THE NEW SCHAFP-HERZOG
of Elector Augustus in 1586, Leyser went to Brunswick as vice-superintendent. Here new struggles awaited him since Superintendent Heidenreich confuted the doctrine of Ubiquity (q.v.) as laid down in the Formula of Concord. The majority of the congregation and preachers took Leyser's part and Heidenreich was deposed to make way for Leyser (15S9). Professor Daniel Hoffmann of Helmstadt, however, renewed the attack, and vehement discussions ensued until Leyser was recalled to Wittenberg (1593) after the death of Elector Christian I. and the rapid overthrow of Cryptocalvinism. He at once became involved in the controversy there over the teachings of Samuel Huber (q.v.). In 1594 he went to Dresden as court preacher and councilor of the consistory.
Leyser's most important works are the edition of the Loci theologici of Martin Chemnitz (Frankfurt, 1592) and his continuation of the same author's Harmonia evangelica (1593). He also wrote commentaries on Genesis, Daniel, the minor prophets, and other books of the Bible. The greatest sensation was stirred up by his polemical treatise against the Calvinists, Ob, wie, und warum man lieber wit den Papisten Gemeinschaft haben soil
denn mit und zu den Caivinisten, originally an introduction to his Christianismus, Pajrismus et Calrinismus, das ist drey unterschiedliche Auslegungen des Catechismi Lutheri (1595; republished by Leyser's successor, Hoe von Hoenegg, 1620; cf. Tholuck, pp. 115 sqq.).
3. Polycarp Leyser (II.): Elder son of Polycarp Leyser (the Elder), was born at Wittenberg Nov. 20, 1586; d. in Leipsic Jan. 15, 1633. He was professor at Wittenberg and Leipsic and later was entrusted with high ecclesiastical positions. He took part in various theological proceedings and disputes and wrote commentaries on Galatians, on the Augsburg Confession, and on the Formula of Concord; also polemical treatises, sermons, and disputations.
4. Wilhelm Leyser: Younger son of Polycarp Leyser (the Elder), was born in Dresden 1592; d. in Wittenberg Feb. 8, 1649. He was superintendent at Torgau and professor at Wittenberg, and wrote a Summarium locorum theologicorum, a Systema thetico-exegeticum, a Trifolium verm religionis veteris testamenti Adamiticce, Abrahamiticce, Israeliticce, and other works.
5. Johannes Leyser: Son of Polycarp Leyser (II.) was born at Leipsic Sept. 30, 1631; d. near Paris, 1685. He was for a time pastor and inspector in Schulpforta, Prussian Saxony, and in several writings defended polygamy, which cost him his position.
6. Polycarp Leyser (III.): Grandson of Polycarp Leyser (II.), was born at Halle July 1, 1656; d. at Celle (23 m. n. of Hanover) Oct. 11, 1725. He was assessor of the philosophical faculty at Leipsic, later pastor at Magdeburg, superintendent at Wunstorf and after 1708 general superintendent at Celle. He rendered great services to the memory of his great-grandfather.
(Johannes Kunze.)
Bibliography: 1. C. F. Sattler, Geschichte des Herzogthums Wiirttemberg, iv. 74, and appendixes 29-30, 10 vols.,
Ulm, 1769-79; C. F. Schnurrer, Erlauterungen der wurttembergischen Kirchen-Reformations- und Gelehrten-Geschichte, pp. 234 sqq., Tubingen, 1798; C. F. von Stalin W urttembergische Geschichte, iv. 738-739, Stuttgart, 1870
2. One of Leyser' s own tracts, useful as material, was given by his great-grandson W E. Tentzel in Curieuse Bibliothec, 1705, ii. 675-735; a selection of his letters was issued by another great-grandson, P. Leyser III., Sylloge epistolarum Leyser, i. 1706; and contemporary material was used by M. Adam, in Vitae theologorum, pp 379-381, Frankfort, 1706. Consult P. J. Rethm'eyer! Braunschweigische Kirchenhistorie, iv. 23 sqq., 55-149 Brunswick, 1715; A. Tholuck, Der Geist der lutherischen Theologen Wittenbergs, pp. 4-14, Gotha, 1852; a careful sketch, founded on early data, is given in J. A. Gleich Annales ecclesiastic!, i. 439-609, Dresden, 1730.
L'HOPITAL lo"pi"tal' (L'HOSPITAL), MICHEL DE: Chancellor of France; b. at Aigueperse (80 m. n.w. of Lyons), Auvergne, 1504; d. on his estate at Vignay, near Etampes (30 m. s.s.v. of Paris) Mar. 13, 1573. L'Hopital, who was of a noble family from Auvergne, studied law at Padua (1525-31), where the last year he lectured on civil law as professor extraordinarius. After spending a year in Rome as member of the papal court of justice called " Delia Rota," he came to Paris where for three years he worked hard as a barrister and (1537) gained a seat in the Paris parliament. Henceforth his career became more and more successful. He was sent (1547) as a delegate to the Council of Trent which had been transferred to Bologna. He was appointed (1553) by Margaret, the future duchess of Savoy, first as chancellor of the duchy, then (1554-59) lord of the exchequer. At last (1560) he became chancellor and keeper of the seal in France. In the first-mentioned office he had distinguished himself as a fair, impartial judge, and as chancellor (1560-68), in the midst of the most confused period of the history of France, he displayed the talents of a statesman. He became the leader of the " Moderes " who then were very few and he followed inflexibly his own ideals. He formulated the edict (Jan. 17, 1562) by which, although it forbade the Protestants to build churches, they could hold their meetings outside the walls of cities under the protection of the law. This restricted toleration, became the fundamental law, and decided the legal position of Protestants as affected by all other edicts.
He could not prevent the outbreak of the civil war (which began with the massacre of Vassy, 1562), but in the frequent negotiations, as for instance in the Treaty of Amboise (Mar. 19, 1563), his influence was felt. The same influence remained powerful till the Council of Trent, which by its decrees separated definitely the two denominations. But through his advice, these decrees were not accepted in France (Feb., 1564) and once more his conciliatory spirit can be traced in the Treaty of Longjumeau (Mar. 23, 1568). From that date he withdrew from his charge as councilor and left the court for Vignay. He was formally discharged from his post as chancellor (Feb. 6, 1573), but all his titles with their income were left to him. Faure and others edited his Epistolce (Paris, 1585); and Dufey his (Euvres (1624-26, 5 vols.).
G. Bonet-Maurv.