, in Latin Ferrius, a most learned divine of Germany, was born of
, in Latin Ferrius, a most learned divine of Germany, was born of a considerable family at
Metz, in 1591. He was sent to study divinity at Montaban, and made so uncommon a progress, that he was
admitted a minister at Metz in 1610. Though he was
but nineteen, he had then published a book of poems; the
advertisement to which he finished in these words, “sat
ludo nugisque datum.
” He had eminent talents for preaching: his graceful presence, his venerable countenance,
and fine delivery, adding great force to his eloquence,
which was very powerful and moving. His enemies reported, falsely, that he was one of the ministers whom
cardinal Richelieu had bribed to procure a coalition of the
two religions; however, it is certain that he was grieved
at the division of the p'otestants, and hoped that he could
contribute somewhat to forward a re-union; and it is
supposed that with this view he kept a correspondence
with Dury (See Dury). His death happened in 1669,
when above fourscore stones were found in his bladder,
which had occasioned it. He had a very fine library,
which he increased by several works of his own. In 1616
he published “Scholastic} Orthodox! Specimen,
” in which
he shews, that the protestant doctrine of grace has been
taught by the schoolmen. This treatise gained him the
esteem of Du Plessis Mornay, who wrote him a letter upon
it, in which he advised him about another work he was
upon, entitled “Le dernier desespoir de la Tradition,
”
&c. In Vindiciae pro
Scholastico Orthodoxo,
” against Perinus, an eminent Jesuit, who had published in 1619 a book entitled “Thrasonica Pauli Ferrii Calvinistae.
” In General Catechisme de la Reformation,
” which was
answered by Bossuet; and left behind him collections for a
history of Metz, which are referred to by Calmet, as
abounding in curious researches; and a vast number of
sermons, of which about eleven hundred are on the epistle
to the Hebrews.