A third sort are content to observe their Sabbath by halves and having twenty four hours to their own days they shut up their Sabbath with one half and say an artificial day of twelve hours is sufficient A fourth declares that the evening is the time their Sabbath must begin Shep. beg sab p. 34. and sadly bewails the secret knots and difficulties that are found in the beginning of their first day Sabbath calling for humility and many tears But whiles thus they are confounded in their languages labouring with manifold difficulties to find some beginning of Mans Sabbath behold the lively Oracle of Gods unchangeable seventh day Sabbath opening all prison doors breaking all bars untying all knots and like Ariadue's Clue leading the perplexed spirit out of his Labyrinth whiles he returns by Christs direction to the beginning where in the infancy of time we meet with Gods spirit in a night of darkness brooding upon a confused Chaos Gen. 1.2 3. to produce a world of Wonders So that manifest it is night was the beginning of time in which the rude mass was made before any light appeared and this darkness with the ensuing light compleated the first day and so the second third fourth fifth and sixth wherein the Almighty finished the whole fabrick of heaven earth and sea leading man Gods Master-piece to the highest admiration And no sooner did the sixth days sun cease with the compleating of this peerless Potentate but Elohim ceased to shew his vertue and power in creation and withdrawing himself into himself he immediately sanctified the seventh day Sabbath to enjoy his own infinite beatitude delighting himself with full satisfaction in the pure and spotless works of his hands for as yet sin had not soiled the creature but whiles Iehovah celebrated his Sabbath with man for whom it was made Mar. 2. last Iob 38.7 lo the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy So that here the Lords Sabbath without the least loss of time exactly begins when with the sixth days sun the worlds creation ends and therefore such as desire to be holy as God is holy 1 Pet. 1.15 1 Joh. 3.3 must not onely observe this seventh day Sabbath but begin this holy Rest according to the pattern shewed in the Mount that is when the sixth circult of the sun shews us 't is time to cease from earthly labors as Iehovah in his royal Law hath proposed himself for our example Exo. 20.11 This hath been the constant course of believers I suppose it will scarce be questioned in Moses time since even the ceremonial Sabbaths because honoured as Sabbaths were so to be observed Lev. 22.32 From even unto even shall ye celebrate your Sabbath So after the Jews were rewarded in Babylon for slighting the Sabbath * 2 Chro. 36.22 did honest Nehemiah set to the exact observance of this day by causing Ierusalems gates to be shut before the Sabbath even whiles the declining sixth day sun by descending the Mountaines surrounding Ierusalem cast some obscurity upon the City gates a good example for earthy minds who wil not leave their servile labours till the last minute but perhaps allow themselves liberty to do some houshold business after the Sabbaths beginning We lie under equal engagements at least with ancient Israel which should oblige us to such evening sacrifice as appears to be their custome by that Psalm designed for the Sabbath Psal 92.1 It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord and to sing praises unto thy Name O most High to shew forth thy loving kindness in the morning thy faithfulness every night This sacrifice very well becomes Christians who should not be out-stript by those devour Tribes whose joys are further expressed by the Prophet Isa 30.29 Ye shall have a song as in the night when a holy solemnity is kept Hence 't is evident with what affection and at what time they set to the solemnity of this highest Sabbath Neither is the New Testament wanting of instructions when to begin this holy Rest for even after the sufferings of our Saviour the Saints did not onely observe the Sabbath but the Spirit is express in the beginning of the solemnity as is recorded for the everlasting honour of the precious women that having attended their Saviour to his sepulchre Luk. 23.55 56. They returned and prepared spices and oyntments and rested the Sabbath day according to the Commandement That part of the preparation day that remained after Christs burial these precious souls improved in preparing Aromaticks to embalm their beloved Luk. 23.54 but as the sixth day ended and the Sabbath drew on their work was done for so well were they discipled by our Saviour as not to violate his holy Sabbath no not to embalm his blessed body And yet some scoffers in these last days are so bold as to cast â—ilâ—â— in the faces of such as tread in these Saints stops reproaching them as worshippers of A dead Christ Col. 2.14 15. Act. 2.26 who was never more active then in the grave being there a conquerour not a sufferer But leaving these in scorners Chair the same Testament which thus shews us the Saints beginning of the Sabbath informs us also of the end by our Saviours example Mar. 1.21 who having performed the publick duties of the day retired to Peters house further to honour the Sabbath with his wonted miracles ver 19. Luk. 13.14 And though the envious Pharisees taught that the people should nor come for healing on the Sabbath day yet hereby we learn when the holy season determines by the liberty the people took according to the Pharisees doctrine Mar. 2.32 And at evening when the Sun did set they brought unto him all that were diseased So that 't is abundantly manifest Deu. 16.6 that from Even to Even or from Sun to Sun the Sabbath is to be celebrated Thus the Jews constantly observe it and thus all faithfull Christians ought to sanctifie it who by scripture authority are thus set free from all that confusion and contention which as a scourge from God porplexeth the observers of the supposed first day Sabbath who know not when to begin nor when to make an end But here it will be objected That upon this account the first day raust be utterly discarded since the 4th Commandment as wel requires six days service as the 7th days Sabbath To which I answer 1. That whereas the Lord doth expresly require cessation from work on the Sabbath day he doth not by a negative require that we never cease from work upon any of the six days for then we must never feast nor fast nor use any kind of recreation throughout the week 2. The Hebrew tense hath a various aspect 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 yet it is rather future then imperative and may well enough point out the creatures earthy inclinations thus Six days thou
inflame our affections for hence we shall behold the sheaf of first fruits waved and that Lamb without spot so fairly sacrificed in our blessed Saviour as will make every Babe in Christ a sufficient Arithmetician in numbring the fiftie dayes to finde out the seventh day Sabbath Lev. 23.9.15 So Diodation Lev. 23. The institution of this Feast of Pentecost is recorded by Moses who from God appointed Israel to bring on the morrow after their Passcover Sabbath a sheaf of of their first fruits to bee waved by the Priest before the Lord and to offer the same day a Lamb without blemish to the Lord. Deu. 16.9 And from that very day to count seasen Sabbath or Weeks and the morrow after the seventh Week was the Feast of Pentecost or the fiftieth day And this numbring of seven Weeks or fifty dayes is still observed by the Jews who every night when the starres arise Chilm p. 132. Ross view 300. 