Now Moses and
the people consulted with the Lord, what they should do, how they should
punish that fellow which had so transgressed the sabbath-day. "He shall
die," saith God: which thing is an ensample for us to take heed, that we
transgress not the law of the sabbath-day. For though God punish us not
by and by, as this man was punished; yet he is the very self-same God
that he was before, and will punish one day, either here, or else in the
other world, where the punishment shall be everlasting.
Likewise in the seventeenth chapter of the prophet Jeremy God threateneth
his fearful wrath and anger unto those which do profane his sabbath-day.
Again, he promiseth his favour and all prosperity to them that will keep
the holy-days; saying, "Princes and kings shall go through thy gates,"
that is to say, Thou shalt be in prosperity, in wealth, and great
estimation amongst thy neighbours. Again: "If ye will not keep my
sabbath-day, I will kindle a fire in your gates;" that is to say, I will
destroy you, I will bring you to nought, and burn your cities with fire.
These words pertain as well unto us at this time, as they pertained to
them at their time: for God hateth the disallowing of the sabbath as well
now as then; for he is and remaineth still the old God: he will have us
to keep his sabbath, as well now as then: for upon the sabbath-day God's
seed-plough goeth; that is to say, the ministry of his word is executed;
for the ministering of God's word is God's plough.
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