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Ausiibung der Verrturtftlehre (1691 ); Einleitung zur Sittenlehre (1692 ); and Ausiibuug der Sittenlehre (1696). Between the spheres of revelation and philosophy Thomasius drew a sharp distinction. In his specialty, he further upheld the principle-of natural right in Fundaments j uris naturce (1705). In a series of works on church law, he recognizes the State as purely secular and the Church as a society within its domain. The power of the sovereign is supreme over the theologians and the Church, limited only by revelation. He opposed certain forms of severity, such as those against Witchcraft (q.v.), which he denied (De crimirte magite, 1701), and the rack (De tortura ex foris, 1705); and he favored the exercise of the right of pardon on the part of the sovereign, in cases of homicide.

(HEINRICII HOFFMAN.)

BIBLIOGRAPHY: J. G. Watch, Religionsatreitigkeiten der eaangeliach-Zutherischen Kirche, iii. 1-78, 10 vole., Jena, 1733-39; H. Luden, Christian Thomasius mach seinen Schicksale unit Schrijten dargeatellt, Berlin, 1805; R. E. Pruta, Geschichte des deutschen Journalismus, Hanover, 1845; F. C. Biedermann, Deutschland im 18. Jahrhundert, Leipsic, 1854; A. Tholuck, Das kirchlicJce Leben des 17. Jahrhunderts, ii. 71-76, Hamburg, 1854; J. C. Bluntschli, Geschichte des allgemeinen Staatsrechts, Munich, 1864; H. Dernburg, Thomasius and die Stiftung der UniversitkE Halle, Halle, 1865; B. A. Wagner, Christian Thomasius: eEn Beitrag zur Wiirdigung seiner Verdienate um die deutsche LitEeratur, Berlin, 1873; Klemperer, Christian Thomasius, ein Vork&mpfer der Yolksaujblurung, Landsberg, 1877; A. Ritschl, Geschichte des Pietismus, ii. 545 aqq., Bonn, 1884; A. Nieoladoni, Christian Thomasiua: ein Beitrag zur Geachichte der AuJkl&rung, Berlin, 1888; E. Landsberg, Zur Lebenageachichte des Chr. Thomasius, Halle, 1894; idem, ADB, xxxviii. 93-103; A. Rauch, Christian Thomasius and A. H. Francke, Halle, 1898; R. Kayser, Thomaaius and der Pietiamua, Hamburg, 1900; idem, in Monatshejte der Comenius-Geaellschajt, 1900.

THOMASIUS, GOTTFRIED: Professor in Erlangen; b. at Egenhausen (circuit of Nagold, Wiirttemberg, 16 m. w. of Tiibingen), Bavarian Franconia, July 26, 1802; d. at Erlangen Jan. 24, 1875. He was a lineal descendant of Christian Thomasius (q.v.). He attended the gymnasium in Ansbach, entered the University of Erlangen in 1821, removed to Halle after a year and a half, and finished his academic studies in Berlin, where he was attracted by Schleiermacher, Hegel, Marheineke, and Tholuck. Leaving the university in 1825, Thomasius spent seventeen years in the active work of the pastorate, first in a village between Erlangen and Nuremberg, after 1829 in Nuremberg. Here his preaching attracted the intellectual men Of the city and his success as religious instructor in the gymnasium led to his call to Erlangen as professor of dogmatics in Mar., 1842. He had previously published his Grundlinien z um Religionsunterwicht an den mittlerert and oberen Klassen gelehrter Schulen (Nuremberg, 1839), which met with wide approval (8th ed., 1901). Thomasius contributed his share to a development at Erlangen which combined strict adherence to the standards with the truly scientific spirit and genuine theological. progress. The subjects on which he lectured were dogmatics and church history, and he excelled in the deep and lasting character of the impression he made. For almost thirty-three years he exerted an influence equalled by few teachers of his time.

as teacher. An early work, Origenes. Bin Beitrag zur Dogmengeschichte des drittert Jahrhunderts (Nuremberg, 1837), helped to pave the way for his transition from the pulpit to the professor's chair. Three preliminary treatises (Beitriige zur kirchlichen Christologie, Nuremberg, 1845; Dogmatic de obedieYt tia Christi activa historic et progressiones rode a confessione A ugustana ad formulam usque cm7.cordite, 3 parts, Erlangen, 1845-46; Das Bekenntnis der evangeliscl-lutherischen Kirche in der Konsequenz seines Prinzips, Nuremberg, 1848) preceded his greatest work-Christi Person and Werk. Darstellung der evangelischrlutherischen Doi vom Mittelpurtkte der Christologie aus (3 parts, Erlangen, 1852-61), which treats the whole field of dogmatics in comprehensive expositions which are always based on the Scriptural proof and the consensus of the Church. For Thomasius's development of the doctrine of Kenosis (q.v.), see CHRISTOLOGY, X., 4, § 4. His exposition of the doctrine of the Trinity was criticized, but his teaching concerning the work of Christ is complete and satisfactory, combining the truth in the view of Anselm and in the old-Lutheran doctrine into the true conception of the atonement. The final treatment of the theme is to be sought in the third part of the Doi an earlier work, Das Bekenntnis der lutherischexz Kirche von der Versdhnung and die Versohnungslehre D. von Hofmanns (Erlangen, 1857), treats the same questions less conclusively. Die christliche Doi geschichte-ale Eutwickelungsgeschichte des kirchlichen Lehrbegritfs (2 vole., Erlangen, 1874-76; 2nd ed., by N. Bonwetsch and R. Seeberg, Leipsic, 1886--88) was Thomasius's last publication. It combines the enthusiasm of youth and the maturity of age with learning, keen judgment, clearness of presentation, and thoroughness. of investigation. The first volume treats of the ancient Church; the second, comprising the Middle Ages and the Reformation, was not fully completed at the author's death and was published posthumously by G. L. Plitt.

THbMASSIft, LOUIS: French cleric and canonist; b. at Aix (17 m. n. of Marseilles), Provence, Aug. 28, 1619; d. in Paris Dec. 24, 1697. He was educated in the Congregation of the Oratory, entered the congregation in 1632, and taught successively at Lyons, Saumur, and in the Seminary of St. Magloire at Paris. In 1668 he retired and devoted himself to study, supported by the French clergy. His chief