YOUR very Christian remarks and feelings connected with my much honoured and much beloved Wellington friend deserve my sincere thanks. You are quite right: the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace is of infinitely more importance than nice and subtle distinctions upon points of which, after all, we know so exceedingly little. I do not think those two sermons should have been attached to the volumes, whose other contents are generally practical: and I objected at the time, but the opinions of others prevailed. I think with you that the text is unhappily chosen. As to the contents, we shall of course differ: but I can say so much as this, that I attach so little importance to the peculiarities of the system which I adopt, that, for many months past, I have declined _in toto_ entering upon the subject with every one who would dispute with me: and am so moderate in my own statements, that most of my Arminian friends have their fears of my eventually leaving them:—not that any alteration has taken place in my doctrinal views, but simply in the ideas of importance which I used at one time to attach to them.
THE Athanasian Creed is not the milk which the Church gives to her babes, but the test to which she brings her heretics.
As to Catholic Emancipation I profess to know and to fear but little. Were I better acquainted with the effects of the present system, I fancy I should think with such men as Mr. Wilberforce: but not knowing these, having only a very limited survey, I feel quite satisfied to let them think for me. A meeting was lately called at Bridgenorth to petition against the claims. I refused both to attend and to authorize the use of my signature. I am equally satisfied, however, that the bill should be lost: and I should imagine that the strength in the Upper House will always throw it out.
YOU ask me my opinion of Dr. Adam Clarke’s Commentary. I think that upon the whole it is a great work: and few persons could have produced such a one. But after all, the Dr. is not to be depended on, he is far too venturesome and far too positive—he drives through thick and thin—certain opinions must be maintained, certain characters must be vindicated, and this is done in a manner and spirit which is not quite suited to my taste. I continue, however, to take in the work for the present: but have told one of the Methodist preachers stationed here, that, if he can part with it for me on reasonable terms, I will take from him Benson’s Commentary in its stead.