De disciplina arcani contra disputationem Ernesti Tentzelii. Dissertatio apologetica

Patavii (Padova): Ex Typographia Jo: Baptistae Conzatti, 1743. Later edition. Hardcover. f to vg. Quarto (9 1/2 x 7"). [16], 160, [8]pp. Contemporary full sheepskin, with gold lettering and ruling to spine. Raised bands. Marbled endpapers. Publisher's device on title. Title page in red and black lettering. Decorative initials and tailpieces. Marbled paper edges.

This work is the author's response to Lutheran Wilhelm Ernst's refutation of his "Disciplina arcani," a book published in 1685 dealing with the 'Discipline of the Secret' or 'Discipline of the Arcane,' a custom that prevailed in Early Christianity, whereby knowledge of the more intimate mysteries of the Christian religion was carefully kept from non-Christians and even from those who were undergoing instruction in the faith.

Binding rubbed along edges, with head and tail of spine chipped. Previous owner's stamp on title (Library St. Joseph's Seminary, Dunwoodie, N.Y.). Minor and sporadic foxing to very first and very last leaves. Text in Latin. Binding in overall fair, interior in very good condition. About the author: Emmanuel Schelstrate (1649-1692) was a Catholic theologian born at Antwerp in 1649. While he was a canon of the cathedral of Antwerp, he was called to Rome by Pope Innocent IX and made an assistant librarian of the Vatican Library. He was a fine scholar in early ecclesiastical history and became the accredited defender of the papal supremacy. For this reason his writings have often been very severely judged. (Inventory #: 43059)