The Jewish Sabbath abrogated, or, The Saturday Sabbatarians confuted in two parts
The Jewish Sabbath abrogated, or, The Saturday Sabbatarians confuted in two parts : first, proving the abrogation of the old seventh-day Sabbath : secondly, that the Lord's-Day is of divine appointment : containing several sermons newly preached upon a special occasion, wherein are many new arguments not found in former authors / by Benjamin Keach.The Jewish Sabbath abrogated, or, The Saturday Sabbatarians confuted in two parts : first, proving the abrogation of the old seventh-day Sabbath : secondly, that the Lord's-Day is of divine appointment : containing several sermons newly preach'd upon a special occasion, wherein are many new arguments not found in former authors / by Benjamin Keach.
Benjamin Keach 1640–1704London: printed by John Marshall, 1700
vi, [2], 279, [1] p. : port. · 83k words · Wing K73 · ESTC R7556
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
And as it cannot be proved that the seventh day was observed before the Flood, so we have •o reason to believe it was kept by Noah, in those days the Flood overflowed the World: […] is said, Noah was only righteous in that Generation, and therefore a true Worshipper of God; but we read not of his keeping the Seventh-day Sabbath.
And as it cannot be proved that the seventh day was observed before the Flood, so we have •o reason to believe it was kept by Noah, in those days the Flood overflow'd the World: 〈…〉 is said, Noah was only righteous in that Generation, and therefore a true Worshipper of God; but we read not of his keeping the Seventh-day Sabbath.
I know some would catch at that Expression, Gen. 8. 10, 12. that Noah stayed seven days before he sent out the Dove; as if this might re•er to the Sabbath.
I know some would catch at that Expression, Gen. 8. 10, 12. that Noah stay'd seven days before he sent out the Dove; as if this might re•er to the Sabbath.
But in Answer to this (which indeed needs •one at all) take what a learned Man hath •id for a reason why Noah stayed seven days, and again other seven days:
Noah, saith he, desired to know whether the Waters were decreased. Now the Waters being regulated by the Moon, Noah was most especially to regard her Motions: for as she is either in Opposition or Conjunction with the Sun in her increase or wane, there is proportionably an increase or falling of the Waters. Noah then considering the Moon in her several quarters, which commonly we know are at seven days distance, sent forth his Dove to
⟨p. 62⟩
bring him tidings: for the Text tells us, that he sent out the Raven and the Dove four times; and the fourth time, the Moon being in the last quarter, when both by the ordinary course of Nature the Waters usually are, and by the Will of God were then much decreased; the Dove which was sent out, had found good footing on the Earth. There is greater reason to believe this than to suppose it referred to the Sabbath.
Scaliger, saith my Author, one while thought the day on which, Noah left the Ark and offered Sacrifices, to be the seventh day; but in the next Edition he fixed that day to be the fourth day of the week. Now after the Flood we find God gave to Noah and his Sons some express Laws and Commands, i. e. not to eat Blood, and forbidding Murder, &c. Now this is the time doubtless to hear of a Sabbath, and of the charge about it, if God had given it either to Adam before or after the Fall; but not one word is mentioned, for 'tis not said, Remember the seventh day, &c. or ye shall observe my Sabbath.
Now from Shem, Ham and Japheth, both Jews and Gentiles, proceeded even the whole World; and to me it seems not probable, had the Sabbath been commanded, that Jehovah should not at this time have given them a charge about it, there being then so few positive Laws instituted; here is Blood forbid to the whole World, and Murder, but not one word of a Sabbath, or seventh day to be observed.
The Rabbins speak of seven Precepts given to Noah and his Sons, but exclude the Seventh-day Sabbath out of that number. If we have it not mentioned here, be sure we shall not meet with it till we come to Moses; but here we have it not, nor indeed was it possible for some of them to keep that precise
⟨p. 63⟩
day, being scattered to the furthermost ends of the Earth.
