Pictet, Benedict

Pictet, Benedict a learned Swiss divine, was born at Geneva in 1655. He studied there under Francis Turretin, whom he succeeded as professor of theology in 1687, and obtained great celebrity. In 1690 he was made rector of the academy; in 1700 pastor of the Italian Church. He died in 1724. Pictet joined to vast erudition a vivid and natural eloquence. A list of his numerous works is given by Niceron. Among these the following are the most important: La Theologie Chretienne, et la Science du Salut (new ed. Genesis 1721, 3 volumes, 4to); originally Theologia Christiana (ibid. 1616, 2 volumes, 12mo); Christian Theology (translated from the Latin by the Reverend Frederick Reyroux, B.A., Lond. 1847, sm. 8vo): — La

Morale Chretienne, ou l'A Art de bien vivre (nouv. ed. augmentee, Genesis 1709,8 volumes, 12mo); the first volume of this vork appeared anonymously. It was reprinted at Lyons, in France, with a dedication to the bishop of Belley: — Dissertation sur les Temples, leur Dedicace, et plusieurs Choses qu'on y voit. avec un Sermon (ibid. 1716., 12mo): — Huit Sermons sue l'Examen des Religions (1Th 5:21) (ibid. 1716, 8vo): — Dix Sermons sur divers Sujets (ibid. 1718, 8vo): — L'Histoire du douzieme Siecle (Amst. 1732, 4to): — Quatorze Sermons sur divers Sujets (Genesis 1721, 8vo). See Biblioth. Germanique, s.v.; Niceron, Memoires, volume 1; Senebler, Hist. litter. de Geneve, 2:249 sq.; Darling, Cyclop. Bibl. s.v.; Mosheim, Eccles. Hist. volume 3; Hook, Eccles. Biog. 8:92. (J.H.W.)