The English Catechism Explained, Commentary · commandments (3 of 6)

The English Catechism Explained · Commentary · commandments (3 of 6)

p. 2472Concerning the ſecond thing in the anſwere. 1. That it is lawfull to ſweare, to confirme a neceſſarie truth, which otherwiſe cannot be knowne, is plaine from the examples going before. The Apoſtle ſware, to confirme the Philippians and Corinthians, of his vnfained louelove towards them, and the Angel, that Time ſhould be no more, which were weightie things, and neceſſary to be knowne certainely, for the furtherance of the Goſpell, and yet ſo hidden, that they could p. 248not be certainely knowne, but by calling God for a witneſſe, who is the knower of all ſecrets. 2. For the making of leagues and couenants ſure, it was the common practiſe of Abraham, Iſaac, Iaacob, and all holy men to ſweare by the true God, that he being called to be witnes of what they had promiſed, they might not dare to deale falſly. 3. The lawfull Magiſtrate is Gods Vicegerent heere vponupon earth, and therefore if hee call thee to ſweare, thou muſt not refuſe, but obey herein:Rom. 13.1.Rom 13:1 for to obey the lawfull Magiſtrat, is to obey God, ſeeing the powers that bee, are ordeined of God. And to theſe may be referred all other lawfull caſes of ſwearing; otherwiſe, they are abuſes of Gods holy name.

Queſt. 67. What elſe is required, that our ſwearing may be lawfull?

Anſw. Theſe foure things. 1. Wee muſt ſweare onelyonly to ſuch a truth, as we know to be ſo. 2 We muſt ſweare according to the knowne intent of him vntounto whom, or before whom we ſweare. 3 We muſt ſweare onelyonly things poſsible, and lawfull. 4. This being a part of Gods worſhip, we muſt doe it with great reuerence.

1Explan. Theſe things muſt alſo bee knowne, and conſidered by him, that would rightly proceed in the taking of an oath. For; 1. Although it be a truth, vntounto which thou ſweareſt, yet if thou knoweſt it not to bee ſo, thou art periured, 2becauſe thou ſweareſt contrary to thy conſcience 2. If thou ſweareſt in doubtfull words, hauing another meaning, then thou knoweſt him to hauehave, before whom thou ſweareſt, thou abuſeſt this ordinance of God. Thus the Ieſuites play with oathes, by their equiuocations, and mentall reſeruations: and with them agree too many Shop keepers, liuing vponupon buying and ſelling, that will ſweare, that their ware coſt them thus much, meaning the whole, when the buyer is prizing the yard, or the ell: or, that they were bidden ſuch a price, meaning of their wife, or companions, for a colour, when as the buyer is made to beleeue, that if they would hauehave taken that money, they might hauehave ſolde it ſo, yer that time, with many other deuices, to deceiue their owne ſoules.

p. 2493 To ſweare things impoſsible, or vnlawfull, is to mocke 3God, as if a man ſhould call his neighbour to witneſſe, his couenanting with a thiefe to rob his houſe, or to cut his throat: or if a Subiect ſhould call his Prince, to ſee him build an houſe in the aire, to flie with the fowles, or to make his horſe ſpeake, which were meere mockeries.

4. If it be not reuerently performed, Gods name is indeed 4taken into the mouth, but forgotten of the heart; the Arke of God is carried, but in ſuch ſort, as when God was therefore diſpleaſed with Ʋzz…h. Wherefore, though it bee a truth, ſweare not vntounto it, vnleſſe it bee weighty, and thou diſpoſeſt thy ſelfe hereunto with reuerence.

Queſt. 68. What if a man ſhall ſweare that, which is vnlawful, is he not bound, notwithſtanding, to performe his oath?

Anſw. Nay in no wiſe; for ſo hee ſhould adde vntounto his ſinne of ſwearing vnlawfully, a further ſinne of doing vnlawfully

Pſal. 15.4.Ps 15:4Explan. This is plaine of it ſelfe, to eueryevery man of vnderſtanding. A man being in danger of his life, is through feare conſtrained to ſweare, that hee will not diſcouer, but maintaine a company of theeues to his power; he hath offended, by taking this oath, but he ſhal much more offend, if hee doth accordingly, for he ſhall be acceſſary to their wickednes. But the caſe is changed, if a man by ouer-ſight, ſhall ſweare any th…ng to his owne hinderance, but without preiudice to the good of others for here the oath is to be performed. This was the caſe of Iſrael, as touching the Gibeonites, vntounto whom, when they had ſworne, though they were brought vntounto it by craft, yet they feared to break the oath, & ſuffered them to liue.

Obiect.If any man ſhall ſay, if this bee a rule to be followed, then euen vnlawfull oathes are to bee kept; for it was vnlawfull for them, to ſuffer any of the men of thoſe countries to liue

Sol.I anſwer: That this was not ſimply vnlawfull; but firſt, if they ſhould bee an occaſion of temptation vntounto them. 2. If they could bring them into their power, for ſome ſtill remained to trie them withall. 3. They were enioyned this for p. 250their owne good, that roome might bee made for them to inhabit there. Now the Gibeonites, by their ſubtilty, freed themſelues from this danger; ſo as that they had no power ouer them, by reaſon of their oath, to deſtroy them, and it was but to their owne hinderance, or rather, as they turned it, to their commodity,

Queſt. 69. Which is the fourth Commandement?

Anſw. Remember that thou keepe holy the Sabbath day, ſixe dayes ſhalt thou labour, and doe all that thou haſt to doe; but the ſeuenth is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God, in it thou ſhal… done manner of worke, thou, and thy ſon, and thy daughter, thy man-ſeruant, thy maid-ſeruant, thy cattle and the ſtranger that is within thy gates: for in ſixe dayes the Lord made Heauen and Earth, the ſea, and all that in them is and reſted the ſeuenth day; wherefore the Lord bleſſed the ſeuenth day, and hallowed it.

Queſt. 70. What is the duty here commanded?

Anſw. To keepe holy the Sabbath day, and to bee mindefull of it.

Queſt. 71. How may this be done?

Anſw. By aſſembling together, to pray vntounto God, and to praiſe him, to heare his holy Word, and receiue the bleſſed Sacraments.

Queſt. 72. Is this all that is required to the right keeping of the Sabbath day?

Anſw. No; but we muſt prepare our ſelues by prayer, and emptying our hearts of ſin, and meditate vponupon Gods workes, and the Word which we hauehave heard, ſuffering it ſo to worke in vsus, as that we may bee furthered in all holineſſe of life.

Memb. 1 Explan. This Commandement being affirmatiue, wee begin againe with the duty; for the further opening whereof we are to conſider it, according to the ſeuerall members. Which are firſt, to keepe holy a time. 2. To remember, and to be mindfull of it. 3. To keepe holy a Sabbath. 4. To keepe holy the Sabbath, that day, which the Lord hath appointed. For the firſt, it offereth againe two things to our conſideration: p. 251both what it is, to keepe holy a time, and wherefore it ſhould be kept holy.

1. To keepe holy any time, is to ſeparate, and ſet it apart Queſt. 1 to holy duties, to bee done either towards God, or towards our neighbour. 1. The duties to be done vntounto God,3. The exerciſes of the Word. Nehem 8.4. Verſe 8.Neh 8:4 are either our ſpeaking vntounto God, which is by Praier, or Gods ſpeaking vntounto vsus, which is by reading, preaching, and hearing of Gods holy Word: theſe were in vſe at their holy meetings, vnderunder the old Teſtament. In the dayes of Nehemiah there was a pulpit made, out of which, both God was praiſed, and the words of the Law read, and the ſenſe and meaning opened vntounto the people, that they might vnderſtand. And of this Iames maketh mention, in the Councell held at Ieruſalem, ſaying,Acts 15 21.Acts 15:21 that Moſes had in old time, them in eueryevery city, which did preach him, ſeeing he was r…d in the Synagogues eueryevery Sabbath day: Their Synagogues then, being as our places of meeting for eueryevery Congregation in eueryevery towne and village, and their reading was that before ſpoken of in Nehemiah, with the giuing of the ſenſe; and thus is it, that the doctrine of Moſes was preached, and made plaine. And that this was ſtill their cuſtome vntounto the Apoſtles times, appeareth both from this ſpeech of Iames, being in the Preſent-tenſe, and where it is noted, that the Maſter of the Synagogue ſent vntounto Paul and his companions,Acts 13.15.Acts 13:15 after the Lecture of the Law, and the Proph…ts, that if they had any word of exhortation for the people, they ſhould ſay on. Which ſheweth, that as it is in vſe amongſt vsus, to hauehave a firſt and ſecond Lecture, and then a Sermon, the people being gathered together to heare: So it was in thoſe dayes vnderunder the Law, one Lecture was taken out of one of the fiue bookes of Moſes; the other, out of the other parts of the old Teſtament, which were penned by the Prophets.

1. Tim. 4 13.1 Tim 4:13And much more are theſe holy exerciſes commended vntounto vsus in the new Teſtament. S. Paul chargeth Timothy, to giuegive attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine, and concludeth, that in ſo doing he ſhould ſaue both himſelfe,V…rſe 16. 1. Cor. 14.1 Cor 14 and thoſe that heard him. And in comparing that excellent gift of thoſe times, of ſpeaking with tongues, with propheſying, or preaching, he preferreth far the preaching of the Word. Therefore p. 252are ſuch glorious things ſpoken hereof,1. Cor 1 18.21. 2. Cor 2.15.1 Cor 1:181 Cor 1:212 Cor 2:15 to bee the power of God to the ſaluation of thoſe that beleeue, a ſweet ſauour vntounto God in al, whether they periſh, or be ſaued, &c. and hearers are willed,1. Pet. 2.2.1 Pet 2:2 As new borne babes, to deſire the ſincere milke of the Word, that they may gr…w thereby Which ſerueth to commend the care, both of the Gouernours of the Church in former times, who would not hauehave any Lords day paſſed ouer without a Sermon,Iuſt. Martyr. Apolog. as witneſſeth Iuſtin Martyr, ſaying, That the Word was read and preached, for the ſpace of an houre eueryevery Sabbath day, at one meeting. Tertullian ſaith of his times, that there was not any holy meeting, wherein they were not fed with diuine Sermons; and if the Paſtor were ſick, or neceſſarily hindred, the Deacon read an Homily. In a Councell in Germany,Concil Franceſ. vnderunder Carolus Magnus, it was ordaind, that there ſhould euer be ſome man to preach vponupon the Lords day, ſo alſo hath both the Trullan and Moguntine Councels. And the like is the care of our worthy Gouernors of theſe times, it being ordained, that the Word ſhould be preached eueryevery Sabbath, and the Catechiſme explaned in the afternoone, though many places, alas, may ſay hereof, as of ſundry good Lawes beſides, they are well enacted, if they were well executed,

2 Prayer and thankſgiuing. Nehem. 8.Neh 8The other kind of holy duty, is Prayer and Thankſgiuing: for, when Ezra was aſcended vp into the pulpit, hee prayed vntounto, and praiſed the God of Heauen, and all the people ſaid, Amen, Amen. And there were formes of prayer and thankeſgiuing to be vſed in publique as the 92. Pſalme more ſpecially for the Sabbath, the 104. 105. 106. 107. for all times of Gods publike worſhip. This alſo is ſpoken of in the new Teſtament,2. Cor. 14. as vſed by the Miniſter in their meetings, and it is prouided, that it ſhould be in a knowne tongue, that the people might ſay, Amen. Prayer hath euer been ſo eſſentiall and proper to the houſe of the Lord, that it is called for this, The houſe of prayer. Some raſh ſpirits would hauehave no prayer vſed in the Congregation, but conceiued prayer, without any ſet forme; which would breed ſuch a confuſiō, as the like hath not bin known in the Church of God: ſome through inſufficiency of the Miniſter, being without any prayers, or too ſlenderly p. 253appointed in this regard. Others, through the variety of mens diſpoſitions, and humours ſo diuerſly appointed, one following this faſhion, and another that, as that in the ſame Church, which is one body, no vnity, or agreement almoſt would appeare.

