The Lords Day, Book 1 · Chapter 1
CHAP. 1.
That to the Solemn Worſhip of God, a determined time is neceſſary. Concerning the Aſſemblies of the Apoſtles, and how the Apoſtles and other Chriſtians were preſent in the Jewiſh Synagogues, on the Sabbath Day.
THat ſome certain time is to be aſſigned by Divine Inſtitution, on which, men ceaſing from common affairs, are diligently to bend themſelves to▪ Divine Worſhip, for Gods glory, and the Churches good (although no Religion be placed in Holy-dayes) I think to be without controverſie: the cuſtome received amongſt Nations of all Ages (that namely, at a ſtated time, and upon certain dayes, all ſhould meet to invocate, and worſhip that Deity which they took for their ſupreme) doth witneſs this: and reaſon it ſelf doth require the ſame.
Conventions alſo for performing exerciſes of Piety, were alwayes uſed by the Chriſtian Church, in which ſaid exerciſes, it practiſed what pertained to godlineſs, and the worſhip of God, for which cauſe the Apoſtle, Heb. 10. 25. allows not of that readineſs in Chriſtians, to forſake foreign, i.e. that coming to the Synagogue [or meeting together] and if Chriſt diſdained not to come himſelf to the Temple, and the Jews Synagogues, foreign, Luk. 4. 16. 1. As his custome was; who will he be that ſhall think the places dedicated for the Churches aſſemblies are not to be gone unto by Chriſtians? But the neceſſity (which aHom. 1. c. 1. p. 81.Chryſoſtom at large decyphers de verbis Iſaiae) of theſe Aſſemblies (of which more afterwards) being admitted: we muſt at this time briefly enquire out the fit ſeaſon (without which the exerciſe of Divine worſhip cannot fitly be acted in them) for holding of them: for the beſt ſign of the time which was ſolemnized by the Church, muſt be obſerved from the publick conventions which were held for performing of the Duties of Religion.
The time aſſigned for Divine worſhip The extraordinary time for Divine worſhip.amongſt the ancient Chriſtians, was either extraordinary, or ordinary: ſolemnly to celebrate the extraordinary time, they were called upon only by an extraordinary occaſion, when it ſell out: ſo while the Apoſtles were living, Luke tells us, Acts 12. that many were gathered together in Maries houſe, during St. Peter's impriſonment, and for his ſake poured out Prayers continually 10 God;—the occaſion of which convention was extraordinary, yet did they not therefore intermit the ordinary time of meeting: the ancient writers do alſo witneſs, that ſuch were the meetings of the Chriſtians after the Apoſtles times, when a juſt occaſion was offered: who, as often as perſecutions, or publick calamities ſell out, they then joyned Prayers in their meetings congregated on that occaſion: and ſo, as it were, aTertul. Apol. cont. Gentes. c. 39.by making a band in their Prayers to God, they compaſſed him about as they prayed: which thing we read was done by the Apoſtles and Church, Acts 4. 23. 31. When the Elders of the People forbad the Apoſtles they ſhould not preach Chriſt, the Church poured forth Prayers to God.
The ordinary time for the exerciſes of PietyThe ordinary time for the worſhip of God. was, at which they attended Divine worſhip upon a ſtated and determinate day: to manifeſt which, it will be worth the while to know, that for convocating the Church ordinarily, more days were ſet apart after the Apoſtles death, than the former Church obſerved.
Concerning the Aſſemblies of the Church while the Apoſtles were yet alive, ſome things obſervable do occurr in the Evangeliſts (the Holy Ghoſts amanuenſes, and the faithful deſcribers of the Acts of the Apoſtles) in declaring whereof, we will firſt conſider what is recorded of the Apoſtles in this thing, and then of the other members of the Church.
