though servile Subjection came in after Sin yet if Man had not Fallen there should have been degrees of Superiority and Inferiority And there should have been distinction of Sexes and dignities c. Obj. 4 John 7.22 Christ maketh an opposition between two Laws one of Circumcision and another of the Sabbath And he saith Circumcision is kept not because Moses Instituted Circumcision but because it was from the Fathers And because Moses's Law of the Sabbath was given after the Law of Circumcision therefore it is that Infants are Circumcised upon the Sabbath and yet the Sabbath is not broken Answ The Sabbath was given after Circumcision with the rest of the Ceremonies belonging to it which Christ especially meaneth here But the Moral part was given to Adam before his Fall He maketh Opposition here but between the Ceremony of Circumcision and the Ceremony of the Sabbath The less necessary Ceremony to give place to the greater And the Jews say when a Child was to be Circumcised upon the Sabbath yet the morning Sacrifice behoved to be Offered first before the Child was Circumcised and then all the rest of the Ceremonial Worship in the Sabbath gave place to Circumcision Obj. 5 And whereas they urge us That there is no Example of the Patriarches who kept the Sabbath before the Manna was sent down Answ It may seem out of Job That they kept the Sabbath in his time which was before the Law was given It is said Job had Seven Sons N. B. and they went and Feasted in their Houses every one his day Job 1.4 And then it is subjoyned Job 1.6 That there was a day when the Sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord. Now who were the Sons of God here but Job's Children N. B. who Assembled themselves to worship God upon the Seventh day Obj. They say that these words God rested the Seventh day and Sanctified the Sabbath aâ—â— set down 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by way 〈◊〉 Anticipation because God promised to Sanctifie that day afterwards Answ This carries no probability with it that God is said to Sanctifie it because he was purposed to Sactifie it afterwards For then he might be said to Sanctifie Moriah when he Created it because afterwards he was to build the Temple there and to Sanctifie the Pascha and the Pentecost because afterwards he was to appoint them for holy uses FINIS THE Sunday-Sabbath's Rest FROM CONTROVERSIES CHAP. I. Of the Thesis or Position Section I. THE Thesis or Position Our Sunday-Sabbath or Lords-day is the very same day of the week which was anciently observed by Jews and Gentiles for the Solemn day of their Solemn weekly Worship before Israels coming out of Aegypt and after that by the Gentiles Sect. II. The explanation of the Thesis 1. We call it Sunday 1. Because it is vulgarly so called and best known by the generality of the Nation 2. Because the Jews anciently so called it and observed it in memorial of God their Sun * Ps 84.11 Creating the World and that eminentest part thereof the Sun * Exod. â—0 11 If so long after the Creation no don 't but anciently neaâ—eâ— the Creaâ—ion 3. Because the Gentiles of old called it Sunday though upon an ill occasion that they on that day Worshiped the Sun But it is to our purpose to note the number of the day not the iniquity the observation not the misapplication of the day ¶ 2. We call it Sabbath 1. Because many Christians so call it and own it against all Jewish Saturday Sabbatarians 2. Because the Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sabbath signifies rest which rest for Body and Soul we have mostly on this day 3. Because in some way of proportion the time of our Sabbath day answers to that of the Jews both being a Seventh day of the week ¶ 3. We call it The Lord's day 1. Because the Scripture so calls it I was saith St. John the Disciple of Christ in the Spirit on the LORDS DAY * Rev. 1.10 meaning our Sabbath or Sunday which we call the Lord's day For surely if 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Lords Supper doth sufficiently distinguish that Spiritual Supper of the Communion to all ingenuous men from all common Suppers then so doth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Lord's day sufficiently distinguish to all not willfully blind that special day from all other days For it follows 2ly That we call our Sabbath the Lord's day because it was the day of the Lord Christ's Resurrection from the Dead wherein he rested from his Sufferings and we thereby from our Sins and Condemnation 'T is true That the day of Christ's Resurrection is by the same Apostle called the First day of the week * Joh. 20.1 But 't is as true That this same First day was the Jews and Gentiles Sabbath for Two thousand four hundred fifty four years viz. From the Creation to the reduction of Israel our Aegypt and was the Gentiles Sabbath long after that 3ly We call it the Lord's Day because on that day in every week we solemnly worship the Lord Christ with the Gospel Worship which the Lord himself hath Instituted Sect. 3. The probation or proof of the said Thesis being made good by the orderly succeeding of the following Chapter N. B. the latter strengthning the former it may be hoped that according to the TITLE there will follow a cessation and rest of all Controversies about the Sunday Sabbath or the Lord's day either by the Quotidian or Hemerion Sabbatarians that pretend no one day but every day should be as a Sabbath Or by the Plurian Sabbatarians that would not have all days to be Sabbaths but would have more then one day in Seven Or by the Prosabbatarians that are wholy for the Jewish Sabbath Or by the Antisabbatarians that are against the Jewish Sabbath in the behalf of the Christian Sabbath Or touching the morality of thâ— Sabbath in general Or