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…

Yet I willingly confess, that in my observation, two things there are, which seem to be of great moment, in opposition to the morality of the fourth Commandment: 1. The change of the day. 2. The general opinion of the Fathers pronouncing in an indefinite manner the fourth Commandment to be ceremonial. Yet notwithstanding, the registering of it in the Decalogue, which is generally accounted the Law moral, I say, this consideration hath even prevailed more with me, to account the substance thereof moral. Nevertheless for the honour I owe, and respect I bear to Antiquity, I have endeavoured to understand the Ancients aright, and to enquire in what respect they accounted it ceremonial. For to my understanding, the sanctification of the rest, or the service of the day, especially unto us Christians is merely moral. But as concerning the rest it self, it may be, some ceremoniality may be found therein, especially considered in conjunction with the time appointed for the worship and service of God. And herein I thank God, I have found good satisfaction unto my self, at last; how I shall satisfy others I know not. And when sometimes I had waded through the Epistle to the Romans ⟨image 7⟩unto the fourteenth Chapter; there occasion was given me to consider further of this controversy, so far, as a few days would give liberty to provide my next Sermon: and therein I made use of Hospinian, and of Pererius, and no more as I remember; but in Pererius I came acquainted with Tostatus his Arguments, directed against the ancient institution of the Sabbath from the Creation, which till then I imagined had been generally received without contradiction; according to that which the story of Genesis at first sight seems to commend unto us. And by this occasion my mind working hereupon in my meditations, I thought fit, for opening a way, to the better clearing of the truth, to distinguish three things, in subordination, the latter to the former. 1. The first was a time in general to be set apart for Gods service. 2. The second was the proportion of this time. 3. The third, the particularity of the day according to the specified proportion. 1. The first seemed tome of necessary duty by the very light of nature, to as many as know God, and acknowledge him to be their Creator:

Yet I willingly confesse, that in my observation, two things there are, which seeme to be of great moment, in opposition to the morality of the fourth Commandement: 1. The change of the day. 2. The generall opinion of the Fathers pronouncing in an indefinit manner the fourth Commandement to be ceremoniall. Yet notwithstanding, the registring of it in the Decalogue, which is generally accompted the Law morall, I say, this consideration hath even prevailed more with mee, to accompt the substance thereof morall. Neverthelesse for the honour I owe, and respect I beare to Antiquity, I have endevoured to understand the Antients aright, and to enquire in what respect they accompted it ceremoniall. For to my understanding, the sanctification of the rest, or the service of the day, especially unto us Christians is meerely morall. But as concerning the rest it selfe, it may be, some ceremoniality may be found therein, especially considered in conjunction with the time appointed for the worship and service of God. And herein I thanke God, I have found good satisfaction unto my selfe, at last; how I shall satisfie others I know not. And when sometimes I had waded thorow the Epistle to the Romans