the doctrine and sentiments of Calvin and his followers. Calvinism subsists in its greatest purity in the city of Geneva; and from thence it was first propagated into Germany, France, the United Provinces, and England. In France it was abolished by the revocation of the edict of Nantes in 1685. It has been the prevailing religion in the United Provinces ever since the year 1571. The theological system of Calvin was adopted, and made the public rule of faith in England, under the reign of Edward VI. and the church of Scotland was modelled by John Knox, the disciple of Calvin, agreeably to the doctrine, rites, and form of ecclesiastical government, established at Geneva. In England, it has declined since the time of Queen Elizabeth; though it still subsists, some say a little alloyed, in the articles of the established church; and in its rigour in Scotland.

The distinguishing theological tenets of Calvinism, as the term is now generally applied, respect the doctrines of Predestination, or particular Election and Reprobation, original Sin, particular Redemption, effectual, or, as some have called it, irresistible Grace in regeneration, Justification by faith, Perseverance, and the Trinity. See each of these articles.

Besides the doctrinal part of Calvin's system, which, so far as it differs from that of other reformers of the same period, principally regarded the absolute decree of God, whereby the future and eternal condition of the human race was determined out of mere sovereign pleasure and free will; it extended likewise to the discipline and government of the Christian church, the nature of the Eucharist, and the qualification of those who were entitled to the participation of it. Calvin considered every church as a separate and independent body, invested with the power of legislation for itself. He proposed that it should be governed by presbyteries and synods, composed of clergy and laity, without bishops, or any clerical subordination; and maintained, that the province of the civil magistrate extended only to its protection and outward accommodation. In order to facilitate an union with the Lutheran church, he acknowledged a real, though spiritual, presence of Christ, in the Eucharist; that true Christians were united to the man Christ in this ordinance, and that divine grace was conferred upon them, and sealed to them, in the celebration of it; and he confined the privilege of communion to pious and regenerate believers. In France the Calvinists are distinguished by the name of Huguenots; and, among the common people, by that of Parpaillois. In Germany they are confounded with the Lutherans, under the general title Protestants; only sometimes distinguished by the name Reformed.