What is required in the fourth commandment?
The fourth commandment requireth the keeping holy to God one whole day in seven to be a Sabbath to Himself.
Proofs
- The fourth commandment requireth the keeping holy to God one whole day in seven to be a Sabbath to Himself. (Exodus 20:8–11; Deuteronomy 5:12–14)
Additional Exposition
Section 1
Is it the will of God that we should take special notice of the Sabbath?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Remember the Sabbath day, (Exodus 20:8)
Should we remember it before it comes?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For we read of the preparation of the Sabbath, (Mark 15:42)
And when it comes?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Eat that to-day, for to-day is a Sabbath unto the Lord, (Exodus 16:25)
And after it is over?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: I had gone with the multitude that kept holy day, (Psalm 42:4)
Section 2
Must we keep holy the Sabbath-day?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Hallow my Sabbaths, (Ezekiel 20:20)
Must we keep it by holy rest?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Six days may work be done, but in the seventh is the Sabbath of rest, (Exodus 31:15)
And by holy services?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: The people of the land shall worship at the door of this gate in the Sabbath, (Ezekiel 46:3)
And with holy affections?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: This is the day which the Lord hath made, we will rejoice and be glad in it, (Psalm 118:24)
Section 3
Must the Sabbath that we keep be a common day, consisting of twenty-four hours?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For the evening and the morning were the first day, (Genesis 1:5)
Should not the Sabbath then be begun and ended in the evening?
Answer: No.
Proof: For we read that the Sabbath ended when it begun to dawn towards the first day of the week, (Matthew 28:1)