the Rev. W. Turner , Jun. , MA., Lives of the eminent Unitarians

[331] with, all our fellow Protestants. This edifice is founded upon no party principles or tenets, but is built on purpose, and with this very design, to keep ourselves clear from them all; to discharge ourselves from all prejudices and fetters in which any of them may be held; that so we may exercise the public duties of religion upon the most catholic and charitable foundation, according to the rules and spirit of genuine Christianity, as taught and established by our Lord and his inspired Apostles; and that, upon this enlarged ground, we may be quite free to search the Scriptures, to discover, correct, and reform, at any time, our own mistakes and deficiencies; and at liberty to exercise communion with any of our Christian brethren.

This is our present sense and spirit, and I hope it will always be so. May all party zeal, strife, and animosity, be banished from all our hearts, and here and every where be totally extinguished! May all wrangling, contention, doubtful disputation, and angry debate, which have so long and so wretchedly distracted the Christian church, entirely cease and sink into eternal silence! May we follow the truth in love, in simplicity, and sincerity! In this place may the doctrines of salvation, as delivered in the Holy Scriptures, be explained upon their proper evidence; with this single and only view, to shew their truth, excellency, and power—not to disparage, offend, or disturb others, but for our own benefit and comfort, that we may lay them up in our own hearts, and practise them in our own lives. Thus we shall act as becomes good Christians, the sons of peace; the Gospel of peace will shine brightly