The Marrow of Ecclesiastical History, William Wallaeus

The Marrow of Ecclesiastical History · William Wallaeus

p. 935The Life of Anthony Wallaeus, who died Anno Christi 1639.

ANthony Wallaeus was descended of the ancient family de Wale in the City of Gaunt, His parentage.where his Predecessors had born sundry offices from the year 1345 to that present time; his Father was James Wallaeus, who was brought up in the Family of Count Egmond, who lost his head by the Spanish tyranny. His Mother was Margaret Wagenaer, a beautifull and pious Matron, of an illustrious Family,His birth. and powerfull Kindred. Our Anthony was born Octob. 3. Anno Chr. 1573, in the City of Gaunt, just at the same time when the Duke de Alva (after all his cruelties exercised in the Low Countryes) returned into Spain.

His Mother in his childhood was very carefull to traine him up in the Rudiments of piety,His education. and good manners, and his Father was as careful to give him liberall education: For which end, when he could read, and write reasonable well, at eight years old he committed him to the care of Titus ab Edingen, a Minister, to be taught the Latine tongue. The boy was very beautifull, of a ruddy colour, of a sweet, and pleasing conversation, and therefore his Master loved him above all his other Scholars.

Not long after this Titus of Edingen was called into Holland to be Minister at Saint Hildegond near to Harlem, whereupon our Anthony was necessitated to return to his parents at Gaunt, and was by his Father committed to the care of Samuel Lansberg, a Minister in that City, to be by him further instructed in the Latine tongue.

About this time the City of Gaunt was full of factions, and divisions, so that his Father (for favouring the Prince of Orange) was clapt up in prison; whereupon our Anthony returned home to his Mother, and by his prompt obedience, sweet manners, & childish blandishments, was a great comfort to her during the time of her husbands close imprisonment: But at last his Father was set free, who considering the troublesom state of the City, and not knowing what might be p. 936the issue, sent away all his most precious moveables to Delph in Holland.

Shortly after Gaunt was besieged by the Prince of Parma, which being foreseen by Jam. Wallaeus, he had made such provision before hand, that he lived quietly, and comfortably during all the siege: But at last the City was to be surrendred upon Articles, amongst which this was one, that six such Citizens should be delivered up to the Prince, as he should nominate; James Wallaeus, upon good grounds, suspecting that he should be one of the six, a few dayes before the surrender, privately stole out of the City, and went to Walochrta: His Wife Margaret staying at Gaunt to dispose of her goods, was so vexed, and abused by the Citizens, that she resolved rather to leave part of them, and goe her wayes, then to stay there any longer; and because all were forbidden to depart from the City, taking her son Anthony, who was now tenne years old, and her two daughtets, they stole away in the night, and went on foot to Philippine. And shortly after not onelyonly the Citizens of Gaunt, but of all the neighbouring places did so molest, and abuse the Protestants, that they forced them to leave their habitations,A persecution in Flanders. and to seeke for refuge in other Countries, most of which went into Zeland, which of all other places shewed the most humanity, bounty, and hospitality to these p…o… exiles. Yet lest under pretence of flight the enemies should mingle themselves amongst the Protestants, and so make some ate…pt upon the Isles of Zeland, the Zelander… sent some ships of War to Philippine under the conduct of James Wallaeus, with a special charge that none should be brought out of Flanders into Zeland, but such as he should approve of.

In the mean time Margaret, and our Anthony went to Delph in Holland, to fetch away their goods which formerly were sent thither; but their friend to whom they had sent them, denyed that great part of them ever came to his hands, and they wanting sufficient proof, were faign to take such as he acknowledged, and so they returned to Middleborough.

James Wallaeus had so well demeaned himself in the aforementioned imployment, that the President of Zeland, who had formerly known him at Gaunt, committed to his care the custody of the Magazine for Provision, and Ammunition; and because he would not wholly trust his servants in so weighty a businesse, he p. 937imployed his son Anthony to have an oversight of them, who, though he was but 11. years old, yet was serious and prudent above his Age. His place was to see such things as his Father bought, laid up the Publick Granary and Armory; as also to see them delivered out and divided to the several Cities as he was appointed, and to acquaint his Father where there was any want: And thus he was imployed for two years, at the end whereof his Father resolved to settle him with his Mother at Middleborough, that he might be fitted for some honest course of life▪ But having lost much of his Estate by his Exile, and his Family being encreased by the birth of two sons, he durst not think of training him up in Learning, as formerly he had determined: wherefore that he might be fitter for any future imployment, he placed him with Jodocus Larenus, a Publick Notary, a man of much experience, of a great judgement, and of unspotted honesty, with whom by his daily practise he attained to much swiftness in writing: and as things were related to him, he could readily apprehend, fitly word them, and draw them into a publick instrument in good order: which some Merchants taking notice of, each of them strove to get him into his Family, profering him good pay for his pains: But our Anthony being not yet resolved what course of life to follow, continued three years with Larenus. At the end whereof lying one night with his Father on the straw, he had a sudden instinct that God had designed him for the Work of the Ministry, and these thoughts did so follow him night and day wheresoever, and about whatsoever he was, that he could not blot them out of his memory. Hereupon at last he resolved to dedicate himself to his studies; and having gotten leave of his Father,He goes to school. he went to the Grammer School in Middleborough, the chief Master whereof was Iames Gruter, a painful man, and well versed both in Greek and Latine: He had also for his assistant Iohn Murdison, who was an acute and solid Philosopher. This Murdison lived with Gruter, who being desirous to finde out the ingenie of our Anthony, he placed him at Gruters Table; yet least he should be drawn aside by rude lads, his Parents would have him daily to come home to supper.

With these Masters hee lived six years,His proficiency. and profited so much under them that he could make elegant Verses, and p. 938pronounce Orations publickly, which Gruter thought fit both for his own and his Scholars credit to publish in Print: Neither did he profit less in the Greek Tongue, so that he made excellent Greek Verses which also were printed: He laid solid foundations also of Philosophy, so that his Masters caused him to keep publick Disputations about sundry controversies in Philosophy: He was so studious, that that time which other boys spent in play, he refreshed himself by variety of studies.

His Masters now finding him fit, resolved to send him to the University, where he might better be instructed in the Arts then he could be in that School.He goes to Leiden. For which end he went to Leiden in April, Anno Christi 1596. and sojourned in the house of Thomas Spranckhusius, Minister of Leiden: and presently began to consider how he might best imploy himself for the advancement of his studies, whereas other boys used to spend the first year in looking about them: And he resolved to go on in this method:The method of his studies. First to perfect his knowledge in the Tongues, then of Philosophy, and at last to proceed to the study of Divinity: And that he might perfect his skill in the Greek, he resolved to read over the Poets, who best express the genius of the Language, and amongst them he made choice of Homer, because he useth every Dialect, his speech flows pleasingly, and he makes his Reader more wise: and that he might better pierce into the profundity of that Language, upon every occasion he consults with Joseph Scaliger, a man of stupendious Learning, to whom Wallaeus was always very dear, and he was much delighted with his wit.

Afterwards from Greek he proceeded to the study of Hebrew, wherein he was assisted by Francis Rapbelingius, a very courteous man: but he shortly after dying, and Francis Iunius being chosen into his room, our Wallaeus profited so much under him, that he could understand the Books of the Old Testament without an Interpreter: He proceeded not to the study of the Rabbins, because he judged that they that bestow much time in the study of the Tongues, are very seldom good Artists. For mans minde cannot contain all things: the knowledge of the Tongues will take up the whole man: and therefore our Wallaeus whilst he studyed the Languages laid aside all other studies; only sometimes for recreation-sake he would read p. 939over some old Latine Authors, Historians, Poets, and Orators.

When he was well furnished with the Tongues, he went to the study of Philosophy; but finding that Leiden at that time was not well furnished with Philosophers, he attended the Lectures of Raph Snel, the Mathematick Professor, under whom he learned Geometry, Astronomy, and the Opticks, which proved very useful to his future studies. In his study of Logick he made use of Keckerman, The Authors which he read.to whom he added Zabarel, Monlor, and some others: In Physicks he used Tolet, Zabarel, Picholhomini: In Ethicks he was most taken with Accioalus: yet he read Picholhomini, Magirus, Muret, Quarsius Metaphysicks: He read over also Thomas and Scotus, after which he proceeded to Plato and Aristotle, whom he read in their own Language wherein they are most perfect. To these he added Plotinus, Ficinus, Simplicius, Aphrodisaeus, and Averrhoes: And in these studies he could the better proceed without help, because he had been well grounded in all the parts of Philosophy by his Master Murdison; and indeed he made such a progress therein that he exceeded all his contemporaries, so that in his Disputations he often gravelled the Moderators themselves: For he was prompt and subtile in Invention, clear in Explication, and sharp in pressing home his Arguments.

The chiefest scope which he proposed to himself in the study of Philosophy was to further him in Divinity, and therefore judging it necessary to have the advice and assistance of some able Divine, with the good leave of Spranckhusius, he removed to the table of Francis Gomarus, hiring a chamber in the next house, till he could get a lodging in Gomarus his house, which fell out within some few moneths after.

At this time Francis Junius was made Professor of Divinity, a Divine of profound Learning, Grave, and of a deep Judgment: as also Luke Tralcatius, the Father, a solid Divine: and Francis Gomarus a man of much Learning and servent Piety: But Wallaeus preferred Iunius above all, and therefore endevoured to follow his example. Yet taking Gomarus his counsel, he did not begin his study of Divinity by reading Common places, He studies Divinity.least being led with other mens opinions, and thereby prepossessed with prejudice, he should be led aside from the Truth: But he first read the several forms of Concord of the reformed Churches, the Catechism of p. 940Heidleberg and the Belgick Confession of Faith, and so wholly betook himself to the reading of the sacred Scriptures, which he read with great attention and assiduity, getting the chiefest heads of Doctrine by heart:He learns the Scriptures by heart. So that when he was old he could repeat without Book the Epistle to the Romans, the second to the Corinthians, to the Galathians, Ephesians, and Philippians: But he read them all in the Originals, so that in his Sermons he was very ready in the words of Scripture.

Yet finding that by reading the Scripture alone, he could hardly comprehend in his minde the whole Body of Doctrine, being now well versed in the Scriptures, he betook himself to the Theological Institutions of Bucanus, He studies the body of Divinity.that so he might at once see into the whole compendium of Divinity: yet did he not stay long upon a Compendium, but proceeded to the study of Calvins Institutions, and Peter Martyrs Common places: yet was he best pleased with Martyr, because he handled the whole Doctrine plainly, discoursed largely of Controversies, and answered them solidly.

Whilst he was thus busied, Luke Tralcatius first, and after him Francis Gomarus began privately to read Common places, whom he resolved to hear, because in private they handled all thing more familiarly and largely then in publick: yet especially he attended the publick Lectures, because they were more accurate and learned; and if after the Lectures he doubted of any thing, he repaired to them in private for further satisfaction.

When he had profited well in the study of Common places, He studies Commentaries.he proceeded to the reading of Commentaries upon the Sacred Scriptures: and first be read over Piscators Analysis, whereby he might get the whole context of each part of Scripture into his minde: then for the sense of the Scripture he read Calvin, whom he used to call A Divine Interpreter. To whom in his reading of the New Testament he adjoyned Beza: and in reading of the Old Testament, Mercer, and Arias Montanus, whereby he might attain to the knowledge of the Governments and Rites amongst the Iews, without the knowledge whereof it is impossible to attain to the sense of many texts of Scripture.

