SMITH, JOHN (1618-1652)

Select discourses... As also a Sermon preached by Simon Patrick (then Fellow of the same College) at the Author's Funeral: with a brief Account of his Life and Death

      London, Printed by J. Flesher, for W. Morden Bookseller in Cambridg, 1660. First Edition. Small 4to (20 x 16.5cm), lvi + 526pp + advertisements. Newly rebacked in tan morocco preserving 18th century calf boards, marbled endpapers. Rubbing at extremities. Good condition. Smith was among the leading Cambridge platonists. Although he died at the early age of thirty-five, he was already labeled "a living library". Following his death, his various writings were published by John Worthington as 'Select discourses'. The philosophical depth and literary style of these discourses have been praised by critics for their refinement of thought and rhetorical eloquence.