Considerations Touching the Style of the Holy Scriptures: Extracted from the Works of the Hon. Robert Boyle. With a Sketch of the Author’s Life.

8vo. xxxi pp, 182 pp, (1). Contemporary half calf over marbled boards with black and gilt title label on spine, all edges marbled. Extremities rubbed, joints and head of spine chipped, but binding holding perfectly well. Internally very clean and fresh. Foster, Alumni Oxonienses: the Members of the University of Oxford, 1715-1886; and Berg, "Integrating Science and Scripture: the Case of Robert Boyle" in Science and Mathematics Papers and Journal Articles (1999). Extremely rare first and only edition of this 19th century Anglican revival of Robert Boyle’s religious views, evincing an enduring interest in Boyle as a religious stalwart, and in particular his reconciliation of science and faith. Alongside Boyle's Some Considerations Touching the Style of the Holy Scriptures (1661), Rev. Fountain Elwin (ca. 1784-1869) appends his own 'sketch of the author's life' which paints Boyle as a pious Christian above his scientific discoveries. - Commenting on how rare Boyle's works have become, Elwin explains in his preface his motives for re-publishing the Considerations. "Marked as the present moment is by the spirit of blasphemy and infidelity, and a consequent disposition to depreciate the Word of God," he writes, the need has arisen to re-examine that 17th century paragon of Christian virtue. Particularly valuable to Elwin is Boyle's success is reconciling 'naturalism' and his scientific work with devout Deism, in the face of allegations of atheism. - The Rev. Fountain Elwin (ca. 1784-1869) matriculated at Oxford in 1809, at the relatively advanced age of 25. He eventually went on to become minister at the famous Octagon Chapel in Bath. - COPAC shows just 1 copy, at Cambridge. OCLC adds one further copy, at Yale. …