Gotz, Raphael

Gotz, Raphael a Swiss theologian, poet, and teacher, was born at Gutz, of Munchhoff n (Thurgovia), in 1559. He studied at Chur and Zurich, and went to Geneva in 1580, where he held a disputation on predestination, under the auspices of Theodore Beza. Two years afterwards he went to Basle, where he again showed his controversial power. In 1588 he received in Zurich the title pedagogtus alumnorum, and in 1592 became, in the same city, professor of the New Test., and deacon at the cathedral. Four years afterwards he was made archdeacon, and thereupon introduced new religious songs into his parish. Unfortunately he gave himself up to alchemy, which brought him into debt, to escape which he fled in 1601. After wandering about for six months, he went to Marburg, where the landgrave Maurice appointed him professor of theology. He died there, August 20, 1622, leaving Tractatus Adversus Albericum Triumcuriani, de Praedestinatione: — De Peccato in Spiritum S.: — De Gratuita Electorum Salute, etc.: — Historia Captivitatis Babylonicae. See Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, s.v.