The Sun.
London, England, 1822-01-17 00:00:00

FOR. TUE SUN.

AN INQUIRY INTO THE- DOCTRINES OF PRE
DESTINATION BY. DR. COPLESTON.,
Ma. EDITOR.—The following quotations are
from a criticism upon that work, in The Quar-
terly Review for December last Contro-
versy, however, has been at work, for fourteen
hundred years, and whatever form it. may have
assumed, however varied may have been its
terms, the point at issue has always been one
and the same: and it is stated with admirable
clearness and precision by TUCKER e passage
quoted by Dr. COPLESTO :—‘4 An universal
Providence disposing all events without excep-
tion, leaves no room for freedom. But there
is such a Providence, therefore no freedom ; or,
on the other side, there is a freedom of the
therefore no such Providence. Thus both parties
lay down the same major, without which they
would make no scruple to • admit the minor as-
sumed by their antagonists. But the more sober
and considerate part of Mankind, induced by the
strong evidence of both freedom and providence,
have forborne to pronounce them incompatible,
the only obstacle against the reception of either:
yet look upon their consistency as one of those
,mysteries Which we are forced to admit, though
we cannot explain."—" At the, same time it
ought never to be forgotten, that since both•the
prescience of Gob and the free agency of Man
are truths distinctly asserted in Scripture, if there
be an individual, who feels more of conviction
and encouragement to well doing in one of these'
doctrines than in the other, he is no fit object of cen-
sure, much less of abuse, as long as he holds the
leading articles of the Christian faith, and makes
his principles subservient to the great ends of
the gospel. The doetrines of the CalVinists only
then become a fit subject for reprobation, when
they assert one truth to the exclusion or practi-
cal annihilation of the other ; when they press
the doctrine of predestination beyond what is
necessary for the comfort and 'encouragement of
all true believers; and disparage, in the hearing
of those whose religion must be chiefly practice,
the necessity (we will not say the efficacy) of
a holy life. Surely it must be by this time ob-'
vious to the wisest men of both parties, that no
good can result to the cause of religion, and still
less to that of the visilile church, by the continua-
tion of a dispute, which, by its very nature, can
never, be decided; but which does admit- of a
compromise, viz. that each should acknowledge
the doctrine for which the other contends ; as not
being able to contradict it, but only to conceive
its compatibility with his own, that both parties
should acquiesce in the imperfection of human
reason ; and agree in the paramount importance of
those duties which neither party calls in question,
namely,•faith and a holy life."
A CORRESPONDENT.

AM MICA.

(Contiattedfrom the American Papers ofNesterday.)
!HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, DEC. 17.
On the motion of, Mr. FLOYD it was resolved,
That the Secretary of the Navy be required to
report to this House the probable increase of ex-
pence,. in causing air examination to be made of
the different harbours belonging to the United
States on the Pacific Ocean, and of transporting
artillery to the mouth of the-Columbia River.
The SPEAKER laid before thcf•House the two
Messages received in an early part of the day
from the President of the United States; the
one embracing a statement of the progress which
had been made in carrying into execution the
Resolutions for printing the Secret Journal and
Foreign Correspondence of the old- Congress ;
the other transmitting papers to slim how the
provisionS by law for the erection of certain
light-houses had been carried into effect. The
first Message was referred to a Committee of
Ways and Means, and the second to the Com-
mittee of Commerce.—The House adjourned.
FRENCH CI-Amis.—France, by her late claims
on the United States, is disposed to avail herself
of the provisions of the Louisiana Treaty, made
with the late existing Government of that coun-
try. This is acting on a correct national prin-
ciple, that every act clone by an existing Go-
vernment is, under every change of circum-
stances; still a national act. On this ground
ought the Government of the United States to
stand, and demand of France compensation for
all our property-illegally captured, almost with-
out cpretence of right, and condemned. Great
Britain has acted on this principle with France,
and has demanded and received in an ample
manner compensation for all their illegal confis-
cations, as the following will spew :
" Paris, 30th May, 1814 (confirmed 20th Nov. 1815).
" Article 2. The British and French Govern-
ments shall name without delay Commissioners
to liquidate, &c. The Commissioners mentioned
in Art. 2 shall undertake the examination of the
claims of his Britanni'c Majesty's subjects upon
the French Government for the value of the
property, moveable or immoveable, illegally con-
fiscated by the French Authorities. France en-
gages to ratify the Report of the Commissioners,
and to discharge the sums due.
" Article 6. The vessels, ships' cargoes, and
other moveable property, which shall have been
seized and confiscated either to the profit of
France or to the profit of his Most Christian
Majesty, in confirmity to the laws of war, shall
not be admitted to the liquidation.
" Done at Paris 20th Nov. 1815.
(Signed) " CASTLEREAGH, WELLINGTON,
" RICHELIEU."