The Parsons Guide: or the Law of Tithes, 3rd and Final Edition.
Cromwell's Financial Demands on the Clergy Sheppard, William [d.1675?]. The Parsons Guide: Or the Law of Tythes. Wherein is Shewed, Who Must Pay Tythes, And to Whom, And of What Things, When, And How They Must be Paid, And How they May be Recovered at this Day, And How a Man May be Discharged of Payment Thereof. London: Printed by J. Streater, 1671. [12], 96pp. 12mo. (5-1/2" x 3"). Recent period-style calf by Philip Dusel, blind fillets to boards, raised bands and lettering piece to spine, existing endpapers retained. Corners lightly bumped, light fading to spine, moderate toning to interior, faint stain to foot of title page, tiny early owner signature (John Tattersall) to head). A nice copy in a notably handsome binding. $850. * Third and final edition. Originally published in 1654, this brief treatise supporting Cromwell's financial demands on the clergy. Active in the Protectorate, where he was Cromwell's legal advisor, Sheppard aimed to reform English law. Many of his proposals anticipated changes that were adopted in the nineteenth century. The Parsons Guide supported Cromwell's reforms of tithing laws, which were drafted by Sheppard. All editions and issues are scarce. OCLC locates 3 copies of the third edition in North American law libraries (Columbia, Harvard, University of Pennsylvania). English Short-Title Catalogue R217585.
Price: $850.00
Book number 75096