A41330:421
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.
All external Ceremonies in their nature formally elicited from Religion, are external worship; but such are the Ceremonies in question: Ergo, they are external worship. So that Bellarmine spake plainly and honestly, when he calls them parts of Divine worship. Hence I see not how the distinctions Mr. Falkner makes about significative signs, do help at all; but we are still as high as God was, and plainly add to his word.
The Text in the Old Testament, Isa. 8.20. To the Law, and to the Testimony, if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. I think no man so absurd to limit it only to that particular case in the 19th. ver. but this is a standing Rule in all cases concerning God, and our duty to him. According to this word, hence Bishop Hall thus Paraphraseth, If any man speaketh either without, or against this word, it is because he hath not the true light of grace and understanding in him. Apply this to both the Questions, and tell us according to which word do they speak.
The last Texts, those famous Texts, Deut. 12.32. Prov. 30.6. & Deut. 4.2. Thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish. Addition speaks defect of wisdom in the Law-giver, that he is not wise enough to govern his Creatures, nor how to provide for his own Worship, but we must supply the want of his with our wisdom; and entrencheth also upon his Sovereignty.