of altering the Seventh-day-Sabbath as Mr. Chafie p. 31. nor any new Epocha as the Doctor p. 10. And so the seventh Day was not forgotten but well known to them and yet the Doctor p. 10. tells us That as to the sabbath observed from the Creation to this first raining of Manna that there is six to one that it is not the same so that was uncertain also Nor do I see any reason why a new Epocha from Exod. 16. 23 30. should be imagined unless it be because it is so plain a proof of the Israelites observing the Seventh-day-Sabbath before the Law at Sinai in obedience to the Law Gen. 2. 23. which answers so much of learned Mr. Chafie's and of the Doctor 's Books And if there were no new Epocha in Exod. 16. then it seems agreed that the seventh Day was never altered till the coming of Christ And the fourth Command Exod. 20. 8 11. I think puts this out of doubt Remember the seventh day to keey it holy six days shalt thou labour but the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God ver 9. 10. that is the seventh Day is the Lords Day For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth and rested the seventh day and blessed the sabbath and made it holy Does any fancy that the Sabbath-day here is meant A Sabbath-day or that the seventh-day is meant only A seventh-day and so that another Day of the Week is intended and will answer the letter of the fourth Command as well as the seventh-day I answer beside what is said in the Enquiry That such meaning of the fourth Command I think is no where found in any Book before the time of Christ nor during his Life for such a sense would have gratified the Jews to object against Christ nor is it found whilst any of the Apostles lived nor I think in many hundreds of years after all their deaths Does any doubt which is the sabbath-Sabbath-day he is to remember to keep holy Does any doubt which is the sabbath-Sabbath-day which the Lord Blessed Or Does any doubt which is the Day of the Week the Lord made Holy The Answer is here express The seventh-seventh-day is the Sabbath which the Lord blessed and made holy which we are to remember to keep holy Does any doubt whether the order of the Days of the Week settled Gen. 1. and Gen. 2. was altered The answer is here plain For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth and rested the seventh day which does refer to and seem to me directly to confirm the days and their names of 1 2 3 4 5 6 7. appointed in Gen. 1. and Gen. 2. together with the time when they begin and end and so I think we are thus far safe that from Gen. 2. to Exod. 20. there was no new Epocha of days nor any manner of uncertainty which was the seventh-day there was no intermission of the days by chance nor the Day forgotten or neglected as the Doctor p. 61. nor as I think any manner of doubt when the days did begin and end This seems to me so plain as I had said nothing thereof if I had not found the Doctor insist much as if there had passed some alteration of days and afterwards as if the Days began at Midnight and as if I had nothing but Tradition whereby to guess which is the seventh-day from the Creation to Exod. 20. for which we have before so many highly probable and other certain Scripture Proofs and for which the fourth Command alone is proof enough being declarative of what was blessed and hallowed before in Gen. 2. and is here in Exod. 20. explained and confirmed The Oracles of God were committed to the Israelites Rom. 3. 2. to them was committed the keeping the Old Testment and therein the Moral Law and therein the fourth Command and therein the seventh-day and the Laws given at Sinai are said to be true Laws and good Commandments and so they certainly were and are both true and good and the Lord made known unto them his holy Sabbaths Nehe. 9. 13 15. and if they were made known to them then they knew his holy Sabbaths and if they knew them as they did then his Sabbaths were not altered And whether other Nations did measure their time by Weeks p. 5. See Mr. Chafie chap. 13. p. 45. chap. 14. p. 49. I think expresly for it And to argue from Abel Enoch Noah and Abraham with such high Characters as the Lord gives them in his word and of Abraham as keeping his Laws and his Commandments are as I think strong arguments to prove the matter of fact and sufficiently expressed that they kept the Sabbath which is one of the Commandments tho the Doctor p. 7. thinks them weak And from their Practice and the Scriptures before cited I think we have a certainty thereof whereof the Doctor p. 8. says We have scarce a Conjecture which seem hard Words against one and yet harder against so many Scriptures And tho' I am willing to thank the Doctor for what he would give me to begin the Week on Monday p. 9. that so his Sunday may be the Seventh-day yet I do not think any Mans Authority so great as to alter the way of numbring the Days which God hath settled or to controul or alter the Day God has Blessed and I am content with Gods Allowance and Command therein What is offered about the Paschal Lamb and Passover and Circumcision p. 11. being sometimes intermitted I think does confirm the Seventh-day and not hurt it for that when the Israelites returned to those appointments they kept them again And if it be true which p. 13. the Doctor thinks without doubt and certain that we do not know which is the Seventh-day in a continual Circulation from the Creation then all the Doctors Arguments before and afterwards for the First day are here as it seems without doubt and certainly answered by himself for if we do not know which is the Seventh day we cannot know which is the First day and so cannot possibly keep a Day which we know not and somewhat like this he offers p. 1. Nor do I see how the Doctor or any other Person can be long held to think as they seem to do And p. 1. He thinks it impossible for him to know the First day and p. 14. Impossible for any Man to know the Seventh day which are also directly against him And p. 16. he says We have no particular Command in another Case which I think we have and not only a practice most likely to be Gods Will p. 17. But that not being now in question I pass it by And as to what he there says for the change of the Seventh to the First day that I would think so also if I were not otherwise prepossed with Prejudice and with a great fondness to find out somewhat wherewith to find fault I Reply that I doubt we have many great Faults not
may resort to the Book And to conclude Instead of further summing up what I have weakly written here in Reply to the Learned Doctor and others as I could I commend to the Reader a few Scriptures Gen. 2. 2 3 4. On the seventh day God ended his work which he had made and he rested the seventh day from all his work which he had made and God blessed the seventh day and made it holy because that in it he had rested from all his work which he had created and made and so the Sabbath is the day upon which God rested after his Work and which he Blessed and made Holy who is v. 4. Jehovah Aelohim the Lord God so the Seventh day is the Lords day Exod. 16. 29. The seventh-day-sabbath is said to be as it is a gift The Lord hath given you the sabbath and so we should take it as a Gift from him as his Gift and as the Lords day Exod. 20. 8 9 10 11. Remember the sabbath day to keep it holy c. The seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God and so the Seventh day is the Lords day Exod. 31. 13. The Lord calls them my sabbaths verily my sabbaths ye shall keep so the Sabbath is the Lords day it is a sign between me and you c. that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctifie you v. 14. and ye shall keep the sabbath because it is holiness to you v. 15. Six days work shall be done but the seventh is the sabbath of rest holiness to the Lord v. 16. the sabbath a perpetual covenant t is holiness to you v. 14. and holy to the Lord v. 15. v. 16. the sabbath a perpetual covenant and v. 17 a sign for ever For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed so the Seventh day is the Lords day And v. 18. The Lord gave to Moses to tables of testimony written with the finger of God And Exod. 32. 15 16. the tables were the work of God and the writing the writing of God upon which tables of testimony or witness the fourth command was one Exod. 35. 2. Six days shall work be done and on the seventh day it shall be to you holiness Lev. 23. 3. Six days shall work be done but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest an holy convocation ye shall do no work therein it is the sabbath of the Lord c. so the Seventh day is the Lords day Lev. 23. 32. from even unto even shall ye celebrate your sabbath which I think is directing in an Humiliation day which is there to begin in the Evening when they were to afflict themselves And I think states this part of the Question when the Days began that is in the Evening and when they ended that is at the next Evening which the Dr. p. 27. thinks began and ended at mid-night In Numb 15. 