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 self‑murder and rescue attempts, thus bringing the topic directly to the viewer’s eye.

Exceptionally rare early modern first edition of this book on the prevention of suicide – in research highlighted as one of the first independent works on this topic in Dutch. The Reformed preacher Simon Oomius analyzes the “indirecte en directe selfs‑moorderije” (indirect and direct self‑murder), discusses causes such as despair, melancholy, loneliness, and doubts of faith, and develops extensive pastoral strategies for preserving life. Thus the work stands at the crossroads of theology, moral theory, and early psychology and offers insight into how thoughts of suicide were dealt with in the 17th century.

NOTE ON THE NOTES:
They connect Oomius’ 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., on the “Sin against the Holy Spirit,” on the question of the forgiveness of “falling away from the faith,” and on pastoral treatment of those in despair.

At the bottom of the broad margins lie longer, connected notes, apparently excerpts or own formulations on how to deal with “Afvalligen,” “wanhopige zielen,” etc.—very likely sermon or pastoral notes of a Reformed clergyman.

The text is clearly organized: first, the beings and forms of suicide are defined, then the psychological and social causes are analyzed, and finally practical “prophylactic” measures are recommended, such as consolation, spiritual guidance, and the strengthening of hope. Oomius also treats related topics such as despair, sin against the Holy Spirit, and the question of the eternal fate of suicides—topics that, in this level of clarity, are rarely treated in a single book.

Contemporary parchment binding with handwritten spine title. Slightly rubbed with age but sound. Internally, some leaves slightly browned (see photos). Many leaves contain contemporary marginal notes (see photos).
Pages: Title copperplate + title page, Opdracht (14 pages), 336 pages, Bladt-Wyser (7 pages).