3. Singing of Pſalmes to the praiſe of God.3 Singing of Pſalmes. Much time in their meetings was wont to be ſpent herein, vnderunder the old Teſtament, as may eaſily be gathered, from the many Pſalmes committed to the Maſters of the Quiriſters, and ſpeciall holy ſongs, appointed to be ſung vponupon ſpeciall occaſions, by Moſes, by Barack and Debrah, &c. VntoUnto which muſicke made, with playing vponupon inſtruments, and vponupon triumphant occaſions, comely dancing was ſometime added. And vntounto the like are we excited in the new Teſtament, with Pſalmes, and Hymnes and ſpirituall ſongs,Epheſ 5.19. Iames 5.13.Eph 5:19Jas 5:13 to ſing and make melody to the Lord in our hearts. Is any man merry, ſaith Iames, let him ſing Pſalmes The practiſe of the poore perſecuted Chriſtians of the primitiue Church doth ſhew, that this duty was wont to be vſed in their aſſemblies ſince Chriſts time; for as he according to the ancient manner, after the Paſſeouer, ſung a Pſalme with his Diſciples, ſo did they at their Communions, which were then eueryevery Lords day, and not hauing the liberty of any other time, they came together thus before day, or early in the morning, for which they were called Hymni antelucani. Plin. Epiſt.Let the Papiſts therefore deride our ſeruing of God with Pſalmes ſung in our aſſemblies, we know notwithſtanding, that if it be done from the heart, it is better then al their Latine Chaunteries, which the hearers vnderſtand no whit at all.

4. Receiuing the Sacraments.Fourthly, the adminiſtration, and partaking of the bleſſed Sacraments, becauſe it is the Lords day, in remembrance of whom, the Communion is receiued. Wherefore in deſcribing this day, this circumſtance is commonly added;Acts 20.7.Acts 20:7 when they were come together to breake bread: for without this, no Lords day was wont to be paſſed ouer, as hath been already noted. And for Baptiſme this day is fitteſt, being the time of Chriſtian congregations, and as it were a repreſentatiue Church, whereinto the baptiſed is to be admitted, and made a member of the vniuerſall Church thereby.

p. 2545. Holy conferences and meditations, for of old they were reſtrained from thinking their owne thoughts, where the Lord forbiddeth the ſeeking of their owne will, or ſpeaking a vaine word,Eſay 58.13.Isa 58:13 and if hee that keepeth the Sabbath aright, muſt be free from theſe things, then his thoughts muſt bee holy, his ſpeeches and conferences holy. Moreouer, doth not the husbandman couer his ſeed with mouldes, when hee hath committed it to the ground, that it may grow, and bring forth fruit? Doe not wee chew our meat, when we hauehave put it into our mouthes, that it may turne to our nouriſhment? and how ſhall we thinke, that the ſeed of the word wil fructifie in our hearts, vnleſſe wee hide it there by muſing, and meditating thereupon? how can we thinke to hauehave it turne to the nouriſhment of our ſoules, vnleſſe wee chew it by further talking, and conferring about the ſame? Dauid did thus hide the word in his heart, that he might be preſerued from ſinne, and that corruption may not grow vp in vsus, the Apoſtle willeth,Pſal. 119.11. Col 3.16.Ps 119:11Col 3:16 that the Word ſhould dwell plen…iouſly in our hearts. So that the beſt keeping of the Sabbath is, when as wee not onelyonly heare, pray, ſing, and communicate in publike, but priuately thinke againe, and againe vponupon thoſe things, wherein wee hauehave been inſtructed, conferre one with another, read, pray, and ſing Pſalmes in our priuate houſes.

Quest. 73. Is there no duty to be done towards our neighbour, for the hallowing of this day?

Anſw. Yes, it is a ſpeciall time of exerciſing mercy, by helping againſt ſudden dangers, by collecting, and diſtributing to the poore, by viſiting the ſicke, and reconciling diſſentions amongſt neighbours.

1To helpe againſt ſudden danger.Explan. The holy duties to bee done towards our neighbour are; firſt, workes of preſent neceſsitie, which could not bee auoyded, which are not onelyonly then tollerable, but good and commendable, according to that ſpeech of Chriſt, when they watched him, whether he would heale the man with the withered hand vponupon the Sabbath day;Mark. 3.4.Mark 3:4 Js it lawfull to doe good on the Sabbath, or to doe euill to ſaue life or to kill? as if he ſhould ſay, this is a right Sabbath dayes worke, to doe good, or to doe any thing, tending to the ſauing of a mans life in danger. So p. 255to ſaue the poore helpeleſſe beaſt, either fallen into a pit,Matth. 12.11.Matt 12:11 or wanting ſuſtenance, he ſheweth elſewhere to bee a worke of the Sabbath. From the equity of which it followeth, that to put to our helping hand againſt any caſualty falling vponupon a mans perſon, goods, cattell, or houſe, is a worke ſo good, and holy, as that it wel becommeth the Sabbath day. In like manner is it to be held, for the ſauing of good things, which otherwiſe would be loſt, by gathering of Saffron, milking, and making out the milke of kine, and ſheepe, and if there bee any thing elſe of this nature. Likewiſe, houſhold buſineſſes in making ready of meat, and keeping things in decent & comly order, are lawfull vponupon this day; for God will hauehave mercy, and not ſacrifice, he made not man for the Sabbath, but the Sabbath for man: that is,Matth. 12.7.Matt 12:7 he doth ſo much fauour the good of man, as that when the ſtrict keeping of this time, is preiudiciall to the neceſſary good of man, he would rather hauehave it giuegive place hereunto, then that it ſhould hereby be neglected.

2. Workes of mercy to the poore, in gathering reliefe for 2them, and diſtributing the ſame: for this ſeemeth to hauehave been the cuſtome in the Apoſtles times,1. Cor. 16.2.1 Cor 16:2 that eueryevery firſt day of the weeke, collections ſhould bee made for the poore, as God bleſſed eueryevery man.

3. Duties of louelove, to the comfort of our neighbour in diſtreſſe, 3by viſiting the ſicke, and poore priſoners,Viſiting the ſicke. Matth 25. Chap 5.Matt 25 comforting thoſe that mourne vnderunder any croſſe or calamity, and making peace betwixt thoſe, which be at variance: for as theſe duties are holy, and hauehave excellent promiſes, and become vsus at all times, ſo ſpecially vponupon the Sabbath dayes, when the publike worſhip, and ſeruice of God is ended.

Queſt. 2 Reaſons of keeping the Sabbath.The ſecond queſtion touching the ſanctification of the Sabbath is, wherefore, and for what ſpeciall cauſes there ſhould bee times thus obſerued for the publike worſhip of God, ſeeing that the ſpirit, and heart, which are inward, and priuate, are the principall in his ſeruice? I anſwere, that the cauſes hereof are ſundry, and weighty.

1. Hereby are exerciſed the faith, and obedience of men, when as becauſe of Gods commandement, only they ſhall ſeperate, and ſet themſelues apart from worldly buſineſſes, what p. 256haſte ſoeuer they hauehave, to goe forward with the ſame. And at three times in the yeare, eſpecially were the ancient people of God tryed, both for their obedience, and faith, and affiance in Almighty God in keeping their Sabbaths. For all the males were to appeare at Ieruſalem three times in the yeare before the Lord, many of them comming from a farre, and leauing their houſes deſtitute and void of men, to be made a prey to the enemy, vnleſſe God by his prouidence, ſhould marueilouſly preſerue them. And accordingly were they ready to yeeld themſelues to the Lords ordinance, yea, to more then hee required at their hands, for when their enemies ſet vponupon them on the Sabbath, they were ſo preciſe and ſuperſtitious, that they would not ſtirre to arme, and defend themſelues for feare of breaking the Sabbath,1. Machab. 2. and thus loſt their liues, without ſufficient warrant.

22. By this meanes concord, and vnity in doctrine, and the ſeruice of God is maintained: for let publike meetings bee duely frequented, where all things either are, or ought to bee prouided to be done according to the direction of Gods holy word, and vnity, and ſoundneſſe will be maintained: but take away theſe, and a confuſion both in the matter of religion, and in the manner, will vndoubtedly follow, when eueryevery one ſhall follow his owne fantaſie, there being commonly ſo many heads, ſo many opinions.

33. LoueLove and charity, and all ſauing graces are the more hereby increaſed, when as we ſhall be brought publikely, as it were vponupon the ſtage, and be made aſhamed before al men, if any man be rude,1. Cor. 14.1 Cor 14 and wicked in behauiour. For this is the effect of the preaching of Gods word, the ſinner comming, is reprooued of all men, and accuſed of al men. Moreouer, the ſame prayers, the ſame word, the ſame Sacraments, the ſame God ſerued there by vsus altogether, doe put vsus in mind of the vnity, whereby wee are vnited one vntounto another, ſo that as brands being layd together, doe make the greater flame, ſo our louelove towards one another is the more inflamed by our being thus ioyned together in theſe holy duties.

44. Seruants and cattell, obtaine ſome eaſe from their ſore labour hereby, whoſe good, the Lord, who is the Creator p. 257of all, doth alſo tender: for admit, that there were no Sabbaths, vnmercifull minded men would work out the very hearts of their ſeruants, and cattell, wherefore it is often alleaged by the Lord, that thy ſeruants and cattell may reſt as well as thou.

5. The ſeruice and worſhip of God is thus vpheld, which would otherwiſe decay and fall to the ground, if there were no times of publike meetings, but all men were left vntounto their priuate deuotion, ſome vtterly forgetting what they owe vntounto GOD, ſome neglecting all, and moſt through ignorance, ſeruing him with ſuperſtition, in ſtead of true deuotion.

6Ezech. 20.12.Ezek 20:12Sixtly, the Sabbaths thus publiquely kept, are a ſigne vntounto the people of God, both to diſtinguiſh betwixt them, and the heathen, that know not God, and to repreſent in ſome ſort the Sabbath, that ſhall afterwards bee kept in heauen from monethmonth to monethmonth, and from weeke to weeke for euer: Eſa. 66.23.Isa 66:23when the Saints of God ſhall reſt from all labour and ſorrow, world without end. That euen hereby, they may bee brought to ſome comfortable meditation of their happineſſe to come, if it be ſome comfort to reſt from toiling for one day, and to be recreated with Gods ſweet promiſes preached vntounto vsus, and ſinging of Pſalmes, and praiſes: oh what a comfort may we thinke it will bee, when as we ſhall reſt for euer, and be in poſſeſsion of thoſe ioyes, which are heere promiſed, in the company of the holy Angels delighting our ſelues with ſinging Alleluiah, continually.

