Apology of Certain Christians, Chapter 7
CHAP. VII. Of the sanctification of the Lords day.
FIrst the sanctification of the Sabboth is a part of the Decalogue, or morall law, written in tables of stone by the finger of God: of which Christ our Lord pronounceth, that no one …o…e, or title shall passe away. Math. 5, 18.Now if it be unpossible for one title of the law to be dissolved, much more for a whole word, or commandement, and one of ten; by which it should come to passe, that Christians now were not to count of ten commandements of the moral law, but of nyne onelyonly.
If reply be made that the fourth commandement is so ceremoniall, that notwithstanding it hath this morall in it, that some tyme be assigned, and taken for the publique ministerie, and exercises of religion, I answer:
1. That the same may be said in generall, of the Mosaicall ceremonies whatsoever: all, and everie one whereof affoardeth something morall. For instance, The Mosaicall Temple, or Tabernacle had this morall in it, and perteyning to us, as well as to the Israelites, that it was a fit and convenient place for the Church assembly. Is therefore the precept for the tabernacle as well morall,Exod. 25, & 26. Exod. 20. as that for the Sabboth? Is it alike a part of the decalogue, and morall law? Is it alike one of the ten Commandements?
2. If the morall sanctification of the Sabboth stand in this, that sometime be assigned to the publique ministerie, then were the Israelites, especially the preists, and Levites, bound to an everie day sabboth and sanctification morall,Num. 29, 38 being bound everie day to offer in the tabernacle, and temple, two young lambs, the one at morning, the other at evening for a daylie sacrifice.
3. If the second precept of the Decalogue do in the affirmative part injoyn all outward instituted worship of God; then also by consequence it requi…es some set time (as a naturall circumstance absolutely necessarie to everie finite action) in which the same worship is to be performed. In va…n then is the fourth commandement, and to no purpose, if it injoyn nothing at all, but that which was injoyned before, namely in the second.
4. The verie essence of the fourth commaundment consists in this, that a day of seaven be kept holy, that is separated from common use, and consecrated to God, in wh…ch as in a holy day the works of divine worship, and such as serve for the spirituall man ought to be exercised, as appears plainly by the reason taken from Gods example, upon which the commandement is founded. Take this away, and the life of the precept seemeth to suffer violence. The truly godly take some tyme for the exercises of Gods worship not onelyonly publique, and Ecclesiasticall, but private also, and domesticall: yea in their closets, as Christ teacheth. Yet are not these either times, or places, in which such things are done, then others ar… ▪ Eyther therefore a day in it self must be holy, by divine institution, or the Decalogue is may…ed in the fourth commandement.
But you will doubtlesse object the change made from the last daie, to the first day of the week. I answer, 1. that change is mee… ly circumstantiall, & in which also the essence of the precept i… not abolished, but established. As for example. God promised unto children duly honouring their parents a long life in that land (to wit ofEx…d. 20. Canaan, then to be possessed by his people) which the Lord thy God gave unto them. Ephes. 6, 2.The same promise by the Apostles testimonie still stands good to obedient children, though out of Canaan, and in another land, so doth the same precept stand in force for the sanctification of the sabboth, though removed to another of the seven dayes by the Lords hand.
2. It is evident that this alteration was made both upon weightie ground, and warrantable authoritie. The ground is Christ our Saviours resurrection from the dead:2 Cor. 8. 17 in wh…ch mans new creation (at least in respect of Christ working the same in the state of humiliation for that …nd undertaken) was perfeited: a new kinde of kingdome of God, Luke 7, 28.after a sort established: and, as the Scriptures speak, all things made new. And why not also a new sabboth after a sort? in which yet notwithstanding the former (as …he creation also by Christ… is not so properly abolished, as perfited.
