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Coniinon, for "respected" read rcpmted, ^c. 13 & M.it comma's after "lords." |. ,_,„, :,l Pa^e 72, 4th line, the ma after "only" should be before only. m Pag'eSS, line 13, for"lia'r" read/to/' Twenty Four Fake Messiahs. BY THE REV. D. DUNBAR. Paul. nandcompreherKled,.at iho commencement of Christianity, most of the civilized wg^rld. At this pe- riod it is said to have contained one hundred and twenty, millions of souls.* Providence seemed to have chosen this vast dominion, for the scene of the first gospel labourers. The multitude of hnguage^s a- mongst its inhabitants was no obstruction to 'hem, for- they were inspired with other tongues. Oppositions they frequently met with, but this terminated in the furtherance of the gos|X}l ; for when persecuted in one city they Hcd to another. The Lord gave the word to his servants, and great Avas the conipany who , published it abroad. The number of converts to Christianity, in the early ages of the church, must - have been immensely great, for h is supposed that three ^ millions were sacrificed in the three first centuries, in the rage of Pagan persecutors.^ « The chm-ch of Christ has always been taught^ by the conduct of the people of this Avorld, that this is not her home : She was persecuted at first by the JcAvs, ^s the reader may sec by consuldng the New Testament; then by the Pagans, and next by mon- sters under the christian name. *Jlf^bin.8oi?'s Ecclesiaslical researchc ti pLace tcx, 3th, began in the year 127, under Scverus, when great cruelties were committed. In this reign hap- pened the martyrdom of Perpetua, FcHcitics and then- companions. Pcrpetua ' I ^n infant at the breast, and Felicities was just -slivered at the time of their being put to death. These two beautiful and amiable young women, mothers of infant children, after suffering much in prison, were exposed before an insulting multitude, to a wild cow, which mangled their bodies in a most horrid manner; after which they were carried to a conspicuous place and put tq death by the sword. 6th, began with the reign of Maximinus, in tl^e year 23^. 7th, which was the most dreadfid ever known, be^ gan in 250, under the emperor Decius, when thq christians were in, all places, driven from th»^ir hab- itations striped of their estates, torraqnted with jiacjts, &C. 8th, began in 257, under Valerian ; both men and women sulFcred deatl^ some by scourging, some by sword and some by firo. . '^ 9th, was under Aureiian, in 274, but this was incon- siderable, compared with the others, before mentioned^ 10th, began in the 19th year of Dioclesian, 303. In this dreadful persecution which lasted 10 years, Rouses filled with christians were set qn fire, and vast numbers were conrined together with ropes and thrown into the sea. It is related that seventeen thousand were slain in the short space of one month ; aud that, during the continuance of this persecutioa Vi fV"' province of %ypt, one hundred audforty fom 10 i n li thousand christians died by the violence of their perse- cutors ; besides seven hundred thousand that died through the fatigues of banishment, on the pubho. works to which they were condemned. We shai., at present, pass over the horrid scenes experienced by christians at sundry times and indiffer- ent countries, inflicted by those of the same name, and shall give a brief detail of each, at the end of this work. Wc will now take a view of tlie cln-Istian cause, un- der circumstances very dilferent from those which have been related. A little more than three hun- di-ed years after the birth of Christ, the Roman em- peror, Constantine the great, embraced the christian faith ; and not only abolished all the persecuting edicts of his predecessors, but established i-eligion by law,— -and under legal establishments of tUfifcrent kinds, the great mass of christian professors have bfeea mchidcd from that inauspicious period to the present time. The conversion of this emperor was effected by the miraculous appearance of a Cross in the heavens, while he was marching at the head of his armies! This narration has, however, been considered, (and not without just ground,) a fabulous invention of after times ; and, indeed, the sincerity of this royal con- vert, has never been fully established; but so it was, that either from motives of civil policy, or from a genuine conviction of its truth, he espoused the chris- tian cause, and established it as the religion of his empire. This was hailed by most, as an auspicious and promining measure ; but it proved at the end to be a dangerous favor, big with calamity and harm. 3 of their perse-. sand that died on the pubha I e horrid scenes cs and in differ- he same name, at the end ol ^tian cause, un- i thoBs which lan three hun- e Roman em- : the christian e persecuting ed religion by of different ors have bieer\ 3 the present i effected by the heavens, f his armies. >idered, (and ition of after lis royal con- )ut so it was, ', or from a id the chris- igion of his n auspicious - the end to md harm. 11 It was indeed a desirable thing to be frecfd ft-om the rage of a persecuting power; it was also a pieas- ant sight, to the worshipers of the true God, to see the whole system of Paganism., which had Ixjcn the pride of ages, gradually dissolved, and sinking into insignificance and contempt : and had Constantine re- pealed all the laws of persecution, and left religion to stand upon its own foundation, he would liave done essential service to the Church of Christ, and every christian would have reason to respect his memory. But, when Princes undertake in religion, they either do too much for it, or against it. "This zeaflous Prince (says Mosheim) employed all the resources of his genius, all the authority of his laws, and all the engaging charms of his munificence and liberality, to efface, by degrees, the superstition of Paganism, and propagate Christianity in every corner of the Roman empire."* "Nothing, (says Milner) can be more splen- did than the external appearance of Christianity at this time. An emperor, full of zeal for the propaga- tion of the only divine religion, by edicts, restores every thing to the Church of which it had been de- prived; indemnifies those who had suffered ; honors the Pastor exceedingly, and recommends to gover- nors of provinces to cherish and aid the promulga- tion of the gospel. — He also erect* churches exceed- ingly sumptuous and ornamental, with distinctions of parts, 'correspondent in some measure to those in Solomon's temple ; his mother Helena also fills the whole Roman world with her munificent acts in sup- ''^ port of religion, and so on."t Many were elated be- l yond measure at this external prosperity and magnifi- ^ > ^'^''"eu »o superior .nonfc , nmt sid ' '"*">"""''' P^P^^' ^^^dinal., ..^M;nara:Se:r:i;vrt "» mercv, and the honor of 1,;, Hoi- n ~ CHURCH OF ROME. 13 ng over tnciih cte4 that those ^o dear a rate^ hiii'ch into his 'fi'oguIatJngitH 3 appearance. 'ss was to be pccially those ted to a pitch the princely Jceived. Now, urch, in pur- them. Now,' » and pomp- ch had lonar soon arrived racticG, thaf '» came poui% em was dis- . - beneath an er yet fully 'ose to pre- of his local lificcpt pa- Alexai^dria, to superior iarchs, ox- cardinalf?, dungeons, y of a God rno. This •X leads us to the principle design of the present publi- cation, and shall begin with the church of Rome, or, origin of the Roman Catholic principles. CHURCH OF HOME. The early history of this church is covered with obscurity, but the deficiency of historical facts has been supplied by papist writers, with a multitude of fabulous tales. It is sufficiently evident, that the church of Rome remained for a long time a small body of christians, who were but little known to the rest of the people of this great city. . The bishop of Rome preached in a private house, and merely superintending the care of his little flock, and doubtless never expected his successors would arise to the highest summit of blasphemous eminence, and hurl their anathemas to distant nations ; dethrone kings and emperors, and make them bow at their feet Sylvester was bishop of Rome in the reign of Constantino, and catholics pretend that he was the thirty fourth in succession. The bishop of Rome arose by gradual steps to eminence and authority,' until he acquired the title of universal bishop. This title was confered upon Boniface 111. by the emperor Phocas, in 606; and from this period writers generally date the rise .of antichrist. From the time of Boniface III, to that of Gregory VII. a period of little less than 500 ye^rs, there were no less than one hundred and fourtet^n pontiffs elevated to the papal chair ;* ond *Trial of Antichrist, p. 14 »'3#te*.«iS5«((«i^5ft((y, jjrj^j ««-",<« ,-^ .■watSp-,.- ^'■■^«>:-: i*i#*e-'ivi^sf ''* «HI/RCH OP Ro.Mi:. from the outrageous reign of tJie last mentioned pope, to the present time, the number of these antichristian bishops have been peculiarly great. The history of the Roman pontilKs is replete with every thing shock- ing to the feelings of piety and humanity. Notwithstanding their high pretensions to sanctity, many of them were the most flagitious monsters that ever walked the earth. Their ambitious projects set the world in commotion; their avarice drained the coffers of their blind devotees, and Sixtus V. left be- hind him at his death above five millions of gold.* Hence it came to pasT5 that they, who, by their ho- ly profession, were appointed to proclaim to the world the vanity of human grandeur, and to inspire into the minds of men, by their instructions and their example, a noble contempt of sublunary things, be- came themselves, scandalous spectacles of worldly pomp, ambition, and splendour ; were created dukes, counts, and marquises, judges, legislators, and sove-' reigns; and not only gave laws to nations, but, also upon many occasions, gave battle to their enemies at the head of numerous armies of their own raising.t The pontificate was elevated to its highest piich of woddly grandeur in the eleventh century, and the man of sin appeared to have attained thesummit of ar- rogance and blasphemy in the person of Gregory VII. bis£ Trf "'! '"'^ '^'' 'PP^"^*^- «^ ""i^-'sai V ?; ^";;^7f— fBovereign pontiif; Christ', v^ai Lord God the pope, his holiness. King of Kings, MiiJgts in.t. Vol., V. p. 270. fMosheim, Vol. If. p. 21fi. ^ mentioned pope, 3SC antichrisfian The history of cry thing shock- lity. ions to sanctity, I monsters that 3US projects set ;c drained the :tus V. left be- »ns of gold.* o, by their ho- oclaim to the and to inspire ^ions and their ry things, be- 3s of worldly reatcd dukes, )rs, and sove- )ns, but, also, ir enemies at 3Wn raising. t Jighest pitch ury, and the 5uramitof ar- CIIURCII OP ROME* 15 J rcffi 6ory VII. of universal iff; ChristV ing of Kings, lis and king- II. p. 21G. doms, the Most Holy and Most Blessed, Master of the Universal World, r ther of Kings, Light of the ^Vorld, Most High and Sovereign Bishop, &c. kts*" Gregory VIL was undoubtedly the most audacious pope that ever sat on Peters throne, and his whole pontificate was a continual scene of tumult and blood- shed. He impiously attempted to submit to his ju- risdiction, the emperors, kings ajid. princes of the earth J and to render their dominions tributary ta the See of Rome. He dethroned the emperor Henry I v. and then excommunicated him from the church, and obliged him to stand three day& barefoot before the gates of Canosa on the Appinees before he would grant him absolution. This was the first instance of a prince being deposed by the pope ; but this served as a precedent for many others, which the limits of this sketch will not permit us to take notjce of. The church of Rome for many centuries prevailed- generally throughout most of the European kingdoms, and its emissaries made large conquests in many re- mxjter regions, and this corrupt and idolatrous com- munion is now thought to embrace not far from one hundred million of souls. The religious order of Priests, Monks, NuxVs, Friars, and so on, form an in- numerable company of lazy, ambitious, and unprofi- table beings. The history of the monastic order, Avould, of itself, make a voluminous work • but, it is sufficient to ob- serve that they began in early times, in a mistaken manner of weaning the mind from sublunary tilings. 