He publicly Discoursed with the Quakers at Lanvillin in Montgomery-shire; their Champion was Dr. Lloyd a Physician; one of the most considerable Nonconformist Ministers in his Diocese, was Mr. James Owen of Oswestry, then very young, but well known since by his Learned Book, which he calls, A Plea for Scripture Ordination; proving Ordination by Presbyters without Diocesan Bishops, to be valid, (Published in the Year 1694) a point of Controversy, which he was then obliged in his own Defence to search into. Several Discourses the Bishop had with him in Private; at last his Lordship was pleased to appoint him, to give him the Meeting in the Town-Hall of Oswestry, on Tuesday Sept. 27. 1681. there to give Account by what Right he Exercised the Ministry, not having Episcopal Ordination. He directed him also to procure what other Ministers he could to assist him, for he would be glad to hear what any of them had to say for themselves. The Notice was very short, not above four or five Days: Some whose assistance was desired, apprehended it might do more hurt than good, and might be prejudicial to their own Liberty, and therefore declined it. It was not agreeable to Mr. Henry's mild and modest Temper, to appear in such Circumstances; ⟨p. 157⟩but he was loath to desert his Friend Mr. Owen, and so with much importunity, he was prevailed with to come to Oswestry, at the time appointed; and there came no other but he and Mr. Jonathan Roberts of Denbighshire, in the Diocese of Bangor, a plain Man, of great Integrity, and a very good Scholar. The Bishop came according to appointment, and brought with him for his Assistant, the Famous Mr. Henry Dodwell: Mr. Henry, who was utterly a Stranger to the Bishop, pressed hard to have had the Discourse in private, before a Select Number, but it would not be granted. He also desired his Lordship, that it might not be expected from him, being of another Diocese, to concern himself in the Discourse, but only as a Hearer: Nay Mr. Henry (said the Bishop) it is not the concern of my Diocese alone, but it is the common Cause of Religion, and therefore I expect you should interest your self in it, more than as a Hearer. His Lordship was pleased to promise, that nothing that should be said by way of Argument, should be any way turned to the prejudice of the Disputants, nor advantage taken of it to give them trouble.
He publickly Discoursed with the Quakers at Lanvillin in Montgomery-shire; their Champion was Dr. Lloyd a Physician; one of the most considerable Nonconformist Ministers in his Diocess, was Mr. Iames Owen of Oswestry, then very young, but well known since by his Learned Book, which he calls, A Plea for Scripture Ordination; proving Ordination by Presbyters without Diocesan Bishops, to be valid, (Published in the Year 1694) a point of Controversie, which he was then obliged in his own Defence to search into. Several Discourses the Bishop had with him in Private; at last his Lordship was pleas'd to appoint him, to give him the Meeting in the Town-Hall of Oswestry, on Tuesday Sept. 27. 1681. there to give Account by what Right he Exercis'd the Ministry, not having Episcopal Ordination. He directed him also to procure what other Ministers he could to assist him, for he would be glad to hear what any of them had to say for themselves. The Notice was very short, not above four or five Days: Some whose assistance was desired, apprehended it might do more hurt than good, and might be prejudicial to their own Liberty, and therefore declin'd it. It was not agreeable to Mr. Henry's mild and modest Temper, to appear in such Circumstances; ⟨p. 157⟩but he was loath to desert his Friend Mr. Owen, and so with much importunity, he was prevail'd with to come to Oswestry, at the time appointed; and there came no other but he and Mr. Ionathan Roberts of Denbighshire, in the Diocess of Bangor, a plain Man, of great Integrity, and a very good Scholar. The Bishop came according to appointment, and brought with him for his Assistant, the Famous Mr. Henry Dodwell: Mr. Henry, who was utterly a Stranger to the Bishop, press'd hard to have had the Discourse in private, before a Select Number, but it would not be granted. He also desir'd his Lordship, that it might not be expected from him, being of another Diocess, to concern himself in the Discourse, but only as a Hearer: Nay Mr. Henry (said the Bishop) it is not the concern of my Diocess alone, but it is the common Cause of Religion, and therefore I expect you should interest your self in it, more than as a Hearer. His Lordship was pleas'd to promise, that nothing that should be said by way of Argument, should be any way turn'd to the prejudice of the Disputants, nor advantage taken of it to give them trouble.
