Synod of Dort_and by the Westwinster Assembly of Divines, whose Confession of Faith still forms the platform of the Presbyterian Church in the United States.
But rarely do we hear the belief in this doctrine publicly asserted now. Even the rankest Calvinists, if they believe it, are chary about avowing their belief, and prefer to pass the question sub silentio. The time was, however, within the memory of some now living, when the case was quite otherwise. Some can remember to have once heard clergymen assert from the pulpit, and in the presence of large and intelligent audiences, that they had no doubt there were myriads of infants groaning in hell! But what intelligent Christian congregation, in these days, would tolerate language like this? What clergyman, however orthodox or Calvinistic in sentiment, would dare to utter it? We doubt if there be any. The revealing light of the New Dispensation, and the resisting power of the new heavens, render it well nigh impossible.
Seeing, then, that doctrines so monstrous as this—and others, equally unreasonable, which might be mentioned—have been taught for Scripture verities by the professed expounders of the Christian faith, can we wonder that infidelity rank and virulent has for so long time been festering in the heart of almost every community throughout Christendom? Is it not rather a cause of wonder that infidelity has not been, and is not now far more bold, and its advocates far more numerous? Who, indeed, would not prefer to be an
