Matthew Slade
Encyclopedia
Matthew Slade (1569–1628) was an English nonconformist minister and royal agent, in the Netherlands by 1600 and active there in the Contra-Remonstrant cause.
, he was second son of John Slade (d. 1574), rector of South Perrot, who married in 1567 Joan, daughter of John Owsley of Misterton, Somerset
. His elder brother Samuel Slade (1568–1612?) graduated B.A. at Oxford 1586, M.A. 1594, became vicar of Embleton, Northumberland
, but resigned the living to travel in Europe and the east in search of manuscripts, and died in Zante before 1613.
Matthew matriculated at St Alban Hall on 29 October 1585, and graduated B.A. on 13 January 1589. He taught a school in Devon
.
, where he earned a living as a teacher and librarian. He became part of the city's intellectual life, and made a reputation as a controversialist.
and Hugh Broughton
. He also associated with the printer and Arabist Jan Theunisz, who was a Mennonite
. Slade worked as assistant master in the Latin school in Koestraat from 1598, becoming rector there in 1602. As a scholar, Slade was on good terms with Isaac Casaubon
, Gerard Vossius, and Joseph Justus Scaliger
.
congregation in Amsterdam, with Daniel Studley and George Knyviton. This was the so-called Ancient Church, of Ainsworth, Francis Johnson
and George Johnson. Slade then withdrew from the Brownist congregation, which excommunicated him; one of the points at issue was the Dutch approach to infant baptism
. In 1605 he helped set up the English Reformed Church in Amsterdam
, though he was not himself a member of it; Slade lobbied to have Broughton as minister there, but Broughton preferred Middelburg
. John Paget
took the position. Slade joined the Dutch Reformed Church
, and in 1611 an attempt to have him as an elder of the English Reformed Church failed. In 1618 Slade was reconciled in Amsterdam with Francis Johnson, who had moved to Emden
, and who died soon after.
was appointed successor to Jacobus Arminius
as theological professor at the University of Leiden, Slade wrote an attack on him, Cum Conrado Vorstio (1612), the second volume being published by his associate Jodocus Hondius the Younger. Vorstius was compelled by the States of Holland
, at James I's instigation, to quit Leiden in 1612.
Vorstius had been dislodged from his chair at Leiden, but the debate around him was by no means over. Hugo Grotius
, the prominent Remonstrant, had visited England in 1613, and Dutch Calvinist preachers wished to diminish his influence there. Johannes Regius of London prompted Slade to act; via Simon Ruytingius in London a copy of a book by Lubbertus against Vorstius reached George Abbot. Later in the year Ralph Winwood
and Horace Vere
paid an extended call to Slade to obtain his views. Slade was also closely involved with the preparation of the Responsio ad Pietatem Hugonis Grotii of Lubbertus which was a reply to the Ordinum Pietas of Grotius, supplying corrections, asking for a sharper attack, and involving Petrus Plancius
and Festus Hommius
.
As a side issue, the reputation of Erasmus was called into question by Slade, who associated him polemically with some heretical positions, while suggesting he would have enjoyed his popularity with the Remonstrant faction. Grotius defended Erasmus as a true reformer; in private to Vossius he wrote that Slade was best ignored. Grotius and Vossius were both outraged by the imputations, in the second part of Slade's attack on Vorstius, but it was Caspar Barlaeus
who blasted Slade in his Bogermannus elenchomenos (1615).
In 1614 Slade was involved in further controversy with Rem Bisschop, another Remonstrant, at the house of his relation by marriage Plancius. When the debate became important to diplomacy, Slade passed intelligence to Sir Dudley Carleton, who was English ambassador at The Hague
from 1616. Slade sent to Carleton a work on the Arminian controversy early in 1618. He went to Francis Johnson's funeral, and reported to Carleton on Johnson's final views on Arminianism, as presented in his book The Christian Plea. The older interpretations, by Edward Arber
and Henry Morton Dexter
, of Slade's testimony about Johnson have been contested.
Slade also kept in touch with John Robinson
and his congregation. He acted as an intermediary with John Burges
, a critic of Robinson. In September 1619 Carleton wished to track down William Brewster
, the future Pilgrim Father; Slade located him as somewhere in Leiden.
. She died in 1608. He then married, later in the year, Suzanna de Kampenaer, who was step-daughter of Petrus Plancius
. They had four children, before Suzanna died in 1614. He married twice more.
