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 THE LIFE 
 
 OF 
 
 JAMES ARMINIUS, D.D, 
 
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 quid veri non audeat. 
 
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THE LIFE 
 
 OF 
 
 JAMES ARMOIUS, D.l). 
 
 Professor of Theology in the Unirersity of Leydeii, Holland, 
 
 TRANSLATED 
 
 f EOM THE LATm OF CASPAE BEANDT, 
 
 Remonstrant Minister, Amsterdam, 
 
 BY 
 
 JOHN GUTHRIE, A.M, 
 
 Paratus seque discere ae docere. — Abminius. 
 
 LONDON: WARD & CO.; 
 GLASGOW: LANG. A DAM SON, & CO., 
 
 28 QUEEN STREET. 
 
Printed by H. Nisbet, 142, Trongate, Glasgow. 
 
 • •• 
 
 • • • 
 
 • • • 
 
 t c * « « 
 
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 I 
 
TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE. 
 
 The name of Brandt is imperishably associated 
 with the literature of Holland. Gprard Brandt, a 
 Eemonstrant (or Anninian) minister and professor 
 at Amsterdam, published, in 1671, that great work, 
 ' The History of the Reformation in the Low Conn- 
 tries,' which has elicited very general admiration for 
 the impartiality of its spirit, the nobility of its senti- 
 ments, and the valuable and soul-stirring character 
 of many of its records. 
 
 This eminent historian and divine was the father 
 of our biographer, Caspar Brandt, who was also a 
 minister of the Remonstrants at Amsterdam. Caspar 
 drew up that life of Arminius, a translation of which 
 is presented in this volume, about the beginning of 
 the 17th century, but died just as he was preparing 
 to put it to the press. After several years' delay it 
 was at last edited and published by his son, Gerard, 
 
vi translator's preface. 
 
 at Amsterdam, in 1724, and republished, with anno- 
 tations, by the ecclesiastical historian, Mosheim, in 
 1725. 
 
 That Caspar was no unworthy son of the 
 eminent historian of the Belgic Reformation will 
 sufficiently appear, we trust, from the following 
 pages, even under the confessed disadvantages of 
 translation. He has here developed some of the 
 finest qualities of the biographer — great candour 
 and charity, consummate judgment and taste in 
 the selection of his materials; and scholarly exe- 
 cution in weaving them into a symmetrical whole. 
 Stirring incident in the life of a theologian is what 
 no considerate reader will expect ; and certain por- 
 tions of this memoir, owing to the subjects treated, 
 can hardly fail to be regarded by some as dry and 
 abstruse ; but no one can deny it, — what many 
 ingenuous inquirers, we trust, will feel to be an 
 unspeakable charm, — the merit of presenting a faith- 
 ful and full-length portrait of the man Arminius, and 
 no small insight into the state and spirit of his times. 
 
 The name of Arminius stands identified with that 
 gigantic recoil from Calvinism, than which no re- 
 action in nature could have been more certainly 
 predicted. Of all the actors in that movement, — 
 so fertile of mighty actors, — no one played a more 
 
translator's preface. vii 
 
 conspicuous, important, and trying part tlian Armi- 
 nius. 
 
 To higli talent and cultivation, and to consummate 
 ability as a disputant, Arminius added the ornament of 
 spotless Christian consistency (his enemies being 
 judges), and of a singularly noble, manly, and bene- 
 volent natui-e. This, with his conspicuous position, 
 made his personal influence to be very potent and 
 extensive. 
 
 And yet few names have ever been overshadowed 
 by a deeper and denser gloom of prejudice than his ; 
 to utter which, as Wesley remarked, was much the 
 same, in some ears, as to raise the cry of ' mad dog.' 
 This is attributable partly to the latitudinarianism of 
 some of his followers, who, revolting at the dominant 
 faith, and maddened by oppression, resiled to the 
 opposite extreme ; and partly by the accidental cir- 
 cumstance that his milder scheme found general favour 
 in the Church of England, at a time when she stood in 
 hostile relations to the English Puritans and the 
 Scottish Presbyterians. But these were results with 
 which neither the man Arminius, nor the Arminian 
 principle of conditionalism, had anything whatever to 
 do. To trace them to him were not more just than 
 to trace German Neology to Luther and Melancthon, 
 and Genevan Socinianism to Calvin. 
 
Viii translator's preface. 
 
 That the early Arminians had some Erastian 
 leanings, was less their fault than their fate. On this 
 point, at least, their high-hancled opponents have no 
 room to speak. Very plausible, no doubt, was the 
 clamour of the Gomarists to have ecclesiastical causes 
 tried by ecclesiastical courts; and safe, as well as 
 plausible, for they were the dominant party ; but 
 to ascribe this to any just principles of religious 
 liberty would be to betray sheer ignorance of the men 
 and the times. What the Gomarists wished was full 
 scope, in the first place, for their high-handed majority, 
 to condemn the Arminians in due ecclesiastical form ; 
 and then to demand from Csesar, for the plenary exe- 
 cution of their decrees, the unshackled use of the 
 secular arm. Bogermann, the zealous foe of the 
 Arminians, and the president of the Synod of Dort, by 
 which the Arminians were condemned, was one of the 
 translators of Beza's treatise of pimisJdng heretics with 
 deathj and pressed the Dutch magistrates with the 
 sentiment ' that to tolerate more religions than one in a 
 state, was to make peace with Satan.' Though driven 
 by their circumstances to seek shelter under the protec- 
 tive arm of the State, the Arminians were not the less 
 the strenuous champions at once of civil and 
 religious liberty ; and to their heroic endurance is it 
 owing that, from being one of the most exclusive, Hol« 
 
translator's preface. ix 
 
 land has "become one of the most tolerant countries in 
 Em-ope — a result in which a modern German writer 
 recognises, not without reason, the fulfilment of a 
 very important part of their mission* After the rup- 
 ture between the great Arminian statesmen and Prince 
 Maurice, to whose grasping ambition they refused 
 to immolate the young liberties of the Dutch Eepub- 
 lic, the Gomarists, seizing their opportunity, and post- 
 poning patriotism to party, paid cornet to the Prince, 
 who forthwith turned his back on the Arminians, and 
 threw all his weight into the opposite scale. This 
 policy smoothed the way for the summary measures 
 of the Synod of Dort, with its tragic issues to the 
 Ai-minians, — deposition, suppression, expatriation, yea 
 incarceration, and even death. Hundreds of clergy- 
 men were deposed. Multitudes who refused (though 
 plied with the bribe of a comfortable maintenance) to 
 abstain from preaching, were sent into exile. Even 
 organists of churches were compelled to sign the 
 canons of the Synod of Dort. The Leyden Professors 
 of whatever faculty who refused to do so, were dis- 
 placed; and recusant students expelled. Armmian 
 assemblies, held in the face of pains and penalties, 
 
 * Ihre Mission war auch zum grossen TheUe voUendet, da 
 Holland immer mehr ein Land religiosen Duldung ward. — 
 (Eeal Encyklopiidie fiir Prot. Theol. und Kirche. P. 529.) 
 
X translator's preface. 
 
 were sometimes converted by a mtUess soldiery into 
 scenes of blood. The self-denying persistence of tbe 
 persecuted Arminians was worthy, so long as their 
 days of trial lasted, of our own forefathers in the days 
 of the Covenant. The million guilders of the Synod's 
 expenses were the least part of its cost to Holland. 
 At the very time it closed its sittings, three gTcat 
 Arminian statesmen, whose names occur in this bio- 
 graphy — Grotius, Hoogerbeets, and Oldenbarneveldt, 
 were in prison ; the two former being condemned to 
 perpetual imprisonment ; the last, who had abeady 
 turned his period of threescore years and ten, was led 
 forth, a few days after the close of the Synod, to ex- 
 piate on the scaffold his only crime — incorruptible 
 patriotism. 
 
 We allude to these facts, not for the uavidious pui'- 
 pose of tracing the spmt of persecution exclusively to 
 any one creed (though some creeds distil it more copi- 
 ously than others), but partly to vindicate the original 
 Arminians from exaggerated charges of Erastianism, 
 as what their Gomarist opponents did much more to 
 incur ; and partly as appropriate supplemental infor- 
 mation, as far as it goes, to that contained in the 
 following memou", which narrates the causes that 
 ripened into the results described, ten years after 
 Arminius had found an asylum in the grave. 
 
TRANSLATORS PREFACE. XI 
 
 The English Keformation, having for its doctrinal 
 basis the mild views of Melancthon, Arminianism 
 (which was a virtual revolt from Calvin to Melanc- 
 thon) has all along powerfully influenced the theology 
 of England. And yet, beyond the old translation (in 
 1672) of Bertius's funeral oration over Arminius, and 
 brief gleanmgs from this memoir in our larger works 
 of reference, we know of no English Life of the great 
 Arminius, till, with a zeal, ability, and erudition 
 worthy of his great theme, Mr James Nichols of Lon- 
 don addressed himself to the task in the memoir pre- 
 fixed to the first volume of his translation of the works 
 of Arminius. The present translation of Brandt was 
 nearly completed before we laid our hands on the 
 two volumes of Mr Nichols (for the third is still 
 due) ; but on doing so, we found, as we ex- 
 pected, that his task and ours in no way interfered. 
 Our object was to meet the prejudice (especially in 
 Scotland) associated with the name of Arminius, by a 
 translation of the classic and authentic memoir by 
 Brandt, in a form which, while tasteful, should be of 
 a price to make it accessible to the masses of the 
 people. Now, Mr Nichols's Life of Arminius forms 
 part of a large and necessarily expensive work, which 
 is not yet completed ; and though Brandt's Memoir is 
 incorporated, it is in a dislocated form, in scattered 
 
xii translator's preface. 
 
 notes and appendices, while considerable portions are 
 omitted, or reserved for tlie tMrd volume. In 1843 
 Dr Bangs of New York, compiled from tlie pages of 
 Nicliols, a Life of Arminius in a form better adapted 
 to the popular object we had in view 5 but being pro- 
 fessedly but a miniature of Nichols's, it partakes of 
 the same heterogeneous and fragmentary character; 
 containing portions, indeed, of Brandt, but portions 
 also from other sources, including large extracts from 
 the works of Arminius. A simple and continuous 
 edition of Brandt's Life of Arminius was yet wanting ; 
 and this, without interference with the respected 
 authors named, and as a fellow-worker in the same 
 cause, we have endeavoured to supply in the present 
 publication. 
 
 Of the manner in which we have executed our task 
 we leave the j)ublic to judge ; merely observing, that 
 while labouring throughout to harmonise, to the best 
 of our judgment, these sometimes refractory compati- 
 bilities — fidelity to our author's Latin, on the one hand, 
 and to our reader's vernacular on the other, we have 
 allowed the scale to preponderate, where preponderate 
 it must, on the side of literality rather than of ele- 
 gance. 
 
 Our object in this publication is something more 
 than a vindication of the injured character of Arminius. 
 
translator's preface. xiii 
 
 Were all such wrongs to be tlius righted, ' I suppose 
 that even the world itself could not contain the books 
 that should be written.' There are multitudes of 
 injured characters which, for any practical require- 
 ment, can well afford to lie over (as Whitefield said of 
 bis) till they be cleared up in the light of the Judg- 
 ment Day. But there are other characters, — other 
 transacted lives, — which not to know, or to mis-know, 
 is a loss to the world. Of such sort we believe the 
 memory of Arminius to be : a memory so beautiful 
 that even those who are constrained to dissent from 
 Arminius the theologian, may yet profitably contem- 
 plate, and sympathetically admire, Arminius the noble- 
 minded, benevolent, and Christian man. For this 
 and such ends, may God graciously accompany this 
 little work with his blessing. 
 
 John Guthrie. 
 Greenock, 20th Sept., 1854. 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 Page. 
 Dedication by the Editor, Gerard Brandt, . . 1 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Early Life and Education of Arminius, till the commence- 
 ment of his Ministry in Amsterdam. — a.d. 1560— 
 1588 9 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Transition Stage of Arminius's mind on the subject of Pre- 
 destination, with the cu'cumstances in which it origi- 
 nated; and the troubles to which it led. — a.d. 1589 
 — 1592 34 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 Arminius, in expounding Romans ix., encounters fresh 
 storms; confutes the Calumnies of Plancius, and 
 conesponds, on points in dispute, with Gellius Snec- 
 anus and Francis Junius. — a.d. 1592 — 1597 . 56 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Intense ardour of Arminius in investigating Divine Truth, 
 with connected incidents ; and his devoted and bene- 
 volent Pastoral Labours at the time of the Plague. — 
 a.d. 1597—1602 78 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Arminius's Call to a Theological Professorship in Leyden, 
 and the active opposition to which it gave rise. — a.d, 
 1602—1603 95 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Further prosecution and successful issue of Arminius's Call 
 to the Professorship.— A.D. 1603 . . 118 
 
^Vl CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Page, 
 
 Discussions of Armiuius at Leyden, especially on the 
 subject of Predestination ; and consequent opposition 
 of Gomarus— A.D. 1603, 1604 . . . .141 
 
 CHAPTER Vni. 
 
 Suspicions against Arminius, and rigorous measures with 
 his Students ; fresh Disputatations ; commencement of 
 Ecclesiastical proceedings. — a.d. 1604, 1605 , . 159 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 Ecclesiastical Excitement, and proceedings with a view to 
 a National Synod; fresh Calumnies against Arminius. 
 —A.D. 1605—1607 .182 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Convention at the Hague to arrange the preliminaries of a 
 National Synod; misrepresentation of Arminius and 
 his adherents for the opinions they there expressed ; 
 his Letters to Drusius and Hyppolitus a Coliibus. — 
 A.D. 1607—1608 . 212 
 
 CHAPTER XT. 
 
 Conference at the Hague in May 1608; Arminius replies 
 to thirty-one Defamatory Articles, falsely ascribed to 
 him and Adrian Borrius. — A.D. 1608 . . . 243 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 Ever- increasing Contentions, amid which the health of 
 Armiuius gives way ; final Conference at the Hague in 
 August 1609 ; his Last Illness and Death.— a.d. 1609 378 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 Sketch of the Person and Character of Arminius; with a 
 variety of Testimonies in regard to him, both from 
 Friends and Foes.— a.d. 1609 300 
 
 Appendix 321 
 
[dedication by the editor, GERARD BRANDT.] 
 
 TO THE 
 EMINENTLY PIOUS AND LEARNED 
 
 LAMBEKT DROST 
 
 AND 
 
 GEORGE A ZONHOVEN, 
 
 THE FAITttPUL PASTORS OP THE REMOJiSTRA>)T CHURCH AT HAARLEM AKD LEYDBH ; 
 
 GERARD BRANDT 
 
 greeting : 
 
 Reverend Sirs, 
 
 Special reasons exist, over and 
 above the common interest you feel in literature and 
 learned men, which ha,ve induced me to dedicate to 
 you, in particular, the life, composed by my father, of 
 James Arminius — a name of no mean lustre in Hol- 
 land during- the last century. For whether I reflect 
 on the degree of veneration with which you hold sacred 
 the memory and the doctrine of that incomparable 
 man, or recal to mind the very close tie of friendship 
 which you contracted with the author while he lived, 
 or consider, finally, the favourable regard toward 
 
 me personally which you have repeatedly evidenced 
 
 2 
 
r r f 
 
 < f f 
 
 
 '^^ \ \ ,,\ ' ' '' '<' DEDICATION. 
 
 by no dubious proofs, I shall have no difficulty in 
 satisfying any competent judge that I have the best 
 reasons indeed for dedicating to you this production of 
 my father. 
 
 For, if to acknowledge favours may be regarded as 
 part of a gi'ateful return, what can better become me 
 than to bear public testimony to the kindness which 
 you have thrown around me from my tender years. 
 Not unfrequently have you counselled me, m the 
 slippery period of youth, to contemplate, as in a mir- 
 ror, the lives of my ancestors, that thence I might 
 derive examples of virtue and learning, and that, 
 roused from the slumber of inaction by the trophies of 
 hereditary fame, I might ply my studies with alacrity 
 ui the liberal arts. You have not hesitated by your 
 counsels, admonitions, and every variety of kind offices, 
 to lighten the burdens of orphanage, yea, and to 
 admit me in my riper years into your intimate friend- 
 ship ; in short, you have at no time suffered any 
 advantage to be shut in my face. 
 
 But to crown all, by getting your names prefixed to 
 this work, I flatter mvself that I have found fit defen- 
 ders of Arminius ; for not only is it your endeavour, 
 from a regard at once to your office and to conscience, 
 to maintain and defend his doctrine ; but, that the 
 good cause may not lack advocacy, you have, in con- 
 cert with others, undertaken the care and charge of 
 examining, and elevating to sacred functions, the 
 young men who, as the hopes of the Eemonstrant 
 Church, are in course of training under the auspices 
 of the illustrious Cattenburg. 
 
DEDICATION. 6 
 
 I miglit enlarge, were it not that I have found you 
 to be as loath to admit these commendations, as I 
 have found other men willing to hear them ; for virtue 
 has in itself this distinguishing feature, that it would 
 rather be honoured with a quiet admiration, and com- 
 mended in silence, than eulogised in fulsome terms. 
 Accept, then, this memorial, such as it is, of my 
 regard and esteem for you, which, in token of a grate- 
 ful spirit, I adorn with your names. Should you be 
 kindly disposed to honour it with your patronage, I 
 shall have the satisfaction of reflecting that a debt 
 has been discharged to the memory of Arminius, to 
 the labour of my father, and to my own earnest wishes. 
 It only remains that I pour out a heartfelt prayer to 
 the ever blessed God, that he would long spare you 
 in health, most excellent Sirs, for the good of your 
 church, and of all the Eemonstrants : and that you 
 may grant me a continuance of your favourable 
 regard. 
 
 Amsterdam, May 1, 1721, 
 
[PEEFATORY NOTE BY THE EDITOR, 
 GERARD BRANDT.] 
 
 Before addressing yourself, courteous reader, to the 
 perusal of this little work, there are a few things which 
 I think it needful to state in the outset. Nearly thirty 
 years have elapsed since my father, Caspar Brandt, of 
 blessed memory, began to spend his leisure hours in 
 penning a life of the celebrated James Arminius ; and 
 in order that the entire Christian world might be 
 the better able to judge of the piety and doctrine of 
 that great man, whose name had been bandied about 
 in various rumours (even as citizens the best deserving, 
 whether in the State or the Church, have not always a 
 lot worthy of their endeavours, and envy, like an in- 
 separable shadow, is the usual concomitant of glory 
 and virtue), he thought it advisable to frame his 
 narrative in Latin, in preference to doing so in his 
 vernacular tongue. The materials of the work were 
 furnished, not merely by the literary remains, pre- 
 viously published, of Peter Bertius, John Uiten- 
 bogaerdt, and other distinguished men of that century, 
 
6 PREFATORY NOTE. 
 
 but also by not a few manuscript papers of tbeirs, and 
 of Arminius himself, of which hitherto no public use 
 had been made. At last, having all but applied a 
 finishing touch to the memoir, and while making 
 arrangements for committing the work to the press, he 
 was snatched from the stage of time, — ^leaving myself, 
 and many good men, to bewail his loss. 
 
 He had made me heir of almost all his manuscripts ; 
 among these was this life of Arminius, which, as I was 
 not yet of age to manage my own affairs, v>^as entrusted, 
 in the usual way, to the faith and custody of a 
 g-uardian, at whose death it passed into other hands, 
 and there lay concealed for a good many years ; till at 
 last, upwards of two years ago, I recovered it from its 
 possessor. Impelled, accordingly, by the dictate of 
 filial affection, and by a regard to the memory of James 
 Arminius, I send forth to the public this fruit of my 
 father's mental toil. I have thought it proper to pre- 
 mise these things to vindicate myself from the un- 
 merited censure of some, who, being aware that a 
 memoir of Arminius had been drawn up by my father, 
 accused me of nevertheless procrastinating the pub- 
 lication of it longer than was due. Let not these, 
 however, I pray, expect me — in accordance with the 
 usual practice m editing memoirs, whether auto- 
 biographical, or otherwise — to advance anything in 
 praise either of Ai'mmius himself, or of my father.* 
 
 * This is an awkward sentence in the original ; and it even 
 presents a diversity of reading in different impressions of this 
 same edition; but young Brandt's meaning is nevertheless 
 sufficiently apparent. — Tr. 
 
PREFATORY NOTE. 7 
 
 To dwell on the merits of tlie former would not be at 
 all in keeping with my condition m life ; while, from 
 any such reference to the latter, — by which I might 
 appear desirous of imposing on others, — I am re- 
 strained by a due veneration for my father's name. 
 
 It concerns me more to notice the circumstance — 
 as fitted to enhance the readers estimate of the utility 
 of this work — that there was a memoir by Philip 
 Limborch, the very eminent professor of theology 
 among the Remonstrants, of the celebrated Simon 
 Episcopius, originally prefixed to his sermons, which, 
 for the benefit of foreigners, was well translated into 
 Latin by an ardent lover of letters, and, in a form 
 similar to that of the present work, published m this 
 city by Gallet in the year 1701 ; but, by what fate I 
 know not, copies of this edition have become so rare, that 
 it was with some difficulty that one could be obtained for 
 my inspection. Should the rest, however, happen to be 
 liberated from the places of confinement in which they 
 are said to be detained, and that life of Episcopius be 
 subjoined to these memoirs of Arminius, the two volumes 
 will be found to embody a record of the rise and vicissi- 
 tudes of the Eemonstrants during a period of forty 
 years — a record not unworthy of the study either of 
 Dutchmen or of Protestants in other lands. 
 
 Besides, it will be evident even from this, that 
 the genius of the Christian religion consists in meek- 
 ness and charity, rather than in speculative opinions 
 in matters of faith ; and how necessary in contro- 
 versies that do not peril the foundations of our faith, 
 is mutual forbearance, to foreclose many schisms into 
 
8 PREFATORY NOTE. 
 
 which the Church, alas ! is now cruelly rent : for, as 
 the Emperor Justinian wisely warns, in another case — 
 ' It is better to leave a cause untouched, than, after 
 it is damaged, to look about for a remedy. ' * 
 
 AxMSTERDAM, 1st May, 1724. 
 
 * L. Ult. C. in quibus caus. in integr. rest, neces. non est. 
 
THE LIFE 
 
 OP 
 
 JAMES ARMINIUS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION OF ARMINIUS, TILL THE 
 
 COMMENCEMENT OF HIS MINISTRY IN AMSTERDAM. 
 
 A.D. 1560 TO A.D. 1588. 
 
 Of all the religious controversies wliich have furnished 
 divines of recent as well as of more ancient note, ^'ith 
 fertile matter of debate, not the least prominent, per- 
 haps, is the oft-agitated question respecting divine 
 predestination, and its dependent doctrines. On one 
 side, for example, in that discussion may be found 
 Augustine, and his followers Prosper, Hilary, and 
 Fulgentius ; on the other, Chrysostom, Ambrose, and 
 other bishops, both of the Greek and Latin Church : — 
 a fact admitted by all who have more attentively 
 studied the writings of the ancients. Afterwards also, 
 when the influence of Augustine was predominant 
 among the Schoolmen, the question as to what was his 
 
10 THE LIFE OP 
 
 meaning, and as to tlie principle on which his differ- 
 ent statements were to be reconciled, was long 
 keenly debated between the Franciscan and Domini- 
 can orders. Nay, even in the last century, at the 
 very dawn of the uprising truth, there was a diversity 
 of opinion on this point among the Protestant leaders 
 themselves ; one view being held by Luther,* Calvin, 
 and Beza, and another by Erasmus, Melancthon, 
 Bullinger, Sarcerius, Latimer, and many other leaders 
 of the Eeformed faith. And more, following these 
 last at no great interval, George Sohnius of the Uni- 
 versity of Heidelberg, Peter Baro of the University 
 of Cambridge, and John Holmann of the Leyden 
 University, three professors of theology ; and in the 
 provinces of Friesland, Guelderland, and Holland, 
 Anastasius Veluanus, Hubert Duifhusius (or Dove- 
 house), Snecanus, and other men of note in these Low 
 Countries, differed from others in their views of this 
 subject, without injury, however, to ecclesiastical peace 
 or brotherly concord. 
 
 But when a number of pastors, particularly those 
 who had prosecuted theological studies at Geneva, or in 
 the University of Heidelberg, put forth unremitting and 
 strenuous efforts, in lower Germany, to convert their 
 
 * Melanctbon declares that, on this point, Luther's opinion, 
 latterly ar least, coincided with his own: — ' Scis me,' says he 
 ' queedam minus horride dicere de prsedestinatione, de assensu 
 voluntatis, de necessitate obedientios nostrse, de peccato mor- 
 tali; de his omnibus scio re-ipsa Lutherum sentire eadem, sed 
 ineruditi quaadam ejus QopriXOjrspa dicta, cum non videant 
 quo pertineant, nimium amant.' Epist. p. 445. Edit. 1647. 
 — Tr. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 11 
 
 own harslier opinion on tlie Di\dne decrees into law, 
 and either debar dissentients from the sacred office, or, 
 if already in office, to expel them, there was no one, 
 in this centnry at least, who resisted the attempt so 
 openly and manfully, as James Armixius, doctor 
 and professor of theology, of no mean name, in the 
 University of Leyden, in Holland, upwards of eighty 
 years ago. But, as the reputation of this man has 
 been assailed by many writers, and he himself tra- 
 duced as Holland's unpropitious star, and as the leader 
 and author of that disgraceful schism which has, in the 
 most grievous manner, convulsed the Eeformed churches 
 in the Low Countries — just as if his object had been 
 to pile up for himself, out of their ruins, a stepway 
 to fame — I may be admitted, perhaps, to have 
 performed no unworthy office to his blessed memory, 
 if, from various and most authentic documents, as 
 many as I could lay my hands upon, I furnish the 
 public with a faithful and compendious memou' of his 
 life. 
 
 To commence, then, with his nativity : — James 
 Hermanns (or Hermanson) was his original name ; 
 but, after the example of Capnio, Erasmus, Melanc- 
 thon, Sadeel, and other eminent men, who, guided by 
 a similarity either of sound or of signification, adopted 
 other than their original names, he afterwards allowed 
 it to be latinised into Arminius. He was born a.d. ' 
 1560, the self-same year tluit terminated the earthly 
 career of a theologian of highest name, that illustrious 
 ornament of the Eeformation — Philip Melancthon, of 
 whom the Emperor Ferdinand is reported to have de- 
 clared, on being apprised of his death — ' That man was 
 
12 TflE LIFE OF 
 
 always distinguislied for the moderation of his coun- 
 sels.'* Even so does the Great Disposer control human 
 events; and as in the firmament, while some stars 
 set, others rise ; so, in this lower sphere, when one 
 renowned for learning and piety dies, forthwith another 
 arises and takes his place, till at last, from among the 
 crowd of his fellow-mortals, he stands out conspicuous 
 as a star, and in point of mental endowment and 
 moral excellence, will bear comparison with those 
 who have finished their life and their labours. 
 
 The birthplace of Arminius was Oude water, which 
 •some call Old Waters ^\ a small town of South Holland, 
 distinguished, not only by the loveliness of its circum- 
 jacent plains, and by the Yssel that flows through it, 
 but also, and in the highest degTee, by a long siege it 
 sustained against the Spaniards, which terminated in 
 its overthrow and in the barbarous slaughter of its 
 inhabitants. In some elegiac verses addressed to a 
 friend at Delft the subject of our memoir thus cele- 
 brates, in a strain of dearly cherished remembrance, the 
 place of his nativity, the home of his fathers : — 
 
 Ah fuit in Batavis urbecula finibus olim, 
 Quae nunc Hispani strata furore jacet. 
 
 Huic Undse Veteres posuerunt nomina prima ; 
 Hsec mihi nascenti patria terra fuit. X 
 
 From this little city which, among other eminently 
 
 * Bucholceri Chronol. -|- Its literal meaning. — Tr. 
 
 X Ex. MS. Arminii. These verses may he thus represented 
 in English: — 
 
 In Holland once (ah! once) there stood a town, 
 Now hy the Spaniard's rage in ruins thrown ; 
 
 Old Waters named — ne'er be that name forgot ! 
 Scene of life's sunny morn — my natal spot!— Tr. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 13 
 
 learned men, gave birth also to the great mathemati- 
 cian, Kudolph Snellius, sprung Arminius, of parents 
 respectable indeed, but of moderate means. His 
 father was a cutler, of the name of Hermann Jacobs 
 (or Jacobson). His mother's name was Angelica 
 Jacobson: she belonged origmally^to Dort. He lost his 
 father in infancy ; and his mother, thus prematurely 
 deprived of her partner, was left, with the three children 
 she had by him, to pass her widowed days in some- 
 what straitened circumstances. There were not 
 wanting, however, kind friends to the widow, who 
 most faithfully acted towards her the part of a hus- 
 band, and made it their study to assist her by their 
 counsel and their means. Among others there lived at 
 that time, and in the same jjlace, a certain priest of the 
 name of Theodore ^milius, a man of singular erudi- 
 tion, who stood high among all his fellow-townsmen for 
 the gravity of his manners, and the purity of his life. 
 In his early years he had been imbued with the popu- 
 lar errors and with the superstitions of the Romish 
 Church ; but, afterwards, by divine illumination, he 
 conceived a relish for the Refoimed doctrme, and at 
 last resolved to abandon at once and for ever the 
 idolatrous sacrifice of the mass, which he had often 
 performed. Wlierefore, to escape the hands of perse- 
 cutors, he removed his abode fi'om place to place ; till 
 at last, settling down privately at Utrecht, he took 
 the fatherless boy Arminius under his truly fatherly 
 protection. Findmg hun apt to learn, and already 
 beamuig, at that very tender age, with indications of 
 mind, he took care to get hun mitiated, at the school 
 
14 THE LIFE OF 
 
 of Utrecht, in tlie elements of both languages, and 
 instilled into him the principles of genuine piety. * 
 When, moreover, he saw in the boy evident marks of 
 an excellent and piously inclined disposition, he set 
 himself with special earnestness to stimulate, day by 
 day, his budding intellect and piety by the most salu- 
 tary admonitions. Above all, he exhorted and urged 
 him again and again, that, putting away and spurn- 
 ing from him every earthly consideration, he should 
 devote himself entirely to God and his conscience; 
 that the life which now is, was of trivial moment, and 
 that it was succeeded by a state of existence beyond, 
 which was not to be estimated by the distinctive 
 badges of temporal bondage or freedom, but by an 
 eternity of weal or of woe. These counsels, and many 
 more of the same character, emanating as they did from 
 a thoroughly sincere and unsophisticated breast, and 
 followed up and confirmed by the diligent perusal and 
 meditation of the sacred volume, remained infixed so 
 deeply and indelibly in his mind, that, inflamed with 
 the hope of that better life and never-ending glory 
 which the venerable old man often pressed upon his 
 attention, he consecrated himself entirely to the pur- 
 suit of piety, and the promotion of the divine glory. 
 In the course of a few years, however, while living in 
 this manner at Utrecht, and daily advancmg in learn- 
 ing, and in holiness of life, his faithful patron was sud- 
 denly snatched from him by the hand of death. 
 
 But the great and ever blessed God, the never- 
 failing father of the orphan, did not leave the youth, 
 * Ex. Bevtii Orat. funeb. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 15 
 
 now in his 15tli year, to pine in the hopeless grief 
 into which he had been pkmged by the loss of so 
 beloved a benefactor. Scarcely had the good old 
 man departed this life, when that profound linguist, 
 and most expert mathematician, Kudolph Snellius, 
 happened to re-visit his ovm country from Hesse- 
 Cassel ; having some time previously, to escape the 
 tyranny of the Spaniards, left his native spot, which 
 was common to him. with Arminius, and repaired to 
 Marburg. Moved with Christian compassion for his 
 young fellow-townsman, now deprived of human guar- 
 dianship, he forthwith honoured him with his patron- 
 age, and took him with him to Hesse- Cassel. 
 
 Arminius had hardly taken up his abode there, 
 when, in the month of August in that same year 
 (1575), his ear was startled by the tnily tragic in- 
 telligence that his native town had been destroyed : — 
 that the place had been taken by the Spaniards — its 
 houses pillaged, and almost entirely consumed by the 
 devouring flames — its garrison put to the sword — its 
 ministers of religion hanged — and its inhabitants 
 strangled in a promiscuous mass, without any regard 
 to age or sex. This announcement so agonized his 
 youthful spirit that for a whole fortnight he gave 
 way to incessant weeping and wailing. Yea, so ir- 
 repressible was his anguish at so fell a catastrophe, 
 that he quitted Hesse-Cassel, and hurried to Holland — 
 resolved to visit the ruins of his native city, or die in 
 the attempt. When he reached the place, the scene 
 presented the appearance of a heap, rather than of a 
 city — his eye findhig nothmg to rest on but piles of 
 
16 THE LIFE OF 
 
 rubbish, and the remains of most of the citizens, yea, 
 and of his dearest mother, and sister, and brother, and 
 other relations, all cruelly slain. He accordingly re- 
 turned to Marburg, the journey from his native place 
 to Hesse- Cassel being accomplished on foot.* 
 
 Meanwhile, under the auspices of the illustrious 
 Prince of Orange, William the First, a new University 
 had been erected in Holland. f On being apprised 
 of this, he returned to his native land, and repaired to 
 Rotterdam, where the sad relics of his fellow- towns- 
 men, and some others who had fled from Amsterdam 
 on account of the Reformed religion, had taken shel- 
 ter. Peter Bertius, senr., was then pastor of that 
 church ; and in the same city resided a man of eminent 
 learning and piety, John Taffin, Walloon minister to 
 the Prince, and one of his Councillors. Arminius im- 
 mediately insinuated himself into their friendship — so 
 much so, that Bertius cheerfully received him into his 
 
 * Ex. Bertii Orat. Funeb. 
 
 -j- The celebrated University of Leyden. In memory of the 
 eventful siege of that city by the Spaniards, and to reward the 
 citizens for their heroic and triumphant defence, the Prince and 
 States offered them their choice of a university or a fair. To 
 the honour of the citizens they chose the university, and to the 
 honour of the Prince and Stales they gave them both ; and both 
 sustained and enhanced the city's well-earned renown. The 
 university, above all, has made Leyden an imperishable name. 
 It received its charter from the Prince of Orange on the 8th 
 February, 1575. ' Van der Duys, the devoted and heroic 
 defender of his native town, first sat as curator in that chair 
 which himself had raised on the standards of victory, and the 
 muse twined her bays with the laurels that crowned his brow.' 
 — Davies' Hist, of Holland, vol. ii. p. 15. London, 1851. — Tr. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 17 
 
 own house. By and by, however, at the instance, and 
 with the sanction, of certain friends, he was removed 
 to the new University at Leyden, along with Peter 
 Bertius, junr., whom his father, on this occasion, 
 had recalled from England. Pre-eminent among the 
 other masters of varied erudition, Lambert Danseus 
 then added lustre to the new seat of learning — a 
 distinguished man, so versed at once in philoso- 
 phical and theological studies, and also in the Fathers, 
 and in scholastic divinity, as to have scarcely an equal 
 in these departments. " Hence that illustrious orna- 
 ment of literature, and of the Leyden University, John 
 Dousa, the elder, in an iambic poem composed in 
 honour of Danssus, designates him the father of the 
 sciences and of eloquence^ and the master-builder of 
 the new seat of learning, j 
 
 Favoured with so able a director of his studies, 
 Arminius soon made such proficiency that he far 
 outstripped his fellow-students, to whom he TVi.s 
 held up by his distinguished preceptor in terms of 
 public commendation as a rare example of industry 
 and virtue. When anything was to be written, cr 
 spoken, or any doubt to be resolved, Arminius was 
 sure to be consulted. There was scarcely a field of 
 study, or department of the arts, which he did not 
 bound over with eager and joyous impulse. In order 
 to acquire the Hebrew tongue, he availed himself of 
 the instructions of Hermann Eennecher, a Westpha- 
 lian, who was well versed in that language. With 
 
 * Meursii Atlien. Batav^. 
 
 •f Vid. Dousse poem, a kJcriverio edita p. 274. 
 
18 THE LIFE OF 
 
 liis main study, theology, at wliicli he toiled night and 
 day, he conjoined philosophy ; and penetrated to the 
 inmost recesses of both. 
 
 Of all philosophers, by the way, the celebrated 
 Peter Ramus, formerly professor in the University 
 of Paris, pleased hun best.* So thoroughly did he 
 imbibe his system of philosophising, and method of 
 reasoning, that he might have passed for another 
 Eamus. My impression, however, is, that Arminius 
 acquired the elements of this philosophy under his 
 teacher and guardian, Rudolph Snellius, of whom 
 the distmguished Meursius remarks, that ' at Marburg 
 he first laid his hands on the logic of Ramus, and 
 was so enraptured with it, that from that day for- 
 ward he shook himself clear of all the shackles of the 
 Aristotelian philosopliy, to the acquisition of which he 
 had formerly devoted three whole years in the colleges 
 at Cologne.' 
 
 Under the care of this same Snellius, who, at the 
 close of the year 1578, was called by the Curators 
 of the Leyden University to give instruction in Ma- 
 thematics, he applied himself also to Mathematics and 
 Astronomy^, and made no small progress in these 
 studies. Nor was he proof against the allurements 
 of poetry; but at this, as well as at subsequent periods 
 of his life, he occasionally betook hunself to that sweet 
 charmer of the human soul, to soothe his breast when 
 burdened by a load of care. This is proved by a variety 
 of epigrams and poems of every description, that bear 
 the evident impress of a sprightly and most elegant 
 
 * Eamus was also a favourite with Jobn Miltou. — ^Tr. 
 
JAMES ARMINIU3. 19 
 
 mind, many of which, in the author's own hand-wi'iting, 
 are preserved by us to this day among our most precious 
 relics. Of all his companions — it may be added — who 
 then plied theu' literary studies along with him at 
 the same university, and of whose friendship and close 
 intimacy he daily availed himself, the most eminent 
 were these young men of transcendent ability, John 
 Gruter, Eombout Hoogerbeets, and George Benedicti 
 of Haarlem, whose epigrams, and other highly finished 
 poetical remains, were afterwards published by the 
 very learned P. Scriverius. 
 
 When, with these fellow- students, he had now 
 attended the Leyden University for the space of six 
 years, and given satisfactory proof that he was des- 
 tined to be an eminent man, and useful teacher in the 
 church, he was at length recommended, in hope of 
 the church, by the Honourable the Senators of the 
 Amsterdam Eepublic, and by ministers of the gospel, 
 to the heads of the merchants' guild,* who re- 
 sponded so heartily to the call, that, to enable him to 
 complete a thorough com'se of academical study, they 
 took the youth imder their patronage, and cheerfully 
 engaged, with this pious object in view, to defray the 
 expense thereby incurred out of the annual proceeds 
 of their fraternity. On his part, Arminius, in an 
 autogi-aph document retained by the senators, 
 of date 13th September, 1581, bound himself 
 to be in perpetuity at the ser\dce of that city; 
 
 * Trihunis Institorum ; to which the author subjoins, in a 
 foot-note, by way of explanation: — De Hooftluiden van het 
 Kraemers Gildt. — Tr. 
 
20 THE LIFE OF 
 
 and pledged liis faith that in the event of his being 
 invested with the sacred office, he would give his 
 energies to no chnrch in any other city without the 
 previous consent of those who should constitute 
 the Senate of that great city for the time being. 
 
 Backed by such kind patrons, he rushed with 
 accelerated speed towards the completion of his 
 studies. That he might accomplish this with 
 the more advantage, and yet further enrich his 
 resources, the Senate of Amsterdam deemed it ad- 
 visable that he should be sent to some of the foreign 
 universities. Accordingly, by their authority and 
 decree, in the year 1582, he set out for Geneva, a 
 city which was then considered to be the stronghold 
 of the Reformed faith, and the prolific birth-place as 
 well as arena of the most illustrious minds. Of all 
 who then took the lead in this city, in its Academy and 
 in the public ordinances of religion, the great master- 
 spirit was that venerable old man, Theodore Beza. 
 Hence nothing appeared to Arminius of greater con- 
 sequence, while at Geneva, than to conciliate towards 
 himself Beza's interest and affection, inasmuch as he 
 hoped, by means of his conversations and intercourse, 
 to become not only a more erudite and polished, but 
 also a better and a wiser man. For, with the utmost 
 gravity of manners, this theologian excelled his com- 
 peers in persua&iveness of address, and in promptitude 
 and perspicuity of utterance; while his learning and 
 attainments in sacred literature were profound and 
 extraordinary. With ears intent Arminius drank in 
 his words; with eager assiduity he hung upon his 
 
JAMES AKMINTCS. 21 
 
 lips ; and witli intense admiration he listened to liis 
 exposition of the ninth chapter of Panl's epistle to the 
 Eomans. His attention to Beza, however, was not ex- 
 clusive ; for he was often present also at the prelections 
 and discourses of Anthony Faye, Charles Perrot, and 
 other teachers of that church and universitv. 
 
 Here, at Geneva, w^ere laid the foundations of that 
 most intimate and uninterrupted friendship which ever 
 after subsisted between him and John Uitenbogaert, a 
 native of Utrecht, who prosecuted his studies in theology 
 at the same time, and under the same preceptors.* In the 
 course of that period, too, it happened that the sons of 
 the principal families of rank in the Dutch Eepublic, 
 and young men of noble birth, had flocked to Geneva to 
 prosecute their studies, of whose familiar intercourse and 
 many kind offices Arminius daily availed himself. . 
 Emment among these were Nicolas Cromhout, 
 Abraham Bysius, Peter Brederode, John Crucius, 
 Adi'ian Tiong of Dort, afterwards called Junius, and 
 others, whom, at subsequent periods, he saw elevated 
 to the highest honours of state in his native land.-|- 
 
 But Arminius, ha\dng rather keenly, and with too 
 great ardour, defended publicly, as well as privately, the 
 philosophy of Ramus, which he had formerly embraced, 
 and impugned that of Aristotle ; nay, further, having 
 allowed himself to be prevailed upon, by the re- 
 quest and earnest entreaties of many of the students 
 (of whom Uitenbogaert was one), to teach the logic of 
 Ramus privately, and in his own study, he soon suc- 
 
 * Ex vitce Uitenbog. prolegomenis, Hug. veruac. conscript. 
 -}- Ex Arminii MS. Libello. 
 
22 THE LIFE OF 
 
 ceeded, hj tliat step, in arraying against himself the 
 fierce jealonsy of some of tlie rectors of the academy at 
 Geneva. Of these, no one resented the attempt so 
 keenly as the professor of philosophy in that academy 
 — a Spaniard by nation, and, moreover, a most 
 strennons defender of Aristotle. By his infinence, 
 erelong, Arminins was publicly, and by name, inter- 
 dicted the liberty of teaching the Eamean philo- 
 sophy. Disconcerted by this aifair, he resolved 
 to yield somewhat to the exigency, and abandon 
 Geneva for a time.* 
 
 He removed to Basle, where he was held in 
 the highest estimation for his talents and learn- 
 ing. A favourable opportunity here presented 
 itself for establishing his reputation. The custom 
 had prevailed in that university of permitting 
 the more advanced theological students, during the 
 harvest holidays, to give, apart from the stated course, 
 and with the view of exercising their gifts, occasional 
 lectures hi public. This province Arminius very will- 
 ingly undertook, and expounded a few chapters of 
 Paul's Epistle to the Eomans. With such ability 
 did he act his part, and with such applause from all 
 the learned, that the celebrated James Gryn^us, pro- 
 fessor of sacred literature in that university, occasion- 
 ally graced his lecture M-ith his presence, and listened 
 to him with the utmost delight. This distinguished 
 man, moreover, when any grave question was started 
 in their public discussions, or any knotty point pre- 
 sented itself, would single out Arminius from among 
 * Bert. Ovat. Funeb. — Uitenb. Hist. Eccles. Vernacule Script. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 23 
 
 the assembled students, and, without any fear tliat 
 his lionom- was at stake, appeal to him in these words 
 — ' Let my Hollander answer for me.'* Yea, to such 
 an extent, at this place, did he gain the esteem of the 
 learned, and the fame of solid acquirements, that, when 
 he was meditating a return to Geneva, the Theological 
 Faculty spontaneously, and at the public expense, 
 proffered him the title of doctor, which, however, 
 with the utmost modesty, and with every expression 
 of gTatitude, Arminius at that time declined, as an 
 honour which he was yet too young to wear. 
 
 On his return to Geneva in 1583, he found that 
 the most of those whom he had shortly before exas- 
 perated by his defence of the philosophical tenets of 
 Ramus, had abated much of their rigour. Where- 
 fore, deeming it fair that he, on his part, should some- 
 what abate his impetuosity, and give no further 
 offence to his friends in this way, he so conducted him- 
 self henceforth that every one saw and admired the 
 combination he exhibited of an acute and vivacious in- 
 tellect with the utmost moderation of spirit. So marked 
 was this, that Beza himself, on being asked by the 
 learned Martin Lydius, minister of the gospel at Am- 
 sterdam, in name of the leading men both of the city 
 and the church, to give his opinion of their scholar, -J- 
 and of his studies, replied, in a letter to Lydius, dated 
 June 3, 1583, and embodying the mind of the entire 
 theological faculty, in the following tenns : — 
 
 ' Your letter reached us sometime since, in which, in 
 
 * Ex. Bert, Orat. Fimeb. 
 
 t Alumnus, or in Dutch VoedsterUng—literallj foster-child. 
 
24 THE LIFE OF 
 
 terms of tlie decision of your assembly, as well as by the 
 desire of your illustrious magistracy, you ask our 
 opinion of James Arminius, your scliolar. To that 
 letter we shortly after replied ; but as it is possible, in 
 these critical times, that our reply may not have 
 reached you, we deem it expedient to embrace the 
 opportunity that has just presented itself of a confi- 
 dential bearer, to repeat our answer in brief, lest by 
 any such contingency the studies of Arminius should 
 be injuriously affected. To sum up all, then, in a 
 few words, be it known to you, that from the time 
 Arminius returned to us from Basle, his life and 
 learning both have so approved themselves to us, that 
 we hope the best of him in every respect, if he steadily 
 persist in the same course, which, by the blessing of 
 God, we doubt not he will ; for, among other endow- 
 ments, God has gifted him with an apt intellect both 
 as respects the apprehension and the discrimination of 
 thuigs. If this henceforward be regulated by piety, 
 which he appears assiduously to cultivate, it cannot 
 but happen that this power of intellect, when con- 
 solidated by mature age and experience, will be 
 productive of the richest fruits. Such is our opinion 
 of Arminius, a young man, unquestionably, so far as 
 we are able to judge, most worthy of your kindness 
 and liberality.'* 
 
 Three months after, a similar opinion respecting 
 Arminius was expressed by the University of Basle, 
 in whose name the celebrated Giynaeus drew out the 
 following testimonial : — 
 
 * VideEpist. Eccles. Amstel. 1681 editas; pag. 26. Ed. xii. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 25 
 
 '■ To pious readers J (/reefing: 
 'Inasmuch as a fliithful testimonial of learning 
 and piety ought not to be refused to any learned and 
 pious man, so neither to James Arminius, a native of 
 Amsterdam,* for his deportment while he attended 
 the University of Basle was marked by piety, mode- 
 ration, and assiduity in study ; and very often, in the 
 course of our theological discussions, he made his gift 
 of a discerning spirit so manifest to all of us, as 
 to elicit from us well-merited congratulations. 
 More recently, too, in certain extraorcUnary pre- 
 lections delivered with the consent, and by the 
 order, of the Theological Faculty, in which he 
 publicly expounded a few chapters of the Epistle to 
 the Romans, he gave us the best ground to hope that 
 he was destined erelong — if, indeed, he goes on to 
 stir up the gift of God that is in him — to under- 
 take and sustain the function of teachins:, to which he 
 he may be lawfully set apart, wdth much fniit to the 
 Church. I commend him, accordingly, to all good men, 
 and, in particular, to the Church of God in the famous 
 city of Amsterdam ; and I respectfully entreat that 
 regard may be had to that learned and pious youth, 
 so that he may never be under the necessity of inter- 
 mitting theological studies which have been thus far 
 so happily prosecuted. Farewell ! 
 
 'John James Grynjuus, 
 
 'Professor of Sacred Literature, and Dean of the Theological 
 Faculty. — Written with mine own hand.f 
 
 * Basle, 3rd September, 1583.' 
 
 * In this Grynsous was mistaken, for Arminius was a 
 native of Oudewater. -f- Ex ipso Grynsei Autog raphe. 
 
26 THE LIFE OF 
 
 Graced and animated by these testimonials, lie dili- 
 gently applied himself at Geneva, for three years 
 more, to augment his attainments in theology and 
 sacred literature. Moreover, as every nation has 
 something in which it boasts a superiority over 
 others, and as James Zabarella, a professor of philo- 
 sophy at Padua, had at this time acquired great 
 celebrity in that department ; for this reason chiefly, 
 Arminius, in the year 1586, made arrangements for 
 taking a journey to Italy. This, however, he under- 
 took not so much at his own suggestion, as at the 
 instance of that noble youth, Adrian Junius, who was 
 prosecuting legal studies, and who, when at a subse- 
 quent period he took his place among the senators of 
 the Provincial Court, ceased not to regard Arminius 
 with peculiar affection and esteem. Bent on making 
 the tour of Italy, and on the look-out for a fit com- 
 panion, he succeeded at last, by dint of entreaties, 
 and by consummate address, in alluring Arminius 
 into the project, on this condition, that both should 
 use the same lodgings, the same table, and the same 
 bed; and that in no case, when they sallied forth, 
 should either quit the side of the other.* On this 
 agreement, entered into at Geneva, they set out on 
 their journey under favourable circumstances, taking 
 along with them a Hebrew psalter, and a Greek copy 
 of the New Testament, for the use of both in the way 
 of cultivating personal piety. Spending sometime 
 in Padua, Arminius listened to Zabarella mth the 
 utmost delight, and also found occasion to give in- 
 * Vid. Bert. Orat. Funeb. — Uiteiib. Hist. Eccles. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 27 
 
 stmction in logic to some Germans there, of noble 
 birth. From that lie visited the principal cities of 
 Italy, and the queen of them all, the city of Eome — 
 the throne of the Papal superstition and despotism. 
 Wherever they went Arminius clung to his Achates, 
 and never spoke to any one except in his presence. 
 Of this journey, indeed, he was wont to remark, as 
 no trivial advantage, that ' at Eome he had seen the 
 mystery of iniquity in a fonn far more hideous than 
 he had ever imagined ; and that all he had ever heard 
 or read elsewhere of the court of Antichrist at Eome, 
 appeared trifles when compared with what he saw 
 with his own eyes.'* The whole of this journey to 
 Italy was accomplished, not in twenty-one months, as 
 some recklessly allege, but in the space only of seven 
 months ; after which he retraced his steps to Geneva. 
 But although he had been an eye-mtness of the 
 meretricious worship of that Papal Church, he had 
 kept himself perfectly clear of all taint of its supersti- 
 tion; still he could not escape the charge, by very- 
 grave men, of incaution and precipitation, in under- 
 taking such a journey. AVhat was more, he drew 
 down upon himself, in consequence of that step, the 
 displeasure, to some extent, of his patrons, and of the 
 honom^able Senate of Amsterdam, on the ground that 
 he had imdertaken the journey without consulting 
 them. And, as envy is the usual concomitant of 
 shuiing virtues and talents, there were not wanting 
 individuals at this time who made a handle of the 
 circumstance to indulge the \dlest suspicions, and by 
 * EsBertii Orat. Funeb. 
 
28 THE LIFE OF 
 
 judgments the most manifestly reckless, to blight the 
 opening bncls of the youth's reputation. For advantage 
 was taken of the fact, first secretlv to insinuate, and 
 then openly to proclaim far and wide, that he had kissed 
 the Pope's shoe, became acquainted with the Jesuits, 
 and cherished a familiar intimacy with Cardinal Bel- 
 larmine ; the simple truth being that he had never 
 beheld the Pope save in a dense crowd, in common 
 with the other spectators, while Bellarmine he had 
 never so much as seen. 
 
 Accordingly, ha"\nng returned to Geneva, and passed 
 a few months more in that place, he was recalled 
 home by his patrons, and, in the autumn of 1587, set 
 out for Amsterdam, adorned with a very splendid testi- 
 monial from his preceptors at Geneva, in which they 
 declare, ' that his mind was in the highest degree 
 qualified for the discharge of duty, should it please 
 God at any time to use his ministry for the promotion 
 of his own work in the Church.' * Directly on en- 
 tering that cit}", he felt it incumbent on him, first 
 of all, to clear himself of the aspersions of weaker 
 brethren, in reference to the journey above-mentioned, 
 to the satisfaction of those grave and influential men 
 whose authority was predominant in Church and State. 
 Having obtained an interview with these, he very 
 easily explained the fact ; while the superadded testi- 
 mony of Adrian Junius, formerly noticed, who had 
 been his constant and inseparable companion in that 
 jomiiey, put an effectual curb on the reckless jaws of 
 his calumniators. Nor less did Arminius feel it to be 
 * These are the words of Beza. Vid. Bert. Orat. Funeb, — Tr. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 29 
 
 his incumbent duty, now that he had. returned to 
 Amsterdam, to make his appearance before the eccle- 
 siastical court,* which he did on the 12th of 
 November. He was very graciously received, and 
 forthwith presented his testimonials from the vener- 
 able Beza and others ; adding, that, actuated by an 
 ardent desire to edify the Church of God, he would 
 gladly devote to this object the gifts divinely entrusted 
 to him, if at any time he should be duly invested 
 with the sacred office. -|- After entermg into explana- 
 tions respecting his journey to Italy, he next made 
 the request, that before applying hunself to dis- 
 courses, :j: with the view of rightly moulding his voice 
 and style of speaking (of which he was extremely 
 diffident), he might be allowed,^ with the consent of 
 the honourable Senate, to go to South Holland, partly 
 to see certain friends and relatives, and partly to 
 transact some private business. He obtained permis- 
 sion, the senators even granting him his travelling 
 
 * This, we presume, was the Amsterdam Classis, for it was 
 by the classical courts that candidates for the ministry were 
 wont to be examined. These classes, being originally com- 
 posed of every minister and elder within the particular bounds, 
 corresponded, as nearly as possible, to our Scottish presbyteries. 
 See Steven's Brief Vieio of the Dutch Ecd. Estah., p 9. It is 
 evidently this same classical court, or presbytery, that is so 
 often referred to in the subsequent pages, and which Brandt 
 variously designates by the names Senutus Ecdesiasticus, 
 Presbyter mm, Sijnedrmm, &c. — Tr. 
 
 t Ex actis presbyterii Amstelod. 
 
 J Commonly called Propobilions. 
 
30 THE LIFE OF 
 
 expenses ; and accouiplisliecl the projected journey in 
 a brief period of time. 
 
 On his return, he devoted a few weeks, by way of 
 practice, to the delivery of private addresses ; and, 
 about the commencement of the year following (1588), 
 he presented himself for exammation before the Classis 
 of Amsterdam. This having taken place, and his faith 
 having been tested on the several heads of Christian 
 doctriae, and the testimonies of some eminent divines 
 respecting him having further been read, he was unani- 
 mously judged worthy to undertake ministerial functions. 
 Thereafter, on the 4th February, with the consent of 
 the honourable senators (the matter having previously 
 been submitted to the ecclesiastical court), he began 
 to be heard from the^pulpit of the church in Amster- 
 dam, and officiated every week at the evening service, 
 delivering a discom^se, and conducting the prayers. * 
 He cUd so with such applause— his style of speakmg 
 being marked by a certain sweet and native grace, 
 tempered with gravity — that, in the course of a few- 
 months (on the 21st July), the consistory! of that city 
 
 * Ex actis presbyt. Amstelod. 
 
 t The consistory (for such, in this histance, must be the 
 court designated by the name preshyterivm) corresponds to our 
 Kirk-session. It is * composed of the minister or ministers, in 
 actual service, and the elders and deacons of each congregation. 
 In small communities, deacons have a voice in all the business 
 of the kirk-session, but in large consistories they have a sepa- 
 rate chamber where are discussed all matters relating to the 
 poor. In towns the whole session, including ministers, elders, 
 and deacons, combine in caUing a clergyman.' Steven's Brief 
 View of Dutch Eccl. Estab., p. 3. — Tr. 
 
JAMES ARMEsirS. 31 
 
 — all the deacons being assembled along with them — 
 resolved, by their common vote, and withont a dis- 
 sentient voice, that he should be offered the sacred 
 ministry of the chnrch in Amsterdam, and that the 
 consent of the honourable senators should be asked for 
 that purpose. This "^as obtained, on the 28th of July ; 
 and the invitation by the entire consistory of the 
 church, having been tendered to Aiminius on the 11 th 
 of August, after due proclamation had been made, and 
 after pledging his faith that he would, according to 
 the example of his colleagues, ftilfil his sacred duties 
 with fidelity and zeal, on a certain Saturday, which 
 happened to be the day before the celebration of the 
 Lord's Supper, he was, in solemn form, by the laying 
 on of hands, invested with the sacred office. 
 
 He entered upon his public duties in the twenty- 
 eighth year of his age ; and already, at this youthful 
 period, acted the part of a consummate preacher, and 
 not only fulfilled, but far exceeded the expectations 
 of his patrons. His discourses were masculine and 
 erudite; everything he uttered breathed the theolo- 
 gian — not raw and commonplace, but superior, acute, 
 cultivated, and replete with solid acquisitions both 
 in hiunan and in sacred literature. This made 
 him such a favoiuite both with high and low, that in 
 a short time he attracted towards himself the ears 
 and the hearts of all classes alike. In the general 
 admiration of his talents, some stvled him ' a file of 
 truth,' others 'a whet-stone of intellect,' others 'a 
 pruning-knife for rank-growing errors ;' and, indeed, 
 
32 THE LIFE OF 
 
 on the subject of religion, and sacred study, it seemed 
 as if scarcely anything was known which Arminius 
 did not know. * 
 
 In order to cirenmscribe himself in his public dis- 
 courses within certain limits, he adopted the plan 
 of expounding continuously, and in alternate order, 
 the prophetic book of Malachi ■ and the Epistle of 
 Paul to the Romans. He commenced the exposition 
 of this Epistle on Lord's day the 6th of November. 
 In treatmg the argument it contains, he reckoned 
 nothing more important than to bring clearly out the 
 primary scope of the Apostle, namely, to establish 
 the doctrine of the justification of both Jew and 
 Gentile by the ftiith of the gospel ; and to exhibit to 
 the church, plainly and distinctly, the necessity of 
 faith and of gospel grace, as well as the mefficacy 
 of legal works. t To this task he addressed himself 
 with all his might, by which he increased to the 
 utmost his reputation for consummate learning, and 
 gained the favour and good will of all who attended 
 his lectures — not excepting even those who differed 
 from him in sentiment. But having, first of all, 
 sworn eternal fealty to truth, and all along cherished 
 an ardent love to it, he set before him as his chief 
 aim, now that he was just commencing his ministry, 
 to lay aside all prejudice, surrender himself entirely 
 to truth, and in no case speak or act contrary to the 
 dictates of a pure conscience. Great, moreover, as 
 was the veneration with which he regarded those 
 * Ex Eertii Orat. Funeb. f Ex Annotatis MSS. J. Armin. 
 
JAMES AEMIXIUS. 33 
 
 under whose banner and protection he had devoted 
 himself to sacred study, he would by no means con- 
 sent to take their opinions for law, but was determined 
 to follow the direction of Christ alone, the supreme 
 teacher and guide. This, as early as the year follow- 
 ing (1589), events began to make manifest. 
 
34 
 
 CHAPTER 11. 
 
 TKANSITION-STAGE OF ARMIXIUS' MIND ON THE SUBJECT 
 OF PREDESTINATION, WITH THE CIRCUMSTANCES IN 
 WHICH IT ORIGINATED, AND THE TROUBLES TO WHICH 
 IT LED.— A.D. 1589—1592. 
 