'Trial of Antichrist, p. 41. N'l i i "' }^ CfURCH OF ROME. The first monks were merely religious hermits who, m the third century, retired to the solitary de- serts of Egypt, both to avoid persecution, and to en- joy religious repose. In the persecution under Dacius, one Paul fled ♦o to the desert of Thebais, where he spent ninety years m religious solitude. This kind of hermitage becom- ing popular, thousands fled to the wilderness when they might have remained in society. From the monastic orders were elected most of the cardinals, popes, legates, and other ecclesiastics in the church of Rome. As so many of the brethren had taken upon them to live a single life, a corres- ponding number of sisters, finding they must live alone, took upon them the vows of chastity, were called nuns, and were collected in habitations called nunneries. But the monks and nuns, although under vows of perpetual chastity, did not always keep apart and many shocking things are related of the horrid measures which they ^ook to conceal their iniquity, and dispose of the fruits of their infamous commerce. Marriage was at first permitted to all the various orders of the clergy, high and low; but, as Paul fpre- told that m the reign of Antichrist, marriage would be forbidden, so, we find, in due time, the celibacy of the clergy was enjoined by law. Passing by the Councils, Crusades, and many other enormities with which the history of this church is replete, we hasten to present the reader With a brief account of the distinguishing tenets maiu- Tamed by modern papists. I CHURCH OF ROME; pou8 hermits, c solitary de-' on, and to en- 5 Paul fled to t ninety years I it age bccom- [erness when )ted most of ecclesiastics the brethren fe, a corres- y must live astity, were ^tions called hough under keep apart, f the horrid ieir iniquity, 3 commerce. the various is Paul f9re- riage would he celibacy and many ry of this the reader enets maiu^ 17 IJVDULGEJYCIES. We arc told, by the ingenious Mr. Buck, that, .'icccrding to the doctrine of the church of Rome, ail ihe good works of the saints, over and above those wliicii were necessary towards their own justification, ■.re deposited together, with the infinite merits of JESUS CHRIST, in one inexhaustible treasury. The k ys of this were committed to St. Peter, and to his successors, the Popes, who may open it at pleasure; and for a sum of money, may convey to any one ei- ther the pardon of his own sins, or a release from the pains of purgatory, for any one in whom he is inter- ested. The power of granting indulgencies have been greatly abused in the church of Rome, for many penturics and were granted to such as gave money for accomplishing any pious work, enjoined by the pope." The form of these indulgencies were as follows* "May our Lord Jesus Christ have mercy upon thee, and absolve thee by the merits of his most holy pas- sion. And I, by his authority, and that of his blessei apostles, Peter and Paul, do absolve thee, first from all ecclesiastical censures, in whatever manner they have been incurred ; then from all thy sins, transgres- sions, and excesses, how enormous soever they may be. I remit to you all punishment, which you deserve v^'- i--"5^-wij ^ijun iiicir account; ana 1 restore you -■■mm^'Si'%%i~'' >tH 18 CIIURCfl OF ROME. m .s il to the holy saci:amcnts of tho cliurcli, (o the unity of the faitlifiil, and to that innocence and purity which you pos rssc at f-y )tism : so that when yon die, the gatoM of punt. jrhall he *hut, and the gates of the paradiufi Mfociiglh ^hall be optiied, and if you shall not die Ht present, this grace shall rt main in full .forrc whnn you are at the point of death. In the name •/ ihe Father, Son, aiifl Holy Ghost/'* According o a book, called the tax ^f the Roman Chancery, in whtch are contained the exact sums to be levied for the pardon of each particular sin, w© find some of the fees to be thus, s. d. For procuring abortion, - • - 7 6 For simony, - - . . - lo 6 Vot sacrilege, - - - . 10 6 For taking a false oath in a criminal case, 9 For robbing, 12 For burning a neighbours house, - 12 For defiling a virgin,{ - - - 9 For murdering a layman, - . - 7 6 For keeping a concubine, - . 10 6 For laying violent hands on a clergyman, 10 6 And so on. The efficacy of these indulgencies were such that the most heinous sins would be remitted and expiated ])y thrm, ri.;.d the souls confined in purgatory, for whose redemption indulgencies are purchased aro s-aid to escape instantly from that plate of torment, MS soon as the money tinkles in the chest. It was *Buck's Theo. Diet. p. 223. .•TJipre are mt\ny ftthers, of like nature, whtch delicacy forbids us to Insert. "H ;■ t the unity of purity which yoa die, the ! gates ofthe I il'you shall I main in full itli. In the St."* the Roman act sums to jlar sin, we s. d, . 7 6 - 10 6 10 6 ;ase, 9 - 12 O " 12 - 9 -7 6 10 6 an, 10 6 D such that id expiated ;atory, for chased are if torment, 5t. It was :y forbids us tp I CIIUACII or ROMfc 19 A this great abuse of indulgcncies, which induced Mar- tin Luther to declaim, first against the preachers of indulgencie#,and then against indulgencics themselves. Since that time the popes have been more j.aring in the exercise of this power; nlthougli it is said they still carry on a great trade with them to the Indies, where they arc purchased at two rials a pi^co, and sometimes more. We arc told also that a gentleman not long since, being at Naples, in order that it might be fully ascertained respecting indulgencies, went to the office, and for two sequins purchased a plenary remission of all sins for hijiiself and for any other two persons of his Ir.cnds or relations, whose name he was empowered to iqsert. IJyQUISITIOJY, Is a tribunal erected in several popish countnes, lor the excommunication and punishment of heretics. This court was founded in the twelfth century under the patronage of pope INNOCENT, who issued out orders to excUe the catholic princes and people to extirpate heretics. The people stand in so much fear of this diabolical tribunal, that parents deliver up their children, husbands their wives, and masters their servants, to its officers, without daring in the least to murmur. The prisoner, are kept for a lon^ toe till th.y themselves turn their own accusers^ i>^n as the Inquisition is now shut, iq many Roman Catholic countries, we pass over it, and notice some ol thfir Sacraments, kc. 20 CHURCH OP ROi\IKi TRJJVSUBSTjj^TMTIOjy, ■rf 1 ■ Is an essential article of the popish creed, bj which they maintain that the bread and wine in the Eucha- rist, are changed into the body and blood of Jesus Christ, which they suppose to be wrought by the consecration of the priest. PEJYJJYC% is a punishment, imposed, at the discretion of the priest, for sins committed atter Baptism : besides fasting, alms and abstinence, whicJi are the general conditions of penance ; there are several others of a more particular kind ; as the repeating of a certain number of ave-marys, paternosters, and credos, wearing a hair shift, and giving one's self a certain number of sitnpes. In Spain and Italy it is usual to see chris- tians almost naked, loaded with chains, and l>3hiD . 2?> I THE BEFORMJTIOA. The person, who made the first successful attack, on these extravagant superstitions, was Martin Lu- th'3r, in 1520. Luther was a native of Eisleban, in Saxony, and born in 1483. Though his parents wavo, poor, he received a learned education ; during, th<^ progress of which, he gave many indications of un- common vigour and acuteness of genius. Hi; mind was naturally susceptible of serious impression^:, and tinctured with somewhat of that religious molanclio- ly, whirh delights in the solitude and devotion of monasticai life. He retired into a convent of Auo-us- tinian friars, where he acquired groat roputation, not only for piety, but for love of knowledge, and un^ wearied application to study. He had been taught the scholastic philosophy, which was in voguo in those days, and made considerable progress in it; but hap- pening to find a copy of the Bible wliich lay neglect- ed in the library of his monastry, he applied himself to the study of it, with such eagerness and assiduity, as quite astonished the monks, and increased his re- putation so much, that he was chosen professor, first of philosophy, and afterwards of theology, in Wit- temburg, where tiic elector of Saxonv hy] fo-indofl a University. ■4 m 24 A SHORT SKETCH OF THE REFORMATION. About this time, Leo, X. having tried every device that the fertile invention of priests had fallen upon, to drain the coifers of the credulous multitude, but finding them all insufficient to liquidate the expences which were daily incured by his Jove of splendour, his taste for pleasures, and his magnificence in re- warding men of genius, he had recourse to a sale of jndulgcncies.* The right of promulgating these in Germany, together with a share in the profits, aris- ing from the sale of them, was granted to Albert, elector of Mentz, and archbishop of Magdeburo-' who, as his chief agent, for retailing them in Saxony, employed Tetzel, a Dominican friar, of licentious' morals, but of an active spirit, and remarkable for his noisy and popular eloquence ; he, assisted by the monks of his order, executed the commission with great zeal, but with little discretion or decency. Luther beheld his success with great concern; and having inveighed against indulgencies from the pulpit, he afterwards published ninety-five thesis contain- ing his sentiments upon that subject. He was a man ofaHd and fearless spirit, and well qualified to hear, undaunted, the terrific thunders of the pope, and to execute the work, which we cannot hesitate to believe, he was raised by divine Providence to perform. Soon after he began his successful career, he drew the attention of most of the European world. Pope Leo, X. and all his creatures, both ecclesias- tical and civil, fixed their jealous eyes on him, and leveled theif vengeance against his devoted head, *See pag'c 17. RMATION. •led every device lad fallen upon, 3 multitude, but ite the expences e of splendour, ^nificence in re- irse to a sale of »ating these in he profits, aris- nted to Albert, )f Magdeburg, hem in Saxony, r, of licentious larkable for his ssisted by the mmission Avith or decency. t concern ; and 'om the pulpit, hesis contain- He was a man 11 qualified to I of the pope, annot hesitate Providence to jessful career, rope an world, loth ecclesias- on him, and Dvoted head. A SHORT SKETCH OF THE REFORMATION. 25 Luther does not appear, at first, to have had any thing more in view than to opp e the abominable trafiic of iudulgcncies, and to reform some of thV ^ superstitions and errors oi popery ; but his bold and I successAil attempts flew on the wings of Aime, to dis- I tant regions : multitudes were encouraged by his ex~ I ample to throw off the popish yoke; and the princi- I pies of the Reformation were hcncefbrward propaga- i ted with an amazing rapidity through all the coun- tries of Europe. The powerful elector of Saxony , soon took him under his patronage ; and the sove- l reigns of other kingdoms invited him and his associ- ates into their dominions. We see moreover, a par- ticular act o^ Providence, v hich contributed not a lit- tle to extend the influence of this grand cause ; x\z the art of printing, which was discovered but half a century before the days of Luther; and thus, by gradual steps, proceeded that memorable revolution m Europe, called the REFORMATION. The fruits of that glorious Era are now reaped by the dif- ferent denominations of which we purpose to treat m the following pages ; and as all of them, with the exception of the Methodists, professedly adhere to the system of divinity adopted by the celebrated John Calvin, we shall first give the reader a brief detail of these doctnncs, and then particularize, in their order, those who hold them, »s their fundamental prince pieSi Tin: DOCTRINES OF CALVLV. DOCmiJVES OF CJLVIJY. .! I John Calvm was born at Nogen, in Picardy, in the rear 1509. He first studied the civil law, and was af- v!ar,t7lr- P"'"'""""' ''^^"'"'''' =" ««--' "' 'he ycarl536 Hisgemus, learning, eloquence and piety, rendered h,m respectable even in the eyes of Ws en- emies The name of Calvinist seems to Jiave been giv- en at first to those who embraced, not merely the doc Luthe- rans. But smce the meeting of the synod of Dort tl e name has been chiefly applied to those who em-' brace h.s Lading views of the gospel, to distin^ish ught by Calvm were the same as those of Augus- , art reduced to five articles; and whirfi " romthe,r being the principal points dilcussed a ^ pomts '^hcse^ve,pred.s,.natlon, particular redein. hon. Mat d,pravtt,j, effectual callt,rg, and the T,? pmcvmmce of the Saints. """ 1'he following statement is taken principally from '- -ntmg. of Calvin, and the decisions of Dor' 21 er ( , VCSfS God ^ Wo] so ai fit is : f not ( ^s^^ LVI.V. iLVIJV. in Picardy, in the il law, and was af- . at Geneva, in the quence and piety, he eyes of his en- to Jiave been giv- »t merely the doc- i discipline estab- 1 from the Lutfie- ^e synod of Dort, o those who em- h to distinguish ading principles ■hose of Augus- those who are 2d from the Ar- 2s; and which, discussed at the ninated the five rticular redemp- and the certain nncipally from isofDort, com- THE DOCTRIXES OF CALYIN. ^1 -thout the ,cas. foresight of faith, | o ^I'T; any cond,..o„ performed hy ,he ere^aturc ard Ih" the rest o manfemd he was pleased to pas, bj 3 orda,„ to dishonour and wrafh, for their sLt^ T Fa,sc of his vindictive justice.' In proof „Tt hi ht alledge among many other scripture passages tS lowmg, "According as he hath chosen us in H fore the foundation of the world 2/ ■ . ^'- hoi, and without blame be;! e nit i:?''?'^ f" sa.th to Moses , will have mercy :„:;-^;:^ ha e mercy, I will have compLion on wh m I "': \*'"' ^^P-^on- So then it is not of Z7jt w-lleth nor of him that runneth, but of S J' Bheweth mercy. Thou wijt say then lv^,lu' yet find fault, for who hath resisted hs J/ Na^bt: O man ! who art thou that repliest against GodTsha I •'« """g formed say to Him that formed it ' wll I hast thou made me thus? Hath not the pott I ^ ; ~^thec.ay,ofthe same lump, toC^Pr ve^el to honour and another to dishonour? h2 God cast away his people whom he foreknew' Wo ye not what the Scripture saith of Elias?Ev n so at th,s present time also there is a remnant acror ; d.ng to the elecfon of grace. And if by gr^.,^^; : It IS no more of works. What then ? ^,arl hah I not oblamcd tha* which he seekoth for. hut (|.e m »«^ft?ifel^.J :1 28 THE DOCTRINES OF CALVLV. election hath obtained it and the rest are Uindect. Whom he did predestinate, them he also called We give thanks to God ahvays for you, brethren' beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the be- gmmng chosen you to salvation, through sanctification of the spn-it and belief of the truth.—As many as were ordained to eternal life believed." They think also that the greater part of these passages, being found in the epistolnry writings, after the pouring out of the Holy Spirit, who was promised to guide the apostles into al! t.uth, is an argument in favor of their doctrine. They do not consider predestination, however, as affecting the agency or accountableness of creatures, or as being any rule of con :uct. On the contrary, they suppose them to act as freely, and to be as much the proper subjects of calls, warnings exhortations, promises and threatnings, as if no decree' existed. The connection in which the doctrine h mtroduced by the divines at Dort, is to account for one sinner's believing and being saved rather than an- other; and such, the Calvinist's say is the connec- tion which it occupies in the Scriptures. With re- spect to the conditional predestination admitted by the Armenians, they say, that an election upon faith or good works, foreseen, is not that of the scriptures ; lor that election is there made the cause of faith and holiness and cannot for this reason be the eil^ct of them. With regard to predestination to death, they *ay, if the question be. Wherefore did God decree to punish those who are punished ? The answer is on account of their sh,. But if the question be | I LV. est are bllndect he also called, you, brethren, th from the be- jh sanctification I. — As many as " They think passages, being he pouring out 1 to guide the nt in favor of predestination, :countablenes3 con'.uct. On as freely, and alls, warnings, as if no decree e doctrine h account for itlier than an- 5 the connec- s. With re- admitted by on upon faith 2 scriptures ; 3 of faith and the effect of ) death, they God decree le answer is. question be THE DOCTRINES OP CALVIV. 