The Life of the Truly Eminent and Learned Hugo Grotius by Jean Levesque de Burigny

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THE

LIFE

Of the truly EMINENT and LEARNED

HUGO GROTIUS,

CONTAINING

A Copious and Circumstantial History of the several

Important and Honourable Negotiations

In which he was employed;

TOGETHER WITH

A Critical Account of his WORKS.

Written originally in French,

By M. DE BURIGNY.

LONDON

Printed for A. MILLAR, in the Strand; J. WHISTON and
B. WHITE, at Mr. Boyle's Head; and L. DAVIS, at
Lord Bacon's Head, both in Fleet-street.

M DCC LIV.

THE

AUTHOR'S

PREFACE.

_It were to be wished that such a celebrated Genius as_ Grotius _had
found an Historian equal to his fame: for in this high rank we can by no
means place those who have contented themselves with giving a
superficial account of his Life, and a catalogue of his Works. M._
Lehman, _to whom we owe_ Grotius's Ghost revenged, _is much fuller than
any that went before him; yet he is far from having taken in all that
deserves to be known of that illustrious writer, the two most
interesting Distinctions of whose Life have been entirely neglected by
all who have spoken of him; I mean his Negotiations, and his sentiments
in matters of Religion._

Gaspar Brandt _and_ Adrian Cattenburg _have indeed published a long Life
of_ Grotius; _but the_ Dutch _language, in which they wrote, is so
little known, that their book cannot be of general use; with a view to
which we have made choice of a more universal language, to communicate
farther light concerning this excellent man, whom every one speaks of,
tho' few with any certainty._

_His being one of the most learned Authors that ever wrote, was not our
sole motive for compiling his Life: for if we consider him only in that
light, and with regard to the excellent treatises with which he has
enriched the Republic of Letters, perhaps others may be found to compare
with him. But his Life was so diversified, and filled with so many
revolutions, that what regards literature is not the most curious part
of it; greatly differing, in this respect, from the generality of men of
letters, whole Lives are only the histories of their works. Besides_,
Grotius's _prudence on all occasions, his modesty in prosperity, his
patience in adversity, his steadiness in his duty, his love of virtue,
his eagerness in the search of truth, and the ardent desire which he
constantly maintained for uniting Christians in one Faith, distinguish
him so advantageously from most other Scholars, that his Life may be
proposed as a model to all who make profession of literature._

_It is divided into six Books. The first presents us with the brightest
genius ever recorded, of a Youth, in the history of the republic of
letters. The second contains all that is worth being known of the
disputes between the_ Gomarists _and_ Arminians; _the part_ Grotius
_took in them; his disgrace, and the manner of his escape out of prison.
The third relates his transactions at_ Paris, _and his retreat to_
Hamburg, _where he continued till the great Chancellor_ Oxensteirn _sent
for him, to employ him in the important and honourable post of
Ambassador from_ Sweden _to the Court of_ France. _The fourth and fifth
Books give a detail of his Negotiations; which have never yet been
published. We have been accustomed to consider_ Grotius _only as a
Scholar; his embassy is known but by report: we shall see, however, that
he was employed in affairs of the greatest importance; that he succeeded
in several; that he gave excellent counsels to the ministry; and that he
always conducted himself with zeal, firmness, and integrity._

_The sixth and last Book gives an account of such of his Works as we had
not occasion to mention before; and examines particularly his
theological sentiments, and his project for a coalition of Christians,
and bringing them to unite in one creed._

* * * * *

_Advertisement by the Editor._

The Abbe RAYNAL[1], a judicious French writer, gives the following
character of this work.

"M. de BURIGNY hath executed his Plan with abundance of erudition, and
an astonishing depth of enquiry. He has introduced nothing but facts
well supported, or theological discussions delivered with the greatest
conciseness and accuracy. Such readers as aim at amusement only, will
think the author too minute in some places; those who are desirous of
information will think otherwise. The most valuable part of this work
is, in our opinion, the just and concise idea which it gives of
_Grotius's_ several Writings."

FOOTNOTES:

[1] Mercure Francois, an. 1752.

APPROBATION.

