Exposition of the Ten Commandments, Commandment 4
The fourth Commandment. The affirmatiue part.
The fourth Commandement is partly ceremoniall, and partly morall and perpetuall.
1 It is ceremoniall, and that in reſpect
1 Of the ſtrict reſt which the Iewes were commanded to keepe on the Sabbath, Exod. 31.13.ſtanding in theſe things:
That they might not prepare or dreſſe that which they ſhould eate.Exod. 16.23.29. Exod 35.3. Num. 15.32. &c.
Not kindle a fire.
Nor take a iourney any whither for any matter or buſineſſe of their owne on the Sabbath.
2 Of this, Deut. 5.15.that the Iewes were to keepe the Sabbath as a remembrance of their deliuerance out of Egypt.
3 Of this, Deut. 5.14. Exod. 31.17. Num. 28.9.10that the Iewes were to obſerue and keepe the ſeuenth day from the creation, and that with ſacrifices and ceremonies proper to that day.
2 It is morall and perpetuall, and that in two reſpects, as
1 Iſai. 58.13.In that it requires a certaine ſeuenth day to be kept as a day of holy reſt for the preſeruation of the Miniſtery of the word.
2 Exod. 23.12.In that it freeth all from bodily labours, and eſpecially ſeruants and cattell.
As it is morall it requireth an holy reſt vntounto God on the ſeuenth day in eueryevery weeke, Exod. 16.23. Exod. 35.2.called the Sabbath or the Lords day; & to the keeping of that holy reſt we are to prepare our ſelues by thinking on the Sabbath before it come, Luke 23.54.and ſo diſpoſing of our ſelues and affaires, that we may freely and duly attend on the duties of it when it is come; and by riſing early in the morning on the Sabbath, & fitting our ſelues for the performance of publike duties, by taking account of our harts & liues. And the keeping of that holy reſt vntounto God, ſtandeth in doing the duties of the Sabbath with reuerence, Iſai. 58.13. Deut. 33.3.as before the Lord of heauen and earth, and with cheerefulneſſe and delight, both in publike and in priuate: and the publike duties are either workes of pietie, or workes of mercy.
Workes of pietie (namely) ſuch ſpirituall workes as tend to the ſolemne & publike worſhip of God; which are,
1 Nehem. 8.3.8 Luke. 4.16. to 22. Act. 13.14.15.16. Act. 20.7. Act. 2.42. Act. 16.13. Pſal. 92. in titulo. 1. Cor. 14.15.16. Coloſſ. 3.16.A reuerent and attentiue hearing of the word of God, purely and faithfully preached or read in the publike aſſembly.
2 A ioyning with the Miniſter and congregation publikely aſſembled, with aſſent of minde and feruent affection of heart, in publike prayer and calling on the name of the Lord, and in thankeſgiuing and ſinging of Pſalmes.
3 A reuerent, and frequent and often communicating in the Sacraments, Act. 20.7. 1. Cor. 11.20.publikely adminiſtred by the Miniſters of the Church lawfully called.
Works of mercy, which are theſe: Collection is to be made for the poore, 1. Cor. 16.1.2 Rom. 15.26. 2. Cor. 8.3.4.and almes is to be giuen for the reliefe of the poore, whether they be ſuch as dwell among vsus, or thoſe that be captiues and ſtrangers.
The priuate duties to be done on the Sabbath, are alſo either workes of pietie, or works of merciemercy.
1 Workes of pietie, (namely) ſuch as tend to the further edifying and building vp of our ſelues and others in knowledge, and in grace, & holineſſe; and they are
1 Pſal. 119.11.97. Luke 2.51.A due and ſerious meditation on the word of God which we hauehave heard in publike, labouring to apply it in eueryevery part of it particularly to our ſelues.
2 Examination and holy conference, Act. 17.11. Mar. 4.33.34. Deut. 6.7.that we call to mind, and examine things deliuered in the publike miniſtery of the word, and conferre of them with our families and others.
3 Iohn 17.17. 1. Cor. 3.6.7. Iam. 1.5.Priuate prayer, that we priuatly pray to the Lord and craue a bleſſing on his ordinances we hauehave bene made partakers of, and giuegive him thankes for the good we hauehave receiued by them.Act. 16.16.
4 Deu. 17.19. Ioh 5.39. Reuel. 1.3.Priuate reading of the Scriptures.
5 Iſai. 58.13. Exod. 15.12. Iam. 5.13.Singing of Pſalmes to the praiſe of God, and to the ſtirring vp of ſpirituall ioy and chearefulneſſe in our hearts.
6 Pſal. 92.4.5.6.Meditation and due conſideration of the workes of God, eſpecially his workes of merciemercy.
2 Workes of merciemercy, (namely) ſuch duties of louelove as concerne either,
1 The good of the ſoules of our brethren; as that we within compaſſe of our callings, and according to the meaſure of grace and gifts, 1. Pet. 4.10. 1. Theſſ. 5.11.14.do inſtruct, exhort, admoniſh, reproue and comfort thoſe that be about vsus, and others, as iuſt occaſion is offered.
