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. XXIV,115p. Finely bound in recent half calf, back lettered gilt, marbled sides. Upper inner corner vaguely stained, mildly browned. First English edition, published before the French edition, with a preface by the anonymous translator. A 'mildly deistic' treatise arguing that salvation is universal. Originally written in French this had secretly circulated in manuscript since about 1720 and was first printed in French not before 1768. Written in an anticlerical spirit and, though in the eyes of the modern reader not anti-Christian, banned on the same grounds as the works of Holbach. 'The author states his perplexity in reconciling the conception of God's goodness with the teaching that salvation is reserved for the privileged few. This matter has continually been the subject of his meditation. But having found no satisfactory solution in the orthodox doctrine . he has originated a new plan of salvation . If God does not save all men without exception, either it is because He does not wish to, or He is unable to do so, or man is unworthy of salvation. Examining each of these propositions in order, he rejects the first as counter to orthodox doctrine, the second as not only unorthodox, but blasphemous . He likewise dismisses the third proposition, for although man after the fall of Adam was unworthy of salvation, after the atonement, he again became worthy. Hence, all men are saved.' (I.O.Wade) Little seems know about the the author, other than what is said on the title of the second French edition of 1783: 'Par feu Mr Pierre Cuppe, pretre-bachelier en theologie, chanoine regulier de Saint-Agustin, prieur- cure de la paroisse de Boin, diocese de Saintes'. *Peignot p.215. Jammes 701 (ms.) and 702 ('seule edition 1768!). Wade p.33-44. Seller Inventory # 39257
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