Arnold, Nikolaus

ARNOLD, NIKOLAUS: Reformed theologian; b. at Lissa (55 m. n.n.w. of Breslau), Poland, Dec. 17, 1618; d. at Franeker, Holland, Oct. 15, 1680. He studied under Amos Comenius, at Danzog (1635–41), and at Franeker, where Maccovius and Cocceius were his teachers. After visiting the academies of Groningen, Leyden, and Utrecht, and traveling in England, he was appointed minister at Beetgum, near Leeuwarden, Friesland, in 1645, and professor of theology at Franeker in 1651. He edited the works of Maccovius, and published, against Socinianism, Religio Sociniana seu catechesis Racoviana major publicis disputationibus refutata (Franeker, 1654); Atheismus Socinianus (1659); against the Roman Catholic Church, Apologia Amesii contra Erbamannum; against the prophecies of Comenius concerning the millennium, Discursus theologicus contra Comenii prætensam lucem in tenebris (1660).