The Jewish Sabbath Abrogated, Part 1 · Sermon 2
SERMON II.
The ninth Propoſition by way of Premiſe. The method propos'd. One general Propoſition laid down. Why the Law was added on Mount Sinai. No Seventh-day Sabbath written in Adam's Heart in Innocency: Nor no poſitive Law given to him to obſerve it.
Gal. iv. 10, 11.
Ye obſerve days, and months, and times, and years: I am afraid of you, leſt I have beſtowed upon you labor in vain.
MY Brethren, the firſt thing I promiſed was to lay down ſeveral explanatory Propoſitions, to make my way the more eaſy to what I have to ſay: and I paſt thro eight; I ſhall add but one more.
Ninth Propoſit. 9th Propoſit. by way of premiſe.There are ſeveral things to be conſider'd in reſpect of this Controverſy, which being noted by Dr. Owen, I ſhall recite them: Thoſe about the thing it ſelf (ſaith he) are various, Dr. Owen's Exercit. p. 7, 8, 9.and reſpect all the concerns of the day enquir'd after. Nothing that relates to it, no part of its reſpect to the Worſhip of God, is admitted by all, uncontended about; for it is debated amongſt all Perſons,
1. Whether any part of time be naturally and morally to be ſeparated and ſet apart to the ſolemn Worſhip of God; or (which is the ſame) whether it be a natural and moral Duty to ſeparate any part of time in any Revolution of it, to Divine Service; I mean, ſo as it ſhould be ſtated and fixed in any periodical Revolution; otherwiſe to ſay, that God is ſolemnly to be worſhipped, and yet that no time is requir'd thereto, is an open Contradiction.
2. Whether ſuch a time ſuppos'd, be abſolutely and originally moral, or made ſo by poſitive Command, ſuted unto general Principles and Intimations of Nature: and under this Conſideration alſo, a part of time is call'd moral, metonymically, from the duty of its obſervance.
3. Whether on a ſuppoſition of ſome part of time ſo deſign'd, the ſpace or quantity of it, have its Determination, or Limitation morally, or be merely poſitive and arbitrary? For the Obſervation of ſome part of time may be moral, and the quanta pars arbitrary.
4. Whether every Law poſitive of the Old Teſtament were abſolutely ceremonial, or whether there may not be a Law moral poſitive as given to, and obligatory on all Mankind, tho not abſolutely written in the Heart of Man by Nature: that is, whether there be no Morality in any Law, but what is a part of the Law of Creation?
5. Whether the Inſtitution of the Seventh-day Sabbath was from the beginning of the World, and before the Fall of Man; or whether it was firſt appointed when the Iſraelites came into the Wilderneſs. This in it ſelf is only a matter of Fact, yet ſuch as whereon the determination of a point of right, as to the univerſal Obligation to the Obſervation of ſuch a Day doth much depend,*So that, according to the Doctor, if it was not inſtituted in Paradiſe, tho given forth in the Wilderneſs, it can't be univerſally obligatory on all Mankind. and therefore hath the inveſtigation and true ſta…ng of it, been much la…our'd in, and after by learned Men.
6. Upon a ſuppoſition of the Inſtitution of the Sabbath from the beginning, whether the Additions made, and Obſervances annexed unto it at the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai, with the Ends whereunto it was then deſign'd, and the Uſes whereunto it was employ'd, gave unto the ſeventh day a new ſtate diſtinct from what it had before; altho naturally the ſame day was continued as before. For if they did ſo, that new ſtate of the day ſeems only to be taken away under the New Teſtament; if not, the day it ſelf ſeems to be aboliſh'd; †The Doctor ſtill, as it ſeems to me, builds chiefly on its Inſtitution in Paradiſe, where we can find no Inſtitution referring to innocent Adam.for that ſome change is made therein, from what was fixed under the Judaical Oeconomy, cannot modeſtly be deny'd.
7. Whether in the fourth Commandment, there be a foundation of a diſtinction between a ſeventh day in general, or one day in ſeven, and that ſeventh day which was the ſame numerically and preciſely from the foundation of the World. For whereas an Obligation unto the ſtrict Obſervation of that day preciſely is, as we ſhall prove, plainly taken away in the Goſpel, if the diſtinction intimated be not allowed, there can be nothing remaining obligatory unto us in that Command, whilſt it is ſuppoſed that that day (the Doctor means the ſeventh day) is at all requir'd of us from thence‖So that the Morality of the fourth Commandment lies not in the preciſe ſeventh day..
8. It is eſpecially enquir'd, whether … ſeventh day, or one in ſeven, or the Hebd… madal Cycle be to be obſerv'd holy unto th… Lord, on the account of the fourth Command…ment.
9. Whether under the New Teſtament … religious Obſervation of days be ſo taken … way, as that there is no Divine Obligation …maining for the obſervance of any one da… at all; but that as all days are alike in the…ſelves, ſo are they equally free to be diſpoſ… of, and uſed by us as occaſion ſhall requir… For if the obſervation of one day in ſeven … not founded in the Law of Nature, expreſſ… in the original poſitive Command concernin… it*He alludes to Adam in Paradiſe, where we can find no expreſs poſitive Command.; and if it be not ſeated morally in th… fourth Commandment, it is, now certain th… the neceſſary obſervance of it is taken away.
10. On the other extream, whether th… ſeventh day from the Creation of the World… be to be obſerv'd preciſely under the New T…ſtament by virtue of the fourth Comman…ment, and no other. The aſſertion here… ſuppoſeth that our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, … Lord of the Sabbath, hath neither chang'd … nor reform'd any thing in and about the re…ligious obſervation of an holy day of Reſt unto the Lord: whence it follows, that ſuch an Obſervation can be no part or act of Evangelical Worſhip properly ſo call'd, but only a moral Duty of the Law†Let our Jewiſh Sabbatarians conſider well what the Doctor poſitively aſſerts here..
11. Whether on the ſuppoſition of a non-obligation in the Law unto the obſervation of the ſeventh day preciſely, and of a new day to be obſerv'd weekly under the New Teſtament, as a Sabbath of the Lord, on what grounds it is to be obſerv'd.
12. Whether from the fourth Commandment, as one Day in ſeven, or only unto ſome part or portion of Time; or whether without any reſpect unto that Command as purely Ceremonial. For granting (as moſt do) the neceſſity of the obſervation of ſuch a Day; yet ſome ſay that it has no reſpect at all to the fourth decalogical Precept, which is totally and abſolutely aboliſhed, with the reſt of the Moſaical Inſtitutions. Others ſay that there is yet remaining in it an Obligation to the Sacred Separation of ſome Time, or portion of Time, unto the ſolemn Service of God, (and ſome ſay that it preciſely requires the ſanctification of one Day in ſeven.)
13. If a Day be ſo now to be obſerved, it is enquired on what Ground, or on what Authority there is an alteration made from the Day obſerved under the Old Teſtament, to that now in uſe, that is, from the laſt Day to the firſt Day of the Week; whether was this Tranſlation of the Day of the ſolemn Worſhip of God made by Chriſt and his Apoſtles, or by the Primitive Church? &c.
