VOLUME II.]

TH

LITERATURE.

REVIEW OF BOOKS.

ducing this bad taste. But we ascribe not a little of it to the influence of the writings of Mr. Burke. The carelessness, and momentary necessities of conThe History of England, from the Peace of 1783, to versation and extemporaneous speaking, permit the the Treaty concluded at Amiens in 1802; Being a adoption of words and phrases which would not on Continuation of Coote's History of England, from any other occasion be good. The ease of epistolary the earliest Dawn of Record to the Peace of 1783. correspondence too is supposed to authorise, and even By the Author of the former Part. 8vo. pp. 446. to require all the latitude indulged to polished converHERE is something so unusual and quaint in the sation. Most of the latter writings of Mr. Burke phraseology of this title-page, as prejudiced us, we have been in the form of letters. This he seemed to must confess, in some degree against the work, before think would admit of all the licence of extemporawe began to read it. We met too, with some expres- neous speaking, and at once afford room for all the sions in the preface, which had no tendency to re-sublimity of declamation, and all the familiarity of move that prejudice. Such is, patch-work compilation, conversation. Among the other liberties allowed to a name the author applies to some histories which this extemporaneous stile he has taken that of makhave appeared. If in this phrase we should overlooking new words to a great extent. They are in general the impropriety of the word patch-work, as being too skilfully made, and finely applied. But many of them colloquial, it cannot be overlooked, that it is never were not wanted; and the example has had this efused as an adjective, except in the carelessness of fa- fect, to encourage our ordinary writers, whenever an miliar conversation; it is evident too that patch-work idea is to be conveyed, for which a good English exand compilation are words which ought not to be pression does not readily occur, to coin a word for the joined together; since patch-work means a compila- occasion; and according to this practice every writer tion of particulars which have no natural union: to must not only have a particular stile, but a particular add compilation to it, therefore, is mere tautology. language; since the necessities and wants of every We find too a species of history denominated by him, man are different from those of another. Illiteracy is A tissue of culpable negligence, gross illiteracy, and not the only new word in this preface; continuatory incoherent absurdity. Tissue means something woven, is another. The subject matter too of the preface is as a web. Any piece of composition, and a history somewhat singular. It is the information, that though among the rest, may be called a tissue. An argument the author thought he had reasonable grounds to exis a tissue of reasons; a poem is a tissue of poetical pect not reimbursement merely, for the expence of images and sentiments, and a history is a tissue of the former part of this history, but something more, facts, with their causes and effects. Now it is very that has not been the case. The expressions in which plain that no history can be a tissue of negligence, this disappointment, and the consequent feelings of illiteracy, and absurdity; because these are not the the author are expressed by him, we think will amuse materials of which the web can be wrought. The our readers. "Various circumstances, however, unmaterials of a history must be facts; and these may connected with the idea of any great demerit, or exindeed be negligently, illiterately, and absurdly woven traordinary imperfection of the history, have hitherto together, but still the history is not a tissue composed obstructed the accomplishment of the author's wishes; of negligence, illiteracy, and absurdity, but a tissue but he trusts that the disappointment will prove a of facts thus improperly put together. If an aukward mere retardation of satisfactory success, not an absodrunken tradesman mar a piece of cloth in the work-lute extinction of hope." ing, we should never say that it was a web of auk- After receiving from the preliminary appendages of wardness and drunkenness, but a web of woollen or the work such impressions as the particulars we have cotton aukwardly and drunkenly wrought. We mentioned were calculated to make, we confess we must beg leave to tell Dr. Coote, besides, that illiteracy were surprised to find it so capable of yielding us is not an English word. The licence of coining words pleasure as it proved. It has the advantage of a liat pleasure has been freely taken for some time past.mited subject, the particulars of which are not too Since the period of the French revolution, the French numerous to be easily retained in the memory. It writers appear to have been nearly as ambitious of has another advantage, of no little importance in hismaking changes in their language as in the institutory, a unity and integrity of subject, more complete tions of the state, and the man who is acquainted with the language of Racine and Fenelon only, has as much need of his dictionary, as if he had studied the language but two months. The same barbarous, negligent, and mean practice has been very common in England. We doubt not that the perusal of the French writers has had considerable effect in intro

VOL. II.

