Estius, Guilielmus (Messel van Est, Willem)

ESTIUS, Guilielmus (Messel van Est, Willem). - Exegete, theologian and hagiographer, b. at Gorkum (Holland) in 1542, d. at Douai on 20 Sept. 1613. After completing his early studies at Utrecht, he attended the University of Louvain, where he took his doctorate in theology in 1580. Among his professors was Michel Baius (v.), from whom he adopted some less orthodox ideas, while remaining nonetheless of profoundly Catholic sentiments, so much so that Benedict XIV called him doctor fundatissimus. At the University of Douai he first taught theology, then, from 1582, Sacred Scripture; he was its chancellor from 1595 until his death. Twice he was also rector of the Seminary of Douai.

He commented admirably on Paul and the Catholic Epistles. His works, almost all published after his death, concern the Bible, theology and hagiography.

Among the biblical ones we note: In omnes D. Pauli epistolas commentaria (2 vols. in-fol., Douai 1614); In quinque epistolas catholicas commentaria (ibid. 1616). The notes from I Io. 5:7 to the end of the epistles and those concerning the minutiae of John were added by the publisher B. Petters (Petrus). This commentary, which constitutes his masterpiece, had many editions (down to 1892 in Paris) and is still very useful and sought after. He also wrote: Annotatiores in praecipua ac difficiliora S. Scripturae loca (Antwerp 1621). The biblical works appeared together at Venice in 1659 (In S. Scripturam opera omnia).

Among the theological works we note: Orationes theologicae XIX (Douai 1614); Commentaria in quattuor libros Sententiarum Petri Lombardi (ibid. 1615, then Naples 1720). A hagiographic work, Historia martyrum Gorkumensium, (ibid. 1603) is the only one that appeared during E.'s lifetime.

Pietro De Ambrozzi