Page:Sermons on the Ten Commandments.djvu/74

 the Creator of the ends of the earth "fainteth not, neither is weary;" and when, moreover, as we know from the facts of science, the world was not made, in six days, but was long ages in the process of formation. Besides, why should this be a reason for keeping the Sabbath? what is there holy about making a natural universe and resting when it was made? But the spiritual sense beautifully explains the passage, and shows the command and the reason given for it to be perfectly in harmony. By creation in the spiritual sense is signified regeneration—for regeneration is, as it were, a new creation, a new birth of the soul. By the six days are signified, as before explained, the states of labor and combat through which man passes while in the process of becoming regenerated; and by the seventh day, or the Sabbath, the state of blessed rest and peace of mind into which he comes when his regeneration is completed. It is here said, that the Lord labors and the Lord rests, because it is He, in truth, who regenerates man—it is He who carries on the work. "While man is still full of evil passions and bad dispositions, the Lord, in endeavoring to check and eradicate these, strives and, as it were, labors with him; this is what is meant by the six days of labor. But when evils are overcome and cast out, and man comes into a state of obedience and submission to the Divine will, the Lord no longer labors with man, but leads him softly and pleasantly. Then the Lord is said to "rest and this state of man's mind is represented by the seventh day, or the Sabbath, which is "blessed