touching the warrantrie of Christian Lord's day Sabbath Or touching the Scruple whether to calâ— the day of Solemn Worship Sunday or Sabbath day oâ— Lord's day CHAP. II. Of the Natural and Artificial day Sect. 1. THE Natural day of Twenty four hours as it is vulgarly called is with any people the space of time between Sun-rising and Sun-rising or between Sun-setting and Sun-setting called by the Learned the Horizontal day Sect. 2. The parts of this Natural day are two The one is the Artificial day that is the days Light The other part is by relative consequence the Artificial night that is the Nights darkness belonging to that day So that the Artificial day is the whole space between Sun-rising and Sun-setting CAP. III. Of the ancient beginning of the Natural day Sect. 1. THE Artificial day or Day-light was anciently before Israels going out of Aegypt counted the beginning or former part of the Natural day and the Night the latter part of the said natural day This appears three ways
to be defended 2. The two Champion Opponents of it named and noted 3. The two Combating-Defendents of it decyphered and engaged 4. Some Auxiliary Forces drawn out to the Battel by Willet and Weemse c. as occasion serves 1. THE Thesis to be defended by us and our Assistants is That those words Gen. 2.23 And â—n the Seventh day God ended his work which he had made And he rested on the Seventh day from all his works which he had made And blessed the seventh day and Sanctified it because in it he had rested from all his works which God Created and made I say those words were spoken by Moses Historically narrating what God hath actually done in instituting the Sabbath at the beginning of the World and not Proleptically predicting or fore-speaking only what God would do in time to come in Instituting the Sabbath viz. That long after the Creation as is by some supposed at the time of the comming of Manna in Moses's time Ex. 16. God would Institute the Sabbath 2. The two Champion opponents of this position are Franciscus Gomarus and Petrus Hylinus who have so toyled themselves to prove the Negative that is to assert a Prolepsis as is to me a wonder yea Wonders to wit in sweating themselves in seeking their Prolepsis so as they cause in me a jealousie that they themselves are not cordially perswaded they can clearly find it Nor is it possible saith the Law to prove a meer Negative Nor was it ever heard of a Prolepsis of that length of time viz. of above 2000 years viz. from the Creation to the coming of Manna 3. The former of these two Champions viz. Gomarus with his Regiment of Authors Rivet de Orig. Sabb. and Arguments against our Thesis doth renouned Rivet * encounter and to good purpose 4. To the other viz. Peter Hylyn I shall reply the less because Rivetus hath said so much and Learned Willet and Weemse will say more CAP. 2. 1. Rivets strength weakens Gomarus 2. Rivets Assertion in opposition to Gomarus proved by Thirty Learned Protestant Authors 3. The Papists alledged for us 4. The Fathers alledged for us 1. OUR first Work then in order to the proving of our foresaid Thesis is to mind you of Learned Rivet n = * De Orig. Sab. his strong Answer to Gomarus touching our foresaid Thesis and the concerns thereof For by how much Gomarus his Negative that God did not Institute the Sabbath at the Creation is Invalidated by so much Rivetus his Affirmative that God did Institute the Sabbath at the Creation is Corroborated Sie vice ersa By so much as Rivets Affirmative is Confirmed by so much Gomarus his Negative is weakned Now that the judicious Readers may in this scarcity of Rivets answer have so much of it in your eye as thereby ye may better judge of Gomarus his and my Treatise I shall take the pains though now irksom to my ancient Body to give you a Breviat of Rivets Treatise in answer to Gomarus de origine Sabbath which is all the Answer I shall give to him the said Gomarus 2. To come then to the very point of giving in Rivets Answer to Gomarus against his Negative That God did not Institute the Sabbath in the beginning of the World take Rivets grand Assertion Rivets grand Assertion against Gomarus with the said Rivets Regiment of Witnesses to the said Rivets Assertion as followeth viz That God did from the beginning of the World Sanctifie the Seventh day for his Worship among men hath been saith Rivet the common opinion of the Learned which have flourished in the reformed Churches as the most Excellent and most Learned Ant. Walleus hath shewed in his Dissertation concerning the Fourth Commandement Cap. 3. Alleaging the Testimonies of Luther Com. in 2 cap. Gen. of Zuinglius Com. in 20 of Exod. of Calvin on the same place and in his Notes on the 4th Com. Ex. 20. and Deut. 5. Where he doth more clearly explain himself Of Beza in 1 Apoc. of Martyr in Cap. 2. Gen. and on 4. Com. Bullinger on 12. Chap. of Mat. Zanchie in his Lib. 1. part 3. de Oper. Creat Cap. 1. Decad. 