Synod of Dort on Sabbath Observance
Session 164, May 17
PM
Trans. R. Scott ClarkRules on the observation of the Sabbath, or the Lord's Day,
with the agreement of the brothers from Zeeland the following
concepts were explained and approved by Doctor Professors of
Divinity.
I.
In the fourth Commandment of the divine law, part is ceremonial,
part is moral.
II.
The rest of the seventh day after creation was ceremonial
and its rigid observation peculiarly prescribed to the Jewish
people.
III.
Moral in fact, because the fixed and enduring day of the worship
of God is appointed, for as much rest as is necessary for the
worship of God and holy meditation of him.
IV.
With the Sabbath of the Jews having been abrogated, the Lord's
Day is solemnly sanctified by Christians.
V.
From the time of the Apostles this day was always observed
in the ancient Catholic Church.
VI.
This same day is thus consecrated for divine worship, so that
in it one might rest from all servile works (with these excepted,
which are works of charity and pressing necessity) and from those
recreations which impede the worship of God.
Source: H.H. Kuyper, De Post-Acta of Nahandelingen
van de nationale Synode van Dordrecht in 1618 en 1619 gehouden
een Historische Studie (Amsterdam, 1899), 184-6.
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