Arm in i an

& s. [Lat., ., Armini (us); Eng. suffix -an. In Ger. Arminianer, s.] Pertaining to Arm in i us, the Latinised form of the surname of James Harmensen, a noted Dutch theologian. [Β.] A. As adjective: Pertaining to Arm in i us or to his tenets. "The Arm in i an doctrine, a doctrine le austerely logical than that of the carly Reformers, but more agreeable to the popular notions of the divine justice and benevolence, spread fast and wide." -Macaulay : Hist . Eng ., ch. i. B. As substantive : Church Hist. A follower of Arm in i us, or in other words, of James Harmensen (see etym.), first a Dutch minister in Amsterdam, and afterwards Profe or of Theology in Leyden University. The views of himself and his followers were summed up in five points, which may be briefly stated thus:-1. That God from all eternity predestinated to eternal life those who He foresaw would have permanent faith in Christ. 2. That Christ died for all mankind, and not simply for the elect. 3. That man requires regeneration by the Holy Spirit. 4. That man may resist Divine grace. 5. That man may fall from Divine grace. This last tenet was at first held but doubtfully; ultimately, however, it was firmly accepted. Arm in i us died in the year 1609. In 1618 and 1619 the Synod of Dort condemned the Arm in i an doctrines, the civil power, as was the general practice of the age, enforcing the decrees of the council by pains and penalties. [REMONSTRANTS.] Neverthele the new views spread rapidly. Archbishop Land introduced them into the Church of England; the Wesley ans also are e entially Arminians; whilst the remainder of the English Nonconformists and the Presbyterians in Scotland and elsewhere are mostly Calvinists. The only English sect formally called after Arm in i us is that of the "Arm in i an New Society."