1684 Lucii Coelii Lactantii Firmiani Opera quæ extant, ad fidem mss. recognita et commentariis illustrata a Tho. Spark A.M. ex Æde Christi.

Description

First Edition, Leather Binding, Original Binding, Very Scarce

Very scarce. ESTC Citation No. R14307. The first edition of the work. Complete in one volume. In Latin. With the bookplate of Bishop Phillpotts' Library to front pastedown. Phillpotts was one of England's longest serving bishops. His library was founded by the bishop in 1856 for the benefit of the clergy in Cornwall and continues to be an important centre for the theological and religious studies. It now houses more than 10,000 volumes. With an engraved title page vignette depicting the Sheldonian Theatre in Oxford. With divisional title page signed YYYYY: Dissertatio de ripa striga. Ab Henrico Dodwello, A. M. Dubliniensi and additional leaf "Analysis libri primi Lactantii." signed ’A’ and bound between leaves B4 and A1. Thomas Spark, born 1655, was a classical scholar and chaplain, notably delivering the first oration on Sir Thomas Bodley. Sparks was also a prolific author, with this work being a detailed work regarding the works of early Christian author Lactantius. Lactantius is credited as being an important advisor to Roman emperor Constantine I, and was integral in shaping his religious policy. The work explores a number of his works including 'De Falsa Sapientia', a notable work regarding 'false wisdom'. Like many of Lactantius's contemporaries, the work is influence by pagan and philosophical thought. The work is a very scarce example of a commentary regarding an important early Christian figure, written by a noted seventeenth century classical scholar and clergyman.