II. It is not the province of Rulers, Bishops, or Councils, to
legislate for the Church, and to bind the consciences of men in this
or any other matter. Man's appointment of another day than the one
contained in the Divine Enactment, does not make it _the Sabbath of
the Lord_. It is only a _human law_, resting on _human authority_.
Therefore, all attempts to enforce the observance of such an
institution as being of divine authority, are calculated to mislead
and ensnare souls. It is "teaching for doctrine the commandments of
men." Our faith in this matter "should not stand in the wisdom of men,
but in the power of God." The question is not, What day have men
judged most proper? and, What reasons for the institution have they
deemed the most appropriate? and, What day have civil rulers
sanctioned by their decrees and penalties?--but it is, What day has
God sanctified and blessed as a day of rest? It is manifest that no
man should stop his inquiries until he is able to produce a clear
divine warrant for his practice.
III. The fact that there is a lamentable division among professors of
religion in regard to the true design of the weekly Sabbath, and the
proper day to be observed, evinces the great importance of
investigation, and of arriving at a correct knowledge of the Divine
Will. This division is not likely to cease till a more general and
thorough knowledge of the subject is obtained, and a deeper interest
therein is felt. Can it reasonably be supposed that the whole church
will become united in the observance of the _first_ day of the week,
if it is not the Sabbath of the Bible? Will it ever be the case, that
God will have no witnesses for his own unrepealed and unadulterated
institution?--none that shall call the Sabbath of his own appointment
"a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable, and shall honor him
therein?" No--this will never be! Admitting that the Sabbath of the
fourth commandment is still binding, there is no doubt that there will
ever be a remnant, at least, who will conscientiously observe it. For
his great name's sake, God will not suffer this prominent part of his
law to be universally corrupted and profaned. And hence, if a
preference continues to be given, as it is now, to a day which He has
not designated and made holy, there will, of necessity, be a
protracted division in the ranks of Zion, and the cause of the
Redeemer will, on this account, continue to suffer. The faithful
witnesses will unquestionably continue to prophecy, though clothed in
sackcloth, and to bear testimony against the innovation. And no
earthly power can prevent them. Resolves, and proscriptions, and
gibbets, will not wholly suppress their testimony in favor of the
Sabbath of the fourth commandment. Therefore, the occasion of the
present division must be put away by a general return to the
uncorrupted appointment of God, or the same cause for regret and
mourning which now exists will continue to afflict the church. Let
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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