THE CHURCHES QUARREL ESPOUSED: OR, A REPLY IN SATYRE, TO CERTAIN PROPOSALS MADE, IN ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION, WHAT FURTHER STEPS ARE TO BE TAKEN, THAT THE COUNCILS MAY HAVE DUE CONSTITUTION AND EFFICACY IN SUPPORTING, PRESERVING, AND WELL-ORDERING THE INTEREST OF THE CHURCHES IN THE COUNTRY? by Wise, John:

Boston: Reprinted: Sold by Nicholas Boone, at the Sign of the BIBLE in Cornhill, 1715.. Testimonial leaf, title-leaf, 116pp. 12mo. Modern calf in period style, over original birch boards, with original wastesheet pastedowns. Minor binding wear, margins trimmed a bit close in places, shaving a few letters and catchwords, small paper repair to upper forecorner of leaf C4, only evident on recto, a bit tanned. Overall very good. With contemporary ownership signature of Samuel Whitwell, an 1802 notation from an Andrew Grimes who bought the book at auction, and a 20th-century bookplate from the Zion Research Library. Second edition, after the virtually unobtainable first New York edition of 1713. The present pamphlet was issued in response to an attempt by the Mathers and others to initiate a movement to establish associations of clergy to exercise functions usually left up to individual churches. Wise has since been called the "first great American democrat," due to his argument that the ultimate power of the churches should rest with the congregation and not with their ministers or an association of ministers. "The People...are the first Subject of Power...a Democracy in Church or State is a very honourable Government." Wise's influential A VINDICATION OF THE GOVERNMENT OF NEW- ENGLAND CHURCHES (Boston, 1717) is the famous statement of his belief in Congregational polity. EVANS 1795 SABIN 104897. HOWES W594, "aa." DAB XX, p.427.