But in Answer to this (which indeed needs •one at all) take what a learned Man hath •id for a reason why Noah stay'd seven days, and again other seven days:1 Noah, saith he, desired to know whether the Waters were decreased. Now the Waters being regulated by the Moon, Noah was most especially to regard her Motions: for as she is either in Opposition or Conjunction with the Sun in her increase or wane, there is proportionably an increase or falling of the Waters. Noah then considering the Moon in her several quarters, which commonly we know are at seven days distance, sent forth his Dove to ⟨p. 62⟩bring him tydings: for the Text tells us, that he sent out the Raven and the Dove four times; and the fourth time, the Moon being in the last quarter, when both by the ordinary course of Nature the Waters usually are, and by the Will of God were then much decreased; the Dove which was sent out, had found good footing on the Earth. There is greater reason to believe this than to suppose it refer'd to the Sabbath.* Scaliger, saith my Author, one while thought the day on which, Noah left the Ark and offered Sacrifices, to be the seventh day; but in the next Edition he fixed that day to be the fourth day of the week. Now after the Flood we find God gave to Noah and his Sons some express Laws and Commands, i. e. not to eat Blood, and forbidding Murder, &c. Now this is the time doubtless to hear of a Sabbath, and of the charge about it, if God had given it either to Adam before or after the Fall; but not one word is mention'd, for 'tis not said, Remember the seventh day, &c. or ye shall observe my Sabbath.3 Now from Shem, Ham and Japhet, both Jews and Gentiles, proceeded even the whole World; and to me it seems not probable, had the Sabbath been commanded, that Jehovah should not at this time have given them a charge about it, there being then so few positive Laws instituted; here is Blood forbid to the whole World, and Murder, but not one word of a Sabbath, or seventh day to be observ'd.4 The Rabbins speak of seven Precepts given to Noah and his Sons, but exclude the Seventh-day Sabbath out of that number. If we have it not mentioned here, besure we shall not meet with it till we come to Moses; but here we have it not, nor indeed was it possible for some of them to keep that precise ⟨p. 63⟩day, being scatter'd to the furthermost ends of the Earth.
We read of Abraham, that he kept all God's Commandments, yet he kept no Seventh-day Sabbath: he built an Altar, and sacrificed, which were mere positive Precepts, and […] the Seventh-day Sabbath is not mentioned, •or commanded him, nor a hint given to remember him to keep it.
We read of Abraham, that he kept all God's Commandments, yet he kept no Seventh-day Sabbath: he built an Altar, and sacrificed, which were mere positive Precepts, and 〈…〉 the Seventh-day Sabbath is not mention'd, •or commanded him, nor a hint given to remember him to keep it.
Job lived also,1 it is concluded, about Abraham's time, which may be gathered by the number of years he lived, which was about two hundred years, which few attained to after Abraham. Joseph lived but a hundred and ten. 'Tis said Job lived a hundred and forty years after his sore Trials were ended:2 the Jews speak of his living in all two hundred and eighty years. •ow, as one observes, when he pleads his Integrity and Innocence even to very minute Particulars, he neither alleges his strict observation of the Seventh-Say Sabbath, nor apologizes for the neglect thereof; nor do this Friends, who raked up every thing against him, speak a word about this, nor of the Sabbath throughout the whole Book; which treats in a manner wholly about Worship and Devotion towards God: the Sabbath therefore no doubt had not •••ap'd (as he minds) if it had been known, […] been a Duty in his days.
Job liv'd also,1 it is concluded, about Abraham's time, which may be gather'd by the number of years he liv'd, which was about two hundred years, which few attain'd to after Abraham. Joseph liv'd but a hundred and ten. 'Tis said Job liv'd a hundred and forty years after his sore Trials were ended:2 the Jews speak of his living in all two hundred and eighty years. •ow, as one observes, when he pleads his In••grity and Innocence even to very minute Particulars, he neither alledges his strict observation of the Seventh-Say Sabbath, nor apologizes for the neglect thereof; nor do this Friends, who rak'd up every thing against him, speak a word about this, nor of the Sabbath throughout the whole Book; which treats in a manner wholly about Worship and Devotion towards God: the Sabbath therefore no doubt had not •••ap'd (as he minds) if it had been known, 〈…〉 been a Duty in his days.
As to Isaac, he was a most devout Man, and […] Life was taken up in a continual course of ••ety: his custom was to go into the fields to meditate, but it is not said he did it on the seventh day, or that he kept this day as a Sabbath.
As to Isaac, he was a most devout Man, and 〈…〉 Life was taken up in a continual course of ••ety: his custom was to go into the fields to meditate, but it is not said he did it on the •eventh day, or that he kept this day as a Sabbath.
Jacob was a Man that fled from Idolatry […] God's Command, and lived a godly Life: and tho we read of his performing many Acts of Worship, yet nothing of his keeping the ⟨p. 64⟩seventh day as a Sabbath; no, tho we read of his hard Service when he kept Laban's Sheep both in Winter and Summer, which might have caused him to complain of his being incommoded from a strict observation of that day, had he known it as his Duty; but in all his Complaints not one word of this. We know among us how Shepherds are hindered in Sabbath-Observations, of which many have complained, or may have occasion to do. Moreover during Joseph's being in Pharaoh's Court, nor before, do we read of his observing this Sabbath, and when Jacob came into Egypt, we read […] of his observation thereof, nor of the Egyptian keeping of it; or had they forgot it, besu• there would have been some notice taken of Jacob's keeping it, nor would he have avoided i• that he might please Pharaoh and his Servants.
