A Preservative of Piety, Part 1 · Chapter 4 · Section 2
2. The Commodity of the Christian Sabbath.
What is said of Godliness, may be said of the Day of God, (which is the Nurse of Godliness) that it is profitable to all things (c)1 Tim. 4.8., I mean, being spiritually observed, for (otherwise) the bodily exercise profiteth little.
The weekly Sabbath (like the Vine, whose Wine cheareth God and Man (d)Judg. 9.13.,) yeeldeth much assistance for the performance of the duties of the first and second Table.
1. Of the First Table.
Of the first Commandement] (e)Lev. 26.2.for therein is an acknowledgement of God our Creator (as the only true God, maker of Heaven and Earth) in the proportion of time, that is, in observing a Sabbath every seventh day after our six dayes work. And, an acknowledgement also of God our Saviour, in our particular Sabbath-day in these Gospel times. That of the Prophet (f)Ezek. 22.26.is very observable, They have hid their eyes from my Sabbaths, that is, they slight them, as Hos. 8.12. And what followeth? And I am profaned among them, that is, dishonoured, accounted as nought among them, as if I were not a God. Dutch Annot.
Of the Second Commandement] Because the Worship of God, required in that Commandement, is on that day, most improved and heightened: As being,
1. More extended, because all (both Superiours, and those under them, and within their Gates) are then to wait on God in the way of his Worship; Hence it is conceiv'd, that whereas these two, Ye shall fear every Man his Mother, and his Father, and shall keep my Sabbaths (g)Lev. 19.3., are joyned together, the reason thereof may be this, because Fathers and Mothers, and Governours, to whom the fourth Commandement is directed (not only, but eminently) are to see that their Children and Servants keep the Lords Sabbaths: and Children and Servants should so far fear and reverence them, as herein to be ruled by them; and so there will be a general appearing to do homage to God, which is one improvement of worship on that day.
2. It is more attended, because a Sabbath is a day of rest, and receding from worldly works, that we may better apply our selves to divine Worship. And though there be a necessary use of natural supports, yet the fear of God w…ites Holiness to the Lord upon them (h)Zec. 14.20., and takes care they be so used, that the Service of God may be better attended.
3. It is more intended, or performed with more power and vigour, because our minds are, or should be, discharged of all those creature-cares and cogitations, wherewith on other dayes (on which, though we leave the world a little, yet we do not so take leave of it as on the Lords day) our hearts use to be (and that in the Worship of God) encumbred and weakened, yea, (besides this) the private religious Exercises of that day, both before and after the publike Service, (namely, Meditation and Prayer,) make us come with better affections to it, lay an ingagement upon us, to stir up the grace of God in us when we are about it, draw from God vertue in it, and a blessing of Heaven upon it.
Of the third Commandement] Because the Sabbath is a day appointed for the honour of God (i)Isa. 58.13., and the greatning of his Name in the publike Ordinances (k)Mal. 1.11., God is greatly to be feared in the Assembly of his Saints, and to be had in reverence of all that are about him (l)Psal. 89.7.. Hence it is, that on the day of publik and solemn Assemblies, that is▪ on the Sabbath, (now, the Lords day), the Name of God … most set up, because by most, and among most; In the multitude of people, is the Kings honour (m)Prov. 14.28., and then the multitude (n)Psal. 42.4.go to the House of God, to the Temple, to the Congregation, wherein every one speaks of his glory (o)Psal. 29.9. & 48.9.10..
Thus doth the fourth Commandement assist for the performance of the first Table.
2. Of the Second Table.
To speak to every Commandement thereof, would be too long. It may suffice, to say, what all men may see and hear, That is, that on the weekly Lords day, all sorts of persons are acquainted with their duty towards men, by the instructions then (especially) delivered; and are also, stirred up thereunto by the Exhortations added. And are, or may be, much furthered therein by the Repetition of, Meditation, and Prayer for, a blessing upon such Instructions and Exhortation. The fourth Commandement standeth in the middle (as it were) between the two Tables, to be a Bond of Perfection, and to link together Piety towards God, and Charity towards men. What is said of the Magistrate, may be truly also said of the Sabbath; He is, and It is, the Keeper of both the Tables.
Thus of the Commodity of the Christian Sabbath.