1 Cor. 15.23 say a prayer and conclude To day are so many dayes past of the Omer And here let the Believer who sees all types ended in Christ with confidence behold his dying Redeemer as the undoubted sheaf of first fruits waved upon the Cross by the crucifying Priests the very morrow after he had eaten the Passeover and for the Lamb without blemish to be offered the same day behold the spotless Lamb of God taking away the sins of the world And after admiration of this compleat Saviour in whom all these misteries which point out this true Messiah are fully accomplished Let us number fifty dayes or seven full Weeks according to the rule that is Lev. 23.15 16.11 c. from the day that the sheaf and Lamb were offered Now our sheaf of first fruits and Lamb without spot is known to every Babe to be offered up on the sixth day of the Week commonly called Good-Friday from which day we must number fifty dayes or seven full Weeks and the morrow after the seventh Week is the fiftieth day called Pentecost and because we have been so long deceived of our true Sabbath by Antichrist and that his Image would still perswade us his Whitsunday is the day of Pentecost I shall take the tender Lambs of Christ by the hand and if they have no readier Arithmetick let them but take an Almanack and number seven weeks or fifty daies and see with their own eyes whether the fiftieth day be the seventh day Sabbath from the day that our sheaf of first fruits and Lamb without spot was offered As thus Good Friday so called is the known day from which we must begin our account of seaven compleate weekes or fifty dayes and the first of these fifty daies is Saturday as Heathens term it and the following Friday is the end of the first week which makes seven compleat daies The second Friday is the 14th day The third Friday is the 21th day The fourth Friday is the 28th day The fifth Friday is the 35th day The sixth Friday is the 42th day The seventh Friday is the 49th day Making up seven compleat weeks And the fiftieth day being the morrow after the seventh week must undeniable be granted the Worlds Saturday and the Saints seventh day Sabbath upon which Sabbath the Apostles were assembled with one accord in one place Acts 2. when the eternal Spirit gave full testimony to that Royal solemnitie with the highest approbation that ever was given to any assembly of Saints and the unspotted Virgin-spouse of the Lambe did sweetly celebrate the most glorious Sabbath that ever Church enjoyed for here heaven and earth accord mutually inviting each other Here the promised Spirit saith come with his quickening motions inviting the Saints to assemble themselves upon his holy Sabbath And here the lovely Bride saith come purposely presenting her self on Gods seventh day Sabbath in expectation of this glorious power from on high What then should hinder the desired inspiration Christs promise is engaged his saints are solemnly assembled in a season sanctified their unanimous supplications are continued Acts 1.14 their hopes are heightened and down comes the eternal Dove with a sudden sound from heaven as a rushing mighty wind filling the house and furnishing all their hearts with Divine abilities to publish the Gospel of Christ to all Nations under heaven Thus while the saints are acted by the spirits operation the seventh day Sabbath is crowned with the highest approbation thousands this day were convinced converted baptized incorporated and with transcendant joys transported feeding like Lambs in fresh pastures closing this blessed seventh day Sabbath with the incomparable feast of the Lords Supper and sacramental union into one entire body by breaking of bread O what a day of wonders is the Lords true Sabbath instituted in Eden advanced at Sinai owned and crowned by Christ and thus highly approved by his spirit in Sion A day of marvellous mysteries a day of manifold mercies Was ever day honoured like Iehovah's Sabbath the Lord Iesus's Sabbath the Holy Spirits Sabbath which therefore must be the Saints Sabbath I have been the more exact and free even to the shallowest capacity in opening these mysteries that Christians may clearly discern the deceits of the little Hom in changing Times as well as Laws perswading poor souls to live by an implicite faith in taking his Whitsunday upon trust for the day of Pentecost as is still pressed by Parish preachers to shuffle off the renowned seventh day Sabbath But some seeing they can no longer delude the people it being so apparent that the day of Pentecost was the very seventh day Sabbath yet devise to detain them longer in disobedience objecting Object That though the day of Pentecost was the Sabbath yet the Saints assembled upon the other days as appears Act. 1.14 Answ It 's indeed declared that they continued with one accord in prayer but it 's not assertted they were constantly together in one place 2. 'T is not likely they did watch all those ten nights and as improbable that they all lodged together 3. But this is manifest That very early upon the fiftieth day they were unanimously solemnly assembled in one place which is not affirmed in that solemn manner of the other days neither was any day like this honoured with the glorious presence of the Holy Spirit This Sabbath was the first honoured with the conversion of souls this and no day before did they break bread together yea many signal tokens of Divine approbation have beyond all dispute advanced the glory of this day above all other days But 't is further objected Object That the ceremonial day of Pentecost is as much honoured as the seventh day Sabbath 1. Answ The Apostles might observe Pentecost as a ceremony not yet buried yet undeniably they would much more honour the Royal Sabbath No ceremony was ever esteemed like the Law of ten Commandements 2. This objection was never made against Whitsunday till the glory of Gods Sabbath discovered
to the new creature 2. Is 8.20 and this new creature is he whose faith works by Love and this is the love of God that we keep his commandements Gal. 6.15 5.6 1 Cor. 7.19 1 Joh. 5.3 Ga. 6.16 and as many as walk according to this rule of the new creature peace be upon them and mercy and upon the Israel of God Christs death hath not opened a door to our disobedience Heb. 5.9 10. The good law of God is to the righteous man a perfect Law of liberty 3. Ja. 3.25 2.8 12. As first it would be such a bondage to bow to any other God that with the three children the saint would rather be bound like a saggot for the fire Should he be confined to Spain or Italy his spirit would be perplexed like Pauls to see their abominable idolatry O! what a righteous rule O! what a Law of Liberty is that which calls the soul from the bondage of Babylon in breaking the second commandment Acts 17.8.10 And alas what a bondage is it to his blessed soul to hear the third royal Law broken by Blasphemers his flesh trembles his hairs stands an end his heart and soul is wounded to hear the name of God blasphemed But when he gets among righteous men and women walking by this most righteous rule why he is out of prison and at perfect liberty though his feet were ever so sast in the stockes But amongst all Gods royal Lawes none sets the righteous soul more at liberty then the fourth lively oracle which therefore he cannot but esteem as his blessed Legacy O how the setting of the sixth dayes sun comforts his soul why now he is cal'd regularly to cast off his carnal encumbrances and to meet with his fellow citizens assembling to celebrate the seventh day sabbath which God hath sanctified Now he shall rest at noon in his beloveds bosom and get up two or three rounds more of Jacobs ladder towards new Jerusalem Here is the perfect Law of libertie here is the righteous rule of a Christian here is the lawful use of the good Law for a righteous man who is the person for whom the sabbath was specially made which is The seventh Head The Persons I have already fully shewed that the sabbath was made for Man and it is evident that in the first invtitution it was made for righteous Man Eccl. 29. Adam was not onely Man but good man upright Man when the sabbath was made for him The proud Prelates have indeed confessed that Adam was then a righteous man but they would perswade their proselytes that the sabbath was not suteable for pure Adam and that he had no need of the sabbath in the state of innocency But surely every saint can see further then such blind guides that the sabbath was as suteable and needful for the pure creature as for the transcendantly pure Creator neither can it enter into a wise mans heart that Adam should be dressing his garden upon the seventh day when God was sanctifying his holy sabath when the morning stars sang together Job 38.7 and all the sons of God shâ—â—ted for joy Eph. 5.1 certainly if Adam were a follower of God as a dear child he then kept sabbath with his father 2. Eph. 19.5 When God dispenced his sabbath upon Sinai it was to righteous Israel and when they degenerated the Lord did even abhor their sabbaths and services 3. When this lively oracle with the rest was given unto us It was intended to righteous Stephen and all his fellowes