29 _ Wherefore did he punish them rather than others ? I i here .s no other reason to be assigned, but that so it .eemed good mh.s sight. 2nd. They maintain that hough the death of Christ be a most perfect sacri- ice and satisfaction for sins, of infinite value, abun- dantly sufficent to expiate the sins of the whole world ; and though on this ground the gospel is to be preached to all mankind indiscriminately ; yet it was to w 1 of God that Christ by the blood'of (he C^ .hould efficaciously redeem all those, and those only who were from eternity elected to salvation and J. en to him by the Father. ^ , ^^^Ivin does not appear to have written on this subject, as a controversy, but his comments Z scnpture agree with the above state.nent. In proof of this article they allege among others, the following scripture passages : "That thou hast given hi„. pe^, over all flesh, that he should give eternal life To a. many as thou hast given him.-The good shepherd gn eth his life for the sheep.-I lay down .v '^t the sheep He died not for that nntion only, h, that he might gather together the children of God hat are scattered abroad.^He gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and puri He loved the church and gave himself for it, that he m,,h sanctify and cleanse it and present it t'o ^^t hjS for thou wast slam, and hast redeemed ui oGodbythy-blood,outofeverykindi; t" tongue, and people, and nation. 3d. They maintain £ THE DOCTRINES OF CALVIK, that mankind are totally depraved, in consequence of the fall of the first man, who being their public head, his sm involved the corruption of all his pos- terity : and which corruptiofi extends over the whole soul, and renders it unable to turn to God, or do any thing truly good, and cxposeth it to his displeasure, both in this world and that which is to come. In proof of this doctrine, the Calvinists allege, amonff other scripture passages, the following: «By one man sm entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have' binned.— By one man's disobedience many were made sinners—I was born in sin, and shapen in iniquity. God saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every imagination «f his heart \vas only evil continually.-God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any who did understand, that did seek God. Every one of them is gone back ; they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no not one.— Aiid you hath he quickened, who\vere dead m trespasses and sins. Wherein in time past ye Avalked according to the course of this world, amoL whom also we all had our conversation in times past m the lust of our flesh fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature the children of wrath even as others." 4th. They main tarn that all whom God hath predestinated unto life he IS pleased in his appointed time eflectually to call by his word and spirit out of that state of sin and death ,n which they are by nature, to grace and sal- n consequence g their public jfall his po8- •ver the whole jiod, or do any is displeasure, to come. Jn allege, among >g: "By one leath by sin; that all have ny were made m in iniquity. as great upon I of his heart I down from see if there id seek God. re altogether good, no not > were dead ime past ye vorld, among tion in times le desires of nature the They main- ted unto life, tually to call te of sin and race and sai- tlJE DOCTRINES OP CALTIPT. Jj »atio„ by Jc,„, Chris.. Tl,ey admit that the Holy Spint, as callmg men by (ho ministry of the gospel, may bo resisted and that where thi/i, the cas!^. 'tho fault .s not ,„ the g„pel, „„r i„ Christ offered by the gospel, nor in God calling by the gospel and aj- so confermg vanous gifts „po„ „.em; but i^the call- ed themselves." They contend, ho,vever, that where men come at the divine call and are convert- od ,t „ no, . b, „,,, .^^j ,^ ^^^ of their own free w,ll tliey made themse ves to dft power of darkness pnd translate, them into the king- domofh,s dear son, and whose regenerating iJl ^Z':CcT''1''T'"'""- ^"P^fof'hisdoc. trine the Calvmists allege, among olho.^, the follow- lied Thi ' "■' :'""" ''" "'''"'' "'- ^^ "'- frel. n^'^*™''>'''"'»^"''^'i» the exceeding gieatness of his power to us-ward, who believe accorl .ng to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought ,n Christ, when he raifed'him fro; Zt^ Not ot works lest any man should boost. For we are hi. workmanship created in Jesus Christ unto good r k t '^?°""»-<'°<' *o light to sLift away tl e stony heart out of their tJesh," &c. Last- ly. Ibey maintam that those whom God hath eA tCf Ir " " ''"'* °^ g^^<=«- They admit' hat true believers may fall partially, and wo'uld M -tally and fmally, but fpr the mercy and faithfulnei I 4 i I I % lif S2 THE DOCTRINES OP CALVIN. ofCwl who kocpcth the feet of his Saints; also* that he wfio bostowctli the grace of perse vcrancci bestowetli it by the means of reading and hearinower of legis- it should be ij composed of ny clerical su^ rovince of the protection and ledged a real, in the eu- 'f communion These senti- ow is the g-old be* r the present d^. «ll/RCH OP ENGLAND* ^& ments, however, are not imbibed by aU who are called Calvmists. cHuncH OF EmLjjs-n. When and by whom, Christianity was first fntrc duced mto Bntam, cannot, perhaps, be exactly as- andRap,n, m his History of England, informs us, hat before the birth of our SavLr, the Britains^ like the rest of the world, (thfe Jews only excepted) ZCT:I^T''''' '^'^ notonly worshiped false g^s; but^hadasmany and as extravagam ones a. the Egyptians themselves: and though it be di/Ii. ^ pels nK"°"J'^ P^^^^*^ time when,lind the very ,5 person by whom, yet, all historians arc- agreed, /A^ the gospel n^as introduced into Grm Britain soon af. uZ Tr^'f"'^ , ,,^ ^j,^^ ^j^^ ^ J ne, and for« of worship, as delivered by the Apos- ties, were maintamed in England, and the Romish fhirr"* 'T''^'"^'^ ^^^^^"^^^ withstood, till LnaT"., 'I"*.^"^^'^' ,bout the year 448: ^o.n after this, Austin, the Monk, with about fortr more, were se.t mto England, by GREGORY, bi^h' iiji! iiri 36 CHl/RCH OP ENGLAND. Hi op of Rome, to preach the gospel ; and from this period we find Popery, with all its errors, every where prevalent, in England, until WicklitFe was raised up by divine providence to refute them. This champion of the truth was educated at Oxford, in the reign of Edward III. and was the first person in England who publicly questioned, and boldly refuted the doctrines of Popery. The Church of England broke off from the Rom- ish Church in the time of HENRY VIII. when (a? has been already related) Luther had began the Reformation in Germany. This Prince, in early life, and during the former part of his reign, was a bigoted Papist ; he burnt the famous Fyndal, who made one of the first and best English transla- tions of the Mw Testament, and wrote fiercely in defence of the seven sacraments against Luther ; for which the Pope honoured him with the title of Dc- fender of the Faith! This title is retained by the King? of England even to the present day. Henry, falling oiit with the Pope about his marriage, renounced his juri^idlction and supremacy, took the government of ecclesiastical affairs into his own hand, and was de- clared by the PariiHcaent and People, Supreme Head, on earth, of the Church of En-s, espeeially by Dr. Kipliug. These articles vere loumled, for the most part, upon a body of ar^ des comFled and published in the reign of ED- tvAUU, VI. son and successor to Henry. Thcv v.-cre first passed in the convocation, and connrmed by r^.d authority, in ,562. They were afterwards The I ' '" ^■""' '"'• ^"'' "«=''" by Charles • Ihe law requnes a subsc-iption to these articles, of .11 pei^on^ who are admitted into holy orders " "'^ ™"f« of the last century, disputes arose' amo,^. the clergy respecting the propriet/of subvert bu,g to any human formula of religious sentiments: Anapphcafon lor ,ts removal was made to Parlia- . that t),c clergy had no pretensions to temporal juris- diction; winch gave rfee to various publications, ermecl, by v ,y of eminence, the Bangorian Con' 'rovers, ;hec.u.e Ho.n..v was then bishop of Ban- lead called a L,furgy. It was composed in 1547, and has undergone several alterations, the last of ti 7" 'I ^"- ^'"'"' "'^' "■"«'' ^«-™l at- tempts have been made to amend the liturgy, arti- cles, and some other things relating to the internal goveinment, but without effect. The members of the Church of England are cal- led tpiscopahans, because they are subject to the jurisdiction of diocesan bishops. • • The controversy respecting episcopacy commen- ced soon after the reformation; and has been agita- ted with great warmth, between the Episcopalians on the one side, and the Presbyterians and Indepen- dents on the other. Among the Protestant churches ubroad, those which were reformed by Luther and his associate,, are, in general, episcopal ; whilst such as stnclly follow the doctrines of Calvin have, for thfl most part, thrown offthe order of bishops, as one ol the corruptions of popery. I„ England, however the controversy has been considered as of greater importance than on the continent. It has been stren- uously maintained, by one party, that the episcopal order is essential to the constitution of the church and by others, that it is a pernicious encroach- [>. to temporal junV ous publications, 2 Bangorian Con- n bishop of Ban- is a jDublic form iposed in 1547, ions, the last of time, several at- lie liturgy, arti- to the internal England are cal- 2 subject to the »pacy commen- has been agita- 2 Episcopalians s and Indepen- stsmt churches by Luther and al ; whilst such alvin have, for )ishop3, as one and, however, as of greater as been stren- -hc episcopal the church, lus encroach- CHURCH OP ENGLAND. 39 ment on the rights of men, for which there is no au h I^novv., .hat . ,o„,tH, do Jctl LX:t unnecessary: but that the reader mav ea,n tL pnncpal objections which Dissenters manif st li»! the order of that church r .l„ll k- ^ ofal^H„. II ''* ^'"" ^"bjoi" an extract a B „ T "^ '" '" ^'^'''""P^' Clergyman, by we^' a"""T"™ '" Philadelphia. ""Nor are wc at all averse to a reconcihation with the church o England, provided it can be proved by the ho huLn ""' °^'^'""'= "PPoi-Xm^nt, and not of hum n mven..o„ : and, since you, yourself, are the per- .on that hath given us the invitation, and hath prom- ised to show us that our objccliom arc stnmWn. blocks, m^deby our wills, and not by our reason , and ^^^. under- standing that our Lord Jesus Christ is the only head, t.ng, ord, and law-giver of his church, whom all arc bound to obey, under the severe penally of an utterex- t-rpation from among the people of God ; and that his aws and w, 1 are only to be found in, and known bv *he sacred bcr.ptures. which are the only supreme, sufficient, and standing rule of all faith and worship- and not understanding the constitution of your church with all the orders, officers, worship and service, at tins day m use and maintained therein, to be agreea- ble thereto, and warranted thereby, hath been the cause of our separation from her, and is the objcc- tioir we have to make, or the stumbling-block which lies m o»r way. tosnch an union and communion a<. ^ '9v r v mimciw^'?*'-t^ -^)^M 40 CHURCH OF ENGLAND. yoTi desire. We, tliercforc, Jiope and expect, accar- ding to your promise, that you ^vill cndearour it* removal, by showinfr us fi-om holy Scriptures, these two things as absolutely necessary' in order there- unto : 1st. That the formation of your church, with all the orders, oflficers, rites, and ceremonies, now in use and practised therein, are of divine institution ; particularly, that the church of Christ under the New-Testa?nent, may consist or be made up of a mixed multitude, and their seed; even all that arc members of a nation, who are willing to go under the denomination of cliristlans, whether they are godly or ungodly, holy or profane ; that lords, arch- bishops, and diocesan lords, bishops, such as are now m Er:'ind, are of divine institution and appolntmcni ; that the government of the church of Clirlst, under the gospel, is to be prelatical, according as it is prac- tised this daj in your church ; and that your ecclesl- astjcal courts are of divine appointment; that partic- ular churches or congregations, with their niinisterg or elders, who have power and authority to receive- persons into membership, have not likewise authori- ty, by Matthew XVIII. 15—18, and I. Corinthians, V. to execute church censure^ and oxcommunication upon miscreants, swearers, drunkards, liars, adulter- ers, thieves, atheists, &c. &c. but that it is of divine appointment, tJjat they must be presented to their ordinaries, and only proceeded against in your eccle- siastical courts ; that the several offices of deans, .sub-dean?, chapters,arch-dcacons,prebendarles, chstjj. X 11(1 expect, accar* ill endeavour h^ Scriptures, these in order there- our church, with remonies, now in ivine institution; hrist under tlie e niade up of a ^en all that arc lin<^ to go under let her they are Iiat lords, arch- such as are now id appointment ; )fClirist, under ling as it is prac- lat your ecclesi- nt ; that partic- their minister? only to receive- kewise authori- 1 1. Corinthians, :cammunicatioi> , hars, adulter- at it is of divine iented to their : in your eccle- ices of deans, endaries, chai>-> GIirmCH OP EXfir,ANT>. 