Iesu Christi D. N. Novum Testamentum
Very rare "first octavo edition of the New Testament by Théodore de Bèze" encouraged by Calvin, which would later be banned.
A superb copy preserved in its original gilt ivory vellum.
174 x 110 mm.
Beza, Theodore. Iesu Christi D. N. Novum Testamentum, or covenant, in Greek & Latin, interpreted by Theodore Beza (…) distributed.
Henri Estienne, (Geneva), 1565.
Very rare "first octavo edition of Theodore de Beza’s New Testament" encouraged by Calvin, which would later be banned.
It remained unknown to Renouard, who mentions only the folio edition published the same year. Darlow, no. 4630; Chaix, p.60; J. M. de Bujanda, Index of Forbidden Books, nos. 940 and 1128.
Superb copy of this important publication by the humanist printer Henri Estienne.
"Beza’s first minor edition giving the Greek text together with his Latin translation and short marginal notes" (Darlow).
"This translation was undertaken at the counsel and request of Jean Calvin and Robert Estienne." (Renouard).
The work in Greek and Latin is printed in two columns in superb typography.
It opens with a long dedication to Prince Louis de Bourbon Condé.
Theodore Beza (1519-1605) took a keen interest in Reformed ideas while initiating a brilliant career as a man of letters. He became professor of theology and pastor in Geneva, and was the first rector of the Academy founded by Calvin in Geneva in 1559.
During the first War of Religion, he served as chaplain to Condé’s army.
He led the Protestant delegation at the Colloquy of Poissy (1561) and presided over the synod at La Rochelle in 1571, during which the Confession of Faith of the Reformed Churches of France was adopted.
"On May 28, 1564, Calvin died: Beza, his designated successor, had to take on a complex and particularly heavy task; he corresponded with figures and leaders of the Reformation across Europe… he continued the theological battles Calvin had waged. He strongly supported the struggles of the French Reformed and persecuted Reformed minorities in Europe.” (J. Chomarat).
Paul F. Geisendorf believes that "the Novum Testamentum would remain for several centuries the basis of all Protestant Bibles, the solid and reliable foundation on which one could rebuild."
"Beza explained and translated the New Testament for his contemporaries; he offered them one of those interpretations that counted throughout the second half of the sixteenth century. Here are combined respect for the demands of humanism at the time and the expression of ‘Reformed’ doctrine.
This is sufficient reason to give the Novum Testamentum the place it deserves in the literary and cultural history of the time” (I. Dorota Backus, Theodore de Beze).
Superb, very pure copy of this important publication by the humanist printer Henri Estienne, preserved in its beautiful contemporary gilt vellum.