By Order of my Lord CHANCELLOR, I have read the _Life of
GROTIUS_. This History, which gives us a pleasing Idea of the
Extent of the Human Mind, farther informs us, that _GROTIUS_ died
without reaping any Advantage to himself from his great Talents. For the
rest, I think it deserves to be made public on account of its relation
to Literature, and to the general History of _Europe_.

DE MARSILLY

THE

TABLE

OF

CONTENTS.

BOOK I.

I. Grotius's Origin: The Marriage of Cornelius Cornets with
Ermengarda de Groot

II. He has a Son named Hugo de Groot

III. Life of Cornelius de Groot

IV. Life of John de Groot

V. Birth of Grotius

VI. Great hopes conceived of him when a boy

VII. State of affairs in the United Provinces

VIII. Embassy from the States to Henry IV. of France; Grotius
accompanies the Ambassadors; is very graciously received by
the king

IX. His mortification at not having seen M. de Thou; he writes
to him; and keeps up an intimate correspondence with him till
his death

X. Grotius gives an edition of Martianus Capella

XI. Publishes the Limneu[Greek: retiche]

XII. Publishes the Phoenomena of Aratus

XIII. Cultivates the study of poetry

XIV. The States nominate him their historiographer

XV. Henry IV. of France intends to make him his librarian

XVI. Commences Advocate; dislikes this employment

XVII. Is nominated Advocate General

XVIII. Marries

XIX. His treatise of the Freedom of the ocean is published

XX. Prints his book De antiquitate Reipublicae Batavicae

XXI. Is made pensionary of Rotterdam

XXII. Voyage to England: dispute concerning the Fishery

XXIII. Grotius's intimacy with Casaubon

XXIV. A grand question decided by the States of Holland according to
Grotius's opinion

XXV. Sends Du Maurier a method of study

BOOK II.

I. Dispute between Arminius and Gomarus

II. Remonstrance of the Arminians

III. The troubles increase

IV. The edict of the States

V. The States grant the Magistrates of the Towns permission to
levy soldiers; which highly displeases the prince of Orange

VI. Grotius is deputed by the States to Amsterdam; falls ill
through chagrin

VII. The project of reunion proves fruitless

VIII. Prince Maurice disbands the new levies

IX. Barnevelt, Grotius, and Hoogerbetz taken into custody

X. The synod of Dort

XI. Barnevelt's trial

XII. The fruitless solicitations of the French court in favour of
the Prisoners: Barnevelt's execution

XIII. Trial and condemnation of Grotius

XIV. Grotius is carried to the fortress of Louvestein, his
occupations

XV. Grotius escapes out of prison

XVI. His writings on occasion of the disputes in Holland

BOOK III.

I. Grotius arrives at Paris, where he is well received

II. State of the French ministry: Du Vair's letter to Grotius: the
court grants him a pension

III. Grotius's occupations at Paris

IV. Grotius publishes his Apology: it is condemned in Holland: the
French king takes him again into his protection

V. He still maintains great connections in Holland; corresponds
with Prince Henry Frederic of Nassau

VI. He publishes his Stobeus, and the Extracts from the Greek
Tragedies and Comedies

VII. Goes to Balagni; is seized with the dysentery; publishes the
Phoenissae of Euripides

VIII. The death of Prince Maurice; Frederic is made Stadtholder;
Grotius writes to him

IX. Publishes his treatise, De jure Belli & Pacis

X. Has thoughts of leaving France

XI. Returns to Holland

XII. Is obliged to leave Holland

XIII. Goes to Hamburg

BOOK IV.

I. The High Chancellor Oxensteirn invites Grotius to him: the
high esteem in which the latter held the King of Sweden

II. Grotius is appointed Ambassador from Sweden to the court of
France

III. Situation of the Swedes affairs

IV. Grotius sets out for France, makes his entry into Paris, and
has an audience of the King

V. Discussions between France and Sweden

VI. Arrival of the High Chancellor in France: a new treaty

VII. Disputes between Grotius and the ministers of Charenton

VIII. Grotius's several journeys to court, and his negotiations with
the French ministry: abstains from visiting cardinal Richelieu

IX. Uneasiness given Grotius

X. Dispute for precedency with the Venetian Ambassador

XI. Is of opinion that the Swedes ought not to send
plenipotentiaries to Cologn

XII. Disputes with the Venetian Ambassador

XIII. Quarrel between the English and Swedes for precedency

BOOK V.

