1692 HENRY LAYTON. Rare Sammelband of 5 Works on the Conditional Immortality of the Soul.

An American association copy of an important assemblage of 17th century philosophical and apologetic works relative to the immortality of the soul by Henry Layton [1622-1705]. Layton was an influential philosopher, a contemporary of John Locke, and interacted deeply with Richard Bentley. His works were published anonymously, but deeply impacted late 17th century thinking, prompting a response from Presbyterian, Timothy Manlove, and also engaged by the puritan, John Flavel in his Pneumatologia.

His works argued that the "soul" was a production of the mind and defended the position from philosophy, physiology, human experience, and Scripture. He worked in the Christian orthodox tradition and affirmed the deity of Christ and the resurrection and return of Christ. His position was that the "gift of eternal life" endued the soul with its ability to participate in the eschaton, i.e. became eternal. He may be viewed as the modern father of "conditional immortality." 

His works were so controversial at the time he was declined by printers, finally publishing anonymously and the works distributed without title pages of any kind [as here]. The majority of the first imprints were sent to friends and institutions. The remaining stock was confiscated and destroyed, making the works quite scarce. Even the British Library does not retain a complete set of his works. No copies of any of his works on the market presently. 

The present copy retains a partial signature of "Foxcroft" on the prelims; we have obtained a few items from the library of Thomas Foxcroft of late and presume this to be another of them or from this family. 

Sammelband includes:

Observations upon a Sermon Intituled, Matter and Motion Cannot Thing; A Confutation of Atheism from the Faculties of the Soul, Preached April 4, 1692. Nd. 1692. 19pp.

A Search after Souls and Spiritual Operations in Man. Nd. 1693. 278pp.

A Search after Souls and Spiritual Operations in Man. Part Second. 1693. 188pp.

Observations upon a Shor Treatise, Written by Mr. Timothy Manlove, Intituled, The Immortality of the Soul Asserted and printed in Octavo at London, 1697. 1697. 128pp.

Observations upon Mr. Wadsworth's Book Of the Soul's Immortality. 1699. 215pp. 

Original early 18th century paneled calf, c.1900 patinated ex library label at base of spine, hinges through leather, tender but stable with care. Still quite attractive. c.19th century discrete label from Newton Theological Seminary on pastedown, two blank prelims detached with early inscriptions. Remainder very crisp with some light scattered foxing. Text quite crisp and margins untrimmed.