I have hitherto been reasoning upon the presumption, that circulating the Holy Scriptures was an act upon the excellence of which no question could arise between us; but it seems that I have been mistaken: for his Lordship is cautioned (and every member of the Society through him) not to be “deceived with the notion, that the _bare act of distributing Bibles_, _is the act of disseminating truth_.” {24b} This species of caution, and the reasons by which it is supported, have acquired so much the air of novelty by having been shut up for more than two hundred years, that I confess I was not a little struck with them; and I dare say, the feelings of most of your readers will be in unison with mine. But I will give the passage at length: “Be not then deceived, my Lord, with the notion that the _bare act of distributing Bibles is the __act of disseminating the sacred truth_. The word of God in itself is pure, and perfect, and more to be desired than much fine gold; but as the finest gold may be turned to base purposes, so may the Scriptures. For, alas! through the lusts of men and the covetousness of the world, the precious book of life is made the instrument of error as well as of truth; of much evil as well as of infinite good. When it is remembered that to the Scriptures, not only the true church of Christ appeals for confirmation of its divine doctrine; but likewise that every sect and heresy, by which it ever was defaced, has regularly pretended likewise to produce its error; when we observe the Papist, and Puritan, the Socinian, and Calvinist, the Baptist, and Quaker, all appealing to the Bible for the truth of their principles, and pretending to prove them thereby;—it will not be maintained, I think, that the _mere distribution of Bibles_ under the present circumstances of the times, is likely to spread the truth. On the contrary, it is to be expected that each member of your heterogeneous Society will draw his portion of books for the promotion of his particular opinion; for it is easily seen, that a Bible given away by a Papist, will be productive of Popery. The Socinian will make his Bible speak, and spread Socinianism; while the Calvinist, the Baptist, and the Quaker, will teach the opinions peculiar to their sects. Supply these men with Bibles (I speak as to a true churchman), and you supply them with arms against yourself.” {26}