Gods Holy Mind Touching Matters Moral, Tract 2 · Part 30 – Part 35
Now before I come to stand on the affirmatiue part of this Commandement, which is first in order, it is needfull to shew how far forth this commandement is ceremoniall, and how farre forth morall: because some are of opinion, that the keeping holy of the seuenth day, is in the number of those Ceremonies that are abrogated by Christ.
Quest. How farre forth is this Commandement Ceremoniall, and belonging to the Iewes?
Answ. In three respects.
Quest. What is the first of those?
Answ. This; in respect of the strict rest that the Iewes were commanded to keepe on the Sabbath,…od. 31.13. as a type and figure of internall sanctification of Gods people, and of their rest from all sinne.
Quest. Wherein stood that strict rest required of the Iewes?
…xod. 16.23. xod. 35.3. …xod. 16.29. …umb. 15.32.Answ. In these things: In that they might not prepare or dresse that which they should eat; nor kindle a fire, nor take a iourney any whither, for any matter or businesse of their owne, on the Sabbath day.
Obiection. We read, that Ioshua and his company compassed the wals of Jericho seuen dayes together, of which the Sabbath was one, Iosh. 6.15. How then is it true, that the Iewes might not take a iourney on the Sabbath day?
Quest. How is this to be answered?
Answ. Thus; That was by the speciall commandement of God the Law-giuer, as it appeareth, Iosh. 6.4.
Quest. What is the second?
Deut. 5.…5.Answ. This; in that the Iewes were to obserue & keepe the Sabbath as a remembrance of their deliuerance out of Egypt.
Quest. What is the third?
Deut. 5.14. Exod 31.17. Num. 28.9, 10.Ans. This; in that the Iewes were to obserue & keepe the seuenth day from the creation of the world, and that with sacrifices, rites, and ceremonies proper & peculiar to that day.
Quest. Doe not wee Christians obserue and keepe the same day for the Sabbath that the Iewes did?
Reuel. 10.1.Ans. No; we keepe the day following the Iewes Sabbath, namely, the first day of the weeke, which is called The Lords day.
Quest. Who changed the day?
Answ. The Apostles of Christ being infallibly assisted by his Spirit in their ministerie did change the day,Act. 20.7. 1 Cor. 16.1.2. and themselues kept the first day of the weeke, and ordained it to bee kept in all Churches. For collection for the poore, followed the preaching of the Word.
Obiection. Paul kept the Iewes Sabbath, as well as the Lords day. Act. 13.14. and Act. 16.13.
Quest. How is this to be answered?
Answ. The Apostles did this, in regard of the weaknesse of the Gentiles, and Iewes newly conuerted, who were not fully perswaded of the abrogation of the Iewish Sabbath.
Quest: Why did the Apostles change the day, from the Iewes Sabbath, to the first day of the weeke?
Answ: Because on that day,Iohn 20.19.26. Christ rose againe from the dead and perfected the great worke of redemption.
Quest: May not the Church, if it thinke good, alter the day againe?
Answ: No; because it hath not Apostolicall power, neither can it hauehave a greater cause then the Resurrection of Christ, and the worke of Redemption.
Quest. How far forth is this Commandement Morall, and perpetuall, and belonging to vsus?
Answ. In two respects.
Quest. What is the first of those?
Answ. This; in that it requires a certaine seauenth day, to be kept as a day of holy rest, for the preseruation of the ministerie of the Word, and solemne worship of God;Isai. 58 13. and the practise of holy and good duties: especially in the publike assemblies
Quest. What is the second?
Answ. This; in that it freeth all from bodily labours,Exod 23.12. and especially Seruants and Cattle; which on other dayes, doe seruice to their owners.
Quest. How may it appeare that this Commandement is in these respects, Morall and perpetuall?
Answ. By foure reasons especially.
Quest. What is the first reason?
Answ: This; The Sabbath, the seauenth day was appointed and kept by God himselfe in Paradise before the fall of man;…n. 2.23. and the reuealing of Christ, when there was no ceremony, nor neede of any ceremony, and there was but one condition of all men.
…biectionIt was made a ceremony afterward.
Quest. How is this to be answered?
Answ. That is no good argument to proue it ceremoniall; for Matrimony was ordained in Paradise, and afterward made ceremoniall; to signifie the spirituall vnion betweene Christ and his Church, and yet Matrimony is perpetuall; and so is the Sabbath of the seauenth day.
