A41330:494
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.
For the Decree mentioned in Act. 15 which Mr. Falkner produceth, if that had been well observed, much of our trouble might have been spared. The Apostles and Elders, with the direction of the Holy Ghost, Imposed only things necessary; that necessity was antecedaneous to the Decree, either necessary in themselves, as abstaining from fornication, &c. or necessary by a positive Law of God long in force, and which the weak believers could not understand to be repealed, nor did most I believe of them so see it, till the Temple it self, the Head of all was destroyed. The Apostle James at vers. 21. gives the reason, Moses (saith he) is read in the Synagogues every Sabbath-day; to hear Blood so often for bidden in Moses (yea this near to the seventh Command given to the Sons of Noah, Gen. 9.4. which Laws if a Heathen did not observe he was not permitted to live among the Israelites) and now to see the believing Gentiles eating of blood, &c. what a horrible offence had this been, and hinderance to the Gospel? Hence the things were ⟨p. 55⟩first necessary, Ergo, the Decree; but not necessary only because of the Decree. Blessed Austin speaks very well to these Ceremonies, Epist. 19.
This is a good Rule for Imposers, Primum in uno quoque genere est mensura reliquorum, Impose only necessary things.
For those who refuse to eat blood at this day from that Decree, I think they err very much. Let them observe Levit. 17.11. the reason of the Command; and tell me whether they deny the blood which maketh atonement for our souls to be shed.