32. we have the case of the Man who gathered sticks not A but The Sabbath day which is a great certain undeniable example against the least prophaning of the Sabbath day Deut. 5. 12. Keep the sabbath day to sanctifie it as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee 13. Six days labour c. v. 14. But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God c. so the Seventh day is the Lords day of Rest i. e. the seventh day is the Lords day Psal 119. 1 6. blessed are those who walk in his law and in keeping of his commandments there is great reward Psal 19. 11. Esai 56. 2. Blessed is the man who keepeth the sabbath from polluting it v. 4. 6. from polluting it Ezek. 20. 13 16 24 my sabbath they greatly polluted if we would be Blessed keep his Sabbaths and dont pollute them which it seems was Israels Sin of old Esai 58. 13. If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath from doing thy pleasure on my holy day and call the sabbath a delight or delights the holy of the Lord so the Sabbath day is the Lords day honourable and shalt honour him not doing thine own ways nor finding thine own pleasure nor speaking thine own words v. 14. then shalt thou delight thy self in the Lord c. and is not that a desirable frame Ezek. 22. 1 2. The word of the Lord thou hast prophaned my sabbath v. 26. her Priests have violated my law c. and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths So the Sabbath day is the Lords day Ezek. 44. 4 5 15 24. in the prophesie of the new temple there is a promise that the Priests who shall come near unto the Lord to minister unto him they shall hallow my sabbaths So the Sabbath day is the Lords day Matth. 5. 17. Think not that I am come to destroy the law v. 18. For verity I say unto you till heaven and earth pass one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law till all be fulfilled dont think that Christ altered one tittle of the Law and so not one jot or tittle is yet passed from the Law Matth. 18. 8. Christ is said to be Lord of the Sabbath day and if Christ be Lord of the Sabbath day then the Sabbath day is the Lords day Mat. 24. 20. Pray that your flight be not on the sabbath day which flight was about 38 years after Christs Death which I think shews it was to continue after his Death that is as I think as long as the World lasts Matth. 28. 18 19 20. Christ to his Disciples go teach all nations teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and Christ with the Father and holy Spirit one Jehovah gave the commands as before Mark 1. 21. after Christs Baptism by John v. 9. Jesus came into Galilee preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God v. 14. repent ye and believe the Gospel v. 15. then he calls Simon and Andrew James and John and they followed him v. 16 to 20. and they went into Capernaum and straitway on the sabbath day he entered into the Synagogue and taught and Mark 2. 27. the sabbath was made for man for his good for his spiritual good Mark 16. 1 2. Jesus came into his own country and his disciples followed him and when the sabbath day was come he began to preach in the synagogue which also proves the Sab. made for the spiritual use of man Luke 4. 16 to 27. in v. 14. after his being tempted v. 13. Jesus returned in the power of the spirit into Galilee and v. 15. taught in their Synagogues and v 16. he came to Nazareth where he had been brought up and as his custom was he went into the Synagogue on the sabbath day and stood up for to read and preached the Gospel v. 17 to 29. and then he came down to Capernaum and taught them on the sabbath day besides divers other places in the Evangelists which do all prove
in the Afternoon or presently after Noon gave them time enough to kill it and dress it without running up the time to mid-night 'T is true The Lord smote the first born of Aegypt at mid-night ver 29. and why it was at mid-night I know not but if we may so humbly say it might be inter alia for greater terror to Aegypt Which mid-night there did not that we find alter the institution of the Passover much less did that smiting the Aegyptians alter the Days of the Week and so our Lord observed the Passover before his Passion with his Disciples the Fourteenth Day of the first Month at Even Matth. 26. 20. Mark 14. 17. Luke 22. 7 14. And we read at Even there was upon the Tabernacle as it were the appearance of Fire untill the Morning and so it was alway and so the Evening did not here begin at mid-night but as it began to be dark Numb 6. 9 15 16 21. that is when the Sun did set Which Fire gave Light when it was Dark that is from the Evening till the Morning And that the Evening does begin not at mid-night but at Sun set we have many places in the Old and New-Testament Deut. 23. 11. When the Evening cometh on is when the Sun is down they are the words of Moses who wrote Genesis and Deuteronomy And Josh 10. 26 27. The five Kings were hanged on five trees until the evening and at the time of the going down of the sun they took them down by Joshua ' s command so as the Evening was the time of the Suns going down in Moses and Joshua's time In Prov. 7. 9. the Evening is called the Twilight in the Twilight in the Evening of the Day and the Twilight begins when the Sun sets Jer. 6. 4. The day goeth away for the shadows of the evening are stretched out now when the Sun sets the Earth begins to be shadowed and then the former day goeth away Mark 1. 32. And at even when the sun did set they brought to him all that were diseased or the Evening being come when the Sun had set which makes it as plain as words can well express it that the Evening began not at mid-night but when the Sun did set and that when Mark wrote his Gospel So Mark 13. 35. The Words of Christ Watch for ye know not when the master cometh at even or at mid-night or at cock-crowing or in the morning so the Even was one time and midnight another so the Evening did not begin at mid-night and yet the Doctor thinks it manifest and that we need not scruple to embrace it then which he thinks nothing can be more clear whereas it seems very plain by the Scriptures that every day begins in the Evening that is when the Sun sets And if it be so as above then all which the Doctor says for mid-night-day and all he builds thereon fails which may confirm us that the Crucifying of Christ was on the Sixth day of the Week about our three a Clock in the Afternoon and that the Resurrection was upon the First day of the Week in the Morning and yet the Doctor p. 28. thinks it to be very plain that at the time of Christs Death and Resurrection the Day began at mid-night and did continue till mid-night And in p. 28. says We have now found our Saviours Example as to the two first Sundays from his Resurrection if at least their First day of the Week be our Sunday for the uncertainty of the days which is the First and which is the Seventh day he still holds as before as I think against himself for if our Sunday be not the First day why does he plead for it By which frequent reserve of the uncertainty which is the First day of the Week if the Doctor does mean to rebuild the First day as the Romanists and some few others upon the authority of the Church or of the Civil Magistrate it seems fair to tell us so for if it be uncertain what day of the Week the First day is I cannot see any Foundation in the Word or common Reason for observing an uncertain weekly Day and if it be uncertain then it is certainly gone As to our Saviours Example which the Doctor has found as to one of those two First Sundays it is an Example of our Saviours and two of his Disciples travelling on Sunday which Example I may allow him without any hurt or danger to the main question And his other Example about after Eight days which he has found has been answered as I think before And these two Sundays are all that the Doctor finds as Examples by Christ for altering the Sabbath from the Seventh to the First day of which altering we find not one word in either He says nothing of any Word or Example of Christ before his Death for such alteration for he knows our Saviours manner was to keep the Sabbath during his Life Nor says he that I remember any thing of the Thief his being with Christ in Paradice the same day of his Crucifixion Luke 23. 42 43. Then p. 29. he says We have clear Evidence of a like Practice Acts 20. 7. And so leaps over all about Paul and others keeping the Sabbath that is in the former Chapters of the Acts of the Apostles which I shall have occasion to remember him of From which Acts 20. 7. he renders dielegeto holding forth and this rendring holding forth the Doctor does twice page 29. In the Enquiry p. 55 in answer to the Objection from Acts 20. 7. where Paul Preached to the Disciples I take notice that the Greek Word there rendred Preached is in Acts 17. 2. rendred Reasoned where Paul as his manner was Preached to them three Sabbath-days and so the same Greek word with that in Acts 20. 7. is rendred Reasoned in Acts 18. 4. where Paul Preached in the Synagogue every Sabbath to Jews and Gentiles this little notice I take of the same Greek word in these three places of Acts 20. 7. Acts 18. 4 and Acts 17. 2. rendred Preached Acts 20. 7. but rendred Reasoned Acts 18. 4. and Acts 17. 2. Though it be the same Greek word which I think of some use to shew that Paul preached Christ every Sabbath the Doctor seems to take offence at and gives leave to render it Paul did hold forth and instead of he continued his Speech that he held on his holding forth till mid-night which Expression of holding forth has been much abused in this Age by some Men against eminently Holy and Learned Non conforming Ministers when they have been accused as Malefactors for Preaching the Gospel to scorn reproach and despise them as holders forth c. And the Expression of Holding forth being taken in an ill and despightful sence by some who so use it I think the Doctor might have spared to put it upon Paul who in his Preaching Christ was then a Non-conformist Minister and
