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LUTHERANS.

I have spoken of the Greek and Roman churches, when they were not subject to those charges which have been brought against them: viz. before any of those things were superinduced, which have given offence to other sects of Christians, such as bulls, indulgences, &c.

In order to prove, that these things were neither consistent with the original profession of the Christian church, nor with the scriptures, Martin Luther, an Augustine friar, declared war against the doctrines and practice of the church of Rome. He opposed the use of images the invocation of saints-excommunication— the monastical life-canonical obedience-distinction of meats-communion under one kind.-He taught, that man is not a free agent, that he is justified by faith alone— and that though the faithful may sin, it is not imputed to them. He denied the supremacy and infallibility of the pope ;-asserted, that bulls and indulgences were not consistent with scripture-he denied the merit of works— transubstantiation-the mass-auricular confession-absolution-purgatory-orders-and extreme unction-being five out of seven of their sacraments. Hence began what is called the reformation from the errors of the church of Rome. Many of the higher orders, as well as the generality of the people in several nations, became Lutherans.

But it appears, that some of Luther's converts did not think him infallible. A new sect sprung up out of the opinions held forth by him, called

MORAVIANS.

These modern professors were called Moravians, because they made their first appearance in Moravia. They separated from the first Anabaptists, soon after the time of Calvin.

They originally observed many of the outward acts of the apostles, such as washing each other's feet, going bare-foot, and having all one property in common, after the manner of a sect, which arose 140 years after Christ, called the Apostolici, because they observed the acts of the apostles. They are subject to one supreme superintendant in their civil department. They are great encouragers of industry, and receive none into their connexion, but those who follow some occupation. They have also a supreme head in spirituals, who lays down the fundamental principles of their sect. They are industrious in making converts to their opinions, and think it their duty to convert the heathen to Christianity. On which account, they send missionaries to various parts of the world to preach the gospel.

Count Zinzendorf, a German, about the year 1740, was the great supporter of the opinions of this sect of dissenters, from the old Anabaptists of Moravia; who were not called Moravians, because the first converts to his system were several Moravian families, as is asserted by some; but were originally called, Fratres Legis Christi, Brethren of the Law of Christ; afterward Unitas Fratrum, the United Brethren, and the Moravian Brethren 150 years before his time, for the reason above given.

They believe in justification by faith alone, through grace or favour; they avoid saying any thing on partic

ular redemption, and do not call themselves either Calvinists or Arminians. They think they are spiritually joined in the great family of those who love and fear God. The order of their church is episcopal, and they are very particular as to those who are to succeed as bishops. They think episcopal ordination perfectly consistent with the patriarchal and apostolic institutions, because it was the order in the patriarchal churches; and the apostle says, Acts i. 20. "For it is written in the Psalms, let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein; and his bishoprick let another take." Phil. i. 1." to all the saints of Christ Jesus, who are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons." 1 Tim. iii. 1. "desire the office of bishop."

In their deliberations, which are conducted by synods after the custom of the first Christian churches, if any thing of very considerable importance be brought forward, the result of which is doubtful, they have recourse to the ancient custom of deciding it by lot, which they think is consistent with the scripture, Jonah i. 7. "And they said every one to his fellow, come let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil is upon us; so they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah." Acts i. 26. " the lot fell on Matthias." But whether this method be the same as was resorted to by the ancient Hebrews, or by the apostles, is not for me to determine in this work. I believe the Moravians are the only sect of Christians who attend to any thing of this nature.

They think themselves peculiarly called to carry the gospel to the heathen: and in this labour they have succeeded to admiration in almost every part of the world.

ANTITRINITARIANS.

These professors revived the opinions of the Arians, and Samosatenians, who denied the existence of a trinity of persons in the divine nature.

THE ANTINOMIANS

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Are so called from avr, against, and voμos, the law, because they reject the law. They are also by some called Solifidians, from solus alone,' and fides 'faith;" and affirm that nothing is required but faith, which is held forth in the gospel; that neither good works, nor evil works, can forward, or prevent eternal happiness; as those who have faith cannot sin, let them do what they will. They took their rise from Agricola at the beginning of the sixteenth century; and they made their appearance in England at the beginning of the seventeenth century. These and a great many more of less note are mentioned in the writings of Florimundus Raymundus de Origine Heres.

CALVINISTS

Were so denominated from John Calvin, one, of the reformers in the sixteenth century.

But there were

professors of this description in the Christian church at a very early period, about the year 380, who were call

ed Predestinati. And in the ninth century the followers of the German monk, Godescalus, were called after these first professors, Predestinarians. They taught that God, who must necessarily know all things before he created man, decreed those things which should come to pass; and that to deny this would be to allow that there was a power superior to him, by whom these things were ordained; therefore they held, that his purposes and decrees were eternal, as nothing future can be predicated concerning him.

Calvin taught, that God predestinated a certain number to eternal life before the foundation of the world, independently of any merit in themselves. That his grace which operates in them irresistibly, against the power of their own will, forces them to accept the terms of salvation by Christ: this they call irresistible grace.

The principal tenets of Calvinism have been called, the five points, viz. predestination, original sin, particular redemption, irresistible grace, and the perseverance of the saints. But there is no necessity for these distinctions; there is no difference between particular redemption, irresistible grace, the perseverance of the saints and predestination; for predestination comprehends them all. Whoever are predestinated are also particularly redeemed, are to have irresistible grace, and must of necessity persevere to the end. So that these five points, which were so called by the synod of Dort, are properly resolved into two points, viz. predestination and original sin.

They hold, that all who were not thus elected before the foundation of the world, God has been pleased to reject, and that in his eternal council he separated them from the elect vessels of mercy, as monuments of his wrath, to satisfy his offended justice."

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