14. If this were done by the Authority of Chriſt and his Apoſtles, whether by an expreſs Inſtitution of this new Day, or whether a direct Example be ſufficient, no Inſtitution being needful for the Firſt Day: for if we ſuppoſe there is no Obligation to the obſervance of one Day in ſeven indiſpenſibly abiding; and on the ſuppoſition that an Obligation to keep one Day in ſeven doth abide, then no Inſtitution is neceſſary, or can be properly made as to the whole nature of it*No expreſs Inſtitution is needful for the obſervance of the firſt Day; but Examples only if the 7th part of Time, or one day in ſeven, do abide in the 4th Command.. Thus far the Doctor, who ſays many other things neceſſary to be conſidered about the obſervation of a Day of Worſhip, whether as to the Work of the Day it ought to be kept with the like ſtrictneſs as the Jewiſh Sabbath in all reſpects, and what Duties are to be performed on it; as alſo as to the proper Limits of that Day, ſome pleading it ought to be from Evening to Evening as the Jews kept it, or from Morning to Evening, that is from after twelve a Clock in the Morning to twelve the next Evening, &c.
From what the Doctor notes, it appears that the Caſe in controverſy calls for much ſtudy and diligence; and it may be accounted an Act of great weakneſs in any Perſons to obſerve the Seventh Day to the diſturbance of the Church, without enquiring of ſuch as God has enlightned in theſe things, and to whom the care of their Souls are committed, to ſee what can be ſaid againſt it. Is it wiſdom to adviſe with thoſe only that are for it, and not with ſuch alſo as are directly againſt it? This ſhall ſuffice for the Propoſitions I firſt propoſed.
I ſhall endeavour to clear moſt of thoſe things that ſeem difficult, which may have been the occaſion of ſome Perſons (if not all) going aſtray, and falling into the Error I purpoſe clearly and largely to detect.
This brings me to the next general Head of Diſcourſe propoſed.
Secondly, I told you I ſhould lay down dive… Arguments to prove the Truth of our Propoſition, That it is not the Duty of Gentile Believers to keep the Seventh Day as a Sabbath i… Goſpel-times.
Firſt, The General Propoſition.I ſhall lay down one General Propoſition, to diſcover the Method I ſhall purſue fo… proving what I have taken in hand.
1. If the Law of God written in Adam's heart in Innocency, did not oblige him to keep the Seventh Day as a Sabbath, that Law cannot oblige Gentile Believers to keep it.
2. If a poſitive Law, or expreſs Inſtitution, ſuppoſed to be given to Adam before, or juſt after his Fall, doth not oblige Gentile Believers to keep it:
3. If the Law written in the Hearts of the Gentiles, or the moſt refined and enlightned among them, doth not oblige Gentile Believers to keep it:
4. If the Law of Moſes, or the Law written in the two Tables of Stone, doth not oblige Gentile Believers to keep it:
5. If the Goſpel, by any Precept or Example, doth not oblige them to keep the Seventh Day as a Sabbath:
6. And laſtly, If the Law written in the Hearts of all Goſpel-Believers by the Holy Spirit, doth oblige them to keep the Seventh Day as a Sabbath to the Lord: Then I infer it is not their Duty to keep the Seventh-Day, &c. for I know no other way, or means whereby Gentile Believers can pretend to know they are obliged to keep the Seventh-Day as a Sabbath, or a Day of Reſt and ſolemn Worſhip. But by none of theſe ways or means, believing Gentiles are obliged to keep the Seventh-Day as a Sabbath, &c. therefore it is not the Duty of Gentile Believers to keep it. To proceed,
1. Let it be conſidered, that if the keeping of the Seventh-Day as a Sabbath, i. e. that preciſe Day from the Creation of the World, were a purely natural or ſimply moral Precept, no doubt but it was legibly written in Adam's Heart; I mean as a Law of Creation, and ſo part of the holy Image of God, or of the ſame nature with all other moral Precepts that reſult from the Perfections of God's holy Nature, and not from the Soveraignty of his Will only: And if it was ſo written in Adam's Heart in Innocency, he needed no poſitive Law to make it known to him. What, was any thing that was purely or ſimply moral, even that which belonged to good Manners, or to true natural Godlineſs or Righteouſneſs, not made known to Adam, to perfect Adam? this certainly cannot be.
That ſpiritual Worſhip which is due to God,Charnock on the Attributes, p. 131. ſaith Mr. Charnock, is known by the Light of Nature: But much more, ſay I, was it clearly manifeſted to Adam in Innocency. But furthermore, ſaith he, the outward means or matter of that Worſhip which would be acceptable to God, was not known by the Light of Nature: the Law for a ſpiritual Worſhip by the Faculties of our Souls was natural, and part of the Law of Creation; tho the determination of the particular Acts, whereby God would have this Homage teſtified, was of poſitive Inſtitution, and depended not on the Law of Creation. Tho Adam in Innocence knew God was to be worſhipped, yet by nature he did not know by what outward Acts he was to pay this Reſpect, or at what Time he was more ſolemnly to be exerciſed in it than another: This depended on the Directions God, as the Soveraign Governor and Lawgiver, ſhould preſcribe; you ſhall therefore find the poſitive Inſtitution It is obſervable that this great Man is not here concerned to confute the Seventh-day Sabbatarians, but about another thing; yet affirms (with many other Learned Men) that Adam by the Law of Creation, did not know in Innocency at what time God was more ſolemnly to be worſhipped than another.
2. No doubt but the ſubſtance of all the ten Precepts was wrote in Adam's Heart;The Subſtance of all Moral Precepts written in Adam's Heart. yet it appears the knowledg of the Seventh-day to be kept as a Sabbath was not written there, tho that which was ſimply and naturally moral of the fourth Commandment was.
Secondly, I argue thus: If the preciſe Seventh-day was written in Adam's Heart,The Law of the 7th day Sabbath not written in Adam's Heart. there had been no need of an Inſtitution or poſitive Law to make it known to him; for, what more need had he of an outward Revelation of this, than of the other Commandments?
Take here what a Learned Man hath ſaid: *Mr. P. a Miniſter at Rouen in France, p. 3.If the keeping of the Seventh-day were a Moral Duty, our Father Adam, by that Light of Nature God put in his Mind when he created him, would have known it, as well as he knew all other things in themſelves good and neceſſary; but he neither had, nor ſhould have had any knowledg thereof, if God had not injoined it to him by a particular Command, (as thoſe which maintain the morality of the Sabbath do avouch.) So that this followeth manifeſtly, that the obſervation of the Seventh-day depends merely on Inſtitution.
