A59693:983
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 15.
The first; The Holiness upon this day ought to be immediate:§15 I do not mean, without the use of public or private means, but in respect of worldly things: for we are commanded to be holy in all manner of conversation all the week in our worldly affairs, 1 Pet. 1.17. Holiness is to be writ upon our cups and pots, and horse-bridles, and ploughs, and sickles, Zach. 14.20.21. but this holiness is more immediate; we enjoy God by and in the creature, and in our weekly occasions and providences: but do we think that there is no more holiness required upon the Sabbath? verily every day then should be our Christian Sabbath, which is most false; and therefore some more immediate holiness is required now on this day which is not then, nor required of us every week day; and what can this be but drawing near to God this day more immediately, and as near as mortal man can do, and casting aside the world and getting out of it, and so to be near God in Prayer, in hearing the Word, in Meditation, &c? Psal. 95.5.6. if it were possible to be with and enjoy Christ in Heaven where there are no means we should this day long for it, and prize it; but because this cannot yet be, and that the Lord comes down from Heaven to us in his ordinances, and thereby makes himself as near to us as he can in this frail life; hence we are not only to draw near to Ordinances, but to God and Christ in them, upon this day, and so be as near them with greatest immediateness that we can,