A59693:252
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 87.
The Spirit of God which writ the Scriptures, and in them §87this rule of the holy law, is in the Scriptures and in that law, as well as in a Believers heart; and therefore to forsake and reject the Scriptures or this written rule, is to forsake and reject the holy Spirit speaking in it as their rule; nay, 'tis to forsake that Spirit which is the supreme Judge, according to which all private spirits, nay all the actings, dictates, movings, speakings of Gods own Spirit in us, are to be tried, examined and judged. To the law and the testimony, was the voice of the Prophets in their days, Isa. 8.20. The Lord Christ himself refers the Jews to the searching of Scriptures concerning himself, John 5.39. The men of Bereah are commended for examining the holy and infallible dictates of Gods Spirit, in Pauls Ministry, according to what was written in the Scriptures of old. It is therefore but a cracking noise of windy words for any to say that they open no gap to licentiousness by renouncing the written and external law as their rule, considering that they cleave to a more inward and better rule, viz. The law of the spirit within: for (as hath been shown) they do indeed renounce the holy Spirit speaking in the rule, viz. the law without, which though it be no rule of the Spirit (as some object) yet it is that rule according to which the Spirit guides us to walk, and by which we are to judge whether the guidance be the spirits guidance or no.
The Spirit of God which writ the Scriptures, and in them §87this rule of the holy law, is in the Scriptures and in that law, as well as in a Beleevers heart; and therefore to forsake and reject the Scriptures or this written rule, is to forsake and reject the holy Spirit speaking in it as their rule; nay, 'tis to forsake that Spirit which is the supreme Judge, according to which all private spirits, nay all the actings, dictates, movings, speakings of Gods owne Spirit in us, are to be tried, examined and judged. To the law and the testimony, was the voice of the Prophets in their dayes,