The Sabbaths Sanctification, Title page – To the reader
THE SABBATHS Sanctification. Herein
I. The Grounds of the morality of the Sabbath.
II. Directions for ſanctifying it.
III. Proofs that the Lords day is the Chriſtians Sabbath.
IIII. Aberrations about the Sabbath.
V. Motives to ſanctifie the Sabbath.
By W. G.
LONDON, Printed by G. M. for Joſhua Kirton, and Thomas Warren, at their ſhop in Pauls Church-yard at the white Horſe, 1641.
To the Reader.
Chriſtian Reader,
THis Treatiſe of the Sabbaths Sanctification, hath in the private family of the Author, and in other families of his pious Friends beene taught, and learned many yeares together. They who have beene made partakers thereof, and made conſcience of well uſing it, have found a ſingular help thereby for a comfortable and profitable paſsing thorow that day, which unto too too many ſeemeth very tedious, and (if at least they be under the Miniſtery or government of ſuch as reſtraine them from thoſe ſenſuall workes that ſatisfie the fleſh) makes them complaine, and ſay as the Iewes of old did (Amos 8. 5.) when will the Sabbath be gone? But they who take notice of the variety of duties therein ſet downe, and of their fit dependance one upon another, ſhall rather find want of time for a due performance of them, then ſuperfluity. By care and conſcience in aright obſerving of them, the Lords day will prove an holy ſpirituall market day, wherein we may procure, weeke after weeke, ſuch ſpirituall proviſion for our ſoules, as will nouriſh and cheriſh them unto eternall life. The very life of piety is preſerved by a due ſanctification of the Lords day. They put a knife to the throat of religion, that hinder the ſame. Let ſuch as deſire and expect the bleſſed fruition of the eternall Sabbath to come, make conſcience of well ſanctifying the Chriſtian Sabbath while here they live: for an help whereunto, this Treatiſe of the Sabbaths Sanctification is publiſhed. To it is added another Treatiſe about Apoſtaſy: which two may fitly goe together, becauſe a conſcionable ſanctifying of the Lords day will be an eſpeciall meanes to keepe men from Apoſtaſy.