Prayer of Balthasar Lydius, at the opening session of the synod*
This resource presents a newly translated English version of Balthasar Lydius's opening prayer at the 1618 Synod of Dort, translated from the Dutch Acts of the Synod rather than from earlier partial English translations based on audience memory. The ornate Latin prayer, delivered on November 13, 1618, reflects deep Reformed theological language on creation, redemption, grace, and the person of Christ, making it a valuable primary source for understanding the spiritual climate and concerns of this pivotal Reformed gathering. The translation and editorial work by Kuiper and Schuringa makes this significant historical document more accessible to modern English readers.
*Translated and edited by Prof. Douglas Kuiper and Dr. H. David Schuringa. Balthasar Lydius was a Reformed minister in Dordrecht from 1602-1629, and was delegated by the Synod of South Holland to attend the great synod.[1] As the local pastor, two honors fell to him on November 13, 1618: that of preaching a Dutch sermon in the morning before the Synod opened, and that of opening the first session of the Synod with prayer. He prayed in Latin. A partial English translation of the prayer has been...
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