The Practical Sabbatarian, Chapter 38

The Practical Sabbatarian · Chapter 38

p. 407CHAP. XXXVIII. Some neceſſary cautions for the preventing of Sabbath Pollution.

Caut. 1 FOr the more holy obſervation of Gods bleſſed day, ſome rocks are to be avoided, as well as ſome rules to be obſerved. The carefull Mariner ſtudies to eſcape the ſands, that he be not ſwallowed up, as well as obſerves the wind, that he be not becalmed, and ſo put upon unneceſſary ſtayes in the watery element: So there are difficulties to run through, as well as duties to diſcharge on Gods holy day; and therefore Care is as neceſſary as Zeal, and a watchfull eye as requiſite as an affectionate heart; we muſt equally take care that we do not offend, as that we do obtain.

Let us take heed of weariſomneſs in duties. It is very ſad, when the Sabbath is lookt on as our burden, and not our priviledge, and our attendance upon Ordinances our task, and not our triumph, our bondage and not our bleſſedneſs. Surely religious duties ſhould not be our fetters, but our freedome. This was the black character of the wanton Iſraelites, they p. 408cryed out, When will the New Moon be gone, that we may ſell Corn, and the Sabbath be over, that we may ſet forth Wheat? Amos 8. 5. What ſhould weary us on a Sabbath? Is it becauſe on that day, Chriſt carries the ſoul into his Wine Cellar, Malus fructus, immò malus morſus, quo Adam per Evam vitam perdidit: Bonus fructus quo genus humanum per Chriſti mortem, mortem perdidit, et vitam invenit. Del. Rio.and his banner over it is love? Cant. 2. 4. Is it becauſe Chriſt on this day, brings his living waters, and his beſt wine, and makes his feaſt of fat things, and gives his ſweeteſt bread? Do the delicacies of a Sabbath cloy us? Do the rarities of it nauſeate us? How ſhall we digeſt heaven, where ſuch dainties ſublimated, ſhall be our eternal fare? What hearts have we, that we can petrifie Gods Ordinances, and make them empty and unſatisfying, that they ſhall yield no taſte or nouriſhment? Surely it muſt needs be the reproach of a Chriſtian to grow weary of Communion with God, and to ſurfet on the proviſions of the Sanctuary. Indeed to be cloyed at our tables is more uſual, then ſinfull; but ſhall we riſe from the table of Chriſt without an appetite? Shall we ſay of the bread which came from heaven, is there nothing but this Manna? Upon the Sabbath, John 6. 55.John 6:55Chriſt takes the ſoul, as once the Eunuch did Philip, into Numb. 11. 6.Num 11:6the chariot of his Ordmances with him, and there diſcourſes of the affairs of eternity; and ſhall this familiarity tire the ſoul Acts 8. 21.Acts 8:21which is poſting to eternity? The Sabbath is the ſouls jubilee, a mellifluous and bleſſed ſeaſon; how many thouſands ſouls have known it the day of their new birth? And how willing have Gods people been, in this day of Gods power, in Pſal. 110. 3.Ps 110:3the beauties of holineſs from the womb of the morning? Bleſſed is this day among dayes, from henceforth all generations Luke 1. 48.Luke 1:48ſhall call thee happy; bleſſed be the Father which made thee, bleſſed be the Son who purchaſed thee, bleſſed be the Spirit who ſanctifies thee, and bleſſed are they who prize and improve thee, and think the Sun on this day poſts away too faſt, and makes too much haſt towards a ſetting. Indeed it muſt argue very little holineſs, if the bleſſing of the Sabbath be accounted the burden of the Soul, and it muſt ſpeak the dregs of corrupt nature to tire upon Mountains of Spices, to be weary of walking in the Garden where the Roſe of Sharon is. David ſaith, Pſal. 119. 24, 77. The teſtimonies p. 409of God are his delight, and he rejoyced more in them, Cant. 2. 1.Song 2:1then in all manner of riches; and yet truly ſome covetous Chriſtus eſt roſa foreign optimè flos, quia florum flos. Del. Rio.men tell over their riches with no ſmall delight. The very Goſpel is foreign, glad tidings; and can we be weary in hearing glad tidings, meſſages of love and life from heaven, news of a Chriſt and a Kingdom? The ſoul which is tired on a Sabbath, underſtands not its own intereſt, but as the Prophet Jonah ſaith, forſakes its own mercies, Jonah 2. 8. Can our converſation be in heaven, as the Apoſtolical command is, Phil. 3. 20. and yet droop, and be flatted in heavenly Sancti in coelis habitant, dum hic vivunt, atſi Aquilae quae in arduis nidum ponunt. Greg.duties, in heavenly ordinances, and pine after a diſmiſſion and releaſe? Burdens of Roſes are not painfull but pleaſant: Ordinances are onelyonly bundles of Myrrh to refreſh and revive the Soul. Surely the Sabbath may plead with tired profeſſors, as once God did in another caſe, Mic. 6. 3. O my people, what have I done to thee, and wherein have I wearied thee? teſtifie againſt me: So might the Sabbath expoſtulate, what is in me ſo burdenſom? Is it my inſtitution, becauſe it is divine? Luke 2. 37.Luke 2:37Is it my duration, becauſe it is for a few hours onelyonly? David longed to dwell in the houſe of the Lord all the dayes of his life, Pſal. 27. 4. And Anna the Propheteſs departed not from the Temple, but ſerved God with Faſtings and Prayers Inſabbato unuſq…iſq: ſ…dere debet in ſuo loco, Exod. 16. 29. et non procedà… ex eo. Quis eſt locus ſpiritualis animae? Juſtitia eſt locus ejus, et veritas, et ſapientia, et ſanctificatio, et omnia quae Chriſtus ſunt, et hic eſt locus ex quo eum non oportet exire. Orig.Exod 16:29night and day. Still the Sabbath may plead, are the Ordinances of God, my Jewels and my Ornaments, ſuch cauſes of ſurfet? Or rather are they not the Galleries for Chriſt and the ſoul to walk in, the very ſtages of Chriſts preſence, Mat. 18. 20. The rich opportunities for ſoul-advantage, the ſpiritual mans Mart? Here the ſinner, like the ſloathful ſervant, can anſwer nothing. It is both our doom and degeneracy to be weary of divine Ordinances, and it loudly ſpeaks,

1. That Chriſt is not our beloved, elſe his company would raviſh, not tire our attendance, and be our ſatisfaction, not our ſurfet. Lovers are not quickly weary of their interchangeable converſes.

2. That heaven is not the end of our race; ſurely if it were, we ſhould not then be ſo ſoon tired in the way. Ordinances are the road to glory. The Traveller puts on till he allight at home.

