and truly since God hath so eminently crowned my weak but willing endeavours among you we cannot without ingratitude for get the many fatherly favours and constant encouragements of that worthy instrument who first invited me to serve you The good Lord strengthen us by the choice graces of his precious spirit that we may never forfeit our interest in this honoured Patriot or in the least blemish our most holy profession Your gracious submission to gospel truth hath filled my soul with joy and I am sure God hath enriched your hearts with gifts and grace since your souls were set towards his Sabbath T is very much for yoar sakes who have earnestly desired it that I have thus far engaged wherefore with endeared bowels of love I present it to you the good Spirit engrave it in your hearts that you may honour it in your lives till the Lord of the Sabbath crown all your services and sufferings with everlasting rest Dear Brethren cease not to pour out your souls on the be half of Your faithful and affectionate Minister Tho. Tillam THE Seventh Day SABBATH Sought out and celebrated BY Saints obtaining Victory over the Mark of the Beast THe first Royal Law that ever Jehovah instituted and for our Example celebrated namely his blessed Seventh-day Sabbath is in these very last days become the last great controversie between the Saints and the Man of sin The Changer of Times and Laws Awake ye slumbring Virgins the fig-tree is apparently budded the signs of his second coming who is The Lord of this Sabbath are so fairly visible that although the day and hour be not known yet doubtless this generation shall not pass till new Ierusalems glory shall crown obedient Saints with everlasting Rest Wherefore rouze up your selves ye spirited Citizens of Sion shake off the dust and trash of beastly Babylon and whiles that imperious Harlot shames not to assert that Ignorance is the Mother of Devotion let heavenly wisdome be your sole design with raised expectations of his faithfull performance Hab. 2.14 who hath promised That the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the Sea Many shall run to and fro Dan. 12.4 2 Thes 1.8 and knowledge shall be encreased Whiles vengeance in fiery flames shall be the portion of such as are disobedient and willingly ignorant Remember the slights and deceits of imposing Pope and Prelate their Altars Pictures Gossips kneeling at the Rail Surplice with the whole Systeme of invented service and let this consideration quicken all that fear the Lord That the very same Horn who thus imposed his Canons upon our consciences must change our Times no less then our Laws Dan. 7.25 or else he is not Antichrist Since therefore 't is undeniable that we have been deceived by his Laws 't is worthy our enquiry whether we have been cheated of the appointed Times of Gods worship 'T will be said to that soul that after warning shall be found in the weekly pollution of Gods Sabbath 't is not one day in seven will serve turn Rev. 2â— when the books shall be opened and that very seventh day on which God himself rested shall be found expresly commanded The Beasts Wafer câ—kes and Water in stead of enjoyned Bread and Wine will be as excusable one day as the change of Gods holy Sabbath As for such professors who surpass the late Prelates in scoffing at Gods Sabbath as an empty form a trifle c. let New-England however mistaken in the precise time mourn over their licentiousness in these sorrowfull strains No measure of tears are sufficient to lament the present estate of times that when the Lord Jesus was come forth to vindicate the cause and controversie of Sion there should rise up other instruments of spiritual wickedness in high places to blot out the name and sweet remembrance of this day from off the face of the earth The enemies of the Sabbath are now not so much negligent time servers and aspiring brambles whom preferment principally byassed to knock at the Sabbath but those who have eaten bread with Christ a generation of professing people do lift up their heel against the Sabbath So that what could formerly not be done by Angels of darkness the old Serpent takes another course to effect by seeming Angels of light And what enlightened soul can cease to câ—st in a heart full of sighs not onely for such frothy professors whose earthly minds under spiritual pretences contemn Gods hallowed time without fear or trembling but even for those whose ignorance hurries them hood-wink'd from week to week to wallow in wickedness being that day most busily imployed about their perishing bodies which God hath solemnly designed for his honour and health of their immortal souls Never more cause of mourning then to see Saints in these days of light still honouring the little Horn in the gross abuse of the Lords Sabbath time and the Lords Supper-time Why Christians will you stick here Have you got victory over the Beast and beheld the Holy One tumble down his Image and will you now lose all your labours for want of a compleat victory over the Marke of the Beast Rev. 15.2 20.4 which is so visible and legible in the head of the little Horn The changer of Times and Laws Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth Isa 24.5 Because they have transgressed the Laws changed the Ordinance broken the everlasting Covenant You are assured Christians the Horn hath changed the Laws and he cannot be that Horn unless he change your Times also will you therefore wisely weigh that he had no Times to change save the Lords Sabbath-time and the Lords Supper-time and these he and none but he hath changed as I shall plainly prove under this Position The seventh day Sabbath is a perpetual royal Rule for the righteous established by precept and president to Gods praise and Saints priviledge And to prevent a sudden censure of singularity let the ingenuous know that this Conclusion contains not a tittle different from the professed doctrine of the esteemed Orthodox of this age as will appear in its parts as so many heads of the ensuing Treatise 1. 1 The Rest The Sabbath is one of the Assemblies approved points Art Relig. p. 35. 2. 2 The Time Thes Sab. p. 100. Large Cat. p. 34 The time is confessed to be the very seventh day determined by God for thus write the Elders of New England with whom accord our English Synod Not onely a day not onely a rest day but the rest day or Sabbath day which is expressed and expresly interpreted in the Commandement to be the 7th day or a 7th day of Gods determining and therefore called the Sabbath of the Lord our God is here also enjoyned and commanded as generally moral Here is a full and free confession and all I shall crave of Christians is but to observe the true seventh day Sabbath
wilt or shalt labour or as it is rendred elsewhere six days may work be done God gives us leave to serve our selves six days Exo. 31.15 that we may not murmur or repine in devoting the seventh wholly to his service but he is no Aegyptian Task-master to bind us to six days incessant labour for then Paul sinned in such a charge to preach in season out of season and God himselfe should cross his own Command in requiring Israel to observe the Passeover Penticost Feast of Tabernacles c. taking up as many days as the year hath weeks which ceremonial days Christ hath abolished and therefore we should not grudge to give unto God every first day as an addition to the Sabbath with thankfulness for our double benefit Creation and Redemption especially if both days be anthorized by the word of truth As for the scriptures quoted in the New Testament for the change of the seventh day Sabbath to the first day of the week I shall demonstrate in due time that not any one of them nor all together can make up an argument to satisfie a truly enlightened soul But that the Resurrection day is designed for a rejoycing day to Christs Disciples seems undeniable by the Psalmists saying Ps 118.24 This is the day which the Lord hath made we will rejoyce and be glad in it Which being compared with Peters speech * Act. 4.10 11. must needs be meant the Resurrection day And whereas some who are loath to appear in Gods presence too often do suppose this rejoycing day to be onely Easter day once in a year I shal forbear to answer them til they can better agree about the celebration of their traditional Easter and excite Gods people to rejoice and be glad on the Resurrection day as oft as the week brings it about But is this impossible to be done unless we reject Gods ancient 7th day Sabbath why may not the Sabbath stand with the first day amongst Christians as it stood with so many holy days amongst the Jews especially since the mercy of a free Redeemer is added to the blessings of a bountifull Creator 'T is sad to see persons spend more time in sin to satisfie their lusts then Profestors can part with to serve the Lord. Welf it seems to be Scriptural that the Lord made the Resurrection day a rejoyoing day but he never made it a Sabbath day and if it be allowed that honourable title of the Lords Day Rev. 1. yet doth it no more cashier the seventh day Sabbath then did the ceremonial Feasts called Sabbaths of old Those many Jewish holy dayes honoured with the title of Sabbaths did not then weaken the Royal Sabbath nor can the supposed title given to the first week-day now do it seeing Christ hath for ever confirmed each point and parcel of the Moral Law Jam. 2.8 10 11. Both days may lovingly live amongst Christians redeemed from the earth And though many would be accounted Saints that think they should be undone in so doing yet the spotless Spouse of Christ whiles arayed in those royal robes of Sun-like Majesty Rev. 12. and decked with that diadem of infallibility trampling under feet all sublunary fading mutable glories I say in this her primitive purity during the first three Centuries she constantly observed both these dayes in honour of her Creator and Redeemer till the little Horn changed her Times and Laws This is so generally confessed even by the adversaries of the seventh day Sabbath that other proof would be needless in this place It cannot be denied that the primitive saints did honour the Resurrection day with the honourable title of their Lord so that it became a proverbial question in their greetings Servasti Dominicum hast thou kept the Lords day to which the other would answer Christianâ—â— sum intermittere non possum I am a Christian I may not omit it This I conceive is a second ground for observing the first day and although the decree of Constantine with the Councel of Laodicea do not any way concern us in this point 2 Chr. 10.10.3 Neh. 9.27 Est. 9.20 yet the statutes enacted by a just authority for the observation of daies should be observed provided that such decrees be no way destructive to the Sabbath of the Lord our God Matth. 15.2 3. This I offer as a third ground of rejoycing on the Resurrection day commonly called the Lords day which we should more readily embrace then any Lecture day According to the good old Christian custom of Saints and it may be fitly termed the Lords day Rom. 14.6 when with delight we observe it to the Lord. Reasons for observing both daies are these 1. Christians have more engagements upon them then ever ancient Israel had to devote as much of their time to God shall the greatness of his graces straighten us in the advancement of his glory 2. We have as frequent necessity of heavenly supplies as they had why should we be seldomer at the throne of grace 3. We are set free from those great burdens and bondages long journeys and vast expences sacrifices and ceremonies under which they groaned and are two daies in seven such a task Is our fathers presence and saints fellowship so itksome Doubtless 't is so to drossie Disciples whose love extends no further then the Leaves why we are invited into the holy of holies to make sure work of eternal mansions to bear up Gods standard and honour in the world for a little season and are two daies for God and our souls so tedious and troublesome when we have more then twice two for our perishing bodies we should not be weary to approach the presence of an earthy Prince so often for wealth and honour 4. The highest pretender to spirituality had need enough to get often into Gods Courts and Saints company to shake off his earthy shackles the durty face of our earthly Mother too frequently dulls our affections to our heavenly Father we have little cause to couzen our consciences with with a device to honour God by disobeying him in slighting his precepts under pretence of spiritual performances as if frequent attendance at heavens gates could hinder our spiritual growth or Gods Sabbath suppress one sanctity 5. We are marvailously delivered from all those Mass daies upheld by the Beast and his image to which Saints were compelled by Parators as Candle Mass Christ-Mass Michael-Mass and I know not how many Mastes and is it now such a matter with the Sabbath day to devote the first day of the week to Gods worship as Saints have done I fear such Professors did never count the cost before they took up Christianity and therefore they fail in that measure of self-denial which the Sabbath calls for which I confess is more then all other Ordinances but let such know they will find it as hard for flesh and bloud to inherit the Kingdome of God as now they feel the observance of Gods
