The Practical Sabbatarian, Chapter 26

The Practical Sabbatarian · Chapter 26

p. 239CHAP. XXVI. Not onelyonly Meditation, but Prayer, with other ſervices muſt fill up the Morning of a Sabbath.

BUT meditation muſt not encloſe the morning of Gods holy day as its own proper demeans, nor ſo graſp that Oratio ſine meditatione tepida, meditatio ſine oratione eſt infrugiſera. Bern.precious time, as to exclude the ſucceſſion of other divine performances: But as meditation doth well become the firſt approach of a Sabbath, ſo prayer in the next place properly takes its courſe and order. Let us ſhut up our meditations with prayer, and pray over our meditations; prayer ſanctifies every thing, and ſo it makes meditation effectual to 1 Tim. 4. 5.1 Tim 4:5the ſoul, that the pleaſing aſcents of that holy duty may bring down a bleſſing with them; Bernard couples prayer 1 Theſ. 5. 17.1 Thess 5:17and meditation, prayer being luke-warm without meditation, and meditation being unfruitful without prayer. Both duties together being like the Diamond Ring, or beauty and ſweetneſs in the ſame roſe, light and heat in the ſame p. 238Eph. 6. 18.Eph 6:18duplicate page p. 239duplicate page p. 240Sun. Theſe two duties adde reciprocall luſtre one to another. Now for the better mannagement of this duty on the morning of a Sabbath, we will enquire into theſe three things.

Firſt, What are the opportunities when we muſt pray.

Secondly, What are the qualifications how we muſt pray.

Thirdly, What are the objects for what or whom we muſt pray.

Our prayer on the morning of the Lords day,

1Firſt, Muſt be cloſet prayer, we muſt as our Saviour ſaith, Mat. 6. 6. Enter into our cloſet, and ſhut the door upon Deus vult nos precari, non ut videamur, ſed ut exaudiamur. Par.us, and ſo pray to the Father, &c. ſolitary prayers uſually do not want the company of a reward; Jacob wreſtled with the Angel alone, there were no ſpectators of the combat, and he was not only a Jacob for wreſtling, but an Iſrael Gen. 32. 24, 28Gen 32:24Gen 32:28for prevailing. Let us begin the Sabbath with ſecret prayer, and ſo we may the more freely vent our thoughts, pour out Ʋtile eſt fide…bus in conclavi precari, quò liberius vota ſua ad deum eſſ…ndant; & ſic ab omnibus avocamentis liberae ſint mentes noſtrae.our complaints, make our requeſts, and ſend up our deſires, not being checkt or confined by the audience or obſervation of others. Patients diſcover not their diſtemper before the multitude, but privately to the Phyſician. A ſecret prayer in the morning of the Sabbath may eaſe and fit the heart for the ſubſcquent duties of the whole day; we may kindly bemoan the ſins of the paſt week, humbly acknowledge our indiſpoſitions for the preſent Sabbath; we may open to Prece utamur occuliâ ſed manifeſtâ fide.God the uneven beatings of the pulſe of our ſouls, and ſadly bewail the mutinous diſorders which are in our boſoms; many things we may unravell to God, we would not proclaim Solus Jeſus ſi…ut aliàs orationes fecit in ſeceſſu, et ſecreto ut liberius ſ…ne impedimentis orare poſſit, nocturnum tempus ſumit ad orationem. Tunc enim quies officiorum corporis, et aliorum negotiorum mentem diſtrahentium tenebrae, et ſ…enti… animum aptiorem faciunt ad orationem. Chemnit.in the ears of an aſſociate aſſembly. It is obſervable, that our dear Jeſus who had many things upon his heart, he would take the privacy of place to pray in, and would lay hold on the moſt retired ſeaſons for that duty, Luke 6. 12. He would pray all night, that not ſo much as the Sun might be a witneſs of his with-drawn devotions; the world muſt not hear what he had on his heart to ſpeak to his Father. Surely the cloſet is a good porch to the Sanctuary, and we are made the fitter for the publick by chamber-devotion: p. 241Firſt, the Evening ſtar riſeth alone, and then it joyns with the ſtars of the night. When we have opened our caſe to God in ſecret, then we are more prepared to converſe with God in Societies. Showers in the night refreſh the Garden, and fructifie the ground though no eye behold thoſe ſweet and ſeaſonable drops. If we with Cornelius make our flight to God in ſolitary prayer, Acts 10. 2. we may receive his anſwer: your prayers are come up to God, ver. 4. And ſo the following Sabbath may be a proſperous gale to blow us nearer Mark 1. 35. Pſal. 63. 1. Dan. 6. 10. Job 1. 5.Mark 1:35Ps 63:1Dan 6:10Job 1:5to our Eternal reſt.

2From our cloſets we muſt come down into our families, and joyn with them in the ſame holy duty of prayer. Family prayer lies under a command to be uſed on every day, Jer. 10. 25.Jer 10:25and bitter imprecations are poured out on thoſe families which neglect it, Jer. 10. 25. The Prophet calls for full vials to be poured out upon them. But prayer never better becomes a family, then on the morning of the Lords day. Our cloſet devotions and family prayers common to other Numb. 28. 9.Num 28:9days, muſt not be omitted on this bleſſed day, but rathet augmented. It is worth our notice, that the firſt ſervice of Exod. 30. 7.Exod 30:7the Jews on their Sabbath was burning incenſe before the Lord, Exod. 30. 7. Now family prayer is the burning of incenſe in our family; every branch of the family joyning in prayer, doth as it were fill his hand with incenſe, and ſo offer it up in Chriſts merit, which is the ſweetneſs of our 2 Cor. 1. 3.2 Cor 1:3incenſe to the father of mercies; and how perfumed muſt Sicut ſuffitus ſurſum aſcendunt, et odorem ſuavem praebent, ſic preces ſanctorum coeleſtia petunt, et deo gr…ae ſunt.that houſe and family be where ſo much incenſe is offered, Let our whole family in the morning of the Sabbath cry out, ſeek the Lord, O our ſouls. As Mary Magdilen, ſhe was early up to ſeek him whom her ſoul loved, Mat. 20. 1. John 20. 1. Mark 16. 2. She was laſt at the Croſs, and firſt at the Sepulchre: And O that our love could keep pace with hers. The whole family ſhall be as morning ſtars to ſing together, Job 18. 7. and pour out their ſouls in the boſom of God; this is worſhip like that of heaven, where the multitude, the whole hoſt of heaven ſing forth the praiſes Job 38. 7.Job 38:7of God together. And in this we follow the clew of Reaſon.

p. 242Firſt, Families have their wants as well as ſingle perſons, they may want prepared hearts, compoſed ſpirits, exerted graces to meet with God on his holy day; that which is the complaint of one, may be the moan of the whole family; as if ſome one ſtring in an inſtrument be ſtruck, another ſtring trembles: heart may anſwer heart throughout the whole family.

Secondly, Spiritual grace is as neceſſary to the whole family, as it is to any particular perſon, and ſo ardent prayer is as indiſpenſible. The whole land of Aegypt came to Joſeph for Corn becauſe of their want: Every foul in the family Gen. 41. 57.Gen 41:57had need to beg for the beauties of Chriſt, that he may meet pleaſingly with his beloved on his own day. Grace is the comelineſs of the Servant as well as the Maſter, of the Child as well as of the Parent. In the fourth Commandment, the injunction is laid upon all within our gates to keep holy the Sabbath.Exod 20. 10.Exod 20:10

Thirdly, Moreover the whole family is to attend upon Quamvis nullus advena ad hoc cogebatur, ut circumcideretur, tamen ad auditum divinae legis adhibebatur, et die Sabbati ad ſacrum otium conſtringebatur. Muſcul.publick worſhip; and prayer is both the plow and the harrow to prepare the ground of our hearts to meet with God, and to receive the immortal ſeed which is able to ſave our ſouls, Jam. 1. 21. Indeed the Apoſtle adviſeth us to pray continually, 1 Theſ. 5. 17. but then more eſpecially, when we are going to the publick aſſembly, to prepare us for thoſe ſolemn Ordinances wherein we joyn iſſue with the Saints in holy worſhip, and for this God will be intreated. Families muſt not ruſh upon Ordinances as the Horſe into the battel, but prayer muſt prepare the way, and ſo let us feed Ezra 8. 23.Ezra 8:23upon the Manna of the word, and drink of the truths of the Jer. 8. 6.Jer 8:6Goſpel.

Fourthly, Family prayer makes a muſicall harmony: Conſort Ʋna communis oratio, quam unâ mente, et fidem Jeſum inculpatâ protulerunt. Ignat. ad Magn.is the life of melody, a heavenly hoſt celebrated Chriſts Nativity, Luke 2. 13. Not a ſingle Seraphim, but a quire of Angels. In the primitive times there was foreign. One common conſent and harmony of prayers. And Clemens Alexandrinus tells us, That in the golden dayes of the Church, there uſed to be on the Lords day a pile and heap of ſuppliants, having one voice and one mind in their prayers and p. 243addreſſes to God. It was the wiſh of Athanaſius, in his foreign. Athanaſ,Apology to the Emperor Conſtantius, That all might lift up the ſame voice to God without any diſſonancy or diſorder. Ʋnited prayers are the ſtronger voice, united ſighs are the thicker cloud, united tears are the fuller ſtream, and ſo make the deeper impreſſion upon the divine breaſt. The devotions of a family muſt needs make a greater noiſe then one ſingle cry, to awaken the Lord to give anſwers of love and grace. A ſingle inſtrument may make muſick, but no harmony.

2As we muſt take the opportunities of prayer in the cloſet and in the family on the morning of a Sabbath, ſo we muſt look to the qualifications of our prayers. Every prayer is not an engine to batter heaven; we muſt ſo pray, that we may obtain, we muſt therefore look to the character, as well 1 Cor 9. 241 Cor 9:24as to the cuſtom of praying.

1Our prayers both in the cloſet, in the family, and likewiſe in the publick aſſembly, muſt be fetched from the heart, Chriſtiani uſi ſunt precibus, prout illis ſuggerit Sp. ſ. ſine monitore, qui de pectore orabant. Tertul.not lip labour only, then they are loſt labour. Tertullian tells us, The Chriſtians in the primitive times needed not a monitor in their prayers to dictate to them, they prayed from their own hearts, which ſuggeſted to them ſeaſonable and ſutable petitions. And the Apoſtle tells us, That the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much, Jam. 5. 16. The original word is, foreign. A working prayer, when the heart works in holy affections and yearnings, as the Bee in the midſt of its wax and honey. Succeſs may be much known by the heat and warmth of our ſpirits, Luke 11. 8. We tranſlate the word importunity, but it is foreign, impudency. In the times of the Law, the ſweet perfumes in the cenſers were burnt before they aſſcended. When we go to our cloſets or our families, we muſt look to our affections in our addreſſes to God; get Cant. 4. 6.Song 4:6them fixed by the Holy Ghoſt, that they flame up towards Ʋtinam eodem ſemper ardore orari poſſim, tunc erit reſponſum, fiat ut velis Luth.God in devout and religious aſcents. There is language in groans, a voice there is in weeping, Pſal. 6. 6. Sighs have their ſpeech and are articulate before God. Indeed it is no eaſie thing to work a lazy dead heart to a neceſſary height p. 244of affection, the weights always running down-ward; but they muſt be wound up by force as the weight of a clock muſt be tugged up by the ſtrings: And when our affections are pulliced up, it is hard to keep them ſo; like Moſes his Exod. 17. 10.Exod 17:10hands, they are apt to faint and fall down, but a continued violence and force muſt keep our affections in their higheſt ſphere: The Bird cannot ſtay in the Air without continual flight and motion of the wings, nor can we perſiſt in affectionate prayer without conſtant toil with our own hearts; foreign. Juſtin. Mart. Apol 2affections faint, and thoughts ſcatter, wearineſs makes way for wandring, ſo that we muſt take pains to keep our affections ſailing towards heaven, we muſt keep the wind of the ſpirit and row at the Oar, that we be not ſinfully becalmed, and ſo miſs of the end of our voyage. Juſtin Martyr obſerves, That the prefect of the aſſembly in his time uſed to pray with his utmoſt ſtrength. So then our prayers on the morning of the Sabbath muſt be cordiall and affectionate.

