1742 · Boston
by Eliot, Andrew
Boston, 1742. Half title [clipped at blank top margin, later gift inscription at bottom], 35, [1 blank] pp. Scattered foxing. Bound in modern marbled wrappers. Good+ or Very Good.
A colloquially spoken Sermon on the proper limits of ecclesiastical authority and the dangers of the Great Awakening. Eliot's endorsement of autonomy of conscience became part of the religious and political ethos of 18th century New England.
The Clergy's "Authority extends only to...things of a spiritual Nature. Nor even here is their Government absolute; they have no Right in an arbitrary Manner to dictate to their People what they ought to believe or to practice." But a Minister must prevent "those committed to his Charge to feed upon poisonous Food." Hence, he warns against ministers who "set up their own whims and fantastick Notions." In such a case, "their People are not obliged, nay ought not to obey them."
FIRST EDITION. Evans 4940. ESTC W12198. (Inventory #: 20598)
A colloquially spoken Sermon on the proper limits of ecclesiastical authority and the dangers of the Great Awakening. Eliot's endorsement of autonomy of conscience became part of the religious and political ethos of 18th century New England.
The Clergy's "Authority extends only to...things of a spiritual Nature. Nor even here is their Government absolute; they have no Right in an arbitrary Manner to dictate to their People what they ought to believe or to practice." But a Minister must prevent "those committed to his Charge to feed upon poisonous Food." Hence, he warns against ministers who "set up their own whims and fantastick Notions." In such a case, "their People are not obliged, nay ought not to obey them."
FIRST EDITION. Evans 4940. ESTC W12198. (Inventory #: 20598)