A59693:219
Theses Sabbaticæ, or, The doctrine of the Sabbath wherein the Sabbaths I. Morality, II.…
Theses Sabbaticæ, or, The doctrine of the Sabbath wherein the Sabbaths I. Morality, II. Change, III. Beginning. IV. Sanctification, are clearly discussed, which were first handled more largely in sundry sermons in Cambridge in New-England in opening of the Fourth Commandment : in unfolding whereof many scriptures are cleared, divers cases of conscience resolved, and the moral law as a rule of life to a believer, occasionally and distinctly handled / by Thomas Shepard ...Theses Sabbaticæ, or, The doctrine of the Sabbath wherein the Sabbaths I. Morality, II. Change, III. Beginning. IV. Sanctification, are clearly discussed, which were first handled more largely in sundry sermons in Cambridge in New-England in opening of the Fourth COmmandment : in unfolding whereof many scriptures are cleared, divers cases of conscience resolved, and the morall law as a rule of life to a believer, occasionally and distinctly handled / by Thomas Shepard ...
London: printed by T.R. and E.M. for John Rothwell, 1650
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.
Thesis 74.
To both these places therefore, a threefold Answer may be given: First, Admit the gradation in them both, yet by days, Gal. 4.10. is not necessarily meant, all weekly Sabbath days, for there were other days Ceremonial which the Jews observed, and which the Jewish teachers urged, besides the Sabbath; to instance only in Circumcision which they zealously pressed, Gal. 5.3. which we know was limited unto the eighth day, and which they might urge as well as Circumcision it self. However, look as the Apostle when he condemns them for observing times, [Greek or Hebrew] which signifies Fit seasons, he doth not therein condemn them for observing all fit seasons (for then we must not pray nor hear the word in fit seasons) but he condemns the Jewish Ceremonial times and seasons; so when he condemns the observation of days, the Apostle doth not condemn the observation of all days (for then days of fasting and feasting must be condemned, as well as days of resting, under the new Testament) but the observation of Ceremonial days, which the Jews observed, and false teachers urged: and indeed the Apostle speaks of such days as were beggarly elements and rudiments: ⟨p. 61⟩now James speaking of the moral law, which comprehends Sabbath days, he doth not call it a beggarly law, but a royal law, Jam. 2.8.12. nor doth he make subjection thereunto, to be the bondage of servants (as that was, Gal. 4.9.) but the liberty of children, and therefore called a royal law of liberty.
To both these places therefore, a threefold Answer may bee given: First, Admit the gradation in them both, yet by dayes,