A59693:998
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.
And if superiors in Families are to see their Gates preserved §20unspotted from such provoking evils, can any think but that the same bond lies upon Superiors in Common Wealths, who are the Fathers of those great Families, whose subjects also are within their Gates and the power of their Jurisdictions? the Civill Magistrate though he hath no power to impose new Laws upon the Consciences of his subjects, yet he is bound to see that the Laws of God be kept by all his Subjects; provided always that herein he walk according to the Law and Rule of God, viz. that. 1. Ignorant Consciences in clear and momentous matters be first instructed. 2. Doubting Consciences have sufficient means of being resolved. 3. Bold and audacious Consciences be first forewarned: hence it is that though he hath no power to make Holy days and to impose the observation of them upon the Consciences of his subjects, (because these are his own Laws) yet he may and should see that the Sabbath Day (the Lords holy Day) that this he observed, because he doth but see to the execution of Gods Commandment herein. By what Rule did Nehemiah not only forbid the breach of the Sabbath, but did also threaten bodily punishment upon the men of Tyre? (although they were Heathens, yet were they at this time within the Gates and compass of his Jurisdiction: Nehem. 13.21.) certainly he thought himself bound in conscience to see that the Sabbath should not be profaned by any that were within his Gates, according to this fourth Commandment. If Kings and Princes and civill Magistrates have nothing to do in matters of the first Table (and consequently must give any man liberty to Profane the Sabbath that pretends Conscience,) why then doth Jeremiah call upon Princes to see that it be not profaned, with promise of having their Crowns and Kingdoms preserved from wrath if thus they do, and with threatening the burning up and consuming of City and Kingdom if this they do not Jeremiah? 17.19.25.27. If civill Magistrates have nothing to do herein, they then have nothing to do to preserve their Crowns, Kingdoms, Sceptres, Subjects from fire and Blood and utter ruin: Nehemiah was no Type of Christ, nor were the Kings of Israel bound to see the Sabbath kept as Types of Christ, but as nursing Fathers of the Common-Wealth, ⟨p. 90⟩and because their own subjects were within their Gates and under their power;