Wallaeus having now read much,His publick Disputations. and heard long, began to prepare himself for action, and disputed publickly three times: De vera Theologia, De Mysterio Trinitatis, Et de Christi mediatoris p. 941Officio: By which Disputations he procured to himself much admiration: For being excellently versed in Philosophy, he answered to the terms appositly: and being very ready in the sacred Scriptures, he always closed up his answer with some sutable Tex…, which was very grateful to the hearers: He also sometimes preached in private, being directed therein by Luke Tralcatius, His first sermon.an Eloquent Preacher: and the first publick Sermon which he preached was at Voorschoten, in a great concourse of people, who expected no ordinary thing from him. And so Wallaeus was now judged fit by his Masters to enter into the Ministry: But though he abundantly satisfied others, yet could he not satisfie himself: whereupon he resolved before he undertook that great and difficult work, that he would consult with other learned men, and visit Forreign Universities, and see into the Government of other Churches, especially of Geneva and Helvetia, whence Reformation at first proceeded;His travels into France. and therefore getting one Apollonius Schot for his companion, who was the Consuls son of Middleborough, Anno Christi 1590. he sailed from Flushing into France, where he visited Roan, and some other Cities, and so came to Paris: In which City he made some stay, inquiring into the Government of France, and wondered that the King could exercise such an absolute Jurisdiction, and yet have so much love from his People. But especially he attended to their Philosophical and Thealogical Lectures, which yet he disliked, because they followed the Schoolmen so much, though contrary to the sacred Scripture's to sound Reason and Sense.

After some little stay here, he went to Orleance, Biturg, Lyons, and Vienna: at which place he visited the Pastors, and found that through the commendations of Iunius, he was better known there then he expected: For some of the Neighbor Churches much importuned his stay amongst them, profering him a good stipend, and a Coadjutor if he would read Philosophy and Divinity amongst them: But Wallaeus considering their propinquity to Geneva and Lausanna, thought that there was no great need of his imployment there: besides he thought that amongst strangers he should be exposed to envy, where he could not have the assistance of his friends; and his desire was to have some such imployment in his own p. 942Country, and therefore leaving them (his mony beginning to fail him) he went to Gratianople, He goes to Geneva.and so to Geneva.

At Geneva he sought out such a place to sojourn in where he might best advance his studies, and therefore made choice of Charles Parrots house, who was a Minister of the Word, and also Professor of Divinity. Whilst he abode there, his first care was to perfect himself in the French Tongue, which he attained to by converse with the Citizens, and reading French Writers, so that he many times preached in French.

At this time the Divinity Professors in Geneva were Theodore Beza, Anthony Faius, and Charles Perrot: Beza was now above 80 years old, and had given over reading: Fajus had good Learning, but was neither a good Expositor, nor quick Disputant. Perrot was very learned, and had more in him then he promised: yet each of these scarce read one Lecture in a week: therefore he spent most of his time in hearing Sermons, which were more frequent in Geneva then in other places: But above all he most admired Beza's Sermons, who though he was so old, yet excelled in vigor of Minde, profound Learning, sharp Judgement, and manlike Eloquence, for which the World much wondred at him. He profited also very much by their Friday-meetings, wherein one of the Ministers explained some texts of Scripture; and when he had done, the other Ministers (if it needed) either gave further explanations, restrictions, or emendations: only when it came to Beza's turn to begin, the other Ministers reverenced what he had said by their silence: He also profited exceedingly by his frequent conferences with Beza. His converse with Perrot, by how much it was more frequent and familiar, by so much the more grateful was it to him; for he did not endeavor so much to seem as to be truly godly and learned. He never held much correspondence by Letters with learned men, judging that course to tend more to ostentation then to edification.

He liked the Government of the Church of Geneva very well, where neither Wives nor Widows were shut up in their houses, but dayly attended the publick Prayers and Sermons: and where vices were not only punished, but the occasions of them taken away, by removing luxury and rigor.

At this time there lived a Divine in Geneva that excelled all p. 943the rest in the knowledg of the Hebrew; who perswaded Wallaeus that he attained to his skill in a very short time by the Art of Memory; He studies the Art of Memory.whereupon he applyed himself to him, and in six weeks space learned by heart the whole Epitome of Pagnine, with such excellent success that thereby he was enabled well to interpret any place of the Holy Scriptures, and to give a fit reason of it: But for some reasons disliking this way of Learning, he laid it aside, and made little further use of it.

About this time Henry Steven dyed, and being in debt, his Books were publickly sold for a little to satisfie his Creditors, upon which occasion Wallaeus bought a whole Library of Greek Authors, in reading whereof he much refreshed his minde after his more serious studies.

Not far from Geneva is the mountain of Jura, whose top is much above the clouds,The mountain of Jura above the clouds. whereupon Wallaeus had a great desire to go to the top of it to see what was done in the other Region of the Ayr: Therefore joyning to himself the company of Charles Perrot, the City Secretary, and a third friend, in the longest days in May, they went to the foot of this hill where they lodged all night: and very early next morning, two Shepheards leading them by the hands, they began to climbe up the Mountain,He goes up the mountain. and about noon began to enter into the middle Region of the Ayr, where they found it extream cold, and the Mountain was covered with great hils of Ice, only on the South side some paths appeared, by which they ascended, and towards the Evening came to the top; which contained about ten Acres of land: the Precipice was so great that they were afraid to look down, but when they lay along upon the ground, from whence the Villages seemed no bigger then Wals, and other Mountains seemed like Molehils: In this top there was neither Ice or Snow: the ayr was very cold, yet thin and pure: And being all Musical, they began to sing, which sounded far more sweetly then in any part of the lower World.

At last as on one side they beheld France, and on the other side Italy, they observed vapors to ascend out of the Lake of Leman which stayed about the Mountain, then gathered together, and at last became a thick cloud, so that it wholly took p. 944away their sight of the Earth: and when night was come they began to descend, and after a while entred into the cloud, where they could wash their hands; and when they had passed this cloud, it was dissolved into rain, which wet them through,Their descent and so at last they came to the Shepheards coats, where they rested, and the night following came to the bottom of the Mountain; for they could not go so fast down as they went up.

Not long after Wallaeus taking along with him Adrian Mammaker, who was afterwards President of Zeland, went to swim in the Lake of Leman; and as he was swiming he observed a stranger that was swiming a good way off, suddenly to sink, and ready to be drowned:A special providence. whereupon (being very tenderhearted) he hasted to him, drew him out of the water, and carryed him to the shore: by whom (after he was recovered) he understood that he was a Cobler of Holland; who as he was swiming fell into this disaster.

After a while having attained his end for which he went to Geneva, His further travels.he removed to Lausanna Anno Christi 1600. and finding nothing there that might occasion his stay, he went to Bern, from whence he went to Zurick, and Schaphusen, where he saw the Cataracts of the River Rheine, like to the Cataracts of Nilus.

At Zurick the Magistrates being informed by their Ministers of the excellent Learning of Wallaeus, to shew their respects to him, invited him to a great Feast.

Whilst he was at Bern, he grew into familiar acquaintance with Zendererus the cheif Praefect of the Colledge, who gave him great hopes of preferment if he would stay there: but Wallaeus having dispatched his business there,He goes to Basil. hasted to Basil, where James Grynaeus and Amandus Polanus were Professors of Divinity: Grynaeus was a very wary and prudent man, and of excellent Learning, but one that much addicted himself to Civil affairs, so that Basil seemed wholly to be governed at his discretion. He read History Lectures which he had brought down to his own time. Polanus was a very learned man, and at that time was reading upon the Doctrine of Predestination. But Wallaeus mostly applyed himself to the Lectures of John Buxtorf, who was Hebrew Professor, and was p. 945most skilful of the Genius of that Language, and in the Antiquities of the Jews: At this time he was expounding the Commentaries of the Rabbins upon the twelve minor Prophets.

Wallaeus observing that he was often frustrated in his expectation, finding every thing less then he hoped for, he resolved to adventure to do something publickly himself, which he rather chose to do abroad then at home, because in case there should be any miscarriage, it might not blemish his credit, nor hinder his future promotion. And he chose Basil to perform it in, because scarce in any other University were Students suffered to supply the place of Professors. Therefore to give them some taste of his Learning, he made some Verses and published them: He made also some Theses about the Providence of God,His exercises at Basil. framed of Scripture phrases, concerning which he disputed publickly with Polanus: In which he did so orderly repeat, appositely answer, and solidly prove, that by the paw they might easily know the Lyon; whereupon he had the Professors chair allotted to him, out of it publickly to dispute himself, and to moderate at the Disputations of others: which also he frequently performed, in somuch as when Polanus or Grynaeus had any other business, they presently had recourse to Wallaeus to dispute in their rooms: whereby he procured so much love and esteem both from the Professors and Students, that when he went away, they would needs signifie the same to the Belgick Churches under the Seal of their University.

Wallaeus his course in his travels was this; In the Summer time he used to go through Countries, veiw Cities, Fields, Rivers, Mountains, and to enquire what in Nature or by Art was observable in them. In Winter time he fixed himself in some City, where he might promote his study of Divinity, and learn the Government of the Province: And accordingly having satisfied himself at B…sil, His travels in Germany.when the Spring came, he went to Strasborough, Spire, and Heidleberg, at which place he considered whether it was better to make his abode that Summer, or to travel through Germany. The fame of that University perswaded him to the former, which was accounted equal with that of Leiden: But above all the Library of Manuscripts perswaded his stay there, into which he had free p. 946access by the curtesie of Janus Gruter his Countryman: There were also Professors of Divinity deservedly famous, viz. Daniel Tossanus, and David Paraeus: the former interpreted the New Testament, who being grown old lived but a few months after: and Pareus Interpreted the Prophet Hosea, of which Scripture he had a little before heard Buxtorf. He observed also that the Government of the Palatinate was unfit for the Low-Countries: The power of Ecclesiastical affairs under the Prince was in the hand of eight Civil and eight Ecclesiastical Senators: These chose Ministers, placed them both in Cities and Villages, removed them from one place to another, and set bounds to all Theological Controversies: whereby they provided well to uphold the Authority of the Prince, and to preserve the Peace of the Church; but little to the comfort of souls, when many times they had Ministers imposed upon them against their liking, and always such as they had no knowledge of.

Leaving Heidleberg he went to Franckfurt upon Main, where he stayed awhile, and then went to Hessen, remaining awhile in the Lantgraves Court, who often conferred courteously with him, and so to Marpurg, and from thence to Brunswick and Bremen: His travels in the Low-countries.And having thus travelled tbrough forreign Countries, he resolved to be no stranger in his own; wherefore from thence he went into Frisland, Gelderland, Vtrich, Overisle, and so at last came to Leiden to the house of Gomarus his old Host.

But before he setled himself to his study there, he went to Middleborough to visit his aged Parents, having been now three years from them, who received him with all the joy that might be:His return to Leiden. yet after a short stay he returned to Leiden, where he found the face of the University somewhat changed. For Joseph Scaliger would needs have the precedency of all the Professors: But all the Professors opposed him, because the place did indeed belong to Junius, and the States of Holland interposed their Authority; For though they esteemed well of Scaliger, yet they would not have Junius offended, nor others who were of more solid Learning, and more useful then himself; wherefore the place was conferred upon Junius, and instead of reading Hebrew Lectures, he was appointed to write against Bellarmine.

p. 947Wallaeus now was not so diligent in attending Lectures as formerly: But weighed every part of Divinity, and observed how far he had pierced into the more abstruse parts of it, and where he was defective, he searches Authors, meditates, and by conference with Junius and Gomarus satisfies himself, and being weary of reading Modern Authors, wherein he found some things meanly handled, and othersome foolishly, and withall considering that they carryed no Authority with them, he betook himself to the reading of the Ancient Fathers,He studies the Fathers. especially Augustine, whom he found more nervous and quick in Disputing then the rest: And in the mean time he exercised himself in Preaching, sometimes in Leiden, and sometimes in the neighbor Villages, which he performed with such a grace, that he was called to a Pastoral charge in Leiden. He is called to the Ministry.This call being so unexpected, troubled him so much the more: He thought it a great honour to be at first called to a place in so eminent a City, where also he had the benefit of the University for the promoting of his Learning: But yet he judged it a very hard burden to govern a great Church who had not yet learned to govern a little one: Hereupon he betook himself by his ardent Prayers unto God for direction,Refuseth it. and at last resolved to refer the business wholly to the judgement of his Parents: They, by Gomarus, returned thanks to the Presbytery, and make many excuses why he could not accept of the call: but the truth is, their principal reason was, because they would have their son (the staffe of their old Age) neerer to them.He returns home. And indeed they were not satisfied till leaving the University, he came home to them, which was in the Spring, Anno Christi 1602.

