Prudence to interpose and of tacit Limitations implyed I doubt reserves a liberty inconsistent with the Word and Law of God and very hard to be defended For with those Limitations and if Humane Laws shall determine the Divine Laws in some Parts of the World bad Men may find Pretences for the rankest Atheism Theism Arrianism and Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit notwithstanding the First Command for the foulest Corruptions and Invasions on Christian instituted Spiritual Worship notwithstanding the Second for the highest Prophanations of the Name of the Divine Majesty notwithstanding the Third as well as for polluting the Sabbath notwithstanding the Fourth and for Rebellion Murder Adultery Stealing False-witnessing and Covetting notwithstanding the other Six And so it seems to me such Limitations c. have need of many Cautions to correct them Now before I answer the Doctor 's two Expedients I first Reply to somewhat more I find in Mr. Chafie's Learned Tract Mr. Chafie in p. 2. of his Epistle says That Christ the Son of God hath taken away the Jews Sabbath and Established another contrary to what God the Father instituted c. Now tho I hope he was a very Good as well as a Learned Man yet he seems not to have then had clear Apprehensions of Christ as creating the World and then resting nor of Christ as instituting the Sabbath Gen. 2. 2 3. nor of Christ confirming the Moral Law at Synai c. Exod. 20. nor of Christ making it perpetual in Matth. 5. 18. Luke 16. 17. And in that Tract Mr. Chafie speaks of one Sabbath at the Creation another in Exod. 16. and another at the Resurrection of Christ by which Notion he makes to have been three Sabbaths from whom I think the Doctor takes up if I mistake him not the like opinion of three Sabbaths wherein I think they are both out as before And hereafter for Mr. Chafie's Notion of one Seventh-day-Sabbath at the Creation and another Seventh-day Sabbath in Exod. 16. I doubt would make two Seventh-day-Sabbaths in one Week of seven Days which seems to me inconsistent and would make the First day more uncertain also besides the uncertainties of the Doctor Mr. Chafie's opinion p. 19 20. That God hath not bound men to any set time to begin their Week and chap. 8. p. 18. he says The Law-giver himself hath plainly pointed out unto us in this Law that is in the Fourth Command which is the Lords Day or Sabbath of the Lord and that is the day following the six days of Labour with Men and that in every nation however they begin their Week the Seventhday thereof is the Lords p. 20. l. 9. p. 44. l. 6 7. and his Epistle p. 7. l. 4. and that the Seventh day is not to be reckoned from the six days of God's Labour but from the six days of Labour with Men and so also in his Postscript but doth acknowledge chap. 11. p. 35. it hath been the general opinion not only of the Vulgar but of the Learned also which opinion of the Learned I think is right that the Seventh day commanded us in this Law hath Relation only to the six Work-days of the Lord God and not to the six Work-days with Men which opinion of Mr. Chafie's for Mans Day is I think contrary to Gen. 2. 2. for on the seventh day God ended his work c. and rested the seventh day from all his work so as t was the six days God wrought which were the six Working-days and the Seventh day God rested when he ended his Work which was and is the Holy and Blessed Sabbath which first appointment of the Lord I find no where changed and so Exod. 20. 9 10 11. Six days shalt thou labour but the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord in it thou shalt not do any work c. For in six days the Lord made Heaven and Earth and rested the seventh day wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day and made it holy and so it seems very plain that the six Working-days are those on which the Lord wrought and the Resting or Sabbath day that which the Lord made Holy and Blessed and on which he Rested And Mr. Chafie in chap. 12. says God by his Law tyeth all Nations that at what time soever they begin the Week they work not on the Seventh day but sanctifie it Which would be true if men began the Week as the Lord directed in Gen. 1. but else by that Rule of Mr. Chafie's Friday in Turkey being their weekly Sabbath the Christians living in Turkey are bound by the Fourth Command to sanctifie Friday i. e. the sixth Day of the Week as the Lords Sabbath day because the Turks there so do And by the same Rule those Christians who live in any Heathen Nation where they Worship the Sun and observe Sunday there they must keep Sunday and Sanctifie it because the Heathens where they live so do And those Christians who live in those Christian Provinces who keep the Seventh day must keep the Seventh day as the Lords Day because others so keep it and for that reason And the like of those who live in any part of the World amongst the Israelites And those Christians who live in those Christian Countries where they keep the Seventh-day-Sabbath and the First day also must keep I know not which of them by Mr. Chafie's Rule And I take it as agreed we are not to keep two Days in a Week and that there are some such people of these sorts see Enquiry p. 119 c. Which Rule of Mr. Chafie's to resolve which is the Sabbath day commanded by the Practice of the Country where we live and that God hath not bound men when to begin their Week is to set up Mans Day as it seems to me against the Lords Day and I think the Doctor writes by for he seems to take it as he finds it Which Rule I doubt will agree neither with the letter or meaning of Gen. 2. 2 3. or of the Fourth Command What Mr. Chafie objects That by the different Horizons where-ever Paradice was which p. 17. he says is unknown no man can tell in the place where he liveth when to begin the Day of Gods resting at the Creation I Answer if our Sabbath did begin at the same instant of time that Gods first Rest did and Men were obliged to that instant then that were an hard objection But I know no place in the Word where it is said that every Sabbath afterward was to begin the same moment or time that the first Sabbath began in Paradice or at Synai c. Nor do I remember any thing so offered in any Writer But that the Sabbath then did and that Sabbaths afterward were to begin in the Evening everywhere as Time was distributed into Days at the Creation I think is before shewn and that every Day of the Week began in the Evening and lasted from Evening to Evening and that the
Doctor thinks most likely to be meant of the Sabbath though he acknowledges it is not said and if it be not so said how can any mans Conscience build upon what is not said in the Word and the Heathens generally observed Sunday and their Princes and Magistrates being Heathens some of those converted to the Christian Faith might in some sort decline giving them offence upon their days whether Feastivals or Fasting days but that tho it might be is conjectural 'T is certain that many do things now which relate to Worship in complyance with those under whom they live and so have done I doubt in former Ages and t is certain they observed days which observation Paul blamed and some of those days might also be Jewish days as Passover New Moons c. as in the Enquiry or days of purim Hester 9. 26. which the Jews observe still as I think in all Nations where they live And t is to me most likely and scarce to be doubted that one of those days blamed by Paul and the principal one was Sunday which the Heathens observed wherein the converted Heathens were by their Heathen Parents who knew not God first instructed before they knew God Gal. 4. 8. which Paul calls weak and beggarly Elements ver 9. which words of weak and Beggarly Elements do certainly not refer to any part of the Moral Law as afterward So that upon the whole of this in Gal. 4. 9 10 11. it seems more likely that Paul blames them for observing the First day if it were at all then observed by Christians And Gal. 4. 12. which is the next verse Paul adds Brethren I beseech you to be as I am who constantly observed the Sabbath day as before As to what is objected from Coloss 2. 16. where Paul says Let no man judge you in meat or in drink or in respect of an holy day or of the new moon or of the Sabbaths Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which the Doctor p. 55 56 57 58. understands of Sabbaths and so of the Seventh-day-Sabbath and p. 59. does not think it by the Fourth Command to be so determined to this day that is the Seventh day as to be unchangeable to after Ages And when Christ or his Apostles by direction from him did put it into a new order this new order doth as well suit the words of the Fourth Command as that former all which are postulata and I reply if it be not changed then the Doctor cannot change it and if it be settled in the Word that the Seventh day is the Sabbath as I think it is then it is unchangeable and the Doctor cannot suit the Command to his Sense and when the Doctor or any other produceth any such new order from Christ or from his Apostles to change the Seventh to the First day he will say somewhat and I hope all Christians will obey it but I see not yet any such new order produced In the General I acknowledge this of Coloss 2. 16. at first seemed the most colourable Objection that I knew Colosse is said to be in Phrygia and the Inhabitants Heathens this Epistle Coloss 1. 1 2. Paul directs to the Saints and faithful Brethren in Christ which are at Colosse which it seems were converted Heathens and it may be some persecuted and converted Jews ver 9. 