I. Different audiences which Grotius has of the French King

II. Conversation between the prince of Conde and Grotius

III. Grotius's negotiations in relation to the truce which was
proposed: misconduct of Schmalz

IV. Grotius is in great danger of his life

V. Divers audiences of the king and queen

VI. The death of the duke of Weimar

VII. The elector Palatine is arrested in France; Grotius obtains
his liberty

VIII. Grotius obtains the exchange of marshal Horn for John de
Vert

IX. Renewal of the alliance between France and Sweden

X. Deaths of cardinal Richelieu and the French king; the regency
of Anne of Austria

XI. Cerisante is sent to France; Grotius demands to be
recalled

XII. He sets out for Stockholm, and applies to the queen to obtain
his dismission

XIII. Grotius's death

BOOK VI.

I. Grotius's embassy does not interrupt his literary labours

II. He again applies to the cultivation of poetry

III. His notes on Tacitus

IV. ---- notes on Statius

V. ---- notes on Lucan

VI. ---- Anthologia

VII. Antiquities of the Goths

VIII. Annals and history of the Low Countries

IX. Treatise of the truth of the christian religion

X. Florum sparsio ad jus Justinianeum

XI. Commentaries on the Bible

XII. Treatises on Antichrist, and other theological pieces

XIII. Of the origin of the people of America

XIV. Other printed pieces or Manuscripts of Grotius

XV. Grotius's letters

XVI. Grotius's sentiments in religion very distant at first from
those of the Roman Catholics

XVII. His attachment to antiquity

XVIII. Leans towards the Roman Catholics

XIX. Is a partisan of the Hierarchy

XX. His sentiments concerning the Eucharist

XXI. His sentiments concerning the seven Sacraments

XXII. Grotius's sentiments concerning several other points
controverted between the Roman Catholics and the Protestants

XXIII. His project for reuniting all Christians

XXIV. Is accused of Socinianism

XXV. Opinions concerning Grotius

XXVI. An account of his family

END of the TABLE of CONTENTS.

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BOOK I.

I. The learned and illustrious Writer whose Life we undertake to give,
derived the name of Grotius from his great-grandmother, married to
Cornelius Cornets. This was a Gentleman of Franche-Compte, who travelled
into the Low-Countries about the beginning of the sixteenth century, and
coming to Delft, got acquainted with a Burgomaster who had an only
daughter: He took a liking to her, asked, and obtained her in marriage.

The name of this magistrate was Diederic de Groot, or Diederic the
Great; his family was of the first distinction in the country; and had
produced several persons of great merit[2]. It is said the name of
Great was given to one of Diederic's ancestors, above four hundred years
ago, for a signal service done his country; and it has been observed[3]
that all who bore the name of De Groot distinguished themselves by their
zeal for the public.

Diederic de Groot had several important employments, in which he
acquitted himself with great honour. The name of his only daughter was
Ermengarda de Groot: Her father, on giving his consent to her marriage,
insisted that the children should bear the name of De Groot; and
Cornelius Cornets agreed to it in the marriage contract. There were
several branches of the Cornets: one settled in Provence, as we are
informed by[4] Grotius.

FOOTNOTES:

[2] Acad. Leid. ed. 1614.

[3] Vita Grotii ap. Batesium, p. 420.

[4] Ep. 264. ad Peyresc. p. 91.

II. Cornelius Cornets had by his marriage with Ermengarda de Groot a son
named Hugo de Groot, distinguished by his knowledge of the Greek and
Latin, and his skill in the Hebrew. He died in 1567, fifth time
Burgomaster of Delft. He married Elselinga Heemskerke, of one of the
ancientest noble families in Holland, and by her had two sons,
Cornelius, and John de Groot.

