A59693:293
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 104.
But there is a greater mystery intended by some in this phrase, as given by Christ, for their meaning is this, to wit, As Christ by his Spirit writes it in our hearts, 1not any way a rule as written by Moses: A Believers heart (saith Master Saltmarsh) is the very law of Commands, and the two Tables of Moses, and in this respect it becomes not (saith he) the glory of Christ to be beholding to any of the light upon Moses face. It seems then that the law written is not to be a Christians rule, but only so far as it is written in the heart, a most accursed assertion; for how and why did Christ Jesus himself resist temptation to sin? was it not by cleaving to the written word? Matth. 44.10. and was not this done for our imitation? why did David and Christ Jesus delight to do Gods will? was it not this, because it was written of them that so they should do? Psa. 40.7, 8. Did not the law in their hearts make them thus cleave to the written law without? Why did Paul persuade Children to honour their parents? was it not, because this was the first Commandment with promise? Ephes. 6.2. had it not been more Evangelically spoken to persuade them rather to look to the law of Moses written on their hearts within, to direct them hereunto, rather than to be beholding for any light upon Moses face to direct them herein? how comes it to pass that Paul preacheth no other thing but what was in the old Testament of Moses and the Prophets, who were only the Interpreters of Moses? Acts 22.20. How is it that Christ himself borrows light from Moses, Psalms and all the Prophets, to clear up his resurrection and suffering, Luke 24.27, 32▪ if no light must be borrowed from the face of Moses? if indeed we were perfect in this life as we shall be in heaven, there would then be no need of the writings of the Apostles, Prophets, or Moses, of Law or Gospel, but we being but imperfectly enlightened, it's no less than extreme ingratitude and unthankfulness to prefer our own imperfect and impure light, before that perfect, spotless and heavenly Law and counsels of God without us: