MERLIN HORSTTIUS JACOBUS. – Ascetic prose writer, born at Meerlo, near Horst (diocese of Rurcmonde; Netherlands), on 24 July 1597, died at Cologne on 21 April 1644. Ordained priest in 1621, he served as vicar from 22 March 1623 until his death and was parish priest of St Mary’s “in Pasculo.”
Most zealous and of an exceptionally holy life, he is chiefly remembered for his devotional books, all published in Latin at Cologne. The best known is the *Paradisus animae* (1630, frequently reprinted until 1898), translated into several languages. Other notable works include: *Enchiridion Officii divini* (1623); *Monita sapientiae christianae* (1629); *Fasciculus myrrhae et thuris* (1630); *Viaticum quotidianum* (1633); *Aphorismi eucharistici* (1638; translated editions, Cologne 1828, 1902). He also prepared new editions of the works of St Bernard (1641, 6 vols.), Thomas à Kempis (1643) and other ascetical authors (*Septem tubae orbis christiani*, 1635).