A Guide to Godliness, Book 2 · Chapter 8
CAP. VIII.
Of the duties required in the third and fourth Commandement.
§. Sect. 1 Of the ſanctifying of Gods Name, which is taken diuerſly in the Scriptures, &c. and how it ought to be done.
THe third Commandement requireth that wee ſanctifie Gods Name, and glorifie him out of his publike and ſolemne ſeruice, in the whole courſe of our liues and conuerſation. The Name of God ſignifieth diuers things in the Scriptures, as firſt, God himſelfe and his attributes, which are his Eſſence. Secondly, his Glory. Thirdly, his Titles, as Iehouah, Elohim, Iah. Fourthly, his Word. Fifthly, his Religion. Sixthly, his Workes. And to take it in vaine, is to vſe it in our thoughts, words, and workes, raſhly, lightly, and without iudgement, or in vaine, and to no end, or falſly, wickedly, and contumeliouſly to his diſhonour, which is heere forbidden. Contrariwiſe in this Commandement, God requireth that we ſanctifie and glorifie his holy Name: and as it is Holy, Reuerend, and Glorious in it ſelfe, ſo to vſe it holily and reuerently, in all our thoughts, words, and actions. And on the other ſide he forbiddeth vsus to vſe Gods Name, that is, his attributes, Titles, Word, Religion, and Workes vainely, that is, raſhly, irreuerently, and lightly, vponupon no iuſt cauſe, or elſe prophanely, falſly, and contemptuouſly to Gods diſhonour. The mayne duties required of vsus, are firſt, that wee effectually know, beleeue, and remember God and his attributes, and alſo often thinke and meditate on them, holily and Rom. 10. 10.reuerently, that wee make profeſſion of God and his attributes, and vponupon all occaſions ſpeake of them in like manner; and that wee walke worthy ſuch an holy knowledge and profeſſion in our liues and conuerſations. Deut. 28. 58.Secondly, that wee deſire Gods glory in our hearts, and indeuour Pſal. 50. 23. 1. Cor. 10. 31.to ſet it foorth by all meanes; making it the matter of our ſpeech, and glorifying him by our praiſes and thankeſgiuing, and the end alſo of all our words and actions. Thirdly, that we vſe Gods Titles and Names iudiciouſly, in matters of waight and importance, after a ſerious and reuerent manner, and to a good end. Fourthly, that wee vſe Gods Word religiouſly and holily, reading, meditating, and conferring of it with a deſire, ſtudie, and indeuour to know, remember, and practiſe it. That we make it our Schoolemaſter, to teach and inſtruct vsus in all truth, our chiefe 2. Tim. 3. 16.guide for the directing and reforming of our hearts and liues, and the Luk. 11. 28.ſquire and rule, according to which wee frame all our words and actions. Fifthly, that wee walke worthy our high calling, and by our holineſſe and Pſal. 119. 1. Act. 23. 1. & 24. 16.righteouſneſſe adorne the Religion which we profeſſe; carrying our ſelues in all things vprightly, in reſpect of God, and inoffenſiuely in reſpect of men. Sixthly, that in our thoughts, words, and actions, wee make an holy and religious vſe of all Gods workes, both of creation and gouernment, and both meditate and ſpeake of them ſo, as it may redound to Gods glory, knowing him by his workes, and glorifying him in them, by Rom. 1. 19, 20, 21 Pſ. 19. 1. & 139. 14.acknowledging them his workemanſhip, and his wiſedome, power, and goodneſſe ſhining in them. And alſo to our owne good, imitating in them Pro. 6. 6. Matth. 6. 26. Pſal. 32. 9.that which the Scriptures propound, as good for our imitation, and auoyding the contrary. And finally, that wee receiue them with thankeſgiuing, 2. Pet. 2. 22. 1. Tim. 4. 5.and ſanctifie them to our vſe by the Word and Prayer. So alſo here is required that wee make an holy vſe of the creatures in reſpect of Gods gouernement and prouidence; as firſt, for the determining of doubts and controuerſies (which can no otherwiſe be cleared and decided) by caſting of lots, in the vſe whereof we are to vſe prayer vntounto God, and ſometimes, Pro. 16. 33. Act. 1. 23, 24.