AS heretofore I have oft experienc'd, how hard and how difficult a thing it is, to ſpeak of Excellent perſons in an aſſembly of Renouned men: So now eſpecially I have thereof a ſenſible knowledge, it being my task at preſent to ſpeak in this place concerning that Reverend man Mr. James Arminius, Dr. of ſacred Theologie, and this after the ſad ſolemnity of his Funeral. For ſith that a good man is the rule and meaſure of things, he therefore; that would deſcribe to others ſuch a perſon, muſt be carefull to chooſe out and offer ſuch things to their view, by which humane life may receive advantage in the ſtudy of vertue. Good things that lie in ſecret, muſt be brought on the ſtage and made publick, and thoſe things which either Modeſty hath concealed, or Envy diminiſhed, or Calumny defamed, or which others through want of skill have not obſerved, thoſe things I ſay, when the curtain's drawn back and a light brought in, muſt be ſhown openly, and declared by words, that all may behold what in every one is moſt praiſe worthy, and what is fit for their imitation. Whence it comes to paſs, that the greater every ones vertue is, the more difficult it is to act the Orotors part in ſpeaking of him: for the greateſt Envy keeps company with the greateſt Vertue. And ſith that a wife man doth nothing without Reaſon; and it being difficult to explicate and unfold at every turn the principles and cauſes of particular actions, on which the judgment to be made of every thing does depend; it muſt needs be very difficult to judge of excellent perſons, all whoſe life is full of diverſe examples, for the well inſtructing of others, how to judge, how alſo to live. And this alſo may be added, that he who takes upon him this imployment muſt very frequently have recourſe from the law to a mans life, and from his life to the law: for theſe need each the other, and as the law gives notice what muſt be done: ſo what may be done the life ſheweth. Now a wiſe man hath both theſe in himſelf; juſt after the example of Chriſt our Lord and Saviour, who firſt ſaid, Learn of me: and of his Apoſtle who thus admoniſheth, Be ye followers of me, as I am of Chriſt And as heretofore Polycletus, not contenting himſelf that he had written a book, wherein he had noted all things to be obſerv'd by him that would artificially make the image or ſtatue of a man, did himſelf afterwrrds make the ſtatue of a man, leſt he ſhould ſeem to preſcribe that to others which himſelf hap not obſerved, and this ſtatue made publick he call'd the Canon or Rule, commanding that the lineaments of art ſhould be fetch'd thence as from a law of direction: So a good man, when he hath admoniſh'd others what they muſt doe, does firſt himſelf perform, what he preſcribes to others. Now it is hard, either to bring all a wiſe mans actions to their proper rule and law, or in one to find the Examples of all laws. But as for me, who am at this day to ſpeak in this honourable aſſembly of learned men, concerning the life and death of that Reverend and Incomparable man, Doctor James Arminius, not only thoſe difficulties, which I have now mentioned ſtand in my way, but many others alſo. My Grief, yet freſh, for the loſs of a friend preſſeth me; the conſideration of a ſad family, an afflicted wife, nine fatherleſs children diſturbs me; the Lamentation of the Univerſity moves me; but I am aſtoniſhed to think of the Church and Common wealth deprived of a man ſo greatly uſefull. All which things, in a wound ſo freſh, not yet skinn'd over, may eaſily put to a loſs the moſt eloquent and the wiſeſt man whoſoever he be. To what hath been ſpoken may be added, That he himſelf, whilſt he liv'd, greatly diſlik'd all pompous funeral ſolemnities: for he knew, that the firſt ſtep to the veneration and worſhiping of Saints was hence, and he deem'd, that it unbecomes us to deſire and uſe ſuch Solemnities, that had ſuch hazards attending on them. But ſeeing our preſent condition ſeems to be ſuch, that we need not in the leaſt to be afraid of this (for alas! hitherto are we come, that henceforth it may ſeem needfull to uſe diligent care, rather to bring in devotion, than drive ſuperſtition out) And ſith that it concerns all men, that examples of vertue being drawn forth ſhould be propoſed for all to look upon, I have, according to the cuſtom, through the requeſt of friends, and the Senate willing it, undertaken that difficult task, which I could not refuſe without the violation of Chriſtian charity, and the breach of the obligation of that friendſhip, which I have maintain'd with him from my very youth. Which things being ſo, I hope there will no reprehender of this my duty be found in this aſſembly of excellent oratours, in which there is no one but is able more gravely and elegantly to perform this charge, than my ſelf. Notwithſtanding, I beſeech and moſt humbly intreat you, Magnificent, Reverend and moſt learned Auditors, to ſuffer the things I ſhall ſpeak to be of credit and account with you,

We have committed to the boſom of the earth the body of that Reverend man, Mr. James Arminius (or rather the temple of the holy Ghoſt) which has been ſhaken, worn, broken with labours, watchings, conflicts, diſeaſes, troubles. We have committed it, I ſay, in certain hope of a bleſſed reſurrection, which he himſelf, whileſt he liv'd, believ'd, and unto which he directed all his thoughts and purpoſes.

