CHAPTER VII.

Further theological investigations.--Unwarranted statements by preachers.--John Foster's Essay on Some of the Causes by which Evangelical Religion is Rendered Distasteful to Persons of Cultivated Minds.--Introduction of similar views to the notice of my ministerial brethren.--The reception they met with.--No Church has got all the truth.--Most Churches, perhaps all, have got portions of it, which others have not.--My attempts to gather up the fragments from all.--Freedom from bigotry.--Love to all Christians.--Judging trees by their fruit.--Reading the books of various denominations, like foreign travel, liberalizes the mind.--I found truth and goodness in all denominations.--Appropriated all as part of my patrimony.--Results.--Suspicions and fears among my brethren.--Mutterings: Backbitings: Controversy. Bad feeling, 65