*

to the work. But while he was contriving a proper refutation, and had begun accurately to weigh the arguments on both sides, and to compare different passages of scripture together, -while he was thus harrassing and fatiguing himself, he was conquered by the force of truth, and, at first, became a convert to the very opinions which he had been requested to combat and refute. But he afterwards disapproved of them, as promul gated by the brethren of Delft, because he did not think the doctrine contained in them to be correct according to the scriptures: It stated, "that after God had made a decree for the creation of mankind and had foreseen the fall of Adam, he positively and absolutely determined to elect to eternal salvation certain persons, without any antecedent reference to Christ Jesus."-The opinions on this subject which had been instilled into his mind at Geneva by Beza, were, "that the eternal decree of God in predestination, was positively and absolutely to elect to eternal salvation certain persons whom he had not then decreed to create.”—But the deep and interesting inquiries into which his mind was led on this occasion, were, by the Divine rod of direction and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, turned towards those opinions which he finally embraced, and which to the close of life he constantly maintained: They assumed, "that the decree of God, in respect to Predestination, was, out of men already created and fallen, to elect those who would answer, by the true obedience of faith, to the call of God." This view of Predestination was held and vindicated by the very learned Melancthon, Nicholas Hemingius, and many other Divines. Our churches formerly enjoyed the privilege (which is continued to this day in many places,) of being always permitted to embrace any one of the several sentiments that have been published on this controversy, which has never yet been decided by the judgment of any ancient Synod or Council: They were also allowed to elect a teacher, that entertained sentiments similar to their own: And both these privileges they could exercise without giving offence to any person. As an instance of this, omitting all others, I may adduce Doctor John Holmanus Secundus, †

* See Appendix F.

+ This good man was one of the early professors of Divinity in the University of Leyden, having entered on that office in 1574. Though on the subject of Predestination he entertained opinions similar to those of Melancthon, yet he was strongly recommended to the University by Theodore Beza, who thought Melancthon's Divinity was better suited and more edifying than any other to the inhabitants of the Low Countries. In one of his public disputations with

who, at the pressing instance and by the mature advice of profound Divines, and particularly their Lordships the Curators, received a call to this University, (after Pezelius, Mollerus, and some others had been in vain solicited to accept of it,) and publicly taught in the very place in which I am now standing: Yet we all know, that he had embraced the doctrine of Hemingius respecting Predestination, and was one of its warmest advocates. *

Though this liberty was formerly granted, yet there were not wanting some persons in Amsterdam who would have brought Arminius into trouble on that occasion, and wished to accuse him of departing from the common and received opinion of our churches. + But their violent impetuosity was suddenly restrained by the authority of the Senate and the moderation and candour of the brethren: So that he always lived with his colleagues at Amsterdam in a state of tranquility; nay, their friendship and union were of a most fraternal description, and at no time obscured by the least cloud or speck of concealed animosity, hatred or envy. This man of

Donellus, who had imbibed and maintained the Genevan opinions concerning Predestination, Holmanus said, "You make God both a Tyrant and an executioner!" Meursius, in his Athena, styles him "an extraordinary man." He died in 1586, and bequeathed his valuable collection of books to the public library of the University, for the use of the students.

+ After having been settled upwards of two years as minister at Amsterdam, and immediately subsequent to his discovery of the true and scriptural doctrine of predestination, he resolved to marry, being then in the thirtieth year of his age. He had for some time previously paid his addresses to a young lady of great accomplishments and eminent piety; and was united to her in the holy bands of matrimony, on the sixteenth day of September, 1600, in the Old Church at Amsterdam,-his reverend colleague, John Ambrosius, performing the sacred ceremony. The name of this lady was Elizabeth, the daughter of LAURENCE JACOBSON REAL, one of the Judges and Senators of Amsterdam, whose name is immortalized in the annals of the Dutch historians for the prudent and decided part which he took in promoting the Reformation from Popery in the Low Countries,-and this during the Spanish tyranny, often at the risk of all his property as well as his personal safety.-See in Appendix I, a few more particulars of this excellent person and of the infant Church to which he belonged. The daughter of such a man was a great acquisition to Arminius in his subsequent conflicts; for she was nurtured in the school of adversity, having, when only fourteen years old, accompanied her beloved parents in their exile, when Holland was subjected to the Duke of Alva's bloody administration. In addition to her great genius, she possessed uncommon firmness of mind and an unsubdued courage,-for which it was unhappily her lot to find sufficient exercise in the untoward events which ensued. But those unpleasant circumstances were only "from without ;" in the bosom of her family, she enjoyed uninterrupted and enviable felicity; living in the greatest connubial harmony with her admirable husband, and superintending the early part of the education of nine children, (seven sons and two daughters,)

God was indeed not only naturally formed for candour, but was likewise further moulded by the sanctifying precepts of Christ, and by his Holy Spirit, so as to bear with placid composure any one who differed from him in sentiment. Neither was he inclined easily to be in despair concerning any man, provided he was willing to listen to the voice of Christ speaking in the scriptures. All of us knew his divine moderation and equanimity: These virtues have been more the objects of our admiration, on account of the greater distance at which we perceive ourselves yet to be removed from them, our own consciences being witnesses. *

