.
Order of Contents
Contra Independency
. Articles 30+
. Books 35+
. Quote 1
. Latin 1
Theological Points
. Presumptive Regeneration
. Ordination
. Lay-Preaching & Administering the Sacraments
. Excommunication
. Good & Necessary Consequence
Works of Separatists 8+
Works of Independents
. 1600’s 55+
. 1700’s 2
. 1800’s 18+
. 1900’s 4+
History of Independency 17+
Biographies 2
Confessions & Books of Discipline 8+
Bibliographies 3
.
Articles & Short Books
1600’s
Bernard, Richard – 32 Questions (1639) in Richard Mather, Church-Government & Church-Covenant Discussed, in an Answer of the Elders of the Several Churches in New-England to Two & Thirty Questions Sent Over to Them by Diverse Ministers in England, to Declare their Judgments Therein… (London, 1643), pp. 1-6
In this volume is given Bernard’s 32 Questions, then answers to them by the New England congregationalists, and then a larger treatise by Richard Mather discussing the subjects more largely. It does not appear that Bernard ever published a reply to the congregationalists’ answers (at least that is on the internet).
“Meanwhile [near the same time as the letter from the Old England ministers was received, see below], New England churches received another similar inquiry from Richard Bernard of Batcombe, who proposed ‘Thirty-Two Questions.’
In reply, Richard Mather provided an answer under the title Church Government and Church Covenant Discussed (1643). Compared with the “Nine Propositions,” [of the Old England ministers] Bernard’s “Thirty-Two Questions” are more sophisticated, which are designed to find both the theological and the biblical foundation of the Congregational practices.” – Sang Ahn, Covenant in Conflict, p. 57
Ball, John – Ch. 12, ‘The Community of the Faithful, much less Two or Three Separated from the World & Gathered Together into the Name of Christ by a Covenant, are not the Proper & Immediate Subject of Power Ecclesiastical’ in A Friendly Trial of the Grounds Tending to Separation... (1640), pp. 231-82
Ball (1585–1640) was an English divine, known for his treatise on the Covenant of Grace. He also wrote heavily against Separatism and Independency. This larger work of Ball’s was answered by Thomas Shepard (below).
Richard Baxter said: ‘Till Mr. Ball wrote for the Liturgy and against [John] Canne and [John] Allen, etc., and Mr. Burton published his “Protestation Protested,” I never thought what presbytery or independency were, nor ever spake with a man that seemed to know it. And that was in 1641, when the war was brewing’.
Edwards, Thomas – Reasons Against the Independent Government of Particular Congregations, as also Against the Toleration of such Churches to be Erected in this Kingdom, Together with an Answer to such Reasons as are Commonly Alleged for such a Toleration EEBO (1641) 57 pp.
Gillespie, George – An Assertion of the Government of the Church of Scotland (Edinburgh: Bryson, 1641)
** Pt. 2, Concerning the Assemblies of the Church of Scotland, & the Authority Thereof, pp. 108-212
A Postscript in Answer to a Treatise very Lately Published which is entitled, ‘The Presbyerial Government Examined’, separately paginated, pp. 1-40
This postscript is in direct response to a congregationalist. Part 2 above is largely a response to congregationalist claims as well.
Herle, Charles – The Independency on Scriptures of the Independency of Churches: wherein the Question of Independency of Church-Government is Temperately, First, Stated; Secondly, Argued: Thirdly, Cleared from the Objections: & Fourthly, Appealed in, to the Judgments of such as Stand for it Ref (1643) 44 pp.
Sang Ahn, Covenant in Conflict, pp. 60-61
“It seems to be obvious that the pamphlet war between the Presbyterians in England and New England Congregationalists reached the new levels of intensity in the mid-1640s, particularly, during the period of the Assembly. In 1643, the collections of the early debates between the Old English Presbyterians and the New England were published in London.
In the same year, Charles Herle, a Presbyterian who became a prolocutor of the Assembly in 1646, sparked a new round of controversy. Rutherford, in the following year, joined in Herle’s crusade against Congregationalism with his famous work, The Due Right of Prebyteries (1644). In reply to Herle, [Richard] Mather and William Tompson published, ‘A Modest & Brotherly Answer To Mr. Charles Herle’ (1644). Also, refuting both Herle and Rutherford, Mather wrote another work, ‘A Reply to Mr. Rutherford’ (1647).”
Steuart, Adam
Some Observations & Annotations upon the Apologetical Narration [of the Westminster Independents]… (London, 1643) 71 pp. ToC
This was the first response to the publicly published Apologetical Narration of the 5 Independents at the Westminster Assembly.
Further answers of Steuart to replies to these pieces are below under books.
An Answer to a Libel entitled, ‘A Cool Conference between the Cleared Reformation & the Apologetical Narration’… wherein are clearly refuted whatever he brings against the Reformation cleared… (London, 1644) 62 pp.
Rathband, William – A Brief Narration of Some Church Courses Held in Opinion & Practice in the Churches Lately Erected in New England: Collected out of Sundry of their Own Printed Papers… Together with some… of their Correspondence with the like Tenets & Practices of the Separatists’ Churches… (London, 1644) 55 pp. no ToC
Table of Contents
Preface to the Reader
1. Concerning a Platform of Church Government & Discipline in General 1
2. Of the True Visible Church of Christ in General, & the Bounds Thereof 3
3. Of the Matter of a True Visible Church, What is Required Thereunto, & How the Same May be Known 5
4. Of the Form of the True Visible Church 12
5. Of the Manner of Their First Erecting of a Visible Church 20
6. Of Church Power, or the Power of the Keys, the First Subject in Whom it Resides, & of the Exercise of it in General 23
7. Of Church Membership & Admission of More Members into the Church Thus Constituted & Erected 29
8. Of their Dismissing of Members from One Church to Another, Ortherwise 31
9. Of Church-Communion in General, wherein it Consists, to whom it does Belong, of Corruption in it, & Separation from it 33
10. Of the Communion of Churches one with Another, & of Separation from Corrupt Churches 37
11. Of Excommunication & Re-Acception into Church-Fellowship Again upon Repentance 39
12. Of Church Officers, their Office, Manner of Calling, their Power, Maintenance & the Dis-Officing or Deposing of Them Again 39
13. Of those whom They Call Prophets, & of Prophesying, or Private Men’s Preaching 46
14. Of the Independency of One Church upon Another, & the Combination of Several Churches Together, in Classes, Synods, etc. 47
15. Of the Civil Magistrate 49
Postscript 50
Forbes, Alexander – An Anatomy of Independency, or, a Brief Commentary & Moderate Discourse upon the Apologetical Narration of Mr. Thomas Goodwin & Mr Philip Nye, etc. by Argument Laying Naked the Dangers of their Positions & from Experience, Discovering their Spirits & Ways (London, 1644) 52 pp.
This was replied to by Sidrach Simpson below, one of the Dissenting Brethren.
D.P.P. – An Antidote Against the Contagious Air of Independency, Showing: I. Six Sufficient Grounds why They Ought to Revoke their Schismatical Principles. II. Six Parallels betwixt theirs & the Jesuitical Practices (London, 1644) 24 pp. on 1 Cor. 1:12-13
Prynne, William
Prynne was an Erastian and semi-Presbyterian. John Goodwin was a latitudinarian Arminian.
‘The Judgment of the Church of France concerning Episcopacy & Independency, Extracted out of Letters written to Master Buchanan by Some French Ministers’ in Adam Steuart, Zerubbabel to Sanballat & Tobiah: or the First Part of the Duply to M.S. alias Two Brethren… (London, 1645), pp. 25-35
* Hudson, Samuel – The Essence & Unity of the Church catholic Visible: and the Priority thereof in Regard of Particular Churches Discussed (London, 1645) 52 pp. no ToC
Hudson’s vindications of this piece to replies made to it are below under books.
Westminster Assembly – The Answer of the Assembly of Divines by Authority of Parliament Now Sitting at Westminster Unto the Reasons Given in to this Assembly by the Dissenting Brethren of their Not Bringing in a Model of Their Way Buy (1645) 24 pp.
