Theses Sabbaticæ, or, The doctrine of the Sabbath wherein the Sabbaths I. Morality, II.…

Thesis 50.

Those things first which are primarily and more generally moral, and morally commanded, are these three, 1. That there be some solemn convenient time set apart for Gods worship. 2. That this time be not any small pittance of time, but a solemn day of worship, bearing the most meet proportion to those days man hath for himself. ⟨p. 41⟩3. That this day be not any day indefinitely which man sees meet, but (as 'tis in the Commandment) the Sabbath or Rest day, which God himself interprets and determines to a seventh day.

Those things first which are primarily and more generally morall, and morally commanded, are these three, 1. That there be some solemne convenient time set apa•t for Gods worship. 2. That this time be not any small pittance of time, but a solemne day of worship, bearing the most meet proportion to those dayes man hath for himselfe. ⟨p. 41⟩3. That this day be not any day indefinitely which man sees meet, but (as 'tis in the Commandment) the Sabbath or Rest day, which God himself interprets and determines to a seventh day.

Some of our Adversaries in this Controversy, will not acknowledge any set time or day to be moral by virtue of this Commandment, because they think that That particular seventh day from the creation is only commanded but now abolished under the Gospel; and it only is commanded (they say) because it is only expressed and made mention of in the Commandment; I confess that That particular seventh is expressed and pointed at, but not only expressed (as we shall show in fit place) but suppose it were granted, that That seventh only is expressed, yet it will not follow that therefore a seventh day, and consequently a day, and consequently a time of worship is excluded: for look as 'tis in the second Commandment, we see the worship of a graven Image is particularly forbidden, and yet that which is more general, is also herein forbidden, viz. the worship of God by humane inventions: and why may not the like general be enjoined by commanding that particular seventh in the fourth Commandment? Others of our adversaries, on the contrary, acknowledge therefore, that in this particular seventh (which they make ceremonial) something more general and moral is herein required, but this general they limit to a time or some day of worship, but a seventh day which is more general then that particular seventh, yet less general then a day or time, they fly from this as from some serpent or bugbear, and will not admit it as any thing generally moral in this Commandment: But it is very observable in this Controversy, that upon the same grounds on which they would exclude this general of a seventh from being moral, they may as well exclude their own generals, viz. a time or a day from being moral: for if they think it irrational, that because a particular seventh day is required, that therefore a seventh day more general cannot be commanded; why is it not as irrational upon the same ground to exclude a time, a day also? Surely a seventh day lies nearer the bosom of a particular seventh, and is of nearer kin to it then a day. And I marvel that they should gather a solemn time and day of worship, which is more general, rather then a seventh out of that particular day, as not