Micronius, Martin

Micronius, Martin a very distinguished Dutch divine, was born about 1523 at Ghent, of a noble Dutch family. We know little of Micronius's early years. He was at first a physician, and is said to be the author of several medical books and essays. In 1550, when the Protestant Church was bitterly persecuted by the Spaniards, Micronius, with many others of his countrymen, fled to England, and there proved himself a very efficient helpmate to John a Lasko (q.v.) in the establishment and organization of the foreign Protestant congregation in London. He translated John Lasko's system of Church order and liturgical formulars into Dutch, and introduced them into the congregation of Dutch refugees in London. The death of the king wrought an entire change in the prospects of the exiles, and on the accession of queen Mary they prepared to leave for other parts. Micronius accompanied them to Denmark and East Friesland, and finally became pastor at Norden. He died towards the close of the 16th century. In his disputations and writings Micronius opposed Simon Menno (q.v.) and David George; and when Westphal (q.v.), a Lutheran divine, had called his fellow-pilgrims "martyrs of the devil," on account of Lasko's views of the sacraments, Micronius sought to convince, or at least silence him, but failed. In Norden he edited his larger and smaller Catechism, 1592: De cleyne catechismus of kinderbere der Duitschen Ghemeynte van London, etc., weekenu hier ende daer verstrogt is. Ghemaect door Martin Micron. Ghedruckt bey Gellium Itematium anno 1555. These catechisms were consulted in the composition of the Heidelberg Catechism (q.v.). Micronius also wrote an apology of the foreign Protestant congregation, defending them against the accusation of high-treason, which had furnished a pretext for their expulsion from England. See Kocher, Katech. Gesch. der reform. Kirche; Bartel's Johannes a Lasko.