2Our prayers muſt be cloathed with humility, we muſt pray in a ſenſe of divine purity and of our own unworthineſs, Luke 18. 23. Not only the bended knee, but the ſubmiſſive Iſa. 66. 3.Isa 66:3ſpirit becomes prayer. Chriſt himſelf kneeled down and prayed, Luke 22. 41. On the morning of a Sabbath we Quatuor ſunt gradus humilitatis Primus eſt contemptibilem ſe eſſe cognoſcere Secundu… de hoc dolere. Tertius hoc confiteri. Quartus Aequo animo ferre ſe contemptibilitèr tractar…. Anſel.have great things to beg, and we our ſelves uſually give our charity not to the ſturdy, but to the ſtooping beggar: If we look for bleſſings from Gods hand, it is fit we ſhould lie at Gods feet. Chriſt himſelf melted, Heb. 5. 7. and ſhall not we ſtoop and be humble in prayer? Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed, Iſa. 38. 2. as being conſcious of his own unworthineſs, covering his face with bluſhes which the world muſt not ſee, and ſo confounded in himſelf, he pours out his ſoul before God. In this holy duty we lie at the allowance of Gods mercy, and moſt rationall it is we ſhould lie at the foot-ſtool of Gods Throne: The Publicans ſtroke on his breaſt, which was an evidence of his humility and ſelf-abhorrency, made his way to that acceptation, the Luke 18. 13.Luke 18:13proud Phariſee could not attain unto.

p. 2453Our cloſet and family prayers on the morning of the Sabbath muſt be ſharpened, and ſpirited wirh the ſenſe of want, and with hungrings and deſires after ſupplies. The Mat. 5. 6. Neh. 1. 11. Luke 11. 13. Non frigidè à deo petere debemus beneficia, ſed affici nos oportet, ſenſu et vehementi deſiderio illarum rerum quas à deo petimus. Daven.Matt 5:6Neh 1:11Luke 11:13beggar cryeth loudeſt, his rags make him roar; we are cloyed in our apprehenſions, and we are cool in our Petitions. Neceſſity inflames importunity. Were we but ſenſible on the morning of a Sabbath (to come to our caſe in hand) what need we have of ſins pardon, of an underſtanding heart, of a hearing ear, of a holy and ſuitable frame of ſpirit for divine Ordinances, and to run profitably through the duties of the whole Sabbath; ſurely our hearts would be like coals of Juniper, Pſal. 120. 4. we ſhould burn with ardency and importunity. We pray moſt fervently, when we pray moſt feelingly; want is the bellows of deſire. Let In petendo panem noſtrum quotidiunum egeſtatem, & mendicitatem noſtram agnoſcimus.us therefore ſtudy a ſenſe of our ſpiritual wants, and that will ſet the wheel of prayer on going with the greateſt ſpeed and eagerneſs.

4Let theſe introductory prayers on a Sabbath be animated with faith, That grace makes every duty weight: and every ſervice without it, if it be put into the ballance, will be found too light. In our prayers we muſt be perſwaded of the Heb. 11. 6. 1 John 5. 14. Pſal. 10. 17.Heb 11:61 John 5:14Ps 10:17mercifulneſs of Gods nature, to encline and bow his ear to them, of the riches of his promiſes to encourage them, of the infiniteneſs of his power to fulfill and accompliſh them, Olea Arbor, pinguedine ſuâ fertur nunquam deficere, ſed folia ſub aquis manere poſſunt virentia. Par.or elſe all our requeſts are like the bird with clipt wings, they may flutter up and down the ground, but they can riſe no higher. We muſt believe that God can fill every chink of our deſires, and that he will ſend home the Dove with the Olive branch in his mouth. Theſe annexed Scriptures will further evince this truth, 1 John 5. 14. Mat. 21. 22. Pſal. 141. 2.Ps 141:2Jam. 1. 6. Pſal. 55. 17. Where David ſaith, He ſhall hear my voice. O rare act of vigorous faith! In a word, Then Jude v. 20.we pray aright, when we pray in the Holy Ghoſt. His concurrence is neceſſary: God will own nothing in prayer but Rom. 8. 26, 27Rom 8:26Rom 8:27what comes from his ſpirit, any other voice is ſtrange and barbarous to him: God delights not in the flaunting of parts, and in the unſavory belches of a carnal heart, nor in the tunable cadency of words, which is only an empty ring p. 246in Gods ear. But the method of the Lord is, to prepare the 1 Kings 18. 38.1 Kgs 18:38heart, and then to grant the requeſt, Pſal. 10. 17. Our heart is opened firſt, and then God opens his ear. Fire from Potentia ad precandum, non eſt ex nobis metipſis, ſed ex ſpiritu ſancto. Pſal. 147. 9. Ʋt adjuetis me in Orationibus, (i. e.) ut concertetis in agone mecum: grae…è eſt foreign.Ps 147:9heaven to conſume the ſacrific was the ſolemn token of acceptation heretofore, 1 Kings 18. 38. Fire from heaven is the token ſtill, even an holy ardour wrought in us by the Holy Ghoſt. Indeed prayer is a work too hard for us: we can babble of our ſelves, but we cannot pray without the Holy Ghoſt; we can put words into prayer, but the ſpirit muſt put affections, without which, prayer is but cold prattle, and ſpiritleſs talk. Our neceſſities may ſharpen, but they cannot enliven our prayers. The carnal man may cry unto God, as young Ravens, and as the rude Marriners did in Jonahs ſhip; but now gracious affection is quite another thing. There may be cold and raw wiſhes after grace in an unbeliever, but Jonah 1. 6.Jonah 1:6ſerious and ſpiritual deſires after the ſame bleſſed gift, theſe Hoſ. 12. 4.Hos 12:4we muſt have from the Holy Ghoſt.

Queſt. Did we conſider what prayer properly is, we ſhould then eaſily ſee the neceſſity of the ſpirits aſſiſtance. Prayer is a Qui precatur debet eſſe foreign certans, et luctans etiam cum ipſo deo. Daven.work which will coſt us travel of heart, Acts 1. 14. a working ſpirit, Jam. 5. 16. an earneſt ſtriving, Rom. 15. 30. and contending with God himſelf, Col. 4. 12. It is very obſervable, that the party Jacob wreſtled with, Gen. 32. 25. is called a Man, an Angel, nay, he is called God; a man for his ſhape, and the form he aſſumed; an Angel to denote the ſecond perſon in the Trinity, who is the meſſenger of the Covenant, Mal. 3. 1. and this party is called God, Gen. 32. 30. It was ſuch an Angel as bleſſed Jacob, which was a work proper to God. But now if it be demanded what it is, to pray in the holy Ghoſt? Anſw. It may be anſwered:

Firſt, The ſpirit helps us in prayer in a way of gifts, Alludit Paulus ad illud. Pſal. Pſal. 46. 8. Pſallite ſapienter pro quo hebraicè eſt foreign ut intelligentio, quod ſeptuaginta vertunt foreign ut nimirum intelligatur quod canitur, et quod precatur.Ps 46:8that the heart may not be bound up, and that we may have neceſſary words to give vent for our affections; It is the ſpirit which beſtows the gift of prayer, that we may enlarge our ſelves to God on all occaſions, 1 Cor. 14, 15. But this gift is much bettered by Induſtry, Hearing, Meditation, Reading, Conference, nay, by prayer it ſelf, ſuch holy exerciſes may be auxiliary to this excellent gift, for the ſpirit worketh p. 247by means, as the Sun ſhineth in the air, in which it maketh its glittering aſcents.

Secondly, There is the gracious aſſiſtance of the ſpirit, which is either habitual or actual.

Firſt, Habitual grace is neceſſary to prayer, Zach. 12. 10. where there is grace, there will be ſupplications; as ſoon as the Child is born it falls on crying, Acts 9. 11. Prayer is the Zach. 12. 10. foreign Gratia, et ſupplicatio in uno comprehenduntur.Zech 12:10kindly duty of the New Creature; the regenerate perſon is eaſily drawn into Gods preſence: when once we are renewed by the Holy Ghoſt, we ſhall certainly, and ſweetly pray in the Holy Ghoſt, we ſhall offer up ſpiritual devotions acceptable to God by Jeſus Chriſt.

Secondly, There is the actual aſſiſtance which we have from the ſpirit; when a man is regenerate, yet he cannot pray as he ought, unleſs he be ſtill moved and aſſiſted by the bleſſed ſpirit. Now theſe actual motions do either concern;

Firſt, The matter of prayer, which is ſuggeſted by the ſpirit Jam. 1. 17.Jas 1:17of promiſe; for let a man alone, and he will ſoon run into Eph. 1. 13.Eph 1:13a temptation, and cry for that which is inconvenient, and it would be ſeverity in God to grant it, and therefore the direction of the Holy Ghoſt is neceſſary, that we may not aske Rom. 8. 27.Rom 8:27a Scorpion inſtead of a Fiſh, a ſtone inſtead of bread: We take counſel of luſts and intereſts when we are left to our private ſpirit; now the Holy Ghoſt teacheth us to ask, not onelyonly what is lawfull, but what is expedient for us, ſo that the will of God may take place before our own inclinations. Or

Secondly, Theſe actual motions of the ſpirit concern, the manner of our prayers; now in prayer we have immediately Quid reſert gemere? Suſpiria confuſa ad deum mittere, fortè evaneſ…unt in aere; ſed interpel…atio ſpiritus certò exauditur … de…, Par.to do with God, and therefore we ſhould take great heed in what manner we come to him. The right manner is, when we come with affection, with confidence, with reverence:

Firſt, With affection, Rom. 8. 26. It is the holy Ghoſt ſets us on groaning; words are but the out-ſide of prayer, ſighs and groans are the language which God will underſtand; we learn to mourn from the Turtle, from him who deſcended in the form of a Dove, Mat. 3. 16. He draws ſighs from the heart, tears from the eyes, and moans from the ſoul. Parts may furniſh us with eloquence, but the ſpirit p. 248inflames us with love, that earneſt reaching forth of the ſoul after God, and the things of God: That holy importunity, that ſpiritual violence which is often uſed in holy prayer, comes onelyonly from the ſpirit. Many a prayer is neatly ordered, muſically delivered, and gravely pronounced, but all theſe artifices, they are the curioſities of man, and ſavour nothing of the holy ſpirit; then it ſpeaketh the ſpirit to be in a prayer, when there is life and power, and the poor ſuppliant ſets himſelf to wreſtle with God, as if he would overcome him in his own ſtrength.

Secondly, With confidence. In Prayer we muſt come as Children, and cry, Abba Father, Rom. 8. 16. uſually we do Suprema eſſentia ſpiritus dei, qui orare facit, orantibus promittit, promiſſum largitur, teſtimonium nobis intus perhibet, quiſnam dubitationi locus. Chryſoſt.not mind this part of the ſpirits help in prayer; we look to gifts and enlargements, but not to this Child-like confidence, that we may be able to call God Father, without reproach or hypocriſie; not ſeriouſly conſidering it is the language of a Child, which will onelyonly prevail upon the affections of a Father.

