A41330:542
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.
Only this, Sir, let me say, they used the argument upon your Hypothesis, that the things are indifferent; but though we grant the things considered absolutely, or abstractedly in their own nature are indifferent; ⟨p. 62⟩yet consider them in their use, we look on them as sinful.
To examine all that learned Mr. Falkner hath written, would be tedious and needless, for I should yield to him in many things, had not the state of the question been mistaken.
Briefly therefore I will consider the case the Apostle had before him, and apply our case to it.
The Lord having in the old Law forbidden divers meats, and commanded the observation of divers days, when Christ the substance, the body was come, these shadows vanished. Some Believers in Christ understood this; they knew, though once they were under a Law, yet at this time they were indifferent, and so they knew their liberty. Others, because the Law was so express, the observation had been many hundred years, the words for ever added to those Laws, they could not yet understand what the stronger Christians did. The Apostle guided by the Spirit of Christ, chargeth these stronger Christians not to judg, despise, refuse, or offend these weaker Christians; but to receive them into their hearts, into Church-fellowship, and all Church communion, and not perplex their minds with those doubtful disputations or reasonings, but wait, and bear tenderly with them, till the Lord shall reveal that truth also unto them.