A very attractive edition American edition of John Fletcher's [d.1848] classic work calling for moderation in the "spirit" of theological disagreement between Protestants and Roman Catholics. The American imprint was designed to play a role in softening the often-violent bigotry aimed against the Irish Catholic citizens of New York, Boston, and other large Metropolitan Areas. Subscriber's First American Edition.

He argues for admitting the Roman Catholic church as within the pale of Christianity, and thus worthy of being engaged in controversy as among brothers. 

He then works through the anti-catholic publications of Porteus, Watson, Shute Barrington, and Rennell, as illustrations of tone; explores Protestant sermons, and then addresses charges made against Roman Catholicism. 

Fletcher, John [of Hexham]. Reflections on the Spirit, &c. &c. of Religious Controversy: With Observations on the Discourses of Doctor Porteus, Bishop of London; Doctor Watson, Bishop of Landaff; Doctor Shute Barrington, Bishop of Durham; and Doctor Rennell, of London. New York. Published for Bernard Dornin. 1808 252pp. 

Very attractive tree calf, very good, slight rubbing and a minor bump or two. An excellent copy.