This change was sanctioned by our blessed Lord, who repeatedly selected that day for the more public exhibition of himself to his disciples0; and on that day sent down the Holy Ghost upon themp; in order that the application, as well as the completion of his redemption, might give a further sanctity to the new-appointed day.
From that time the first day of the week was invariably observed for the public services of the church i; and, to stamp peculiar honour upon it, it was distinguished by that endearing name, "The Lord's dayr."
Who that weighs all these arguments, can doubt the con- tinued obligation of the Sabbath?]
For the regulation of our conduct on the Sabbath, we should inquire into, III. The nature of its requirements —
The same kind of strictness is not required of us as was enjoined under the law —
[We have before said, that there was something of a ceremonial nature in the Jewish Sabbath. The Jews in the wilderness were not permitted to leave their habitations on the Sabbath-day s, except to assemble for divine worship ; and the portion of manna which they gathered on the preceding day for the consumption of that day, was, for the space of forty years, kept fit for their use upon the Sabbath by a constant miracle, on purpose that they might have no excuse for transgressing the divine command*. They were forbidden even to kindle a fire on the Sabbath-day u, or to do any species of servile work. But all this rigour is not necessary now : it was sviited to the burthensome dispensation of the law; but not to the more liberal dispensation under which we live. Indeed, our blessed Lord has shewn us clearly that works of necessity x, or of mercy y, may be performed on that as well as any other day. Being himself " the Lord of the Sabbath- day," he dispensed with those rites which were merely tempo- rary, and requires of us such services only as a spiritual mind will most delight in.]
Our sanctification of the Sabbath should consist rather in mental than in bodily exercises —
° Luke xxiv. 13, 33, 36, 40, 45. John xx. 19, 26. P This is ascertained by calculators, as well as from its being the seventh Sabbath after his resurrection.
1 Acts xx. 7. 1 Cor. xvi. 1, 2. r Rev. i. 10.
s Exod. xvi. 29. * Exod. xvi. 24. u Exocl. xxxv. 3.
x Matt. xii. 1 — 8. v Matt. xii. 10 — 13.