MARCA (Pierre de) archbishop - Lot 98

MARCA (Pierre de) archbishop Dissertationum de Concordia Sacerdotii et Imperii, seu de Libertatibus Ecclesiae Gallicanae liri octo. Edition tertia auctior, emendatior & elegantior. Parisiis, apud viduam Francisci Muguet, 1704. 2 volumes in folio. Text on 2 columns in Latin. Contemporary fawn calf, ornate ribbed spine, red title-piece, one bit split at head, double gilt fillet framing the boards, gilt roulette on the edges, red edges. The second and best edition of Pierre de Marca's most important book. It was given by Étienne Baluze, Marca's secretary and co-author. On his death, Marca had entrusted him with all his manuscripts. The prelate had left in manuscript a sequel to this book, in which he returns to his first sentiments, more sincere and true than those of his retraction. The first edition, published in 1641, caused a stir; its title, "Libertés de l'Église gallicane", displeased Rome, which decreed that these freedoms could not be reconciled with the liberties of the Church. Popes Urban VIII and Innocent X demanded the removal of certain passages from the book. Marca sought to appease them with a Dissertation in which he proved the superiority of the pope over the councils. This concession did not satisfy the Court of Rome, and in 1647 he signed a declaration pledging to conform in all respects to the doctrine of Rome. Provenance: Copy from the library of P. Giraudi with his printed bookplate.