given to the Lord is too manifest and we are prone through fear or favour or not observance to neglect admonishing such the Church doth appoint some Brethren to take notice of such Children and timely meekly wisely and faithfully to admonish them and their Parents as the matter shall require and if private means doth not prevail then to manage the complaint orderly in other steps Fifthly Whereas the Sacrament of the Lords Supper the Seal of Communion ought oâ—â—en to be celebrated for the prevention of neglect we do determine God granting opportunity that we will be in the use of that Ordinance once in every six Weeks Sixthly Whereas it is too often seen that many through fear or favour or sense of inability do behave themsâ—lves to their Brethren as if they were not concerned in that gâ—est Duty of Admonishing their Brother for offensive behaviours unless it be in cases whâ—rein they themselves suffer wrong and hâ—nce love decayeth and offences abound and Christs Government in works denied We do solâ—mnly prâ—mise that we will in any wâ—sâ— rebuke aâ—d â—oâ— suffer sin to rest upon our Broâ—her but deal faithfully according to Christâ— Order And seeing we feel by woful Experience how prâ—ne we are soon to forget the works of the Lord and our own Vows We do agree and determine that this Writing or Contents of it shall be once in every Year read in a Day of Fasting and Prayer before the Lord and his Congregation and shall leave it with our Children that they do the same in their solemn dayes of mourning before the Lord that they may never forget how their Fathers ready to perish in a strange Land and with sore grief and trembling of heart and yet with hope in the tender mercy and good will of him who dwelt in the burning Bush did thus solemnly renew their Covenant with God And that our Children after us may not provoke the Lord and be cast off as a degenerate Off-spring but may tremble at the Commandment of God and learn to place their hope in him who although he hath given us a Cup of Astonishment to drink yet will display his Banner over them who fear him A BRIEF DISCOURSE Proving that the First Day of the Week is the Christian Sabbath Wherein also the Objections of the Anti-Christian Sabbatarians of late risen up in Connecticut Colony are refuted By Mr. James Fitch Pastor of the Church in Norwich in New-England Gal. 4.10 11. Ye observe dayes and moneths and times and years I am afraid of you lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain Gal. 5.12 I would they were even cut off which trouble you Col. 2.16 17. Let no man therefore judge you in meat or in drink or in respect of an holy day or of the New Moon or of the Sabbath dayes Which are a shadow of things to come but the body is of Christ Printed in the Year 1683. ARguments Grounded upon the Word of God to prove that the First Day of the Week is by Divine Appointment the Day separated for Holy Worship and ought to be kept Holy unto the Lord according to the Rules of Sanctifying the Sabbath and consequently the Cessation of the seventh Day Sabbath in these Gospel Dayes And then a Reply to John Rogers his Answers to some Questions sent to him from the Honourable Governour of Connecticut and likewise an Answer to John R. his seven Questions with which he concluded Concerning the Arguments the Question is not now concerning the Name whether to be called a Christian Sabbath which some take to be Analogically a resemblance to the Jewish Sabbath or whither to be called the Lords Day which some have thought to be a more Gospel Name But the Subject of our Discourse at this time is not concerning the Name but the thing and far be it from me to imagine that I can add any thing to or do so well as those Worthies Doctor Bound Mr. Abbot Dr. Owen Mr. Baxter Mr. Shepard and others have done in their Learned Elaborate Discourses upon this Subject only I shall take some Arguments which to me seem most suitable to my present purpose 1. The first is from Rev. 1.10 in which the Apostle declared that he was in the Spirit on the Lords Day For the opening of which words to make way for the Argument we may Consider First It was some particular Day in the week which the Apostle calls the Lords Day for his Scope is to notifie at what particular time he had the Visions and Revelations of so great concernment to all the Churches in all Ages to the end of the World and this he calleth the Lords Day Arg. Which was either some particular day or some general name applicable to any day of divine Vision if so then the answer should be the same with the Question and prove and make evident nothing for the question is what day he had these divine visions and the Answer then should be in the day of divine Visions far be it from us to think that the Apostle guided by the Spirit of God in every word he said could speak such nonsence therefore it must be understood of some particular day in the week 2. Secondly It was some particular Day well known to the Churches of Christ to whom he wrote by that name of the Lords Day Arg. For it was a Day well known to the Churches by the name of the Lords Day or else unknown and obscure and would want an Exposition far be it likewise from us to think that the Apostle guided by the Spirit of God and having undertaken to make known to the Churches in what particular Day he had those Divine Revelations should put an obscure and unknown name upon the Day by which the Churches could not know what he meant therefore it is to be understood of a particular day well known to the Churches of Christ 3. Thirdly This particular Day so well known to the Churches by the name of the Lords Day was a Day of divine Institution a Holy Day Arg. For it is called the Lords Day either because it was a day of divine Revelation or a Day by divine Institution but it was not called the Lords Day because it was a day of divine Revelation for as we heard before this would be to speak nonsense and nothing to the Question therefore it was called the Lords Day because it was so by divine Institution and so a Holy Day Take one Argument more for the clearing of this That which is honoured by the Holy Ghost in the Apostle with the same honourable and holy Title and Name as belongs to the Lords Supper and other holy Institutions is holy as these are Arg. The reason is for if the Holy Ghost should honour this particular Day with as sacred a Name of Honour as Ordinances are and yet not be a holy Day it would be to honour it above its due and consequently to degrade other divine Institutions but
this cannot be but the day spoken of hath the same honourable title and name as the Lords Supper the Word of the Lord. c. 4. That the particular Day well known to the Churches of Christ called by the same honourable and holy Title or Name as the Lords Supper is and other holy Institutions was the first day of the week And for the Proof of this let us consider Arguments of all sorts inartificial and artificial abundantly confirmed by the Holy Scriptures Light and Evidence First To begin with inartificial Arguments viz. Testâ—monâ— of all the Churches in all ages from the Apostles times until you come nigh to our dayes take Mr. Baxter's own words It is unquestionable to any man versed in antiquity that all the Churches of Christ Greek and Latin Syrian Ethiopick Persian and Arâ—bâ—ck called the first day of the week the Lords Day and further he and other Worthies have and do give the chalenge unto any one to cite out of approved Histories or from but one anâ—â—ent Writer but one Church or but one Christian or but one Heretick who did gainsay this but of late times And what force there is in this Argument we may now weigh it the Word of God saith that the Testimony of two Men is true John 8.17 this is granted of all who have but humanity that it is legally true and the contrary to this is legally false and we may know what to judge of him that speaks it but the Testimony of all the Churches of Christ from the Apostles time from age to age may well have the credit which belongs to two men and somewhat more especially if we consider that it was not possible all the Churches East and West those who had no opportunity one with another that these could convene or any wayes consult to deceive their poor posterity with a lie by telling them that the first day of the week had the holy name of the Lords day and was to be kept holy when if it were false but they all spake the same thing because they were guided according to truth which came from the same spirit of truth breathing in the Apostles and guiding the Churches in the primitive time to declare the same to their Children and so to Childrens Children in all ages according as it was said in another case Psal 78.6 7. and if de facto as they call it concerning the fact for that we now speak of viz. that the first day of the week from the primitive time was called the Lords day if Histories be of no use to inform us or what they say ought not to be credited although they generally speak the same thing as to fact what was done I know not of what use they be but all the Books and Histories of the Church of Christ concerning the time of the ten Persecutions and ever since may be committed to the Flames as unworthy of credit and let us never Write and Record any thing more for the benefit of Posterity of this kind But I take it for granted that no sober minded Christian will agree to this whatever John Rogers his judgement may be And if any do desire to see more fully how it is proved that the first day of the week is the Lords day by the testimony of the antient Writers let them read Mr. Samuel Cradock's Book Entituled Knowledge and Practice and Mr. Baxter's Book concerning the first Day of the week by Divine Appointment the Lords Day in which Books may be seen the antient Writers cited in their several places and ages from the primitive time to the latter time attesting the first day of the week to be the Lords Day We have at present done with the first Argument as it respects Testimony 2. But let us proceed to that kind of Argument which by the Learned is called Artificial and argues from the Artifice Frame and Nature of the thing and must necessarily be granted to be the strongest way of Reasoning Arg. The Apostle calls the Day as it was by the Lord made and as it is or else he did miscal it the first part of this disjunct Proposition must be granted that the Apostle did call the Day as it is as the Lord had made for none will dare to say that he miscalled it unless it be those who have learned to Blaspheme The Minor follows that the first day of the Week was made by the Lord above any other day of the week to be the Lords Day in Gospel times and for the Proof of this let us now Consider 1. First this was the day in which our Lord rose John 20. â— Luk. 24.1 2. This was the day in which he appeared to the two Disciples after his Resurrection to teach them Luk. 24.13 3. This was the day in which he appeared to the Apostles and gave them their Commission and the Holy Ghost to enable them Luk. 24.33 36. John 20.19 20 21 22. 