than has been in general attended to by the writers of any portion of the English history. It may be considered as the history of the long and memorable administration of Mr. Pitt. For though the volume opens with Mr. Fox and his friends in the chair of power, the chief facts which it récords till the succession of Mr. Pitt, are the struggles and transactions

I

which elevated that gentleman; and though it closes || have wished to see it, but about many others a great with Mr. Addington holding the reins of government, it was not till after the peace of Amiens that Mr. Pitt could with any propriety be considered as having retired from the helm of affairs. We consider this volume then of Dr. Coote's history as the record of the ministerial conduct of Mr. Pitt.

deal more is said than we consider necessary. We do not say that every particular is included which ought to have been included; but some are inserted which might without any loss have been omitted. And we are decidedly of opinion, that a perfect history of England from the peace of 1783 to that of 1802, ought not to exceed the limits which our author has prescribed to himself.

In a moderate Svo volume, though closely printed, the reader will not expect to find all the transactions, included in the period of which the volume treats, re- In writing the history of his country in contempocorded with the same minute and circumstantial dili- rary times, it is probably either affectation or ignorance gence, which it has been the custom to employ in in any man to pretend not to be, in some respects, a composing the latter part of our history; a minute partisan. Dr. Coote is free from this affectation; for and circumstantial diligence so remarkable, that most he very clearly discovers from the beginning to which of the historians of George the Third, have given us set of men and principles his approbation is afforded. a greater quantity of letter-press, than Hume for the We must do him, however, the justice to say that he whole history to the accomplishment of the revolu- is not a violent partisan. He very seldom treats the tion. This conduct of our author we regard as an im- men whom he condemns with severity, and never with provement. The history of Britain from the point where indecency of language. He is not devoid of candour Hume left it is as tiresome reading as can well be either with regard to the demerits of his own party, or tried. It is true most of the authors have shewed their the merits of others; you find him in several instances deficiency in many of the other qualities of an accom-frankly acknowledging both. Mr. Fox, however, is plished historian; but the want of judgment in the the person whose views he in general applauds, and selection of the materials is an imputation which ap-whose talents he admires; and his sentiments of Mr. plies with scarce a single exception to them all. Dr. Pitt coincide, in a great measure, with those geneCoote is almost the only author who has attempted to rally expressed of him by Fox, and his party. He write a concise history of any part of the reigns of does not consider him as entitled to the high situation the house of Brunswick in England. The advantage which he so long held, on account either of his for ordinary readers is very conspicuous. The history talents, or his virtue. He regards his talents as shewy, is read with much more pleasure, because the atten- rather than solid; he considers him remarkable neition is kept awake by a continual succession of impor- ther for the soundness of his judgment, nor the comtant events; whereas in the histories of the species of prehensiveness of his mind; with regard to virtue he which we complain, the attention is directed to the views him as an apostate from the good principles numerous minute particulars recorded concerning with which he set out, or rather as a hypocrite who every momentous transaction, till it is worn out, and put on the shew of good principles to gain an end; the mind becomes languid and dissatisfied. The and who is directed in his actions not by the love of reader will accordingly receive a distinct idea of the his fellow citizens, but the desire of gratifying his leading transactions of Mr. Pitt's administration with own ambition. But though this is his opinion of Mr. much more ease from Dr. Coote's narrative, than Pitt, he must be allowed to have stated his actions from the histories overloaded with details. fairly; and we are not sure that some men of judgment would not rise from the perusal of this history, with a higher opinion of that celebrated political character than they would from the perusal of some histories which we have seen, written with the express design to panegyrise him.

Concerning recent events much more is known, than concerning those which are more distant; and minute particulars concerning actions which are near us appear more important than concerning those which are distant. A much greater quantity of materials, therefore, is provided for the historian of recent transactions, from which quantity he is required to make a selection; and more judgment is necessary in making that selection. It appears to have been the opinion of most of those who have adventured to write the latter part of our history, that in the narrative of recent events, the greater the number of particulars which could be inserted, the more perfect their works would prove. That this, however, was not the opinion of the great exemplars of historic composition we have abundant proofs. Thucydides, Sallust, and Tacitus, are all historians of cotemporary transactions; and all eminent for conciseness.

