A very attractively preserved 17th century first edition of the works of influential Anglican divine and devotionalist, Jeremy Taylor [1613-1667]. Frequently referred to as the "Shakespeare of Divines," there has been almost not a single decade since their first publication where some or other work of his was not in print.
His early years were tumultuous. He had been received as Chaplain to King Charles I under the patronage of William Laud. When Laud was tried for treason and executed in 1644 under the joint influence of the Westminster Assembly of Divines and Oliver Cromwell's Presbyterian Parliament, Taylor's allegiance to the crown was in serious question. On suspicion, he was jailed several times, but never charged and ultimately released.
It may well be the condemnation of the Gunpowder Treason he expressed in his 1638 sermon before the Crown that ultimately saved his skin. In it, he publicly denounced Catholic intentions on England, which had been in part Laud's undoing. The first edition of that sermon is bound in at the rear of the present volume.
Taylor's works have been formational for evangelicals, though he himself could not perhaps by styled as such. His Plain Account of Christian Perfection influenced Wesley as a member of the Oxford Club. His Holy Living and Holy Dying remained influential throughout the duration of Wesley's life, being quoted in sermons, referenced in his correspondence and journal, and Wesley including its publication in his 16 volume Christian Library, which should probably be viewed as what Wesley thought were the 16 most important books for the average Methodist to read.
The initial title published as this editio princeps of Taylor's collected writings, The Liberty of Prophesying, would have been critical in the year of its publication, 1648. Fresh out of the English Civil War. The average English pastor at this time spent his decades vacillating between being in prison and in pulpit, depending on who was in charge of things. This was true of Dissenters and Anglicans. Taylor, himself a highly committed Episcopalian, as his other works show, argues here for liberty of conscience. This would have been a breath of fresh air when read by John and Charles Wesley. It has been asserted that this work in particular was valued by both, and also by George Whitefield.
Undergirding his commitment to the Episcopalian tradition, the next two works are against Ex Tempore Prayer, which seems to be against the Quakers and perhaps the Radical Baptists; and on Episcopacie, demonstrating its historical connectivity to the Apostles via Creed, etc.,
And finally, as noted above, his sermon on the Gunpowder Treason, interestingly mentioned on the title page, but either printed from the original 1638 plates or old stock bound in with this new edition of the works.
Taylor, Jeremy. Treatises of I. The Liberty of Prophesying. 2. Prayer Ex Tempore. 3. Episcopacie. Together with A Sermon Preache at Oxon. on the Anniversary of the 5. of November. London. Printed for R. Royston, at the Angel in Ivie-lane. 1648.
It seems an assemblage of earlier imprints with a new title page. Individual title pages as follows:
Taylor, Jeremy. THEOLOGIA ECLECTIKH. A Discourse of the Liberty of Prophesying. Shewing the Unreasonableness of Prescribing to Other Mens Faith, and the Iniquity of Persecuting Differing Opinions. London. Printed for R. Royston, at the Angel in Ivie-lane. 1647. 48 [4] 267pp.
[bound with]
Taylor, Jeremy. A Discourse Concerning Prayer Ex tempore, Or, By pretence of the Spirit, In justification of Authorized and Set-forms of Liturgie. Printed for Richard Royston, 1647. 30pp.
[bound with]
Taylor, Jeremy. Of the Sacred Order and Offices of Episcopacie, By Divine Institution, Apostolical Tradition, and Catholique Practice. Together with Their Titles of Honour, Secular Employment, Manner of Election, Delegation of their Power, and other Appendant Questions, Asserted against the Aerians and Acephali, New and Old. London. Printed for Richard Royston, at the Angel in Ivie-lane. 1647. 9 [4] 386pp.
[bound with]
Taylor, Jeremy. A Sermon Preached in Saint Maries Church in Oxford. Upon the Anniversary of the Gunpowder-Treason. Oxford, Printed by Leonard Lichfield. Printer to the University. 1638. 64pp.
Very attractive quarter calf with raised bands and tooling, probably late 20th century. Excellent quality work. General title stained with light chipping, else generally very good with some light sporadic handling and foxing.