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

§. 2 It is true indeed; that in the Fourth Commandment, there is an explanation of the Rest of the Sabbath so far as it consisteth in a Cessation from our own works that are of use and advantage to the outward man in this life, suited as unto the state and condition of mankind in general since the Fall, so unto the especial state of the Jews, at that time when the Law was given; as there was also in the Additional Appendix of the first Commandment. But for the substance of it the same kind of Rest was to be observed in the State of Innocency; and was necessary thereunto, on the grounds before insisted or. Servile Labour, with Trouble, Sweat and Vexation, was occasioned by the Curse. Gen. 3. 17, 18, 19. The State also of Servants and Handmaids such as was then, and is still in use, followed on the entrance of sin, though merely to serve, be no part of the Curse, 1 Cor. 7. 20, 21. as having its foundation in that subordination which is natural. And the Government of Servants ought not to be Despotical, but Paternal, Gen. 18. 19. In these things there was some Variation supposed in the giving of the Decalogue as to their outward manner, from the original state of things amongst mankind. But there was also Work required of man, or labour in the Earth, with reference unto his natural life and subsistence in this world, in the state of Innocency. For it is said expressly, that God put man into the Garden, ⟨p. 223⟩[Greek or Hebrew], Gen. 2. 15. to labour in it; and to preserve it by labour for his Use. A Cessation therefore from bodily labour was consistent with, and useful unto that condition, that men thereby might be enabled to give themselves (in the season they were directed unto by the Works and Example of God) wholly unto the especial Ends of living unto him according to the Covenant made with them.

§. 2 It is true indeed; that in the Fourth Commandment, there is an explanation of the Rest of the Sabbath so far as it consisteth in a Cessation from our own works that are of use and advantage to the outward man in this life, suited as unto the state and condition of mankind in general since the Fall, so unto the especial state of the Jews, at that time when the Law was given; as there was also in the Additional Appendix of the first Commandment. But for the substance of it the same kind of Rest was to be observed in the State of Innocency; and was necessary thereunto, on the grounds before insisted or. Servile Labour, with Trouble, Sweat and Vexation, was occasioned by the Curse.