The dispute was more violent in the 30th Session.

Finally, the Remonstrants agreed to propound their sentiments in writing; but with an express salvo, of their right to liberty of conscience, and to retain their objections to the authority of the Synod.

In the 31st Session, the Remonstrants presented to the Synod a writing, containing their sentiments upon Predestination,—­the first and most important of the five articles.

[Sidenote:  CHAP.  VI. 1618.]

In the 34th Session, they presented their sentiments upon the four other articles; and in the 39th Session, upon the Catechism of Heidelberg.  The Synod had enjoined them to confine themselves to explanations of their own doctrine, and to abstain from controverting the doctrines of the Calvinists.  These debates carried the Synod to its 46th Session.

In that session, the resolution of the States General upon the proceedings of the Synod was produced.  They declared by it, that “the Remonstrants were obliged to submit to the decrees of the Synod,”—­and that “if they persisted in their disobedience to them, both the censures of the church, and the penalties by which the States punished violators of public authority, should be inflicted upon them.”  The States ordered the Remonstrants to remain, in the meantime, in the town.

The Remonstrants persisting in their refusal to acknowledge the authority of the Synod, an assembly of it met on the 57th Session, and formally expelled the Remonstrants from the Synod.  Episcopius exclaimed, “May God decide between the Synod and us!” “I appeal,” said Niellius, “from the injustice of the Synod, to the throne of Jesus Christ.”  All remained firm in their protestation.

[Sidenote:  The Synod of Dort.]

Mr. Hales and Mr. Balcanqual, in their letters to the English ambassador, blame the proceedings of the Synod.[027] The only question between the Synod and the Remonstrants was, whether the latter would submit to acknowledge the authority of the former.  This, the Remonstrants uniformly refused to do.  In almost every Synod there was a repetition of the same demand, and of the same answer.  By every English reader, the demand of the Synod will be thought exorbitant.

[Sidenote:  CHAP VI. 1618.]

The Synod relaxed afterwards so far, as to permit the Remonstrants to deliver their sentiments in writing:  they did it at great length.  But they still persisted in objecting to the authority of the Synod, and to be examined by it.  The Synod therefore proceeded against them in their absence; and ultimately, on the 24th of April 1610, pronounced them guilty of pestilential errors, and corruptors of the true religion.  The five articles were formally condemned; Episcopius and the other ministers were deposed.

[Sidenote:  The Synod of Dort.]