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
as hath been shewed was first laid in that pure pleasant Paradise Eden where God rested and inseparably united the Sabbath to the seventh day The second holy Mountain wherein God established this foundation truth Sinai was Mount Sinat made glorious by the terrible Majesty of the Lord descending with shrill trumpet in dreadful tempests thunder and lightening where with a lively voice he immediately delivered this lively Oracle crowning this seventh day Sabbath with the very same honour and dignity as the other nine Royal statutes and recording the same in Tables of stone which by his new Covenant he writes in renewed hearts so that if Christians stand obliged to those ten Commandements as so many lively Oracles committed to the Jews to be given unto us Rom. 3.2 Act. 7.38 Iam. 2.8 and that we shall do well in observing these royal Laws according to the Scripture that is according as God himself hath written them then must this very seventh day Sabbath as one of those Royal Laws be for ever observed by saints without alteration or diminution and the rather since this foundation oracle obtains confirmation in the third glorious holy Mountain even in the heighths of Gospel Sion where the very same seventh day Sabbath instituted by the Father is established by the Son which is the second point proposed wherein I shall prove 2 Confirmation That the seventh day Sabbath sanctified by Iehovah is ratified by Iesus upon a two-fold account 1. He owns it by his Words 2. He crowns it by his Works And if this be cleared then surely Christians should carefully observe it both in word and work 1. Our blessed Redeemer confirms the seventh day Sabbath by his Word more generally amongst the rest of those Royal statutes which he assures us shall continue in every tittle not so much as one Hebrew point to be diminished or altered til the heavens be no more and the earth be removed and all be compleated and fulfilled Christian turn to thy Bible and behold with horror the dreadful doom which thy Redeemer hath denounced against such as shall transgress the least of his Laws and teach others to be disobedient Mat. 5.18 19. O how dangerous is the disobedience to this duty seeing it is undeniable that the seventh day Sabbath is a tittle and more then a tittle of that royal Law the wilfull offence of one point whereof renders the Rebel a transgressor of all Gods Laws Iam. 2.10 Suppose the Sabbath were the least Commandement yet saith Christ our King Comp. Mat. 5.19 with Act. 3.23 He that breaketh and bids others break the least of these Commandements shall be cut off from Gods Kingdome Neither doth Christ in flesh whiles the ceremonial Law was in full fore onely confirm the whole moral Law but even since his ascention by his holy spirit he moves his Apostles to establish the whole every part of the ten words Rom. 3. Do we then make void the law through faith saith Paul God forbid yea we establish the law Which cannot be the ceremonial Law Christ having utterly abolished all those beggarly elements It must be onely that * holy Rom. 7.7 12 14. just good spiritual Law which ends with this Command Thou shalt not covet And not in part is this Law perpetuated but in every point saith the other Apostle Jam. 2.10 And therefore let such as after warning slight the seventh day Sabbath make sure work that it be no point of that Law whose every jot and tittle is established by Christ and his Apostles And yet after this full confirmation how fain would vain contentious flesh find out a device to live in disobedience to that precious heavenly Law Object for 't is objected That Christ hath not expresly and particularly established the fourth Commandement and therefore it may be no sin to slight the seventh day Sabbath Answ By this reasoning the Papists may excuse all their Idolatry since Christ hath not expresly and particularly confirmed the second Commandement and therefore they may as lawfully make and worship Images as we may prophane the seventh day Sabbath 'T is sad to strengthen Antichrists lewdness by weakening Christs Law 2. Christ hath confirmed every tittle and his Apostles every point of the Royal Law will not this suffice if not behold the kindness of Christ condescending to our weakness shewing us as it were the very print of the nails fastening his seventh day Sabbath for ever as a foundation Oracle not onely in Eden and Sinai but in the beauty of Sion for he doth expresly own the seventh day Sabbath particularly with the honour that none other Law enjoys professedly acknowledging it to be his Sabbath proclaiming himself Lord of it and most punctually observing it yea solemnly averring that he came not to destroy the Law but to fulfil it And indeed this spotless Lamb did faithfully fulfil this Law of the Sabbath as the rest without the least violation of any tittle even then when those presumptuous spirits charged him Mar. 2.27 28. He cheeking their blind conceit who thought belike that Man was made for the Sabbath and informs them that the Sabbath was made for Man and not Man for the Sabbath that is for mans benefit and comfort both body and soul even as the Laws of a Nation are made for the subjects and not subjects for the Laws And further be compleats his answer to their false accusation by proclaiming himself Lord of the Sabbath as if he should say The Sabbath is mine I am the Lord of it I made it for Man that he should sanctifie it and therefore having given Man a precept and pattern to keep it I shall not make my self a president to prophane it as you superstitiously suppose Certainly Christs engagement to fulfil it to the least jot or tittle with his professed owning of it claim to it and care for it as its Lord is the fullest confirmation that can possibly be desired That which Christ lays claim to as Lord must needs be confessed to be his esteemed and honoured as his the Bride is his for he is her Lord Psal 45.11 the Harvest is his Heaven and Earth is his the Angels are his and all to be esteemed his who is proclaimed Lord of all Therefore we celebrate the holy Supper because 't is the Lords Supper and therefore we ought to sanctifie the holy Sabbath because he declares himself Lord of the Sabbath He gave it the institution when he made the world he gave it confirmation when he redeemed the world and his Saints must endeavour to observe every jot and tittle of it to the end of the world For as he doth expresly own his holy day in asserting himself Lord of the Sabbath so he takes special care by particular instruction that his Saints might avoid the violation of this rest on earth even whiles he himself should rest triumphantly in Heaven wherefore after his predictions of the approaching
worship Clem. first Ep. to Corin. p. 21. be preformed according to the APPOINTED SEASONS not as it happens and disorderly but at SET TIMES and houres they therfore that perform their oblations according to the APPOINTED TIMES are accepted and blessed Here observe how this blessed Minister of Christ seconds the Apostle in labouring to reform that great disorder amongst the Corinthians who came as they listed to the Lords Supper some sooner some later whence sprang that confusion transgression and wofull desolation amongst them 1 Cor. 11.20 21 29 30. Wherfore he informs them and us that our oblations or sacrifices of praise are not to be performed at our liberty but that the Lord himself hath ordered and appointed set times and hours which undoubtedly is the sum of the Apostles mighty charge to Timothy That he should be instant in preaching in season out of season And the holy Clement assures us that in observing the appointed seasons we shall be accounted blessed Now what these appointed seasons and time are that this great God hath ordered his Saints should observe the same elect vessel declares in these words Epist Const l. 7. c. 24. You must keep holy the Sabbath in memory of the Creation and the Lords day in memory of Christs Resurrection Certainly this ancient Disciple of Paul did clearly understand these daies to be ordered and appointed of the Lord and since a person so assuredly sanctified would not deceive us Let us follow Clement also as he followed Paul and not think two daies time too much for our souls whiles we have more then twice as many for our bodies Another famous Disciple of the Apostles and holy Martyr of Jesus even that heavenly Ignatius teacheth the very same doctrine in this Dialect Next after the Sabbath day let every friend of Christ make the Lords day a solemn Festival And the same holy man ad Philip shews his his detestation of Sabbath pollution saying If any one shall keep a fast on the Lords day or on the Sabbath day Ignat. ad Magn. let him be accursed Certainly he that shews such indignation against those that pervert the Law of the Sabbath from a Feast to a Fast would much more abominate those that turn it from spiritual delight to corporal labour Thus were these two appointed days honoured in the Virgin state of the unspotted Spouse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Germani fratres like lovely twins or natural brethren the one born at the Creation the other at the Redemption of the world But in the third Century man took upon him to be more spiritual then his Maker and some parts began to be infected with Origens allegorical Divinity taking liberty to prophane the seventh day under pretence of keeping a mystical Sabbath by cessation from sin while they lived in the manifest sin of slighting the Sabbath So that the mistery of iniquity gâ—t ground by this mistical notion making way for the rising of the presumpâ—uous little Horn to change Times and â—â—aws till at last he prevailed with the Emperour abolishing the seventh day Sabâ—ath by a Decree to establish the Lords day or first day of the Week Eusâ—b vit Constant l. 4. c. 17. for the great hoâ—y day appointing a set form of Latin prayers to be used upon it And this was done the 330. year after of out Redemption But maugre this presuâ—â—ptious decree many pretious Churches still devoted themselves both daies to Gods honour as is evident in that of Ambrose Sacrum l. 4. c. 6. Upon the next day saith he being the Sabbath and after that on the Lords day I will treat of the order to be used in praier And I wish I could intreat all that read this holy resolution to resolve to walk in the same order and reject those Romish abominations as Rome rejected the Christian custome of saints witnessed by Socrates four hundred years after Christ Though saith he in manner all the Churches throughout the world do celebrate and receive the holy misteries every Sabbath day after other yet the people inhabiting Alexandria and Rome of an old tradition do not use it Socrat. scholast l. 5. c. 21. The Egytians adjoyning to Alexandria use to celebrate the communion upon the sunday Here you may see how long the Saints honoured Gods Sabbath for the generality of Christians almost throughout the world did then communicate in the highest misteries of the body and bloud of our Redeemer upon the Sabbath day whiles onely the apostatizing Church of Rome with some few of her adherents did communicate upon the sunday so called Now which of the examples we should follow the good Lord help us to consider though me thinks it might easily be determined if we well weigh the pattern in the Mount where wee finde the first pure Church breaking bread upon the seventh day Sabbath Acts 2. I may not omit another instance of the same authentick Author 404. years after Christ who being one of the best Historians we can boast of thus writeth Wherefore when the festival meeting throughout every week was come Socr. schol lib. 6. cap. 8. I mean saith he the Saturday and the Sunday upon which days the Chrâ—stians are wont solemnly to assemble in the Church Since therefore this was the Saints custome through those purest times even 400. years after Christ why should not we also be followers of Christ and his Scripture Spouse with them Especially if we consider that unto this very day those Christians that have lived from under the power of Rome do constantly celebrate both these days It is the testimony of Mercator Heylin and other Historians of good account That the Aethiopians do constantly observe both the Sabbath day and the Lords day without doing any work according * Mercat hist. mun p. 827. to the ancient manner of the Christians This Aethiopia is described to be as large as all the Empire of Germany with France and Italy having threefcore and ten Kingdomes tributary their King is called Presbyter John exercising both the Legal and Ministerial functions It was their Queen who travelled so far to hear the wisdome of Solomon Matth. 