A Preservative of Piety, Part 1 · Chapter 4 · Section 6
3. Here is Profit and Provision. I will feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy Father.
This refers plainly to the Jews, (whose Father Jacob was (p)Joh. 4.12.) who while they observed Gods holy Sabbath, and other of his Commandements well, were well fed and fill'd (q)Neh. 9 14, 15, 25., and so, if they had kept the Sabbath from polluting it, and kept their hand from doing any evil, might still have been (r)Isai. 1.19. Psal. 81.10, 16., but for want of that, and by reason of their profaning the Sabbath (among other sins) Neh. 13.18. they did pine away for want of the fruits of the field, Lam. 4.9. Thus it concerns the Jews properly.
But Abraham is our Father also, Rom. 4.16. and, by the same reason, Jacob or Israel is so likewise (s)Gal. 6.16.: for the same Covenant of Grace which was formerly theirs only (t)Rom. 9.4. Ephes. 2.12., is now (for substance) ours, and we laying hold on it by faith, have the same priviledges and promises (albeit with some difference in regard of the diversity of the state of the Church under the Law and the Gospel); so that we may claim, being such as carefully observe the Sabbath, and the Covenant on our parts, the benefit even of this outward promise, and the comfort of outward Provisions as far as they are needful, or good for us (u)Phil. 4.19. Psal. 34.10. & 37.3, 11.: Hence a learned Divine doth thus expound and enlarge this Promise (As I have given to the seed of Jacob a very rich Inheritance; so if thou be a godly observer of the Sabbath, nothing shall be wanting unto thee of those things that are necessary for thee (x)Bulling. in loc.. The same Author affirmeth, that this and the like promise in Jeremy (y)Jer. 17.24, 25., are understood also of spiritual gifts, which Exposition suiteth well with Gospel-times, wherein they that hunger and thirst after righteousness, are called to hear the Word, and so, to eat that which is good, and to let their soul delight it self in fatness (z)Isa. 55.1, 2, 3..
Yea, If we shall follow this promise further, and take it in its utmost extent, it may lead us into Heaven it self, and the reward of inheritance there; for (otherwise) how was Canaan the heritage of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as to their persons? when it is said of Abraham, that God gave him none Inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on (a)Act. 7 5., and Isaac and Jacob sojourned with him in the land of Promise as in a strange Countrey (b)Heb. 11.9.13, 14, 15, 16., and place of pilgrimage; but they had the promise of it, and their posterity possessed it, when, in the mean time, they entered themselves into a better Countrey (which they looked most at) even the heavenly Canaan, whereof the earthly Canaan was a Type, Heb. 4 8, 9. (c)Nos in typo haereditatem patris Jacobi intelligimus vitam aeternam. Scultet. in Isa. 58.14. Bona Terrae quae in excelsis sita est sunt illa, 1 Cor. 2.9. & Heb. 11.14. Hieron. in Isa. 58..
It's a comfort to those that fear God, and love any thing that hath his Name upon it, that the Lords-day being dear to them, in order to the upholding of godliness; and Gods Kingdom being first sought, other things shall be added, and easily fall in (Mat. 6.33.): when they that steal away sacred time, that stir and stickle on the Lords-day in their worldly affairs and designs for their own advantage, get as Gehazi did a booty without a blessing; for Is that a time to look after Olive-yards and Vine-yards, and Sheep and Oxen? 2 King. 5.26. As it is said of the Sabbath of the Land enjoyned the Jews, that it should be meat for them, Lev. 25.6. because they might on that seventh year feed on the fruits, which through Gods blessing grew of themselves; so it may be said (not without warrant from this Text and present promise which hath its truth still) that the weekly Sabbath also shall be meat to them, who in the fear of God and faith observe it; for they that are willing and obedient, shall eat the good of the land Isa. 1.19. And in the keeping of every Commandement of God there's great reward, Psal. 19.11. that is, such shall find benefit and gain by their godl…ness one way or other, and shall thrive in worldly things if God see it good for them; (Nor are profaners of the Sabbath any of the richest men.) But yet because in Gospel-times, which excel in spiritual blessings, God is pleas'd to keep his Servants short in things temporal, and they have (oft) but little of the world, of whom the world is not worthy (c)Heb. 11.38.; therefore we must go on, and look to that Land of rest and heavenly Canaan, which yet remaineth to be enjoyed, wherein when Christians (poor in state, but rich in grace) shall keep Sabbath, sitting and resting with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (d)Luk 13.28., then shall they (sure) be fed with their heritage; Then shall they eat and be for ever satisfied, for they shall eat and drink with Christ at his Table in that his Kingdom.
