CHAP. 10. (Book 10)
BVT that this truth may yet shine forth more clearlie, and may soe m••nifestlie shew it selfe that no scruples may remaine, nor any doubts concerning it or any part of it. I will proced to the second spe∣cial thing which is before propounded. That is, to inquire, search out, & discover the nature and kinde of this law and commandement of God, concerning the weeklie Sabbath: And how farre and in what manner it bindes Adam and all his posterity.
And her•• I haue alarge field to passe through, wherein divers points offer themselues to our view, which J cannot passe by, nor lead you a∣long withou•• due consideration of them. First here J meete with di∣vers and severall opinions, of the learned concerning the law of the sab¦bath which come first to be rehearsed and examined.
Secondly, I finde severall kindes of lawes which God hath given to men; mentioned in the Scripture, and divers sorts of commandements, which we must severally discribe, and distinctlie consider before we can determine that which principallie is here intended, that is, what kinde of law and commandement this of the Sabbath is, and how farre and in what manner all man kinde are obliged by it, & bound to obey it.
* 1.1The first opinion is, that the law of the Sabbath is naturall, morall, & perpetuall writen in the heatt of the first man in his creation. And that as he was bound to keepe the seventh day holy to the Lord in the state of innocency. Soe also are all his posteritie bound in all all ages even to the last man to keepe the weeklie Sabbath. But they who conceiue this law to be naturally writen in mans heart doe much differ & are di¦uided into two opinions. The one sort holds the law to be wholy na¦turall, and perpetuallie morall both in respect of the rest, and sanctifica∣tion, & also in respect of the particular day of the weeke, even the Se∣venth from the beginnning of the creation.
Thus doe Iuda••zing Christians hold, who professe Christian religion, but reject the sanctification of the Lords day and embrace and cleave