I have given you the sence wherein I conceive the words are to be understood Thus We must not understand this properly according to the Letter for the infinite glorious divine essence ceaseth no more to work than he ceaseth to be God neither doth he rest as man doth because he is weary Isa 40.28 We are therefore to understand his ceasing to Create from the works of providence ordering and disposing all thing that he hath made he never resteth according to that Joh. 5.17 Having thus given you the sense now I shall give you my Reasons why I conceive that this example of Gods resting is not alledged here to lay an obligation upon the Conscience that the same day wherein he rested which was the last of seven ought to be observed for ever 1. First It seems to me to relate to what God himself did rather then any way propounded as an argument to prove that for which you urge it I will give you a parallel Scripture wherein the Example of the Lord Jesus is thus to be understood 1. Cor. 11.23 We have there the institution of the Lords Supper when and how it was instituted repeated out of the Evangelists and Christs example is related as to the time when that it was not only in the night but in that particular night in which he was betrayed now this is not recorded as a binding rule for our imitation for then night Administrations should not onely of absolute necessity be observed but that particular night in which he was betrayed which is commonly called with us Thursday night which is more then ever I heard that any one practised as a necessary duty I am sure the Apostle Paul did not Acts 20.7 This example of Christ then seems to be historically related and whether the like may not be said of Gods example in the Commandment let it be considered But 2. Secondly though Gods exemple be historically related yet it must be acknowledged to be related for some special end and purpose As the example of Christ in the forementioned Scripture was without all doubt mentioned upon the highest ground of reason which to speak of here though it might be of good use yet it would be a digression from the matter in hand And the special end and purpose why Gods example is here related seems to be this even to shew that what is required in the Commandment is equal and reasonable and for mans good The holy Laws of God are often called Judgments as for other Reasons so specially I think for this to shew that God requires nothing but what is just and equal Thus God reasons the case with those Ezek. 18 25. Hear ye me O house of Israel are not my waies equal and therefore certainly the sence of the Argument from Gods example which doth best shew the equity of the Commandment and to be for the good of those that observe it is the best and truest sence Now to argue that because God wrought the six first days of seven and then rested the last of seven this carries no convincing reason with it that therefore we ought first to work six days of the week and then to rest the last day of the week and to keep it holy to the Lord. Reason right Reason if that alone were to judge would rather judge it fit to keep the first of seven holy to the Lord and seeing by Divine allowance we have six for one take the six last to our selves In reason we may hope that the work on Earth will speed best when our work for Heaven is done first But now to argue from Gods example that it bindeth neither to the first of seven nor to the last of seven but to one of seven carries very great reason in it For if the great God who needs not one moment either for rest or for work who never fainteth who never is weary wrought six days and rested one how much more should poor frail man hold that proportion who by reason both of bodily weakness and spiritual wants needs such a competency of time both for his worldly imployment and Soul refreshments and thus much you say your self hath been already noted Thus you have my reason why I conceive there is nothing in Gods example that affords any help to afford your Proposition 3. Thirdly I find as little in Gods blessing and sanctifying the Sabbath-day for that which you alledge it 1. First To give the sence he sanctified it i. e. separated it from common use to be filled up with such duties as he appoints and then blessed it i. e. appointed it to be a day of blessing A day naturally considered is capable of no other blessing but only to be a means of blessing according to Divine appointment but his blessing and sanctifying it secures the blessing to the right observers of it Now for my reason why herein I dissent from you 't is this He blessed and sanctified it but not as it was the last day of seven but as it was the day of his Rest declaring thereby Creation-work to be perfected Neither was his resting so far as I can see the ground of his blessing and sanctifying it but as considered in conjunction with the reason of his Rest his finishing the Creation and also with the result and consequence of his Rest viz. his magnifying and honouring that day for the time being above all other dayes for the greatest work then in being Whether this blessing be applicable to no other day but this as you say it is not in the third Branch of the first Reason for the confirming your Proposition shall be considered of when it comes to be spoken to in order as it stands in your Paper and I hope to make the contrary to appear at least it appears so to me 4. Fourthly To mention it once again though it was hinted before in the very conclusion of the Commandment vers 11. though the last of seven is mentioned in the same verse in the words immediately foregoing it is not said I mean in that place that he blessed and sanctified the seventh day though it be said that he did bless it Gen. 2. in the sence that is given above but he blessed and sanctified the Sabbath day What should be the reason of the suddain change of the expression I conceive it may be this and I think it may not be unworthy of your serious consideration it may be this I say Because the Command for the Sabbath-day was to be of a larger extent than the last day of seven I cannot but think that if God had intended to bind his Church in all ages to the end of the world to the last day of seven as you conceive he hath done he would have fixed upon that day in the conclusion of the Commandment Thus Sir I have given you my reasons why I dissent from you in that sence which you give of the Commandment in your Proposition And why I
of the seventh year the Sabbath of the fiftieth year the year of Jubile and not the weekly Sabbath By way of Answer I desire that the words of the Apostle may be duely weighed Ye observe Days and Months and Times and Years I am afraid of you lest I have bestowed on you my labour in vain By Years we understand their yearly Sabbath called the Sabbath of Attonement and their Sabbatical years as above mentioned by Seasons their Annual Feasts of the Passover Penticost and Tabernacles and by Months their Monthly Feasts called their New Moons all this is clear now I confess I cannot see what can possibly be meant by Days but their weekly Sabbath days especially finding in Levit. 23. where all their Feasts and Holy days eight in number are reckoned up their weekly Sabbath is put in the first place as it were by the Apostle I fore-see two things may be objected against this interpretation Obj. First it may be said the Sabbath of the seventh day cannot be here mentioned for then Paul should condemn his own Practice Answ But this is easily Answered for though we read Acts 16.13 that on the Sabbath day that is I grant on the seventh day Sabbath he went out of the City and preached to women that resorted thither to their publique worship and Acts 17.2 that he preached in the Synagogue of Thessalonica three Sabbath days together yet this was not as observing the seventh day Sabbath but for the opportunity of the Jews assembling together on that day which he could not have upon the first day and so for a while condescending to their weakness some other of the Jewish Rites as may be instanced in Circumcision were born with To conclude from hence that he did this as observing the seventh day Sabbath as they did it may be well concluded that he did and therefore we must observe the Feast Penticost because he went up to Jerusalem at that Feast as we read Acts 18.21 which we may be sure he did not for the Feasts sake but for the Assemblies sake that he might have the greater opportunity to Preach the Gospel unto them But now if we would know what day of the week it was which he observed in obedience to the fourth Commandment look into his practice among the Converted Jews and Gentiles and there we shall find that he observed the first day for the Sabbath day and passed by the seventh day as will be seen by and by in its proper place 2. Object It 's objected by some and those great and learned persons that this Interpretation overthrows the Morality of