A41330:676
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.
The Synod held at Boston in New England, Septemb. 10. 1679, the last year, pag. 10, 11. calling for a full supply of Officers in the Churches, speak thus: The defect of the Churches on this account is very lamentable, there being in most of the Churches only one Teaching Officer, for the burden of the whole Congregation to lye upon. The Lord Christ would not have instituted Pastors, Teachers, Ruling Elders (nor the Apostles have ordained Elders in every Church, Act. 14.23. Tit. 1.5.) if he had not seen there was need of them for the good of his people; and therefore for men to think they can do well enough without them, is both to break the second Commandment, and to reflect upon the wisdom of Christ, as if he did appoint unnecessary Officers in his Church. Thus the Synod.
Half the question then is gained, the Independents yield it, men worthy to be listened to, for they take up the word of God for their only Rule. I know there is a great question about the Ruling Elder, but I am not to meddle with it now.
Half the question then is gained, the Independents yield it, men worthy to be listned to, for they take up the word of God for their only Rule. I know there is a great question about the Ruling Elder, but I am not to meddle with it now.
Our Brethren of the Presbyterian judgment, I suppose, yield the question, they may and ought to unite, to make up one Governing Church; but I do not fully understand their meaning. Suppose twenty Parishes and Congregations that meet together to worship God, and twenty Ministers belonging to them, are these twenty Parishes distinct Churches as to Word and Sacraments, so that he that is Pastor in one Church, hath nothing to do in another Parish, as to feeding them with Word and Sacraments, but as to Government and Jurisdiction one Minister with the rest of the Classis have power over them all? if this be the meaning, I am not satisfied in it.