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 David Pareus was born of parents of good rank. At age fourteen, he was sent to study in Hirschberg. His tutor was impressed with David’s ingenuity and promise. The chief Magistrate took a liking to him after hearing the funeral oration David gave at his son’s funeral. For two years David took his meals with the Magistrate’s family, becoming fast friends with his tutor. Then a falling out occurred between the schoolmaster and the Lutheran pastor. David’s schoolmaster taught his students that Christ’s body ascended to Heaven there to remain until His coming to Judgment, so that in the Sacrament one feeds on His Body only spiritually by faith. This resulted in the schoolmaster being banished from the city.

 Returning home, David’s father was informed by others that David himself had been infected with the schoolmaster’s errors. This caused his father to disinherit him, forcing David to seek his fortune in the German Palatinate. There, in Heidelberg, he entered the College of Sapience, thanks to the generosity of his former schoolmaster, where he studied under such luminaries as Ursinus and Zanchius. After receiving a general education, he undertook the study of Divinity, preparing himself for the ministry.

 After several preaching tours in German villages, as well as years of lecturing at Heidelberg, in 1587 Pareus was named Master of the College of Sapience in the University, where he earned his doctorate.

 In 1594, a Convention of German States was held because the Lutherans accused the University professors of holding opinions neither conforming to the Scriptures, Augustine’s Confession, nor to their own Catechism [Heidelberg]. But Pareus, the appointed spokesman, easily overcame the arguments of the Lutherans, vindicating his comrades.

 In 1596, he was made Professor of the Old Testament, and in 1602, he was named Professor of the New Testament. Pareus’ fame increased, bringing students from several countries to hear him.

 In 1618, the Low Countries were being extremely endangered by the spread of Arminianism. The Reformed Protestants appointed a Synod at Dort for the curing of that disease. Pareus was chosen to attend, along with other famous Divines, but had to excuse himself due to ill health.

 By his doctrine and counsel he was admirably advantageous to the Church of God in many places. He strongly asserted the truth of God against its adversaries. He was a great student of the Word and a promoter of peace in the Church, laboring that they should agree in the Fundamentals and not clash about matters of an inferior nature. He wrote many excellent works, some self-published, others published by his son, Philip, to the great benefit of the Church.

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