Thirdly, With Reverence. That we may be ſerious and awfull. God is beſt ſeen in the light of his ſpirit; the Heathens could ſay, We need light from God, when we ſpeak of, or to God. That ſenſe of the Lords greatneſs, and thoſe freſh Non loquendum d… deo ſine lumine.and awful thoughts that we have of his Majeſty in prayer, are ſtirred up by the Holy Ghoſt. He uniteth, and gathereth our hearts together, that they may not be unravelled, and Devotio, et pius in deum affectus, debet ſemper viam aperire ad particulares noſtras petitiones, ſive pro alii… petimus neceſſaria, ſive pro nobis. Daven.ſcattered abroad in vain and impertinent thoughts, Eph. 6. 18. And therefore to wind up this particular, (which hath been more copiouſly handled, then uſual) when we go to pray at any time, and ſo conſequently in our Cloſets, or Families on the morning of the Sabbath, let us caſt our ſelves upon the Holy Ghoſt, as appointed by the Father, and purchaſed by the Son, to help us in this ſweet and ſerviceable duty, Rom. 8. 26. We are often tugging and labouring at it, and can make no work of it; but the ſpirit cometh and contributes his aſſiſtance, and then we launch forth, and our ſails are filled, and we go on proſperouſly in that omniprevalent duty. A good Expoſitour gives this gloſs on, Rev. 1. 10. John was Arch. in lo….in the ſpirit on the Lords day, (i. e.) he was in prayer upon p. 249the Lords day; the ſpirit mightily aſſiſting us in prayer, makes ſtrange and glorious impreſſions upon us: As it is reported Greg. Orat. de Laud. Baſil.of Baſil, That when the Emperour Valens came in upon him, while he was in Prayer, he ſaw ſuch luſtre in his face, as ſtruck the Emperour with terrour, and he fell backwards. Prayer can make a great change in us, and work Luke 9. 29.Luke 9:29great things for us; and therefore the management of this duty muſt be diſpatched with the greateſt care and exactneſs.

3We muſt not onelyonly take our opportunities for prayer on the morning of a Sabbath, and ſee to the qualifications of Pſal. 5. 3.Ps 5:3of that duty, to direct our requeſts, that they may not miſs Sicut in perperam dictis parum, aut nihil momenti eſt, ſed ad irritandum deum contigit, ſic commodè, et opportunè dictis nihil ferè bonitatis abeſſe creditur. Cartwr.the mark of a bleſſing: But we muſt ſee to the matter of our prayers, that our devotions be not onelyonly ſweet, but ſeaſonable, not onelyonly fervent but pertinent: there may be petitions which are lawful, which are not ſo expedient for the ſeaſon of a Sabbath; and therefore to ſecure us againſt ſuch miſtakes, we muſt be informed what ſeaſonably to beg of God, as the boon of the inſtant opportunity.

1We muſt put up our prayers for the Miniſter, who is to be Gods mouth to us, in the publick worſhip of the Sabbath; we muſt pray that God would give him a door of Acts 16. 14. Eph, 6. 18, 19. Col. 4. 3. 2 Cor. 1. 11. 1 Theſ. 5. 25.Acts 16:14Col 4:32 Cor 1:111 Thess 5:25utterance. He that muſt open the hearts of the people to receive the word ſavingly, muſt open the lips of the Miniſter to preach the word effectually. How often doth Paul intreat the prayers of the people; that Seraphick Apoſtle would not ſet ſail without freſh gales of the peoples prayers. Indeed Preces ſunt arma ſacerdotis. Ambr.the preaching of the Word is an arduous affair, and cannot be ſucceſs fully managed without divine help and ſupplement, which muſt be begged by prayer and importunity. Ambroſe ſaith, That prayers are the weapons of a Miniſter. Rom. 15. 15.Rom 15:15It may be truly added, that prayer muſt put weapons into the hands of a Miniſter, for the killing and ſlaughtering of Eph. 6. 20.Eph 6:20the luſts and ſins of the people. We muſt therefore pray on Audacitas, et animoſitas Miniſtros decent, et in Evangelio praedicando, et in praedicatione defendendâ. Theophil.the morning of a Sabbath, that the Miniſter may open his mouth boldly, and publiſh freely the myſteries of the Goſpel; that he may ſpeak the Word truly, ſincerely, powerfully and profitably, delivering what is ſuitable to our preſent condition; p. 250For he that guided the arrow to kill a wicked Ahab, 1 Kings 22. 34. muſt guide the truth to hit and deſtroy a curſed luſt and corruption. A learned man tells us, we muſt pray for three things for the Miniſter:

1That God would give him the Faculty, the Liberty and the Efficacy of preaching, That God would open the door, that he may come out in the fulneſs of the Goſpel of Chriſt to our ſouls.

2That God would give him dexterity and wiſdome to improve Petendum eſt pro Miniſtris. 1. Ʋt facultas ſi… illis, libertas, et efficacia predicandi. 2. Ʋt ſit praxis hujus facultatis. 3. Ʋt ſit modus debitus in eadem exercenda. Daven.his gift and faculty. Every one which takes a Lute in his hand cannot make ſweet muſick on it. There is a holy Art in the Miniſtry, and this we muſt beg for, that God would give it to the Miniſter who plies at our ſouls. The Word is a Sword, Eph. 6. 17. We muſt pray that the Miniſter may weild it to the higheſt advantage, and that he may do the greateſt executions upon our carnal hearts.

3That the Miniſter may ſpeak, as becomes him, with that gravity, affection, zeal, and ſoul-awakening power, which may render him a faithful Ambaſſadour of Jeſus Chriſt. And we ſhould conſider the weightineſs of a Miniſters work, Heb. 13. 18. Eſt …fficium omnium piorum aſſiduè, et enixè deum orare pro paſtoribus et Evangelii miniſtris. Dav.Heb 13:18how tremendous and formidable it is. The larger the Ship is, the more ſtrength is required for the lanching of it. Prayers are more then needfull that the Miniſter may do the work of God, in the ſtrength of God. One ſaith, A faithful Miniſter is the treaſure of the Church; our prayers ſhould be, that this treaſure may be ſpent in the enriching of our ſouls. Surely preachers are much carried out upon the peoples prayers. It is prayer fetcheth the coal from the Altar to touch their tongues, and cauſeth theſe fiſhers of men to caſt the Net on the right ſide of the Ship.

2We muſt pray for the Congregation which aſſociates with us. Our Saviour ſaith, Luke 22. 32. When we are converted, Luke 22. 32.Luke 22:32we muſt ſtrengthen the Brethren. The Apoſtle avers, we muſt prefer others before our ſelves, Rom. 12. 10. And ſurely Rom. 12. 10.Rom 12:10then we muſt ſtrive to advantage others as well as our ſelves. Totus populus Chriſtianus unum ſunt.Cyprian ſaith, All Chriſtian people are one thing; but there muſt needs be a greater unity in the ſame ſociety and congregation, which is as a large family. In our heavenly Sabbath, p. 251Cypr. de Orat. Domin.it will be our joy to ſee one another; there the aſſembly of the firſt born ſhall congratulate the happineſs of one another: and then ſurely on our Sabbath here below, it muſt be a gratefull ſervice to pray for one another. Thy Acts 16. 14.Acts 16:14prayers may prevail with the Lord, who alwayes hath the In noſtis orationibus, oportet nos eſſe memores, non noſtrae conditionis ſolummodò, ſed & fratrum, et aliorum à nobis.key in his hand to open anothers heart, as well as thy owne. Some ſympathy thou ſhouldſt have with the members of Chriſt who joyne with thee, and prayer is the beſt evidence of this fellow-feeling. Chriſt prayed on the Croſs for his adverſaries, Luke 23. 34. and wilt not thou pray in the Cloſet for the flock with whom thou art to mingle? Let the miraculous workings of Chriſts heart be attractive to the meltings of thine, that a ſhowre of the ſpirit may fall upon all that hear the word with thee, Acts 10. 44. God can 1 Cor. 13. 1.1 Cor 13:1give a ſhowre, as well as a drop of his ſpirit; and let me add, this will be charity which may ſpeak thee to be more then ſounding braſs, or a tinkling Cymbal.

3As we muſt pray for perſons, ſo we muſt pray for things too on the morning of Gods holy day.

1We muſt pray, that the Goſpel may run and be glorious, and that that ſacred leaven may leaven the whole lump. Let 2 Theſ. 3. 1.2 Thess 3:1us conſider,Rom. 10. 17.Rom 10:17

Firſt, The work of the Goſpel is glorious, it begets grace which is the ſeed of glory, it is inſtrumental to bring to glory. 2 Cor. 4. 4.2 Cor 4:4The glorified Saints which are now in their triumphs, Pauli arm… fuere preces ſuae, et ſuorum, quibus omnes hoſtes devicit. Haec nobis imitanda ſunt; hiſce Armis Hezechias vicit Aſſyrium, Moſes Amalekitas, Samuel Askalonitas, et Iſrael 32 Reges. Chryſoſt.are eternally praiſing God for the bleſſed and glorious Goſpel.

Secondly, The work of the Goſpel is neceſſary; where there is no viſion, the people periſh, Prov. 29. 18. It is by the Call of the powerful and divine Goſpel, ſouls are brought home to Chriſt, who is the great Shepherd of our ſouls; the muſick of the Goſpel allures us; the truths of the Goſpel enlighten us; the power of the Goſpel ſaves us, Rom. 1. 16. Take the Goſpel out of the world, and it is onelyonly a larger Dungeon, a waſt howling wilderneſs, the broad rode which leads to eternal deſtruction. If the people of Conſtantinople ſo honoured the Miniſtry of Chryſoſtome, as they could rather want the Sun, then want it, of how much more p. 252value is the light of the ſalvifical Goſpel?

1And Thirdly, This glorious and neceſſary work of the Goſpel is much furthered by prayer. The Miniſter preacheth not, without annexing prayer to the word; and ſometimes the Saints prayers obtain that for the Miniſter which his own doth not. However a multitude of prayers muſt carry the greater force, and be the moſt likely battery againſt Heaven; The wiſe man ſaith, Eccl. 4. 9. Two are better then one; and as in other things, ſo in devotion. Single prayers may be like the ſingle hairs of Samſon, but united devotions are like the locks of Samſon, which were full of extraordinary ſtrength. The prayers of many are an united troop, which promiſes more probably victory and ſucceſs; and Rev. 6. 2.Rev 6:2therefore let us earneſtly beg in our Cloſets and in our Families Hic eſt effectus miniſterii Evangelici, ut Satan inſtar fulguris ex toto ſuo regno verbi miniſterio ejiciatur, et vana eſt ſine viribus ira; et hoc facit mirc…ilitèr ad piorum conſolationem. Ger. John 6. 20.John 6:20on the morning of the Sabbath, that the Goſpel may ride on triumphantly in conquering, and to conquer, and that many may fall captive before the power and force of it. The conqueſts of the Goſpel are moſt amiable, when the engine of our captivity becomes the object of our love; and we who are taken are not priſoners but proſelytes. The Sword of the word ſaves, not ſlayes, and it is onelyonly ſharp when it is ineffectual. This was the glory of the primitive times, that the Goſpel encreaſed, Acts 6. 7. That the Goſpel was ſpread, Acts 13. 49. That the Goſpel grew and multiplyed, Acts 12. 24. This was the gold of thoſe golden times; the Goſpel made a multitude of converts, and with its Doctrine leavened the world: And ſo we ſhould be earneſt in prayer for Goſpel propagation, that the heaven of the Church might Regnum Chriſti ponitur, pro promulgatione et cognitione Evangelii, et deus dicitur transferre illos in regnum filii ſui, quos eruit ex tenebris ignorantiae, et illuminat cognitione Evangelii Daven.be full of ſtars. And to ſpirit this argument now before us.