the first day of the week as well as the last day of the week and for that end they thus interpret this place and frequently urge it But nothing they alledge from hence I do acknowledge could ever make any impression upon me and my reason is this Answ Look what those and the Circumcision that were so zealous for the Law sought to impose upon the Christian Churches that and that only the Apostle opposeth Now it seems to me beyond all question that they never sought to impose the first day Sabbath and therefore that stands and will stand unshaken notwithstanding this Interpretation of the Text and the Interpretation standing firm notwithstanding these Objections it seems yet clear to me that Christians are under no obligation at all to the old Sabbath it is dead having served its time Quest Now I know it will be asked if this be so where have we any express institution either for the first day or for any other day Must we not then if a word of institution cannot be produced observe as some say every day for a Sabbath or take that day those in Authority do appoint be it one of 10 or one of 20 or have no Sabbath at all Answ I answer Neither so nor so every day is not the Sabbath day any more than every Supper is the Lords Supper or every Table the Lords Table Neither may we admit of one day of 10 or 20 for that is against the Morality of the fourth Commandment which requires not onely the observation of a Sabbath but one day of seven for a Sabbath And that we have sufficient ground which I confess can be no less than Divine Authority for the first day of seven I now come to give you my reasons why I so believe Only let me have leave first to ask where is there an express word of institution for the last of seven In the fourth Commandment there is none that only requires the observation of one of seven all the institution there is for it is in Gen. 2.3 which is not express though I acknowledg it sufficient but only imply'd in those words God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it and I hope there is as clear a word though perhaps not altogether found in one place which implies the institution of the first day as that which in Gen. 2. doth of the seventh day Before I proceed to that I desire this may be observed That there is the same reason for the institution of the first of seven that there was for the institution of the last of seven I said before what I thought to be true that the Lord blessed and sanctified the seventh day not only because he rested on the seventh day having perfected the work of Creation but also because of the result and consequence both of his rest and of his perfecting his work namely his honouring and exalting that day above all other dayes thereby now we know that the memorial of those signal works of providence wrought upon the day hath been the occasion of the advancing that day above other So the Jewish Passover Lev. 23. and the Feast of Purim Est 9.21 23 and our 5th of November in memory of the discovery of that Treason plotted and that nothing came to execution but the Traytors themselves Now this being acknowledged to be so hence then it may be argued That what day soever above all other dayes God honours with his most eminent work is to be the day of holy Rest unto God This will clearly carry it and greatly strengthen though but an implyed institution for the first day for that was the day of the Lords rest from the most great and the most glorious of all his works the work of Redemption I hear something hath been alledged against this that the first day of the week was not the day of Christs Resurrection and that the Translators of the Bible have done us wrong in so rendring it It is strange to me if any should say so but I shall say nothing to it now because your Paper speaks nothing of it whenever you think fit to form the Argument from the error you suppose in the Translation there is as I understand one and one that is well able to do it prepared to justifie the Translation and hath done it many moneths ago to him I leave it
but think it would have been much insisted upon Having now done with this I proceed from the Apostles practice to consider 2. Secondly Their expressions and that which I shall here take special notice of is that in Apoc. 1.10 where John gives this account of himself that he was in the Spirit on the Lords day This I have reason to believe was the first day of the week and pointeth at the institution of it by Christ himself and my reason is this Scripture is to be interpreted by Scripture even about the nature and meaning of a Phrase unless there be something in the Text where it is used why it should not be taken in that Text as in others This is generally acknowledged to be a good and safe rule for interpretation of difficult places why then may not this Phrase prove it was the day instituted by the Authority of Jesus Christ as being parallel with that of the Lords Supper which was instituted by Christ himself The holy Spirit of God directed both Paul and John in their expressions neither of which is used but once a piece and never applyed to any thing else in the New Testament but to the Lords Supper and to the Lords day why should these Ordinances be held forth under the same expressions if these had not the same institution It would seem strange to me if any should say that the Lords Passover in the Old Testament though a Supper Ordinance was the Lords Supper in the New Testament and it seems somewhat strange if the seventh day Sabbath which was indeed the Sabbath of the Lord under the Old Testament should be asserted to be the Lords day in the New Testament without some further proof than to say it is so I could produce Testimonies from Antiquity of some that lived near and of one that lived some considerable time with John himself who have interpreted the Lords day mentioned in the Revelation to be the first day but because you quote no such Testimonies neither will I. I have been careful to observe your order and to proceed in this order only in a Scriptural way Thus much of the Apostles expressions From their practice and expressions I come to the practice of the Primitive Churches as they are recorded in the Scripture as that of the Church of Corinth 1 Cor. 16.1 2. and that of Galatia and of Troas formerly mentioned who had their weekly solemn Assemblies on the first day I forbear to say any thing in justification of our Translation because as I said before you touch upon no such thing in your Paper desiring to be dealt withall in a Scriptural not in a Grammatical way only I cannot but add this because I conceive it is according to Scripture that it cannot with any reason be imagined that these Churches would have made such an important change of the day for their solemn Assemblies from what was formerly used by Gods appointment among the Jews without consulting with some at least of the Apostles and most likely with Paul as being best acquainted with him Hardly I think can there be produced any instance that particular Churches ever did determine any thing of this nature by their own Authority without consulting I say with some of the Apostles considering how in other matters not altogether of so great a concernment they consulted with Paul 2 Cor. 7. and as hardly can it be imagined that the Apostles would ever give them any such direction unless they had known the mind of Christ Thus Sir I have given you in as few words as the matter would permit a true account of the Reasons of my dissent from you in the sense that you give of the fourth Commandment and of what formerly hath and still doth satisfie my Conscience that the day is changed and that by divine Authority and that without any prejudice to the Authority of the fourth Commandment That which I have yet to do is to give you my thoughts concerning your Reasons produced for the confirming your Proposition which may be done with a little addition to what hath said done already 1. First You say those weighty reasons which Jehovah the Saviour himself hath given to enforce obedience unto his Commandment in observing a weekly Sabbath day holy to himself do properly belong and are applicable to the seventh day which is the last day in every week in order of time in the weekly returns of it as the weekly Sabbath day and are applicable to no other day and these you say are three 1. First You say God rested only upon the seventh day which is the last day in every week Answ I answer Thus far it is true that God rested on the seventh day the last day from the beginning of the Creation but it seems to me rather as a reason of that limitation six dayes of seven being allowed for labour one of which seven was a day for holy rest and not an argument engaging to observe the last of seven for the weekly Sabbath to the end of the world The reasons that prevail with me so to judge I have given before 2 dly Secondly your second and third Reasons I joyn