The authoritie upon which this change lea…eth, is no lesse then of Christ himself: who, first, by word of mouth for the fortie dayes after his resurrection,Calv. in Act 1, 3. Ioh. 20, 19 26. Luke 24. 36 … Gen 2, 2. taught the disciples the things, which apperteyned to the kingdom of God, that is, as Calvin saith, whatsoever things they published either by word or writing afterward. 2. By his example, or fact, setting himself in the middest of the same his Apostles, the first day of the week, and as Iunius saith, everie eigth day, till his ascension into heaven: & therein not onelyonly blessing them with his bodily, but much more, with his spirituall, and that speciall presence. 3. By his spirit speaking in his Apostles, whose office it was to teach his disciples to observ what things soever he had commanded them, Mat. 28, 18. Act. 20, 26. 1 Cor. 4, 1.and to declare unto them the whole counsail of God: who also in their whole ministration were to be reputed none other then the ministers of Christ, and lastly whose both writing (& preachings accordingly) even about order and comlines to be kept in the church exercises were the commandements of the Lord Iesus. 1 Cor. 14, 37Agreable hereunto it was, that the Apostle Paul coming to Troa…, and there with his companie abid…ng seven dayes, Act. 20, 66, 27.he did not till the first day of the week (which yet was the last of the seven) call together the a…sciples to eat bread, 1 Cor. 16, 1, 2.that is to communicate in the Lords supper. Hereupon also it was, that the same Apostle ordeyned, that on everie first day of the week, as on a day sanctified for the holie assemblies, and …ttest for most effectuall provocations to the supplying of the necessities of the poore Saints, everie one of the richer sort, should lay something apart, as God had blessed him, for the releif of the Churches in Syria, at that tyme oppressed with great penurie, and want. Lastly upon none other ground but this, was this day, by Iohn the Apostle, named expresly the Lords day, Rev 1. 10▪ …gnat ad Magnes. …ull. Martyr. Apol. 2. Tertull. de Idol Eus…b. l. 4, 23 de Dionis. August. de verb. Apoll. serm. 15.as being consecrated to the resurrection and service of the Lord Iesus: for which end also it was kept in the primitive Churches, as appeareth by most ancient and authentick writers. Neyther did Pathmos more distinctly denote a certain and known Iland, and Iohn a certain and known person, then did the Lords day a day certain, and known especially unto Christians, unto whom the Apostle wrote. Whereunto also agreeth that of Austin, This Lords day is therefore so called, because on that day the Lord rose again, or that by the verie name i… might teach us, how it ought to be consecrated to the Lord.
The second reason is, because the sanctification of the Sabboth (the circumstantiall change notwithstanding) doth as well belong to us in our times, as to the Israelites in theirs; whether we respect the Reason of the commandement, or the end. The reason is taken from the example of God himself, who rested the seventh day from the works of creation. The ends are, 1, that we framing our selvs to Gods example, after six daies spent in servile works, or works of acquisition, might rest the seaventh. 2. That we might recount with our selvs, not onelyonly with thankfull, but also composed hearts, as the creation of man,1 Pet. 1, 3. and of all other things for mans good, so also his re-creation, & renovation clearly shineing in the resurrection of Christ from the dead. 3. That sequest…ing our hearts, tongues,Esay 58, 13. and hands from everie servile work (so far as humain infirmitie will bea…) we might cons…crate unto God a certain and set time, & day, for the works of pietie towards him, and of charitie towards men. And albeit the state of Israell of ould compared with ours,Gal. 4, 1. was childish, and elementa…ie, and so needed the more helps both for restraint, and supportance; yet have not we atteyned to such manlike perfection, as that we need none at all in this kinde.
