A Preservative of Piety, Part 1 · Chapter 4 · Section 1
1. The Necessity of a Sabbath.
Wherein, it might suffice to say, that the only wise God, (who never did any thing whereof there was no need) instituted in the beginning of the World, and afterwards prescribed in the Law written with his own finger (in full force to the end of the world) a weekly Sabbath. If any ask, and would know further, What need there is of it? The answer may be,
1. That the Lord hath need of it (m)Mat. 21.3., that the work of Creation and Redemption may be remembred, and our Creator and Redeemer, publiquely and solemnly served and glorified.
2. That man hath need of it: for, the Sabbath was made for man (n)Mar. 2.27., that is, both for his spiritual, and corporal good. It was not without need, that God made the Sabbath either for himself, or for us.
Indeed, but one thing is needful (o)Luk. 10.42., and that is, to sit at Christs feet, and hear his Word (p)Vers. 39., (as it ought to be heard (q)Luk. 11.28..) Which though it may be done other dayes, yet not so fully and hopefully, as on that day when all other things are laid aside to apply our selves wholly to the concernments of our Souls: On other dayes, there is more of Martha, that is, the world is mixt, and is a partner; but on this day, with Mary, we choose (if we have Maries grace) the good part, and provide to attend upon the Lord without distraction (r)1 Cor. 7.35.. On other dayes, our hearts (like the Jews garments) hang loose; on this day, (if we mind our duty), we gird up the loins of our mind (s)1 Pet. 1.13., and so may run (as Elijah, before Ahab, when he had girded up his loins) the way of Gods Commandements, 1 King. 18.46. Psal. 119.32. On other dayes, the Moon is between us and the Sun, I mean, earthly and sublunary things stand between us and the Sun of Righteousness (t)Mal. 4.2., whereby there is an Eclipse, that we can not so fully enjoy him: but now on the Lords day, if we be Christians, we should; if wise, we will; if good and faithful, we shall, tread the Moon under our feet (u)Rev. 12.1.: and as in Solomon's Royal and Incomparable Throne, the footstool was of gold (x)2 Chr. 9.18., so, (being taken up on that Ascension-day, to Mount Tabor) we shall make the most golden world, our foot-stool, and the necessary supports thereof, like Zacheus his Sycomore-tree (y)Luk. 19.4., helps (being under us) to see Jesus the better; that having a full view of him, and fellowship with him, of his fulness we may receive grace for grace (z)Joh. 1.16..
Some men talk of an every-dayes Sabbath; but as to make every man a Magistrate, is to take away Magistracy; and to let every man be a Minister, is to take away the Ministry: so to make every day a Sabbath, is to say, No day shall be a Sabbath. They may call every day a Sabbath, because we are to rest and abstain from sin, every day; but herein they deceive themselves in that they do not consider, that on the Sabbath day, we must not only abstain from sinful things (albeit then we should abhor them most); but, from those things that are not sinful on other dayes, but lawful and needful, and which, it is a sin not to look after, as the works of our ordinary Callings; for, look how a Subject that is called to wait on his Prince, is not only to leave his good Fellows, and that loose and vain company (which he ought alwayes to separate himself from) but also his Wife, Children, whole Family, and all his domestick affairs, which, out of this case, and when there is no such Call, it is his sin to be unnecessarily absent from, and his duty to abide with, and take care of; and so when our Lord calls us to wait on him a whole day together, (as he doth on the Lords day) all other things are, for that time, to be laid aside (save only those which our Lord alloweth us) though at other times lawful and necessary: When two good things are to be done, and both cannot be done, our reason will tell us, that it is necessary, for that time, to leave the less, and apply our selves to the greater: which being well considered, will amount to this, that it is necessary, that these earthly things should be for a convenient time, with-drawn from; that is, that there should be a weekly Sabbath, (for that's the most convenient time), to give up our selves intirely to those things that ought to be highest in our account; to wit, the honour and service of our God, and the salvation of our souls. It's a poor plea to say, I must needs go see my Ground; (a)Luk. 14.18., (when God calls to his Supper) but it's a good pleading of necessity, to say, I must needs goe see my God, Psal. 63.2. Now whereas, on working dayes, the world doth (as it were) cover our faces with a vail, and cast dust on the divine Glass; on the Lords day, (by laying aside earthly things and thoughts) the covering is put away from our face (as from Moses face, when he left all to appear before the Lord) that we may see the King in his glory (b)Isa. 33.17., yea, so see him as to become glorious our selves, with that sight. For we all (to wit, who by admirable grace have received the Spirit of God) with open face, beholding as in a glass, the glory of God are transformed into the same Image from glory to glory, 2 Cor. 3.18.