A Help to Holy Walking, Treatise · Chapter 8
CHAP. VIII. Directions in Obſerving the Sabbath Day.
THE next Duty I ſhall Treat of, is the Obſervation of the Sabbath Day, for this alſo is a Commanded Duty; this is that ſtated time for the Worſhip of God, and neceſſary for his Service. For if we muſt Worſhip God in ſome place, ſo ſome time is alſo required for this Worſhip: and God himſelf hath appointed out what he thinks moſt ſuitable, Exod. 20.8. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it Holy, &c. Yea, he hath enjoyned it to be obſerved upon pain of Death, Exod. 35.2. Whoſoever doth work therein ſhall be put to Death. And we read of the Man, that gathering ſticks upon that Day, was by God's ſpecial Command to be put to Death, Numb. 15.32. &c. But there are many that eaſily grant, it was a Duty obliging the Jews, but not the Gentiles; and is of no force at preſent to Chriſtians, but Ceremonious, and ſo aboliſhed with the Ceremonial Law; but for Satisfaction know, ſomething in the Command was Ceremonial, and that ceaſeth; ſomething Moral, and that remaineth. Nature it ſelf teacheth us that there is a God; and the ſame Nature teacheth, that this God is to be Worſhipped; and Reaſon tells us, ſome time muſt be alotted for this Worſhip: God appoints one day of ſeven, for this Work, and that is Moral; but what ſeventh day, whether from the Creation, or no, is left to God to determine. Many that know not the true God, yet alot ſome time for the Worſhip of their Imagined Deities; but that it muſt be this, or that day, Nature teaches not, but is alterable at God's diſpoſe, but not at Mans; and that it was obſerved in Remembrance of their deliverance from Egypt, was Ceremonial, Deut. 5.15. And Typified out a deliverance by Chriſt, a Reſt in him, and his Reſting in the Grave. As alſo the rigid Obſervation of it, enjoyned to the Jews, when they muſt not go out of their places, kindle a Fire, dreſs any Meat, bear any burthen, &c. upon it. Chriſtian Liberty hath freed us from this; but for the Obſervation of one day in ſeven, for God's Service, is Commanded by God, approved by Chriſt, and practiſed by the Apoſtles, and all ſucceeding Generations, 1 Cor. 16.2. and what power on Earth, then can make it void? It was a Law given to Adam in Paradice, before there was any Ceremony uſed, or enjoyned, or any Saviour needed, or promiſed. I ſay, for the Subſtance of it, though it was afterwards preſt more ſtrictly, and ſome Ceremonies added to the Jews; and therefore it belongeth to all his Poſterity, though the Ceremonial part concerned them only; and though we read not that it was Obſerved in thoſe firſt Ages, yet it follows not, that it was not, when many thouſand things then done could not be expreſſed in ſo ſhort a Hiſtory: Yea, the ſame ſeems to be known to the Jews before the Law was given, Exod. 16.23, &c. To Morrow is the Reſt of the Holy Sabbath, &c. When it was after that God gave it in the Command; and if this Reſt upon the ſeventh day be Ceremonious, why not the Command of Labour on the ſix other days alſo? And why doth not this ceaſe to be a Duty as well as the other, and then the idleſt Perſons may be the beſt Chriſtians? We may find this Command reaches even to the ſtranger that is within the Gates, when I think the Ceremonies are not preſt upon them. Many Reaſons alſo are given in the Command, which belong to us, as well as to the Jews, as from the Equity of it: God, who is the Diſpoſer of all, gives us Six days, and reſerves one to himſelf, which he calls his own; The Sabbath of the Lord thy God: And Chriſt tells us, The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath; and from his own Example; he Reſted, and therefore Commands us to Reſt; the End was, to Worſhip God in it, and to Dedicate it to his Service, for the Reſting of Man and Beaſt upon it; and diſtinguiſhing his People from others, &c. and doth not this concern us as well as the Jews? God requires no leſs proportion of Service now, than he did then, and therefore no leſs time to do it in. Our Bodies require as much Reſt as theirs, and our Souls as much Food; and why ſhould not we have the like time? And this being the Subſtance of the Fourth Command, I think neither Man, nor Angel, can alter it; for who can proportion it better than God himſelf? Nay, the Circumſtances in the delivering of this Law, ſhews to be Moral. It was ſpoken by God's Mouth, as well as the other; written by the ſame Finger of God, in the ſame Tables of Stone, put into the Ark, where the Ceremonies were not; it hath a ſpecial Memento put upon it: Remember the Sabbath, to keep it Holy. Chriſt himſelf owns it, when he bids the Jews Pray that their Flight be not in the Winter, nor on the Sabbath day, Mat. 24.20. which Flight was forty Years after his Death. The oppoſition which wicked Men make againſt it, proves it to be of God alſo; for if the Devil herein prevail, we might almoſt bid farewel to all our Religion.