4. And this was the day he chose again to appear when Thomas was with them John 20.26 5. And this was the day promised and prophesied of and sulfilled as in the former particulars It was the day promised in Psal 118.24 called the day the Lord hath made speaking by way of Promise and Prophecie of Christs Resurrection Day as it is express in the words And that which some have mentioned in Ezek. 43.27 hath likewise its weight that the eighth day shall be the day wherein their Offering shall be accepted Arg. Take the Argument from hence either this was performed literally or typically if literally then the eighth day which is our first day of the week was Honoured and Sanctified above the seventh day and thaâ— by the Lords appointment but thus it was not before the Gospel times for that would be contrary to Numb 28.9 10. therefore it is to be understood typically viz. what day in Gospel times the Worship of God shall be acceptable and that is the eight day which is our first day of the week And that day of his Resurrection was the day of performing that great promise and prophecie Thou art my Son this day I have begotten thee for thus it s expounded by the Aposte Act. 13.33 God hath fulfilled the same to us in that he hath raised up Jesus again as it is written in the second Psalm Thou art my Son this day I have begotten thee For although Christ is the Son of God from everlasting yet this was the day in which he was declared to be the Son of God by Resurrection from the dead Rom. 1.4 and the first day of the week was the very day for the performance of this promise Heb. 1.5 as Pareus doth more fully explain it And to conclude this and though we cannot expect that those who are under a penal blindness and deafness will either give or take reason until the Lord shall give them an ear to hear and an eye to see and because they say they see their sin
remaineth John 9 41. Bot to help the mind and memory of those who are sensible of their weakness but are willing to hear and see Let us gather up briefly that which hath been said out of Rev. 1.10 as followeth The day called the Lords Day is some particular day well known to the Churches of Christ otherwise it was in vain and to no purpose for the Apostles to have spoken a word of the Day And this day called the Lords day was a Holy Day otherwise it could not have the holy name proper unto holy things and holy time And that the day called the Lords Day is the first day of the week this hath been proved both by the Testimonies of all Churches in all ages though cavelled against by some in late times yet this their Testimony may well pass for legal Testimony in any Court of Justice upon Earth and they who oppose it must be legally condemned for Liars And more then all this it hath been infallably proved by the Word of God and his Works that the first day of the Week is the very day which the Lord by his Prophets foretold he would make to be the day in which above all other dayes we should rejoyce Psal 118 24. And with his Almighty hand he hath performed it by the working of his mighty power which he wrought in Christ Jesus when he raised him from the dead Eph. 1.20 And in this very day revealing himself to his Disciples as the exalted head of his Church and People And in this very day Commissioning his Apostles and breathing the Holy Ghost in the same day upon them to impower and enable them in all things respecting their work as Apostles of Christ and particularly by the Holy Ghost guiding the Apostles to settle the first day of the Week in all the Churches of Christ as it is the Lords day and our Christian Sabbath but more of this in that which followeth And thus that which the Lord hath wrought according to his Word may well pass or divine Testimony in the Court of Consecience that the first day of the week is by Divine Institution the Lords Day and our Christian Sabbath And now let us proceed in the second place to prove that the first day of the week which the Lord hath made by his word and works to be the Lords Day and our Christian Sabbath was settled by the Apostles in all the Churches in the primitive time First By their Doctrine Secondly By their Practice 1. By their Doctrine for for the clearing of this let us consider Heb. 4.8.9 Where the Apostle doth by his Doctrine inform us of a Rest which remaineth to the People of God and another day of Rest and to make way for the Argument let us open that Scripture 1. First he speaks of a Sabbatism so the Word in the Original is a Rest resembled by the seventh day Rest spoken of in the third and fourth verses and by the Rest in the Land of Canaan mentioned in the seventh and eighth verses 2. This is another Rest and therefore another day for this Rest thus in 8 9 verses and I shall at present content my self with Pareus his Exposition until I meet with a better that 〈◊〉 in the Psalms to which the Apostle had respect did speak of another Rest and a day of Rest which is neither the seventh day Rest nor the Rest in the Land of Canaan but signified and exemplified by the one and shadowed out by the other and the Apostles demonstration of this Doctrine may be expounded by ad sjunctive Syllogisme Arg. Either it is of the first rest of God in which he ceased from the Works of Creation or of that rest in Canaan or of some other rest and of another day of rest but not of the two former and therefore the conclusion of the Apostle is in the 8th and 9th verses of another Sabbath of rest 3. This rest and day of rest spoken of by the Apostle remaineth so it is express in the words of the 9th verse which remaining properly belongs to this rest intimating by this his Doctrine that the other rest the seventh day rest is removed for the remaining signifieth the stability and permanency of this Gospel rest and the day of that rest but the removing of the thing shaken that those things which cannot be shaken may remain Heb. 12.27 The rest on the seventh day and that day of rest was miserably shaken by the sin and fall of man which brought the Curse not only upon himself and his Posterity but upon the works of Creation and therefore the Lord did not only threaten to destroy Man but likewise to destroy the Beasts the Creeping things and the Fowls of the Air for saith the Lord it repenteth me that I have made them Gen. 6.7 Thus was the seventh dayes Sabbath which was a memorial of Gods resting from and complacency in his works of Creation shaken by Mans sin and Gods curse upon the Creatures because of Man and the Commandment for the sanctifying the seventh dayes Sabbath did remain as a hand-writing against sinful and fallen Man as other Ordinances and Hand-writings did until Christ comes and brings in better Ordinances and a better day of rest which remaineth as the Apostle by his Doctrine instructeth us 4. The Rest and day of Rest which remaineth is that into which Christ first entred and at length did perfectly possess and into which he leadeth his People but Christ entred into his rest the first day of the week when he rose from the dead and at length he passed into the full possession of the Mansions and resting places ver 14. and he that entred into his rest ceased from his Works as God did from his ver 10. 5. The remaining of this day of Rest is spoken of in the present tense it is said therefore there remaineth a Rest so that it is that which at present the people of God do possess although the perfection of it is reserved for them when they shall come to the Mansions prepared by Christ for them Joh. 14.2 2 Pet. 1.11 the words being thus opened the Argument now follows Arg. That if the People of God have another day of Rest which is not the seventh day rest but that which Christ doth lead them into by his own Example and by way of communion with him who entred into his rest in the first day of the week then the first day of the week is the day of our Gospel Rest and of our Christian Sabbath and consequently a cessation of the seventh dayes Sabbath but the proof of all these particulars we have in the former and concerning Christs entring into his Rest on the first day of the Week I shall yet speak more fully concerning that as I shall meet with it in some of the Objections of John Rogers In the second place to prove that the Apostles by their Doctrine did settle the first day of the week
obeyed in the same as God the Father in the other so that both these works have some thing to keep them in memory by the appointment of the Workmen Reply The Reply to John R. his Answer is First He saith the work of Creation is the greatest work and his reason is because God made all things The Reply is That if the work of Creation be the greatest then the work of Redemption is not so great as the work of Creation but a work is greater or lesser according to the greatness of wisdom power and goodness manifest in it but the wisdom of God shining in the work of Redemption excels the wisdom shining in the work of Creation 1 Cor. 2.7 wisdom in a mystery and the power made manifest in Redemption is greater than in Creation called the exceeding greatness of his power towards them that do believe Eph. 1.19 And for goodness to finners John R. cannot but confess it is the mercifullest work and yet he denieth that a day shall be appointed for a memorial of this greatest work but as it is worthy of a Day so the Lord hath appointed the first day of the week for that end as hath been proved by the Scriptures abovementioned and therefore it is in vain for John R. to deny it Qu. 5. The fifth Question is Was not the work finished at the Resurrection of Christ on the first day of the week when he entred into his rest as God did into his Ans John R. his Answer is The price was paid as soon as the Sacrifice was offered and the dead raised but the work of Redemption as yet not perfected in us for we are yet under the bondage of corruption Rom. 8.23 but to say that Christ entred into his Rest on the first day of the week I cannot for he did assemble himself with his Disciples after his Resurrection being seen of them forty dayes before he ascended up into Heaven and upon the day of his Resurrection did eat with his Disciples and did travail with them which was Labour Reply The Reply is that Iohn R. denieth that the work of Redemption was finished because it is not finished in us Whence his Argument is That if Redemption be not perfected in Believers then not finished by Christ but this is false reasoning for want of distinguishing between the work of Redemption and the work of Application Christs work of Redemption may be finished although the work of the Holy Ghost as sent from the Father and the Son to apply