The Practical Sabbatarian, Chapter 12
CHAP. XII. It is moſt adviſed and neceſſary, to riſe early …n Gods Holy Day.
DIvine providence unclaſping our eyes in the morning of the Sabbath, let us loſe no time; as we lye on our beds, let us think, now the Lord looks down from Heaven, and bids us make haſte, get you up, for this day I muſt Luke 19. 5.abide in your hearts, and this day I muſt tranſact with you, about the great importances of your ſouls. When Abraham was to offer his Son in ſacrifice to God, He roſe early in the morning, and ſadled his Aſſe, and took two of his ſervants, and Gen. 22. 5▪ 6.Iſaac his Son, with wood cleav'd for a burnt offering, and went to the place of which the Lord had told him: And ſhall not we on a Sabbath morning be early up our ſelves, and our families, to go to the place where the Lord hath appointed, and offer up our bodies and ſouls in ſervice to God? The Iſraelites who lay in ſiege againſt Jericho upon the ſeventh Joſh. 6. 15.day, they being to compaſs the City ſeven times, the text ſaith, And it came to paſs on the ſeventh day, that they roſe up early, about the dawning of the day, and they compaſſed the City after the ſame manner ſeven times. Upon the Lords day we are today ſiege to Heaven, and to compaſs it many times, and to plant our batteries by holy and invincible prayer, and therefore we ſhould be early up; And there are two things which would much advantage this duty, (viz.) riſing early on the morning of the Sabbath.
Firſt, A timely going to reſt the night before. It is too common a fault among Chriſtians and Profeſſors too, for them to clog themſelves the night before the Sabbath with a multitude of worldly buſin…ſſes, which cauſes them to ſit up late; hence in the morning when they ſhould be up with God, they lye ſleep-bound in their beds.
Secondly, An intire love to the work of the day that follows. Alas, we have too little love to the Lords day work, and ſo but little liſt to be at the work of the day: Were there love to it, we ſhould long to be at it. Our minds run Pius ſe paritè… velle jugiter deum mente, & animo ge…ere, illum colere, illum deſiderare tum nocte, tum interdiu. Alap.upon the things we love: We ſhould think of the Sabbath, even in the night time, and we ſhould catch the very firſt hour of the day, with my ſoul have I deſired thee in the night, and with my ſpirit within me will I ſeek thee early, ſaith the Prophet to God. Were we for ſeveral months kept without a Sabbath, how would our ſpirits ſpring at ſuch a days appearance? Why ſhould the Commonneſs of the Sun-ſhining, Iſa. 26. 9.and the Sabbaths coming diminiſh the mercy? How ſhould we every Lords day morning have our minds mounting, and ſay, behold the Sabbath of the Lord, it is come, it is come. Now there are many Alarums to awaken us betimes on the morning of a Sabbath, and to throw off carnal ſloth, and fleſhly caſe.
Let us eye Chriſts pattern; he roſe early from the Grave, even while it was yet dark, before the Sun had guilded the World with its bright appearance. On the morning of his Joh. 20. 1.Reſurrection the Sun of Righteouſneſs prevented the Sun of Mal. 4. 2. Mar. 16. 9.Nature. Can we indulge our ſloth on the Sabbath morning, and think of Chriſts Reſurrection? He was up early to ſave us, and ſhall not we be ſo to ſerve him? ſhall not we take the wings of the morning, as the Pſalmiſt ſpeaks, and Pſal. 139. 9.retaliate this kindneſs of our Redeemer? That Chriſt aroſe from the dead, there was the truth of our redemption; that he aroſe early, there was the love of our redemption. Chriſt's longing to ariſe, and finiſh our work, ſhould enforce us to riſe betimes to ſet upon his. Job ſaith, the morning ſtars ſang Job 38. 7.together: Our meeting with Chriſt on a Sabbath morning, will make the ſweeteſt muſick: When carnal ſloth ſurpriſeth us, let us ſurvey the Hiſtory of Chriſt; and as he left his tomb, let us leave our down betimes. Let not the Sun of Ortoſ…le (i. e.) ad or…um appropinquante. Cyr.Righteouſneſs ſhine in our faces with our curtains drawn about us. May I not here expoſtulate; Is the Diſciple greater then his Maſter? Betimes he left his lodging, and ſhall not we? The Maſter among us doth not uſually riſe before the Servants. In a word, Love to the Spouſe, to the Church, made Chriſt betimes draw the curtains of his grave; and let love to our Husband, to our Duty, to our Souls, cauſe us betimes to draw the curtains of our beds, ſo ſhall we ſeaſonably Orientem ſolem adorant Perſae.adore this morning Sun.
Let us hear the clamours of the ſoul. The Lords day is the ſouls market day, the ſouls fair day, its term time, its Mr. Rogers.buſie opportunity, for the ſecuring to its ſelf an everlaſting Heb. 9. 15.inheritance, and therefore no time can well be loſt. The Client who hath his ſuit to follow, gets up early to wait at his Councellors door. The Husbandman betimes waits on his buſineſs in harveſt time. The Sabbath is the ſouls good wind for heaven, and mariners muſt not loſe their winds, they may ſo loſe their voyage. The Iſraelites were not to Exod. 16. 25.gather Manna on the Sabbath, for then the ſhowre ceaſed; but Chriſtians are then chiefly to gather their ſpiritual Manna, for then the ſhower is moſt plenteous. If one day in Gods Pſal. 84 10.Courts be better then a thouſand, as the Pſalmiſt ſpeaks, it is ſo in relation to the ſoul, and ſhall then any time of it be loſt? Shall we clip that day, when the very clippings are as good ſilver, as any that is left. The ſouls intereſt widens the Sabbath, and would loſe no time. The temptation of Satan contracts the Sabbath, and would mind no time. Now whether we ſhould hearken to our better part, or our Manè, (i. e.) tempeſtivè, ſollicitè, vigilanter, ſecundò, mane (i. e.) opportunè. Alap.worſer enemy, is moſt eaſie to diſcern. Surely carnal ſloth on Gods holy day doth onelyonly evidence the conqueſt Satan hath gained over us. There are two things he tempts us forcibly to, to loſe our Sabbaths, and to loſe our ſouls; and it is no weak, no faint memento to us to riſe early on Gods day to ſeek him, when he profeſſes ſo often he riſes early himſelf, Jer. 7. 13. Jer. 26. 5. Jer. 25. 4.and ſends his Prophets early to ſeek and enquire after us.