1. Direct. Before thou canſt make Conſcience of Obſerving the Sabbath, thou muſt be well convinc'd that it is thy Duty. To this End I have already proved it to be of Divine Inſtitution, and a Branch of the Moral Law; binding, not only Jews, but Chriſtians alſo. But I fore-ſee one main rub muſt be removed, before the way be cleared; that doubt which makes many to ſtumble: Whether the firſt day of the Week, or that which we call the Chriſtian Sabbath, be of Divine Inſtitution; and whether Chriſtians be obliged to obſerve it as a Sabbath. Much hath been Written by Divines to ſatisfie this doubt: My purpoſe is not to ſpeak much to it in this place, this Treatiſe being of another Nature, yet ſomething is neceſſary; for while this doubt remains, who will make uſe of the following Directions? 'Tis true, we cannot prove in Scripture, neither is it ſaid, totidem verbis, that Chriſt did Command that the Sabbath ſhould be changed, from the laſt, to the firſt day of the week, then there could be no Controverſie; but we have that which is equivalent to ſuch a Command, that it was changed by Divine Authority, and very probably by Chriſt himſelf; the Scripture yields us ſufficient Witneſs Chriſt is called the Lord of the Sabbath, and the Holy Ghoſt calls it his day, Rev. 1.10. which ſeems to intimate, he is the Author of it: As the Sacrament is called his Supper, becauſe he Inſtituted it; and had it not been altered by him, I know not who would have been ſo bold, to have diſtinguiſhed it from other days by this Name; he was every way as Faithful in his Houſe as Moſes was, yet Moſes, we know, by God's appointment, ſtated a time for God's Worſhip, Heb. 3.2.6. and no doubt, a ſettled time is as neceſſary for us, as for them, to Serve God in. We find Chriſt himſelf owning the day in his own Perſon; as in his Reſurrection, and finiſhing the work of our Redemption, a greater work than that of Creation, and better deſerves a ſpecial Memorial: And the Apoſtle tells us, He entred into his Reſt, and ceaſed from his own Work, as God did from his, Heb. 4.10. aluding to the Creation, from which, when God Reſted, he Ordained the Sabbath. We may alſo Read, that Chriſt, after his Reſurrection, appeared divers times to his Diſciples upon the firſt day of the Week, when they were met together; Read John 2.19. and again, verſe 26. And doubtleſs, not without Divine Providence pointing out this day to us; and after his Aſcention, when they were met together upon that day, he pours out the Holy Ghoſt upon them, Acts 2.12. We Read alſo, that this was the day the Apoſtles did keep as a Sabbath, and alſo the Churches met together to perform Sabbath days duties; to Preach the Word, to Adminiſter the Sacraments, Prayer, Works of Charity, &c. Acts 20.7. 1 Cor. 18.2. Ʋpon the firſt day of the Week let every one of you lay by in ſtore, as God hath proſpered him And as 'tis conceived, forty Years after Chriſts Deceaſe, Saint John, by the Inſpiration of the Holy Ghoſt, calls it the Lord's day, whereupon he received his Revelation, Rev. 1.10. Neither do we Read, that the Apoſtles ever kept any other day, as a Sabbath; 'tis true indeed, upon the Jews Sabbath they often Preached, taking Advantage of the Multitude then gathered together, which Advantage at other times they wanted. Now, if the change were thus made by Chriſt, and his Apoſtles, it was by the directions of the Spirit of God; for the Apoſtles delivered but what they had received from God, 1 Cor. 11.23. It was upon this day they met to Preach, and break Bread, Acts 20.7. 1 Cor. 16.1,2. Now, were there no Precept, the conſtant Example of the Apoſtles, and Churches in the Apoſtles time, may ſatisfie us, for they were Inſpired by the Spirit of God, and appointed them both by Doctrine, and Example to Teach his Church; and to this End gave them Inſtructions in the time between his Reſurrection, and Aſcention, which Inſtructions are not all Recorded; yea, the conſtant practice of the Church in all Ages ſince the Apoſtles time, give us no little Light; for though Chriſtians have been at great difference among themſelves about other matters, yet few queſtioned the change of the day; both Greeks and Latines, both Papiſts and Proteſtants, both Lutherans and Calveniſts, hold to this, and God's Bleſſing upon their Endeavours is great encouragement; he would never ſucceed them in ſo ſinful a Courſe, were it ſuch; nay, the remarkable Judgments of God upon Sabbath-breakers, beſpeakes God for the Author, for none in the World could Lawfully have done it without him. Thus I have ſhewn you, I hope, ſufficient grounds to Build upon; I proceed now to Direct you to keep it as a Sabbath.