41 cellors, corafnissaries, officials, registers, canons, petty canons, vicars, chorals, apj)aritors, organists, vergers, sir]ging-nien and boys, septins, epistlers, gospelers, and su Ji like offices and oificers of your church and eccle- siastical courts, are of divine institution, or haVe any scripture Avarrant to justify them, and to bear them harmless in the last day; that unpreaching ministers may celebrate the sacrament by scripture warrant, that their diiTercnt apparel in time of divine service, such as hoods, tippets, surplices, &c. are of divine in- stitution, or have any scripture warrant under the New-Testament; that the manner of the public ser- vice and liturgy of the church of England, with the visitation of the sick, burial of the dead, churchina of women, matrimony, &c. as now in use, are of di^ vine institution; that the people ought, by tht rule of God's word, audibly with the ministers, to'say the con- fession. Lords prayer, ai creed; and make such an- swers to the public prayei-s, as are appointed in the book of common prayer; that it is God's holy will and pleasure that saint days and holy days should be kept and observed by Christians, accordii.g to the use of the church of England; that instruments of music are to be used in God\s worship, under the New Testament; that infant baj^tism is a duty; that pouring or sprinkling of water is the right mamier of baptizing;* that your manner of administering the sa- f raments, and signing with the sign of the cross in feaptism are of divine appointment ; that god-fatlicr^ "This ^bjrrfion is pqrnliar to tW Baptists only. ; "^^'^wqB!WittT''^iT?1t gg'fei-'iJ'-y^ 1: I I i|j,.;. i III 42 CHURCH OF ENGLAND. and gonoedience there- be a sore re* oh scriptures, id prophetical such a thinff. iout prejudice, h according to ? blocks made e will be very obstinate, but itil you do so, ;ers, rites and God, it is but jes of schism or our peace- WrURCH OF ENGVAftD. 43 ble separat.on ; which is all, at present, from your lovmg fr,cnds, who desire information, and unity a- tnong samts and the churches peace ; that God, i/alj iZ "' ^ "^ '^""^^ ^"^ L°^^ JcsusChrist. Subscribed by us, members ofthegenor I meet- ingm behalf of the rest. March Uth, 1699. "John Watts, Joseph Wood, George Eaglesfield, Samuel Joxes, George Eaton, Thomas Bibb."* Thus we see what was the cause of dissension from the church of England, in the seventeenth cen- tury; and, notwithstanding this church has beeq highly favoured, at different periods with the most eminent divines that any church can boast t Jtill the same offices, officers, rites, and ceremonies re- mam equally unintelligible to the studious reader of »acrcd oracles. Many of the above objections, how- ever, are wmked at, by the more candid dissenters of the present day ; and did the clergy (who readi- ♦Benedict's Hist, of the Baptists, vol. II. t How far this may be said of the Province nf 1V^» n, r. • i. iiic present day, let the reader determine ftrunswicfe u» 44 li^^fl M iiiii ill HMI rHUlUil OF KNdLANt). ly declare "lliut {/icy arc moved ami caiUd Inj ihe Hot if GJmt to the work of the miidstn/,'') l)iit preach ia their j)nl{)ils, and practise in tlieirhvcrs (he doctrinci to which they do moal solrmnli/ subscnbc before God, JnrrcLs, and J/t-//, hiinthed;, wouhl, nndoul)U3dl3, re- main in the church of En..;Iand, who are otherwise obh'ged to withdraw. I cannot, indeed, think that any preaching will ],e eflectual in bringing again "those that are clean es- caped iVoni them who liv e in crror,^' hui, in iny hum- l)le opinion, the most sure and certain method, for tlic episco{)aI clergy, to prevent disscrsions from tlir church, m future, would be to declare the whole conn- selofGod, to preach the ^Wnwcs of orid ; taking away ) them hearts of >7 his almighty which is good ; !sus Christ J yet lade willing by •ish In the state by the breach d the covenant icrcy delivered I into an estate >mmonly called an Act of the o be copied ul | ivince the rea- '| inciples of the but likewise { y and zealous - r the majority le present datf, [^ PRESBYTERIANS. 49 ACT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. EuiMiuiiGH, Mav 21, J 736. "The General Assembly, being moved with zea! *or the honour of God and our Lord Jesus Christ <^4H.cially at a time when the Clu-ishan revelation' is' openly unpugned, and Infidelity, Deism, and other errors so much prevail : They do hereby recom- ">«"d to all ministers and preachers, seriously to consider and observe the Directory of this Church 'concerning the preaching ofthe word, which is ap- Foven by the Gene,-al Assembly 1(3-15; and, in par- t'cular, that they be careful to wai-n their hearers a- gainstany thing tending to Atheism, Deism, Arian- •sm Socmiamsm, Arminianism, Popory, Superstition, Antmomiamsm, or any other error; and that in then- sermons they insist frequently upon tlie truth, neces- sity,and excellency of supernatural revelation ; the su- preme Deity of the Son and Holy Ghost as well as ol the Father, together with the oneness of the ^od-head; our sinful and lost estate by nature ; the necessity of supernatural grace, andoffnith in the righteousness of Christ, without which iW, best works cannot please God; and that they n.:.ko it the great scope of their sermons, to le'ad sir.ners rom a covenant of works to a covenant of grace for blc and salvation, and from sin and self to ,,recious '-•lirist. And the Grr.ornI Asc,,,,,^, r-rn,MM,ond'= i. 50 PRESBYTERIANS. all who preach the Gospel, when they handle th« ! heart and life, not from principles of reason only, but also, and more especially, of revelation. And, in order to attain thereto, it is necessary to shew men the corruption and depravity of human nature, by their fall in Adam ; their natural impo- tence for and aversion to what is spiritually good; and to lead them to the true and only source of all : grace and holiness, viz. union with Christ, by the • Holy Spirit's working faith in us and renewing us i more and more after the image of God; and to let i their hearers know, that they must first be grafted I into Christ as their root, before their fVuit can be . savory unto God ; And that they teach them the I necessity of living by faith on the Son of God, in a I constant looking to and dependance upon kirn as the i great Author of all gracious ' sfluences fbr the per- formance of every duty: And withal^ that, after their best performances and attainments, they must count them but dross an lung in point of justification before God : And to L.^kvj it their great desire only to be found in Christ and his righteousness : And that ministers, in the application of their sermons, do endeavour rightly to divide the word of truth, speak- ing distinctly to such various cases of the converted and unconverted, as arise natively from the subjects they have been handling: And that, in the whole of their discourses, they take care to suit themselves to the capacity of their hearers, as to matter, method, and expression, and to the prevailing sins of the time and place, with all prudent and^zealou* freedom and s I 5:2 I'RESBYTERIAXS. ^•M' ?1ii< t^' pipif plainness: As also, that they inEike Gospel-subjccts their main theme and study, and press, with all earn- estness, the practice of moral duties in a Gospel manner : And that they forbear delivering any thing in public, that may tend more to amusement than edification ; and beware of bringing into their ser- mons and public discourses matters of doubtful dis- putation, which tend to gender strife, rather than to promote the edification of Christians. And the As- sembly exhort all .o study to maintain the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. And, finally, The General Assembly recommends to all professors of divinity, to use their best endea- vours to have the students under their care well ac- quainted with the true method of preaching the Gos- pel, as above directed: And that presbyteries, at their privy censures, enquire concerning the obser- vation of this Act," The greatest objection against the Presbyterian order, as by law established in Scotland, is, that then- Ministers arc settled by the law of patronage, and not by the consent or choice of the people. This caused a respectable number of ministers and members to secede from the church of Scodand in 1732. They are called Seceders, but are strict Pres- byterians, and have greatly increased for these Mty years past, both in Scotland and in the United States : jn Nova-Scotia, also, there are many respectable j congregations of PresbyUrian Seceders. The only so- ^ jn ( \vh the Mr. the yea ed fror rRESBYTfcRIANS, Gospel-subjects ;s, with all earn- L'S in a Gospel veringany thing rnuscrnent than : into their scr- )f doubtful dis- , rather than to . And the As- in the unity of fly recommends eir best endea- ir care well ac- aching the Gos- ►resbyteries, at iing the obser- e Presbyterian id, is, that then- patronage, and ople. ►f ministers and of Scotland in are strict Pres- for these fifty United States : my respectable The only so- j3 '# ticty of Presbyterians in this Province (excepting the Scotch Church in St. John) are a congregation of aS'c- cedcrs, which assemble at jMiramichi, whereof the Rev. James Thomson is Minister. MEITHODISTS. This denomination was founded in the year 1729, hy one Mr. Morgan, and Mr. John Wesley. In thJ month of November, that year, the latter, being then Fellow of Lincoln College, began to spend some evenings in reading the Greek Testament, with Charles Wesley, student, Mr. Morgan, commoner/ of Christ Church, and Mr. Kirkham, of MertonCol- lege. Not long afterwards, two or three of the pu- pils of Mr. John Wesley, obtained leave to attend these meetings. They then began to visit the sick m dilferent parts of the town, and the prisoners also, who were confined in the castle. Two years after they were joined by Mr. Ingham, ofQueens College, Mr. Broughton, and Mr. Hervey; and, in 1735, by the celebrated Mr. Whitfield, then in his eighteenth year. At this time, their number in Oxford amount- f-d to about fourteen ; they obtained their name from the exact regularity of their lives, which gave 54 WETHODrSTS. '1 OCCAM 51, to a young gentleman olCliiBt's Ciiuich tc say," Here is a new sect of Methodists spn.no- „n '• al uding to a sect of ancient physicians, who'wer'c called Methodists, because they reduced the whole I'eQling art to a Cey, common principles, and brought . mto some method and order. In the year 1730. they suffered a severe loss by the death of Mr Morgan, who ,t is said, was the founder of what was then, deridmgly called, the Godly Club. In October 1735 Jolm and Charles Wesrey, Mr. Ingham, and Mr. DcllamoKe, son of a merchant in London, en,. tarked for Georgia, in order to preach the gospel to the Indians. After their arrival, they w^re firs, favourably received, but in a short time, lost the affection of the people, and Mr. Wesley was ob- liged to return to England. He, however, was soon •^uccee ed by Mr. Whitheld,who, in the latter Ldo ^ December, ,737, embarked for Georgia, and whose repeated labours, m that part of the world, are welt known. After Mr. Mhitfield returned fr-m Ameri- ca, in 1741, he declared his full assent to the doc- tnnes of Calvin. Mr. Wesley, on (he contrary, pro- fessed the Armenian doctrine, and had printed in favor of perfection and universal redemption. The difference, therefore, of sentiments between these two great men, caused a separation; and the Me- thodists were now divided; one i)nrt followed Mr. n esley, and the other Mr. Whitfield. In England, the name of Methodist, is often ap- plied to all dissenters from the established Church 1110] a or i are r I Qome I^., ii'i«t's Ciiurch i,. lists sprung up,' ?ians, who wcrr • luced the whole Ics, and brou.frhf the year 1730. 5 death of Mr. der of Avhat was 6- In October, f. Ingham, and in London, cm- h the gospel to loy were first time, lost the cslej was ob- ever, was soon le latter end o( ^■ia? and whose vorld, are well 1 fr m Ameri- t to the doc- contrary, pro- lad printed in (option. The etween these and the Me- followcd Mr. , is often ap- lied Churcli^ i MICTIIODISTS. 55 .."J, not u„(Ve^„c„,lj. to all mi„|,te„, „.|,„ eva„gehcaldoc.r,„es, whether DfecnteVs or cCh ;::'■. ^''°^= :!'- ^ termed Methodists, i„ hi ov,„cc arethe adherents of Mr. VVesl v .„^ ■ke h„n favor the tenets of A™i„i„s, ,vhence' thl' . er,ve the appellation of Arminlan M^thodistT tI A,.m,„,us was a professor of divinity at LeTdt It ll"un=hed about the year 1600. I„ ,59 ,T . ' '0 express his do„i,,s eoncernln^^ tl e d r ^^^ r Talvm nr.A /. , "^^^"ing tne doctrines of more nearly resembling those of Luther. After his . ppom ment to the theological ehair at Leyd™ he began to avow and v:ndlntf..l.„ • . , '""^.J '"^"' "<= had embraced, whicl e pted rt'o"? " "'"'' '"" > oCtho^e who adhered toTe T , ''''"'•''"'' I Geneva. His tenetf^ii;S-S:::.f cree- b„t ,1 . • 1 °." '"'^'''"'e uncondu onal de- cree but determmed, from allcternltv In 1 , Halvafon on these whom he foresaw wo I'd ' to the end, In their faith in Jesn. CllI" ^'^^'^ fl;ct punishment on those whosho, J '•'■" =''eu- unbelief, and resist to the 0, h V """ ance. 2d._That Jesus Christ n hi ;"" '""'■ death, made atonement for thi 's ^ ^ aH ''"^ ?"" general, and of each Individual 1 T'"^ '" I'owever, none but those w,rLll'''r'"' = ""'' P-takersofthlsdlvinebenfit. 7'^;::''^'^".^: are not fnf nil, i i , '^^•—Inat mankmd .ome ul t'hl T" ; ^dthatdepravity doesno, me upon them by virtue of Adam's being their r ^ '"i«^mnwm«iu. 7?i^m 56r METHODISTS. Ill rifj public head, but that temporal death, and riattiral evil only, are the direct consequences of his sin to posterity. 4th. — That there is no such thing as ir- resistible grace in conversion; and that the perverse will of the impenitent sinner may render the grace of God and the operation of tjie Holy Spirit inclFectual. 5th. — That those who are united to Christ byfiilth, may fall from their faith, forfeit finally their state of grace, and die in their sins. The first Arminlans, in- deed, had some doubt with respect to the closing- part of this article ; but their followers uniformly maintain it. Thus the Arminlans, or Wesleyan Me- thodists, believe that God, having an equal regard for all his creatures, sent his Son to die Tor the sins oi the whole world. That men have the power of doing the will of God; and that, in the present im- perfect state, believers, if not particularly vigilant, may, through the force of temptation, fall from grace, and sink into fmal perdition.