A very rare first edition set of Thomas Coke's Commentary on the Old Testament. Scarce and very desirable on the market.

These also fascinatingly originally owned by Presbyterian divine, Stephen Frontis [1792-1867]. Methodist theological works were not in favor with Presbyterian divines. 

Frontis was born in Cognac, France before emigrating to North Caorlina. His father was Catholic and his mother of Protestant sympathies, Stephen was most influenced in religion by his mother's side of the family. He moved to Geneva, Switzerland, and joined the Protestant church there. He fled to Philadelphia to avoid conscription in Napoleon's army (1810), taught school, joined the Presbyterian church, and in 1820 entered the Princeton Theological Seminary, graduating with honors in 1823. He was ordained by the Presbytery of Orange that same year.

"For five years Frontis did missionary work in Maryland, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. He then became stated supply and pastor of Bethany Presbyterian Church in Iredell County. While serving in that capacity, he was chosen as one of the commissioners to select a site for Davidson College, where he later taught."

He was pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Salisbury, North Carolina, from 1839 to 1846, and stated supply to Thyatira and Franklin churches (1846-49), and pastor at Center Grove Church (Iredell Co.) 1849 to 1856. In 1856 he became professor at Davidson College, where he taught for the remainder of his days.

Coke, Thomas. A Commentary on the Holy Bible, by Thomas Coke, LL.D. of the University of Oxford. Volume the First. London. Printed for the Author, and Sold by G. Whitfield. 1801. 775pp.

Coke, Thomas. A Commentary on the Holy Bible, by Thomas Coke, LL.D. of the University of Oxford. Volume the Second. London. Printed for the Author, and Sold by G. Whitfield. 1801. 856pp.

Coke, Thomas. A Commentary on the Holy Bible, by Thomas Coke, LL.D. of the University of Oxford. Volume the Third. London. Printed for the Author, and Sold by G. Whitfield. 1802. 762pp.

Coke, Thomas. A Commentary on the Holy Bible, by Thomas Coke, LL.D. of the University of Oxford. Volume the Fourth. London. Printed for the Author, and Sold by G. Whitfield. 1803. 688pp.

A good + set, bound in leather, with all hinges shaken, and breached, and one board detatched. The text is generally solid, light to moderate foxing. Very much worth preserving. Textually very crisp.