HUNNIUS, NICOLAUS: Lutheran theologian; b. at Marburg July 11, 1585, third son of Egidius Hunnius (q.v.); d. at Lübeck Apr. 12, 1643. At the age of fifteen he entered the University of Wittenberg, where he studied philology, philosophy, and theology. In 1609 he joined the philosophical faculty and lectured in philosophy and theology. He followed the same theological direction as his father, inherited his temper and talent as a polemist, and was like him, possessed of great learnipg. In virtue of his ability Elector John George I. of Sagony appointed him, in 1612, superintendent of Eilenburg, where he won the respect of his superiors and the affection of his congregation. In 1617 Hunnius was called to succeed Leonhard Hutter, at Wittenberg, as professor of theology. In 1623 he was appointed pastor of St. Mary's Church at Lübeck; the following year he became superintendent. For the suppression of the enthusiasts who pervaded the region, Hunnius reunited the dioceses of Lubeck, Hamburg, and Lüneberg (Ministrium tripolitanum), and at a convention held in 1633 at M611n measures were proposed and adopted for the same purpose. For the suppression of the adherents of Calvinism Hunnius frustrated the efforts of John Durie (q.v.), who tried to establish harmony between the Lutherans and the Reformed. To check the proselytizing tendencies of the Roman Catholics, he even invoked the aid of the secular powers. At the same time he made earnest efforts to elevate the religious and ecclesiastical life. It was however, chiefly his polemical literary activity that made him known among his contemporaries. He wrote against the Roman Church Ministerii Lutherani divini adeoque legitimi demonstratio (Wit-

tenberg, 1614) and Capistrum Hunnio paratum, etc. (1617); against the Socinians, whom he considered as Photinians, Examen errorum Photinianorum, 1620); and against the enthusiasts, Christliche Betrachtung (1622), Nedder Sdchsisches Handtbmck (Lilbeek, 1633), Ausfuhrlicher Bericht van der neuen Propheten Religion, Lehr and Glauben, etc. (Labeck, 1634; 2d ed. by J. H. Feustking, Wittenberg, 1708, under the title Matmologia fanatica). Against the unionistic tendencies of John Durie he wrote Ministerii eccleaiastici Lubecenais theologica Consideratio interpositionis, seu pacifecatomm transaotionis, inter religionen Lutheranam ex una, et Reformatam ex alters parta profatentes, abs D. Johanne Durwo, ecclesiaste Britanno, his temparibus tentatm (Lübeck,1677). Another writing during his activity at Lfibeek is his Ate?KE*IS theologica de fundamertali, dissensu doctrinte Evangelicte Lutheranm et Calvinianle seu Reformat&, (Wittenberg, 1626), which is important in so far as the distinction between fundamental and non-fundamental articles of faith may be traced to it. But the greatest sensation was created by his Consultatio oder wohlmeinendes Bedenken, ob and wie die evangelisch-lutherischen Kirchen die jetzt schwebenden Religiomstreitigkeiten entweder beilegen oder durch christliche and bequeme Mittel fortstellen and endigen mogen (L(lbeek, 1632). Here he proposed the institution of a perpetual theological senate for the purpose of investigating and settling all theological disputes. Among his didactic writings may be mentioned the Epitome credendorum oder Inhalt der christlichen Lehre, etc. (Wittenberg, 1625). This work ran through nineteen editions, and was translated into Dutch, Swedish, Polish, and Latin. It is a book of popular instruction in Christianity, was reprinted in 1844 for the seminary of American missionaries at Neuendettelsau, and a third edition appeared at Nördlingen, 1870. An epitome of it was made the basis of religious instruction in elementary schools.

(Johannes Kunze.)

Bibliography: The best source in C. H. Starek, Der Stadt L4Fbeck Kirchenhistorie v. 741 sqq., Hamburg, 1724.

Consult: J. Moller, Cimbria literata ii. 376-389, Copenhagen, 1744; L. Heller, Nikolaus Hunnius, Lübeck, 1843 (a careful monograph).