(when the occaſion is waighty) faſting, deſiring of him, that by his good prouidēce he wil direct them to the right end, for which we vſe them. And Pro. 18. 18.as before they are caſt, we are to referre our ſelues wholy to Gods determination; ſo after, wee are to reſt contented and well pleaſed with his ſentence. Secondly, we are to make an holy vſe of Gods prouidence, firſt, in conferring rewards and bleſſings either vponupon our ſelues or others. In reſpect of our ſelues wee make a right vſe of Gods bleſſings and benefits: When as in our hearts we bee vnfainedly thankefull vntounto God for them; Pſal. 144. 6. & 26. 12. & 66. 16when in our words we praiſe and magnifie his bounty and goodneſſe towards vsus, and tell what great things he hath done for vsus, and when in our workes and actions, we referre them wholy to Gods glory, and both Pſal. 130. 4. Rom. 2. 4.our owne and others good, taking occaſion of his mercy and goodneſſe to feare him, and to turne vntounto him from our ſinnes by vnfained repentance. In reſpect of Gods bleſſings beſtowed vponupon others, we carry our ſelues holily, when as we reioyce with them in Gods bounty and goodnes, 1. Cor. 12. 26.and ioyne with them in praiſes and thankſgiuing. The like holy vſe we are Pſal 35. 17. Gal. 1. 23.to make of Gods prouidence in reſpect of puniſhments and afflictions, whether they bee inflicted vponupon our ſelues, or vponupon others. As when Iob 1. 20, 21.God layeth his hand vponupon vsus by his iudgements and chaſtizements, wee are to be humbled in the ſight and ſence of our ſinnes, and beare them with patience and thankfulnes, acknowledging Gods mercy, in that we are Lam. 3. 22.not vtterly conſumed, and profit by them both for the mortifying of our ſinnes, and for our ſpirituall quickning vntounto new obedience. So when Heb. 5. 8.we ſee Gods Iudgements vponupon others, we are to take warning by their example, and communicate with the faithfull in their ſorrowes, bearing Ioſh. 22. 20. 1 Cor. 10. 6. Rom. 12. 1. Pſal. 58▪ 11.a part of their griefe; and magnifying Gods Iuſtice, which hath found out the wicked to inflict vponupon them deſerued puniſhments.
§. Sect. 2 Of the ſanctifying of Gods name in lawfull oathes.
More eſpecially, there is required in this Commandement, that wee glorifie and ſanctifie Gods name by our oathes and vowes. Firſt, by our oathes, Deut. 6. 13. Eſa. 45. 23.vntounto which is required, firſt, that we honour Gods name, in ſwearing by it vponupon a iuſt and neceſſary occaſion, acknowledging thereby Gods infinite wiſdome, from which nothing canly hid; his Truth, which abhorreth all lies and falſhoods; his Iuſtice, which when he is called to be a witneſſe and Iudge, will neither ſuffer truth and innocency to goe vnrewarded, nor vntruth and guiltineſſe vnpuniſhed without reſpect of perſons. Secondly, that we ſweare only by the name of God, either directly Eſa. 65. 16. Ier. 12 6.or indirectly, and by no creature in heauen or earth. Thirdly, that wee ſweare after a lawfull manner, vntounto which is required that we ſweare in truth, that is, to that which is true, and truly, according to the perſwaſion Ier. 4. 2. Rom. 9. 1.of our mindes; In righteouſneſſe, binding our ſelues thereby only vntounto things lawfull; and in iudgement, whereby we diſcerne the neceſſitie of it, in regard that we can no otherwiſe cleare the truth, nor be beleeued in a matter of importance, which much reſpecteth Gods glory, or our owne or neighbours good. And ſo come to the performance of this high and holy action with all reuerence as in Gods preſence, duly weighing and conſidering the conditions and circumſtances of our oath, according to the Scriptures. Laſtly, that we ſweare vntounto a right end, namely, to the glory Ioſh. 7. 19.of God, by reuealing and ratifying a neceſſary and vnknowne truth, which could no otherwiſe bee made manifeſt; and to the good of our neighbours Heb. 6. 16.and our ſelues, that they may be ſatiſfied, all controuerſies and ſtrifes ended, all doubts and ſuſpitions remoued, and our owne truth and Exod. 22. 11.innocency declared and cleared.