The place of his birth was Oldwater, a little Town long ſince made famous by the interflowing river Iſala, and the pleaſantneſs with the fruitfulneſs of the adjacent country, and the frugality with the induſtry of its Inhabitants. He in this Town firſt ſaw the Sun in the year 1560. in which year the Conference at Poſſiack in France began; in which conference our Deputies pleaded the cauſe of two thouſand one hundred and ninety Churches, that did humbly and earneſtly deſire of the King, peace and tranquility, and the liberty of profeſſing their faith. This year, this Oldwater, as another Sparta, gave Arminius, as another Lacon, to the world: which Town notwithſtanding at other times brought forth John de Oldwater, Cornelius Ʋalerius, and that excellent old man, whom ye here behold, Mr. Rudolphus Snellius, the ornament, not onely of his native place, but alſo of this whole Univerſity, and eſpecially of them who are of the Senatorie rank and quality.

Arminius whileſt an infant loſt his father: His mother, a widow burthened with three children, lived all her life long in a mean eſtate, but honeſtly.

There was then in that Town a certain Prieſt, a man honeſt and grave, Theodore Aemylius by name, whoſe memory, by reaſon of his ſingular learning and holineſs of life, is yet bleſſed among the living. He, when he had got a taſt of a better and more pure doctrin in Religion, determin'd with himſelf, that he would not once more celebrate the abominable ſacrifice of the Maſs: therefore he oft changed his place of abode, and lived ſometimes at Paris, ſometimes at Lovane, ſometimes at Colon, ſometimes at Ʋtrecht. He therefore took care, that this fatherleſs child, James Arminius, ſo ſoon as his age was capable of inſtruction, might be furniſhed with the firſt rudiments of the Latin and Greek tongue, and with the principles of true piety and religion. And when he perceiv'd in him ſome appearances of an excellent diſpoſition to vertue, he oft times exhorted him; that all conſiderations of earthly things being layd aſide and contemned, he would give up himſelf to follow after God and his conſcience. He told him, that the time of mans life here is but ſhort; that there follows a condition after this life, which ſhould be eſtimated not by outward adverſity or proſperity, but by the Eternity of happineſs or death. This Exhortation, afterwards confirmed by a diligent reading of the holy Scriptures, and pious meditations, was ſetled upon his heart: And ſo he, through the hope of that life, underwent every labour, all hazards, with a glad and chearful mind. But after he had for ſome years thus liv'd o • Ʋtrecht, an unexpected calamity did oppreſs him, by means of the death of that good old Religious man, which the merciful God did ſuddenly mitigate; for preſently upon his death Mr. Snellius, who long before flying the Spaniards tyranny, went to Marpurg, came as it hapned out of Haſſia into that Countrey. He therefore carried away with him into Haſſia, in the year 1575. this his Country-man Arminius, now deſtitute of all humane help and ſuccour. He was ſcarce ſet down there, when in the Moneth of Auguſt the report of his Countreys deſolation is brought thither; He hears that the Town was taken by the Spaniard; that the Garriſon were ſlain; that the Townſmen were kill'd, and the Town burnt. With this report he was ſo much ſtricken at the heart and ſo greatly troubled, that he ſpent 14 whole days, in continual weeping and tears: Therefore as one impatient he left Haſſia and went with ſpeed into Holland, being determined either to ſee the ruines of his Country, or to looſe his life.

When he was come thither, he found nothing but where the Town ſtood, and the ruines of it: and underſtood that moſt of its Inhabitants were finally ſlain, together with his Mother, his Siſters, his Brothers and his Kindred: He therefore returned even on foot out of his own Country, to Marpurg in Haſſia. In the mean while this new Ac • demy was erected and opened by the authority of the moſt Illuſtrious Prince of Orange; which as ſoon as he underſtood, he prepar'd for a journey home. He came therefore to Roterdam, to which place were come from Amſterdam many faithfull Exiles, and moſt of Old-waters Inhabitants, that had eſcaped the ſword of a cruel enemy. At that time my Father Peter Bertius, was the Paſtor of that Church: but Mr. John Taffinus was the Princ's French Preacher and Counſellor; both theſe were wonderfully pleaſed with the young mans towardlineſs, readineſs and wit. Now ſeeing it was long before my Father was acquainted with learning (for he was 30. years old before he had any knowledge even of the Latin tongue) he upon requeſt of friends, took the young man very willingly into his houſe. Now it was the purpoſe of friends to ſend him to this new Univerſity; which occaſion my Father thinking not good to neglect, calls me out of England, when I was then a Student, applying my ſelf to learning: both of us therefore were ſent together into this School: from that time there has been always between us a very great intimacy, familiarity and friendſhip: But I will not ſpeak of the paſſages of that time. This one thing I will ſay, that our young Scholars endeavour in learning and in the ſtudy of wiſdom, was ſo great, their reverence towards their Teachers ſo great, their zeal and earneſt affection in Religion ſo great, that greater could hardly be: But in our rank Arminius was one that excel'd the reſt; if any thing was to be written, if any thing to be ſpoken, Arminius was ſought for: If then aroſe any debate in learning that required a Pal • mon, Arminius was conſulted with. I remember when Dr. Lambert Danaeus, our Profeſſor, did commend him publickly for his natural endowments, and for his proficiency, and for his vertue; and did excite us to enter on the ſtudy of Divinity with cheerfulfulneſs, after his example. Why ſhould I make mention here of his ſtudy in Poetry, in which he excel'd? Why ſhould I ſpeak of his ſtudy in the Mathematicks, and in the other parts of Philoſophie? He toucht nothing of theſe, which he did not penetrate, he ſet upon nothing, which he did not happily finiſh.

