17th c. Pair of Works, Church Controversy

Updated August 6, 2026

Estimate: 30 / 300 Darrell, William (attributed). THE LAY-MAN'S OPINION, SENT IN A PRIVATE LETTER TO A CONSIDERABLE DIVINE OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND. 8 pp. Together with: THE LAY-MAN'S ANSWER TO THE LAY-MAN'S OPINION. IN A LETTER TO A FRIEND. London, 1687. [2], 12, [2,blank] pp. Both disbound. First editions. Two rare Restoration-era theological pamphlets issued during the reign of James II and the heated controversy surrounding his attempts to promote religious toleration and improve the position of English Catholics. The Lay-Man's Opinion is generally attributed to the English Jesuit William Darrell (1651–1721), who argues in favor of a more tolerant attitude toward Roman Catholics and addresses the theological divisions between the Church of England and the Catholic Church. The accompanying Lay-Man's Answer is a contemporary Anglican reply defending the established church and rebutting Darrell's arguments point by point, making the pair an engaging example of late seventeenth-century religious controversy and pamphlet warfare. Condition: Some light foxing, else both Good.

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