10. Paul prays for them that they may be fruitful in every good work of which good work the law of God is a rule and ver 13 14 15 16. Paul tells them that the son of God the redeemer created all things whom ver 3. he calls the Lord Jesus Christ to whom those who were enemies by wicked works which wicked Works I think were Works against the Moral Law were then reconciled to present them ver 22. holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight free from all Immoralities and present them perfect in Christ Jesus whom as they had received so they should walk in him which good Works Perfection receiving Christ and holy Walking I think were true Conversion sincere Repentance Faith Holiness and new Obedience to the Word of God and Moral Law And Coloss 2. 8. Beware least any man spoil you through Philosophy and vain deceit after the tradition of men after the rudiments of the World and not after Christ The Philosophers who are thought to have been Platonists would then as others now have brought the Doctrine of Christ and Laws of his Kingdom to be judged by their Reason who were Heathens who would have put a cheat upon them by their Traditions to withdraw them from Christs institutions after the Rudiments or first Teachings of the Heathenish World which were corrupt The Heathens had other Objects as Sun Moon and Stars c. and ways of Worship contrary to Christ and his Laws Let no man therefore judge you in meat or in drink or in respect of an holy day or of the new moon or of the sabbaths or weeks Coloss 2. 16. Let no man judge or censure you or impose upon you that as necessary which is not after Christ and his Laws there were Feastivals among the Jews which were Typical and Ceremonial and amongst the Heathens which were Idolatrous Against which Rudiments of the World ver 8. Paul speaks more from ver 20. to 23. to which Paul would have them dead and not as tho living in the World which was there Heathenish to be subject to Ordinances after the Commandments and Doctrines of Men of Heathenish Men which things have indeed a shew of Wisdom in Will-Worship Which second Chapter seems mainly aimed against the Philosophical Heathenish World and their Will Worship after the Commandments and Doctrines of Heathenish Men. Though some Learned Men have also thought that it refers to the inclinations of some there to the Ceremonial Laws abolished by the Death of Christ Now that the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sabbaths does signifie Week or Weeks I refer to the Enquiry p. 70 71 72 73. John 20. 1 19. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Luke 24. 1. the like 16. 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Matth. 28. 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which in the plural number doth signify Sabbaths or Weeks and in the New Testament is used for Week and for Sabbath whether it be put there for Weeks I cannot now examine nor do I see it necessary seeing the plural number does ordinarily signifie more then one What I offered in the Enquiry p. 70. that the word Sabbaths in the New Testament is never applyed to the weekly Seventh-day-Sabbath was mistaken by me and the word never should have been left out or the Expression otherways cured and Enquiry p. 136. that God who reserved a Tenth of our Substance reserved But a Seventh of our Time But should have been left out Both which with other Errata's before I read it in any Printed Book I gave particular order to amend in a Printed Paper of Errata's and upon a question which requires such
but according to the pleasure of men as I think the First day is whereas the Seventh day is appointed by the Lord and the Conscience and whole life of man ought to be governed by the commandments of God without adding or diminishing Deut. 12. 32. Matth. 15. 6 9. Which commandments of men have indeed a shew of wisdom in will-worship Coloss 2. 23. Worship which some men imposed on themselves and others as if they could do and teach better and wiser then God had commanded which it seems is an old and humane Infirmity Mr. Cawdrey and Mr. Palmer in their Treatise of the Sabbath pag. 50. say That the Apostle in Col. 2. 16. speaks of the other Holy days and Sabbaths and not of the weekly Sabbath Mr. Sheppard in his Doctrine of the Sabbath pag. 166. Thes 181. speaking of Gal. 4. 10. Rom. 14. 4 5. Col. 2. 16 c. saith If we suppose that these places be meant of the weekly Sabbath and riggidly urge them we may quickly press Blood instead of Milk out of them and wholly abolish as Walleus the Observation of any Christian Sabbath Doctor Owen in his Treatise of the Sabbath pag. 214. speaking of Col. 2. 16 17. saith It is known and confessed that at that time all judaical Observations of Days whether Feasts or Fasts Weekly Monthly or Annual were by themselves and all others called their Sabbaths And that kind of speech was then in common use is here observed by our Apostles it must therefore necessarily be allowed that there were two sorts of Sabbaths amongst them the first and Principal was the Weekly Sabbath so called from the rest of God upon the finishing of his Works and that other day became from their Analogy thereto to be called Sabbaths also But that the difference between these Sabbaths was great The one of them was ordained from the foundation of the world before the entrance of Sin and so belonged to all mankind in general to all Mankind the other were appointed in the Wilderness as a part of the peculiar Church-worship of the Israelites That the one was directly commanded in the Decalogue wherein the Law of our creation the Learned Doctor calls it the Law of our Creation was revived and expressed and that the other have their Institution expresly among the residue of ceremonial temporary Ordinances See to the like purpose p. 215 216 217. Mr. Richard Byfield in his Treatise on the Sabbath p. 130. on Col. 2. 16. saith That the Apostle there speaketh not of the Fourth Commandment because he treateth expresly of those Sabbaths which were of the same rank with the New Moons And that he speaketh as he doth to the Galatians chap. 4. 10. of the Observation of Days Months and Years which pertained to the Servitude and Bondage of weak and beggarly Rudiments as in ver 9. Now saith he that any precept of the Decalogue should be so accounted and reckoned as a weak and beggarly Rudiment was far from the Apostle to think and is abhorred to Christian Ears and Religion Which I think Answer to the Doctor 's Objections from Col. 2. 16 c. Which four Opinons I had from another hand since I came to London and if I had the use of my own persecuted Study and other Books here 't were easie I think to gather many more And upon the whole I find Col. 2. 16. to be against judging of Christians then and there and for ought appears against judging either way and so this place in whatsoever sence we take it makes only against judging in those cases Pag. 59. the Doctor takes the Law for the Seventh day Sabbath to be a new Yoke to the Gentiles because it was given to the Jews as a Sign or a distinctive mark and for a perpetual Covenant Exod. 31. 13 16 17. Ezek. 20. 12 20. But this also will be against him as we shall see by and by That it was then new to the Heathens who observed Sunday I agree T is true it was a sign but such a sign as all Proselytes did embrace and obey till the coming of Christ and by him is made a perpetual law Matth. 5. 18 c. and so a perpetual sign between him and his people And tho Circumcision were a sign yet that is ceased as before and Baptism instituted And the Pascal Lamb tho it were a distinction between the Israelites c. and the Aegyptians yet being a Type of Christ was lain aside by him at his Institution of the Lords Supper as before by the words This do in remembrance of me Luke 22. 19. and ceased at his Death And if it be meerly circumstantial and doth not at all influence Religion whether in the Temple or other place God be Worshipped John 4. 21. as the Doctor p. 60. p. 2. Yet God having so directly resolved that the Seventh day is the Sabbath that is not a new Yoke but an old Institution for the good of all Mankind given at the Creation and commanded in the Decalogue and so given by Christ And with the rest of the Commandments Matth. 5. 18. and Luke 16. 17. made perpetual by him and so I think is Christs Yoke and an easie Yoke for it is only to take the commanded weekly Seventh instead of the First day Matth. 11. 29 30. which the Doctor and others should willingly take upon them Pag. 60. he adds That the Jewish Sabbath so he often calls it and the Word Jewish runs much in his mind seems to be not a continuation of a former Sabbath but rather a new Institution which I cannot find in the Word as he says he has shewed before which upon all the search I have made I cannot find in all his Book and I am loath to observe what I often read therein the great Latitude he takes that way The Doctor p. 60. quotes the Enquiry p. 26. and says I press and put great weight upon it that the Seventh day is a Sign and perpetual Covenant to distinguish his People from other that is saith he the People of the Jews from other Nations which last words the People of the Jews from other Nations are added by the Doctor whereas my words and meaning was and is throughout that the Sabbath was and is a perpetual Sign and Covenant with all true Israelites that is all true Believers of all Nations in all Ages from the beginning of the World to the end of it to distinguish such from the disobedient to Gods Laws And such Artifice to add somewhat of his own to turn what is offered into his own Notion are blameable And for the Doctor to say as he there That Circumcision the Passover and the Seventh-day-Sabbath were distinctive Marks and at an end by the Death of Christ is not so 'T is true of Circumcision and the Passover that they are at an end as before but not of the Sabbath So that a particular unravelling the many Allegations which I think are not so would make