3. That the world hath too much influence us. The Jews p. 410were weary of the Sabbath, Amos 8. 5. but it was, that they might ſet forth Corn. Carnal minds do not reliſh ſpiritual duties; they are their clog, not their complacency. To be in the fleſh, in fleſhly deſires and delights, and to be in the ſpirit, are a real contrariety: The love of the world will caſt out the love of ordinances. This and much more our weariſomneſs in and of ordinances proclaims to every obſerver. It is the obſervation of Origen; that burdens were not to Onera non ſunt portanda die Sabbati, onus eſt omne peccatum. Orig.be carried on the Sabbath day, Nehem. 13. 15. ſaith he, What is this burden but ſin? And this is the miſtake of many; when ſin ſhould be, they make ſervice their burden; when they ſhould groan under vile practices, they groan under precious Ordinances. One well obſerves, weariſomneſs in duties ſucks out all their ſweetneſs, and makes them dry and unpleaſant, and caſts a diſhonour on the God of ordinances, Iſa. 5. 20.Isa 5:20as if he was a fountain ſhedding bitter ſtreams; but on the contrary, delight makes duty ſavoury meat, and Goſpel recreation. Jacob for the beauty of Rachel ſerved ſeven years, and they ſeemed but a few dayes, Gen. 29. 20. The Gal. 6. 9. foreign. Gen. 27. 4. Pſal. 119. 97. Pſal. 1. 2. Pſal. 110 3. Dr. Full. Eccl. Hiſt.Gal 6:9Gen 27:4Ps 119:97Ps 1:2Ps 110:3Saints in the beauties of holineſs run through many ſervices, and they are not their toyle, but their prerogative; they riſe from duty, as Galen uſually did from his meals, with an appetite. Dr. Fuller obſerves, a Philoſophical act did once ſo pleaſe Queen Elizabeth, that her delight did drown all tediouſneſs, and ſhe heard the Diſputes till within night in the midſt of Summer. And ſhall Philoſophy refreſh and captivate more then Divinity? ſhall the hand-maid more pleaſe then the Miſtris? Shall diſputes of Nature be more ſatisfactory Deus eſt nat…ra naturans, et creaturae ſunt natura naturata. Baron.then the God of Nature? Shall the Schools more delight then the Sanctuary? Nay, ſhall the Mathematicks of Archimedes ſo drown him in rational pleaſure, that being in his ſtudy, he heard not when Syracuſe the City of his habitation was taken by the Romans? Shall ſuch raptures drop from the contriving of a Mathematical Inſtrument, and is there no fruit on the tree of Life, no delicacy in ordinances to affect our ſouls, and to wear off a cloyed irkſomneſs from our ſpirits on the bleſſed Sabbath? Surely it argues weak and faint grace, when the breaſt that feeds it becomes troubleſome, p. 411and the ſincere milk of the word, 1 Pet. 2. 2. becomes ſowre, and ſtales, becauſe it is not made uſe of.

Caut. 2 Let us take heed of trifling away the Sabbath under the pretence of vain excuſes. The Sabbath is the ſolemn time of mans Aurum igne probatum, alii intelligunt de v…rbo dei, Illud enim argento ſepties dec…cto eſt probatius Auro obrizo deſiderabilius; Alii intelligunt de fide quâ ſolâ divitiae caeleſte accipiantur quae que igne afflictionis, quovis auro purgatior redditur. Coram deo non facit divites aurum, ſed fides Chriſtum cum the ſauris ſuis poſſidens. 2 Cor. 5. 21.2 Cor 5:21life, the ſoules gale of opportunity, the good wind for the harbour of Reſt. On this day God ſets forth his merchandize, Rev. 3. 18. for man to buy up, to enrich himſelf to eternity; then God offers his gold to make us rich in grace, his white raiment to make us rich in beauty, his eye-ſalve to make us rich in knowledge. Pareus well obſerves, Adams fall proclaimed him bankrupt, and he naturally labours under a three-fold malady:

1. Of Poverty, and ſo God offers Gold, Rev. 3. 18. to ſet him up again, to repair his loſt revenues and eſtate.

2. Of Nakedneſs, when Adam ſinned his firſt ſin, Gen. 3. 7. himſelf, and ſo after himſelf, his poſterity was ſhamefully naked; and now God offers (eſpecially on a Sabbath day, the ſpiritual fair-day for ſuch merchandiſes) white raiment to cover our nakedneſs, and to adorn us with a beauty exceeding our Primitive lovelineſs: He offers the righteouſneſſe of Chriſt, a fairer Garment then Adams innocency, more large, and more laſting.

3. Of Blindneſs: Adam by ſoaring too high, loſt his ſight, and entailed that blemiſh upon all his off-ſpring: Now God offers eye-ſalve to cure our blindneſſe; that we Quid eſt collyrium, niſi illuminatio ſpiritus …ellentis tenebras cordium, at que excitantis veram dei agnitionem et dilectionem in fide juſtificatis, ut in cernendâ ſuâ miſeriâ, et Chriſti beneficiis caeci eſſe deſinant. Par. Heb. 12. 17. Mat. 22. 5. Luke 15. 13.Heb 12:17Matt 22:5Luke 15:13may ſee the ſalvation of the Lord, and underſtand the things which belong to our peace. Thus fraught with rich advantages, and rare commodities, is Gods bleſſed day; which to triflle away, is not ſo much treſpaſs, as frenzy, our madneſs, rather then our miſcarriage. Mariners do not ſport with good winds, nor Merchants with good markets, nor Husbandmen with good ſeaſons; onelyonly the Formaliſt ſlips his rare opportunities, a bleſſing he ſhall not long enjoy, though he ſeeks it carefully with tears. The King of Saints, Rev. 15. 3. makes a Feaſt on his own Reſurrection day, and the Gueſts more ſtudy excuſes, then appetite, and are very dextrous to trifle away their own happineſſe; what remains to theſe ſpiritual prodigals, but a fearful expectation of p. 412Judgement: We may write a Mene Tekel, Dan. 5. 25. upon the faireſt pretences of theſe triflers, who throw away the Heb. 10. 27.Heb 10:27ineſtimable benefit of Sabbath-grace. But let us obſerve the traces of theſe ſelf-deſtroying Formaliſts.

