Select Sermons of the Late Reverend Mr. Matthew Henry

Matthew HENRY, Nonconformist Minister.; Samuel PALMER, Minister at Hackney.

London : printed for and sold by the editor, and by J. Buckland, 1782

[English Nonconformist Sermons with interesting Revolutionary Americana/Massachusetts Provenance] Bound in contemporary tree calf.  Minor shelf wear. Solid binding and cover. iv,[6], 460, [4]p. Includes a list of subscribers. No portrait present. Twelve Sermons "On the following subjects: A Church in the House. Christ's Favour to little Children. On Catechizing Youth. Sober - mindedness recommended to young Persons. Directions for beginning - spending - and closing the Day with God. The Folly of despising our own Souls. Christianity no Sect, yet spoken against. On the right Management of friendly Visits. Disputes reviewed. Separation without Rebellion."  

Henry was an eloquent nonconformist pastor from Wales. He is best known today for his six-volume commentary on the Old and New Testaments.  His most well known quote concerns Genesis, "The woman was made of a rib out of the side of Adam; not made out of his head to rule over him, nor out of his feet to be trampled upon by him, but out of his side to be equal with him, under his arm to be protected, and near his heart to be beloved."  

18th century American woodcut bookplate of the Hon. Moses Gill, giving this book to the Leicester Academy. (Gill served as one of the first trustees and benefactors of the Academy when it was founded in 1784.) 

Moses Gill was a particularly wealthy merchant who owned 3000 acres near Worcester.  In 1775 he escorted Gens. Washington and Lee to the Continental army near Boston.   Gill served as one of the Massachusetts councilors who acted as governor from 1775-1780 and helped the state raise and army against the British invasion.  From 1780-1795 he served on the Commonwealth's Executive Council, and was elected Lieutenant-Governor from 1795-1799.  (Acting governor in 1799).  Much of his personal estate is in possession of the American Antiquarian Society.