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in the work by successive editors, with the view of exhibiting the changes which took place in the opinions of the Polish Unitarians, on some of the peculiar articles of their creed. But, on making the experiment, he soon found that he should, by such a proceeding, only crowd and disfigure his pages, without effecting any valuable object. This part of his plan, therefore, he immediately abandoned, except in relation to a few cases, in which he has deemed it proper to notice some remarkable deviations in the last from the first edition of the Catechism. He has added some other notes of his own, partly with the view of illustrating the text or the notes of his original, and partly for the purpose of explaining, to readers not already conversant with the subject, the chief points of difference between the sentiments of the Polish, and those of the modern English, Unitarians. These notes. are included within [ ] brackets, and subscribed with the word TRANSLATOR. To these the writer does not attach much importance: they may serve, however, to prevent persons

persons who are not better informed, from imputing to the Unitarians of the present day opinions that were held by their predecessors, but which they regard as unwarranted by the Scriptures.

To the original work the present editor has prefixed an Historical Introduction, comprising a view of the rise, progress, and vicissitudes of the Unitarian doctrine on the continent of Europe subsequently to the æra of the Reformation. The limits within which it was necessary that he should confine himself, rendered it impracticable to treat this subject at such length as its interest and importance would otherwise have demanded: nor could he, in such an abstract, enter into the critical discussion of those facts concerning which his statements vary from those of all preceding writers on this part of Church annals. designs it merely as a rough and imperfect outline of a larger History of Unitarianism which he has for some time had in contemplation, and for which he has collected a considerable mass of valuable materials. With this

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work,

work, should the subject appear to be interesting to the religious world, he now feels disposed to proceed, with all the expedition which other demands on his time, and the nature and magnitude of the undertaking, will admit. It may be thought that a larger portion of this sketch has been devoted to Transylvania than is warranted by its connexion with the following Catechism, which relates more particularly to Poland. But the writer conceived that he might be held justified, in consideration of the new light which he has been able to throw on the interesting transactions, hitherto so imperfectly detailed, relating to Francis David. Having the means in his hands, he felt it to be his duty to embrace the opportunity to wipe away from the memory of that eminent person the unfounded charge, by which he has so long been calumniated, of holding opinions little consonant with the Christian revelation. Nor is he without some expectation that his account of those proceedings may serve to weaken the accusations that have been preferred against Faustus Soci

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nus for the share he has been thought to have had in the direction of them. The Confes-sions of Faith inserted in the notes will be. read with interest, as exhibiting the religious creed of a numerous body of Unitarians, of whom little information has thus far been conmunicated to the English public..

The editor has now only to consign his work to the disposal and blessing of the God. of Truth. Should it at all conduce to promote the knowledge of His attributes and character, and to advance His merciful designs in the dispensation of "Grace and truth wherein he has in these last days spoken unto us by his Son," it will not have been undertaken in vain, and the writer will feel amply compensated for all his labours in the execution of it.

London, Feb. 1818.

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commonly called The RACOVIAN CATECHISM.

Mr. Millington reports from the Committee to whom the Book (entituled Catechesis Ecclesiarum quæ in Regno Poloniæ, &c. commonly called The Racovian Catechism) was referred, several passages in the said book which were now read.

Resolved upon the question by the Parliament, That the book, Entituled Catechesis Ecclesiarum quæ in Regno Poloniæ, &c. commonly called The Racovian Catechism, doth contain matters that are blasphemous, erroneous, and scandalous.

Resolved upon the question by the Parliament, That all the printed copies of the book Entituled Catechesis Ecclesiarum quæ in Regno Poloniæ, &c. commonly called The Racovian Catechism, be burnt.

Resolved upon the question by the Parliament, That the Sheriffs of London and Middlesex be authorized and required to seize all the printed copies of the book Entituled Catechesis Ecclesiarum quæ in Regno Poloniæ, &c. commonly called The Racovian Catechism, wheresoever they shall be found, and cause the same to be burnt at the Old Exchange London, and in the New Palace at Westminster, on Tuesday and Thursday next.

Friday, the Second of April, 1652.

Resolved by the Parliament, That these Votes be forthwith printed and published.

Hen. Scobell, Cleric. Parliamenti.

London: Printed by William Field, Printer to the Parliament of

England, 1652.

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