Christian Cyclopedia

(Paulus; Spret; 1484–1551). B. Rötlen, near Ellwangen, Ger.; educ. various univs.; ordained ca. 1506; active in Salzburg, (Austria) and in Dinkelsbühl and Würzburg; (both in Bavaria); held ev. views; married; fled Würzburg; expelled from Salzburg; excommunicated at Ofen. Hung.; imprisoned at Iglau and condemned to death; escaped on condition he would leave Moravia; helped M. Luther prepare 1st Prot. hymnal; castle preacher Königsberg. Luth. bp. Pomerania 1530. Hymnist. Helped prepare Luth. Prussian ch. order. Hymns include “Es ist das Heil uns kommen her.”

T. Pressel, Paul Speratus, in Leben und ausgewählte Schriften der Väter und Begründer der lutherischen Kirche, ed. J. Hartmann et al., VIII, in vol. 4 (Elberfeld, 1862).