but the Sabbath and surely he understood his own Institution and was not mistaken in the Day And the Doctor p. 4. says The Words he Blessed and Sanctified it may be a strong Intimation for Mankind ever after to observe the Seventh day c. But he says is not expresly said And that the Seventh day Blessed and Sanctified Gen. 2. 2 3. is not only a strong Intimation as the Doctor but does include the Seventh day of every Week afterward in a continual Succession or Circulation of Days and Weeks I think is proved by the Words of Blessing and Sanctifying or making Holy the Seventh day which are comprehensive Words and from Exod. 20. 10 11. as that day of every Week which Men were and are to remember to keep Holy And God's Sabbatizing on the Seventh day was as I think that Man might keep the Sabbath day in the continual Circulation of Weeks in a Spiritual Rest And in this Scripture Gen. 2. 2. we have the Foundation for the Seventh day Sabbath where the Words are And on the seventh day God had ended his work which he had made and he rested or sabbatized on the seventh day from all his work which he had made Heb. 4. 4. Where it is said he spake of the Seventh day in this wise and God did rest the seventh day from all his works and Elohim blessed the seventh day and sanctified it because that in it he had rested from all his works which God created and made Gen. 2. 3. And from God's Sabbatizing here it is That the seventh day is called the sabbath Exod. 20. 9. 11. And throughout the Old and New-Testament from the Heb. root Shabath he kept Sabbath And the Lords Blessing the Seventh day Gen. 2. 3. makes it a day of his distributing the greatest heavenly Blessings upon all that obey his Voice And his Sanctifying the Seventh day shews it to be Consecrated and so separated from all common Works and earthly Employments and shews it to be Dedicated and Sanctified by him to his Worship as an Holy day and as his day i. e. the Lords day to be used in Holy Solemn Exercises of Religion as long as the World lasts till Believers come to that Sabbatism in Heaven which remains for the People of God Heb. 4. 4 8 9. And he that doubts the Seventh day Gen. 2. 2 3. does not include every Seventh day in the continual Succession of Weeks may see by comparing Exod. 20. that this Institution is not mentioned in Exod. 20. as then first given but as that which God had Instituted upon his creating the World and the keeping the weekly Sabbath was as absolutely necessary for the Spiritual good of those Believers and others who lived in the first Ages of the World after the Fall and of Adam and Eve also if they had not fallen as it is for us at this day to Contemplate his infinite Excellencies and mighty Works And p. 3. from Gen. 2. 2 3. and Exod. 20. 11. he does agree that God hath appointed after six days of ordinary Labour Man should observe a Seventh day of Holy rest and this in a continual Succession which I think goes far to resolve this question not a but the Seventh day only being first instituted Gen. 2. and afterward observed as a Sabbath throughout the Scriptures And if he agrees as he does p. 3. that it was the Seventh day that was Blessed and Sanctified Gen. 2. 3. and that this is a clear and ancient Testimony for the Holiness of time as he doth then till another Sanctified Day of the Week and another weekly time can be found which is Blessed and Sanctified by the Lord we are for ought I can see to rest or keep Sabbath upon the Seventh day as our Lord did by whom we have no other weekly Day or Time Consecrated or observed as Holy but only the Seventh day and the Doctor 's opinion of the Holiness of this time has confirmed and as I think established my Thoughts of the Holiness of the Seventh-day-Sabbath I agree also with him that the Law of the Sabbath is one of the Ten Commands Exod. 20. and am not only willing to think as the Doctor but am satisfied it was a Law before and that not only because we find it observed Exod. 16. before the Law given at Sinai Exod 20. in which Exod. 16. 25 26. the Seventh day is called a Sabbath to the Lord i. e. the Lord's day but especially as the Doctor acknowledges for that Gen. 2. 3. God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it because in it he rested from all his Work and I do with the Doctor think this a clear Testimony and as ancient as the Creation for the Holiness of Time i. e. as far as I can possibly discern for the Holiness of the weekly Seventh day for there was no other weekly Day then or since made Holy that we can find in the Word but the Seventh day only and this alone will go very far to resolve and settle this question I agree also with the Doctor that the Law of the Decalogue or Ten Commandments tho' then given to Israel is binding to us also p. 3. 4. And I think we have sufficient Evidence from the Scriptures that the Sabbath was observed from the Creation to the Flood tho' he thinks in the short History Moses gives of that time there be no mention made of such Observation from the Creation to the Flood For First on the Seventh day God Heb. Elohim had ended his Work which he had made and he Sabbatized on the Seventh day from all his Work which he had made Gen. 2. 2. The Example of God's keeping the first Seventh-day-Sabbath is one undeniable Evidence of the Seventh-day-Sabbath kept after the Creation For Gen. 2. 1. The heavens and the earth and all the Hosts of them were finished before the seventh day and so the Seventh day was kept after the Creation and before the Flood A second Evidence is the same repeated Gen. 2. 3. And God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it because that in it he had rested from all his Work which he had Created and Made Which Repetition of God's resting the Seventh day does strongly inculcate and inforce our Duty and certainly prove that God had rested the Seventh day after the Creation and before the Flood A third Evidence from the Case of Cain and Abel Gen. 4. 3. And in process of time Cain brought an offering to the Lord and v. 4. Abel also brought his offering In Process of Time Heb. Mikketz Jammin at the end of Days or at the cutting off of Days Enquiry p. 23. Which end or cutting off of days so far as God hath revealed seems to be the end of the Days of the Week when the reckoning of Days was cut off and after the Seventh day ended they were to begin to reckon again 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 and 't was the Seventh day the last day
of the Week which before was Blessed and Sanctified when the Creation upon the six days was finished which Seventh day was the end of the days of the Week So as Cain as bad as he was and Abel who obtained witness that he was righteous Heb. 11. 4. both as I think kept the Sabbath Cain outwardly but Abel no doubt by that witness of his Righteousness in an Holy Spiritual and Heavenly manner to whose offering the Lord had respect Gen. 4. 4. but to Cain's offering he had not respect And if the Seventh day then ended the Week as it now does and if none can tell us of any other end of days at that time I may thence infer these offerings were at least very probably if not certainly upon the Seventh-day-Sabbath and are a good Evidence for it And the Righteousness ascribed to Abel Heb. 11. 4. surely does import his Obedience to all Gods Wills then revealed whereof the Seventh day was eminently one and Abel's sacrificing the Firstlings of his Flock was another Gen. 4. 4. Which Offerings were Types of Christ and proper for the Sabbath-day which Abel offered unto God by Faith and was a more excellent Sacrifice then Cain's by which Abel obtained witness that he was Righteous God testifying of his Gifts and by it he being dead and yet speaketh Heb. 11. 4. I think he yet speaketh to us to be Righteous as he was and to observe the Seventh day And that Abel was a Person obedient unto God in all things we have the Testimony of Christ who calls him Righteous Abel Matth. 23. 35. A fourth Evidence is from Gen. 5. 22. Enoch walked with God three hundred years And ver 24. and Enoch walked with God and he was not for God took him Enquiry p. 23. Which Enoch was a Prophet and Jude 14. 15. Prophesied the Lords coming to execute Judgment upon all and to convince all that were ungodly Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all Corrupt or all no Worshippers thrice mentioned in the 15 ver 'T is true those who do not Worship God or do not Worship him aright are highly blameable but the true Signification of the Greek word being from Alpha privative and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to Worship the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 does tell us who they were whom Enoch reproved that is such as did not Worship God at all or not according to his appointments and does imply that Enoch did Worship God aright or else how could Enoch convince others if himself did not keep the Blessed and Sanctified Day and whether the word in Jude 14. 15. do not imply also that the rest of the then degenerated Posterity of Adam whom Enoch reproved did neglect the Blessed Day seems as I conceive very probable And these are Evidences for the Seventh-day-Sabbath before the Flood At present I pass by Gen. 13. 2 3 4 5 6 9 10. Jashebeth because by the Points it may be from the verb Jashab he dwelt Evidences that after the Flood the Sabbath was kept before the Law at Sinai Gen. 26. 2 4. Enquiry p. 23. 24. the Lord appeares to Isaac and promises that in his seed all the nations of the earth should be blessed ver 5. Because that Abraham obeyed my voice and kept my charge my commandments my statutes and my laws Blessing the Nations in his Seed includes a promise of Christ upon Abraham's Obedience How Abraham came to know all the Commandments Statutes and Laws I know not certainly It may be they being implanted in Adam who was created in Gods own Image Gen. 1. 26 27. were taught down along from Adam in gracious Families from Father to Son and so to Abraham And it may be also by special Revelation but this is certain that Abraham knew these how else could he keep or obey them and 't is certain he obeyed the Lords voice and kept his Commandments and his Laws and one eminent Voice and Law of God was Gen. 2. 