Instructions chrestiennes

Octavo of (12) ff., 374 pp., (8) ff.

Red morocco, triple gilt fillet framing the covers, gilt-stamped coat of arms in the center, corner fleurons, spine with raised bands decorated with gilt fillets and fleurons, decorated edges, gilt inner roll, gilt edges. Contemporary binding.

178 x 116 mm.

First edition of this important work by Arnauld d’Andilly.

A very beautiful and precious copy bound in contemporary morocco leather

with the arms of Pierre Séguier (1588-1672), Chancellor of France.

Arnauld d’Andilly. Christian instructions drawn by Monsieur Arnauld d’Andilly from the two volumes of Letters of Mr. Jean du Verger de Havrane, Abbot of S. Cyran…

Paris, Pierre Le Petit, 1672.

First edition.

His Christian instructions, drawn from the two volumes of letters by Mr. Jean du Verger de Hauranne, Abbot of S. Cyran, Paris, Pierre Le Petit, 1672, did much to enhance the posthumous influence of Saint-Cyran.

Born in 1589, Robert Arnauld d’Andilly was raised in the house of his father, Antoine Arnauld, where he became familiar with the liberal arts. The Arnauld family moved in thoroughly Parisian circles, being parishioners of Saint-Merry, a milieu where eloquence was hereditary and great respect was paid to the University, but which professed a certain aversion to the Society of Jesus. The Arnauld family also had ties to the royal court, which enabled young Robert d’Andilly—spirited and brilliant—to be introduced there at an early age. By the age of fifteen, he was already serving as chief clerk to one of his uncles, who was an intendant of finances. After the death of King Henry IV, he retained his position in the financial council, and thus had the opportunity to live among the entourage of the Queen Mother, Marie de’ Medici, King Louis XIII, and his brother Gaston, Duke of Orléans.

Arnauld d’Andilly left the world at age 55 to retire to the monastery of Port-Royal-des-Champs.

However much of a recluse at Port-Royal he was, he acted as a spiritual director, especially to women, and it was said that he was greatly fond of beautiful souls, provided they inhabited beautiful bodies. Madame de Sévigné said: “We wage war on old Andilly for his greater desire to save a soul in a beautiful body than in another.” Cardinal de Retz said much the same when he remarked that Arnauld d’Andilly was in love with Madame de Guéméné, albeit in God and in a purely spiritual way. Tallemant des Réaux went in much the same direction: “I don’t know if it was to console himself for his widowhood, but he would visit women and kiss and embrace them charitably for a good quarter of an hour. I cannot say what to call that; but, if it is devotion, it is a devotion much fond of beautiful people, for I never heard that he kissed anyone like that except those who were lovely. He once quarreled with Madame Perrot for withdrawing after a few kisses, and swore he would not treat her that way again unless she took it as she should.”

At Port-Royal, he grew splendid pears, which he sent to the queen, whose hostility to Port-Royal was well known. One can be a Jansenist, a lover of fruit, and possess a sense of humor.

In opposition to Mazarin, the Jansenist current chose Arnauld d’Andilly as its spokesperson.

As counsellor to Parliament, maître des requêtes, president à mortier, and finally keeper of the seals and Chancellor of France, ever devoted to Richelieu and then to Mazarin, he played a less than honorable part in the Fouquet trial, but attached his name to the famous ordinances of 1669 and 1670, which reformed civil and criminal justice.

A friend and patron of literature, Chancellor Séguier was one of the principal founders of the Académie Française and left one of the most important libraries of his day (OHR pl.271).

“Among the libraries greatly esteemed in the city of Paris, that of Monseigneur Pierre Séguier is one, not only for the beauty of the place, but also for the fine books in all sciences and languages that this lord continually adds, who today enlightens Europe with his rare merits and great learning…” (P. Jacob).

Almost all his books were bound by Antoine Ruette—in sheepskin for ordinary volumes, and in red morocco leather for selected copies.

In his hôtel on the rue du Bouloi, decorated by Simon Vouet, Séguier chose the finest room for his library; and it was in this room, amid his artistic and literary collections, that for thirty consecutive years he would gather—at fixed times—the most notable figures of his time to discuss questions of law, science, and literature. These meetings were so renowned that people distinguished by name and learning, princes, and even queens, did not disdain to attend.