My Brethren, Let this be conſidered well, that if the knowledg of the Seventh-day wholly depended on the Will of God, or on mere Inſtitution, and reſulted not, as all pure and ſimple moral Precepts do, from the holy Rectitude of God's Nature, it follows that the preciſe Day pertains not to the Eſſence of the Fourth Commandment, but the ſimple Morality of that Precept lies only in a time of Worſhip: And certainly if God by a mere poſitive Command had not given it to Iſrael, they had no more known it their duty to keep it, than the Pagan World did, who were wholly ignorant thereof, as I ſhall prove. And be ſure if God wrote not the Law or knowledg of the Seventh-day Sabbath on Adam's Heart; the Seventh-day is not of the ſame nature with ſimply moral Precepts, which God engraved on his Heart, even the ſubſtance or tenor of all the Ten Commandments, and made him know them naturally, without any inſtruction by word of mouth. But it appears by their own Aſſertion, it was inſtituted, &c. Therefore the knowledg of the Seventh-day as a ſpecial time of Worſhip, was not wrote in his Heart. Our Opponents dare not deny but the ſubſtance of the whole Moral Law was wrote in his Heart, and they foreſee it is dangerous to deny it: From whence it appears, that all the other Precepts are ſimply moral, and ſo is a time of Worſhip; but the preciſe Seventh-day, by their own conceſſion, was inſtituted in Man's Innocency, and ſo depends wholly upon an expreſs poſitive Command, declared to Adam by audible Words reſounding in his Ears.
Mr. Tillam ſays, Tillam's Book, p. 7.It was inſtituted before the Fall, and founded in Mount Paradiſe.
Anſw. Tho I believe no ſuch matter, nor can any Man prove it, yet to grant it, for Argument-ſake, then I ſay it follows, it was not written in Adam's Heart; for the being perfect, he would naturally have known it without being told it was his Duty to keep it. For conſider that he was created on the Sixth Day, and underſtood what was naturally and univerſally good▪ i. e. all thoſe Duties that were eſſential parts of Godlineſs, and Righteouſneſs, or things belonging to good Manners. Now if ſo, why need he be told he muſt keep the Seventh-day? or why muſt that Precept come under expreſs Inſtitution, and none of the reſt?
Object. God ſaw good to bring all the ten Commandments under expreſs Inſtitution on Mount Sinai, as well as he brought the ſeventh-day Sabbath in Paradiſe under expreſs Inſtitution.
Anſw. I deny it not; God did then ſee good ſo to do, conſidering how the Nature of Man was corrupted, and his Law written in his Heart was blotted and blur'd by the Fall. But let it be conſider'd, that the Law was not written in two Tables of Stone, ſo much for a Rule of Life, as for other reaſons:The Reaſons why God added the Miniſtration of the Law wrote in two Tables of Stone.
1. It was added and written there, to aggravate Sin on the Conſcience; It was added (ſaith Pual) becauſe of Tranſgreſſion, Gal. 3. 19. it was to make Sin appear exceeding ſinful, Rom. 7. 13.
2. It was written there to ſhew the Creature his ſad and woful condition, and to make known how unable fallen Man was to fulfil the Righteouſneſs of God.
3. And as a Schoolmaſter to lead ſuch as were under it, to Chriſt, in whom perfect Righteouſneſs only is to be found; Man being not able to keep perfectly that holy and juſt Law.
4. And to ſhew them, as I conceive, that nothing but the Finger of God could write his holy Law in the ſtony Hearts of Sinners, as ſhall be further demonſtrated hereafter; for that whole Miniſtration of the Law and Covenant I ſhall prove was a ſhadow and typical, and ſo no ſtanding Law or Miniſtration as there written, but as it is in the hand of Jeſus Chriſt.
5. That whole Law, and conſequently the Seventh-day Sabbath, was given on Mount Sinai as it ſuted the Judaical Oeconomy, as well their Political as Eccleſiaſtical ſtate. There are many Additions made to the Seventh-day Sabbath, together with other Ends annex'd, and Deſigns and Uſes thereto employ'd; which is granted by ſuch as aſſert it was given to Adam in Paradiſe*This gave a new ſtate to it, ſaith Dr. Owen, p. 8, 9..
Secondly, If it had been given to Adam in Innocency, he not knowing without an Inſtitution it was his Duty to keep it, I argue from hence: it follows that he had the ſame need of knowing what ſpecial Worſhip he outht to be found exerciſed in on that day. What, a Sabbath inſtituted, and no Sabbath-Service appointed on that day? But this I ſhall further handle when I come to ſpeak of the pretended Inſtitution and expreſs Command given to Adam in Innocency.
Thirdly, If the Law of the Seventh-day Sabbath was wrote in Adam's Heart, ſome Remainders of the knowledg of that day would have been left in the Heart of his Offspring, as there is of all other Precepts that are ſimply moral: tho much blur'd, and almoſt quite obliterated in ſome, yet there were many Heathens who retain'd, or recover'd much knowledg of God's Law firſt written in the Heart of Man; yea, they were led to the knowledg of all pure moral Precepts, i.e. that there was but one God, and that he was to be worſhipped, and his Name not profan'd; that they ſhould not murder, commit Adultery, ſteal, &c. nay and alſo to the knowledg of the fourth Commandment, as to what was ſimply moral in it, viz. a ſufficient time to worſhip that God; yet they were none of them led to know that they ought to keep the ſeventh day as a Sabbath.
Fourthly, Moreover, if the Seventh-day Sabbath had been a ſimple, or pure moral Precept, and written in Adam's Heart, it would have been written in the Hearts of all God's New-Covenant Children, as he promiſed he would write his Law there, in Goſpel-times: and evident it is that all Believers in Chriſt, whether Jews or Gentiles, have the Image of God reſtor'd to them, it being ſtampt upon their Hearts by the Spirit of God; hence it is ſaid, who after God are created in Righteouſneſs, and true Holineſs, Eph. 4. 24. nay, they are all ſaid to be renew'd in Knowledg, after the Image of him that created them, Col. 3. 10. But in the ſecond Impreſſion of God's holy Law and Image thus written on our Hearts, there is not one line, nor lineament of any knowledg that it is our Duty to keep the ſeventh day as a Sabbath to the Lord, which I ſhall further evince hereafter.
Fifthly, Take what a learned Man ſaith: If Adam was bound to keep the Sabbath, I demand by what Law? by the Law written in his Heart? Why then he was bound to keep a Sabbath before there was a Sabbath to keep: for the Law was ingraven on his Heart on the ſixth day, as a branch of that Divine Image of God concreated with him; whereas the Sabbath (to be ſure) could not be inſtituted till the ſeventh day, if then.
Sixthly, Before I cloſe this, let me note here what is ſaid concerning this very thing by the Antient Fathers, and Primitive Chriſtian Writers, who it appears deny'd the knowledg of the Seventh-day Sabbath was written in Adam's Heart.Juſt. Mart. Reſpon. ad qu. p. 69. Theod. on Ezek. c. 20. See Juſtin Martyr. Theodoret ſaith, that theſe Commandments, Thou ſhalt not kill, Thou ſhalt not commit Adultery, Thou ſhalt not ſteal, and others of that kind, were generally implanted by Nature in the minds of Men; but for the keeping of the Sabbath, it came not in by Nature, but by Moſes's Law.
Chryſoſtom affirms (ſaith my Author) that neither Adam nor any Man liv'd without the Law imprinted on the Soul of Man, as made a living Creature; but neither he nor any other of them ſay the ſeventh day was one of thoſe Laws. Alſo Rivet and others, who plead for the Antiquity of the Sabbath, dare not, ſaith he, refer the keeping of it to the Law written in Adam's Heart.
So that I may from what has been ſaid poſitively affirm, the Precept of keeping the ſeventh day was not written in Adam's Heart in Innocency; and therefore that believing Gentiles are not oblig'd to keep the ſeventh day from that Law.