And (not to meddle with the table of Christians, whose ave…s…es from the due sanctification of this day gives no obscure testamonie, that the same is sacred, & of God, from which their prophane conversation so much abhorreth) how behooffull, and necessarie it is for the true worshippers of God, that for some certain, and whole day they should emptie, and disburden their hearts of their earthly cares (though in themselves lawfull) that so they might wholy consecrate themselvs to God, publiquely in his house, and privately in their own; partly by preparing themselvs, and theirs for the publique worship, and ministrie, & partly by calling to minde in themselvs, and instructing, and examining of those which belong unto them, as they ought, touching the things which they have publiquely heard; as also in m…ditateing of the most glorious works of Gods hands, the verie experience of everie godly, and devout man may teach him. He that sels himself to the holy, and severe observation of this the Lords Sabboth, turning away his foot from the Sabboth, not to do that wherin he delighteth, Esay. 58, 13, 14.on the Lords holy day, & calling the Sabboth a delight, the holy of the Lord, & honourable and shall honour him, not doing hi… own wayes, nor performing his own pleasure, or speaking his own words; then shall he delight himself in the Lord, and he will cause him to …ide upon the high places of the earth, and feed him with the heritage of Iacob his father, because the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it: Where as on the contrarie, no man doth or can neglect the same without apparent prejudice and wrong to pietie, and goodnes both in himself, and those under him. To let passe other things, how easily doth this thought steal into the heart not thoroughly perswaded of the holynes of this day? what now! There is in the day no holynes by Gods appointment, save onelyonly, as in it, the publique sermons of the church with prayer, and thanksgiving are to be frequented, and performed: for me to be present at everie sermon, speciallie made in the cittie, both on the Lords day, and everie other day of the week, my speciall calling, and worldly affairs will not permit: Besides, it were verie commodious for me on this Lords day, to make an end of such or such a work which I have in hand, to deal in such a busines, to undertake such a journey; And what should hinder me from so doing? But provided alwaies, upon this condition, that look what this day wants, the morrow, or next day shall plentifully supply: or, if it so fall out, thorough mine importunate bu…sines, that I bee something more behinde this week in these things, I will certainly, and at the furthest, the next week be so much the more frequent in them, and so make God, and my soul amends. And why (as is the guise of ill debters) will not men desire, and take longer day, even to months, and years also? considering how on the one side the heart of man is dayly faster taken & held by the bait of worldly profit, and pleasure; and on the other, lesse affectioned to Gods holy word, by the lesse frequent hearing of it. And hence, alasse, cometh it to passe, that true pietie languisheth so much in the most, and with it such other christian vertues as use to accompanie it. Hence flow those tears of sorrow, and lamenting, which no true christian casting his eyes upon the reformed churches can forbear.
The third Reason is taken from that Apostolicall determination (wrested by many to a contrarie meaning) Coloss. 2, 16, 17.Colos. 2, 16. 17. Let no man therefore judg you in meat, or drink, or in respect of a feast or new moone, or sabbaths; which are the shadow of good things to come, but the bodie is Christ. Whence it appeareth more then plainly, that onelyonly those sabboths are abolished by Christs comeing in the flesh, which were types and figures of Christ to come, of which sort as there were not a few instituted of God by Moses, so doth this Apostle here, and elswhere sufficiently declare the abrogateing, and abolishing of the same by Christ. But that the Sabboth, of which we now speak comes in that reckoning we plainly deny.
For, 1. In its primary institution Gen. 2. there can nothing be found not wholy morall. Let a man haveing many e…es as Argus, search the same with a candle, he seekes (as we say) a knot in a bul…ush, if he think to find in it any either shadow of Christ, or shadow of shadow. If any shall except, that God by Moses did enjoyn unto the Israelites the sanctification of this day, that it might be a signe between him, and Israel throughout their generations, Exod. 31, 13.that they might know, that he is the Lord that doth sanctifie them, I do answer, first, in the words of Arminius,Armin. in theol. disp. pr…v. p. 186, 187. that the Reason upon which God did afterwards commend unto his people, the sanctification of the sabboth because it was a signe between God and his people, that it was Iehovah that sanctified them, may be applyed to the times of the new testament, & further with them also the sabboths sanctification. 2. Admit that this use were ceremoniall, and typicall in the fourth commandement, yet were there no force in the consequence from one end & use typicall, and ceremoniall, superinduced, and brought in upon the precept, to prove the precept it self ceremoniall, and typicall in the institution. By the same reason it may be affirmed, that both the Covenant of God made with Abraham, I will be thy God, Gen. 49, 3.and the God of thy seed, as also the right of the first born, for a double port on, & manie things more of like consideration, were merely ceremoniall, and typicall, seeing that even unto them also, were annexed, and that by Gods appointment, divers typicall, and temporall respects:Gal. 3. 8, 16, 17. of which notwithstanding none soundly minded will deny, that the one is euangelicall, and the other naturall. 3. Considering that the observation of this sabboth was either injoyned (as I perswade my self it was from Gen. 2, 1, 2, 3. & Exod. 16, 26, 30.) to Adam, in innocency and not yet needing Christ; or at least, that the reason of the institution did fit the state of innocencie as well, as it did the Israelites afterward I doe undoubtedly conclude, that the same Sabboth in the primarie, and essentiall institution thereof is not to come upon their file, which as the shadows of future things had Christ for the body.
