which most calvinistic writers have given*, This concession is sufficient, and precludes all further observation upon the subject.

Now, Sir, as this gentleman has been pleased to state that doctrine as Calvinism, which the majority of Calvinists do not approve, I will proceed to exhibit that Calvinism which Calvinists. do approve, and the belief of which is regarded by most of them as essential to salvation. And in order to this I shall not, like my learned correspondent, have recourse to the writings of the Greek or the Roman classics; nor shall I enquire whether the great philosophers and moralists of antiquity, had they been now living, would or would not have been the disciples of John Calvint. I shall not even make my principal appeal to the Institutes of the celebrated reformer himself, nor yet to the still more authentic documents of the venerable

Synod of Dort. For the sake of brevity, I shall

* Letters to Mr. B. p. 22. Note.

+ See Letters, p. 33, 34. Whether these great men would, as my Correspondent imagines, have been charmed with the Calvinistic system, I cannot pretend to say; that they would have been astonished at it, I most certainly believe.

This famous Synod was assembled A. D. 1619, for the

shall bring my proofs from that well-known, and highly approved symbol of the calvinistic faith, the Assembly's Catechism, which, as a summary of doctrine, is a model of simplicity, perspicuity, and precision; and which used formerly, and I presume still continues, to be taught with great assiduity, to children and young persons in the calvinistic churches. To this might also be added, if necessary, the Hymns and Spiritual Songs of Dr. Watts, the crude and injudicious compositions of his juvenile years, the publication of which, it is well known, was the subject of deep regret in maturer life, but which are to this day used in the public devotions of many calvinistic churches, and admired as the standard of sound doctrine and of a devotional spirit: and which in fact have done more to fix the taint of Calvinism in young and impressible minds, than all the controversial treatises that ever were written. I believe that the gentleman who has done me the favour to animadvert upon my Sermon, will not object to the authorities to which I appeal. If he does, I will tell him plainly, that what I mean by

express purpose of deciding the celebrated quinquarticular controversy between the Calvinists and the Arminians, which at that time raged in Holland. It was attended by deputies from most of the reformed churches.

Calvinism

Calvinism is not a system of abstruse subtleties, which may be maintained by a few speculative men, and which most Calvinists never heard of, but that code of doctrine which thousands and tens of thousands collect from the catechisms which they learn, and from the hymns which they sing, and which they naturally suppose to be the sincere opinions of those who instruct them in these symbols, and who guide them in their devotions.

The Assembly's Catechism teaches, in answer to the seventh question, that, "the decrees of "God are his eternal purpose according to the "counsel of his will, whereby for his own glory "he hath fore-ordained whatsoever comes to "pass."

From this it evidently follows, that the fall of man is one of those events which was or dained for the glory of God.

We are further taught, in reply to the sixteenth question, "that the covenant being "made with Adam, not only for himself, but "for his posterity; ALL mankind, descending "from him by ordinary generation, sinned in "him, and fell with him in his first transgres"sion." Thus, for the glory of God all mankind

were predestinated to sin in Adam, and to fall with him.

This celebrated symbol of the true calvinistic faith proceeds to teach us, in answer to the two succeeding questions, "that the fall "brought mankind into an estate of sin and

misery:" also, that "the sinfulness of that "estate, whereunto man fell, consists in the "guilt of Adam's first sin, the want of original righteousness, and the corruption of the whole nature, which is commonly called original sin, "together with all actual transgressions which "flow from it." Hence it follows, that God, for his own glory, has fore-ordained that all mankind shall be guilty of Adam's first sin, together with all actual transgressions that flow from it,

Now comes the bonne bouche. The question next proposed is, "What is the misery of that

estate, whereinto man fell?" And the answer to it is in these memorable words: "ALL man"kind by the fall lost communion with God, 66 are under HIS WRATH AND CURSE, and so "made liable to all the miseries of this life, "to death itself, and to the PAINS OF "HELL FOR EVER."

That is, God having from all eternity fore

ordained

ordained for his own glory that all mankind shall be guilty of Adam's first sin, for his own glory he hath further fore-ordained, that by this fall they shall lie under his WRATH and CURSE, and be made liable to the pains of hell for EVER!!!

To add to the horror of the picture, and to accumulate insult upon injury, it is further. asked in the twentieth question, "Did God “leave all mankind to perish in the estate of sin "and misery?" To which the answer subjoined is, that "God out of mere good pleasure, from all "eternity, elected SOME to everlasting life."

What then is God? It is truly replied, in one of the most concise and comprehensive definitions which was ever given, in answer to the fourth question of this Catechism: "God “is a spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable "in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, "goodness, and truth,"

But what is the God of Calvinism? A gloomy arbitrary tyrant, a malignant omnipotent demon.

Therefore the God of Calvinism is not the TRUE GOD, is not the God of Christians, is

not