Dredging through the academic sources, I present below an abbreviated look at Jacob Arminius’ life in chronological order. Although the information is not altogether unique, I do think it provides more insight than what one typically finds on most Christian websites or YouTube videos.
Of course, I am still a layman, so please don't expect perfection. Arminius’ life is complex and as such, one should expect gaps in the chronological timeline below.
Likewise, as a layman, I also want to emphasize that all my information comes from the hard work of other scholars and theologians— I am merely a compiler of information, with the goal of making Arminius’ life quickly accessible.
If you want to learn more, here are the top sources I used to make this post:
Without a doubt, my number one source for the life of Arminius is Carl Bangs’ study, a biography on Arminius, published in 1985 by WIPF and Stock- “Arminius: A Study in the Dutch Reformation.” To supplement his book, I’ve used other resources, including “Jacob Arminius: Theologian of Grace,” by Keith Stanglin and Thomas McCall (Oxford University Press, 2012), “Arminius on the Assurance of Salvation: The Context, Roots, and Shape of the Leiden Debate, 1603-1609,” by Keith Stanglin (Brill, 2007), and “The Literature of the Arminian Controversy: Religion, Politics and the stage in the Dutch Republic,” By Freya Sierhuis (Oxford University Press, 2015). All four books are great places to begin for learning more about Arminius, his life and legacy.
"Modern theologians who seek answers to their various questions about "Arminianism" --- usually as distinct from "Calvinism," and generally with a view to determine which system is "right"--- too often approach Arminius without setting him within his historical context." - Keith Stanglin, Arminius on the Assurance of Salvation, 69-70
Jacob Harmenszoon (Jacob Arminius)
Father: Harmen Jacobszoon (The local blacksmith)
Mother: Engeltje (Latinizers put it as Angelica) Jacobsdochter or Elborch
Brothers and Sisters: Names and Numbers Unknown
Spouse: Lijsbet Louwerensdoch
Living Children: Engeltje (15 years-old in 1608), Harmen, Pieter, Jan, Laurens, Jacob, Willem, and Daniel.
Leiden Faculty during Arminius Stay ~1576
Johannes Drusius: Assumed the chair in Hebrew in 1577
Petrus Tiara: Taught Greek, and was the first Rector Magnificus
Nicolaus Dammius: Professor of Latin until 1579
Joost De Menijn: Professor of Law
Cornelius Grotius (The Uncle of Hugo Grotius): Professor of Law
Hugo Donellus: Professor of Law
Justus Lipsius: Professor of Law and History
Guilhelmus Feuguereus (Guillaume Feugueray): The first Professor of Theology (April 1575 - May 1579); He had Johannes Bollius as a colleague for about four months in the winter of 1577 - 1578.
Lambertus Danaeus: Professor of Theology from March 17th, 1581 - May 1582
Hubertus Sturmius: Lector in Theology from Nov. 30th, 1579 - May 1584
Ministers at Amsterdam during Arminius’ Induction ~1587-1588
Johannes Cuchlinus
Johannes Ambrosius
Johannes Hallius
Everhardus Hermanni
Petrus Plancius
Organization of Amsterdam in 1588
Church Polity:
Twelve Elders (Half Replaced Each Year ~2 year terms)
Twelve Deacons (Half Replaced Each Year ~2 year terms)
The Government in Amsterdam:
Four Burgomasters (Elected by Burgomasters for 1 year terms)
36 Council Members (Elected for life by the Burghers-basically the financial leadership of the city)
Elections in both Church and City were held at the beginning of February.
Order of Status (Unofficial):
Burgomasters in 1588: Pieter Corneliszoon Boom, Reynier Cant, Cornelis Pieterszoon Hooft, Claes Franszoon Oetgens
City Council: Held a predominantly ‘Old Beggar’ temperament at this time
Elders
Deacons: were often merchants
Quote by Bangs on the Typical Routine of Jacob Arminius at Leiden:
“It is possible to reconstruct the typical daily routine of Arminius. He tells of reading until 0930 in the morning (it may be assumed that he was an early riser) and of meeting a class from 1000 to 1330. Home again (and if it is safe to read back from the life of a modern Leiden professor, a light lunch with a glass of wine, and perhaps a nap), and then he is back at his lecturing (he speaks of expounding Matthew in this case) from 1600 to 1930. Home again, a meal, and letters to write. The walk from his home to the university would take from five to ten minutes. Sometimes there would be a university event at the Pieterskerk and Sundays there would be public worship. If he ever went shopping with his wife, he has not admitted such a mundane detail in writing. Probably he did not. As a professor he lived in a very special and often segregated society. If he had any contacts with others than members of the university and the government, we do not know it.” (Bangs, 243)
The Timeline
I’ve tried my best to order the events as accurately as possible. If there is a date under the year, then I am fairly certain of its locality within that year. If there is no date, I have tried my best to order the events in chronological order, but it could be wrong. Without further ado, here is the timeline:
1394:
Oudewater, after receiving permission, establishes a school.
1515
Petrus Ramus (Pierre de la Ramee) was born near Soissons.
1530
Anabaptism reaches Amsterdam.
1536
Menno Simmons becomes an Anabaptist
Erasmus dies.
Calvin’s Institutes are Published.
1546
Martin Luther dies.
1542
A document for the Oudewater Nightwatch has Harmen Jacobszoon appearing in the 17th position in Section A.
1547
Harmen Jacobszoon is listed on an Oudewater Tenth Penny Tax Record.
1553
Harmen Jacobszoon is listed again on an Oudewater Tenth Penny Tax Record; it also shows he owns a house separate from where he lives.
1557
February 11th: Johannes Uitenbogaert was born in Utrecht
1558
Elborch the widow of Harmen Jacobszoon appears on an Oudewater Tenth Penny Tax Record.
1559:
Carl Bangs argues that in this year Jacob Harmenszoon is born in Oudewater, Holland in the Leeuweringerdeel House. This is located, roughly, in the northeastern quarter of Oudewater.
1560
Petrus Bertius, in his Funeral Oration, documents that Jacob Harmenszoon was born in Oudewater this year.
Malanchthon dies.
1561
Belgic Confession is first printed.
Elborch the widow of Harmen Jacobszoon appears on an Oudewater Tenth Penny Tax Record again.
1562
Elborch the widow of Harmen Jacobszoon appears on an Oudewater Tenth Penny Tax Record again.