Now, It's true, that all these good things are promised to godliness: but, of that godliness which hath the promise (e)1 Tim. 4.8., the holy observation of the Lords-weekly-day, is both a part, and a promoter; yea, not only an effectual furtherer, but a continual and constant maintainer, as both reason and experience shews. Mr. Perkins is herein very full, giving this reason of his affirming, that there is no fear of God where Sabbath-profanation reigneth, for (saith he) the keeping of the Sabbath is the maintaining, increasing and publishing of Religion, Serm. of Repentance (f)Or, an Exhortation to Repentance.on Zeph. 2.12.
Af…er all this, I shall only add something in the close, to prevail (if it may be) with Christians (and with teachable and conscientious Christians, I hope, I shall prevail), for the delightsom, honourable, and profitable observation of the Lords-day. Oh that we that know our selves bound to give unto Caesar that which is Caesars, would carry our selves so, as that all men might see we account our selves bound to give unto God that which is Gods, that is, his appointed weekly-day. I am very apprehensive of divers difficulties in this Sabbath-argument; and therefore humbly submit all I have spoken to the search and censure of the learned and godly; and desire nothing that I have said should be received, but as it is found to agree with the Word of God, and the general Doctrine of Religion as it hath a just influence into this particular Sabbath-subject: But withal, let it be observed, that if a man will lean to his own understanding (g)Prov. 3.5., and entertain a conference with flesh and bloud (h)Gal. 1.16., with an accounting of the great things of Gods Law as a strange thing (i)Hos. 8.12., he may easily (and think he doth it very substantially) dispute God out of his time; and make himself believe that he hath more days in a week, for his own use (in worldly thoughts, words and actions) then six (k)Accessit animus ad sententiam.; yea, and that, pleading so much for the Lords-day, is but preciseness, and rather a weak then a wise mans work, arguing (at best) only a good meaning, but a shallow brain; Whereas, on the contrary, he that saith unto Scripture-Wisdom, Thou art my Sister, and calleth (spiritual) Vnderstanding his Kinswoman (l)Prov. 7.4.; he that feareth to be disobedient to the heavenly Vision (m)Act. 26.19.; he that counteth godliness, gain, and knoweth how much godliness gaineth by a godly observation of the Lords-day, will soon see cause of being of another mind, considering how much the Word of God pleadeth for Sabbath-holiness, and how, on, and by that day, and the duties thereof, the interest, cause, and concernments of godliness, are principally promoted. I wish all good Christians therefore, that are of doubtful mindes in this matter, to try the (more strict) doctrine of the Sabbath, whether it be of God or no, by betaking themselves to the holy practise of those things that are taught them concerning that Day: Experience useth to put an happy end to endless disputes about practical truths, and things (otherwise) hardly determinable: for the result, and good effect thereof is this, Behold, Now I know, &c. (n)2 King. 5.15.. Some may say, as Nathaniel, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? so, out of such sowre Sabbath-strictness? This, is a question that may be long under the debate of humane reason, (that is as proud as blind): the easiest way to decide it, is, Come and see (o)Joh. 1.46, 47, 48, 49.. Let every sincere Nathaniel put it to the trial, and then the conclusion will be like to be such a resolution about the Lords-day, as there was in Nathaniel about the Lord of that day, which, in allusion to what he said, may be expressed thus, Thou art the Day of God, Thou art the Queen of Dayes; Could we but call the Sabbath a delight, Did we but know it to be so experimentally, the comfort of it would soon answer all (Lion-like) arguments that rise up and roar against it (p)Judg. 14.5, 6., and rent them as one would rent a Kid: if not by just solutions and formal answers, (which belongs to the learned, who have done it, and will do