Thus we are come to the year 1582. in which year the honourable Senate of Amſterdam ſent him away to Geneva; for his more abundant proficiency in learning. Whither when he was come, he heard that reverend old man, and of bleſſed memory, Mr. Theodore Beza expounding the Epiſtle to the Rom •• s, with the great admiration of all men; for there was in • eza beyond other mortals a flexanimous and perſwaſive eloquence, a prompt and ready utterance, perſpicuity of ſpeech, pleaſantneſs of voice, but excellent doctrine in the judgment of all learned men. Him therefore above all others Arminius made choice of to imitate and follow, But ſeeing he could not forth with procure to himſelf the favour of ſome Principal men in this School, and that (to ſpeak the truth) only upon the account of Ramus's Philoſophy, which with earneſtneſs he defended publickly, and did alſo in private teach it to his auditors, he was provok'd to go to Baſil. Where what great honour was confer'd, on the young man, what were the preſages and divinings of men of all ranks concerning his growing vertue, they are able to teſtifie, who were his fellow travellers, and companions in this his peregrination. But he ſo heard theſe judgments and acclamations, that he never waxt proud and arrogant, but ſhewed in very deed, that he was unwilling to endeavour by ambition, but was willing by true vertue to come unto that, whereto he was deſigned by the goodneſs of God.

At Baſile in the harveſt Feſtivals the more learned Students are wont out of the ordinary courſe, for exerciſe-ſake to teach ſomething in the Univerſity, ſometies publickly. This labour our Arminius willingly undertook, for this he was praiſ'd by that reverend man, Mr. James Grinaus, who alſo oft times honoured his lectures by his Preſence. The ſame man alſo in publick diſputations, if any thing more weighty than ordinary were propoſed, or an intricate matter worthy a defender, did occur, was not afraid for honours ſake to call our Arminius, ſitting among a great number of Students; and (that you may know the candor of Grinaeus) to ſay. Let my Hollander anſwer for me. At this time Arminius was in ſo great favour and renown for his learning, that when he was about to depart thence for Geneva, the Theological faculty would have conferr'd on him, even at the publick charge, the title of Doctor, which he, eſteeming it too great a dignity for one of his years, did at that time modeſtly refuſe, and gave them thanks for their grace and favour.

When he was come back to Geneva, he found the minds of his friends more pacified towards Ramus's Philoſophy; alſo he himſelf thinking it ſomething meet to abate ſomewhat of his earneſtneſs, did ſo order himſelf, that all might eaſily perceive, that gentleneſs conjoyn'd with ſo great a wit brought no ſmall ornament to his age. There were at the ſame time in the City the Sons of the chief of our Nobility, moſt of which now are in eminent and honourable places in our Republick. When ſome of theſe were gone into Italy, others of them called home, he ſeeing himſelf alone, and deſtitute of all others his companions, excepting one, a man of very great dignity now in Holland; he alſo purpoſed to go with ſpeed into Italy, being inclin'd thereunto eſpecially through the fame of James Zabarella, who then at Padua profeſſed Philoſohhy, and was greatly followed. For his ſake eſpecially he ſtayed at Padua, when he inſtructed in Logick ſome noble Germans. But afterwards he took a curſory view of the reſt of Italy. on which journey he ſpent not above eight months, and at Rome he was never abſent from that companion of his, who was to him as another Achates: for ſo it was agreed on before they went from Geneva. They ul'd the ſame lodging, the ſame table, the ſame bed; they went in and out together; and for the exerciſe of piety they carried with them the Greek Teſtament and Hebrew Pſalter.

I remember he was wont often to tell, That Italy brought to him many commodities and diſcommodities. Among the commodities he plac'd this eſpecially, That he had ſeen at Rome the myſtery of iniquity to be far more filthy and abominable than ever he had conceiv'd it in his mind: for he ſaid, that the things which are told or read concerning the Roman Court of Anti-chriſt, are Trifles in compariſon of the things which he had ſeen. Among the diſcommodities this; That the honourable Senate of Amſterdam was then ſomewhat offended at him for that his Italian journey, ſome in the mean while augmenting their their diſpleaſure, who clearly had done better in ſuſpending their opinions till his return. Hence then an occaſion being taken, it was noyſ'd among the common people, That he had kiſt the Popes, pantoſ • e; whom he had never ſeen but as other ſpectators did, in a great throng and croud of people. (And indeed that Beaſt is not wont to give this honour to any but Kings and Princes.) Alſo, that he was accuſtom'd to hear the Jeſuites, when as he never heard them; That he was acquainted with Bellarmin, whom he never ſaw; That he had abjur'd the orthodox Religion, whereas he was ready to contend for it even to the loſs of his life.