2 3. and God blessed the seventh day and Sanctified it And Abraham kept my Commandments Gen. 26. 5. and in Exod 16. 27 28. how long refuse ye to keep my commandments the same Hebrew word with that Gen. 26. 5. and the Command which Israel brake Exod. 16. 27 28. Was that some of them upon the Seventh-day-Sabbath went out to gather Manna which they ought not to have done and so the Command which they brake it seems was one of those which Abraham kept And Gen. 26. 5. Abraham kept my Laws and in Exod. 16. 4. The Lord to Moses I will rain bread from heaven for you and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day that I may prove them whether they will walk in my Law or no and Exod. 16 27 28. when some brake the Sabbath and went out to gather Manna on the seventh Day the Lord says to Moses How long refuse ye to keep my laws it is the same Hebrew word with that Gen. 26. 5. where the Lord says Abraham kept his Laws and the Doctor does neither offer nor pretend that Abraham brake the Sabbath Now if the Law broken by the Israelites Exod. 16. 4 28. were the Seventh-day-Sabbath as it certainly was then 't is very likely one of the Laws of God kept by Abraham Gen. 26. 5. tho the Sabbath be not particularly there named was the Seventh-day-Sabbath which the Israelites brake Exod. 16. for we have the same Hebrew word for both so that it does appear by Gen. 26. 5. That Abraham obeyed the Lords voice and kept his commandments and his laws and I see no good colour to doubt it And he that says Abraham kept not the Sabbath when God says Abraham kept his Commands and his Laws may as well deny that Abraham kept any other of the Commands or Laws of God a Sixth is from Exod. 5. 5. In Exod. 3. 18. the Lord to Moses Say to the King of Egypt the Lord God of the Hebrews hath met with us and now let us go we beseech thee three days journey into the Wilderness that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God which they could not freely do in Aegypt Exod. 8. 26. Now Horeb as Geographers observe was without hinderances about three days Journey from Aegypt concerning which Mountain God foretold Moses Exod. 3. 12. When thou hast brought forth the people out of Aegypt ye shall serve God upon this mountain Upon which Mountain the Law for the Sabbath was reinforced Exod. 20. 8. And in Exod. 4. 21 23. The Lord to Moses say unto Pharaoh thus saith the Lord Israel is my Son and I say unto thee let my Son go that he may serve me And Exod. 4. 29 30 31. When Aaron had spoken to the Israelites all the words which the Lord had spoken to Moses the people believed and when they heard that the Lord had visited the Children of Israel and that he had looked upon their Affliction then they bowed their Heads and worshipped and it were
of altering the Seventh-day-Sabbath as Mr. Chafie p. 31. nor any new Epocha as the Doctor p. 10. And so the seventh Day was not forgotten but well known to them and yet the Doctor p. 10. tells us That as to the sabbath observed from the Creation to this first raining of Manna that there is six to one that it is not the same so that was uncertain also Nor do I see any reason why a new Epocha from Exod. 16. 23 30. should be imagined unless it be because it is so plain a proof of the Israelites observing the Seventh-day-Sabbath before the Law at Sinai in obedience to the Law Gen. 2. 23. which answers so much of learned Mr. Chafie's and of the Doctor 's Books And if there were no new Epocha in Exod. 16. then it seems agreed that the seventh Day was never altered till the coming of Christ And the fourth Command Exod. 20. 8 11. I think puts this out of doubt Remember the seventh day to keey it holy six days shalt thou labour but the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God ver 9. 10. that is the seventh Day is the Lords Day For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth and rested the seventh day and blessed the sabbath and made it holy Does any fancy that the Sabbath-day here is meant A Sabbath-day or that the seventh-day is meant only A seventh-day and so that another Day of the Week is intended and will answer the letter of the fourth Command as well as the seventh-day I answer beside what is said in the Enquiry That such meaning of the fourth Command I think is no where found in any Book before the time of Christ nor during his Life for such a sense would have gratified the Jews to object against Christ nor is it found whilst any of the Apostles lived nor I think in many hundreds of years after all their deaths Does any doubt which is the Sabbath-day he is to remember to keep holy Does any doubt which is the Sabbath-day which the Lord Blessed Or Does any doubt which is the Day of the Week the Lord made Holy The Answer is here express The seventh-day is the Sabbath which the Lord blessed and made holy which we are to remember to keep holy Does any doubt whether the order of the Days of the Week settled Gen. 1. and Gen. 2. was altered The answer is here plain For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth and rested the seventh day which does refer to and seem to me directly to confirm the days and their names of 1 2 3 4 5 6 7. appointed in Gen. 1. and Gen. 2. together with the time when they begin and end and so I think we are thus far safe that from Gen. 2. to Exod. 20. there was no new Epocha of days nor any manner of uncertainty which was the seventh-day there was no intermission of the days by chance nor the Day forgotten or neglected as the Doctor p. 61. nor as I think any manner of doubt when the days did begin and end This seems to me so plain as I had said nothing thereof if I had not found the Doctor insist much as if there had passed some alteration of days and afterwards as if the Days began at Midnight and as if I had nothing but Tradition whereby to guess which is the seventh-day from the Creation to Exod. 20. for which we have before so many highly probable and other certain Scripture Proofs and for which the fourth Command alone is proof enough being declarative of what was blessed and hallowed before in Gen. 2. and is here in Exod. 20. explained and confirmed The Oracles of God were committed to the Israelites Rom. 3. 2. to them was committed the keeping the Old Testment and therein the Moral Law and therein the fourth Command and therein the seventh-day and the Laws given at Sinai are said to be true Laws and good Commandments and so they certainly were and are both true and good and the Lord made known unto them his holy Sabbaths Nehe. 9. 13 15. and if they were made known to them then they knew his holy Sabbaths and if they knew them as they did then his Sabbaths were not altered And whether other Nations did measure their time by Weeks p. 5. See Mr. Chafie chap. 13. p. 45. chap. 14. p. 49. I think expresly for it And to argue from Abel Enoch Noah and Abraham with such high Characters as the Lord gives them in his word and of Abraham as keeping his Laws and his Commandments are as I think strong arguments to prove the matter of fact and sufficiently expressed that they kept the Sabbath which is one of the Commandments tho the Doctor p. 7. thinks them weak And from their Practice and the Scriptures before cited I think we have a certainty thereof whereof the Doctor p. 8. says We have scarce a Conjecture which seem hard Words against one and yet harder against so many Scriptures And tho' I am willing to thank the Doctor for what he would give me to begin the Week on Monday p. 9. that so his Sunday may be the Seventh-day yet I do not think any Mans Authority so great as to alter the way of numbring the Days which God hath settled or to controul or alter the Day God has Blessed and I am content with Gods Allowance and Command therein What is offered about the Paschal Lamb and Passover and Circumcision p. 11. being sometimes intermitted I think does confirm the Seventh-day and not hurt it for that when the Israelites returned to those appointments they kept them again And if it be true which p. 13. the Doctor thinks without doubt and certain that we do not know which is the Seventh-day in a continual Circulation from the Creation then all the Doctors Arguments before and afterwards for the First day are here as it seems without doubt and certainly answered by himself for if we do not know which is the Seventh day we cannot know which is the First day and so cannot possibly keep a Day which we know not and somewhat like this he offers p. 1. Nor do I see how the Doctor or any other Person can be long held to think as they seem to do And p. 1. He thinks it impossible for him to know the First day and p. 14. Impossible for any Man to know the Seventh day which are also directly against him And p. 16. he says We have no particular Command in another Case which I think we have and not only a practice most likely to be Gods Will p. 17. But that not being now in question I pass it by And as to what he there says for the change of the Seventh to the First day that I would think so also if I were not otherwise prepossed with Prejudice and with a great fondness to find out somewhat wherewith to find fault I Reply that I doubt we have many great Faults not
