the hearts of men, of the necessity of this order, (1 Sam. x, 26; xi, 7,) and through the external defence of it. (Joshua i, 5—9.)

V. The End of the institution of Magistracy, is the good of the whole, and of each individual of which it is composed, both an animal [or natural] good, "that they may lead quiet and peaceable lives;" (1 Tim. ii, 2;) and a spiritual good, that they may live in this world to God, and may in Heaven enjoy that good, to the glory of God who is its author. (Rom. xiii, 4.) For since man according to his two-fold life, (that is, the animal and the spiritual,) stands in need of each kind of good, (Num. xi, 12, 13,) and is, by nature of the image of God, capable of both kinds; (Gen. i, 26; Col. iii, 10;) since two collateral powers cannot stand; (Matt. vi, 24; 1 Cor. xiv, 33;) and since animal good is directed to that which is spiritual, (Matt. vi, 33,) and animal life is subordinate to that which is spiritual; (Gal. ii, 20; 1 Cor. xv, 32;) it is unlawful to divide those two [bona] benefits, and to separate their [procurationem] joint superintendence either in reality, or by the administration of the supreme authority: For if the animal life, and its good, become the only objects of solicitude, such an administration is that of cattle: But if human society be brought to such a condition that the spiritual life only prevails, then this power [of magistracy] is no longer necessary. (1 Cor. xv, 24.)

may

VI. The Matter of which this administration consists, are the acts necessary to produce that end. These actions we comprehend in the three following classes: (1.) The First is LEGISLATION, under which we also comprise the care of the Moral Law according to both tables, and the enacting of subordinate laws with respect to places, times and persons, by which laws provision be the better made for the observance of that immovable law, and the various societies, being restricted to certain relations, may be the more correctly governed: That is, ecclesiastical, civil, scholastic and domestic associations. (Exodus xviii, 18-20; 2 Chron. xix, 6-8; 2 Kings xiii, 4, 5.-(2.) The Second contains the vocation to delegated offices or duties, and [curationem] the oversight of all actions and things which are necessary to the whole society. (Deut. i, 13, 15, 16; Exod. xviii, 21, 22; 1 Pet. ii, 14; 2 Chron. xix, 2, 8-11; Num. xi, 13-17.)-(3.) The Third is either the eradication of all evils out of the society, if they be internal; or [depulsio] the warding of them off, if they be external;-even with war, if that be necessary and the safety of the society should require it. (Prov. xx, 26, 28; Psalm ci, 8; 1 Tim. ii, 2.)

VII. The Form is the power itself, according to which these

functions themselves [administrantur] are discharged, with an authority that is subject to God alone, and pre-eminently above whatever is human: (Rom. xiii, 1; Psalm lxxxii, 1, 6; Lament. iv, 20:) For this inspires spirit and life, and gives efficacy to these functions. It is enunciated, " Power by right of the sword," by which the good may be defended; and the bad terrified, restrained and punished; and all men compelled to perform their prescribed duties. (Rom. xiii, 4, 5.) To this power, as supreme, belongs the authority of demanding, from those under subjection, tribute, custom, and other burdens: These resemble [nervos] the sinews, by which the authority and power necessary for these functions are held together and established. (Rom. xiii, 6.)

VIII. But though there was no employment for this power before the introduction of sin into the world, because there were then only two human beings, both of whom were comprised in one family; yet we are of opinion, that it would also have had a place in the primitive integrity of mankind, and that it had not its origin from the entrance of sin: For, we think, this can be proved, from the nature of man, who is a social animal, and was capable of deviating from his duty,-from the limits of this power, -from the causes which induced God to institute it,-from the natural and moral law itself,-and from the impression of this power on the hearts of men ;-provided any great number of men had been propagated prior to the commission of the first sin. (Gen. iii, 6; 1 Tim. ii, 1—4; 1 Kings x, 9; Exod. xx, 12—17.)

IX. But this power is always the same according to the nature of its function and the prerogative of its authority; and it suffers no variation-either from the difference in number of those to whom this power is confided in a monarchy, an aristocracy, or a democracy, or from the difference of the manner in which this power is given, whether it be derived immediately from God, or it be obtained by human right and custom through succession, inheritance, and election. Under all these circumstances, it remains the same, unless a limitation, restricted to certain conditions, be added [illo] by God, or by those who possess the right of conferring such a power. (Joshua xxii, 12; 1 Tim. ii, 2; 1 Pet. ii, 13; Judges xx; 1 Sam. xvi, 12; 2 Sam. i; 1 Kings xi, 11, 12; xiv, 8-10.) And this limitation is equally binding on both parties; nor is it lawful for him who has accepted of this authority, by rescinding the conditions, to assume a greater power to himself, under the pretext that those conditions [contraveniant] are opposed to his conscience or to his condition, and that they are even injurious to the society itself.

X. Since the end of this power is the good of the whole, or of the entire [societas] association of men who belong to the same country or state; it follows, that the Prince of this state is less than the state itself, and that its benefit is not only to be preferred to his own, but that it is also to be purchased with his detriment, nay, at the expense of life itself: (Ezek. xxxiv, 2-4; 1 Sam. xii, 2, 3; viii, 20:) Though, in return, every member of the state is bound to defend, with all his powers, yet in a lawful manner, the life, safety, and dignity of the Prince, as the Father of his country. (2 Sam. xvi, 3.)

