An Exposition Of The Creed…

London: Printed by J.F. for John Williams, and are to be sold by Richard Davis of Oxford, 1669. folio. pp. 4 p.l., 398. large woodcut crown vignette on title. woodcut ornaments & initials. contemporary calf (worn, front cover detached, lacking rear flyleaf). armorial bookplate & ownership entry of Dr. Timothy Goodwyn, Archbishop of Cashel [1670-1729], with note by Moses Rouquier recording that he bought the book at an auction at Dick’s Coffee House on January 15, 1741. Third Edition, Revised and Enlarged. Among Englishmen of the seventeenth century, [Bishop] Pearson was probably the ablest scholar and systematic theologian…The ‘Exposition of the Creed’, on which Pearson’s reputation still mainly rests, has long been a standard book in English divinity. It has won the highest praise, not only from Anglican theologians, but from such men as Dr. Johnson, Dean Milman, and Hallam. The last-mentioned writer says: ‘It expands beyond the literal purport of the Creed itself to most articles of orthodox belief and is a valuable summary of arguments and authorities on that side. The closeness of Pearson and his judicial selection of proofs distinguish him from many, especially the earlier, theologians’…The notes…a rich mine of patristic and general learning – are at least as remarkable as the text, and form a complete catena of the best authorities upon doctrinal points." (DNB) Wing P997. Madan 2838..