Golden remains of the ever memorable Mr. John Hales ... with additions from the authours own copy, viz., sermons & miscellanies, also letters and expresses concerning the Synod of Dort (not before printed), from an authentick hand.

Right Honourable, my very good Lord,

ON Munday the 10. of December, stylo novo, the Deputies met in the morning, where the first thing determined, was the question as yet depending concerning the Remonstrants of Vtrecht. They had according to their appointment come to the Praeses and Assessors to give their Answer, which was meerly di∣latory, containing their answers to such reasons as the Synod on the Saturday Session had brought to prove them in the number of the Citati. But having better bethought themselves, upon the Munday a little before the Morning Session, they delivered their Resolution to the Praeses, to this effect, That since nothing else would content the Synod, they had resolv'd to leave their place of Judges, and to adjoyn themselves to the other Remon∣strants

which were cited: and so they did. After this fell in some speech concerning a supplication lately exhibited by the Remon∣strants unto the Exteri: and because it seemed to contein some aspersions against the Synod, there was question made whether or not it should be publickly read, and stand: but this motion died, and there was nothing done in it. A Copy of this Supplication; I think, my Lord Bissiop lately sent your Honour. Then Mr. Prae∣ses signified unto the Synod, that without farther delay he thought it fit. The Remonstrants should put in mind of the end of their coming, and that they should put up their minds in writing, concerning the five points in question, and that forth∣with. For he doubted it not, but they came very well provid∣ed to do it: and more, that some years past, they had provided certain considerations to be at hand, whensoever they should be called for, with which the World was not yet acquainted. This thing he remembred Monsieur Barnevolt sometime told him in private conference, and the Remonstrants themselves have told the world as much in their pressior declaratio, which they joyned to their addition of the conference at the Hague. Then were the Remonstrants call'd in, and told, First of their indirect dealing, in pretending themselves to have but one Copy of their Oration, whereas it was known they had another, and in delivering up a broken Copy: then of the end of their being convented by the Synod. But by the way one thing was urged somewhat unne∣cessarily. The Remonstrants had given up, (as I told your Ho∣nour) their seech signed with all their hands. When those of Vtrecht had joyn'd themselves unto them, they were urged to put to their hands also: to which they replyed, they had not as yet read it. Here Episcopius took occasion to clear himself of that imputation lately fastened upon him, that he had abused the Delegates, in giving them a counterfeit Copy of his speech: protesting he was not so ill qualitied, as that in so great a mat∣ter, and that before God and so grave a Congregation he would deal doubly, and dishonestly: that he never affirmed that he had one only Copy, but that he had none fairly written; for he confest he had another, and that the reason why he re∣quested either the same Copy again, or at least a Transcript of it, was, because there was some difference betwixt the two Copies, and they had not yet perfectly compared them together. The

Praeses answer'd, that what was laid to their Charge, was nothing else but that which the Synod verily understood to have been done, and he thinks, that if the Memories of those in the Synod were consulted with, they would all confirm it. About this was there likely to have been some altercation farther, but the Secular Praeses willed them to leave that and pass to their business. Here Episcopius besought the Synod that he might have leave to speak some things by way of Proeme ere they came to the Acti∣on. It was at first denied him, but he did so earnestly intreat, that at length he had leave to speak his mind: and so forthwith there was recited è Scripto a long and tedious speech of two hours, at the least: consisting of two general heads; First of Ex∣ceptions they had against the Synod Tanquam in judicem incom∣petentem: Secondly of a conceit of their own, what manner of Synod they thought fit it should be, which was to compose these controversies in hand. Their reasons of Exceptions were many, and manifoldly amplified and confirmed: but amongst them all there were two especially insisted upon. First, it was against all e∣quity and nature that the adverse party should be judge: the Sy∣nod was here the adverse party, and therefore they could not be Judges. Secondly, those who had made an open Schism and Faction in the Church, & had separated themselves from their bre∣thren, could not be their Judges: but of this Synod a great part were Authors of Schism, and the rest Favourers and Abetters of it: they could not therefore be their judges. In the Prosecution of which Reason they did not spare very liberally to bestow on the Synod the name of Schismatici & Novatores, and schismatum Fau∣tores, and other goodly titles of the same nature. The second part of their Oration was a meer Chimaera saltans in vacuo; a strang phancy of such a Synod as never was, nor can be. I had thought to have taken an abstract of it, but the tediousness of it deterred me. I will give your Honour a taste or two of it. There were but two wayes of instituting a Synod for the ending of these quarrells. The first was, by seeking out every where certain select men, who all this time of contention had taken part with neither side; but kept themselves unpartial. Secondly, if a Synod of such could not be found (as I think it could scarcely be found in the Netherlands, though the Sun it self should seek it) then such a Synod should be framed, as in which should be an e∣qual

