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Rare first edition of Locke's first separately published work, his Letter on Toleration, in which he argues that, for the most part, individuals should be allowed to practice their religion without interference from the state; this copy previously apparently unrecorded, being bound second in a small volume of theological works, the paper spine label identifying the first work only. "In winter 1685-6 Locke interrupted his labours on the Essay to write another, shorter work. Louis XIV had revoked the edict of Nantes in October, removing the last remnants of toleration for the French protestants. The Epistola de tolerantia was written after Locke returned from Cleves about the beginning of November. It was addressed to Limborch, who kept the manuscript and subsequently arranged for it to be printed. The Latin text was published anonymously at Gouda in April 1689, two months after Locke had returned to England. The Epistola develops further the theory of toleration already put forward in the Essay Concerning Toleration [written in 1667, but not published until 1876]. Locke advocated the complete separation of church and state: states exist only to preserve their members' civil goods; churches are purely voluntary societies which are allowed to exercise discipline over their members, but which anyone can leave at any time without incurring any civil disabilities. Complete toleration should be given to every religious body whose doctrines are neither incompatible. Rare first edition of Locke's first separately published work, his Letter on Toleration, in which he argues that, for the most part, individuals should be allowed to practice their religion without interference from the state; this copy previously apparently unrecorded, being bound second in a small volume of theological works, the paper spine label identifying the first work only. "In winter 1685-6 Locke interrupted his labours on the Essay to write another, shorter work. Louis XIV had revoked the edict of Nantes in October, removing the last remnants of toleration for the French protestants. The Epistola de tolerantia was written after Locke returned from Cleves about the beginning of November. It was addressed to Limborch, who kept the manuscript and subsequently arranged for it to be printed. The Latin text was published anonymously at Gouda in April 1689, two months after Locke had returned to England. The Epistola develops further the theory of toleration already put forward in the Essay Concerning Toleration [written in 1667, but not published until 1876]. Locke advocated the complete separation of church and state: states exist only to preserve their members' civil goods; churches are purely voluntary societies which are allowed to exercise discipline over their members, but which anyone can leave at any time without incurring any civil disabilities. Complete toleration should be given to every religious body whose doctrines are neither incompatible with civil society nor require their adherents to give allegiance to a foreign prince" (ODNB). WorldCat and Yolton together locate only 24 copies worldwide. The other works included in the volume, all very scarce, are: i) Thou, Jacques Auguste de (Thuanus, J. A.), Nec non aliorum ex ordine tam ecclesiastico quam politico virorum in Gallia eminentissimorum judicia... No place or printer, 1686. ii) M., F. M., Otium hyemale vespertinum de comparanda fidei unione pontificiorum evangelicorum ac reformatorum. No place or printer, 1706. iii) Nonnemo a nonnemine in causa Syncretismi insulse detecti et insulsius anecti confutatus. No place or printer, 1669. READ MORE Duodecimo (127 x 75 mm). Bound second with three other titles (see note) in late 18th-century speckled boards, paper spine label hand lettered in ink. Housed in a dark blue quarter morocco solander box by the Chelsea Bindery. Printer's ornament on title page. Nineteenth-century printed bookplate "von Riese" to front pastedown. Joints and extremities rubbed with erosion of speckled paper covering, corners worn, small patch missing on front board, spine label chipped; sewing stretched, with cracks between gatherings of first and last works, cords still firm. Title page with tiny hole and small abrasion at head just touching one letter; a very good copy. Attig 41; Christophersen, pp. 13-15; Harrison & Laslett 2941; Yolton 1.