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] It should not seem an uncouth Phrase, or a hard saying, to call the first day of the weeke a seventh or the seventh day: for though it be the first absolutely in order of exi∣stence from the Creation, yet relatively in way of relation, and in respect of the number of seven in a week, it may be in∣vested with the name and title of a seventh, even of such a se∣venth as may lawfully be c••owned and annointed to be the Sabbath day; for look as Noah, though he was the first in order of yeares and dignity of entrance into the Ark, yet he is called the eight, 2 Pet. 2.5. in that he was one of them (as the learned observe) qui octonarium numerum perficiebant, or who made up the number of eight: so it is in respect of the first day, which in divers respects may be called the first, and yet the seventh also. Mr. Brabournes Argument therefore is of no solidity, who goes about to prove the Christian Sabbath to be no Sabbath▪ Because,

That Sabbath which the fourth Com∣mandement injoynes is called the seventh day; but all the Evan∣gelists cal the Lords day the first day of the week, not the se∣venth day.

For he should remember that the same day in di∣vers respects may be called the first day, and yet the seventh day; for in respect of its naturall existence and being, it may

be and is called the first day, and yet in respect of divine use and application, it may be and is called the seventh day, even by vertue of the fourth Commandement, which is the Lords day, which is confessed to be the first day.