An Apology for the True Christian Divinity, being an Explanation and Vindication of the Principles and Doctrines of the People Called Quakers

Birmingham: John Baskerville, 1765. Eighth Edition (in English). Hardcover. Near Very Good. 4to. [9], iii-xiii, [1], 2-504, [16] pp. Contemporary calf boards with the spine in six compartments, gilt decorations on the spine and a later morocco label lettered in gilt on the spine. Bound without the errata leaf. The eighth edition in English, the first Baskerville edition. Gaskell 30. Oxford DNB, Gordon DesBrisay, "Barclay, Robert, of Ury (1648-1690)". First published in English 1678, Barclay's work has remained a cornerstone text in Quaker theology and history. Barclay lived through the persecution of Quakers in Scotland, and spent time in prison for his beliefs. He viewed his writings as necessary to winning sympathy for the Quakers from politicians and royalty. His impact on the sect is noted as "disproportionate". Historical sources call him a "charismatic speaker" and a "gifted controversialist". Barclay was a significant organizer of the Quaker movement, and helped to spread the word about the Quaker doctrines of inward and immediate revelation, and universal saving light. He completed many of his writings while he was a young man, and earned the admiration of writers like Voltaire. The Oxford DNB refers to this work as "the classic statement of Quaker principles" Sympathetically rebacked with later endpapers and pastedowns, a 20th-century name plate on the front pastedown and notable rubbing to the boards' edges.