1563
The Belgic Confession is published in German and in Dutch.
The Heidelberg Catechism is developed.
1564
John Calvin dies.
1566
A Eucharist Controversy takes place in Amsterdam.
December 15th: The first communion after the Eucharist Controversy takes place. The service lasts all day.
1567
January 18th: Reformed Christians are permitted to use the Franciscan church in Amsterdam for their services.
1568
The synod of Wesel takes place.
1570
Philippe de Marnix (Lord of St. Aldengonde and Dutch advisor to the Prince of Orange) writes the polemical work: De Biencorf or The Beehive of the Romish Church.
1571
The Synod of Emden takes place, with Casspar Van der Heyden overseeing it as President. It established that the Belgic Confession (with some alterations) will be the formula of Doctrinal Unity for the Dutch-Speaking Churches. Here are some notes on the different articles:
Article 16, On Predestination: “We believe that all the line of Adam being thus cast into perdition and ruin by the sin of the first man, God showed himself to be such as he is, namely, merciful and just; merciful, in drawing and saving from perdition those whom in his eternal and unchangeable council he has chosen by his pure goodness in Jesus Christ our Lord, apart from consideration of their good works; just, in leaving the others in their ruin and fall in which they are fallen.” Carl Bangs also writes, “The text in modern editions ends with that, but at Emden the text still included another section defending God against injustice and appealing to God’s “eternal and immutable decree founded in Jesus Christ before the creation of the world.” Even that is an ambiguous phrase, and it did not provide a clear answer to questions which later would be raised about sub-, infra-, and supralapsarianism…” (Bangs, 100-102)
Article 34, On Baptism: “We detest the error of the Anabaptists, who are not content with the one only baptism they have once received, and moreover condemn the baptism of infants of believers, who, we believe, ought to be baptized and sealed with the sign of the covenant.”
Article 35, The Lord’s Supper: “We err not when we say that what is eaten and drunk by us is the proper and natural body … of Christ. But the manner of our partaking of the same is not by the mouth, but by the Spirit through faith.”
Article 36, On the Question of the Magistrate (this differs from the revision approved at Dordrecht in 1619, which dropped the last phrase): “Is not only to restrain and safeguard the political order, but also the ecclesiastical order.”
1572
The Great Sea Beggar Uprising occurs.
1574
Oudewater becomes a protestant town.
Arminius ends his studies in Utrecht with the death of Aemilius (perhaps 1575).
1575
Rudolphus Snellius Takes Arminius to Marburg.
Arminius’s family is killed in a Massacre by Spaniards at Oudewater. Arminius travels to Oudewater to find his family dead. He then travels back to Marburg.
Prior to returning to Marburg, Arminius travels to Rotterdam to be with the Massacred refugees. It is here that he befriends Jean Taffin and Petrus Bertius the Elder. He spends some time in the home of Bertius the Elder.
Bertius the Elder recalls his son from England so that he could proceed to Leiden and study with Arminius.
The Leeuweringderdeel house is destroyed.
February 8th: The University of Leiden is Established. Caspar Janszoon Coolhaes is called on to begin the lessons in theology.
1576
October 23rd: Arminius enrolls into Leiden University. He is the 12th person to be registered. This is also the first known use of the latinized form of his name.
December: Dutch troops, under the guidance of van Swieten, liberate Oudewater. Bangs is keen to note that this “means that when Arminius made his sad pilgrimage back to Oudewater, it was still in the hands of the enemy, which would account for Bertius’ saying that Arminius was determined to see his native city again ‘or die in the attempt.’” (Bangs, 43)
1577
November 22nd: Iacobus Hermannus Oudewater is listed in a document regarding tax-free wine and beer to members of the university, and is noted as living in the home of Hermannus Reynecherus. He was Arminius’ Hebrew teacher.
1578
May 11th: Reformed Church services begin again in Amsterdam. This is conducted by Thomas van Til.
May 24th: Elders and Deacons are chosen for the Amsterdam Church.
May 27th: A new council is elected in Amsterdam.
1580
Johannes Ambrosius is called to Amsterdam to serve as a Minister.
1581
The Synod of Middelburg takes place and the views of Coolhaes are condemned.
Arminius finishes his studies at Leiden.
Merchants Guild of Amsterdam underwrites Arminius’ studies in Geneva.
Arminius travels to Geneva late in the year.
Johannes Hallius is called to Amsterdam to be a minister from Leiden.
1582
January 1st: Arminius matriculates at Geneva by signing the register at the academy.
Arminius defends Ramus and his philosophy publicly.
1583
Everhardus Hermanni is called to Amsterdam to be a minister. The consistory objected but the burgomasters insisted on his call.
Summer: Arminius goes to Basel and becomes the favorite of Johannes Jacobus Grynaeusa, a professor of sacred literature and the Dean of the Theological Faculty. It is here that Arminius presents his first expositions on several chapters in the book of Romans.
September 3rd: Grynaeus writes an a letter to Amsterdam commending Arminius for his “piety, moderation, and assiduity in study.”
November 21st: Arminius defends his thesis. Bertius and Uitenbogaert insist that prior to Arminius’ return to Geneva, the faculty at Basel offered Arminius the title of Doctor. Arminius is said to have refused, on the grounds of his youth (24/25 years old).
1584
Arminius returns to Geneva.
William of Orange is Assassinated.
1585
Theodore Beza writes about Arminius (Caspar Bradt mistook the date for 1583): “To sum up all, then, in a few words: let it be known to you that from the time Arminius returned to us from Basel, his life and learning both have so approved themselves to us, that we hope the best of him in every respect, if he steadily persist in the same course, which, by the blessing of God, we doubt not he will; for, among other endowments, God has gifted him with an apt intellect both as respects the apprehension and the discrimination of things. If this henceforward be regulated by piety, which he appears assiduously to cultivate, it cannot but happen that this power of intellect, when consolidated by mature age and experience, will be productive of the richest fruits. Such is our opinion of Arminius- a young man, unquestionably, so far as we are able to judge, most worthy of your kindness and liberality.”
Arminius writes a Latin poem about Beza in his album amicorum. It reads: (Title) To the portrait of T. Beza: Why are you amazed at looking upon the face of the man; That you are permitted to view only in a picture? Never would you be able to imagine it to yourself, However intently you viewed it with astonishment, the wonderful mind; Which the writings of the man so portray; That you may at the same time see it; And in gazing form your own mind like unto it.
