Beneficio di Cristo

The Beneficio di Cristo (Trattato Utilissimo del Beneficio di Iesu Cristo Crocifisso or The Benefit of Christ's Death) was one of the most popular and influential books of spiritual devotion in sixteenth-century Europe, and reflected Italian radical (or evangelical) religious thinking of the time (the so-called Spirituali). This group sought reform within the Catholic Church by drawing inspiration from the Protestant Reformation.

It is known that the second edition was published in Venice in Italian in 1543 − although at least three editions are likely to have been published there in the 1540s, as well as one printing at Mantua). After a couple of years the book was said to have been sold in 40,000 copies and translated into English, French, Croat, and Castilian. The number is likely inflated, but the historian Benedetto Croce describes how the book, "barely off the press, ran swiftly like a torch through all Italy, igniting others". The work was certainly central to the thinking of Venetian evangelical communities, but was also read across Italy (including Bergamo and Modena).

The printer Andrea Arrivabene and the bookseller Bonifacio Emilione promoted the book, although its authorship remained secret. However, in 1566 it was revealed that it had been written by a Benedictine monk called , residing in Sicily. The work had then been substantially edited by Marcantonio Flaminio - a protege of Juan de Valdes and Cardinal Reginald Pole, and presented mystical themes from "Valdesian" theology.

The work was heavily influenced by Jean Calvin's "Institutes" of 1539, and incorporated substantial quotes. It has been described as a "deeply Augustinian work", and stresses throughout man's absolute dependence on Christ for salvation. The first four chapters in particular expounded the doctrine of salvation by faith alone (Sola fide). Without faith in God, man is incapable of good works.

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