A41330:512
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 see but two things that trouble me, but the same doubts are moved by Gerhard, Maldonate, and a Lapide, who interpret this Supper of the Passover as others commonly do. To which doubts they have given answers, and their answers will serve me better, than if I should interpret it as they do of the Paschal Supper. As yet then Christ is no Conformist.
Having done with these men, now to our good friend the Author of the Friendly Debate, in whom I find something more, p. 102. he tells us, We use Ceremonies in Divine Worship, as in an Oath, laying the hand upon the Book, kissing the Testament, which are outward signs accompanying swearing though they belong not to the essence of it.
A. 1. I have heard of some, and may be there are more than we are aware of, who will lay their hand on the Book, kiss it, and do it readily, because they think they do not swear, and so regard not what you say to them; but if you put them to lift up their hand, as we read in Scripture they did who sware, they would not do that, because then they thought they should swear indeed; though I do not justify these persons in this, yet if an Oath be of consequence, it deserves to be looked into. A Lawyer tells me he hath seen it, and a Gentleman tells me hath sworn in the Court by lifting up the hand; whether the Law binds only to this form of laying, &c. I know not, but I could never yet learn the meaning of this form of swearing. If the Christians did it in Chrysostom's time upon the Book of the Gospel, and the Jews upon the Book of the Law, as Mr. Falkner saith, to be sure we find the Scripture mentioning more than one Form of swearing. Sometime Abraham lifts up his hand, Gen. 14.22. another time we find him, bidding his servant put his hand under his thigh, Gen. 24.2