In the fall of 2019, the project “The Dynamics of the Classical Reformed Liturgy in the Netherlands,” a collaborative effort between the Theological University of Kampen and the Protestant Theological University involving some researchers from outside these universities, was launched. One of the goals of the project is a text-critical edition of the Liturgy, the collection of liturgical forms and prayers for which Petrus Dathenus laid the foundation in 1566. For now, the text-critical edition covers the period 1566-1639. In addition, four dissertations are in preparation, on the form of infant baptism, the Lord’s Supper, marriage and the forms for the confirmation of ministers. Acting as supervisor are Prof. dr. E.A. de Boer and prof.dr. W.H.Th. Moehn.

The Liturgy was published, almost always together with the (Heidelberg) Catechism, in most cases behind the Psalm Book with the psalms rhymed by Dathenus. Incidentally, we also know of some instances of an independent Catechism edition with the Liturgy in the period mentioned. Furthermore, we often see that the Psalm book, including thus Catechism and Liturgy, is appended behind a New Testament or Bible. This may be an independently published book of Psalms that is bound with it, but usually it is a book of Psalms that forms an independent book unit together with the New Testament or the Bible.

Those who peruse bibliographical sources such as Fontes Hymnodiae, Typographa Batava, and Netherlandish Books discover that numerous editions of the Liturgy have survived in their various forms. But along the way, it has also become clear to us that many have not been preserved, or at least are not publicly accessible and thus considered lost. From research, we now know that in addition to the 150 or so known editions, we may currently be unaware of more than 100. Most were printed in the Northern Netherlands, but we also have knowledge of a few copies from Antwerp and Ghent, for example. We would now like to attempt to survey hitherto unknown copies of the Liturgy from the period 1566-1639 that are in private possession.

If you have in private possession a (Heidelberg) Catechism, Psalm book with Datheens or Marnix’s psalms, New Testament or Bible (with Psalm book) from 1566-1639, would you please come forward? With a New Testament or Bible, it will then be necessary to see if a Psalm book or Catechism is also included in the binding(s). In fact, these are rarely, if ever, mentioned on the title page of the New Testament or the Bible. If the Liturgy is not in it, then it is of no interest to our project. These are emphatically issues from THEIR years. We obviously handle the data prudently. Should publication occur in any way, it will be done only in consultation with you.