The sabbath is certainly designed for the same persons to whom the supper is enjoyned Our Lord tels us that his sabbath was made for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 man and woman Mar. 2. ult 1 Cor. 11 28. and the same Lord puts 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 man and woman upon the celebration of his supper they both belong to the same persons Not but that the vilest men in the world are bound to observe the sabbath the pollution whereof shall encrease their damnation for though man hath lost his ability to obey yet God hath not lost authoritie to command The Sabbath is a precept as ancient and universal as marriage both made for Adam a publike person and for all his posteritie But none can though all should sanctifie the Sabbath save Christs Disciples who are redeemed from earthly interests and brought out of Babylon Rev. 14.4.12 and 12.12.17 these in these last dayes hath God designed to build the old wast-places to raise up the soundations that Antichrist hath destroyed of many generations to repair the breach and restore pathes to dwell in by turning the foot of transgression from any further pollution of the sabbath Isai 57.12 13. This is a generation work here is royal service for enlightened souls Glorious work for such onely as get victory over the Beast his image and his mark viz. THE CHANGE OF TIMES AND LAWES Object But had not our Godly Fathers victory over the Beast his Image and his mark Answ They have worthily performed the work of their generation in their courageous renouncing the Beasts detestable Decalogue and restoring the ten lively oracles to their ancient glory that all might hear in their own language the roâ—al Law of the Lord. They have most gallantly contended with the proud image of the Beast for the morality of the Sabbath like so many Davids preparing materials for the royal building and some of them with a prophetick spirit have foreseen and foretold glorious things such as themselves never knew As Mr. Rogers of Dedham c. but now when those glorions things are in view by the discovery of the beasts mark the great admirers of our fathers are become the greatest opposers of their glorious predictions Object But we hear nothing of the Patriarchs keeping Sabbath or reproof for Sabbath prophanation before the Law at Sinai Answ It is probable that Abels sacrifice was on the sabbath day for though the word be translated in processe of time yet the Hebrew is at the end of days and what may this end of dayes mean more likely then the end of the week dayes when the time came for solemn sacrifices If the old World did as t is like prophane the seventh day sabbath no wonder God poured the deluge upon them on the seventh day Gen. 7.10 as is evident in the margent of our Bibles It is not probable that Enoch walked with God so as to please him Gen. 5.4 or that Noah should be esteemed righteous or that Abraham should be recorded for one who kept Gods commandments Gen. 5.14 7.1 26.5 his statutes and his Laws unless they observed his sanctified sabbath which was undoubtedly one of Gods commandments If they were sabbath breakers and were without reproof yet does it not follow that the sabbath had then lost its authoritie any more then marriage which was in full force from the
of any hour to be the bounds of the Sabbath as it sooner or later riseth or sets Were not the Mariners of the men of Iudah bound to observe the seventh day in all the several coasts where they made their voyages Did God limit them to the rising or setting Sun of Indea onely c. Thus far New Englands answer to that argument taken up by Mr. Ienison against them into whose treasury I shall cast my mite upon consideration of 1. Act. 2.5 15.11 13.14 17.1 The Proselytes of Ierusalem out of all Nations under heaven whose undoubted observation of the Sabbath in their several Countreys is a full confutation of this aiery argument 2. There will probably be granted some variation between â—â—ai and Sion yet the Sabbath punctually observed in both places Captain Ienison is not ignorant of four hours difference in the rising Sun between England and the American Colonies and yet the same first day observed both here and there But by the way we may observe that the wounds he would give unto the seventh day Sabbath fall as heavily upon the first day whereunto he pretends great devotion with his Brethen for if the seventh be uncertain the first must needs be so and thus whiles he would weaken the true Sabbath he opens a gap to that impiety of rejecting the authority of the fourth Commandement which sober spirits abhor But our God hath not bound us to the obedience of such hours but of such a day the Clock is not to be our guide but the Sun Here they object That in some though scarce any habitable Regions the Sun for many moneths leaves not their view whence they suppose an impossibility of observing the sabbath The answer is That in all parts the Sun is ever upon motion his Eastern Western circuits are not onely observed but exactly measured familiarly each four and twenty hours so as not onely to know their times of repose but possibly to shame us in the abuse of ours should the clouds or other meteors in ercept their sight of the Sun or ours the fowls of the heaven would give information 〈◊〉 8.7 And as sleeping and working time is easily discerned each four and twenty hours with like facility may the six working days be distinguished from the Sabbath If once the heart be free to yeeld obedience it will cease to create * Prov. 22.13 and invent difficulties and the renewed nature will no less breath after the souls weekly Sabbath than the old nature will expect its accustomed repose The Suns daily circuit and weekly revolution is no such difficulty to a devout soul But whither are we roving Will not our own Climate contain us Joh. 21.21 22. Are we not more inquisitive with Peter to know what other Nations shall do then to study our own duty We should even shame to slight Gods Sabbath whiles the Heavens declare his glory and whiles we fancy Bugbears of uncertainty in observing the exact time Lo day unto day uttereth speech Psal 19. night unto night sheweth knowledge there is no speech or language where their voice is not heard What beter directions can we desire then this faithfull witness of Heaven by his several circuits exactly measuring out our time and informing our eye as words instruct our ear When his fix days light leaves our Land 't is then time to leave our labours For then doth the glorious Lamp of Heaven like a Herald proclaim the approaching Sabbath that Saints may set open the everlasting Gates for the King of Glory I would not leave this scruple wherewith the self condemning adversary reproached his own principles till the path rendred so abstruse and intricate attain its promised perspicuity Isa 35. even to the weakest sight that so way faring men though fools may not erre therein Wherefore observe that in the beginning when Heavens bright Eye declined the sixth Evening in Eden the holy God gave unto man not onely a precept but a fair president also in ceasing from the work of Creation to sanctifie and observe his holy Sabbath Howbeit at the same hour it was impossible for other Climates of the World regularly to begin the Sabbath for the more Western parts must wait for the Suns warning or else they should not sanctifie the seventh day exactly as measured and regulated by the Sun which God hath purposely set for signs and for seasons Gen. 1.14 and for days and years Having therefore proclaimed rest in Paradise leaving man with his Maker to sanctifie the Sabbath away he posts as a Bridegroem from his Chamber Psal 19. rejoycing as a Giant to run his race and so coursing in his circuit through the Heavens he declares to the Regions sooner or later as fast as he can sly when to cease from their six days servitude to sanctifie the exact seventh day Sabbath Yea when mounting the other Hemisphere the interposition of the terrestrial Globe makes their Meridian the Antipodes Midnight yet is the seventh day as measured by the Sun punctual and certain in each Region God hath not engaged us to the same hours but to that assured seventh day or seventh part of time regulated by the glorious Lamp ordained for times and seasons for days and years Where then lies the difficulty of the seventh days certainty which was