Gilbert Tennent | A lengthy anti-Quaker treatise by a controversial Presbyterian minister

Gilbert Tennent

The Late Association for Defence Farther Encouraged: Or, Defensive War Defended; and Its Consistency with True Christianity Represented. In a Reply to Some Exceptions against War, in a late Composure, intituled, The Doctrine of Christianity, as held by the People called Quakers, Vindicated. Philadelphia: Printed and Sold by B. Franklin and D. Hall, 1748

8vo (198 x 125 mm, uncut). Toned, intermittent spotting and staining, wear to edges, a hole in the margin of leaf Y4. Modern reddish-brown calf, gilt-lettered spine, decorated in gilt and blind.

First edition of a lengthy anti-Calvinist work on the lawfulness of war by the fiery Presbyterian preacher, the Reverend Gilbert Tennent. According to Miller, Franklin partly subsidized the printing of this text. He also published John Smith's Quaker rebuttal to Tennent, The Doctrine of Christianity, as Held by the People called Quakers, Vindicated: in Answer to Gilbert Tennent's Sermon on the Lawfulness of War (see following lot). For another divisive work by Gilbert Tennent, see lot 21.

Rare. This is the only copy to have appeared at auction in the last century.

REFERENCES

Miller 459; ESTC W5384; Evans 6247; Hildeburn 1105; Sabin 94695

PROVENANCE

Freeman's, 10 September 2024, lot 12 (undesignated consignor)