A very desirable work, and one of the most irenic of the puritan era. Because of Baxter's well-deserved reputation for earnestness, when he called for charity and generosity toward the brethren, his urges avoided the suspicion of gospel "looseness." An excellent and timely piece of writing.
Of special importance is the three page epistle written by Minister to and Secretary of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, Edward Rawson [1615-1693]. A leader in the Puritan colony, his wife was a part of the important Hooker family and his works today very desirable.
I do not trace where the epistle was issued a a separate imprint and may well appear here for the first time in book form. In it, he urges the ministers of the Massachusetts Bay Colony to earnestness in catechizing, especially the young, and the establishment of the Colony as one of God's own planting. Three pages.
The Baxter / Rawson volume last offered at auction, Sothebys, 1972.
Interesting American provenance from Walton Hacket, who served as a missionary of the S.P.G. in the region outside of Philadelphia. Also Noel Ledru, who was a prominent general trade teacher as well as a teacher of of female etiquette, etc., in the Philadelphia area in the mid-18th century.
Baxter, Richard. A Defence of the Principles of Love, Which are Necessary to the Unity and Concord of Christians; and are Delivered in a Book Called the Cure of Church Divisions. I. Inviting all Sound and Sober Christians, (by What Name Forever Called) To Receive Each Other to Communion in the Same Churches. II. And Where That (Which is to First Desirable) Cannot be Attained to Bear with Each Other in their Distinct Assemblies, and to Manage the All in Christian Love. Written to Detect and Eradicate All Love-Killing, Dividing, and Church-Destroying Principles, Passions, and Practices, and to Preserve the Weak in this Hour of Manifold Temptations. By Richard Baxter One of the Mourners for a Self-Dividing and Self-Affliction Land. London. Printed for Nevil Simons, 1671. 104pp. + 183pp.
A good + copy, bound in leather, probably 18th century, generally solid, with light to moderate foxing, and a few minor tears. Blank ffep lacking, tear at interior gutter of title without loss.
