The Practical Sabbatarian, Chapter 40

The Practical Sabbatarian · Chapter 40

p. 440CHAP. XL. Some incident caſes propoſed, to ſatisfie Conſcience in Sabbath-obſervation.

THe Lords holy day, as it is enriched with many ſweets, Sicut mercatoves per cancellos vimineos tranſeuntibus merces è domo oſtentant, non propè, et diſtinctè, ſed procul, ſic deus ſe nobis oſtentat in hac vitâ. Alap.ſo it is encompaſſed with ſome ſcruples; not as if there was any obſcurity in the command, or cloud in the day; but man in this life knows onelyonly in part, 1 Cor. 13. 12. And a twi-light knowledge engenders doubts, heſitations and ſcruples, and as in other things, ſo in Sabbath obſervation. And therefore this Chapter ſhall be ſpent in directing conſcience, leaſt it loſe it ſelf in by wayes, and irregular ranges, which a faint light may ſubject it to. Several caſes may ſerve us, inſtead of ſeveral lights, to guide us in the way of peace and ſecurity on Gods bleſſed day.

Caſe. 1 What we muſt do in the non-performance, or in the maleperformance of Sabbath duties. Many in the cloſe of a Sabbath Pſal. 137. 2.Ps 137:2are ready to hang their harps upon the willows, and to ſhed a ſhower of tears, when they look back and think, p. 441they have been in the Wine-cellar of Chriſt, but they have not refreſhed their ſouls; they have ſat with Chriſt in his banqueting houſe, but they have enjoyed no divine or ſpiritual Cant. 2. 4.Song 2:4delight; many duties they have neglected, more they have formally paſſed over; the Sabbath is run out, ſcarce any ſtoopings left, and yet they have not quenched the thirſt of their ſouls; the term time is gone, and their cauſe is as it was, or rather is further off then before; they are very ſenſible, though they have not filled up the ſpaces of a Divine Mat. 5 5Matt 5:5Sabbath, they have dropped into the vials of divine diſpleaſure: This is their caſe, and this is their moan, and let it not Lamen. 1 12.be nothing to all thoſe who paſs by. Now therefore to ſatisfie Revel. 16. 1.Rev 16:1this caſe,

1Thoſe who have been either ſhort, or ſuperficial in the duties of Gods bleſſed Sabbath, Let them lie in the duſt. Sabbath ſin ſhould cauſe ſeri us ſorrow. Titus an Heathen Emperour, when a day was paſt, and he h…d done no good Pedr. de Mex. Hiſt. Imper.on that day, was wont to break out into ſighs and ſorrow; to thoſe who were about him, and cry, O my friends, I have l…ft a day. The loſs of any day is matter of moan, but Ezek. …9 14.Ezek 9:14to loſe the Lords day, and the Lord in that day, this is a lamentation, and ſhall be for a lamentation. In nature, the interp…ſition of the Earth between the Sun and the Moon cauſeth an e…clipſe; and ſurely when earth, vain thoughts, earthly diſcourſe, froth, and neg…ect have interpoſed between God and thy ſoul on his own day, what an ecclipſe of ſadneſs Eccleſ. 12. 5.Eccl 12:5ſhould it cauſe upon thy heart? Upon the loſs of friends, we go in mourning, and why not in the loſs of Sabbaths, which are good friends to the ſoul? Chriſt waited for thee in every Ordinance, thou didſt not give him the meeting; go home, and like the Dove bemoan the loſs of 2 Kings 2 12.2 Kgs 2:12thy m…e. It is moſt equal, when Ordinances are not our Triſtitia nobis data eſt, ut dole …m…s, non de morte, ſed de peccato, ibi ſol… utilis eſt …ſtitia, alibi eſt inutilis. Chryſoſt.treaſure, that they ſhould be our trouble, and what we want in good, we ſhould make up in g…i…. When Eliſha went with Elijah, and a chariot of fire parted them aſunder, carrying Elijah to heaven, and leaving Eliſha on earth; Eliſha looked up, and cryed, my Father, my Father. Hath God and thee, O Chriſtian, been parted aſunder on a p. 442Sabbath? and hath the Lord left thy heart on earth, and himſelf gone to heaven? O think ſadly of this, and with bitter moan cry out, my Father, my Father, Repent for the loſs of the Lords day, and lament after the Lord of that day. Sad hearts do well become empty Sabbaths. It is very doleful to pine for thirſt at the wells mouth; If thy heart hath been dead in duties, let it be drowned in ſorrows. Chriſt looks through the lattice in every Ordinance; if thou haſt turned thy back upon him by neglect, or a vain ſpirit, ſay with the Church, Is any ſorrow, like unto my ſorrow?Lam. 1. 12.Lam 1:12

2Search into the cauſe of this heartleſs and fruitleſs paſſing away Gods precious Sabbath. It is good for a Chriſtian to examine what way-l…id his work, what kept God and his ſoul a ſunder.

1It may be, thou didſt not tune thy heart by holy preparation. Lo…ſe ſtrings make no muſick; every peg muſt be wound up: Ʋndreſſed gardens yield no delightfull proſpect, Mattaina praeparatio neceſſaria eſt per diligentem cultus conſideratiorem et opis divinae implorationem. Riv. in Decalog.nor do the nowers grow, but on the b…ds, where the Gardiner hath uſed his induſtry and his artifice. Thou haſt not happily pl…wed up thy heart aforehand by prayer and meditation, and ſo it is fallow when it comes to Ordinances. Holy duties themſelves are harſh when the heart is out of tune. Marſhalled armies engage in battle: and prepared hearts engage moſt properly, and moſt beneficially in Ordinances. 1. Cor. 11. 28.1 Cor 11:28To examine our ſelves, is not onelyonly the preface to a Sacrament, but to every holy Ordinance. No wonder thou art dead in the Sanctuary, if thou art deficient in the Cloſet: thou didſt loſe the morning, and therefore thou didſt loſe the day. See, is not this the cauſe, thou art ſo heavy and ſo ſtupified in holy Adminiſtrations. The clock was not wound up, and therefore it did not ſtrike: Thou waſt not Jer. 14. 9.Jer 14:9with God in ſecret, and therefore thou didſt not meet God in publick; ſo thou looked'ſt for healing, and behold trouble. The fire muſt be blown before it turn into a flame. Prepared phyſick contributes to the cure; there muſt be the Apothecary to prepare, as well as the Phyſician to preſcribe Medicines. Baraſcue eſt feria ſexta, qu…m nos vocamus diem veneris, quae praeparationis nomine appella tu… quia Jud…i ſ…l…bant illo the neceſſaria pa…are … prox…me … Sabbatu… … …b omni op…re ſervili ceſſ…d…m erat. Ger.Judg 1Our hearts muſt be taken pains withall, before they are fit for the Ordinances of a Sabbath. The Jews had a p. 443Preparation day, as well as a Sabbath day, John 19. 43. The heart muſt be broken by repentance, raiſed by meditation, ſpiritualized by prayer, over-awed by a ſenſe of the Divine Majeſty, before it is fit for communion with God. It was a ſerious prayer of holy Hezek…ah, 2 Chron. 30. 18, 19. The good Lord pardon every one, that prepareth his heart to ſeek, God, and the Lord God of his Fathe…s, though he be not cleanſed according to the purification of the Sanctuary. And in the ſubſequent verſe, it is ſaid, The Lord hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the people. Experiment this preparatory work, and no doubt but thy complaint will ceaſe, and the caſe will be ſatisfied.

2It may be thy thoughts are low of Sabbath gains. Men will not run a race for a trivial prize: Merchants venture to Sea, Phil. 1. 14.Phil 1:14not for Pibbles, but Pearles: Thou lookeſt on Ordinances as empty breaſts, and ſo thou lieſt careleſly at them, But this is a ſtrange and a ſinful miſtake. Faith the beſt of graces, is the fruit of hearing, Rom. 10. 17. The Spirit, the beſt of gifts, is the fruit of praying, Luke 11. 13. And Chriſt Chriſtus ill… trid… … et ſepulturae fuit …ciculus My…rhae propter d…l…rem, ſed p…ſt, triduanum dol…rem abſorpſit laetitia, et f…ctus eſt …t botrus Cypri…n vine…s enged…i; illa myrrha …mmutata eſt in vinum ſuaviſſinum et ſalutare.the beſt of banquets, is the fruit of Sacramental receiving, Mat. 26. 26. Are not Ordinances, the Exchequer of ſoultreaſure, more ſweet then the cluſters of Camphire? Lam. 1. 14. more tranſcendent then mountanes of Spices, Cant. 8. 14. More pleaſant then the Vineyards of Enge…di, Cant. 1. 14. Surely thou art miſtaken ſinner; Didſt thou ever conſider, Prayers have held the hands of the Father, Exod. 32. 10. Goſpel doctrines have employed the tongue of the S…n, Luke 4. 43, 44. And a ſhower of the ſpirit hath fallen upon the Congregation at a Sermon, Acts 10. 44. Nay, the whole Trinity have been preſent at a Baptiſm, Mat. 3. 16. Such fruitfull womb… muſt not be called Barren. But this ſinfull level, which ſo proſtrates Ordinances, is no more then the evidence of Satans power, and that he leads thee to much Del Rio.captive at his pleaſure. None will call Ordinances empty, but the Father of lies.

3What is it which cauſeth thy neglect of, or ſlightneſs in Sabbath duties? It may be the force of a temptation. Satan hath an enmity to our communion with God. It was the Evil p. 444one hindred Paul from going to the Theſſalonians to ſcatter and diſſeminate the truths of the Goſpel, 1 Theſ. 2. 18. He ſtirred up the Jewes againſt the Apoſtles, when they were Mat. 13. 19.Matt 13:19propagating the bleſſed Word, Acts 14. 2. Acts 17. 13. He John 13. 27.John 13:27endeavours, either to keep us from the Word, or to ſteal the Acts 20. 9.Acts 20:9Word from us. The evil one enters Judas at the Paſſeover, Mat. 4. 6.Matt 4:6rocks Eutichus aſleep at a Sermon, uſeth the word, as a weapon againſt Chriſt, and attempts to make it a ſword to deſtroy, Epheſ. 6. 17.Eph 6:17which is given for a ſword to defend. In Ordinances, we are ſeen by good Angels, and tempted by evil: Good Angels obſerve our behaviours, and evil Angels corrupt them. God is no where more pleaſed, and the Devil no where more 1 Cor 11. 10.1 Cor 11:10buſied, then in the Aſſemblies of the Saints. And therefore it may be Satan hath ſhaped his temptations into wedges Iſa. 4. 5.Isa 4:5to divide between God and thee in Ordinances; and this makes thee complain of ſlightneſs of ſpirit in thoſe holy ſeaſons.

