A59693:228
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 78.
The Kingdom of heaven indeed doth not consist in meat and drink, as the Apostle saith, Rom. 14.17. i. in the use of external indifferent things, as those meats and drinks, and some kind of days were, or if in some sense it did, yet not chiefly in them, as if almost all religion did chiefly consist in them: but doth it from hence follow, that it consists not in things commanded, nor in any set days of worship which are commanded? If because the kingdom of God consists in internal peace and righteousness, and joy of the holy Ghost, that therefore all external observances of times and duties of worship are not necessary to be attended by Gospel-worshippers (as some secretly imagine) then farewell all external Preaching, Sacraments, Profession and Confession of the Name of Christ, as well as Sabbaths: and let such artists of licentiousness bring in all profaneness into the world again, by a law from heaven, not condemning the acts of the outward man, though never so abominable, in abstinence from which (by this rule) the kingdom of heaven doth not consist. Is it no honour to the King of glory (as it is to earthly Princes) to be served sometimes upon special Festivals, in special state, with special and glorious attendance by his people, as well as after a common and usual manner every day? We have seen some who have at first held community of days only, to fall at last (through the righteous judgment of God blinding their hearts) to maintain community of wives; and that because the kingdom of God hath (as they have thought) consisted no more in outward relations (as that is between Husbands and Wives) than in the observation of external circumstances and days.
The Kindome of heaven indeed doth not consist in meat and drink, as the Apostle saith,