When those celebrated and distinguished individuals, Doctor JUNIUS,† and LUKE TRELCATIUS, Sen. ‡ died, this University, deprived of two of its Professors, required a Hercules that was capable of bearing on his shoulders this world in miniature; the burden of which was in the mean time sustained solely by that Atlas and reverend person, Doctor FRANCIS GOMARUS, who, by the lamented decease of his colleagues, was destitute of all collateral support. § In this state of affairs, by the unanimous voice of all men, and at the general request of his country, recourse was had to Arminius; from whose mind nothing was further removed than the thoughts of such an application; and who had then, for fifteen years, had the charge of the church of Christ in Amsterdam. || But when the inhabitants of that city declared, that they could not dispense with his assistance, because they esteemed him the chief and most successful opposer of those monstrous heresies which had sprung up in that part of the country,—no one can express the uncommon consternation among all good men which this intelligence created. Various were the public deliberations at this juncture; and nothing that could be done, was left unattempted. The most noble DoUSA and D. NEOSTADIUS, two of the Curators of our University, with that most honourable man NICHOLAS ZEYSTIUS, the Syndic of

all of whom survived their beloved father, and a few years after his death the elder of them, in the name of the rest, published his theological works in Latin, to the five divisions of which they prefixed most interesting dedications -all of which the Christian and the scholar will peruse with satisfaction and delight. Inheriting all her father's virtues and his amiable manners, she accounted it her felicity to share all the joys and sorrows of her husband, one of the greatest and best men that ever lived. Many pleasing testimonies of affection for his wife and children will be found in some of his letters at the close of the APPENDIX.

* See Appendix K.
§ Appendix N.

+ Appendix L.

+ Appendix M.

|| Appendix O.

our city, proceeded in the public name to Amsterdam. To this commission were also appointed at the same time, by the most illustrious the Prince of Orange, John Uitenbogardt, minister of the Church at the Hague, and Nicholas Cromhoutius of the supreme court. All these great men tried by various means to prevail with the discreet and wise Senate of that city, and with the Presbytery of ministers and elders, and to incite them to a compliance with the public wishes. It was at length with the utmost difficulty obtained, after great assiduity, many intreaties, and at the intercession of the most illustrious Prince himself, that Arminius should have leave to depart, and to perform the important services which this University demanded from a Professor of Divinity.

Yet some obstacles to this felicitous arrangement were raised, by means of several slight rumours of suspicions, which too often frustrate attempts the most praiseworthy and subvert the best-concerted enterprizes. But Arminius opposed to these the shield of his innocence, candour, and erudition; and, sheltering himself beneath it, he waited with calmness and security in expectation of receiving the blessing of God, whatever might be the consequence of these unfounded reports. After this matter had been investigated, heard, and debated, at the Hague, before their Lordships the Curators, and in the presence of certain grave and respectable divines, it was discovered, "that those suspicions were badly supported ; and that no cause existed, why any person should entertain a disadvantageous opinion of this faithful servant of Christ. For in the exercise of that liberty of prophesying in the Church which is generally granted, he had taught nothing that was inimical to the Christian religion."+

A DOCTOR's degree was then solemnly conferred on him, with the approbation of both God and man, in this hall, by that reverend man, Doctor FRANCIS GOMARUS, in the year 1603; and he was the first person that had been publicly presented with that title in this University. Thus, therefore, was JAMES ARMINIUS finally appointed to the office of Professor of Divinity, which had become vacant by the death of Francis Junius; and, by the command of the Curators, he began to execute its duties. That nothing might be wanting in this place to confirm his credit and authority, which the sinister reports at Amsterdam had attempted to impair, the ecclesiastical presbytery of that city were pleased, + Appendix Q.

VOL. I.

Sce Appendix P.

D

on his departure, to commend him with the utmost confidence to all men of piety, virtue, and learning, and to present him with testimonials of a very flattering description. That document is expressed in the following manner:

THE TESTIMONY OF THE CHURCH OF AMSTERDAM.

"Since in the social intercourse of mankind, a consideration of equity alone has long since required it to be established as a law, that they who had on any account deserved well of the Commonwealth, should be accounted worthy of singularly eminent commendation and honourable testimonials to the truth; more abundantly worthy of such an honour are those persons who labour in God's word, and who, with remarkable success and to their singular praise, have during many years discharged the duties of the sacred ministry of the gospel in the church of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore, as JAMES ARMINIUS, Doctor of Divinity, our reverend brother in the Lord, has now required such a testimonial from us, we think that it ought by no means to be refused.

66

By these presents, therefore, we desire to testify to all and every one, that the high integrity of the above-named most accomplished man and greatly beloved fellow-steward with us of the mysteries of God, (both in regard to the innocency of his life, the soundness of his doctrine, and the propriety of his manners,) has by means of an uninterrupted acquaintance and constant intercourse been so fully known, tried, and confirmed by us, as to cause us to account nothing dearer to us, or of greater value, than always to enjoy the benefit of his counsel, aid, conversation, and intimacy, and to be permitted to cultivate that friendship which has now for a long period subsisted between us. But since it has pleased Almighty God otherwise to dispose of him and us, it is a circumstance on account of which we yield great and unfeigned thanks to the Lord our God for his marvellous kindness hitherto manifested towards us and the whole of this our Church, and which has afforded us the opportunity to behold such fruits as are not to be lamented, and with the greatest pleasure to perceive the success which has accrued from the study and labours of this the beforenamed gentleman and fellow-labourer in the vineyard of Christ, who is most ardently beloved by all of us; which labours he unweariedly and most cheerfully sustained, in