GRABE, JOHN ERNEST, a learned theologian, was born at Königsberg in 1666. The perusal of the works of the fathers having inspired him with doubts as to some points of his creed, he explained them in a memoir addressed to the consistory of Sambia. The elector of Brandenburg ordered three theologians to examine the memoir of Grabe, who afterwards proceeded to Berlin to confer with Spener, one of his adversaries. Upon some of the points in dispute they came to agree; but Grabe persisting in maintaining the necessity of the apostolical succession in the ministry, Spener, having despaired of overcoming his conviction of this doctrine, counselled him to proceed to England, where he would find it established. Grabe followed this advice, and, having reached London, got himself ordained priest according to the English ritual; but he always preserved his private opinions touching the eucharist and consecration. Nevertheless, the regularity of his conduct, and his useful labours, recommended him to notice; he obtained some benefices; and Queen Anne granted him a pension, which he enjoyed till his death, which took place at London on the 13th of September 1711, in the forty-fifth year of his age.
His works, which have obtained him the reputation of a learned and laborious man, but indifferent critic, are—Specilegium SS. Patrum et Hæreticorum sæculi post Christi natum primi, secundi, tertii, Oxford, 1698 and 1699, in 8vo; S. Irenei episcopi Lugdunensis adversus hæretes libri quinque, Oxford, 1702, in folio; Vetus Testamentum iuxta Septuaginta Interpretes, Oxford, 1707, 1719, 1720, and 1729, in folio; Liturgia Græca, Hague, 1715, in 8vo; De forma consecrationis Eucharistice, hoc est, Defensio Ecclesiæ Græcæ contra Romanam, London, 1721, in 8vo; Editions of the First Apology of St Justin Martyr, of the works of George Bull, and of the treatise of Daubuz pro Testimonio Flavi Josephus de Jesu Christo; Doubts presented to the Consistory of Sambia, in German, two writings in English against Whiston, and some polemical pieces of little importance. (J. B.—M.)