A59693:622
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 13.
Those that go about (as some of late have done) to make Christs Ascension-day the ground of our Sabbath-day, had need be fearful left they lose the truth and go beyond it, while they affect some new discoveries of it, which seems to be the case here. For through Christ at his Ascension entered into his place of Rest, yet the place is but an Accidental thing to Christs Rest it self, the State of which was begun in the day of his Resurrection; and therefore there is no reason to prefer that which is but accidental above that which is most substantial; or the day of entrance into the place of his Rest in his Ascension, before the day of Rest in his Resurrection: beside, its very uncertain whether Christ ascended upon the first day of the week; we are certain that he arose then; and why we should build such a vast change upon an uncertainty, I know not. And yet suppose that by deduction and strength of wit •t might be found out, yet we see not the Holy Ghost expressly setting it down, viz. That Christ ascended upon the first day of the week, which if he had intended to have made the ground of our Christian Sabbath, he would surely have done: the first day in the week being ever accounted the Lords day in Holy Scriptures; and no other first day do we find mentioned on which he ascended, but only on that day wherein he arose from the dead.
Those that goe about (as some of late have done) to make Christs Ascension-day the ground of our Sabbath-day, had need be fearefull left they lose the truth and goe beyond it, while they affect some new discoveries of it, which seems to be the case here. For through Christ at his Ascension entred into his place of Rest, yet the place is but an Accidental thing to Christs Rest it selfe, the State of which was begun in the day of his Resurrection; and therefore there is no reason to prefer that which is but accidental above that which is most substantiall; or the day of entrance into the place of his Rest in his Ascension, before the day of Rest in his Resurrection: beside, its very uncertain whether Christ ascended upon the first day of the week; we are certain that he arose then; and why we should build such a vast change upon an uncertainty, I know not. And yet suppose that by deduction and strength of wit t might be found out, yet wee see not the Holy Ghost expressely setting it down, viz. That Christ ascended upon the first day of the week, which if he had intended to have made the ground of our Christian Sabbath, he would surely have done: the first day in the week being ever accounted the Lords day in Holy Scriptures; and no other first day do we find mentioned on which he ascended, but only on that day wherein he arose from the dead.