Let us take notice, that by the propagation of the Goſpel, the Kingdom of Chriſt is much enlarged; It muſt ſpeak a pleaſant day, when the Sun of Righteouſneſs ſcatters more plenteouſly his enlightning and refreſhing beams. Chriſts Glory in the World is the Saints both wiſh and happineſs; as the Members are honoured, when the Crown is ſet upon the head; and nothing more advances Chriſt on the Earth, then the ſtupendous ſucceſs of the Goſpel.

p. 2532And by the Goſpels progreſs Satan his power is enfeebled in the world, which is moſt complacential to the friends of the Bridegroom. This bleſſed ſpread cauſeth Satan to fall Joſh. 6. 20.Josh 6:20like lightning, Luke 10. 18. His curſed walls fall down at the ſounding of the Trumpet of the Goſpel; it is deplorable to conſider what power Satan hath had in thoſe Nations Diabolus inſtar fulguris è toto ſuo regno, Miniſterio verbi ejicitur. Chemnit.which have wanted the Preaching of the Goſpel: How did he bring the Philiſtims to worſhip a Dagon, the Sidonians Aſhtaroth, the Graecians to worſhip Apollo, the Latins Jupiter and other Gods and Goddeſſes, wanton and laſcivious Deities; nay, others their God Remphan, Figures which they made, Acts 7. 43. Such abominations have clouded the Land, 2 Kings 23. 13. where the light of the Goſpel Praedicatio Evangelii, ceu potiùs res praedicata in Evangelio, & per Evangelium, viz. Chriſt… mors, merita, &c. Dei virtus eſt, per quam potenter in credentibus oper… tur ſalutem, fidem, & juſtitiam, immò vitam aeternam. Alap.hath not broken forth; nay, where the Goſpel makes no progreſs, there Salvation is wholly exiled, Rom. 1. 16. And how luſhious ſoever the enjoyments of ſuch a place may be, their ſouls muſt pay the reckoning. Though ſuch a Nation had the milk and honey of Canaan, the ſpices of Arabia, the gums of Aegypt, the gold of India, yet wanting a glori-Goſpel, Eternal death is mingled with all theſe dainties, this Jubilee only reacheth to the grave: And the Inhabitants of ſuch a place only tread on Carpets and Roſes to hell; life is not within their walls, nor Salvation within their Pallaces. When the Apoſtle would diſpute the priviledges of the Jews, he brings in this as their greateſt; To them were committed the Oracles of God, Rom. 3. 2. Chriſt is the Sun, the Miniſters are the ſtars, and the Goſpel is the Amos 8. 11.Amos 8:11light of a Nation. The famine of the word is the plague of a place. To enjoy Paſtors after Gods own heart is the ſweetneſs Jer. 3. 15.Jer 3:15of a promiſe, Jer. 3. 15. Golden Mines which are the rich linings of the Earth, may make a place or a Nation Mat. 13. 16.Matt 13:16gaudy, but it is the Goſpel only can make a Nation glorious; And Satan hath leaſt footing there where the Goſpel is moſt ſcattered and diſſeminated: where the Goſpell is either wholly Luke 10. 18.Luke 10:18wanting or penned up, what prodigious evils over-run that place, and how doth Satan reign and rage! The Scriptures tell us of the unnatural luſts of Sodom, the pride and wantonneſs of Tyre, Ezek. 27. 3. The cruelty and ambition of p. 254Gen. 18. 20.Gen 18:20Babylon, nor may we omit the Turkiſh Polygamy, the Heathens Jer. 4. 13.Jer 4:13Idolatry, the Indians brutiſh nakedneſs at this day, Jer. 8. 16.Jer 8:16where the Goſpel takes no place. It is no wonder to hear of bloudy Nero's, laſcivious Caracalla's, and frantick Domitians, Nero dictus fuit Peſtis humani generis.thoſe monſters of men who were ſtrangers to the ſweets, the power and light of the Goſpel. It is the Goſpel lays the ax to the root of Satans power, and where this Mat. 3. 10.Matt 3:10bleſſed light ſhines not, or very faintly, the Prince of darkneſs Eph. 6. 12.Eph 6:12exerciſes a curſed ſway, and a deſtructive Soveraignty.

3By the progreſs of the Goſpel our conſummate bleſſedneſs is haſtened and ſecured; for the more efficacious the Goſpel is, the more maturated and mellowed we are for heaven and eternity. The Goſpel is like the Sun to the 1 Pet. 2. 2.1 Pet 2:2fruits, or the ſhower to the flowers, which ripens the one, and blows and draws out the ſcent and ſweetneſs of the other; we grow in ſtrength and ſpiritual ſtature by the 2 Pet. 3. 18.2 Pet 3:18power and efficacy of the Ordinances and Preaching of the Goſpel. We might likewiſe fall into the thoughts

1That there are many oppoſites to the Goſpel, as Jannes and Jambres reſiſted Moſes, 2 Tim. 3. 8. And thus Stephen in preaching Chriſt was oppoſed by the Sanedrim of the Jannes & Jambres duo ſuerunt magi, qui Moſi reſtiterunt, & cum eo miraculis, et portentis edendis concertarunt.Jews, and truth was buffeted by Cryes, Storms, and Stoning of the Preacher, Acts 7. 57, 58. The building up of ſouls, like the building of Jeruſalem, will meet with Sanballats and Tohias to race the very foundation, Neh. 4. 3. Satans inſtruments will hinder Chriſts work.

2The worlds perſecutions are ready to obſtruct the progreſs of the Goſpel. Threats and flames like the Angel which ſtood with a flaming ſword, Gen. 3. 24. are ready to keep the ſoul from entring Paradiſe. And when perſecution Joſh. 6. 20.Josh 6:20ariſes for the Goſpel ſake, mens fear often ſhuts out mens faith, and few will cloſe with a perſecuted Goſpel.

3It may be hinted, how the Sun of the Goſpel is often clouded with reproaches. Paul was called a Babler, a ſetter forth of ſtrange Gods, Acts 17. 18. The Goſpel is often Acts 17. 18.Acts 17:18reviled where it cannot be rooted out, and it muſt wear the habit where it doth not endure the execution of a Malefactor; p. 255it is often wounded by the ſword of the tongue, where it eſcapes the ſword of the hand.

4Nay the evil lives of thoſe who preach and profeſs the Goſpel, put no ſmall ſtop to the enlargement and progreſs of Sicut Foetor apes, ita peccatum bona abigit. Hier.it; and therefore what need of ſtrong and numerous prayers to God, That he would give the Goſpel a free and uninterrupted paſſage into the hearts of all that hear it, ſeeing it is encompaſſed with ſo many impediments and obſtructions?

2We muſt pray in our cloſets and in our families on the morning of the Sabbath, that the Ordinances of Chriſt may accompliſh their deſigned events, that God would cloath them with his own power, and that they may be mighty in operation for the bringing in and building up of many ſouls; Pſal. 63. 2.Ps 63:2and that the Saints may ſee the power, and the glory of God in the Sanctuary. There is no greater reproach to a Congregation or a people then barren Ordinances, that they Hoſ. 9. 11, 14.Hos 9:11Hos 9:14ſhould be clouds without water, and breaſts without milk, and that God ſhould give them a miſcarrying womb; pray Durum fuit maximè apud Hebraeos vulvam eſſe ſterilem, apud quos ſimulier eſſet infaecunda, apud omnes infamioe ſtigmate notabatur. Riv.therefore earneſtly before thou comeſt to the publick Aſſembly, that God would take away this reproach. Indeed it is a mournful conſideration, that the bloſſoms of holy Ordinances, which promiſe hopefully to bring forth fruit, ſhould on a ſudden be blaſted either with divine withdrawings, or our own neglect. Prayer is neceſſary for the ſucceſs of Ordinances, as a right wind is for the Ship which ſets forth, and a freſh wind to fill the ſails to carry it to its deſired Port. And we are the more comfortably induced to pray for that Hoſ. 9. 16.Hos 9:16which is moſt conſonant and agreeable to the Divine Will: Now nothing can be more pleaſing to the Lord, then that Iſa. 45. 19.Isa 45:19our prayers ſhould not be in vain, but return fraught with Mat. 13. 8.Matt 13:8ſucceſs and advantage, and that the ſeed of the Word Luke 22. 19.Luke 22:19ſhould fall into good ground, and ſo we ſhould not hear in vain. Let us therefore lie at Gods feet, for that which is ſo according to Gods heart.

3But as we muſt pray for other perſons and other things on the morning of a Sabbath, ſo more eſpecially muſt we pray In foreign eſt metaphara à rebellicâ, tranſlata ad cogitationes ordine mi…itari animo digeſtas, & inſtructas. Cartw.for our ſelves. The wiſe man ſaith, Prov. 16. 1. The preparations p. 256of the heart of man are from the Lord: And he that makes proviſions of grace muſt prepare the heart for grace; we muſt make our approach to the God of Ordinances, before we come to the gate of Ordinances; he that gives us the priviledge, muſt teach us how to uſe it. Let us then earneſtly beg.Eph. 6. 17.Eph 6:17

Firſt, That God would enlighten our minds, (let us begin Quanta fuerit caecitas gentilium in gentiliſmo, etiam quoad illa, quae ratio naturalis, & lex naturae dictat. Perſae ſorores, matres, & filias ſuas nefandis ſibi matrimoniis jungebant. Humanis carnibus veſcebantur Scythae, & filios ſuos immolabant. Moſſagetae cognatos ſenes comedebant. Hirc…ni ſenes avibus, Caſpii canibus devorandos objiciebant. Lacedaemones furtum laudabant tanquam rem ſolertem, & ingenioſam; Alii conjuges ſuis hoſpitibus tanquam ſymbolum hoſpitii adulterio polluendas concedebant. Euſeb. lib. 6. de prepar. Evan.at the head.) The Apoſtle ſaith, Eph. 5. 8. That in our ſelves we are darkneſs. Not dark in the concrete, but darkneſs in the abſtract, which ſhews our own incapacity to underſtand Goſpel-myſteries; of our ſelves we are as Paul when he was firſt unhorſed by Chriſt, Acts 9. 8, 9. blind, and had need to be led by the hand: Nature's eye hath a miſt before it, and cannot of it ſelf ſee the glorious things of the Goſpel, 1 Cor. 2. 14. But it is the bleſſed ſpirit muſt ſcatter this miſt, muſt take away the ſcales from the eye of our underſtanding, and make way for an apprehenſion of the glad tidings of Salvation; which ſpirit, ſaith our Saviour, is obtained by prayer, Luke 11. 13. And if we have any feeling of our own blindneſs, and not, as Priſoners in a dungeon, laugh at the Sun; or if we have any high eſteem of the great things of the Law, Hoſ. 8. 12. if we ſee the word with the eye of the Pſalmiſt, Pſal. 19. 7, 8, 9, 10.

Firſt, To be perfect in its nature.

Secondly, Predominant in its effects, converting ſinful, making wiſe ſimple, and rejoycing ſadned ſouls.

