WITSIUS, Hermann (1636-1708), Dutch theologian, was born February 12, 1636, at Enckhuysen, North Holland, studied at Utrecht, Leyden, and Groningen, and was ordained to the ministry in 1657. In 1675 he became professor of divinity at Franeker, and in 1680 he was translated to a corresponding chair at Utrecht. In 1685 he acted as chaplain to the Dutch embassy sent to London to congratulate James II. on his accession. In 1698 he succeeded Spanheim at Leyden, where he died on October 22, 1708.

Subjoined is a list of his more important works. Judaeus Christianizans, —circa Principia Fidei et SS. Trinitatem, Utrecht, 1661; De Oeconomia Foederum Dei cum Hominibus, 1677 (often reprinted, both in Latin and in English, and still regarded as one of the clearest and most suggestive expositions of the so-called “federal” theology); Diatribe de Septem Epistolarum Apocalypti-carum Sensu Historico ac Prophetico, Franeker, 1678; Exercitationes Sacrae in Symbolum quod Apostolorum dicitur et in Orationem Dominicam, Franeker, 1681; Miscellanea Sacra, Utrecht, 1692- 1700 (2 vols. 4to).