Redemption may not be finished and is not in this life perfected to the Elect. Obj. The second Objection is That Christ was not entred into rest on the first day of the week and his reason is because he assembled with his Disciples did eat and travail c. Reply The Reply is Either Christ was on the first day of the Week in a state of Humiliation or a state of Exaltation if in a state of Humiliation then his Resurrection was no degree of his Exaltation contrary to Rom 1.3 4 Eph. 1.20 21. if he were in a state of Exaltation then in a state of blessed and glorious Rest And although there are divers degrees of his Exaltation as his Resurrection Ascention Session at the right hand of the Father and his return at the last Day to be the Judge but Resurrection is one degree of his Exaltation and of his Rest and therefore he was entred into Rest although for the conviction and confirmation of His Disciples he did shew himself and by some sensible signs make it manifest that it was himself that very humane nature which had suffered death was raised that he that descended was raised and is the same also that ascended into Heaven Eph. 4.10 Qu. 6. Did not Christ allow this to be called his Day as the Sacrament is called his or the Loras Supper Ans Iohn R. his Answer is I cannot say that ever the first day of the week was called the Lords Day and therefore cannot say whether he allowed it or no I know that the Cup which our Lord communicated to his Disciples they called it the Lords Cup and the Table at which they saâ—e to communicate of the Bread and Wine they called the Lords Table and the Apostle Iohn calleth that Day in which the Lord communicated to him those Visions in the Revelations the Lords Day but what day of the Year or of the Week I cannot tell Reply The Reply to this is there hath been Arguments given of all forts to prove both from humane and divine Testimony the word and works of the Lord the Doctrine and Examples of the Apostles of Christ that the first day of the Week was that very day called the Lords day Rev. 1.10 and if John Rogers was asked who his Father was he would be ashamed to say he could not tell and yet he cannot but know that as to humane Test mony there is more clear and infallible proof that the first day of the week was called the Lords Day than he can have who his Father was this being the Testimony of all the Churches in all Ages from the primitive time to this very day until of late some few haâ—e risen up and raised the Objection But besides all these Arguments from the Scripture have been given to prove it and if yet Iohn R. will say he cannot sell we must leave him to his â—gnorance and he ought not to be offâ—nded with us and revile us because we do know Qu. 7. Did not Christ countenance and allow his Apostles in the practice and solemnization of that day in proper Sabbath Ordinances Ans His Answer is before saying not that I know the Ordinance of the Sabbath is rest to Man and Beast for so God ordained in the fourth Command after the six dayes work to rest Qu. 8 Are not Christ and his Apostles therein to be a pattern for Christians to follow and so vertually a divine Institution Ans Iohn Rogers his Answer is that the eighth Question is answered by the Answer to the seventh and the answer to the seventh was the same with the Answer to the sixth viz. that he could not tell that he did not know and thus he makes a quick dispatch of Answers to the Governours Questions But in this he is like those who when the Question was asked them concerning the Baptisme of John whence was it from Heaven or of Men they reasoned with themselves saying if we shall say from Heaven he will say unto us why did you not then believe him but if we shall say of Men we fear the People for all hold John as a Prophet Mat. 21.25 26. and therefore they concluded it was safest for them to say we cannot tell ver 17. Thus likewise if Iohn R. should say that the Patern and the Examples of the Apostles respecting Worship and particularly concerning the Sabbath ought to be followed then he knows it would be said why do you not follow
to his station and work as he had opportunity in relation to God or Man this is called a fulfilling of all righteousness Mat. 3.15 2. Secondly There is an actual fulfilling of the Law literally and in this sence the Priest in his Labour in Sabbath duties of his Office might be said to prophane the Sabbath Mat. 12.5 And a fulfilling spiritually and finally according to the true scope of the Law and thus he was said to be blameless and so may we if we keep that day holy which Christ hath appointed as most suitable to Gospel times and the most spiritual scope of the fourth Command although we prophane the seventh day Sabbath 3. Thirdly To come nearer to the Text mentioned Christ came not to make any destructive change of the Law but to fulfil it and therefore to make a perfecting or persective change And the Godly Learned do note that the word to destroy the Law signifies to dissolve or pull it in pieces Christ came not to dissolve or pull the Law in pieces and leave the wills of Men to a lawless liberty but to bring in a stricter holiness and righteousness and a more perfect Administration and edition of the Law and this is expresly his scope and Christ himself expounds his meaning in the following part of the Chapter in Mat. 5. whilst Christ gives a more spiritual exposition than the corrupt Pharisees did who did cleave to and pervert the Letter of the Law as this Jewish Sabbatarian doth the letter of the fourth Command but when Christ changeth the seventh day Sabbath to the first day of the week that is the Sabbath from the seventh day of the week to the first day of the week with respect to the commemoration not only of the old Creation which is subjected unto corruption but the new Creation the work of Redemption which shall remain what destructive change is this of the Law in any one jott or tittle of it and no more reason for any to complain of a change then they had when Christ changed and made water into wine if John Rogers cannot chuse but refuseth this Gospel wine yet let him not scorn and scoff at us for our thankful receiving of it And if Beza be in so good credit with J. R. as he seemeth to intimate let him credit Beza in this matter also who attesteth that in an ancient Copy he had found it thus Recorded That the Apostle had given order for the Collections in the first day of the week with this added the Lords Day 1 Cor. 16.2 But seeing this Judaizer and others of his perswasion have so wrested this Text Mat. 5.17 we shall add one consideration more for the clearing of the same and our Argument is this Arg. As Christ came to fulfil the Law so likewise he came to fulfil the Prophets so it is expressed in Mat. 5.17 think not saith Christ that I am come to destroy the Law or the Prophets I am not come to destroy but to fulfil But Christ did fulfil the Prophets their prophecies by performing and answering the scope and end of the same and by changing the Prophecies into performances Oh most happy and glorious change without which the Prophets their Prophecies could not have been fulfilled this was far off from a destructive change of one jott or tittle of the Prophecies So likewise Christ did fulfil the Law and particularly that Law the fourth Commandment by performing and answering the scope and end of it and by changing not the Sabbath as a Sabbath but by changing of the Sabbath from the seventh day to the first day of the week and this was no destructive change of one jott or tittle of the fourth Command but a most happy and glorious change with respect to the glory of the Law-giver and the good of his People which blessed ends are more fully and perfectly attained by the change than could possibly be by a seventh day Sabbath as is more fully explicated in my Catechism so that the fourth Command complains not it is wronged not a jott or tittle of it destroyed no more than when vessels of Brass or Earthen Vessels are turned into Gold and that which is less perfect is turned into that which is more perfect for though the Law of God is ever perfect as to the time and subject for whom it is fitted and so as the seventh day Sabbath as it respected the time and subjects for whom it was fitted but yet when the first day of the week is appointed by the Lord of the Sabbath as most suitable to Gospel times and the subjects of Gospel Administrations now that which was less perfect respecting this time and state most give place to that which is more perfect and in this the fourth Command is not destroyed but fulfilled the Law being no Enemy to the Gospel but like Moses and Aaron do kiss one another upon the Mount of the Lord and thus doth the fourth Command and our Christian Sabbath Qu. 11. Whether do you well knowing these Arguments are pleaded and accordingly practised in all Christian Churches and our Laws thereupon founded to disturb our Peace offend our Consciences oppose our Government before you gave us conviction either by writing or otherwise when as you were left to enjoy your own perswasion in private Ans To which John R. his Answer is as followeth I am willing to refer it to the Judgement of God whether I have done well or not well who knows whether you have stood for his truth or I but to say pleaded and practised in all Churches I know it to be otherwise both by Books and Reasonings and as for the Laws respecting these things I know no Authority you have to make such Laws for there is one Law-giver who is able to save or to destroy respecting the things as to matter of Worship you ought to have been obedient to his Laws and not to have adventured to make Laws for him founding them upon notions and so become despisers of his Laws and persecutors of those which will worship God by his own Laws and whatever you think of it it is God opposeth you by us wherein you act in darkness and not Govern according to his will and as for our not giving you conviction as you say you are so far from receiving conviction from our hands that you would not give us liberty for to make our lawful defence but use your unreasonable power by preventing us of lawful plea and also we did write the first time we were brought before you Iohn Allyn the Secretary being Judge which was before you had any first-day Law as since you have made wâ— not knowing then but that we should have had liberty to have pleaded our innocency but was forthwith took away by the Constable and not suffered to make our defence being fined ten shillings a piece and committed to the Prison and no Law of God or of this Colony produced to convict us by which we
