8vo. [4], x, 148pp, [2]. With a terminal publisher's advertisement leaf. Later half-calf, marbled boards, lettered in gilt, marbled edges. Rubbed, chipping to head of spine, lower joint split. Lightly spotted.

The first edition of this provincially printed monograph by hymnodist Daniel Turner (1710-1798) on the necessity and importance of encouraging free inquiry and unprejudiced study of the scriptures. He advocates defending the inquisitive spirit that may rescue one from bigotry and superstition, the spirit which has delivered the church from popery and Roman Catholic dogma; concluding with a defence of dissenters from charges of disloyalty and exhorting adherence to the principles of freedom. A duodecimo printing appeared the same year (ESTC N62978)

ESTC locates copies at two locations (BL and Oxford).