For  others  of  the  party  I  entertain  a  similar  defer-
ence— as  real  and  as  deep  as  they  possess  who
flatter  them  more,  or  who  dislike  their  errors  less.
The  Exposition  contains  232  citations  from  early
Friends,  to  prove  "  that  they  sincerely  believed,
and  openly  avowed,  the  great  fundamental  truths  of
the  christian  religion."  It  is  published  under  the
sanction  of  the  society,  by  their  assembled  "  repro-
sentatives."  The  work  is  neat,  showing  great  ac-
curacy and  great  pains- taking  in  the  selection.  It
is  constituted  throughout  of  precious  excerpts  from
the  writings  of  the  society ;  and  appears  to  me-^
and  it  would  be  affectation  to  imply  that  I  did  not
think  myself  a  judge  in  such  things — ^to  be  the  very
best  manifesto  of  their  views,  in  seeming  approxi'
mation  to  catholic  orthodoxy,  that  I  have  ever  seen,
or  which  I  believe  it  possible  to  compile  or  select
from  the  writings  of  their  authors.  It  proves,  how-
ever, that  in  their  belief  they  have  been  carpin4^l
HfeBETics  from  the  beginning — the  whole  of  them ;
and  that  the  present  "  orthodox"  intend  to  remain
what  their  fathers  were.  Allow  me,  too,  to  express
my  wonder  and  regret  at  the  facility  with  which
some  truly  orthodox  divines,  under  the  influence  of
the  imposing  nam^  of  orthodox,  have  gloried  in  them,
and  recognised  them  as  christian  brethren,  vastly
increasing  the  satisfactions  of  the  inward  light !  It  is

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74

really  injuring  them^  and  compromising  the  truth  of
God,  which  we  are  set  to  defend.
