James T. Dennison has written an outstanding book on the Puritan view of the Sabbath Day. It has been out of print for a while, but is now coming back into print. I read it in preparation for an article I'm writing for the CPJ on the Sabbath Day. The book is divided into 4 chronological periods (1532-1603, 1603-1633, 1633-1650, 1650-1700). The Puritans found themselves in between the Saturday Sabbatarians (the radically conservative), and the Prelatical party (radically liberal). With the Sabbatarians, the Puritans agreed that the Sabbath as a principle was a creation ordinance. That is the only point on which the Puritans and the Sabbatarians agreed. With the Prelatical party, the Puritans agreed on nothing. However, the Sabbatarians and the Prelatic party both agreed on a number of issues against the Puritans: 1. The Sabbatarians and the Prelatic party both agreed that the Saturday Sabbath was commanded by the Decalogue (against the Puritans). 2. They agreed that the Lord's Day was not the New Testament Sabbath (against the Puritans). 3. They agreed against the Puritans that the Lord's Day was not by divine right (jure divino) 4. They agreed against the Puritans that corporal labor and suspension of recreation was not required on the Lord's Day. In fact, the only real point of disagreement between the Sabbatarians and the Prelatical party was whether the Sabbath was a creation ordinance, the Prelatic party saying no and the Sabbatarians saying yes. For all this information, see the very handy chart on page 177.

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Rev. Lane Keister
Teaching Elder, PCA, North Dakota (working out of bounds in a CRC and an RCA church)
http://greenbaggins.wordpress.com
http://brahmsgreenglove.blogspot.com
http://accenttranslation.blogspot.com
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I have the book. It is a great read.

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Psa 55:16 As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.
Psa 55:17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.
James Farley
Husband of Melissa and father of Ann.
Members of Redeemer Church ARP, Blacksburg Va.
http://www.redeemerblacksburg.org/

Thanks Lane. I will be looking for Dennison's book. The little book THE LORD'S DAY by Daniel Wilson traces the observance of the Lord's Day back through Genesis.

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Bob, elder, RBC Louisville. 1689 LBCF

"... Of such also, or of those who make a credible profession of being such, all those particular churches consist, which constitute our Lord's visible kingdom. ... Consequently, all the subjects of His government must have spiritual dispositions, , and yield spiritual obedience- obedience proceeding from an enlightened understanding, an awakened conscience, and a renewed heart."- Abraham Booth 1788

thanks green

another one to add to the wants list

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Julio Perez
Visting Branch of Hope OPC hoping this will be my home church.....


“No…we are all priests. Your vocation and your contentment in your vocation should not be dependent upon your being in vocational ministry or in being a figure of public acclaim. If God wills that fine…if He does not do that, you ought to still do what he has granted you to do to the glory of God.”

-Martin Luther

sounds interesting might have to pick that one up

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sarah
WI
OPC
My Pastor's Sermons: Mark Jenkins...he's awesome!!!

It is actually available currently from cvbbs or from reformation heritage books. I think it was place back into print sometime last year. WTS is just late getting it into stock.

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Hermonta Godwin
Christ The King PCA
Raleigh, NC

I think I bought a copy a few years ago. I'm not sure where (Greenville TS bookstore perhaps?). I thought it was published by Banner of Truth.

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Tim Phillips
Pastor, Midlane Park Presbyterian Church (ARP)
Louisville, KY
Husband of Scottish Lass
My Blog: Gairney Bridge
My Facebook/My Avatar

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"Wherever the gospel is preached, it is as if God Himself came into the midst of us." ~ John Calvin