the Ceremonial part concerned them only and though we read not that it was Observed in those first Ages yet it follows not that it was not when many thousand things then done could not be expressed in so short a History Yea the same seems to be known to the Jews before the Law was given Exod. 16.23 c. To Morrow is the Rest of the Holy Sabbath c. When it was after that God gave it in the Command and if this Rest upon the seventh day be Ceremonious why not the Command of Labour on the six other days also And why doth not this cease to be a Duty as well as the other and then the idlest Persons may be the best Christians We may find this Command reaches even to the stranger that is within the Gates when I think the Ceremonies are not prest upon them Many Reasons also are given in the Command which belong to us as well as to the Jews as from the Equity of it God who is the Disposer of all gives us Six days and reserves one to himself which he calls his own The Sabbath of the Lord thy God And Christ tells us The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath and from his own Example he Rested and therefore Commands us to Rest the End was to Worship God in it and to Dedicate it to his Service for the Resting of Man and Beast upon it and distinguishing his People from others c. and doth not this concern us as well as the Jews God requires no less proportion of Service now than he did then and therefore no less time to do it in Our Bodies require as much Rest as theirs and our Souls as much Food and why should not we have the like time And this being the Substance of the Fourth Command I think neither Man nor Angel can alter it for who can proportion it better than God himself Nay the Circumstances in the delivering of this Law shews to be Moral It was spoken by God's Mouth as well as the other written by the same Finger of God in the same Tables of Stone put into the Ark where the Ceremonies were not it hath a special Memento put upon it Remember the Sabbath to keep it Holy Christ himself owns it when he bids the Jews Pray that their Flight be not in the Winter nor on the Sabbath day Mat. 24.20 which Flight was forty Years after his Death The opposition which wicked Men make against it proves it to be of God also for if the Devil herein prevail we might almost bid farewel to all our Religion 1. Direct Before thou canst make Conscience of Observing the Sabbath thou must be well convinc'd that it is thy Duty To this End I have already proved it to be of Divine Institution and a Branch of the Moral Law binding not only Jews but Christians also But I fore-see one main rub must be removed before the way be cleared that doubt which makes many to stumble Whether the first day of the Week or that which we call the Christian Sabbath be of Divine Institution and whether Christians be obliged to observe it as a Sabbath Much hath been Written by Divines to satisfie this doubt My purpose is not to speak much to it in this place this Treatise being of another Nature yet something is necessary for while this doubt remains who will make use of the following Directions 'T is true we cannot prove in Scripture neither is it said totidem verbis that Christ did Command that the Sabbath should be changed from the last to the first day of the week then there could be no Controversie but we have that which is equivalent to such a Command that it was changed by Divine Authority and very probably by Christ himself the Scripture yields us sufficient Witness Christ is called the Lord of the Sabbath and the Holy Ghost calls it his day Rev. 1.10 which seems to intimate he is the Author of it As the Sacrament is called his Supper because he Instituted it and had it not been altered by him I know not who would have been so bold to have distinguished it from other days by this Name he was every way as Faithful in his House as Moses was yet Moses we know by God's appointment stated a time for God's Worship Heb. 3.2.6 and no doubt a settled time is as necessary for us as for them to Serve God in We find Christ himself owning the day in his own Person as in his Resurrection and finishing the work of our Redemption a greater work than that of Creation and better deserves a special Memorial And the Apostle tells us He entred into his Rest and ceased from his own Work as God did from his Heb. 4.10 aluding to the Creation from which when God Rested he Ordained the Sabbath We may also Read that Christ after his Resurrection appeared divers times to his Disciples upon the first day of the Week when they were met together Read John 2.19 and again verse 26. And doubtless not without Divine Providence pointing out this day to us and after his Ascention when they were met together upon that day he pours out the Holy Ghost upon them Acts 2.12 We Read also that this was the day the Apostles did keep as a Sabbath and also the Churches met together to perform Sabbath days duties to Preach the Word to Administer the Sacraments Prayer Works of Charity c. Acts 20.7 1 Cor. 18.2 Vpon the first day of the Week let every one of you lay by in store as God hath prospered him And as 't is conceived forty Years after Christs Decease Saint John by the Inspiration of the Holy Ghost calls it the Lord's day whereupon he received his Revelation Rev. 1.10 Neither do we Read that the Apostles ever kept any other day as a Sabbath 't is true indeed upon the Jews Sabbath they often Preached taking Advantage of the Multitude then gathered together which Advantage at other times they wanted Now if the change were thus made by Christ and his Apostles it was by the directions of the Spirit of God for the Apostles delivered but what they had received from God 1 Cor. 11.23 It was upon this day they met to Preach and break Bread Acts 20.7 1 Cor. 16.1,2 Now were there no Precept the constant Example of the Apostles and Churches in the Apostles time may satisfie us for they were Inspired by the Spirit of God and appointed them both by Doctrine and Example to Teach his Church and to this End gave them Instructions in the time between his Resurrection and Ascention which Instructions are not all Recorded yea the constant practice of the Church in all Ages since the Apostles time give us no little Light for though Christians have been at great difference among themselves about other matters yet few questioned the change of the day both Greeks and Latines both Papists and Protestants both Lutherans and Calvenists hold to this and
