Philippe de Mornay - De la vérité de la Religion chrétienne - 1582

A rare specimen of the work De la vérité de la Religion chrétienne by Philippe de Mornay, one of the most important texts of Christian apologetics from the Reformation area between the 16th and 17th centuries. The work is conceived as a rational and systematic defense of the Christian religion and addresses central themes of theology, moral philosophy, and the history of religions, opposing the positions of atheists, pagans, and non-Christian religions.
The text had a widespread dissemination across Europe and played a central role in the confessional debate of the modern age. Due to its content and the theological stance of the author, the work was subject to scrutiny and control within the Catholic sphere, being included over time in the Index of Forbidden Books and subjected to censorship in various historical contexts. This aspect makes the volume particularly significant as a document of the history of religious controversy and the circulation of books in Counter-Reformation Europe.


Edition
Printed edition in Antwerp at Christophe Plantin, with the date MDLXXXII (1582), as indicated on the frontispiece.
This is the second edition, revised by the author (Seconde édition revue par l’Autheur).


Material description
Volume in contemporary connection with a flaccid parchment, authentic to the period, structurally present and stable, with evident signs of use and aging: widespread abrasions, folds, thinning of the parchment, and marginal losses. Simple back, without a title, with visible ancient reinforcements.
The cards are complete and the text is fully legible. The card shows natural browning, stains, reddening, and old dirt, consistent with age. There are tears and localized fissures at the edges of some cards, with no loss of text. Margins are sometimes irregular, as is often found in specimens.
It is from the sixteenth century, and there is a visible crack in the photo within the main body of the text.
There are ancient handwritten annotations, evidence of the use and historical circulation of the volume.

Condition
Not in 'excellent' condition, but honest, authentic, and complete, free from invasive modern restorations, with flaws consistent with the period and use. A volume of great historical and bibliographical interest, intended for collectors and scholars of antique books, religious history, and early modern culture.