DOCSLIB.ORG

Finding Certainty in an Age of Uncertainty the Early Eighteenth-Century Cocceian Turn Towards Natural Theology

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Finding Certainty in an Age of Uncertainty the Early Eighteenth-Century Cocceian Turn Towards Natural Theology Finding certainty in an age of uncertainty The early eighteenth-century Cocceian turn towards natural theology Masterthesis by: Niels Visscher – 3237494 Primary reader: Prof.dr. M. Mostert Secondary reader: Prof.dr. W. Mijnhardt Medieval Studies University Utrecht 19-07-2013 1 Content Preface 3 Introduction 4 Chapter I: The crisis of the Reformed mind 9 The Reformed theological system 9 Scripture and the Reformed articles of faith 10 The intellectual foundations of Reformed theology 12 Reformed theology and the challenge of Cartesianism 13 The challenge of Cartesian philosophy 14 The Voetian response to the new philosophy 15 The Cartesian philosophers 16 The Cocceian theologians 18 The rise of philosophical radicalism 20 Chapter II: Living during the crisis of the Reformed mind 24 A child prodigy 24 The University of Franeker 25 Education at the University of Franeker 27 The status of reason and the divinity of Scripture 28 Minister of the Divine Word 29 Professor of at the University of Franeker 31 The last of the Cartesians 32 Chapter III: Vindicating the divinity of Scripture 34 The Reformed view on natural theology 35 The characteristics of natural theology 36 The new approach to natural theology 37 Prolegomena 38 The doctrine of God 40 Natural religion 41 The necessity and divinity of supernatural revelation 42 Ruardus Andala on natural theology 44 Prolegomena 45 The doctrine of God 46 Natural religion 47 The necessity and divinity of supernatural revelation 48 A turn towards rationalism? 49 Conclusion 51 Bibliography 53 2 Preface Trying to obtain a master’s degree in Medieval Studies by writing a thesis on seventeenth- and eight- eenth-century developments in theology and philosophy – this turn of events will probably amaze many readers. Still, it is not as curious as it, at first glance, might seem. To me, writing this thesis was the final conclusion of an intellectual journey of which Medieval Studies was an integral part. This journey began in the first year of my bachelor in theology; during which I followed a course on the in- tellectual history of Christianity. As the main theme of this course, namely the interaction between theology and philosophy, captivated me to a high degree, I decided to make it into the main theme of my studies. Since it was during the Middle Ages that this interaction reached great heights, it was to this historical era I first turned my attention, leading me to Medieval Studies. During my years as a student in this field of study, I followed courses on theology and philosophy, ranging from intellectual developments in Late Antiquity to the Renaissance, and everything in between. Gradually I extended my scope of interest to also include the early modern era. This was due to the realisation that in theology and philosophy there was more continuity between the medieval and early modern eras than I previously thought – perhaps one can even speak of a longue durée in intellectual history. This eventually brought me to the early modern Dutch Republic. It was here that during the seventeenth- and eighteenth centuries there took place a number of developments that highly problematized the relationship between theology and philosophy, making it a watershed in western intellectual history. In particular, the second half of the seventeenth century was a period in which many long held assumptions concerning theology and philosophy came to be upset, leading to a severe crisis. The underlying purpose of this thesis is to clarify some aspects of this crisis, and, particularly, one of the attempts to overcome this crisis. Special attention is paid to the period be- tween the 1680s and the 1720s. This study is not meant to be exhaustive, nor can it ever be so. I do hope, however, that it can help in clarifying what has, thus far, been a rather obscure period in Dutch history. It is a quite interesting period that has, sadly enough, not received enough attention. During my intellectual journey through the ages, and through unknown disciplines, I’ve met many people who have been of great help to me; pointing me into the right direction, providing me with new insights, and, more generally, with pleasant conversations. Although it would be too much to name them all, some I do wish to mention some explicitly. The first of these is Prof. dr. Mostert, who, as head of medieval studies, allowed me to make a grand tour through the early modern Dutch Republic, and who, as the first reader, was so kind to supervise this thesis. Special thanks goes to Prof.dr. Mijnhardt, who, as second reader, provided me with many valuable insights, enjoyable con- versations, and whose patience is truly remarkable. The last person I would like to mention is Rudie Heling (1962-2013), with whom I’ve literally walked many miles, and with whom I’ve discussed al- most every subject to heaven and earth. As life, in the end, brought him more than he could bear, he will not be able to read this thesis. Hence it is dedicated to his memory. 