Thirdly, Various in its operations, relliſhing the ſoul, rejoycing the heart, opening the eyes, pleaſing the taſte, enriching the believer; all which are attributed to it; nay, if the word be everlaſting in its duration, which the Pſalmiſt ſtrongly avers, Pſal. 19. 91. and is likewiſe atteſted, Rev. 14. 6. we ſhould then be importunate for that directive ſpirit, which can lead us into the right underſtanding of this moſt glorious word. This manuduction of the ſpirit was the ſumme of that precious promiſe which Chriſt when about leaving the world made to his drooping Diſciples, Joh. 16. 13. And how earneſtly doth the Pſalmiſt importune this very mercy, That God would open his eyes, that he p. 257might behold wondrous things out of his Law, Pſal. 119. 18. Pſal. 119. 34.Ps 119:34God muſt give us the proſpect of the glories of Divine truth. Pſal. 119. 73.Ps 119:73This eye-ſalve we muſt beg of the Father before we go to the Pſal. 119. 27.Ps 119:27publick Ordinances on the bleſſed Sabbath.Rev. 3. 18.Rev 3:18

Secondly, As we muſt pray that God would take away the ſcales from our eyes, ſo likewiſe that he would remove the caul from our hearts, that he would open our hearts to receive the word: Judgment diſcerns truth, but affection embraceth it. Indeed the underſtanding takes a view of Gods word, and finds it to be holy, juſt and good: Rom. 7. 12.Rom 7:12But the heart entertains it, and lays it up as its choiceſt Luke 2. 19.Luke 2:19treaſure. A poor man goes by a Goldſmiths ſhop and ſeeth Mandata dei ſancta ſunt, quia praeſcribunt, quomodo deus ſanctè col… debet; juſta, quia praeſcribunt ut proximum non laedas, ſed ei quo… ſuum eſt tribuns; bona, quia praeſcribunt e…, quibus quiſ que in ſe bonus eſt. Alap. Niſi Sp. ſ. cordi ſit audientis, otioſus eſt Sermo Doctoris. Greg.Money, Jewels, and Plate, but he is not enriched by this wealth; and a traveller in his journey takes a view of pleaſant Lands, delicate Mountains, and amiable Proſpects, but his own Tenure is not amplified by all that he ſeeth. So our judgment views truth, and is convinced of its beauty and excellency, but the heart only eſpouſes the bleſſed truths of God, and makes them his own to all intents and purpoſes. Goſpel diſcoveries are no riches till they are locked up in the heart; and therefore God muſt be intreated for this thing; for he that opens the eye muſt open the heart, or elſe when the Sermon is done, all the Proſpect is over, and we are not at all the better. Lydia's attending was unavailable untill God opened her heart, Arts 16. 14. The Apoſtle ſpeaks of receiving truth in the love thereof, 2 Theſ. 2. 10. Truth is pleaſant to the Underſtanding, but profitable to the Will. Then the Goſpel advantageth us, when the Doctrine of it is not only the guide of our eye, but the good of our heart. It is love and affection which ſqueezeth the Grapes of truth, and maketh it generous wine: to the ſoul. Where Acts 2. 37.Acts 2:37the word Preached by Peter wrought upon the Jews, it Chriſtimors, morita, ſacramenta, praecepta, promiſſa, licet incredulis pudoriſm…, et riſui, tamen nobis virtus dei, et potentia.pricked them to the heart, Acts. 2. 37. If we buy the truth as Solomon adviſeth us, Prov. 23. 23. the heart muſt be the Chapman: If we taſte the word, 1 Pet. 2. 1, 2. the heart muſt be the Palate; we then relliſh truth when we affect it. If we delight in truth, Pſal. 119. 47. It is the joy and the rejoycing of the heart, as Jeremy ſpeaks, Jer. 15. 16. A p. 258learned man obſerves, It is the love of truth which is one of thoſe graces which accompany Salvation: Therefore on the morning of a Sabbath, let us importune the Lord to engage our hearts in the ſervice of truth, and for the entertainment of it; he who ſearches muſt draw the heart.Rom. 1. 16.Rom 1:16

Thirdly, Let us wreſtle with God for the ſtrengthning of our memories, that he would make them pillars of Marble to write divine truth on. It is very ſad, when heavenly Doctrines are written in ſand or duſt, and after our hearing of them, they run out again as the ſands in the hour glaſs; ſad it is, that truth which coſt ſo dear ſhould be loſt ſo ſoon. If God is ſo gracious to keep a book of remembrance for our diſcourſes, Mal. 3. 16. how ſerious ſhould we be to keep a book of remembrance for Goſpel diſcoveries. It is moſt reaſonable that thoſe truths which were bought with Chriſts bloud, ſhould be wrought on our hearts: Indeed in this caſe Jonah 2. 8.Jonah 2:8to forget our mercies, is to forſake them. How earneſt was the Apoſtle Peter, that the Saints might not forget thoſe Doctrines which he …ad preached; how doth he reduplicate his care and their duty, 2 Pet. 1. 12, 13. Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of 2 Pet. 1. 12, 13, 15.2 Pet 1:122 Pet 1:132 Pet 1:15theſe things, yea, I think it meet as long as I am in this Tabernacle, to ſtir you up, by putting you in remembrance: And ſo in the fifth verſe, Moreover I will endeavour that you may be able after my deceaſe, to have theſe things always in remembrance. Thus this bleſſed Apoſtle again and again ſtirs up and urges their mindfulneſs and remembrance of thoſe Goſpel truths he had diſcovered to them, and preſſes that the Goſpel might not die with them when he was dead and gone. Our memories are naturally ſieves of vanity, and therefore need divine aſſiſtance to cloſe up the chinks and ſtop the holes, that the waters of life run not out in waſte. Indeed mans memory is never ſo uſefull as in the time of Ordinances; it is then a ſacred Regiſter, and a holy repoſitory, like 1 Cor. 4. 17.1 Cor 4:17the Ark where the two Tables in which the Decalogue was written, were put and lodged: After a good heart and 2 Tim. 2. 14.2 Tim 2:14a good life, nothing more conduceth to mans happineſs then a good memory. Forgetfulneſs is the grave of Gods truth, p. 2591 Tim. 4. 6.1 Tim 4:6and mans treaſure; what I forget, I can neither dwell upon by meditation, nor feed upon by love and affection, nor live upon in a holy and fruitful converſation. Forgotten promiſes cannot ſupport my faith, forgotten commands cannot regulate my life, forgotten truths cannot enrich my mind. Forgetfulneſs is never happy but when injury is the object, when we bury our injuries in that ſilent ſepulchre. One glorious office of the ſpirit is to bring things divine to our remembrance, John 16. 26. and to faſten truth upon the Spiritus ſanctus non ſolùm ut ſciamus Author eſt, ſed ut verè ſapiamus Doctor eſt, & ut beati ſimus intimae ſuavitatis largitor eſt. Aug.ſoul; we ſhould therefore be earneſt with God on the morning of a Sabbath, to cauſe his ſpirit to execute this bleſſed office. For though in preaching of the word, the Myſteries of the Goſpel are propounded to us, yet it is the ſpirit muſt open our minds to underſtand the word, elſe it will be a book ſealed as the Prophet ſpeaks, Iſa. 29. 11. It is the ſpirit muſt give us wiſdom to apply the word, Eph. 1. 17, 18. It is the ſpirit muſt ſupport our memory to retain the word. A learned man obſerves, The Holy Ghoſt performs his office, Iſa. 29. 11.Isa 29:11not only by revealing truth to us, but by imprinting it upon us: Elſe the ſounding of the Goſpel will be like the ſounding of Eph. 1. 18.Eph 1:18a Clock after it hath ſtruck, a little noiſe there is for the preſent, but it ceaſes by degrees, and at laſt no ſound at all is heard. In a word, forgetful hearers go from Ordinances Spiritus Sanctus apud nos officium ſuum peragit, non ſolùm docendo, ſed et ſuggerendo.juſt as they came to them, like the Beaſts in Noahs Ark, they went in unclean, and they came out unclean: how neceſſary then is it, that we ſhould pray for a firm memory to record ſacred truth, as well as a free heart to entertain it.

Fourthly, Let us on the morning of a Sabbath pray for a tender conſcience to fall down before the power and force of the word. Conſcience is the ſtrongeſt Fort for the word to take, it is the moſt unruly patient for the word to cure: Oftentimes the word takes the ear; nothing is more muſical, Ezek. 33. 32. The word takes the tongue; nothing more commended then the Preacher and the Sermon, Ezek. 33. 31. foreign, ſua vitèr.Nay, the work taketh the affections, Mark 6. 20. Herod that miſcreant Prince heard John the Baptiſt gladly. Nay, often the word takes the judgment; nothing is accounted p. 260more rational. The fickle Jews were convinced, never man ſpake as Jeſus Chriſt, John 7. 46. But all this while conſcience lies aſleep, and is not awakened from its dream: Conſcience all this while is as faſt aſleep in the boſom as Jonah in the ſhip, Jon. 1. 6. and nothing minds the ſtorm. Conſcience may be ſeared, 1 Tim. 4. 2. and ſo feel nothing of the ſharpneſs of the word; conſcience may be defiled, 1 Tit. 15. and ſo mind nothing of the m…ſſage of the word; conſcience may be evil, Heb. 10. 22. and ſo fling away from the warnings of the word; and therefore how ſhould we beg of God that conſcience may be impartial in waiting upon holy Ordinances. A yielding conſcience is the beſt auditor at a Sermon. This was Joſiahs praiſe, he wept, and Sacrae Scripturae ſic exaratae ſunt, ut ſcire volentes ſciant, et litis ſtudioſi anſam litigandi facillimè arripiant. Camer.was tender at the hearing of the Law, 2 Chron. 34. 27. The ſoul lies in a fair way to life and Salvation, when conſcience bluſhes at the reproof of ſin, when conſcience ſtartles at the hearing of judgment, when conſcience is convinced of the neceſſity of Chriſt, and of the beauty of holineſs; and that only a holy life leads to a holy God. Indeed the principal work of the Goſpel is to deal with conſcience; and it is the great work of God himſelf in the Goſpel to rowſe Non periclitor docere ipſas Scripturas ita diſpoſitas eſſe, ut moteriam ſubminiſtrant etiam haereticis. Tertul.conſcience from its ſleepineſs, to quiet its rage, to take away its prejudices, and to bring it into a calm temper, that with meekneſs it may receive the engraffed word, which is able to ſave the ſoul, Jam. 1. 21. Men of polluted conſciences can arm themſelves againſt the aſſaults of the word; now, that we ſhould lay down the weapons, and ſubmit to the force and power of truth, this is to be begged by ſollicitous and importunate prayer.

Fifthly, We muſt intreat the Lord that the fruit of all Cingulo veritatis ornantur, qui veritatem in moribus aſſequuntur, Qui omnes res amandas, et amplectendas per veritatem per virtutem & virtutis verum dictamen metiuntur: Quid enim humilitas? Quid charitas? quid patientio? quid …aeterae virtutes niſi lumina veritatis. Anſel.his holy Ordinances, may appear in our lives. The life of Ordinances lies in living Ordinances; our ſanctity only commends the Sanctuary; to hear the word ſpeaks ſome profeſſion, but to live the word only ſpeaks Religion: It is very obſervable, that all thoſe Iſraelites who heard God ſpeaking from Mount Sinai the ten Commandments, not living up to the tenor of thoſe ten words, as Moſes calls them, Deut. 10. 2. they all fell in the Wilderneſs; none but p. 261Joſhua and Caleb came ſafe to Canaan. The ſight of Phyſick doth not cure the patient, but the application. The word doth not advantage us as it is muſicall, but as it is medicinal, as it is taken inwardly and heats the corrupt heart, and the cure will eaſily be ſeen in a fruitfull converſation. We then become the Goſpel when holineſs is our dreſs: Thoſe Sermons are moſt fairly printed, which are moſt conſcientiouſly practiſed. A Sermon of charity is beſt ſeen in our alms, a Sermon of ſelf-denyal is beſt ſeen in our carrying the Croſs. A Sermon of Repentance is beſt ſeen in our tears and reformation. To be only hearers of the word, is to put a cheat upon our ſouls, Jam. 1. 22. and make the Miniſter not the Phyſician, but the Mountebank. Practice is the ſhining lamp of the Sanctuary, Exod. 27. 20. It was obſerved among the Jews, that they were exact in turning Rom. 3. 2.Rom 3:2over the leaves of the Bible, and none more incurious to underſtand John 5. 39.John 5:39the mind of the Holy Ghoſt in thoſe ſacred pages, or to conform themſelves to the commands of thoſe divine Oracles, they were like ſome heedleſs perſons who gaze upon a tree, but never turn up the leaves to ſee what fruit is underneath, that they might feed upon it for ſupport and ſatisfaction: Such Jewiſh ſpirits too too many we have among us, who like oſcitant and negligent workmen, who have their tools about them, and ſet upon no piece for the exerciſe of their Art. But it is rare and worthy when we hear things to be done, and do things to be heard. That knowledge is beſt which is practical, when the underſtanding Pſal. 119. 105.Ps 119:105impreſſes the will, as the ſeal doth the wax, and Mat. 7 17.Matt 7:17ſo leaves characters of worth and holineſs. Our Saviour calls them bleſſed who hear the word and keep it, Luke 11. 28. The hearers life is the Preachers beſt commendation. The true uſe of Ordinances is not only to increaſe our knowledge, but to regulate our practice. The Law is a rule as well as a lamp. A ſinfull life will unravell all our profeſſion, and expoſe that puppet dreſſed up to ſcorn and deriſion. Seneca obſerved of the Philoſophers, That when Boni eſſe deſierum ſimulac docti …vaſerint. Senec.they grew more learned, they grew leſs morall. This is more venial in a Heathen Philoſopher, then in a profeſſing Chriſtian. p. 262We muſt deſire the ſincere milk of the word, that we may grow thereby, 1 Pet. 2. 2. Indeed the word muſt not onelyonly be the light of our minds, but the treaſure of our Pſal. 119. 111.Ps 119:111hearts, which treaſure muſt be ſpent upon works of piety and holineſs. The Lord Jeſus makes it an infallible Character of our love to him, if we keep his Commandments, John 14. 15.