12.42 and shall rise up in judgement to condemn such as wilfully refuse to wait upon the Lord of the Sabbath To this people did Gods spirit punctually fulfil that royal Prophesie Psal 86.31 Aethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands to God directing the Evangelist to instruct convert Act. 8.26 27 35. and baptize the Treasurer to another of their Queens so that the Noble Eunuch returning with joy into his own Countrey as their Histories inform us converted and baptized his Prince who with joynt endeavours spread the Gospel through those large territories likely to abide in the faith of Christ until his second comming according to the ancient Prophesie Zeph. 3.9 10. And thus I have faithfully performed my task in vindicating the ample authority of the seveuth day Sabbath as being Instituted by
until some other day of Gods determining shall be produced but since that will never be done I shall proceed to the third point 3 The Authority Gods precept seconded by his own practife gives such full honour to the Sabbath that I hear of none save Atheists Papists Prelates Ranters Quakers and some Notionists that gainsay it 4 Perpetuity Neither was this ancient Law instituted for a year or an age but perpetuated to all posterity as is sully acknowledged Synod confess p. 38. 5 The sanctification This royal Sabbath is no base or beggarly rudiment as some tremble not to reproach it but an honourable perfect Law of liberty Thes sab p. 49 worthy to be imbraced by all the heavenly race of true believers 6 The Rule Not as a Covenant accompanied with thunder denouncing curses for the least disobedience but as a holy just religious Rule breathed by the still and soft voice of the Gospel 7 The Persons To persons principled in Church order Isa 8.13 the Antitype of Gods Ark in whose renewed hearts by vertue of the new Covenant all Gods Laws are fairly registred which are by others slighted Hos 8.12 8 The Vse and End And all for these two great Ends 1. To honour God 2. To enjoy him for ever which is the peculiar prerogative of such as obtaâ—u victory over the Beasts Mark The changer of Times and Laws And thus each tittle of my tenent being attested in so many words by such as are esteemed Orthodox I hope it may freely appear without prejudice The seventh-day Sabbath is a perpetual royal Rule for the righteous established by precept and president to Gods praise and Saints priviledge First Of the Rest The Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Shabbat signifieth a cessation from common work Gen. 2. and where it is first found it is Gods rest and the day for ever separated and consecrated or the honour of the most High in memorial of his most glorious works of Creation the benefit whereof is extended even unto us and morally engageth us to the Religious Observation of it which can never be truly sanctified until all false Rests be removed such as National custome humane tradition shadie speculation all which are but vain worship Matth. 15.9 and as for natural or civil relations carnal encumbrances with those sensual pleasures which steal away the soul from Gods Sabbath they are all but Aegyptian reeds and therefore let the Prophets alarm rouze up the self-denying Disciple from every deceit Mic. 2.10 Arise ye and depart for this is not your rest because it is polluted it shall destroy you with a sore destruction And so taking up the Cross of Christ with Spouse-like affections enquire as for the place so for the Time of rest Tell me O thou whom my soul loveth Caut. 1.7 where thou feedest where thou makest thy flocke to rest at Noon Observe the Spouse of Christ enquires not onely where but when not onely for his flocks resting place which is his bosome but also for the Time Isa 40.11 the rest at Noon Christ hath his Gospel seasons to sit in State Meridian heighths like the Sun in his circuit weekly returns to beam forth his grace to his beloved 2 Tim. 4.1 2. which the Spirit terms IN SEASON I have heard of a silly shift to shuffle off Gods Sabbath in making Christ the bolster of disobedience unscripturally asserting that Christ is the Sabbath thus confounding resting place with resting time But as for this Time of rest placed in the middest of the Royal Law it is truly Moral and so termed as Baptism and the Lords Supper are termed Sacraments in distinction from inferiour Ordinances though neither of the terms Moâ—al or Sacrament be found in Scripture The word Moralis signifieth belonging to manners and therefore the ten Commandements are fitly termed Moral as being indeed an exact rule of good manners informing us how to demean our selves towards God and men and it is in all things equal holy just and good yea and every way sutable to pure Nature and Grace and though the Bishop * White see not a sutableness in the Sabbath to pure Adam yet those who are better learned can see it sutable to the glorious Creator who in observing it made himself a pattern to his Creature and surely nothing can be more lovely and delightful to a person principled then to follow his gracious God in a president so pleasant Indeed Natures light as now 't is blurred and clouded is not capable of judging in the things of God every man is naturally Popish framing Idea's of the Deity 1 Cor. 2.14 setting up images or imaginations 't is therefore most absurd to try the morality of the Second or of the Fourth Commandement at corrupt natures Tribunal But this threefold mystery may possibly add strength to the Sabbath Morality if it be observed 1. That innocent Adam had all the ten Commandements written in his heart whiles his heart was flesh Rom. 2. 2. When his heart was condensed into stone and thereby the Moral Law was defaced Gal. 3.19 God condiscends for prevention of sin to write all the very same Lawes in Tables of stone 3. And when Gospel grace appears in new Covenant clemency transforming our hearts again from stone to flesh Heb. 8.10 11. 2 Cor. 3.3 Eze. 11.18 19 20. the very Laws written in Tables of stone are once more registred in the fair Tables of renewed hearts and that for this end that we should walk in his statutes and keep his ordinances and do them He that sees not through this three-fold mystery depths of wisedome with unsearchable riches of mercy may well suspect an unchanged stony heart whiles the renewed soul beholds the revived glory of Gods seventh-day Sabbath as a Moral duty sutable to Adam in his pure nature and good for Saints in the present state of grace freely concurring with this conclusion touching the morality of a Law That a moral Law is not meerly good because commanded but it is therfore commanded because it is good and such is the nature of the seventh day whereon God rested purely good and therefore commanded though depraved Nature cannot discern it As the nature of a moral Law doth thus confirm Gods Sabbath and none other So the title of the moral Law involves and secures this blessed day amongst the ten precepts termed in Hebrew Exod. 34.28 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in English it hath borrowed the title of Decalogue or the Law of ten words or Commandements all of equal honour and dignity though Satans delusions have prevailed with licentious spirits to slight and censure one of these ten Moral commands as ceremonial and from hence to ascend even to Blasphemy in reckoning this Moral precept amongst beggarly Elements and so charging the glorious God with the observation of a base Ceremony since nothing is more certain then that the Highest himself
the vanity of that Anti-christian invention But 3. We must learn to distinguish between Ceremonials and Morals both are not alike confirmed when they are together mentioned Act. 5.20 42. The Apostles preached and prayed in the Temple yet are they not of equal authority The Royal Sabbath is indeed mentioned with New Moons and sacrifices but it is no more rejected then Prayer and the prayer hearing God which are mentioned together * Isa 1.13 14 15. 57.6 7. 3d. Obj. A third objection is newly made by Mr. Aspinwal who grants Pentecost to be indeed the seventh day but thinks the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 translated fully come should rather be rendred fully past Pag. 5. Whence he would perswade that the Spirit did not descend upon the true day of Pentocost but upon the Jews false day of Pentecost which he saith was the first day of the week 1. The Greek being a Gerund in Do signifies fulfilling and most certain it is that as the saints were fulfilling the true Pentecost on the seventh day the spirit of Christ descended early upon them 2. His great mistakes are manifest in that our Lord Jesus who was punctual as he grants p. 5. to his own Law exactly celebrated the Passeover upon the 5th day the Jews on the 7th and such distance must needs be at the true and false Pentecost the true on the 7th the false not as he asserts on the first day but on the second so that his supposition of all those wonders which he would have done on the Jews Pentecost* do utterly vanish Pag. 35. and the glory of the 7th day Sabbath whereon those mighty things were wrought as I have convincingly proved is more abundantly confirmed seeing himself grants pag. 34. That those actions of the spirits effusion glorious conversion baptism breaking bread c. are signal characters of our Christian Sabbath Thus whiles we seek for wisdome in Gods way of counting his numbers Pro. 2.4 Rev. 13.18 we find the ancient Sabbath of the Lord our God within the mysterious numbers of Pentecost which saints should esteem as highly approved by the spirits glorious manifestation To which may be added 3ly His constant Appellation Christs promise was that the blessed spirit shall be ever with us to instruct us in all his truths And since this infallible guide doth constantly call the seventh day the Sabbath it must be received as a word of truth from God that cannot lie And truly 't is high presumption to alter the perfect word of God in calling any day the Lords Sabbath which the Lord never dignified with any such honourable appellation Let but the least authority be produced for honouring any other day as a Sabbath day in the Gospel besides the Lords honourable seventh day and the controversie will soon be ended I know what some have endeavoured to pacifie their perplexed spirits about the Sabbath who would perswade themselves that the first day of the week was thus honoured by the Evangelists in terming it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the first of the Sabbath Mat. 28.1 But first Answ here 's no 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 mentioned the glory of the Sabbath DAY is onely given to the seventh day whiles the first day of the week is termed like other common days the first of the Sabbath the second of the Sabbath the third c. 2. Whether they take this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for one of the Sabbaths or the first of the Sabbaths to be sure 't is not any one of the sanctified Sabbaths instituted or authorized by the Lord our God Father Son or Spirit neither can it be the first of the Sabbaths in their sense for the seventh day was undeniably the first Sabbath If they say it was the first individual Gospel Sabbath then I suppose that first day in the 1 Cor. 16.1 may be the twentieth Sabbath at least and yet that also is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 As for the proper signification and sence of the word it is the first of the week in English for Sabbath is an Hebrew not an English word and must be rendred week where ever it points at any time except the seventh day or some ceremonial sabbath as as the Pharisees vaunt shews Luke 18.12 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I fast twice on the Sabbath that is not twice in one day but twice a week The Evangelist fairly follows that form of expression used by the Septuagint which the Apostles more frequently observed then the Hebrew as being more common amongst the Gentiles where especially their work lay terming the week days the first of the sabbath the second of the sabbath c. instead of the heathen names of Sun-day Moon day c. which I hope may satisfie all such as had rather use scripture then heathenish names As in the title of Psal 24 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the first of the Sabbath or Week Ps 48. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the second of the Sabbath or Week Psal 94. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the sourth of the Sabbath or the fourth of the Week c. The Sabbath day is the peculiar honour given to the seventh day alone Luk. 4.16 Act 13 14. 16.13 c. So that if we be followers of God as dear children and take the blessed spirit for our guide in all our expressions and actions we must honour the Sabbath with holy devotion which he hath so honoured with highest Encomiums we must reverence that day above all daies in which he so gloriously descended upon the first pure Church solemnly assembled If this be not the pattern shewed Christians in the Mount I desire them to shew me some other pattern of some pure Church but if this be the undoubted pattern shewed this blessed day in the Mount Then Christian look well to thy walk Heb. 8.5 See that thou make all things according to the Pattern shewed thee in the Mount And since the spirits appellation is a further approbation of the seventh day which is the onely day he honours with the royal name of Sabbath day See thou presume not to call any day the Sabbath day but that which he hath so called See thou observe that for the Sabbath day which he hath so crowned It is the presumption of the little Horn not onely to change times but that this time of Gods solemn worship might be for ever buried in oblivion he hath devested it of this royal appellation of the Sabbath day and obscured its glory under the detestable name of Saturday i.e. Saturns day and so sheweth himself to be that Antichrist misteriously opposite to Christ devoting that very day to the father of Daemons or chief of idolized Devils which our Lord hath designed owned crowned and approved his chief day for Gospel worship And truly Christians the holy spirit would not that you should have fellowship with Devils 1 Cor. 10.20 Our English Laws have somewhat lessened this impiety wherein the
be glad in But as the Sabbath day enjoyned in the fourth Commandement against the reason there rendred For in six dayes the Lord made heaven and earth and rested the seventh day wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and sanctified it Saints For your souls sake search the Scripture if ever you find the Lord resting upon the first day I have proveâ— unto you that when he arose the first daâ— he was so far from resting that he travelled 15 miles that very day and encouraged his Disciples so to doe Ask your consciences in the fear of God if this were sanctifying a new Sabbath The ancient Christians who called it the Lords day did never terme it the Sabbath day but religiously celebrated the seventh day Sabbath with it But see what partiality this is to avouch that to be the Lords day which is so uncertain in Scripture and to reject the seventh day which is constantly called the Sabbath And thus I have faithfully opened the 3 Scriptures which neither singly nor joyntly give the least ground to observe the first day as a Sabbath So that Scriptures failing they flee to unscripturall consequences to support their supposed change First Arg. 1 They tell us that the worke of Redemption is greater then the worke of Creation and therefore the greater worke deserves the honour of the day Answ 1 I may demand with the Almighty to lost Adam who told thee that thou wast naked who told thee the work of Redemption was the greater who told thee the greater â—ork if it were so deserves the honour of the day hath God no other way to bear up the honour and preserve the memory of Redemption but thy supposed Sabbath Then learne to know that for the honour of the glorious work of creation God hath instituted his holy Sabbath and for the commemoration of the gracious work of Redemption he invites thee if thou hast grace to his sacred Supper Wherefore cease presumptuous man to set up thy posts by Gods Pillars blesse his name for his Royall Sabbath to meditate on the worke of his hands and sound forth his praise for his precious Supper that sets forth the Love of his heart Arg. 2 A second reason is raised from the Israelites obligation to offer their first-borne and first-fruits and therefore t is thought more equall to offer the first day for a Sabbath then first to serve our selves six dayes and put of Gods Sabbath till the seventh Answ 1 T is most equall to offer unto God what he requires and therefore none other Sabbath will bâ— accepted but that very seventh day which God hath sanctified I freely joyne thus far with the adversaries argument That it is most meet for man to offer unto God his first day But I feare my Antagonists will not stick to their own conclusions when they are remembred that the seventh day is mans first day he being made on the sixth day and immediately the seventh day Sabbath made for him to offer his first fruites unto his maker who in very deed accepts no other Sabbath but mans first day since then the adversary himselfe hath concluded that mans first day is most equall to offer unto God for his Sabbath let him either stand to his own argument Job 5.12.13 1 Cor. 1.1 and see that he offer none other Sabbath to the Lord then mans first day or else be for ever condemned by his own mouth Thus the Lord disappointeth the devices of the crafty and snareth them in their own wisdome yet will they not cease their vaine jangling Arg. 3 But tell the people that as no Manna was to be found on the seventh day so those that observe the seventh day Sabbath cannot find Christ the true Manna upon it Ans Then the Apostle was unwise to preach constantly upon that day whereon no spirituall Manna fell Act. 2.41 1â— 42 44 45. 6.13.14 but blessed be the Lord of the Sabbath that multitudes of Jewes and Gentiles have found such plenty of the heavenly Manna upon this blessed seventh day Sabbath that the adversary may stop his mouth with shame yea many living witnesses can bear their joyfull testimony to the free effusion of Gospel grace upon the true sanctified seventh day Sabbath Another reason is rendred why the first day should be observed viz. Arg. 4 from the successe of sermons in the conversion of souls on that day Ans It may be feared many are judged converts that never knew the power of the Spirit Conversion is a turning from sin to the faith and order of the Gospell which many supposed converts will be found short of If more persons be truely converted on the first day then upon other days the honour is due to Gods grace in that meanes which more abounds on the first day then other dayes and he that commands the word to be preached in season and out of season will not faile to follow it with his blessing at all seasons witnesse the notable successe of Lectures But if conversion of souls be a seale to Gods Sabbath never was day so crowned with true converts in the Scripture as the seventh day instances whereof have been already given in that famous 50 day Acts 2. and 13. and 16. and 18. cap. Argu. 5 But 't is supposed that serveing God on the seventh day Sabbath is to put new wine into old bottles Old things are passed away all things are become new 'T is true Answ Old sins are passed away and all old Ordinances Curses and Covenants but surely old Scriptures and old promises and Gods old loving kindnesses are not passed away The good old way promising rest to our soules Jer. 6.16 Heb. 10.20 is none other then the Gospel New and living way The new commandement of Christs Apostle is the old commandement that was from the beginning John 3.17.8 And the very first institution that we here of in the beginning is the seventh day Sabbath therefore if we are Christs Disciples indeed let us reform in observing the true Sabbath as we are directed about the true marriage Mat. 14.5.6 i. e. looke to the beginning we do no more put new wine into old bottles by celebrating the Antient Sabbath then by joyning in the antient way of marriage The purest water is at the spring head 1 Joh. 2.24 Let that therefore abide in you which you have heard from the beginning if that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you ye also shall continue in the Son and in the Father If you will not believe that the Sabbath which was from the beginning doth still remaine to be observed unlesse you hear the same in so many words give me leave to take off the Translators vail and let but Gods Spirit speake in his owne language wherein the holy Oracles were written and you will soon be informed Heb. 4.9 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Thero remaineth therefore the celebration of the Sabbath to the
people of God I know 't wil be suddenly objected Psal 132. there 's no mention of the Sabbath in our English Bibles only there remaineth a rest to the People of God Indeed the greater is their sin who have abused the word Sabathismos translating that only rest which signifies the celebration of the Sabbath Mar. 28.13.14 as any Grammer School-boy may see in his common Dictionary and the greatest Adversaries of the Seaven day Sabbath are not able to deny If any shall plead Psal 27.19 20. That seeing the keeping of the Sabbath is a Rest therefore the Translators may be excused in rendring the word Rest let them know that although every Sabbath is a Rest yet every Rest is not a Sabbath We rest in our beds yet who is so simple to call that a Sabbath That word which so often is rendred Rest in Heb. 3.4 is quite another Greeke word So that their sin cannot be excused who have perverted the sence and by mis translation and their own additions to the Scripture have obscured the Sabbaths Gospel-glory more then once or twice as in Col. 2.36 they have destroyed the A postles scope by their addition of Dayes so in Acts 18.4 they have translated that word Reasoning to the undervaluing of the Sabbath which in Acts 20.7 they English Preaching for the greater advancement of the first day But since so great a cloud of obscurity is cast over the Sabbath by translating that barely rest which signifies so clearly the celebration of the Sabbath and finding many perplexing their spirits to find out what rest is to pressed by the spirit In Heb. 3. 