Mayhew, Jonathan:

A SERMON PREACH'D IN THE AUDIENCE OF HIS EXCELLENCY WILLIAM SHIRLEY, ESQ; CAPTAIN-GENERAL, GOVERNOR AND COMMANDER IN CHIEF, THE HONOURABLE HIS MAJESTY'S COUNCIL, AND THE HONOURABLE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, OF THE PROVINCE OF THE MASSACHUSETTS-BAY, IN NEW-ENGLAND. MAY 29, 1754. BEING THE ANNIVERSARY FOR THE ELECTION OF HIS MAJESTY'S COUNCIL FOR THE PROVINCE. N.B. THE PARTS OF SOME PARAGRAPHS, PASSED OVER IN THE PREACHING OF THIS DISCOURSE, ARE NOW INSERTED IN THE PUBLICATION.

London: Boston, Printed: London, Reprinted for G. Woodfall, [1754]. [3]-56 pp, lacking the half title. Disbound, short closed margin tear at leaf 33-34. Widely scattered light foxing. Good+.

The great Massachusetts clergyman was one of the most influential voices for the primacy of American religious institutions and an insistence upon the rule of law in the American colonies. Even at this early date, he denies the notion that the King has been specially anointed by God. "All the different constitutions of government ...are immediately the creatures of man's making, not of God's." The purpose of government is "human felicity," founded in "common consent." No ruler has authority to subvert that purpose by "plain lawless force and violence."
Praising British rule, he warns of French "perfidy," predicting that "there is not a true New-England Man...whose purse, and his arm also, if need be, is not ready to be employed" against France. As an example of French treachery, he notes the killing of Captain Howe by the Indians, at the instigation of the French, under a flag of truce.
Vail, New England Election Sermons 20. ESTC T25411. Item #38730

Price: $350.00