suggested to the people with such a cloud of confusion But lastly the difference between out Summer and Winter Sabbath in this little Island is as evident to every A B C Christian as is the certainty of the seventh day in the midst of such variation for who knows not that our Winters Sabbath begins four hours sooner then in Summer and ends upon the same account making full eight hours difference between Summer and Winters Sabbath But though the hours so much differ yet the seventh day surrounded by the Sun is unalterabiy the fame and the Sabbath certain as in Summer and Winter season with us so in each Climate and Countrey throughout the world And therefore 't is but an aiery flourish borrowed from the Bishops and perhaps a vaunt of more Aâ— then suits education or capacity to compass the earth for an agument to prove the variation of time which is so obvious and familiar in our little angle and yet I suppose never begat the least scruple in any Christian neither is there the least cause But I hope the adversary sees great cause by this time to be ashamed of his cloudy speculation amusing the people and humbly to confess he did he knew not what against New Englands testimony and Scripture evidence and so obtain the benefit of Christs Petition Luk. 23.34 Father forgive them for they know not what they do Carnal hearts might with more reason contend against the Lords Supper in some Countreys for want of Wine then against the Lords Sabbath for want of Light But when Grace shall make Saints as zealous for the Sabbath as the Sacrament
Sabbath and the Lords day I know not why this term of Lords day should offend Christians now more then of old if some sabbath-keepers shall scruple it yet I hope they can religiously embrace those Gospel-opportunities and precious priviledges that the first day affords Let us beware of a censorious spirit towards persons of different perswasions Our God waited long upon us whiles living in disobedience to the Law of the seventh day Sabbath and he looks for a spirit of forbearance towards others till Sabbath light break in upon their souls unless sathan prevail with them to deprive us of our hopes by their forsaking of our assemblies as the manner of some is whose practice proclaims they will learn no more nor suffer sabbath-light to take possession of their souis We shall leave such to that drerdfull doom which attends Heb. 10.25 26.27 Those that wilfully sin in forsaking the assemblies of the Saints for whom there remains no more sacrifice but a certain fearfull looking for of judgement and fiery indignation to devour the adversaries who will not have the Lord of the Sabbath reign over them but will follow their earthly enjoyments and imployments till he return to tell them they have already received their good things i. e. the things they esteemed so and preferred before the celebration of his Sabbath and therefore must never look for more But for the enlightened Saint who sees the abiding glory of Gods seventh day Sabbath in its morality exact measure of time beginning and end let him proceed in the power of Gods spirit what ever he pay for it Though parents forsake him he hath a God to go to who will willingly receive him into a bosome of grace and after a few more weekly returns to the Gospel noon-tide Rest he and I shall be translated into New Jerusalems glory to joyn in songs of praise to the honour of the Lord of the Sabbath in the Saints everlasting rest Thus through Divine assistance I have to the full satisfaction of my own foul vindicated the morality of the holy Rest of Saints or the Sabbath of the Lord our God which is undeniably the solemn Season for Gospel worship The next thing is the special warrant for Christians to celebrate this holy day which is sour-fold 1. The Creators institution 2. The Redeemers confirmation 3. The Spirits approbation 4. The Saints observation Which being confirmed by clear Scripture will undoubtedly be fully satisfactory to all that are willing to imbrace truth The third Head VIZ. The AUTHORITY THough the Great God be not engaged to give any account of his matters yet behold his marvailous condiscentions in giving his creature not onely a command but the reason why he requires the solemn observation of this seventh day Sabbath which cannot possibly for this reason be changed to any other day For in six dayes Jehovah made the Heavens and the Earth the Sea and all that in them is and rested the seventh day wherefore Jehovah blessed the Sabbath day and sanctified it As our Lord Jesus sets forth the excellency of that universal decree of marriage made in Paradise for Adam which is therefore honourable amongst men even so doth Jehovah lay the Basis of our obedience to his holy Sabbath in the first institution reducing us to the beginning when first as his first and his Saints best ordinance he made the Sabbath for man thereby engaging all mankinde both Jews and Gentiles to observe it upon which account the Israelites were bound not onely to sanctifie it themselves but to see that all strangers within their gates did observe the same a practise exemplary in holy Nehemiah Neh. 13. If then all Gentiles when but resident in Palestina were required to rest on Gods Sabbath whiles they were Aliens to the Commonwealth of Israel much more are we now engaged being fellow Citizens with the Saints and of Gods family The Authority then with its equity universally obliging all Adams posterity to observe the seventh day Sabbath purely springs from Gods holy Rest and Divine institution 1 Point Institution after the Worlds creation which being not made onely for Israel but for all people I appeal to all conscientious understanding Christians that presume not to destroy the reason of the fourth Commandement whether all mankinde be not hence obliged to observe that very 7th day Sabbath who enjoy the benefit of the creation God hath not only vouchsafed his children such a precious precept with the ground of it 1 Precept 2 President But is graciously pleased to make himself a perfect president in observing this seventh day Sabbath A most pure pattern for his Saints to work by a most clear coppy for his schollers to write after and lot such as desire to be Godly that is God-like follow their first and fairest example The spirit of Christ in the Gospel enjoyns us to Be followers of God as dear children Eph. 5.1 To be holy as he is holy pure as he is pure Impure persons pollute the Sabbath but the holy God sanctifies and observes it that his dear children may follow him in it Shall we pretend to press after God-like purity and yet slight Gods example in this sweet solemnity Why Gods president is the most absolute pattern of all perfection the best of men may fail and be outstript by their folfollowers but who so makes the perfect God his pattern still presseth forward and hath still more perfections before him which allures the growing mounting soul from grace to grace and so to glory Since then the blessed Creator so compleated every creature in six days that he might immediately consecrate and celebrate the seventh day Sabbath for mans example let not man think to be wiser then his Maker either in presuming to change his holy day or pretending a spiritual observance in a literal disobedience Can poor worms dust and ashes contrive a way to be more spiritual then the Father of spirits Can Satan suggest a president more perfect then Perfection it self Be not righteous overmuch but learn of the Lawgiver who in expounding his own Law sums up all in this instruction Be ye therefore perfect Mat. 5.48 even as your heavenly Father is perfect that is in quelity though equality is utterly impossible Wherefore let that very seventh day which your heavenly Faâ—her hath separated by his institution benediction and celebration be your constant observation that in this point you may be perfect EVEN As your heavenly Father is perfect Here it appeareth plainly with what full authority the blessed seventh day Sabbath is established even from the Worlds foundation Heb. 4.3 4. So that it may well be owned as a foundation Oracle instituted and observed by God himself The royal Psalmist elegantly sings Ps 87.1 That Gods foundations are in the holy mountains and certainly this toyal Law is thus gloriously founded For as it was the first statute decreed by Jehovah so its foundation