John Goodwin was a latitudinarian Arminian.
Vicars, John
The Picture of Independency Lively (Yet Lovingly) Delineated (1645) 16 pp.
This was responded to by Nedham below.
Bernard, John – The Independent’s Catechism, or Some Observations Gathered out of Doctor Bastwick, his Religious & Learned Treatise entitled, ‘Independency Not God’s Ordinance’, for the Use of All Poor Ignorant, Wavering & Seduced Independents (1645) 29 pp.
Bastwick’s large book against Independency is below, of which this short work is intended to be a summary selection from.
Derham, Robert – A Brief Discourse Proving Independency in Church-Government Destructive to the Positive Laws of this Kingdom & Inconsistent Therewith (1646) 11 pp.
Cook, John – What the Independents Would Have, or a Character, Declaring Some of their Tenets & their Desires to Disabuse those who Speak Ill of that they Know Not (1647) 16 pp. Westminster divine
The Last Will & Testament of Sir James Independent, Who lies now dangerously sick of a disease, called by some the resolution of the Parliament and city to oppose their mutinous army; by others, the impossibility of Independency. With his confession, admonition & legacies left to his dear children in and about the City of London, with his death, burial & epitaph ToC (1647) 6 pp.
Daniel Cawdrey – The Inconsistency of the Independent Way with Scripture & Itself, Manifested in a Threefold Discourse: 1. Vindiciae Vindiciarum, with Mr. [John] Cotton. 2. A Review of Mr. [Thomas] Hooker’s ‘Survey of Church-Discipline’, the First Part. 3. A Diatribe with the Same Mr. Hooker concerning Baptism of Infants of Non-Confederate Parents, ch. 2 of his Third Part Buy (1651) 20 pp. This volume appears to be incomplete.
Sang Ahn, Covenant in Conflict, pp. 62-3:
“While both [Richard] Mather and [John] Cotton made a formal document of the Cambridge Platform, Thomas Hooker was asked to write a more detailed, thoroughly researched and comprehensive treatise in defense of the Congregational Way.
In July 1, 1645, a year before the Cambridge Synod was convened, there was a meeting of “the elders of the churches through all the United Colonies” in Cambridge, where they agreed to send Hooker’s original manuscript of Survey along with other books including John Davenport’s answer to Paget, ‘The Power of Congregational Churches’.
When their works were lost in the sea, both Hooker and Davenport rewrote them, which were sent over to London and published in 1648 and 1651 respectively. Samuel Stone considers Hooker’s Survey as the most complete defense of the Congregational Way which is free from errors: “I can affirm I know no man more free from errors in his judgement, than was he [Hooker].” Accordingly, Stone audaciously declares,
“If any to this Platform [Hooker’s Survey] can reply with better reason, let this volume die: But better argument if none can give, than Thomas Hooker’s Policy shall live.”
Such a bold statement, however, would elicit a severe criticism from [Daniel] Cawdrey and [Samuel] Rutherford. In 1651, Cawdrey published a treatise, ‘The Inconsistency of the Independent Way with the Scriptures and Itself’, where he attacked Cotton’s ‘The Way of Congregational Churches Cleared’ (1648) and the part I and chapter II of the third part of Hooker’s Survey. Unlike Cawdrey, who deals with only some parts of Hooker’s Survey, Rutherford, in his ‘Survey of the Survey’ (1658) attempted a point by point refutation of Hooker’s doctrine of the church as revealed in the all four parts of his Survey…”
** Fergusson, James – ‘The Doctrine of Independency Tried & Found Not to be of God’ (1652) 68 pp being Section 4 of A Brief Refutation of the Errors of Toleration, Erastianism, Independency & Separation, Delivered in Sermons on 1 Jn. 4:1, pp. 123-190
Fergusson was a Scottish covenanter and Resolutioner.
** London Ministers – Pt. 2, ch. 10, ‘That the Community of the Faithful, or the Body of the People, are Not the Immediate Receptacle or Subject of the Power of Church Government’ in The Divine Right of Church Government (1646/1654)
.
1800’s
Cunningham, William – ‘Congregationalism, or Independency’ (1863) 11 pp. in Historical Theology, vol. 2, p. 545 ff.
Bannerman, James – The Church of Christ (1869)
vol. 1, pt. 3, div. 2, subdiv. 3, ch. 3, ‘The Independent Theory of the Ministry’, pp. 452-466
** vol. 2, pt. 4, ch. 5, ‘The Independent System of Church Polity as Opposed to the Presbyterian’, pp. 296-332
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Books
1600’s
Ashe, Simeon, John Ball, etc. – A Letter of Many Ministers in Old England Requesting the Judgement of their Reverend Brethren in New England concerning Nine Positions written… 1637: together with their Answer thereunto Returned, anno 1639: & the Reply made unto the said Answer & Sent Over unto Them, anno 1640 (1637; London, 1643) 90 pp.
First in this volume is the Letter of many ministers of old England (1637, 2 pp.) to the ministers who had gone over to New England and had become congregationalist. Then follows the brief reply of the congregationalists, deferring to give their answers in a fuller exposition. The follows a brief reply (4 pp.) by the old England ministers.
The bulk of the volume then follows, collating the interchanges of the parties. The 8 positions (the 9th for some reason is not included) are those that the old, orthodox, England ministers attributed to the congregationalists. The answers and considerations are those of the congregationalists clarifying and expounding their distinctive views. The replies are those of John Ball on behalf of the old England puritans.
The replies of John Ball are the same as the volume below under his name, A Trial of the New Church Way… That volume, though, does not have the previous letters in it that this one does.
Ball, John – A Trial of the New-Church Way in New-England & in Old… Sent Over to the New England Ministers, 1637, as a Reply to an Answer of Theirs in Justification of the Said Positions… IA (1640 & 1643 / 1644) 90 pp.
Sang Ahn, Covenant in Conflict, pp. 54-57:
“It is obvious that the Puritans, who obtained the charter of the Massachusetts Bay Company from Charles I and came to New England in 1630, were not Separatists. They, though being non-conformists, considered themselves as loyal members of the Church of England. Secession or separation from the national church, for them, was a sin of schism. Nevertheless, in less than seven years, Puritans in the mother country began to hear that their brethren in New England actually followed the ways of the Separatists.
Accordingly, in 1637, a formal and written communication was made, in which Puritans in England put forward “Nine Propositions,” to which their “Reverend and beloved Brethren” in the New World replied in 1639. This early debate was compiled by Simeon Ash and William Rathband and, four years later, published with John Ball’s ‘Reply’, under the title ‘A Letter of Many Ministers in Old England’…
The main purpose of these propositions was to find whether or not the New England brethren actually adopted the methods of the Separatists which they once denounced before they left England…
Many ministers in Old England… were surprised at the rumor about their brethren’s sudden turn to Separatism. Particularly, they were frightened when they received a report that the above nine propositions were practiced by New Englander ‘as the only Church way, wherein the Lord is to be worshipped.’
Of course, this report seemed to be exaggerated. Thus, John Cotton, representing “the Elders of the Churches in New England,” provided an answer to this letter in which he assured them that New England Congregational churches had nothing to do with “the ways of rigid separation.”…
Cotton’s above answer was sent to England in 1639 and Ball’s comments and reply were finished by 1640. For some reason, however, their works were not published until 1643.”
Paget, John – A Defence of Church-Government Exercised in Presbyterial, Classical & Synodal Assemblies, according to the Practice of the Reformed Churches: touching, 1. the Power of a Particular Eldership Against those that Plead for a Mere Popular Government, Specially Mr. Ainsworth in his ‘Animadversion to Mr Clyfton…’ 2. the Authority of Classes & Synods, Against the Patrons of Independency, Answering in this Point Mr. [John] Davenport, his ‘Apologetical Reply…’ & Mr. Canne, his ‘Churches’ Plea’ (1641) 290 pp. ToC
Paget (d. 1638) was the pastor of the Reformed English Church in Amsterdam. This work was responded to by John Davenport (below).
