First edition of one of Erasmus' most important treatises on the sacrament of confession. He accepted this sacrament halfway, finding a balance between orthodoxy and the Reformation, and received criticism from both sides because of it. The treatise has been combined with Erasmus short paraphrase on the third Psalm, his letter to Joost Vroye van Gavere (died 1533) concerning sudden death, and an exchange of correspondence with Pope Adrian VI on Erasmus disputes with the Louvain theologians. The final tract concerns Erasmus' ongoing dispute with Diego López de Zúñiga (ca. 1470-1531), who was very critical of Erasmus' New Testament translation. Ten editions of the work appeared in 1524, but the edition by Froben is considered the first. According to Allen, it may have been rushed to be ready in time for the Frankfurt Spring Fair as it contains several misprints, such as "Adirano" instead of "Adriano" on the verso of leaf [40]. The present copy also contains two intriguing provenance descriptions stating that the work came from the library of Ambrosius Favorini. We have not found this name in any of the biographical dictionaries we have been able to consult but the text of the inscription suggests that he was a student of Thomas More, who was a good friend of Erasmus.
With a contemporary ownership annotation on the title page ("De li[bri] ...(?) Ambrosii Favorini ... (?)") and a slightly later annotation in the head margin of the second leaf ("De libris Mori Ambrosii Favorini Augustiniani Morii Thomae alumni"). The work is somewhat browned, a water stain in the upper third of the page throughout, a few wormholes in the first few leaves, not affecting any text. Otherwise in good condition. Adams E 373; Bezzel 1060; BM STC German p. 282; De Reuck 227; Erasmus Online 2157; USTC 655449; Vander Haeghen I, 104; VD 16 E 2970; cf. Allen, Opus epistlarum Erasmi, vol. V, 1426, 1427, 1310, 1329, 1347 and 1428.