Discourses of William Alleine, Discourse 5
THE FIFTH DISCOURSE. Of Sanctifying the Sabbath, or Lord's Day.
ISAIAH lviij.xiij.
If thou turn away thy Foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy Pleaſure on my Holy Day, and call the Sabbath a delight▪ the Holy of the Lord, Honourable, and ſhalt honour him; not doing thine own ways, not finding thine own pleaſure, nor ſpeaking thine own words.
Verſe 14. Then ſhalt thou delight thy ſelf in the Lord, and I will cauſe thee to ride on the high places of the Earth and feed thee with the Heritage of Jacob thy Father: For the mouth of the Lord hath ſpoken it.
THe occaſion of making choice of this Text, is a late Diſcourſe concerning a Reformation, which there is ground to hope there will be in the World, which will be uſher'd in with ſome ſweeping Judgment: and therefore our preſent work is to prepare for a Storm. Many Directions were given how we may prepare for a Storm. The laſt was this: Furniſh your ſelves with thoſe Graces, with which the day of Reformation will flouriſh when it comes. Now of many Graces mentioned which will live in that day, this is one; in that great day when the Church ſhall be glorious, through the deſtruction of Anti-chriſt, by an increaſe of …ight; ſo that the Earth ſhall be filled with the knowledge of the Glory of the Lord, as the Waters cove… …he Sea, and the Spouſe ſhall be prepared as a Bride adorn'd to her Husband; when the Jews ſhall be called and the fulneſs of the Gentiles ſhall come in, and theſe ſhall be filled with all the fulneſs of God; and there ſhall be a Church which ſhall be the fulneſs of him which filleth all in all: In this glorious day the Sabbath ſhall be an Holy and Honourable day in the Churches of Chriſt; and the Duties thereof ſhall be performed with great delight. Now if you wi…l prepare for a Storm, and have ſome h…ding place in the day of the Lord's anger: See that you be found in a ſtrict obſervation of the Lord's day.
Doctrine. When ſu…h a Reformation ſhall come, which ſhall mak… … …hurch glorious on Earth, then ſhall the Sabbath be look'd on by the People of God, as H…ly …nd Hon…urable and ſhall be obſerved as with ver… much ſtrictne s ſo with great delight.
Or in fewer words thus. In the laſt and pureſt of Goſpel time, there …ll be a very ſtrict obſervation of the Sabbath-day, …ich now we call the Lord's day.
Quest. You will ask, what ground there is to conclude this from theſe words.
Anſw. Let the context be well conſidered, and we ſhall ſee a Prophecy of ſuch things, which as yet have not had a full accompliſhment, but ſhall in the l…ſt days. And the obſervation of the Sabbath, is made the condition of the Promiſes here made; if the Sabbath be duly k…pt, then what is promiſed before, and in the Text, ſhall be performed; and if it be ſo then God commands the keeping a Sabbath under the Goſpel. And as there was before, ſo there was when the Law was given on Sinai, a Sabbath given. There remains a Sabbath, a day of holy reſt for the People of God. Let us ſearch this Scripture then, and ſee whether there will not c…me forth of it a Jus Divinum for a Sabbath now under the Goſpel.
The Prophet was ſent to ſhew the Houſe of Jacob their Tranſgreſſions, and in particular to reprove them of their Hypocriſy in the Duties they performed; and eſpecially in their faſting, which was a counterfeit Faſt, and then ſhews them what is the true Faſt, and then makes many gracious Promiſes; which is his uſual method after reproving preſent Evils: he makes Promiſes, which not only had reſpect to preſent times, but chiefly to the times of the Goſpel, as we ſee plainly in the next Chapter. He mentions preſent Sins and preſent Judgments. ver. 16. He complains that no Man did endeavour to ſet things right, and ſo declares the Lord putting on Righteouſneſs, and an Helmet of Salvation, to execute Vengeance on his Enemies: and then the Effect of this, They ſhall fear the Lord from the Weſt. And then the Redeemer ſhall come to Zion. And in this obſerve how ſuddenly he falls into Prophecying of Goſpel times, and the laſt of them. For ſo he doth, as appears, Rom. 11.26. There ſhall come out of Sion the Redeemer, and ſhall turn ungodlineſs from Jacob. Thoſe words are brought in as a Proof for calling the Jews, and bringing in the fulneſs of the Gentiles.
In like manner he doth here; which will the better appear if we conſider the particulars of this Prophecy in this Chapter, which will manifeſt that theſe chiefly reſpect the laſt Goſpel times.
1. See ver. 8. Thy Righteouſneſs ſhall go before Thee, &c. that is, The Lord thy Righteouſneſs, as he is call'd in Jer. 23.6. When we conſider that their Righteouſneſs ſhall go before, that's ſome evidence of this ſenſe as beſt.
Beſides, in what time is it that Christ and the Church of the Jews ſhall be called by this Name? and why? In the place before mentioned it is ſaid: Behold the days come, ſaith the Lord, that I will raiſe unto David a Righteous Branch, and a King ſhall Reign, and proſper, and ſhall Execute Judgment and Juſtice in the Earth. In his days Judah and Iſrael ſhall dwell ſafely. So 'tis to be fulfilled when Iſrael as well as Judah are brought out of bondage: then he ſhall be The Lord our Righteouſneſs. Jer. 33.14. At the ſame time the Church of the Jews ſhall be call'd, the Lord our Righteouſn ſs. So here, Thy Righteouſneſs, that is, the Lord thy Righteouſneſs, &c. So this Prophecy reaches to that time of the Goſpel, when the Jews ſhall be called; eſpecially conſidering what follows, The Glory of the Lord, ſhall be thy Rereward; that is, there ſhall be a time, when the Lord's preſence with, and providence towards his Church, ſhall be as eminently (haply more eminently) on, with, and towards the Jews, than when they came out of Egypt. Then the Lord their Ruler, went before them in a Cloud and Pillar of Fire; and when Pharaoh purſued them, the Cloud and Pillar went behind them; ſo then the Glory of the Lord was their Rereward. And now in this time, not only the Lord as Ruler, not only David their King, but the Lord their Righteouſneſs ſhall go before them, and the Glory of Power and Grace, ſhall be their Rereward.
