Pembroke.
Replies to Minor Queries.
_Exeter Controversy_ (Vol. v., p. 126.).--Your correspondent A. N. will
find, probably, that the "Exeter Controversy," to which Gifford alludes,
was that between John Agate, of St. Mary Arches Church, in Exeter, and
John Withers, a Presbyterian. The controversy commenced in 1707, and was
carried on with great violence till 1715. The tracts are numerous, but
many very scarce. Agate's chief tract was entitled _Plain Truth_, and is
in three parts, Exon, 1708. Withers replied in a work of three parts
also: _Truth Try'd, or Mr. Agate's pretended Plain Truth proved an
Untruth_, Exon, 1708-9-10. This of course called forth a rejoinder, and
so on. Although carried on with great personalities, the controversy
shows considerable ability on both sides. I possess almost all the
tracts, and shall be happy to send a list to A. N., if required.
Withers, Trosse, and Pierce are all well-known Dissenting names in the
history of Exeter at the beginning of last century, when that city was
the stronghold of Arianism.