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.

Mr. IOHN ONELY,

THe end of our Monthly meeting at Killingworth (begun in December last) was well known to be the set∣ting up, and setling of a Gospel or∣der in our Parochial Congregations; and because I well knew, that some in our County were not satisfied in Con∣science concerning the truth of our Churches and Ministry, my resolution was (being put upon it by my reverend Brethren) to endeavour in the first place a vindication of both: I did therefore publick∣ly desire all that had any thing to except against what I should deliver, to send to me their exceptions in writing, which with my answer to them should (if they pleased) be read before the people at the next meeting, professing withall, my readiness to receive back any Gold, that should be found counterfeit or light, by the touch-stone and bal∣lance of Scripture.

Accordingly a Godly Brother of the Congregational way (Lieutenant Fox by name) sent in sundry objections to my third discourse (upon that text in Col. 2. 5. joyning and beholding your Order) and some Letters passed be∣tween us, whereof he desired not any publication, though for parts, and piety, he is judg'd no whit inferiour to you, who the next Day openly declared your dissent, and de∣clared your self desirous to dispute with me publickly upon these two questions. 1. Whether the Parish Assem∣blies

of England generally be true visible Churches? (which you denyed, 2. Whether every Brother) though no Elder, that hath received abilities from God, whereby he is enabled to Preach, may publickly Preach? (which you affirmed) appointing me to be Opponent in the first, and Respondent in the second, the next Monthly Day.

I need not tell you how many disswasions I had from entring the Lists with an illiterate Adversary, (such you were taken for by many) among others this, that I should in so doing disparage my self, nor was there any probabi∣lity of good to come of it; but those words of Job came into my mind, Chap. 31. 13. 14. If I did despise the cause of my man servant, or of my maid servant, when they conten∣ded with me: What then shall I do, when God riseth up? and when he visiteth, what shall I answer him? whence I ga∣thered, how displeasing it might be to God, should I dis∣pise a dissenting Brother, protesting that the end of his contention, was to receive satisfaction to his conscience, which doubted of the doctrine I had dispensed; besides, I knew God oft reveals his mind to Babes in humane lear∣ning, which he hides from the greatest Clerks Matth. 11. 25. 26. 1 Cor. 1. 20. moreover, the ablest Preachers know but in part, and prophecy in part, 1 Cor 13. 9. and there∣fore may erre, and Aquila and Priscilla may expound to Apollos the way of God more perfectly, Acts 18. 26. a little Child may shew an erring Man his way; finally the Apostle Peter commands us all, to be ready alwaies to give an answer to every Man, that asketh us a reason of the hope that is in us, with meekness and fear, if Gods ho∣nour, and the good of those who ask, require it; both which I apprehended were concerned in my yielding to your motion, and therefore embraced it, le••ving the is∣sue to God; and for the same reason have I yielded to

your secod motion made in the close of the third or fourth days disputation, viz. that your Arguments and Answers, and Replies, and Rejoynders upon the first question, might be put in Print; and to your Proviso, that at present I should make no Reply unto your answer to the Ten last Argu∣ments, as you would no Rejoynder to my Reply upon your Answers to the Nine first; and if you have a mind, you may rejoin (your engagement to the contrary I free you from, yea and give you liberty (which you have already taken all along without check) to oppose what you please, and to take in also the help of Master Morley, and those other seven who assisted you in disputation, that the utmost you and they can object further against our Parish Chur∣ches may come under our view onely; (for your Readers sake) I could wish you would forbear instead of arguing, to make any more excursions by tedious impertinent De∣clamations against our Ministers and Members, wherein all your Answers for the most part spend themselves; which yet the Men of your own way will admire seri∣ously, but all others of any competent understanding iro∣nically; using Jobs words to Bildad, Chap. 26. 3. How hast thou plentifully declared the thing as it is? suffer me to speak my thoughts and hopes; when all is that can be said by their self or any other to overthrow the Parochial As∣semblies of this Nation, they will stand like Mount Sion; which though it may be moved in its place, cannot be re∣moved out of its place; and the Presbyterian Govern∣ment which we are endeavouring to settle in our Congre∣gations, will prove like the Palm tree, quae non cedit pon∣deri, sed surgit adversum pondus. Nor do I doub, but when Christ our King hath turned his hand upon us, and pure∣ly purg'd away our dross, and taken away all our tin, he will set up his throne, and keep a standing Majesty in the

midst of these golden Candle-sticks; then they that are our enemies shall see, and shame shall cover them which said unto us, where is the Lord your God? mean time we will bear the indignation of the Lord, because we have sinned against him, untill he plead our cause, and execute judge∣ment for us: yea though he suffer you to kill us, after three days and a half we shall revive and stand upon our feet: and many out of all languages (separate Societies) shall re∣linquish their dividing principles and practices, and take hold of the skirt of a Gospel Presbyterian, saying, we will go with you, for we have heard that God is with you; this is the hope, and shall be the Prayer of

Your loving friend and servant in the Lord, JOHN BRYAN.