A Light from Christ Leading Unto Christ, Classis 31
The thirty one Claſſis, or company of Queſtions.
Queſtion 1.
YOu have anſwered concerning the Third, now what is the fourth Commandement?
Anſ. Remember the Sabbath day to keepe it holy. Six dayes ſhalt thou labour and do all thy work: But the Seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou ſhalt not doe any worke, Thou, nor thy Son, nor thy Daughter, thy Man-Servant, nor thy Maide-ſervant, nor thy Cattell, nor thy Stranger that is within thy gates: For in ſix dayes the Lord made Heaven and Earth, the Sea and all that in them is, and reſted the Seventh day, wherefore the Lord bleſſed the Seventh day and hallowed it.
Queſt 2. What doe you principally obſerve and conſider in this Fourth Commandement?
Anſ. Firſt, I obſerved the ſubſtance o… ſum of the Commandement ſet down in the firſt words, Remember the Sabbath day to Sanctifie it, or to keep it holy.
Secondly, the explication or further Declaration of Gods will and pleaſure, in the next words that follow; Six dayes ſhalt thou labour and do all that thou haſt to doe, or all thy worke; but the Seventh day is the Sabboth of the Lord thy God, in it thou ſhalt not do any worke; thou nor thy Son, nor thy Daughter, thy Man-ſervant nor thy Maid-ſervant, nor thy Cattell nor thy Stranger that is within thy gates.
Thirdly, I obſerve the grand or chiefe reaſon, and ground of this Commandement in the laſt words; For in Six dayes the Lord made Heaven and Earth, the Sea and all that in them is, and neſted the Seventh day, wherefore the Lord bleſſed the Seventh day and hallowed it.
Queſt. 3. What doe you conſider in the firſt of theſe, the ſubſtance or ſum of the Commandement in the firſt words?
Anſw. I conſider three things.
Firſt, the memento, Remember; as holding forth a duty of Minding,Deut. 5.15 Geneſ. 2.1, 2, 3. foreign Shabath reſt. Remembring and Obſerving the Sabbath day before it come for preparation, as a day holy to the Lord by his appointment of old even in Paradiſe before the Fall, and as too much forgotten and neglected, and therefore he requireth his peple to remember the day with greater obſervation.Heb. 4.10
Secondly, I conſider the day, the Sabbath day or day of Reſt, the Reſt-day, a day of ceaſing from our owne works as God did from his.
Thirdly, I conſider another duty, namely the end to remember the ſanctification of this Reſt day, or ſeparating and ſetting it apart from common and ordinary workes, which concerne this preſent naturall life, and a Conſecrating of it unto God and to holy ſpirituall workes, ſuch as concerne our ſpirituall life; and theſe things amongſt other I obſerve conſiderable in the firſt expreſſion of the Lord in this Commandement, Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.
Queſt. 4. What do you conſider in the ſecond part?
Anſ. Firſt, a permiſſion; and in this the equity of this Commandement, as a ſtrong reaſon or motive to obedience; ſix dayes ſhalt thou labour and do all thy worke.
Secondly, a Commiſſion or Commandement to worke; for ſince God made all the ſeven dayes, as he did all the Trees of the Garden,Gen. 2.16, 17. and as hee might have forbid our firſt Parents halfe the Trees, or all but on e if he had pleaſed, and that without any wrong to them, yet did forbid them but one Tree of the Garden; So the Lord might have forbidden us to worke in three or foure of the dayes or more, yea in all but one day. And therefore ſince hee reſerveth but one whole day of Seven for his ſolemne worſhip; Great cauſe we ſhould yeild moſt willing obedience to this Commandement, and be carefull to keepe this in a holy reſt to the Lord. and yet not miſpend the ſix dayes but worke in our lawfull callings.
Secondly, I conſider a declaration of of the Lords right in this as being the Lords own ſeparated day in a ſpeciall manner, and therefore a ſtrong reaſon that man ſhould not prophane this day but keepe it holy. This in the next words, But the Seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God.
Thirdly, I conſider a more generall and full prohibition of all manner of work; In it thou ſhalt do no manner of worke, that is, of thy own workes for which I have allowed thee ſix dayes to labour in.
