A59693:63
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.
They who define a moral law, to be such a law as §13is perpetual and universal, binding all persons in all ages ⟨p. 6⟩and times, do come somewhat nearer to the mark, and are not far off from the truth, and such a description is most plain and obvious to such as are not curious: and in this sense our adversaries in this cause affirm the Sabbath not to be moral, meaning, that it is not a Law perpetual and universal. Others on the contrary affirming that it is moral, intend thus much, that it is perpetual and universal, a law which binds all persons, all times, and in all ages, and herein lies the chief matter of controversy at this day. Now in what respect and how far forth the law of the Sabbath is perpetual, shall be hereafter shown; mean while it may not be amiss to enquire more narrowly into the nature of a moral law. For though a Law primarily moral is perpetual, yet perpetuity seems to be an adjunct rather than of the essence of a moral law, and the difficulty will still remain untouched, viz. to know when a law is perpetual, and what is internal and intrinsical to such a law as makes it perpetual or moral; whereinto I would not search, lest I should seem to affect curiosity, but that our critical adversaries put us upon it, with whom there is nothing lost in case we• gain nothing by wrestling a little with them upon their own grounds, where for a while we shall come up to them.
They who define a morall law, to be such a law as §13is perpetuall and universall, binding all persons in all ages ⟨p. 6⟩