(Henry), professor of divinity at Heidelberg and Groningen, born at Embden, Feb. 17, 1583, of a family which had been long conspicuous in Friesland. His father, Menso Alting, was the first, who, with two others, preached the reformation in the territory of Groningen, about the year 1566, under the tyrannical government of the duke of Alva; and the first that preached in the great church of Groningen, after the reduction of that town by the States General in 1594. Henry was chosen, in 1605, preceptor to the three young counts of Nassau, Solms, and Izenberg. After various difficulties, he settled at Groningen, where he continued till his death, August 25, 1644. He was a sound protestant divine, a pious Christian, a useful member of society in many respects, and one who suffered much for the truth. Most of his works were never published; those which have been, are the following: Note in decudem problematum J. Behm, 1618. Loci communes explicatio catecheses Palatinae, 1646, in 3 vols. Exegesis Anglicana confit. 1647. Methodus theologica, 1650. It appears from the catalogue of his works annexed to his life, that the Medulla kifti prophane, published by D. Pareus, was composed by Alting. The most remarkable piece among Alting's MSS. is The ecclesiastical history of the Palatinate, from the reformation to the administration of John Casimir.

(James), son of the former, was born at Heidelberg, September 27, 1618. He travelled into England in 1640, where he was ordained by the learned Dr Prideaux, bishop of Worcester. He afterwards accepted of the professorship of Groningen, vacant by the death of Gomarus; but his situation was rendered very disagreeable by the continual disputes which he had with his colleague Sam. des Marets, who favoured the school-divinity. He made a pious exit, August 20, 1679, recommending the edition of his works to Menso Alting (author of Notitia German. Infer. Antiqua, fol. Amst. 1697); but they were published in 5 vols folio, with his life, by Mr Bekker of Amsterdam. They contain various analytical, exegetical, practical, problematical, and philosophical tracts, which shew his great industry and knowledge. Alting was a divine greatly addicted to the text of the scripture, to Cocceianism, and Rabbinitism. He preached well in German, Dutch, and English.