2. Direct. If thou wouldſt Faithfully Sanctifie the Sabbath, as God Commands thee, make preparation for it before it come; for there is hardly any thing of great Concernment well done without ſome preparation, and much more here: we prepare the Body for Phyſick, before we take it; we provide in Summer for Winter, and lay in Proviſion in Harveſt; we prepare in the Day for the Night, and work when we have the Light: We prepare in Health for Sickneſs, and in Youth for Age: And were we to appear before ſome great Man, we ſhould make preparation accordingly; and ſhall we only be wanting in the Service of our Lord, and Maſter, and ruſh into his Preſence without prepared Hearts? God bids us remember the Sabbath day, to keep it Holy, or to Sanctifie it, as 'tis, Deut. 5.12. The word Remember, ſignifies either to call to mind ſomething paſt, or to commit to Memory ſomething for the Future, and both are neceſſary to this buſineſs. God ſets this Memento upon it, to Teach us, that thoſe that will keep it well, when it is come, muſt Remember it before it come, or otherwiſe our Nature is ſo Corrupt, that it will take hold upon ſome Occaſion or other to draw us aſide from the Duty in hand: We can fore-caſt for Fairs, and Markets, ſometimes long before, and make preparations for them according to our needs, whether to buy or ſell: We conſider our wants to have them ſupplyed, and make preparations accordingly; and yet how few make preparation for the Market day for the Soul. Many tire themſelves in the Labours of their Calling in the Week days, and then uſe the Lord's day no otherwiſe than a Beaſt, only Reſt from their Labours; for their Spirits being ſpent, and their Bodies tyred, they are more fit for ſleep, than any Holy Duty; and ruſhing rudely out of the World, into the Service of God, they bring ſo much of the world with them, that it renders them incapable of any Spiritual Duty. But thy Care ſhould be, to ſequeſter thy Heart, Thoughts, and Affections from the world, and ſet them upon God; and empty thy Heart of worldly Cares, and Troubles, that thou maiſt mind the buſineſs God ſets thee about. The want of this is one Cauſe why Men get ſo little benefit by the Ordinances; and hear ſo much, and profit ſo little, becauſe they come not with empty Hearts; a full Veſſel can receive no more, when the Prophet multiplied the Widdows Oyl, when there was no more empty Veſſels, the Oyl ſtayed: When the Head and Heart are full of the World, this Water of Life will run over. But our Duty is to prepare the Heart for ſo great a work, as the Entertaining our Lord, and Maſter, the great God of Heaven and Earth, who invites himſelf to Sup with us: He is the Searcher of the Heart, and the Tryer of the Reins. Before the Sabbath come, uſe ſuch fore-ſight, diligence, and Meditation; and diſpoſe, and ſeaſonably diſpatch thy Worldly buſineſs, that thou maiſt be more free, and fit for the Duties of the day. We find Iſrael did thus prepare to Sanctifie the Sabbath, Exod. 16.22. and gathered Manna enough the day before; and this was uſual among the Jews, Luke 23.54. And that day was the Preparation, and the Sabbath drew on. Thus Nehemiah prepared againſt the Sabbath, that it ſhould not be prophaned, Nehem. 13.19. And Gods Example in this is binding to us; he finiſhed his works before, and ſo ſhould we, and ſhould not meddle with any unneceſſary Worldly buſineſs then, either with Hand, or Heart, that our Duties be not peſtered with the World; but that we may be as free to ſerve the Lord, if poſſible, as if we had no worldly buſineſs to look to; but many fore-caſt buſineſs for that day, or make it neceſſary through their former neglects; but this will appear to be their Sin, and their Folly. Solomon bids us look well to our Feet, viz. our Affections, when we go into the Houſe of God, Eccl. 5.1. And 'tis good to conſider whoſe Preſence we come into; and, with Holy David, waſh our Hands in Innocency, before we compaſs his Altars, Pſal. 26.6. Examine how the Caſe ſtands between God and thy Soul, and venture not into his Preſence in an unregenerate Condition, or having ſin unmortified, or unrepented of, leſt he break thee in pieces, and there be none to deliver thee. Conſider what ſin thou haſt Committed, eſpecially in the week paſt, and be humbled for them; lay aſide thy worldly buſineſs betime on the Eve; when others only ſweep their Houſes, do thou ſweep thy Heart: Set ſome time apart for Reading, Meditating, Conferring, Inſtructing thy Family, and Praying with them; reconcile the Differences, if there be any in the Family; between Husband and Wife, Parent and Child, Maſter and Servant; yea, Neighbour and Neighbour, that your Prayers be not hindred; for God can hardly be well ſerved, where the Members of a Family Live at Diſcord. In a word, prepare thy Heart to meet God the day following.
