Abel redevivus : or, The dead yet speaking. The lives and deaths of the moderne divines. Written by severall able and learned men (whose names ye shall finde in the epistle to the reader.) And now digested into one volumne, for the benefit and satisfaction of all those that desire to be acquainted with the paths of piety and virtue

London: printed by Tho. Brudenell for John Stafford, dwelling in Brides Churchyard, neer Fleetstreet, 1651. First Edition. Fine. First Issue, with engraved title page signed "Ro: Vaughan sculp:" and imprint "Sould by Iohn Stafford in Brides Churchyard 1651." Small 4to: [10],440,[20],441-596pp, with additional engraved title page and forty-three engraved portraits in the text. There are numerous errors in paging, including: final page misnumbered 599, p. 221 misnumbered 211, p. 22 misnumbered 21. The section on Lancelot Andrewes (including blank page and portrait plate) covers 10 unpaged leaves, inserted between pp. 440-441. (The "Life & Death of Lancelot Andrews" was also issued separately, in 1650 [Wing / I-1058]). The engraved portrait of Jerome of Prague on page 21. often missing, is present. The portrait of Thomas Fuller, according to Bibliotheca Bibliographici, was only was added in later editions. Contemporary calf, covers framed with gilt roll, respined to match in six compartments between raised bands, green morocco lettering piece gilt, old marbled end papers, title page printed in red and black. An absolutely superb example, crisp, clean and bright, and very securely bound. McAlpin Collection, p. 743. Wither to Prior 389. Bailey 12 ("Perfect copies of the original editions rarely rarely now occur on sale; and, when occurring, are highly priced."). Lowdnes II, 848. Wing / F2400. Bibliotheca Bibliographici 2152. Biographical sketches of Protestant divines and theologians (including Calvin, Erasmus, Knox, Luther, and Wicklief) with occasional verse by Francis and John Quarles. "The interregnum, which brought many radical and unwelcome changes as far as Fuller was concerned, was, paradoxically, a remarkably productive period for him as a scholar and writer. His Pisgah-Sight of Palestine (1650), a historical and geographical description of the Holy Land, was well received. It carried perhaps an implied message: if ancient Jerusalem and its temple could be rebuilt, so, too, could the nearly shattered Church of England. His biographical sketches of key figures in the English Reformation in Abel redevivus provided possible patterns for that rebuilding." (ODNB) N. B. With few exceptions (always identified), we only stock books in exceptional condition, carefully preserved in archival, removable polypropylene sleeves. All orders are packaged with care and posted promptly. Satisfaction guaranteed.