Erasmus, Johannes

Erasmus, Johannes a Dutch theologian, lived in 1593. He was very learned, even according to the testimony of his adversaries. He knew Hebrew well. and had corrected Tremellius and Junius's version of the prophets. Having been appointed rector at Antwerp, he confessed the doctrine of the Unitarians, but William, prince of Orange, prevented his making proselytes, and obliged him to leave Holland. Erasmus first retired to Poland, and then into Transylvania, where the Unitarians made him minister at Claudiopolis, on the condition, however, that he would not teach that the Son of God vas created before all other things. Erasmus had a great conference on this subject with Faustus Socinus. He went from Claudiopolis to Cracow,. and asked permission of the Unitarians to explain his reasons for not believing "that Jesus Christ was not at all the Son of God before his birth by his mother." Socinus was appointed to answer him. The disputation lasted two days, but ended in the satisfaction of neither party. See Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, s.v.