III. Cornelius de Groot, eldest son of Hugh, was born at Delft on the
25th of July, 1544. He studied with much success at the University of
Louvain, at that time very famous. The Greek and Hebrew he knew
perfectly, and was well acquainted with the Mathematics. The Platonic
Philosophy pleased him extremely, and he retained a liking to it all his
life: he had read all the books of the sect, had commented their works,
and knew them almost by heart.

The Law wholly took him up afterwards: he went to study it at the
faculty of law at Orleans, the most celebrated for that science, and
took the degree of Licentiate. Returning home he followed the Bar; some
time after, he was nominated Counsellor and Echevin: William prince of
Orange made him Master of Requests.

The University of Leyden being founded in 1575, Cornelius de Groot
resigned his post in the magistracy, to follow his ruling inclination of
being useful to youth; and did not think it beneath him to accept of a
Professor's place in the new University: he first taught Philosophy, and
was afterwards made Law-professor; an employment that pleased him so
much, he preferred it to a seat in the Grand Council at the Hague, which
was several times offered him, but which he constantly refused. His
reputation was so great, the Grand Council often consulted with him on
affairs of importance. Six times he was honoured with the dignity of
Rector, a place of great honour and authority: the members of the
University, and all who are enrolled in the Rector's book, depend on his
jurisdiction; before him their causes, civil and criminal, are brought,
and from his sentence there is no appeal: a revisal of it is all that
can be demanded. Cornelius de Groot died without issue in the year 1610,
on the same day of the month of July on which he was born. He left
several Law Tracts which have never been printed.

IV. John de Groot, brother to Cornelius and second son of Hugh, studied
under the famous Justus Lipsius, who esteemed him much: in some letters
of that learned man to John de Groot he speaks of him with great
commendation. There is one, written in 1582, in which Lipsius tells him,
"You have loved the Muses, they have loved you, they will love you, and
I too with them will love you." We have still preserved by his son[5] a
translation in verse, made by him in his youth of some Greek verses of
Palladas. He also wrote a Paraphrase on the Epistle of St. John; which
Hugo Grotius mentions in one of his Letters[6].

Four times he was Burgomaster of Delft, and Curator of the University of
Leyden: this last was a place of great consequence at that time. There
are only three Curators in the University of Leyden; one is taken from
the body of the nobility, and nominated by them; the two others are
chosen by the States of the Province from among the cities of Holland,
or the Courts of Justice.

The Curators with the Burgomasters of Leyden have the direction of
whatever regards the welfare and advantage of the University; they chuse
the Professors, and have the care of the finances and revenues for
payment of their salaries.

John de Groot filled the place of Curator with great dignity and honour.
Daniel Heinsius wrote some verses in his praise, in which he styles him
the Apollo and Protector of the Muses.

This dignity did not hinder him from taking the degree of Doctor of
Laws. In the remaining part of his life he attached himself to the Count
of Hohenloo, who made him his Counsellor.

In 1582 he married Alida Averschie, of one of the first families in the
Country; by whom he had three sons and a daughter. He died in the month
of May 1640. In the same year his wife lost her eyesight; she lived till
the beginning of the year 1643[7].

FOOTNOTES:

[5] Stobaeus, Tit. 98. p. 413.

[6] Ep. xxii. p. 751.

[7] Ep. 499. p. 898. Grotii Ep. 638. p. 948.

V. Of the marriage of John de Groot with Alida Averschie was born the
celebrated Hugo de Groot, better known by the name of Grotius: he was
the first fruit of their coming together. Almost all who have mentioned
his birth[8] fix it on the tenth of April 1583. The President Bouhier
pretends they place it a year too late; and that he was born on the
tenth of April 1582. To prevent the authority of such a learned man,
which has already seduced several writers, from misleading others, we
shall shew that by departing from the general opinion he has fallen into
an error. Grotius writes to Vossius on Easter Sunday 1615[9], that on
that day he reckoned thirty-two years: He dates another letter[10] to
Vossius the twenty-fifth of March 1617; Easter-eve, "which, he observes,
begins my thirty-fifth year." April 11, 1643, he says he had completed
sixty years[11]. On Easter-day 1644 he reckons sixty-one years[12]. He
acquaints us in his Poems[13], that he was fifteen when he went first to
France: he went there in 1598; and speaking of Easter 1614 he informs
us[14] he was then one-and-thirty. From all these different calculations
it is manifest that Grotius was born in 1583.

