THE

ESSENTIAL PASSAGES OF A LETTER,

ADDRESSED BY THE

REV. P. E. BUTLER, B.A.,

TO THE UNITARIANS OF IPSWICH,

ON THE OCCASION OF THE

REV. JOSEPH KETLEY'S RENUNCIATION OF

UNITARIANISM.

REV. P. E. BUTLER'S LETTER, ETC.

THE present article may form an appropriate sequel to Dr. Stock's Narrative.

In the month of December 1835, the Rev. JOSEPH KETLEY retired from his office as Minister of the Unitarian Chapel, Ipswich. His retirement was the consequence of his renunciation of Unitarianism. This change of sentiment had resulted, principally, from friendly discussions which had taken place between himself and the Rev. PIERS EDMUND BUTLER, B.A., then curate of St. Margaret's, in the same town. To these discussions, it is almost superfluous to add, Mr. Ketley joined, a careful study of the Scriptures, extensive critical reading, and fervent prayer for Divine direction in an affair of such moment. The combined use of these several means of enlightenment issued in the abandonment of his former religious views, and his embracing the Trinitarian scheme. The relinquishment of his office as a Unitarian pastor naturally followed. At the period referred to,

the Rev. gentleman published, in self-vindication, a Sermon, entitled "Scriptural Views concerning the great and important Doctrine of the Atonement;" the last he ever delivered to his Unitarian congregation. In a Preface to this discourse, the Author says; "To his fellowworshippers whose devotions he has conducted, and whose spiritual and eternal interests he has most deeply at heart, he dedicates this Discourse, with a trembling sense of the fearful responsibility of him who closes his eyes or ears against the truth as it is in Jesus, the sure and only foundation of a sinner's hope; with a most earnest desire to see them acknowledge the truth of the Atonement, the only Scriptural ground of approach to the holy and just, as well as merciful and benevolent Being, the God and Father of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who has declared that by that medium he can be just, and the justifier of those who believe in the sacrifice for sin: and with constant and fervent prayer that, under the guidance of that divine influence which preserves reason from error, and man from self-confidence, and without which no one can call Jesus Lord, in the high and exalted sense of the term [1 Cor. xii. 3], to the glory of God the Father, they may be led into a new and living way, and, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, have boldness to enter within the veil, and no longer be the

outer worshippers of the temple; but behold, as in a mirror, the glory of the Lord, and be changed into the same glory. Amen.”

Concurrently with the publication of Mr. Ketley's Sermon, there appeared "A Letter to the Congregation who assemble for Worship in the Unitarian Chapel, Ipswich, occasioned by an Advertisement in the Suffolk Chronicle, addressed to the Writer; and containing some Account of his Discussion with the Rev. Joseph Ketley, which ended in Mr. Ketley's Renunciation of Unitarianism. By Piers Edmund Butler, B.A., Curate of St. Margaret's, Ipswich." Both the "ability" and the "spirit" manifested in this production have been "cordially admired" even by a Unitarian Minister, himself no mean judge of what constitutes literary ability. It is at the same time deeply interesting, as exhibiting somewhat of the mental process by which an intelligent and candid mind was, by the Divine mercy, emancipated from long-cherished error, and blessed with the "light of life."

After a suitable introduction, the writer proceeds as follows:

"An advertisement having a few days ago appeared in the Suffolk Chronicle, courteously inviting my attention, and that of the congregation of St. Margaret's Church, to a publication, entitled Christian Unitarianism;' it was suggested to me by some friends (whose judgment