Now let our Youth that are pious and devoted to the Church learn this from anothers harm, That it is better never to ſet foot in Italy, than with ſo great an hazard of their repute to know the myſteries of Antichriſt. Not becauſe it is more dangerous for them to ſee Italy, than neighbouring Antwerp, or Bruſſel • , or Brug • : for in Italy there is much more liberty, and in theſe places more ſuperſtition by far. And it is ſafer to travel throughout all Italy, than Brabant or Flanders: but becauſe it is expedient to take all occaſions of evil ſpeaking from the adverſary, and all occaſions of evilſurmiſing from thoſe that are unadviſed and imprudent. And it is better to prevent an occaſion of offence, than to excuſe it.

Being come out of Italy he ſtayed at Geneva, and ſome months after being called home he returned to Amſterdam to his Patrons and Masters, furniſhed, through the grace of Chriſt, with a clear teſtimony from them of Geneva, and with a mind very well fitted to do office, if it might pleaſe the Lord God to uſe his miniſtry, for his work in his Church: For theſe are the very words of Mr. Beza's Epiſtle, the original of which I have in remembrance. At Amsterdam he did eaſily, with grave and prudent men, clear himſelf as to his Italian journey: but indeed the weak brethren went on inveighing againſt it, and in their aſſemblings blaming it till he himſelf began to be heard in the Church, in which as ſoon as he was beheld, it cannot be ſpoken, with how much reſpect men of all ranks flocked together to hear him: For there was in him (as ye know) a certain incredible gravity mixed with gracefull pleaſantneſs. His voice indeed was ſlender, but ſweet, and loud, and piercing, but he had an admirable perſwaſive faculty. If any thing were to be adorn'd, he ſo did it, as not to exceed the truth. If he were to teach any thing, he did it with clearneſs and perſpicuity. If he were to diſpute any thing, he manag'd the ſame diſtinctly. Now the Melody and altering of his voice was ſo fitted to things, that it ſeemed to flow from them. And ſith he did not uſe a Rhetorical dreſs, and the Greeks boxes of pleaſant ointment: it was either becauſe his nature did abhor them, or becauſe he judged it unworthy the majeſty of Divine things; to uſe curles, and borrowed ornaments, when as the naked truth is of its ſelf ſufficient for its own defence: notwithſtanding he ſo efficaciouſly perſwaded by force and weight of arguments, and by the pithineſs of his ſentences, and by the authority of Scripture it ſelf, that no man ever heard him, but confeſſ'd, that his diſcourſes much affected him. Some therefore at that time called him the poliſhing life of truth; others the whetſtone and ſharpner of wits; others called him the razor ſhaving off growing errors, and nothing in Religion, and ſacred Theology was thought to ſavour well, that did not reliſh with Arminius. Alſo the Paſtors and Preachers themſelves of that City, men both learned and eloquent, did reverence him for his learning, and ingeniouſly acknowledge themſelves to have been daily very much advantaged by his Sermons. And thus our Arminius with ſpread out ſayles, proſperous gales, a full company of rowers, and the good wiſhes of all that knew him, was carried towards fame and glory, when it pleaſed God to excrciſe his ſervant even with adverſity, and to make a tryal of his patience and humbleneſs by the croſs and afflictions. Now 'tis a thing worth the knowing, to underſtand the beginnings and ſucceſs hereof.

There was carried about as it chanced in the hands of ſome pious men a little Book, written by ſome of the brethren of the Church of Delf, againſt Mr. Beza, with this Title. An anſwer to ſome arguments of Beza and Calvin out of a Treatiſe concerning predeſtination on the 9. Chap to the Romans. This little book was ſent over to our Arminius by Mr. Martin Lidyus of bleſſed memory, who had been formerly a Paſtor in the Church of Amſterdam, but then was profeſſor in the Friezlanders new Academy, and by him Arminius was requeſted to undertake the defence of Mr. Beza againſt the brethren of Delf. For Arminius was verily thought a man very fit for this buſineſs by Mr. Lidyus, who partly by report, partly by experience knew the quickneſs of his wit, the ſharpneſs of his judgment, and what a wonderful force and power he had both in preaching and in diſputing, Neither was Arminius altogether ſtrange from this deſign, being one that newly coming out of the School of Geneva, carryed about with him in his ears the ſound of Mr. Beza's lectures and arguments. He therefore betakes himſelf to the work; But whilſt he endeavours a refutation, whilſt he weighs the arguments on each ſide, whilſt he confers the Scriptures, whilſt he torments and wearys himſelf, he was overcome by the truth. At firſt indeed he followed that ſame opinion which he undertook to oppoſe, but he afterwards by the guidance of the holy Ghoſt was carried over to that doctrin, which he conſtantly aſſerted even to the end of his life: Which was this; That Gods eternal Decree in predeſtination, was not to elect or chuſe preciſely and abſolutely ſome to ſalvation, whom as yet he had not purpoſed to create; (which Mr. Beza would have) neither was it, preciſely and abſolutely to elect ſome to ſalvation after the decree of their creation and the foreſight of their fall, but without an antecedent conſideration of Jeſus Chriſt; (which the Delfian brethren held) Bus it was, To elect to ſalvation them of the created and fallen, who in time to come would by true obedience of faith anſwer to God calling them thereunto: Which by learned Melancthon and Nicholaus Hemingius, and many more divines beſides, hath been aſſerted.

