Thomas A'Kempis.

[Ein ware Nachvolgung Cristi] Imitatio Christi.

      Augsburg: [Hans Schobser,] 1493, Dec.9th. Small 4to. [*6],a-v8,w8,x4. [Lacks *1&2 (including t.p.with woodcut); a1,a8.b1,b8,c1,c8.d1,d8.] 168 [of 178]ff. Modern antique style morocco, elaborately blind-tooled, spine double-bandedd, minor rubbing;occ. foxing and finger-soiling; last leaf cut and mounted (no losses); first six leaves have a wormtrack (some letters touched), some light damptains l8-n1;with slipcase. First ten leaves rubricated with initials colored or supplied in red ink; decorated initials. Thomas à Kempis, Author (there is a long history of the dispute over the authorship but Thomas remains the most likely) of the "Imitation of Christ", born at Kempen in the Diocese of Cologne, in 1379 or 1380; died 25 July, 1471.The "Imitation of Christ is "a work of spiritual devotion, also sometimes called the "Following of Christ". Its purpose is to instruct the soul in Christian perfection with Christ as the Divine Model. It consists of a series of counsels of perfection written in Latin in a familiar and even colloquial style, and is divided into four parts or books: 1. Useful admonitions for a spiritual life, 2. Admonitions concerning spiritual things; 3. Of interior consolation; 4. Of the Blessed Sacrament.With the exception of the Bible, it is perhaps the most widely read spiritual book in the world. " [Catholic Ency.]"Imitation of Christ is a writing of the mysticist German-Dutch school of the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries and is widely considered one of the greatest manuals of devotion in Christianity. Protestants and Roman Catholics alike join in giving it praise. The Jesuits give it an official place among their "exercises". John Wesley and John Newton listed it among the works that influenced them at their conversion. General Gordon carried it with him to the battlefield" [Wkpd]German translations first appeared in 1486; this is the third. They are all scarce as the book was widely read. Goff I41 ; HC(Add) 9117* ; C(Im) 1086 ; Polain(B) 4453 ; IBP 3043 ; Sajó-Soltész 3320 ; Schr 5347 ; Günt(L) 134 ; Voull(B) 158,5 ; Deckert 381 ; Borm 2634 ; Walsh 614 ; Pr 1722 ; BMC II 378 ; BSB-Ink T-185. ISTC ii00041000.