The whole course of his life from his childhood,His deportment. both in the University, in his travels, and hitherto, had been very blameless, pious, modest, free from luxury and wantonness; and his care was that as he grew in years he might grow in goodness: he never minded trifles: yet was not his conversation austere and froward, but mild and pleasing. He was unwearyed in his studies, spending not only the days,His industry. but half the nights therein, that going cold to bed sometimes he rose out of it before he was well warm; so that once whilst he was at Leiden he fell into a Quartain Ague which held him fourteen moneths, which was accompanyed with a Cough, notwithstanding which he would p. 948not desist from the course of his studies; whereby he contracted a weakness of stomach, accompanyed with crudities and a stopping in his head, from which he was never free all his life after.

Being thus come to Middleborough, His Ordination.he submitted himself to Examination in order to his Ordination, and his Examiner was James Cornelii, one of the Ministers; but being inferior in Learning to Wallaeus, not Wallaeus but …ornelii was examined. After his Examination he was to Preach monethly before the Ministers, to make him more prompt and ready in it: he was also admitted to be weekly present at their Presbyteries, that he might be acquainted with their way of Government before he undertook it himself.

In all which Exercises and Conferences in the Presbyteries, they observed that young Wallaeus was of an acute Wit, composed Judgement, and profound Learning.

About this time a Pastoral charge was void at Caletus, He is called to another charge.and the Ministers of Middleborough would fain have sent Wallaeus thither: But his Parents took it very ill that when they had refused a place in Leiden which was in the heart of the Lowcountries, he should now be sent into a corner, which is exposed to the injuries both of the French and Spaniards, whereupon they sharply opposed themselves against it, and Wallaeus himself disliked it: But when some Ministers shewed themselves very violent,Refuseth it. the Magistrates (to gratifie his Parents) put an end to the controversie. This also happened at the same time: There was neer to Middleborough a Village called Koukerk which wanting a Pastor, chose Wallaeus for their Minister, which he accepted of,He is chosen to Koukerk. and so undertook the charge in N…vemb. An. Chri. 1602. accounting it a great honour that God was pleased thus to admit him into his service; and withall considering the greatness of the Burthen in procuring the welfare of souls, wherein the least miscarriage is a great sin against God, he not only now, but all his life after never undertook any thing, till he had first craved the assistance of God, begging of him wisdom and ability to mannage it a right.

At Koukerk he attained to a promptness and habit of Preaching, he learned to Govern a Church, to comfort the afflicted, to resist the obstinate and Sectaries, with whom he so far p. 949prevailed that they adjoined themselves to the Church, and ever after reverenced Wallaeus as their Father. His Sermons were so famous that when Grave Moris besieged Sluce Anno Christi. 1604.He is imployed in the Army. the Wallachrian Classis made choice of Wallaeus to be joined to John Vtenbogard the Court Preacher, to be Chaplain to the Army.

This Vtenbogard was an Eloquent Preacher, one that sought to ingratiate himself with the great ones: Whereas Wallaeus sought to please God rather then men; and indeed at his first coming, what by Prayers, and what by Admonition, he prevailed with the Colonels and Captains to banish swearing from amongst them. Vtenbogard made too much account of Socinus, and still carryed about him a New Testament, having Annotations every where written in it by Socinus his own hand. But Wallaeus abhorred his opinions.

Sluce being taken,His return. Wallaeus returned to Koukerk, setling all his affairs, as if he meant to live there all his life; and having a competent estate, he desired not an encrease of his stipend: He had a full Congregation, yet not burdensome: so that besides his Ministerial employments he had sufficient time for his private studies: He was well beloved of his people, and had good societie with his Elders and Deacons: His Town was not above an hours walk from Middleborough and Flushing: Fruitful of Pastures, had good store of Corn-ground, and pleasant Orchards It was neer to that Sea by which greater ships go into the Havens of Zeland: He had a large house, a spacious garden, which he kept very neat and orderly.

At this time Middleborough had but three Churches, and the Auditories grew too big for them, whereupon they Petition the Magistrate for a fourth Church, and a eighth Minister to have a stipend allowed him. The Church was appointed neer to the Fish-Market, and by the Presbytery Wallaeus was appointed for the Minister.

Truly Wallaeus desired to stay at Koukerk, He is chosen to Middleborough.and not mingling himself with the troubles of the world, to serve God and his people in that place: yet durst he not resist this call, having thereby an opportunity of more service.

His two years stay at Koukerk had much changed the course of his life: For having in the first year dispatched the work p. 950of his Sermons and Catechising,His marriage. he began to bethink himself of entring into a marryed condition: and having found out Paschaesia of Isenhout, a pious, prudent, and well-bred maid, he consulted with his Parents for their consent: and so all things concurring to his,His parents dye. and their mindes, he marryed her Aug. the seventh, Anno Christi 1603. But presently after he lost his Parents, first his Mother, and then his Father, who survived her but a little time. In the whole time of their sickness our Wallaeus attended upon them, and comforted them with Divine Consolations out of Gods Word: wherefore at the hour of death they both of them blessed him, and gave him this testimony, that he had never offended them in all his life.

Wallaeus laid their death exceedingly to heart,A good child. so that for a years space no day passed wherein he did not with grief think on them, nor night wherein he did not dream of them: But it pleased God that in December the 27.His first son. he had a son born whom he called John; this somewhat mitigated his sorrows.

Before this, the Citizens of Middleborough had much importuned him to remove his habitation to their City: but he would not consent to it till his Wife was brought to bed, least he should seem to contemn his people at Koukerk, who had shewed themselves so honest and loving to him: But when she was up again, he then removed, and was entertained both by the People and Magistrates with great applause, being received with more favour then ordinary,He is envyed. which stirred up envy in some of the Ministers of Middleborough; who thereupon would have had him confined to a little Church that was in the outmost part of the City; but the Presbytery would not suffer it: yea it returned to the glory of Wallaeus that these ancient Ministers feared least he should get their Auditories from them:He wins his adversaries. But after a while he moderated their passions by his modesty, courtesie, and readiness to do any Offices of love to them, so that he lived very friendly with them.

In his Ministry he thought that he did not sufficiently discharge his duty by Preaching and Governing;His faithfulness in his Ministry. and therefore every Sabbath day at five a clock he Catechized, wherein he explained all the common places in Divinity, and whereby he made his people very ready in the knowledge of the Scriptures, p. 951so that some of them were fitted for the work of the Ministry in the Indies. He was diligent in visiting his Parishoners, whereby he reformed many which were given to vitiousness, giving them counsel how they might shun those sins which naturally they were addicted to. He satisfied doubting Consciences, and extricated them out of the snares of Satan: He raised up and comforted those that were cast down at the apprehension of Gods wrath for their sins.His charity. In these his visitations he ministred relief to Widows, Orphans, and such as were destitute of all humane help: He encouraged such as were weak and sick to persevere in Faith, and prepared them for death: and such as were neer death he comforted them against the terrors thereof, and wrought in them a desire to be with Christ; yea he did not only visit such as owned him for their Minister, but Sectaries also, Papists, and Anabaptists; which he did with such sweetness, that his company was never grievous to them; and he carryed himself so justly that many times even they repaired to him for advice in cases of Conscience about Matrimony, and always went well satisfied from him.A Popish lye. This much troubled a Popish Priest called Curio, who knowing how powerful Wall…us was in reproving sin, to deter his Disciples from conference with Wallaeus, or hearing his Sermons, told them that the Devil always sate upon his shoulders, and as he was Preaching suggested to him what he should say. But God turned his malice and lyes to good: For many Papists either drawn by curiosity, or by the fame of the man, or upon the occasion of Baptisms into his Church, when they heard nothing that was Diabolical to proceed out of his mouth, they began to esteem their Curio a slanderer, to doubt of the truth of his other sayings, to perceive that they learned more, and received more comfort by Wallaeus his Sermons then by his, and so by degrees fell off to the Reformed Religion.

Wallaeus his Colleagues left to him, yea appointed him as the most learned man amongst them, to take care that their Religion received no detriment, and to defend the same against all Adversaries, wherein like another Hercules he subdued many Monsters.

There was one Abraham Beckman that of a long time had disturbed the Peace of the Church of Middleborough: He confutes his adversaries.A man p. 952of a sharp wit and blameless life; he reproved the Ministers for baptizing such children whose Parents were not members of the Church; and he had drawn some hundreds of the Church membrs to his party: To these Wallaeus opened the Doctrine of Truth more plainly; by Conference and Disputations he overthrew the pertinacious, convinced most of them by writing, and so brought them to an acknowledgement of their Errors.

But Wallaeus thought it not sufficient to conquer them, but he would also gain them to the Church, which he effected by procuring that Beckman should be chosen one of the Presbytery, whereby he was quieted, and afterwards did good service to the Church. Sectaries are never better quieted, then whilst they pretend for God, Note.they may have riches, or honours conferred upon them.

Shortly after there was one Gedeon Vanden Bogard, a Noble man of Flanders, who being inticed with great promises, was resolved to turn over to the King of Spains party, and therefore also must change his Religion: for which end he gives out that the Popish Religion was truer then the Reformed, and that in the point of Transubstantiation, which he undertook to prove by the assistance of Father Gauda a Jesuite of Antwerp, who was grown to that height of impudency and impiety, that he published in Print that he would pawn his soul to God to expiate all the Errors that were in the Romane Church:He confutes a Jesuite. To whom therefore Wallaeus presently answers, and shews that the Pontificians themselves could not otherwise understand the words of Institution in the Lords Supper but Figuratively: and that the body of Christ …ould not be in infinite places at the same time, for that then it should cease to be a body, which is always circumscribed within its own limits, so that Gauda held his peace.

Presently after,He confutes a Blasphemer. a certain stranger coming to Middleborough, (for Zeland brings forth no such Monsters) Preached That Christ had excellently taught reverence to God, and love to our Neighbors: But that his Doctrine might have the more we…ght, h…d affirmed himself to be the Son of God by a certain pious fraud, saying that he was God, when indeed he was not. And not content to divulg these blasphemies in private, he preached them in publick.

p. 953VVallaeus judged this man the more dangerous, by how much he seemed to be very religious, and that he would not speak without commending Christ, whenas indeed he sought to destroy him: wherefore setting upon him in a Publick Assembly, he proved that in the Nativity, Life, and Death of Christ all things did concur, which were foretold of the Messias in the Old Testament, and therefore that he could not but be God, which was required in the Messias: That Christ, whom he confessed to teach Piety, must express it in his Life, and therefore could not begin his Doctrine with a lye, who must not do evill that good might come of it. Neither was it worth the while for him to suffer Persecutions, Stripes, and the Cross to maintain a lye. That the Apostles who continually accompanyed him, would not have conspired in the same lye, and for it have suffered banishment, torments, and death. That God would not have suffered such things as he foretold to have come to pass about his Death, Resurrection, and the destruction of Hierusalem, if he had endeavoured to obtrude a false God upon the people. That he would not have granted him the power of working Miracles, of healing the Sick, restoring the Lame, curing the Blinde, and raising the Dead. That his Religion in a few years, by Fisher men, without any humane strength, should have been dispersed through the whole World, which God would not have suffered if he had brought a strange God and Idolatry with him. This Villain being overcome by these Arguments, his followers left him, and he hid his head in a corner.

But these were but small velitations in comparison of those continual bickerings which he had with the Remonstrants all his life long:His contests with the Remonstrants. which that we may the better understand, take it thus;

When Reformation began in the Low-countries, all that opposed Popery were not of one minde: and nothing so united them together as their hatred of Popery: But least the unsound Protestants should mingle themselves with the sound, the Orthodox party Anno Christi 1566. published a Confession of their Faith, which afterwards was called the Belg…ck Confession; and to prevent infection from those which were Heterodox, in a full Synod at Embden, Anno Christi 1571. it was p. 954ordained that none should be admitted for a Minister, till he had been examined, and had subscribed this Confession, and the Catechism of Heidleberg: Which Decree was confirmed in all the ensuing Synods, Anno Christi 1576. and 1586. and approved of by the States of Holland, and accordingly practised.