2. Verſe 10. Then ſhall thy light riſe in obſcurity, and thy darkneſs be as the noon-day. Compare Iſai. 60.1. Thy light is come, the Glory of the Lord is riſen upon thee. One obſerves that the word in the Original is of the Dual number, and ſo tranſlates it, Sicut Duo meridies. As two Noons, as if two Suns ſhould ſhine together: there ſhall be greater light then ever was before. The Lord ſhall appear in greater Glory, ſo that it's no more ſaid, the Lord liveth that brought them up out of Egypt but that brought them out all Lands, Jer. 16.15. which was not fulfilled at their return from Babylon, but muſt be in the laſt days of the Goſpel.
3. Verſe 11. The Lord ſhall guide thee continually, and ſatisfy thy Soul in drought, as he did in the Wilderneſs, and make fat thy bones, and thou ſhalt be like a watered Garden, and like a Spring of Water whoſe Waters fail not. The beſt expoſition is Pſa. 72.7. In his days ſhall the Righteous flouriſh and abundance of Peace as long as the Moon endureth. They ſhall be in a flouriſhing condition; their Souls ſhall wonderfully proſper, their Garden the Paradice of God ſhall yield them Fruit enough. The Tree of Life ſhall yield them all manner of Fruits to nouriſh and refreſh their Souls. And the Waters of life, better than the Jews Honey out of the Rock, ſhall flow abundantly. And obſerve that the flouriſhing ſtate ſhall continue. He ſhall guide thee continually, and Waters f…il thee not. And in the other place, ſo long as the Moon endureth, or till there be no Moon, that is, no change in the Chu…ches Proſperity and Peace. The Moon is often changing, then the l…ght of the Moon ſhall be as the light of the Sun, Iſa. 3….26. That i…, as there ſhall be a greater, ſo a never-failing …ight. Light fails in the Moon, but not in the Sun; Light ſhall not fail, Waters ſhall n…t fail. Now was it thus with the Jews after their return from Babylon? Can we find any thing like a full accompliſhment of this Prophecy? No ce…tainly. We muſt wait for the full accompliſhment of it hereafter.
4. Verſe 12. And they that be of thee ſhall build the old waſte places. The Captiv…ty in Babylon laſted but one Generation, the waſte places thereby could not be very old. Thou ſhall raiſe up the Foundation of many Generations. That is either
1. Which have lain waſte many Generations, much longer then during the Babyloniſh Captivity, ſo had not its full accompliſhment after their return from thence. Or,
2. After their return from Babylon the Foundation of their Temple was laid, and then the work was interrupted, which after ſome Generations was reviv'd, and that Temple built, and the top-ſtone lay'd. So one in anſwer to this under the Goſpel ſays, the Foundation was lay'd by the Apoſtles, but Spiritual Temples have not been built up anſwerable to the Apoſtles Foundation; Satan and the Man of Sin have hindred this work; but at laſt there ſhall be a Temple and glorious Church built upon thoſe Foundations, like to them that were laid by the Apoſtles, and the top-ſtone ſhall be laid, crying to it, Grace▪ Grace. The Grace that ſhall appear to be in it, ſhall make to cry Grace, Grace to it.
3. Calvin gives the ſence thus, We may refer it to the times to come, thou ſhalt raiſe up the Foundations that ſhall continue very long, &c. As if he had ſaid, other Buildings have not long continued as the Temple, &c. but this ſhall continue many Ages. It hath been but a day of ſmall things with the Church; yet theſe ſmall things, ſmall Aſſemblies, and the ſmall numbers of witneſſes have continued in all Ages ſince the Apoſtles: much more that large and glorious Temple and City of God, which is to be built up, will continue many Generations, till at laſt it will be tranſlated into Heaven, when as before Chriſt preſented it to himſelf a glorious Church, ſo at laſt he ſhall preſent it to the Father, when he ſhall deliver up the Kingdom to him, and God will be All in All.
5. There is more yet in this Verſe, Th…u ſhalt be call d the Repairer of the breaches, the reſtorer of the Paths to dwell in. All breaches made in the Church, either by the Perſecution and Violence of Enemies, or by the Saints diviſions, ſhall be made up. And the Restorer of Paths to dwell in. By Paths we are to underſtand the ways of God's Commands and Ordinances, the way of Divine worſhip inſtituted by God. And all ways and paths of will-worſhip, made and invented by Men (Anti-chriſtian Paths) ſhall be for ever forſaken. And the Paths of the Apoſtles and Primitive Chriſtians, which they walk't in, ſhall be perfectly reſtored to the Church, which for a long time the Man of Sin hath hedged up. Compare with this Ezek. 43.11. Shew them the form of the Houſe, and the faſhion thereof, and the goings out thereof, and the comings in thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the Ordinances, Forms, and Laws, that they may keep the whole Form thereof, and all the Ordinances thereof. The meaning is, the paths of the Temple, the goings out, and comings in ſhall be reſtored, and be as well known to the Saints as the ways are now to the places of meeting, and they ſhall walk freely in them.
Laſtly. Obſerve the expreſſion, they ſhall dwell in theſ… paths, they ſhall continue and abide in them, they ſhall not turn out of them to the Right-hand, or to the Left-hand, but as Iſa. 30.21. Thou ſhalt hear a Voice behind thee, ſaying, this is the way, walk in it, when thou ſhalt be ready to (or ſhould without this Voice) be turned to the Right-hand or Left. See what theſe paths are Iſa. 38.8. where is a Prophecy of Chriſt's Kingdom. An high way, and a way it ſhall be called, the way of Holyneſs, the unclean ſhall not paſs over it. No Prophane or Hypocritical Perſons, for they are moſt unclean, and within are like Painted Sepulchres, but it ſhall be to thoſe, The Reading in the Margin is very conſiderable, for he ſhall be with them, the unclean ſhall not be there, becauſe the Lord ſhall be with them there, as before the Lord their Righteouſneſs, the wayfaring men tho' Fools ſhall not err therein. Tho' in themſelves Fools without Divine teaching, yet being taught of God they ſhall not err. Verſe 9. No Lyon ſhall be there, nor any Ravenous Beaſt ſhall go up thereon. None to affright them out of thoſe Paths, but the Redeemed ſhall walk there, and as here, Dwell there. They ſhall be Pillars in the Temple of God, and go no more cut, Rev. 3.12. We read of lively Stones, 1 Pet. 20.4. made ſo by coming to Chriſt the living Stone; ſo are Saints the Materials of the Church, Stones, but living Stones, ſeeing Stones; upon one Stone was Seven Eyes, Zech. 3.9. So hearing Stones, ſpeaking Stones, and walking Stones: ſo theſe Pillars ſhall be lively Pillars, walking Pillars, going in the Houſe of God, but never going out of its Paths, they ſhall be Paths to dwell in.
