The Folly and unreasonableness of atheism demonstrated from the advantage and pleasure of a religious life…

London: J.H. for H. Mortlock, 1699. Hardcover. See Description. Small 4to. "Fourth Edition." pp. [4], 280. Complete. With frontispiece engraving of the Hon. Robert Boyle. An extra 19th century plate of the author Richard Bentley is also included after the dedication. Bound in modern half calf with marbled boards. Pages are generally clean; a faded name is written with small letters in an early hand on the title page (upper corner); minor chipping to outer edge of title. All edges gilt. Richard Bentley (1662-1742) English scholar and literary critic. He was made keeper of the Royal Libraries and was later appointed Master of Trinity College, Cambridge. In 1692 he was nominated first Boyle lecturer (named after scientist Robert Boyle). He then delivered a series of sermons trying to refute Thomas Hobbes and atheism. In particular, the lectures tried to show how the recent work in physics by Sir Isaac Newton offered proof of God’s existence. Bentley even corresponded with Newton on the subject. Originally the sermons were printed separately - several editions of each being issued. In 1693 the tracts were first collected together under the present title with separate paginations. The so-called "fourth edition" of 1699 is advertised as "corrected" and it displays continuous pagination. [ESTC R21357; Wing B1931].