opinion, that this account abounds with gross misstatements, and manifests throughout, a temper directly opposed to the genuine spirit of the Gospel. Indeed, we have wondered, as we have gone along, at the exaggerations, the misrepresentations, the gross personality, the virulent and unfounded abuse which almost every page contains. The arrogance and presumption which it manifests, would not discredit the pretensions of the Papal chair; and the spirit of intolerance which it breathes, would suit the atmosphere of the inquisition. Had we not daily instances of the great misrepresentations, and foul calumnies which the opinions and practices of the English Unitarians suffer, we should not have believed it possible, that bigotry would lead its votaries so far astray from truth, justice, and candour. We are told, that the religious state of Germany is very deplorable. And then we have a confused account of the different grades of scepticism. It is evident, that our Author has no very clear notions of German theology, and that it would have been better had he spared himself the trouble of endeavouring to explain what he does not comprehend. We entirely disbelieve the assertion, that "in several districts of Germany, the most numerous of all the theological parties denies a Revelation." And we deny, as a gross misstatement, that Socinianism is founded on the principle of rejecting or retaining whatever is agreeable or disagreeable to the fancy of the individual. He who passes sentence, before he has inquired into the nature of a case, is either a very unprincipled, or else a very weak and prejudiced judge. Though we are no Socinians, yet we have a feeling of indignation, that a man who emphatically styles himself a Christian, should, without inquiry, slander a numerous body of sincere disciples of Jesus, who value Christianity as the best gift of God to man, and who receive the Scriptures as containing the revealed will of God.

We pass over the extracts, garbled, we will venture to assert, from the works of some free-thinking German theologians. Germany has produced many very eminent Biblical critics, and, as might be expected, has educated some commentators who have indulged in a latitude of interpretation of the Sacred Oracles, which sound criticism will not justify. But the sceptical notions in the works of some of the German divines, are a necessary consequence of the gross corruptions of Christianity. "No

wonder, that, in many places, the churches are often seen in ruins," where the doctrines of Calvinism were once established as the pure doctrines of the Reformation. These sentiments are so revolting to common sense, and so widely opposed to the principles of reason, by which we judge of the truth of Revelation, and of the doctrines which it contains, that men of reflection, having, without examining carefully the Scriptures, identified Calvinism and Revelation, have rejected the latter for libelling, as they imagine, the God of Nature, and degrading the dignity of man. To what are we to attribute the wide spread of infidelity in Roman Catholic countries, but to the gross corruptions which are inculcated as the doctrines of the Scriptures? To the same cause, must we attribute the infidelity and scepticism which exist in some parts of Germany. But Mr. Haldane has presented us with a very exaggerated account; indeed, he has classed all Germany in unbelief, by including in this term, all those who do not maintain his peculiar sentiments. According to his vocabulary, every man who cannot utter his Shibboleth, is an enemy of the Gospel; and, judging from the temper of his work, we may conclude, that if he had the power, the Sibboleths would feel the sword of his spirit.

Halle is represented as the seat of infidelity! It appears to us, however, evident, from the statements which Mr. H. has inserted from men of his own faith, many of whom seem to be his agents, that this infidelity is merely a form of Christianity different from that which Mr. H. inculcates. The majority of believers are Unitarian Christians, some are Arians, and others may be of the denomination, Anti-supernaturalists. Although we firmly believe in the miracles which are recorded in the Bible, we should esteem it great presumption, to denominate those who attempt to explain some of them in a natural way, "unprincipled men, who are not Christians though they assume the name." These are hard sayings, and certainly are not dictated by the spirit of Christianity. Does this self-righteous sect, ever meet with that passage, "Judge not, that ye be not judged?"

We are informed, that, at Hanover, there is more decency and caution, but not less hostility to the truth as it is in Jesus, or, in other words, to the doctrines of Calvinism!

At Leipzig, it appears, things are still worse. "Not

one who preaches the truth; every thing is more heathenish than Christian;"-phraseology, from which we infer, that good works are more insisted on, as essential to salvation, than faith in the doctrines of Calvinism. "The Bible Society is totally in the hands of infidels!" Strange, indeed, that infidels should concern themselves respecting the dissemination of the Scriptures. Mr. H.'s infidels may, however, be the genuine disciples of Jesus Christ. All are infidels with him, who are not Calvinistic Methodists. "At Breslaw, there is only one Professor, whose system of Theology is Christian." Again, "Most Protestants in Germany are only such as oppose the errors and superstition of the Romish church, but are no more Christians than the most bigoted Pagans;" i. e. they are not "the Christians." "One may travel through Sweden, Norway, and Finland, and perhaps not find any thing like the Gospel in 20 parishes;" i. e. Mr. H.'s gospel; but you may find many sincere, modest professors of the doctrines which Jesus and his apostles taught. "Had it not been for that late memorable Mr. Hange, Christianity would long ago have been quite extinct in Norway." "In Finland, the Word of God is sadly opposed by men, who have the form of godliness, but deny the power thereof, by whom it is malignantly hated, and basely oppressed, and persecuted." These terms are moderately strong, to be applied by one Christian to his fellow Christians of a different denomination. Does the Bible of