1. Serm 4. Of Vrsin in his Exercit. Catachet upon the Fourth Commandment Gualter on Matt. Hom. 162. Of Aretius in his 1 Tom. of his Common places Of Bonaventure Bertram Of the Judaic Pol. Cap. 2. Of Mercer on Gen. 2. Of Anto. Faius in his Enchir. theol Disp 47. on the 4 Com. Of Junius on Gen. 2. Of Pareus on the same Of Zepperus 4 Book Chap. 24. Concerning the Forrain Laws of the Jews Of Martinius in his Book concerning the Christian and Catholick Faith Of Alsted in his Catechetical Theolog. Sect. 3. Cap. 6. To which I add Lambertum Daneum in his Christian Ethicks 2 Book 10 Chap. Largely saying That the Jews account the Seventh day holy Yea before all Legal Ceremonies they received it by Tradition from their Fathers to whom the Lord had revealed it and to whom their Sacrifices were grateful and their Seventh day well pleasing Rod. Hospinianum concerning the Jews Festivals Chap. 3. We must saith he hold that the Sabbath was Instituted by the most excellent highest God and not long time after in Moses's time in Mount Sina but in the very beginning of the World Josiam simlerum in Exod. 20. God did Moses being Witness in the Creation of the World Sanctifie the Sabbath N. B. and Blessed it And seeing that the Fathers had their sacred Conventions and Sacrifices it is very likely they had also certain set times wherein they did Convene And what day did they rather choose then that which was Sanctified by God himself Martinum Bucer on John 5. It is very likely that this observation of the Sabbath was not first brought in by Moses but by him a new established For the Ancient Fathers had it in use and practice among them The other Martin to wit Chemnitius on the Decalogue Com. 10.2 confesseth That the observation of the Sabbath was Instituted before the Law of Moses Conradus Pellican in cap. 2. Gen. Cap. 3. saith Blessed out of doubt were the rest of the days but that same Seventh day God willed and taught that it was to be set up in its place or kept and ordered in this that men might be at leisure for or to their Creator wherein they might diligently apply themselves to the study of knowing the good pleasure of God and of calling to mind his benefits of admiring the Power Wisdom Providence and Goodness of that chief Workman N. B. and of hearing or Learning from the FATHERS AFORE THE LAW or out of the Sacred Books by Interpreters after the Law was given what the Omnipotent requires of us c. Wolfang Franzius in Schola Sacra Disp Thesis 1.11 It doth appertain saith he to the Eutaxie or good order of the Ecclesiastical State in state of Innocency ☞ that there should be a Sanctification of a certain
or set time viz. of the Seventh day or Sabbath To wit God blessed the Seventh day and Sanctified it because in it he rested from all his Works And he puts in the Margin of his Book these Words In the State of Innocency the Seventh day was Sacred John Conrad Pfeilen in his Clar. Theolog pag. 217. The Sanctification of the Sabbath was not long and at last then Instituted in the time of Moses when the Decalogue was promulgated in Mount Sinai But was ordained and ordered presently after the Creation of the World But was indeed afterwards in the Law of Moses severely repeated upon penalty of Death not to be violated Henricus Butingus Chronol Pag. 12. ad annum Mundi primum The Sabbath is Sanctified by God and Celebrated by our first Parents in Paradise whilst our Nature was yet perfect To the same effect Bartafius concerning the Seventh day of the week doth speak in Verse Nor doth Golartius dissent from him writing on the same place I could also add Tilenus whiles he was a Soldier in our Camp on the fourth Command Thes 3. And Marlorat in Thesaur Locor Commun More Authors might be brought But here are produced THIRTY from whose judgment I could not prevail with my self to depart 3. Among the Papists there are some for the Negative That God did not Institute the Sabbath at the beginning of the World as Abulensis and all that follow him Others are with us for the Affirmative That it was Instituted at the Creation of the World as August Stench Eugub in Cosmopoeia on Gen. 2. Who will not only have it that then at the beginning of the World that Day was Sanctified for the use of Divine Worship But also they had it after that in all Ages in all Nations or Gentiles Venerable and Sacred So Gilbertus Genebrandus in Chronolog ad Annum primum Mundi The Sanctification saith he of the Sabbath and that it was observed in all the time of the Law of Nature N. B. the Hebrews deliver it to us And so doth Lyranus Gen. 7. even as he doth some other Legals And the same Opinion doth Jacob. Salianus prosecute in many Words in Annal V. Test ad Annum Mundi 1 Diem 7. ubi Tertullianum who seems to think otherwise he doth explain ☞ concerning the Sabbath as it is Ceremonially and rigidly observed by the Jews Likewise Cornel a Lapide on Gen. 2. It is manifest saith he that the Sabbath was Inistruted a Festival or Holy Day at first not by Moses Ex. 20. v. 3. but LONG BEFORE to wit at the beginning of the World He had said a little before He Sanctified it that is He Instituted it a Holy Day and would have it to be honoured with an high esteem of Adam and his Posterity with a Sacred leisure and Worship of God He addeth That the Fourth Commandement was a Divine Precept not natural but positive As of the same Judgment he cites Catharinus upon the same place And Emanuel Sa consenteth Here saith he it appears that the abbath was Celebrated from the very Beginning Which thing also Ribera asserts N. B. and proves in the Ep. to the Heb. Cap. 4. Number 8. 4. As for the Ancient Fathers few of them have touched the Question The Fathers alledged for us Of them that have some are for the Affirmative though some other are cited rather for the Negative whose words may be referred not to the denial of that primaeve Sanctification of the Sabbath but to the renewing of it with addition of Rights and Ceremonies formerly either unknown or obliterated Tertullian alâ—edged for us Tertullian whose words are chiefly urged although having to do against the Jews refers the Institution of the Sabbath to Moses to shew that it did appertain to the Ceremonies of the Law and therefore to be Antiquated yet nevertheless doth elsewhere acknowledg that the Jews do say That God did from the beginning of the World Sanctifie the Seventh Day in resting from all the Works which he had made And from thence also Moses said to the People REMEMBER THE SABBATH DAY So he Advers Jud. Cap. 4. Neither doth he deny it to be true who in his Fourth Book Chap. 11. against Marcion affirmeth as his own sence That Christ himself made the Sabbath day by his Fathers Blessing to be Holy from the beginning of the World and made it more Holy by his own Benefaction If some others think otherwise in favour of the Negative more and of no less Authority may be produced for our Affirmative as Cl. V. Waleus hath Demonstrated alledging the Testimony of Philo. Lib. 3. de vita Mosis Chrysostom Hom. Philo Chrysostom Theodoret Austin are for us 10. on Gen. Theodoret. in his Questions on Genesis Austin Ep. 86. ad Casul And we shall find anon other of the Fathers of the same mind CAP. 2. Rivets first Argument for us by him defended 1. The Argument from Gen. 2. ver 2 3. 