conspicuous figure, I shall endeavour to be more particular.

There are FOUR RELIGIONS in the world: viz. the JEWISH, the CHRISTIAN, the MAHOMETAN, and the PAGAN.

It is allowed that the world contains eight hundred millions of souls; having for their rule of faith, THREE books, which are esteemed as revelations of the divine will. First: Those who receive the SACRED SCRIPTURES. Second: The Mahometans, who receive the KORAN. Third: The Pagans, who have their OWN WRITINGS. One hundred and eighty-three millions only are CHRISTIANS. One hundred and thirty millions are MAHOMETANS. Three millions are JEWS; and most painful is it to say, that the remainder, amounting to four hundred and eighty-seven millions, are PAGANS.

Christianity divides itself into THREE professions. The first in order is,

THE EASTERN CHURCH, by which we understand the GREEK CHURCH.

2nd. The CHURCH OF ROME.

3rd. The PROTESTANT CHURCH.

Among professors of Christianity, there are THREE different opinions concerning church government. EPISCOPALIAN, that which is go

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verned by Bishops; PRESBYTERIAN, i. e. go verned by a body of elders; and that of the INDEPENDENTS, who are neither subject to bishops, assemblies, nor presbyteries.

There are THREE sects, holding different opinions respecting the object of divine worship. The TRINITARIANS, the ARIANS, and the UNITARIANS. There also exists a great difference of opinion among the complex body, as to the means by which salvation is given to men: this again is divided into THREE, viz. the ARMINIAN, the CALVINIST, and the UNITARIAN.

A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE DIFFERENT SECTS OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION.

Those small parties, which in the first age of the Christian church have hitherto been called sects, do not appear to have been sufficiently numerous to claim that appellation. They were bat half-converts, mixing the old practices of the idolators with the pure doctrines taught by Christ and the Apostles. The second and third chapters of the Revelation were directed to the churches of Asia, to warn them from falling into these pernicious practices. If we turn to

the writings of the first Christian fathers, and com pare what they have said concerning the doctrines and worship of those half-christians, we shall be able to determine who they were that are alluded to by the Apostle in the messages to the seven churches, which has escaped the notice of every writer I have met with on that subject.

THE GNOSTICS.

first

The Gnostics appear to have been the immediate successors of the Apostles. The word GNOSTIC, from Tvarixds, means knowledge. The Gnostics were certainly the best philosophers, and the most learned among the original descendants of the Apostles, who called themselves by this name because of the true knowledge communicated to them in the gospels, concerning religion and the worship of God.

According to Clemens Alexandrinus, there were two sorts of Gnostics: the true Gnostic, or the true follower of Christ; who preserved the doctrine pure as it was delivered by the Apostles: and the various sects of professing Christians, who corrupted the doctrines of the gospel, by incorporating there

with the opinions and practices of the Heathen worshippers. The chief of these were the NICHOLAITANS, CARPOCRATIANS, CERINTHIANS, EBIONITES, SIMONIANS, VALENTINIANS, and NAZARENES; all originally Gnostics, but who changed this name for that of the leader of each respective sect. The doctrines, put forth by these men, appear to have drawn the churches from the truth as preached by the Apostles; and were the cause of the Revelation being given to John, who was directed to write to the seven churches.

Among the professors of Christianity at this early period, there appears to have been a serious falling. away from the truth as delivered by the Apostles. Even the first church, to which John was directed to write, had fallen from the simplicity of the gospel. It is called on to do its first works; to repent; from which we are authorised to conclude that, as first works are repentance; and as pride is the opposite of humility, or a state of repentance; pride must have been the true characteristic of the church of EPHESUS at this period; therefore it is called on to repent and to do its first works.

But the second church, that is, the church of SMYRNA, was highly approved, viz. I know thy works, and tribulation and poverty, (but thou art rich) fear none of those things which thou shalt

suffer, behold the Devil shall cast some of you in prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days; be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. From which we learn that the churches of Smyrna (over which the angel or he who was sent, which is its meaning, to preside,) were at this time in a state of persecution for the sake of the gospel; but they are here encouraged to hold out to the end.

At the time when the Apostle was directed to communicate these things to the seven superior churches, there was a violent persecution of the Christians. For the third church, that is, the church in PERGAMOS, was highly approved; and although it was surrounded by persecutors, yet it was stedfast in the faith, condemned the abomination of idolworship, and sealed the truth with its blood. Verse 13. I know thy works and where thou dwellest even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith even in these days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you where Satan dwelleth."

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But we find that this church is accused of keeping those in her connexion, who were of the opinion of Nicholas; who held the doctrine of Balaam, and taught the people to eat of the sacrifices, which the idolators offered to their idols. This was