This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/21/2024
MONTAGU, Richard (1578-1641). The Acts and Monuments of the Church Before Christ Incarnate. London: Printed by Miles Flesher and Robert Young, 1642. Folio. [4], 307, [1, blank], 313-552 pp. Complete & matching the collation at ESTC. Roman letter, some Italic and Greek. Title within double line rule, woodcut printers device on the title page, historiated and floriated woodcut initials, woodcut head and tail-pieces throughout. Bound in original contemporary full calf leather boards, sympathetically rebacked in antique style, using matching brown calf leather, plain spine with 5 raised bands (some color restoration to binding, text toned with some occasional soiling). Fine. FIRST EDITION OF THIS CONTROVERSIAL WORK INTENDED TO HELP MEND THE SCHISM BETWEEN THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND AND THE VATICAN BY THE CELEBRATED ANGLICAN BISHOP MONTAGUE. “Distinguished for his knowledge of primitive Christianity.a leaner toward Romanism; and it was even asserted by the moderate churchmen who opposed Laud’s course that Mountagu was aiming to carry the king, his court and his primate, bodily over to Rome, and to go there himself. Bishop Mountagu’s literary labors are valuable, especially in the field of ecclesiastical antiquities. He assisted Savile in his edition of St. Chrysostom; edited Gregory Nanzianzen.and published several theological works and controversial tracts.” (M’Clintock & Strong, Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature, 1894).