2. Gomarus his answer 3. Rivets reply 1. THE Foundation of the whole Affirmative assertion is laid and that justly in those words Gen. 2. ver 2 3. Which are That the Sabbath was immediately after the finishing of the Creation of the World Instituted for Adam and his Posterity for the Worship of God For from that place of Gen. 2. ver 2 3. It is manifest that God blessed the Seventh Day after the Creation The grand Question Contro verted and Sanctified it Now a Question is moved Whether he did Sanctifie it just then or whether he deferred it till long aftâ—â—â—â—â—e Creation viz. for the spâ—â—â—â— of Two thousand four hundred and fifty three years So that the sense of the Mosaical Story should be That God after his finishing his Six days work rested the Seventh And after Two thousand four hundred fifty three years God blessed a like day and Sanctified it to or for sacred use And of Necessity this must be the sense of those men who do so much disjoyn those words He Finished Rested Blessed and Sanctified as that they refer the former words to the time of the beginning of the World the later words to the time of Moses giving the Law But we stand to it That all those words which are conjoyned by a Copulative are not to be torn asunder to so great a distance For seeing Moses discourseth of the Seventh day after the Creation I say the first Seventh that is â—â—â—â—nediatly following after the â—â—â—st six days It seemed necessary to us that the same day which was the Seventh from the Creation was the day of Rest and of Sanctifing it The Proposition 2. The force of Gomarus his answer he gives us in this Syllogisme that which in Gen. 2. ver 2.3 is neither expresly asserted nor is by any circumstances of that Scripture evinced that cannot be proved by it The Assumption But that the Sabbath was Instituted at that very time when at first the Creation of the World
was finished is such a thing was in Gen. 2. Is neither expresly asserted nor is by any circumstances of that Scripture evinced Therefore out of that place of Scripture it cannot be proved 1. Rivet's Reply The truth of the Proposition we grant as clearer then the Sun But the truth of the Assumption we deny And those things that are brought by Gomarus for the contrary do not at all eradicate our Assertions but are meer suppositions without proof Namely That these things Gen. 2. are not inserted by Moses as if at that very time they had been done but to shew that this History of the finishing of the World and of the Divine rest on the Seventh day might be kept in perpetual Memory by the Israelites So he As if both may not be viz. The thing done and the memory of it kept in mind also For subordinate things are not contrary This for a tast of the First Argument CAP. III. Rivet's Second Argument for us That the Sabbath was Instituted from the Beginning of the World and by him defended 1. The Argument from Heb. 4.1 c. 2. Gomarus his Answer 3. Rivets's Keply Rivets Argument in a Rhetorical way 1. THE Argument is from the Epistle to the Heb. Chap. 4. v. 1. c. And is this When the Apostle would describe the Spiritual Rest promised by God and would shew it was another Rest different from the Sabbatisme which the Jews observed according to the Law And also different from the Rest in the Land of Canaan into which Joshua conducted the People he saith those words in Psal 95. v. 11. â—â—sware IF THEY SHALL ENTER INTO MY REST were pronounced by David although the works of God were finished from the Foundations of the World where he citeth that place in Gen. 2. And sheweth That the promise of Rest made to the Believers included in the threatning made to the Vnbelievers of excluding them from the Rest cannot be understood of the Rest of the SABBATH because now the works of God having been finished from the Foundations of the World God had rested the Seventh day from all his Works From all which follows That the Rest of the the SABBATH day began according to the Apostle from the finishing of God's Works after the Sixth day For it shews that men even then entred into that Rest from the time the World was finished For in vain he had said these words From the finishing of the works of God from the Foundation of the World if THAT SABBATH began after Two thousand years and more 2. Gomarus in answer to this Argument saith That it nothing moves him not through forgetfulness of that place of Scripture nor for want of a solid answer but because he could not observe in it any mention at all concerning the Sabbath for Rest and the Worship of God And adds further No Argument he believes could be thence drawn but such as would be absurd and void of any colour of an Argument 3. To this Rivet replies These words saith he of Extenuation and contempt Gomarus opposeth to our words which we objected as of great moment to the matter in hand The Apostles Argument appears to be this Rivet's Argument in a Syllogistical way God by the mouth of David excludes Unbelievers from his Rest But he doth not exclude them from that Rest with which he rested from the