1701 Le Clerc Harmony of the Evangelists

The Harmony of the Evangelists being the Whole Text of the Four Gospels dispos’d according to the order of time in which the things related in them were done. Each gospel begin rang’d in a separate column, exhibiting at one view the conrurrence or variation that is between them in every circumstance. With a paraphrase underneath in which the Four Evangelical Histories of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, are digested into one intire Narration; and the difficult Passages occurring in any of them, explain’d. With useful disserations.

Description

Text in four column Roman font with paraphrase in single column below. The text is the authorized version.

Collation 

A-Z^4 (-A1), Aa-Zz^4, Aaa-Zzz^4, Aaaa-Llll^4. Lacks first blank leaf.

Binding

Rebacked in brown calf. Covers paneled in blind with corner fleurons. Spine with five blind-lined raised bands and a black gilt-lined label and the words “Le Clerc Harmony and Paraphrase” in gilt. Brown endpapers.

Note

Jean Le Clerc (1657–1736) was a Swiss Protestant theologian, biblical scholar, and philosopher known for his contributions to critical biblical studies and intellectual history. Born in Geneva into a family of Protestant refugees, he was educated in theology and philosophy, later becoming an advocate for religious tolerance and rational inquiry.

Le Clerc rejected rigid Calvinism, favoring a more liberal, rational approach to theology. His opposition to strict dogmatism led to conflicts in Geneva, prompting him to move to the Dutch Republic, where he found intellectual freedom. He taught philosophy in Amsterdam and became a key figure in the Republic of Letters, engaging with scholars across Europe.

He is best known for his works on biblical criticism, particularly Bibliothèque universelle and Bibliothèque choisie, which spread Enlightenment ideas. His approach to scripture was influenced by historical criticism, emphasizing context and reason over traditional interpretations.

References

ESTC T117666.