First revised edition of Erasmus' response to Martin Luther, which is part of their famous theological debate that took place in the 1520s. Erasmus received Luther's work in February 1526. The Hyperaspistes is his first reply to it, which he composed within a few days in March 1526. The present edition, revised by Erasmus himself and published in July of the same year, supplies a more correct text of this famous refutation.
The Hyperaspistes, first published in March 1526, deals with the question of free will and was written in response to Luthers De servo arbitrio (On enslaved willl, 1525), which in turn was written in reply to Erasmuss De libero arbitrio (On free will, 1524). Luther argued that humans could not achieve salvation through good deeds, as they could not choose between good and evil, and so could only be redeemed through the will of God. Erasmus, on the other hand, believed that each individual had the freedom to accept Gods grace and turn towards a Christian life, and salvation could be reached through good deeds. The confrontation between Erasmus and Luther was a duel of major importance for Europe in the first half of the 16th century, as two visions of man, history, and faith clashed.
The second part of the Hyperaspistes appeared in September 1527, continuing the exegetical controversy with Luther. The present edition, however, was published before the second part was written.
With (near) contemporary annotations in the margins of some of the leaves. The work is lightly browned and foxed throughout. Otherwise in good condition. Adams E-675; Bezzel 1117; BM STC German, p. 281; Erasmus Online 2230; USTC 664562; Vander Haeghen I, 110; VD16 E 3029; cf. De Reuck 236 (other issue).