Foundations of the World after the finishing of the Works of Creation because that Rest was now long since past Nor doth he exclude them from the Rest in the Land of Canaan because many Unbelievers entred into it Therefore There remains a Third Sabbatisme into which they shall not enter The force of our Argument in that consisteth That no reason can be given why the Apostle should except that Rest from the Foundations of the World If it no ways appertained to men and if under the rest of God he did not understand that which he prescribed to men by his own example that he might shew that Rest not to be it of which David speaks because David could not promise that Rest which from the Beginning of the World was by Gods Example Instituted by or in the Sanctification thereof Amd thus ye have a touch of Rivets 2 Argum. CAP. IV. Rivet's Third Argument for us by him defended 1. The Argument from the Piety of the Patriachs 2. Gomarus his Answer 3. Rivet's Reply 1. THE Third Argum. taken from Reason was this The Patriarchs and other Believers before Moses according to their Piety towards God had their set times for Religion and Reformation according to their Power Therefore they observed the Seventh day of the week for that purpose Which may be propounded otherwise viz as Wallaeus * Cap. 3. Dissert propounds it Nullo modo saith he c. that is It is no way likely the Patriarchs all that while that Two thousand years and upward ran out had no set times wherein they might remember the benefits of God in the Creation of Heaven and Earth N. B. or that they might give to God a publick Worship or give to themselves and their Generations outward helps or means towards Piety when as concerning the Worship it self which they exhibited there is frequent mention or wherein they might permit a breathing and respit to their Servants Hand-maid and Cattel N. B. If therefore they had any fixed time it is altogether Consentaneous to reason that they would use that day of the Sanctification whereof there was extant so perspicuous a Testimony and not any other days of which there is no footstep to be found in all the Old Testament The same thing did * Com. in 4 Precep Calvin before that insinuate When God saith he delivered to the Saints the Right of Sacrificing it is not Credible That the observation of the Sabbath was omitted But by reason of the pravity of Human disposition that which among the prophane Gentiles was utterly extinct and in the Of-spring of Abraham was almost worn out of use God renewed by his Law that the Sabbath should be honoured with an holy and inviolable Observation 2. Gomarus Answers That which with Calvin was not Credible is with Gomarus not only Credible but also the consequence from Godly mens Worshiping to that day wherein God rested or from God's example is infirm because nothing hinders but that they might convene at some other convenient time for their publick Exercise of Religion 3. Rivets Answer by way of retortion thus It is Manifest then saith he that among all those that Convened for Publick Worship they Convened in a Convenient time The Question now is Qu. what is that time which ordinary day was it We who have known that God rested the Seventh day which the Authors of the contrary Judgment cannot deny who also confess That God prescribed to the People of Israel the Seventh day for Publick Worship because in it he rested doth seem to us not ill to Collect
Years even the the self same day it came to pass that all the Hosts of Lord went out from the Land of Aegypt It is a NIGHT to be much observed unto the Lord for bringing them out of the Land of Aegypt this is that Night of the Lord to be observed of all the Children of Israel in their Generations I say as Moses thus put back the account to begin the Sabbath-day at the Evening before viz. from Six of the Clock that Evening to continue to Six of the Clock at Evening of the next ensuing day So Christ re-assumed and brought forward all that day Light and put it to the next day with which together with the Night following he made a new distinct day by rising early in the Morning of that new-made day having put an end to the Jewish Sabbath Mat. 28.1 In the END of the Sabbath Christ then put an end to the Jewish Sabbath when it began 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to dawn with some Light towards the FIRST DAY of the week in which rising Christ ceased as Learned Weemse notes according to Heb. 4.10 from his own Works N. B. as God did from his ¶ 2. 'T is true as ye have heard that this day in the whole Matter was the Jews Seventh day Sabbath But when as hath been explained Christ had new formed and bounded it by restoring its Evening to it and so making it as a new day in that respect then was it called the FIRST DAY of the week because it was the primest day of the week and was the beginning of the Christians new Measure and Accompt of days opposite to that old Measure and Accompt that Moses delivered to Israel Lev. 23.32 CHAP. V. The reason why Gen. 1. Of every days work it is said The Evening and the morning made one day the Evening being put before the Morning contrary to our Assertion CHAP. 3. And §. 