the Father Established by the Son Approved by the Spirit and Observed by the Saints And if these will not prevail with Christians so called to break off their weekly prophanation of this sanctified Sabbath I shall leave them to the righteous judgement of the great day and for their sakes who obtain the grace of self-denial to cast off their carnal encumbrances and joyn with the ancient Gospel Saints in observing the Sabbath I shall now descend to the 4th part of my general Pofition and as I have confirmed the Sabbaths Authority so I doubt not through Christ strengthening me to prove its Porpetuity THE Fourth head Perpetuity of the seventh day Sabbath The infinite wisdome who is Lord of the Sabbath foreseeing the high presumption of the little horn such as to change both times and lawes and knowing that all truths ebbe and flow in the sonls esteeme as holy time is sleighted and observed was graciously pleased most strongly to secure that law against which Satan and his eldest Son would make their first and fiercest assault For t is to be observed that the horn attempted first to change times and then laws well knowing that holy laws are taught and learned especially in holy times and therefore he first prevailed with Constantine as is declared to change the Sabbath time into the first day But against this designe doth the good God graciously guard his Sabbath and Alarm his Saints to be especially mindfull of this truth setting a superscription as it were a watchword upon the portall of this precept REMEMBER the Sabbath day to keep it holy telling us expresly what day it is The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God so that if the Lord be indeed thy God thou must observe that seventh day for his Sabbath which he hath so carefully required thee to remember as knowing that Antichrist would doe his utmost to cause thee to forget it either in slighting of it as a ceremony or else in changing this blessed day Jeroboam-like and burying its very name under the odious and most detestable name of Saturday that it may therefore be known to his Saints as no ceremony but a perpetual unchangeable Royall Law the Lord hath fenced it above all other Laws first positively keep it holy Secondly negatively doe not work upon it and that thou maist never be insnared to change or alter it I charge thee carefully to Remember this Law in a speciall singular manner This may for ever silence their conceits who would slight the seventh day Sabbath as a jewish ceremony though their consciences know it was instituted before any Jew or ceremony had being Ten Royall Laws the Lord delivers to his Saints and knowing that all of them would be more or lesse observed as his Sabbath should be sanctified or slighted he bids he forbids he marks it above all the rest that it may be remembred and yet disobedient spirits dare reject it as ceremoniall and put upon the highest an absurdity as grosse as likely can be imagined As if wisdome it selfe should with so much care command the exact remembrance of a ceremony above all his morall Laws for thus vaine man would render his maker I your Lord God doe here deliver you ten precents nine of which are perpetuall but one â—s a changeable ceremony wherefore I chang you to observe all my nine royall precepts but especially observe my perishing Sabbath which is but a meer ceremony besure you sanctifie that besure you doe not prophane that besure you remember that I lay it as a speciall command upon your souls to remember my mutable ceremoniall seventh day Sabbath more especially Me thinks gracious hearts should tremble to put such an absurdity upon God himselfe as binding us to remember that which as a mutable ceremony should be forgotten and buried in oblivion yea and which is yet more absurd if more may be they render the reason of sanctifying the seventh day Sabbath on this wise For in six dayes the Lord made Heaven and Earth and rested the first day wherefore the Lord blessed the first day for his Sabbath and sanctified it either we must put this absurdity also upon our God or else we must cast off the fourth commandement at least the reason of it must be rejected or else which is better then a thousand shifts we must returne from the little horn to our first husband and do the Saints first works and religiously remember the seventh day Sabbath to sanctifie it Thou meetest him that rejoyceth and worketh righteousnesse Isa 64.5 those that remember thee in thy wayes If it be objected that not Christians but Jewes are commanded to remember and observe the seventh day Sabbath I answer 1. That not the Christians but the Jewes were first commanded the rest of the ten commandements If Christians are to walke by the Jewes nine commandements as a righteous rule they are no lesse oblieged to every jott and tittle of the Jewes ten commandements The Royall Law of God was dispenced to the Jewes not only for themselves Act. 7.38 But to give unto us as that first faithfull martyr of the Lord Jesus taught in his funerall sermon when filled with the irresistable wisdome of the holy Spirit he sealed the faith of the Gospell with his blood and amongst the rest of those Evangelicall verities which the protomartyr prized as the Christians priviledges this is undeniably an eternall truth That the Jewes did receive those lively Oracles from mount Sinai to give unto us Here then 't is evident first what Lawes are Gods lively Oracles namely those precious precepts which God himselfe by the Angell of his presence delivered with a lively voice in the mount Sinai one of which lively Oracles is the seventh day Sabbath 2. To whom these lively Oracles were delivered and this is agreed on all hands that the only people so highly priviledged above all the world were the beloved Israelites 3. For whom and to what end were these lively Oracles from mount Sinai delivered to Israel And this is as cleare by blessed Stephens divine Testimony They received the lively Oracles from the mount Sinai to give unto us that is unto me Stephen an Officer in the church of Christ and to all my brethren for whose faith in the true Messiah I am now pleading my last they received the lively Oracles to give unto us Christians this is cleare that the Jewes received the lively Oracles from the Mount Sinai to give unto us though we have no heart to receive them yet God hath a heart of love to give them not only to the Jewes but even to us Christians 4. Then the fourth inquiry will be whether these lively Oracles from Sinai were given us to be broken or kept to be slighted or observed If to be kept and observed then either we must deny the seventh day Sabbath to be one of Sinai's lively Oracles or deny Stephens doctrine of their being delivered to the Jewes to
whereunto the Apostle presseth v. 11. Let us therefore labour to enter into that Rest Heb. 4.11 lest any man fall after Israels example of Disobedience And thus in opening the five-sold rest contained though promiscuously in the third and fourth to the Hebrews I hope it is convincingly manifested that the seventh day Sabbath by a double obligation remaines to the people of God And indeed it is impossible to change it without violation to the confessed morality of the commandement for whereas our adversaries assert a just seventh part of time yea and a seventh day as truly Moral they know the seventh day from the Creation was instituted in Paradise and the same day commanded from Mount Sinai and certain it is that if the Jewes had observed any other day they had destroyed the morality neither can the wisest Christian in the World contrive a change but he destroys the morality for let him change the Sabbath to the sixth day and that cannot be a seventh day or seventh part of time Let him translate it to the eighth day and then seven daies passe without any one Sabbath Let him keep the seventh day and the eighth or first day at his change of the sabbath and then he keeps two sabbaths within the circuit of seven daies So that do what he can the morality is subverted either he must deny the morality of a seventh day or seventh part of time or else he must stick to the good old seventh-day-Sabbath I would not smother any objection that might carry the least shew for any other Sabbath then this lively oracle of the Seventh day knowing therefore that some endeavours have been used by such my soul honours for the image of God upon them I