Exercitations concerning the name, original, nature, use, and continuance of a day of sacred…

§. 9 And first it must be observed, that wherever there is mention of a Sabbatical Rest, as enjoined unto men for their Observation, there is still respect unto a Rest of God that preceded it, and was the cause and foundation of it. In its first mention, ⟨p. 127⟩Gods Rest is given as the Reason of his sanctifying and blessing a Day of Rest for us, whence also it hath its Name. Gen. 2. 2, 3. God blessed and sanctified the seventh day [Greek or Hebrew], because he sabbatized thereon himself. And so it is expressed, and the same Reason is given of it in the fourth Commandment. God wrought six days and rested the seventh; therefore must we rest, Exod. 20. 11. The same is observed in the New Creation as we shall see afterwards, and more fully in our Exposition of Heb. 4. Now that God may be said to Rest, it is necessary that some signal Work of his do go before. For Rest in the first notion of it, includes a respect to an antecedent Work or Labour. And so it is every where declared. God wrought his works and finished them, and then rested. He made all things in six days, and rested on the seventh. And he that is entered into Rest, ceaseth from his work. And both these, the work of God, and the Rest of God must in this matter be considered. For the work of God, it is that of the old and whole Creation, as is directly expressed, Gen. 2. Exod. 20. which I desire may be born in mind.

§. 9 And first it must be observed, that whereever there is mention of a Sabbatical Rest, as enjoyned unto men for their Observation, there is still respect unto a Rest of God that preceded it, and was the cause and foundation of it. In its first mention, ⟨p. 127⟩Gods Rest is given as the Reason of his sanctifying and blessing a Day of Rest for us, whence also it hath its Name.