6. Verſe 14. I will cauſe thee to ride upon the high places of the Earth, thou ſhalt get above all former troubles and Perſecutions. Rev. 17.7. The Woman, the Mother of Harlots hath a Beaſt carrying her, on which ſhe rides, having Seven Heads and Ten Horns, and this Woman, Verſe 15. Sitteth on People, Multitudes, Nations and Tongues, on theſe ſhe rides, they carry her, and on thoſe ſhe rides over the Saints, and treads them down who are the true worſhippers, and rides over their backs. This Woman rides upon the High places, and High Perſons of the Earth, which carry this Woman, giving up their ſtrength and power to the Beast, which is called before the Woman; here's a Beaſt riding over the true worſhippers, whoſe condition is ſuitable to what is ſaid, Iſa. 51.23. They ſaid to thy Soul bow down that we may go over, and thou haſt laid thy Body as the ground, and as the ſtreet to them that went over. The great Whore ſays to the Soul, bow down; and would have them ſubmit their Souls and Conſciences to her, and to receive her Doctrine, Commands, &c. But obſerve, when Souls are call'd for, the Saints will not yield them to bow down; but thou haſt laid thy Body as the ground. Saints chuſe to have their Bodies trodden down, rather then to bow down to an Idol with their Souls. This hath been long the condition of the true witneſſes, and ſo will whilſt the Woman rides; but what is ſaid there? I will take the Cup of trembling out of thy hands, and put it into the hands of them that af…ict thee, which ſay thus to thy Soul. Obſerve Rev. 17.16. The Ten Horns, that is, the Ten Kings that give up their power and ſtrength to the Beaſt, ſhall hate the Whore, ſhall throw off their Rider, and ſhall make her deſolate, and naked, and eat her Fleſh, and burn her with Fire. And then ſhall the true Church ride upon the High places, and be above former troubles. How was this fulfilled to the Jews after their return from Babylon, when they were ſubject to their Enemies, and had ſeldom any breathing time from their troubles? Doubtleſs then this Prophecy looks far beyond theſe times.
7. 'Tis Promiſed and Prophecied, I will feed thee with the Heritage of Jacob thy Father.
Q How doth this prove that this Prophecy reſpects Goſpel-times, and in ſpecial thoſe times when the Jews ſhall be called?
Anſ. Thus. When the Jews came out of Babylon it was but Judah that returned: And ſo one upon the place, who would underſtand it only of the Jews returning from Babylon, ſtraitens the ſence thus: The Heritage here meant is the land of Canaan, part of which was the Land of Judah: and ſo when 'tis ſaid, to ride upon the High places of the Earth, by Earth in general, ſaith he, we are to underſtand the Land of Judah in particular. But, obſerve, the promiſe is, I will feed th…e with the Heritage of Jacob thy Father, and it was the whole Land of Canaan was Jacob's Inheritance, and ſo the Promiſe of being fed thus, includes the calling and bringing back of the Ten Tribes, when the ſtick of Joſeph and Judah ſhall become one: Jacob gave all his Sons an Inheritance in Canaan, and now when this Prophecy ſhall be fulfilled, then all the Tribes ſhall be called, and have their Lot as is fore-told, Ezek ult.
Now obſerve, as it appears that theſe Promiſes have reſpect to the Goſpel times, ſo the condition of them is a ſtrict obſervation of the Sabbath-day under the Goſpel. And ſo in this Prophecy of the Old Teſtament, we find a Jus Divinum for the Chriſtian Sabbath, which may well go under its old and firſt Name, though another alſo be given it under the New Teſtament; The Lord's day, which now we are to obſerve by vertue of the Fourth Commandment, tho' the day be changed, and the Fourth Commandment does require us now to obſerve the firſt day of the week, that being made a Chriſtian-Sabbath by divine appointment; as much as it did the Jews to obſerve the ſeventh day, which may be cleared by an Inſtance in the Second Commandment, which hath a negative part, not to make any graven Image, forbidding Men to inſtitute, and appoint ways of Divine Worſhip; and an affirmative part, requiring us to worſhip God in theſe ways, and in the uſe of theſe Ordinances which he hath commanded. So under the Law the Second Command did bind Men, to obſerve the Ordinances of Circumciſion, the Paſſover▪ and offering Sacrifices. And now under the Goſpel, it bind us to obſerve Goſpel Ordinances, as Baptiſm, the Lord's Supper, &c. But the Second Commandment remains the ſame, only hath different reſpects: ſo the Fourth from the beginning, and under the Law did oblige to the obſerving of the ſeventh day, and now the firſt day; yet the Command is in matter the ſame; there's no change in the Command, only it hath different reſpects.
Queſt. How doth this change appear? and how will it be made out, that Chriſt commanded the obſervation of the firſt day?
Anſw. It's evident there was Apoſtolical and Chriſtian practice of it in the Primitive times, and ſo ever ſince; then were the ſolemn meettings for Worſhip. Act. 20.7. Upon the firſt day of the week, when the Diſciples came together to break Bread, Paul Preached unto them till midnight. And then Collections were made for the Poor. 1 Cor. 16.2. As on the firſt day of the w…ek when Chriſt roſe, the Diſciples were aſſembled, Jeſus came and ſtood in the midſt of them; ſo from this time, this was kept as the Christian-Sabbath; and it may be well thought that Chriſt commanded the Apoſtles to obſerve it, Act. 1.2, 3. Christ gave Commands by the Holy Ghoſt unto the Apostles, and ſpake of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God. Now this is a great thing that pertains to the Kingdom of God upon Earth; or if Chriſt did not then, yet after by the Holy Ghoſt in the Apoſtles he gave this Command.
And that a Chriſtian Sabbath is now to be kep… by Divine Inſtitution, may be gathered.
1. From Mark. 2.27. The Sabbath was made for Man, and not Man for the Sabbath. ver. 28 For the Son of Man alſo is Lord of the Sabbath-day. I gather this hence, Man did need a Sabbath, and it was given to Man becauſe he doth ſtand in need of it; Men do need and cannot be without it▪ therefore the Son of Man who is Lord of the Sabbath, muſt give him a Sabbath, God ſhall ſupply all your need, Phil. 4.19. If Chriſt did not, then he was not ſo faithful as Moſes; he gave a Command for a Sabbath, becauſe the Jews did want it: therefore it is not to be queſtioned, but that Chriſt gave a Command for the Chriſtian-Sabbath. Let this then be well conſidered, the Sabbath was made for Man's benefit, for his good; and he ſo needed it, that he can't well be without it: and Chriſt being Head, will give what the Members do need; the Lord will give what the Servants do need; the Husband will give what the Spouſe ſhall need.