* Government and Discipline. — Mr. Wesley having formed numerous societies, in diiferent parts, he, ■with his brother Charles, drew up certain rules, by which they were, and it seems, in many respects, still are governed. They state the nature and de- sign of a Methodist Society, in the following words : " Such a society is no other than a company of men, | having the form, and seeking the power ofgodlinrss : united in order to pray together— to receive the • Buck's Tbee. Diet. . I h Am. Edv / METH0DI5TS. 57 ilh, aiitt iiattiral ices of his sin to jch thing as ir- lat the perversa ler the grace of pirit incfrectual. Christ by fiiifh. lly their state of 5t Arminians, in- t to the closing wers uniformly Wesleyan Me- m equal regard die Tor the sins e the power of he present im- cularly vigilant, > fall from grace, Wesley having erent parts, he, irtain rules, by many respects, nature and de- illowing words: :ompany of men, er of godliness : to receive the word of exhortation, arxl to watch over one another i)i love ; that they may help each other to work out their salvation." That it may the more easily be disccHK-'d, whether they are indeed working out their own salvation, each society is divided into smaller comj)anies, called classes, according to their respect- ive places of abode. There are about twelve per- sons Csometimes fifteen, twenty, or even more) in each class ; one of whom is styled the Leader. It is his business, 1st. — To see each person in his class once a week, at least, in order to enquire how their souls prosper ; to advise, reprove, comfort, or ex- hort, as occasion may require ; to receive what they are willing to give to the poor, or toward the oulddo „ t:„ " D ;:" T ^"0 -"''' "ot they •he glory of God.' as tt ^" "" ''"°" '^ "<" "■- -d in the nan. of the Ld ~ Tr"""""' -die.:K:fre^'vn:!,«';-""- earth; borrowing ^ithou a^bZ; 7*^ "'"'' or taking up goods ^vithou. ? ^iK F"^'"^' for fhem. It is expected of ^^^l^^^ "^P'^'-'S ''.-'*. or helping fhLtttS:;:,:;!-: KiiM' J(\ in vain; the »y or railing for >'ing or selling; . e. unlawful in- con versa t ion ; rates or Minis- ould not they tnow is not for fgold orcosf- ^ as cannot be Tlie singing which do not ; softness, and treasure upon ty of paying J ^^tj of pajing o continue in 3 to evidence ng good; by to their pow- 'od of every all men ; to Igiveth; by the naked — • or in prison I 5^ METHODISTS, ^ we li?;'':' '"'■"''•"'''«' '•'=r'-vins,orexl.„,,ir an we have intercourse with ♦.. r , ^ business, and so mimli vl,o liabilually break any of tl.om, let it bo i"a< o k„,„v„ unto the.,, who „alcl. over that soul a« Iho,. that must giv« au account. We will a.huon-' >^h h„„ 01 the error ofhis way., wc will bear ,vith h.m for a .easun , but then, if he repents not, he hath no more place a,„or.g us. We have delivered our own souls. JOHN WKSIvKV, t'iIAULE.S WKSLEiV In M,. ^V'e.le/s connexion, they have circuits nd CO., ereuees which we find were thus formed : >V hen the preachers, at first went out, to exhort " <1 ;..-each, ,t was by Mr. Wesley's permission Zl d,reel,o„; son.e Iron, one part of the kingdom, and .ome rom another; and thou-d. frequently stranger, And are they h„l^ in all manner of con.ersafon.' 2. Have they gifts as well as grace, for the w^ork.^ Have they, inson.e tolerable degree a clear, sound understanding.? Have they a ri^ht J'ulgment m the things of God.? Have f hoy Lt conception of salvation by faith.? And has God .iten l.cma„y degree of utterance .? Do they „peak\,st- y, readdy, clearly ? 3. Have thoy fruit ^Are^anl truly cowv.nccd of sin and converted to God by their prcachu,g.? As long as these throe m.--rks concur in any one, wc believe he is called of God to preach. 1 hese we receive as sufficient proof that ho i., moved thereto by the Holy Ghost. To this we shall add A. Bknso.n's remarks on the method pursued in the choice of itinerant preach. ers. " Ut. They are received as private member* of METHODIST*. ^3 > the society upon trial. 2d. After a qaarterofa year, .f (hoy are found deserving, they are adrnitfed a, proper n.embe,u 3d. When their grace and abilities are surticently manifest, they arc appointed leader, of classes. 4th. If thoy tlicn discover talents for moro it^porfant services, they arc employed to ex. hort occas,onally in the smaller congregations, when the preachers ca„„ot attend. 5th. If approved in \ihi^ hne of duty, they are allowed to preach. 6tli. Uato these men, who are called local preachers. -0 selected the itinerant preachers, who are fir^ proposed at a quarterly meeting of the stewards and oca preachers of the circuit: then at a meeting of 'he Iravelhng preachers of the districts: and lasllv in the conference; and if accepted are nominated hv a c.cu,t. 7.h. Their characters and condnotte ex- .-.mined annually in the conference, and ,' they con- h".ue taithful for four yea,, of trial, they are receiv- ^^ i»to full connexion. At these conferences, aUo ptnct ,„,,„,ry is ,„ade into the conduct and success |ol every preacher, and those wl,oarefo„nd dof.cicnt [when those, whose conduct has not l.^en n^rceahle ,o the gospel are e.pollod, and thereby ,h,prived f >ll.tho_pr.v,!eges, oven of private „;cmbe'rs of tl.: The Methodists are very numerous, both in Grmt nla,„ and America; and thoy haw missionaries in fbo Last and. WVst Indioc. an.l i„ ^r,i,^, ,„ J mil i m CDNGREGATIONALISTS. Province there are several respectable societies of the Weslcyan Methodists : viz. at St. Stephen — St. John — Frederickton — Sheffield — Cumberland, &c. CO.WREGJTIQJV^LISTS, m Are so called, irom their maintaining that each congregation of christians, which meet in one place for religious worship, is a complete church, and has suflTicicnt power to act and perform every thing rela- ting to religious government, within itself, and is in no respect subject or accountable to any other church. It Joes not appear, say they, that the primitive churches were national ; they were not even pro- vincial ; for, though there were many believers and professing christians in Judea, in Galilee^ in Samaria, in Macedonia^ in Galatia, and in other provinces ; yet we never read of a provincial church in any of those places. This denomination were not distin- guished, as a body, till the time of Queen Elizabeth. The Hierarchy established by this Princess in the churches of her dominions ; the vestments worn by the clergy in the €elebratiuii ef divine worship ; tbiQ W OONGREGATIONALIS'1 3* 56 !x)ok of common prayer, and above all, the sign of The cross, used in the administration of baptism, were very offensive to many of her subjects. They thou^'ht that the church of England resem- bled in too many particulars, th&anti-christian church of Rome: they therefore called perpetually for a thorough reformation, and purer worship. From this circumstance they were stigmatised, with the general name of puritans. Elizabeth was not dis- posed to comply with their demands; and it is difH- cult to say, what might have been the issue of the contest, jiad the puritans been united among them- selves in sentiments, views, and measures. But the case was quite otherwise. That large body, composed of persons of different ranks, characters, opinions and intentions ; and unani- mous in nothing but their antipatliy to the establish- ed cliurch, was all of a sudden divided into a va- riety of sects. Of these the most famous was that which was formed in the year 1581, by Robert Brown. He was educated at Camliridge, and was a man of good parts and some learning. He began to inveigh openly against the ceremo- nies of the church, in 1586, but being much opposed by the Bishops, he, with h's congregation, left Enor- land, and settled in Middleburgh, in Zealand, when they obtained leave to worship God in their own way, and form a church according to their own mo- 4el. The articles of their faith seemed toTDo nearly ^he same as those of the church of England. Tliphne ami form of government of the ehmches of JCingland. Tliej cquallj chafgcd covnjpilon on tl,r epi.cop.l xind presbjterian forms. They condemned the s^ lemn celebration of marriage in the churches, main- taming tliat matrimony, being a poh'tical contract the confirmation thereof, ought to come from tJie ci-' VjI magistrate, an opinion in whicli tliej are not sin- gular. The Jaws were executed with great severitv on the Congregationah-sts, or, (a« tliej were then called) Brownists ; their boots were prohibited br ^ueen Elizabeth, their persons imprisoned, and soma Hanged. Brown, himself declared, on his death bod hat he had been in thirtj-two prisons, in some of Which he could not see his hand at noon day. Thej were so much persecuted, that they resolved at last to qmt the country. Accordingly many retired and settled at Amsterdam, where they formed a church and chose Mr. Johnson their pastor, and, after him, iVlr. Amsworth, author of the learned commentarr ^n the Pentateuch. Their church flourished near ^00 years. Among the Brownists, too, were the fa- '«ousJobn Robinson, a part of whose congregation trom Leyden, in Holland, made the first permanent settlement in North America; and the Jaborioug Jeanne, the author of the marginal references to tha l^^Me. The Congregationalists, or Independents, ^n^^nmdi more commendable than the Brownists ; f, therefore, nnf •nlj with the dis- thc churches of m the (>);ir^copal idomncd the so- churclies, main- htical contract, )nic from the ci- lej are not sin- great severitj ley were then prohibited by oned, and somo his death bed^ ns, in some of u day. Thej esolved at last ^y retired and ned a church, id, after him, [ commentary >urished near were the fa- congregation 5t permanent lie iaborious •ences to tho idependents, > Brownists ; QT for nolivithstandinff tliev mav !,„„» • • .. from them, they exclr ,K ^ l"*^" «''gmally sprung *hc.r ,e„.,me„^ and in ,he order of , heir discipline ea Dj a Mr. Jacob, m the year 1616 Mr Jacob returnmg from Holland, whence ho Ind fl d I irom the persecution of Bishop Bancroft hf moned several of hi. fnends tLtrer a nd I gamed their con^^nf *« • • • ,^^^"^^» ^"^ iiavmg ^niovin! Z r •'?" '" "^"''^^ ^-^Howship, for < "JO} mg the ordmances of Christ in thr. . nor, they h\t] thn f > /"^^'^^ '« tlic purest man- > liitjiaia theiounaationof thefirst rml«. j . church, in Ene-hntl in *i. r n "^ "*^^ *"^ependent > "i England, m the fo lowmo- ww fT^ • observed a da,- of solemn Fasting and P ;vcr 7'"^ -mgnpon their undertake, tlr^rcts: ,A .,"'"\'^'">' '1 f-iinsf, and solemnly covenant God, to walk together in all God's ways an,?' r nances. Mr. Jacob was then chos n Zot by t uffrage of the brotherhood ; and others weJ^ t' Tyefald ''-' 1 '''"'''"'• "'"> ^^'S -^ prayer and imposition of liands. ^apin, in his history of England ;^ .«• ♦ i he represents thp r.l' • ^^"^' '^ ^"^^taken, when present, the religious principles of this denom •nation as eontrary to all tlL rest of the ^rld T Wears from two confessions nf f 1 ^^ ^.^y Rolinson, in behalf otT EnS Z '""r"' - Holland, and publisheJat Le^i^^^^^ another dnw-n ,.,. • t i ^"^jutn, in 1619, and ol fh« commumtj-, declaring the faith Li »^Mn»lgwa'; ni««-j.T^BBI^ . i^i-; 6d CONGKEGA'flONALlSTf;. a I J 1?: T order, owned and practised by the Cojicvregatiou^ churc!,rs in England, that they dillbr from the res of the Reformed Jn no single point, of any conse- quence, except tha! of ecclesiastical government ; and their religious doctrines were almost the same with tho > adopted by the church of Geneva. Durin the administration of Cromwell this sect a&iuircd very considerable reputation and influence ; D-.d he made use of them i s a check to the ambir^on of the T Presbyterians, who uimed at a very high 'jogrne oi £" ecclesiastical power. The Congregational form of church government was first carried to the American Colonics in 1620, and by succcsf-ve purita.i eraigranl? m lii20 and J 633, from England. Assorv(,ii fhese ^.migrants had received their ..„ Charter th«v were formed into a body-corporate and X politic, by die name of the Governor &l Company oi 1"', Massachusdt's Bay in JVciv-England ; the;- were em- ^^ powered yearly to elect their own Governor, Deputy 1 ^ o\ cfnor, &c. &c. They were to have four gcncr- al courts a year, to choose oflicers, or order land>, ^ and make such laws as they should think for tho ^^^' j^ood of the Plantation, not repugnant to the laws of ! "^ England ; free liberty of conscience was likewisi ^^^ granted to all that should settle in those parts, to ^^ ^ worship God m their own way. Religion being th( "\^ chief motive of their leaving their native country. t|ie v they resolved to settle that in the fi-st place; ac- ^ricti cordingly they consulted with their brethren oi^^Th the Congregatioijjfl tliller from the rest int, of any conse- al government; and lost the same with Geneva. Durin'^ tliis sect aDiuircd influence ; D»>d he he ambi»' ion of the sry high i^ogrne oi hiirch government Colonics in 1620, -anti m lli20 and 1(1 received their ody-corporate and nor &; Company of d; tht) were em- GoveriJt •, Deput) • have four gcncr- , or oidi^r lands, Lild think for the ant to the laws ot nee was likewisi I those parts, to leligion being th r native country, first place ; ac-' eir brethren ol c6ngregationaLists. ija V««rt; who informed them of the church order «d dtsaphne which thcj- had set up, and of the arrant the;, had for it i„ the word of'^bod The new planter., after some few conference, agreed w„h them, and appointed the 6th of W tor the erect,,^ such a church among the Se jIr» day was spent in fnstm™ „„j i^'ivcs. P< . .ns who w. V ^ ^ P™^"'"' '"'^ thirty I . -hen solemnly and severally, before the whole as- .th, wh,ch Mr. %,.•„.