1Some trifle away their Sabbath, in running from one place to another, and fixing no where to hear a Sermon, and enjoy the Ordinances of God: Now they ſtay a little in one Church, and preſently ſlip away to another, and happily viſit a third, if not a fourth, and this hath been a great ſin in the greateſt City of the Nation. Here I may ſay with our Saviour: To whom ſhall I liken the men of this Generation? Mat. 11. 16. Indeed, they are like Children in the Market, who run from ſtall to ſtall, to ſee every thing, but buy nothing: they are Overſeers of an Ordinance, they ſee the Sunt aliquid in omnibus, et nihil in ſingulis.goods of it carried away, and their ſouls are nothing the richer by it; theſe are wandring ſtars, flying and ſo empty Clouds: curioſity is their Principle, and emptineſs is their Character: but let ſuch conſider, the itch of vanity Jude v. 20.is uſually rubbed into the ſcab of prophaneneſſe; theſe general ſurveyors are ſeldom built up in the moſt holy faith; theſe are onelyonly initial ſcepticks, they rove up and down, Judges 7. 6.Judg 7:6till at laſt they loſe themſelves; they are like Gideons ſouldiers, Hoſ. 6. 4.Hos 6:4who onelyonly lap at an Ordinance, as they did at the waters, and ſo their righteouſneſſe is as the morning dew; their Si aliqua neceſſitas oriatur urgentiori actione, prandium eſt praetereundum. Aug. contr. urbic. Epiſt. 86.inconſtancy is uſually followed with darkneſſe of mind, and deadneſſe of heart. Saint Auguſtine in a tract againſt Ʋrbicus, tells us, That in the Primitive times, Sermons were not tyed up to an hour, but were protracted to a greater length if any occaſion required, and Dinner-time was ſwallowed up in the duty, Chriſtians attending theſe prolonged ſervices. What a burden would this have been to theſe flitting Auditours? this would have put their roving fancy into chains. It was a Cuſtome in the golden Age of the Church, to follow thoſe with cenſures Eccleſiaſtical, who went out of the Auditory Ante finem tractatus non eſt exeundum. Chryſoſt. Hom. 83. in Matth.before the Miniſter had concluded his Sermon, whether longer or ſhorter, as a learned man notes. And Chryſoſtom, in his 83d. Homily on Matthew, ſeverely reproves thoſe, who went out of the Church, before the Miniſter had diſmiſſed p. 413the people: and poſitively affirms, whoever goes out of the Aſſembly before the Congregation is diſmiſſed, ſhall give an Qui ante diſmiſſionem exit, ut fugitivus rationem reddet, Chryſ. Concil. Carth. Concil. Aurel. Concil. Agath. Qui ſacerdote ve…bum faciente exibit, terribili excommunicationis cenſurâ notetur. Concil. carth.account to God as a fugitive. The fourth Council of Carthage ſpeaketh thus in the 24th. Canon: Whoever goes out whilſt the Miniſter is preaching, and continuing his diſcourſe, let him be branded with the terrible Cenſure of Excommunication. To the ſame purpoſe Concil. Aurelian. Can. 28. An. 507. & Concil. Agathen. Can. 47. which was held An. Dom. 306. And this is further obſervable from Antiquity, that Chryſoſtom, in his 19th. Homily upon Geneſis, doth very much commend his Auditours, who heard his admonitions with great alacrity, nor were they offended with the length or prolixity of them, but ſtill kept up a vigorous and continued deſire to hearken to him, and perſevered in this deſire to the end. And truly this deſerved commendation. It is ſaid of our Saviours Auditours, that they did hang upon foreign. Luke 19. 48.Luke 19:48his lips, Luke 19. 48. ſo the Original word bears it. And thoſe who heard Paul, waited on his Miniſtry till midnight, Acts 20. 7. But how contrary are thoſe gadding hearers we are treating of, to the ſerious Congregation of Chryſoſtome; to the fervent Auditors of our Saviour, and to the unwearied Aſſembly, who ſuckt in Goſpel truth from the Apoſtles lips at midnight? Theſe trifling Proſelytes, they put Hag. 1. 6.Hag 1:6their ſpiritual riches into a bag with holes, and ſcatter their gleanings by the way.

2Some trifle away their Sabbath in hearing ſome new thing: Theſe act the Athenian more then the Chriſtian; the old Acts 17. 21.Acts 17:21beaten way of godlineſſe is trite, and worn out to them: but if they hear of a new Preacher, then they flock to him: Quiſquis es aſſertor novorum dogmatum, Quaeſo te, ut par…as humanis auribus, ut parcas fidei,If they hear of ſome new opinion, then they run after it: this hath been a diſeaſe which hath raged in many parts of this Nation: But theſe pleaſe fancy more then faith, and ſtudy notion, more then religion: they remember not that Satan can transform himſelf into all ſhapes, and as a Chamelian turn into all colours: and feducers, his emiſſaries, can Hieron. ad Pammach.put on a ſilken mask, and blend truth with errour, to make it more plauſible, and the commodity more vendible. The 2 Cor. 11. 3.2 Cor 11:3ſmootheſt tongues are oftentimes the Oratours of falſe Doctrine, p. 414Micah 2. 11.Mic 2:11ctrine, as the fineſt paint ſtops up the deepeſt wrinkles: Incautelous Iſa. 8. 20Isa 8:20Noveliſts, conſider not the advice of God by the Mat. 4. 4.Matt 4:4Prophet, Jer. 6. 16. Thus ſaith the Lord, ſtand ye in the Luke 16. 29Luke 16:29wayes, and ſee, and ask for the old paths, where is the good Mat. 11. 29.Matt 11:29way, and walk therein, and ye ſhall find reſt for your ſouls: 1 John 1. 4.1 John 1:4They conſider not the fervent aſſeveration of the Apoſtle, Jer. 23. 16.Jer 23:16Gal. 1. 8. Though we or an Angel from Heaven, preach any other Goſpel unto you, then that which we have preached unto Gal. 1. 8, 9.Gal 1:8Gal 1:9you, let him be acourſed: as we ſaid before, ſo ſay I now again, if any man preach any other Goſpel to you, then that you have received, let him be accurſed. Obſerve how the Apoſtle repeats the Anathema againſt all novel opinions, and in the heat of his zeal, how doth he execrate any perſon whatſoever, Retinenda eſt antiquitas, & explodenda eſt novitas.Angel, Chriſtian, Man, who ſhall introduce any thing different from, or contrary to the received Doctrine. This text of Scripture might ſtrike all Noveliſts, ſeducers, and ſeduced, Lyr.with Belſhazzars Palſy, Dan. 5. 6. and might chain up frothy and unſtable ſpirits from their opinionative ranges. And we may not overpaſſe, how the Apoſtle Paul charges the wavering Gallatians with effaſcination, Gal. 3. 1. And yet how many fantaſtique ſpirits are there, who ſpend, or rather waſt their Sabbaths in running after this or that ſeducer, who corrupts the unblemiſht doctrine of the glorious 2 Cor. 4 4.2 Cor 4:4Goſpel, who vents this new and ſtrange notion, and the other upſtart opinion, and doth happily as ſome do with their 2 Cor. 11. 15.2 Cor 11:15ſtuffes, who put a new and an amuſing name upon an old and out-worn ſtuffe; call old and obſolete errours, new and Quidam audiens à daemone, Ego ſum Chriſtus clauſit o…ulos, dicens, Ego in hac vitâ Chriſtum nolo videre, ſed in alterâ vitâ. Alap.glorious light, and with theſe wares defraud the vulgar? How many, I ſay, follow theſe ſeducers, till they are bewitched, (to uſe the Apoſtles phraſe) into ſome uncouth ſect, or brutified into ſome irrational and ſoul-damning opinion. Our unhappy Kingdome is too full of inſtances in this kind. Surely, ſuch never ſeriouſly conſulted the Apoſtle Paul, 2 Cor. 11. 13. For ſuch are falſe Apoſtles, deceitful workers, transforming themſelves into the Apoſtles of Chriſt; but are as the unwary gueſt, who taſteth every diſh, though ſome are poyſonous, and will gather every herb, though by it they put death into the Pot.

p. 415Object. But theſe giddy ſpirits, like the evil ſpirit, Mat. 4. 6. will bring Scripture for their practice, eſpecially that noted text, 1 Theſ. 5. 21. Prove all things. To which Objection it is anſwered.

