Church History, Volume 3 (of 3)Kurtz, J. H. (Johann Heinrich)
History
Church History, Volume 3 (of 3)
Kurtz, J. H. (Johann Heinrich)
Church history
§ 169.3. =The Dutch Reformed Church.=--Toward the end of the
seventeenth century, in consequence of threats on the part
of the magistrates, the passionate violence of the =dispute
between= Voetians and Cocceians (§ 162, 5) was moderated; but
in the beginning of the eighteenth century the flames burst
forth anew, reaching a height in 1712, when a marble bust of
Cocceius was erected in a Leyden church. An obstinate Voetian,
Pastor Fruytier of Rotterdam, was grievously offended at this
proceeding, and published a controversial pamphlet full of the
most bitter reproaches and accusations against the Cocceians,
which, energetically replied to by the accused, was much more
hurtful than useful to the interests of the Voetians. At last
a favourable hearing was given to a word of peace which a highly
respected Voetian, the venerable preacher of eighty years of
age, _J. Mor. Mommers_, addressed to the parties engaged in
the controversy. He published in A.D. 1738, under the title of
“_Eubulus_,” a tract in which he proved that neither Cocceius
himself nor his most distinguished adherents had in any essential
point departed from the faith of the Reformed church, and that
from them, therefore, in spite of all differences that had
since arisen, the hand of fellowship should not be withheld.
In consequence of this, the magistrates of Gröningen first of
all decided, that forthwith, in filling up vacant pastorates, a
Cocceian and Voetian should be appointed alternately; a principle
which gradually became the practice throughout the whole country.
At the same time also care was now taken that in the theological
faculties both schools should have equal representation. But
meanwhile also new departures had been made in each of the two
parties. Among the Voetians, after the pattern formerly given
them by Teellinck (§ 162, 4), followed up by the Frisian preacher
Theod. Brakel, died A.D. 1669, and further developed by Jodocus
von Lodenstein of Utrecht, died A.D. 1677, mysticism had made
considerable progress; and the Cocceians, in the person of
Hermann Witsius, drew more closely toward the pietism of the
Voetians and the Lutherans. The most distinguished representative
of this conciliatory party was F. A. Lampe of Detmold, afterwards
professor in Utrecht, previously and subsequently pastor in
Bremen, in high repute in his church as a hymn-writer, but best
known by his commentary on John.--These conciliatory measures
were frustrated by the publication, in A.D. 1740, of a work by
=Schortinghuis= of Gröningen, which pronounced the Scriptures
unintelligible and useless to the natural man, but made fruitful
to the regenerate and elect by the immediate enlightenment of the
Holy Spirit, evidenced by deep groanings and convulsive writhings.
It was condemned by all the orthodox. The author now confined
himself to his pastorate, where he was richly blessed. He died in
A.D. 1750.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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