them together he blest and sanctified the seventh day because you bring one and the same proof for both and besides they are to be looked upon in conjunction together he sanctified the seventh day by separating it from common use to be the day for his solemn Worship and he blessed it appointing it to be a day of blessing to the right observers of it In what sense I understand this I have given you an account before It is true when this Law was first given to Adam being then in the state of innocency so you acknowledge it was and therein I assent and consent with you the blessing was applicable to no other day but the last of seven because man continuing in that blessed state there was not there could not be supposed a more eminent work than the Creation of the World but now man being fallen the work of Redemption being every way more glorious than the work of Creation the blessing is applicable to the first day the day of Christs Resurrection for then the work of Redemption was manifested to be fully perfected and God blessed for evermore hath blessed that as eminently as ever he did the former day not to mention that which is and hath been done among the Churches of the Gentiles I desire you to look back to the second particular and I think it is there made evident that the Feast of Pentecost was on the first day and then the Disciples being together the Holy Ghost was given to the Disciples then they received those miraculous gifts and began to speak with Tongues which they never understood before and that day three thousand souls were added to the Church by the effectual working of the Spirit of God with the Ministery of the Apostles and these Sermons they Preached that are
THE JUDGMENT OF Mr. Francis Bampfield late Minister of Sherborne in Dorsetshire FOR THE Observation of the Jewish OR Seventh Day SABBOTH With his Reasons and Scriptures for the same Sent in a Letter to Mr. Ben of Dorchester TOGETHER With Mr. Ben's sober Answer to the same and a Vindication of the Christian Sabboth against the Jewish Published for the Satisfaction of divers Friends in the West of England Revelations 1.10 I was in the Spirit on the Lords Day LONDON Printed by W. Godbid for Sarah Nevill at the sign of Archimedes in St. Paul's-Church-yard 1677. The Preface Christian Reader IN times when People are generally debauched in their Intellectuals as well as in their Morals and take as great a liberty of opining as they do of practising it is no wonder if in this Age when as all Sects seem to have a general resurrection that the Jewish Sect have also their Abettors but if People would but seriously consider that the change of the Day hath the same Foundation that the Scriptures themselves have and that is Catholick Tradition the Controversie would quickly be at an end It would then be an easie thing to believe that when the whole Jewish Frame of Worship was laid aside it was fit that the very Time it self should also put on Mourning and therefore well may it pass for a Fast as our Church hath rightly instituted it but to continue it as a Feast to the Lord is to put an Affront upon the Gospel and the whole Oeconomy of it And therefore if this Tract may contribute any thing either to the confirming those that stand or the establishing those that are ready to fall or recovering of those that are already gone astray the Author hath his end and desires thee to give God all the Glory Honoured Sir I Understand by some others who reports it to me as from you That you desire some Scriptures may be put to those particulars which I formerly sent you wherein I gave you an account of my Judgement which accordingly here I have done If any do think fit to examine this Paper and to return me an Answer in Writing I expect that he should consider it as it doth stand in order and declare expresly his Assent and Consent to the several Particulars if he be convinced that they are the mind of GOD in his Word or if he Dissent that he give the Reasons thereof in a Scripture-way My Judgement according to the Scriptures is as followeth That 1. First Jehovah Christ by the appointment of the Father and by the anointing of the Spirit is established forever to be the only Lord over the Conscience and Law-giver to the Soul Isa 33.22 To shew that this is meant of the Lord Christ compare Isa 32.1 15. and 33.17 18. and 42.1 4 16 21. the 18. verse of the 33. chap. of Isa is applyed by the Apostle in 1 Cor. 1.20 to the times of the Gospel so also is Isa 42.1 2 3 4. applyed by Christ to himself Matth. 12.17 21. Gal. 6.2 Jam. 2.8 10 11 12. and 4.12 Rom. 14.9 11. Heb. 12.2 6 Deut. 18.18 Joh. 16.13 14 15. Acts 3.22 23. Isa 8.10 16.20 1 Cor. 12.3 Mat. 12.18 Mark 2.28 Luke 6.5 Matth. 17.5 Acts 7.37 38. Psal 68.8 11 17 18. Psal 2. Matth. 28.18 19 20. 2 dly Secondly The holy Scriptures of truth are perfect full and sufficient in all cases whatsoever of Doctrine of Worship of Discipline of Government and of Conversation 2 Tim. 3.15 16 17. Rev. 22.18 19. compared with Deut. 4.12 Prov. 30.6 Mark 7.7 13. Deut. 12.32 Levit. 18.34 Deut. 17.15 20. Josh 11.8 Joh. 20.30 31. Gal. 3.15 Matth. 22.9 3 dly Thirdly The Ten words are a perfect and compleat standing unchangeable Rule of Life in all matters of Duty to be performed and of Sin to be avoided Psal 19.7 8 9. Isa 8 20. Rom. 3.20 and 4.15 1 Joh. 3.4 Deut. 12.32 1. Pet. 1.23 25. Deut. 4.1 2 13. Luke 16.29 30. Deut. 5.22 Exod. 1.27 28. and 31.18 Psal 119. throughout and particularly vers 126 151. Joh. 20.35 Jam. 1.25 Prov. 8.8 9. Matth. 15 17 19. Rom. 3.31 1 Joh. 2.7 4 thly Fourthly The Seventh day which is the last day in every Week in the weekly returns of it is alone that particular peculiar day in every week which is the weekly Sabbath day to be kept Holy to Jehova in obedience to his Command as such Exod. 20.8 9. Deut. 5.12 15. 1. First Because those weighty Reasons which Jehova the Law giver himself hath given to enforce Obedience to his Command in observing a weekly Sabbath day holy to himself do properly and only belong and are applicable to the Seventh day which is the last day in every Week in order of time in the weekly returns of it as a weekly Sabbath day and to no other day in the week Exod. 20.11 1. First God rested only upon the Seventh day which is the last day in the week and upon no other day in the week as a weekly Sabbath day Exod. 20.1 and 31.15 17. compare Gen. 1. throughout particularly vers 5 8 13.31 with chap. 2.1 2 3. Heb. 4.3 4. Exod. 16.23 30. Lev. 23.3 2 dly Secondly God blessed only the Seventh day which is the last day of the week and no other day of the week as a weekly Sabbath day Exod. 20.10 11. compared with Gen. 2.2 3. 3 dly Thirdly God sanctified only the seventh day which is the last day of the week and no other day of the week as a weekly Sabbath day Exod. 20.10 11. compared with Gen. 2.2 3. 2 dly Secondly Because all the Scriptures throughout where the holy Spirit speaketh of a weekly Sabbath day 1. First The name and thing of a weekly Sabbath day is given only to the Seventh which is the last day in the weekly returns of it and to no other day in the week as a weekly Sabbath day Deut. 5.14 Exod. 20.10 and 16.25 26. and 31.15 and 35.1 Lev. 23.3 Acts 16.13 and 17.2 and 18.4 Luk. 4.16 Matth. 24.20 2 dly Secondly There is no Command given for the observation of any other day in the Week as a weekly Sabbath day to Jehovah but only the seventh which is the last day of the week in the weekly returns of it Exod. 20.8 11. Deut. 5.12 15. Exod. 16.28 and 34.31 and 35.12 and 23.12 and 31.13 14 15. Levit. 19.3 30. and 23.3 and 26.2 Neh. 9.14 Jer. 17.21 22. Matth. 28.18 19 20. Ezek. 20.19 20. and 44.24 Luke 23.5 6. Levit. 10.1 Jer. 7.23 31. 3 dly Thirdly There is no Promise made to the observation of any other day of the Week as a Weekly Sabbath day but only of the seventh which is the last day of the Week in the Weekly returns of it Isa 56.1 8. and 58.13 18. Jer. 17.24 25 26. Levit. 26.2 13. Exod. 16.29 Mark 2.27 Ezek. 20.20 4 thly Fourthly There is no Threatning either denounced against or execrated upon any that shall not observe any