Slade's son Cornelius Slade, born at Amsterdam on 14 October 1599, was professor of Hebrew and other languages there, and became rector of the academy on 9 May 1628, perhaps following his father. He married Gertrude, daughter of Luke Ambrose, an English preacher there, and was father of Matthew Slade (1628–1689), born 9 June 1628 in England, who became a physician. Under the anagram of Theodorus ‘Aldes,’ Matthew wrote ‘Dissertatio epistolica de Generatione Animalium contra Harveium’ (Amsterdam, 1666; reprinted twice at Frankfurt in 1668), and was author of several medical treatises. Matthew died on 20 December 1689.
Attribution
Early life
Born at South Perrot in DorsetDorset
Dorset , is a county in South West England on the English Channel coast. The county town is Dorchester which is situated in the south. The Hampshire towns of Bournemouth and Christchurch joined the county with the reorganisation of local government in 1974...
, he was second son of John Slade (d. 1574), rector of South Perrot, who married in 1567 Joan, daughter of John Owsley of Misterton, Somerset
Misterton, Somerset
Misterton is a village and civil parish south-east of Crewkerne, Somerset, England.-History:The village was previously known as Minsterton as a result of its links with the "mother church" in Crewkerne....
. His elder brother Samuel Slade (1568–1612?) graduated B.A. at Oxford 1586, M.A. 1594, became vicar of Embleton, Northumberland
Embleton, Northumberland
Embleton village in the English county of Northumberland is about half-a-mile from the bay that carries its name. The sandy beach is backed by dunes where a variety of flowers bloom: bluebells, cowslips, burnet roses and, to give it its common name, bloody cranesbill, amongst others. Dunstanburgh...
, but resigned the living to travel in Europe and the east in search of manuscripts, and died in Zante before 1613.
Matthew matriculated at St Alban Hall on 29 October 1585, and graduated B.A. on 13 January 1589. He taught a school in Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
.
In Amsterdam
About 1597 he went to AmsterdamAmsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
, where he earned a living as a teacher and librarian. He became part of the city's intellectual life, and made a reputation as a controversialist.
Teacher and scholar
Slade met others with similar linguistic interests: Henry AinsworthHenry Ainsworth
-Life:He was born of a farming family of Swanton Morley, Norfolk. He was educated at Caius College, Cambridge, and, after associating with the Puritan party in the Church, eventually joined the Separatists....
and Hugh Broughton
Hugh Broughton
Hugh Broughton was an English scholar and theologian.-Early life:He was born at Owlbury, Bishop's Castle, Shropshire. He calls himself a Cambrian, implying Welsh blood in his veins. He was educated by Bernard Gilpin at Houghton-le-Spring and at Magdalene College, Cambridge, where he matriculated...
. He also associated with the printer and Arabist Jan Theunisz, who was a Mennonite
Mennonite
The Mennonites are a group of Christian Anabaptist denominations named after the Frisian Menno Simons , who, through his writings, articulated and thereby formalized the teachings of earlier Swiss founders...
. Slade worked as assistant master in the Latin school in Koestraat from 1598, becoming rector there in 1602. As a scholar, Slade was on good terms with Isaac Casaubon
Isaac Casaubon
Isaac Casaubon was a classical scholar and philologist, first in France and then later in England, regarded by many of his time as the most learned in Europe.-Early life:...
, Gerard Vossius, and Joseph Justus Scaliger
Joseph Justus Scaliger
Joseph Justus Scaliger was a French religious leader and scholar, known for expanding the notion of classical history from Greek and Ancient Roman history to include Persian, Babylonian, Jewish and Ancient Egyptian history.-Early life:He was born at Agen, the tenth child and third son of Italian...
.
Church member
Slade became one of the first elders of the BrownistBrownist
The Brownists were English Dissenters and followers of Robert Browne who was born at Tolethorpe Hall in Rutland, England in about 1550.-Origins:...
congregation in Amsterdam, with Daniel Studley and George Knyviton. This was the so-called Ancient Church, of Ainsworth, Francis Johnson
Francis Johnson (Brownist)
Francis Johnson was an English presbyterian separatist minister, pastor to an English exile congregation in the Netherlands.-Early life:...
and George Johnson. Slade then withdrew from the Brownist congregation, which excommunicated him; one of the points at issue was the Dutch approach to infant baptism
Infant baptism
Infant baptism is the practice of baptising infants or young children. In theological discussions, the practice is sometimes referred to as paedobaptism or pedobaptism from the Greek pais meaning "child." The practice is sometimes contrasted with what is called "believer's baptism", or...