Anſw. 1It is explanate omnia, non omnes, Prove all things, not all perſons. The injunction doth not oblige or enforce us, to run from one preacher to another till we have heard every Miniſter, nay, every Tradeſman who will undertake to be a Speaker; we muſt not as the Sun, run through every ſign of the Zodiack. And though I ſhall not with Bellarmine reſtrain this command to Miniſters only, and that it appertains Bellar. de laicis. l. 3. c. 21.not at all to the Laicks; yet ſurely this Text ſpeaks only thus much, that we muſt try all Doctrines delivered by our own Paſtour, or any other Miniſter whom we providentially hear, and then bring them to the touch-ſtone of Gods ſacred word. And ſo the Text commands us to be as the noble Bereans, Acts 17. 11. and not as phantaſtick Athenians, Acts 17. 21. This Apoſtolical rule injoyns diſcretion, and not inconſtancy, that we ſhould be deliberative, but not wavering; Curioſity is not here indulged, but diligence. This rule gives us power of examination, that we may weigh every piece of Doctrine in the ſcales of the word; but it ſpeaks no further, only that we ſhould adde prudence in Phil. 1. 9, 10.Phil 1:9Phil 1:10diſcerning, to diligence in hearing, and it couples a wiſe head with a good heart. Wherefore the Lord preſcribed Ʋt cum inſultant nobis & nos interrogant ea quae diſcimus vel ſic pigritiam excutiamus, & divinas Scripturas cognoſcere cupi…mus. Auguſt. contr Manich.rules to the Jews to judge Prophets by, Deut. 13. 1, 2, 3. Deut. 18. 22. And cauſed his word to be written, that it might be the Canon and meaſure of all truth. And of this ſerious examination Auguſtine ſhews us this excellent benefit, viz. That by this work we may ſhake off ſloath, and be filled with an arden… deſire of Scripture-knowledge. So then this Apoſtolical command is only abuſed by flatulent and unſetled ſpirits, who waſte their Sabbaths in the purſuance of ſome unprofitable novelty, and it ſpeaks no more but this: The Apoſtle decries all implicit faith, and calls for a judgement of diſcretion in every Chriſtian, to compare every Doctrine delivered by the Miniſter, with the ſtanding rule of Rev. 14. 6.Rev 14:6the everlaſting Goſpel; and thoſe Doctrines which are congruous p. 416to the rule, to entertain and embrace, otherwiſe to reject them as the ſpurious inventions and fictions of men. 1 Cor. 4. 24.1 Cor 4:24But to ſhut up this particular: Upon what precipices of danger do theſe aſſertours of novelty walk, when ſo often falſe Doctrine is quilted in with true, and as Chyſoſtom, Theophylact, and Theodoret obſerve, Falſe Prophets will mingle Prophetis veris aliqui Pſeudo prophetae clam immiſcent. Theod. Chryſoſt. Theophil.themſelves clancularly with true and faithful Teachers? Full bags will not want braſs pieces, heaps of Corn will not be without its chaff, nor full Markets without their bad commodities; And no more will the Church of Chriſt in every age want lying Prophets, ſubtil Seducers, and plauſible Hereticks, and if the noveliſt fall upon any of theſe, how near is he to a ſhipwrack of faith and a good conſcience? And beſides 1 Tim. 1. 19.1 Tim 1:19in the formentioned text, it is very obſervable, the Apoſtle doth not command us to hear all things, but to prove all things; we muſt not run into every corner to hear what ever is ſaid or preached, this was an impoſſible enterpriſe, and we may as ſoon take the Sea into the hollow of our hand; but we muſt prove all things which we do hear from that Miniſtery we are obliged to; the Apoſtle commands our Omnia probate (i. e.) dubia & incerta, & quae maxime probatione egent. Alap.induſtry and ingenuity, but not indulges our quick ſilvered curioſity. And what Alapide takes notice of is not to be pretermitted; The Apoſtle, ſaith he, commands us to prove all things, viz. which are dubious and uncertain, and ſtand in need of proof and tryal; ſo the Apoſtle doth not put us upon unneceſſary enquiries, to pry into every privacy where a Heretick is crept in, Jude v. 4. But when matters are delivered by the Miniſter which are more arduous and myſterious, then it behoves the Chriſtian to ſweat in Scripture ſearch, to find out the meaning of theſe difficulties, that his underſtanding may be truly enlightned, and his conſcience fully ſatisfied. But thoſe who pine after novelties and curioſities, ſhould take notice the Lords day ſpends while they are following the chaſe; and who ſhall recall that bleſſed ſeaſon, if it be waſted in impertinencies?