4It may be ſome unrepented ſin damps thy heart to, and in Ordinances. Jonah when he had ſinned, then he falls aſleep in the ſhip. Sin clogs thee, and therefore opportunities do Jon 1. 6.Jonah 1:6not pleaſe thee: Thou feareſt thy title to Chriſt, and that makes rhee ſo remiſs in thy purſuits after him. Stopped ſtomacks have no appetite. Holy David longs to appear before Pſalm 42. 1, 2.Ps 42:1Ps 42:2God. Trembling conſciences, like aguiſh fits, take away all delight. Muſick ſounds not to a Priſoner: Guilt unremoved by repentance, flats the taſt of any Ordinance. David will waſh his hands in innocency, & ſo he will compaſs Gods Altar, Pſalm 26. 6. The Curtizan in the arms, will keep the wife from the boſome. Purity and repentance make ordinances as the honey combe. It is Chriſtian prudence, firſt to throw out the beam of ſin, before we look up to the Sun Pſalm 19. 10.Ps 19:10of Ordinances; and to caſt out that which grieveth the ſpirit, Job 6. 6.Job 6:6before we come to taſte the ſpirit in holy Communion with Epheſ. 4. 30.Eph 4:30God. Offending ſlaves love not to ſee their Maſter: Sin makes Iſa. 59. 2.Isa 59:2us ſhie of Gods preſence. Adams fall drives him to the trees for a hiding place, and ſowred Paradiſe it ſelf to him. Choice Gen. 3. 8.Gen 3:8dyet doth not fatten one in a conſumption. Any one ſin not vomited up by hearty repentance, and ſelf-abhorrency, p. 445will nauſeate the ſoul in Ordinances: Sins are the ſouls obſtructions, which may cauſe more fluſhes, but leſs digeſtion of the holy Word. VVhen Jonah was thrown over-board, then the Sea was calm: Let ſin be thotowly bemoaned and repented, and Chriſt will be ſweet in Ordinances. Sin not diſgorged, ſucks the ſweetneſs out of all holy duties, and makes them dry, and jejune.

3If thou art ſlight in, or omiſſive of Sabbath duties, read lectures upon thy own heart: thy formality ariſes from diſproportion; foreign.thy heart is not ſutable to holy Duties. The Apoſtle ſpeaks of a ſavour of the Goſpel, 2 Cor. 2. 14. We want this ſavour and relliſh, and this ſtraines the juyce out of every Ordinance; our hearts muſt be aſſimilated by grace, Pſalm 42. 4.Ps 42:4before they leap for joy in Ordinances, as John the Baptiſt in Luke 1. 41.Luke 1:41the womb, or as David danced before the Ark. Carnal 2 Sam. 6. 14.2 Sam 6:14hearts are dragged to the Sanctuary, Rom. 8. 7. As we ſee paint drops from the face, that not being its proper place, but it ſtayes and remains upon the ſign. The unſanctified heart is in Ordinances, as a Bird in the Cage, it flutters a little, Cognitio Chriſti eſt dulciſſimus et fragrantiſſimus odor, tanquam ex praeſtantibus herbis aut pretioſi… aromatibus exhalatus.but it doth not flye, it is cooped up, and wants its deſired freedome; it works at an Ordinance, as the Iſraelites did at their bricks, they work, becauſe they muſt give an account to their task-maſter. When we are ſuperficial in Ordinances, let us ſee the naughtineſs of our own hearts. Sickiſh palates find no meat ſavoury. There are three glaſſes, in which we may beſt ſee our hearts.

1. In the glaſs of temptations. Sharp ſtorms try the houſe, ſharp encounters try the ſouldier, and ſoft temptations 2 Sam. 11. 4.2 Sam 11:4try the heart: How ſoon did Bathſheba's beauty enthral David, though otherwiſe he was a pattern of ſanctity.

2. In the glaſs of afflictions. Fire which refines mettals, burneth up droſſe. When Chriſt was ſeized upon, then all the Diſciples left, and forſook him, Mark 14. 50. Birds which ſing in the ſpring, hide in the winter.

3. In the glaſs of Ordinances. If the Spirit hath not breathed upon thy heart, it will not be lively in holy Ordinances. Indeed, a gracious heart melts at a reproof, claſps p. 446Gen. 2. 7.Gen 2:7about a Promiſe, hides truth as its treaſure; but a ſlight heart, will either rage at the ſmart, fret at the length, or be Luke 2. 51.Luke 2:51offended at the ſpirituality of an Ordinance. Nothing more puts the heart upon the teſt, then holy duties. Many followers of Chriſt left him upon the account of a Sermon, John 6. 66. If therefore thou haſt not underſtood more of God on a Sabbath, then ſtudy to underſtand more of thy ſelf: thy heart is an uſeful book to read.foreign.

4Take up reſolutions of ſtricter communion with God for the future. Bones which are broken, if well ſet, grow the ſtronger. Let the ſence of former neglects prompt future Ex malis moribus bonae naſcuntur leges.care; thou haſt been ſlight in Ordinances, reſolve thou wilt be ſerious, and wherein thou haſt done evil, to do ſo no more, Joh. 5. 14. The heart of man ſtands in need, not onelyonly of Gods work, but of mans care, the Spirit muſt ſanctifie it, Prov. 4 23.Prov 4:23and man himſelf muſt watch it: When thou comeſt to Ordinances, bend thy ear, gird up the loynes of thy mind, incline 1 Pet. 1. 13.1 Pet 1:13thy heart, and ſummon thy conſcience to every truth Cant. 8. 14.Song 8:14in hearing, to every petition in praying. Ordinances are like Mountains of ſpices, ſweet when we are got up, but there is ſome difficulty to get up; we muſt keep our foot Eccleſ. 5. 1.Eccl 5:1when we go to the houſe of God, and we muſt keep our heart when we come there. Gods Ordinances are high and ſublime, and the Pſalmiſt ſaith, Mans heart is deep, Pſalm 64. 6. Now there muſt be ſome toyl, ſome labour and Per labores magnos, ad praemia magna pervenitur.pains, to bring them both together: God muſt make an Ordinance ſtoop, and man muſt pullice up his own heart to an Ordinance. It is mans priviledge to enjoy Ordinances, but it is his artifice to improve them: much ſtrength muſt be put forth to over-maſter the heart in holy duties,▪ there muſt be a ſenſe of Gods eye, and mans account, to enforce a ſutable frame. The Scholar can ſcrible by himſelf, but the Maſters hand, and his own eye too, is little enough to make him write well. That of the Wiſe man, Eccleſ. 9. 10. is chiefly true in the Sanctuary, what ever our hand finds to do, we muſt do it with all our might: And holy reſolution beſt anſwers this caſe, with a ſerious endeavour, that former negligence ſhall be repaired by future diligence.

p. 447If thou haſt been formal, or neglectful on a Sabbath, ſhame thy ſelf in the obſervation of the melting behaviours of others. There was once a General, who when his ſouldiers fought faintly, and cowardly, he allighted from his Horſe, and run into the middle of the foot-ſouldiers, and ſhamed his Army by his own valourous example. When thou ſeeſt Agendum eſt à nobis ſecundum ideam divinam.one weeping in the Congregation, another ſighing, anotehr hanging upon the lips of the Miniſter, by ſerious and vigorous attention, ſay within thy ſelf, O my ſoul, why art thou Pſalm 43. 5.Ps 43:5ſo formal, ſo dead and ſuperficial, and why art thou ſo Exod. 25. 40.Exod 25:40diſcompoſed within me? Curious pictures are drawn from Heb. 8. 5.Heb 8:5lovely perſons; and thou ſhouldſt do well to correct thy formality by the ſerious examples of others. Emulation in ſpirituals 1 Cor. 11. 1.1 Cor 11:1is very commendable, and it doth well become a Chriſtian to copy out the religious cuſtome of an Iſaac in holy meditation, Gen. 24. 63. The guſt and ſatisfaction of David in holy Ordinances, Pſal. 63. 5. The humility of a Daniel in holy Prayer, …an. 9. 3. The attention of a Lydia in hearing the Word, Acts 16. 14. The melting frame of a Joſiah Vides fratrem profluentem lacrymis, huic colluge, et condole. Ita enim fiet ut alienis malis caſtiges propria. Baſ.in re…ding the Law, 2 Chron. 34. 27. The heart-breaking expreſſions of an Ezra in confeſſion of ſin, Ezra 9. 3, 4, 5, & t. Thus others muſick may ſhame our jarring, and cauſe our harmony: truly, ſometimes, the ſight of another mans carriage doth more enflame us, then the ſenſe of Gods preſence; the Aſſembly which we ſee doth more affect us, then God whom we do not ſee. In Ordinances, the Apoſtle his counſel is very authentical, we muſt rejoyce with them that rejoyce, and weep with them that weep, Rom. 12. 15. Symphony is the ſweetneſs and credit of an Ordinance. The Prophet ſpeaketh of one Name, and one Lord, Zach. 3. 9. Zach. 14. 9. It may be added, one weeping eye, and one melting heart doth very much beautifie ſocial worſhip. In a word, others humble carriage in Goſpel opportunities, ſhould conſtrain ours: we will thank a beggar who puts us in the way. Thus much for the firſt Caſe.

Caſe 2 What muſt we do in the good performance of holy duties, and the happy enjoyment of God in Ordinances. It is ſometimes the felicity of Gods people to be in a flame in holy ſervices, p. 448Exod. 34. 30.Exod 34:30and to enjoy much of God, on the day of God; their faces ſhine while they are in the Mount with God; with holy David, Obiectam habuit ſaciem Moſes prae ſplendore vultus, quem Iſraelitae intueri non puterant. Lyppom.they ſee the glory and power of God in the Sanctuary, Pſalm 63. 2. with the two Diſciples travelling to Emmaus, their hearts burn, Luke 24. 32. whilſt Chriſt communes with them in Goſpel diſpenſations. As once it was ſaid of Viretus his Auditours, they were ever rapt up into heaven in holy Prayer: and in the evening of a Sabbath thus ſatisfactorily ſpent, they are ready to ſing Requiems to their ſouls, and to ſay, one day in Gods Courts is better then a thouſand, Pſalm 34. 10. In this caſe, when duties have been tranſformed John 2. 8.John 2:8into delights, as water turned into wine, by a miracle of Love. Then it is incumbent upon us,

1To be thankful: Surely gratitude becomes us, is our comely oblation, as the Pſalmiſt ſpeaks, Pſal. 33. 1. is our convenient ſacrifice, as the Syriack reads it, foreignwhen God gives us not onelyonly the ſpace, but the grace of a Sabbath, not only the Sabbath of mercy, but the mercy of a Sabbath. The ſtone wall reflects the beams of the Sun which ſhine upon it. If beams of love and joy have viſited Paulus raptus eſt ab eo quod eſt ſecundum naturam, ad illud quod eſt ſupra naturam, vi ſuperioris naturae. Thom.us in holy opportunities on Gods bleſſed day, reflections of praiſe are our ſuitable tribute: it is moſt rare mercy, with Paul to be caught up, when we have been in the lower ſtories of Goſpel-grace. Nehemiah bleſſed the Lord for the priviledge of a Sabbath; how much more ſhouldſt thou for the divine pleaſures of it, when thou haſt taſted how good and gracious the Lord is, and thou haſt diſcharged thy ſelf ſweetly and ſincerely in holy performances? The Hallelujahs of Heaven, 2 Cor. 13. 2.2 Cor 13:2are the glorified Saints onelyonly offering for their ſeraphical Nehem. 9. 14.Neh 9:14and eternal Reſt. Indeed, the enjoyment of God in Ordinances, is our cleareſt Sunſhine on this ſide glory. If thou Pſalm 27. 5.Ps 27:5haſt had ſuch an enjoyment, ſpeak in the language of the ſweet Singer of Iſrael: Bleſs the Lord, O my ſoul, let all that Pſalm 103. 1.Ps 103:1is within me bleſs his holy Name.