Yet in the beginning, considering the great want of Pastors, this Examination could not be very strict, by which means many crept into the Ministry who privately taught contrary things;Their rise in the Low-countries. as Gasper Garlhasius at Leiden, Herman Herbert at Gouda, Gerard Blackhoven at Vtrich and Cornelius Wiggerus at Horn, who differed in many things amongst themselves, and all of them in the point of Predestination from the rest: But whilst these opinions were confined within the bounds of their own Churches, all things were reasonable quiet. Only Theodor Cornhertius opposed himself against all the Reformed Churches, who having been formerly of Councel to the States of Holland, for fear of danger had deserted his place. But it easily appeared that he was no great Divine, and that choler which he durst not vent against the States, he now discharged against the Churches, whereupon he was restrained by the Publick Authority of the States.

Yet could not the contentions be so composed, but they left doubts in some mens mindes, whether all points held by the Reformed were equally certain: and some were inclined to embrace Novelties, especially about the Doctrine of Predestination.

And thus James Arminius found them when he was called to be Divinity Professor at Leiden Anno Christi 1603.Arminius his education. This Arminius had formerly been a servant in a Publick Inn, where many guests admired his prompt wit, so that some took him from thence, and set him to School, where he was maintained out of the Publick Treasury of Amsterdam Hereupon in process of time the Magistrates of that City favouring their own nurcling, called him to the work of the Ministry amongst them, and he so shined by the excellency of his gifts, that every one judged him worthy a Professors place:He is chosen professor in Leiden. For he was of a subtil Wit, solid Learning, and composed Carriage.

p. 955To this Election of his Gomarus opposed himself, because he had written something that was unsound to Francis Junius, yea and had publickly preached it at Amsterdam: But when he denyed some things wherewith he was charged, and extenuated others, some thought that Gomarus opposed him out of envy, least he should excel him, which promoted the Election of Arminius, and laid the foundation to future dissentions.

Arminius being thus setled,Arminius his policy. thought to advance his credit by drawing a great Auditory to himself, and this he thought to do by venting some new things in his Lectures, which accordingly he did, especially about Predestination; yet in publick he did it sparingly and slenderly, least he should offend the Churches, remembring that by their Authority Coolhase and Wigger had been removed out of their places: But in private he labored tooth and nail to instil them into his Auditors, whereby he might gain Disciples, and that he might the better secure himself against the Ministers, by the means of Vtenbogard the Preacher at Hague, Barnevelt his patron.he procured John of Oldenbarnevelt to be his Patron, who was a man of great Authority, being Syndic of all Holland, to curry favour with whom he extolled the Authority of Magistrates in Ecclesiastical affairs.

Barnevelds design was to bring the Reformation in the Low-countries nearer to the Lutherans, whereby they might hope to draw Auxiliaries out of Germany the better to resist the King of Spain, or at least to make the better terms of agreement with him: And whereas the States in the beginning of the wars had need of the multitude, and these could not be better gained then by the help of the Ministers, they therefore at first granted great Authority to the Pastors of the Church: Now Barne…li seeking to undermine this Authority,Did not our late Parliament do so? he nourished such dissentions as rose up in the Church; and by the power of the Magistrates hindred their censures against the refractory. He also rendred suspected the authority of the Prince of Orange: and whereas it was only grievous to himself, he would perswade the States that it was dangerous to them Wherefore knowing that he had offended the Ministers, and therefore could expect no support from them, he willingly undertook the Patronage of Arminius, by whose followers he sought to …rop up himself.

p. 956Yet at first he carryed this very privately, whilst his Faction was small,Hereticks subtilty. and might have been easily quashed: Whence also it was that Arminius long concealed his opinions till the year 1608. at which time Gomarus accused him to the States of Holland, and discovered that he dissented from the Reformed Churches, about Justification, Predestination, Grace, Free-will, and Perseverance of the Saints.

Yet Arminius was not so long concealed from Wallaeus, Waellaeus labors to regain him.who knowing all the sculking holes of Sectaeries, by his path wherein he walked easily discovered whereunto he tended, and therefore from the year 1606. he had labored to bring him into the right way again, which also he did all the year following by his frequent Letters to him: To which Arminius sometimes answered: but at last would answer no longer.

The same things that Arminius taught, did Corvinus teach about twenty years after, and was silenced with the same Argument by Wallaeus.

Arminius being thus discovered, began to fear that he should be ruined by the Ministers; for Barnevelt durst not as yet publickly undertake his Patronage; neither durst Arminius undertake the alteration of Religion with an Heroical spirit, such as was in our Reformers, who wholly minding the glory of God, rested secure whatsoever should befall themselves,Arminius dies through fear and grief. whereas Arminius being seized upon with sorrow, and overwhelmed with grief fell sick and dyed Anno Christi 1609.

Arminius being dead, amongst all his followers, Vtenbogard shewed himself the Ring-leader; for though he was far inferior to Arminius in Learning, yet in the Government of the Church and State he was well seen: and indeed by his wit did more hurt to the Church then Arminius did by his Disputations. This Bogard that he might make the Magistrates of Holland displeased with other Ministers,His faction continues. and more to favour himself, wrote a Book of the Authority of Magistrates in Church-affairs, wherein he allowed the Magistrate not only to order the external Government of the Church, but to determine controversies in Religion, whereby he got great favour to his own party.

In these stirs the Ministers knew not what better remedy to finde then in a National Synod of all the Reformed Churches,A Synod desired. p. 957which they earnestly solicited the States General for: and indeed the States of Gelderland, Zeland, Frisland, Groning, and six Cities of Holland were for it, who desired no Innovations in Religion, and dispaired of any union with the Lutherans: and said that the Ecclesiastical Government was no way grievous, but a remedy against Oligarchie. That the power of the Prince of Orange was not dangerous, but rather a means to unite and tye them together: But on the contrary, the Nobility of Holland, and the other twelve Cities, as also the States of Vtrick and Overisle, though they did not openly deny a Synod, yet by …ergiversations and procrastinations sought to evade it.

In the mean time the Ministers neglected not the remedy which was in their power:Preachers pattern. viz. to discover those Errors to their people, and to confirm their mindes against them both by Preaching and Writing: And such as were to be admitted to the Ministry, they examined them more strictly: and such as they discovered to be already in the Ministry, they censured and cast out.

Vtenbogard and his companions strongly opposed themselves to these proceedings both by word and writing, and promoted to the Ministry such as were of their own opinions: yet were they inferior to the other party both in number and in the affections of the people: fearing therefore that they should be overcome,Whence called Remonstrants. they framed a Remonstrance▪ (whence they were called Remonstrants) to the States of Holland, wherein they request to be taken into their protection; who did not only do it, but presently commanded that none should meddle with these controversies either by word or writing, neither should examine Candidates upon these points, or censure any that differed in judgement about them; which truly was to set up a party, when as the Remonstrant Ministers were scarce forty, and the Contra-Remonstrants were fifty.

Yet the Remonstrants thought that they could not continue long, except new ones of their own opinion could be brought in as the other dyed, and these must be first formed in the University; wherefore to supply Arminius his place in Leiden, VVallaeus and others that were desired by honest and learned men were rejected, and Vtenbogard was sought for. But he p. 958knowing himself unfit for such a work, wrought by the Curators of those parts, who were of kin to Barnevelt, that Conradus Vorstius should be brought from Steinfurt to Leiden: who in the year 1590. had been convicted by the University of Heidleberg for favouring Socinus and his opinions.

To the choice of this man the Ministers presently opposed themselves, and such Magistrates as favoured them: yet had it been impossible to have hindred his Election, the Remonstrants did so prevail,King James opposeth Vorstius. but that James King of Great Britane frequently admonished and urged the States not do to it, yea he condemned him of Heresie, and burnt his Books publickly.

At last certain Laws were obtruded upon the Church,The Ministers oppressed. which Barnevelt had framed twenty years before, but till now the States would never endure them, much less bring them in practice, in which the choice of Deacons, Elders and Pastors was almost wholly given to the Magistrates. The censuring of Pastors or Members offending, was taken away from the Ministers. The Curators of the University, and the Magistrates of Leiden did Execute the Decree for restraining of Controversies with mote rigor then any other: By this they hindred Gomarus both from defending himself and his Religion: At which being offended he prepared to depart: By this his departure seeing the Students of Divinity should thereby want a Professor of the Reformed Religion, the Churches of Gelderland and Curators of the Illustrious School there, sent Anthony Thisius Professor of Theology at Harderwick, and the Churches of Zeland and Magistrates of Middleborough sent VVallaeus to Leiden, by all means to perswade his stay:Gomarus leaves Leiden. But Gomarus was resolved to depart, whereupon they both of them invited him to make his abode with them, and VVallaeus prevailed, so that he went to Middleborough, Anno Christi 1611.

The States of Zeland were resolved long ago,An Illustrious School begun at Middleborough. and this calamity of Leiden now hastened it, to erect an Illustrious School in Zeland: but as yet they could not agree about the place: But they of Middleborough seeking thereby to get advantage, resolved to make the Grammer School more famous: For Gruter the Schoolmaster being dead An. Chr. 1607. they sought out another p. 959who might with credit bear the Rule in an Illustrious School, and therefore called VVallaeus to the place: But VVallaeus would by no means accept of it, knowing what a tedious thing it was to govern boys, and how subject he should be to calumnies in dieting them. Wherefore the care of both was devolved upon Giles Bursius Pastor of Middleborough, and the instructing them was committed to Justus Lyraeus afterwards Professor at Vtrich: Yet VVallaeus undertook the care of the School, and to read Lectures of Greek and Philosophy to them.

In these Lectures he explained Homer, Hesiod, Wallaeus his Lectures.and other Authors: In Philosophy he read Ethicks, Physicks, Astronomy, and Opticks: and now Gomarus being come to them, they prepared all things that belonged to an Illustrious School: the place was appointed in the Quire of the new Church, and Gomarus was to read and interpret the sacred Scriptures, and to discuss the Common places in his Publick Disputations: James Meivartius was to read Philosophy: So that the fame of the School began to spread abroad: and the Magistrates of Middleborough profered to VVallaeus the place which was reserved …or him, viz. to be Professor of Divinity Common places. At this Gomarus (who too much indulged his passions) was displeased,Gomarus his ingratitude. opposed himself, and accused VVallaeus of Heresie, for that when he was a Student at Leiden, he stifly defended that there were three souls in man.

The Magistrates were more offended this opposition then was VVallaeus: for VVallaeus presently disclaimed the choice, who having never in his life sought after any place, was now much more content with his present condition, and would not so far offend his old Master, as against his will to be chosen for his Colleague. No injury did ever so disturb the mind of VVallaeus as to discompose it,Wallaeus his modesty. or make him unlike himself. But in the mean time the people were very angry that their beloved Minister was thus disgraced by him who formerly by his publick testimony had attested the purity of his Doctrine.

But it so fell out about that time … Lord of Plessi… called VVallaeus to Salmur, H… is called to ….who getting leave to depart went thither Anno Christi 1615 but stayed not long.

Upon this occasion they of …, being stirred up by Hugh Grotius, Returns …o …would not suffer the City of … p. 960to have an Illustrious School, so that it was nipt in the bud, and Meivartius returned to his Grammer School again: Only the Magistrates of Middleborough requested Wallaeus that some times he would read Greek and Philosophical Lectures, and would go on with his Common places, that so they might still keep up the face of an Illustrious School: which accordingly he did, and yet neglected not his work in the Ministry.