3. Direct. Wouldſt thou Sanctifie the Sabbath? Take heed thou do nothing that is unlawful upon that day. This is appointed by God for a day of reſt; and not only, as ſome ſay, from ſin, which ſhould be Committed no day, but alſo from Labour, which at other times is Lawful, the works of our Calling; yea, unneceſſary recreations are forbidden, Exod. 20.10. In it thou ſhalt do no manner of Work, thou, nor thy Son, nor thy Daughter; thy Man-Servant, nor thy Maid-Servant, thy Cattle, nor the Stranger that is within thy Gates. Jer. 17.21,22. Neither do ye any work, but Hallow the Sabbath day, &c. Neither will a bare ceſſation from work ſerve the turn, for reſt is Commanded for an Higher End, that we might ſerve God with more Freedom; and therefore Idleneſs is a ſin worſe than Bodily Labour, upon that day; and when Men uſe not reſt as a means, but as an End, 'tis an egregious breach of the Fourth Command; and 'tis a groſs miſtake to think, that is an acceptable Duty, on that day, which is a great ſin any day. He that keeps the Sabbath only by reſting from his Labour, keeps it but as a Bruit Beaſt; yet the moſt of Men ſpend great part of the day in Idleneſs, or what is worſe; and think, if they give God their Bodily Preſence for an hour, or two, it's ſufficeable; but God will not be mocked: we ſhould think it were an unprofitable Servant that would work but two or three hours in the day. God gives us ſix whole days for our work, and ſhall not we give him one whole one for his? well, reſt we muſt from our Labour, but that is not all; we muſt ſpend it in God's Service: we muſt forbear our work, that we may do his, and beware of all that hinders us; and that is not only our work, but our pleaſures and recreations, works of our Calling we are forbidden, and that upon pain of Death, Exod. 31.15. He that doth any work upon it ſhall ſurely be put to Death: And God meant as he ſpake, we find that he Commanded the man that gathered ſticks on the Sabbath day to be put to Death, and he was ſtoned, Numb. 15.36. And there is great reaſon, for how can a man ſerve God, when Heart and Hand, when his Thoughts and Affections are intangled in the world? How can he ſerve two Maſters, but he muſt ſleight the one? when the Body is indiſpoſed by Labour, how can the Heart be free? And God Commands the Heart; My Son, give me thy Heart. Neither will he have a divided Heart, he will have all, or none; and he Commands not only our ſelves, but alſo our Children, and Servants; yea, even the Bruit Beaſts to reſt from their Labour, that our Hearts may be the freer, and there be no occaſion for roving thoughts, and to avoid diſtraction in God's Service. Recreations alſo, except thoſe that are purely neceſſary, are alſo forbidden, even thoſe which are at other times Lawful; ſports and paſtimes are no leſs dangerous than work; yea, much more, for they draw away the Heart more than honeſt Labour. Auguſtine thought it was more Lawful to Plough on the Lord's day, than to Dance; but many of our wanton Youth are of another mind; but the one brings Profit, the other oft tends to the debauching of Youth: And doubtleſs, God himſelf hath forbidden theſe vain paſtimes, Iſa. 58.13. If thou turn thy Feet from the Sabbath, 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 thy own ways, nor finding thy own Pleaſures, nor ſpeaking thy own words, &c. Worldly and vain Diſcourſe you ſee is alſo here forbidden; for every moment of this precious time ſhould, if poſſible, be improved to a Spiritual ufe; our own words ſhould not be ſpoken, our own pleaſure ſhould not be ſought, worldly cares & fears ſhould that day be baniſhed the mind, for theſe diſtract a Man in the Service of God: Theſe are the Thorns that choak the Word, and it becometh unfruitful, Mat. 13.22. Indeed, diſtracting, carking Cares, are always unlawful, much more in recourſe to God himſelf; but provident Cares at other times a Duty, now become a Sin, and muſt be laid aſide as much as may be, that the Heart may be free; we read in Scripture of many ſorts of work forbidden: As Jornying upon the Lords day, but only to the Ordinance called, a Sabbath days Journey, Exod. 16.29. for this diſtracts the mind as well as work: Let them look to it, that uſe that time to Ride to Fairs, or Markets, Acts 1.12. Buying and Selling is alſo forbidden, Nehem. 13.16,17. See how zealous he was againſt it; but 'tis a practice too much in Faſhion. Carrying of Burdens is alſo forbidden, upon no leſs Cruelty than the Deſtruction of Jeruſalem, Jer. 17.22. Nehem. 13.19. In a word, whatſoever hinders in God's Service; nay, doth not ſome way or other further it, cannot be Juſtified: As for dreſſing of Meat or Drink, any further than is neceſſary, or convenient; or ſpending over-much time in Bed, or needleſs Dreſſing, or ſpending time any ways unneceſſarily, is no doubt, a Sin.
