SEMI-PELAGIANS A name anciently, and even at this day, given to such as retain some tincture of Pelagianism. Cassian, who had been a deacon of Constantinople, who was afterwards a priest at Marceilles, was the chief of these Semi-Pelagians, whose leading principles were, 1. That God did not dispense his grace to one more than another, in consequence of predestination, i.e. an eternal and absolute decree, but was willing to save all men, if they complied with the terms of his Gospel.--2. That Christ died for all men.-- 3. That the grace purchased by Christ, and necessary to salvation, was offered to all men.--4. That man, before he received grace, was capable of faith and holy desires.--5. That man was born free, and was, consequently,…

PELAGIANS A sect who appeared about the end of the fourth century. They maintained the following doctrines: 1. That Adam was by nature mortal, and, whether he had sinned or not, would certainly have died.--2. That the consequences of Adam's sin were confined to his own person.--3. That new-born infants are in the same situation with Adam before the fall.--4. That the law qualified men for the kingdom of heaven, and was founded upon equal promises with the Gospel.--5. That the general resurrection of the dead does not follow in virtue of our Saviour's resurrection.--6. That the grace of God is given according to our merits.--7. That this grace is not granted for the performance of every moral act; the liberty of the will and…

ARMINIANS Persons who follow the doctrines of Arminius, who was pastor at Amsterdam, and afterwards professor of divinity at Leyden. Arminius had been educated in the opinions of Calvin; but, thinking the doctrine of that great man with regard to free will, predestination, and grace, too severe, he began to express his doubts concerning them in the year 1591; and, upon farther enquiry, adopted the sentiments of those whose religious system extends the love of the Supreme Being and the merits of Jesus Christ to all mankind. The Arminians are also called Remonstrants, because, in 1611, they presented a remonstrance to the states-general, wherein they state their grievances, and pray for relief. The distinguishing tenets of the Arminians may be comprised in the five following…

PROTESTANT A name first given in Germany to those who adhered to the doctrine of Luther, because in 1529, they protested against a decree of the emperor Charles V. and the diet of Spires; declaring that they appealed to a general council. The same has also been given to those of the sentiments of Calvin; and is now become a common denomination for all those of the reformed churches.