Arminius described dissension as that which opposes union, and Arminius considered union better than disunity. He therefore described religion as the greatest excellence and union, and dissension as that which opposes the greatest excellence and union. He also described theology as that which directs humanity towards union with God, and as a practical science with its proximate and immediate object being "the duty and act of man which he is bound to perform to God," with God being the object of this duty (Priv. Disp. I.IV). Thus, when these concepts are viewed in this way, it is clear that theology and dissension are diametrically opposed to one another.
If this is true, then perhaps Arminius's 1606 speech, "On Reconciling Religious Dissension Among Christians," was more than just a mere message about the controversies of Arminius's age and the anticipation of the ever-impending and ever-elusive synod. Perhaps it was a message motivated by theological concerns as well. After all, to not address dissensions would seem to make Arminius's theological goals superfluous. Also, it doesn't seem all that surprising that such a topic would be chosen by Arminius in 1606, for it was given after the following orations: The Object of Theology, The Author of Theology and End of Theology, and The Certainty of Theology.
Of course, this is just a theory. But let me know what you think- did Arminius's understanding of theology motivate him to write his 1606 speech? Or did the controversies and synod motivate it alone?
In the end, I think it was both, but I have yet to see anyone connect Arminius's 1606 Oration to his overall theological project. Instead, it's always been in relation to his history.
Some pertinent quotes:
A letter written by Arminius to Joannes Narsius [A student] in 1606:
“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 approved 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.”
-Bangs, Carl O. “Arminius and the Reformation.” Church History 30 (1961):155-70.
"Similar to the motive and motif in his "Private Disputations," Arminius announces in his inaugural address [at the University of Leiden in 1603] that he intends to do none other than he has done as a pastor in Amsterdam: theologize in such a way as to facilitate the saving knowledge of God by envisioning a compelling vision of God characterized by love and justice."
-Gunter, W. Stephen. Arminius and His Declaration of Sentiments: An Annotated Translation with Introduction and Theological Commentary. Waco, TX: Baylor University Press, 2012.
“Arminius understands the practical character of theology as directing the mind not only to knowledge but also to worship.”
-Muller, Richard A. God, Creation, and Providence in the Thought of Jacob Arminius: Sources and Directions of Scholastic Protestantism in the Era of Early Orthodoxy. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1991.