shall weigh their apprehensions as they are declared and first from Mark 16.1 Object 1 Object Mark 16.1 1. T is supposed that the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 may signifie being dissolved and so it may be rendred when the Sabbath was dissolved Answ Answ T is strange that any tender conscience should take liberty from a strained participle to live in the weekly pollution of the Royall Sabbath but the word is fairly translated when the Sabbath was past or the sabbath being passed over or compleatly finished 2. It onely intends the passing over and compleat finishing 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of that one individual sabbath there is not the least appearance of abolishing that lively oracle which enjoines the seventh day sabbath Behold the Wisdome of the spirit overturning this device while he secures what the Objectors strike at for it is not the Sabbath they contend against but the seventh day now if they will strain at the word let them stick to the word which mentions not the seventh day at all but the sabbath St. Mark doth not say the seventh day was finished but when the sabbath was ended so that they cannot hence reject the seventh day and retain the sabbath 4. The scope of the Evangelist is to hold forth the passing over of that rest which prevented the womens applications of their spices Luke 23. ult and that was the sabbathday or the duty not one syllable expressed of the time or seventh day and though I am aboundantly satisfyed that the sabbath and the seventh day are unseparable never to be divided yet the objectors can distinguish as clearly as my self between the seventh day which is the time and the sabbath which is the duty so that if they 'l dissolve any thing from a squeezed participle it must not be the seventh day which lies unmentioned but the sabbath duty which is expressed And doubtless many great professors had rather cashier the sabbath duty morality of the fourth commandement yea and the morality of all the commandements as no way concerning Christians then set to the celebration of the seventh daie The Lord pity them whiles I return to another precious to the Lord and faithfull amongst the Saints who yet objecteth Object that Saint Matthews 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 may signifie the ultimate end of the sabbath Math. 18.1 never to be celebrated more amongst Christians 1 Answ This may receive the same answer with the former for if it destroy any thing it must be the duty which is expresly in the word sabbaths and not the day and time of the rest which is not mentioned If persons will strain at expressions they must keep to these expressions This adverb 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doth not primarily or properly signifie the end but the genuine signification of it is vespere the evening and to it should be rendred viz. the evening of the Sabbaths Let the scriptures be consulted where this advâ—â—b is used which is but twice that I can find in the new testament Mark 11.19 and 13.25 in both which places it signifies the evening for the sence would be mar'd to render it other wise and so here the evening of the Sabbaths termed Sabbath in the plural as being not onely the seventh day sabbath but the Jews passover sabbath as is evident well I hope it is not possible for Satan to delude tender consciences long with such sory slights Luke 23. with John 19.24.31 as to neglect a royal statute of Jehovah upon such slender terms But since the seventh day sabbath is undoubtedly one of those lively oracles which Israel received from Sina to give unto us O Christians embrace it love it lay it in your bosomes it in vites and will conduct you weekly into the Princes presence where it will open unto you all the rest of those lively oracles and divine mysteries that are coupled with it while such as slight and reject this heavenly law and still assert a chang without book shall run themselves upon many dangerous rocks and sands which tender hearts should tremble at As first they must affront the holy spirit who was most punctual in sundry scriptures for the solemn repeal and abrogation of circumcision and all those typical Sabbaths which were against us and contrary to us shaddowing good things to come with the visible burial of the whole body of the ceremonial law and yet this blessed spirit purposely appointed to lead us into all truth was so far from repealing the seventh day Sabbath that he constantly calls that and none other the Sabbath day that is the Lords holy rest-day and pours down his graces in most abundant measure that day So that if the sabbath day be altered Gods holy spirit cannot escape an affront for concealing the change from us Certainly there is need of a clear word for the change or repeal of such a royall Law and lively oracle Next to their traducing of Gods spirit Acts 20. The sabbath changers must needs bring a high charge against the Apostle for calling God to record that he had not shunned to declare all the counsel of God and yet never opened his mouth about the change of the royal seventh day sabbath He manifestly
judgements and therefore there is little in those instances of fire and other providences upon the first day for if the judgements but of one generation were observed it is easy to think that as many fires flouds or the like may be found upon any other day Dumbar and Worcester sight are fresh instances of the same day twelve month yea divers instances of this nature might be brought against the first day of thunder lightnings c. Wounding and killing divers persons in sundry places Psa 81.11 12. while they have been at publick worship on the first day But the most dreadful judgement is to leave persons after conviction to their own hearts lusts As also so those woful wordly wights that are convinced of the Lords sabbath and prefer a little gain before it what will they what can they answer the Lord of the sabbath in the last day when they shall see all their drosse which they have doted upon devoured by the burning flame before their faces Then shall their sorrows be greatly aggravated to see those sabbath keepers whom for sabbaths sake they envied maligned invested with robes and palmes of victory in eternal glory And now that these righteous persons the people of God for whom in special the sabbath was made may be encouraged in their continued sanctification of this blessed day I shall in the last place shew the use and end of this seventh day Sabbath of the Lord our God The eighth Head Vse and End THe two great designs of a sanctified soul are Gods glory and his own felicity and these are the scope of my Position and with these I shall conclude That the seventh day Sabbath is a perpetual royal rest for the righteous established by precept and president for Gods praise and Saints priviledge 1. I have fully proved the rest in its morality uncapable of mutability 2. I have demonstrated the punctual appointed time to be the seventh day 3. I have vindicated the authority of this seventh day-Sabbath from 1. The fathers institution 2. The sons confirmation 3. The spirits appellation 4. The Saints observation 4. I have cleared the unchangeable perpetuity of this seventh-day-Sabbath 5. I have shewed how it should be sanctified 6. I have declared the nature of the royal law not a covenant but a Rule 7. I have pointed out the persons who are specially concerned in the celebration of this day viz. the saints of Christ And now I am to inform these pretious persons of the blessed end and holy use of this lively oracle for as there is no precept that does more promote Jehovahs praise so there is no part of the royal Law of Liberty that doth more advance the Saints priviledge upon this day the Almighty sits in his throne of State amidst the assemblies of Saints in the beauties of holiness This day the faithful Doves mounting on the wings of contemplation Isa 33.17 behold the King in his beauty and cease not soaring till seeing things invisible their raised notes sing forth his glorious praise with the sweet singer of Israel O Lord Psalm 8. our Lord how excellent is thy name in all the earth thou hast set thy glory above the heavens This day with self-denying grace they leave the Worlds lovers to that muck which moves their earthly minds and take some turns with their Prince in paradise delighting to behold the wonderful glory and celerity of the Sun in his circuit the moon in her constant unconstancy the stars as so many sparling glories in the expanded firmament communicating some glimmerings of that inaccessible light from the Empyreal Heavens And then from this Pinacle as it were a Pisgah sight of Palestine wondring at the wisdom and power of that glorious potentate who hath hung the earth this vast massie Globe in the midst of the fleeting air upon nothing admiring the Sea that huge unruly element surrounded in a sandy girdle with such a marvellous motion as makes the wisest of the Sons of men amazed O the glory excellency might and majesty of the maker of all these The soul cannot but make one in that heavenly consort which with united hearts and voices sounds forth Jehovahs praise in that Psalm especially designed for the Sabbath Psal 92. 