A59693:306
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.
If therefore the faithful under the new Testament, are thus under the preparing work of the law, as well as those under the old, How were they therefore so under the law, as we are not, and we not under it as they were? I confess the place is more full of difficulties than is usually observed by writers upon it, only for the clearing up of this doubt, omitting many things, I answer briefly, That the children of the old Testament were under the law and the pedagogy of it, two ways, after which the children of the new Testament are not under it now, but are redeemed from it.
If therefore the faithfull under the new Testament, are thus under the preparing worke of the law, as well as those under the old, How were they therefore so under the law, as we are not, and wee not under it as they were? I confesse the place is more full of difficulties than is usually observed by writers upon it, onely for the clearing up of this doubt, omitting many things, I answer briefely, That the children of the old Testament were under the law and the pedagogy of it, two wayes, after which the children of the new Testament are not under it now, but are redeemed from it.
1. As the moral law was accompanied with a number of burdensome Ceremonies, thus we are not under it, thus they were under it; For we know this law was put into the Ark, and there they were to look upon it in that type, if any man then committed any sin against it, whether through infirmity, ignorance or presumption, they were to have recourse to the Sacrifices and High Priests yearly, and to their blood and oblations: They were to pray (which was a moral duty) but it must be with incense and in such a place: They were to be thankful (another moral duty) but it must be testified by the offering up of many Sacrifices upon the Altar, &c. They were to confess their sins (a moral duty also) but it ⟨p. 93⟩must be over the head of the Scape-goat, &c. Thus they were under the law, but we are not: And as 'tis usual for the Apostle thus to speak of the law in other places of the Scripture, so surely he speaks of it here, for hence it is that in the beginning of this dispute, cap. 3.19. he speaks of the moral law which was given because of transgressions; and yet in the close of it,