PHI LOS 0 P H Y . - Classic Works of Apologetics Online

Sabllaticai Institut;oI1S.
stituted a natural obligation, or if it bad been menticned
with a view to the extent of the obligadon,
we should submit to the conclusion, that all were
comprehended by the command,. w h;) are. concerned
ill the reasorl. But the sabbatIc rest beIng a duty
which results from the ordination ~lnd authority of
a positive law, the reason can be alleged no farther
than as it explains the design of the 14egislator; and
if it appear to be recited with an i!lten{ional application
to one part of the 1aw, it expl~ns his design
upon no other; if it be mentioned merely to ac-
COUf1t for the choice of the day, it does not explain
his design as to the extent of the obligation.
With respect to the second objection, that inasmuch
as the other nine commandments are confes.
sedly of moral and uniyersal obligation, it may rea·
sonably be presumed that this is of the same ;-we
ansv'e!", that this ~rgument will have less weight,
when it is considered, that tIle distinction bet\\'eel1
positive and natural duties, like other distinctions of
modern ethics, \\1a'- unkn()wn to the simplicity of
ancient LmglJage; and that there are various passages
in scripture, in which duties of a political, or
ceremofliaI, or positive nature, and confessedly of
partial obligation~ are enumerated, and \vitllout any
mark of discrimination, along- \vith ot:lers \vhicll
are natural and uni\TersaI. ()f this the following is
an incontestible example: "But if a man be just,
and do tllat ,\~hich is Ja\vful and right; and hath
110t eaten upon the mountains; nor hatll lifted up
his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel: neither
bath defiled his neighbour's \vife; 12eithel· hath COIIIt;
near to a lJZenstrziOUS W01JlaJ2; and liat!l not oppressed
any, but hath restored to the debtor his pledge;
hath spoiled none by violence; hath ;ivcn his bread
to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a
garment; be that hath not given upon usury, neither
hilth taken any i11crease; that hath withdrawn his
hand from iniquity; hath ex~cuted true judgment
between man and man; hath walked in my statutes;
and hath kept nly judgments to deal truly; he is