the passages you have adduced; but inferences, however plausible, depending on our reasoning powers, are not to be placed on a level with positive truths, plainly and distinctly stated.

Capt. I grant the justice of your remark ; and, I am happy to say, there is a text of this sort-a text which singly and alone-a text from the mouth of Jesus, which, unconnected with any other texts, most clearly establishes the two great Apostolical Truths, for which I contend-the exclusive supremacy of the FATHER, and the positive inferiority of the Son. This text is John xvii. 3. In addressing devout prayer to the FATHER, Jesus uses these emphatic words; THIS IS LIFE ETERNAL, THAT THEY MIGHT KNOW THEE THE ONLY TRUE GOD, AND JESUS CHRIST, WHOM THOU HAST SENT. These sacred words of our Lord, I boldly venture to designate THE KEY OF JESUS, FOR OPENING THE SCRIPTURES. THIS KEY is in perfect harmony with that of the APOSTLE PAUL. The latter may, indeed, be regarded as borrowed from the former -a kind of paraphrase of it. They both, in language somewhat varied, state the same Apostolical truths, to which I have so repeatedly directed your attention. If you read Mant, and other orthodox commentators, on this passage, you will perceive that these sacred words of our Lord, instead of being taken as a KEY TO THE BIBLE, are sacrificed to Creeds, and Articles of Faith,—as unintelligible as the words of JESUS are plain and explicit. For many weighty reasons they claim our most serious consideration.

1. In the first place, these words have a peculiar claim to our regard and high veneration, from their being a part of a sublime prayer addressed to GOD THE FATHER. This prayer fills the whole of the xviith chapter, which affords one continued evidence of the exclusive supremacy of the FATHER. What proof, more demonstrative, could our Lord give of this? and of his own positive inferiority? Admitting the doctrine of two natures, What must the disciples of Jesus, who heard this prayer, have thought of their Master? Must they not have supposed, that he who offered up prayer, was, necessarily, a dependant being-dependant upon GOD, to whom he prayed? Could they dream, that Jesus, (the second person in the Trinity) was, in his human nature, praying to HIMSELF, in his divine nature?

2. These words of our Lord were uttered by him in the presence of his dearest friends-his Apostles; and were evidently intended for their consolation, under the severe trial that awaited them, in the cruel, and ignominious death of their beloved Lord and Master. But, what was this consolation? That Jesus was God? or of the same substance with God? Nothing of the kind; but, simply that he was sent by God; or that he was the Messenger, or Angel of God, and no deceiver; and, consequently, that they might place implicit confidence in him; and in the doctrines He revealed. Had Jesus possessed supreme divinity, he could hardly have chosen a more suitable time for making it known to his Apostles, than at his last Supper.

3. That these never-to-be-forgotten words might command our utmost regard and veneration, our Lord ushers them in with these soul-stirring words, THIS IS LIFE ETERNAL! That is to say; I am going to give

you a summary of every thing necessary for you to believe, and practise, in order to obtain ETERNAL LIFE.

For all these reasons, and many others might be stated, these memorable words of our Saviour command our high veneration. They reveal to us the two Apostolical Truths; and, happily, they do this in language strictly accordant with the voice of prophecy-language so plain that "way faring men, though fools, shall not err therein."

In preference to any other single text, or passage of Scripture, I think we may, in studying the Sacred Volume, safely select these LIFE-GIVING words of our blessed Lord, as “a lamp to our feet, and a light to our paths." I think, they may, without presumption, be denominated THE KEY OF JESUS, The Lion of the tribe of Judah, FOR OPENING THE BIBLE If it does not open to us all difficult, and abstruse passages, it enables, even unlearned men to detect the errors, or false glosses, of learned commentators. For every interpretation of Scripture which contradicts the Two Truths so plainly revealed by Jesus, must be false; and ought to be rejected by every pious and candid inquirer after truth. I do not know, Admiral, how far this mode of arguing may be convincing to you; but, I must say that, if these life-giving words of Jesus are, by priests, by colleges, and by parliaments, to be twisted from their clear and direct meaning-If the Bible is to be thus dealt with by authority; translated into English, it can be of no use to unlearned readers, but to perplex, or mislead them.

Adml. I seem, my friend, as if awakened from a strange dream. If all that you have said is really true, not only the Established Church, and the great body of dissenters—but all the Established Churches, Protestant and Catholic, throughout Europe, are idolatrous-Trinitarinism is only another name for Tritheism-and all Trinitarians are idolaters. Now, to consider the great number of men distinguished for piety, learning, and integrity, -men who have written so ably in defence of Christianity, as idolaters, is a thing I cannot admit. How can you account for a thing so incredible?