Memb. 2 To remember the Sabbath.The ſecond member of the dutie heere enioyned is to remember, and to bee mindfull of this ſanctification. And this remembrance muſt be firſt generall all the dayes of the weeke, when we bargaine, couenant, and vndertake any buſineſſe afterwards to be done, we muſt not as hap hazzard promiſe to doe this, or that, without any reſpect of the time, but we muſt call to mind, whether our intended time will not fall vponupon the Lords day, leaſt we be conſtrained by vertue of our couenant, ſometime to pay a ſumme of money, to take this or that iourney, to meet vponupon this, or that worldly occaſion vponupon the Sabbath day.

p. 258Math. 27 62.Matt 27:62Againe, we muſt make a ſpeciall remembrance hereof vponupon the day going before, for this was wont to be called, the day of preparation vntounto the Sabbath, and it hath been an ancient cuſtome amongſt Chriſtians vponupon the Saterday after dinner to abſteine from working, and to diſpoſe themſelues towards the Sunday.

Exod 19.Exod 19Neither was this preparation without cauſe, if it were made aright by praier, reading, meditation, and confeſsion of ſinnes, that they might be clenſed therefrom: ſeeing that our infirmities, and fleſhlineſſe doth make vsus vnfit for theſe ſpirituall and heauenly duties, we are made vnholy by the ſinnes of the weeke, and ſo full of filthy blemiſhes, that we had need to waſh and to purge, before we come into the preſence of ſo holy, and glorious a God in the aſſembly of his people. Euen as the Iſraelites were commaunded to waſh, and to ſanctifie themſelues before the day of the Lords comming downe amongſt them vponupon the mount, ſo ſhould we remember, that to morrow is the day, wherein the Lord hath appointed to come downe amongſt vsus, in the place of his worſhip, and therefore to purge our hearts from malice, enuy, anger, and all wickedneſſe, and to beſeech the Lord for his grace, and direction both to ſpeaker, and hearers, that we may keepe holyday to the glory of his name.

Eſa 58.Isa 58Laſtly, we muſt alſo remember, and keepe the Sabbath in minde, when it is paſt, viz. by thinking vponupon the holineſſe, which wee then made ſhew of, in appearing, humbling our ſelues before, and hearkening vntounto the Lord, as though wee were ſchollers of his ſchoole, that wee may bee aſhamed to walke otherwiſe the dayes of the weeke following, and by thinking vponupon the inſtructions deliuered vntounto vsus, that wee may at the leaſt practiſe them in ſpeciall more carefully then before. For through the want of this remembrance, it commeth to paſſe that euen they, which are holy vponupon the Sunday, are wicked all the dayes of the weeke beſides, that our Sabbath-keeping is like the Iewes faſting, or hanging of the head, like a bul-ruſh for a day, which the Lord doth greatly diſdaine.

Memb. 3 The third member of the dutie here inioyned is, that wee p. 259keepe holy a Sabbath, that is, a ceſſation, a reſt: for this is ſo inſeparably ioyned vntounto the time, which is to be kept holy, as that, take away reſt, and you take away the holy day, for the holy day is a Sabbath, a reſt. Therefore,Leuit. 23.Lev 23 whereas there were many feſtiuall times appointed in the Moſaicall Law, the feaſt of the Paſſeouer, of Pentecoſt, of the gathering of fruits, &c. they were all called by the name of Sabbaths.

1Eſa. 1.16. What we muſt reſt from vponupon the Sabbath.Isa 1:16Now the Sabbath, or reſt, which wee muſt keepe, is firſt, and chiefly from ſinne, and thus our life ſhould be a continuall Sabbath, according to that diuine rule. Ceaſe to doe euill learne to doe well, ſeeke iudgement, and releeue the oppreſſed: but principally vponupon the Lords day, when hee is moſt to be honoured hereby. But alas, how foulely is this reſt abuſed in theſe miſerable times, no day in the weeke being a day of ſuch licentiouſnes as this, wherein, as though hell it ſelfe were broken looſe, ſome ſpend their time, and mony, and wits in the alehouſe, drinking and ſwilling like drunken ſwine, ſome waſte that which they hauehave gotten with hard labour, in carding and dicing.

2Leuit. 2.3.Lev 2:3Secondly, this reſt muſt bee from ordinary (not abſolutely neceſſarie labour, which is further expreſſed in the wordes following; In it thou ſhalt doe no manner of wo…ke: and in another place ſpeaking of this time, he ſaith: There ſhall be no worke done therein, it is the Sabbath of the Lord in all your dwellings: this being added as a reaſon, why no worke might be done, becauſe it is the Sabbath of the Lord, as if he ſhould hauehave ſaid, ye cannot keepe a Sabbath, vnleſſe yee ceaſe from working.

3… ad Elpid.Thirdly, wee are to ceaſe from workes of ſpeciall times, as plowing, ſowing, reaping, &c. Conſtantine in his Epiſtle to Elpidi…s, willeth, that all ſhould reſt vponupon the Sabbath day, onelyonly hee ſpeaketh of dangerous weather at ſome time, yea, often in the time of planting, and graffing, and ſowing, through which experience taught, that their fruit periſhed, and was loſt, in which caſe hee giueth libertie to theſe buſineſſes, rather then that the good gifts of God ſhould be loſt.

p. 260Anno 27. Hen. 6Others long agone prouided, that no Faires or Markets, ſhould be kept vponupon the Sabbath day, as in the time of Henry the ſixt here in England, and yet before that, euen before the Conqueſt,Con… VVinch. in the time of Canutus it was ordained, that Faires and Markets, and worldly workes ſhould ceaſe vponupon that day: and Charles the great commanded his Viſitors, that all worldly buſineſſes ſhould ceaſe, whether it were ſowing time or planting,Conc. Dingulo-ſunenſ. Can. 13. or cutting of vines, &c. And in an old Councell it was decreed, That if any ſhould worke his beaſt vponupon the Lords day, it ſhould be forfeited to the King.

44. We muſt ceaſe from the works of our ſpeciall callings, for the ſix dayes are appointed for them; Sixe dayes ſhalt thou doe all that thou hast to doe. Shop-keepers ought not therefore to follow their trades of ſelling, Millers of grinding, &c. and if there bee any elſe of the like nature, they muſt reſt from the works of their callings at this time of reſt. Likewiſe it is fit that Bayliffes, and Apparitors ſhould on this day forbeare ſeruing their Proceſſes, according to the decree of Leo, and Anthemius, who ordeined, That if they ſhould execute theſe offices vponupon the Lords day, they ſhould bee proſcribed, that is, forfeit all their goods.

55. We muſt reſt from worldly ſpeeches, and thoughts, either by making bargaines, or talking of worldly buſineſſe, or contriuing the ſame in our minds: when we performe theſe duties, then is the day kept, as glorious vntounto the Lord, as hath been already noted out of the Prophet.Eſa. 58.13.Isa 58:13

Memb. 4 The fourth member of the dutie here inioyned, is that wee ſanctifie, foreign, that Sabbath day, which the Lord hath appointed. Now it is granted of all, that the Iewes were to keepe ſuch a Sabbath vnderunder the old Teſtament indeed, but much doubt is made for the time of the new Teſtament, wherefore here ariſeth another queſtion.

Queſt. 74. Is there any ſet day vnderunder the new Teſtament, thus to be ſanctified and kept holy?

Anſw. Yes: the day which is commonly called Sunday, but in the Scripture the Lords day, or the firſt day of the weeke, is thus to bee kept without alteration, to the end of the world.

p. 261Explan We enter now vponupon one of the moſt controuerſall queſtions of theſe times, wherein I will notwithſtanding plainly proceed, as is fitteſt for this Treatiſe, making Gods Word my only rule of direction to ſet downe the truth herein, as by his grace I ſhall be inabled.

Reaſons of the Sabbath vnderunder the Goſpel.Firſt then, I ſay, that we vnderunder the new Teſtament, are tied to the obſeruation of a Sabbath, as well as the Iewes were of old, and by as great authoritie.

Reaſon 1 Rom. 5.Rom 5And this appeareth, firſt from the time of the Inſtitution of the Sabbath, which was, when man liued in Paradiſe, immediately after his creation, when hee was free from ſinne, when hee had the ſubſtance of true holineſſe, and needed no figuring Ceremonie for his comfort, his preſent eſtate being all comfortable. For if a Sabbath was to bee obſerued in Paradiſe, and came not firſt in with any ceremonies, which were to hauehave an end at Chriſtes comming in the fleſh: how can it enter into any man to thinke, that this obſeruation ſhould ceaſe, as they did, at this his comming? And not rather after a new ſort be reuiued vnderunder this ſecond Adam, to the likeneſſe of that it was in the time of the firſt Adam? For, by the ſecond Adam, who is Chriſt, we are reſtored to that eſtate; which we loſt in the firſt Adam, and why then ſhould it differ by the ceſſation of the Sabbath? Some thinke that the words of Moſes Geneſ. 2.3. were ſet downe there by way of anticipation, and not to bee meant of that beginning of times, but of ſucceeding times afterward about the giuing of the law. But this lieth vponupon them to proue. In the meane time we are in good poſſeſsion of this argument.

Reaſon 2 2. From the moralitie of this Commaundement of the Sabbath, for it is heere placed amongſt the reſt of the morrall Lawes, which are to continue in force for euer, according to that ſaying. One iot or title of the Law ſhall not faile, Math. 5.20.Matt 5:20though heauen and earth periſh. Now if this law bee morall, as the ranging of it doth imply, and all other morall Lawes bee of force, to binde to the obedience thereof, as before Chriſts comming, what raſhneſſe is it in any to denie the like force vntounto this law.

p. 262Reaſon 3 3. From the reaſons of the Commandement, which are all morall, and perpetuall. 1. Becauſe it is to be remembred, that of old it was kept in Paradiſe, which doth alike bind vsus, as it did the Iewes. 2. Becauſe of the equity, it being but one day of ſeauen, and therefore as freely to be dedicated vntounto God by vsus, as by the Iewes. 3. Becauſe of the eaſe of ſeruants and cattell, of which there is as much need amongſt vsus, as amongſt the Iewes. 4. Becauſe they were to meditate vponupon the great work of creation, from which the Lord reſted, vntounto which is now added a greater worke of redemption, vntounto the meditation of both which wee ſhould much rather ſeparate our ſelues, then the Iewes.

Reaſon 4 4. From the caueat giuen by our Sauiour Chriſt, ſpeaking of the deſtruction of Ieruſalem. Pray that your flight be not in the W…nter, Mat. 24.20.Matt 24:20nor on the Sabbath day. That which is here ſpoken hath relation to the times afterwards to enſue (for the deſtruction of Ieruſalem was thirtie ſix yeares after Chriſtes ſuffering) therefore euen then alſo there was a Sabbath, the breach of which would bee ſome addition of griefe vntounto the people, as alſo if they ſhould bee conſtreined to flie in the wet, and cold of winter. If any ſhall rather take theſe words, as ſpoken of the Iewes ſabbath, the neceſſary breach whereof was moſt grieuous vntounto them, I will not much contend hereabout. Let the former reaſons then ſuffice.