1. In giving the reason whereof is set forth the true Nature of those Six days wherein God Created the World Sect. 1. Obj. IF it be objected That before Israels coming out of Aegypt the Evening which is as aforesaid the Artificial Night was set before the Morning which is the Artificial Day both being the two parts of the Natural Day Gen. 1.5 c. The Evening and the Morning were the First Day Second Day Third Day Fourth Day c. We answer ¶ 1. Those days were Creational days Not Natural days of Twenty four hours measured out by the Sun circling the Earth once every Natural day But they were Creational days peculiar to the Creation wherein God did work every days work producing Entities out of Non-entities Habits out of privations and rested the Seventh Day ¶ 2. They were extraordinary days not measured out by the Motion of the Sun as now For in the first second and third of those days there was no Sun as yet in being to measure them ¶ 3. And they were Vniversal days that is when it was day it was day over the universal World when it was Night it was Night every where over the whole Universe both in regard of the beginning and ending of the Day and the Night To make it more plain that these were Vniversal days let us consider an instance or two The Universal day explained by instances in one Day The First Day was such a day as when it began any where it began every where No where then was it no day nor any other then the First day of God's Creation There was in Nature before though not before in time a mixture of Light and Darkness Gen. 1.2 But when God had out of it formed the Light and made it shine out of that Duskishness dividing the Light from the Darkness so as they should never be both in one Hemisphere but orderly each succeeding the other God then called that Light so divided by the name of Day that is Day-light And that Darknes so divided he called Night that is the Nights darkness The full Revolution of both which was the First Day In this division of the Light and Darkness or Day and Night though the Night was before the Day in one Hemisphere that is over one half of the World And the Day before the Night in the other Hemisphere yet in respect of the whole Universe neither of them was before the other in time When the First Day began somewhere when it was Night at the same time that First Day began some otherwhere when it was Day-light Every where did the First Day begin at the same time The same may be said of the Second and Third Day before the Sun Moon and Stars were Created Yea likewise the Fourth Day in which the Sun Moon and Stars were Created if they moved as soon as they were Created was notwithstanding an Universal Day that so all Seven might in a just proportion of length and number answer to one another When it was the Fourth day any where it was the Fourth day every where I say not Day-light every where but it was the Fourth day consisting of Day-light and Night-darkness A Caution to the Reader The Reader must always distinguish between a Day and Day-light Now though it is not revealed in what hour or time of the Fourth day the Sun Moon and Stars were Created the whole Fourth Day being allotted by the Divine Story N. B. to and for their Creation yet this must by natural necessity be granted That when the Sun first appeared to the World on that Fourth day it was at that time over some part of the Globe of the Earth making it to be Noon there and in all places within that Hemisphere which were in the same Meridian with the Sun So that although on that Fourth Day Sun-setting was before Sun rising in some places and Sun-rising before Sun-setting in some other places And in some places Noon was before either of the other and in some other places Midnight was before them all yet in respect of the whole Earth not one of them was on that Fourth Day before the other But at the Suns first appearing and shining over half the Earth it was at that very instant the Fourth Day as well where it was Sun-setting or Sun-rising as where it was Noon And likewise it was then the Fourth Day also in the other part of the Earth to which the Moon or Stars first appeared For neither Sun Moon or Stars appear'd to any place on the Third Day which was the day before they were made and the Fifth Day was not then begun The same may be said of the Fifth Sixth and Seventh Day when either of these days began it was after Sun-setting in some places and before Sun-rising in some other places and it was then Noon in some places and Mid-night in some other places yet all are of and upon the same Day Seeing then these were Universal Days and so no Man can tell where on Earth those places are at
Aegypt 3. Of the Dawning of the Morning as they were delivered in the Sea from Pharoah in the morning Watch. 4. Of Day-light as when the Jews stood on the Shore and saw their Enemies dead in the Red-Sea The Christian Sabbath consists of these parts in this Order 1. Of the Dawning of the Morning as when Christ arose Math. 28.1 2. Of the Day-light as when Christ awhile after his rising appeared to the two Maries Mat. 28.9 3. Of the Evening as when Christ appeared to the Disciples at Evening John 20.29 4. Of the Night and Darkness or Dark-night as when Christ took his Natural Rest as sleep he did as the Evangelists â—estifie CHAP. XI Of the Deductions from the whole of the foresaid Chapters as genuin Conclusions from the said Premises Sect. 1. HAving cleared we Hope the former Nine Chapters we now judge under favour of the pious Learned that we may infer these Three Conclusions 1. That the Moralitie of the Fourth Commandement is stamped impressed and fixed rather on the Christians Sunday Sabbath day Seventh day or First day then upon the Jews Saturday Sabbath Note good Reader by the way that it is no contradiction in the thing to call our Sabbath the Seventh Day if it be called also by our Translators and others the First Day as it appears following 2. The Jews Artificial Sabbath day of Day-light and the Christians Artificial Sabbath-day of Day-light were in the same Horizon and materially as to Day-light the very same at the very first change of the Sabbath Exod. 12.42 Unless we will say That there is one whole day lost since Israels going out of Aegypt when God Instituted that the Jews should begin their Sabbath at Evening which if admitted would