to be a law of the land. All these measures reduced the nation to some
degree of quietude ; but they by no means purged it of enemies to the pon
tiff. Every part of France abounds with Appellants, as they are called,
who are only waiting for a convenient opportunity for renewing the old
controversy, which has never been properly settled.
12. Amid these calamities, the Jansenists had but two resources, by
which to defend themselves and their cause against so many powerful en-
emies, namely, the press and miracles. Accordingly, they attacked the
pontiff and the Jesuits in numberless publications, many of which being;
written with copiousness, elegance, and solidity, have produced great effect ;
and as human aids proved insufficient, they called in the help of divine aid.
For they persuaded the people, that God had honoured the bones and ash-
es of certain persons, who had been distinguished for their zeal in the
cause of Jansenius, and who had appealed anew in their last moments to
a future council, by imparting to them the power of healing the most in-
veterate diseases. Among those who were said to have received this glo
ry, the most distinguished was Francis de Paris, a deacon of the church
of Paris, a man of noble birth but of a gloomy temperament, and exceao
sively superstitious, and one who had voluntarily brought on his own death,
by abstinence from food and other self tortures. To miracles, were super,
added divine visions. For many persons especially at Paris, pretended to
be actuated by the Holy Spirit, and uttered prophecies, often of the most
insipid character, by which however the multitude as is usual, were great
ly affected. But the prudence of the French court put an end to these
commotions also : so that as things now are, the Jansenists have no other
means of defence, but their genius and their pens.
13. Of the Greek and Oriental church, very little can be said. For
their ignorance and the severe oppression under which they live, prevent
their attempting any revolution or change of condition. The Russians ao
already stated, under the guidance of the emperor Peter the Great, adopt,
ed better regulations for their church. Yet there still remain vast num.
bers in that immense empire, who would be better pleased with the rude
system of their ancestors : and there are some, who if they were able,
would exterminate the Protestants and the followers of other religions, with
fire and sword. This is manifest, especially, from a work of Stephen Ja-
vorski against the heretics. The Greeks are said to meet with more in
dulgence from their Mohammedan masters. The Nestorians and Mo-
nophysites in Asia and Africa, perseveringly refuse communion with the
Romish see, notwithstanding all the promises and arguments of the papal
missionaries. The pontiffs have several times contemplated a new mis
sion to the Abyssinians ; but have not yet been able to discover a way to
elude the vigilance of that nation, so hostile to the Romish religion. Nor
is there even a tolerable prospect, that the embassy now preparing at
Rome to the emperor of Abyssinia, will meet with success. The Monoph-
yaites in Asia extend the limits of their church, as they have opportuni.
ty ; and not long since, they gained over a part of the Nestorians inhabit,
ing the maritime coasts of India.
14. The Lutheran church celebrated, in peace and tranquillity, the
488 BRIEF SKETCH OF THE
secular festival of its religion in 1717, and that of the Augsburg Confes
sion in 1730. It received no small accession a few years since, by means
of that multitude which abandoned the territories of Saltzburg and Berch-
tolsgaddcn, in order to profess the pure religion without fear, and emigra.
ted, some to Prussia, others to Holland, and others to America and othei
countries. The Lutheran church has likewise been increased, in conse
quence of its extension to. America and Asia; nor are the Lutheran con.
gregations small in those distant regions. In Germany, on the other hand
as appears from the public documents and from numerous complaints, it
has in various places been much oppressed by the adherents to the Roman
pontiff, and been very unjustly deprived of a part of its privileges.
15. No change could take place in the doctrines and regulations of the
Lutheran church ; because the ancient confessions and canons by which
the public faith and discipline were ascertained, remained as formerly.