Fourthly, I conſider the perſons who are prohibited from working in particular, held forth in theſe ſeven expreſſions. Firſt Thou, Secondly nor thy Son, Thirdly nor thy Daughter, Fourthly nor thy Man-ſervant, Fifthly nor thy Made ſervant, Sixtly nor thy Cattell, Seventhly nor the Stranger that is within thy Gates, or that is within or under thy power, juriſdiction, protection or command whatſoever; Thou ſhalt not prophane the Sabbath thy ſelf, nor ſuffer any other in thy power to ſin in this reſpect.
Queſt. 5. What do you conſider in the third and laſt part you obſorved, the principall reaſon of the Commandement?
Anſ. Frſt, the Lords owne example in the great work of Creation held forth for our imitation. For in ſix dayes the Lord made Heaven and Earth, The Sea and all that in them is, and ſo the Lord appointed us to labour ſix dayes.
Secondly, the Lords own example in Reſting alſo from worke the ſeventh day, and Reſted the ſeventh day.
Thirdly, the Lords inſtitution and appointment of the ſeventh day to be a holy Reſt for his ſervice, wherefore the Lord bleſſed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.
Queſt. 6. But is there no worke to be done upon the Sabbath day nor by any manner of perſons?
Anſw. I anſwer yes, firſt workes of piety may be done by all in their ſeverall places, and in particular by the Miniſters of Chriſt as of old time the Prieſts did performe their workes upon the Sabbath day,Mat. 12.5 and were blameleſſe and as men went a Sabbath dayes jorney to the Prophets,Acts 1.12 2 Kings 4 22, 23. and places appointed for Gods publike worſhip.
Secondly, workes of Mercy and Charity may be done upon the Sabbath day without blame, as being acceptable to God at all times in Chriſt Jeſus,Acts 20.9 1 Cor. 16.2. Luke 14.5. and not condemned on that day, but appointed.
Thirdly, workes of neceſſity which require preſent helpe, and could not have been done the day before, nor ſtay untill the day following;Mark 2.23 24, 25, 26, 27. Mat. 12.11, 12. Luke 13.15, 15, 16. theſe workes may alſo bee done upon the Sabbath day as neceſſary proviſion of meate for man or beaſt, the neceſſary worke of the Phiſitian or others for a ſick or diſſeaſed perſon, or of a Chyrurgeon for the wounded, or a Midwife or others for Women in travell; all ſuch workes of neceſſity in truth and without hypocriſie may be done upon the Sabbath day.
But other Workes which are neither workes of piety, of Charity, nor of true neceſſity, I believe ought not to be done upon that day.
Queſt. But is not the Sabbath day ceremoniall, and ſo to be aboliſhed, Coloſ. 2.16, 17.or at leaſt to be left at liberty now in the time of the Goſpell, ſince the Apoſtle ſeemeth to hold forth a Sabbath as a ceremony in that Epiſtle to the Colloſſians, and before to the Galatians, he blameth them for obſerving dayes and moneths and yeares; Gala. 4.10Is not the Sabbath day then aboliſhed by the Comming of Chriſt?
Anſ. Firſt, I anſwer it is certaine there were diverſe Sabbaths which the Jewes were required to ſanctifie,Levit. 23.38, 39, &c. Ezek. 20.21. and not to prophane or pollute, as is evident by that of the Prophet Ezekiel, they polluted my Sabbaths, then I ſaid I will poure out my fury upon them. Thus in this ſence the name Sabbath was applied to all thoſe Ceremoniall,Levit. 23.26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32. Feaſtivalls, yea, and daies of Faſtings which were to be kept without doing any worke on thoſe dayes as a Sabbath or Reſt of the Lord.
Levit. 23.15, 16. Levit. 25.2, 3. L…vit. 25.8, 9.Againe there was a Sabbath of Sabbaths, and a Sabbath of yeares when was the yeare of Jubile, and theſe were Ceremoniall, Types indeed and Shadowes with the Sacrifices and ſervices herein; And of theſe I conceive the Apoſtle ſpeakes as aboliſhed, and in which the children of God in the Goſpell are not to be condemned,Coloſ. 2.17 becauſe Chriſt who is the body figured by all theſe is come. But he doth not ſpeake of this Sabbath which the Lord commanded to be ſanctified in the Decalogue or Ten Commandements, at leaſt in no wiſe of the ſubſtance of the Commandement, that a Seventh day is to be ſanctified as holy to the Lord.
