a religious sect, or party, which arose in Holland, by a separation from the Calvinists. They followed the doctrine of Arminius, (see the next Article); who, thinking the doctrine of Calvin, with regard to free-will, predestination, and grace, too severe, returned to that of the Romish church, and maintained, that there is an universal grace given to all men, and that man is always free and at liberty to receive or reject grace. His colleague Gomarus, professor of divinity in the same university, strenuously opposed him; and stood up for a particular or special grace given only to those who were predestinated or elect, and for a positive decree both of election and reprobation. At length the dispute was brought before the synod of Dort, where Arminianism was condemned in form. Nevertheless it continued to spread, and the republic of Holland was once in danger of being overturned by it.

The Arminians are likewise called Remonstrants, from a remonstrance which they presented to the States-General in 1611, in which were laid down the chief articles of their faith.

The later Arminians have carried things much farther than Arminius himself, and some of them even come very near to Socinianism. In general, they deny, that authority is any proof of the truth of a doctrine; and, on this principle, they retrench abundance of things which have been looked upon as fundamental articles of religion. Many of them have quitted the doctrine of their master relating to the points of eternal election.