§. Sect. 3 Of the ſanctifying Gods name by making and performing our vowes.
The ſecond ſpeciall thing here required, is lawfull vowes, whereby we cheerefully promiſe vntounto God ſome thing which may be acceptable vntounto him, either becauſe we hauehave already found him gracious and good vntounto vsus, which moueth vsus to doe this duty out of louelove and thankefulneſſe, or becauſe we expect his mercy and goodneſſe for ſome benefit to be receiued, or puniſhment to be auoided or remoued; out of our faith and hope grounded vponupon Gods promiſes. VntoUnto which vowes, that they may bee lawfull and acceptable vntounto God, there are two things required, namely, that we make them lawfully, and truly to performe them. VntoUnto the making of a lawfull vowe is required, Firſt, that it be performed as a religious Pſal. 76. 11.act to God and none other. Secondly, that it bee done after a religious and holy manner. 1. In truth, with a ſincere and cheerefull heart. 2. In 2. Chro. 15. 15.righteouſneſſe, vntounto which is required, in reſpect of the perſon, that hee hauehave power in himſelfe to vow that thing, or hauehave the conſent of his gouernours. Secondly, that the thing vowed, be lawfull and acceptable vntounto God, as being good and commanded, or of an indifferent nature, but in reſpect of vsus, good and profitable, and therefore to be vſed, or hurtfull and inconuenient and therefore to be auoided. Thirdly, that we vowe in iudgement, whereby we diſcerne that our vowe is in the former reſpects lawfull, and very profitable either for the aduancing of Gods glory or our owne good. The laſt thing required, is, that we make it to a right end, as Pſal. 66. 13.namely, to the glory of God, the good of our neighbours, and our owne benefit; for the exerciſing of our temperance and ſobriety, or the renewing & 61. 8.and furthering of our repentance, or for the ſtrengthening of our Num. 30. 14. 1. Sam. 1. 11.faith, and our good purpoſes and reſolutions about the performance of good duties. In reſpect of performance of our vowes, there is required, Eccleſ. 5. 3. Num. 30 3.that it be done at the time appointed, and without delay, and alſo without any diminution or abatement in quantity or quality, of that which we hauehave vowed. Eſpecially our care muſt bee of performing our common vowe in baptiſme, in renouncing all our ſpirituall enemies, and in conſecrating our ſelues wholy vntounto Gods ſeruice, in performing vntounto him the duties of holineſſe, righteouſneſſe, and ſobriety all the daies of our liues.
§. Sect. 4 Of the ſanctifying Gods Sabbath, and what things are required vntounto it.
In the fourth Commandement, the Lord appointeth a ſpeciall time, wherein all the former duties both publike and priuate, are principally to be performed, which whoſoeuer doe neglect, they manifeſtly ſhew that they are deſtitute of the power of all true Religion. The maine duty required, is, that wee remember to ſanctifie the Sabbath: In which two things are to be conſidered: 1. that we muſt ſanctifie the Sabbath: 2. that we muſt remember to doe it, that is, be mindfull and carefull to ſanctify it. To the ſanctification of the Sabbath two things are required: Firſt, the reſt. Secondly, the ſanctifying of it. The reſt conſiſteth partly in an outward reſt from bodily labours and worldly affaires, and in our inward reſting from the ſeruile workes of ſinne. The workes from which wee muſt reſt, are bodily labours, and all worldly imploiments, ſo farre forth as they are diſtractions and hinderances to the ſpirituall Sanctification of the Sabbath; As buying and ſelling, all manner of workes of our ordinary callings, trauailing, feaſting of friends with meates not eaſily cooked, and ſuch like. For all kinds of bodily labours on the Lords day are vnlawfull, Math. 12. 5.except they be referred to the ſanctification of the Sabbath, as the meanes of it, of which ſort are the labours of the Miniſter in the duties appertaining to his miniſtery; and of the people trauailing to the places of Gods worſhip. Or ſecondly, the workes of mercy, which are duties of the Sabbath, Hoſ. 6. 6.as giuing of almes, viſiting the ſicke and priſoners, healing diſeaſes and ſores, by applying fit medicines and ſalues. Or laſtly, workes of neceſſity, which are of importance, and cannot, without great inconuenience, be done afterwards, nor could hauehave beene done before. For as for that neceſſity, which ariſeth from our negligence and careleſſe ouerſight, it is ſinfull, and in the firſt word of this Commandement forbidden and condemned. And among theſe workes of neceſſity, we are to reckon labour in prouiding conuenient foode for our bodies, tending of cattell, when it is done rather in mercy, which reſpecteth their neceſſity, then for our owne gaine: Labours of Mariners begun before the Sabbath in their Nauigation at Sea: Fight in a lawfull warre againſt our enemies; labours of ſeruants and ſubiects impoſed vponupon them by their gouernours as neceſſary, and not apparantly diſcerned by them to be otherwiſe. The inward and ſpirituall reſt, is our reſting from ſinne, as at all times, ſo eſpecially Eſa. 56. 2 & 58. 13.on the Sabbath. For theſe workes of darkeneſſe, are aboue all other moſt ſeruile and ſlauiſh, ſeeing thereby we make our ſelues the vaſſals of Satan.
