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District of New-York, ss.

L. S.

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BE IT REMEMBERED, That on the twenty-second day of April, in the thirty-fifth year of the Independence of the United States of America, Ezra Stiles Ely, of the said district, hath deposited in this office the title of a book, the right whereof he *** claims as author, in the words and figures following, to wit:

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"A Contrast between Calvinism and Hopkinsianism. By Ezra Stiles Ely, A. M. Stated Preacher to the Hospital and Almshouse in the City of New-York. Earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. Prove all things: hold fast that which is good."

In conformity to the Act of the Congress of the United States, entitled "An Act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts and Books to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the time therein mentioned." And also to an Act, entitled "An Act, supplementary to an Act, entitled an Act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the time therein mentioned, and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, engraving, and etching historical and other prints."

CHARLES CLINTON,

Clerk of the District of New-York.

THE INTRODUCTION.

"ABOUT forty years ago," said Dr. Hopkins, in 1796; "there were but few, perhaps not more than four or five, who espoused the sentiments, which have since been called Edwardean, and new divinity, and since, after some improvement was made upon them, Hopkintonian and Hopkinsian sentiments. But these sentiments have so spread since that time among ministers, espe, cially those who have since come on the stage, that there are now more than one hundred in the ministry who espouse the same sentiments in the United States of America. And the number appears to be fast increasing, and these sentiments appear to be coming more and more into credit, and are better understood, and the odium which was cast on them and those who preached them, is greatly subsided."

"Thus I am become the head of a denomination, who have since greatly increased, and in which thousands are included, and a large number of ministers, who, I believe are the most sound, consistent and thorough Calvinists; and who in general sustain as good a character, as to their morality, preaching and personal religion, as any set of clergymen whatever: and are most popular where there appears to be most attention to religion: and at the same time, are most hated, opposed and spoken against, by Arminians, Deists, and persons who appear to have no religion. And I believe, though this denomination or name originated from no such design, that it has proved an advantage to truth and true religion, as it has given opportunity and been the occasion of collecting those who embrace the scheme of Christianity exhibited in the forementioned publications, (the works of President Edwards, Dr. Bellamy, and Dr. West of Stockbridge.] and ranking them under one standard. It has excited the attention

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and promoted inquiry into the principles and doctrines which are embraced and held by those of this denomination, by which light and conviction have been spread and propagated."

Life of Hopkins, p. 102, 103, 97, 98.

In this manner Dr. Hopkins congratulated himself on the use of his name, which was first intended for reproach; but which is now deemed by many more honourable than any other of human invention. Let it not be imagined, therefore, that the author of the following Contrast designs any opprobrium, when he uses the word Hopkinsianism, to denote that system of doctrine whose foundation was laid by President Edwards, whose superstructure was principally reared by Dr. Samuel Hopkins of Newport in Rhode-Island; and whose last stone has been carried up by a multitude, shouting, "grace, grace, unto it." President Edwards, however, never once imagined, that such a fabric as Hopkinsianism now is, would be reared upon his corner stone of "love to being in general." Neither did Dr. Bellamy conceive of the system, which has been builded on the foundation which he assisted to lay. That gentleman and scholar, Dr. West, now venerable for age as well as piety, has lived to witness the improvements made by his learned friends Dr. Samuel Spring of Newburyport, Dr. Nathanael Emmons of Franklin in Massachusetts, and many younger divines. He has lived to assist, with his own hand, in the consummation.

It has often been demanded, "what is Hopkinsianism? What is Calvinism?" Many think them the same thing. Dr. Hopkins calls his system strict Calvinism;* Dr. Emmons affirms that his refinements are Calvinism;† and Dr. Spring, the Rev. Thomas Williams of Providence, with many other Hopkinsians, believe, that their sentiments are the most thrifty and prolific sprouts of Calvinism.

" It is evident that Hopkinsian sentiments are only the genuine, flourishing, and fruitful branches of the Calvinistic tree." "There is no more difference between Calvinists and Hopkin

Hop. 21 Ser. p. 362, 364

† Emmons' Ser. p. 374.

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