A59693:305
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.
This cannot be the meaning, for although the carnal Jews were thus under it, yet the faithful (whom the Apostle calls the heir and Lord of all, Gal. 4.1.) were not thus under it, for Believers then were as much blessed then with faithful Abraham, as Believers now, cap. 3.9. How then are we not now under it as they were? Is it in this, that they were under it as a rule of life to walk by, and so are not we? Thus indeed some strain the place, but this cannot be it; for the Apostle in this very Epistle presseth them to Love one another, upon this ground, because All the Law is fulfilled in love, cap. 5.13, 14. and this walking in love according to the law, is walking in the Spirit, verse 16. and they that thus walk in the spirit, according to the law, are not (saith the Apostle) under the law, which cannot, without flat contradiction, be meant of not being under the rule or directive power of it; and it would be a miserable weak motive to press them to love, because all the law is fulfilled in love, if the law was not to be regarded as any rule of life or of love; for they might upon such a ground easily and justly object, and say, What have ⟨p. 92⟩we to do with the law? If we therefore as well as they, are thus under the law as a rule of life, how are we not under it as they were? Is it because they were under it as a preparative means for Christ, and not we? They were under the humbling and terrifying preparing work of it, but not we: There are some indeed who think that this use of the law under the Gospel is but a back-door, or an Indian path, or a crooked-way about, to lead to Jesus Christ; but certainly these men know not what they say, for the text expressly tells us, that the Scripture hath concluded (not only the Jews) but All under sin, that so the promise by faith, might be given to them that believe, Gal. 3.22. So that the law is subservient to faith and to the promise, that so hereby not only the Jews, but all that God saves might hereby feel their need, and fly by faith to the promise made in Jesus Christ; and verily if Christ be the end of the law to every one that believes, Rom. 10.4. then the law is the means (not of it self, so much as by the rich grace of God) not only to the Jews, but to all others to the end of the world, to lead them to this end Christ Jesus: