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Nieuwentyt, Bernard

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

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a learned Dutch mathematician and philosophical writer, was born at Westgraafdyk, in Holland, Aug. 10, 1654. He was at first intended for the Church by his parents, but afterwards devoted himself to mathematics. He was one of the early opponents of infinitesimal calculus, and became involved in discussions with Leibnitz, Bernouilli, and Hermann. He died at Purmerend May 30, 1718. Among his works, those having a bearing on theology are, A Refutation of Spinoza. (Amst. 1720, 4to), and Het regt Gebruik der Werelt-beschouwingen (ibid. 1715, 1720, 1727, 4to). This work, very well conceived, but written in a tedious, diffuse style, was translated into English by Mr. Chamberlayne, a member of the Royal Society of London, under the title of The Christian Philosopher (Lond. 1719, 3 vols. 8vo); a French translation was afterwards published under the title of L'Existence de Dieu demonstrge par les merveilles de la nature (Paris, 1725, and Amst. 1760, 4to, with numerous plates), and also into German by J. A. Segner, Rechter Gebrauch d. Weltbetrachtung, etc. (Jena, — 1747, 4to). This work has led to a charge of plagiarism against Dr. Paley (q.v.), who stands accused of having embodied the principal argument of the Christian Philosopher in his Natural Theology without any acknowledgment. See L'Europe Savante, 8:394; Bibl. Bremensis, 2:356; Niceron, Memoires, vol. 13 and 20; Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, 38:68; Meth. Quar. Rev. Jan. 1849. (J. N. P.)