To resume in few words the doctrine of the Arminians, we shall say with Bossuet[71], their principles were, That there is no absolute election, nor gratuitous preference, by which God prepares for certain chosen persons, and for them alone, the infallible means of bringing them to glory; but that God offers to all men, and especially to those to whom the gospel is preached, sufficient means to convert themselves; which some make use of; and others not, without employing any other for the Elect, than for the Reprobate:  so that election is always conditional, and a man may come short of it by failing in the condition:  from whence they conclude, first, that justifying grace may be lost totally, that is, without any degree of it being left; and lost finally, that is, without its ever being recovered:  secondly, that there can be no assurance of salvation.

FOOTNOTES: 

[71] Hist. des Variations, Lib. xiv. 12. 30.

III.  This remonstrance not satisfying the Gomarists, they opposed to it a contra-remonstrance, which gained them the name of Contra-Remonstrants.  As these disputes gave the States a good deal of uneasiness, they enjoined the Divines to deliver their thoughts of the most proper means to put an end to them.  The Remonstrants proposed a Toleration; the Contra-Remonstrants, a national Synod, in which they were sure of a majority.  Both these opinions were laid before the States, who declared for a toleration:  this was the cause gained to the Arminians; but the Gomarists were favoured by the People, and grew very factious.  The Grand-Pensionary, imagining that by making themselves masters of the election of the ministers, the States would insensibly appease these troubles, proposed the revival of an obsolete regulation, made in the year 1591, by which the magistrates and consistory were each to nominate four persons, who should chuse a Minister, to be afterwards presented to the body of Magistrates, who might receive or reject him.

This motion was agreed to by the States, to the great mortification of the Contra-Remonstrants:  they complained that the States had exceeded their power.  Hence arose a grand contest who ought to be Judge in ecclesiastical matters.  The Arminians said it belonged to the Civil Magistrate to decide them:  the Gomarists maintained that the clergy alone had that power.  They separated themselves from the communion of the Remonstrants[72], took possession of the churches by force, stirred up seditions, wrote libels, and deposed the Arminian Ministers.  In other churches the Contra-Remonstrants were driven out as madmen and rioters.  These violences gave rise to schisms, some joining the old Ministers, and others the new.

It was at this time of confusion Grotius was nominated Pensionary of Rotterdam, and ordered to go over into England.  It is imagined[73] he had secret instructions to get the King and the principal divines of the kingdom to favour the Arminians, and approve of the States conduct.  He had several conferences with his Majesty on that subject.  At his return to Holland he found the divisions increased.  Barnevelt and he had the direction of the States proceedings in this matter; and he was appointed to draw up an edict which might restore tranquility.  It was approved by the States, and is as follows.