Shortly after at the command and request of the Churches of Zeland, He answereth Baga…d.and at the importunity of some of the chief Ministers of Holland, he answered Vtenbogard, wherein he shewed that the Authority which was granted by the Magistrates to the Belgick Church was agreeable to the sacred Scriptures, and the custom of the Primitive Church. By this Book Wallaeus everywhere gat the name of a very learned man, and of one that deserved well of the Church, because he had thereby freed the Church from that aspersion cast upon it by the Remonstrants that it was disobedient to Magistracy. He deserved also thanks from many Polititians because he took away from some of their society that pretence whereby they oppressed the Churches.Bogards brag. Vtenbogard himself could not but acknowledge that the Book was learned and full of modesty, yet he pretended that he would return a speedy answer, for which cause he gate leave of the Deputies of the States to write again: But though he easily obtained leave, yet wrote he not: only about thirty years after, and seven years after the death of Wallaeus, he would seem to return an answer, though it contained nothing in it but glorious promises and empty performances.

Wallaeus was not content to have thus taken away the chiefest pillar to the dissention,Wallaeus endeavors peace. but endeavoured also to quiet the people, and to moderate the Magistrates of Holland: whereupon he set forth a treatise shewing the people how they should demean themselves when any difference sprang up amongst the Pastors about Religion: The Magistrates he sought to reconcile to the Ministers by the means of Hugh Grotius, a man very familiar with him because of his Learning: who from an hope of succeeding B…nevelt in his dignity, was looked upon as his right hand. From him he extorted this speech, That he saw no better means to compose the difference then by a National Synod, which if it was denyed, God would punish them for it.

p. 961In the mean time the dissentions increased dayly in Holland, and threatned the ruine of one, if not of both parties: Six of the Cities of Holland did openly oppose themselves against the Decrees concerning the Vocation of Pastors, and of tolerating the Controversies of Religion on both sides: The Ministers also refused to obey them, yea the Remonstrants themselves, especially those which were framed by Hugh Grotius at the instigation of Vtenbogard that set bounds to the Ministers, from which in handling Controversies it was not lawful for them to deviate. Yet the Magistrates would have them obeyed;Remonstrants persecute the Orthodox. and such Pastors as refused, were forbidden the exercise of their Ministry; and such as were more pertinacious, were cast out of their Cities: and such Citizens as most favoured them were banished: And though they were restored again by the Presidents of Justice who judged it to be not a correction but a faction, yet the Magistrates would not suffer them to come into the Cities: whereupon they were filled with animosities on both sides: and at last the Magistrates not daring to trust their Citizens, gathered souldiers.

But this dissention was no where more conspicuous, nor hotter then at the Hague. Vtenbogard, Bagards subtilty.who had sometimes stirred up his hearers to use all extremity, would now seem moderate, having gotten so much power in the Church, which that he might hold, he perswaded them to yeeld something to the Contra-Remonstrants: But some sharp sights perceived that this was but a trick to deceive the Pastors, and seduce the people,Rosaeus opposeth him. whereupon Henry Rosaeus an eloquent and couragious man took heart to discover the fraud to the people, shewing that poyson lay under this honey: Upon this the Magistrates forbade him the use of his Ministry: But the people who now saw the fraud, would not hear Vtenbogard any longer, but resorted to Sermons in the neighbor Village of Ri…wick: This the Magistrates sought to hinder:The people stand for the t…uth. On the contrary the people urged that either Rosaeus, or some other Preacher of the Reformed Religion (for which they had spent so much treasure and blood) should be allowed them: Against this Vtenbogard opposed himself, and laying aside his pretence of moderation, sought by all means to hinder the gratifying of the people in their request.

p. 962Prince Morice observing that not so much the Ministers as himself was aimed at,Prince Morice sides with the Ort…odox. and that by his connivence the power of Barnevelt and his adversaries was increased, he began penly to favour the Contra-Remonstrants, and requested the States of Holland that they might have a Church and Minister allowed them: But the Nobles and the twelve Cities much opposed it: yet still the Prince urged it, and seeing the Contra-Remonstrants desired but reason, he procured the English Church at the Hague to be allowed them: which when it would not receive all the Auditors, they took another Church, brought in Henry Rosaeus, and frequented his Sermons. Barnevelt and his associates were much troubled at this, as if violence was profered to their authority: But seeing that the Contra-Remonstrants had no more granted them but what was equal, they suffered that which they knew not how to prevent.They get a Church in the Hague. By this example the Contra-Remonstrants everywhere took courage, and the people sided with them, seeing the Prince to favour them, who was so beloved and esteemed of them.

But the Contra-Remonstrants of the Hague thought it not enough to have a Church and Preacher, but in so illustrious a place they must make it appear that their opinions and Doctrine was better then that of the Remonstrants: But when Vtenbogard excelled Rosaeus in Learning, and daily provoked him to Disputation, some other must be sent for that might cool his boasting: For which end none was judged fitter then our Wallaeus, and therefore Anno Christi 1617. Deputies were sent from the Church of Hague and the Prince of Orange, Wallaeus sent for to the Hague.with the consent of the Magistrates, to fetch him from Middleborough for a time to be a Pastor of the Church at Hague.

As soon as he was come thither, he began in his Sermons to set down the state of the controversie, to weigh the Arguments of both sides; to answer those of the Remonstrants, and to vindicate those of the Contra-Remonstrants; and so fully to instruct the people in these controversies. Then did Vtenbogard give over his talk of disputing, who well knew the Learning of Wallaeus. But his followers who did not know Waellaeus so well, sometimes set upon him. And first of all La Ha…e, a Preacher of the Remonstrants as soon as the Sermon was ended p. 963before the Auditory was dissolved,His Disputations. began to contend with him about the Perseverance of Saints: But VVallaeus dealt so modestly with him, equally considering his arguments, solidly and clearly answering them, and urging others with such acuteness and judgement, that the man having nothing to answer, shrunk away with shame.

The Remonstrants thinking to repair this disgrace, challenged VVallaeus to a new Disputation, wherein an Eloquent and nimble Lawyer was appointed to assist La Haye: But this Disputation was to be in a private house where should be present only two Elders for witnesses: VVallaeus refused it not: And when they were met, the Lawyer began very contentiously to propound the point of Predestination; VVallaeus answered mildly, but solidly, whereby he tamed the fierceness of his adversary: But when some hundreds of both parts pressed into the house to hear, the Remonstrants fearing the like event of this Disputation as was of the former,Its broken off. would proceed no further, saying, that such a conference should not be where so many were present.

VVallaeus not content with this, often invited Vtenbogard to a conference, especially by the Lady Alice Coligni, the Widdow of VVilliam Prince of Orang…, because Vtenbogard had by her formerly challenged Rosaeus to a publick dispute: but Vtenbogard always by excuses evaded it: By which means the Doctrine of the Contra-Remonstrants began to flourish again at the Hague.

The cause of the Contra-Remonstrants was especially defended by John Becius of Dort, Henry Vander Leyden of Delph, The truth prevailes.Fest…us Hommius of Leiden, Peter Plantius, and James Triglandius of Amsterdam, learned and wise men, who were much esteemed by the people: These men formerly in all weighty matters used still to consult with VVallaeus, and now they were wholly guided by him: The Magistrates of Amsterdam, who were the chief of those that defended the Contra-Remonstrants, His prudence made much use of.continually by their Deputies consulted with VVallaeus: and when they had any business of weight, they earnestly importuned him to be present both in their Presbytery and City-Council to assist with his advice: And the Prince of Orange (of whom it was wittily said that when he sate on Horseback, he had p. 964all his Counsellors with him, yet) had VVallaeus for his intimate Counsellor in all things which either concerned Religion, or this Controversie. So that no day passed wherein he did not require his counsel, and sometime spent whole nights in deliberating with him, that he might conclude upon such matters as he was to dispatch the next day. For indeed he much esteemed VVallaeus, because though he was very prudent, yet would he never dissemble,His integrity. and all his counsels were free from craft.

For this candor he was respected by the Remonstrants themselves;His candor. for they knew which ways his counsels tended, that though he would have the Contra-Remonstrants setled, yet he would not have the Remonstrants destroyed, perswading himself that if the contentions were once composed, and men could with a more calm minde weigh things indifferently, many of them would return to the Truth: He also maintained familiarity with Grotius and others of the Remonstrants as formerly he had done, and would have taken them off from Barnevelt, but that (as they used to say) a greater humane power hindred them.

By these means VVallaeus was a chief instrument of bringing the whole controversie to the decision of a National Synod, and took care that due preparation should be made for the same, which when he had effected, he left the Hague: Indeed the Prince of Orange endeavoured to hinder his departure, and chose him for his Court-Preacher: but VVallaeus wholly disliked that course of life, as prejudicial to his studies, and dangerous, seeing he must either flatter, or hazard the loss of great mens favour, and incur their frowns.

Anno Christi 1618.His return to Middleborough. he returned to Middleborough where he found the great love of the people to him; whilst many came to meet him: His Colleagues and the Magistrates visited him with many expressions of their great love.

The Controversies between the Remonstrants and Contra-Remonstrants was not now confined within the bounds of Holland, Heresie like a Gangrene.but it spread into Vtrich, Overisle, Gelderland; yea as far as Sedan; where Daniel Tilenus, an Eloquent man, but no deep Scholar, by degrees began to vent the Remonstrants Doctrines, and drew in Aur…tus a Minister, and a better man p. 965then himself, though not so learned. But Ramboursius the Cout-Preacher discovered him, so that by the Duke of Bovillian he was forced to leave his Professors place and depart.

For the supply of which place,He is sent for to Sedan. and to build up what Tilenus had pulled down, VVallaeus was again called to Sedan: and all means were used to prevail for his remove. The messenger was Francis Arsenius, a man famous for such employments, and VVallaeus his old friend, then whom that Age had not a man of more Learning, Judgement and Experience. The conditions were very large, and indeed better then the other Professors did obtain: The Dukes invitation was serious, frequent, and friendly: yet could not VVallaeus get away from his wife and friends: and for those large conditions which were profered him, the Middleburgians would have doubled his stipend rather then part with him: Besides, it seemed grievous to him who was now forty five years old to change his Country and Customs, and leaving his old and intimate friends to go to strangers: wherefore returning humble and hearty thanks to the Duke,He refuses to go thither. he told him that he thought he should never leave Middleborough.

In the mean time the States of the United Provinces (observing that the factions in Holland tended to the dissolution of the League,Division dangerous. and to the indangering the ruine of all the Provinces) seriously thought of a way of cure: and by the advice of Reiner Pavias a Consul of Amsterdam, a man of great Authority, and by the instigation of Grave Moris, they Decreed and called a National Synod: A Synod called.and withall required the Prince of Orange to disband those Souldiers which the Magistrate of Vtri…h had raised, and to put the Magistrate out of his Office, and to substitute another in his room.

To these things Barnevelt openly opposed himself by the Nobility, and twelve Cities of Holland: and with all his endeavour sought to impede the Synod by sending to forreign Kings and Princes, by provoking them of Vtrich (who began to quail) profering them help to prevent the putting down of their Magistrate, and disbanding their Souldiers. Whereupon the States of the united Provinces required the Prince of Orange to imprison the heads of the contrary faction, viz. Barnevelt, p. 966Rombert Hagerbetius, Hugh Grotius, Giles Ledenbergius, The Remonstrants imprisoned.and to disband the rest of the souldiery that was collected in Holland: To purge the Cities of disaffected Magistrates, and to substitute better in their rooms. All which were effected without any tumult or effusion of blood, so displeasing were those Mastrates to the Citizens: after which all the other Magistrates consented to the Synod appointed at Dort.

In this Synod the flower of all the Reformed Churches met together,The Synod begins. and amongst them our Wallaeus who had a place assigned him amongst the Low-country Professors, and was appointed one of the Directors of the Synod, but that the Pastors had in private agreed amongst themselves to chuse only such as were Professors.

It was the unhappiness of the Remonstrants that they had Simon Episcopius for their President, who was a hot, imprudent, and cholerick man, by whose advice it was that the Remonstrants would not submit to the Laws of the Synod: wherefore the work of the Synod was to finde out the state of the Controversie by the writings of the Remonstrants, and accurately to propound it in the Fundamentals themselves: To examine them by the Word of God, and to see of what weight they were.