Lords Day So that it was high time for the Magistrate who is Custos utriusque tabulae to interpose And truly if it had not been so there is reason to fear that the hand of Heaven would have done the Magistrates work after a â—ar more terrible manner We cannot with truth affirm that visible Judgments from Heaven have befallen Christians for not religiouslâ— observing the seventh Day but Histories abound with Examples of Gods awful and tremendous punishments inflicted upon the Prophaners of the Lords Day which is a very convincing Argument that the observation of the first day of the week is of Divine Institution Concerning the Objector here Animadverted upon the truth is his Allegations are feeble and frivolous so that some may think 't is pity a Man of Mr. Fitch's Strength and Ability should be improved in a Service which a far meaner hand might with ease have undertaken Yet considering that sometimes as senseless an Apostate as Mahomet was may possibly leven a World of deluded Souls if due care be not taken to prevent it others have judged it necessary that he should be answered 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 What is written will tend either to his Conversion which if possible the Lord grant or else to his being left the more inexcusable condemned in himself while he opposeth the light of Truth The Apostle does both allow and require that some and in special Judaizers should be rebuked sharply that they may be sound in the faith Tit. 1.13 Had the Antichristian Sabbatarian here refuted only modestly scrupled whether the seventh day were not still of Divine institution more gentleness in Expression would have been used with him but he is not a person to be Saved in that way If by any means he be plucked out of the fire neither himself nor those that have aimed at his Salvation will be sorry Jude 23. The Lord give a blessing to Faithful Endeavours and vindicate his Truth Name and Sabbath in such a way as shall be most for his own Glory Boston July 1683. INCREASE MATHER In Order to some Explication of the Solemn Advice which our Honoured Magistrates did in the Time of our Calamity send abroad unto the several Churches and Congregations in this Colony we have occasion to reflect upon both THe Provocations of New-England and the Impediments of Reformation and to make way for the following Discourse we may consider what Moses that great Prophet of the Lord and chief Ruler in Israel did inculcate upon that People in Deut. 9.7 Remember and forget not how thou provokedst the Lord thy God to wrath in the Wilderness We ought to have and hold a remembrance what our Transgressions have been by which the Lord hath been provoked to wrath against us 1. The Remembrance ought to be clear and full the Pen-men of the Holy Scriptures were moved by the Spirit of God to Record clearly and fully the Provocations of which the People of God had been guilty as is manifest in Psal 78. Psal 106. and through the History of the Church in the Book of God and some of the spots of the most beautiful Saints God would not suffer these to be forgotten and left out of the Holy Scripture Record 1 King 15.5 Psal 106.32 32. 2. The Remembrance ought to be affectionate with a heart suitably affected Remembring what our cares and fears grief and tears were in that day when the wrath of the Lord appeared to be a consuming fire and we as combustible matter and had not the Lord quenched the fire of his wrath with his own Bowels of Mercies we had perished Ezek. 16 61. Lam. 3.19 20. 3. The Remembrance ought to be particularly Reforming considering how our sins have driven us into a perillous state and we ready to perish in the Ocean of miseries and shall we again provoke the Lord to wrath will he not be angry until he hath consumed us Ezra 9.14 if we do not remember our Provocations to our Humiliation and Reformation the Lord will remember them against us to our own confusion and destruction although we wash our selves as with Nitre and take much Sope yet our iniquities are marked before the Lord Jer. 2.22 Psal 50.21 22. And we may see what Record of Providences respecting a People or particular persons is most agreeable to holy Scripture Rule That Record which doth declare the Righteous acts of the Lord our unrighteous deeds the superabounding Grace of God although our sins have abounded That Record which doth set forth the Lords Justice Mercy Truth Faithfulness and Almighty arm by uncovering the feebleness sickleness falseness many other bitter Provocations both of Rulers people Dan. 9.7 8. This is most like the Record in Holy Scripture and the Church History therein contained but such a faithful Record seldom comes forth in that age in which the then present Providences were acted few will suffer a plain Remembrance of their Provocations but the Lord hath hitherto provided some faithful Recorder who hath left that in Record to succeeding Ages which the present Generation would not endure to hear of Psal 10.4 Rom. 3.5 Psal 78.36 37 38. And that we may have and hold a convincing hearty Reforming effectual Remembrance what our Provocations have been let us consider according to that most Solemn Advice of our Rulers First What that sin is which is the root actually and nextly of all the other sins An. Apostasie from the true Religion considered not only absolutely but comparatively as it is a declension from the stricter part of Religion or a decay of the Beauty of a Religious Profession and this Apostacy doth shew it self in the various degrees of it and in the bitter fruits and effects of the same 1. Apostasie may be taken either Absolutely or Comparatively 1. Absolutely and so it s a total turning from the Faith 1 Tim. 1.19 20. and thus the Apostate is become a Blaspheming Infidel or a falling from Profession to Prophaneness thus the Apostate is turned like the Dog to his Vomit 2 Pet. 2.22 or a forsaking all Godliness and godly wayes and loving the present World and thus the Apostate is become a meer Worldling 2 Tim. 4.10 2. Or Apostasie taken Comparatively 1. In comparison of that which these Professors have been and done and thus they are not the lovers of God and doers of good works which sometimes formerly they have been Rev. 2.4 5. 2. Fallen away in comparison of the examples of their godly Predecessors whose Children they are after the Flesh but not after the Spirit Joh. 8.37.44 a noble Vine and right Seed in respect of their Parentage but a degenerate Plant in respect of their own practice Jer. 2.21 and have gone away from the Ordinances of the Lord from the dayes of their Fathers and not kept them in that purity and power as they were left with them by their Predecessors Mal. 3.7 3. In comparison of what they yet profess in words to
is unjust let him be unjust still and he that is filthy let him be filthy still and he that is righteous let him be righteous still and he that is holy let him be holy still and behold saith the Lord I come quickly and my reward is with me to give every man according as his work shall be Rev. 22.11 12. 3. And yet the harder the work of Reformers is and they found faithful in it though labouring with a People under a judicial impenitency and it is in vain as to that people but yet their work proveth the more acceptable to God and they shall be the more glorious in the eyes of the Lord Isai 49.4 5. 2 Cor. 12.15 and those Rulers are in the way to see peace and truth in their dayes as Hezekiah Josiah and other godly Rulers had this favour graunted to them although their work was amongst a People judicially declineing and running to ruine yet seeing these Kings Ruled with God and were faâ—thful to his Saints the Lord gave them Peace and Truth in their dayes 2 King 20.19 and 22.20 4. And although such godly Rulers by their interceding with God and faithful labouring to reform a revolting people may preserve them from ruine in their time but yet if they be a people whose Rebellion and stiff neck is manifest while yet their godly Rulâ—rs arâ— with them Deut. 31.27 it is not all that thâ—ir Rulers can do will preserve them at prâ—sent â—rom many fearful Judgements as those which were inflicted upon the Israelites in the Wilderness although Moses was with them Psal 106.23 Psal 73.34 38. and when the time is come that the Lord findeth none to make up the Hedge and to stand up in the Gap before the Lord for the Land then will the Lord pour out of his Indignation upon them and consume them with the fire of his wrath and recompence their own way upon their heads saith the Lord God Ezek. 22.30 31. But O that we did hearken unto the Lord that he might not give us up to our Hearâ— Lusts to walk in our own Counsels theâ—â— would soon subdue our Enemies and turn his hand against our Adversaries but our time should endure for ever and he would feed us with the finest of the Wheat Psal 81.11 12 13 14 15 16. But O that we did fear and flee these spiritual judgements more than any other judgements for Jesus hath said For judgement I am come into this world that they which see not might see and they which see may be made blind if ye were blind ye should have no sin but now ye say wee see therfore your sin remaineth Iohn 9.39 40. And Oh that we could wrestle and agonize by a spirit of prayer that this Gospel-vengeance may not be poured out upon our souls and the souls of our children crying earnestly to the Lord for his zeale his strength the sounding of his bowels O Lord why hast thou made us to err from thy wayes and hardned our heart from thy fear the people of thy holiness have possessed it but a little while Isai 63.15 16 17 18. THE COVENANT Which was Solemnly Renewed by the Church in Norwich in Connecticut Colony in New-England March 22. 