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Durham E-Theses A study of the printed books in French in Bishop Cosin's library Proctor, S. R. A. How to cite: Proctor, S. R. A. (1974) A study of the printed books in French in Bishop Cosin's library, Durham theses, Durham University. Available at Durham E-Theses Online: http://etheses.dur.ac.uk/10055/ Use policy The full-text may be used and/or reproduced, and given to third parties in any format or medium, without prior permission or charge, for personal research or study, educational, or not-for-prot purposes provided that: • a full bibliographic reference is made to the original source • a link is made to the metadata record in Durham E-Theses • the full-text is not changed in any way The full-text must not be sold in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders. Please consult the full Durham E-Theses policy for further details. Academic Support Oce, Durham University, University Oce, Old Elvet, Durham DH1 3HP e-mail: [email protected] Tel: +44 0191 334 6107 http://etheses.dur.ac.uk A STUDY OF THE PRIMTM) BOOKS IN PEMCH IN BISHOP COSIN'S LIBHAEY ABSTRACT In Chapter I a brief account is given of the life of John Cosin, with special emphasis on his relations with France. Then follows an assessment of John Cosin as a lover of books and book collecting, including the formation and early history of his Library. The Chapter ends with a summary of the histoiy of the Episcopal Library from I672 to the present day. In Chapter II the French historical and literary background to the acqiiisitioii and the contents of the Cosin French books is outlined in order to place the Collection in its true context. Detailed references to the Collection are provided in footnotes. In Chapter III the theological systems which predominated in France at the time are outlined, namely those of Calvin and the Counter Eeformation, since most of the works under consideration are serious religious writings deriving from Calvinist and conteinporary Roman Catholic sources. As in Chapter II references to specific items in the Library are given in footnotes. In Chapter IV the composition of the French section of the Library is surveyed in detail, from the point of view of both its bibliographical and subject interest. Chapter V is concerned with the Protestant theologian Pierre du Moulin, who is the most profusely represented French writer in the Collection under review in this study. A short account of Du Moulin's position in relation to the Library and its founder is given: then bibliographical descriptions are provided of all the French items in the Library by and relating to this writer. In Chapter VI bibliographical descriptions are given of a ftirther selection of the French religious writings in Bishop Cosin's Library. A STUDY OP THE PRINTED BOOKS IN PHENCH IN BISHOP COSIN'S LIBRARY, DURHAM S. R. A. PROCTOR The copyright of this thesis rests with the author. M.A. Thesis, 1974 No quotation from it should be published without his prior written consent and informadon derived from it should be acknowledged. PREFACE The following is a study of the printed hooks in the French language possessed by the Episcopal Library founded at Durham in I669 by John Cosin, D.D., Lord Bishop of Durham. The Collection, which is now part of Durham University Library, is one of the oldest and most' important of its kind. Very little has yet been published about the Library as a whole, and no work has appeared concerning the French books in particular before the present study. With reference to the acquisition of the French books, our information on John Cosin's activities in France during his sixteen year exile there is examined (1644-6O), and a certain amount has been deduced from the composition of the French section of the Collection itself. As for the books themselves, some are obscure, and most require some explanation for the general reader. This study does not claim to have resolved all the many questions raised by this collection of books. Indeed it is clear that the extent and depth of the material provides scope for much ftirther study. The present work is, however, intended as an authoritative introduction to the writings, giving background information on the French books as a whole, with detailed analysis of certain aspects. The works of Pierre du Moulin have been chosen for special attention since, apart from being the most cornprehensive selection of the works of any French writer, they relate to a much wider section of the French religious writings in the Library. ACEITOVLEIDGEamTS The present writer wishes to acknowledge his indebtedness to Mr.D.Ramage, formerly University Librarian at Durham, for making available his Catalogue of the Printed Books in French in Bishop Cosin's Library, which has been consulted extensively, especially in the compilation of the bibliographical sections of this work. Chapters IV, V and VI. He also wishes to express his gratitude to Dr.A.I.Doyle, Keeper of Rare Books at Durham University Library, for his most valuable help throu^out. CONTENTS PREFACE ACKNOV/LEDGEMENTS CONTENTS CHAPTER I JOHN COSIN AND HIS LIBRARY. 