In the government of the whole Synod, John Bogerman excelled,How the affairs of it were carryed on. being Prolocutor in it; and indeed a more fit man could not have been chosen. Festus Hommius was imployed in proposing the state of the Controversie, who often conferred with Wallaeus about it: But in weighing the controversies, strengthening, or enervating Arguments, and in vindicating them from exceptions, Wallaeus excelled: whereupon when any difficulty arose, as the Explication of the Epistle to the Romanes, &c. it was committed to Wallaeus; If any thing was to be accurately and prudently defined, it was committed to Waellaeus: And he was chosen for one of those that drew up the Canons of the Synod, and set down reasons why the Doctrine of the Remonstrants was rejected: And it was judged that the wisdom of Wallaeus prevailed much to procure the unanimous consent of the Synod thereunto.Wallaeus highly esteemed. Wherefore of the Politicians and strangers, who had no cause of envy, he was much esteemed: yea he so demeaned himself that Giles Bursius his aemulus acknowledged p. 967that Wallaeus excelled all in the Synod, who made this acknowledgement to the Wallacrian Classis from whom he was delegated.

God so blessed the labors of all in this Synod, that the Remonstrants themselves had no cause to complain. Controversies were so decided, difficulties so expedited, that all godly and learned men were abundantly satisfied; and from thence forwards the roots of Remonstrancy were so cut off, that presently it began to wither: And all things were managed with that modesty, all things dispatched with that unanimous consent, that never was the like from the Primitive times.

All Controversies being now determined, and the Cause of the Remonstrants judged, the chief Patrons of the Remonstrants were condemned of Treason by the Delegates of the States of the United Provinces 1.The Remonstrants condemned. The persons condemned were Barnevelt, Hogerbetius, Grotius, and Ledenburgius: This last by killing himself prevented the punishment. And James Schot Consul of Middleborough, one of those Delegates, was sent by the States to Dort to fetch Wallaeus to the Hague, who accordingly brought him thither, May the 12. privily, that so the people might have no suspition of the punishment intended to the Remonstrants: By the way he told Wallaeus that the States sent for him to prepare the Prisoners for death, they judging that by his prudence and perswasions he might best of all other men effect it. VVallaeus when he saw that he could not avoid the employment, yet desired that he might not be the first messenger of death to them: that he might be spared from dealing at all with Grotius in regard of his former friendship contracted with him; and that he might not be present at their death, which he could not bear without much trouble of minde.

Being come to the Hague, in the Evening,Wallaeus is s…nt to prepare them for death. …chot went to the Deputies and Judges to acquaint them that VVallaeus was come, and to tell them what request he had made to him. Whereupon the Advocates Fiscal were sent to Barnevelt to tell him that the next day he was to be judged and put to death: and Schot in the mean time went to VVallaeus to tell him that his requests were granted, that Hogerbetius and G…otius, though they were condemned, should not be executed, but kept in perpetual Prison: That the Advocates Fiscal were sent to p. 968Barnevelt to acquaint him that the next day he was to dye, and that therefore the Delegates and Judges requested him to make haste to him, and so about six a clock VVallaeus was conducted to the Prison to Barnevelt.

When he came into his chamber he found him full of perplexity,He comes to Barnevelt. writing to his wife and children to acquaint them with the message of his death: and at first he was unwilling to have any speech with Wallaeus: but after a while he became more calm, yet complained of the hard measure that he met with from the States whom he had served for forty three years: He would feign have taken some rest that night, but could not: The next morning when he had heard his sentence read, he was had to the place of Execution; at which time he told the people, that he dyed not a Traitor, but a Patriot. At the place of Execution he asked his man whether no man came? Belike expecting a Pardon:Barnevelt beheaded. but when his servant told him that there was none, kneeling down, his head was cut off.

The day following Wallaeus returned to Dort, and attended upon the affairs of the Synod till the end of May; at which time he had some money given him; and with the rest was invited to a Publick Feast: and afterwards with some principal men, he was privately feasted by the States Delegates,Wallaeus returns to Middleborough. and so was dismissed honorably.

These things being dispatched, the States of Holland, least the commotions now suppressed, should break forth again, thought fit in the first place to take care of the University of Leiden, which was the Seminary both of their Church and State; And for that end they resolved to add to John Poliander the Divinity Professor,New Professors at Leiden. Andrew Rivet, Anthony Wallaeus, and Anthony Thysius: To Rivet they sent Thomas Erpenius the Arabick Professor: To Thysius, Adrian Pavius Syn…ic of Amsterdam: And to Wallaeus, Rochus Honartius Senator of the Supream Court, and Peter Deiman chief Consul of Leiden, who came to him to Middleborough in the midst of July to acquaint him with his Election, and to urge him to accept of it:Wallaeus sent for. They also presented him with the Letters of Prince Maurice requesting the same of him. Yet did VVallaeus desire that he might have time to consider of it, telling them that he would seek unto God by Prayer, and advise with his friends p. 969with the Church and Magistrate. In the mean time the Delegates earnestly sollicited the Presbyterie and Magistrates to give their consents, which at last with much ado they obtained; because he was to go to Leiden where he might take care of theirs as well as of the Holland Youths. His friends stuck somewhat at it because he had as good a stipend at Middleborough as he was to have at Lei…en; and though at Leiden he might bring up his sons at the University, yet being so far from his friends, he could not place them forth as well to honest Callings as at Middleborough: …o satisfie these therefore, he had also a Pastors place in Leiden profered him.He inclines to go. Wallaeus thought that he might not resist this call, because he was not so much to form one Church by it, as to prepare Pastors for many: nor so much to govern one Church, as to assist with his counsels all the Belgick Churches.

September the tenth he preached his farewel Sermon,Peoples love to their Pastor. which filled his people with sighs and tears: so that it seemed rather that children were to part with their Father, then people with their Pastor.

During his abode at Middleborough he much wanted his health,His dise…ses. being troubled with Rheumes, Collick, Feavers and other Diseases: Sometimes also having an intermitting Pulse, the cause whereof was partly hereditary from his Mother, and partly by reason of studying so soon after meals, scarce affording any rest to his minde, or food for the refreshing of his body: yet a healthful and diligent wife much cheered him up

He had seven children,His children. five daughters and two sons, whereof two dyed very young; the other he took much pleasure and delight in

September the nineteenth he removed with all his family to Leiden: He comes to ….where he was entertained honor…bly with a Public… Feast by the Magistrate, with much congratulation by th… University, and very heartily by his old friends.

At Le…den he was presently graced with the Degree of a Doctor,He is made a Doctor. without any Examination, which is used at other times.

October the 21.His Ora…ion. being to begin his Professorship, he made an Oratios about the right regulating the study of Divinity: p. 970which was received by a great Auditory, with the great applause of all: yet it presently displeased himself, because he observed that many things are excellently conceived which cannot be brought into practise.

Presently after came Anthony Thysius, The other Professors come.and not long after him Andrew Rivet out of France, to adorn the Profession of Divinity: who as they were all men of great note, so by their excellent parts they made that Faculty far more famous. Each of them had his several gifts wherein he excelled: Thysius in Memory;Th…ir several excellencies. and Wallaeus and Rivet in Judgement; and Polyander in dexterity of performance. In actions Thysius was fervent; Wallaeus full of vigor: Rivet was somewhat slower, and Polyander very calm, &c.

The first care of these men was to prevent all discord in matters of Divinity;Their Prudence. wherefore they testified their mutual agreement by subscribing the Catechism of Heidleberg, and the Belgick Confession of Faith. They resolved that none of them would pass his judgement about any Controversie in Divinity, about the Government of the Church, and in cases of Conscience apart, but by mutual consulting each with other: That no Theses should be publickly disputed of, till all had seen and approved them. That no book should be printed till all had examined and consented thereto.

The like care they took to train up young Students to the same unanimity in Religion:Their care to train up youth. for which end they agreed upon one rule and method by which all their studies should be directed: And because these Controversies with the Remonstrants had occasioned the fuller clearing of many points in Divinity, and had taught them to speak more cautiously in many things: Therefore in their Publick Disputations they went over the whole Body of Divinity, out of which they published their Book which they called Synopsis purioris Theolog….

Having thus setled the affairs of the University in good order:Their adversaries to be answered. they began to consider what enemies they had abroad, against whom the Truth was to be defended: And they found that they must answer John Arnoldi Corvinus, who had written a great Volume against Peter Du Moulin. They must answer the Remonstrants also, who in a Book called Acta Synodalia Remonstrantium, had inserted such things as might confirm p. 971their own opinions, and invalidate the opinions of the Contra-Remonstrants. Wallaeus his part.And this task they all agreed Wallaeus should undertake; who afterwards published an answer to both those Books, whereby he gat very great credit, not only amongst his own, but amongst the French, English and Scots, and for a long time silenced the Remonstrants.

In the mean time these worthy men neglected not to make their Professors places very famous. The Old Testament was expounded by Rivet and Thysius; His imployment in the University.the New by Polyander: But Wallaeus was imployed in reading Common places, which was accounted the more grateful and more worthy imployment. In these Common places he did not cull out here and there one head; but went over the whole Body of Divinity: handling each head fully, but principally insisting upon those Controversies or difficulties wherewith the Church was most molested: Yet stood he not upon answering all Arguments of the Adversaries; but chose out those which had most weight in them, by answering whereof, the other fell of themselves: But he was most copious and acurate in the Modern Controversies; as De Deo against Vorstius, De Sabbatho, De Praedestinatione: of the Authority of Magistrates in Ecclesiastical affairs, and such like: concluding all, not so much by the strength of Humane Reason, as by the clear Word of God▪ whereupon the greatest confluence of Auditors attended upon Wallaeus. His great Aud…tory.And one of his Colleagues thinking that he had so many Auditors because he read Common places: he also fell upon the same subject; but when he saw that he labored in vain, he gave it over again.

But seeing it was not enough for them thus to instruct their Auditors in the knowledge of Divinity, except also they prepared the Candidates for the Ministry,His care of Candidates. enabling them rightly to defend the Truth, and to enervate the Adversaries Arguments: This therefore they effected by Disputations, wherein all were very diligent, but especially Wallaeus and P…lyander. Wallaeus would not suffer those things to be propounded for Disputation, wherein the Reformed might freely differ amongst themselves. He would not suffer the Opponents to object vain things which were unprofitable: He would not suffer them to oppose immodestly, to the scandal of the hearers: p. 972But he would have the Defendant clearly repeat the Opponents Argument, and then not only to give a bare answer, but to demonstrate the solidity of it: Truly Wallaeus in his Lectures deserved great praise; but in Disputations he deserved a Triumph.

Because these Candidates in Divinity could not be sufficiently exercised in publick,His great pains. he did twice a week in private explain to them his Enchiridion of the Reformed Religion: he examined it, and appointed them to dispute upon it: yea he set up divers private Lectures wherein he confuted the Anabaptists, Socinians and Papists. He caused these Candidates also often to Preach in private, wherein he directed them to the most profitable subjects, and taught them how they should prosecute the same: Neither would he ever take any thing for these his private imployments.

This course of training up young Students he continued for twenty years, even till his death, so that innumerable Pastors were sent forth by him into the Church, amongst which many were admirable Lights, which were a great comfort and rejoycing to him.

In the Government of the University he neither made nor nourished parties: but when any differences arose, he always sought to compose them:He is a great Peace-maker. as he did betwixt Polyander and Thysius: between Cunaeus and Burgersditius, amongst whom some emulation was sprung up.

Wallaeus himself had no Enemy but only Daniel Heinsius, who was also a Gantois, and seemed somewhat to emulate him. Yet would not Wallaeus do any thing that might offend Heinsius; neither would he mingle himself in the contention between Salmatius and Heinsius about precedency.