Quest. What is the second reason?
Answ. This; the reasons annexed to the fourth Commandement are generall; and belong to all, both Iewes and Christians; and the equitie of them is perpetuall: as that, sixe dayes shalt thou labour and doe all thy worke, …od. 20.9.10.but the seuenth day, is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God; it is the Lords: God himselfe ceased from his worke that day, and blessed it; therefore the Commandement it selfe is morall, and perpetuall.
Quest. What is the third reason?
Answ. This; This Commandement is one of the Tenne, and so reckoned in the Word of God:Deut 4.12.13.4. Deut 5.22. Deut. 10.4. and it was written by Gods owne finger in Tables of Stone; and immediately giuen out by the Lord himselfe: whereas all the Ceremonies belonging to the Iewes, were giuen by the ministerie of Moses.
Quest. What is the fourth reason?
Answ. This; Mat. 24.20. Christ foretelling the destruction of Ierusalem, which should be forty yeares after his ascension, when all Iewish Ceremonies were abrogated; bids his Disciples pray that their flight be not in the Winter, neither on the Sabbath day. Now if this Commandement had beene ceremoniall, they might hauehave fled with as little care and griefe on that day, as on any other.
Obiection. In the New Testament there is no difference of dayes, and if we hauehave,Gala. 4.10. Colos. 2.16. or make difference of the dayes; wee are no better then Iewes.
Quest. How is this to be answered?
Answ: Thus; those places are to be vnderstood of obseruing dayes, after the Iewish or Heathenish manner; and of the Feasts of the Iewes, and of difference of dayes, that was in force by the ceremoniall Law; and therefore the Apostle saith of Sabbaths, meaning not the Sabbaths of the Lord;Leuit. 23.35.38.39. but the first and last day of their great Feasts: as the Passeouer, Penticost, and the Feast of Tabernacles.
Obiection The Sabbath of the seauenth day was vnknowne to the Gentiles, therefore not morall; for that which is morall, was ingrafted and written in nature.
Quest. How is this to be answered?
Answ. Thus; though the Gentiles did not discerne aright the Lords Sabbath, yet they knew by the glimmering light of Nature, that a time should be set a part from worldly businesses, & be bestowed on matters cōcerning Religion: there was no Nation almost among the Gentiles, which had not some Festiualls for the exercise of their Religion; which shewes that it was written in nature, that some time should bee appointed for the solemne worship of God.
Now to the Affirmatiue part of this Commandement, as it is morall.
Quest: What is required and commanded, in this fourth Commandement?
Ans. In generall thus much; an holy rest vntounto God,Exod. 16.23. Exod. 35.2. on the seuenth day in eueryevery weeke, called the Sabbath, or the Lords day; that on that day we cease from our owne worldly workes; and dedidate it wholly to an holy vse, and that our rest on that day be sanctified; a rest to be holden only to God.
Quest: What is to bee done, that we may be fit to keepe a holy rest vntounto God on the Sabbath.
Ans. This; that we prepare our selues to the keeping of it.
Quest. Wherein stands that preparation?
Answ. In doing two things.
Quest. VVhat is the first of those?
Answ. This; that wee thinke on the Sabbath before it come, and so dispose of our selues and our affaires, that wee may freely and duely attend on the duties of the SabbathLuk. 23.5…. when it is come: this is signified by the word Remember.
Quest. What is the second?
Eccles. 4.17. Psal. 26 6. Ezra. 7.10.Answ. This; that on the Sabbath, wee rise early in the morning, and fit our selues for the performance of publike duties, by taking account of our hearts and liues; and by priuate prayer, for the pardon of our particular sinnes, and for the supply and increase of those graces we stand in neede of; and for a blessing on the ministerie of the Word, and other holy Ordinances of God; that the Preacher may so speake, and we so heare, that God may hauehave glory, and wee good.
Quest. Wherein standeth the keeping of an holy rest to God, and the sanctifying of our rest on the Sabbath?
Psal. 110.3. Isai 58.13. Deut. 33.3.Answ. In doing the duties of the Sabbath with reuerence, as before the Lord of Heauen and Earth; and with cheerefulnesse and delight, both in publike and in priuate.
Quest. What are the duties that are to bee done in publike on the Sabbath?
