Among Erasmus of Rotterdam’s many influential treatises on theology during the early Reformation, Exomologesis (1524; revised 1530) and Ecclesiastes (1535) stand out as two of his most significant.

Exomologesis, or The Manner of Confessing, in which Erasmus articulated his views on the true manner of Christian confession, was sufficiently controversial that he published an expanded version with concessions and clarifications six years later. Ecclesiastes, or The Method of Preaching, was an extensive exposition on how to employ scripture, the writings of Church Fathers, and classic rhetoric to reinvigorate the practice of preaching. This innovative work ushered in a new genre of homiletic treatises that supplanted medieval preaching manuals and paved the way for what has been called “the age of eloquence.”

The Collected Works of Erasmus presents these two important works, complete with extensive introductions and annotations, in an elegant and precise two-volume modern translation for the first time.

Volumes 67 and 68 of the Collected Works of Erasmus series – Two-volume set.

Desiderius Erasmus (c. 1466–1536), a Dutch humanist, Catholic priest, and scholar, was one of the most influential Renaissance figures. A professor of divinity and Greek, Erasmus wrote, taught, and travelled, meeting with Europe’s foremost scholars. A prolific author, Erasmus wrote on both ecclesiastic and general human interest subjects.

Desiderius Erasmus' profile page

Frederick J. McGinness is a professor of history at Mount Holyoke College.

Frederick McGinness' profile page

Michael J. Heath is an emeritus professor in the Department of French at King’s College London.

Michael Heath's profile page

James L.P. Butrica† was a professor of classics at Memorial University.

James L.P. Butrica's profile page

Alexander Dalzell is professor emeritus in the Department of Classics at Trinity College, University of Toronto.

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‘As we have come to expect from the series, these volumes continue in the decades-long tradition of providing highly readable and proficiently annotated English translations of Erasmus’ works.’

Erasmus Studies vol 36:2016

‘The University of Toronto Press has produced a beautiful series of writings by the prince of the humanists. They are attractively formatted, sturdily bound, and extensively annotated.’

Sixteenth Century Journal vol 48:02:2017

‘The Collected Works of Erasmus project has long since established a new standard for scholarly translation series to emulate. Not only have the English versions represented Erasmus’ writings in crisp and accessible language, but meticulous editorial scholarship has placed the author’s thought and work in their proper intellectual contexts.’

Renaissance Quarterly

‘The Toronto Erasmus project is a magnificent achievement, one of the scholarly triumphs of our time. The succession of fine volumes – both in quality of content and of design and production – has continued to fulfil the original promise of the distinguished team of editors and the equally distinguished advisory committee.’

Common Knowledge

‘One of the most ambitious, meticulous, and essential scholarly projects now underway.’

Modern Language Notes

‘Academic publishing does not get any better than this: durably bound, expertly annotated, beautifully translated editions of the works of one of the finest scholars in the illustrious history of the Christian Church.’

Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society