An Historical Dictionary of All Religions from the Creation of the World to This Present Time... Compiled from the Best Authorities
London: for T. Osborne and J. Shipton, 1756. Hardcover. Two volumes bound in one, folio. [4], xxvi, 606, [2, ads]; xiv, 563, [21, index]pp. Elaborate allegorical title page by H. Gravelot. First volume with a list of subscribers; second volume without title page (as issued). Printed bibliographical marginalia. Woodcut initials and ornaments throughout. Modern dark brown calf; borders ruled in gilt and blind; spine with raised bands, gilt-tooled ornaments, and morocco lettering piece. Origninal endleaves renewed. Dampstain at bottom outer corner of frontiespiece (affecting about a 3-inch section of the image). First and last two leaves of the original text lightly browned/foxed. Occasional touches of dust soiling at the top margin, else text clean, crisp, and amply-margined. A nearly fine copy in a very fresh and handsome period-style binding.
Last of three eighteenth-century editions of this copious and elegantly composed reference work by the Church of England clergyman and author, Thomas Broughton (1704-1774), first published as the Bibliotheca Historico-Sacra in 1737-1739. "Broughton was... an industrious and diverse author with a distinct narrative gift... Even in his scholarly works, fielding an impressive quantity and range of references, he is lucid, lively, and modest, and as a minister (notably in Fifteen Sermons on Select Subjects, 1778) he promoted Christian virtue at its most generous" (ODNB). Near fine. Item #48911
Full title and imprint: An historical dictionary of all religions from the creation of the world to this present time. Containing, I. A Display of all the Pagan Systems of Theology, their Origin, their superstitious Customs, Ceremonies, and Doctrines. II. The Jewish, Christian, and Mohammedan Institutions, with the Ecclesiastical Laws, and History respecting each Denomination. III. The Rise and Progress of the various Sects, Heresies, and Opinions, which have sprung up in different Ages and Countries; with an Account of the Founders and Propagators thereof. IV. A Survey of the several Objects of Adoration; Deities and Idols. Of Persons dedicated to the sacred Function; Priests and Religious Orders. Times, and Places of Divine Worship; Fasts, Festivals, Temples, Churches, and Mosques. V. Of Sacred Books and Writings, the Vestments of Religious Orders, and a Description of all the Utensils employed in Divine Offices. VI. The Changes and Alterations, which Religion has undergone both in ancient and modern Times. Compiled from the best authorities, by Thomas Broughton, A. M. Rector of Stibington in Huntingtonshire. London: Printed for T. Osborne and J. Shipton, in Grays-Inn. MDCCLVI.
References: ESTC T144064. ODNB (Ruth Smith): "Broughton, Thomas"
Price: $600.00