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

§. 5 Neither is this Opinion amongst them Universal. Some of their most famous Masters are otherwise minded. For they both judge that the Sabbath was instituted in Paradise, and that the Law of it, was equally obligatory unto all Nations in the World. Of this mind are Maimonides, Aben-Ezra, Abarbinel and others. For they expressly refer the Revelation of the Sabbath unto the Sanctification and Benediction of the first seventh Day, Gen. 2. 2. The Targum on the Title of Psal. 92. ascribes that Psalm to Adam, as spoken by him on the Sabbath Day. Whence Austin esteemed this rather the general Opinion of the Jews. Tractat. 20. in Johan. And Manasse Ben Israel, Lib. de Creat. Problem. 8. proves out of sundry of their own Authors, that the Sabbath was given unto, and observed by the Patriarchs, before the coming of the people into the Wilderness. In particular that it was so by Abraham, Jacob, and Joseph, he confirms by Testimonies out of the Scripture not to be despised. Philo Judaeus, and Josephus, both of them more ancient, and more learned than any of the Talmudical Doctors, expressly assign the Original of the Sabbath unto that of the World. Philo calls it, [Greek or Hebrew], The Day of the Worlds ⟨p. 51⟩Nativity. And [Greek or Hebrew]. A Feast not of One City or Country, but of the whole World. De Opificio Mundi; & de Vita Mos. lib. 2. To the same purpose speaks Josephus lib. 2. cont. Appion. And the words of Abarbinel are sufficiently express in this matter; [Greek or Hebrew]. He sanctified and separated the seventh Day unto Glory and Honour, because on its approach the work of Heaven and Earth was perfected and finished—Even as a man when he hath performed an honourable Work, and perfected it, maketh a Banquet and a day of feasting. And yet more evident is that of Maimon. Tract. Ridush. Hachodesch. cap. 1. [Greek or Hebrew]. The vision or sight of the Moon is not delivered to all men, as was the Sabbath Bereschith, or in the Beginning. For every man can number six (Days) and rest on the seventh. But it is committed to the House of Judgement (the Sanhedrims) (that is to observe the Appearances of the Moon) and when the Sanhedrin declareth and pronounceth that it is the New Moon, or the beginning of the Month, then it is to be taken so to be.

§. 5 Neither is this Opinion amongst them Universal. Some of their most famous Masters are otherwise minded. For they both judge that the Sabbath was instituted in Paradise, and that the Law of it, was equally obligatory unto all Nations in the World. Of this mind are Maimonides, Aben-Ezra, Abarbinel and others. For they expresly refer the Revelation of the Sabbath unto the Sanctification and Benediction of the first seventh Day,