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 74.

[ 74] To both these places therefore, a threefold Answer may bee given: First, Admit the gradation in them both, yet by dayes, Gal. 4.10. is not necessarily meant, all weekly Sabbath dayes, for there were other dayes Ceremoniall which the Iewes observed, and which the Iewish teachers urged, besides the Sabbath; to instance onely in Circum∣cision which they zealously prest, Gal. 5.3. which we know was limited unto the eighth day, and which they might urge as well as Circumcision it selfe. However, look as the Apostle when he condemnes them for observing times, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 which signifies Fit seasons, he doth not therin condemn them for observing all fit seasons (for then wee must not pray nor heare the word in fit seasons) but hee con∣demnes the Iewish Ceremoniall times and seasons; so when he condemnes the observation of dayes, the Apostle doth not condemne the observation of all dayes (for then dayes of fasting and feasting must be condemned, as well as dayes of resting, under the new Testament) but the observation of Ceremoniall dayes, which the Iewes obser∣ved, and false teachers urged: and indeed the Apostle speaks of such dayes as were beggerly elements and ru∣diments:

now Iames speaking of the morall law, which comprehends Sabbath dayes, hee doth not call it a beg∣gerly law, but a roiall law, Iam. 2.8.12. nor doth hee make subjection thereunto, to be the bondage of servants (as that was, Gal. 4.9.) but the liberty of children, and therefore cal∣led a royall law of liberty.

Secondly, Suppose the weekly Sabbath bee here compre∣hended under dayes, as also that by Sabbaths is meant weekly Sabbaths, Col. 2.16. yet hereby cannot be meant the Christian Sabbath, but the Iewish Sabbath: for the A∣postle condemnes that Sabbath and those Sabbath dayes, which the Iewish teachers pleaded for, among the Colos∣sians; now they never pleaded for the observation of the Christian Sabbath, but were zealous and strong pro∣cters for that particular seventh day from the creation, which the Iewes their fore-fathers for many yeares before observed, and for the observation of which, some among us of late begin to struggle at this day: Now, as was said, admit the gradation; we doe not observe the Iewish Sab∣bath, nor judge others in respect of that Sabbath, no more than for observing new moones, or holy dayes, we do ut∣terly condemne the observation of that Sabbath: If it bee said, why, doe we not observe new moones and holy dayes as well, by substituting other dayes in their roome, as we doe a Christian Sabbath in the room of that Iewish Sab∣bath? wee shall give the reason of it in its proper place, which I mention not here, lest I should bis coctam apponere. These places therefore are strong arguments for not obser∣ving that seventh day which was Iewish and ceremoniall, but they give no sufficient ground for abandoning all Chri∣stian Sabbaths under the Gospel.

Thirdly, there is a double observation of dayes (as Wallaeus and Davenant well observe) 1. Morall. 2. Cere∣moniall. Now the Apostle in the places alledged, speakes against the Ceremoniall and Pharisaicall observation of dayes, but not morall: For dayes of fasting are to be observed under the Gospel (the Lord Christ our Bride∣groom being now taken from us, when our Saviour ex∣pressely tels us that then his Disciples, even when they had the greatest measures of Christs spirituall presence, should fast, Matth. 9.15, 16.) But wee are to observe these dayes, with morall, not ceremoniall observation, such as the Iewes had, in sackcloth, ashes, tearing haire, rending Garments, and many other Ceremoniall trappings; we

are to rend our hearts, and cry mightily unto God upon those dayes, which is the morall observance of them: So 'tis in respect of the Sabbath, no Sabbath day under the Gospel is to bee observed with ceremoniall or phari∣sa••call observation, with Jewish preparations, Sacrifices, needlesse abstinence from lawfull worke, and such like for∣malities; but doth it hence follow that no dayes are to bee observed under the Gospel with morall observation, in hea∣ring the Word, receiving the Sacraments, singing of Psalms? &c. There was no morality in the new moons, by vertue of any speciall commandment, and therefore it is in vaine to aske, why new moons may not be observed still, as well as Sabbaths? provided that it be observatione morali, for there is a morality in observing the Sabbath, and that by a speci∣all command, which is not in new moons and holy dayes; and therefore as we utterly abandon all that which was in the Sabbath ceremoniall, so we doe and should heartily re∣taine and observe that which is morall herein, with morall observance hereof.

Notes

• Daven in Col. 3. Wall. in 4. praec.
• Iohn 16.••.