1680 RICHARD BAXTER. The Work that Inspired C. S. Lewis' "Mere Christianity." Rare Puritan!

Very rare title by Baxter written in the heat of denominational and identification pamphlet wars between Anglicans, Dissenters, Presbyterians, Independents, and so forth. Enter Richard Baxter's beautifully Christocentric [but unfortunately titled], Church History of the Government of Bishops [Ouch!]. 

For a fuller discussion of this influence, see, C. S. Lewis, Richard Baxter, and Mere Christianity in the journal Christianity and Literature, Spring, 1981. 

Extract from Baxter's Work:

“I am a CHRISTIAN, a MEER CHRISTIAN, of no other Religion; and the Church that I am of is the Christian Church, and hath been visible where ever the Christian Religion and Church hath been visible: But must you know what Sect or Party I am of? I am against all Sects and dividing Parties: But if any will call Meer Christians by the name of a Party, because they take up with Meer Chrisitanity, Creed, and Scripture, and will not be of any dividing or contentious Sect, I am of that Party which is so against Parties: If the Name CHRISTIAN be not enough, call me a CATHOLICK CHRISTIAN; not as that word signifieth an hereticating majority of Bishops, but as it signifieth one that hath no Religion, but that which by Christ and the Apostles was left to the Catholick Church, or the Body of Jesus Christ on Earth.”

Baxter, Richard. Church-History of the Government of Bishops and their Councils Abbreviated, Including the Chief Part of the Government of Christian Princes and Popes, and a True Account of the Most Troubling Controversies and Heresies till the Reformation. London. 1680. 1st Edition. 478pp. 

Later, 20th century leather binding in imitation of a 17th century binding; adequate, but worthy of better. Endpapers and pastedowns absent. Title chipped. Otherwise generally crisp.