THE DOCTRINE OF THE FOURTH Commandement Deformed by Popery Reformed Restored to its Primitive purity Wherein is clearely proved by Scripture Arguments and Reasons that the Seventh day of the week and not the first viz. the day called Saturday and not the day called Sunday is the true Christian Sabbath the time Instituted and commanded by God himself for the day or time of his publique worship in the time of the Gospel as it was in the time of the Law Objections answered and the truth cleared by Gods unworthy Servant J. O. The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God In it thou shalt do no work c. Exod. 20.10 Blessed is the man that doth this and the Son of man which layeth hold on it and keepeth the Sabbath from polluting of it Isa 56.2 Be doers of the word not hearers only deceiving your own selvs Jam. 1.22 For not the hearers of the law are justified before God but the doers of the Law shall be justified Rom. 2.13 London Printed by G. Dawson and are to be sold by Iohn Hides in Blew Anchre Alley neer Pauls Alley 1650. The Author to his Booke GOE little Book perform thy work thou mayest be blamed but not shamed thou wilt meet with Enimies feare not for there are more with us then with them 2 Kings 6.16 I would not intrude thee into the world in an obscure or doubtfull Cause because of many inconveniences that might insue But thou carriest with thee the absolute truth of God conteined in his written law Exod. 20.8 9 10 11. In which regard thou art assisted and defended with the whole armour of righteousnesse the undoubted truth of God revealed by Moses and the Prophets and by Jesus Christ and his Apostles against all assaults of thy Enemies If any reprove me because of thee I desire it may be in love without racking my words or perverting my meaning but answer as the matter lyeth granting or denying the particular assertions herein contained that the Impartiall reader may profit thereby and not with scoffes or reproachfull terms If any so doe let it be a signe to all men that he maintaineth a bad Cause with an ill Conscience and that the truth standeth with me and not with him Goe goe and cause all men to know that the Law of God is perfect Exod. 20. and that there is no unnecessary thing required by any Expression therein contained In which regard make known I say that we and all men are as absolutely bound in love to the literall Expression of the fourth Commandement as we are to the literall Expression of either the 1 2 or 3. Commandements of that law or to any other of the Six To the end that God may be duly honoured and our obedience to his holy law enlarged As also to the end that our non-conformity to the law of God in working when we are to rest and our resting when we are for to work may not be an obstruction to the Jewes conversion which is the thing I desire may be performed by thee Farewell Be prosperous so be it The blessing of Iehovah go with thee Amen For the Lord is well pleased for his righteousnesse sake that he may magnifie the Law and exalt it Isay 42.21 To the discreet and sincere Reader be Salvation in the way of Righteousnesse Amen OVT of a true Devotion to God and sincere affection to thee I have presented to thy consideration a Duty which my Conscience telleth me thou oughtest to perform to the Lord thy God for the furtherance of his honour and thy salvation Namely the duty of Observation and Sanctification of the Lords seventh day-Sabbath the day called Saturday commanded by the Lord himself Exod. 20.8 Which duty we and our Fathers have neglected neer 1300. Yeers Yea and rejected it as a ceremoniall Element or beggerly Rudiment And therefore we may well complaine with the Prophet Jeremy 3.25 We lye down in confusion for our shame covereth us for we have sinned against the Lord our God we and our Fathers from our youth unto this day and have not obeyed the voyce of the Lord our God The truth of this doth clearly appeare in this ensuing Subject Therefore I desire thee to read it with an honest and good Heart without partiallity and consider what is said in it before thou blamest it or censurest me least thou speak good of evill and evill of good and bring woe upon thy selfe Isay 5.20 For certain it is no man knoweth so much but he may know more and no man so perfect but that he may erre Therefore ponder the path of thy feet and let all thy wayes be ordered aright turne not to the right hand nor to the left but remove thy foot from evill Prov. 4.26 27. Thy soules well-wishing friend JAMES OCKFORD The Doctrine of the Fourth COMMANDEMENT Deformed by Popery Reformed and Restored to its Primitive PURITIE CHAP I. The Decalogue is Morall and perpetuall nothing is to be added thereto nor diminished from it THe Law whereof I Treat of which the Fourth Commandement is a part was given of God on Mount Sinai Exod. 19. 