2To be careful. The Saints uſually after the beſt ſpent Sabbaths, meet with the worſt aſſaults, It was the ſpeech of an experienced Chriſtian, I look for the Devil every Munday morning, I am ſure he will come to rob my ſoul of Sabbath p. 4491 Theſ. 3. 5.1 Thess 3:5good, if it be poſſible. Have our hearts been raiſed, raviſhed, enliven'd, and enlarged upon the Lords day? we Datur morbus mentis, etiam et morſus ſerpentis, eſt malum inn…tum, eſt▪ et ſeminatum. Bern.had need watch the tempter, leaſt he damp our joyes, and ſo grieve our ſpirits, and embitter our ſweets, and leſt our mind, which one day hath been heavenly, the next day become haughty, for pride is a worm which is apt to breed in the beſt weed. It is a rare obſervation of Bernard, That the mind can ſwell, as well as the Serpent can bite; we have evil within us, as well as aſſaults without us: When we have comfortably waited on our God, we muſt as ſedulouſly watch over our own hearts, or elſe our ſweet raptures will turn into ſwelling conceits, as refreſhing fires ſend up a black ſmoak. It was not for nothing, that Paul had a thorn in his fleſh, after 2 Cor. 12. 7.2 Cor 12:7he had had a Paradiſe in his view. We are apt to ſurfet on the richeſt Banquets. Too much light doth not encreaſe, but dazle the ſight: After well-ſpent Sabbaths, let us admire our good, and double our guard: If the Devil will ſteal away the ſeed, Mat. 13. 19. he will ſurely attempt the harveſt: the Thief will ſooner fetch away bags, then pence.

3To be faithful. If our ſouls have been ſweetned by holy Ordinances upon Gods holy day, let us ſtudy to keep this divine relliſh upon our hearts: we are apt to catch cold after Cùm malum committitur, bonum amittitur.the greateſt heats. Let us look to our ſelves; that we do not loſe the things, which we have wrought, and after cloſe and ſweet communion with God, grow lax and remiſſe. Sweet water is as eaſily ſpilt, as ordinary water. The rareſt Cordials foreign.are put into glaſſes, which are eaſily broken: there may be a rejoycing, which is onelyonly for a ſeaſon, John 5. 35. the Greek reads it, for an hour: If thy heart hath been wound up towards heaven on a Sabbath, a little careleſneſſe will let it down again. If thou haſt ſpent the Sabbath comfortably, Heb. 12. 14.Heb 12:14be faithful to thy ſoul, and intereſt, and ſpend the Epheſ. 4. 30.Eph 4:30week holily. Purity will keep peace; it is ſin grieves the ſpirit, Spiritus ſanctus cùm agimus aut loquimur turpia aut mala offenditur. Alap.who is the Comforter, Joh. 14. 16. Our inward joy is onelyonly chaſed away by treſpaſſe, which is a thron in the breaſt of this Nightingale. To be unlooſend on the Sabbath from week-day bonds is comfortable: but in the week-time to unlooſe p. 450the Lords dayes bonds, is abominable.

5To be fruitful. Comfortable Sabbaths call for conſcionable lives. Soft ſhowres make fruitful fields: If on the Sabbath we have enjoyed the comforts of the Lord, it is but meet we John 15. 5.John 15:5ſhould alwayes abound in the work of the Lord. Our week-day 1 Cor. 15 58.1 Cor 15:58carriage ſhould be the ſpringing up of the Sabbath days ſeed; our whole lives muſt be a walking in the ſtrength of our Sabbaths. Divers of the Ancients are very copious, and pathetical in perſwading men, ſo to practice Piety, and purſue ſanctity, as to perpetuate a Sabbath. We ſhould mingle the Sabbath with the week, but not the week with the Sabbath; as we ſhould be in the ſpirit on the Lords day, ſo Tertul com. in Jud. 4. Orig. in Numer. Hom. 23. Chryſoſt in Mat tract 29. Aug. de Civit. dei lib. 12. cap. 30. Buc. in Mat. 12. 11.Judg 4Matt 12:11we ſhould walk in the ſpirit on the week day, Gal. 5. 25. It is a remarkable ſpeech of Bucer, Have we ſerved the Lord on his own day? let our manners ſhew it, let our works prove it, let the holineſs of our lives abundantly declare it. A pious Converſation is the onelyonly evidence we have been with Jeſus; we ſhould be in ſuch a frame every Lords day, as if that was the firſt Sabbath that ever we ſpent, and as if that was the laſt day, that ever we ſhould live, or, as if the weight of all our work lay upon that ſingle Sabbath, for which we were ſent into the world, nay, as if our eternal being was to be determined hereby; and yet after the day is over, we muſt endeavour as much to be doing, as if nothing was done on the Sabbath, and all that we had done, was to be abated on the account. Sabbath comforts are not to be dews, but ſhowres, not ſuddenly to be dryed up, but to ſoak into our future lives. J…hn the Evangeliſt, after he had been Rev. 1. 10.Rev 1:10in the Spirit on the Lords day, writes the Revelation, the worlds Chronicle within a Veil: Moſes, when he had been Exod. 32. 22.Exod 32:22on the Mount with God, was filled with holy zeal, and Sinai did not flame more, then his heart. Heavenly ſweets are 1 John 1. 3.1 John 1:3onelyonly incentives to holy ſervices; and the taſts of divine communion are the genuine bribes to an holy converſation.

Caſe 3 How we muſt keep the Sabbath alone, in the deprival of Chriſtian and comfortable ſociety. There are many caſes may befall a Chriſtian, which may render him ſolitary upon the Pſalm 63. 2.Ps 63:2Lords day, and for the preſent enforce him to be an exile Pſalm 96. 6.Ps 96:6from the publick Aſſemblies.

p. 4511. As in the caſe of travelling: we may meet with an Inne, when we cannot meet with a Sanctuary.Iſa. 16. 12.Isa 16:12

2. So in the caſe of impriſonment: we may be confined to Pſalm 102. 7.Ps 102:7the darkneſs of a dungeon, and want the glorious liberty of Pſal. 84. 3.Ps 84:3the people of God, the freedom they enjoy in the houſe of Prayer.

3. So likewiſe in caſe of ſickneſs: we may be chained to foreign.our beds, and not enjoy the freedome of publick Ordinances; And Mr. Perkins inſtances in the diſeaſe of the dead Palſie: ſo that now Ariſtotles definition of Man, to be a ſociable Creature, will not comport with our preſent condition.Iſa. 16. 12.Isa 16:12

4. And it may be inſtanced in caſe of hard ſervice, and ſlavery; when our groans are ready to drown the muſick of Iſraelitae ita affligebantur animi maerore, et durâ ſervitute, quâ ſpiritu qu…ſi intercludebantur, ut non attenderent verbis Moyſes de deo ſerviendo. Riu.a Sabbath, and we are neceſſitated to lye down in ſilence, and ſolitarineſs. We do not read that the Jews kept any publick Sabbath in their Aegyptian bondage: their tasks jarred their triumphs: and they did not onelyonly make brick without ſtraw, but they paſſed over Sabbaths without any viſible obſervation; but yet no caſe can wholly incapacitate us from converſing with God on his own day; we are never ſo lonely, but we may enjoy communion with the Father, and his Son Jeſus Chriſt, 1 John 1. 3.

1. If we are travelling, we may likewiſe travel towards Exod. 6. 9.Exod 6:9Canaan. Holy duties will turn an Inne, into a Sanctuary. Pſalm 134. 2.Ps 134:2Paul prayed by the Rivers ſide, Acts 16. 13. Peter preached in a private houſe, Acts 10. 34. and Chriſt adminiſters the Gen. 24. 63.Gen 24:63Sacrament in an upper room, Luke 22. 12. Now, we may meditate in every Field, and pray in every Chamber. To Dan. 6. 10.Dan 6:10Chriſtians, ſaith Dr. John Reynolds, No Land is ſtrange, no ground unholy, every Coaſt is Jewry, every Town is Hieruſalem, every houſe is Sion, every faithful body is a Temple to ſerve G…d in: And to think otherwiſe is to ſavour of Judaiſme, as Hoſpinian obſerves.

2. Suppoſe thy ſelf in priſon on the Lords day: If an Angel can break a priſon door, Acts 12. 7. ſurely Chriſt can, and give thee the meeting on his own bleſſed day: VVhen thou art in fetters of iron, he can draw thee with the cords p. 452of a man, Hoſ. 11. 4. If we muſt viſit our brethren, ſurely he will viſit his Saints in priſon. Priſon doors are no obſtruction Mat. 25. 36.Matt 25:36to the divine illapſes of the good ſpirit, and Priſon-ſtraights are no confinement to the enlargements of a Saints heart; a fervent prayer can pierce the roof of the cloſeſt dungeon, and flies as high as Heaven. Paul and Silas ſang Acts 16. 25.Acts 16:25Pſalmes, one duty of a Sabbath, when they were fettered in their Chains, and incloſed in their Goal.