§. Sect. 5 Of the ſpirituall ſanctification, & the outward reſt.
And this is the reſt required on the Sabbath; the ſanctification of this reſt is either by vſing the meanes, or doing the workes of ſanctification. And this is done both publikely and priuately; publikely, by vſing the publike meanes of ſanctification in the ſeruice of God. And this is done, Firſt, of the Miniſters, by publike praying in the congregation, preaching and reading the Word, and adminiſtration of the Sacraments. Secondly, the people, by frequenting the aſſemblies in the beginning, and continuing to the end of diuine ſeruice; and being there, by carrying and behauing themſelues religiouſly, diligently & vprightly, in calling vponupon Gods name, hearing the Word, and in the right vſe of the Sacraments. The Leuit. 19. 30. & 23. 2. 1. Cor. 16. 2.publike workes of ſanctification, are almeſdeeds and collections for the poore. Priuately the Sabbath is ſanctified, by our preparation to Gods publike ſeruice, which chiefly conſiſteth in meditation and prayer; and after the publike ſeruice, by meditating on the Word heard, and applying it to our owne vſe, and by holy conferences with others. VntoUnto which duties, reſpecting the publike worſhip, we are to adde and vſe theſe other meanes of ſanctifying the remainder of the Lords day; Reading of the Scriptures or other religious & holy writings; meditation on Gods Word Pſal. 92. 1.and workes, eſpecially of creation, preſeruation and redemption; Inuocation by prayer; thankeſgiuing and ſinging of Pſalmes: and finally, godly conferences vponupon ſome fit ſubiect, which beſt forteth to the preſent occaſion, and tendeth to the vſe of edification: vntounto which meanes we muſt adde the priuate workes of ſanctification, which are the workes of mercy, and appertaine chiefly either to the body, as the giuing of alms, viſiting the ſicke and priſoners, curing diſeaſes, &c. or elſe to the ſoule, as, teaching the ignorant, reclaiming thoſe who are ſeduced by errour, admoniſhing thoſe who faile of their duty by frailty and infirmity, rebuking the ſcandalous and wilfull offender, exhorting the backward and ſluggiſh, comforting the diſtreſſed, counſailing them for the good of their ſoules that neede counſaile, and reconciling thoſe whom we know to be at variance. But we muſt not only ſanctify the Sabbath, but alſo as a ſpeciall helpe and meanes hereof, we muſt remember to doe it, that is, vſe all prouidence and care, deuotion and diligence about theſe duties of ſanctification. Before the Sabbath we muſt ſo forecaſt our buſineſſe, and diſpoſe of all our worldly affaires, that wee be not diſtracted in performing of holy duties, by hauing our mindes, tongues or actions exercized and taken vp by them. And on the Sabbath we muſt remember to ſanctifie it, by hauing our whole man taken vp in the ſeruice of God, both publikely and priuately, and by performing the duties required with all diligence and attention, ſincerity and vprightneſſe, Eſa. 58. 13.cheerefulneſſe and delight.