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

It is true, this Day was the same in order of the Days, with that before observed; namely, the seventh Day of the Week. But it was now reestablished upon new considerations, and unto new ends and purposes. The time of the change of the Day was not yet come; for this Work was but preparatory for a greater. And the Covenant whereunto the seventh Day was originally annexed, being not yet to be abolished, that day was not to be yet changed, nor another to be substituted in the room of it. Hence this Day became now to fall under a double consideration: First, as it was such a proportion of time as was requisite unto the Worship of God, and appointed as a pledge of his Rest in his Covenant. Secondly, as it received a new Institution, with superadded ends and significations, as a token and pledge of Gods Rest in the Law of Institutions, and the Worship erected therein. So both these states of the Church, had these three things distinctly; a Rest of God on his Works for their foundation; a Rest in Obedience and Worship for man to enter into; and a Day of Rest as a pledge and token of both the other.

It is true, this Day was the same in order of the Dayes, with that before observed; namely, the seventh Day of the Week. But it was now reestablished upon new considerations, and unto new ends and purposes. The time of the change of the Day was not yet come; for this Work was but preparatory for a greater. And the Covenant whereunto the seventh Day was originally annexed, being not yet to be abolished, that day was not to be yet changed, nor another to be substituted in the room of it. Hence this Day became now to fall under a double consideration: First, as it was such a proportion of time as was requisite unto the Worship of God, and appointed as a pledge of his Rest in his Covenant. Secondly, as it received a new Institution, with superadded ends and significations, as a token and pledge of Gods Rest in the Law of Institutions, and the Worship erected therein. So both these states of the Church, had these three things distinctly; a Rest of God on his Works for their foundation; a Rest in Obedience and Worship for man to enter into; and a Day of Rest as a pledge and token of both the other.

§. 18 Thirdly, The Apostle proves from the words of the Psalmist, that there was yet to be a Third state of the Church; an especial state under the Messiah, which he now proposed unto the Hebrews, and exhorted them to enter into. And in this Church-state,