2. When it was given Adam in Innocency, 'twas made for Adam's good, and becauſe he ſtood in need of it; and if Adam in Innocency did need a Sabbath, do not we much more now? that we may the better recover what was loſt by the fall.
3. It was made for the Jews, this was one of their advantages. Rom. 3.1, 2. What advantage had the Jews? Much every way, they had Oracles, and the word of God, they had his Laws. Pſa. 147. He dealt not ſo with other Nations; and in particucular the Law of the Sabbath was a great advantage, and as much profit in it. Now if Chriſtians under the Goſpel ſhould not have a Sabbath given them▪ than the advantages of the Law were above the advantages of the Goſpel; and the profit which the Jews had, beyond the profit of Chriſtians; whereas the advantages of the Goſpel, are beyond the advantages of the Law; the miniſtration whereof exceeds in Glory, in Profit, and Advantage.
Queſt. How was the Sabbath made for Man?
Anſw. 1. For man to reſt in, for the reſt of his Body from labour; and of his mind from thoughts, care and ſtudy about his worldly Affairs.
2. 'Tis for Man that he may ſet himſelf in a more ſolemn, and ſerious manner to praiſe the Lord for the great work of Redemption by Chriſt. i. e. the work of the new Creation begun, and for the works of Providence. Sabbath work is the work of Heaven, begun on Earth. It was made for Adam, that on the ſeventh day he might contemplate and praiſe God for the work of the ſix days; and he was to think on God manifeſt in the Creatures, a…d to ſee the inviſible things of God, his Eternal Power and Godhead in the things that were made. The Chriſtian-Sabbath is made for the Saints to contemplate the great Myſtery of Godlineſs, God manifeſt in the Fleſh, &c. As Man was Redeemed, Quickened, Called, Sanctified, that he might be to the Praiſe of the Glory of his Grace, and to ſhew forth the Vertues of him that died and roſe again, &c. So this is the day the Lord hath made for the ſolemn Performance of this work.
3. 'Tis for a Man to gather Manna for the ſix Days. The Jews were to gather Manna for the body on the ſixth day for the ſeventh, we on the Sabbath for the ſix days; this is a day to trade for the Soul, to buy of Chriſt Gold, white Raiment and Eye-ſalve, and to be digging for Wiſdom, and to ſearch out for hid Treaſures. As God hath given Apoſtles, and Prophets for the w…rk of the Miniſtry, for edifying the body of Chriſt, ſo a day alſo for the work of the Miniſtry, for the edifying the Body of Chriſt; and to continue with the Miniſtry, till we all come in the unity of Faith, and knowledge of the Son of God. Eph. 4.13.
Thus you ſee the Sabbath is made for Man, for his uſe, good, and benefit, and he can't be without it: his Body and Soul need it, and Chriſt is Lord of the Sabbath; and it being ſo neceſſary for them, he would make a Sabbath for them, and not make it void. He came not to deſtroy, but to eſtabliſh the Law. Math. 5.17.
The next thing to be handled is, that there ought to be (and when the Church ſhall be Gloririous in the World, there will be) a ſtrict obſervation of the Sabbath. As appears in this place.
1. If thou turn away thy Foot from the Sabbath-day, to unlawful Works, to ſinful Company, not go any unneceſſary Journeys, or to Sports, and Recreations; you muſt not walk your own Steps, as well as not ſpeak your own Words. Now there is more underſtood when there is leſs ſpoken; as thou must turn away thy Foot, ſo the Hands, the Eyes, the Ears from the Sabhath-day: the Hands from the works of thy Calling, the Eyes from the delightful beholding of Earthly things, the Ears from hearing vain Diſcourſes and Talks about worldly matters, Men's own words. Likewiſe the Feet of the Soul, as thoughts and affections; with theſe Feet many Souls, many times travel on the Sabbath, as the Devil doth, that is, to walk to and fro in the Earth, and by obſerving lying Vanities, (to allude to that in Jonah) forſake th …r own Mercies. Now as Solomon exhorts, keep thy Foot when thou goeſt into the Houſe of God. Keep your Feet when the Sabbath comes, and turn not theſe away from it; let not theſe be Inſtruments of Prophanation on the Sabbath-day.
2. Turn from doing thy Pleaſure, ſelf-pleaſing works, are Sabbath prophaning works. God's pleaſure is to be fulfilled then altogether, and nothing of our own pleaſure is to be done in that time; all bodily Recreations are forbidden, all works tending to our worldly profit are unlawful, for we muſt deny our ſelves in point of Pleaſure, and ſo alſo in point of Profit.
3. Not finding thy own ways. Moſt properly the works of Men's Callings are their own ways: Let every Man abide in his Calling; the works of our Calling are our own works, theſe muſt not be done on the Sabbath-day, they are the works of the ſix days.
4. Not finding thine own Pleaſure. As we muſt not ſet our ſelves to ſelf-pleaſing works, ſo if any pleaſurable Objects are preſented and come in your way, you muſt not find them, that is, you ſhould not take notice of them, nor regard them: If they find you and tempt you, do not you find them. Satan lays matter of Pleaſures in your way, but do not find and take it up.
5. Nor ſpeaking your own words. Such words as you may ſpeak at other times: we ought not to be ſpeaking of worldly Matters: what we muſt not do, what we muſt not find pleaſure in, that we muſt not talk of: as we muſt not work, ſo we muſt not talk of work, we muſt not Buy, Sell, Plow, &c. ſo we muſt not talk of theſe things on the Sabbath; 'tis prophane and prophaning talk.