4. I shall endeavour to helpe their understandings who through some cursorie consideration of the Scripture have supposed that it only intends some one single Rest whereas upon a serious search into these two Chapters there will be found a five-fold rest 1 Typicall 2 Spirituall 3 Evangelicall 4 Morall and 5 Eternall though indeed they are as mysteriously and promiscuously held forth as those interwoven predictions of our Lord Jesus In the 4 of Mat. and the book of the Revelation which are purposely so delivered to exercise the faith and mind of wisdoms children I shall therefore through grace lay open this five-fold rest as it appeares to be the mind of the Spirit by the Apostle Heb. 3. ver 3.5.6 7 whose scope is to warne and admonish Christians by Israels woes of falling short of the true Rest and having shewed the difference between Christ and Moses with their two houses he takes his Text as it were from David Psal 45.7 exhorting Christs house by faith to walk in Gods wayes * vers 10 12 13 14. from which Israel swerved and so fell short of that Rest termed another day whereof Joshuah's Canaan was only a Type This being the Apostles scope by that Typicall rest to shadow forth that other day viz. Gospel grace and Glory by Christ The entrance into which grace is the Saints spirituall rest For saith the Apostle We which have beleeved doe enter in to rest This is that promised rest to heavy-laden souls the delightful fold of believing Lambs The very same resting place saith Christ my Father makes for me have I prepared for you even mine own bosome and all I look for from you in liew of this great love Iohn 1.18 is as thus as I rest in my Fathers bosome and you in mine so I may rest in yours Wherefore let each spirituall Virgin Spouse conlude My beloved shall lye as a bundle of myrrhe all night between my breasts Can. 1.13 And having thus attained their Spirituall rest by Faith the Saints third repose I term 4 Rest Evangelical a Church estate caled by the Apostle The house of Christ the Zion of God built up of Spirituall stones the rest which God himselfe hath chosen Heb. 31.6 12.22 Ps 132.13 14. and all should choose that have entred by faith into that Spirituall rest For the Lord hath chosen Zion he hath desired it for his habitation this is my rest for ever here will I dwell for I have desired it Here Christ hath promised his precious presence to the worlds end and this should be that on thing in believers desires whilest pretenders to Spirituallity are passing from mountaine to hill forgetting their resting Place 4. As Christs Church is his resting place where we may find him and rest in him So he hath a solemn resting time or Gospel-Season which is the noon time rest after which the Spouse enquires not only where but when Tell me ô thou whom my soul loloveth where thou feedest where thou makest thy slocks to rest at noon At this Season Christ sits in his meridian glory amidst his flocks in his weekly returne to his beloved this I call his Morall rest or the mannerly attendance which the Church owes unto Christ entring his Royal palace deckt in robes of righteousness when the Royall Scepter is gratiously extended to every trembling Hester The neglect of this morall rest was wofull Israels sin for which the Lord destroyed them in the Wildernesse as is plain Ezek. 20.13 and this being compared with the Apostles Admonition to the Christians plainly points out the Sabbath that remains to the people of God He sets forth Israels fin and Israels sorrow on this wise Although God finished his works from the foundation of the world and thereupon speaks Gen. 2. And God rested the the seventh day from all his works yet neither the glory of his wonderfull Creation authority of his institution or observation of his holy Sabbath to keep up the Creators honour could engage them to follow his example but so highly did they provok him in the wildernesse by refusing his Statutes and despising his judgments in generall but especially in poluting his Sabbaths that he sware in his wrath they should not enter into his rest but for their sins and particularly sabbath-breaking he consumed them in the Wildernesse Wherefore the Apostle concludes in applying all unto believers exhorting them to labour in the use of that meanes which Israel neglected To enter into the eternall rest after the true Jesus least any man fall by the same example of unbeliefe or disobedience as the Greeke signifies Christians believe it this is the summe of the Apostles admonition so to presse after our eternall rest that we fall not after Israels example of disobedience Ezek. 20.13 in rejecting Gods statutes despising his judgments and in particular poluting his seventh day Sabbath which he made and wherein he rested for a patterne to all that enjoy the benefit of his works of creation But especially for Christians who by entring into his spirituall rest through faith are become the people of God There remaineth therefore the celebration of the Sabbath to the people of God for he that is entred into his rest he also hath ceased from his works as God did from his own works And here we
THE SEVENTH-DAY SABBATH Sought out and celebrated OR The Saints last Design upon the man of sin with their advance of Gods first institution to its primitive perfection being a clear discovery of that black character in the head of the little Horn Dan. 7.25 THE Change of TIMES LAWS With the Christians glorious Conquest over that mark of the Beast and recovery of the long-slighted seventh day to its antient glory wherein Mr. Aspinwal may receive full answer to his late piece against the SABBATH By Tho. Tillam Minister of the Gospel Psalm 102.13 14. Thou shalt arise have mercy upon Sion for the time to favour her yea the set time is come For thy servants take pleasure in her stones and favour the dust thereof London Printed for the Author and are to be sold by Livewell Chapman at the Crown in Popes-head Alley 1637. To the Church of Christ which is at Colchester gathered by Gods grace with the Authors Ministry into the beautiful order of the Gospel Precious and therefore Beloved WHat hath the holy one done for you what hath Gospel grace wrought in you who are these that flie as a cloud and as doves to their winâ—ows Isa 60.8 Happy day when the eternal spirit broke open your doors and led you through the pangs of the new birth into the favour of God by Christ Blessed season when the Almighty displayed his bright beams of evangelical light forming Christ in your souls by the same way that the blessed virgin conceived viz. by the ear alluring you out of Bâ—bylonish abominations worldlly pollutions and unscriptural mazes to follow the Lamb in all his pretious appointments Look my beloved from the top of the mountain to which grace hath advanced you and behold the woful world still wallowing in wickedness and weltring in blood under the wrath of a jealous God 1 Cor. 6.11 in a hopeless graceless christless condition And such were some of you but ye are washed but ye are sanctified but ye are justified no more strangers and forreiners but fellow Citizens with the Saints and of the houshould of God founded upon your Rock of Ages whose mysterious habitation and temple ye are Now what shall we return to the Lord for these invaluable benefits I hope there is not a soul of you that dare slight such unsearchable riches of grace I trust you are truly enlightned purely principled which with the sence of your former weight of sin the intolerable burthen of an awakened conscience will cause you for ever to delight in Christs shadow and sit with soul-satisfaction under the spread wings of the eternal Saviour that soul hath onely a name to live that loves not such a Lord. Amongst all the blessings bestowed upon man God made for him a holy sabbath and this of old was the honour of Gods Israel and shall be again the glory of such as stand in the antient path enquiring for the good old way Now since Jehovah hath graciously revealed Sabbath lâ—ght amongst you and laid you under many endearments let each soul that is indeed a Saint take up with the Psalmist Return unto thy rest O my soul for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee for truly you have need of rest amidst all your reproaches for the Law of your God and to strengthen you for new trials especially if you and I who have hitherto enjoyed our pretious liberty should experience what we hear namely that the present powers make no conscience of Oaths or Acts if this should prove so indeed what can be expected to Sabbath-keepers but new prelatical persecution There is a solumn Oath taken before God and men to protect such as professe faith in God by Jesus Christ though differing from the doctrine or discipline of the nation which is seconded by the present Parlament who have enacted Inster for Gover. Artic. 36 37. That such as professe faith in God Father Son and Spirit and own the scriptures Parl. Petit. advic 1657. pag. 13. shall not be compelled by penalties nor restrained from their profession though differing from the publick Doctrine and discipline but shall be protected in the peacable exercise of their religion But notwithstanding these great engagements there would be little prohability of peace should their principles be as some are perswaded Wherefore flie with speed to your experienced City of resuge and improve your interest in heaven for the suppression of Jeroboams sin 1 Ring 32.33 who did not onely advance the device of his own heart in the time of worship but imposed it on the people and so made Israel to sin Strive with your prayers against the remaining corruptions rising oppressions appearing persecutions a manifold enormities of a revolting nation God hath eminently punished the princes and the Kings children and threatens all such as are clothed in strange Apparrel Zeph. 1.8 and yet how this abomination abounds amongst us yea t is feared that as Jehu pulled down one Baal and advanced two golden Calves In Hebr. Lord. so the suppression of one proud Prelate may be attended with the promotion of many persecuting Presbyters and then farwell our precious Gospel priviledges if ever our liberty should be at their allowance They have already put forth their sting by underhand attempts to obstruct this great truth of Gods sabbath Their contentious Lecture at Colchester termed your Gospel Baptism an infant damning doctrine and the minsters thereof the Devils Factors stirring up Rulers against us which prebably may prove their strongest arguments in opposing the Sabbath As for such either Presbyterian or any other opinion who are of a Gospel frame of Spirit free from Ishmaelitish persecuting principles I do not in the least reflect upon them but highly prize all the lovely appearances of Christ in them knowing that such though our elder Brethren dare not murmure at our fathers love who hath enlightened our minds with the revived glory of his Royal Sabbath but will like noble Bereans weigh this serious and I hope sober work in the balance of the sanctuary If such as would have a precept of this high import smothered or concealed under a bed of security or Bushel of plenty were throughly a wakened by the whisperings of Christ they would readily proclaim this glorious truth upon the house top If this lively oracle of Gods seventh day Sabbath be not clearly Instituted by the Father Ratified by the Son Approved by the spirit and observed by the Saints Let it be confuted and rejected but if this Royal Law be thus established how dreadful must be the continued weekly pollution of it after Christs call to repentance and reformation God hath long winked at the dayes of our ignorance but he will not long bear with wilfulness As for you the beloved spouse of Christ Elders Deacons and Brethren I do bless the Almighty for you I can never sufficiently admire that unexpected passage of providence that made plain my path unto you
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
