A NEW HISTORY OF ECCLESIASTICAL WRITERS, Containing An Account Of The Authors Of The Several Books Of The Old And New Testament; Of The Lives And Writings Of The Primitive Fathers; An Abridgment And Catalogue Of Their Works, Their Various Editions, And Ce

"...Together with a judgment upon their style and doctrine. Also, a compendious history of the Councils. Written in French by Lewis Ellies du Pin, Doctor of the Sorbon, and Regius Professor of Divinity at Paris. Carefully revised, and much improved, with proper remarks and notes throughout, by W.W. B.D. Volume the first, containing the authors that flourished in the three first ages of the Church." The exceptionally scarce first English editions of volumes I (1692 - ESTC R508499) and II (1693 - ESTC R176029) of du Pin's masterwork. Bar some expected light toning and occasional minor marks, all is in VG internal order, with the exception of a little damp staining to the upper right corner, extending through to p.20, but this not too intrusive, and minor loss as noted below. Complete from engraved frontispiece, title, advertisement [2pp], contents of the first volume with pre-press errata and addenda [2pp], the author's preface [xii], du Pin's additions in response to French criticism [1] and thereafter the main body of the first volume, A Preliminary Dissertation About the Authors Of The Bible [48pp], and the first, second and third centuries of Christianity [204pp]. Volume one concludes with table and index [20pp]. Bound with A New History Of Ecclesiastical Writers Volume the Second. This covers the fourth century of Christianity and is presented with half title, title, contents and tables of the Councils {4pp with loss to lower corner of first page], the main body of volume II [290pp], and tables, index and advertisement [20pp]. The whole is handsomely bound in quarter green leather with green buckram boards, five raised bands to spine and gilt on black leather title pieces. c 200 x 295mm. Large 4to.