325 - c. 1495

c. 1495 PAMPHLETS. (INCUNABULUM). INTERROGATIONES ET DOCTRINE QUIBUS QUILIBET SACERDOS DEBET INTERROGARE SUUM CONFITENTEM. [Venice: Manfredus de Bonellis, of Monteferrato, ca. 1495] 12º. 8 leaves; the first leaf is blank with contemporary annotations, and the last is a facsimile. A contemporary handwritten marginal note on A7r. Recently bound in full leather, with dry-stamped marks on both covers and raised bands. Label ex-libris. ISTC ic00816000, lists only 9 copies worldwide. Goff C816. A rare confession manual, very popular in the 15th and 16th centuries, intended to compensate for the clergy’s inadequate training—especially in rural areas—until the Council of Trent. It explains in simple terms how the confessor should behave toward the penitent and how the questioning should be conducted, in addition to providing an overview of mortal sins, the commandments, the articles of faith, works of mercy, etc. Finally, it explains how a priest should grant absolution and in which cases he should not do so.