1675. IN this Calamitous Year 1675 the Year of Jacobs trouble in the Wilderness in which the Lord doth scourge New-England by the Outrage of the Heathen a Year never to be forgotten And we who are in Church state being called by our Pious Rulers with other Congregations in this Colony and in Conseience of our duty moved to seek the Lord by Fasting and Prayer and having considered the Particulars contained in the Writing sent from our Rulers to the several Churches in this Colony and which we ought to keep in Record for succeeding Generations in which they do advertise us of those sins for which the fierce wrath of the Holy one of Israel is poured oâ—t upon New-England first by Blastings of the Fruits of the Earth but in this year by cutting off the Lives of many by the Sword and laying wast some Plantations and threatning ruine to the whole Although to wonderment we have been hitherto preserved in the midst of the Heathen yea somewhat by means of some Heathen but we feeling in this day of the Lords searching our Jerusalem as with a Candle we cannot clear our selves though through Grace both we and ours have been preserved from those many gross acts of Prophaneness and Drunkenness Uncleanness and such like Scandals specified in that Writing and do desire humbly to be thankful for some progress of Converting Work in some of the rising Generation among us But while we do behold many unconverted Souls in this destroying year and the same sins working in us the causes of them as in others and a great degree of dangerous neglects of that which ought to be for the prevention of Apostasie and that the departings of the Glory of God from a People are by little and little and not total at once We do see cause to judge and cast down our selves at the Footstool of the Lord being covered with shame And seeing true Repentance doth not end only in confession but is restless for Reformation and solemn Covenanting with our God is a means through his Grace in order to Reformation as we find in the tenth of Ezra and other Holy Scriptures and pious Examples We do therefore this Day Solemnly Covenant to Endeavour uprightly by dependance upon the Grace of God in Christ Jesus our only Saviour First That our Children shall be brought up in the Admonition of the Lord as in our Families so in publick that all the Males who are eight or nine years of age shall be presented before the Lord in his Congregation every Lords Day to be Catechised until they be about thirteen years in age Secondly That those who are about thirteen years in age both Males and Females shall frequent the Meeting appointed in private for their instruction and to accustome them timely to the exercise of Church Discipline and these to continue belonging to this Meeting so long as they abide under Family Government of Parents or others or until they are come to the enjoyment of full Communion with the Church Thirdly That those who are grown up so as that they are in that respect left to be at their own dispose shall be required to take hold of the Covenant of their Fathers holding forth qualifications suitable to that solemn duty or at least that they hold forth a consciencious endeavour in the use of means to prepare for the same and if they be negligent they shall be admonished of their sin and if obstinate they shall be cut off from the Congregation of the Lord by that Dreadful Ordinance of Excommunication Fourthly Whereas the indulgence of Parents in bearing with the evil Behaviours of their Children their disobedience unmannerly gestures prodigality and vain and unseemly Fashions or other things not becoming those who are
to be our Christian Sabbath we may see in 1 Cor. 16.12 1. That which is there exprest is by way of precept and injunction for so the Apostle saith he had given order concerning the collection of the Saints and therefore not left it as a matter of indifferency or liberty but whosoever did neglect this did transgress the Apostolical precept and order 2. This order for the collection for the Saints was not only sent to the Churches at Corinth but to the Churches at Galatia so that it was an order and injunction common to the Churches 3. The order did not only respect the collection it self but the time and day of it that upon the first day of the week let every one lay by him in store as God hath prospered him so it is express in the 2 d. verse now the Argument follows Arg. The first day of the week was either a common and indifferent day or a holy day the day of the Christian Sabbath but no common and indifferent day for how could the Apostle by his injunction and order make it necessary for the Churches to attend this work of mercy collection for the Saints on the first day of the week if it was but a common day and thus esteem one common day above another contrary to his Doctrine Rom. 14.5 far be it from us to think that the Apostle could so contradict his own Doctrine but it was because the first day of the week was made to be a holy day and such works of mercy are very suitable unto the day 2 Arg. Or thus the Apostle did order collection for the Saints to be on the first day of the week either because it was the Christian Sabbath or for some other reasons but I have so long waited to heâ—r of some other reasons why the Apostle should lay an injunction upon all Churches to have such an honourable respect to this day without any consideration of it as the Lords Day and Christian Sabbath and all the Objectors and Cavillers against the first day of the week the Lords day have not brought forth the least appearance of any reason to the contrary that I confess I begin to think that the Opponents themselves within themselves have received a Sentence of despair of giving any reason only they have travelled and brought forth one poor Objection that there is not a word spoken of a Sabbath here and who saith there is but the Argument is taken from the Apostles Order and by Apostolical Order advanced the first day of the week above any other day and that the reason of this is either because it is the day of the Christian Sabbath or for some other reason which never yet was brought to light and therefore we conclude as in the former that the Apostle by his Doctrine did settle the first day of the week to be a holy day a Christian Sabbath Now in the next place concerning the practice of the Apostles the practice of the Churches of which much may be said in order to their attendance to holy Duties in the first day of the week because it was a day separated for holy Worship but at present we may consider Acts 20.7 First it was a Church assembly there spoken of for it is said the Disciples came together 2. Secondly the end for the sake of which they came together it was for the sake of religious duties that they might partake of the Lords Supper called breaking of Bread in this place as in Act. 2.42 and did not go alone without other Religious performances viz. Prayer and hearing the Word Preached 3. Thirdly It is spoken of as a custom and usuall practice of the Disciples therefore it is said on the first day of the week when the Disciples came together Paul having waited for and taking this opportunity to Preach to them for he abode seven dayes among them but this was the last day his being ready to depart on the morrow as is exprest in the 7th verse Arg. Hence the Argument is Paul and the Disciples with him either kept the Seventh day Sabbath or the first day of the week a Christian Sabbath or else they kept no Sabbath at all if they had kept the seventh day Sabbath that was the day before this First day of the Week then they had a meeting after a Sabbath manner for Religious Duties then the Evangelist would not have spoken of this Meeting on the First day as the only Church Meeting of the seven dayes of the Apostles abode amongst them therefore it was the first day of the Week in which Paul and the Disciples assembled and kept as a Christian Sabbath Much more hath been said by others and I have somewhat more in readiness to say if the occasion calleth for it and God giveth opportunity But at present having proved that the first day of the Week was by the Lord himself made by his Word and by his Works to be the Lords day and our Gospel and Christian Sabbath and his Apostles were guided by the Holy Ghost to settle it in the room and place of the seventh day both by their Doctrine and by their Practice we proceed to make Reply to John R. his Answers to the Questions And concerning his Preface to his Answers I shall at present omit it until I come to his Conclusion and then consider both his Preface and Conclusion together these and the Superscription being to the same Purpose and the same for substance Quest 1. The first Question Are not just and necessary Consequences from Scripture to be taken for the mind of the Holy Ghost in Scripture or else how shall we Answer the Papists against the error of Transubstantiation John R. his Answer is Ans If the Consequence drawn from Scripture is agreeable to the Scripture and no wayes contrary to the Scripture it must be granted truth because it speaks what the Scripture speaks But as to the Papists John R. saith they had no Scripture that said a piece of Bread was the body of our Lord or that our Lord was turned into a piece of Bread or that Bread was turned into our Lord for our Lord did not say to his Disciples Take eat this Bread is my Body as the Papists did affirm therefore they said that which the Scripture did not say so do you say that which the Scripture doth not say for you call the first day of the Week the Christian Sabbath but the Scripture doth not you call every first day of the Week the Lords Day but the Scripture doth not so Reply The Reply to Iohn R. his Answer follows His Answer consists of two parts 1. First partly of a seeming Concession granting that Consequences drawn from Scripture and agreeable to Scripture are truth c. 2. Secondly he compareth us unto the Papists for saying that which the Scripture doth not say and the Argument he gives is If we say the first day of the Week is the Lords day
them and if he should say that their Example ought not to be followed by Christians this would be so un-Gospel-like and un-Christian like and therefore Iohn R. concludes it is best for him to say he cannot tell Qu. 9. If the old Jewish Covenant be expired and sundry Ordinances about time and place c. altred why not the time of the old Sabbath alterable by the Lord of the Sabbath upon a Gospel account as a memorial of Redemption Ans Iohn R. his Answer is I know not what thou dost mean by old Jewish Covenant I know no Covenant in Scripture by that name if thou dost mean the Covenant which the two Tables of Stone the Tables of the Covenant which did contain the ten Commandments which Israel did enter into a Covenant with God by engaging to perform the same which Covenant they brake and perished in the Wilderness for the same God did ordain by the hand of Moses Ceremonies as a figure of the Mediatorship of Jesus Christ at this time at Mount Sinai when Israel entred into the Covenant of works to shew that there was mercy to be obtained by Jesus Christ though the first Covenant was broken by them that is to say upon Repentance and Faith Now though the first Covenant which was dedicated with the blood of Bulls and Goats and accompanied with many Rites and Ceremonies which were figures of the Mediatorship of Jesus Christ which Rites and Ceremonies are done away but none of them placed in the two Tables for that Law is spiritual and it is as easie by Gods Decree for Heaven and Earth to pass as for a tittle of it to fail Now the other Law contained in the former Covenant called the Hand-writing of Ordinances which was nailed to the Cross of Christ which did contain meats and drinks New Moons and Sabbaths which Sabbaths was besides the Sabbaths of the Lord but Gods seventh day-Sabbaths were commanded by the mouth of the Lord with an audible voice written with the finger of God in Stone death inflicted upon the breaker of it Exod. 31.12 Reply The Reply is this John Rogers his Answer is full of confusion jombling the Covenant of Works and the Covenant of Grace together 1. First The Covenant of Works was made with