Memoirs of Dr Joseph Priestley, Written by Himself, to the Year 1795 ...

SCRIPTURAL STUDIES.Theological Repository," I inserted in that work everything that was of much consequence in the other, in orderto its being submitted to the examination of lenrnedChristians. Accordingly, theee communications were particularlyanimadverted upon by Mr. Willet, of Newcastle,under the signature of W. W. Rut I cannot say that hisremarks gave me much satisfaction.(54.) When I was at Needham, I likewise drew up atreatise on the doctrine of Bizrins ifiJEzcence, having collecteda number of texts for that purpose, and arranged them underproper heads, as I had done those relating to the doctrine ofatonement. But I publidhed nothing relating to it until Imade use of some of the observations in my sermon on thatsubject, delivered at an ordination, and published many yearsafterwards."(55.) While I was in this retired situation, I had, inconsequence of much pains and thought, become persuadedof the falsity of the doctrine of atonement, of the inspirationof the authors of the books of Scripture as writers, and of allidea of supernatural influence, except for the purpose ofmiracles. But I was still an Arian, having never turnedmy attention to the Socinian doctrine, and contenting myselfwith seeing the absurdity of the Trinitarian system.(56.) Another task that I imposed on myself, and in partexecuted at Needham, was an accurate comparison of theHebrew text of the Hagiographa and the prophets with theversion of the Septuagint, noting all the variations, &c. ThisI had about half finished before I left that place; and Inever resumed it, except to do that occasionally for particular* A sermon, entitled The Doctrine of Divine InJIuence on the HumanMhd, preacIpSat the ordination of Messrs. T. and J. Jervis, andprinted in vol. xv. of his works,