REMONSTRANTS A title given to the Arminians, by reason of the remonstrance which, in 1610, they made to the states of Holland against the sentence of the Synod of Dort, which condemned them as heretics. Episcopius and Grotius were at the head of the Remonstrants, whose principles were first openly patronised in England by archbishop Laud. In Holland, the Calvinists presented an address in opposition to the remonstrance of the Arminians, and called it a counter-remonstrance.

SYNERGISTS So called from the Greek which signifies co-operation. Hence this name was given to those in the sixteenth century who denied that God was the sole agent in the conversion of sinful man, and affirmed that man co-operated with divine grace in the accomplishment of this salutary purpose.

AMYRALDISM A name given by some writers to the doctrine of universal grace, as explained and asserted by Amyraldus or Moses. Amyrault, and others, his followers, among the reformed in France, towards the middle of the seventeenth century. This doctrine principally consisted of the following particulars, viz. that God desires the happiness of all men, and none are excluded by a divine decree; that none can obtain salvation without faith in Christ; that God refuses to none the power of believing, though he does not grant to all his assistance that they may improve this power to saving purposes; and that they may perish through their own fault. Those who embraced this doctrine were called Universalists; though it is evident they rendered grace universal in…

SEMI-PELAGIANS A name anciently, and even at this day, given to such as retain some tincture of Pelagianism. Cassian, who had been a deacon of Constantinople, who was afterwards a priest at Marceilles, was the chief of these Semi-Pelagians, whose leading principles were, 1. That God did not dispense his grace to one more than another, in consequence of predestination, i.e. an eternal and absolute decree, but was willing to save all men, if they complied with the terms of his Gospel.--2. That Christ died for all men.-- 3. That the grace purchased by Christ, and necessary to salvation, was offered to all men.--4. That man, before he received grace, was capable of faith and holy desires.--5. That man was born free, and was, consequently,…

PELAGIANS A sect who appeared about the end of the fourth century. They maintained the following doctrines: 1. That Adam was by nature mortal, and, whether he had sinned or not, would certainly have died.--2. That the consequences of Adam's sin were confined to his own person.--3. That new-born infants are in the same situation with Adam before the fall.--4. That the law qualified men for the kingdom of heaven, and was founded upon equal promises with the Gospel.--5. That the general resurrection of the dead does not follow in virtue of our Saviour's resurrection.--6. That the grace of God is given according to our merits.--7. That this grace is not granted for the performance of every moral act; the liberty of the will and…

ARMINIANS Persons who follow the doctrines of Arminius, who was pastor at Amsterdam, and afterwards professor of divinity at Leyden. Arminius had been educated in the opinions of Calvin; but, thinking the doctrine of that great man with regard to free will, predestination, and grace, too severe, he began to express his doubts concerning them in the year 1591; and, upon farther enquiry, adopted the sentiments of those whose religious system extends the love of the Supreme Being and the merits of Jesus Christ to all mankind. The Arminians are also called Remonstrants, because, in 1611, they presented a remonstrance to the states-general, wherein they state their grievances, and pray for relief. The distinguishing tenets of the Arminians may be comprised in the five following…