The man that gathered sticks on the Sabbath, Numb. 15.30.§8 was put to death; what for gathering of sticks only? why then did not the just God put them to death who were the first offenders (and therefore most fit to be made examples) who went out to gather Manna upon this day? Exod. 1•. This gathering of sticks therefore, though little in it self, yet seems to be aggravated by presumption; and that the man did presumptuously break the Sabbath, and therefore its generally observed that this very example follows the Law of punishing a presumptuous transgressor with death in this very Chapter: and though it be said that they found a man gathering sticks, as if it were done secretly, and not presumptuously, yet we know that presumptuous sins may be committed secretly as well as openly, though they are not in so high a degree presumptuous as when they are done more openly: the fear of the Law against Sabbath breakers, might restrain the man from doing that openly, which before God was done proudly, and presumptuously; and though Moses doubted what to do with the man, who had that capital Law given him before against Sabbath breakers, yet they might be ignorant for a time of the full and true meaning of it, which the Lord here seems to expound, viz. that a Sabbath breaker sinning presumptuously is to be put to death: and although it be doubted whether such a Law is not too rigorous in these Times, yet we do see that where the Magistrate neglects to restrain from this sin, the Lord takes the Magistrates work into his own hand, and many times cuts them off suddenly who profane his Sabbath presumptuously: and tis worth enquiring into whether presumptuous Sabbath breakers are not still to be put to Death: which I doubt not but that the Lord will either one day clear up, or else discover some specialty ⟨p. 82⟩in the application of this judicial Law to that Polity of the Jews, as most fit for them, and not so universally fit for all others in Christian Common-wealths: but this latter I yet see no proof for: nor do I expect the clearing up of the other while the temper of the Times is loose and lukewarm.
The man that gathered sticks on the Sabbath, Numb. 15.30.§8 was put to death; what for gathering of sticks onely? why then did not the just God put them to death who were the first offenders (and therefore most fit to be made examples) who went out to gather Manna upon this day? Exod. 1•. This gathering of sticks therefore, though little in it selfe, yet seemes to be aggravated by presumption; and that the man did presumptuously breake the Sabbath, and therefore its generally observed that this very example followes the Law of punishing a presumptuous transgressor with death in this very Chapter: and though it be said that they found a man gathering sticks, as if it were done secretly, and not presumptuously, yet we know that presumptuous sins may be committed secretly as well as openly, though they are not in so high a degree presumptuous as when they are done more openly: the feare of the Law against Sabbath breakers, might restrain the man from doing that openly, which before God was done proudly, and presumptuously; and though Moses doubted what to do with the man, who had that capitall Law given him before against Sabbath breakers, yet they might be ignorant for a time of the full and true meaning of it, which the Lord here seemes to expound, viz. that a Sabbath breaker sinning presumptuously is to be put to death: and although it be doubted whether such a Law is not too rigorous in these Times, yet we do see that where the Magistrate neglects to restraine from this sinne, the Lord takes the Magistrates work into his own hand, and many times cuts them off suddenly who prophane his Sabbath presumptuously: and tis worth enquiring into whether presumptuous Sabbath breakers are not still to be put to Death: which I doubt not but that the Lord will either one day cleare up, or else discover some specialty ⟨p. 82⟩in the application of this judiciall Law to that Polity of the Iewes, as most fit for them, and not so universally fit for all others in Christian Common-vvealths: but this latter I yet see no proofe for: nor doe I expect the clearing up of the other while the temper of the Times is loose and lukewarme.
