Contzen, Adam

Contzen, Adam a Jesuit and controversialist of Belgium, was born in 1573 at Maontjoie, in the Julich territory. In 1595 he joined his order at Treves, was in 1606 appointed a professor of philosophy at Wurzburg, and in 1610 professor of theology at the academy in Mayence. He wrote, against the Heidelberg professor Pareus, Defensio Libri de Gratia Primi Hominis (Magdeburg, 1613), and Crudelitas et Idolum Calvinistarum Revelatum (ibid. 1614). When Pareus tried to harmonize the differences between Lutherans and Calvin. ists, and to array both parties against Rome. Contzen published De Unione et Synodo Generali Evangelicorum (ibid. 1615), and De Pace Germaniae Libri Duo (ibid. 1616). When the first centenary of the Reformation was celebrated, he published Jubilum Jubilorum (ibid. 1618). At Munich, where he was called in 1623, he wrote, In Quatuor Evang., a commentary (Cologne, 1626): — In Epistol. ad Romanos (ibid. 1629): — In Epistol. ad Corinthios et ad Galatas (ibid. 1631). He died May 20, 1635. See K. Brischar, P. Adam Contzen (Wurzburg, 1829); Streber, in Wetzer u. Welte's Kirchen-Lexikon, s.v.; Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, s.v. (B.P.)