1735 JOHN WESLEY. First Edition of the First Theological Work He Ever Published - Pre-Conversion!

Wesley, John [trans., ed., introduction and notes]. Thomas a'Kempis. The Christian's Pattern: Or, A Treatise of the Imitation of Christ. Translated from the Latin of Thomas a'Kempis. Compared with the Original, and Corrected throughout, by John Wesley, M.A. Fellow of Lincoln College, Oxford. London. C. Rivington. 1735. First Edition. [18] + 344pp. 

Measuring roughly 3 x 5 inches

Thomas à Kempis [c.1380-1471]. The Imitation of Christ, first composed in Medieval Latin (as De Imitatione Christi) c.1418–1427. 

John Wesley (1703-1791). The most significant event in Wesley’s spiritual journey took place on 24 May 1738, when he described the moment that his heart ‘was strangely warmed’ and the Christian faith became real in his own experience.  The significance of this volume is that Wesley’s work on the translation etc. took place some 3 years BEFORE his conversion.  Wesley listed The Imitation among the works that influenced him at his conversion.  

Bears the ownership plate of Septimus Rivington, a member of the Rivington publishing family who originally published the work; this copy likely kept by the publisher from its original publication date through to the late 19th century.

Boards & spine heavily worn.  Paper remains to lower spine.  Front board detached.  Grubbiness and markings to endpapers.  Dedication to front endpaper. Pages very crisp and clean as shown.