2. Our Sabbath …ata…ne.Secondly, I ſay further, that our Sabbath is not vncertaine, but preciſely determined and ſet downe, as theirs was, viz. the Lords day, or firſt day of the weeke, which is the day of Chriſt his reſurrection from the dead. For he aroſe the third day after that hee was crucified vponupon the Friday (which was their preparation to the Sabbath) and had lien in the graue all the Sabbath day.

The reaſons that ſerue to confirme this are diuers.

Arg. 1 1. Expreſſe places of Scripture, wherein mention is made of this day, as the ſet day of the Chriſtians meetings to break bread, to preach, and heare, and to doe other duties of holineſſe. In that place of the Acts, where the Euangeliſt telleth, that after their comming to Troas, they abode there ſeuen dayes, and vponupon the ſeuenth, which was the firſt day of the p. 263weeke, the Diſciples being come together to breake bread, that is,Act. 20.7.Acts 20:7 to the holy Communion, Paul preached vntounto them. Which doth plainly ſhew, that the Iewes Sabbath was now antiquated, and done away, and that this was the Chriſtians Sabbath, otherwiſe they would not hauehave let paſſe the day before, as they did.

1. Cor. 16.1.1 Cor 16:1Another place is in the Epiſtle to the Corinthians, where the Apoſtle preſcribeth vntounto them a rule of gathering for the poore eueryevery firſt day of the weeke, when they were come together, which he alſo ſaith, that he had eſtabliſhed amongſt the Galatians, and why I pray you vponupon the firſt day of the weeke, and not vponupon the Iewes Sabbath? None other reaſon I ſuppoſe can be rendred, but that this Sabbath was at an end, and in ſtead hereof the Chriſtians had another, viz. the firſt day of the weeke, wherein they made their meetings.

Reuel 1.10.Rev 1:10A third place is in the Reuelation, where it is ſaid, that Iohn was in the Ile of Patmos vponupon the Lords day rauiſhed in the ſpirit. Now what meaneth this, that he calleth it the Lords day, vnleſſe a day appointed by the Lord? For hence is the Paſſeouer called the Lords Paſſeouer, the Communion the Lords Supper, the bread the Lords bodie, becauſe he did appoynt all theſe in his Church. Why is hee noted to bee rauiſhed then in the ſpirit, vnleſſe that being in holy meditations, as was the ſpeciall manner of the Church, now fortie yeares ſince Chriſt crucified, hee was rewarded by the Lord with this wonderfull illumination in moſt hidden myſteries? From whence may bee framed this vnanſwerable argument:

That day, which by the inſpired Apoſtle, is called the Lords day, & was appointed by the Apoſtle, taught through reuelation, to bee kept by holy meetings in the Churches of Chriſtians, not once or twice, but eueryevery time, that it came, is certainely the Chriſtians Sabbath: but ſuch is the firſt day of eueryevery weeke. Therefore not any other, but this day is the Sabbath of Chriſtians

The force of this reaſon ſtandeth in the ſecond part, which is moſt firmely grounded, according to eueryevery branch.

p. 264Apoc. 1.10. Act 20.7.Rev 1:10Acts 20:71. That it is called the Lords day. 2. That it was appointed for holy meetings, to preach and heare, &c. 3. Not in ſome one Church, but generally in the Churches of Chriſtians, at Troas, Galatia, Corinth, &c. 4 Not in ſome week only, but eueryevery weeke.

Arg. 2 Exod. 20.10.Exod 20:10The ſecond reaſon is taken from places of Scripture, which proue the ſame by conſequence; as that in Exodus, where the Commandement being giuen, this is added as a reaſon. The ſeuenth day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God, and the Lord reſted the ſeuenth day.

Math 12.8.Matt 12:8A ſecond place is that in Matthew. The ſonne of man is euen Lord of the Sabbath A third place is in Iohn: All men ſhould honour the Sonne, Iohn 5.23.John 5:23euen as they honor the Father.

The reaſon may be framed thus. If the ſame reaſon grounded vponupon Gods word, be as wel for the firſt day of the weeke, as it was once for the Sabbath of the Iewes, then wee are as certainly tied to the obſeruation of this day, as they were for their Sabbath: but there is the ſame reaſon. Therefore wee are certainly tied vntounto this day.

The firſt part of this argument is plaine, for the ſame reaſon is of the ſame force, the ſecond part appeareth by the places noted in the margent. The maine reaſon of the Sabbath of the Iewes is, becauſe it was the Sabbath of the Lord, and therefore his people muſt neceſſarily do him this honour, that there might be a conformitie betwixt God and his people: and in like manner, our Sabbath is the Sabbath of the Lord Chriſt, when he had finiſhed the worke of our redemption: for which cauſe hee alſo giueth the ſame name; The Sonne of man is euen Lord of the Sabbath: As if in more words he ſhould ſay: When God the Father had once ended the making of the world, he reſted and publiſhed himſelfe to be the Lord of that reſt, and dedicated it vntounto himſelfe, giuing it the name of the Sabbath of the Lord: In like manner, when I ſhall hauehave finiſhed the worke of mans redemption, I will reſt, and will hauehave the day of my reſt dedicated vntounto my ſelfe, for which cauſe, I ſay, that the Sonne of man is euen Lord of the Sabbath alſo, it ſhall bee called foreign, The Lords day.

p. 265And thus ſhall the will of the Father be fulfilled, which is, that as they honoured the Father, in keeping the Sabbath, betwixt the creation and redemption; ſo they ſhould honour the Son, in keeping the Sabbath, betwixt the redemption and conſummation of the world.

Arg. 3 Matth 28.Matt 28A third reaſon may be drawne from the vniforme practiſe of the Church, euen from the time of mans redemption vntounto this day. Chriſt himſelfe firſt began it when he aroſe early in the morning vponupon this day, and thenceforth euer obſerued it, ſo long as he continued vponupon the earth.Iohn 20.19.John 20:19 When the Diſciples were gathered together for feare of the Iewes, the doores being ſhut, he came and ſtood in the middeſt of them vponupon that day. Againe,Verſe 26. when incredulous Thomas was amongſt them, he came and ſhewed his hands, ſide, and feete vponupon that day, and immediately the Euangeliſt ſubioyneth. And as for the practice of the Apoſtles herein, it is ſo plaine, as that it were great impudency to deny it.

Again, for the practice of thoſe that liued next vntounto them, whether Greekes or Latines, they followed the ſame order. Reade for this Ignatius, in his Epiſtle to the Magneſians, Iuſtie Martyr in Apologeticis. Ireneus in his fourth booke. chap. 19.20. Euſeb. Eccleſ. hiſt. lib. 4. chap 23. Origen. Hom. 3. in Exod. Cyrill in Iohan. Tertul. de Idolat. Ieronym. in vita Paulae. Ambroſ. ſerm. 62. Auguſt. in Iohan. Gregor lib 11. epiſt. 3. &c

Laſtly, for the Churches of theſe times ſince, and at this preſent, whether Proteſtant or Popiſh, of what Country ſoeuer, all conſent for the obſeruation of this day, though in opinion there be ſome difference about it; ſome grounding it vponupon Gods Ordinance, according to that which hath been ſaid, as Beza, Iunius, Piſcator, Bollocke, Hooper Fulke, and the book of Homilies, yea, and ſome Papiſts alſo, as S…tas, Panormitanus, Sylueſter, Felicius, and the Schoolemen: ſome vponupon tradition onelyonly, as the Rhemiſts Teſtament, Tollet and Bellarmine. Whence wee may reaſon thus: That day which the Lord Chriſt hath ſanctified by his reſurrection, wherein hee came together with his Diſciples to inſtruct and to confirme them, wherein all Chriſtian Churches of all Ages hauehave made their Aſſemblies, is certainlie the Sabbath of the Chriſtians: p. 266but ſuch is the firſt day of the weeke. Therefore certainly our Sabbath.

Arg. 4 A fourth argument may bee drawne from the iudgements of God moſt fearefully befalling ſuch, as either hauehave contemned the Sabbath of this day, or through worldly mindedneſſe hauehave neglected it. In a Councell held at Paris, ſome holy men vrged the making of ſpeciall decrees, about the ſtrict obſeruation of the Lords day: becauſe, as they alleaged, partly of their owne knowledge, partly by the relation of others; ſome intending their husbandry vponupon this day, had been ſmitten with thunder and lightning, to the laming of ſome, and to the vtter deſtruction of others. Another carrying home corne vponupon this day, had both corne and barne moſt lamentably conſumed by fire. Alſo that in Chimſtat, a towne in France, a certaine woman being wont, together with her children, to peele hempe vponupon the Lords day, when others were at Church, was firſt terrified with ſome ſparkes of fire falling amongſt her hempe; another time, with a flame of fire ariſing in her hempe; and laſtly, not being warned by this, there kindled a fire againe, which whilſt ſhe laboured to quench, both ſhe and her children did miſerably periſh thereby. The Centuriatours of Magdenberg do tell of a certaine Noble-man, that was wont to follow his ſport of hunting vponupon the Lords day, when others went to Church, but the Lord ſhewed a great iudgement vponupon him therefore, he had a child borne vntounto him, with the head of a dog. And that a certaine Miller intentiue about his grinding vponupon this day, had his houſe and meale burnt, by a fire kindling in his mill. And to come nearer home, Anno 1583. whilſt they were beholding the Beare-baitings in Pariſh-garden, vponupon this day, the ſcaffold burſt down ſuddenly, and eight perſons were ſlaine outright, and many more hurt and maimed.

Arg. 5 A fifth argument may be drawne from ſuch things, as fell out worth the noting vponupon this day.Auguſt de temp. ſerm 25…. Notable …hi…gs …pon this day. N…m. 154. Chriſt aroſe vponupon this day, the elements were framed, the world begun, the Angels created, and Manna began firſt to fall vponupon this day, the Iſraelites paſſed thorow the red ſea, Chriſt was baptized, turned water into wine, fed fiue thouſand with a few loaues vponupon p. 267this day, and vponupon it wee hope,Wolph. Cron. lib. 2. cap. 1. that hee ſhall come to Iudgement, ſaith Auguſtine. VponUpon this day Chriſt was borne, Aaron and his ſons conſecrated, &c. VponUpon this day Chriſt appeared at ſundry times after his reſurrection, the holy Ghoſt deſcended vponupon the Diſciples, and Iohn was enlightned.

