A59693:323
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 114.
The first is a shameful neglect (in some affecting foolishly §114the name of new Testament Ministers) of a wise and powerful preaching of the law, to make way by the humbling work of it, for the glorious Gospel, and the affectionate entertainment thereof: for through the righteous judgement of God, when men once begin to abandon this use of the law as a rule, they abolish much more readily this use of the law to prepare men thereby for the receiving of Christ: I know there are some who acknowledge this use of the law to be our rule, but not to prepare; but how long they may be orthodox in the one▪ who are heterodox in the other, the Lord only knows; for I find that the chief arguments against the one, do strike strongly against the other also: It's an easy thing to cast blocks before the blind, and to cast mists before the face of the clearest truth, and to make many specious shows of new Testament Ministry, free-grace and Covenant, against this supposed legal way and preparing work; but assuredly they that have found and felt the fruit and comfort of this humbling way (for which I doubt not but that thousands and thousands are blessing God in heaven that ever they heard of it) do certainly and assuredly know, that these men (at least doctrines in this point) are not of God: The word in these mens mouths being flat contrary to the merciful, and the for ever to be adored work of God in their hearts: When the Spirit comes, his first work (if Christ may be believed) even when he comes as a Comforter, is, To convince the world of sin, John 16.9.10. which we know is chiefly by the law, Rom. 3.20. and shall the Ministers (not of the letter but of the Spirit) refuse to begin here? Especially in these times of wantonness, contention, confusion, famine, sword and blood, wherein every thing almost cries aloud for sackcloth, and therefore not for tiffany and silken Sermons: As if this