A practical exposition of the X. Commandments with a resolution of several momentous questions…A practical exposition of the X. Commandements with a resolution of several momentous questions…

We speak not here of Ceremonials (for so their whole service might be more burdensome then ours, and particularly their Sabbath-Services, because they were doubled on that day) but of Moral Duties; and in that respect we say, that the tie and obligation unto the sanctification of this day is equal and alike unto us with them, which is clear in particulars, for 1. It tieth us now to as long time, to wit, a natural day of twenty four hours, as it did them then. 2. It restraineth from work and requireth holy rest now, as much as then; for whatever work then struck against the Letter or purpose and scope of the command, and marred holy Duties, doth so still. 3. It requireth positive sanctification by holy Duties, as preaching, prayer, meditation, &c. and alloweth not Idleness, nor indulgeth time to other unnecessary works. 4. It requireth as spiritual a manner and as spiritual a frame in performing of them now as then.

We speak not here of Ceremonials (for so their whole service might be more burdensom then ours, and particularly their Sabbath-Services, because they were doubled on that day) but of Moral Duties; and in that respect we say, that the tye and obligation unto the sanctification of this day is equal and alike unto us with them, which is clear in particulars, for 1. It tyeth us now to as long time, to wit, a natural day of twenty four hours, as it did them then. 2. It restraineth from work and requireth holy rest now, as much as then; for whatever work then struck against the Letter or purpose and scope of the command, and marred holy Duties, doth so still. 3. It requireth positive sanctification by holy Duties, as preaching, prayer, meditation, &c. and alloweth not Idleness, nor indulgeth time to other unnecessary works. 4. It requireth as spiritual a manner and as spiritual a frame in performing of them now as then.

For 1. If the command be moral, then is there no change in moral duties, for it is the same command to us, that it was to them, save in ceremonial things: 2. If the same things were allowed to them which are allowed to us, and if no more be allowed to be done by us, then was allowed to be done by them on the Sabbath, then the observation in it's strictness is equal, but the first is true, for works of piety, mercy and necessity, are allowed to us, and so were they to them, as by Christs reasoning against them (as being here superstitious) may appear: yea, 3. our allowances are taken from the practise of Christ and his reasonings with the Pharisees, who in these disputes aimed not to show that more was lawful by his coming then was before, but to show what then was lawful, though they ignorantly or wilfully misunderstood the