and youth of the place, who, at his first coming there, were quite ignorant of every thing, could not only give a judicious account in the principal heads in divinity, but could also confirm and support the account they gave with numerous and pertinent quotations from Scripture: And, when they came home from church, and were, at any time, questioned as to the sermon they had heard, they could, without any trouble, recapitulate the chief particulars of the discourse, its subject, 'divisions, doctrines, and improvements.

When the fame of our learned and able pastor began to reach far and wide, he received an invitation from the church of Wormeren, in the same province of North Holland, to be their minister: a church famous for its numbers, but, at that time, sadly harassed with intestine. jars and divisions; and who, therefore, thought they could not choose a pastor more capable of edifying his flock, and of calming their dissensions, than Witsius. To this call of their's he acceded, and undertook the ministry of that church in the month of October 1661, and the twentyfifth year of his age. Here he staid four years and an half: So reconciling all parties, and building them up in the knowledge of Christ, and the obedience of faith, that on the one hand, he had the comfort to see himself the object of his people's most affectionate regard; and, on the other, that his pious and pacific labours were not in vain in the Lord. He was afterwards called to Goös, in Zealand. While he continued here, he enjoyed such opportunities of study and retirement, and was, in all respects, so comfortably situate, that he would often declare, afterwards, he never spent his time with greater pleasure and improvement. From this place he was removed to Leuwarden, the capital of Friesland, in April 1668. During his stay at Leuwarden, it can scarce be conceived with what vigilance, faithfulness, and prudence, he laid himself out for the edification, comfort, and discreet guidance of that church: which was a matter of the greater difficulty, as the public affairs were in a very critical and precarious situation; the United Provinces being at that time engaged in a dangerous war, and the enemy making frequent inroads into their territories.

In the year 1675, that learned divine, John Melchoir Steinberg, professor of theology in the university of Franeker, departed to a better world; and, that they might the better repair so great a loss, the university made choice of Witsius to fill up the vacant professorship; especially,

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as they had abundant experience of his integrity and great abilities, during his seven years residence in their province of Friesland. And, which seemed to add still greater weight to their invitation, and made it appear yet more providential, the church at Franeker being, about the same time, deprived of one of their pastors, embraced the present occasion of calling him to be over them. Witsius, on the offer of these two important charges, repaired to Franeker; and, after the university had conferred on him the degree of doctor in divinity, he was solemnly invested with the professorship on the 15th of April 1675, having first, as is customary, delivered a most excellent oration De vero Theologo, to the great satisfaction of a vast auditory, who flocked to Franeker, on this occasion, from all parts of the province. During his presidency, the university was remarkably thronged with students; many who were designed for the ministry, repairing thither, on his account, from various parts of Europe; who, having finished their studies under his tutorage and direction, returned back to their own several countries, equally built up in piety, and advanced in learning. And, that he might be defective in no part of his duty, but every way answer the large expectations of those who promoted bim, he had scarce entered on his professorship, before he began (surrounded as he was with business of great importance, both public and private, all which he faithfully and ably discharged) to set about writing; and published, in a very short space, (besides some select academical disputations, and a smaller discourse) two learned and pretty large treatises in Latin; to wit, his immortal book on the Economy of the Covenants, and his Exercitations on the Apostles' Creed. These had a prodigious sale, being soon vended throughout Holland and all Europe; and, going through several editions, were read with great applause and admiration of their author. About this time, he became acquainted with the famous John Marck; (afterwards his colleague) who, being originally a native of Friesland, though educated at Leyden, after he had finished his studies there, now returned to his own country: And Witsius having, by authority from the ecclesiastical synod, examined him as to his abilities for the ministry, solemnly set him apart as pastor of the church at Midluman, situate between Franeker and Harlingen. Soon af ter, Marck commenced D. D. and was, by Witsius's influence with the prince and senate, made ordinary professor of divinity in Franeker, A. D. 1676. Friesland,

