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Thomas Delaune, Benjamin Keach. Tropologia, or, A key to open Scripture metaphors : the first book containing sacred philology, or the tropes in Scripture, reduc'd under their proper heads, with a brief explication of each. Printed by John Richardson and John Darby for Enoch Prosser, M. DC.LXXXI. [bound with:] Keach. Troposchemalogia: Tropes and Figures; or, a Treatise of The Metaphors, Allegories, and express Similitudes, &c, contained in the bible of the Old and New Testament…. M. DC.LXXXII . Both first editions, but a later issue for the first work. Folios, with the compound pagination as follows: [22], 207, [8], 328, 76; [12], xvi, 436, 48, 437-440. The first work has two title-pages. The one printed in red and black is dated 1682, followed by a title page dated 1681. The red-and-black title page identifies the authors, as T.D. and B.K. The first work is divided into three book. The second work also has a red-and-black title page listing B. K. as author. Most of the second work is a continuation of the material in Books I and II of the first work, and has the running title Book IV. In correctly-bound copies (e.g. Yale s), the pagination of the second work is [12] 48, xvi, 440. The 48-page section is entitled Philologia Sacra. The Second Part and is presented as an adjunct to Book I. It discusses tropes of all sorts, using Biblical examples. Parts of both books are just a catalogue of Biblical metaphors, similes, etc. But many parts of both books give the reader a developed paradigm of the typological-figural interpretation that turned the Hebrew Bible into the Old Testament. The Old Testament is, by figural interpretation, a book of concrete divine messages about the Savior. This interpretive appropriation began with the earliest Christians (e.g. Paul on Isaac as the second-born being the important one) and is in these two works articulated in thorough and developed detail. Some of the authors interpretations, such as that the Whore of Babylon is a figure for the Roman Catholic Church, are not obvious. Included also are arguments for the divine origins of Scripture, responding to the atheistical tenor of the time. Folio, old calf, gilt lettered spine. Boards solidly re-attached with muslin covered by Japanese paper at joints. Spine top and bottom worn, wear on boards. Text-block has scattered foxing and browning, but generally sound. A very readable, usable, and not-too-unattractive copy of a very interesting book. Wing D896; K101. Seller Inventory # ABE-1561601764786
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