The Grounds & Occasions of the Contempt of the Clergy and Religion Enquired Into. In a Letter Written to R.L. John Eachard Religion

First Edition of this work attributed to John Eachard, the DNB says of him and this work: "This work, which brims over with wit and humour, had a rapid sale, and passed through many editions. The author represents the contempt with which the clergy were generally regarded as being in great measure due to a wrong method of education or the poverty of some of the inferior clergy." Eachard became Master of Catharine Hall, Cambridge in 1675, and Vice-Chancellor in 1679. This copy with the armorial bookplate of James Hustler (d.1769), of Acklam, Yorkshire, England, affixed to the verso of the title page. Note in a period hand on rear free endpaper recto reading "impediment poverty 82", referring to page 82, where the author begins his discussion on the difficulties faced by poor clergy. [Please note: ABE Books is marking this book as "signed by the author" for some reason, and I cannot turn it off. The book is *not* signed by the author!]. [8], 131, [5] advertisement pp. Octavo:A? B-I? K? First leaf blank; leaf A3 missigned 'A4'.Wing E50; ESTC R17191. Binding dry and rubbed, with both joints and hinges cracked. Some page edges and corners creasing, light foxing or toning and occasional stains. Good+. Period sheep, with evidence of some later repairs