Mayhew, Jonathan:

A DISCOURSE ON REV. XV. 3D, 4TH. OCCASIONED BY THE EARTHQUAKES IN NOVEMBER 1755. DELIVERED IN THE WEST-MEETING - HOUSE, BOSTON, THURSDAY DECEMBER 18, FOLLOWING. IN FIVE PARTS, WITH AN INTRODUCTION...

Boston, N.E. Edes & Gill. 1755. pp 72, [2] pp, but lacking the half title. The Advertisement and the erratum are present in the final two pages. Disbound, lightly foxed, Good+.

This extraordinarily talented and influential minister, who championed the integrity of American religious institutions against establishmentarian claims of the Church of England, discourses on "the marvellous, unsearchable nature of God's Works." John Adams wrote of him, "To draw the character of Mayhew, would be to transcribe a dozen volumes" [quoted in DAB]. Upholding the liberty of conscience, Mayhew urges his Congregation: "Let your candor and good-will be extensive and conspicuous: Scorn all bigottry, party-spirit, and narrowness of mind in religious matters; and allow to all men that liberty herein, which you take yourselves, without hating or reviling them, merely because they differ from you in opinion."
The Cape Ann earthquake of 18 November 1755, the most powerful in Massachusetts history, was felt in Nova Scotia and South Carolina, damaging hundreds of Boston's buildings. It occurred just after the huge November Lisbon earthquake of November 1; the events suggested God's anger at man's sinfulness.
FIRST EDITION. Evans 7486. ESTC W20194. Item #38731

Price: $750.00