"DEDICATED TO ALL SUCH AS LABOUR": FOXE'S GOOD FRIDAY SERMON, 1609 EDITION

FOXE, John. A Sermon of Christ Crucified, preached at Paules crosse the Friday before Easter, commonly called Good-Friday. [London]: Printed for the Company of Stationers, 1609. Small octavo, later full polished calf, raised bands. $7200.

Scarce 1609 edition of this significant sermon by the author of Foxe's Book of Martyrs.

In 1570, Edmund Grindal, Bishop of London, requested that Foxe—author of the Book of Martyrs, "for more than two centuries one of the most widely read books in England" (PMM, 52)—preach the Good Friday sermon at Paul's Cross. The resulting text was "written and dedicated to all such as labour, and bee heavy laden in conscience, to be read for their spiritual comfort," and focuses on the Protestant doctrine of redemption while critiquing Roman Catholic doctrine. First published in 1570. ESTC S102555. STC (2nd ed.), 11246. Title page with early inked owner names and annotations; back flyleaf with doodled inscription reading (in part) "William King his book / William King is my Name and Scotland is my Nation. The year 1739."

Some waterstaining to lower margins; mild rubbing to joints. A very good copy of this scarce work.