Arminius makes a trip to Zurich
August 18th: Arminius writes a letter to the Zurich pastor and professor of Hebrew, Burchhardt Leemann. In it he speaks about his recent trip and he also discusses some news that he is unable to write about.
1586
Midsummer: Arminius leaves Geneva and makes a trip to Italy.
The Synod at the Hague adopts a Genevan church polity. This was largely dominated by Leicester.
August 17th: Cuchlinius reports to the consistory at Amsterdam that he had received word from a brother-in-law of the agent in Strassburg that the Geneva merchants who were to deliver money to Arminius had found that Arminius had already departed form Geneva to go on a trip to Italy.
1587
Autumn: Arminius reports to Amsterdam.
October 5th: Arminius reports to the Classis of Amsterdam
November 12th: Arminius appears before the Consistory. The minutes read: “Jacobus Arminius, an alumnus of this city, having come from Geneva, appeared in the consistory and delivered his testimonial from the school in Geneva, which was signed by Beza. It is also noted by Bangs that the “minutes go on to say that he was given a friendly reception. He declared his readiness to serve the church of God in Amsterdam whenever the call be extended. He reported that he was requesting of the burgomasters permission to make a trip to South Holland to take care of some personal affairs and to visit some friends, and that he was requesting funds for the cost of the trip. He also mentioned his trip to Italy, taken without the consent and knowledge of the authorities in Geneva, and “he gave the brethren some reasons and excuses for it.” The consistory was pleased with his report and proposal and ordered two elders, Hendrik Olfertszoon and Gerrit Jacobszoon, to convey their approval to the burgomasters.” (Bangs, 111)
Arminius begins his travels. Probably Leiden, Oudewater or the Hague.
1588
February 4th: Minutes from the Amsterdam Consistory: “Hallius informed the brethren that the classis had met on Monday [which would be February 1]. Accordingly, he announced that Arminius had been examined at that time [the full or final examination] and is well qualified to be admitted to the ministry.”
February 7th (Sunday): Arminius begins conducting the evening service in the Old Church as a proponent, a preacher on trial.
July 28th: Arminius is out of the city for travels.
August 11th: The minutes of the Consistory reads: “The deacons being invited to the meeting of the elders, Arminius was in the presence of all presented with the call of this city [gemeente]. Whereupon it was impressed upon him that he should help carry the burden of the city just as did the other ministers, in visiting the sick as well as in other things. Also that in nonessential matters [middelmatige dingen, the Dutch term for adiaphora] concerning the administration of the church [the word is longer and indistinct; it could be kerckeraet, church council or consistory], he should not casually seek to change anything or introduce something new except that which upon common advice is deemed good for the establishment of this community [gemeente]. All of which he promised to fulfill, so the community was invited to come together on the coming Sunday since he has been called to be a minister here. The legal hindrances concerning him now being overcome, he is to be confirmed in the service of the church in the presence of the congregation [gemeente] at the Sunday evening before the communion service.”
August 27 (Saturday Evening): Arminius is ordained in the Old Church, after being the first proponent in the city of Amsterdam.
September 5th: Arminius appears in the minutes of the Classis regarding the deposed minister of Ouderkerk aan den Amstel, Gerardus Pauli.
September 22nd: Arminius “appears in the minutes of the consistory… where he and deacon Cornelis Janszoon are assigned the task of visiting a woman communicant, Mayken Bresmans, suspected of having gone over to the Mennonites (the term used is Wederdopers, or “Anabaptists). A week later he reports back that the call had been made, that the woman had just given birth to a child on Sept. 21, so that they had not examined her about her faith, that she said she was not in contact with the Anabaptists at the moment but was sympathetic with them, that she was at rest in her soul, and that she had kindly requested the two visitors to stay out of her house.” (Bangs, 125)
November 6th: Arminius begin preaching alternately on Romans and Malachi.
Leicester resigns.
Maurice is made stadtholder.
Magistrates set aside Leicester’s church polity.
1589
April 17th: By this date, Arminius is elected as the secretary of the Classis.
Everhardus Hermanni dies.
1590
June 25th: Arminius is received as a delegate from the classis to the Particular Synod of North Holland meeting at Hoorn.
August 25th (Saturday): Arminius and Lijsbet go through the Red Door to get permission to marry. “Arminius was accompanied by a burgomaster, Claes Franszoon Oetgens, and Lijsbet by her father and mother. Arminius is identified in the book as “a minister of God’s Word in this city,” and Lijsbet is described as “twenty years old, living opt water in den gulden reael.” (Bangs, 133)
September 16th (Sunday): Arminius marries Lijsbet.
October 27th: Death of Dirck Volckertszoon Coornhert
1591
February 1st: “The states of Holland called a conference for drawing up a new church order. Eight politicians and eight churchmen were chosen to serve as a commission. Arminius was one of the eight churchmen, along with Uitenbogaert from The Hague, Arent Corneliszoon from Delft, and five others representing Dordrecht, Leiden, Haarlem, Enkhuizen, and Edam.” (Bangs 141-142)
March 18: Arminius writes a letter to Grynaeus. He writes: “There is a lot of controversy among us about predestination, original sin, and free will… our opponents, who are numerous here, deny it [original sin] altogether… I believe that our salvation rests on Christ alone and that we obtain faith for the forgiveness of sins and the renewing of life only through the grace of the Holy Spirit.” Bangs notes that the “opponents” must have been the humanist sympathizers of Coornhert, the so-called “Libertines.” Bangs also notes that “The mood of the letter is one of surprise that such subtleties should be raised and that one or another position should be upheld as the one true doctrine. It is from amid the crossfire of these various opinions that he seeks instruction from Grynaeus; indeed, it seems that he seeks support against all the proposed opinions.” (Bangs, 72; 139-140)
July (Early 9th or 10th): Arminius and Lijsbet celebrate the birth of their first son, a boy whom they named Harmen.
July 11th: Harmen was baptized.
August 1st: Harmen is buried. “The entry in the burial book in the customary idiom conveys a vivid pathos: 1st Augusty begraven een kindt onder den arm van Jacobus Arminius ons predicant- “On August 1 was buried a babe in arms of Jacobus Arminius our minister.”
Arminius preaches on Romans 7.
