A41330:346
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.
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.
I have often wondered how men of Learning, that had read over the 1 1th and the 14th Chap. of this Epistle, where we may plainly see what the Apostle points at, by his reproving the undecency and disorder in their Congregation, should make this Text a ground to set up humane Ceremonies of Doctrinal or Moral signification, in the House and Worship of God.
I shall add but a sew words:
1. Decency and Order are no spiritual graces; for though the holiness and majesty of the Worship of God, is in some measure violated without them; yet they are in themselves but external circumstances, common to Civil actions, Civil Courts and Societies, where undecency and disorder are blamed, and must be avoided, as well as in the Worship of God.
2ly. Come to Decency, how they serve for Decency I know not. I think light of Scripture, light of Nature, and common approved Civil custom should be rules for Decency, not mens bare wills. For then some men will appoint such Ceremonies of such a colour, and such a Form; and he saith the worship of God cannot be decently performed without them. Another appoints Ceremonies of a contrary colour, and different Form, and saith the Worship cannot be performed decently without them. So many Heads and Wills, so many Rules for Decency, that we shall never know when the Worship of God is performed decently. For the Woman to be veiled, as the note of her subjection, was the civil custom before the Worship of God was known in Corinth; for the woman now to lay it by, was undecent.