Queſt. 8. But wherefore then is not the Seventh day from the Creation kept as a Sabbath day, or by what authority is this Seventh day now ſanctified and kept as a Sabbath called in Scripture the Lords Day?
Anſ. Firſt,Iſai. 56.2, 3, 4, 5. the keeping of a ſeventh day for a Sabbath is abſolutely morall and perpetuall, inſtituted in Paradiſe before the fall, and in the Decalogue or Ten Commandements given on Mount Sinai, and that Commandement bindes to a ſeventh day for ever.
Secondly, although there be not an abſolute command in the New Teſtament to change the day, evidently held forth unto us, yet there is Divine Authority ſufficient in the conſtant practize of the Apoſtles and Saints to meete on this ſeventh day,Acts 2.46 Acts 20.7, 8, &c, 1 Cor. 16.1, 2. being then called the firſt day of the weeke, to performe the duties of the Sabbath on this day in Preaching and Hearing of the word, and receiving of the Sacrament called breaking of bread, and in Prayer and giving Almes and the like, as being the Lords owne day, as the day of the Lords Reſurrection, and to be ſanctified as the Lords day to meet Chriſt in all his Ordinances of the Sabbath,Revel. 1.10. as John the … Divine was raviſhed in the ſpirit, and met Chriſt on that day for the great comfort of himſelfe and the Churches of Chriſt; that day then called and eſteemed and reckoned to be the Lords own day, and ſo to be kept as the Lords day by the Churches of Chriſt.
Queſt. 9. What is the generall duty required in this fourth Commandement, and what light from Chriſt for this duty?
Anſ. To be mindefull of and remember the Sabbath,Iſai. 58.13 Heb. 4.9.10. Mark. 1.35 39. or Lords day to keep it as a day of Reſt from our own works and bodily labour, and as a ſpirituall reſt from the ſinfull workes of our ſoules and bodies, and to ſanctifie it as a holy Reſt in the performance of the Lords Workes of holineſſe and his holy ſervice, to glorifie the Lord of Sabbath in a ſpeciall manner on that Day.
Queſt. 10. What is the generall ſinne forbidden in this Commandement?
Anſ. All prophanation of the Sabbath or Lords day,Iſaia. 58.13 by ommiſſion of Gods workes or performing of our owne workes, or worldly buſineſſe of this life outward in our bodies (except in caſe of true extraordinary neceſſity or performing of any our owne workes of ſinne in bodies or ſoules (as all other dayes) ſo eſpecially on… the Lords day or the day of Gods Reſt,Heb. 4.9.10. and Sabbath Day.
Queſt. 11. What are the particular duties required for the ſanctification of the Chriſtian Sabbath or Lords day, what light from Chriſt for theſe?
Anſ. They are diverſe wee may remember theſe eſpeciall, Firſt, a preparation for the right ſanctification of this day by minding of it before it come, that we may be more fit to ſerve the Lord in it when it is come, and by riſing early in the morning (as bodily health will ſuffer) that wee may have time to exerciſe preparative duties before wee come to the publike Ordinances.
Queſt. 12. What is the ſinne contrary unto this?
Anſ. To forget the Lords Day, or be ſo unmindfull of it as either in our own perſons or by compelling or ſuffering our children or ſervants ſo long to labour,Ex. 12.3.6 Exo. 3.5. Ex. 19.10.15. Deut. 33.3 Mat 27.62 As Amos 4.12. ſo here. and over-wearie our bodies or ſpirits on the evening, before, as to make our ſelves or any other under our charge unfit for the Lords ſervice on the Lords Sabbath day when it comes; the Lord requiring preparation for, as well as performance of a duty.
Queſt. 13. What are the particular duties of preparation in the morning before the publike Ordinances?
Mark, 16.1 Epheſ. 5.16Anſ. To riſe early and improve as much time as can poſſibly be ſpared (from workes of neceſſity) in private Reading, Catechizing, and Prayer in our Familes, and in ſecret meditation and Prayer in our cloſets for Gods bleſſing upon the publike Ordinances, both inabling the Miniſter of Chriſts for their duties, and the people of God, and our ſelves in the Ordinances to meete Chriſt,1 Cor. 10.…. and receive refreſhing from Chriſt to our comfort, and to Gods glory.
