S. Oomius - [SUICIDE] Prophylacticum Vitae - 1660

[FIRST EDITION - SUICIDE – SELF‑MURDER – PSYCHOLOGY – NETHERLANDS]

Prophylacticum Vitae or Protection of life, against self‑murder
Simon Oomius
Amsterdam, 1660

Rare first edition with numerous contemporary marginal notes by a learned theologian.

Especially impressive is the full‑page copperplate frontispiece, which depicts drastic scenes of suicide and rescue attempts, bringing the topic directly to the viewer.

Extremely rare early modern first edition of this book on the prevention of suicide – in scholarly discourse highlighted as one of the first standalone writings on this topic in Dutch. The Reformed preacher Simon Oomius analyzes the “indirecte en directe selfs‑moorderije,” discusses causes such as despair, melancholy, loneliness and doubts of faith, and develops extensive pastoral strategies for safeguarding life. Thus the work stands at the intersection of theology, moral theory, and early psychology and offers insight into handling thoughts of suicide in the 17th century.

ABOUT THE NOTES:
They link Oomius’s arguments against despair and suicide with other Reformed authors (Bolton, Gouge, Voetius, etc.) and with church‑history examples (apostates, heretics, church councils).

The writer comments, numbers, and supplements the arguments, e.g., regarding the “sin against the Holy Spirit,” the question of the forgiveness of “falling away from the faith,” and the pastoral treatment of the despondent.

At the bottom of the broad margins lie longer, continuous notes, apparently extracts or his own formulations about how to deal with “Afvalligen,” “wanhopige zielen,” etc. – thus very likely sermon or pastoral‑care notes of a Reformed clergyman.

The text is clearly organized: first the beings and forms of suicide are defined, then the mental and social causes are analyzed, and finally practical “prophylactic” means are recommended, such as consolation, spiritual accompaniment, and the strengthening of hope. Oomius also addresses related themes such as despair, the sin against the Holy Spirit, and the question of the eternal destiny of suicides – topics that, in this clarity, were rarely treated in a dedicated book.

Contemporary parchment binding with handwritten spine title. Age‑appropriate somewhat rubbed, but intact. Inside, partly slightly browned (see photos). Many leaves contain contemporary marginal notes (see photos).
Pages: title copperplate + title page, Dedication (14 pp.), 336 pp., Bladt‑Wyser (7 pp.)