A59693:25
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.
The times are now come, wherein by the refined mystical divinity of the old Monks, not only the Sabbath, but also all the Ordinances of Christ in the New-Testament are allegorized and spiritualized out of the world: And therefore 'tis no marvel when they abolish the outward Sabbath because of a spiritual Sabbath in Christ, if (through Gods righteous ⟨image 8⟩judgment blinding their hearts) they be also left to reject the outward Word, because of an inward wo•d to teach them; and outward Baptism and Lords Supper, because of an inward Baptism by the Holy Ghost and spiritual Bread from Heaven the Lord Christ Jesus; and all outward Ordinances, Ministries, Churches, because of an inward Kingdom and Temple: and the Argument will hold strongly, that if because they have an inward Sabbath of Rest in the bosom of Christ (which I deny not) that they may therefore cast away all external Sabbaths, they may then very well reject all outward Baptism, Lords Supper, all Churches, all Ordinances, because herein there is also the inward Baptism, spiritual feeding upon Christ and inward Kingdom and Temple of God. But thus they wickedly separate and sever what God hath joined and may well stand together, through the madness of which hellish practise I have long observed almost all the late and most pernicious errors of these times arise; and those men who have formerly wept for Gods precious Sabbaths and Ordinances, and have prayed for them, and pleaded for them, and have offered their lives in sacrifice for them, and fought for them, yea, that have felt perhaps the comfort, sweetness, and blessing of Gods Sabbaths, yea the redeeming and saving-power of Gods Ordinances to their own souls; yet through pretences of more spiritual enjoyments above, and beyond, and without all these, they can part with these their old friends without weeping, and reject them as polluted rags, and fleshly forms, and dark veils and curtains which must be drawn aside, that so they may not hinder the true Light from shining in them.
The times are now come, wherein by the refined mysticall divinity of the old Monks, not only the Sabbath, but also all the Ordinances of Christ in the New-Testament are allegorized and spirituallized out of the world: And therefore 'tis no marvel when they abolish the outward Sabbath because of a spirituall Sabbath in Christ, if (through Gods righteous ⟨image 8⟩