First edition. 8vo. pp. [40 (of 44)], 1-688, 699-1194. Lacks A1 (blank except for signature-mark "A" with ornament), and A4 (second leaf of dedication). Black letter, occasional woodcut capital. Main text complete despite errors in numbering. [STC, 17299]. 17th century calf, boards detached, earlier leaves close trimmed, later sheet pasted to title verso (probably 19th century advert), presumably to reinforce the title page, occasional 18th century marginal notes, unrelated to text, front fly-leaf seemingly pasted to front board, rear fly-leaf lacking. Early leaves heavily thumbed, with some fraying to margins, but quickly becoming cleaner. An extremely rare work, one that is exceptionally seldom on the market. Marbeck was in some ways an unfortunate man: a skilled musician and divine, he embraced the Anglican cause under Henry VIII, and then faced persecution after his policy softened toward the Church of Rome, but survived after being regarded more a musician than a theologian. He then continued to work on the first concordance in English, and also produced this remarkable work, which contains a huge variety of definitions and discussions of hundreds of religious and related terms, with extensive chapter and verse given. In turn, his profound insight and erudition may be regarded as an important source of moral feeling and religious sensibility in Elizabethan England. ESTC, 17299. Lowndes 1470.