is only positive So in the fourth Commandment this is moral natural that there be a time a sufficient time for the solemn worship of God and yet such a sufficient time as leaves sufficiency of time for our worldly business and affairs This the light of nature will teach but without some revelation of the will of God nature cannot determine the time as to the frequency of its revolution or if that not the particular day that ought to be the time which is the matter under debate betwixt us but of this I shall have occasion to speak more hereafter only I mention it here because this is that which I have now to do to give you my reasons why I conceive that what the substance of the fourth Commandment requires either as naturally moral or positively moral or Gods manner of resting or his blessing and sanctifying the day of his rest or the revolution of time in which the day ought to be observed whatever it be reacheth no farther than the observation of one whole day in seven not directly pointing out any particular day but only by consequence at the last of seven because it was enjoyned before Now I cannot better nor in fewer words give you my reason of this than to give you an account of my Faith what I understand to be the sence and meaning of the Commandment and it is this 1. First I observe as it were the opening and giving forth of the Commandments vers 8. Remember the Sabbath day that is the day of holy rest of Gods appointing to keep it holy to the Lord In Deut. 5.12 A text quoted in your paper we have this which is the moral substance of the Commandment not given as in some other places it is by it self alone but together with all the ten words in its proper place and order and which is to me very observable the reason from Gods resting is omitted neither is it at all enforced from the Creation but from a Type of our Redemption their deliverance from the Egyptian bondage Such a material omission or alteration seemeth to be significant of something whereof more hereafter 2 dly Secondly in the shutting up or Conclusion of the Commandment vers 11. Wherefore the Lord blessed and sanctified not the seventh day of which more hereafter but the Sabbath day of holy rest this is evident yet neither in the opening nor shutting up of the Commandment where we have the moral substance of the Commandment there is no mention of any particular day at all 3 dly I observe what intervenes and comes in by way of explication or inforcement of obedience between the opening and shutting up of the Commandment and therefore comes in to be observed 1. First In what revolution of time God had appointed this day of holy rest to be observed and that is one whole day of seven of every seven days six for labour one for rest vers 9. and former part of ver 10. Thus far we have a comely order in the Commandment suitable to the infinite wisdom of God first settling a day that ought to be observed and then the revolution of time in which that day ought to be observed how often not one in twenty days nor one in ten days but one in seven days one day in every week which is well observed by your self in the third Reason 2 dly Secondly I observe the enforcement of obedience to the Commandment from Gods example of resting the seventh day verse 11. Here I do acknowledg the last of seven is mentioned but not as any branch of the unchangeable moral substance of the Commandment nor the observation of it directly required but onely consequently being instituted before as is acknowledged by your self and it must be acknowledged by all that the last of seven here mentioned had first of all the honor to be the day of Gods appointing and accordingly it was observed and no other till the time came that another day the first of seven was to succeed in the room of it These are the Particulars of the Commandment which as far as I can apprehend are most observable in those four Verses quoted in your Paper and in none of them all can I find any thing that seems to give any Testimony to the Truth of your Proposition 1. Nothing as was said before either in the giving forth or shutting up of the Commandment there is no mention of any particular day one or other 2. Nothing in what intervenes between 3. Nothing in what expresseth the revolution of time wherein the day of holy rest is to be observed Six days shalt thou labour Thus I understand this limitation or rule for direction 1. Six days shalt thou labour unless God otherwise appoint and he did appoint in the old Administration other days to be kept holy which though not alway yet sometimes fell out on some or other of the six working days This I think none will deny 2. Further Six days shalt thou labour not excluding the solemn worship of God out of those six days as is well observed by our self as if it were a sin for a man to hear a Sermon or to set some hours a part for prayer any of these six days as it is for a man to work upon that day of seven which God sets apart for himself 3. And yet further which is most to be taken notice of Six days c. rest one not enjoyning the last of seven that was instituted before but onely thus Six parts of the time shall be for your selves the seventh shall be mine as Gen. 47.14 you shall have four parts saith Joseph the fifth shall be Pharaohs Let all be divided into five parts four shall be for your selves the fifth shall be for the King not telling them which fifth but only one of five So Lev. 23. 27. Let all be divided into ten you shall have nine the tenth shall be the Lords not appointing them which ten but only one of ten Thus I understand the word six days of the week shall be for your selves one shall be mine Thus I finde not one word for the last of seven and which I must remember again in the third Reason you plead the equity onely for one of seven I have heard that you alledged the Hebrew particle ×” verse 10. as emphatical but because you do not mention it in your paper I shall say nothing to it now but when you form your Argument from it I shall give that which satisfies me for the present in Answer to it 2. As nothing is here where the revolution of time is fixed which speaks in behalf of your Proposition so I find nothing at all in Gods exemple for it nothing there but one day of seven from the beginning of the Creation but it doth not therefore follow that it was the mind of God that the same day must be observed for ever I shall give you my reason why I conceive so when first
upon record after Christs Ascension Was not then this day a day of blessing was there ever a more eminent blessing or any like unto it on the old Sabboth the last of seven Whatever impression this makes upon the hearts of others I know not for my own part I must needs say I cannot but look upon it as very worthy of serious consideration 2 dly Secondly besides those Reasons in the Commandment you add further 1. The name and thing of a weekly Sabboth is given only to the seventh day 2. That no promise is made to the Observers of any other day no threatning denounced against any that shall not observe any other day in the week as a weekly Sabboth day but only the seventh which is the last day A. To all these I answer from what hath been already said 1. First as for the name and thing this is that which I observe at first and by this I am further confirmed in it that you apprehend the last day of seven and the weekly Sabboth i. e. the day that is to be observed as a day of holy rest unto the Lord are Terms convertible which to me is not yet proved though I have considered your Paper from end to end and I have given you my reasons why I yet believe and must needs believe till I see them answered that another is instituted in the room thereof and that by Divine Authority so that though once they were yet now they seem to me to be no longer Terms convertible 2 dly Secondly as to that which you say that there is no command for any other day I have already given you my sense of the Commandment that no day is instituted there first or last or so much as the observation of the seventh directly enjoyned there but only by consequence because formerly instituted so that both the Commandment and the reasons of the Commandment reach the first of seven as well as the last of seven see before 3 dly Thirdly you say there is no promise to the observation of any day nor threatning against the not observing of any day as the weekly Sabboth but only the last of seven A. I answer first to speak properly as I observe you do so the promise is not made to the day but to the right observers of it in the duties that God appoints Now the duties falling upon the first day of the week as I have given you the reasons of my Faith therein already the blessings annexed to the last of seven fall upon the first of seven and have been given forth eminently upon the first of seven as I have shewed 2 dly Secondly I answer farther that as I find no blessing promised to the right use of the Seals of the Covenant under the old Administration but what were then applied only to the right use of Circumcision and the Passover nor any thing against any Profaners or contemners of any Seals of the Covenant but those that contemned Circumcision and the Passover yet I am perswaded that you believe the Promises I mean especially the Spiritual promises annexed to the old Seals the right observers of the new Seals Baptism and the Lords Supper may in faith apply to themselves And the threatnings against the contemners of the old Seals those that contemn or profane the new Seals have just cause to fear may fall upon them even so the promise made to the old Sabboth the seventh day and the threatnings against the transgressors of it are applicable to the transgressors and the observers of the new Sabboth the first of seven whatever