Acronius, Ruard

Acronius, Ruard a Reformed theologian of Holland, is said by some to have been a brother of Johannes, while others maintain that he was originally a Roman Catholic priest. In 1572 he was. Reformed preacher at Franeker. After having labored for some years at Alkmaar and Bolsward, he went in 1599 to Schiedam, where he probably died in 1612. He was a learned man for his time, but intolerant. Thus, he challenged the Mennonites to a public disputation, which took place in 1596 between him and Pieter van Ceulen., They held one hundred and fifty-five sessions, and, as is generally the case, both parties claimed the victory. In the controversy between the Arminians and Gomarus he took such an active part that Gomarus asked for his assistance in defending the Calvinistic doctrine, in a meeting which was held at the Hague in 1609. Against the Arminian Uytenbogsert he wrote Noodwendig Vertoog (1610). When, in 1610, the Remonstrants presented their views to the States-General of Holland, Acronius was one of the six Calvinistic delegates who spoke against them. He also published, Onderregtinge over 't Onderholt der Dienaren der waren ghemeynten Christi (Franeker, 1590): — Enarrationes Catecheticce ( Schiedam, 1606): — Onderwyzinge over de Christ. Catechism. (ibid. 1608). See Van der Aa. Biog. Woordenb. s.v.; Vos, in the Allgemeine deutsche Biog., s.v. (B. P.)