3Some trifle away their Sabbath in fruitleſs viſits: If they have a ſick friend, then (ſay they) to viſit them is charity; and if they have a familiar friend, then to viſit them is love p. 417and amity; and if they have a friend with whom they deal in worldly affairs, then to viſit him there is a kind of neceſſity; and they will be frugal of their time, though they are prodigal of their Sabbath. It is true, viſiting the ſick is Qui operibus charitatis ſe benedictos, haeredes, & p…deſtinatos, proinde & …re fideles, verè que oves Chriſti declaraverunt; Illis jure adjudicatur regnum.a duty of the Sabbath, if the viſit be ſweetned with prayer, ſpiritual diſcourſe, and heavenly inſtructions. On a Sabbath Chriſt viſited the ſick, Mark 1. 31. healed the ſick, Luke 14. 1. And viſiting the ſick is one of thoſe duties, in the faithful diſcharge of which, we ſhall give up our accounts with joy, Mat. 25. 36. But to viſit the ſick onelyonly for a little diſcourſe, or to paſs a civility, or to ſpend ſome time, they know not how well otherwiſe to diſpoſe of, this is the waſte of a Sabbath, and is the evil of too many in the City and Nation. Indeed the Sabbath is a day of viſits, but they muſt be heavenly, not earthly, fruitful, not complemental viſits: We muſt viſit the Sanctuary by our holy approaches, we muſt viſit the throne of grace by our humble addreſſes, we muſt viſit our own ſouls by our ſerious ſearches, we muſt try and examine our ſelves which is an eminent duty upon the Sabbath. Nay, and God hath his viſits on his own 2 Cor. 13. 5.2 Cor 13:5day; he hath the viſits of his preſence, Mat. 18. 20. He hath the viſits of his grace, Rev. 1. 10. He hath the viſits of his ſweet and endearing love, Cant. 2. 4. But to theſe trifling viſitants, we may ſay, ad quid perditio haec? And why is Mat. 26. 8.Matt 26:8this waſte? Are there ſo many P…rentheſes in a Sabbath, ſo many looſe and vacant hours, as that they muſt be ſpent in chat about worldly affairs, or paſſing of complements upon friends? Are the duties of this day ſo few, that impertinent viſits muſt be called in to fill up the time? Surely ſuch neither underſtand the worth, nor the work of a Sabbath. This day is a golden ſpot which admits of no wa…te, no o…er-flowing moments to ſpend upon idle viſits. A gracious ſoul can eſpy no vacation in this holy ſeaſon; he could ſnaffle the Sun on this day, and rein it in, and ſadly complains, the day out-runs the duty, and the Sabbath is done before his work is done. But theſe vain perſons ſtand idle Mat. 20. 3.Matt 20:3in the Market place, and every ſlight occaſion can hire them. Thou viſiteſt a friend on the Sabbath; is there a better p. 418friend then Chriſt to viſit, and to ſpend thy time with on his own bleſſed day? Thou viſiteſt a cuſtomer, or one Talis eſt conditio omnium ſine vocatione dei, ſunt otioſi, nec ſibi, nec aliis, ſum utiles. Par.with whom thou haſt ſome buſineſs; is not ſoul trade the beſt traffick, and is it not the beſt induſtry and care to lay up treaſures in heaven? Art thou not more engaged to enquire after ſalvation, then to ſpeak with a friend upon worldly affairs? Did God ever give thee a day for eternity, to run a conſiderable part of it out in frothy diſcourſes, fooliſh careſſes, or trifling viſits? Thy ſoul is thy buſineſs on Gods holy day, and heaven is the place of thy viſits. Let us conſider the Sabbath continues no longer to us, then we are employed in the ſervices of it: And if we think it ſo long that we can ſpare part of it for fruitleſs viſits, what do we do but draw up an impeachment againſt divine wiſdom, which appointed an whole day for mans converſe with himſelf? But let ſuch take heed, leaſt their impertinent viſits be not over-taken with unexpected and deſtructive viſitations of wrath and diſpleaſure.Iſa 10. 3. Jer. 10. 15.Isa 10:3Jer 10:15

Some trifle away their Sabbath in recreative walks.

4Firſt, The fields muſt either be their way to a Sermon: Or

Secondly, They muſt be their paſtime inſtead of a Sermon: Or

Thirdly They muſt be their recreation after a Sermon; they muſt take the freſh air, and they can ſpare no other time for it.

1It is very obſervable, the firſt of theſe defraud their ſouls, viz. Thoſe who muſt have a walk to a Sermon, they put a cheat upon themſelves, they pretend they only go a Sabbath Acts 1. 12. Conſcientia eſt judex incorruptus, et adverſus impium exurgit, clamat, exclamat, occuſat, et judicat, et quaſi ante oculos pingit peccatorum turpitudinem. Chryſ.Acts 1:12dayes journey, and it is to hear a Sermon, they do not neglect the bread of life, they only go a little further to fetch it. But an all-ſeeing eye ſees all the diſguiſe, and a juſt hand will tear thy Apron of fig-leaves, Gen. 3. 7. Nay conſcience can tell thee it is not the Ordinance, but the walk draws thee to that diſtance; thou mayeſt hear Sermons nearer home, and moſt probably thy own Paſtour; it is not the delight of the Sanctuary, but the pleaſure of the fields is thy attractive; thou walkeſt to pleaſe thy curious eye, and not to advantage p. 419thy precious ſoul. Theſe are carnal Goſpellers, or as the Apoſtle ſpeaks, 2 Tim. 3. 4. Lovers of pleaſure, more than lovers of God.

2As for the ſecond factors for ſenſual delight, who muſt have a walk inſtead of a Sermon, Theſe debauch their ſouls. Qui amant corporis voluptares non poſſunt offici deo, et rebus divinis; voluptates ſpirituales erigunt animum ad caeleſtia, ſed carnales, et mundanae animum deprimunt et effaeminant. Theoph.It is ſtrange Merchandiſe to exchange an Ordinance for a walk, a ſenſual delight, for a ſpiritual advantage; this is to put a low rate upon the ſoul; theſe out-vy Eſau, who ſold his Birth-right for a Meſs of Pottage: he only ſold a temporal good, and in caſe of neceſſity; but theſe ſell a ſpiritual good, an opportunity of life and grace, when there is no neceſſity. Surely theſe never taſted the ſweets of an Ordinance, nor ever knew what it was to converſe with God on the Mount, or to meet with Chriſt in his banquetting houſe. Children indeed throw away Gold, and cry after a toy and a trifle; and theſe more childiſh throw away the word, which is better then fine gold, Pſal. 19. 10. Can an opportunity of grace be compenſated with a little voluptuous lazineſs, the Iſa. 47. 8.Isa 47:8gratifying of wanton ſence, or the reaches of a vagrant heart? Tit. 3. 3.Titus 3:3Theophylact ſaith expreſly, That thoſe who love outward pleaſure, they can never be affected with God, or the things of God, for ſenſual pleaſures depreſs and keep down the ſoul, and habituates it to ſoftneſs and effeminacy. Thou who vendeſt a Magna corporis cura, eſt magna virtutis incuria.ſoul opportunity for a little pleaſure, ſhouldſt conſider the importance of it; it coſt more, even the precious bloud of Jeſus Chriſt; and while thou art ſporting and idling in the fields, God might have been ſpeaking to thy ſoul. Auguſtine was converted by a Sermon of holy Ambroſe. Peter Martyr was brought home to God by a paſſage of a Sermon.

