Of "gloomy Calvinism" I had often heard people speak with an emphasis, that annoyed me as highly unjust; for mine had not been a gloomy religion:--far, very far from it.

On the side of eternal punishment, its theory, no doubt, had been gloomy enough; but human nature has a notable art of not realizing all the articles of a creed; moreover, _this_ doctrine is equally held by Arminians.

But I was conscious, that in dropping Calvinism I had lost nothing _Evangelical_: on the contrary, the gospel which I retained was as spiritual and deep-hearted as before, only more merciful.
* * * * * Before this Third Period of my creed was completed, I made my first acquaintance with a Unitarian.

This gentleman showed much sweetness of mind, largeness of charity, and a timid devoutness which I had not expected in such a quarter.

His mixture of credulity and incredulity seemed to me capricious, and wholly incoherent.