 Famous at tliat time was tlie name of Theodore 
 Coornliert, a citizen of Amsterdam, whom Adrian 
 Junius of Hoorn, in his description of Holland, 
 designates 'a man of divine intellect.' This indi- 
 vidual, notwithstanding that he had strenuously 
 contended for liberty of country and of conscience, 
 and bravely withstood the tyranny of the Romish 
 Church, was yet of opinion that the church which 
 gloried in the name Reformed, was not so purged but 
 that it still laboured under a variety of errors, op- 
 posed at once to Christian truth and piety. Of 
 these, the one he could least tolerate was the dogma, 
 taught by most ministers of this church, of an abso- 
 lute decree of divine election and reprobation, as had 
 been maintained at large by the very celebrated 
 divines of the Geneva school. This opinion he 
 began to assail both with tongue and pen ; and soon 
 furnished the pastors in the Low Countries that held 
 it with a superabundance of work. Nay, ten years 
 had now elapsed since a very smart disputation on 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 35 
 
 this and other points, presided over by certain mem- 
 bers of the honourable the States General, had taken 
 place between him and Arnold Cornelis and Eeyner 
 Donteklok, ministers at Delft.* He was, in conse- 
 quence, taxed and held chargeable with heresy, 
 libertinism, and many more such crimes; and stood 
 as a common mark of assault to all who wished to 
 preserve inviolate the name and reputation of the 
 Reformed Church. The Ecclesiastical Court of 
 Amsterdam accordingly, unwilling in this matter to 
 fall behind others in zeal, resolved that their own 
 Arminius be earnestly requested to undertake the 
 task of resisting that man's attempts, and devote his 
 energies to the confutation of his treatises.-|- This 
 request Arminius at that time failed to falfil, not so 
 much from a reluctant mind, as from the following 
 incident that occurred in the same conjuncture of 
 affairs. 
 
 These two ministers of Delft, who had publicly 
 disputed with Coornhert, the better to shield their 
 opinion of an absolute decree against the main objec- 
 tion of their antagonist, with which he was always 
 plying them — (namely, that the necessity of sinning, 
 no less than of perishing, being fixed by the more than 
 iron absolutism of that decree, they thereby actually 
 made the ever-blessed God the author of all sin) — 
 came to the conclusion that they must of necessity 
 deviate a little from the footsteps of the Genevan 
 
 * Vid. Parentis mei f m. Ger. Brantii Hist. Eeformationis 
 Belg'cso, populari Idiom. Scriptara. torn. i. p. 597. 
 f Ex actis Presbyt. Amstel. 
 
36 THE LIFE OP 
 
 divines, and adopt some other expedient to rid them- 
 selves of the difficulty. For while they agreed with 
 the Genevans in this, that Divine Predestination was 
 the antecedent, absolute, and inevitable decree of 
 God concerning the salvation or damnation of every 
 individual of the human race, without any respect to 
 obedience or disobedience, they nevertheless dissented 
 from them in the following particular: — While the. 
 illustrious Beza and others had made the object in 
 the view of God predestinating to be man not yet 
 considered as fallen, yea, not even as created, these 
 Delft divines, on the other hand, made this peremp- 
 tory decree, in the order of nature, to be posterior to 
 the creation and the fall of man. In order to submit 
 this opinion to the judgment of the most learned, 
 these brethren of Delft had drawn up a little work 
 under the title of ' An Answer to certain Arguments 
 of Beza and Calvin, from a Treatise on Predestina- 
 tion as taught in the Ninth Chapter of Romans.'* 
 This work, presenting a variety of difficulties under 
 which the more rigid opinion of the Genevans 
 seemed to labour, had been transmitted by them to 
 the Eeverend Martm Lydius, who, from the celebrity 
 he had acquired for solid erudition, had been called, 
 in the year 1585, by the honourable rulers of Fries- 
 land to the professorship of divinity in their new 
 academy. But he, though by no means indisposed to 
 reply to the author of that book — (he had even 
 pledged his faith that he would) — nevertheless pre- 
 
 • Ex Bert. Orat. Funeb. Vide etiam libeUum R. Donteklo- 
 kii vernacule h;cript. anno 1609. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 37 
 
 ferred turning to Arminiiis, "whom he urged by letter 
 to undertake this task, and the defence of Beza, and 
 thus pave the way to the refutation of Coornhert. 
 
 To, this proposal Arminius, in the first instance, 
 did not greatly object, yea, and addressed hhnself 
 to the task with the more alacrity that he cherished 
 such veneration for his reverend and aged preceptor, 
 of whose lectures and arguments, to which he had 
 recently listened, he retained a deep and lively re- 
 collection. But when he entered on this field, and, 
 with the view of defending his own opinion, had 
 accurately balanced the arguments on both sides, and 
 brought them to the test of the ancient tnith, he 
 found in either view of an absolute decree of pre- 
 destination such inextricable difficulties, that what to 
 choose and what to refuse came to be matter of 
 perplexing doubt. Indeed, the longer he revolved 
 the point, and weighed the reasons which had been 
 ui'ged agamst the view of Calvin and Beza, the more 
 difficult did he find it to meet them with a solid 
 reply ; and thus he felt himself bearing rapidly over 
 to that very opinion which, at first sight, he had 
 undertaken to impugn. "^^Hierefore, accustomed as 
 he was to surrender himself to the dictates of a good 
 conscience, that he might not overstep his duty as a 
 lawful student of divine truth, or rashly precipitate 
 himself against this or that opinion on the point 
 referred to, he determined, fii^st of all, abruptly to 
 cut short the thread of the refutation he had begun, 
 and devote every fragment of time he could redeem 
 from his stated engagements and jjublic ministrations 
 
38 THE LIFE OF 
 
 to tlie more tliorongli investigation of this doctrine, 
 and to tiie perusal, in connexion with the sacred 
 vohmie, of the works written on the suljject by the 
 ancient as well as more recent divines. 
 
 But to proceed with our narrative : That he might 
 feel the more encouraged to prosecute with alacrity 
 and respectability his earthly career, and the public 
 duties assigned him, he took thought, in the thirtieth 
 year of his age, of entering into the marriage relation ; 
 and on the 16th of September 1590, he took to wife 
 Elizabeth Eeal, the nuptials being celebrated in due 
 form in the Old Church (as it was commonly called), j 
 
 and the ceremony performed by his colleague, the 
 Rev. John Ambrosius. This Elizabeth was a woman 
 of elegant manners, and of a great mind — being the 
 daughter of a man of the utmost weight and tried 
 excellence, Lawrence Real, a judge and senator in 
 Amsterdam. How well this man deserved of his 
 native city, and of the Reformed religion, and how 
 prodigious the toils he encountered in its defence 
 during the very perilous period of Spanish tyranny, 
 eminent writers of that age abundantly testify. 
 Having happily secured as his partner in life the 
 daughter of such a man, endowed and adorned with 
 hereditary virtues, most exemplary manners, and the 
 love of unaffected piety from her earliest years — for 
 she had herself accompanied her father into exile for 
 the sake of religion — Arminius forthwith applied him- 
 self, heart and soul, to discharge with alacrity the 
 duties of his sphere. 
 
 But although he put himself most wisely and 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 39 
 
 rigidly on his guard against openly impugning the 
 generally received tenets concerning Divine Predes- 
 tination, and kept to himself, for the sake of peace, 
 many truths on which the rest differed from him in 
 opinion, he by no means held himself so hound to 
 the prevailmg opinions of others as to preclude him, 
 when engaged in the exposition of this or that 
 passage, from occasionally and modestly expressing 
 his dissent. Above all, he made it liis endeavour to 
 eradicate from the minds of his hearers certain popu- 
 lar errors in the highest degree hostile to Christian 
 piety; and to vindicate, against the vicious and 
 distorted mterpretations of some, several passages of 
 Holy AYrit on which, not unfrequently, as on an 
 axiomatic basis, were reared carna,l views at variance 
 with genuine Christianity. For this purpose a fit 
 opportmiity, as it appeared to him, presented itself 
 in the year 1591, when, after having been sometime 
 engaged m the public exposition of Paul's Epistle to 
 the Eomans, he reached the 14th verse of the seventh 
 chapter — ' For we know that the law is sphitual : 
 but I am carnal, sold under sin.' His opinion was, 
 that to interpret this passage as many do, of the man 
 as truly and thoroughly born again, through gospel 
 grace, was to do the utmost to invalidate the efficacy 
 of Christian regeneration, and the cultivation of 
 genuine piety ; inasmuch as the enthe exercise of 
 divine worship, all evangelical obedience, and that 
 new creation which the inspired writers so often and 
 so earnestly inculcate, were thereby shrunk within 
 such narrow limits as to consist not in the effect^ but 
 
40 THE LIFE OF 
 
 simply in the wish. Wherefore, after accurately 
 weighing in his own mind the train of thought in 
 that chapter, and calling to his aid the commentaries 
 of Bucer and others upon it, he publicly taught and 
 maintained — 'that St Paul in this place does not 
 speak of himself as what he then was, nor yet of a 
 man living under the influence of gospel grace, but 
 personates a man lying under the law, on whom the 
 Mosaic law had performed its functions ; and who, in 
 consequence, being by the aid of the Spirit contrite 
 on account of sin, and convinced of the impotence of 
 the law as a means of obtaining salvation, was in 
 quest of a deliverer, and was, not regenerated indeed, 
 but in the stage next to regeneration.' 
 
 This exposition of the passage — which was simply 
 submitted, without discussing the contrary opinion — 
 procured him much ill will, and but little favour with 
 the most of his ministerial brethren. Some took 
 occasion from it to fasten on him the crime of Pela- 
 gianism, on the ground that he ascribed too much 
 goodness to an unregenerate man. Others daubed 
 his opinion with the mark of heresy, for no other 
 reason than that Faustus Socinus, under the name 
 of Prosper Dysidseus, had expounded this chapter of 
 Paul in much the same way. With most the cry 
 was, that he had uttered many things from the pulpit 
 opposed to the Confession of the Belgic churches and 
 the Palatine Catechism; and, further, that he had 
 appealed without just warrant, in defence of his 
 opinion, to the divines of the ancient Chui'ch, and 
 even to some of a more recent age. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 41 
 
 Shortly after, tlie matter was brouglit before the 
 Classical Court, who decreed to summon Anninius 
 to theu' bar, and hold an interview with him, with 
 the view of convincing him of his error, and of his 
 perverse doctrine, or of making him give a more 
 satisfactory explanation of his opinion. On being 
 apprised of this decision, Arminius signified that he 
 would enter most cheerfully into such a conference, 
 but on this condition, that it take place in the 
 presence of the rulers of the city, or their delegates ; 
 or, if this should not be deemed advisable, that he 
 be allowed to meet only with his brethren in the 
 ministry, the elders of the church being absent. 
 The latter alternative being adopted, after previous 
 prayer to God, a discussion was held between him 
 and Peter Plancius. Plancius urged many things 
 against Arminius, which Arminius proved either that 
 he had never uttered from the pulpit, or that he had 
 done so with a clearly different aim, and in a different 
 sense.* To the charge of Pelagianism, he replied, 
 with some warmth, that he utterly repudiated those 
 errors which were commonly ascribed to Pelagians ; 
 and contended that by no legitimate process could 
 they be elicited from his exposition in question, but, 
 on the contrary, were manifestly repugnant to it. 
 With respect to the authorities he had cited in the 
 pulpit, he owned he had said that very many of the 
 ancient divines, both of the Greek and Latin 
 Chm'ch, had adopted his exposition, which he could 
 establish by proofs not a few ; as for the rest, he was 
 * Ex schedulis MS. Armiuii. 
 
42 THE LIFE OF 
 
 not aware that he had adduced in support of his 
 opinion any of the recent divines of the Church except 
 Bucer, although he chd not use the same phraseology; 
 but that Desiderius Erasmus was inclined to the same 
 opinion — a name by no means to be despised by any 
 of the Eeformed. Here Plancius began to detract 
 greatly from the authority, and to weaken the credit, 
 of the ancient fathers of the Church. This Arminius 
 resented, and declared that neither Plancius himself, 
 nor any divine of the modern Church, had a right to 
 think or speak so disparagingly of men whose names 
 were held sacred, and who so acted in their day as to 
 entitle themselves to be held in honour by the entii'e 
 Christian community. The Confession and Catechism 
 being next referred to, he showed at much length 
 that he had taught nothing whatever contrary to 
 these formularies of mutual consent, and that his 
 doctrine on the point in question could be most easily 
 reconciled with them. He added that he was in no 
 respect bound to every private interpretation of the 
 Reformed, but was plainly free and entitled to ex- 
 pound the heavenly oracles, and particular passages 
 of the sacred volume, according to the dictates of 
 conscience ; and that in so doing, he would ever be 
 on his guard against advancing aught which went to 
 tear up the foundation of the Christian faith. In the 
 course of the discussion, the subject of predestination 
 was mentioned once and again ; but he refused to 
 touch on that doctrine, on the ground that in his 
 exposition of this seventh chapter he had advanced 
 nothing whatever which had the remotest bearing on 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 43 
 
 that controversy. Being- furtlier asked what opinion 
 be held as to the perfection of man in this life, he 
 replied that he considered a question of this description 
 as altogether superfluous, having brought out his 
 mind on this point more than a hundred times in the 
 course of expounding the sixth and seventh chapters 
 of that apostolic epistle. Other and more copious 
 replies of Arminius to many allegations of this kind, 
 will be found in his very accurate ' Dissertation on 
 the True and Genuine Sense of the Seventh Chapter 
 of the Epistle to the Eomans,' which, in consequence 
 of these commotions, he afterwards wrote dm^ing his 
 leisure hours,- and brought to a close about the com- 
 mencement of the year 1600.* 
 
 Notwithstanding these ways in which he strove to 
 clear himself of the crimes laid to his charge, indi\'i- 
 duals were to be found who gave him daily trouble — 
 the leader of this clamouring choir being Peter Plan- 
 cius. Indeed, so hot grew the strife at the beginning 
 of the following year, that the very learned M. Lydius 
 already mentioned, on being informed of the ecclesi- 
 astical controversies which had sprung up at Amster- 
 dam, set out for the Hague, and entreated the help of 
 Uitenbogaert to lull them to rest. He plied him with 
 persuasive words, and instigated by the ardent love he 
 bore to that flourishing church, the care of which had 
 been committed to him some years before, he implored 
 this minister of the Hague that, with the view of 
 getting the matter settled, he would write to Arminius 
 (whom, he owned, the chassis had handled rather 
 * Ex Epist. Arm. ad Uitenl:'. 26th Jan., IGOO. 
 
44 THE LIFE OF 
 
 sharply) — or, better still, set out for Amsterdam, and 
 try to persuade him, for the sake of preserving peace, 
 to meet the views of his brethren and co-presbyters as 
 far as in him lay, and the inviolability of a good con- 
 science would permit.^ Nor did Lydius doubt but 
 that Arminius would willingly comply with the advice 
 of Uitenbogaert, partly from the great influence this 
 man wielded in almost all the churches, and partly 
 from the intimacy with him which Arminius had long 
 since contracted and cherished. 
 
 Swayed by these entreaties, Uitenbogaert repaired 
 to Amsterdam, and deemed it of the utmost impor- 
 tance to call upon the Eev. John Taffin, minister of 
 the Walloon Church. This v/as the first call he 
 made. He explained to him the object of his journey; 
 and having elicited from him the state of the enth'e 
 controversy, he strenuously besought him that he 
 would not refuse to lend his endeavours towards heal- 
 ing this dissension. To this request Taffin readily 
 yielded, and undertook, with the utmost cordiality, 
 the same province with Uitenbogaert ; for he was a 
 man most desu-ous — if ever man was — of Christian 
 piety and peace. These two men, accordingly, after 
 having consulted together, and combining their 
 strength, waited, in the fii'st instance, upon the 
 classis, and then upon Arminius, and proffered to 
 both their very best services, with the view of restor- 
 ing a good understanding. This offer both parties 
 accepted with thanks ; and signified that nothing 
 would gratify them more than that the means should 
 * Vid. Hist. Uitenbog. Ecclesiast. 
 
JAMES APvMINIUS, 45 
 
 be considered which might be most likely to reach 
 that desirable end. A conference was forthwith 
 appointed to be held in the house of Taffin, and the 
 charge of acting in the affair, and pleading their 
 cause, was delegated by the classis to certain of their 
 own number. On that occasion, both the accusing 
 and the accused party, after each had been heard, 
 returned home without settling the affair. But Taffin 
 and Uitenbogaert, judging it right not to rest in these 
 preliminary steps, shortly after presented to the 
 Church Court at an extraordinary meeting, a certain 
 formula, on the basis of which harmony might be 
 restored. It was couched in the following terms :* — 
 ' James Aniiinius declares that — although he is not 
 conscious that he holds, or has taught, anything dif- 
 ferent from what is set forth in the Confession and 
 Catechism, or has given just cause to any for enter- 
 taining such a suspicion concerning him — neverthe- 
 less, for the sake of testifying his desire for the peace 
 of the Church, and to disabuse the minds of some of 
 all sinister opinions, he is willing cordially to pledge 
 his faith, by signing this document, that henceforth he 
 will not only deliver to the Church nothing different 
 from, but will also deliver to the Chm'ch the very 
 thing contained in, the wiitings of the apostles and 
 prophets, as these are explained in the Catechism and 
 Confession, and everyrv^here taught in the Keformed 
 Churches. Further, that he will so conduct his dis- 
 coiu-ses and exhortations (as he at the same time 
 
 * Ex actis Presbyt. Amst. citatis a Triglandio in Hist. 
 Eccles. p. 28 i. 
 
46 THE LIFE OF 
 
 believes lie lias liitlierto done) tliat no just ground 
 shall ever be fiirnislied to any for suspecting tbat he 
 holds anything different concerning doctrine and 
 ecclesiastical discipline, from what is comprehended 
 in the Confession and Catechism, and in the articles 
 of the last General Synod. If, moreover, any difficulty 
 should arise in his mind concerning any articles of 
 doctrine, he engages that he will take care not to 
 make the same public, either from the pulpit, or any- 
 where else. Further, that, instead of this, it shall be 
 open for liun, in such a case, to confer with his brethren 
 in the ministry. But should he feel that their argu- 
 ments are not at all satisfactory to him, and that the 
 difficulties in question still burden his mind, in these 
 circumstances he engages voluntarily to impose silence 
 upon himself until a General Council of the churches 
 shall be called, by whose advice and judgment he will 
 cheerfully abide. On the other hand, and finally, in 
 order that mutual peace and harmony among the 
 ministers of religion may be preserved the more invio- 
 late, the colleagues of Arminius promise and engage 
 (although, so far as concerns themselves, they deem 
 this superfluous — never having given any one even 
 the smallest occasion to question their fidelity and 
 duty) that they will take care, not only in their pub- 
 lic discourses, but also in their private conversations, 
 never to furnish any with just grounds for suspecting 
 that they are not at peace amongst themselves ; on 
 this condition, however, that they shall not be held to 
 have violated their engagement when, in defence of 
 the true faith, they refute the arguments of adver- 
 
JAMES ARillNIUS. 47 
 
 saries, according to the formula of the Reformed 
 doctrine received in the Low Coimtries. Which 
 stipulation being made and heard, the Ecclesiastical 
 Coiu't, for important reasons, and chiefly with the 
 view of promoting the peace of the Chnrch, has judged 
 it proper to suspend their own judgment upon the pro- 
 testation of Arminius made ui the commencement of 
 this document, and forthwith consign to silence this 
 whole affair ; earnestly praying the ever-blessed God 
 to conduct this attempt to a happy and prosperous 
 result, for the glory of his name, and the edification 
 of the Church.' * 
 
 This scheme for restoring harmony having been 
 dra^Ti up and handed in, no doubt remained among 
 reasonable men but that, on these terms and engage- 
 ments, both parties would at once agree to it. But 
 their hope proved fallacious. Arminius, indeed, cor- 
 dially accepted these terms; but the classis, by a 
 large majority, rejected them. Nay more, Taffin and 
 Uitenbogaert, after all the pains they had taken to 
 promote the peace of the Church, received such slen- 
 der thanks at the hand of some, that very injurious 
 reports concerning them were circukded through the 
 whole city, to the effect that they were abettors of 
 eiToneous opinions. 7 Wherefore, although they saw 
 that their labour had been lost, and that no hope of 
 restoring peace smiled upon them, so far as those 
 ecclesiastics were concerned, still they felt it to be due 
 to their own reputation to call the Church Court 
 
 * Ex schedulis MS. J Armin. veniaculG script, 
 t Uiteiib. Hist. Eccles. 
 
48 THE LIFE OF 
 
 once more together. This being clone, tliey vindi- 
 cated their own innocence on a variety of grounds, 
 and referred, with, great boldness, to the injury done 
 them by those who had so foully misrepresented this 
 thek mediation. They fm^ther begged and demanded 
 of the assembled brethren, that they would take in 
 good part the object at which, in true candour of 
 spirit, they had aimed ; adding, that their determina- 
 tion was to take no further steps in the matter, but 
 commit it to Divine Providence. 
 
 Before, however, we narrate the progress and issue 
 of this affair, we must not omit to mention that this 
 same Uitenbogaert, whose earnest endeavour to pro- 
 mote the peace of the church in Amsterdam has just 
 been noticed, was found fault with at the very time, 
 by some of the pastors of that church, even for the 
 close intimacy which he cultivated with Arminius ; 
 and that this circumstance probably had to do with 
 the reasons why his counsel was not listened to. 
 This is corroborated by the following account, drawn 
 up by the hand of Arminius himself, now in glory, 
 which, as it has not been mentioned by any writer, so 
 far as I know, I reckon not unworthy of being intro- 
 duced in this connexion. 
 
 A few days, then, previous to the arrival of Uiten- 
 bogaert, on the occasion of having decided to give a 
 call to Jeremias Basting, the honourable senators had 
 signified, in no ambiguous terms, that nothing would 
 be more agreeable to their wish than that a grave 
 deliberation should be entered into by the Classical 
 Court, as to the propriety of calling, in addition to 
 
JAMES AEMIXIUS., 49 
 
 Basting, that very eloquent minister of the jC!hnrch in 
 the Hague, of whom they affirmed that they had some 
 reason to beheve he would accede to the call. The 
 coui't accordingly met to consider this matter on 
 the 14th of January ; and on each being asked to 
 give his conscientious opinion on this proposal of the 
 honourable senators, up rose Plancius first of all, and 
 declared ' That he had heard some things concerning 
 Uitenbogaert which furnished ground to suspect that 
 on certain doctrines of the Christian faith he was not 
 decided, particularly on the doctrine of original sin, 
 which he was reported to have said, received no 
 countenance from the passage in the fifth chapter of 
 Genesis, and the others commonly cited. Farther, 
 that Uitenbogaert had sometimes, in his presence, 
 mooted certain doubts respecting several questions in 
 the Catechism ; that on one occasion he had declared 
 of a certain Arian book, that it was unanswerable ; 
 and that he wished he could see the book of Coorn- 
 hert satisfactorily refuted. That in addition to all 
 this, it was rumoured that he held the same view 
 with Arminius on the seventh chapter of the Eomans ; 
 and, consequently, that to call that man, particularly 
 at that time, would not tend much to the good of the 
 church.' * 
 
 To these and similar aspersions thus openly pro- 
 mulgated, and seriously implicating the character of 
 an absent friend, whom he loved as a brother, 
 Arminius fearlessly opposed himself; and showed 
 that the charges above specified rested upon mere 
 * Ex scliedulis MS. Arminii, 
 
50 THE LIFE OF 
 
 suspicions, and would at once vanish into smoke as 
 soon as Uitenbogaert was present to speak for himself. 
 ArminiuSy accordingly, and a few others, gave it as 
 their opinion that the proposal of the senators should 
 be agi'eed to, and that Uitenbogaert himself be di- 
 rectly treated with in the matter. But their counsel 
 was rejected, it being carried by a majority of votes 
 to request the senators, through delegates to be ap- 
 pointed at that meeting, to allow them to carry int© 
 effect the proposed call to Basting ; and to intimate 
 to them at the same time, that the classis had 
 reasons satisfactory to itself for judging that the idea 
 of calling that minister of the Hague was one which 
 ought to be abandoned. These delegates, moreover — 
 consisting of two of the elders, Thomas Kronenburg, 
 and John de Vry, men of the highest respectability, 
 and of senatorial dignity — were empowered to dis- 
 close the considerations m.entioned above, should the 
 senators press it. 
 
 As soon as Uitenbogaert received some inkling of the 
 affair, though he had come to Amsterdam specially for 
 the sake of Arminius, and of the church in that city, 
 he was nevertheless unwilling to let the occasion slip 
 without taking measures to vindicate his own charac- 
 ter. Wherefore, falling upon Peter Plancius, the 
 fabricator of those wicked suspicions which some had 
 conceived against him, he entered into a serious 
 expostulation with him in respect to every particular, 
 and reduced him to such straits that he pleaded 
 guilty of imprudence, and pledged his faith that he 
 would inform the Churcli Court of all that had 
 
JAMES ARMINroS. 51 
 
 passed between him and Uitenbogaert. Tliis promise 
 he implemented on the 23rd of the same month, in 
 the presence of the whole classis ; on which, that 
 body commissioned the same delegates who had pre- 
 viously met with the senators, to intimate, in name 
 of then* entire meeting, to the honom-able magistrates 
 of the city, that all those doubts which some had 
 started respecting Uitenbogaert had vanished, after 
 he and Plancius had been brought face to face. 
 
 Having briefly and cm-sorily disposed of this cir- 
 cumstance respecting Uitenbogaert, it now remains 
 that we proceed to trace the progress and issue of this 
 affair for the settlement of which he had undertaken 
 a winter's journey — as yet without any satisfactory 
 result. In this conjuncture, then, of ecclesiastical 
 affahs, it pleased the supreme rulers of the city to 
 call Uitenbogaert — who was already on the eve of 
 returning home — and the Kev. John Taffin into the 
 council-hall, and make inquiry into the state of the 
 whole matter, and the steps thus far they had taken 
 in regard to it. This mandate these two ministers 
 most promptly obeyed ; and after explaining every- 
 thing which seemed to bear on the case, with a 
 courteous farewell, and an exchange of grateful 
 acknowledgments, they took their leave. 
 
 Shortly after, when the annual change of magis- 
 trates had taken place, and Uitenbogaert set out for 
 the Hague, the new senators, Eeiner Cant, William 
 Bardes, Corn. Flor. van Teilingen, and Nic. F. Oet- 
 genius a Waveren, cited before them all the ministers 
 of religion, in a body, on the 11th of February, at 
 
52 THE LIFE OF 
 
 three o'clock in the afternoon ; and that the matter 
 might he transacted with the greater authority and 
 effect, they asked the presence also of these very in- 
 fluential persons, P. Bomius, Corn, P. Hoofdius, and 
 Barthold Cromhout, who had just retired from the 
 office of chief magistrates of the city.* The ministers 
 having arrived at the time appointed, the senators 
 intirhated to them, through Cant, who was in the 
 chair, ' that they had perceived with pain from their 
 public ministrations, and that for a considerable time 
 back, as well as from the complaints of several 
 citizens, that they were not at peace among them- 
 selves. Dissensions of that kind must be checked in 
 the bud, lest they should issue in results disastrous to 
 the Church, and even to the Eepublic itself. The 
 honourable senators, therefore, in consideration of the 
 office with which they were entrusted, w^ished and 
 enjoined that the ministers would diligently apply 
 themselves henceforth to the cultivation of peace and 
 harmony, of which they had hitherto stood forth as 
 an example to other Churches ; and avoid giving any 
 one occasion, by their declamatory statements, to sus- 
 pect that some serious contentions were fostered 
 amongst them. But if they did happen to differ on 
 some points, it was lawful for them to institute 
 amongst themselves private and friendly conferences 
 on such topics ; only, they must see to it that these 
 differences do not find their way from the Ecclesiastical 
 Court into the pulpit, and thence to the public. 
 Should they fail in this duty, they (the senators) 
 * Ex schediihs MS, Arminii. 
 
JAMES ARmxius. 53 
 
 would be obliged to have recourse to other remedies, 
 that no harm might accrue to the Church and the 
 Kepublic' 
 
 To these counsels, after having retired a little for 
 deliberation, the ministers replied, through the Eev. 
 J. Ambrosius, ' That they were in the highest degree 
 grateful to the honourable senators for their care of 
 the Am.sterdam Chiurch. For themselves, they were 
 actuated by a most intense desire to preserve peace, 
 which they had now cultivated for thirteen years, and 
 had never afforded ground to any one for thinking 
 otherwise of them. But if any one of their number 
 felt himself to be chargeable with the above-named 
 delinquency, his duty it was to rid himself of it. 
 Hitherto it had been their strenuous endeavour to 
 adjust, if possible by friendly conferences, the dif- 
 ference that had arisen between Arminius and the 
 classis ; and to that matter, and consequently to the 
 restoration of peace, they would forthwith give their 
 best attention.' * 
 
 Arminius, having obtained leave to speak, then 
 addi'essed himself to the senators, and solemnly pro- 
 tested, ' That in expounding the seventh chapter of 
 the Komans, in a way different from that adopted by 
 many of the Eeformed, he had not taught, nor did he 
 wish to teach, anythmg whatever that was in any 
 respect at variance with the Confession and Palatine 
 Catechism. He had not entertained a doubt that it 
 would be free to him, in the exercise of that liberty 
 to discuss sacred subjects which belonged to all 
 * Ex scbedul. MS. Arminii. 
 
54 THE LIFE OF 
 
 Christians and Christian teachers whatsoever, to ex- 
 pound this or that passage of Scripture according to 
 the dictates of conscience. Further, since the hinge 
 of the existing difference turned mainly on this point, 
 that some thought his opinion of that passage opposed 
 to the received ecclesiastical formularies, and that this 
 was a charge of which he could be easily convicted, 
 he, for his part, held himself in readiness, for the 
 vindication of his name, to enter into a conference 
 with his compeers; but he earnestly entreated that 
 such conference should take place in the presence of 
 the senators themselves, or their delegates; for he 
 anticipated that the issue of this case would be more 
 satisfactory were these influential men to be present, 
 not as witnesses merely, but as moderators and right- 
 eous arbiters in respect to all that might be advanced 
 on either side.' 
 
 The Kev. J. Kuchlinus, on hearing this, instantly 
 arose, and after some prefatory reference to the fidelity 
 with which he himself had discharged his duty for 
 thirteen years, begged, in opposition to Arminius, 
 that the conference in question, of which many were 
 so solicitous, might, according to the usage of the 
 Chiu'cli, be entered into in presence of the classis 
 alone. At length both sides having been heard with 
 the utmost attention, the ministers were ordered to 
 retire for a little ; and after gravely deliberating on 
 the matter, the honourable Cant intimated to them, 
 in name of the whole of that august body, ' That 
 it was the opinion and decree of the honourable 
 senators, that the Church Court should allow this 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 55 
 
 whole matter to rest, and permit whatever discus- 
 sions had arisen out of it up to this time to be 
 consigned to oblivion. A fresh conference upon it 
 did not appear to them to be suitable, or likely to do 
 good. They (the ministers) must henceforth be on 
 their guard lest any of them should give vent to new 
 doctrines from the pidpit. Should any of them have 
 opinions in which they differed from other divines, 
 and on which they boasted a profounder knowledge, 
 it would be incumbent on them to reserve these to 
 themselves, and to talk them over in a friendly 
 manner with their compeers. Meanwhile, those who 
 think differently, and who cannot be convinced of 
 error, must be calmly forborne with until the points 
 in dispute be decided by the authority of some coun- 
 cil.' This decree of the chief rulers was followed up 
 by a very grave and serious admonition from Cant 
 himself, and W. Bardes, to cultivate that fraternal 
 harmony and peace by which they were wont to be 
 distinguished ; after listening to which, the ministers 
 gave thanks and withdrew. 
 
56 
 
 CHAP TEE III. 
 
 ARMINIUS, IN EXPOUNDING EOMANS IX., ENCOUNTERS 
 FRESH STORMS ; CONFUTES THE CALUMNIES OF PLAN- 
 CIUS ; AND CORRESPONDS, ON POINTS IN DISPUTE, 
 WITH GELLIUS SNECANUS AND FRANCIS JUNIUS. 
 
 A.D. 1592—1597. 
 
 The foregoing matter being settled, and the peace of 
 the Church having, in the way narrated, been to some 
 extent restored, Arminius forthwith proceeded with 
 his series of discourses on the Epistle to the Eomans. 
 To these, high and low flocked in crowds, as the day 
 came round, including individuals of diverse shades of 
 religious opinion. Nor were the aims of the several 
 auditors of a less varied complexion. Some were 
 attracted by genuine attachment to the man, and by 
 the very great celebrity associated with his name. 
 Others rushed upon him, on the other hand, by a sort 
 of blind impulse, and listened to his discourses with 
 no other view than to extract from them materials 
 with which to lessen his growing fame, and array 
 against him as much as possible of envy and ill-will. 
 This Arminius soon suspected, and deemed it his duty, 
 in consequence, to take the more care, on the one 
 hand not to do violence to his conscience, by advo- 
 cating certain doctrines of the truth of which he had 
 some doubt; but neither, on the other, to advance 
 
JAMES AEMINIUS. 57 
 
 aught at variance with received opinions which might 
 jnstly and warrantably offend the ears of dissentients. 
 But with all the prudence and perseverance vnih 
 which he pursued this aim, now that an unfavourable 
 opinion had once been formed against him, he could 
 not succeed in thoroughly rooting it out of the minds 
 of his compeers, and of those who yielded themselves 
 up to their authority. 
 
 That feeling began especially to be resuscitated in 
 the commencement of the following year, on the occa- 
 sion of his expounding the ninth chapter of the 
 Romans. While occupied w4th this chapter, and 
 aware that it was everywhere cited by Eeformed 
 divines as the main prop of their tenet of absolute 
 predestination, Arminius made up his mind neither to 
 advocate nor to contradict that opinion, but contented 
 himself vath affirming that the apostle in this place 
 prosecutes the argument and the aim which he had 
 prescribed to himself in the foregoing chapters, and 
 vindicates his doctrine of the justification of man hy 
 faith against a variety of objections urged by the 
 Jews.* These, accordingly, he refuted in several 
 discourses, and by solid reasonings ; but although he 
 was allowed by many to have acted the part of a 
 strenuous champion of the Christian religion, he roused 
 against himself the less favourable judgments of 
 others. For when, in the course of elucidating the 
 scope of St Paul, and expounding this memorable 
 chapter, he pursued a path in some respects new, and 
 made no reference whatever to the more crude 
 • Vid. Uitenb. Hist. Eccles. 
 
58 THE LIFE OF 
 
 opinions wliicli were commonly gTonnded npon it, 
 the most of his ministerial brethren inveighed against 
 him all the more that they saw him rising rapidly in 
 the estimation of Lntherans, Mennonites, and others, 
 who were dissatisfied with the harsher statements, on 
 that subject, of the Eeformed. The Ecclesiastical 
 Senate, therefore, having met once and again in the 
 absence of Arminins, at length, on the 25 th of March, 
 began openly to deal with him. On that occasion, 
 the Kev. J. Halliiis, in name of the entire judicatory, 
 addressed him, and declared ' that he had listened 
 with the utmost pain to the complaints of some of the 
 citizens, whom his lectures on the ninth chapter of 
 the Romans had in the highest degree disturbed. The 
 avowed enemies of the Church had thence taken oc- 
 casion to cavil at the Eeformed doctrine ; and many 
 Christians were furnished with good ground to suspect 
 that on several doctrines some diversity of opinion 
 was secretly fostered between him and the other min- 
 isters of the gospel. AVith the view of foreclosing 
 further alienation of spirit, the Presbytery had resolved 
 to warn him of this matter, and to request that he 
 would preach the self-same doctrines as his colleagues, 
 and declare openly from the pulpit that he had never 
 uttered anything contrary to the Confession and Cate- 
 chism, and that those who suspected him of such a thing 
 had very grievously misunderstood his discourses.' * 
 To this Arminius replied, ' That he had heard with no 
 less pain of the clandestine slanders of some, and of 
 
 * Ex schedulis MS. Arminii. Vide et acta Presbyt. 
 Amstel. ci ata a Tiiglaud in Hist. Eccles. 
 
JAMES AEMIXIUS. 59 
 
 liis being branded with the names of heretic., libertine., 
 and Pelagian. He had never given any man occasion 
 to think so unfavourably of him. The Eeformed Con- 
 fession and Catechism he had never contradicted, but, 
 on the contrary, had always preached in harmony 
 with them ; and more than once, from the very pulpit, 
 had he made a declaration to that effect. But if any 
 man would accuse him openly, and in his presence, 
 and thought he could convict him of that crime, he 
 was ready, there and then, to hear the evidence, and 
 defend his ovni innocence. It was theirs frankly to 
 accept this candid declaration, to divest the minds 
 of others of such injm-ious suspicions, and to allow 
 him to rejoice in the name of a good man until it 
 could be proved by indubitable testimony that he had 
 fallen out of the appellation. He, for his part, deemed 
 this admonition of the Presbytery uncalled for, so far 
 as concerned himself; and in the exercise of the same 
 right which the brethren were using in regard to him, 
 as well as from a desire for the preservation of peace, 
 he, in his turn, warned and entreated them not to 
 deliver anything at variance with the Word of God, 
 or the received standards of faith, and never to use 
 expressions extraneous to these, of a nature fitted to 
 stir doubts in the minds of the weak, or furnish any 
 with an occasion of stumbling. Nay more, since no 
 man had openly accused him, and merely a rumour 
 had spread, that in discourses lately delivered he had 
 betrayed the existence of some undefined sort of differ- 
 ence between him and his brethren in the ministry, it 
 was as much their duty to see to it that they agreed 
 
60 THE LIFE OF 
 
 well with him, as it was his duty to see to it that he 
 agreed well with them — it being incumbent on both 
 to do what in them lay for the preservation of peace, 
 in those articles to the truth of which they had all 
 equally subscribed.' This was spoken with some 
 warmth, and many speeches followed on both sides ; 
 when one of the elders betrayed sufficiently his want 
 of self-control in the following outburst : — ' He saw 
 the arts of the Devil to disturb the peace of this 
 Chm'ch. Some of the rulers themselves had this 
 object in view. It was of no use for Arminius to 
 appeal to the Confession and Catechism, seeing he 
 had already explained two passages of Scripture 
 against the sense of these standards. For his part, 
 after hearmg him interpret the seventh chapter of 
 Romans, he could never derive any benefit from his 
 discourses.' To this Arminius modestly replied, 
 ' That, by the help of God, he would not prove an 
 instigator and author of strife. It ought to be matter 
 of faithful inquiry, by whom, and through what secret 
 channels, the sworn foe of the human race was at- 
 tempting to sow controversies and engender discord. 
 He hoped better things of his lords, the clement rulers 
 of the city. So far was he from believing that any 
 one of them aimed at such an end, that he, on the 
 contrary, felt assm-ed, that whatever authority they 
 had at command, it would be all exercised with the 
 utmost moderation, in the way of callmg to order such 
 ecclesiastics as were neglecting their duty and fo- 
 menting division. His own conscience witnessed to 
 himself — what he was further assured of bv the 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 61 
 
 testimony of not a few — that his discourses had not 
 been useless, nor their delivery without fruit. As to 
 the p'assages of Scripture expounded contrary to the 
 sense of the Confession, that was a charge of which 
 no man could convict him. He acknowledged that 
 the 18th verse of the seventh chapter of the Eomans 
 was quoted in the margin of the Confession with a 
 somewhat different application ; but truly, if every 
 divine of the Reformed Church must needs stick so 
 tightly by the track of that Confession, and if it was 
 to be at once set down as an enormous offence for any 
 one, in quoting passages of Scripture, too, to deviate 
 from it even the breadth of his nail, it would be an 
 easy matter for him to prove the most of his co- 
 presbyters guilty of this delinquency ; for more than 
 once had they preached in contrariety, not merely to 
 certain passages cited in the margin, but to some 
 which stand out to view in the very text of the 
 Confession.'* To this the Eeverend Kuchlinus did 
 not object, but subjoined, ' That if there was agree- 
 ment in all those points which constituted the hinge on 
 which the articles of the Confession tm^ned, there would 
 be little trouble in adjusting the rest.' These things 
 accordingly were dismissed ; after which, certain ques- 
 tions were started respecting the duty of elders and 
 ecclesiastical discipline, on which Armuiius and his 
 reverend colleague, John Halsberg, were suspected of 
 entertaining some erroneous opinion. They defended 
 themselves each in a lengthy reply, and cleared them- 
 selves of the charges which were preferred against 
 * Ex schedulis MS. Armiuii. 
 
62 THE LIFE OF 
 
 tliem. At last, addressing Arminius, J. Hallins, the 
 president and moderator of the Presbytery for the 
 time being, declared that he had much pleasure in 
 hearing him express his readiness to cultivate union 
 with his brethren in the matter of doctrine and ec- 
 clesiastical discipline ; and after praying that God 
 would smile on these beginnings, and guide the whole 
 afiiiir to an issue happy and prosperous for the Church, 
 he dismissed the meeting. 
 
 Some hot-headed zealots, however, determined that 
 the matter should not rest here, stirred up fresh 
 strifes against Arminius ; and by dint of incessant 
 slanders they so far succeeded, that the Presbytery, 
 convened without his knowledge on the 22nd April, 
 resolved, ' That he be called upon to declare dis- 
 tinctly, and without any circumlocution, his opinion 
 on all the articles of faith ; and that, in the event of 
 his demurring to this request, certain theses and anti- 
 theses be fortliwith prepared, on which a conference 
 shall be held with him.'* As soon as Arminius 
 received intimation of this counsel and decree, which 
 he did on the 6th May, he decided that it was not his 
 duty to give an immediate reply, but that, on the 
 contrary, he ought to petition the Presbytery for a 
 reasonable space of time to consider the matter. At 
 a meeting of the Presbytery a few weeks after (on 
 the 20th May), some of its members reminded him of 
 the matter, and ceased not to rake up the old embers 
 of strife ; when Arminius, starting to. his feet in the 
 
 * Vide acta Presbyt. Amstel. citata a Tri^^Iandio in Hist. 
 Eccles. pag. 284. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 63 
 
 midst of tliem, challenged all, with a loud voice, to 
 stand forth, whosoever they were, that had a mind to 
 produce aught from his discourses that was worthy of 
 censui'e.* No one rising, some one of them threw 
 out the soHtary objection, ' That from the testunony 
 of Martinists, Anabaptists, and even libertmes them- 
 selves, who gloried in his discourses on the ninth 
 chapter of the Eomans, it was not unwarrantable to 
 infer that he had taught and maintained something 
 different from that which was taught by his brother 
 ministers, and everywhere taught by Eeformed di- 
 vines.' This consequence Arminius denied, and said, 
 ' That to him it appeared strange, that men of so 
 many conflicting opinions could applaud his discourses, 
 but that no one of his own order — no one of this 
 meeting — had heard anything which could be shown 
 to be at variance with the Word of God, and the 
 received formularies of consent.' To this one of the 
 elders rejoined, 'That it must indeed be admitted 
 that he had been rigidly on his guard against openly 
 advancing anything worthy of censure; but that he 
 had nevertheless employed ambiguous and equivocal 
 modes of speech.' Arminius here asserted his inno- 
 cence, and demanded proof of the above allegation, 
 that he might the better avoid, for the time to come, 
 such modes of speech; but no one was found who 
 would undertake the task of substantiating that 
 charge. 
 
 Nor was this alf. A few days after (on the 27th 
 * Ex schedulis Arminii. 
 
64 THE LIFE OF 
 
 May), at the very next meeting of the Ecclesiastical 
 Senate, Arminiiis, perceiving that the minds of many 
 were not yet set at rest, called out twice or thrice in the 
 open meeting for the secret calumniators of his name, 
 and ordered them to produce in his presence whatever 
 they had against him. This challenge being given, 
 Kuchlmus immediately asked ' Where Plancius was 
 now ; ' and began to urge on him ' That, as he had 
 occasionally, in the absence of Armuiius, started 
 doubts as to his doctrine, he should come out with 
 them now that Arminius was present and within 
 hearing. This was the proper place ; this the fit time 
 to speak out his mind.'* Pressed by this summons, and 
 called upon by Arminius to stand forth as his adver- 
 sary, Plancius repudiated that insidious name of 
 adversary^ but acknowledged that he had observed 
 several things in the discourses of Arminius which did 
 not correspond with sufficient exactness to the doc- 
 trines received by the Reformed Chui'ch. The sum 
 of his accusation was as follows : — 
 
 I. Arminius, when expomiding the ninth chapter 
 of the Romans, had taught ' that no one is condemned 
 except on account of sin ' — thereby excluding all in- 
 fants from condemnation. 
 
 II. He had also declared 'that too much could 
 not be ascribed to good works, nor could they be 
 sufficiently commended, provided no merit were at- 
 tributed to them.' 
 
 * This is more smartly expressed in the original by.thepun- 
 geiit proverb, ' hie Rhodum, hie saltum esse.'' — Tr. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 65 
 
 III. He had affirmed that 'Angels are not im- 
 mortah' * 
 
 To these several heads of charge Arminius replied. 
 
 As to the first^ when he affirmed that sin is the 
 cause of condemnation, he did not bv these words 
 except original sin; nor did Plancius rightly un- 
 derstand the nature of our original taint if he meant 
 to exclude it from the designation of sin. 
 
 The second^ relating to what he had afiirmed of 
 good works, he was so far from disclaiming, that he 
 would defend it as the truth. 
 
 Here Plancius put the question — 'If justification, 
 then, was to be ascribed to good works also, provided 
 no merit were ascribed to them ? ' 
 
 Arminius replied, ' That justification is to be as- 
 cribed, not to works, but to faith ; in proof of which 
 St Paul savs, in Romans iv. 4th and 5th — " Now to 
 him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, 
 but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but be- 
 lieveth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith 
 is counted for righteousness." ' 
 
 As to the third head of charge, that relating to 
 angels, he acknowledged that he had given vent to 
 that opinion, and defended it with solid arguments, 
 never indeed in public, but privately on one occasion 
 in the house of Plancius ; adding, that it was still his 
 opinion that immortality was the peculiar attribute 
 of God alone — this being evident from the testimony 
 of Paul in 1st Timothy vi. 16. The angels, indeed, 
 
 * Ex schedulis Arminii. Vide vitam Uitenb. Eelgico iclio- 
 mate ab ipso conscript, edit. 1645. p. 54. ♦ 
 
 G 
 
Q6 THE LIFE OF 
 
 were, and would continue to be, liappy and immortal 
 spirits, not however by virtue of their nature, but by 
 the external sustentation of God, eternally preserving 
 them in being — just as human bodies before the fall 
 were mortal, and susceptible of dissolution, but yet 
 would never have been subjected to death, had not 
 sin supervened.' 
 
 This discussion with Plancius he followed up by 
 the declaration, ' That up to that hour, he had never, 
 so far as he knew, taught anything at variance with 
 the Confession and Catechism ; and that he received 
 the several articles and doctrines of fciith, compre- 
 hended in these writings, in the very sense in which 
 they were everywhere explained by the Eeformed 
 Church. The only scruple of which he was then 
 conscious, related to the interpretation of the sixteenth 
 article of the Belgic Confession, to the terms of which, 
 however, he willingly adhered.'* On this understand- 
 ing, the Presbytery decided, ' That there was no 
 necessity for any further dealing with Arminius in 
 regard to this matter, but that fraternal fellowship 
 contmue to be cultivated with him, until the true 
 and genuine sense of the article just named should 
 be more clearly opened up to him by the blessing 
 of God, and by the interpretation of a General 
 Synod.'f 
 
 A reconciliation being thus effected with his col- 
 leagues, and the disputes that had arisen respecting 
 his discourses being allayed, he was permitted after 
 
 * Ex Actis Presbyt. Amstel. 
 
 f Vid. Triglcincl. Hist. Eccles. p. 284. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 67 
 
 that to live at peace in the Church. At subsequent 
 periods, indeed, the envy of certain parties led them 
 to strew secret snares in his path, and to put an in- 
 jurious construction, occasionally, upon some of his 
 best words and deeds. This he experienced when 
 engaged with the exposition of the thirteenth chap- 
 ter of the Romans, where, in the course of profound 
 and learned discussions on the various duties of magis- 
 trates, he w^as thought by some to have conceded to 
 them too much of charge and jurisdiction in matters 
 of religion. But we find it nowhere recorded that on 
 the ground of these and other things of the like trivial 
 importance, proceedings were openly and publicly 
 instituted against him. From this time, therefore, in 
 an active and uninterrupted course, he not only pro- 
 secuted that series of lectures, but also prosecuted, 
 concurrently therewith, on stated days, his exposition 
 of the Prophecies of Malachi, which he completed in 
 sixty-nine discourses. Moreover, by his indefatigable 
 study of theology, and his solid acquirements, no less, 
 in the libercil arts, he became increasingly every day 
 the ornament and the boast, not only of the Church, 
 but even of the Republic and people of Amsterdam. 
 Hence, when in course of the year 1594, it was in 
 agitation to remodel the elementary schools, the illus- 
 trious Senate of the citv thought fit to make choice of 
 him in preference to others, to whom the charge of 
 performing this office should, by public appointment, 
 be committed. Wherefore, acting the part, on this 
 occasion, of a most faithful governor of schools, he 
 drew up, with the view of reducing them to a bettef 
 
68 THE LIFE OF 
 
 state, those scholastic regulations which, exhibiting" 
 alike the duties of master and pupil, are statedly 
 rehearsed to this day, every half year, in the Choir of 
 the New Temple at Amsterdam, by the rectors of 
 that institution, at the close of the spring and autumn 
 examinations. This is j)roved by the very autograph 
 of these laws, m the handwriting of Arminius him- 
 self, which is preserved to this day by that "eminent 
 leader of the Remonstrants, and professor of theology 
 among them — Philip Limborch. That distinguished 
 man, too, the director of the Amsterdam school, to whom, 
 as respects our studies, we are under the deepest 
 obligation — the incomparable Adrian Junius, of 
 Utrecht, used often to refer with pride to their having 
 obtained a framer of laws of such great celebrity, 
 and to congratulate the school of Amsterdam on that 
 behalf. 
 
 Meanwhile (not to waste time with these details) 
 Arminius proceeded to investigate more thoroughly 
 the generally received tenets of the Geneva School, 
 respecting Divine Predestination, and strove with all 
 his might to extricate himself from those doubts and 
 difficulties in which he had hitherto stuck fast. While 
 intent at this work, nothing interested him more than 
 to discover that, here and there, other leaders of the 
 Reformed Church, distinguished in like manner for 
 learning and piety, were possessed with the self-same 
 solicitude and desire. Pre-eminent among these at 
 that time was Crellius Snecanus, a most learned min- 
 ister of Friesland. This man having, in the year 
 1593, published his ' Introduction to the Ninth Chap- 
 
JAMES AE.MINIUS. 69 
 
 ter of the Eomans,' Arminius was penetrated with the 
 more delight that he found his vieAvs to coincide almost 
 entirely with his own. On perusing the commentary 
 of this writer (in whose judgment he reposed very 
 much confidence), he at once discovered that he had 
 taken the very same view of the scope of the apostle, 
 and of the prmcipal argument treated in this chapter, 
 which he himself, when engaged in expoundmg the 
 same portion, had shortly before propounded from the 
 pulpit in Amsterdam. He ingenuously acknowledged 
 that that chapter of Paul's epistle always appeared to 
 him to be enveloped in thickest darkness, and to be 
 of most difficult exposition, until by that course which 
 Snecanus, and he himself some time before, had pur- 
 sued, the light shone in and dispelled the gloom.* 
 Wherefore, prizing highly the work of this celebrated 
 divine, he not only thanked him by letter, but also 
 transmitted to him, on his part, an epistolary ' Ana- 
 lysis of the jSTinth Chapter of the Eomans,' for the 
 sake of testifying their harmony of sentiment, and of 
 proving that that well-known passage of the Apostle 
 did little or nothing to confirm that decree of absolute 
 election and reprobation which very many deduced 
 from it. But he deemed it dutiful, in the circum- 
 stances, to use much circumspection ; for the times in 
 which he lived did not admit either of his safelv im- 
 pugning or freely advocating views in any respect at 
 va'riance with that dismal opinion of a fatal decree 
 to which, he devoutly believed, the most celebrated 
 fathers of the Keformed Church, even as others, had 
 * Ex Epist. Arm. ad G. Snecan. 
 
70 THE LIFE OF 
 
 been led to suLscribe by a certain veneration for the 
 Sacred Scriptures. He thought it advisable, therefore, 
 above all, in order to disburden himself of his scruples 
 on this subject, without tumult and uproar, and without 
 disparaging those whose reputation it was of the ut- 
 most consequence to the Church to preserve inviolate, 
 that he should communicate his thoughts (long kept 
 to himself, and subjected to frequent revision) on the 
 dogma above named, to several individuals of the 
 highest name and authority, and confer with them 
 privately both by tongue and pen. For if he had but 
 proved his opinion to their satisfaction, he anticipated 
 that there would be little difficulty in proving it to the 
 rest, who all hung, for the most part, on the lips of 
 these great men, and were likely, erelong, to make 
 their appeal to them. Happen what might, he hoped 
 to make it evident to every candid judge, that he had 
 practised no arts of concealment, and had never 
 shnmk from the judgment and scrutiny of any ; but 
 in the event of his becoming, in this way, more as- 
 sui'ed of the truth of his sentiments, he cherished the 
 hope that the whole case would come Eventually to 
 be submitted, in due form, under the sanction of 
 public authority, to the solemn decision of a theologi- 
 cal council, and the time and milder ojjinion on the 
 subject duly and formally ratified.* Tnisting to 
 these considerations, and having now for some time 
 made the Kevds. M. Lydius, J. Taffin, and his col- 
 league, J. Kuchlinus, cognisant of his doubts and his 
 
 * Ex Epifit. dedic. pntfixa Examini libclli Perkiiisiani de 
 Prsedest. modo et ordine. 
 
JAMES AEMINIUS. 71 
 
 plans, at their instigation he resolved to open his 
 mind on all those points to that great pillar of 
 theology, and of the Eeformed religion, well known 
 for his moderation towards those, even Papists them- 
 selves, who differed from him in opinion,* Francis 
 Jmiins, of Bourges, who in the University of Leyden, 
 of all who at that time professed sacred literature, 
 confessedly occupied the highest place. 
 
 Accordingly, being invited, early in the year 1507, 
 to the marriage of the Re\^. J. Kuchlinus — who, hav- 
 ing sometime previously undertaken the office of pro- 
 fessor, had contracted a matrimonial engagement with 
 the aunt of Arminius — he set out for Leyden ; and on 
 that occasion, on a certain afternoon, he entered fully 
 and freely into conversation with Junius on the cause 
 of the fall of our first parents, and on the mode of that 
 fall, namely, how far it may he regarded as contin- 
 gent, and how far as necessary. The occasion, 
 materials, and scope of this interview were fur- 
 nished by a certain treatise on that subject which 
 Jimius had lately published. In the course of it, 
 Arminius started various doubts and difficulties 
 
 * Beautifully characteristic of Junius is the followins: 
 morceav, which we owe to Gerard Brandt, the father of our 
 biographer: — 'In a company of French divines the following 
 question was put to Junius, viz., " If you were to lose all 
 your writings, but had it in your power to save one, which of 
 them would you wish to keep ? " lie answered, " The Peace- 
 able Christian— [a treatise intended to promote peace] -for 
 the rest of my books I wrote as a divine, but this as a 
 Christian." ' — Hist, of Reform, in Low Countries, vol. ii. p. 21. 
 — Tr. 
 
72 THE LIFE OF 
 
 respecting the mystery of divine providence and infinite 
 prescience.* They also entered into the question — 
 ' How, admitting that immutable and fixed decree 
 which the followers of Calvin and Beza attributed to 
 Grod, man could be said to have nevertheless voluntarily 
 fallen, and to have been master of his own actions ?'-]- 
 To these, and other difficulties of the same description, 
 Junius replied in such a manner, and cleared up so 
 ably and satisfactorily the nature of things contingent, 
 and of things necessary, that Arminius shortly after 
 declared, in a letter to Uitenbogaert, 'that he had 
 been as much charmed with the answers of Junius as 
 if he had discovered an immense treasure ; ' and 
 further, 'that in comparison with a knowledge sure 
 and satisfactory to his own mind on points relating to 
 providence and predestination, on which he had now, 
 for seven years, been perplexed with distracting doubts, 
 he set a trivial value on all the wealth of Croesus and 
 of Midas, and on the treasures of the whole world.' 
 On perceiving, moreover, that the sentiments of this 
 very eminent divine, on the pouits above-named, did 
 not diifer from his own, and that this interview with 
 him thus far had turned out according to his wish, he 
 took occasion to discuss some points also connected 
 with predestination, not so much to obtain informa- 
 tion respecting them — which, owing to the limited 
 time, and the advancing evening, was scarcely prac- 
 
 * Vide pleniorem liujus rei navrat. in Epist. Armin. ad 
 Uitenb. 7. Febr. 1597. 
 
 •f Vid. Epist. Eccles, in folio Amst. 1684, edit. pag. 33, 
 Si, 35. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 73 
 
 ticable — as to intimate that it was a subject in wliicli 
 he stuck fast, and that he hoped to be able, by his aid, 
 to get himself speedily extricated. This aid Juniiis 
 most kindly promised him, if he would communicate, 
 by letter, whatever points were agitating his mind. 
 On this they exchanged a pledge of silence, lest, by 
 the officious zeal of certain parties, some mischief 
 should chance to befall the one or the other. Arminius, 
 accordingly, overjoyed at the offer, and deeming the 
 opportunity too precious to be neglected, sent him, a 
 few months after, an epistolary disquisition concerning 
 the truth of different opmions on the subject of pre- 
 destination, in which a variety of arguments were 
 advanced to prove that the sentiments of certain par- 
 ties laboured under many difficulties.'""' In particular, 
 as, in the estimation of not a few, the illustrious 
 Junius himself, treading in the footsteps of the Thomists, 
 seemed not so much to abandon as merely to shade off 
 that harsher sentiment of Calvin and Beza (for he 
 held the subject of predestination to be, not man as 
 whom God had not vet decreed to create, nor man 
 
 •; 7 
 
 viewed as created with the foreknowledge of his fall, 
 but man viewed as created, in so far as he, furnished 
 with natural gifts, was invited to avail himself of a 
 supernatm-al good — a position which Junius repeatedly 
 defended in the university), Arminius attempted to 
 prove, by a few select arguments, that both opinions 
 [that is, both his and Calvin's], in addition to other 
 disadvantages, involved the necessity of sin, and, 
 
 * Ex Epist. Dedic. Bertii Epistolicse huic Arm. cum Junio 
 collatioui pra^fixu. 
 
74 THE LIFE OF 
 
 consequently, tliat there was no stopping* short of 
 the thu'd, which presupposed the creation and the fall. 
 On the strength of this position, it was his intention 
 to proceed further and at length affirm the decree of 
 God concerning the salvation of believers, and the 
 condemnation of unbelievers. But to this communica- 
 tion Junius replied some considerable time after, and 
 sent, too, in his turn, a written statement which, to 
 use the words of Arminius himself, was ' truly pious, 
 learned, and full of brotherly love.' Y/e may give 
 the introductory part of this reply, as it stands, in 
 proof of the consummate modesty, and of the gentle- 
 ness of spirit, which characterised that distinguished 
 man. 
 
 ^ The cause of my long silence, esteemed brother, 
 has been Tertullian, with whom, you are aware, I 
 have now for a considerable time been engaged.* 
 Meanwhile, I put your letter in a drawer out of my 
 sight, that, as soon as I livA time to do so, I might 
 remember the duty I owed you and attend to the tenor 
 of your request. And indeed you wish me to give you 
 a clear explanation of a very grave question — a ques- 
 tion the amount of ti^uth involved in which God alone 
 fullv knows. Vv^hat is sufficient he has revealed in the 
 written Word, which, according to the will of God, we 
 each consult. What is your opinion, and what is not, 
 you plainly state : what is my opinion you wish me to 
 declare ; that by this mutual encounter and disclosure 
 of mind, Ave may elucidate truth on the subject of 
 
 * Junius here alludes to bis Notes on Tertullian, a work 
 with which, it appears, he was at this time occupied. — Tr. 
 
JAMES AEMINIUS. 75 
 
 Divine grace. According to the measure whicli God 
 hath dealt to me, I will do what I can, and state what- 
 ever I know of this most stupendous mystery, whether 
 I should be seeing in truth, or through the glass of 
 opinion ; that what is of God you may share with me, 
 and what we see not you may investigate with me — 
 as far as mav be found in the "\A'ord. What is of 
 my opinion, merely, if you should see further than I 
 do, kindly and fraternally disclose, and by salutary 
 counsel recall me into the way of truth. Of prelimi- 
 nary points I will here say nothing, my wish being to 
 proceed at once to the subject itself, as tending more 
 to "the use of edifying," which the Apostle enjoins. 
 All, as I judge, are zealous for piety and truth ; but all 
 do not, on this account, amid their piety, see the whole 
 truth.* We all know in part, and prophesy in part : 
 and day by day does the Spirit of truth lead us into 
 all truth. Y Part of the truth we perceive, and part 
 we teach : the rest will the Spirit of truth, in his own 
 time, give to them that ask it. May he therefore 
 give to both of us to receive and to communicate the 
 truth.' 
 