4. Direct. Though there be a Reſt Commanded by God, and a Ceſſation from the works of our Calling, upon the Sabbath day; yet all works are not forbidden thereupon, there is ſtill Liberty given for good works: for works are forbidden as they tend to the diſtraction of the mind, and hinder us in the Service of God; but thoſe works that further it, are not only Lawful, but Commanded; theſe in general are works of Piety, works of Charity, and works of Neceſſity: Works of Piety are ſuch as tend to the Worſhip and Service of God, as part of it, or as a means or help thereunto. Thus it was Lawful for the Prieſts under the Law to kill and Sacrifice the Beaſts that were to be Offered, which was a ſervile work, and unlawful, had it not been Commanded, Mat. 12.5. Have you not read in the Law, how on the Sabbath days the Prieſts in the Temple prophane the Sabbath, and are blameleſs. And no doubt, 'tis Lawful in Goſpel Times for Miniſters to Preach the Word, Catechize, and Perſonally to Inſtruct the People, though it be to the ſpending of their Spirits, and the Tyring of their Bodies, more than on any other day of the week: Paul he Preached long, even till mid-night, upon that day: And 'tis Lawful for him to Travel that day to the Meeting place; and 'tis Lawful for the People alſo to come to hear: Yea, 'tis their Duty, though it be ſeveral Miles, if they cannot otherwiſe enjoy it: We read of a Sabbath days Journey, Acts 1.12. which is conceived to be about two Miles. We may ſee this was a Cuſtom in Iſrael, 2 Kings 4.23. when the good Shunammite deſired her Husbands leave to go to the Prophet; he anſwered her, wherefore wilt thou go to him to day, it is neither New Moon, nor Sabbath; implying theſe were uſual times to go, Pſal. 84.7. Every one of them in Sion appeareth before God. Works of Mercy alſo are neceſſary, whether to Man, or Beaſts; God deſires Mercy, and not Sacrifice, Hoſ. 6.6. Now, this Mercy is either to the Soul, or to the Body: To the Body, viſiting the Sick, healing their Diſeaſes, eaſing their pains, relieving their Neceſſity, if able; this is approved by Chriſt, Luke 13.11. when Chriſt healeth the Sick, and diſputes the Caſe with the Phariſees; yea, giving, or gathering Alms upon that day, which we find was the Apoſtles Command, and the Churches practice, 1 Cor. 16.1,2. and that which Chriſt will Reward at the laſt, Mat. 25.35. Meat and Drink alſo muſt be taken moderately, for the refreſhing of thy Body, and the making it fit for the Service of the day. Chriſt himſelf approves of this, when he juſtifies his Diſciples for plucking the Ears of Corn, Mat. 12.1,2. Spiritual Mercy muſt be ſhewed alſo; ſuch is informing the Ignorant, reducing the Erroneous, exhorting the Negligent, comforting the Diſconſolate, Inſtructing one another in our moſt Holy Faith, Reconciling thoſe that are at variance; yea, the Bruit Beaſts themſelves muſt that day taſte of thy bounty; if one be fallen into a Ditch or Pitt, we muſt lift him out, Luke 14.5. We may, yea, muſt looſe our Ox and our Aſs from the Stall, and lead them out to water, upon that day, Luke 13.15. Phyſitians, in caſes of neceſſity, may Travel, to Viſit their ſick Patients, and Midwives attend upon their Office; but it ſhould be Charity, and Neceſſity, and not for filthy Lucre, that this ſhould be done. We ſhould not ſell our Labour upon that day, but do it for common Charity; otherwiſe a juſt Cauſe may to us prove ſinful. Works of Neceſſity alſo are Lawful, ſo they be truly ſo, and not feigned: when an Houſe is on Fire, we may leave the Ordinance, to ſeek to Quench it, though with Bodily Labour. The Marriner, in his Journey, muſt attend his work, but his Heart in the mean time ſhould be in Heaven: The Souldier, if ſet upon, ſhould defend himſelf; we find Joſhua compaſſing Jericho ſeven days together, Joſh. 6.15. and one of them muſt needs be the Sabbath. Though the Jews at firſt did ſcruple Fighting upon that day, and many of them were Murdered by the Enemy; yet at laſt they reſolved to Fight in their own Defence, 2 Mac. 4.1. A Husband-man, in Harveſt time, I ſuppoſe, for fear of an Inundation, or the apparent loſs of Grain, or Hey, may Labour to prevent it; but take heed a Neceſſity be not feigned: Many are neceſſitated for want of fore-caſt, and ſome fore-caſt, that there may be a Neceſſity, neglecting it all the week, and then ſay, muſt not Cattle be looked? Or ſuch a thing be done? But know what may be done before, or let alone till after, ought not to be done; 'tis not thy wilful neglect can procure a diſpenſation to break God's Law; but moſt men ſtrain their Chriſtian Liberty to the utmoſt Link, but take heed of going beyond; be not deceived, God will not be mocked.
