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The Institution Of Christian Religion, Written In Latine By M. John Caluine, Translated Into English According To The Authors Last Edition; With Sundry Tables To Finde The Principall Matters Intreated Of In This Booke, And Also The Declaration Of Places Of Scripture Therein Expounded.
Summary
A sixteenth century copy of this significant work that is John Calvin’s magnum opus, considered one of the most important works to emerge from the Reformation. This is the fourth English edition, and the first printed in portable octavo format.
Description
Printed title page (1578) with printer’s device. Each of the four chapters begins with a decorative initial. Text presented in single-column Roman font. Outer margin contains cross-references. Includes two indexes at the rear by Augustin Marlorat.
Calvin explores both "knowledge of God" and "knowledge of ourselves" with profound theological insight in four books. The first book discusses God the Father; the second God the Son; the third the Holy Spirit; the fourth the Church. Calvin began his work as a catechism in 1536 and it grew to an extensive systematic theology by 1560.
Pagination
[16],634,[110] ff.
Collation
^8,*^8, A-Z^8, Aa-Zz^8, Aaa-Zzz^8, Aaaa-Zzzz^8, Aaaaa^6 (-Aaaaa1,6). Lacks two leaves of the Tables, with the second in facsimile.
Binding
Rebound in modern paneled brown morocco. Boards double paneled in blind with corner fleurons. Spine with four blind-lined raised bands and the words “Calvin’s Institutes” and “1578” in gilt. Endpapers renewed. Edges speckled.
Condition
Title page laid down; With the exception of a stain to the top edge of the first fifth of the text, a clean and crisp copy.
Scarcity
ESTC records seventeen copies in holdings; RBH with only eight copies at auction.
References
ESTC S107257; STC 4418.