3As for thoſe who muſt have a walk after Sermon, theſe impoveriſh their ſouls. Are there not family prayers to procure bleſſings, family repetitions to digeſt the word, family duties to warm the heart on a Sabbath day? Publick Ordinances are too often as land-floods to the ſoul, which will quickly diſappear, unleſs the waters of life ſink in gradually by private repetition and meditation: Serious conſideration and fervent prayer at home, work into the heart thoſe truths p. 420and doctrines we heard abroad. Theſe ill husbands for their better part, too frequently drop in the fields, what they have pickt up in the Sanctuary, and the air is more freſh Abſit ut dejicerem animum nobilem, et illum corpori mancipium facerem.then their memory. Theſe field-walkers, how do they ſink below ſome heathens. It was the ſaying of a noble heathen, Far be it from me, that I ſhould make my noble mind a ſlave to my body. If we will have our pleaſures on the Lords day, let us meet with Chriſt in his Garden, Cant. 5. 1. let us gather fruits in his Orchard of Pomgranates, Cant. 4. 13. Let us lie down by the fountain of Gardens, Cant. 4. 15. Let us ſtay our ſelves with his Apples and Flagons, Cant. 2. 5. and ſit down with our beloved in his banquetting houſe, Cant. 2. 4. And then travel over the mountains of ſpices, Cant. 8. 14. Chriſt indeed is the Paradiſe of pleaſure; he can raviſh us with one of his eyes, Cant. 4. 9. and make us drink of the cup of Salvation. Divine pleaſures become the Sabbath; not the titillations of ſence, but the refreſhings of the ſoul. Let thoſe then who waſte the Sabbath in taking the air, take Joh. 6. 58. Iſa. 25. 8. Eph. 2. 2.John 6:58Isa 25:8Eph 2:2heed leaſt they meet with the Prince of the air, conſidering theſe unneceſſary walks contain more temptation then recreation in them; they are Satans refined and plauſible bate, to cauſe the incautelous Chriſtian to let fall, and ſo loſe his ſpiritual morſels: we know it is his grand artifice to ſteal away the ſeed of the word, Mat. 13. 19. and pleaſing recreations give him the beſt aime.

Caut. 3 Let us take heed of the ſin of unbelief. The believer only ſanctifies the Sabbath; they truly keep it, who themſelves are kept in their moſt holy faitb, Jude v. 20. Every duty of a Mark 11. 24. Jam. 1. 6.Mark 11:24Jas 1:6Sabbath requires faith; If we hear, we muſt mingle the word with faith, Heb. 4. 2. If we pray, it muſt be believing, Crede et manducaſti, crede et bibiſti. Aug.Mat. 21. 22. It is faith makes our prayers effectual. If we receive, we muſt come to the Sacrament with faith. Auguſtine ſaith, Believe and thou haſt eaten, believe and thou haſt drunken. Faith is the chief gueſt at Chriſts table. If we meditate, faith ſweetens that duty, and makes it luſhious, not tedious, Pſal. 119. 97. Obſerve, Thy Law, &c. It was Heb. 11. 6.Heb 11:6the Law of his God, and that ſweetned his meditation on it. If we read the Scriptures, it is faith muſt make that duty p. 421effectual; without faith, the Word is onelyonly a …iddle, the Acts …. 3…. … Chriſti.puzzle, not the profit of a Chriſtian; Faith then puts life into every duty, and makes it both vigorous and vi…: Bu… unbelief is a ſin, which like the C…terpillar eats up al… … fruit of a Sabbath, and turns its Sun into d…rkneſs.

1Ʋnbelief invalida…es our approaches to God, Heb. 11. 6. ….In vain the knee bowes, unleſs the heart believes; in v… we lift up the hands of fleſh, unleſs we lay hold on God by …; ſ…d infid…itas à …h…iſto planè a… … illius ſpiritu nos priv…t. et Satanae inſidiis nos expoſitos reddit. Lyſ.the hands of faith: We muſt bring faith to make our way acceptable to the Almighty. In the forcecited Text, Heb. 11. 6. the Apoſtle doth not ſay, without faith it is improbable, but it is impoſſible to pleaſe God. Without faith all duties are acted in the dark, there muſt be an eye of faith to ſee our way to God in Chriſt.

2Ʋnbelief prevents the work of Chriſt upon the heart, Mat. 13. 56. It unqualifies us for ſpiritual ſucceſſes: this ſin is ſo great, it can caſt Chriſt into an admiration, Mark 6. 6. What great things might Ordinances work upon the ſoul, if the heart was not barred up by unbelief? It was this ſin which unchurched the poor nation of the Jews, Rom. 11. 20. It may be the Epitaph of that ancient people of God, Here lies a people caſt off by God, becauſe of unbelief.

3Ʋnbelief ſhuts up the gate of mercy, Heb. 3. 19. Faith melts the cloud of Ordinances into a fruitful ſhower; unbelief makes ordinances a dark appearance onelyonly, and turns Heb. 4. 6.Heb 4:6them into ſtones of emptineſs, Iſa. 34. 11. An Ordinance to an unbeliever is a dead Child, the ſpirit of God doth not breath in it: And therefore on a Sabbath, above all thy gettings, get faith.