it); yet by firm resolutions and just detestations, and that not without reason enough, …ounded on the sense of the sweetness they have found in their conversing with the holy God on his holy day; so that an Advocate for the Sabbath shall never be wanting till the godly man ceaseth (q)Psal. 12.1., whose delight it is; I say, whose delight it is; Not that I think it an easie or common thing to call the Sabbath a delight; or that all that fear the Lord, have the like delight in the Lords-day; affectionate Christi…ns feel it most, and in old Disciples, it lies deepest; the more maturity, the more complacency; and the more acquaintance with God, the more delight in him: for the delight followeth the acquaintance (r)Job 22.21, 26.. Nor do I mean, that they who do delight in it, delight alike in it, at all times, and on all Sabbath-days; corruption, and tentation, yea, and the various operations and incomes of the Spirit, who bloweth where and in whom it listeth (s)Joh. 3.8.and (in them) when it listeth, make a great difference: Besides that age (t)Wherein desire fails, Eccl. 12.5.or distemper of body, or oppression of spirit by some heavy burthen that lies upon it, are great impediments to delight: And they that are in affliction, and need Gods Ordinances most, rellish them best; to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet (u)Prov. 27.7., and so every sweet thing is more sweet and delightsom; such things as these must be granted that the Doctrine of Sabbath-delight may not be rejected, nor they dejected who reach not so far as others do in their rejoycings on that day.
But yet, that there is truly a delight in that day, and the service thereof, in those that truly fear the Lord and think upon his Name (x)Mal. 3.16., sufficiently appeareth, in that they bless the Lord with all their hearts and souls for appointing such a day, (for when should we have set a part a whole day (in any due distance) for God, and for the enjoying of God, if God had not done it himself?) And in that they would not for all the world be without it; for what's the world without the Sun, or without the Sabbath wherein the Sun of Righteousness shineth out, and that the day throughout, and that with a special blessing of God following and improving the beams thereof for our spiritual benefit▪ and soul-refreshing? We may very well say, that no Sabbath passeth without some delight and satisfaction to the true Disciples of Jesus Christ: But [at times] they are taken up with Christ on that day (as it were) into an high Mountain apart (y)Mat. 17.1., where they see his face shine as the Sun, and are so extraordinarily taken and delighted with what they see and feel, that they say feelingly, It is good for us to be here. In brief, The Sabbath with the prescribed Ordinances and Exercises of that day) is (towards their latte… end especially) like Mount Abarim (z)Numb. 27.12. Deut. 3.27.to …, wherein they see much of the Heavenly Canaan; …, at any other time, when they that walk with God (bei…g log'd and dull'd with corruption, sorrow, affliction, tentation) delight less in it, they do then and therefore, delight less in themselves: But that there should be any true delight in God and his Ordinances, and no delight in that day, wherein they are most dispensed and best attended, is as unlike as that a Jew should be without rejoycing at their great Festival days (a)Deut. 16.15. with 2 Chr. 30.23, 26.; or that it should not be merry when friends meet; or that Simeon should not take pleasure in that day, wherein he took up the child Jesus in his arms (b)Luk. 2.28.; for the Lords-day is Christians Feasting-day (c)Isa. 25.6. & 55.1, 2, 3., Christians gladsom (d)Psal. 122.1, 4.meeting-day, and the day wherein they being met together, Christ (who is the Consolation of Israel) promiseth to be in the midst of them (e)Mat. 18 20.. Is't possible, that on the day wherein they sit under the shadow of their dear Lord, wherein they tast of his sweet fruit, wherein he brings them to the Banqueting-house, and spreads his Banner of Love over them (f)Cant. 2.3, 4, 5., they should then be without Cordial-content? That they are not without such