SEC. 157. First Protestant systems of Theology.

Philip Melanchthon, commendable alike for his learning and his wise moderation, was the first, that supplied the want of a connected system of religious doctrines, in his Loci Communes, which he brought nearer and nearer to perfection by repeated revisions. This work was received with general approbation, and served for a guide to learned instruction, in the Lutheran church. Martin Chemnitz and Victorinus Striegel composed commentaries on it. In the Reformed church, the Institutes of John Calvin, were of similar merits, and obtained similar influence. Andrew Hyperius and Wolfgang Musculus were emulous followers of the example of Calvin; and from the writings of the famous biblical expositor, Peter Martyr Vermili, a system of theology was compiled. Besides the Protestants, other ecclesiastical parties were formed; among whom the Unitarians or Socinians, and the Baptists, had most influence upon systematic theology.

Notices. Phil. Melanchthonis Loci Theolog, sive Hypotyposes theolog. Viteb. 1521. and in Herman. von der Hardt, Hist. reformationis; Francf. 1717. Respecting the various editions of it: Essay of a literary history of the Loci Theologici of Phil. Melanchthon; (in German,) by. Ge. Theod. Strobel; Altd. and Nuremb. 1776. 8vo. The other writings of Melanchthon, are his Opera Thelog. Vitenb. 1562–64. IV. vol. Fol. Martini Chemnitii Loci theolog; editi studio Polyc. Leyseri, Francf. 1591. 4to. and Viteb. 1590. Fol. Victorini Strigelii Loci theolog. studio Christoph. Pezelii; Neapoli Nemetum. 1582-85. IV. vol. 4to

Jo. Calvini Institutio christianae religionis; Basil. 1535. Genev. 1559. Fol. and in his Opera; Amstel. 1667. IX. vol. Fol. (Gerdesii Scrinium literar. T. II. p. 451.) Andreae Hyperii Methodus Theologiae, sive praecipnorum christianae religionis locorum communium, Libri III. Basil. 1568, 1574. 8vo. Wolfg. Musculi Loci communes

theolog. Bern. 1573. Fol. Petri Martyris Loci theolog. Basil. 1570. Fol.

Catechesis ecclesiarum Polonicarum, unum Deum patrem, illiusque filium unigenitum J. C. una cun Spiritu S. profitentium; ed. noviss. Stauropoli (Amstel.) 1684. 8vo.-recensuit, Socinianam impietam profligavit, Ge. Lud. Oeder; Francf. et Lips. 1739. 8vo.-Bibliotheca fratrum Polonorum; Irenopoli (Amstel.) post annum 1656. VI. vol. Fol.

Concise statement of the peculiar doctrines of F. Socinus; (in German,) by W. C. L. Ziegler; in Henke's New Magazine, Vol. IV. p. 201. Thoughts on a historical and analytical exposition of the Socinian theology; (in German,) by Dr. Bengel; in Süskind's Magazin. Pt. XIX. p. 133.

SEC. 158. Reaction upon the Catholic church.

The bold attacks of the reformers, upon the received doctrines of the church, roused the Catholics to a vigorous resistance. The Council of Trent condemned all innovations, and gave that statement of the Catholic faith, which has ever since been retained. The Jesuits came forth, as the most disputatious defenders of that system of theology; but they soon fell into contentions, with other theologians of their church. Many of these divines, adhered to the old method of teaching; and wrote comments upon Thomas Aquinas or Duns Scotus. Others endeavored to improve the method of teaching. John Eck attempted, to put down Melanchthon's Loci theologici, by a work of his own; and Melchior Canus distinguished himself, by avoiding useless subtilties, and by a purer style of writing. The Jesuits, Robert Bellarmin and Martin Becan, became famous in the conflict with the Protestants.

Notices. Concilii Tridentini canones et decreta; Rom. 1564.-(Histoire du Concile de Trent; par Fra Paolo Sarpi, traduite par P. F. de Courayer; Amst. 1736. III. vol. 4to. [Also in English, from the Italian; by Brent, Lond. 1620. Fol.] Istoria del concilio di Trento

-dal Sforza Pallaviceno; Rom. 1656-57. II. Vol. Fol. [and Latin, by Jo. Bapt. Giattino; Antw. 1673. Fol.]

Monumentorum ad Hist. concil. Trid. illustrandum amplissima collectio ;-studio Jodoci le Plat; Lovan. 1781

-87. VIII Tomi 4to.) Professio fidei Tridentinae.— Catechismus ex decreto Concil. Tridentini, Pii V jussu editus; Rom. 1566. Fol.

Jo. Eck, Enchiridion locorum communium, adversus Lutheranos; Landshuti 1525. Doederlein's Theol. Journal; vol. I. P. VI. p. 458-491)-Melch. Cani, de Locis theologicis, Libri XII; Salamancae 1563. ed. noviss. a Hyac. Serry; Venet. 1759.4to.-Roberti Bellarmini de controversiis christianae fidei, adversus hujus temporis haereticos; e. g. Ingolst. 1601: IV. Vol. Fol.

-Martini Becani Manuale controversiarum; Herbipol. 1623; and in his Opera; Mogunt. 1649. II. Tomi Fol.

SEC. 159. Completion of the Lutheran system of faith.

