A59693:430
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 142.
Nor do I say that because the law was spoken by God immediately, §142that therefore it is moral; for he spake with Abraham, Job, Moses in the mount, immediately about other matters then moral laws; but because he thus spake and in such a manner openly and to all people, young and old, Jews and Proselyte Gentiles then present, with such great glory and terror and majesty.1 Surely it stands not (saith holy Brigh•man) with the majesty of the universal Lord who is God not only of the Jews but also of the Gentiles, speaking thus openly (not privately) and gloriously and most immediately, to prescribe laws to one people only which were small in number, but wherewith all nations alike should be governed: Mr Ironside indeed thinks that the Lord had gone on to have delivered all the other ceremonials in the like manner of speech from the mount, but that the fear and cry of the people (that he would speak no more to them) stopped him; but the contrary is most evident, viz. that before the people cried out, the Lord made a stop of himself, and therefore is said to add no more, Deut. 5.22, It was a glory of the Gospel above all other messages in that it was immediately spoken by Christ, Heb. 1.2. & 2.3. and so Gods immediate publication of the moral law puts a glory and honour upon it above any other laws; and therefore while Mr Ironside goes about to put the same honour upon ceremonial laws, he doth not a little obscure and cast dishonour upon those that are moral, by making this honour to be common with ceremonial and not proper only to moral laws.