Issued by Benjamin Franklin's Printing Company
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 the Nature of Christ's Kingdom
Notes: First American edition (and the fifth overall). A collectible copy from America's first Renaissance Man.
The Society of Friends commissioned 4000 copies of this pamphlet, and they hired Benjamin Franklin's printing company to do the work, seventeen years before Franklin would edit and then sign the Declaration of Independence. In addition to Franklin's many civic, diplomatic, and scientific achievements, he was a successful entrepreneur in colonial America—his printing company made him rich.
"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).
4-3/4 by 7-1/4 inches. iv, 5–43, [1] pages.
Edition + Condition: First American Edition. Text block tanned and foxed here and there. Generally very good and complete in a mid-20th century binding of half calf and brown cloth. Outer joints cracking, but sound. Previous owner's name, "Benjamin Martin 1798" in old ink on the lower margin of the last page.
Publication: Philadelphia: B. Franklin and D. Hall, 1759.
Item No: #308196
Price: $2,250