But the method of teaching and inculcating these doctrines, was not uni
formly the same. At the commencement of the century, it seemed very
generally to be the aim, to restore every part of Christianity to its ancient
simplicity ; and to exclude all philosophical terms and reasonings. But
in process of time many fell into the opinion, that Christianity could by
no means maintain its ground, unless it was supported by the aids of phi-
losophy, and was demonstrated mathematically. The jurists, who in the
preceding century undertook to reform the system of ecclesiastical law
have prosecuted the object so vigorously in the present centuiy, that we
should have had a very different ecclesiastical constitution, if the sover
eigns had deemed it for the public good to yield to their counsels and ad
monitions. Still we may discover here and there visible traces of the prin
ciples, which men of great learning are wont to advance, not only respect
ing the appendages and externals of religion, but also respecting religion
itself. Hence it is not strange, that there should be warm disputes be
tween them and the clergy, on various points. And not only theologians,
but very excellent men among the jurists themselves, have fears lest reli
gion should at length be converted into a mere political engine for the se
curity of civil government, if the opinions of some of these men should
acquire authority.
16. The immense licentiousness of thinking, and of spreading among
the common people even the vilest and most senseless opinions, which be
gan to prevail in the preceding century, has increased and become more
confirmed every where among us, in the present century. Hence there
have arisen, and still arise at the present time, so many persons, some of
them full of fanatical folly, some delirious and beside themselves, and some
the fabricators of new religions, who freely divulge all their dreams, and
every where produce departures from the established rules of faith and
practice, and excite discords and contentions. Besides those already na
med, the following are notorious : John Tennhart, John Geo. GichteJ, John
William Ueberfeld, John Geo. Roseribach, Geo. Christoph. Brendel, John
Christoph. Srizen, Anthony RcemeMng, and many others ; who either boast
of boing guided by a divine impulse, or offer to the credulous multitude in
different ways and with different success, their fancied modifications and
improvements of the church. These men have been opposed by our the.
ologians in numerous publications : but many of them were unworthy of
confutation The greatest part have become convicted of their folly, b?
EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. 489
the course of events and by actual results, rather than by a;guments and
reasoning. For as men of this character start up of a sudden, so for the
most part they soon ruin their own cause, either by their indiscretions, or
by their corrupt morals and base conduct, or lastly by their disagreement
among themselves.
17. Many place in this class the Herrenhutters, or those who first as.
sociated at Herrenhut in Lusatia under the illustrious count Zinzindorf, and
who afterwards increasing, have spread themselves through a large part
of Europe, and even travelled to the Indies, to Tartary, and the utmost
bounds of the earth. They tell us they are descendants of those Bohemi.
an and Moravian brethren, who in the fifteenth century were excited by the
preaching and example of John Huss to cast off the Romish yoke. They
might more correctly call themselves imitators of those brethren : for it is
conceded by all, that only a very small part of this new fraternity consists
of Bohemians and Moravians ; and it is very uncertain also, whether such
of them as are Bohemians by descent, are the posterity of those ancient
Bohemian brethren. They declare farther, that they do not differ from
the Lutherans in regard to doctrines, but only in their customs and regu
lations, in which they come near to the ancient Bohemians. But many
question, whether they here assert the truth ; and are suspicious, that these
new brethren adopt the language of the Lutherans while among the Lu
therans, the more readily to obtain toleration ; and that in reality, they are
a mixture of people of various characters and sentiments. However this
may be, it is at least difficult to understand, why they are so zealous to ex
tend their particular sect, if they differ from us only in their customs and
mode of discipline. For whoever truly follows Jesus Christ, will care lit
tle how the Christian community is constituted and regulated ; because he
knows, that religion does not consist in external rites and regulations, but
in faith and love.
18. This progress of superstition among us, as many supposed, no-
thing could arrest except philosophy. And hence the cultivation of philoso
phy, which was apparently neglected towards the close of the preceding
century, was not only revived, but was prosecuted by many with great
diligence. The general method of philosophizing which I have called the
Metaphysical, obtained preference before all others. This philosophy, the
superlative genius of Godfrey William von Leilmitz elucidated elegantly,
and cast into a better shape : but it was the very acute Christopher Wolf,
who perfected it, digested it into a system ; and, what was entirely a new
thing, and never before attempted, gave it the form of a mathematical
science. In this improved state, most of those who search after truth and
certainty, were exceedingly captivated with it, and eagerly applied it to
the explanation and confirmation of the truths of revealed religion. But
this gave great dissatisfaction to many good men, who were anxious for
the safety of the truth taught us by Christ : and hence the old conflict be
tween philosophy and theology, piety and reason, was revived ; and it was
urged on with great vehemence for a series of years. For many are of
opinion, that this metaphysical philosophy imbues the minds of young men
with sentiments hostile to all religion and all worship, with arrogance also,
contempt for divine revelation, excessive confidence in human reason, and
other vices ; and that it does not throw light and dignity around theology
but rather darkness and ignominy.
