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

§. 44 Here therefore we must have respect unto what hath been discoursed concerning the subject matter of the Precept it self. For if that be not only congruous to the Law of Nature, but that also which by the Creation of our selves and all other things we are taught and obliged unto the Observation of, the Law whereby it is required must be Moral. For the Descriptive, or Distinctive Term (Moral) doth first belong unto the things themselves required by any Law, and thence to the Law whereby they are commanded. If then we have proved, that the thing it self required in the fourth Commandment, or the Religious Observation of a Sacred Rest unto God for the Ends mentioned, in the Periodical Revolution of seven days is Natural and Moral, from the Relation that it hath unto the Law of Creation, then there can be no Question of the Morality of that Command. What hath been performed therein is left unto the Judgement of the Sober and Judicious Reader. For no man can be more remote from a pertinacious adherence to his own sentiments, or a Magisterial imposition of his Judgement and Apprehensions upon the minds, thoughts, or practice of other men, than I desire to be. For however we may please our selves in our light, knowledge, learning, and sincerity; yet ⟨p. 184⟩when we have done all, they are not constituted of God to be the Rule or Measure of other mens Faith, Persuasions, Apprehensions and Conversations. And others whom for some defects, at least, so supposed by us, we may be apt to despise, may be yet taught the Truth of God, in things wherein we may be out of the way. That then which we have to do in these cases, is first to endeavour after a full Persuasion in our own minds, then to communicate the Principles of Reason and Scripture Testimony which we ground our Persuasion upon unto others, labouring with meekness and gentleness to instruct them, whom we apprehend to be out of the way; so submitting the whole to the Judgement of all that fear the Lord, and shall take notice of such things. And these Rules have I, and shall I attend unto, as abhorring nothing more, than a proud Magisterial imposing of our Apprehensions, and Inclinations, on the minds and practices of other men; which I judge far more intolerable in particular persons, than in Churches and Societies, in both contrary to that Royal Law of Love and Liberty, which all Believers ought to walk by.

§. 44 Here therefore we must have respect unto what hath been discoursed concerning the subject matter of the Precept it self. For if that be not only congruous to the Law of Nature, but that also which by the Creation of our selves and all other things we are taught and obliged unto the Observation of, the Law whereby it is required must be Moral. For the Descriptive, or Distinctive Term (Moral) doth first belong unto the things themselves required by any Law, and thence to the Law whereby they are commanded. If then we have proved, that the thing it self required in the fourth Commandment, or the Religious Observation of a Sacred Rest unto God for the Ends mentioned, in the Periodical Revolution of seven dayes is Natural and Moral, from the Relation that it hath unto the Law of Creation, then there can be no Question of the Morality of that Command. What hath been performed therein is left unto the Judgement of the Sober and Judicious Reader. For no man can be more remote from a pertinacious adherence to his own sentiments, or a Magisterial imposition of his Judgement and Apprehensions upon the minds, thoughts, or practice of other men, than I desire to be. For however we may please our selves in our light, knowledge, learning, and sincerity; yet