3 Introduction The history of the Dutch Republic is riddled with a substantial number of paradoxical and seemingly inexplicable phenomena, which have long troubled the scholars trying to account for them. Surely, one of the oldest, and most strongly contested of these mysterious phenomena is the nature of the relationship between Cartesianism and Cocceianism; two movements which originated from the in- sights of, respectively, the French philosopher René Descartes (1596-1650), and the Dutch theologian Johannes Cocceius (1603-1669). Although both movements, at first glance, seemed to have little in common, with Cartesianism primarily being a novel way of doing philosophy, and Cocceianism con- sisting of the new theological insights of Cocceius, they have nevertheless been mentioned so often together, that people, ever since both emerged around the middle of the seventeenth century, have wondered whether they shared any intrinsic characteristics, that brought both movements together, or whether the relationship between both merely was the outcome of external factors.1 This ques- tion indeed becomes all the more intriguing if one considers the fact that whereas Descartes gener- ally tried to avoid theological subjects, thus hoping to avoid conflicts with the theologians, Cocceius himself admittedly had no particular interest in the new philosophy.2 Over time, scholars have, of course, tried to account for the mysterious relationship between Cartesianism and Cocceianism. Amongst the scholars attributing the relationship to external factors, the most popular explanation has been to argue that it was the outcome of the strong resistance both movements experienced from the side of the Utrecht theologian Gisbertus Voetius (1598-1676) and his followers. As these theologians considered Cartesianism to be a danger to the intellectual foundations of Reformed theology, and held the Cocceians responsible for introducing dangerous novelties into the Reformed fold, the Voetians, as they are called, indeed became the strongest op- ponents of both movements. According to the French minister Jacques Basnage (1653-1723) it was the vehement opposition by the Voetians that forced the Cartesians and Cocceians to cooperate, a conclusion that was shared by the German historian Johann Lorenz von Mosheim (1693-1755).3 The renowned nineteenth-century historian Christiaan Sepp (1820-1890) likewise attributed the relation- ship to these external factors, whilst Jan Anthony Cramer (1864-1952), denied altogether that Carte- sianism and Cocceianism had any substantial influence upon each other’s systems of thought.4 Not all scholars have sought to explain the relationship between Cartesianism and Cocceian- ism by resorting solely to external factors. A more moderate position has been taken by the nine- teenth-century historian Annaeus Ypey (1760-1837). Although Ypey also considered the opposition by the Voetians to have been a stimulating factor in bringing the Cartesians and Cocceians together, he nevertheless argued that the relationship between both gradually evolved into a more intimate 1 The first to offer a comprehensive survey on this age-old scholarly debate has been Ernestine van de Wall. For the following exposition of the different scholarly explanations of the relationship between Cartesianism and Cocceianism I am indebted to her; See: E.G.E van der Wall, ‘Cartesianism and Cocceianism: a natural alliance?’, in: M. Magdelaine (ed.), De l'Humanisme aux Lumières, Bayle et le protestantisme (Paris-Oxford, 1996), pp. 445-455. 2 For Cocceius’ stance on philosophy, see: W.J. van Asselt, The Federal Theology of Johannes Cocceius. 1603- 1669 (Leiden: Brill, 2001), pp. 72-105. 3 Jacques Basnage, Annales des Provinces-Unies, vol. 1 (The Hague, 1719), pp. 456-457; Johann Lorenz von Mosheim (trans. by: A. Maclaine), An Ecclesiastical History, From The Birth of Christ to the Beginning of the Eighteenth Century, vol. 2 (London, 1838), p. 375. (Original: Institutiones Historiae Ecclesiasticae Antiquae et Recentioris, 1755). 4 C. Sepp, Het godgeleerd onderwijs in Nederland gedurende de 16e en 17e eeuw, vol. 2 (Leiden, 1873), pp. 219- 220; J.A. Cramer, Abraham Heidanus en zijn cartesianisme (Utrecht, 1889), pp. 4-14. 