TILLY, William. Sixteen Sermons, Preach'd before the University of Oxford, At St. Mary's, Upon Several Occasions. London: Printed for Bernard Lintott, at the Sign of the Cross-Keys, between the Two Temple Gates in Fleetstreet. 1712. First Edition. Octavo, 524pp.
This early 18th-century volume offers a direct window into the political and intellectual warfare of Queen Anne's England (reigned from 1702 to 1714). Dr. William Tilly, a brilliant Fellow of Corpus Christi College, Oxford, delivered these discourses directly from the pulpit of St. Mary’s to the most powerful minds of the realm. Far from passive theological musings, these sermons were cutting-edge cultural commentary delivered at a time when the Church of England and the British monarchy were grappling with the chaotic, messy aftermath of revolution, shifting political regimes, and the dawn of the Enlightenment.
Long before political podcasts or late-night talk shows defined public discourse, university pulpits were the true epicenters of cultural debate—and William Tilly's Sixteen Sermons was absolute front-page news. Preached before the elite at Oxford during the hyper-turbulent early 1700s, this collection drops you directly into a world of intense ideological conflict. Tilly addresses cultural anxieties with surprising edge, opening with a bold, controversial discourse marking the execution of King Charles I, before tearing into themes of "spiritual pride," religious resolution, and maintaining personal integrity in "Times of Danger and Tryal." Written in an elegant yet uncompromising prose style, this book captures the exact moment when religious orthodoxy collided head-on with modern political philosophy, making it an essential artifact for anyone fascinated by the historic roots of free speech, institutional power, and intellectual rebellion.
Provenance:
• Cambridge Scholar Inscription: Affixed and neatly inked directly onto the front blank flyleaf is a wonderfully crisp, dual ownership inscription from a rival Ivy-equivalent institution: "Sam Bickley Fid: Coll: Cam 1740" (Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge). Written in a beautifully controlled 18th-century cursive hand, this signature firmly roots the volume within the private libraries of the academic elite, demonstrating how these controversial Oxford ideas were being collected, analyzed, and preserved across enemy lines at Cambridge University.
This is perfect for high-end academic collectors or institutional buyers who place a premium on untouched, historically signed copies.
Condition Report
• Binding: Bound in its original 1712 contemporary full English brown calfskin leather, the front and rear boards display beautifully. The binding features blind-paneled design with stylized corner fleuron stamps, showcasing classic early 18th-century trade binding craftsmanship. The spine features five raised bands dividing six compartments, showing expected surface rubbing and mild cracking at the joints, though the original cords and boards remain structurally attached.
• Interior: Complete from the dedication to Montague, Earl of Abingdon, through the rear publisher's catalogue. The hand-pressed rag paper remains crisp and clean with light age-toning.
We provide detailed photographs to allow you to assess the book's condition and aesthetic appeal.