Let us caſt an eye upon the examples of Gods Saints; they are early in their viſits of God. The Church reſolves to get Cant. 7. 12.up early and go into the Vineyards, ſhe would betimes gather cluſters, ſpiritual food for her feeding and refreſhing. The Church denotes her longing after Chriſts preſence; E…ce ſanctorum animae, ec ce ſanctorum mentes quae ad excellentiſſimos fructus glorioſiſſimè perveniunt. Philo.there will be nothing but fruitfulneſs and flouriſhing, where Chriſt draws near. Chriſt comes not empty to his Spouſe, but he brings abundance of grace and ſweetneſs with him. The bubbling and boyling hearts of Gods holy and hidden ones are waiting for the firſt opportunities to enjoy communion with God; they will file off the chains of ſloth and ſleep, to be free to converſe with their beloved. The holy Pſalmiſt in this duty writes us the faireſt copy; ſometimes he began his devotions in the night watches; before any appearance Pſal. 63. 6.of day had made a rent in the mantle of the night, when others were rockt aſleep, and faſt in the armes of natures nurſe (for ſo ſleep is) David was waking and buſily imployed in holy meditation and devotion: But if the night had been farther ſpent, yet he was ſo early in his addreſſes, Pſal. 88. 13.that he profeſſes that he prevented God himſelf, he was with him, before the Lord could well expect him; If he delayed his devotions till towards morning, yet then he Pſal. 130. 6.grew ſo impatient, that he longed as much to be with God, as the poor tyred Sentinel waited for day peep, that he might be taken from his harſh and dangerous employment; for thus he ſpeaks, Pſal. 130. 6. My ſoul waiteth for the Lord more then they who watch for the morning, I ſay more then they who watch for the morning: And it is obſervable, leaſt we ſhould think he had ſpoken more his affection then his practice, he repeats the word twice for our greater aſſurance. Nor will his zeal, or divine affection ſuffer him to let the morning ſteal upon him, that he ſhould ſee the light of the ſun, before he had purſued the light of Gods Countenance; no, He will prevent the very firſt dawning of the morning; ſo he ſaith, Pſal. 119. 147. I prevented the dawning Pſal. 119 147.of the morning, and cryed, I hoped in thy Word. And in this paſſage it is moſt remarkable, timely piety and devotion it was not a fit of love, but a holy cuſtome. And laſtly, if his natural reſt had kept him a priſoner from God longer then uſual, yet he reſolves he will awake early, Pſal. 108. 2. Pſal. 108. 2. Pſal. 57. 8. Pſal. 110. 3. 1 John 1. 3.Nay he will awake right early, Pſal. 57. 8. The reſt of nature ſhall not long withſtand …he force of grace and holy love; but he will break out of the womb of the morning to cry, and wait for God, to enjoy ſalvifical fellowſhip with him. Now if David was ſo early in his inquiſitions after God, on any time, or time indefinite, how much more ſhould we on Gods own holy day, that peculiar day which God hath eſpecially Pſal. 118. 24.made for cloſe converſes between himſelf and the precious ſoul. Now if you ask me what employments or affairs engaged Davids early awakings, that he could not fetch his ſound ſleeps as well as other men. I anſwer, I find four things that took up Davids earlieſt thoughts:
Firſt, Prayer: ſo Pſal. 5. 3. and ſo Pſal. 88. 13. And in the morning ſhall my prayer prevent thee. This holy man muſt break the ſilence of the night by the approaches of his ſoul, before God break the darkneſs of the night, by the approaches of the ſun. He remembred that thoſe who ſought Prov. 8. 17.God early ſhould find him, Prov. 8. 17. A rich promiſe can draw out Davids heart in holy prayer.
Secondly, Meditation, Pſal. 63. 6. David could let out his earlieſt thoughts upon God, as the moſt pleaſing ſubject they could prey upon. Indeed moſt ſutably our thoughts ſhould Rev. 1. 8.begin with him, who is the beginning of all things, who is both the fountain to bubble forth, and the pillar to ſupport Porro α. & ω. proverbialitèr dicitur de eo, qui primus eſt in re quapiam, ſeu qui in aliquo genere eſt ſummus. Pau.our beings. In the ſpiritual nature of God, is the reaſon of our ſpiritual worſhip, his wiſdome is the reaſon of our ſubmiſſion, his holineſs is the reaſon of our conformity, his juſtice is the reaſon of our fear, his goodneſs is the reaſon of our love, his truth is the reaſon of our truſt, his grace is the reaſon of our prayers, and his glory is the reaſon of our praiſes. Now here is the flowy field for the ſoul to meditate in, in the freſheſt morning.
Thirdly, Holy thankſgivings, Pſal. 92. 2. the words are theſe; To ſhew forth thy loving kindneſs in the morning, and Pſal. 59. 16.this Pſalm is the ſong for the Sabbath, as the title informs us; indeed every morning, but much more on the morning of Gods holy day, there ſhould be a dew of holy thankſgiving upon the heart of every believer.