. In 1605 he helped set up the English Reformed Church in Amsterdam
English Reformed Church, Amsterdam
The English Reformed Church is one of the oldest buildings in Amsterdam, situated in the centre of the city. It is home to an English-speaking congregation which is affiliated to the Church of Scotland and to the Protestant Church in the Netherlands...
, though he was not himself a member of it; Slade lobbied to have Broughton as minister there, but Broughton preferred Middelburg
Middelburg
Middelburg is a municipality and a city in the south-western Netherlands and the capital of the province of Zeeland. It is situated in the Midden-Zeeland region. It has a population of about 48,000.- History of Middelburg :...
. John Paget
John Paget
John Paget was an English nonconforming clergyman, who became pastor at the English Reformed Church, Amsterdam.-Life:He was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge, proceeding B.A. in 1595, and M.A. in 1598. After having held some other benefices, he was appointed in 1598 rector of Nantwich....
took the position. Slade joined the Dutch Reformed Church
Dutch Reformed Church
The Dutch Reformed Church was a Reformed Christian denomination in the Netherlands. It existed from the 1570s to 2004, the year it merged with the Reformed Churches in the Netherlands and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Kingdom of the Netherlands to form the Protestant Church in the...
, and in 1611 an attempt to have him as an elder of the English Reformed Church failed. In 1618 Slade was reconciled in Amsterdam with Francis Johnson, who had moved to Emden
Emden
Emden is a city and seaport in the northwest of Germany, on the river Ems. It is the main city of the region of East Frisia; in 2006, the city had a total population of 51,692.-History:...
, and who died soon after.
Religious controversialist and informant
Slade threw himself into the Arminian controversy. He corresponded with the Contra-Remonstrant leader Sibrand Lubbertus at Franeker University from 1611 to 20 August 1620. When in 1611 Conrad VorstiusConrad Vorstius
Conrad Vorstius was a German-Dutch Protestant Remonstrant theologian, and successor to Jacobus Arminius in the theology chair at Leiden.-Early life:...
was appointed successor to Jacobus Arminius
Jacobus Arminius
Jacobus Arminius , the Latinized name of the Dutch theologian Jakob Hermanszoon from the Protestant Reformation period, served from 1603 as professor in theology at the University of Leiden...
as theological professor at the University of Leiden, Slade wrote an attack on him, Cum Conrado Vorstio (1612), the second volume being published by his associate Jodocus Hondius the Younger. Vorstius was compelled by the States of Holland
States of Holland
The States of Holland and West Frisia were the representation of the two Estates to the court of the Count of Holland...
, at James I's instigation, to quit Leiden in 1612.
Vorstius had been dislodged from his chair at Leiden, but the debate around him was by no means over. Hugo Grotius
Hugo Grotius
Hugo Grotius , also known as Huig de Groot, Hugo Grocio or Hugo de Groot, was a jurist in the Dutch Republic. With Francisco de Vitoria and Alberico Gentili he laid the foundations for international law, based on natural law...
, the prominent Remonstrant, had visited England in 1613, and Dutch Calvinist preachers wished to diminish his influence there. Johannes Regius of London prompted Slade to act; via Simon Ruytingius in London a copy of a book by Lubbertus against Vorstius reached George Abbot. Later in the year Ralph Winwood
Ralph Winwood
Sir Ralph Winwood was an English diplomat and politician.-Life:He was born at Aynhoe in Northamptonshire and educated at St John's College, Oxford....
and Horace Vere
Horace Vere
Sir Horace Vere, 1st Baron Vere of Tilbury was an English military leader during the Eighty Years' War and the Thirty Years' War, a son of Geoffrey Vere and brother of Francis Vere. He was sent to the Palatinate by James I in 1620...
paid an extended call to Slade to obtain his views. Slade was also closely involved with the preparation of the Responsio ad Pietatem Hugonis Grotii of Lubbertus which was a reply to the Ordinum Pietas of Grotius, supplying corrections, asking for a sharper attack, and involving Petrus Plancius
Petrus Plancius
Petrus Plancius was a Dutch astronomer, cartographer and clergyman. He was born as Pieter Platevoet in Dranouter, now in Heuvelland, West Flanders. He studied theology in Germany and England...
and Festus Hommius
Festus Hommius
-Life:He was born into a noted Frisian family. He studied from 1593 at the University of Franeker under Sibrandus Lubbertus, travelled in 1595 to the Huguenot stronghold of La Rochelle and completed his studies from 1596 at the University of Leiden. Around 1597 Hommius became preacher of Warmond,...
