1647 THOMAS MANTON. A Plea for Unity in the Church During the English Civil War.

parke] for Hanna Allen at the Crowne in Popes-head Alley, 1647. 52pp.  EXTRACT: Some are of a preposterous zeal in lesser differences, and are all for extremity and violence towards those from whom they differ in the least degree and circumstance; most of the centures inflicted by the late Bishops were because of Ceremonies, things not weighty in any regard, no not in their own esteem: some men breath out nothing but rage and threatenings upon the least dissent. I remember I have read of Joab, David's General, that when his teacher had falsely voweled one word in the Hebrew, he slew him; the place was that charge to destroy Zechan. He read it Zechar, the males of Amalec: It is good to preserve truth, but small distempers will not need so violent a cure; 'tis as if a man should fire an house to destroy the mice in it. Union is good, but rigorous inforcements, especially in trifles & things that lie far from the heart of Religion are not so warrantable. Paul is everywhere most zealous against errors, there is never an Epistle of his but hath some what against them: However, none more earnest than he to bring circumcision and uncircumcision to a profession of brotherhood. An excellent, balanced work full of wisdom, godliness, and restraint.  Very nicely preserved complete English Civil War sermon from the Cromwellian era. Complete as issued, removed from a larger sammelband at some point with relevant flotsam on spine and in need of resewing. Tender with full breach at 24/25. Textually crisp. Rare on the market.