20. Cap. And written with his owne Finger in Tables of Stone Exod. 31.18 Deut. 5.22 The Effect of which Heavenly Law was engraven in nature at mans Creation which Divine Goodnesse remaineth in the nature of man and teacheth him to doe in some measure that which God by the Law of the Letter requireth of him Rom. 2.14 15. Although the custome of sinning and the deceitfulnesse of mans heart hath blotted stained and darkned in him that which we ought to discerne know and doe But such is the Mercy and Goodnesse of God unto us that he hath not left us without a plaine Demonstration of His holy Will by His holy Law the Decalogue which Holy Law bindeth us to all Duties tending to life and Godliness * As this Law bound the Jews to all duties commanded in the time of the Law Deut. 6.5 Even so it bindeth us and all men to all duties commanded by the Gospel The reason is because he that obeyeth not the Gospel loveth not the Lord his God with all his heart and with all his soule and with all his mind as the Law by the mouth of Jesus Christ in the Gospel requireth of us Mat. 22.37 Which Decalogue or Morall Law remaineth absolutely unchangeable as it appeareth by the words of the Prophet Psalm 111. vers 7 8 9. where he alluding to the Law written in Tables of Stone speaking of God saith The Worke of His Hands are Veritie and Judgment All his Commandements are sure they stand fast for ever and ever c. A note of perpetuall unchangeablenesse And in this regard they are said to be Faithfull Psal 119. ver 86. Yea Righteous and very Faithfull vers 138. This Law is Gods Covenant Exod. 19.5 Deut. 4.13 which God hath given to man to be observed for ever Deu. 4.9.10 2 Kings 17.37
Rom. 3.20 Errour it is to the Jewes or any else that expect to receive Righteousnesse by or for their obedience thereto But I presse men to the obedience of it because men cannot be saved without obedience to it in some measure through faith Matth. 5.19 Chap. 19.17 1 Cor. 7.19 But I doe beleeve in my heart and confesse with my mouth that justification to salvation is freely bestowed on the Beleever wholy undeserved It is not of workes but by Grace through Faith that men are saved and not of our selves it is the gift of God Ephes 2.8 2 Tim. 1.9 The Gospel published by Jesus Christ brought not a new way of Righteousnesse and Salvation into the World which was not spoken of or taught before in the Law and Prophets John 5.46 47. Acts 26.22 * See Beza in his Margent on Mat. 5.17 But it is a fuller manifestation of that which was contained in the Law and Prophets so that our conformitie to the Decalogue is not destructive or prejudiciall to our obedience to the Gospel but highly advanceth it For the Law is not against the Promise of God Gal. 3.21 Neither is the Gospel contrary to the Law for the preaching of faith doth establish it Rom. 3.31 Yea such is the Vnion betweene the Law and the Gospel that the same words which Moses used to command obedience to God by the Law in the time of the Law Deut. 6.5 the same words our Saviour useth in the Gospel to command obedience to God according to the Law Mat. 22 37. Yea such Union and communion there is between the Law and the Gospel that as Moses sendeth us to be instructed by Christ Deut. 18.15 Acts 3.22 Even so Jesus Christ sendeth us to be instructed by Moses John 5.39.46.47 Luke 16.29.31 Mat. 7.12 It being so it followeth that seeing by the Law meâ—â—re commanded to keepe a holy rest and to abstaine from servile work on the seventh day the Gospel doth not say nay Thou shalt keep a holy rest and abstaine from servile work on the first day of the week Oh no there is no such word therefore sure it is the selfe same Law which commanded men to keep a holy rest on the seventh day in the time of the Law the selfe same Law requireth us to keepe a holy rest on the seventh day in the time of the Gospel Therefore Remember to keepe holy the Sabbath day the day called Saturday the seventh and last day of the weeke for that is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God which he commandeth thee to consecrate to his Service in worshipping him on it in spirit and truth as the Gospel requireth of thee and neglect it not As the Word of God doth manifest the seventh and last day of the weeke to be the Sabbath So doth both Ancient and Moderne Writers confesse it so to be Yea Doctor Hylyn doth affirm in his History of the Sabbath par 2. chap. 2. pag. 62. that when ever for a thousand yeares and upward we meet with Sabbatum in any Writer of what name soever must be understood of no other day then the Saturday And Doctor White on the Sabbath pag. 202. saith when the Ancient Fathers distinguish and give proper names to the particular dayes of the weeke they alwayes stile the Saturday Sabbatum to wit the Sabbath c. That the Saturday the last day of the week is the Sabbath day the truth thereof is confessed by all Judicature Courts in England for when they write on the Saturday the last day of the weeke they stile it diâ—s Sabbathi to wit the Sabbath day At the end of which Sabbath the first day of the week beginneth Mat. 28.1 Mark 16.1 2 which is the day commonly called Sunday which is highly extolled although there is no word of God which commandeth the observation of it as now it is Sure it is we know no other name in Scripture for the seventh day but the Sabbath day neither know we any other name for Sunday but the first day of the week for this see Luke 24.1 John 20.1 Object If