, a learned professor of divinity at Kiel, was born Jan. 15, 1633,
, a learned professor of divinity at Kiel, was born Jan. 15, 1633, at Burg, in the isle
of Femeren, near the Baltic sea, in the country of Holstein.
He was sent first to school at Burg, whence in his sixteenth year he removed to Sleswick, where he applied to
his books two years more; and afterwards studied in the
college of Stetin, and gave public proofs of his progress
by some theses. Going to Rostoch in 1652, he assiduously
frequented the lectures of the professors, and took the degree of doctor in philosophy, in 1656. He then pursued
his studies in the university of Jena, and gained great reputation by the academical acts, and by private lectures
read on philosophy, the Eastern tongues, and divinity.
He left Jena in 1660, and after visiting the universities of
Leipsic and Wittemberg, returned to Rostoch, where he
was made Greek professor in 1662; and took a doctor of
divinity’s degree the same year. He married in 1664, and
next year was invited to be second professor of divinity in
the university just founded at Kiel. He was so zealous
for the prosperity of that new university, and so grateful
for the kindness of the duke of Holstein, his master, that
he refused all the employments, though very beneficial and
honourable, which were offered him in several places.
This prince bestowed upon him, in 1680, the professorship
of ecclesiastical antiquities; and declared him vice-chancellor of 'the university for life, 1689; and he discharged
the duty of those offices with great ability, application, and
prudence. His death, which happened March 31, 1694,
was a great loss to the university of Kiel, and to the republic of letters. His works in Latin and German are numerous, and esteemed by the learned; the principal are,
1. “Tractatus de persecutionibus Ecclesise primitive, veterumque Martyrum cruciatibus,
” the best edition of which
is, Keil, Tractatus de Calumniis Pagariorum in veteres Christianos,
” Keil, Tractatus de Religione Ethnica, Mahummedana et Judaica,
”
De Origine et Natura Christianismi ex
mente Gentilium,
” De tribus Impostoribus magnis Liber, Edwardo Herbert, Thomse Hobbes, et
Benedicto Spinosa oppositis,
” Hamburg, De rationis cum revelatione in Theologia concursu,
”
Oratio de Scholarum et Academiarum ortu
et progressu, presertim in Germania,
”