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
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
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
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