Capt. I do not, Admiral, any more than yourself, consider the men you speak of, as guilty of idolatry: but, this I may be permitted to say, that, with the opinions I entertain, I should consider myself as an idolater in worshipping any God save the God whom Jesus Christ worshipped, and whom he calls, His Father, and our Father; His God, and our God.

With regard to the difficulty you state, concerning learned and good men, I would answer you in one word-education. It is education that nineteen times in twenty nakes men, in regard to religion, what they are. By education, some are made Protestants, some Catholics-some Churchmen, some Dissenters-some Christians, some Jews-some Mohammedans, and some Pagans. Whence arises it that so few of these, in after-life, ever quit the religion (which in general means the errors) of their forefathers? In all countries statesmen, for obvious reasons, have spared neither labour nor expense, in perpetuating existing religious establishments. In no country have greater exertions been made, than in our own, to perpetuate hereditary Colleges have been endowed, and revenues to an incalculable

errors.

amount set apart; and even large standing armies kept on foot-and, for what purpose? For teaching the Athanasian edition of Christianity-for teaching men that the Father is NOT the only true God; and that Jesus, so far from being the Christ-the Anointed of God-was VERY GOD!! -the very God who anointed him!! To do this necessarily forms a part of the duty of the Established, or Athanasian Church.

Adml. But, my friend, if the errors of Trinitarianism are so very glaring, and the truths of Unitarianism so perfectly self-evident, as you represent them; How do you account for the great progress of the former, and the very small increase of the latter? With every disposition to think favourably of your judgment, I cannot bring myself to believe that you, and sɔme few others, should have hit upon the truth, and that all the rest of the world should be in a state of complete darkness, and heathen ignorance.

Capt. Instead of giving you a direct answer, I, also, would ask you a question; How do you account for the greater spread of Catholicism than of Protestanism?-nay, of Mohammedism than of Christianity? In your answers to these questions, you will find satisfactory answers to your own. I will, however, venture to submit to your consideration one answer which may be novel, not only to you, but to some professed Unitarians. I think the latter have injured a good cause, by too elaborately defending it.

Adml. That seems a paradox. Pray explain yourself.

Capl. In the words of our blessed Master, we have not only a KEY for opening the Bible; but also an impregnable citadel, unassailable by Trinitarians. But Unitarians, instead of remaining secure in this citadel; and trusting to walls of adamant, have, like raw and inexperienced soldiers, descended into the open country, and suffered themselves to be surrounded and overcome by superior numbers. To drop the metaphor; instead of sticking to this text, and making it their citadel—their sheet-anchor—or, instead of writing very small books, they have written very large ones; and, For what purpose? Why, to prove that THE FATHER IS THE ONLY TRUE GOD!! Although their works, being based on these words of Jesus, are, on that account, superior to those of Trinitarians, which are based on the inferences of uninspired and fallible men-like the house of the foolish man, they are built on sand—yet, the consequence has been that Trinitarians have written books, larger and more in number; and, having a hundred readers where Unitarians have only one, more have been confirmed in their errors, than converted to Gospel truths. Without deep reading, or study, THE KEY OF JESUS is alone sufficient to expose the fallacies and sophistries of priests and commentators, of creeds and articles of faith -the errors of all these books. The self-stiled orthodox, in their over-zeal to promote their own peculiar doctrines, have inflicted a mortal wound on the Gospel. Of what use can its glad-tidings be to us, if, (as Abp. Magee insinuates) the believers in the words of JESUS, in their plain, literal meaning, will without doubt perish everlastingly. (See the examination of Abp. Magee before a Committee of the House of Lords in 1825. Also a Letter addressed to Members of both Houses of Parliament in 1836. p. 7, 12.)

Adml. But, my friend, if, to obtain eternal life, nothing more is required than to believe that the FATHER is the only true God, and that Jesus Christ was sent by Him-that he was the Messiah, the way to obtain life eternal becomes, on your system, a most easy concern.