And although ſuch in times paſt hath been the liberty of our Churches, and even now is in very many places, that in this Argument, in which no ancient Synod hath ever determined any thing, any one of the multitude, and a Teacher, might always without offence to any one chooſe this or that: for to omit others, Dr. Jo. Holmannus Secundus, who by the very grave advice of excellent Divines, and eſpecially of the Lords Curators was called forth, after Mr. Pezelius and Mollenius and others were ſollicited in vain, taught it out of this very place: He imbraced (as we know) the opinion of Hemingius, and ſharply defended it. Not withſtanding there were not thoſe wanting at Amſterdam, that in this matter were troubleſome to Arminius, and that accuſed him for departing from the common and received opinion in our Churches, but their vehemency and fiercneſs was ſuddenly repreſſ'd and appeaſ'd by the authority of the Senate, and the equanimity and moderation of the brethren; ſo that he always lived with his Collegues at Amſterdam quietly, yea friendly and brotherly, without any cloud of diſpleaſure, or hatred, or envy. And alſo this man of God was not only naturally diſpoſ'd to candor and gentleneſs, but alſo was moreover ſo formed and faſhioned thereto by the holy precepts and Spirit of Chriſt, that he did quietly bear with him that diſſented from him, and did not eaſily deſpair of any one, that was but willing to hear Chriſt ſpeaking in Scriptures: which by his divine moderation and equinimity we all knew, and have by ſo much the more admired it, by how much the further we, by the teſtimony of our own conſcience, perceive our ſelves yet to be from theſe good things.

If the reaſon it ſelf of equity, in the common ſociety of men, was willing long ſince to have it eſtabliſh'd for a law, That they ſhould be judged worthy of a ſingular good commendation, and more honourable teſtimony of truth, who had any where very well merited of the common-wealth: they much more are worthy of this honour, who labouring in the word of God, have been for many years Miniſters of the holy Goſpel with ſingular fruit and praiſe in the Church of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt. Wherefore ſith that Mr. Dr. James Arminius, a Reverend brother in the Lord, hath now requeſted this ſame of us, we ſaid, that we muſt by no means deny it him. Therefore we would by this writing teſtifie to all and every one, that the very great integrity of both the unblameable life and ſound doctrine and manners of the forenamed worthy man, and to us all a moſt dear companion in the Lord, hath now by long acquaintance been ſo well perceived and tryed by us, that there is nothing of more account with us than always to enjoy his counſell, labour, familiarity and intimacy, and to maintain that friendſhip which now for a long time hath been between us. But ſecing the moſt bleſſed and almighty God ſeems to have appointed another thing concerning him and us, we have cauſe of giving very great thanks to the Lord our God for that very great benevolence oi his towards us and this our whole Church hitherto, through which it hath come to paſs, that we can with very great delight ſee and perceive fruits not to be repented of, from the ſtudy and labour of the foreſaid our very dear fellow-labourer in the Vineyard of Chriſt, which he hath with us unweariedly and cheerfully undergone, here among ours. We all confeſs with a moſt willing heart, that we are in all things indebted to this our dearly beloved brother in the Lord, for his alacrity in continuing with us in the ſame parts of his function, and for his very ready Councel communicated to us, whenſoever we deſire it. Wherefore that we may briefly ſay all in a word (becauſe his very great both piety and probity, and his ſingular learning, ſeems after a ſort by their proper right to challenge it to themſelves) we ſo commend to all godly, vertuous, and learned men, this honourable Gentleman, and our moſt reverend brother in Chriſt, that with greater affection and more heartily we are not able to commend,

To all and every one that ſhall read or hear this our preſent Teſtimony, Salvation and Peace through the only Mediator Chriſt.

Becauſe the moſt accompliſhed and learned man Mr. James Arminius hath by the illuſtrious and for learning moſt famous Lords Curators of the Univerſity of Leyden, been called from the holy Miniſtry (which now for many years he hath diſcharged with very great commendation in the Church at Amsterdam) to the publick profeſſion of ſacred Theology, and hath been inaugurated publickly thereunto: we were willing at his departure to commend him to the ſame (Curators) and to all vertuous men by this our preſent writing, although but little, and to honour him by our Teſtimony, as the manner is. We therefore the ſervants of Jeſus Chriſt, together with the Elders of the ſame Claſſis of Amſterdam, do teſtifie, that the foreſaid Mr. Dr. Arminius has been now fifteen years a member of our Claſſis, in which time he hath taught with much fruit ſound Doctrine purely, adminiſtred the Sacraments according to the Lords inſtitution, and propagated with great zeal the true and Chriſtian Religion, and by his diligent preſence hath always adorned our Claſſical meeting: alſo by his prudent Counſel hath with others compoſed matters hard and of great moment, hath always readily ſuſtained all impoſed burthens that reſpected the Churches Edidification, and hath by honeſty and goodneſs of life adorned to this very day his holy calling. In a word, he hath ſhewed himſelf ſuch both in his holy Office, and in his manner of life towards all, as becomes a true ſervant of Chriſt, that we give to him very great and immortal thanks for his benevolence and humanity towards us, by which he hath embrac'd every one of us. We therefore intreat all and every one, of what order ſoever they be, to have, acknowledge, embrace and favour the foreſaid Mr. Dr. James Arminius, as ſuch a one as we have ſaid. Alſo to affect him with ſuch honour, as he, for his eminent and ſingular gifts ſhining in him, is worthy of; and according to their ability to help forward his holy endeavours; for the Glory of Gods name, and the Edification of the School and Church. Unto which end we all his Collegues and fellow-ſervants do heartily deſire for him the manifold grace of the Holy Ghoſt. At Amsterdam, from our Claſſical meeting on the Calends of September, 1603. John Halsbergius, Preſident of the Claſſis. John Hallius, Preacher at Amſterdam. Scribe of the Claſſis, & in the name of the Claſſis.

