Short and plain animadversions on some passages in Mr. Dells sermon first preached before…Short and plaine animadversions on some passages in Mr. Dels sermon first preached before…

There is one thing more I might inquire into, What reason Mr. Dell had to use those words as a Prologue to what he was to say, If it offend any we cannot help that the Word of God should be a stone of stumbling and rock of offence. If he intended only that Magistrates cannot reform the heart, that is Christs work alone; I do not think there was one in the Congregation that would be, or could be offended at that; wherefore it made me think when he used those words, that something either erroneous (as indeed it was) or controversial would fall from him, else there had been no need of such a Preamble as that was.

There is one thing more I might inquire into, What reason Mr. Dell had to use those words as a Prologue to what hee was to say, If it offend any we cannot helpe that the Word of God should be a stone of stumbling and rocke of offence. If hee intended onely that Magistrates cannot reforme the heart, that is Christs worke alone; I doe not thinke there was one in the Congregation that would bee, or could bee offended at that; wherefore it made me thinke when hee used those words, that something either erroneous (as indeed it was) or controversall would fall from him, else there had beene no need of such a Preamble as that was.

I will now address my self to view over those causes or reasons he gives, why he will by no means grant the Spiritual Church of Christ, to be reformed by worldly and Secular power, which if he means in this sense that Secular powers cannot Reform the heart, he might well spare his pains in alleging reasons; all the Congregation was fully satisfied in that without further reasons; but certainly something else these causes he lays down were intended for, to plead for some such thing as this, that because the Magistrate cannot reform the heart, therefore he must not put to his hand to repress the divulging of Heretical opinions; nor punish those persons that do: I cannot discern at what mark he should aim at but this. I now come to consider of the Causes or Reasons as he lays them down.

I will now addresse my selfe to view over those causes or reasons he gives, why he will by no meanes grant the Spirituall Church of Christ, to be reformed by worldly and Secular power, which if hee meanes in this sense that Secular powers cannot Reforme the heart, hee might well spare his paines in alleadging reasons; all the Congregation was fully satisfied in that without further reasons; but certainly something else these causes hee laies downe were intended for, to plead for some such thing as this, that because the Magistrate cannot reforme the heart, therefore hee must not put to his hand to represse the divulging of Hereticall opinions; nor punish those persons that doe: I cannot discerne at what marke hee should aime at but this. I now come to consider of the Causes or Reasons as he layes them downe.