odd the accompt and make an interval in the Calculation of time since the Creation to this day They are therefore Numerically the same day although variously named viz. The Seventh day because it followed our Six days labour and the First day because the chief day of the Week from Adam to us and the chief day of Christ agitating on Earth for our Salvation viz. The day of his Triumphant Resurrection Which in the Letter of the Original is not called the First day of the Week but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mar. 16.2 Joh. 20.1.1 Cor. 16.2 That is the only day of the Week for the reason aforesaid yea Christ rose in the end of the Jewish Sabbath between the Seventh day and the First day and so got two names 3. That both Sabbath days the Jews and ours upon several accompts are the same To clear these Three Conclusions and First of the First That the Morality of the Fourth Commandement is fixed rather on our Christian Sabbath or Lord's day then on the Jewish Sabbath Note well that ¶ 1. If it be granted on all hands that THAT of a Religious thing which is changeable be Ceremonial Lasting as the word imports but for a time And THAT of a Religious thing be Moral which is never changeds then if any will seek a Ceremonialty in the Fourth Commandement they must find it in the change of the Jews Sabbath after their coming out of Aegypt And if they will as they ought acknowledg a Morality of the Fourth Commandement it must needs be in the Christian Sabbath observed from the Creation to Moses's time by Jews and Heathen Gentiles and from that time down to Christ by the Heathen Gentiles as before proved Chap. 8. and Chap. 9. And from Christs time down to us by the Christian Gentiles ¶ 2. Nor Secondly did Gods Command at the Jews coming out of Aegypt to observe their Sabbath null or make void the Christian Gentiles Sabbath because as it could plead Prescription and Seniority so it was new stampt by Christ's Resurrection on that Christian Sabbath a greater deliverance then that out of Aegypt and his several appearances on that day of the Week to the Apostles at their Devotions Praying over them and Breathing on them saying receive ye the Holy Ghost John 20 The Apostles likewise approving the Churches meetings on that day and improving those meetings as for Piety so for Charitie by Collections for Christians in want 1 Cor. 16.1.2 So that St. John in and by his Revelation he received calls it the Lord's day Revel 1. And since that hath been observed by the Chistian Churches for One thousand six hundred sixty three years justly concluding that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * The LORDS day Rev. 1.10 doth as certainly hold out to us our Christian Sabbath as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Cor. 11.20 Doth the LORDS Supper ¶ 3. We may argue the Morality of our Lord's day-Sabbath a paribus from the like cases in other things For why was the Levitical Law called Ceremonial and to be observed only by the Jews but because God appointed them a Religion and Worship in Types of Sacrifices Washings c. the Shell and sensible out-side whereof was to be shaken that is shaken down and removed Heb. 12.27 but the kernel and Spiritual meaning of them touching Justification and Sanctification by the Blood and Spirit of Christ c. was to abide for ever to the end of this World Heb. 12.27 28. Therefore aâ— the whole Politia of the Jews Worship was partly that is Extrinsecally in the Letter Ceremonial and partly Intrinsecally in the Spirit and meaning was Moral So their Solemn day for Exercise of their Solemn Worship was Ceremonial in that it might be changed and was changed to A Seventh day for the Jews to observe and is Moral in the fixt Standing of THE Seventh-day Solemn Worship observed by the Christians to the end of this World to which day its hoped the Jews when convinced will again change their Jewish Sabbath ¶ 4. What Notion then will some ask and what value do we put upon the Ten Commandements delivered by God himself to the Israelites by the hand of Moses after the change of the Sabbath when they were come out of Aegypt as far as the Mount Sinai Exod. 20 Answer We look on them in the Matter as altogether moral Commandements though in respect of that change of the Solemn Week day of Publick Worship wherein specially they were read and recited to the Jews we look on them as Ceremonial I mean Though the time in respect of that change was Ceremonial N. B. yet the Commandements themselves in their Substance are moral Our Reason is Because the Ten Commandements were written in their Equity in mans heart from the beginning and in their matter were extant in use and Practise long before Israels coming out of Aegypt For Example The matter of the First Commandement of Faith in God was commended and commanded and enjoyned all the World over both Jews and Gentiles Gen. 15.6 Abraham believed in God and the Lord ACCOMPTED IT TO HIM FOR RIGHTEOVSNESS This Commendation and acceptation of Faith by God himself is in Gallatians 3.5 6 7
