• Sandius Christopher, the son


    Sandius Christopher, the son

      

    Sandius Christopher,  the son of Christopher Sandius, (Germ. Sand,) was born October 12th, 1644, at Konigsberg. He received instruction in Greek and History from his father, from whom he also imbibed Arian opinions. He became a student in the University of Konigsberg in 1658, during the Rectorship of Thilo. In 1664, his father sent him to Oxford, to improve himself by reading and study. While there, he lodged in a house near Queen's College, and devoted himself almost exclusively to the perusal of such Antitrinitarian works as he could procure from the public library, and the different Colleges, or meet with in the booksellers' shops. When the elder Sandius was deprived of his two Secretaryships, in the year 1668, the son left Konigsberg, and settled at Amsterdam, where he procured a livelihood as a corrector of the press, and an author; and where he died, Nov. 30th, 1680, at the early age of thirty-six. His father survived him about six years.

    The author of "A Brief History of the Unitarians, called also Socinians," styles him "a gentleman of prodigious industry and reading, and no less ingenious than learned, " who " in all his books refuses in words to be called either Arian or Socinian; but has written an Ecclesiastical History in Quarto, with Addenda to it, Colonics, 1678, on purpose to prove that all antiquity was Arian; and that the Unitarian doctrine has been reduced so low by the persecutions of Rome, and the puissant arms of Charles the Great, and other kings of France, for which services they have been requited by the Roman Pontiff, with the titles of Most Christian Kings, and Eldest Sons of the Church."

    Most of the works of the younger Sandius are extremely rare. A list of them, originally prepared by Benedict Wissowatius, Jun., and inserted by him in Sandius's "Bibliotheca Antitrinitariorum," which was a posthumous work, was enlarged and illustrated with copious notes by Bock. The following account of them is abridged from the "Historia Antitrinitariorum" of the latter writer.

    1. Christopher the Son of Christopher Sandius's Nucleus of Ecclesiastical History; to which is prefixed a Treatise on ancient Ecclesiastical Writers. Cosmopolis, (another name for Amsterdam?) 1669, 8vo. This work is divided into three Books, the first extending from the time of Christ to the Council of Nice; the second, from the Council of Nice to that of Constantinople; and the third, from the Council of Constantinople to the seventeenth century. An enlarged edition, with a Preface by the author's father, appeared in 4to. and 8vo., A. D. 1676, purporting to have been printed at Cologne, by John Nicolai; and an Appendix, containing further additions, was published in 4to. a few years later. The real printer's name was Christopher Pezold, of Amsterdam. Bayle calls this work, not improperly, a history of Arianism. The author sent a copy of each part of the first edition, as it issued from the press at Amsterdam, where he then lived, to Konigsberg, with a request that it might be deposited in the library of the Elector of Brandenburg; and this copy, with the writer's autograph, is said to be still preserved in the Royal Library. Andrew Wissowatius wrote Animadversions upon Sandius's "Nucleus H. E.," but they have never yet seen the light. To the Appendix are subjoined three Letters. The first is an apologetical one by Sandius himself, addressed to Samuel Gardiner; the second is addressed by Gardiner to Sandius, and was written in defence of the Ante-Nicene Fathers; and the third contains Sandius's reply, in which he advocates the cause of Arianism. This correspondence arose out of a work, which Gardiner had published in opposition to Sandius, and which bore the following title. "Hypotyposis Catholicse circa Trinitatem Fidei ex Scriptis Patrum Ante-Nicenorum. Londini, 1677," 8vo. To Sandius's second Letter Gardiner replied; but his answer was not published till the year after Sandius's death. Among others, who attacked the "Nucleus H. E." of Sandius, were Mich. Walther, Bishop Bull, John Wil. Baier, Christopher Nifanius, Calovius and John Gottl. Moller.

    2. A Century of Epigrams. Amst. 1669, 8vo.

    3. Christopher the Son of Christopher Sandius's Peculiar Interpretations of the Four Gospels; to which is subjoined a Dissertation concerning the Word, with an Appendix. Cosmopolis, (Amsterdam,) 1669, 8vo.; 1670, 8vo. In this work the author, who was the elder Sandius, has entered upon a vindication of the Arian doctrine. To both editions are subjoined the "Dissertation" and " Appendix" above mentioned. The former was entitled,

    4. "Dissertation    , i. e. De Verbo." Upon this Dissertation Andrew Wissowatius wrote an attack, entitled, "Objections to the Opinion that the Son of God was created before the World;" to which he added, "A Defence of ' Objections,' &c." Sandius wrote a reply to each of these; but did not publish it.

    5. Appendix to the "Peculiar Interpretations." This Appendix was not published in a separate form.

    6. Christopher the Son of Christopher Sandius's Treatise concerning the Origin of the Soul. Cosmopolis, (Amsterdam,) 1671, 8vo. The opinion, which the author defends in this Treatise, is, that souls preexisted in a happy state, before the bodies which they have since inhabited. Andrew Wissowatius drew up a reply to Sandius's arguments; but his answer was not published. Other replies were written by Dan. Zwicker, James Thomasius, and Balth. Bebelius.