Arg. 6 1. Cor 2 14.1 Cor 2:14A ſixth argument may be drawne from the approbation and conſent of all the beſt men, who are ſpirituall, and moſt able to diſcerne the things of God; and the oppoſition of godleſſe and moſt euill men, who are led like brute beaſts, who are naturall, and perceiue not the things of God. For the beſt men hauehave euer ſince Chriſts reſurrection, obſerued, and kept this day with all due reuerence, only the prophane and licentious hauehave caſt away all conſcience hereof. Whence we may reaſon thus: That which is embraced, and held by all godly learned men: but oppugned by the vngodly, as not ſtanding with their corruption, is certainely the truth: but ſuch is this doctrine of the firſt day of the week to be the Sabbath Therfore moſt certainly true. For the firſt part of this argument, wherein the ſtrength conſiſteth; and firſt, that, that is the truth, which is held by the godly with one conſent: our Sauiour telleth them, To you it is giuen, to know the ſecrets of the Kingdome of Heauen. And, if any man ſhall doe his will, he ſhall know the doctrine, Matth 13.11. Iohn 7 17. 1. Cor. 3.19.Matt 13:11John 7:171 Cor 3:19whether it be of God or no. And on the other ſide, The wiſdome of this world is fooliſhneſſe before God: and they, which are after the fleſh do ſauour the things of the fleſh: with many like places: from whence it followeth, that the conſtant conſent of all godly men, is no ſmall argument of the truth, and contrariwiſe of the wicked. And thus yee ſee, vponupon moſt firme grounds, that there is not onelyonly a Sabbath to be obſerued vnderunder the new Teſtament; but the Sabbath, the firſt day of the weeke, which the Lord hath appointed. Which meeteth with ſundry phantaſticall opinions.

Errors touching the Sabbath Rom. 7.Rom 7Firſt, of the Anabaptiſts in Germany, and the Familiſts in England, which hold, that all dayes are now alike, and none more a Sabbath then another: neither doth it any whit helpe them, that they alleage, Wee are free from the Law, euen as a woman, when her husband is dead, from the law of her huſband: for by the Law here, is meant the ceremoniall Law, p. 268the heauy yoke of which, Chriſt tooke from our ſhoulders, and if in any other place freedome from the law bee ſpoken of it is either meant of the Ceremoniall and Iudiciall, or of the rigor of the Morall Law, exacting perfect obedience in eueryevery point, or elſe threatning condemnation. If they ſhall ſay;Col 2.16.Col 2:16 Let no man condemne you in reſpect of a Sabbath, &c. and that the Apoſtle ſaith reprehenſiuely; Ye obſerue dayes, and times, and moneths, and yeeres▪ neither doth this make for them, ſeeing that the firſt place ſpeaketh of feaſts abrogated,Gal 4.10.Gal 4:10 and done away only, the other of times vſed to be obſerued by the Gentiles.

Secondly, it appeareth to bee an error which is held by the Iewes, by Ebion, and Corinthus, and the Sabbatary Chriſtians, viz. that the old Sabbath is ſtill to bee kept, as before Chriſt his comming, for the abrogation of which, theſe places are moſt plaine, Col. 2.16. 1. Cor. 16.1. Acts 20. &c.

Thirdly, they alſo erre, that yeeld a Sabbath now, but hold it vncertaine, whether it be the ſeuenth, eighth, or tenth.

Fourthly, they which ho d this day, but with all, that it may bee changed vponupon the conſent of Churches, ſufficient cauſe concurring, which I take it, is ſuppoſitus impoſsibilium, a ſurmiſe of things impoſsible. Laſtly, they which hold the ſame day, but meerely vponupon the ground of tradition, as the Papiſts, to make their other fond, and corrupt traditions in the more requeſt.

3 To reſt vponupon the Lords day.3. Thirdly, I ſay, that this day is not remiſly to be kept by vsus vnderunder the new Teſtament, although it may rightly be ſaid, that the ſtrict reſting inioyned the Iewes, doth ceaſe, viz. as figuring our Chriſt his reſting in heauen after the worke of our redemption finiſhed, according to that Scripture; He that hath entred into his reſt, Heb 4.10.Heb 4:10hath reſted from his owne workes, as God did from his. Yet conſidering, that there is a reſt alſo for Chriſtians,Heb. 4.9.Heb 4:9 as is contained in the ſame place; There remaineth therefore a reſt vntounto the people of God; it were great temeritie, to deny a day of reſting, now from ſeruile worke, holding that the Lords day is rightly kept, by comming together to publike duties, though the times of vacation be ſpent in following worldly affaires. For as Gods reſting vponupon the Sabbath did prefigure Chriſts reſting vponupon his p. 269day, ſo there is a reſt to come vntounto all Chriſts members in heauen, which is figured out by our reſting vponupon the Lords day: to the apprehending of which ſweet, and moſt ioyfull reſt, we are more ſenſibly quickened, by taſting the ſweet of reſting here (after ſix daies painfull labour) vponupon the Lords day.

Acts 15 …1.Acts 15:1Moreouer, it is neceſſary, that wee ceaſe from worldly affaires, that wee may be more profitably imployed about heauenly, which without doubt, was one end of reſting vponupon the Sabbath of old: for they attended then vponupon Gods publike ſeruice eueryevery Sabbath day, ſeeing it is ſaid, that Moſes is read in the Synagogues eueryevery Sabbath day. They muſt therefore reſt, that they might labour, reſt temporally, and labour ſpiritually, men being vnfit to doe both theſe labours to the beſt aduantage the ſame day, eſpecially the ſpirituall, if there bee an incombrance of the corporall, wee beeing fitted vntounto the one by nature, but to the other not onelyonly not fitted, but moſt vnapt vntounto it by nature, ſo that wee had neede to bee bowed, and bent by meditation, and prayer before the publike meetings, and to bee confirmed, and made tenacious of the things which wee hauehave been taught, by recounting them after theſe meetings. And to doe thus wee hauehave plaine direction giuen vsus in the holy Scriptures;Eccleſ. 4.17.Eccl 4:17 Take heed vntounto thy feete (ſaith the Wiſe man) when thou entreſt into the houſe of the Lord, and be more neare to heare, then to giuegive a ſacrifice of fooles; this is for preparation before: and after the publiſhing of the law; Take heed (ſaith Moſes) that yee doe, Deut. 5.32. Deut. 6 6.Deut 5:32Deut 6:6as the Lord your God hath commanded. And againe; Theſe words which I command thee this day ſhall be in thine heart; this is for recounting of the word againe after. And that royall Prophet profeſſeth according to this direction, I hauehave hid thy word in mine heart, Pſal. 119 ….Ps 119that J might not ſinne againſt thee. Notable is the admonition of Chryſoſtome, to this purpoſe; yee ought not,In Mat. cap. 1. Hom. 5.Matt 1 when yee goe from the congregation, to bee intangled preſently with buſineſſes contrary to this ſtudie, but to goe home, and there to call together your wife and children, to the rehearſing of thoſe things which hauehave been ſpoken, and when yee hauehave more deepely and thorowly ingraffed them in your minds, afterwards to goe about the neceſſaries of this life. For if going p. 270out of the Bath, thou doſt auoid publike meetings, leſt the benefit of bathing be turned into a greater hurt, much more oughteſt thou to vſe this care, when thou commeſt from publike meetings. Alas, moſt men hauehave ſo much buſineſſe vponupon the weeke dayes, and are ſo dull in reſpect of heauenly learning, as that (vnleſſe they vſe great care, and labour hard to attaine ſpirituall knowledge, and grace vponupon this day) they are like to bee very ſlender proficients, and trewant-like Schollers in Gods ſchoole; yea, euen ſuch (that I may vſe the Apoſtles phraſe) as had need to be taught the firſt rudiments, when by reaſon of the time they might hauehave been 3Doctors. Heb. 5.11.Heb 5:11If there be a Faire, or a Market vponupon a day, will hee that hath need of ſtuffe or prouiſion (the buying whereof, will take vp his time all that day) let any more time, then he muſt needs, from buying, and prouiding to carry home his commodities? or will he, that is deſirous to profit in the skill of Muſick, Dancing, Writing, Arithmetick, &c. for the learning of which, he ſetteth apart in a weeke weekely ſome time, will he I ſay, looſe any time, when his Maſter commeth to teach him, but apply himſelf hard to theſe exerciſes? and how much more then ſhould wee ſeeke to improue this one Market, or Faire-day of our ſoules in the weeke, this one Lords day, wherein the preacher is appointed to come, and teach vsus in the ſweeteſt and moſt delighting noble skill of diuinity, vntounto the greateſt aduantage, gaine, and ſtoring of our ſoules with heauenly neceſſaries? It were needfull therefore, beſides the publike meetings, and meditating, and conferring vponupon that, which hath been taught, that men ſhould reade the holy Scriptures, endeauouring to remember, and to vnderſtand them by ſuch helpes, as are now moſt plentifull, that they may not bee ſtrangers in Gods booke, but make the hiſtories, and diuine inſtructions here ſet downe ſo familiar vntounto them, as that vponupon any occaſion, they may be able for their comfort, to turne to ſuch places as they neede: and moreouer, if they would reade and ſtudy ſome good prayers, that they might bee well furniſhed this way, according to their ſeueral neceſsities, vponupon the way, and in the fields (as Iſaac is ſaid to goe out to meditate, and to pray in the fieldes) and in the night ſeaſon, vponupon ſea, or vponupon land: what wonderfull great comfort p. 271ſhould men hauehave, and how much more ſhould they grace, and walke worthy their holy, and Chriſtian profeſsion, than now they doe, or can do through the miſpending of the Lords day, in idleneſſe, or vanity, or which is worſe, in running to all manner of exceſſe of riot?

Laſtly, it is a baſe thing vponupon ſo glorious a day, as the Lords day to put our hands to worldly buſineſſes, any more then neceſsity inforceth, for ſo we ſhould mingle things high and low, diuine and humane, earthly and heauenly, and ſo make a more vnpleaſing linſy-woolſy, then was forbidden by the Lord, vnderunder the ceremoniall Law, Wee ſhould doe like the heathen, that knew not God, who had their dies feſti, profeſti, and interciſi, holy dayes, holy day eeues, and mixt holy dayes, ſeruing partly for the worſhip of their Gods, and partly for labour in the workes of their calling.

Phil. 3.8.Phil 3:8The true God would neuer allow this in any of his holy dayes, he will not be content to part ſtakes with vsus, and therfore you ſhall find eueryevery of his holy dayes guarded with this clauſe; Thou ſhalt doe no ſeruile worke therein. Will a man vponupon a plentifull feaſt day, goe from dinner to ſeeke for ſcraps in the poores basket? hauing had plenty of the gold of Ophir powred out into his lappe, goe ſeeke for pinnes, or nailes in the duſt? hauing ſought pretious ſtones of ineſtimable worth, and the time of this ſeeking ſtill continuing, will hee attend vponupon the gathering vp of dung? But euen thus doth hee, that vponupon the Lords day putteth his hand to worldly buſineſſe for gaine, ſeeing all theſe things are but as droſſe and dong, in regard of the excellent knowledge of Chriſt: Pſal. 19.Ps 19and the word of God is more pretious than fine gold, ſweeter alſo, than the hony and the hony combe.

Did wee but conſider, the double occaſion of meditation vnderunder the new Teſtament, both of the creation, and redemption of man, whereas they had but a ſingle of the creation vnderunder the old: the bond of thankfulnes now inlarged, a greater meaſure of the Spirit now giuen, and that implacably-malicious enemy of man, the deuill now more inraged, knowing that his time is but ſhort, we would bee ſo farre from making this day a time of riot, exceſſe and out-rage, that wee would p. 272rather (as farre as our weake nature will beare) ſequeſter our ſelues vntounto godly and ſpirituall exerciſes, whereby wee may be fenced againſt the deuill, walke worthy of the rich grace of the Spirit, and anſwere the incomparable beneficence of the Lord in Ieſus Chriſt by due thankeſgiuing.

