Matheo Maya - Fragmentos varios morales - 1680

1. Title and Author
This concerns the second volume of the 'Suma de Ciencia Moral'. It was initiated by Father Raymundo Lumbier (a famous Navarrese theologian) and continued or edited by Father Pedro de Arana.
2. What was it used for?
Back in its day, this book was an essential tool for:
• Confessors: They helped the priests judge "cases of conscience" and decide which penance to assign.
• Law students: It dealt with canon law and how to apply Christian ethics to civil life.
• Administration: By being dedicated to a high official of the Council of Milan, it shows that the religious and political spheres of the Spanish Empire were fully united.
3. Physical item data
• Time period: Late 17th century or early 18th century.
• Antique owner: The handwritten signature that reads 'Ex libris Dominici Thomey' tells us that it belonged to a rector named Domingo Thomey, who probably used it for his studies or to run his parish.
• Visual curiosity: If you see words with an 'f' where an 's' should be (as in preſentes), it's not a spelling mistake, but the use of the long 's', typical of old printing presses.