1671 RICHARD BAXTER / EDWARD RAWSON. A Defence of the Principles of Love - Massachusetts Bay Colony

A very desirable work, and one of the most irenic of the puritan era. Because of Baxter's well-deserved reputation for earnestness, when he called for charity and generosity toward the brethren, his urges avoided the suspicion of gospel "looseness." An excellent and timely piece of writing.  Of special importance is the three page epistle written by Minister to and Secretary of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, Edward Rawson [1615-1693]. A leader in the Puritan colony, his wife was a part of the important Hooker family and his works today very desirable.  I do not trace where the epistle was issued a a separate imprint and may well appear here for the first time in book form. In it, he urges the ministers of the Massachusetts Bay Colony to earnestness in catechizing, especially the young, and the establishment of the Colony as one of God's own planting. Three pages.  The Baxter / Rawson volume last offered at auction, Sothebys, 1972.  Interesting American provenance from Walton Hacket, who