Queſt. 1 The Sabbath beginneth when.And here againe is occaſion offered of diuers queſtions, to the further opening of the doctrine of our Sabbath. As firſt, When doth the Sabbath vnderunder the new Teſtament begin, and end.

Anſw.I anſwer, that howſoeuer ſome begin it in the euening, and Reaſ 1 ſo make it from euening to euening, yet the more probable opinion is, that it beginneth in the morning, and continueth till the next morning, becauſe Chriſt his reſurrection, the cauſe and beginning of this Sabbath was early in the morning, as appeareth plainely, if wee conſider, how the ſouldiours were terrified at his reſurrection, and went into the city to certifie the high Prieſts what had happened, and the time of their going is noted to be, when Mary was gone from the Sepulchre, which was at the dawning of the day: ſo that as the argument was good for the beginning of the old Sabbath, (the Lord reſted, when the euening and morning of the ſixth day were at an end, therefore then muſt begin the reſt of that Sabbath), ſo it is good alſo for the beginning of our Sabbath, Chriſt hauing finiſhed the work of our redemption, aroſe againe early in the morning, therefore it ſeemes, early in the morning muſt wee begin the reſt of our Sabbath. So may we rightly hold, that it hath againe been turned from euening to euening, to be from morning to morning, to ſet forth mans riſing through Chriſt from darkneſſe to light by grace,Iohn 19.John 19 according to that of Iohn; Hee is the true light, that lighteneth eueryevery one, which commeth into the world.

Queſt. 2 The Sabbath to be kept how.But how is the Sabbath comprehending both day, and night to be kept?

Anſwer. Not as ſome heretikes, of whom Origen writeth, by remaining in that poſition of body, wherein we are taken at the approach of the Sabbath, nor yet as the Eſſees, a ſtrict ſect amongſt the Iewes, by abſtaining from doing the neceſſary buſineſſes of nature: as Matthew Paris writeth of a Iew, p. 273that would not be drawne out of a noyſome Priuy vponupon their Sabbath. But look what time thou art wont to riſe about thy worldly buſines, which thou art moſt deſirous to ſet forward; at the ſame ariſe by prayer, and heauenly meditations, and looſe no conuenient time, till thou betakeſt thy ſelfe againe to thy reſt at night; and if any occaſion be offered, for the furtherance of thy ſoules health, perſeuer herein: yet with entermingling of conuenient relaxations of mind and body, leſt thou ouer-whelme Nature by ouer-ſtrict intentions. And (which is the chiefe end of this diſcourſe, about the beginning of our Sabbath) preſume not, before a whole day of reſt bee complete, to put thy hand to thy worldly buſineſſes, as ſome doe, going forth with their carts towards Faires, or Markets, or in carrying carriages, ſome about one worke, and ſome about another, vnleſſe in the caſes before allowed for neceſsitie.

Queſt. 3 Acts 1.12.Acts 1:12Wee read in the Scripture of a Sabbath dayes iourney, by which it ſhould ſeeme, that it is not altogether vnlawfull to trauell then, what is to be ſaid of this?

It cannot bee denyed,Anſw. A Sabbath dayes iourney. but that the holy Ghoſt ſpeaketh of ſuch a iourney indeed: yet Ierom imputeth it to the Rabbins, as an inuention of their; and (a)(a)Ioſeph de bel Jud. lib. 7. cap. 24. This riuer runs betwixt Archas and Raphaneas, two cities of the kingdome of Agrippa. This was ſhewed vntounto Titus in his returne from Ieruſalem, and if it were true, it is worthy to be ſhewed al men, as being a miraculous teaching of reſt vponupon that day from trauell, ſeeing a Riuer did reſt from running according to the ordinary courſe.Ioſephus writeth a ſtrange ſtory of a Riuer, called Fluuius Sabbaticus, which was wont to run full all the ſix daies, but when the ſeuenth came, the water abated, that a man might ſee the bottom of the riuer, it ceaſing then from running. But Theophilact bringeth Origen for his author, that the Sabbath dayes iourney had the beginning then, when the Tabernacle was placed in the middeſt, and the Iſraelites tents farre off round about, which, as he ſaith, was a thouſand paces, from whence they muſt needs come to the Tabernacle vponupon the Sabbath, and this continuing for the ſpace of forty yeare, might well giuegive occaſion of this phraſe, a Sabbath dayes iourney. So that it may be granted, as certaine, that there was ſuch a iourney allowed by the Lord, but the doubt ſtill remaineth, how farre this iourney extended. Caluin and the Latin Interpreters hold, that it was two miles, p. 274and that by comparing this place of the Acts, with that in Luke, Luke 24.…0. Iohn 11.18.Luke 24John 11:18where it is ſaid, that hee bleſſed his Diſciples in Bethany, and aſcended thence, which Bethany is from Ieruſalem 15. furlongs, two little mils. Tremelius the Syriacke interpreter ſaith, that it was but ſeuen furlongs, and ſo tranſlateth it, and affirmeth, that the Rabbins with wonderfull conſent, doe all agree herein: for they count it 2000 paces, according to their Talmud, but theſe are ordinary paces, but halfe ſo great as Geometricall paces, ſo that they make but 1000. Geometricall paces, which are but a mile.

2. Kings 4.23.2 Kgs 4:23But the matter ſtill reſting in the diſtance of Bethany from Ieruſalem, which was on the further ſide of the mount, and 15. furlongs off, it muſt be concluded, that this is the Sabbath dayes iourney there meant Neither doth it hinder, that Ioſephus writeth of the mountaine being diſtant from Ieruſalem but fiue furlongs, or ſince but 500. paces, or more lately, that Bethany is from Ieruſalem three miles: for the mountaine is great and large, and therefore ſome part might well bee ſo nigh, and ſince Ieruſalem reedified, it being ſet vponupon other ground including Golgotha, where Chriſt was crucified, which was then without the gates of the city, Bethany might well bee three miles off. Howſoeuer wee are to hold, that a Sabbath daies iourney is about the buſineſſes of the Sabbath, about which we are not alwaies tied to the ſame diſtance of places, but may trauaile, as occaſion ſerueth for our greater comfort, or the good of the Church, ſo that lawfull order bee not broken, as the Shunamites Husband anſwered her when ſhee would hauehave her Aſſe ſadled to goe to the man of God; wherefore wilt thou goe to day, ſeeing it is neither new Moone, nor Sabbath? By which is intimated, that vponupon Sabbath daies ſhee was wont, if the caſe did ſo require to ride vntounto him. For concluſion then of this point, let theſe rules be obſerued.

11. To trauell about worldly buſineſſes vponupon the Sabbath day is altogether vnlawfull, vnleſſe neceſsity doth ſo require, be the iourney leſſer, or greater.

22. To make vnneceſſary iournies about ſpirituall exerciſes vponupon the Sabbath is vnlawfull, viz. either by riding, or p. 275walking to preach, to the wearying of man, or beaſt,Amos 8.Amos 8 when the iourney might we l hauehave been taken the day before: or by trauelling in like manner to heare, when as no famine of the word conſtraineth hereunto.

3. To trauaile to our ordinary, and appointed place of 3Gods worſhip is not only lawfull, but neceſſary, ſo often as the publike ſeruice of God is there vponupon the Sabbath performed, how farre ſoeuer our dwellings bee from thence, if ſickneſſe, or weakeneſſe, or ſome other neceſsitie hinder not, and in caſe of the want of a ſufficient miniſtry there to trauaile to ſome other place, I meane, if the word be not there preached, or the grounds of religion explaned. But where this is to be had in conuenient ſort, to depart thence otherwhere vponupon pretence of inſufficiency in the Miniſter, is to breake good order, and to runne to a confuſion: for when the miniſter doth his indeauour, if by the diligence of his flocke, in reſorting vntounto him, he be incouraged, he ſhall increaſe in his gifts, care and ſtudy, but contrariwiſe decreaſe to their greater hinderance.

Queſt. 4 How ſhall the poore doe, which want food, and raiment, and cannot prouide ſufficiently vponupon the ſix dayes for their ſuſtenance then, and for the ſeuenth alſo, may not they in this caſe worke ſome part of the day?

Exod. 16.Exod 16Anſ. No verily, whether thou bee rich, or poore, the ſame law of God bindeth all alike: for let the poore now work, and he can hauehave no hope of benefit hereby, as thoſe of the people of Iſrael, that went forth to gather Manna vponupon the Sabbath, found none,Hag. 1.6.Hag 1:6 and they that neglected the building of the Lords Temple earned wages, but put it in a broken bag: ſo they, which neglecting Gods ordinance, ſhall follow their worldly works, ſhal get nothing by ſo doing, it is not mans labour,Pſal. 127.Ps 127 but Gods bleſsing, that maketh our indeauours effectuall, of this bleſsing there can be no hope, when his Law is broken.

Obiect. Sol.If it be ſaid, the Lord will hauehave mercy, and not ſacrifice?

I anſwer, this is in caſe of neceſsity not to be auoided, hee meaneth not, that if thou be poore, he had rather thou ſhouldeſt worke vponupon his Sabbaths, but abſtaine, ſerue him faithfully, and he will ſtirre thee vp mercy for thy reliefe.

p. 276Queſt. 75. Are wee bound to doe the holy duties of Gods ſeruice all this time without ceaſing?

Anſw. No, for we may refreſh our ſelues with eating, and drinking, ſinging and muſick and other honeſt delights, whereby the mind is cheared vp, and ioy and gladneſſe befitting the Lords holy day expreſſed.

Hoſ. 2.11.Hos 2:11Explan. Although we teach a ſtrict keeping of the Sabbath vnderunder the new Teſtament, yet it is not ſo to bee vnderſtood, as though wee were bound vponupon this day, to doe nothing but ſpirituall duties all the day long; for in reſpect that we hauehave fleſh, as well as Spirit, that would be weariſome to vsus, and would turne the Lords day, which is for a delight, into a heauy burthen. I ſay therefore, that wee hauehave liberty to refreſh our ſelues with ſuch things, as cheare the outward man, and expreſſe ioy befitting the Lords holy day. For eueryevery holy day of the Lord is a feſtiuall, and ioyfull day for outward ioy and delight, which is expreſſed by the Prophet Hoſea ſaying; I will cauſe all her mirth to ceaſe, her feaſt dayes, her new Moones, and her Sabbaths. When hee threatneth iudgements againſt the land.Nehem. 8.9.10.Neh 8:9Neh 8:10 And Nehemiah inuiteth the people to eate of the fat, and drinke the ſweete; reproouing them when they began to weepe, becauſe it was an holy day of the Lord. Whence it appeareth plainly, that mirth and ioy euen externall doe well become the holy day of the Lord, neither were the people of Iſrael euer reprooued for this, but that through their couetous mindes, they accompted the Sabbath a burthen, and thought long to hauehave it gone, that their ſeruants might goe to their labour, and they themſelues to their markets: for in this reſpect they are threatned by the Prophet Amos, Amos 8 5.Amos 8:5Heare yee this, that ſwallow vp the poore, and ſay, when will the new Moone be gone, that we may ſell corne, and the Sabbath, that we may ſell wheate, &c. And ſome of them not ſtaying the ending of the Sabbaths, trod Wine preſſes, and laded, and carried out burthens, againſt which Nehemiah prouideth, being grieued hereat,Nehem. 13.15.Neh 13:15 as at a great abomination. Yet let no man vnderſtand this ſo, as though it were hereby tollerated to ſpend this day in outward, and vaine bodily paſtimes, for p. 277for then how ſhall we improue it to the beſt aduantage of our ſoules, as hath been already ſhewed, wee had need, and ought to doe: but ſo farre forth we may vſe bodily delight, as it doth not hinder, but further the hallowing of this day, as it doth not expreſſe an heatheniſh feaſt, ſuch as were the old Bacchanalia, but ſetteth forth a diuine feaſt, kept in the honour of the Lord Ieſus.

