1683 JOHN ROBINSON. Rare Father of the Pilgrims on the Importance of Religious Toleration and Liberality!

Well now, here is a wonderful little item I cannot trace at auction since the late 19th century and the first imprint we can find no record of at auction at any time! 

The present work, primarily John Robinson's work [pp.13-31] augmented by Philip Nye and with various short thoughts from other non-conformists, was an important work in the history of religious tolerance. John Robinson [1576-1625] was the Pastor to the Pilgrim Fathers who boarded the Mayflower for America. 

A puritan doctrinally, he was no wild-eyed schismatic. In fact, the present work is specifically designed to ensure people of conscience do not become radicalized and then become persecutors themselves. Robinson himself, in all points he could walk with other Christians, including the Anglican church, had a heart to maintain Christian unity with believers of all stripes. The decision to become a dissenter was not an easy one. But upon doing so, he immediately formed the Scrooby Congregation and it was his teaching that led the Mayflower Pilgrim's to follow God's call to a new land. 

Robinson himself was exiled and persecuted, but never allowed his views to become dismissive of the Anglican communion. His commitment to true religious tolerance was not just "tolerance for himself," but extended to everyone. 

The present doctrine perhaps articulates that particularity of Robinson's view better than any other. In it, he argues against schism and against libeling all establishment divines as godless or unspiritual and encourages dissenters everywhere to acknowledge godly ministry when they see it or hear it and argues that it is in keeping with the Gospel to recognize Christ in His imperfect vessels and demonstrates Christians are different than the tribe makers of the world. A powerful polemic work from one of the founders of American religious liberty. 

It was here reprinted during a new wave of persecution against dissenting churches and ministers in an effort to demonstrate that not all those who chose to remain in the established church were compromisers, but may in fact be working for the unity of the Church. Many dissenters worshipped in an established church on Sunday and also with a dissenting congregation outside the 5 mile village limit in the afternoon or evening.

Robinson, John; Philip Nye. The Lawfulnes of Hearing the Publick Ministers of the Church of England. Proved by Mr. Philip Nye, and Mr. John Robinson, Two Eminent Congregational Divines. Together with the Judgment of Dr. Goodwin, Dr. Owen, and other Independents, as well Ancient as Modern, concerning Forms of Prayer, Parish-Churches, and Communion with them: And the Judgment of other Nonconformists about Kneeling at the Sacrament. Published, as well to satisfy those that yet scruple Communion with the Church, as to vindicate those that have complied, from the uncharitable censures of those that vilify them, as Temporizers; or that they have done so to qualify themselves for an Office, to serve a Turn, or to save themselves from the Penal Laws. London. Printed for Jonathan Robinson, at the Golden Lion, in St. Paul's Church-Yard. Title + ii + 40pp.

Very crisp generally with some light handling on title and small number on upper right, final leaf a bit grubby and handled. One page has a period biographical note regarding the puritan, John Owen. Removed from a larger sammelband.