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An History of the Corruptions of Christianity, In Two Volumes. By Joseph Priestley, LL.D. F.R.S. Birmingham: Printed by Piercy and Jones for J. Johnson, 1782. Vol. I: xxvii, 1 errata, 426 pp, Vol. II: vii, 1 errata, 489 pp, 6 pp of advertisements. Early polished calf, ruled spine with red leather spine labels, 8.25 x 5", 8vos. In poor condition. As is. Boards on both volumes detached from binding. Detached boards scuffed at edges and worn/bumped at corners. Tails of both spines lacking, binding exposed. Heads of spines chipped, but intact. Red leather title labels worn and dulled, but gilt lettering remains legible. Preliminary pages lacking. Previous ownership signature found at top edge of Vol. I's title page: "I. (H.?) J. Ibbotson 1870." This title page is also moderately toned at edges. Normal toning throughout text-block, with some instances of tanned pages or finger-soiling. Pencil underlining and marginalia present. Contents are intact; boards are detached. Please see photos and ask questions, if any, before purchasing. Joseph Priestley (1733-1804) was an English chemist, natural philosopher, separatist, theologian, grammarian, multi-subject educator, and liberal political theorist. He published over 150 works, and conducted experiments in several areas of science. Priestley is credited with his independent discovery of oxygen by the thermal decomposition of mercuric oxide, having isolated it in 1773. During his lifetime, Priestley's considerable scientific reputation rested on his invention of carbonated water, his writings on electricity, and his discovery of several "airs" (gases). Priestley's science was integral to his theology, and he consistently tried to fuse Enlightenment rationalism with Christian theism. He believed proper understanding of the natural world would promote human progress and eventually bring about the Christian millennium. The controversial nature of Priestley's publications, combined with his outspoken support of the American Revolution and later the French Revolution, aroused public and government contempt; eventually forcing him to flee in 1791, first to London and then to the United States after a mob burned down his Birmingham home and church in an event come to be known as the Priestley Riots or the Birmingham Riots of 1791. This work was printed in Birmingham in 1782, about a decade before he was forced to flee. An History of Corruption of Christianity was the fourth part of Priestley's larger work: Institutes of Natural and Revealed Religion (1772-74). The Institutes shocked and appalled many readers, primarily because it challenged basic Christian orthodoxies, such as the divinity of Christ, and the miracle of the Virgin Birth. Priestley wanted to return Christianity to its "primitive" or "pure" form by eliminating "corruptions" which had accumulated over the centuries. The fourth part (this work), Corruptions of Christianity, became so long that he was forced to issue it separately. Priestley believed the Corruptions was "the most valuable" work he ever published. First Editions. Perfect candidates for some light restoration (i.e. reattach boards). RAREB1782HQRQ 04/24 - HK1417 FORN-SHELF-0461-BB-2409-HKREV72. Seller Inventory # RAREB1782HQRQ
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