A publick disputation sundry dayes at Killingworth in Warwick-shire, betwixt John Bryan, doctor in divinity (minister at Coventry) and John Onley, pastor of a church at Lawford.: Upon this question, whether the parishes of this nation generally be true churches. Wherin are nine arguments alleged in proof of the affirmative of the question, with the answer of I. O. thereunto, together with Doctor B. Reply. Also an addition of ten arguments more in further proof of the question, with an answer adjoyned in disproof thereof. Published by both their consents, as appears by the ensuing epistles.

The Epistle to the Reader.

SInce the everlasting God, of the infl∣nit riches of his grace, hath been plea∣sed to discover what Babylon is;

The Hearts, Pens, Tongues of ma∣ny have been exercised, in discove∣ring what they conceived Sion to be.

Amongst which Doctor Bryan hath been one who hath indeavoured in se∣veral Lectures to prove, that the Parochial Assemblies are true Churches, her Ministry true Ministers, and that none may publickly Preach, but such as are Ministers in Office; all which being contrary, to truth in my apprehension, I thought my self bound in conscience (especially many giving out, that it we had any thing to say for our selves, why did we not speak) both to vindicate what I apprehended to be truth (that was there cry'd down as error) as also to testifie against that which was false, (that was there Preached up as truth.)

And in the close of the second days disputation, it was de∣sired by the Doctor, that I would state some questions, and appoint a Day onely to dispute, and accordingly I did, and stated two, viz.

1. Whether the Parishes of this Nation generally be true Churches?

2. Whether every Brother (though no Elder) that hath received abilities from God, whereby he is in abled to Preach, may publickly Preach, which was consented to, I being Re∣spondent in the first, and Opponent in the second; which Day being come, Nine Arguments were brought by the Doctor in vindication of the affirmative of the first question, which

when half our time was spent in debate of the two first, I moved for the rest of the time to oppose in the second, which was granted, onely with a motion for the reading of the other seven to the Congregation, to which I consented, onely desi∣ring a Copy of the Arguments undisputed of, to return an answer to be likewise publickly read the next meeting Day, which was granted, according to which I drew up a Reply, and read it to the Congregation (that very same that is here Printed, not once thinking that ever it should appear in Print) immediatly after the reading of which, a Gentle∣man then present desired it might be Printed, and desired me to motion it to the Doctor, which I did; to which he re∣plyed, if he might reply he was willing, but he had twelve Arguments more in proof of the question, to which I replyed, I was contented, he should reply to my answer to the Nine first without my Rejoynder, provided, I might answer to the Twelve last without his Reply, onely till they were Printed, and then each should be at liberty to write what he pleased; which was consented to, which when I had finished my Answer to the Ten last, and the Doctor his Reply to my answer to the Nine first, we joyned them together, to be Printed in one volumn, so that this work is published by both our consents; and this is the oc∣casion of this Treatise, thus unwontedly comming forth, which I thought necessary to inform thee of.

Now that the Parishes of this Nation are false Churches, and that they never had a Gospel Constitution, that her Mi∣nistry is a false Ministry, and that they are not that Moun∣tain that shall be established on the top of all Mountains, to which the desire of all Nations shall come, I beg not thy con∣sent to concur with my judgement therein; but whether the Nineteen Arguments be sufficient to prove it, or the An∣swers thereto to overthrow it, I humbly refer to the judicious to Judge.

JOHN ONLEY.