Edwards, Thomas
Antapologia, or a Full Answer to the Apologetical Narration of Mr. Goodwin, Mr. Nye, Mr. Sympson, Mr. Burroughs, Mr. Bridge… Wherein is handled Many of the Controversies of these Times… (London, 1644) 307 pp.
The Casting Down of the Last & Strongest Hold of Satan. Or a Treatise Against Toleration & Pretended Liberty of Conscience: wherein by Scripture, Sound Reason, Fathers, Schoolmen, Casuists, Protestant Divines of All Nations… yea, by Diverse Principles, Testimonies & Proceedings of Sectaries Themselves, as Donatists, Anabaptists, Brownists, Independents… (London, 1647) 218 pp. ToC
** The First & Second Part of Gangræna, or a Catalogue & Discovery of Many of the Errors, Heresies, Blasphemies & Pernicious Practices of the Sectaries of this Time, Vented & Acted in England in these Four Last Years… (London, 1646) ToC 1, 2 Catalogue 1, 2 Corollaries
This was responded to by Burroughs and Nedham below.
The Third Part of Gangræna. Or a New & Higher Discovery of the Errors, Heresies, Blasphemies & Insolent Proceedings of the Sectaries of These Times… (London, 1646) ToC Catalogue 1, 2 Corollaries 1, 2
Rutherford, Samuel
** A Peaceable and Temperate Plea for Paul’s Presbytery in Scotland… the grounds of Separation and the Independency of Particular Congregations… are Examined and Tried EEBO (1642) 350 pp. ToC
This was responded to by John Cotton in his ‘Of the Holiness of Church Members’ (1650) below.
The Due Right of Presbyteries, or a Peaceable Plea for the Government of the Church of Scotland… (London, 1644) ToC
Sang Ahn, Covenant in Conflict, pp. 61:
“Rutherford, in the following year, joined in [Charles] Herle’s crusade against Congregationalism with his famous work, ‘The Due Right of Prebyteries’ (1644). In reply to Herle, [Richard] Mather and William Tompson published, ‘A Modest & Brotherly Answer To Mr. Charles Herle’ (1644). Also, refuting both Herle and Rutherford, Mather wrote another work, ‘A Reply to Mr. Rutherford’ (1647).
It should be remembered that Rutherford’s The Due Right of Prebyteries (1644) itself was his critical review of both Mather’s ‘Church Government and Church Covenant Discussed’ (1643) and [John] Cotton’s ‘The Way Of The Churches Of Christ In New-England’, whose manuscript was widely circulated in England even a few years before its publication in 1645.
By 1644, Rutherford was already involved in another round of debate, which was set off by John Cotton. Particularly, Cotton’s ‘The Keys Of The Kingdom Of Heaven’ (1644) was so influential in England that John Owen, a Presbyterian, became convinced that Cotton was right and, finally, supported the Congregational form of church government.¹
¹ See John Owen’s Preface in A Defence of Mr. John Cotton from the Imputation of Self-Contradiction Charged on Him by Mr. Daniel Cawdrey (Oxford: H. Hall for T. Robinson, 1658)…”
A Survey of the Survey of that Sum of Church-Discipline Penned by Mr. Thomas Hooker… wherein the Way of the Churches of New England is Now Re-Examined (London, 1658) ToC
Sang Ahn, Covenant in Conflict, pp. 62-3
“While both [Richard] Mather and [John] Cotton made a formal document of the Cambridge Platform, Thomas Hooker was asked to write a more detailed, thoroughly researched and comprehensive treatise in defense of the Congregational Way.
In July 1, 1645, a year before the Cambridge Synod was convened, there was a meeting of “the elders of the churches through all the United Colonies” in Cambridge, where they agreed to send Hooker’s original manuscript of Survey along with other books including John Davenport’s answer to Paget, ‘The Power of Congregational Churches’.
When their works were lost in the sea, both Hooker and Davenport rewrote them, which were sent over to London and published in 1648 and 1651 respectively. Samuel Stone considers Hooker’s Survey as the most complete defense of the Congregational Way which is free from errors: “I can affirm I know no man more free from errors in his judgement, than was he [Hooker].” Accordingly, Stone audaciously declares,
“If any to this Platform [Hooker’s Survey] can reply with better reason, let this volume die: But better argument if none can give, than Thomas Hooker’s Policy shall live.”
Such a bold statement, however, would elicit a severe criticism from [Daniel] Cawdrey and [Samuel] Rutherford. In 1651, Cawdrey published a treatise, ‘The Inconsistency of the Independent Way with the Scriptures and Itself’, where he attacked Cotton’s ‘The Way of Congregational Churches Cleared’ (1648) and the part I and chapter II of the third part of Hooker’s Survey. Unlike Cawdrey, who deals with only some parts of Hooker’s Survey, Rutherford, in his ‘Survey of the Survey’ (1658) attempted a point by point refutation of Hooker’s doctrine of the church as revealed in the all four parts of his Survey…
It seems to be true that by the time Rutherford’s ‘A Survey of the Survey’ was published in 1658, the climax of the Congregational-Presbyterian debate of the 1640’s was over. Only some echoes of the debates of the previous decade lingered into the 1650’s through the works of Cawdrey, Rutherford, and Samuel Hudson on the one hand, and [Samuel] Stone, [John] Owen, John Allen and Thomas Shepard on the other.”
Steuart, Adam
Zerubbabel to Sanballat & Tobiah: or the First Part of the Duply to M.S. alias Two Brethren… Whereunto is Added the Judgment of the Reformed Churches of France, Switzerland, Geneva, etc. concerning Independents, who Condemn them with an Unanimous Consent (London, 1645) 312 pp. ToC
The Second Part of the Duply to M.S., alias Two Brethren: Wherein are Maintained the King’s, Parliaments’ & All Civil Magistrates’ Authority about the Church, Subordination of Ecclesiastical Judicatories, Refuted the Independency of Particular Congregations, Licentiousness of Wicked Conscience & Toleration of All Sorts of Most Detestable Schisms, Heresies & Religions, as Idolatry, Paganism, Turkism, Judaism, Arianism, Brownism, Anabaptism, etc. which M.S. Maintain in their Book, with a Brief Epitome & Refutation of All the Whole Independent-Government… (1644) 180 pp. ToC
This was replied to by John Goodwin below.
Westminster Assembly
** The Westminster Assembly’s Grand Debate Buy (1645) 422 pp. ed. Chris Coldwell
The Reasons Presented by the Dissenting Brethren Against Certain Propositions Concerning Presbyterial Government, & the Proofs of Them Voted by the Assembly of Divines, Sitting by Authority of Parliament at Westminster, Together with the Answer of the Assembly of Divines to those Reasons of Dissent Buy (1648) 400 pp.
** Apollonius, Willem – A Consideration of Certain Controversies at this Time Agitated in the Kingdom of England, Concerning the Government of the Church of God (1645) 145 pp. ToC
This significant work responds to the Dissenting Brethren’s Apologetical Narration. This work of Apollonius was responded to by John Norton below.
Cawdrey, Daniel
Vindiciæ Clavium: or, A Vindication of the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, into the Hands of the Right Owners. Being some Animadversions upon a Tract of Mr. John Cotton’s Called, ‘The Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven’. As also upon Another Tract of his Called, ‘The Way of the Churches of New England’. Manifesting: 1. The Weakness of his Proofs. 2. The Contradictions to Himself & Others. 3. The Middle-Way (so called) of Independents, to be the Extreme, or Byway of the Brownists Pre Buy (1645) 90 pp.
Sang Ahn, Covenant in Conflict, p. 61
“…Cotton’s ‘The Way Of The Churches Of Christ In New-England’, whose manuscript was widely circulated in England even a few years before its publication in 1645…. Particularly, Cotton’s ‘The Keys Of The Kingdom Of Heaven’ (1644) was so influential in England that John Owen, a Presbyterian, became convinced that Cotton was right and, finally, supported the Congregational form of church government.