Arminius is asked by the consistory to refute Coornhert and the deft ministers.
Arminius joins Placius in an attempt to convince Vogelsangh of his errors in scripture.
1592
January 2: The Consistory discuss Arminius’s preaching of Romans 7; this trouble is mostly stirred up by Plancius.
January 7th (or 14th): A meeting with neither burgomasters or elders was held by the Classis where Petrus Plancius was able to raise his objections against Arminius. Bangs notes that Plancius accused Arminius for “teaching Pelagianism, was overtly dependent on the early fathers, deviated from the Belgic Confession and Heidelberg Catechism, and held incorrect views on predestination and on the perfection of man in this life. Arminius defended himself on all but the last two charges, denying Pelagianism, defending the authority of the fathers, and denying any departure from the doctrinal formulas. Predestination he refused to discuss on the grounds that there was nothing about it in Romans 7. On the issue of perfection he had already explained himself at such length in his preaching, he said, that nothing more was to be added.” (Bangs, 143-144)
January 23: In a meeting with the Classis or possibly the Consistory, Petrus Plancius rectified his statements made against Uitenbogaert, having said he held to improper views on original sin and other topics.
February 11th: A summons of ministers occurred regarding the Romans 7 controversy.
April: Petrus Plancius finishes a new map commissioned by the States General for 300 guilders.
April 7th?: Arminius and Lijsbet celebrate the birth of their second son. He too was named Harmen.
April 8th: Harmen is baptized.
April 19th: Harmen dies and is buried in the Old Church.
Staten College is established.
October 6th: Staten College starts, headed by Johannes Kuchlinus. He gives the inaugural address in Latin.
1593
Arminius Preaches on Romans 9
March 25th: Hallius addresses Arminius sternly, mentioning complaints of the citizens about his sermons on Romans 9.
April 22nd: Another consistory meeting is held without Arminius knowledge. Bangs states that the consistory decided that “Arminius should be called upon to “declare distinctly and without any circumlocution his opinion on all the articles of faith.” (Bangs, 148)
May 6th: Arminius learns of the April 22nd meeting and he asks for a reasonable time for preparation.
May 20th: Another consistory meeting is held. Bangs writes: “his enemies brought the matter up, and Arminius came up fighting. He called out in a loud voice, challenging anyone to stand forth and produce anything from any of his sermons which might call for censure. No one accepted the challenge, but one person made the objection “that from the testimony of Martinists [Lutherans], Anabaptists [Mennonites], and even libertines [humanists of the style of Coornhert] themselves, who gloried in his discourses on the ninth chapter of Romans, it was not unwarrantable to infer that he had taught and maintained something different from that which was taught by his brother ministers and everywhere taught by Reformed divines.” Arminius found it strange that no one present could cite an erroneous passage from his sermons. One of the elders replied that Arminius had been on his guard, and that he had used ambiguous expressions. Arminius denied the allegation and demanded proof, but no one would attempt to produce any evidence. (Bangs, 148-149)
May 27th: Arminius renewed his challenge a week later at another Consistory meeting. Cuchlinus asks: “Where is Plancius now? Insomuch as he had raised doubts about Arminius’ preaching, he should now, in the presence of Arminius and of the consistory, speak his mind.” Plancius gives three objections, and Arminius responds.
May: Arminius and Lijsbet move into the St. Ursula cloister.
June 14th: Jacob Arminius and Lijsbet celebrate the birth of their third child, a daughter named Engheltien (Engeltje or Angelica).
July 15th: “Arminius who had reported in the consistory… that an English preacher had preached in the house of one Israel Johnson and would preach there again on the following Sunday. The consistory thought it “an important matter which could not be permitted to continue in silence,” and they sent Arminius to speak to Johnson and to report to him that the consistory had ordered that there be no more such meetings. (Bangs, 157)
“Arminius had reported to the consistory that he had found a blasphemous book by one Frachoos de Stries, upon which the consistory charged him with responsibility for seeing that all the copies were destroyed. A curious footnote to the affair is that the author was reimbursed for the burned copies.” (Bangs, 166)
1594
April: Franciscus Gomarus is officially received by the curators to be a professor at Leiden.
June: Arminius gives his progress report to the northern synod regarding the Anabaptist refutation. Here he mentions that he “had studied all the Anabaptist books he could find and had abstracted the most important doctrinal positions, and he requested the brethren to share with him any more such books which he might not have seen.” (Bangs, 167)
The Burgomasters decides to institute reforms in the Latin Schools; Arminius is chosen to draw up a new set of school laws.
December 24th: Jacob Arminius and Lijsbet celebrate the birth of their fourth child. They named their son Harmen.
December 25th: Harmen was baptized.
1595
April 13th: “Arminius and an elder, Cornelis Janszoon Boecaert, were instructed to warn Vogelsangh personally that excommunication was imminent….[due to] Antrhopomorphism, Sabellianism, Arianism, and Samosatenism” (Bangs, 161)
July 15th: Arminius reports that a “Frederick Janszoon has been examined to be a ziekentrooster, or a sick-visitor, by two ministers and two elders, upon which the burgomasters are to be requested to appoint him to the office (and by his salary).”(Bangs, 153)
“Arminius and the elder Walich Sivertzoon were sent to try to reconcile two estranged parishioners.” (Bangs, 154)
“Arminius and elder Stoffel Janszoon “were assigned tasks related to the call of an additional pastor for Amsterdam. The man desired by the consistory was Jacobus Baselius, then a minister at Bergen-op-Zoom with “letters of calling.”” (Bangs, 155)
October 5th: Arminius and Stoffel reported that “Baselius was willing but that the burgomasters and consistory in Bergen-op-Zoom would not release him.” (Bangs, 155)
October 12th: “The consistory asks Arminius and Stoffel to approach the Amsterdam burgomasters to request them to ask the Bergen-op-Zoom authorities to release Baselius. Arminius is also asked to help Walloon church, ran by Taffin, regarding someone going over to Brownist teachings (after Robert Brown).” (Bangs, 155-56)
November 17th: “a letter from Baselius was read, indicating that he had been released.” Bangs notes that he never pastored at Amsterdam, but in later years “he appears as a friend of Arminius… perhaps it was through this interaction.” (Bangs, 155-156)
1596
Jelle Hotze (Latinized to Gellius Snecanus) publishes “Introduction to the Ninth Chapter of Romans. Arminius is pleased to find its arguments similar to his own.