4 bond, with philosophical ideas from Descartes being integrated in works on theology.5 The same position seems to have been taken by the foremost scholar on Cocceianism, William van Asselt.6 Be- sides this moderate position, other scholars have explicitly turned to internal characteristics to ac- count for the relationship. The most daring claim has been made by Thomas McGahagan, who ar- gued that both Cartesians and Cocceians had a common interest in the so-called concept of implicit faith, which served to avoid potential conflicts between theology and philosophy.7 This explanation, however, does not seem to have gained much support in the scholarly community. Besides McGaha- gan, Thijssen-Schoutte also argued that there was more at stake than simply meets the eye, but did not develop this claim into a comprehensive account.8 Considering the wide variety of accounts that have been given to explain the relationship be- tween Cartesianism and Cocceianism, it becomes clear that a scholarly consensus has yet to emerge.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • 'Elke Daad Is Een Werk'
    ‘Elke daad is een werk’ Alexander Comrie (1706-1774) over de verschillen tussen de remonstrantse en de gereformeerde rechtvaardigingsleer G.A. van den Brink Abstract The Dutch theologian Alexander Comrie (1706-1774) opposed Amyraldism vehemently. He downplayed the role of the act of faith in justification, for ‘every act is a work of man.’ However, Comrie offended many of his colleagues by suggesting that anyone who regarded the act of faith as the instrument involved in justification, was dogmatically speaking to be considered an amyraldian or even an arminian. Comrie was, in turn, accused of antinomianism. In this article the dogmatic position of Comrie is analyzed. His view on the material cause and especially on the formal cause of justification is compared with the views by Arminius, Lubbertus and others. It is concluded that Comrie mistakenly regarded the immediacy of the imputation of Christ’s righteousness as fundamental for the Reformed doctrine of justification. 1 Inleiding Toen de Schots-Nederlandse theoloog Alexander Comrie (1706-1774)1 in 1753 zijn verklaring van Zondag 1-7 van de Heidelbergse Catechismus publi- ceerde, brak er een storm van protest los. Geheel onbegrijpelijk was de verbol- genheid niet: Comrie schroomde niet om velen van zijn collega’s te bestempe- len als mensen die, al of niet bewust, een arminiaanse en semipelagiaanse opvatting huldigden ten aanzien van de leer van de rechtvaardiging. De bezorgdheid van Comrie werd ingegeven door de controverse rondom de Zwolse predikant Antonius van der Os (1722-1807).2 Deze was aangeklaagd 1 A.G. Honig, Alexander Comrie, Utrecht 1892; R.A.
    [Show full text]
  • This Thesis Has Been Submitted in Fulfilment of the Requirements for a Postgraduate Degree (E.G
    This thesis has been submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for a postgraduate degree (e.g. PhD, MPhil, DClinPsychol) at the University of Edinburgh. Please note the following terms and conditions of use: This work is protected by copyright and other intellectual property rights, which are retained by the thesis author, unless otherwise stated. A copy can be downloaded for personal non-commercial research or study, without prior permission or charge. This thesis cannot be reproduced or quoted extensively from without first obtaining permission in writing from the author. The content must not be changed in any way or sold commercially in any format or medium without the formal permission of the author. When referring to this work, full bibliographic details including the author, title, awarding institution and date of the thesis must be given. JOHANNES SWARTENHENGST (1644-1711): A DUTCH CARTESIAN IN THE HEAT OF BATTLE ESTER BERTRAND PHD THESIS UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH & FREE UNIVERSITY OF BRUSSELS 2014 2 JOHANNES SWARTENHENGST (1644-1711): A DUTCH CARTESIAN IN THE HEAT OF BATTLE ESTER BERTRAND The painting on the title page, entitled The Stallion, is by the accomplished Dutch painter of equestrian scenes, Philips Wouwerman (1619-1668). In agreement with the Creative Commons Licence this copy was retrieved from the following website: http://www.wouwerman.org/ PHD THESIS UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH & FREE UNIVERSITY OF BRUSSELS JUNE 2014 Funded by the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO), the Free University of Brussels, and the University of Edinburgh I, Ester Bertrand, hereby certify that this thesis, which is approximately 95.000 words in length, has been written by me, that it is the record of work carried out by me and that it has not been submitted in any previous application for a higher degree.