VOL III.
490 BRIEF SKETCH OF THE
19. In proof of the correctness of this oj inion respecting the tenden.
cy of this philosophy, they appeal especially to the case of Lawrence Schmid
of Schweinfurt, who is commonly called the Wertheim translator, from the
place where he resided. This man, who was by no means destitute of
abilities and was very well versed in the philosophy in question, projected
a new German translation of the Bible, to serve as the foundation or basis
of a new body of divinity, drawn up according to the strict rules of de
monstration, which he had in contemplation. But the project was disas.
trcus to him. For scarcely had he published a specimen of the work, in
a translation of the inspired books of Moses, when he was not only attack.
ed in numerous publications, but was accused before the supreme tribunal
of the Germanic empire, as a capital enemy to the Christian religion, and
a caviller at divine truth. The chief ground of accusation was, that he
had boldly construed certain passages in the books of Moses, which desig
nated or foretold the coming of Messiah, in such a manner as to give them
a different signification. He was therefore thrown into prison, and order-
ed to be tried for his life. But he escaped from prison, and saved himself
by flight.
20. The controversies and contentions of this age have been very nu
merous. First, what is called the Pietistic controversy has been carried
on in some places more fiercely, and in others more moderately, accord
ing to the dispositions of persons and the circumstances of different parts
of the country. But the controversy has gradually abated as time rolled
on, and at present it seems to be- reduced nearly to the single point, wheth
er an irreligious man may have true and certain knowledge of divine things,
or, some sort of illumination ; which many regard as a contest about words
rather than things. Besides this, there have been several other contro
versies, which also produced excitement in the preceding century, respect
ing the eternity of the torments of the damned, the final restoration of all
things, Christ s [millennial] reign on the earth ; and others of like char
acter. With John Fabricius, a divine of Helmstadt, and with some others,
there has been dispute, respecting the importance of the disagreement be
tween us and the papists : for he and his associates, deemed it not so great
as it is commonly supposed to be ; so that he believed a person might law.
fully go over to the Romish church. Respecting the law of marriage, the
grounds of divorce, and concubinage, there have been great disputes be
tween certain theologians and some distinguished jurists. Minor contests,
which suddenly spring up and as soon die away, as they contribute little to
a knowledge of the internal state of the church, need not be enumerated.
21 The Reformed church not only preserves the same aspect which
was above described, but studies to make it still more her appropriate char
acteristic. (21 For notwithstanding the formulas of faith, by which the
vigilance of their ancestors enclosed and fortified their religion, remain
every where the same ; yet in most countries, no preacher is compelled to
think in exact accordance with them, but is supposed to fulfil his duty if he
holds up the great and primary truths of Christianity, and avoids too much
(2) [Dr. Moshcism still continues to speak foring widely in doctrine, discipune, and \vor-
of all those who are styled Reformed, as if ship, and in several instances having no sort
they were united in one church or religious of communion with each other. And hence
community, while in fact, they form a num.- his remarks respecting them as a booy, arts
bei of 1 9tally distinct communities, often dif- liable to much criticism. TV."]
EIGHTEEiNTH CENTURY. 49,
familiarity uitn the papists and Socinians. Hence in this very ample
community, at the present day, Arminians, Supralapsarians, Infralapsari.
ans, and Universalists [i. e., believers in a universal atonement], live am
icably together ; and with united efforts strive to extenuate and lessen the
importance of those contests, that divide the Christians who have separa*
ted themselves from the Romish communion. There are indeed some,
especially among the Swiss, the Germans, and the Dutch, who are greatly
tioubled at this moderation, and deplore bitterly the loss of the ancient pu
rity and rigour, and occasionally wax warm and attack the despisers of
their ancient discipline. But the others, who are greatly superior in num.
bers, respectability, and power, care little for their resentments.
