[Philosophy] (Locke, John). The Reasonableness of Christianity, as delivered in the Scriptures

London: Printed for Awnsham and John Churchil, 1695. First edition. 8vo. (iv), 304 pp. Full contemporary brown calf, stamped in gilt, rebacked, boards and extremities rubbed and worn, corners worn; red speckled edges; Locke's name added in old manuscript on title-page; final text leaf worn and soiled; contemporary marginalia; repair at bottom B4 with some text supplied in manuscript ink. Pforzheimer 610; Wing L-2751; Yolton 229; Attig 339

Scarce first edition of John Locke's defense of Christianity, his most important theological work. "Although Locke placed severe limitations on certain knowledge, he did feel that reason could achieve knowledge of the essential articles of the Christian faith and, moreover, that the understanding could lead reasonable men to assent to the revelation contained in the Scriptures. The reasonableness of Christianity was an exploration of the content of faith, just as Book IV of the Essay had contained an account of the nature of faith and assent. It was a defense of the Christian faith and scriptural revelation from the dangers of extreme skepticism. Ironically, the publication of Reasonableness merely called attention to the skeptical tendencies in Locke's Essay, and the author found himself accused of the very Deism he was trying to combat." (John Locke Bibliography)

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Darren Winston, Senior Vice President at Freeman’s, has served as Head of Department for Books & Manuscripts, Philadelphia, since 2018. He has been a trustee of the Rosenbach Museum and Library since 2022, is a member of The Manuscript Society, The Bibliographical Society of America, and Philadelphia’s Philobiblon Club.

Raised in northern New Jersey, Darren moved to New York City in 1988 and began his career there as a bookseller in 1995. He spent the next 18 years selling to private clients and at East Coast book fairs. In 2003 he moved with his young family to Sharon, Connecticut where, in 2009, he opened his own bookshop. Darren Winston, Bookseller offered rare and vintage books, prints, fine art, and more, and hosted over 50 book signings and art shows. He was a trustee and, later, Board President, of the Sharon Historical Society, and for six years a trustee of Indian Mountain School in Lakeville, Connecticut.

Darren has hosted the radio program "Darren Winston's Book Report" for NPR-affiliate WHDD since 2009, appeared in the 2014 book-themed documentary The Paper Trail, and in 2024 he joined Antiques Roadshow as a books and manuscripts appraiser. From 1999 to 2005, Darren was the buyer and consultant to the Fine and Rare Books Department at Asprey, the British luxury goods company, at its New York headquarters. While there he spearheaded various in-store events including readings by Salman Rushdie and Dominick Dunne.

In 1993, Darren was hired as a Creative Consultant to Columbia Records, where he assisted in the repackaging of their 12-record Aerosmith back catalogue. He later sold his extensive collection of Aerosmith memorabilia, which he began amassing at the age of 14, directly to the band.

Darren now lives on the Main Line, outside Philadelphia, with his wife, two children, and dog. The family travels frequently to his wife's native England and Scotland. When not bookselling, he plays guitar in Pumped, an Aerosmith tribute band. Darren also appears on the top-rated PBS television program Antiques Roadshow.

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[Philosophy] (Locke, John). The Reasonableness of Christianity, as delivered in the Scriptures

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