The Practice of Piety, Treatise · Part 18
A morning Prayer for the Sabbath-day.
O Lord most high, O God eternal,Psal, 92. 1, 2, 5. all whose works are glorious, and whose thoughts are very deep: there can be no better thing than to praise thy Name, and to declare thy loving kindness in the morning, on thy holy and blessed Sabbath day. For it is thy Will and Commandment, that we should sancti…ie this day in thy service and praise: and in the thankful remembrance, as of the creation of the world by the power of thy Word; so of the redemption of Mankind by the death of thy Son. Thine (O Lord) I confess,1 Cor. 29. 11, &c. is greatness, and power, and glory, and victory, and praise: for all that is in heaven and earth is thine: Thine is the Kingdom, O Lord, and thou excellest as head over all. Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all, and in thine hand is power and strength; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give grace unto all. Now therefore, O my God, I praise thy glorious Name, that whereas I a wretched sinner, having so many ways provoked thy Majesty to anger and displeasure; thou notwithstanding, of thy favour and goodness, (passing by my prophaneness and infirmities) hast vouchsafed to add this Sabbath again unto the number of my days. And vouchsafe, O heavenly Father, for the merits of Jesus Christ thy Son (whose glorious resurrection thy whole Church celebrateth this day) to pardon and forgive me all my sins and misdeeds. Especially, O Lord,*Here thou maist confess whatsoever sin of the last week, clogs thy conscience. cleanse my soul from those filthy sins, with the blood of thy most pure and undefiled Lamb, which taketh away the sins of the †Joh. 1. 29.world. And let thy Holy Spirit more and more subdue my corruptions, that I may be renewed after thine own Image, to serve thee in newness of life, and holiness of conversation. And as of thy mercy, thou hast brought me to the beginning of this blessed day; so I do beseech thee, make it a day of Reconciliation, betwixt my sinful Soul, and thy Divine Majesty. Give me grace to make it a day of Repentance unto thee, that thy goodness may seal i… to be a day of pardon unto me: and that I may remember, that the keeping holy of this day, is a Commandment which thine own finger hath written. That on this day, I might meditate on thy glorious works of our Creation and Redemption, and learn how to know and to keep all the rest of thy holy Laws and Commandments. And when anon, I shall with the rest of the holy Assembly, appear before thy Presence in thy House, to offer unto thee our Morning Sacrifice of praise and Prayer; and to hear what thy Spirit, by the preaching of thy Word, shall speak unto thy servant: Oh let not my sins stand as a Cloud, to stop my Prayers from ascending unto thee; or to keep back thy grace from descending by thy Word, into my heart. I know, O Lord, and tremble to think,Matth. 13. 4, &c. that three parts of the good seed falls upon bad ground. O let not my heart be like the high-way, Luk. 8. 5, &cwhich through hardness, and want of true understanding, receives not the seed, till the evil one cometh, and catcheth it away: nor like to the stony ground, which heareth with joy for a time, but falleth away as soon as persecution ariseth for the Gospel's sake: nor like the thorny ground, which by the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choaketh the Word which it heareth, and makes it altogether unfruitful: but th…t like unto the good ground, I may hear thy Word, with an honest and good heart, understand it, and keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience, in that measure that thy Wisdom shall think meet for thy glory, and mine everlasting comfort. Open likewise, I beseech thee; O Lord, the door of utterance, Col. 4. 3.unto thy faithful servant, whom thou hast sent unto us to open our Eyes, that we may turn from darkness Acts 26. 18.to light and from the power of Satan unto God: that we may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith in Christ. And give me grace to submit my self unto his Ministery, as well when he terri…ieth me with judgments, as when he comforteth me with thy Mercies And that I may have him ina1 Thess. 