1782 THOMAS WILSON. 8 Volume Works of the "John the Baptist" of the Isle of Man

A very scarce set of the complete works of Bishop Thomas Wilson [1663-1755]. He became Bishop of Sodor and Man, a rather undesirable post at the time, at 34 years of age and remained there for 58 years. 

When he arrived, the entire diocese was in ruin, both physically and spiritually. He began a robust system of preaching toward the revival and reformation of the church in the region. He was thunderous, often referred to as the "John the Baptist of the Isles." His long-time commitment to the people of the Isles and to their spiritual and material welfare led to a life-long love of the place and people. Later, he was offered preferment to the important Diocese of Exeter, but refused. Such was the affection of the people, that it is said that nearly every adult on the entire Isle attended his funeral. 

Through friends who had met Count Nicholas von Zinzendorf when he visited London in 1738, he struck up a correspondence. Though Wilson was a committed churchman, he was an ardent Evangelical and had a warm affection for the Methodists, Whitefield, and the Moravians movements. Wilson was later offered a place of leadership in the Moravian church by Zinzendorf. It was effected, but seems to have had little practical result. 

Aside from his work in his own diocese, he was an early advocate for foreign missions through the establishment of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts. 

He published several of the most influential devotional works of the era, including his work on the reception of the Lord's Supper; a blend of established Anglican doctrine and the warm, experimental religion of the Methodists and Great Awakening. Also, is Sacra Privata, which was successful for the same reasons. It worked within the established Anglican framework, but benefited immensely from the revivalist tendencies of the time. 

No other similar set on the market. 

Wilson, Thomas. The Works of the Right Reverend Thomas Wilson, D.D. Lord Bishop of Sodor and Man, in Eight Volumes. With His Life, Compiled from Authentic Papers by the Reverend C. Cruttwell. Bath. Printed by R. Cruttwell; and Sold by C. Dilly, Poultry, London. 1782. 

Volume I. The Life of the Right Reverend Father in God Thomas Wilson D.D. Lord Bishop of Sodor and Man, Compiled by C. Cruttwell, to which is added, His History of the Isle of Man. lvi + 468pp.

Volume II. The Works of the Right Reverend Father in God Thomas Wilson D.D. Lord Bishop of Sodor and Man. Containing Instructions for the Better Understanding of the Lord's Supper; and Sacra Privata. 499pp.

Volume III. The Works of the Right Reverend Father in God Thomas Wilson D.D. Lord Bishop of Sodor and Man. Containing, The Knowledge and Practice of Christianity made easy to the Meanest of Capacities; or, an Instruction for Indians. [also] Short Observations for Reading the Historical Books of the Old Testament. [also] Private and Family Prayers. [also] A Form of Consecrating Churches, Chapels, Church-Yards, and Places of Burial. 403pp.

Volume IV. The Works of the Right Reverend Father in God Thomas Wilson D.D. Lord Bishop of Sodor and Man. Containing, Parochialia; or, Instructions for the Clergy. [also] Maxims of Piety and of Christianity. [also] Form of Prayer for the Herring Fishery. [also] Forms of Excommunication and of Receiving Penitents. [also] Instructions for an Academick Youth. [also] Catechetical Instructions. 423pp. 

Volume V. The Works of the Right Reverend Father in God Thomas Wilson D.D. Lord Bishop of Sodor and Man. Containing, Sermons. 496pp. 

Volume VI. The Works of the Right Reverend Father in God Thomas Wilson D.D. Lord Bishop of Sodor and Man. Containing, Sermons. 484pp. 

Volume VII. The Works of the Right Reverend Father in God Thomas Wilson D.D. Lord Bishop of Sodor and Man. Containing, Sermons. 471pp. 

Volume VIII. The Works of the Right Reverend Father in God Thomas Wilson D.D. Lord Bishop of Sodor and Man. Containing, Sermons. 511pp. 

All in very attractive full tree calf bindings, elaborately gold tooled on spines with maroon morocco title onlay and black volume onlay with contrasting maroon double onlay for volume number. Volumes four, five, and seven lacking top label. Each volume having a very discrete, now obscured numbering from a library. Not noticeable from more than a couple feet away. Very simple small c.1900 library stamp on prelims. Not unattractive. Period attractive engraved bookplate in each. One volume having some awkward toning or perhaps staining to leaves. On the whole, a rather exceptional set, beautiful on the shelf, and genuinely wonderful reading.