4Ʋnbelief it puts a defilement upon the ſweeteſt Ordinances: They are as a Jewel in a dead mans hand. The prayers of an unbeliever are an abomination to the Lord. The Apoſtle Prov. 4 7.Prov 4:7ſaith, Tit. 1. 15. To them who are unbelieving every Omnia opera infidel…um ſunt noxia, et pecc…t….thing is defiled. Ʋnbelief damps the pearl of Ordinances, puts a flaw upon it. The School-men ſay, All the works of unbelievers are ſins, and ſo then are all his ſervices; and they accommodate themſelves to that of the Apoſtle, Rom. Gregor. Arim. Capriolus, C… tharinus, &c.14. 23. Whatſoever is not of faith is ſin: Ʋnbelief blaſts the p. 422ſweeteſt duty, as lightning doth the faireſt face. The Lord ſaith to the unbeliever, What haſt thou to do to take my word into thy mouth, Pſal. 50. 16. Why do I pray, if I do not believe returns? What do I hear, if I do not believe doctrines? VVhat do I receive, if I do not believe Chriſt in the Sacrament? Ordinances to an unbeliever, they are not dews Rom. 1. 16.Rom 1:16but dreams, not Gods power, but Mans fancy; and Sermons are only the Romances of the Pulpit. The Apoſtle, Heb. 11. per totum tells us of many Miracles of faith, and unbelief Heb. 11. 11, 29, 30, 33, 34. Exod. 4. 3.Heb 11:11Heb 11:29Heb 11:30Heb 11:33Heb 11:34Exod 4:3can work on, it can turn all our rods into Serpents, it can work the ſame wonder Chriſt wrought on the barren figtree, Mark 11. 21. It can curſe with a perpetual blaſt. Auguſtine uſed to diſpute from, John 3. 19. That unbelief was the only damning ſin. This ſin, like popiſh Rome, is the Mother of Harlots, Rev. 17. 5. And therefore againſt this ſin, we muſt Ex hoc textu Auguſtinus ſolebat diſputare, ſolam infidelitatem eſſe peccatum damnans. Chemn.be cautionated eſpecially on the Lords day, which is faiths working day. It is obſervable, that miracles are attributed to no other grace, but faith, Mat. 17. 20. This grace can remove mountanes, Luke 17. 6. Bring faith to an Ordinance, it can remove the mountane of carnal reaſon, the mountane of prejudice, the mountane of fleſhly mindedneſs. A Believer at an Ordinance diſputes it not with God, is not diſaffected with any thing of God, is diſſolved into the will of God; he puts up his prayers, as a wiſe Merchant, waiting a ſeaſonable return, Pſal. 85. 8. Hab. 2. 1. He hears Omnibus Evangelium praedicatur, ſed non omnibus creditur; omnibus deus ſalutem offert, ſed non conſert niſi fidelibus, ſicut medicina omnibus aegris pro ponitur, ſed non medetur, niſi eam ſumentibus. Chryſoſt.the word, and he claps it cloſe to his ſoul by perſonal application. Ʋnbelief throws away the plaiſter, but faith layes it on the wound. Faith is both the mouth to receive in, and the ſtomack to digeſt ſpiritual food. The word ſtriketh boldly, and worketh miraculouſly under the banner of faith, Rom. 1. 16. 1. Cor. 1. 21. 2 Tim. 3. 15. But there is a blindneſs in unbelief, which cannot ſee the beauties of an Ordinance, and how lovely Chriſt looks in it. Faith hath an eye to ſee the excellency, and an ear to hear the melody of an Ordinance, and to attend to Chriſt ſpeaking loves to his beloved. Faith in the threatnings of the word cauſeth humiliation; Faith in the precepts of the word cauſeth ſubjection; Faith in the promiſes of the word ſpringeth conſolation. The p. 423unbeliever like a man in a ſwoon, ſhuts his mouth againſt the cordials of the Goſpel. Other ſins indeed wound the ſoul, but unbelief, like Joab, ſtrikes under the fifth rib, and kills out-right. This ſin ſpoyles all, ſowres all, diſanuls all, 1 Pet. 2. 8. The word to an unbeliever is like rain upon the Rock, like dew upon a barren Heath; The Apoſtles advice Heb. 11. 4. Eph. 3 12.Heb 11:4Eph 3:12is ſweet and ſacred, Heb. 10. 22. If we will draw nigh to God with acceptance, we muſt do it with affiance. Faith is an inſtrument which juſtifies both our perſons and performances. Of all Virgin Graces Faith is the Heſter that God will ſet the Crown upon. Let our deſign then be on a Sabbath, to avoid the rock of unbelief, and get that indiſpenſable and ineſtimable grace of faith. Let us be earneſt for the ſpirit to plant it, and let us attend ſeriouſly on the word Luke 11. 13. Rom. 10. 17.Luke 11:13Rom 10:17to water it, that this bleſſed grace by a divine Chymiſtry, may turn the metal of every Ordinance into gold.

Caut. 4 Let us take heed of undervaluing the Ordinances of a Sabbath. Many make a bad market of a Sabbath day, becauſe they do not prize thoſe things which are then ſet to ſale: They ſpeak in the language mentioned by Job, Job 21. 15. What is the Almighty, that we ſhould ſerve him, and what profit ſhall we have, if we pray unto him? And take up the peeviſh expoſtulation of the froward Jews, mentioned by the Prophet, Mal. 3. 14. Ye have ſaid, it is in vain to ſerve God, and what profit is it, that we have kept his Ordinance? Slighted meals may cloy, but not ſtrengthen, they may be our ſurfet, not our ſatisfaction. Cuſtomary approaches will meet with dead Ordinances. It is the humble ſoul, who highly prizes the opportunities of life, will be the thriving ſoul. David prized the ſanctuary, and he ſaw God there, Pſal. 63. 2. But indeed ignorance is the cauſe of our diſeſteem; we do not value Sabbath love, becauſe we do not underſtand it; we ſlight the Ordinances of grace, becauſe we know not the grace which is conveighed from the Ordinances. Ignorant Children throw away Pearls; a Lapidary would Canales gratiae à quibus aqua viventes affluentèr diffim. duntur.not do ſo. The Ordinances, they are the channels cut out by Chriſt, through which the waters of life run to the ſoul, they are the ſpiritual Alymbecks to drop the ſweet ſtillings p. 424of grace upon the heart, they are the hives of that which is ſweeter then the honey and the honey comb, Pſal. 19. 10. They are the Conduits which run with Wine on Chriſts reſurrection day, our bleſſed Sabbath. Theſe Ordinances, which many fooliſhly deſpiſe, but as God ſaith, to their own hurt, Jer. Gen. 41. 48.Gen 41:487. 6. They are the Suhurbs of heaven, the Coeleſtical Exchange where Chriſt and his people barter for ſpiritual commodities; they are Chriſts Granary, and ſtore-houſes to find the ſoul with bread. In theſe golden ſeaſons God exchangeth mercies for duties, (not as if our duties deſerved mercy, but out of his own free grace) and ſhortly will exchange glory for grace, Exod. 29. 43, 45. If Paul can come in the fulneſs Externis inſtitutionibus utimur, tanquam adminiculis ad veram conte…plationem, divi… Majeſtatis … gloriae, ejuſdem que erga populum ſu… …. Riv.of the Goſpel, Rom. 15. 29. how much more our dear Jeſuſ in his bleſſed Ordinances? Theſe are the Chariots to bring believers down into Goſhen, a place of light and pleaſantneſs. Every holy day is a Sun beam which conveighs light and heat to the inward man. Ordinances are thoſe chryſtal glaſſes, wherein the ſoul ſees its beloved. Thoſe divine graces which are for meat to ſatisfie, and for medicine to heal, are found onelyonly growing on the banks near the waters of the Sanctuary. Gods tabernacles are amiable, Pſal. 84. 1. And who will nauſeate beauties, the captivations of ſence? In the Sanctuary there is ſtrength and beauty, Pſal. 2 Cor. 3. 1….2 Cor 3:196. 6. Chriſt is never more beautifull in the eye of the believer, Cant. 1. 14. Iſa. 33. 17. Pſal. …0. 17. Pſal …. 2. John 5. …. John 9. 7.Song 1:14Isa 33:172 John 1:5John 9:7then when ſitting at his table, Cant. 1. 12. Or walking among his Candleſticks, Rev. 2. 1. David deſired to ſee the beauty of the Lord in his holy Temple, Pſal. 27. 4. It muſt needs be Satans artifice to beat down the price of Ordinances: How many Criples have been healed in this Betheſda? How many defiled ſouls have been waſhed in this Iſa 53. 2.Isa 53:2Siloam? Thou who undervalueſt Ordinances, look again, and ſee whether there be no form, nor comlineſs in them; caſt thy eye upon the Author of them, the Author and giver of them is God, they are his Inſtitutions; He hath appointed Jer. 3. 15.Jer 3:15Prayer a means to prevail with himſelf for m…rcies and bleſſings, He hath commanded our attendance upon the word, … ▪that the day ſpring from on high may viſit us, and the Net being ſpread our ſouls may be taken by the hand of p. 425Chriſt. God owns and he crowns Sabbath Ordinances.