it be objected that the seventh day-Sabbath was given to the Jewes only and not to the Gentiles in that the Jewes were charged with the keeping of it in remembrance of their deliverance out of Egypts bondage Deut. 5.15 which the Gentiles were not Ergo I answer It is true they were delivered out of Aegypts bondage through the great mercy of God unto them and thereon were enjoyned to keep the Sabbath as a motive to stir them up to a more devout observation thereof But was it so given to the Jewes that the obedience thereof doth not appertain to us Oh no! there is no Scripture that so saith neither doth it follow that we owe no obedience to it because they were enjoyned to keepe it in remembrance of their deliverance 〈◊〉 of Egypt because then it would follow we are not enjoyned to the obedience of the other nine Commandements neither For on the same ground or consideration they were enjoyned to keep the seventh day-Sabbath upon the same ground they were enjoyned to keep the other 9 Commandements also for this see Exod. 20.2 3. c. Deut. 5.6 chap. 7.8 9 10 11. It being so it followeth If we may not omit our duty to the 9. Commandements of the morall Law we ought not to the fourth Commandement neither Again If men will exempt themselves from the duty of the seventh day-Sabbath because it was given to the Jewes then on the same ground they may exempt themselves from all duties taught by our Saviour on the Mount Mat. 5. chap. 6 chap. 7. and also from all duties taught in the Epistle to the Hebrewes and also from all duties taught by by Saint James in his Epistle on the same ground Now if it be errour to exempt our selves from these and many other heavenly Instructions because they were given to the Jewes then it is errour to exempt our selves from the duty of the fourth Commandement because it was given to the Jewes Object If it be further objected the duty of the seventh day-Sabbath belongeth not to us because our Saviour hath not commanded it to be observed in the Gospel I answer It is an ignorant Cavill against the duty commanded in the fourth Commandement because our Saviour doth as absolutely require obedience of us to the duty of the seventh day-Sabbath inclusively in Mat. 22.37 38.39 as he doth to the 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 and 10. Commandements of the morall Law Again If it be a sufficient plea to exempt our selves from the duty of the fourth Commandement because it is not expresly repeated by our Saviour in the Gospel then upon the same consideration we may as well exempt our selves from the duties taught by the 1 2 and 3 Commandements of the same Law for neither of those precepts are in expresse words laid down by our Saviour in the Gospel therefore I say If it be an errour
kept a Ceremoniall Precept O no! Ergo it is an Everlasting Duty Eighthly The fourth Commandement wherein the Seventh day-Sabbath is commanded is a tenth part of the Morall Law the Law being Morall the dutie of the seventh dayes rest must needs be Morall also Ninthly Our Saviour Christ would not that his Disciples should breake the Sabbath at the destruction of Jerusalem Mat. 24.20 which was 38 years after his Passion Can it be shewen that ever his will was that his Disciples should keepe a ceremoniall Precept so long after his Passion If any can let them doe it or else let them confesse the duty of the seventh dayes rest is Morall Tenthly and lastly If the duty of the seventh day Sabbath is abrogated then it is not meet nor fit that it should stand in Parish Churches or publique Assemblies with the other nine Commandements of the Morall Law for as it standeth with or amongst those Morall Precepts it reacheth and commandeth obedience to the duties of the seventh dayes-Sabbath the day called Saturday which men say is abrogated as expresly and as absolutely as the First Second or Third Commandements of that Law doe teach the expresse duties commanded in them or any other of the 6 Commandements doth teach that which is expressed in them But indeed and in truth the dutie of the seventh dayes-Sabbath commanded in the fourth Commandement is Morall and Perpetuall as any of the other 9 Commandements and therefore doth as absolutely binde us and all men to the due obedience thereof as any of the other nine do to the duties expressed in them Therefore it is meet and fit it should stand with the other nine Commandements to teach men their duty to the seventh dayes-Sabbath to wit the day called Saturday for that indeed is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God whereon he hath forbid thee to do any servile work as hath been shewn which duty all men are enjoyned unto untill the end of the World for till then the Sabbath shall continue Exod. 31.17 Isa 66.23 24. Ergo its Morall and Perpetuall If the Fourth Commandement be an abrogated Ceremony and therefore we are not to walk in the obedience thereof then we are as really discharged from working 6 dayes as we are from resting the seventh And if it be sin to observe the seventh day-Sabbath because the 4th Commandement is abrogated which commanded it then it is sinne also to worke 6 dayes because the