[RELIGIONS OF THE OLD AND NEW WORLD]. Les Religions du Monde, ou demonstration de toutes les religions & heresies de l'Asia, Afrique, Amerique, & de l'Europe, depuis le commencement du monde jusqu'a present by Ross, Alexander (1591-1654) - 1666

Amsterdam: Jean Schipper, 1666. First Edition in French. Good. 4to. [14], 400 = 414 pp., COMPLETE. With an engraved additional title and 15 half-page engraved illustrations as section divisions, occasional woodcut ornaments and floriated initials. Contemporary vellum over pasteboard, shaken, hinges split, corners bent and bumped, faded MS title on spine, small dark stains here and there on front and back covers, recessed spine. Some minor worming affecting blank margins (principally G3-I4) but touching five illustrations, engraved additional title backed (tears repaired), browned, water stain on bottom right corner in first gatherings through E4, purple crayon mark on front endleaf. Bookseller inscriptions on front pastedown, including an early Italian purchase price. This is the first edition in French of Ross's "Pansebeia; or, a view of all religions in the world, from the creation, to these times. Together with discovery of all known heresies, in all ages and places" (originally printed in London by John Saywell, 1653). Written in a catechism style and translated from the English by Thomas La Grue, enriched by new etched illustrations. Of particular interest here are the sections dealing with religion in the NEW WORLD (pp. 77-89), including Virginia, Florida, Canada, Mexico, New Spain, Guiana, Peru, Brazil, etc.

Alexander Ross (c.1590-1654), was a Scottish Anglican clergyman (not to be confused with the Scottish episcopal minister Alexander Ross, d. 1639) and philosophical writer who produced many religious works defending conservatism and Christian orthodoxy, refuting in print such new ideas as the Copernican theory. In other publications, he attacked William Harvey and Thomas Hobbes, and vehemently defended Aristotle. Ross also served as Chaplain-in-Ordinary to Charles I from 1622.

Alden 666/139; NCBEL I. 2121; Sabin 73318; JCB III 147-48.