is written is written for our learning 3 dly I now proceed to the third reason which is this that God hath put this Commandment for the last of seven into nature which if you had explained as it seems you understand it and that the Scriptures quoted had clearly proved it I think I should have been silent and with a little more help I think should have closed with you upon the whole in this matter But I must crave leave to say that to me your expressions are somewhat dark and your proofs exceeding short 1. First that your way of expressing your self is somewhat dark for you say God hath put this into nature but you do not express what I do not clearly understand whether you mean that is moral natural in the fourth Commandment or which is moral positive 2 dly Secondly your proofs especially from Rom. 1.20 Psalm 19. Rom. 10.18 John 1.9 seem to be intended for that which is moral natural and there are some other Scriptures which to me have not the least appearance pardon me if I say so to be any thing at all to the purpose And that there is one expression in your further inlarging upon this reason which seems to be for that which is moral positive For thus you say that natural reason will tell me that seeing all men in all Nations do measure their time by weeks and their weeks by seven days that they should besides what they offer to God every day in every week set apart a day unto their Maker who hath allowed such a liberal portion unto them for themselves herein you will find that I do both assent and consent unto you when I have a little explained what I apprehend to be the difference between moral natural and moral positive Laws 1 First moral natural Laws I conceive to be these which the light of Nature consisting in the knowledge of principles and the law of Nature in conclusions drawn from that light acknowledgeth to be just and good though they had never been written in the word As that there is a God and that this God is to be worshipped as God Thus much your proofs especially that Rom. 1.20 clearly prove thus far the fourth Commandment is moral natural The law and light of nature will teach men that there must be a time for the solemn worship of God a time of rest from all other imployments a set time that must return according to some computation of time either weeks or months or years Let it be granted for weeks though I would gladly see some farther proof for that than yet I have seen this the nature of man even now corrupted either doth acknowledge or at least may be convinced of by arguments drawn from these principles which are in the hearts of all men when he is rationally urged with such principles as these as that all those things that are good ought to be followed and those things wch are evil ought to be avoided I mean such things the goodness or evil whereof ariseth meerly from the things themselves and may be acknowledged to be so though the one had never been commanded nor the other had never been forbidden in the word This is clear from that place you quote Rom. 2.14 15. be pleased to consider the place and I believe herein you will both assent and consent that the Apostle speaks of such
That Scripture which is well observed by you in Isa 33.32 is much to be taken notice of for understand the words in a Spiritual sence and they are exclusive of all other Christ alone Christ and no other is our only King and our only Law-giver It is true the Commands of the Magistrate bind the Conscience and we must be subject for Conscience sake Rom. 13.5 yet not immediately but by the intervention of Gods Command Rom. 13.1 2. nor yet universally but with limitation we must obey the Lord Christ upon the bare sight of his Will But the Laws of 〈◊〉 are farther to be considered of that so our obedience unto them may be without scruple and our subjection not from self-interest but in deed and in truth from principles of Conscience 2 dly Whereas for the proof of the second Proposition that the Holy Scripture of truth is a perfect and sufficient rule for Doctrine Worship and Discipline you produce eleven or twelve Scriptures Thus far I consent that the proposition is true and sufficiently proved though some of the Scriptures are upon some account or other mistaken or misquoted as Gal. 3.15 which perhaps you intend for Gal. 6.16 The one speaks not to the point as the other doth from the latter Chemnitius as I remember conceives that the Scriptures may be said to be Canonical they are indeed a perfect Canon nothing to be added thereunto not by any Revelation from the spirit much less from any humane Traditions 2 Thes 3.2 Gal. 1.8 9. If an Angel from Heaven preach any other Doctrine let him saith the Apostle again and again he saith it let him be accursed Yet I think this limitation is fit to be inserted that there are some Circumstances concerning Worship and Administration of Church affairs such I mean as are common to humane Actions and Societies which are to be ordered by Christian prudence but still according to the general rules of the word which ought always to be observed that so as 1 Cor. 14.40 All things may be done decently and in order that all things that is all the Ordinances of God for of them he speaks as appears in the foregoing verses Prayer and Singing of Psalms c. This text give no other power to any Church or Church Governors but that all such things as God appoints be done decently without uncomliness and orderly without confusion 3 dly That whereas for the proof of the third Proposition That the ten words are a perfect compleat and standing rule c. you produce at least twenty Scriptures I both Assent and Consent acknowledging the Proposition sufficiently proved though I must say as I said before that every particular text which is quoted comes not up fully to prove the point but a divine truth it is beyond all contradiction that as Psal 119.96 the commands are exceeding broad containing an infinite and incomprehensible treasure of heavenly wisdom nothing perteining to holiness nothing is wanting that is necessary for direction to all men in all conditions being it is an eternal rule of Righteouseness and as Matth. 24.31 Heaven and Earth shall pass away but my word saith the Lord Jesus Christ shall not pass away Thus God hath magnified his Law and made it honourable Isa 42.21 Thus you see how in truth of these three propositions I consent with you 4 thly But now for the fourth Proposition that the seventh day which is the last day in every week in the weekly revolution is alone that peculiar day in every week which is the weekly Sabbath day to be kept holy to Jehovah in obedience to his Commands For the proof whereof you bring Exod. 20.8 9 10 11. Deut. 5.12 13. to this I must crave leave to say that as yet I can neither Assent nor Consent being no ways convinced by any thing I find in your paper that is according to the mind of God revealed in his word or proved in the least either by these Scriptures or the reasons produced for the proof thereof That which takes hold of my Conscience in this matter I shall lay before you when I have 1. First told you what is the General I observe in your paper 2. Secondly given you some few propositions which I think meet to be inserted here to avoid repititions hereafter 1. I observe that all your Arguments are grounded upon a strong apprehension you are under that the Seventh day the last day in every Week is the substance of the fourth Commandment And that it is moral natural written in the Humane nature in Adam which was framed to the perfection of the ten words as you express it in your third general reason But in this I can neither Assent nor Consent The reason of my Dissent you shall have in its proper place I mean why I conceive that though the Humane nature in Adam was made after the Image of God in Righteousness and true Holiness yet the Law for the last day of seven in every Week to be the only day for the Weekly Sabbath was not written there 2 dly I observe that your apprehensions are strong that the last day of seven in every Week and the Sabbath day that is the day of holy rest of Gods appointment for his solemn worship in every Week are and must be terms Convertible and that the last of seven in every Week as it was at first so it is now and must so continue to the end of the World is the only day for that purpose This I gather from those Reasons given to inforce obedience to the Commands which you say properly belong to this day and are as you think applicable to no other day Herein I can neither assent nor consent and why I cannot I shall give you my grounds when I have first considered the propositions you lay down before them 3 dly I observe and that not without some wonder that though the whole stress of all your Arguments is in a manner laid upon the 9 10 11 verses of Exod. 20. Yet I find nothing at all Argumentatively to prove that the scope sence and meaning of these words is to establish the last of seven in the revolution of every Week to be the only day of Holy rest which is to be observed to Jehovah to the end of the World which is the proposition you engage your self to make good which till you have done by some other Arguments than this paper affords or by these Arguments more clearly I do believe that what you now assert will not be so generally received for truth according to the mind of God as you think it ought and as it ought if it be indeed the mind of God in his Word 2 dly Having observed these things I now crave leave to lay down some few propositions which being considered of may be according to what I apprehend of some use they are at least to me towards the clearing up of the matter under debate and meet to be inserted