And firſt of all we will ſhortly touch upon the aſſemblies of the Apoſtles (although they cannot truly be reputed amongſt the ordinary conventions of the Church, becauſe which way ſoever the Apoſtles turned, they took every occaſion to preach the Goſpel) becauſe they open us a way to underſtand others. After the ſaving Paſſion of Jeſus Chriſt, our moſt merciful Redeemer▪ the mention of theThe meetings that were held by the Apoſtles. firſt of theſe, at which were preſent the reſt excepting Thomas, occurrs Joh. 20. 19. in which Chriſt vouchſafed his preſence. The, occaſion of which meeting is not mentioned; but doubtleſs, as all Interpreters conjecture, this was done, that by their mutual preſence they might comfort one another: For as many as are Chriſts, do perpetually incline to communicate all things, whether their ſorrows or joyes, among themſelves: and then their Lord being gone, their greateſt fear was of the Jews; for which cauſe we read that the place wherein they held their meeting was ſhut and barred: when the Apoſtles were aſſembled, they conferred among themſelves of what divers related of Chriſts Reſurrection: the time of this meeting is noted in John, aIoh. 20. 19.it was the first day of the week, and about evening of that day, or after Sun-ſet; at which time, Chriſt, having conquered the grave and death, preſented himſelf to them alive.
Secondly, after eight dayes, or the eighth day current from his appearing, the ſame Evangeliſt tells us, John 20. 26. that they were all met together, where Jeſus came again, and ſtood in the midſt of them. Here ſome make a queſtion, whether the day of their ſecond meeting was the eighth from the firſt, or after the eighth day? bl. 12. in Jo…. c. 58. p. 1026.Cyril affirms it was the eighth, or Lords day, the firſt and laſt being reckoned: neither doth it hinder that it's ſaid after eight dayes. Chriſt taught, that the Son of man muſt ſuffer many things, &c. and after three dayes riſe again. Mar. 8. 31. yet Chriſt roſe from the dead on the third day from his burial, not after the third day. So alſo 'tis ſaid Luke 2. 21. When eight dayes were accompliſhed for the circumciſing of the Child, i. e. on the eighth very day: for the H. Ghoſt ſpeaks of the eighth day current, and not finiſhed: ſo here after eight dayes, or on the eighth day, are all one. It muſt be added alſo, that Chriſt appeared in the evening of that day.
Afterwards ſome of the Apoſtles were together, when they went to fiſh, to whom alſo Jeſus appeared. aIoh. 21..
Thirdly, the General convention of all the Apoſtles is declared, Act. 1. 4. in which they were commanded, not to depart from Jeruſalem, but there wait for the promiſe of the Father: and thither they came after the glorious Aſcenſion of Chriſt, where being gathered together, they tarried for the Spirit, promiſed of God the Father, and Chriſt. bAct. 1. 14.. Luke reports that women alſo were preſent at this Congregation of the Apoſtles: where they continued their meeting, till the Feaſt of Pentecoſt, abiding with one accord in Prayer and Supplication: which fell out alſo on the firſt day of the week. So thinks Iſychius cin Levit. l. 2. c. 9., who ſayes, the day of Pentecoſt fell out on that day which our Saviour roſe on; and indeed, whoever ſhall compare his reckoning with the Law of God, about keeping Pentecost, will find that Iſychius in this miſſes not the truth at all. For the day of Pentecoſt (which the Scripture elſewhere calls the Feaſt of Weeks, or of New-fruits, becauſe on that day the Shewbread was offered out of the new fruits) was the fiftieth incluſively from the day of offering the Firſt-fruits, Lev. 23. which was the day immediately next after the Paſſover a1 Cor. 15. 20, 23., on which the Lord Jeſus, who was the firſtfruits of the dead, lay in the Grave: and the fiftieth day from that incluſively, was the firſt in the week, upon which the H. Ghoſt deſcended on the Apoſtles, as they were that day aſſembled. Act. 2.
