History and Fate of Sacrilege ….. Beginners of a Monastick Life [Reformed Church; Monastics] [Two Works in One]

Author: Spelman, Henry (1562?-1641)

Publisher: Printed for John Hartley, over-against Gray’s-Inn, in Holborn

Edition: First Edition

Condition: Good
Jacket Condition: No Dust Jacket As Issued

Full Titles: History and Fate of Sacrilege discover’d by examples of scripture, of heathens, and Christians; from the beginning of the world continually to this day. A treatise omitted in the late edition of his posthumous works, and now published for the terror of evil doers.  To which is added, the beginners of a monastick life, in Asia, Africa, and Europe; by Sir Roger Twisden, Kt. and Bar. Full leather; gilt border outline on boards; 12mo 7.25 inches tall; Fate of Sacrilege [10], 292 Beginners of a Monastick Life [2], 3-40 First edition. Boards have been reattached with new leather spine labels. The bindings are tight and square. Text clean, even toning. Moderate shelf handling wear, corners rounded. K2 signature slightly pulled. Armorial bookplate of Charles James Blomfield DD.. Henry Spelman’s History and Fate of Sacrilege and Beginners of a Monastick Life are two seminal works bound together in this unique volume, shedding light on issues of religious devotion, monastic life, and the consequences of sacrilege. Spelman, a 17th-century English antiquary and churchman, presents these texts as both theological and historical investigations into the practices surrounding church property, sacred vows, and the monastic tradition. In History and Fate of Sacrilege, Spelman discusses the consequences of sacrilege—specifically the desecration of sacred objects and places. He offers a historical perspective on sacrilege, looking at its religious, moral, and legal implications within the context of the Reformed Church. The work explores the severity of sacrilege, detailing its effects on both individuals and communities who dared to violate holy spaces. Spelman’s examination is grounded in the Christian ethos of the time, emphasizing the sanctity of church property and the divine retribution believed to follow sacrilege. Beginners of a Monastick Life serves as a guide to those interested in entering the monastic life. It outlines the spiritual benefits of monasticism while offering practical advice to beginners about how to live a life of religious devotion and discipline. Drawing from the tradition of the Reformed Church, Spelman discusses the responsibilities of those who choose to live in solitude or within monastic communities, guiding them toward ascetic living, prayer, and religious study. This work also serves as a reflection on the tension between religious devotion and worldly distractions, advocating for a life of simplicity and reflection. References: ESTC R232843 /; Wing S 4927 [ESTC R16984 is a reissue of this first, which was printed the same year. with title page cancelled and replaced by a bifolium including an advertisement leaf. Wing does not differentiate between issues.] Charles James Blomfield, whose bookplate shows ownership, was the son of a schoolteacher who rose higher in English society than would be expected. In 1828 the Duke of Wellington appointed him as Bishop of London. Blomfield was known as one of the best debaters in the House of Lords; a Greek scholar, and a force in Church reform. Subjects: Sacrilege and its Consequences; Church Property and Confiscation; Religious Institutions and Monasticism; Moral and Theological Judgment on Wealth and Power; Historical Analysis of Church-State Relations; Political Theology