The First Principles of the Doctrine of Christ, Part 3
Thus we read in Acts 20. 7.
1. Of the assembling of the Disciples, not only some few, but of the generality of them, it is spoken in the general.
2. They assembled to break bread, it is not meant of a love Feast, that was unlawful in a publick Churchmeeting, 1 Cor.11. 34. but is to be understood of the Lords Supper, neither was it to hear Paul preach, but it is said, they came together to break bread, and Paul preached, so that he took this season to preach to them.
3. It was their usual practice to assemble for divine worship in this …, and therefore it is said when they came together, and thus of Christians in all Ages since the primitive time.
4. Their meeting in the first day of the week was either because it was a more expedient time for them then some other day, or because it was a special day, and the Christian Sabbath, not because it was more expedient for them, if the seventh day was kept as a Sabbath, how could it be expedient or lawful to defer administring the Sacrament on the seventh day, and to meet again the next day.
Quest. Doth not the change of the Sabbath from the seventh day to the first day abolish the fourth Command?
Answ. In no wise, for, the Reason of the seventh dayes being taken away, and a Reason of the same kind, but of a greater degree: for the first day of the week being come in the place of it, the fourth Command by this means in the scope of it is established.
1. The Reason why the seventh day was sanctified was because God rested from the works of Creation, but this rest was spoyled by the sin of man, and the Lord repented that he had made man, and other Creatures cursed for the sin of man, Gen.6.6,7. consequently the reason for the Sabbath day was taken away.
2. A reason of the same kind, but of a greater degree, for the first day of the week came in the place of the former, for Christ had wrought a new Creation by his death, 2 Cor. 5. 15. 17. and as he is the first born of every Creature, by whom all things consist; and that by the blood of his Cross he might reconcile all things to himself, whether things in Earth, or in Heaven, 1 Col. 15, 16, 17. but this of a greater degree, for this new Creation is a greater work then the first Creation; Christ's work as Redeemer is greater then the work of Creation, Eph. 1.20,21. Rev. 4. 9, 10, 11.
3. The fourth Command by this means is established in the scope of it. for,
1. The change of the Sabbath from the seventh day of the week to the first day stands upon the same ground and bottom upon which the seventh day was sanctified, namely, because of the Lords resting from his works of Creation, but behold he resteth from the works of the new Creation, and by which a restoration of that which was spoyled by mans sin.
2. The change of the Sabbath from the seventh to the first day, doth most admirably attain the end God intended in sanctifying a Sabbath. 1. God intended his glory in the works of Creation; but by the Christian Sabbath, he hath the glory of his works of Creation and Redemption, a greater glory then the former. 2. God intended the good of man. Mark 2.27,28.1. In respect of mans body, Deut. 5. 14. that it may rest a seventh part of the week, this end is as well attained in the first day of the week as on the seventh day. 2. In respect of mans Soul. Exod. 31. 13. Ezek. 20. 12. that the Soul of man may have a solemn time for the worship of God, but to do this in remembrance of the work of Redemption, is more for the Soul's good of man then to do it in remembrance of the work of Creation, so the sanctifying of the first day of the week for this end, is more for the good of the Soul of man then to sanctifie the seventh day.
3. Hence it is no abolishing of the fourth Command, but a fulfilling and establishing it; as the second Command requireth that the means of worship, & those only which God appointeth should be observed, he instituted toher means of worship to the Jews then now in Gospel times, and other means of worship in the Gospel dayes then before Christs coming, yet both they and we by virtue of the second Command were required to attend the means of worship, and the change of means of worship from that which it was before Gospel times, doth not cause any change of the second Command: So the fourth Command requireth to sanctifie that Sabbath which God appointeth. When God required the seventh day it was to be sanctifyed by virtue of the fourth Command, and since he hath required the first day day of the week, it ought to be kept by virtue of the fourth Command, and yet no change of the fourth Command; Will any be so bold to say that God himself could not change the day; seeing the Sabbath was appointed for man, and the Son of man is Lord of the Sabbath, Mark 2. ult.