 Thus far the distinguished Junius : in the drift of 
 whose very learned reply, however, when more 
 thoroughly examined, Arminius could by no means 
 acquiesce. His conviction was, that this very acute 
 chvine, partly by giving a common aspect to the object 
 of predestination (which is almost incomprehensible), 
 
 * The original has ' omnes qiisernnt,' a typographical mistake 
 for ' omnem viclent.' Conip. Cdiutio'm Arm. opcr. p. 4.59. — Tr. 
 -|- 1 Cor. xiii. 9 ; John xvi. 13. 
 
76 THE LIFE OF 
 
 and partly by straining the language of antliors, 
 wished, on this subject, to compound one opinion out of 
 many, contrary to the mind of those by whom these 
 opinions were severally maintained.* IJence, after 
 careful perusal of the documents, Arminius had re- 
 solved to bring the begun correspondence to a close, 
 and to impose silence on himself for the time being ; 
 but he learned, shortly after, that his epistolary dis- 
 cussion had been communicated, by Junius himself, to 
 one who boarded in his house, and in whom he 
 reposed too much confidence ; that this individual had 
 transcribed it ; and that, in consequence, it had taken 
 wing, and got into circulation amcmg the students, so 
 much so, that his colleague Plancius twitted him with 
 sufficient bitterness, as having got his mouth effectu- 
 ally stopped by the reply of Junius. In these circum- 
 stances, he deemed it his duty to ply the web of that 
 correspondence to the end. Eoused, accordingly, by 
 the occasion, and trusting to the courtesy of Junius 
 himself, he drew up new and succinct considerations 
 on his reply, under the barbarous name of Replicoe. 
 At the conclusion of this piece, and by way of post- 
 script, he declared ' that he had submitted these con- 
 siderations to the eminent Junius, not so much from a 
 desire to confute him, as to elicit from him more ex- 
 tended explanations, with a view to obtain satisfaction 
 on the point in question, and get his mind set at rest.' 
 He added, ' that if he had written anything contrary 
 to the truth, his prayer was, that God would for- 
 give him, and point out to him the truth ; but if, 
 * Ex Epist. dedic. collatioui huic pra;fixa. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 77 
 
 on the other hand, lie had advanced anght that was 
 agreeable to the trnth, his prayer was, that Grod would 
 confirm him in it, and incline Jmiius to embrace it, that 
 through him greater authority might thereby be daily 
 conceded to the truth, and that it might be propagated 
 more and more.' To these considerations of Arminius, 
 however (which, at a period long subsequent, after the 
 death of Junius, were enlarged by their author), Junius 
 never replied; and (for what reason is not known) 
 he retained them in his possession for an entire 
 period of six years, even to the last day of his life.* 
 
 * Gerard Brandt, the father of our biographer, leaves his 
 readers to account for the silence of Junius, either on the 
 ground that it might have done harm to have stirred the ques- 
 tion further in such times, or ' that he found himself pressed 
 too home, and, as the friends of Arminius think, knew not 
 what to say to some of the points of his reply.' — Hist, of 
 Eeform. in Low Countries, vol. ii. p. 20.— Tr. 
 
78 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 INTENSE ARDOUR OF ARMINIUS IN INVESTIGATING DIVINE 
 TRUTH, WITH CONNECTED INCIDENTS ; AND HIS DE- 
 VOTED AND BENEVOLENT PASTORAL LABOURS AT THE 
 TIME OF THE PLAGUE. A.D. 1597 1602. 
 
 Notwithstanding the silence of Junius, the subject 
 of our memoir abated nothing of his zeal to find out 
 the truth, being prepared to grasp it with both hands 
 by whomsoever it might be shown to him. In this 
 spirit, he sought the assistance of no one more than 
 that most eloquent minister of the Church at the 
 Hague, J. Uitenbogaert, whose refined and cultivated 
 judgment he held in such esteem, as to think that 
 scarcely any one could pronounce with more accuracy 
 and decision on controversies of this kind.* It was this 
 high estimate, moreover, which led him to submit 
 those considerations on the papers of Junius, of which 
 we have jlist made mention, to the judgment of this 
 friend alone, some little time before they were dis- 
 patched to Junius himself. We think it well here to 
 transcribe his own words, as worthy of record, which 
 he addressed to Uitenbogaert, at the same conjunc- 
 ture, in a letter dated October 19, 1597 : — ' Care 
 * Vid. Arm. ad Uitenb. Epist. 19 Octob. 1597. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 79 
 
 ought to be taken,' says lie, ' to searcli out argu- 
 ments for a known truth which shall be at once solid 
 and plain, in order that such truth may gain the 
 assent of those who, with sincerity of heart, and from 
 a dictate of conscience, controvert it, among whom I 
 enrol my name as one, if, in any respect, I do err from 
 the truth. But I cannot sufficiently marvel at the 
 presumptuous boldness of some men, wdio brand what- 
 ever suits not their own palate with the ignominious 
 mark of heresy, seeing they are unwilling to bestow 
 almost any pains in acquainting themselves with contro- 
 versies, and, if ever so willing, are not competent, inas- 
 much as they are destitute of the erudition necessary to 
 determine matters of such vast moment. Truth, even 
 theological truth, so far as concerns the accurate 
 knowledge of controversies of this sort, has been sunk 
 in a deep well, whence it cannot be drawn forth with- 
 out much effort. So true is this as respects that point 
 with which we are now occupied, that the man who 
 should question the justice of the remark would, by 
 this verv fact, declare that he had never bent his own 
 mind to the serious consideration of the subject. 
 that the God of truth may grant me it ere long, that 
 my mind may be set at rest I Then, indeed, shall I 
 exceedingly rejoice as one who had discovered a pre- 
 cious treasure : while to all those who had contributed 
 any measure of assistance, I should acknowledge my- 
 self bound by many and deep obligations.' 
 
 To this same divine, and pre-eminently esteemed 
 friend, Arminius, with the view of striking further 
 light into these controversies, transmitted, in the year 
 
80 THE LIFE OF 
 
 following (1598), a sort of theological table on the 
 subject of predestination, in which were exhibited, as 
 in a mirror, everything relating to that question which 
 stood out to his view as worthv of ■ discussion.* Nor 
 did he deem it dutiful to stop short at this stage, but 
 shortly after wished further to try whether the help of 
 foreigners would avail to extricate him from those 
 difficulties that distressed his mind. Accordingly, 
 after the publication, about this time, of a work of 
 William Perkins, a very celebrated divine in the 
 University of Cambridge, entitled, ' A Christian and 
 Perspicuous Discussion concerning the Mode and 
 Order of Predestinatioii, and concerning the Extent 
 of Divine Grace^ — the name of this author having 
 been previously well known to him, through other 
 publications of distinguished merit, he resolved to 
 procure the treatise without delay, and give it a care- 
 ful perusal. He did so ; but finding himself sticking 
 as fast as ever in the same labyi'inths of doubt, he 
 thought it might not be unadvisable to institute a 
 friendly correspondence with this theologian on the 
 subject of his treatise. Wherefore, prompted by the 
 occasion, he applied his mind to the composition of 
 that most elaborate and temperate Examination of 
 this same Treatise of Perkins^ which, without doubt, 
 would have been sent to him, but for the circumstance, 
 that almost at the very time when he was already in 
 the act of applying a finishing hand to it, the intelli- 
 gence reached him that this distinguished divine of 
 the Anglican Church and University had exchanged 
 * Vid. liaiic Tabul. inter. Epist. Eccles. Ep. 2G. p. 41. 
 
JAMES AEMINIUS. 81 
 
 the present life for another and a letter. * Frcm 
 that moment, he kept this very polished little produc- 
 tion, along" with others of the same stamp, to himself 
 and his friends. 
 
 About the same time, too, and with the utmost 
 alacrity, he set himself to construct a kind of Syncpsis 
 of Theological Common Places^ with the sole view of 
 becoming richer and more practised in that heavenly 
 wisdom which everywhere presents itself for our 
 understanding in the Sacred Scriptures, and to the 
 investigation of which he was impelled by an inex- 
 tinguishable ardour. With this view, in the course 
 of the year 1599, he resolved to peruse carefully what- 
 ever authors might be at hand, or within his power to 
 consult, at once the ancient and the more recent theolo- 
 gians; to weigh accurately the several topics; to 
 observe everything worthy of note, and to enter each 
 under its appropriate division ; and to subject to strict 
 criticism whatever might merit any measure of ani- 
 madversion. What he accomplished, and what kind 
 of progress he made in this undertaking (the remains 
 of which, and a certain fragment only, it has been 
 permitted us to see), may be gathered frcm several 
 letters of his to Uitenbogaert, which will be found 
 inserted among the Epistles of Distinguished and 
 Learned Men.\ 
 
 Moreover, during this year, he certainly evinced, 
 in a very conspicuous manner, his signal affection and 
 kindness for the celebrated J. Drusius, who professed 
 
 * Ex Epist. dedic. huic Ainiinii libello praemissa. 
 t Epist. Prsest. Vir. p. 98, 99, &c. 
 
 7 
 
82 THE LIFE OF 
 
 He"brew Literature, at Franeker, with distingnislied 
 renown. For, entertaining the opinion, and freely 
 expressing it to others, that this man was destined 
 to promote Hebrew Literature, and illuminate the 
 genuine interpretation of the Old Testament from the 
 Hebrew sources themselves, Arminius left no means 
 untried by which the Church of Christ might obtain 
 fi'om his labours that benefit which was meet. There 
 happened, about that time, to be much talk of a new 
 translation of the Sacred Books into the vernacular 
 tongue, the charge of preparing which had, five years 
 previously, been committed, by the honourable States, 
 to Philip van Marnix, Lord of St Aldegonde, but he 
 having been removed by death, nothing occasioned 
 more solicitude to the deputies of the churches of 
 North and South Holland, than that this very grave 
 undertaking, commenced under propitious omens by 
 St Aldegonde, should either be carried on to its com- 
 pletion, or by some other arrangement begun anew. 
 As, moreover, these deputies seemed resolved to agi- 
 tate the matter with the States on the first oppor- 
 tunity, the subject of our memoir left no stone unturned 
 to get those who presided at the helm of the Eepublic 
 to have regard to Drusius first of all, and to his judg- 
 ment on the matter. He felt that he had reasons the 
 most satisfactory for commending him above all others,* 
 both on account of his known and approved skill, for 
 many years back, in the Oriental languages, and also 
 because St Aldegonde himself, at the very time when 
 many were requesting him to undertake the task, had 
 • Vid. Arm. Epist. ad Uiteub. 8. Sept. 1599. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 83 
 
 urged the chnrches rather to turn their eyes and their 
 thousfhts towards Drusius.* The recommendation 
 of Arminius, however, as also of Uitenbogaert, 
 availed nothing, owing to the sinister judgments of 
 certain leaders in the Church respecting that celebrated 
 divine, and his soundness in the faith. For, suspect- 
 ing that he cherished I know not what monster in his 
 breast, and that he allowed his mind too much license 
 in explaining certain passages of Scripture (a decree 
 having previously passed the Synod of South Holland, 
 which circumscribed within very narrow limits who- 
 ever should be appointed to superintend the version of 
 the Sacred Book), the ministers referred to excluded 
 Drusius not only from the task of translation itself, 
 but even from the province of inspecting the transla- 
 tion. To avoid the appearance, however, of setting 
 at nought the labours of this distinguished man, the 
 States- General, in the year following, commissioned 
 him to write a Commentary, or Notes, on the more 
 difficult passages of the Old Testament, duly compar- 
 ing and examining, on every such text, the Chaldee, 
 Greek, and Latin interpreters ; and, by w^ay of re- 
 muneration, they stipulated to pay him, for a series 
 of years, an annual salary of four hundred florins. -J- 
 
 In the meantime, Arminius, while watching to the 
 very utmost of his ability over the interests of others, 
 whose labours he deemed most essential for reducing 
 ecclesiastical affairs to a better condition, was himself 
 
 * Vid. Epist. Aldegondii ad Drusium 17 Jun. 1594. Vitae 
 Drusii insertani. 
 t Ex Vita Drusii. 
 
84 THE LIFE OF 
 
 obliged to put up with many calumnies and injurions 
 judgments in regard to his own aims. In what spirit 
 he contemplated ecclesiastical matters at this time, may 
 be inferred from one of his familiar letters to Uiten- 
 bogaert, written en the first of August, in which he 
 pours cut, in the following expressions, a soul lacer- 
 ated and oppressed by the evils that overspread the 
 Christian community: — 'How can he rejoice who, over 
 and above the abounding impiety and unrighteousness 
 that riots throughout the whole world, perceives in 
 the very Church of Christ, in Christianity itself, such 
 a great diversity of sentiment on the subject of re- 
 ligion — so great a license in men, it matters not of 
 what description, to vent any sort of opinion in 
 opposition to the truth — so much confidence and 
 vehemence in the most of those who are in authority 
 with their own party, in imposing and obtruding on 
 the entire Christian Church whatever seems good to 
 themselves, as articles of faith necessary to salvation ? 
 Truly when I think of these things, my soul melts 
 within me, and is agitated and tost on so impetuous 
 a tide of conflicting thoughts, that, unable to decide 
 what part to act amid these convulsions, it finds relief 
 only in exclaiming to its God — Give, Lord, peace 
 to thine Israel : peace be within its walls, prosperity 
 within thy palaces ! Heal the stripes and wounds of 
 Joseph, that brethren and kindred, united by the one 
 girdle of truth necessary for thy glory, and for the 
 salvation of men, and by the one bond of steadfast 
 love, may be allowed to celebrate thy praises in 
 thine dwn house, from generation to generation.' 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 85 
 
 Almost in tlie same frame of mind as tliat in whicli 
 he thns portrays the state of the Church, he, in a 
 letter dated 8th September 1599, takes a survey also of 
 his own position, on which he opened his mind to the 
 same friend, in the following terms*: — 'I am exerting 
 myself to the utmost in teaching the truth already 
 known to me, and in searching out what is not ; yea 
 also, in more thoroughly investigating the truth which 
 I do know, and in establishing and confirming it on 
 solid grounds. But these things I do in silence and 
 in hope ; putting up, meanwhile, with the preposterous 
 zeal and scarcely sufferable vehemence of not a few, 
 till God see meet to rid me of that annoyance, or 
 impart to them a spirit of discretion and prudence, 
 to temper and moderate their zeal. It is on the best 
 of grounds, as it appears to me, that I ascribe to them 
 a zeal without knowledge ; for in nothing do I find 
 them less engaged than in that which they are bound 
 to by their office, of which it constitutes a part, and 
 indeed the principal part, to investigate the truth. 
 By reason of this, they have got possessed of an 
 opinion and persuasion that they have already 
 mastered the truth, so potent in the case of some of 
 them that they venture, without premeditation, to 
 give forth a peremptory judgment on any point, no 
 matter what, even though a point the most difficult, 
 and which up to that hour they had never thoroughly 
 examined, to the great disadvantage, unquestionably, 
 of the Christian Church, and to the certain injury of 
 truth.' 
 
 * Ex Epist Arm. ad Uitenb. 8 Sept. Script. 1599. 
 
86 THE LIFE OF 
 
 While, however, matters were in this state, the 
 Annual Synod of the Church of South Holland, of 
 which at that time he acted as president, imposed 
 upon him the task of discussing and refuting-, in a 
 single book, all the errors of the Anabaptists.* Not 
 unwillingly at first did he allow this province to be 
 entrusted to him, partly because he w^as of opinion 
 that such a work might be of some use to the Church, 
 and partly also because he rejoiced to anticipate that 
 by this decree of the Synod he would be placed 
 beyond all suspicion of error, and beyond all con- 
 troversy. But although he had scarcely entered on 
 the first year of this century till he addressed himself 
 with alacrity to the work assigned hmi — collecting 
 from all quarters the writings of the Anabaptists, and 
 carefidly perusing them in order to expiscate more 
 thoroughly their ideas and sentiments on the several 
 articles of faith — various circmustances conspired 
 latterly to deter him from the undertaking. For the 
 conviction gained upon him every day, that by most 
 of his brethren this task f had been presented to him, 
 not in a spirit of sincerity, but with the mind and 
 intent to elicit from himself a full expression of 
 opinion on certain "controverted points — particularly 
 on the doctrines of Predestination and Free Will, on 
 which these same Anabaptists had stirred controversy 
 with the Eeformed Church — that thence they might 
 snatch occasion, in larger measure, of accusation 
 against him ; on which account he resolved, in the 
 
 * Vid. Parentis mei G. Branii Hist. Ecform. par, ii. pag. 6. 
 f Ex Arm. Epist. ad Uitenb. 20 Jan. et 26 Mail Script. 1600. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 87 
 
 « 
 
 first instance, to prosecute the work but very coolly, 
 and then eventually, on the ground of sundry engage- 
 ments from different sides that distracted his attention, 
 to abandon it altogether. 
 
 In these same critical times, moreover, when, among 
 the troublesome points about to be started at the fol- 
 lowing Synod, this, too, was proposed by the brethren 
 from Haarlem — ' Whether it would not be advisable 
 that the ministers of the churches should annually 
 renew their subscription of the Confession and Cate- 
 chism, seeing individuals might be found who, though 
 thev had subscribed on being installed into office, 
 nevertheless, at a subsequent period, gave manifest 
 evidence of having changed their mind.' Against this 
 counsel and deed Arminius complained, in express 
 terms as follows*: — ' I am amazed at the short-sighted 
 minds of men, who do not see that by such a step 
 they at once cast suspicion on the good faith of all 
 ministers, as a cLiss of men that must be compelled 
 to constancy in the faith by dint of annual subscrip- 
 tions, and that they also scatter the seeds of daily 
 strife. Just as if it could not happen that he who 
 had no scruple on entering upon office, and thus 
 subscribed with a good conscience, should begin, in 
 process of tim^e, to be in doubt as to any article, from 
 which he shall not be able to disentangle himself 
 before the recurrence of the time for the renewed 
 subscription. Besides, this is an affair of equal con- 
 cernment to all the churches; and what prudent 
 man ever deemed it to be the wont either of the State 
 * Ex Epist. Arm. ad Uitenb. 26 Mali 1600 Script. 
 
88 THE LIFE OF 
 
 or the Church to institute a search after crimes which 
 have not betrayed an existence, yea, and to drag into 
 open contentions those who are meditating no evil ? 
 Do not these things appear to be the foundations of a 
 new Spanish or Tridentine Inquisition ? I write thus, 
 not because I shrink from subscription, but as what 
 the occasion demands.' Nay more, in the same epistle 
 in which these statements occur, he thus animadverts 
 on the attempt of certain of the churches: — 'It 
 appears to me that many, as if apprehensive of being 
 thouo-ht indifferent about ecclesiastical affairs, are 
 meditating night and day whether they, too, might 
 not be able to propose something to be discussed in 
 the Synods. Such men need to be recalled to the 
 saying of the apostle : Give attendance to reading, to 
 exhortation, to doctrine.' 
 
 How very little, indeed, he himself came short in 
 this last-named duty, is manifest from the fact, that 
 during the course of a period of thirteen years he 
 expounded, in addition to Malachi, of which we have 
 previously made mention, almost the whole of Mark, 
 Jonah, and the Epistle of Paul to the Galatians; and 
 he brought to a close his exposition of Paul's Epistle 
 to the Romans on the last day of September in 
 the following year, 1601.* Having despatched 
 this work, he proceeded, in tlie commencement of 
 the year 1602,7 to expound in public the Epistles 
 to the seven Asiatic churches, which are contained 
 in the second and third .chapters of the book of 
 Revelation. 
 
 * Ex Calendario Arm. f lUli January. 
 
JAMES ARinNIUS. 89 
 
 To what extent he distinfiaiished himself clurino' 
 this year, as a pious and devoted pastor and watch- 
 man of the Church, the following narrative will 
 satisfactorily show : — A pestilential heat, which spared 
 no class in society, raged at this time through all the 
 country, and throughout the city of Amsterdam, the 
 capital of Holland, and the emporium of the whole 
 world. And yet at this crisis, as if by a miracle, and 
 by what he could not but regard as a most manifest 
 proof of the special providence of God, while this 
 plague was rioting through the whole town, it did 
 not, during this year, seize on one of the chief magis- 
 trates, judges, treasurers, superintendents of orphans, 
 ministers of religion, elders, deacons, almoners, school- 
 rectors, or teachers. When first the deadly scourge 
 began its ravages, and the aggregate of funerals 
 came to be frightfully on the increase, his mind was 
 agitated not a little by the thought of his wife and 
 children, and of the scanty inheritance which he had 
 it in his power to leave them. But still, after more 
 careful meditation on the subject, and incessant 
 prayers to God, by his kindness, he was enabled so 
 happily to master this temptation and anxiety of 
 mind, that at a subsequent period he informs his 
 bosom-friend, Uitenbogaert, in the following words, 
 that his mind had got altogether rid of such cares as 
 these, and steeled against the fear of death : — ' Thus 
 far have I committed myself and my life to the divine 
 mercy, waiting daily till he require it of me, and repay 
 a better with usury ; and this I do (I say it fearlessly, 
 that you may rejoice,) with a quiet, tranquil, and 
 
 » 
 
90 THE LIFE OF 
 
 impertiirbed mind. I pray — and I earnestly entreat, 
 yea, command you, to pray along with me, as I on my 
 part will be ready to do the like for you — that the 
 God of all consolation may preserve this mind with 
 nfe to the last/* 
 
 Fortified by this hope and confidence (although his 
 ardour in the investigation of truth, formerly most in- 
 tense, was now rapidly cooling down), he ceased not to 
 pour out fervent supplications to God for the safety of the 
 community, to exhort the people to prayer and sincere 
 emendation of life, to build up the hearts of the pious 
 by consolatory addresses, both in public and private ; 
 and whatever time he might redeem to himself from 
 his ordinary and extraordinary duties, to devote it all, 
 not so much to the acquisition of knowledge, as to the 
 imbuing of his own spirit with solid piety. Nay 
 more, this vast field of pastoral fidelity and piety 
 having presented itself to his view, so strenuously 
 did he discharge the duties devolving upon him, that 
 his name deserves a place among those who are 
 entitled to be held up as examples for the imitation 
 of all ministers of the Christian Church. To the 
 highest and the lowest equally did he render the 
 ofiices of humanity ; nor did he ever allow himself 
 to be deterred by the perils of contagion from acting 
 his part as an indefiitigable shepherd of souls. -|- 
 
 It chanced about that time, as he passed along one 
 
 of the poorer districts of the city, that he heard a 
 
 certain lowly dwelling resound with the voice of 
 
 • Ex Epist. Ann. ad Uitenl'. 17 August et 1 Octob. Script, 
 -j- Ex Amicorum relatu. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 91 
 
 wailing. Immediately on perceiving that the whole 
 of that household had been seized with the plague, 
 and were in torment arising from the most burning 
 thirst, he not only gave money to the neighbours, 
 who were standing by, with which to purchase a 
 draught, but further, when not one of them dared to 
 enter that infected abode of poverty, he himself, heed- 
 less of every danger to which by this step he exposed 
 himself and those dear to him, intrepidly walked in, 
 and imparted refreshment, at once for the body and 
 the soul, to every single member of this afQicted 
 family.* 
 
 The great aptitude, moreover, by which he suc- 
 ceeded in consoling the minds, and imparting satisfac- 
 tion to the troubled consciences of the sick, may be 
 exemplified by the following occurrence, which also 
 happened in those days, and appears to us to be not 
 unworthy of record. He was called, fii'st by a 
 woman, and then by a man, both labouring under a 
 severe attack of the pestilence, both professing the 
 Eeformed doctrine, and both Christians of blameless 
 and misuUied reputation. She possessed a penetrating 
 judgment, and a knowledge of divine things above 
 the average of her sex. He was skilled in the same 
 to such a degree, as to be judged competent to act the 
 part even of a comforter to others. Neither was kno"VMi 
 to the other. Both began to be vehemently distressed 
 in spirit because they did not distinctly feel the cer- 
 tainty of the remission of their sins, and the comforting 
 
 * Ex Epist. Ann. ad Uitenbogaert. 1 Octob. 1602 Script. 
 
92 THE LIFE OP 
 
 testimony [alloquium) of the Holy Spirit in their own 
 hearts, at that time particularly, at which they 
 deemed all this to be indispensable in the highest 
 degree. She broke out into floods of tears ; he in- 
 wardly cherished his grief; and both declared ' that 
 they had truly endeavoured, by devout meditation of 
 the sacred page, to stir up these best of gifts if per- 
 chance they lay buried, but hitherto without effect.' 
 Arminius, on hearing these things, with a truly sor- 
 rowful heart, and touched with a, deep commisera- 
 tion of both, immediately asked, ' what was the 
 reason why they were so grievously distressed on that 
 account.' They replied (so exactly did the views of 
 each correspond), ' that they thought that the cer- 
 tainty of the remission of sins, and the witness [testi- 
 monimn) of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of believers, 
 constituted that very faith by which a believing man 
 is justified ; and consequently that they, being at this 
 time destitute of that certainty and that witness, must 
 also be destitute of faith.' Here Arminius put the 
 question, ' if they did not believe that Jesus of 
 Nazareth was the Christ, sent into the world by the 
 Father, the true and only Saviour of the world ; if 
 they did not know for cert lin that God the Father 
 had by him alone reconciled the world unto himself, 
 not imputing to them their trespasses ; and that this 
 same Jesus had received power from the Father to 
 remit sins, however aggravated, and to give the Spirit 
 of adoption to those who believe on him — which 
 power, too, he is in every respect ready to put forth, 
 
JAMES AKMINIUS. 93 
 
 yea, and has solemnly promised to put forth, for 
 the salvation of those that believe/ On their 
 replying that they firmly believed all this, Armi- 
 nius rejoined, that ' that was the faith which is 
 counted for righteousness ; but that the remission of 
 sins is the fruit of that faith, and that it is necessarily 
 followed (if not in time, at least in the order of na- 
 ture) by a sense of this remission in the hearts of 
 believers, according to the saying of the Apostle, 
 
 JUSTIFIED BY FAITH, WE HAVE PEACE WITH GoD, and 
 
 that we are to judge in the same way respecting the 
 gift of the Holy Spirit, w^ho is imparted to believers, 
 and, wherever imparted, begins to operate in such 
 ways as the Spirit himself knows to be best for the 
 salvation of those to whom he is given.' He then 
 proved, by a multitude of passages, which he pro- 
 duced from the Holy Scriptures, that justifying faith, 
 the remission of sins, and the sense of this remission, 
 are things distinguished in Scripture, and stand con- 
 nected with each other by the relation of sequence ; 
 explaining, moreover, the grounds and reasons why 
 that certainty and comforting testimony [alloquium] of 
 the Spirit, are not always felt by believers in an equal 
 degree. To this the sick persons listened with deep 
 interest ; till at length both, sustained by patience, 
 and the most enlarged hope of Divine aid, in tran- 
 quillity of soul awaited death — which the man met, 
 two days after, with the utmost fortitude. 
 
 From this circumstance, Arminius felt himself in 
 the strongest degree confirmed in his original opinion 
 
94 THE LIFE OF JAMES ARMINIUS. 
 
 as to tlie necessity of accurately distinguishing be- 
 tween things that are most intimately related to each 
 other, lest the confounding of these things should 
 occasion, to some consciences, a measure of anxiety 
 and alarm which can be dispelled in no other way 
 than by a distinction in harmony with the exact 
 nature of things. 
 
95 
 
 CHAP TEE V. 
 
 ARMINIUS'' CALL TO A THEOLOGICAL PROFESSORSHIP IN 
 LEYDEN, AND THE ACTIVE OPPOSITION TO WHICH IT 
 GAVE RISE. A.D. 1602-1603. 
 
 As the pestilence already noticed, raged not only in 
 Amsterdam, but also througli all the other cities of 
 Holland, it inflicted, in particular, a severe blow on 
 the Academy of Leyden in Holland, by extinguishing, 
 within the space of two months, these illustrious lights 
 of the Church, and most learned men, Lucas Trel- 
 catius, senior, and Francis Junius, the former of whom 
 expired on the 28th of August, and the latter on the 
 23rd of October. The Academy being deprived of 
 these props, and standing in need of new Atlantes, the 
 wiser class were at a loss to perceive in what way 
 any remedy could be applied to this recent wound. 
 Arminius himself, who was deeply afflicted by an 
 event so calamitous to the Academy, wherever he 
 turned his eyes, could find among foreigners very few 
 indeed fit to undertake such a charge, and sustain, in 
 point of eminence, the position of the dead.* From 
 France there beamed scarcely a ray of hope ; for the 
 churches of that kingdom were themselves provided 
 * Ex Epist. Ann. ad Uitenb. 3. Kal. Nov. 
 
96 THE LIFE OP 
 
 with hardly as miicli as mediocrity in this department 
 of study. If he turned his thoughts to Germany^ it 
 was with difficulty he could hit on more than one or 
 two of any note. Pezelius was enfeebled by age; 
 Grynajus, too, was more than sixty. Para3us was 
 understood to be too much bound to the Palatinate. 
 Of all the German theologians, however, the one 
 whom Arminius judged best qualified to undertake 
 this province (if indeed, his age, too, might not be an 
 objection), was the distinguished Piscator, as being, in 
 his estimation, a learned, diligent, and clear-headed 
 divine, who, by his published writings besides, had 
 already encircled his name with no small celebrity. 
 
 But far other, in regard to this matter, was the 
 mind of the honourable curators of the Academy, who, 
 deeming it not at all needful, at this conjuncture, to 
 turn their attention to foreigners, had fixed their 
 thoughts and their eyes on Arminius and Trelcatius, 
 junior. Of this favourable regard on the part of these 
 distinguished men, and indeed of most of the students, 
 toward Arminius, shortly after the death of Trelcatius, 
 Uitenbogaert came to be informed through the corres- 
 pondence of friends. He was in the camp before 
 Grave at the time, which he followed in the capacity 
 of chaplain to the valiant Prince Maurice. He was 
 first made cognizant of the fact by the letters of that 
 distinguished youth, Hugh Grotius, and of Anthony 
 Thysius, each of whom, after bearing testimony to the 
 splendid endowments of Arminius, earnestly entreated 
 Uitenbogaert that he would not refuse to interpose his 
 endeavour, at this stage, to persuaide Arminius to 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 97 
 
 accept the office, should it be placed within his power.* 
 Thysius, moreover, in his letter to this same friend on 
 the subject, lauds Arminius to the skies, calling him 
 tlie light of the Low Countries^ and a horn acade- 
 mician. 
 
 By and by, after Uitenbogaert had returned from 
 the camp to the Hague, the honourable senators, 
 Cornelius Neostadius, Frankius, and K. Hogerbeets, 
 made in his presence, at a certain party, new and 
 honourable mention of the proposed call to Arminius. 7 
 The first of these, and along with him the celebrated 
 John Dousa, Lord of N"orderwick, were curators of the 
 Academy, and the rest had cultivated an intimacy in 
 study with him from their early years. Uitenbogaert 
 at first took no part in the conversation ; but at 
 length, on being asked his opinion by this noble com- 
 pany of men, he very willingly added his suffrage to 
 theirs. A few days after, Nicolas Zeistius, Syndic of 
 Leyden, intimated, in a letter addressed to the honour- 
 able Neostadius, that the eyes of almost all the students 
 were turned to Arminius ; and not only so, but that 
 they had resolved to present, at the next meeting of 
 the curators, an earnest petition in favour of his being 
 invited. 
 
 On being apprized of all this by a letter from 
 Uitenbogaert, Arminius, so far from grasping at the 
 situation which many were marking out for him, 
 rather revolved in his mind a variety of reasons, from 
 day to day, which were calculated to deter him from 
 
 • Vid. Uiteiib. Hist. Eccles. p. 312. 
 -j- E vita Uitenbog : cap. v. 
 
98 TPIE LIFE OF 
 
 the idea of it altogether. For, over and above the 
 ardent attachment of his flock to him (which he felt 
 Tinder the strongest obligation to repay with equal 
 love), so great was the regard which he had concili- 
 ated towards himself from the public of Amsterdam, 
 and its leading men, that he could promise himself 
 henceforth to carry about with him a mind exempt 
 from anxious solicitude as to his worldly circum- 
 stances, and even an augmentation of his respectable 
 stipend should necessity demand.* Add to this, that 
 as the city of Amsterdam had the entire right of him, 
 in consideration of having supported him during his 
 sacred studies, it was hardly likely to surrender to the 
 Leydeners its own alumnus, to the serious injury of 
 the Church. 
 
 Meanwhile this favour of the ciu*ators for Arminius 
 gave great offence to several ministers ; and they left 
 no stone unturned by which to divert the minds and 
 thoughts of the former away from him to some foreign 
 candidate. About this time, a certain deputy of the 
 churches made up to the noble Neostadius, and did his 
 utmost in disparagement of the merits of Arminius, 
 declaring, ' that he had discovered nothing whatever 
 in him except that he was an expert logician ; but he 
 (the deputy) had yet to learn that he was so great a 
 theologian as to warrant his elevation to an academic 
 chair.' 
 
 Much more strongly and sharply, however, was the 
 proposed appointment resisted by J. Kuchlinus, the 
 principal moderator of the Theological College, the 
 * Vid. Epist. Arm. ad Uitenb. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. ' 99 
 
 uncle too, and at one time the colleague of Arminius.* 
 For he began very vehemently to remonstrate with 
 Uitenbogaert on the subject, and to start the doubt 
 whether ' Arminius was not tainted with the Coorn- 
 hertian heresy;' adding, and stoutly affirming, that 
 ' his father-in-law, Lawrence Keal, had a considerable 
 leaning to the same.' Some time after, in presence 
 of the curators of the Academy themselves, after a 
 long preface about Arminius's thirst for novelties, and 
 itch for disputation, he at length broke out in these 
 words : — ' Pray, what shall I, an old man, do ? Shall 
 I suffer my pupils to attend the Academy, and hear 
 and cany away with them new doctrines every day V 
 I will not bear it ; I will not suffer it ; I will rather 
 shut up my college.' Very opportunely, however, in 
 the circumstances, this excited feeling was calmed 
 down by the arrival of John Hauten, a man of very 
 great sagacity, who was at that time secretary to the 
 Academy. By his arguments the old man was 
 brought to a stand, and forthwith began to speak 
 in a more temperate tone. 
 
 On the very day, too, on which a meeting of the 
 academy was held on the subject of inviting Arminius, 
 the distinguished Gomams, after asking permission to 
 speak, and presenting to the honourable curators of 
 the Academy the funeral oration with which he had 
 performed the last honours to Junius, took occasion 
 to intimate to them, that ' Junius, almost at the last 
 hour of his life, implored him to commend, in his 
 name, the Academy and the profession of theology to 
 • Ex Diario MS. Uitenb. 
 
100 THE LIFE OF 
 
 the special care of the curators. This charge he now 
 implemented; nor could he with a good conscience 
 dissemble his fear that the call of Armmius, for 
 determining on which he understood they were as- 
 sembled, would in his judgment turn out to the very 
 serious injury of the Academy, in consequence of the 
 heterodox opinions he entertained, and which he had 
 made public both in his discourses on the seventh 
 chapter of the Komans, and in those very serious 
 disputes which he had with Junius on the subject of 
 predestination.' To these things he added, that 
 'Junius himself had no favourable opinion of Ar- 
 minius. In Amsterdam he had it in his power to 
 infect one church only, but here he could infect many, 
 not merely in this but also in other lands. In that 
 city there were many who could enter the lists with 
 him, and resist his attempts ; but here there were very 
 few. In the Academy there was more freedom of dis- 
 putation than m the chureh, from which cii'cumstance 
 undoubtedly the fiercest contentions would arise. 
 Arminius very likely, the more easily to advance 
 himself to the professorship, may hold out the promise 
 of amendment, but no faith was to be attached to his 
 words; and in a matter of such importance it was 
 incumbent on them to act with very great caution, 
 lest by the introduction of such a man, and of novel 
 doctrines, some mischief should accrue to this very 
 distinguished seat of learning.'* 
 
 The noble curators regarded as unduly harsh and 
 sufficiently violent the judgment of so great a theo- 
 * Ex Diario MS. Uitenbogardi. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 101 
 
 1-ogian respecting this eminent minister, who was held 
 in the highest esteem by those with whom he was 
 connected, and who up to that hour had not given 
 the very smallest indication of an ambitious longing 
 after the office. Gomarus accordingly was asked by 
 these very influential men, '■ Whether he really knew 
 Armmius? and whether he had perused the corres- 
 pondence he had had with Junius?' He candidly 
 replied that ' he only saluted him once, as he descried 
 him at a little distance 5 and as for the discussion with 
 Jimius, he had not indeed read it, but still he had 
 got information respecting it through certain ministers 
 most worthy of credit.' On this, bemg more straitly 
 questioned as to who the fabricators of those charges 
 were, he at length named Plancius. 
 
 But the chief rulers of the Academy, not disposed to 
 attach much weight to this testimony, deemed it of 
 the first importance to inquire more thoroughly into 
 all those accusations by which Arminius was assailed. 
 Wherefore, having first called into their counsel John 
 Oldenbarne veldt, the prime minister of the States of 
 Holland, they deemed it proper to consult Uiten- 
 bogaert concerning all these matters, and what was 
 best to be done for the interests of the Academy. He, 
 after a brief pause of deliberation, began forthwith 
 to complain of the injury which Gomarus and Kuch- 
 linus had inflicted on Arminius. Then, after giving 
 an account of the controversy which happened at 
 Amsterdam some considerable time previously, on the 
 occasion of Arminius expounding the seventh chapter 
 of the Eomans, and after reading the opening and 
 
102 THE LIFE OF 
 
 concluding portions of his discussion with Junius, he 
 showed very plainly that what Gomarus had called 
 ' serious disputes' had rather been the interchange of 
 friendly correspondence. Junius besides, had culti- 
 vated a genuine friendship with Arminius ; yea, and 
 subs^uently to that correspondence he had often 
 prefaced any reference he made to him with expres- 
 sions of praise. As Gomarus, however, was pushing 
 this business with so much animosity, and that 
 doubtless at the instigation of others whose authority 
 was very influential in sacred matters, it appeared to 
 him to be advisable that the call should be decided 
 in favour of another, rather than of Arminius. As 
 to the willingness of Arminius to undertake this pro- 
 fessorship, it was in the highest degree doubtful ; and 
 much more uncertain was it besides, whether, in the 
 event of his assenting to the call, the people of 
 Amsterdam would grant him a dismission. He 
 looked upon this movement as one full of hazard and 
 difficulty ; and so much the more difficult as he had 
 heard Gomarus was actuated by a very strong pre- 
 judice against Arminius, and bent all his energies to 
 this : that whatever the latter might advance in 
 defence of his reputation and his faith, he would at 
 once proceed to invalidate and subvert. He (Uiten- 
 bogaert) was not willing to take upon himself a 
 business of such magnitude, or that this cause should 
 be determined by his judgment alone. So far from 
 this, although, according to the dictate of conscience, 
 he had advanced what made for the commendation of 
 Arminius, and was fully confident that Arminius 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 103 
 
 would never do aught that was unworthy of himself 
 or the Academy, he nevertheless committed this whole 
 affair to the consideration and decision of the honour- 
 able curators. If, however, they adhered to their 
 purpose to invite this theologian, he thought it would 
 be in the highest degree advisable that Arminius 
 should be made aware of all the things which had 
 been said and done against him, in order that after 
 hearing his reply they might be the better able to 
 consult for their own concerns, and for the welfare of 
 the Academy.'* Thus spake Uitenbogaert in the 
 presence of the curators. On the same day he de- 
 clared to the most noble Oldenbarneveldt, a man who 
 held the place of the highest dignity in the Republic 
 of Holland, that 'Armmius, yea even a hundred 
 Arminiuses, did not bulk so largely in his estimation 
 that, for the sake of promoting him, he could be willing 
 to have the Church and the Academy disturbed.' 
 
 Some time after, by order of the curators, he faith- 
 fully divulged everything, as far as matters had gone, 
 to Arminius, who had been summoned by letter to 
 Haarlem ; and he earnestly besought him, seeing the 
 matter concerned not him only, but also the entire 
 Church besides, that he would not hesitate to declare 
 his own mind on the subject candidly, freely, and 
 without any reserve.-]- On receiving this information, 
 which astonished him mightily, Arminius related the 
 particulars of all the controversies which had ever 
 
 * Ex Diario Uitenb. MS. — Vid.et Vitam Uitenb.Belg. Idiom, 
 ab ipso conscript, cap. v. 
 
 t Ex Diario MS. Uitenbog. 
 
104 THE LIFE OF 
 
 been stirred against him on the ground of doctrine, 
 and what plan he had invariably adopted in order to 
 get them allayed. From this the conversation passed 
 to the subject of the professorship, and of the very 
 high esteem in which he was held by the rulers of the 
 academy. By and by, also, according to the charge 
 devolved upon him by these rulers, Uitenbogaert pro- 
 ceeded to ask him what might be his own mind and 
 judgment as to undertaking the office. Arminius 
 replied, that ' many reasons presented themselves on 
 the ground of which he could prefer to remain at 
 Amsterdam. He owned, indeed, that he was rather 
 prone to an academic mode of expressing himself, nor 
 was he altogether destitute of freedom in com- 
 position and in promoting the public good by his pen; 
 but still he was wanting in many endowments of mind 
 and genius that were necessary to the proper discharge 
 of this function. Moreover, as he had by no means 
 the right, he would decide nothing whatever, either 
 on the one side or on the other, till the church and 
 civil authorities of Amsterdam had granted him full 
 liberty of choice. This done, he would consider what 
 might be for the advantage of the Academy, as well as 
 for his own. At all events he would never consent to 
 give his services to the noble curators until he had first 
 obtained a friendly conference with the distinguished 
 Gomarus, and disabused his mind of all the doubts 
 which he had conceived respecting him. He was 
 aware how much ought to be sacrificed for the peace 
 of the academy, and how imperatively necessary it 
 was to apply the promptest remedy possible to the 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 105 
 
 ecclesiastical dissensions so much to be deplored, 
 rather than to contribute fresh material for their 
 increase. Never for the sake of any dogma would he 
 furnish occasion, even the least, to violate the peace 
 of the Church ; and in this same mind he put a fair 
 and charitable construction on everything which the 
 learned Gomarus had done, at the instigation, doubt- 
 less, of others, rather than of his own accord.' 
 
 This reply Uitenbogaert reported to the honourable 
 curators of the Academy. After maturely consider- 
 ing and weighing the fact that divines of the 
 Eeformed Church had not always cherished the same 
 opinion on the subject of Predestination, and that no 
 synod of the Primitive Church had ever determined 
 anything respecting it — yea, further, that the cele- 
 brated J. Holmann had stoutly defended, in the Leyden 
 Academy, the same opinion which Hemmingius had 
 maintained on that question — the curators judged 
 that there was no call for further deliberation on the 
 subject of inviting Arminius. On the contrary, they 
 instantly decided on doing so ; and in order to obtain 
 their wish, C. Neostadius and N. Zeistius, men of great 
 influence, undertook a journey to Amsterdam, which, 
 however, failed of its end ; for the noble rulers of this 
 city (on the 19th November) not only decided that they 
 could not dispense with his services, but would not permit 
 them to treat "v\ath the ecclesiastical court on the matter. 
 
 On learning this the deputies of the churches * 
 
 * These were functionaries appointed by the Dutch Synods 
 (resembling the Commission of the General Assembly in Scot- 
 land), on whom devolved a certain current and ill-defined care 
 
106 . THE LIFE OF 
 
 exerted themselves to the utmost to interpose delay, 
 and even obstruction, in the way of this call. At an 
 extraordinary meeting accordingly, held at the Hague, 
 they judged it expedient to invite certain pastors to 
 that place — Uitenbogaert being summoned among the 
 rest. After prayer, the president of this conference, 
 Arnold Cornelis, immediately submitted whether it 
 would not be for the interest of the Church seriously 
 and gravely to warn the noble Oldenbarneveldt, and 
 the curators of the Academy as well, of the dangers 
 which impended over the Church and the Academy, 
 in the event of calling a man so deeply suspected of 
 erroneous opinions; and to entreat them rather to 
 think of calling some other who might be fit to 
 undertake the office, and at the same time be clear of 
 suspicion of this kind. 
 
 Uitenbogaert being asked among the first to express 
 his mind as to this counsel, declared that he would be 
 no f>arty to any such thing.* After many preliminary 
 remarks as to the danger into which those who urged 
 such a decision would precipitate themselves in the 
 event of not being able to prove the charges preferred 
 against Arminius, he proceeded to explain more at 
 length all that he himself knew of the matter, and 
 showed that the opposition to the clergyman in ques- 
 tion was grounded on suspicions rather than on reasons. 
 
 of the cluirches, and who figure much in the ecclesiasti- 
 cal embroilments of that period. They were often officious; 
 and hence Grotius calls them ' Ruling Masters.'' — Tr. 
 
 * Ex Diario MS. Uitenb. Vid et Uitenb. Vitam ab ipso 
 conscript, vernaculo idiom, cap. v. 
 
JAMES AKMINIUS. 107 
 
 On this, after here repeating ad nauseam the alle- 
 gation as to his very serious disputes with Junius, and 
 the long-settled affair about the interpretation of the 
 seventh chapter of Eomans, the president of the 
 conference openly declared, that 'Arminius was no 
 theologian, but a young man, destitute of experience 
 and prone to quarrels and petty disputations.' In op- 
 position to this, Uitenbogaert rejoined, that ' this same 
 Arminius sustained the character of a distinguished 
 divine, and to how great an extent he was skilled in 
 sacred things could not be altogether unknown to his 
 present accuser, inasmuch as when on a previous 
 occasion Arminius requested a friendly conference 
 with him on the subject of religion, he heartily 
 shrank from it. The frivolous objections as to his 
 youth were also applicable to Gomarus himself; pre- 
 eminently so, at all events, to Trelcatius, junior, 
 concerning both of whom, however, in this connexion, 
 there was a profomid silence. Arminius was of frill 
 age, and possessed of a judgment thoroughly culti- 
 vated and matured- The professorial function was 
 theoretical rather than 'practical^ and experience was 
 not required in universities to the same extent as in 
 churches ; still it was not to be thought that he could 
 be devoid of experience, who had for so many years, 
 and with so much applause, sustained the charge of 
 by far the most influential of the churches. Besides, 
 that he was party to discussions occasionally about 
 sacred things was proof not of a contentious, but of a 
 subtle mind, and gave indication that he was born for 
 academic rather than for pastoral frmctions.' 
 
108 THE LIFE OF 
 
 On this, one objected, tliat '■ still Arminius differed 
 if not in substantialsj at least in accidentals — (here 
 and elsewhere in narrating the discussions of divines, 
 we must be allowed to speak in theological rather 
 than in chaste and classical Latin*) — and while this 
 perchance might be connived at in the Church, in 
 the Academy it certainly could not be borne with.' 
 Uitenbogaert rejoined, that 'the liberty of plying 
 controversies which did not subvert the foundations 
 of the fiiith, ought by no means to be banished from 
 academic institutions. Never had these, any more 
 than the churches, been so well constituted but that 
 at all times some differences, and these occasionally 
 very serious, had existed in reference to sacred things, 
 and yet the peace of the Church had been preserved 
 inviolate ; yea, between that very divine, Junius, and 
 his colleague, Sohnius, at Heidelberg, and between 
 Gomarus and Junius at Leyden-in-Holland, there had 
 not, on all points, been a perfect agreement. The 
 same principle applied to the case in hand. Arminius 
 was desirous of peace, nor was any strife to be appre- 
 hended from him, although in some things he might 
 differ from others in opinion.' 
 
 After he had thus spoken, some member of the 
 conference vociferated, that 'everything, even what 
 seemed safe things, furnished matter for just sus- 
 picion-,' to which the very eloquent pastor of the 
 church in the Hague further and spiritedly replied, 
 
 * This, it is scarcely needful to remark, is an apology 
 interposed by our author, for deviating occasionally from his 
 excellent Latinity into unavoidable scholasticisms. — Tr. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 109 
 
 that ' a statement of this description was diametrically 
 opposed to Christian charity ; and that it was much 
 rather to be desired that all the ministers of the 
 Church would more frequently recall to memory that 
 saying of Paul, Charity thinketh no evil.^ After he 
 had uttered these words, and followed up his remarks 
 with a very grave admonition that the brethren would 
 act circumspectly throughout this business, and at- 
 tempt nothing of which they might subsequently 
 repent, Uitenbogaert asked leave of departure, aftd 
 withdrew. 
 
 But they, not deeming it of any consequence to 
 attend to this warning, straightway divulged the same 
 doubts respecting Arminius, which they had brought 
 out in that conference, to the Grand Pensionary of 
 the States of Holland, as well as the curators of the 
 Academy, commending the Academy to their care, and 
 adding the request that they would see to it that the 
 peace of the institution be not disturbed. They re- 
 plied in general terms, that ' they would take care of 
 that matter.'* 
 
 But the cm'ators, suspecting on good grounds that 
 certain parties were pushing this business with far too 
 great animosity, and that under it there lurked much 
 envy against Arminius — ^nay, further, that if by this 
 pretext of heterodoxy he should be driven from the 
 professorship, his public usefulness also would be very 
 apt to be sacrificed in that church to the ministry of 
 which he had devoted himself — were of opinion that 
 it was their duty still to prosecute the call. More 
 * Ex Diario MS. Uitenb. 
 
110 THE LIFE OF 
 
 tlian that, Arminius having taken a journey to the 
 Hague at this conjuncture (January 21, 1603), to 
 despatch some ecclesiastical business in name of the 
 Amsterdam Classis, they called him into theh' presence, 
 informed him of their determination, and begged that 
 he would not scruple to give them the hope and pledge 
 that he would accept the oifice of professor ; and that 
 they would take steps, and strive with all their weight, 
 to induce the magistrates and church of Amsterdam to 
 give in like manner their consent to the arrangement. 
 This, however, Arminius modestly declined, giving 
 the same reply that he had previously given to Uiten- 
 bogaert, and to the other delegates of the academic 
 council. 
 
 Shortly after, having returned home, and obtained 
 an opportunity of holding a familiar interview with 
 that minister of Delft (Arnold Cornelis) who had 
 presided at the above-mentioned conference held at 
 the Hague, and who was spending some days in 
 Amsterdam, he began (Jan. 27) to deal with him freely 
 — partly complaining of the injurious judgment of cer- 
 tain individuals, and partly clearing and defending him- 
 self. He added, that ' that method of acting did not 
 appear to him to be sufficiently Christian, and that 
 another ought to be adopted of a more positive sort, and 
 more in accordance with Christian candoiu'.'* Still 
 further, referring to that conference, and to the steps 
 which, thus far, the deputies of the churches had taken 
 against him, Arminius observed: -J- — 'It seems evident 
 
 * Ex Epist. Arm. inedita Script, ad Uiteiib. 28 Jan. 1603. 
 •f Namely to Uitenbof^aert, in the letter referred to in the 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. Ill 
 
 to me, that all their deliberations and acts have pro- 
 ceeded from a certain groundless fear, induced by the 
 calumnious reports respecting me of certain individuals 
 whom I have declared myself easily able to confute 
 with the actual truth, if opportunity and place were 
 only granted me for defending myself.' 
 
 But a suspicion once entertained of the heterodoxy 
 of Arminius had fixed its roots too deeply in the 
 minds of those entrusted with the welfare of the 
 churches, (viz., the deputies) to allow themselves 
 to be deterred from their undertaking by any 
 arguments of his. Wherefore, taking into con- 
 sideration the proceedings up to that point of the 
 curators of the Academy, these ecclesiastical deputies 
 set out for the Hague towards the end of February ; 
 and in the presence of Oldenbarneveldt renewed the 
 same complaint that they had formerly lodged as 
 to the dangers to which the Academy would be ex- 
 posed by this call of Arminius, following it up with 
 the request that he would not refuse to exert his 
 influence with these same curators in order to impede 
 its progi'ess. The grounds on which they contended 
 were the same as before, with the addition of this 
 other, by the colleague of Arminius, Werner Hel- 
 michius, namely, that only very lately Arminius had 
 taught in public that ' God had not yet sent a bill of 
 divorcement to the Church of Rome.'* These words 
 
 preceding note, giving an account of his interview Avith 
 Cornells the day before, and containing the expressions quoted 
 in the previous sentence. — Tr. 
 
 * Vide Vitam Uitenb. cap. v. Trigland. Hist. Eccles. 
 
112 THE LIFE OF 
 
 Arminiiis had used in the course of expounding the 
 second chapter of Kevelation, and thence some of his 
 enemies had snatched a handle for the suspicion that 
 he had an undue leaning towards that very impure 
 Church, and had undertaken its defence. 
 
 But it escaped Helmichius, and even the most 
 honourable the Grand Pensionary of Holland, to 
 whom at first sight such a saying appeared absurd, 
 that F. Junius, besides often and openly maintaining 
 the same opinion in his public prelections and dis- 
 putations, had given that exposition almost in the 
 self-same words, in a certain excellent treatise On the 
 Church. On this account, Uitenbogaert, the moment 
 he was informed of the accusation referred to, handed 
 in that treatise to this most eminent man for his 
 perusal ; and added that many besides Junius, and 
 these too of no mean name among Keformed divines, 
 had expressly maintained the same thing, not with 
 the view of patronising that meretricious Church, but 
 rather to set forth the benignity of the supreme and 
 ever-blessed God, who, inasmuch as certain traces of 
 Christianity still remained in that Church, was even 
 yet urging it to repentance. 
 
 This act of Helmichius, moreover, was regarded by 
 the patrons of Arminius as anything but handsome ; 
 for they deemed it most iniquitous that this eminent 
 clergyman had not only ventured, in the presence of 
 a man of such great authority, to defame an absent 
 colleague, and that too without ever having communi- 
 cated with him on the matter, but also that he should 
 demand of that same high personage to keep secret 
 
JAMES AKMINIUS. 113 
 
 what he had alleged against Arminius, and not to 
 apprize him of the matter at all.* They took the 
 deed the more amiss, and could less easily brook it, 
 from the fact, which thev knew to be certain and 
 undoubted, that it was mainly in. consequence of the 
 recommendation of Arminius that this Helmichius 
 had been called to the ecclesiastical office. 
 
 How unworthy this conduct was of so conspicuous 
 a herald of divine truth Uitenbogaert plainly showed, 
 a few days after, to this Amsterdam minister himself, 
 entering at some length into conversation with him on 
 that occasion respecting Arminius and the professor- 
 ship which had been determined in his favour. -|- 
 UiTENBOGAERT cxprcsscd his astouishmeut that the 
 delegates of the churches should rear their attempts 
 against Arminius on a foundation so slender. Hel- 
 michius, on the other hand, alleged that it was 
 evident to the churches that there existed the 
 weightiest reasons why they should resist this call. 
 Uitenbogaert complained of the injury done by the 
 clandestine slanders of brethren; declared that the 
 care of the deputies was unduly officious; that by 
 these attempts they would contribute nothing to the 
 advantage of the Church, but rather impair, by this 
 mode of procedure, their own influence with the 
 States, and that this had already more than once been 
 proved by experience. Helmichius owned that many 
 things indeed were falsely imputed to Arminius ; but 
 that, notwithstanchng, he very clearly and openly 
 * Ex Diario MS. Uitenb. f Ibid. 
 
114 THE LIFE OF 
 
 evinced that he hy no means acquiesced in the 
 opinion of the great Calvin on Predestination, and that 
 this circumstance was fraught with imminent danger 
 to the Academy. Uitenbogaert owned that that 
 opinion laboured under serious difficulties which he 
 himself was not able to extenuate or remove ; but from 
 this there was no ground to apprehend dissension, 
 provided Arminius, while temperately maintaining a 
 milder view of that question, accepted in a fair and 
 liberal spirit the modest defence which Gomarus and 
 others might put forth for their opinion. Here 
 Helmichius affirmed that the doctrine of an absolute 
 decree of Reprobation had been received by the Re- 
 formed Church ; and that those who were of a 
 different sentiment might be tolerated in the Church, 
 provided they imposed silence on themselves and 
 abstained from running that doctrine down. Uiten- 
 bogaert replied, that he for his part was one who 
 could not assent to that opinion, which, in fact, 
 ought by no means to be attributed to the entire 
 Church of the Reformed, but only to certain par- 
 ticular divines. Nay it was those rather who rejected 
 that horrible decree (as Calvin himself calls it, in 
 express terms, when treating of Reprobation) that 
 ought to be asked to bear patiently with its patrons 
 and defenders. Further, on Helmichius asserting 
 somewhat warmly that there were certain parties in 
 Amsterdam who were prepared to establish against 
 Arminius more charges still, and of greater weight, 
 should this academic invitation be further pressed, 
 
i 
 
 JAMES ARinNTUS. 115 
 
 UiTENBOGAERT rejoined, that ' insinnations of this 
 kind were made in manifest contravention of the 
 law of charity, yea, and of truth. He perceived 
 that a tyranny altogether new, and which he would 
 by no means submit to, had been introduced into 
 the Eeformed Church. Individuals there were who 
 spoke of that Church none otherwise than if it 
 were exempt from all liability to error, and stood in 
 need of no further reform. Hence no one dissenting, 
 even iu how trivial soever a degree, was to be 
 tolerated : and the blot of heresv was to be forthwith 
 daubed upon those who OT\TQed as much as a slight 
 difference, or even doubt, in respect to any article of 
 faith and doctruie. As an effusion from this bitter 
 fountain, a certain minister had ventured to call 
 Arminius a heretic. In this way all liberty of friendly 
 conference on points of Christian doctrine was pre- 
 cluded ; and from this it was to be feared still greater 
 troubles would arise.' 
 
 This conversation was scarcely ended when the 
 celebrated Gomarus also came to the Hague, and 
 had -a lengthened interview \\dth Uitenbogaert on the 
 same affair. On this occasion Gomarus, with a mind 
 thoroughly excited (as far as it might be allowed to 
 conjecture from his countenance), began to rate him for 
 his commendation of Arminius, whom he styled a man 
 of impure doctrine — adding that he (Uitenbogaert) 
 had rashly mixed himself up with academic affairs. 
 This commendatory act Uitenbogaert vuidicated on 
 a multitude of grounds, and strove with all his might 
 to wipe away the injurious aspersions from his absent 
 
116 THE LIFE OF 
 
 friend; when immediately Gomaeus, prcdncing the 
 reply of Arminius to the communication of Jimins 
 (which a few days previously, he stated, had heen 
 handed to him by Casimir, the son of Francis Junius), 
 declared that he would prove directly that Arminius 
 maintained not only impure, but even impious doctrine.* 
 To substantiate this allegation he instantly quoted, 
 from the very autograph of Arminius, the following 
 statement : that ' by no divine decree is the human 
 will determined either to the one side or the other' — 
 adding, ' That is an impious sentiment ! ' To this 
 UiTENBOGAEET replied, that ' it was not impious to 
 say that God did not determine those things which 
 he himself was unwilling to determine. Arminius 
 would render a just reason for that saying. Nay more, 
 the very celebrated Junius had said nearly the same 
 thing in his treatise " On the first Sin of Adam." ' , 
 Quitting this subject, Gomarus turned the conver- 
 sation into another channel, alleging that the opinion 
 of Arminius on the seventh chapter of Eomans was 
 manifestly at variance with the doctrine of the 
 churches. Here Uitenbogaert put the question, on 
 which article it was of the Confession and Catecliism 
 that the above-named interpretation impinged? Gom- 
 arus replied, that the doctrine of the churches was to 
 be determined not only by these received formularies, 
 but to a very great extent from the consent of the 
 pastors. But to this Uitenbogaert rejoined, that a 
 saying of this description savoured of Popery ; and that 
 he knew no other consent of the churches in doctrine 
 * Ex Diario MS. Uitenb. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 117 
 
 but that whicli is contaiuecl in tlie express words of 
 the Confession. 
 
 On this, GoMARUS made reference to the subject of 
 Predestination, and acknowledged that that decree 
 might be modestly discussed, and Arminius borne 
 with, provided he would deport himself with modera- 
 tion. Then Uitenbogaert at length seizing this 
 opportunity, gravely and com'teously admonished this 
 divine ' not to give way to his own feelings more than 
 was meet, and allow himself to be carried away by 
 the perverse judgments of others respecting Arminius;' 
 adding, ' that Arminius never would undertake this 
 office without, in the first instance, holding a friendly 
 conference with him in reference to these and other 
 difficulties. Nothing did Arminius desire more than 
 to cultivate a fraternal friendship with him ; and his 
 resolution was rather to keep aloof from that office 
 for ever than furnish occasion, even the least, for 
 ecclesiastial strifes. Of strifes there were enough 
 everywhere. Peace ought to be studied ; nor did he 
 doubt but that Arminius would give him the most 
 ample satisfaction.' On this Gomarus calmly and 
 candidly rejoined, 'that this was what he pre- 
 eminently desired ; that then Arminius would be to 
 him a most acceptable colleague ; and that he would 
 tolerate all things which could be borne with con- 
 sistently with the maintenance of peace and with 
 integrity of conscience.' 
 
