He was born in Kongsvinger as a son of vicar Hans Jacob Schmidt and Alethe S. Lemmich. He enrolled as a student in 1745 and graduated with the cand.theol. degree in May 1748. After some years as a private tutor and a priest at sea, he was appointed as vicar of Nebbelunde, Denmark in July 1759. In September 1769 he became vicar of Asminderød and Fredensborg Palace. He became connected to the Danish Royal Court in July 1772, having been opposed to JohanFriedrich Struensee's rule. In December 1773 he became Bishop of the Diocese of Christiania. Here he was known to be orthodox. He supported the death penalty in 1777.