, as you do: but, if you mean the remark of justification by faith only, not by faith alone, with reference to our article; it is so expressed as to be really unobjectionable. Unless some special reason require it, I must beg to decline further interference. Spare my worn-out age!-May God direct and prosper you! make you blessed and a blessing! "I am your's faithfully, On this letter a few brief observations may be made. 1. With respect to the declaration of "assent 'See John xv. 2, Matt. viii. 2, for the latitude with which scripture uses such terms. |