Adam 2. Secondly The Covenant of Grace may be considered either as Ceremonially and Legally Administred and this John R. calls the Covenant of Works or as it is attended with Gospel Administrations and there the Question ariseth Whether another day might not be more suitable upon a Gospel account than the seventh day Sabbath and what reason doth Iohn R. give to the contrary I confess I begin to grow weary of forming his Arguments for him because I find it more difficult to find out his reason and to form it for him than to answer it and could even determine for the future that if he cannot or will not form his Arguments himself I shall leave them as I find them covered with darkness and void of form but if there be any face of reason in this his Answer at length it is That the seventh day being commanded in the Decalogue is therefore unalterable but we have proved that Christ hath altered it and by the Holy Ghost guided his Apostles to settle the first Day of the Week the Lords Day and our Christian Sabbath and because I shall meet with this Objection more fully in the next Answer I proceed to that Qu. 10. Is there not room left in the Words of the fourth Command for the seventh Day to be altered and our Lords day to be sanctified by the Lord of the Sabbath See the Preface of the Commannment Remember the Sabbath to keep it holy and the Conclusion only saith the Lord blessed the Sabbath and when the seventh day is named it saith only is and not shall be for ever so observed Ans John R. his Answer is No there is no room for the seventh day is the very day commanded and Jesus Christ hath left it upon Record that it is easier for Heaven and Earth to pass than one tittle of the Law to fail and hath forbid his Disciples for entertaining such a thought in these words saying think not I am come for to destroy the Law and again saith he For verily I say unto you till Heaven and Earth pass one jott or tittle shall in no wise pass from the Law who dare therefore attempt such a thing against Gods Law given in such a terrible manner being spoken by his own mouth the Earth trembling at his Word and so terrible was the sight that Moses said I exceedingly fear and quake and not only so but the Son of God testifying that it shall abide as long as Heaven and Earth as is already specified threatning also any that attempt such a wicked act saying Whosoever therefore breaks the least of these Commandments and shall teach Men so c. therefore who dare attempt such a presumptuous act against Gods Law and Christs confirmation of the same Law and what is that to purpose in the Preface and Conclusion seeing the day commanded is the seventh day and no other so that Sabbath is proper only to the seventh day and no other but as to the conclusion of the commandment some Translate it therefore the Lord blessed the seventh day and ballowed it which is most agreeable it being taken from Gods seventh day rest Gen. 2.3 See Beza's Translation Exod. 31.12 and death not infflicted upon any ceremonial Law but Excommunication but death upon the prophaning of the seventh day Sabbath the Reply is Reply Iohn R. in this Answer is fled to his seeming Fort and he knows if he be driven out from this that neither he nor any for the seventh dayes Sabbath have any Castle nor Covering for their conceited confidence but the scope of the Question if rightly stated and plainly expressed is That a Sabbath as a Sabbath is first and last in the Precept and shall not be changed but the particular day is secondarily specified and is mutable as other positive Laws are the Lord having reserved a liberty to himself to change them according to his Royal pleasure and who shall say he hath done iniquity And as for Iohn R. his Argument so far as it hath any colour of reason in it is That seeing Christ came not to destroy the Law but to fulfil it and that in every jot and tittle of it and therefore not to change the seventh dayes Sabbath into the first day of the Week and to this we shall positively and plainly Reply 1. First There is that which may be called an actual fulfilling in all and every particular point and duty required in the Decalogue but Christ did never actually fulfil the particular Duties of Parents to Children of a Husband to a Wise and many other particular points and duties contained in the Decalogue and yet his fulfilling all and every one of those Duties which had any suitableness
look to be very unreasonable and then wrote we to the Court which was then sitting but obtained no answer I have a Copy of it to this day with all our hands to it as we then sent it but being now in Prison I cannot come at it otherwise I might have sent you a Copy of it at this time And what I have met withal from some of the Ministers respecting this matter it will be too much for me to write now to assert what opposition I have met with from their hands in not lending me an ear I deny that we were left to enjoy our own perswasion â—n private forasmuch as God hath hid these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to us He hath required us that what he haâ—h told us in darkness we should speak in light what we hear in the Ear to preach upon the house tops The last thing in thy Paper is as followeth John when you have answered these Queries in writing then a Reply may be made by some abâ—eâ— hand and published to the World or you may send it whither you will but further to gratifie Pride conceit or your presumption we see no need nor to be for edification and to this added to the former John Rogers saith I having answered to thy Queries writing them at large so as where my answers may be seen they may be seen at large with thy reproachful Superscription and false charge with both the Superscriptions and reviling Conclusion I know not of one Word that is wanting that is in thy Paper but is here exactly set down and the Question spake to And John Rogers further saith I desire now that these following things may be weighed and well considered we have this many years suffered under the Government by Imprisonment Fines and other Sufferings under a pretence of Heresie and acting against Christ and being Antichrist it must needs follow that if we are such it must needs be because we hold such things which are Erroneous being corrupted and if so why do you not shew us wherein and confute us by the Scripture we are ready at any time to produce our Scripture proof for what we hold for it doth indeed belong to us to prove what we hold by the Scripture and also it belongeth to you to prove what you hold by the Scripture for it is not our work to prove your Opinion nor your work to prove ours but the affirmative party is to produce the proof now we are the suffering party being judged by you as if we were Antichrist and called to an account by you could we now have Justice at your hands and you reasonable Men you would demand our proof out of Scripture and weigh the same meekly and uprightly we call you not to an account about your Opinion but you ours therefore it is our Opinion that is in hand and do you think it hath a good face on it while you are afflicting us and charging me to be Antichrist and acting against Christ to put forth Questions to me about your own Opinion whenas I call you not to an account about it but since thou hast begun to question about your own Opinion well may I. Reply The Reply to John Rogers his long Answer and to the eleventh Querie I can find in this his Answer neither Divinity nor Humanity neither good Reason nor good Manners but a throng of absurdities and incivilities and as soon as they are brought near the Light their monstrous deformities will be made manifest to any man who hath not a blast upon his reason 1. First The Word of God saith that we ought to follow peace with all Men and holiness without which no man shall see the Lord Heb. 12.14 But John R. pretending holiness proceedeth to disturb the peace Ecclesiastick and Civil of Pious Rulers and Godly People and appealeth to God for a Judgement like those in Isai 48.3 4. who said they would trust in God but they were rebellious and their Brow as Brass and Neck as an iron Sinew 2. Secondly He denies that all the Churches of Christ do keep the first day of the week as it is the Lords Day and asserteth the contrary but if J. R. knows of any Church in antient times or of late times it is pity he doth not help those of his Perswasion who have been so often chalenged to mention one Church of Christ in former times or one Writer or one Christian or one Heretick who did gainsay this until late times But if J. R. hath found them out and yet they must not be known but lie in obscurity there we must leave him and his Churches at present 3. Thirdly God and his People hath chosen our Governour to be a Judge but J. R. hath taken upon him to give him his charge and both in his Preface and in his Conclusion hath usurped the power to judge both our Governour and our Laws contrary to James 4.11 and although the Word of God saith Rebuke not an Elder but intreat him as a Father 1 Tim. 5.1 and that we should be ready to give a reason of our hope with meekness and reverence 1 Pet. 3.15 But I. R. is bold to rebuke our Governour Dictatour-like without the least appearance of meekness but with a gross appearance of irreverence having wholly forgot what Titles of Honour Paul gave not only to Agrippa the King but likewise to Festus Act. 26. civility may be in one where sincere Conversion is not and good Manners may be where saving Grace is not but it is not a possible thing that sincere Conversion and saving Grace can be in that Man in whom there is not Civility and good Manners And as for his aspersing Complaints against the Government for proceeding against him I have no call nor is there any need for me to take the defence of our Rulers they are well able to defend themselves and will in due time clear their exceeding lenity towards John Rogers and their legal proceedings and wipe away all his reviling Aspersions and what hath been done by the Ministers and other Christians for the conviction of I. R. and his Company is well known to those who are not meer strangers but reprove not a Scorner lest he hate thee Prov. 9 8. A Man that is an Heretick after the first and second Admonition reject Tit. 3.10 So that means of Conviction are to be improved with respect to the hope of good fruit but what the fruit hath been of the improvement of means upon Iohn R. is known to any who knows Iohn Rogers And whereas Iohn R. is called in that writing a Prisoner of Antichrist and this and such like expressions he calleth Revilings I shall propound some considerations out of the Word of God to guid our Judgements 1. First He that sets himself in opposition to Christ in his Messengers and in the Communion and Assembling of his Church doth act the part of Antichrist 1 Iohn 2.18 19.