hard to be found and I commend to the Doctor Rev. 3. 17. But I know nothing of Prejudice or Fondness corrupt Nature and human Frailties by Grace disallowed in this and all Cases excepted as he surmises but whensoever I find in the Scriptures any Truth which would correct my Conversation and make it agreeable to Gods Will after due seach and consideration honestly and conscientiously to comply with it as other Christians do or ought and this question has been considered by me now near twenty six Years And if such Truth according to the best of that Knowledge God hath graciously given concern others also then to communicate it and if it be a Truth which can be by me no other way opened to them then to do it in this sort as I weakly can and I shall be heartily glad the Doctor or any other would do it much better as he is very well able And if we are not to hide our selves from our Brother's Ox or his Sheep when we see them go astray Deut. 22. 1 2 3 4. And if we are obliged when others especially our Brethren err in Judgment or Practice to reprove them How much more are we bound when we see many erring in a moral Duty to endeavour to set them right And to surmise upon him that he writes those Reflections and many others to prepossess and prejudice Readers I am loath to do Nor had I made this Vindication if I had not been compelled by the Doctor 's Charge And as to the Israelites keeping the true Seventh-day-Sabbath commanded Exod. 20. from thence to the Incarnation of our Lord I do not remember the Doctor to deny it for which I think there is enough said in the Enquiry p. 26. 27 28. and much more might be added if need were and I am unwilling to write again the same things altho' by repeating the same Objections and reinforcing the old with new Words I am sometime constrained so to do And in general I say that as far as I can judge there is enough said in the Enquiry to prove that not A but The Sabbath Instituted Gen. 2. and Repeated Exod. 20. and observed from thence to Christs coming and with every tittle of the rest of the Moral Law confirmed and made perpetual by Christ in Matth. 5. 17 18 19. and Luke 16. 14 17. who certainly knew the true Sabbath day binds all men till the Heaven and Earth pass away which is not yet And not A Seventh day but The Seventh day there established and made perpetual was observed by Christ during his Life for so was his custom Luke 4. 16 to 21. Enquiry p. 38. 39 41 42 43 45. and was observed by Believers after his Death Resurrection and Ascension so was Paul's custom Acts 17. 2. which was never altered by the Word that I know Which confirming and making the Law perpetual and every Jot and Tittle of it by Christ who was and is Jehovah does also fully prove as I think that not A but the Seventh-day-Sabbath was neither altered nor changed nor forgotten nor any way uncertain to Christs time neither as to the day nor as to the beginning or ending of it and that the Seventh day is the Lords Day This being premised let us consider what the Doctor further offers for the First or against the Seventh day p. 17. 18. he tells us That Christ on the day of his resurrection did not only appear to the good Women at the Sepulchre and declare to them the Resurrection but also the same day himself declares it to two of them going to Emmaus Luke 24. 27 32. and did expound to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself and did open to them the the Scriptures and did as he takes it celebrate the Lords Supper implyed in the words he took bread and blessed it and brake and gave to them ver 30 c. 'T is true Christ after the Resurrection appeared to Mary Magdalen and to the other Mary Matth. 28. 1. 9. And the Angel said to them v. 5. and Mark 16. 5 6. He is not here but is risen go tell his disciplees that he is risen from the dead which they did but the Disciples believed them not Now 't is certain as 't is agreed that Christ rose the Third day which Third day was the First day of the Week and that the Angel Matth. 28. 5. and two Angels Luke 24. 4. and John 20. 12. said to the Women that Christ was risen and the women told it to the Disciples yet the Disciples would not believe them and we have Christ appearing to two Disciples as they travelled into the Country Mark 16. 12. And they went and told it to the rest of the Disciples but they believed not them Verse the 13. And Christ's appearing to the Women was a practical proving of the Resurrection Some think the two Disciples Mark 16. 12. to be the two Disciples traveling to Emmaus Luke 24. 13. which is very likely and that Peter from Luke 24. 34. and 1 Cor. 15. 5. was one of them But 't is certain they were two Disciples and yet the rest would not believe them Mark 16. 13. And their Discourse upon the way as they travelled together Luke 24. 13. was such as the Doctor mentions and Christ there reproved them for not believing what the Prophets had spoken v. 25. That Christ ought to suffer but did not reprove them that we read for travelling on that day And 't is likely the Breaking and Blessing of Bread ver 30. might be for ought I know the Sacrament of the Supper and implied But still the Journey from Jerusalem to Emmaus and back again was a travelling Journey being near fifteen Miles and more then a Sabbath days Journey as the Doctor agrees and I do not see how he can make that Journey consist with the keeping that First day as a Sabbath whereof there is there or before no Institution nor any Mention but rather the direct contrary their travelling upon that First day of the Week without any reproof from Christ as upon any other of the Six days seems directly against the Doctor And whether our Lord did then travel without pain as the Dr. is not written he had then the Wounds in his Body and at his appearing afterward to the Disciples and Thomas John 20. 25 27. Luke 24. 29. and yet might be without pain for ought I know but surely the two Disciples travelled as others do And although the Disciples were eminently Holy yet because not written I do not know what they were then imployed about at Jerusalem unless it were mourning and weeping Mark 16. 10. where they were assembled for fear of the Jews John 20. 19. before or after the report of the Women whom they did not credit And p. 19. I think the Doctor agrees the meeting of the Disciples there providential and not upon a Sabbath account for 't was for fear of the Jews And Christs appearing
needs not if there be as there is enough for it elsewhere in the Word And if you will allow a little Digression see Job 31. 26 27 28. which the Doctor p. 64. says may perhaps be Job's disclaimer of Sun-Worship which is somewhat towards it And see that of Eliphaz Job 22. 17 22. Receive I pray thee the law at his mouth that is Gods Mouth where the word Law is the same Hebrew Word used Exod. 16. 28. about the Sabbath and Job 22. 22. Lay up his words in thine heart so as whenever and where-ever Job lived t is certain he and his Friends had some knowledge of the Law and Words of God and if of the Law and Words of God why not of the Sabbath which is his Word and a part of his Law See also Job 1. 1 5 6 8 9. Job 2. 1 3. especially Job 1. 6. and Job 2. 1. which day at least some of the Hebrew Rabbies thought to be the Sabbath And although the Doctor p. 35. would make all that is offered in the Enquiry that the Ascension of Christ might be upon the Sabbath day Acts 1. 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 12. to be a little matter and yet serving my turn I refer the Reader for that to the Enquiry p. 43. to which I add I do not yet see but that the Ascension day might be upon the Sabbath day according to Acts 1. 12. for I do not think those words that Mount Olivet the place of his Ascension is from Jerusalem a sabbath-days-journey Acts 1. 12. which of old was esteemed about two Miles are so expressed there by the Holy Spirit but for some special respect to the Sabbath day which words of a Sabbath-days-journey are no where else so expressed in the Scriptures that I find but I take it t is agreed by Geographers that Mount Olivet is about two Miles from Jerusalem In Exod. 16. 29. The Lord giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days abide every man in his place let no man go out of his place on the seventh day that is that day they were not to go abroad into the Field to gather Manna nor to do any other Work Exod. 20. 10. but they might go to the Holy Convocation Lev. 23. 3. And the Cities of the Levites were to reach 2000 Cubits from without the City East South West North Numb 35. 5. and in Josh 3. 3 4. when the Ark was born towards Jordan the People were to go after it yet there was to be a space between them and it about 2000 Cubits by measure and they were not to come nearer to it what those Cubits in measure did extend to the Jews could best tell us who thought it about two Miles which those in the Camp might travel to the Ark the place of their Publick Worship upon the Sabbath day Enquiry p. 43. 44 45. And it seems to me that Acts 1. 12. is so expressed to shew that Christ and his Disciples going from Jerusalem to Mount Olivet and the Disciples going from thence back again to Jerusalem was no breach of the Sabbath day But however this were I think the main question which is the true Christian Sabbath is built and established upon many other direct full Scriptures before and after cited which give no colour for denying What the Doctor offers for the Feast of Pentecost Acts 2. 1. p. 37. as to the day when it was which he thinks was on the First day of the Week I know no Word for that or other Ground but Conjectures and some uncertain Romish Traditions for what day the Fiftieth day was from the true day on which Christ and his Disciples kept the Passover Matth. 26. 17 18 19 20. I do not yet so certainly know and the Doctor p. 12. agrees that our Saviour kept his last Passover on one day and the Jews on another But the most probable Judgment I can make from Mat. 26. 17 18 19 20. from Acts 1. 12. and Acts 13. Acts 16. Acts 17. Acts 18. 4 c. is that it might be on the Sabbath day and this is certain that when the day of Pentecost was fully come the Holy Spirit was poured out Acts 2. 1. 2. But supposing what the Doctor agrees p. 12. that Christ kept it one day and the Jews on another I think I can prove by the Word that Pentecost was on the Seventh-day-Sabbath and not upon the first day of the Week But this also about what day it was not being yet so evident to all and the Sabbath being as I think clearly proved by other Texts I pass it by at present I pretermit divers things to which he recurs p. 38. and takes up again and again what he had written to before and then the Doctor adds A like place is that of 1 Cor. 16. 