„„. had drawn up, and given ^m cop.es of, some days before, for the"^; por^a I "aUf ' T^r," **"= '■"""'^'•"g -ena'n t" L' l;'^r3::2ri^r^'''°"^^''"-°"'- *alk together in W w ! ''™"T °' ''°''' '° f cased t'o reveal himself to ufl iZV' ''? '' i. *u 1 1 "''cti lo us m nis blessed wonl nf ♦« h ; and do explicitly, i„ the name and fear of God 'l^ofess and protest to walk as followdh, throuS power and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ ^ ^" ^<^ ''' ^"'' r "^^ "- ^''d, and our- «»veh 10 be his people, m the tru^K ^.. ^ • , - . ^r spirits. '^^^^^'^^^-'^-^--dsirDpiiciiyof '"^'■fyingof us ifZ'f '''° "'='='>"'g. ™iing and i 10 CONGREGATIONALISTS. n-i •#iiP tion ; resolving to cleave unto him alone for life and gl M-j, and to reject all contrary ways, canons, and constitutions of men m worship. "We promise to walk with our brethren, with all watchfulness and tenderness, avoiding jealousiep, and suspicions^ backbitings, censurings, provoking? secret rising of spirit against them; but in all offence; to follow the rule of our Lord Jesus Christ, and h bear and forbear, give and forgive, as he has taugli us.* "In public or private, we will willingly do nothin, to the offence of the church, but will be willing ( take advice for ourselves and ours^ as occasion shai be presented. "We will Dot^ in the congregation, be forward, c ther to hew our own gifts and parts in speaking scrupling ; or there discover the weaknesses or Ai ings of our brethren, but attend an ordinary c thereunto, knowing how much the Lord may be d honoured, and his gospel and the profession of slighted by our distempers and weaknesses in pu lie. "We bind ourselves to study the advancemciii the gospel in all truth and peace, both in regard those that are within or without, no way slight our sister churches, but using their counsel as ne shall be, not laying a stumbling block before an * Christian reader, did ever you promise and perform the conteB of this paragraph ? 10 in wi( der tier to] 'ijan pre 5T«. n alone for life and ' ways, canons, and brethren, with al! ivoiding jealousies, jurings, provoking?.i ; but in all ofience; Bsus Christ, and h e, as he has taugli i^illingly do nothin; t will be willing t rsj as occasion slial ion, be forward, e irts in speaking c weaknesses or fa an ordinary ca ! Lord may be di^ lie profession of weaknesses in pul he advancemciiti , both in regard t, no way slightii ir counsel as ne^ block before an| and perform the contcnj C0NGREGATI0NALIST8. 71 Ijo, not the Indians, whose good we desire to promote, #nd so to converse, as we may avoid the very ap- *)earance of evil. "We do hereby promise to carry ourselves in all ^awful obedience to those that are over us in the Dhurch or commonwealth, knowing how well pleasing (t will be to the Lord, that they should have encour- agement in their places, by our not grieving their spirits, through our irregularities. "We resolve to approve ourselves to the Lord in [)ur particular callings, shuning idleness, as the bane )f any state ; nor will we deal hardly or oppressingly kvith any wherein we are the Lord's stewards. "Promising also, to our best ability, to teach our phildren and servants, the knowledge of God and his twill, that they may serve him also ; and all this, not % any strength of our own, but by the Lord Christ, nvhose blood we desire may sprinkle this our cove- liiunt, made in his name."* The Congregationalists are now the most numerous denomination in New-England. T^jeir congrega- tions, in 1801, were over 1000.|| In 1796, accordbg to Doctor Morse, their churches in Connecticut on- ly, were 200, their pastors, 170, and their communi- 1 pants, 20,000.11 In Massachusetts, their number of preachers, in 1813, were over 400, the number of " Neil's Hist of New-England. ii Mannah Adams' View of Kolio-ions, p. -HO ^rieo. Vol. T. p. 1;-,^ 72 CONGREGATIONA LISTS. churches, nearly 500.* They have probably increas- ed considerably since. This denonxination hold the calvinistic doctrine, and differ from true presbyterians only, in matters of church government. Thej likewise agree with the Calvinist Baptists in nlmost every point o( sentiment and discipline, excep '' of Infant Sprtn&lirig : this the Congregf Joaai.-u aold as very essential ; and they acknowledge children thus sprinkled, to be church members ! They admit none, however, into church fellowship until they can satisf^r the Minis-, ter and Church, by giving, eithei a verbal, or written account, of then* experience in supernatural religion The on' organized church of that order, in this Province, ar,semhle at She/held, on the river St. John. This congregation is truly respectable and orderly. They have a handsome and commodious MEET- JJYG HOUSE, with every requisite accommodation for a Minister, I .ut are at present aestitute ol 0^% fMass. Reg. for 1813; f If ;iS ii %.-^-: I I probably increas- BAPTIST5. 7S BAPTISTS. I This religious sect have caused the learned world l«orc perplexity and research, to decipher their ori- gin, thai, all other denominations in Christendom ; and for aught we find on record, this researcli hath baf' iled all their erudition in ancient history. Dr. Mo- sheim, as learned an historian as the science oflet- ters can boast, bears positive testimony, that "the ongm of the Baptists is hidden in the remote depths of antiquity, and is of consequence extrer ly difficult to be ascertained." All other sects had their origin at or after the Reformation, but wc have the testi- mony of many em.nent vriters, proving that the Baptism of adult believers has been held, and often administered during the darkest stages of popery : and Loman t holic writers acknowledge that the Churc/i ol Ilome . .uld never extinguish (what they •ailed) the heres, of tb-^ Ana-Baptists. This being the case, . reader must remain unsaf- Kfied as It respects the origm of the Baptists, unless he concedes with many of the most learned :,i,a pwus 01 the past and present ages, both in areat Britain and Jimerica, who, after laboring much to find out this very thing, have confessed "that the denomina- t'on ot christians, called Baptists, had their origin at %'# 74 BArrtJiTA. i Joidan and Enon.'' The principal point:? ui which tlic Baptists diL(!r from other protestant dissenters are chiefly these two. Ist. They hold, that believing adults only, are proper subjects of baptiiui, because Chribt'. com- mission to baptize appears to them to restrict this ordiBanre to such only as are taught, or made disci- ples ; and that, consequently, infants, who cannot be thus taught, are to be excluded. It does not appear, say they, that the apostles, in executing ChristV commission, ever baptized any but those who were ftrst instructed in the christian faith, and professed their belief of i . They contend that infants can re- ceive no benefit from it, and are not capable of pro- fessing faith and repentance, which arc to be consid- ered as pre-requisites. 2d. They observe that the meaning of the Greek word bapttzo signifies immersion, dipping, or plunging only ; that John baptized in Jordan ; that he chose a place where there was much water; that i Jesus came up out of the water ; that Philip and the Ilunuch went down both into the water. That the terms washing, purifying, burying in baptism, so often mentioned in scripture, allude to this mode ; 'f that immersion only was the practice of the apostles and first christians ; and that it was laid aside from the love of novelty, and the skilful invention of priests, about the beginning of the third century. These positions, (hoy think, arc so clear from scrip BAPTISTS. 75 fure, nn5 the history of the churcli, that they stand in need of but little argument to suj j)ort them. Much has been said and published, for and against Infant sprinkling ; and many books and pami.hlcts arc m circulation on this subject : to which the rea- der is refered for further information : but as the Baptists have, ifi all ages, been persecuted, for their religious sentiments, it may be necessary to insert a few quotations from the writings of some eminent histonam and divines, who were, themselves, no avowed frirnds to the Baptist sentiments. BOSSUET, Bishop o/Meaux — "Experience has shewn that all the attempts of the reformed to con- found the Ana-Baptists, by the scripture, has been weak ; and, therefore, they are, at last, obliged to allege to them the practice of the church.'' (1) " ERASMUS.~-«Paul does not seem (in Rom. V 14.) to treat about infants. It was not yet the cus- tom for infants to be baptized." (2) LUTHER— "It cannot be proved by the sacred scripture, that infant baptism was instituted by Christ, or began by the first christians after the apostles." (3) M. DE LA ROGUE.-«The primitive church did not baptize infants : and the learned Grotius prove. It, in his annotations on the gospel." (4) (1) Steaet's Ans. to Russen, p. 184. (2) Annotat. ad, Rom. V, 14. S q;.l?I^^ A°'^^.°'"i°^^"* ^^V^ism, part II, p. 8. 14) Stcnet's Ans. to Russen,p. 188. '^ ' ^ I 76 BAPTISTS. If 1 1 1 n 1"^ "i iki": ii? Mr. chambers — It appears that m the prim- itive times, none were baptized but adults." (5) BP. BARLOW.~-«I do believe and know, that there is neither precept nor example, in scripture, for infant baptism, nor any just evidence for it, for about two hundred years after Christ." (6) M. FOR ME Y.— "They baptized, from this time (the latter end of the second century) infants as well as adults.'* (7) GROTIUS.— "You will not find, in any of the councils, a more ancient mention of this custom, than in the council of Carthage." (8) BP. TAYLOR. — There is no pretence of tradi- tion that the cburch, in all ages, did baptize the in- fants of christian parents. It is more certain that they did not do it always, than that hey did it in the first age. St. Ambrose, St. Hicrom, and St. Austin, were born of christian parents, and yet were not baptized, until the full age of a man, and more." (9) SALMASIUS and SUICERUS.— "In the two first centuries, no one was baptized, except being in- structed in the faith, and acquainted with the doc- trine of Clirist, he was able to profess himself a be- Jicver ; because of these words. He that believeth and is baptized:' (10) (5| Cyclopopdia, Art. Baptism. . (6| Letter to J. Tombs. (7) Abridg. Eccles. Hist. Vol. I. p. 33. (n) Annotat. on Mat. xix. 14. (9) Liberty cff Prophecying-, Sec. v. p. 04. pO) Epist. ad.l. Justum raciuio. Thesaur. Eccles. sub. voce. Tom.' U. p. 1136. I 8. 8ub. voce. TotH;" baptists: 77 CURSELLCEUS, RIGALTIUS, VENEMA, EPISCOPIAS, CHRYSOSTOM, CALVIN, and DODDRIDGE, with many others, who practised infant baptism, make similar honest concessions in favour of the Baptist principles. Some late writers, have represented IREN.-IilUS as saying, ''The church received a tradition from tht apostles to administer baptism to Iff.tle children or infants. IRENiEUS lived in the second century, and is said to have been a disciple of Polycarp, and Polycarp was a disciple of John the Evangelist. This would seem to be getting within between one [and two hundred years of the point: but the hie learned and pious Dr. John Gill challenged the wlioh litcraiy world to produce such u passage from the writings of Irenacus. It is generally supposed that Tertullian, of AtVica, in the third century, is the iirst writer who makes any mention of infant baptism. In his time some had begun, or were about beginning to baptize infants that is, minors, who could ask for baptism ; and Ter- tullian, being informed of this business, wrote -i book to oppose it.* The Baptist writers seem at no loss for material- to defend their doctrines, both (com scripture and th- Fathers ; and, did the limits of this ATork admit of if, we might gratify the curious reader by insertino many strange anecdotes of the manner in nliich thi ^Benedict's iii«t. TQi. r, r. ^7. X. 78 Baptists. ordtnance has been treated through the different sta-= ges of the papal usurpation : a few quotations, how- ever, maj serve as a specimen. "About forty year, after the account of Tertuluan, we are told that t iDus, a country bishop, wrote to Cyprian ofCariha.e to know at what age he might baptize children, fo,- by hisbiblehe could not tell; nor could Cyprian tell without first consulting a council of bishops. When the council met it was concluded, that God would be a respecter of persons, did he deny that to miants which he granted to men, that infants are equal to men," since, added they, "the prophet Elisha lay upon a child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands 4 but, (say they to Fidus) if you refuse to baptize infants, at any age, you destroy this equality, and are partial." Nor was the primitive custom of answering for one's self,at this ceremony, laid aside.as yet, for (strange to tell !) infants came now into the tvorld crying for baptism, which prognosticated that they would be doomed to eternal perdition, if they died without it.* «A monumental inscription, in Italy, informs the reader, that Joanna Baptista de Peruschis, daughter of Alexander de Peruschis, and Beatrix Gorzei, when she was only six months old, mosily, sweetly andyrc«- ly pronounced the name of Jesus every day before she sucked the breast ! ! !" }The first arpriimcnt in favour of infant baptism, and as near the point as any adduced since. *Bencdrct— Rubiuson, &,c. n, and as ucar tlie BAPTISTS. 7g "In the eighth century, the emperor Charlemae„e. or poht,caI purposes, obliged the Sa»„,, „„ „«;„ „f death, to be baptised themselves, and laid 1,eavy lines on those who should neglect to have their chil- Jren baptized within the year of their birth ! "By and by the efficacy of baptism was extolled ,n the most extravagant manner , it was represented as a most sureand certain antidote against all the mo- ral ma.ad,es of depraved nature. It could wash away ongmal s.„, and place in a state of everlasting salva- tion all to whom it was applied." "A notion prevailed, which, for a time, considera- y embarrassed their priestly skill : it was believed 'at people, relapsing i„,o sin after baptism, lost he,. ,0 defer ,he,r baptism till near the close of "«• And fh,, again led to the practice of pourin. nds k, i„ ,^p.,^^ .^^J^^ ^^^^J . then universallv prevalent modc."