The Critical History of the Religions and Customs of the Eastern Nations

London: J. Heptinsfall for Henry Fairhorne and John Kersey, 1685 London: J. Heptinsfall for Henry Fairhorne and John Kersey, 1685 192 pp. Richard Simon (1638-1712) was a French priest and Oratorian, who was an influential biblical critic and orientalist. Born in Dieppe, he received education at the Oratorian College and studied oriental languages and theology in Paris. In 1670, he was ordained as a priest. Influenced by Benedict Spinoza, he devoted his life to textual criticism of the Scriptures, publishing several major books. He had also written a study on the Eastern Churches which was translated into English and published under the title "The Critical History of the Religious and Customs of the Eastern Nations" in London in 1685. In this book, Simon devoted Chapters V and VI to "the Belief and Customs of the Georgians or Iberians, and of those of Colchis of Mangrelia" Note that 'Eastern Religions' in this context referrs to ther Eastern Christian churches of Southeastern Europe and the Middle East. Text is complete, tight, much toned. front board and title page detached. Leather cover boards show outlines where tape has been used to hold book together.Corners are rubbed with some loss of material. Spine is banded. Library bookplate (Wisconsin Consistory Library) on front pastedown. . 1st Edition. Hardcover. Good. 4.5" x 7.5". Ex-Library.. 1st Edition.. Hardcover. Good.