to keep A but The Sabbath during his Life and the Women and others kept it whilst his Body rested in the Grave whilst he was in Paradice that is in Heaven not only on what they called the Sabbath as the Doctor p. 50. which I think not well surmised by him as if they or rather the Holy Spirit there called a wrong day the Sabbath but on what was the Sabbath and that some of the Disciples travelled upon the very Resurrection day and that Paul and other Christians did not only seem to which are the Doctor 's words and I think are hard words but expresly and actually did observe not only what they called the Sabbath but what was the Sabbath the true Seventh day-Sabbath not only after Christs Resurrection but after his Ascension and after the Holy Spirit given and that that was Paul's manner and of others every Sabbath day as before these Repetitions I am forced to Which I think do prove that Christ and the Apostles did then take not A but The Seventh day to be the Christian Sabbath as it was or why else doth the Holy Spirit so very often in the four Evangelists before his Death and Resurrection and in the Acts after his Resurrection and Ascension and after the pouring out the Holy Spirit name it not A but The Sabbath not only what they called but what was the Sabbath Yet the Doctor p. 51. thinks Paul's Preaching upon the Sabbath days to be occasional by which if he means as it there seems occasional only I know no word he has from God in the Scriptures for his Sence of occasional and I think Paul's constant Practice to Preach upon the Sabbath days was according to the Duty of a Minister of Christ and in Obedience to Christs express Command Matth. 28. 19 20. by which Command I think all other his Ministers are obliged And as to the Passover and all Sacrifices and other Ceremonials that they are abolished by the Death of Christ I think certain and to what is said in the Enquiry as to that I add this That the Passover sacrifices are all set aside by that word Luke 22. 19. and 1 Cor. 11. 23 24 25 26. This do in remembrance of me and so the Passover c. are laid aside by the Lords Supper by which Ordinance of the Supper we declare that Christ was sacrificed for the Sins of his People and by this we declare his Death till he come in Glory to judge the Quick and Dead and there was or is no further need of Sacrifices or Types to represent Christs Death And so the Passover and all other Sacrifices to be at an end by these words This is my body which is given for you or which is broken for you this do in remembrance of me Which Lords Supper was then instituted and immediately succeeded the Passover which Passover then ceased Matth. 26. 17 20 26. And as they were eating Jesus took bread c. Mark 14. 22 c. And to what is offered p. 54. from Rom. 14 4 5 6. He that regardeth a day regardeth it to the Lord and he that regardeth not the day to the Lord he doth not regard it It is not said what was the day there in question but the Doctor thinks it most likely to be that of the Jewish Sabbath What day this was is hard for any Man at this distance of time to determine and more hard to build any certain Doctrine upon it as a certain Day when God has not that I know told us in his Word what day it was but left it wholly uncertain I find nothing in that Epistle about days till Rom. 14. 4 5 6. where one Man esteemed one Day before another another esteemed every day he that regardeth the day regardeth it to the Lord and he that regardeth not the day to the Lord he doth not regard it And it is not there said as the Doctor acknowledges p. 54. what was the Day there nor do I now see how possibly to know what Weekly or Monthly or Yearly or Feasting or Fasting or other day it did refer to but of the Sabbath there is no mention and why is it then most likely to be the Sabbath which he confesses is not there said and whatever day it was it seems it was no great matter whether they regarded it or not ver 6. And whatever day that were it was certainly such a day as Paul would not have them judge one another for ver 4. which makes it likely to me that it was not the Sabbath day which Paul so constantly preached Christ upon and observed as before which Sabbath is a part of that Moral Law which Paul was under to God but was such a day whatever day it was as he thought fit at that time and place to leave undetermined As for Gal. 4. 3 8 9 10. In Galatia were some Disciples Acts 18. 1 4 23. In which Chapter it is said Paul preached at Corinth every sabbath to Jews and Gentiles And Paul Gal. 1. 2. directs that Epistle to the Churches of Galatia where probably were some converted and many unconverted And Gal. 4. 3. Paul says When we were children we were in bondage under the Elements or under the Rudiments of the world which seems the Heathen World ver 8. When they knew not God they did service to them who they knew by nature were no Gods which was the case of the Heathens for the Israelites did then and do still Worship Jehovah who is God the true God and so do actually Worship Christ the only Messiah who is Jehovah as in the Enquiry p. 9 c. And the Father Son and Holy Spirit are one Jehovah Deut. 6. 4 5. Enquiry p. 12. But the Israelites don't yet know Christ to be Johovah their Messiah Saviour and Redeemer which Truth upon their Conversion and Restoration remains to be revealed to them So as this place seems specially directed to those who had an Heathenish Education who before served those who were no Gods who after they knew God Gal. 4. 9. were turning again to the weak and beggarly Rudiments to their first Teachings and Heathenish Instruction which Paul there blames ver 10. you observe days and months and times and years ver 11. I am afraid of you least I have bestowed upon you labour in vain What days these were is the Question the Doctor says t is not here said in particular what those days were that are here meant yet he thinks it is most likely and scarce to be doubted to be meant of the Sabbath To which I answer That I think days there cannot be meant of a weekly Rest and if it be it is directed there not to rest upon Sunday which was observed by the Heathens in honour of the Sun as we may see afterward And every Sabbath being observed by Paul and the Sabbath not being that I can find in question days there I think cannot refer to the Sabbath Which the
hard to be found and I commend to the Doctor Rev. 3. 17. But I know nothing of Prejudice or Fondness corrupt Nature and human Frailties by Grace disallowed in this and all Cases excepted as he surmises but whensoever I find in the Scriptures any Truth which would correct my Conversation and make it agreeable to Gods Will after due seach and consideration honestly and conscientiously to comply with it as other Christians do or ought and this question has been considered by me now near twenty six Years And if such Truth according to the best of that Knowledge God hath graciously given concern others also then to communicate it and if it be a Truth which can be by me no other way opened to them then to do it in this sort as I weakly can and I shall be heartily glad the Doctor or any other would do it much better as he is very well able And if we are not to hide our selves from our Brother's Ox or his Sheep when we see them go astray Deut. 22. 1 2 3 4. And if we are obliged when others especially our Brethren err in Judgment or Practice to reprove them How much more are we bound when we see many erring in a moral Duty to endeavour to set them right And to surmise upon him that he writes those Reflections and many others to prepossess and prejudice Readers I am loath to do Nor had I made this Vindication if I had not been compelled by the Doctor 's Charge And as to the Israelites keeping the true Seventh-day-Sabbath commanded Exod. 20. from thence to the Incarnation of our Lord I do not remember the Doctor to deny it for which I think there is enough said in the Enquiry p. 26. 