Theſe are the meetings▪ which the Holy Scripture teſtifies the bleſſed Apoſtles held upon the fiftieth day from Chriſts reſurrection: which being held upon the firſt day of the Week, Chriſt oftentimes honoured with his preſence. But why they met on that, and not another day, it is not eaſie to declare; although one may gueſs at the cauſe of the firſt and laſt meeting, yet hath the Holy Ghoſt ſhewn us nothing of the ſecond occaſion. And it's uncertain whether Chriſt before his death, or for thoſe fortyIoh. 20. 26 dayes wherein he reaſoned with them after his reſurrection, of things pertaining to the Kingdome of God, gave his Apoſtles any command for ſetting apart ſome new time for their meetings. Epiphanius ſayes, they Contr. Ebion. haer. 30. …. 32.knew very well that the Sabbath was at an end, from his converſe with them, and Doctrine before his Paſsion. This at leaſt is an indubitable truth, that they met on the firſt day of the week, and that Chriſt made renowned their meeting held on that day by his own gracious preſence, and miſſion of the Holy Ghoſt. And St. Cyril muſt be credited, Holy Congregations are held at this day …ibi prius.of right in Churches, becauſe on that day Jeſus appeared to his Apoſtles, as they were met together. Nor doth Iſychius think otherwiſe in the place afore quoted. Therefore according to thoſe moſt grave Fathers, becauſe the eighth day was made famous with the preſence of Chriſt, and the gifts of the Holy Ghoſt ſent down from Heaven, it is at this day alſo by the Church ſolemnized with a more honourable worſhip.
Afterwards the Apoſtles, together with the faithful, are ſaid daily to meet to hear the word of God, and receive bread, Act. 2. 46. Yea, the Apoſtles ceaſed not to teach from houſe to houſe, and in the Temple, Act. 5. 42. And theſe are the things which the Holy Ghoſt hath afterwards left us written in the Holy Scriptures, concerning the Apoſtles meetings: to the ſolemnizing whereof, we read not that they obſerved a certain or ſet time; becauſe they had to do with the Jews, to whom, before others, according to the ancient prophecies, the Goſpel was to be declared. Therefore the Apoſtles were often preſent at the Jews aſſemblies, …nd that upon their Sabbaths. And whether the Apoſtles, when firſt they went for… …o preach the Goſpel, met apart from the Jews amongſt themſelves on other da…s, the Holy Ghoſt is ſilent in the Script…re. But at that time the Candidates of Chriſtianity being hindred with fear of the Jews, could not without great difficulty meet together. We muſt then think they held their meetings in thoſe dayes when they could. But the Church being wonderfully increaſed, and daily corroborated in the Faith, by the frequent preaching of the Apoſtles, it appeareth by the Hiſtory of the Apoſtles travels recorded by St. Luke, that the Chriſtians where-ever they lived, were wont to meet upon ſet dayes, to handle Religion: to prove its truth, divers examples are ready in the Acts of the Apoſtles, and their Epistles; in which the celebrating of their meetings is uſually denoted by theſe phraſes; meeting together to hear the word of God, Acts 13. 44. coming together to break bread, Acts 20. 7. to come together, 1 Cor. 11. 20. miniſtring to the Lord. Acts 13. 2, &c. they are ſaid ſometimes to meet in the Temple, Act. 2. 46. Sometimes other Chriſtians than the Apoſtles were at the Jews Synagogues: becauſe there the Apoſtles preached Chriſt to the Jews, and therefore other Chriſtians alſo reſorted thither, that they might hear the Apoſtles teaching. Act. 5. 12.