here to avoid as you said as much as may be repetitions hereafter They are as followeth 1. First That all dayes materially considered in themselves are equal and of the same nature in that respect none more necessary to be observed than another none more subservient to any spiritual advantage than another every day had the same efficient cause all being created by God and all very good Gen. 1. all ruled and governed by him and filled up with what providential dispensation seemed good in his sight Psal 47.16 Thus all dayes considered as I say materially in themselves now and ever will be alike As they were under the Law so under the Gospel none of them more eminent nor observable by any natural goodness than another If this be so and I think it cannot be denyed but that it is so this will be one strong argument as I apprehend to prove that the last day of seven in every week to be the only and perpetual day for the day of weekly holy rest unto Jehovah was not written in the humane nature in Adam in the state of Innocency as I hope to make evident when I come to speak to the third general reason 2 dly Secondly That though the letter of the Text ought alway to be carefully heeded yet alway to stick to it and never compare Scripture with Scripture for the better understanding of the sence thereof may prove a dangerous snare This hath been the Butt of Contention between the Lutherans and the Calvinists and this hath been the death of many faithful Martyrs by the Popish Generation when and where they had power in their hands the one holding too pertinaciously to the letter of the Text Mat. 26.26 This is my body for the maintaining of Transubstantiation a sad instance we have of this in that Conference at Hussia at Marpurgus I remember for the Book I have not by me between Luther Melancthon Zuinglius Oecolampadius Bucer and other German Divines as it is related in the Annals of Soulâ—etus where we read that even Luther himself rejected very strong reasons against which he had nothing to say but Hoc est corpus meum this if the Translator of his Mensalia hath not wronged him he receded from that opinion before his death So the Popish Commentators sticking to the letter of the Text Jam. 2.14 where it is said that a man is justified by Works and not by Faith only so far as they are believed overturn the foundation of Faith The like in part may be said of sticking to the letter of the fourth Commandment without minding of the scope sence and meaning of it I think thereby a man shall cast a mist before his eyes which will exceedingly hinder him from the right understanding of the Mind of God therein If I should do so I should find it to be so This being so makes way for a third Proposition which thus I lay down 3 dly Thirdly Though all things necessary to be known believed and observed in order to Salvation are clearly revealed though not altogether but in one place or other of the Scripture so that persons of ordinary capacities in the right use of means assisted by the holy Spirit of God may attain a sufficient understanding of them so as not to perish for want of knowledge yet all truths are not alike plain in themselves nor alike clear to all Some things are hard to be understood 2 Pet. 3.16 which though Peter speaking no doubt upon his own knowledge saith some misconstrued to their own ruine yet which is worthy our observation neither doth he nor Paul himself who was yet alive as seemed by that expression in the former part of the verse our beloved brother Paul and in all probability knew as much in this matter as Peter did neither of them I say did clear or amend the difficulties but let them alone as they were Thus it seemed good to the holy Spirit of God by whose inspiration the Scripture was written to have it so Some truths are as if it were hid under the rock that so there might be digging and searching after the knowledge of them as for hid Treasures Prov. 2.4 and if I say that the second and fourth Commandments may be reckoned amongst such truths I think I should have many that would say so too I have reason to say they have been both so to me but blessed be the Lord for that Light how little soever I have received in the one or in the other Doubtless it concerns us therefore to be much in Prayer that God would open our eyes that we might understand the wonderful things of his Law Psal 119.10 The vail that was upon the hearts of the Jews in reading the Old Testament 2 Cor. 3.14 15. is not fully removed from the hearts of the most knowing Christians to this day He that knows most hath cause to acknowledge he knows but in part 2 Cor. 13. therefore I may propose but I dare not impose any of my apprehensions upon others 4 thly Fourthly I desire this may be observed which I suppose will not be denied that a proof drawn by comparing Scripture with Scripture or by necessary consequence from Scripture rightly understood is a sufficient Scripture proof even of that which in express words is not found in Scripture That which we have Jam. 4.5 is no where that I can see found in Scripture in so many express words and syllables but the truth contained therein is clear therefore the Apostle saith that the Scripture saith that the Spirit that is in us lusteth to envy Many such instances might be given evidently proving that Inferences rightly deduced are to be valued as express Scripture In Mat. 22.32 the Lord Christ himself proves the Resurrection of the Just not by express Scripture but by consequence Thus for the Baptizing of Infants and many other things which come frequently under observation we have not express Scripture for or in full and entire sentences together but here a little and there a little which compared together and wisely and faithfully improved by rational Inferences sufficiently prove that Truth they are brought for And if the Divine institution of the first day of the Week can be thus cleared up for the day of the weekly Sabbath as I doubt not but it may it is sufficient to me it is He that conceives himself under no obligation to any thing but what he hath express Scripture for in so many words and syllables will either enlarge his liberty beyond its due bounds or streighten his rule beyond what is written and perhaps both it s a dangerous thing to refuse him that speaks from Heaven which way soever he speaks Heb. 12.25 5 thly Fifthly Let this be also considered that the holy Will of God which is the rule of all righteousness concerning what is required of man to do hath been revealed though the time when and manner how it hath been revealed be not recorded in
Scripture This to me is certain for the Will of God concerning Sacrificing was without doubt revealed unto Abel before the Law for Sacrifices was given for what he did therein he did in Faith and eminently found acceptance with God in what he did therein Heb. 11.4 neither the Light of Nature which is the knowledge of Principles neither the Law of Nature which is the conclusions drawn from these Principles could ever have made known this way of Worship to be a Duty if God had not some way revealed his Will to him therein This I hope will be made evident when I come to speak of the third general Reason If he had imposed this upon himself and that it had been the Product of his own imagination it had been will-worship Therefore certainly he had some word for it but when he received it and where and how that way of Worship was instituted for him to come to the knowledge of I never heard of any that could find it in the Scripture Great use may be made of this if need were for the clearing up of this present Controversie concerning an express word for the institution and observing the first day of the Week to be the Lords-day the day for his Weekly Sabbath we might say that it might be instituted though it be not recorded when and where as it was in the case of Abels Sacrificing but I hope we shall not be driven to this however I cannot but suppose it is of good use for some especially to consider of 6 thly Sixthly I desire that this also may be considered that what was delivered by the Apostles as they were guided by the holy Spirit of Truth ought to be received and