A Free Inquiry Into the Miraculous Powers, Which are supposed to have subsisted in the Christian Church, From the Earliest Ages through several successive Centuries. By which it is shewn, That we have no sufficient Reason to believe, upon the Authority of the Primitive Fathers, That any such Powers were continued to the Church, after the Days of the Apostles
London: R. Manby and H. S. Cox, 1749. Third edition. Hardcover. Quarto (9 1/4 x 7 1/4"). [4] (Half-title and title page), CXLI (Preface, Introductory Discourse, Postscript), [1] (Publisher's advertisement), [2], 232 (Text), [20]pp (Index). 19th-century black- and blind-stamped full calf, with gold lettering to spine. Raised bands.
Mired in controversy and disputes, and with a reputation as an unbeliever, English clergyman Conyers Middleton (1683-1750) triggered one of the biggest theological controversies of the 18th century with this book upon the miraculous powers attributed to the Christian church.
The author first published an ‘Introductory Discourse’ in 1747 (featured in pages XXVII (37) to CXIII (113)), followed up by a fuller treatise at the end of 1748.
"A Free Inquiry Into the Miraculous Powers" denied the credibility of the stories of miracles in periods subsequent to the first age of the church, attacked the character of the narrators, and explained the origin of the narratives by the general credulity of the times in which they arose.
Binding rubbed along edges, with some abrasion to leather on spine. Closed tears along joints, but covers still firmly attached. Stamp of the University of California Riverside on inside of front cover, and at top and bottom edge. Binding in overall fair, interior in very good condition. f to vg. Item #42023
Price: $400.00