De aanbiddelyke Wegen Gods in zyne Souveraine Bestieringe, besonder over de Machten deser Weereld. New York: Peter Zenger, 1726.
[10], 79, [1 blank,] [1 errata] pp. Title leaf printed in red and black. 4to (195 x 152 mm). Full blue morocco gilt, gilt dentelle, a.e.g., by Bedford. Repaired hole to K2 with loss of a few words, errata leaf toned with repair at gutter and large repair to blank corners, light wear to joints.

FIRST EDITION OF THIS EARLY ZENGER IMPRINT, THE GEORGE BRINLEY, BLEECKER FAMILY COPY. This beautiful printing is one of Zenger's first publications under his own imprint, established after he quit the press of William Bradford. Suitably, this theological work pertains to the divine right of Kings. Zenger was arrested a few years later for his printed condemnations of the royal government and his acquittal is considered the first important precedent for free speech in America.
Van Driessen was minister of the Reformed Dutch Congregation in Albany at this date. The ownership inscription on the title page reads: "J Jansz Bleeckers Boeck hem Vereert van Domine Van Driessens 1726." Evans 2820; Sabin 98491; Brinley 3473.
Provenance: ownership inscription of J. Jansz Bleecker; booklabel of George Brinley, sold at his sale, Hartford Case Lockwood & Brainard Co., 1880; Ogden Goelet [d. 1897], sold at his sale, American Art Association & Anderson Galleries, 1935, lot 380 to A.S.W. Rosenbach; sold by Rosenbach in 1940; booklabel of Helmut N. Friedlaender.
Acquisition: Friedlaender sale, Christie's New York, Apr 23, 2001, lot 185, $15,275.