doubt, when it is a fact, that the number does no more than condemn a sentiment which Calvin condemns, or, at any rate, does not justify-I mean the imputation of the guilt of Adam's sin to his posterity, independently of their own conduct and character. Neither Calvin, Luther, nor Me lancthon, believed in that doctrine. People of New-York, I desire you to take notice, that these high-toned Calvinists were so enraged at Calvin's own sentiments, that the editor of the Courier was induced not to proceed. For your satisfaction I give you the words of Calvin. He sums up his opinion of original sin in few words: "Vedetur, ergo, peccatum originale hæreditare naturæ nostræ pravitas et corruptio, in omnes animæ partes diffusa." Wherefore, original sin seems to be the hereditary depravity and corruption of our nature diffused into all parts of the soul. 66 Neque," subjoins Calvin, "ista est alieni delicti obligatio. Non ita est accipiendum, ac si, insontes ipsi et immerentes, culpam delicti ejus sustineremus." Neither is that an obligation or accountableness for another's fault. It is not to be understood as though we, ourselves innocent, should sustain the blame of his (Adam's) transgression. I am aware that most people have not leisure to examine authors. Those, however, that will take that trouble, will perceive that the views of Original Sin, Depravity, and Atonement, advocated in these numbers, are not peculiar to New England, but, on the contrary, have been known and maintained in the church, by many of the ablest divines, since the Reformation, and by a majority in the American churches. But, fellow citizens, it is not so much with their senti ments that I am disposed to contend, although they are sufficiently incorrect and erroneous; it is with their horribly intolerant, bigoted, and persecuting spirit; against which every man should lift his voice, and proclaim his indignation. The holy fathers and friars of the inquisitorial commission were never more vindictive or implacable. It comes in thunders and anathemas from their desks: in cants, whispers, and inuendoes among the throng: it comes larded with much holy grimace, and many sanctimonious sighs, for the credulous and pious; with much logical jargon and biblical criticism for smatterers; with spleen and gall enough, when the company has sufficient pride and malice to bear it; and with firebands for all the young foxes they can catch. When they have exhausted their topics of argument, and that they can soon do, without a miracle, they resort to sarcasm and ridicule, and here their talents are wonderful: Hercules often comes in "head and shoulders." These gentlemen surely forget the age and country in which they live, by three hundred years. They ought to feel comfortable whilst others think for themselves. And one object of these numbers is to remind them, that they live in the year 1816. A man in this city does not expect to share the fate of Servetus, though he should differ from Calvin: I will not say what a man ought to expect when he is so fortunate as not to differ with Calvin. 1* TABLE OF CONTENTS. FIRST SERIES. Page. Some consequences that may be expected to flow from the inculcation of this scheme of doctrine, Remarks on several of the arguments, or rather means made use of to maintain and propagate this scheme, The doctrine of Original Sin, as viewed by the Investigator, No. VIII. The doctrine of the Atonement, as viewed by the Investiga- No. IX. Remarks on "God's being the Author of Sin," on a sin- The REFORMATION of the Church. The reformation of Luther and his coadjutors deficient in three important respects-some remarks on the progress of Reformation, Documents for what is falsely called New Divinity, or "Hopkinsianism;" or a general view of the character The question, "Ought a Christian to be willing to be dam- “A Contrast" of Antinomian and Hopkinsian Calvinism No. IV. An appeal to Christians, grounded upon fact, respecting the tendency of what is usually called the "New-Eng Metaphysics ;--nature and object, as a science--connex- ion with, and dependence upon, the principles and doc- trines of revealed truth--false tenets in religion the result of false metaphysics--the irrational and miserable slang No. VI. Remarks on the Pastoral letter of the synod of Philadel- On the many advantages of the city of New York, com- mercial, political, civil, religious, and local, for intellectu- al and moral improvement-together with incentives to activity, and perseverance in cultivating these advanta- The importance of encouraging a spirit of Free inquiry, in order to the acquisition of religious knowledge--the ad- vance that has been made in this respect, chiefly in this country, upon the Reformation of the sixteenth century-- some of the methods used to discourage and check a spi- An examination of several passages in Dr. J. B. Romeyn's Sermons, tending to prove the assertion, that instructions A Letter, addressed to two distinguished members of A few remarks on the proceedings of the Young Men's |