"Rule of thumb" (1685)

[Bonnie Taylor-Blake]

I see that Chadwyck-Healey's "Early English Books Online" database shows a
1685 occurrence of "rule of thumb," which is only slightly older than that
which appears in the OED2 (1692).  Note, though, that James Durham, author
of _Heaven upon earth ... _, had been dead for nearly three decades before
his collection of sermons was published.

I haven't seen the entry for "rule of thumb" in the _Random House Unabridged
Dictionary_ (2006), but I understand it may contain an estimate of 1685-1695
for the origin of the phrase.  If so, is this based in part on Durham's
work?  Or does this simply reflect speculation that "rule of thumb" existed
for some time before 1692?

One last thing.  I apologize for the length of this message, but I wanted to
provide as much context as possible, just in case anyone is still looking
for wife-beating references.  (Full-text transcription provided by EEBO.)
JPGs of the frontispiece and the page in question can be found for a short
while at

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a319/Cackalacky/Frontispiece.jpg
and http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a319/Cackalacky/Page217.jpg

-- Bonnie

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Author: Durham, James, 1622-1658.
Title: Heaven upon earth in the serene tranquillity and calm composure, in
the sweet peace and solid joy of a good conscience sprinkled with the blood
of Jesus and exercised always to be void of offence toward God and toward
men : brought down and holden forth in XXII very searching sermons on
several texts of Scripture ... / by James Durham.
Date: 1685

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[From Sermon II on 2 Corinthians 1.12]

2ly. Because there is much false bulk, and empty shew of a profession; Which
we are afraid, but a very little tryal will quickly evidence, and discover
to be so, even to be unsure work; I will not say, but there may be some
sickernesse, and solidity in the profession of some, but it is to be feared,
that many others are but building castles in the air, castles of come down
when the rain shall descend, the winds blow, and the floods beat, having
much more shew then substance, and solid work; and the way to make it
sicker, sure and solid work, that will abide the tryal, is to lay it to the
Rule, and to try it thereby; many profest Christians are like to foolish
builders, who build by guess, and by rule of thumb, (as we use to speak) and
not by Square and Rule; and if they have but bulk enough, they look not much
to the solidity, and straightness of the Fabrick: There are many
engadgements come under, many fastings, prayers, hearings of the Word, &c.
(which are good in themselves, and commendable) but there would be
Self-examination, to see what solidity is in them all; else we will be like
the men, who expend all their stock on the stone and timber-work of a large
house, and leave nothing to plenish, and furnish it within; whereas, when a
person is suitably, and seriously taken up with Self-examination, it maketh
a house (to speak so) though it should be lesse, to be well filled and
furnished; and albeit there be no great noise of a Profession there, yet
there is more kindly Repentance, more seriousnesse in Prayer, and in other
Duties, more profiting by hearing of the Word, and more holinesse of Life,
then where this exercise of Self-examination, and reflection is either
altogether or very much neglected, albeit there should be then, a far
greater profession.  [p. 217]

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