believed as delivered and spoken by Christ himself Christ himself was never in person at Ephesus and yet 't is said Eph. 2.17 that he came thither and preached peace unto them we must understand it that he did so in the Ministry of the Apostles which was all one as if he had been there himself None that I know of durst ever undertake to prove that ever they prescribed any thing for all the Churches to observe but what they received in Commission from the Lord Jesus This was their charge Mat. 28.20 Teach what I command you and this was their practice 1 Cor. 11.10 23. What I received from the Lord that I delivered unto you so 1 Cor. 15.3 It is evident Act. 1.3 that Jesus Christ spake many things unto them betwixt his Resurrection and Ascension concerning the Kingdom of God i. e. especially the state of the Gospel-Church of all which we have no knowledge I have not I am sure in particular what they were farther than is found in their precepts and practice recorded in the New Testament And what if I should say that the change of the day from the last in seven to the first in seven was one of these things I know not what could be said against it but of that more hereafter 7 thly Seventhly Though I have declared as above my assent and consent concerning the Ten words to be perpetually obligatory or a standing and unchangeable rule for all Christians in all ages to walk by that so they may walk in all well-pleasing unto God as once I heard very solidly proved by your self in an Exercise wholly upon that subject from Psal 19.6 7 8 9. As I remember though I say and say it again that herein I consent with you yet I say it now and must say it again hereafter that the day of weekly holy Rest is altered and yet that alteration is no dissolution of the Commandment and that no tittle of the Law is broken thereby and that the first day of the week is and ought to be as much the weekly Sabbath for the Christians now as the last day of the week was to the Jews of old and that there is as good ground though perhaps not so clear to every one for the change of the day as there was at first for the choice of the day this is directly contrary to what you asserted in your paper I come now according as you desired me to take your 4th Proposition into consideration and your Reasons in order as they stand whereby you endeavour to confirm it having again and again in some weak measure I praise the Lord prayed for the assistance of the holy spirit of truth to guide and direct me that I may write nothing against the truth but for the truth being at this present under the actual consideration of the dreadful sentence that I may be called to an account I know not how soon before the great and glorious God for what I think for what I write as well as for what I speak or what I do I bless God I am willing that truth should be truth and appear to be truth Your fourth Proposition though I have repeated it already yet I think it meet to repeat it here again is this The seventh day which is the last day in every week in the weekly returns of it c. And for the proof of this you produce Exod. 20.8 9 10 11. Deut. 5.12 15. I conceive you lay the whole stress of your Arguments upon that in Exod. and that you do not so much as imagine that Deut. the 5th affords you any more help than what you have from the other alone This is that which is to be taken into serious considerations whether your Proposition takes in or be agreeable unto the full sense of the Commandment and that the Commandment speaks the same thing that the Proposition doth it seems as yet far otherwise to me and that the Commandment requires only the observation of one day in seven and doth not institute any particular day either the last or the first The last of seven had its institution as you seem to acknowledge which I was glad to find in your paper in Gen. 2.3 where and when the first day had its institution will be enquired into when this Proposition is cleared viz. That the fourth Commandment requires only the observation of one whole day in seven for the weekly Sabbath not instituting either the first or the last for any such intent or purpose And because as Solomon saith Prov. 6.23 that the Commandment is a Lamp and the Law is a Light I desire therefore in the strength of the Lord Jesus depending upon him for light and direction to look into the sense and meaning of this Law But first I shall premise this That As the second so the fourth Commandment comes in some things under a difrferent consideration from most if not from all the rest my meaning is this There is something in each of them is morral natural and something which is only positive In the second Commandment this is moral natural that God ought to be worshipped not as men will themselves but as God himself wills and describes but in what ordinances or acts of worship this
adhere to that Proposition that the fourth Commandment requires only the observation of one day in seven not fixing it either upon the first or the last day of seven but only by consequence pointing at the last of seven then to be observed because it was instituted before and to continue till the first of seven was to succeed it As Solomon said in the place formerly quoted Prov. 6. so David his Father said before him Psal 19.9 The Commandment of the Lord is pure enlightneng the eyes and this is the light which the Father of lights hath given me from the Commandment I shall shut up all that for the present I intend to say as for the sence of the Commandment with this that as the second Commandment as I said in the entrance into this discourse may parallel with the fourth Commandment in requiring something which is superadded to the law and light of nature so 't is evident in this that as the second Commandment doth determine the worship of God but only in the General that it be according to his revealed will and under that General both old Ordinances Sacrifice Circumcision and the Passover instituted elsewhere are there required So Likewise New Testament Ordinances Baptisme and the Lords Supper are both comprehended though neither named so in the fourth Commandment both the last of seven and first of seven are comprehended though neither of them directly named but onely one of them consequentially as was said before because formerly instituted so that the fourth Commandment is perpetually obligatory for one day in seven and then the substance of the Commandment is still unchangeable thus the day admits of a change not as a Ceremony but as a Circumstance the change of the day being no more prejudicial to the morality of the fourth Commandment than the change or worship to the morality of the second Commandment And farther I add this that I confess I am at a very great loss how it should be so as it hath been and as it is at this day that in a manner the whole Christian world should centre in the observation of the first day if it had been a breach of the fourth Commandment which hath been so often read and so often preached upon Before I proceed to say any more than what hath been said to those Reasons which are produced in your Paper for the confirmation of your Proposition I shall give you in as few words as possibly I can what I have for the present to say for the change of the day from the last of seven to the first of seven and that being done I conceive I shall not need to say much to any of the Reasons though I intend not by the Lords assistance to pass over any of them without saying something and that as you desire according to the order as they stand To make entrance into this which I am now to speak unto as none denies but that the last of seven was the only day in the revolution of every week to be kept holy to the Lord to the end of the old world i. e. of the Church that then was of the Jews till the time of Reformation should come Heb. 9.10 so I conceive it cannot with reason be denied but that since the beginning of the new world i. e. of the Christian Church frequently in Scripture called the world to come I mention only that Heb. 2.5 since then I say it cannot I think with any shew of reason be denied that the first of seven hath been generally acknowledged in all Christian Churches unto this day and will be to speak as yet I do believe till time shall be no more though by what Authority is the great matter in question but the thing is certain though it hath been of late as I have heard dropt up and down in and about the Town that this exalting of the first day of seven above the last of seven was done by the Authority of Constantine I wondred at this when I heard of it for though it be true that Eusebius writing the life of that Christian Emperor saith that by law he enacted that the first day of the week should be the great weekly holy day to the Lord Yet to conclude from hence that he was the Author of the change of the day we may as well conclude that he was the Christian Religion for by his