that those who deny the doctrine of the Trinity are in a fatal error, and will find themselves so at the day of judgment, I would rather deplore the curse that awaits them, than denounce it; and rather weep over them in my secret chamber, than utter anathemas against them in the house of God.
I hope I have now met the question of our Liturgy fairly. I have not confined myself to general asser- tions, but have set forth the difficulties which are supposed to exist against it, and have given such a solution of them as I think is sufficient to satisfy any conscientious mind : though it is still matter of regret that any laboured explanation of them should be necessary.
Now then, acknowledging that our Liturgy is not absolutely perfect, and that those who most admire it would be glad if these few blemishes were re- moved; have we not still abundant reason to be thankful for it ? Let its excellencies be fairly weighed, and its blemishes will sink into nothing; let its excellencies be duly appreciated, and every person in the kingdom will acknowledge himself deeply indebted to those, who with so much care and piety compiled it.
But these blemishes alone are seen by multitudes ; and its excellencies are altogether forgotten : yea, moreover, frequent occasion is taken from these blemishes to persuade men to renounce their com- munion with the Established Church, in the hopes of rinding a purer worship elsewhere. With what justice such arguments are urged, will best appear by a comparison between the prayers that are offered elsewhere, and those that are offered in the Esta- blished Church. There are about eleven thousand places of worship in the Established Church, and about as many out of it. Now take the prayers that are offered on any Sabbath in all places out of the Establishment; have them all written down, and every expression sifted and scrutinized as our Liturgy has been : then compare them with the prayers that have been offered in all the churches of the kingdom ;