Fourthly, Acting of graces; ſo the Pſalmiſt, Pſal. 119. 147. I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cryed, I hoped in thy word. Morning g…aces like morning ſtars ſhine brighteſt: David uſed to caſt anchor upon divine truth in the morning; he did not onelyonly meditate on it, but act his hope and confidence in it, and this was Davids work in the earlieſt part of the day; and this is a rare Copy for us: How ſhould we prevent the dawning of a Sabbath in our flights to God, in our longings after Chriſt, in beginning our Sabbath-work. Judg. 21 4.Love to God and his Ordinances, ſhould tear the curtains open, diſdain the ſoftneſs of the pillow, and betimes 1 Joh. 1. 3.break open our cloſet doors to enjoy fellowſhip with Perſ r…m Rex unum habebat cubi u…arem, qui idoffi ii habebu, ut manè ingreſſus, regi diceret; Surge ô Rex, et que ea cura, quae te curare voluit. Moſoromiſdes. Plutarch.the Father, and his Son Jeſus Chriſt. But to conclude this particular, Plutarch reports, That the Perſian King had one of the Servants of his Chamber every morning to come to him, and to cry to him, Riſe O King and follow thoſe cares, which thy good genius will have thee to purſue. Let us onelyonly invert the phraſe, and inſtead of thy good genius, ſay, Gods good ſpirit, and it will be applicable to our ſelves; Let us eſpecially early on Gods day reſolve we will follow the traces, in which the holy ſpirit ſhall lead us.
Let us ſeriouſly preponderate the weight and multiplicity of a Sabbath-days work. The Traveller who is to ride many miles, gets up early in the morning, and ſo ſets upon Judg 19. 8.his Journey. The ſoul hath a great way to travel upon the Lords day, its task is great, and therefore its time muſt not run waſt.
There are many duties to perform.
Firſt, Secret duties. On the Sabbath, there are ſome duties which muſt onelyonly be acted between God and the devout ſoul. A gracious heart will have private intercourſe with God. Jeſus Chriſt went into a Mountane apart to pray, Mat. 14. 23.and he was there alone. The Saint ſome times turns the Cloſet into a Sanctuary, and never more fitly then on a Lords day. Our dear Lord bids us go ſome times into our Chambers, Mat. 6. 6.and ſhut the doors upon us. The Saints are Gods hidden ones in point of worſhip; they ſerve God in their recluſes, foreign quem vis locum occulium notat. Par.and private retirements, and this is an evidence of their uprightneſs: The Spouſe ſometimes meets her beloved, and none ſhall be ſpectators of their holy fellowſhip; Nunquam minus ſolus, quàm cum ſolus.and upon Gods holy day, let the gracious ſoul ſet upon theſe ſeveral duties;
Firſt, The reading of Gods word. The Eunuch was reading the Prophet Iſaiah in his Charriot, not onelyonly becauſe he would loſe no time, but becauſe he would be more ſerious Acts 8. 28.in this ſecret duty. David compares the Word to an honey comb, Pſal. 19. 10. and honey combs are uſually in the private gardens: The ſame Pſalmiſt ſaith, The Law was Pſal. 1. 2.his Meditation in the night, and then ſurely he had few witneſſes to view his devotion. The cloſet door may keep out not onelyonly other people, but other thoughts; and then we are fitteſt to converſe with Gods Word, when we are moſt intent.
Secondly, Another ſecret duty for the Lords day, Is holy Prayer to God, and praiſing of God. Indeed prayer is a duty 1 Theſ. 5. 17.accommodated for all places, for all times, and all caſes; but cloſet prayer on the morning of a Sabbath, is like a morning ſtar, which portends a fair day: We read of our Saviour, Mark 1. 35. that in the morning, riſing up a great while Mark 1. 35.before day, he went out, and departed into a ſolitary place, Acts 10. 9.and there prayed; let us go and do ſo likewiſe: And holy Peter in this confeſſed, that the Diſciple was not greater then his Maſter, for he purſued the ſame practice, Acts 10. 9. Peter went up upon the houſe to pray about the ſixth hour. And as we muſt pray to God, ſo we muſt ſing the praiſes of God in ſecret: ſometimes our cloſets muſt not only be our Oratories to poure out our prayers in, but our Mount Olivets to ſing Hymns of praiſe to the Divine Majeſty. Mat. 26. 30.We muſt begin the works of Heaven in ſecret, which we ſhall be doing to eternity in bleſſed Society. Thus David praiſed God ſeven times a day, and certainly he had not every time witneſſes of his Divine Exaltation.Pſal. 119. 164.
Thirdly, A third ſecret duty is, Holy Meditation. When the mind, that Spiritual Bee, is working, and ſeeking honey out of every flower: and this piece of ſervice, is calculated Gen. 24. ….onelyonly for privacy; Company untravelling whatſoever meditation works (but of this more largely hereafter.)
Fourthly, The laſt duty to be acted in ſecret upon the holy Sabbath, is Self-Examination; when Conſcience is both Judge, Witneſs and Tribunal; And in the acting of this duty, there needs no Seſſions-houſe, but a mans own breaſt. David ſaith, when we commune with our hearts, we muſt Pſal. 4. 4. 1 Cor. 11. 28.be ſtill. There wants no noiſe from the world, nor from the company of others. Theſe two laſt duties, (viz.) Meditation, and Self-Examination, are moſt proper for the moſt ſecret and retired places, fitter for the Cloſet then the Church, the ſecret Chamber then the open Sanctuary; they are, as one ſaith, actions of the mind, and ſo concern a Dr. Gouge.mans own ſelf in particular. And theſe ſecret duties of piety ſhould eſpecially be performed in the morning of a Sabbath, that the Lords day may begin with them, and then we ſhall be in a good preparation for other duties. The beginning with God thus in the morning may influence the whole Sabbath, like the tuning of an Inſtrument, which makes the whole Leſſon's melody the ſweeter; and indeed pure Religion, and undefiled, which the Apoſtle ſpeaks of, Jam. 1. 27. never look's ſo comly as on a Sabbath day; the day Jam. 1. 27.inhances the duty, as the lovely dreſs doth outward beauty. Thus we ſee there are ſecret duties to be acted on a Sabbath.
