, was born at Bern in 1540, was educated at Basil, and m 1551 was
, was born at Bern in 1540,
was educated at Basil, and m 1551 was admitted into the
university. In 1559 he was ordained deacon, and began
to preach the doctrines of the reformers. In 1563 he went
to Tubingen, and the year following was created doctor in
divinity, and soon after succeeded his father, as pastor of
Rotelen, where, besides his more public services, he lectured twice a week to the deacons. About this time the
“Form of Concord' 7 between the Lutheran and Zuingtiaft
parties, respecting the corporal presence of Christ’s body
in the Lord’s Supper^ was a matter of deep controversy.
Grynasus, who had hitherto been a Lutheran, now studied
the controversy more closely, the result of which was his
declaring his opinion in favour of Zuinglius, and this lost
him many friends of. the contrary party. In 1575 he was
invited to Basil, to lecture upon the Old Testament, in
the course of which employment he was happily instrumental in healing the differences between the Lutheran
and Zuinglian churches; and his instructions were so much
approved, that many noblemen and gentlemen came from
other countries, and boarded with him for the sake of
tuition and conversation. After the death of Lewis, the
elector palatine, prince Casimir invited him to Heidelberg, where he read divinity and history almost two years^
but was then recalled to Basil to succeed Sulcer in his
pastoral office and professorship; both which offices he
discharged with faithfulness and success for the remainder
of his life, In the latter part of it he became very infirm
and blind, and outlived all his children, except one
daughter. These calamities he bore with pious resignation, and expired Aug. 30, 1617. He was a man of extensive learning, and highly respected by his conteai<poraries. Among his writings are, 1.
” A Summary of the
Old Testament.“2. An Outline of Divinity.
” 3* “The
Character of Christians.
” 4. Expositions on the Psalms,
and other parts of Scripture; and various theological theses,
and disputations. 5. “A Commentary upon Irenaeus.
” 6.
“An Ecclesiastical History.
” 7. “Chronology of the
Gospel History.
” His “Letters
” to his friends are highly
praised by Melchior Adam.