Have the Brethren honourably and laudably enough teſtified of Arminius? thus then he came into the Univerſity. From this time all his Collegues have had experience of him as a moſt Falthful friend; The Schools as a Senator, Profeſſor. Rector; all the Students as a moſt gentle Father.

Suddenly after his entrance into the Univerſity he found, that the Students of ſacred Theology, did entangle themſelves in the thickets of queſtions, and did follow Thorny Theormes and Problemes, the Scriptures being neglected. This evil, after the matter had been communicated to his Collegues, he ſtudied to amend, and did in a great meaſure effect it, for he brought back the antient, and maſculine, and mighty kind of ſtudying; and drew back as much as in him lay: the wandring youth to the Fountains of Salvation (thoſe pure and ſlimeleſs Fountains) that out of them Religion might be ſought for: not that Religion which being ſatisfied with wrangling debates or bare ſpeculation is gotten to feed the phantaſie; but that which breaths out charity, and follows the truth which is after godlineſs, by which youth learn to fly youthful luſts, and having ſubdued fleſhly allurements, to ſhun the pollutions of the world, and to do and ſuffer thoſe things, that make a diſtinction between a Chriſtian and an Heathen. That ſaying of our Saviour, Except your righteouſneſs exceed the righteouſneſs of the Scribes and Phariſes, ye ſhall in no wiſe enter into the Kingdom of Heaven: he did repeat often to fix the ſame upon their memories.

In the mean while the conſideration of Chriſtians ſo miſerably divided, and driven aſunder one from another, troubled him; he ſeldom ſpake of it without tears, never without deep and hearty ſighs. He declared, that he wiſhed all the ſcattered members of Chriſt might grow together in one body, according to the Lords Commandment. He rightly judged, that the Papal Court ſought not the things which are of Chriſt; but the pleaſures, the honours, the lucre, the pomp of this preſent world, and Tyranny over the ſouls as well as the bodies of men: And therefore that no man could or ought to conſult with that Harlot about matters of Salvation, and the eſtabliſhing of a common peace. He judged, that a great part of others were conſcienciouſly and piouſly affected; and were not divided not ſo much through an evil intent and purpoſe, as through doubtfull ambages or obſcurities in which many were driven from peace and concord by ignorance, many by the authority of their Anceſtours; many through pertinacy or ſtiffneſs in thoſe opinions which either themſelves had deviſed or long defended, many through ſhame of revoking and retracting their writings, laſtly many through prejudice and an ill opinion of their brethren. All which he thought might be remedyed, not by killing one another, but by prayers, and by peaceable and friendly inſtruction, and by the example of an holy converſation. He therefore both exhorted all to piety, and eſpecially took care of this, that when thornie queſtions and the huge luggage of vain and empty aſſertions were removed and taken away, with which the Schools make an huge confuſed noiſe; thoſe things might be fetcht only out of the Scriptures which might be uſefull to bring them to the belief of neceſſary things, and to lead a good and bleſſed Chriſtian life. Which endeaur of his, Satan going about to elude and fruſtrate endeavoured to perſwade the inconſiderate, that theſe things were done by him to get honour to ſhew the ſtrength of his wit. to cauſe innovations, to maintain contention and wrangling. Some therefore through ſuſpicion, that ill counſellour, moved again old Camarina, or were the cauſe of miſchief to themſelves; but the Profeſſors themſelves and the Colleagues, by the prudent advice of the Curators did quell and quaſh it at its firſt ſhooting up: for credit to which matter I have thought that this Inſtrument out of the Acts of the Ʋnoverſity is fit to be produced.

And thus indeed theſe things paſſed at that time; Afterwards the Senators of the High. Court, by the will of the illuſtrious States at the Hague, took cogniſance of thoſe things that were reported. What their opinion of the whole matter was, I ſhould now relate, but that I think all here preſent have the knowledge thereof.

But whileſt Chriſts Champion thus wraſtles, he was at the length laid on his ſick bed by a diſeaſe, which by his labours; continual ſitting, conſtant ſtudies and conflicts incurting without any diſcharge, he had at the laſt contracted. Now what wonder is it, if he were moved and troubled at that, which might expoſe to loſe his good name, his ſalvation and his labours: ſith that nothing is of more account to a good man than his good name; nor to a Chriſtian, than his ſalvation; nor to a Dr. of Sacred Theology than demonſtrations taken out of the Scripture. Oppreſſion, ſaith Solomon, makes a wi • e man mad. That ſame brought him grief, his grief brought his diſeaſe, and this was the cauſe of his death. Oh horrible evil and viperous, and raiſed from the loweſt part of Hell! How oft have we heard him privately crying out even with ſighing, in the words of the Prophet? Wo is me my mother, that thou haſt born me a man of contention to the whole earth: I have neither lent on uſury, nor any hath lent to me on uſury, and yet all men curſe me. Notwithſtanding he himſelf recalled himſelf to the incloſures of reaſon and tranquility, being always couragious, always patient and gentle towards his brethren, for whoſe ſake he was ready to ſuffer patiently, or as it were to devour, any reproaches whatſoever from the malevolent, and to forget or concoct them, not with a Cato's ſtomack, but that which was wrought in him by the Spirit of Chriſt.

