Extremely rare first edition of De immensa Dei misericordia, concio with an extended second edition of the Comparatio (first published in 1523). That this is the first edition of these works together is indicated by ‘mense septembri’ in the colophon; institutionally it is more common to find copies of the second edition, printed in October.
Commissioned by and dedicated to Christoph von Utenheim, Bishop of Basel, Erasmus sent a draft of the Concio to him in June, 1524. In his reply the Bishop recommended some amendments, expressing concern about provoking controversy: ‘‘I have been thinking over this work on God’s mercies, which I like very much. […] I do urge you to act accordingly, that if this work is to be given public circulation, no further matter should be added beyond what I suggested, and in particular nothing that might excite the Lutherans or those who observe the genuine old-fashioned faith, or even might upset their stomach, and might exhibit us as followers of this or that sect’ (Correspondence, Vol. X,* 1464). Erasmus appears to have taken his advice and the sermon is far from controversial, an ‘example of ideal Erasmian preaching, grounded in scripture and intended to lift the hearts of the faithful’ (Collected Works, Vol. LXX, 70-73).
The Comparatio, finished around the same time as the Concio, is dedicated to Helias Marcaeus, ‘a man of high character’ according to Erasmus and warden of the College of Maccabeites in Cologne (Correspondence, Vol. IX, 1341a); similarly, it is intended as an encouragement towards pious living. In their inoffensive focus on personal piety and observance, these works present a stark contrast to Erasmus’ De libero arbitrio diatribe, sive collatio published by Froben in the same month, a polemical treatise on free will and a critique of Luther in particular that marked a schism between Erasmus and the Reformers.
Provenance: Bookplate of Herschel V. Jones (1861-1928), publisher, bibliophile and collector of Americana. This copy sold at auction at Swann, 1993.
Minor worming in outer blank margin and touching but not affecting legibility of text. Neat repair at head of title page.
VD16 E 3037. Adams E327. RBH: Complete copy of this work appears to have come up at auction only once in last twenty years.