Queſt. 14. What is the particular ſinne contrary to this particular duties.
Anſ. To miſpend the morning of the Sabbath or Lords day by overſleeping our ſelves, or otherwiſe neglecting reading, Meditation, Catechizing, or Prayer for Gods Miniſters, the Congregations, or our ſelves, or any ſpirituall duty which wee have time to performe in private or ſecret, and neglect to the disfurtherance of our ſpirituall refreſhing in Gods holy Ordinances.
Queſt. 15. What reaſon can you give that all this is required for preparation to meet Chriſt in the Ordinances.
Anſ. Becauſe in every duty all meanes and helpes to the performance of that duty are likewiſe required to be made uſe of;As Ex. 36.37. So 1 Sam. 12.29. 1 John 3.23. Rom. 10.17. and ſo the neglect of any one help or meanes of performance, and Chriſts power to performe it, muſt needs be a ſinne.
Queſt. 16. But how may this appeare that when a Duty is required, the uſe of meanes to performe the duty it required?
Anſ. We may illuſtrate this by an example or two.
Firſt, to believe on Jeſus Chriſt, is a duty being the command of God; and hearing of Gods Word which is a meanes of faith is commanded likewiſe as well as to believe; Therefore the meanes faith is commanded alſo as a duty,Mat. 13.9 Ex. 19.10, 11.28. 1 Cor. 11.28. Eze. 36.37 1 Sam. 6.3.6, 7. 1 Cron. 15 13. and ſo helpes to duty as well as duties themſelves; the like I might ſay here of preparation to the Sacrament; and ſo the neglect of any helpe or meanes to further the performance of a duty, is ſinne, as to neglect prayers or helpes made, and ſo in particular the neglect of right preparation for Ordinance on the Lords Day; for God will be ſought and ſerved in a right order.
Queſt. 17. You have ſhewed the duty of preparation for the Sabbath both before it come, and in the morning for better ſanctification of the day; now what is or are the particular duties which reſpect the Reſt of the Lords day, and what light from Chriſt for direction in theſe?
Anſw. To reſt from all our owne workes of worldly profit,Levit. 23.3 Nehe. 13.25, 16. Jer. 17.22 Ex. 16.29, 30. Ex. 34.21. or pleaſure, as from buying, and ſelling, carrying of burdens, and journeis not of abſolute neceſſity, or any other of the like kind of labours, though in earing time or harveſt, except ſuch as are noted before to be workes of mercy, and in caſe of neceſſity aforeſaid.
Queſt. 18. What are the particular ſins contrary to this duty?
Anſ. A phariſ…icall overſtrict Jewiſh ſuperſtition in the bare outward Reſt refuſing workes of mercy or neceſſity on the Sabbath day, ſo much as to kindle a fire in a cold ſeaſon for needfull refreſhing, or to prepare warme meate neceſſary the better to inable even the weake for Gods ſervice,1 Macah. 2.37.38. Ex. 35.3. Mark. 34 Mat. 12.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9. … neceſſary defence from the enemy ſeeking to deſtroy, or any of the like nature, Chriſt having eaſed us of this ſtrictneſſe, declaring the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath; for mans good not hurt, and reſpecting mercy above ſacrifice.
Queſt. 19. What other particular ſinnes are there contrary to the reſt of the Sabbath or Lords day?
Anſ. To prophane this day by bodily unneceſſary labours;Levit. 15.32.35. Nehe. 13. Jerem. 17. or workes which might have beene done the day before or may be deferred untill the day following, or by buying or ſelling, bearing of burdens, any the workes of mens ordinary worldly calling for worldly profits,Iſai. 58.13 or by words of conference about ſuch worldly things for our profit or the like.
Queſt. 20. It is evident this labour for profit is prohibited; what thinke you of carnall pleaſures and paſtimes, upon the Sabbath or Lords daye in gaming, ſporting, to ſit gazing at their dores, or otherwiſe miſpending of pretious time on the Lord… day?