From hence alſo I infer, it could not be written in the Hearts of any of the Jews or Gentiles; for doubtleſs Adam by nature knew that which corrupt Man never ſo perfectly knew: and it were great Preſumption in any, ſince Sin was ſo generally prevailing, to ſay they knew in a natural way that which Adam knew not. Beſides, is it not great folly for any to ſay this, ſince the Law in Adam's Heart was the original? And ſhall a blur'd Copy be deem'd more perfect than that, or the muddy Stream be clearer than the Chryſtal Fountain?
Therefore, ſince it appears the Law of the Seventh-day Sabbath was not written in Adam's Heart, but that he needed an expreſs poſitive Law to know it, or diſcover it to him, I infer, much more need there was for poor Gentiles, nay for Believers, to have an expreſs Law to diſcover it to them. And ſince our Opponents affirm that the Commandment of the preciſe ſeventh day as a Sabbath, is of the ſame nature and quality with the firſt Commandment, and all other ſimply moral Precepts, i. e. not only a time of Worſhip, or one day in ſeven, but the preciſe ſeventh day from the Creation; I infer then what a woful condition are all we in, that break, or violate in the very Letter a ſimply moral Command, nay and teach Men ſo to do? may, and how could our Saviour then be without Sin, who made Clay on that day, and did many other Works, and commanded a Burden to be born, and alſo commended Acts of Mercy (which was but a moral Duty) above keeping of the Seventh-day Sabbath;Matth. 12. comparing the ſtrict Obſervation of that with Sacrifices, which all know were but mere poſitive Laws to Iſrael under that Legal Diſpenſation. But more of this hereafter.
Object. But tho it was not written in Adam's Heart that he ſhould keep the ſeventh day as a Sabbath, yet it was given to Adam in Innocency by a poſitive Inſtitution.
Anſw. This is ſooner ſaid than proved:No poſitive Law given to Adam to keep the Seventh-day Sabbath. but let me tell you, that the Law of Nature our Opponents acknowledg was antecedent to the Inſtitution of the Sabbath, and that all purely moral Precepts were certainly written in Adam's Heart. Now can the preciſe ſeventh day be Adam's Duty to keep before it was ſanctified to that end? this is to ſay a thing was before it was, and that the Law of Creation teaches that which it was impoſſible to teach, and alſo that Revealed Religion may be known by natural Dictates or Principles, which is abſurd to affirm; beſides, all confeſs that mere poſitive Precepts or Commands in inſtituted Worſhip may be alter'd or chang'd, as the great Lawgiver pleaſeth.
But to proceed to anſwer what is affirm'd about its Inſtitution in Paradiſe, as given to innocent Adam; we will come to, and well weigh the words of this pretended poſitive Precept given to Adam in Paradiſe: Gen. 2. 2. And on the ſeventh day God ended his Work which he had made; and he reſted on the ſeventh day from all his Work which he had made. Ver. 3. And God bleſſed the ſeventh day, and ſanctified it; becauſe that in it he had reſted from all Work, which God created and made. Theſe are the words which contain what is call'd the Inſtitution and Command of the Sabbath to Adam in Paradiſe. Tillam and others make a great noiſe of the Sabbath inſtituted in Paradiſe, and given to Adam to keep: but Brethren, I muſt tell you that the Learned ſtrangely differ among themſelves, who would have the Antiquity of the Sabbath thus early; ſome of them affirming it was given to Adam in Innocency; others ſay not till he fell. One ſpeaks thus;Mr. Geo. Walker's Doctrine of the holy Sabbath, p. 10. And for the time when God firſt inſtituted the Sabbath, I conceiv'd it to have been not in the ſtate of Innocency, but after Mans Fall immediately, and yet upon the ſeventh day, wherein God reſted. Theſe are his very words. From hence I obſerve, he believ'd Adam did not ſtand in his Innocency one day, and this he endeavours to prove; and others as well as he, Men of great Learning and Wiſdom. Let me cite here one more*See Mr. Warren's Jewiſh Sabbath antiquated., I ſhall propoſe (ſaith he) and endeavour to prove a counter Poſition, namely, that it ſeems more conſonant to Scripture (tho at the beginning) yet after the Fall in Man's corrupt and vitiated ſtate, the probation whereof depends much (tho not altogether) upon the deciſion of that often canvaſſed Queſtion, whether our firſt Parents ſinned the ſame day on which they were created.
Others not of leſs note and Learning, ſay, That the Sabbath did not commence till Iſrael came into the Wilderneſs, and at the fall of Manna: Mr. Primroſe in his Treatiſe of the Sabbath in his Preface.it appeareth not at all, that God gave any Commandment to Adam, either before or after his Fall, binding him or his Progeny to the keeping of any ſuch day whatſoever, as to a thing moral and neceſſary: neither is there any trace of ſuch a Commandment to be found till the coming of the Iſraelites to the Wilderneſs—and that God aſſign'd to them the ſeventh day of the week,P. 20. as a particular point of Eccleſiaſtical Government, whereof he preſcrib'd unto them all the particular Rites.
Now my Brethren, I ſhall ſhew you,
1. What is ſaid by thoſe who affirm it was given to Adam in Innocency, whoſe Arguments ſeem to me of no weight at all.
2. I ſhall take notice what is ſaid by thoſe learned Men who deny it was given to Adam in Innocency, and affirm it was not given as a Command till Iſrael came into the Wilderneſs. To begin with thoſe who affirm God gave it to Adam before his Fall in Paradiſe, or in his ſtate of Innocency.
1. They ground it upon what Moſes ſaith in Gen. 2. becauſe it is there mention'd as the day on which God reſted from all his Works.
2. Becauſe God bleſſed the ſeventh day, and ſanctified it. Owen on the Sabbath, p. 42, &c.Dr. Owen, after he had ſhew'd that ſome Jews and Rabbins affirm, the Sabbath did not begin till the Iſraelites came into the Wilderneſs, tho ſome of them differ'd in their Opinions about its Commencement; comes to tell us,P. 55. That the Opinion of the Inſtitution of the Sabbath from the beginning of the World, is founded principally on a double Teſtimony: Firſt, From the Old Teſtament, Gen. 2. 1, 2, 3. becauſe Moſes ſaith, God bleſſed the ſeventh day, P. 62.and ſanctified it; not, ſaith he, that God kept it holy himſelf, nor that he purified it, and made it inherently holy, which the nature of the day is not capable of; nor that he celebrated that which in it ſelf was holy; but that he ſet it apart to ſacred uſe. Secondly, The Teſtimony to the ſame purpoſe, ſaith he, taken out of the New Teſtament, is in Heb. 4. 3, 4. For we which believe do enter into Reſt, as he ſaid, As I have ſworn in my Wrath, if they ſhall enter into my Reſt, altho the Works were finiſhed from the Foundation of the World. For he ſpeaketh in a certain place on this wiſe, And God did reſt the Seventh Day from all his Works. Now, ſaith the Doctor, the Works, and the finiſhing of them, did not at all belong to the Apoſtle's Diſcourſe, but only as they denoted the beginning of the Seventh-day Sabbath; for it is the ſeveral Reſts of God alone that he is enquiring after. But to paſs by what the Doctor ſaith;
1. Let this be conſidered, that in this place only of all Paul's Writings mention is made of the Seventh-day; but not one word here intimating that 'twas our duty to obſerve that Day under the Goſpel; which had it been the Chriſtian Sabbath, no doubt he would have given ſome hint of at this turn.