1. To praise the Lord most thankfully it is an excellent thing And to thy Name O thou most High sweet Psalms of praise to sing 2. To spread thy loving kindness Lord When Mornings glory springs And all thy faithfulnesse record 3. Each might with heavenly firings 4. For thou hast made me to rejoice in work so wrought by thee And I triumph in heart and voice thy handy works to see 5. How great O Lord who can expresse thy works and thoughts profound Which are a deep so bottomless that none can search or sound Thus doth the Heavenly Psalmist teach Sabbath-keepers to set forth the glory of the invisible Creator by the admirable beauty and excellency of the sisible creature This is the first use and end of the sanctified seventh-seventh-day Sabbath purposely appointed to spread forth Jehovahs praise And after the Prophet hath discovered the ignorance of brutish persons with the vanity and issue of their earthly endeavours That though they spring as grass and flourish in their sensuality for a season yet it is but like beasts in a fat pasture feeding for the shambles to perish for ever He acquaints us in the close of this Psalm with the second Use and end of the Sabbath which is strength growth by insensible degrees as so many plants of renown to full maturity 10. But like the Stately Vnicorn shall I advanced be Jehovah will exhalt my horn and pour fresh oyl on mâ— 11. The righteous like the Palm shall be flourishing every one And like the goodly Cedar Tree in lofty Lebanon 13. Those that within the house of God are planted by his grace In our Gods Courts shall spread abroad and flourish in their place 14. And in their age much fruit shall bring delightfull to be seen And pleasantly both bud and spring with boughes and branches green 15. The Lords uprightness to express who is a rock to me And there is no unrighteousness in him nor none can be What glorious priviledges are here presented as the pretious portion of Sabbath-keepers and yet as if these were too little for us whom God hath stirred up in these last daies to raise the razed foundations of many generations he assures us by his Prophet that he who was Jacobs portion will be also ours If we turn away our foot from Sabbath-pollution and make that day our delight then shalt thou delight thy self in the Lord Is 58.12 13 14. and I will cause thee to ride upon the High places of the earth and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it Friends God is not obliged to us for sanctifying his Sabbath but we are for ever engaged to
did both sanctifie and celebrate the seventh-day Sabbath and that before sin and consequently before any need of a Saviour or Ceremony shadowing him As for the arguments levelled against the Morality of the Sabbath they do most of them strike at the morality of the whole Decalogue For if the Sabbath be ceremonial because the Jews were obliged by their deliverance from Egipt to observe it Deut. 5.15 upon the same account the whole Decalogue is ceremonial since they are laid under equall engagements to the whole Law Exo. 20. I am the Lord thy God which brought thee out of the Land of Egipt from the house of Servants Rev. 11.8 Thou shalt have no other Gods before me c. Wherefore let such as are experienced of their greater deliverance from all the slavery of spiritual Egipt religiously observe every jot and tittle of this Moral holy just spiritual Law as spiritually as is possible and God will teach such sincere souls that 't is a strong delusion to talk of keeping that seventh day Sabbath spiritually whiles 't is prophaned litterally 'T is true our Lord Jesus enjoyneth a more intrinsecal and spiritual observation of the Decalogue Math. 5. but withal he ratifieth and establisheth every tittle he that dare bee so deluded as to prophane the Seventh day under pretence of keeping a spiritual Sabbath dare not commit corporal uncleanness or murther under the like colour of the spiritual observation of these Laws The truth is such consciences dare be bolder with God in robbing him of holy time then they dare be with Man in stealing his common goods Christian thy Redeemer hath obtained as well corporal as spiritual mercies for thee Wherefore glorifie thy God in sanctifying his Sabbath with the whole Law both with thy body and with thy spirit which he hath purchased 1 Cor. 6.20 Such who study contention instead of obedience labour to undermine the Morality of the Law from that promise which they say was peculiar to Israel of long life in the Land which the Lord thy God giveth thee 1. But first this smites at the whole Law out of hatred to Gods seventh day Sabbath 2. Let it be considered that those words are rather a motive then a mandate 3. 'T is dull Atheism to fancy the possession of a foot of Land that is not Gods gift and therefore binding us to obedience Acts 17.26 For he hath made of one blood all the Nations of men for to dwell over all the face of the earth and hath determined the times before appointed and the bounds of their habitations 4. 'T is high ingratitude in us above all people in the middest of so much peace plenty light and liberty to contend against Gods holy Laws rather then to submit to his holy Sabbath 5. The promise of long life was not peculiar to Palestine but a motive to Israels obedience both in the Wilderness and in Babylon Act. 2.5 yea and to the Gentile Proselytes in all Nations Eph. 6.2 and 't is worthy our consideration how the Apostle renders it Not land but earth that thou maist live long on the earth and so the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 properly signifies and the statute word for word runs thus Ex. 21.15 17. Pro. 20.20 Mat. 15 4 6 9. Honour thy father and thy mother that they may prolong thy dayes upon the earth Thereby freeing obedien children from untimely death and investing them with the comforts of life Hence 't is manifest that both Jews and Gentiles are bound to improve their blessings unto obedience and no longer endeavour to defile the whole Decalogue rather then set to the sanctification of Gods true Sabbath But the Sabbath hath another sort of adversaries who assert the whole Laws morality and yet plead the Sabbaths mutability which scarce savours of rationality And that the depraved creature may sin with an high hand against that very place where first he sinned he endeavours to divert Paradise of the glory of the Sabbaths institution boldly asserting that mans sin was more ancient then Gods Sabbath And this fancy is fathered upon the Psalmist whence 't is asserted Psal 49.12 That Adam being in honour did not abide a night and therefore his sin prevented the Sabbath But the text is abused for the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is future Hiphil and thus word for word rendred Man in honour shall not abide a night that is such as the context mentions Vers 19. that trust in their wealth c. But saith the spirit He shall go to the generation of his father they shall never see the light this cannot be applied to Adam unless the Preacher of Peters Colchester or some of the same fancy whom I would modestly provoke to a reply can shew what fathers Adam could go to But to prove that the Sabbath was instituted before sin and consequently no Ceremony leading to a Saviour take notice that man the last and best piece of the visible creation yea and Angels also stood in their integrity with the closure of the sixth day for then all things were very good And no sooner did the sixth day end Gen. 1.31 2.1 with Job 38.7 Luke 2.13 Ex. 