1794 JONATHAN EDWARDS. Treatise on Religious Affections. Early American Lottery Prize.

A very nicely preerved late 18th century imprint of Jonathan Edwards's A Treatise Concerning Religious Affections. Initially published as a pastoral work of the First Great Awakening, articulating Edwards's framework for distinguishing genuine spiritual transformation from superficial emotionalism during a period of intense revivalism, it remains a valuable and insightful work on experimental Christianity and is worthy of ongoing engagement.

Fascinating inscriptions on the title and the rfep refer to "Luistown" or "Lewiston," i.e. modern-day Lewistown, Pennsylvania, and describe how its original owner Robert Elton "drew" or won the volume at "Charles Lottery" in 1796.  While this could have been a publisher's or bookseller's lottery, it seems more likely to refer to one of the many local lotteries held in the late 18th century to raise funds for infrastructure projects. In Pennsylvania, local lotteries were used to invest in a transit system to connect eastern ports like Philadelphia to western agricultural regions. Proceeds funded early turnpikes, bridges, river clearing, and major canal projects, such as the Union Canal. 

Inscribed on the title, "Robert Elton Ser his Book. Drue at Charles Lottery 1796. Luistown;" and on the rfep, "Robert Elton his Book Drew at Charlses Lotry in Lewiston in the year 1796.

Edwards, Jonathan. A Treatise Concerning Religious Affections, in Three Parts. Part First. Concerning the Nature of the Affections, and their Importance in Religion. Part Second. Shewing what are no Certain Signs that Religious Affections are Gracious, or that They are not. Part Third. Shewing what are Distinguishing Signs of Truly Gracious and Holy Affections. Philadelphia. Printed for Mathew Carey, No. 118, Market-Street. Oct. 22, 1794. 351pp.

A good + example in original plain calf, rubbed through at corners, breached at front hinge for lower 3 inches, but remaining very stable. Small leather chip at head of spine and small tear at base. Textually good + to very good, being sound with some light toning and handling and a very minor occasional stain. Very solid.