2. By the manner of his Words and Expreſſions, comparing theſe two Verſes together, it ſeems the Sabbath did not commence from the beginning of the world; for tho God reſted on the Seventh-day, and might then ſet it apart, yet he might give no Command to keep it till after-times, when Sabbath-day Service or Worſhip was appointed: This I rather think from theſe words, Altho the Works were finiſhed from the Foundation of the World; yet the Day, as Man's Duty, was not given till long after; for, as our Annotators obſerve, Paul alludes to Exod. 31. 17. For he ſpeaks in a certain place on his wiſe, &c.
Thus having given you the Proofs of thoſe who aſſert the Sabbath was given to Man in In…ocency, I ſhall now give you the Reaſons urg'd …y others who affirm it was not given till Iſrael came into the Wilderneſs: Their Arguments are of two ſorts.
1. Many of them affirm, that Moſes wrote …ere in Gen. 2. by a Prolepſis, or way of antici…ation.
2. Others do not ſo much aſſert that, but …low it might be ſet apart in the deſign of God from his finiſhing his Work, and yet af…rm it was not given to any to keep till Iſrael's …oming into the Wilderneſs, when God was a…out to form them into an Eccleſiaſtical and Po…itical Church-State; and appointed them Laws and Ordinances, particularly the Worſhip, Duties, and Sacrifices they were to diſcharge on their Sabbath-day. And indeed it may ſeem unreaſonable to believe that the wiſe God ſhall give a Sabbath, not only for Reſt, but for Divine Worſhip, before he appointed thoſe Du…es of Worſhip he would have them to per…orm on that day; which were eſſentially ne…eſſary for all to know, as well as the ſpecial …reciſe Day it ſelf.
1. But to begin with the firſt Argument, that Moſes wrote thoſe words in his Hiſtory by way of Prolepſis, or Anticipation, and ſo to be …ead, as it were, in a Parentheſis: that is, Moſes being the firſt Man that wrote by Revelation or Inſpiration; and having before he began to write, received the Command of the Seventh-day Sabbath, and the reaſon of its Inſtitution, coming to write of the Time when God finiſhed his Work, put in this concerning the Sabbath by way of Anticipation, ſaying, God bleſſed the Seventh-day, and ſanctified it; not that Adam knew any thing of it, or that he gave him a Command to keep it.P. 64, 65. Dr. Owe… owns there are ſundry things aſſerted in Hiſtory by way of Anticipation, tho he ſuppoſe they fell out commonly in the ſame Age: but methinks he ſaith little to the purpoſe to confut… what other learned Men have ſaid on this account; and to reſerve my own thoughts to m…ſelf, I ſhall give you an account of what two … three of them aſſert, who believe Moſes wrot… this in Gen. 2. by way of Anticipation. On… Author having ſhew'd that ſome believe God … the beginning of the World did ſet apart th… ſeventh day,Heylin's Hiſt. of the Sabbath, p. 3. and commanded Adam to keep it ſays, that others, and thoſe antienter, and o… more Authority, conceive theſe words to be ſpoken by a Prolepſis or Anticipation, and to relate to the times wherein Moſes wrote; and intimated only the reaſon why God required of the Jews to ſanctify the ſeventh day rather than any other: no Precept to that purpoſe being given to Adam and to his Poſterity, nor any Myſtery in the number ſeven, why it ſhould be thought moſt proper for God's Publick Worſhip: And this, ſaith he, is indeed the antienter and more general Opinion, unanimouſly deliver'd both by Jews and Chriſtians, and not ſo much as queſtion'd till theſe latter days: And tho ſome aſcribe it to Toſtatus as the firſt Inventer of it, yet it is antienter far than he; tho were it ſo, it could not be deny'd but it had an able and learned Author, who, conſidering the times in which he lived, and the ſhortneſs of his Life, hardly ever had his equal. … is true, Toſtatus makes this Query, Whether … Sabbath being ſanctified by God in the In…cy of the World, had been obſerv'd by Men …o the Light of Nature; and returns this An…er, that God commanded not the Sabbath to … ſanctified in the beginning of the World, … it was commanded afterwards by the Law … Moſes, when God did publickly make known … Will on Mount Sinai; and that whereas … Scripture ſpeaks of ſanctifying the ſeventh … in Gen. 2. it is not to be underſtood as if … Lord did then appoint it for his publick …orſhip, but to be refer'd to the time wherein …oſes wrote, which was in the Wilderneſs, &c. … ſo the meaning of the Prophet will be …iefly this, that God did ſanctify that day, …at is, to us that are his People of the Houſe … Jacob. So far Toſtatus. Our Author alſo cites … Joſephus ſpeaking after the ſame manner:*Antiq. l. 1, 2. and, …th he, Solomon Jarchi, one of the principal …abbins, ſpeaks more expreſly to this purpoſe, … makes this Gloſs or Comment upon Moſes's words: God bleſſed the ſeventh day, i. e. in Manna, becauſe for every day of the week an Homer of it fell upon the Earth, and a double …ortion on the ſixth; but none fell on the ſeventh …ay at all. He alſo quotes Mercer, one much …onverſant in the Rabbins, who confeſſes the Rab…ins generally refer'd Gen. 2. to the following …mes, even to the Sanctification of the Sabbath …ſtabliſh'd by the Law of Moſes.—Doubtleſs …he Jews who ſo much doted on their Sabbath, would by no means have robbed it of ſo great Antiquity, had they had any ground to approve …hereof, or not known the contrary: ſo that the …cope of Moſes in this place was not to ſhew the time when, but the occaſion why God did afterwards ſanctify the ſeventh day, becauſe that on that day he reſted from all his Works.
Moreover, the ſame Author ſaith; Nor … it otherwiſe conceiv'd, than that Moſes did he… ſpeak by way of Prolepſis or Anticipation, … Ambroſe Catharini *One of the Trent Council.opened the contrary, th… next falls foul upon Toſtatus: Yet, ſaith he, … ſame Catharini affirms in the ſame Book, th… nothing is more frequent in holy Scripture th… theſe Anticipations; and among others our A…thor mentions one or two: it is ſaid of Abr…ham, that he removed to a Mountain eaſtwa… of Bethel, whereas it was not called Bethel till … hundred years after, and Abraham knew it … by that name; but Moſes writing the Hiſtor… of Abraham (ſaith a French Proteſtant Divine … calls it by Anticipation Bethel, which was … ſo called till Jacob gave it that name,Gen. 28. 13. which b…fore was call'd Luz. So in Judg. 5. 9, 19. … ſaid, the Angel of the Lord came up from G…gal to Bokim, which was not ſo call'd till afte…wards. Ver. 32.We alſo find in Exod. 16. that Moſ… ſaid, This is the thing that the Lord commanded▪ Fill an Omer of it to be kept for your Generations, that they may ſee the Bread wherewith you have been fed in the Wilderneſs, when I broug… you forth from the Land of Egypt.Ver. 33.—So Aaron laid it up before the Teſtimony to be kept. Calvin ſaith this Author, tells us on this Text, indeed it could not well be otherwiſe interpreted (i. e. but by Anticipation) for how could Aaron lay up a pot of Manna to keep before the Teſtimony, when as yet there was neither Ark nor Tabernacle, and ſo no Teſtimony at that time▪ Moreover, Moſes tells us in the place before mention'd, that the Children of Iſrael eat Manna forty years, which, ſaith he, is not otherwiſe true in that place and time, but by Anticipation.
