“SHEPARD RANKS THIRD BEHIND COTTON AND ELIOT AMONG FIRST-GENERATION NEW ENGLAND MINISTERS”

SHEPARD, Thomas. The Sound Believer. A Treatise on Evangelical Conversion. Boston: Printed by Green, Bushell, and Allen, for D. Henchman, 1742. 12mo, contemporary full brown speckled sheep, red morocco spine label. $750.

Eighteenth-century edition of this perennially popular and influential work on evangelical conversion by a pioneering first-generation Puritan preacher, Thomas Shepard of Cambridge, England, and then Cambridge, Massachusetts. An excellent copy in contemporary calf.

"Shepard ranks third behind Cotton and Eliot among first-generation New England ministers in number of titles printed and second to none in total pages. His principal works are sermon series, [including] The Sincere Convert (1641) and The Sound Believer (1645)… As Shepard's theological writings have informed our understanding of Puritan religious thought, so the records of his and his people's spiritual distresses and comforts have profoundly influenced current interpretations of Puritan psychology" (ANB). First published in Edinburgh in 1645; according to Sabin, this is the 13th edition overall of this perennially popular and influential work. A "modernized" edition was issued as late as 1849. Sabin 80251. Early owner signature on title page, annotation on front flyleaf, infrequent marginalia.

Lower corner of front flyleaf torn away (blank), text clean and fine. Front joint expertly reinforced. An extremely good copy in contemporary sheep.