Before we proceed there are some Scriptures which seem to thwart with, and to be cross to this, to which we would speak a little for clearing of them; as namely Exod 16.23, 29. and Exod. 35.3. where it would seem that going out of the place, dressing of meat, and kindling of fire were forbidden, which are allowed to us: To which we say 1. That we speak of the meaning of this fourth command; if any more was forbidden them by peculiar judicial Laws, that contradicteth not our assertion, these may be abrogated, while this command standeth. But 2. We conceive that as to these things, gathering of sticks, kindling of fire, dressing meat, &c. no more is allowed unto us then unto them, that is, all unnecessary labour in, and about, these is unlawful to us now, and all necessary labour in, and about, them was allowed unto, and lawful for, them; as may be gathered from Christs practice, and his reasoning with the Jews, and from the allowance which was to their Beasts. In the third place then, we say that these Scriptures cannot be literally and universally understood, for it cannot be thought that they went not out of the place, kindled no fire, dressed no meat in any case; yea the allowance for their necessity, and Christs going in and partaking, when invited, on the Sabbath day, Luke 14. It's like to somewhat that was prepared that day with his defending of his Disciples practise in plucking ears of Corn, and rubbing them, as it is Luke 6.1. (which was a sort of preparing and dressing of that meat) insinuate the contrary; neither c •n any thing be gathered from that place, Exod. 16.23. against dressing of meat simply, but rather the contrary, for the Manna that remained over what was dressed on the sixth day was to be laid up till the Seventh day, or the Sabbath, but not till the day after the Sabbath; and vvill it not suppose, that they behooved then to dress it on the Sabbath as on other days by boiling, at least, for as to grinding of it at Mills, or otherways, ⟨p. 287⟩there was no necessity for that on the Sabbath ou • of some extraordinary Case (or else they had needless by la •••o up) and so behoved to have fires to dress it with: And therefore that of not dressing meat, of not kindling fire, &c. must be of what is unnecessary and for servile works, or making gain in mens ordinary particular callings.
Before vve proceed there are some Scriptures which seem to thwart vvith, and to be cross to this, to vvhich vve vvould speak a little for clearing of them; as namely Exod 16.23, 29. and Exod. 35.3. vvhere it vvould seem that going out of the place, dressing of meat, and kindling of fire vvere forbidden, vvhich are allowed to us: To vvhich vve say 1. That vve speak of the meaning of this fourth command; if any more vvas forbidden them by peculiar judicial Laws, that contradicteth not our assertion, these may be abrogated, vvhile this command standeth. But 2. We conceive that as to these things, gathering of sticks, kindling of fire, dressing meat, &c. no more is allowed unto us then unto them, that is, all unnecessary labour in, and about, these is unlawful to us now, and all necessary labour in, and about, them vvas allowed unto, and lawful for, them; as may be gathered from Christs practice, and his reasoning with the Jews, and from the allowance vvhich vvas to their Beasts. In the third place then, vve say that these Scriptures cannot be literally and universally understood, for it cannot be thought that they vvent not out of the place, kindled no fire, dressed no meat in any case; yea the allowance for their necessity, and Christs going in and partaking, vvhen invited, on the Sabbath day, Luke 14. It's like to somewhat that was prepared that day vvith his defending of his Disciples practise in plucking ears of Corn, and rubbing them, as it is Luke 6.1. (vvhich vvas a sort of preparing and dressing of that meat) insinuate the contrary; neither c •n any thing be gathered from that place, Exod. 16.23. against dressing of meat simply, but rather the contrary, for the Manna that remained over what vvas dressed on the sixth day vvas to be laid up till the Seventh day, or the Sabbath, but not till the day after the Sabbath; and vvill it not suppose, that they behooved then to dress it on the Sabbath as on other days by boyling, at least, for as to grinding of it at Mills, or otherways, ⟨p. 287⟩there vvas no necessity for that on the Sabbath ou • of some extraordinary Case (or else they had needless by la •••o up) and so behoved to have fires to dress it vvith: And therefore that of not dressing meat, of not kindling fire, &c. must be of what is unnecessary and for servile vvorks, or making gain in mens ordinary particular callings.