1. Life of John Cosin. 1 2. The Formation of Bishop Cosin's Library. 28 5. The Library from I672 to the present day. 41 CHAPTER II CONTEMPORARY CONDITIONS IN FRANCE. 1. Historical events. 44 2. Literaiy and cultural conditions. 56 CHAPTER III THE RELIGIOUS SITUATION. 1. The doctrines of Calvin and their development by the French divines. 67 2. The doctrines of the Counter Reformation and its French adherents. 88 CHAPTER IV THE COMPOSITION OF THE FRENCH SECTION OF BISHOP COSIN'S LIBRARY. 105 CHAPTER V PIERRE DU MOULIN AND HIS WORKS IN BISHOP COSIN'S LIBRARY, 1. Pierre du Moulin and the Cosin Library. 2. The works of Pierre' du Moulin in Bishop'Cosin's Library. 179 CHAPTER VI BIBLIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS OF A SELECTION OF THE FRENCH BOOKS IN BISHOP COSIN'S LIBRARY. 1. French Protestant writings. 212 2. French Catholic writings. 268 SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY INDEX CHAPTER I. JOHN COSIN AND HIS LIBRAHT CHAPTER I SECTION I LIFE OF JOHN COSIN. John Cosin, the founder of the Library which forms the basis of the following study, was without doubt one of the most eminent divines ever to be raised to the honoured position of Bishop of Durham. He was born on 30th November, 1595» the eldest son of Giles Cosin, a well- respected i^ntlemaa.;,"^^^^ Norwich. Both his parents, who came from important Norfolk families, were devout and conscientious members of the Church of England. He received his early education at the city grammar school, and at fourteen he proceeded to Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, where, after a distinguished academic career, he was elected one of the Fellows. His academic prowess is well proven by the fact that two of the most learned scholars of the time desired to offer him a post as secretary. These were the Bishop of Ely, Lancelot Andrewes (1555 - 1626)^ and the Bishop of Lichfield, John Overall (156O - I619). Both wanted Cosin as their Librarian - already Cosin's remarkable abilities in this direction were evident. On the advice of his tutor he attached himself to Overall in the dual capacity of Secretary and Librarian in the year 1616. His ardent love of books, which was sometimes carried almost to fanaticism, remained with him throughout his life. His extraordinarily beautiful handwriting well qualified him for his secretarial duties. In addition he possessed wisdom, shrewdness, and keen perceptiveness. His diligence and industry were exemplary, and he was not lacking in the ability to organise. Furtheimore, he was endowed with a handsome appearance, and it is not surprising that, with all his outstanding qualities, he soon won the favour of his patron and many other influential people. To be in association with such a distinguished scholar as John Overall, *ho enjoyed a high reputation throughout the learned world, numbering among his correspondents Grotius and Vossius, was a uniquely -1- valuable privilege and opportunity, and Cosin always acknowledged a tremendous debt to his • Lord and Master Overall'. It is significant . that it was Overall, perhaps more than anyone else, who contributed to building up the reaction in the Church of England against the austere and rigid Calvinism which had been so influential in the 2 Elizabethan era, and was typified by such men as Whitaker and Whitgift. An appointment such as the one Cosin held was naturally a passport to ecclesiastical preferment, and soon after the death of his patron in 1619 Cosin was employed as Domestic Chaplain by Richard Neile, then Bishop , of Durham, who was no great scholar but a compelling personality and a notable preacher. This otherwise undistinguished churchman had one outstanding ability - he was quick to appreciate good qualities in others. As Domestic Chaplain Cosin had the opportunity of visiting Durham House, located in the Strand, which was then the London Palace of the Bishops of Durham. There he soon involved himself in the learned society of London^. In 1625 part of Durham House was used for a time as the French BDobassy, an inconvenience which irritated Cosin and his Bishop. However, he may well have made some contacts with French divines at this time^. Cosin's friendship with Richard Montagu, Canon of Windsor, later Bishop of Chichester, was significant for the course of his life and conduct. Montagu was an arch Anglo-Catholic and was often accused of 3?everting to the beliefs and practices of Rome.