The door of salvation opened by the key of regeneration: or A treatise containing the nature, necessity, marks and means of regeneration: as also the duty of the regenerate. By George Swinnocke, M.A. and pastor of Rickmersworth in Hertfordshire. Swinnock, George

Octavo. [6.75'' tall x 4.50'' wide]. Collates complete [30], 465, [15]p. A 1st Ed. of a rather rare Puritan work by George Swinnock. Presented in an attractive contemporary binding. With some light toning or browning intermittently. Minor marks, blemishes or reading wear else a good copy of this rare work. With a couple of contemporary female ownership signatures to the front end papers, 'Ruth Bennett, her book'. George Swinnock (1627-1673) English nonconformist clergyman and writer. Swinnock was born at Maidstone in Kent in 1627, the son of George Swinnock of Maidstone, whose father was mayor of the borough. Owing to the death of his father, George Swinnock, jun., was brought up in the house of his uncle Robert, a zealous puritan. He was educated at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, whence he removed on 7 October 1645 to Jesus College (Addit. MS. 5820, f. 162); he graduated B.A. in 1647-8, and then proceeded to Oxford to obtain preferment, entering as a commoner at Magdalen Hall. On 19 January 1648-9, Swinnock became chaplain at New College, and on 6 October following he was made a fellow of Balliol College by the parliamentary visitors. He was incorporated B.A. on 29 November 1650, and graduated M.A. on the next day. In the same year he resigned his fellowship, and was appointed vicar of Rickmansworth in Hertfordshire. In 1655 he was appointed to St. Leonard's chapel at Aston Clinton in Buckinghamshire, and on 10 January 1661 was presented to the vicarage of Great Kimble in the same county by Richard Hampden, to whom he was then chaplain. In the following year he was ejected for nonconformity, both from St. Leonard's and from Great Kimble, and took up his abode with the Hampden family at Great Hampden. Upon the issue of the Declaration of Indulgence in 1672 he retired to Maidstone, where he became pastor to a large congregation. He died on 10 November 1673, and was buried in the parish church. He was survived by his wife and nine children. Swinnock has been described as "a man of good abilities, and a serious, warm, and practical preacher." Bound in contemporary black gilt calf. Rubbed to the spine and corners else a sound, and attractive unmolested period binding.