LANGUET, lan"ge', HUBERT: French diplomat and Reformer; b. at Viteaux (21 m. w. of Dijon), 1518; d. at Antwerp Sept. 30, 1581. He entered the University of Poitiers in order to study law, but he was interested also in theology, history, and natural and political science. He visited the universities of Padua and Bologna, and traveled in Italy and Spain. He was greatly influenced by Melanchthon's Loci theologici, which put an end to his doubts. In 1549 Languet went to Wittenberg, where he was kindly received by Melanchthon as a guest, frequently accompanying him on his travels and being on intimate terms with his friends. Expelled from France by the persecutions of the Protestants, he settled at Wittenberg, spending the winters there, but making extensive journeys in the summer and fall. In 1559 Languet, on the recommendation of Melanchthon, entered the service of the elector of Saxony as diplomatic agent, which position he held until 1577. The elector sent him to various courts: to Paris, Vienna, Prague, Frankfurt, Cologne, and the Netherlands. As a friend of Melanchthon he opposed the growing party of strict Lutherans; but still he did everything in his power to reconcile the opposing parties, even trying to effect the recognition of the French Huguenots at the diet of Frankfurt in 1562, but without success. In May, 1561, he went to France in order to bring about a closer connection between the German princes and the French Protestants, and was present at the Religious Conference of Poissy (q.v.). In 1562 he was in Antwerp; the following years were spent in diplomatic journeys to France and back to Saxony. In 1571 the elector sent him together with the ambassadors of other Protestant princes of Germany to King Charles IX. of France to congratulate him on the peace of St. Germain. On this occasion Languet advocated the equal recognition of both confessions, but the answer was the night of St. Bartholomew; having narrowly escaped death, he left France in Oct., 1572, and returned there only once more, shortly before his death. From 1573 to 1576 he was at the court of Emperor Maximilian II., whom he accompanied on his various journeys. With the death of Maximilian II. in 1576 his connection with the court of Vienna was dissolved. The bitter feelings against him as the friend of Melanchthon and a Calvinist caused him to ask for dismissal from the court. The elector granted his desire, but continued his salary. In 1577 he went to Cologne in order to be nearer to the Netherlands, as he was greatly attracted by William of Orange.

The leading idea of his diplomacy was that of religious and civil liberty for the protection and expansion of Protestantism. He did everything in his power to advance the union of the Protestant churches. The correspondence with the Elector August of Saxony and with Mordeisen were edited by T. P. Ludovicus under the title Arcana seculi xvi. (Halle, 1699). Other collections of letters are Epistolae politicae et historicae ad P. Sydnaeum (Frankfort, 1633); Epistolae ad J. Camerarium, Patrem et filium (Groningen, 1646). His chief work is Vindiciae contra tyrannos (Edinburgh [Basel?], 1579). The book is divided into four parts each of which proposes and answers a question: (1) Must God in a case of dispute be obeyed rather than a ruler? (2) May a ruler who violates the law of God and devastates the Church, be opposed? (3) How far, and with what right may it be allowed to oppose a ruler who suppresses or destroys the state? (4) Have neighboring rulers a right to assist a ruler oppressed by his subjects?

(PAUL TSCHACKERT.)

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Accounts of the life have been written by Philibert de Ia Mare, ed. T. P. Ludovicus, Halle, 1700; Treitschke, Leipsic, 1846; H. Chevrenil, Paris 1856; J. Blasel, Breslau. 1872. Consult further: G. von Polenx,

414

[Page 414]

415

[Page 415]

416

[Page 416]

417

[Page 417]

418

[Page 418]

419

[Page 419]

420

[Page 420]

421

[Page 421]

422

[Page 422]

423

[Page 423]

424

[Page 424]

425

[Page 425]

426

[Page 426]

427

[Page 427]

428

[Page 428]

429

[Page 429]

430

[Page 430]

431

[Page 431]

432

[Page 432]

433

[Page 433]

434

[Page 434]

435

[Page 435]

436

[Page 436]

437

[Page 437]

438

[Page 438]

439

[Page 439]

440

[Page 440]

441

[Page 441]

442

[Page 442]

443

[Page 443]

444

[Page 444]

445

[Page 445]

446

[Page 446]

447

[Page 447]

448

1730), the most important of his works; Histoire du Concile de Pise et de ce qui s'est passd de plus memorable depuis ce Coneile jusqu'au Concile de Constance (2 vols., Amsterdam, 1724); and Histoire de la guerre des Hussites et du Concile de Basle (1731). With Beausobre he wrote Le Nouveau Testament de notre Seigneur Jesus Christ traduit en francois sur l'original grec, avec des notes literales (2 vols., 1718; Eng. transl., in part, London, 1726). Lenfant is the author of the first volume, which contains the four Gospels and a comprehensive introduction. Other writings are: the polemical Preservatif contre la reunion avec le siege de Rome (4 vols., Amsterdam, 1723); and Seize sermons sur divers textes (1728; Germ. transl., Halle, 1742). Lenfant was also one of the founders of the Bibliotheque Germanique.

(C. PFENDER.)

BIBLIOGRAPHY: E. and E. Haag, La France protestante, ed. H. L. Bordier, vol. vi., Paris, 1889; Lichtenberger, ESR, viii. 130-138.