A Woorke Concerning The Trewnesse Of The Christian Religion Written In French Against Atheists, Epicures, Paynims, Jewes, Mahumetists, And Other Infidels, By Philip Of Mornay Lord Of Plessie Marlie, Begunne To Be Translated Into English By Sir Philip Sidney Knight, And At His Request Finished By Arthur Golding De Mornay, Phillippe [1549-1623]

London: Imprinted by [John Charlewood and] George Robinson] for Thomas Cadman, 1587 [1581]. 4to, 12 (of 28), 641, [i]. Title page printed within woodcut border, with engraved initials and head and tail pieces, rebound in modern dark brown calf with five raised spine bands and black spine label. First English edition of de Mornay's third book, a translation of "de la Verité de la Religion Chrestienne," (1581) and possibly Sir Philip Sydney's first published work, although there is some debate as to whether he contributed to this translation despite his name being present on the title page. de Mornay (1549-1623) was a French Protestant writer, member of the 'Monarchomaques' anti-Monarchist movement, and personal representative of Henry IV in England. During his time in England, de Mornay and his wife befriended English Protestants, including Francis Walsingham, Mary Sidney, and her brother Philip Sidney. Following the death of Prince Henry I in 1588, de Mornay's influence in France became so great that he was often referred to as the 'Huguenot Pope'. He was present at the siege of Dieppe and was instrumental in the drafting of the Edict of Nantes, though he gradually withdrew from the court following Henry IV's repudiation of Protestantism. de Mornay's writings were foundational to the defense of the Huguenot cause, and remain an important source of primary material for this period. Contemporaneous inscription to lower margin of final leaf; several errors in pagination, including 481-490 omitted in numbering, but excepting the missing prelims noted above, textually complete. A handsome copy of a scarce work, with fewer than 30 copies in OCLC.