A very scarce first German edition of a landmark radical Baptist - Anabaptist - Mennonite work by a disciple of Melchior Hoffman in a lovely early 18th century Dutch bespoke binding. They don't come much nicer than this!

Dirk Philips [1504-1568] is an important early Anabaptist theologian. Early on a disciple of Melchior Hoffman, he was one of the pacifist stripe and later sided with Menno Simons and helped formulate the teaching and doctrine that would ultimately become the Mennonite Church. 

Born into a Catholic family, he joined the Anabaptists in 1533, became an Elder in 1534, and by 1537 was one of a small group of men recognized as the leaders of the movement. Many historians see him as more significant to the theological foundation of the Mennonites than even Simons. He was deeply theological with but two guiding principles, those being the Scriptures and the person of Christ, with Christ being the more primary hermeneutic. 

Many of the hallmark features of later Mennonite theology and practice find their origin in the present work. He established the seven ordinances of the church as pure doctrine, the sacraments, washing the feet of the saints, shunning, the command of love, obedience, and persecution. 

Perhaps more than any other, he promoted strict adherence to the ban, or community shunning. He felt this was necessary in order to maintain the purity of the church. His emphasis on the ban and the purity of the community makes Dirk Philips' writings more popular with the Old Order Amish. He also believed in the absolute opposition between the church and the world, and therefore that believers should expect persecution, viewing its lack as a mark of worldliness.

The Enchiridion is Philips' most significant work, being a consolidation of all of his most significant teachings. It was published in 1564, and for the first time in German, here, in 1715. 

Like the Fundament-Boek Menno Simons, the Enchiridion was meant to be a comprehensive guide for the Christian to furnish him with both doctrinal and ethical instructions in a day of distress and persecution. Dirk presents a uniquely Anabaptist vision of the Church's mission, including a strong sense of the separation of the church from the world, strict church discipline, practical and fruitful Christian living, etc.

Fascinatingly, although he displays a thorough knowledge of the Bible, deep Christian convictions, and some knowledge of Latin, Greek, and Hebrew, he scarcely quotes writers of the past or the days of the Reformation. Menno Simons, Martin Luther, Sebastian Franck, and Erasmus are each referred to just once. 

Frederick Pijper, who made a special study of Dirk Philips and prepared and edited all his writings, which appeared as Vol. X of the Bibliotheca Reformatoria Neerlandica, says, “What the Loci communes of Melanchthon was for the Lutherans, the Confession of Beza for the French Protestants, and the Leken Wechwyser for the Dutch Reformed, the Enchiridion was for the Mennonites."

Philips, Dirk [Dietrich]. Enchiridion. Oder Hand-Buch Bon der Christlichen Lehr Und Religion ein turke Guina begriffenzuin Dienst whon allen Liebhabers der Warheit (durchdie Onad Bottes) aus der Heiligen Schrifftgemacht, etc. Cutschland. Gedrucstdurch C. J. Conert. 1715. 

First German edition in a superbly executed bespoke likely Dutch binding with leather and brass as shown. All original and finely patinated and preserved. Leather straps absent, but brass pieces all present. Fine 1798 inscription, first gathering a bit protruded, boards lightly bowed, some tide marks. Generally exceptional and fine.