enables them to trace to obsolete systems of heathen philosophy the introduction of the received doctrine into the Church, in which, once received, it has been sustained on grounds independent of its merits. Modern Socinians claim the appellation of Unitarians, as more descriptive of their tenets, since they do not acknowledge all the doctrines of Socinus. But neither do any other denomination of professing Christians hold all the doctrines of their respective founders: it is sufficient for the purpose of just discrimination, if they hold the leading or peculiar sentiments of the party, in order to warrant their being called by his name.

ARMINIANISM

Is, strictly speaking, that system of religious doctrine which was taught by Arminius, professor of divinity in the university of Leyden (1603). The Arminians of the present day differ widely on doctrinal points from their nominal founder, although there are some points which are strictly followed by all his adherents. They believe that God has an equal regard for all his creatures; that he sent his Son to die,

for the sins, not of the elect only, but of the whole world;—that saving grace is offered to all; -that no mortal is rendered everlastingly unhappy by any invincible decree, but that the misery and damnation of those who perish emanates from themselves;-and that, in this present state, even believers, if not vigilant and watchful, may, through the force of temptation, and the influence of Satan, fall from grace, and sink into eternal perdition. Christ's sermon on the mount, and his prayer over Jerusalem, contain sentiments which strengthen them in their opinions, "That God has not fixed the future state of mankind by an absolute unconditional decree, but would bestow salvation on those who accepted his gospel, and would persevere unto the end in their faith in Jesus Christ."

CALVINISM,

The name given to that system of religious faith which agrees in the main with that which emanated from the great reformer, Calvin.

"Predestination," says Calvin, "is that eternal decree which adopts some to the hope of life, and

adjudges others to eternal death. For all are not created with a similar destiny; but eternal life is foreordained for some, and eternal damnation for others." Hence, then, the belief entertained by Calvinists, that every man is created for one or other of these ends, being predestinated to eternal life, or doomed to everlasting death.

BAXTERIANISM,

Is so called from being the system which the learned and pious Baxter taught (in 1638):—

"That God has elected some, whom he is determined to save, but rejects the doctrine of reprobation as absurd and impious; he strikes into a middle path between Calvinism and Arminianism, and thus endeavours to unite both schemes; he joins with the Arminian in asserting a full and free salvation for all men,admits that Christ in a certain sense died for all, and supposes that such a portion of grace is allotted to every man, as renders it his own fault if he doth not attain to eternal life." "He owns, with Calvin, that the merits of Christ's death are to be applied to believers

only; but, with Arminius, he also asserts that all men are in a state capable of salvation."

The reader is now left to his own reflections on this subject; it is, perhaps, the most important, as well as interesting one that can engage the human mind. Such suggestions as the following will readily recur to his imagination :-"The Supreme Ruler of the universe has placed intelligent creatures on this globe, elevated them in the scale of moral being, and implanted in them hopes beyond the grave.”

"Has he simply created them as mere machines; determined to punish, or bless eternally?"

"Or is there a certain free agency, or chance of acceptation, choice, responsibility?"

"Are we strangers to all moral liberty, or are we so far free, as to have it in our power to abuse the greatest good, to accept or reject the greatest boon ?"

The poet says, in reference to this subject,—

"What were that revelation that should leave
No exercise for faith? All m en must work,
With fear and trembling, their salvation out.
If man will sin, he must;
Nor do we call them good who cannot err,
Else brutes would claim a virtue."

THE

HABITATIONS OF MAN.

HE erection of huts, or dwellings, is the most ancient of all arts. Clothing has been, and is, dispensed with by many nations; but there are not known any people existing on the globe that do not form dwellings indeed, beasts, birds, and insects, have their peculiar mode of architecture, which is impelled by an instinct as certain and unchangeable as the mighty operations of nature.

It is man that exercises his intelligence and ingenuity in the varied forms of his habitations, in their commodiousness, durability and principle of improvement.

H