Secondly, Private Duties. On Gods holy day we muſt not lock up our ſelves and our ſervices above in the Chamber, but we muſt come down into the Family, and there the morning ſtars muſt ſing together, to allude to that of Job. Job 38. 7.Conſort makes the muſick. The ſtars ſhine brighteſt in a conſtellation. Jeſus Chriſt would not be transfigured alone, but he took ſome to be witneſſes of his Glory; when he would Mat. 17. 1, 2. Luke 9. 18. Mat. 13. 36.pray, his Diſciples were with him; and when he would open the bleſſed myſteries of the Goſpel, he takes his Diſciples to him. In our cloſets there is indeed a meeting of thoughts, but in our houſes there muſt be a meeting of Relations; there muſt be Parents and Children, Maſters and Servants, thoſe who are born at home, and the ſtranger Exod. 20 10. Comm…ni ſ…nctifi…ndi S…bbathi lege …onſtringuntur omnes ex aequo; herus, ſerv…, peter, liberi, mas & f…mina, ſ…per…res, et infer…ores. Muſc.within our gates, and all theſe muſt joyntly keep Gods Sabbath in holy duties; and no leſs God commands in the fourth Commandment, the Son and Daughter muſt remember to keep the Sabbath holy, as well as the Parents, the Man-ſervant and the Maid-ſervant, as well as the Governours of the Family, nay, the ſtranger within the Gates. On the Lords day, we muſt by a conſcionable, and conſtant performance of holy duties, turn even our private houſe into a little Church; and thus we ſhall intail Gods preſence to our houſes, as he vouchſafed his bleſſing on the houſe of Obed Ed…m; we muſt not onelyonly act ſecret duties on the Sabbath, 2 Sam. 6. 12.but likewiſe Family duties. What thoſe duties are, ſhall be more copiouſly handled hereafter.)
But Thirdly, we muſt act publick duties on Gods holy Sabbath: we muſt not onelyonly open the doors of our cloſets, and of our chambers, to come down into our houſes, but Ex hac com…i…e tum Regnum …. Zanch.we muſt open the doors of our houſes too, to meet with Gods people to celebrate the Lords day. The Sabbath is the day wherein the Saints viſit God, and one another; they then begin that ſociety, which ſhall be perfected and eternized in Glory. David rejoyced when he went with the multitude to the Houſe of God. The great Apoſtle taught every where, in Pſal. 42. 4.every Church, foreign: He taught when the people 1 Cor. 4 17.were called together. The Corinthians came together in one place to eat the Lords Supper. Nay, Chriſt himſelf will declare 1 Cor. 11. 20.the name and praiſes of God to his Brethren in the midſt Luke 8 19.of the Church. We muſt therefore ſerve God on the Sabbath in the Aſſemblies of Gods people; not in our houſes onelyonly, but in the Church, (i. e.) in the Congregation of the faithfull. Moſes ſpeaks of a holy Convocation, Exod. 12. 16. Exod. 12. 16.and the Pſalmiſt makes mention of the Aſſembly of the Saints, Pſal. 89. 7.nay, the promiſe is intailed▪ on the Congregation of Gods people, Iſa. 4. 5. The omiſſion of this our aſſembling of our Iſa. 4. 5.ſelves, is by the Apoſtle ſharply rebuked, Heb. 10. 25. One commenting on this Text, hath divers things remarkable, Heb. 10. 25.and worthy of our obſervation; As
Firſt, By this aſſembling, the Apoſtle intends no other but the meeting of Believers to hear the Word of God, and Per collectionem hanc Apoſt caetus eccleſiae, et conventus fidelium, ad ſacram ſynaxin; ad verb…m dei, p…e…eſ que publicas intelligit. Secundò, Hos caetus vult Apoſt ut Ch…iſtiani fidem profi…ntur, gratiarum actiones perſo…ent, et ſe invi…em excitent ad veritatem et bona opera. Ter… illi catus, et mutui congreſſus mirè ſovent fidem, quae in ſeceſſ… et ſeparatione diuturniori l…ngue ſcit. Quartò, Qui eccleſiae …ae…s negligunt, et deſerum, facilè urgente perſe…utione, eccleſiam ipſam, et fidem Chriſti deſerunt, et abnegant. Alap.to pour out their prayers before God.
Secondly, The Apoſtle injoynes the Aſſemblies, that Chriſtians might meet publickly to profeſs their faith in Chriſt, and to ſing the praiſes of God, to ſtir up one another to love and good works.