    [Show full text]
  • Foundations of Psychology by Herman Bavinck
    Foundations of Psychology Herman Bavinck Translated by Jack Vanden Born, Nelson D. Kloosterman, and John Bolt Edited by John Bolt Author’s Preface to the Second Edition1 It is now many years since the Foundations of Psychology appeared and it is long out of print.2 I had intended to issue a second, enlarged edition but the pressures of other work prevented it. It would be too bad if this little book disappeared from the psychological literature. The foundations described in the book have had my lifelong acceptance and they remain powerful principles deserving use and expression alongside empirical psy- chology. Herman Bavinck, 1921 1 Ed. note: This text was dictated by Bavinck “on his sickbed” to Valentijn Hepp, and is the opening paragraph of Hepp’s own foreword to the second, revised edition of Beginselen der Psychologie [Foundations of Psychology] (Kampen: Kok, 1923), 5. The first edition contains no preface. 2 Ed. note: The first edition was published by Kok (Kampen) in 1897. Contents Editor’s Preface �����������������������������������������������������������������������ix Translator’s Introduction: Bavinck’s Motives �������������������������� xv § 1� The Definition of Psychology ���������������������������������������������1 § 2� The Method of Psychology �������������������������������������������������5 § 3� The History of Psychology �����������������������������������������������19 Greek Psychology .................................................................19 Historic Christian Psychology ..............................................22
    [Show full text]
  • Memory Before Modernity Studies in Medieval and Reformation Traditions
    Memory before Modernity Studies in Medieval and Reformation Traditions Edited by Andrew Colin Gow, Edmonton, Alberta In cooperation with Sylvia Brown, Edmonton, Alberta Falk Eisermann, Berlin Berndt Hamm, Erlangen Johannes Heil, Heidelberg Susan C. Karant-Nunn, Tucson, Arizona Martin Kaufhold, Augsburg Erik Kwakkel, Leiden Jürgen Miethke, Heidelberg Christopher Ocker, San Anselmo and Berkeley, California Founding Editor Heiko A. Oberman † VOLUME 176 The titles published in this series are listed at brill.com/smrt Memory before Modernity Practices of Memory in Early Modern Europe Edited by Erika Kuijpers Judith Pollmann Johannes Müller Jasper van der Steen LEIDEN • BOSTON 2013 The digital edition of this title is published in Open Access. Cover illustration: Memorial tablet in the façade of the so-called ‘Spanish House’ in the Holland town of Naarden, located on the spot of the former town hall. In 1572 during the Dutch Revolt, 700 men from Naarden were gathered here and killed by Habsburg troops. The town hall was burnt down and rebuilt in 1615. (Photo Ralf Akemann). Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Memory before modernity : practices of memory in early modern Europe / edited by Erika Kuijpers, Judith Pollmann, Johannes Müller, Jasper van der Steen. pages cm. — (Studies in medieval and Reformation traditions, ISSN 1573-4188; volume 176) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-90-04-26124-2 (hardback : acid-free paper) — ISBN 978-90-04-26125-9 (e-book) 1. Memory—Social aspects—Europe—History—16th century. 2. Memory—Social aspects— Europe—History—17th century. 3. Loss (Psychology)—Social aspects—Europe—History. 4. Social conflict—Europe—History.