Answ. They are of two sorts; they are either workes of piety, or workes of mercy.
Quest. What are the workes of pietie that are to be done?
Answ. They are such spirituall workes, as tend to the solemne and publike worship of God: and they are three in number.
Quest. What is the first of those?
Nehem 8.3.8. Luk. 4.16 to 21 Act 13 14.15.16. & 20.7.Answ. This; a reuerent, and an attentiue hearing of the Word of God, purely and faithfully preached, or read in the publike assembly.
Quest: What is the second?
Answ. This; a ioyning with the Minister and Congregation,Act 2.42. Act. 16.13. Psal. 2…. 1 Cor. 14.15.16 Colos. 3.6. publikely assembled, with assent of minde, and feruent affection of heart in publike prayer; and calling on the name of the Lord, in thankesgiuing and singing of Psalmes.
Quest: What is the third spirituall worke, tending to the publike worship of God, to be performed on the Sabbath?
Answ: This; a reuerent and frequent, and often communicating in the Sacraments, publikely administred by the Ministers of the Church,Act 20.7. 1 Cor 11.2…. lawfully called into one place, which was most commonly on the Sabbath day.
Now heere some particular doubts, touching communinating in the Sacrament, are to bee answered: and first concerning Baptisme, as the first question may be this.
Quest. How are we to communicate in the Sacrament of Baptisme, publikely administred?
Answ. By being present at that Sacrament, and not departing from it without great and vrgent necessity before it be ended; and by witnessing the worke done by the Minister, by consenting to it, and making vse of it to our selues;Luk. 1.58.59. and by ioyning with the Minister in prayer, and thankesgiuing to God, for adding another member to the Body of the visible Church.
Quest. Is the Sacrament of Baptisme to bee administred only on the Sabbath day?
Answ. No, not on that day only; we finde it was administred on other dayes, Act. 8.38. Act. 16.33. but it is to be administred on that day, rather then on any other day.
Quest: How may that appeare?
Answ. By this reason; Baptisme is a publike action of Religion, whereby a member is to bee receiued into the Church; & at the administration of it, prayers are to be made by the whole congregation for that member; and all are thereby to be put in mind of the benefits of that holy Sacrament: and therefore it is rather to be administred on the Sabbath day, then on any other day.
Now touching the Sacrament of the Lords Supper.
Quest: How often are wee to communicate, and to bee made pertakers of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, administred on the Sabbath?
Answ. So often as it is administred in that Congregation whereof we are members; vnlesse by sicknes, or some other necessary impediment we be hindred: 1 Cor. 11.26.Act. 2.42. and the death of Christ is often, yea continually to be remembred.
Quest. Is the Sacrament of the Lords Supper to bee administred only in publike?
Exod. 12.6. 2 Chro. 35.5.6. 1 Cor. 11.18.20. to 25.Answ. Yes; onelyonly in publike and not in priuate, it being a publike seale of the couenant of grace, and the band of Christians.
Obiection. Men hope to get great good by the Sacrament administred to them, on their death-beds in priuate.
Quest. How is this to be answered?
Answ. Gods appointment must not be broken, for mens priuate affections.
Quest. What is to bee done, of such as are necessarily hindred and kept from the publike duties of the Sabbath?
Psal. 42.1.2. Psal. 63.1.2. Ezech. 11.16.Answ. They must with sorrow, for that restraint, vse priuate duties more carefully: and they must remember Gods promise, that hee will bee a sanctuary vntounto them, when they are necessarily kept from his House and Sanctuary.
Quest: What are the workes of mercy that are to be done in publike on the Sabbath day?
1 Cor. 16.1.2. Rom. 15.26. 2 Cor. 8.3.4.Answ: These; Collection is to be made for the poore, and almes to be giuen for the reliefe of the poore; whether they bee those that dwell amongst vsus, or those that be captiues and strangers.
Quest. Are all bound to performe this dutie of almesgiuing, on the Sabbath?
Luk. 11.41. 1 Cor. 16.2. Ephes. 4.28. Act. 11.28.29.Answ. All are bound to giuegive of that which is their owne, and according to their ability.
Now to priuate duties.
Quest. What are the priuate duties that are to be done on the Sabbath?
Answ. They are likewise of two sorts, either workes of piety, or workes of mercy.
Quest. What are the workes of piety to bee done in priuate on the Sabbath?