1 2. Now concerning the collection for the Saints as I have given order to the Churches of Galatia even so do ye upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store as God hath prospered him that there be no gathering when I come What likeness there is between those two places I can see very little of and that this yields nothing at all for his purpose any man who will read it twice may easily discern yet he thinks it is plain from thence that the Frst day of the Week was weekly observed and was wont to be observed both by the Church of Corinth and by the Churches of Galatia which he thinks Paul supposes and takes for granted which are all meer Conjectures where I think 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 may well be rendred one day of the Week without any offence To which place I think there is answer Enquiry p. 58. 59. to which I add If the Doctor by the Words was weekly observed and wont to be observed mean was weekly and wont to be observed as a Sabbath or as a weekly Day of Holy Rest without which he says nothing I reply that here is not one word of any Sabbath or Rest weekly or other Rest or of any Worship or Preaching or any such thing not one such word either at Corinth or Galatia or taking it for granted c. but the quite contrary that is an order that they should every one of them lay by in store for charitable Uses which does include the casting up their Accompts how else could they know how God had prospered them which the Doctor p. 39. says scornfully is a wise Objection which seems a true and plain Matter of Fact What that order was to the Churches of Galatia he says that I cannot tell but leaves out my next words unless it were to remember the Poor and to what is in the Enquiry p. 58. about an yearly Collection I add 2 Cor. 9. 1 2. where he said Achaia was ready a year ago and 2 Cor. 8. 10. others were forward a year ago But admitting that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 here signifies First
this Reply too large And he there makes the Sabbath abolished By which affirmings he may make other Commands abolished if his Sayings and Comments may pass for Doctrine to abolish and overthrow any part of the Law of God And adds there That it is as meerly circumstantial as the place of Worship is whether a Sabbath be kept on this or another day which is the Doctor 's Opinion I think directly against Gen. 2. 2 3. and against the Moral Law Exod. 20. 9 10 11. Established and made perpetual by Christ Matth. 5. 17 18. Luke 16. 17. besides his indifferency to this or another day My taking notice of the Doctor 's Allegations about Facts which much concern this question may be excused for that otherways some Readers may take them for true and so be misled in their judging this Case and many I have passed by which observing Readers may note Pag. 61. he repeats from Exod. 31. 13. that the Sabbath is a Sign and yet p. 60. 61. doubts was either not observed at all or long before this time had been forgot To which I Reply if the Sabbath were a Sign and such a perpetual Sign to be kept throughout their Generations as it was as the Doctor and if it were a perpetual Covenant between the Lord and them as it was as the Doctor and made known to them as before then surely they knew what day of the Week it was and forgot it not but observed it as they do every where where they live to this day which the Doctor has no reason that I know to doubt And if that were so that the Sabbath was long before forgot and if the days of the Week are all uncertain and none can tell which was which Where are we then but in utter uncertainties And these Objections from the Seventh-day-Sabbath being abolished and a perpetual Sign and yet forgot and uncertain contradict one another Pag. 61. he says God had a particular respect to their Rest from their Bondage in Aegypt by the Preface to all the Commands I the Lord thy God which brought thee out of Aegypt and by the close of this Command as repeated Deut. 5. 15. I Reply be it so yet that was such a Deliverance as the Gentiles then had a share in and as concerned all the People of God at that time in the World to take special notice of and such a Deliverance as is celebrated by all the Christians in the World to this day and doubtless will be so by all such to the end of the World and is celebrated as such I think in the English Common Prayer Book See their Catechism He there again recurs to Exod. 16. for a new Epocha of days which is Replyed to before that I find no such thing there as a new Epocha And pag. 62. he says As God by Moses did give a new Epocha or Beginning to a Circulation of Sabbaths at Marah so might Christ by himself or his Apostles fix another Epocha from his Resurrection I Reply that neither of these Epocha's being found in the Word I think the Doctor blameable for saying God did give a new Epocha by Moses which we do not read he did give and if it be not in the Word Why does the Doctor affirm that God by Moses gave it And he says It is not expresly said that Christ did bid his Apostles to fix another Epocha from his Resurrection yet he says he gave them Commandments for that purpose Acts 1. 2 3. Now for the Greatest Man living to say Christ gave them Commandments for that purpose without a word from Christ for that purpose seems to me highly blameable Every word of God is pure add thou not unto his words least he reprove thee Prov. 30. 5 6. We do suppose with Reason the Commandments given by Christ to the Apostles were to preach the Gospel to disciple all Nations to baptize in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and to teach all things he had commanded them Matth. 28. 19 20. And see Mark 16. 15 16 17 18. Luke 24. 46. to 52 c. And we have other Commandments of Christ to some of his Disciples John 21. 1 2. where he gave this to Peter and in Peter I think to all the rest and to all succeeding Ministers of Christ ver 15. feed my Lambs ver 16 17. feed my Sheep ver 19. follow me which things did and do pertain to the Kingdom of God of which things Acts 1. 3. Christ spake but what Commandments in particular Christ gave to the Apostles for a new Epocha does not appear that I know there or elsewhere in the Word But when they are produced I hope his Ministers and Churches will receive them and what else the Apostles had by Inspiration of the Holy Spirit after Christs Ascension concerning the ordering of his Churchse and rightly constituted Offices or concerning any thing else which are recorded in the Scriptures we readily embrace And I may request the Doctor to take heed how he grafts any other Commandments for any purpose on Christ but what are written in his Word and if there be no such Commandment from Christ in the Word for that purpose for his Apostles to fix another Epocha from his Resurrection Why does the Doctor affirm it if his Cause were good yet such means to defend it I think cannot be justified and such affirmations in Facts material to the main question I think ought to be reproved As to what is said p. 62. That not one jott or tittle of the law meaning the Decalogue is destroyed I think he means that in Matth. 5. 17 18. but doth still continue in force and that we are all under that Law as to the substance of the Duty I Reply that he there again acknowledges that we are all under that Law that is under the Ten Commands and that they still continue in force And if so I would ask the Doctor one Question who asks me Divers Who can resolve us what is and what is not Substance in Gods Commands but God himself who gave them he knows what bad work several have made by endeavouring to mangle them especially those of the first Table and indeed those of both Tables For what is said p. 62. that Matth. 24. 20. Pray that your flight be not in winter nor on the sabbath day which flight was about thirty eight Years after Christs Resurrection that that makes nothing at all to my purpose I think a fair answer to that is in the Enquiry p. 73. 74 to which I add that we cannot as well argue from hence that it were a Sin to Labour in Winter as on the Sabbath day as the Doctor p. 63. for that the Sabbath and Winter stand on different Reasons which are obvious the Sabbath was commanded and the Winter bad to fly in because of the Cold Wet c. and work was not forbidden in Winter which was forbidden on the