    [Show full text]
  • 'Dimittimini, Exite'
    Seite 1 von 13 ‘Dimittimini, exite’ Debating Civil and Ecclesiastical Power in the Dutch Republic 1. Dordrecht, Monday 14 January 1619. ‘You are cast away, go! You have started with lies, you have ended with lies. Dimittimini, exite’. The end was bitter and dramatic. The chairman of the Synod of Dort, Johannes Bogerman, lost his patience. Roaring, as some reports put it, he ordered Simon Episcopius, who had just, in equally outspoken terms, accused Bogerman of committing acts of slavery, to leave. Episcopius and his fellow Arminians left. As usual the two great --indeed massive-- seventeenth century accounts of the Synod, those of Johannes Uytenbogaert on the Arminian and of Jacobus Trigland on the orthodox Calvinist side, differ strongly in their account and appreciation of what happened at the Synod of Dort1. But they agreed Dort marked a schism; Dutch Reformed Protestantism had split apart. In almost all 57 fateful sessions of the synod which had started on 13 November 1618 the debate had been bitter, though invariably participants asked for moderation, temperance and sobriety. The Synod vacillated between the bitterness of intense theological dispute and a longing for religious peace, between the relentless quest for truth and the thirst for toleration. For over ten years Dutch Reformed Protestants had been arguing, with increasing intensity and rancour. Divisions and issues were manifold with those, such as Simon 1 See Johannes Uytenbogaert, Kerckelicke Historie, Rotterdam, 1647, pp. 1135-1136 and Jacobus Trigland, Kerckelycke Geschiedenissen, begrypende de swaere en Bekommerlijcke Geschillen, in de Vereenigde Nederlanden voorgevallen met derselver Beslissinge, Leiden, 1650, p 1137.
    [Show full text]
  • Download This PDF File
    “And the Rich Man’s Heart Sorrows and Grieves”: Iconography and the Historiography of The Allegory of Hope for Gain by Dirck Coornhert and Maarten van Heemskerck Dean Messinger In 1547, Dirck Volkerszoon Coornhert (1522-1590) was hired by the Haarlem city council to engrave and print posters advertising the city’s lottery, a series of works which would become the first recorded evidence of Coornhert as an artist.1 Given his propensity for modesty and aversion to greed, a lottery advertisement is an ironic glimpse into the early career of Coornhert, who has been studied as a theologian, statesmen, and author, but little as an artist. His opposition to avarice is best reflected in his print series, The Allegory of Hope for Gain, produced in 1550 in collaboration with famed Dutch painter Maarten van Heemskerck (1498-1574).2 In this paper, I will examine the style, meaning, purpose, and audience of The Allegory of Hope for Gain. In doing so, I aim to place The Allegory of Hope for Gain within a larger historiographical framework, which will bring to light its novel iconography and how it serves as an active intervention into numerous theoretical debates surrounding printmaking and its iconography, as well as uncovering the relationship between Coornhert’s prints and his more famous literary works. This research paper was produced in collaboration with the University of Arizona’s Art Museum’s exhibition, Renaissance Prints from the Permanent Collection: A Selection. I chose The Allegory of Hope for Gain to be the focus of my research, as well as to be publicly displayed in the exhibit, because of the series’ striking visual appeal and enigmatic creator that demanded further research.
    [Show full text]
  • Hugo Grotius (1583-1645)
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Erasmus University Digital Repository Hugo Grotius (1583-1645) Kosmopolis en autarkie: het moderne individu in de grensoverschrijdende samenleving Hans W. Blom Waarom Hugo de Groot? Deze alom bewonderde humanist-geleerde en staatsman, die met de hoofdrolspelers van de Europese politiek verkeerde, werd lange tijd vooral als jurist gezien, als grondlegger van het volkenrecht en het statensysteem van Westfalen van na 1648. Daar is nu verandering in gekomen. Grotius – zoals zijn verlatiniseerde naam luidt – is herontdekt als een van de belangrijkste zeventiende-eeuwse denkers over maatschappij en politiek, als grondlegger van een moderne traditie van theoretiseren over de aard en werking van de samenleving – kortweg omschreven als theorie van de sociabiliteit – en daarmee op gelijke hoogte als denkers als Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679), Benedictus Spinoza (1632-1677), John Locke (1632-1704) en Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778). Natuurlijk was Grotius ook jurist en met zijn Recht van oorlog en vrede (1625) heeft hij grote invloed gehad in de zeventiende en achttiende eeuw. Maar hij was ook historicus en theoloog. Op al die terreinen stond één vraag centraal voor onze Hugo: hoe kan de mens zijn leven in eigen hand nemen, in de wetenschap van de verbondenheid van het mensengeslacht hier op aarde. Van zijn jeugdwerk Adam in ballingschap (1600) tot zijn postume Over het noodlot (1647) vroeg hij naar de zedelijke plaats van de mens in de kosmische orde, terwijl zijn politieke en juridische werken daar de passende politieke organisatie bij zochten. Adam Smith (1723-1790), Immanuel Kant (1724-1804), en Karl Marx (1818-1883) bouwden op dit oeuvre voort.
