La philosophie divine

[Lyon]: s.n., 1793. FIRST EDITION. Contemporary pastepaper wrappers lined with printing waste (rear panel of Vol III detached). In excellent original condition, uncut. First edition of this strange work of mystical theology and “astral light.” The author, who Brunet calls a madman, rambles almost incoherently about the fall of man and the resulting supernatural forces that operate in and around humanity. He claims that Adam’s sin caused faith to be at odds with reason, and the “abuse” of reason further distances humans from God. His focus is on the different degrees of light in the universe—natural, magical, astral, supernatural, celestial, and divine—and how to harness them for good. He encourages the pious to reject materiality and “gross bodies” and seek truth in the magnetism and light abounding within the spirit realm. Amidst this intangible theosophizing, he interjects some radical dogmatic opinions, including the non-existence of hell and the immaculate conception of Mary.

Dutoit-Membrini (1721-1793) was a Swiss pastor and founder of the mystical quietist cult of Inner Souls in Lausanne. His life was marked by periods of debilitating sickness, after each of which he emerged progressively more committed to Catholic mysticism. He finished this book shortly before his death, which may explain its narrative quality.

OCLC locates 6 copies in the U.S. (NY Public, Yale, Chicago, Harvard, Michigan, Texas).

Quérard, Les supercheries littéraires dévoilées II: 449; Brunet, Les Fous 62-63; Caillet 3480; Dorbon 1432.