3. Put caſe thou art confined to a ſick bed; Jacob worſhipped Gen. 49 18. Onkelos hanc exclamationem Jacobi ad Chriſtum reſert para…hraſi plane piâ. Non expecto ſalutare Gideon filii Joaſh, ne que ſalutare Sampſon filii Manoe, quae ſalus eſt planè temporalis, ſed expect… ſalutem & redemptionem Chriſti filii David, quae eſt ſolus aeterna. Onkel.Gen 49:18God on a dying bed, and waited for his glorious ſalvation: On a bed of ſickneſs, thou mayeſt bend thy heart, when thou canſt not bend thy knee, and ſtretch out the hand of thy faith, when happily thy diſtemper will not ſuffer thee to ſtretch out the hand of thy fleſh. Sickneſſes uſually ſpiritualize duty, not obſtruct it. Then the patient prayes more feelingly, weeps more heartily, converſes with God more greedily. A ſenſe of approaching death, affects the ſoul with more earneſt purſuits after a better life: A Chriſtian under a diſeaſe may more pathetically improve, he need not wave a Sabbath.

4. If providence ſhall caſt us into a ſevere and hard ſervice: the man ſervant is kept back from holy Ordinances by the prophaneneſs of the Maſter; the maid ſervant is kept to her drudgery on Gods holy day, by the pride and vanity of her Miſtriſs; Nay, happily our caſe is, a Turkiſh Galley is all the Temple we have to worſhip in; yet then, though we have loſt our freedom, we have not loſt our Sabbaths. Iſraels worſhip was not loſt, but revived in the wilderneſs, and there Moſes talked with God, as a man with his friend. The uncouth and ſolitary wilderneſs, was the Sanctuary Deut. 26. 10.Deut 26:10where the Jews enjoyed the cloſeſt communion with God. Exod. 33. 11.Exod 33:11Paul gave ſpiritual exhortations in the ſhip, and in a ſtorme Deus non terribilitèr, ſed amicè cum Moyſe egerit. Riv.too, when he was ready to be daſhed into the pit by every wave, Acts 27. 20. The rage of remorſleſs maſters ſhould make believing ſervants not to pray leſs, but as the vaſſalized Iſraelites, to groan more; not to be weary of Sabbaths, but Exod. 6. 5.Exod 6:5to be more wary in their obſervation; the bondage of the Acts 7. 34.Acts 7:34body is no wayes eaſed by the hazzard of the ſoul. The p. 453Heavenly Maſter muſt be ſerved, eſpecially on his own day, notwithſtanding all the frowns and countermands of the earthly, that imperious worm. If threats could have prevailed with the three Children, they had worſhipped a golden Image, and not adventured a fiery furnace, Dan. 3. 18. Hard ſervice ſhould make us more heavenly, not more heedleſs in Sabbath obſervation. If our caſe is hard upon earth, we ſhould then the more endeavour to make it more glorious in heaven, and Sabbath-holineſs bids fair for it. Now therefore this being premiſed,

Thus we muſt keep Sabbaths in our greateſt ſolitarineſs, when the world is turned into a Patmos to us:

1Let us encourage our ſelves, that this is not our caſe alone, to ſerve God without company: Moſes communed with God alone upon the Mount; there was no preſs of people, or ſociety Deut. 5. 31. Dan. 6. 10.Deut 5:31Dan 6:10of Saints to heighten his enjoyment: Daniel converſed with God in his Chamber alone, and his ſacrifice was ſweet, though ſingle. Peter was praying alone at the top of the Acts 10. 9.Acts 10:9houſe, when he gets the company of an Angel, that meſſenger from heaven ſalutes his pleaſing receſs. The woman John 4. 13.John 4:13of Samaria enjoys ſolitary, yet ſalvifical communion with Jeſus Chriſt, and her ſoul lay under the diſtillations of his heavenly doctrine, nay, waters of life did flow more freely, then the waters of the well, which did afford her the plenty of that Element. And to come nearer to our purpoſe, the bleſſed Apoſtle John was in his Patmos, when he was ſublimated Revel. 1. 10.Rev 1:10with unuſuall raptures, and that upon the Lords day. A ſingle Lute can make ſweet muſick. The Sun which gilds the world, is but a ſingle Planet. And thy ſoul ſerving God alone on his day, may be taken into galleries to walk Cant. 7. 5.Song 7:5with Jeſus Chriſt, and feed upon the honey and the honey Pſal. 19. 10.Ps 19:10comb of an Ordinance. The Word was more to Job, then his neceſſary food, when he lay on the dunghill alone, Job 23. 12. And Chriſt acted to him above his promiſe, Mat. 18. 20. He was preſent, though two or three were not gathered together.

2If thou art neceſſitated to keep the Sabbath alone, be much in prayer. In this ſingle devotion, Chriſt is both our Preſident, p. 454Luke 6. 12. And our Legiſlatour, Mat. 6. 6. The Cum privatim et ſolitarie oramus, oſtentationem et affectationem humanae gloriolae omnino reſpuimus. Chemnit.Prayer of one Elijah could work miracles, Jam. 5. 17, 18. The Prayer of one Daniel could haſten deliverance, Dan. 9. 23. The Prayer of one Moſes could preſerve a whole Nation from impending ruine, Exod. 32. 23. Solitary prayers have their peculiar prerogatives; in them we avoid all oſtentation, as Chemnitius well obſerves, and more imitate the votary, then the Phariſee: In them we can ſearch our hearts more accurately, deal with God more faithfully, and give a fuller account of our ſins and provocations. Cloſet devotion is not ſtopt, becauſe confined, no more then the meditations of David were loſt in the darkneſs of the night, Pſal. 63. 6. in Mat. 6. 6. Pſal. 63. 6. Rev. 1. 10. 1 Sam. 1. 10.Matt 6:6Ps 63:6Rev 1:101 Sam 1:10which he framed them. Chriſt came to John in Patmos, when the Iſland was his bolted Chamber, not with bars, but with waves. Hannah prayed and wept alone, and then ſhe obtained a Samuel, 1 Sam. 1. 10. The heart can work in Acts 10. 4. 1 Theſ. 5. 17. Col. 3. 17.Acts 10:41 Thess 5:17Col 3:17prayer when there is no company to excite it, and oftentimes God is moſt effectually preſent, when man is wholly abſent; therefore if we muſt ſpend a Sabbath alone, let part of it be taken up in fervent prayer and ſupplication.

3In this caſe of ſolitarineſs, let us be filled with holy meditations: This holy duty of a Sabbath, is advanced not obſtructed by lonelineſs and retirement, nay, it cannot well be performed Gen. 24. 63.Gen 24:63in company: the noiſe of any aſſociates huſh away theſe pleaſing contemplations which light upon the mind, or Pſal. 92. 5, 6, 9.Ps 92:5Ps 92:6Ps 92:9are ſtarted by the excitation of the good ſpirit. In thy ſolitary Sabbaths, let thy head work in meditation, as well as thy heart in prayer and ſupplication. Theſe duties coupled, like Caſtor and Pollux are a good prognoſtick, and promiſe fair weather to the ſoul.

1Meditate on thy ſins. Sin is firſt viewed by meditation, and then moaned by confeſſion, and ſo conſequently caſhiered by repentance; and this order is very proper and genuine, firſt to caſt the eye on ſin, and then to rend the heart for it, and from it. The head will affect the heart: take then the opportunity of a ſolitary Sabbath, to caſt up thy accounts, and Pſal. 4. 7. Jer. 31. 18, 19, 20.Ps 4:7Jer 31:18Jer 31:19Jer 31:20to look backward on thy ſinfull life, that thy ſoul may kindly melt, and the Lord may graciouſly ſmile, and lift up the p. 455light of his countenance upon thee. Moaning Ephraims are pleaſant Children.

2Meditate on Gods works: Thou mayeſt ſee the glory of a Creation through a priſon grate, or within the curtains of a ſick bed; thou mayeſt contemplate on the Sun, when thou doeſt not ſee it, that emblem of Gods power, and the worlds glory. The Stars ſhine as bright to meditation in the day, as in the night; and we may take an intellectual, when we do not take an ocular view of them.

3Meditate on the ſtate of the Church; to rejoyce in it, or to grieve at it: The Jews in Babylon could weep ſavourily in the remembrance of Sion, when they did conſider its preſent Pſal. 137. 1, 2.Ps 137:1Ps 137:2calamity, and its former glory. Every Chriſtian ſhould Pſal. 122. 6.Ps 122:6be of a publick ſpirit, and lay the caſe of Sion to heart, either for tears or triumphs. When nothing of the Church is Iſa. 62. 6, 7.Isa 62:6Isa 62:7in thy eye, much of it ſhould be in thy thoughts. Much of Pſal. 137. 5.Ps 137:5piety is diſcovered in ſympathy. It was one of Iſraels great offences, they had not a fellow-feeling of the afflictions of Amos 6. 6.Amos 6:6Joſeph. The Prophet adviſeth thoſe who make mention of the Name of the Lord, to give him no reſt, till he make Jeruſalem a praiſe in the earth, Iſa. 62. 6, 7. When thou art alone on a Sabbath, and thy condition neceſſitates thee to it, let the many thoughts of Sion keep thee company, and be thy congregation to joyn with.

4Meditate on the attributes of God: Thoſe glorious beams can ſhine into the darkeſt and moſt ſolitary dungeon, as well as into the moſt ſolemn aſſembly. Think of Gods power in creating a world, his juſtice in burning of a Sodom, his wiſdome in contriving a way for mans redemption, his love in John 3. 16.John 3:16ſending his Son to dye for ſinners, his faithfulneſs in making and keeping his Covenant. Such heavenly meditations, might ſweeten a priſon, might mitigate a diſtemper, might alleviate Pſal. 104. 34.Ps 104:34the ſeverity of ſervice or ſlavery, and might comfort thy ſoul on Gods bleſſed day, in the greateſt recluſe and ſolitarineſs.

