MARCHANT (Marchantius), JACQUES. - Theologian, priest of the diocese of Liège, born at Couvin (Namur) around 1585, died there in 1648. From 1616 he was parish priest of his native village, and from 1630 archpriest of Chimay. He ranks among the most celebrated writers on pastoral theology of his time.
Writings: Hortus pastorum sacrae doctrinae floribus polymitus exemplis selectis adornatus (3 vols., Mons 1626-27); Candelabrum mysticum (treatise on the Sacraments, ibid. 1629); Tuba sacerdotalis (treatise on the capital vices, ibid. 1632); Resolutiones pastorales de praeceptis, vitiis capitalibus et de Sacramentis (ibid. 1635); Rationale evangelizantium (2 vols., ibid. 1637); Vitis florigera de palmitibus electis odorem spirans suavitatis (lives of the saints, 2 vols., ibid. 1639); Opuscula pastoralia de diversis sive committum migena (2 vols., ibid. 1641-43). A French translation of his writings was published by Vivès (13 vols., Paris 1865-67).