A90287:149
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.
This, with all that lies in us, we draw them out unto: what he adds about the churches being elect, and the uncomely parts of it, which they may be for a season who are elect believers, because it must be spoken; are useless cavils. For the scornful rejection of what I affirm concerning our love to all the members of this church, and readiness to tender them satisfaction in case of offence, with his insinuation of my want of modesty and truth in asserting these thoughts, because he will one day know, that the words he so despises, were spoken in sincerity, and with the reverence of the great God, & out of love to all his Saints, I shall not farther vindicate them; such hay and stubble must needs burn.
This, with all that lies in us, we draw them out unto: what he addes about the churches being elect, and the uncomely parts of it, which they may be for a season who are elect believers, because it must be spoken; are uselesse cavills. For the scornfull rejection of what I affirm concerning our love to all the members of this church, and readinesse to tender them satisfaction in case of offence, with his insinuatiō of my want of modesty and truth in asserting these thoughts, because he will one day know, that the words he so despises, were spoken in sincerity, and with the reverence of the great God, & out of love to all his Saints, I shall not farther vindicate them; such hay and stubble must needs burn.
My next profession of our Relation to the Church of England, in respect of that denomination given to the body of professors ⟨p. 168⟩in this Nation, cleaving to the Doctrine of the Gospel, here preached and established by Law, as the public profession of this Nation. But he tells me first: 1. That many Independent Churches in this Nation, are grossly apostatized from that doctrine, and so are heretical. 2. That the worship was professed and protested, and established as well as the doctrine, and that we are all departed from it, and so are schismatical: for we hold communion with them, he says in the same doctrine, but not in the same worship. Answer. His first exception ariseth from the advantage he makes use of, from his large use of the word Independent, which will serve him in his sense for what end he pleaseth. In the sense before declared his charge is denied; Let him prove it by instance if he be able: surely God hath not given orthodox men leave to speak what they please, without due regard to love and truth. 2. As to the worship established in this nation by law, (he means the way of worship, for the substantials of it we are