Gaussen, Etienne

Gaussen, Etienne a French Protestant theologian, was born at Nismes in the early part of the 17th century and died at Saumur in 1675. In 1651 he was made professor of philosophy in the Protestant Academy of Saumur, and in 1655 succeeded Josue de la Place in the chair of theology. He agreed with La Place that the study of philosophy was useful to the theologian, and strongly 'urged' it upon his pupils. His works are marked by vigor and depth of thought, and enjoyed for a long time a high reputation in the schools of Holland and Germany; The titles are, Theses inaugurales de Verbo Dei (Saumui. 1655, 4to): — De Consensu Gratiae cum Natura (ib. 1659, 4to): — De Ratione Studii theologici De Natura Theologiae — De Ratione Concionandi — De Utilitate Philosophiae ad theologiam, quibus accessit breve scriptum de recto usu clavium erga cegrotantes (ib. 1670, 4to: — this collection, regarded by Bayle as the best guide for the study of the theology of the time, has passed through numerous editions — last one Halle, 1727): — Theses theologicae, altera de natura theologiae, altera de divinitate Scripture Sacrie (ib. 1676, 4to).— Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, 19:690, 691; Haag, La France Protestante, s.v. (J.W.M.)