This induces us to urge upon your notice the _exceeding simplicity_ of
the Sabbatarian argument, compared with all those theories which stand
in opposition to it. It is adapted to persons of weak capacities, of
whom there are thousands in the kingdom of Christ. Any illiterate
person can open the Bible, and point to chapter and verse, saying,
"The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God." This is plain;
he can understand it. But tell him that redemption was a much greater
work than creation; that redemption was finished by the resurrection
of Christ; that an event so important ought to be commemorated; and
that, in order to do this, the day of the Sabbath was changed from the
seventh to the first day of the week; for all which there is not a
single "thus saith the Lord;" nothing but the uncertain deductions of
human reason. Can he understand it? No. It requires an elevation of
intellect which God has not given him. The inferences and deductions
are beyond his capacities. How then is he to render an _intelligent_
obedience? If he conform his practice to the theory thus set before
him, it will not be because he understands it, but because he is
willing to trust the guidance of his mind to those who, he thinks,
know more than he does himself. This, therefore, is strong internal
evidence that the keeping of the first day is not of God. For God's
Book is adapted not only to those of elevated intellect, but to the
ignorant and rude. Every thing concerning our practice is plain even
to wayfaring men. Were it otherwise, we should conclude that the Bible
is not an inspired production. If it did not come down to the
capacities of all, we should infer that it was not made by Him who
made all minds. Indeed, it would not, in such case, be a _revelation_
to all, but only to the more talented. But it is a revelation to
_all_; and he that obeys God, must do it for himself; he that repents
and believes, must do so for himself; and at the great day, every one
of us shall give account for himself unto God. It is of the highest
importance, therefore, that every one know _for himself_ the
foundation of his faith and practice.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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