FARMER, Hugh. An Inquiry into the Nature and Design of Christ's Temptation in the Wilderness.

FARMER, Hugh. An Inquiry into the Nature and Design of Christ's Temptation in the Wilderness. London: A Millar, J. Buckland and J. Waugh. 1761.

8vo. Modern calf-backed marbled boards, lettered in gilt to spine; pp. viii, 104, typographic ornaments; spine a little sunned; light variable toning, otherwise very good.

First edition of Farmer’s influential work, arguing that Christ’s temptation by the Devil in the Gospels was a prophetic vision rather than an actual event, later revised and expanded in several editions.

Hugh Farmer (1714–1787) was a dissenting theologian and preacher at Salters’ Hall, London. His writings were distinct from other theologians writing at the time in that he proposed that the temptation by the devil was an allegory; a prophetic vision as opposed to an actual event. He viewed supernatural evil as non-existent, but miracles in daily life as a reality, and these views evolved over time towards a belief in natural law having governance over real-life events.

ESTC T68118.

SKU: 2110231