Antiquitates Christianæ: or, The History of the Life and Death of the Holy Jesus (full title often continues: as also the Lives, Acts and Martyrdoms of his Apostles. In two parts) is a 17th-century English devotional and historical work on the life of Christ and the Apostles.
Key Details
- Authors: Primarily Jeremy Taylor (1613–1667), Bishop of Down and Connor, for the first part (the life of Jesus, drawing on his earlier The Great Exemplar of Sanctity and Holy Life). The second part on the Apostles is by William Cave (1637–1713), titled Antiquitates Apostolicae.
- Publication: First major combined editions appeared in the 1670s (e.g., 1675, 1678). It went through multiple editions into the 18th century (e.g., a 10th edition in 1742 with engravings). Often published in large folio format with illustrations, including engraved frontispieces and plates.
- Content:
- Part 1: A detailed life of Jesus Christ, emphasizing his sanctity and example for Christian living.
- Part 2: Lives, acts, and martyrdoms of the Apostles.
It was a popular Anglican work of biblical history and piety, blending scriptural narrative with patristic and historical sources.
Availability and Value
Early editions (especially illustrated folios from the 1670s–1740s) are collectible antiquarian books, often valued for their engravings and bindings. Modern reprints exist via services like Amazon or academic presses.
Digital versions are available through archives like EEBO (Early English Books Online) or HathiTrust.