Firſt, Chriſt doth not ſay, if ye hear, but if ye do my Jam. 2. 22. Rom. 2. 13.Jas 2:22Rom 2:13Commandments; hearing is onelyonly a ſtep towards Religion, a good wiſh for heaven; the Scribes and Phariſees heard Qui ſervat legem dei, verè teſtificatur, ſe non ſimulate, ſed verè et ſincerè amare deum. Zanch.Chriſt, who afterwards brought him to the Croſs. It is a ſharp ſpeech of the holy Apoſtle, 1 Joh. 2. 4. He that ſaith, I know him, and keepeth not his Commandments, is a lyar, and the truth is not in him.

Secondly, Chriſt doth not ſay, if you love me, diſpute ſubtilly of my Commandments. Deeds, not diſputes, evidence 2 Cor. 3. 1, 2.2 Cor 3:12 Cor 3:2our love to Chriſt; the regular acts of our lives, not Prov. 2. 10.Prov 2:10the ingenious canvaſings of the Schools, it is not reaſoning out of Gods word, but walking after that holy word, ſpeaketh us the Diſciples of the Lord Jeſus.

Thirdly, Nor doth Chriſt ſay, If ye love me, preſcribe Eſt obſervatio praeceptorum Chriſti omnibus Chriſti fidelibus eo loco ha benda, ut ſi illa deſit in ipſam Chriſti dilectionem peccare convin…am…r. Muſc.my Commandments to others, read them lectures of ſanctity, no, but live them your ſelves. Perſonal holineſs is of abſolute neceſſity to every Chriſtian. It is not our preſcription, but our obedience; not what we dictate to others, but what we act our ſelves, ſhews our intereſt in, and our union to Chriſt.

Fourthly, Nor doth Chriſt ſay, keep the Statutes and the Commandments of your predeceſſours, no, but keep my Commandments; it is not a plauſihle cuſtome, but an undefiled conſcience ſpeaks the Chriſtian. This the Lord pleads Acts 24. 16.Acts 24:16with Iſrael of old, Ezek. 20. 18, 19. But I ſaid unto their Children in the wilderneſs, walk ye not in the ſtatutes of your Ezek. 20. 18.Ezek 20:18Fathers, neither obſerve their judgements, nor defile your ſelves Mat. 15. 3, 6.Matt 15:3Matt 15:6with their Idols; I am the Lord your God, walk in my ſtatutes, Mat. 7. 9. 13.Matt 7:9Matt 7:13and keep my judgements, and do them. The Phariſees darling, Gal. 1. 14.Gal 1:14was the tradition of their Fathers, and they were the Maſter-pieces of Hypocriſie.Col. 2. 8.Col 2:8

p. 263Fifthly, Nor doth Chriſt ſay, if ye love me, keep and obſerve Numb. 15. 39, 40.Num 15:39Num 15:40what ſeems right to you, no, but keep my Commandments, though ſeverity be written upon their very forehead, Deut. 12. 8.Deut 12:8though it be to the carrying of my Croſs, to the denyal of your ſelves, to the laying down of your lives for my ſake; Non ſpectatores, ſed luctatores, non qui vident, ſed qui vincunt in agone, et certamine coronabuntur. Alap.and keep all my Commandments, not what are pleaſing to your fleſh, but what are enjoyned by my word. So then, if we have any love to Chriſt, holy practice muſt be the teſtimonial of it. Indeed many Chriſtians are like Children in the Rickets, they have big heads, but weak joynts, they are all for notions, and head-light, curious knowledge, and airy ſpeculations, but they wave practical truths, and that wiſdome Prov. 2. 10.Prov 2:10which entereth upon the heart, Prov. 2. 10. This undigeſted knowledge puts out the fire of zeal; as if the waters of the Cum ſapientia hominis animum penetrat, quàm ſuavis illi eſt, ſupra mel, et favum. Cartw.Sanctuary ſhould put out the fire of the Sanctuary, and men could not at the ſame time be knowing and holy. How ardently then ſhould we pray to the Father, that Ordinances may ſo influence our lives, that our converſation may bear witneſs how much we love the Lord Jeſus. And thus much for the ſecond duty to be performed on the morning of the Sabbath, before we joyn with the aſſembly of Gods people, (viz.) Prayer.

3A third duty incumbent upon us, before we joyn with the Congregation, is, taking pains with our own hearts, and this properly is Cloſet work, which we may manage to very good purpoſe in theſe four particulars.

1We muſt endeavour to empty our hearts:

Firſt, To throw out all the traſh, to caſt out all vaine Jer. 4. 14. foreign. nos reddimus cogitationes noxias, pro nox iae, Aquila vertit foreign, (i. e.) damni, Symmachus foreign ſeptuagint foreign Haec omniaſuns fructus vanarum cogitationum.Jer 4:14thoughts, and worldly deſires. Ponds and Moates are cleanſed to keep them wholeſome: Fooliſh and vain imaginations will fly-blow all our duties; and therefore we muſt let down the Portcullis of our hearts to keep in ſtraglers, and wanderers, that they may not interrupt us in our holy worſhip. Theſe Caterpillars will blaſt and ſpoyle the fruit of holy Ordinances; and for the atchieving of this neceſſary worke,

Firſt, Let us beg of Chriſt, that he would whip theſe buyers and ſellers out of the Temple of our ſouls. The ſpirit of God can ſweep away theſe Locuſts, and ſupply us with p. 264more noble and heavenly cogitations, he can drop divine meditations into our hearts, and turn the droſs of flatulent thoughts, into the gold of ſpiritual and ſeraphicall; He is called a holy ſpirit, not onelyonly from thoſe gracious impreſſions he ſtamps upon the heart, but likewiſe from thoſe divine infuſions he inſtills into the head; and ſo the whole man is his workman-ſhip in Jeſus Chriſt.

Secondly, We may likewiſe laſh and correct theſe vaine Eph. 2, 10. Ʋnden…m ſit facultas bona opera ſaciendi, (immò et bona cogitandi, ab eo à quo fimus novae creaturae, nempe à deo; A quo enim Arbor habetut, ſit bona, ab eodem habet, ut bonos proferat fructus. Zanch.Eph 2:10thoughts; which flit up and down in our minds, by ſetting before our hearts the future judgement, when thoughts ſhall be canvaſed, as well as words and actions; ſinfull thoughts at any time are accountable, but thoſe which defile the Sabbath are of a double dye, and are written in red Letters. The conſideration of a judgement day, will turn Hagars and Iſhmaels out of door, carnal and fooliſh imaginations. Indeed we are apt with Lots Wife to look backward towards the worldly pleaſures of Sodom, towards the vanities of the world, which hath too much of our heart even on the holy Sabbath of God; but pondering on our future account, we ſhall keep our faces ſteddy towards Sion.

Thirdly, We muſt conſider how much this traſh of the heart, fooliſh and vain thoughts will diſtract us in duty; Heb. 4. 14.Heb 4:14they are like the ringing of Bells in Sermon time, which drown the voice of the preacher, and ſtop the ear of the Mat. 13. 22.Matt 13:22hearer; Theſe vain thoughts choak the Word, that it dies away untimely, and works not lively upon the ſoul. This is Iſa. 29. 13.Isa 29:13that ſetting the heart far from God, when we ſeem to approach to him in Ordinances, which the Lord ſo much complains of, Iſa. 29. 13. Diſtracted perſons are fit for nothing, nor hearts diſtracted and torn with the varieties of flaſhy conceptions.

Fourthly, Let us take up ſtrong and fixed reſolutions, that we Haec ſuit cauſa excaecationis judaeorum, quia ſcil. deum nominabant, et honorabant ore tenus, corde vero erant ab eo elongati, et averſi.will waſh our hearts in innocency, and ſo we will compaſs Gods Altar. Holy reſolution is a good guard to the heart, it will examine every paſſenger, it will keep out ſin and the world, which are very unſuitable to the work and worſhip of the Sabbath. It was obſerved of our Henry the fifth, that when he came to the Crown, he threw of all his old companions; p. 265and when God Crowns our pilgrimage with the Pſal. 94. 12.Ps 94:12honour and happineſs of a Sabbath, we ſhould throw off Pſal. 139. 23.Ps 139:23all our worldly and frothy deſires, which have been too much our companions in the week paſt: Let us reſolve then in the ſtrength of God againſt theſe unbecoming workings Pſal. 45. 13. Ariſtoteles aſſerit ſuo tempore in urbibus creatum fuiſſe praefectum, qui mulieribus intenderet ne vagarentur, ſed domi ſe continerent. Ariſt. Po…it.Ps 45:13of our hearts. On the Lords day, let us be like the Kings Daughter, all glorious within, Pſal. 45. 13. Cobwebs are not to be ſuffered in Pallaces, nor vain thoughts in thoſe hearts which are to meet with Jeſus Chriſt. Now let us ſay with David, I hate vain thoughts, Pſal. 119. 113. and firmly reſolve, that on the Sabbath, the world and our ſouls ſhall be wholly ſtrangers, they ſhall take no acquaintance one with another, and this will be a ſucceſsful method to purge our hearts. Reſolution if ſincere is invincible.

