Concerning Ministers Meddling with State Matters in their Sermons, Title page
A Caſe of Conſcience CONCERNING Miniſters medling with State Matters in or out of their SERMONS reſolved more ſatisfactorily then heretofore.
WHEREIN Amongſt other Particulars, theſe matters are inſiſted upon, and cleared.
1 How all Controverſies and Debates among Chriſtians ought to be handled Regularly, and Conſcionably to edification by thoſe that meddle therewith.
2 What the proper employments are of Chriſtian Magiſtrates, and Goſpel-Miniſters, as their works are diſtinct, and ſhould be concurrent for the publick good at all times.
3 What the way of Chriſtianity is, whereby at this time our preſent Diſtractions, and publick Breaches may be healed: if Magiſtrates and Miniſters neglect not the main duties of their reſpective callings.
Where a ground is layed to ſatisfie the ſcruple of the Demurrer, and of the Grand Caſe of Conſcience.
Written by JOHN DVRY, Miniſter of the Goſpel, to give a Friend ſatisfaction: And publiſhed at the deſire of many.
Octob. 3. Imprimatur, Joſeph Caryl.
LONDON: Printed by Francis Neile for Richard Woden…the at the Signe of the Star under Peters Church in Cornhill. 1650.
A Caſe of CONSCIENCE Concerning Miniſters medling with State Matters in or out of their Sermons reſolved more ſatisfactorily then heretofore.
Honoured Sir:
WHen I wrote to my Friend about intermedling with State Matters in the Pulpit, I intended onelyonly in a plain and familiar way, to ſatisfie his deſire: therefore as in a ſubject clear to my thoughts, I did not much forecaſt the Matter and Method; but feſtinante calamo and careleſly; I did alledge, both to juſtifie mine own practiſe, and to anſwer that which is objected againſt it; thoſe truths, which I thought he would moſt readily entertain. But ſeeing you have told me your obſervation, that ſome do not acquieſce in thoſe plain conceptions, but intend to wade deeper in that Subject then I ſeem to have done; and that from ſuch, I muſt expect to be contradicted, and ſhould do well to prepare for a Controverſie. Seeing (I ſay) this intimation hath been given me, both from your ſelf at firſt; and ſince alſo from others: I think it not amiſſe to reflect a little deeper upon this matter; that if needs there muſt be a Controverſie, it may not be a wilde one (as now adayes many are) but regulated unto edification.