Dr. Coote's volume, however, ought not to be regarded as a mere abridgment of the history of the period which he has undertaken to write. It is intended to be a full account; and in our opinion it is sufficiently full. We do not mean to say that every transaction is as completely developed as we could

The most remarkable events in the period under review are the overthrow of Mr. Fox's India Bill, the consequent change of ministers, and the opposition between the House of Commons and the Court, till the dissolution of Parliament. Connected with this was the trial of Mr. Hastings. Next followed the divisions and animosities, in which we and France took opposite parties, between the pensionaries and the friends of the House of Orange in Holland. The important business of the Regency bill succeeded. And then came the French revolution, which since has occupied the attention of the nation. The union of Great Britain and Ireland however must not be omitted. As a specimen of the reflections with which our author accompanies his narrative, we shall quote his remarks on two different circumstances, which however are closely connected, the overthrow of Mr. Fox's India Bill, and the opposition of the House of Commons to the ministry which succeeded.

usually observed among mankind, will not, we think, be denied by any one. He had a great compass mind, a considerable share of learning, and a never-failing stream of eloquence. He adorned every subject which he handled, and animated every speech with the excursions of fancy and the charms of imagery. His allusions, however, were sometimes of the coarsest kind, drawn from the lowest objects of nature and of art. He was too digressive, frequently deficient in argument, and so absurdly hyperbolical that he would magnify a speck to an immense body, or, if it equally suited the temporary purpose of his oratory, would diminish a mountain to a mole-hill. His invectives, both in speaking and writing, were so bitter and severe, that they seemed to argue a malignity of disposition,

"This bill seems to have owed its rejection to clamour and faction, rather than to a real sense of its demerit, or a sincere conviction of its unjustifiable violence. It may be argued, that when the public faith is pledged to a charter by which certain privileges are granted, those who expect to derive benefit from the grant are bound to make a proper use of these favours, and to keep constantly in view the grand object of the institution; and that, if they so grossly fail in these respects, as not only to endanger their own association, but even to expose to great injury and disgrace the nation to which they belong, strict justice demands the revocation or the suspension of such charter, and the laws of honour sanction the demand; for, the obligation being violated by one party, the promises and stipulations of the other also become void, from the very nature of the agreement. Onthough they rather proceeded from an irritability of temper. this ground the bill may be said to have been in a great measure justified by the very reprehensible conduct of the East-India Company. With regard to the allegation that it menaced the king with impericus control, we may observe, that the patronage of India, added to other sources of power, might have enabled an ambitious minister to domineer over every branch of the legislature; and the influence of the king might have been more nominal than real. But it ought not to be forgotten, that, though the sovereign would not have had the power of discarding the new directors of the affairs of Hindostan, he could at any time dissolve the parliament by which they were supported, and, by thus appealing to the people, might obtain from their loyalty the means of re-establishing his prerogative.

66

His political principles were more favourable to aristocratical claims than to popular freedom; and he was in his heart a Tory even when he affected (during the American war) to be a zealous Whig. In private life he was generally benevolent and friendly; a kind husband, father, and master. He was a pleasing and instructive companion; and no one could long be a witness to his conversation without being convinced of the great extent of his understanding."

The fate and character of the late Queen of France it so interesting, that one desires to hear it again and have been often described. Yet there is something in again.

"The accused members of the convention were not im~ mediately subjected to the rigour of the revolutionary tribunal, but were detained for several months in confinement. who, after a long and comfortless imprisonment, was ar Their trials were preceded by that of Marie Antoinette,

The king's interference in the deliberations of the peers cannot be fully approved by the true friends of the constitution. If he deemed the bill hostile to his prerogative or to the rights of his subjects, he was at liberty to with-hold his sanction; and an open negative would have been more worthy of the royal character, than the exercise of irregularraigned as an enemy to the liberties of the people, conand clandestine influence."

