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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1856. Excerpt: ... THE HISTORY. In the course of the last summer, the decision of the venerable Synod, lately held at Dordrecht (or Dort) concerning some heads of doctrine, which had hitherto been disputed in the Belgic churches, with the greatest disturbance of the same, was published, having been comprised in certain distinct canons. And as this most celebrated Synod had been called together, by the Illustrious and most mighty the States General, the supreme magistracy of the federated provinces, especially for the removal of the controversies, which had arisen in religion, the most of them judged that it would be sufficient, if merely the determination of the Synod concerning these same controversies were published. But when it afterwards was evident, that there were very many who greatly desired further to know, from the very acts of the Synod, what besides these things had been done in the Synod, and by what method, especially with the Remonstrant pastors: and when it was not doubtful, but that they themselves, in order to veil their own pertinacity, were about to publish some things concerning these matters, not with the best fidelity, it pleased the Illustrious and most mighty the States General, that the acts also of the game Synod, faithfully transcribed from the public registers (tabulis) should be published in print, for the satisfaction (in gratiam) and use of the churches. And as in these (records) many things every where occur, which pertain to the history of the things transacted in the Belgic churches, and which could less advantageously be understood or judged of by readers who were ignorant of these things: for which cause even the national Synod (as it may be seen in the different sessions) sometimes enjoined, especially on the deputies of the South Holla...