Meanwhile, refuting Cotton’s works, both Robert Baillie and Daniel Cawdrey wrote ‘A Dissuasive from the Errors of the Time’ (1645) and ‘Vindicae Clavium, or a Vindication of the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, into the Hands of the Right Owners’ (1645) respectively. Three years later, Cotton’s reply to Baillie and Cawdrey was published under the title, ‘The Way of Congregational Churches Cleared’ (1648).”
Independency, a Great Schism, Proved Against Dr. Owen his Apology in his Tract of Schism as also an Appendix to the Former Discourse, showing the Inconstancy of the Dr. & the Inconsistency of his Former & Present Opinions Buy (London, 1657) 248 pp. No ToC
Independency Further Proved to be a Schism, or, A Survey of Dr. Owen’s Review of his Tract of Schism with a Vindication of the Author from his Unjust Clamors & False Aspersions (London, 1658) 158 pp.
** Baillie, Robert & Daniel Cawdrey – A Dissuasive from the Errors of the Time, wherein the Tenets of the Principal Sects, Especially of the Independents, are Drawn Together in One Map (1645) 270 pp.
Sang Ahn, Covenant in Conflict, p. 61
“…Cotton’s ‘The Way Of The Churches Of Christ In New-England’, whose manuscript was widely circulated in England even a few years before its publication in 1645. By 1644, Rutherford was already involved in another round of debate, which was set off by John Cotton.
Particularly, Cotton’s ‘The Keys Of The Kingdom Of Heaven’ (1644) was so influential in England that John Owen, a Presbyterian, became convinced that Cotton was right and, finally, supported the Congregational form of church government.
Meanwhile, refuting Cotton’s works, both Robert Baillie and Daniel Cawdrey wrote ‘A Dissuasive from the Errors of the Time’ (1645) and ‘Vindicae Clavium, or a Vindication of the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, into the Hands of the Right Owners’ (1645) respectively. Three years later, Cotton’s reply to Baillie and Cawdrey was published under the title, ‘The Way of Congregational Churches Cleared’ (1648).”
Bastwick, John – The Utter Routing of the Whole Army of All the Independents & Sectaries, with the total overthrow of their Hierarchy, that New Babel, more Groundless than that of the Prelates, or, Independency Not God’s Ordinance, in which all the frontires of the Presbytery… are defended against the Three Commanders of the Sectaries, Hanserd Knollys, J.S. and Henry Burton… and the Field of Truth still kept, that the Presbyterial Government Dependent is God’s Ordinance and not the Presbyterian Government Independent, unto which is annexed an Appendix in way of Answer to Henry Burton… and the Postscript Vindicated Oxf (1645/6) 800 pp. The Appendix, which may also have been called the ‘Postscript’, see here. Here is another reference to the Postscript.
Burton was an Independent puritan; his works are below. Knollys (c.1599-1691) was a baptist. This work of Bastwick was responded to by John Sadler below.
Baillie, Robert – Anabaptism, the True Fountain of Independency, Brownism, Antinomianism, Familism & the Most of the Other Errors (which for the Time do Trouble the Church of England) Unsealed (1647) 179 pp. ToC
Walker, Clement
The History of Independency [Part 1], with the Rise, Growth & Practices of that Powerful & Restless Faction (1648) 72 pp.
Relations & Observations Historical & Politic upon the Parliament, begun 1640, divided into 2 Books: 1. The Mystery of the Two Juntoes [political groups], Presbyterian & Independent, 2. The History of Independency, etc. together with an Appendix Touching the Proceedings of the Independent Faction in Scotland (1648) 545 pp. Includes Part 3, The High Court of Justice… as well.
The last parts of this History of Independency (below) were written in 1660 & 1661.
Hudson, Samuel
* A Vindication of the Essence & Unity of the Church-Catholic Visible, & the Priority Thereof in Regard of Particular Churches, in Answer to the Objections made Against it Mr. John Ellis, Junior & Mr. [Thomas] Hooker in his Survey of Church Discipline (London, 1650) 265 pp. ToC Dedicated to the Westminster Assembly
This was responded to by Samuel Stone (below).
An Addition or Postscript to The Vindication… in Answer to the Objections made Against it both by Mr. [Samuel] Stone & Some Others (London, 1658) 52 pp. no ToC
Firmin (1614–1697) was initially ordained as a deacon in New England at the first congregationalist church, of John Cotton. He was also a physician. In returning to England he became ordained as a minister by Stephen Marshall and others after being appointed to an Anglican vicarage. Firmin was a royalist and for the parochial system. He (possibly after 1654?) was persuaded of Richard Baxter’s synthesis of low-episcopacy and congregationalism. He was ejected in 1662.
** Wood, James – A Little Stone Pretended to be Out of the Mountain [Dan. 2:35], Tried (1654) 412 pp. ToC
Wood (c.1609-1664) was a Scottish covenanter, Resolutioner and an esteemed, professorial colleague of Rutherford. Wood, according to the later Free Church of Scotland professor, James Walker, was ‘among our ablest men’ and wrote ‘perhaps the best Scottish discussion of Church authority’ in his treatise against Independency. This work was written against the English Independent Nicholas Lockyer (1611-1685).
“…A work by Professor Wood of St. Andrews in answer to Lockyer, who was the first to introduce the Independent theory into Scotland…: – James Bannerman, Church of Christ 2.450
Walker, Clement
For the first 3 Parts of this History of Independency, see above under Walker.
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1700’s
Willison, John – A Defence of National Churches: & Particularly of the National Constitution of the Church of Scotland & the Conduct of our Reforming Ancestors Against the Cavils of Independents. With a Confutation of Independency & Several New Opinions vented in some late Pamphlets, entitled, ‘A narrative of the rise and progress, etc.’, ‘An explication of a proposition, etc.’, ‘A letter from a lover of Zion, etc.’ Ref (Edinburgh: James M’Euen, 1729)
Willison (1680-1750) was a reformed Church of Scotland minister. For a bit of what this book contains, including arguments against presumptive regeneration, see ed. Forrester & Murray, Studies in the History of Worship in Scotland (1996), pp. 76-7.
‘A narrative of the rise and progress of the controversy about the national covenants’ and ‘A letter from a lover of Zion’ were by John Glas (1695–1773). ‘An explication of that proposition contain’d in Mr. Glass’s answers to the Synod’s queries’ was published anonymously.
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1800’s
** Brown of Gartmore, John – Vindication of the Presbyterian Form of Church Government as Professed in the Standards of the Church of Scotland in reply to Innes, Ewing, Ballentine, Glass, etc. among the modern, and of Goodwin, Lockier, Cotton, etc. among the Ancient Independents (1805) 400 pp.
“This is a very acute, vigorous, and thorough discussion of the points at issue between Presbyterians and Independents.” – James Bannerman, Church of Christ 2.450
A Clergyman – The Presbyter, the Prelate & the People, or Presbytery, Prelacy & Independency as Practically Developed in England (1848) 350 pp.
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Quote
Reformed Churches of France
National Synod at Charenton, 1644
As quoted in Adam Steuart, Zerubbabel to Sanballat & Tobiah: or the First Part of the Duply to M.S. alias Two Brethren… (London, 1645), ‘An Extract of the Acts of the National Synod of the Reformed Churches of France’, p. 9
“Upon what has been reported by the commissioners of the maritime provinces, that diverse coming from foreign countries, and who go under the name of Independents, because they teach that every particular congregation ought to be governed by its own particular laws, without any depending of any in ecclesiastical matters, and without any obligation to acknowledge the authority of colloquies, or classes and synods, for its government and conduct, settling their abode in this kingdom, and hereafter they might cause here amongst us many great inconveniences, if in due time there were not order taken, the Assembly fearing least the contagion of this poison gaining ground insensibly, should throw trouble and disorder amongst us; and judging the said sect of Independents to be not only prejudicial to the Church of God, insofar that it endeavors to bring in confusion, opening a gate to all kind of singularities and extravagancies, and taking away all means of any remedy to the evil, but also most dangerous to the State, where (if it had place) there might as many religions set up, as there be parishes or particular congregations, does enjoin to all the provinces, and particularly to the maritimes, to take heed that the evil take no foot in the churches of this Kingdom, to the end that peace and uniformity as well in religion as in discipline, may be inviolably preserved, and that nothing be brought in amongst us which may alter in any kind the service due unto their Majesties.”