This is the negative part, ſhewing what is forbidden. Next is the affirmative part,
1. Call the Sabbath a delight. The Jews did bear burdens on the Sabbath, and thereby prophaned it; many there are, who if they bear no burden on their backs, yet when they are engag'd in Sabbath-work bear burdens on their Hearts. The Sabbath it ſelf is a burden; theſe do but prophane the Sabbath, to whom Sabbath-Duties are a burden. This is Evangelical, True, Spiritual keeping a Sabbath, to call it a delight. Pſa. 43.4. I will go to the Altar of God, unto God my exceeding Joy. So when you go about Sabbath-work, and come to Ordinances, your aim ſhould be to have Communion with God, and to meet with him, to worſhip him, and to receive Bleſſings from him, that you may be able to ſay; I will go to God my exceeding Joy. Call Sabbath-work, as well as Sabbath-bleſſings, Sabbath-profit, Sabbath-advantages a delight. Delight to do the Will of God, as well as delight in the Mercies he beſtows upon you. If you will remember the Sabbath to keep it Holy, you muſt remember it, and call it a delight: and not only call it a delight, but let it be ſo indeed; and then your keeping of the Sabbath is the delight of God.
2. The Holy of the Lord. 1. Made Holy by the Lord's Inſtitution. If you obſer… a Sabbath as Commanded by Men only, or as … ving but the ſtamp of Humane Authority that …s bu… the Holy of Men; but ſee the ſtamp of Divine Auth…rity, and look on the Sabbath as being from Heaven, and not of Men. Honour Chriſt as Lord of … Sabbath. 2. And made Holy to the Lord, to his Praiſe and Glory, made for Holy Work and that for this High and Holy End, to Glorify God.
3. Honourable. It hath been diſhonoured, and made contemptible by Men that have denied the Divine Right thereof; and Men have been made Lords of it, and many make themſelves Lords of it, doing and finding their own Pleaſure, and ſo make void this Law to themſelves: But as God will have a time to magnify his whole Law, and make it Honourable; ſo this of the Sabbath. Iſa. 42.21. Thus you ſee with how much ſtrictneſs and ſpirituality the Sabbath ought to be kept.
As there was an outward ſtrictneſs required of the Jews for its obſervation, beyond what is now, as for not kindling a Fire, &c. ſo this was a type of that ſpiritual ſtrictneſs here foretold, which ſhould be under the Goſpel in the obſervation of it: God forbad the kindling a fire on the Hearth. That was a Type to ſhew that we ſhould not kindle a fire of worldly Luſts in your Hearts, nor warm your ſelves with any delightful thoughts of any matter of Profit or Pleaſure, &c. and this reaſon may be given, why God ſhould forbid the kindling of Fire to the Jews. God dealt with the Jews as a Soveraign, and many things that were commanded was to declare his Soveraignty, and to prove them whether they would be obedient to him. So was the multitude of the Sacrifices and Oblations; and ſo this command for not kindling a fire, muſt be to declare his Soveraignty. But under the Goſpel 'tis a time to declare his Kindneſs and Love, his abundant Grace, after that the Kindneſs, and love of God appeared towards Man. Tit. 3.4. Now God will have Mercy and not Sacrifice: In this ſenſe, that he will declare his Soveraignty, but will deal in a more gracious and merciful way; as all Providences, So all Ordinances and Commands are full of Grace. Obſerve, when God proclaims his Name before Moſes, Exod. 34.6. 'tis thus, The Lord, the Lord God, gracious and merciful, &c. And that will not clear the Guilty. We may take notice of three branches of this Name of God, which have reſpect to three different times, for the more convenient manifeſtation of them; not but that all of them are manifeſted enough at all times.
1. The Lord. So the time of the Law was for the manifeſtation of this branch of God's Name.
2. The Lord gracious and merciful, long-ſuffering abundant in goodneſs; ſo the accepted time, and day of Salvation under the Goſpel, is the time for the manifeſtation hereof.
3. 3. That will not clear the guilty. Now the day of Judgment will be the time for the manifeſtation of this part of God's Name. Thoſe that come in their guilt before him, ſhall feel the power of that wrath which now perhaps they little fear.
Quest. If the Sabbath be to be kept with ſo much ſtrictneſs, Who then can keep a Sabbath?
Anſw. 1. This is the Law, and thus it ought to be, though we cannot come up to that ſtrictneſs, and ſpirituality which we ought to do.
2. The Will and Deſire ſhould be as exact as is commanded, and ſhould beget in you your utmoſt endeavour and care, and then ſhall you be accepted.
3. Call it Holy and Honourable, a delight. Be ſound in your Principles, ſet your Seal to the truth of it. 1. Call it ſo in your Judgment, and inward Conviction, or Aſſent and Conſent. 2. Call it ſo in word, Juſtify it as the Holy of the Lord, ſpeak Honorably of it and for it. 3. Call it ſo in your works; do that which may honour the day, and the Lord in keeping it. When we conſider the high degree of exactneſs, and ſpirituality, which there ought to be in keeping a Sabbath, which is here laid down, it much confirms the Interpretation of extending this to Goſpel times, and to the laſt and beſt times of the Goſpel: in which, as God will liberally fulfil promiſes, ſo he will in ſuch a meaſure give his Spirit, that the Saints ſhall more liberally fulfil this and other Commands; when as all the Law, ſo this of the Sabbath ſhall be written in the Heart. God will have a time to make Men more Holy and obedient, more agreeable to his Laws, both for ſubſtance and circumſtance, matter and manner; and it ſhall bear much more proportion and run more parallel with his Laws then hitherto. Thus much I can boldly affirm, haply more, Conſider Pſal. 102.18. This ſhall be written for the Generations to come, and the People that ſhall be created ſhall praiſe the Lord, or the new ercated People, &c. As this ſtrict injunction binds always, and makes it our Duty to keep a Sabbath: ſo the new created People, the Saints of the new Heaven and Earth ſhall praiſe the Lord, they ſhall obſerve it in this manner, &c. when the Divine Nature ſhall deeply overſpread all their Faculties, when the Saints in Duties ſhall fly on the wings of the Spirit, and ſhew the vigour of the new Nature, which is part of that day of Reformation: then will ſomething be done to purpoſe, as in all other Chriſtian Duties, ſo in this of turning away thy Foot, &c. Rev. 22.3. The Throne of God and of the Lamb ſhall be in it, and his Servants ſhall ſerve him. Then they ſhall ſerve him, and not their Enemies any more; and they ſhall ſerve him in-deed. Now his Servants in name do ſerve other Lords, Hypocrites go for the Servants of God: but then his Servants ſhall ſerve him. All Servants in name ſhall ſerve him indeed, that is, all ſhall ſerve him in ſincerity, ſo his Servan…s ſhall ſerve him throughly and to purpoſe. 'Tis ſo little Service that God hath now from his Servants, that they can hardly be ſaid to ſerve him: but when they are before the Throne of the Lamb, then ſhall Chriſt have abundantly more Service from his Saints. As there ſhall be more light, more warm Affections, heat of Love in a high degree, So there ſhall be much better Service.