31.17 and the seventh begin but God rested sanctified and celebrated his holy Sabbath in which he was refreshed or exceedingly well fatisfied with the goodness of all his creatures which must needs precede sin by which the creature became very bad Some time must be allowed for the sin of Angels and after that for the parley with the woman It was no little space wherein Adam gave significant names to every creature one by one But enough is shewed of the Sabbaths precedency of sin and so for the vanishing of this invention But 't is further objected though faintly that Adam having no servants Object c. was not in a capacity of keeping the fourth Commandement This is such a shift that it opens the door of licentiousness too wide for all persons that have no servants rich Citizens that use no cattel c. So that still Gods first and mans best and most delightfull Law for spiritual solace shines in full glory out of Paradise and though the decayed Prelates would render it improper for pure Adam Mar. 2.27 yet since 't was observed by the pure God and declared by Christ to be made for * Man doubtless if Adam were a man 't was made for for him yea and for all his posterity that bare the image of God and are called Man or Woman The first invention thus failling and no possibility of expelling the Sabbath out of Paradise a second design is endeavoured Viz. to confine this royal Law within the precincts of Palestine as a legal ceremony peculiar to the Jews This was the account given of a pretended conference at Peters Colchester where they were carefull to prevent opposition by continued dictates far differing from the nature of a conference The Person
were not as spiritual in obedience to these litreal commands as any of these pretenders who notwithstanding all their boasted high attainments are most of them deeply drenched in earthy Dens whiles they promise librety to others 2 Pet. 2.19 many of themselvs are the servants of corruption The spring of these delusions for the most part breaks forth from the palpable contradictions of such as having laid an impregnable foundation for Gods Sabbath by their excellent arguments for its morality do presently demolish their own structure again in asserting its mutability And whiles they labour in the very fires to find some Scripture authority for their supposed change ingenious mounting refined spirits seeing not the least Gospel ground for a first day Sabbath and being prejudiced against the seventh day stigmatized with the odious unscriptural character of JEWISH Sabbath they presently become a prey to Satan who perswades them that in slighting the Sabbath literally they may keep it spiritually and belike God whiles thus they become most unlike him who really sanctified and observed the seventh day Sabbath And thus like Eve casting off the literal command upon a spiritual pretence they break the bounds of Paradise and whither will they post for 't is evident in Scripture that all Religionebs and flows according as the Sabbath is slighted or sanctified Being thus confounded with the contradictions of such as assert the Sabbath to be moral and yet mutable withal blinded by Satans baits to construe all Scripture according to his custome promising spiritual blessings upon literal disobedience * Gen. 3.4 5. Mai t 4.4.6 Mat. 5. they now endeavour to support their deceits by slandering our Saviours first Sermon as if his prohibition of spiritual adultery opened a gap to corporeal Uncleanness which this principle hath even hurried many to practise wheras the great Expositor detecting and detesting that Phatisaical outside service then in esteem for true Religion binds us over to spiritual obedience without destroying one jot or tittle of the Law Mat. 5.19 severely threatning such as should transgress the least of those staturea And yet these deceived souls fear not to break all bands and bounds that so they may drive on in disobedience without sence of sin for where no Law is there is no sin and where no sin is there can be no Saviour and where no Saviour no possibility of salvation which they shall find too true that leave Gods moral Law or put away or deprave any part thereof They shall find that if Gods Law be nothing to them God himself will be nothing to them but a severe Judge to condemn them by that Law they refuse to rule their lives by Sad will the sight of this sentence be to deceived souls in that dreadful day when Books and hearts shall be opened Now go Isa 30.8 9. write it before them in a table and note it in a book that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever that this is a reâ—ellious people lying children chilaren that will not hear the Law of their God And whereas us objected that our Lord hath fulfilled the Law and that indeed one jot or tittle might not pass till he had fulfilled it but that we need not now fulfill it Let such know that 't is no more lawfull now then before to be unclean lye steal or covet 't is as unlawfull now as ever to bâ—aspheme make or worship images and it will one day be found as sinâ—ull now as ever it was Mat. 3.15 to slight Gods sanctified seventh-day Sabbath which Christ fulfilled he fulfilled Baptism and so must we he observed his Supper and so must we he sanctified the seventh-day Sabbath and establisht it for ever and therefore so must we As to that objection that Christ mentions not the Sabbath in his Sermon and therefore it may be neglected By the same reasons the Papists may justifie their abominable idolatries since in all that Sermon no mention is made of images Thus while the unwary Rebel thinks to escape Sâ—ylla he wracks upon Charybais so dangerous is it to dally with any one of Gods Laws Wherefore take heed of disobedience under a pretence of spirituality That principle which now prompts you to the weekly prophanation of the Lords Sabbath will lead you by insensible degrees to as light esteem of the Lords Supper and under a pretence of praying continually force you from family prayer as a formality Christ delights in his Doves voice and surely our voice is not too good for God neither it man more spiritual then his Maker he that made us praieth often for us both with heart and voice and so taught us to pray 1 Joh. 2.6 and so he observed Gods seventh-day Sabbath both litterally and spiritually and left us an example that we should follow his steps in all Moral actions Some Sabbath-slighters would fain affix a Type to the Sabbath but are pitifully puzzled how to bring it to pass One would have it a type of our Rest in Christ but for want of Scripture this conceit is cashiered A second supposeth that the sacrifices annexed to the Sabbath made it typical upon which account every day must be typical since sacrifices were enjoyned every day A third thinks the Sabbath may be a type of Christs lying in the grave but iâ—stead of may-be's I shall prove in its place that his rest in the grave on the Sabbath confirms this Law to Christians A fourth confesseth 't is very difficult to find out this supposed typicalness and yet adventures to affix the deliverance out of Egypt to the Sabbath as a type of our deliverance by Christ but every babe in Christ at first blush beholds the very same deliverance affixed upon the front of the ten Commandements which manifestly proves the Sabbath as free from being typical as any other part of the Law A fifth with whom my spirit joynes finding that the Sabbath was never any type of Christ Ledgard Heb. 4. is perswaded if it be typical 't is onely since Christ and that not Moses but Paul makes it typical of that glorious rest-Rest-day which saints shall enjoy with Christ a thousand years that as the Weekly labour of six dayes ends in a Rest-day of grace so the worlds 6000. years travel shall terminate in a Rest-day in glory Now although I judge that as marriage ordained in Paradice is not a type but a similitude of Christ so the Sabbath of the same descent doth rather resemble then type out that Rest yet I shall not contend but rather conclude that if the seventh day Sabbath be typical of that expected happy Rest then of necessity the type must remain until it shall be swallowed up of the glorious Anti-type A sixth in the middest of such uncertainties conceives the Sabbath may be typical of the Gospel or day of grace But what an absurdity would this conceit put upon our Saviour as if he should direct his