, a man of very uncommon parts and learning, and the chief support
, a man of very uncommon parts and learning, and the chief support of the Arminian sect, was descended from a reputable protestant family, and born at Amsterdam in 1583. Having a numerous fraternity, and his parents not very rich, it was doubted for some time whether he should be brought up to learning; but, appearing to have a strong disposition towards it, his friends determined to encourage him in the pursuit. After he had gone through the Latin schools at Amsterdam, he went to study at Leyden, in 1602. His father died of the plague in that same year, and his mother in 1604; neither of which calamities, however, in the least retarded his studies. He was admitted M. A. hi 1606, and thenceforward applied himself wholly to the study of divinity, in which he made so great progress, that he was judged in a short time quaJified for the ministry. The magistrates of Amsterdam wished he might be promoted to it; but he met with many difficulties, because during the violent controversy between Gomarus and Arnjjnius about predestination, he declared for the latter. This made him desirous to leave the university of Leyden, and he went to Fraueker in 1609, bur. did not continue there long, for he found that by disputing too vehemently, he had exasperated the professor Lubertus, who was a zealous Gomarist. Arminius was at that time labouring under the illness of which at length he died; on which account Episcopius went to visit him at Leyden, and had many conferences with him upon religion, and the state of the church. He afterwards, returning to Franeker, had more disputes with Lubertus. His adversaries now began to charge him with Socinianism; and Lubertus was so severe in his reprehensions of him, that he left Franeker, and returned to Holland.