February 17th: Petrus Bertius marries Marijtge (Daughter of Kuchlinus).
July 6th: “Arminius reported to the consistory that Taffin had learned that there would be Brownist preaching in the house of Jean de l’Escluse, a member of the Walloon congregation and a schoolmaster. Arminius and again Boudewijns were sent to tell de l’Escluse that he must not permit the preaching to take place and that the burgomasters would be informed of the matter.” (Bangs 157)
August 1st: “Arminius reported that he himself had been involved in a public fight with a textile worker, Claes Janszoon, and the consistory ordered that Claes appear before them personally. (Bangs, 154)
August 15th: Claes appears before the consistory, and he is “punished for fighting in public (he had probably been drunk).” (Bangs, 154)
October 7th: Lijsbet gives birth to a fifth child, a boy they name Pieter.
October 22nd: Lijsbet’s sister Magteld is buried.
December 10th: Kuchlinus marries his fifth wife, Geertgen Jacobsdochter of Oudewater. She was the sister of Arminius' father.
1597
Arminius correspondence with Junius and the subsequent controversy around it probably took place.
June 17th: Arminius is elected secretary of the Synod of North Holland.
Synods of North and South Holland petitioned the States General for a national synod. The States refused.
1598
January 29th: Despite the burgomasters speech regarding toleration of religious views, made by Hooft, Vogelsangh was banished from the city.
August 25th: Lijsbet gives birth to a sixth child. It is a boy and they name him Jan, after Johan Uitenbogaert.
Arminius constructs a Ramist chart on the doctrine of predestination in a letter to his close friend Uitenbogaert.
1599
January 9th: Franciscus Junius replies to the Brownists and their pamphlet which contained their views. He writes against their attack on “a church which is well furnished with servants of God, whose piety, erudition, and fraternal regard to the members of Christ, are fully known to good men.” (Bangs 158)
March 3rd: Arminius and Taffin write in Junius’ defense: “Of this fact we declare ourselves to be entirely ignorant [denying that they ever called the Brownists schismatic and heretics, as the Brownists had charged]. We certainly endured, with such a degree of sorrow as was not improper to us, this secession of theirs from our Churches; and we signified the same in their presence, with a fraternal declaration of our sincere regret. But we did not censure their defection with any such ignominious epithets, because we were prohibited solely by our brotherly feeling towards them, and our christian sympathy. Had not these prevented us, more than one occasion would have occurred both of mourning over them, and of making a declaration of a more serious nature against them.” Arminius also writes another letter to Uitenbogaert, and this is included in the Opera where it is entitled A Letter on the Sin against the Holy Ghost
August 31-September 7th: Arminius is tasked with writing a short refutation of all the errors of the Anabaptists.
1600
January 26th: Arminius writes to Uitenbogaert regarding the Anabaptist and the synods: “I have not yet determined anything respecting the business which has been imposed on me by the Synod. Yet my mind, for certain reasons, is inclined to undertake the task, provided I could ascertain that it has been committed to me with a sincere intent; of which I am compelled to doubt by the perverse and erroneous judgments which some men have formed respecting me. But, whatever intention they may have had, I am of opinion that the labour will be useful to the Church of Christ: Not because these heresies have not been refuted in a learned and solid manner; but because new refutations find new readers. I have not in the course of my previous studies had an opportunity to learn the heresies of the Anabaptists, and their foundations, with so much accuracy as the profitable discussion of this matter requires: This is the only circumstance which slightly interrupts my progress. If any persons feel a persuasion in their minds, that this buren is imposed on me with the sole view of discovering the thoughts of my heart on certain controverted points, they will be frustrated in their wishes. For the necessity of the refutation will not require me to unfold all the views which i hold about Predestination and Free Will, which are among others, the doctrines concerning which the dispute lies between us and the Anabaptists. But in this affair, I know, you will not fail to lend me your aid, both in furnishing me with books, (if you have any which treat on this subject), and in giving me the benefit of your advice as well as correcting my productions.
May 1st: Reael is appointed a director of the admiralty of Zeeland.
May 9th: Reael’s wife is buried
May 11: Arminius and Lijsbet baptize their seventh child, a boy they named Laurens. “When Arminius and Lijsbet buried their first two children, there was no charge for the burial. This time they paid an amount of 1 guilder and 9 stuivers. This could indicate increased financial ability on the part of Arminius.” (Bangs, 152)
June 5th: Arminius serves as the president of the Synod of North Holland.
Arminius is sent by the Synod of North Holland to Hoorn to conduct negotiations with Clement Martenszoon.
December 27th: Arminius’ son, Laurens, is buried.
1601
April 7th: Laurens Jacobszoon Reael dies in Middelburg.
September 20th: Lijsbet gives birth to her eighth child, and names the boy Laurens.
September 23rd: Laurens is baptized.
September 30th: Arminius finishes his sermons on Romans.
The Leeuweringderdeel house is rebuilt.
Plague comes to the Low Countries and kills an estimated 20,000 victims. “Arminius attributed it to the miraculous providence of God that the plague had not taken a single one of the “councilmen, judges, treasurers, prefects of orphans, ministers of the Word, elders, deacons, poor-relief superintendents, school rectors, or teachers.” (Bangs, 172)
Arminius’ friend and neighbor the Walloon minister Taffin dies.
1602
June: Arminius reports to the North Holland Synod regarding the Anabaptist refutation. “Arminius reported that he had begun the work but had not completed it, the difficulty bweign that the Anabaptists had a great many articles of faith in which many different things were taught (one is reminded of Luther’s answer at Worms). The synod resolved “that he should carry out the project in the quickest possible manner.” (Bangs, 167)
August: “The South Holland synod requested that he [Arminius] get at least the first part of his writing into print so that their members could know what to expect from the rest [regarding the refutation of the anabaptists].” (Bangs, 167-168)
August 28th: Lucas Trelcatius dies from the plague. He was a professor of Leiden since 1567 and pastor of the Walloon church there. Friends of Arminius began at once to seek his appointment to the vacant post.
Arminius and Plancius expresses their agreement against dancing. This was directed at Baptista Oyens, who expressed that dancing was a “very small sin”.
William Perkin dies.