After describing the transactions in parliament from the period of this rejection to its dissolution, which transactions in the lower house at least were nearly a continued chain of contests with the ministry, our author concludes thus :

demned by a servile jury, and subjected to a violent death. In the days of her prosperity, she was not remarkable for character, attacked by the rage of party, was aspersed becorrectness of manners, prudence, or moderation; but her yond her demerits. If the heart of Robespierre had not been steeled against compassion, he would have suffered this princess to remain in France unmolested, or would have sent her to the court of her imperial nephew. The infamous duke of Orleans, who had voted for the death of Louis, and had vainly hoped to succeed to his power, was not so fortunate as to escape the fate of his injured relative and the persecuted queen. Brissot and many of his adherents were also condemned and beheaded; and the guillo tine raged, with little intermission, both among the innothe forms of law, revive the atrocities of the dictator Scylla." cent and the guilty. Thus did an execrable villain, under

"In reviewing the remarkable contest which we have described, we are more disposed to blame the commons than the king or his ministers. His majesty had a right to call into his service men whom he deemed capable of a due discharge of political functions; and, while they were unassailed by any formal or regular charge, he was justified in retaining their assistance. It was not sufficient for the house to allege a want of confidence in these servants of the crown, as a ground for desiring their dismission, or to affirm, with the same view, that extraordinary circum- Mr. Pitt's removal from office is thus related : stances attended their appointment. Though the interfe- "In these debates occasional reference was made to the rence which preceded their nomination might deserve cen- case of the Hibernian catholics, whose claims, after the sure, the acts of appointment were not irregular or repre-completion of the act of union, formed a particular subject hensible; and the opposing party, by insisting on the resignation of unaccused individuals, manifested a spirit of faction rather than the zeal of patriotism, and the feelings of invidious rivalry rather than of honourable emulation."

The following is the character which Dr. Coote draws of Mr. Burke.

"In the last month of this session, the country was deprived, by death, of the political exertions of one of the greatest men of the age-Mr. Edmund Burke. He had for some time retired from parliament, having resigned his seat to his son, whose decease in the flower of his age was a great shock to his declining parent. That Mr. Burke possessed great abilities, and a genius superior to that which is * On the 8th of July.

of discussion in the cabinet. The premier and lord Gren taries as necessary for the perfect consolidation of the ville represented an acquiescence in the wishes of those secinterests of the united kingdom, and affirmed, that, as no danger could arise from it, policy required the concession. Several of the royal counsellors expressed opposite sentiments; and his majesty took a decided part in the dispute, alleging that the oath taken by him at his coronation pre cluded his assent to a scheme which might in its cousequences endanger the religious establishment. As this repugnance obstructed the recommendation of the measure to the parliament, and diminished the probability of its success, Mr. Pitt declared that he conceived himself bound by his duty, his conscience, and his honour, to resign that situation in which he was not at full liberty to pursue his ideas

of equity and public benefit. His resignation was accepted, as was also that of lord Grenville; and earl Spencer at the same time, relinquished all concern in the affairs of the admiralty, which he had directed with credit to himself and advantage to his country.

"Whether the reason alleged by Mr. Pitt for his retreat from office formed his real motive, or was merely a pretext, may fairly be doubted. We are inclined to imagine, that he was less influenced on this occasion by the disappointment of his hopes of gratifying the catholics of Ireland, than by a wish to extricate himself, with some appearance of honour, from that unpleasant situation in which he had involved himself by his declarations and his conduct during the war. He was convinced that peace was the general desire of the nation; and, being apprehensive that his efforts for prosecuting it would not be successful, as he had rendered himself highly obnoxious to the rulers of France, he resolved to give way to the appointment of a successor, and thus make an opening for an effectual negociation. His mode of retreat, under the pretence of a dispute respecting the catholics, was not very manly; but, as the effect was fortunate, we shall not be severe in examining or arraigning the policy which led to it.

"After some deliberation, his majesty selected Mr. Addington for the office of his first minister. man had long been an intimate friend of Mr. Pitt, whose influence had placed him in the chair of the house of commons, which he filled with high reputation. In point of oratory he is inferior to his patron, but is perhaps equal to him in political wisdom. This, indeed, is faint praise from one who never considered Mr. Pitt as a very judicious or able statesman. Lord Hawkesbury was selected for the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Lord Grenville; and the earl of St. Vincent was deemed a proper successor to earl Spencer."

Religious Enthusiasm considered, in Eight Sermons, preached before the University of Oxford, in the year 1802, at the Lecture founded by John Bampton, A. M. Canon of Salisbury. By George Frederic Nott, B. D. Fellow of All-Soul's College, Oxford. 502 pages. Dedicated to the King.