5. 13. singular love for his works sake; because hebHeb. 13. 17. watcheth for my soul, as he that must give an account for the same unto his Master. And give me grace to behave my self in the holy Congregation with comeliness and reverence, as in thy presence, and in the sight of thy holy c1 Cor. 11. 10.Angels. Keep me from drowsiness and sleeping, Eph. 3. 10. 1 Pet. 1. 12.and from all wandring thoughts, and worldly▪ imaginations: sanctifie my Memory, that it may be apt to receive, and firm to remember those good and profitable doctrines, which shall be taught unto us out of thy Word. And that through the assistance of thy holy Spirit, I may put the same Lessons in practice, for my direction in Prosperity, for my consolation in Misery, for the amendment of my Life, and the glory of thy Name. And that this day, which godless and prophane Persons spend in their own Lusts and Pleasures, I (as one of thy obedient Servants) may make my chief delight to consecrate to thy glory and honour, Isai. 58. 13.not doing mine▪ own ways, nor seeking mine own will, nor speaking a vain word: but that ceasing from the works of sin, as well as from the works of mine ordinary calling, I may through thy blessing, feel in my heart the beginning of that eternal Sabbath, which in unspeakable joy and glory I shall celebrate with Saints and Angels, to thy praise and worship, in thy heavenly Kingdom for evermore. All which I humbly crave at thy hands, in the name and mediation of my Lord Jesus, in that form of Prayer which he hath taught me:
Our Father which art in Heaven, &c.
Having thus in private prepared thine own soul, if thou has… the charge of a Family, call all thy Houshold together, read a Chapter, and pray as in the weekdays: but remember so to dispatch these private preparations and duties, as that thou and thy family may be in the Church before the beginning of Prayers. Else your private exercises are rather an hindran…e than a preparation. And as thou (and thy Houshold) do go in all reverence towards the Church, let every one meditate thus with himself.
Things to be meditated as thou goest to the Church.
1.Psal. 100. 4. That thou art going to the Court of the Lord, and to speak with the great God by prayer; and to hear his Majesty speak unto thee by his Word: and to receive his blessing on thy soul, and thy honest labour, in the six days last past.
2. Say with thy self by the way, As the Hart brayeth for the rivers of water,Psal. 42. 1, 2. so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirstest for God, even for the living God: when shall I come and appear before the presence of God?Psal. 84. 10. for a day in thy courts is better than a thousand other where. I had rather be a door-keeper in the House of my God, than to dwell in the Tabernacles of wickedness.Psal. 5. 7. Therefore I will come into thy House in the multitude of thy mercies, and in thy fear will I worship toward thine holy Temple.
3. As thou enterest into the Church, say, Gen. 28. 16, 17.How fearful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, this is the gate of Heaven.1 Cor. 14. 25. Surely, the Lord is in this place: God is in this people indeed. And prostrating with thy face downward, being come to thy place, say, Psal. 26. 8.O Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thy Honour dwelleth:Psal. 27. 4. One thing therefore have I desired of thee, that I will require, even that I may dwell in thy house all the days of my life, to behold thy beauty, and to visit thy Temple:Verse 6. Therefore will I offer in thy Tabernacle sacrifices of joy, I will sing and praise of the Lord. Harken unto my voice, O Lord, when I cry; have mercy also upon me, and hear me.Psal. 23. 6. Doubtless, kindness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall remain a long season in the house of the Lord. And this is that preparation, or looking to our feet, Eccl. 5. 1.whereto Solomon adviseth us, before we enter into the House of God.
The second sort of Duties, which are to be performed at the time of the holy Assembly.