The numerous controversies, which arose among the followers of Luther, after his decease, threatened the whole church with confusion. To suppress these discords, and particularly to guard against the dangers, which were supposed to threaten pure Lutheranism, from Melanchthon's school, the Formula of Concord was drawn up; and the Book of Concord was set forth, containing, in addition to the Formula of Concord, (which determined the existing controversies with greater precision,) the Augsburgh Confession, the Apology, the Articles of Smalcald, and the two Catechisms of Luther; all which were to be the rule and measure of the genuine Lutheran creed. According to these formulas, theology was to be investigated and modelled; so that henceforth, it breathed a narrow sectarian spirit, and appeared under the guise of an intricate scholastic system, in which much use was made of the philosophy of Ramus or Aristotle. The attempts of George Calixtus, to introduce more freedom of discussion, and more candor

towards those of different views, met with strong opposition.

Notices. Concordia; The Christian, revised, unanimous Confession of the hereafter named, Electoral Princes, Princes, and Orders, of the Augsburg Confession; (in German,) Dresden 1580. Fol. and Latin, Lips. 1580, and 1584. 8vo. Also edited by Ad. Rechenberg, Lips. 1678. 8vo. by Chr. Reineccius, Lips. 1735. 4to.-by Ch. M, Pfaff, Tubing. 1730. 8vo.-by S. J. Baumgarten, Halle 1747. 8vo.-by J. G. Walch, Jena. 1750. 8vo.-and by J. A. H. Tittmann, Lips. 1817. 8vo.-History of the origin, variations, and formation of our Protestant system of Theology, until the Formula of Concord; (in German,) by Jac. Gottl. Planck; Lips. 1791-1800. VI. Vol. 8vo. -Jo. Guil. Feuerlini, Bibliotheca symbolica eccles. Lutheranae; ed. J. B. Riederer; 1768. 8vo.

Leonhardi Hutteri, Compendium locorum theolog. Vitenb. 1610. 8vo. and Lips. 1705.-Ejusd. Loci communes Theolog. Vitenb. 1619, 1653, 1661. Fol.-Jac. Heerebrandi, Compendium Theologiae; Tubing. 1573. 8vo.Matth. Hafenrefferi, Loci theolog. Tub. 1601.-Joannis Gerhardi Loci theolog. Francf. et Hamb. 1657. III. Vol. Fol.-denuo edidit,' variique generis observationes adjecit, Jo. Fr. Cotta; Tub. 1762-89.XXII. Vol. 4to. Casp. Er. Brochmund, Systema universae theologiae ; Hafn. 1633. H. Vol. 4to. ed. 6 ta, Ulmae 1664. Fol.Ge. Calixti, Epitome theologiae; Goslar 1619-Systema locorum theolog.auctore Abr. Calovio; Wittenb. 1655 -77. XII, Tomi 4to.-Jo. Fr. Koenigii, Theologia positiva acroamatica; Rostoch 1664. 8vo.-Jo. Andr. Quenstedt, Theologia didactico-polemica; Wittenb. 1685. Fol.--Jo. Adami Scherzeri, Systema Theologiae XXIX definitionibus absolutum ; Lips. 1680. ed. 4ta 1704. 4to. Jo. Guil. Baieri, Compendium theologiae positivae ; Jenae 1686. Svo. et 1750.--Dav. Hollaz, Examen theo log. acroamaticum, universam Theol. thetico-polemicam complectens; Holm. et Lips. 1707; auxit R. Tellerus ; Holm. 1750, 4to,

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SEC. 160. Variations in doctrine, in the Reformed church.

No general and uniform system of faith, was introduced into the Reformed church. Yet Calvin's system, prevailed in Switzerland; and in the Low Countries, it triumphed over Jac. Arminius and his adherents, at the Synod of Dort, A. D. 1618, 1619. The vanquished Arminian party, embraced some valuable theologians. The decisions at Dort, became the rule of faith for the churches of Holland; and they met with approbation, in the Swiss churches. Henceforth the form of their theology, was scholastic and polemic; and a strict adherence to the views of Calvin, and of the Synod of Dort, was the highest recommendation of any treatise written on theology.

Notices. Corpus et syntagma Confessionum fidei; ed. nova, Genev. 1654. 4to.-Acta Synodi nationalis Dordrechti habitae; Dordr. 1620. Fol. Hanov. 1620. 4to. Simonis Episcopit, Institutionum theologicar. Libri IV; in his Opp. T. 1. ed. 2. Lond. 1678. Fol. Steph. Curcellaei, Institutio religionis christianae ; in his Opp. Theol. Amst. 1675. Fol. Philippi a Limborch, Theologia christiana; Amst. 1686. 4to. 1730. Fol. Basil. 1735. Fol. Adriani a Cattenburg, Spicilegium theologiae christ. Philippi a Limborch; 1726. Fol.

Jo. Maccovii, Loci communes theolog. Franeq. 1639. 8vo. 1650. 4to.—Amandi Polani a Polansdorf, Syntagma Theol. christianae; Hanov. 1610. II. vol. 4to. Genev. 1699. Fol.--Samuelis Maresii, Systema theologicum; Gronov. 1649. 12mo. 1673. 4to.-Marci Fr. Wendelini, christianae Theol. systema majus ; Cassel 1656. 4to.-Ejusd. christianae Theol. Libri II; Hanov. 1634. 12mo.

SEC. 161. Attempts of the Reformed, to improve their theology.

Many theologians were not insensible to the defects of the symbolic, scholastic, theological works. John Cocceius, a man of eminence, but a better linguist than in