Catholic Church Finances

London: Printed for Olive Payne, 1730. Cont. calf; [3], xviii-xxi, [2], xxii-xlviii, [2], 260 pp. Corners rounded, rebacked, red morocco spine label, marbled end papers. The preliminaries are paginated quite irregularly, but perfectly complete. Woodcut initials and headpieces. A very good copy; rubbing to covers (heavy rubbing on a ½ by ½ inch square area); ½ by 1½ inch section cut from fly-leaf (likely to remove the prior owner’s name); light foxing — but overall quite a nice copy. Paolo Sarpi (1551–1623) was a Venetian historian. This is the only English edition of his work on Catholic Church finances. Discusses both the wealth and cost of monasteries; addresses ​“who” is the owner of ecclesiastical estates; how the church should provide for its members in old age; extensive analysis of tithing — its justifications and administration; how to balance providing for the poor and the administrative and property management needs of the Church. A scarce book on a fascinating subject.