Now I argue thus: If Moſes by way of Anticipation ſpeaks of that as being done, …ich was not actually done till forty, fifty, or …undred years after, why might he not in …. 2. put that in after the ſame manner, that …s not indeed done till his time, when God gave … the Commandment of the Sabbath? If he …ts that into his Hiſtory as done, which was … done till a hundred years after, why not … other thing till two thouſand years? The …ſtance of time to me ſignifies nothing, tho …. Owen ſeems to intimate as if it did. I …ll leave this to all Mens ſerious thoughts, … what little reaſon the Sabbatarians, or others … to caſt ſo much contempt on what theſe … have ſaid.
Secondly, As to the other ſort, who inſiſt not … much on this, yet deny that God gave Adam … Command to keep the ſeventh day, tho it … ſaid, God bleſſed the ſeventh day, and ſanctified …
Now by the way conſider,
1. The Scripture expreſſes not the manner … the Lord ſanctified it:God by way of Deſtination from the beginning appointed the Sabbath for aftertimes. (1.) Whether by …parting any ſpecial Holineſs to that day, …hich (as Dr. Owen ſaith) it was not capable …, there being no inherent Holineſs in that day …ore than another. (2.) Or by dedicating the …me to any Religious Worſhip for Adam to be …und in on that day. Or, (3.) Whether he …ight not then by a Decree or Purpoſe only …eſtine that day to religious Worſhip for future …mes: for he foreſaw Man would fall, and need … Sabbath for himſelf, and a particular day to …orſhip God in. Now 'tis evident a Law may … inſtituted*Tho I do not ſay the Sabbath was inſtituted in Paradiſe. long before the time of its Com…encement, or being in force. Divers great …en both Antient and Modern,Treatiſe of the Sab. p. 41. as Dr. White …timates, affirm that God by a Decree only duplicate page duplicate page duplicate page duplicate page deſtin'd that day to religious Service in future time; he inſtances in venerable Bede, and before him, Juſtin Martyr, Tertullian, and Iren…us, that God ſanctified the ſeventh day, Gen. 2. by his Decree and Deſtination only, not by any preſent Impoſition.
The Arguments on which this Opinion … grounded are very weighty, which ſhall … next conſider'd.
Firſt, All generally conclude that God ga… to Adam but one poſitive Law, and in brea…ing of that (as Dr. Lightfoot, and others ſhew… he broke all the ten Commandments, which … to the matter or ſubſtance of them were wro… in his Heart; and that this greatened his Si… viz. that tho he had but one Commandment▪ he violated it.
Secondly, Suppoſe Adam had had this poſitive Law given to him alſo, to keep holy the ſeventh day, and had broke it, had he thereby been guilty of the breach of all the others? For I have juſt now ſhew'd that moſt believe him guilty of all in breaking that one Command, Thou ſhalt not eat of the Tree of Knowledg of good and evil. But being every way guilty, it muſt be ſuppoſed he broke both thoſe poſitive Commands, if he had two given him, and ſo was guilty of the breach of the fourth twice. Nay, if what I ſay be conſider'd, and that which I inquire about be granted, he was doubly guilty of the breach of them all.
Thirdly, The Law of the Sabbath was (as it is conceiv'd) that Adam ſhould keep that day holy; nay, he muſt be ſo oblig'd, if any Command was given to him, yea and keep it more holy than any of the other ſix. Now if ſo, would it not follow that Adam was not perfect in Innocency? Doth Perfection admit of any …urther degree of Holineſs, or require more …anctity on that day than any other? Certain… while he ſtood, every day muſt be kept with …e Holineſs and Sanctity. Or I ſay, what …aſon can be given that Adam, who was ſo …ly and perfect, and capable in the ſame de…ree of contemplating every day the Perfecti…ns of his bleſſed Creator, ſhould need one …ecial day to do this in, having nothing to …vert his thoughts, nor any need of a day of …ſt from toilſom Labor? If ſo, doth not what …ey ſay argue ſome Imperfection attending …? how then was he created in the Image of …, and perfect, if he was capable of keeping …y one day more holy than the reſt whilſt in …nocency? If any ſhould ſay he was capable … reſt from dreſſing the Garden on one day: … anſwer, if the dreſſing the Garden was any …nderance to him in Divine Contemplation, … any holy Duty, it argues ſtill he was not …erfect, nor compleatly happy.
Fourthly, If one ſpecial day was appointed to …orſhip God in, and this he ſtood in need of, …ill it not follow by the ſame reaſon, that he …eeded to be told what ſpecial parts of Wor…ip he ſhould perform to God on that day? …or, as I hinted before, it ſeems ſtrange he …ould need a ſpecial day of Worſhip by a po…ive Law to be appointed him, and no Duties …f Worſhip be inſtituted ſutable to ſuch a day. …vident it is, when God commanded his Peo…le Iſrael to keep the Seventh-day Sabbath, he …old them how they ſhould do it, and what …cts of Worſhip they ſhould diſcharge on that …ay.
Fifthly, It may ſeem ſtrange that any wiſe …an ſhould affirm that Adam was injoyned to …eep a Sabbath, from what is ſaid in Gen. 2. whenas we read not one word of a Sabbath there; all that Moſes ſays is, that, God bleſſed the ſeventh day, and ſanctified it. Now, as one obſerves, the ſeventh day is three times mentioned in this Text, but the term Sabbath not at all, nor indeed any where elſe, till it came to be given to the Children of Iſrael in the Wilderneſs; nor can they ever prove that the ſeventh day mentioned Exod. 16. or 20. wa… the preciſe ſeventh day immediately ſucceedin… the ſix days of the Creation: but more … that hereafter.
Sixthly, Since we read of no day call'd … Sabbath till near two thouſand years from th… Creation, how ſhould any before the Flood… or before Moſes, know of ſuch a day? for th… bear Expreſſion, that God ſanctified the ſevent… day, &c. if that was known to the old World and afterwards (which I much doubt of) could not without ſome other Revelation diſcover that they were obliged to keep it as a Sabbath in religious Worſhip: tho it is ſaid, God ſanctified the ſeventh day, yet it is not ſaid that Ada… alſo ſanctified it, nor can they tell how Adam ſhould know that God then ſanctified it; for being not created till the ſixth day, how could he, without ſome ſpecial Revelation, know the next day after was the ſeventh day from the Creation? Could he tell how long God was in making the Heavens and the Earth? &c. Moreover, 'tis worth noting how ſtrenuouſly our Opponents do urge that there is no expreſs Command to keep the firſt day. Now may not w… ſay, there is no expreſs Command for Adam in Innocency, or when fallen, or for any till Moſes's time to keep the ſeventh day as a Sabbath? yet they boldly affirm it was their duty to keep it.