WHen Prayers begin, lay aside thine own private meditations; and let thine heart joyn with the Minister, and the whole Church, as being one body of Christ;1 Cor. 12. 12. and because that God is the God of order, he will have all things to be done in the Church withaAct. 2. 1, 46. one heart and accord: and the exercises of the Church arebChap. 4. 32. common and publick. It is therefore an ignorant pride, for a man to think his own private prayers more effectual than the publick prayers of the whole Church. Solomon therefore adviseth a man not to be rash, Eccles. 5. 1.to utter a thing in the Church before God. Pray therefore when the Church prayeth, si…g when they sing, and in the action of kneeling, Ezek. 46. 10▪standi…g, Psal. 110. 3.sitting, and such indifferent ceremonies (for the avoiding of scandal, the continuance of Charity, and in testimony of thine obedience)†Cùm Romam venio jejuno Sabbato: cùm hic sum, non jejuno. Sic & … ad quam fortè Ecclesiam veneris, ejus morem serva si cuiquam non vis esse scandalo, nec quenquam tibi. Amb. consi. August. Epist. ad Januar. conform thy self to the manner of the Church wherein thou livest.
Whilest the Preacher is expounding and applying the Word of the Lord, look upon him; for it is a great help to stir up thine attention, and to keep thee from wandering thoughts: soaLuk. 4. 20. the Eyes of all that were in the Synagogues, are said to be fastened on Christ whilst he preached: and that bLuk. 19. 48.all the people hanged upon him when they heard him Remember that thou art there as one of Christ's Disciples, to learn the knowledge of Salvation, by the remission of sins, through the tender mercy of God, Luke 1. ver. 77.
Be not therefore in the School of Christ, like an idle boy in a Grammar School, that often heareth, but never learneth his lesson: and still goeth to School, but pro…iteth nothing. Thou hatest it in a child. Christ detesteth it in thee. To the end therefore, that thou maist the better profit by hearing, mark;
1. The Coherence and Explication of the Text.
2. The chief Sum or Scope of the Holy Ghost in that Text.
3. The division or parts of the Text.
4. The doctrines; and in every doctrine the proofs, the reasons and the uses thereof.
A method of all others, easiest for the people (being accustomed thereto) to help them to remember the Sermon. and therefore much wished to be put in practice of all faithful Pastors, who desire to edifie their people in the knowledge of God, and his true Religion.
If the Preacher's method be too curious or confused, then labour to remember.
1. How many things he taught, which thou knewest not before: and be thankful.
2. What sins he reproved, whereof thy conscience tells thee that thou art guilty; and therefore must be amended.
3. What Vertues he exhorteth unto, which are not so perfect in thee, and therefore endeavour to practice them with more zeal and diligence.
But in hearing, apply every speech as spoken to thy self, rather by*Isa. 2. 3. Act. 10. 33. Gal. 4. 14. 1 Thes. 2. 13▪ God than by Man: and labour not so much to hear the words of the Preacher sounding in thine ear, as to feel the opperation of the Spirit working in thy heart. Therefore it is said so often,†Rev. 2. 7. Let him that hath an ear, hear what the Spirit speaks to the Church. And,Luke. 24. 32▪ Did not our hearts burn within as, whilst he opened unto us the Scriptures? And thus to hear the Word, hathaLuk. 11. 28. a blessing promised thereto. It is the acceptablest bRom. 15. 16▪sacrificing of our selves unto God. It is thecDeut. 33. 3▪ surest note of Christ's Saints; thedJoh. 10. 4. truest mark of Christ's sheep; theeJoh. 8. 47. and 18. …7. apparentest sign of God's Elect; the very blood, as it were, which uniteth us to be the fLuke 1▪ 21. Mark 3. 35.spiritual kindred, brethren and sisters of the Son of God. This is the best art of Memory for a good hearer.
When the Sermon is ended, 1. Beware thou depart not like the nine lepers, till that for thine instruction to saving health, thou hast returned thanks and praise to God by an after-prayer, and singing of a Psalm. And when the blessing is pronounced, stand up to receive thy part therein, and hear it,Ezek. 46. 10. as if Christ himself (whose Minister he is) did pronounce the same unto thee;Luke▪ 10. 16. for in this case it is true; He that heareth you, heareth me: and the Sabbath-day is blessed, because God hath appointed it to be the day, wherein by the Mouth of his Ministers, he will bless his people, which hear his word, and glorifie his Name. Numb. 6. 23, 27.For tho' the Sabbath-day in it self be no more blessed than the other six days; yet (because the Lord hath appointed it to holy uses above others) it doth as far excel the other days of the week, as the consecrated bread, (which we receive at the Lord's Table) doth the common bread which we eat at our own Table.
