1656 THOMAS HOOKER. The Application of Redemption. Rare American Puritan with Wonderful Provenance.

Well, here is a gem indeed, and nearly unobtainable. It is the first copy we have handled in 25 years. Even more remarkably, it retains some fascinating early American provenance as well.

Thomas Hooker [1586-1647] was a prominent early Colonial Puritan divine who founded the Colony of Connecticut. His accomplishments cut an equally impressive course across theology, experimental puritan writing, and political and civic leadership. Considered by many the greatest American preachers of his time and is often credited with having inspired the "Fundamental Orders of Connecticut," which some have called the world's first written representative democratic constitutional document. 

Emigrating to the United States in 1629 under pressure from Archbishop Laud's repressive policies, he quickly became a leading voice in the colonies. By 1639, the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut were ratified, under Hooker's influence, and Western Representative Democracy was born.

Theologically and pastorally, he was a deeply experimental puritan. His Poor Doubting Christian Drawn to Christ was a classic of the deeply introspective and self-suspecting school of the puritans of the era. 

The present, along a similar vein, is equally experimental, but a significant theological expansion of the previous. 

Additionally, the present copy bears the signatures of Ebenezer Porter, divine from Boston and co-laborer with Benjamin Colman. It also bears those of Samuel Foxcroft, son of Thomas, and Samuel's wife, Lucy Foxcroft. Wonderful early American pedigree.

Hooker, Thomas. Late Pastor of the Church at Hartford in New-England; Sometimes Preacher of the Word at Chelmsford in Essex, and Fellow of Emmanuel Colledg in Cambridge. Printed from the Author's Papers, written with his own Hand, and attested to be such in an Epistle by Thomas Goodwin and Philip Nye. The Application of Redemption, by the Effectual Work of the Word, and Spirit of Christ, for the bringing of lost Sinners to God. The First Eight Books: In which (Besides many other seasonable and soul-searching truths) there is also largely shewed, 1. Christ hath purchased all spiritual good for His. 2. Christ puts all His into possession of all that God that he hath purchased. 3. The Soul must be fitted for Christ before it can receive him: And a Powerful Ministry is the ordinary means to proper the heart for Christ. 4. The Work of God is free: and the day of Salvation, is while the Life last, and the Gospel continue. 5. God calls his Elect at any Age, but the most before old Age. 6. The Soul is naturally setled in sinful security. 7. The heart of a Natural man is wholly unwilling to submit to the Word that would sever him from his sins. 8. God the Father, by a holy kind of violence, plucks His out of their corruptions, and draws them to beleeve in Christ. London. Printed by Peter Cole at the Sign of the Printing-Press in Cornhil. 1656. 451pp.

Original full paneled calf now reconstituted and the original spine expertly relaid over new calf. New endpapers and 13 leaves in the finest quality facsimile, printed on laid paper and each hand-aged, striking a delicate balance between retaining some sense of replacement to prevent the hint of fraud, but also feeling native to the original document. Some staining, small tears, one with loss as shown, and some early sepia ink underlinings.

A work for the true collector and in all likelihood a once in a lifetime opportunity to purchase.