Important first American edition of one of the true classics of the 18th century. James Gardiner was a rake, a rebellious, godless youth who had been fighting for the English in France. He frequented prostitutes and it seems both had willing and unwilling sexual partners in his travels across France. Late one night, before a midnight meeting with a French married woman, while waiting, he picked up a book to read . . . and then and there had a miraculous vision of Jesus on the cross, who spoke to him, "Did I suffer thus for you and these are your returns?" His life was transformed.
He went on to become not only a war hero, but a colonel in the military and a flaming evangelist among the young soldiers. He married the wealthy and saintly Lady Erskine, friend of the Countess of Huntingdon, and they entertained a long correspondence with George Whitefield, whom they had come to know through Philip Doddridge.
Great early American signatures of Hezekiah Washington, Babel Benson, and Charles Coffin.
Doddridge, Philip. Some Remarkable Passages in the Life of the Hon. Col. James Gardiner, who was slain at the Battle of Preston Pans, Septeember 21, 1745. To which is Added the Sermon Occasioned by His Heroick Death. Boston. Isaiah Thomas and E. T. Andrews. 1792. 255pp.
Original full calf with contrasting label, early and not unattractive label at base of spine, worn at corners. Tide mark throughout, but not obnoxious. Some rather minor ex library markings. A few corners turned at corners.