Gesenius, Justus

Gesenius, Justus a German divines and scholar, was born at Essbeck, is Hanover, July 6, 1601, studied theology at Helmstadt and Jena, and became pastor in Brunswick in 1629. In 1636 he became court preacher at Hildesheim, and finally councillor and general superintendent of Hanover. He died September 18, 1673. His principal works are, Passionspredigten (Hanov. 1660): — Trostpredigten (Hanov. 1661); and, under the name of Timotheus Fridlibius, Warum willst du nicht Katholisch werden wie deine Vorfahren waren (on the conversion of the duke John Frederick to Roseanism) (Hanov. 1669-72, 4 parts). He wrote also a number of hymns, which have beeen incorporated in the Hanoverian Hymn-book. — Pierer, Universal Lexikon, s.v.; Herzog, Real-Encyklop. 5:117. (J.N.P.)