8vo. [2], 315pp, [7]. Contemporary gilt-tooled speckled calf, contrasting brown morocco-lettering piece. Rubbed and mark, with cracking to joints and small splits to head and foot of spine. Marbled endpapers. Inked ownership inscription of Anthony Murray to head of title. A touch of browning to endpapers, but otherwise internally clean and crisp.

The first edition of an uncommon treatise by John Hutchinson (1674-1737), English theologian and natural philosopher. Hutchinson's theology emphasised that the Bible could serve as a source for all rational philosophy, and decried the symbolism of modern interpretation, a formulation which was taken up by some members of the clergy - among them, Bishop George Horne of Norwich (1730-1792) spent a portion of his life an avid Hutchinsonian.

This treatise reinforces Hutchinson's belief in the ultimate power of original scripture, and his strict adherence to the Old Testament. He states that it is 'a Desire of knowing Things from the Original, for the Benefit of my self and Mankind' which has 'induced [him] to spend my Life in acquiring the Meaning of the Language which contains all Knowledge of Antiquity.' The volume also criticises the continued use of the New Testament by the Anglican Church, with Hutchinson commiserating in his conclusion that 'I am sorry the Clergy has made mistakes, and have neglected to rectify them; but I must not let the Scripture suffer upon that Account, I prefer it to them'.