Thirdly, The ſame Author obſerves, that theſe Companies and Aſſemblies do exceedingly foment and cheriſh faith, which by a perpetual recluſe and ſeparation, quickly would languiſh and be infeebled. Nay,
Fourthly, He obſerves, That thoſe who forſake the Aſſemblies of Gods people, will eaſily in the urgency and heat of perſecution deſert the Church of Chriſt; thus far that learned man. And what a rare promiſe doth the Apoſtle mention, 2 Cor. 6. 16. the words are theſe; For ye are the 2 Cor. 6. 16.Temple of the living God, as God hath ſaid, I will dwell in them, and walk in them, and I will be their God, and they ſhall Lev. 26. 12.be my people. Chriſt when he was upon the Earth, he goes into the Synagogue on the Sabbath day, Mar. 1. 21. and Mark 1. 21.taught the people. Paul and his Company go into the Synagogue on the Sabbath, and Paul preacheth there: Nay, Acts 20. 7.afterwards Paul preacheth to the Chriſtian Aſſembly in a houſe on the Lords day, Acts 20. 7. In a word, where doth Chriſt walk but in the midſt of his candleſticks, which are the Churches? Rev. 1. 20. Cornelius Alapide obſerves, that Rev. 1. 20. Alapide.holy Ignatius, who was the Diſciple, and follower of the Apoſtle Paul, adviſeth in his Epiſtles thoſe of Smyrna and Epheſus, to frequent the meetings of the Saints, and gives this reaſon, becauſe they will wonderfully confirm us in the faith: ſo then the whole duty of a Believer on the Lords day, lies not in the Cloſet, or the Family, but likewiſe in the Societies of Gods people met for divine worſhip. Coals put together make the warmer fire. When the Chriſtians were Aſſembled Acts 10. 44.to hear Peter, then the Holy Ghoſt fell upon them. The Saints in Glory are the Aſſembly and Church of the firſt-born, Heb. 12. 23. and therefore we muſt act publick duties on Heb. 12. 23.Gods holy day in the publick Aſſemblies: (But now what theſe publick duties are, and how we muſt demean our ſelves in the performance of them, ſhall be more largely diſcuſſed hereafter.)
We had need riſe early on the Sabbath; for as we have many Duties to perform, ſo we have many Graces to act. The Sabbath is both the field to exerciſe Grace in, and the treaſury 2 Tim. 2. 1.to ſupply grace with. Ordinances are both the breathing, Gr…i… non ſoli… …eſt ſ…v…r …i, … q…od ex eo ſ… q…t…r. Alap.and the breaſts of grace. In prayer we act, and we augment our graces; and ſo in other Ordinances. The Sabbath is the Believers reſting day, but Graces working day; it is love which ſweetens the work of a Sabbath; Faith makes eff…ctual the Ordinances of a Sabbath; Repentance reconciles H…b. 11. 6. Jer 31. 19, 20. Rom. 12. 11. Iſa. 57. 15. H…b 4. 2. Jam. 5. 16.the God of the Sabbath; Zeal makes acceptable the duties of a Sabbath; Humility ingages Gods preſence on a Sabbath. We cannot hear the Word profitably on this holy day, without we mingle it with Faith, nor addreſs our ſelves to God in prayer, without we inflame the duty with fire, with the fire of zeal. In our prayers, we muſt get our affections fired by the Holy Ghoſt, that they may flame up towards God in Devout and Religious aſcents. Broken-hearted, and penitent Iſa. 23. 16.believers muſt meet with Chriſt at a Sacrament; A contrite heart is the fitteſt company for a Crucified Saviour. Eph. 5. 19.In ſinging of Pſalms, there muſt be holy joy, we muſt make Auguſt. in lib. confeſ. Deplorat, & dolet, q…d concentibus muſi…is plus attentionis, adhibuit, quàm quae ſub ill…s prof…reb…ntur. Zanch.melody in our hearts; Holy affection muſt make the reading of the Word ſavoury and ſaving to us; The Sabbath then, without we act our Graces on God, on Chriſt, on the Word, and in the Ordinances, is onelyonly a day of theatrical ſhews, and ſpiritual pegeantries, which when it is over, leaves the ſoul empty of any purchaſe or ſatisfaction: And if ſo many graces muſt be drawn out into act, we had need take the wings of the morning, and ſpeed to our Sabbath employments, which are ſo numerous and important.
There are many faculties and parts to employ on the Sabbath; All that is within us, and all that is without us, muſt ſerve and praiſe the Lord; every part of our bodies, and Pſal. 109. 30.every faculty of our ſouls, the whole man is but a reaſonable Rom. 12. 1.ſacrifice to be offered this holy feſtival.
Firſt, Our outward man; the tongue muſt be employed in prayer, the ear in attention, the heart in devotion, the eye in ſpeculation, the knee in ſubmiſſion. And
Secondly, Our inward man, the underſtanding muſt be improved to drink in truth, the will to entertain truth, the Recta ratio dictat, deum mag… interna fide, ſpe, pietate, amore, et puritate mentis, quàm externis corporis ceremoniis colendum eſſe. Alap.memory to retain and record truth, and our affections have a three-fold office:
Firſt, To eſpouſe the Word, by receiving it in the love thereof, 2 Theſ. 2. 10. A careful attention opens the door to 2 Theſ. 2. 10.the word, but a lively affection opens the heart to the word. The preaching of the Goſpel layes a treble injunction upon us;
1. To receive it.
2. To love it.
3. To live in it: But the
Second office of our affections is to heat our prayers; it is love makes that ſacrifice to ſmoak and flame. AndJames 5. 16.
Thirdly, To ſcale Heaven in longing for a better Sabbath, more durable, more ſweet, more full and ſuperlative.Pſal. 63. 1.
