A90287:146
A review of the true nature of schism, with a vindication of the Congregational…A review of the true nature of schisme, with a vindication of the Congregationall…
A review of the true nature of schism, with a vindication of the Congregational churches in England, from the imputation thereof unjustly charged on them by Mr D. Cawdrey, preacher of the Word at Billing in Northampton-shire. / By John Owen D.D.A review of the true nature of schisme, with a vindication of the Congregationall churches in England, from the imputation thereof unjustly charged on them by Mr D. Cawdrey, preacher of the Word at Billing in Northampton-shire. / By John Owen D.D.
Oxford: printed by Henry Hall printer to the University for Thomas Robinson, 1657
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
But we must proceed a little further, though as to the cause by me undertaken to be managed, causelessly. The discourse of our Author from the place fixed on, wherein he faintly endeavoured to make good the foundation of this chapter, which I have already considered, consists of two parts: 1. His Animadversions on some principles which I lay down, as necessary to be stated aright and determined, that the question about gathering churches may be clearly and satisfactorily debated. Some of them he says have been handled by others; which if it be a rule of silence to him, and me, it might have prevented this tedious debate: what ever his thoughts may be ⟨p. 163⟩of my pamphlet, I do not fear to affirm of his Treatise, that I have found nothing in it, from the beginning to the ending, but what hath lien neglected on booksellers stalls for above these seven years. For the rest of those principles, which he excepts against, as he thinks meet, I leave their consideration, to that farther enquiry, which the Lord assisting I have destined them unto. The way of gathering churches upon a supposition of their antecedency to officers, he says is very pretty, and loads it with the difficulty of mens coming to be baptized in such a case: but as I, can tell him of that which is neither true, nor pretty, in the practise of some whom he knows, or hath reason so to do, so I can assure him that we are not concerned in his objection about baptism, and with them who may possibly be so, it is a ridiculous thing, to think it an objection. And for that part of my enquiry, whether the Church be before ordinary officers, or they before it, as sleight as he is pleased to make of it, it will be found to lie very near the bottom ⟨p. 164⟩of all our differences, and the right stating of it, to conduce to the composure and determination of them. His charges and reflections which he casts about in his passage, are not now to be further mentioned; we have had them over and over; indeed we have had little else: If strong, vehement, passionate affirmations, complaints, charges, false imputations, and the like, will amount to a demonstration in this business, he hath demonstrated Independentisme to be a great Schism.
But we must proceed a litle further, though as to the cause by me undertaken to be managed, causelessely. The discourse of our Author from the place fixed on, wherein he faintly indeavoured to make good the foundation of this chapter, which I have allready considered, consists of two parts: 1. His Animadversions on some principles which I lay down, as necessary to be stated aright and determined, that the question about gathering churches may be clearly and satisfactorily debated. Some of them he saies have been handled by others; which if it be a rule of silence to him, and me, it might have prevented this tedious debate: what ever his thoughts may be