Page:A Compendium of the Chief Doctrines of the True Christian Religion.djvu/151

Rh doctrines concerning the worship of the Lord, and concerning predestination, as was done formerly in a book entitled, Formula Concordiæ, which is received as the standard of faith and orthodoxy by the Calvinists, who form a great proportion of the Reformed or Protestant churches. Or were such an attempt to be now made, it is highly probable, that it would be resented with indignation by the good sense of mankind as an insult and outrage upon the understanding and best feelings of the human heart. Concerning the worship of the Lord, it is therein stated, "That it is a damnable idolatry, if the trust and faith of the heart be placed on Christ, not only according to his Divine, but also according to his Human Nature, and if the honour of adoration be directed to both." And on the subject of predestination, it is asserted, That Christ did not die for all men, but only for the elect. That God hath created the greatest part of mankind for eternal damnation, and is unwilling that they should be converted and live. That the elect and regenerate cannot lose faith and the Holy Spirit, although they commit every kind of the most enormous sin and wickedness. But that they, who are not elect, are necessarily damned, and cannot possibly attain salvation, even though they should be a thousand times baptized, and should come every day to the holy supper, and should besides lead as holy and unblamable lives as it is possible to do." This extract is taken from p. 837, 838, of the above-mentioned Formula Concordiæ, published at Leipsick in the year 1756.

We have already observed, that a great change has taken place in the minds of Christians since the commencement of the New Church in the year 1757; not a change as to creeds and written doctrines, but a change in the state of spiritual liberty, by virtue of