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Latin
Book
Hoornbeeck, Johannes – An Epistle on Independency [to John Duraeus], with a Newly Published Confession of the Independents, or Congregationalists, in England, to which has been Added a Dissertation with Notes on Episcopacy Reduced to the Form of a Governing Synod, by Jacob Usserius… (Utrecht, 1661) 443 & 107 pp. ToC the Dissertation
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.
Theological Points
.
Presumptive Regeneration
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Ordination
Gillespie, George
A Treatise of Miscellany Questions n.d.
ch. 2, ‘Of the Election of Pastors with the Congregation’s Consent’ 10 pp. pp. 4-14
ch. 3, ‘Whether Ordination be Essential to the Calling of a Minister?’ 9 pp. pp. 14-23
ch. 4, ‘Objections Against the Necessity of Ordination Answered’ 4 pp. pp. 23-27
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Lay-Preaching & Administering the Sacraments
Gillespie, George, A Treatise of Miscellany Questions n.d.
Lay-Preaching
Gillespie argues against the Independents who claimed that their practice of unordained lay-preaching was warranted from the ‘prophets’ and ‘prophesying’ of the New Testament, which they took to include gifted, non-ordained lay-persons.
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Lay-Administration of the Sacraments
ch. 6, ‘Whether any other but a Minister, Lawfully Called & Ordained, may Administer the Sacraments, Baptism & the Lord’s Supper?’ n.d. 3 pp. in A Treatise of Miscellany Questions, pp. 36-38
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Excommunication
Independent Churches do not have the Right of Greater Excommunication
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Good & Necessary Consequence
Gillespie, George – ch. 20, ‘That Necessary Consequences form the Written Word of God do Sufficiently and Strongly Prove the Consequent or Conclusion; if theoretical, to be a certain Divine truth which ought to be believed; and, if practical, to be a necessary duty which we are obliged unto jure divino?’ in A Treatise of Miscellany Questions
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Works of Separatists
1500’s
Browne, Robert
** A Treatise of Reformation without Tarrying for Any (1582) 15 pp. Includes a list of Browne’s works at the front
Browne was the leader and figurehead of the Brownists. He was a separatist (contrary to the teachings of the English, puritan leader Thomas Cartwright). While his extreme separatism was not necessarily completely reflective of later congregationalism, yet his independency was foundational to the historical development of Independency and Congregationalism. This was his main, foundational work.
A ‘New Years Gift’, a Letter to his Uncle 21 pp. ToC Regards numerous ecclesiological and separatist points
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1600’s
Ainsworth, Henry
This was responded to by John Paget above.
Robinson, John
A Justification of Separation from the Church of England, Against Mr. Richard Bernard, his Invective Entitled ‘The Separatist’s Schism’ being vol. 2 of his Works
Bernard’s ‘The Separatist’s Schism’ does not appear to be online.
A Just & Necessary Apology of Certain Christians… Commonly Called Brownists or Barrowists in Works, vol. 3
Two Letters on Christian Fellowship, one by William Ames, the other by John Robinson (1611) in Works, vol. 3
“Dr. Ames in his letters strenuously contends against Mr. Robinson’s supposed uncharitableness in not holding ‘private communion’ with ‘members of the true visible church’ who belonged to the ‘Assemblies’, or the English Church…” – Notice, p. 84
Of Religious Communion, Public & Private in Works, vol. 3
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Works of Independents & Congregationalists
1600’s
** – Signifies some of the more important works
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Hooker, Thomas – John Paget’s XX Questions (Propositions) & Thomas Hooker’s Answer 1633
Cotton, John – ‘Questions and Answers upon Church Government’ 1634 being part 4 of Treatise I. Of Faith. II. Twelve Fundamental Articles of Christian Religion. III. A Doctrinal Conclusion. IV. Questions and Answers upon Church-Government, pp. 18-26
See the Answers of the New England Congregationalists in the work of John Ball above.
Ames, William – Ch. 37, ‘Of Ecclesiastical Discipline’ in The Marrow of Sacred Divinity Drawn out of the Holy Scriptures, and the Interpreters thereof, and brought into Method 1st ed. 1639, 1642
Canne, John
Congregational Discipline 1640
Canne (d. 1667?) was ‘the leader of the English Brownists in Amsterdam’ according to John Ball.
Syon’s Prerogative Royal, or a Treatise Tending to Prove that Every Particular Congregation hath from Christ Absolute and Entire Power to Exercise in and of Herself Every Ordinance of God and is an Independent Body… 1640
This may have been written by Henry Ainsworth. This was responded to by Paget above.
Mather, Richard
Church-Government and Church-Covenant Discussed, in an Answer of the Elders of the Several Churches in New-England to Two and Thirty Questions, Sent over to them by Divers Ministers in England, to Declare their Judgments Therein 1639/43 This includes An Apology of the Churches in New-England for Church-Covenant…
Rutherford responded to this work in his Due Right of Presbyteries (above).
Sang Ahn, Covenant in Conflict, pp. 57-59
“Meanwhile [near the same time that the letter from the Old England ministers was received, see Ball above], New England churches received another similar inquiry from Richard Bernard of Batcombe, who proposed “Thirty-Two Questions.”
In reply, Richard Mather provided an answer under the title ‘Church Government and Church Covenant Discussed’ (1643). Compared with the “Nine Propositions,” [of the Old England ministers] Bernard’s “Thirty-Two Questions” are more sophisticated, which are designed to find both the theological and the biblical foundation of the Congregational practices…
In inquiring these questions, Bernard seemed to be already aware of the fact that the nature of Congregational form of church government is closely related to the idea of church covenant. Indeed, Mather’s view of a visible church—as the titles of his two books indicate—seems to be based on his key concept of church covenant:
“Now that a company becomes a Church, by joining in Covenant”; “And the form [of a visible church], a gathering together of these visible Christians a combining and uniting of them into one body, by the bond of an holy Covenant.”
Mather’s concept of church covenant, however, would lead to a fundamental problem as posed by Bernard’s first and second questions: Given the essential necessity of church covenant as the foundation of a true visible church, he asks,
“But what shall be said of the congregations in England, if Churches must be combined by Covenant? Doth not this doctrine blot out all those Congregations out of the Catalogue of Churches?”
In reply, Mather argues that many churches in England and other places can be called true churches because the substance or “the essence of visible Churches” may be preserved by an implicit church covenant, which is indirectly evidenced by profession of faith, worship, baptismal vows, and other voluntary agreements and consents among church members.
In sum, the early controversy between Old and New England [1630-1643] seemed to be significant in two aspects. On the one hand, both “Nine Propositions” and “Thirty-Two Questions” contributed to setting the agenda for the further development of the discussion about the church government until the Rutherford-Hooker debate. Particularly, the early tendency to identify New England Congregationalists with the Separatists—as shown in A Letter of Many Ministers in Old England— have continued to have an influence on the way Rutherford and other critics understood Hooker and the New England Way.
On the other hand, some participants in this early debate began to focus on the church covenant as a key ecclesiological doctrine for New England Congregationalism. Accordingly, the major part of later dispute between Rutherford and Hooker would revolve around the doctrine of church covenant: the latter would defend it as theological/biblical foundation of the Congregational church while the former simply denies it.”
Burton, Henry – The Protestation Protested, or, A Short Remonstrance Showing what is principally required of all those that have or do take the last Parliamentary Protestation 1641
Richard Baxter said: ‘Till Mr. [John] Ball wrote for the Liturgy and against [John] Canne and [John] Allen, etc., and Mr. Burton published his ‘Protestation Protested’, I never thought what presbytery or independency were, nor ever spake with a man that seemed to know it. And that was in 1641, when the war was brewing’.
Cotton, John
A Copy of a Letter of Mr. Cotton of Boston, in New England, Sent in Answer of Certain Objections made Against their Discipline and Orders there, directed to a Friend, with the Questions Propounded to such as are Admitted to the Church-Fellowship, and the Covenant Itself PDF 1641
The True Constitution of a Particular, Visible Church 1642 15 pp.
