Bidspirit auction | 1588 DISPUTATIONES AGAINST HERETICS ROBERTI

1588 DISPUTATIONES AGAINST HERETICS ROBERTI BELLARMINI ANTIQUE PIGSKIN FOLIO V.2 - ROBERTI BELLARMINI Societatis Iesu, De Controversiis Christianae Fidei, Adversvs huivs temporis Haereticos Tomus Secundus Ingolstadt, Sartorius; 1588 Folio: 9 by 13 3/4” Original hand tooled pigskin over wooden boards, intact clasps Spine with raised bands and manuscript title First edition. Major work by the Jesuit Cardinal Roberto Bellarmino (1542-1621) on the justification of the Catholic faith. Rare in the first edition. Some soiling of pigskin, very good interior Text in Latin Robert Bellarmine, SJ (Italian: Roberto Francesco Romolo Bellarmino; 1542 – 1621) was an Italian Jesuit and a cardinal of the Catholic Church. He was canonized a saint in 1930 and named Doctor of the Church, one of only 37. He was one of the most important figures in the Counter-Reformation. Bellarmine was a professor of theology and later rector of the Roman College, and in 1602 became Archbishop of Capua. He supported the reform decrees of the Council of Trent. He is also widely remembered for his role in the Giordano Bruno affair, the Galileo affair, and the trial of Friar Fulgenzio Manfredi. In 1616, on the orders of Paul V, Bellarmine summoned Galileo, notified him of a forthcoming decree of the Congregation of the Index condemning the Copernican doctrine of the mobility of the Earth and the immobility of the Sun, and ordered him to abandon it. Galileo agreed to do so. When Galileo later complained of rumours to the effect that he had been forced to abjure and do penance, Bellarmine wrote out a certificate denying the rumours, stating that Galileo had merely been notified of the decree and informed that, as a consequence of it, the Copernican doctrine could not be ”defended or held”. Unlike the previously mentioned formal injunction, this certificate would have allowed Galileo to continue using and teaching the mathematical content of Copernicus's theory as a purely theoretical device for predicting the apparent motions of the planets. According to some of his letters, Cardinal Bellarmine believed that a demonstration for heliocentrism could not be found because it would contradict the unanimous consent of the Fathers' scriptural exegesis, to which the Council of Trent, in 1546,, defined all Catholics must adhere. In other passages, Bellarmine argued that he did not support the heliocentric model for the lack of evidence of the time (”I will not believe that there is such a demonstration, until it is shown to me”). A remarkable collectible, offering historical significance and aesthetic appeal. Ideal for the discerning collector or as a unique display piece. Please make all inquiries before bidding. All lots are sold ”as-is”, refer to our T&C. Helios Auctions will ship all lots domestically for $25.00 per lot. Combined and international shipping are available. The rates will be provided upon request.