A59693:315
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 110.
The Gospel under which Believers now are, requires no doing §110(say some) for doing is proper to the Law; the Law promiseth life, and requires conditions: but the Gospel (say they) promiseth to work the condition, but requires none, and therefore a believer is now wholly free from all Law: but the Gospel and Law are taken two ways. 1. Largely, the Law for the whole doctrine contained in the Old Testament, and the Gospel for the whole doctrine of Christ and the Apostles in the New Testament. 2. Strictly,1 the Law pro lege operum (as Chamier distinguisheth) and the Gospel pro lege fidei, i. for the Law of faith: the Law of works strictly taken is that Law which reveals the favour of God and eternal life upon condition of doing or of perfect obedience: the Law of faith strictly taken is that doctrine which reveals remission of sins, reconciliation with God by Christs righteousness only apprehended by faith: now the Gospel in this latter sense excludes all works, and requires no doing in point of justification and remission of sins before God, but only believing: but take the Gospel largely for the whole doctrine of Gods love and free grace, and so the Gospel requires doing; for as 'tis an act o• Gods free grace to justify a man without calling for any works thereunto; so 'tis an act of the same free grace, to require works of a person justified, and that such poor sinners should stand before the Son of God on his throne, to minister unto him, and serve him in righteousness and holiness all the days of our lives, Tit. 2.14. and for any to think that the Gospel requires no conditions, is a sudden dream against hundreds of Scriptures, which contain conditional yet evangelical promises, and against the ⟨p. 100⟩judgement of the most judicious of our Divines, who in dispute against Popish writers cannot but acknowledge them, only thus, viz. conditions and promises annexed to obedience are one thing (saith learned Perable) and conditions annexed to perfect obedience are another: the first are in the Gospel, the other not: works are necessary to salvation (saith Chamier) necessitate praesentiae not efficientiae;