THE late Rev. Neil Douglas, preacher
of the Universal Restoration, Glasgow, was a singular man. His discourses
contained a mixture of religion and politics, anecdote and sarcasm.
Although differing so widely from
the orthodox on Redemption, he entertained all the old Presbyterian hatred
to the successor of St. Peter, whom he styled "His poor, pitiful holiness,
the Pope of Rome."
He prayed for kings, but it was for
their reformation. In praying for the Prince Regent (afterwards George
IV.), it was commonly with a clause that he might see the error of his
ways, and repent of his wicked life. This is a way of speaking little
followed by. the clergy; and even Jeremy Taylor, who is much talked of for
sanctity, calls Charles II. the best king, and the Church of England the
best Church in the world!
Mr. Douglas had great powers of
imagination, which he indulged in a way that led him into ludicrous
consequences.
One day, while preaching in
Anderson’s Institution, he spoke of the wickedness of publicans in
corrupting their spirits, and said:
"It is worse than fornication; it is
adulteration!"