11& 
 
 CHAP TEE VI. 
 
 FURTHER PROSECUTION AND SUCCESSFUL ISSUE OF AR- 
 MINIUS'S CALL TO THE PROFESSORSHIP. A.D. 1603, 
 
 Arminius meanwhile, not unaware of those things 
 which were in agitation against him, strove to bend 
 all his plans to this one aim, that of finding out a 
 way in which he might defend himself against the 
 criminations of his adversaries, and disarm them of 
 their power. In particular, feeling keenly that he 
 had been covered with stigmas in the hearing of 
 Barneveldt, it appeared to him in the highest degree 
 desirable that he should maintain the stainlessness of 
 his reputation in the presence of that most exalted 
 man ; and that before presenting himself at the 
 Hague he should intimate his purpose to the honour- 
 able magistrates, and in addition to them, to 
 Helmichius himself, and others who had branded 
 so black a stigma on his name. 
 
 He was prevented, however, from carrying into 
 effect this purpose and journey by the adverse state 
 of his health, having been seized with a catarrh 
 contracted by cold, which violently affected his brain 
 and adjacent parts. He informed Uitenbogaert of his 
 cu'cumstances, and, moreover, disclosed to him the 
 
JAMES AEMrNIUS. 119 
 
 state of his mind and his wish, in the following 
 words:* — 'Would that this mio-ht be obtained from 
 the most noble Barneveldt, namely, that they should 
 receive orders to proceed against me before him, I 
 being present. This verily I aim at and desire far 
 more ardently than that which they think I desire — I 
 mean the theological professorship. But I thoroughly 
 persuade myself (and thus, surely, it ought to turn out) 
 that those good men will not obtain credit with con- 
 siderate persons, especially as he who is aimed at 
 stands forth for his lawful defence, and is an elder 
 against whom no one has a right to take up an 
 accusation except under two or three witnesses. My 
 opinion, therefore, is, that that journey is not so 
 urgently necessary at this time in consequence of the 
 departure already of a large proportion of the deputies, 
 to whom Helmichius might appeal were I to institute 
 proceedings with him. Meanwhile there remains with 
 me the full right of originating an action at law against 
 him, and also against the rest who are associated with 
 him. In regard to this, I shall consider, from your 
 advice and that of others, what to do. If, however, 
 you deem it needful that I should open my mind to 
 you in reply to a few queries, you may transmit them 
 in writing, and I will answer you with the utmost 
 plainness and sincerity ; for I am unwillmg either to 
 commit or to omit anything that might tend either to 
 promote or to impede my call ; inasmuch as I have 
 resolved to commit myself wholly to the will of God, 
 that I may be able to maintain a good conscience what- 
 * Epist. Eccles. Ep. 58, pag. 109, 110. 
 
120 THE LIFE OP 
 
 ever may Ibe the issue of the affair. In the meantime, I 
 would have you to be of good cheer, and moderate your 
 grief, for well I know how needful is this request. 
 The Lord God will provide and grant that success 
 which he knows will be most conducive to his own 
 glory and the edification of the Church — yea more, 
 and to the salvation of me and mine. On Him I cast 
 all my care : He will bring forth my righteousness as 
 the light, and my judgment as the noon-day.' 
 
 During all this time, the honourable curators of 
 the Academy, promising themselves better things of 
 Arminius than rumour held out, had resolved to leave 
 nothing untried by which they might gain Arminius 
 and their wish. Nay, communicatnig their counsels 
 to the illustrious Prince Maurice, they strenu- 
 ously besought him to associate with them some 
 one to act in his name, for the furtherance of this 
 business with the people of Amsterdam. To this 
 petition, the Prince gave his gracious assent; and 
 forthwith summoning Uitenbogaert into his presence 
 (on the loth March), he entreated him, in kindly 
 terms that he would not scruple to undertake this 
 province, as being in great measure an ecclesiastical 
 one — and pledged his faith to furnish him with cre- 
 dentials. Armed with these, he at length, along with 
 the honourable J. Dousa, and N. Zeistius, Sjudic of 
 Leyden, set out for Amsterdam on the first day of 
 April ; being followed, a little after, by the honourable 
 Neostadius and Nicolas Cromhout, the chief senator of 
 the supreme court : this List the curators had called 
 to their assistance, his influence being very power- 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 121 
 
 ful with the Senate of Amsterdam. To smooth for 
 themselves an easier path to the attainment of their 
 end, they judged it expedient to hold interviews, in 
 the first instance, with several of the magistrates, and 
 ministers of the Church. Having on the 5th April, 
 accordingly, obtained public audience of the honourable 
 magistrates, they explained, at length, their reasons 
 for the journey they had undertaken, — Cromhout 
 maintaining the cause of the curators, and Uitenbog- 
 aert prosecuting the orders of the Prince.* They 
 pressed their petition to obtain Arminius, on a variety 
 of grounds ; the rulers, on the other hand, set forth the 
 merits of their pastor, and his useful and necessary 
 services in refuting the opinions of different parties on 
 points connected with religion ; and declared that they 
 could not dispense with the ministry of so great a 
 man. These, and other arguments of the kind, the 
 curators bent in their own favour, and vigorously 
 retorted ; at length the rulers replied that they would 
 deliberate further on the matter^ and gave permission, 
 besides, to treat with the ecclesiastical court respect- 
 ing it. 
 
 At a meeting, accordingly, convened on the 8th 
 April, the delegates of the Academy submitted to the 
 presbytery the same reasons for their proposal vv^hich 
 they had advanced in presence of the magistrates ; in 
 addition to which, the better to promote their object, 
 they held out the hope, and gave the pledge that 
 should the leading men of the church of Amsterdam 
 resolve to substitute in the place of Arminius, after his 
 • Ex Diario MS. Uitenb. 
 
122 THE LIFE OF 
 
 dismission, another eminent pastor, yea, and even to 
 renew their call to Baselius, the very eloquent minister 
 of the church at Bergen-op-Zoom, from whom they 
 had previously met with a repulse, the illustrious 
 States and the Prince himself, would exert themselves 
 to the utmost for the realisation of their wish. The 
 presbytery shortly after, having previously spent some 
 time in deliberation, came to the decision (on the 11th 
 April) to intimate, through certain delegates to the 
 honourable magistrates, that 'Arminius more than 
 others was bound to his own church, and that they 
 would decidedly prefer that he should be retained.'* 
 
 This decision of the ecclesiastical court being, in 
 the opinion of the rulers, expressed in somewhat 
 dubious and too general terms, they demanded of 
 them a more extended counsel and resolution in 
 respect to the business in question, -|- on which the 
 presbytery decreed to treat, through the same dele- 
 gates, with Arminius himself. These delegates, 
 accordingly, setting on him with expressions of 
 caressing blandishment, ardently besought him that 
 he would suffer himself to be induced to devote 
 his services and fulfil his pledge henceforward to 
 this church. Arminius replied, that ' formerly, 
 indeed, he had been less inclined to undertake 
 this professorial office ; but now, as matters stood, 
 he felt himself rather impelled to undertake it, 
 and ask his dismission. He had his own reasons for 
 
 * Ex Actis Synod, Ecclcs. Amstel. — Vid. Trigland. Hist, 
 p. 286. 
 
 t Ex Diario MS. Uitenb. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 123 
 
 thinking that were his dismission refused, it would no 
 long-er be in his power to subserve the interests of 
 the Church in Amsterdam. But if, perchance, the 
 expense originally laid out in enabling him to prose- 
 cute his studies should be alleged as an objection tx) 
 his obtaining a dismission, he would rather make 
 restitution to them than that this call should be set 
 aside. He was moreover prepared, in presence of 
 the delegates of the Synod and of the Church, to hold 
 a conference with the eminent Gomarus.' * 
 
 On learning this, the magistrates expressed no 
 small solicitude and fear in reference to this business, 
 lest Arminius should happen to contract some disease 
 from taking the refusal of his dismission too deeply 
 to heart, and thus become useless alike to the Church 
 and to the Academy, and many groundless rumours be 
 thereby created ; on which grounds they urgently 
 demanded of the ecclesiastical court a further de- 
 liberation on the matter. But the presbytery here 
 began to weave occasions of delay, and to differ 
 somewhat among themselves — some charging Ar- 
 minius with bad doctrine, while others defended him. 
 \Vlierefore, ha^sang again requested an audience, on 
 the 13th day of April, at the close of the evening 
 service, the above-named delegates of the Academy 
 presented themselves before this ecclesiastical as- 
 sembly. They tried in every variety of way to impel 
 the presbytery to dismiss Arminius, and to urge them 
 to give a full deliverance. They further declared, 
 through Uitenbogaert, who acted as their mouth, that 
 
 ^ * Ex Actis Presb. Anistelod. citatis a Trigland. p. 286. 
 
124 THE LIFE OP 
 
 'as they perceived that the tergiversation of this 
 meeting was grounded on the wrong suspicions of 
 some respecting Arminius, they would abandon this 
 call on the spot if the ecclesiastical court would, in 
 express terms, accuse him of bad doctrine. The care 
 of the Academy had been committed to them, and its 
 welfare lay much too near their heart to allow them 
 to consent to have any connexion with a divine of 
 unsound views. But if, nevertheless, any doubt 
 should yet cling to the minds of some, they pledged 
 their faith that Arminius should not be installed into 
 this academic function before he had given full 
 satisfaction to his future colleague, the distinguished 
 Gomarus.'* 
 
 After hearing this, and holding some further con- 
 sultation on the matter, the presbytery at last gave 
 their consent to the dismission -1* requested, the follow- 
 ing stipulation being made : — ^ First, Arminius shall 
 not leave Amsterdam to enter on this new function 
 until the church of this city be provided with another 
 pastor, learned and pious, and if practicable, Baselius ; 
 seco7idly, after holding a conference with Gomarus on 
 certain points of Christian doctrine, before the dele- 
 gates of the churches, he shall wipe away all 
 suspicion of heterodoxy by a candid explanation of 
 his own opinion ; and also, thirdly, should he happen 
 at any time spontaneously to make up his mind to 
 resign the office of professor, or should necessity 
 urgently demand his services for the church in 
 
 * E Vita Uitenb. Belgice ab ipso conscripta, cap. vi. 
 
 f Ex Actis Presbyt Amstelod.—Vid. Trigland. Hist. Eccles. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 125 
 
 Amsterdam, lie shall be at liberty to resume the 
 pastoral function.' This ecclesiastical decision was 
 laid before the honourable magiistrates on the follow- 
 ing day (the 15th April), who, after fii'st convening 
 and taking into their counsel the illustrious senate of 
 the city, also gave their assent. Informed immedi- 
 ately of this result, the curators of the Academy 
 expressed their thanks ; and ha\'ing obtained, a little 
 after, the consent of Arminius himself, they set out on 
 their journey homeward with great delight. 
 
 On all these circumstances connected with the call 
 of Arminius to the professorship we have judged it 
 proper to enter more minutely into detail, both 
 because of the great light thrown on our path by 
 the manuscript journals of Uitenbogaert, who besides 
 being present as an eye and ear witness, was himself 
 a prime actor in the business 5 and also because some 
 wi'iters of the present age, in recounting this matter, 
 have, partly in gross ignorance of the things trans- 
 acted, and partly in bad faith, advanced much 
 on the subject that transcends very far indeed the 
 boundaries of truth. On this account particularly, 
 James Triglandius, as compared with others, is in 
 the highest degree blameworthy, and deserves to have 
 branded on him a special mark of condemnation.* If 
 his testimony be entitled to credit respecting the 
 canvassing which Arminius is alleged to have sys- 
 tematically, and with downright servility, prosecuted 
 among his colleagues in order to obtain his dismission, 
 and indeed respecting the entire course of his life, to 
 • Vid. Trigland. Hist. Ecclesiast. pag. 287. 
 
126 THE LIFE OF 
 
 whicli lie makes reference in the same place, then 
 certainly Arminiiis has done many things which must 
 be pronounced utterly unworthy of an honourable and 
 dignified teacher of the Church. But, in truth, how 
 sorrily the author named fulfils the duties, in this 
 case, of an ingenuous historian, may be inferred from 
 the fact, that the most of those things which tend in 
 the highest degree to stir bad feeling against Ar- 
 minius, and which, in giving an account of his call to 
 the professorship, he pretends to have himself taken 
 from the very acts of the Amsterdam presbytery, are 
 in fact by no means to be found in those acts which 
 this ecclesiastical court drew up in the course of that 
 year ; unless, perchance, we must regard as authentic 
 acts a certain rough and garbled account of the trans- 
 actions which, after a long interval of time (about the 
 year 1617*), and amid the mo^ fervent heat of the 
 controversies respecting predestination, was drawn up 
 in favour of that very bitter antagonist of the Ke- 
 monstrants, Adrian Smout, for the most part by P. 
 Plancius — the indefatigable calumniator of Arminius 
 even after his death — who took care to get it inserted 
 among the acts of the Amsterdam Presbytery. That 
 Triglandius really trod in the footsteps of this 
 slanderer, and drew those things which concern the 
 life and call of Arminius from this document of 
 Plancius, was disclosed by John Rula^us, a respect- 
 able minister at Amsterdam not so long ago, who, 
 pressed by the native force of truth, was constrained 
 
 * Vid. G, Brantii Parentis raei F. M. Apolog. pro Hist. 
 Reform, contra J. Eulaeura Belgice conscript. 
 
JAMES AKMINIUS. 127 
 
 to confess the fact in the same little work* in which 
 he sets himself, with sufficient acerbity, to assail 
 Arminius, and my father of happy memory, the de- 
 fender of Arminius. 
 
 Of little avail, in like manner, to the prejudice of 
 Arminius, are the testimonies cited by this same 
 Triglandius, and appended to the narration drawn 
 up by Plancius, of the following ministers, Hallius, 
 Ursinus, and Lemaire, respecting the protestations of 
 Arminius, and the pledge that he gave them, that 
 ' he would advance nothing whatever in the Leyden 
 Academy prejudicial to the peace of the Church ; nay, 
 that he would keep to himself his private opinions, 
 and such as were repugnant to the consent of the 
 Eeformed Churches, until the meeting of the next 
 National Synod,' For, besides that little weight is 
 to be attached to these private declarations — which, 
 moreover, were drawn up in behalf of the zealot 
 whom we have named above (Smout), and that seven 
 years and more after Arminius's death — Arminius 
 constantly declared what is ascribed to him in these 
 testimonies, and reserved a full explanation of his 
 opinion on the subject of predestination to a general 
 council of the churches ; until at length, in conse- 
 quence of the growing strifes stirred by many in 
 relation to this question, he, by order of his superiors, 
 and in the very assembly of the States, disclosed all 
 the sentiments and all the scruples of his mind. 
 Whether and how far by this deed he is to be held 
 
 * Ex Lil). J. Euloei cui titulus G. Branfii audax smuJatio 
 Belg. idiom, script. 
 
128 THE LIFE OF 
 
 guilty of violated faith, and rightly and justly to be 
 regarded as the leader and instigator in rending the 
 peace of the Church, the following line of narrative 
 will yet more clearly show. 
 
 The following words which he wrote to Uiten- 
 bogaert, shortly after he obtained his dismission, 
 clearly indicate with what modesty of mind, and 
 aversion from every appearance of canvassing, the 
 subject of our memoir bore himself in this delicate 
 conjuncture : — ' My beloved, there is one thing which 
 vehemently chstresses me. How shall I be able to 
 satisfy such a great expectation? How shall I be 
 able to prove myself to be in some measure worthy of 
 having so mighty a movement set agoing on my 
 account ? But I console myself with this considera- 
 tion alone, that I have not courted the professorship, 
 and that the curators were warned of those things 
 which have happened before they had determined 
 anything on the subject of my call.'* 
 
 Meanwhile, Arminius by no means dreaded the 
 appointed conference with Gomarus, but awaited its 
 issue with a perfectly tranquil mind. Nay, when 
 his familiar friends had various consultations among 
 themselves as to the plan of the conference about to 
 be held, and some were desirous of having it arranged 
 through the honourable curators that this conference 
 should be held privately with Gomarus rather than in 
 the presence of the deputies of the churches, so far was 
 he from any inclination to lend .an ear to this advice, 
 and elude the condition stipulated by the brethren in 
 * Ex Arm. Epist. ad Uiteiib. 26 Ap. 1603. 
 
JAMES AFwMINIUS. 129 
 
 Amsterdam, that he gave vent to his feelings in the 
 following words : — ' And to what suspicions shall I 
 then be exposed! For I shall be regarded as not 
 merely suspected of heresy, but also, and thus far 
 distrustful of my own cause, that I dare not to enter 
 on the conference in the presence of the deputies of 
 the Synod. I would rather confer with the entire 
 Synod, and with the two Synods (of North and South 
 Holland) than give occasion, even the least, for 
 judging otherwise of me than that, cultivating a 
 good conscience in all things, I do not dread the 
 most prolix conference, yea not even the most rigid 
 examination.' 
 
 The sixth day of May was accordingly announced 
 for this conference to be held, in terms of the stipu- 
 lated condition ; and it took place at the Hague, in 
 the house of the noble Lord of Norderwick, in the pres- 
 ence not only of Arnold Cornells, and Werner Helmi- 
 chius, in name of the churches of North and South 
 Holland, but also of these most influential and learned 
 men, Nicolas Cromhout, Eumboldt Hogerbeets, and J. 
 Uitenbogaert, whom the honourable curators of the 
 Academy had earnestly invited to grace the occasion. 
 First of all Gomarus marvelled, and took it amiss, 
 that he saw no delegate present from the Church in 
 Amsterdam, notwithstanding that the noble curators, 
 in a most courteous letter delivered to the ecclesi- 
 astical court of that city, had besought that some one 
 in their name should be present at the conference now 
 to be held. For this divine thought it not qiiit« 
 proper that those should be absent on whose account 
 
 10 
 
130 THE LIFE OF 
 
 principally he himself had come hither: afBrming, 
 moreover, that he was ' but little acquainted with the 
 discourses and opinions of Arminius ; that the greater 
 part of the doubts respecting him had been stirred by 
 the brethren in Amsterdam ; and that it was their 
 part, in consequence, to instruct and advise him in 
 reference to the mode and subject matter of this 
 conference.' At length, after a few preliminary ex- 
 planations by the honourable curators, of the leading 
 object of the meeting, the learned divine declared, 
 that ' although he would rather that this province 
 had not been committed to him, he yet reckoned it a 
 debt which he owed to the cause of truth to under- 
 take its defence, agreeably to the request of brethren, 
 as far as circumstances might demand.' 
 
 Arminius, on the other hand, expressed the utmost 
 delight that he saw presented to him this most 
 excellent and long- wished for opportunity of vindica- 
 ting the innocence of his good name. An agreement 
 was forthwith made as to the order and heads of the 
 subjects to be considered ; when Arminius, first of all, 
 judged it right that the principle ought to be borne 
 in mind, that ' not every difference concerning religion 
 respected the essentials of faith, and that those who 
 dissented in certain points which did not affect 
 fimdamentals, were entitled to forbearance.' In 
 corroboration of this claim he instantly cited a 
 csrtain celebrated saying of St Augustine ; and was 
 proceeding to adduce more opinions to the same 
 effect, from ancient as well as recent divines, when 
 ■Gomarus objected, declaring it to be superfluous, and 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 131 
 
 that ' tlie one point to be settled was, whether those 
 questions of which they were about to treat ought, 
 or ought not, to be regarded as essentials.'* He 
 maintained the affirmative ; Arminius maintained the 
 negative, and proceeded forthwith to establish the 
 truth of his position. 
 
 But lest they should come to too close quarters, 
 Gomarus immediately proceeded to attack the opinion 
 of Arminius on the seventh chapter of the epistle to 
 the Komans, declaring and maintaining that it ran 
 counter to the Palatine Catechism, and adducing 
 certain passages from that document — yea, and 
 pressing into his service even its marginal notes. 
 Arminius, on the other hand, refuted the arguments 
 of his opponent, and boldly vindicated, against his 
 exceptions, his own interpretation ; maintaining, 
 moreover, that that expression of the Catechism 
 which was urged against him, viz., 'unless we are 
 regenerated by the Holy Spirit,'-]- ought to be ex- 
 plained of regeneration in its initial stage. He 
 further testified ' that he utterly rejected and detested 
 the tenets on this point propounded by the Pelagians, 
 and approved of those which Augustine and other 
 divines of the Primitive Church had maintained in 
 opposition to Pelagius and his followers; that he entirely 
 assented to the Catechism ; that he by no means ex- 
 plained that passage from Paul, of the man considered 
 as utterly irregenerate ; that his own opinion on this 
 point was at the furthest possible remove from that 
 of Prosper Dysidasus (Faustus Socinus) ; and that he 
 
 * Ex Diario M.S. Uitenb. f Vid. Qusest. Catech. Palat. 
 
132 THE LIFE OF 
 
 had never furnished just cause for such great com- 
 motions as had formerly been excited in relation to 
 this subject.' 
 
 On hearing this defence, and taking into account 
 that Arminius disclaimed many of the tenets imputed 
 to him, and thought far otherwise on that controversy 
 than from the report of others he had been given to 
 understand, Gomarus ingenuously declared 'that he 
 had hitherto supposed that Arminius maintained the 
 opmion of Prosper Dysidseus, but he now perceived 
 that on that question he was otherwise minded ; and 
 therefore, as he (Gomarus) had not apprehended with 
 sufficient clearness the full mind of Arminius on the 
 matter, he begged that he would not think it too 
 much to divulge his own opinions on the subject a 
 little more fully and accurately.' At this request, 
 however, that honourable man, and curator of the 
 university, Neostadius, expressed his astonishment; 
 insisting that those at whose request the distinguished 
 Gomarus had undertaken his present task ought to 
 have instructed him better respecting the opinion of 
 Arminius ; and that it belonged to him and to them, 
 and not to Arminius, who sustained the character of 
 the party accused, to produce those things which 
 went to inculpate him. Arminius took the same 
 ground, and added that ' he would not say a word 
 till Gomarus himself, and the other deputies of the 
 churches, should have cleared him of the calumnies 
 with which he had been aspersed.' The honourable 
 curators having lent their sanction to this declaration, 
 Gomarus at length intimated ' that, since Arminiu 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 133 
 
 repudiated Pelagianism, he was satisfied ; and that his 
 interpretation (of Eomans vii.), such as it was, could 
 be tolerated.' The deputies of the churches made a 
 declaration to the same effect; immediately after 
 which, Arminius, producing- a copy of the New 
 Testament, which he always bore about with him, 
 forthwith read the whole of that seventh chapter of 
 Romans, from the beginning to the end, and ex- 
 pounded it so felicitously, that no one, not even 
 Oomarus himself, hazarded a word in opposition — with 
 the exception of Arnold Cornelis, who started one 
 objection, on the solution of which he became in- 
 stantly mute. On hearing this, Neostadius, turning 
 to the deputies of the churches, exclaimed, 'Is this, 
 then, that controversy, so often agitated, which has for 
 many years past stirred such mighty contention and 
 clamour? And so we have in a brief space of time 
 allayed a strife to terminate which even many years 
 have not sufficed the people of Amsterdam !'* 
 
 That primary question being accordingly dismissed, 
 they proceeded to treat, though only in a cursory way, 
 of the Church of Rome ; also of the determination of 
 the human will by the Divine decree ; and other 
 kindred articles respecting which certain persons had 
 insinuated that the sentiments of Arminius differed in 
 some degree from those of the Reformed. But to the 
 several charges Arminius learnedly and solidly re- 
 plied ; and so happily explained and defended his 
 own opinion on these and other points, that the dis- 
 tinguished Gomarus and the other deputies of the 
 * Ex tractatu quodam Bertii, Belgice conscript. 
 
134 THE LIFE OF 
 
 cliurclies did not deem it wortli their while to contend 
 further about them.* And more, to rid their minds 
 utterly of all their doubts, he, in the same confidence 
 of spirit with which he had entered on this conference, 
 drew from his pocket, and presented to the inspection 
 of each, his own ''Dissertation on the proper sense of 
 the Seventh Chapter of the Romans,^ which some time 
 previously he had most learnedly written out in 
 am expanded form. As no one, however, lifted this 
 manuscript from the table, or said anything whatever 
 in reply to his interrogation, 'If the brethren had 
 aught further to require of him ?' the conference ter- 
 minated, with so happy an issue, that all, without 
 exception, gave him the right hand of fraternal love ; 
 and conducted him, in a body, to an entertainment 
 ?rhich, by order of the illustrious curators of the 
 Academy, had been provided for them in the Castile 
 Inn (as it was called), at the Hag-ue. On this 
 occasion, too, these curators testified ' that the sus- 
 picions stirred against Arminius had not been sub- 
 stantiated, nor was there just cause why any one should 
 judge unfavourably respecting him ; for in the exercise 
 of the liberty granted him of prophesying (of discuss- 
 ing sacred things) in the church, he had taught 
 nothing that was inimical to the Christian religion.' -[- 
 
 The obstacles that obstructed his path to the pro- 
 fessorship having been thus happily removed, some, 
 whose counsel and authority he highly valued, urged 
 him to consent to his being invested with the title 
 of Doctor, and with this view to submit to a fresh 
 
 • Ex Diario MS. Uitenb. t Ex Bertii Orat. Funeb. 
 
JAMES ARMINIU3. 135 
 
 examination. He jndged it dutiful to defer to their 
 wish ; and r.ccordingly repaired to Leyden on the 
 19th of June, and on the same day underwent a 
 private examination. The success and issue of this 
 examination, which was conducted by the dis- 
 tinguished Gomarus, I prefer to express in the words 
 of Arminius himself, as furnishing- a thoroughly 
 candid and remarkable testimony in favour of his 
 examinator. He says, ' I was examined on Tuesday 
 by Gomarus, in the presence of the illustrious Gro- 
 tius and Merula. He performed his part actively 
 and honourably. I answered his questions as well as 
 I could at the time. He, and the other two who were 
 present, expressed themselves satisfied. The examina- 
 tion turned on questions relating to the substance of 
 theology ; and he conducted himself quite as he 
 ought, and in the manner I could have wished.'* 
 
 Three weeks after, as a further step to his obtaining 
 the title of doctor, he held a public disputation on the 
 10th day of July, forenoon and afternoon ; and de- 
 fended ably and spiritedly the theses assigned him 
 Concerning the Nature of God — the part of opponents 
 having been undertaken by Peter Bertius, Festus 
 Hommius, Crucius, and Nicolas Grevinchovius. The 
 disputation passed off with universal applause. Our 
 Arminius w.;s the first, as Bertius testifies, who, in 
 the Leyden Academy, bore away the title and degree 
 of doctor. The celebrated Gomarus conferred the 
 honour upon him, with the usual formalities, on the 
 11th July. At the same time also, and on the occasion 
 * Ex Arm. Epist. ined. ad J. Uiteub. 21 Junii script. 
 
136 THE LIFE OP 
 
 of tliis academic festival, he deliverei that highly- 
 polished OTitioTi Concerning thePriestlt/ Office of Christy 
 which is still extant among his posthumous works. 
 Moreover, that a public memorial might remain of 
 the honour thus conferred upon him, the Senatus 
 Academicus further decreed that the following testi- 
 monial should be presented to him at the time : — 
 
 ' The Rector and Professors of the Ley den Academy 
 in Holland^ to the reader^ greeting : 
 
 'Praiseworthy in every respect, and founded on 
 reasons the strongest and most commendable, is the 
 custom introduced by emperors, kings, and common- 
 wealths, that the man who has done distinguished 
 service in any science or art should be presented with 
 the honourable testimonial of some university, and 
 become known to all by the proclamation of his 
 learning and virtue. If this be of the highest utility 
 in all the sciences and arts, the more needful is it in 
 sacred theology, by how much the doctrine of piety, 
 from the majesty of divine things, in the highest 
 degree transcends all other arts and sciences. A two- 
 fold advantage, in particular, seems to result from 
 such testimonials — to these who are furnished with 
 them on the one hand, to the public on the other ; for 
 in the first place, true and genuine doctors of the 
 Church come thereby to be better known ; and in the 
 next place, those engaged in this science — the noblest 
 and most glorious of all — are animated and stimulated 
 to prosecute with more alacrity such lofty studies. 
 They too who are invested with a dignity so great 
 
^ 
 
 JAMES ARMINIUS. 137 
 
 are first reminded of their own duty, and of the faith 
 they have pledged to Christ and his Church; and 
 then they also feel animated themselves to hold on 
 successfully in the career they have begun. Where- 
 fore, as that most reverend and illustrious man, the 
 learned James Arminius, has, during these many years 
 past, in which he has applied his mind to the study 
 of sacred literature, abundantly proved to the satisfac- 
 tion of all of us, not only in a private examination, 
 but also in theses On the Nature of God which he 
 publicly and most learnedly maintained against the 
 arguments and objections of all, his remarkable and 
 extraordinary knowledge and skill, at once of sacred 
 letters and of orthodox theology, we have judged him 
 in the highest degree worthy to be honoured with 
 our public testimonial, and to be by us commended to 
 all good men. Accordingly, by the authority granted 
 us by that most excellent prince and lord, of glorious 
 memory, William of Nassau, Prince of Orange, and 
 Governor of Holland, Zealand, &c., and also by the 
 illustrious States of Hvolland and Zealand, we have 
 designated and declared, and do designate and declare, 
 the forenamed learned James Arminius (and happy 
 and auspicious may this be to the Republic and to the 
 Christian Church !) to be Doctor of Sacred Theology; 
 and we have given, and do give unto him, authority 
 to interpret publicly and privately the sacred Scrip- 
 tures, to teach the mysteries of religion, and to dis- 
 pute, write, and preside at discussions on points of the 
 Christian Faith, as well as to solve theological ques- 
 tions ; also to perform all public and formal acts per- 
 
138 THE LIFE OF 
 
 taining to the true office of a Doctor in theology ; in 
 fine, to enjoy all the privileges and immunities as 
 well as prerogatives which, whether by right or by 
 custom, are due to this order and dignity of the theo- 
 logical doctorate. In fullest ftiith of all which, we 
 have ordered to be given to him this public testimo- 
 nial, authenticated by having affixed to it the greater 
 seal of this Academy, and subscribed by the hand of 
 the secretary. — Given at Leyden, in Holland, in the 
 year of our Lord one thousand six hundred and three, 
 on the tenth day of July, new style. 
 
 ' B. VULCANIUS.' * 
 
 Having in this manner obtained the title of doctor, 
 the subject of our memoir returned to Amsterdam ; 
 and after transacting in that city some matters of 
 business which considerations of honour made it requi- 
 site to dispatch, at the close of the summer holidays 
 he bade a final farewell to that celebrated church, of 
 which he had officiated as pastor for a period of fifteen 
 years. Nay, more ; that he might address himself 
 with the more spirit to the province assigned him, 
 and sustain no injury henceforth from the sinister 
 reports which had previously been circulated to his 
 prejudice, it seemed good to the Amsterdam Presby- 
 tery, on the eve of his dep rture, to furnish him with 
 an honourable testimonial, in which the rulers of that 
 church testified : — ' That the consummate integrity of 
 Arminius, their dearest co-presbyter, both for blame- 
 lessness of life and soundness of doctrine as well as 
 * Ex ipso autograpli. sigillo Academic subsignato. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 139' 
 
 of manners, had, in the course of long acquaintance 
 been so thoroughly testified, that they would value 
 nothing more highly than the continued privilege of 
 his advice, services, and familiar friendship. But, 
 seeing it was now otherwise arranged, they gave 
 thanks to Almighty God that they had reaped fruit, not 
 to be repented of, from the unwearied zeal and exertions 
 of this their fellow-labourer. They also acknowledged, 
 freely and cordially, that they were not a little in- 
 debted to this their beloved brother, for the alacrity 
 with which he had borne his full share along with 
 them in all that pertained to the efficient discharge of 
 the sacred function ; and for this reason they com- 
 mended him, from the heart, to all pious men, and to 
 all the most learned.' 
 
 This very handsome testimony was followed up by 
 another from the Amsterdam Classis, signed in name 
 of the entire judicatory, by the Eevds. John Ursinus, 
 Halsberg, and Hallius, in which they openly declare : 
 ' That Doctor Arminius, who had now for fifteen years 
 been a member of their assembly, had always purely, 
 and with much success, taught wholesome doctrine ; 
 had administered the sacraments, according to the 
 institution of our Lord ; had propagated with great 
 zeal the true and Christian religion ; and had, by his 
 diligence and regular attendance, proved an ornament 
 to their assembly ; further, that by his prudence 
 and address he had settled with others affairs 
 of great difficulty and importance ; that he always 
 promptly undertook whatever burdens were imposed 
 upon him with a view to promote the edification of 
 
140 THE LIFE OF JAMES ARMINIUS. 
 
 the church ; that he had, up to that very day, adorned 
 his sacred calling" hy the respectability and probity of 
 his life ; and, in a word, that both in the sacred oJBfice, 
 and in the common intercourse of life, he had con- 
 ducted himself towards all in such a manner as 
 became the genuine servant of Christ.' * 
 
 * Integra haec testimoaia vide sis in Bert. Orat. Funeb. 
 
141 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 DISCUSSIONS OF ARMINIUS AT LEYDEN, ESPECIALLY OK 
 THE SUBJECT OF PREDESTINATION ; AND CONSEQUENT 
 OPPOSITION OP GOMARUS. A.D. 1603, 1604. 
 
 Thus honourably sent away, Arminius transferred his 
 residence to Leyden, and concentrated all his care on 
 the one aim, how to sustain with sufficient dignity the 
 office he had obtained. As he reflected in those days, 
 upon the lustre of that very important office, his 
 heart sometimes failed him. In course of time, how- 
 ever, reassured by the kindly judgments of many 
 respecting him, and by the favour of the entire 
 Academy, he (in a letter dated 22nd Sept. 1603) gave 
 expression in these words to the confidence of his 
 spirit : ' I will therefore, with the help of the good 
 God, address myself to this province, and look for 
 success by his abundant blessing. He knows from 
 what motive I have undertaken this office, what is 
 my aim, what ob'ect I have in view in discharging 
 the duties of it. He discerns and approves, I know. 
 It is not the empty honour of this world — mere smoke 
 and bubble — nor the desire of amassing wealth, (which 
 indeed were in vain, let me strive to the utmost,) that 
 has impelled me hither ; but my one wish is to do 
 
142 THE LIFE OP 
 
 public service in the gospel of Christ, and to exhibit 
 that gospel as powerfully and plainly as possible 
 before those who are destined, in their turn, to pro- 
 pagate it to others.' * 
 
 In this spirit he mounted the academic chair, and 
 commenced his prelections with three elegant and 
 polished orations, which he delivered in succession. 
 The first treated Of the object of Sacred Theology ; 
 the second, Of the Author and End of Theology ; the 
 third of its Certitude. By this method he strove to 
 instil into the minds of the students a love for that 
 divine and most dignified of all the sciences ; and at 
 his very entranc3 into his ofiice he judged with 
 Socrates, the wisest of the Gentiles, that the principal 
 part of his responsibility stood fulfilled could he only 
 succeed in inflaming his disciples with an ardent 
 desire of learning. The 'foundation being thus laid, 
 he proceeded to build thereupon his finished prelec- 
 tions on the prophetic book of Jonah, which, many 
 years before, he had expounded from the pulpit in his 
 vernacular tongue. And indeed these lectures, while 
 scarcely yet begun, conciliated towards him the 
 favourable regards of auditors of all ranks, to such 
 a degree that they regarded with profound respect 
 this new Atlas of the Academy ; and judged that in 
 this renowned doctor and successor, most of all, they 
 had got the deceased Junius restored to them again. 
 The most noble curators of the Academy, too, 
 congratulating themselves and their school on the 
 accession of such a man, rendered the return of a 
 * Ex Epist. Arm. 22 Sept. 1603. script. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 143 
 
 grateful mind to those by whose interest and assiduity 
 they had procured his release from the people of 
 Amsterdam. As the illustrious Nicolas Cromhout, 
 senator of the Provincial Court, had been pre- 
 eminently active in this business, the noble John 
 Dousa thought him entitled to have the following 
 tribute of thanks sent to him in name of the entire 
 Academy : — 
 
 • Cromhout ! in Holland's Senate no mean name ; 
 Cromhout, rare laurel iu thy country's fame; 
 Practised in courts, accomplished and refined. 
 No sordid motive taints thy lofty miud. 
 Much owes our era to thy virtues rare, 
 (Could heaven a boon bestow more rich and fair ?) 
 Yet more we owe; for through thy zeal it came 
 That Amsterdam gave up a tender claim, 
 And Leyden's learned halls could boast Arminius'' name. ' * 
 
 To these lines we have pleasure in adding part of 
 a most elegant poem published on the same occasion, 
 and by the same poet, in praise of the very eloquent 
 Uitenbogaert : — 
 
 ' By every true and pious breast, 
 By all who love religion's ways, 
 
 * The following are the lines, the sense of which we have 
 thus endeavoured to present to the English reader: — 
 
 ' Kromhouti, o Batavi pars baud postrema Senatus, 
 
 Cromhouti, o Patriae gloria rara tuee : 
 Quod Fori, et assiduo Eerum limatus in usu, 
 
 Sordida nou ulla pectora labe geras ; 
 Multum equidem (quid enini majus dare Numina possint ?) 
 
 Virtuti debent stecula nostra tusc : 
 Plus tamen, Arminium quod te duce et auspice primum 
 
 HoUaudae urbs dederit Amsterodama Scholae.' 
 
144 THE LIFE OF 
 
 This truly ought to he confessed — 
 That Uiteuhogaert claims our praise. 
 
 To him our lasting thanks are due : 
 Nor least that Leyden's learned fame 
 
 Gained through his zeal a lustre new — 
 It gained Arminius' rising name. ' * 
 
 Nor ought it by any means to be passed by in 
 silence, that this same clergyman, in consideration of 
 his strenuous efforts to further the call of Arminius, 
 was honoured with a silver cup; this memorial of 
 gratitude being presented to him, in name of the 
 Senatus Academicus, by those influential men, Cor- 
 nelius Neostadius, and Nicolas Zeistius.-|- 
 
 Meanwhile the subject of our memoir had scarcely 
 set foot in the Academy when he was requested 
 by two students of theology, namely Corranus and 
 Gilbert Jacchseus, that he would consent to honour 
 with his presence their theses, or positions, which 
 they had drawn up to be subjected to public examina- 
 tion — 'those of Corranus being on Justification^ those 
 of Jacchaius on Original Sin. | But although these 
 positions contained s( me things not exactly to his 
 
 • The following are the origmal lines : — 
 
 ' Et sane fateamur hoc uecesse est 
 Omnes quels pietas, amorque veri 
 Aut res Religionis ulla cordi est, 
 Istoc nomine uos Uitenbogardo 
 Esse ac perpetuum fore obligates : 
 Haud paulo tameu obligatiores 
 Recens ob meritum, quod Aurasinae 
 Doctorem Arminium Scholse dedisti.' 
 
 t Ex Diario MS. Uitenb. 
 
 X Ex tractatu quodam Bertii, Belg. idiom, script. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 145 
 
 mind, or in harmony witli the opinion he had formed 
 on these questions, he judged it nevertheless to be 
 quite in keeping with his office to undertake the part 
 proposed to him ; for he was not ignorant of the fact, 
 that some students of divinity under the presidency of 
 Gomarus himself, and of other doctors, had more 
 than once, in their own cause, defended certain 
 dogmas to which these same doctors did not on all 
 points accord their assent. For this reason the sub- 
 ject of our memoir also (on the 28th October) 
 conformed to this custom, -^l^y no means unusual in 
 universities ; but on this occasion these very learned 
 youths defended so strenuously each his own cause, 
 that there was scarcely any need for the help or 
 interference of the president. 
 
 Perceiving, however, but too plainly, while yet in 
 the very threshold of the office on which he had 
 entered, that the young intellects under his care were 
 entangling themselves in the intricacies of many pro- 
 fitless questions, and, to the neglect of the standard of 
 celestial truth, prosecuting a variety of thorny theo- 
 rems and problems, he took counsel with his colleagues, 
 and gave it as his opinion that this growing evil 
 should be resisted, and the youth recalled to the 
 earlier and more masculine method of study. With 
 this view, he reckoned nothing more important than 
 to foreclose, as far as he could, crabbed questions, 
 and the cumbrous mass of scholastic assertions, 
 and to inculcate on his disci|)les that divine wisdom 
 which was drawn from the superlatively pure foun- 
 tains of the Sacred Word, and was provided for the 
 
 11 
 
146 THE LIFE OF 
 
 express purpose of guiding us to a life of virtue and 
 happiness. From his first introduction into the 
 Academy it was his endeavour to aim at this mark, 
 and give a corresponding direction to his studies both 
 public and private. But tnily this laudable attempt 
 was in no small degree thwarted, partly by the jeal- 
 ousy which some had conceived against him, and 
 partly also by a certain inveterate prejudice as to his 
 heterodoxy, with which many ministers of religion 
 had long been imbued, and under the impulse of 
 which they stirred up his colleagues against him. 
 
 The first germs, indeed, of this budding jealousy 
 betrayed themselves in the following year (1604); 
 For when Arminius, who had undertaken the task of 
 interpreting the Old Testament in particular, pro- 
 ceeded also now and then to give a public exposition 
 of certain portions of the New Testament, Gomarus 
 took this amiss, and begTin to allege that the right of 
 expounding the New Testament belonged solely to 
 him, as Primarius Professor of Sacred Theology — for 
 this title had been conceded to him by the Senatus 
 Academicus, a short time prior to the arrival of Armi- 
 nius. Nay, more ; happening to meet Arminius, he 
 felt unable to contain himself, and in a burst of 
 passion broke out in these words — ' You have in- 
 vaded my professorship.' Arminius replied that he 
 did not mean to detract anything whatever from the 
 primacy of his colleague, and from the academic titles 
 and privileges conferred upon him ; and that he had 
 not done him the slightest injury, having obtained 
 license from the honoui-able curators to select themes 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 147 
 
 of prelection at any time, not only from tlie Old Tes- 
 tament, but also from the New, provided he did not 
 encroach on the particular subject in which Gomarus 
 might be engaged.' 
 
 But this dispute, which arose out of a matter of no 
 moment, and was easily allayed, was from henceforth 
 succeeded by others wdiich opened the way to dissen- 
 sions of greater magnitude, and of more disastrous 
 issue to the Reformed Church. For Arminius, under 
 the conviction that it was his duty to do nothing 
 against the dictate of an undefiled conscience, and the 
 proper liberty of teaching, in matters of religion, con- 
 ceded to himself as well as to other doctors of divinity, 
 judged it to be in no respect unbecoming or unlawful 
 for him — especially as he had not concealed from the 
 honourable curators of the Academy that on the sub- 
 ject of divine predestination he differed from the 
 doctors of the Grenevan school — to give forth, in a 
 temperate manner, a public declaration of his opinion 
 on that point. Accordingly, after the professors of 
 theology had entered into a mutual arrangement as to 
 the order and succession m w^hich the disputations 
 were to be held, and the lot had fallen to Arminius to 
 dispute on the subject of predestination, he drew up, 
 on the 7th February, certain theses on that point, and 
 exposed them for public discussion. Their purport 
 was this : ' that divine predestination is the decree of 
 God's good pleasure in Christ, by which, with himself, 
 from eternity, he resolved to justify and adopt believers, 
 on whom he decreed to bestow faith, and to give 
 eternal life to them, to the praise of his glorious grace ; 
 
148 THE LIFE OF 
 
 that reprobation, on tlie other hand, is the decree of 
 wrath, or the severe will of God, by which, from 
 eternity, he resolved to condemn to eternal death, 
 unbelievers who, by their own fault, and by the just 
 judgment of God, will not believe, as persons who are 
 not in a state of union with Christ — and this for the 
 declaration of his wrath and power.' * But although 
 this position of his did not perfectly correspond to 
 those which Calvin and Beza had given forth on this 
 subject, still he by no means looked upon it as a 
 novelty, but as entirely coinciding with the opinion 
 which George Sohnius, and other divines before him, 
 of the Eeformed religion, had taught both by tongue 
 and pen. Besides, that he might not, in defending 
 these positions, incur the just oifence of any one, he 
 was particularly on his guard, in the course of this 
 disputation, against saying anything in disparage- 
 ment of the reputation of Calvin and Beza, sparing 
 their names, and manifesting severity towards no one 
 of a diiferent opinion. 2S[ot long after, (on the 29th 
 May, and sometime in July,) with the same freedom 
 of discussion, and in the same temperate tone, he 
 further subjected to public 'examination, his theses 
 On the Churchy and On the Sin of our First 
 Parents ; and in the course of this last disputation, 
 Gomarus and Trelcatius being present, he took occa- 
 sion, by a series of very solid arguments, to confute 
 the necessity^ and establish the contingency of that 
 sin.' -|- But although he was convinced that the 
 opinion of his adversaries on this point involved 
 • Vid. Uitenb. Hist. Eccl. f Vid. Epist Eccles. p. 134. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 149 
 
 numerons absurdities, and that everything that was 
 wont to be adduced, in palliation of this dogma, of 
 the absolute necessity of things, deserved to be dis- 
 carded, he nevertheless, in this as well as in other 
 controversies, conducted his own cause with much 
 moderation, and, directing his address to his hearers, 
 begged this only at their hands, that they would dili- 
 gently sift whatever arguments he advanced ; add- 
 ing — what on all occasions, public and private, he 
 was wont to declare — that he was ready to yield to 
 those who taught what might be more in accordance 
 with truth. Xot a few, however, murmured against 
 the disputation thus held, and took it amiss that 
 among other things he had maintained, ' that there is 
 no absolute necessity in things, besides God; yea, 
 that not even does fire burn necessarily : but that 
 every necessity which exists in things, or events, is 
 nothing else than the relation of cause to effect.' * 
 
 On the same point, too, shortly after, a dis- 
 cussion was started and kept up at considerable 
 length with him, by the very learned Helmichius, 
 who happened at that time to have taken a journey to 
 Leyden.-|- Helmichius asserted, that many things 
 were, in different respects, both contingent and neces- 
 sary. This Armixius denied of things absolutely 
 necessary. Helmichius appealed to passages plainly 
 testifying that the word of God stands ; that the word 
 
 * Ex Epist. Arm. 17 Aug. 1601, script. Vicl. Epist. Eccles. 
 p. 138. 
 
 t Videsis de hac materia Armin. dis-erentem in Epist. ad 
 Uiteub. 17 Aug. et 3 Kal. Sept. script. 1604. 
 
150 THE LIFE OF 
 
 of God cannot he broken ; that Gods counsel is ful- 
 filled^ ^c; and thence inferred that what God had 
 decreed must come to pass necessarily. Arminius 
 denied this consequence, on the ground that God's 
 decree might rightly and correctly be said to stand, if 
 that which he had decreed came to pass, although 
 it should not come to pass necessarily. Helmichius 
 acknowledged that the opinion which Arminius 
 defended, did not subvert the foundations of the 
 faith, neither could it be called heretical. Aemi- 
 Nius on the other hand maintained, that so far was 
 this opinion from deserving to be branded with so 
 black a name, that nothing, he felt persuaded, would 
 tend more to illustrate the glory of God, than if all 
 Christians whatsoever were to maintain that there is 
 nothing necessary besides God ; and that he not only 
 foreknows things contingent, but also that his decrees 
 are accomplished through contingent events arid free 
 causes. At length, however, after much had passed 
 on both sides, and Arminius had offered to hold a 
 conference with him respecting all the articles of the 
 Christian religion, and the entire system of theo- 
 logical doctrine, Helmichius bade him a friendly fare- 
 well. 
 
 Meanwhile his colleagues up to this time had stirred 
 no strife against him, on the subject of the contro- 
 versies thus agitated ; nor had they given as much 
 as the slightest indication, public or private, of a 
 hostile spirit. * For although Gomarus, who was 
 engaged at this time in the Exposition of the 
 * Ex Epist. Arm. 3 Kal. Sept. 1604. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 151 
 
 Ninth Chapter of the Epistle of Paul to the Eomans, 
 had given a public pledge that he would discuss all 
 the opinions concerning predestination, to be followed 
 by a statement and proof of his own, this, so far from 
 striking terror into Arminius, led him rather to de- 
 clare, ' that if that very distinguished man should 
 advance such arguments as were incapable of being 
 answered, he for his part would be the first to assent 
 to his opinion and recant his own.' Thus maintain- 
 ing entire for his colleagues the same liberty of defend- 
 ing their own opinion in which he himself rejoiced, 
 he cherished the hope that they would by no means 
 overstep the bounds of Christian charity and fraternal 
 equity. 
 
 But alas, while thus secure, and meditating no evil, 
 he was overtaken by a very vehement storm. For 
 Gomarus did not think fit to wait till a proper oppor- 
 tunity should be furnished him for disputing on the 
 subject of predestination, but either of his own accord, 
 or, as is more probable, at the instigation of others, so 
 far overstepped order, and his own proper turn, as to 
 expose to public view certain theses on that self- 
 same subject, which, according to the sole custom of 
 the Academy, and in his proper rotation, Arminius 
 had already discussed ; and reports spread throughout 
 the city that he was about to descend into the arena 
 against Arminius, in open war. The day intimated 
 for holding this disputation, was the 31st October. 
 When it came round, straightway Gomarus, in a pre- 
 face sufficiently acrimonious, and with an excited 
 countenance, stated the reasons which had impelled 
 
152 THE LIFE OF 
 
 him, to hold this clisputcation out of the due order ; 
 and he advanced many things which were manifestly 
 intended as an attack upon Arminius. As to the 
 positions he defended, they hinged on this, ' that the 
 object of predestination is creatures rational, salvahle, 
 damnable, creatable, fallible, and recoverable. Fur- 
 ther, that from among these, indefinitely foreknown, 
 God, as absolute sovereign, of his own right and good 
 pleasure, foreordained, on the one hand, certain indi- 
 viduals, to his own supernatural ends, namely, eternal 
 life, and creation in an entire state of original right- 
 eousness, and holiness of life ; and also on the other 
 hand destined other individuals, eternally rejected 
 from eternal life, to death and everlasting ignominy, 
 and to the ways leading thereto, namely, to creation 
 in a state of integrity, permission to fall into sin, loss 
 of original righteousness, and abandonment in that 
 loss ; for this end, that by this way of acting, he 
 might make known his most sovereign authority, 
 wrath, and power on the reprobate, and the glory of 
 his saving grace in relation to the elect. Yea, more ; 
 on that same occasion this doctor asserted and openly 
 maintained, ' that the gospel could not be simply 
 called the manifestation of the divine predestination ; ' 
 and added, by way of corollary, that, ' Castellio, 
 Coornhert, and the Lutherans, falsely object to the 
 Eeformed Churches, and in particular to Calvin and 
 Beza, who did signal service to the Church, and to the 
 truth of predestination, in opposition to the Pelagians, 
 that God by this doctrine is made the author of sin.' 
 Arminius, who was present at this disputation from 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 153 
 
 beginning to end, stomached the insult, and bore in 
 silence whatever odium was thus created against him. 
 Nay, sick in body at the time, though not in mind, he, 
 on the day following that on which the disputation 
 was held (Nov, 1), opened his mind to Uitenbogaert 
 in the following words : — ' I know, and have the testi- 
 mony of conscience, that I have neither said nor done 
 aught to afford Gomarus just cause of offence. I will 
 readily return to favour even with him, though his 
 conduct has been most offensive — yea, and with him 
 of Amsterdam also, if he will henceforth but hold his 
 peace. It is not lawful for me to hate any one, or 
 long to retain wrath against any one, however just : 
 that God who is described to us in the Bible instructs 
 me to this effect by his word, Spirit, and example. 
 Would that he might teach me to be moved by 
 nothing, except when any blame is justly attributable 
 to myself. It is not my part to answer for what 
 another says or does ; and I should be foolish w^ere I 
 to concede to any one so much of right in me, as that 
 he should be able to disturb me as often as he had a 
 mind. Be this my brazen wall — a conscience void 
 of offence. Forward still let me go in my begun 
 search after truth, and therein let me che, with the 
 good God on my side, even if, on this account, 
 I must needs incur the hatred and ill-will of the 
 whole world ! The disciple is not above his master. 
 No new thing is this, for the truth to be rejected even 
 by those whom such conduct least beseems, and who 
 least of all wish to incur such a charge.'* 
 
 * Ex Epist. Arm. 1 Kov., 1604, script 
 
154 THE LIFE OF 
 
 Moreover, that he might not appear to have 
 abandoned the defence of the truth, at which, 
 through him, a stab had been dealt, or to have 
 any misgivings with respect to his own cause, he 
 composed not long after, for the benefit of those 
 who under him were devoutly prosecuting the study 
 of theology, that highly-finished Examination of the 
 Theses exposed to view by Gomarus for public dis- 
 cussion^ which, many years after his decease, was 
 (in 1645) given to the world, along with these 
 game theses of Gomarus, by that very learned man, 
 Stephen Curcellceus. This golden little treatise is 
 characterised by the same acuteness, strength of 
 reasoning, and transparency of learned diction which 
 distinguish his other wTitings ; and he appears to 
 have presented his eminent colleague with a copy of 
 it. Mark, reader, this most generous preface to it, 
 which is well entitled to a place in our narrative : 
 'In the highest degree useful, and above all things 
 necessary, is that admonition of the Apostle which 
 commands us to prove and devoutly to examine the 
 dogmas propounded in the Church before we approve 
 and receive them as truths. For seeing that, if we 
 except apostles and prophets, the most eminent 
 doctors cf the Church are not placed beyond the 
 liability of error, it does happen that they advance 
 some things occasionally which are not taught by 
 God in his Word, but which they either themselves 
 have excogitated in their own human spirit, or re- 
 ceived from others to whose authority they attribute 
 more than is meet. Nay, this very thing may 
 
JAMES AKMINIUS. 155 
 
 happen even at the time when they themselves 
 think that they have thoroughly examined the dog- 
 mas they propound according to the standard of 
 Scripture. Such being the case, do not take it ill, 
 illustrious Gomarus, if I weigh according to Scripture, 
 and candidly and temperately explain what I desiderate 
 in those theses on predestination which you penned not 
 so long ago, and publicly exhibited as matter for dis- 
 putation. I testify solemnly, and in the presence of 
 God, that I take upon me this task not from the 
 desire of contention, but in the endeavour to investi- 
 gate and find out the truth, to the end that the truth 
 may more and more become known and everywhere 
 obtain in the Church of Christ. That you also set 
 before you this aim when you addressed yourself to 
 that disputation, I am thoroughly assured. In mind 
 and end, then, we agree, how^ever in judgment w^e 
 may chance to differ. Of this dilference I take, as in 
 duty bound, God speaking in the Scriptures to be 
 the arbiter ; and devoutly venerating his majesty and 
 supplicating his favour, let me now address myself 
 to my task.' 
 
 These statements being premised, and a basis laid 
 for his treatise, he proceeds to build thereupon his 
 considerations on the several propositions of Gomarus, 
 and of the proofs of these noted down on the margin. 
 Eminently masculine and judicious is his reply to the 
 corollary of Gomarus in w^hich he complains of some 
 who preferred against the Reformed Church, and its 
 principal doctors, the charge of blasphemy. Here 
 Arminius wisely judges that it to ought be borne in 
 
156 THE LIFE OF 
 
 mind, ' that it is one tiling avowedly to make God 
 tlie author of sin, and another thing to teach some- 
 what in ignorance from which one could legitimately 
 infer that God, by that doctrine, was made the author 
 of sin. The former could not he fastened upon any 
 of the doctors of the Reformed Church ; and what- 
 ever Castellio, Coornhert, and others, had urged, 
 perhaps somewhat too offensively, against them, was 
 grounded solely on this consideration, that in their 
 opinion that offensive conclusion was fairly and 
 legitimately deducible from the doctrine of those 
 divines. But in identifying the Reformed Churches 
 with the learned Calvin and Beza, Gomarus had 
 done more than he was warranted to do. What 
 some eminent doctors professed could not perpetually 
 be laid to the charge of the churches, unless it 
 were clearly evident that the same doctrine had been 
 approved by the churches, and embodied in their 
 Confessions. Moreover, setting aside all considerations 
 of persons, or sinister intention as respects objectors, 
 the naked arguments they advanced were entitled to 
 examination. Celebrity of name exempted no one 
 from the liability to err; and the first teachers of 
 the Reformed may be held entitled to the highest 
 esteem and gratitude of the Church, although they 
 may not perhaps have seen sufficiently through all 
 those things by which it had been deformed. It Was 
 false to rank with Pelagians those who impugned the 
 opinion which Gomarus maintained on the subject of 
 predestination, it being as clear as noon-day, from 
 the ancient ecclesiastical synods, that the Pelagian 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 157 
 
 doctrines could be rejected even by those who never- 
 theless by no means assented to the opinion contained 
 in the above theses of Gomarus. Angustine himself 
 could solidly confute the errors of the Pelagians, and 
 at the same time omit that doctrine which he taught 
 on the subject of divine predestination. Nay, even 
 that opinion which Gomarus and several others de- 
 livered on that subject differed very materially from 
 the opinion of Augustine, and supposed many things 
 vrhich Augustine w^ould by no means have granted. 
 It is incumbent on us to avoid the breakers not of 
 Pelegianism only, but also of Manichjeism, and of errors 
 still more infamous. For his part, after attentively 
 weighing the doctrine, not so much of the entire 
 Reformed Church as of Gomarus and certain others, 
 he felt thoroughly persuaded that it followed from it 
 that God was the author of sin ; at the same time he 
 also testified and declared that he heartily detested 
 all the tenets of the Pelagian doctrine as these had 
 been condemned in the synods of Mileve, Orange, 
 and Jerusalem; and if any one could prove that 
 aught akin to these was deducible from the senti- 
 ments he had above set forth, he would that very 
 instant change his opinion.' 
 
 Thus writes Arminius ; nor would we judge it duti- 
 ful to forbear mentioning in this connexion, that 
 Gomarus, at a subsequent period, pressed by certain 
 arguments advanced by Arminius in the treatise just 
 referred to, introduced several changes for the better 
 into his later theses on the sul)ject of the eternal de- 
 cree and predestination of God. For besides that he 
 
158 THE LIFE OF JAMES AKMINIUSi 
 
 abandoned that absurd opinion, ' tbat the decrees of 
 God are nought other than God himself,' and main- 
 tained the dkect contrary with all his might, he was 
 also glad to admit that there is in God what the 
 schoolmen call a conditionate knoioledge^ by the aid 
 of which he sought to rid his opinion of that enormous 
 monstrosity which made God the author of the sin of 
 the first man, and consequently of all the rest which 
 proceed from it. * 
 
 • Ex pniafat. S. Curcellsei in Examen Gomari Thes. 
 
159 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 SUSPICIONS AGAINST ARMINIUS, AND RIGOROUS MEASURES 
 WITH HIS STUDENTS ; FRESH DISPUTATIONS ; COM- 
 MENCEMENT OF ECCLESIASTICAL PROCEEDINGS. A.D. 
 
 1604, 1605. 
 