That the firſt Chriſtians were ſometimesHow the Apoſtles and other Chriſteans were preſent at the Jews Synagogues. preſent at the Jews Synagogues on the Sabbath day is granted, the Holy Writ being witneſs hereof, Acts 13. 14. alſo Acts 17. 2. it's ſaid, the Apoſtle, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three Sabbath dayes reaſoned with them out of the Scriptures, &c. but not to ſolemnize the Sabbaths after the Jewiſh manner (from whoſe obſervation the Chriſtians, and that by authority committed to the Apoſtles from the Lord, were far enough off) eſpecially when Paul himſelf could moſt ſeverely reprove the Coloſsians and Galatians, becauſe ſome amongſt them ſtood for the Sabbath, and other feaſts of the Jews: but becauſe they then had obtained a good occaſion of communing with the Jews, being met together: that their readings of the Law and Prophets being finiſhed in the Synagogues, they might preach the Goſpel with more fruit in ſuch a concourſe of men (which upon other dayes they could not ſo eaſily obtain) and for no other end, as from the alledged teſtimonies is evident. Which things let the Reader ſeriouſly weigh with himſelf. For at what time, or in what place ſoever they could ſpeak with the Jews, they ſet upon them, and preached the Goſpel to them. Therefore, both on the Sabbaths, and other dayes, as well in the Synagogues, as when they were met other where, the Apoſtles were not wanting amongſt the Iews in the office of preaching. When they had tarried certain dayes amongſt the Macedonians, becauſe no fit occaſion for preaching the Goſpel was offered (as the circumſtances of that place teach) which the Apoſtles every where greedily ſought after, they preached Chriſt on the Sabbath dayes out of the City, by Act. 16. 13.a River ſide, to the women which reſorted to publick Prayers according to their cuſtome. St. Paul haſtened to keep the Feaſt of Pentecost at Ieruſalem, only becauſe he might have many of the Iews living diſperſedly in divers places of the world there gathered together, with whom he might treat about Chriſt, and ſo the preaching of the Goſpel by them returning home might be made famous through the world. So thinketh Chryſoſt. Hom. 43. in Act.who ſayes, What means that haste of his? (he ſpeaks of Pauls haſting to the Feaſt) it was not for the Feast, but for the Multitude. Afterwards he ſayes, He made haſte to preach the word.
It's granted therefore that the Apoſtles and other Chriſtians in thoſe firſt times, were preſent at the Synagogues of the Iews: yet although they met with them on the Sabbaths, they are not read in the Scripture to meet on the Sabbath dayes apart from the Iews, and by themſelves. Neither do we read that this was done of them with an intention to ſolemnize the Sabbath, or have a worſhip common to the Iews, which was not lawful to be done. St. Paul ſometimes diſputed in Areopagus, Act. 17. 19. and the Schools of the Heathen, Act. 19. 9. In which the Schoolmaſters were wont to explain Tert. lib. de Idol. c. 10.the names, genealogies, fables, and hiſtories of their gods, to obſerve their Feaſts, and instruct their Catechetae in their rites. Yet no man will thence conclude, (as Mr. Eaton well obſerves) that becauſe he was preſent in their Schools, he did obſerve the Heathens feaſts, and worſhip their gods. In like manner the Apoſtles muſt not be ſaid to have obſerved the Jewiſh Sabbath, although they had divers diſputations thereon, as the concourſe of the Iews gave them occaſion.
Moreover if the Chriſtians had obſerved the Sabbath, then Juſtin Martyr had ſatisfiedDial. cum Tryphon. with little ado, Trypho the Jew, that counſelled him to obſerve the Sabbath. For it had been enough for Martyr to have anſwered the Iew, that the Chriſtian Church did obſerve the Sabbath. Yet this he grants not, but that bleſſed Martyr▪ plainly denies that the Jewiſh Sabbath ought to be obſerved by the Chriſtians. The ſame do other Fathers againſt the Iews, as we ſhall ſee afterwards.
Laſtly, we read not that the Apoſtles were alwayes at their Synagogues. For it's ſaid Act. 19. 9. when the Iews hearts were hardned at Pauls Doctrine, firſt Paul himſelf departed from them, neither is he ever after read to enter into their Synagogues. Beſides he ſegregated from them the Diſciples that embraced the ſounder Doctrine, leſt, as it's in the Proverb, the ſick cattel ſhould infect the ſound. Therefore as long as they conceived any hope of converting the Iews, they neither declined their company nor Synagogues. But when they obſerved, that they roſe up againſt the ſound Doctrine of the Goſpel with an obdurate heart, they forthwith forſook them, neither are they read in Scripture ever after to enter into their Synagogues any more.