Gods Holy Mind Touching Matters Moral, Tract 2 · Part 37
And so much touching the labours of our callings that are vsuall. Now to such as are vsed at certaine speciall times of the yeare or monethmonth.
Quest. How is the keeping of an holy rest on the Sabbath, hindered by such workes as are vsed at certaine speciall times, in the yeare or monethmonth?
Answ. Three waies likewise.
Quest. What is the first of those?
Isa. 58.13. Mat. 13.22.Answ. This; When on the Sabbath our mindes and hearts are taken vp with thoughts and cares, about such businesses as fall out at certaine times in the yeare or month; we are thinking how they may be done.
Quest. What is the second of those waies?
Answ. This; when on the Sabbath, wee are talking of such businesses as fall out at certaine times; as of going to Faires, Markets, about Law matters; of Planting,Isa. 58.13. Iam. 4.13. Setting, Sowing, Reaping, Mowing, and such like: especially on the Sabbath.
Quest. What is the third of those waies?
Answ. Thus;Exod 34.21. Nehe. 13.15.16. to 23. when on the Sabbath wee doe such businesses, as fall out at such times; wee take iourneyes, wee goe to Fayres, and there buy and sell: we plant, sette, sowe, reape, mowe, and such like.
Quest. In the time of Haruest, the weather proues catching and vnseasonable; sometimes faire, and sometimes foule, and the Corne is now ready, and if it bee let alone, it is like to be lost and to rotte on the ground: may not men in such a case as this, labour and carry in their Corne on the Sabbath day, prouing fayre?
Answ. No, they may not,Gen. 7.11.12. Gen. 8.2. Iob. 36.27.28. Iob. 37.6.7 Ier. 5.24. because the danger is not present but eminent, it is not yet come, but like to come; and as it is in the Lords hand, and hee can open and shut the windowes of Heauen, and restraine the shewers; and hee sends the former and latter Raine in due season: and therefore men must cast the whole remedie on him: and in Haruest time men must more carefully keepe the Sabbath, then at any other time in the yeare.
Quest. How may it appeare that men are bound to keepe the Sabbath more carefully and conscionably in the time of Haruest, then at any other time?
Answ. By three reasons especially.
Quest: What is the first of those?
Answ. This; In Haruest time men doe most of all toyle, and weary both their owne bodies, and the bodies of their Seruants and Cattle; and they hauehave most neede of rest from their bodily labours on the Sabbath day following: and if then they worke, they deale most vnnaturally with themselues,Exod. 23.2. and iniuriously with their Seruants and Cattle.
Quest: What is the second reason?
Answ. This; The labour of the sixe dayes in Haruest time is so great, that men cannnot conueniently on those daies, giuegive themselues to the duties of Gods worship, either publikely or priuately; and therefore in that season, they are to make more conscience of keeping the Sabbath.
Quest. What is the third reason?
Answ. This; in haruest time, wee are partakers of Gods bounty in a greater measure; and wee reape the fruits of the Earth, more abundantly then at any time of the yeare besides: and wee are then to be most thankefull to God for his blessings.
…biectionSome may say, some kinde of fruit of the earth, for example; Saffron, if it bee not gathered on the day in which it comes forth it perisheth. If then it come on the Sabbath, may it not be gathered on the Sabbath.
Answ. If it bee certainely so as men doe affirme; it may then bee gathered on the Sabbath; these cautions obserued.
1. That as many gather it as can conueniently be gotten, that no publike exercise of Gods worshippe bee omitted.
2. That their mindes be holy and spiritually exercised, that gather it.
3. That they whose fruit it is, testifie that they seeke not their owne gaine in gathering it; but meerely the preseruation of the Creature; by giuing it to the poore, if …hey bee wealthy, or by imparting something of it to their more needy brethren; if they be of meaner condition.
Obiect. The Papists say, such workes may bee done on the Sabbath, as are permi…ted by the Prelates and Ordinaries; and such as by long custome hauehave beene vsed.
Quest. Is this true or no?
Answ. It is false; neither custome, nor authority of man, or Angell, can giuegive libertie for such workes to bee done on the Sabbath,am. 4.12. Mat. 5.18. as are not warranted by the Word of God: the law of God is immutable, therefore none can dispence with it.