[( •'But this inconvenience was not of long duration for s soon as parents were made to believe at' ^I'^nted bv*^" tho iT"' ""' '"' '"•"''^■» -«- ■■^; 80 BAPTISTS. m « m canons were made, and the most vigilant precaution^! were taken by popes &nd princes^ and every order of ecclesiastics ; by nurses and midimes^ and every be- nevolent creature in . iiristendom, that no human be- ing, whether adult or infant, whether 6om or unborn, should depart to the world of spirits without this heavenly passport. Baptism, indeed, suffered vio- lence, and the violent took it by force."1[ "The clergy, however, felt the inconvenience of this state of things, for they were obliged to attend any woman in labor, at a moment's warning, night or day, in any season, at the most remote parts of their parishes, without the power of demanding any fee, whenever a case of necessity required ; and if they neglected their duty they were severely punished." A great number of expedients were tried to remedy this evil ; but for a season nothing succeeded. In process of time, however, it was remarked that a priest was not always at hand, and new canons em- powered him to depute others to perform the care- mony, and midwives were licensed. It happened, sometimes, while the midwife was baptizing a child, not like to live many minutes, the mother was neg- le'i^ted and died. To prevent such accidents in fu- ture, it was decreed, that any body, licensed or un- licensed ; a Jew, or a degraded priest ; a scullion or i felon, might baptize." "In the year 1751, a humane Doctor of Laws, of ^ Bcaedicl's Hist of the Baptists, voL I, p. S'A BAPTISTS. 81 jilant precautions d every order of J5, and every be- lat no human bc- r born or unhoriu its without this jd, suffered vio- ;e."1I nconvenience of | bilged to attend earning, night or 1 te parts of their landing any fee, I red ; and if they | jrely punished." tried to remedj succeeded. \i\ marked that a lew canons em- rform the care- It happened, iptizing a child, other was neg- accidents in fu- licensed or un- t ; a scallion or or of Laws, of j Palermo^ published at Milan, in the Italian tongue, a book of 320 pages, 4to. dedicated to all the guardian Angels, to direct priests and physicians how to secure the eternal salvation of infants by baptizing them when they could not be born."|| "The first appearance of sprinkling for baptism, was in the third century, in Africa, in favour of cli- nicks, or bed-ridden people. Baptism was now considered essential to salva- tion ; and the poor sick people, who could not go to the baptistery, but were in danger of destruction if they died unbaptizcd, made the best shift they could, and were sprinkled as they lay upon their beds."!!! The iCgular Baptists, arc strictly Calvinistic in their sentiments, and embrace the Independent, or Congregational form of dmrch jirovcrmnent and disci- jilinc. They receive none into their communion but such as can give some good evidence that they arc con- verted to God,* and are baptized by immersion, up* on their profession of Jaith and repmlancf. In Great-Britain, America, and other part:, of tho world, the Baptists are very numerous andrespecfa- ble. In this Province, there are hui four or five re- gular societies of that order, and these have beeu too often confounded with a set of enthusiastic pro- fessors, who call themselves by no other name than ihristimis ; but are called by others, Frec-vHl Bap- II Robinson's Hist, of Bap. p. 4iX * In this, ho^revcr, thry arn, lik,. clh,?r . hurcl'-s, too offen imnost*d unon. ■kmx^m^iiifs^tsssmK-- 82 BAPTISTS. i'i « ftsts. They hold the doctrine of Armiiuus, and the errors ol Elias Smith, with many other strange no- tioDs. They live by the frames and feelings of their heated imaginations, and prove their faith more by these than by good works— they attend to no disci- plme— they ridicule the administration of the Lords Supper^ihey pretend to be moved to speak by the spirit, and their i^ma/e^ are generally the most ac- tive in this part of worship. Because ihese have thought proper to embrace, among other things, a part of the Baptist sentiments, people who want no more information on religious subjects than what will enable them to ridicule and « «mat,ze the people of God, have frequently con- cluded that all the Baptists are of this description Far be,t from me, however, to offend any indivi- dual des,gnedl,-, or to blame others for choosing and holdmg then- respective opinions; a right so dear to every person, and sacred as conscience itself. There are, doubtless, many p,„„. and worthy char- acters who prefer to be ranked among the last me,v «.oned professors, and who may be free from all these delus,ve sentnnents, but cannot help, nor answer for, the views andconduct ef others. Atthesame time,itis t h .St, to be well acqua,n(ed with the private „.-.„.and "^nuucnls ol every member in the society to which .l>ey have attnehod, or intend to attach themset^ because .<.• , .„y f,,,^ sp.rits and prophets are gone' f the most ac- KJAPTISTS. 83 out into the world, and a little leaven Icareneth the whole lump. He that walketh with wise men shall be wise ; but a companion of fools shall be destroy- *"• bOLOMOIf. Dear Reader, Peruse the preceding pages once more. If you lore the Lord Jesus Christ, be a companion of those that take up their cross daily and follow him. In- quire, 1st. — What are your own views of the order and ordinances of God's house. 2d.— What are the professed views of the church to which you belong ; compare these with the rule of God's word. If you are right, holding fast your profession. If you are wrong, it will prove, (not your instability, as vain- talkers would persuade you) but your love and obe- dience to Christ, and your zeal for the worship and ordinamces of his church, to renounce your former er- rors, and since no church can, in the present day, claim the exclusiv^e right of being the only pure church of Christ, do you become a member of that so- ciety, which, upon a prayerful examination appears to your conscience the purest. Never heed the opinions and frowns of the ungodly world, nor the Buts^ Ifs and May-bes of the luke-warm professor- Woe unto you when all men speak well of you. I 04 rCRSECl,'TIO.V. peusecutjoa: I., the introductory page, of this work, the reader was directed to the NEW TESTAMENT for an account of the persecution inflicted upon the church of Chr,st by the Jews. We also gave a summary account o tlie ten general persecutions usually reck- •ncd by historians, inflicted by Pagans ; and shall now proceed to notice the persecution of christians bv Wose oi the same name. ftom Constantme's fmo to the Reformation ; but ivhen the famous Martin Luther and others, Irose ad opposed the errors and ambition of the d ch of Rome, ,„d he senfments of ,his good man began «o be spftad, the Pope and his clergy joined all their foes to prevent their progress. 1' Jeneral council of the clergy was called: this was the famous coun- cJ 01 Irent, winch was held for nearly eighteen «"ccess,v« years for the purpose of establishing pop- e y .n greater splendour, and preventing the Refor^ n>u..o„ Fronj tnne to time mnumcrable scheme. «ec. suggested to overthrow the reformed church, and ware were set ou foot for the same purpose. The Inquisition was established in the twelfth century against the Waldenses. but was now more work, tlie reader AiMENT, for an upon the church gave a summary ions usually rcck- igans; and shall n oi'christians bv f different sects iformation ; but d others, arose, o of the church jood man began joined all their general council e famous coun- early eighteen Jtablishing pop- ting the llefor- Table schemes formed church, ne purpose. ;n the twelfth as nou' more PERSECUTlOf/. Af, ilOLLJJVD, [and in other ioiv rmmf... r fmazi^ crueh Lri ' ^°' """' ^"'''^ ">« most J fe ut-iiies were exercised unrirp tl,» _ lless and unrelenting hands of th,. S Z '""'■ l'l.e inliabilants of Ltn f ., '""'"'*' '° '*''-'■» observe, thit thi^r. ' '^''^'"' ^"^ ^^h^rc f^e hand onit JZeT' h! '''\""-'' ">■ tan and his agents hiZ f.u ' '"''"''^''•' S^'' Lue, a greaf pi of ,h Vu" ^"'P^''' ^°' " ">, -« -d WpendenH: t'tStsT " ^'''^"• ''"en considered as one of ,h f "" """ ■■""ntrie. of ,ho ZyerL ^"''"^'^ ^'"'^"'"^ 10 le r^t 8^ PERSECUTIOiN. FRWCE. tip No country, perhapg, has ever produced morel martyrs than this. After many cruelties iiad bcen| exercised against the Protestants, there was a most] violent persecution of them in the year 15721 m the reign of Charles IX. On the fatal night of St. Bartholomew, August 24th, it is said that aboulj 70000 persons were murdered inParis ir. the most cru- 1 el manner. A match having been concluded between Henry, (afterwards Henry IV,) the young king off Navarre, a Protestant, and the French King's sister.! the heads of the Protestants were invited to cele-l brate the nuptials at Paris, with tho infernal view of I butchering them all, if possible, in one night. * This horrid scene is described by the author , , the Trial of Antichrist, in ihf^. following language :~ "Exactly at midnight, on iho eve of St. Bartholc mew, (so called,) ] 572, th- a? : rra bell was rung in the! Hace royal, as the signal of death. About 50o| Protestant barons, knights and gentlemen, who had) come from all parts to honour the wedding, were, ai mong the rest, barbarously butchered in their bJdsJ The gentlemen, officers of the chamber, governors, tutors and household servants of the king of NavarreJ and prince of Condc, were driven out of the cham' bers where they slept in the Louvre, and being 87 PERSECUTION. in th. court were .nassacrecd in the king's pres, nee. rrbe slaughter was now general throughout the city, .' "/trT ""'"' ''^'"' ^'^y -channels ran Jownwu, blood mto the river." I'his was, however, kgml,ed,„to a glorious action, and the king, who was o,,enf the most active murderer., boasted that lie had put 70,000 HerCich < , death. I might quote .he words of a French author, who wrote The histo- ry ol F ranee, from the reign of Henry II. to Henry IV. and say, "How strange and horrible a thing it was n. a great tow,,, to sec at least, 60,000 nTen, hith p,slols jnkes, cUlasscs, poignard,, knives, a-,d her bloody imtruments, run, swearing and bias- Jphem.ng the sacred Majesty of God, through the I r ed all, whomsoever they met, wi ■.out regard of «state, condition, sc\ or ao-P Thn . * i aitKi^^r / ; oi^ age. ihe .streets paved mh bod.es, cut and l.wed topieces-the gates and vthW ""«? f"'^'=-'-'d Public places, dyed ^th blood. Shoufngs and hallooings^f the mur- csd,scharged, and the pitiful cries and shrieks of. hose that were murdering. Slain bodies cast out the d rt"" S?' "''™ ""^ ''""''' »"'' '''■''"'» through doors aL ,"=" "°'? "^ "'''^'""g^' breaking of .nil r ? "'"' •'"'^ ^"-^ ^"'■'-- The s^oit- ■ng and sackmg of houses r„„., ■ ' wavfhoc -i , 'f-'- t-arts, some carrying a- vay the spoils, and other, dead bodies, which were thi:h"::r^%T'*'"'"''''"^™<'-''> blood wh,ch ran out of the town, and from the kini;'s pal- MICROCOPY RESOLUTION TEST CHART (ANSI and ISO TEST CHART No. 2) 1.0 iJ 1.25 ■^IIIM 1^ m If m II 2.5 2.2 ZO 1.8 1.6 ^ APPLIED irs/MGE Inc 1653 East Main Street Rochester, New York 14609 (716) 482 - 0300 - Phone (716) 288 - 5989 - Fax USA «j.. ^^ I^ERSECUTIOK. ace. While this horrid scene was Iransactiiig. uia- ny priests ran about the city, with crucifixes m one hand, and daggers in the other, to encourage the slaughter."* To conclude this article, we are told, that within thirty years, there were murdered in France, 39 princes— 148 counts, 234 barons— 147,518 gentle- men—and 7^0,000 persons of inferior rank in life, but whose blood equally called for justice— 300,000 of these, were murdered, in a few years, by that fu^ rious Catholic, Charles IX. EJS-GLAJVD Has been the seat of much peri?ecution. In the reign of Henry VIII— Bilney, Bayman, and many other reformers were burned— but when Queen Ma« ry came to the throne, the most severe persecutions took place. Hooper and Rogers were burned in a slow fire. Saunders was cruelly tormented a lon^^ time at the stake before he expired. Taylor was put into a barrel of pitch, and fire set to it. Eight illus- trious persons, among whom was Ferrar, Bishop of St. David's, were sought out and burnt by the infa- mous Bonner in a few days — 67 persons were this ■" Trial of Antichrist— p. 134-5. i iransactiiiy. uia- I crucifixes in one > encourage the told, that within 1 in France, 39 -147,518 gentle- rior rank in life, justice — 300,000 :?ars, by that fu^ 89 5cution. In the man, and many- hen Queen Ma- ire persecutions jrc burned in a rmented a Ions Taylor was put it. Eight illus- rrar, Bishop of mt by the infa- ?ons were this TERSECUTIOI^. jear, A. D. loii, burnt, r.mongst vvhorn, were the fa- «.ous Pro ostants, Bradford, Ridky, Lati,,^, ,„d p,,,- pol. In the following year, 1556, 85 persons were burn . Women, also suffered, and one in the fla.no,, winch burst her womb ,bei„g near her time of deliv^ ory ; a elnia , ell from her into the nre and burn.-. 1 hus even the unborn child was burned for here,;' J .e Queen erected a Commission Court, which waj ollowed by the destruction of near eighty more.