Baptist Association | The first Baptist Confession printed in the United States, a Franklin imprint

Baptist Association

A Confession of Faith, Put forth by the Elders and Brethren of Many Congregations of Christians (Baptized upon Profession of their Faith) in London and the Country. Adopted by the Baptist Association met at Philadelphia, Sept. 25, 1742. The Sixth Edition. To which are added, Two Articles viz. of Imposition of Hands, and Singing of Psalms in Publick Worship. Also a A Short Treatise of Church Discipline. Philadelphia: Printed by B. Franklin, 1743

2 parts in 1 volume, as issued, 8vo (146 x 95 mm). Sectiion-title to Short Treatise, typographic ornaments in text; staining, mostly in the margins, a few dog-ears, otherwise a bright copy. Contemporary speckled sheep, blind-ruled boards; staining, rubbing, a chip at the head of spine, corners worn, a superficial crack in the leather at upper board. Half red morocco slipcase, chemise.

Originally published in London in 1643, this was the first American edition of this important evangelical text, and the first Baptist Confession ever printed in America.

The printing of this work, together with the second text, titled A Short Treatise of Church-Discipline, had been approved at the Baptist Congregation's meeting in Philadelphia on 25 September 1742. The Discipline is published here for the first time, having been assigned to, and authored by, Benjamin Griffith, the minister of the Perkasie Baptist Church; this has a separate title-page and pagination, although the register is continuous.

This was published during the First Great Awakening, when Franklin's press, despite his Deist beliefs, produced religious tracts for a wide array of denominations in and around Philadelphia. Franklin's broad-mindedness towards these evangelical congregations helped instigate the distinctly American trends of religious pluralism and personal individualism in colonial society.

REFERENCES

Miller 317; ESTC ; Evans 5124; Hildeburn 811; cf. Lemay, Life, II:387–390, for a discussion of Franklin's printing during the Great Awakening.