A Preservative of Piety, Part 1 · Chapter 4 · Section 3
3. The Commendation.
The Sabbath hath a preheminence above other dayes, in regard of Gods Institution of it, for each Sabbath is the Sabbath of the Lord our God (p)Ineplè faciunt qui observationem diei Dominici ex traditione, non ex Scriptura Sacra, in Ecclesia perdurare asserunt. Jun. praelect. in Gen. 2.; and that makes it glorious in it self, and hath the blessing of God annexed and assured to the observers of it. And that, as it maketh also for the advancement of it in it self, so it giveth a reason why it should be precious to us; yea, the very largeness of the Law of the Sabbath, and the Lords using so many words about it, may shew (as our weakness, who need it, so) the weight of that Law, and worth of that Day, in asmuch as in a Law of Ten Words, so much is said of this one Word and particular Precept. It is observed out of the Hebrew Doctors, That the Sabbath, and the Precept against Idolatry, each of these two, is as weighty as all other the Commandements of the Law: for confirmation whereof they add this, The Sabbath is a sign between God and us for ever; and that other place of Isaiah (q)Isa. 56.2., Blessed is the man that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it. Aynsworth Exod. 31.13.
And (sure) that weekly day of our solemn appearing before our God, ought to be honourable in our account: That is a sign and assurance that we are Gods Covenant-people, and peculiar treasure; for therein lies our safety (r)Jer. 2.3. Deut. 33.28., our glory (s)Luk. 2.32., and our felicity (t)Deut. 33.29.. Who is it that desires not to be known by his attendants that he is Kings the Servant? Well may we say also, that's a blessed and glorious day, that makes the observers thereof blessed; yea, if by [keeping the Sabbath from polluting it] be insinuated, or described a respect to all Religion, even that also makes greatly for the honour of the Sabbath, that godliness (in the genera…ity) is thereby set forth, because thereby so much set forward.
It's very observable, that Gods people, reckoning up in their miseries, Gods mercies, do mention (as the chief thereof) Gods Commandements, and among those Laws and Commandements, single out the Sabbath, speaking thus honourably of it, in reference to their Fathers, And madest known unto them thy holy Sabbath (u)Neh 9.14., as if there were an eminency in that above other Laws; as indeed there is, in this regard, because as on Fairs and Markets men are furnished with commodities of all sorts, so on this day principally, all spiritual good things are offered with an invitation to the buying, and for the enjoying of them (x)Isa. 55.1, 2. Mat. 22.1, 2, 3. Rev. 3.17, 18., and that good knowledge of God is more aboundantly dispensed, whereby all other Commandements are better performed. O, How little is God known to them to whom no Sabbath is made known, or that will not be made to know any Sabbath? The reason whereof is, because on that day of Rest and Religion, there is an opportunity offered of the freest, fullest and highest Communion with God, without those interruptions that we have on other days, by the crowding in of our earthly occasions, yea, and that into the inner chamber and closet of our hearts, which is the retiring room, wherein God is pleased to communicate himself abundantly to the faithful soul when all worldly things and thoughts are had out, and dismissed for that day; yea, charged, and (as it were) conjured, not to disturb the intimate society of the Lord Jesus with the soul that hath found him, and fastened on him (y)Cant. 3.4, 5. Vid. Mercer. in loc..
Thus of the Sabbath in general.
As to the Christian Sabbath, a great glory is put upon it in the Scripture-title, it being called the Lords day (z)Rev. 1.10., and that name and title being continued and applyed unto it, to this day, The Lord Jesus hath put his own Name and stamp upon it, It is the day of that Lord who is the Prince of the Kings of the Earth, Rev. 1.5. Of the Jews Sabbath, and of our Lords day, there is (as St. Austin speaks (a)Et Sabbati & Dominici unus est Dominus. Aug. Epist. 86. ad Casulam.,) one and the same Lord: but now is the Lords-day prefer'd before that Sabbath, (as the same Father speaks) by the faith of the Resurrection (b)Praeponitur dies Dominicus Sabbato; fide Resurrectionis. Ibid.. Unto this Resurrection day is that honour given, to have this said of it, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee, Act. 13.33. For by his Resurrection on that day, he was manifestly and mightily declared to be the only-begotten Son of God, Rom. 1.3.
Unto this may be added, that this day hath been ever of high account in the Christian Church. Let every one (saith Ignatius, that holy Martyr), that loveth Christ, keep the Lords day holy, the Queen and Supreme of all dayes (c)Ignat. ad Magnes. foreign..
Hierom saith, Among all dayes, this day hath the primacy, or holds the preheminence; This is the day (saith he) that the Lord hath made, let us rejoyce, and be glad in it (d)Hieron. com. in Marc. 16. Post Sabbata tristia soelix irradiat dies, quae primatum in diebus tenet, &c. Item. Quomodo Maria Virgo inter omnes mulieres principatum tenet, ita inter caeteros dies haec dies omnium dierum mater est..
If we celebrate our birth-dayes, (saith Chrysostom), How much more is this day to be observed? which if any shall call the Birth-day of all mankind, he shall not erre therein: for we were lost and are found; were dead, and are alive; were Enemies, and are reconciled. But it is with spiritual honour that this day is to be honoured, not with feasting, profuse drinking of Wine; much less with drunkenness and dancing, &c. Chrysost. Serm. de Eleemosyna.
I shall close up this, with a later witness of the worth of the Sabbath; yet not to be contemned, it being the testimony of a very learned man, and Martyr (f)P. Ramu… in Comment. de Relig. Christiana. lib. 2. c. 6. Sabbatum siquidem Scholasticus dies est, quo nobis est ad Domini Scholam accedendum, ad legem ejus & voluntatem cognoscendum, &c.of Jesus Christ: His words are these; The Sabbath is the School-day wherein we are to come to the Lords School, to be acquainted with the Lords law and will —. When therefore the Sabbath is so much commended in the Old Testament, the Lords School is especially commended; The Vniversity not of Plato, or Aristotle, but of the Omnipotent God, is commended; The knowledge of the Law, and the understanding of the Covenant of God with Man, is commended.
What was spoken (therefore) of the City of God, we may apply to his Sabbath, Glorious things are spoken of thee O thou day of God (g)Psal. 87.3.. Nor is there any thing on Earth liker Heaven, then the enjoyment, and (we may say) the beat fi…al Vision, of God (h)Psal. 63.2.on that day, in those publike Ordinances, and private Spiritual Exercises and Addresses, unto which devout Christians devote themselves; which may be confirmed unto us by this, That the heavenly State, and the weekly day of publique and private Worship, go under one and the same name, that is, both are said to be a keeping of a Sabbath (i)Heb. 4.9. foreign non foreign, ut v. 10, 11., Heaven being in this here, as that shall be in Heaven hereafter.
There followeth,