The Christian Examiner (Volume 9) (Paperback)

Book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1830. Excerpt: ... Art. IV.--Jin Account of the Rise and Progress of the Uni-* tarian Doctrine, in the Societies at Rochdale, Newchurch in Rossendale, and other Places, formerly in Connexion ' with the late Rev. Joseph Cooke. In Ten Letters to a Friend. By John Ashworth. Second Edition. Newchurch, 1829. 8vo. pp. 80. We rarely meet with a publication so interesting as this. It contains the history of the process by which a numerous body of Methodists in the North of England passed from the faith and discipline of John Wesley to the simple doctrines of Unitarian belief. It is a memorable and instructive example of simple, uneducated men, being led by the study of the English bible alone, without any help from abroad, and without knowing that there was such a thing as Unitarianism in the world, to the adoption of those views which we hold as the actual truth of Christ. It shows the power of truth to make its way into minds which honorably open themselves to it, in spite of the hindrances of an imperfect text and faulty translation. It affords singular encouragement to the friends of free inquiry and liberal doctrine. And we do not know that our pages could be better occupied, than in spreading the information respecting this humble body of brethren, and asking for them the sympathy of the christian community on this side the water. It is the design of the book before us, as stated in the first letter, to give ' a detailed account of the rise and progress of this inquiry after truth, with the manner and order in which the several doctrines of reputed orthodoxy came to be questioned by them, the arguments and trains of thought which induced them successively to reject them.' In this detail it will be impossible for us to follow the author. Those who would enter on so curious a study, must consult the publi...