5Spend ſome time of this ſolitary Sabbath in converſing with the Scriptures. The Bible is the moſt delightful companion Rom. 3. 2. Omnia mea mec…m porto. Bias.Rom 3:2in the want of all others; the Saint with theſe Oracles may ſay with the Philoſopher, I carry all my eſtate with me; p. 456Caeſar ſo prized his Commentaries, that being enforced by the Egyptian Army to leap into the Sea, he did ſwim with one hand, and held up the Book of his Commentaries in the other; his life and his book ſhould both periſh together. Our Bible is the moſt ſeraphick Commentary upon Gods love, and Joſh. 1. 8.Josh 1:8mans heart. God commanded Joſhua to meditate day and night in this ſacred volume. Indeed the Scriptures, they are a hive of ſweetneſs to delight the ſoul, a choice treaſure Pſal. 19. 10.Ps 19:10to enrich the ſoul, more then neceſſary food to ſupport the Job 23. 12.Job 23:12ſoul, The ſword of the ſpirit to defend the ſoul, a tranſcendent Eph. 6. 15, 17.Eph 6:15Eph 6:17Paradiſe to conſolate and refreſh the ſoul. Every truth in the Scriptures is brighter then a ſtar, every promiſe Rom. 13. 12.Rom 13:12in the Scriptures is richer then a Mine, every threatning in Heb. 4. 12.Heb 4:12the Scriptures is ſharper then a ſword, every offer of grace contained in the Scriptures is more valuable then a world; therefore in thy lonely Sabbaths, ſay with the Pſalmiſt, O how I love thy Law? It is my meditation all the day, Pſal. Facit Scriptura conſolationes per exempla quae narrat, per promiſſiones, & praemia quae offert, His nos conſolatur, & inſpem beatitudinis excitat, & erigit.119. 97. And this converſe with ſacred writ, will be a good prognoſtick of ſucceſs and happineſs. It is reported of Queen Elizabeth, that in her great afflictions in her ſiſter Queen Maries reign, ſhe was much converſant in the holy word, and as the word of God ſweetned her ſoul, ſo the Providence of God ſmiled on her condition; for after the flight of a very few years, ſhe wore the Diadem of this Nation, flouriſhed many years in the throne of her Royal Progenitours.

5Fill up this ſolitary Sabbath with the Collection of former experiences. David when he was kept waking in the night, Pſal. 77. 3.Ps 77:3he remembred God; his thoughts were taken up with that In concilio Pariſienſi hoc facinus Patribus dolori fuit, quòd licet dies dominicus à quibuſdam dominis venerando cuſtodiri vide batur; a ſervis tamen eorum ſervitio preſſis per rarò debito hono…e …li inven…r…tur.divine object. When thou art kept from the ſolemn aſſemblies by a ſick bed, or a cloſe priſon, or a ſharp Maſter, Remember thy experiences which thou hadſt of old.

1. All thy providential mercies, as the Pſalmiſt recounts his promotion, that God took him from a ſheepfold to a throne, and at ſuch a time advanced him to the Soveraignty of the beſt people in the world, Pſal. 78. 70, 71. Then remember thou the additions God hath made to thy Eſtate, or to thy Family, thy eſcapes from imminent dangers, thy often p. 457deliverances, &c. Experiences of divine love, receive new life from meditation and ſerious recollection.

2. All thy ſeaſonable mercies. The Pſalmiſt comfortably Concil. …ariſ.relates, That when his Father and his mother forſ…k him, D…o ſunt, quae ſ…ntertiae grat…m & dignit…t… co…ci…iant, … ſi … ad … ration…m accommodetur. Cartw.then God did take him up, Pſal. 27. 10. Then the rare providences of God are moſt rare and remarkable, and to be noted with an Higgaion Selah. As words, ſo favours in ſeaſon, are like apples of Gold in pictures of Silver, Prov. 25. 11. The ſeaſon is the emphaſis of every mercy. Even at the red Sea, Pſal. 106. 7. This amplified Iſraels ſin, they offended even at the red Sea, where they were crowned with a ſtupendious and ſeaſonable deliverance. Caſt thy eye back in thy ſolitary Sabbaths upon thoſe mercies which were eminent for their ſeaſon. Health after ſickneſs, ſupply in wants, reſcue from temptations, from ſinful or deſtructive company, when thy ſoul was pluckt out of the ſnare. Ah how ſweet was water to a thirſty Samſon, deliverance to the poor Jews when their deſtruction was ſigned and ſealed. Such pleaſing recollections would abundantly ſweeten a ſolitary Sabbath.

3. Thy unexpected mercies; thoſe loving-kindneſſes which thou didſt not think of, nor pray for, which thy want did not proclaim, nor thy moans purſue. An Angel cometh Acts 10 3. Luke 1. 26, 27.Acts 10:3Luke 1:26Luke 1:27to Cornelius in his prayers, when he looked not for him. Happily many mercies have befallen thee, which like Gabriel to the Virgin Mary, have brought not onelyonly good, but unexpected news. On a ſolitary Sabbath view over thy unlookt for mercies, which were returns of love, without a prayer to ſollicite them; the ſhip came home without any other gale to cauſe its arrival then divine love.

4. Thy ſpiritual mercies. A Sabbath is beſt accommodated for a review of ſpirituals; then remember the ſweets of Pſal. 66. 18.Ps 66:18former Sabbaths as David remembred the joy he uſed to have when others called him to go to the houſe of God, Pſal. 42. 4. We ſhould then caſt in our thoughts, what reproof of the word cut ſharpeſt, what truth ſtruck deepeſt, what Ordinance came cloſeſt to our ſouls, who was the inſtrument of our greateſt good, what Sabbath was the time of our choiceſt loves. p. 458Peter Martyr could tell the very ſentence of a Sermon which firſt wrought upon his heart. Thy ſoul, if thou belongeſt Jer. 2. 24. John 9. 11. 2 Kings 5. 10.Jer 2:24John 9:112 Kgs 5:10to God, had a monethmonth when Chriſt took thee. Spiritual mercies are moſt ſweet in contemplation, more ſmooth then the waters of Siloam, more healing then the waters of Jordan. And thus thou mayeſt travel through the pleaſant plains of a Sabbath, when thou art alone, and haſt no company.

6If there be occaſion, joyn faſting to the reſt of thy holy duties on thy ſolitary Sabbaths. It is true, the Sabbath is not a faſt but a feaſt day, a day of rejoycing, not of mourning; yet Nehem. 1 4. Dan. 9. 3.Neh 1:4Dan 9:3extraordinary caſes make extraordinary Sabbaths. Days of great ſorrow may draw out tears upon the Lords day, foreign. Zonar.and turn that celebrity of joy and gladneſs (to ſpeak in the language of the Council of Gangra) into a day of faſt and ſorrow. Sometimes Gold chains are put in cypreſs, and a golden Sabbath may be veiled with ſadneſs in the Churches miſery and calamity: If ſuch a caſe fall out in thy ſolitary Sabbaths, aſhes and ſackcloth are the moſt ſutable dreſs.

Caſe. 4 How Conſcience may be ſatisfied, objecting, that fleſh and bloud cannot hold out a whole Sabbath in the due and ſtrict obſervation of it. It is not without remark, that the Apoſtle aſſerts mans inability in himſelf to receive the things of God, 1 Cor. 2. 14. Nay he ſcrues the peg higher, and poſitively affirms, That the carnal mind is enmity againſt God, Rom. 8. 7. It ſtands upon its guard to keep out whatſoever is of God, and he inſtanceth in himſelf; that the Law in his members continually diſturbed the Law of his mind in every ſpiritual undertaking, Rom. 7. 21, 23. And if he delighted any thing at all in the Law of God, it was after the inward man, Rom. 7. 22. I ſay, in this particular, the Scriptures are written for our inſtruction, 1 Cor. 10. 11. For the ſoul is never more ſluggiſh then in ſpiritual attempts, then there is a Lion in the way, Prov. 22. 13. A carnal man looketh upon holy duties as his Phyſick, not as his food, and he keeps the Sanctuary as he keeps his Chamber, only in a caſe of neceſſity. In his worldly purſuits he can riſe up early, and go to bed late, he can ſtretch the day to the longeſt, p. 459and be willing to clip the wings of it, becauſe it flies away ſo faſt; but in the purſuits of higher concernments, he complains of the length of a Sabbath, as if the glaſs ſtood, and did not run in its uſual ſpeed. Mans nature indeed is very remiſs in ſpirituals, and ſtudies more apology then duty; as the invited gueſts ſent their excuſe, when they ſhould have brought Mat. 5 22. Numb. …3 28Matt 5:22Num 3:28their perſons to the Marriage feaſt. As the murmuring Iſraelites, who would not attempt the conquering of Canaan, becauſe the Sons of Anak were there, when their cowardiſe was the greateſt Giant.

But I ſhall rather ſtudy to remove then amplifie this pretended ſcruple, and eaſily evince that this caſe of conſcience ariſes rather from ſloth, then incapacity. Now to the Caſe,

It is very true, fleſh and bloud cannot hold out a ſpiritual Caro et ſanguis naturalis, et corruptibilis homo, qualis fuit terrenus Adam, regnum dei non poſſidebit. AmbroſSabbath, not only for the length of it, but likewiſe for the ſervices of it; Without faith it is impoſſible to pleaſe God, Heb. 11. 6. And Paul ſaith in another place, fleſh and bloud cannot inherit the Kingdom of God, 1 Cor. 15. 50. And the ſame principle which acts our ſervice in glory, muſt act our holy ſervices here, though not in the ſame degree, though more faintly and imperfectly. So then the dregs of nature are not competent for Sabbath obſervation; the terrene man, as Ambroſe and Theophylact ſpeak, a lazy piece of clay, cannot run through the ſeveral duties of a Sabbath; but when we caſt our ſelves on the ſpirit, we are carryed as upon Eagles Iſa 40. 31.Isa 40:31wings, and then we labour and faint not, we run and we are Phil. 4. 13.Phil 4:13not weary. It is true, fleſh and bloud will be wearied at Animus ſi non praeſumat de ſe ſed ſi confortetur in deo, potuit uti que dominari, et etiam reddi quodammodo omnipotens. Bern.the firſt on-ſets of holy ſervice, but pains muſt be taken with the heart to ſpiritualize it in the morning of a Sabbath, that thou mayeſt come as a Bridegroom out of his Chamber, and rejoyce as a ſtrong man to run a race, Pſal. 19. 5. As holy Bernard moſt excellently, Faith reſting on Chriſt gives us a kind of omnipotency. A Saint in the ſtrength of Chriſt, by the aſſiſtances of Chriſt, with the encouragements of Chriſt, can come leaping over the mountain of a Sabbath, as his ſhort Cant. 2. 8.Song 2:8and recreative travel, his pleaſure, not his toil.

p. 4602However God muſt not loſe his right of ſervice from us, becauſe we have procured to our ſelves wretched natures, which Audi O anima, qualis ſis, onerataes peccatis, irretiti vi…is, capta ille…ebris, affixa membris corporis inquinati fl…gitioſis. Aug.are ſoon weary of ſpiritual duties. If Sabbaths are tedious to us, this muſt be our moan, not our excuſe; we muſt weep over this occaſion of complaint, we muſt not watch for it; this caſe muſt not ſtir up our ſcruples, but our tears. Ad…m was vivacious enough to keep Sabbaths before the fall. Let the priſoner never complain, he cannot run, when his ſin and treſpaſs hath put him in chains. A ſenſe of tyredneſs on the Lords day ſhould deeply humble us, and put us upon filling Pſal. 56. 8.Ps 56:8Gods bottle with our tears, that he would fill our hearts with Luke 11 13.Luke 11:13his ſpirit, (that glorious and active principle) to carry us out in the diſcharge of Sabbath-performances. Ah! It is our ſin hath crampt our faculties, and cauſed that lameneſs, that we cannot run the ſhort race of a Sabbath.