chiefly engaged was a Tradesman a sad Omen to the decayed Clergy who silently admired his invenâ—on whiles he opposed his own Nâ—w England princlples manifestly sinning against his light in rendring the Sabbath ceremoâ—aâ— bâ—cause given to the Jewes for a signt over whose deplorable condition New England thus laments It may affect ones heart with great mourning to see the many inventions of mens hearts to blot out this remembrance of the Sabbath day Shep. Sab. they first cast it out of Parâ—dâ—se and shut it out of the world until Moses time when in Moses time 't is published as a Law and crowned in the same manner as all Moral Laws yet then they make it to be but a ceremonial Law continuing onely till the comming of Christ Jesus Thus New England mourns over such impieties and 't is cause of grief indeed that one of their own professed Members should so openly oppose their impregnable doctrine of the morality of the Sabbath It is truth that the Sabbath was given to the Jews for a sign Exo. 31.13 and so was Christ himself Isa 7.14 Euk. 2.11,34 but it followes not that either Sabbath or Saviour must be therefore ceremonial The Saints are set for signes so is the holy spirit 1 Joh. 4.13 Isa 8.18 Eze. 20.12 20. yea for the very same sign as the Sabbath is viz. That you may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctifie you There the same honour is put upon the Sabbath as upon the holy Spirit yea let the self-denying Disciple know that in the conscientious observance of Gods Sabbath he shall not long want the blessed sign of Gods sanctifying presence The Sabbath is indeed a signe of goed things formerly produced Exo. 20. 31.13 as the worlds creation or else of good things at present enjoyed as Gods sanctifying grace but never was it set for a sign of good things to come like the ceremonial * Compare Col. 2.17 18. with Lu. 4.18 19 21. Deut. 6.5 6 7 8. 13.18 c. Mat. 22.17 Sabbaths I might here retort the vaunting language of the Preacher of Peters of cutting off Goliahs head with his own sword for if the Morality of the Sabbath cease by being a sign to the Jews in their generations upon the same account must the whole Law cease to bee Moral since Gods spirit hath set it also for such a sign Thus while vain man findes out inventions to slight Gods Sabbath as a Jewish ceremony because given to that people for a sign he rejects the Holy spirit Scriptures Christ and all as so many Jewish ceremonies Neither is it possble to escape the Dilâ—â—â—ma by saying that the Sabbath is Moral but the seventh day Ceremonial for though the seventh day and Sabbath be terms convertible in the fourth Commandement yet even in the place mentioned the term seventh day is not set for the sign but the term Sabbath And whereas the same person puzzled the people by a third inwention but without the Book Object That if we observe the Jews Sabbath we must also offer the Jâ—ws sacrifices 1. Answ Now England Divinity might have instructed him That if sacrifices could make the Sabbath ceremonial then they may make that day and every day ceremonial but sacrifices make not the Sabbath ceremonial therefore not the day 2. Heb. 7. All sacrifices were recorded types of Christ and therefore abolished but the Sabbath did never type out Christ therefore never abolished nor changed 3. The seventh day Sabbath is part of the Law Moral where no syllable is found of sacrifices 't is therefore as absurd to conclude we must offer sacrifice if we will keep the Sabbath as to say we must keep the Ceremonial Law if we observe the Moral When these fancies fail and the Sabbath can neither be expelled Paradise nor confined to Canaan A third invention is found to make Christ a bolster to disobedience by proclaiming him a Sabbath-breaker Who never transgressed no not a tittle of the least Ceremony For had he failed of the smallest service he could never have been the Saviour of the world God must have a Lamb without spot or blemish The charge brought against Christ is 〈◊〉 1. That he justified his Disciples in plucking Ears of Corn as well he might when the Law expresly allows it Deut. 23 25. without restraint of time and where no Law is there 's no transgression If the Phariseos were righteous over much who had so deeply suffered for slighting the Sabbath formerly shall the Lord of the Sabbath be censured for allowing that to his hungry Disciples which even the Hipocâ—ites themselves did not deny their beasts that is Luk. 3.15 Necessary food If Professors are not ashamed to joyn with Scribes and Pharisees in censuring our Saviour as a Sabbath-breaker yet let not these continue bold whiles Christs words make the others blush Luke 13.17 And whiles our Advocate performs his office in pleading the cause of his Disciples let Christians learn to content themselves by the Apostles examples with a slender Sabbath days Dinner rather then prophane the sanctified feason to make provision for their perishing bodies Trust to his word who hath promised to such as first seek his King dome that all things needfull shall be supplied he will never leave thee nor forsake thee but rather then fail Mar. 6.34 he will put forth a beam of his Divinity to feed thee who dost faithfully follow him Wherefore resolve to serve him though he feed thee but with Ears of Corn and this also be grudged by superstitious Pharisees A second charge jointly brought by the Hipocrites of old and present Professours against our innocent Saviour is about the Cripples miraculous cure Jâ—â— â—â— 8 and carrying his Bed on the Sabbath Whereas they were no more capable of understanding the supposed violated Scripture then of discerning the person they quarrelled with The scope of the Scripture is onely to restrain traffick and travel for gain in our ordinary callings Jer. 13.21 Neh. 13 11 c. but not to obstruct any work simply for Gods glory and spiritual profit neither did the man transgress any letter of the Law for 't is Thy work the Law forbids but this was properly the Lords work to confirm the miracle wrought upon a helpless and almost hopeless creature The Word of God freely allowes bearing Mat. 12 5. of Burdens for his own honour even on the Sabbath Joh. 7.21 23. Josh 6.12 c. 1 Kin 20 28 29. as in Circumcsion and Sacrifiees in the miraculous taking of Jericho and in * Heb. 2.1 2 3 4. war And so lar was our dear Redeemer from slighting the Sabbath that he singled out that Sanctified season to honour it with his chief miracles Gods spirit enjoyns exact obedience to those truths that were confirmed by * Heb. 2.1 2 3 4. maricles and as the wo was greater to those ungratefull Cities where his chief maracles
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
calamities of his rebellious Nation he directs his dear Disciples when to depart from those direfull miseries but especially to be importunate in prayer for forty years together Mat. 24 15. that they might not be forced to fly in the Winter for then the foul ways and short days would make it irksome to their bodies especially to breeding and nursing mothers and no less was the care of this tender shepheard to the souls of his Saints whom he bears in his bosome as also to the sanctity of his Sabbath and therefore adds this petition to their forty years Prayer that they might not be put to fly on the Sabbath day to the dishonour of God and trouble of their spirits in prophaning the sacred season for the preservation of their bodies which was designed for the sweetening of their souls in Hearing Prayer and Praise amiddest the precious societies of Gospell Saints It cannot easily be imagined that Christ should be so carefull in securing his Sabbath had it been ceremonial Col. 2.16 17. at such time as all ceremonies were abolished by Apostolical Proclamation Object And yet it is imagined and the best is but imagined that the Disciples were onely warned of fleeing on the Sabbath by way of prevention of Jewish persecution Answ And can it be conceived rationally that Vespatians Armies and Titus Ensigns should strike no more terrour then that the Jews in stead of securing themselves should trifle away their time in persecuting the Christians Had their flight been on the Sabbath yet seeing they were not to carry any thing no not their clothes they could not be counted transgressours Moreover so superstitious were the Jews that they durst not fight for their life much less persecute others and therefore this could not be intended by our Saviour but his sole designe was to have his seventh day Sabbath sanctified by his Disciples And as our Redeemer thus generally and particularly owned this Sabbath by his holy word so he gloriously crowned it above all other dayes by his mighty works viz. such miracles as never man wrought Mat. 11 20 11 20 If then those Cities were most honoured and engaged where his mighty works were done upon the same account is that day to bee most highly esteemed which Christ crowned with his greatest wonders God forbid that Gospel Saints should side with envious Sadduces in reproaching our Saviour for putting forth his glory on that blessed day but rather with heighthened affections let that Sabbath be religiously celebrated wheron such divine vertue was shewed Neither doth our great exemplar cease here to honour his Sabbath but having owned it by his word and crowned it with his works his constant care both in life and death was to leave a lively president for his people His constant custome during life is visible to all that can read the fourth Chapter of Saint Lukes Gospel and for his cessation from his work of redemption the same day of the week and time of the day that the father ceased from his work of creation entring exactly into his rest on the Sabbath as God did this is such a misterious discovery and full confirmation of the seventh day Sabbath as for ever binds all believers by a double obligation to this sweet soul-refreshing duty of which more may be spoken in due time This may suffice abundantly for the confirmation of the seventh day Sabbath by our blessed Saviour The third thing promised 3 Approbation is his approbation of that holy spirit which was appointed by the Saviour of souls to be a constant guide to Gods people So that whatsoever this blessed spirit shall approve of we may safely receive as tried gold weighed in the ballance of the sanctuary and rest upon 〈◊〉 as infallible truth Three things will fully evince the holy spirits approbation of the seventh day Sabbath 1. Luk. 23. ult His high Encomium 2. His mighty operation 3. His constant appellation 1. His high applause given to the pious womens practise of resting according to the Commandement is a full proof of divine approbation For though they celebrated the Sabbath upon Christs crucifixion yet Saint Luke was not inspired to write his Gospel till after Christs ascension as is evident in his preface and confessed by our learned adversaties Luk. 1.2 3 4. Leigh Syst p. 822. That divers years after when all Levitical institutions lost their power of binding the whole Law and each principle thereof doth binde all under the Gospel If then such praise were given to the holy womens celebration that the spirit so long after records it to their honour That they rested the Sabbath day according to the Commandement let the conclusion of the parable be the obedient souls instruction Luk. 10.37 Go and do thou likewise set to the Sabbaths observation according to the Commandement if thou wouldst have like praise of Gods spirit Though this might satisfie a willing soul yet others see such a measure of self-denial required in this duty that either God must stoop to their arms in recording the celebration of the 7th day Sabbath after Christs ascension or else they will not obey Well the blessed spirit sweetly condiscends and by the most glorious manifestation and wonderful operation that ever visited the earth confirms the seventh day Sabbath For it was upon this blessed day that he gloriously descended upon the Apostles to the amazement of men Act. 2. for though Antichrist hath long deceived us and we have taken it upon trust that Pentecost was upon the first day of the Week which he hath long honoured with Whitson Ales Wakes and May games yet in plowing up the truth with Gods heifer we shall finde such treasures of long-unveiled misteries in this renowned day as can never sufficiently be admired And the first mistery that displayeth it self Ez. 13.6 waâ— 19.1 11. lieth in the institution of the Feast called Pentecost or the fiftieth day for as the fiftieth day after the first Passeover and wonderfull deliverance from the Egyptian â—urnace the spirit descended in fire upon Sinai to instruct the twelve Tribes of Israel even so the fiftieth day most exactly after Christ our Passeover was sacrificed for us and had wrought our mighty deliverance from that worse then Egyptian bondage Heb. 2.14 15. did the same eternal spirit descend in fire upon Sion to inspire the twelve Apostles of the Lamb. And surely this harmonious descent upon the fiftieth day both at Sinai and Sion Barthol de propr rerum p. 152. cannot but be soul-ravishing satisfaction to the religious Christian for the confirmation of his faith in the true Messiah As also this marvellous dispensation upon the seventh day Sabbath cannot but affect his heart with this royal rest which the spirit so eminently approves by his superlative presence And the clearing of this fiftieth day to be the seventh day Sabbath will open more divine misteries as so many coals from the Altar to