22. Whoever therefore duly considers the whole subject, must freely
acknowledge, that neither the Lutherans nor the Arminians have any long.
er ground for controversy with the Reformed church, but only with individ
ual doctors of this family. For this church leaves every one at liberty to
think as he pleases, on those points which were formerly the ground of its
separation from the Lutherans and Arminians, and deems the fundamen
tals of religion safe, however those points are explained. And yet this
very moderation thwarts the designs of such as would effect a union be-
tween the Lutherans and the Reformed. For those among us who are
strenuous for orthodoxy, complain that the Reformed open the door of sal
vation too wide, and that they offer communion and friendship not only to
us, but to all the sectarians. When therefore about twenty years ago,
[thus wrote Mosheim in 1741. The precise year of Pfojf s attempts for a
union, was 1719. Sc/tZ.], when certain excellent men among us, (at the
head of whom was Christopher Matth. Pfajf, a man on many accounts
venerated and renowned), took very great .pains to effect a union between
us and the Reformed, the majority [of the Lutherans] so vigorously oppo
sed the object, both by action and by publications, that it was soon aban
doned.
23. The English church, which holds the first mnk among the Reform,
ed, is the same now that it was in the time of William III. The Episco
palians are the reigning party, and number among their adherents the king
himself, with the nobility of the realm, and the greatest part of the people.
But toleration is granted to the Puritans or Presbyterians, and to all the
others who are included under the very comprehensive appellation of
Nonconformists. Those however who are particularly acquainted with Eng
lish affairs, tell us that the Nonconformists diminish continually, and that
this gradual diminution is ascribable to the mildness and gentleness of the
bishops towards them. The Episcopolians are of two sorts. Some be
lieve the government by bishops to be of divine institution ; and they exalt
and magnify immoderately the prerogatives of the church. Others are
more temperate ; and though they fully believe, that an ecclesiastical gov
ernment by bishops is more holy and more perfect than any other, and
think that great care should be taken, to prevent the clergy from becom
ing subject to the will and authority of kings and magistrates ; yet they
do not invidiously deny the name of a church to those communities in which
there are no bishops ; and they are temperate in defending the prerogatives
of prelates among Christians. (3) These two parties are sometimes en.
(3) ("The learned and pious archbishop from Croydon House, July 9, 1724, express-
j in a letter to father Courrayer, dated eth himself thus : I bless God, that I vvat
492 BKIEF SKETCH OF THE
gaged in sharp contests ; a striking example of which, occured in the pres
ent century. For the present bishop of Winchester, Benjamin Hoadley,
a man eminent for talents and eloquence, greatly lowered down the author.
ity of the church, that is, : f its presiding officers, and confined it within
narrow limits. On the otht* hand, John Potter, now archbishop of Can.
terbury and at the head of the British clergy, and others, contended for the
prerogatives and authority of the church, with great eloquence and erudi
tion. Moreover the disposition of the established church of England to.
wards those that dissent from it, cannot be learned from any thing, more
exactly, than from the fact that William Wake, the late archbishop of Can-
terbury, a few years ago was disposed to form an alliance with the French
church, on terms that would secure to both most of their respective pecu
liarities of sentiment. (4)
24. The unbounded liberty which Englishmen enjoy of publishing
their opinions without restraint, and of worshiping God in the manner
each oue thinks right, naturally causes various sects to arise here and
there, imd controversies respecting things pertaining to religion to be per-
pctuoL But it is hardly possible for any one, who has not himself lived
some iime in England, and formed acquaintance on the spot with the
opinions, privileges, laws, and parties of that happy nation, to give a full
and accurate account of these different sects and controversies. Of sev-
ral of the sects, not even the names reach us ; and of many of them,
"ve have only a species of knowledge which is quite imperfect and in
distinct. Of the controversies, we are to a great extent unable to ascertain
\he true foundation, and the points at issue, because we are destitute of
the sources from which information can be drawn. At this present time,
one George Wliitcjield is collecting a party, and contemplates the formation
of a Christian community, more perfect than all others ; nor is he altogether
unsuccessful. It would seem, if the man is self-consistent, and docs not
follow the blind impulse of fancy rather than any determined rule, that he
places religion altogether in holy emotions, and an indescribable kind of
sensation ; and that he requires his followers to dismiss all reliance on
reason and study as means of [religious] knowledge, and to resign up their
minds to be guided and instructed by a divine illumination.
