A41330:15
The questions between the conformist and nonconformist, truly stated, and briefly discussed Dr. Falkner,…
The questions between the conformist and nonconformist, truly stated, and briefly discussed Dr. Falkner, The friendly debate &c., examined and answered : together with a discourse about separation, and some animadversions upon Dr. Stillingfleet's book entitled, The unreasonableness of separation : observations upon Dr. Templars sermon preached at a visitation in Cambridge : a brief vindication of Mr. Stephen Marshal.The questions between the conformist and nonconformist, truly stated, and briefly discussed Dr. Falkner, The friendly debate &c., examined and answered : together with a discourse about separation, and some animadversions upon Dr. Stillingfleet's book entituled, The unreasonableness of separation : observations upon Dr. Templers sermon preached at a visitation in Cambridge : a brief vindication of Mr. Stephen Marshal.
London: printed for Tho. Cockerill, 1681
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Dedication: To the Reverend, and my much Honoured Brother, Dr. Edward Stillingfleet, Dean of St. Pa…
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.
For the first: Sir, I presume you will grant that the separation against which you preached, and now printed, do suppose, there was a union with that body from which you tell us we are now separated. For how can there be a separation from that to which we were not united?
Now, Sir, I think by what you have said, to remove the mighty stumbling-block (as you call it, pag. 359.) of the Cross, there will be found many thousands in England who were never admitted into your Church, and if not admitted into it, then not united to it as such a Church; no members of your body: how then can you charge them with this sin of separation from it?
Thus then, Sir, you speak of the Cross in Baptism, p. 351. when the Minister uses these words. We receive this child into the congregation of Christs flock, and sign him with the sign of the Cross, &c. the Minister now speaks in the name of the Church, We receive, &c. then follows as the solemn rite of admission, and do sign him with the sign of the Cross. All public and solemn admissions into societies, having some peculiar ceremony belonging to them. And so as Baptism, besides its Sacramental efficacy, is a rite of admission into Christs Catholic Church, so the sign of the Cross is into our Church of England, in which this Ceremony is used, without any prescription to other Churches. Thus you have interpreted the Cross.
Thus then, Sir, you speak of the Cross in Baptism, p. 351. when the Minister uses these words. We receive this child into the congregation of Christs flock, and sign him with the sign of the Cross, &c. the Minister now speaks in the name of the Church, We receive, &c. then follows as the solemn rite of admission, and do sign him with the sign of the Cross. All publick and solemn admissions into societies, having some peculiar ceremony belonging to them. And so as Baptism, besides its Sacramental efficacy, is a rite of admission into Christs Catholick Church, so the sign of the Cross is into our Church of England, in which this Ceremony is used, without any prescription to other Churches. Thus you have interpreted the Cross.