Besides the translations already mentioned, and which came to Grotius’s knowledge, there were others in Greek, in Chinese, in Flemish, in Danish, in the language of Malacca, and five French translations.  An Arabic translation of it by the learned Pococke was printed at London in 1660.  We are assured[500] that there have been three translations of it into Arabic, which gave occasion to Spon and Vehler to say that Grotius copied an Arabic treatise, taking the very version of his book for an ancient work:  in fine, it had such a great run, that the history of it makes the subject of a treatise[501].

This work of Grotius has been equally esteemed by dispassionate Protestants and Roman Catholics.  “Few pieces, says[502] Colomiers, have succeeded better than the treatise On the Truth of the Christian Religion.  It is an excellent book, and ought to be the Vade mecum of every Christian.  I have read it several times, and always with new pleasure.”

“Grotius’s book, says the Abbe Houteville[503], is the first in which we find these great characteristics, just reasoning, accuracy, and strength; he is extremely concise, but even this brevity will please us when we find it comprehends so many things without confounding them, or lessening their evidence or force:  it is no wonder the book should be translated into so many languages.”

FOOTNOTES: 

[490] Ep. 411. p. 872.

[491] Ep. 181. p. 808.  Ep.  Coleri 37.

[492] Ep. 412. p. 873.

[493] Ep. 880. p. 387.

[494] Ep. 439. p. 880.

[495] Ep. 444. p. 881.

[496] Ep. 1096.

[497] Ep. 1232. p. 557.

[498] Ep. praes. vir. 451. p. 728.

[499] Ep. 534. p. 914.

[500] Fabric.  Delect.  Argum. c. 30. p. 551.

[501] Joannis Christophori Lockeri Dissertatio Epistolica, Historiam libelli Grotiani De Veritate Religionis Christianae complectens, 1725, in quarto; see also the Journal des Scavans de Pan. 1724.

[502] Colomiers, p. 586.

[503] Preface.

X. In the midst of his greatest occupations and most serious studies, Grotius still found time to study Civil Law.  Blaeu printed, in 1643, his Remarks on Justinian’s Laws.  They are chiefly philological notes, drawn from the Poets and Philosophers[504], serving to illustrate some passages of the Corpus Juris[505].  “This book, the author modestly tells us, is not of much use to those who frequent the bar:  but it is entertaining:  and though I set no great value on it, I think it is better to publish it, than suffer it to be lost.  It will possibly give pleasure to men of learning[506], and some such in this place are not dissatisfied with it, because they love to see Grammar and History united with Law[507].”