Anſ. They are unlawfull alſo as being the ſinfull practize of Idolaters in their Feaſts and holy dayes,Ex. 32.5, 6 or the practice of prophane irreligious people, hindering the improvement of that ſpirituall refreſhment the ſoule hath or ſhould receive in the Ordinance,Iſai. 51.13 Coloſ. 3.16 1 Cor. 10.31. and unbefiting Chriſtians, whoſe delights ſhould be ſpirituall and heavenly in a ſweet Communion with God in Chriſt, and one with another in ſpiritull graces and exerciſe of them; But in theſe carnall delights men rather diſhonour then honour God as becommeth Chriſtians.
Queſt. 21. You have declared the duties commanded and ſinnes forbidden concerning the reſt of the Sabbath; is there no more required?
Geneſ. 2.3 Exod. 20.8Anſ. Yes, there is a ſanctification of this reſt alſo commanded in all deligent practize, performance of and attendance on Chriſt in all the Ordinances of Chriſt both private before we come to the Congregation,Levit. 23.3 Ezek. 20.12. and publike when wee are preſent in the Congregation, and private and ſecret duty when we returne home to our houſes and Families.
Queſt. 22. You have already ſhewed the duties of preparation in private before wee come to the publike; now what are the publike duties in which the people of God ought to ſanctifie this reſt, and glorifie God in this his day, and what light from Chriſt to enable for theſe?
Anſ. They are diverſe, but you may obſerve theſe that follow and firſt a timely preſence in the houſe of God to be ready as one man to joyne with the Miniſter of Chriſt in publike Prayer to God for a bleſſing upon the worke of the day and his owne ordinances,Gen. 28.16, 17. Nehem. 8.1.23. and the pious endevours both of Chriſts Miniſters and people, every one being ready with the Congregation to heare what Gods Miniſters ſhall ſpeake unto them from God.Acts 10.33
Queſt. 23. What is the particular ſinne contrary unto this duty?
Anſ. A negligent late comming to the houſe of God, not being ready to joyne with the Congregation in the beginning,Eccles. 5.1 1 Cor. 14.40. and ſo are more ready to offer fooliſh Sacrifices then to heare and joyne with the Congregation, as good order in the Church of God requires.
Queſt. 24. What is a ſecond duty in publike?
Anſ. To joyne devoutly and underſtandingly with the Miniſter and Congregation in Prayer; not onelyonly attending with the eare to every confeſſion of ſinne, petition for grace and all the powrings out of the Miniſters ſoule in Prayer; but with thy minde and heart to goe along with the Miniſter of Chriſt, and to pour out thy ſoule with him and all the reſt of the Congregation in every confeſſion, requeſt, or giving of thankes to God, ſaying Amen in thy ſoule,Pſal. 85.8 Phil. 4.13 Rom. 8.26, 27. and in faith expecting a gratious returne of your prayers in Gods due time; and this not in thy owne ſtrength but by the aſſiſtance and ſtrength of Chriſt, and the ſpirit of Chriſt helping our infirmities and inabling the ſoule to wraſtle with God in prayer.Gen. 32.
Queſt. 25. What is the ſinne contrary to this duty declared?
Anſ. Not to attend diligently with our eares or to wander and be diſtracted in our mindes and hearts in time of Prayer, or not to goe along with the Miniſter of God and heartily joyne with him in Prayer according to the Word of God and rule of Chriſt, or to do this in a dead manner without any affection or life in Prayer, or not to pray in faith, and in faith expect an anſwer and gracious returne of our petitions put up rightly in matter and manner in the name of Chriſt.John 19.23
Queſt. 26. What is a third duty in publike for ſanctification of this bleſſed Sabbath and reſt day of the Lord?
Anſ. This concerneth both the Miniſters and People of God;Ezra. 7.10 Nehe. 8.8 Ezek. 3.17 Acts 20.20 21. And firſt the Miniſters duty is to Reade, Expound, Catechize, and Preach the Word of God, without reſpect of perſons, in faithfulneſſe, ſincerity and godly wiſedome, not with intiſing words of mans wiſdome, but in evidence of the ſpirit and of power and as becomes the Miniſters of Chriſt.
Queſt. 27. What is the Miniſters ſin contrary to this duty?
Anſ. To neglect Expounding and Preaching of the Word or Catechizing, or to doe it unfaithfully with entiſing words of mans wiſdome, and otherwiſe then becommeth the Goſpell of Chriſt.
