A Companion for the Festivals and Fasts of the Church of England: with Collects and Prayers for each Solemnity

London: J and J Bonwicke et al., 1752. Leather. Very Good. 7.5" by 5". None. Nelson's unique in-depth companion to the religious festivals and fasts, with instructions set out in a question and answer form. Twentieth Edition. Including an engraved frontispiece and another identical engraved plate. Robert Nelson (1656–1715), philanthropist and religious writer. Nelson was best known in his own day for his religious writings and in particular for A Companion for the Festivals and Fasts of the Church of England (1704). He provided, in the form of a catechism, an account of the saint or other occasion for each of the days for which there were special services in the Book of Common Prayer of 1662. That was followed by a homily on aspects of the Christian life associated with the festival or fast, by the collect for the day, and other appropriate prayers. It was very popular, there were more than forty editions, and it was translated into German and Welsh. The SPCK distributed it widely and the Episcopal church of the United States of America adopted it. Its popularity must have been in part because it provided convenient material for sermons on the major holy days. It is firmly of its time. Much of his other writing is concerned with contemporary controversies. He wrote against transubstantiation and other Roman Catholic doctrines, but held that the holy communion was a material sacrifice and not simply a memorial. He advocated frequent communion in the Church of England. He corresponded with Bossuet about the theological writing of George Bull on the Nicene creed and the divinity of Christ, which they both admired. Nelson also promoted the building of a number of churches. DNB In a half calf binding with marbled boards. Externally sound although slightly rubbed. The rear hinge is slightly strained but holding firm. Internally, firmly bound. Remarkably bright and clean for the age of this book, with very mild age-toning and just the odd spot. Copperplate ink signature dated 1849 to the title. Very Good