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

[106] unreasonable to resolve the unity of the Godhead into the same principle that the scripture does, and to represent the Father as the fountain of the Godhead in the Logos, who is his only begotten Son.¹

It must be admitted, that it is necessary to enlarge our definition of Unitarianism to the very utmost, in order to comprehend such doctrine as this within its pale. We may, without impropriety, consider all who confine their religious worship to ‘the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,’ as deserving the title of Unitarian; and this Mr. Peirce appears to have done; though, perhaps, some may be at a loss to perceive with what consistency he did so, after the concessions he made on this and other occasions. At all events, it would appear that for a time this sermon produced apparently the desired effect of allaying the jealousy which had arisen. There can, however, be no doubt, that whatever the ministers may have done who disclaimed any discussion of this sort in private, and professed their uniform endeavour to discourage all topics of controversy and dissension, the subject was much agitated by various members of the society, displaying probably on both sides more zeal and warmth than sound judgment. In this way much bickering and dispute doubtless arose, and many idle tales were circulated, which, instead of being suppressed, were encouraged and promoted by the orthodox minister, Lavington. Soon afterwards, he avowed his resolution to bring the whole affair before the Assembly. But in the