27 28. and much more might be added if need were and I am unwilling to write again the same things altho' by repeating the same Objections and reinforcing the old with new Words I am sometime constrained so to do And in general I say that as far as I can judge there is enough said in the Enquiry to prove that not A but The Sabbath Instituted Gen. 2. and Repeated Exod. 20. and observed from thence to Christs coming and with every tittle of the rest of the Moral Law confirmed and made perpetual by Christ in Matth. 5. 17 18 19. and Luke 16. 14 17. who certainly knew the true Sabbath day binds all men till the Heaven and Earth pass away which is not yet And not A Seventh day but The Seventh day there established and made perpetual was observed by Christ during his Life for so was his custom Luke 4. 16 to 21. Enquiry p. 38. 39 41 42 43 45. and was observed by Believers after his Death Resurrection and Ascension so was Paul's custom Acts 17. 2. which was never altered by the Word that I know Which confirming and making the Law perpetual and every Jot and Tittle of it by Christ who was and is Jehovah does also fully prove as I think that not A but the Seventh-day-Sabbath was neither altered nor changed nor forgotten nor any way uncertain to Christs time neither as to the day nor as to the beginning or ending of it and that the Seventh day is the Lords Day This being premised let us consider what the Doctor further offers for the First or against the Seventh day p. 17. 18. he tells us That Christ on the day of his resurrection did not only appear to the good Women at the Sepulchre and declare to them the Resurrection but also the same day himself declares it to two of them going to Emmaus Luke 24. 27 32. and did expound to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself and did open to them the the Scriptures and did as he takes it celebrate the Lords Supper implyed in the words he took bread and blessed it and brake and gave to them ver 30 c. 'T is true Christ after the Resurrection appeared to Mary Magdalen and to the other Mary Matth. 28. 1. 9. And the Angel said to them v. 5. and Mark 16. 5 6. He is not here but is risen go tell his disciplees that he is risen from the dead which they did but the Disciples believed them not Now 't is certain as 't is agreed that Christ rose the Third day which Third day was the First day of the Week and that the Angel Matth. 28. 5. and two Angels Luke 24. 4. and John 20. 12. said to the Women that Christ was risen and the women told it to the Disciples yet the Disciples would not believe them and we have Christ appearing to two Disciples as they travelled into the Country Mark 16. 12. And they went and told it to the rest of the Disciples but they believed not them Verse the 13. And Christ's appearing to the Women was a practical proving of the Resurrection Some think the two Disciples Mark 16. 12. to be the two Disciples traveling to Emmaus Luke 24. 13. which is very likely and that Peter from Luke 24. 34. and 1 Cor. 15. 5. was one of them But 't is certain they were two Disciples and yet the rest would not believe them Mark 16. 13. And their Discourse upon the way as they travelled together Luke 24. 13. was such as the Doctor mentions and Christ there reproved them for not believing what the Prophets had spoken v. 25. That Christ ought to suffer but did not reprove them that we read for travelling on that day And 't is likely the Breaking and Blessing of Bread ver 30. might be for ought I know the Sacrament of the Supper and implied But still the Journey from Jerusalem to Emmaus and back again was a travelling Journey being near fifteen Miles and more then a Sabbath days Journey as the Doctor agrees and I do not see how he can make that Journey consist with the keeping that First day as a Sabbath whereof there is there or before no Institution nor any Mention but rather the direct contrary their travelling upon that First day of the Week without any reproof from Christ as upon any other of the Six days seems directly against the Doctor And whether our Lord did then travel without pain as the Dr. is not written he had then the Wounds in his Body and at his appearing afterward to the Disciples and Thomas John 20. 25 27. Luke 24. 29. and yet might be without pain for ought I know but surely the two Disciples travelled as others do And although the Disciples were eminently Holy yet because not written I do not know what they were then imployed about at Jerusalem unless it were mourning and weeping Mark 16. 10. where they were assembled for fear of the Jews John 20. 19. before or after the report of the Women whom they did not credit And p. 19. I think the Doctor agrees the meeting of the Disciples there providential and not upon a Sabbath account for 't was for fear of the Jews And Christs appearing
to the Eleven as they sat at Meat Mark 16. 14. agrees therewith it was as they sat at Meat And to what he offers p. 19. from Luke 24. 36. 42. and John 20. 19. our Lords appearing to the Disciples at Jerusalem and saying peace be unto you So Mark 16. 14 15 16. I answer this Salutation of Peace be unto you or such like is frequent in the Scriptures and must be strangely and strongly forced to speak any thing of instituting the First day The Resurrection was and is a great Truth and necessary to be known and assured and yet the Disciples were unbelieving of it notwithstanding all that Christ told them before his Death Mark 9. 31. That he should be delivered into the hands of Men and be killed and after that rise the third day as Mark 10. 33 34. Luke 24. 7 c. And his Resurrection was proved to them by several Witnesses Luke 24. 10. whose words seemed to them as Idle tales v. 11. and the Lord himself upbraides them for their hardness of heart because they believed not them who had seen him after he was risen Mark 16. 14. So it became necessary if I may so say for the Lord to give full and undeniable Evidence of the Truth of his Resurrection by his Personal appearing to the Eleven upon the very day thereof as he did as they sat at Meat Mark 16. 14. that there might be no room left for any doubt of his being actually risen from the Dead A Truth upon which the whole Doctrine of the Gospel did and does eminently depend and this I think is a fair account of our Lords appearing to the Disciples at Jerusalem But that this did alter the Seventh or appoint the First day for a Sabbath I find not but seems all dark Conjecture without any warrant from the Scriptures And yet the Doctor p. 20. says all which being put together seems to him very like the Celebration if not the Consecration of a Christian Sabbath or day of Holy Rest and Religious Service I fully acknowledge that all that was spoken by our Lord as well before as after his Resurrection was Spiritual and Heavenly upon all the Sabbaths he kept as his Custom was and at all other times before and after his Resurrection but yet that that which the Doctor allows as it seems to me as providential and not upon a Sabbatical account should alter the Seventh day or institute the First I see not And we do not read the Lord blaming his Disciples for resting upon the Sabbath day or for travelling upon the First but for their not believing his Resurrection So as the Seventh-day-Sabbath by all the Doctor has yet offered seems not hurt From John 20. 26. After eight days Christ appeared to the Disciples and Thomas with them Christ had appeared to the Eleven Disciples at Evening upon the day of his Resurrection as they sat at Meat Mark 16. 14. which was the First day of the Week John 20. 19. when they were assembled for fear of the Jews but Thomas not being there John 20. 24. would not believe unless he should thrust his hand into his side ver 25. And after eight days Christ appeared to the disciples and Thomas with them John 20. 26. and saith to Thomas reach hither thy hand and thrist it into my side and be not faithless but believing ver 27. which was an admirable Condescension of our Lord to cure his and all others unbelief Those Words after eight Days the Doctor thinks was that day seven-night c. The Cavil for so the Doctor calls it he says is so weak that he is sorry to see it p. 20. And then takes great pains to prove That after eight days as we commonly speak in English on that day seven-night is the next First day after the Resurrection I have perused the Enquiry p. 50. 51. that after eight days is not that day seven-night and I neither discern it to be a Cavil nor so weak as the Doctor represents it but that after eight days may be as it seems to me the second or third day seven-night after the Resurrection In Matth. 26. 2 6 14 16 17. after two days was the passover seems to be meant after two days exclusively i. e. excluding the day on which that was said Rev. 11. 11. After three days and an half about the two witnesses the spirit of life from God entred into them and they stood upon their feet is understood as I think with Reason after not two but three Days or Years and an half expired God will revive them and restore them to his Service and 't is same Greek word for after here as John 20. 