October 1st: Arminius writes back to Uitenbogaert concerning the idea about the Leiden proposal: “I will not begin to say that you are greatly in error, lest I appear in your eyes desirous of producing petty excuses if I labor to evade that function; yet those which I do make shall be real excuses. I yield at once to your supposition that I shall not be totally unfit for promoting theological studies, if I be diligent and studious and devote my entire powers to this matter… you know likewise the amazing difference between the intense affection which sheep evince towards their shepherd who is always with them and that temporary affection which even the most virtuous of students manifest towards a man who is their instructor only for a few years… what will become of me when I shall have dedicated myself to that employment which prefers far larger demands for the contemplation and discussion of difficult topics?”
October 10: Arminius writes to Uitenbogaert, Bang notes that “he says that he is convinced that it is “through your prayers principally and those of our church” that he has remained thus far unaffected by the plague. Furthermore, he is confident that he will be safe from it “through the mercy of God, if he knows that my safety will in that case conduce to his glory, to the edification of the church, and to my own salvation as well as that of my family.” Bangs documents this in Arminius’ writings: “When this fatal distemper first began… my mind was much affected with anxious thoughts about my wife and children, for the small portion of substance which I should be able to leave them was a subject of serious concern. But, by the goodness of God, I overcame that temptation, and I now entertain no doubt that they will be objects of special regard to the Lord God, who is the Father of widows and orphans.” Bangs also states that he was concerned about his writings: “While standing on the brink of the grave, I have not been bold enough to order them to be burned, because it is possible that they might be useful to me … if I should survive this general calamity. I find much greater difficulty in bringing my mind to the resolution of permitting them to remain as posthumous papers after my decease… But I make this communication to you, and I desire it may stand in the place of my last will, that I wish my papers to fall into the hands of no one, except, Jacobus Bruno and yourself, both of whom, I know, will use them with equity and indulgence, and would correct them for the benefit of my heirs, if any part of them, after a slight degree of correction, might see the light.” Bangs also records Arminius being concerned with two people dying from the plague: “Both of them,” reported Arminius, “began to be troubled in their minds because they could not feel in their hearts the assurance of the remission of their sins and the comfortable attestation of the Holy Spirit, especially at the juncture of time when they accounted such perceptions most needful.” Both had tried to excite these feelings by recourse to Scripture and prayer, but to no avail. The woman wept; the man “compressed his grief within himself.” I listened to them with a sad heart,” said Arminius. He tried to determine the cause of their distress. They gave essentially the same reply, “that they accounted the assurance of the remission of sins, and the testimony of the Holy Spirit, in the hearts of believers, to be that faith by which a man who believes is justified.” Since they had no sense of assurance, they feared for their salvation. Arminius questioned each about his fundamental confidence that God had reconciled the world to himself in Christ. Their answer was affirmative. Arminius replied to them, “this is the faith which is imputed for righteousness; but the remission of sins is the fruit of this faith; and a sense of remission of sins in the heart of a believer necessarily follows it, in order of nature, at least, if not in that of time.” Both then admitted that they had considered the sense of remission of sins to be faith itself. Arminius held the two to be distinct. “I also explained the causes,” he went on, “why this assurance and comfort of the Spirit are not always felt in equal degree.” Both were encouraged, he reported, and both were able to commend their souls to God. The man died two days later.” (Bangs, 174)
October 23rd: Junius dies from the plague.
October 29th: Arminius writes to Uitenbogaert expressing his dismay about the death of Junius.
November 9th: Curators met “in the town hall of leiden to discuss the matter of Arminius and his potential appointment… Gomarus first presented a copy of his recent funeral oration on Junius. He alleged that Junius had not favored Arminius for an appointment. Arminius was bad enough in Amsterdam; in Leiden he would spread his infection throughout all the churches. Even if he promised amendment, he was not to be trusted. Were there no men who could maintain peace? He recounted the possibilities: Amandus Polanus in Basel, David Paraeus and Bartholomaeus Keckerman in Heidelberg, Johannes Piscator in Herborn (a more likely prospect, he said), Henry Rowlands and William Perkins in England. Within the country there were Arent Corneliszoon, minister in Delft; Werner Helmichius, Arminius’ colleague in Amsterdam; the young Trelcatius; and Guilhelmus Coddaeus, a Hebrew scholar in Leiden. Arminius was not on the list. The curators were pleased neither by the content nor by the vehemence of the address. They questioned Gomarus. Had he known Arminius personally? He had greeted him only once, at a distance. Had he read the correspondence with Junius? (Gomarus was related by marriage to Junius, his second wife being a sister of Junius’ third wife; hence some expectation of familiarity). He had only scanned it, but he had heard a bad report about it. Who had put him up to making these charges? Plancius. The curators then sought the advice of Oldenbarnevelt and Uitenbogaert, and the letter made before them an impassioned plea for Arminius’ appointment. (Bangs 234)
November 11th: the curators decided to move ahead with the call for Arminius.
November 19th: Two deputies of the curators, Nieuwstadt and van Zeyst, approached the Burgomasters of Amsterdam, who were not cooperative and refused to let the deputies approach the consistory.
1603
January: Tensions ramp up to have Arminius appointed at Leiden.
March (Early): Arminius is sick with a severe cold.
April 15th: The Burgomasters approved the release of Arminius.
April 26th: Arminius writes about his disturbed feelings for being the center of a cause celebre, to have put so many highly placed people to so much trouble: “My beloved friend, there is one thing which vehemently distresses me. How shall I be able to satisfy such a great expectation? How shall I be able to prove myself to be in some measure worthy of having so mighty a movement set agoing on my account? But I console myself with this consideration alone, that I have not courted the professorship, and that the curators were warned of those things which have happened before they had determined anything on the subject of my call.”
May 6th: Arminius meets with Gomarus for a conference at The Hague. “The north and south Synods were represented by Helmichius and Corneliszoon respectively… Arminius defended his exposition of Romans 7. At one point he drew from his pocket his manuscript on the chapter for anyone to inspect. No one accepted the challenge… Gomarus admitted that Arminius’ views on Romans 7 were admissible if not preferable.” (Bangs, 238)
May 8th: The curators and Leiden Burgomasters officially appoint Arminius to be professor of theology.
June (early): Arminius and his family moves to Leiden.