publique Edict the publique profession of it was established in all his Dominions The Christians of those days then receiving as I have often thought an answer to those Prayers which their fore-Fathers in Christianity no doubt poured forth before God according to that injunction and direction 1 Tim. 2.1 2. that they should pray for Kings and all that be in Authority that they might lead a quiet and peaceable life in all Godliness and Honosty which was much about 300. years before Constantine was born at least before he sate in the Throne Let Eusebius himself be consulted I could easily quote the place if I had the book by me and from him we may learn that as the Christian Religion so the Christian Sabbath was observed on the first day long before Constantines Cradle was made and not only so but before there was a Christian Magistrate in the world it was so and yet as 't is apparent to me by divine Authority or else there was none in the world at all for in the new world that is in the state of the Gospel Church old things were past away old Sacrifices old Covenant old Sacrament the Seals of the Covenant this none denies even so likewise the old Sabbath for the proof of this let that Scripture besides others that might be mentioned be duly considered Gal. 4.10 The Apostle there reckoneth up several sorts of the Jewish Festivals and condemneth the observation of them in all Christian Churches for upon the same account he condemns them in one Church he condemns them in all This will appear to be so if we consider the Apostles scope in that and in his Epistles to some other of the Churches But to mention one is enough for all it was to oppose such of the Circumcision as those mentioned Acts 15.1 2. that mingled together the Law of Moses with the Doctrine of the Gospel and that in the matter of Justification and in order to Salvation with this error which was then a growing error it is evident the Church of Galatia was infected upon this account it might well be that he was Articled against for teaching every where to forsake the Law of Moses and against the Temple Acts 21.28 as Paul himself no doubt knew that it was formerly an Article against Stephen that he spake blasphemous words against the Law and that he should affirm that Jesus of Nazareth should destroy the Temple and change the Customs that Moses delivered them Acts 6.13 14. Object If it be objected that the Apostle there condemns their yearly Sabbaths the Sabbath
institution of Sacrifice before Abel Sacrificed though it be not recorded when because God accepted his Sacrifice So he hath accepted the Service upon the first day of the week the first of seven and blessed it as eminently he did the last of seven as I shall shew when I come to speak of your Reasons Why then might he not institute this day though it be not express'd when or where What can be said against it but that he might do in the one as in the other Though it be not recorded why may it not be thought to be one of those things which he had to say unto his Disciples and without he did say to them afterwards because they were not then able to bear them John 16.12 Surely the change of the Sabbath which they with the whole body of that Nation had such an high esteem of would hardly then have been received by them 4. Fourthly To me it seems very evident that the day was changed either by Christ own immediate appointment or by his Apostles as they were guided and directed by the holy spirit which they received according to that promise John 16.13 and what they did teach and practise as thus guided and directed ought to be received and believed as if it had been immediatly done by Christ himself as was proved in the sixth Proposition 5. Fifthly and that the change of the day was thus appointed either by Christ immediatly or by his Apostles as guided by the spirit of truth these following particulars seem to me undeniably to prove it 1. First by the Apostles practice let that be seriously considered as it is recorded in several places I shall begin with that Acts 20.7 it is there said that when Paul came to Troas where he abode seven dayes upon the first day of the week which is infallibly proved to be the day of Christs Resurrection when the Disciples came together to break Bread Paul Preached I desire this Text may be considered in the fear of God It was some grief to me to think how slightly as I heard within these few days some turn it off for if it be as it ought to be seriously considered of it will appear to have much weight in it for it is clear in the Text that Paul continued there seven days and therefore was there on the seventh day Sabbath yet there is no mention that either he or the Church took any notice of it more than of any other of the six dayes but upon the first day the work of the Sabbath was carried on Paul both Preaching and Administring the Lords Supper If this had been done upon the seventh day and that he had begun his Journey upon the first day it had made very much for the establishing of the old Sabbath whereas now it makes much for the establishing of the new and Christian Sabbath if there had been but one such express Instance of Pauls Baptizing but one Infant in any of the Christian Churches I think it would have prevailed much with those that are humble conscientious and godly as I believe many are that scruple much the Administration of that Ordinance to any that are not able to make profession of their Faith if I say there had been but one such Instance so plain and evident in the Scripture it would probably have prevailed much with them though there are Arguments sufficient in the Scripture for it yet they are not so plain to them they would it may charitably be supposed have yielded that such an Apostle would not have done this without Warrant unless he had known the mind of Christ for it yet you see we have it for the Christian Sabbath and shall this signifie nothing Surely what ever it doth with others it signifies much with me 2. Secondly it is farther observed that the one hundred and twenty Disciples spoken of Acts 1. and it may be some more with them met together distinctly from the Jews and did not keep the Feast of Pentecost with them but together by themselves and this they did with one accord as we read Acts 2.1 and this upon the first day of the week as may be undeniably demonstrated The Lord Jesus was buried on the evening of the sixth day that day being the first in the Passion week but the seventh day Christ rested in the grave this was the second day in the Passion week in which the first fruit Sheaf of was waved before the Lord Levit. 23.11 and from this day they began to count their seven weeks to Pentecost as in the same Chapter vers 15 16. and which should be observed this day Christ rose again from the dead and becomes the first fruits of them that sleep 1 Cor. 15.20 which being counted seven times the fiftieth day is just the first day of the week So that it is clear it was the first day of the week when the the Disciples thus met together to observe it in the duties of the day which without doubt they knew to be the mind of Christ 3. Thirdly The Disciples met together twice on the two first dayes of the two first weeks immediately after Christs Resurrection if it be granted that the first time they did not understand the change of the day but shut the doors for fear of the Jews because of the information of the Souldiers against them that they had taken away the body of Jesus what can be said against it all things considered but that they knew the change of the day at their second meeting and that then they shut the doors for fear of the Jews because they did not observe the old Sabbath the same that the Jews did and as they themselves formerly had done Thus much of the Apostles practice Now it cannot be shewed that ever they gave any respect to the seventh day Sabbath as the day of holy rest unto the Lord after Christs Resurrection that of their Preaching sometimes on that day was upon another account as hath been proved already Neither doth it appear that any other did by what we find in the Scripture It s true those holy women mentioned in the Evangelists observed it to the last even to the day before Christs Resurrection and it was their duty Christ being not risen And for the Apostles it is evident they shewed all respects after the Resurrection to the first of seven none to the last of seven And further it is not nothing what is recorded of the Lord Jesus himself that he appeared so often unto his Disciples on that day For though I lay not so much stress upon it as I have heard others have done for it is very profitable that during these forty days he appeared unto them upon other dayes as well as upon the first day but this I say is not nothing that there is no day mentioned by name but the first day if it had been mentioned that he had appeared unto them but once upon the seventh day I cannot