1611 MEDITATIONS by LUDOVICO DE PONTE antique 4 PIGSKIN BOUND VOLUMES SET

LUDOVICO DE PONTE

(Jesuit theologian Luis de la Puente (1554 – 1624))

MEDITATIONES DE PRAECIPUIS FIDEI NOSTRAE & MYSTERIIS...

Cologne: Kinckius, 1611–1612.


Parts 1–6 in 4 volumes.

Original uniform blind tooled pigskin over wooden boards, lacks clasps, spines with raised bands and title in manuscript & labels

Engraved title page + portrait of the author + 5 full-page copperplate engravings, some with occult themes.

Among them is an allegorical depiction of a sinner surrounded by daggers, symbolizing the seven deadly sins:

In the center sits a male, half-naked figure—a sinner—with spears or arrows pierced into his body from all sides.
The figure sits as if imprisoned on a throne or chair resting on a spider's web—a symbol of transience and the trap of sin.

Each spear is inscribed with a sin (vitium):

- Avarice/Greed
- Pride/Pride
- Lust/Fornication/Unchastity
- Drunkenness/Drunkenness
-Wrath/Wrath
- Sloth/Uselessness/Idleness.

A medallion on the engravings features an impressive depiction of the devil surrounded by souls in purgatory.


Good condition, minor wear, occasional toning, some minor spots


Size 4 by 6 1/3"

Text in Latin
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Meditationes de praecipuis fidei nostrae mysteriis is a classic Christian spiritual text written by the Spanish Jesuit theologian Luis de la Puente (Ludovicus de Ponte) and translated into Latin by Melchior Trevinnius. 

Deep mental prayer and theological reflection on the life, passion, and mysteries of Jesus Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary. 
Designed as a comprehensive guide for daily meditation covering the Gospels and the feasts of the saints
Widely utilized as a foundational manual for Catholic spirituality, mental prayer, and mystical contemplation since the early 17th century.

This major work of the Spanish Jesuit and theology professor de la Puente is considered one of the most important ascetic-mystical works of the early modern period.
In six parts, it offers structured meditation material for oratio mentalis (inner prayer):
The life, suffering, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the mysteries of Mary and the saints, and the Gospels of the liturgical year are divided into individual points of contemplation (puncta) according to the Ignatian method.

The work, originally written in Spanish (1605–1607), went through over 300 editions and was translated into ten languages—a central document of Jesuit spirituality during the Counter-Reformation.
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