Franckfurt, Thomas Fritschen, 1708.
4to. In contemporary full calf with five raised bands and gilt lettering and ornamentation to spine. Boards ruled in gilt. Wear to extremities, stains and scratches to boards. Previous owner' name in contemporary hand to title page. Worm-tract to lower margin, with occassional loss of letters. (16), 610, (14) pp.
Uncommon first edition in which Arnold discusses contemporaries's violations of rules established by the Church Farthers. Gottfried Arnold (1666–1714) was a German Protestant divine born in Annaberg, Saxony. After attending the Gymnasium at Gera and the University of Wittenberg, where he focused on theology and history, he became a tutor in Quedlinburg influenced by P.J. Spener, a key figure in pietism. Arnold was generally prised for his impartiality towards heresy which this present work is a testament to.
Order-nr.: 61027