26. So after eight days may not include the day wherein 't was spoken and so may be the second or third day seven-night after And I do not know that ever I heard much less do we commonly so speak that after eight days is that day seven-night after or that after eight days does include the day wherein it is so said for one of the eighth days and if it did include it yet after eighth seems to be the ninth and that in John 20. 26. was also spoken in the Evening i. e. near the end of that day As for what the Doctor offers that after eight days must be that day seven night because Christs rising the third day is said in Mark 8. 31. to be after three days I say the Crucifixion was upon the sixth day the Resurrection upon the first Day of the next Week which does explain what is meant by after three days Mark 8. 31. that is after part of the Sixth day the whole seventh Day and part of the First day Now when after three days is so explained in divers Scriptures to be the third day it may not follow that after eight Days which is no where that I know so explained must include the Day spoken in and exclude the day after the Eighth And that the Resurrection was upon the third day I think there is enough offered in the Enquiry see Matth 6. 21 17. 23 20. 19 27. 64. Mark 9. 31. 10. 34. The words of our Lord The Son of Man shall rise again the third day Luke 9. 22 13. 32 18. 33 24. 7 21. 46. 1 Cor. 15. 4. He rose again the third day so as the Resurrection was on the third Day and the words after three Days are fully explained to be the third Day or in on or upon the third Day and the first of these three Days is expresly included And 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 after sometimes signifies in and Mark 8. 31. rendred in three Days answers that Objection and the Enemies Matth. 27. 64. desired Pilate that the Sepulchre might be secured untill the third Day that is till the third Day is come not till after the third Day is past and so the Enemies understood the Resurrection would be in or on the
third Day and all Scholars know that Greek Prepositions and Particles are often variously rendered as the reason of the place where they are used does require And if this place in Mark 8. 31. be so rendered in three Days i. e. after the third Day is come that agrees with all the above cited Scriptures for his rising the third Day and so Grotius and Beza and other Annotators on Mark 8. 31. And there is this difference as before that after eight days is no where explained to be the eighth day including the first of the eight or excluding the day after the eighth nor explained by in eight days as after three days in Mark 8. 31. is expresly explained by many Scriptures to be the third day and as above in three days i. e. till the third day What is offered p. 22. from Luke 1. 59. on the eighth day they came to Circumcise John was according to the Institution Gen. 17. 12. He that is eight days old shall be circumcised which Institution does actually include the day of Birth for that the day of Birth is one day and seven days more do accomplish eight days Luke 2. 21. but 't is no where said of that that I know that 't was after eight days that they were to be Circumcised But if after eight days did include the first of the eight days and did exclude the day after the eighth day yet here is no abrogating the Seventh-day-Sabbath nor any instituting the first day not any word to any such purpose but this seems an occasion taken by our Lord after eight days after his Resurrection when Thomas was with the rest of the Disciples who was not present at Christs first appearing to them to cure his unbelief and to confirm the Faith of the rest of the Disciples and of all others in these two great Doctrines one of the Deity of Christ whom Thomas there openly and expresly owns to be the Lord his God My Lord and my God John 20. 28 29. The other of the Resurrection of Christ which till then Thomas said he would not believe John 20. 24 25. In which two great Doctrines the rest of the Disciples were before confirmed as in the Enquiry From p. 23. to p. 28. the Doctor would make the day begin at mid-night and to end at mid-night according to the Roman account and that to be the Evening and the Morning Gen. 15. and from mid-night to mid-night to be the day And though I am not willing to contend about terms what is the Natural and what the Artificial day yet I may not admit the Days of the Week to be any other than what God first fixed in the Scriptures that is the Evening and the Morning 'T is true the Day as distinguished from the Night begins in the Morning and ends in the Evening and the Night or Darkness as distinguished from Day begins in the Evening and ends in the Morning but the whole day consisted of Evening and Morning that is of Night and Day and we find Gen. 1. 3. that when Light was Created Let there be light Ver. 4. God divided the light from the darkness Ver. 5. And God called the light Day and the darkness he called Night and the evening and the morning were the first day And so the Light was the Day and Darkness the Night as distinguished from one another but one Day or the First Day of the Week consisted of Evening and Morning that is of Darkness and Light which was the First day And so Ver. 8. the evening and the morning were the second day and ver 13. the evening and the morning were the third Day and ver 19. the evening and the morning were the fourth Day and ver 23. the evening and the morning were the fifth Day and ver 31. the evening and the morning were the sixth Day and the seventh day God rested or Sabbatized Gen. 2. 2 3. where Seventh day is thrice mentioned And God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it or made it Holy which making it Holy I think resolves the main Question which Days of the Week consisting of Evening and Morning that is of Darkness and Light and so beginning in the Evening and ending the Evening after is there appointed and fixed and material and plain and may not be altered And our manner of reckoning of days here I think is not in question now between us P. 22. He takes notice about what time Mary Magdalen came to the Sepulchre on the day of Christs Resurrection And upon Luke 23. 55 56. When they beheld the Sepulchre and how the Body was laid the Doctor says that was on the sixth day at night which night I cannot find in the word that it was at Night and they returned and prepared Spices and Ointments and rested the Sabbath day according to the Commandment which is true that they returned prepared Spices rested and kept the Sabbath which was not A but the Seventh-day-Sabbath after the Death of Christ whilst his Body was in the Grave and he in Paradice i. e. in Heaven But I know no word for that that Christ was buried in the Night but towards the end of the sixth Day and if it were not at Night the Doctor ought not so to write And from Luke 24. 1. Matth. 28. 1. Mark 16. 1. John 20. 1. The Doctor would observe p. 23. that the Sabbath according to their Account did not end till towards the Morning of the next day but it being not said in either of those places or elsewhere that I find in the word that the Sabbath did not end till towards the Morning but that Christ was risen when the Sabbath was past Mark 16. 1. Early in the morning of the first day ver 2. This proves against him as I think that the Sabbath was ended before viz. the Evening before And yet the Doctor says it is manifest that at this time as well the Sabbath as other days were by them reckoned not from Evening to Evening but rather according to the Roman account from mid-night to mid-night And to prove it says it was sometime after the ninth hour i. e. our three a Clock in the Afternoon that Christ gave up the Spirit Mark 15. 34 37. and later when they brake the Thieves Legs and later when Joseph begged his Body took it and buried it by which he would prolong the time to run it up into the Night for which Night we find no Word and for which I see no Reason nor know any other to whom his sence of this prolonged time is manifest the general sence of Learned Cristians being as I think against him All those things being well consistent before the Sabbath drew on and our Lords giving up the Spirit the begging of his Body taking it and burying it in a Tomb prepared might all be in a very little time for John 19. 42. The sepulchre was nigh at hand which surely was so little time as to
