Biography Johann Nikolaus von Hontheim

febronius treatise de statu ecclesiae

as historian hontheim s reputation rests on contributions history of trier. had, during period of activity official @ coblenz, found time collect vast mass of printed , manuscript material afterwards embodied in 3 works on history of trier. of these historia trevirensis diplomatica et pragmatica published in 3 vols. folio in 1750, prodromus historiae trevirensis in 2 vols. in 1757. give, besides history of trier , constitution, large number of documents , references published authorities. third work, historiae scriptorum et monumentarum trevirensis omptissima collectio, remains in manuscript @ city library of trier. these books, result of enormous labor in collation , selection in unfavourable circumstances, entitle hontheim fame of pioneer in modern historical methods.

it is, however, febronius hontheim best remembered. 1763 treatise on state of church , legitimate power of roman pontiff offered europe foremost formulation of arguments against papal absolutism in germany. author of book known @ rome published; not till years afterwards (1778) called on retract. threatened excommunication , faced prospect of relations loss of offices, hontheim, after vacillation , correspondence, signed submission accepted @ rome satisfactory. continued refuse admit, demanded, ut proinde merito monarchicum ecclesiae regimen catholicis doctoribus appelletur. removal of censure followed (1781) when hontheim published @ frankfort purported proof submission had been made of own free (justini febronii acti commentarius in suam retractationem, etc.). book, however, avoided burning questions, rather tended show — indeed correspondence proves — hontheim had not shifted opinion.