fourth Commandement is abrogated which commanded it The reason is because when any Ceremoniall Precept or Precepts were abrogated every part or branch thereof was abrogated also Gen. 17.11 12. Exod 12.3 4. c. Againe if it be errour to say mens working six dayes is abrogated then it is errour to say mens resting the seventh day is abrogated or done away Evident it is by that which is already said the Decalogue being Morall the fourth Commandement being part of the Decalogue is Morall also It being so let him that will oppose me prove that it is our duty to doe servile work on the seventh day called Saturday if he can But if he cannot shew me any Precept for it then let him shew me what dispensation there is vouchsafed to men to doe common worke on the Lords seventh day-Sabbath and who it was which first granted the dispensation This doe and faile not or else cease from a weekly prophanation of the Lords seventh day Sabbaths Verily for my part I believe the Morall Law maketh knowne unto us the minde or will of God concerning our duty both towards Himself and our Neighbour And therefore I say with the Apostle I had not known lust if the Law had not said Thou shall not covet Rom. 7.7 In like manner I say I had not knowne I should not have other Gods before God had not the Law so said Exod. 20.3 Neither had I knowne I should not make to my self any Graven Image c. Nor that I should not bow downe nor worship them had not the Law forbid it Exod. 20.5 Neither had I known that it is my duty to keep holy the seventh day-Sabbath to wit the day called Saturday whereon no work is to be done had not God by his Law commanded the one and forbid the other Exod 20.8 9 10 11. O know and believe the Precepts of the Morall Law speaketh as well to thee as to me Hast thou endeavoured to walke in the obedience of the 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10. Commandements of Gods Law and hast thou wholy neglected thy duty to the fourth Commandement in not keeping holy the seventh day-Sabbath and hast thou done servile work thereon which thing God hath foabidden thee If yea surely thou art a transgressor of Gods Law Be instructed therefore and repent of Sabbath-breaking and for time to come keep holy the Sabbath day the day called Saturday and doe no work thereon thou nor thy sonne nor thy daughter thy man-servant nor thy maid-servant thy cattell not the stranger that is n within thy Gates c. for it is the Will of God that they should rest as well as thou Deut. 5.14 For Whatsoever the Law saith it saith to them that are under it Rom. 3.19 Thou art under it and not above it therefore thou oughtst not to transgresse it for the Law hath domiion over a man as long as he liveth Rom. 7.1 Therefore if thou wilt not be condemned by it conform unto it For whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the Law 1 John 3.4 Yea surely the sting of death is sinne and the strength of sinne is the Law 1 Cor. 15.56 Therefore deceive not thy selfe nor let any deceive thee or cause thee to beleeve that it was sinne to doe any thing contrary to the Morall Law before our Saviours Death and Resurrection and that it is not so now but that Christian men may doe something which God by His Divine Law doth forbid and not sin Certainly Jesus Christ nor his Apostles hath not left Christians any such dispensation Errour therefore it is for any to affirme that they may doe servile worke on the Lords seventh day-Sabbath where necessity is not contrary to his Holy Law and not sinne Therefore know and beleeve that as the Morall Law was Holy Righteous Just and Good before our Saviour came in the Flesh and taught men their duty toward God and man in an unerring way Even so the Morall Law is Holy Righteous Just and Good ever since our Saviour came in the Flesh and teacheth us our duties toward God and man in a right and unerring way and so it shall for ever Therefore if thou wilt enter into life keepe the Commandements Matth. 19.17 And they are ten Deut. 10.4 As I would not be mistaken in any thing I desire I may not be mistaken in this viz. for any to thinke I meane men may obtaine Righteousnesse to justification by the works of the Law Oh no that I doe not that is impossible Gal. 2.16 Chap. 3.10.11
to exempt our selves from the duties of the 1 2 and 3. Commandements because the expresse words are not laid down by our Saviour in the Gospel then errour it is for any to exempt themselves from the duties of the fourth Commandement although the duty of it is not in expresse words laid downe in the Gospel Yea a truth it is Whosoever keepeth the whole Law and faileth in one point is guilty of all CHAP. IV. Of the Antiquity and Morality of the seventh day-Sabbath which is the day to be observed and not a seventh day instead of it THe seventh day Sabbath whereof I treat which was made for man Mark 2.27 and given to man Exod. 16.29 was blessed and sanctified the first seventh day of the worlds Creation Gen. 2.2 3. Exod. 20.8 9 10 11. was obeyed and disobeyed before the Law was given on Mount Sinai Exod. 16.27 28 30. Which Precept being repeated on the Mount with the other nine Precepts it had a memorandum annexed it in regard of a former neglect to it as also the more to incite the Jewes and us Gentiles to a diligent observation thereof for time to come This seventh day God instituted and commanded to be a selected or peculiar time for his publique worship Leuit. 