Queſt. 28. What is the peoples duty in this particular, and what light from Chriſt for this?
Anſ. To attend diligently in the hearing of the Word or Catechizing to the voyce of Gods Miniſters,Acts 15.14, 15. or to the Word of God, as it is indeed the Word of God and not of man, and that without wandring or ſleeping, with hunger after the mind of Chriſt in the Word and with faith and obedience as becommeth the children of God to the wil of their Heavenly Father.Heb. 4.2.
Queſt. 29. What is the ſin contrary to this duty of the people?
Anſ. To neglect hearing of Gods Word or Catechizing, or to heare it careleſſely without devotion, Faith, Love or Obedience, unprofitably, either in reſpect of Gods glory or our owne ſalvation.
Queſt. 30. What is a fourth particular duty in which this reſt-day or Lords day is to be ſanctified?
Anſ. In a right communicating and partaking of the bleſſed Sacrament, according to Chriſts inſtitution, Gods people being clothed upon with the wedding Garment, as is declared at large in the former part of the Catechiſme.
Queſt. 31. What is the contrary ſinne to this duty?
Anſ. To neglect the Sacrament,2 Chron. 30. As 1 Chron. 15.13. 1 Cor. 11.28, 29, 30. or not to receive it in a due and as right order to Gods glory and our own refreſhing in Chriſt Jeſus.
Queſt. 32. What are the duties to be performed in private in our Familes after the publike Ordinances are ended?
Anſ. Repetition and conference one with another of what we have heard, Parents taking account of their children and Maſters of their ſervants what they have remembred, ſearching the Scriptures, and examing by the Word what hath been delivered by the Miniſter of Chriſt,Acts 17.11 12. in Catechizing thoſe under our charge, meditation and earneſt Prayer unto God for a bleſſing upon the Word and Sacraments received, and ſtrength from Chriſt to bring forth fruits as Trees of righteouſneſſe,Iſaia. 61.3 the planting of the Lord that hee may be glorified.
Queſt. 33. What is the ſinne contrary to this duty?
Anſ. A meer reſting in the outward hearing of the Word or partaking of the Sacrament, and publike ordinance, without any care of profiting our ſelves or Families by Repetition, Conference, ſearching the Scripture, Catechizing, or Prayer in our Family o… cloſets for a bleſſing, endeavouring by the power of Chriſt to practice in our lives what we have heard, and learned as the truth is in Jeſus; the neglect of any of which is ſin.
Queſt. 34. This is a ſtrict reſt indeed and a ſtrict ſanctification of this reſt is there any more required?
Anſ. Yes, a giving of Almes and performing workes of charity and Mercy,1 Cor. 16 2. Nehe. 8.12 and that freely and liberally according to our ability, and as the neceſſities of the Saints require.
Queſt. 35. What is the ſin contrary unto this duty of Charity?
Anſ. To give no Almes, and neglect workes of charity and mercy, though God hath given us ability to helpe the afflicted brethren in their time of neede.
Queſt. 36. Here are many outward acts of duty to bee performed; are there no… ſome inward and ſpirituall required alſo?
Anſ. Yes, it is required that the childdren of God ſhould make the Sabbath his delight, and keepe a ſpirituall reſt from ſinne of omiſſion or commiſſion, and ſo keepe a ſpirituall and holy reſtj indeed,Heb. 4.9.10, 11, &c. Iſai. 58.13.14. as all the dayes of our lives from ſinne, ſo eſpecially on the Lords day a preperation to that eternall Sabbath and reſt from all ſinne and miſery which we ſhall enjoy for ever in the Kingdome of Heaven.
Queſt. 37 What is the ſinne contrary to this duty of delight in the Sabbath and ſpirituall reſt from ſin?
Anſ. To be weary of the Sabbath or Lords Day, to ſay or thinke as thoſe in Amos, when will the Sabbath be gone?Amos 8.5 Iſaia. 1.12, 13, 14. when will the Sabbath be gone? And not to reſt from ſin but to doe the Devills worke on Gods Day; to ſwear to drinke tipling and diſtempering themſelves, to Whore,Amos 5.21 or keepe company with Harlots,Jer. 5.7. or abuſe Gods Day in any wickedneſſe whatſoever, and ſo to make even our outward performances odious to God and to all good men;Luke 13.25 26. endangerin… the ſoule and body to a reſtleſſe condition in Hell fire for ever.Luke. 16.24
Queſt. 38. This is a moſt perfect Law indeed that requireth all this in one of the Ten Commandements but J pray you who is bound to performe this duty?
