Theses Sabbaticæ, or, The doctrine of the Sabbath wherein the Sabbaths I. Morality, II. Change, III. Beginning. IV. Sanctification, are clearly discussed, which were first handled more largely in sundry sermons in Cambridge in New-England in opening of the Fourth COmmandment : in unfolding whereof many scriptures are cleared, divers cases of conscience resolved, and the morall law as a rule of life to a believer, occasionally and distinctly handled / by Thomas Shepard ...

Thesis 98.

Now that they began to rest in the evening is evident from [ 98] these considerations:

1. That our saviour dyed the Ninth hour. Luke 23.44, 46. which was about three of the clock in the afternoon. A little after, this Ioseph begs his body and takes it down because it was 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 or preparation for the Sabbath Mark 15.42. in which preparation its said that the Sabbath did 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, draw on, shine forth Luke 23.54. now this shining or breaking forth of the Sabbath cannot be meant of the day light mor∣ning shining forth; for its a meare dream to think, that Ioseph should be so long a time in doing so little work, from Satur∣day in the afternoon untill the next morning light, onely in taking of Christ from the Crosse, wrapping him in Linnen, and laying him in his own Sepulchre, which was not far off, but neer at hand also. Iohn 19.42. The shining forth of the Sabbath also stop•• the women from proceeding to annoint Christs Body, after they had brought their Spices; and there∣fore if the shining forth of the Sabbath had been the morning after, they might certainly have had sufficient time to do that work in; the shining forth therefore of this Sabbath was in the latter evening in which the Sabbath began; and its said to shine forth by a metaphor, because it did then first appear, or draw on; or, as Piscator and sundry others think, because about that time the stars in Heaven, and the Lamps and Candles in houses began to shine forth; which is just then when darknesse is predominant, which is the beginning of the Sabbath at e∣vening time.

2. If that evening had not begun the Sabbath, why did not the women (who wanted neither conscience nor affection, nor opportunity) annoint his body that evening, but defer it untill the night after? what could stop them herein, but onely the conscience of the Commandment, which began the Sabbath that evening?

3. Either the Sabbath must begin this evening, or they did not rest the Sabbath according to the Commandment; for if they began to keep the Sabbath at morning light, then if they rested according to the Commandement, they must keepe it untill the next morning light after; but its manifest that they were stirring, and in preparing their Oyntments long before that, even in the dark night before the light did appeare, as hath been formerly shewn.