2 The good of the bodies of our brethren; Nehem. 8.12. Mar. 3.3.4.5. Luke 13.10. to 18. Ioh. 5.8.9. & 9.14.as that we viſite the ſicke, and do them what good we can, releeue the poore and needy, and ſuch as be in priſon, or in any other miſerie, according to our abilitie.
3 Or ſuch as concerne the outward peace of our brethren; as that we endeuour to preſerue the good name of our brethren, Mat. 5.9. 1. Cor. 6.5.6.and labour to reconcile ſuch as be at variance and diſcord among themſelues.
The Negatiue part containes a prohibition, and the extent of the prohibition.
A prohibition, which forbids the doing of ſuch things or workes as do any way hinder the keeping of an holy reſt vntounto God on the Sabbath: Ierem. 17.24.and thoſe workes are either workes of profite, or works of pleaſure.
Workes of profite (namely) the common labours of our ordinarie ſallings and courſe of life; and thoſe are,
1 Either ſuch as are vſuall in the ſixe dayes of the weeke.
2 Or ſuch as are vſuall at certaine peciall times in the yeare or monethmonth.
Such as are vſuall in the ſixe dayes of the weeke, which hinder the keeping of an holy reſt vntounto God on the Sabbath three wayes.
1 When vponupon the Sabbath our minds and hearts are taken vp with thoughts and cares about our ordinarie worldly works and buſineſſes, Iſai. 58.13. Luke. 8.14.we are thinking of them, plotting and caſting how, &c.
2 When on the Sabbath, Iſai. 58.13. Amos 8.4.5.we are talking and ſpeaking of our ordinary worldly works and buſineſſes, in making bargaines, reckening with ſeruants, with labourers, and workemen, &c.
3 When on the Sabbath we do our ordinarie worldly workes and buſineſſes, Exod. 16.28.29. Exod. 31.14. Nehem. 13.15.17. Ierem. 17.22. Mar. 16.1.in whole or in part, be it neuer ſo little a part of them, as ſetting forward any of our worldly workes againſt the day following.
Exception.
Yet ſome workes may be done on the Sabbath, and not hinder the keeping of an holy reſt vntounto God on that day, (namely) theſe
1 Workes that concerne the practiſe & performance of the publike duties on the Sabbath, Act. 1.…2. 2. King. 4.23. Mat. 12.5.as (namely) ſuch as are neceſſarily to be done in and about the publike worſhip of God, and the actions of piety belonging to that day, as
1 The Sabbath dayes iourney to heare or to Preach the word of God.
2 The ſounding of trumpets or bells and ſuch like, for the gathering of the people together at a certaine time.
2 Workes of preſent neceſſitie, Act. 20.9.10.(namely) ſuch workes as concerne the immediate preſeruation of the temporall life or liuelihood of man or beaſt, or that ſerue to the good eſtate of either of them; and that either in ordinarie caſes, or in ſuch as fall out extraordinarily.
And preſent neceſſitie is twofold.
1 That which men contract and draw on themſelues, as (namely) when men out of a couetous minde take on them more buſineſſe in their calling then they can diſpatch in the ſixe dayes of the weeke; or for want of wiſe and well ordering their buſines, it being ſuch as if they would, might be done the day before, or the day following; or when through negligence or forgetfulneſſe, they bring on themſelues ſome ordinary buſineſſe; in this kinde of neceſſity men ought not to labour on the Sabbath.
2 That which is layd on them by the immediate hand and prouidence of God, as (namely) when not through any neglect, ouerſight or other corruption of their owne, but by the immediat prouidence of God, ſome buſineſſe of their ordinary calling is laid on them, which could not be done the day before, neither can be left vndone till the day after; in this kind of neceſſitie men may labour on the Sabbath, theſe cautions obſerued,
1 That their labour be with as little hinderance of them from publike holy exerciſes, as poſſibly may be.
2 That in labouring, their minds be exerciſed in holy meditations.
3 That they make not their work a work of gaine, 1. King. 19.8. 1. King. 20.29. Mat. 12.7.but a work of merciemercy, or tending to a work of merciemercy.
4 That it ſerue to the immediate preſeruation of life, health, or goods.
3 Workes of Chriſtian libertie, (namely) ſuch workes as did belong to the ſtrict reſt which the Iewes were commanded to keepe on the Sabbath, Mar. 2.27. Mat. 12.1.2.3. Luk. 6.5.and ſuch as they might not do, and yet we may do now vnderunder the new Teſtament, as the dreſſing of neceſſarie food, making of fiers, making of beds; which may be done on the Sabbath, and not hinder the keeping of an holy reſt, two rules obſerued.
1 That they be done without hindering the doers of them at the leaſt ordinarily from the publike holy exerciſes, as when they are done in the time before, or after, or betweene the publike exerciſes.
2 When the doers of them hauehave their minds exerciſed with holy and heauenly meditations.2. Sam. 23.15.16.17.
Workes of pleaſure, which are either lawful in themſelues, and ſuch as at other times may be vſed: or ſimply in themſelues vnlawfull at all times.
