Seven questions of the sabbath briefly disputed, after the manner of the schooles. Wherein such cases, and scruples, as are incident to this subject, are cleared, and resolved, by Gilbert Ironside B.D.

CHAP. XII. The reasons against the name of Sabbath are briefly alleadged.

FOr the Negative opinion stand these reasons.

First, he speaks best of things, whose lan∣guage is most conformable to the holy Ghost in the Scripture: But the holy Ghost doth every where in the new Testament (which alone speaks of the Christian mans Holy-day, as having being, and existency) call it the Lords day, no where the Sabbath day; The name of the Lords day is therefore best, and fittest to be used.

Secondly, we should retaine those names, which the Primitive Church in the purest times the first three hundered yeares chiefly used, unlesse through any

corruption, or abuse they are scandalous: But the name of the Lords day hath been chiefly used in the Primitive Church, and in the purest times; neither is it since through any abuse become scandalous; Ergo &c.

Thirdly, we of the reformed Churches should not forsake the Roman Church, but where necessity doth inforce us; For then we are guilty of that Schisme, which is made in the Christian world; Nei∣ther should we vary from our selves so much, as (were it possible) in sounds, and Syllables; for then we may be justly noted for singularity and affectation: But both the Romane Church, and all reformed Chur∣ches use to stile it the Lords day, not the Sabbath, Ergo &c.

Fourthly, we that are Christians should beware how we gratify the Iewes in their superstitious obsti∣nacy against Christ, and his Gospell in the least things; least we partake with them in their hardnesse of heart; the ancient Christians fasted Saturday, especially for this reason, because the Iewes fasted on Satt••rday. But in using the name Sabbath we gratify the Iewes in their obstinacy against Christ, and his Gospell. For they abhorre the name of the Lords day, as the greatest Blasphemy: Therefore &c.

Fiftly, it is one of the chiefest points of a Christian mans wisdome so to speak, as not to put a stumbling block before his weaker Brethren: He that doth o∣therwisea 1.1 walketh not charitably, saith the Apostle: But the name Sabbath may be, and is become a snare

to many weak ones, especially in reading of the Scrip∣tures. For where ever they find the name Sabbath, they presently conceive it to be spoken of, and to a∣gree to the Lords day; and many times by this means fall into flat Iudaisme: as appears by their quoting of the old Testament in the Questions in hand: There∣fore &c.

Sixtly, that name, which doth lesse edify, is lesse proper. This, I thinke, will easily be agreed on by all parties: But the name Sabbath doth lesse edify. For it leads us only to an outward cessation from bo∣dily labour; which of it selfe, and precisely conside∣red was indeed a duty of the Iewish Sabbath; but is not so of the Christian Festivall; as hereafter shall ap∣peare. On the contrary, the name Lords day doth best open and explain the whole nature, and duty of the day; as the remembrance of Christs resurrection, the acknowledgment of his Lordship over the Church, and all other Creatures in the world: Ergo &c.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Rom. 14.15.