It must be owned, however, that the proof on which the President Bouhier
builds his opinion, would be decisive, if there were no error in the
text of a[15] letter written by Grotius to his brother, April 14, 1640,
in which he says, "I have completed my fifty-eighth year:" but the other
passages of Grotius just cited demonstrate that the editors of this
letter, instead of _incepi_, I have begun, read _implevi_, I have
completed: which Grotius could not have written without contradicting
himself.

FOOTNOTES:

[8] Athenae Batavae, p. 205. Life of Grotius prefixed to his works. Le
Clerc, Hist. de Hollande, l. 12. t. 2. See the critical Remarks on
Bayle's Dict. ed. 1734.

[9] Ep. 55. p. 18.

[10] Ep. 95. p. 41.

[11] Ep. 648. p. 952.

[12] Ep. 697. p. 965.

[13] Page 213.

[14] Poemata, p. 217.

[15] Ep. 491. p. 896.

VI. It was therefore on the tenth of April in the year 1583, that
Grotius was born, at Delft. It was Easter-Sunday that year: and he
always observed the anniversary of that feast as his birth-day[16].

He came into the world with the most happy dispositions. Nature bestowed
on him a profound genius, a solid judgment, and a wonderful memory.
Several authors report[17] that being employed to review some regiments
he retained the name of every soldier. He was but eight years old, when,
in 1591, he wrote some elegiac verses, very pretty for that age:
afterwards he thought them not good enough to publish. M. le Clerc
informs us, that he had seen a copy of them in the possession of a very
able man, who purposed to write the life of Grotius.

Nothing contributed more to his amazing progress, than the excellent
education he received. He was so happy, as to find in his own father a
pious and able governor, who formed his mind and his morals. He did not
confine himself to making his son a man of learning, he purposed making
him a good man. The young Grotius, like Horace, has celebrated his
gratefulness for so good a father in some verses still extant. He often
declared in the course of his life,[18] that he could never sufficiently
acknowledge his obligation to his father and mother for the principles
of piety they instilled into him. We learn from his letters[19], that
his preceptor was one Lusson, whom he calls an excellent man; and seems
to have been greatly affected with his death: which is all we know of
him.

He was scarce past his childhood[20] when he was sent to the Hague; and
boarded with Mr. Utengobard, a celebrated clergyman among the Arminians,
with whom he kept up the most tender friendship till his death, in
return for the care he had taken of his education. Before he was twelve,
he was sent to the famous university of Leyden to perfect himself: and
continued there three years with the learned Francis Junius, who was so
kind to superintend his behaviour. Joseph Scaliger, the ornament of the
university of Leyden, who enjoyed the most brilliant reputation among
the learned, and whom his worshippers regarded as the Dictator of the
republic of Letters, was so struck with the prodigious capacity of young
Grotius, that he condescended to direct his studies. In 1597 he
maintained public theses in Mathematics, Philosophy, and Law with the
highest applause. Hence we may judge with what ardour he applied to
study. He tells us himself that he spent a part of the night in it.[21]
The device which he adopted[22] shews that he had reflected on the
swiftness of time, and the necessity of employing it well.

The reputation of this learned youth spread every-where; and learned men
spoke of him in their works as a prodigy. So early as the year 1597
Isaac Pontanus calls him a young man of the greatest hopes; Meursius, in
1599, declared he had never seen his equal. James Gilot, in a letter
written from Paris to Meursius in 1601, affirmed the capacity of young
Grotius bordered on prodigy; the famous Poet Barlaeus said the childhood
of Grotius astonished all the old men. Daniel Heinsius maintained that
Grotius was a man from the instant of his birth, and never had
discovered any signs of childhood. He was scarce eleven when John Dowza
bestowed the highest encomiums on him in some verses that might deserve
to be copied entire: he can scarce believe that the great Erasmus
promised so much as the young Grotius: and foretels that he will soon
excel all his cotemporaries, and be fit to be compared with the most
esteemed of the Antients.

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