1. Let no man therefore be eating and drinking, and making merry, when the publike ſeruice of God calleth for him,Phil. 3 …7.Phil 3:7 for that were truly to make a mans belly his God, as the Apoſtle ſpeaketh, ſeeing he attendeth vponupon that, when he ſhould attend vponupon God in his ſeruice.

2. Let no man ſo affect outward pleaſure, as that he ſhould forget the chiefe pleaſure, and comfort of the ſoule, by neglecting to prepare to Gods worſhip before, or to meditate, that it may ſinke, and take rooting in his mind after.

3. Let eueryevery man, as hee is able, exerciſe himſelfe in priuate in reading, and ſtudying the holy Scriptures and praiers with other helpes to ſtrengthen the inner man in grace, and knowledge.

4. Shunne and auoide all obſcene and filthy pleaſures, which are rather corrupting, then hallowing, and all vnlawfull gaming, or ouer laborious exerciſes, which in the end do rather trouble, and dull the Spirits, then quicken, and cheare thē vp. Let there be no frequenting of Alehouſes or Tauerns vntounto riot, no chambring & wantonnes, or in a word, let there bee no mirth, but what becommeth ſober, temperate, and chaſte minds fearing God, and reuerencing his ordinances. And that licentious perſons may bee the rather reſtrained from their vaine pleaſures vponupon this day, the Lord hath apparantly executed iudgement vponupon diuers for contempt of this day.

Queſt. 76. Is this all that we are bound vntounto, to keepe the Sabbath our ſelues, in ceaſing from labour, and doing the duties thereof?

Anſw. No, but whoſoeuer hath ſonne, or daughter, man-ſeruant, or maid, cattell, or ſtranger within his gates, is alike bound to prouide, p. 278that all, as much as in him lieth, obſerue this day in their kind, both man and beaſt.

Gen. 17.Gen 17Explan. The Lord, the author of this commandement, as in giuing other lawes he ſpeaketh not vntounto inferiours, and the gouerned, but vntounto the gouernours, as in the law of circumciſion he commandeth all vntounto Abraham, both for the act to be done, the time, and manner; in the law of the Paſſeouer he commandeth all vntounto maſters of families,Exod. 12.21.Exod 12:21 and Moſes openeth the matter vntounto the elders onelyonly: ſo in commanding the obſeruation of the Sabbath, he layeth all vponupon the gouernours, ſaying; Thou, thy ſonne, thy daughter, thy man-ſeruant, thy maid, thy cattell and ſtranger that is within thy gates.

1Gouernours charged with children and ſeruants.And not without iuſt cauſe, becauſe that, 1. Parents and Maſters of families are in Gods ſtead to their children and ſeruants, and hauehave his titles vponupon them, which, for what elſe is it, but only to remember them ſo to bring vp thoſe, that are vnderunder them in all godlines, and holineſſe, as if God himſelfe did more particularly take vponupon him the training vp, and nurturing of them?

22. Becauſe of the neare relation betwixt gouernours, and their people, he is the head oeconomicall, they the members, of all which we know, what care the head hath, ſeeking ſtil to put more comlines vponupon them, and in theſe kind of members, the greateſt grace is holines, and greateſt meanes of breeding this, the due obſeruation of the Sabbath.

33. Becauſe of the corrupt nature, wherein parents beget, and bring forth their children into the world, ſo that without grace, they are fountaines of infinite miſery vntounto them, they being by nature the children of wrath, and vaſſals of the deuill,Epheſ. 2.2Eph 2:2 now what a coraſiue muſt it needs be to the heart of any kinde-hearted father, or mother, to conſider that they hauehave bred children to be fire-brands of hell? and what a care then muſt this needs worke in them, to helpe them to be deliuered here-from? and the chiefeſt ordinary way vntounto this, is to bring them to the Sanctuary vponupon the Sabbath, to vrge them, and helpe them by prayer, examinations, and inſtructions to the fruitfull obſeruation hereof.

4. Becauſe they cannot looke for a bleſsing vponupon thoſe things p. 279about which they imploy their ſeruants and children, vnleſſe they be Iacobs, or Ioſephs, godly and righteous, which none are without the conſcionable obſeruation of the Sabbath.Ioſh. 24.15.Josh 24:15 Therefore the example of Ioſhua is to be followed by all maſters of families, doe not onelyonly ſay, I, but I and my houſhold wil ſerue the Lord, and keepe his holy Sabbaths: ſeeke that praiſe before God, which was giuen vntounto Abraham. I know Abraham, Gen 18.19. 1. Sam. 1.Gen 18:191 Sam 1ſaith the Lord, that hee will command his to walke in my waies. With …lcanah, and Hannah bring Samuel to the Temple, whilſt he is young, that he may be a ſeruant vntounto the Lord all the dayes of his life. With Timothies grand-mother,1. Tim 3 15.1 Tim 3:15 breed in him thus knowledge of the Scriptures from a child.

Ezech. 3.17.Ezek 3:17Now howſoeuer the charge of inferiors lyeth vponupon the ſuperiours, yet this will not excuſe the inferiours, if they ſhall neglect this holy day: but as the Lord telleth Ezechiel, when he had made him a watchman ouer Iſrael, if thou admoniſh them not, and the enemy commeth, they ſhall die in their ſinnes, but their bloud will I require at thine hands: ſo they ſhall die in their ſinnes, and feele the ſmart of Gods eternall wrath in the world to come. Euen as it is ſaid of all perſons vncircumciſed, or that keepe not the Paſſouer, they ſhall be cut off from amongſt the people, be they maſters, or ſeruants, children growne vp, or parents, howſoeuer the Lord would hauehave ſlaine Moſes, becauſe his ſonne Gerſhom was not circumciſed. Wherefore let children, and ſeruants, as they louelove their owne welfare,Exod 4.25.Exod 4:25 be as forward to obſerue the Lords holy dayes, as their gouernours to command them, as diligent about their priuate Chriſtian exerciſes, as they to performe them, and as ſtudious to ſatisfie them in holy indeauours, as they to helpe them herein.

Queſt. 77. Doth the Lord onelyonly take care for our right ſpending of this day, and leaue vsus to our ſelues vponupon the ſixe dayes?

Anſw. No doubtleſſe, but it is his will, and command alſo, that we ſhould vponupon the ſixe dayes abſtaine from idleneſſe, and diligently labour in the workes of our callings.

Explan. Before we come to the explanation of this; by p. 280cattel,The charge concerning the ſixe dayes. whoſe reſt is alſo commanded, are meant their Camels, their Oxen, their Aſſes, &c. whoſe ſtrength, and labour they vſed about their carriages, treading out their corne, & works of husbandry. Now the Lord out of his mercy, as he would not hauehave the poore ſeruant, and bondſlaue to by torne, and worne out with ſore labour vnderunder the hands of vnmercifull maſters: ſo would he not hauehave the poore dumbe creatures, and therefore elſewhere explaining further this commandement, he ſaith, that thy ſeruants and cattell may reſt, as well as thou. Moreouer, the cattell could not labour, but men muſt be in ſome ſort aſsiſtant vntounto them, and ſo neglect the Sabbath. The ſtranger was a people not comming of the ſtocke of Iſrael, but of ſome other, either following them out of Egypt, or taken, and bought out of other countries, whom they had for ſlaues perpetually, as the Gibeonites. Now the Lord would not hauehave there to do any work vponupon the Sabbath day,Ioſh. 9.23.Josh 9:23 though borne without the couenant, and liuing without circumciſion, without paſſeouer, without ſacrifice, without God in the world: partly, that through being fauoured, they might come to affect the true religion, the fountaine of this their ſweet reſt, and partly, that being in the boſome of the Church, there might be an outward vniformitie of al in the reuerencing of this holy day, which ſheweth, that they which liue in the ſame Nation, and vnderunder the ſame gouernment, are to be compelled to an outward conformity of religion, though the heart can only be turned by the Lord; and whatſoeuer thy ſeruant be inwardly, thou muſt cauſe him to be conformable to all good orders outwardly, but this extendeth not to ſuch, as come ſtrangerwiſe vntounto thee, ouer whom thou haſt none authority. To returne now to the proper queſtion. Some hold, that the Lord doth onelyonly remit his owne right, in ſaying: ſixe daies ſhalt thou labour, &c. becauſe all the dayes of the weeke are his, otherwiſe the people of God had not done well, in ſetting apart ſome of the ſixe dayes vntounto holy exerciſes,Working vponupon ſix daies commanded here. vponupon any occaſion whatſoeuer. But they are deceiued, and their ground is too weake: for in euerie commandement wee are not onelyonly inioyned the dutie, Reaſ. 1 but the helpes and furtherances heereunto: now vntounto the p. 281right, and free keeping of the Sabbath, it helpeth not a little to ſpend the ſix dayes well about the workes of our callings: partly, for that our worldly buſineſſes being done, we are the freer from any intanglement hereby, therefore he ſaith; Thou ſhalt labour and doe all that thou haſt to doe. Partly for that being weary of labouring, the reſt of the Sabbath will be the more ſweet and pleaſant vntounto vsus, according to that of the Prophet: If thou call the Sabbath a delight: Eſa 58 13.Isa 58:13and partly for that the Lord of his goodnes, will the rather ſanctifie vsus, and make vsus fit to ſanctifie a Sabbath, when as we diligently doe the workes of our callings vponupon the ſix daies, according to that comfortable ſaying of Iohn; Of his fulneſſe wee hauehave all receiued, and grace, …oh. 1.16.for grace: hauing the grace of faithfulneſſe, and diligence in the duties of our callings, we receiue further grace of diligence about Sabbath day exerciſes, which is peculiarly verefied in this very thing, in that the moſt idle, which ſpend their time of the ſix dayes in gaming, ſporting, and leaſt doing, are leaſt holy, and moſt prophane vponupon the Sabbath: but contrariwiſe the honeſtly diligent, and intentiue to their callings.

2. The iniunction of working vponupon ſixe dayes, is giuen Reaſ. 2 in the ſame commanding termes, in the originall, that the iniunction of not working the ſeuenth is giuen in: in the firſt is foreign thou ſhalt doe worke, in the ſecond is foreign thou ſhalt not doe worke.

