AGRIC'OLA, JorrN (whose true name was Sehnitter or Schneider, but who was also called Islebius and John Eisleben, after the name of his native town), b. 1492. *as one of the most zealous founders of Protestantism. Having studied at Wittenberg and Leipsic, he was sent, 1525, by Luther, who highly appreciated his talents and learning, to Frankfort-on-the-Main, to institute there, at the desire of the magistrates, the Protestant worship. On his return, lie rctided as a teacher and preacher in his native town of Eisleben, till 1536. In 1537, he became a professor at Wittenberg, where the Antinomian controversy, already begun between him and Luther and Melanethon, broke out openly. See ANTINONHANISNI The troubles in which he was thus involved obliged him to withdraw, 1538, to Berlin, where he was reduced to extreme want, and was thus induced to make a recantation, never altogether sincere. Ile then found a protector in the elector John of Brandenburg, who appointed him preacher to the court and general superintendent. He made great exertions for the spread of the Protestant doctrine in the
Brandenburg states; but ere his death, which took place at Berlin, 22d Sept., 1566. ILO. had become as much hated for his share in the up of tile Augsburg Interim (q.v.), as he .liad formerly been for his Antinomian opinions. Besides his numerous theological writings, his country possesses a truly national work of his, entitled Die Gememen Dentsehen Spriieltworter mit ihrer auslegung (common German proverbs, with their explanation; IIagenau, 1592; and a very complete but somewhat altered edition at Wittenberg, 1592). The patriotic feelings, pure morals and pithy language of this book have procured for it one of the first places among the German works of that age.