CLERC, JEAN LE, better known as JOHANNES CLERICUS, was b. at Geneva, Mar. 29, 1657, where his father was a clergyman. From an early period, he showed a par ticular aptitude for the study of ancient languages, and in this department he is still a conspicuous name. He also paid great attention to theology, and his numerous controversial writings brought him DO mean reputation during his lifetime. Before he was 20, C. had imbibed heterodox opinions in religion. In 1678, lie went as tutor to Grenoble, where he remained for two years; in 1680, he returned to Geneva, and was appointed to the clerical office. All the while, his objections to the accepted theology of the day had been growing; the works of Curcellreus and of Episcopius confirmed this antipathy, and now he appeared as Liberius de St. Amore, the writer of 11 letters against the errors of the scholastic theologians—in short, as the partisan of the Dutch remonstrants. In the latter part of 1681, C. left Saumur, whither he hand gone to per fect his French, and went to Grenoble, and thence to London, where he preached six months to the Savoy congregation. Finally, he was appointed professor of philosophy,
classical literature, and Hebrew at the remonstrant seminary of Amsterdam. He died 8th Jan., 1736. C.'s writings are very numerous; but his greatest service to posterity was the publication of a quarterly, the Bibliotheque Universetle et Historique (1686-03, i75' vols., in Svo), followed up by the Bibliotheque Choisie (1703-13). and the Bibliotheque lineienne et Moderne (1714-27). Other works of C.'s are—Ha rmortia Erangelieu (1700); Traduetion du _Nouveau Testament avec des Notes(1703); Ars Critieu (3 vols., 1712-30); and Tradi de l' Incredulite (1733). The first two are Socinian in their tendency. C.'s ration alism is still more manifest in a work entitled Sentimens de quelques Theologiens de gollande touchant Critique du Vieux Testament, in which the special inspiration of the Scriptures is denied. His editions of several of the ancient classics prove both his learning and acumen.