Answ. They are such workes as tend to the further edifying, and building vp of our selues and others in knowledge, and in grace and holinesse: and they are in number sixe.
Quest: What is the first of those?
Psal. 119.11.97. Luk. 2.51.Answ. This; a due and serious meditation on the Word of God, which we hauehave heard; that we rest not in the publike hearing of it; but that wee thinke and ponder on it in our hearts, and labour to applie it in eueryevery part of it particularly, to our selues continually; but specially on the Sabbath.
Quest. What is the second of those workes?
Answ. This; Examination and holy conference,Act. 17.11. Mar. 4.33.34. Deut. 6.7. and that we call to minde the thinges deliuered in the publike ministerie of the Word; and examine how they were proued, and what vse was made of them; and that we talke and conferre of them, with our families and others: and whet them on our selues and others.
Quest. What is the third of those workes?
Answ. This, priuate prayer; that we priuately humble our selues before the Lord, and craue a blessing on his ordinances, wee hauehave beene made partakers of; and giuegive him thankes for the good we hauehave receiued by them. Iohn 17.17. Christ prayed for his, sanctifie them with thy truth, thy Word is truth. 1 Cor. 3.6.7. It is God that giues increase,Iam. 1.5. Act. 16.16. and at his hands it must be sought by prayer.
Quest. What is the fourth of those workes?
Answ. This; priuate reading of the Scriptures,Iohn 5.39. Reu. 1.3. which though it ought to bee done euer day, yet especially on the Sabbath: Deut. 17.9. The King must read therein.
Quest. What is the worke of piety, to be done in priuate on the Sabbath?
Answ. This; singing of Psalmes: that we sing Psalmes to the praise of God, and to the stirring vp of spirituall ioy and cheerefulnesse in our hearts. Isa. 58.13. wee should call the Sabbath a delight. Exod. 15.1. I will sing to the Lord; Jam. 5.13. Is any merry? let him sing especially.
Quest. May we not vse musicall instruments, to stirre vp ioy and cheerefunesse in vsus, on the Sabbath?
Answ: No we may not;Amos 6.5. because they commonly carry away our hearts from heauenly meditations; & doe rather fill them with carnall pleasure, then with spiritual ioy & delight.
Quest: What is the sixt worke of piety, to be done on the Sabbath in priuate?
Ans. This; meditation, and due consideration of the works of God: that we thinke off, & duly consider the works of God and his creatures; and especially his workes of mercy; as the great worke of our Redemption by Christ, and the work of his prouidence;Psal. 92.4.5.6. in making his Creatures obedient and seruiceable to vsus for our good: Psal. 92. being a Psalme or Song of the Sabbath. vers. 4.5.6.
Now to the works of mercy to be done in priuate, on the Sabbath.
Quest. What are the workes of mercy, that are to be done in priuate on the Sabbath day?
Answ. They are such duties of louelove, as concerne either the good of the soules or bodies of our brethren; or such as respect their outward peace and quietnesse.
Quest. What are the duties of louelove, to be done in priuate on the Sabbath, concerning the good of the soules of our brethren.
1 Pet. 4.10. 1 Thes. 5.11.14Answ. They are these; That wee within the compasse of our callings; and according to the measure of grace, and gifts giuen vsus; doe instruct, exhort, admonish, reproue, and comfort those that be about vsus, and others; as iust occasion is offered; especially these things are to be done on the Sabbath.
Quest. What are the duties of louelove to be done on the Sabbath in priuate, concerning the good of the bodies of our brethren?
Nehe. 8.12. Mark. 3.3.4.5. Luk. 13.10 to 19. Ioh. 5.8.9. Ioh. 9.14.Answ. They are these; that we visite the sicke, and doe them what good we can; relieue the poore and needy, and such as be in prison, or in any other miserie, according to our abilitie: Christ healed the man that had the withered hand, on the Sabbath: The woman that was crooked or bowed together: The sicke and diseased man, eight and thirty yeeres: The man borne blind.
Quest. What are the duties of louelove, to be done on the Sabbath in priuate, concerning the outward peace of our brethren?
Mat. 5.9. 1 Cor. 6.5.6.Answ. These; that wee endeuour to preserue the good name of our brethren, and labour to reconcile such as be at variance and discord, among themselues: especially this is to be done on the Sabbath.