Augustine Reding (2 results)

Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Tomes I-VI in three volumes. 2ŗ. All first printings. In contemporary boarded vellum with manuscript titling to spines. All original blanks and half-titles present for all six books. I: [24], 547, [19] (index rerum et verborum) pp. II: [20], 522, [24] (index rerum et verborum), [14], 133, [5] (index rerum et verborum) pp. III: [16], 251, [15] (index rerum et verborum), [14], 222, [8] (index rerum et verborum), [18], 318, [10] (index rerum et verborum) pp. Title-pages printed in red and black, incorporating a fine heraldic plate. Previous library stamps and calligraphic inscriptions to some paste-downs, half-titles and title-pages. Printed in double columns with attractive foliated initials and head and tail pieces. Augustine Reding was born in Lichtensteig, Switzerland, on the 10 August 1625 and died at Einsiedeln on the 13 March 1692. He was a Swiss Benedictine, the Prince-Abbot of Einsiedeln, and prolific theological writer, his works being considered learned, but his style dry and at times obscure. The volumes here comprise the first six books of his chief work: Theologia scholastica universa based on the Summa of Thomas Aquinas. This eventually ran to 13 books when completed in 1687. All volumes in very good condition save for scattered browning to some gatherings, bespeaking perhaps much time in musty presses in various monastical libraries.

Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. 1st Edition. Tall folio. In contemporary boarded vellum with manuscript titling to spine. All original blanks and half-title present. Fine allegorical title plate and title-page printed in red and black. Tall folio. [24], 859, [20] (index rerum et verborum) pp. Printed in double columns with attractive foliated initials and head and tail pieces. Allegorical title with library stamp for St. Hugh's Parkminster at foot. Four separate ownership signatures to half-title and ffep. Augustine Reding (1625-1692) was a Swiss Benedictine, the Prince-Abbot of Einsiedeln, and theological writer. After completing the classics at the Benedictine College of Einsiedeln he there joined the Order of St. Benedict, 26 December 1641. He was ordained priest and appointed master of novices in 1649, obtained the degrees of Doctor of Philosophy and Theology at the University of Freiburg im Breisgau in 1654, was professor of theology at the Benedictine University of Salzburg from 1648 to 1654. He became dean (prior) at Einsiedeln in 1658, and was finally elected Prince-Abbot of Einsiedeln on 17 July 1670. At Einsiedeln he built the still existing choir, the confession-church, and St. Magdalene's chapel (167484). In 1675 his monastery took charge of the college at Bellinzona, which was conducted by the monks of Einsiedeln until its suppression in 1852. He watched carefully over discipline, and insisted on a thorough intellectual training of his monks. During his time the conventuals of Einsiedeln increased from 53 to 100, many of whom gained renown as professors at various institutions of learning. His numerous theological writings are learned, but his style is dry and at times obscure.