y, truly, to hold the doctrines of
Unitarianism, than in a cowardly or indifferent spirit, or influenced
by authority, or from considerations of interest, or for the sake of
lucre, to hold the doctrines of Trinitarianism.

For instance:--Not many years ago the Church of Scotland was severed
into two great divisions, and gave to this age a marvellous proof that
there is still amongst us the power of living faith--when five hundred
ministers gave up all that earth holds dear--position in the church
they had loved; friendships and affections formed, and consecrated by
long fellowship, in its communion; and almost their hopes of gaining a
livelihood--rather than assert a principle which seemed to them to be
a false one. Now my brethren, surely the question in such a case for
us to consider is not this, merely--whether of the two sections held
the abstract _right_--held the principle in its integrity--but surely
far rather, this: who on either side was true to the light within,
true to God, true to the truth as God had revealed it to his soul.

Now it is precisely upon this principle that we are enabled to indulge
a Christian hope that many of those who in ancient times were
persecutors, for example, may yet be justified at the bar of Christ.
Nothing can make persecution right--it is wrong, essentially,
eternally wrong in the sight of God. And yet, if a man sincerely and
assuredly thinks that Christ has laid upon him a command to persecute
with fire and sword, it is surely better that he should, in spite of
all feelings of tenderness and compassion, cast aside the dearest
affections at the command of his Redeemer, than that he should, in
mere laxity and tenderness, turn aside from what seemed to him to be
his duty. At least, this appears to be the opinion of the Apostle
Paul. He tells us that he was "a blasphemer and a persecutor and
injurious," that "he did many things contrary to the name of Jesus of
Nazareth," that "being exceedingly mad against the disciples, he
persecuted them even unto strange cities." But he tells us further
that, "for this cause he obtained mercy, because he did it ignorantly
in unbelief."

Now take a case precisely opposite. In ancient times the Jews did that
by which it appeared to them that they would contract defilement and
guilt--they spared the lives of the enemies which they had taken in
battle. Brethren the eternal law is, that charity is right: and that