An Apology For the Liberties of the Churches in New England: To which is prefix’d, A Discourse concerning Congregational Churches . . .
Boston: Printed by T. Fleet, for Daniel Henchman, over-against the Brick Meeting-House in Cornhill, 1738. First edition. 20th century full red cloth, 7.5 x 4.38 inches, [8], [xii], 116 [i.e., 216] pages. Woodcut tailpieces. Some light foxing, light staining and soiling; a very good copy. Item #19674
“Now considering these Things; and considering withal, what an *honorable,* as well as vastly beneficial, *Addition we have made to the wie and extended Empire of the King of* Great Britain: I said, *Honorable Addition:* For, while the other *British* Provinces and Colonies have for the most Part bin settled by more indifferent Persons, and for their Nourishment and Support have bin oblighed to the Royal Bounties; This Province was founded by worthy Persons, considerable for their Families, Educations and Fortunes, as well as their superior Probity, Religion and Goodness, who with vast Hazard and Expence past the wide *Atlantic,* and consum’d their Treaures and lost their Lives in these, then barbarous and inclement, Regions, that so their Posterity might serve their GOD and their King in the peaceable Possession and Exercise of those Civil and Religious Privileges, which they had purchased and earned for them. . . .” On the historical legal basis for the independent polity of the church in New England; one can discern here between the lines the basis of arguments for the future independence of the colony. Evans 4275; Sabin 46791. Bookplate of C. L. F. Robinson of Newport on the front paste-down; neat later ink ownership signature dated 1940 on the front free endpaper.
Price: $750.00