to the most fundamental doctrine in their religious system, the doctrine of the divine unity. SECTION VI. By the countenance his leading doctrines have received, from some of the greatest men, since that time. In In the age in which he suffered, the doctrines of Servetus were countenanced by many persons of eminence for learning and piety. every age they have found able advocates. Men of the most distinguished parts, of the deepest study and research, of the highest attainments in literature, science, and philosophy, have adopted the doctrine for which he suffered; only they have stated it more clearly, and pursued it further then he did. To enumerate all the eminent persons who have espoused unitarianism, since the martyrdom of Servetus, would be to give a list of characters the most distinguished, for rational piety, urbanity of manners, unaffected virtue, and unwearied literary and scientific exertions, that any party of christians can boast. The cause in which his life was sacrificed, being espoused by such men is an ample vindication of his conduct in maintaining and dying in its defence. Though its progress be retarded by prejudice and bigotry, its advocates assailed, from every quarter, by the partizans of mystery, and loaded with calumny and misrepresentation, unitarianism keeps making progress, and, as rationality and candor increase, it cannot fail to gain ground. As unitarianism gains ground the fair fame of Servetus will rise to view, from amid the foul aspersions of his enemies. SECTION VII. The failings of Servetus did not arise from a vicious principle. Servetus had his failings; for he was but a man, and what man is free from imperfection? but his enemies could not charge him with any vice. It appears that his temper was warm; but, we do not find that he ever discovered a malignant disposition, or carried resentment to an injurious length. There was every thing in the conduct of his opponents to irritate his spirit, and he no doubt, sometimes, expressed himself unguardedly, and with undue warmth: yet he did not show himself implacable or unbending; so far from it, he used these words, in his reply to the propositions which Calvin drew up against him, 'I wrote so, I confess, when you shall convince me of the contrary, I will not only receive it, but I will kiss the ground you go on.' This is not the language of either implacable resentment, or of unbending obstinacy. The language he sometimes used to Calvin is not to be justified: yet some allowance ought to be made for it. It was common for disputants, in those days, to apply such epithets to each other, as could not be excused in the present more polite and liberal age; but it is to be remembered men were then less polished in their manners, and less courteous in their treatment of each other. Besides, the reformers and romanists, in their controversies with each other, had rendered customary the use of abusive language in religious disputation. Servetus' error consisted in his, in some degree, falling into what was then a general practice. Further, it is to be remembered, Calvin set him the example, by abusing him first, and that all along he exceeded Servetus in the use of opprobrious terms, calling him, 'A Spanish dog, &c.' and that he added the most cruel treatment to the foulest epithets. After all, is an ample vindication of his conduct in maintaining and dying in its defence. Though its progress be retarded by prejudice and bigotry, its advocates assailed, from every quarter, by the partizans of mystery, and loaded with calumny and misrepresentation, unitarianism keeps making progress, and, as rationality and candor increase, it cannot fail to gain ground. As unitarianism gains ground the fair fame of Servetus will rise to view, from amid the foul aspersions of his enemies. SECTION VII. The failings of Sercetus did not arise from a vicious principle. Servetus had his failings; for he was but a man, and what man is free from imperfection? but his enemies could not charge him with any vice. It appears that his temper was warm; but, we do not find that he ever discovered a malignant disposition, or carried resentment to an injurious length. There was every thing in the conduct of his opponents to irritate his spirit, and he no doubt, sometimes, expressed himself unguardedly, and with undue warmth: yet he did not show himself implacable or unbending; so far from it, he used these words, in his reply to the propositions which Calvin drew up against him, 'I wrote so, I confess, when you shall convince me of the contrary, I will not only receive it, but I will kiss the ground you go on.' This is not the language of either implacable resentment, or of unbending obstinacy. The language he sometimes used to Calvin is not to be justified: yet some allowance ought to be made for it. It was common for disputants, in those days, to apply such epithets to each other, as could not be excused in the present more polite and liberal age; but it is to be remembered men were then less polished in their manners, and less courteous in their treatment of each other. Besides, the reformers and romanists, in their controversies with each other, had rendered customary the use of abusive language in religious disputation. Servetus' error consisted in his, in some degree, falling into what was then a general practice. Further, it is to be remembered, Calvin set him the example, by abusing him first, and that all along he exceeded Servetus in the use of opprobrious terms, calling him, A Spanish dog, &c.' and that he added the most cruel treatment to the foulest epithets. After all, |