A Guide to Prayer: Or, a Free and Rational Account of the Gift, Grace and Spirit of Prayer; with Plain Directions How Every Christian May Attain Them

Isaac Watts

Published by Emanuel Matthews, London, 1725

About this Item

A scarce early edition of this highly popular book on prayer by the prolific minister, hymn writer and theologian. His most famous hymn being "Joy to the World." Condition: Fair due to front board detached. Collated and complete, including all original blanks and often lacking table of contents. BOOK INFO Published in 1725 by Emanuel Mathews in London. Stated fourth edition (originally published in 1715). In its contemporary (and likely original) full calf with double gilt fillets bordering blind stamped floral paneling. Spine with raised bands separating compartments once ruled and tooled in gilt (mostly faded) and a leather spine label in compartment two. All board edges once gilt. All page edges speckled red. Duodecimo (12mo) 6 3/8" x 4". Collated and complete: two blanks, [x], 156, [2] table of contents two blanks. Two woodcut decorated initials and two head-pieces. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Isaac Watts (1674 - 1748) was an English Congregational minister, hymn writer, theologian, and logician. He was a prolific and popular hymn writer and is credited with some 750 hymns. His works include When I Survey the Wondrous Cross, Joy to the World, and O God, Our Help in Ages Past. He is recognized as the Godfather of English Hymnody; many of his hymns remain in use today and have been translated into numerous languages. Isaac Watts is credited by many with introducing hymns to the English churches when his Hymns and Spiritual Songs was first published in 1707. They are extensively used today due to his poetic gifts, but also because he interpreted the Old Testament using knowledge of the New. This set an example for later hymn writers. Watts also wrote a textbook on logic which was particularly popular and highly regarded. Its full title was, Logick, or The Right Use of Reason in the Enquiry After Truth With a Variety of Rules to Guard Against Error in the Affairs of Religion and Human Life, as well as in the Sciences. This was first published in 1724, and it was printed in twenty editions. Michael Farrady cites it as a source of inspiration. CONDITION REPORT The book is in Fair condition. Original and complete, including all blanks. Exterior: Detached front board. Heavily rubbed, worn and faded leather. Bumped corners. Spots of soiling. Spine is heavily sun darkened and faded with dry, cracking leather. Interior: Grubby endpapers. FFEP with large crease and some chipping and a tear at head of gutter. 2nd FEP with prior owner name in antiquarian ink. Pages are lightly toned. Multiple leaves with marginal dampening stains; some dust and an infrequent smudge or spot of foxing, some bent corners. Final two blanks with chips and creases. All in all, a heavily worn but scarce early edition of the venerable Isaac Watt's popular book on Protestant prayer.

Seller Inventory # 327

Bibliographic Details

• Title: A Guide to Prayer: Or, a Free and Rational Account of the Gift, Grace and Spirit of Prayer; with Plain Directions How Every Christian May Attain Them
• Publisher: Emanuel Matthews, London
• Publication Date: 1725
• Binding: Original full calf
• Edition: 4th edition.
• Condition: Fair
• Weight: 0.9 pounds
• Seller catalogs:
  • Religion & Spirituality
  • Antiquarian (Pre-1800)