The original and apparently only edition of Philippus Rovenius' (1574-1651) principal work, preserved here as the author's presentation copy to Volkert Herkinge (1586-1662), parish priest of Zwolle and Vicar of Overijssel, Groningen, and Friesland. The presentation inscription on the French title reads: "Admodum Rdo. Domino M. Volkero Herkinge Pastori Swollensi S. Theol. Licentiato Author donum dedit", recording the gift from Rovenius to one of his closest collaborators.
Philippus Rovenius ranks among the most important figures in the history of the Roman Catholic Church in the 17th-century Dutch Republic. Appointed Apostolic Vicar of the Northern Netherlands in 1614 by Sasbout Vosmeer, he became titular Archbishop of Philippi in 1620, since the title of Archbishop of Utrecht could not be openly assumed under the Protestant Republic. Throughout his episcopate he directed the clandestine Catholic mission in the Northern Netherlands, playing a central role in preserving the Roman Catholic faith under difficult political and religious circumstances.
Herkinge was called to Zwolle in 1618 by Rovenius himself and became one of his most trusted clergy. During the 1640s he was even considered as Rovenius' prospective coadjutor. The present presentation copy therefore represents a particularly significant association between two leading figures of the Dutch Catholic mission.
The inscription also resolves a long-standing bibliographical problem. Although the title-page bears the date 1668, both Rovenius and Herkinge had died by then, making an author's presentation impossible. Two explanations have traditionally been suggested: either the 1668 issue is a reissue with a newly printed title-page replacing the original 1648 title, or the date "MDCLXVIII" is simply a typographical error for "MDCXLVIII". Comparison with other presentation copies confirms the latter interpretation. In at least one other copy presented by Rovenius, the printed date "1668" has been corrected in manuscript to "1648" by the author himself. The supposed "1668 edition" is therefore not a genuine second edition but merely a variant title-page caused by a compositor's error, indicating that the work was probably printed only once, despite the claims of later bibliographies.
Bound with the work is the third edition of Rovenius' influential treatise on missionary activity, first published in 1625. Drawing on his long experience directing the Catholic mission in the Calvinist Northern Netherlands, particularly during his years at Oldenzaal, it offers a rare and practical account of the organisation and challenges of the Dutch mission during the 17h century.
The binding shows some wear, the boards are slightly rubbed, the front board and the first quire, including the flyleaves, are partially loose, and the first few quires show some water staining. Otherwise in good condition. Nijhoff, Bibliotheca Catholica Neerlandica Impressa, 12880608; NNBW 2 (1912), cols. 567-8 and 4 (1918), cols. 1172-8; STCV 12880608; USTC 1536345; Visser, Rovenius und seine Werke (1966), p. 60-76.