GERHARD, JoHN, a learned Lutheran theolo gian of the Ifith century, was born at Quedlin burg, the 17th October 1582. After receiving much benefit from the spiritual instnictions of John Arndt at a th»e of mental depression and bodily disease, he repaired to the university of Wittenberg in 1590, where he studied philosophy and attendtd theological lectures ; but was afterwards induced to study medicine contrary to his own inclination. His decided bent towards theology, however, soon prevailed. From \Vittenberg he went to Jena, and devoted himself to the study of the Scriptures, the fathers, and Hebrew. Some time after he repaired to Marburg, then the most famous university for Lutheran theolog,y. Leaving Marburg he returned to Jena, and was appointed superintendent of Helciburg in his twenty-fourth year. In 1615 Ile accepted a call to Jena, where he lived and laboured as theolo gical professor and author during the remainder of his life. Great was his theological activity, and distin guisbed tbe /eputation he acquired. Kings, princes, and dukes did him honour, consulting him on all matters, ecclesiastical and othcrs. He received no fewer than twenty-four invitations to other laces but declined them all. His death took P place on the 2oth August 1637, when lie was but fifty-five years of age. His health was never good ; and he led a life of incessant activity, exer cising great influence over the religious history of Ms own country. Gerhard was a modest, pions,
peace-loving man, who had largely imbibed the spirit of his divine Master. Passing by his works on doctrinal and practical theology, which are very numerous, we may mention those belonging to the department of exegesis, of which the chief is his Commentarizes let harmoniant hist. evangel. de pas sione resurreclione Christi,1617, 4to, a completion of the work begun by Chemnitz and continued by Lyser. His Commentariees in Genesin was pub lished after his death, 1637, 4to ; his Commentarius in Deuteron., 163S, 4to ; .Adnotationes Epist. ad Ronzanos, 1666, 4to ; Epist. arl Colossenses, 1660, 4to ; in utranique Episl. aa' Timoth. 1643, 4to ; Aa'notationcs in evangelize/a Alatthal, 1663, 4to ; in Acta apostoloram, 1669, 4to ; Adnotationes in Paalmos v. prim-es et prophelas Amos el yonanz, 1663, 4to ; Aa'notatt. in Epist. yzeda, Aa'notatt. in Epist. Hehr., 1641, 1661, 4to ; Comment. super et 2 L' pistolam Petri, 1641, 4to ; De Sacra Scri,,h taro inte/pretatione, 1610, 4to ; Exegesis locorzem theologicorum, 1625, 4to. He collected his corre spondence with scholars and royal or distinguished persons in twelve large volurnes.—S. D.