 Not to wander from the thread of onr narrative, 
 although the opinion of Gomarus above-named, and 
 which he publicly defended, on the subject of Divine 
 predestination, appeared — on the express admission 
 even of his greatest supporters — to stretch somewhat 
 beyond the limits of the Belgic Confession, and to 
 transcend the doctrine prevailingly taught in the 
 churches of the Reformed, still Arminius had to bear 
 a crushing load of jealous feeling; and his adversaries 
 left no means untried by which to burn some brand 
 of contumely into his rising reputation. Immediately 
 through the town of Leyden, and thence through all 
 Holland, the rumour was set afloat that the professors 
 of sacred literature differed seriouslv among themselves. 
 The matter was everywhere in the mouths of carders, 
 furriers, weavers, and other artisans of that class — 
 chiefly Flemings, with whom Leyden abounded. 
 Many, too, in their gross ignorance of theological 
 controversies, attributed to Arminius the opinion of 
 
160 THE LIFE OF 
 
 Gomarns, and to Gomariis, on the other hand, the 
 opinion of Arminius.* 
 
 In the beginning of next year (1605) the sub- 
 ject of our memoir was presented with the fasces 
 of the Academy, and the title of Rector Magnijic ; 
 but though he could discern that, with this in* 
 creased dignity, he was regarded by many with an 
 increased measure of esteem, he saw not less plainly 
 that others abated nothing whatever of their aliena- 
 tion of mind, and of theu' clandestine endeavours 
 against him. Many put the worst construction on 
 his best words and deeds. If at any time, in building 
 up his opinion on certain controversies, he happened 
 now and then to advance certain arguments which 
 were also employed by Popish writers themselves, 
 by Lutherans, and others besides the Keformed, the 
 clamour was forthvvith raised by ignorant persons 
 that he had gone over to the enemy's camp. Besides, 
 they set it down as a fault, that in establishing some 
 doctrines of the Christian faith, and vindicating the 
 truth of these ag^nst the contempt poured upon them 
 by adversaries, he expressed the opinion that certain 
 frivolous arguments, little apposite to the point, ought 
 to be utterly discarded, and others of much greater 
 strength to be substituted in their place. In this 
 he trod in the footsteps of Calvin himself, who had 
 expounded very differently from the ancient doctors 
 of the Church many passages of the Old Testament 
 wliich they had often and inconsiderately cited in 
 support of the eternal divinity of Christ. Nor were 
 
 * Uiteub. Hist. Eccles. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 161, 
 
 parties wanting who charged it against Arminius as 
 a crime, that he had handed to his disciples, for their 
 private transcription, certain treatises written in his 
 own hand, and embracing his opinion on various 
 controversies — forgetting that the famous Jnnius 
 and others had used the same liberty before him.* 
 Moreover, while the interests of the churches, not- 
 withstanding that a controversy had arisen in the 
 Academy on the subject of predestination, would in 
 all probability have sustained no injury had the 
 discussion been confined within the walls of the uni- 
 versity, or to private conferences between professors 
 and pastors, conducted with that good faith, modera- 
 tion, and prudence that were meet ; yet the churches 
 came to be involved in far greater peril after many 
 had filled the whole country and adjacent regions with 
 false reports. Hence, for example, the public com- 
 plaints and bitter declamations against Arminius with 
 which the places of worship up and down at this time 
 resounded, to the effect that entirely new doctrines 
 were introduced ; that the doctrine hitherto received 
 by the Reformed was changed ; that old heresies were 
 now suspended on a new post ; and that right good 
 care ought to be taken that no injury should thence 
 accrue to the Church. 
 
 Among the rest, Festus Hommius, a clergyman of 
 Leyden, was very active at that time as a declaimer 
 of the sort described. This person, by underhand 
 circumlocution, traduced the character of Arminius; 
 blackened without end his words and actions; and 
 hurled against him, in his absence, many charges, 
 
 * Vid. praifat. Act. Synod. Dnrdr. 
 
 12 
 
1G2 THE LIFE OF 
 
 which in his presence he refused to produce. For 
 this reason, the subject of our memoir, aware of what 
 things were done again st him in secret, thought 
 that this ecclesiastic ought to be seriously and boldly 
 reminded of his duty ; and embracing an opportunity 
 that occurred, John Uitenbogaert and Adrian Bor- 
 rius, the one a clergyman of the Hague, the other 
 of Leyden, being present, he replied to all the 
 matters of calumny, and all his detractions, in such 
 a manner that Hommius was struck dumb, and 
 even declared, at the close of the interview, his 
 millingness to institute an inquiry after truth. But 
 from this very time, strange to say, that clerg\Tiian 
 not only shunned private interviews with Arminius, 
 but, that he might not betray any want of confidence 
 in his own cause, he subsequently told his familiar 
 friends in private, that on returning home from this 
 interview with Arminius, and humbly praying to God 
 that He would vouchsafe to open his eyes and show 
 him the truth, he was instantly surrounded with such 
 a flood of light and joy, that he firmly resolved within 
 himself to persevere henceforth in the received opinion. 
 On hearing this story, Arminius broke out into these 
 vv^ords : ' Well done, worthy investigators of the truth ! 
 As if God, forsooth, grants his Holy Spirit at one 
 prayer in such large bestowals as to impart the ability 
 to judge, in matters so great, without any liability of 
 error! He gives his Holy S})irit to his elect who 
 importune his awful majesty for it night and day.'* 
 
 *■ Vifl. Arm. ad Uitenb. epist. 20. Maji 1605. script.— Epist. 
 Eccles. p. 245. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 163 
 
 His disciples and admirers, however, began in those 
 days to be accused of the same crimes which were 
 imputed to himself; the discourses and arguments 
 by which they sought to establish the doctrines of 
 the Christian faith being subjected to misinterpre- 
 tation. Hence the rumour gained currency that those 
 who had returned from the Academy, or turned aside 
 to other academies, were wantonly insulting the 
 Eeformed Churches, by disputing, contradicting, and 
 vilifying the received doctrine. Xor were there 
 wanting those who, by a certain guileful art, narrowly 
 watched several students of theology that were on 
 more familiar terms with our doctor, and were in the 
 habit of attending his private meetings ; and from 
 their answers — which, as may occasionally be ex- 
 pected of very young men, were at times somewhat 
 unguarded, and stretched beyond the mind of their 
 master — they snatched a handle and an opportunity 
 of foully traducing, to the people, Arminius himself. 
 More severe investigations, besides, began to be in- 
 stituted by certain Classes and ecclesiastical assemblies 
 against his disciples : and their words and actions 
 were watched more sternly than was meet. 
 
 This was exemplified by the case of John Narsius 
 of Dort, w^ho at this time prosecuted under Arminius 
 the study of theology with a zeal not to be repented 
 of, and who afterwards occupied a position of emi- 
 nence as pastor of the church at Grave. Being a 
 young man of very practised and highly polished 
 intellect, he was supported, in hope of the Church, at 
 the expense of the State of Amsterdam ; and although 
 
164 THE LIFE OF 
 
 in the year immediately preceding-, on being privately 
 examined by the pastors of this very celebrated city, 
 he had given them the very highest satisfaction, this 
 in no degree availed to exempt him from the suspicion 
 of having imbibed impious opinions from his preceptor. 
 In order, therefore, to elicit his mind, these same 
 clergymen thought proper (on the 13th Jan., 1605) 
 to order certain theological questions to be drawn up 
 in writing, that to these Narsius might reply, also in 
 writing. That the reader may be enabled to judge the 
 more accurately of the controversies agitated at this 
 time, it may not be out of place here to present these 
 very questions in detail, along with the answers of 
 Narsius himself. 
 
 Question I. Whether God so directs and governs 
 the free will of man that he is neither obliged, nor is 
 able, to do anything in any other mode, and any fur- 
 ther, than precisely as God has decreed ? 
 
 Answered in the affirmative ; but with this qualifi- 
 cation, that Divine Providence be not held to take 
 away the free will of man, in the act of directing the 
 same. 
 
 Quest. II. Whether God governs the actions of 
 the wicked in this manner, that they no otherwise 
 act, or can act, than as God has determined ? 
 
 Ans. Yes ; if the question is to be taken in this 
 sense, that those who had come to apprehend Christ,* 
 could not have done that until God permitted it. 
 
 Quest. III. AVhether whatsoever things come to 
 pass contingently in respect of men (that is, so that 
 ♦ Ecferring evidently to Acts ii. 23; iv. 28.— Tr. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 165 
 
 they can come to pass, or not come to pass, and can 
 happen in this manner, or in another) also come to 
 pass thus contingently in respect of providence and 
 of the divine decree ? 
 
 Ans. I have to request, brethren, that, seeing the 
 word contingently is not to be found in the Sacred 
 Volume, nor in the Belgic Confession, nor yet in the 
 Palatine Catechism, and is moreover used in a variety 
 of senses by scholastic writers, you will submit to 
 rest satisfied with this my confession : ' Nothing comes 
 to pass by chance, but whatsoever things come to 
 pass, whether of great account or small, whether 
 good or bad, are subjected to the government and 
 direction of Divine Providence ; in such a manner, 
 indeed, that those things which seem to us to be un- 
 certain, and to happen by chance, nevertheless, in 
 respect of the most wise and omnipotent providence 
 of God, and of his eternal decree, happen certainly 
 and immutably ; although, of the evil itself which 
 is committed, he is in no respect the author. 
 
 Quest. IV. AVhether the same place can always 
 be assigned to free will in good actions, as can be 
 assigned in bad ? 
 
 Ans. To man, after the fall, and in a state of de- 
 pravity, only a free will belongs which is prone to 
 evil, so that he is the slave of sin and Satan. 
 
 Quest. V. Whether men before regeneration may 
 have a good will, which is truly good, or may have 
 true faith ? 
 
 Ans. Man considered as fallen has, fi'om himself, 
 
166 THE LIFE OF 
 
 neither a good will which is truly good, nor faith, nor 
 
 regeneration. 
 
 . Quest. VI. Whether all to whom the Divine law 
 
 has been made known, can act gemiine repentance, 
 
 and properly convert themselves to God ? 
 
 Ans. By no means. 
 
 Qnest. VII. Whether power to believe is always 
 sujjplied, by the self-same openition, to all to whom 
 the doctrine of the gospel is announced ? 
 
 Ans. To man considered in himself belongs no 
 power of believing ; but whosoever at any time 
 believe, these same persons receive that faith in no 
 other way than by the special illumination of the 
 Holy Spirit ; so that faith is the gift of God, freely 
 bestowed, apart from all consideration of merit. So 
 far, however, as concerns other questions, for example, 
 what kind of grace does God bestow through the 
 preaching of the gospel, and in addition thereto ; 
 in what manner that celestial influence operates 
 on, and concurs with, the intellect and the will ; 
 whether, moreover, to those who have no faith 
 in Christ, common grace of that kind be given 
 through, or independently of, the preaching of the 
 evangelical doctrine, by which they can believe, and 
 consequently by it be rendered inexcusable ? Respect- 
 ing these and other points I find nothing explicit in 
 the Belgic Confession and Catechism, nor do I venture 
 at present to maintain anything whatever, either on 
 one side or on the other. On the contrary, my wish 
 is to adhere cordially to the Confession and Cate- 
 chism, and keep myself open to light. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 167 
 
 Quest. VIII. Whether there be in all men original 
 sin? Whence that flows into human nature — namely, 
 whether through the soul of the parents, or through 
 the body, or from any other source ? 
 
 Ans. Original sin has place in all mortals what- 
 soever, with the exception of Christ. But whether it 
 reaches us through the soul or through the body does 
 not, in my judgment at least, sufficiently appear from 
 the sacred writings. Yet I ciinnot but believe that 
 the thing itself, by a wonderful, indeed, but still just 
 dispensation of God, flows into us from the fall of 
 Adam, in whom we have all sinned. All the descen- 
 dants of Adam, moreover, have a certain innate 
 corruption which renders them useless in respect to 
 anything good, and prone to all that is evil, and the 
 remains of which even the regenerate themselves 
 deeply feel. 
 
 Quest. IX. Whether the words of Matthew chap, 
 xviii. V. 17, 18, ' Tell it to the Church,' &c., do not 
 refer to ecclesiastical discipline? 
 
 Ans. That ecclesiastical discipline has been insti- 
 tuted by God, I believe ; nor am I prepared to deny 
 that the passage cited bears reference to it.* 
 
 Such were the replies of Narsius, from whose mouth 
 (if he had chanced to advance anything unguardedly) 
 not a few endeavoured to fish out somewhat that 
 might afford ground of attack or of cavil against his 
 preceptor Arminius. Great, however, as was the 
 caution he used in the foregoing answers, he was 
 
 * Vid. Uitenb. Hist. Eccles. Belgico idkm. conscript, p. 327. 
 
168 THE LIFE OF 
 
 unable to satisfy these ecclesiastical Aristarcliiises.* 
 So far from this, being suspected and hated amongst 
 them on the ground of his close intimacy Y\^ith Ar- 
 minius, he shared the same lot with him from that 
 time forward, until he was driven, by the impetuosity 
 of adversaries, to identify himself with the party of 
 the Remonstrants, after the death of Arminius, and 
 openly to patronise their opinions and their cause. 
 
 Somewhat similar, about this time, was the treat- 
 ment experienced by Abraham Vlietius, from Voor- 
 burg, who, besides attending Kuchlinus, availed 
 himself also of the instructions of Arminius. At a 
 public disputation held on the 30th April, under the 
 presidency of Gomarus, on the subject of Divine 
 Providence^i Vlietius, according to the custom of the 
 Academy, and for the sake of exercising his powers, 
 advanced, in a tone of sufficient moderation, certain 
 solid arguments against the theses that were sub- 
 jected to discussion. By this act he stirred the bile 
 of the distinguished president to such a degree, that 
 not content with replying to the objector in very 
 acrimonious terms, he proceeded, with mind and 
 feature thoroughly discomposed, and with little at- 
 tempt at disguise, to traduce Arminius, who, he 
 presumed — incorrectly, however — was the artificer and 
 prompter of the objections in question. Arminius, 
 
 • Aristarchus was a grammarian of Alexandria, who sub- 
 jected Homer's poetry to very hard criticism. Hence his 
 name became a proverbial designation for any severe critic. 
 —Til. 
 
 -f- Vid. Epist. Arm. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 169 
 
 who was present at this scene, bore witli tranquil 
 mind the insult thus perpetrated upon himself and his 
 disciple, and judged it best to put up with it in 
 silence. But when by this transaction Ylietius had 
 drawn on himself the odium of many, as if his inten- 
 tion had been to excite an uproar, Arminius, to 
 prevent the affair from entailing any injury on his 
 beloved disciple, cheerfully interposed in support of his 
 wronged reputation, with the following testimonial ; — 
 ' That Abraham Vlietius, in a disputation concern- 
 ing Divine Providence held on the 30th April, 1605, 
 was bound, from the office he then undertook in the 
 college of disputants, to offer objections ; and that, in 
 objecting, he kept himself within the bounds of 
 modesty, and advanced nothing unworthy either of 
 himself or his auditory, and consequently gave no just 
 occasion of complaint, I hereby testify as requested. 
 
 ' James Arminius, 
 
 ' Rector of the Academy for the time being, and myself 
 an eye and ear witness.' * 
 
 At the same time, moreover, in which these things 
 happened, a somewhat serious annoyance was stirred 
 against Arminius by his uncle and colleague, John 
 Kuchlinus, Kegent of the Theological Faculty. This 
 person, under the pretext of an ardent zeal for the 
 maintenance of the truth, and in opposition to novel 
 doctrines and the active emissaries of innovation ; 
 and also of an apprehension lest the flower of their 
 youth and the hope of the Church should be imbued 
 with pernicious errors, left no stone unturned by 
 which he might drive all the students of the Theolo- 
 * Ex ipso Arm. autograph. 
 
170 THE LIFE OF 
 
 gical College away from the prelections of Arminius.* 
 Accordingly, changing the hour for his own prelections, 
 he chose the very hour in which Arminius had been 
 accustomed to hold his, as that in which he would 
 expound the several heads of the Belgic Confession ; 
 and he ordered all the students to be present at these 
 academical exercises. This attempt, however, the 
 subject of our memoir very spiritedly withstood ; and 
 having lodged a complaint respecting it to the 
 honourable magistrates of the city of Leyden, he 
 succeeded in getting the whole affair deferred until 
 the next arrival of the curators of the Academy. 
 
 Meanwhile, in order to counteract with all his 
 might the calumnies of those who flung against him 
 the charge of error on the subject of Divine Provi- 
 dence, he held a public disputation on the 4th May, 
 1605, ' Concerning the righteousness and efficacy of 
 Divine Providence respecting evil ;' and, as may be 
 seen in his polished theses on that subject,, he very 
 learnedly explained in what manner it had to do, not 
 only with the beginning, but also with the progress 
 and with the end of sin. Making allusion in another 
 place 7 to this circumstance and that controversy, he 
 observes : ' There are two stumbling-blocks against 
 which I am solicitously on my guard — not to make 
 God the author of sin, and not to do away with the 
 freedom inherent in the human will : which two 
 things if any one knows to avoid, there is no action 
 he shall imagine which I will not most cheerfully 
 
 * Ex Ejjist. Aim. 
 
 t In liis letter to Hippolytus a CoUibus. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 171 
 
 allow to be ascribed to the Providence of God, if due 
 regard be only had to the divine excellence.' 
 
 Shortly after the Academy had listened to his 
 discussion on the subject of Divine Providence, 
 Arminius, with the view of clearing himself of the 
 charge of Pelagianism, produced and exposed for 
 public examination, on the 23rd July, his theses 
 ' concerning free will and its powders.' In drawing up 
 these he declared, ' that his grand aim had been to 
 promote the peace of the Church ; that he had set 
 forth nothing which bordered on falsehood, but, on 
 the contrary, had suppressed several truths to which 
 he was prepared to give expression, being well aware 
 that it was one mode of procedure to suppress what 
 was true, and another to speak what was false : the 
 latter was in no case lawful ; the former, however, was 
 sometimes, yea very often, expedient.'* Moreover, 
 as he deemed it his duty to act cautiously, and take 
 the utmost possible care that the justice of his cause 
 and the moderation of his spirit might commend 
 themselves to good and prudent men, he offered on 
 every occasion to all who were meditating strife 
 with him, what he had formerly offered to Helmichius 
 and others — a conference, whether private or public, 
 on the subject of these theological controversies. 
 
 This method, however, was not quite agreeable to 
 the adversaries of Arminius ; it pleased them to ply 
 him with another mode of attack. They sent to him, 
 accordingly, these deputies of the churches of South 
 and North Holland, Francis Lansbergius, Libertus 
 
 * Ex Arm. Epist. 25 Julii script. 
 
172 THE LIFE OF 
 
 Fraxinus, Daniel Dolegius, John Bogardus, and 
 James Rolandus, who arrived on the 30th June 
 (1605). In explaining to him the object of their 
 mission, they entered into a narration of those 
 things which were extensively circulated concerning 
 him and his doctrine ; and how great was the solici- 
 tude felt by all the churches lest, the integrity of the 
 Reformed doctrine being undermined, and the young 
 men imbued with unsound opinions, this affair should 
 at last eventuate in the destruction of the Church. 
 They further stated that several candidates for the 
 sacred office, when admitted at any time to examina- 
 tion before their classis, gave answers altogether new 
 and repugnant to the received doctrine, and sheltered 
 themselves under the authority of Arminius.* They 
 then begged of Arminius that he would not refuse to 
 give an explanation of the matter, and to enter into a 
 friendly conference with them. 
 
 Arminius replied, ' that this mode of procedure was 
 to him in the highest degree displeasing. For were 
 he to submit to it, he would be obliged very often to 
 descend to conferences of this sort ; nor would he ever 
 be free from liability to this annoyance as often as 
 any student in his examination, in giving some novel 
 answer, should make a foolish appeal to the authority 
 of his preceptor. To him, therefore, it appeared to be 
 a more advisable course, that brethren, on hearing a 
 novel answer of such a kind as seemed to be at 
 variance with the Confession or Catechism of the 
 
 * Ex Declarat. Arm. coram Ordiuib. — Vide et Praefat. Act. 
 Synod. Dord 
 
JAMES AEMINIUS. 173 
 
 Reformed Churclies, ought immediately to confront 
 that student with himself, he for his part being pre- 
 pared, for the sake of expediting the business, to 
 repair at his own^ expense to whatever place the 
 brethren might choose.' 
 
 Not content, however, with this general answer, 
 Lansbergius, in name of the rest, pressed still more 
 urgently the conference proposed, when the subject of 
 our memoir gave this further reply : ' He did not see 
 on what principle he could enter into that conference. 
 For, seeing that they bore the title of deputies, and 
 would render an account of their proceedings to the 
 synod, he was not at liberty to enter upon this business 
 without the cognizance and consent, yea even the 
 command, of those to whose authority he was subject. 
 Nay more ; no trivial hazard would thence accrue to 
 himself, if, whatever might at any time be reported to 
 the synod, as to the issue of this conference, he should 
 be obliged to commit the«whole detail entirely to their 
 faith. Besides, as he was by no means conscious of 
 having ever taught any doctrine which was antagon- 
 istic to the Sacred Writings, the Confession, or the 
 Catechism, he did not see on what reasons this petition 
 of theirs was grounded. The burden of proof devolved 
 on those who asserted the contrary ; or, failing proof, 
 of confessing their fault. If, however, they were chs- 
 posed to lay aside the character of deputies, he would 
 not shrink from holding a conference about doctrine 
 with them as private pastors, and from descending 
 into that arena, there and then : — but on this condition, 
 that whatever liberty in expounding their own opinion, 
 
174 THE LIFE OF 
 
 and refuting the contrary, tliey vindicated for them- 
 selves, that self-same liberty should be competent to 
 him. If in this way either party should satisfy the 
 other, the entire business would be transacted ; if it 
 came short of this, it must be understood, that no 
 report of it shall anywhere be rendered, but that the 
 whole shall be referred to a National Council.' But 
 at lastj when he perceived that that plan and that con- 
 dition were rejected by them, he asked them, as they 
 were ready to take their departure, that they would 
 propose the same conference which they had demanded 
 of him, to his colleagues as well, Gomarus and Trel- 
 catius ; adding, and adducing many reasons in corrobor- 
 ation of the statement, that he had not given greater 
 occasion for this demand than either of them. The 
 deputies then promised to comply with this request, 
 and having informed Arminius, some time after, that 
 they had implemented their promise, they departed 
 without having effected their* object. 
 
 Meanwhile Arminius could not prevent the circu- 
 1-ation of very various and frequent rumours respecting 
 this affair ; many in bad faith making it known, but 
 suppressing all mention of his reasons for rejecting 
 this conference, and of the description of conference 
 which he himself had proposed. But these and other 
 reasons which deterred him from formal conferences 
 of that sort with synodical deputies, he explained on 
 a subsequent occasion much more fully and distinctly 
 in the presence of the illustrious States of Holland. 
 His reasons as then advanced were in substance as 
 follows. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 175 
 
 ''First, He did not reckon himself amenable to 
 either Synod of Holland, South or North ; on the con- 
 trary, he had other masters without whose consent 
 and command it would have been unlawful in him to 
 have engaged in such a conference. To this reason 
 may be added 
 
 ' A second, namely, the great inequality of such a 
 conference ; considering that between those who are 
 about to confer on whatever matters, the utmost 
 equality ought to subsist. For it is evident that they 
 came to him armed with a certain public authority, 
 while he sustained the character only of a private 
 individual. They were in number several, but he 
 stood alone ; not only destitute of persons to aid him, 
 but of persons to witness the proceedings contemplated. 
 Nay more, these deputies were not there in their own 
 right, but were obliged to hang by the judgment of 
 their superiors, and defend their opinion concerning 
 religion to the last extremity ; so much so, indeed, 
 that thev could not have been at libertv to admit the 
 force even of the strongest arguments which he could 
 have adduced. As he, on the other hand, stood on 
 his own right, he was in a condition, by bringing his 
 Gonscience alone to decide, unfettered by the prejudg- 
 ment of any one, to admit whatever it might have 
 declared to him, on demonstrative grounds, to have 
 been in accordance with truth. 
 
 ' Thirdly, The report which these deputies would 
 have given in to their superiors, after the conference 
 had been held, could not but turn out in many respects 
 to his serious uijury ; for, either by defect of under- 
 
176 THE LIFE OF 
 
 standing or of memory, or by prejudiced feelings, some 
 things might easily have been added or omitted, and 
 his words might have been repeated either in such a 
 sense, or in such an order, as altogether to contradict 
 his sentiments, and the actual facts of the case ; while 
 a larger measure of credit would have been accorded 
 to these deputies, than would have been accorded to 
 him, a private individual. Nay more ; in this way 
 he would have conceded to this ecclesiastical conven- 
 tion a certain prerogative over him, which, however, 
 in his judgment he could not rightly concede, con- 
 sistently with the dignity of his office, and the autho- 
 rity of those on whose power he was dependent.'* 
 
 Such were the reasons which induced Arminius to 
 decline entering into conferences of the kind proposed. 
 In what light he regarded the perverse machinaticms 
 of certain parties at this conjuncture he himself 
 thus declares in a letter to Adrian Borrius, of date 
 July 25, 1605 : 'I see right well that my adversaries 
 act in this way to raise a tumult in order that I, 
 accused of being at least the occasion of the disturb- 
 ance, may be compelled to rush forth from my con- 
 cealment, and declare myself openly ; in which event 
 they seem to promise themselves certain victory. 
 But so much the more on this account will I keep 
 myself at home, and advance those things which in 
 my judgment may best do service to truth, to peace, 
 and to the times ; although I know that they would 
 be disappointed of their hope even were I to declare 
 myself openly to tliem. True, it is an old saying, that 
 * Vid. Declarat. Arm. coram Ordinib. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 177 
 
 to drag a heretic, or a heresy forth to the light, is to 
 
 confute that heretic or heresy ; but this is the hoast 
 
 also of those who chant pgeans before the victory. It 
 
 were hard for them to convict of heresy those things 
 
 which, with inflated cheeks they vociferate to be 
 
 heretical. They complain, I understand, that I did 
 
 not declare to them my opinion, and the arguments 
 
 on which it rests; and they urge as a pretext for 
 
 their complaint, that it is my intention to make an 
 
 unforeseen attack upon the min the National Synod, 
 
 and to obtrude opinions upon them of which they had 
 
 not been aware, and to confirm these by arguments, 
 
 the confutation of which they shall not have had it in 
 
 their power to premeditate. They think that that 
 
 assembly ought to be conducted in the same manner 
 
 as formerly, and are not aware that I, trusting to 
 
 the goodness of my conscience and my cause, do not 
 
 shrink from timely inquiry and examination, even to 
 
 the most rigorous extent.' 
 
 Meanwhile, three days after penning these words, 
 
 the consistory of Ley den, of which he himself too 
 
 formed a part, and was regarded as a member, appears 
 
 to have importunately asked of him, at the instigation 
 
 of certain zealots, a conference respecting his religious 
 
 views, not unlike that which the delegates of the 
 
 churches had demanded. In name of the consistory 
 
 there were delegated to him, on the 28th July, these 
 
 honourable and distinguished men, Ph^edo Broekhoven 
 
 and Paul Merula — the one professor of history, the 
 
 other a burgomaster of the city of Leyden, and both 
 
 elders of the church — who urged him in gentle terms 
 
 that he would treat with his colleagues, in the presence 
 
 13 
 
178 THE LIFE OF 
 
 of the consistory, concerning those tliing-s in the re- 
 ceived doctrine to which he took exception. In this 
 way it might be ascertained whether, and in what 
 points, he agreed or disagreed with his colleagues and 
 the other pastors of the Church. They added, how- 
 ever, that if he gave his assent to this petition they 
 would speak with others also respecting the matter ; 
 but if not, that no further steps would be taken in the 
 affair. To this Arminius replied almost in the same 
 terms as he had shortly before employed to the 
 deputies of the churches, namely, ' that he could not 
 comply with this demand without the permission of 
 the honourable curators of the Academy ; nor could 
 he perceive what benefit would thence accrue to the 
 Church.' These reasons he followed up by others to 
 the same effect, which proved thoroughly satisfactory 
 to these two men : so much so, indeed, that they gave 
 it as their opinion that no further proceedings should 
 be taken in the matter.* 
 
 His adversaries, nevertheless, determined in no 
 respect whatever to intermit their zeal, ceased not 
 to spread, and beyond measure to exaggerate, the 
 rumours afloat as to the very serious dissensions that 
 had arisen between the professors and the pastors of 
 the Church, The result was, that the time being now 
 at hand at wdiich the annual Svnod of the churches 
 of North and South Holland respectively were wont 
 to be held, among the other '' gravamina'^ \ (as they 
 
 * Ex Arm. declar. coram Ordin. Vid. prel'at. Act. Synod. 
 Dord.— Trigland. Hist. 
 
 t That is grievances, and all matters deemed important, 
 Whether of the nature of grievances or not. 
 
JAMES AEMINIUS. 179 
 
 are called) whicli, according to tlie custom of the 
 churches, are commonly sent beforehand by the 
 several classis, this too had been transmitted by 
 the Classis of Dort : ' Whereas reports prevail that in 
 the Academy and Church of Leyden, certain con- 
 troversies have arisen concerning the doctrine of the 
 Eeformed Churches, the Classis is of opinion that it is 
 necessary that the Synod should deliberate as to the 
 means by which these controversies may be most 
 advantageously and speedily allayed; in order that 
 all schisms and scandals which might thence arise 
 may be seasonably put out of the way, and the union 
 of the Eeformed Churches be preserved in contrariety 
 to the calumnies of adversaries/* The author of the 
 preface to the Acts of the Synod of Dort, in making 
 mention of this gravamen^ further leaves it on record 
 that Arminius took it in the highest degree amiss, 
 and left no pains untaken b'y which to get it re- 
 called. That it displeased Arminius, indeed, we are 
 not disposed to deny. But assuredly of any pains he 
 took to get this document recalled, there exists, so far 
 as we are aware, no evidence whatever. 
 
 Be this as it may, the honourable curators of the 
 Academy, and magistrates of Leyden, suspecting on 
 good grounds that the above-named article of the 
 Classis of Dort aimed solely at this, that Arminius and 
 his followers should be impeached for corrupt doctrine, 
 concentrated all their counsels and efforts on the one 
 object of getting these schemes crushed in the bud. 
 With this view, they called together the professors of 
 * Ex prefat. Act. Synod. Dord.— Uiteub. Ilisl;. 
 
180 THE LIFE OF 
 
 theology, and producing the gravamen above-named^ 
 they put to them the question, ' Whether controversies 
 of that description had been observed by them ? ' To 
 this, after they had obtained a reasonable time for 
 deliberation, and had first considered the matter among 
 themselves, and duly weighed it apart, — Gomarus, 
 Arminius, and Trelcatius, unanimously replied, and 
 straightway (on the 10th of August) confirmed the 
 reply, in its written fonn, with their respective signa- 
 tures, ' that they could have wished that the Classis 
 of Dort had acted in this matter in a better and 
 more orderly way ; among the students, indeed, there 
 was, they believed, more disputation than was agreeable 
 to them; but among themselves, the professors of 
 theology, there was no dissension, as indeed any one 
 might see, in regard to the fundamentals of doctrine. 
 Further, they would do their endeavour to get what- 
 ever discussions of that kind had arisen among the 
 students diminished.' This answer was handed in the 
 Bame day, to the Eev. John Kuchlinus, Eegent of the 
 theological college, who replied that he concurred in 
 what had been advanced by the professors of theology, 
 and subscribed the same declaration.* 
 
 But on what principle Gomarus could prevail on 
 himself to sign this testimony, was to not a few 
 just matter of astonishment. For it was notorious 
 that besides assailing the opinion of Arminius 
 on predestination in a public and sufficiently acri- 
 monious disputation, he had also, and that, too, re- 
 
 * Ex gestis Acad, citatis a Bertio in Oral. Funeb. in obit. 
 Arm. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 181 
 
 peatedly, from tlie pulpit, exaggerated the importance 
 of this controversy to such a degree as to imply that 
 it was in his estimation fundamental.* Others, again, 
 inferred from this act of Gomarus, that he was disposed 
 at that time, notwithstanding this difference of opinion, 
 to cultivate a true friendship with Arminius, and 
 would actually have done so, had he not been pre- 
 vented by the intemperate clamours of others from 
 prosecuting this aim. That Arminius also cherished 
 the same hope is manifest from the following 
 words extracted from a letter he addressed to Uiten- 
 bogaert (on the 7th June, 1605) : — ' Between 
 Oomarus and me there is peace ; and I have 
 reason to believe it will be steady enough, unless 
 he lend an ear to him who seems to act only for this, 
 that he may not be found to have been a false prophet. 
 On the other hand I will do my best to make my 
 moderation and equanimity manifest to all, that I may 
 have the superiority at once in the goodness of my 
 cause, and in my mode of action.' Nor must we omit 
 in this connexion what is reported by not a few, 
 namely that Gomarus himself was wont at times to 
 declare to his intimate friends with a feeling of regret, 
 ^ that he could easilv have been induced to cultivate 
 peace with Arminius but for the importunity of the 
 churches and their deputies, which threw an obstacle 
 in the way of this salutary desire.' -|- 
 
 * Ex tractatu quodam Bertii, Belgice conscripto. 
 
 '-}- Ex Hist, narrat. Synod. Dord. Belg. conscript, a J. W. 
 
182 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 ECCLESIASTICAL EXCITEMENT, AND PROCEEDINGS WITH 
 A VIEW TO A NATIONAL SYNOD ; FRESH CALUMNIES 
 AGAINST ARMINIUS. A.D 1605-1607. 
 
 A FEW weeks after the curators of tlie University 
 had, by convening- the professors of theology, suc- 
 ceeded in maintaining- Academic peace, the Synod 
 of South Holland, which met at Rotterdam on the 30th 
 August, 1605, proceeded to agitate measures in con- 
 nexion with this business, of a much more impetuous 
 description. After the delegates from the Classis of 
 Dort had put them in possession of the grounds on 
 which the above-named gravamen had been trans- 
 mitted, and the deputies of the Synod had in like 
 manner made them aware of the state of the Leyden 
 Academy, and of their interview with Arminius and 
 the rest of the professors, they decided, after mature 
 deliberation, that a timely check ought to be opposed 
 to this growing evil, and that the appropriate remedy 
 ought not to be delayed under the uncertain hope of a 
 National Synod. It was accordingly concluded to 
 institute, by means of their deputies, a very strict 
 inquiry into what articles in particular furnished 
 matter of debate among the theological students in 
 
THE LIFE OF JAMES ARMINIUS. 183 
 
 the Leyclen Academy ; and to request the honourable 
 curators to make it imperative on the professors of 
 theology to declare openly and sincerely their own 
 opinions respecting the same.* 
 
 In fulfilment of this decree, the synodical deputies, 
 Francis Lansbergius, Festus Hommius, and their 
 associates, set out for Leyden, and on the 2nd 
 November handed in nine questions to the curators 
 respecting the points which, as they understood, 
 constituted at this time the main subjects of dis- 
 cussion. They at the same time requested that, in 
 virtue of their authority, the curators would render 
 it imperative on the professors of theology fully to 
 unfold their, own opinion on these points. But 
 the honourable curators looked upon this demand as 
 preposterous, inasmuch as the professors themselves had 
 informed them in writing, not long before, of the 
 state and weight of the controversies referred to. 
 They therefore openly declared ' that to this mode of 
 procedure they could by no means lend their sanction ; ' 
 and added ' that there was no small ground for the 
 hope that a National Synod would be obtained ; on 
 which account they judged it to be more advisable to 
 reserve these questions to it, than by further investi- 
 gation of them to furnish occasion for strife.'! On 
 receiving this answer the deputies further insisted, that 
 by the kind permission of the curators they might be 
 at liberty to put these questions to the professors con- 
 cerned, in order to discover what answers each of them 
 
 * Vid. prefat. Act. Synod. Dord, 
 t Vid. Declar. Aim. coram. Old. 
 
184 THE LIFE OF 
 
 would voluntarily and spontaneously give ; but here 
 they encountered the same repulse. 
 
 All these transactions, however, were managed with 
 such secrecy, as respects Arminius, that he was for 
 some time ignorant of the arrival of these deputies in 
 the city, and was only suljsequently made aware of it 
 through his friends. By the diligence of these friends 
 he also succeeded in laying his hands upon the very 
 questions which the deputies of the churches had 
 handed in to the curators ; and thence snatched oc- 
 casion to di*aw up, for the benefit of his disciples, brief 
 answers to these, and to array in opposition to them 
 as many questions in return.* 
 
 Circumstanced as he was at such a conjuncture, he 
 could not suppress his feelings, but gave vent to them 
 in the following complaint in regard to his position, 
 which occurs in a letter to Uitenbogaert, dated 27 th 
 October, 1605 : — ' How diificult is it in these inauspi- 
 cious times, when such vehemence of spirit prevails, tO 
 be thoroughly devoted at once to truth and to peace ! 
 Were it not that the consciousness of integrity, the 
 favourable judgments of some good men, yea, and the 
 palpable and manifest fruits which I see arising from 
 my labours, reanimate my spirits, I should scarcely 
 at times be able to bear myself erect. But thanks be 
 to God who imparts strength and constancy to my 
 spirit, and makes me comparatively easy whatever 
 mav be the issue.' t 
 
 * Vide sis has qusestiones et Arminii rcsponsa in ejus Eperi« 
 
 bus. 
 
 t Arm. Epist. ad J. Uitenb. 27 Octob. 1605. 
 
JAMES ARMIXIUS. 185 
 
 Notwithstanding these annoyances, Arminius * 
 strenuously discharged the duties of his office ; and 
 endeavoured, above all, to propagate increasingly the 
 truth, as far as known by him, without noise or con- 
 tention, to the utmost of his power. For this end he 
 made it his study, on all" occasions, to keep himself 
 within the terms of the Confession and Catechism — 
 at least not to advance anything which might be 
 confuted by these standards, nay which was not fahly 
 and plainly reconcilable therewith. For although in 
 these formularies of consent he had probably observed 
 some things which at times appeared to favour the 
 sentiments opposed to those he had embraced, and 
 which he coidd have wished to find expressed in terms 
 more closely harmonising with his own opinion, he 
 yet thought he could continue within these terms; 
 and that, under the privilege of a mild interpretation, 
 he ought to soften the harshness of certain phrases, 
 and wait until a fuller interpretation and revision 
 should be applied to them by a National Synod. For he 
 thought that he could act thus in the exercise of the 
 same right as that by which all those followers of 
 Calvin who were subjects of the Emperor of Germany 
 judged that they could lawfully, and with a good con- 
 science, subscribe to the entire Confession of Augsburg, 
 and to all and sundry of the articles it contained.j 
 This, however, without the aid of a liberal interpreta- 
 tion was more than they could well do ; for between 
 
 * Vid Ep. Eccles. p. Ii9. 
 
 t Vid. Epist. Examen coutra Capel. in Oper. ejus i. Tom. 2; 
 part. p. 168. 
 
186 THE LIFE OF 
 
 the Augsburg and other Confessions there was so great 
 an air of contradiction that the Genevan divines did 
 not think it advisable to publish them without the 
 antidote of their own interpretations and cautions. 
 Treading in their foot-prints, and rejoicing in the 
 same right, he felt that he was doing nothing what- 
 ever unworthy of a Eeformed divine if, for the 
 confirmation of his own opinion on Divine predes- 
 tination, and other heads of the Christian faith, he 
 should call to his aid not only the Sacred Oracles, but 
 also the above-named formularies of consent. It was 
 for this reason th; t, when about to hold a disputation 
 at one time in his own regular class on the subject of 
 predestination, he ordered the student who was to 
 undertake the part of respondent to shape his theses 
 on this subject in the verv words of the Confession.* 
 
 About that same period he held a very learned 
 disputation 07i the comparison between the law and the 
 gospel, and on the agreement and difference between 
 the Old Testament and the New ; the part of respon- 
 dent, under his presidency, having fallen on that 
 highly-cultivated youth, and distinguished ornament at 
 an after period to the Leyden Academy and to litera- 
 ture — Peter Cunaaus. Towards the close of this 
 disputation some one happened to object 'that man 
 could not but transgress the law, seeing that the 
 decree of God, which determined that he should 
 transgress, could not be resisted.' Although Ar- 
 minius was under the necessity of replying to this 
 objection, yet he made it imperative that in fiitm-e no 
 * Ex Declar. Ann. coram Ord. 
 
JAMES AKMINIUS, 187 
 
 such statement sliould be advanced without this or 
 the like protestation: Let no hlasphemy he supposed! 
 So offensive, moreover, was that audacious proposition 
 of this student of divinity to some who had been present 
 at the disputation, that one of them, a man of no 
 small authority, shortly after expressed his loathing of 
 it in the presence of Arminius ; and gave it as his 
 counsel that things of that sort ought to be checked, 
 and authority interposed against such disgraceful 
 objections. Arminius, however, somewhat excused 
 the deed, declaring that the objector had been so 
 instructed by certain divines ; and that authoritative 
 interference was scarcely practicable, on account of 
 the vehemence of some who were of a different mind.* 
 Meanwhile he was inspired with a greatly increased 
 measure of firmness and confidence by the very large 
 number of auditors whom the singular grace of his style, 
 both of speaking and teaching, and his lucid interpreta- 
 tion of the Sacred AVritings, daily attracted to his pub- 
 lic lectures. His private class, moreover, flom-ished at 
 this time to such a degree, that one class would not 
 have sufficed but for the fear which had taken pos- 
 session of many, that too much familiarity with him 
 might turn out, at some future period, to be prejudicial 
 to their interests. Hence, as envy is proverbially the 
 evil genius, for the most part, not only of virtue but 
 also of genuine erudition, it can hardly appear sur- 
 prising to any one if Arminius, by reason of his daily 
 increasing renown for learning, was obliged, m his 
 tiKU, to encounter this hydra. The extent, at all 
 
 * Ex Epist. Arm. 
 
188 THE LIFE OS" 
 
 events, to which, in that particular, Gomarus 
 shared in the infirmity of our common nature, 
 may be inferred from this circumstance : accosting 
 Arminius one day as he was passing out of the 
 academic hall, he threw this in his teeth with 
 abundan tbitterness and bile — ' They say you are 
 more learned than Junius,^ 
 
 About the same time, Peter Plancius, pastor of the 
 church in Amsterdam, inveighed from the pulpit in 
 the most virulent strain against Arminius and his 
 friends and followers, running them down under the 
 name of Coornhertians, Neo- Pelagians, and as far 
 worse than Pelagius himself. So effervescent was he, 
 that he appeared, even to vulgar minds, to have excited 
 himself into extravagance, so as to connect things 
 together which bore to each other no just relation of 
 sequence or coherence. Others, too, after his example, 
 either incensed by an inveterate hatred against 
 Arminius, or impelled by the sort of pious solicitude 
 with which they embraced the received doctrine, began 
 to agitate before the people, in the vernacular tongue, 
 those questions which had furnished themes of more 
 subtle disputation in the benches of the Academy : 
 and this they did with egregious departures from the 
 truth, and with minds as little as possible attuned to 
 the work of meekly edifying the Christian people.* 
 Some assiduously impressed it upon the promiscuous 
 multitude that the doctrine of the Belgic Confession, 
 sealed with the blood of many martyrs. Was being 
 
 * Ex Epist. Arm. — Vid. Respoiis. ad Epist. Miiiist. Walach- 
 riens. p. 9. 
 
JAJklES AKMINIUS. 189 
 
 called in question; others that a motley religion 
 was in the course of being- drawn up, and that it was 
 in contemplation to introduce a system of libertinism. 
 On the other hand, Araainius, finding himself under 
 the imperative necessity of vindicating his own inno- 
 cence, both publicly and privately, pleaded his cause 
 at this conjuncture, in a remarkably calm and placid 
 spirit ; for (to use his own words) he ' reckoned this to 
 be by far the noblest kind of revenge, to bring it about, 
 by means of well-doing, that they should have the 
 worse who simrned at proffered friendship and frater- 
 nity.' Moreover, in order to possess the minds of the 
 students with the genuine love of peace, he judged 
 that nothing ought more to be impressed upon 
 them than that they should endeavour to dis- 
 tinguish, according to the standard of the Sacred 
 Word, not only between truth and falsehood, but also 
 between the greater and less degrees in which different 
 articles of religion are to be held as essential.* 
 
 Amid all this excitement Arminius prosecuted his 
 Academic prelections with unabated activity; and 
 having brought to a close the exposition of Jonah, he 
 entered upon a course of lectures on Malachi about 
 the commencement of the year ensuing, 1606. 
 
 On the 8th of February, he resigned his Eectorate 
 according to the' usual order; on which occasion 
 he delivered that celebrated oration on ' Eeligious 
 Dissension,' in which he unfolds its nature and 
 effects, causes and remedies, with such freedom of 
 speech as the weight of the subject itself, and the 
 
 * Ex. Epist. Arm. 
 
190 THE LIFE OP 
 
 agitated circumstances of tlie chnrcli seemed to require. 
 In particular, as tlie remedy commonly considered to 
 be the most elficacious for allaying theological dis- 
 sensions was a convention of the parties at variance, 
 (which the Greeks call a synod, the Latins, 2^. council,) 
 he unfolded, on that same occasion, fully and piously, 
 the principle on which a council of the kind referred 
 to, ought to he constituted, so as to warrant the just 
 and rational expectation that it will issue in results of 
 the most salutary character. 
 
 Nor could he charge himself, by any means, with 
 having causelessly selected this as the theme of his 
 oration ; for he had long been aware that with the 
 great majority of the clergy, and at this very time, 
 nothing was more an object of desire than that the 
 States-General should permit to be again summoned a 
 National Synod, which, in former times, was wont to 
 be convened once every three years, but had now for 
 a very considerable time been Fuspended. For (to 
 trace this matter a little farther back) it was already 
 turned twenty years since the Earl of Leceister, des- 
 pising, and all but trampling under foot, the authority 
 of the fathers of our country, had ordered a council 
 of this description to be convoked at the Hague. On 
 that occasion, when the great body of the clergy had 
 lent their most zealous aid to those who were hatch- 
 ing revolutionary schemes, and aiming a deadly blow 
 at the liberty of the Dutch Eepublic, they had, not 
 without reason, been rebuked and admonished by the 
 public voice of the States, ' that, content with having 
 lost Flanders, by traducing and calumniating the 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 191 
 
 administration of tlie rulers, under the deceptive show 
 of religion, and throwing a cloak over perfidy, they 
 should abstain from bringing about the loss of Holland 
 in the same way.' * It was the recollection, indeed, 
 of that calamitous period, and the apprehension lest, 
 perchance, certain turbulent zealots, under pretext of 
 religion, should attempt anything anew that might 
 detract from public authority, v/hich long restrained 
 the illustrious and mighty States from afterwards 
 giving their assent to the renewed petition of the 
 ecclesiastics for a National Synod. About the year 
 1597, however, when controversies had arisen in 
 various places, particularly at G-ouda, Hoorn, and 
 Medenblick, not only respecting Divine Predestina- 
 tion, but also concerning the authority of the 
 Belgic Confession, and Palatine Catechism, and the 
 right and orthodox interpretation of certain phrases, 
 the States of the province of Holland at length took 
 the lead in granting the pastors under their jurisdic- 
 tion permission to hold a synod; — for this end, in 
 particular, ' that the Belgic Confession cf Faith should 
 be revised, and that it should be carefully considered 
 in what way, most fitly, according to the word of God, 
 the true doctrine and concord of the Eeformed Church 
 of the iSTetherlands, might be vindicated, preserved, 
 and promoted, and the dissensions that had arisen be 
 allayed.' 
 
 But although, so many years before the name of 
 Arminius had begun to acquire celebrity in the 
 Leyden Academy, the rulers of Holland had consented 
 
 *Vid. Em. Meteraiii Hist. Beigice conscript, et Hoofdii Histj 
 
192 THE LIFE OF 
 
 to the synod, still the States of the other provinces 
 resisted the project — those of Utrecht being the 
 stoutest and the longest to hold out. But seeing 
 that the Dutch professors and pastors who differed at 
 this time on the subject of predestination sought some 
 support, each for his own opinion, in the words of 
 the Confession and Catechism ; and that these same 
 formularies of consent did not define with sufficient 
 clearness the questions agitated on either side ; and 
 that this present exigency of the Reformed cause 
 seemed, in consequence, to require a more formal 
 convention of the churches, by the effort and inter- 
 vention of the men of greatest influence (including 
 the name of Uitenbogaert, as he himself cheerfully 
 owns) it was brought about that these rulers of 
 Utrecht also subscribed to the wish so generally 
 entertained. Leave, accordingly, was at length 
 obtained (on the 15th March) from the States- 
 General to convoke a National Synod on the self- 
 same terms as those on which, eight years pre- 
 viously, the rulers of Holland and Westfriesland 
 had given their sanction to its being held. But 
 here is the very decree, in express terms : — 
 
 ' The States- General of the United Provinces of the 
 Netherlands, having considered and carefully weighed 
 the reasons proposed and exhibited in their assembly 
 both orally and in writing, in name of the Christian 
 Reformed churches of the Netherlands, in order that 
 permission should be granted to them for convening 
 a National Synod of the said churches on the grounds 
 set forth in the written petition referred to, after 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 193 
 
 mature deliberation, have granted permission that it 
 should be held, and by this same instrument they 
 hereby grant permission. Wherefore, also, it hath 
 pleased them that said National Synod be convoked 
 in name of their illustrious Lords, as being the lawful 
 magistrates — the protectors and defenders in these 
 realms of the Christian Eeformed religion — and to 
 whom, in consequence, that right belongs ; and that, 
 as soon as said illustrious Lords, with the pastors of 
 churches (whom it has been resolved to summon 
 for this object on the very first opportunity) shall 
 have communicated among themselves, and deli- 
 berated respecting the mode of holding the synod, 
 and concerning the fit place and time, the said 
 National Synod, with the revision of the Confession 
 and Catechism of said chm^hes, and of the ecclesias- 
 tical constitution heretofore in use among them shall (as 
 has been wont every time to be done in such assem- 
 blies) be so instituted and conducted, in the name and 
 fear of the Lord, that the fruit thence to be expected — 
 namely, the confirmation of true piety among the 
 inhabitants of these realms — may be abundantly 
 realised. And all these things according to the rule 
 and pattern of God's Sacred Word, to His glory, and 
 for the safety of the Republic and the Church.' 
 
 We have thought it proper to introduce into our 
 narrative this, the express form of the public decree, in 
 order that the origin of the contentions with Arminius 
 and his ibllowers that arose respecting it, and the main 
 reason why this convention of the churches was de- 
 ferred, may be the more readily discerned. For the 
 
 U 
 
194 THE LIFE OF 
 
 deputies of the churches took it very much amiss, that 
 in the missive containing the public decree of the illus- 
 trious States special mention should be made of a con- 
 templated revision of the Confession, Catechism, and 
 ecclesiastical canons. Nay, more ; even prior to its 
 publication, and towards the close of the preceding 
 year (30th November, 1G05) they had begged, in a 
 wi'itten petition, that the convocation of this synod 
 should be instituted in the manner sanctioned by 
 former usage and in general terms. They affirmed 
 ' that bv that sino-le clause the entire doctrine com- 
 prehended in these summaries was called in question ; 
 that by this edict injury was done to these sacred 
 canons of the Reformed faith, which were formerly 
 received witli so great applause ; that the term 
 revision was forensic, nor was the act of revisi(m 
 ever insisted on unless when the authorised sentiment 
 was not acquiesced in, but rather a demand made for 
 its being retracted or changed ; that by the insertion 
 of the clause referred to there was reason to fear that 
 those who were striving after a change of doctrine 
 would be rendered more daring, and would conclude 
 that power was conceded to them by public authority 
 to press innovation to any extent.'* 
 
 But a variety of reasons, on the other hand, and 
 tliese of the gravest character, were advanced by not 
 a few in vijidication of the decree of the States. 
 Thus it was contended, ' that it was idle to dispute 
 about the word revision, since, taken not in its forensic 
 but in its more general acceptation, it denoted any 
 * Vid praefat. Act. Bynod Dord. 
 
JAMES ARinXIUS. 195 
 
 ^kind of re-examination. But taking the word in tbis 
 stricter sense, it was not the case that the once 
 authorised opinion was always changed by revision, hut, 
 on the contrary, it was sometimes thereby confirmed. 
 The ilbistrious States of Holland had inserted in 
 their decree, passed eight years before, the word 
 resumption. In most acts of synods, even prior to 
 the public decree of the year 1597, mention was 
 made of a repetition. Nay, more ; that distinguished 
 defender of the Reformed doctrine, Caspar Heidanus, 
 was not afraid to put on the title of that Catechism 
 which he published at Antwerp in the year 15 — , 
 the words correction and emendation. At all events, 
 the thing itself denoted by this word was of right and 
 with good reason demanded by the fathers of their 
 country and the supreme patrons of the Church, 
 The sacred Scripture alone was placed beyond the 
 liability of revision ; nor was it right to arrogate this 
 privilege to human writings. This, Beza, Zanchius, 
 Olevianus, and other leaders of the Reformed re- 
 ligion — yea, and the very authors, too, of the Belgie 
 Confession — openly professed. Even now there were 
 €xtant, and could easily be produced, letters of the 
 distinguished Saravia, celebrated among the original 
 compilers of the Confession, who testifies that of those 
 who applied their hand to this work it never came 
 into the mind of one to make of it a rule of faith. 
 In all the synods held in France a commencement 
 was made by re-reading the Confession and soliciting 
 expressions of opinion upon it.* The Augustan, yea 
 • Press. Declar. p. 41, 42.— Vid Grot. Piet. Ord. p. o2. 
 
19G THE LIFE OF 
 
 and the Ang-lican and Helvetic Confessions, had been 
 changed ; and much more reasonahle were it to trj^ 
 whether nothing could be amended in that Confession 
 which was originally composed by no Synod whatever, 
 but had been put together by some pious men, at a 
 pre-eminently troublous time, in greai. haste, and for 
 this end only, that it should serve the purpose of an 
 apology to a hostile king. The same remark applied 
 to the Catechism, inasmuch as the very leaders 
 themselves of the Belgic Church had not drawn it 
 up, but (as is wont to be done in cases of sudden 
 necessity "l^ had borrowed it from others. None other- 
 wise did the famous Piscator judge ; for certain 
 strictures and animadversions of his on several 
 questions of the Palatine Catechism were still 
 extant.* Even granting that after the scrutiny 
 of forty years and more, nothing could be detected 
 in the writings above-named which was either 
 deficient or redundant, and which admitted of beinc 
 expressed if not more truly, at least more fitly, and 
 in a way better adapted to promote ecclesiastical 
 peace : still the lawful examination of them would be 
 attended with this benefit, that it would be evident 
 to the world that the Keformed Churches in the 
 Netherlands had not slid into that form of doctrine 
 which they followed by accident or fashion, but in 
 the exercise of reason and discrimination. At the 
 same time they would, by an illustrious testimony, 
 give publicity to the fact that these formularies were 
 estimated by them at their true value, and not more ; 
 * Vid. has strictui'as inter Epist. Eccles. p. 166. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 197 
 
 and what was of prime importance, the liberty thus 
 admitted in its own place and time, and restrained 
 within the limits of order, would interpose an obstacle 
 to the license of private contradiction.' 
 
 But these and other reasons of the like kind by no 
 means availed to prevent the great mass of the adver- 
 saries of Arminius from vehemently assailing, on every 
 opportunity, the above form of convening the Synod. 
 Nay, the ecclesiastical deputies transmitted a copy of 
 it, with an accompanying letter (dated 19th April), 
 to the churches of each several province, in which 
 they signified how strenuously they had exerted 
 themselves to get the above-named clause omitted.* 
 From that time, it began to be carped at, and to be 
 criticised by the churches with more acrimony than 
 was meet. Foremost, however, in zeal to take up this 
 business was the Synod of South Holland, held three 
 months after, in the month of August, at Gorcum. 
 For when the deputies of the churches had reported 
 to it what steps they had taken in the matter of the 
 National Synod, and what had been determined by the 
 illustrious States, it seemed good to this assembly to 
 enjoin on these deputies, ' that, duly weighing the 
 heads of the public decree respecting the Synod, they 
 should not only see to it that justice be done to the 
 decision of the illustrious States, but should also take 
 care that nothing be clone to the prejudice of the 
 churches.' The Synod moreover declared, ' that even 
 if it were judged proper to revise the Confession and 
 Catechism in the way and mode hitherto in use in a 
 * Vid. Tra-fat. Act. Synod. Dord. 
 
I98> THE LIFE OF 
 
 National Synod, they nevertheless wished that those 
 who were to be summoned to that meeting at which 
 the place and manner of holding the National Synod 
 would necessarily ftdl to be considered, should be 
 instnicted to ask of the States-general, in name of the 
 churches, that, for reasons above specified, the fore- 
 mentioned clause be struck out of the circulars of 
 convocation, and that other words of milder import, 
 and less likely to beget offence, might be substituted 
 in its place. 
 
 This same Synod besides resolved, that injunction 
 be laid on all the pastors of the churches of South 
 Holland, nay also, on the professors of sacred literature 
 in the Academy of Leyden, to peruse and examine with 
 all diligence the Confession and Catechism hitherto 
 in use in these realms. It was further matter of 
 deliberation whether it would be expedient that the 
 strictures of the ministers on the above named 
 books shoidd be brought up, in the first instance, 
 before this particular Synod and its deputies, or 
 whether these had better be reserved to the National 
 Synod.* Sufficient reasons were not wanting to have 
 induced the persuasion that such anticipatory judg- 
 ments of particular synods were altogether vain, and 
 would not be free of hazard ; and Uitenbog-aert himself, 
 in a very earnest discussion on that subject into which 
 he entered with the president of this assembly, John 
 Becius, showed, in many ways, under how great diffi- 
 culties that ill-timed investigation which many were 
 urging did labour, and how much it militated against 
 * Act. Synod. Gorcom. Art. 4. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 199 
 
 the express decree and intention of the States.* Not- 
 withstanding all this, it was decreed in the same 
 Synod, that, ' if, in these writings of the Confession and 
 Catechism, any one had observed aught worthy of 
 remark, he should signify the same, and set it forth in 
 good and solid reasons and arguments, as speedily as 
 practicable 5 and that if possible, before the next meet- 
 ing of the classis.' This decision, in spite of the 
 objections of those who thought it wrong that the ful- 
 filment of that ecclesiastical decree should be circum- 
 scribed within so small a portion of time, remained 
 fixed and valid. By and by, too, this same Synod 
 resolved to advise, by letter, the other particular 
 churches and synods of the United Provinces, to 
 watch with all diligence over this business, the care 
 of which it had itself undertaken, and to urge every 
 one of the ministers of their respective classes to the 
 serious and thorough examination of the Confession 
 and Catechism. -|- And finally, the province of com- 
 municating on this subject with the professors of 
 sacred literature, and the regents of the theological 
 college, was, in name of this Synod, consigned to John 
 Uitenbogaert, William CoddiBus, Nathaniel Marlan- 
 dus, and Egbert J^milius. 
 
 Meanwhile, and shortly before these things w^ere 
 (with very special reference to Arminius and his 
 followers), determined upon by the Synod of Gorcum, 
 the following circumstance furnished a handle for 
 stirring fresh strife against him. It happened in the 
 
 * Vid. Kesp. ad Epist. Minist. Walacli. p. 16.— Epist. Eccles. 
 p. 170. 
 
 t Vid. Epist. Eccles. 
 
200 THE LIFE OF 
 
 course of a disputation held under his presidency, on 
 the subject of the divinity of the Son, in which he 
 had undertaken to defend what was at once the 
 general and the orthodox opinion on this pre-eminently 
 important doctrine of the Christian faith, that some 
 one of the students urged, in opposition to the theses 
 he had exposed to public scrutiny, that ' the Son of 
 God was auro^gos", and therefore had his essence from 
 himself, and not from the Father.' Arminius re- 
 plied that the word avro^sog was not contained in 
 the sacred volume ; still, considering that it had 
 been employed by Epiphanius and others, of the 
 ancient as well as modern orthodox divines, it was 
 not to be utterly rejected, provided only it were 
 rightly understood. But according to its etymology 
 it might be taken in a twofold sense, to denote 
 either one who is tridi/ God, or such a one as is 
 God of himself. According to the former signifi- 
 cation, it could be admitted ; but taken in the latter 
 sense, it stood opposed to the sacred volume, and to 
 orthodox antiquity.' 
 
 On the other hand, however, the student ten- 
 aciously held to his point ; boldly asserting that 
 according to the second signification pre-eminently 
 the term in question was applicable to the Son of 
 God ; and that the essence of the Father could not, 
 except improperly, be said to be communicated to the 
 Son and to the Holy Spirit; but that rightly and 
 properly could it be said that the essence of the 
 Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit was 
 common. This position, too, he maintained with 
 the more confidence and spirit that he had as an 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 201 
 
 authority for his opinion the celebrated Trelcatins ; 
 for in his Common-places^ lately published, he had 
 expounded to the same effect his sentiments respect- 
 ing the Sacred Trinity. Wherefore, Arminius, 
 deeming it his duty not to leave the truth unvindi- 
 cated, by virtue of the authority of the office with 
 which he had been invested, spiritedly rejoined, that 
 * The opinion thus advanced was one altogether new 
 and unheard of in the ancient Greek as well as Latin 
 Church. The ancients had always maintained that 
 the Son had his deity from the Father by eternal 
 generation. The opinion now advanced laboured under 
 most serious difficulties. From it there followed not 
 only Sabellianism,* the Son being made to occupy 
 the place of the Father, as having his essence from 
 none ; but it further followed that the way was 
 thereby paved to Tritheism, and that there were just 
 as many Gods held as there were collateral persons 
 supposed. The Unity in Trinity of the Deity had 
 been maintained by the ancient divines of the Church 
 against anti- Trinitarians, solely on the ground of 
 origin, and of order according to origin. On the con- 
 trary, to have deity from himself was repugnant to 
 the definition of son ; and that no relation could be 
 involved in any thing which was contrary to the 
 definition of that thina^.'f 
 
 • Sabellius, who lived about the middle of the third cen- 
 tury, denied all distinction of persons in the Trinity, allowing 
 only a distinction of modes and manifestations. — Tr. 
 
 t Vide sis fusius dehoc negotio disserentera Armin. in declar. 
 sua coram Ord. Item Arm. Hesp. ad 31. Artie. 
 