number of both parties, each with their several Praeses and Assessors; and they should debate the mater betwixt themselves: and if they could not agree, (as it is likely they would not) what then, thought I? shall they part as they came? No forsooth. The Civil Magistrate, tanquam Deus è machina, he must come in, and prescribe the Moderamen from which neither party must ap∣peal. Provided alwayes, that he laboured only for Accommodati∣on, and not to determine decisively for one part, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. And so I awoke. Of the same threed was the whole piece of their speech. When they had well and throughly wearied their Au∣ditory, they did that which we much desired; they made an end. The Praeses made a brief Answer to this effect. For the point of Schism saith he, it is not yet fit time to discuss. But when it should in the Synod be made plain what had been the received Doctrine of the Church, then it would appear who they were that had made secession from it, and so were guilty of Schism. If you refuse us because we are your adversaries, whom would you have deputed as Judges? your selves, or the Papists, or the Anabaptists, or the Libertines, or some other faction in these Countries? Let us be Scismaticks, let us be Scribes and Pharisees, and worse; yet you may not deny this Synod to be a lawful Synod. For first it was done by the Civil Magistrate, who had Authority to doe it. Secondly, such as were there were deputed by the consent of the Provinces. Thirdly, they had all taken their Oaths to judge uprightly. This is enough to make us your Judges, and common Charity should make you to hope we would judge upright: at least it should make you re∣solve thus far, if we should decide truly, you would subscribe unto it, if otherwise you would patiently bear it. If you were in our places, so Deputed, so sworn, and we were to be judged by you, we were to doe the like. Here followed some wrangling to no great purpose, and so the Session ended.

The same day after dinner the Deputies met again; where first the Praeses commended to the Synod the consideration of that reproachful Name of Schism, which the Remonstrants did so open∣ly & so often brand them with. For it was Episcopius his palmarium argumentum, the Synod was all either Schismaticks or favourers of them, and therefore could not be their Judges. It was much that they should grow to that boldness, as that openly they should

call the Synod, the Seculars, the chief Magistrates, yea the Prince of Orange himself, Schismaticks. For what had formerly been done in the matter of Secession and division of Churches was done by their consent and approbation. He requir'd therefore the Synod to deliver themselves what was to be done. Divers spake diversly. Lydius of South Holland relating the story of what had been done in the time of separation, cleared them of Schism; and shewed first, that the name of Schism was used craftily by them; as for a reproach, so likewise for a farther end they had for themselves. For a Schism is only a breach of Charity and peace of the Church, the Doctrine remaining intire. If there were a separation by reason of Doctrine Heretical (as here he thought there was) it was not to be called a Schism. Now the Remonstrants did therefore use the name of Schism, that they might perswade the world, that the difference was only in cer∣tain points indifferent, in which it mattered not which end went forward, by this means to make their way open to a tole∣ration. Again, the separation which was made, was made up∣on good reason. For they were forced unto it by the Remon∣strants violence, as in particular he did shew. At length he and the rest of the Synod concluded, that they should roundly be put in mind of their duty, and to speak more respectively to the Synod. Upon this the Remonstrants being called in, the Praeses signifyed what the Synod disliked in them, and what be∣haviour it expected at their hands: and withall willed them to attend the Decree of the States. Episcopius would have answer∣ed, but he was prohibited. Then immediately followed a de∣cree of the States to this purpose; that whereas the Remon∣strants had hitherto made many dilatory answers, to the injury both of the Ecclesiasticks and Seculars, it was decreed by them, that they should lay by all frivolous Exceptions, and dilato∣ry answers, and forthwith proceed to set down their mind con∣cerning the Five Articles, for which end they were come together. Then began Episcopius to purge himself, and declare, that in the imputation of Schism they included not the Seculars, they only charged the Ecclesiasticks: and if the Seculars had a hand in it, they meddled not with that. The Praeses urged them to give their answer, whether or no they would set down their minds concerning the points in controversy: they still excepted, that

the Synod were not their competent Judges. The Praeses asked by whom they would be judged? they replyed, they would not answer this, it was sufficient that the Synod could not be their Judges. They were will'd to remember they were Citati: they replied, Citatorum est excipere de competentia judicis. The Praeses of the Seculars willed them to remember that they were Subjects; they replyed, the Magistrate could not command their Consci∣ences: being again willed to give their answer, whether or no they would exhibit their minds concerning the five Articles, they required first to have their exceptions answered; when no other answer would be given, they dismist them, and appointed that of the Synod two should be chosen Delegates, who should immediatly go to them, and in the name of the Synod warn them to lay by all other answers, and at the next Session Catego∣rically answer, whether they would exhibit their minds con∣cerning the points in Controversy, or no: that so the Synod might know what they had to do: and so they brake up: this morning therefore we look what will be done. And so for this time I humbly take my leave, commending your Honour to Gods good Protection.

Dort, 1/••1. Decemb. 1618.

Your Honours Chaplain, and bounden in all Duty, Jo. Hales.

Of the Remonstrants of Vtrecht, two only have joyn'd them∣selves to the Citati: the third which is an Elder, professes to submit himself to the judgement of the Synod, if they shall de∣cide according to his Conscience; and that if it please the Sy∣nod to give him his Oath, he is ready to judge neither as Re∣monstrant nor Contra-Remonstrant, but accordingly as it shall please God to open him the truth in the Synod.