But his diſeaſe lurking in his bowels brake out eſpecially on the 7th of Feb. this year: which at that time ſo diſcovered it ſelf, that the Phyſicians forthwith judged, that there was need of a ſlow and cautious curation. Now although at the begining of his ſickneſs he could hardly move himſelf: Notwithſtanding when he could, having now and then ſome eaſe and reſpite, he omitted not the labours of his lectures and vocation; nor was he wanting to his cauſe when need was. Therefore again and again, being called, he with ſpeed went to the Hague, and there publiſh'd a famous profeſſion of his faith before many witneſſes, and after that laſt friendly conference he with this one thing after God and the teſtimony of his own conſcience comforted himſelf, that in a common aſſembly of all Holland he was patiently heard by his moſt gentle Maſters, to whoſe prudence he attributed ſo much, that if he ſhould dye, he did hope, that there would not be thoſe wanting that would defend by the patronage of their wiſdom and favour the equity of that cauſe, which they once heard debated. Being carryed home from the Hague, he had ſcarce ſet himſelf to that which his maſters commanded, viz. To write out that exactly which he had propoſed in the friendly conference, but the force of diſeaſe again aſſaulted him by ſo much the more vehemently, by how much the more it had increaſed by delay and the weakneſs of his ſtrength. Therefore being preſſed with his diſeaſe, he by letters written to the illuſtrious States modeſtly excuſed himſelf, that he could not at the day appointed obey their will: ſaying, That by ſickneſs he was for • t to keep his bed; that he had written a great part, which God ſo willing it, he was now compell'd to break off from. That he had been at another time heard, and that the whole matter was then exhibited in writing; that that might be as much as neceſſity required: Notwithſtanding if they ſhould at all deſire thoſe ſame things he had written that he would take care, that they ſhould have them either full and perfect, if he by the grace of Chriſt ſhould be reſtored, or abrupt and broken, if he ſhould die. Moreover tha he was ſo far from doubting any whit of that confeſſion he had publiſhed, that on the contrary he did ſtedfaſtly judge, that it agreed in all things with the holy Scriptures: Therefore that he did perſiſt therein, That he was ready at that very moment to appear with that ſame belief before the tribunall of Ieſus Chriſt the Son of God, the Judge of the quick and dead.

In the mean while the force of his diſeaſe daily increaſed, whilſt the moſt famous and moſt expert Phyſicians, Dr. Pavius, Dr. Sebaſtian Egbert, Dr. Henry Sael, Dr. Reener Bont, reſiſted it as much as was poſſible by Art and. Induſtry, and pleaſingly allured natures forces, but in vain; for the untamed obſtinacy of the diſeaſe ſcorned art it ſelf; For it was deeper planted than to be plucked up; it ſtirred up daily new Symptomes, Fevers, the cough, the extenſion of the hypoconders, difficulty of fetching of breath, oppreſſion after meat, troubleſome ſleeps, an atrophie, the gout, and gave to him no intermiſſion of reſt: Afterwards came the Iliac paſſion, and the Colick, with an obſtruction of the left optick nerve, and an obfuſcation or dimneſs of the ſame eye; In the mean while calumny was as cruel, and abated nothing of its accuſtomed fierceneſs; of which I ſhall here mention, a cruel unworthy and abominable inſtance, which is fit to be recorded for after ages. When that dimneſs of one of his eyes was known, there were ſome that durſt account this among thoſe puniſhments, which God threatens to his enemies, and wicked contemners of his name, and did affirm even from this puniſhment, that he was very wicked beyond others. And that there might not be wanting a pretext and colour to this ſo filthy and cruel a deed, the ſacred Books are consulted with, which a Chriſtian may not approach without reverence and prayer. A place is found in the Prophet Zechary concerning the conſumption of the eyes and the whole body, ſounding thus. And 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 conſume away in their mouth, Zech. 14.12. And another place; Wo to the Idol ſhepheard 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. Chap. 11.7.