secret hand of providence eminently appears in preserving the honourable memory of the seventh day Sabbath for whereas the Heathenish names of Weeks daies are still retained in the decrees of the highest Courts passed on the seventh day the Acts have the proper appellation Die Sabbati But 't is sad that such as so honour it with their Pen should prophane it so openly in their practise And though Satan should prevail with them to become my persecutors I cannot but in faithfulness remember them That as their Laws look for obedience till by the same power that enacted them they shall be repealed so it is most equal they should cease from prophanation of this royal Law of Jehovah till a repeal form the same power can be proved or that the blessed spirit hath any way altered or changed it How sad would a sentence of this import be when 't is too late to reform O thou Prince and Parliament Out of thy own acts I will judge thee who hast recorded the seventh day Die Sabbati and yet hast proclaimed thy chief Markets upon this my Sabbath You profess it in words but prophane it in works you honour it in your Laws but shame it in your lives Oh can it be hoped that a Josiah-like spirit should set upon reformation instead of persecution 2 Rin. 22 8 10 1â— ca. 23 instead of penalties to begin with Sabbath practise Is there no other way to confute Sabbath Keepers then by fine or imprisonments Must Prelatical principles appear after so many Engagements and solemn Protestations of liberty why yet here 's this remedy The will of the Lord be done And so I have done with my three first Proposals for the authority of this truth 1 The Father Institution 2 The Sons confirmation 3 The Spirits approbation And now proceed to the fourth namely 4. The Saints observation 4 Saints observation whereinto I have already made some entrance As first the precious womens practice after our Saviours sufferings when all ceremonies were abolished They rested the seventh day according to the Commandement And doubtless 't is a blessed thing to be found obedient to Gods Commandements 2. It hath been clearly and plainly shewed that even after our Lords highest exaltation the most glorious assembly of saints that ever the world saw was upon the seventh day Sabbath most exemplarily celebrated with prayer preaching baptizing incorporating communicating and all this eminently approved and sealed by the spirits miraculous and special grace in the conversion of thousands suâ—â— a day no Age ever produced Well may this day deserve the honour of a pattern in the Mount and to be exemplary to all posterity 3. The great wisdome of God eminently shines in concealing the practice of the Apostles deputed to serve the Circumcision Gal. 2.9 2 Tim. 1.11 since it must be acknowledged that if the Apostle of the Gentiles who was the great rejecter of ceremonies did constantly celebrate the seventh day Sabbath then much more those Apostles among the Jews whose forbearance was much even in ceremonials The Gospel then being the Epitome of things most necessary onely presents us with Pauls practice for our Christian pattern who expresly requires our conformity in these words Phil. 4.9 Those things which ye have both learned and received and heard and seen in me do and the God of peace shall be with you Here 's a general injunction which must be observed only with these limitations That Pauls practise be plain possible peaceable Evaugelical and unrepealed or else it binds not 1. It must be plain such as our Lord hath promised to his Lambs Joh. 16.25 2 Cor. 3.12 Col. 2.8 We must take heed of Philosophy and vain deceits of men who set up Ordinances by consequences and have some plain precept or president for our practice and such is the seventh day Sabbath There 's not a plainer precept in all the scripture not any thing more plain then Pauls practice herein and therefore to be observed by saints who desire the presence of the God of peace 2. It must be possible for some things Paul practised impossible for saints as mighty miracles travels c. But for the seventh day Sabbath though flesh and bloud think it a bondage to be detained a day from the Dunghil yet to the self denying Saint 't is a most pleasant season and his soul can seal to it as an easie yoke a light burthen a day exceeding a thousand therefore in this Paul is to be followed 3. His practise must be peaceable if we tread in his steps for Paul was but a man Acts 13.39 and sometimes a very angry man his precept may possibly exceed his practise herein If it be possible as much as in you lieth live peaceably with all men Rom. 12.18 and let the peace of God rule in your hearts Now the seventh day Sabbath is a day of rest and peace which sweetly calms the perplexed spirit so that thus far wee may freely follow Pauls practise 4. It must be Evangelical for we may not follow Paul in his compliance with the Jews in ceremonials no not to gain the Jews 1 Cor. 9.20 and therefore let Paul pass into the Temple to purifie himself with his Votaries this is no president for me But for the sacred seventh day Sabbath as it was instituted before any ceremonie was in the world for was confirmed Evangelically by the Son of God and by his holy Spirit and therefore in this Evangelical duty I shall attend Paul 5. It must be unrepealed if it oblige Saints for something Paul did which himself after repealed Gal. 5.1 2 3. as the Circumcision of Timothy which he solemnly declares to be utterly destructive to Christianity and therfore waving that let Christians conform to the Apostles practise of the seventh day Sabbath which is proved to be plain possible peaceable truly Evangelical and never in the least tittle repealed or any way altered And thus doing we shall follow Paul as Paul followed Christ 1 Cor. 11 1 2. For as it was undeniably Christs custome to celebâ—ate the seventh day Sabbath so it was Pauls mannet to observe the same day The words are the fame in the Greek both of Christs practise * Luk. 4.16 Acts 17.2 and Pauls the Penman is the same and all the difference in English is onely this Christs custome and Pauls manner Christ as his custome was went went into the Synagogue on the Sabbath day Luk. 4.16 And Paul as his manner was did the same thing Acts 17.2 Christ preached and Paul preached and where lies the difference between Christs obsetvation of the seventh day Sabbath and Pauls observation of the seventh day Sabbath It is made a great argument for the observation of the first day Act. 20.7 That Paul once preached on that day but it is as clearly declared Acts. 18.4 that Paul preached every Sabbath day onely the Translators have not dealt so clearly
give unto us or else we must become followers of God as dear children in sanctifying this lively Oracle of his seventh day Sabbath This divine truth of the Sabbaths perpetuity is in words confessed by our English assembly who doe not only acknowledge that the Law in generall doth for ever binde Christians Confes Pag. 33 and that Christ did not ANY WAY dissolve it but much more strengthen this obligation in the Gospell But in particular they confesse that God by a positive morall and perpetuall commandement doth bind all men in all ages to that particular seventh day which himselfe hath appointed Idem Pag. 39. And whereas they say this is changed in the Gospell from that seventh day to the first day of the week I shall with the candle of Gods word search their grounds which will be found too shallow to satisfie an awakened conscience for if Christ doth perpetually bind his Saints to exact intire personall obedience to his lively Oracles then surely no power is able to absolve his people from that obedience And if it be as they say that Christ did not any way dissolve but much strengthen this obligation in the Gospell then it is impossible to prove any kind of alteration yet Further If God by a positive morall and perpetuall commandement doth binde all men in all ages to such a particular seventh day as himselfe appointed then either they must prove that God hath made his morall Law mutable by appointing some other day or else the seventh day Sabbath must be restored to its primitive glory Their first ground for change of the Sahbath to the first day is raised from Christs resurrection and apparition to his Disciples But the very great difference between the fathers example at the worlds creation and the Sons action at his resurrection will soone discover the vanity of this argument For upon the Creation of the world God did solemnly sanctisie the seventh day for his Sabbath and rested on it giving as an example for the ground of our obedience but upon the resurrection there 's not the least syllable of a change institution sanctification or celebration yea so farre was Christ from resting upon his resurrection day that be travelled 15 Miles upon this supposed New-Sabbath and this not to any Church-meeting but from Jerusalem the place where most of his Disciples were purposely joyning with the two Disciples that were journeing on foot 7 miles and a halfe into the Countrey Luke 24.13.15 Mar. 16.13 Why Christians awake in the name of the Lord and polute your soules no longer with weekly prophanation upon such a salf supposition of a change at Christs resurrection you see your Creator sanctified his seventh day Sabbath and solemnly rested upon it but for the resutrection day you have not one word of a command to keep it as a sabbath and for an example you have indeed a lively one in your Saviours refusing to appeare all that day to his Disciples at Jerusalem and travelling with two upon their private occasions not giving them the least admonition about Sabbath observation which undoubtedly he would have done as freely as in other things had he intended that day for his new Sabbath Now I beseech you consider whether this be likely that Christ who was saithfull in all his house should intend the first day for his Sabbath and yet never leave one word of institution nor any other pattern but journeying 15 miles And whereas 't is gloried that our Lord appeared severall first dayes to his Disciples as they were assembled I believe upon diligent search it will be found but a vainflourish and that he never appeared to any assembly no not any one first day For it is most certaine that the day upon the Scripture account begins with the evening And now let us observe that upon the first day Luke 24.29 30. he arose we find him at the Village 7 Miles from Jerusalem when it was towards evening and the day far spent Luk. 24.29 30. after which he supped with the two which tooke up some time then they returned that 7 miles and a halfe to Jerusalem on foot So that if the day were far spent before they entred the Village it must doubtlesse be quite spent before they could provide and eate their suppers and returne 7 miles and a halfe And so before Christ appeared to the eleven Luk. 24.22 John 20.19 the first day must needs be done and whereas 't is said he appeared the first day at evening yet you must know that the first day was then as fully ended as it is plaine the sabbath * Mar. 1.32 was ended at evening when the Sun did set and the people brought their sick to be healed which they were forbidden to doe on the Sabbath day As for Christs second appearing to the assembled Disciples John 20.26 it 's expresly said it was after eight dayes and therefore could not be on the first day of the Week And for his third apparition John 21. surely they will not say 't was on the first day seeing they were at their trade But indeed the Lord was seene of some Acts 1.2.3 or other of them fourty dayes never being idle all the time 1 Cor. 15.6 so that his apparations prove not any thing as to a change of the Sabbath There is a conceit that the cause of the Disciples assembling on the first day was to celebrate the new Sabbath in honour of Christs resurrection when as they were so far from believing Christ was risen that the womens tydings there of Luk. 24.11 Mar. 16.13 seemed to them as idle tales Yea the first day was finished before they beleeved so that they could not in faith doe any such thing But here 't is evident how sadly they are put to it that must say something for their first day Sabbath and yet can say no better For although they would make some shew of Scripture yet all amounts to a bare endeavour to draw some support for an unwarantable Sabbath from any Text that doth but mention the first day of the Week Act. 20.7 As first from the Disciples occasionall meeting to breake bread upon Paul's departing by Sea they suppose this may make something for a first day Sabbath and truly they may as groundly plead for an every day Sabbath Act. 2.26 since it is as clear that the Saints assembled and brake bread every day 2. We find the Saints at Troas no sooner assembled but many lights are seen in their upper chamber So that 't is not probable they met till towards evening which is no good example for celebrating a Sabbath 3. If breaking of bread had been a service designed for the honour of the first day the Apostle who so much pressed to Church-order 1 Cor. 11. ulâ— and particularly in this Ordinance would not have deferred breaking of bread till the second day especially now that he was 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
