(April 10, 1583–August 28, 1645), was a Dutch jurist, theologian and statesman, who was considered the founder of the science of International Law. In 1607, being 24 years old, he was appointed Advocate General for the provinces of Holland and Zealand. In 1613, at the age of 30, he became the Chief Magistrate of Rotterdam. In 1619, Prince Maurice of Nassau sentenced him to life imprisonment for his support of the Arminian faith. Three years later, with his wife’s help, he escaped to France hidden in a linen chest. Hugo Grotius (or Huig de Groot in the Dutch language), published De Jure Belli et Pacis (On the Law of War and Peace), in 1625, which was a study of the laws of mankind in reference to individuals, nations and states. From 1635 till his death he served as the Swedish ambassador to France. President James Madison described him as:
The father of the modern code of nations.169
In his work, On the Law of War and Peace, Hugo Grotius stated:
Among all good men one principle at any rate is established beyond controversy, that if the authorities issue any order that is contrary to the law of nature or to the commandments of God, the order should not be carried out. For when the Apostles said that obedience should be rendered to God rather than men, they appealed to an infallible rule of action, which is written in the hearts of all men.170
If it were not permitted to punish certain Criminals with Death, nor to defend the Subject by Arms against Highwaymen and Pyrates, there would of Necessity follow a terrible Inundation of Crimes, and a Deluge of Evils, since even now that Tribunals are erected, it is very difficult to restrain the Boldness of profligate Persons.
Wherefore if it had been the Design of CHRIST to have introduced a new Kind of Regulation, as was never heard of before, he would certainly have declared in most distinct and plain Words, that none should pronounce Sentence of Death against a Malefactor, or carry Arms in Defence of one’s Country.171
Especially, however, Christian kings and states are bound to pursue this method of avoiding wars. … Both for this and for other reasons it would be advantageous to hold certain conferences of Christian powers, where those who have no interest at stake may settle the disputes of others, and where, in fact, steps may be taken to compel parties to accept peace on fair terms.172
Hugo Grotius stated:
He knows not how to rule a kingdome, that cannot manage a Province; nor can he wield a Province, that cannot order a City; nor he order a City, that knows not how to regulate a Village; nor he a Village, that cannot guide a Family; nor can that man Govern well a Family that knows not how to Govern himselfe; neither can any Govern himselfe unless reason be Lord, Will and Appetite her Vassals: nor can Reason rule unlesse herselfe be ruled by God, and (wholy) be obedient to Him.173
In the closing remarks of The Rights of War and Peace, Grotius wrote:
May God, who alone hath the power, inscribe these teachings on the hearts of those who hold sway over the Christian would. may He grant to them a mind possessing knowledge of divine and human law, and having ever before it the reflection that it hath been chosen as a servant for the rule of man, the living thing most dear to God.174
In his Commentary on the Law of Prize and Booty, Hugo Grotius stated:
Whatever God has shown to be his will that is Law.175
In his second work, The Truth of the Christian Religion, Hugo Grotius wrote:
There is no reason for Christians to doubt the credibility of these Books (of the Bible), because there are testimonies in our books out of almost every one of them, the same as they are found in the Hebrew.
Nor did Christ, when He reproved many things in the teachings of the Law, and in the Pharisees of His time, ever accuse them of falsifying the Books of Moses and the Prophets, or of using supposititious or altered books.
And it can never be proved, or made credible, that after Christ’s time the Scripture should be corrupted in anything of moment, if we consider how far and wide the Jewish nation, who everywhere kept these Books, was dispersed over the whole world.176
The design of the second book (after having put up our petitions to Christ the King of Heaven, that he would afford us such assistances of His Holy Spirit, as may render us sufficient for so great a business) is … to show that the Christian religion is most true and certain.177