ARMINIUS, JAMES, the founder of the Arminian sect, was born at Oudewater, in Holland, in the year 1560. Having lost his father in infancy, he was befriend ed by a priest, who, though belonging to the church of Rome, had a strong attachment to the principles of the reformed. From this person, with whose name we are not acquainted, he received the first rudiments of learn ing, and experienced all the attention which his tender years and destitute situation required. While proceed ing with his education at Utrecht, death depriveu hun of his generous patron. Such an event, at such a time, could not fail to be detrimental to his interests. But he was prevented from feeling all its severity by the kind ness of his countryman Rodolphus Suellius, who took him under his protection, and, conducting hint to Mar purgh, assisted him in the prosecution of his studies. He had not been long at Marpurgh when he was inform ed, that the Spaniards had pil,aged Oudewater. in patient to ascertain the truth, and to learn the particulars of this afflicting intelligence, he immediately formed the resolution of repairing to the spot in person. At this time he was only fifteen years of age, in poor circum stances, at a great distance from Oudewater, obliged to travel all the way on foot, and without any purpose to serve, except the gratification of a curiosity at once ten der and distressing. But all this did not deter him from undertaking, nor hinder him from performing, the jour ney. On his arrival, he found the place of his nativity one scene of carnage and desolation. His mother, his sister, his brothers, all his relations, and the greater part of the inhabitants, had been cruelly put to the sword ; and every object that had been endeared to his infant mind stained with the blood of his fellow citizens and his kindred. Unable to endure the dismal sight, and overwhelmed with grief and melancholy, he instantly returned to Marpurgh. From Marpurgh he went to Leyden, where a university had been lately founded. During his residence there, he made great proficiency in the different branches of learning to which he applied, and by his good conduct acquired the respect and esteem of all who knew him. With the view of completing his
education, the magistrates of Amsterdam, at their own expense, sent him, in 1582, to Geneva, where he was chiefly employed in attending the lectures of Theodore Beza. But having given great offence to the leading members of the academy, by maintaining, and even teach ing the philosophy of Ramus, he soon found it expedient to leave that-city. He retired to Basil. There he was received with every mark of attention. Ile read public lectures with great applause ; and gave such universal satisfaction, that the Faculty of Divinity gratuitously of fered him a doctor's degree, which, however, he thought proper to decline. Returning to Geneva, he found that, during his absence, the violence of his adversaries had abated, and, unwilling to provoke them by a renewal of the controversy, he no longer contended with zeal for the superiority of Ramus over Aristotle. Soon after this, he gratified a desire, which he had long cherished, to visit Italy, and especially to hear the lectures of the celebrated James Zabarella at Padua. This journey, which occupied six or seven months,' had nearly alienat ed from him the affections of the people and magistrates of Amsterdam. It was wickedly reported by his ene mies, and weakly believed by many of his friends, that he had kissed the pope's toe, associated with the Jesuits, and even gone so far as to abjure the Protestant faith. ..Such imputations were sufficiently incredible and absurd; but the jealousy which was then entertained of the papal power made them colourable, and it required a consider able time, and great prudence on the part of Arminius, to wipe them away. By his private virtues, by his pul pit eloquence, and by his able vindications of that cause which he had been accused of deserting, he gradually delivered his character from obloquy, and regained the popularity which he had undeservedly lost.