A90287:41
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.
CHAP. 2.
An Answer to the Appendix of Mr. C•. Charge.
Though perhaps impartial men will be willing to give me an acquitment from the charge of altering my judgment in the matters of our present difference, upon the general account of the copartnership with me of the most inquiring men in this generation, as to things of no less importance; and though I might against this reverend brother and others of the same mind and persuasion with him, at present relieve my self sufficiently by a recrimination, in reference to their former Episcopal engagements, and sundry practices in the worship of God them attending, pleading in the mean time the general issue of changing from error to truth, (which that I have done as to any change I have really made, I am ready at any time to maintain to this Author) yet it being so ⟨p. 32⟩much insisted upon by him as it is, and the charge thereof in the instance given, accompanied with so many evil surmisings, and uncharitable reflections, looking like the fruits of another principle then that whereby we ought in the management of our differences to be ruled, I shall give a more particular account of that, which hath yielded him this great advantage. The sole instance insisted on by him, is a small treatise published long ago by me, entitled, The duty of Pastors and People distinguished; wherein I profess my self to be of the Presbyterian judgment. Excerpta out of that treatise, with animadversions and comparisons thereon, make up the appendix, which was judged necessary to be added to the book, to help on with the proof that Independency is a great schism: had it not been indeed needful to cause the person to suffer, as well as the thing, some suppose this pains might have been spared. But I am not to prescribe to any, what way it is meet for them to proceed in, for the compassing of their ends aimed at.