the body of Christ
WHITE, John.
Diacosio-martyrion. Id est Ducentorum virorum testimonium, de veritate Corporis, et Sanguinis Christi, in Eucharistia, ante triennium, adversus Petrum Martyrem, ex professo conscriptum. Sed nunc primum in lucem aeditum...
London: Robert Caly, 1553.
4to (185 × 140 mm.), ff. [vi], "102" [but 104], [2], without approbation leaf (chi 1) as in several other copies. Neat old repairs to lower margin of final 9 leaves, not affecting any text. Nineteenth-century damson coloured calf, tan morocco label lettered in gilt, booksellers' label to front pastedown. A very good copy.
First edition. Diacosio-martyrion arose from White's controversy with Peter Martyr and presents in Latin verse the views of a host of historical theologians on the real presence of the body and blood of Christ in the eucharist, beginning with the evangelists and church fathers and including several popes, rabbis, and later, John Wicliffe, Thomas a Kempis, Thomas More, Erasmus, Luther et al). White is said by Fuller to be the first to present theological debate in verse (DNB). He was prominent at Winchester early in his career but was held back by his catholic sympathies and in 1551 was transferred to Cranmer's custody. On the accession of Mary he found a sympathetic patron and at once rose to prominence: becoming Bishop of Lincoln and later Winchester. He was described by Foxe as a zealous and cruel pursuer of protestant heretics.
STC 25388.
£1100.00
US$2186.69*
* Given as a guide only. Based on an exchange rate of £1 = US$1.987896 for the day 5 July 2008 but liable to fluctuate.
5 July 2008