Mahometanism distributes itself into two general parts, Faith and Practice; the former containing six branches-belief in God; in his angels; in his scriptures; in his prophets; in the resurrection and final judgment; in the divine decrees: the latter relating to prayer with washing; alms; fasting; pilgrimage to Mecca, and circumcision. Indeed the system of Mahomet has no symmetry or beauty of parts; it is an heterogeneous compound of the various religions then existing, and artfully accommodated to the prejudices and passions of the Eastern regions of the world.

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HAVING given this preliminary account of Atheism, Deism, Theophilanthropism, Judaism, the Chinese religion, Christianity, and Mahometanism, we now proceed to the DENOMINATIONS of the Christian world. In the first ages of Christianity there were various sects, which have long ago sunk into oblivion, and whose names therefore exist only in the pages of ecclesiastical history. It is not our purpose even to glance at these ancient sects, but only briefly to notice those which in the present day attract our attention. The most distinguished may be included under the following threefold arrangement:-Opinions

respecting the person of Christ; respecting the means and measure of God's favour; and respecting Church government, and the administration of ceremonies.

I.

OPINIONS RESPECTING THE PERSON OF CHRIST.

JESUS Christ being the medium by which the Deity hath imparted a knowledge of his will to mankind, the person of Christ has been eagerly investigated, and the nature of God rendered the subject of rude and unhallowed controversy. This has filled the religious world with violent contentions, nor are they likely to be brought speedily to a termination. In the mean time, it would become us to discuss this topic with modesty and humility. It is, however, my present province to state the existing opinions respecting this abstruse subject; it shall be done in a few words, and I hope with accuracy.

TRINITARIANS.

THE Trinitarians believe the doctrine of a Trinity, by which is generally understood, that there are three distinct persons in one undivided Godhead-the Father, the Son, and the Holy

Ghost. The word Trinity is not to be found in the Bible, but is a scholastic term, derived from the Latin word Trinitas, denoting a threefold unity. Calvin himself reprobates the term, as being barbarous, and of human invention. The most learned writers entertain such various and contradictory sentiments respecting this mystery, that it is difficult to know to whom the term Trinitarian is justly applicable. Waterland, Howe, Sherlock, Pearson, Burnet, Beveridge, Wallis, and Watts, have each of them separate opinions on this subject. Some think Trinitarians reducible to two classes; those who believe that there is no proper divinity in Christ, beside that of the Father; and the class of Tritheists, who maintain that there are three equal and distinct Gods. This representation, however, has been called in question by the opposite party; but, the truth is, that being professedly a mystery, there appear to be no definite ideas on the subject.

ATHANASIANS.

NEARLY allied to this latter class are the Athanasians, a name derived from Athanasius, a father of the Christian church, who lived in the fourth century. The creed which bears his name in the Common Prayer-Book, is not of

his composition; and so little attached was Archbishop Tillotson to it, that in writing to Dr. Burnet, the historian, he says, "I wish we were well rid of it." The episcopal church in America has rejected it.-Were the account of the doctrine of the Trinity contained in this creed ever so just and satisfactory, yet its damnatory clauses are highly exceptionable, and have given just offence to some of the more sensible and worthy members of the established church. On this subject, Dr. Prettyman, in his Elements, speaks with candour and moderation:-" Great objection has been made to the clauses of this creed, which denounce eternal damnation against those who do not believe the Catholic faith, as here stated; and it certainly is to be lamented, that assertions of so peremptory a nature, unexplained and unqualified, should have been used in any human composition." The prelate then endeavours to account for the introduction of such clauses into the creed; and then adds,"We know that different persons have deduced different and even opposite doctrines from the words of scripture, and consequently there must be many errors among Christians; but since the gospel no where informs us, what degree of error will exclude from eternal happiness, I am ready to acknowledge that, in my judgment, notwithstanding the authority of former times, our church

would have acted more wisely and more consistently with the general principles of mildness and toleration, if it had not adopted the damnatory clauses of the Athanasian creed! Though I firmly believe, that the doctrines of this creed are all founded in Scripture, I cannot but conceive it to be both unnecessary and presumptuous to say, that "except every one do keep them whole and undefiled, without doubt he shall perish everlastingly.'

Mr. Broughton, in his Dictionary of all Religions, under the article Trinity, has the following paragraph, which may assist the reader on this most abstruse subject: "The doctrine. of the TRINITY, as professed in the Christian church, is briefly this: that there is ONE GOD in THREE distinct PERSONS, FATHER, SON, and HoLY GHOST; person signifying here the same as essence, with a particular manner of subsistence, which the Greek fathers called hypostasis, taking it for the incommunicable property that makes a person. The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, are believed to be three distinct persons in the divine nature; because the Holy Scriptures, in speaking of these three, so distinguish them from one another, as we use in common speech to distinguish three several persons. There are many nstances to this purpose, particularly the form of administering the sacrament of baptism, which

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