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 7.

[ 7] Although also they were forbidden to kindle fire upon this lay, Exod. 35.3. in respect of some use, yet they are not forbid∣den so to do in respect of any use whatsoever. For there was fire kindled for the Sabbath sacrifices, and it would have bin a breach of the rule of mercy, not to kindle a fire for the sick and weake in the wildernesse. Nehemiah also a man most strict and zealous for the Sabbath, yet had such provision made every day as could not be drest nor eaten without some fire upon the Sabbath day, Neh. 5.18. and the Sabbath not being a fast but a feast in those times as well as those, hence its not unsutable to the time to have comfortable provisions made ready, provided that the dressing of mea•• be not an or∣dinary hindrance to publike or private duties of holinesse up∣on

this day, Exod. 12.16. this kindling of the fire here for∣bidden must therefore be understood in respect of the scope of the place, viz. not to kindle a fire for any servile work, no not in respect of this particular use of it, viz. to further the buil∣ding of the Sanctuary and Tabernacle, made mention of in this Chapter: for its said whosoever shall do any worke therein, (1. any servile worke which is more proper for the weeke time) shall be put to death, verse 2. there is therefore either no dependance of these words in the third verse with those in the second, or else we must understand it of kindling fires restrictively, for any servile worke which is there forbid∣den not only the Iewes but us Christians also: