Rare fifth edition of a very popular Dutch work for seafarers written by Nicolaas Simon van Leeuwaarden (1648-1730), a prolific Dutch author of mainly Christian works. He was the grandfather of the Dutch playwright and poet Nicolaas Simon van Winter (1718-1795).
The first edition was published in 1709 (Amsterdam, the widow of G. de Groot) and afterwards reprinted many times until the end of the 19th century, the 15th edition appeared in 1865 (Amsterdam, Ten Brink & De Vries). The preface has been written by the Dutch theologian and minister Hieronymus Simons van Alphen (1665-1742).
It contains 26 longer contemplations on various texts from the Old and New Testament, together with edifying verses and prayers for the different times of the day (mainly relating to issues occurring during sea voyages). This work was usually taken by the sailors on their journeys, which most copies did not survive and thus making surviving examples quite rare.
The binding shows signs of wear around the corners, edges, and joints of the boards, with some water staining in the upper outer corner of the boards and the first and last few leaves, internally slightly browned and stained throughout. Otherwise in good condition. STCN 175746893 (3 copies); Van Doorninck col. 440; Van Eeghen/Van der Kellen 432 (note); Waller 1018; cf. Klaversma/Hannema 830-831 (listing the editions of 1709 and 1714); STCN 17574663X, STCN 297443720 (3 copies, other issues of the 5th ed.).