1580 Folio Sermons on Job by John Calvin

Sermons of Maister John Calvin, upon the Booke of Job, Translated out of French by Arthur Golding.

Description

The third edition in English. Title page (1579) within architectural border. Translated from the French by Arthur Golding, the first and second edition were printed in 1574. Text in two column Roman font. Woodcut initials throughout. Marginal cross references in italics. With an early recipe in manuscript on blank verso of **^8. Ends on colophon (1580). A very scarce edition with ESTC showing only four copies worldwide.

Collation

A^4, *^6, **^8, A-Y^8, Aa-Yy^8, Aaa-Ccc^8. Complete.

Binding

Bound in modern thin blue calf. Spine with four raised bands and a maroon label reading “John Calvin Sermons on the Book of Job.” Plain endpapers. Front hinge starting and top quarter of front joint cracked but holding well. Lightly rubbed with bumped corners.

Condition

Text is generally clean and bright; bookplate to front pastedown; title page frayed to edges and laid down; A2 chipped to top edge; marginal dampstaining in front and back; small wormhole to inner column in first 30 or so leaves; small worm track to gutter in center of volume; Cc4,5 loose; Ccc1 loosening; Ccc dampstaining to edges. Ccc8 (final leaf) with moon shaped piece torn from fore-edge margin.

Note

Calvin delivered these sermons to his congregation in Geneva in the mid-16th century. The sermons provide great theological insight, addressing themes of divine justice, human sinfulness, and God’s providence. They also underscore the importance of patience and trust in God amidst life's trials. The work remains a significant work in Reformed theology today.

References

ESTC S116835; STC 4446.