A41330:476
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.
Ans. I have read indeed of such a practise taken up in the latter time of the Jews, in imitation of Johns Baptism; but still, Sir, we want one thing, and this God approved of; how prove you that? quo jure? by what Divine warrant was it done? If you intended to show us your reading, that is one thing; but if you intended to convince us, you know this is not the way; for you do but prove the Jews had as carnal hearts as we, unless you can show us that what they did in Divine ⟨p. 52⟩Worship was agreeable to that Rule, which is the Law to them, and to us, by which we must all be judged.
Next, Mr. Falkner comes to Natural Worship, and shows their customs about an Oath, which I shall take into consideration when I answer the Fr. Debate, where I find an argument against us from hence.
His next, the Rites (as he calls them) of Memorial, Stones set up by Samuel, Jacob, Joshua.
Ans. But how do these reach the question? If they at London will erect a Monument that Posterity may know where that sore Judgment of God (as Samuel's was Mercy) in the deflagration of the City began. If Laban and Jacob will make a heap of stones in the place where they sware, though it may be neither Laban or Jacob ever came to the place again to see these stones, what are these to our question? so that of Joshua; what signification of an Oath is there in a stone lying on the ground? they may remember, that in this place Joshua made us swear. The stone serves for a Witness that there was such a part of Worship there celebrated. If Joshua had called men of other Nations to hear the Covenant, and witness what they sware, what would you make of those witnesses to force the question in hand?