Of the morality of the fourth commandment as still in force to bind Christians…Of the morality of the fourth commandement as still in force to binde Christians…

Exam.

In this Section, the Prefacer makes a greater bluster by far then in the former. For to except against the proportion of time, as of one day in seven to be set apart for the service of God in these days of the Gospel, is so unreasonable a course, and that not only in the judgement of a Christian conscience, but even in the judgement of a natural man, that I cannot easily devise any thing more unreasonable. For whereas all confess that by the very light of nature some time ought to be set apart for the service of God; and not so only, but that a fit, and competent proportion of time is to be consecrated to holy uses, as Gomarus acknowledgeth, though one of the most eager opposers of the morality of the Sabbath, that hitherto have been known. Albeit this convenient proportion of time cannot be so convincingly concluded upon by the light of nature, as to draw all to an unanimous consent thereunto; yet after God himself hath gone before us herein by blessing the seventh day and sanctifying it; and that upon the ground mentioned both Gen. 2. and in the fourth Commandment; henceforth as Chrysostom observeth, ⟨p. 85⟩God hath manifested, that one day in seven is to be set apart; I may say consequently, that one day in seven is that fit proportion of time which is to be sanctified to Gods holy worship and service, and that God hath now manifested as much ever since the Creation. And (hereupon as I imagine) Azorius the Jesuit in his institutions is bold to conclude, that this course is most agreeable unto reason. Now if the Lord under the Law did require such a proportion of time to be sequestered from profane use to Divine, at the hands of the Jews; can it enter into the heart of a sober man, that God should require less of us Christians under the Gospel, then he did require of the Jews under the Law? Or that God hath now left it to the liberty of the Church, whether they will set apart the proportion of one day in seven or less, to be spent in Gods worship? If we consider the service of the day, as whereby God is honoured, undoubtedly God hath deserved more service at our hands under the Gospel, then he did at the hands of the Jews under the Law; for as much as the love of God to mankind was never so revealed in former times, as in these latter times; So God loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son, &c.