Anſw. The Commandement it ſelfe holdeth forth this in the next words. Thou, thy Sonne, thy Daughter, thy Man-ſervant, thy Maide-ſervant; nor thy Ox, nor thy Aſſe, nor the Stranger that is within thy Gates. That is thou and all that are in thy power without exception.
Queſt. 39. But wherefore doth the Lord give this ſpeciall command and direction to his people not onelyonly for themſelves, but for all under their command.
Anſ. That Gods children being carefull and dutifull themſelves, and diligently performing their duties to all that are under their charge, they might not be partakers of other Mens ſins.
Queſt. 40. But how may one man be guilty of another mans ſinne, what light have you from Chriſt to reveile this?
Anſ. One may be guilty of another mans ſin divers wayes;
Firſt, when a ſuperior commands an inferior to commit a ſinne, and the ſinne be committed, of this the ſuperior is guilty, as Saul was of killing the Lords Prieſts,1 Sam. 22.18. 2 Sam. 11.15. when hee commanded Doeg to do it and wicked Doeg did it accordingly David kild Ʋrias by Joab and the ſword of the children of Ammō. And ſo Iezabell was guilty of that ſin of the ſons of Belial, 1 Kings 21 10.who did beare falſe witns againſt Naboth for his Vineyard, and thus Magiſtrates, or maſters or parents are guilty when they command their ſubjects or children or ſervants to prophane the Lords Sabbath.
Queſt. 41. What is a ſecond way of being guilty?
Anſw. When ſuperiors have power, and doe not hinder, but ſuffer inferiors to commit ſinne,1 Sam. 3.13 as old Eli ſuffered his ſonnes and did not puniſh them, nor reſtraine them as hee ought; and ſo when Parents ſuffer their children, or Maſters their ſervants to prophane the Lords Day, They are guilty of their childrens ſinne and ſervants ſinne.
Queſt. 42. What is a third manner how one man may be guilty of another mans ſinnes; have you any light from Chriſt for this?
Anſ. Wen one man giveth another wicked councell to commit ſinne; as when Ahitophet counſelled Abſolom to commit wickedneſſe with his Fathers concubines,2 Sam. 16 21. or Herodias counſelled her Daughter to aske the head of John Baptiſts, Mark. 6.24or when a Maſter or Father adviſeth or counſelleth his ſonne or ſervants, or any under his charge to prophane the Sabbath.
Queſt. 43. What is a fourth manner?
Anſ. When Miniſter or people, man or woman doth conſent to ſinne in others,Acts 8.1. Eze. 3.18 or not reprove ſin; as Saul before his converſion conſented to the death of bleſſed Stephen the Martyr of Chriſt; and for Prophets not to warn the wicked;Levit. 19.17. ſo when Parents or Maſters conſent to their childrens and ſervants prophanation of the Lords Day, when as they ſhould not ſuffer ſin to lie upon them, but reprove them rather. So when unworthy Receivers are ſuffered without any admonition or reproofe.
Queſt. 44. What is a fift manner of being guilty?
Anſ. When one Man or Woman provokes and ſtirreth up another to ſinne,1 Kings 21 25. as Jezabell provoked Ahab to commit wickedneſſe, and Jobs Wife her Husband to curſe God and die.Job 2.9. And ſo when Parents or Maſters provoke and ſtirre up their children or ſervants by Labour or Paſtimes to prophane the Sabbath.
Queſt. 45. What is a ſixt manner of becomming guilty of other mens ſins?
Anſ. When men grow to ſuch a height of impudency as to defend other mens ſinnes. Who call good evill, and evill good,Iſai. 5.20. 1 Kings 22 6.11.24. 1 Sam. 15.22. as wicked Zedechiah defended wicked Ahab in his ſinfull courſe, and Saul defended the peoples ſin, as Lawers plead in unjuſt cauſes, or when Parents or Maſters or any other will plead for Baal, and defend the ſinnes of their children or ſervants or Neighbours when they prophane the Lords Day; all theſe ways at leaſt may men be guilty of other mens ſins.