2. If it be a Communion-day, draw near to the Lord's Table in the Wedding-Garment of a faithful and penitent heart to be partaker of so holy a banquet.
And when Baptism is to be administred, stay and behold it with all reverent attention, that so thou maist, First, shew thy reverence to God's Ordinance: Secondly, that thou maist the better consider thine own ingrafting into the visible body of Christ's Church: and how thou performest the vows of the new Covenant. Thirdly, that thou maist repay thy debts in praying for the infant which is to be baptized (as other Christians did in the like case for thee) that God would give him the inward effects of Baptism, by his Blood and Spirit. Fourthly, that thou maist assist the Church in praising God for grafting another Member into his mystical Body. Fifthly, That thou maist prove whether the effects of Christ's death killeth sin in thee, and whether thou be raised to newness of life, by the virtue of his Resurrection: and so to be humbled for thy wants, and to be thankful for his graces. Sixthly, to shew thy self to be a freeman of Christ's Corporation: having a voice or consent in the admission of others into that Holy Society.
3. If there be any Collection for the poor, 1 Cor. 16. 1. 2 Cor. 9. 5, 6, 7, &c.freely without grudging bestow thine Alms, as God hath blessed thee with ability.
And thus far of the duties to be performed in the Holy Assembly.
Now of the third sort of Duties after the Holy Assembly.
AS thou returnest home, or when thou art entred into thy house, meditate a little while upon those things which thou hast heard. And as the clean Beasts which chew the Cud, Lev. 11. 3.so must thou bring again to thy remembrance, that which thou hast heard in the Church. And then kneeling down, turn all to a prayer, beseeching God to give such a blessing to those things which thou hast heard, that they may be a direction to thy life,Psal. 119. 11. and a consolation unto thy Soul. For till the Word be made thus our own, and as it were, close hidden in our hearts: we are in danger lest Satan steal it away,Mat. 13. 19. and we shall receive no profit thereby. And when thou goest to dinner, in that reverend and thankful manner before prescribed, remember according to thine ability, to have one or more poor Christians, whose hungry bowels may be refreshed with thy meat:Job 31. 17, 18. imitating holy Job, who protested, that he did never eat his morsels alone, without the good company of the poor and fatherless; That is the Commandment of Christ our Master, Luke 14. 13. Or at leastwise,Hest. 9. 22. send some part of thy Dinner to the poor, who lie sick in the back-lane, without any food. For this will bring a blessing upon all thy works and labours:Deut. 15. 10, &c. and it will one day more rejoyce thy Soul, Matth. 25. 35, &c.than it doth now refresh his Body, when Christ shall say unto thee, O blessed child of God, I was an hungered, and thou gavest me meat, &c And for as much as thou hast done it for my sake to the least of these my brethren, I take it in as good part, as if thou hadst done it to mine own self.
When dinner is ended, and the Lord praised, call thy†If thou be a private man, …ither perf…rm these holy d…ties by thy self or joyn with some godly Family in the performance of them. Family together,aAct. 17. 11. …eb. 5. 14. examine what they have learned in the Sermon: commend them that do well▪ yet discourage not them whose memories or capacities are weaker: but rather help them, for their will and minds may be as good. Turn to the proofs, which the Preacher alledged, andaDeut. 6. 7. rub those good things over their memories again. Then sing abMat. 26. 30. Jam. 5. 13. Psalm or more. If time permit, thou maist teach and examine them in some part of the cHeb. 6. 1.Catechism: conferring every point with the proofs of the Holy Scripture. This will both increase our knowledge, and sharpen our memory: seeing by experience we find, that in every Trade they who are most exercised, are ever best expert. Heb. 5. 14.But in any wise, remember so to dispose all these private exercises, as that thou maist be with the first in the holy Congregation at the Evening Exercise; where behave thy self in the like devo…n and reverence, as was prescribed for the holy Exercise of the Morning.
