A59693:346
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.
though grace abounds where sin abounds, yet 'tis not to all sinners (for then all should be saved) but to such as receive abundance of grace by faith, Rom. 5.17. although God holds forth Christ to be a propitiation for sinners, yet it's expressly said to be mediately through faith in his blood, Rom. 3.24.25: although the Scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise might be given, yet it is not said to be immediately given to sinners as sinners, but mediately to all that believe; and in one word, though it be true that Christ died for sinners and enemies, that they might have remission of sins (then procured and merited for them) yet we never actually have, nor receive •his remission (and consequently cannot see it) as our own, until we do believe; for unto this truth (saith Peter) do all the Prophets witness that whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins, Act. 10.43. and hence it is that as all the Prophets preached the actual favour of God only to sinners as believers, so the Apostles never preached it in New Testament times otherwise; and hence Peter, Act. 2.38. doth not tell the sorrowful Jews that they were sinners, and that God loved them, and that Christ had died for them, and that their sins were pardoned because they were sinners, but he first exhorts them to repent, that so they might receive remission of sins; nor doth Paul tell any man that salvation belonged to him, because he is a sinner, but if thou believe with all thy heart thou shalt be saved, Rom. 10.5, 6, 7. if the love of God be revealed to a sinner as a sinner, this must be either, 1. by the witness of the Law; but this is impossible, for if the curse of God be herein revealed only to a sinner as a sinner, then the love of God cannot; but the Law curseth every sinner, Gal 3.10. Or 2. by the Light and witness of the Gospel; ⟨p. 115⟩but this cannot be; for it reveals life and salvation only to a believer, and confirms the sentence of the Law against such a sinner as believes not,