Mr. H. and his party, contain the passage, "Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? To his own master he standeth or falleth." Have the Evangelicals mutilated the Scriptures? From the unchristian spirit which they display towards other denominations of Christians, we might fairly infer, that they have been taking away from the Sacred Canon every passage which does not comport with their principles,-an accusation which they falsely bring against the Unitarians. Berlin, it seems, contains only four faithful ministers. "Besides these, none preach and live evangelically!" "The city of Dantzic, buried its last evangelical minister twenty years ago." "In Hungary, the people are little better than Heathens, either in refined scepticism or gross superstition!" In Holland, "those whose ears had been circumcised," perceived the operation of infidels, in cutting out slices of evangelical sentiment, in the new version of

Psalms! The circumcised are also greatly annoyed with a Theological Journal, entitled "Literary Exercises," conducted by the first pens in Holland, "which is a well known enemy to evangelical sentiments!" This work is, however, opposed by "the Johnson of Literature," and "the Milton of Poetry," a Mr. B. who, in the spirit of his sect, terms the Literary Exercises, the "Exercises in Slander." This Mr. B. of Leyden is quite a Boanerges. "He sounds the alarm the louder, the more the storm rages." He has gained never-withering laurels, from the conversion of a Jewish doctor and a Jewish lawyer. “This remarkable event happened some years ago." Remarkable, indeed, that Jews, staunch believers in the Divine Unity, should be converted to believe, that Jesus is the Almighty God, the Creator of the world; that the Holy Ghost is also the Almighty God; and that such as the Father is, such is the Son, and such is the Holy Ghost. Credat Judæus! The heart-searching infallible heads of the true church, can find only one pious professor of theology, and only two pious students in Leyden! All have gone astray. "Arianism and Socinianism, have, during the last 25 years, made great progress in the academies and reformed churches!" The lawyer and physician are, however, busily at work. One relinquishes the dry study of the law, for the work of grace; and the other neglects the maladies of the body, for the cure of souls.

Let us proceed to France. Here, also, the whole head is sick, and the whole heart is faint. The holy inquisitors, happily, however, divested of the engines of that infernal tribunal, pronounce, with the same disgusting arrogance and self-righteousness, on the faith and conduct of the French Protestants. But we will not tire our readers with a detail of the gross misstatements of the Evangelical emissaries. "Engineers of Satan," "poison of Socinianism," "ill-informed Arians, ignorant and prejudiced against the Gospel," are terms lavishly bestowed on all the AntiCalvinists. "The dogmas of Geneva are openly taught," i.e. the doctrines of Unitarian Christianity. At Montauban, the Unitarian Professor, of course, "denies the peculiar doctrines of the Gospel." At this charge, the Professor may smile, because it is generally understood what the Calvinist means, by a person's denying the peculiar doctrines of the Gospel, i. e. the doctrines of his creed;

but when a man, emphatically styling himself a Christian, publishes to the world, that a Professor of Theology "has no respect for the Word of God," and that "he treats it in the way of ridicule," the calumniated may justly feel indignant at the slanderer, and would be justified in using means to compel him to retract his malicious charge. It is not with such weapons, that the pure doctrines of the Gospel are disseminated. Learn of him, who was meek and lowly in heart, and who declared, that not he who saith Lord, Lord, have we not believed in thee, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he who doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven, who practises justice, mercy, and truth. The charge is absurd, it refutes itself. A Christian treat with ridicule and contempt the book on which are founded all his hopes of mercy and future bliss! Let this busy, censorious, prying, anathematizing sect, seriously examine their own hearts, their own faith, and their own conduct. They will have work enough before them. It is the province of Omniscience to form an estimate of the character of our fellow creatures. Let not these self-righteous, who say to every other, Stand off, for we are holier than thou, deceive themselves, with the notion that the overflowings of their religious zeal, is a sacrifice well-pleasing to God, and will atone for the want of the principal virtues in the Christian life. Let them remember, that there is a zeal without knowledge, without holiness, without charity. Let them remember, who hath said, that love is the fulfilling of the law; and that faith, and hope, and knowledge, without love, are but as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal.

Of the religious state of Geneva, we shall say a few words in our next number. It appears, that Mr. H. has given an account of it in a Letter to M. Chenevière, Pastor and Professor of Divinity in that place, whom he courteously styles "a determined enemy of the Gospel." M. C. professes to be a sincere Christian, but he is a Unitarian; therefore, according to Mr H.'s logic, he is a determined enemy of the Gospel. Many pages of Mr. H.'s pamphlet are occupied with an account of the persecution of some members of his sect. We shall hereafter refer to this. It seems clear, that the statements are much exaggerated; and the causes which led to this persecution are kept in the back ground. The Unitarians, however, are not implicated in the harsh measures which appear to have