make for true Peace which Gods Word when it is obeyed does most certainly do and the foolish Questions are those which cross his Law and Word and are contrary to it and striving against his Law and Word is one of the worst Fruits of the Flesh which Wars against his Will and to use some of his Words in whomsoever that Temper is found I doubt it is for want of true Love and other Fruits of the Holy Spirit And when some study to spin out Disputes into so fine a Thread as to make the day begin and end at one time which God has so firmly settled to begin and end at another Gen. 1. 5 8 13 19 23 31. and to make the Week days all uncertain which is which c. is to make that dark and difficult which the Scriptures and Works of God have made plain I think within we complain of the Romanists and I think of others also and deservedly for loading their Worship with Ceremonies the number of which besides that they are meer humane Inventions and so of no spiritual Use are a burden which has broken down many eminently Holy and Learned in this Age and which divert the Mind from Spiritual Worship And I think it also somewhat of the same Mischief when Mens Minds are amused with uncertain dark Speculations whereby they are endeavoured to be turned away from plain and easie Obedience and Ground is layen for perpetual Doubts and Scruples whilst the Word says one thing and some of great Learning and Influence do and teach another And as to the Point in question I may say as the Doctor p. 70. I have upon the whole said as I weakly can so much as I think may satisfie others if they consider it without Prejudice a temper which the Holy Spirit can give his People and I know when men have long espoused a Notion by which they have a benefit which Notion if they let go they loose or endanger that benefit It is no great wonder if they go on in their old way till God does awaken them but whether they go on with or without Doubts and Scruples I know not Nor do I know any thing can be so plainly said no not from direct Word and Law of God which by an Ingenious and Learned Man may not be cavilled at if he be so minded and God will suffer him and when the Lord has as it seems to me so plainly declared his Will if some will not submit to it who else can help it And when I have thus said I leave the Success to the Lord. Pag. 71. he mentions a late Book on this Subject to which I had drawn such Answer as I then could before I saw the Doctor 's but finding as far as I remember nothing therein in this case but what is offered with great Advantage by the Doctor or what may be answered by observing Readers I think to say but a little more to it P. 5. of his Preface he says Suppose the Authors he means the Author of the Enquiry Notion be Orthodox and the contrary that is his own Heterodox he gives us the pernicious tendencies thereof That is as I understand him suppose it to be the mind of Christ and a Sound and Orthodox Opinion that the Seventh day is the true Christian Sabbath which is a fair and I think a true Supposition yet he is against the Communicating of it as pernicious which seems to me somewhat harsh and suppose his own Opinion Erroneous and Heterodox yet he is for it and would not as I understand him have it contradicted to which I only Reply that I doubt the ancient Prophets the Apostles and the Reformers from Rome c. were not of that mind In his little Book he has these and other Reflections on the Author of the Enquiry or on that he there offers or on those who receive it c. As Judaical fanciful baffled absurd Heterodox and impious scrupulous superstitious a Weed and Thorn rotten Premises sandy Foundations false Measures Proofs invalid which it pitties him to see uncharitable rigorous deluded Brain of silly Zealots impertinency empty false Premises silly Conjectures against all Reason and common Sense c. which seem to me blameable And he hopes p. 56. himself has written by Gods Assistance and Guidance and p. 163. by Gods Assistance and p. 116. by Gods Help and he hopes his Guidance Which Expressions I think may be used sometimes and in some Cases but men should take heed how they use them as if they were divinely inspired when they use them so interwoven Pag. 70. to p. 79. the Doctor sums up what he has offered with all the advantages of a Learned Man as he sometimes does before with new words on which I might make some Remarks In that about the Fifth Command p. 82. he tells us His Humane Law that is to determine who is to be reputed the Father and this he applys first to natural Parents which as cases may be put may fall very heavy upon many Children whose Parents were married but not according to Human Law And that General Rule from Humane Law if I mistake him not he understands as determining the Law of God for he says p. 81. There be many things which the Word of God or the Divine Law doth determine in Thesi that is in a general Position which when in Hypothesi they come in practice will require the intervention of Prudentials or Humane Laws and he there and p. 82. puts cases upon the Eighth Seventh Sixth and Fourth Commands So his General Rule is applyed to Laws in both Tables And what he there says as to Natural Parents the like he says as to other Superiours as well as Natural Parents and those Laws which seem absolute says he have yet their tacit Limitations implyed To which I Reply That I think every Man should beware how he sets up Humane Laws to determine against Gods Law in any case for if Gods Law determine one thing to be a Duty or a Sin and Mans Law determine the contrary we are I think to obey God Acts 4. 19. whose Laws are Superiour to all Humane Laws And he that in the Duties required in either Table does allow the intervening or coming in of Prudentials or Humane Laws to controul or to determine the Word of God or the Divine Law under that colour or tacit Limitations implyed and of room for Prudence to interpose does I doubt unlord the Word and Law of God Mark 7. 13. which unlording the Word or making it of no effect Mark 7. 13. is also spoken by our Lord there in the case of the Fifth Command v. 9. to 13. and does open a gap to enervate that Law of God So that for any to say that his Hunane Law that is to determine who is to be reputed my civil Parent that is who is my lawful Prince whatever the Law of God determines in that case under the subtile Words of Room for
may resort to the Book And to conclude Instead of further summing up what I have weakly written here in Reply to the Learned Doctor and others as I could I commend to the Reader a few Scriptures Gen. 2. 2 3 4. On the seventh day God ended his work which he had made and he rested the seventh day from all his work which he had made and God blessed the seventh day and made it holy because that in it he had rested from all his work which he had created and made and so the Sabbath is the day upon which God rested after his Work and which he Blessed and made Holy who is v. 4. Jehovah Aelohim the Lord God so the Seventh day is the Lords day Exod. 16. 29. The seventh-day-sabbath is said to be as it is a gift The Lord hath given you the sabbath and so we should take it as a Gift from him as his Gift and as the Lords day Exod. 20. 8 9 10 11. Remember the sabbath day to keep it holy c. The seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God and so the Seventh day is the Lords day Exod. 31. 13. The Lord calls them my sabbaths verily my sabbaths ye shall keep so the Sabbath is the Lords day it is a sign between me and you c. that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctifie you v. 14. and ye shall keep the sabbath because it is holiness to you v. 15. Six days work shall be done but the seventh is the sabbath of rest holiness to the Lord v. 16. the sabbath a perpetual covenant t is holiness to you v. 14. and holy to the Lord v. 15. v. 16. the sabbath a perpetual covenant and v. 17 a sign for ever For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed so the Seventh day is the Lords day And v. 18. The Lord gave to Moses to tables of testimony written with the finger of God And Exod. 32. 15 16. the tables were the work of God and the writing the writing of God upon which tables of testimony or witness the fourth command was one Exod. 35. 2. Six days shall work be done and on the seventh day it shall be to you holiness Lev. 23. 3. Six days shall work be done but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest an holy convocation ye shall do no work therein it is the sabbath of the Lord c. so the Seventh day is the Lords day Lev. 23. 32. from even unto even shall ye celebrate your sabbath which I think is directing in an Humiliation day which is there to begin in the Evening when they were to afflict themselves And I think states this part of the Question when the Days began that is in the Evening and when they ended that is at the next Evening which the Dr. p. 27. thinks began and ended at mid-night In Numb 15. 32. we have the case of the Man who gathered sticks not A but The Sabbath day which is a great certain undeniable example against the least prophaning of the Sabbath day Deut. 5. 12. Keep the sabbath day to sanctifie it as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee 13. Six days labour c. v. 14. But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God c. so the Seventh day is the Lords day of Rest i. e. the seventh day is the Lords day Psal 119. 1 6. blessed are those who walk in his law and in keeping of his commandments there is great reward Psal 19. 11. Esai 56. 2. Blessed is the man who keepeth the sabbath from polluting it v. 4. 6. from polluting it Ezek. 20. 13 16 24 my sabbath they greatly polluted if we would be Blessed keep his Sabbaths and dont pollute them which it seems was Israels Sin of old Esai 58. 13. If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath from doing thy pleasure on my holy day and call the sabbath a delight or delights the holy of the Lord so the Sabbath day is the Lords day honourable and shalt honour him not doing thine own ways nor finding thine own pleasure nor speaking thine own words v. 14. then shalt thou delight thy self in the Lord c. and is not that a desirable frame Ezek. 22. 1 2. The word of the Lord thou hast prophaned my sabbath v. 26. her Priests have violated my law c. and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths So the Sabbath day is the Lords day Ezek. 44. 4 5 15 24. in the prophesie of the new temple there is a promise that the Priests who shall come near unto the Lord to minister unto him they shall hallow my sabbaths So the Sabbath day is the Lords day Matth. 5. 17. Think not that I am come to destroy the law v. 18. For verity I say unto you till heaven and earth pass one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law till all be fulfilled dont think that Christ altered one tittle of the Law and so not one jot or tittle is yet passed from the Law Matth. 18. 8. Christ is said to be Lord of the Sabbath day and if Christ be Lord of the Sabbath day then the Sabbath day is the Lords day Mat. 24. 20. Pray that your flight be not on the sabbath day which flight was about 38 years after Christs Death which I think shews it was to continue after his Death that is as I think as long as the World lasts Matth. 28. 18 19 20. Christ to his Disciples go teach all nations teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and Christ with the Father and holy Spirit one Jehovah gave the commands as before Mark 1. 21. after Christs Baptism by John v. 9. Jesus came into Galilee preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God v. 14. repent ye and believe the Gospel v. 15. then he calls Simon and Andrew James and John and they followed him v. 16 to 20. and they went into Capernaum and straitway on the sabbath day he entered into the Synagogue and taught and Mark 2. 27. the sabbath was made for man for his good for his spiritual good Mark 16. 1 2. Jesus came into his own country and his disciples followed him and when the sabbath day was come he began to preach in the synagogue which also proves the Sab. made for the spiritual use of man Luke 4. 16 to 27. in v. 14. after his being tempted v. 13. Jesus returned in the power of the spirit into Galilee and v. 15. taught in their Synagogues and v 16. he came to Nazareth where he had been brought up and as his custom was he went into the Synagogue on the sabbath day and stood up for to read and preached the Gospel v. 17 to 29. and then he came down to Capernaum and taught them on the sabbath day besides divers other places in the Evangelists which do all prove
