JOHN FREDERIC, a famous Protestant divine, was born at Neufchattel in 1663; and made fuch rapid progres in his studies, that he became master of arts at Saumur before he was 16 years of age. He afterwards studied at Orleans and at Paris. At his return to Neufchattel in 1699, he became parlor of the church there; and contracted a ftrict friendship with the celebrated John Alphonfus Turretin of Geneva, and the illuftrious Samuel Werenfels of Bafil. The union of thefe three divines, which was called the Triumvirate of the divines of Switzerland, lasted till his death. Mr Osterwald acquired the highest reputation, by his virtues, his zeal in instructing his disciples, and reftored eccle- fiaatical discipline. He wrote many books in French; the principal of which are, 1. A Treatise concerning the Sources of Corruption, which is a good moral piece. 2. A Catechism, or Instruction in the Christian Religion; which has been translated into German, Dutch, and English; and the Abridgement of the Sacred History, which he prefixed to it, was translated and printed in Arabic, in order to be sent to the East Indies, by the care of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel; and that Society established in London, paid him a high compliment, by admitting him an honorary member. 3. A treatise against Impurity. 4. An edition of the French Bible of Geneva, with Arguments and Reflections, in folio. 5. Ethica Chriphiana. 6. Theologic Compendium, &c. He died in 1747, regretted by all who knew him.