M.\u2014Let us come to the fourth commandment.<\/p>\n
S.\u2014Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work: But the seventh is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it.<\/p>\n
M.\u2014Does he order us to labor on six days, that we may rest on the seventh ?<\/p>\n
S.\u2014Not absolutely; but allowing man six days for labor, he excepts the seventh, that it may be devoted to rest.<\/p>\n
M.\u2014Does he interdict us from all kind of labor?<\/p>\n
S.\u2014This commandment has a separate and peculiar reason. As the observance of rest is part of the old ceremonies, it was abolished by the advent of Christ.<\/p>\n
M.\u2014Do you mean that this commandment properly refers to the Jews, and was therefore merely temporary?<\/p>\n
S.\u2014I do, in as far as it is ceremonial.<\/p>\n
M.\u2014What then? Is there any thing under it beyond ceremony?<\/p>\n
S.\u2014It was given for three reasons.<\/p>\n
M.\u2014State them to me.<\/p>\n
S.\u2014To figure spiritual rest; for the preservation of ecclesiastical polity; and for the relief of slaves.<\/p>\n
M.\u2014What do you mean by spiritualrest?<\/p>\n
S.\u2014When we keep holiday from our own works, that God may perform his own works in us.<\/p>\n
M.\u2014What, moreover, is the method of thus keeping holiday?<\/p>\n
S.\u2014By crucifying our flesh, \u2013 that is, renouncing our own inclination, that we may be governed by the Spirit of God.<\/p>\n
M.\u2014Is it sufficient to do so on the seventh day?<\/p>\n
S.\u2014Nay, continually. After we have once begun, we must continue during the whole course of life.<\/p>\n
M.\u2014Why, then, is a certain day appointed to figure it?<\/p>\n
S.\u2014There is no necessity that the reality should agree with the figure in every respect, provided it be suitable in so far as is required for the purpose of figuring.<\/p>\n
M.\u2014But why is the seventh day prescribed rather than any other day?<\/p>\n
S.\u2014In Scripture the number seven implies perfection. It is, therefore, apt for denoting perpetuity. It, at the same time, indicates that this spiritual rest is only begun in this life, and will not be perfect until we depart from this world.<\/p>\n
M.\u2014But what is meant when the Lord exhorts us to rest by his own example?<\/p>\n
S.\u2014Having finished the creation of the world in six days, he dedicated the seventh to the contemplation of his works. The more strongly to stimulate us to this, he set before us his own example. For nothing is more desirable than to be formed after his image.<\/p>\n
M.\u2014But ought meditation on the works of God to be continual, or is it sufficient that one day out of seven be devoted to it?<\/p>\n
S.\u2014It becomes us to be daily exercised in it, but because of our weakness, one day is specially appointed. And this is the polity which I mentioned.<\/p>\n
M.\u2014What order, then, is to be observed on that day?<\/p>\n
S.\u2014That the people meet to hear the doctrine of Christ, to engage in public prayer, and make profession of their faith.<\/p>\n
M.\u2014Now explain what you meant by saying that the Lord intended by this commandment to provide also for the relief of slaves.<\/p>\n
S.\u2014That some relaxation might be given to those under the power of others. Nay, this, too, tends to maintain a common polity. For when one day is devoted to rest, every one accustoms himself to labor during the other days.<\/p>\n
M.\u2014Let us now see how far this command has reference to us.<\/p>\n
S.\u2014In regard to the ceremony, I hold that it was abolished, as the reality existed in Christ. (Col. ii. 17.)<\/p>\n
M.\u2014How?<\/p>\n
S.\u2014Because, by virtue of his death, our old man is crucified, and we are raised up to newness of life. (Rom. vi. 6.)<\/p>\n
M.\u2014What of the commandment then remains for us?<\/p>\n
S.\u2014Not to neglect the holy ordinances which contribute to the spiritual polity of the Church; especially to frequent sacred assemblies, to hear the word of God, to celebrate the sacraments, and engage in the regular prayers, as enjoined.<\/p>\n
M.\u2014 But does the figure give us nothing more?<\/p>\n
S.\u2014Yes, indeed. We must give heed to the thing meant by it; namely, that being engrafted into the body of Christ, and made his members, we cease from our own works, and so resign ourselves to the government of God.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
M.\u2014Let us come to the fourth commandment. S.\u2014Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work: But the seventh is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy … Continue reading “FOURTH
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