2We muſt attempt to over-aw our hearts. The heart is never more fitted for holy duties, then when it is fixed, then Pſal. 57. 7.Ps 57:7when a ſenſe of divine preſence ſtayes it from roving, and Pſal. 108. 1.Ps 108:1breaking out into paths of ſin and vanity. Bring thy heart 1 Sam. 1. 28.1 Sam 1:28before God, as Hannah did the Child Samuel before the Lord in Shiloh, and that will keep the heart ſerious and demure. Dinah gadded when ſhe was out of her Fathers eye. Say to thy ſoul on the morning of a Sabbath, Soul, there is an infinite Heb. 10. 31.Heb 10:31God which is irreſiſtible in power, incomprehenſible in Heb. 12. 29.Heb 12:29majeſty, tremendous in juſtice, into whoſe hands it is a fearfull Non ſolùm apud Judaeos, Deus fuit ignis puniens, et conſumens idololatras, alioſ que violatores.thing to fall, Heb. 10. 31. and who is a conſuming fire, Heb. 12. 29. He will faſten his eye upon thee, this holy day; He will ſee every turning and winding of the heart, and therefore O my ſoul, cloſe to the work of the day, do not ſcatter from the work in hand, leaſt God take thee up as a ſtray, and carry thee to the whipping-poſt of ſome judgement and tribulation. The Schollar writes his Copy, and Deut. 4. 24.Deut 4:24doth not glance up and down with his eye, when his Maſter Sed apud nos Chriſtianos, Deus paritèr eſt ignis vindicans, et conſumens peccatores. Alap.is over him, but the abſence of the Maſter leaves the Schollar to his wanton vagaries. That eye is upon us on the Lords day, which is ten thouſand times brighter then the Sun. To ſtake down thy heart then to things ſpiritual and divine,

Firſt, Let it know, that it is under the piercing eye of God.

Secondly, Make it ſenſible that heart ſins, are heavy ſins.

p. 266Thirdly, That the heart is principal in holy worſhip, and if that be tainted with frivolous and fooliſh thoughts, it ſowres all holy ſervices.

3Fourthly, Commune with your hearts of looſe and carnal thoughts when Chriſt on the Sabbath is the proper and ſweeteſt Pſal. 4. 4.Ps 4:4object of them; And why ſhould he ſolicite the embraces of a leud Curtizan, who himſelf is indulged with a beautifull wife. Let the heart onelyonly be ſet on him who is altogether lovely, Cant. 5. 16. Machiavel ſaith, The great deſign of Religion is to keep the people in awe. Surely it is a Michiavel del. princip.great piece of Religion to keep the heart in awe, eſpecially on the morning of Gods bleſſed Sabbath. Let this be onelyonly annexed; that the Fear and Reverence of God are the beſt means to confine a quick-ſilvered heart from its ſinfull ranges, Heb. 12. 28. Mans heart naturally is ſlippery, and we by 2 Sam. 22. 11.2 Sam 22:11our own power can no more confine it, then we can clip the wings of the wind, or button up the rayes of the Sun. We muſt endeavour to ſpiritualize our hearts on the morning of the Sabbath; and this work will not onelyonly fit the heart for the grace, but likewiſe widen it, that it may receive much of the ſpirit of God. Joſephs Brethrens Corn, was more, or leſs, according to the proportion of the Sacks, for they were all filled, and when we ſpiritualize our hearts for God, Gen. 42. 25.Gen 42:25we ſhall have our money too in the mouth of the Sack; we Gen. 44. 1.Gen 44:1ſhall have redundancies of grace and comfort. Now to ſpiritualize our hearts:

Firſt, Let us ſtir up holy longings after Chriſt, let us blow off the aſhes from thoſe ſacred fires, let our hearts glow in foreign Appetitio et vehemens deſiderium gratiae, nobis dabit meliorem, et gratiorem bencdictionis proventum. Ger.holy ardencies after their beloved. The Spouſe was ſick of love, Cant. 2. 5. The real conſideration of Chriſts love and lovelineſs would bring us into theſe bleſſed fits; Ordinances will be ſweet m…rſells to theſe hungring & affectionate ſouls.

Secondly, Rally up holy contemptations; be thinking what a ſun-ſhiny day the Sabbath is, and how well it imitates the reſt of eternity; contemplate on the riches of Ordinances, and what glorious ſpoyles the prepared ſoul ſhall fall upon Joſh. 7. 21.Josh 7:21there, more then Achans golden wedge, or goodly Babyloniſh garment. Ordinances are the ſouls golden Chariots which drive towards heaven.

p. 267Thirdly, Let us blow up our hearts into great expectations. The Sabbath is the ſouls ſpiritual harveſt, the ſeaſon of unlading Anima gratiâ Chriſti regenerata, et renata, immò recreato, et nova creatura ſpiritualis facta, novam gratiae vitam ſortita; deinceps in novitate vitae ambulet. Alap. Pſal. 81. 10.Ps 81:10ſpiritual treaſure, and the prepared Saint comes to carry it away. In the Paradiſe of Ordinances grows the Tree of life. For the moſt part, the Sabbath is the ſouls New-birth day, the bleſſed nativity of the new man. It is not, Anno Domini, but die Dominico, not ſuch a year of the Lord, but ſuch a Lords day, moſt believers were born to an inheritance with the Saints in light. Let us therefore poſſeſſe our hearts with high expectations, for if we open our mouths God will fill them; Indeed much of our work on the Sabbath, lies not only in the cloſet of our houſes, but in the cloſet of our hearts.

4We muſt endeavour to tune our hearts to ſpiritual joy and delight. Joy ſuites no perſon ſo much as the Saint, and no day ſo well as the Sabbath; Joy at other times is like the birds chirping in the winter, which is pleaſing; but joy in the Lord upon the Lords day is like their warbling notes, and muſical noiſe in the ſpring, when all other things look with a delightfull aſpect. Thus the Pſalmiſt tripudiates and exults with joy, Pſal. 118. 24. He was in a high degree of joy. And indeed if the feaſt be made for laughter, as the wiſe man Ʋmbra fit ex corpore, et luce, et eſt itinerantium refrigerium ab aeſtu, et pratectio a tem. peſtate, Chriſtus umbra et tutela eſt, et refrigerium humani generis, quod gravi peccatorum onere premebatur. Honor.ſpeaks, Eccleſ. 10. 19. That day wherein Chriſt feaſteth his Saints with the choyſeſt mercies, may well command the greateſt ſpiritual mirth. The Lords day is the higheſt thanksgiving day, and deſerves much more then the Jewiſh Purim to be a day of gladneſs, and a good day, Eſth. 9. 17, 18, 19. On this day we enjoy communion with Saints, and ſhall we not rejoyce in thoſe excellent ones, Pſal. 16. 3. On this day we have fellowſhip with Chriſt, and ſhall not we ſit under his ſhadow with great delight? Cant. 2. 3. On this day we are partakers of the Ordinances, and ſhall we not be joyfull in the houſe of prayer? Iſa. 56. 7. On this day we have ſpecial converſe with the God of Ordinances, and who would not draw water with joy out of the wells of ſalvation? Iſa. 12. Zach. 2. 10. Phil. 4. 10. Iſa. 58. 13.Zech 2:10Phil 4:10Isa 58:133. Surely when we are in the midſt of ſo much musk, we muſt needs be perfumed; it is Gods command, as well as our priviledge to make the Sabbath a delight; And whether we p. 268are dilating on Gods works, or attending on Gods word, which are two principal duties of this day, they both call for joy and delight. David ſaith, Thy teſtimonies are my delight, Pſal. 119. 24. 77. And Solomon tells us, Prov. 25. 25. As cold water to a thirſty ſoul, ſo is good news from a far Countrey. Now the word of God contains the beſt newes that ever was diſcovered to the Sons of men, Peace on Earth, good will towards men, Luke 2. 14. and the glad tidings of Gaudete ſemper, ſi non actu, tamen habttu. Cajet.the Goſpel came from Heaven a far Country. Indeed the Apoſtle commands us to rejoyce evermore, 1 Theſ. 5. 16. A Chriſtian may rejoyce with all kinds of joy;Phil. 4. 4.Phil 4:4

Firſt, With natural joy, in thoſe things which are good Semper ſubeſt materia laetandi ſanctis, et exhibitis, et promiſſis. Bern.to nature, in health, ſtrength, beauty, riches, &c.

Secondly, With ſpiritual joy, with joy in the holy Ghoſt, Rom. 14. 17. The Saints muſt rejoyce in the favour of God, and in the fruits and pledges thereof, (viz.) In the pardon of ſin, in ſanctification, in hopes of glory.

Thirdly, The Saint as he may rejoyce in all kinds of joy, ſo in all ſtates and conditions, both in an adverſe, and in a 2 Tim. 2. 19.2 Tim 2:19proſperous eſtate.

Fourthly, In all ages, in his Youth, and in his declining years.Luke 10. 20.Luke 10:20

Fifthly, In all dayes, both in our day, and in Gods day. Gaudete de exhibitione, gaudete de promiſſione, quoniam et res plena gaudio, et ſpes plena gaudio gaudete quia expectatis praemia dextrae. Heb. 12. 23. 1 Kings 8. 56.Heb 12:231 Kgs 8:56However it is, Gods Children alwayes have or may have cauſe of rejoycing: The Promiſe is, Their joy ſhall no man take from them, John 16. 22. To this end, the Comforter is given, to abide with them for ever, John 14. 16. And one of the fruits of the holy Spirit is joy, Gal. 5. 22. And Bernard obſerves, there will be a continual ſupply of joy.

Firſt, In things exhibited, and already given, as the writing of the Saints names in Heaven, Luke 10. 20. by an unchangeably decree; ſo that it is as poſſible for God to ceaſe to be God, as to alter his decree of election: To which may be added other bleſſings depending, as ſins pardoned, the perſon juſtified, the nature healed, the ſoul ſanctified, all which are matter of unſpeakable joy and delight, Rom. 8. 37, 38. But

Secondly, If the things exhibited ſhould faile us, yet we might rejoyce in things promiſed, and theſe promiſes are p. 269freſh ſprings of continual joy. For Gods promiſes to his Promiſſimes divinae non excidant, ne que irritae reddantur.people, are Cabinets filled with the richeſt Jewels, Exchequors filled with the greateſt Treaſures.

Firſt, They are infallible for their certainty, 2 Cor. 1. 20.

Secondly, They are before the world for their Antiquity, Tit. 1. 2.

Thirdly, They are precious promiſes, for their rarity, In dei promiſſis nulla eſt falſitas, quia in faciendis nulla eſt omnipotentis difficultas. Fulgent.2 Pet. 1. 4. The promiſes are a firm inheritance to the Saints, Heb. 6. 12. They are unſhaken pledges of better things, Rom. 4. 21. The Saint hath a double pledge to aſſure him of future happineſs.

1. One within him, in his own breaſt, Gods holy ſpirit of promiſe, Eph. 1. 13, 14.

2. One without him in Gods word, thoſe glorious promiſes recorded in ſacred writ; I ſay, glorious; for the promiſes are veſſels laden with the richeſt fraught.Promiſſiones ſunt bona in coelis nobis promiſſa, et haec poſſidebunt fides, et patientia. Alap.

1. The Saints have promiſes for all ſeaſons.

1. For times of affliction, Iſa. 43. 2. Iſa. 63. 9.

2. For times of temptation; Satan ſhall not buffet them, but they ſhall have the ſhield of a promiſe to defend themſelves, 2 Cor. 12. 9.

3. For times of decay and declination, when the ſtock of grace runs low, and the poor believer languiſheth in his inward man, Phil. 1. 6.

4. For times of neceſſity, Mat. 6. 33. Heb. 13. 5. He that Haec celebris eſt promiſſio; non te deſeram, ne que derelinquam; hebraice foreign deus erit ſcutum et clypeus ſuis.hath the fruit, ſhall have the paper and the packthread to bind it up in. The Earth is the Lords, Pſal. 24. 1. as well as the Heavens, Iſa. 58. 14.

5. For times of proſperity, Deut. 28. 8. Their good things ſhall be ſweetned with his goodneſs, and he will ſhed a perfume upon all their encreaſe.

