The Doctrine of Baptisms; Reduced from its Ancient and Modern Corruptions; and Restored to its Primitive Soundness and Integrity: According to the Word of Truth; the Substance of Faith, and Nature of Christ's Kingdom
Philadelphia, PA: B. Franklin, D. Hall, 1759. First American Edition. 4.38" x 6.25", pp. iv, 5 - 43. All edges gilted. Volume has been rebound from the original as text block tightly trimmed at the margins, mostly the top edge, affecting several page headers. Chain link end papers have uniform discoloration along the 1/4" of periphery bled from binding. Small, < 1/4", spot on bottom fore edge of 12 pages, not affecting text, also likely from rebinding process. Light aging to pages, but remarkably only incidental foxing. 19th century binding, 3/4 brown calf leather with blue feathered paper over boards. Titling in gilt on spine label. Small portion of leather missing from head / foot of spine; light wear rubbed at the edges. Fifth published edition, first American. A collectible copy from America's first Renaissance Man.
Franklin re-published a total of four works by Dell, this being the first and the rest in 1760. It was arranged by The Society of Friends of Philadelphia that 4000 copies be printed and distributed with another Franklin printing, "The Liberty of Spirit" by John Ruddy. The Friends directed 1000 copies for Philadelphia, 2000 among the Provinces of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and the balance to other Frends Meetings in America, (Miller, 702, 719). Item #2634
"By these Things it is evident, that Christ's Baptism and John's are distinct; and therefore as what God hath joined, no Man ought to put asunder; so what God hath put asunder, no Man ought to join..." (p 12).
Price: $2,950.00