This place was wreſted againſt this holy ſervant of Chriſt, who indeed was afflicted in body; but in his ſoul always happy, but now even moſt happy and bleſſed. I tremble at the remembrance of ſo enormous. and deteſtable, and ungodly deed. Who, art thou, oh man, that condemneſt thy brother, for whom Chriſt ſhed his blood? What doſt thou revile that ſervant of God with oracles fetched as it were from heaven it ſelf, whom they that ſhall come after us, and ſhall not be ungratefull, will acknowledge to have exceeding well deſerved of the whole Church of Chriſt? Why doſt thou take unjuſtly to thy ſelf a power of condemning thy brother, whom the Lord hath commanded thee to love. Hear him: Neither this man hath ſinned, nor his parents, but theſe things are done, that the works of God may be made manifeſt Hear him again; Judge not, that ye be not judged. Hear the Apoſtle; It is with me a very ſmall thing, that I ſhould be judged of you, or of mans judgment. He that judgeth me is the Lord; Therefore judge nothing before the time, untill the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkneſs, and will make manifeſt the counſels of the heart: And then ſhall every man have praiſe of God. Art thou ſo aſſured of what ſhall happen to thy ſelf, as to know for certain, that thou thy ſelf ſhalt not be tormented with more bitter pain and dolour? And yet 'twas not his right eye that was amiſs; neither was it blindneſs, but only a dimneſs, and his arm was not dried up, but ſwelled. His tongue truly even to the laſt moment of his life readily diſcharged its office. Thus things above, things below, things on the right hand, things on the left, things divine, things humane, wait together on theſe wretched Hierophants [Expounders of divine myſteries] to ſerve them when they will.

There were ſomes who playing on his name, deviſed, Ʋani orbis amicus: [i. e. A friend of the vain world.] as if impiety was not ſometime bold to do the ſame on the ſacred name of Chriſt. Go your wayes for beetles, the unprofitable things of the world; What will ye not attempt to do on the ſervant who have not ſpared God himſelf and the Lord of life? But I return to that which I made digreſſion from: He although tired with all theſe evils, yet notwithſtanding kept a ſtedfaſt courage and quiet mind; He therefore never abated any thing of the pleaſantneſs, and comely gracefulneſs, and accuſtomed cheerfulneſs of his countenance, and candor of heart, his moſt ardent prayers aſcending to God for himſelf and the concord of the church. How frequent, how fervent in his ſickneſs were his ejaculations to Jeſus Chriſt? What joyes did he promiſe himſelf? With what perſeverance of faith did he expect his laſt day in the world? If the brethren did compoſe themſelves to prayers, and he himſelf was hindred by pain, he now and then deſired them to ſtay till he ſhould come to himſelf, that he might together with them perform this brotherly office.

BEfore all things I commend my ſoul, when it ſhall depart out of its body, into the hands of God its Creator and faithfull Saviour, before whom I witneſs that I have with a good conſcience, ſingly and ſincerely walked in my charge and calling: taking heed with much ſolicitouſneſs and carefulneſs, not to propoſe or teach any thing, which I had not found by a diligent ſearch out of the holy Scriptures, to agree exactly with the ſame Scriptures; and that I have taught thoſe things which might conduce to the propagation and amplification of the truth, the Chriſtian religion, the true worſhip of God, common piety, and holy converſation among men; Laſtly, to tranquility agreeing to the Chriſtian profeſſion and peace according to the word of God, excluding from among theſe Papacy, with which no verity of faith, no bond of piety and Chriſtian peace can be kept.

Theſe things being thus finiſhed, ſome days were ſpent in the invocation of Chriſt, and in thankſgiving and the meditation of a better life; In which time Mr. Jo. Ʋtenbogardus and Mr. Hadrian Borrius did more frequently viſit him then others did; Both of them were his old and moſt faithfull friends; But Mr. Borrius was even always preſent in the daily performance of prayer with his ſick friend.

Now at length on the 19th of October, about noon, this faithfull ſervant of God, being diſcharged of his warfare, having finiſhed his courſe, fought the good fight, kept the faith, did render his ſoul now weary of cares, now glutted with the miſeries of this world, now deſiring deliverance, now having a fore-taſt of the joys of the Saints, now ſeeing Chriſt his God and redeemer, did I ſay, with his eyes lifted up to heaven, render quietly among the holy prayers of them that were preſent, his ſoul to God the Father his creator, to the Son his redeemer, to the Holy Ghoſt his ſanctifier, all crying out, Let me dye the death of the righteous.

Thus even this our Sun did ſet; thus that juſt man dyed of whom this world was not worthy; thus the father of ſo many prophets was taken away; thus James Arminius by the charet of Iſrael and horſemen thereof was carryed from us into heavenand now is free and delivered from miſeryes, hath the crown ſought for by ſo many labours, by ſo great holineſs, and enjoys the heavenly Jeruſalem, in the great aſſembly of many thouſands of Angels, and the Church of the firſtborn that are written in heaven, and he ſees the Judge of all, and the Spirit of juſt men made perfect, and Jeſus the mediator of the new Teſtament, and the blood of ſprinkling ſpeaking better then that of Abel; But he expecteth that day, in which God will make his dead body, which we have laid in the earth, to be conformable to the glorious body of his Son, according to the power whereby he is able to ſubdue all things to himſelf.

But we ſo long as it pleaſes God ſhall be toſſed with theſe waves, till he, having at ſometime compaſſion on us alſo, ſhall call us, every one in his own order, out of this miry clay into heavenly joys; keeping in the mean while in the church of the ſaints the bleſſed memory of Mr. James Arminius, with this Elogy.

That he was a Hollander, whom they that knew him, could not ſufficiently eſteem; Whom they that eſteemed him not, did never ſufficiently know.

Finally, moſt worthy Au • itors, being deſirous to exhort you to the Churches amiable concord, I ſhall uſe no other than the words of the Apoſtle John. Beloved, let us love one another, becauſe love is of God. And whoſoever l • veth his brother, is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not, knoweth not God; for God is love.