in his change of Gods seventh day to his eighth day hath little spiritual eye sight But that Gods children may for ever beware of changing his appointments let his displeasure that brake forth against holy David be our admonition David had a pious purpose to fetch the Ark of God to Jerusalem he goes with 30000. chosen men 2 Sam. 6. sâ—ts the Ark upon anew cart the oxen they shake it Vzzah endeavours to support God smits him dead and spoils all their mirth But what is the cause of all this why it is their invention of setting the Ark upon a new a cart which should onely have been carried on the Levites shoulders of which errour holy David being made sensible humbly repents before the Lord saying 1 Chr. 15.2.13 None ought to carry the Ark of God but the Levîtes for because ye did it not at the first the Lord our God made a breach upon us for that we sought him not after the due order I solemnly professe unto you my flesh trembles in writing this sad example and dare any continue by weekly disorder to provoke this jealous God believe it Christians it is not all your doing that will avail it must be so doing that God will accept Let all things be done decently and in order Now all these things were written for our admonition Rom. 15.4 Therefore think not after admonition that any sabbath will be accepted but that alone which God hath ordained God will at last make a breach upon you if you do not repent in time and seek him after the due Order I have nowthrough grace fully proved the unchangable perpetuity of Gods seventh day Sabbath That it is Gods special command to remember it That it is one of those lively oracles received by Israel from Sinai to give unto us That we are under a double obligation to observe it First from Gods rest at the Creation Secondly from Christs rest at our Redemption There remaineth therefore the celebration of the sabbath to the people of God Undoubtedly Sinai's lively oracles given to Christians are some of Sions cords or stakes to fasten us in obedience to our God and it is his faithfull promise that they shall be perpetuated Not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed Isa 33.20 neither shall any of the cords thereof be broken Let Antichrist conspire with earthly powers to break these bands in sunder Psa 2.3 and cast away these cords from them 'T is but for a time times and half a time Da 7.25 The saints shall recover their changed Laws and changed times too and in keeping the royall Law those lively oracles according to the scriptures they shall do well and be blessed in their deed Ia. 1.15 2.8.10 whiles such as content themselves with partial obedience shall know when Lord Lord will be to late that whosoever shall keep the whole Law and yet off end in one point wilfully after warning he is guilty of all Now that sincere souls may sweetly conform themselves to this Royal Law this lively Oracle this perpetual remaining seventh day-Sabbath I shall in the power of the Highest assist them in the next part of my Position The fifth Head Sanctification AS the word sabbath fignifies holy Rest so this rest is to be sanctified to the honour of the holy God by a holy People in a holy manner T is no small mercy that God hath winked at the daies of our ignorance while we were weekly wallowing in Sabbath-pollution and that now he calls upon us to repent Acts 17.30 and reform in Sabbath sanctification The seventh seal being undoubtedly opened Pro. 9.1 Rom. 12. Ep. 4.11 12. hath discovered the seven Pillars of wisdomes house i. e. Those seven sorts of officers into whose Hearts God will put grace to trumpet forth the glory of the seventh-day-Sabbath whiles faithful souls coming out of their one thousand two hundred and sixty years wilderness condition Can. 8.5 leaning upon their beloved Re. 12.17 will readily embrace and keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus Observe here the blessed character of those blessed souls that come flying as a cloud out of Babylonish abominations to the Windows of the Ark of God These are they that keep the Commandments of God and the faith of Jesus Here 's the Character of a new Creature that hath a faith working by love he knows that circumcision is nothing Compare Gal. 6 15. with 5.6 1 Cor. 7.19 and uncircumsion is nothing but the keeping of the commandements of God All the tongue profession in this World is nothing all the pretences of spiritual Sabbatizers with their guilded expressions of living in the bosom of love is nothing This is the Love of God 1 John 5.3 that we keep his commandments and his commandments are not grievous To be sure this command of sanctifying Gods Sabbath is not gâ—ievous to gracious souls As the Jewes in their return from literal Babylon set to the observation of all they sound enjoined them in the holy Scriptures though some things bad been discontinued a long time So the faithful Christians coming out of mystical Babylon Read Neh. 8.8.14.17 such as do not only believe in Jesus but are likewise found with the commandments of God those lively oracles that Israel received from Sinai to give unto us Wherefore seeing how Antichrist violated the second commandment by his idolatrous images they first cast out the Idols and kept the second commandement they also relinquished the horrible blasphemies of the Beast and so observed the third commandement And at last taking a serious view how Antichrist had changed times as evidently as laws Rev. 12.17 they set long since to the sanctification of Gods seventh-day Sabbath according to the fourth commandement upon which the Dragon was wroth with the woman and went to make war with the remnant of her seed which keep the commandements of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. A remnant there was in the Prelates daies that endeavoured to keep Gods Sabbath amongst his commandements but the Dragon in Lawn sleeves was wroth with them the Proud image of the Beast pushed at them and undoubtedly whatsoever relique remains of the Beasts image in the present powers will be putting forth the horn to push at the observers of the true seventh-day-Sabbath whatsoever is of Antichrist in the present Authority will not cannot indure to see those times reformed which the little horn hath changed It is the nature of all Jeroboams golden Calves not only to observe those times which their Founder hath devised of his own heart But to push at Gods people and impose penalties upon them for observing Gods Sabbath But whiles these go on in sin and make England to sin in the weekly pollution of the Lords true Sabbath handed from Sinai by Israel unto us and whiles others have devised an every-day Sabbath to secure themselves under
Miserable Sabbath breakers that will not take warning I shall leave you to the hardness of your own hearts till you bring your own blood upon your heads I expect nothing from you but scoffes reproaches persecutions the worst you can do t is your nature you must act up to your principles and to the height of your power 2 Pet. 3.3 I pity you and pray that God may give you grace to pity your selves before it be too late He that overcometh shall sit with Christ in his throne when the Sabbaths weekly returns have wasted his obedient soul from strength to strength to keep a joyful Jubile in Messiahs Mansions of majesty Days shal be changed into years yea the Lords Sabbath of grace to a thousand years rest with the Lord of the Sabbath in glory Then those that carefully keep Gods Sabbath through reproaches as Jew turning back to Moses shall find a heavenly harmony between Jew and Gentile joyning in continual Alelujah to Jesus Rev. 19. then they shall find Christ and Moses friends and none honoured to sing his praise who have contemned Moses musick then those and only those that have obtained victory over the Beast his image his Mark and the number of his name Rev. 15.2.3 shall sing the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb happy souls who shall be found in the possession and faithful profession of Moses lively oracles and the oracles of the Lamb together Moses's ten precepts received from Sina Acts 7â— 38. and the Lambs six principles delivered in Sion are equally honoured by the Spirit of truth as the oracles of God Heb 5.12 Heb. 1.2 6.1.2 1 Pet. 4.11 and equally given to the Saints and therefore let such as would approve themselves Saints be careful to speak as the oracles of God This is the very day of singing the song of Moses the Lamb that is of reviving the ten precepts and six pinciples as through Gods grace I shall fairly prove in another peece wherein it will appear how the sixth seal opened the six principles of Christian Religon in their primitive puritie which many precious souls have with joy embraced and that of the opening the seventh seal hath now discovered the long concealed mystery of the seven pillars of wisdoms palace which I shall demonstrate by good authority to be the seven sorts of Officers that Christ hath appointed in his house As 1. Prov. 9.1 Prophets 2 Apostles 3. Evangelists 4. Pastors 5. Teachers 6. Elders 7. Deacons all which were brought to open view upon the late terrible commotion wherein the tenth part of the City fell with the tenth horn Re. 11.13 So the Greek and 7000 names of men in whose ruines all the seven stars oâ— heaven ascended our horizâ—n to trumpet forth the long concealed seventh day sabbath which with the foremenâ—ioned precepts and principles make up the melodious harmony of Moses and the Lamb. But look about you unbelievers for whiles the Saints stand on a sea of glass mingled with the oracles of Moses and the oracles of the Lamb in their hearts and mouthes professing the precepts and principles of Law and Gospel Rev. 15.1.23.4 Behold 7 Angels having the 7 last plagues full of the wrath of God to pour upon the heads and hearts of such as joyn not in the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb. Great and marvellous are thy works Lord God Almighty just and true are thy wayes thou King of Saints Observe as you desire your souls good that the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb are the JUST AND TRUE WAYES of the Lord handed forth by Moses and the Lamb. Rev. 15.3 Who shall not fear thee O Lord and glorifie thy name for thou alone art holy Vers 4. for all nations shall come and worship before thee for thy judgements are made manifest High praises to thy glorious majesty for thy special grace O God in the glorious discovery of thy pure precepts and precious principles those lively oracles left unto the Saints by Moses and the Lamb honour and glory unto thy great Name in revealing the high presumption of that little horn in changing times and Lawes for ever magnified be thy mercy in making this precious truth manifest to the souls of many of thy Saints That there remaineth the celebration of the Sabbath to the People of God Sweet spirit of Holiness do thou sanctifie our hearts that we may Religiously sanctifie thy blessed Sabbath till thou bring us to thy Palace in peace and receive us into our Masters joy where we shall enjoy everlasting rest Aleluâ—ah Blessed are they that do his Commandments that they may have right to the tree of life and may enter in through the gates into the city Rev. 22.14 Amen FINIS