Consequence from Scripture is either a necessary Consequence and being according to Scripture is of as full force as any plain Scripture as John Rogers granted in his Answer to the first Question or else it is a Consequence seemingly deduced from Scripture but is really a perverting of and contrary to the Scripture as some unlearned and unstable who wrest the Scriptures to their own destruction 2 Pet. 3.16 and then it is far off from being of the same force with the Scripture But we have given Iohn Rogers necessary deductions from plain Scriptures in the Old and New Testament to prove that the first day of the week is the Lords day and our Christian Sabbath and it is in vain for Iohn R. to deny this until the Arguments be confuted Qu 7. Iohn Rogers his seventh Question Whether or no there be a possibility to take out the day commanded out of the fourth Commandment and put in one of the six working dayes in the room thereof and not alter one jott or one tittle of the former Law if there be a possibility of such a thing or ever such a thing was I desire a Copy of it may be sent me to the Prison as soon as may be Ans My Answer to this seventh Question is that I have already proved in my Reply to his Answer to the tenth Question that this change of the Sabbath from the seventh day to the first day of the week is no destructive but a perfecting change and so far from destroying the Law in a jott or tittle of it that it is a fulfilling of the Law as really and fully as the performances of Prophecies are the fulfilling of Prophecies and it is too late for John Rogers now to question whither that be possible to be done which is already certainly performed and done as we have proved already and as for some fragments of Objections and Cavils which I. R. hath gathered out of some late Authors and yet if all these be put together he is unable to defend his seventh day Sabbath And it is as possible for I. R. to hinder the charge of the Moon as he can hinder the change of the seventh day Sabbath seeing it is founded upon the works of Creation which is given to change but who can hinder the stability immutability of the first day of the Week the Lords day which is grounded upon the unchangeable work of our Redeemer according to an immutable and everlasting Covenant And if it be not possible for I. R. yet to see the reason of this but admire at his legal light and despise Gospel visions Behold ye despisers wonder and perish for I work a work in your dayes a work which you shall in no wise believe though a man declare it unto you Act. 13.41 and yet those who have the Revelations of the Spirit of Wisdom in the Gospel shall say this is the Lords doings it is marvellous in our eyes this is the day which the Lord hath made Save now I beseech thee O Lord blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord Psal 118.23 24 25 26. And if he that despised the Law of Moses and particularly did prophane the seventh day Sabbath was so severely punished as Iohn R. did note of how much sorer punishment shall he be thought worthy who hath despised the Gospel Commandment and particularly the Lords day the Christian Sabbath the Ordinance and Institution of Christ which he hath by his Blood purchased Heb. 10.28 29. And thus I have done likewise with Iohn R. his Questions at present and if I. R. or any for him shall undertake to make a Reply to that which hath been said I expect they should answer my Arguments interminis according as they are in the frame and method of them I do not intend for the future to trouble my self with an Answer to such Lax Discourses as have nothing of the frame of an Argument with them And thus at present I have done speaking to Man but this I may say Oh Lord I have not desired the woful day that which came out of my â—ips was right before thee be not thou a terror to me thou art my hope in the day of evil Jerem. 17.16 17. And if in any thing I have said for matter or manner or in any respect whatsoever I have erred let it not be confirmed but confuted and let me be convinced but if that which hath been said be according to thy Holy Word revealed by the Apostâ—es of the Lord Jesus let those who do or shall oppose be converted and repent of this their Wickedness and pray God if perhaps the thought of their heart may be forgiven them or else let them be confounded and cut off Act. 8.22 Gal. 5.12 And whereas the Plague is come into a neighbouring Plantation and some Families already shut up the Lord have mercy upon them and humble us deeply for our great unfruitfulness and especially for our prophanation of the Lords Dâ—y what is the cauâ—e of this so fierce wrath to let loose a Spirit of Error anâ— Delusion thus to rage that those who received not the love of the truth may be delivered up to believe a lye and damned that have pleasure in unrighteousnesâ— 2 Thess 10.11 12 And whilst some rise up that they might cast down the Christian Sabbath under a pretence of advancing the seventh day Sabbath Oh Lord let not the evil one prevail with the prophaneness of others to cause them to neglect holy time and holy things Do good O Lord to those that are good and to them that are upright in their hearts As for such as turn aside to their crooked wayes the Lord shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity but peace shall be upon Israel Psal 125.4 5. Decemb. 12. 1682. JAMES FITCH Senior FINIS
are Strangers and will give no heart-encouragement to other Christians to come near to them with intimate Conference about personal and particular Experiences of the Lords dealing with them and these know not what it meaneth to come into that broken hearted way of acknowledging one to another their temptations snares and Soul-hazards and that which is called by the Apostle a confessing of Faults one to another and a praying one for another Jam. 5.16 But the specialty likewise we intend in this is to shew how far these neglects do argue declensions 1. These neglect a principal means of practical communion of Christians that wherein much of the life of it doth consist for practical Christian Communion cannot principally consist in Apellations and Titles nor in meeting together at a Sacrament but in caring one for another as members of the same body 1 Cor. 12.25 bearing one anothers Burdens Gal. 6.2 communicating one to another of spiritual gifts Rom. 1.11 12. but those solemn Christian Meetings or occasional intimate Discourses whereby Christians are intimately acquainted with one anothers Burdens and Soul-concerns these lead into the life of practical communion and where these Christian Meetings fail their communion vanisheth into Names Titles or some very powerless forms of communion 2. These do give place to many dangerous Temptations and distempers for while they live as Strangers from the Souls one of another or any such intimate Christian Conferences the Tempter is at hand upon the least occasion to come in with uncharitable suggestions and to imploy any evil Inâ—rument to sow seeds of discord amongst Christians 2 Cor. 12.20 and when these come to the â—ords Supper the Gospel Passeover if they be not past seeling they will find it too hard for them to eat with the unleavened Bread of Sincerity 1 Cor. 5.8 with that true Gospel spirit of unity as becometh those who eat of the same spiritual Bread 1 Cor. 10.16 yea it s usually seen through the Lords just judgement that those who are become Strangers from Christian Meetings or the hearty way of the management of them that they are left to too much familiarity with other Companions to the reproach of their Profession and harm to their own Souls and at last the wrath of God comes and finds them in fellowship with Children of Disobedience in some works of darkness which they ought to have reproved Eph. 5.11 The next Consideration follows Quest How Apostasie doth shew it self in the neglect of publick Worship The Answer is In neglect either of those Ordinances which all are commanded to attend as publick Prayer and hearing the Word of God Preached and particularly of Sanctifying the Sabbath Or a neglect of those Ordinances which do properly belong to those in Church Relation and particularly in neglect of the Lords Supper and Church Discipline 1. A neglect of those publick Ordinances which all are commanded to attend as publick Prayer and hearing the Word preached and this neglect is either 1. Upon some unnecessary occasions not works of Mercy as Mat. 12.13 but from an unwillingness to break throng any considerable difficulty or to beat cost about publick Worship not as David who would not offer that to the Lord which cost nothing 2 Sam. 24.24 2. Or not careful to come seasonably to the publick Worship as before the first Prayer or entrance be made into the publick Worship in these they are careless not as those in Nehemiah's time who were seasonably ready and waited for the publick Worship of God Neh. 8.1 3. Or attending upon the Ordinances in a slighty and sleepy manner not offering their Bodies as a living Sacrifice Rom. 12.1 4. Hastening a way upon unnecessary occasions before the last Prayer be ended or before the Blessing be dispensed not as those who went not away before the Name of the Lord was put upon them in a way of blessing by the Lords Messenger Numb 6.26 27. More particularly this neglect doth shew it self and Apostasie therein in the neglect of Sanctifying the Sabbath and that is either 1. In neglecting to prepare for the Sabbath by a timely breaking off from worldly Occasions but do run on to the very time of the beginning of the Sabbath to that in their Worldly concerns their foot steppeth into the time of the Sabbath or so nigh to it that they cannot prepare for holy time and the Duties of the same so suddenly Isai 58.13 2. Or in the time of the Sabbath a neglect to Sanctifie the Holy time having forgot to practice that which is so plainly declared Call the Sabbath a delight the holy of the Lord and honourable and shalt honour him not doing thine own wayes not finding thine own pleasure not speaking thine own words Isai 58.13 3. As soon as the Sabbath is ended those who do fall into vain and unprofitable discourses which at all times are sinful Ephes 5.4 but in a Sabbath Evening are the Soul robbing temptations by which Satan does bereave them of all the good they have seen or heard of God in the holy Day or are running into their worldly Discourses as if they were glad the Sabbath were ended Ames 8.5 But let us likewise in this consider how far these neglects do argue a declension from Religion 1. These who do neglect the publick Worship and particularly the Sabbath do fall short of that Religiousness which many Hypocrites and meer Formalists do attain for these in the publick Worship of God will behave themselves as the Lords People are wont to do Ezek. 33.31 32. Many have the form of Religion and not the power 2 Tim. 3.5 Many have the letter of Worship and not the Spirit Rom. 2.28 but those who have not the form the letter and external part of worship are far off from the power the spirit and inward worshipping of God 2. These do by their practice say that the worship of God is a burden and an abhorring to them their loathness to come to the publick Worship their wearisome Behaviour in the time of it and their hastening from it do testifie to their faces that the Sabbath and the Word of the Lord is a burden to them and these are a burden to the Lord and he threatens to forget them to forsake them and to cast them out of his presence Jer. 23.39.40 17.27 these by their works do say their Souls have abhorred God and the Lord he saith he hath abhorred them and that he will not feed them but that which dieth let it die and let the rest eat the flesh one of another Zech. 11.8 9. The second follows and that is the neglect of those Ordinances which do properly belong to those in Church Relation 1. A neglect of preparing for and of coming to take hold of the Covenant Isai 58.4.5 not as those whose faces are Zionward and weeping they will go to seek the Lord and joyn themselves in a perpetual Covenant never to be forgotten Jer. 50.4 5. but those who turn
