A90287:44
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.
The controversy between Independency and Presbytery was young also; nor indeed by me clearly understood, especially as stated on the Congregational side. The conceptions delivered in the treatise were not (as appears in the issue) suited to the opinion of the one party, nor of the other; but were such as occurred to mine own naked consideration of things, with relation to some differences that were then upheld in the place where I lived, only being unacquainted with the Congregational way, I professed my self to own the ⟨p. 34⟩other party, not knowing but that my principles were suited to their judgement and profession; having looked very little further into those affairs, then I was led by an opposition to Episcopacy & Ceremonies. Upon a review of what I had then asserted, I found that my principles were far more suited to what is the judgment and practice of the congregational men, then those of the Presbyterian. Only whereas I had not received any farther clear information in these ways of the worship of God, which since I have been engaged in, as was said, I professed my self of the Presbyterian judgment, in opposition to Democratical confusion; and indeed so I do still; and so do all the congregational men in England, that I am acquainted withal▪ so that when I compare what then I wrote with my present judgment, I am scarce able to find the least difference between the one and the other; only a misapplication of names and things by me, gives countenance to this charge. Indeed not long after, I set my self seriously to enquire into the controversies ⟨p. 35⟩then warmly agitated in these nations. Of the congregational way I was not acquainted with any one person, minister or other; nor had I to my knowledge seen any more then one in my life. My acquaintance lay wholly with ministers, and people of the Presbyterian way. But sundry books being published on either side, I perused, and compared them with the Scripture, and one another, according as I received ability from God. After a general view of them, as was my manner in other controversies, I fixed on one to take under peculiar consideration, and examination, which seemed most methodically, and strongly to maintain that which was contrary as I thought to my present persuasion. This was Mr. Cotton's book of the keys.
The controversie between Independencie and Presbytery was young also; nor indeed by mee clearly understood, especially as stated on the Congregationall side. The conceptions delivered in the treatise were not (as appeares in the issue) suited to the opinion of the one party, nor of the other; but were such as occurred to mine owne naked consideration of things, with relation to some differences that were then upheld in the place where I lived, only being unacquainted with the Congregationall way, I professed my selfe to owne the