June 19th: Arminius took his doctoral examination. The examination was conducted by Gomarus. He writes about it saying: “I was examined on Tuesday by Gomarus, in the presence of the illustrious [Joannes] Grotius and [Paulus] Merula. He performed his part actively and honorably. I answered his questions as well as I could at the time. He, and the other two who were present, expressed themselves satisfied. The examination turned on questions relating to the substance of theology; and he conducted himself quite as he ought, and in the manner I could have wished.”
June 20th: Arminius’ son Jacob is born.
July 7th: Arminius presents his first public oration in Leiden regarding the nature of God.
July 10th: In the morning hour Arminius gives a public disputation on the nature of God. It is important to note that in this speech Arminius argued that the foreknowledge of God does not predetermine what is known, a contrary Bezan position on predestination. “Though the understanding of God be certain and infallible, it does not impose any necessity in things, nay, rather it establishes in them a contingency.”
July 11th: Arminius delivered an oration, “The Priesthood of Christ.”
September 1st: The Classis of Amsterdam write a brief cordial letter of commendation regarding Arminius.
September: Later the consistory wrote a longer commendation, stating: “We commend to all men of piety, honor, and learning, this most respectable gentleman and most venerable brother in Christ, and it is not possible for us to frame any recommendation with greater affection and favor.” - signed by Johannes Ursinus, the president of the consistory, and by Hallius and Halsbergius.
October 11th: "According to the Acts of the Senate, Arminius was officially promoted to Professor Ordinarius..." (Keith Stanglin, Assurance, 25)
Arminius begins teaching: The Object of Theology, The Author and End of Theology, and the Certainty of Sacred Theology.
The second VOC expedition sails.
1604
“Arminius, in expounding Jonah, made reference to the New Testament. Gomarus, who shortly before Arminius’ appointment to Leiden had been made professor primarius, claimed that Arminius was infringing on his sole right to expound the New Testament. “You have invaded my professorship,” he said. Arminius denied the charge and defended his right, by authority of the curators themselves, to give prelections on the New as well as the Old Testament, provided he did not encroach on Gomarus’ particular topic at the time. In this he was sustained, but it was evident that he would not have peace with Gomarus.” (Bangs 261-262).
February 7th: Arminius gives a disputation on predestination.
May 29th: Arminius writes about the church.
July: Arminius writes “On the Sin of Our First Parents.”
Arminius discusses predestination.
October 31st: Gomarus counterattacks, delivering a speech on predestination out of turn.
Arminius writes an answer to Gomarus’ attack.
December 18th: Arminius. Abrahamus Christiani F. Vliet. De sufficientia et perfectione s. scripturae, contra traditiones. Disputation.
1605
Arminius asks to be relieved of the task for refuting the Anabaptists for two reasons: “First, his duties as professor were heavy, and second, he was now under attack for holding unsound doctrine and he wanted to clear himself. The brethren rejected both excuses and demanded that he get at the task “with assiduity.” The South Holland synod that year heard a report that Arminius had agreed to pursue the task vigorously.” (Bangs, 168)
January 13th: Joannes Narsius is questioned by the consistory at Amsterdam, as a means to flesh out whether Arminius’ teachings had corrupted him.
February: Arminius is chosen Rector Magnificus, chief officer of the university- a post elected annually.
February 23rd: Arminius. Petrus de la Fite. De persona Patris et Filii. Disputation.
March 30th: Arminius. Andreas Knutius Vesalius. De angelis bonis et malis. Disputation.
April 30th: Gamarus reacts bitterly to Abraham Vlietius’ disputation, a students from Voorburg, because he offered arguments against Gomarus’ position.
April/May: Arminius defends Abraham Vlietius
May 2nd: Arminius’ son Willem is born at 0430am. Arminius writes to Uitenbogaert telling him about this birth, “Antonius Asaldus, who had said that a masculine seventh child will have the power to cure “wens and scrophulous affections,” a power shared with the kings of France. If any credence can be given to this, Arminius said whimsically, Willem will be a doctor.” Willem never became a doctor. (ninth son and the seventh living child)
May 14th: Arminius. Rodolphus de Zyll. De iustitia et efficacia providentiae Dei in malo. Disputation.
Arminius is challenged by the Leiden Pastor Hommius. Arminius addresses Hommius’ charges, doing so directly in front of Uitenbogaert and Borrius (Hommius’ colleague). “Hommius was silenced for the moment and agreed “to institute an inquiry after truth.” He told his friends later, however, that upon returning home, he had prayed to God for light and it had been revealed to him to continue in his opinions. (Bangs, 265)
May 20th, 1605: Arminius wrote to Uitenbogaert regarding Hommius’ opinion: “Well done, worthy investigator of the truth! As if God, forsooth, grants his Holy Spirit at one prayer in such large bestowals as to impart the ability to judge, in matters so great, without any liability of error.”
June 7th: Arminius writes to Uitenbogaert about some degree of peace he had with Gomarus: “Between Gomarus and me there is peace enough, unless he lend an ear to him who seems to act only for this, that he may not be found to have been a false prophet. On the other hand, I will do my best to make my moderation and equanimity manifest to all, that I may have the superiority at once in the goodness of my cause and in my mode of action.
June 30th: Acting on their own, five ministers, Jacob Rolandus and Joannes Bogardus from the North Holland synod and Franciscus Lansbergius, Libertus Franxinus, and Daniel Dolegius, asked Arminius if they could inter into a friendly conference concerning his beliefs and teachings. Arminius refused. This is because the deputies represented the synod and reported them, he, on the other hand, was subject not to the synods but to the curators, and he could not submit to synodical authority without their permission. He also maintained that he hadn’t taught anything contrary to the Scriptures, the Confession, or the Catechism. Arminius did state that if they were to lay aside their official role and spoke to him as a pastor, he would obliged them in conversation. (Bangs, 268)
July 23rd: Arminius. Paulus Leonardi F. de Leonardis. De libero hominis arbitrio eiusque viribus. Disputation.
July 25th: Concerning his July 23rd disputation, Arminius writes to Adrian Borrius stating: I transmit you my theses on free will, which I have composed in this [guarded] manner, because I thought that they would thus conduce to peace. I have advanced nothing which I consider at all allied to a falsity. But I have been silent upon some truths which I might have published, for I know that it is one thing to be silent respecting a truth and another to utter a falsehood, the latter of which it is never lawful to do, while the former is occasionally, nay very often, expedient.
July 28th: Arminius refuses two Consistory of Leiden deputies, Burgomaster Foy van Broekhoven and Professor Paulus Merula, to convene a talk about his doctrinal differences with his colleagues.