.
As a side issue, the reputation of Erasmus was called into question by Slade, who associated him polemically with some heretical positions, while suggesting he would have enjoyed his popularity with the Remonstrant faction. Grotius defended Erasmus as a true reformer; in private to Vossius he wrote that Slade was best ignored. Grotius and Vossius were both outraged by the imputations, in the second part of Slade's attack on Vorstius, but it was Caspar Barlaeus
Caspar Barlaeus
Caspar Barlaeus was a Dutch polymath and Renaissance humanist, a theologian, poet, and historian.-Life:...
who blasted Slade in his Bogermannus elenchomenos (1615).
In 1614 Slade was involved in further controversy with Rem Bisschop, another Remonstrant, at the house of his relation by marriage Plancius. When the debate became important to diplomacy, Slade passed intelligence to Sir Dudley Carleton, who was English ambassador at The Hague
The Hague
The Hague is the capital city of the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. With a population of 500,000 inhabitants , it is the third largest city of the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam...
from 1616. Slade sent to Carleton a work on the Arminian controversy early in 1618. He went to Francis Johnson's funeral, and reported to Carleton on Johnson's final views on Arminianism, as presented in his book The Christian Plea. The older interpretations, by Edward Arber
Edward Arber
Edward Arber was an English academic and writer.Arber was born in London. From 1854 be 1878 he worked as a clerk in the Admiralty, and began evening classes at King's College London in 1858. From 1878 to 1881 he lectured in English, under Prof. H...
and Henry Morton Dexter
Henry Morton Dexter
Henry Morton Dexter was an American clergyman, historian, and editor, born in Manchester, New Hampshire, son of Henry Martyn Dexter...
, of Slade's testimony about Johnson have been contested.
Slade also kept in touch with John Robinson
John Robinson (pastor)
John Robinson was the pastor of the "Pilgrim Fathers" before they left on the Mayflower. He became one of the early leaders of the English Separatists, minister of the Pilgrims, and is regarded as one of the founders of the Congregational Church.-Early life:Robinson was born in Sturton le Steeple...
and his congregation. He acted as an intermediary with John Burges
John Burges
John Burges was an English clergyman and physician. He held nuanced reformist views on the vexed questions of the time, on clerical dress and church ceremonies. His preaching offended James I of England, early in his reign, and Burges went abroad for medical training...
, a critic of Robinson. In September 1619 Carleton wished to track down William Brewster
William Brewster (Pilgrim)
Elder William Brewster was a Mayflower passenger and a Pilgrim colonist leader and preacher.-Origins:Brewster was probably born at Doncaster, Yorkshire, England, circa 1566/1567, although no birth records have been found, and died at Plymouth, Massachusetts on April 10, 1644 around 9- or 10pm...
, the future Pilgrim Father; Slade located him as somewhere in Leiden.
Family
Slade married, on 20 September 1593, Alethea (Allis), daughter of Richard Kirford, near HonitonHoniton
Honiton is a town and civil parish in East Devon, situated close to the River Otter, north east of Exeter in the county of Devon. The town's name is pronounced in two ways, and , each pronunciation having its adherents...
. She died in 1608. He then married, later in the year, Suzanna de Kampenaer, who was step-daughter of Petrus Plancius
Petrus Plancius
Petrus Plancius was a Dutch astronomer, cartographer and clergyman. He was born as Pieter Platevoet in Dranouter, now in Heuvelland, West Flanders. He studied theology in Germany and England...
. They had four children, before Suzanna died in 1614. He married twice more.
Slade's son Cornelius Slade, born at Amsterdam on 14 October 1599, was professor of Hebrew and other languages there, and became rector of the academy on 9 May 1628, perhaps following his father. He married Gertrude, daughter of Luke Ambrose, an English preacher there, and was father of Matthew Slade (1628–1689), born 9 June 1628 in England, who became a physician. Under the anagram of Theodorus ‘Aldes,’ Matthew wrote ‘Dissertatio epistolica de Generatione Animalium contra Harveium’ (Amsterdam, 1666; reprinted twice at Frankfurt in 1668), and was author of several medical treatises. Matthew died on 20 December 1689.
External links
Attribution