form of Christianity
is represented in the great denominational family to which we
belong, it combines two things--the Presbyterian form of government,
and the Calvinistic or Augustinian type of doctrine." (_Ib_.)

This eminent writer, whom I hold in very high esteem for his
learning, intelligence, and piety, notwithstanding his Calvinism,
expresses his views of the Divine decrees in these words:--

"But on this point, the entire movement of the world bears the
marks of being conducted according to a plan. We defy a man to
lay his finger on a fact which has not such a relation to other
facts as to show that it is a part of a scheme; and if of a
scheme, _then of a purpose formed beforehand_." (_Introd. to
Butler's Analogy_, p. 53.)

Again: "The event which was thus foreknown, must have been, for
some cause, _certain_ and _fixed_, since an uncertain event could
not possibly be foreknown. To talk of foreknowing a contingent
event as certain, which may or may not exist, is an absurdity."
(_Notes on Romans_, viii. 29.)

Again: "We interpret the decrees of God, so far as we can do it,
by _facts_; and we say that the actual _result_, by whatever
means brought about, is the expression of the _design_ of God."
(_Introd. to Butler's Analogy_, p. 43.)

The _Saybrook Platform and Confession of Faith_, which contains
the faith of the New England Congregationalists, holds precisely
the same language respecting the Divine decrees, with the
Confession of Faith of the Presbyterian Churches.

I am in possession of a work entitled _A Confession of Faith put
forth by the Elders and Brethren of many Congregations of
Christians (baptized upon profession of their faith) in London
and the country_; adopted by the Baptist Association, met at
Philadelphia, September 25, 1752. The chapters in this Confession
which relate to "God's decree" and "Providence," are, with very
slight variations of phraseology, not affecting the sense, the
same with those in the _Westminster Confession of Faith_, and the
_Saybrook Platform_. It is thoroughly Calvinistic.

The _Baptist Catechism_, published by the American Baptist
Publication Society, contains the following question and answer:--

"_Q_. What are the decrees of God?--_Ans_. The decrees of God are
his eternal purposes, according to the counsel of his will,
whereby, for his own glory, he hath foreordained whatsoever comes
to pass."

The _Confession of Faith_ of the Dutch Reformed Church says: "