Wallaeus his next care was that all the Honors of the University (so far as might be) should be equally divided amongst his Colleagues,His self denial. that so they might live together the more sweetly, and might labor together in their several imployments with the better concord: So that when he should have been chosen Rector of the University, he sought it for his Colleague:Honors follow him. but honour followed him whilst he fled from it: so that he was often Deputy of the University, and thrice Rector.

p. 973He would never give to Candidates his testimony for their lives,His ca… in giving testimonials. and proficiency in their Studies of Divinity, except they deserved it: Judging it better to offend them and their friends, then to deceive the Church by advancing unworthy persons to the Ministry: which faithfulness of his was taken notice of, so that many were rejected till they could get the testimony of Wallaeus.

He with his Colleagues would never prefer any to the title of Doctors, except they were conspicuous for their Piety, and eminent for Learning.

He had more Books brought to him to License then he could possibly read over: for which cause he sent many of them to the Classes of Pastors to be read over by them, reserving to himself only such as handled Controversies of greater moment.

These Professors would meddle with no cases of Conscience, but such as concerned Matrimony; as for all others that came to them, they sent them to their own Pastors, whereby they much eased themselves, and took off people from undervaluing their own Ministers. And in cases of Matrimony, they always determined them with such sound judgement, that so long as Wallaeus lived, there was never any Church or Magistrate that had cause to alter what they had determined.

He was dayly sought to for advice in cases of Conscience:He is much …ught to for advice. In Controversies of Religion, and about Church Government, by Churches, Classes, Synods, Cities, States, and Princes, to all whom he freely imparted his counsel. The States General and the States of Holland would never suffer any Divinity Book to be Dedicated to them till Wallaeus had perused, and set his …merimatur to it. They would never suffer any Petitions about Controversies in Religion, or about reforming the peoples lives to be presented to them, till he had approved of them. Frederick King of Bohemia would give no answer to the great …urk, who proffered him assistance against the Emperour, till he had consulted with Wallaeus. The Prince of Orange in giving Laws to Cities conquered by him would always consult with these men. He called Polyander and Wallaeus to compose a difference between the Magistrates and p. 974Ministers of Roterdam, that had tired three Synods, and fifteen Classes.

Wallaeus with his Colleagues were appointed to publish the Acts of the Synod of Dort: The Acts of the Synod of Port.because it was very necessary for all the Reformed Churches, yea for all the World to know in what way and order the cause of the Remonstrants had been examined, and what seemed good to any, and what was concluded by all the Fathers in that assembly: and herein they were much holpen by Festus Hommius, who was the Scribe of the Synod.

Presently after the Publication of these Synodal Acts, The Remonstrants Acts.the Remonstrants set forth another, wherein in some particulars they sought to invalidate those Acts: but their cheif design was to confirm their own opinion by Arguments; the confuting whereof was committed to VVallaeus, Wallaeus answers them.who presently answered their Acts, and Corvinus, though he pretended a Reply, yet quickly gave over and was silent. But presently a quarrel sprang up between the Remonstrants themselves: For Vtenbogard, Corvinus, The Remonstrants div… ded.and the greatest part of the Remonstrants adhered to Arminius, and would depart no further from the Orthodox. Episcopius and his followers joined with the Socinians: Error is fruitful, and is ever declining from bad to worse.

Shortly after this some rose up that endeavoured a Union between the Contra-Remonstrants and the Remonstrants: An attempt for peace.On the Contra-Remonstrants side were Cornelius Dunganus of Vtrich, Godschalcus Arlius of Arnheim, and James Testardus Pastor of Blesa: On the Remonstrants side was only Anthony Hornhovius, who yet lurked amongst the Orthodox Pastors: But it was impossible to unite those that held such contrary opinions.

There was more hope of an attempt made between Wallaeus and Vtenbogardus, Another attempt.which was to consider how the Remonstrants might be admitted into the Reformed Churches, and how far forth they might be tolerated therein. And it was concluded that such of them might be admitted as members, as were free from the Socinian Errors, and would acknowledge that all spiritual and saving gifts were of the free Grace of God through Christ, if they would promise that in other p. 975things they would not disturb the Peace of the Church: The greatest difficulty was about their Pastors, who would not be quiet, except they might exercise their Ministry, and enjoy their stipends: neither would they be tyed to silence in Controversies:The … Confession of Faith. But the Remonstrants setting forth a Confession of their Faith brake all in sunder: For thereby it appeared that they differed from the Reformed not only in five Articles, but in many other things.

Whilst Wallaeus was at Middleborough, he had read Ethicks in the Schools,He publishes his Ethicks. and had begun to make a Compendium of it for the use of his Scholars, but finished it not by reason of his remove to Leiden: wherefore now the Curators of the School prevailed with him to compleat that Work, and to publish it for the use of that School: And it found such acceptance abroad, that it was often printed, and by Theod. Schrevel…us, Master of the School of …, it was turned into Jambick verse.

Assoon as Walleu… came to Le…m, the Magistrates chose him for one of the Curators of their School: in which Office he continued all his life,He reforms the Schooles. and by his advice the School was quite turned into another order, whereby it became far more famous then before.

The States of Holland observing that in their Cities there were some Masters of Schools which either wanted ability or prudence in regulating their Schools for the best advantage of the boys: they therefore made choice of Anthony Wallaeus, Anthony …sius, Peter …, Daniel Heinsius, Ge…ard V…ssius, …, all of them Professors in Leiden, to frame Laws whereby all the Schoolmasters in Holland should be regulated in teaching both the Tongues and Liberal Arts, which accordingly were finished and printed Anno Chri… 1625.

The States of Zeland observing that their young Students began to fall into some loose courses,And the scho…ars in Z…land. made choice of Wallaeus, for Overseer of all in Zelamd, with a command that all their youth should be wholly guided in their studies by him: where by there was a great Reformation, not one of … proving wicked in his life.

The … also growing solicitous for the salvation of the poor …adius, A ….and observing that they could get p. 976no Ministers go thither but such as could get no places in the Low-Countries. which many times were either insufficient, or scandalous: They resolved therefore to erect a Seminary, from whence at their pleasures they might draw forth Pastors for those parts: For which end they consulted with the Professors at Leiden, and observing that Wallaeus was more zealous then the rest in promoting it, they chose him to be Overseer of that Sem…narie: Wallaeus promotes it.But he judging himself unable to undergo so many Offices, refused it; yet at the importunity of the Curators of the University of Leiden, and by the perswasion of his Colleagues, he was at last prevailed with, and undertook it.

Whereupon the students for India were brought into his Family, where they were dieted, and directed in their studies, and found so much content that they never complained either of their Diet or Government. And besides their other studies he caused them every day to construe to him a Chapter out of the Hebrew Bible, and another out of the Greek Testament, whereby they became skilful in the Languages, and familiarly acquainted with the sacred Scriptures. Twice also in the week he caused them to read in and dispute of his Enchirdion of the Reformed Religion, and directed them in the making of their Sermons: and the forwardest of them he directed how they might infuse the Principles of the Reformed Christian Religion into the Heathens, by reasons drawn from Nature, how they should instruct them, gather a Church, and govern the same.

Out of this Seminary in a few years were sent forth twelve Ministers famous for Learning and Piety, to whom India oweth almost all her knowledge which she hath in the Reformed Religion.

Then did the Magistrates of Leiden by their Consul importune Wallaeus to give them leave to choose him into their Ecclesiastical Consi…ory; but his wife and children disswaded him from it, perceiving that he would sink under the burthen of so many imployments.

About this time there brake forth a great contention in Zeland between Telingius and Bursius. Contention about the Sabbath.Telingius was very careful to promote Piety, whereupon he sharply reproved the sins p. 977of the times: and observing much prophanation of the Sabbath, by a Book which he published, he endeavoured the Reformation of the same. Upon this occasion Bursius his son wrote a complaint in verse, wherein the Church bemoaned her self, as if she had lost her liberty, and therein he endeavoured to confute …elingius about the Institution of the Lords Day: Gomarus also, who was very intimate with Bursius, supplyed him with Arguments. Telingius his friends were much offended at this, so that there was great danger least the Church should be divided into parties and factions. Voetius also published a youthly writing, wherein he sought more to jerk his Adversaries, then to edifie the Church.

Hereupon Wallaeus resumed those things which he had formerly read over,Wallaeus puts an end to it. and drew them into a larger Treatise about the Sabbath, which also he printed, to the great joy of the Churches: who as they highly prized his Learning, so now had cause to admire his wisdom. And this work of his was so approved of, that by Silvius Pastor of Amsterdam it was turned into Dutch, their Native Language: And it pleased God by this means to put an end to the aforenamed contentions. Only Gomarus thinking it dishonorable to be silent, published a little Book. De Investigatione Sabbathi: which Rivet answered: and when Gomarus replyed, Rivet answered again. And though Gomarus found few or no followers, yet to prevent the worst, Wallaeus in his Publick Lectures answered such things as seemed to be new in Gomarus.

At the first Reformation of Religion in the Low-Countries, there was a certain Elder of the Church of Embdea, a godly man that turned Luthers Translation of the Bible into Low-Dutch: The translation of the Bible.But being skilful neither in the Hebrew nor Greek, nor well acquainted with the High-Dutch, there were many Errors in it: whereupon the Ministers of the Law-Countries, so soon as they were setled in their L…berties from under the Spanish yoak, began to think upon Translating the Bible out of the Originals: and the States to promote so good a work, made choice of Phili… … of Saint Aldegun… to go to Leiden, The Bible begun.and there wholly to employ himself in this work, which he willingly undertook, and prosecuted to the year 1602. at which time he dyed, having begun many Books of the Old Testament, p. 978but had only finished Job, Psalms, and Proverbs: Hereupon Arnold Cornelius, Pastor of Delph, and Warner Helmichius, Pastor of Amsterdam, were appointed to finish what Marnixius had begun; They accordingly prosecuted that work, but being much hindered by their Pastoral Office, they dyed before they could finish it: And presently after, the Controversies of the Remonstrants springing up, caused that work to cease till the Synod at Dort.

At which time the Remonstrants being cited to appear before the Synod at a certain day, they appeared not: whereupon the Moderator considering what the Synod should fall upon till they appeared, propounded the version of the Bible into the Belgick Tongue:The Synod carries it on. And so they unanimously agreed to carry on that work, and set down rules which the Translators were to follow. The Translators also were chosen, and least by the death of any of them the work should be impeded, they substituted some to succeed such as should die.

Anno Christi 1627. (the Synod being before dissolved) the Deputies of the Provincial Synods requested the States General that the version of the Bible might now be carryed on, which they easily assented to, and appointed Wallaeus and Testus Hommius to deal with the Magistrates and Churches, that the Translators might (during the continuance of that work) … be freed from their Pastoral employments.

By the authority and perswasions of these two men the thing was granted, so that Anno Christi 1628 the Interpreters of the Old Testament repaired to Leiden, The translators.who were John Bogerman, William B…udartius, and Gerson Bucer.

The year after they met together who were to Translate the New Testament and the Apochrypha, and these were Anthony W…llaeus, Festus H…mmius, and James Rol…dus.

These men set upon the work with unwearyed labor: And that which they aimed at was to make a new and accurate version out of the Originals, and as much as the Geniu… of the Language would permit, to translate it word for word: and whereas in the Original any word might admit of a various Interpretation, they endeavoured to finde out some Dutch word that might answer to it: And where any thing seemed obscure, they labored to explain it by Marginal Notes; and where any p. 979thing was doubtful, to resolve it: whereby they often gave a reason of their version; they added also Parallel Scriptures.

When the Translators of the New Testament had proceeded to the end of the Acts of the Apostles, James Rowland dyed, in whose room Jodicus Hoingius succeeded: and when the Translators of the Old Testament had proceeded to the beginning of Ezekiel, Bucer dyed, in whose room Anthony Thysius was substituted.

Assoon as they had finished any Book, and imparted it each to other, they printed it, and sent it to certain supervisors in every Province appointed thereunto, to be by them again examined.

