The Bible and The Sword

An English Methodist Response to the Boston Tea Party, 

the Declaration of Independence, the American Revolution, 

and the Formation of the United States of America. 

John Fletcher

London, 1776

FLETCHER, John. The Bible and the Sword: or, the appointment of the general fast vindicated: in an address to the common people, concerning the propriety of repressing obstinate licentiousness with the sword,' and of fasting when the sword is drawn for that purpose. London : printed by R. Hawes, and sold at the Foundry, in Moorfields, and at the Rev. Mr. Wesley's preaching-houses in town and country, 1776. 

First edition. 12mo. (175mm. ) Pp. [2] 3 - 22, [2 pub's ads.]. Page 21 / 22 and the final leaf (A12) foxed, in other respects a clean copy. Sig A3 mis-signed A5. Later printed limp card wrappers. 

In this rare works, Fletcher puts forward the English Methodist view of the righteousness of the British in suppressing the American rebellion. 

[Fletcher, John William ( 1729 - 1785 ). Church of England clergyman and Methodist writer, born in Switzerland, he received orders in the Church of England, three years later he was presented to the living in Madely , Shropshire. He was very closely associated with John Wesley and his labours. His writings, for the most part, focused against Antinomianism and Calvinism.]

"No age or country has ever produced a man of more fervent piety, or more perfect charity ; no church has ever possessed a more apostolic minister " - Robert Southey. 

The ESTC  locates fourteen copies of this pamphlet in the British Isles and the Republic of Ireland - Birmingham University. Bristol Central Library. Congregational Library. Oxford University. John Rylands Library, Manchester x 5. Trinity College, Dublin. Ireland. This pamphlet is rarely seen for sale. ESTC T27429.