After Evening Prayer, and at thy Supper, behave thy self in the like religious and holy manner, as was formerly prescribed. And either before or after Supper, if the season of the year and weather do serve.
1. Walk into the fields, Psal … & 19▪ 1, &c. & 8. 1, 3. &c. Rom. 1. 19▪ 20.and meditate upon the Works of God: for in every Creature thou maist read,P…esentem narrat quaelibet herba Deum. as in an open Book, the Wisdom, Power, Providence and Goodness of Almighty God. And how that none is able to makedIsa. 40. 26. all these things in the variety of their forms, virtues, beauties, life▪ motions and qualities, but our most glorious God.
2. Consider how gracious he is,…salm 8. that made all these things to serve us.
3. Take occasion hereby to stir up both thy self and others, to admire and adore his Power, Wisdom, and Goodness: and to think what ungrateful wretches we are, if we will not (in all obedience) serve and honour him.
4. If any neighbour be sick, or in any heaviness, go to visit him.Mat. 25. 36. … 5. 14, &c. If any be faln at variance, help to reconcile them.
To conclude, three sorts of works may lawfully be done on the Sabbath-day.
…. Works of Piety, which either directly concern the service of God, tho' they be performed by bodily labour: as under the Law, the Priests did lab…ur in killing and dressing of Sacrifices, Mat. 12. 5.and burning them on the Altar. And Christians under the Gospel, when they travel far to the places of God's worship;Acts 1. 12. 2 King. 4. 22. it is but a Sabbath-day's journey, like to that of the Shunamite, who travelled from home, to hear the Prophet on the Sabbath day, because she had no teaching near her own dwelling. And the Preacher, tho' he laboureth in the sweat of his brows, to the wearying of his body, yet he doth but a Sabbath-day's work. Mat. 23. 17, 19.For the holy end sanctifieth the work, as the Temple did the Gold, or the Altar the Gift thereon. Or else such bodily labour, whereby the People of God are assembled to his worship:Num. 10▪ 2, 3. as the sounding of Trumpets under the Law, or the ringing of Bells under the Gospel.
2. Works of Charity, 1 King. 19. 8.as toaMark 3. 4. save the life of a man, orbMat. 12. 11▪ of a beast; tocLuk. 13. 15▪ fodder, water, and dress Cattle: to make honest dMat. 12. 1.provision of meat and drink, toe1 Cor. 11. 22. 34. refresh our selves, and to relieve the poor: to visit the sick, to makef1 Cor. 16. 1. collections for the poor, and such like.
3. Works of necessity, not feigned, but present and imminent, and such as could not be prevented before, nor can be deferred unto another day. As to resist the invasion of enemies, or the robberies of thieves, to quench the rage of fire; and for Physicians to stanch, or let blood; or to cure any other desperate disease; and for Midwives to help Women in labour: Mariners may do their labour: Soldiers being assailed, may fight; and*Nuncius pr…ceps excipitur à Sabbato. Jud. Comment. s…p. Num. 13. 3. P…st may ride for the publick good, and such like. On these or the like occasions, a man may lawfully work. Yea, and when they are called, they may upon any of these occasions, go out of the Church, and from the holy exercises of the Word and Sacraments: provided always, that they be humbled, that such occasions fall out upon that day …; and that they take no Money for their pains on that day, but only for their stuff, as in the fear of God, and conscience of his Commandment.
When the time of Rest approacheth, retire thy self to some private place: and knowing, that in the state of Corruption no man living can sanctifie a Sabbath in that spiritual manner that he should; but that he commits many breaches thereof, in his Thoughts, Words, and Deeds; humbly crave pardon for thy defects, and reconcile thy self unto God, with this, or the like Evening Sacrifice.