William Ames

William Ames, also romanized Guilielmus Amesius (* 1576 in Ipswich, † November 14, 1633 in Rotterdam ) was an English Reformed theologian, who worked in the Netherlands in particular. He is not to be confused with the similarly long -acting in the Netherlands Quaker William Ames ( † 1662).

Life

Ames, son of a businessman, was brought up by his uncle Robert Snelling in the spirit of Puritanism. From 1594, he studied at Christ's College in Cambridge, among others, William Perkins ( 1558-1602 ), the leading theologians of the Puritans in the Church of England. After obtaining a master's degree in 1601 Ames was appointed a Fellow of Christ's College. After a sermon against the dissolute student life in December 1609, however, he had to give up this position. He was elected pastor of the church in Colchester, but not confirmed by London Bishop George Abbot. Because the position of the Puritans in England became increasingly difficult, he traveled the end of 1610 in the Netherlands. After a short stay in Leiden ( John Robinson) and Rotterdam ( disputation with the Arminians Nicolaas Grevinckhoven († 1632) ), he was appointed in 1613 to garrison preacher in the English troops in the Hague. At the Synod of Dort 1618/19 he took part as an observer for the Calvinist party and advised the president John Boger man.

1619 Ames was appointed supervisor of a student residence at the University of Leiden. The planned appointment as professor of theology at the University of Leiden foundered on the opposition of George Abbot. Instead, Ames 1622 Professor at the University of Franeker, where he had a lasting influence many students. In 1632 he became pastor of a refugee community in Rotterdam, but died shortly before the planned move to New England.

Work and significance

At the latest with the translation of the Scriptures » English Puritanism " of William Bradstaw (1610 ) Ames had emerged as a strong advocate of orthodox Calvinism and the austere puritanism. His theological magnum opus Medulla Theologica coined the leader of the " präzisistischen " direction in the Dutch Protestantism, Gisbert Voetius. At the same time, he influenced with his definition of conscience as an autonomous entity and its covenant theology the " Nadere Reformatie (Further Reformation ) " and is considered the founder of the Reformed Pietism. Especially Johannes Cocceius has taken him to that effect.

Writings (selection )

• Coronis ad collationem Hagiensem, qua argumenta pastorum Hollandiae adversus Remonstrantium quinque articulos de divina praedestinatione, et capitibus an adnexis, producta, from Horum exceptionibus vindicantur. Elzevir, Leiden 1618
• Medulla Theologica. Amsterdam 1623 ( English: The marrow of sacred divinity London 1642; edition. The marrow of theology Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Books, 1997. )
• Bellarminus Enervatus, immersive Disputationes anti- Bellarminianae. Amsterdam 1628
• De conscientia, et eius iure vel casibus: Libri quinque. . Amsterdam 1630 ( German: from the law concerning the conscience / and Of the same issuable cases: In v. books verfasset Nuremberg: Endter, 1654; English: Conscience with the power and cases thereof 1639 reprint Amsterdam [ ua]:. Theatrum Orbis Terratum [ ua], 1975)
• The substance of Christian religion: or, A plain and easie draft of the Christian catechisme. London 1659 ( Revision: A sketch of the Christian's catechism Grand Rapids, Mich.:. Reformation Heritage Books, 2008 )
• A fresh suit against human ceremonies in God's vvorship. [ Rotterdam ], 1633 (reprint: Springfield, Ill.: [ Scholarly Repr ], 2000)
• The workes of the Reverend and faithfull minister of Christ, William Ames. London: John Rothwell, 1643rd
• A declaration of the witness of God Manifested in me from my youth. S. L. 1656