Mather, Richard & William Tompson – A Modest and Brotherly Answer to Mr. Charles Herle, his Book Against the Independency of Churches 1644 60 pp.
Sang Ahn, Covenant in Conflict, pp. 60-1
“It seems to be obvious that the pamphlet war between the Presbyterians in England and New England Congregationalists reached the new levels of intensity in the mid-1640s, particularly, during the period of the Assembly. In 1643, the collections of the early debates between the Old English Presbyterians and the New England were published in London.
In the same year, Charles Herle, a Presbyterian who became a prolocutor of the Assembly in 1646, sparked a new round of controversy. Rutherford, in the following year, joined in [Charles] Herle’s crusade against Congregationalism with his famous work, ‘The Due Right of Prebyteries’ (1644). In reply to Herle, [Richard] Mather and William Tompson published, ‘A Modest & Brotherly Answer To Mr. Charles Herle’ (1644)…”
Dury, John – An Epistolary Discourse Wherein (amongst other particulars) these following questions are briefly resolved. 1. Whether or not the State Should Tolerate the Independent Government? 2. If they should tolerate it, how far, and with what Limitations? 3. If they should tolerate it, what course should be taken to bring them to a conformity with the Presbyterials? Written by Mr. John Dury. To Mr. Thomas Goodwin, Mr. Philip Nye, Mr. Samuel Hartlib 1644
This work was formerly available at the Westminster Assembly Project. Dury’s position is not entirely known. He was not necessarily an Independent, but it is likely he was arguing for a civil toleration of Independency to some extent, as he tried to reconcile parties together throughout his life.
Parker, Thomas – The True Copy of a Letter written by Mr. Thomas Parker, a learned and godly minister in New-England, unto a member of the Assembly of Divines now at Westminster, Declaring his Judgment Touching the Government Practiced in the Churches of New-England ToC 1643/4
Parker (1595–1677) was an English nonconforming clergyman and a founder of Newbury, Massachusetts. This letter was remarked upon by Goodwin below.
Goodwin, John
M. S. to A[dam] S[teuart] with a plea for Liberty of Conscience in a Church Way against the cavils of A. S. and observations on his considerations and annotations upon the Apologetical Narration, humbly submitted to the judgments of all rational and moderate men in the world, with some modest and innocent touches on the letter from Zealand and Mr. Parker’s from New-England Ref 1644 2nd Ed. Ref
This Goodwin was an Arminian, latitudinarian Anglican. Steuart’s work is above. Parker’s letter is above and the Apologetical Narration by the Dissenting Brethren before Parliament is below.
Simpson, Sidrach – The Anatomist Anatomized. Or, a short answer to some things in the book, entitled, ‘An Anatomy of Independency’: wherein it’s showed: I. That many things reported are misreported. II. That if all were true, yet divulging of them in this manner is not according to the Word of God. III. Nor argumentative against the cause that’s falsely called Independency ToC 1644
Simpson, one of the Dissenting Brethren, responds to William Forbes’ work of 1644 (above).
Burton, Henry
Prynne was an Erastian; his works are above.
Bastwick’s works are above.
The Dissenting Brethren before Parliament and the Westminster Assembly
** The Westminster Assembly’s Grand Debate Buy 422 pp. ed. Chris Coldwell
** Apologetical Narration 1643/4 20 pp. Wiki
The Reasons of the Dissenting Brethren against the Third Proposition, concerning Presbyterial Government, Humbly Presented Buy 1645
The Dissenting Brethren were the five leading Independents at the assembly that vigorously opposed presbyterian church government: Thomas Goodwin, Philip Nye, Sidrach Simpson, Jeremiah Burroughs and William Bridge.
A Copy of a Remonstrance Lately Delivered in to the Assembly by Thomas Goodwin. Jeremiah Burroughs, William Greenhill, William Bridge, Philip Nye, Sidrach Simson and William Carter, Declaring the grounds and reasons of their declining to bring in to the Assembly their model of church-government ToC Buy
Bastwick’s work is above.
I.P. – Independency Accused by Nine Several Arguments, written by a godly learned minister, to a member of Mr. John Goodwin’s Congregation, and acquitted by several replies to the said arguments by a member of the same church, in both which, sweetness of spirit and soundness of arguments have been endeavored ToC 1645
John Goodwin was a latitudinarian Arminian.
Knollys, Hanserd – A Moderate Answer unto Dr. Bastwick’s Book called ‘Independency Not God’s Ordinance’, wherein is declared the manner how some churches in this city were gathered, and upon what terms their members were admitted, that so both the Dr. and the reader may judge, how near some believers who walk together in the fellowship of the gospel do come in their practice to these apostolical rules which are propounded by the Dr. as God’s method in gathering churches and admitting members ToC 1645
Knollys (1599?-1691) was a baptist.
Cotton, John
** The Way of the Churches of Christ in New England in Brotherly Equality and Independency, or Coordination without Subjection of One Church to Another 1645 125 pp. London
Sang Ahn, Covenant in Conflict, pp. 61
“It should be remembered that Rutherford’s ‘The Due Right of Prebyteries’ (1644) itself was his critical review of both Mather’s ‘Church Government and Church Covenant Discussed’ (1643) and Cotton’s ‘The Way Of The Churches Of Christ In New-England’, whose manuscript was widely circulated in England even a few years before its publication in 1645.”
Sang Ahn, Covenant in Conflict, pp. 61
“By 1644, Rutherford was already involved in another round of debate, which was set off by John Cotton. Particularly, Cotton’s ‘The Keys Of The Kingdom Of Heaven’ (1644) was so influential in England that John Owen, a Presbyterian, became convinced that Cotton was right and, finally, supported the Congregational form of church government.¹
¹ See John Owen’s Preface in A Defence of Mr. John Cotton from the Imputation of Self-Contradiction Charged on Him by Mr. Daniel Cawdrey (Oxford: H. Hall for T. Robinson, 1658)…”
Meanwhile, refuting Cotton’s works, both Robert Baillie and Daniel Cawdrey wrote ‘A Dissuasive from the Errours of the Time’ (1645) and ‘Vindicae Clavium, or a Vindication of the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, into the Hands of the Right Owners’ (1645) respectively. Three years later, Cotton’s reply to Baillie and Cawdrey was published under the title, ‘The Way of Congregational Churches Cleared’ (1648).”
The Way of Congregational Churches Cleared in Two Treatises. In the former, from the historical aspersions of Mr. Robert Baillie, in his book, called, ‘A Dissuasive from the Errors of the Time’. In the latter, from some Contradictions of Vindicæ Clavium and from, some misconstructions of learned Mr. Rutherford in his book entitled ‘The Due Right of Presbyteries’ in The Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven and the Way of Congregational Churches Cleared, p. 79 ff. ToC 1648
Burroughs, Jeremiah – A Vindication of Mr. Burroughs against Mr. [Thomas] Edwards’ Foul Aspersions, in his Spreading Gangræna, and his Angry Anti-Apologia. Concluding with a Brief Declaration what the Independents Would Have ToC 1646
Edwards’ work is above.
Nedham, Marchamont – Independency No Schism, or an Answer to a Scandalous book, entitled, ‘The Schismatic Sifted’, written by Mr. John Vicars, Which may serve also for a reply to Master [Thomas] Edwards, his Gangræna. Wherein is discovered the vanity of those unjust slanders cast upon the dissenting brethren, whom they call Independents. With some hints added about gospel-government ToC 1646
Vicar and Edwards’ works are above.
Noyes, James – The Temple Measured or A Brief Survey of the Temple Mystical, which is the Instituted Church of Christ 1646/7
Bartlet, William – Ichnographia. Or A Model of the Primitive Congregational Way: wherein satisfaction is offered, by unfolding (according to the Scriptures) what the right order of the Gospel, and way of the saints in the visible worshipping of God is, in the days of the New Testament… Together with the main points in controversy, touching the right visible church-state Christ hath instituted under the Gospel, with the extent of church-officers, and power of particular visible churches, and continuance of divine ordinances and institutions under the defection and apostasy of Antichrist ToC 1647
Goodwin, John – Independency, God’s Verity: or, The Necessity of Toleration, Unto which is added the Chief Principles of the Government of Independent Churches ToC 1647
Goodwin was a latitudinarian Arminian.