25. The Dutch, quite down to our times, have been occupied with the
Cocceian and Cartesian controversies, though now less intensely than here
tofore. And there is a prospect that these contests will wholly cease,
since the Newtonian mode of philosophizing has expelled the Cartesian
from the Dutch universities. Of the Roellian disputes, we have already
Sjiven an account. Frederick van Leenhof, in the year 1703, fell under
suspicion of being a Spinozist ; and was attacked by many, on account
of a book he published, entitled Heaven upon earth (Ccelum in terris) ; in
which he taught, that a Christian should always be joyful, and never mourn
*orn and have been bred in an Episcopal dare not go so far as to annul the ordinance!
church ; which I am convinced has been the of God performed by any other ministry. "
government established in the Christian Mad. ]
thurch from the very times of the Apostles. (4) [See the account of this negotiation
But I should be unwilling to affirm, that of archbishop Wake, and the letters that
where the ministry is not episcopal, there is passed between him and Du Pin on the sub-
*io church, nor any true administration cf the ject, in Dr. Madeline s third Appendix to
Sacraments. And very many there are among his translation of Mcshciiri s Institutes oi
us* who are zealous for Episcopacy, and yet Eccl. Hist.- TV.]
EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. 493
or be sorrowful. The same crime was charged by many upon William
Deurhoff, an illiterate man, who published several tracts in the vernacular
tongue, in which he speculated concerning the divine nature, as if he
viewed it to be an energy pervading the whole material universe, and op
erative in all parts of it. The most recent contests are those of James
Saurin and Paul Maty. The former, a minister of the gospel at the Hague,
and distinguished for his genius and eloquence, if he erred at all, erred
very slightly. For if we except a few inaccurate and unwary expres
sions, he deviated from the common doctrine only in this one point, that he
thought it sometimes lawful to deceive men by our speech, for the sake of
accomplishing some great good. (5) Most of the Reformed churches, it
is to be noted, adopt the principle of Augustine, that every deception
and every falsehood is sinful. The other, namely Maty, committed a
much greater fault. For in order to explain the profound mystery of three
persons in one God, and to render it easy to be understood, he assumed,
that the Son and the Holy Spirit are two finite beings, created by God,
and who at a certain time became united to God. (6)
26. In Switzerland, especially in the canton of Bern, the Formula
Consenus which has been already mentioned, produced very fierce disputes.
In the year 1718, the magistrates of Bern required all public teachers, and
particularly those of the university and church of Lausanne, (in whom
there was supposed to be some stain of error), to assent to this Formula,
and to receive it as the pattern of their faith : for it had for some time
been neglected, and subscription to it had not in all cases been required.
But several both of the professors and of the candidates for the sacred of
fice, declared that they could not conscientiously subscribe : and accord
ingly some of them were subjected to punishment. This caused grievous
contentions and complaints, to quiet which, the king of Great Britain and
the States. General of Holland, as well as others, offered their kind offices.
The result was, that the Formula lost much of its credit and authority.
]n the German [Reformed] churches, nothing very noticeable has occur
red. The Palatine church, once so very flourishing, has suffered, through
the machinations of the papists, a great diminution of its prosperity.
27. The Socinians, dispersed over various countries of Europe, have
hitherto been able no where, [except in Transylvania. Schl.}, to obtain the
liberty of forming themselves into a regular community, and of publicly
setting up worship according to the views of their sect. At the head ol