A64001:357
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…
Of the morality of the fourth commandment as still in force to bind Christians delivered by way of answer to the translator of Doctor Prideaux his lecture, concerning the doctrine of the Sabbath ... / written by William Twice ...Of the morality of the fourth commandement as still in force to binde Christians delivered by way of answer to the translator of Doctor Prideaux his lecture, concerning the doctrine of the Sabbath ... / written by William Twisse ...
London: printed by E.G. for John Rothwell, 1641London: printed by E.G. for Iohn Rothwell, 1641
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.
If the law of ⟨p. 235⟩nature be meant a light of nature convincing us, we do not infer hence or at all maintain (nor any that I know) that in this sense, all or any are bound to keep the seventh, or a seventh day holy; but only by virtue of Gods command. Yet this we profess, that seeing it is generally confessed that by the very light of nature some time is to be set apart for Gods service. We cannot devise in reason any better course, then to set one day in seven apart for this; considering the first division of days is into weeks, and if a seventh part of our time be in reason to be consecrated unto God, we think it more convenient to set one entire day in seven apart for this, then the seventh part of every day, because the other businesses of every day are apt to cause distraction from the Lords service. And as I have but erst discoursed; it is more fit the Master should appoint unto the servant what proportion of service he shall perform unto him; then that this should be left to the discretion or liberty of the servant. 1. both the honour of the Master requiring this. 2. and the good of the servant; for hereby he shall be assured of the better acceptance at the hands of his master. And so for the particular day, it is fit the Master should mark out that also unto him by some prerogative set upon the day, as he did the seventh day, by finishing the work of Creation, and by his rest thereon from his works to call man to an holy rest from his, so to be more free for the service of his Creator. In which cases, both touching the proportion of the time, and particularity of the day, the Law being made, it shall continue immutable and unalterable by the will of the Creature; but mutable, and alterable according to the will of the Creator: so that things being well distinguished, and rightly considered and stated, I see no bug-bear of inconvenience in all this. Neither do I see any reason why the spending of one day in Gods holy worship as a moral and perpetual duty, should seem distasteful to any. Since it is apparent that God commanded it unto his people of the Jews; and for 1600 years it hath been continually observed by Christian Churches unto this day; and I make no doubt, but it shall hold till Christs coming; though from the beginning of the World it was ⟨p. 236⟩never found to be so hotly opposed as at this day.