An inquiry into the powers of ecclesiastics, on the principles of scripture and reason

270pp. Uncut in modern calf-backed marbled paper boards. Marginal tear to leaf B3, small hole to margin of leaf I3, naive marginal paper repair to leaf K2, scattered spotting. The sole edition of a treatise surveying the authority of Anglican clergymen, as dictated by scripture; commonly attributed to Thomas Gordon (1721-1784), Minister of Speymouth. The London Review (Vol. IV, 1776, p.296) were not entirely convinced by the author's arguments: 'Among other expedients.he hints at the propriety of Christian ministers being chosen by the people, like British Members of Parliament . - Heaven forefend! We have enough of political electioneering, God forbid we should have a general election of Christian ministers. The cabals at the petty elections for parish Lecturers, sufficiently indicate the impropriety of religious electioneering.' An anonymous reply, attributed to William Abernethy Drummond (1719/20-1809), Bishop of Edinburgh, appeared in 1777. ESTC records copies at just six locations in the British Isles (BL, Cambridge, Congregational, NLS, Oxford, and Private Collection), and one further location in North America (North Carolina). ESTC T102377. Size: 8vo.…