1618 DANIEL DYKE. Exposition of Philemon & The School of Affliction - Mayflower Provenance - Spurgeon Recommend!

In need of rebinding, but an exceptionally rare work [two actually] by early puritan, Daniel Dyke. 

Daniel Dyke [c.1530's-1614]. Born sometime in the 1530's, Dyke's father was silenced for non-conformity during the latter part of the English reformation. Daniel, after attending Cambridge, that "nursery of the puritans," he was installed at St. Albans. He was forever under scrutiny. He was repeatedly disciplined, suspended, and at last deprived of his living in 1589 for not wearing the suprlice and "troubling the established doctrine" with his puritan views. When his congregation sought his restoration, he was framed for adultery. This ultimately came to a public hearing and the woman who made the accusation, so overcome with shame, confessed in open court she had charged him falsely and sought his forgiveness. His works are of durable value and his "mystery of self-deceiving" was a standard among the 17th century puritans in America. 

The present copy is signed on the title, Willm Swift. By repute, this is one William Swift [1593-1642/3] who emigrated to the United States as part of the Great Migration in 1634.  Originally from Surrey, he settled in Sandwich, Massachusetts Bay Colony, where he is married. Wonderful to think this precious little tome may have made the journey so early in America's Puritan / Pilgrim history. The signature is consistent with one from that era, but we are able to trace no other examples. So, "by repute" it is. 

The work is further signed by John Turnbull [1731] and John St. Clair [Sinclair] of Donibristle [1729], which means it would have had to return at some point to Fife, Scotland. 

Regardless, the work very scarce and desirable.

C. H. Spurgeon: "Dyke's remarks are memorably practical and full of common sense. He abounds in proverbs."

Binding is absent, but textually complete. Title is worn with losses at foredge, otherwise quite good with handling, and minor tide mark to last few signatures. One corner turned where it was originally missed in the trimming. Last leaves with staining. 

Dyke, Daniel. Two Treatises. The One, A Most Fruitfull Exposition on Philemon. The Other, The Schoole of Affliction. Both Penned by the late Faithfull Minister of God's Word, Daniel Dyke, Bachelor in Divinitie. Published Since His Death by his Brother, Jeremiah Dyke, Minister of God's Word. London. Printe by G. P. by Robert Mylbourn. 1618. 375pp.