Articles of the Synod of Dort [pp. 239-255]

drticles of the Synod of Dort.
with great earnestness among the students, which had not
been before.
Being a member of the church of Leyden, he was admon ished by two highly distinguished men, who were elders in
that church, that he should hold a friendly conference with
his colleagues, before the consistory of the church of Leyden,
concerning those things which he disapproved in the received
doctrine. To which he replied, that he could not consent to
that, without permission from the trustees of the University;
neither could he see what advantage would accrue from such
a conference.
When the time arrived for the annual meeting of the Synods
of north and south Holland, a statement of grievances was laid
before the Synod of south Holland, by the classis of Dordrecht, the purport of which was, "that rumours are heard
that certai controversies, concerning the doctrines of the Reformed Churches, have arisen in the University and Church
of Leyden, therefore, this classis has judged it necessary to
bring the matter before the Synod, that the requisite steps
to settle these controversies may be seasonably taken." Arminius was much displeased with this proceeding, and
strove with all his power to obtain a recal of the complaint;
but failing in this, by the aid of the curators of the University,
he obtained a testimonial from his colleagues, in which it was
declared, "cThat more things were disputed among the students than was agreeable to them; but that among the professors of sacred theology themselves, as far as it appeared to
them, there was no dissension in fundamentals." The Synod,
after mature deliberation, were of opinion, that this spreading
evil must be seasonably counteracted; and that the remedy
ought not to be procrastinated, under the uncertain hope of a national Synod. They, therefore, directed the deputies to petition the curators, that a mandate might be given to the professors of sacred theology, to declare openly their opinions,
on the points disputed among the students, that the churches
might be satisfied as to the agreement or disagreement with
one another. The Synod also commanded all the pastors,
for the sake of testifying their consent in doctrine, to subscribe
the Confession and Catechism of the churches, which in
many classes had fallen into disuse; and by some had been
refused.
The deputies having diligently examined into the state of
affairs in the University, exhibited to the curators nine ques
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