23.3 Acts 15.21 This Sabbath our Saviour unviolably kept and spent in the administration of the Word Luke 4.16 31. Mark 6.2 and in other holy exercises of piety and charity glorifying his Father by Miracles Mat. 12.9 10 11 12 13. Iohn 5.8 9. This Sabbath our Saviours Disciples observed after his death to Gods honour and their ever laudable memoriall For it is recorded of them Luke 23.56 That they rested the seventh day according to the Commandement Yea it evidently apeareth that the Apostles and Disciples Gentiles as well as Jewes constantly spent the seventh day-Sabbaths in holy and religious exercise For this see Acts 13.14 15 16. vers 27 42 43 44. chap 16.13 14. chap. 17.2 3. chap. 24.14 * The like instance cannot be shewne in the new Testament that either the Apostles or Disciples did thus constantly assemble together on the first day of the week Yea some Christian Churches observed it for more then the space 400. yeares after Christ of this Socrates informes us lib. 6. chap. 8. Yea albeit the Church of Rome was one of the first Churches or rather the first which discerted the seventh day-Sabbath yet they kept it a certain space of time after the decease of the Apostles For Justin Martyr living in Rome about the yeare 150. saith Apologie second pro The manner was on the Sabbath day when the people were gathered together to have the Scriptures read in the publique congregation in the time of publique prayer the space of a whole hower as Dr. Whitguift hath it in his Booke against Cartwright pag. 578. Yea I finde by Socrates Eccle. hist lib. 5. cap. 21. that for the space of 200. yeares almost all Christian Churches throughout the whole world did keep every Sabbath-day after other whereon they did administer the misteries of our Saviour or Sacraments except Rome and Alexandria who of an old tradition did not use it c. Which holy Sabbath ought to have been spent in holy exercise to this time yea and for ever Exod. 31.17 Isay 66.23 That the seventh day-Sabbath ought to have been kept and spent in the worship and service of God Severall men of note doth confesse the truth thereof although their practice answered not with it no nor their words at some times neither And therefore I looke upon their Expressions as justifying the truth against themselves First I will beginne with Mr Beza in his margent on Deut. 5. vers 13. who saith Since God permitteth six dayes to our laboures that we ought willingly to dedicate the seventh to serve him wholly Secondly Mr. Perkins on Gal. 4. vers 10. saith Six dayes thou shalt labour and the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God is morall and containeth a perpetuall truth Thirdly Doctor Whitguift against Cartwright page 553. saith Six dayes shalt thou labour c. The meaning of which words is this That seeing God hath admitted us six dayes to doe our own work in we ought the seventh day to serve him c. Fourthly Muskulus in his Book of common Places fol. 60. speaking of the seventh day-Sabbath saith Secondly he apppointed the day so that it should not be at his peoples liberty Six dayes saith he thou shalt doe all thy worke but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God So he doth especially note the dayes to worke and he doth expresse that day in which the Sabbath should be hallowed c. Six dayes are appointed thee in which thou mayest work all things touching thy selfe and thy own affaires but the seventh day is not so for that day is a great while agoe determined and hallowed by God himselfe unto rest and therefore that day shall not serve for thy workes but thou shalt hallow him to the Lord thy God Fifthly Dr. Willet on the fourth Commandement question 13 pag. 360. saith God is said to rest both that his rest might be a monument of the Creation perfected and that God by his example might induce us in like manner to rest upon his Sabbaths Sixtly Dod and Clever on the Commandements speaking of the duty of the seventh day-Sabbath in pag. 118. saith The third reason is taken from Gods Example c. As if he should have said If thou wilt follow Example then follow the Example of the best What Example can there be better than God himself who when he made the World rested on the seventh day Therefore from his Example learne thou that on the seventh day thou give thy selfe to the duties of sanctification c. See pag. 119. Seventhly Bayly in Pract. Piety page 255. saith To sanctifie the Sabbath on the seventh day is not a ceremoniall Law abrogated but the Morall and Perpetuall Law perfected So that saith he the same perpetuall Commandement which bound the Jewes to keepe the Sabbath on the seventh day to celebrate the Worlds Creation binds Christians to solemnize the Sabbath on the seventh day And in page 257. Therefore God planted this Commandement in the middest of the two Tables because the keeping of it is the best help in keeping all the rest The conscionable keeping of the Sabbath is the Mother of all Religion c. And in pag. 259. saith It is one of the Commandements which God spake with his own mouth and twice wrote with his owne fingers in Tables of stone to signifie their Authority and perpetuity All that God wrote were Morall and perpetuall Commandements and they are reckoned ten in number If this were now an abrogated Ceremony then there were but nine Commandements And in pag. 287. thus The Ceremoniall Law was injoyned to the Jewes only and not to the Gentiles But this Commandement of the Holy Sabbath as Matrimony was instituted of