Sang Ahn, Covenant in Conflict, pp. 60-1
“Rutherford, in the following year, joined in [Charles] Herle’s crusade against Congregationalism with his famous work, ‘The Due Right of Prebyteries’ (1644). In reply to Herle, [Richard] Mather and William Tompson published, ‘A Modest & Brotherly Answer To Mr. Charles Herle’ (1644). Also, refuting both Herle and Rutherford, Mather wrote another work, ‘A Reply to Mr. Rutherford’ (1647).
It should be remembered that Rutherford’s The Due Right of Prebyteries (1644) itself was his critical review of both Mather’s ‘Church Government and Church Covenant Discussed’ (1643) and Cotton’s ‘The Way Of The Churches Of Christ In New-England’, whose manuscript was widely circulated in England even a few years before its publication in 1645.”
Norton, John – The Answer to the Whole Set of Questions of the Celebrated Mr. William Apollonius… looking toward the resolution of certain controversies concerning church government now being agitated in England Buy 1648 196 pp.
This is in response to Apollonius’s work above. See here for background to this work.
Hooker, Thomas
Sang Ahn, Covenant in Conflict, pp. 62-3
“While both [Richard] Mather and [John] Cotton made a formal document of the Cambridge Platform, Thomas Hooker was asked to write a more detailed, thoroughly researched and comprehensive treatise in defense of the Congregational Way.
In July 1, 1645, a year before the Cambridge Synod was convened, there was a meeting of “the elders of the churches through all the United Colonies” in Cambridge, where they agreed to send Hooker’s original manuscript of Survey along with other books including John Davenport’s answer to Paget, ‘The Power of Congregational Churches’.
When their works were lost in the sea, both Hooker and Davenport rewrote them, which were sent over to London and published in 1648 and 1651 respectively. Samuel Stone considers Hooker’s Survey as the most complete defense of the Congregational Way which is free from errors: “I can affirm I know no man more free from errors in his judgement, than was he [Hooker].” Accordingly, Stone audaciously declares,
“If any to this Platform [Hooker’s Survey] can reply with better reason, let this volume die: But better argument if none can give, than Thomas Hooker’s Policy shall live.”
Such a bold statement, however, would elicit a severe criticism from [Daniel] Cawdrey and [Samuel] Rutherford. In 1651, Cawdrey published a treatise, ‘The Inconsistency of the Independent Way with the Scriptures and Itself’, where he attacked Cotton’s ‘The Way of Congregational Churches Cleared’ (1648) and the part I and chapter II of the third part of Hooker’s Survey. Unlike Cawdrey, who deals with only some parts of Hooker’s Survey, Rutherford, in his ‘Survey of the Survey’ (1658) attempted a point by point refutation of Hooker’s doctrine of the church as revealed in the all four parts of his Survey…
It seems to be true that by the time Rutherford’s ‘A Survey of the Survey’ was published in 1658, the climax of the Congregational-Presbyterian debate of the 1640’s was over. Only some echoes of the debates of the previous decade lingered into the 1650’s through the works of Cawdrey, Rutherford, and Samuel Hudson on the one hand, and [Samuel] Stone, [John] Owen, John Allen and Thomas Shepard on the other.”
The Covenant of Grace Opened: wherein these Particulars are Handled: 1. What the Covenant of Grace is, 2. what the seals of the covenant are, 3. who are the parties and subjects fit to receive these seals. From all which particulars infants’ baptism is fully proved and vindicated, being several sermons preached at Hartford in New-England Pre ToC Buy 1649
Cotton, John – Of the Holiness of Church Members in Two Treatises 105 pp.
Cotton responds to Robert Baillie, Willem Appolonius and Rutherford’s A Peaceable Plea (1642).
Davenport, John – The Power of Congregational Churches Asserted and Vindicated in Answer to a Treatise of Mr. J. Paget entitled, ‘The Defence of Church-Government Exercised in Classes and Synods ToC 1651 177 pp.
Paget’s work is above.
Cotton, John – A Treatise of the Covenant of Grace 1652 200 pp.
Stone, Samuel – A Congregational Church, a Catholic Visible Church, or an Examination of Mr. Hudson, his Vindication Concerning the Integrity of the Catholic Visible Church, wherein also Satisfaction is given to what Mr. Cawdrey Writes Touching that Subject in his Review of Mr. [Thomas] Hooker’s Survey of Church Discipline EEBO 1652 London
Hudson replied to this in the second edition of his work in 1658, in the Postscript.
Shepard, Thomas – A Treatise of Liturgies, Power of the Keys, and of matter of the Visible Church, in Answer to the Reverend Servant of Christ, Mr. John Ball 1653
Owen, John d. 1683
Major Treatises on Independency
** An Inquiry into the Original Nature, Institution, Power, Order and Communion of Evangelical Churches, with an Answer to the Discourse of the Unreasonableness of Separation written by Edward Stillingfleet and in Defene of the Vindication of the Nonconformists from the Guilt of Schism in Works, vol. 15
** The True Nature of a Gospel Church 1689 in Works, vol. 16
Are Congregationalists Schismatics?
** Of Schism, the True Nature of it Discovered and Considered with Reference to the Present Differences in Religion 1657 in Works, vol. 13
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. Daniel Cawdrey 1657 in Works, vol. 13
An Answer to a Late Treatise of Mr. [Daniel’ Cawdrey About the Nature of Schism 1658 in Works, vol. 13
Additional
A Brief Instruction in the Worship of God and Discipline of the Churches of the New Testament, by Way of Question and Answer in Works, vol. 15
A Letter Concerning the Matter of the Present Excommunication in Works, vol. 16
A Discourse Concerning the Administration of Church Censures in Works, vol. 16
Cotton, John
Certain Queries Tending to Accommodation and Communion of Presbyterian and Congregational Churches ToC 1654 20 pp.
Newcomen, Matthew – Irenicum; or, An Essay Towards a Brotherly Peace and Union, Between those of the Congregational and Presbyterian Way: showing out of the most learned and renowned divines of the congregational way, that their positions concerning 1. Church matters and members. 2. Church constitution and form. 3. Church state. 4. Church officers and ordination. 5. Church government and censures. 6. Church combinations and synods. 7. Communion with and separation from churches. are sufficient for the establishing a firm and lasting peace between them and the Presbyterians, In pursuance of the good design begun at the Savoy, where it was agreed and declared, that such reforming churches as consist of persons sound in the faith, and of conversation becoming the Gospel, ought not to refuse the communion of each other ToC 1659 Newcomen was a Westminster divine and Independent
Mather, Increase – The First Principles of New-England Concerning the Subject of Baptism & Communion of Churches, collected partly out of the printed books, but chiefly out of the original manuscripts of the first and chief fathers in the New-English churches, with the judgment of sundry learned divines of the congregational way in England, concerning the said questions, published for the benefit of those who are of the rising generation in New-England ToC 1675
** Goodwin, Thomas – Works, vol. 11, The Government of the Churches of Christ, etc. d. 1680 Goodwin was a Westminster divine. Book 4 (47 pp.) is against presbyterianism.
Mather, Increase – The Judgment of Several Eminent Divines of the Congregational Way Concerning a Pastor’s Power Occasionally to Exert Ministerial Acts in Another Church besides that which is his own particular flock ToC 1692
Chauncy, Isaac – The Divine Institution of Congregational Churches, Ministry and Ordinances [as has been professed by those of that persuasion] Asserted and Proved from the Word of God ToC 1697
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1700’s
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1800’s
Haldane, James Alexander – A View of the Social Worship and Ordinances Observed by the First Christians, Drawn from the Sacred Scriptures Alone 1805 390 pp.
James, John Angell
Christian Fellowship, or the Church Member’s Guide 1830 235 pp.