There are many perſons to converſe withall on the Lords day:
Firſt, We muſt converſe with God. The Sabbath is called the Lords day, not onelyonly as it is the commemoration of Rev. 1. 10.his glorious reſurrection, and his appointment and inſtitution, but likewiſe becauſe our buſineſs is with him on that day; then more eſpecially our fellowſhip is with the Father, and with his Son Jeſus Chriſt. Our praying on a Sabbath, 1 Joh. 1. 3.is the pouring out of our ſouls into Gods boſome, our In Patrea, et in Chriſto, ſunt omnia verae eccleſiae bona. Zanch.hearing is onelyonly receiving, and being acquainted with Gods mind; in Ordinances we wait upon God; in the Sacrament we feed upon Chriſt; in our Services we do homage to God; in our Praiſes we pay tribute to God. The Sabbath is the ſouls meeting day with God, its ſpiritual Mart, in which it traficks, and drives its trade with Heaven. Take away God from a Sabbath, and the Ordinances are dry and parcht; duties are heartleſs and unprofitable, the Sanctuary is filled with emptineſs, the people and profeſſors hunt after a Iſa. 55. 2.ſhadow, and at laſt ſhall catch that which is not bread. All our addreſſes on this holy day are to God, our delights are in God, our expectations are from God, our fellowſhip and ſweet communion is with God; and therefore holy David Pſal. 63. 2.ſpeaks of Gods Power and Glory in the Sanctu…ry, and makes its only requeſt to behold the beauty of the Lord in the Temple, Pſal. 27. 4.and magnifies a dayes opportunity in Gods houſe. The Pſal. 84. 10.Spouſe enquires where Chriſt feedeth, and where he makes his Can. 1. 7.flock to reſt at noon. Our great and principal buſineſs is with God on the Sabbath.
Secondly, We muſt converſe with the Miniſters of God; they are on this day the ſtars to guide us, Rev. 1. 10. they Rev. 1. 10.are the Stewards to provide for us, and give us our meat in due ſeaſon, Luk. 12. 42. 1 Cor. 4. 1. 1 Pet. 4. 10. they Luke 12. 42.are the ſalt to ſeaſon us, Mat. 5. 13. they are the wiſe Duo docet Apoſtolus, unum communionem, cum Apoſtolis, ideòq eorum Doctrinam eô ſpectare, ut omnes unum fiamus cum Chriſto, & ejus Patre. Zanch. 1 Cor. 3. 10. Mal. 2. 7.builders to edifie us in the increaſes of God; their lips preſerve knowledge; their feet appear beautifull in bringing the glad-tidings of Peace; their voice is ſweet to the hungry ſoul. On the Sabbath we muſt wait on the Miniſtry of Gods faithfull Ambaſſadors.
Thirdly, We muſt converſe with the Saints of God on his holy day; then Gods people muſt gather together, and purſue Rom. 10. 15.a joynt intereſt. Publick Aſſemblies adorn the Sabbath. Cant. 2. 14.Grapes are beſt in cluſters. There are many ſtrings to the 2 Cor. 5. 20.Lute, which is the ſweeteſt Inſtrument. Flocks are moſt pleaſant when gathered together in one company; and Armies moſt puiſſant, when kept in a body, their diſſipation is both their rout and ruine. Chriſts ſheep muſt flock together Suggerit Apoſt. conſtantiae adm…nicula: Primò, Ʋtament, et diligenter frequentent caetus Eccleſiaſticos. Secundò, Ʋt ſe mutuò ad veritatem tuendam cohortationibus excitent; maxime qui firmiores ſunt infirmiores juvent, confirment, et hortentur ad conſtantiam in fide. Deus enim publicis preſentiam ſuam et eruditionem promiſit. In Eccleſiae congreſſi…us doctrina fidei reperitur, et declaratur ad ſingulorum aedificationem et preces pro conſtantid publicè funduntur ad deum, quas juxta promiſſionem exaudit. Par.on Chriſts holy day: Paraeus gives us four ſolid Reaſons for it, which I ſhall mention for their ſubſtantial worth.
Firſt, The Congregating of Gods people (eſpecially on the Lords day) is the ſoder of unity; like many ſtones ſo artificially laid, that they appear all but one ſtone. Every Congregation is a little body, whereof Chriſt is the head: Ʋnity is the ſtrength and beauty of the Saints; nothing ſo preſerves it, as frequent and holy Aſſemblings.
Secondly, It is the preſervative of love. Many ſticks put together kindle a flame, and make a …laze. Frequent viſits multiply friendſhips. In Heaven, where all the glorified Saints meet together, how ardent is their love! Abſence, and ſeldome aſſociations beget ſtrangeneſs, as between God and us, ſo between one another. To meet to worſhip the ſame God, is the beſt way to attain to the ſame heart; like the Primitive Saints, who were all of one company, and all of one mind, Acts 2. 46.Acts 2. 46.
Thirdly, God hath made his promiſes to the Aſſemblies of his Saints, Mat. 18. 20. 2 Cor. 6. 16. He will not neglect a Mat. 18. 20.weeping Hannah, who prays and ſobs alone, 1 Sam. 1. 13. but will give her not onelyonly a Child, but a Samuel: But yet God will create upon the Aſſemblies of his people a cloud, which was the ſign of his preſence, Iſa. 4. 5. AndIſa. 4. 5.
Fourthly, The prayers of the faithfull Congregation receive Deus quaſi columna ignis praefulget, et oſtendit ſuis viam ſalutis; et quaſi nubes calig…roſà obumbrat, refrigerat, et proteg…t eos ab aellutentationis. Baſil. Jon 2 7, 8, 9, 10ſtrength from their union. When all Niniveh intreated the Lord, and put on ſack-cloath, God repents himſelf of that intended and threatned evil, and puts his Sword into the ſcabbard, though drawn by an open denuntiation of Judgement, Jon. 2. 7, 8, 9, 10. Prayer is the ſouls battery of Heaven; and when theſe petitions are the common breathings of the whole Aſſembly, the force muſt needs be the ſtronger, and the anſwer muſt needs be the ſurer. Though a file of Souldiers cannot take the City, an Army may. But
Fourthly, We muſt converſe with our Families upon Gods holy day; then Parents ſhould draw out their ſofteſt bowells towards their Childrens ſouls, and Maſters diſcharge their moſt faithfull duty towards their Servants eternity: But of this more hereafter.
