JUR1EU, PIERRE, was born in 1637, and was the son of a Protestant minister at Mer, in the diocese of Blois, and nephew of the celebrated Rivet and Du Moulin. When of age to enter the ministry, La succeeded his father in his pastoral office. His repu tation for learning afterwards obtained for him the situation of Professor of Theology and the Hebrew language at Sedan. When in 1681 the Protestants were deprived of the permission to give public instruction in that town, he retired to Rouen, and from thence went to Rotterdam, where be was appointed Professor of Theology. In that city the ardour of his zeal soon drew him into controversy with Bayle, Basnege, and Saurin ; in the heat of which he manifested the same rancour which unfortunately disgraces moat of his polemical writings. He allowed himself likewise to fall into various errors by too much indulging a naturally lively imagination in the inter pretation of prophecy. In his 'Commentary on the Apocalypse' be even predicted the establishment of Protestantism in Frauce during the year ]686. Those who differed from him in opinion, however high their character for learning and piety, he treated with a most unbecoming severity. Grotius and litunruend, perhaps the two greatest theologians of their age, because they differed from him on the subject of the Antichrist predicted in the book of Revelations, he styles, "the disgrace of the Reformed Church, and even of Christianity." The same spirit is manifested in his well-known con troversy with Dossuet, bishop of Meaux, whom lie does not scruple to accuse of falsehood and dishonesty, though, on the other hand, it must be allowed that the recriminations of this celebrated defender of the Church of Rome, if more politely expressed, ma equally severe and destitute of truth ; the great object of Boseuet being, it would appear, to charge his antagonist with holding the heretical opinions of Sodium (Beeseuet, 'Hist. des Variations,' vol. iv. p. 64; v. pp. 236-238.)
Witb all there defects, Jurleu stands deservedly high as s controversialist. His learning was most profound, he is generally exact in the citation of his authorities, and lie had a special talent in discovering the weak point in the cause of his antagonists. In nepect of style and elo quence he is immeasurably behind Botsuet, but he is at least his equal io polemical talent, and by some is considered his superior in erudition. Jurieu's private life was becoming that of a Christian minister; he was charitable to the poor almost beyond his means, and he employed the great influence he possessed with the foreign court" in alleviating the sufferings of his exiled brethren. Ile died at Rotterdam on the I lth of January 1713. Ills works, which are very numerous, were extremely popular in their day, and many of them are still held in high estimation by theologians of every school, on account of the great learning which they display. The principal of them are—l. 'A Treatise on Devotion. 2. *Defence of the Morality of the Reformed Church,' Hague, 16S5, in answer to a work by Arnauld entitled 'Morality destroyed by the Calvinists.' 3. 'A Preservative against Change in Religion,' which was written to refute Bosenet'a Exposition of the Catholic Faith.' 4. ' Letters against the History of Calvinism by De Maimbourg,' 2 vols. 5. Another collection of controversial letters, entitled ' The last Efforts of Oppressed Innocence.' 6. A Treatise on the Church :' ho considers it composed of all Christian societies who bold the common principles of the Christian faith. This trentise is sometimes accompanied by a Reply to Nicolle, who had written a work in refutation of it. 7. 'A History of the Doctrines and Worship of the Jews,' Amsterdam, 1704, with a Supplement published in 1705. 8. 'A Treatise on Mystical Theology,' competed on the occasion of the welbknown controversy between lenelon and Possuet.