content, appears, because all the six days Sollicitors, that is, all worldly things, and carnal company, are kept off on that day of retiredness with God; yea, and charged, and even adjured (g)Cant. 2.7not to disturb their sweetest fellowship with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ (h)1 Joh. 1.3. Albeit therefore I shall easily grant, that we have great cause to desire God to be merciful to us in this thing, that our delight in Sabbath-duties is so dim, yet it doth not follow from thence, that there is none. If God should take away Sabbaths from us, I doubt not, but that in all good Christians, the grief would prove the delight; for no man is grieved to lose what he never lov'd nor took any pleasure in; I say, it is thus in all good and truly godly, and especially, greatly-godly persons; for, as the man is, so is his delight; No marvel if the men of the world say, When will the Sabbath be gone (i)Amos 8.5.? No wonder, if the holy and strict observation thereof be unto carnal people and persons that savour not the things of God; like Saul's Armour to David, they cannot tell how to go with, or undergo, matters of so spiritual a nature, for they never prov'd them (k)1 Sam. 17.38, 39., they were never us'd to such things; But (on the other side) the same spiritual observation of the Lords-day, unto a spiritual Christian is like Jonath…n's robe, and his garments, even his Sword, his Bow, and his Girdle, to the same David; which, no doubt, he us'd and wore with much delight, they being great testimonies of Jonathan's singular love to him, and signs and symbols of the Covenant made with him (l)1 Sam. 18.3, 4.: as also the Lords-Sabbath, and the Ordinances thereof, are great tokens of his speci…l love to us (m)Neh. 9.14. with Psal. 147.19, 20., and a sign of his holy Covenant made with us, Ezek. 20.12.
O why should not the Lords-day be our delight? Is there not full joy (n)1 Joh. 1.3, 4.in fellowship with God the Father and with Jesus Christ, in the Preaching, and with the Preachers, of the Gospel? Is not Christ (who is observed to appear on that day again and again to his Disciples after his Resurrection, and is still in the Assemblies of the Saints, and in the Ministry of his Servants (o)Mat. 18.20. & 28.20., I say, Is not He) the desire and the delight of all Nations (p)Cant. 5.16.? And who is it that is the Comforter and solace of Saints but that holy Spirit, with whom the Servants of God have much to do, on that day (q)Rev. 1.10., in heavenly Meditations? So, that if the whole Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, can minister any delight unto us, then may we call the Sabbath a delight, for therein God our Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier, doth eminently appear and operate. This is a day very useful and subservient to all the necessities of our souls. If we be ignorant in any thing, or in many things, on this day we are all taught of God (r)Joh. 6.45., It's a Soul-enlightning day (s)Act. 26.18.: If we be (as we are) Strangers in the Earth (t)Ps. 119.19., on this day we are (most) taught the way to our Countrey (u)Isa. 30.20, 21.. It's a Soul-guiding day, Psal. 73.17, 24. If we hunger and thirst after Righteousness, the spiritual Manna falls from Heaven, and water comes out of that Rock which is Christ, principally upon this day; It's a Soul-satisfying day (x)Isa. 55.1, 2.. If we languish under spiritual diseases, or lie low under outward calamities; on this day the Lord offereth Medicines in the Ministry for all our Maladies. It's a Soul-restoring-day (y)Ps. 23.2, 3.; Christ heals still on Sabbath-days. And (that I may once conclude) could we be in the Spirit upon the Lords-day (z)Rev. 1.10.as we ought to be, or as we might be, (for I do not mean extraordinarily, as John was, but having our hearts taken up with, and heightned in, the pure spiritual observation of it) we might have then a fair sight; yea, a sweet sense of that (unspeakably) glorious Sabbath, which right and real Saints shall shortly celebrate all-together in the heavenly Canaan, where there remaineth a rest (or the keeping of a Sabbath) to the people of God, Heb 4.9.