We muſt riſe early on a Sabbath, for we have many good things to purſue, and uſually the richeſt lading requires the longeſt voyages; where we look for great gain, we muſt ſpend much time. Now this holy day is Gods market day for the weeks proviſion, wherein he will have us to come to him, and buy of him without ſilver or money, the Bread of Angels, Rev. 22. 1. Iſa. 25. 6. 2 Pet. 2. 2. Rev. 3. 18.the Water of Life, the Wine of the Sacraments, and the Milk of the Word to feed our ſouls, tryed Gold to inrich our Faith, precious Eye-ſalve to heal our ſpiritual blindneſs, and the white rayment of Chriſts Righteouſneſs to cover our ſhamefull nakedneſs. And now all things being laid together, that hath been ſuggeſted, how ſhould both intereſt and duty awaken us right early on the Lords day, for theſe holy purſutes, that no time be drowned and loſt in unneceſſary ſleep and ſluggiſhneſs.
A fifth Argument to raiſe us betimes on a Sabbath, is ſeriouſly to conſider the heats of worldly men. With what wakeful diligence do they proſecute the meat that periſheth; John 6. 27.they riſe up early, and go to bed late, and eat the bread of carefulneſs, and all to graſp the ſhadow of a few flying and Pſal. 127. 2.dying enjoyments, when, as one ſaith, we ſhould be careful to riſe ſooner on this day then on other dayes, by how much the ſervice of God is to be preferred before earthly buſineſs: There is no Maſter ſo good as the Lord is, and in the end no work ſhall be better rewarded then his ſervice. Dr. Twiſſe Dr. Twiſſe Moral. of the Sabbath. 147.Reports, that at Geneva they have a Sermon at four of the clock in the morning on the Lords day for the Servants; and Biſhop Lake wiſhed, That ſuch a courſe was general, as was in his Majeſties Court in his time, to have a Sermon in the morning for the Servants on the Sabbath day. How did this holy man breath after holy Services on the morning of a Sabbath? And let every one of us ſay, ſeek the Lord, O my Soul, ſeek him early on his holy day: Let us do as Mary Mat. 28. 1. Mark 16. 2. John 20. 1.Magdalen, ſhe was early up to ſeek him whom her ſoul loved, ſhe was laſt at the Croſs, and firſt at the Sepulcher, in the dawning, while it was yet dark very early in the morning, ſay the Evangeliſts: O that our love to Chriſt could keep pace with hers. Shall we love the World better then Chriſt? O that we were as wiſe for our ſouls, as we are for our bodies! Let not ſleep, that devourer of time, beguile us of our golden hours in the morning of a Sabbath, when we might have the ſofteſt and ſweeteſt converſe… with God. Let the ſinfull ſluggard, who ſleeps with the Sun beams in his face this day, remember the ſaying of Auguſtine, If the Auguſt.Sun could ſpeak, how roundly might it ſalute thee with this reproof, I laboured more then thou didſt yeſterday, and yet I am riſen before thee to day: But this is too low an Argument, behold the Sun of Righteouſneſs is riſen, let us not ſleep as do others, but ſay and ſing with the Church, Iſa. Iſa. 26. 9. Sanctus ad beatos aſpirans, dicit, ſe velle jugiter deum, mente, et animo gerere, ill…m deſiderare, tam nocte, tam interdiu. Pſal. 139. 9.26. 9. With my ſoul have I deſired thee in the night, yea, and with my ſpirit within me will I ſeek thee early. In a word, it muſt needs inforce us to a bluſh, to think that the Labourer who toyles in his earthly employments, ſhould take the wings of the morning to muddle in the World, and we ſhould let the morning fly away by our ſloath and careleſneſs, and not overtake it to meet with God upon his owne holy day.
And ſixthly, let it be conſidered, the gracious ſoul will long to be with God. The Spouſe ſought Chriſt upon her bed, and the Saint will leave his bed betimes on a Sabbath to Cant. 3. 1.ſeek Jeſus Chriſt; the Spouſe would purſue her beloved in Sponſa interim evigilans, ſpeciebus illis non ſatis diſcuſſis, motu brachiis expanſis, ſpon ſum complaecti conata fuit. Del rio.the night, and the Saint will not omit to follow hard after the Lord Jeſus in the morning, as ſoon as ſhe is awake ſhe is with God, eſpecially on his own day, Pſal. 139. 18. Our heart is where our treaſure is, as our Saviour ſpeaks, Luk. 12. 34. And if Chriſt be our treaſure, our ſpiritual love will prevail againſt our carnal ſloath. Let us take notice of holy David, with what extaſie of love he was tranſplanted, Pſal. 63. 1. O God, thou art my God, early will I ſeek thee, my ſoul thirſteth for thee, my fleſh longeth for thee, in a dry Pſal. 139. 18. Luk. 12. 34.and thirſty land where no water is. Where there are thirſts after God, there will be early enquiries for him. The gracious Pſal. 63. 1.Soul pants after God, as the Hart pants after the water brooks: Now the thirſty Hart will not be ſo taken with Pſal. 42. 1, 2.the green and pleaſant Graſs where ſhe is lodged, ſo as to forbear the brooks which muſt quench her thirſt; nor will the Saint be ſo toyled and fettered with ſleep, or ſloath, ſo as Pſal. 122. 1.to ſuſpend his communion with God on his holy Sabbath, he will tear thoſe drowſie withs, his thirſts after Chriſt will admit of no delay.
