In 1621, two years after their hopes for free and open debate were dashed at the Synod of Dort, the colleagues and students of Jacobus Arminius published the ‘Confession or Declaration of the Pastors, which in the Belgian Federation are called the Remonstrants, on the principle articles of the Christian Religion.’ The first and perhaps most important of Arminian confessions, written by Simon Episcopius (Arminius’ successor at the University of Leiden and leader of the Remonstrant party at Dort) and then approved at a gathering of Remonstrant pastors, provided not only a defense of the “five points” condemned at Dort, but also a succinct declaration of the entire range of their theology. This fresh, unabridged translation of the Confession, the first since 1676, together with the original Latin, allows the contemporary reader to interface directly with theology of the original Remonstrant leaders without the intervening interpretations of either their opponents or later admirers.
On the Sacred Scriptures
On the Knowledge of the Essence of God.
On the Holy and Sacred Trinity
On the Knowledge of the Works of God
On the Creation of the World, Angels and Man
On the Providence of God
On the Sin and Misery of Man
On the Work of Redemption, and the Person and Offices of Christ
On the Knowledge of God’s Will, Revealed in the New Covenant
On the Commandments of Christ in General: Faith and
Repentance, or Turning to God
On Faith in Jesus Christ
On Types of Good Works, and and Exposition of the Decalogue
On Governing and Deny ing Ourselves, and Bearing the Cross of Christ
On Special Callings and the Commandements and Traditions of Men
On the Worship and Veneration of Jesus Christ, the Only Mediator, and the Invocation of the Saints
On the Benefits and Promises of God, Principally of Election to
Grace, or Calling to Faith
On the Promises of God that are Performed in this Life to Those
Who Are Converted and are Believers, that is, Election to Glory,
Adoption, Justification, Sanctification and Sealing
On the Promises of God Pertaining to the Life to Come, or the
Resurrection of the Dead, and Eternal Life
On Divine Threats and Punishments of the Wicked Pertaining both
to this Life, and the Life to Come: Reprobation, Hardening,
Blinding and Eternal Death and Damnation
On the Ministry of the Word of God, and the Orders of Ministers
On the Church of Jesus Christ, and Its Marks
On the Sacraments and Other Sacred Rites
On Church Discipline
On Synods or Councils, and their Manner and Use
Title: The Arminian Confession of 1621: Latin Text