Capt. Your remark, Admiral, would be just as you state the premises; but, even then, it would not be more easy, or yet less scriptural, than the present mode of getting to heaven by trusting in the merits of Christ. But to obtain life eternal, no substitutes for holiness of life will avail. Men, in all ages, have been desirous to find substitutes for holiness of life; but, the doctrine of Scripture is, Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. THE KEY OF JESUS not only establishes the Two Gospel Truths, already so largely dwelt upon; but it also teaches holiness of life. You will pardon me, but you do not appear fully to comprehend the meaning of our Lord's words. To know the FATHER, is to know his paternal character. It is to know his attributes, as far as IIe has been pleased to reveal them to us. First, in the book of natureeven his eternal power and Godhead. Second, as they are more clearly made known in the sacred Volume of Inspiration; particularly his mercy, and goodness to sinful men. As we are commanded to be followers. [ imitators μipinrai] of God-to be merciful as our Father in heaven is merciful—nay, to be perfect (in the discharge of certain duties) as He is perfect. To obey these commands of our Lord, it is necessary that every pious man should know-should feel-the goodness, the mercy, the love of God. God is love. Without thus knowing Him, How can we become His imitators? How can we render unto Him the honour due unto His holy name? How render unto Him reasonable service? That this knowledge of God might be rendered more attainable by us, He has graciously sent his well-beloved Son Jesus, —the brightness of his glory, and the express image of His person—to bless, and to turn every one away from his iniquities—to suffer for us, leaving us an example, that we should follow his steps. (See Heb. i. 3. Acts iii. 26. and, 1 Pet. ii. 21.) We must be ready to lay down our lives in the cause of truth, and for the good of our brethren. Thus, Admiral, you see that the religion of Unitarians is not so easy a concern as you seemed to think it. To be Christians, we must possess the Spirit of Christ, or we are none of his. (Rom. viii. 9.) We must possess his meekness, and courage—not the courage of the hero, but that of the martyr. We must be ready, like Jesus, to take up our cross-patiently submit to every indignity, insult, and even to the loss of life, if necessary, out of love to our brethren. Thus to know the FATHER, THE ONLY TRUE GOD, and Jesus Christ whom He hath sent, is to possess all the knowledge necessary to fit us for LIFE ETERNAL. This passage may, therefore, be denominated the KEY OF JESUS FOR OPENING THE BIBLE a guide, at least, to its general testimony regarding the Messiah, and also regarding the FATHER, or JEHOVAH.

Adml. Though I cannot fully answer your arguments, which, indeed, seem to be founded on the solid rock of Scripture; yet, after so slight an examination of this most important subject, I cannot bring myself to give

up opinions which I have long cherished; which I wish to be true; and this without establishing other opinions in their room. I do not feel my mind in a comfortable state: Yet, I thank you, my friend, for your patience and forbearance; and I will intrude still further; and ask you, How, on your system, the sins of the world are to be be atoned for? If Jesus be not God, as well as man, would not his atonement be unavailing?

Capt. This question is very generally asked by the orthodox, who infer that if this doctrine, as understood by them, is untrue, sinners, that is all men, are left without hope-they must for ever be tormented in hell. Instead of taking for their guidance a heavenly KEY-THE KEY OF JES US, they make to themselves KEYS of earthly manufacture, which will be found to be base pick-locks. In the language of the Prophet; They have hewed themselves cisterns, broken cisterns, which hold no water. Not being able to bend their peculiar doctrines, to the word of God they daringly bend this sacred word to the conceits of vain and fallible men. I shall have much pleasure in stating to you my views of the Christian doctrine of Atonement—a doctrine distinct from our present-subject, the Unity of the Deity. As you have graciously condescended to hear the opinions I have ventured to offer, I shall trespass still further, and recommend you to read attentively the Bible, taking for your guide the KEY OF JESUS, instead of the commentaries of men, however pious and learned; these may pass away; but the words of Jesus shall not pass away—He is the way the light, and the truth. Let us, however, listen with attention to the teachings of wise and good men-let us examine their commentaries on the Sacred Volume but, following the advice of St. Paul; let us prove all things: hold fast that which is good. Let us prove what we hear, or read by THE KEY OF JESUS: nor, let us neglect THE KEY OF ST. PAUL; and, whatever inferences we may meet with that contradict the Two Gospel Truths, plainly revealed by these KEYS, we may fearlessly reject. To those who would pervert these truths, we may say; Jesus 1 know, and Paul I know; but who are ye. Be assured, Admiral, that these few words. are worth more than thousands uttered by Athanasius, or all his tritheistical, followers. I call them tritheistical; for, to say that there are three divine persons, each of whom is eternal, uncreated, Almighty-each of whom is GOD; is, if words have any intelligible meaning, Tritheism. Prayer, also, collectively and individually, is offered up to each of these Almighty persons or deities; and, as the benefactors of man, distinct offices, or departments in the divine economy, assigned to each. If this system, and worship, are not tritheistical, and consequently idolatrous, it would seem that there are no words in our language descriptive of idol-worship. To say, that three Almighty persons are not three Gods, but one God, if not sol emn nonsense, is trifling with Omnipotence and to pray to these three persons, is both a breach of the first commandment, and an act of disobedience to Jesus, who, (it cannot be too often repeated) commanded prayer to THE FATHER. must, however, again observe to you that I do not regard Trinitarians as idolaters. They profess to worship only one GOD;

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