[Rarebooks] Election Sermon 1762

[Garry R Austin]

On the eve of the Boston Fairs, we offer this gem printed in Boston;
Postpaid (or delivered at the Fair) net $375

Williams, Abraham. A SERMON PREACH'D AT BOSTON, BEFORE THE GREAT AND GENERAL COURT OR ASSEMBLY OF THE PROVINCE OF MASSACHUSETTS-BAY IN NEW ENGLAND, MAY 26TH, 1762 BEING THE DAY APPOINTED BY ROYAL CHARTER FOR THE ELECTION OF HIS MAJESTY'S COUNCIL FOR SAID PROVINCE. Boston: Printed by S. Kneeland, 1762. First edition. Octavo, disbound. 28pp. with half title. Light toning otherwise a very good and supple copy. Manuscript annotation at top of half title reads, "For the Rev'd. Mr. Bass", this is Edward Bass, later Bishop Bass. Williams was Pastor of the Church in Sandwich on Cape Cod. An important sermon; not only did it deal with equal rights, but he discussed the origins of and the ends of Government. Also this; "As in a State of Nature prior to Government, every Man has a Right to the Fruits of his own Labour, to defend it from others, to recover it when unjustly taken away, or an Equivalent, and to a Recompence for the Damage and Trouble caused by this unrighteous Seizure...So when civil Societies are formed, the Community is naturally possessed of all the civil Rights of its Members". On the title page he purposely omitted the name of the Governor, he was not granted a complementary London reprint. Evans 9310. Quite scarce. $500.00

Garry R Austin
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