Again, Should it be granted that God commanded Adam to keep that very ſeventh day on which he himſelf reſted from his Work, and that Adam did ſanctify that one day, yet it is not …aid that he did, or was bid to keep holy every …eventh day to the world's end; and that he muſt …egin every ſuch day juſt at the ſame time as God did his ſeventh day, or juſt at the ſame time …f the day as it was in Paradiſe, at that moment …hen God ceas'd to work.Dr. Wallis Anſw. to Mr. Banfield, p. 12, 13. Thus Dr. Wallis, who …rther ſaith, It is not expreſly ſaid that all Man…ind muſt for ever after obſerve the ſeventh day, … every week of days, reckoned continually from … firſt Creation.
Let me here add what another Author ſaith …s to the words of the Text bleſſed and ſancti…ed: Mr. Gilb. Ironſide, on the Sab. p. 20, 21.That this was done (ſaith he) we all agree; when it was done is the queſtion: for this Circumſtance we have not expreſly in the Text. Things are ſaid in Scripture to be ſanctified two ways:
1. By way of Purpoſe and Deſtination only, as God ſanctified Jeremiah to be a Prophet to him before he was born.
2. By way of actual uſe and imployment, as when the Levites were admitted to the actual Service of the Tabernacle. God's reſting from his Works,He calls it Sabbath. and ſanctifying the ſeventh day, were coetaneous in the firſt ſenſe, i. e. by way of Purpoſe and Intention, which Moſes relates; but not in the latter, by way of actual Execution. As ſoon as he had ended his Work, he ordained the ſeventh day, the day of his own Reſt, to be that on which his Church ſhould reſt, and follow his Example; and this was the great Bleſſing and Prerogative beſtowed on that day.Muſcul. loc. com. Muſculus ſaith, he dos well expreſs Sanctificatus by deſtinatus, a day ſanctified, by a day deſtinated and afore-appointed.Byfield againſt Brerewood. Mr. Byfield has obſerv'd, That the word in the original ſignifies to prepare: to prepare is one thing, and actually to appoint is another. So then the Sabbath had not an actual exiſtence in the World from the beginning, it had only a metaphyſical being, as all natural things are ſaid to be in their Cauſes: for the cauſe or reaſon of the Sabbath's Sanctification (God's Reſt) was from the beginning, tho the Sanctification it ſelf was a long time after. Yet he owns God did ſanctify the day then by way of Deſtination—That as God then actually reſted, ſo he actually ſanctified the day; but that therefore he then commanded Adam to obſerve it, doth not follow: for that God did then ſanctify, that is, deſtinate that day to be the Church's Sabbath in due time, is one thing; and to command Adam to obſerve it▪ is another.—He proceeds to ſhew how the Medes were call'd God's ſanctified ones, that is▪ deſtinated to be in time Deſtroyers of Babylon and the Father ſanctified his Son, and ſent hi… into the World; Joh. 10. 36. Alſo Cyrus, Iſa. 45. 1.
Seventhly, Beſides, the Law of the Seventh day Sabbath ran thus, Six days thou ſhalt work▪ and do all thou haſt to do, but the ſeventh is the Sabbath, &c. Now the Old Teſtament Sabbath was the laſt day of the week: they were to work ſix, the ſix firſt; but this he could not do I mean the ſix firſt from the Creation, becauſe he was not created till the ſixth day. So that the firſt ſix days, tho the ſix days in which th… Lord did all his Work, could not be Adam's ſix working days. But if the Sabbath was given to him in Innocency, no doubt, as Tilla… ſays, he kept the firſt Sabbath; and then it …ollows he begun with God, and reſted before … labour'd ſix days, contrary to the Order and …ommand of the inſtituted Sabbath, Exod. 20.
Moreover,Warren's Jewiſh Sabbath, &c. in his full Anſwer to Tillam's Book, p. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. many learned Men believe Adam …ll the ſame day he was created, namely, on …he ſixth day, and ſo could not keep one Sab…ath in Innocency. But I deſire ſuch as would … further inform'd of this, to read Mr. Edw. …arren's Treatiſe, who ſhews,
1. That Adam fell the ſame day he was created, appears from the words of our bleſſed Saviour, Joh. 8. 34. that the Devil was a Murderer from the beginning, a Liar, and the Father of Lies: not, ſaith he, from the beginning of the World's Creation, but of Man's Creation, which moſt properly and preciſely implys the ſixth day.
2. He ſays, the parly betwixt the Woman and the Serpent intimates as much; for both the Serpent's demand, and the Woman's reply ſpeak plainly that as yet they had not taſted the ſweets of Paradiſe: Hath God ſaid, Ye ſhall not eat of every Tree of the Garden? the Serpent had not been ſo ſubtile to aſk whether that might be done which had been done already. Beſides, we may conclude that, had not the Serpent immediately ſet upon the Woman, his Craftineſs had not been ſo great; and Adam hearing of a Tree of Life, we may ſuppoſe would have firſt taſted of that; and Satan it may be fearing the Effects of it, immediately ſet upon the Woman. And, ſays our Author, the Tree of Life being ſacramental, hence may it well be thought that if Adam had ſtood one Sabbath, he had taſted of the Tree of Life, ſo had been out of a poſſibility of falling.
3. Satan beſure would take the fitteſt ſeaſon and therefore tempts the Woman timely.
4. 'Tis ſaid they heard the Voice of th… Lord God in the cool of the day, or in th… evening;Robert's Myſter. p. 39. and as he notes, Mr. Roberts ſaith th… this is the Evening mention'd after the Cre…tion of Adam, and the Covenant made with him. Adam was arraign'd and ſentenc'd to…wards the Evening of the ſixth day, therefore he ſinned the ſame day, and ſo kept … Sabbath in Innocency.
5. He mentions that Text, Adam in hono… lodged not a night, Pſal. 49. 12.but was like the Beaſts th… periſh; for, ſaith he, ſo it is in the Hebre… word for word.
He further confirms what he ſays her… and anſwers all Tillam's Objections, and tha… about the work Adam did of giving Names … all living Creatures, which he ſhews he might ſoon do; and as to that of God's ſaying o… the ſixth day he ſaw all his Works that the… were good, therefore Man had not then ſinne… he replys, that God's days works were don… each day by a word ſpeaking, or in a mo…ment; he did not work as Man doth: ſo tha… on the ſixth day early, or as ſoon as Ma… was created, he might ſay all his Works wer… good, yet Man might ſin and fall before night.
6. He argues from Adam's not knowing hi… Wife till he had ſinned, and ſhews that … good reaſon can be given why he ſhould no… have known her, had he ſtood one day Now theſe things tho doubtful, with the othe… being well obſerved, why ſhould any affir… the Sabbath was given to Adam in Innocency and that he kept the firſt Sabbath in Paradi… with his Creator? for ſo ſaith Tillam.