202 THE LIFE OF 
 
 Thus far reasoned Arminiiis, who, by the produc- 
 tion of these and other arguments of the same kind, 
 flattered himself that he was defending the Catholic 
 opinion on this question, and consulting best for the 
 glory both of the Father and of the Son. Nay, 
 more ; he had stirred this affair with the greater 
 confidence that he had rather persuaded himself of 
 the entire concurrence with him on this point of 
 Gomarus, who, not long after the publication of 
 the Common-places of Trelcatius, had, in a public 
 disputation, impugned his forms of expression re- 
 specting the Sacred Trinity, and further refuted 
 his opinion in his own private class. Nevertheless, 
 this very disputation of Arminius furnished fresh 
 occasion and material for the unjust suspicions which 
 malevolent parties entertained concerning him; and 
 the rumour everywhere spread that he entertained 
 erroneous views respecting the Sacred Trinity and 
 the Divinitv of the Son. But this he accounted his 
 peculiar infelicity; and he lamented that prejudice 
 should prevail to such an extent that, if any discus- 
 sion arose, forthwith the entire .blame was heaped 
 upon him, even when asserting the views most 
 thoroughly received ; while those, on the other hand, 
 were excused and commended who had furnished 
 occasion of strife by their novel and most extrava- 
 gant modes of expression. To him this appeared 
 nothing less than monstrous ; nor did there seem 
 to exist any ground on which, in consequence of 
 the above-named disputation, he could justly and 
 reasonably be suspected of hatching aught that was 
 
JAMES AEMINIUS. 203 
 
 heretical. So far from this, he testifies (in one of 
 his letters, dated 1st September, 1606) that he had 
 taught nothing whatever on the doctrine in question 
 but what rested on the authority of the Sacred 
 Scriptures, and of the ancient as well as modern 
 divines ; and, moreover, that on this point there 
 was nothing which he v/ished corrected in the 
 opinion received by the Eeformed Churches in the 
 Netherlands. Nay more ; in this matter he could 
 adduce as on his side the guide and teacher of his 
 youth, Beza ; who, in his preface to the Dialogues of 
 Athanasius concerning the Trinity, makes an excuse 
 for Calvin for not having observed with sufficient 
 accumcy the distinction between these two state- 
 ments: the Swi is hy himself (per sej ^ and the Son is 
 from himself fa sej . 
 
 Much about the same time the subject of our 
 memoir was subjected to a calumny not unlike the 
 one we have just narrated. It arose from the follow- 
 ing circumstance : — In a public disputation On the 
 person of the Son, in the course of which he very 
 learnedly showed how the economy of our salvation 
 was administered bv the Father through the Son 
 and the Holy Spirit, Arminius made the admonitory 
 remark that strict regard ought to be paid to that 
 order which is everywhere observed in the Holy 
 Scriptures; and that it ought to be distinctly con- 
 sidered what proper parts in that economy are ascribed 
 to the Father, what to the Son, and what to the 
 Holy Ghost. The spirit of detraction, besides, had 
 gathered boldness from the fact that several passages 
 
204 THE LIFE OF 
 
 of the Old and New Testaments usually cited in 
 support of the consubstantial or co-essential Trinity 
 had more than once been explained by him as having 
 another reference. But he trusted that it would be no 
 difficult matter to persuade all who were capable of 
 forming a candid judgment, that from such data 
 nothing could with any semblance of truth be 
 inferred that was really at variance with the Chris- 
 tian faith. For in regard to the first of these 
 occasions of calumniating him, * he deemed it a 
 vain handle, seeing that to all who had learned 
 from the Sacred Word that the Father had in 
 the Son reconciled the world to himself, and was 
 administering through the Holy Spirit the word of 
 reconciliation, it could not fail to be super- abundantly 
 evident that, m the scheme of human salvation, an 
 order must be discerned among the persons of the 
 Trinity, and care taken not to confound the parts 
 severally attributed to them, — unless any one chooses 
 to step into the heresy of the Patripassionists.f 
 Nor, on the other hand, did he think that greater 
 pains were called for in refutation of what was objected 
 to him about explaining somewhat differently a few 
 passages of Holy Writ. For even if in this respect 
 he had sinned, there stood convicted of the same 
 crime Calvin himself, who, in this direction, had used 
 
 * Vid. epiat. Arm. ad Hyppol. a Collib. 
 ' t ' Those who denied all distinction between the persons of 
 the Trinity, were called UaT^frxtrtnotvoi (Patvipassionists) in the 
 west, and Sa/SsXA/av*/ (Sabellians) in the east.' Hagenbach's 
 Hist. Doct. Vol. I. p. 215— Edinb. 1816.— Tr. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 205 
 
 great freedom, if ever man had, and yet had been 
 defended by the celebrated Paraeus against the treatise 
 of Hunnius entitled Calvin a Judaizer. But what 
 the opinion of Arminius was on the sacred Trinity, 
 and how unfairly some accused him about that period 
 of Arianism, Socinianism, and other crimes of the same 
 description, the carndid reader may judge for himself 
 from his very scholarly theses on this article of the 
 Christian Faith. The aim and method, moreover, 
 which, in the treatment of this subject, he proposed to 
 himself, he (in his •'eply to the 31 articles) declares 
 in the following terms : — ' Of those who know me, 
 the most part know with how great fear and how 
 anxious a conscience I handle thai, sublime doctrine 
 of a Trinity of Persons, low little, in explaining 
 this j,rticle, I delight, either in inventing for myself, 
 or in adopting as already invented by others, novel 
 modes of expression, unknown to Scripture and 
 orthodox antiquity, my entire method of teaching 
 demonstrates. How cheerfullv I even bear with 
 those who speak differently, provided the mean- 
 ing they intend be just, my hearers are prepared to 
 testify.' Still further, with the view of dissipating 
 entirely all suspicion of Socinianism, he openly 
 declared in the course of that period (in a letter dated 
 1st September 1606), that ' so far was he from being 
 obnoxious to this charge, that he rather cherished the 
 hope, if the Synod would only lend him a willing ear, 
 of being able to contribute certain arguments which 
 made for the more eifectual confutation of the Samo- 
 
206 THE LIFE OF 
 
 setans,* or at least for the more easy liquidation of 
 their objections and reasonings.' Nay more, Armi- 
 nius, as his disciple John Narsins testifies, subjected, 
 not long after, certain of the leading and most 
 celebrated doctrines of Socinus, but particularly his 
 book concerning the Saviour^ to public and formal 
 "refutation, and that so vigorously, so elaborately, so 
 solidly, that probably no one before or after him, ever 
 did so with more effect. -|- 
 
 But, dismissing these things, let us now revert to the 
 delegates of the Gorcum Synod, and to the part they 
 played with Arminius and his colleagues. Uiten- 
 bogaert, then, having returned from the camp at 
 Wesel, the four men appointed to this business pro- 
 ceeded to Leyden in the month of December, and 
 having read in due form the Synodal decree to each of 
 the professors, they courteously asked them to comply 
 with the petition of the Church. Gomarus was the 
 first on whom they waited : he expressed his thanks 
 for the pains expended on this business, and lavished 
 the highest laudations on the Synod for having con- 
 sulted for the tranquillity of the churches and for the 
 maintenance of pure doctrine. But he declared that 
 he felt reluctant to give any full or definite reply to 
 the principal head of the Synod's demand, until he had 
 taken counsel on this business with his colleagues ; 
 
 * Or Anti Tvinitarians. Paul of Samosetaheld views similar 
 to those of Sabeliius, and lived about the same period. — Tr. 
 
 t Vid. Navsii Epist. ad J. Sandium x. sept. 1612 script, 
 inter Epist. Eccles. p. 327. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 207 
 
 and therefore it seemed to him advisable that through 
 their Dean (Arminius) the Theological Faculty ought 
 to be convened. The answer of Trelcatius was to 
 the same effect. On the other hand, the delegates 
 rejoined, that to summon the Faculty just named 
 appeared to them, to be altogether unnecessary ; and 
 pressed them for a further reply. At length, having 
 given them time for deliberation, they next waited 
 on Arminius, w'ho, after hearing their petition, with 
 great confidence replied, that he ' gave thanks to 
 the eternal God for having suggested to the as- 
 sembled brethren a decree of this description, — so 
 thoroughly salutary and Christian. He had for his 
 part hitherto given himself, and W'ould still give 
 himself, with all diligence, to the investigation of the 
 Confession and Catechism of the Belgic churches, as to 
 a duty to which he acknowledged himself bound not 
 only in the name of God, but also, at this time more 
 particularly, by the requirement of this illustrious 
 assembly. Further, as to handing in animadversions, 
 if he had any such, he would at the fit time deliberate 
 and do what the occasion and the state of affans 
 would permit.'* On receiving this answer, the dele- 
 gates next told Arminius the suggestion of Gomarus 
 about convening the Theological Faculty, and asked 
 his mind on this matter. Arminius then inquired ' if 
 the Synod wished them to examine the above-named 
 •documents together, and at once, in full college 
 assembled, and to signify to the Synod their opinion 
 respecting them in name of the enthe Faculty ; or if, 
 
 * Uitenb. Hist. 
 
208 THE LIFE OF 
 
 on the other hand, they wished each of the Professors 
 to submit his opinion and observations singly and 
 apart ? ' To this the delegates replied, thai their 
 impression was that the latter and not the former was 
 the wish oi the Synod ; on which Arminius straight- 
 way rejoined " that there \vas no propriety in calling 
 the entire Faculty together about a business the 
 charge of expediting which had been committed by 
 the Synod to eacl of them apart.' Accordingly, the 
 others, his colleagues, not deeming it expedient to give 
 further trouble, at length intimated, both of them, 
 ' that they would not fail to pay all respect to the 
 petition of their brethren, and would subject to a re- 
 newed examination those formularies of consent, — not 
 as if they cherished any doubt concerning any article 
 contained in them, but solely on the principle of com- 
 plying with the mandate of the Synod.' At last they 
 began to treat with the regents also of both colleges — 
 Petei Bertius, and Daniel Colonius.* The former 
 briefly replied ' that he Vi^ould yield compliance with 
 the Synod's decree to the best of his ability.' The 
 other, however, declared, ' that he would follow the 
 decision decreed — or yet to be decreed — by the 
 Walloon Synod.' 
 
 In the meantime the rumour of these growing con- 
 tentions in the Netherlands reached the ears also of 
 foreigners, including men of great name. Nor were 
 there wanting those in France, England, and other 
 coimtries, who expressed their solicitude for the peace 
 
 * Bertius was the Regeut of the Dutch, and Colonius of the 
 Walloon (or French) College. — Tr. 
 
JAMES ARMIXIUS. 209 
 
 of the Cliiircli in Holland. Deserving of special 
 mention on this account is that illustrious liglit of 
 France and champion of the Eeformed cause, Philip 
 De Mornay, Lord of Plessis, a man most zealous, if 
 ever man was, for the interests of Christianity and the 
 promotion of peace. This shows itself in a orief 
 letter written by that most distinguished man to the 
 very learned Tilenus, on the first of January, 1607, 
 into which, also, he inl;ro<luces a reference to Arminius 
 himself in the following terms, which we translate 
 from the French : — ' As for Doctor Arminius, I have 
 certaitilv heard men the most noble and honoured 
 pronounce his praise in the highest and most cordial 
 terms. Doctor Buzenvallius has promised to furnish 
 me with that treatise a compend of which you have 
 presented in your letter. Would to God that each 
 of us may contain himself within the bounds of Scrip- 
 ture, and not travel bevond it, that we mav be able 
 with combined energy to assault the idolatry, super- 
 stition, and tyranny of Eome. Let us, at all events, 
 bear with one another in these profound mysteries, in 
 which there is always room to learn, and doubtless 
 also to take exception, expound them with as scrupu- 
 lous circumspection as you may. Opinions of this 
 sort, accordingly, I maintain with moderation and 
 sobriety ; and I hold that those who propound them, 
 if they only proceed in their investigation of them 
 according to the rule of our religion, ought to be 
 treated with prudence and lenity.' '•' Thus far writes 
 the most noble Lord of Plessis. Had his coimsels, so 
 
 * Vid. Epist. Eccles. p. 179. Ep. xcvii. 
 
 15 
 
210 THE LIFE OF 
 
 singularly pacific, been only complied with at tliat 
 time, it would certainly have fared better at a sub- 
 sequent period with the Church and Academy of 
 Holland. 
 
 But at this critical conjuncture, when most of all 
 Arminius stood in need of the counsel of friends, he 
 sustained, early in the spring, a severe calamity in the 
 much lamented and premature decease of John Hals- 
 berg, one of the ministers of Amsterdam, whom fof 
 many years he had loved most ardently, and as if he 
 had been a brother. How heavily at the time this 
 trial pressed upon his spirits, the following words will 
 show : — ' I had previously, indeed (writes Arminius, 
 3d May, 1607), received intelligence of the illness 
 of John Halsberg, that most eminent brother in 
 Christ, and faithful friend; but the vigour of his 
 nature, and the season of the year, led me to cherish 
 the hope of his recovery, which made me the less 
 anxious on his account. If, however, I could on any 
 ground have foreboded that he was so suddenly to 
 depart from this life, I should not have omitted to 
 render him the last personal offices of Christian regard. 
 But this God has not granted me, — a circumstance 
 which, over and above the grief I justly feel for the 
 death of that most affectionate man, affects my mind 
 in no small degree. But justly do you remark that 
 he has gone before : we shall every one of us follow, 
 each in his own order, — the thought of which is 
 constantly impressed upon my mind by a catarrh 
 which now assails me at no rare intervals, affecting 
 sometimes the chest, and sometimes other internal 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 211 
 
 parts. He who is ready to administer final judgment 
 on all mortals has sent this as a warning; and thereby 
 he orders me to moderate the grief I feel for the 
 decease of my friend, whom, perhaps, after not many 
 years I shall follow.'* 
 
 These words of Arminius we the more readily 
 introduce as containing not only a testimony of his 
 singular affection for Halsberg, and of a friendship 
 never interrupted by a single difference ; but also a 
 sort of prophecy, or rather presentiment, of his own 
 death, which happened in the course of two years 
 after. 
 
 * Ex Epist. Arm. ad Seb. Egb. 3 Mail. 1607. script. 
 
212 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 CONVENTION AT TPIE HAGUE TO ARRANGE THE PRE- 
 LIMINARIES OF A NATIONAL SYNOD ; MISREPRESEN- 
 TATION OF ARMINIUS AND HIS ADHERENTS FOR THE 
 OPINIONS THEY THERE EXPRESSED ; HIS LETTERS 
 
 TO DRUSIUS AND IIYPPOLITUS A COLLIBUS. A.D. 1607, 
 
 1608. 
 
 Having given these tilings some brief and incidental 
 notice, let us now proceed to trace further the state of 
 the agitated Church, and the progress of the hostile 
 feeling of which Arminius was the object. Towards 
 the close, then, of the month of February, the deputies 
 of the Synods of South and North Holland had pre- 
 sented a petition to the States-General, in which they 
 "asked permission of them to hold an ecclesiastical 
 convention for the purpose of paving the way to a 
 National Synod. Leave Avas granted, and the 22nd 
 day of May was appointed for this convention. Pre- 
 intimation having Ijeen given by the States-General, 
 to the States of the several provinces, these, each 
 in their own name, summoned to the Hague cer- 
 tain pastors and doctors of more distinguished note, 
 to obtain their opinions and advice as to the form and 
 mode in which the Synod should be held. 
 
 Accordingly, on the day signified by the States- 
 
THE LIFE OF JAMES ARMINIUS. 213 
 
 General, tlie following presented themselves at the 
 Hague. From Guelderland, John Leo and Fontanus ; 
 from Holland, Doctors Gomarus and Arminius, to- 
 gether with John 13ecius, Uitenbogaert, Helmichius 
 and Hermann Gerhards; from Zealand, Hermann 
 Faukelius and Henry Srandius ; from the province 
 of Utrecht, Everard Boot, and Henry Jansen the 
 younger ; from Friesland, Sybrandus Lubberti and 
 John Bogermann ; from Overyssel, Thomas Goswinus ; 
 and by and by, also, from the city of Groningen and 
 from Amelandt, John Acronins and J. Xicasins. To 
 these the illustrious States immediately submitted in 
 writing eight questions relating to the proper order 
 and mode in whic]i the Svnod should be held, 
 with the request that after due consideration they 
 would hand in their opinions, also in writing, and that 
 too, if possible, with one consent ; but that, failing this, 
 each should draw out his own opinions apart. In 
 the discussion and examination of these questions 
 (which Uitenbogaert, in his Ecclesiastical History, 
 has narrated at large) several days were consumed in 
 the Presbytery Hall, at the Hague. After a variety of 
 debates on one side and the other, it was at last 
 unanimously agreed and declared, "• that, in regard to 
 the timc^ it was necessary that the Synod should be 
 convoked as nearly as possible at the beginning of the 
 following summer, in the year 1608. With respect to 
 the place^ that tlie most convenient locality for hold- 
 ing the Synod would be the city of Utrecht. With 
 respect to the mocle^ that the gravamina to be treated 
 of in the Synod be reported by the several Provincial 
 
214 THE LIFE OF 
 
 Synods to the National one ; that for each particular 
 Synod four pastors, with two elders, be deputed by 
 vote ; but that men distinguished for erudition, theo- 
 logical attainment, and piety, might be deputed in 
 place of elders, although not invested with ecclesi- 
 astical office ; that to this Synod there should be 
 invited not only the churches in the United Provinces 
 that speak the two languages, (Dutch and French,) 
 but those also of the Dutch nation which are 
 dispersed beyond the Dutch confines, or are congre- 
 gated for themselves under the cross of persecution 
 elsewhere ; that their high mightinesses, the States- 
 General, be humbly requested to send to the 
 contemplated Synod delegates of their own, profess- 
 ing the Keformed religion, who might be willing, 
 in their name, to take cognisance of its order ; that 
 professors of theology be also called to that Synod ; 
 and that in addition to those who are to be delegated 
 by the churches, it be allowable for other ministers to 
 be present at this Synod, in accordance with the usual 
 practice in particular Synods.'* 
 
 But while on these and some other points there 
 was unanimous consent, on certain other questions, on 
 which the hinge of the matter turned, there was a 
 conflict of opinion. 
 
 First, a debate was stirred respecting the judge of 
 controversies on points of doctrine : that is to say, 
 whether it should be the prerogative of the few minis- 
 ters deputed by the churches to determine doctrinal 
 cont roversies by a peremptory decision ; or whether, 
 * Vid. pra3fat. Act. Dord. Synod.— Uitenb. Hist. p. 349. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 215 
 
 prior to that decision by which all the ministers (if 
 they wish to retain their office) should be bound to 
 stand or fiill, the deputing ministers also should not be 
 informed, heard, and their votes, too, asked respecting 
 the point in debate. For the former opinion, declared 
 the greater part of the brethren ; but for the latter, 
 Arminius and Uitenbogaert, and with them the 
 deputies from the province of Utrecht, — maintaining, 
 as they did, that by the name Synod ought to be under- 
 stood, not those delegated only, but also, and much 
 more, the parties delegating.* 
 
 A second point of difference concerned the rule 
 according to which it was right that the determination 
 should be made. This was occasioned by the sixth 
 question, proposed by the States, viz., ' Whether it 
 was not right that those to be delegated to the Synod 
 should be bound to express their own opinion freely, 
 and not be held to anything, save the Divine Word 
 alone ? ' To this question, Arminius, and those who 
 adhered to him, directly answered, it is right. But in 
 this reply the other brethren by no means acquiesced. 
 For although they did not venture to deny that the 
 Divine ^^'o^d was the test of doctrinal controversies, 
 still, suspecting I know not what snake to lurk under 
 that question of the States, before hazarding their own 
 reply to it, they stirred a further question with Armi- 
 nius and the others, namely, whether the arbiters of 
 controversy should reckon themselves so bound to the 
 Word of God as not to be at liberty to appeal, at the 
 same time, to the Confession of the Belgic churches ? 
 * Vid. Epist. Eccles. p. 193. 
 
216 THE LIFE OF 
 
 To wliicli, in nfime of his party, Arminius replied, 
 ' that he, for liis part, acknowledged and received the 
 Confession as a forinnla of consent, hut not as a rule 
 of faitli ; so that if it, or any part or particle of it, 
 should chance to come upon the anvil of discussion, 
 no regard whatever ought to he had to it, while sub- 
 jected to this trial, hut the judgment respecting it, too, 
 ought to be drawn from the Word of God alone. Nay 
 more, judges of this description, that they may be able 
 to pronounce sentence witli the more freedom, ought to 
 be released entirely, during that judicial process, from 
 the subscription by which they had once boimd them- 
 selves ; — but with this express stipulation and caution, 
 that meanwhile, throughout the course of such inves- 
 tio'ation and trial, it be allowable for no one in the 
 Church or Academy to advance anything, in public or 
 private, which may contravene the Confession.' 
 
 Tldrdhj^ and finally, with reference to the question 
 which the States had couclied in these general terms, 
 ' What further may it be expedient to do in regard to 
 the convocation of a National Synod, that the most 
 salutary results may thence accrue to the Church ? ' 
 The most of the brethren were of opinion that the 
 Belgic Confession and Catechism might be revised, 
 indeed, in the Synod, if the Synod itself, for just 
 reasons, deemed this necessary ; but that the States 
 be requested to strike out of their circular of citation, 
 for tlie sake of tlie tranquillity of the churches, that 
 clause concerning revision^ whicli seemed to give 
 offence to some, and a license of innovating to others ; 
 and that these, or some such words, be substituted in 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 217 
 
 its place : That a Synod be convened for the confirma- 
 tion, harmonious reception, and propagation of the 
 pure and orthodox doctrine ; for preserving and estab^ 
 lishing the peace and good order of the Church ; and, 
 in fine, for promoting true piety among* the inhabitants 
 of these realms.' 
 
 In defence of this opinion many reasons were 
 advanced which, when others tried to repel, adduc- 
 ing several arguments to the contrary, on the ground 
 of which it appeared to them that no alteration 
 whatever ought to be made in the circular referred 
 to, by and by the question began to be mooted and 
 discussed concerning the necessity of revision itself ; 
 — Arminius, Uitenbogaert, and the two Utrecht 
 ministers maintaining the affirmative, while the rest 
 thought that this should be left for the Synod itself to 
 determine. The greater part exclaimed, ' that the 
 doctrine of the Keformed Church, sanctioned bv the 
 support of so m.auy most weighty men, and sealed with 
 the blood of so manv thousands of martvrs, would, 
 by an investigation of this sort, be called in doubt, 
 and that this would give rise, not only to tumults, and 
 stumblings, yea, and shipwreck of consciences, mthin 
 the Church, but also to calumnies and reproaches 
 beyond its pale.' To these reasons, moreover, they 
 added certain offensive eulogiums of the books, the 
 revision of which they were discussmg, which came 
 little short of a superseding of the Sacred Scripture. 
 Gomarus declared ' that he received the Word of God, 
 indeed, as the primary rule of faith, but the Confession 
 and Catechism for the secondarv rule.' In this state- 
 
218 THE LIFE OF 
 
 ment, J. Bogermann, minister of the dmrch at Leeu-^ 
 warden, also expressed his concurrence, and did not 
 hesitate, on the same occasion, repeatedly to declare 
 ' that the Sacred Scriptures ought to be interpreted 
 according to the Confession and Catechism.' * How 
 completely these words (to be attributed to undue heat 
 of debate, and not approved of by all his own party) 
 tore up the basis of the entire Reformation, and ran 
 foul of the seventh article of the Belgic Confession 
 itself, was enough, and more than enough, demon- 
 strated by Arminius and his friends. They further 
 strenuously contended for the revisal decided upon by 
 the States ; urging on a variety of grounds how accor- 
 dant this was to reason, and how necessary, more- 
 over, as matters then stood. 
 
 Arminius, in particular, maintained this position, 
 and vigorously defended it against the objections 
 of brethren. ' For as to what was advanced about 
 the danger of doctrine being called into doubt, this,' 
 he contended, ' was in the highest degree offensive ; 
 seeing that the thing to be discussed was not the 
 Sacred text, but a human composition, which con- 
 tained errors, and might therefore justly and pro- 
 perly be tried by the touch-stone of heavenly truth. 
 It was to no purpose to obtrude the authority of divines 
 and martyrs. For, besides that it was possible for 
 even them also to have erred, a distinction must be 
 maintained between the different things which the 
 Confession of the Belgic churches contains. For some 
 
 * Vid. lib. cuititulus, Orig. et Progress. Ecclesiastic. Dissid. 
 in Belg. Belgice script, p. 19. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 219 
 
 things are to be referred to the foundation of faith and 
 of salvation, but other things are reared on that 
 foundation, and therefore, of themselves, are not indis- 
 pensably necessary to eternal life. The former, it is 
 true, had been approved by the unanimous consent of 
 all the Reformers, and confirmed by the martyrs' blood ; 
 but not by any means the latter : nay, in regard to 
 these controversies, at present in agitation, no one of 
 the martyrs probably was ever asked his opinion. 
 The fear, too, that disturbances would perhaps arise 
 from the revisal referred to, was one to which divines 
 truly Reformed ought to attach no great importance. 
 For, this reason admitted, it was then with the best 
 right that the Papists formerly left no stone untiirned 
 with the view of preventing the doctrine received in 
 the Church for so many centuries back, from being 
 called into doubt, and subjected to fresh examination. 
 Nay more, if Luther, Zwingle, and the other leaders 
 of the Reformed Church, had attributed so much 
 weight to considerations like these, they would never 
 have addressed themselves to a work of such great 
 difficulty, and so full of danger, as the Reformation, 
 and to the serious investigation of the Popish 
 doctrine.'* 
 
 The matter having thus been fully argued on both 
 sides, the great majority of the Convention persisted 
 not the less in harping every now and then on that 
 one string, namely, the offence which they declared 
 there was reason to apprehend from the insertion of 
 
 * Vide sis has rationes fusius postea ab Arminio deductas 
 in Declar. sua coram Ord. 
 
220 THE LIFE OF 
 
 the fore-named elanse in the letters of citation, till at 
 last Arminius, and those who adhered to him, desirous 
 of gratifying- the rest, and more solicitous about the 
 thing itself, than the formality, as they called it, gave 
 their consent to the omission of the clause, only that 
 this should be done without implying the omission of 
 the revisal itself. 
 
 These deliberations being ended, and all results 
 collected, a document was drawn up, and signed by 
 the hands of all, embodying both the opinions in 
 which they agreed, and the opinions in which they 
 differed, which was presented on the first of June 
 to the assembly of the States : appended was a 
 declaration, on the part of all, that they were ready at 
 the will and command of their High Mightinesses to 
 explain more at large their opinions briefly exhibited 
 in that document, and to fortify them with the reasons 
 on which they respectively depended. 
 
 Before taking leave of this ecclesiastical Convention, 
 I must by no means here omit to state that a certain 
 sinister rumour concerning Arminius, occasioned by 
 the holding of this conference, spread out far and 
 wide, to the effect that he had been entreated, with 
 the utmost importunity, by the brethren then 
 assembled, that he would not hesitate to unfold 
 freely those things which he had meditated in the 
 matter of the Christian fjxith, with the promise that 
 they would do their endeavoru' to get him fully satis- 
 fied ; but that this he had in a tone of sufficient 
 boldness refused.* As this story stirred against him 
 
 * Yid. praefat. Act. Synod. Dord. — Baudait. mouum. Hist 
 
JAMES AKMINIUS. 221 
 
 a very bad feeling in the minds of many, who thought 
 that he onght to have paid greater honour to that 
 Conferenee, convened as it was from all the provinces 
 at once, we think it well to trace from a point a little 
 further hack the character of this Avhole affair, and the 
 transaction as it really happened, according to the 
 account given by Arminius himself. 
 
 Sometime, then, before the subject of our memoir, 
 agreeably to the simimons of the States-General to 
 attend the Conference, had presented himself at the 
 Hague, he happened accidentally to lay his hand on 
 five articles, viz : concerjiing Predestiiiation^ the Fall 
 of Adam, Free Will, Original Sin, and the Eternal 
 Salvation of Infants. These had been sent into other 
 provinces also, but especially mto Zealand and the 
 district of Utrecht : yea and had been discussed at 
 some ecclesiastical meetings, in terms v/hich implied 
 that, on those heads of doctrine, they contained 
 the sentiments of Arminius himself. But scarcely 
 had he perused them, when he immediately felt 
 assured he had detected their author, — one, namely, 
 of the number of those whom the rulers had 
 summoned to that same Conference with himself. 
 Deeming it proper to deal with him on the subject 
 at that very time, he freely signified to him on what 
 grounds he suspected that those articles had been 
 drawn up by him. This imputation the indi vidua 
 referred to chd not deny, but declared that they were 
 by no means sent as importing that they contained 
 the opinions of Arminius himself, bui simply as articles 
 which furnished matter for disputation among the 
 
222 THE LIFE OF 
 
 students at Leyclen. Arminius rejoined that by this 
 circumstance, notwithstanding, serious injury was 
 done to him and to his reputation ; nor could it other- 
 wise than happen that articles of this kind, everywhere 
 in circulation, would be attributed not so much to the 
 students, as to himself ; when the truth was, that they 
 had neither emanated from him, nor did they accord 
 with his sentiments on the points concerned, nor with 
 the Sacred Scriptures. 
 
 After these things had passed between them (two 
 only of the other brethren being present), Arminius 
 further judged it proper, towards the close of this 
 convention at the Hague, when all were present, to 
 introduce the matter, especially as some were present 
 at this convention who had not only read those 
 articles, but who were under the impression that 
 they were the production of Arminius himself. 
 Accordingly, when the proceedings of this assembly 
 had been already signed, — nay, after certain had been 
 deputed to report their transactions to their Mighti- 
 nesses the States, — he begged the brethren to do him 
 the favour to remain for a little on his account, as 
 there was a matter on which he wished to have 
 some conversation with them. He straightway pro- 
 duced the above-named articles, and having read 
 them, he proceeded in strong terms to complain of the 
 injury done to him by their circulation — adding, that 
 he protested solemnly, and as in the presence of the 
 Supreme Majesty, that these articles were by no 
 means his, nor did they express his opinions. This he 
 repeated twice, and moreover entreated his brethren 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 223 
 
 tiiat tiiey would not attach such immediate faith 
 to rumours set afloat respecting him, and be so 
 ready to admit things which were falsely laid to his 
 charge.' To this, a member of the conference on his 
 own account replied, ' that for that end he would do 
 well to signify to his brethren what in these articles 
 he approved, and what he rejected, that thus they might 
 to some extent be made aware of his opinions ; ' and 
 some other one followed in the same strain. Arminius, 
 however, replied that this did not appear to him to be 
 advisable, nor was it obligatory upon him, seeing that 
 this conference had been appointed for no such end ; 
 not to mention that time suiScient had been expended 
 on this assembly, and that the States themselves were 
 expectmg their reply. On saying this, the conference 
 was straightway brought to a close, no one seeking to 
 follow up the conversation any further, nor all 
 assembled simultaneously agreeing in that request, 
 or using any persuasion with him, to undertake such 
 a task. Nay more, after the conference was over, 
 some of the brethren declared in the presence of 
 Arminius himself, that they had been charged by 
 their churches not to enter on any discussion con- 
 cerning doctrinal controversies, and should anything 
 of the sort happen, to quit the conference as soon as 
 possible.* 
 
 But further, after the holding of this convention, 
 
 calumny heaped fresh charges on Arminius and on 
 
 those who, sharing in his opinion, had freely spoken 
 
 their minds as to the proper way in which the Synod 
 
 * Ex Arm. Declar. coram Ord. 
 
224 THE LIFE OF 
 
 should be held. They were represented as having 
 sought, by these dissentient counsels, to interpose 
 fresh delay in the way of the Synod's being held, 
 and to pave the course directly for bringing about a 
 revolution in doctrinal sentiment. Some made them 
 out to be guilty of having got inserted in the public 
 decree, the condition concerning the revisal of the 
 Confession and Catechism. More roughly handled 
 than all, were Arminius and Uitenbogaert, whose 
 names, and whose very free expression of sentiment, 
 according to the license granted to them by the 
 States, were most acrimoniously animadverted on by 
 the Synod of North Holland, which met shortly 
 after at Amsterdam.* Nay, as if all this were not 
 enough, Sybrandus Lubberti, a professor in the 
 Franeker University, despatched letters to Scotland, 
 Germany, and France, asking advice of these 
 foreigners, which contained a coloured and garbled 
 account of what had been transacted at the previous 
 Convention ; — thereby exerting himself to preoccupy 
 their minds with a violent prejudice against Arminius 
 and Uitenbogaert.-]- To this document the accused 
 party felt constrained, in course of time, to oppose 
 another, to vindicate among these foreigners the 
 innocence of their good name against the detractions 
 of adversaries. | 
 
 * Trigland. Hist. Eccles.— Uitenb. Hist. 
 
 -|- Vid litevas S. Lubberti huic fini scriptas inter Epist. 
 Eccles. p. 187. 
 
 + Vid, Epist. Arm. et I-itenb. Sybrandianse oppos. inter Ep. 
 Eccles. p. 190. 
 
JAMES ARMINTUS. 225 
 
 The Synod of Soiitli Holland, too, held at Delft in 
 September following, embarked in the same business 
 with sufficient animosity. Some of its proceedings, as 
 far as the scope of the present narrative may require, 
 I will here briefly and summarily recount. At this 
 Synod, then, Uitenbogaert was called upon to explain 
 to its assembled members the reasons why, in giving 
 advice as to the mode of holding the National Synod, 
 he, along with Arminius, had thought and counselled 
 differently from the other pastors ; in order that the 
 Synod, after giving them due consideration, might be 
 able to judge whether thereby, also, any prejudice had 
 been done to the church. But Uitenbogaert immedi- 
 ately replied, 'that he, for his part, was ready to 
 communicate to the Synod the opinions which had 
 been delivered to the States ; but to render reasons 
 for them in this place, when those who had given 
 expression to the same opinions with him were neither 
 present, nor consulted, appeared to him altogether 
 unadvisable. Moreover, he and his associates in 
 that Convention, were by no means bound by the 
 mandate of any particular Synod, but had been sum- 
 moned by the States of Holland themselves, to bring 
 out their opinions freely and according to the dictate of 
 conscience : to the States, therefore, with the best right, 
 must the reasons of these opinions be rendered. It 
 was to no purpose, accordingly, and quite out of place, 
 for this assembly to take upon itself to judge in respect 
 to that matter ; rather ought the brethren to take care, 
 and strive by all means, to prevent such very hasty 
 judgments, — which also tended to the most serious 
 
 16 
 
226 THE LIFE OF 
 
 prejudice of the Supreme Authority, — from compro- 
 mising the interests of the churches ; and to take care 
 that such proceedings do not interpose fresh obstacles 
 to obtaining the Synod, so long desired.'* Various 
 discussions ensued concerning this affair ; as also, on 
 the same occasion, concerning the right of the ma- 
 gistrate in things pertaining to religion. At last 
 the Synod thought that it would be sufficient in the 
 circumstances, if the opinions presented to the States 
 were merely read to it, and full judgment in regard to 
 them deferred until the arguments for the dissentients' 
 opinions, yet to be delivered to the States, should be 
 more clearly made known to them. 
 
 The affair being thus disposed of, the assembly 
 forthwith decided, in terms of the decree of the last 
 Synod held at Gorcum, to press the inquiry, if some 
 animadversions on the Confession and Catechism had 
 not been presented to the classes. It was replied by 
 some of the classical deputies, that most of the 
 ministers in their respective classes had declared that 
 they had no remarks to make in opposition to these 
 writings ; and that in their judgment they were sound 
 throughout, and in harmony with the Sacred Volume — 
 nay, even, ' that they were prepared to live and to die 
 with the Confession and Catechism.' On the other 
 hand, Uitenbogaert and others, in name of their 
 respective classes, intimated that there were amongst 
 them those who were as yel seriously engaged in 
 the examination demanded, and that they would 
 
 * Vid. prsBiat. Act. Synod. Dord. — Uitenb. Hist. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 227 
 
 deliver their animadversions at the proper time.* 
 Immediately snatching- occasion from this to get 
 proceedings originated against Uitenbogaert, the 
 president of the Synod asked him whether he, too, 
 cherished any scruples against these books ? on 
 which, lest he should appear to call in question any 
 main points of the Christian doctrine, yea, and of the 
 Eeformed Confession,-]- Uitenbogaert spontaneously 
 and candidly declared ' that he approved of the 
 Confession and Catechism as far as concerned the 
 substance and basis of doctrine ; he held that the 
 fundamentals of salvation were sufficientlv contained 
 in them ; and these formularies, as far as they agreed 
 with the Harmony | of the other Protestant Churches, 
 had his entire assent.' § Many joined in this sen- 
 timent, and expressed their concurrence in his state- 
 ments, being desirous of nothing more than that 
 ecclesiastical affairs should be conducted calmly and 
 peaceably until the National Synod. To the suspicious 
 minds of some, however, this declaration was by no 
 means satisfactory; but they further asked 'if whatso- 
 
 * Vid, Press declar. Contrarem. oppos. p. 32. 
 
 t This noble-minded man, as the elder Brandt informs us, 
 gave the president distinctly to understand, that he answered 
 bis question ex gratia^ and not at all as being under obligation 
 to do so; and that he declared the question to be ' unseasonable, 
 unprofitable, and a kind of inquisition.' See Ger. Brandt's 
 Hist. Reform, in Low Countries, Vol. ii. p 43 — Tr. 
 
 X See Confessionum Fidei Harmonia Orthod. et Ref. Eccl, 
 &c. Genevse 1581.— Tr. 
 
 § Vid. Uitenb. Hist. Eccles. — Press, declar. Remonst. p. 32. 
 Respons. ad Epist. VVallach. p. 1 7. 
 
228 THE LIFE OF 
 
 ever things were contained in the Confession and 
 Catechism were, as respects substance, words, phrasCvS, 
 and whatever else of that description, believed to be 
 conformable to the Divine mind or not ? ' To this 
 Uitenbogaert and the others replied ' that a declara- 
 tion of that sort could not be made in a moment, and 
 that to settle this matter aright a reasonable space of 
 time was requisite *,' on which the Synod at length 
 decided by a plurality of votes to charge all the 
 ministers, and even the professors of theology, that, 
 laying aside all subterfuges, tergiversations, and 
 delays, ' they would attentively examine every thing 
 contained in the above-named writings, both as 
 regards substance, and as regards words and phrases ; 
 and each deliver to his own classis, as speedily as 
 possible, whatever remarks he might have to offer in 
 opposition to the received doctrine.'* 
 
 Nor was this all. Proceeding yet further, the 
 Synod, under the pretext that dissensions were grow- 
 ing daily and demanded an immediate remedy, at 
 the same time decreed ' That their High Mightinesses 
 the States of Holland and West Friesland, be re- 
 quested to grant it permission to convoke fi'om the 
 two Synods of South and North Holland one Pro- 
 vincial Synod, by which the professors of theology who 
 were to be cited, and such of the ministers of religion 
 as it may seem necessary to the Church to summon, 
 should, on the first opportunity, be brought together to 
 a friendly conference on all those heads of doctrine in 
 regard to which they cherished doubt ; that in this 
 • Act, Synod. Delf. Art. 3. 
 
JAMES ARMINIU3. 229 
 
 way a judgment might be formed by the cbiirches as 
 to the nature and magnitude of the controversies, and 
 as suitable a remedy as possible devised for allaying 
 dissensions and preserving integrity of doctrine.'* 
 But this decision and decree, as it mightily pleased 
 many, so it very highly offended others, and exposed 
 its framers and authors to the suspicion of stepping, 
 under the guise of holding this assembly and con- 
 ference, into the place of a National Synod, and of 
 exerting themselves to forestall its judgment and 
 sentence. Nay, some thought that by this same 
 decree the act of the States in regard to the lawful 
 revision of the Confession and Catechism, and their 
 right and authority to summon a National Synod in 
 their own name, were very seriously infringed ; and 
 that this was done with the sole intent that those 
 whom this ecclesiastical tribunal, after hearing their 
 reasons, might have accused of heterodoxy, should 
 henceforth be held disqualified to enjoy the right of 
 voting in the National Synod. This undoubtedly 
 entered into the grounds on which the deputies of 
 both Synods, who petitioned the States for leave to 
 carry their decsions into effect, were balked of their 
 wish. For, on the 14th September, they received 
 the reply ' that, considering the many difficulties with 
 which this matter was beset, and the very grave 
 political business which distracted the States at the time, 
 it was impossible for them, in present circumstances, 
 to comply with the request of the churches ; but at 
 their own time, and when opportunity offered, they- 
 •^ Act. Synod. Delf. Art. 4. 
 
230 THE LIFE OF 
 
 would take the matter into consideration : tLey further 
 instructed the deputies of the churches to exert them- 
 selves meanwhile to the utmost for the promotion of 
 ecclesiastical tranquillity ; and they would besides, 
 see to it that ministers of the opposite sentiment should 
 be admonished of the same duty.' * 
 
 In the meantime, Arminius and Uitenbogaert were 
 warned on all sides of the grievous extent to which, 
 both in Holland and in the adjacent regions, they 
 were everywhere maligned, — ^partly by clandestine 
 whispers, partly by reports openly circulated among 
 the people, — on account of the opinions they had 
 expressed as to how the Synod should be held. They 
 judged it by no means their duty to sit silent under 
 all this ; on the contrary, as a satisfaction due to their 
 own character, they (on the 6th September) delivered 
 to the Grand Pensionary of Holland, for presentation 
 to the States, their reasons for their opinion, and for 
 the advice they gave, drawn up in writing, and 
 signed also by the two delegates from Utrecht. 
 They moreover declared, that of nothing were they 
 more desirous than that the rest of the brethren also 
 should produce their reasons for the different opinions 
 they advanced; and that thus, in regard to this 
 matter, and the holding of the Synod, their High 
 Mightinesses coTild give such a decision as would be 
 most conducive to the good of the Church. -j- To the 
 attainment of this wish, however, an obstacle was 
 presented by the public deliberations respecting the 
 
 * Trigland. Hist. Eccles. p. 413. 
 
 •f Videsis mtegrum hoc Scriptum in Hist. Uitenbog. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 231 
 
 armistice, the discussion of which so engaged the 
 States as to leave them scarcely any leisure for these 
 ecclesiastical affairs.* It was in allusion to this that 
 the illustrious Philip Mornay declared at the time 
 ' that he very much wished that an armistice could 
 be concluded, in respect to the growing contentions in 
 the Leyden Academy ; for, as the times were, nothing 
 could fall out more unseasonable than these.' -j- 
 
 Still further material and occasion for these dis- 
 sensions were furnished by a little book published in 
 the course of that year (1607) at Gouda, intended for 
 the religious instruction of youth, and afterwards 
 known under the name of the Gouda Catechism. 
 This little work was composed by the pastors of the 
 Church in Gouda for the purpose of testing whether 
 it could be turned by the authorities to the use of 
 the elementary schools, and substituted in the place 
 of the Palatine Catechism, which, in their judgment, 
 
 * The deliberations here referred to were of the very gravest 
 character, and proved the source of that alienation between the 
 ambitious Prince Maurice and the incorruptible Oldenbarn- 
 eveldt, which caused the latter ere long to lose his head. 
 Maurice was opposed to the truce. Oldenbarneveldt, know- 
 ing his ulterior designs against the new-born liberties of 
 Holland, promoted it in the face of storms that tiiickened 
 around him from every side. His resolute patriotism at length 
 triumphed in the famous truce of twelve years concluded with 
 Spain in 1609, on terms deeply humiliating to the haughty 
 Spaniard and advantageous to the Dutch— the fame of whose 
 counsels and arms resounded throughout Europe. See Davies's 
 Hist. Holland, vol. ii. p. 432.— Tr. 
 
 ■|- In Epist. ad F. Aerssenium, inter Epist. Eccles. 
 
232 THE LIFE OF 
 
 contained questions too difficult, and couclied in am- 
 biguous terms.* 
 
 No sooner had tliat composition seen the light than 
 very diverse ojinions began to be expressed in regard 
 to it. Those who sided with Arminius praised the 
 little work, partly because its authors, treading in the 
 steps of the Palatine divines in respect to its general 
 order, seemed to have advanced nothing whatever 
 repugnant to the Christian doctrine ; partly also, and 
 on this account mainly, that the composition referred 
 to, forecloshig all scope for the introduction of thorny 
 and disputable points, and breathing the primeval 
 simplicity of Christianity, embraced in few words, and 
 these, too, deduced from the Sacred page, the things 
 to be believed. 
 
 But immediately some arose from among the oppo- 
 site ranks who publicly condemned and execrated the 
 book, and declared that there scarcely ever was a 
 monstrous opinion but what was veiled in terms as 
 general as itself was horrid; that simplicity suited 
 primitive times, when evils as yet unknown required 
 no antidote, but that afterwards as errors increased 
 forms of words had to be devised which might ferret 
 out errorists from their lurking-places ; that this little 
 book either did away with, or omitted, the primary 
 doctrines of the Christian faith; that a signal was 
 thereby given to those desirous of innovation ; and that 
 Servetus himself would have cheerfully subscribed it.* 
 
 « Fusius de hoc libello Uitenb. in Hist. Eccles. 
 f Grot. Annual, p. 655. in fol.— Vid. S. Lubberti Epist. ad 
 Oldenbarneveld. inter Epist. Eccles. p. 215. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 233 
 
 Thus wliat tlie former called in harmony with 
 heavenly truth, the latter called the lurking-place of 
 heresies ; what the former called liberty, the latter 
 called disorder. 
 
 Nor was this all. Against this little book Keyner 
 Donteklok took occasion to brandish his pen ; and in 
 a published treatise he not only addressed himself to 
 the confutation of this small work of the Gouda 
 divines, but also, at the instigation of certain mal- 
 evolent parties, traduced with sufficient virulence 
 those who had thought differently from others as to 
 the mode of holding the Synod ; and moreover, in no 
 oblique terms, and all but pointing at him with his 
 finger, he insinuated that Arminius had a hand in 
 drawing up this catechism. But although to the 
 publication of it Arminius had no great objection, and 
 afterwards owned that the Gouda ministers had con- 
 sulted him prior to issuing it, and that, after they had 
 explained the reasons why they thought it should be 
 published, he had expressed his concurrence ; never- 
 theless, to that composition he never applied a hand, 
 nor had any share in the drawing of it up. Nay 
 more ; so far ,as his choice, and that of some others, 
 was concerned, this little book would have lain long 
 enough unnoticed, had not the intemperate clamours 
 of many magnified it into an importance greater than 
 was due.* 
 
 Calumny, however, overstepping even these limits, 
 
 * Vid. Examen Catech. Goud. a K. Donteklok, Belgice con- 
 script. 1607. pag. 3. 5. 8. 9. 10.— Arm. Epist. ad C. Vorst, Kal. 
 April. 1609. 
 
234 THE LIFE OF 
 
 and spurning all restraints of humanity, put in 
 circulation, at this same time, a most foul report 
 concerning- Arminius and Uitenbogaert, namely — 
 that the Eoman Pontiff, in a most gracious letter 
 which he wrote to them, and holding out the hope of 
 a large emolument, had commended to them the 
 advocacy of the Church of Eome.* How very far 
 this was from even the semblance of truth, will vet 
 more clearly appear from the subsequent thread of 
 our narrative. But this magnificent lie was ac- 
 companied by another which was put in circulation 
 about the same time, namely, that Arminius was in 
 the habit of commending to his students, as of prime 
 importance, the writings not only of Castellio and of 
 Coornhert, but also of Suarez and other Jesuits, and 
 of speaking in contemptuous terms of the works of 
 Calvin, Beza, Martyr, Zanchius, Ursinus, and other 
 eminent divines of the Reformed Church. \ 
 
 These, and many more calumnies of the same 
 kind, which were scattered far and wide regarding 
 him throughout Germany, France, England, and 
 Savoy, Arminius received with no other emotion than 
 that of pity for brethren who sinned so grievously 
 against God and their neighbour. Nay, he thought 
 as he himself testifies, that by this prodigious ado, 
 and by the preposterous diligence of brethren, 'it 
 would only turn out that he, a poor obscure man, 
 who was not able by his own virtues to push himself 
 into notice, and of whom otherwise scarcely any out 
 
 * Ex Epist. Artopaji Uitenb. Histor. Eccles. inserta. 
 -f- Vid. prsefat. Act. Synod. Dord. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 235 
 
 of Holland would either know anytliing, or deign to 
 speak, would day by day be rendered notable and 
 renowned.'* 
 
 How inconsistent with truth that allegation was, as 
 to his having recommended writers of questionable 
 note (which was reported, as elsewhere, so in par- 
 ticular at Amsterdam,) I prefer to state in his own 
 words rather than in mine. Mark these expressions 
 of his which he penned to the chief magistrate of 
 Amsterdam (Sebastian Egberts) : ' The rumour about 
 mv advisinof the students to read the works of the 
 Jesuits and of Coomhert, I can call by no other name 
 than a lie ; for never to any one, either by request or 
 spontaneously, have I uttered a word on that sub- 
 ject. So far from this, after the reading of Scripture, 
 which I strenuously inculcate, and more than any 
 other (as the whole Academy, yea the conscience 
 of my colleagues will testify,) I recommend that the 
 Commentaries of Calvin be read, whom I extol in 
 higher terms than Helmichius himself, as he owned 
 to me, ever did. For I affirm that in the interpreta- 
 tion of the Scriptures Calvin is incomparable, and 
 that his Commentaries are more to be valued than 
 anything that is handed dowTi to us in the Bihliotlieca 
 of the Fathers ; so much so, that I concede to him a 
 certain spirit of prophecy [interpretation] in which 
 he stands distinguished above others, above most, yea 
 above all. His Institutes^ so far as respects Common- 
 places^ I give out to be read after the Catechism, as 
 a more extended explanation. But here I add — ivith 
 * Ex Epist. Arm. ad Dnas. 
 
236 THE LIFE OF 
 
 discrimination ; as the writings of all men ought to be 
 read. Of this my mode of advice I could produce 
 innumerable witnesses: they cannot produce as 
 much as one whom I advised to study Coornhert 
 and the followers of Loyola. Let them produce one, 
 and the lie will stand revealed. So that here from 
 nothing springs a history, or rather a fiction. What 
 other things are there done I know ; aye, and what 
 busy things have been done elsewhere I think you do 
 not know. If you did know, you would be aston- 
 ished at the perverse effrontery of men. As an 
 antidote to all these I oppose integrity and patience, 
 and sustain myself with the hope of a happy exit 
 which the ,just Judge will grant unto me, who knows 
 what I seek and what I do. I know that my earnest 
 aims are pleasing to him, as being solely devoted to 
 the establishment among Christians of truth, piety, 
 and peace.'* 
 
 With no less confidence of mind did he undertake, in 
 the year following (1608) the vindication of his own 
 cause in the presence of that most noble man, Hippo- 
 lytus a Gollibus, the ambassador to the States of the 
 United Provinces of the illustrious Prince Palatine, 
 Frederick the Fourth. Eumours being already rife 
 at Heidelberg that, on several articles of the Christian 
 faith, Arminius dissented from the received opinion, 
 this nobleman, thinking he ought not to rest in these, 
 but hear the other side also, invited Arminius, in a 
 very courteous manner, to visit him at the Hague. 
 Admitted, accordingly, to an interview with him, 
 
 * Vid. Arm. Epist. ad Seb. Egb. inter Ep. Eccles. p. 185. 
 
JAMES ARMINrUS. 237 
 
 Hippolytus, in a manner singularly coiu-teous, stated 
 the reasons for the sinister suspicions respecting him, 
 and on what heads it was that Sybrandus Lubberti 
 had impeached him by letter to the distinguished 
 Paraeus ; on all which Arminius candidly and ingenu- 
 ously explained his own opinions, in particular, concern- 
 ing the Divinity of the Son of God, concerning Provi- 
 dence and Divine Predestination, concerning Grace 
 and Free Will, and also on the subject of Justification. 
 So satisfactory to that nobleman was his explanation 
 on these points, that he thought fit earnestly to solicit 
 Arminius to give it to him in writing, in order that, 
 on the one hand, after due consideration of these points, 
 he might judge with more certainty and decisiveness 
 respecting them, and on the other, be in a condition, 
 in conferring with any on the subject, to confute the 
 calumnies referred to, and to vindicate his innocence. 
 Arminius accordingly drew up at the time, (on the 
 5th April 1608,) that most erudite and elaborate epistle 
 to the ambassador of the Prince Palatine, which still 
 exists among his published w^orks, and comprises a 
 succinct defence of his doctrine, as well as of his life. 
 It is with pleasure w^e here subjoin the golden words 
 with which he closes this epistle — words every way 
 worthv of a noble-minded man : — 
 
 ' Would to God,' he writes, ' that I could obtain 
 this from my brethren by profession of the same reli- 
 gious fellowship with me in the Lord, that they would 
 at least give me credit for some susceptibility of con- 
 science towards God ! — which, surely, the love of 
 Christ ought readily to obtain from them, if indeed they 
 
238 THE LIFE OF 
 
 would meditate on liis spirit and mind. What profit 
 can accrue to me from dissension undertaken from 
 the mere hist of dissension, from stirring schism in the 
 Church of Christ of which, by the grace of God and 
 of Christ, I profess myself a member ? If they ima- 
 gine I am instigated to this by ambition or avarice, 
 I declare sincerely in the Lord they do not know me. 
 So free from avarice can I affirm myself to be, that 
 it has never happened to allure me with its blandish- 
 ments, although pretexts are not wanting by which I 
 might palliate or excuse it. Ambition I have none, 
 except the honourable ambition which unpels me to 
 this — to investigate divine truth from the sacred Scrip- 
 tures with all my might — to hold it forth when found, 
 calmly and without contention, so as not to dictate to 
 any, or strive to extort assent, much less to seek to 
 lord it over another's faith 5 and to hold it forth for 
 this end, that I may gain more souls to Christ, and 
 that I may be a good savour to him, and that mine 
 may be an approved name in the church of the saints. 
 This, after a long time's patience, I hope through 
 grace to attain ; although at present I am a reproach to 
 my brethren ; an offscouring and outcast to those who, 
 in the same faith with me, worship and invoke the 
 one God, the Father, the one Lord Jesus Christ, in 
 the one Spirit, and who cherish the one hope with me, 
 of obtaining the heavenly inheritance through the 
 grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord will 
 grant me, I hope, (and ! that the light of that holy 
 and happy day may smile upon me !) that we may 
 peacefully, in the name of the Lord, meet among our- 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 239 
 
 selves, and institute a Christian conference on things 
 pertaining to religion : in which I promise through 
 the grace of God to exhibit that moderation of spirit, 
 and love for the truth and peace, which may fairly be 
 exacted and expected of the servant of Christ. Mean- 
 while, let my brethren be quiet and allow me to be 
 quiet ; — as quiet indeed I am, giving no trouble or 
 molestation to them. If they think otherwise of me, let 
 them institute proceedings ; I will not shrink from the 
 authority of any competent tribunal ; I will not fail to 
 appear. If they are of opinion that the minds of 
 those who listen to me are artfully pre-occupied as 
 from a distance, and the affair managed with such 
 policy that they neither deem it advisable to face me 
 in judgment, nor think it sufficiently safe that studious 
 youth should be intrusted to me ; and that therefore 
 a black mark, as what I have deserved, ought to be 
 daubed upon my name in order that these same youth 
 may be scared away — otherwise certain risk would be 
 incurred from the delay of the conference ; lo, here I 
 present myself, that along with them I may address, 
 solicit, and supplicate those whose prerogative it is to 
 call, or grant, conventions of this kind, that they 
 would not suffer us any longer to be agitated by such 
 vexation and disquietude of spirit, but either them- 
 selves apply a very speedy remedy, or permit it to 
 be applied— but still, by their decree, and under their 
 direction. I will not refuse to appear before any con- 
 vention, whether of all the ministers of our United 
 Netherlands or of some of them, to be summoned from 
 the several provinces ; or even of all the ministers 
 
140 THE LIFE OP 
 
 of Holland and Westfriesland, (to which province 
 our Ley den Academy belongs) or of some to be nomi- 
 nated from their number, provided the whole affair be 
 transacted under the cognizance of our rightful rulers ; 
 nay further, I neither shrink from, nor dread the pres- 
 ence of learned men to be summoned from other 
 places, provided they take part in the conference on 
 equitable terms, and subject to the same rules to 
 which I myself shall have to submit. Permit me to 
 say, in one word, let a convention be held, be it of 
 many or of few, if it only present some glimmering 
 hope of success — such a hope as I shall not be able, 
 on solid grounds, to prove deceptive — here I am, pre- 
 pared and ready at this very day, at this very hour ; 
 for it teases and vexes me to be daubed every day 
 with fresh calumnious aspersions, and to have the 
 annoying necessity imposed upon me of wiping them 
 away. In this respect, surely, I little resemble here- 
 tics, w^ho either shrink from ecclesiastical conventions, 
 or shape matters so, that they can trust to the number 
 of their adherents, and calculate on certain victory.' 
 
 On the day following that on which Arminius drew 
 up this epistle — or rather epistolary dissertation on 
 religious affairs — to the Palatine ambassador, he gave 
 forth the same indications of an intrepid and upright 
 spirit in a letter to that man of consummate integrity, 
 already knit to him for many years, at once by the 
 bonds of close intimacy and of high esteem — John 
 Drusius. After some preliminary reference to the 
 very shameful acts of calumny of which he was the 
 victim, and to the calmness of spirit by which he 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 241 
 
 eluded them, he goes on to address tliat most attached 
 friend in the following terms : — ' This very peace of 
 conscience makes me judge that even the advices of 
 my friends, by which they urge me to refute these 
 calumnies, need not be acted on by me with precipi- 
 tate haste. Nor do I apprehend that the minds either 
 of the rulers, or of learned men, will be so far pre- 
 occupied with prejudice against me as not to be easily 
 disabused even by the mere explanation of my senti- 
 ments and aims. Nay verily, such mighty and over- 
 hasty plotting on the part of my brethren against me, 
 is to me a most certain sign that they are distrustful 
 of their own cause. For he that trusteth doth not 
 make haste, confiding in Jehovah, in whom alone is 
 all his help ; and mine truly lies in his Word only, for 
 the truth, perfection, and perspicuity of which alone I 
 will not cease to contend against the traditions of all 
 men, of what rank soever they be, as long as the 
 benignant God thinks fit to lengthen out my life ; nor 
 will I ever suffer to be imposed on the Church of 
 Christ, whether under the name of secondary, or under 
 any other name, any authoritative rule whatsoever 
 other than that one only Eule which is contained in the 
 books of the Old and New Testament. And there is 
 a necessity, I perceive, for a strenuous agitation of 
 the subject, even among us who not so long ago were 
 foremost to urge this first principle in opposition to 
 Papists ; but now, as if fleeing from court, we do not 
 blush to prescribe to the churches and to their ministers, 
 as traditions by the standard of which the Scriptures 
 
 17 
 
242 THE LIFE OF JAMES AKMINIUS. 
 
 are to be explained, even Confessions and Catechisms, 
 because, forsooth, they were drawn up by learned 
 men, sanctioned by various decisions, confirmed by 
 length of time (for they are beginning to plead a 
 prescription of forty years), and sealed with the blood 
 of martyrs ! ' 
 
243 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 CONFERENCE AT THE HAGUE IN MAY 1608 : ARMINIUS 
 REPLIES TO THIRTY-ONE DEFAMATORY ARTICLES, 
 FALSELY ASCRIBED TO HIM AND ADRIAN BORRIUS. 
 — A.D. 1608. 
 