That it is Credible that the first Fathers were taught of God concerning the manner of Worship And from the same God received the Religion of that Day Thus ye have a glance of Rivet's Third Argument The rest of Rivet's Arguments for the Original of the Sabbath to have been from the Beginning of the World I shall omit and dismiss untoucht both because Rivet himself confesseth That they are not of any great moment if the Three former and chiefer would not prevail as also because I here give the Reader notice that the main of them would be touched in our ESSAY CAP. V. D. Heylyn is Opposed in the Matter and Substance of the present Question of the Original of the Sabbath 1. By Learned Dr. Willet 2. By Worthy Mr Weemes both which contend for the Truth not in single Combat with every particular opposed but to assert and corroborate in gross and in common the main of the Controversy 1. HEylyn * In his History of the Sabbath makes the Challenge That those words Gen. 2. And God blessed the Seventh day c. are there delivered by way of Anticipation Anticipations saith he of the same nature not strange in Scripture No Law imposed by God on Adam touching keeping of the Sabbath The Fathers afore the Law kept not the Sabath c. So Heylyn Verba sine rebus 2. Doctor Willet's Answer Willet On Ger. 2. v. 3.14 in opposition thereunto on Gen. 2.4 Cites and Asserts as follows Here we have the Institution of the Sabbath saith Willet which afterward was revivd by the promulgation of the Moral Law We refuse therefore the erroneous Opinion of Tostatus and * In Gen. Lib. 1. p. 223. Pererius two Popish Authors who think that this Sanctifying of the Sabbath is here mentioned by way of Anticipation being not Instituted till the time of Moses For say they every day to man in the state of Innocency should have been a Sabbath Neither was there any positive Precept given to Adam in Paradise but only that of not eating the forbidden fruit But in this affirming they are grosly deceived 1. Man had now Transgressed before the Sabbath was Instituted as after shall be proved And therefore they do out of time urge the State of Man's Innocency 2. If Man had continued in that State seeing he was appointed to keep the Garden and not to live idly no not in Paradise it is most like that even then he should have kept the Sabbath as a rest and Intermission even from such Labour as became that place and as a Symbole unto him of a further perfection to be attained unto 3. That the Sabbath was Instituted now the Creation being finished it may appear by the Fourth Commandement Exod. 20.11 where this Reason of the Law is given For in Six days the Lord made Heaven and Earth c. 4. It is also evident that the Sabbath was kept by Godly Tradition before the Moral Law was given as appeares Exod. 16.23 To morrow is the Rest of the holy Sabbath to the Lord. N. B. 5. Thus the ancient Fathers Jerom Austin The ancient Fathers alledged and Origen ground the Institution of the Sabbath upon God's Example in this place Jerom. trad in Gen. 2. Aust Ps 80. And Origen thus answereth Celsus Lib. 6. objecting If God were weary that he need to rest God rested saith he that we resting from our labour should celebrate that day Thus of Doctor Willet Of Weemes in Chap. 6. CAP. VI. Now for a close let us hear Learned Weems speaking punctually and fully to the Question in his Exercitations divine Command 4. p. 229. Quest QVestion Whether the Sabbath was from the begining or not Ans The Lord setteth down his Example for Imitation to us because he rested that day that we may learn That the Institution of the Sabbath was from the beginning Which is contrary to them who hold That the Sabbath was not ordained to be kept till after the Lord had rained down Manna Ex. 16. Obj. And they say that these words The Lord rested from all his Works the Seventh day were a Reason added to Moses's Sabbath when the Law was given but not to Adams's Sabbath before the Fall Answ But we answer In the reasons of the Commands there is something Natural from the Begining and something added by Moses As in the respect of the 5th Commandement this was Juris Naturae of natural right given to Adam and all his Posterity viz. Honour thy Father and thy Mother THAT THY DAYS MAY BE LONG that is live happily here and then to be Translated to another life But his was Juris Mosaici of Mosaical right That thy days may be long in THE LAND WHITHER THOU ART TO GO So this was Juris Naturae of Natural Right in the Reason added to the Sabbath Thou shalt rest from all thy Works because God rested from his Works But this is only Juris Mosaici only of Mosaical Right That the Sabbath should be a Sign between God and them and belongeth not to Adam's Sabbath Ezek. 20.10 I brought them out of Egypt and gave them my Sabbaths that they might be a sign between me and them The Sabbath was 〈◊〉 particular Sign to them of their bringing out of Aegypt And they should always remember to keep it because the Lord brought them out of Aegypt The Sabbath was from the Beginning but it was accessory to the Jewish Church that it was made a Sign as the Rainbow was from the Beginning the Reflex of the Sun in a Cloud But it was not a Sign to the World until the Deluge Obj. 2 But they say we read nothing in the whole History of Genesis of the Sabbath or that any of the Patriarcks kept it Ans We read nothing that the Adulterous and Incestuous persons were put to Death before Judah's time N. B. Did the Patriarches suffer this sin to be unpunished all this time And is it probable that the Holy Men of God who Sacrificed to the Lord and Worshiped him had not a certain time for his Worship determined to them The Lord Sanctified the Sabbath as soon as he had rested from his Works and set up the Sun and the Moon Lemaguadim which is the Hebrew word used afterwards in the Law for the holy Convention ad stata tempora i. e. Set appointed times What appointed times were then for his Worship N. B. if not the Sabbath For as yet they had none of their Aniversary Feasts Obj. 3 Again they say That the words set down in this Law That thou mayst rest and thy Servant may rest belonged not to Adam's Sabbath For Adam before the Fall was not wearied and there should have been no servile Subjection before the Fall Therefore these words belong only to Moses's Sabbath Answ Although Adam should not have been wearied in dressing of the Garden yet it behoved him to rest that he might exercise himself only in the Worship of God And