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

§. 48 From these particular Instances we may return to the consideration of the Law of the Decalogue in general, and the perpetual Power of exacting Obedience wherewith it is accompanied. That in the Old Testament it is frequently declared to be universally obligatory, and hath the same Efficacy ascribed unto it without putting in any exceptions to any of its Commands or limitations of its number, I suppose will be granted. The Authority of it is no less fully asserted in the New Testament, and that also absolutely without distinction, or the least intimation of excepting the fourth Command from what is affirmed concerning the whole. It is of the Law of the Decalogue that our Saviour treats, Matth. 5. 17, 18, 19. This he affirms that he came not to dissolve, as he did the Ceremonial Law, but to fulfil it; and then affirms that not one Jot or Tittle of it shall pass away. And making thereon a Distribution of the whole into its several Commands, he declares his disapprobation of them who shall break, or teach men to break any one of them. And men make bold with him, when they so confidently assert, that they may break one of them, and teach others so to do, without offence. That this reacheth not to the confirmation of the seventh Day precisely we shall ⟨p. 197⟩afterwards abundantly demonstrate. In like manner St. James treats concerning the whole Law and all the Commands of it; Chap. 2. 10, 11. And the Argument he insists on for the Observance of the whole; namely, the giving of it by the same Authority, is confined to the Decalogue, and the way of Gods giving the Law thereof, or else it may be extended to all Mosaical Institutions, expressly contrary to his Intention.

§. 48 From these particular Instances we may return to the consideration of the Law of the Decalogue in general, and the perpetual Power of exacting Obedience wherewith it is accompanied. That in the Old Testament it is frequently declared to be universally obligatory, and hath the same Efficacy ascribed unto it without putting in any exceptions to any of its Commands or limitations of its number, I suppose will be granted. The Authority of it is no less fully asserted in the New Testament, and that also absolutely without distinction, or the least intimation of excepting the fourth Command from what is affirmed concerning the whole. It is of the Law of the Decalogue that our Saviour treats,