Ferus, Johannes

Ferus, Johannes (originally WILD), a Franciscan monk and cathedral preacher at Mentz, lived in the 16th century. He published a large number of sermons and Biblical commentaries. Of the latter several were put on the Roman Index. Ferus clings to the literal meaning of the Scriptures, and avoids allegorical interpretations. He recommends the reading of the Scriptures, and refutes the objection that the Scriptures are obscure. He complains of the prevalence of a Pharisaic spirit in the Roman Catholic Church, since there was in it a great deal of outward ceremonial, but little truth. He preached that repentance does not consist in outward works, such as fasting, praying, and giving alms, but that it begins, on the one hand, with the announcement of the divine law, the consciousness of one's sinfulness, and the fear of the judgment of God, and, on the other hand, with the announcement of the grace of God, and with confidence in the divine promise. Ferus thought that popes, emperors, councils, and the diets could do nothing so long as the Church was fill of errors and her doctrines corrupt. He died in 1554.-Herzog, Real Encyklop. 16:141.