 EiGHTLY judging, however, that private complaints, 
 like the foregoing, among his confidential friends 
 served no end of self-protection, and that unfavour- 
 able reports respecting him and Uitenbogaert were 
 notoriously increasing every day ; considering how 
 little, moteover, he could calculate, as matters then 
 stood, on obtainmg satisfaction through the medium 
 of the ordinary ecclesiastical assemblies; Arminius 
 decided on pursuing another course. He and Uiten- 
 bogaert, accordingly, presented a petition to the States 
 of Holland, in which ' they not only complained that 
 by their discrepant judgments as to the holding of 
 the Synod, they had incurred, without cause, the 
 odium of many ; but further declared, that though 
 they regarded the judgments in question as being at 
 once in strict harmony with reason and Scripture, and 
 in the highest degree adapted to the present state of 
 ecclesiastical affairs, they by no means wished to press 
 them to the obstruction of a National Synod ; nay, 
 
244 THE LIFE OF 
 
 rather, they would cheerfully suffer that Synod — so 
 long earnestly desired, and which they themselves, 
 too, thought necessary — to he held in any other way, 
 provided that in it due regard were had to the sacred 
 Scriptures, and care taken that no one lord it over 
 another's faith. For their part, they utterly dis- 
 claimed all desire to bring about a new state of 
 things, and with God's help would adhere till their 
 last breath to the Reformed Church and doctrine. 
 Further, they humbly begged and implored the 
 illustrious States that by their gracious influence with 
 the States- General a National Synod might be at 
 length convoked, and an end be put at once and for 
 ever to these most grievous contentions.' * 
 
 But further, as he perceived that, owing to the 
 public and grave deliberations of the States respecting 
 the armistice, little attention was paid to this petition 
 on its being presented and read ; and as, in the mean- 
 time, his students were treated in a most rigorous 
 manner, and the usual Academic certificates with 
 which he furnished them were unfairly disparaged, 
 Arminius felt constrained to draw up an additional 
 petition, in his own individual name, most urgently 
 praying these supreme rulers of his country that 
 they would not refuse to institute a legal inquiry into 
 his cause, and, with that wisdom by which they were 
 distinguished, determine the method, either in the form 
 of a conference, or of an ecclesiastical convention to 
 be held under their auspices, by which, on the very 
 
 * Vid. scriptum hoc supplic. integrum in Hist. Uitenbog. p. 
 425. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 245 
 
 first opportunity, the way might be opened to him 
 to clear himself from so many injurious aspersions.* 
 Reverting to this petition, the Rulers of Holland 
 and West Friesland, with the view of foreclosing a 
 greater evil, determined that Gromarus and Arminius 
 be summoned to the Hague — the four ministers who 
 attended the last conference at the Hague, from South 
 and N'orth Holland, to be also present ; and that they 
 be heard before the Grand Council. The Honourable 
 Councillors of the Supreme Court, moreover, were 
 instructed to ascerta,in, by means of the conference 
 on religious matters to be held between the two 
 Professors, — due inquiry being instituted into the 
 cause of each — ' whether the difference that subsisted 
 between them could not be settled by friendly con- 
 verse ; and to report to the States in regard to the 
 whole case.' 7 
 
 But to this decree the deputies of the churches 
 opposed themselves with all their might ; and pleading 
 prescriptive authority, they, on the 14th May, besought 
 the States that in place of this conference, appointed 
 to be held before the Supreme Court, a provmcial 
 Synod be convened, in which this ecclesiastical cause 
 should be investigated and decided by ecclesiastical 
 men, and by those delegated by the churches with 
 power to judge. The States replied that it was only 
 an inquiry into the cause with which the Supreme 
 Court was charged ; but that judgment respecting it 
 would be afterwards committed to a provincial or 
 National Synod. | 
 
 ♦ Uiteub. Hist. Eccles. p. 435. f Trigland Hist. p. 413, 414. 
 + Vid. Piajtat. Act. Synod. Dordr. 
 
246 THE LIFE OF 
 
 To give however, a more acenrate idea of what, at 
 this time, were the state and aspect of the Leyden 
 Academy, we will here present to the reader the letter 
 of the eminent Peter Bertiiis, Regent of the Theological 
 College, written, on occasion of the appointment of this 
 conference, to that Honourable Senator of the Supreme 
 Court, and most upright man — Rombout Hoogerbeets : 
 
 ' Illustrious Sir, and Honoured Lord : I understand 
 that a conference is to. be held shortly, on some con- 
 troverted heads of doctrine, between Doctor Gomarus 
 and Doctor Arminius ; and that, for the settlement of 
 that affair, besides the ministers already appointed, there 
 are to be present most of the senators of your Superior 
 Court. I hope the matter will be brought to a happy 
 and successful issue, for the restoration of Ecclesias- 
 tical concord; and I sincerely pray and supplicate 
 God, the author of peace, that such will be the result. 
 For hitherto a diversity of conflicting sentiments, 
 besides distracting the minds of some, has also made 
 my office, sufficiently difficult in itself, to be one of 
 much more difficult fulfilment. For at first, instruc- 
 tions were given us that my students should listen to 
 either professor indifferently, and without distinction. 
 I also, by virtue of my office, am instant and urgent 
 to this effect ; nor do I suffer any one to neglect any 
 prelection with impunity. I also rehearse the prelec- 
 tions of either, without prejudice in regard to any; and 
 partiality, according to the measure in which I exe- 
 crate it, do I also banish it from the college. By this 
 it happens, that of my students some embrace the 
 sentiments of Doctor Gomarus, some again, those of 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 247 
 
 Doctor Arminius — though modestly, in the latter case, 
 on account of the authority of the Synod, and the 
 hazard of being kept back from the ministry. But I 
 find from the statements of certain parties, that all 
 those who attend Doctor Arminius are found fault 
 with, and held as suspected, and are judged unfit 
 either for churches or schools. For which reason, the 
 illustrious States will lose their cost, and myself, the 
 students, and Arminius, will lose our pains ; and it 
 will turn out that what they have learned from him 
 they must unlearn, and recant the sentiments they re- 
 ceived with open minds. If this is to take place, it 
 were better either that the students had never dipped 
 into learning, or that Doctor Arminius had never been 
 seen here, where he advances things that cannot be 
 brought to the public, except under the infamous 
 brand of heresy. But I, willingly obedient to the man- 
 dates of my Lords, and desirous of promoting the 
 interests of my students, could wish the toil of 
 Arminius, not less than of Doctor Gomarus, to be use- 
 ful to the churches. I am hedged up, therefore, with 
 difficulty on either hand, and hang in doubt as to 
 what, in the circumstances, ought to be done. And 
 having in the college, at present, several young men 
 ripe for the church, I very much wish, both for their 
 sake, and for the sake of those who come after, and for 
 my own sake also, and, more than all, for the sake of 
 the public peace, that whatever difference there is, may 
 be authoritatively settled and set at rest ; for that all 
 the controversies should subside, and either party suc- 
 cumb to the opinion of the other, I suppose is matter 
 
248 THE LIFE OF 
 
 of a too moderate desire to be realised in men of that 
 profession. Such being the state of affairs, I could 
 wish that, to me also, in that transaction at the Hague, 
 some place were allowed in the back benches, as a 
 listener and spectator. Not that I desire to pry curi- 
 ously into other people's affahs, or to address myself to 
 business which it devolves on others to perform (for 
 I have enough, and more than enough, to do at home,) 
 but that, for the reason mentioned, I reckon that affair 
 one which very much concerns me. For on me mainly, 
 as presiding over the youth engaged in the study of 
 theology, will it devolve to carry into effect what may 
 there be decreed ; and I shall be in a condition, after 
 hearing parties, to discharge more prudently the func- 
 tions of my calling and superintendence, and to consult 
 accordingly for the interests of my students. I shall 
 have the course indicated at last which I myself may 
 venture openly to pursue. For I perceive that the 
 eyes of many are turned on me, and that from my 
 procedure, judgments are formed respecting my young 
 men ; and that, too, so keenly, that even now I am 
 asked whether there are not some in the college who 
 are attached to the opinion and party of Arminius ; 
 which students, unless they recant, these persons (you 
 know their hot-headed zeal) would gladly see cashiered 
 and turned out forthwith. There are some also who 
 urge that they ought to be severally scrutinized and 
 examined by some deputed for that purpose ; and if, 
 during that process, any one should express aught that 
 savours of the sentiments of Arminius, — if they do not 
 answer in all things according to the opinions of their 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 249 
 
 inquisitors, — the only alternative for my young men will 
 be, either to bring- themselves to a recantation, or to 
 betake themselves to another mode of life. Thus, so 
 long as we are miserably split up into parties, we are in 
 course of being reduced, by little and little, to desola- 
 tion ; and our body which, by the concord and equani- 
 mity of the professors, was in a coridition to stand firm 
 and increase, is sensibly dissolving and wasting away, 
 — the very parties inflicting the evil who ought to apply 
 a balm to the grievous wound. I beseech you, there- 
 fore, illustrious sir, that you would use your influence 
 with the noble Barneveldt, to procure me admission 
 into that conference, to act merely a silent part, and 
 get to know of the things that would make for the 
 advantage and safety of the college. I will see you, 
 Grod-willing, in the course of two days, and ascertain 
 from yourself personally either what you have done 
 in this matter, or what you think respecting it. — Fare- 
 well. Given at Leyden in Holland, 14th May, 1608. 
 Thine, Peter Bertius.' * 
 
 Thus writes Bertius. Whether or not he got 
 his wish, or what sort of answer he received from the 
 honourable Hoogerbeets, I have never ascertained. 
 
 Meanwhile the two professors, with the deputies of 
 the churches, presented themselves, on the day ap- 
 pointed, before the august body of Senators at the 
 Hague ; when the honourable president of the 
 assembly, after some preliminary reference to the 
 mandate of the States, and the object contemplated 
 
 • Ex ipso Bertii autographo. 
 
250 THE LIFE OF 
 
 by this transaction, called on Gomarus to declare, 
 without evasion and reserve, whether there was any 
 difference between him and his colleague, and if so, 
 what was its nature. Gomarus urged by way of 
 objection, ' that he was sincerely devoted to the service 
 of the illustrious States, and acknowledged that this 
 present College of the Supreme Court was composed 
 of distinguished and prudent men ; but that it was 
 their province to pronounce judgment not concerning 
 sacred things, but only concerning things civil and 
 secular. That the matter belonged not to their 
 tribunal, but to that of the churches; and that no 
 investigation of it could be instituted in this place 
 without prejudice to his cause, and that of the 
 churches. That they ought to render unto God the 
 things that are God's, but unto Csesar the things that 
 are Csesar's ; and that they ought to obey God rather 
 than man,' 
 
 The Council replied, ' that no doubt the cause of 
 religion was here treated of, and that they by no 
 means wished to arrogate to themselves the authority 
 to decide in regard to it, — an inquiry into it being the 
 only province intrusted to them. Again, accordingly, 
 they importuned Gomarus that he would not refuse 
 to communicate to them freely his own account of 
 the matter. 
 
 Still spinning out delays, Gomarus here contended, 
 in the first place, ' that it was unjust that he should 
 undertake the part of prosecutor of Arminius, with 
 whom he had hitherto lived on familiar terms ; being, 
 moreover, ignorant of the things which his colleague 
 
JAMES AEMINIUS. 251 
 
 had written or had delivered, whether in puhKc 
 prelections or in his private class. But since 
 Arminiiis had sometimes made mention of certain 
 Bcrcples he had, it was "better that he should produce 
 them himself. He, for his part, did not call in ques- 
 tion any heads whatsoever of* Christian doctrine as 
 they were comprised and explained in the Confes- 
 sion and Catechism ; nor did he wnsh to stir any strife 
 respecting them.' At last when the Council insisted 
 on a more express reply, he was reduced to the 
 alternative of confessing 'that between himself 
 and Anninius there did lurk some dissension ; but 
 that, in his view, it was highly inexpedient and 
 prejudicial to the liberty of the churches to explain 
 the nature of it at this time and in this place.' 
 
 At this point, however, Arminius, who had thus far 
 maintained silence, expressed ' his astonishment, con- 
 sidering that various rumours about his heterodoxy 
 had by this time run the round of all the churches, and 
 the conflagration he had kindled was said to have 
 surmounted the topmost pile of the Church, that such 
 prodigious difficulty should nevertheless be here pre- 
 tended to declare of what sort that difference might be, 
 or what he himself had taught in opposition to the 
 formularies of consent. It was iniquitous to demand 
 this declaration from him, and thus fish matter of accu- 
 sation out of his own mouth. What he had taught 
 privately or publicly in contrariety to the Confession 
 and Catechism, no one would ever produce. And 
 as to the doubts he might cherish, it was not fair 
 that he should produce them, except in terms of a 
 
252 THE LIFE OP 
 
 decree of the supreme Magistracy, who had determined 
 that the Confession and Catechism should be revised 
 in a National Synod.' * 
 
 On this, Gomarus undertook to prove, that in 
 regard to that primary article of the Christian faith, 
 the justification of man before God^ Arminius had 
 taught such an opinion as was repugnant to the 
 sacred Volume and to the Confession of the Belgic 
 Churches. In proof of this he produced the very 
 words of Arminius, extracted both from his theses on 
 justification, and from a certain letter to a friend, in 
 which he had asserted, ' that in the justification of 
 man before God the righteousness of Christ is not 
 imputed for righteousness, but faith itself ; or the act 
 of believing constitutes, through God's gracious act 
 of acquittance, that righteousness of ours by which 
 we are justified.' After Gomarus had asked that 
 these statements might be inserted among the records 
 of that conference, Arminius, on the other hand, 
 dictated the following statement for insertion in the 
 same records : — ' In order to declare how utterly 
 abhorent my soul is from all desire of unnecessary 
 contention or disputation, I profess that I hold as 
 true, pious, and sacred, that doctrine of justification 
 before God effected through faith to faith, or of the 
 imputation of faith for righteousness, which is con- 
 tained in the Harmony of Confessions by all the 
 Churches, and that I approve of it, and have always 
 approved of it, and thoroughly acquiesce in it. But 
 that a still clearer testimony may remain of this my 
 • Praefat. Act. Synod. Dordr. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 253 
 
 desire for the general peace of the Eeformed and 
 Protestant Churches, I solemnly affirm that should 
 occasion require me to commit to writing my opinion 
 on this matter, both as respects the point itself, and 
 as respects the phraseology and more accurate mode 
 of treatment (which opinion I am prepared to de- 
 fend by solid arguments, against all objections), I 
 will cheerfully submit that writing to the verdict of 
 all these Churches, to this extent, namely — that if, 
 after the cause has been investigated in due form, 
 according to the decree of my supreme Lords, these 
 Churches shall think that said opinion and its main- 
 tainers are not to be tolerated, I will either desist 
 from that opinion, in the event of being better in- 
 structed, or resign my office.' * 
 
 In these statements of Arminius Gomarus still 
 refused to acquiesce ; nor could he be brought to ac- 
 knowledge that, on the point in question, the opinion 
 of Arminius was exactly coincident with that of the 
 Eeformed Church ; on which the latter, with the 
 view of testifying still further the pacific sentiments 
 that inspired him, and of avoiding superfluous disput- 
 ation, exclaimed, ' Here is my confession on this poiat, 
 couched in the express terms of the Palatine Catechism.' 
 Then, reciting the very words of the Catechism, he 
 went on to say : ' I believe in my heart, and confess 
 with my mouth, that I shall pass as righteous in the 
 sight of God, only by faith in Jesus Christ, so that, 
 although my conscience may accuse me of having 
 
 * Vid. lib. cui titulus Origo et progress, dissidiorum Eccles. 
 in Belgio, Belg. conscript, p. 21, 22. 
 
254 THE LIFE OF 
 
 grievously sinned against all the commandments of 
 God, and not kept any of them, and of having till now, 
 besides, been inclined to all evil, nevertheless, pro- 
 vided I embrace these benefits with true confidence of 
 mind, the perfect satisfaction, righteousness, and holi- 
 ness of Christ will, without any merit on my part, of 
 the mere mercy of God, be imputed to, and bestowed 
 upon me, the same as if I had committed no sin, and 
 as if no taint adhered to me — nay more, as if I myself 
 had perfectly performed that obedience which Christ 
 has performed on my behalf. Not that I please God 
 by the worth of my faith, but that the satisfaction, 
 righteousness, and holiness of Christ constitute my 
 righteousness in the sight of God. Only, I cannot 
 embrace it, and apply it to myself, in any other way 
 than by faith.'* 
 
 But not even this confession would satisfy Gomarus. 
 Nay he repeatedly rated Arminius for making faith 
 the object or matter of justification, but the righteous- 
 ness of Christ the meritorious cause of justification. 
 In this he thought he had effected something of great 
 moment ; but in the estimation of most of the Council 
 it was little else than a logomachy, since it was evi- 
 dent between them both that it was not the value of 
 our works, but the grace of God, that effected our 
 being justified by faith. -j- When, moreover, Gomarus 
 insisted on hearing the opinion of Arminius on certain 
 other questions also, it seemed good to the Council to 
 enjoin first on him, and then on Arminius, to deliver 
 
 * Vid. resp. ad quest. LX. et LXI. Catech. Palatinae. 
 t Vid. Grot. Epist. ad Reigersb. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 255 
 
 each his own opinion respecting certain primary 
 articles on which some question had been raised 
 between them, comprised in a series of propositions, 
 and drawn up in writing, and that each, in turn, 
 should append his own animadversions and strictures 
 on the written statement of the other. 
 
 This being done, and the conference brought to a 
 close, the Council reported to the States of Holland 
 *■ that they, indeed, as far as they had been able to per- 
 ceive from this conference, were of opinion that the 
 controversies which had arisen between these two 
 professors were not after all of such great importance, 
 and had to do for the most part with certain more 
 subtle reasonings on the subject of Predestination, 
 which might either be omitted, or tolerated in a spirit 
 of mutual forbearance.' On this report being made, 
 it pleased the States forthwith to summon before 
 them, in the Council-hall, both the professors, and the 
 rest of the ministers concerned ;* when the Most Hon- 
 ourable, the Grand Pensionary (Oldenbarne veldt), ad- 
 dressing himself to them, among other things declared 
 ' that it was to him matter of gratitude to God that 
 on the great heads of Christian doctrine no controversy 
 existed.'j And then, after having, in name of that 
 honourable assembly, given thanks to each for this 
 renewed and faithful endeavour, he enjoined upon 
 them, ' to keep to themselves what had been tran- 
 sacted in that meeting 5 to advance nothing whatever 
 that was opposed either to the Sacred Scriptures, or 
 
 * Prsefat. Act. Synod. Dord. 
 
 -}• Ex Declarat. Arm. coram Ord. 
 
256 THE LIFE OF 
 
 to the Confession and Catechism ; and to direct all their 
 counsels henceforward for the peace of the Academy 
 and the Church ; ' adding, ' that the States would do 
 their endeavour to get these controversies determined 
 either in a National, or (if that could not be convened 
 in time,) in a Provincial Synod.' 
 
 But Gomarus, thinking that much greater import- 
 ance ought to be attached to the growing contro- 
 versies, begged permission to spetk, and did not 
 scruple en that occasion to declare, ' that the opinions 
 of his colleague on the points in dispute between them 
 were of such a nature as would make him shrink, if he 
 himself entertained them, from the thought of standing 
 before God, his judge ; and that unless a remedy 
 were promptly apj^lied, it was to be feared that there 
 would be a mutual embroilment of one province 
 against another, church against church, city against 
 city, and burgher against burgher.'* While to some 
 these statements seemed unwarrantably harsh, others 
 viewed them as the testimony of an unshackled and 
 fearless conscience, and this the rather, that for several 
 days, and most of all at that time, he had maintained 
 some moderation of look and tone. On the other 
 hand, to this declaration of Gomarus, which he was 
 greatly astonished to hear, Arminius spiritedly rejoined, 
 ' that he for his part, was by no means conscious of 
 holding any religious sentiment of so atrocious a 
 character ; that the controversies were not so serious 
 as all this, but chiefly concerned Predestination ; and 
 that he always adhered to the Confession of the Church 
 * Grot. Epist. ad K. Eeigersb. — Piaefat. Act. Synod. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. - 257 
 
 in Holland, and meant still to adhere to it. That in 
 opposition to the particular opinions of some, he had 
 occasionally spoken, as necessity demanded ; but that 
 he had never given utterance to anything that mili- 
 tated against the general sentiments of the Reformed 
 Church. That he would furnish no cause for any 
 schism either in the Church or State. That he was, 
 moreover, prepared to declare openly and in good 
 faith his opinion and his aims in regard to the entire 
 subject of religion as soon as he was commanded by 
 his Sovereign Lords to do so ; yea even now, before 
 withdrawing from this hall.' * 
 
 Many who were sincerely attached to Arminius, 
 and to the cause of ecclesiastical peace, had anticipat- 
 ed from this conference a happier issue, and threw the 
 blame of the protracted dissension upon Gomarus, who 
 here, if ever, had scotmed to 7/ield.i Yea, and others, 
 too, whose feelings rose against Gomarus in still 
 smarter revolt, did not hesitate to declare, ' that they 
 would rather appear before the divhie tribunal with 
 the faith of Arminius, than with the charity of Go- 
 marus.' Hugh Grotius, for one, a man of great name, 
 alluding to the above-mentioned conference, writes in 
 a letter to his kinsman Reigersberg, that he had found 
 Uitenbogaert about this time more sad \ than usual 
 
 • Ex. Deckr. Ann. coram Ord. 
 
 t This is an allusion to the words, ' cedere nescius cuiquam,' 
 which the poet Heinsius applies to Gomarus in certain verses 
 prefixed to the collected works of the latter. 
 
 X ' And Gomarus more jocund,'— adds Gerard Brandt. Hist. 
 
 Ref. Low Countries.— Tr. 
 
 18 
 
258 • TnE LIFE OF 
 
 — giving vent to these among other expressions : 
 ' that although the Provincial Synod should take place, 
 nevertheless, considering the weight of prejudice under 
 which the affair was driven, and that the particular 
 opinions of divines, — stealing insensibly into the minds 
 of their disciples, and by lapse of time, and neglect of 
 profounder inquiry, received with the tacit consent 
 of the churches, — smothered by their authority the 
 ardour of great intellects ; and considering that in 
 churches, not less than in other assemblies, the greater 
 could prevail over the better part, he anticipated for 
 the prospects of Arminius no happier issue than be- 
 fell Castellio, who was so pressed by the violence 
 of his adversaries as to 'be reduced to the necessity of 
 seeking a livelihood by labouring as a woodman.' * 
 
 That this was no chimeiical fear which haunted the 
 mind of Uitenbogaert in regard to his friend Armi- 
 nius, might be too well augured from the foul lies and 
 insults with which, more and more every day, detrac- 
 tion assaulted the name of the latter. For this end, 
 there were put in circulation, at this very time, twenty, 
 and eleven, theological articles, ascribedt partly to him, 
 partly to Adrian Borrius, one of the ministers of Ley- 
 den, and partly to both ; in the dissemination of which 
 his adversaries had this sole object in view, to stir up 
 against these two men, thus branded with the black 
 
 • Origo et progress, dissens. Eccles. in Belg. p. 22. — Vid. 
 Grot. Epist". opus p. 3. 
 
 t That is, two series of articles consisting respectively of 
 twenty and eleven. See the opening statements of his Apologia 
 adv. art. xxxi., Opera p. 134. — Tr. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 259 
 
 mark of heresy, the hatred, not only of the unlettered 
 public, but also of those who held high positions both 
 in the Church and in the State. Of these articles, 
 sixteen, couched in the self-same words, had already, 
 two years before, reached the hands of Arminius. 
 These being alike destitute of truth both as respected 
 historical narration and theological import, Arminius 
 thought that they would die in the bud, and might 
 therefore pass unnoticed at the time ; but when, con- 
 trary to his expectation, he perceived that they were 
 still, and increasingly, in circulation, and were, more- 
 over, augmented by new articles, he judged it expedi- 
 ent, lest the rage of calumny should gather strength 
 from delay, and protracted silence on his part be con- 
 strued as confession, to meet them with a temperate 
 and succinct reply. The task accomplished, he showed 
 this apologetic treatise to the very persons themselves, 
 (men of wisdom and of great authority) by whose aid 
 he succeeded in laying his hands on the above-named 
 articles; but they dissuaded him from publishing it, 
 lest the too thorough confutation of calumny should so 
 engender ignominy to the authors of it as to influence 
 more and more their zeal in maligning him.* I can- 
 not allow myself, in this connexion, to omit the strik- 
 ing words, worthy to be held in remembrance, in 
 which, after having explained his own opinion on the 
 articles in detail, he thus replies to a certain principal 
 objection by way of corollary : 
 
 ' There will be those, perhaps, who will twit me 
 with appearing to answer at times in a tone of hesita- 
 • Ex Ep. Arm. ad S. Egb. 10. Octob. 1608. 
 
260 THE LIFE OF 
 
 tion, wlien it is incumbent on a doctor and professor 
 of theology to be sure of those things which he is to 
 teach to others, and not to fluctuate in his opinions. 
 To such I would answer : 1. That even a man the 
 most learned, and the most versed in the sacred 
 writings, is ignorant of many things, and is always a 
 learner in the school of Christ and the Scriptures. 
 But it is not possible for the man who is ignorant of 
 many things, to give an unhesitating reply on all the 
 points in regard to which an occasion or necessity of 
 pronouncing may be presented to him, either by 
 adversaries, or by others who wish to inquire and 
 ascertain his mind by conversation and discussion, in 
 private or in public. For it is better, on points 
 respecting which he has not certain knowledge, for 
 such a man to pronounce doubtfully rather than 
 positively, and to intimate that he himself requires 
 to make daily progress, and along with those in- 
 quirers to seek instruction ; for no one, I trow, has 
 advanced to such a stage of boldness as to call him- 
 self a master who is ignorant of no one thing, and 
 who entertains a doubt on no subject whatsoever. 
 2. All things that come under controversy are not of 
 equal importance. Some doctrines are such that no 
 one may doubt concerning them who wishes to be 
 ranged under the name of Christian; but there are 
 others which are not of the same dignity, and in 
 regard to which those who have treated of the 
 Catholic doctrine have differed among themselves 
 without detriment to the Christian truth and peace. 
 Of what description the points are which are here 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 261 
 
 treated, and respecting which I have seemed to give 
 a dubious answer, and whether they are points of 
 absolute necessity, will fall to be considered at the 
 proper time. 3. If this, my reply, is not peremptory, 
 it is not because I have advanced anything in it con- 
 trary to my conscience, but because I have not 
 thought proper to bring out, at the first moment, all 
 the things which I could say. I have judged my re- 
 ply sufficient, and more than sufficient, for those impu- 
 tations which are grounded on no reasons whatever ; 
 neither on this, that they can in truth be fastened on 
 me, nor that they militate against the truth of the 
 Scriptures. In reference to most of them, a simple 
 denial, and demand for proof, would have been a dis- 
 charge in full of all that they could justly claim at 
 my hands. I have proceeded beyond this, in order to 
 give some measure of satisfaction ; and further, to 
 stimulate them to a conference, should my brethren 
 think it needfal. This I will never refuse, provided it 
 be proceeded with in due form, and in such a manner 
 that fruit may be expected to result from it.' 
 
 Meanwhile that calumny which we have mentioned 
 above, as to his strenuous efforts to promote the 
 interests of the Papal kingdom, was also resuscitated 
 about this same time, and was urged against him in 
 a manner the most offensive. With the view of 
 neutralising this falsehood, a year had scarcely 
 elapsed since he had drawn up very learned theses 
 concerning idolatry; adding, by way of corollary, 
 ' that the Eoman Pontiff is an idol, and that those who 
 take him for that which he vaunts himself to be, are, 
 
262 THE LIFE OF 
 
 for that very reason, idolaters.' Besides these he had 
 published other theses, in which he maintained ' that 
 the Reformed Churches had not made a secession from 
 that of Kome, and that these churches did well in 
 refusing to hold and profess communion with it in 
 faith and divine worship.' Nor was this all. The 
 more effectually even yet to seal the lips of his 
 detractors, Arminius, shortly after the conference held 
 in the presence of the Grand Council, got up a public 
 disputation concerning the Roman Pontiffs maintaining 
 that he is 'an adulterer, and the pander of the 
 Church, the false prophet and tail of the dragon, the 
 adversary of God and of Christ, the antichrist, the 
 wicked servant who beats his fellow- servants, having 
 no title to the name of bishop, the destroyer and 
 waster of the Church.' 
 
 Yet not even by this declaration did he succeed 
 in satisfying the suspicious tempers of some. An 
 individual was found who, in a letter he sent to 
 Germany, put in a mutilated form the title of his 
 theses respecting secession from the Church of Rome, 
 by which foreigners, and those who were unacquainted 
 with the facts, might be led to believe that Arminius 
 had an undue leaning to the Papal Church. Yea, a 
 certain minister of Amsterdam, carried away by the 
 popular clamour against him, made a public assault 
 upon Arminius as a divine who was most unsound, 
 and who held the Roman Pontiff to be a member of 
 the body of Christ — ' a doctrine this,' he exclaimed, 
 ' so exceedingly hateful to God, that it had been ob- 
 served by discerning men not a few, that from the 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 263 
 
 time at wMch certain persons had begun to maintain 
 it, public affairs bad declined, and some of our most 
 strongly fortified cities had come to be occupied by 
 the enemy.' This calumny was followed up by 
 another, namely, that he was instigating many to go 
 over to the Papacy, and furnishing occasion to some 
 politicians to deny less stoutly the exercise of the 
 Popish religion to those who demanded it. 
 
 But though Arminius saw no remedy for dissi- 
 pating these clouds of detraction to be preferable 
 to that of innocence and patience, still he lost 
 no time in addressing to wise and eminent men, 
 and in particular to the magistrates of Amsterdam, 
 in whose city at that time the most unbridled 
 rage of evil-speaking prevailed, his complaint of the 
 injury thereby inflicted upon him ; and he protested 
 by letter how utterly these clamours were at variance 
 with truth. Mark his brief declaration on this 
 subject in a letter to the honourable Sebastian 
 Egberts : — ■'' I openly profess that I do not hold the 
 Roman Pontiff to be a member of Christ's body, but 
 to be an enemy, a traitor, sacrilegious, a blasphemer, 
 a tyrant, and most violent usurper of a most unjust 
 domination over the Church ; as the man of sin, as 
 the son of perdition, as that most notorious outlaw, 
 &c. I understand, however, by the Pope one who 
 exercises the Pontificate in the usual manner. But if 
 some Adrian of Utrecht, supposing him to be elevated 
 without dishonourable artifices to the Pontifical 
 chair, were actively to set about the reformation of 
 the Church, making a commencement with himself 
 
264 THE LIFE OF 
 
 the Pope, and with the Pontificate, and with the Court 
 at Rome, and assuming nothing more than the name 
 and authority of Bishop, — though holding the pre-emi- 
 nence over all other bishops, by virtue of ancient 
 statutes of the Church, — him I should not dare to call 
 by the above appellations ; for the man whom the 
 minions of Antichristianism, and whom the Court at 
 Rome hold in such hatred as to take his very life, 
 such a one I cannot persuade myself to regard as the 
 worst of men. Now it is believed that this man was 
 dispatched by poison, administered by those who 
 feared that he was about to effect a reformation in the 
 Church, and in the Roman Court. I apprehend, how- 
 ever — and I think it can be established out of the 
 Scriptures with great probability — that from him who 
 is elevated to the Roman Pontificate, no reformation 
 is to be expected ; and if any one allows himself to be 
 moved by that hope to make the attempt, he incurs 
 the certain danger of death or of exile — the issue being 
 so arranged even by God himself : for the Pontificate 
 will be abolished by the glorious advent of Christ, and 
 the predicted reformation is destined to take place 
 through the separation of peoples from Babylon, which 
 Babvlon, at the time, will not be destitute of its head. 
 But if that preacher supposes that from this opinion 
 which I entertain, — namely, that a bill of divorcement 
 has not yet been delivered by God to the church in 
 which the Roman Pontiff sits enthroned, — it follows 
 that I acknowledge even the Pope himself to be a 
 member of the church, he blazons his own ignorance 
 of the distinction between those who are seduced, and 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 265 
 
 suffer the tyranny, on the one hand, and the False 
 Prophet and tyrant himself on the other, who himself 
 abnegates the name, member of the church, seeing he 
 audaciously pronounces himself head of the church, 
 and excommunicates all those, or holds them as ex- 
 communicated, who are not prepared to acknowledge 
 him as head.'* 
 
 Feeling persuaded that by this answer he had 
 abundantly refuted the forementioned accusation, 
 Arminius reckoned it a matter of no great difficulty to 
 reply to those who at the same time affirmed of him 
 that he had pronounced ' the fourth volume of Bellar- 
 min to be irrefutable.' It is indeed true that though 
 he had never employed these very words, he yet con- 
 fessed that he sometimes cherished the wish that he 
 could have seen more solidly refuted the arguments 
 of that celebrated champion of the Romish Church, in 
 which he strove to elicit from the opinion of certain 
 of the Reformed, that they made the ever-blessed God 
 the author of all sin. Nay, even the celebrated Cimrad 
 Vortius himself, who, on account of the strenuous ser- 
 vice he rendered against the Papists, had at this time 
 earned a high reputation, failed, in the judgment of 
 Arminius, to do sufficient justice to the cause of the 
 Reformed in his reply to the ' Theses of the Jesuits con- 
 cerning the faith of the Calvinists.' For this reason, 
 he deemed it the safer course to decline the authority 
 of certain divines of the Protestant Church, and openly 
 to declare that peculiar opinions ought not to be 
 fastened upon the Reformed Churches ; and moreover, 
 
 • Epist. Eccles. p. 212. 
 
266 THE LIFE OF 
 
 that it miglit be retorted on Bellarmin that there were 
 some also among the scholastics, and other popish 
 divines, from whose writings the selfsame conse- 
 quences might be deduced.* 
 
 Arminius finding himself in this manner contending 
 from day to day against the slanders of adversaries, used 
 to complain to himself that he was set down by his 
 brethren as a sort of mere 'filth and offscourings;' while 
 by those who at this time enjoyed his intimacy, he was 
 heard on several occasions uttering with a groan, and 
 adapting to his own infelicitous lot, these words of the 
 prophet Jeremiah : ' Woe is me, my mother, that thou 
 hast born me a man of strife, and a man of contention 
 to the whole earth ! I have neither lent on usury, nor 
 men have lent to me on usury ; yet every one of them 
 doth curse me.' ■[- 
 
 Meanwhile, consulting at once for his reputation and 
 for the tranquillity of the church, it pleased the Rulers 
 of Holland to summon Arminius before their Assembly 
 on the 30th of October, and to order him, in fulfilment 
 of the pledge he had lately given, to deliver to them, 
 briefly and perspicuously, orally, and in writing, his 
 own opinion on all the heads of doctrine in reference 
 to which he stood somewhat in doubt. Joyfully 
 obedient to this mandate, on the day appointed he 
 repaired to the Hague, and before that august assembly 
 of the Illustrious Fathers of his country, he expounded, 
 in a lengthened oration, his opinions respecting Divine 
 
 * Vid. ep. Arm. ad C. Vorst. 25. Aug. 1607. item. Ep. prid. 
 Kal. April 1609. 
 -j- Jer. XV. 10. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 267 
 
 Predestination, the Grace of God, Free Will, the 
 Perseverance of the Saints, the Certainty of Salvation, 
 the Perfection of Man in this life, the Deity of the Son, 
 Justification, and the Reformation of the Confession 
 and Catechism. The subject, however, on which he 
 deemed it of special importance to insist, was that of 
 Predestination ; and therefore, besides fortifying his 
 own opinion on this point by a variety of reasons, he 
 also asserted, at great length, the magnitude of the 
 difficulties which beset the doctrine that was delivered 
 by many divines of the Reformed Church. He 
 showed and proved that a sentiment was propounded 
 by some which conflicted with the nature of God, and 
 his wisdom, justice, and goodness — with the nature of 
 man and his free will — with the work of creation — with 
 the nature of eternal life and death — and, finally, with 
 the nature of sin ; that it was subversive of divine 
 grace, opposed to the glory of God, and obstructive to 
 the salvation of men ; that it made God the author of 
 sin, hindered sorrow on account of sin, did away with all 
 pious solicitude, diminished the desire of piety, quenched 
 the ardour of prayer, generated despair, inverted the 
 gospel, impeded the ministry of the divine word, and, 
 in fine, shook the foundations not of the Christian 
 religion only, but of all religion whatsoever.* After 
 expounding these particulars in a manly tone, and in 
 succinct order, he at length brought his oration to a 
 close in these striking words, so indicative of a mind 
 devoted to the maintenance of Christian peace : — 
 ' Such, my most noble, most potent, most wise, 
 * Vid. Declar. Arm. coram Ord. 
 
268 THE LIFE OF 
 
 and most prudent Lords, is what I have thought it 
 dutiful to lay before your Highnesses. At the same time, 
 also, I give thanks to this most noble and potent 
 Assembly (to which, after God, I acknowledge myself 
 bound to render an account of all my actions,) that it 
 has vouchsafed to listen to me with clemency and 
 patience. Still further, I solemnly declare that from 
 my inmost soul I am prepared to enter into friendly 
 and fraternal conference on these and all other points, 
 respecting which any controversy may exist or ever 
 occur, with my reverend brethren, at whatever time, 
 in whatever place, and on- whatever occasion shall to 
 this illustrious Assembly seem good. Moreover, I 
 promise to maintain in all these conferences a bearing 
 flexible and fair, prepared alike to learn and to teach. 
 Besides, when, on all the doctrines which may fall to 
 be discussed, it comes to be inquired, in the first 
 place, whether that which is the subject of debate be 
 true, and the next place whether the belief of it ought 
 to be regarded as necessary to salvation, I, for my 
 part, solemnly promise and vow that no article, how- 
 ever I may prove it by the most solid arguments to 
 be agreeable to the Word of God, shall by me be 
 obtruded on my brethren who think differently as a 
 thing to be believed, unless I clearly prove from the ■ 
 Divine Word, and that quite as clearly as I have 
 proved its truth, that it is also necessary to salvation 
 that every Christian should so believe it. If my 
 brethren shall be ready to do the same, it will be no 
 easy matter, in my judgment, for any controversy or 
 schism to exist amongst us. To these thmgs I add — 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 269 
 
 in order that all apprehension, so far as I am con- 
 cerned, may be removed from this noble convention, 
 now occupied and oppressed with weighty affairs, as 
 those on whom the safety of our country, and of the 
 Eeformed Churches, in the highest degree depends — 
 that the errors must needs be very many and grievous 
 which I will not forbear with in my ministerial 
 brethren ; for I am not one who would lord it over 
 another's faith, but one who would merely be a servant 
 to those believing, that in them may increase the know- 
 ledge of the truth, together with piety, peace, and joy 
 in Jesus Christ our Lord, But if my brethren be of 
 another mind, and think that I ought not to be borne 
 with, and that no place should be allowed to me 
 among them, I nevertheless hope that no division will 
 arise by reason of me, seeing that too many divisions, 
 alas, already abound among Christians, and it becomes 
 every one rather to strive with all his might to get 
 these same diminished and extinguished. But in this 
 event, I will in patience possess my soul ; and though 
 it shall still be my aim to live for the good of our com- 
 mon Christianity, as long as the ever-blessed God may 
 be pleased to prolong my life, I will cheerfully resign 
 my office, mindful of this : Sat Ecclesle, sat Patri^ 
 DATUM : For the Church, and for my Country, my 
 
 PART HAS BEEN DISCHARGED.' 
 
 Here ended Arminius. His oration, though listened 
 to with great admiration and applause, from the 
 modesty of the speaker, gave rise nevertheless to a 
 diversity of judgments ; some being of opinion that he 
 had spoken nothing but what the exigency of just 
 
270 THE LIFE OF 
 
 defence had demanded, while others accused him of 
 over-much confidence, and of having used the sword 
 rather than the shield. 
 
 At that time, and in the very month in which 
 Arminius had delivered this declaration, in writing, 
 into the hands of the States, the Synod of South 
 Holland, held at Dort, decided that it should forth- 
 with be sternly insisted on, that those pastors who had 
 a leaning to Arminius should disclose whatever scruples 
 or strictures they might have, relative to the Confession 
 and Catechism, within the space of the month follow- 
 ing that on which they received intimation, on pain of 
 ecclesiastical censure to he inflicted on the contuma- 
 cious.* They further resolved that the same demand 
 should in like manner he made of the Professors of 
 Sacred Literature in the Leyden Academy, and of 
 Peter Bertius, the moderator of the Theological 
 College. The affair was pushed with great vehem- 
 ence at the time, some breaking out very intemperately 
 against those of their brethren who differed from them 
 in opinion ; so much so, indeed, that Euard Acronius, 
 pastor of the church at Schiedam was not afraid to 
 call Francis Lansberg, who was simply striving to 
 direct the counsels of this Assembly towards peace, a 
 sink of dissensions. \ The States, however, apprehen- 
 sive lest, by this ecclesiastical statute, their own 
 decree to have the above-named writings revised in a 
 National or Provincial Synod, should be eluded, and 
 
 • Prsefat. Act. Synod Dordr.— Trigl. Hist. p. 416, 417. 
 f Uitenb. Hist. Eccles. p. 446. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 271 
 
 all but set at nouglit, gave orders in a letter addressed 
 to the several Classes, dated Nov. 23, that whatever 
 observations any one might have, were to be trans- 
 mitted to them sealed, and entrusted to their custody 
 against a Provincial Synod. By this step an end was 
 forthwith put, in South Holland at least, to these hasty 
 and ill-timed altercations, about subjectmg those 
 writings to a re-examination. Notwithstanding these 
 things, however, the churches of North Holland did 
 not abate one jot of their zeal. For new forms of 
 subscription were coined by them, which every Classis 
 drew up according to its own mind ; and that, too, so 
 craftily that neither copy nor form of the subscription 
 was granted, nor the day indicated to him who de- 
 manded the day. In other places, also, new tests were 
 proposed, and promises exacted to explain the Cate- 
 chism as it had been explained in the Church during 
 the time of the Spanish persecution.* And that 
 statutes of this description might not pass for spent 
 thunderbolts, they actually went the length, in the 
 Classis of Alkmaar, of interdicting the pulpit, and a 
 seat in the Classis, to four ministers — Adrian Van 
 Raepherst, Arnold Folkartson, John Evertson Van 
 Velsen, and William Lomannus, who were favourable 
 to Arminius, and refused to subscribe these new for- 
 mularies : — a stretch of authority of which the supreme 
 magistracy in the first instance had not been made 
 aware, and which they straightway, withal, disapproved 
 and contravened.-j- 
 
 * Vid. Press. Declar. Rem. p. 63. 
 + Uitenb. Hist. Eccles. p 454. 
 
272 THE LIFE OF 
 
 In addition to all this, the deputies of both Synods 
 further resolved to convey by letter an urgent request 
 to Gomarus that he would come to the aid of the 
 afflicted Church (we may be permitted here to use 
 their own words), and not shrink from assaulting, in 
 open conflict, Arminius himself, who in the public 
 Assembly of the rulers had uttered so many things 
 against the common opinion of the Church. This 
 divine thought that the request was one which ought 
 on no account to be refused ; and having previously 
 obtained liberty to speak, on the 12th of December 
 he presented himself before the Assembly of the States 
 of Holland and West Friesland, and delivered him- 
 self of a vehement oration against Arminius. He 
 accused him of 'various heresies and gross errors 
 under which he laboured in reference to the received 
 doctrine concerning the grace of God and the free 
 will of man ; concerning the justification of man in 
 the sight of God ; concerning the perfection of man 
 in this life ; concerning predestination 5 concerning 
 original sin, and other points connected with the 
 forenamed doctrines ; how well in certain things he 
 agreed with the Pelagians and Jesuits, while in others 
 his views were worse and still more corrupt than 
 theirs ; what just grounds he had moreover given for 
 the suspicion that he also cherished corrupt opinions 
 concerning the authority of the Sacred Scriptures; 
 concerning the Holy Trinity; concerning the incar- 
 nation and satisfaction of Christ; concerning the 
 Church; concerning faith, regeneration, and good 
 works, and other subjects of great importance. By 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 273 
 
 what arts, still further, did he disseminate his opinion^ ! 
 When publicly asked, for example, and adjured by 
 the churches to lay open his doubts, he had neverthe- 
 less to that hour concealed his own sentiments, but 
 had diligently inculcated them in private to such pastors 
 as he hoped to be able to gain over to them, as well as 
 to his students ; the principal arguments by which the 
 orthodox doctrine is usually built up he set himself to 
 invalidate; but to those of Jesuits, and other adversaries 
 with which they attack the doctrine of the Eeformed 
 Churches, he lent his support ; he struck into the minds 
 of his disciples a variety of doubts respecting the truth 
 of the received doctrine, and first suspended it, along 
 with the heterodox doctrine, as if in cequilihrio^ and 
 then utterly rejected it ; after having called the Pope 
 of the Eomanists antichrist and an idol^ straightway, 
 to please the Jesuits, he further calls him his brother, 
 and a member of that church which is the mother of 
 the faithful ; that he shunned the light, — never to this 
 hour having consented to give forth any declaration 
 of his soundness and agreement in doctrine, although 
 very often affectionately and fraternally urged by the 
 churches to do so ; that he had laboured hard to 
 prevent his errors, which had been detected before 
 the Supreme Court, from becoming known to the 
 churches ; that, spurning the judgment and decrees of 
 Synods, Classes, and Consistories, he had leaped at 
 the first emergency to the tribunal of the Supreme 
 Magistrate, and studied by courtly arts to conciliate 
 favour for him^self, but procure hatred for the churches. 
 He (Gomarus) was not insensible how very difficult it 
 
 19 
 
274 THE LliFE OF 
 
 was, and how hazardous a task, to encounter those 
 who, while studymg innovations, were in blush- 
 ing honour at the Court, and rejoiced in a courtly- 
 trumpeter* of his innocence and virtue ; and that 
 Constantino himself, in olden time, had attached such 
 importance to the eloquence and surreptitious arts of 
 that courtly preacher, Eusebius, as to be influenced 
 by his vote in the Council of Nice to acquit Arius 
 after he had been condemned. Still, however, trust- 
 ing to the goodness of his cause, he hoped better 
 things of the constancy of the States ; and inasmuch 
 as the students of theology in the Leyden Academy, 
 and many pastors up and down, were daily swerving 
 from the orthodox doctrine, strifes and contentions pre- 
 vailed, the churches were disturbed, and the citizens 
 were split up into parties, he abjured them as speedily 
 as possible to convoke the promised National Synod, 
 in which, after a legitimate investigation into the 
 causes of the evils, an appropriate remedy might at 
 length be applied to the same.' t 
 
 This is a summary of that oration which was 
 delivered by Cxomarus 5 and by most of the magnates 
 it was regarded as abundantly stinging, containing, as 
 it did, many things that were offensively spoken, and 
 of which Arminius, on more occasions than one, had, 
 by arguments the most solid, cleared himself of all 
 suspicion, — particularly in regard to those things that 
 were advanced respecting the Pope of Rome. For 
 
 * Alluding to Uitenbogaert. 
 
 t E Prsefat. Act. Synod. Dordr. — Uitenb. Hist. Eccles. p. 455, 
 et seqq. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS* 275 
 
 this reason the States resolved that this oration should 
 be kept under the seal of silence, and that no copy of 
 it should be handed to Arminius, lest occasion might 
 be furnished for further alienation of spirit. Nay, on 
 accurately weighing the whole affair, they began to 
 shrink more and more from the idea of convoking a 
 Synod, and to decline convoking it at this time as 
 useless to the Church and to the country. For they 
 happened to be perplexed by very serious disputes 
 concerning the truce, in which the Grand Pensionary 
 of Holland, Oldenbarne veldt, and the illustrious Com- 
 mander of the Army and Prefect of Military Affairs, 
 Prince Maurice, were far from being at one. A fur- 
 ther obstacle presented itself in the disposition evinced 
 by so many ministers of religion to trample under foot 
 and set at nought the authority of the Supreme 
 Powers in relation to sacred things, assailing with 
 special virulence the primary decree already mentioned, 
 in terms of which it had been agreed that a Synod of 
 the kind contemplated might be held with advantage. 
 Besides, they had reason to fear that the minds of the 
 ecclesiastics were too much exasperated by these very 
 serious discussions respecting matters of faith, to 
 warrant the hope, now that things had reached such 
 a pass, of any remedy being applied by a formal con- 
 vention of that kind to the contagion that rioted 
 throughout the Church. Nay more, considering that 
 the blasts of contention were increasing in violence, 
 and that in various quarters some, in an attitude of 
 open hostility, were doing their utmost to compass the 
 ejection of their fellow-pastors from the Church, the 
 
276 THE LIFE OF 
 
 most of those who sat at the helm of the State 
 thought it very hard indeerl to expose to the rage of 
 a few the reputation and worldly prospects of those 
 who had amply approved themselves as citizens most 
 obedient to their mandates ; as pastors most acceptable 
 to their churches; and as leaders of the Keformed 
 religion, by no means inactive, even at the time when 
 the destiny of the Low Countries quivered on the 
 point of the sword. When at this time, therefore, the 
 pastors sent by the Classes of Holland importuned 
 them to convoke a Provincial Synod, the rulers, per- 
 ceiving that they were goaded on by a most inordinate 
 desire for the condemnation of Arminius and his fol- 
 lowers, rejected their petition, adding, ' that they had 
 no objection to give their sanction to a Synod at any 
 time, provided it would abstain from the rash and 
 precipitate condemnation of brethren, and yield to the 
 wish of the rulers that they would not molest their 
 fellow-pastors on account of these controversies until 
 the matter should be more fully investigated and 
 examined in a National Synod, and an agreement 
 come to by which the churches might regain their 
 common tranquillity and concord.'* Eeverting to this 
 circmnstance at a subsequent period, H. Grotius, that 
 brilliant star and prodigy of the Low Countries, re- 
 marked, — and apparently with truth, — that the States 
 had the same reason for dreading the Synod as that 
 which formerly led the very sagacious Philip, Prince 
 of Hesse, when invited to a Sjnod by Flacius Illyri- 
 cus and other theologians of Jena, to reply, ' that as 
 * Resp. ad Epist. Wal. p. 18. 19. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 277 
 
 long as there existed that violence of spirit, and that 
 rage for condemning those who differed from them in 
 opinion, even in the least degree, — a disposition which 
 every day exemplified, — no good could be expected 
 from such conventions.' 7 
 
 t Grot, pietas Ord. p. 51. 
 
278 
 
 CHAPTER XII, 
 
 EVER-INCREASING CONTENTIONS, AMID WHICH THE 
 HEALTH OF ARMINIUS GIVES WAY : FINAL CONFER- 
 ENCE AT THE HAGUE IN AUGUST 1609 I HIS LAST 
 ILLNESS AND DEATH. A.D. 1609. 
 
 Meanwhile Arminius, by reason of incessant labours, 
 assiduous studies, protracted sitting, and contests 
 recurring without any intermission, bad contracted 
 hypochondriacal affections, which ripened at length 
 into obstinate disease. This distemper, which had 
 very long been latent in his internal parts, broke out 
 with special violence on the 7 th of February, in the 
 following year. His members were affected by inter- 
 nal languor, and his stomach utterly debilitated ; so 
 much so, that his medical attendants at once saw it to 
 be necessary to subject him to slow and cautious 
 treatment. But although, at the commencement of 
 the attack, the sufferer could scarcely drag his 
 ]3ody along, nevertheless, afterwards, during some 
 favourable intervals, he regained his vigour of mind, 
 and intermitted nothing, as far as his infirm health 
 would permit, of his readings, disputations, and other 
 duties of his calling ; nor was he ever neglectful of 
 his own cause. Of this he gave brilliant evidence in 
 a certain disputation which he publicly held a few 
 
THE LIFE OF JAMES AEMINIUS. 279 
 
 months after, on the 25th July, Concerning the Call 
 of Man to Salvation. On this occasion, Arminius 
 acted a very spirited part ; and in eloquent terms not 
 only denied that irresistible and necessitating force 
 which some of the Eeformed represent God as exert- 
 ing in the conversion of men, but further proceeded to 
 prove that the Divine call turns on this, either that 
 God supplies, or is ready to bestow, the power to 
 perform that to which, in his call, he invites mankind. 
 He further added, ' that he neither could, nor dared, 
 to define the mode which the Holy Spirit employs in 
 the conversion and regeneration of men. If any one 
 w^ll venture to do so, on him devolves the burden of 
 proof. For himself, he could say in what manner 
 conversion did not take place, but he could not say in 
 what manner it did ; for this only He knows who 
 searches the deep things of God.' To this it was 
 objected that there was a certain kind of grace by 
 which men are infallibly converted, and from this it 
 was directly argued that conversion was necessitated ; 
 in answer to which, Arminius took occasion to discourse 
 at some length on what the schoolmen call, though 
 very improperly, the necessity of infallibility ; and 
 added, ' that the scholastics were not to him the 
 standard of speech, or of faith, seeing that they began 
 to exist only when Antichrist was in course of being 
 revealed, and that their theology had not made way 
 until the true and apostolic theology had been driven 
 into exile.' 
 
 After a period of nearly two whole hours had been 
 lengthened out by two opponents, a certain Papist, 
 
280 THE LIFE OF 
 
 who passed off his name as Adrian Smetius, and whom 
 some took for a priest, others for a Jesuit, boldly de- 
 scended into the arena against Arminius, and assailed 
 his opinion on the point in question with a variety of 
 arguments. While Arminius was ever and anon 
 replying to these with prompt and collected mind, 
 Gromarus assumed various colours on the occasion ; 
 and that he might not present the appearance of a 
 merely passive listener, he varied his gestures now and 
 then; at one time taking notes; at another whispering 
 something into the ear of Everard Vorstius, Professor 
 of medicine, who sat next him ; now casting his eyes 
 over the audience, which was very large ; and now 
 muttering something between his lips. Nay, he 
 looked as if he felt an intense desire to contradict the 
 things advanced in the course of the disputalion, but 
 repressed himself; — after such a fashion, however, 
 that these, or similar words, fell from him in the over- 
 flow of his indignation, — What impudence is this ? 
 Moreover, after the disputation had come to a close, 
 he had scarcely reached the hall door, when he broke 
 out in the words : The reikis have been remarkably 
 well loosened for the Papacy this day. Directly after, 
 in like manner, making up to Arminius, he exclaimed 
 in the presence and hearing of the Jesuit, ' that he had 
 never, in the Academy, listened to such statements 
 and disputations, by which the door was thrown so 
 widely open to Popery.' Arminius replied, ' that he 
 had given satisfaction to his own conscience, and 
 denied that what he had advanced made anything at 
 all in favour of Popery.' Gomarus forthwith rejoined 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 281 
 
 ' that he would refate these things, and that too in 
 public' Arminius : ' If anything be said which is 
 opposed to my conscience, I promise you that I, in my 
 turn, will openly gainsay it.' Gomarus : ' I shall not 
 be wanting in my duty to the cause.' Arminius : 
 * Neither shall I be wanting, I confidently trust. 
 But le't us test each other in due time, and to me it is 
 certain that the opinion of an irresistible force will be 
 found repugnant alike to the Sacred Scripture, to 
 antiquity, and to our Confession and Catechism.' * 
 
 After holding this disputation, he repaired to Oude- 
 water with the view of recruiting his health ; and 
 there, on the very night which followed the debate 
 just narrated, he was seized with a most violent par- 
 oxysm, which once more shattered his strength, and 
 struck alarm into the minds of all who enjoyed his 
 care and his intimacy. Simon Episcopius, in parti- 
 cular, who had by this time gone to Franeker, mainly 
 for the sake of hearing the lectures of Drusius, felt 
 veiy deeply affected by the adverse health of his great 
 Preceptor (whom he was wont to address by the name 
 of father), as these words to Arminius abundantly 
 testify : — 
 
 ' Keverend Doctor and esteemed Father : — Although 
 I have not written you since my departure, I trust you 
 will attribute this, not to any forgetfulness of you, or 
 supine and ungrateful indifference to your claims, but 
 partly to my assurance of the peculiar affection which 
 I have very forcibly and confidently flattered myself 
 
 ♦Vide his de hac disput. Epist. Bonii ad Epist. 30 Julii 
 script, inter Epist. Eccles. 
 
282 THE LIFE OF 
 
 you cherish towards me, and partly, and very princi- 
 pally, to my desire not to be officiously troublesome to 
 you, already too much harassed ; especially considering 
 that over and above your serious and grave occupations, 
 which, by a universal and simultaneous rush, are now, I 
 well know, accumulating upon your head, you are 
 ever and anon distracted by the oft-recurring agonies 
 of an obstinate disease. In these circumstances, not 
 having the boldness to address you, nor the ability to 
 cheer and refresh you, I deemed it enough to convey 
 to you my grateful remembrance, and the frequent 
 expression of my affection, through those to whom 
 I occasionally wrote. How I wish, Reverend Sir ! — 
 and that God might grant, — that it may be permit- 
 ted us to have a joyous remembrance of you in this truly 
 abandoned age, to which God appears to have given 
 promise of some remedy through your instrumentality. 
 Would that it may not prove to have been promise 
 merely ! For how stands the case ? Alas ! amid our 
 anxious longings, and repeated attempts to brace iip 
 our minds to the confidence of hope, the only intelli- 
 gence we receive is that your disease has not yet 
 abated, but holds obstinately on, and that it is irritated 
 by the malignant and choleric conduct of certain parties 
 which causes it to relapse with increased severity. 
 For my part, if you will only concede to me the cap- 
 ability of weighing your circumstances with some 
 measure of justice, and estimating, in some sort, at 
 once the utility and the necessity of your prelections, 
 you need be at no loss to imagine how deeply I am 
 distressed by the present visitation. Ungrateful should 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 28S 
 
 I be were any clay to pass over my head whicli did 
 not, at frequent intervals, remind and admonish me of 
 your disease, — a consideration, in truth, which so 
 afflicts me from day to day, that, along with it, a sort 
 of sympathetic participation of your malady ever affects 
 and invades me. Would to God this went so far, 
 that some alleviation or solace might thence redound 
 to you ! But perhaps it may not seem good to our God 
 to bless any longer through your instrumentality this 
 unwilling, ungrateful, and refractory world, w^hich 
 does not choose to know the things that make for its 
 peace, or to recognise the time of its visitation.' * 
 
 Meanwhile, as the rising controversies, which had 
 now for some time been transferred from the schools 
 to the pulpit, — yea and to the market-places, the 
 streets, and the porticos, — engaged the minds of men 
 alike of the highest and of the lowest rank ; and while 
 many, through ignorance, were assigning to Arminius 
 the opinion of Gomarus, and to Gomarus the opinion 
 of Arminius, some person, in the course of this year 
 (1609), with the view of enabling every one to 
 understand more accurately the state of this contro- 
 versy, published a translation from the Latin into the 
 vernacular tongue of the Theses of both the profes- 
 sors on the subject of Predestination, as they had been 
 defended by them respectively a few years before [viz. 
 in 1604]. These were followed by a Dialogue from 
 the pen of R. Donteklok, minister of Delft, in which 
 he asserted that the opinion of Arminius was alto 
 gether opposed to the Reformed doctrine as received 
 * Epist. Eccles. pag. 223. 
 
284 THE LIFE OF 
 
 in the Low Countries, and was such as could not 
 be tolerated in any divine ; while the opinion of 
 Gomarus, on the other hand, although in his judg- 
 ment it soared beyond the prevailing opinion, was 
 nevertheless fairly reconcileable therewith. This 
 Dialogue was promptly refuted, and the fame of 
 Arminius vindicated, by J. Arnold Corvinus, minister 
 of the church at Leyden, in a pamphlet he published 
 under the title of A Christian and Serious Admoni- 
 tion to Christian Peace. To this pamphlet not long 
 after, Donteklok replied. The friends of Arminius, too, 
 with the view of dissipating the very sinister rumours 
 with which he had been assailed, translated about this 
 time from the Latin, and submitted to the judgment 
 of the public, his Theses on The Providence of God 
 concerning Evil ; On Man^s Free Will and its Effi- 
 cacy; and also those On Indulgences and Purgatory^ 
 which were put out against the Papists. But these 
 minor publications so far from promoting the peace of 
 the Church, operated, as the discord daily increased, 
 like oil poured upon the flame. 
 
 Taking this into consideration, it pleased the States 
 of Holland and Westfriesland that a friendly con- 
 ference should be held anew before their assembly 
 betwixt Gomarus and Arminius, in regard to the 
 articles controverted between them, in which either 
 professor for himself might choose four ministers of 
 whose counsels it should be competent to him to avail 
 hiuLself. Arminius made choice of John Uitenbogaert 
 of the Hague, Adrian Borrius of Leyden, Mcolas Gre- 
 vinkovius of Rotterdam, and Adolphus Venator of 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 285 
 
 Alkmaar. Gomarus, on the other hand, chose E. 
 Acronius of Schiedam, James Roland of Amsterdam, 
 John Bogard of Haarlem, and Festus Hommius of 
 Ley den. 
 