be all finished upon the Sixth day before the Sabbath drew on Luke 23. 54 55 56. And for the Women to prepare Spices and Ointments the same Sixth day and all before the Sun set And this way of the Doctor 's reasoning if it would hold which I think it will not would break in upon the Sabbath upon which the Women rested according to the Commandment Luke 23. 56 c. and would leave a doubt whether the Sixth day were one of the Three days unless men believe as the Doctor that the days begin at mid-night see Mr. Shepherd's Tract on this Subject The general opinion I think is right in this that the reckoning of days in the time of the Old Testament was from Evening to Evening which reckoning I find not yet altered in the Word but the Romans who were then Heathens did reckon days from mid-night to mid-night And p. 24. how long the First day lasted is built on a Foundation as if the day began at mid-night And p. 25. he says We reasonably suppose from Luke 24. 29 30 35. that the two Disciples from Emmaus came pretty late at night to Jerusalem Which is but supposed not in the Word which Word is the Wisdom of God and the highest Reason Ver. 29. They said to Christ abide with us for it is towards evening and the day is far spent which might and surely did leave time enough for them to return to Jerusalem that day for Luke 24. 33. They rose up the same hour and returned to Jerusalem which intimates their haste in returning to Jerusalem And 't was the same Day of the Resurrection that is the First Day of the Week at Evening that our Lord appeared to the Disciples at Jerusalem John 20. 19. as they sat at Meat when the Doors were shut where the Disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews upon the First day at Evening and John 19. 40 41 42. The Body of Jesus was laid in a Garden because of the Jews Preparation day for the Sepulchre was nigh at hand and so no need of much time to bury him all was easie to be finished before the Sabbath began to which the Sixth day was a Preparation day which proves it to be the day before the Sabbath yet the Doctor thinks it was about mid-night and then infers as manifest that the Jews and four Evangelists did reckon their days from mid-night to mid-night and there adds if they did not so reckon Christ could not be said Matth. 12. 40. to be three Days and three Nights in the heart of the Earth which I take it is not well said for to make a doubt of the three Days in the Grave unless we believe it manifest that the Jews and four Evangelists did reckon their days from mid-night to mid-night seems very blamable The Doctor thinks p. 26. the days in the time of the Old Testament reckoned from mid-night to mid-night and from Exod. 12. 6 14 15 16. about the Passover that Evening v. 6. or as in the Margent between the two Evenings is at mid-night and that as soon as mid-night is past Morning began and says the account thereof is so fair as we need not scruple to embrace it And he thinks from the first born of Egypt being slain at midnight that the midnight began the next day after the Passover then which he thinks nothing can be more clear and p. 28. takes it to be very plain from what he has said That at the time of Christs Death and Resurrection the days were counted from midnight to mid-night which matters which he thinks plain clear and manifest I think are mistaken by him What was offered from Gen. 1. 5. the Evening and the Morning were the First day the Doctor thinks is easily answered and renders it as in the Hebrew and the Evening was and the Morning was one day i. e. says he there was in the First day and so in the rest Evening and Morning or Darkness and Light which is so far true and says Darkness is put first because beginning the Day from mid-night the Dark is before the Light but if it were so which I think is not then the Darkness would be after the Light viz. till mid-night after and would put Night and Day in Confusion To which I further say as he by day one or one day Gen. 1. 5. is there meant the First day and so I think in the New-Testament by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 one day is generally meant the first day and the first day is certainly meant as to the day of Christs resurrection But that the Evening in Gen. 1. 5. began at midnight is contrary to the current of learned men Doctor p. 26. and contrary to Mr. Chafie and contrary to the Hebrews who best knew the meaning of the Books of Moses and I think contrary to the Scriptures throughout which begin the Evening when the Sun does set Mark 1. 32. whereof more by and by And as to the Evenings Exod. 12. 6. it seems to me that one or the First Evening was the Evening which after the Sun created began the days i. e. when the Sun did set and the other Evening was about the time of the daily and weekly Sacrifices which ordinarily I think was about their ninth Hour i. e. our three a Clock in the Afternoon which Acts 3. 1. is called the ninth Hour the Hour of Prayer when Peter and John went to the Temple So Cornelius in a Vision saw an Angel about the ninth Hour Acts 10 3. And the ninth Hour that is our three a Clock in the Afternoon was about the Hour of our Saviours being made a Sacrifice for his People Matth. 27. 46. Mark 15. 34. Or that other Evening might be 1 Kings 18. 29 36. when Mid-day was past And betwixt the two Evenings Exod. 12. 6. is understood by many to be betwixt the declining of the Sun after Noon and the setting of the Sun which may well be but the first Evening began at Sun set and belonged to the Day of the Week which Days of the Week consisted of Evening and Morning as before Their Morning-Worship seems to have been about our nine a Clock in the Morning which I think was their third Hour Acts 2. 4 15. at which Hour the Holy Spirit was poured out But the Evening of the Days of the Week after the Sun created I think began at or about Sun set and comprehended from Sun setting to Sun rising and the Morning from Sun rising to Sun set which Evening and Morning made up every day of the Week then and ever since as before And yet the Doctor p. 25. thinks that both the Jews and four Evangelists did reckon their days from mid-night to midnight And the Paschal Lamb Exod. 12. 3 6. which was to be killed the Fourteenth day of the first Month between the two Evenings Exod. 12. 2 6. whether the Evening wherein they were to kill it began at our three a clock
Doctor thinks most likely to be meant of the Sabbath though he acknowledges it is not said and if it be not so said how can any mans Conscience build upon what is not said in the Word and the Heathens generally observed Sunday and their Princes and Magistrates being Heathens some of those converted to the Christian Faith might in some sort decline giving them offence upon their days whether Feastivals or Fasting days but that tho it might be is conjectural 'T is certain that many do things now which relate to Worship in complyance with those under whom they live and so have done I doubt in former Ages and t is certain they observed days which observation Paul blamed and some of those days might also be Jewish days as Passover New Moons c. as in the Enquiry or days of purim Hester 9. 26. which the Jews observe still as I think in all Nations where they live And t is to me most likely and scarce to be doubted that one of those days blamed by Paul and the principal one was Sunday which the Heathens observed wherein the converted Heathens were by their Heathen Parents who knew not God first instructed before they knew God Gal. 4. 8. which Paul calls weak and beggarly Elements ver 9. which words of weak and Beggarly Elements do certainly not refer to any part of the Moral Law as afterward So that upon the whole of this in Gal. 4. 9 10 11. it seems more likely that Paul blames them for observing the First day if it were at all then observed by Christians And Gal. 4. 12. which is the next verse Paul adds Brethren I beseech you to be as I am who constantly observed the Sabbath day as before As to what is objected from Coloss 2. 16. where Paul says Let no man judge you in meat or in drink or in respect of an holy day or of the new moon or of the Sabbaths Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which the Doctor p. 55 56 57 58. understands of Sabbaths and so of the Seventh-day-Sabbath and p. 59. does not think it by the Fourth Command to be so determined to this day that is the Seventh day as to be unchangeable to after Ages And when Christ or his Apostles by direction from him did put it into a new order this new order doth as well suit the words of the Fourth Command as that former all which are postulata and I reply if it be not changed then the Doctor cannot change it and if it be settled in the Word that the Seventh day is the Sabbath as I think it is then it is unchangeable and the Doctor cannot suit the Command to his Sense and when the Doctor or any other produceth any such new order from Christ or from his Apostles to change the Seventh to the First day he will say somewhat and I hope all Christians will obey it but I see not yet any such new order produced In the General I acknowledge this of Coloss 2. 16. at first seemed the most colourable Objection that I knew Colosse is said to be in Phrygia and the Inhabitants Heathens this Epistle Coloss 1. 1 2. Paul directs to the Saints and faithful Brethren in Christ which are at Colosse which it seems were converted Heathens and it may be some persecuted and converted Jews ver 9. 