did God or Christ ever sanctifie that day to that end as many doe imagine nor never instituted nor commanded his Church to observe it in stead of the Sabbath Therefore I say seeing we are not to presume above what is written 1 Cor. 4.6 what reason is there that the first day of the week should be held more high and holy than the seventh day-Sabbath which God instituted blessed and sanctified and commanded us and all men to observe by the Morall Law Yea what reason is there or what word of God is there to be produced to prove that it is our duty to abstain from common work on the first day of the week called Sunday As also that we ought to doe common work on the seventh day-Sabbath called Saturday Deceive not thy self nor let any man deceive thee or cause thee to believe that it was the practice of Christian Churches to assemhle every first day of the week to perform publique worship in the Apostles dayes for that they did not Yea I say it is not to be proved by Scripture that ever any one Congregation did three times assemble successively to perform publique worship on the first day of the week called Sunday Yea I suppose that not any Anti-Sabbatharian can prove that ever any one Congregation did assemble two first days successively in the Apostles daies or that ever it was by them esteemed more holy or more honourable than any other of the 6 daies Yet I say what if it could be proved that any Congregation in the Apostles days did assemble 6 first days successively to perform worship on it yet it would not prove the seventh day-Sabbath abrogated nor that the first day of the week was designed for publique Worship seeing Christians in those daies did daily assemble Acts 2.46 Ch. 5.42 Yea I say if such a thing could be proved which none can doe it would bind us no more to the constant performance of the former than of the latter That the first day of the week is not of a Divine Institution nor is to be observed as a Sabbath I will give 3. Reasons The first Reason is Because if men keep the first day of the week for a Sabbath and the seventh day for a working day it is to doe expresly against a Precept both Affirmative and Negative Exod 20.8 9 10. Secondly It cannot be that the first day of the week is an Ordinance of the Gospel because then the preaching of Faith would make void the Law contrary to Rom. 3.31 Thirdly The first day of the week cannot be of a Divine Institution because then the Law which commandeth the seventh dayes rest would crosse the Gospels Institution contrary to Gal. 3.31 I need not to insist to give more reasons to prove that the first day of the week is not of a Divine Institution seeing the truth is plentifully confessed by many wise and learned men whose understandings are not eclipsed with errour in this particular Yea I say Papists themselves doe confesse the observation of the Sunday is not to be proved by the written word of God and therefore oftentimes in their writings they urge at Protestants because they cry Scripture Scripture to be the Rule of their Faith and Practice in the way of Religion when they observe the first day of the week which is called Sunday in stead of the Sabbath called Saturday when there is no Word of God to prove that so they ought to doe Christians ought to make the Word of God the Rule of their Faith and Life and not the Traditions of men though never so ancient or universally received no nor the sayings of Men though wise grave and learned if they speake not according to the Law of God 1 John 4.1 Isa 8.10 and therefore good it is for every one which loveth truth and hateth errour to follow the Councel of Gracehop placed at the Beginning of the Bible Printed Anno 1603. who saith Refuse all sence of Scripture contrary to the First and Second Tables of Gods Commandements Imbrace his Counsell for it is good it tendeth to further men in the way of Godlinesse for certainly mens well meaning or acting in the way of Religion will not stand them in stead to bring them into acceptation with God except it be in the way that God requireth of them for he will not accept of any worship or service which he hath not appointed or commanded Numb 1. to 41. 2 Chron. 