Institutio Christianae Religionis.

£5,000 · Offered by Shapero Rare Books · No longer available

Calvinism and the Reformation in England The first edition printed in England of Calvin's seminal work of systematic theology, arguably the most important doctrinal work of the sixteenth century. Bound in contemporary English gilt calf. Institutes of the Christian Religion established a framework for Reformed Christianity to rival the comprehensive belief-system of the Catholic Church, exerting a powerful influence over the later stages of the Reformation in England and the emergence of Puritanism toward the end of the century. 'It discusses ancient and medieval philosophy, the Church Fathers, the contemporary Roman Church and the Reformers. Calvin is much indebted to St Augustine — four thousand quotations from him have been counted in Calvin's works — Luther, Zwingli and Martin Bucer, but he was greatly influenced also by his classical training, quoting Plato, Seneca and other ancient writers' (PMM). First edition printed in England; 8vo (19.5 x 12.5 cm); text in Latin, a few ink marks to title and rear endpapers, woodcut device to title and last f. of text; contemporary English gilt calf, quadruple blind ruled with single gilt fillet, oval centrepiece of interlacing ribbons and tendrils to upper and lower panels, spine with gilt fleurons in 5 raised compartments, crude early repairs to head and foot of spine and edges, old wormhole at foot of lower cover, tightly bound, otherwise internally clean; [28], 742, [134]pp. ESTC S104872; cf.PMM 65.

• Binding: Hardcover

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