Jean ADAM , "La Conduite des Fidèles par les Règles de la Foi", edited by Gaspard Meturas, Paris, 1656. In-12. Contemporary binding in brown calf, spine ribbed and richly decorated with gilt fleurons, covers framed with a triple gilt fillet, fleur-de-lys at the corners and gilt coat of arms of Cardinal Mazarin stamped in the centre. Red edges. Condition: Spine and headpieces rubbed. Note: Rare edition of this spiritual and moral treatise intended to guide the faithful in the daily practice of the Christian faith. The work is in the tradition of the manuals of Christian conduct of the first half of the 17th century. In it, Jean Adam develops a discourse imbued with rigour and piety, illustrative of post-Tridentine religious thought. This copy belonged to Cardinal Jules Mazarin (1602-1661), Louis XIV's chief minister and a great collector, whose library was the foundation of the Bibliothèque Mazarine, France's first public library.