- ,WI '" !1 ''/'" ""'"''"*• °''"'°-'«' "h" suffered de th for the reformed religion in this reign, were no loss than 2.7 persons, of whom were 5 b;sho,«, 2. clergymen, 8 sentlen.en, 84 tradesmen, 100 husband- men abourers and servants, 55 womenand 4 children. Besides these, there were 54 more „,x!er prosecution, / 01 whom were whipped and 10 perished in prison. Nor was the reign of Elizabeth free from ibi. per- secutmg sp„.,t. If any „ne refosed to consent to .1. least ceremony in worship, ho wa. east i„to prison wi.ere many of the most excellent men in the 1.",' pcnshed. Tv,.o Protestant Anabaptists ::r ' nm and many bamshed. She also, it Is said, put two Browmsts to death-and though her whole L was distinguished for its Hiticarprospe-"' ^ ': evKlent she d.d not understand the rights of on scenee; for ,t ,s said, that more sanguinary Zs were made m her reign than in any of her predeces- sors and her hands were stained with the' lood " Ooth l^aptrsts and Vm^im^^. :#*^^ 9a I'ERSECUTION. ■f r 111! James 1. succeeded Elizabeth: he published a strctly, and without any exception, to all ,1^ rite, st 7ZT "' *'' '''"^<=" "' ="g'-''- Above 5«) of the clergy were immediately silenced, or de- cated, and some distressed, censured, and fined in the Star chamber. Two persons were bunu for here! Worn out w.th endless vexations, and unceasing per- t ASrTt^'f '"'" """^"'' -'^ '">- 'here hatr th i " ""T"-^ ^^ ^ J"'^''^'''"^ historian, '"at m tljis and some following reigns 22 nnn sons were banished from England if P""" America In Ch u **^'"""^' V persecution, to sertr'u ° r '\^"^''' ""^ -■'"=« 'he per. hietrch; w « f "' '^"^ ^"""S '^ ''o* ^g-n^t ^;npH::nt:i^^^^^^^^^^^^ : isKb" '"^ "'^/o- ofT rct^^: one side of his nose slit ; branded on the ch« t , -.J a red hot imn «,;ook against s, perpetual •St whipped, Jars cut off; cheek with Bcond time, afterwards, her ear cut ther cheek Long Par- ''ears after, ^ he wrote s deprived d from liis PERSECUTION. tl degree at Oxford set in the pillory, had his cars cut off, imprisoned for lire, and fined five thousand pounds. Nor were the Presbyterians, when their government came to be established in England, free from the charge of persecution. In 1645, an ordi^ nance wa. published, subjecting all who preached or wrote agamst the Presbyterian Directory for public worship, to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds ; and im- pnsonment for a year, for the third offence, in using vate famF/'* ^""^ "^ '''"^'" P'^^^^' ^^^" '^ ^ P^^ In the following year the Presbyterians applied to Parhament, pressing them to enforce umformitu m re.gio„, and to extirpate popery, prelacy, heresv! schism, &c. but their petition was rejected. In Charles the Second's reign, the act of uniformity p^..3ed, by whicl. two thousand clergymen were de- prived of tneir benefices. Then followed the con- venticle act, and the Oxford act, under which, it is said, eight thousand persons were imprisoned and reduced to want, and many to the grave. In this reign also the Quakers were much persecuted, and .and h" ?^^h-7P-oned. Thus we see how Eng- land has bled under bigotry and persecution ; nor was toleration enjoyed, until William III. came to he throne, who shewed himself a warm friend to the rights of conscience. The ascension of the present Royal Family, was auspicious to religious liberty; and as their Majes- I wmm (K5 ties have ah.ays beCri.,,„led tUo ...lera,,.,,. .l.c .„,,;. of persocitiou Jms been long curbul. ' ^ l^-. i' ■n f|a. likewise been dre„ched wilb the blood of ,Ik- Pro(esta„ts_1o or 30,000 of whom were cr, c murdered in a few d-ivs ,„ ,i n- > k'ligclom, ,n the reigi, of Charles I r. V 23d of October Ifili H ^'■'" "" ">'' u o. ycioDei, 1611. Having secured the nrlnri pal gentlemen and seized their effects LT ^ T cd the common people in cold bloo, fo,? """ " thousands to 11, fro'm their hou'r^Uet L^^ naked mto the b<^. and woods, where thlpj-'h' ed wit'. hunger and cold. Some thev Tw ^ death, others they stript nakeT 7 e tTd t shan,e, and then drove them like hoi of':! t: f-sb m the mountains: man, hundreds ere drowiK.d m nvers : .some had their throats cut, oth" -s were d.smcn.bered. With some the exec a lo V nns made themselves sport, tr,ing who cou hack the deepest mto an Englishman's flesh , wives andjoung v,r-.ms abused in the presence of their nearest relations ■ nny, they taught their children 'o str,p and k,ll the children of tlie EnMish and dash out their brains against the s^onel T lu -nany thousands were massacreed in a (e^y day/ without ..stmcion of age, sex or ^uaIity, before thev fERSECl/TIOJT. 'dttou, the Spirit d3 lie blood of the were crue!l_y } irts of thf; t hcgan on the ed the princi- they murder- forcing many d sottIemen(s, ' they perish- y whipped to exposed to •Is of swine to idreds were oats cut, oth- lie execrable ; who could flesh ; wives nee of their leir children Gnghsh, and >nes. Tiius (qw days, before they (irovide for SCOTLAND, SPMJY, «,,. Besides the before mentioned perser„hV.n .u have been several others carried oln' of the world. Scotland, for rl„" " """""' P'''^ faas been the scene of cruelty a^d hi ^n'r"""-' was delivered by .he m» rch at H ',"" '"' Spain. Italy, the valley of pTdmon t/'T'""""- CCS, have been the seats of leh p";;"'/""?''- chievous work - it h^^ tr. . "'^ "^^s- of millions of Jews Mlr;r' '"' '"' "'« "-« When the Moors on^LrTd gpai "' ^r'"'''"'' century, they allowedTheChrS ' V" '" "^'"'^ tise of their religion ; but in tl' rr. ■ ^""■' when the MoorsLe'over 1 If^t "f"^^' dued the Moriscoes, the de,r ^ ^""^""""^ '"^ Moors, -„y tho^slnis^trf:'-?^'^ ''"'^ or burnt, massacreed, or banl ed a^d ^ ^'r' dren sold for slaves - h '^ ■ *^^^^ ^^i - =h.red the safrc^^f ^^-^-^'''e ■'-vs .ho "Vernal courts of Inqui 2n 'f '^ "T" ^'^ "^^ , possible, was made amon°\ °'"' '"''"»'"'''•' i^ America, whoretftr millt "'"^ '"' 'P^"'^'' b-nsacnfieedtothe"™ ' "p '''" ^^"''^ '" '-« ' 'r years. It has b«.f P*''.''' '" '»''<«>' for- |of Protestants Wer^.rP"';'^ "'^' «% m.llions '-of the perserul'!nh £,• ^"."'^ '- h-i' for their reli,,o„sopiniot.XThrir ■5 ■I 94 PERSECUTION. might the inspired penman say, that at mystic Baby- lon's destruction was found in Iier the blood of pro- phets, of saints, and all that was slain upon the earth. Rev. XVIII, 24. To conclude this article, who can peruse the ac- count here given, without feeling the most painful emotions, and droping a tear over the madness and depravity of mankind ? Does it not shew us what human beings are capable of, when influenced by su- perstition, bigotry and prejudice ? Have not these baneful principles metamorphosed men into infernals, and entirely extinguished all the feelings of humani- ty, the dictates of conscience, and the voice of rea- son ? Alas, what has sin done to make mankind such curses to oi|e another ! Merciful God, by thy o-reat power suppress this worst of all evils, and let truth and love, meekness and forbearance universally prevail ! PJLSE CHRISTS. According to the prediction of our blessed Saviour, Matt. XXIV. 14, we find that many false Christs have arisen at different times; an account of wliom will, no doubt, be new and gratifying to many of my readers. 1. Caziba was the first of any note who made a noise in the world. Being dissatisfied with the state of things under Adrian, he sat himself up at the head of the Jewish nation, and proclaimed himself their FALSE CIIRlsl's. ~, Jo»s cx|)nc(r,l Messiah. He wi, „„. ,• .l ditti who infested Judcn and r f "'" ''^"- violence against the R ''""'""'«'' »" k'"-'-ba was killed in succeeded. Thf;:;f"' 7' -'-'Jful I..V0C ing this short w r atlL. rt" '"""' "'=>' ''"'- this false Messiah, they wL "''."'', '" ''='"--'- "'• ^and souls. Thi= was in t r " '" ^'""'^''"^ "'°«- cond century. ' '^'™"'- 1«'' oC the se- f'-ore,e„si.\,j;t2:t-':-^^ ses, sent to deliver thn T« . ^^ ^^°" and promised to divide Jr:' I^ ""t '^ ^-^. passage through it Th , ?' ^"'' """» " «afe -i.-.i:thV;;,Jt',:-;;;/;;:'t'r''-« 96 FALSE CHRIST9. HI 1/ them as they could conveniently carry; and on the day appointed, this false Moses, hav^ing led them to the top of a rock, men, women and children, cast themselves headlong down into the sea, without the least hesitation or reluctance ; till so great a number of them were drowned, as opened the eyes of the rest, and made them sensible of the cheat. Thev then began to look out for their pretended leader, but he disappeared, and escaped out of their hands. ' 3. In the reign of Justin, about 520, another im- postor appeared, who called himself the son of Mo- ses. His name wa , Dunaan. He entered into a ci- ty of Arabia Felix, and there he greatly oppressd the christians ; but he was taken prisoner, and put to death by Elesban, an Ethiopian general. 4. In the year 529, the Jews and Samaritans re- belled against the emperor Justinian, and set up one Julian for their king, and accounted him the Messiah. The emperor sent an army against them killed great numbers of them — took their pretended Mes- siah prisoner and immediately put him to death. 5. In the year 571 was born Mahomed, in Ara- bia. At first, he professed himself to be the Mes- siah, who was promised to the Jews. By this means he drew many of that unhappy people after him. In some sense, he may be considered in the number of false Messiahs. 6. About the year 721, in the time of Leo Isarus, arose another false Messiah in Spain : his name was Serneus. He drew great numbers after him, t© PALSE tfllUlSTS. y, and on the ng led them to children, cast Ba, without the [reat a number le eyes of the cheat. Thejr tended leader, ' their hands. iO, another im- he son of Mo- Bred into a ci- Y oppressd the Br, and put to J. Samaritans re- nd set up one 1 the Messiah, them— killed c tended Mes- to death. 5med, in Ara- ) be the Mes- ^y this means after him. In lie number of ►f Leo Isarus, bis name was ,ftev him, to 97 their no small loss and disappointment, but aJl his pre- tensions came to ncthing. 7. The 12th century was fruitful in false Messiahs; ^r, about the year 1137, there appeared one lu France, who was put to death, and many of those who followed him. 8. In the year 1 138, the Persians were troubled with a Jew, who called himself the Messiah. Ho collected together a vast army—but he too, was put to death, and his followers treated with great inhu- m.'ijiity. 9. In the year 1157, a false Messiah stirred up the Jews at Corduba, in Spain. The wiser and bet- ter sort looked upon him ns a madman, but the great body of the Jews, in that nation believed in him.'' On this occasion almost all the Jews in Spain were de> stroyed. 10. In the year 1 167, another false Messiah rose in the kingdom of Fez, which brought great trouble.^, upon the Jews, that were scattered through that country. 11. In the same year, an Arabian set up thera ^r the Messiah, and pretended to ^vork miracles.- VV hen search was made for hnn, his followers A.-d, and he was brought before the Arabian king. Being questioned by him, he replied, that he was a prophet sent from God. The king then asked him, what sign he could shew, to confirm his mission. Cut my head off, said he, and 1 will return to life again. The king took him at hi. word, promisinir to hA'^eyo h>m H ¥•■*■ If* FALSE CHKISIS. ifl.i^l..ed,Vtioii came to ,m,,. Tl.o p,.o,- wrelcli nalioii put under a very heavy f,,,,.. 12. Not |„„g „ft„. ,|,i, „ j^„.^ ,^ ,,^^ ^,^^,^ 1^ 1^ fa"e nun? '"'«'' I'™"" "" ^"'^'^''^ -<' J'-' ecu ,0 „r ■? '•''."■°"' =""' ''^' -^"' '" "- ZZ. T ,.,gl,,. He, like the rest, perisl.cd iu mlt itl pi-^""',"''*' " '""«'"^" ""-^ '■=''- Chris, ajose in Persia, «l.o was called David Aln.usser He pretended he could make himself invisib Tut he was soon taken and pu, to death, and a h avy fine laid upon his brethren, the Jews. ^ 14. In (he year 1 1 77 another of these impostors arose III Moravia, but his pretensions were defe ed and ho hirnself put to death. ' 15. In the year 1 199, a famous cheat and rebel rv erted himself inPersia,called David el David. He J," a man of, „„,„g and a great magieian, and p end en,des and .Solomon ; b„, they poor wretch, innJ (lioclicat kho hud hccii slicd, ami ilio (Iwf'lt hcvoiid li, and drew a sign of it, :urcd in tht t, perished in cutiori oi> hi^ i false Christ itl Almusser. invisible, but ind a heavy sc impostors re defeated, nd rebel ex- n*d. He was nd pretend- ■my against and, having 1 again and It re butch- irist in this n;but they FALSE CHRISTS. 99 took no notice either of hi. r.ame, country, or good or ill success. Here we nnay observe, that no Ics^ than ten false Christs arose in the 12th century, and brought prodigious calamities and destruction upon the Jews m various parts of the world. 17. In the year 1407 wj find another false Chnst whose name was Ishmael Solphus, who delud- ed the Jews in Spain. He also perished and as many as behoved in him were dispersed. 18. In the year 1500, Rabbi Lemlcm, a German Jew of Austria, declared himself a forerunner of tho MesH.ah. He pulled down his own oven and prom- ised his brethren that thoy should bake their brcid in the Holy land next year. 19. In the year 1509, one whose name was Plcf- ferkorn, a Jew of Cologn, pretended to be the Messi- ah; he afterwards affected, however, to turn Christian. 20. In the year 1534, Rabbi Salorao Malcho. giving out that he was the iMessiah, was burnt to death by Charles the 5th, of Spain. 21. In tho year 1615 a false Christ arose in the East Indies and was greatly followed by the Portu- guese Jews who were scattered over that country. 22. In the year 1624, another in the low coun- tries pretended to be the Messiah, of the family of David and of the line of Nathan. He promised to destroy Rome and overthrow the kingdom of Anti- christ and the Turkish empire. 23. In the year 1666 appeared the false Messi- ah, Zabathai Izevi, who made so great a noise and 100 N V V V ■N r.ALSE CHRrSTS. (/ ^ f;ai'nccl such a number oi' proselvfoq If.. ? ^ A cpp„ „a „„po„.d on the Jcvs f„,. a considera- h 7 '' '"Tu'r"'"''^ -"' =' view of saving ,,i. 24 The last false Christ that had made any con erabe number of conve.. ,vas one Rabbi mX .a. a J „ of Germany. He appeared in ,he .-ear 1632. It was not long before he was found out fo liui seem to be recorded. This mnv >.« oiessGd bavjour as can well be given. ^OMPASSIOJ^ATE R-:adER deserted people. ""TwlT/'oTr ''^'' '" "'^ P""" ^^^^^^^^ -d are left to believe any th.n/ Jt^u; Tl" '""'""• '^^^•^ Heved .every i.po.stor .• Y^t when tlf 'nr/otTr^ ''^ '" his own, his own received him not •" «h. f f '"''^^ '^""'^ ^"^ and in thei, ^^yna,o,..es"--heh:i./:H tilt 7 'r *'^" '^'•^^^^' them-he went about doing- .ood hi ^^ '^''^^'^'^ ^'"^"g- for thein, "Father forgive di^m 'r;"^, ^^ °'''. '''"'" "'^' ^"'^ P^^^ed «ify hi„,_cr«cify hi,Lbi ;"od d? '' "T "^"^^ "'^^ '^""-"u- This people we'e on.e the tori Ls J Z '"' "^ °"^. ^'"'^^^"•" for more than seventeen hundred tar I'"'. ''^'^ '^^"°°" ^^^'^ C.d, because of their unbelief anf "f !"" *'^^ ^^^^^T judgments of The number of .ew. throu houTth"^^ ^if ^^^ ^^^^^ °^ ^'«^- Ifnrtecn ,nillioas. How dreadful tl n 1 ' ^ '"''"^' ««t'n»ated at. without Christ, and dyil " ' '' ''°"^''^' *^** ««« ««"! ^^ living that..7Wa;e i'/tf " L: t^^f; ; ^"* ^^ dreadful! them, O ! m-ny (o Pod f , . ^''" *=^" '^° "'^ «iore to heln 'i-- i" KllCa d/r ' ""7^^ °" "" ^^"-^^ «^ ''^nevolent Chris- rising funds c\;;::,:ri?: "'^r^' --^ ^^^'^-^'-^ -^^^^^^^ - <^o^J. once more in th.ir eal "^ ' ^^'^'^ °' '"^ ^f''*^^ -^• y^^^. ^^, /. y^^^f^^ ^/a^^4y^^ trii.