A63997:107
The Christian Sabbath defended against a crying evil in these times of the antisabitarians…
The Christian Sabbath defended against a crying evil in these times of the antisabitarians of our age: wherein is showed that the morality of the fourth Commandment is still in force to bind Christians unto the sanctification of the Sabbath day. Written by that learned assertor of the truth, William Twice D.D. late prolocutor to the Assembly of Divines.The Christian Sabbath defended against a crying evil in these times of the antisabitarians of our age: wherein is shewed that the morality of the fourth Commandement is still in force to bind Christians unto the sanctification of the Sabbath day. Written by that learned assertor of the truth, William Twisse D.D. late prolocutor to the Assembly of Divines.
London: printed for Thomas Pierrepont, 1652
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.
The Fathers profess that no other positive precept was given to Adam then to abstain from the Fruit of a certain Tree. I answer, Chrysostom professeth expressly, that from the beginning God hath showed that one day in the circle of the week is to be set apart for spiritual operation; Likewise the testimonies of Athanasius and Epiphanius are express for the acknowledgement of the institution of the Sabbath immediately from the Creation, as before hath been showed. Indeed both as touching the setting apart of some time in general for Gods service, and the proportion of one day in seven in special, is more then positive.
The Fathers professe that no other positive precept was given to Adam then to abstein from the Fruit of a certaine Tree. I answer, Chrysostome professeth expressely, that from the beginning God hath shewed that one day in the circle of the weeke is to bee set apart for spirituall operation; Likewise the testimonies of Athanasius and Epiphanius are expresse for the acknowledgment of the institution of the Sabbath immediately from the Creation, as before hath beene shewed. Indeede both as touching the setting apart of some time in generall for Gods service, and the proportion of one day in seven in speciall, is more then positive.
Divines teach that before Christs coming the Gentiles might obtain salvation by observing the moral Law, and the Law of nature, with some light of Divine faith, and supernatural assistance of God. I answer. 1. of what reputation those Divines he speaks of, deserve to be with us, let every Protestant judge. 2. yet we know that the Gentiles might have evidence enough of the holiness of the seventh day; and that God left not himself without witness in this, even to Heathens is so notorious, that we may justly wonder, to observe how the monuments of the dignity of the seventh day were so strangely preserved among them. 3. Yet where testimony sufficient was wanting not only for the particularity of the day, but for the proportion of time; we do not hold these to be moral so absolutely, and in such a degree, as to say that failing in this alone in such a case should prejudice any mans salvation; though we say with Chrysostom that God