26.18.19 Isa 66.3.4 Mark 7.6.7.9 Col. 2.20 21 22. And therefore It is not every one that saith Lord Lord shall enter into the Kingdome of Heaven but he that doth the will of my Father saith Christ Mat. 7.21 Had men that due respect to the Law of God as is meet there would not be any need to use Scripture Arguments and Reasons to move them to the obedience thereof or to manifest they are not to walke in a way contrary to it as men doe in observing the first day in stead of the seventh out of a blind Devotion through a misapprehension that it is a Gospel-Ordinance when indeed it is not but a meer humane Invention or Ecclesiasticall Institution or Popish Tradition and to manifest the truth thereof I will produce the testimony of severall Authors for an addition to the former which affirme the same 13. Dr. Whitguift against Cartwright page 553. citeth the words of Saint Agustine ad Romana Janu Thus that the Passion of Christ and his Resurrection note that is the first day of the weeke and the day of the comming down of the holy Ghost is saith he not celebrated by any command writen but by the determination of the Church 14. In the Harmony of Confessions I finde ma-many notable expressions of this nature in page 479. is said We see that in ancient Churches there were not only set houres for meetings but that also See the latter confession of Helvetia even the Lords day ever since the Apostles time was consecrated to religious exercise c We doe celebrate and keepe the Lords day and not the Sabbath and that of a free observation 15 Out of the Confession of Auspurge page 493. in their fourth Article speaking of Traditions about holy dayes saith Of which sort is the Lords day the Nativity Passover and the rest c. And again thus because it was necessary to appoint a certain day that the people might know when to come together It seemes that the Church for that purpose did appoint the Lords day c. Look the first observation on the Confession 16. Dr. White on the Sabbath page 242. speaking of the Apostles saith Immediately after them it is apparent the Christian people made the Lords day of every weeke an ordinary Festivall See also page 217 and in page 218. he saith Constantine among many other religious constitutions he ordained the weekly Sabbath of the Lords day c. 17. The translator of Dr. Predeaux on the Sabbath in his Preface doth
shall be abominable Prov. 28.9 A Conclusion to the Work TO resist the duty of the seventh day-Sabbath which God requireth by the fourth Commandement Be not of those which say the Law of Gods ten Commandements is not given to the Gentiles Nor of those which say Jesus Christ hath abrogated the whole Law Nor of those which confesse the morality of the 1 2 3 5 6 7 8 9 10. and denyeth the morality of the fourth Nor of those which say every day is a Sabbath and keep no Sabbath at all Neither say thou what a stir is heare about the observation of a seventh day as if peace here and glory hereafter did consist in a corporall abstaining from labour on the seventh day and so put off a duty which highly concerneth Gods honour and thy owne salvation Therefore know the duty which thou owest to God is not onely an abstaining from corporall labour on the seventh day But also an abstaining from all actions contrary to the law of God as also a holy consecrating it to his service by worshipping him on it in spirit and truth as God by the Gospel requireth of thee Therefore be not hasty to reject the duty of the seventh day-Sabbath which God by his holy Law requireth of thee Neither study to raise up objections against it least thou be found a fighter against God and also become like unto the Scribes and Pharises spoken of Mat. 23.13 which shut up the Kingdome of Heaven before men refuse to go in themselves nor suffer them that would enter to come in But be of those which have respect to all Gods Commandements and of those which have walked in all the Commandements and Ordinances of God without reproof Luke 1.6 see Mat. 5.48 Love Gods Law as the Prophet did Psal 119.77 97. and delight in it as the Apostle did Rom. 7.22 and obtaine blessednesse Psal 1.1 2. Revel 22.14 to justification Rom. 3.13 through faith chap. 3.33 Hebr. 11.6 Finally There are many men which thinke they know much of God in the Gospel and that they observing what Jesus Christ requireth of them by it they performe what duties soever God requireth of them by the Law and indeed so they did if they did rightly understand the duties which Jesus Christ by the Law requireth of them but in that they doe not verily they come shott of the duty of observation of the seventh dayes-Sabbatb commanded in the first Table of Gods Law The duties of which Table our Saviour in Mat. 22.37 compriseth into one Commandement and in requiring obedience to God by it he doth as strictly command obedience to the seventh day-Sabbath the duty commanded in the fourth Commandement as he doth require performances to the duties commanded either in the 1 2 or 3. commandements of that Law see also Mat. 5.18 19. Chap 19.17 1 Cor. 7.19 James 2.10 Therefore let no man think that by his love to Jesus Christ in the Gospel he doth fulfill the Law in that way spoken of Rom. 13.10 Gal. 5.14 If he refuse to perform that duty to God which Iesus Christ in the Gospel requireth of him by the Law in some measure For doubtless our obedience to the Commandements of God is the fruit of true love Iohn 14.15.21 compared with Ch. 10.30 For thus saith the Apostle This is the love of God