10. Paul prays for them that they may be fruitful in every good work of which good work the law of God is a rule and ver 13 14 15 16. Paul tells them that the son of God the redeemer created all things whom ver 3. he calls the Lord Jesus Christ to whom those who were enemies by wicked works which wicked Works I think were Works against the Moral Law were then reconciled to present them ver 22. holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight free from all Immoralities and present them perfect in Christ Jesus whom as they had received so they should walk in him which good Works Perfection receiving Christ and holy Walking I think were true Conversion sincere Repentance Faith Holiness and new Obedience to the Word of God and Moral Law And Coloss 2. 8. Beware least any man spoil you through Philosophy and vain deceit after the tradition of men after the rudiments of the World and not after Christ The Philosophers who are thought to have been Platonists would then as others now have brought the Doctrine of Christ and Laws of his Kingdom to be judged by their Reason who were Heathens who would have put a cheat upon them by their Traditions to withdraw them from Christs institutions after the Rudiments or first Teachings of the Heathenish World which were corrupt The Heathens had other Objects as Sun Moon and Stars c. and ways of Worship contrary to Christ and his Laws Let no man therefore judge you in meat or in drink or in respect of an holy day or of the new moon or of the sabbaths or weeks Coloss 2. 16. Let no man judge or censure you or impose upon you that as necessary which is not after Christ and his Laws there were Feastivals among the Jews which were Typical and Ceremonial and amongst the Heathens which were Idolatrous Against which Rudiments of the World ver 8. Paul speaks more from ver 20. to 23. to which Paul would have them dead and not as tho living in the World which was there Heathenish to be subject to Ordinances after the Commandments and Doctrines of Men of Heathenish Men which things have indeed a shew of Wisdom in Will-Worship Which second Chapter seems mainly aimed against the Philosophical Heathenish World and their Will Worship after the Commandments and Doctrines of Heathenish Men. Though some Learned Men have also thought that it refers to the inclinations of some there to the Ceremonial Laws abolished by the Death of Christ Now that the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sabbaths does signifie Week or Weeks I refer to the Enquiry p. 70 71 72 73. John 20. 1 19. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Luke 24. 1. the like 16. 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Matth. 28. 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which in the plural number doth signify Sabbaths or Weeks and in the New Testament is used for Week and for Sabbath whether it be put there for Weeks I cannot now examine nor do I see it necessary seeing the plural number does ordinarily signifie more then one What I offered in the Enquiry p. 70. that the word Sabbaths in the New Testament is never applyed to the weekly Seventh-day-Sabbath was mistaken by me and the word never should have been left out or the Expression otherways cured and Enquiry p. 136. that God who reserved a Tenth of our Substance reserved But a Seventh of our Time But should have been left out Both which with other Errata's before I read it in any Printed Book I gave particular order to amend in a Printed Paper of Errata's and upon a question which requires such
but according to the pleasure of men as I think the First day is whereas the Seventh day is appointed by the Lord and the Conscience and whole life of man ought to be governed by the commandments of God without adding or diminishing Deut. 12. 32. Matth. 15. 6 9. Which commandments of men have indeed a shew of wisdom in will-worship Coloss 2. 23. Worship which some men imposed on themselves and others as if they could do and teach better and wiser then God had commanded which it seems is an old and humane Infirmity Mr. Cawdrey and Mr. Palmer in their Treatise of the Sabbath pag. 50. say That the Apostle in Col. 2. 16. speaks of the other Holy days and Sabbaths and not of the weekly Sabbath Mr. Sheppard in his Doctrine of the Sabbath pag. 166. Thes 181. speaking of Gal. 4. 10. Rom. 14. 4 5. Col. 2. 16 c. saith If we suppose that these places be meant of the weekly Sabbath and riggidly urge them we may quickly press Blood instead of Milk out of them and wholly abolish as Walleus the Observation of any Christian Sabbath Doctor Owen in his Treatise of the Sabbath pag. 214. speaking of Col. 2. 16 17. saith It is known and confessed that at that time all judaical Observations of Days whether Feasts or Fasts Weekly Monthly or Annual were by themselves and all others called their Sabbaths And that kind of speech was then in common use is here observed by our Apostles it must therefore necessarily be allowed that there were two sorts of Sabbaths amongst them the first and Principal was the Weekly Sabbath so called from the rest of God upon the finishing of his Works and that other day became from their Analogy thereto to be called Sabbaths also But that the difference between these Sabbaths was great The one of them was ordained from the foundation of the world before the entrance of Sin and so belonged to all mankind in general to all Mankind the other were appointed in the Wilderness as a part of the peculiar Church-worship of the Israelites That the one was directly commanded in the Decalogue wherein the Law of our creation the Learned Doctor calls it the Law of our Creation was revived and expressed and that the other have their Institution expresly among the residue of ceremonial temporary Ordinances See to the like purpose p. 215 216 217. Mr. Richard Byfield in his Treatise on the Sabbath p. 130. on Col. 2. 16. saith That the Apostle there speaketh not of the Fourth Commandment because he treateth expresly of those Sabbaths which were of the same rank with the New Moons And that he speaketh as he doth to the Galatians chap. 4. 10. of the Observation of Days Months and Years which pertained to the Servitude and Bondage of weak and beggarly Rudiments as in ver 9. Now saith he that any precept of the Decalogue should be so accounted and reckoned as a weak and beggarly Rudiment was far from the Apostle to think and is abhorred to Christian Ears and Religion Which I think Answer to the Doctor 's Objections from Col. 2. 16 c. Which four Opinons I had from another hand since I came to London and if I had the use of my own persecuted Study and other Books here 't were easie I think to gather many more And upon the whole I find Col. 2. 16. to be against judging of Christians then and there and for ought appears against judging either way and so this place in whatsoever sence we take it makes only against judging in those cases Pag. 59. the Doctor takes the Law for the Seventh day Sabbath to be a new Yoke to the Gentiles because it was given to the Jews as a Sign or a distinctive mark and for a perpetual Covenant Exod. 31. 13 16 17. Ezek. 20. 12 20. But this also will be against him as we shall see by and by That it was then new to the Heathens who observed Sunday I agree T is true it was a sign but such a sign as all Proselytes did embrace and obey till the coming of Christ and by him is made a perpetual law Matth. 5. 18 c. and so a perpetual sign between him and his people And tho Circumcision were a sign yet that is ceased as before and Baptism instituted And the Pascal Lamb tho it were a distinction between the Israelites c. and the Aegyptians yet being a Type of Christ was lain aside by him at his Institution of the Lords Supper as before by the words This do in remembrance of me Luke 22. 19. and ceased at his Death And if it be meerly circumstantial and doth not at all influence Religion whether in the Temple or other place God be Worshipped John 4. 21. as the Doctor p. 60. p. 2. Yet God having so directly resolved that the Seventh day is the Sabbath that is not a new Yoke but an old Institution for the good of all Mankind given at the Creation and commanded in the Decalogue and so given by Christ And with the rest of the Commandments Matth. 5. 18. and Luke 16. 17. made perpetual by him and so I think is Christs Yoke and an easie Yoke for it is only to take the commanded weekly Seventh instead of the First day Matth. 11. 29 30. which the Doctor and others should willingly take upon them Pag. 60. he adds That the Jewish Sabbath so he often calls it and the Word Jewish runs much in his mind seems to be not a continuation of a former Sabbath but rather a new Institution which I cannot find in the Word as he says he has shewed before which upon all the search I have made I cannot find in all his Book and I am loath to observe what I often read therein the great Latitude he takes that way The Doctor p. 60. quotes the Enquiry p. 26. and says I press and put great weight upon it that the Seventh day is a Sign and perpetual Covenant to distinguish his People from other that is saith he the People of the Jews from other Nations which last words the People of the Jews from other Nations are added by the Doctor whereas my words and meaning was and is throughout that the Sabbath was and is a perpetual Sign and Covenant with all true Israelites that is all true Believers of all Nations in all Ages from the beginning of the World to the end of it to distinguish such from the disobedient to Gods Laws And such Artifice to add somewhat of his own to turn what is offered into his own Notion are blameable And for the Doctor to say as he there That Circumcision the Passover and the Seventh-day-Sabbath were distinctive Marks and at an end by the Death of Christ is not so 'T is true of Circumcision and the Passover that they are at an end as before but not of the Sabbath So that a particular unravelling the many Allegations which I think are not so would make
