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Didaco Gómez Lodosa, 1676
Details
Demonology manual, with guide to self-exorcism
Didaco Gómez Lodosa, 1676
LODOSA, Didaco Gómez (17th-century). Iugum ferreum Luciferi, seu exorcismi terribles. Valencia: Heirs of Hieronymus Vilagrasa, 1676.
The first edition of rare exorcism manual for priests, including the first printed guide to self-exorcism. The seventeenth century was the golden age of the demoniac, in which the religious fervor of the Reformation (and counter-Reformation) found an expression in a wave of reports of demonic possession and the rise of rogue exorcists. Printing technology played a large part in this, disseminating terrifying tales of possession as well as illicit exorcism manuals (many were listed in the Index librorum prohibitorum) which created standardized pathologies of bedevilment. This manual for priests on dealing with demonic activity includes a unique section on self-exorcism, written in vernacular Spanish and aimed specifically at the uneducated, especially women. Here the author gives practical advice—urging sufferers to first seek help from a doctor, then a trusted priest, before resorting to self-exorcism. He also warns against fraudulent exorcists, operating without ordination and selling snake oil to the desperate. Palau 104.058; not in Coumont. See also Brian Levack, The Devil Within: Possession & Exorcism in the Christian West.
Quarto (199 x 142mm). Engraved frontispiece (waterstaining affecting some gatherings, some spotting; final gathering sprung). Original vellum, title in ink on spine (some soiling, remains of one tie, textblock coming loose). Provenance: José Arroniz (contemporary ownership inscription).
Didaco Gómez Lodosa, 1676
LODOSA, Didaco Gómez (17th-century). Iugum ferreum Luciferi, seu exorcismi terribles. Valencia: Heirs of Hieronymus Vilagrasa, 1676.
The first edition of rare exorcism manual for priests, including the first printed guide to self-exorcism. The seventeenth century was the golden age of the demoniac, in which the religious fervor of the Reformation (and counter-Reformation) found an expression in a wave of reports of demonic possession and the rise of rogue exorcists. Printing technology played a large part in this, disseminating terrifying tales of possession as well as illicit exorcism manuals (many were listed in the Index librorum prohibitorum) which created standardized pathologies of bedevilment. This manual for priests on dealing with demonic activity includes a unique section on self-exorcism, written in vernacular Spanish and aimed specifically at the uneducated, especially women. Here the author gives practical advice—urging sufferers to first seek help from a doctor, then a trusted priest, before resorting to self-exorcism. He also warns against fraudulent exorcists, operating without ordination and selling snake oil to the desperate. Palau 104.058; not in Coumont. See also Brian Levack, The Devil Within: Possession & Exorcism in the Christian West.
Quarto (199 x 142mm). Engraved frontispiece (waterstaining affecting some gatherings, some spotting; final gathering sprung). Original vellum, title in ink on spine (some soiling, remains of one tie, textblock coming loose). Provenance: José Arroniz (contemporary ownership inscription).
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