3Lazy ſervants can hardly undergo any labour, much leſs to hold out a whole day, yet the aw of their earthly Maſters makes Vae humanae miſeriae? propter unius, aut duarum horarum ſegnitiem omnis laboris mercede fruſtrari. Ab. El.them to do it; ſo ſhould Gods fear move us to keep a whole Sabbath. Thou ſayeſt, thou art not able to keep a Sabbath, but canſt thou loſe an eternal Sabbath? It is a curſed exchange to forfeit everlaſting reſt for a little ſloth. Sabbaths muſt be kept, if thy ſoul be ſaved. Let the ſenſe of a future judgment, when every Sabbath ſhall be brought into the account; let the dread of an infinite God, who is a conſuming fire, Heb. 12. 29. Let the golden and precious truſt of a He. 10 31.Sabbath, all ſpur thee on to Sabbath duties, to make thy way more pleaſant and delightful. Let that be done which muſt be done, or elſe thou art everlaſtingly undone: Things of abſolute neceſſity are to be effected, not diſputed. If thy Pedibus timor addidit alas.ſervant muſt go of his errand, or turn out of doors, this makes him run. Here we act for our ſouls and Sabbaths, whole Sabbaths▪ muſt be kept, or our ſouls will periſh in the action; thy murmurs cannot ſilence divine wrath.

4Imperfections through corruption of nature are one thing, for they are in the beſt, but to nouriſh them, and willingly to yield to them, is another. I cannot do what I ought, by nature; Jer. 5. 31.Jer 5:31ſhall I not therefore endeavour to do what I ſhould, by grace? To ſay, thou canſt not keep a whole Sabbath, doth p. 461not onelyonly ſpeak thy corruption, but that thou loveſt to have it ſo. Eaſe corrupts nature, and makes it putrifie, nay, it ſets it backward in the things of God. If the Clock be never Prov. 15. 19.Prov 15:19wound up, the wheeles will ruſt: ſay to thy unactive heart, John 1. 6.John 1:6a wake thou who ſleepeſt, my eternity is bound up in the due obſervation of Gods day. The ſlothful ſervant was condemned, Dilectio et charitas dictat, immò imperat, ut ſerviamus domino inomnibus virtutum offici…s. Alap.Mat. 25. 26. not he that ſpent, but he that hid his talent. Thou haſt a trade to drive on a Sabbath, away with ſluggiſh nature: fleſh, like the ſenſitive plant, if touched, will withdraw from ſpiritual performances; but force it by holy violence. It is Apoſtolical counſel, and moſt ſeaſonable for the Lords day, that we ſhould not be ſlothful in buſineſs, but fervent in ſpirit, Rom. 12. 11. The Sabbath ſhould be our ſphear, not our ſervitude; we ſhould then be as the Sun, which needs no whips to ſcourge it forwards. Mr. Bernard of Batcombe, asketh the queſtion, Why we ſhould be more indulgent to weak nature, more yielding to the fleſh in and about the 4th. Commandement, for the keeping Mr. Bern in his Tract. on the Sabbath.of a day wholly to God, then in or about our whole ſervice in obedience to the other nine? Indeed we ſhould breath after communion with God on his own day, as once Chriſt did after the Croſs, to dye for his people, when he was ſtreightned in his own ſpirit, Luke 12. 50. till it was fulfilled and accompliſhed.

5To ſay, we cannot keep a whole Sabbath to the Lord, is an imputation caſt upon divine Wiſdome. God never commands impoſſibilities, and yet he ſeverely commands the full obſervation of a whole Sabbath: and yet to ſay, God is an Exod. 20. 8.Exod 20:8hard Maſter, deſerves the brand of an unprofitable ſervant. Luke 19. 22, 23, 24.Luke 19:22Luke 19:23Luke 19:24The Yoke of Chriſt is eaſie, not galled with an incapcity of bearing of it. If we can honour our Father and Mother, Exod. 20. 12.Exod 20:12which is the next Commandement, why not keep Matth. 11. 30.Matt 11:30Gods Sabbath? There is a foreign a natural affection ſweetens the 5th. and there is communion with God, a more noble attraction, indulcorates and facilitates the 4th. Commandement. Lazy fleſh muſt not commence a ſuit with infinite Wiſdome. God knows our frame, and we muſt know our Pſalm 103. 14.Ps 103:14duty, nay, in this particular, our priviledge: for to keep a Deut. 5. 29.Deut 5:29day with God is a temporary Paradiſe, nay a tranſient heaven p. 462Rom. 11. 33.Rom 11:33our elevation above the world. Let us not then inveigh againſt the rigour of the Command, but deal with our own hearts to run chearfully, and ſweetly through the heavenly circuits of Gods bleſſed and holy Sabbath.

6Quicquid factum fuit, fiat: Whatſoever hath been done, may be done. Now David layeth it down, as a Character of foreigna godly man, to meditate in the law of God day and night, Pſa. 1. 2. The Syriack reads it, as if his whole will & pleaſure was wrapt up in the Law of God; the life was to be ſpent in holy contemplation, not a day, not a few hours: nay, the Pſalmiſt gives an inſtance in himſelf, the Law was his meditation all the day; and if he foreignmight have his option, he would dwell; The Hebrew bears it, he would Sabbath it in the houſe of God all the dayes of his life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his Temple. This bleſſed man thought his life too ſhort a moment to converſe with God, and to behold his beauty. The beauties of God delight, not dazle the eye of the ſoul, and ſuch proſpects drown all tediouſneſſe. The Apoſtle Paul preaching on a Lords day, continued his diſcourſe till midnight, Acts 20. 7.Acts 20:7not imping, but ſpreading the wings of the Evening, Pſalm 139 9.Ps 139:9for greater latitudes in holy Communion: and no doubt, but many a Saint could put a curb into the mouth of Sabbath time, to ſtop its ſpeed, that his weekly Jubilee ſhould not fly away ſo faſt. Therefore let not any make this objection of ſloth, to ſay, fleſh and blood cannot keep a whole Sabbath: ſurely ſuch objectours, are part of the world, who know not the meat, the Saints have to eat in the Banquets of the Lords day. When Peter and the two other John 4. 32. Mat. 17. 1, 4.John 4:32Matt 17:1Matt 17:4Diſciples ſaw Chriſt in his transfiguration, they would build tabernacles, to faſten their abode. Sabbath Communion, is only a more duskiſh transfiguration; And why ſhould we tire ſo ſoon, when the way is ſo pleaſant!foreign, &c. Chryſoſt. de ſacerdot.

7In the Primitive times, the reading of the word, and the preaching of the Goſpel, took up ſome part of every day. And Chryſoſtome took good notice of the profit of that diligent courſe: Mens minds were more babituated to the things of God, and became richer treaſuries of holy truth. It was p. 463not then accounted tedious or irkſome to ſpend ſome time every day with God, for ſoul advantage. The Primitive Church thought time ſpent in ſpiritual converſe, their term, not their toyle, and the School of Chriſt was open, not only foreign, &c.on a Sabbath, (as Janus his Temple among the Romans, only in a time of peace) but on every day. The worthy Chryſoſtome highly commends his Auditours, That they turned a day which might have been ſpent in the ſervice of Satan, into a day with God, in attending on holy Ordinances. This was the ſpirit of the primitive times, they accounted all time gain and advantage, which was ſpent in Divine Communion: And indeed this is for Adams poſterity to re-enter Paradiſe. Gregory Nyſſen in his ſecond Oration, which he Greg. Nyſſ. Orat. 2dâ de 4to Martyr.made concerning the Martyrs, makes mention of ſome things he had inſtructed his people in, the day before; and in another Oration, bids them call to mind, thoſe things he had delivered before in the week time; this eminent light of the Church evidences in his own practice, that it was the cuſtome of the Church in thoſe times, to enrich the week with Nudius terti mi et heſterni diei ſermones, ſequitur hodierna lectio, c &.many ſeaſons and opportunities of Goſpel diſpenſation; ſo far were thoſe times from Subpenaeing fleſh and blood to atteſt an incapacity for the ſervices of a whole Sabbath. Auguſtine in many places of his incomparable works, mentions Aug. in Joan.his daily labours with his people for ſpiritual edification. So Tom. 2dus. in Pſal. 68. Tract. 16. Joan. Tractat. 18. in Joan. Tract. 22. in Joan. Cyprian was likewiſe taken up in daily travels with his hearers to promote the increaſe of their faith and knowledge. Nicephorus reports in his Eccleſiaſtical Hiſtory, that Alexander did daily exhilarate the Niceph. Hi…t, lib 8. cap. 5. foreign. Chryſ.Church with divine Inſtitutions. Indeed theſe orient times of the Church were made more celebrious, by the painful labours of the Miniſters, and the diligent attention of the people every day; for as Chyſoſtome ſpeaks in his tenth Homily upon Geneſis; Holy diſcourſes are calculated for every day. No day is incongruous for heavenly Communion. And the learned Father well comports with the ſence and language of the holy Apoſtle, Phil. 3. 20. For our converſation foreign, vita civilis.is in heaven, from whence alſo we look for our Saviour, the Lord Jeſus Chriſt.

p. 464But on the Lords day, in the primitive times, holy duties Licet n… ing…ere…, ſpirituali doctrinae non praejudicat, Chryſoſt.were multiplied; nay, the Miniſter muſt not give over preaching, though the night comes on, if Chryſoſtome may give in his verdict. Baſil in one of his Homilies tells us, That his own courſe was, to begin his Sermans early on the morning of a Sabbath, and towards the evening to preach a foreign. Baſil.ſecond time: The morning Sermon he called the morning food; and his evening Sermon he ſtiled, his evening joy, which he uſed to bring to his Auditours: Thus this worthy perſon made it his triumph to ſpread morning and evening Hic igitur et n…s Orationem hanc noſtram ad rotum, quietemvs deducendá eſſe cenſemus. Baſil.dainti…s, before the people who came to feed upon them. Nay, thus he ſpeaketh in one of his Homilies, Behold the evening commands me ſilence, the Sun being now ſet, yet I judge it fit to lengthen out my diſcourſe, to the time of bed and reſt. So unwearied were the Miniſters and people in thoſe glori…us times, in holy duties and adminiſtrations. Auguſtine In diebus do minieis ab omnibus aliis feriantes ſoli cultui divino ſimus intenti.in his ſecond Sermon upon the 88^h Pſalm, mentions his reduplicate labours upon Gods holy day. The reſt of the Lords day, ſaith a learned man, muſt be wholly taken up in divine worſhip; Then the level of the ſoul muſt be wholly heaven-ward, all diverſions to earth or eaſe are deviations. To mind any thing but the ſoul on the Sabbath, is not impertinency, foreign. Chryſ. Non miremint, fratres chariſſimi, ſi hodie ter ſermonem deo adjuvante P…rfece…o.but impiety. Chryſoſtome hath an excellent ſpeech, The Sabbath, ſaith he, is not given us for eaſe, but for reſt, and that reſt muſt be ſpent in things ſpiritual: To which is accommodated a ſpeech of another of the Ancients in an Epiſtle of his, to his brethren in the wilderneſs; Do not wonder, ſaith he, if in Gods ſtrength I have preached thrice this day. Now to object, fleſh and blood cannot keep a whole Sabbath, this is a contradiction to the ſervent ſpirit of the primitive Church, this is a ſpirit fit for the dregs of time.