Queſt. Shall there be a keeping of a Sabbath in the new Jeruſalem? the Holy City? 'tis ſaid thus, no Temple there, no Sun nor Moon. No Ordinances, becauſe the preſence of the Lamb ſhall ſupply them, and ſo make them uſeleſs; and if no Ordinances, then no Firſt-day-Sabbath, but every day a Sabbath.
Anſw. We muſt diſtinguiſh between the Holy City, New Jeruſalem, and the Nations of them that ſhall be ſaved and ſhall walk in the light of it, Rev. 21.24. Who bring their Gl…ry, and Honour into it, mentioned Chap. 20.9. That is, the Nations of them that ſhall be ſaved in the time of the Thouſand Years, as it is the ſame word which is uſed for the Congregation of Iſrael when they went out of Egypt, travelling towards Canaan; In like manner in the time of the Thouſand Years, beſides the beloved City there will be a Camp of Saints, there will be ſaved Nations, called and converted, then travelling towards the Holy City. The Law ſhall go forth from Sion, and the w…rd of the Lord from Jeruſalem. And they do walk in this light towards it. Now in the beloved City Ordinances ceaſe, and the keeping of one day in ſeven ceaſes: but in the Camp of the Saints, &c. amongſt the Nations ſaved and walking in the light of the New Jeruſalem, there will be Ordinances, and the keeping of the Sabbath in manner as is here preſcribed.
Uſes. If there ought to be ſo ſtrict an obſervation of the Sabbath day: then, how ſhort do men come of the keeping of it! Where are the Perſons to be found that walk on the Sabbath according to this Rule?
1. How looſe are ſome in their Principles, in writing and ſpeaking againſt a Divine Inſtitution of it, as if there were not ground for the keeping of it, but from Cuſtom and the Commands of Men; and ſo it ſhall be but the Holy of Men, and not the Holy of the Lord: whereas this is that which makes it H nourable, and is the ground why we ſhould call it Honourable, becauſe it hath the ſtamp of Divine Authority upon it. And it's Chriſt that is the Lord of it, and not Man.
2. And what looſneſs is in the practice of almoſt all? Who be they that turn their Feet, the Feet of the Body and Soul from it? Where are any to be found that do not find their pleaſure, and ſpeak their own words? &c.
2. Learn what reaſon there is to long for that glorious Reformation which ſhall be in the World. As the Creatures groan to be delivered for the bondage of Corruption, and from being in ſuch bondage to Men's luſts, who do abuſe them ſo much to the diſhonour of God, and make them the matter of Sin: So thoſe that have the firſt fruits of the Spirit, ſhould groan within themſelves, waiting for the Adoption. That is, as they that believe have the power of Sons, ſo they ſhould wait for the Inheritance of Sons, and long to have more of the Spirit of Sons, that thereby they may be enabled as in their whole courſe to carry themſelves as Sons towards their Heavenly Father: So on the Lord's day they may come before the Lord in that Holy, Spiritual, and Heavenly frame which is here required. What a bleſſed time will that be, when he that is feeble and fails ſo much in Duties, ſhall be as David, the Man after God's own heart, doing all his will? Chriſt adviſed the Jews to pray that their flight might not he on the Sabbath-day. Many times there is flying on the Sabbath-day, and this is ſad times: Sometimes there is flying from Meetings, flying from Duties for fear of Enemies; and too often our Hearts on that day are flying away from God, and the duties of his worſhip; upon the wings of worldly thoughts and affections. A happy time will it be with the Saints, when there ſhall be no flying on the Sabbath, no flying upon the wings of fear, nor no flying upon the wings of worldly love: but then David's wiſh ſhall be fulfilled to thoſe that ſhall ſerve the Lord, and David their King, and fear the Lord and his goodneſs. They ſhall have the wings of the Dove, wherewith they ſhall fly to the Holy, Spiritual, Soul-refreſhing reſt of the Sabbath, and fly to Heaven to the Throne of God and the Lamb, &c.
Uſe. 2. Exhortation. Let that Holy, Spiritual Strict Obſervation of the Sabbath, which ſhall be hereafter, be your pattern now.
1. It will be a good evidence of your being in Covenant, and of the truth and reality of Grace, when you can thus holily and ſpiritually keep a Sabbath to the Lord. This is the Man that is likely to perform the duties of his Calling on other days, to the honour of the Lord: he will work, he will Buy and Sell, he will Plow and Sow, he will Eat and drink to the honour of God; and he will be careful that his buſineſs in the World be acted in Religion, Iſa. 56.1, 2. Keep Judgment, do Juſtice. Keep the Sabbath from polluting it. The former comprehends the duties of the Second Table, the latter the duties of the Firſt. So neceſſary is it to the right worſhipping of God, to keep a Sabbath, that this is put for, and made comprehenſive of all the duties of God's worſhip.
2. Thus ſhall you be the better prepared for a Storm. For as here are Promiſes of being above troubles, of riding on the High places of the Earth, &c. So hence you may conclude you ſhall have protection under trouble. The true worſhippers who worſhip God in Spirit, and rejoyce in Chriſt Jeſus, may have great confidence, and peace in their hearts in ſuch a day, Pſa. 27.4, 5. One thing have I deſired of the Lord, &c. In the time of trouble he ſhall hide me in his Pavillion, in the ſecret of his Tabernacle, &c. Thoſe that come to his pavillion-love, to be where God is, and to be near him, and to have communion with him, &c. When the Woman is in the Wilderneſs, ſhe is nouriſhed there, and when a ſtream comes and the Dragon caſts out a flood out of his Mouth to ſwallow her up, the Earth ſhall help her: this is the Storm falling on the Remnant of the Woman's ſeed, during the time of the witneſſes lying dead, Rev. 11. and 12. being compared 'twill appear that, thoſe keeping the Commandments of God and teſtimony of Jeſus, are Heirs of thoſe Promiſes that are made of the Spirit of Life to enter into the witneſſes, which ſhall make them ſtand upon their Feet. Theſe ſhall aſcend in a Cloud, and be above the Earth-quake, and ſo in this great Storm be preſerved as ſeed of that Glory which ſhall follow to the Church.
