The Christian Sabbath: Its Nature, Design and Proper Observance

Top Highlights

“That the Sabbath of the Decalogue was not a ceremonial command is proved by the fact that its violation was made a capital offence. (See Ex. 31:14.) No ceremonial command was thus enforced.” (Pages 21–22)

“If this command was not for the first time introduced by the Levitical economy, but was in full force before, and if it was binding not on Jews only, but on all men, then the abrogation of that dispensation cannot have abrogated it, because it did not institute it.” (Page 9)

“If the Sabbath command was in full force before Moses, the passing away of Moses’ law did not revoke it.” (Page 22)

“But especially does the twenty-second verse of chap. 16 prove our view and refute the other. The people had, on the sixth day, already begun to make preparations for the rest of the seventh by gathering two portions of manna, before Moses or the elders had said one word to them about it! Their doing so was what prompted the elders to make the inquiry of Moses. Thus it appears beyond question that the Hebrews did know of God’s command to hallow the Sabbath, and were in the general (not universal) habit of honoring it, before ever the manna had fallen or Moses had said a word about the duty.” (Page 16)

“And Homer sings, ‘The seventh then arrived, the sacred day.’ Again, ‘The seventh was sacred.’ Once more, ‘The seventh dawn was at hand, and with this all this series is completed.’ ’ Clement also quotes the poet Callimachus as saying, ‘It was now the sabbath day, and with this all was accomplished.’ ‘The seventh day is among the fortunate; yea, the seventh is the parent day.’ ‘The seventh day is the first, and the seventh is the complement.’ ‘This day the elegies of Solon also proclaim as more sacred, in a wonderful mode.’ Thus far Clement, Præparatio Evang.” (Pages 19–20)