178 OBLIGATION OF THE SABBATH. 



Baptism, the Supper, and the Sahbath. Decisive authority. 



But if this new day be established, it follows that the day 

 formerly fixed for the Jews is by the same authority now 

 made void. For so the Apostle Paul reasons in a like case, 

 as to the force of Ps. cx. 4 ; a passage by the way whose bear- 

 ing was before as little understood, even by Christians, as the 

 one now under discussion. 



It remains, therefore, I think, a sound conclusion from the 

 premises, that the first day of the week is appointed the Sab- 

 bath of the Christian Dispensation. For, if the passage was 

 originally applied to the day of our Lord's public manifestation 

 as the King of Zion, how much more to the same day of the 

 week (just one loeek after this), when His high claim was 

 forever demonstrated by his triumphant resurrection from the 

 dead ? It is worthy of remark that both Baptism and the 

 Lord's Supper were appointed by our Lord before His death, 

 and confirmed after His resurrection as perpetual ordinances 

 in His Church. Why not also the distinguishing " stated 

 day'^ of Christian Worship ? Analogy would lead us to ex- 

 pect this. All the facts of the case confirm it. It is the true 

 key to all the subsequent history — as I shall hereafter show. 

 *' This is the day which the Lord hath made ; we will rejoice 

 and be glad in it." Such, with slight exceptions (according 

 to this prophecy), has been the consentiug language of the 

 whole Christian Church, from that day to this. And such, I 

 cannot doubt, it will continue to be, in despite of all " mur- 

 murers and complainers" like the Pharisees of that age, so 

 long as the love of a crucified and risen Saviour shall continue 

 to warm the bosoms of redeemed and regenerated men. Not 

 ahsolutely, indeed (as W. B. T. perversely understands mc, — 

 p. 92), but comparativelyj will the wonders of the original 

 creation " cease to be remembcred and come into mind.'' 

 {Isaiah Ixv. 17, 18.) 



My fricnd asks for "decisive authority." What more 

 decisive authority could be desired ? Here is the greatest of 

 niiracles, and a Divine explanation of its meaning in fixing 



