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 100.

[ 100] If they that say a Beleever is not to act by vertue of a command, do mean this only, viz. That he is not to act by vertue of the bare letter and externall words and syllables of it, they then speak truely, for such kinde of acting is rather witchery than Christianity, to place power and vertue in bare characters and letters, which though migh∣ty and powerfull by the spirit, yet are empty and power∣lesse without it: But if their meaning be that wee are not to act by vertue of any command in any sense, then the assertion is both pernicious and perilous, for the Lord Iesus being the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or first subject of all grace and gracious efficacy and power; hence its true, wee are not to make the command of God the first principle of our obedience, for this is proper unto Christ by the Spi∣rit, Iohn 5.40. Iohn 16.13, 14. 2. Tim. 2.1. Ephes. 6.10. Rom. 8.2. But because the Lord Iesus conveyes by his Spi∣rit vertue and efficacy through his word, not onely words of promise, but also words of command (as is evident, Ier. 3.22. Acts 2.38, 41. Mat. 9.9. Psalme 19.8.) Hence it is that a Beleever is bound to act from a command, though not as from a first, yet as from a second prin∣ciple, though not as from the first efficient, yet as from an instrument in the hand of Christ, who in commanding of the duty works by it, and enables to it; and therefore we see Abraham comes out of his owne Countrey, be∣cause called and commanded of God to follow him he knew not whither, Heb 11.8. And Peter cast his net into the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, meerely because he was commanded, Luke 5.5. And David desired, Oh that my heart were directed to keep thy pre∣cepts, because God had commanded, Psa. 119.45. There is a vertue, a vis or efficacy in the finall cause, as well as in the efficient to produce the effect, and every wise agent is

bound to act by vertue or for the sake of his utmost and last end. Now the naked commandment of the Lord, may bee and should be the chiefe motive and last end of our obedi∣ence to his highnesse; for whatever is done meerely be∣cause of Gods command, is done for his glory (which glory should be our utmost end in all our obedience:) And hence it is that that obedience is most absolute and sin∣cere (whether it be in doing or suffering the will of God) which is done meerely in respect of commandment and will of God; when the soule can truely say, Lord, I should never submit to such a yoke but meerely for thy sake, and because it's thy will and thou dost command it: What is it to love Christ? but to seek to please him and to give con∣tentment to him; What is it to seek to give contentment to him, but to give contentment to his heart or his will? and what is his will, but the will of his commandment? If therefore it bee unlawfull to act by vertue of a command, then it is unlawfull, 1. To love Christ, 2. To be sincere be∣fore Christ. 3. Or to act for the glory of Christ. And hence it is that let a man do the most glorious things in the world out of his owne supposed good end (as the blind Papists doe in their will-works and superstitions) which God ne∣ver commanded, nay let him doe all things which the law of God requires, give his goods to the poore, and his bo∣dy to bee burnt, and yet not doe these things because com∣manded, let him then quit himselfe from hypocrisie and himselfe from being a deep hypocrite in all these if he can: Surely those who straine at this gnat, viz. not to doe a duty because commanded, will make no bones of swallowing down this camell, viz. not to forsake sinne, because 'tis forbidden, and whosoever shall forsake sinne from any other ground, shewes manifestly hereby that hee hath little con∣science of Gods command; I know the love of Christ should make a Christian forsake every sin, but the last re∣solution and reason thereof is because his love forbids us to continue in sinne; for to act by vertue of a command, is not to act onely as a creature to God considered as a Crea∣tor, but by vertue of the will and commandment of God in a Redeemer, with whom a Beleever hath now to doe.