It has given the friends of religion sincere pleasure to observe the abilities which have been called forth by the devout Institution of the Reverend John Bampton. Particular care should be taken to select and may prove that the venerable Academe of Isis, such preachers, as may do honour to the University, does not merit all the abuse which moral writers have been too ready to bestow. The fame of White, and Kett is well known; and if Mr. Nott labour under some disadvantage in coming after such men; he | deserves additional praise for the manner in which he has performed the task entrusted to his diligence.

We have often lamented that our writers of Sermons do not more endeavour to chuse subjects which either tend to elucidate difficult passages in Scripture; That gentle-which either combine under one given topic, a variety of interesting discussion; which keep in view one particular portion of Holy Writ; or which present to public notice such particular evils as arise from the prevailing errors of the age. The captivating moral essays of Blair, for they hardly deserve the name of Sermons, have misled many clerical authors in this respect. Like a bee he selected his ethical sweets from all quarters; and many of the passages in his discourses had previously charmed the public, in the popular novel of Sir Charles Grandison. Such was not the manner in which the venerable Barrow, in which Sherlock, and Dr. Tottie, and Dr. Ashton, composed their discourses. Our clergy should form themselves on these models and then employ those adventitious ornaments which an improved state of literature enables them to have acquired.

The stile in which this history is written is perspicuous; and in general free from affectation, notwithstanding what the preface seems to indicate. It cannot however be denominated an elegant stile, and though it be not disfigured by any glaring deformity, it is not recommended by any particular beauty.

Nor is it an injustice to say, that it is but a superficial history. The author shews, that he had not had recourse, indeed he does not pretend that he had, to any other sources of information, than what are before us all. Neither does it appear to us that he has considered the facts which have occurred with a

sounder judgment, or more penetrating discernment, than his neighbours. His political reflections, though they do not deserve so disrespectful an appellation as that of common-place, are certainly not remarkable for great comprehensiveness, or particular depth, and are such as are heard every day in the company of men of education. We recommend, however, the volume as a useful publication. It brings within a small compass the mass of the daily occurrences of the last twenty years; states them in a clear and connected narrative, without running to tedious minuteness; and an idea of the transactions of the period may be more easily obtained from this volume than from almost any which we have yet seen.

A great and prevailing evil in the present age is that enthusiastic spirit, which the magistrate has been obliged to tolerate in the Conventicle; which has occasionally appeared in some of the debates in the house of commons; and poured forth a stream of scepticism and innovation throughout the land. Mr. Nott therefore very judiciously selected Religious Enthusiasm as the subject of his eight discourses. The opinions which are therein advanced concerning Mr. Wesley's, and Mr. Whitfield's pretensions, are such as have been formed upon a minute and a dispassionate examination both of their lives, and of their writings: for fear of any misapprehension, he has stated the facts themselves upon which these opinions rest, and has subjoined them in notes to each

Sermon.

The importance of the subject deserves more notice than the limits of our Journal will admit. The * first discourse is from 1 John, iv. 1-Beloved, believe not every Spirit, but try the Spirits whether they be of God.

Is not the author guilty of some little inaccuracy at the very commencement of this discourse?-(P. 4.) "For whether we are to understand by the Spirit which is not of God, the operations of that Evil Being, who, himself apostate from truth, seeks occasions to draw us into error; whether it denote merely the vain conceits of our own imagination, or finally, whether it describe, &c.”

To this Discourse we have given our attention as being an introduction to the rest.

1. After some general observations on the meaning of the text, and the pernicious consequences of religious enthusiasm not carefully repressed, Mr. Nott considers the nature, and the origin of enthusiasm. He observes, that it is remarkable, the word enthusiasm is no where to be found in Scripture: true, but does he forget that this pernicious spirit was openly rebuked by Christ, when it appeared in the sons of Zebedee, who in the true spirit of methodism thus addressed our Saviour; "Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire. And he said unto them, what would ye that I should do for you? They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory." (Mark x. 37-40.) Here was displayed, and rebuked, that selfish and arrogant spirit of enthusiasm, which Wesley and Whitfield, and their numerous disciples deem it so proper to indulge; and we wonder that Mr. Nott did not take occasion to comment on this striking passage.

The principal object of the preacher in this, and the following discourses, is to combat the opinion, which confounds inspiration with enthusiasm. Chrysostom as he observes, marked the difference with much accuracy, in his 29th Homily:

"Whenever therefore the word enthusiasm occurs in these Lectures, I could wish that it might be understood in reference to one of these definitions; and then it will either signify an effect wrought irresistibly upon the mind by supernatural agency; or else, a delusion produced by the vehement action of the imagination.

sequences, Mr. Nott is careful to consider it solely as applied to religion; what we admire in the soldier, or scholar, is perfectly distinct from that of which he treats. The religious enthusiast is uniformly occupied in procuring his own exaltation, often by asserting his individual excellence, and always by contriving some system of which he is to be honoured as the father, and feared as the governor in proof of this, the examples are adduced of John of Leyden, the leader of the Anabaptists; of David George, his artful successor, and of Antonia Bourignen,

In the strange exclamation also of a Camisar Quaker, a striking instance is given of that pride which is the cause of Religious Enthusiasm, and dissention. One of these devout Quakers was seen to take another by the arm, and looking at him, he said, Do you not acknowledge me to be the eternal, unchangeable God? To which the other falling down, and trembling, answered "I do acknowledge thee !" The gradual progress of delusion in the mind of the enthusiast is well traced in this sermon; a reference also is given to Campbell's Authenticity of the Gospel History, where the subject is treated more at large.

Though on the whole we find much to commend, and many passages to admire, in this Sermon, we could have wished that Mr. Nott had made his divisions in it more marked, and less frequent. The following passage would have appeared to greater advantage, if it had formed the conclusion of this dis

powers of the imagination: we have shewn that the imagination, when thus excited, will often suggest to the mind the conceit of divine illumination: we have shewn also, that if the will be disposed to co-operate, such suggestions are not only believed, but even with the utmost pertinacity defended. Now, as it is the union of these three particulars that constitutes enthusiasm, we need no further evidence to prove that it is eminently one of those spirits, which cometh not from God.

"It may be feared however, that enthusiasts, of what"We have shewn that passions, such as pride and amever denomination, will object to both of the above defini-bition, are able in a vehement manner to call forth the tions. For should the latter be accepted, they will be degraded to the rank of idle visionaries; or, again, should the former be adopted, unless it can be shewn that their inspiration proceeds immediately from the Holy Ghost, it follows that they must have been under the influence of dæmoniacal delusion. Humiliating as in either case the alternative must prove, nevertheless, as the characters of their enthusiasm are precisely the same with those which distinguished the enthusiasm of heathen times, it must be attributed to the same causes: in the one instance, to the imagination, which, overpowering the judgment, leads men to mistake the suggestions of fancy for the inspirations of God: in the other, to the operation of that spiritual enemy, against whom we are called upon to wrestle, the ruler of the darkness of this world; and the prince of the power of the air.

Such are the reasons upon which we ground the neces sity of rejecting enthusiasm, as well in its secondary, as in its primary signification. We need only remark further, that, when applied to religion, the effect produced by either is equally prejudicial. It might seem indeed that the suggestions of the evil one would be more immediately repugnant to the pure counsels of the Almighty. But if we re“On this last mentioned source of enthusiasm it is not flect what absurdities and impieties human ignorance, and our intention to insist. There are many reasons why the human folly, mixed with carnal pride and ambition will enquiry will be more useful, if it is confined to the consi-produce, when the restraint of reason has been wilfully deration of that delusion which is caused by the imagina-withdrawn; we must allow that Christianity can have little

tion."

In forbearing to insist on the positive agency of the evil spirit in cases of enthusiasm, we rejoiced to find that Mr. Nott gives a decisive opinion in favour of the reality of dumeniacal possessions: the subject is of vast importance, and we trust some future preacher at the Bampton Lecture will, with such sentiments, chuse this awful subject for his discussion, It would take in a most extensive scope of history, and would give new strength to the evidences of Christianity.

In treating of enthusiasm, and its pernicious con

cause to rejoice, whether our delusion be owing to the malice of Satan, or to the licence of a perverted imagination. In both cases the attendant evils are innumerable, Whatever be the source from whence the torrent spring, its final issue is the same; it must hurry us into the wild and tumultuous ocean of uncertainty; on which having been wind of doctrine, we shall probably make shipwreck of our awhile tossed to and fro, and carried about with every faith; and as we sink into eternity, find perhaps our last struggle embittered by this reflection, that in our own ruin we have involved the spiritual welfare of many, who otherwise might have stood fast in the truth, blameless, and harmless, the Sons of God, wihtout rebuke."