3. As there be reaſons alledged of ceaſing from worke vponupon the ſeuenth day, ſo there is reaſon laid downe alſo of working Reaſ. 3 king the ſix dayes: as the maine reaſon of the firſt is; God reſted the ſeuenth, ſo the reaſon of the ſecond is; In ſix dayes the Lord made heauen and earth, hee wrought. If it bee ſaid, This needeth not to bee heere commaunded, it rather belongeth to the ſecond Table. I anſwer, that one and the ſame dutie may belong to diuers Commandements in diuers reſpects, and in what reſpect this of labouring belongeth vntounto this, hath bin already ſhewed, neither is mine intent otherwiſe to bring it in heere, and for ſome queſtions, which are fitly heere further to be diſcuſſed.

Againe I ſay, that the ground of the former aſſertion is too weake, for not men, but God himſelfe hath againe ſet apart, p. 282ſince the giuing of this law, ſome of theſe dayes for holy duties And a good conſtruction may be made hereof, and yet this ſtand for an vnderunder-commandement; Six dayes ſhalt thou labour, vnleſſe the worſhip of God ſhall hinder, and call thee from thy labour: for we muſt in reaſon yeeld as much to the buſineſſes of Gods ſeruice vponupon the ſix daies, notwithſtanding the command of working, as to bodily labours vponupon the ſeuenth, notwithſtanding the command of reſting: therefore as, when we are bidden to reſt all the day, we are not yet denied works, wherunto neceſsitie or charitie call vsus: ſo when we are bidden to worke the ſix daies, wee are not yet denied ceaſing, when religion, and Gods worſhip call vsus heereunto. But for the further cleering of theſe things, here ariſe certain weightie, and needfull queſtions.

Quest. 78. Is it not lawfull then to forbeare working to attend vponupon God in his ſeruice in the ſix dayes?

Anſw. Yes, it is not onelyonly lawfull, but neceſſary to doe the duties of Gods ſeruice eueryevery day of the weeke in priuate, and in publike, when iuſt occaſion is offered.

1. Theſ. 5.7. 2 …im 4 1. Deut. 6.7.1 Thess 5:71 Thess 5:2Deut 6:7Explan. It is the corrupt maner of moſt men, when the Sabbath is ended, yea, when publike ſeruice is done, neuer more to call the Lord to minde all the weeke after, or if they doe, to performe their deuotion very ſlenderly, and weakely, as though they were ſufficiently ſanctified in two, or three houres vponupon the Sabbath for all the weeke after, or as though they were Gods people only vponupon that day, and their owne only all the weeke after. But this is great forgetfulnes, & by all meanes to be rooted out from amongſt Chriſtians, for the Lord is to bee ſerued eueryevery day of the weeke, with the beſt heart and care that we can. Firſt, wee hauehave for this, his command: Pray continually, and in all things giuegive thanks; and preach the word of God, be inſtant in ſeaſon, and out of ſeaſon: and Thou ſhalt talke of the Lawes of God continually, when thou tarrieſt in thy houſe, and when thou walkeſt in th way▪ as thou lyeſt downe, and as thou riſeſt vp: So that duties of religion, doe not onelyonly tye vsus ſemper, all the dayes of our liues, but ad ſemper alſo, to eueryevery day and time, when good opportunitie is giuen, we muſt expreſſe p. 283our deuotion, by praying, reading, meditation, hearing, and conferring at fit times.

2. We hauehave for this the example of holy men: Daniel 2prayed dayly thrice a day, and praiſed his God,Dan. 6. …0.Dan 6 and the Text ſheweth, that it was his manner thus to doe. Dauid prayed early in the morning: he wept in prayer, euen in his bed,Pſal. 5 2. Pſal. 6 6. Pſal 22.…. Pſal. 34.1.Ps 5:2Ps 6:6Ps 22Ps 34:1 ſo as that he made it ſwim with teares, I call by day, and by night (ſa…th he) I will alway giuegive thankes vntounto the Lord, and his praiſe ſhall bee in my mouth continually: Morning, and euening, and at noone-tide, hee called vponupon the Lord. Anna a good widdow, is ſaid, to hauehave ſerued the Lord in the Temple, Luc. 2.37. Acts 2.46.Luke 2:37Acts 2:46wi…h faſting and prayer, night and day. They were dayly together in the Primitiue Church, with one accord in the Temple. And Sozomen reporteth out of P…lo Iudaeus, Sozom lib 6. cap. 18.that the Chriſtians in Aegypt continued all the ſix daies in deuotion ſo earneſtly, as that they forgat to take their food from morning till night: and the people of Edeſſa would not bee terrified from their often meetings,Ruff. lib. 2. c. 5. through the feare of death threatned vntounto them. Which I doe not rehearſe, as fauouring the Monaſticall life, which is wholly ſpent in blinde deuotion: (for eueryevery man muſt liue in a calling, not onelyonly generall, as hee is a Chriſtian, but ſpecially as he is a member of a Commonwealth: and if Anna did liue in the Temple, ſhee had doubtleſſe ſome other imployment, beſides prayer and faſting: and for thoſe of the Primitiue Church, their time was extraordinary and moſt dangerous) but I rehearſe theſe examples, to commend the general, of omitting no day, without giuing the Lord his due.

3. We hauehave for this great encouragement giuen. Hee is 3pronounced a bleſſed man,Pſal. 1.1. Pſal 119.…8. Verſe 99.Ps 1:1Ps 119:8 that doth exerciſe himſelfe in Gods word, and meditae therin day and night. Dauid ſaith, that becauſe Gods Commandements were euer with him, he was made wiſer than his enemies, Yea (ſaith he) … hauehave had more vnderſtanding than all my teachers, I vnderstood more than the ancient. So that he which will be wiſe indeed, muſt doe as Dauid did, hauehave euer Gods Commandements with him, and make Gods teſtimonies his daily meditation.

4. We hauehave to vrge vsus to holy duties, our owne great neceſsitie p. 2844eueryevery day. We are daily ſubiect to ſin, and therefore muſt daily ſeek the remiſsion of our ſins by praier, according to the direction, GiueGive vsus this day our daily bread: We hauehave daily buſineſſes, vponupon which wee need, but cannot looke for a bleſsing, without daily earneſt prayer, otherwiſe we may build,Pſal. 1 27.Ps 1:27 watch and worke, but in vaine: we are ſubiect to daily dangers, either by reaſon of the Deuils rage, the crie of our ſins, or our weak conſtitutions, which we cannot look, ſhould be preuented, without diligent prayer eueryevery day, prayer being our laſt & greateſt refuge,Eph. 6.…8.Eph 6:8 according to the Apoſtle: and we daily receiue at Gods hands, great bleſsings, the courſe of which we ſhall cauſe him to breake off, vnleſſe we be daily in rendring praiſes to his holy name.

Epheſ 6.17Eph 6:17Againe, for the reading and meditating on Gods word, our neceſsities do all ſo require, that we ſhould be ſomewhat emploied herein eueryevery day. The Word is the ſword of the ſpirit, without which, how can we combat with our ſpirituall enemies, that will not leaue vsus vnaſſaulted any day? The Word is the milke,1. Pet. 2.2.1 Pet 2:2 whereby we muſt be nouriſhed, and grow vp, in regard of which, we are as new borne babes, how then can we in any day liue without it, but be very Dwarffes in grace? The word is the ſeed of God, by which we are kept from ſinning,1. Iohn 3.9.1 John 3:9 & brought to be his beloued, and holy children: If this ſeed then be not daily in vsus, how ſhal we be kept from being ouergrowne with weeds and briars, and ſo from being reprobate & accurſed ground? The word is a light vntounto our feet, and a lanthorne vntounto our paths, how then can we walke on, and be kept vpright without dangerous ſtumbling & falling,Pſal 119.105.Ps 119:105 vnleſſe we hauehave eueryevery day this light ſet vp in our minds? To ſay nothing of the readineſſe and dexteritie in the Word of God, which we ſhall grow vntounto by daily exerciſing ourſelues therein, according to the prouerbe, Vſe maketh perfectneſſe, and how much the more apt we ſhal thus become for publike inſtructions, to receiue them for our greater comfort.

Queſt. 79. It ſeemeth then, that eueryevery day ought to be made a kind of Sabbath, how can this ſtand with the command; of working vponupon the ſix dayes?

p. 286Anſw. Yes very well, becauſe that, howſoeuer God is to be ſerued vponupon the ſixe dayes, yet they are for the moſt part to bee ſpent in the workes of our callings.

Quest. 80. All this being but generall, what more ſpeciall rules are wee to follow in our weekly deuotion?

Anſw. 1. Wee muſt pray euerie day, morning and euening. 2. Before and after the vſe of Gods good creatures. 3. The more our neceſſities vrge vsus, to pray the oftner, and the more inſtantly. 4. Let no day paſſe without ſome reading and diuine meditations. 5. Neglect not the weeke day Sermons, when opportunitie is offered to come vntounto them.

Explan. After the neceſsitie of performing Gods worſhip eueryevery day declared, I hauehave thought it not amiſſe, to ſet down ſpeciall rules for the direction of all men: for, though we are to make eueryevery day a kinde of Sabbath, yet wee are not to follow the practiſe of Monkes and Friers, framing our life to idleneſſe, in regard of worldly affaires: nor yet of ſome ouer-zealous perſons, trauelling from place to place, to heare the Word of God, ſpending many whole daies in this manner, the buſineſſes of our calling being neglected, they can hauehave little comfort herein, when God ſhall aske, who required theſe things at your hands? But he that is deſirous to performe his weeke-dayes ſeruice acceptably vntounto the Lord, muſt,

1. Reuerendly commend his ſupplications, and giuing of Rule 1 thankes, eueryevery day, morning and euening, vntounto the Lord: as Daniel kneeled downe, and prayed three times a day;Dan. 6.10.Dan 6:10 for a figure of which, it was commanded vnderunder the old Teſtament, that they ſhould ſacrifice a Lambe morning and euening, eueryevery day continually, which Lambe did repreſent Chriſt,Exod. 29.39.Exod 29:39 and this ſacrificing was a comming to God, by prayer in his name, and in the merits of his bloud-ſhed. Now this was done publikely, at the doore of the Tabernacle, ſhewing, that in eueryevery little Tabernacle, or Church,Verſ. 42. ſuch as is eueryevery Chriſtian mans family, the like ſhould be performed in the company of the members therof, children & ſeruants. Wherefore p. 286heathen families, wanting the true knowledge, and feare of God, are branded thus, that they call not vponupon his name: as in that imprecation of the Prrophet, Powre out thy wrath (O Lord) vponupon the heathen, Iere. 10.25.Jer 10:25and vponupon the families that call not vponupon thy Name. It is not enough to ſay the Lords prayer, or ſome other drowſily, being halfe aſleepe, or without minding it, as is the manner of moſt men, for this is the ſacrifice of fooles, who know not that they doe euill, Eccl. 4 17.Eccl 4:17neither is it enought for Gouernours, to pray by themſelues alone, but the right worſhipper of God prayeth heartily, if he be the maſter of a little Tabernacle, he ſacrificeth in the doore thereof.