Beschreibung:

WILLIAMS, Roger. The Bloody Tenent Yet More Bloody . London: for Giles Calvert 1652. Small 4 o. Closed tear to outer margin of title affecting woodcut border and two words, first two signatures rubbed with small edge tears, R3 with two closed tears in bottom margin intruding into text. Contemporary sheep, ruled in blind, most probably recased, repair to upper joint and wear to corners. Sabin 104333. Wing W2760. VERY RARE. One of the earliest fathers of American democracy, Williams was banished from Massachusetts for "newe and dangerous opinions against the authoritie of the magistrates." His views on Indian rights and religious freedom for all, whether pagan, protestant, Catholic or Jewish, made him persona non grata with the Puritan authorities and led to his banishment from the Bay colony in 1635. The following year he founded the earliest Rhode Island settlement, Providence. During his presidency of the colony he admitted those persecuted elsewhere, including the Quakers, and provided for the separation of church and state. Under his leadership all heads of families had an equal voice in the government and his liberal beliefs included the radical statement, "neither Kings or Parliaments, States and Governors can in justice wield more power then what the people give". This present publication continues his pamphleteering begun with The Bloody Tenent of Persecution (1644) for religious freedoms and democratic principles. Only one copy has appeared at auction in 30 years, John Carter Brown's copy in 1980.