1657 JOHN HOWE. Puritan Autographed Work on the Corruption of the Church through Political Idolatry.

A fascinating work recounting the attempts all across Europe to gain religious power through complicity with various Kings, Queens, and Governments. Includes the Pope's desire to gain power in Germany to expel the Lutherans, work against the results of the Spanish Reformation, etc., etc.

It has long been the idolatry of the Church to have have believed that the Kingdom of God will prosper best when imposed by the Kingdom's of men. 

The present copy is boldly signed by Puritan, John Howe [1630-1705]. Howe was raised in a Puritan home; his father had been ejected by Archbishop Laud during the same persecutions which led Roger Williams to flee England for America. Howe had seen what religion could do when empowered by the armies and prisons of the State in the life of his own family. 

Howe graduated Christ's College, Cambridge and accepted a pastorate at Devon. In 1656 he was invited to preach for Oliver Cromwell and was offered the position of Chaplain, which he accepted. He was ejected in 1662 and continued to preach in homes and the countryside. 

He was among the most learned of the Puritans, but he used the learning to good effect. His education endowed his devotional works with extra depth and has made works like The Redeemer's Tears Wept over Lost Souls; Delighting in God; and The Blessedness of the Righteous of enduring value to the Church.

Wotton, Henry. The State of Christendom; Or, A Most Exact and Curious Discovery of Many Secret Passages, and Hidden Mysteries of the Times. London: Humphrey Moseley, 1657. First Edition. 262 + 32pp. 

Attractive small folio attractively bound in 19th century half calf. Binding intact, front hinge cracked, extremities rubbed. Frontis with short closed tear to upper margin and with outer margin reinforced, contents mostly clean with some light foxing in places and a few leaves near back with faded marginal stains. Good +. 

Also bears the signature of Richard Perryn [1723-1803], Welsh Judge and Baron of the Exchequer. He has made notations on a perhaps a dozen pages.