Nature it ſelf calls us up betimes on Gods bleſſed day, for then we are more fit and freſh, more lively and vigorous for holy and ſpiritual duties. Grace doth not onelyonly command us, but Nature invites us; and ſurely we ſhould ſerve God on his own holy Sabbath, as David danced before the Ark, 2 Sam. 6. 14.withall our might. Nature and experience teacheth us, that our memory is quickeſt, our ſenſes are readieſt, our natural powers ableſt in the morning; our mind then is free from evil, vain and worldly thoughts; our memory is renewed, M…nè animus eſt apt…or ad audiendum et cogitandum rationalta, ea que quae Dei ſunt. Hier.and hath recovered far greater ſtrength, our ſenſes are not inveigled with terrene and outward things, our natural powers being then revived, have their greateſt liberty; then our affections are diſingaged, and divine things may firſt attract and ſeize upon them; and theſe things being weighed in the ballance, how neceſſary is it, early in the morning of a Sabbath, that the firſt thing preſented to our minds, ſhould be the beholding of God, the firſt thing preſented to our thoughts ſhould be the Word of God, and the firſt thing preſented to our affections, ſhould be the injoyment of God. One well obſerves, that in Scripture-language, to do a thing in the morning, and to do a thing diligently, are the ſame thing, Pſal. 101. 8. and ſo Prov. 7. Pſal. 101. 8. Prov. 7. 15.15. illuſtrates this; where the Harlot tells the young man that ſhe came forth to meet him, and diligently to ſeek his foreignface; the Original Word there, is, to ſeek thy face in the morning: So then to get up early in the morning on the Sabbath, is the emblem, and the evidence of our diligence. We have a ſaying amongſt us, that the Morning is a friend to the Muſes, (i. e.) the morning is a good ſtudying time; I am ſure it is true, that the Morning is a great friend to the Exod. 23. 19. Dicuntur primitiae, primi fructus frugum, ubi non int…lligimus primos dignitate, pretio, vel bonitate, ſed origine, et tempore quod primò matureſcit. Riv. in Exod.Graces, the Morning is a good praying time, in Exod. 23. 19. The firſt of the firſt fruits of the Land, was to be brought to the houſe of the Lord. God would not onelyonly have the firſt fruits, but the firſt of the firſt fruits; if there were any ſooner ripe then others, God would have them: So God will have the firſt of the firſt fruits of the Sabbath, the very earlieſt time of the morning; the morning bluſhes are moſt beautifull in his ſight. In the morning, Nature renews its ſtrength like the Eagle, Pſal. 103. 3. The eye is more fit to contemplate, the tongue more fit to pray, the knee more ſupple Pſal. 103. 3.to bend, the underſtanding more lively to ſpeculate; we are freſheſt in the firſt ſetting out of the race, and we run with the greateſt livelineſs. The travelling beaſt foams, and is rampant when it firſt ſets out in the morning. Nature it ſelf opens our curtains betimes in the morning, eſpecially on Gods holy day.
Men will riſe up early to purſue their pleaſures. Young Men, as holy Mr. Greenham obſerves, will riſe up early to Marriages, to Feaſtings, to go a Maying, and will not this be our ſhame, that for holy and heavenly exerciſes, to ſerve the Lord in ſpirit and truth, we will redeem, no time, whereby Joh. 4. 24.the glorious Sabbath may be better ſanctified? Can carnal delights have a more forcible influence upon us, then ſpiritual? Iſa. 25. 6.Shall the dregs be more luſhious and ſweet then Convi…ium Euchariſticum corporis et ſanguinis Chriſti, ſummae ſanctorum ſunt deliciae. Ruffin. et Leo Caſtrius.the Wine on the Lees? All divine complacencies the ſoul may find in Goſpel Ordinances: Shall delight in the Creature more enthrall our deſires, then delight in God, who is the ſweeteſt Paradiſe to a gracious ſoul? Shall Young Men riſe early to gather May, and not we prevent the dawning of the Sabbath to gather Manna? to feaſt with Chriſt? to let our thoughts wheele about towards Heaven, and take Corpus in refectionis delectatione reſolvitur, cor ad inane gaudium relaxatur. Greg. Moral.their flight within the vaile? Let not a dalliance, nor a merry meeting more engage the carnal part of the World, then the Lords feaſt of fat things, the ſet banquets of his holy Sabbath, neceſſitates our moſt early flights after that bleſſed prey.
Nay laſtly, How early will men riſe to proſecute their ſinfull deſignes. The Perſians adore the riſing Sun, are early up for their Idolatry. The Prophet obſerves, that the Drunkards Iſa. 5 11. Ebrietas certe eſt intempeſtiva, quae eſt matutina contra Apoſtolum 1 Theſ. 5, 6.riſe up early in the morning to follow ſtrong drink, and continue till night, till Wine inflame them; they are early up, and are unwearied in their ſins, and curſed profuſeneſs. The Iſraelites roſe early to evidence their madneſs and their folly, to offer burnt offerings and peace offerings to a Golden Calf, and to eat and drink and riſe up to play; as uſually Exod. 32. 6.ſuperſtition uſhers in prophaneneſs. The Papiſts will break their ſleep, that more timely they may have their Maſſes, Superſtitio, et omnu Idololatria, eſt profuſ…, qui eâ in…aleſeunt, nulla p…rcunt ſumptibus, veros dei cultores pudeat tam …arcos eſſe, cum agitur de regno dei promovendo. Rivet.and Popiſh practices; and Hereticks will attend on their vain Revelations, and will recover ſome time by early riſing; their Enthuſiaſmes and fantaſtick dreams ſhall ſnatch them out of their beds betimes. God makes his complaint againſt the Jewes, that they roſe early to corrupt their doings, to intangle themſelves in ſin, and provocation. Saul ſends meſſengers to ſlay David in the morning, he will take the earlieſt time of the day, for murther and cruelty. The Philiſtins riſe early every morning to enter their Idolatrous Temple to worſhip their Dagon; and ſhall not we infinitely more riſe early on the Lords day to worſhip Jehovah? Shall Dagon Zeph. 3. 7.have more honour then the Ark? Surely the ſinners vehemency 1 Sam. 19. 11. 1 Sam. 5. 3, 4.might juſtly ſhame us into early piety.