Divi Basilii Magni Caesareae Cappadociae quondam archiepiscopi omnia quae in hunc diem Latino sermone donata sunt opera, nunc demum praeter caeteras editiones solerti industria, nec minùs accurata collatione ad fidem Graecorum aliquot exemplarium synceriori lectioni restituta, multísque libris aucta : Quorum omnium ordinem & cathalogum versa pagina docebit. Praefiximus quator indices : prior, res & verba continet : alter, scripturae sacrae locos à Basilio explicatos complectitur : tertius, habet similitudines : postremus, paroemias authori familiares

First edition produced by Jean Gillot (according to the preface). Large printer's mark on title page, very handsome, with two storks quarreling over a worm, with 4 biblical episodes in medallions around the main figure. Printed in two columns. Listed in Index aureliensis.
Contemporary full vellum binding. Jansenist spine with raised bands. Red morocco title label from the 17th century, with lack to left corner, removing the letter O from opera. Numerous wormholes to head and foot compartments. Folded corners, two of which damaged. Scattered foxing. A thin paper strip under the title. Lacking the endpaper before the title. Leaf 637 backed on verso with old paper, the following leaf being numbered 640 instead of 639, without lack.
Latin translation of the complete works of Basil of Caesarea (bishop of the eponymous city in Cappadocia), considered one of the first doctors of the church and venerated as a saint by both Orthodox and Catholics; his works contain important reflections on the Holy Trinity, the establishment of the first monastic rule (Rule of Saint Basil), which would give rise to that of Saint Benedict; he also fought extensively against heresies and church divisions, desiring above all unity. His theological work is very rich, particularly his correspondence.
Jean Gillot, 16th-century philologist, had specialized in the works of the doctors of the church, notably Saint Ambrose and Saint Hilary, often in collaboration with Sébastien Nivelle. He also produced an unfinished ecclesiastical history, incorporating numerous extracts from his translations.