Apprx. 5 3/4" x 8 1/4" hardcover design. MCDDXLVIII (1748) at first pamphlet's title page. Maroon, cream and blue marble patterned cover design, pebbled leather spine wrap and cover corners, moderate edge wear, rub. Gilt spine titles with five raised, ribbed bands. Spine with date of 1748; apparently when compiled as letters vary within few year period. Marbled endpapers. Cream antiquarian bookplate at front pastedown: "Diocese of Massachusetts. 1784. Registrar. 1848." Encircled in emblem is image of what appears to be Greek scribe sitting at work with quill and surrounded by staff, other books and mitre. Printed below emblem: "Library of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the Diocese of Massachusetts." Small printed label inside back cover: "Episcopal Divinity School. 'Rare Book.'" Pages good; some of the compiled pamphlet have been cut close to top of page titles and text. Gilded top edge of text block. String bind, good; hinges intact. A compilation of the letters in their many variations compiled in this single volume of approximately 500 pages. The multiple pamphlets are with their original title pages and separate pagination. In these mid-seventeenth century polemics, Englishman John White addresses at length those opposing the Church of England. The contents of the original dissenting letters is included, the three letters addressing the dissenters from John White, and then the contents of the dissenters' answers to White's letters, and finally White's response and defence to his three letters. Author John White held a B. D. and was a: "Sometime Fellow at St. John's College, Cambridge." B.D., Baccalaureate in Divinity, or Bachelor of Divinity degree is considered senior to the PhD degree at the University of Cambridge. Interesting points of contention addressed such as the sign of the cross, kneeling, and the chruch's basis for its rituals, etc. and are defended against the opposition. Written in clear digestible English even though being written the better part of three centuries ago. Contents: "A Dedication to the Right Reverend Father in God, Thomas, Lord Bishop of Ely (XXI.); The Contents of the [dissenting] First, Second, and Third Letters with Appendix ; Preface; A Letter to a Gentleman Dissenting. Concerning the Lives of Churchmen and Dissenters. (94 pages); A Second Letter to a Gentleman Dissenting. (1745 date) (84 pages); The Third and Last Letter to Gentleman Dissenting from the Church of England. wherein Objections of Dissenters Against Communion is further pursued and completed To Which is Added an Appendix (1745) (85 pages); A Defence of the Three Letters to Gentleman Dissenting from the Chruch of England, Against a Pamphlet entitled, 'The Dissenting Gentleman's Answer to the Reverend Mr. White's Three Letters, &c. (1743 date) (44 pages); A Second Defence of the Three Letters. by John White (152 pages)." The only obstacle in reading these original letters, is the apparently irregular character or letter "s" appearing as a tall "f" without horizontal stroke. It was common during this era for the letter "s" to seemingly randomly appear as this in letter-press. Apprx. 500 pages in total. Insured post. Size: 8vo - over 7¾ - 9¾" Tall
