[PARSONS, Robert (1546-1610)]. A Book of Christian exercise appertaining to Resolution, that is shewing how that wee shoulde resolve ourselves to become Christians indeed. By R.P., Perused and accompanied now with a treatise tending to pacification by Edm. Bunny. London: [John Windet], 1586. 12° (123 x 67mm). Collation: *12 A-V12 X8. (Lacking the final blank; sidenotes on 17 leaves shaved), title within typographic border. Contemporary calf (spine chipped at head, later label.) Provenance: Cardiff Castle bookplate; Bute bookplate. STC 19363 (records 8 copies of this edition, including the present, of which 2 are imperfect).
The seconde parte of the Booke of Christian exercise, appertayning to Resolution ... written by the former authour R.P.. London: John Carlwoode and Simon Waterson, 1590. Sm.8° (155 x 100mm). Collation: &4 +8 ++4 A-Y8 AA-Ee8, including final blank, title within typographic border, (paperfault affecting 4 letters on Bb8.) Contemporary limp vellum (a little worn, ties lacking). Provenance: Cardiff Castle bookplate. STC 19380 (records 7 copies, including the present)
A protestant adaptation of one of the most popular devotional works of the 16th century, written by Robert Parsons, a Jesuit, exiled in France. Four editions were published abroad before 1600. It was adapted for Protestant use by Edmund Bunny (1540-1618), and first published thus in 1584. It went through 23 editions before 1600, the edition of 1586 offered here is the seventeenth. However the second part, adapted by an anonymous author from Parsons' enlarged edition, is the FIRST EDITION of five published before 1600. (2)