1743 JOHN WESLEY. First Edition. An Earnest Appeal to Men of Reason - First Defense of Methodism!
1743 JOHN WESLEY. First Edition. An Earnest Appeal to Men of Reason - First Defense of Methodism!
Rare first edition of three items and a second edition of one, all calculated as an apologetic and explanation of the desired outcomes of Methodism, a religion of the heart that brings authentic spiritual life to the emotions, to relationships, and to ethics and holiness [which flow out of the first two]. It is also a claim to primitivism, that is, that the Methodist movement of the Great Awakening was a re-happening of the original apostolic church life as reflected in the book of Acts, etc.,
One of the earliest articulations, and certainly the most thorough, of Wesley's thoughts about the nature and intent of the Methodist movement.
Fascinating provenance as well; see that below.
Also included is the first edition of Charles Wesley's corresponding hymn, The Primitive Church.
Wesley, John. An Earnest Appeal to Men of Reason and Religion. The Second Edition. Bristol. Printed by Felix Farley; and sold by J. Wilson in Wine-street, and at the School-Room in the Hourse-Fair, etc. 1743. 51pp.
[bound with]
Wesley, Charles. Primitive Christianity. Parts I & II. 4pp. 1743. First Edition.
[See: https://divinity.duke.edu/sites/divinity.duke.edu/files/documents/cswt/19_Primitive_Christianity_%281743%29_Mod.pdf]
[bound with]
A Farther Appeal to Men of Reason and Religion. Parts II & III [Completing the First as Present Here]. London. Printed by W. Strahan; and Sold by T. Trye, near Gray's Inn-Gate, etc. First Edition. 1745. 239pp.
Inscribed on the rfep "J. Rhudde." This would be Rev. John Rhudde [1704-1778] of Portesham and Weymouth Stock. Rhudde was a minister of the Gospel, raised a Calvinistic Baptist, whose tracts today are available in Dr. Williams' Library. He published, 1733, A Lecture on Worship Read at the Meeting House, Broad Street, Bristol [Baptist]; A Letter to the Protestant Church Meeting at Broad Street, Bristol [Baptist]; etc. It seems he was excommunicated for taking up Unitarian views, but was later aligned with the Methodists and the Great Awakening, appearing at the Annual Conferences, etc.
Good + condition in original quarter leather, hinges breached, but holding. Contents generally very clean and crisp.