And yet so it is that some begin now to plead that these Ebion- ites were the only true and genuine believers of the Circumcision in those days. These, they say, and these alone, retained the doctrine preached by the apostles to the Jews, for they were the same and no other with those which were also called Nazarenes. Thus do the Socinians plead expressly, and have contended for it in sundry treatises published to that purpose. This they do, hoping to obtain from thence some countenance unto their impious doctrine about the person of Christ, wherein they agree with the Ebionites. But as to
SECT. 33.] OF THE LORD’S DAY. 433
their sabbatizing with the Jews, and the rest of their ceremonial observances, they will have nothing to do with them, as not finding those things suited unto their interest and design. But herein do they now begin to be followed by some among ourselves, who appa- rently fall in with them in sundry things condemned by our apostle, and on the account whereof they declined him and rejected his authority ; as others seem almost prepared to do, on other reasons not here to be mentioned. In particular, some begin to sabbatize with them, yea, to outgo them; for Ebion and his followers, although they observed the seventh-day Sabbath with the Jews, yet they observed also the Lord’s day with the Christians, in honour of Jesus Christ, as both Eusebius and Epiphanius testify: Taig Kupraxate jutpaus GL re Tupurrnoim cis povnueny rod owrnplov dvacra&oems erédouv TEAoUy-— “They in like manner with us observe the Lord’s day, in remem- brance of the saving resurrection.” How great a scandal these things are to Christian religion, how evidently tending to harden the Jews in their infidelity, is apparent unto all; for the introduction of any part of the old Mosaical system of ordinances is a tacit denial of Christ’s being come in the flesh, at least of his being the King, Lord, and Lawgiver of his church. And to lay the foundation of all religious, solemn gospel worship in the observation of a day which, as such, as the seventh day precisely, hath no relation unto any natural or moral precept, not instituted, not approved by Jesus Christ, can- not but be unpleasing to them who desire to have their consciences immediately influenced by his authority in all their approaches unto God. But Christ is herein supposed to have built the whole fabric of his worship on the foundation of Moses, and to have graffed all - his institutions into a stock that was not of his own planting.
33. Moreover, it is evident that this opinion concerning the neces- sary observation of the seventh-day Sabbath tends to the increasing and perpetuating of schisms and differences amongst the disciples of Christ,—things in their own nature evil, and to be avoided by all lawful ways and means. It is known how many different opinions and practices there are amongst the professors of the gospel. That they should all be perfectly healed, or taken away, perhaps in this world is not to. be expected; for the best know but in part, and prophesy but in part. That every good man and genuine disciple of Christ ought to endeayour his utmost for their removal, none will deny; for if it be our duty, so far as it is possible, and as much as in us lieth, to live peaceably with all men, in that peace which is the life of civil society, doubtless it is so much more to live so with all believers, in a peaceable agreement in the worship of God. And therefore, of all differences in judgment which lead unto practice, those are the worst and most pernicious which occasion or draw
VOL. XIX. 28
434 OF THE LORD'S DAY. [EXERC. V.
after them any thing whereby men are hindered from joining toge- ther in the same public solemn worship, whereby they yield unto God that revenue of glory which is due unto him in this world. And that many of these are found at this day, is not so rauch from the nature of the things themselves about which men differ, as from the weakness, prejudices, and corrupt affections, of them who are possessed with different apprehensions about them. But now, upon a supposition of an adherence by any unto the seventh-day Sabbath, all communion amongst professors in solemn gospel ordinances is rendered impossible; for if those of that persuasion do expect that others will be brought unto a relinquishment of an evangelical ob- servance of the Lord’s-day Sabbath, they will find themselves mis- taken. ‘The evidence which they have of its appointment, and the experience they have had of the presence of God with them in its religious observation, will secure their faith and practice in this matter. Themselves, on the other hand, supposing that they are obliged to meet for all solemn worship on the seventh day (which the others account unwarrantable for them to do on the pretence of any binding law to that purpose), and esteeming it unlawful to assemble religiously with others on the first day on the plea of an evangelical warranty, they absolutely cut off themselves from all possibility of communion, in the administration of gospel ordinances, with all other churches of Christ. And whereas most other breaches as to such communion are in their own nature capable of healing, without a renunciation of those principles in the minds of men which seem to give countenance unto them, the difference is here made absolutely irreparable, whilst the opinion mentioned is owned by ay. I will press this no further but only by affirming, that persons truly fearing the Lord ought to be very careful and jealous over their own under- standings, before they embrace an opinion and practice which will shut them out from all visible communion with the generality of the saints of God in this world.