Jacob was a Man that fled from Idolatry 〈…〉 God's Command, and liv'd a godly Life: and tho we read of his performing many Acts of Worship, yet nothing of his keeping the ⟨p. 64⟩seventh day as a Sabbath; no, tho we read of his hard Service when he kept Laban's Sheep both in Winter and Summer, which might have caused him to complain of his being incommoded from a strict observation of that day, had he known it as his Duty; but in all his Complaints not one word of this. We know among us how Shepherds are hindered in Sabbath-Observations, of which many have complained, or may have occasion to do. Moreover during Joseph's being in Pharaoh's Court, nor before, do we read of his observing this Sabbath, and when Jacob came into Egypt, we read 〈…〉 of his observation thereof, nor of the Egyptian keeping of it; or had they forgot it, besu• there would have been some notice taken of Jacob's keeping it, nor would he have avoided i• that he might please Pharaoh and his Servants.
Nor can it be thought on any good grounds that the Children of Israel kept the Seventh-day Sabbath under their Taskmasters in Egypt, th• some would infer they did from these words, that you make the People rest from their Burdens, Exod. 5. 5. they would have these words to mean, you make them keep a Sabbath, where as no such thing seems to have the least countenance, because Pharaoh's Officers complain not of their resting or being idle on one day only▪ but two days together; see Exod. 5. 14. Wherefore have you not fulfilled your Task in making of Brick, both yesterday and to day, as heretofore?
Now since there is no mention that any […] the Patriarchs kept the seventh day as a Sabbath, we infer this as the first reason why they observed it not.
Now since there is no mention that any 〈…〉 the Patriarchs kept the seventh day as a Sabbath, we infer this as the first reason why they observ'd it not.
Secondly, Let it be considered that we read […] many positive Commands given to Noah, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, but none to keep ⟨p. 65⟩the Seventh-day Sabbath, nor no reminding them of any former Institution or Precept to observe it; wherefore we may conclude they kept it not.
Secondly, Let it be consider'd that we read 〈…〉 many positive Commands given to Noah, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, but none to keep ⟨p. 65⟩the Seventh-day Sabbath, nor no reminding them of any former Institution or Precept to observe it; wherefore we may conclude they kept it not.
Thirdly, 1We read how the faithful Patriarchs were commended for doing whatsoever God commanded them, but not of any of them being commended for keeping the seventh day as a Sabbath: yet after Moses's time, when the Sabbath was instituted and given by God's express Command to Israel, he took (we find) as much notice of their observing his Sabbaths as of any other Duty enjoined on them, and this to their great Commendation. Therefore had the Patriarchs been obliged to keep it, no doubt they had as faithfully discharged their Duty therein, as any of God's Servants did in after times; and God be sure would have left something on Record to their Commendation.
Thirdly, 1We read how the faithful Patriarchs were commended for doing whatsoever God commanded them, but not of any of them being commended for keeping the seventh day as a Sabbath: yet after Moses's time, when the Sabbath was instituted and given by God's express Command to Israel, he took (we find) as much notice of their observing his Sabbaths as of any other Duty injoined on them, and this to their great Commendation. Therefore had the Patriarchs been oblig'd to keep it, no doubt they had as faithfully discharged their Duty therein, as any of God's Servants did in after times; and God besure would have left something on Record to their Commendation.
1The Patriarchs not commended for keeping the Seventh-day Sabbath.
Fourthly, 1We read of divers Sins the old World was guilty of, which provoked God, and brought the Flood upon them, but not one word or hint given that they were guilty of Sabbath-breaking. Now if it had been known either by the Light of Nature, or by any positive Precept given to Adam, and handed down to them by Tradition or otherwise; they being so universally corrupted and polluted, no doubt had profaned that day; and if so, the sacred Record had mentioned that great Sin doubtless as well as others.
Fourthly, 1We read of divers Sins the old World was guilty of, which provoked God, and brought the Flood upon them, but not one word or hint given that they were guilty of Sabbath-breaking. Now if it had been known either by the Light of Nature, or by any positive Precept given to Adam, and handed down to them by Tradition or otherwise; they being so universally corrupted and polluted, no doubt had profan'd that day; and if so, the sacred Record had mention'd that great Sin doubtless as well as others.
