DÉFENSE DES PRINCIPAUX ARTICLES DE LA FOI CATHOLIQUE

8vo, pp. [v], [i] blank, 16, 422, [5] table des chapitres, [4] approbation & privilege, [1] blank; dampstaining, largely marginal, to last few gatherings, and occasionally elsewhere, but otherwise largely clean; uncut in contemporary marbled wrappers, lacking spine; a couple of leaves loose, upper wrapper hanging on slightly precariously, loss to lower wrapper at foot; somewhat dog-eared.

Uncommon and comprehensive defence of Catholic doctrine by the Premonstratensian canon Thomas Tilly, prompted by a correspondence with a Maastricht-based Anglican minister, John Elms.

The work opens with a letter from Elms, who notes that the captivity of English troops in France had offered the Catholic church a great opportunity to collect converts: 'vous avez mis à profit une occasion si favorable, pour écercer votre zèle, en conduisant plusieurs de nos braves compatriotes dans le sein de l'Eglise Catholique', largely due to the susceptibility of soldiers to subtle arguments and seductive discourse. Claiming that they had been seduced by a Church whose doctrines were error-filled, whose practices were idolotrous, and whose governance was contrary to the Gospel, Elms asks Tilly, in his response, either to accept Anglican doctrine, or to defend the Catholic faith 'sans ambiguité de paroles', and that is the aim of the present work. Tilly seeks to present an account of the unity, sanctity, catholicity, apostolic origins, and visibility of the Church, against Protestant objections, citing Luther, among others, in his defence. He goes on to discuss Protestant errors concerning papal primacy, the nature of tradition, and the sacraments, quoting the Church Fathers in evidence for the real presence; other aspects of Catholic practice defended include indulgences, the invocation of the saints, and the use of relics.

We have been unable to find any further information either about Tilly (described as a Regular Canon at the Abbey in Valsery in northern France) nor Elms.

OCLC records copies at the New York Society Library and the BnF.