Desiderius Erasmus (1467-1536), Ecclesiastae sive De ratione concionandi libri quatuor
Printed at Basel by Iohann Froben, 1535.

The work, one of Erasmus’s last, is more clearly described by its subtitle ‘On the Dignity, Purity, Prudence and other Virtues of the Church’, but in fact it contains stringent criticism of the contemporary Church.  This is the editio princeps (i.e. first printed edition), with a prefatory essay by the author, addressed to the bishop of Augsburg, dated August 1535.  By this time Erasmus had long enjoyed a close friendship with Basel’s most famous printer.

Such a book soon found favour with Protestants.  This copy was in England soon after publication, for at the end, a 16th-century reader has made notes in Latin and English, including the revealing comment ‘They list not defend theyr owne religione, but cavill at ours: O facta bene!’

Cent College Rare PA 8517. E33 1536.  From the Library of Christ College; formerly owned by Rev. Charles Jasper Selwyn, of Blockley, Worcestershire, England.