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.

LOLLARDS A religious sect, differing in many points from the church of Rome, which arose in Germany about the beginning of the fourteenth century; so called, as many writers have imagined, from Walter Lollard, who began to dogmatize in 1315, and was burnt at Cologne; though others think that Lollard was no surname, but merely a term of reproach applied to all heretics who concealed the poison of error under the appearance of piety. The monk of Canterbury derives the origin of the word lollard among us from lolium, "a tare," as if the Lollards were the tares sown in Christ's vineyard. Abelly says, that the word signifies "praising God," from the German loben "to praise," and herr, "lord;" because the Lollards employed themselves in…

PRIMITIVE CHRISTIANS Those who lived in the first ages of Christianity, especially the apostles and immediate followers of our Lord.

CHRISTIANITY The religion of Christians. 
I. Christianity, foundation of. Most, if not all Christians, whatever their particular tenets may be, acknowledge the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the sole foundation of their faith and practice. But as these books, or at least particular passages in them, have from the ambiguity of language been variously interpreted by different commentators, these diversities have given birth to a multiplicity of different sects. These, however, or at least the greatest number of them, appeal to the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the ultimate standard, the only infallible rule of faith and manners. If asked by what authority these books claim an absolute right to determine the consciences and understandings of men with regard…