    [Show full text]
  • Jasper Van Der Steen in 1609, Spain and the Dutch Repu
    CHAPTER TWO A CONTESTED PAST. MEMORY WARS DURING THE TWELVE YEARS TRUCE (1609–21)* Jasper van der Steen In 1609, Spain and the Dutch Republic signed a Twelve Years Truce after waging war for more than forty years. In the running up to and during the ceasefire, the highest military commander Prince Maurice as well as orthodox Calvinists actively opposed efforts to forge a lasting peace. This anti-peace lobby tried to convince government authorities, and the peo- ple of the Netherlands in general, that the Spanish had a track record of not keeping their word and that they could, therefore, not be trusted. To substantiate their claim of Spanish unreliability, anti-peace propa- gandists reduced the history of the Revolt against the Habsburg overlord Philip II of Spain to a selection of gruesome episodes in order to remind people of the cruelties Spanish rulers and their soldiers were capable of.1 The result was a historical canon: a relatively inclusive and non-confes- sional story aimed at convincing as many people as possible that the war should be resumed. But the inclusive character of this narrative was put to the test when new internal divisions compromised the unity of the Republic. Around 1610, a religious quarrel broke out about the Reformed doctrine of double predestination between two professors of theology in Leiden: Jacobus Arminius and Franciscus Gomarus. The disagreement between the two men was ostensibly a matter for academics only, but in fact it almost dragged the state into civil war.2 * Research for this article was funded by an NWO VICI grant for the research project Tales of the Revolt.
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter 1 - Imagining the Diaspora
    Cover Page The handle http://hdl.handle.net/1887/25763 holds various files of this Leiden University dissertation Author: Müller, Johannes Title: Exile memories and the Dutch Revolt : the narrated diaspora, 1550 – 1750 Issue Date: 2014-05-14 Chapter 1 - Imagining the Diaspora The formation of diaspora narratives The Netherlandish diaspora networks that persisted for about two centuries relied on narratives that explained the reasons for their existence and provided commonly recognizable tales of origin. The discourses in which these narratives were developed emerged in the 1550s and were continued and modified by subsequent generations of migrants. Writings of the first generation of the diaspora set the tone for later chronicles and other historiographical works of the various stranger churches. This chapter describes the emergence of discourses that shaped the later diasporic networks and provided images with which individuals and groups could identify. Such processes of identification were necessary for the formation of the diaspora. Refugees from the Low Countries and their descendants saw their fate not as an individual experience but as one shared with a wider community of exiles with whom they remained connected, often over great distances. Historians and church historians have sometimes attributed the cultivation of a diasporic mentality and a pronounced theology of exile to specific branches of Western Protestantism, especially Calvinism. 68 We must, however, not forget that these religious diasporic discourses had their own development and were not initially and self-evidently part of the new confessional cultures that emerged in the sixteenth century. This chapter explores how these discourses came into being and how they were appropriated by groups and individuals within the refugee networks.
