Erasmus, Desiderius

[Epistola Nuncupatoria ad Carolum Caesarem Exhortatio ad studium Evangelicae lectionis. Paraphrasis in Evangeliu(m) Matthaei... Epistola ad R.D. Matthaeum Card, Sedun.]

      Johann Froben, Basle:: Johann Froben,, 1522.. First 8vo. edition.. Contemp. blind-stamped vellum. soiled, peeling from board at top of front cover,t.p. mostly torn away, marginal & occ. stains; large margins.. 8vo.. Large printer's device on verso of last leaf; 3 leaves in fine decorative woodcut borders, historiated initials. The most renowed scholar of his age, erasmus (1469-1536) was a man of vast if not always deep erudition, of uncommon intellectual powers, but acerse to metaphysical speculation, esp. in its medieval and Scholastic forms. Though he had himself paved the way for the Reformation by his merciless satires on the doctrines and institutions of the Church, his scholarly charcter, which abhorred violence and sought tranquility, prevented him from joining the Protestants, and threw him back on the tradition of the Church as the safeguard of stability." ODCC. His 'paraphrases' of the gospels were very popular and influential; Edward VI in 1547, ordered copies to be put in all churches in a convienent place. VD 16 E2912. Bezzel 990.van Haeghen 88. Hackethorn 106:175. Adams E741. BM STC (Germ.) 119.