I have now finished a task in which I engaged with reluctance. I trust that I have fairly and temperately gone through the discussion of the subject; and I can aver that I have carefully endeavored not to misunderstand or misrepresent any thing which you have written. I hope, also, that I have given an impartial consideration to whatever you have advanced in support of your case: unfeignedly have I labored to investigate the subject in all its bearings, and arrive at an unbiassed result. How far I have succeeded in my object, others will judge. This, however, I will affirm, that, in the discharge of a public duty to which I have been unavoidably called, I have been actuated by no motive of private consideration, and especially by no unfriendly feeling towards yourself. And in conclusion I will add that, if anything which I may have advanced in explanation or in support of the present Subscription to our Articles or Formularies, should happily have placed the matter in a different and more satisfactory point of view, so as to clear up your present doubt and perplexity, I should feel more gratification and delight than I am able to express. And I hope, by the blessing of that God whose providence over-rules all things for good, this feeble effort may not be without its use.
I have the honor to be, Sir,
Your sincere and faithful Servant,
CHARLES GREEN.
Burgh Castle,
8th July, 1843.
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THE END.
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Sloman, Printer, King-Street, Yarmouth.
FOOTNOTES.
[8] Reformation is good when reformation is wanting, but to be always reforming is no reformation at all: it is behaving like children, tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine. All errors of any moment have been purged off long ago by the care of our Reformers, and why are we then still reforming? Physic may be proper at certain seasons, but to pretend to live constantly upon it, instead of food, is the certain way to impair, and in a little time to destroy, the best and soundest constitution in the world. Remarks on Dr. Clarke’s Exposition, &c. by Waterland, (Works, vol. 5, p. 436.)
[14] Romans, xiv. 4.
[22a] Mark xvi. 16.