    7. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of England from the Year 1665 to 1669, written by Henry Oldenburg, Secretary to the Royal Society, and translated from English into Latin by C. S. Amsterdam, 1674, 12mo.; Leipz. 1675, 4to. The first edition contains a Preface by the translator, which is omitted in the second edition.

    8. Notes and Animadversions upon Gerhard John Vossius's Three Books concerning the Latin Historians. Amsterdam, 1677, 12mo. These "Notes and Animadversions" are described by John Albert Fabricius as rare, learned and accurate; and as throwing a clear light upon an infinite number of passages in Vossius. In his Supplements to Vossius's work, Fabricius republished them, together with the Gleanings of Mallinkrott, Nogarola and Hallervord.

    9. Continuation of the "Notes and Animadversions upon Vossius's Books concerning the Latin Historians." This was a fragment, and remained in manuscript.

    10. A Confession of Faith concerning God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, according to Scripture. Lat. A French version of this piece was published, under the title, "Confession du Foy de Dieu le Pere, du Fils, et du S. Esprit, conformément a l'Ecriture: traduit du Latin: a Leyde, chez Jean Le Francois, 1678," 12mo. Sandius's name is not prefixed to this "Confession;" but as it was found, after his death, among his own books, written out in Latin by his own hand, there is scarcely a doubt but it proceeded originally from his pen.

    11. Scripture the Revealer of the Sacred Trinity, by Hermann Cingallus. Gouda, (Amsterdam,) 1678, 12mo. The object of this work is the same as that of No. 1; but here Sandius defends himself chiefly against the arguments of Gardiner. He endeavours to prove, that all the Fathers of the first three centuries after Christ held, and taught the same opinions as Arius, and therefore that the coessentiality, coeternity and coequality of the three persons of the Trinity cannot be proved from apostolic tradition. Calovius replied to the arguments of Sandius, in a work published at Wittenberg, A. D. 1680.

    12. C. C. S.'s Singular Problem respecting the Holy Spirit, Whether or not may be understood by it a Kind of Holy Angels? together with a Refutation of the Opinion of the Socinians, who deny the Personality of the Holy Spirit. Cologne, (Rotterdam,) 1678, 8vo. The view taken of the Holy Spirit in this curious work must not be confounded with that of John Biddle, who thought that the Holy Spirit was God's chief ministering Angel; for Sandius argues, that by "the Holy Spirit" is meant, not one angelic being, but many,—and that the term embraces a whole class of spiritual existences. Subjoined to this work of Sandius are additions by F. C, (Florian Crusius ?) containing a refutation of Sandius's arguments. Other replies were published by Christopher Wittichius, Justus Christopher Schomer, Buddeus, John Fred. Mayer, and Grapius.

    13. A Letter by a Friend of the Author of a " Singular Problem" to Mr. Christopher Gittichius, (or rather Wittichius,) &c, thanking him for his most learned Animadversions on the "Problem respecting the Holy Spirit," by which the said Author has been compelled to renounce his Errors. Cologne, (Rotterdam,) 8vo. No date.

    14. An Appendix to the "Nucleus Hist. Eccles.," containing Additions, Confirmations and Emendations. These are added to the correspondence between the author and Samuel Gardiner. (Vide No. 1.)

    15. Catalogues of the Patriarchs and Bishops of Jerusalem, Antioch, Alexandria, Ephesus, Smyrna, Sardis, Syria, Cacsarea in Palestine, Tyre, Byzantium and Constantinople. These were added to Andrew Wengierscius's " Hist. Eccles. Slavon." Amst. 1679, 4to.

    16. Two Papers, which he and his Father presented to the Divines of Konigsberg. (Vide Art. 296, No. 6 and 7.)

    17. A Book on the Restoration of Religion, or concerning the Monarchy of God, by Christian Sophodrus Vinerius. John Will. Baier replied to this Book in a Disputation " Concerning the Ancient and Modern Antitrinitarian Monarchians. Halle, 1695," 4to.

    18. Certain Theological Questions and Problems. MS.

    19. Expositions upon various Passages both of the Old and New Testament. MS.

    20. A Letter to Mr. John Ad. Scherzer. This Letter was inserted in the Preface to Scherzer's " Collegium AntiSocinianum."

    21. Some Mathematical Problems.

    22. Arguments on the Existence and Attributes of God. MS.

    23. A Compendium of Logic. Belg. MS.

    24. Against the Objections of Andrew Wissowatius concerning the Son of God created before the World, and afterwards incarnate. 1673. MS.