Fifthly, 1Moreover, we read of the crying Sins of the People of Sodom, &c. and no doubt but they had violated all God's Commands, or whatsoever were their known Duties; but nothing of breaking the Sabbath is charged against them. Now can it be imagined they should not have failed in this case, or that God ⟨p. 66⟩would overlook or take no notice of it?
Fifthly, 1Moreover, we read of the crying Sins of the People of Sodom, &c. and no doubt but they had violated all God's Commands, or whatsoever were their known Duties; but nothing of breaking the Sabbath is charged against them. Now can it be imagin'd they should not have fail'd in this case, or that God ⟨p. 66⟩would overlook or take no notice of it?
Sixthly, We have a Catalogue of almost all immoral Evils before and after the Flood, as Idolatry, Gluttony, Drunkenness, Lasciviousness, Incest, Murder, Lying, Covetousness, Theft, &c. and how Sin had possessed the Thoughts, Hearts, and Lives of Men; but no account of their Violation of the Sabbath-day.
Sixtly, We have a Catalogue of almost all immoral Evils before and after the Flood, as Idolatry, Gluttony, Drunkenness, Lasciviousness, Incest, Murder, Lying, Covetousness, Theft, &c. and how Sin had possessed the Thoughts, Hearts, and Lives of Men; but no account of their Violation of the Sabbath-day.
Seventhly, 1Let it be considered, that since God so severely reprehended the Jews for profaning his Sabbaths, and hardly reproved them more sharply for any one Sin than for this; certainly in his enumerating the Sins […] his People, and of the Wickedness of those that lived from Adam to Moses, he would have reproved them for Sabbath-breaking, and not have utterly passed it by in silence, had they been guilty of it: or can it be rationally supposed that tho they failed in all other respects, yet that they did not in this? No doubt, had it been a known Duty, (and that some of them had been guilty of the breach of it, as in all likelihood they would) but God would have severely reprehended them for it.
Seventhly, 1Let it be consider'd, that since God so severely reprehended the Jews for profaning his Sabbaths, and hardly reproved them more sharply for any one Sin than for this; certainly in his enumerating the Sins 〈…〉 his People, and of the Wickedness of those that liv'd from Adam to Moses, he would have reproved them for Sabbath-breaking, and not have utterly passed it by in silence, had they been guilty of it: or can it be rationally supposed that tho they fail'd in all other respects, yet that they did not in this? No doubt, had it been a known Duty, (and that some of them had been guilty of the breach of it, as in all likelihood they would) but God would have severely reprehended them for it.
1None from Adam to Moses reprehended for not keeping the Sabbath.
Eighthly, Since we read of no Sabbath till Moses's time, Exod. 16. only that God sanctified the seventh day; what makes our Brethren so boldly say that Adam in Innocence kept it, and all the Patriarchs from Adam to Moses? This may seem strange to any thinking Man, i. e. that they should affirm this, seeing they require an express Command from us for the keeping of the first day, or else all is nothing with them. Brethren, this I will say, that had we no more ground to keep the Lord's day in solemn Worship, as a day of Rest, than they can find for the Patriarchs keeping of the seventh day as a Sabbath, we ⟨p. 67⟩should not say one word more for it: I challenge them to show us one place where a Sabbath is so much as once mentioned, or any express or implicit Command given to any to observe it; or one Example from the Creation of the World that any Man or Woman ever kept the seventh day as a Sabbath until we come to Moses, Exod. 16. I shall, God assisting, show that we have more than mere Examples of the Gospel Primitive Churches for observing in a solemn manner the Lord's-day, or the first day of the week, when I come to that part of my Work.
Eighthly, Since we read of no Sabbath till Moses's time, Exod. 16. only that God sanctified the seventh day; what makes our Brethren so boldly say that Adam in Innocence kept it, and all the Patriarchs from Adam to Moses? This may seem strange to any thinking Man, i. e. that they should affirm this, seeing they require an express Command from us for the keeping of the first day, or else all is nothing with them. Brethren, this I will say, that had we no more ground to keep the Lord's day in solemn Worship, as a day of Rest, than they can find for the Patriarchs keeping of the seventh day as a Sabbath, we ⟨p. 67⟩should not say one word more for it: I challenge them to shew us one place where a Sabbath is so much as once mention'd, or any express or implicit Command given to any to observe it; or one Example from the Creation of the World that any Man or Woman ever kept the seventh day as a Sabbath until we come to Moses, Exod. 16. I shall, God assisting, shew that we have more than meer Examples of the Gospel Primitive Churches for observing in a solemn manner the Lord's-day, or the first day of the week, when I come to that part of my Work.