A Manual for Church Members in Works, vol. 11, pp. 455-502
** Punchard, George – A View of Congregationalism 1840 230 pp.
** Davidson, Samuel – The Ecclesiastical Polity of the New Testament Unfolded 1848 480 pp.
Adeney, George – Congregationalism Scriptural, or the Nature and Constitution of the Church of Christ as set Forth in the New Testament 1851 27 pp.
Wilkes, Henry – The Internal Administration of the Churches, or Congregational Independency Viewed from Within 1859 85 pp.
Outlines of Congregationalism: Select Tracts 1859 185 pp.
Angus, Joseph – Christian Churches 1862 71 pp.
** Wardlaw, Ralph – Congregational Independency in Contradistinction to Episcopacy and Presbyterianism: the Church Polity of the New Testament 1864 355 pp.
Dexter, Henry
A Handbook of Congregationalism c. 1880
** Congregationalism: What it is, Whence it is, How it Works; Why it is Better than any other Form of Church Government, and its Consequent Demands 1865 340 pp.
ed. Reynolds, Henry – Ecclesia: Church Problems Considered in a Series of Essays 1870 560 pp.
Clarke, Dorus – Orthodox Congregationalism and the Sects 1871 170 pp.
Pond, Enoch – Congregationalism, a Premium Tract d. 1882 45 pp.
** Dale, R.W. – Manual of Congregational Principles 1884 260 pp.
Ross, Abel Hastings
** The Church-Kingdom, Lectures on Congregationalism 1887 405 pp. Andover Theological Seminary
A Pocket Manual of Congregationalism 1888 250 pp.
Jackson, Samuel – A Hand-Book of Congregationalism 1892 215 pp.
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1900’s
MacFadyen, D. – Constructive Congregational Ideals 1902 275 pp.
Jefferson, Charles – Congregationalism 1910 30 pp.
Millard, Benjamin – Congregationalism 1912 132 pp.
Price, Ernest – A Handbook of Congregationalism 1924 55 pp.
Martin, A.D. – The Principle of the Congregational Churches 1927 130 pp.
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History of Independency & Congregationalism
The Greater Part of Church History
Fletcher, Joseph – History of the Revival and Progress of Independency in England since the Period of the Reformation, with an Introduction containing an Account of the Development of the Principles of Independency in the Age of Christ and his Apostles… until the time of the Reformation, vol. 1, 2, 3, 4 1847
** Punchard, George – History of Congregationalism, from about AD 250 to the Present Time, vols. 1 (to the Reformation), 2 (Reformation to 1579), 3 (1575-1626), 4 (America, 1620-1750), 5 (America, 1760’s+)
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The Early Church
Quote
William Cunningham, Historical Theology 2.548
“These peculiar and distinctive principles of modern Independents or Congregationalists were not explicitly professed, and, of course, were neither formally defended nor assailed in the early church. As a subject of controversial discussion, they are wholly of modern origin.
They seem to have been first publicly and distinctly broached, as exhibiting the scriptural views of the constitution and government of the church, by J.B. Morellius or Morely, who was connected with the Reformed Church of France, and whose work on the subject, entitled, ‘Traicte de la Discipline et Police Chretienne,’ was published at Lyons in 1561, and was soon thereafter condemned by the National Synod at Orleans in 1562, and again at Nismes in 1572. They were embraced also by [Peter] Ramus, the celebrated philosopher, who was killed in the massacre of St. Bartholomew; but they made no permanent impression upon the French Protestants.
It was not till about twenty or thirty years later, near the end of the sixteenth century, that these views were brought out and practically acted upon in this country, by some persons… who were known for a time under the name of Brownists.”
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Article
Clarkson, David – Treatises on the Church Polity of the Primitive Times Table of Contents in Select Works of David Clarkson, pp. 1-244
Clarkson was a puritan Congregationalist and successor of John Owen. He gives a Congregationalist interpretation of Early Church history and argues against the Episcopalian interpretation.
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Post-Reformation
General Works
** Hanbury, Benjamin – Historical Memorials Relating to the Independents, or Congregationalists from their Rise to 1660, vol. 1, 2, 3 1839
Hawley, Z.K. – Congregationalism and Methodism 1846 340 pp.
Waddington, John – Congregational Church History, from the Reformation to 1662 1862 bound with and after Angus, Joseph, Christian Churches, p. 72 ff.
** Dexter, Henry – The Congregationalism of the Last 300 Years, as Seen in its Literature in 12 Lectures 1880 1,085 pp.
** Nuttall, Geoffrey – Visible Saints: The Congregational Way, 1640-1660 Buy 1st ed. 1956
“This is the standard academic work of the origins of Congregationalism in England.” – Quinta Press
** Ahn, Sang – Ch. 2, Sect. 4, ‘The Polemical Context of the Rutherford-Hooker Dispute’ in Covenant in Conflict: the Controversy Over the Church Covenant Between Samuel Rutherford and Thomas Hooker, pp. 53-66
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England
MacKennal, Alexander – Sketches in the Evolution of English Congregationalism 1901 275 pp. Carew Lecture, Hartford Theological Seminary
** Dale, R.W. – History of English Congregationalism 1907 790 pp.
Hooper, Thomas – The Story of English Congregationalism 1907 160 pp. 7 Lectures
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Scotland
** Ross, James – A History of Congregational Independency in Scotland 1900 305 pp.
MacWhirter, Archibald – ‘The Early Days [1740’s-1800’s] of Independentism and Congregationalism in the Northern Islands of Scotland’ 1968 25 pp.
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America
White, Daniel – New England Congregationalism in its Origin and Purity, Illustrated by the Foundation and Early Records of the First Church in Salem 1861 325 pp.
Goodwin, John – The Pilgrim Republic, an Historical Review of the Colony of New Plymouth, with Sketches of the Rise of Other New England Settlements, the History of Congregationalism and the Creeds of the Period 1888 715 pp.
** Atkins & Fagley – History of American Congregationalism 1942 445 pp.
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Biographies
Lives of the Chief Fathers of New England, vol. 1 (John Cotton), 2 (John Wilson, John Norton, John Davenport), 3 (John Eliot), 4 (Thomas Shepard), 5 (Increase Mather, William Phipps), 6 (Thomas Hooker) (1870)
Peel, Albert – A Hundred Eminent Congregationalists (1927)
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Congregational Confessions, Books of Discipline, Documents, etc.
Collections
** ed. Walker, Williston – The Creeds and Platforms of Congregationalism 1893
** ed. Wells, David & Robert Davis – Historic Documents of Congregationalism Buy 2005 138 pp.
This includes the Savory Declaration of Faith (1658), the Cambridge Platform (1649) and the Heads of Agreement (1691), with some introductions.
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The Cambridge Platform of Church Discipline (Cambridge, MA, 1648)
The Savoy Declaration of Faith (London, 1658)
The Institution of Churches and the Order Appointed in Them by Jesus Christ
Heads of Agreement (London, 1691)
The Saybrook Platform (1708)
Saybrook Confession (New London, CT, 1710)
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Bibliographies
The Most Exhaustive
** Dexter, Henry – ‘Collections Towards a Bibliography of Congregationalism’ 1880 285 pp. being an appendix to The Congregationalism of the Last 300 Years, as Seen in its Literature in 12 Lectures in Chronological Order see also the Index to the bibliography, in alphabetical order by author and title together
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Short-Medium
Dexter, Henry Martyn – ‘List of Principal Books Relating to Congregationalism’ c. 1880 4 pp. in A Handbook of Congregationalism, pp. 178-182
Jackson, Samuel – ‘Books on Congregationalism’ 1892 4 pp. in A Hand-Book of Congregationalism, pp. 200-203
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“…the Independents… who, when some of them were in Scotland with Cromwell [1650’s], when they saw the form and order of the Church of Scotland, particularly great Doctor [John] Owen said to Mr. Donald Cargil that, if he was to reside in Scotland, he would entirely fall in with this Church, and think it his honor to sit a member in one of her assemblies.”
Patrick Walker
Six Saints 1.152
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