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

§. 17 And whereas the innate Light and Principles of his own mind informed him, that some time was to be set apart to the solemn Worship of God, as he was a rational creature made to give glory unto him; so the Instruction he received by the Works and Rest of God, as made under a Covenant, taught him, that one day in seven was required unto that purpose, as also to be a pledge of his resting with God. It may be, it will be said, that man could not know, that the world was made in six days, and that the Rest of God ensued on the seventh, without some especial Revelation. I answer (1.) That I know not. He that knew the nature of all the creatures, and could give them names suited thereunto upon his first sight and view of them, might know more of the Order of their creation, than we can well imagine. For we know no more in our lapsed condition, what the Light of Nature directed man unto as walking before God in a Covenant, than men merely natural do know of the Guidance and Conduct of the Light and Law of Grace, in them who are taken into a New Covenant. (2.) However, what God instructed him in, even by Revelation, as to the due Consideration and improvement of the things that belonged unto the Law of his Creation, that is to be esteemed as a part thereof. Institutions of things by especial Revelation that had no Foundatiin the Law or Light of Nature, were merely positive; such were the Commands concerning the ⟨p. 147⟩Trees, of Life, and of the knowledge of Good and Evil. But such as were directive of Natural Light, and of the Order of the Creation, were Moral, and belonged unto the general Law of Obedience. Such was the especial Command given unto man to till and keep the Garden, Gen. 2. 15. or to dress and improve the place of his Habitation. For this in General the Law of his Creation required. Now this God did, both as to his Works and his Rest. Neither do I know any one as yet, that questioneth whither Adam and the Patriarchs that ensued before the giving of the Law knew that the world was created in six days. Though some seem to speak doubtfully hereof, and some by direct consequent deny it, yet I suppose that hitherto it passeth as granted.

§. 17 And whereas the innate Light and Principles of his own mind informed him, that some time was to be set apart to the solemn Worship of God, as he was a rational creature made to give glory unto him; so the Instruction he received by the Works and Rest of God, as made under a Covenant, taught him, that one day in seven was required unto that purpose, as also to be a pledge of his resting with God. It may be, it will be said, that man could not know, that the world was made in six dayes, and that the Rest of God ensued on the seventh, without some especial Revelation. I answer (1.) That I know not. He that knew the nature of all the creatures, and could give them names suited thereunto upon his first sight and view of them, might know more of the Order of their creation, than we can well imagine. For we know no more in our lapsed condition, what the Light of Nature directed man unto as walking before God in a Covenant, than men meerly natural do know of the Guidance and Conduct of the Light and Law of Grace, in them who are taken into a New Covenant. (2.) However, what God instructed him in, even by Revelation, as to the due Consideration and improvement of the things that belonged unto the Law of his Creation, that is to be esteemed as a part thereof. Institutions of things by especial Revelation that had no Foundatiin the Law or Light of Nature, were meerly positive; such were the Commands concerning the