Musician, theologian, and hymn writer. He was born in Hersbruck and was raised in Nürnberg. In 1542 he became organist there. Between 1550 and 1554 he studied at the University of Wittenberg under Melanchthon and graduated Master of Arts. With Melanchthons support he became court preacher in Dresden in 1558. Since 1560 he was responsible for the education of prince August, but lost his influence after criticizing the elector. From 1565 on he worked as professor of theology in Jena, but he had to leave there two years later. 1568 Elector August named him professor of theology at Leipzig where he stayed for two years. He received his doctorate in Wittenberg in 1570 and then worked at Brunswick, Gandersheim and Oldenburg where he and Hermann Hamelmann wrote the 'Oldenburger Kircheordnung'. In 1574 he became minister at St. Thomas in Leipzig and later Superintendent. With the death of Elector August his lost his posts and had to flee from Saxony. After living in Magdeburg and Hildesheim he returned to Leipzig in 1591. He left 170 writings including the 'Historia Lutheri' from 1575. From the 120 hymns he wrote some are part of the 'Evangelischen Gesangbuch' (Protestant hymn-book) and are still used in church services.

Musician, theologian, and hymn writer. He was born in Hersbruck and was raised in Nürnberg. In 1542 he became organist there. Between 1550 and 1554 he studied at the University of Wittenberg under Melanchthon and graduated Master of Arts. With Melanchthons support he became court preacher in Dresden in 1558. Since 1560 he was responsible for the education of prince August, but lost his influence after criticizing the elector. From 1565 on he worked as professor of theology in Jena, but he had to leave there two years later. 1568 Elector August named him professor of theology at Leipzig where he stayed for two years. He received his doctorate in Wittenberg in 1570 and then worked at Brunswick, Gandersheim and Oldenburg where he and Hermann Hamelmann wrote the 'Oldenburger Kircheordnung'. In 1574 he became minister at St. Thomas in Leipzig and later Superintendent. With the death of Elector August his lost his posts and had to flee from Saxony. After living in Magdeburg and Hildesheim he returned to Leipzig in 1591. He left 170 writings including the 'Historia Lutheri' from 1575. From the 120 hymns he wrote some are part of the 'Evangelischen Gesangbuch' (Protestant hymn-book) and are still used in church services.