Histoire orientale, des grans progres de l'église cathol. [...] en la réduction des anciens chrestiens, dits de S. Thomas [...] à l'union de la vraye Église [...]. [- La Messe des anciens chrestiens dicts de S. Thomas [...]].

8vo: [44]-748-[12]-123-[1] pp. (some toning and spotting, some dampst. on first ff., cut short at the top sometimes shaving running title).

Contemp. vellum, ink-titled flat spine (some soiling on boards, corners sl. bumped).

Very rare French translation of "Jornada do Arcebispo de Goa Dom Frey Aleixo de Menezes" (Coimbra 1606) by A. de Gouveia (1575-1628). The work gives an account of the Jesuit-Portuguese success in convincing the St Thomas Christians of Malabar (the South-West coast of India) to join the Latin (Catholic) Church and acknowledge the authority of the Pope. This was the work of archbishop A. de Menezes (1559-1617), who was appointed governor by the Portuguese. Published in the same year as the Antwerp ed., privilege extended to both Velpius and H. Verdussen. In the 2nd part the translator J.B. de Glen (1552-1613) extends Gouvea's work into an appeal to the people in the Low Countries (esp. the North) to adhere likewise to the Roman Church. In the last part A. Menezes analyses the "Mass of the first Christians" and gives the full Latin text of it. In all a major contribution to the history of Christianity in India.
Ref. Cordier, Sinica, 771-772. - Simoni G-137. - Cp. Brunet II:1684.
Prov. Libr. stamp. - Ms. entry on title.