Original and only edition of the second part, and second edition of the first part of a rare devotional work. The first part was originally published only one year earlier by Willem Scheybels in 1648, in Brussels. A French translation was first published also in 1649 by the same Cornelius Woons in Antwerp, who also published a translation in Dutch in 1650. An earlier Dutch translation was printed by Willem Scheybels in 1649 in Brussels. The woodcuts were also sold separately. Josse Andries (1588-1658), a Jesuit working in Ghendt, Malines, and Brussels, was a prolific author of prayers, meditations, and small devotional works.
Of particular interest is the fact that on p. 15 of the first part, and on p. 96 of the second part, the price of the book is explicitly mentioned: "Pretium libelli. Hic libellus constans quatuor foliis [= quire A-D], cum quadraginta iconibus, non pluris emitur, quam asse cum medio, incompactus, per Belgium" ("The price of this book. This book is printed on four sheets containing 40 woodcuts. It is for sale - unbound - throughout Belgium for no more than one and a half as [asse cum medio: 1 ½ stuvers])". A statement such as this is only very rarely included.
The work contains 80 woodcut illustrations; 40 in the first part, which are repeated in the second part. They appear in the same order in both parts - mostly in more fresh impressions in the first part -, but with different legends. In the first part they are accompanied by an explication comprising the "Typus", "Prototypon" and "Precatio" on the facing page. On the facing pages in part 2 there are the "Affectus pii & proposita". The woodcut illustrations are signed by Antoine Sallaert (ca. 1590-1660), a well-known painter, engraver, and a designer of tapestries, who was deeply influenced by Rubens, and Jean Christoph Jegher (1618-1667), an engraver who was married with Maria, a servant of Balthasar Moretus II; he also often worked for the Officina Plantiniana.
With an engraved bookplate on the front pastedown with coat of arms, a contemporary ownership's entry on the title page, and the library stamp of St. Hugh's Charterhouse in Parkminster on the title page. The vellum is somewhat stained, with some loss of material at the head and foot of the spine. The work is lightly browned throughout. Otherwise in good condition. Ad 1: De Backer-Sommervogel I, col. 376, nr. 20; STCV 12879603; USTC 1000384 (23 copies); ad 2: De Backer-Sommervogel I, col. 378, nr. 21; STCV 12879606; USTC 1000385 (11 copies).