    [Show full text]
  • Historiographical Review the Republic of the Refugees: Early Modern Migrations and the Dutch Experience
    The Historical Journal, page of © Cambridge University Press doi:./SXX HISTORIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW THE REPUBLIC OF THE REFUGEES: EARLY MODERN MIGRATIONS AND THE DUTCH EXPERIENCE GEERT H. JANSSEN University of Amsterdam ABSTRACT. This essay surveys the wave of new literature on early modern migration and assesses its impact on the Dutch golden age. From the late sixteenth century, the Netherlands developed into an international hub of religious refugees, displaced minorities, and labour migrants. While migration to the Dutch Republic has often been studied in socio-economic terms, recent historiography has turned the focus of attention to its many cultural resonances. More specifically, it has been noted that the arrival of thousands of newcomers generated the construction of new patriotic narratives and cultural codes in Dutch society. The experience of civil war and forced migration during the Dutch revolt had already fostered the development of a national discourse that framed religious exile as a heroic experi- ence. In the seventeenth century, the accommodation of persecuted minorities could therefore be pre- sented as something typically ‘Dutch’. It followed that diaspora identities and signs of transnational religious solidarity developed into markers of social respectability and tools of cultural integration. The notion of a ‘republic of the refugees’ had profound international implications, too, because it shaped and justified Dutch interventions abroad. In the rapidly growing field of migration history, the Dutch Republic holds a prominent, if ambiguous, position. The Netherlands regularly serves as an example of an early modern society whose economic fortunes, religious land- scape, and urban life were shaped by international immigration. This narrative of a ‘migration society’ aligns with current trends in scholarship.
    [Show full text]
  • Introduction
    Cover Page The handle http://hdl.handle.net/1887/38762 holds various files of this Leiden University dissertation. Author: Gottschalk, Linda Stuckrath Title: Pleading for diversity : the church Caspar Coolhaes wanted Issue Date: 2016-04-06 Introduction In this dissertation, I set myself the task of bringing the ecclesiology of Caspar Coolhaes into focus, first through an updated biographical sketch, and then through special attention to his written works. Coolhaes opposed many features of the organization of the developing Reformed Church in the Northern Netherlands and Dutch Republic in the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries. He disagreed strongly with the “Reformed polity” which many of the the Calvinist clergy were pursuing with vigor.1 He was also critical of all other major confessions. The question, therefore, is this: what sort of church would Coolhaes himself have wanted to design for the new Republic? Caspar Coolhaes (c. 1534-1615) was a Reformed preacher and a writer of theological tracts. In his writings he showed himself to be a critic of the churches of his day and an advocate of religious diversity. Originally from the German Palatinate, he came to preach and live in the Northern Netherlands during the Dutch Revolt, when the region was struggling for a new political direction and a new identity. He advocated a broader church than many of his Reformed colleagues. Although he died before the National Synod of Dordt (1618-1619), he would have opposed its decisions vehemently.2 He was linked during that process with the ideas of Arminius, and it is no wonder that H.
    [Show full text]
  • Uva-DARE (Digital Academic Repository)
    UvA-DARE (Digital Academic Repository) Ingelijst werk. De verbeelding van arbeid en beroep in de vroegmoderne Nederlanden de Vries, A. Publication date 2003 Link to publication Citation for published version (APA): de Vries, A. (2003). Ingelijst werk. De verbeelding van arbeid en beroep in de vroegmoderne Nederlanden. in eigen beheer. General rights It is not permitted to download or to forward/distribute the text or part of it without the consent of the author(s) and/or copyright holder(s), other than for strictly personal, individual use, unless the work is under an open content license (like Creative Commons). Disclaimer/Complaints regulations If you believe that digital publication of certain material infringes any of your rights or (privacy) interests, please let the Library know, stating your reasons. In case of a legitimate complaint, the Library will make the material inaccessible and/or remove it from the website. Please Ask the Library: https://uba.uva.nl/en/contact, or a letter to: Library of the University of Amsterdam, Secretariat, Singel 425, 1012 WP Amsterdam, The Netherlands. You will be contacted as soon as possible. UvA-DARE is a service provided by the library of the University of Amsterdam (https://dare.uva.nl) Download date:02 Oct 2021 33 Het woord RembrandtRembrandt 's drietal Inn de jaren dertig en veertig van de zeventiende eeuw portretteerde Rembrandt drie predikanten vann uiteenlopende confessionele snit: de Amsterdamse doopsgezinde leraar Cornells Claesz. Ansloo (1592-1646), de remonstrantse voorman Johannes Wtenbogaert (1557-1644) en de gereformeerdee Amsterdamse predikant Jan Cornelisz. Sylvius (1563/4 1638). Het waren mannen vann faam.
    [Show full text]