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"I would follow other guides." "What need "have we of further evidence" of her non-descriptism? Law's religion and doctrine, repentance, is defined and known; H. More's "evangelical light," "other guides," is undefined, therefore not known. It is something mystical; it is not a "reasonable service." In perusing her works, the mind is led into a state of intellectual retrogradation, the more we read and hear of her non-descriptism, the less we know of it.

From p. 233 to 260 we have some useful practical preaching.

Approaching now (p. 272) the conclusion of her work, an Analysis, or rather a Syllabus of the "Doctrines of Christianity," are laid before us; and this is done by giving an abridged account of the system, laying, as usual, its foundation in the "fall of man," and the consequent corruption of human nature.

The flimsy arguments in proof of human corruption, are the simplicity and credulity of children, the existence of law and lawyers, death and sickness, war, bars and bolts, bonds and securities, individual suspicion. From scripture her arguments are, "God saw the wickedness of man was great, and that every imagination of the

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thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." "God looked upon the earth, and behold it was corrupt," &c. This before the flood; but of the Cosmogony and the Mythos, in the first chap. of Genesis, nor of the apple, has she made any mention. Since the flood, from David's complaints

and confessions of sins. In the gospel, from our Lord's reproof of Peter, "thou savourest not the

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things that be of God, but those that be of man." "If ye were of the world, the world would love "his own; but I have chosen you out of the world, "therefore the world hateth you." "We know "that we are of God, and the world lieth in "wickedness." She says, "the heathen, to whom "he has not sent the light of the gospel, will probably not be judged by the gospel. But with "whatever mercy he may judge those who, living "in a land of darkness, are without knowledge "of his revealed law, our business is not with them, but with ourselves."

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Here she has conceded too much, and brought her fabric about her ears. That doctrine must be defended by an abler pen than hers, otherwise it will prove untenable. The horrors of the consequences of her peculiarities" seem here to have struck her and she sinks down. Her views of christianity are not just.

From the epistles, however, more plausible texts are brought forward to maintain the doctrine of the fall and corruption. Those who wish to be satisfied on this subject, will consult the writings of the Unitarians, Socinians, and the Trinitarians. The doctrine of atonement is of course maintained, as well as that of free grace, and sectarian Antinomianism disavowed. The absolute necessity of a change of heart and life, and the influences of the Holy Spirit are insisted on, and I think not unscripturally; and some pains are taken to maintain the existence of the devil,

about whose destruction and banishment from this world, she declares herself much alarmed. But of that, I think, there is little danger, when so notoriously holy a person as herself encourages his practices and reign, by " inventing falsehoods;" under the pretence of illness, confines herself to write, correct, instruct, and entreat all whom she can influence or move, to come forward, to "make "the Curate of Blagdon a liar," endeavours to ruin the reputation of others who have never provoked her, by publishing, with the cunning and artfulness of the black monarch himself, libels and calumnies. There is no danger, while "such excellent per"sons" faithfully serve him, that his infernal majesty shall be dethroned or guillotined. H. More is a rara avis indeed; and, notwithstanding her preaching, is one of his chief ministers, for he has servants of all denominations. I have heard of many authenticated facts, and which, were they not well authenticated, would be altogether incredible, considering the character she has assumed. They will, I am told, soon see the light. The clergy are exhorted to plead the cause of the devil, and not to forget or neglect any opportunity of bringing his name forward in their sermons. Her words are (p. 313)—

May I, with great humility and respect, presume to "suggest to our divines that they would do well not to lend "their countenance to these modish curtailments of the "Christian faith; nor to shun the introduction of this doc“trine (the devil) whenever it consists with their subject "to bring it forward."

The published works, avowed by Mrs. More, and of which I have here given an account, end with a chapter on the "Duty and Efficacy of Prayer," of borrowed and transcribed excellence, and it concludes with the following petition:

"She earnestly implores that Being, who can make the "meanest of his creatures instrumental to his glory, to bless "this humble attempt to those for whom it was written, may "she, without presumption, entreat that this work of Chris"tian Charity may be reciprocal, and that those who peruse "these pages may put up a petition for her, that in the great day to which we are all hastening, she may not be found "to have suggested to others what she herself did not believe, or to have recommended what she did not desire to prac"tise? In that awful day of everlasting decision, may both "the reader and the writer be pardoned and accepted, not "for any work of righteousness which they have done, "but through the merits of the GREAT INTERCESSOR."

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Upon this, I have only to remark, that during the two last years which I have passed at Bath, Bristol, and the neighbourhood, I have read every thing on the Blagdon controversy, of which I shall subjoin a cursory review; I have made enquiry into the facts, and real characters of the different parties, and with deep regret I lament, on account of the former credit and character of H. More, that that dispute had ever existed. Alas! alas! alas! "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?"

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SHORT

REVIEW

OF

THE BLAGDON DISPUTE.

Y

By the consent of Mr. Bere, the Curate, and at the request of H. More, a Sunday school was established at Blagdon. The teacher, H. Young, agreeably to Mrs. More's avowed plan, did not confine himself to the instruction of children, but extended it to adults. Reading and writing were not only taught, but his lessons extended to preaching and prayer, in an extempore manner. Experiences were narrated, confessions heard, scriptures were expounded by ignorance, sudden and epileptical conversions had taken place, and many extravagancies practised, disgraceful to true religion, and offensive to decency. The individual temper also of the teacher is proved to have been that of a meddler in domestic and private affairs. Of these eccentricities information was given to Mrs. More, which she acknowledged in too imperious and consequential a manner. Here is Mrs. More's first fault. Eccentricities are continued and justified.

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