_It is divided into six Books. The first presents us with the brightest genius ever recorded, of a Youth, in the history of the republic of letters. The second contains all that is worth being known of the disputes between the_ Gomarists _and_ Arminians; _the part_ Grotius _took in them; his disgrace, and the manner of his escape out of prison. The third relates his transactions at_ Paris, _and his retreat to_ Hamburg, _where he continued till the great Chancellor_ Oxensteirn _sent for him, to employ him in the important and honourable post of Ambassador from_ Sweden _to the Court of_ France. _The fourth and fifth Books give a detail of his Negotiations; which have never yet been published. We have been accustomed to consider_ Grotius _only as a Scholar; his embassy is known but by report: we shall see, however, that he was employed in affairs of the greatest importance; that he succeeded in several; that he gave excellent counsels to the ministry; and that he always conducted himself with zeal, firmness, and integrity._ _The sixth and last Book gives an account of such of his Works as we had not occasion to mention before; and examines particularly his theological sentiments, and his project for a coalition of Christians, and bringing them to unite in one creed._ * * * * * _Advertisement by the Editor._ The Abbe RAYNAL[1], a judicious French writer, gives the following character of this work. "M. de BURIGNY hath executed his Plan with abundance of erudition, and an astonishing depth of enquiry. He has introduced nothing but facts well supported, or theological discussions delivered with the greatest conciseness and accuracy. Such readers as aim at amusement only, will think the author too minute in some places; those who are desirous of information will think otherwise. The most valuable part of this work is, in our opinion, the just and concise idea which it gives of _Grotius's_ several Writings." FOOTNOTES: [1] Mercure Francois, an. 1752. APPROBATION. By Order of my Lord CHANCELLOR, I have read the _Life of GROTIUS_. This History, which gives us a pleasing Idea of the Extent of the Human Mind, farther informs us, that _GROTIUS_ died without reaping any Advantage to himself from his great Talents. For the rest, I think it deserves to be made public on account of its relation to Literature, and to the general History of _Europe_. DE MARSILLY THE TABLE OF CONTENTS. BOOK I. I. Grotius's Origin: The Marriage of Cornelius Cornets with Ermengarda de Groot II. He has a Son named Hugo de Groot III. Life of Cornelius de Groot IV. Life of John de Groot V. Birth of Grotius VI. Great hopes conceived of him when a boy VII. State of affairs in the United Provinces VIII. Embassy from the States to Henry IV. of France; Grotius accompanies the Ambassadors; is very graciously received by the king