all cunning evasions to winde away from the equal scope of a Bargain and will not perform it faithfully without unjust vexing and damnifying another Psal 15.2 4. 2. In Wares Merchandize and Trading a gaining what they can possibly as if Justice had set them no bounds but to gain what they can is their professed justice and their gain is their godliness 1 Tim. 6.5 3. In Wages impoverishing him who hireth and their great design in taking work by the great as they call it is that they may receive more Wages than their labour is worth but their Money is put into a Bag with holes Haggai 16. 4. In Trespassings they are not conscientiously careful to prevent damages and when they know they have damnified a Neighbour yet if they can they will hide it and what they cannot hide yet they will not freely and fully make satisfaction so that their Neighbour can not dwell safely by them Prov. 3.29 5. In Debts they will engage that which they know they cannot perform in an ordinary way and when they have promised they are not conscientiously careful to perform their promise according to the true and equal scope of it and that which is due Prov. 3.27 28. but all these and many other unrighteous practices do proceed through the Lords just judgment from a being empty and void of sincere Love to God and those most rich and precious things of God and therefore are given up to an immoderate and inordinate love of deceivable Riches and therefore are left to hold the truth in unrighteousness and to be filled with all unrighteousness Rom. 18.28 29. And what is the horrible event of this and all the former vices and bitter fruits of Apostacy Ans Because of these vile Examples the Heathen do Blaspheme the Name of our God and are hardened in their Heathenish abominations 1. When the Heathen do behold those who do profess to know God and yet do live in prophareness sensuality contentiousness pride unrighteousness therefore they blaspheme the Name of God Rom. 2.24 whatever our words be concerning God and our Religion but the Heathen will judge speak of our Religion and the things of our God according as they see our works are 2. Hence the Heathen grow hardened 〈◊〉 their heathenish abominations and are ready to think and say they do well to run into all manner of prophaneness seeing they behold such vile examples in those who do profess to know the true and great God and especially they grow hardened and abound in that sin of Drunkenness seeing for the sake of lucre many will sell them strong drink But the abominable practise of those who are guilty of this doth testifie against them 1. That they are far off from endeavouring by good works to convince and convert the Heathen seeing for the sake of worldly gain they will feed their Lusts to the ruine of the wealth health and Souls of Heathen 1 Pet. 2.11 12. These are Taverns and Ordinarykeepers for Heathens lusts 2. These love their gain more than their Neighbours or their own safety seeing they cannot but know that many Outrages yeasome Murthers have been committed by Drunken Indians in their Drunken posture and sometimes in the Families of those who have sold them strong Drink or at least the hazard is great 3. These love worldly gain more than God and their own Souls happiness for if they had love to God and to their own Souls good they would practically intend the glory of God in all they do and give no occasion of offence to Jew or Gentile nor to the Church of God 1 Cor. 10.31 32. but if these who thus practise had any use of their Consciences as a witness or judge their consciences would tell them that while they sell strong Drink to those whom they know will abuse it to Drunkenness and in this act contrary to to the saw of the Common wealth founded upon moral and religious Principles and yet in this to intend Gods glory is as far off from the hearâ—-intention of these Heathen Taverners and as contrary to their practice as Heaven and Hell are contrary one to the other And how just it is with the Lord that the Heathen should be the rod of his anger to punish these crying abominations The selling of Amunition was for many years prohibited but some for gain would secretly sell Guns c. to the Heathen and at last prevailed to make the Law of the Common-wealth of none effect and since that time New-England knows by woful experience the difference between fighting with Indians armed with Guns and those who had only Bowes and Arrows But the selling of strong Drink to the Indians hath by strict Laws frequently revived been prohibited and yet how incorrigibly some do proceed is very manifest and since the Wars more abounding And will not the Lord avenge himself of these for their Provocations and provoke them with a foolish Nation Deut. 32.21 If our Rulers grow weary of punishing this horrible practice the Lord God of Gods will begin to punish it after another manner and make these who are guilty to know that it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God when his time is come to take vengeance for the despising of Moral Laws and the strivings of his Spirit of Grace Heb. 10.31 32. Thus of Apostasie considered in the Nature Degrees and bitter Fruits of the same but before we come to the conclusion of these Discourses let us consider 2. How it doth appear that the judgements come upon New-England are because of the sins of New-England and not for probation or any other cause Answ Because New-England found guilty of those very sins for which the judgements come upon them are threatned by the Word of God and therefore we must confess that what God hath spoken against us by his Holy Word he hath inflicted upon us by his righteous hand And for the Clearing of this let us consider 1. That the judgements come upon New-England are those which are threatned by the Word of God are manifest to all Who knows not the mortal sicknesses the withering blastings the Drought and the Sword to avenge the quarrel of the Covenant threatned in Lev. the 26. the 28. of Deuteronomie and in many other places of Scripture and none can be ignorant that the Lord hath by his righteous hand executed these threatnings upon us unless it be those who are more senseless then the Stork the Turtle and the Swallow who know their appointed times and observe the time of their coming but my People saith the Lord know not the judgment of the Lord Jer. 8.7 2. That these judgements are come upon New-England for the sins of New-England will appear if we consider negatively 1. That these judgements are come not for probation only nor principally for God is not wont to inflict publick judgements upon a people for trial although he doth sometimes send affliction upon an upright
Not convinced of a necessity of reformation but behave themselves as those did when Godly Hezekiah zealous for Reformation sent forth his Edict by the hand of his Officers to command the People to return to the Lord but some deâ—ided the Messengers nevertheless some humbled themselves and the Lord gave them one heart to do according to the Commandment of the King and Princes respecting Reformation 2 Chron. 30.10 11 12. the time hasteneth when the bands of Mockers shall be made strong too strong for them to break Isai 28.22 2. Or these who do not see what ought to be reformed do fix upon some lesser matters of the Law and spend the strength of their zeal in reforming those lesser matters of the Law but do suffer the more weighty matters of Judgement Mercy and Faith to lye unreformed Mat. 23.23 and all these poor blinded Souls are ready to say as those who were reproved for wearying the Lord for robbing of God and were commanded to return to the Lord with a promise that the Lord would turn towards them but they said wherein have we wearied thee or robbed thee and wherein shall we return Mal. 3.7 8. these do not see what ought to be reformed but these shall see whether they will or no either to their Conversion or their Confusion Isai 26.11 2. Some who see a need of Reformation but they have no heart to this work and these are heartless either 1. Because the work of Reformation will reach the Idols of their hearts Ezek. 14.3 and it may be said of these as of them 2 Chro. 28.10 are there not with you even with you sins against the Lord your God and these not being willing to be cleansed from the Idols of their own hearts they are not hearty in the use of the means of Reformation but Rachel-like they devise shameful excuses to prevent the search and discovery of their Idols Gen. 31.34 35. 2. Or they have no heart because of the difficulties of the work of Reformation as in Nehemiah's time some were scared with affrighting apprehensions of seeming impossibilities for them to carry on so great a work Nehem. 4.10 but what will these heartless Souls do how can their heart endure and hands be strong in that day when the Lord shall pour out of his fury upon them because they had no heart to the work of Reformation Ezek. 22.14 and then must flee like a silly Dove without heart into the Net and Snare of Destruction Hos 7.11 12. 3. Some who have a heart to the work of Reformation but have little strength that is 1. Little outward strength of Abilities and opportunity although through the Grace of God they have a sufficiency of strength to reform their own hearts and lives and their own families and though they have but little strength they have kept the Word of God and not denied his Name Rev. 3.8 2. Although these do lay to heart the sins of the times and their behaviour in Closet-Communion with God and in their Families and their converse and conversation before all doth testifie for them that they have a heart to Reformation but they have not the power in their hands to do any considerable matter in the publick Reformation and for the removing the abominations in the midst of Jerusalem and these are the Lords marked ones Ezek. 9.4 sealed Servants of God Rev. 7.3 and though they cannot deliver others yet the Lord will deliver them Ezek. 14.14 4. Some who have strength but do not agree to carry on together the work of Reformation 1. It s taken for granted of any who have but any common Notions of reforming work that Reformation cannot confist in complaining against others and yet do the same our selves Who art thou O Man who judgest another and condemnest thy self Rom. 2.1 nor in complaining against our selves that we pine away in our sins and yet do not turn unto the Lord Ezek. 33.10 11. how can we then live nor in publishing Laws and professed Covenantings for Reformation and yet after all these we go on in our Trespasses will not the Lord be angry until he hath consumed us Ezra 9.14 2. But publick Reformation must be carried on principally by those who are in publick place the Rulers of the Common-wealth holding and handling the Sword of Justice impâ—rtially and brightly to the terror of evil doers Rom. 13.3 executing judgement in the Gates and seeking truth Jer. 5.1 And the Ministers of the Lords House managing the two edged Sword of the Spirit Heb. 4.12 both in Doctrine and Discipline making and keeping the difference clear between the clean and the unclean the Holy and the Prophane Ezek. 44.23 and then the People ready to strengthen the hands of their Rulers as he said to Ezra This matter belongs to you arise and do it and we are with you Ezra 10.4 3. But if every one do not practically agree to carry on according to their places and power their part the whole work of Reformation will be obstructed in some degree or other If those who are in chief place and have the greatest Power shall leave the greatest Burden of the work upon the shoulders of those who are in inferiour places and power these will sink under the burden or miscarry in the exercise of their power and the work fall to the ground but whatever the care and courage faithfulness and zeal of chief Rulers may be yet if Inferiour Officers be not Men of approved wisdom and integrity Laws will not be executed and the Oathes of civil Officers will be violated and because of these Oathes the Land mourneth Hos 4.2 3. for no publick Reformation can proceed 5. Or whatever the care and pains may be of Reformers in faithfulness to God and to his People yet when they spend their Labour upon a People who are under the power of judicial impenitency 1. Their labour will be in vain at present as to the work of Reformation if that people had Moses to be their Ruler yet they will be stiff necked and be corrupting themselves and one another and be an unreformed and unreforming People against whom the Lord had Sworn in his wrath they should never enter into his rest Numb 14.30 And if Isaiah were the Minister to a People under judicial impenitency they may hear but shall not understand they may see but shall not perceive and not be converted Isai 6.10 2. And yet this is sometimes the heavy work of Pious Rulers thus to labour in the fire and spend themselves and be spent until at last the Bellows are burnt and Lead consumed and a melting in vain the Wicked are not taken away the Lord in just judgment hath said they shall be reprobate silver Jer. 6.29 30. for after the most reforming means they will not be reformed but will trespass more and more and yet grow into a self-conceited and self-justifying way and the just and holy One of Israel saying against these he that