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.

My very good Lord,

SInce my last unto your Lordship there hath been nothing of a∣ny moment done in the Synod; but what was done, the sum of it is this.

Sessio 81. 13. Feb. Stylo novo.] Credential letters were read from the Frisians, by which Dacon ab Aisma, was deputed in the Colledge of the Frisians as a member of the Synod in the place of Meinhardus a senior Ecclesiae Leowardensis, who lately died here; he took the oath of the Synod, and so was admitted. Alstedius the only Nassovical Divine now left, by appointment of the President publickly, all auditors being admitted, did vindi∣cate the 10. arguments which the Contra-Remonstrants used in Collat. Hag. for proving of irresistibility of grace, from the ob∣jections, exceptions, and instances of the Remonstrants: and so the auditory was dismissed. The President giveth us warning, that on Munday at 9. of the clock there should be a Session, in which they would begin to read the great volume of the Re∣monstrants, lately given in; and telleth us moreover, that now they had given in their explication of the third, fourth and fifth ar∣ticles,

but no confirmation of them: yet that the Delegates had commanded them within eight days to bring in all they would or could say concerning the five articles. Because the two Cam∣penses Remonstrants being peremptorily cited had not compeired, the president desired the Synod to think of some fit punishment for this their contumacy. First we read letters from Fosculius, one of these two Remonstrants; in which he excuseth his absence by these three reasons: first, that the Church could not bear their ab∣sence; because if they should both come, there was none to preach: Secondly, that he himself was making ready for the journey, but that he was stopped, by the tears, howlings, sighs, outcries, lamen∣tations, and prayers of all sexes, & ages, and conditions of people, boyes, girles, masters, servants, mistresses, and maids, young and old, and many more such specifications there were: thirdly, that they had sent two to the Synod to answer for them; and therefore do humbly intreat, that they by these their procurators may causam dicere: After these were read other Latin Letters from the Seniors of that same Church, wonderful long, but so extreamly foolish and idle, that one might see they were writ∣ten by some indiscreet pedant, who had run himself out of breath with trotting through all the topick places of school boyes Rhe∣torick; they contained in them the same reasons for their mi∣nisters non-comparence, which the former: and moreover did protest that their ministers were ready for their journey, but that the importunity of their roarings, houlings, hindred them: and therefore in a most furious strain did desire the Synod to conceit with themselves, that they did but now with their eyes behold this ruthful spectacle: to wit, The whole City of Camps male and fe∣male, young and old lying before them, tearing their hair, knocking their breasts, piercing the ayre with their sighs and Heaven with their lamentable howlings, having their eyes sunk in their heads with tears, & their hearts ready to burst out at their sides for an∣guish; with such a deal of female foolish Rhetorick, as no masculine pencan relate, they desire the non-comparence of their Pastors, of whose doctrines they might take sufficient notice without their personal presence, ••ince it was the same which the Remonstrants had maintained in Collat. Hag. It is to be noted that the Ma∣gistrates of Camps, who before had written in these citati their fa∣vour, did not now write.

Thirdly, there was read the Contra-Remonstrant Campenses, who were come to accuse the citati, their answer to the reasons contained in the citati letters: to the first, that the Church could not want their presence; it was answered, that the Classis Cam∣pensis would look to that, as other Classes now did to the charges of all the rest, who were present at the Synod; besides that no mans charge in private can excuse him for non-comparence before a judge, when he is cited. To the second, that they were coming, but were hindred by the people, it was answered that a seditious tu∣multuary concourse of•• people, ought not to hinder any man from comparence before a judge, especially since it is known that this seditious conflux was procured by the citati, as is evident by the confessions of many, (whose names were there expressed,) who who being called to be present at that tumultuary assembly re∣fused; who did testifie moreover, that the citati went about begging hands to subscribe those foolish letters to the Synod. To the third, that they had sent procurators to answer for them; it was answered that it was a thing not heard of, that another man should give account of those things which they themselves had taught. These things being read, the Synod was required to give sentence: the Delegates sentence was this: that notwith∣standing all these idle excuses the citati were to be condemned of contumacy, to be suspended from their Ministery, but with this provision, that if within fourteen days after the receipt of new Letters from the Synod, they did personally compeire, they should be absolved from this sentence of suspension; if they did not, this sentence should stand firm pro nunc & tunc & omni tempore: the rest of the Synod were entreated that against Munday they would deliberate of this business, and so give in their judgements of it.

Sessio 82. 18. Feb.] There were read publickly 47. pages of the Remonst. Book; all which did contain only one answer to the first four places produced by the contra-Remonstrants, in collatione Hag. whereby they prove that (velle Deum solos fideles salvos facere; & infideles in ira relinquere) is not totum & inte∣grum praedestinationis decretum; the like tedious prolixity, some∣times racking of Scripture, sometimes paring and chipping of it hath not been heard; there was nothing in it which did not rather make men out of love with their cause than affect it.

Sessio 83. eodem die post meridiem.] The sentence of the Synod was asked concerning the Remonstrant Campenses, all agreed with the sentence of the Delegates given at the end of the 81. Session: except only the Divines of Breme, who delivered their opinion at large in writing; it was to perswade a milder course, the reasons were many and well penned: when it came to the Colledge of the Professors, notwithstanding that D. Po∣lyander had delivered their Collegiat sentence; yet D. Go∣marus, Martinius his professed enemy, asketh leave to speak; and so entereth into a confutation of that which they of Breme had delivered, so that he and Martinius fell foul in the Synod, ve∣ry much against the dignity of such an assembly. In truth I I must needs say, that some of the Provincials do use Martinius very uncivilly, and all the Forraign Divines begin to take it e∣vil at their hands; he is a man very learned, and very honest, sound in all the five Articles, as any man in the Synod, except the Second, in which when the Canons come to be made, your Lordship shall hear there will be more of his opinion be∣sides himself: notwithstanding of all this, because he doth mis∣like many of the Contra-Remonstrants broad speeches in many points, which I think every learned and godly man will do; they use him with so much discourtesie, as I will assure your Lord∣ship he hath been very near leaving of the Synod, and his Col∣leagues were half purposed to go with him: what a blow this would give to the credit of the Synod, any man may easily per∣ceive; the Provincials in this take not the right course. Though one be against the Remonstrants in all the five Articles in substance; yet if he differ from them but in manner of speaking, they hold him as not sound. If by your Lordships means the President were advertised of these things, it might do much good. What farther passeth in the Synod your Lordship by God's grace shall hear, in mean time with the remembrance of my best service to your good Lordship, I take my leave and rest

Dordreht this 18. of Februa∣ry, Stylo novo.

Your Lordships in all true respects of service, Walter Balcanqual.