P. Andrea Gervnda - De Episcopo libri quatuor - 1653

DESCRIPTION: I present at auction a jewel in folio from Italian Baroque printing and 17th-century Jesuit theology: the Tomus Secundus of the famous work “De Episcopo Libri Quatuor,” written by the eminent Jesuit theologian Andrea Gerunda (P. Andrea Gerunda Societatis Iesu Theologo).

Published in Naples in 1653 (Neapoli, Typis Iacobi Gaffari / apud Franciscum Sauium), this imposing volume deals with the legal, canonical, and inquisitorial doctrine on the election, jurisdiction, authority and virtues of the bishops of Christendom.

MORAL CATASTROPHES, EPISCOPAL POWER AND THE INQUISITION CASUISTICS

This second tome delves into the more rigorous and intense aspects of ecclesiastical government and discipline:

+ Jurisdiction of Episcopal Election and Confirmation: A comprehensive treatise on the election of prelates, procedural justice in appointments, controversies over the possession of dioceses, and the canonical requirements to exercise the episcopate.

+ Canonical Controversies and Discipline: Analysis of the bishops’ power to judge faults, prosecute heterodoxy, supervise ecclesiastical orders, and impose canonical penalties.

+ Dedication to Cardinal Brancaccio: Includes the famous dedicatory epistle addressed to the Most Eminent Cardinal Francesco Maria Brancaccio.

+ In this imposing tome, the Jesuit theologian Andrea Gerunda directly addresses the attributes of the episcopal dignity as the supreme judge of faith in his diocese, detailing the exercise of inquisitorial power (potestas inquisitoria). Throughout its chapters, the procedures for the extraordinary persecution of ecclesiastical offenses, the instruction of secret causes against heterodoxy and heresy, the preventive detention of suspects, the imposition of ecclesiastical penalties, and the coordination between the episcopal jurisdiction and the tribunals of the Holy Office of the Inquisition are examined. An exceptionally valuable document for understanding the mechanisms of control, censorship, and religious repression used by the Baroque Church to maintain doctrinal purity in the seventeenth century.

MONUMENTAL LINE-engraved FRONTISPIECE:

The great artistic appeal of this work lies in its monumental copper-engraved line frontispiece by Perrey (Perrey fec.). It is an architectural cover of extraordinary iconographic complexity, structured according to chapters II and III of the Apocalypse. It depicts the Archangels and the Angels of the Seven Churches of Revelation in niches and classical arches, highlighted in the upper register with Saint Michael the Archangel trampling the demon beneath the radiant IHS monogram, accompanied by the Angel of Ephesus. The side arches house Saint Gabriel, Saint Raphael, Saint Uriel, Saint Sealtiel, Saint Jehudiel and Saint Barachiel guarding the representatives of the churches of Smyrna, Pergamon, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea. Completing the program is the emblem of the Society of Jesus with the leafy tree and the motto “Odoro vulnere,” as well as the engraving of the monogram IHS crowned by the cross on the inner title page.

YEAR OF PUBLICATION: Neapolés [Neapoli] (Italy) 1653.

LANGUAGE: Latin (Original Version)

SIZE AND pagination: Dimensions: 32 x 22 cm. Pagination: [2] + Frontispiece Engraved + Typographic Frontispiece + [14] + 466 + [54] pp. COMPLETE WORK WITH 42 PLATES

CONDITION: Original full goatskin binding in the Roman style, in good overall condition, with some rubbing and signs of use, as shown in the photos. Spine with five raised bands decorated with the manuscript title of the work. The interior is in good overall condition, as shown in the photos. Slight watermark in the bottom right corner on some pages that does not affect ink quality. Small restored tear without loss of text on one index page.

RARE AND HIGHLY COVETED FIRST ENGLISH EDITION. DO NOT LET IT SLIP.

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