Brothers,

I think one point to keep in mind is that although Calvin was a mighty man of God, and used greatly for His Kingdom, it is helpful to realize that he was not consistent with all of his own premises; none of us are.

What I mean by that is that Calvin's covenant theology should have been enough to teach him about the abiding continuity of the Law of God in its moral and civil teaching. Thus, the Puritans helped (in my opinion) to shore up what was loose in Calvin's thinking, and correct some of his inconsistencies, even as the Reformers did the same thing for Augustine, Bernard and Anselm.

In sum, I would say that Calvin's thoughts about the sabbath can't be consistently argued for in a scheme of thought which believes that all commandments stand unless abrogated. I believe this to be the major contribution of the Puritans and those that followed them.

Cheers,

Adam

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Adam B., Wine Country, California, PCA

"I fear not to hold with Junius, de Politia Mosis cap. 6, that he who was punishable by death under that Judicial law, is punishable by death still; and he who was not punished by death then, is not to be punished by death now."