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Arminius, and Calvin, embraced the same doctrines essential to salvation. Many of those who have strongly declaimed against Arminianism have been shamefully ignorant of the opinions held by Arminius, and have therefore grossly misrepresented, and unjustly abused him. On the points on which those eminent men, Arminius, and Calvin, differed, the members of the Wesleyan family, without pledging themselves to all the opinions of Arminius, confess, that they believe the sentiments avowed by him more accordant with the Word of God, than those maintained by Calvin. For these and

other reasons, our readers must feel highly interested in the history of the justly celebrated Arminius. We have therefore prepared the following brief memoir; the facts of which we have taken from his funeral oration, delivered by one of his co-professors, and from other historical records.

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ARMINIUS was born in Oudewater, a small town in Holland, in the year 1560. His family name was Hermans; but he in imitation of other learned men of that time, chose a Latin name for himself, and selected that of Arminius the celebrated German, who defeated the Romans and secured the freedom of Germany. The parents of Arminius were respectable people of the middle rank of life. His father, was by trade a cutler, and an ingenious artist. When Arminius was in infancy his father died. His widowed mother, as long as she survived, led a life of piety, and exercised the utmost frugality in the maintenance of herself and three fatherless children.

At the time of the death of the father of Arminius, a clergyman of great respectability, resided in the town. His name was Theodore Æmilius, and he was a man of eminent learning and piety. He had been brought to see the errors of Popery, and had determined never again to celebrate Mass. This clergyman undertook the charge of educating young Arminius, and had him instructed in the rudiments of the Latin and Greek languages. The patron of Arminius discovered in him traits of uncommon genius, and took frequent opportunities of exhorting him to devote himself to the service of God. Arminius was much affected by his advice and exhortations, and devoted himself to the study of the Scriptures, and earnestly sought to advance in personal holiness, and in the acquisition of useful knowledge. While Arminius was studying at Utrecht, to which place he had removed with Æmilius, his prospects were unexpectedly beclouded by the sudden death of his excellent patron.

Arminius was now only in his fifteenth year, but by a gracious providence he found another friend who furnished the means for his support. A gentleman whose name was Rudolph Snellins, a native of the town in which Arminius was born, visited Utrecht. By this means he became acquainted with the destitute circumstances in which Arminius was placed; and his feeling heart prompted him to become his benefactor. He accordingly became his protector, and in the year 1575, removed him to Marpurgh where he resided. Arminius had but just become comfortably settled with his new patron, when news arrived of the destruction of Oudewater. The Spaniards had besieged the town and taken it by storm. They had slain the troops and all the citizens that they could find, and burnt their dwellings. This intelligence so affected the heart of Arminius, as to cause him to spend the whole of fourteen days in weeping and lamentation. He then determined to go and see his native town. On his arrival he could discover nothing but heaps of rubbish; scarcely a single inhabitant had escaped the general carnage; his mother, sister, brother, and other relations had perished. He now with mournful steps returned to Marpurgh, performing the entire journey on foot.

In the year 1575, the Prince of Orange founded the University at Leyden, in Holland, as a reward for the bravery, and constancy of the inhabitants of the city, in resisting the Spanish troops who besieged the place. As soon as Arminius heard that the University was open for the reception of students, he desired to go there, and arrangements were made for that purpose. On his way he visited Rotterdam, and remained there for a short time. When he went to Leyden, he was

accompanied by Peter Bertius as a fellow student and both of them became professors in this University.

Arminius distinguished himself by his rapid progress in literature, and by the soundness of his judgment. After having studied during six years at Leyden, the Senate of Amsterdam, on account of his eminent talents and good conduct, took upon them the expense of sending him to the University at Geneva for his further improvement. When Arminius had reached that city, he went to hear the celebrated Beza, who was then engaged in expounding the Epistle to the Romans. After a short time spent at Geneva, Arminius removed to the University at Basle where he obtained great honours. It was then a custom, during the Autumnal recess, for some of the most accomplished undergraduates, to deliver public lectures on Theology. Arminius engaged in these exercises, and obtained the applause of his hearers and the thanks of one of the professors of the University. When he was about to return from Basle, to Geneva, the faculty of Theology in the University of Basle, offered him, at the public expense, the degree of Doctor, but he modestly declined its acceptance on account of his youth. In the year 1583, the authorities at Amsterdam, by whom his expenses were then defrayed, required testimonials from the professor at the University of Geneva, as to the conduct of Arminius. The following letter was sent to the Rev. Martin Lydius, by Beza, in answer to the enquiries sent to him :

DEAREST BROTHER,

"Your letter was some time since delivered to us, in which, both on account of the determination of your Church Assembly, and at the desire of their honours the Magistrates, you ask our opinion of James Arminius, the young man whom you have taken under your patronage. Although we returned an answer to that letter soon after we had received it, yet since in these perilous times that answer may never have reached you, and a favourable opportunity now offering itself for transmitting another copy by a safe courier, we have thought proper to write you a second answer, that no detriment may accrue to the studies of Arminius through our further delay.

To describe all in a few words, be pleased to take notice, that from the period when Arminius returned from Basle to us at Geneva, both his acquirements in learning and his manner of life have been so approved by us, that we form the highest hopes respecting him, if he proceed in the same course as that which he is now pursuing, and in which, we think, by the favour of God, he will continue. For the Lord has conferred on him, among other endowments, a happy genius for clearly perceiving the nature of things and forming a correct judgment upon them, which, if it be hereafter brought under the governance of piety, of which he shews himself most studious, will undoubtedly cause his powerful genius, after it has been matured by years and confirmed by his acquaintance with things, to produce a rich and most abundant harvest. These are our sentiments concerning Arminius, a young man, as far as we have been able to form a judgment of him, in no respect unworthy of your benevolence and liberality. T. BEZA."

