Articles of the Synod of Dort [pp. 239-255]

articles of the Synod of Dort.
ing their seats in the Synod: but from Great Britain, from
Germany, and Switzerland, theologians of the highest reputation for learning and piety, were sent, who patiently and
laboriously assisted in the discussions and transactions of the
Synod, until the business was biought to a close.
Seldom has there been a more truly venerable, orthodox,
and learned body of divines. The papers which were read
before the Synod, on the five points of controversy, contain
a body of sound theology, and solid scriptural argument,
which has seldom been exceeded.
The doctrinal articles agreed upon, and established by this
Synod, are such as are admitted by all consistent, moderate
Calvinists: and when we use the word moderate, we do not
mean, that any one article of this scriptural system of faith,
is obscured or denied; but that they are not pushed to such
extreme consequences as they have been by some supralapsarian theologians formerly, and by some who pretend to
have improved the Calvinistic scheme, in our own times.
The theologians who composed the Synod of Dort, were
nriot agreed among themselves in every particular. On several
points of some importance, the views expressed by the deputies, in the papers read before the Synod, were different; yet
this discrepance, in minor matters, did not in the least interrupt their harmony; and their general articles were so worded as to accord with the sincere belief of every individual;
while, if either party had insisted on a perfect conformity in
every particular, there could have been no agreement in adopting a creed which they could all subscribe. To give an example of the diversity alluded to, we would mention, the extent of' the atonement. On this subject, the learned and
highly respectable theologians who attended as delegates
from the British churches, while they agreed with their brethren from the churches on the continent, on every other
point, yet on this explicitly expressed their opinion in favour of a general atonement. Therefore, in drawing up the
article on the subject of redemption, care was taken to express the doctrine in terms to which all could subscribe.
After speaking of the substitution of Christ, and the vicarious
nature of his sacrifice, they say, " This death of the Son of
God, is a single and most perfect sacrifice and satisfaction for
sins; of infinite value, and price; abundantly sufficient to expiate the sins of the whole world" —" Moreover, the promise
of the gospel is, that whosoever believeth in Christ crucified,
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