1587 John Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion

The Institution Of Christian Religion, Written In Latine By M. John Calvine, and Translated Into English According To The Authors Last Edition; With Sundry Tables To Finde The Principall Matters entreated Of In This Booke, And Also The Declaration Of Places Of Scripture Therein Expounded: By Thomas Norton. Whereunto There Are newly Added In The Margent Of The Booke, Notes Containing In The Briefe The Substance Of The Matter Handled In Each Section.

Summary

An attractive copy of this significant work that is John Calvin’s magnum opus, considered one of the most important works to emerge from the Reformation.

Description

General title page (1587) with printer’s device. Each of the four chapters begins within a decorative initial. Text presented in single-column Roman font. Outer margin contains cross-references and few notes. Includes two indexes (Tables) at the rear.

Pagination

[12],507,[97] pp.

Collation

[par]^8, A^4, B-Z^8, Aa-Zz^8, Aaa-Zzz^8, Aaaa-Iiii^8 (-Iiii2-8). Textually complete, lacking final six leaves of Tables and final blank leaf. 

Binding

Rebacked brown period calf. Boards paneled in blind with corner fleurons. Spine with five blind-lined raised bands. Plain endpapers.

Condition

First word at head of title page slightly shaved; early manuscript annotations and marginalia to several leaves; Ppp7 short tear to fore-margin; toning and occasional light dust-soiling; few gatherings slightly sprung; a clean and crisp copy.

Provenance

Verso of title page with early ownership signature of Richd. Milton of Broughton.

Note

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.

References

ESTC S107255; STC 4422.