5. Direct. To the ſanctifying of the Sabbath, thou muſt not only obſerve an Holy Reſt unto the Lord all the day, and forbear thy own thoughts, words, and works, as formerly I have ſhewed; but there are alſo many Duties of Religion to be performed; as part of that Worſhip to be given to God, upon that day, that the whole time, as nigh as may be, may be ſpent in the Religious Exerciſes of the day. Now, the Duties required, are either Publick, or Private; the Publick are in the Congregation of the Saints, when the Church meets together to Worſhip God. The Private are in the Family, or in the Cloſet: He that only reſts from his Labour on the Sabbath, keeps it no better; yea, much worſe than a Beaſt. Idleneſs is a ſin at all times, eſpecially then; this is the Market day to lay in Proviſion for the week following, the Harveſt, to provide in, for winter, and ſhall we Trifle now? All Time is precious, much more this; we ſhould leave any work undone before we ſhould leave God's work undone, or careleſsly do it. The Publick Duties required at our hands, are according to the Relations we ſtand in; more is required of Publick Perſons, than of Private. The Miniſters are God's Stewards to diſpence his Myſteries, to Divide the word of God aright, and to give every one his Portion; and therefore he muſt look to his Charge, and make preparation before-hand for his work. He is the Mouth of the People unto God, and God's Mouth to them; and therefore he had need to ſet a watch over his Lips, that he Offend not with his Tongue. Parents and Maſters they ſhould not only come to the Ordinance themſelves, but bring their Children, and Servants there to be Taught. Prayer is an Ordinance of God, and ſhould be performed in the Publick, where Miniſter and People ſhould joyn together to make their Requeſts known to God in the Name of Chriſt; and beg ſuch things as are neceſſary for themſelves, or others; for this Life, or that to come: It ſhould be performed with Faith and Fervency, with Humility and Reverence, with Wiſdom and Diſcretion, both by Miniſter and People: … Complements with God are unſavoury, and unſeemly. The Word alſo ſhould be Read, and Preached by the Miniſter, and the whole Counſel of God made known, Acts 20.20.27. and that without mixture of Humane Invention; without Oſtentation, Plainly, Faithfully, Powerfully, Truly, Zealouſly. And the People they ſhould hear with Attention, Diligence, Watchfulneſs, Underſtanding, and Care; they ſhould Examine that which is delivered by the Miniſter, whether it be agreeable to the Truth, like thoſe Noble Bereans, Acts 17.11. They ſhould Treaſure it up in good Hearts, and bring forth good Fruit in their Lives and Converſations; for without Practice knowledge is little worth. The Adminiſtration of Baptiſm alſo is a Sabbath days work; Ʋpon the Sabbath, ſays Chriſt, they Circumciſe a Man; this is given the Miniſter in Commiſſion, Mat. 28.19,20. which is to be done according to Precept, and Scripture Examples, without External Additions, and the People ought to be preſent at it, and joyn with the Miniſter in Prayer for a Bleſſing, and not turn their backs upon it through careleſsneſs or contempt. The Sacrament of the Supper alſo ſhould be as frequently Adminiſtred, as Convenience will permit, Acts 2.42. And 'tis the Miniſters Duty to Teach and Inſtruct the Ignorant, to convince the gain-ſayers, reclaim the ſcandalous, if they can; and if they will not be Reformed, to keep them back from the Sacrament; yea, to take Chriſt's way: And if they be obſtinate, caſt them out, and not ſuffer the Ordinance to be polluted, or contemned. God complains of the contrary, Ezek. 22.26. Her Prieſts have violated my Law, and have prophaned my Holy things, they have put no difference between the Holy and Prophane, &c. And 'tis Chriſt's command, not to give Holy things to Dogs, Mat. 7.8. The People they ſhould partake of it, and come with prepared Hearts to this Holy Banquet, and be careful that they have on the Wedding Garment, or they will be no welcom Gueſts to his Marriage Supper: They ſhould there Exerciſe their Graces of Knowledge, Faith, Love, and Obedience, &c. knowing that the neglect, or unworthy receiving is a dangerous ſin, Acts 20.6. 1 Cor. 11.17. Singing of Pſalms alſo is a publick Duty, and ſhould be performed by the whole Church, and in ſo doing, they ſhould lift up their Hearts, as well as their Voices, and Sing with the Spirit, and with the Underſtanding alſo. Viſiting the Sick, relieving the Poor, Gathering, and Collecting for them, is this days Duty, 1 Cor. 16.2. Catechizing, eſpecially the Younger ſort, is the Miniſters Duty; and 'tis the Peoples Duty to ſend them: And all this muſt be done to God's Glory, and the Edification of our ſelves and others.