8Some of the more ſerious Jews thought the Sabbath but ſeant meaſure, and too ſhort a time for ſoul enlargements. Among the Jews, ſome began their Sabbath ſo…ner then others, as thoſe who dwele at Tyberias, becauſe they dwelling in a Valley, the Sun did not appear ſo ſoon to them, as it did to others. Some again continued their Sabbath longer; p. 465This was done by thoſe who dwelt at Tſephore, a City placed upon the top of a Mountane, ſo that the Sun did ſhine longer Buxtorf Comment. Maſor. cap. 4. ex Maſar.to them then to others: Hence R. Joſe wiſhed, That his portion might be with thoſe, who began the Sabbath with thoſe of Tyberias, and ended it with thoſe of Tſephore. This good man would take the firſt dawning of a Sabbath, and wait the Pſal. 42. 1, 2.Ps 42:1Ps 42:2laſt appearance, that his ſoul might enjoy a larger ſpace for Pſal. 84. 10.Ps 84:10communion with God. A gracious ſoul thinks the longeſt viſits Phil. 1. 23.Phil 1:23Cant. 7. 5.Song 7:5are the ſweeteſt, and duration crowns their fruition. Surely war is ſweet, and Sabbaths long, to unexperienced perſons.Dulce bellum inexpertis.

9But further to diſcover the nakedneſs of this objection, and more fully to anſwer the caſe, we muſt take notice, there are great varieties of duties and ordinances to ſweeten a Sabbath, and to render it free from all nauſea and tediouſneſs. Several Inſtruments make the Conſort, and raiſe the muſick Prov. 30 15.Prov 30:15to a greater delight and pleaſantneſs. On a Sabbath we do 1 Sam. 3. 10.1 Sam 3:10not only ſay, Give, give, in holy prayer, nor do we only cry with Samuel, ſpeak Lord, for thy ſervants hear, in hearing of the word: But the duties of a Sabbath, are like the gifts of the ſpirit, full of diverſity, 1 Cor. 12. 4. There are Sacraments Euchariſtia eſt convivium dominicum, & in die domini…o ab eccleſiâ adminiſtrari ſolita fuit. Tertul.to give us a proſpect of Chriſt, Holy meditation to ſublimate our ſouls heaven-ward, reading of the Scriptures for ſpiritual inſtruction, Singing of Pſalms in imitation of the Hallelujahs of heaven, ſpiritual diſcourſes for mutual conſolation. Harmony is the Sabbaths melody; and our tiredneſs in one duty, is removed by the ſweetneſs of another. The Sun with ſpeed and fleetneſs runs through the twelve ſigns of the Zodiack, nor is it alw…yes lodged in one houſe. Variety of things which are excellent, is not a little ground Omni modo Orationibus inſiſtendum eſt, ut ſi quid negligentiae per ſex dies acciderit per diem reſurrectionis dominicae precibus expietur. Greg. M. lib. 11. Epiſt. 3.of complacency: variety of choice voices pleaſe the ear: variety of curious colours delight the eye; variety of ſweet dainties is acceptable to the taſt; and ſo varie…y of holy duties make a Sabbath gratefull and complacential. God hath ſet forth his worſhip in ſeveral ſervices, that it might be the more pleaſing, and the leſs weariſome; Sometimes on a Sabbath we are praying to him for the ſupply of our neceſſities; ſometimes we are praiſing of him for his own infinite excellencies. p. 466Sometimes the ear is buſied in hearing truth, ſometimes the Dies dominicus eſt dies panis per Euchariſtiam. Athan.hand in giving almes, ſometimes the eye in weeping tears, ſometimes the knee in doing homage, alwayes the heart in willing obedience: Thus the ſame meat is dreſſed ſeveral wayes to make it more delightfull and pleaſing to the pallate. To ſee ſeveral towns pleaſeth the traveller, and makes Dies dominicus eſt dies lucis, per baptiſmum. Chryſoſt.his journey the leſs tedious, and the more recreative. In Sabbath worſhip, the bending of the knee is relieved by the hearing of the ear, and the hearing of the ear by the ſinging of the tongue, and the ſervice of the tongue may be refreſhed Die dominico pro arbitrio quiſ que ſuo, quod viſum eſt contribuat, et charitatem ſuam deponat.and relieved by the contemplations of the mind. So then the Sabbath cannot be tedious, whoſe duties are ſo various. Several birds ſinging, make the Grove a common muſick room. That ſoul muſt needs diſtaſt every Ordinance, which cannot be pleaſed with variety.Juſt. Mart. 10.

But no further to amplifie the vanity of theſe objectours, who put this caſe, I ſhall now a little rectifie their miſtake, by ſhewing them, how fleſh and blood may keep a whole Sabbath ſpiritually and ſweetly to God.

1Let them be earneſt in prayer for the ſpirit of grace: this is that principle which can turn the ſoul to any point, that ſpirit which can guide our way, Rom. 8. 1. which can produce the new Creature, John 3. 5. which can fill our ſails, John. 3. 8. which can heal our Natures, 1 Cor. 6. 11. which can help our infirmities, Rom. 8. 26. that ſpirit which can Acts 16. 14.Acts 16:14open the eyes to behold, Acts 26. 18. and can open the heart Joh. 7. 38. 39.John 7:38John 7:39to embrace Goſpel myſteries, 1 Cor. 2. 14. that ſpirit can ſweeten Ordinances, and accommodate our ſouls to them, that Spiritualia ſpiritualitèr examinantur, et ſpiritualis judicat omnia qui ſpiritum rectorem animae habet, & Doctorem. Anſel.the ſtreams of a Sabbath may run ſmoothly without the ſtop of wearineſs, or ſtorm of diſcontent. The ſpirit of God can fit our ſpirits to the things of God; and where there is no diſparity, there can be no diſſatisfaction. Indeed the Ordinances are the ſhip, and the ſpirit is the wind: As the ſhip of an ordinance cannot move without the wind of the ſpirit, ſo the wind of the ſpirit will not blow without the ſhip of an Ordinance; but when the wind carries on the ſhip, it is pleaſant and delightful ſailing. Therefore let p. 467John 3. 8.John 3:8theſe Objectours beg the ſpirit, and we have an aſſured promiſe to encourage us, Luke 11. 13.

2Let thoſe who put this caſe (which now hath been ventilated and diſcuſſed) conſider, our preſent Sabbaths are Sabbatum eſt ſabbatiſini primordium, initiale benificae fruitionis odoramentum.only the firſt fruits of an eternal Sabbath. The Spring is pleaſant, though not ſo fruitfull as the Harveſt. Our preſent dayes of grace have their glory and their verdure, though not elevated to the raptures of heaven; Sabbaths are heavenly dayes, though not heavenly eternities: Now our Saviour bids us rejoyce at the putting out of the leaf, for then Summer draws near, Mat. 24. 32. This ſhould ſilence all ſcruples of a floathfull heart. Sabbaths are golden, though little ſpots; they are penſions of grace, though not portions of glory; they are earneſts of better things; and he that is to receive the ſumm, will not eaſily be weary in telling of the earneſt. The Iſraelites rejoyced in the Cluſters, before they came to the Vintage, Numb. 13. 23, 24. Our precious Sabbaths are Cant. 1. 14.Song 1:14our cluſters of Camphire, before we come to the mountanes of Spices. Think not a Sabbath tedious, which is only a little ſtream running into the Ocean of Eternal Glory.

3Such ſhould do well to ſtudy their wants more, and their eaſe leſs: Their neceſſities call for every Ordinance of Grace, which fills up the time of a Sabbath; their empty cruze Mat. 6. 11.Matt 6:11calls for the duty of Prayer; their dark underſtandings call Hoſ. 6. 3.Hos 6:3for the Ordinance of hearing; their faint graces call for the Iſa. 25. 6.Isa 25:6feaſt of a Sacrament, their ſadned ſpirits call for the joyous Jam. 5. 13.Jas 5:13ſervice of ſinging Pſalmes; their ignorant Families call for Gen. 18. 19.Gen 18:19the duty of Catechizing; and their frail memeries call for the Phil. 3. 1.Phil 3:1ſeaſonable recruit of Repetition; and when theſe Services are faithfully and ſpiritually performed, the time of a Sabbath Eadem ſcribere, dicit Apoſtolus, eſt foreign tutum; Ambroſius verò inquit, eſt foreign neceſſarium. Ambr.flies away, and there is no room for the objection of fleſh and blood. We are much provoked to ſee Beggars lie ſunning themſelves in eaſe and lazineſs. Let theſe Objectors paſs induſtriouſly and chearfully through the Ordinances of a Sabbath, or elſe find ſome other way for the ſupply of the neceſſities of their ſouls. But thus much for the fourth Caſe.

Caſe. 5 What ſhall we do, when after our ſerious attendance upon p. 468Ordinances on Gods holy day, we taſte no ſweetneſs in them, Saepe etiam pi is ſucceſſus in laboribus vocationis denegatur, non malè, ſed certo conſilio dei, cùm verò Petrus ſine ſucceſſu laboraſſet, non ex impatientiâ murmurat, non rejicit vocationem. Chemnit.nor reap any advantage from them? It was once the complaint of the Diſciples; that they toyled all night, and could catch nothing, Luke 5. 5. The Saints labours in this life are not alwayes ſucceſsful; they may plow upon a Rock, and ſow the Seed, though preſently they do not reap the Harveſt. Beautiful Rachel was barren for a time, and ſhe who had ſo much comlineſs, had no Child. Anſwers to prayer are not alwayes on the ſpeed, but ſometimes they are ſuſpended; and many wait on God in a Sabbath, and yet in the evening do not carry their ſheaves with them, Pſal. 126. 6. they may toyle all the Sabbath in the fire of Ordinances, and yet not for the preſent be ſenſible of their melting and refining power. But what ſhall be done in this caſe?