3. This is ſome ground to hope that God hath ſome ſpecial favour for England, becauſe the Sabbath hath been called the Holy of the Lord and Honourable, more here than in any other Nation. And ſo to ſtreng…hen thi… Hope, be the more zealous of a ſ…rict obſ…rv…tion of it. Here the Doctrine of the Sabbath hath been better taught, and a ſtrict of ſ…lvation of it hath been enjoyned, cou…tenanc'd and encouraged by Humane Laws; and the prophan…tion of it hath been made puniſh…ble, and although the beſt have come too far ſhort of what is here required, yet a generation ha…h been here, coming nearer to this pattern than other Churches abroad have done: a…d God ha…h ſaid, them that Honour me, I will honour. God will have a day to honour thoſe that honour him on his day. I will make thee to ride upon the High …laces of the Earth.
4. Make the Sabbath a delight, and then God himſelf will be your d…light. Delight your ſelves in the Lord's work, delight your ſelves in the Law, and ſo you ſhall in the Lord's favour, in the Light of his Countenance: if Grace be put in your Hearts, ſo that you delight to Honour God, then gladneſs ſhall be put in your Hearts, more than when their Corn, and Wine, and Oyl increaſed. Thus you may delight in him in trouble, our rejoycing is the Teſtimony of our Conſcience; a good Conſcience witneſſing our Sincerity towa…ds God in worſhipping him, is a continual Feaſt. Thus you ſhall delight in him, in a ſtate above troubles, and ſhall go to God your exceeding Joy, and ſhall enter into the Joy of the Lord, and the Lord himſelf ſhall be your Joy.
1. Then you ſhall delight in God more clearly manifeſting himſelf, and better known. The Earth ſhall be full of the Knowledge of the Glory of the Lord. And there ſhall be none to hurt you for end…avouring to know him. The Glory of the Lord ſhall be revealed and all Fleſh ſhall ſee it, Iſa. 40.5 i. e. His love bet…er known. As now 'tis ſhed abroad in the heart; ſo then it ſhall be ſhining upon the Perſon. The Church at laſt ſhall be a Philadelphia. Christ mentions not any thing that he had againſt that Church; a Type (haply) it was of the Glorious Church in the day of Reformation. Now what ſays Chriſt of that? Rev. 3.9. I will make them of the Synagogue of Satan to come and worſhip before thy Feet; and to know that I have loved thee, and if they indeed, then much more the Saints themſelves ſhall know that they are beloved of God: and ſo delight themſelves in the Lord.
2. They ſhall delight themſelves in the works and ways of God towards them. The Providences of God ſhall be all delightſome Providences. Not good diſpenſed in and by Evil, but good apart from evil: A… Iſrael ſhall dwell al…ne, ſo good ſhall come alone, and not evil with it. Then God's works ſhall be like his thoughts, of good and not of evil, to grant an expected end So his works are good and there's no afflicting evil in them, and God will give the Saints their expected end, that is, what from his word they did expect to be accompliſh'd here in the World, not the laſt and utmoſt end, that is, fulneſs of Joy in Heaven.
1. The groaning Creature ſhall have its expected end, the liberty of the Sons of God, in which its Liberty is wrapt up. Then upon all ſhall be written, Holineſ to the Lord; and not be then the Luſts of the Fleſh, tho Luſt of the Eye, and the Pride of Life, as all in the World is ſo now: Men luſt after Worldly Pleaſures, and ſatisfy their Luſts with them; the Voluptuous Man doth ſo, and the Glutton and Drunkard; The Luſts of the Eye being coveted by an Evil Covetuouſneſs. The Covetous Man makes his Riches the Luſts of his Eye; and the Pride of Life, Men that have much are uſually proud of it. This is the Creature's bondage and burden to be ſo, but then the Sons of God that poſſeſs and uſe them well, will honour God with their Subſtance, their Fields are like thoſe of Canaan, Fields of Offerings; they ſhall Conſecrate their gain to the Lord, &c. when thus the Creature ſhall have its expected end.
2. The groaning Saint and Servant of God ſhall have his expected end, the Adoption, the Redemption of his Body. They ſhall ſit under their Vines and none make them afraid, and ſtand before the Lord, &c. and ſhall have Peace flowing in like a River; and Grace flowing in abundantly. I wil pour out a Spirit of Grace and Supplication: Now 'tis but dropt out upon the Saints, then it ſhall be poured out. As Chriſt was anointed with the Oyl of Gladneſs above his Fellows; ſo the Saints ſhall be anointed with the Oyl of Gladneſs above their Fore-Fathers, with the Oyl of Grace and Gladneſs above them.
5. Thus ſhall they be fed with the Heritage of Jacob their Father.
What is that?
1. God himſelf was Jacob's Heritage, as he ſaid to Abraham, he would be his exceeding great Reward: ſo Rev. 21.3. I will be with them, and be their God, for they ſhall be ſatisfied with favour.
2. Canaan the Land flowing with Milk and Honey, was Jacob's Heritage; and what was Typed out hereby will be given to the Church, and is meant Deut. 32.13. He made him ride on the High places of the Earth, that he might Eat the encreaſe of the Field; and he made him ſuck Honey out of the Rock, &c. Butter of Kine, Milk of Sheep fat of Lambs, the fat of Kidneys of Wheat; Thou didſt drink the pure Blood of the Grape; theſe were a Type of Chriſt, and that fulneſs of Grace and Glory that is in him. There is Honey and Oyl out of this Rock, Righteouſneſs and Peace, the Joys of the Holy Ghoſt, the ſubſtance of that ſhadow, fat of Lambs, Kidneys of Wheat. He is the Bread of Life, and h… the pure Blood of the Grape. Christ will feaſt them at his Table, in his Kingdom. Chriſt himſelf, his Grace and Glory, the bleſſings of his Kingdom, Righteouſneſs, Peace and the Joys of the Holy Ghoſt, is the Heritage of the Saints, and this they ſhall be fed with. Jacob had an Inheritance, viz. Canaan, but there were times when he was not fed with his Heritage; as 1. when he fled from his Brother Eſau, who threatned to be avenged on him, and to kill him: then he was forc'd from his Heritage, and not fed with it: and 2: When there was a Famine in the Land of Canaan, then his Heritage failed him, and he went down into Egypt to be fed there. But there ſhall be a time when the true Iſrael of God ſhall not only have, but be fed with their Heritage, their Heritage ſhall not fail them. There is no Famine of Bread in the true Canaan, Bread ſhall be given them; and their Waters ſure. There ſhall be no prophane, perſecuting Perſon, as Eſau to make them fly from it.