6. Direct. Though the publick Worſhip and Service of God be chiefly to be minded, and intended upon the Lord's day, yet it is not only that which is required. Many private Duties alſo are to be performed; and in thy Publick and Private Duty is all the whole time to be ſpent. What thoſe Publick Duties are I have already ſhewed you, and ſhall now ſpeak of thoſe that are Private; I mean, ſuch as Private Perſons, eſpecially Maſters, and Parents, and Governours of Families ought to do: Let the Inferiors alſo here Read their Duties. Some of thoſe are to be done before the Publick, by way of Preparation; and ſome after, by way of Digeſtion: Concerning Preparation I have ſpoken already, and yet here ſomething may be added; for, as thou muſt remember the Sabbath before it come, to prepare for it; ſo when 'tis come, improve it to the beſt Advantage: And to this End, Riſe as timely in the Morning as thy Health will permit. Were it to go to ſome Market, or Fair, or to do ſome earneſt, or important buſineſs, how early wouldſt thou Riſe? And why not now, the better to fit thy ſelf for thy Maſters work; and to Sanctifie as much of the Conſecrated time as thou canſt, and do God as much work as may be; and Reaſon good, for God is the beſt Maſter, and pays the beſt Wages; and therefore he ſhould have moſt work done: And by this means thou wilt redeem the more time for thy private Devotion. When thou firſt awakeſt, Conſecrate thy firſt thoughts to God, and begin the day with ſome Fruitful Meditation, ſuitable to the Seaſon, and the work in hand, for this will fit thee for after-Duties. But if thou let the World, or Sin have thy firſt thoughts, 'tis hard getting them out of poſſeſſion of thy Heart. Examine thine own Heart, what Graces thou haſt weak, or wanting, that thou wouldſt have ſupplyed; what Sins are ſtrong, that thou wouldſt have mortified; what ſins thou haſt Committed, eſpecially the week laſt; what Mercies thou haſt received, that ſo thy Heart may be affected accordingly: Go to God with ſhame in thy Face, and ſorrow in thy Heart; and, if it may be, with Tears in thine Eyes, and confeſs thy ſins to him, and never reſt, till thou haſt a diſcharge. Many give themſelves ſo much Liberty of ſleeping in the Morning, that much of thoſe ſecret Duties are either neglected, or ſlubbered over, and they have little time to ſet the Heart in Order. But how can a man expect a Bleſſing, that is guilty of ſuch neglects? But theſe ſecret Duties are not ſufficient. If thou haſt a Family, call them together, in convenient time, Read ſome Portion of Holy Scripture to them; and, if thou canſt, faſten ſomething upon their Spirits by Familiar Diſcourſe, or otherwiſe, and then joyn with them in Prayer to God for the pardon of the ſins of the Family, and a ſupply of Grace, and a Bleſſing upon the Publick Ordinances, for their Souls good: And here forget not to put up ſome Petitions for him who is to be your mouth unto God, that he might do it prevailingly; and that he that is to be God's mouth to you, may reach your Hearts, and ſpeak a word in ſeaſon to your Souls, and meet with your beloved ſins, and put you on to your neglected Duties. If Holy Paul deſires the Prayers of his Hearers, Col. 4.3. much more need have your Miniſters. And having thus diſpoſed thy private Devotions, make timely reſort unto the publick: 'Tis an ill Cuſtom which many have, to ſtay late, and ſavours but of little Love to the Ordinances. Theſe Men would make more haſt to a Feaſt, or Banquet, perhaps, to a Stage-Play, or Morrice-dance. And when thou haſt thus done, and brought thy Family along with thee, behave thy ſelf, and ſee that they behave themſelves gravely, and orderly, and joyn with the Miniſter; hear attentively, pray zealouſly, and ſing affectionately, and do every Duty chearfully; write the Sermon in thy Book, or in thy Memory, eſpecially the moſt material Heads; and after the Morning Exerciſe, uſe ſobriety in Meat and Drink, leſt thy Body be ſurcharged, and become unfit for the Evening Exerciſe; for though Meat and Drink may be taken, yet no more than fits thee for thy Duty: Spend the inter-mediate-time in Prayer, Singing, Repeating, Meditation, &c. and frequent the Evening Exerciſe as thou didſt in the Morning; and when the Publick is done, ſpend the remaining part of thy time in private Duties; as Repeating the Sermon, and Examining the proficiency of thy People, incouraging the Diligent, reproving the Idle: In Meditation of what thou haſt heard, preſſing it upon thy own, and People's Hearts, and put it into Practice, which is the Life of all; without which 'tis like Food eaten, but not digeſted; which ſeeds Diſeaſes, and not the Body. Call thy Family together, ſuffer them not to wander after Vanity: Read ſome Portion of Holy Writ; and, if it may be, make them underſtand God's Will in it. Catechize, and Inſtruct them in the Fundamentals of Religion, Pray with them, and for them, for the Pardon of their ſins, and a Bleſſing upon the means; Commend them, and all thine, and all the Iſrael of God into God's Protection, and ſo conclude the day in Secret with God as thou beganſt; confeſs the miſcarriages of thy Heart, and bleſs God for the aſſiſtance thou haſt found; follow this courſe, and the Sabbath will prove a Market-day for thy Soul.
