The author of the National Church Vindicated, is what is
termed in slang language "an out-an-outer ;" though he per- haps scarcely perceives the end to which his principles would lead him, nor indeed does lie perceive any thing very distinctly. His book is divided into two sections ; the first of which is devoted to a long, though it can neither be called a minute nor elabo, rate, commentary upon the Glasgow Dissenters' petition ; the second labours to establish the position that a State Church is necessary wherever an Omnipotent Deity is believed. The re- marks upon the petition consist chiefly of individual opinions and bold assertions, eked out with a variety of quotations, and inter- mingled with some clumsy banter and harmless name-calling. In the second part, the writer unconsciously exemplifies some of the happiest of Mr. DICK'S arguments ad absurdum. If all that the Vindicator says upon the sin and crime of schism be true, tolera- tion should cease. In arguing for an established worship even in a nation of Sadducees, lie maintains that it ought to be founded upon truth, and then proceeds to make his own belief the standard of what is true. It may be observed, as another instance of his logical qualities, that lie sometimes in his book, and generally in his mind, confounds a National Church with the National Church.
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