Friesland, thus happily possessed of so inestimable a treasure as Witsius, began to be the envy of the neighbouring states and universities, who were each desirous of enjoying so eminent aman themselves. The University of Groningen was the first that invited him to leave his settlement at Franeker: for, having lost their great professor, James Altingius, they scarce knew where to avail themselves of a successor equally capable of discharging the several weighty duties of theological and philological professor, and likewise that of being pastor of the university-church. Wherefore, in the latter end of the year 1679, they deputed a reverend and learned member of their society, to wait on Witsius at Franeker, who offered him very advantageous terms, if he would remove to Groningen. Witsius, immediately, communicated the proposal to the prince, and to the heads of the University of Franeker, and desired their advice. They, with one voice, testifying the great esteem in which they held him, and uniting in a most earnest request, that he would not think of leaving them; he, very modestly and respectfully, excused himself to the University of Gronin gen.

In the beginning of the year 1680, the University of Utrecht (their professor, Burman, being dead) looked out for some eminent person to make up his loss; and, without much hesitation, fixed their eyes on Witsius for this pur pose. In order to prevail with him to accept the overture, they dispatched an honourable deputation to Franeker, by whom they importuned him to come over to Utrecht, and adorn that church and university with his residence.

Although Witsius was cordially attached to Friesland, as being the place of his nativity, and where he had spent the major part of his life; yet, from the love he bore to Utrecht, the place of his education, the messengers had not much difficulty in gaining his consent. Therefore, being, with great reluctance on their part, dismissed by the University of Franeker, he repaired to Utrecht; where he and the famous Triglandius were jointly invested with the ministry of that church, on the 25th of April 1680, and four days after, he commenced divinity professor; having, first delivered a most elegant oration (afterwards printed,) De Præstantia Veritatis Evangelica. In this elevated station, he continued more than twenty-two years: During which time, it is incredible with what application and success he guided the affairs both of the church and university; each of which flourished exceedingly, under his faithful and laborious administration. He was singularly

happy

happy in his colleagues: having, for his assessors in the university, those illustrious divines, Peter Mastricht, Melchior Leidecker, and Herman Halenius. For his assistants in the church, he had many, equally eminent for piety, learning, zeal, and moderation: Among whom were Peter Eindhovius, and John Ladstrager, formerly his colleagues in the church at Leuwarden. He had, likewise, in the university, beside those already mentioned, that great linguist, John Leusden, formerly his tutor; together with Gerard Uriesius, and John Luitsius, both very eminent in philosophy, and to whose care, for instruction in matters purely literary, those youth were committed who were designed for the ministry.

His congregation at church consisted chiefly of the magistrates and inhabitants of the city; who were all no less edified, than astonished, at the energy which accompanied his preaching, and the masterly freedom and propriety of his elocution. As a public and private tutor, he had a most numerous circle of excellent youths, who flocked, on his account, to Utrecht, from every part of the protestant world; and who hung, with no less rapture than improvement, on his learned, pious, and eloquent lips. Even his private lectures were attended, daily, not only by these his pupils, but likewise by great numbers of doctors in divinity, and professors of the several sciences.

This great man, therefore, seeing his labours crowned with such abundant success, spared no pains nor fatigues, whereby he might advance the interests, and diffuse the knowledge, of religion and learning. In consequence of this, he would spend many nights totally without sleep: nor was he content with serving the church and the university, by preaching, lecturing, conversing, and disputing in the public halls, but committed his treasures of knowledge to writing, and published many books truly invaluable, which will transmit his name with renown to succeeding generations: nor can they ever sink into oblivion, so long as true religion, unaffected elegance, and profound literature, have a friend left in the world. The people of Utrecht, from the highest to the lowest, were thoroughly sensible of the worth of such a man: whence we find them heaping all the honours upon him, which, as a minister, he was capable of receiving. He had always the precedence given him in their synods, and was twice honoured with the supreme government and headship of the university: namely, in the years 1686 and 1697. Nor must we omit, that when, in the year