Queſt. 46. Moſt certaine the Lord is a moſt holy God, and is Law a moſt holy Law and perfect rule of holineſſe which holdeth forth to us ſo many duties, and ſo many ſinnes in one Commandement of the Sabbath day and ſanctification of the reſt; what uſe therefore my the knowledged of this truth be of unto the ſons of men?
Anſ. Firſt, concerning wicked men out of Chriſt, the many duties commanded,Jer. 17.27 G…lat. 3.24 Acts 8.21, 22. and ſinns forbidden may cauſe them to tremble for feare of the curſe and wrath of God due to them for their prophanation of the Lords day, and ſo be a Schoolemaſter to bring them to Chriſt, to ſee if they may finde, pardon and eſcape the curſe and damnation.
Acts 13.38 39 1 Theſſ 10Secondly, concerning ſaints in Chriſt, the Meditation of theſe things may likewiſe minde them of Chriſt.
Firſt, Chriſt as a juſtifyer without whoſe Righteouſneſſe and Merits they could not be ſaved,1 Cor. 1.30 and in whom ſalvation is their portion.2 Cor. 5.17
Secondly, Chriſt as a ſanctifyer in whom there is holineſſe and power to ſanctifie this holy reſt, this bleſſed Sabbath as the Lords day, in all holineſſe and righteouſneſſe to Gods glory and good of our own ſoules.
Queſt. 47. What benefit is this to the Church that the Lord hath ordained, Mat. 28.6 9.17, 18.and by his Reſurrection and appearing to his Diſciples ſo often one that day conſecrated this holy Sabbath, Mark. 1….12. Luk. 24.13as a day to, and for himſelfe and for his ſpeciall ſervice and ordinances wherein he now appeareth to his Church?
Anſ. A ſpeciall cauſe of joy that the Saints may once a weeke be as it were in Heaven with Chriſt meeting Chriſt in his glorious Ordinances,Luke 24.33, 34.36. 1 Cor. 16.1.2. Mat. 18.20 Ex. 25.21, 22. Iſai. 66.11 John 15.4, 5, 6. Heb. 4.9. Revel. 14.13. and ſucking the breſts of conſolation in all his gracious promiſes ſo receiving the ſweet juyce and ſappe of the life of grace to nouriſh us in this time of trouble to that Kingdom of glory, that eternall Sabbath of reſt and peace for ever.
Queſt. 48. What is the principall motive or moving cauſe to ſtir up and draw the heart of a child of God and your ſoule in particular, to deſire and labour in all ſincerity and faithfullneſſe to glorifie God in a full obedience to every duty commanded, and in a full avoyding of every ſinne forbidden in theſe foure Commandemmts, or firſt Table of the Law of God?
Anſ. The free love of God in Chriſt to my ſoule,John 3.16 in the free gift of his onelyonly begotten Sonne, and the free love of God the Sonne,John 10.15. the Lord Chriſt himſelfe in giving himſelf, and laying down his Life for mee,1 Cor. 5.14, 15. to reconcile mee to God and to procure for mee grace and glory; this doth conſtraine mee with a kind of holy and ſweet violence or rather powerfull attractive or loadſtone of love to love my God againe, and to declare my love in a loving,Iſai. 16.9. Pſal. 119.6 ready willing, faithfull and cheerfull obedience, yea ſincere deſire and endevour to fullfill every one of the Commandements of my Heavenly Father; and ſo, theſe foure firſt Commandements or firſt Table of the Law of God,Pſal. 119.101.128. and to refrain from every ſinwhatſoever.
Queſt. 49. What is the finall cauſe or chiefe ends at which your ſoule doth or ought to aime at in this your obedience?
Anſ. The prime and chiefe end is the glorifying of God,1 Cor. 6.20 1 Cor. 10.31. 1 Pet. 2.9. 1 John 5.10, 11, 12. my God and Father in Chriſt; And the next the Declaration of my love and thankfulneſſe to the Lord my God, and to ſhew forth his praiſes, who called me out of darkneſſe to light, and hath freely given me life eternall and everlaſting ſalvation in Chriſt Jeſus.