1744 EXPERIENCE MAYHEW. Important Americana on Gospel to Native Americans w/Native American Provenance!

Not a pristine volume, but textually complete and wonderful Native American related provenance!

Experience Mayhew [1673-1758] was missionary to the Wampanoag Indians of Martha's Vineyard and several other smaller adjacent tribes. He is the author of the Massachusetts Psalter [published with Thomas Prince and of similar rarity and historical value to the Bay Psalm Book; last instance I see was 1950's for over $150,000] and was father of Jonathan Mayhew, the famous Boston divine who coined the phrase, "No taxation without representation." 

He served the Wampanoag Indians for over 60 years and his ministry is considered the most impactful of the missionary efforts among the Native Americans. 

The present work is signed on the blank rfep by John Bass. By repute, the present copy belonged to the grandson of John Basse, who died 1699. The Gospel had taken a peculiar hold of the Namesmond Indians of Virginia. The daughter of the Chief was baptized and married John Bass, in 1638, making it one of the most signficant White / Native marriages in early America. 

Mayhew, with a passion for mission, in the present work pre-empts the important conversations surrounding the Free Offer of the Gospel that would lead to the sending of William Carey and the Serampore Missionaries, etc., A generous, missionary-hearted work designed to spur mission among the Colonial churches against some of their racial and theological biases. 

Mayhew, Experience. Grace Defended in a Modest Plea for an Important Truth; Namely that the Offer of Salvation made to Sinners in the Gospel Comprises in it an Offer of the Grace Given in Regeneration. And. Shewing the Consistency of this Truth with the Free and Sovereign Grace of God, in the Whole Work of Man's Salvation. In which, The Doctrine of Original Sin and Human Impotence, the Object and Extent of Redemption, The Nature of Regeneration, The Difference between Common and Special Grace, The Nature of Justifying Faith, and Other Important Points are Considered and Cleared. Boston. B. Green. 1744. 208pp.

A good - copy in original paneled calf which is actually quite smartly preserved; through at extremities and minor breaches of leather at head of both hinges. Pastedown is present but distressed at edges and probably having a label removed. Blank ffep and title are absent. First leaf of the contents is damaged with loss at inner margin, contents leaves and advertisement shaken with tear across advertisement. Remainder of text actually quite crisp and clean. Signature of John Bass in neat sepia stylized ink on blank rfep.