;

the credit of sincerity and good intentions yet I cannot but think he has injured, rather than supported his cause. This appeared to me to be so obviously the case, that, when I had gone through his work, I doubted if it were proper to give my Confessions in the form of a review of it; for it might be said, that the doctrine must not be condemned because it had been injudiciously stated, and weakly defended by Mr. Jones. But on farther consideration, as the book has strangely obtained a considerable degree of celebrity, and moreover, as it afforded me the opportunity of bringing forward a powerful body of Scriptural evidence, I thought it might as well remain in that form.

That the sentiments of an individual who has no pretensions to the character of a man of learning, will be considered only contemptible by writers esteemed orthodox, may be fully expected at the present time; yet I confidently predict that, before half a century passes over, the doctrine stated in these pages will be generally, if not unanimously confessed throughout this kingdom.

It may fairly be asked, upon what grounds I hazard so bold a prediction? In the first

place, a surprising expansion of the human intellect, within the last thirty years (especially in our own country) has been noticed by every discerning person.

Men are beginning to emancipate their minds from the trammels imposed upon them by great names, and are disposed to compare authorities, and to judge for themselves. Secondly, though we have frequent proof of great depravity and impiety among the very ignorant classes, Christianity is more seriously, and more generally inquired into, by the better-informed part, than it had hitherto been; we may therefore hope for a rapid progress in true Christian knowledge. Thirdly, the Greek language is now more generally studied than it had been in former times. This is very important; for it has been admitted, by many orthodox Divines, that our present translation of the New Testament (though probably the best extant) is incorrect in several places; and not a few of the inaccuracies will be found to affect the awful subject which I have ventured to discuss. Lastly, I feel perfectly satisfied that the doctrine here stated, is

that which was taught by our blessed Lord

and his Apostles.

JOHN SHAW.

Bath, 4th December, 1827.

P. S.-A new edition of Mr. Jones's works having recently gone through the press"The Catholic Doctrine of a Trinity," to be sold separately at a low price, the publication of this work seems to be rendered opportune at the present time.

Bath, 22nd March, 1830.

J. S.

CONFESSIONS, &c.

N.B.-To distinguish the texts quoted by Mr. JONES from those produced on the opposite side, the chapters from which the former are taken are marked in numerical letters, the latter in figures, thus:-Mr. JONES'S-" Isa. VIII. 13;" the opposite" Matt. 21. 42." The words printed in CAPITALS are so marked by Mr. JONES, to show that the stress of the comparison lies in those words. The pages set down in the margin refer to the first volume of Mr. JONES's entire works, published in the year 1801. Mr. JONES heads his quotations from the Holy Scriptures, in numerical progression; they are noted in the same manner in the following pages.