 The first and second days were consumed by 
 various wranglings and tergiversations. In parti- 
 cular, Gomarus thought that Adolphus Venator was 
 not worthy to take part in the convention, inasmuch 
 as he had been ordered by the Classis of Alkmaar to 
 desist for the time being from the discharge of ecclesi- 
 astical functions, on the ground of impure doctrine, 
 and of his refusal to subscribe to the Confession and 
 Catechism ; for which reasons he demanded that 
 another should be substituted in his place. The 
 States rejoined that the censure thus inflicted by 
 the Classis contravened the decree which they (the 
 States) had issued with respect to the revisal of these 
 formularies of agreement; and this censure, having 
 thus been rendered by them null and void, availed 
 nothing against Adolphus in any respect. 
 
 A lengthened discussion then ensued on the subject 
 of this revisal ; the States demanding that this point 
 should be handled first, as the hinge on which their 
 own. decree turned as to the holding of a Synod. 
 After the two professors had debated the matter at 
 full length, Uitenbogaert took occasion, in a weighty 
 speech, to expound his mind also on this same point. 
 
 At last, when about to enter upon the real question, 
 Gomarus appealed from this political to an ecclesias- 
 tical tribunal, before which he was prepared to discuss 
 
286 THE LIFE Oi" 
 
 the controverted points in the presence of delegates 
 from the States.* 
 
 The States, on the other hand, refused to sustain 
 any such appeal ; told him to break off these tergiver- 
 sations ; and added, ' that if he prolonged his per- 
 tinacious opposition they would see to what, in the 
 circumstances, it was their duty to do.' This brought 
 Gomarus to dismiss his quibbles ; and on the day 
 following he declared his readiness to obey the 
 mandate of the rulers, but on these conditions : — 
 
 I. That this conference be conducted in writing, to 
 be handed in on both sides. 
 
 II. That these writings be delivered to the Na- 
 tional Synod for their inspection and adjudication, in 
 order that the right of judgment, in an ecclesiastical 
 cause, might be reserved entire to the churches. 
 
 III. That the conference commence with the sub- 
 ject of Justification. -J- 
 
 After some discussion as to the order in which the 
 various articles ought to be considered, Arminius at 
 length gave his consent that the one to be first handled 
 should be Justification. The States, however, ruled 
 that the conference should be conducted viva voce; 
 yet not to the exclusion of writing, when used as an 
 aid to the memory. They further engaged, in a public 
 letter pledging themselves to that effect, that the cause, 
 after they had investigated it in that conference, should 
 be reserved to the judgment of a Provincial Synod, 
 and that, for this end, all things that might there be 
 
 • Vid. Uitenbog. Hist. pag. 462. t Pi'sefat. Act. Synod. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 287 
 
 transacted viva voce, should subsequently be com- 
 mitted to writing, and that these documents would 
 in due course be handed over to the Synod. 
 
 Amonsr the first articles treated of at this conference, 
 the controversy concerning Justification led the way ; 
 just as, on a previous occasion, it had also been dis- 
 cussed before the Supreme Court. This turned 
 mainly on the sense of the apostle's phrase, that ' faith 
 is imputed for righteousness.* Both doctors agreed 
 in holding that the passage referred to treated of faith 
 properly so called, but differed on the question, 
 whether faith was the instrument of justification ? 
 Gomarus held the affirmative. Arminius held the 
 negative ; maintaining that faith could not properly 
 be called an instrument, seeing it was an action ; or, 
 if the name instrument must be claimed for it, it would 
 then be the instrument, not of justification, which is 
 an act of the Divine mind, but of the apprehension or 
 reception of Christ as our Redeemer, which is a human 
 act : and that faith is graciously regarded by God, in 
 the act of justifying, as having already fulfilled its 
 function. -|- 
 
 In the second place they treated of Predestination, 
 and first of all, of the object of election and reproba- 
 tion : whether God in electing and reprobating, in one 
 and the same act, regarded his creatures as not yet 
 created, — as in the void of nothing, — or, on the other 
 hand, as created : further, if he regarded them as 
 
 * Rom. iv. 5. 
 
 t Rom. iv. 5. Ex Epist. A Borrii ad G. Liv. non dum edita. 
 29 Septemb. 1609. Vide et Uitenb. Hist. pag. 469. 
 
288 THE LIFE OF 
 
 created, whether he regarded them as sinners, or other- 
 wise ; if, as sinners, whether as sinners solely by the 
 sin of Adam, or on the other hand, as sinners defiled 
 by other sins also : finally, and as the crowning point, 
 whether he contemplated those to be chosen as also 
 believing and penitent, and those to be reprobated as 
 unbelieving and impenitent. Arminius maintained 
 this, Gomarus the opposite ; a variety of arguments 
 being adduced on either side. 
 
 The third place was occupied with the controversy 
 concerning the grace of God and the free will of man. 
 Each acknowledged that man of himself, and by his 
 own powers, could accomplish nothing whatever in the 
 shape of saving good ; nay, Arminius declared, ' that 
 he admitted all the operations of divine grace what- 
 soever, which could be maintained as present in the 
 conversion of man, provided that no grace were main- 
 tained which was irresistible.' * This Gomarus dis- 
 puted ; maintaining that, in the regeneration of man, 
 a certain grace of the Holy Spirit was needed which 
 should operate so efficaciously that, the resistance of 
 the flesh being thereby overcome, as many as became 
 partakers of this grace would be certainly and infallibly 
 converted.' He added that a great ambiguity lurked 
 in the word irresistible^ and that the opinion, formerly 
 condemned, of the Semi-pelagians and Synergists lay 
 wrapped up in it. 
 
 The last topic of discussion was the Perseverance of 
 true believers ; and here the question was stirred, not 
 indeed, whether the childi'en of God can fall away 
 
 * Frosfat. Act, Synod. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 
 
 289 
 
 from salvation, but whether a man who has once 
 believed cannot, by any possibility, fall away from 
 faith. This was a doctrine which Arminius declared 
 he had by no means opposed, or meant to oppose ; 
 but he intimated that his mind was perplexed by 
 several difficulties on this subject, and he adduced 
 various reasons for the doubts he entertained. To 
 these Gomarus replied ; after which the disputants 
 were asked whether any articles yet remained on which 
 they mutually differed. Gomarus rejoined that there 
 were several ; namely, concerning Original Sin^ con- 
 cerning the providence of God^ concerning the authority 
 of the Holy Scriptures^ concerning the certainty of Sal- 
 vation^ concerning the perfection of man in this life, 
 and various others, in regard to which he left it to the 
 discretion of the illustrious States whether they should 
 be discussed in this place, especially as they must 
 again come under discussion in the Synod.* 
 
 But as the shattered health of Arminius, which 
 betrayed itself by too evident symptoms under this 
 very conference, appeared unable to sustain any longer 
 the effort of debate, it pleased the States to break it 
 short. They also ordered the disputants to deliver 
 each his own opinion, drawn up in writing, with the 
 arguments on which it rested, and a refutation of the 
 contrary, within the space of fourteen days ; to remain 
 in possession of the States till the Provincial Synod. 
 There were present at the Conference from the city of 
 Amsterdam, the honourable rulers, Jacob Boelius 
 
 • Praefat. Act. Synod. 
 
 20 
 
290 THE LIFE OF 
 
 Cornelius P. F. Hoofdius, Cronliout, Sebestian Egberts^ 
 Jonas Witzen, and Elb. Verius, Syndic of Amsterdam.* 
 After tbe conference had thus come to a close, it 
 further seemed good to the States, to summon before 
 them apart, the assessors of each doctor, that they 
 might severally state their opinions, not only in regard 
 to the importance of these controversies, but also as 
 to the remedies by which they might be allayed. On 
 this point, however, there was the utmost diversity of 
 sentiment. Those who stood by Gomarus exaggerated 
 the importance of the controversies, and indicated no 
 remedy other than the convocation, as speedily as 
 possible, of a Provincial or National Synod. On the 
 other hand, the assessors and coadjutors of Arminius, 
 on being heard by themselves, gave it as their opinion, 
 that ' that question concerning justification was either 
 of no importance, or at most of very trivial importance, 
 and could be settled without difiiculty, if acrimony and 
 ill-will were but laid aside, and due homage paid to 
 peace and truth. With regard to the opinion of 
 Arminius concerning Predestination, and questions 
 therewith connected, considering that it was in har- 
 mony with Sacred Scripture, as well as simple, easily 
 intelligible, and free of subtleties, they thought that it 
 commended itself as much the better adapted of the 
 two for the ends of consolation and instruction. In 
 favour of Armmius was the entire tenor of the gospel ; 
 while the opinion of Gomarus transcended the gospel : 
 
 * Ex Epist. vernacula Jac Arminii ad R. Episcop, 26 Aug. 
 ]609. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 291 
 
 and he himself, in a certain thesis, had ultroneously 
 confessed that the doctrine of predestination, as he 
 taught it, did not, properly speaking, pertain to the 
 gospel. 
 
 The Rev. J. Uitenhogiiert next, in name of all the 
 rest, discoursed, in an oration replete with varied 
 erudition and eloquence, concerning the causes of the 
 growing dissensions, and how they were to be 
 remedied ; what care in these controversies belonged 
 to the States ; and how far in this matter their power 
 extended.* But particularly in regard to the Synod, 
 which most believed to be the sheet-anchor of the 
 imperilled Church, he declared 'that it was by no 
 means useless, yea, that it might, according to the state 
 of times and circumstances, be necessary, provided 
 care were taken to prevent, — what the famous Beza 
 elsewhere affirmed of the assemblies of the Ancient 
 Church, — the devil from acting in it as president ; to 
 foreclose which danger there did not exist any remedy 
 more effectual, than that the illustrious Rulers, ac- 
 cording to the authority which they possessed, should 
 convoke a Synod thoroughly free and just, in which 
 not only Arminius and Gomarus, but all who may 
 happen to have some doubts and strictures on the 
 controversies referred to, may be fully heard, and 
 their reasons duly weighed according to the Sacred 
 Volume. It ought, moreover, to be taken into consi- 
 deration what was tne aim which that Synod should- 
 propose to itself. Under the impulse of that pre- 
 judiced sentiment and high tide of excitement by 
 
 * Vidci Oiationem banc in Uitenbog. His . lib. 3. p. 480. 
 
292 THE LIFE OF 
 
 wliich at this time they were borne along, the greater 
 part had this only as the object of their desire^ that 
 the majority should condemn the minority, and pro- 
 nounce judgment in reference to these controversies 
 in a manner altogether definitive and peremptory ; 
 and what sort of evils would thenceforth rush from 
 that fountain, no candid discerner of events could be 
 at a loss to conjecture. This Synod, therefore, ought 
 to be convened for friendly conference between parties 
 opposed to each other on controverted points, and to 
 see whether they might not be able to agree among 
 themselves. But if there seemed nothing to warrant 
 the hope that this matter would be disposed of so 
 promptly, and at one assembly, the safety of the State 
 and Church would be best consulted were the illus- 
 trious States, bv a formula of mutual forbearance on 
 points that are less essential, to put an end in some 
 measure, if only for a time, to such ecclesiastical 
 contentions.' 
 
 Shortly after these transactions, Gomarus trans- 
 mitted in writing, within the time prescribed by the 
 States, those opinions which he had orally defended 
 before their assembly.* Arminius, however, on being 
 conveyed home from the Hague, had scarcely com- 
 posed himself to the task of obeying the mandates of 
 the rulers, when the disease in its malignant form 
 again attacked him anew, and that with an aggra- 
 vated severity proportioned to the increased intensity 
 it had gained from a harassed mind and debilitated 
 energies. But he in the highest degree consoled 
 
 • Prefat. Act. Synod. 
 
JAilES ARMINIUS, 293 
 
 himself, according to Grod and the testimony of his 
 conscience, with this one reflection, that in the 
 supreme Assembly of all Holland he had been 
 patiently listened to by his most clement lords, to 
 whose prudence he attributed so much as to en- 
 courage the hope that, in the event of his death, 
 there would not be wanting among them those who, 
 once satisfied of the justice of his cause, would 
 throw around it the protective influence of their 
 wisdom and favour. He sent, however, by letter, 
 on the 12th September, a modest excuse to the 
 States as to his inability to fulfil their commands by 
 the appointed day ; in which he stated, ' that he was 
 confined to a sick-bed, after having already drawn 
 up a considerable part of the prescribed document, 
 which now, — such being the will of the Divine 
 Disposer, — he was obliged to break off. His having 
 been heard on a previous occasion, and the whole 
 case at that time having been exhibited in writing, 
 might be accepted in discharge of the present neces- 
 sity. If, however, they at all desired the portion he 
 had executed, he would take care either that, in the 
 event of his being by the grace of Christ restored to 
 health, they should have the whole perfect and entire, 
 or that, in the event of his decease, they should have 
 it in its abrupt and imperfect form. With regard, 
 however, to the Confession he had given forth, so 
 far was he from entertaining any doubt respecting it, 
 that, on the contrary, he stedfastly believed it to be 
 throughout in accordance with Scripture ; he there- 
 fore persisted in it, being prepared with this very 
 
294 THE LIFE OF 
 
 faith to appear, even at that very moment, before the 
 trihnnal of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Judge 
 of the Uving and of the dead.' * 
 
 Meanwhile, his disease gathered strength every 
 day, in spite of every effort to arrest it by those most 
 eminent and practised physicians, Doctors Pavius, 
 Sebastian Egberts, Henry SseKus, and Eeyner Bon- 
 tiiis. The virulence of the malady, moreover, too 
 deeply seated for medical art and appliance to eradi- 
 cate it, daily developed new symptoms — fever, cough, 
 enlargement of the hypochondria, difficulty of respira- 
 tion, oppression from food, broken sleep, atrophy, and 
 arthritis, which allowed the sufferer no rest. In com- 
 plication with these were intestinal pains, — in the ilium 
 and colon ; together with aifection of the left optic 
 nerve, and dimness of the left eye. When this last 
 {iffection became known, there were some who, abating 
 nothing even then of their wonted rancour against 
 him, did not scruple to interpret it as one of the judg- 
 ments dealt out to the contemners of the Divine 
 Majesty. To give some speciousness to this outrage^ 
 they bandied about, with application to Arminius, these 
 words of the inspired prophet Zechariah,-{- in which 
 he speaks of the wasting away of the eyes and of the 
 whole body : ' This shall be the plague wherewith 
 the Lord will smite all the people that have fought 
 against Jerusalem ; their flesh shall consume away 
 while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall 
 consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall 
 
 * Uiteiibog. Hist. pag. iVO.— Beitii Oratlo pag. 3Q. 
 •\- Chap. xiv. 12. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 295 
 
 consume away in their mouth.' To this passage, they 
 appended another from the same prophetic book. " 
 * Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock ! the 
 sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye : 
 his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall 
 be utterly darkened.' t 
 
 There were some also who, by a play on the name 
 James Arminius [Jacobus Arminius] made him out 
 to be a friend of this vain world. [Vani Orbis 
 Amicus.] While others, subsequently, with the view 
 of pouring ridicule upon this anagram, worked up 
 another from the same name, with the addition of a 
 single letter, \ in which he is himself introduced as 
 saying, / have had a care for Sion. [Habui Curam 
 SiONis.] Meanwhile Arminius, though day by day the 
 violence of the disease shook his frame more and more, 
 preserved unshaken his constancy of mind and placidity 
 of temper, and retained his power of articulate utter- 
 ance to the very close of life. Nor did he betray the 
 least abatement of his wonted cheerfulness of aspect, 
 and kindliness of disposition ; charging his afflicted and 
 
 * Chap. xi. 17. 
 
 t ' Aud yet,' says Bertius, in allusion to this barbarous 
 diversion, ' it Avas not " his right eye " that was affected, but 
 his left ; nor was it " utter darkness," but only a dimness ; 
 nor was his arm '• clean dried up," but it was swollen. His 
 tongue, too, articulately fulfilled its office to the very last. In 
 this manner things above, and things below, on the right and the 
 left, divine aud human, are alike made to subserve the wi.l of 
 these wretched oracular expounders of the mysteries of Provi- 
 dence! " — Orut. in obit. Armiuii. — Tr. 
 
 X The letter h, which occurs in his original name Hermanns. 
 
296 THE LIFE OF 
 
 anguish-stricken wife to be resigned in spirit, and 
 very often exhorting her to put her trust in the God 
 of the widow. 
 
 Very frequently, too, and with the utmost fervour, 
 did he pour out his supplications unto God, both for 
 himself, and for the prosperity and peace of the church ; 
 and in all his conversations he testified his unmoved 
 confidence, and thoroughly unshaken hope in Christ 
 the Saviour. And if his brethren addressed them- 
 selves to prayer on his behalf, and he happened at the 
 time to be overpowered by pain, he would request 
 them now and then to pause, until he had recovered 
 himself, and become able along with them to go 
 through this solemn exercise. 
 
 Among many forms of prayer which he specially 
 enjoyed, and frequently used, the following were pro- 
 minent : ' Lord Jesus, thou faithful and merciful 
 High Priest, who consentedst to be in all things 
 tempted like as we are, yet without sin, that, taught 
 by this experience how hard it is to obey God in suf- 
 ferings, thou raightest be touched with a feeling of our 
 infirmities, have compassion on me, succour me, thy 
 servant prostrate, and pressed with so many maladies. 
 God of my salvation, make my soul fit for thy 
 heavenly kingdom, and my body for the resurrection. 
 Great Shepherd of the sheep, who, through the blood 
 of the everlasting covenant hast been brought again 
 from the dead, Lord and Saviour Jesus, be present 
 with me, an infirm and afflicted sheep of thine.'* 
 Very often to the friends at his bedside did he repeat 
 
 * Vide Bertii Orat. Funebr. in obitum J. Arminii pag. 40. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 297 
 
 the twentieth and following verse of the 13 th chapter 
 of Hebrews, from which he had drawn this last form 
 of prayer ; and this passage of Holy Writ he used to 
 utter with such ardour of mind and overflowing 
 fervour of spirit, that the Eev. Bartholomew Praevos- 
 tius, a disciple most worthy of such a preceptor, and 
 who was afterwards pastor of the Remonstrant church 
 in Amsterdam, was wont to declare that it remained 
 ever after indelibly fixed in his memory, and vividly 
 present to his mind. 
 
 About the same time, also, from a desire to pay the 
 last offices of piety to his preceptor, the very learned 
 Simon Episcopius hastened from Franeker to Holland, 
 and for several days and nights kept close by his bed- 
 side, interchanging much conversation with him on 
 the subject of religion, the state of the Church, the 
 knowledge of the Saviour, and the efficacy of his death 
 and resurrection.* 
 
 Moreover, on being admonished by his physicians, 
 as his strength declined, of the urgent propriety, con- 
 sidering the uncertain issues of life, of setting his 
 house in order, and embodying in a last will whatever 
 charges he might wish to leave, so little did he dread 
 the approach of the fatal hour, that he resigned himself 
 to death with truly admirable composure of mind, and 
 set himself to transact whatever duty required of a 
 Christian teacher and head of a fiimily. At this 
 solemn season, accordingly, he drew up a testament, 
 truly Christian in its character ; and dictated in it a 
 
 * Vide vitam Episcop. a Ph. Limburg. concionibus ejus 
 prsefixani. 
 
298 THE LIFE OF 
 
 brief statement of his aims and manner of life. Mark 
 tlie following confession of the dying man, as a signal 
 index and evidence of his piety. 
 
 ' First of all, I commend my soul, when it quits the 
 body, into the hands of God its creator, and faithful 
 preserver, in whose presence I testify that in simplicity 
 and sincerity I have walked with a good conscience in 
 my office and calling ; very anxiously and scrupul- 
 ously on my guard not to propound or teach aught 
 which, by diligent application to the study of the 
 Sacred Scriptures, I had not previously found to be in 
 strictest harmony with these writings : — whatsoever 
 things might prove conducive to the propagation and 
 extension of the truth of the Christian religion, of the 
 worship of the true God, of piety in general, and holy 
 conversation among men, — ui fine, to the tranquillity 
 and peace, according to the Word of God, which be- 
 comes the Christian name ; excluding the . Papacy, 
 with which no unity of faith, no bond of piety or 
 Christian peace, can be maintained.' 
 
 These things having been transacted, and all his 
 affairs set in order, the few days that yet remained 
 were spent in the invocation of Christ the Saviour, and 
 in meditation on the better life. During this period, 
 his reverend brethren, J. Uitenbogaert and Adrian 
 Borrius, who were each closely knit to him in the 
 bonds of a most intimate friendship contracted many 
 years before, and by a community of vicissitudes of a 
 varied and critical kind, excelled all others in their 
 assiduous attentions, which were to him most grateful, 
 and refreshed his spirit by their much relished ccnver- 
 
JAMES AKMINIUS. 299 
 
 sations and prayers. But at length, on the 19th of 
 October, about noon, amidst the prayers of his friends, 
 with his eyes upturned towards heaven, he peace- 
 fully yielded up to his creator God, his soul, brimful 
 of this world's woes, already longing for release, 
 and enjoying a foretaste of celestial bliss; several 
 present exclaiming, as he breathed out his spirit, ' 
 my soul, let me die the death of the righteous !" * 
 
 Thus died James Arminius, having completed a' 
 period of six years in the professorship, and in the 
 49th year of his age — a truly mournful loss, not only 
 to the Academy and the Christian community, but 
 also, and most of all, to his widow and nine children, 
 of whom the eldest at that time had little more than 
 attained the 17th year of his age. Among these were 
 two little daughters, Gertrude and x\ngelica ; the 
 rest were males — Hermann, Peter, John, Lawrence, 
 James, William, and Daniel; of whom, Lawrence, 
 on reaching manhood, became a merchant in the city 
 of Amsterdam, while Daniel prosecuted the medical 
 art with the highest reputation. The remaining sons, 
 after the decease of their beloved father, died in the 
 very flower of their youth. 
 
 • Bertii Oratio Funebr. pag. 43.— Et Uitenb. Hist. pag. iSS. 
 
300 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 SKETCH OF THE PERSON AND CHARACTER OF ARMINIUS ; 
 WITH A VARIETY OF TESTIMONIES IN REGARD TO HIM 
 BOTH FROM FRIENDS AND FOES. A.D. 1609. 
 
 On the day on which Amiinius was interred, Peter 
 Bertius, regent of the theological college, and a most 
 accomplished man, publicly conducted the solemnities 
 by a funeral oration in honour of Arminius, in the 
 theological hall. In this oration (from which, in the 
 present little work, we have very freely drawn,) he 
 gives some brief account of the life and excellences 
 of the deceased; adding towards the close, that his 
 blessed memory ought to be embalmed in the 
 Christian Church, with this elogium : ' There lived 
 IN Holland a man, whom they that did not know 
 HIM could not sufficiently esteem ; WHOM they 
 WHO did not esteem him had never sufficiently 
 
 KNOWN.' 
 
 The same kind office which Bertius performed in 
 his prose oration, was also publicly rendered in song 
 by these world-renowned men and consummate poets, 
 Dominic Baud and Hugh Grotius, whose elegiac poems 
 we have subjoined at the close of this memoir. To 
 these we add a distinguished little poem of Daniel 
 Heinsius, omitted in the collection of his poems, — for 
 
THE LIFE OF JAMES ARMINIUS. 301 
 
 wliat reasons, it is not difficult to conjecture, — in 
 which, by means of a comparison which he institutes 
 between Arminius, the champion of the ancient 
 liberty of the Batavians, and our Arminius, he thus 
 celebrates, in a strain of singular elegance, the ser- 
 vice rendered by the latter in withstanding the 
 t}Tanny of the Eomanists : — 
 
 ' lu Obitum Eev. D. Jacobi Arminii, Summi Pontificiorum 
 Oppuguaturis. 
 
 ' Ingentem Dominum rerum Martisque nepotem 
 
 Germanus olim fregit Armiui vigor, 
 Ausus inaccessam Romano opponere gentem, 
 
 Nihil timere doctus et fortis mori. 
 Horruit et nostro Tiberis se subdidit Albi, 
 
 Martisque gentem fuedus invasit timor. 
 Quintilise cecidere acies, tei'ramque momordit 
 
 Ferox juventus, unico minor viro. 
 Nunc alter Batavo de sangiiine fortis et acer, 
 
 Et veritate armatus, et fandi potens. 
 Mendacem invasit sublimi pectore Romam, 
 
 Hoc quern sepulchro terra victorem tegit. 
 Sic fuit in fatis : laudem banc Germania servas. 
 
 Bis Roma nostros non tulisti Arminios.' • 
 
 It now remains that we subjoin a brief sketch of 
 Arminius, descriptive at once of his person and his 
 
 * The name of this ancient patriot was Hermann {i.e., chief- 
 man, or chieftain), latinised by Tacitus and other Roman 
 historians into Arminius. He flourished at the very com- 
 mencement of our era, and withstood the power of imperial 
 Rome in many a hard-fought field. The particular exploit 
 here alluded to was the total destruction, by the hand of 
 Arminius and his German wamors, of three Roman legions 
 under Quintilius Varus, who, with thek general, fell almost to 
 a man in the woody pass of the Teutoburger Wald — an event 
 
V 
 
 02 THE LIFE OF 
 
 mind. In bodily stature lie did not exceed tlie medium 
 size. His eyes were black and sparkling, indicating 
 acuteness of mind and genius. His countenance was 
 serene. His bodily temperament was sanguineous ; 
 
 which struck terror into the heart of Rome, the aged Emperor 
 Augustus calhng out in his grief for Varus to give him back 
 his legions This will sufficiently explain the allusions that 
 occur in this little piece, the conception of which was fur- 
 nished by the coincidence in the two names, and in Rome 
 being in each case the party opposed. The versification is 
 exquisite to a degree which renders translation an uninviting 
 and somewhat perilous task. But for the sake of the English 
 reader, in whose special service we are now engaged, we will 
 adventure the following ; — 
 
 On the death of the Rev. Doctor James Arminius, a re- 
 nowned opposcr of the Papists. 
 
 Rome's lordly legions, sprung of Mars, 
 
 Of old the valiant Hermann broke; 
 Untaught to fear, untamed by wars. 
 
 The dauntless Germans spurned the yoke. 
 Old Tiber, trembling at the shock, 
 
 Bowed to our Elbe his crested pride ; 
 Hosts melted under Hermann's stroke. 
 
 The fiower of Rome in battle died ; 
 And Varus' legions sunk undone, 
 Crushed by the giant might of one. 
 
 Behold another Hermann strong ! 
 
 A Hermann of Batavian blood ; 
 Begirt with truth, of golden tongue, 
 
 And lofty, lion-hearted mood; 
 Apostate Rome he well withstood; 
 
 But now in death our hero sleeps, — 
 So Heaven decreed, all-wise and good, — 
 
 And o'er his tomb Germania weeps ; 
 But ' Rome! ' she boasts, ' Thou Queen of pride! 
 Thee have my Hermanns twice defied.' — Tr. 
 
JAMES ARMTNIUS. 303 
 
 his limbs wall compacted, and at the prims of life, 
 somewhat rohust. His voice was slender, indeed, 
 but sweet, musical, and sharp. He was eloquent in 
 an admirable degree : if any subject was to be em- 
 bellished, if any discussed, it was done with distinct- 
 ness ; the pronunciation and intonation of voice being 
 thoroughly adapted to the sense.* As respects his 
 general bearing, he was courteous and affable towards 
 all, respectful to superiors, hospitable, cheerful, — and 
 noway disinclined among his friends to harmless sallies 
 of wit, by way of mental relaxation; but in all that con- 
 stitutes the man of gravity, the Christian, and the con- 
 summate teacher of the church, as far as human infir- 
 mity could permit, he was second to none. He adored 
 with profound veneration the supreme and ever-blessed 
 God ; and never allowed a day to pass without pious 
 meditation, and perusal of the Sacred Scriptures, 
 making a commencement with fervid prayers ; and in 
 order to make the greater progress in the cultivation of 
 piety, and the truth, he occasionally followed up these 
 prayers with fasting. He wished to 6e, rather than 
 to appear pious ; and regarded nothing as of greater 
 moment than to regulate all his actions, not by the 
 opinion of others, but by the dictate of a pure cor- 
 science ; and to confirm by his own example the truth 
 of his own maxim, in which he pre-eminently de- 
 lighted : ' Bona Conscientia Paradisus' — ' A Good 
 Conscience is a Paradise.' 
 
 As respects the cultivation of piety, and the regard 
 to be paid to conscience, he also acknowledged that 
 
 * Baudart Hist. 
 
Q 
 
 04 THE LIFE OF 
 
 much on his part was due to the ecclesiastical 
 function to which, in the very flower of his youth 
 he had already been destined. For this reason, he 
 marked off for special castigation those persons who, — 
 as if they bore universal knowledge about with them 
 locked up in the cabinet of their own breast, — judged 
 themselves entitled, on being asked their opinion on 
 any subject, to speak forth none other than oracular 
 utterances to be received with open ears and obse- 
 quious minds. No object, moreover, lay nearer to his 
 heart than to see the brands of discord extinguished, 
 and the convulsed Christian community brought back 
 to an agreement of mutual forbearance as respects 
 controversies which do not shake the foundations of 
 the true soul-saving faith. So intense was this desire, 
 that the intemperate rage of denoimcing dissentients, 
 how trivial soever the point of difference, in matters 
 of religious opinion, not unfrequently brought the tears 
 to his eyes. Hence he often repeated, with deep emo- 
 tion, the lament of Hilary, ' that while one is launching 
 anathemas upon another, and driving him from the 
 communion of the Church, scarcely a single soul is 
 gained to Christ.' * 
 
 He rarely indulged in rhetorical garniture, and in 
 the fragrant fineries of the Greeks, either because his 
 nature was averse to such artifices, or because he 
 deemed it derogatory to the majesty of divine things 
 to call into requisition those classic names and adsci- 
 titious embellishments, when the naked truth was 
 sufficient for its own defence. He set a high value, 
 * Uitenh. Hist. pag. 483. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 305 
 
 however, as appears from his correspondence with 
 Drusius,* on the knowledge of the Hebrew and Oriental 
 literature, by which not only the phrases of the sacred 
 language, but also the antiquities of the ancient church 
 of the Jews, with their rites, manners, and customs, 
 both sacred and civil, might be discovered and ex- 
 plained. This he judged useful, and necessary to the 
 ideal of a consummate theologian ; and with those 
 who attached little importance to these and kindred 
 studies, he was in no small measure displeased. A 
 keen debater on points connected with religion, and 
 expert in using the subtilties of adversaries against 
 themselves, he was in other respects disinclined to 
 controversy, w^hen no necessity for it existed ; and he 
 strove to make every doctrine, and all the powers of 
 his mind and genius, subserve the aim of leading a 
 life worthy of a Christian man. There was no air of 
 haughtiness in his teaching ; he was a mild and per- 
 spicuous interpreter of his thoughts ; in argument cir- 
 cumspect ; and so little inclined to self-confidence, that 
 he refused to gratify the wishes of his importunate 
 friends when they urged him to publish some work he 
 had composed. On this very account, indeed, he was, 
 wont to tax with no small measure of imprudence his 
 eminent colleague, L. Trelcatius, junior, for having 
 published, in his youthful years, A Body of Christian 
 Theology in which, in his judgment, he had written 
 many things, indeed, well, but many more that were 
 little in harmony with the Sacred Scriptures. -|- 
 
 * Epist. Eccles. pag. 33, 
 
 t Anuinii Epist. ad Uiteub. 3 Kal. Septemb. 1604. 
 
 2X 
 
306 THE LIFE OF 
 
 As during his life, so after his death, he underwent 
 judgments, on the part of many, of the most conflict- 
 ing kind. Scarcely had Peter Bertius paid the last 
 honours to him in a funeral oration, when Gomarus 
 broke out against his deceased colleague, and the 
 eulogiser of his virtues ; and in a treatise which he 
 published against him, he detracted much from the 
 merits of both. Yea, the very poem in which the 
 honourable Hugh Grotius had celebrated Arminius, 
 was to him a great eyesore ; the following verses, in 
 particular, drew from him some bitter remarks : 
 
 Tndigniore parte fractus et lauguens, 
 Meliore sospes, ilia milUbus multis 
 Monstrata per te regua SOLUS arderes.* 
 
 That word solus had excited much ill-feeling 
 against this most celebrated poet, and also in relation 
 to Arminius himself; the truth being, that owing to 
 the negligence of the compositor, or some other who 
 superintended the publication, that word had crept in, 
 TOTUS being the word which should have occupied its 
 place, — a cu'cumstance of which Grotius himself in- 
 formed Gomarus in the following letter (now pub- 
 
 * • Broken and powerless in thy meaner part (the body,) but 
 sound ill thy nobler part (the soul,) thou wert all on fire (totus 
 arderes) to gain those heavenly kingdoms to which, to many 
 thousands, thou hadst pointed the way.' Such was the mean- 
 ing of Grotius. But the blundering substitution, by the printer, 
 of 'solus,' 'alone,' for 'totus,' * entire,' made him represent 
 Arminius as the only man of his order who cherished those 
 heavenly aspirations. We have given a metrical version of 
 Grotius's Elegiac poem at the end. The part b.ere quoted will 
 be foinid in the 19th and 20th stanzas.— Tr, 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 307 
 
 lished for the first time), in wiiich he appropriately 
 takes upon himself the defence of his elegiac poem: — 
 
 'To that Eeverend and most distinguished man. 
 Francis Gomarus, professor of theology in the Leyden 
 Academy : 
 
 ' I suppose, Eeverend Sir, that you have seen my 
 verses on the death of Arminius, in which if there be 
 anything that has pleased you, it will be very gratify- 
 ing to me. But what has, I understand, proved 
 displeasing to you, is also, I assure you, displeasing to 
 me. I had WTitten to the effect that your colleague, 
 overwhelmed as he was with affliction towards the 
 end, was altogether ftotiimj, meaning asfai^ as in him 
 lay^ inflamed with the desire of the better life in 
 heaven. What evil hand it was that out of my word 
 totus (whole) made solus (sole) I do not know; a 
 mistake so foolish, as it appears to me, that it can 
 admit of no good sense. Whoever he is, I marvel at 
 his audacity and stupidity in being so awkwardly 
 officious in regard to the production of another. And 
 even if any emendation had been required, I ought to 
 have been consulted. Immediately after the publica- 
 tion, I uttered the complaint to the most learned 
 Heinsius, and other friends, that my publishers had 
 betrayed in this place a lack of fidelity, as in many 
 other places they had betrayed a lack of diligence. 
 
 ' At all events, what I proposed to myself in 
 praising Arminius was this, that to the man to whom 
 when living I could refuse no kind of service, (for I 
 knew him, though only as I knew many others, with- 
 
308 THE LIFE OF 
 
 out being on terms of close intimacy,) I should, now 
 that lie is dead, render this tribute, — which I was 
 conscious of being able with all sincerity to do, — to 
 that far-from-ordinary cast of genius, and transparent 
 kind of eloquence which I always admired in him. I 
 added that both in those things in which he defended 
 the truth so strenuously against the Pope, and in those 
 other things in which it was more possible for him to 
 err, he did nothing from a hardened impulse contrary to 
 the dictates of conscience. This was a judgment which 
 charity dictated to me 5 as also that other, namely, 
 that Arminius, particularly as death drew near, had 
 bent his wishes towards the peace of the Church. 
 
 ' But as to the points of difference between you and 
 Arminius, and between many good men, with these I 
 am neither sufficiently acquainted, nor, if I were, 
 would I rashly intermeddle. That matter has its 
 own ■ appropriate judges. To us, occupied as we are 
 with other things, it is allowable, as I trust, with the 
 kind favour of God, to continue ignorant in respect to 
 many things, and in respect to many others to with- 
 hold our assent. But although I do not build on 
 human authority, this nevertheless I am free to avow, 
 that in those points on which I entertain doubt, it is not 
 easy for me to become wrenched from the opinions of 
 those whom the Church has hitherto acknowledged to 
 have been the pioneers of her restored purity. Many 
 precepts, in particular, of Doctor Francis Junius, 
 whose memory I hold sacred, remain indelibly in my 
 mind. But then, in all such controversies I invariably 
 incline to that side which attributes most to divine 
 
JAMES ARMINIU3. 309 
 
 gtace, and least to ourselves. These dissensions 
 grieve me ; but the Church has never been long with- 
 out them, and never will. It remains that we bear 
 one with another, and that, among the many things 
 which hmnan infirmity renders uncertain, we hold 
 those for certain on which rests the hope of our 
 salvation. 
 
 ' Meanwhile, Eeverend Sir, I pray God that he 
 may direct your labours towards that which I doubt 
 not is your aim — the tranquillity of the Church and 
 the confirmation of sound doctrine. 
 
 ^ One who regards your name with the utmost 
 respect, 
 
 ' H. Grotius.' 
 
 But those same adversaries with whom he had so 
 often, on past occasions, come into collision, treading in 
 the footsteps of Gomarus, traduced him as ' a man, 
 ip.deed, of somewhat practised intellect, but whom 
 nothing pleased except what recommended itself by 
 some appearance of novelty ; so much so, that he 
 appeared to loathe many doctrines received in the 
 churches, even on this very ground, that they had 
 been received.' * Among strangers, too, were found 
 some who, misled by a certain blind prejudice, and 
 attributing undue importance to the clamours of sun- 
 dry zealots, characterised him as ' an enemy of God ; a 
 man of crafty intellect ; who had done all things dex- 
 terously ; who, Ham-like, had exposed the nakedness 
 of his fathers ; and who, in a detestable manner, 
 
 * Praefat. Synodi Dordrac. 
 
310 THE LIFE OF 
 
 through the side of the holiest leaders of the Eeforma- 
 tion, had dealt a stab at the very body of the Eeformed 
 Church.' John Hoornbeck writes that Arminiiis 
 was much too confident in his own speculations, 
 and showed himself much too eager to demolish all 
 else. And more : appropiiating the words of Tacitus, 
 he calls him a covenant-breaker who, forswearing the 
 faith which he had pledged both to God and the 
 Church, hfird begun, first secretly, then openly, both 
 by himself, and by his disciples and abettors, to dis- 
 turb and subvert the faith of the churches, and the 
 doctrine of Christ; and not the churches only, but 
 civil politics also, in his nefarious attempt ; and that 
 he would have succeeded, had not God interposed his 
 aid at that perilous crisis.* 
 
 On the other hand, as Arminius himself had abun- 
 dantly refuted these accusations, and many others of 
 the same kind, so at this time also Bertius, Uitenbo- 
 gaert, Simon Episcopius, Corvinus, Narsius, Courcel*- 
 les, Poelenburg, and others, undertook the vindication 
 of his blessed memoiy ; and for this reason they began 
 to receive from their adversaries the designation of 
 Arminians. 
 
 First of all, let us listen to Arnold Poelenburg, 
 that most worthy champion of the Kemonstrants, as 
 lie pleads the cause of Arminius against the charges 
 of Hoornbeck. Referring to the passag-e just cited, 
 ' Behold,' he exclaims, ' with how great a rage of 
 calumniation he (Hoornbeck) burns ! For what could 
 
 * Vide Am. Poelenb. Epist. ad C. H. in qua liber 8. summs& 
 controversiarum Hoornbeequii, refellitur Amstelod. 1655. pag. 5. 
 
JAMES AEMINIUS. 311 
 
 he mean by traducing Arminius, of pious memory, 
 after his death, as one " who trusted to his own specu- 
 lations," when he, too, acknowledged the Sacred 
 Scriptures to be the only rule of his faith, and had 
 greatly the better of his opponents, at once in the 
 nimiber and in the weight of his testimonies ? What 
 could be his object in declaring that Arminius " show- 
 ed himself much too eager to demolish all else," when 
 nothing lay nearer his heart than to get the Church 
 restored to her pristine purity and peace ? But on 
 reading those statements in which he brands Armi- 
 nius, the best of men, as " a covenant-breaker," I was 
 utterly horror-struck, and much at a loss to divine 
 whence a degree of audacity so great and so extraor- 
 dinary had come to be generated in a man speaking 
 things that were false, and maintaining an unjust 
 cause. For why, is that man to be called a covenant- 
 breaker who defends w^th all his might the covenant 
 which God -has struck with the entire human race ? 
 After this, there is no reason why he should not brand 
 almost all the Ancient Fathers as covenant-breakers ; 
 for they either knew not, or they opposed, absolute 
 predestination. But I think I can discern to what he 
 refers — namely, to this, that Arminius did not sub- 
 scribe to the Belgic Confession and Catechism. But 
 it had already been answered, that very many traces 
 of our opinion are to be found in these ^'ritings. 
 Besides, Arminius had never so enslaved his faith to 
 any human composition as to imply that such was not, 
 at all times, to be weighed in the balance of Scrip- 
 ture. What ? Is Hoornbeck prepared to call Luther, 
 
312 THE LIFE OP 
 
 Musculus, and many more, " covenant-breakers," be- 
 cause, wlien bound by vows to tlie Papacy, they felt 
 unable with a sound conscience to remain in the Pa- 
 pacy ? For as formerly, and still, the Papists, so the 
 Reformed of the day, unhappily defend certain griev- 
 ous errors of their own, under cover of the Holy 
 Scriptures erroneously understood : although, we own, 
 not altogether after the same fashion. Let that 
 liberty, then, be conceded to Arminius, which has 
 been conceded to numerous others before him. For 
 my part, I maintain, that to a man of high standing, 
 and endowed with distinguished gifts, it is not only 
 allowable, but, by virtue of his office, it is also incum- 
 bent upon him, to oppose with all his might prevail- 
 ing errors which had come to be regarded as neces- 
 sary truth.' * 
 
 But not to insist on the testimonies of Eemon- 
 strants, in what esteem the name of Arminius, — to 
 many so hateful, — continued to be held by the 
 honourable curators of the Academy, will be apparent 
 from the fact that to his widow, Elizabeth Real, and 
 to her fatherless children, whom they took under their 
 protection, they assigned a handsome annuity ; and 
 that very dignified body, the Senatus Academicus, in 
 compliance with their request, at once furnished them 
 with the following testimony to the deceased : — 
 
 The Rector Magnific, and Senatus of the Academy 
 of Leyden-in-Holland, to all and sundries, who may 
 read or hear this testimony, greeting : 
 
 ' Inasmuch as it has seemed good to Almighty God 
 * A. Poelenb. Epist. ut supra pag. 6, 7. 
 
JAMES ARMmnjs. 313 
 
 to call that distinguished and reverend man, James 
 Arminius, Doctor of Sacred Theology, and Professor 
 in Ordinary of that Faculty in this oui' Academy, 
 away from that professorship which, for a series of 
 years in which he thus acted, he exercised with sin- 
 gular assiduity, and with the applause of his hearers, 
 into the celestial country, and to grant him an ever- 
 lasting release and immunity from those protracted 
 labours which he sustained both in the Church and 
 in the Academy ; and seeing that the surviving 
 widow of this same deceased man, of most blessed 
 memory, together with the childi'en which she had by 
 him, has requested, as a debt due to his eminent virtues, 
 that the Senatus would furnish her with a testimonial, 
 — a request which, considering the many distinguished 
 endowments of that man, appears to us to be nought 
 else than just ; we willingly contribute the last office 
 which it is in our power to discharge to his very 
 dearly cherished memory. We testify, therefore, that 
 the said James Arminius, D.D., led such a life in this 
 our Academy as to teach Sacred Theology (for we 
 leave controversies to others) both in public and 
 in private, with the utmost assiduity and diligence.* 
 And besides, in the Senatus Academicus, as became 
 an eminently wise and prudent man, he maintained 
 by his judgment, counsel, and authority, that place 
 and dignity which was due at once to himself and to 
 the whole honourable order; and to public matters 
 
 * It is to be observed that this same formula also occurs in 
 the testimony which the Senatus Academicus gave to Gouiarus, 
 when he left for Middelburgh, 
 
314 THE LIFE OF 
 
 which fell to be transacted by us in our assembled 
 capacity he was ever ready to postpone those which 
 were personal and private. Whatever he thought 
 conducive to the interests of the Academy, he frankly 
 propounded 5 whatever he deemed the contrary, to 
 that with the like freedom he declared himself opposed. 
 He did not stain his most sacred profession with any 
 spot or blemish, in manners of life ; but, as was in- 
 cumbent on an upright man, he maintained a 
 demeanour in harmony with his calling and office. 
 As became a diligent teacher, he instructed the youth 
 intrusted to his charge with assiduity and zeal. For 
 these reasons we entreat all and sundries to speak and 
 think of the same James Arminius, D.D., a man of 
 blessed memory, in such a manner as his erudition, 
 his work performed in this our Academy, and his 
 excellence, deserve. Which testimony we have 
 ordered to be certified by the hand of our secretary, 
 and to be further ratified and confirmed by our com- 
 mon seal. 
 
 ' Compared with the original, and copied in terms of 
 the same order of the Kector Magnific and the Senatus 
 Academicus, by 
 
 ' Daniel Heinsius.' 
 
 To this very honourable testimonial of the Senatus, 
 which is preserved to this day among the archives of 
 the Leyden Academy, it may be well to add some 
 individual testimonies with which several very emi- 
 nent men, unfettered by the partialities of sect, 
 honoured him both during his life, and after his death. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 315 
 
 The truly illustrious Scaliger, though sufficiently 
 chary of praising others, calls him ' a very great man.' 
 Meursius assigns him ' a most penetrating intellect 
 and judgment.' * The very celebrated Drusius classes 
 him among ' the learned and candid men ' to whose 
 judgment he readily submitted his writings. 
 
 In that epistle to the States- General, in which the 
 distinguished Baud dedicates to their name his elegiac 
 poem on the death of Arminius, he calls him 'his 
 reverend colleague, an excellent man, whom, when 
 alive, he embraced in his sincere affection, and whom, 
 now that he is dead, he continued to esteem as a man 
 abounding in extraordinary endowments of mind and 
 learning' ; and in a letter to Uitenbogaert he follows 
 up his praises of the deceased with these words : ' He 
 was never legitimately convicted of, or condemned for, 
 any error. Yea, to his last breath he adorned the 
 post which by the decree of the curators and of our 
 rulers he had obtained, and he died in the possession 
 of rightful office ; so that all good men, for the best 
 of reasons, ought to cherish his memory with every 
 feeling of favourable regard. For myself, I am left 
 with a mournful sense of his loss ; and nothing did I 
 so eagerly desire as to see that day on which his 
 innocence might be vindicated from rumours so in- 
 vidiously circulated, and so rashly believed.' t 
 
 The celebrated Anthony Thj^sius, also, between 
 whom and Arminius, while alive, much intimacy sub-^ 
 sisted, was wont, on repeated occasions, to declare 
 
 * Vide Scaligerana. Meursii Atheiias Bat. pag. 177. 
 •f- Epist. Eccles. pag. 239. 
 
316 THE LIFE OF 
 
 respecting him, 'tliat he had never seen a man 
 endowed with more or with greater virtues, and 
 chargeable with fewer or more trivial faults.'* 
 Richard Thompson, too, that great luminary of the 
 English Church, making mention of Arminius in a 
 certain letter to Dominic Baud, dated July 27, 1605, 
 thus speaks : ' What you write concerning Arminius 
 I gratefully acknowledge, although the fame of that 
 man is not so imperfectly known among us as you 
 seem to imagine. For even to me he was formerly 
 very well known, before he had yet become a pro- 
 fessor among you ; and from the time that he did, he 
 began to be well known in this country and many 
 others besides. Hence as often as any scholars visited 
 us from your country, our professors made diligent 
 inquiry respecting Arminius. I am truly glad, there- 
 fore, on behalf of your Academy, which contains so 
 great a man.' y To this may be added the testimony 
 of John Buxtorf, professor in the Academy of Basle, 
 who, on being apprised of his death, wrote to Uiten- 
 bogaert in these terms : 'The unlooked-for extinction 
 of so truly great a luminary of the far-famed Belgium 
 as James Arminius, tills, as it well may, my mind 
 with grief, both as a common calamity to the Church 
 of Christ, and as a melancholy breaking-off of the first 
 approaches I had made towards the acquaintance of so 
 great a man. For I hoped to see him put in that place 
 in my esteem which was occupied by that illustrious 
 hero, the learned Scaliger, of pious memory, who, — for 
 
 * Epist. Eccles. pag. '327. 
 t Epist. Eccles. pag. 148. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 317 
 
 me, alas, too suddenly, — has also been snatched from 
 the stage of time.' * 
 
 The very erudite Isaac Causabon, unites also in 
 this tribute to Arminius. In a letter of his sent from 
 Paris to Samuel Nasranus, dated July 28, 1610, these 
 words occur : ' That Arminius, now in glory, of whom 
 you make mention, was a great man, I do not doubt ; 
 although I have never as yet found any of our pastors 
 who did not regard him as an infamous heretic, — their 
 standard of truth being the opinion of Calvin. For 
 Calvin I am conscious of a profound respect; but 
 still I cannot away with those who rancorously hate 
 all who dissent from him.'-j- K'ay, M. Martinius him- 
 self, who was afterwards present at the Synod of 
 Dort, and was no mean member, — and into whose 
 bosom Arminius, a few weeks before his death, and 
 already sick, had poured his complaints respecting 
 the calumnies that were fabricated against him, — ex- 
 pressed this thoroughly candid and unsophisticated 
 opinion of the man : ' He seemed to me,' says he, ' to 
 be a man that truly feared God ; most erudite, most 
 practised in theological controversies ; mighty in the 
 Scriptures ; very circumspect, and precise in applyin 
 philosophical terms to theological subjects.' J 
 
 At length, that the memorial of so dear a head 
 might never be lost to after ages, his relatives published 
 his portrait, cut in brass, with this inscription : 
 
 ' Qui nunc per altas aurei cceli domos 
 Reguat beatus, et suo junctus Deo 
 
 • Epist. Eccles. pag. 244. f lb. p. 249. X lb. p. 238. 
 
 cr 
 
318 THE LIFE OF 
 
 Humana celsus speniit, et nescit simul, 
 Sic Hospes, ora Magnus Arminius tulit. 
 Caviare mores atque dotes ingeni 
 Doctumque pectus, quod fuit (sed beu fuit!) 
 Magnus nequivit artifex: et quid manus, 
 Efferre cum non lingua, uon stilus queant.' * 
 
 Among those of his countrymen who stood high in 
 rank and office, he had attached most closely to him- 
 self these honourable Senators and Burgomasters, 
 namely, Nicholas Cromhout, Adrian Junius, Sebastian 
 Egberts, Eombout Hogerbeets, and one who of all his 
 defenders and patrons held by no means the last place, 
 William Bardesius, Lord of Warmhusen. This man 
 cherished and evinced a stedfast affection for Arminius ; 
 when debilitated under his slow and lingering malady, 
 witli the utmost affection he took him to his manor as 
 soon as his disease, and the state of the climate, and 
 intervals of respite would permit: and after the 
 removal of Arminius from this lower stage, he showed 
 "the same kmdness to his widow and afflicted family, 
 and embodied it in many substantial proofs. 
 
 * These Latin verses may be thus rendered into English : 
 
 Beyond these orbs that gild the etherial dome, 
 
 Joined to his God, his toils and conflicts o'er. 
 The great Arminius, in that blissful home, 
 
 Still lives and reigns, though seen on earth no more. 
 Such, stranger, were the traits which here he wore: 
 
 But ah I to sketch the beauties of that heart, 
 And learned mind, whose loss we now deplore, 
 
 Transcends the able limner's loftiest art. 
 What neither pe/i can write, nor tongue can say, 
 The feebler hand presumes not to pourtray. — Tr. 
 
JAMES ARMINIUS. 319 
 
 In addition to John Uitenbogaert, so often men- 
 tioned in this memoir, — whom he was wont to call 
 his sheet-anchor^ as one to whom he might betake 
 himself for counsel and aid, — -among the friends who 
 were knit to him in bonds of special intimacy, the 
 following held a principal place, namely, the cele- 
 brated John Drusiiis, Conrad Vorstius, Anthony 
 Thysius, John Halsberg, Peter Bertius, Adrian 
 Borrius, John Arnold Corvinus, and other two whom 
 he loved as a brother and a son : to wit, Kembert and 
 Simon Episcopius, the former a merchant of Amster- 
 dam, of cultivated understanding and exalted piety, 
 the latter the most distinguished of his disciples, and 
 who, at a subsequent period, in consideration of the 
 extraordinary endowments of mind and genius which 
 Divine Providence had heaped upon him, was judged 
 worthy to fill the office of his deceased preceptor. 
 
 These are the things which I have judged necessary 
 to be said respecting James Arminius, whose piety and 
 simple virtue never courted any celebrity on the earth, 
 much less that a sect should be called by his name. 
 This, indeed, after all things had become convulsed, 
 actually happened subsequently to his death-, the 
 Christian community having suffered a lamentable 
 rent, for which, as matters now stand, — unless God in- 
 terpose in behalf of his Church, — the long-looked- for 
 day of remedy may not speedily arrive . 
 
 THE END. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 Brandt has appended to his memoir the two Latin poems by 
 Baud and Grotius, on the death of Arrainius, to which he 
 refers, p. 300. Baud's poem is very long, occupying twenty 
 pages of the original, and containing some 600 lines. It is, 
 moreover, in its tone, somewhat equivocal and temporising; 
 and elicited, in consequence, a complaint from the true and 
 magnanimous Uitenbogaert, to which Baud replies in a strain 
 of profoundest respect, both for him and the deceased Ar- 
 minius, — declaring that of all his old friends they were the two 
 that stood highest in his esteem, and that he had advanced 
 nothing in his poem which could sustain a single sinister 
 inference in regard to Arminius. The truth is, Dominic 
 Baud, like Daniel Heinsius, though conscious of the sin- 
 cerest friendship and respect for Arminius. gave way, after 
 his death, to that violent pressure of the times to which 
 Arminius himself had ' fallen a blessed martyr/ Baud's poem 
 contains many bold and masterly passages, that abound in 
 vigorous thought and lofty imagery. We had translated the 
 larger half of it into English verse, with a view to its insertion 
 in this appendix; but, on second thoughts, we have concluded 
 to let that pass as labour lost. Its great length, to mention no 
 other consideration, would make it out of all proportion. 
 
 The poem of Grotius, on the other hand, is of sufficientl}'^ 
 moderate limits to make its insertion here consistent with the 
 scope and symmetry of the volume; while the transcendent 
 lustre of his name, and his well-known attachment to the 
 
322 APPENDIX. 
 
 Arminiaii cause, lend a peculiar interest and charm to his 
 verses on Arminius. For the sake of those, accordingly, for 
 whom this little work is specially intended, we have in this 
 instance, also, — though profoundly sensible of the diflBculty and 
 delicacy of the task, — done our best to present the lines of 
 Grotius in faithful English, in the following metrical ver- 
 sion. — Tr. : — 
 
 ELEGIAC POEM OF HUGH GROTIUS, ON THE DEATH 
 
 OF ARMINIUS. 
 
 Deep searcher in the mine of truth profound ; 
 
 Spirit sublime, with various learning stored 5 
 For keen-edged perspicacious wit renowned ; 
 
 Arminius, thee we mourn : — loss deplored ! 
 
 From this dark world, and from the turbid throng 
 Of dim-eyed mortals, thou hast winged thy flight : 
 
 And rangest now, with vision pure and strong, 
 The sunny fields of beatific light. 
 
 Whether for truth thou gaind'st some trophies fair, 
 Spurning the yoke on tamer necks that pressed ; 
 
 Or erred in aught, as man may err, declare 
 Ye who have right to judge, and skill to test. 
 
 Yet well we know what hours by thee were spent 
 O'er God's own book, enslaved to no man's creed. 
 
 And now, of conscience pure, and high intent. 
 
 Thou bear'st, by heaven's award, the glorious meed. 
 
 There, filled with peace and joy, 'tis thine to know 
 What here thy thoughts explored with toil and 
 pain ; 
 
 Thou seest what shades enwrap all minds below ; 
 What wears the name of knowledge here, how vain. 
 
APPENDIX. 823 
 
 Yet, proud thereof, aloft we raise our head, 
 And spiu'n our fellows, who return the same. 
 
 Hence wars polemic, farious, rise and spread ; 
 Hence hate plebeian stirs and feeds the flame. 
 
 And sacred Truth, of sacred Peace the friend. 
 Deigns not her presence there, but flies afar : 
 
 Ah, why does lust of strife men's bosom rend ? 
 And will the God of peace be }>leased with war ? 
 
 Whence such untempered zeal, such parties new ? 
 
 Hath Satan sowed these tares 'neath mask of night ? 
 Must men's dire passions feed on aught they view, 
 
 And God's own cause afford them scope to fight ? 
 
 Or does this prying world, that dares to tread 
 Where even to angels all access is barred. 
 
 And snatch forbidden knowledge, serpent-led. 
 Reap in these sad debates its due reward ? 
 
 As when at Shinar, in that structure proud. 
 Men thought to pile a stepway to the sky ; 
 
 Their thousand tongues dispersed the impious crowd. 
 And all their schemes in babbling strife did die. 
 
 Ah ! know we what we do ? The little flock 
 Elected from the world, in Jesus' fold. 
 
 Each other rend, in foul and frequent shock, 
 
 While Moslems smile, and Jews with joy behold ! 
 
 Happy the simple, pure, and artless faith. 
 From faction free, and meretricious dress ; 
 
 Which sees sin put away by Jesus' death. 
 And trusts in his atoning righteousness : 
 
324 APPENDIX. 
 
 Which sees salvation free, — all gifts above ; 
 
 And doom ordained for those who doom deserve : 
 Which plies the gentle part of holy love, 
 
 Nor seeks to soar, so much as lowly serve. 
 
 Nor asks too far if adamantine laws 
 
 Fix all events ; — How God, all sinless still, 
 
 Wills sin ? — How not ? — How far the Great First Cause 
 Bends by his sovereign nod the human will ? 
 
 And happy he whom no ambitious ends. 
 Nor gain, nor empty plaudits turn aside ; 
 
 But, fired with heavenly zeal, still heavenward tends. 
 And studies God where God himself doth guide. 
 
 Threading with cautious steps life's 'wildered maze. 
 Through fatal snares his course he daily winds ; 
 
 While Freedom, tempered w^ith Love's gentle rays, 
 Secui-es his concord with dissentient minds. 
 
 True piety and justice he maintains, — 
 
 Condemned by men, himself condemning none ; 
 
 Now speaks for Truth, and now for Peace refrains, 
 Still watchful each presumptuous path to shun. 
 
 Oft didst thou urge these truths, Arminius dear — 
 In public oft, as thousands can declare ; 
 
 In private, too, — yea, when thine end drew near. 
 Thy parting breath still urged these counsels fair. 
 
 With life's protracted ills out-worn and spent, 
 
 Tired of a world of pertinacious strife. 
 Though crushed thy meaner part like shattered tent, 
 
 Thy nobler part, unscathed, aspired to life- 
 
APPENDIX. 325 
 
 Full spread, it longed to gain those kingdoms bright 
 To which to thousands thou did'st point the way ; 
 
 And now arrived, another star of light, 
 It gems the temple of eternal day. 
 
 There dost thou pray, that to his flock below 
 God would such light as here they need impart ; 
 
 And curb their restless wish aught more to know ; 
 And send them teachers after his own heart : — 
 
 Would all men's hearts (if not all tongues) unite ; 
 
 And Strife dispel, before Love's ardours driven ; 
 That Christ's whole Church, at one, may, in his light, 
 
 Approve their life to earth, their faith to heaven. 
 
 EPITAPH. 
 
 Subtle in intellect, and great in speech. 
 
 But careful most his life to regulate, 
 Arminius, dead, thus speaks, thus all would teach, 
 
 (Of life approved, and matchless in debate) : — 
 ' 1, as in life, in death this counsel give — 
 
 Be less disposed to akgue than to live.' 
 
 l^rintL-d by H. Nisbet, 142 Trongate, Glasgou , ^ 
 
EB.RATA. 
 
 Page 15, last line, for ' city ' read ' lovrn' 
 " 19, line 18, for ' ministers ' I'ead ' the ministers ' 
 " 34, line 1, for ' Theodore' read ' Richard ' 
 " 36, line 30, for ' author ' read ' authors ' 
 " 43, line 9, for ' accurate ' read ' finished ' 
 " 49, line 14, for ' Genesis ' read ' Romans ' 
 " 55, last line, for ' gave thanks ' read ' expressed their 
 
 acknowledgments ' 
 " 68, line 12, for ' studies ' read ' scholastic institutions ' 
 " 68, line 25, for * other ' read ' others,' 
 " 70, line 18, for 'arts of concealment' read 'disingenu- 
 ous arts ' 
 " 74, line 1, for ' there was no stopping short of the third ' 
 read ' recourse must he had to a third [that is, his 
 own] ' 
 " 87, line 29, for 'the churches; and' read 'churches. 
 
 Moreover,' 
 '•' 123, line 13, for ' contract some disease ' read ' suffer in 
 
 his health ' 
 " 124, line 17, for ' f requested ' read ' requested f ' 
 " 128, line 10, for ' beloved ' read ' beloved friend ' 
 N.B. — Several of the above mistaken belong to the original. 
 
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