Philippe Du Plessis-Mornay / Johannes Halsbergius - [VROEGE DRUK] Bybel der Natvre. Dat is, Vande Waerheyt der Christelijcke Religie (...) - 1602

Philippe Du Plessis-Mornay / Johannes Halsbergius - Bible of Nature. That is, of the Truth of the Christian Religion against the Atheists, Epicureans, Heathens, Jews, Muslims, and other unbelievers. Now first clarified with explanations of several darker words, reasons, and speeches. Here are also three registers included. - Amsterdam, Herman de Buck, 1602 - first edition - (12) + 287 + (6) pages (x2 indicates the number of pages) - original overlapping parchment with central ornament on covers - 19 x 16 cm (QUARTO format).

Condition: very good - neat original binding with solid hinges; some movement in the block; small hole in the title page, a small chip in the bottom corner on one page, a few scattered small spots; light moisture stains in the margins of four pages, tear in the last endpaper; otherwise, notably very neat and very clean paper! Complete.

Equipped with beautiful medallions and a fine early 17th-century calligraphy on the flyleaf.
Very rare, early, and valuable apologetic work.

Notably: this work is written in Middle Dutch, not in Latin. As a result, it was accessible to a much larger audience.

Is rarely offered.

Collector's item and must-have for theologians and (church) historians!


First edition of this defense of the truth of the Christian religion.

Philippe du Plessis-Mornay, 1549–1623, was a French Protestant theologian, statesman, and leader of the Huguenots. After studying in Paris, he served under Henry I of Bourbon-Condé during the Second French Religious War. He narrowly survived the St. Bartholomew's Night in 1572 by fleeing to England. Subsequently, Mornay worked for Francis of Anjou and, on his behalf, engaged with Louis of Nassau regarding potential support from the duke for military campaigns in the Netherlands.

In 1576, he entered the service of King Henry of Navarre, who recognized the importance of the Dutch Revolt's success and therefore frequently lent Mornay to William of Orange until 1582. He, along with Marnix, Villiers, and Taffin, was among the closest associates of the Prince. In 1589, Mornay was appointed governor of Saumur, where he built a Protestant church and in 1593 founded a Protestant academy.

He continued to seek religious tolerance in his activities and was involved in the drafting of the Edict of Nantes in 1598. When persecutions of Protestants resumed during the reign of Louis XIII of France, his governorship was revoked, and Mornay retired. He lived in his castle in Poitou until his death. Besides writing some pamphlets against Spain, he also contributed to the Apology of William of Orange in 1580.