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it appears that wealth and power are dangerous acquisitions, when employed to regulate religion, and to direct the conscience. It has seldom been attended with happy consequences, except when guided by a power superior to man. Thus they introduced a number of things, which, by the reformers, were thought to be so inconsistent with the pure doctrines of the Christian religion, that Martin Luther, an Augustine friar, began to oppose the authority of the Roman pontiff; and his numerous followers were called after him.

LUTHERANS.

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

In order to prove that these things were neither consistent with the original profession of the Christian church, nor with the scriptures, Martin Luther, an Augustine Friar, declared war against the doctrines and practice of the church of Rome. He opposed the use of images-the invocation of saintsexcommunication-the monastical life- canonical

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obedience-distinction of meats-communion under one kind. He taught, that man is not a free-agent, that he is justified by faith alone-and that though the faithful may sin, it is not imputed to them. He denied the supremacy and infallibility of the Pope; -asserted, that bulls and indulgences were not consistent with Scripture-he denied the merit of works-Transubstantiation-The mass-Auricular

confession-Absolution-Purgatory-Orders-and Extreme Unction-being five out of seven of their sacraments. Hence began what is called the reformation from the errors of the church of Rome. Many of the higher orders, as well as the generality of the people in several nations, became Lutherans. But it appears that some of Luther's converts did not think him infallible. A new sect sprung up out of the opinions held forth by him, called

MORAVIANS.

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

They originally observed many of the outward

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

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

They believe in justification by faith alone, through

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

In their deliberations, which are conducted by synods after the custom of the first Christian churches, if any thing of very considerable importance be brought forward, the result of which is doubtful, they have recourse to the ancient custom of deciding it by lot, which they think is consistent with the scripture, Jonah i. 7. " And they said every one to his fellow, come let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil is upon us; so they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Jonah." Acts i. 26. "the lot fell on Matthias." But whether this method

be the same as was resorted to by the ancient

Hebrews, or by the

apostles, is not for me to

determine in this work.

I believe the Moravians are

the only sect of Christians who attend to any thing of this nature.

They think themselves peculiarly called to carry the gospel to the Heathen; and in this labor they have succeeded to admiration in almost every part of the world.

ANTITRINITARIANS.

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

THE ANTINOMIANS

Are so called from άvrì, against, and vóμos, the law, because they reject the law. They are also by some called Solifidians, from solus 'alone,' and fides 'faith; and affirm that nothing is required but faith, which is held forth in the gospel: That neither good works, nor evil works, can forward, or prevent eternal happiness; as those who have faith cannot sin, let them do what they will. They took their rise from Agricola at the beginning of the sixteenth

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