Gretser, Jakob

Gretser, Jakob, a distinguished German Jesuit, theologian, and historian, was born at Markdorf (Sua-bin) in 1561. He joined the Jesuits at seventeen, and became Successively professor of philosophy at Ingol-stadt in 1589, of moral theology in 1592, and of scholastic theology in 1599. He continued in this office until his death, Jan. 29, 1625. He was distinguished for literary activity, and wrote over one hundred and fifty works, mostly against the Protestants. He possessed much learning, yet was only an indifferent critic; and his style, which is flowing, is bitter and full of invectives against his adversaries. His principal works are, Disputatio philosophica de Topica et

locis (Ingol-stadt, 1589, 4to) : — Integra Refutatio Historiae Ordinis Jesuitici ab Elia Hasenmillero conscriptae (Ingol. 1594, 4to) : — De Sancta Cruce (Ingol. 1598, 4to; last ed. 1616, fol.) : — Locorum quorumdam Tertullianicorum a perversis Ft. Junii Calvinistae depravationibus Vindicatio (In-gol. 1600, 4to): De Jure et More prohibendi, expur-gandi et abolendi libros hosreticos et noxios (Ingol. 1603, 4to) : — Exercitationum theologicarum Libri sex (1604, 4to) : — De Spontanea disciplinarum seu fiagellorum Cruce (1606, 4to; German by Vetter, 1612) : — De Ecclesiae catholicae sacris Processionibus (1606, 4to): — Defensionis Bellarminianae (1st vol. 1607, fol.; 2d vol. 1609, fol.): — De funere christiano (1611, 4to). The catalogue of all his writings was published by himself in 1610 and 1612. A complete collection of his works was published at Ratisbon, 1734-1741,17 vols. fol. See Bayle, Dictionary; Baillet, Jugements des Savants, vol. vi; Niceron, Memoires, vol. xxvii; Alegambe, Bibl. Script. Soc. Jesu ; Vita Gretseri (at the beginning of his Opera omnia); Sotwel, Bibl. Soc. Jesu; August. et Aloes de Backer, Bibl. des Ecrivains de la Compagnie de Jesus ; Dupin, Nouvelle Biblioth. des Auteurs Eccles. 17:63; Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, 21:955.