Johann Matthäus Meyfart

Johann Matthäus Meyfart, also Johann Matthaeus Meyfahrt, Mayfart (9 November 1590 – 26 January 1642) was a German Lutheran theologist, educator, academic teacher, hymn writer and minister. He was an opponent fighter of witch trials.

Meyfart was born in Jena, the son of a minister, and studied at the University of Jena from 1608, first the liberal arts graduating in 1603, then theology, continued at the University of Wittenberg from 1614. He taught from 1617 at the Gymnasium in Coburg, serving as its Rektor from 1623.

In 1633 Meyfart was appointed professor of theology at the University of Erfurt. He was the Rektor of the university from 1634 to 1636. During the last years of his life he served as a minister at the Predigerkirche, where he is buried.

Meyfart is known as the author of hymns such as "Jerusalem, du hochgebaute Stadt ()“ (Evangelisches Gesangbuch No. 150), written in 1626. He wrote from 1629 to 1632 Christliche Erinnerung, An Gewaltige Regenten und Gewissenhafte Praedicanten, wie das abschewliche Laster der Hexerey mit Ernst auszurotten, aber in Verfolgung desselbigen auff Cantzeln und in Gerichtshaeusern sehr bescheidentlich zu handeln sey., a call against witch trials, published in 1635.

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