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Two choice and useful treatises: the one lux orientalis; or an enquiry into the opinion of the eastern sages concerning the praeexistence of souls... The other, a discourse of truth...
Joseph Glanvill (1636-1680)
George Rust (d. 1670)
London: Printed for James Collins and Sam. Lowndes, 1682
Rare Books & Special Collections
Strong Room Collection SR 129 G546t
We thank our donor...
Conservation treatment of Lux Orientalis… was generously funded by Adopt-a-Book donor, Bryce Saint. His valued contribution has ensured this important 17th volume will be available for future generations of researchers for many years to come.
Synopsis
This 1682 edition, comprising two books, Lux Orientalis… by Joseph Glanvill and A discourse of truth by George Rust, showcases the works of two close friends, clergymen Joseph Glanvill and George Rust.
Writer and philosopher Joseph Glanvill was born in 1636 and had a strict Puritan upbringing. He graduated B.A. from Oxford University in 1655 and M.A. from Lincoln College in 1658. He was ordained in the Church of England in 1660, and just one year later published his first book, The vanity of dogmatizing, essentially a plea for religious toleration and freedom of thought. Glanvill was also well known for his 1681 Saducismus Triumphatus, published posthumously by his friend and historian, Henry More. In it, he decried skepticism about the existence of witchcraft, and found fault with its opponents who denied the reality of demons and their effect on the world.[1] For Glanvill, the fact that various societies had laws against practicing witchcraft meant that it was highly likely such a thing existed. He could not fathom the idea that spirits, particularly evil spirits, did not exist, for if demons did not exist, then how could one be sure that good spirts, even God, existed. To deny the possibility of witchcraft was to deny the existence of any sort of spiritual or divine world.[2]
Lux orientalis... is Glanvill’s second book, published originally in 1662, and drawing on Plato, Origen and Henry More to demonstrate the pre-existence of the human soul prior to conception.[3] In many ways, it is a reproduction of the latter’s theory as to the prior existence of souls, a doctrine which he held to be all the more defencible because it appeared never to have been condemned by any Christian church.
Bound with the Library's 1682 edition, is Bishop George Rust’s, A discourse of truth. An English Anglican and churchman, Rust also graduated B.A. and M.A, and became friends with Glanvill and More, sharing many of their beliefs. He was ordained deacon and priest in 1661 and appointed Bishop of Dromore in Ireland in 1667. He died of fever in the prime of his life, and it was not until 1677 that A discourse of truth was published posthumously. Highly philosophical, the work attempted to convey a ‘correct’ understanding of God’s decrees in regard to the fate of human souls.
Original Condition
Calfskin binding, split entirely through the centre of the spine. Spine label also split in two. Front and rear boards detached, along with both front and rear endpapers. Head and tail of spine bumped, with some loss of leather to the board corners also. Half of the headband missing from the spine head, and multiple pages within the textblock detached from the spine. Item requires re-sewing and rebacking.
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Restoration by Anthony Zammit
Existing spine leather and label gently lifted, along with a small portion of the leather along the front and rear joints. New calfskin, sympathetic in colour, applied to the spine and just under the existing, lifted cover leather to reback the book entirely. Headband at head of spine extended to cover the spine width. Separating board corners consolidated with glue. Textblock re-sewn, endpapers tipped back in and front and rear hinges strengthened with Japanese repair paper.
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Complete Citation:
Two choice and useful treatises: the one lux orientalis; an enquiry into the opinion of the eastern sages concerning the praexistence of souls. Being a key to unlock the grand mysteries of providence. In relation to mans sin and misery. The other, a discourse of truth, by the late Reverend Dr. Rust Lord Bishop of Dromore in Ireland. With annotations on them both. Printed for James Collins, and Sam. Lowndes over against Exeter Exchange in the Strand, 1682.
Footnotes:
[1] Burns, William E., “Glanvill [Glanville], Joseph”, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, published online 23 Sept. 2004, accessed 29 November 2019.
[2] Popkin, Richard H., “Glanvill, Joseph (1636-1680)", Encyclopedia.com, 2005, accessed online 29 November 2019.
[3] Burns, William E., “Glanvill [Glanville], Joseph”, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, published online 23 Sept. 2004, accessed 29 November 2019.
Lee Hayes
November 2019
