A53694:40
Exercitations concerning the name, original, nature, use, and continuance of a day of sacred…
Exercitations concerning the name, original, nature, use, and continuance of a day of sacred rest wherein the original of the Sabbath from the foundation of the world, the morality of the Fourth commandment with the change of the Seventh day are enquired into : together with an assertion of the divine institution of the Lord's Day, and practical directions for its due observation / by John Owen.
London: printed by R.W. for Nath. Ponder, 1671
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
But I must not here farther divert unto the consideration of these things. Only I fear, that some men write Books about them, because they read none. This I know, that they miserably mistake what is in Controversy; and set up to themselves Men of Straw as their Adversaries, and then cast Stones at them.
But I must not here farther divert unto the consideration of these things. Only I fear, that some men write Books about them, because they read none. This I know, that they miserably mistake what is in Controversie; and set up to themselves Men of Straw as their Adversaries, and then cast Stones at them.
(3.) The Dictates of General and incorrupted Reason, suitable unto and explained by Scripture Light, is another Principle that we shall in our progress have a due regard unto. For whereas it is confessed, that the separation of some portion of Time to the Worship of God, is a part of the Law of our Creation, the Light of Nature doth and must still on that supposition continue to give Testimony unto our Duty therein. And although this Light is exceedingly weakened and impaired by sin in the things of the greatest importance, and as to many things truly belonging unto it in our original Constitution, so overwhelmed with Prejudices, and contrary usages, that of it self it owns them not at all; yet let it be excited, quickened, rectified, by Scripture Light, it will return to perform its Office of testifying unto that Duty, a sense whereof, and a Direction whereunto, were concreated with it. We shall therefore enquire what Intimations the Light of Nature hath continued to give concerning a Day of Sacred Rest to be observed unto God; and what uncontrollable Testimonies ⟨p. 20⟩we have of those Intimations, in the knowledge, confessions, and expressions of them, in and by those, who had no other Way to come to an Acquaintance with them. And where there is a common or prevailing Suffrage given amongst mankind, unto any Truth, and that, to free us from entanglements about it, declared to be such in the Scripture, it must be acknowledged to proceed from that Light of Nature which is common unto all, though the actings of it be stifled in many.