Secondly, As the promiſes which God hath made to his people, are calculated for all times, ſo are they repleat, and enriched with all varieties of good things.Numb. 14. 10 1 Tim. 4. 8. Deut. 19. 8.Num 14:101 Tim 4:8Deut 19:8

Firſt, Of good things temporal. Canaan a land flowing with milk and honey, was the land of promiſe, Deut. 19. 8. The good things of this life, which ſmooth and ſweeten our way to eternity, are onelyonly waters which guſh out from the p. 270rock of a promiſe; Iſaac's ſtore of Servants, Gen. 26. 14. and Gen. 18. 18.Gen 18:18Jacob's ſtore of Cattle, Gen. 30. 43. they were the fruit of a Gen. 22. 18.Gen 22:18promiſe made to Abraham, that God would bleſs his Seed, Acts 3. 25.Acts 3:25Gen. 12. 3. And

Secondly, So of ſpiritual good things; of pardoning grace, Iſa. 55. 1. of converting grace, Jer. 31. 33. of growth in Promiſſio facta eſt Chriſtianis, amicitiae dei, remiſſionis peccatorum, et regni coeleſtis.grace, Hoſ. 14. 5. the gift of a Chriſt lay under a promiſe, Gen. 3. 15. Luke 1. 71. the gift of the ſpirit was bound up in a promiſe, Acts 2. 33. Gal. 3. 14. If a new heart be put into our boſomes, it is the iſſue of a promiſe, Ezek. 36. 26. And God in a purſuance of a promiſe, breaths a new ſpirit Ezek. 36. 26.Ezek 36:26into our ſouls. Shall we riſe higher?

Thirdly, God hath made promiſes to his people of things eternal; Of a future Crown, 2 Tim. 4. 8. Of a glorious Kingdom, Luke 12. 32. Of a heavenly Throne, Rev. 3. 21. Of eternal Inrer pocula Germaniae, clamatum eſt; ſpiritus calriviamus eſt ſpiritus melancholicus Sclat.Life, John 3. 16. Of everlaſting Habitations, Luke 16. 9. Of everlaſting Salvation, Heb. 5. 9. And therefore how much are they to be cenſured, who accuſe Religion of ſadneſs, and ſorrow, and upon the force of that argument, draw back to courſes of ſin and prophaneneſs; What do they leſs then blaſpheme, both the God, and the priviledges of the Saints? Joy is a conſtant diſh with the people of God, but Cujusmodi eſt gaudium, quod eſt in domino? In his quae ſecundum domini mandatum fiunt gaudere debemus. Baſil.their joy is hidden Manna, it lodges in their boſomes, not in their looks; their muſick-room is a little more retired, the world doth not hear their melody. Look upon the Saints in their loweſt condition, when grace it ſelf is at an ebb, at very low water; Yet then

Firſt, The Lord aſſures us, that little is a pledge of more, 2 Cor. 1. 22. And even

Secondly, That little he will enable to get a final victory, Rev. 3. 8, 9. And in Rev. 2. 7. the promiſe is made to him, foreign.who is overcoming, not to him who hath already overcome.

And Thirdly, That little ſhall be kept perfect to the day of the Lord Jeſus, 1 Theſ. 3. 10. Phil. 1. 6. So many cauſes of conſtant joy are there to all Gods Children; what roſes do they walk upon here, even while they are in a valley of tears? In their boſomes lies a pardon, like Aarons Rod bloſſoming in the Ark, their conſciences are ſerene and calme p. 271with holy peace, nay, they can laugh in a ſtorm, they can joy in tribulations, Rom. 5. 3. Jam. 1. 2. And they can Gaudium Chriſtiano utile eſt, immò neceſſarium ut jucunde vivat, et alacritèr in virtutibus pergat.glory in a ſhip-wrack, they can triumph in death it ſelf, 1 Cor. 15. 55. And therefore the Apoſtle inculcates, and reduplicates the command for holy joy. Rejoyce in the Lord alwayes, again I ſay rejoyce, Phil. 4. 4. But though the joy of the Saints, open to the wide Common, they can, and may rejoyce in all things, and in all times, yet in the incloſure of Gods bleſſed Sabbath, the freſheſt and ſweeteſt ſprings of joy are to be found. And thus much for the third duty, Jam. 1. 2.Jas 1:2to be performed on the morning of a Sabbath, before we go to the publick congregation, (Viz.) Labouring with our own hearts.

4The fourth duty to be diſcharged before the publick on Gods holy day, is private reading of the Scriptures: What a charge doth God lay upon the Jews to be acquainted with Deut. 11. 18.Deut 11:18the Scriptures, Deut. 6. 7, 8, 9. And theſe words which I command thee this day, they ſhall be in thy heart, and thou Verbum dei in nos totos admittamus, in mentem, in memoriam, in affectus, in vitam, ut nulla ſit pars noſtri in quâ verbum dei non inhabitet.ſhalt teach them diligently to thy Children, and thou ſhalt talk of them when thou ſitteſt in thy houſe, and when thou walkeſt in the way, when thou lieſt down, and when thou riſeſt up, and thou ſhalt bind them as a ſign upon thy hand, and they ſhall be as frontlets between thy eyes, and thou ſhalt write them upon the poſts of thy houſe, and on thy gates. Let us ſumme up this charge.

Firſt, Gods word it muſt poſſeſs every part, it muſt be between our eyes for direction, it muſt be a ſign on our hands to regulate our works and operations; it muſt be lodged in Evangelica hiſtoria debet eſſe perpetua lectio cujuſlibet hominis Chriſtiani. Mirandul.our hearts to ſanctifie and ſpiritualize our love and affections, that the heart may be warm, but not feavouriſh.

Secondly, Gods word muſt poſſeſs every room, it muſt be our diſcourſe in our Parlors where we uſe to ſit, it muſt be our meditation in our chambers where we uſe to lie; and if we take the air abroad, this holy word muſt be our companion, this muſt be teſtis converſationis, the witneſs of our converſation.

p. 272Thirdly, Gods word muſt poſſeſs every ſeaſon: It muſt go to bed with us to ſanctifie the farewell thoughts of the day, that we ſhut up the day and our eyes with God; if we riſe in the morning it muſt be our morning ſtar to guide us, our morning dew to ſoften us, our morning Sun to warm us, Ne patiamini verbum dei, eſſe quaſi peregrinum, et foris ſ…are, ſed intromittatur in domicilium cordis noſtri, & verſetur aſſiduè in animis noſtris, non ſecus ac domeſtici verſantur in domo ſuâ; immò ſit nobis non minùs no…um, ac familiare, quàm illi eſſe ſolent qui apud nos habitant. Daven.it muſt be our firſt company, and our beſt Breakfaſt in the morning.

And Fourthly, Gods word muſt not only poſſeſs the inſide of the houſe, but the out-ſide too; it muſt be written on the poſts and the gates to ſhew its own excellency, that we muſt hold it out, and own it in the view of all the world. This is the ſumme of the charge, and indeed it is not unneceſſary, if we conſider the Scriptures are the guide of our youth, 2 Tim. 3. 15. They are the cure of our minds, Mat. 22. 29. Ignorance of Gods word breeds errour and ſpiritual diſtempers in us. They are the comfort of our ſouls, Rom. 15. 4. They are both a Cordial and a Julip to warm us in cold affliction, and to cool us in careleſs proſperity. They are the treaſure of our hearts, Col. 3. 16. He is the potent and mighty man who is an Apollos in the Scriptures Acts 18. 24. Nay, they are the breathings of the Holy Ghoſt, 2 Pet. 1. 20. They are not only mens advantage, but the divine iſſue of the third perſon in the Trinity. The reſult of the whole is this, if God lay ſo much weight on reading of the Scriptures, and man receives ſo much advantage by acquaintance with them, no ſeaſon fitter for this duty then the morning of a Sabbath.

Firſt, The reading of the word prepares for the hearing of it, that we may arrive at the Nobility of thoſe Bereans, who ſearched the Scriptures, whether what the Apoſtles delivered were conſonant and agreeing to them or no, Acts 17. Acts 17. 11. Ignorantia, & negloctus dei, ô quantum malum eſt, et in quot, et quanta mala Gentil… per hanci ignorantiam inciderint. Alap.Acts 17:1111. By conſtant reading on the Sabbath morning we come acquainted with the body of the Scriptures, and ſo are fitted to entertain particular truths which may be delivered in publick by the Miniſter. Well read Lawyers eaſily underſtand particular caſes. Ignorant perſons like Children, take in what ever is in the ſpoon, whether Sugar or Poyſon. An ignorant Auditory wholly depends upon the conſcience p. 273of the Miniſter, and blind-fold graſp all with an implieit faith, they drink in all which is delivered, and ſo moſt probably the dregs at the bottom. But our preparatory reading in private, will enable us the more to judge and diſcern of publick Goſpel diſcoveries.

Secondly, Nor is it a ſmall advantage, that Gods word ſhould take livery and ſcizin of our hearts in the beginning Quo ſemel eſt imbuta recens ſerv…bit odorem, teſta diu.of the Sabbath, and ſo accommodate our hearts for future Ordinances. Veſſels retain the ſent of the firſt liquor. The Summer much follows the quality of the Spring. Converſing in our cloſets and families with Gods word, will much conduce to a ſpiritual frame of heart; The tracing of a Chapter or two in the morning at home, will mould the heart to a ſweeter compliance with Chriſt in his Ordinances. The reading of the Law made Joſiah weep, 2 Chron. 34. 27. and then he was flexible for every good purpoſe.

Thirdly, Theophylact hath an excellent argument to this purpoſe; One great end of the Sabbath, ſaith he, is to give Lex homines praecipit in Sabbatum quieſcere, ut lectioni vacent homines. Theoph.us reſpit for the reading of the Scriptures, which is meant, not onelyonly of the publick reading in the Church, but alſo of private reading at home, the Goſpel being nothing elſe but Chriſt opened and expanded; to ſtudy Chriſt is the purport not onelyonly of our publick but private devotion. To read the Scriptures then is one duty, which muſt take up our private leiſure on the morning of a Sabbath.

Fourthly, The Lord Chriſt, and his Apoſtles in alledging Mat. 21. 13.Matt 21:13the places of the Old Teſtament, do generally ſay, That it is written, or as it is written in the Book of the Pſalmes; or Luke 20. 42.Luke 20:42this was ſpoken by the Prophet Iſaiah: Now how much Acts 1. 20.Acts 1:20ſhame will befall us, if when the Miniſter alledgeth Scripture Acts 2. 16.Acts 2:16quotations, we may ſay of the word, as they did of the Holy Ghoſt, they had not ſo much as heard, whether there be an Holy Ghoſt or no, Acts 19. 2. So we never read of ſuch a Text, we never met with ſuch a Scripture, we never were acquainted with ſuch an example, as is cited by the Preacher, This might diſcolour our faces with bluſhes of ſhame and regret. It was a ſharp redargution of our Saviour p. 274which he gave to the Jewes, when he remitted them to ſearch the Scriptures, John 5. 39. they making their Scriptural knowledge the greateſt of their boaſt and oſtentation. And indeed to be a ſtranger to the Oracles of God, neither becomes our intereſt, nor our profeſſion.

And Fifthly, In this the Diſciple muſt not be greater Cultus ipſe publicus, quàm maximè ſolennitèr eſt celeb…andus, et poſtulat neceſſariò ill… exercitia, Scripturum lectionis meditationis, precum, &c. Quibus paratiores ſimus ad publicum cultum ut ille etiam in nobis verè efficax reddatur. Ameſ.then the Maſter. On the morning of the week day, He preached the word, John 8. 2. And in the morning of the Lords day we ſhould read it; which as he did dictate, we muſt ſurvey; if he was early in the diſpenſation of it, it well becomes us to take the dawnings of the Sabbath for its peruſal and lection; let us take the dropings of this honey-comb at the firſt effuſion. And thus much for thoſe Duties which are incumbent upon us in the morning of a Sabbath, before we aſſociate with the Aſſembly of Gods people. We muſt dreſs our inward, as well as our outward man, before we come to the Congregation.