7. Direct. 'Tis not enough to Sanctifie the Sabbath thy ſelf, but God requires, thee to improve thy Authority, that thoſe under thy Charge may Sanctifie it alſo: And if by thy negligence, or remiſsneſs thou ſuffereſt ſin to be Committed on it, and wilt not hinder it, it will be laid at thy door, and charged upon thine Account, qui non prohibet cum poteſt, Jubet. Now, this chiefly concerns Superiors, for to them is the Command chiefly directed, Exod. 20.10. They are to Command, and others are to Obey. All Governors therefore, whether Civil, Military, or Eccleſiaſtical, are hereby obliged to improve their Intereſt and Authority, to hinder the Prophanation of the Lod's day, and to promote the Sanctification of it. It was good Joſhua's Reſolution, He and his would Serve the Lord, Joſh. 24.15. And God himſelf, who could not be miſtaken, faith of Abraham, He knew that he would Command his Children, and Houſhold after him, to keep his Commandments, Gen. 18.19. The Magiſtrate is Cuſtos utrius & Fabulae, and therefore ſhould look to it, that the Commands of God be not broken, or Contemned. They ſhould be Nurſing Fathers to the Church, and therefore ſhould ſee that their Children take good ways, and run not into dangers, Iſa. 49.23. They are Vice-Gerents upon Earth, and ſhould Act like God, and ſee his Commands obſerved; they ſhould encourage the good, and puniſh the diſobedient; they ſhould Reprove, Threaten, Reſtrain, and Puniſh the Diſobedient, for the Prophaning of the Sabbath; and encourage the good, that it may appear they bear not the Sword in vain. This was Nehemiah's Practice in the ſame Caſe, Nehem. 13.15, &c. The Fourth Commandment ſaith as much, which is Directed to Superiors, who have moſt Power to Reform this amiſs. An Example of a Magiſtrates Power we have in Joſiah, who Commanded all his Subjects to ſtand to the Covenant, he had made with the Lord, and made them to Serve the Lord their God; though doubtleſs, many of them had rather have Served Baal, 2 Chron. 34.32,33. That is, he forc'd them to an outward compliance. We find in many places, Death is threatned to the Prophanation of this day. Now, if the Magiſtrate had not Power to puniſh, as ſome imagine, who ſhould inflict his Death? Can it be imagined, that God immediately from Heaven ſtruck them dead for every ſuch Tranſgreſſion? We find indeed, the Law Executed, Numb. 15.36. by the Command of God, upon the man that gathered ſticks upon the Sabbath, but it was done by the hand of man; though men cannot be compelled to become true Chriſtians, yet they may, and ought to be forc'd to an outward Compliance, and reſtrained from the open violation of the known Laws of God, though they will not Sanctifie it in their Heart, they ſhould be reſtrained from Prophaning it with their Hands, or Tongues. Falſe Prophets ſhould not be ſuffered to deceive the People, and thoſe that Teach Errors and Hereſies, ſhould be reſtrained. But alas! here is our Miſery, we have few Nehemiahs in our Time, to redreſs theſe abuſes: Many not only do it themſelves, but take Pleaſure in thoſe that do; and the Sabbath is Prophaned, and few lay it to Heart. Miniſters alſo in their place ſhould ſee to the Obſervation of it, though they cannot compel, yet they may perſwade, and denounce the Judgments of God againſt the wilful breakers of his Law: The Word and Sword ſhould go together; and if they prove obſtinate Sinners, they ſhould be caſt out, as thoſe that are not fit for a Chriſtian Society; Excommunication hath proceeded, I ſuppoſe, againſt Perſons for leſs faults in God's Account. Governors of Families alſo, whether Parents, or Maſters, ſhould look to thoſe under their Charge; for neither Son nor Daughter, Man-Servant, nor Maid-Servant, ſhould break this Law; and though they have not the Power of Life and Death, as the Magiſtrate hath, yet he hath Power to Command, Rebuke, Reſtrain; and, if need be, to Correct: And why hath God given this Power into their Hands, but to this End? Abraham, Joſhua, David, and others, did thus Reform their Families, Gen. 18.19. Joſh. 24.15. Pſal. 101. throughout. Eph. 6.4. Eſther 4.6. Servants that are of another Religion; as ſuppoſe a Jew, or a Mahometan, yet ought to be reſtrained from the open Prophanation of it. But alaſs! many Parents, and Maſters will Prophane it themſelves, and it cannot be imagined that they will ſee to their Children, or Servants; yea, often both by Precept, and Preſident, they Command the violation; and many that will not openly Prophane it themſelves, yet wink at others when they do it; but cannot God, thinkeſt thou, diſcern the thoughts of thy Heart, and ſee thy approbation of it? Some plead, as Lot of Zoar, 'tis a little one, 'tis a ſmall matter, the more ſhame to break a Command of God for a ſmall matter; if the Devil mend thy Wages, thou wilt mend thy Work, and a greater Temptation will make thee break them all, but thou wilt find none ſo ſmall; ſome plead a neceſſity for doing this or that, but was it not thy neglect that made it neceſſary? Some plead Youth muſt have ſome Recreation, ſo they muſt have Food and Raiment, ſhall they therefore ſteal for it? Why may they not have it out of thy ſix days, as well as out of God's one? Give them of thy own, and not of anothers time for it.