1645 RICHARD OVERTON. Baptist Friend of Roger Williams Argues for Religious Liberty. Satire!

A wonderfully witty, sarcastic work written by fellow Baptist and advocate of religious liberty, Richard Overton [d.1664]. Rogers Williams, author of The Bloudy Tenent and perhaps the most influential early theologian of American religious liberty, was friends with Overton and Overton's writings actually influenced Williams' ideas of religious toleration. 

Both Williams and Overton produced works in 1644 and 1645 reproving the Westminster Assembly [of which the present is Overton's] for their having now embodied the bullying, religious intolerance they had just been opining against two years before. They were against the Baptists, marking the Quakers heretics, and proving themselves to be just as carnal as the Anglican church with regard to religious liberty. 

The present work, written as a satire, is exceptionally rare and is in response to a plea for the arrest of Overton by the Westminster Assembly. 

Overton, Richard. The Araignment of Mr. Persecution: Presented to the Consideration of the House of Commons, and to all the Common People of England. Wherein He is Indicted, Araigned, Convicted, and Condemned of Enmity against God, and all Goodness, of Treason, Rebellion, Bloodshed, etc., and Sent to the Place of Execution. In the Prosecution Whereof, the Jesuisticall Designes, and Secret Encroachments of his Defendents, Sir Symon Synod, and the John of all Sir Johns, Sir John Presbiter, upon the Liberty of the Subject, is Deteced, and Laid Open. by Reverend Yongue Martin Mar-Preist, Son to old Martin the Metrapolitane. This is Licenced and Printed according to Holy Order, but not Entered into the Stationers Monopole. Europe: Printed by Martin Clawe-Clergie, Printer to the Reverend Assembly of Divines, for Bartholmew Bang-Preist, and are to be sould at his shop in Toleration Street, at the Signe of the Subjects Liberty, right opposite to Persecuting Court. 1645. 45pp.

Exceptionally rare, wonderful early Baptist, Americana-influence, work on religious liberty. . . and quite a hoot to read. Professionally removed from a larger sammelband and here now presented in archival wraps. Some light stains at extremities. Else very good.