When the whole version was thus finished An. Chri. 1634. by the order of the States General all the Supervisors met together at Leiden, The supervisors.who were Anthony Thysius, John Polyander, Abdias Witmarius, Jodocus Larenus, Arnoldus Teeckmannus, Bernard Fullenius, James Revius, and Francis Gomarus.

Not long after also the Supervisors of the New Testament met there, who were S…bastian Dammannus, John Arnoldi, Lindanus, William Nieuhusius, Charles Demaet, Lodowick Gerhardus, Bernard Fullenius, Gasper Sibelius, and Henry Altingius.

These Supervisors being met together, chose their Moderarators, Assessors, and Scribes, and then at their daily meetings, (having first implored the presence and assistance of Almighty God) they were demanded whether they had found any thing in the Translation that needed change: and what the Translators and Supervisors agreed upon, that was concluded. And so this great work was compleated Anno Christi 1635.The translation finished. And this was very observable: That the same year a great Plague raged in the Low-Countries, and especially in Leiden, wherein there dyed twenty thousand persons,A special providence. and yet through Gods mercy not one of the Translators or Supervisors was touched with it, no nor was ever sick all that while.

All being thus finished, the Supervisors returned to their several imployments, but the Translators committed the work to the Press, and themselves were the Overseers to see to the correcting of it: At the same time printing it with and without p. 980Notes in Folio, The Bible printed.which was finished Anno Christi 1637. At which time they presented it to the States, who liked it excellent well, and presently gave order that no other Bible should be used, either in Churches or Schools, which was accordingly followed.

The Remonstrants appointed four of their greatest Scholars to examine this translation, for fear of partiality: but when they found how candidly and faithfully the Translators had dealt,Its excellency. they also accepted of it, and it is judged the most exquisite translation that is extant. In the version of Luther there is not so much skill shewed in the Language; In the French they do not so much tie themselves to the words as to the sence: And the English seems to favour Episcopacy too much, whereas no remarkable defect can be observed in this; and indeed the Translators did by their excessive and defatigable pains so wear out themselves that all of them dyed within three years after.

After he had concluded this great and tiresome work,Wallaeus his further Imployments. he attended his Professorship, thinking to ease his minde, and repair his decayed strength: But he scarce had rested two moneths, when he fell upon his Cases of Conscience: For he found that the Pontificians in their Books whilst they pretended to reprove sin, did but teach it: And the Reformed Divines in many things filled the minds of the Readers with too many scruples: whereas that only ought to be condemned which the Scripture accounts a sin, and that therein also some cautions were necessary: for we ought not so much to reprove those that are bad, as to seek their amendment.

But before he had well begun this work, he was again made Magnifique Rector of the University; which place, as it was of the greatest dignity in the City of Leiden, so of the greatest care.

In the midsts of these imployments he found his Memory to begin to decay,His strength decayes. and his strength to fail, so that he was forced to write his Lectures more largely then he was wont to do, which he carryed on till he came to the Head concerning the Holy Ghost, at which time death prevented his further progress.

Thus much for his publick life:His character. Now for his private. He was not splendid abroad, and sordid at home; but always p. 981equal like himself. He studyed no delights, and was far from all lasciviousness: His only recreation was to adorn his Orchard. He was free from covetousness, seldom looking after his outward estate, and at length wholly divolved that burthen upon his eldest son, called John. He affected not vain-glory: his habit was not costly, yet therein he was rather negligent then sordid. He had always a large house, which was rather commodious then sumptuous. In converse he was no boaster either of his Learning, Judgement, or Wit: He never either extolled himself, or debased others, no not his Adversaries. He never inserted reproaches into his publick Writings. He never chose any subject to write on for ostentation, but only such as might be most profitable to the Church. He never sought for, nor took great titles: It was always his glory rather to be, then to seem

He never affected ease.His humillty. He was always much grieved for the afflictions of the Church: And endeavoured in all things to keep a good and a clear Conscience. He would never to gratifie friends, give any other counsel then such as beseemed him, either to the Church or Magistrate: Neither did he ever request any for his children or kindred of which they were not worthy, or might any way tend to the detriment of others.

When as the Magistrates of Leiden had often proffered him the house wherein Arminius dwelt, and wherein now his widdow and children remained, he would never accept of it till as, when they saw that they could stay in it no longer, themselves came to him, and requested him to take it, thanking him that he had deferred it so long.

He never hunted after the favour of great men, thereby to enrich himself:His modesty. He only desired their favour so far as might be fit for him, and advantagious to the Church: If any thing was spoken in his presence which he judged prejudicial to the Church, he always strongly opposed himself against it not fearing therein the displeasure of great men: Yea in the Court amongst the Princes of Orange he would not suffer the Name of God to be taken in vain.His zeal.

In his carriage he was affable to all: To every one he willingly imparted counsel: He was so sollicitous for the good of the Church, that upon occasion he would declare which p. 982persons in the University were most deserving, themselves being ignorant of it. He admitted but few into his familiarity, judging that thereby their friendship would be the stronger, by how much the more united. He loved his Colleagues as his own Brethren:His friends. Next them his kindred: and after them his fellow Students and fellow Travellers. He would never dissemble, no not amongst his friends. And to those his friends, his house and table was always open: which liberality some taking notice of, often abused it.

He was not easily provoked by injuries to cast off his friends:His meekness. as this instance will shew; When Rivet was called to live in the Court of the Prince of Orange, Wallaeus commended his old Master Gomarus to the Curators of the University for to succeed in the Professorship; whereupon Gomarus acknowledged in the presence of many, that Wallaeus had overcome him in kindeness, and withall asked him forgiveness, for that he had opposed his Professorship at Middleborough, which (saith he) I did at the instigation of Giles Bursius.

He lived most lovingly with his Wife;His love to his wife and children. they never brake forth into anger, or mutual brawling: their mutual care was to please each other, and by deeds to prevent each others desires: Neither did Wallaeus fear any thing more then that his dear Wife should dye before him: For he used her not only for the government of his Family, but for his constant companion. Whatsoever befel him in the Commonwealth, Church, or Civil converse, he acquainted her with it, asked, and often followed her advice, for she was a modest and prudent woman.

They were both careful in the education of their children, and their first care was to train them up in Piety and good manners: for which end he daily read some Chapters, and made some application thereof unto them: His next care was, that they might be brought up in Learning: neither would he wholly trust their Masters therein, but many times examined them himself to see their proficiency. Neither would he train them up to Science, but also to Prudence: for which cause when they were come to years of discretion, he used to impart to them the affairs and condition of Church and State, asking their judgements about each of them.

p. 983He sought not to advance his children to high places, knowing the danger thereof, but rather desired a middle and competent estate for them, wherein they might live honestly and more comfortably, and according to his desire, he lived to see his eldest son Iohn a Doctor of Physick, His children well disposed of.and Professor thereof: and imployed by the States into France to fetch that miracle of the World of Learning, Claudius Salmasius to Leiden. His daughter Margaret marryed to John of Breda, Doctor of both Laws: His daughter Katherine marryed to Anthony Clement, a learned and godly Divine: His son Anthony a Lawyer▪ His son Balwin a Student of Divinity: Only his youngest daughter Susannae remained at home to be a solace to her aged Mother.

Wall us enjoyed better health at Leiden then he had done at Middleborough; He is troubled with the Stone.only that tormentor of Students seized upon him there [the Stone] in the Kidneys: which grievously tormented him, yet not often: once in four or five years: He was much troubled with Hypochondriacal winde, which was occasioned by his studying so soon after meals, yet would he not be disswaded from that course.

One of these fits brought him to his end.His sickness. For Iune the 29. Anno Christi 1639. he found his appetite to decay, and his stomach would not bare food: He was grievously also tormented with winde: yet would he not intermit his labors in his Professorship, in governing the University, and assisting in the Synod of South Holland, which was then met at Leiden.

July the 3. being Sabbath, His last Sermon.he went to Church and gave thanks to God for all his mercies to himself, to his Family, and to the Church by his means, praying for Gods blessing upon them for the time to come; this being the last Sermon that he intended to make. In reference to his disease such remedies as he had wont to finde ease by, would now do no good: His disease encreased, and his strength decreased: yet did … Bogard and some other Ministers from the Sy…d continually importune him to come to their meeting on Munday after for the great good of the Church.

Some chief Ministers had endeavoured of late years to renewHe s…les peace in a Synod. the Controversie about the power of the Magistrate in Ecclesiastical matters, whereupon they drew up a writing which p. 984they would have confirmed by all the Synods: and those which sought to impede it could not procure this Synod to reject it, because of the Authority of the Author: this was …ike to breed a great fraction in the Synod: And this Munday was appointed for the debate about this business, which made them so importunate to have Wallaeus present that day: And accordingly he came to them:His prudent advice. At his presence all kept silence: and he perswaded them that in things which were not clearly determined by Scripture, and were in some tolerable manner setled, there should be no questions moved: and told them that it was dangerous to contend with those men who could suppress them. This was Wallaeus his last publick action, which if it had been written in some mens mindes, the Church had enjoyed more peace, and the Magistrates had been more favourable to it.

The next day the Pastors flocked to him to give him thanks, for that he had freed them from trouble, and the Church from disturbance. All whom he exhorted to bear with those which differed in judgement from them, and still to love them: both parties being equally necessary for the good of the Church. For the moderate would suffer all things to fall into confusion, were it not for the more zealous; and the more zealous would disturb all things, were they not restrained by the moderate.

The three next days his pain was tolerable, so long as he eat nothing, whereupon he conversed sweetly with his wife, children, and friends that came to visit him: and attended his other businesses, till at last (at the importunity of his son Iohn) he desisted: Yet his strength sensibly decayed: and on Thursday night he fell into a sleep, out of which he would not be awakened till Friday in the Evening, when they set a Cuppingglass to his Neck: At which time his son Iohn called his Mother, Brothers and Sisters, fearing least he should presently fall asleep again: withall telling his Father that his life was near an end, and therefore if he had any thing to say to them, he desired him to speak it: whereupon Wallaeus exhorted them to sear God, to reverence their Mother, so God would bless and provide for them: that every one should take care of all the rest,His farewel to his family. but especially that every one should take care of himself; then he bade his son Iohn to have a speciall care of his Mother, p. 985and so kissing them, took his leave of them all: and then turning his face from them, he again fell asleep, out of which he never awaked; only sometimes when his pains came upon him, he stirred a little: and so on the Sabbath about eleven a clock he quietly resigned up his spirit unto God that gave it,His death. An. Christi 1639. and of his age 66.

How excellent a Divine he was, his Common places testifie: How Orthodox and solid a disputer he was,His works. his fourteen Disputations shew in the Synopsis purioris Theologiae. How strong a defender of the Truth against Error, will appear by his answer to Corvinus in defence of Du Mollines Anatomy of Arminianism. As also his Censura confessionis Remonstrantium. How careful he was of Order both Civil and Sacred, is manifest by his tractate de Authoritate Magistratus in rebus Ecclesiasticis. How a religious observer of the Sabbath, his dissertation De Sabbatho declares. How desirous he was to reform the Ethnick practical Philosophy, appears by his Compendium Ethicae Aristotelicae ad normam veritatis Christianae revocatum.

His countenance was mixed with gravity: His pronunciation was modest and masculine: free from dissimulation: not without elegancy: neither by brevity did he procure obscurity, nor by prolixity tediousness. Sometimes he was more vehement, when the zeal of Gods glory, the love of the Truth, or the heat of Disputation excited him. Against the Adversaries of the Truth he contended not by reproaches or railings, but by strong arguments drawn out of the sacred Scriptures. As oft as he was called by the Prince of Orange, or the States to compose Ecclesiastical differences, he never spared his pains therein. As oft as he was sent either by Magistrate or Presbyterie to the Camp,His industry and fidelity. or about any other difficult businesses, no trouble nor danger made him decline the work. His conversation both at home and abroad was holy and blameless. He was Hospitable to his friends, charitable to the poor, pleasing to all: Not given to wine, but sober, just, temperate, and free from covetousness.

His Works are named before, and are bound up together in one Volume.