A Treatise of the Holy Catholike Faith and Church. Divided into three Bookes. The first Booke

London, Printed by M. F. for John Clarke..., 1627. FIRST EDITION. Small 4to, 177 x 127 mms., pp. [xxiv], 206, contemporary vellum, with title in ink on spine; stab-holes visible at inner margin, text slightly cracked at F4, vellum soiled. With the pencil inscription "G. Woodfield/ Newton/ Near Rugley/ March 29th 1931" on the front paste-down end-paper, ink inscription "Josias Docakray 18 April/ 1669" on top margin of title-page and on verso of title-page, "Will. Ross Book/Anno: dom 1684." Jackson (1579 - 1640) published this as Book 12 of his commentaries on the Apostles Creed; parts two and three were published posthumously in his collected works. He began the commentaries in 1613. In the address to the reader he records that the book was written for students in Pembroke College, Oxford, at the request of the master. Jackson was a neo-Platonist, notable both for his opposition to the doctrine of transubstantiation and to the views of John Calvin. The recent work of scholars such as Sarah Hutton, David William Dockrill, and James Bryson shows a resurgence of interest in Jackson's philosophical Platonism. See, for instance, Bryson's full-length study, The Christian Platonism of Thomas Jackson (2016), about which this has been said: "Although Thomas Jackson (1579-1640) is recognized by scholars as the most important theologian of the Laudian church, hitherto there has been no comprehensive study of his philosophical theology. The reason for Jackson's neglect is that scholars have been puzzled by the sources, character and influence of his Christian Platonism. From a close and comprehensive reading of his magnum opus … this book shows how Jackson regards the Platonic tradition as an essential and perennial resource for the Christian theologian, anticipating and informing central aspects of Christian theological speculation and belief" (<http://www.peeters-leuven.be/boekoverz.asp?nr=10377>). STC (2nd ed.), 14319.