§. 25 But it is further pleaded (p. 54.) that indeed the Gentiles could be no way obliged to the Observation of the fourth Commandment; seeing they had no Indication of it, nor any means to free them ⟨p. 110⟩from their Ignorance of the Being of any such Law. That they had, and had lost the knowledge of it, in and by their Progenitors, is rejected as a vain pretence. And so much weight is laid on this consideration, that a demand is made of somewhat to be returned in answer, that may give any satisfaction unto conscience. But I understand not the force of this pretended Argument. Those who had absolutely lost the knowledge of the true God, (in and by their Progenitors) as the Gentiles had done, might well also lose the knowledge of all the concernments of his Worship. And so they had done, excepting only that they had traduced some of his Institutions, as Sacrifices, into their own Superstition; and so had they corrupted the use of his Sabbaths into that of their Idolatrous Feasts. But when the true God, had no other acknowledgements amongst them, but what answered the Title of the Unknown God, is it any wonder that his Ways and Worship might be unknown amongst them also? And it is but pretended that they had no Indication of a Sabbatical Rest, nor any means to free them from their Ignorance Mans duty is both to be learned and observed in Order. It is in vain to expect, that any should have Indications of an holy Rest unto God, before they are brought to the knowledge of God himself. When this is obtained, when the true God upon just Grounds is owned and acknowledged, than that some time be set apart for his solemn Worship, is of Moral and Natural Right. That this is included in the very first notion of the true God, and our dependence upon him, all men do confess. And this principle was abused ⟨p. 111⟩among the Heathen to be the foundation of all their stated Annual, or Monthly Sacred Solemnities, after they had nefariously lost the only Object of all Religious Worship. Where this Progress is made, as it might have been, by attending to the directive Light of Nature, and the impressions of the Law of it left upon the souls of men, there will not be wanting sufficient Indicatives of the meetest season for that Worship. However these things were, and are to be considered and admitted in their Order; and with respect unto that Order is their Obligation.
§. 25 But it is further pleaded (p. 54.) that indeed the Gentiles could be no way obliged to the Observation of the fourth Commandment; seeing they had no Indication of it, nor any means to free them ⟨p. 110⟩from their Ignorance of the Being of any such Law. That they had, and had lost the knowledge of it, in and by their Progenitors, is rejected as a vain pretence. And so much weight is laid on this consideration, that a demand is made of somewhat to be returned in answer, that may give any satisfaction unto conscience. But I understand not the force of this pretended Argument. Those who had absolutely lost the knowledge of the true God, (in and by their Progenitors) as the Gentiles had done, might well also lose the knowledge of all the concernments of his Worship. And so they had done, excepting only that they had traduced some of his Institutions, as Sacrifices, into their own Superstition; and so had they corrupted the use of his Sabbaths into that of their Idolatrous Feasts. But when the true God, had no other acknowledgements amongst them, but what answered the Title of the Unknown God, is it any wonder that his Wayes and Worship might be unknown amongst them also? And it is but pretended that they had no Indication of a Sabbatical Rest, nor any means to free them from their Ignorance Mans duty is both to be learned and observed in Order. It is in vain to expect, that any should have Indications of an holy Rest unto God, before they are brought to the knowledge of God himself. When this is obtained, when the true God upon just Grounds is owned and acknowledged, than that some time be set apart for his solemn Worship, is of Moral and Natural Right. That this is included in the very first notion of the true God, and our dependance upon him, all men do confess. And this principle was abused ⟨p. 111⟩among the Heathen to be the foundation of all their stated Annual, or Monthly Sacred Solemnities, after they had nefariously lost the only Object of all Religious Worship. Where this Progress is made, as it might have been, by attending to the directive Light of Nature, and the impressions of the Law of it left upon the souls of men, there will not be wanting sufficient Indicatives of the meetest season for that Worship. However these things were, and are to be considered and admitted in their Order; and with respect unto that Order is their Obligation.
