“NOT NOW TO EXPECT ANY RESOLUTION FROM PROPHET OR ORACLE”
(SPARROW, Anthony). A Collection of Articles, Injunctions, Canons, Orders, Ordinances & Constitutions Ecclesiastical… London: for Blanch Pawlet, 1684. Quarto, contemporary full paneled mottled brown calf rebacked, raised bands. Collation: A2 B-Hhh4. $950.
Fourth edition of this scarce and significant collection of church law and liturgy.
First published in 1661, this collection of documents from the reigns of Edward VI through Charles I complemented Sparrow's Rationale Upon the Book of Common Prayer. A loyalist theologian, Sparrow served as bishop of Exeter and president of King's College, Cambridge. He explains the need for this volume in his preface: "Though our great Lord hath already given to his church most holy and wise Rules… [yet] because there may… arise some doubts and controversies about [their] sense and meaning…. for the determining of which we are not now to expect any resolution from Prophet or Oracle, or other immediate voice from Heaven; it doth hereupon necessarily follow, that there must be Authority left to this Church, and the Governors thereof, to make new Laws…" This finely printed book features Gothic type, separate title pages with engraved borders, engraved headpieces and an engraved frontispiece depicting the seals of English bishops. Texts in English and Latin. Harvard Law Catalogue II:633. Marvin, 655. Sweet & Maxwell I:182. Lowndes, 2469. Armorial bookplate of Scrope Berdmore, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford in 1796. Armorial bookplate of the Reverend J. Compton. Occasional old pencil annotations and marginalia.
Small hole to bottom margin of leaf Aa2. Dampstaining and wear to edges of some leaves, largely confined to first few leaves and gathering Ccc and following, front hinge expertly repaired. Contemporary mottled calf binding sound and attractive with expected light age-wear to boards. A handsome volume. Scarce.