the Sabbath made for the spiritual good of Man And so I think we have enough to prove that our Lord Jesus Christ kept the Sabbath during his life and that perfectly for he was a lamb without spot or blemish 1 Pet. 1. 19 c. and that the Seventh day Sabbath was made holy for the spiritual Good of Man Luke 16. 17. it is easier for Heaven and Earth to pass then one tittle of the Law to fail which one would think are strong words and of Authority in this case And Heaven and Earth are not yet passed and so not one tittle of the Law does yet fail and if this Scripture be true as it surely is it mightily proves the Seventh day to be the Sabbath Ezod 20. 10. which Seventh day in the Fourth Command is more then a tittle Luke 23. 54 55 56. And when he was Crucified Dead and Buried and the Sabbath drew on the Women followed after and beheld the Sepulchre and how his Body was laid and they returned and prepared Spices and Ointments and rested not A but The Sabbath day according to the Commandment that is according to the Fourth Commandment and so the Seventh day was not altered then and so kept not A but the Sabbath day after Christs Death and Burial as in probability all other Believers then did for I do not remember to have read of any that deny it John 14 15. If ye love me keep my commandments Exod. 20. 6. Deut. 7. 9 John 14. 21. he that hath my commandments and keepeth them he it is that loveth me 23. If a man love me he will keep my words John 15. 10. If ye keep my commandments ye shall abide in my love 14. ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I command you Are we Friends of Christ and would we abide in his Love then keep his Commands Acts 13. 13 14. Paul and his Company went into the Synagogue at Antioch on the Sabbath day and v. 15. After the reading of the law and the prophets v. 16. Paul stood up and preached Christ to them from v. 16. to 41. and v. 42. the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath not the next Morning upon the First day of the Week but the next Sabbath and so after the Resurrection and Ascension of Christ and after the Disciples were all filled with the Holy Spirit Acts 2. 1 4. T is certain Paul kept the Sabbath and Preached to Jews and Gentiles not upon the First day of the Week but upon the Sabbath day And we have the like Acts 13. 44. the next Sabbath day not the next Morning almost the whole City came together to hear the Word of God and v. 47 48. as many of the gentiles as were ordained to eternal life believed so divers Gentiles were here converted unto Christ on the Sabbath day v. 49. the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region and v. 52. the disciples were filled with joy and with the holy spirit and is not this a desirable frame and doe not all these prove that the Sabbath was made for the spiritual good of Man And Acts 14 1. In Iconium Paul and Barnabas went both together into the Synagogue of the Jews and so spake that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed a great multitude and v. 3. The Lord gave testimony to the word of his grace by signs and wonders done by them Acts 16. 1 3 12 13 14 15. at Philippi Paul and Timothy on the Sabbath day went out of the City by a Rivers side where Prayer was wont to be made and spake to the women which resorted thither where Lydia was converted whose heart the Lord opened that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul and was baptized and her Houshold which Scriptures with many others do shew and I think prove that the Sabbath was not altered but did continue after Christs Ascension and was observed Acts 17. 1. to 4. at Thessalonica where was a Synagogue of the Jews Paul as his manner was as Christs manner was Luke 4. 16. went in unto them and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures alledging that Christ must needs have suffered and risen again from the Dead and that this Jesus whom he preach'd unto them is Christ and some of them believed and consorted with Paul and Silas and of the devout Greeks that is of the Gentiles a great multitude and of the the chief Women not a few were converted to Christ upon the Sabbath day so the Law for keeping Holy the Sabbath was not then passed away And Acts 18. 1 2 4 5 19. at Corinth Paul Reasoned that is Greek Preached in the Synagogue every Sabbath and perswaded the Jews and the Greeks that is the Jews and Gentiles And what greater and stronger and clearer Evidence and Proof for the Seventh-day-Sabbath can Man desire then these plain Scriptures are and that it was at first Instituted Blessed and made Holy and throughout the Scriptures of Old and New Testament used for the conversion and eternal good of Man Rom. 3. 31. Do we then make void the law through Faith be it not yea we establish the law Rom. 7. 12. The law is holy and just and good Rom. 7. 14. we know that the Law is Spiritual Rom. 10. 4. Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness to every one that believeth And 1 Cor. 9. 21. Paul was under the law to Christ and 1 Cor. 11. 1. he saith be ye followers of me even as I also am of Christ who 1 Cor. 15. 3. dyed for our sins and 1 John 3. 4. sin is the transgression of the law but Gal. 3. 11. no man is justified by the law v. 13. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law v. 21. Is the law against the promises of God God forbid or be it not v. 24. but our schoolmaster unto Christ that we might be justified by faith who Tit. 2. 14. gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all anomy or contrariety in Opinion or Conversation to the law of God and Heb. 8. 10. the Lord saith I will put my laws into their minds and write them in or upon their hearts which surely is greatly desirable that his Law be written on our Hearts And we have the like promise Heb. 10. 15 16 17. saith the Lord I will put my laws into their hearts and in their minds will I write them which Law in Jam. 20. 8. is called a Royal Law that is the Kingly Chief and universal Law under which all other Laws of God are comprehended which Christ the Lord and King over all hath prescribed and commanded 1 John 1. 10. If we say that we have not sinned we make him a liar 1 John 2. 3. and hereby we know that we know him if we keep his commandments v. 4. he that saith I know him and keepeth not his commandments is mistaken v. 6. he that saith he abideth in him ought himself so to walk even as he walked and Christ kept the sabbath and 1 John 3. 22. whatsoever we ask we receive of him because we keep his commandments and 1 John 5. 3. for this is the love of God that we keep his commandments 2 Ep. of Joh 6. this is love that we walk after his commandments Rev. 12. 17. The Dragon was wroth and went to make War with those who kept the Commandments of God and have the Testimony of Jesus Christ and Rev. 14. 1◠Here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus and Rev. 22. 14. Blessed are they that do his commandments that they may have right to the tree of life and may enter through the gates into the city FINIS ERRATA PAge 3. line 28. for Cronologies read Cronologers p. 4. l. 5. r. one p. 5. l. 15. for v. 19. r. v. 16. p. 5. l. 39. r. but p. 9. l 27. dele and p. 10. l. 15. for Jashebeth r. Lashebeth p. 12. l. 15. for Morah r. Marah p. 13. l. 14. dele 22. l. 15. for Exod. 12. 12 13. r. Exod. 12. 32. p. 15. l. 4. for 23. r. 2 3. p. 16. l 28. for 15. r. 14. p. 18. l. 37. dele 14. p. 19. l. 26. for v. 5. r. v. 6. p. 21. l. 1. dele 42. p. 23. l. 18. for 6. r. 16. l. 21. dele 21. 46. p. 24. l. 23. for one r. One p. 29. l. 40. for Num. 6. r. Num. 9. p. 33. l. 5. for 30. r. 13. l. 35. for 30. r. 13. p. 34. l. 18. dele it p. 41. l. 23. for sacrificis r. and sacrifices p. 46. l. 6. for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 l. 7. for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 47. l. 6. for 15. r. 5. and for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ◠〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 l. 8. for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 l. 9. for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 l. 17. for must be one r. must be are p. 49. l. 32. dele and p. 50. l. 6. for Apostles r. Apostle l. 9. for day r. days l. 14. for other r. others p. 53. l. 11. for was r. is p. 54. l. 34. for put p. 58. l. 21. for Anp r. And l. 26. dele as p. 63. l. 31. for His r. ' T is p. 64. l. 17. for or r. of l. 23. for his r. ' t is p. 65. l. 20. r. as before and hereafter p. 72. l. 30. r. degrees