Anſw. 1 Such ſhould examine themſelves, whether they bring not too much of the world with them to Sabbath opportunities. Happily when they are at prayer, or any other duty, their thoughts look back, as Lots wife did upon Sodom, and ſo that duty is, as it were, turned into a pillar of ſalt, a monument Duo contrarii amores in eodem corde, locum non habent nec habere poſſunt. Zanch.of ſhame: And ſo in hearing the Word, they bring the cares of the world with them, and they are thorns which choak the bleſſed Seed of the Word, Mat. 13. 22. and it becomes altogether unfruitful. And again, worldly thoughts do very unſeaſonably mix with heavenly duties: we do ill to be in the vale, when we ſhould be on the mount Exod. 24. 18.Exod 24:18with God; to be ſupping up the dregs of the world, when we ſhould feed on the marrow, Pſal. 63. 5. and drink of the Iſa. 25. 6.Isa 25:6wine well refined in bleſſed Ordinances; this is to powre contempt upon the proviſions of the Sanctuary: To ſay, our communion is with the Father, and with his Son Jeſus Chriſt on a Sabbath, when yet our hearts are fluttering over the John 1. 1. 3.John 1:1John 1:3world, this is to delude, not to ſatisfie the Soul.

2But be it, we can taſte no ſweetneſs in Sabbath duties, yet we are bound to continue our diligence; we muſt obſerve our duty, though preſently we receive not the mercy. It is Job 1. 9.Job 1:9the badge of Mercenaries to plead, no Recompence, no Obedience. Indeed the recompence of reward may be in our eye, though it be not our end. In the work we do, we may have p. 469a love to the reward, though the meer love of the reward doth not attract us to do the work. God is our great Lord and Maſter, and though it is not ſervile obedience, yet it is the obedience of Servants we ow him continually, and much more upon his own day. Caſſian obſerves, That he Caſſian. l 4. c. 24.knew a young man, who meerly in obedience to his Superiors command, for a whole year together went two miles every day only to pour water on a withered ſtick. We ought every Lords Angeli quomodo diſcurrunt medii, inter deum, & nos? Bern.day to come under Goſpel waterings, though our hearts remain withered and dry, though we feel no ſoftnings or comforting; it is enough, we have a command; the duty is ours, the day is Chriſts, who is over all, God above all, bleſſed for ever. It is a favour God will employ us, though he Rom. 9. 5.Rom 9:5ſhould never reward us. The Angels rejoyce that God will engage them in his buſineſs, though they receive no new recompence; they are chearful to increaſe the duty, though they do not enlarge their glory: The Angels, ſaith the Apoſtle, are Bernardus ſolitus eſt dicere Angelos ſecum cooperari unoquo que die dominico.all miniſtring ſpirits ſent forth to miniſter, &c. Heb. 1. 14. This is their property; they think themſelves happy, in that God thinks them worthy to do his work in the world: And ſo muſt we eſteem our ſelves honoured in converſing with God in Ordinances, though we do not hear the ſpouts run Hab. 3. 17, 18.Hab 3:17Hab 3:18with the waters of life, and though the fingers of Chriſt do not drop Myrrh, Cant. 5. 5. nor do we taſte the honey-comb in them, Cant. 5. 1. For Ordinances in themſelves are Jude 14. 8.as Sampſons Lion, with the ſwarm and the honey in them; they are in their own nature pots of perfume, more reviving then the ſmoaks of incenſe; and though our reſentments be not ſo quick, yet we muſt follow the ſcent. It is a good obſervation Hoſ. 6. 3.Hos 6:3of Chryſoſtom, As fountains, ſaith he, ſend out water, though no pitcher be brought to fetch from them; ſo Paſtors muſt preach, and Auditors muſt hear, though no fruit be received: For as to keep Sabbaths is indiſpenſable for men, ſo to bleſs them is arbitrary with God. But if God ſhine not forth from between the Cherubims of holy Ordinances, Pſal. 80. 1.Ps 80:1yet it is incumbent upon us to wait at the door of the Sanctuary, alwayes remembring that ſubjection is ours, but benediction is his, and he will have mercy, on whom he will have Rom. 9. 18.Rom 9:18mercy.

p. 4703Suppoſe Sabbaths are not ſucceſsful to us, what peace or profit can we expect if we lay them aſide? Upon the ſame account all other times of holy duty, and the exerciſe of Religion may be waved and left off; and then what can there be but a fearful expectation of judgment? Hierom upon Heb. 10. 27.Heb 10:27that place of the Apoſtle, Rom. 9. 16. It is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that ſheweth Hieron in Pſal. 107.Ps 107mercy: Sure then, ſaith he, It is not of him who ſleepeth, nor of him that idleth, nor of him who neglects duty, for on ſuch the Lord will have no mercy. And Chryſoſtom well obſerves upon that ſpeech of our Saviour, Mat. 16. 24. If any will Chryſoſt. in Matth. homil. 56.come after me, let him deny himſelf, &c. Chriſt ſaith not as this Father obſerves, If any man ſtand ſtill, or ſit down; for the Kingdom of God is not given to ſtanders, or to idlers, but to walkers, and to workers. So it may be concluded, the comforts of God are not given to any perſon, who upon any pretence whatſoever ſhall omit or neglect his duty, eſpecially Iter monſtrat Apoſt. quo fiat ut ſemper gaudeamus; Per orationem nimirum quae non ceſſat, & gratiarum actionem. Theoph. Non erit glo rioſa victoria, niſi ubi fuerint laborioſa certamina. Ambroſ.upon the Lords day. For any to pretend, they have performed duties and waited on Ordinances, and yet fail of ſucceſs; what good ſucceſs can they expect upon the ceaſing of thoſe duties? The Apoſtle bids us pray without ceaſing, 1 Theſ. 5. 17. So then we muſt pray though the bleſſing do not preſently come; we muſt obey the command though we do not receive the reward. If men may uſe the means, and yet miſs the end, ſurely ſuch muſt miſs the end, who will not uſe the means; let none think to better their ſouls condition, by laying aſide Sabbath tranſactions.

4When Chriſtians have performed Sabbath duties, and do not find ſuch comfortable and deſired ſucceſs in their Goſpel communion, Let them ſmite upon the thigh, and reflect upon themſelves. The word is fire, and why am I cold? The Pſal. 6. 6.Ps 6:6word is quickning, and why am I dead? Ordinances are the means of grace, and why have I no grace or comfort by the Pſal. 43 5.Ps 43:5means? Some are at Sermons and Sacraments with their Pſal. 42. 4.Ps 42:4hearts leaping, and go away with their faces ſhining, and Chriſti…ne, fige tui curſus profectuſ que me tam ubi Chriſtus poſuit ſuam. Bern.thoſe who ſee them, ſee they have been with Jeſus; but why go I mourning all the day? Thus we ſhould put our ſelves upon the ſearch and ſcrutiny. Skilful Phyſicians p. 471ſearch into the cauſe of diſtempers, and ſo ſhould skilful Chriſtians; the wound is ſearched before cured, and the tent is put in before the balſam. If Ordinances have loſt their taſte to us, the ſoul is ſick of ſome diſtemper: If we can not be triumphant, let us be inquiſitive; if we are not filled with comfort, let us preſently feel our pulſe. But however, we ſhould ſet upon amending of duties, but be never prevailed with, for the omitting of duties; we ſhould be as Fiſhermen when they have caught nothing, then they fall to mending their nets; let us not throw away our nets in diſcontent. If the Archer ſhoots ſhort, he ſhoots again, and directs his arrow more level, and draws his bow with more ſtrength, that if it be poſſible he may hit the mark: So if we Pſal. 19. 10.Ps 19:10in diſcharge of Sabbath duties, do miſs of deſired mercies, let us draw the bow with more ſtrength, ſtir up our ſelves, put more life into duty, and quicken our ſelves with more Cant 3. 4.Song 3:4care, that at laſt we may meet with our beloved, and ſay with the Spouſe, Cant. 3. 4. we have found him whom our ſouls love. In a word, we muſt not conclude through humane frailties, we will do this dayes work no further; but we muſt reſolve, through divine aſſiſtance, to do the work of the day better.

5Let this reply anſwer the whole caſe. The Sabbath-performances of ſoul-afflicted Saints, though they are not ſenſibly good, yet they are certainly good and acceptable to God; God ſeeth that in their aimings, they cannot ſee themſelves in their actings; that which they cannot ſee in John 1. 1, 3.John 1:1John 1:3their work, God can ſee in their will; God knows after what the ſoul reacheth; ſurely not after a bare duty, or being Vident mulieres juvenem, ut c…rnerent noſtrae reſurrectionis aetatem, vident juvenem, quia neſcit reſurrectio ſenectutem, ne que aetates rec…it aeterna perfectio. Chryſ.in ſervice, but therein after a clearer beholding of God, a cloſer communion with Chriſt, to keep a divine intercourſe with Father, Son, and Holy Ghoſt. The gracious ſoul looks not ſo much after the Ordinances of God, as God in the Ordinances: I know whom ye ſeek, ſaith the Angel to the Woemen, Mat. 28. 5. Jeſus of Nazareth who was Crucified: there they ſaw the Sepulcher wherein Chriſt was laid, and there they ſaw the linnen cloaths wherein Chriſt was wrapt, but all will not ſatisfie, it was not the Sepulcher of Chriſt, p. 472but Chriſt who had been in the Sepulcher they ſought for: So it is not ſo much the Sabbath of Chriſt, as Chriſt in the Sabbath; not ſo much the Goſpel of Chriſt, as Chriſt in the Goſpel, the people of God groan after: They cry out almoſt in the language of Bernard, Lord, unleſs I give thee my ſelf, it is not all my duties on the Sabbath will ſatisfie thee; and except thou giveſt me thy ſelf, it is not all the priviledges of the Sabbath will ſatisfie me. And all this the eye of God ſees, and ſo accepts the ſacrifices of his humble people, Pſal. 139. 12. foreign Pſal. 51. 17.Ps 139:12Ps 51:17though they do not ſmoak with incenſe to delight them who ſacrifice. Philoſophers obſerve, That fire which ſmoaks in the Chimney, is moſt clear in the Element of it: And ſo thoſe duties may have a ſmile from God above who receives them, when happily they give no ſweet guſt to man below who performs them. In a word, if God accept, let not us with Jonah fret, becauſe we do not taſte them. Our ſervices may be a pearl in Gods eye, when they are a ſtone of emptineſs Jon. 4. 3.Jonah 4:3in ours; and it is not much material if we ſenſe them to be droſs, if God look on them as gold. And thus much for this fifth and laſt caſe.