2Caſt thy eye upon the nature of them; they are the ſweet intercourſes between God and the Soul, the ſeaſons of Per ſpiritum ſanctum clamamus non voce, ſed filiali et fiduciali affectu, Abba Pater, prae dulcedine & teneritudine amoris, quaſi teneri inſantes; qui chariſſimum parentem, &c. Alap.our ſpiritual communion: In Prayer; we cry as Children to the Father: In hearing, we receive meſſages from our Father, which relate to our inward man. In our Prayer God opens his hand, in our hearing God opens his heart, Acts 20. 27. In Prayer we enjoy his bounty God gives us, even to his own ſpirit, Luke 11. 13. In Hearing we are admitted even to the Counſels of God, in that forementioned text, Acts 20. 27. In a Sacrament, our dainties are the body and blood of Chriſt, and he refreſheth us, not from his Cellars, but from his Wounds.

3Caſt thy eye upon the effects of Ordinances: what wonders hath that one duty of Prayer wrought?

1. It is able to overthow enemies, Iſa. 37. 36.Ʋtpote pueri balbutiantes blandulâ, & iteratâ voculâ compellare ſolent, Pater, Pater; ſic & credentes, &c.

2. It is able to divert Judgements, Plagues, Peſtilence, Famine, Sword, 1 Kings 8. 57.

3. It is able to bring down mercies. It is the key of Heaven, Jam. 5. 15. It is the moſt efficacious engine in the world; it can open the doors of the priſon, nay, it can open the door of the womb, Acts 12. 7. 1 Sam. 1. 10, 20.

4. It is the ſum of all wiſdom, ſtrength and policy.

5. It prevails againſt God himſelf, Gen. 32. 26. Hoſ. 12. 4. Exod. 32. 11. Iſa. 45. 11.

6. It can work Miracles; ſo Joſhua by Prayer cauſed the Sun to ſtand ſtill in Gibeon, Joſh. 10. 12. What amazing productions hath this one Ordinance cauſed? May we not then ſay of thoſe who undervalue Ordinances, O fooliſh pieces of frenzy and ignorance, who hath bewitched you, Gal. 3. 1.Gal 3:1that you ſhould trample upon Pearls, walk upon Amber, and neglect ſo great ſalvation? Heb. 2. 3.

4Caſt thy eye again upon the tendency of Ordinances: theſe ſtars lead us to Chriſt. They are the womb of grace, Rom. 10. 17. And grace is the heir of Glory, Eph. 1. 14. When we Mat. 2. 9.Matt 2:9converſe with God in Ordinances, we turn our faces Sionward, Iſa. 51. 11.Isa 51:11and we are travelling home. The bleſſed Ordinances Iſa. 35. 10.Isa 35:10are our freſh gales to carry us to our harbour of Reſt; they p. 426are the birth places of the Saints, the ready way to the new Jeruſalem; therefore whoever thou art, who calleſt prayer a vain breath, hearing a dry attendance, Sacraments empty meals; retrench thy errour, and let the love of Chriſt conſtrain thee to better thoughts of theſe bleſſed Seaſons.

And let not a word be unſeaſonable, to ſhew thee the cauſe, and cure of this jejune apprehenſion of divine Ordinances.

1Theſe modern Ehionites, who have ſo low thoughts of Chriſts inſtitutions, they are henighted with ignorance, they Ebion ſumpſit nomen ſuum ab foreign pauper, & indigus, quia miſellam de Chriſto habuit opinionem.do not know there is a God in Ordinances, that they are animated by a divine ſpirit. Who opened Lydia's heart in hearing? Who pricked the heart of the Jewes, Act. 2. 37. in the ſame Ordinance? Who ſhowred down the Spirit, when the Aſſembly met for Goſpel diſpenſations, Acts 10. 44. when God rained heaven out of heaven? Indeed, Ordinances are the ſphear, where the Sun of Righteouſneſſe Mal. 4. 2.Mal 4:2turns, the waters where the Angel moves, John 5. 4. And if the Angel move, the waters heal: but theſe inapprehenſive ſinners, like Balaam, ſee not the Angel, Numb. 22. 23.

2They are prejudiced by inexperience: they cannot ſay with David, Pſalm 66. 16. Come, and I will tell you what God hath done for my ſoul. Pauls Companions did not ſee Jeſus Chriſt, they onelyonly heard a confuſed noiſe, Acts 9. 7. Theſe unhappy ſinners never taſted how good and gracious the Mat. 11. 23.Matt 11:23Lord is in a ſweet Ordinance, they never felt the power of a truth, they were never enriched with the fluſh returns of Pſalm 34. 8.Ps 34:8Prayer: A Promiſe well preſſed home and applyed, never reverberated Acts 2. 37.Acts 2:37upon their ſouls with influential joy; they never Pſalm 85. 8.Ps 85:8had their hearts raiſed to Heaven in Goſpel Revelation, and 2 Pet. 1. 4.2 Pet 1:4in the glorious diſcoveries of divine Love. Blind men admire Nos tranſeramus affectus, ad coeleſtem illam vitam, & oremus dominum, ut panem qui d…cae lo deſcendit, l…rgia….not the Sun. The Indians more prize a log, a gewgaw, or a piece of braſſe, then Gold, Gemms, or Spices. To them who have taſted Chriſt, he is precious: The converted ſoul ſaith of Ordinances, Lord, evermore give us this bread. Such cry out, O ſweet Sacraments, thoſe divine feſtivals! O fructiferous Prayer▪ But now to cure this ſinful and deſtructive miſtake, and to raiſe the price and eſteem of Ordinances,John 6. 34.John 6:34

p. 4271Look on them as the means of Grace. The Sun ſhines through the ayr, and Chriſt works by Ordinances: Preaching is not the breath of man, but the power of God to ſalvation, Rom. 1. 16. The Word is that immortal ſeed, which is able to ſave our ſouls, 1 Pet. 1. 23. Theſe Oracles delivered in Rom. 3▪ 2.Rom 3:2Preaching, are able to make us wiſe to eternal ſalvation. It is the power of Ordinances raiſes us from the grave of ſin, 2 Tim. 3. 15.2 Tim 3:15plants in us the flowers of grace, cauſeth the day to dawn in 2 Pet. 1. 19.2 Pet 1:19our ſouls: If ever thou comeſt to heaven, the wind of the Spirit, John 3. 8. filling the ſails of Ordinances, will carry thee thither.

2Look on them as the reſemblances of glory. Sitting at a Sacrament reſembles our eating and drinking with Chriſt at his table in his Kingdome, Luke 22. 30. the Communion Cant. 1. 12.Song 1:12reſembles the fruition. Let us then prize Ordinances, which Matth. 11. 23.Matt 11:23are the twilight, and dawning of Glory.