Emden on Internal/External Sabbath

Status
Not open for further replies.

py3ak

Unshaven and anonymous
Staff member
This set of questions and answers from the Large Emden Catechism of 1551 is rather striking for the way it brings together concerns that are sometimes passed over in treatments of the 4th Commandment:

Q. 36. What is the fourth commandment?
R. You shall remember the Sabbath day, that you may sanctify it. Six days shall you work and accomplish all your labor. The seventh day, however, is the Sabbath of the Lord your God, etc.

Q. 37. How is this command observed?
R. It is observed and violated in a double way, just as there is a double kind of Sabbath, or day of rest, namely; the internal and external.

Q. 38. How is the former, or internal Sabbath observed?
R. When we refrain from our carnal works, dying daily to them, thinking always of the kingdom of God, allowing God to work in us, honoring him and giving thanks with a peaceful conscience in all things, whether favorable or adverse. (Is. 56, 58, 66; Rom. 13; Col. 3; Rom. 14)

Q. 39. How is the command of the latter, or inner, Sabbath violated?
R. When we do our carnal works, are not governed everywhere by the word of God, and impatiently bear all torment and adversity.

Q. 40. When is the observance of the inner Sabbath completed in us?
R. In the resurrection of the dead, when Christ the Lord, appearing in his glory, will create a new heaven and a new earth according to the promise of Scripture, when there will be an eternal, happy Sabbath from all deadly works, and when God will be all in all. (1 Cor. 15; 1 Thess. [4]; Mk. 14; Is. 65; 2 Pet. 3; Rev. 21; Is. 66; Heb. 3, 4; 1 Cor. 15; Eph. 1)

Q. 41. How is the external Sabbath observed?
R. When the Church of God is honored in its office and ministry (which was established and appointed at the command of Christ). (1 Cor. 6)

Q. 42. How may this be?
R. When we are diligent, not allowing ourselves to be ensnared by an insignificant excuse, from hearing and learning with longing hearts, the word of God in the company of the faithful; when we rightly administer and receive the sacraments so that by these various practices the knowledge of God is increased, his benefits pondered, the name of God honored, and a definite trust in the Church evoked; and further, when the entire day is spent in service to our neighbor and in all other sacred works; when all the ministers, who have been employed for the office of the Christian Church, are supported, of which there are preachers, presbyters, deacons, and scholars, according to the plan of God which has been established for the advantage of the Church. (1 Cor. 6; 1 Cor. 9; Gal. 6; 1 Tim. 5)

Q. 43. Is this enough?
R. Not at all. Every household is to be urged to do this, and the time and place indicated, at which we may use these practices with the Church, that the entire body of Jesus Christ may be edified. (Ex. 20; Eph. 4)

Q. 44. How is the external Sabbath violated?
R. When the ministers of doctrine, of the Sacraments, and of the remaining Christian practices enjoined by God, desert their office, commit adultery, or for some other reason falsely conduct themselves contrary to the command of God. Also when anyone spurns the assemblage, doctrine, Sacraments, and remaining practices of the Christian Church, or the Church itself; or, with words and acts of a different sort, become contemptuous and thus attacks these things. (Is. 58; Jer. 23; 1 Cor. 11; Heb. 10)

Q. 45. Cannot the Sabbath be violated in some other way also?
R. Certainly. When we intentionally disquiet the day, which has been appointed for the office and ministry of the Church, with common labors, indolence, heedlessness, drunkenness, throwing dice, sports, and other fleshly works.

Q. 46. The Lord says, “Six days you shall work and accomplish all your labor….” What then are the works which we should do on the six days?
R. These: everyone will attend to his vocation, as to whether it is agreeable with the word of God; and then, that he undertake ably and diligently all the duties of his vocation as if in the presence of God, that he may usefully perform and undertake this temporary life for the glory of God, by supporting and serving his neighbor. (Eph. 4; Ps. 128; 1 Tim. 5; Eph. 5)

(From James Dennison, ed., Reformed Confessions of the 16th and 17th Centuries in English Translation)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top