    25. On Matter, whether it is without Beginning, and coeval with God, or actually formed by him? A Disputation with N. N. MS. There seems to be a reference to this paper in one of the Anonymous Writings mentioned in Sandius's "Bibl. Ant." p. 179, under the title, "Demonstratio, quod materia mundi non sit initii expers, Deoque coaeterna; sed ah eo creata vel producta. MS." Bock suspects the author of this manuscript to have been either Andrew Wissowatius, or Daniel Zwicker.

    26. Substance of a Conversation, held in 1677 with Daniel Zwicker, concerning the Preexistence of the Lord Jesus Christ before his Birth of the Virgin. MS. Belg. In this Conversation Zwicker maintained the negative, and Sandius the affirmative side of the question.

    27. Notes upon And. Wissowatius's Objections concerning the Son of God created before the World, and afterwards incarnate. 1678.MS.

    28. Differences among Christians, from the Times of the Apostles, respecting God the Father, the Son of God, and the Holy Spirit. MS. Belg.

    29. On putting Restraints upon Conscience. MS. Belg. This was written in 1680, when a suitable occasion presented itself for some remarks upon this subject. Sandius's object is to shew, that no man ought to be punished on account of his religion.

    30. A Dutch translation of Andrew Wissowatius's "Stimuli Virtutum, Frena Peccatorum," which Sandius began, but was prevented by death from completing. MS.

    31. A Dialogue, the Speakers in which are Christopher, a Papist; Martin, a Lutheran; John, a Calvinist; George, a Calixtine; Abraham, a Fanatic; and Israel, a Jew. MS. An imperfect work.

    32. On the Opinions of Simon Magus, and the Advocates of them. MS. A work only just begun.

    33. Letters to different Persons. MSS.

    34. Bibliotheca Antitrinitariorum, or A Catalogue of Writers, and a succinct Account of the Life of those Authors, who, in the past and present Century, have either impugned the commonly - received Doctrine concerning three Persons every way equal in One God, or have taught that the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is the only True, or Most High God: a posthumous Work of Christopher the Son of Christopher Sandius. Some other Writings are added, the Order of which is given in the Page following the Preface: and all united exhibit a Compendium of the Ecclesiastical History of the Unitarians, commonly called Socinians. Freistadt, (Amst.,) sold by John Aconius. 1684, 8vo. Sandius composed this valuable little work about the year 1670. It was edited by Benedict Wissowatius, Jun., who wrote the Preface to it; and supplied the names, as he himself says, of seventy writers, who had been omitted by Sandius, besides contributing in other ways to the enlargement and completion of the work. The titles of the tracts forming the Appendix are as follow. I. John Stoinius's Epitome of the History of the Rise of the Unitarians in Poland (pp. 181—188). II. George Schomann's Last Will and Testament, containing a brief History of his Life, and various Ecclesiastical Acts (pp. 189—198). III. On the Printing Establishments of the Unitarians in Poland and Lithuania (pp. 199—202). IV. A Brief Narrative of the Martyrdom of John Tyscovicius (pp. 203— 206). V. Andrew Wissowatius's Compendious Narrative of the Separation of the Unitarian Christians from the Trinitarians of the Reformed Church in Poland; with an Appendix setting forth the History of Spiritus, the Dutchman (pp. 207—217). VI. The Letter of an anonymous Writer, exhibiting a brief History of the Life and Death of Andrew Wissowatius, and also of the Unitarian Churches in his Time (pp. 219—263). VII. The Unitarians' Claim to Religious Liberty in Poland: written by a Polish Knight (pp, 265—296).—In the "Bibliotheca Antitrinitariorum," Sandius follows the order of time, and does not, like Bock, arrange the names of the authors in alphabetical order. The work exhibits marks of uncommon care and diligence, but is not altogether free from errors. The biographical notices are generally short; but the author appears to have bestowed great pains upon the bibliographical part of his undertaking. Pfaff deems the "Bibliotheca" of Sandius an indispensable aid to the study of theological literature, in almost all its departments; and Reimannus says, that it is worthy of a careful reading, and nourishes within its bosom many literary, ecclesiastical, and other secrets. Vogt says, that the very learned Peter Adolphus Boysen contemplated a republication of this "Bibliotheca," with supplementary notes, emendations and additions of various kinds; and Bock has made it the basis of the first volume of his "Historja Antitrinitariorum."

    35. Fabricius says of Sandius, "He found John Gottl. Moller also an adversary against the Edition of the Greek New Testament:" but no vestige of this appears in the "Bibl. Ant."


    (Vidend. Sandii B. A. pp. 169—172. Moreri Diet . Hist. Art. Sande. Bock, Hist. Ant. T. I. pp. 744—760. Wood'a Fasti Oxon. 1664. Attaen. Oxon. II. 834. Mon. Rep. Vol. XIII. pp. 254, 255. A Brief History of the Unitarians, called also Socinians, 1687, pp. 35, 36. Vogt, Catal. Rar. Libr. pp. 200. 601. Wakhii Bibl. Theol . Sel. passim.)

     
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