Fourthly, I argue from that premonition of Christ Math. 24, 20. Pray that your flight be not in winter nor on the Sabboth. Mat. 24, 20I am not ignorant how the most divines both ancient, and later do understand this sermon (as Chrisostom saith) as made of the Iewes; seeing that,Chrisost ho… 77. … Mat. 24. as the same authour hath it, neither the Apostles did observ the Sabboth day, neither yet were they in Iudea when these things were done of the Romans: many of them having departed this life, and the rest (if anie survived) having bestowed themselvs in other places. But (with due reverence to them all be it spoken) it seemeth by the text to be otherwise. For 1. Christ made not this sermon to the Iewes,…. 3. as Iewes, but to his disciples, and those alone, and the same comming unto him secretly to be taught by him: whom he forewarned in the same place how that first at the hands of the Iewes in Iudea, and after, of the Gentiles every where, they should be evill intreated for his names sake. v. 3, 4, 9. 25, 26. with Luke 21. 12. Secondly, our Saviour in saying Pray ye, makes it plain, that that he speaks of them, and their associates unto whom he speakes, to wit, Christians. Lastly how could it be that Christ, who by his death (now drawing so neare as that there was but a step unto it) was to abrogate, and abolish all Iewish ceremonies, and shadowes, should to carefully provide for the so religious observation of a shadowish, and ceremoniall sabboth: and that not for a day or two, but for so many yeares after the same his death; Could anie thing more weightie be spoken by Christ, or which could more deeply imprint in the hearts of men a religious regard of the Sabboth, then that it behooved them to obte…n by prayer at Gods hands, that they might not be const…eined unto that thing although permitted them of God in case of urgent necessitie, which might violate and interrupt the publique, and solemn sanctification thereof; It is true then which Chrisostome saith, that the Apostles did not observ the Sabboth, to wit, Iewish: but the Christian Sabboth, o… Lords day they did undoubtedly celebrate.
The fift and last Reason may be fetcht from the verie Gentiles themselvs, who directed by the glimps of the light of nature, how darkly soever shineing in them, had their holy daies, and some of the same such, as in which not so much as the pleading,Var … and determining of suites were admitted. It seemeth naturall, that some day, and morall that some day certain, and distinct, be sacred unto God: and the same (as Iunius saith) every seaventh day):… Gen. 2, 2. in which men forbearing all servile works, may consecrate, and give themselvs to God in the duties of pietie, and of charitie to men. Which with what hinderance unto the one, and other is everie where neglected, can scarse either be uttered, or conceaved. For what tra… va…l if upon the overslipping of the most seasonable seed-time, a slender harvest follow; or that (the market day being neglected) penu…ie of provision should be found in the family; We christ an… have the Lords day by the Lord Christ assigned us for the exercises of pietie, and merciemercy, in which he offers, and exhibits h…rself in the fruits of his gracious presence in a singular manner to be seen, and injoyed of his, religiously observing the same. Let us at no hand (as alike unmindfull of Gods ordinance and mans infirmitie suffer) the fruit of such a benefit to dy in our hands: but let us accordingly acknowledg the same in thought, word, and work, to his honour, and our own good.