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

§. 51 This in an especial manner was the condition of the fourth Commandment. Three things are distinctly proposed in it. (1.) The Command for an Observance of a Sabbath Day, v. 8. Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy. This contains the whole substance of the Command. The formal Reason whereof is contained in the last clause of it, Wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath Day and hallowed it. And upon the neglect of the Observance of the Sabbath in former Generations, with a Prospect on the many Difficulties that would arise among the people in the Observation of it for the future, as also because the Foundation and Reason of it in the Law of Creation, being principally external in the Works and Rest of God that ensued thereon, were not so absolutely ingrafted in the minds of men, as continually to evidence and manifest themselves, as do those of the other Precepts, there is an especial note put upon it for Remembrance. And whereas it is a positive Precept, as is that which follows it, all the rest being Negatives, it stood more in need ⟨p. 242⟩than they of a particular charge, and special Motives; of which Nature one is added also to the next Command, being in like manner a Positive Enunciation. (2.) Secondly, There is an express Determination of this Sabbath to be one Day in seven, without which it was only included in the Original Reason of it, v. 9, 10. Six days shalt thou-labour, and do all thy Work, but the seventh Day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God. And herein the Day originally fixed in the Covenant of Works is again limited unto this people, to continue unto the Time of the full Introduction and Establishment of the New Covenant. And this limitation of the seventh Day, was but the Renovation of the Command when given unto them in the way of an especial Ordinance, Exod. 16. and belongs not to the substance of the Command it self. Yea take the Command it self without respect unto its explications elsewhere, and it expresseth no such limitation; though virtually because of the precedent Institution, Exod. 16. it be contained in it. Hence (Thirdly) There is a Prescription for the manner of its Observance accommodated unto the state and condition of that people, and that two ways, (1.)

§. 51 This in an especial manner was the condition of the fourth Commandment. Three things are distinctly proposed in it. (1.) The Command for an Observance of a Sabbath Day, v. 8. Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy. This contains the whole substance of the Command. The formal Reason whereof is contained in the last clause of it, Wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath Day and hallowed it. And upon the neglect of the Observance of the Sabbath in former Generations, with a Prospect on the many Difficulties that would arise among the people in the Observation of it for the future, as also because the Foundation and Reason of it in the Law of Creation, being principally external in the Works and Rest of God that ensued thereon, were not so absolutely ingrafted in the minds of men, as continually to evidence and manifest themselves, as do those of the other Precepts, there is an especial note put upon it for Remembrance. And whereas it is a positive Precept, as is that which follows it, all the rest being Negatives, it stood more in need