This work was followed by two others on the same subject: _Votum pro pace ecclesiastica, contra examen Andreae Riveti_, and _Rivetiani Apologetici Discussio_: this last did not appear till after the author's death. He wrote, in 1638, a small piece, entitled: _De Canae administratione ubi Pastores non sunt, item an semper communicandum per symbola_. The design of this pernicious work is to shew, that Laymen, in the absence of Priests, and in cases of necessity, may do their office. Rigaut had already maintained this error, and been smartly attacked by M. De l'Aubepine, Bishop of Orleans: all the defenders of the hierarchy were scandalized at it, and Father Petau, among the Roman Catholics, and Dodwell, among the English Clergy, have refuted it. In the tract, _An semper communicandum per symbola_, the Arminians endeavour to maintain, that we are not obliged to communicate with such as require subscriptions to which we cannot assent without acting against our consciences. Grotius's design was to shew, that the Arminians might dispense with communicating with the Contra-Remonstrants, if these insisted on retractions. Another theological work of Grotius (of whose publication we cannot fix the time) is entitled: _Dissertatio historica ac politica de dogmatis & ritibus & gubernatione Ecclesiae Christianae, de dogmatis quae reipublicae noxia sunt, aut dicuntur._ In this piece he treats of the end of the priesthood, and the duties of the Priests: he places what relates to the distinction and unity of the three Persons, the two Natures, and their properties, among the points of which we may be ignorant without ceasing to be good Christians. It is probable this piece was written before those concerning Antichrist, the author appearing in it less favourably disposed towards the Roman Catholics and the Pope. It is apparent that Grotius had not sufficiently examined this subject, since he speaks of it in a manner so heterodox. He would not have held a language so opposite to Christianity, at, or after the time of his dispute with Rivetus. FOOTNOTES: [526] Ep. 416. p. 874. [527] Ep. 477. p. 890. [528] Ep. 480. p. 891. & 482. p. 891. [529] Ep. 485. p. 892. [530] Ep. 445. p. 895. 507. p. 901. 511. p. 902. & 514. p. 904. [531] Ep 61. p. 276. & 89. p. 415. XIII. Grotius, even whilst engaged in the dispute against the zealous Protestant Ministers, undertook to clear up the origin of the Americans; which enquiry involved him in a controversy that gave him much uneasiness. John de Laet of Antwerp, who had much studied these matters, printed Grotius's work, with Notes, under this title: _Joannis de Laet Antverpiani Notae ad dissertationem Hugonis Grotii de Origine gentium Americanarum, & Observationes aliquot ad meliorem indaginem difficillimae illius questionis. Amstelodami apud Ludovicum Elzevirium, anno 1643_[532].