that we keep his Commandements 1 Ioh. 5.3 which thing Iesus Christ did Joh. 15.10 Yea and we are to imitate him therein 1 Joh. 2.6 Chap. 4.17 And he that so doth in him dwelleth the love of God perfect indeed 1 John 2.5 But he that saith he knoweth God and kepeth not his Commandements is a lyar 1 Joh. 1.10 What union and communion there is betweene the Law and the Gospel see page 20. And he that walketh in that union dwelleth in God and God in him and such a one brings forth the fruit of the Spirit Gal. 5.22 And where the Spirit of the Lord is there is libertie 2 Cor. 3.17 And against such there is no Law to condemn him Rom. 8.1 For indeed it was not made to that end 1 Tim. 1.9 But yet they are not delivered from the obedience of it but injoyned to it Mat 19.17 Rom. 13.9 Eph. 6.1.2.3.5 James 2.10 11 12. But indeed the Law is made for the lawlesse and disobedient for the ungodly and for sinners for unholy and prophane c. 1 Tim. 1.9 as namely for Anti-nomians and Anti-Sabbatharians and all Libertines which will be above Ordinances whâ—â—â— make their boast they have nothing to doe with the Law nor the Law with them I say as the Scriptures teach for such men the Law was made and it hath dominion over them although they will not beleeve it yet surely they will know it if they repent not of setting themselves against it and refuse to conforme to the obedience of it as Jesus Christ in the Gospell requireth of them Mat. 22.37 for their avoiding of wrath and obtaining of mercy through faith I am sorry for their delusions and shall not cease to pray for their conversion That their sinnes may be blotted out when the time of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. That they may be made partakers of that purchased felicity by the merit of Jesus Christ through faith which hath life without death peace without trouble and joy without sorrow which unspeakable blessednesse I desire may be confirmed on all those which love Jesus Christ in sincerity Amen This also know I am no Jew nor inclined to any Jewish opinions I seek not righteousnesse by the Law but by faith in the Son of God according to the Gospel * Those opinions are Jewish which lead men to seeke Justification by the works of the Law or by observing abrogated precepts or Jewish customes or traditions of their inventions none of these I owne as being of God or from God But as for the fourth Commandement by which God requireth obedience to the seventh day-Sabbath being one of the ten morall precepes is of God and from God and to observe it is no more Jewish than to observe the duties commanded by God in the 1 2 or 3. commandements of that Law Yet I know I cannot obtaine righteousness by the Gospel if I walke contrary to the express duties which God by his Law requireth of me the reason is because there is no way to blessedness contrary to the way of righteousness Rom. 9.31.32 Mat. 19.17 which is the Law of Gods Ten Commandements But if thou knowest a way to obtaine salvation without it or contrary to it declare it But if this thou canst not doe then conforme to all duties commanded by it and neglect it not and have not any dis-respect to any truth in this Subject declared by me because of any personall failing which thou maist perceive in me But this know it is in me the manifestation of the words of truth made known by the Apostle 1 Cor. 1.17 That God hath chosen the foolish things of this world to confound the wise c. and the things that are not to bring to naught the things that are for the foolishnesse of God is wiser than men and the weaknesse of God is stronger than men vers 25. That no flesh may glory in his presence vers 29. All Praise to God The Authors cited in this TREATISE Iustin Martyr Athanasius Eusebius Socrates Scholast Augustine Calvin Tremelius Tindall Bucer Brentius Chimnetius Muskulus Beza Bullenger Mr. Perkins Centuries The Confession of the Church of Helvetia The Confession of Auspurgh Vrsinus Mr. Frith Dr. Whitgift Mr. Gracehop Mr. Ainsworth Dod Clever Dr. Bayly Dr. Prideaux Mr. Revert Mr. Brabourne Dr. Willet Dr. White Dr. Hyling Mr. Bisco The Rhemist Annotation A Table to find the principall points contained in this Treatise Viz. IN pages 1 2 3 4 5 6 7. is manifested that 〈◊〉 Decalogue is morall and bindeth Gentiles 〈◊〉 well as Jewes to the duties therein expressed In pages 8 9 10. are 12 absurdities which 〈◊〉 follow on the Assertion that the fourth commandment or part thereof is abrogated From the 12 page to the 35. is manifesâ—ed that the observation of the 7th day-Sabbatâ— is morall and we are injoyned to the duty of it In pages 36 37 38 39. is manifested that 〈◊〉 Church changed the 7th day-Sabbath to the firâ—â— day of the week and why they did it In pages 40 41 42 is manifested the time wheâ—â— the Church changed it or neere about From page 43. to 52. is manifested that our Sâ—â—viour Christ did not abrogate the 7th day-Saâ—bath As also that the first day of the week is 〈◊〉 of a divine institution Pages 59 60 61. manifesteth that the Tiâ—â—â— of the Lords day appertaineth not to the first dâ—â— of the week Pages 63 64. manifesteth that every day is 〈◊〉 a Sabbath FINIS