use Dr. Dexter's words, that "polity, and not dogma," is the keynote of this noble farewell. "More light on those questions of bishops, elders, and synods and presbyters must be expected to break forth, as guided by providence and experience, humble piety shall further interpret the word." This undoubtedly is the primary reference of the words, but we submit that they do not on this account exclude the natural and logically implied conclusion which "the self-styled advanced thinkers of the day" have drawn from them. Robinson must have been aware, in his own consciousness at least, that the words which he uttered were susceptible of the utmost width and scope and improbable as it may be that he anticipated the construction which has since been put upon them, certainly the words, looked at by themselves, lead one to think that if this construction had been present to his mind, he would still have been unflinching in their expression. And probably, if someone had pointed out to him the peril of sending out with his imprimatur so free and bold a deliverance, he would have replied that he was responsible for the deliverance itself, and not for conclusions which others might draw from it. Whatever use may have been made of these words, whatever extreme opinions they have been employed to buttress up, the words themselves are noble words, and in every way worthy of the enlightened and broad-minded father of Independency. |