Canterburys Doom, Branch 1 · Evidence 2 · Section 64
64. Paſſages blotted out concerning the Sabbaths morality, perpetuity, ſtrict ſanctification, and againſt the prophanation of it.
IN Maſter Ward's Comentary on Matthew, written copy page 201. this is deleted, I came not to destroy the Law, &c.
It is here objected, that the Sabbath day was not morall; Chriſt would not have altered it; for in this verſe, he came not to diſſolve the Law, but to fulfill it.
Anſw. The alteration of the day is no diſſolving of the Law, no more then the alteration of the ſeverall ſervices, once in force by vertue of the ſecond Commandement, (as namely, circumciſion, ſacrifices, the Paſſeover, and the like) doth aboliſh that Commandement.
Object. 2. It is objected againe, Chriſt compareth the Sabbath to a ſacrifice, Mat. 12. 7. therefore it is ceremoniall.
Anſw. Our Saviour in that place uſeth a proverbiall ſpeech, thereby ſhewing, that the greater duty muſt be preferred before the leſſe; ſee Mat. 9. 33. where the ſelf-ſame ſpeech is uſed, and yet there is no queſtion of Ceremonies, but onelyonly company keeping with Publicans and ſianers: Dod upon the fourth Commandement.
Ibidem page 110. this clauſe is gelded out: Some will not allow of all the words of precept, according to the Letter; as for example: Firſt, ſome divide the Sabbath into two houres in the fore-noon, and two in the afternoon, although they have no footing for it, either from the ſpirituall and literall meaning of the fourth Commandement: Secondly, other can diſtinguiſh, &c.
In Doctor Jones his Commentary on the Hebrewes, page 117. this ſentence is expunged. Here we are to learne, that we are to occupy our ſelves in a ſerious contemplation of the Sabbath day, it is as cheſt full of precious and invaluable Jewels, if it were unlocked unto us; it is a recordation of things paſt, namely, of the creation of the world which is never to be forgotten by us; and our Chriſtian Sabbath muſt put us in remembrance of the reſurrection of our Saviour Chriſt, which was a re-making of the world: Againe Secondly, The Sabbath was a type and figure of things to come, of that ſpirituall reſt that we ſhould have by Chriſt from ſinne, ſatan and the paines of hell; and likewiſe of that heavenly and everlaſting reſt that we ſhall have in the Kingdome of Heaven; all the week long we are working in thoſe callings wherein God hath ſet us eating our bread, as is the Commandement, in the ſweat of our browes; but on the Sabbath day we reſt from them all, doe nothing but heare the Word of God, pray, ſing Pſalmes, receive the Sacrament: and this ſhould put us in mind of that perpetuall Sabbath we ſhould keep in Heaven, where we ſhould doe nothing but praiſe God continually: yet for all that, this day, the day of dayes, the Lords day, which the Lord hath ſelected to himſelfe, is too little regarded by a great number; ſome men are ſo worldly that they will not reſt, no not on this day; they that doe reſt from bodily labours, will not reſt on ſuch a heavenly manner as they ought to doe, it may be they will be ſleeping even at the Church, when others be at Sermons, or they will be ſitting idle at home, in the ſtreets, or Church-yards, but they doe not make that holy and comfortable uſe of the Sabbath, as they ought to doe, they doe not now take occaſion to meditate upon that ſweet and joyfull Sabbath, where we ſhall reſt with Abraham, Iſaac and Jacob for ever; yet as the holy Ghoſt teacheth us in this place, this is one principall uſe we are to make of the Sabbath.
In the ſaid Doctor Jones his Comentary, page 41. 103. 119. 232. 236. 253. 252. 274. 319. 320. theſe words, The prophonation of the Sabbath are put out, and the very name of Sabbath obliterated.
So in Doctor Clerk's Sermons page 200. l. ult. & page 147. l. 7. the word Sabbath is deleted.