Eighthly, A Sabbath was not agreeable to Adam in Paradiſe, either in reſpect to himſelf, …o reſt from Labor, or as a ſpecial day to wor…ip God in: Such was the happineſs of his …ate, that he had no Burdens to bear, nor …y toilſom Labour; nor was there any Curſe … the Creatures, that they ſhould need a day … Reſt; he had no need of Servants, &c. …o doubt the Sabbath refer'd only to the ſtate … fallen Man, and was given in Mercy to …rael, God's own Covenant-People, under the …aw; I ſay, in Mercy to them, and to the …aſts who groan under their Burden. Adam's …bour, if any, in Innocency was matter of …light, and every day was a Sabbath to him: …nd, as Tertullian obſerves, Man lived in Pa…diſe in a fruition of God. Let me cloſe this …ith what a Reverend Author ſays.
Firſt, Walker on the Sab. p. 8.They all go too far, and have not one word in Scripture for their Opinion, that ſay Adam in Innocency ſhould or would have kept every ſeventh day for holy Reſt, and that God would have required it at his hands: for all Scriptures which mention the Sabbath, ſpeak of it as of a holy Sign looking towards Chriſt, and the ſtate of Grace and Glory in him, and not towards the ſtate of Innocency. It is moſt certain, Adam in that ſtate was perfect with all natural Perfections, and at all times equally diſpoſed to obey and ſerve God, to remember his Creation, and to honour his Creator: he needed no obſervation of any day to be put in mind of any thing he had before known, and which God had revealed to him; his Memory was perfect; his Will was every day ready to do whatever he knew to be right; he needed no Sign to admoniſh him of his Duty, or to move him to do it in due ſeaſon: he did not labor nor weary himſelf; every day to him was a day of Delight and Pleaſure, of Reſt and Recreation.—In a word, his whole Life was a conſtant and obedient ſerving o… God; and there was no inequality, nor leſ… Worſhip of God perform'd by him in on… day than in another, for he fully ſerved God at all times. Whoever denies this, muſt needs deny Man's Perfections, and conſtant Conformity to God in the ſtate of Innocency For where one day is kept better than an…ther, there is an inequality, and no conſta… Uniformity in himſelf, nor Conformity to … Will of God.
In the ſecond place, they who hold the Sabbath was firſt inſtituted after Man's Fall, and yet written in Man's Heart in Innocency, and that he was then bound to keep it, fall into many Abſurdities; as,
1. That Man was bound to keep a Sabbath before ever it was inſtituted.
2. That God did by his Word teach Man in vain, i. e. that which he was fully taught already, and had written in his heart.
3. That God gave Man a Law in vain after his Fall, becauſe he was become unable to keep it.
4. They that hold that the Law of the Sabbath was not written in man's Heart, but was by a Poſitive Law given in the State of Innocency, of the ſame nature with that of eating of the Tree of Knowledg, make this Commandment of the Sabbath utterly void by Man's Fall, even as that of eating, &c. is now void. Thus far Mr. Walker. I might add, certainly there was a vaſt difference as to the Cauſe and Deſign of God's giving a Sabbath to Man in Innocency, and when fallen▪ Could a Sabbath ſute equally with perfect and …allen Man? Or could there be the ſame need of a Sabbath to both? Certainly if God had …ot given that Command by Moſes, the keep…g that preciſe Day would not have been known … be the Duty of any of Adam's Off-ſpring, …om a poſitive Law given to him in Innocency.
Ninthly, To put the matter further out of …oubt, pray mind the words of this pretended …oſitive Command, God reſted on the Seventh…y; what then? but he alſo bleſſed and ſanc…fied it: what tho? Becauſe God ſanctified … Prieſt, may others do ſo too? He might … the Seventh-day apart for his People in after…es. Becauſe God ſanctified it, muſt Adam …nctify it or keep it holy without a Com…and? Is it ſaid therefore, Thou Adam ſhalt …eep this Day as a Sabbath? No doubt Moſes …ould not only have mention'd God's bleſſing …nd ſanctifying that Day, had it been given to Adam as a Sabbath; but God's expreſs Command would have been mention'd by him, and would alſo have called it the Sabbath-day.
I might now come to the laſt Argument, viz. If it had been commanded Adam and all his Poſterity to keep the Seventh-day after he fell, …he Patriarchs that lived before Moſes kept it: But more of this next time.
Tenthly, If Adam had the Sabbath poſitively given to him in Innocency, beſure it was injoined with ſome Penalty, as the Command of not eating of the Tree of Knowledg was. We alſo find the Penalty of the breach of the Seventh-day Sabbath was Death: but as we read of no Poſitive Command given to him to keep that Day, ſo of no threatning if he broke or violated it; therefore certainly it was never enjoyn'd upon him.
Elevehthly, When the Sabbath was inſtitured for the Houſe of Jacob, God declared it was a Sign between him and them, or a Shadow of things to come, Col. 2. 16, 17. it referred to Chriſt, or to that Reſt all Believers do enter into.Exod. 31. 13, 14. Speak thou unto the Children of Iſrael, ſaying, Verily my Sabbaths, it is a Sign between me and you throughout your Generations, Ezek. 20. 21.that ye may know that I am the Lord that ſanctify you, Exod. 31. 13. Ye ſhall keep my Sabbath, therefore it is holy unto you; every one that defileth it ſhall ſurely be put to death: For every one that doth any work on the Sabbath-day, ſhall be cut off from amongst his People, verſ. 14. It was a ſign God ſet apart that People with a Ceremonial Sanctification, to ſignify that alone by Jeſus Chriſt all the true ſpiritual Iſrael ſhould have Goſpel-Sanctification, as well as it was a ſign of the Covenant of Works: but it could be no ſign of this Sanctification to Adam in Innocency, nor of any other Goſpel-bleſſing, therefore doubtleſs the Sabbath was not given to Adam in Innocency.
Twelfthly, What reaſon can be given that God ſhould allow Adam in Innocency ſix days to labour in, and require but one, i. e. the ſeventh, as a day to his Creator? No, it is evident from hence the Sabbath refer'd to fallen Man, who God foreſaw would need ſix days to do all his Labour; and it ſhews God's great Mercy to Man and Beaſt in that woful condition of Servitude,It might not be our Duty to keep the Sabbath, tho given to Adam in Innocency. under the Curſe.
I might add, ſhould it be granted that God gave Adam a poſitive Command to keep the ſeventh day in Innocency, how can our Opponents thence prove it the Duty of all to keep the ſaid day? A Command to him in Innocency may not oblige any Man in his fallen ſtate, except the ſame be renewed. I find two of the chiefeſt Writers I have met with, who are approved Orthodox, plead not for the Sabbath as given to Adam in Innocency,See Sabbatum Redi. Part 3. p. 336. viz. Mr. Dan. …awdrey, and Mr. Herbert, Palmer: Take their words, We purpoſe not to maintain that the Sabbath was given to Adam in Innocency before the Fall: but they hint it might be given to him after the Fall, and that he fell the ſame day he was created.P. 337. Moreover, they ſay, If it was given before his Fall, it doth not follow it ſhould oblige at this day; for the poſitive Precept of not eating of the Tree of Knowledg, was given in Innocency, and yet doth not univerſally oblige Adam's Poſterity, nor ſhould if the Tree were at this day known. A poſitive Precept binds only during the pleaſure of the Lawgiver, &c. ſo ſay I, the ſame muſt be granted, when it was given Exod. 16. & 20. the preciſe ſeventh day being there a poſitive Precept.