se who
believe in him can be partakers of divine benefits. (See John 2:2;
3:16, 17. Heb. 2:9. Isa. 50:19, 20. 1 Cor. 8:11.)

"3. That true faith cannot proceed from the exercise of our
natural faculties and powers, nor from the force and operation of
free will; since man, in consequence of his natural corruption, is
incapable either of thinking or doing any good thing; and that,
therefore, it is necessary, in order to his conversion and
salvation, that he be regenerated and renewed by the operation of
the Holy Ghost, which is the gift of God through Jesus Christ.

"4. That this divine grace, or energy, of the Holy Ghost, begins
and perfects every thing that can be called good in man, and,
consequently, all good works are to be attributed to God alone;
that, nevertheless, this grace is offered to all, and does not
force men to act against their inclinations, but may be resisted,
and rendered ineffectual, by the perverse will of the impenitent
sinner. Some modern Arminians interpret this and the last article
with a greater latitude. (See Isa. 1:16. Deut. 10:16. Eph. 4:22.)

"5. That God gives to the truly faithful, who are regenerated by
his grace, the means of preserving themselves in this state."

The first Armenians, indeed, had some doubt with respect to the closing
part of the latter article; but their followers uniformly maintain, "that
the regenerate may lose true, justifying faith, fall from a state of
grace, and die in their sins." (See Heb. 6:4-6. 2 Pet. 2:20, 21. Luke
21:35. 2 Pet. 3:17.)

METHODISTS, OR THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

This denomination arose in England, in 1729, and derived their name from
the exact regularity of their lives. In 1741, they divided into two
parties, under George Whitefield and John Wesley. The former adopted the
sentiments of Calvin, and the latter those of Arminius. The Arminian class
compose the great body of Methodists in this country and in Great Britain.
Both of those men were eminently distinguished for the variety and extent
of their labors.

The following are the articles of religion, as published in the "Doctrines
and Discipline of the Methodist Episcopal Church:"--

"1. There is but one living and true God, everlasting, without
body or parts, of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness; the Maker
and Preserver of all things, visible and invisible. And in unity