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Mr. Wakefield published, in 1784, an octavo volume, entitled,An Enquiry into the Opinions of the Christian Writers of the threefirst Centuries, concerning the Person of Christ, and thoughtfit to inscribe, in a very handsome manner, the publication to me.On the 25th of July, 1784, I sent him the subjoined reply : —
“ Sir,
“ A variety of business has prevented me for some time fromreading your book, or I would sooner have thanked you for thehonour you have done me, by inscribing your Enquiry to me.I admire and approve the spirit and erudition with which it iswritten ; and though I think the pre-existence of Christ to be thedoctrine of the New Testament , yet I am far from wishing thecontrary opinion to be stifled, or the supporters of it to bebranded as enemies to the Christian system.
“ Whoever is afraid of submitting any question, civil or religious,to the test of free discussion, seems to me to be more in lovewith his own opinion, than with truth. I shall be glad to seeyou either in Cambridge or in London , that I may become per-sonally known to you. That the Spirit of God may guide you inall your researches, is the sincere prayer of
“ Your much obliged servant,
“ R. Landaff.”
In December, 1784, I received a letter from Mr. Wyvil, (towhom I was not personally known,) informing me that Mr. Pitthad promised him to exert his whole power as a man and aminister, to bring about a reform in the representation of thepeople, and requesting me to use my influence in Cambridgeshire