XI. From the circumstance also, of this power having been instituted by God and restricted within certain laws, we conclude that it is not lawful for him who possesses it, to lift up himself against God, to enact laws contrary to the divine laws, and either to compel the people who are committed to his care to the perpetration of acts which are forbidden by God, or to prevent them from performing such acts as He has commanded. If he acts thus, let him assuredly know, that he must render an account to God, and that the people are bound to obey the Almighty in preference to him. (Deut. xvii, 18, 19; 1 Kings xii, 28—30; xiii, 2; Dan. vi, 7, 10; Psalm lxxxii, 1-6; Acts iv, 19; Micah vi, 16; 1 Kings xxii, 9.) Yet on this point the people ought to observe two cautions: (1.) To distinguish actions which are to be performed, from burdens which are to be borne. (2.) To be perfectly sure, that the orders of the Prince are in opposition to the divine commands. Without a due observance of these cautions, they will by a precipitate judgment commit an act of disobedience against the Prince, to whom in that matter they are able, in an orderly manner, under God, to be obedient.

XII. The Functions which we have described as essential to this Power, are not subject to [arbitrio] the arbitrary will of the Prince, whether he may neglect either the whole of them, or one of the three: If he act thus, he renders himself unworthy of the name of "Prince;" and it would be a better course for him, to resign the dignity of his office, than to be a trifling loiterer in the discharge of its functions. (Psalm lxxxii, 1-8; Ezek. xi, 1-13.) But here also a two-fold distinction must be used: (1.) Between a degree of idleness accruing from the function, and vice coming into it. (2.) Between loitering, and hindering these duties from being performed in the Commonwealth: For the latter of these faults (hindrance) would bring speedy destruction to the society, while the Commonwealth can consist with the former, (laziness,) provided other persons be permitted to perform those duties

XIII. We conclude further,-from the Author of the institution, from the end and the use of the office,-from the functions which pertain to it,-and from the pre-eminent power itself, -when they are all compared with the nature of Christianity,that a Christian man can with a good conscience accept of the office, and perform the duties, of Magistracy;-nay, that no one is more suitable than he for discharging the duties of this office; --and, which is still more, that no person can legitimately and perfectly fulfil all its duties except a Christian. Yet, by this affirmation, we do not mean to deny that a legitimate Magistracy exists among other nations than those which are Christian. (Acts x, 31, 48; Exod. xviii, 20—23.)

XIV. Lastly. Because this power is pre-eminent, we assert that every soul is subject to it by divine right, whether he be a layman or a clergyman, a deacon, priest, or bishop, an archbishop, cardinal, or Patriarch, or even the Roman Pontiff himself;-so that it is the duty of every one to obey the commands of the Magistrate, to acknowledge his tribunal, to await the sentence, and to submit to the punishment which he may award. From such obedience and subjection the Prince himself cannot grant any man immunity and exemption; although in apportioning those burdens which are to be borne, he can yield his prerogative to some persons. (Rom. xiii, 1; 1 Pet. ii, 13; v, 1; John xix, 10, 11; Acts xxv, 1, 10; 1 Kings i, 26, 27; Rom. xiii, 5.)

The English translation of this clause is nearly as flexible in its meaning, as the original, which reads thus: "Quanquam in onerum ferendorum ratione prærogativam aliquibus tribuere possit." The words " Ratio" and "tribuere" are capable of many significations, according to the bearing of the words with which they stand in juxta-position. The interpretation therefore may be, either that the Prince will relax something from his prerogative in demanding taxes,-or that he will commit the exercise of some parts of his prerogative to his ministers.

END OF THE PUBLIC DISPUTATIONS.

THE

PRIVATE DISPUTATIONS

OF

JAMES ARMINIUS, D. D.

ON THE PRINCIPAL ARTICLES OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION.

COMMENCED BY THE AUTHOR CHIEFLY FOR THE PURPOSE OF FORMING A SYSTEM OF

DIVINITY.

THESE Private Disputations are very properly described in the title, as having formed the ground-work of a body of Divinity, which it was the intention of Arminius to have completed had be been favoured with health and longer life. I have given some account of the origin of this valuable Synopsis in vol. i, p. 131; and, having adopted it as a kind of Syllabus of his private Lectures, Arminius was enabled gradually to improve the work, and to bring it nearer to maturity. From this imperfect outline of his plan, on each Thesis of which he was accustomed to amplify in the private class of his pupils, we may form some estimate of what it would have been in its perfect form the noblest monument of his talents and piety.

Several interesting notices of the progress which he made in the undertaking, occur in his correspondence with Uytenbogard; from which it appears, that the duties of a Professor of Divinity in those days were exceedingly arduous, partaking in some measure of such as in our country devolve respectively on the public Professor and on the College Tutor. To his Private as well as to his Public [Collegia] Classes, he devoted some hours, both in the forenoon and afternoon, of each day. In a letter, dated Oct. 27th, 1605, he says:-" My private class is likewise in a flourishing and prosperous condition; and one class would by no means be sufficient had not some [students] been afraid that too intimate an acquaintance with me might prove injurious to them. But on every occasion I contain myself within the limits of the Confession and Catechism; at least, I do not affirm any thing which can be refuted by them: Nay, I say nothing that may not well and openly be reconciled with them, which is the more necessary on account of the different and tender judgments of my youthful auditors themselves."—The information in the last clause, respecting the varied and tender judgments of the younger students, will serve to account for some things, (such as the secret and the revealed will of God,) which the reader will discover in the subsequent Disputations, but which would be orally explained and illustrated by Arminius in a sound and orthodox manner.

DISPUTATION I.

ON THEOLOGY.

I. As we are about again to commence our course of Theological Disputations under the auspices of our gracious God, we will previously treat a little on Theology itself.