De la diferencia entre lo temporal, y eterno. Crisol de desengaņos, con la memoria de la eternidad, postrimerias humanas, y principales mysterios Divinos (On the Difference between the Temporal and the Eternal) [WITH A SUITE OF 10 FINE FULL PAGE ENGRAVED ILLUSTRATIONS]

Nieremberg, Juan Eusebio; Gaspar Bouttats (illus.)

Published by Geronymo Verdussen, Amberes (Antwerp), 1684

Small octavo (7 1/2 x 4 3/4"). [16], 655, [77]pp. Engraved frontispiece and 10 engraved plates, signed Gasp[ar] Bouttats. Woodcut ornaments. Contemporary full vellum, with later printed title label to spine. Vellum age-toned and chipped at lower front corner. Contemporary previous owner's name (Juan Nuņes de Almeyda) and inscription in Hebrew to fly leaf. Minor and sporadic foxing and age-toning throughout. Three fly leaves at rear missing. Text in Spanish. Stained binding with wear at one corner; text crisp and clean, but lightly toned; engravings clean. Overall a good or better copy. Originally published in 1640, "De la diferencia entre lo temporal, y eterno" is one of the author's most ascetic and most successful works, with a total of 60 editions in various translations. The book, written in admirable prose, inspired Jacindo Verdaguer for his "L'Atlāntida." In this book, Father Juan Eusebio Nieremberg (1595-1658), a Jesuit priest, theologian and mystic, states that Man was created by God to praise Him, reverence Him and serve Him, and thereby save his soul; and the other things on the face of the earth are created for man, to help him in the pursuit of the purpose for which he was created. Hence it follows that man must use things as much as they help him to his purpose, and so much he must remove them as they prevent him from doing it. Therefore, this "difference" between the temporal and the eternal is related to the purpose of man's life. Nieremberg intends in this work that the reader internalizes this "difference" in a vital and existential way, deepening the thought of eternal life, whether in heaven or in hell. The "things on the face of the earth", the temporal, are means that must be "used" to reach the purpose, or happy eternity with God, the Creator. Gaspar Bouttats (c. 1640-1695 or 1696), was a renowned Flemish printmaker and engraver of the Baroque period. Reference: De Backer & Sommervogel, vol. 5, col. 1768. Seller Inventory # 44189

Bibliographic Details

Title: De la diferencia entre lo temporal, y eterno...
Publisher: Geronymo Verdussen, Amberes (Antwerp)
Publication Date: 1684
Binding: Hardcover
Condition: Good+
Edition: New edition, revised.