Arminius in 1586, spent a few months in Italy, and visited the University of Padua, for the purpose of attending the lectures of a celebrated professor of Philosophy. He also went to Rome, and had his mind deeply impressed with the abominations which he there witnessed. His visit to Rome was made an occasion of raising slanderous reports concerning him, through which he incurred the temporary displeasure of the Senate of Amsterdam; but he was able afterwards satisfactorily to disprove the charges which had been brought against him. After his return from Italy, he spent a few months in Geneva; and in the autumn of 1587, was recalled to Amsterdam, to enter upon the work of the ministry.

Immediately upon the commencement of the ministry of Arminius in Amsterdam, he became exceedingly popular. His style was argumentative and perspicious, his voice melodious and flexible, and his powers of persuasion were extraordinary. It is said, that no man ever listened to his public discourses who did not confess himself to be greatly moved. By some persons he was designated "the file of truth;" by others, "a touch-stone for the men of genius;" or, "a razor to cut down the budding errors of the age." The learned and eloquent ministers of Amsterdam rendered homage to the talents of Arminius, acknowledging that by sitting under his ministry they derived great profit.

In consequence of the celebrity to which Arminius had attained, he was requested to write a reply to a pamphlet entitled "An answer to some of the arguments adduced by Beza and Calvin; from a Treatise concerning Predestination." Arminius was not unwilling to comply with the request. He therefore undertook the task, and entered upon the work. While he was engaged in preparing his reply, he found himself baffled by the evidence supporting the opinions which he had undertaken to refute. Ultimately he found himself obliged, by the force of Scripture testimony, to renounce those opinions on Predestination which were then held by Beza and Calvin; and he adopted the opinion, then held by Melancthon, that God's Predestination is to elect those who would answer, by the true obedience of faith, to the call of God.

This change of opinion occasioned many enemies to rise up against Arminius. Some were for publicly preferring charges of heterodoxy against him. But their impetuosity was restrained, by those who possessed more wisdom, higher authority and influence. He therefore continued to dwell with his colleagues in a state of fraternal union and friendship. He was highly esteemed for his candour, moderation, equanimity, and cheerful submission to the authority of Christ, as made known by his Word.

After he had been settled about two years at Amsterdam, and being in the thirtieth year of his age, he became united in marriage to Elizabeth, the daughter of Laurence Jacobson Real, one of the judges and senators of Amsterdam. This gentleman was one of the earliest assertors of religious liberty in Holland, and took a very active part in the interests of "The Reformation." The daughter of such a man was likely to become a true help-meet to Arminius; and such she proved to be. She possessed great genius, uncommon

firmness of mind, and invincible courage; for which, from the persecutions her husband had to endure, she had sufficient need. The issue of this marriage was seven sons and two daughters. Arminius had the pleasure of enjoying uninterrupted domestic happiness. His wife esteemed it as her highest felicity, to share the joys and sorrows of her husband.

The University of Leyden, in the year 1602, lost two of its professors, who were removed by death. Public attention was directed towards Arminius, as the most suitable person, to become the professor of divinity in that University. When application was made for his services, the inhabitants of Amsterdam refused their consent to his removal. Upon which, a deputation was sent from the University, and from the Prince of Orange, to prevail upon the Senate of Amsterdam to consent to the removal of Arminius. At length all the difficulties were overcome, and Arminius went to Leyden. Upon his arrival, the degree of doctor of divinity was conferred upon him; the first conferred by that University; and he forthwith entered upon his duties as professor of divinity in the University of Leyden. Upon his removal from Amsterdam, the Presbytery gave Arminius the following testimony of their approbation :

Since in the social intercourse of mankind, a consideration of equity alone, has, long since, required it to be established as a law, that they who had on any account deserved well of the Commonwealth, should be accounted worthy of singularly eminent commendation and honourable testimonials to the truth; more abundantly worthy of such an honour are those persons who labour in God's word, and who, with remarkable success, and to their singular praise, have during many years discharged the duties of the sacred ministry of the gospel in the church of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore, as JAMES ARMINIUS, Doctor of Divinity, our reverend brother in the Lord, has now required such a testimonial from us, we think that it ought by no means to be refused.

'By these presents, therefore, we desire to testify to all and every one, that the high integrity of the above-named most accomplished man and greatly beloved fellow-steward with us of the mysteries of God, (both in regard to the innocency of his life, the soundness of his doctrine, and the propriety of his manners,) has by means of an uninterrupted acquaintance and constant intercourse been so fully known, tried, and confirmed by us, as to cause us to account nothing dearer to us, or of greater value, than always to enjoy the benefit of his counsel, aid, conversation, and intimacy, and to be permitted to cultivate that friendship which has now for a long period subsisted between us. But since it has pleased Almighty God otherwise to dispose of him and us, it is a circumstance on account of which we yield great and unfeigned thanks to the Lord our God for his marvellous kindness hitherto manifested towards us and the whole of this our church, and which has afforded us the opportunity to behold such fruits as are not to be lamented, and with the greatest pleasure to perceive the success which has accrued from the study and labours of this, the before-named gentleman and fellow-labourer in the vineyard of Christ, who is most ardently beloved by all of us; which labours he un