the Sabbath made for the spiritual good of Man And so I think we have enough to prove that our Lord Jesus Christ kept the Sabbath during his life and that perfectly for he was a lamb without spot or blemish 1 Pet. 1. 19 c. and that the Seventh day Sabbath was made holy for the spiritual Good of Man Luke 16. 17. it is easier for Heaven and Earth to pass then one tittle of the Law to fail which one would think are strong words and of Authority in this case And Heaven and Earth are not yet passed and so not one tittle of the Law does yet fail and if this Scripture be true as it surely is it mightily proves the Seventh day to be the Sabbath Ezod 20. 10. which Seventh day in the Fourth Command is more then a tittle Luke 23. 54 55 56. And when he was Crucified Dead and Buried and the Sabbath drew on the Women followed after and beheld the Sepulchre and how his Body was laid and they returned and prepared Spices and Ointments and rested not A but The Sabbath day according to the Commandment that is according to the Fourth Commandment and so the Seventh day was not altered then and so kept not A but the Sabbath day after Christs Death and Burial as in probability all other Believers then did for I do not remember to have read of any that deny it John 14 15. If ye love me keep my commandments Exod. 20. 6. Deut. 7. 9 John 14. 21. he that hath my commandments and keepeth them he it is that loveth me 23. If a man love me he will keep my words John 15. 10. If ye keep my commandments ye shall abide in my love 14. ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I command you Are we Friends of Christ and would we abide in his Love then keep his Commands Acts 13. 13 14. Paul and his Company went into the Synagogue at Antioch on the Sabbath day and v. 15. After the reading of the law and the prophets v. 16. Paul stood up and preached Christ to them from v. 16. to 41. and v. 42. the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath not the next Morning upon the First day of the Week but the next Sabbath and so after the Resurrection and Ascension of Christ and after the Disciples were all filled with the Holy Spirit Acts 2. 1 4. T is certain Paul kept the Sabbath and Preached to Jews and Gentiles not upon the First day of the Week but upon the Sabbath day And we have the like Acts 13. 44. the next Sabbath day not the next Morning almost the whole City came together to hear the Word of God and v. 47 48. as many of the gentiles as were ordained to eternal life believed so divers Gentiles were here converted unto Christ on the Sabbath day v. 49. the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region and v. 52. the disciples were filled with joy and with the holy spirit and is not this a desirable frame and doe not all these prove that the Sabbath was made for the spiritual good of Man And Acts 14 1. In Iconium Paul and Barnabas went both together into the Synagogue of the Jews and so spake that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed a great multitude and v. 3. The Lord gave testimony to the word of his grace by signs and wonders done by them Acts 16. 1 3 12 13 14 15. at Philippi Paul and Timothy on the Sabbath day went out of the City by a Rivers side where Prayer was wont to be made and spake to the women which resorted thither where Lydia was converted whose heart the Lord opened that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul and was baptized and her Houshold which Scriptures with many others do shew and I think prove that the Sabbath was not altered but did continue after Christs Ascension and was observed Acts 17. 1. to 4. at Thessalonica where was a Synagogue of the Jews Paul as his manner was as Christs manner was Luke 4. 16. went in unto them and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures alledging that Christ must needs have suffered and risen again from the Dead and that this Jesus whom he preach'd unto them is Christ and some of them believed and consorted with Paul and Silas and of the devout Greeks that is of the Gentiles a great multitude and of the the chief Women not a few were converted to Christ upon the Sabbath day so the Law for keeping Holy the Sabbath was not then passed away And Acts 18. 1 2 4 5 19. at Corinth Paul Reasoned that is Greek Preached in the Synagogue every Sabbath and perswaded the Jews and the Greeks that is the Jews and Gentiles And what greater and stronger and clearer Evidence and Proof for the Seventh-day-Sabbath can Man desire then these plain Scriptures are and that it was at first Instituted Blessed and made Holy and throughout the Scriptures of Old and New Testament used for the conversion and eternal good of Man Rom. 3. 31. Do we then make void the law through Faith be it not yea we establish the law Rom. 7. 12. The law is holy and just and good Rom. 7. 14. we know that the Law is Spiritual Rom. 10. 4. Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness to every one that believeth And 1 Cor. 9. 21. Paul was under the law to Christ and 1 Cor. 11. 1. he saith be ye followers of me even as I also am of Christ who 1 Cor. 15. 3. dyed for our sins and 1 John 3. 4. sin is the transgression of the law but Gal. 3. 11. no man is justified by the law v. 13. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law v. 21. Is the law against the promises of God God forbid or be it not v. 24. but our schoolmaster unto Christ that we might be justified by faith who Tit. 2. 14. gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all anomy or contrariety in Opinion or Conversation to the law of God and Heb. 8. 10. the Lord saith I will put my laws into their minds and write them in or upon their hearts which surely is greatly desirable that his Law be written on our Hearts And we have the like promise Heb. 10. 15 16 17. saith the Lord I will put my laws into their hearts and in their minds will I write them which Law in Jam. 20. 8. is called a Royal Law that is the Kingly Chief and universal Law under which all other Laws of God are comprehended which Christ the Lord and King over all hath prescribed and commanded 1 John 1. 10. If we say that we have not sinned we make him a liar 1 John 2. 3. and hereby we know that we know him if we keep his commandments v. 4. he that saith I know him and keepeth not his commandments is mistaken v. 6. he that saith he abideth in him ought himself so to walk even as he walked and Christ kept the sabbath and 1 John 3. 22. whatsoever we ask we receive of him because we keep his commandments and 1 John 5. 3. for this is the love of God that we keep his commandments 2 Ep. of Joh 6. this is love that we walk after his commandments Rev. 12. 17. The Dragon was wroth and went to make War with those who kept the Commandments of God and have the Testimony of Jesus Christ and Rev. 14. 1◠Here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus and Rev. 22. 14. Blessed are they that do his commandments that they may have right to the tree of life and may enter through the gates into the city FINIS ERRATA PAge 3. line 28. for Cronologies read Cronologers p. 4. l. 5. r. one p. 5. l. 15. for v. 19. r. v. 16. p. 5. l. 39. r. but p. 9. l 27. dele and p. 10. l. 15. for Jashebeth r. Lashebeth p. 12. l. 15. for Morah r. Marah p. 13. l. 14. dele 22. l. 15. for Exod. 12. 12 13. r. Exod. 12. 32. p. 15. l. 4. for 23. r. 2 3. p. 16. l 28. for 15. r. 14. p. 18. l. 37. dele 14. p. 19. l. 26. for v. 5. r. v. 6. p. 21. l. 1. dele 42. p. 23. l. 18. for 6. r. 16. l. 21. dele 21. 46. p. 24. l. 23. for one r. One p. 29. l. 40. for Num. 6. r. Num. 9. p. 33. l. 5. for 30. r. 13. l. 35. for 30. r. 13. p. 34. l. 18. dele it p. 41. l. 23. for sacrificis r. and sacrifices p. 46. l. 6. for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 l. 7. for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 47. l. 6. for 15. r. 5. and for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ◠〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 l. 8. for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 l. 9. for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 l. 17. for must be one r. must be are p. 49. l. 32. dele and p. 50. l. 6. for Apostles r. Apostle l. 9. for day r. days l. 14. for other r. others p. 53. l. 11. for was r. is p. 54. l. 34. for put p. 58. l. 21. for Anp r. And l. 26. dele as p. 63. l. 31. for His r. ' T is p. 64. l. 17. for or r. of l. 23. for his r. ' t is p. 65. l. 20. r. as before and hereafter p. 72. l. 30. r. degrees