Fœcler Isaac

Fœcler Isaac  was born at Baden, or in the Palatinate, in the year 1578. His name is sometimes written Focklerus, and sometimes Voglerus, in the Synodical Acts; but the more correct mode of writing it is Fceclerus, as appears from the anagram "Ius cole, fer casus," which he adopted as his motto, and formed by a transposition of his name, Isacus Fœclerus. The learned John Moller has written largely concerning him in his "Cimbria litterata," T. II. Fol. 197.

It was not till late in life that Fœcler became an avowed Socinian. Before the year 1627, he had filled various ecclesiastical offices; and in that year he was appointed Pastor of Falckenstein, and Superintendent of the surrounding district. In 1633, he was deprived of this office, after which he lived for three years in a state of exile. At the expiration of his term of banishment, he was made Superintendent of Baden, and Pastor of Durlach; and in the Gymnasium of the latter place he was appointed Hebrew Professor. But he was again deprived of his offices, for what reason we are not informed; and in 1640 went to Glückstadt, in the Duchy of Holstein, where he lived as a private individual, and was supported by the bounty of the King of Denmark, and some other kind friends, who were admirers of his preaching.

Fœcler's bias in favour of Socinianism now began to shew itself openly. He therefore left his wife and infant daughter at Glückstadt, and went into Holland, from which country he seems to have gone into Poland; for we learn, from the Synodical Acts, that the superintendence of the School at Uszomir was entrusted to him, by the Synod of Siedliski, in 1643. He wrote

1. Sophronismus, (a small tract occupying a single sheet,) which he dedicated to Christian IV., King of Denmark, and printed in 1642. Only fifty copies of this tract were struck off, and these were presented to men, who were well versed in controversies of this kind, for the purpose of collecting their opinions of its merits. The author is said to have made it the vehicle of his avowal of Socinianism, which he had before kept locked up in his own breast. He represents a belief in the articles contained in the Apostles' Creed as alone necessary to salvation. Whoever admits this rule is regarded by him as orthodox; but all who reject it, or add to it in any way, he charges with heresy. John Rotlceben, Court Preacher to the King of Denmark, published a reply to "Sophronismus," in which he denounced Fœcler as a degenerate son of Luther; said that "'Sophronismus' was published sine ; " and adopted as his motto the caution given by our Lord, Matt. vii. 15, " Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves."

2. Bescheidenheit, welche an Gottglaubige Christen nach einziger Richtschnur der H. Schrift gestellet und in Acht genommen hat Isaac Focler. 1642, 4to. This was directed against Rotloeben's "Examen Sophronismi," although Fœcler does not mention his adversary by name.

3. Sophronismi Recognitio: addressed to the Most Serene and Most Potent Christian IV., King of Denmark and Norway, &c., 4to. At the beginning of this little work the author has remarked, that he composed it at Amsterdam, April 1st, 1643.

4. Christlicher Bericht, wie die Versehung Gottes und der erwehlte Mensch zu betrachten sey; mit angehengter Recognitions Sophronismi, wider M. John. Rotlceben. Glückstadt, 1643, 4to.

5. Isaac Fœcler's "Disterminator Regiminis Ecclesiastici ac Politici, Spirae, 1636," 8vo, is mentioned in John Fred. Mayer's "Catal. Biblioth." p. 232, N. 106.

(Vidend. Bock, Hist. Ant. T. I. pp. 355—359.)

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