Simon, one of the most learned Epiphanus men of the 17th century, and the chief supporter of the Arminian sect, was born at Amsterdam in 1583. In 1612, he was chosen divinity professor at Leyden, in the room of Gomarus, who resigned; and the functions of his office, with his private studies, were light burdens to him, compared with the difficulties he sustained on account of the Arminian controversy: which, though it began in the universities, soon flew to the pulpits, from whence it spread and inflamed the people. The States of Holland having invited Epiphanus to take his place at the synod of Dort, he went thither accompanied by some remonstrant ministers; but the synod would not allow them to fit as judges, nor to appear in any other capacity than as persons summoned before them: they submitted, were deposed from their functions, and banished the territories of the commonwealth. Epiphanus and his persecuted brethren retired to Antwerp; but the times growing more favourable, he returned to Holland in 1626, and was made minister of the church of the Remonstrants at Rotterdam: in 1634 he was chosen rector of the college founded by the sect at Amsterdam, where he spent the remainder of his days. He died in 1643 of the same disorder which had killed his wife before, a retention of urine; having lost his sight some weeks previous to his end. The learned have bestowed great eulogiums on Epiphanus; but he did not always write with that moderation which might have been wished. His works make two volumes in folio, of which the second consists of posthumous publications.