A specimen Of some errors and defects in the History of the Reformation of the Church of england; Wrote by gilbert burnet, d.d. now Lord Bishop of Sarum

HARMER, Anthony [i.e. WHARTON, Henry]

Published by Printed for Randall Taylor, London, 1693

About this Item

viii, 199pp, [1]. With a terminal page of errata. Contemporary blind-tooled speckled calf, recently rebacked and recornered, preserving contemporary backstrip and contrasting red morocco lettering-piece. Heavily rubbed. Small marginal burn-hole to leaf K2, scattered spotting. Early manuscript annotation to p.146 signed 'Tho. Petrburg', later manuscript note concerning provenance to front blank fly-leaf. 'The Reformation of our Church was begun and carried out with so much Piety, Wisdom, and fulness of due Authority; that a faithful and exact Account is the best Vindication and defence of it'. The sole edition of Henry Wharton's (1664-1695) scathing literary attack of Gilbert Burnet's (1643-1715) History of the Reformation, published under the waggish pseudonym 'Anthony Harmer'. Wharton exposes numerous considerable errors in Burnet's text and suggest that as a 'foreigner' the Scottish clergyman was unqualified to discuss the Reformation in England. Burnet offered a bitter rejoinder in which he accused Wharton of aiding and abetting popery. Even prior to publication of Wharton's excoriating remarks, there was no love lost between the pair; Wharton believed that Burnet had thwarted his attempts to secure a position as chaplain to Queen Mary, and Burnet, having criticised his rivals' Anglia sacra in 1691, thought Wharton motivated simply by petty revenge. ESTC R20365, Wing W1569. Size: 8vo.

Seller Inventory # AQ28448

Bibliographic Details

• Title: A specimen Of some errors and defects in the History of the Reformation of the Church of england; Wrote by gilbert burnet, d.d. now Lord Bishop of Sarum
• Publisher: Printed for Randall Taylor, London
• Publication Date: 1693
• Edition: First edition.
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)