Workes of pleaſure lawfull in themſelues, and ſuch as at other times may be vſed, which are,
1 Either ſet & ſolemne feaſting and banquetting, Iſai. 5.12. Luk. 21.34.36as at mariages.
2 Or ſome kinde of recreations and exerciſes of the body.
Set and ſolemne feaſting and banquetting at mariages, which hinder the keeping of an holy reſt on the Sabbath:
When they are vſed on the Sabbath, & thereby Cookes, and other officers are imployed in their ordinarie workes, and are toyled exceedingly; and thoſe that do feaſt and banquet, are hindered, & hauehave their minds withdrawne from the ſerious performance of holy duties both publike and priuate.
Some kinde of recreations and exerciſes of the body, (namely) ſuch moderate mouings of the body as be honeſt, and carrie with them an honeſt and delightſome exerciſe of the minde, Exod. 22.6.and ſerue to the refreſhing both of body and minde, as ſhooting &c. which hinder the keeping of an holy reſt on the Sabbath, when they are vſed on the Sabbath, eſpecially at the time of diuine Seruice.
1 Becauſe labour in a mans lawfull calling, which is more neceſſary and profitable, is forbidden on the Sabbath.
Therefore recreation which is for labour, and leſſe neceſſarie, though lawfull at other times, muſt then ceaſſe, when labour ceaſſeth.
2 Labour in a mans lawfull calling is forbidden on the Sabbath; becauſe it hinders the keeping of an holy reſt to God on the Sabbath: therefore recreation though lawfull at other times, is not to be vſed on the Sabbath, it being no leſſe but rather more an hinderance to the keeping of an holy reſt vntounto God on the Sabbath, then bodily labour.
Workes of pleaſure, ſimply in themſelues vnlawful at all times, are either,
1. Knowne ſinnes, as ſurfetting, drunkenneſſe, Iſai 56.2. Ezech. 23.38.39. Rom. 13.13.whore dome and ſuch like, which hinder the keeping of the holy reſt on the Sabbath when they are done on the Sabbath; for then to commit any knowne ſin is to keepe an holy day to the diuell, and not to God.
2 Or ſuch as go vnderunder the name of ſports and recreations, as (namely) ſuch delights as hauehave a manifeſt defiling of good manners in the doing or in the beholding, hauing in them allurement and prouocations,
The extent of the prohibition.
It is extended to all men and women of yeares and diſcretion, Deut. 5.14.of what place, calling or condition ſoeuer in the world; and to all other things that may be ſet on worke by them; Deut. 22.4.eſpecially the charge is layd on ſuch as be ſuperiours and gouernors, whether in priuate or in publike, as namely,
1 A maiſter or gouernour of a family is bound to ceaſſe from doing ſuch things and works as do hinder the keeping of an holy reſt to God on the Sabbath, not onelyonly in his owne perſon, but in all that be vnderunder him; he is to looke to all others that be vnderunder his charge, yea euen to ſtrangers and gueſts that on the Sabbath be within his libertie and power.
2 A gouernor in publike, a Magiſtrate is bound to ceaſſe from doing ſuch things and works as do hinder the keeping of an holy reſt to God on the Sabbath, not onelyonly in his owne perſon, but in all that be vnderunder his gouernment: he muſt looke to all others, yea to ſtrangers that be within his libertie and iuriſdiction on the Sabbath, that they alſo ceaſſe, &c.
And maiſters and Magiſtrates muſt reſtraine ſuch as be vnderunder them, or ſtrangers being within their libertie on the Sabbath, from works of profite, and works of pleaſure, by
Commandement, admonition, reproof, if theſe will ſerue the turne; if not, by correction and puniſhment.
3 A child alſo of yeares and diſcretion, Exod. 35.2. Ezech. 20.20.21.and a ſeruant is bound on the Sabbath to ceaſſe from workes of pleaſure altogether, and from workes of profite alſo altogether, both in reſpect of his owne profite, or the profite of his parents, or gouernours: vnleſſe it be in a caſe of preſent neceſſity coming by the immediate hand and prouidence of God; for then the child or ſeruant may worke, the cautions before named being obſerued.
Here added, Pſal. 92.2.that the Sabbath containes twentie-foure houres as well as any other naturall day.
And that the Sabbath begins at midnight on Saturday, and endeth at midnight next following.
Reaſons annexed to the fourth Commandment, perſwading to the obedience of it, are foure.
1 From the Lords liberall allowance of ſixe dayes for our owne workes and buſineſſes, Exod. 20.9.that in equitie we are bound to ceaſſe from our owne workes on the Sabbath, becauſe the Lord ſo largely imparteth ſixe dayes of the ſeuen to vsus, and reſerueth but one to himſelfe.
2 From the Lords owne right, that the ſeuenth day is his day, Exod. 20.10.and not ours, and that he hath ſet it apart to himſelfe and to his owne ſeruice.
3 From the Lords owne example and practiſe, Exod. 20.11.that he himſelfe on the ſeuenth day reſted from his worke of creation.
4 From the hope of bleſſing, that the Lord hath ſet apart the Sabbath, Exod. 20.11.not only as a day of ſeruice to himſelfe, but alſo as a time and meanes of bleſſing to all that carefully and conſcionably obſerue it.
The end of the fourth Commandement.