6. A Sabbath rightly kept is as the Gates of Heaven, as Jacob ſaid of Bethel, this is the Gates of Heaven. The Reſt of the Sabbath is a figure of the Reſt of Heaven, and of Chriſt's Kingdom. The work of the Sabbath is a figure of the work of Heaven; the Joy in communion with God, taſting in his Ordinances that the Lord is gracious, is the firſt Fruits of the Joys of Heaven. Heb. 4.4, 5. He ſpeaks of the Seventh day, God did rest then from all his works, and in this place, if they ſhall enter into my reſt. Obſerve. Thoſe that keep a Sabbath aright to the Lord, do enter into the reſt of the Lord: they reſt from their own work, and refreſh themſelves in the Lord. v. 9. There remaineth a reſt, or Sabbatiſm to the People of God, that is, a day to reſt in, and rejoyce in the Lord, and honour him, and this is the figure of the Eternal reſt the Saints have in Heaven.
Directions for a Goſpel keeping of a Sabbath.
To what was ſpoken before from the Text let the 92 Pſalm be added, where we have a pattern and directory for it. The Title of it being, A Pſalm for the Sabbath-day.
1. God is to be praiſed for making us glad through his work. v. 4. It's a good thing to give thanks, &c. to ſhew forth his loving kindneſs and faithfulneſs; his loving kindneſs in giving Chriſt to be made Fleſh, and Sin, a Curſe, &c. Thou Lord haſt made me glad through thy works, through the work of Redemption, Juſtification, Sanctification. Our own works make us ſad; when we think of them, 'tis with grief and Godly ſorrow: but thy works, &c. The works of the Redeemer, fulfilling Righteouſneſs, making his Soul an offering for Sin, and making Interceſſion, changing me into thine Image, theſe make me glad. I will triumph in thy works. I am aſhamed of mine own works, but I will glory in thine; I am aſhamed of mine own Righteouſneſs, which is as filthy Rags, but I will triumph in Christ's which is moſt perfect and glorious. I truſt not to my own works, but I truſt in thine, and not only truſt but triumph in them, over Sin, Satan, Death and Hell. How great are thy works, and thy thoughts are very deep! We ſhould not only take a ſl…ght view, but have very ſerious thoughts of them, and be much in meditating on them. As the Angels deſire to look into them, and with a holy admiration of them; Such Knowledge is too wonderful for me, &c. When Christ took not on him the Nature of Angels, but the Seed of Abraham, and took Sin upon him, and ſo loved us as to give himſelf to ſuffer Death; and paſſing by many, ſo loved me as to give his Spirit to quicken me when I was dead in Sins, and to prepare me unto Glory, what a great work is this? Now it is proper for the Sabbath to ceaſe from our own works which weary us, &c. To contemplate on, and make our ſelves glad with the work of the Redeemer.
There are alſo the works of his gracious Providence, in which God gives great experience of his Love, Mercy, &c. to his People.
Object. When we conſider how much the Saints are afflicted in the World, the are chaſtened every morning, and in the mean time the Wicked ſpring as the Graſs, and the workers of Iniquity do flouriſh; How can we be glad thro' God's works of Providence?
Anſw. Here God's thoughts lye deep; but enter into the Sanctuary of God, draw nigh and ſearch into them, and ſo you ſhall underſtand that which ſhall make you glad. As for the wicked they ſpring as the Graſs, but 'tis that they may be deſtroyed. the wicked in their Proſperity are but as Graſs, and the beſt of them but as Graſs on the Houſe-top: Graſs ſoon withers, and that on the Houſe-top the ſooneſt of all. Thou Lord art moſt high, if they be more high in Worldly Proſperity, &c. As for the Godly if they now ſuffer, and are afflicted in their outward Man, in worldly things, 'tis that they may be ſaved for ever. The Wicked now proſper that they may periſh for ever. This he further ſets forth. Lo thine Enemies ſhall periſh, my Horn ſhalt thou exalt, &c. The World being high in worldly Proſperity, are in the way to be thrown down: Saints being low, are in the way to be exalted: the wicked exalting themſelves, glorying in their wickedneſs, in their worldly enjoyments, having exalted thoughts of themſelves, ſhall be abaſed; but the Godly humbling themſelves under the mighty Hand of God, ſhall be exalted.
2. On this day a Spirit of Propheſy ſhould be exerciſed, as to praiſe God for, and make our ſelves glad in the works that are done; ſo by the Spirit of Prophecy to conſider from the word, what God will do, and make our ſelves glad in the works that are to be done. ver. 10. I ſhall be anointed with freſh Oyl: I have ſome Light, I ſhall have more: ſomewhat I know of the Myſtery of Godlineſs, and I ſhall know more: Some Grace I have received, I ſhall have more; I have a little ſtrength, I ſhall have more: the little Faith and Love I have, ſhall be increaſed: thou wert a a Spring to me heretofore, I had Grace in Converſion, and all my freſh Springs are in thee, and thence I ſhall have freſh Oyl. 'Tis good to exerciſe a Spirit of Prophecy, it will make us glad amidſt all our weakneſſes and wants, &c. ver. 11. Mine Eyes ſhall ſee, and mine Ears ſhall hear my deſire of the Wicked; the Church's Eyes ſhall ſee her deſire on Anti-chriſt, the Man of Sin on Babylon the great. ver. 12.13. The Righteous ſhall flouriſh as the Palm trees; the Righteous are oppreſſed, but they ſhall flouriſh in and under their oppreſſions, and ſhall grow under their burdens, and take root downward, and bear fruit upwards: ſo doth the Palm-tree bear more fruit when 'tis burthened. He ſhall grow like the Cedar in Lebanon, the wicked grow but as the Graſs, the Saints grow like the Cedar, That is laſting, and a Tree that continues long, and the wood is very durable and laſting.
Thoſe that be planted in the Houſe of God ſhall flouriſh, even when old. And then are moſt green and flouriſhing in Grace. When the outward Man periſheth, the inner Man is renewed.
Laſtly: All this muſt be, that God may ſhew himſelf upright; he will put a difference betwixt the Godly and the Wicked at laſt, to ſhew himſelf upright, and that there is no unrighteouſneſs in him. Here then we ſee the proper work of the Sabbath-day, and other Duties; as Preaching, Prayer, Meditation, Holy Conferences, that help forward the main Duties thereof.
The End of the Fifth Diſcourſe.