August 10th: The Leiden Theology professors respond to the Classis of Dordrecht, signing a document stating that they agree on the essentials of the faith.
October 19th: Arminius. Petrus Cunaeus. De legis et evangelii comparatione. Disputation.
November 19th: Arminius. Laurentius Pauli. De perpessionibus Christi. Disputation.
December 21st: Arminius. Richardus Ianus Neraeus. De fide. Disputation.
Arminius finishes his prelections on Jonah.
Arminius issues answers to “Nine Questions”
1606
Arminius begins prelections on Malachi.
The North Holland Synod seems to give into the fact that Arminius isn’t going to complete the anabaptist refutation.
February 8th: Arminius’ term as Rector Magnificus ended. He gave a speech entitled: “On Reconciling Religious Dissensions Among Christians.”
February 12th: Arminius writes to his friend and student Narsius: “According to the custom… I resigned my office of Rector on the eighth instant. My successor is Pavius [Pieter Pauw, the Professor of Medicine]. The oration which I pronounced was on Religious Dissension, and I explained its nature and effects, its causes and remedies, with that freedom which the subject itself and the state of the church require. Many people highly approve of what was said, while it is a copious source of blame and grief to others. I hope to be able to afford you a sight of this oration the next time you come to Leiden, when you will confess that it is not the production of a timid orator. For I perceive that the suspicions and calumnies of these men have the effect of imparting fresh courage to me, which is much strengthened by the synod that is soon to be convened.”
February 22nd: Arminius. Philippus Adr. F. Pynacker. De indulgentiis et purgatorio. Disputation.
March 15: “The States General had authorized the calling of a synod on the same terms as those laid down by the States of Holland in 1597; namely, that in the national synod the Confession and Catechism should be revised.”
March: Arminius and his family went to Amsterdam for a week, visiting the family of Lijsbet’s uncle J.P Reael.
April 8th: Arminius. Jacobus ad Portum. De invocatione sanctorum. Disputation.
May 27th: Arminius. Hermannus Keckius. De resurrectione carnis et vita aeterna. Disputation.
July 1st: Arminius. Ioannes Casimirus Iunius. De notis ecclesiae. Disputation.
July 3rd: Kuchlinus dies.
July 29th: Arminius. Bernherus Vezekius. De potestate ecclesiae in fidei dogmatis, legibus ferendis, et iurisdictione. Disputation.
October 25th: Arminius. Nathan Vaius. De sacramentis in genere. Disputation.
November 25th: Arminius. Ludovicus Michael. De s. Coena Domini. Disputation.
November 28th: Arminius has another son that he names Daniel. Daniel later becomes a doctor.
Sometime later in the year Arminius becomes sick for five weeks.
The ‘autotheos’ controversy broke out between Arminius and a student. “...although he had to disagree with his colleague Trelcatius he could point out that both Beza and Gomarus had concurred in his position.” (Bangs, 181-182)
1607
January 13th: Arminius. Ioannes Le-Chantre. De magistratu. Disputation.
May: Arminius writes this to burgomaster Dr. Sebastian Egbertszoon after the death of his friend Halsbergius: “But justly do you remark that he has gone before: we shall every one of us follow, each in his own order,- the thought of which is constantly impressed upon my mind by a catarrh which now assails me at no rare intervals, affecting sometimes my chest [in trachaeam], sometimes the bowels [in praecordia], sometimes the stomach [in ventriculum]. He who is ready to administer final judgment on all mortals has sent this as a warning; and thereby he orders me to moderate the grief I feel for the decease of my friend, whom, perhaps after not many years I shall follow.”
Trelcatius dies.
August 1st: Disputation: “The Case of All the Protestant or Reformed Churches with Respect to Their Alleged Secession.”
August 25th: Arminius writes to Conrad Vorstius explaining his ‘autotheos’ views. Vorstius becomes a sympathize of Arminius’s view
1608
April 12th: Arminius and Uitenbertus write a lengthy reply to Lubbertus’ complaint letter regarding the synod discussions in 1607.
May 30th: The legal inquiry that Arminius had drawn up earlier (because nothing was being done about the slanders directed at him), proceeds with Gomarus as the prosecutor to Arminius.
September 12th: Arminius celebrates the birth of another child. They name the newborn Geertruyd (the twelfth child)
Arminius responds to thirty-one theological propositions attributed to him. His answers were published after his death.
October 30th: Arminius presents his Declaration of Sentiments before the States of Holland in The Hague.
1609
February 7th: Arminius falls seriously ill.
July 25th: Arminius presents his final public disputation at Leiden University.
August 13-21st: There is a conference at The Hague between Arminius, Gomarus, and their deputies. Arminius leaves because of his illness.
October 19:Arminius dies.
1610:
January 14th: Remonstrance of 1610 is written.
1619:
Johan van Oldenbarnevelt dies. "Oldenbarnevelt played his final act well. He needed the support of Francken to mount the scaffold, but standing there to face the crowd, he showed no outward sign of fear. He reminded the public that he had always lived as a good patriot, and would die as such. He knelt down, pulled the blindfold over his eyes, and told the executioner not to tarry. As the blood spouted from the arteries of the severed neck, soaking the sand and dripping through the planks of the platform, the people who had up till that moment kept a deadly silence rushed forwards, dipping handkerchiefs and pieces of cloth in it, some undoubtedly as a ghastly souvenir, others perhaps, as one bystander was heard to say, ‘to keep it until it be avenged.'" -Literature of the Arminian Controversy, by (Sierhuis, 158)
The Synod of Dordrecht occurs.
1625
Joost van den Vondel writes Palamedes.
Vondels Palamedes (excerpt: 5.1.1989-94)
Many dipped moistened pieces of cloth in the blood
And wrung them out in wine, and drank it with a curse
And jubilantly called to the inhuman feast
Their brothers-in-arms of that same God, and fuming-spirit
1646:
Uitenbogaert’s De Kerckelicke Historie appears (Bangs, 111)
1648:
March 25th: Death of Lijsbet Reael
1650:
Jacobus Triglandius Responds to Uitenbogaert’s De Kerckelicke Historie with his own work entitled Kerckelycke Geschiedenissen, a chapter by chapter attack on Uitenbogaert.
1960s:
The Leeuweringderdeel house was restored. (Bangs, 31)
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