what he taught thee that thou knewest not before now when thou hast thus called these things to mind meditate upon them for as Meat cannot nourish if not digested no more will the word till by meditation thou makest it thy own meat is easily cast up when it lyes undigested in the stomack so here when the Seed is sown and not covered by harrowing the Fowls of the Air pick it up and when the word is not covered by mediration the Devil steals it away Mat. 13.4.19 If any thing lye dark or difficult to thee go to the Minister or some understanding Christian to conferre of it make known thy doubts and this is a good way to get knowledg The two Disciples that came to Emaus inquired by the way and discoursed and 't is thy duty to speak of the Word in thy house and as thou goest by the way and when thou liest down and when thou risest up Deut. 6.7 Oh what benefit might Christians get were they careful of this Duty the word of God would then dwell plentuously in them this would make a deeper impression in the Heart and would be a notable means to grow in knowledg When thou hast passed thus far than press it upon thy own heart for what good will it do thee otherwise examine thy self by the Marks and Characters whether thou hast those gratious Qualifications yea or no whether thou art yet under the power of sin and Satan and whether delivered and be accordingly affected press home every reproof to thy self and see how far guilty thou hast been mourn for it and reform lay to heart every exhortation to duty and let every motive strengthen thy Resolution practice every direction and make the best use of every passage for thy Souls good and be sure to practice what is taught thee otherwise thou maist hear all the days of thy life to little purpose 't is not the hearers of the Law but the doers that are justified he that knoweth his Masters will and doth it not shall be beaten with many stripes yea 't is not enough that thou practice it thy self but thou must endeavour that others may do so also to this end thou must instruct thy Family thy Children and thy Servants what in thee lyes press them on also to obedience this is a commanded duty Eph. 6.4 Deut. 4.9 And it was the practice of the Saints in all Ages Deut. 18.19 Prov. 4.4 and 31.1 And because all thy services without Gods blessing are worth nothing 't is thy duty to go to God by prayer to fasten these truths upon thy heart which thou hast heard and open the heart of thy Family Paul may plant and Apollos water but 't is God must give the increase mark also from time to time how thou dost grow or decrease These Directions well used through Gods blessing will make thee profit by hearing CHAP. IV. Directions in Reading the Word THe next Duty I shall point out unto you is the Reading the Scripture and other good Books which open and apply it for this also is necessary and very beneficial to the Soul and though it be not sufficient where the preaching of the word is to be had yet it is a necessary addition and many a Soul hath had experience of much good received by it this word is the Law of the Lord which is perfect converting the Soul and many instances might be given of men converted by it especially where the word of God hath not ordinarily been preached That it is a commanded duty see Deut. 17.19 where the King is commanded to take this book of the Law and read therein all the daies of his life that he may learn to fear the Lord and keep his commandements and if Kings themselves are not exempted notwithstanding the multiplicity of their business who then can plead exemption yea the Priests were to read it in the ears of all Israel Deut. 31.11 'T is the Apostles advice even to Timothy to give attendance to reading 1 Tim. 4.13 and as 't is a commanded duty so 't is the practice of the godly in all Ages Moses took the book of the Covenant and read it in the ears of all the People Exod. 24.7 So did Joshua Chap. 8.34,35 So did Josiah 2 Chron. 34,35 and Nehemiah Chap. 8.38.18 and 9.3 thus the Enuch Acts 8.30 yea there is a blessing pronounced upon it Rev. 1.3 Blessed is he that readeth and they that hear the words of this Prophecy and there is good reason for it for as the Sun is to the World such is the Word of God to a Christian the very light of their lives and the life of their Souls but as it fares with the Sun because it commonly riseth and sets therefore it is not sufficiently heeded and admired so 't is with the Word being common 't is not sufficiently prized Mannah you know was at first admired at the last loathed so 't is here if God should send a Famine of the Word it would be prized as it was when a Cart load of Hay was given for a few Chapters of the New Testament the worth of it will be known in the want of it as Health is best prized in Sickness Peace in War and Liberty in Bondage Now for the Persons that ought to read they are all that are in a Capacity for if any were exempted they would be Kings for the multiplicity of their business but the book of God must be to them a Vade mecum a constant Companion Parents are to teach their Children in it and under these two Relations all Superiours and inferiours are contained Deut. 6.7 'T is the Devils practice and policy no doubt to keep Men from reading the Scriptures Christ bids search the Scriptures and how dare Papists and others speak the contrary we are commanded to let the word of God dwell plentifully in us and 't is made a mark for a blessed man to meditate in Day and Night here is the Mine out of which we must dig for knowledg Prov. 2.3,4 Oh that men would spend that time in Reading Meditating and conferring of the word of God which they do in Vain and idle Visits needless Recreations Carding Diceing Drinking Drabbing and such like how much would it conduce to their Souls health this makes more to the evening their accounts with God and making preparation for the Soul than the other will I know 't is objected that the Scriptures are difficult to understand and therefore dangerous to be meddled with lest they be abused this is the Objection of the Papists on the one side it being their interest to keep men in ignorance and the Sloathful on the other who will not Plough because of Winter Prov. 20.4 but this should rather quicken our diligence than serve for a discouragement if difficult duties be neglected we shall never reach Heaven 't is true some things are difficult but the most necessary are plain and easie here indeed a Lamb may wade and
God's Blessing upon their Endeavours is great encouragement he would never succeed them in so sinful a Course were it such nay the remarkable Judgments of God upon Sabbath-breakers bespeakes God for the Author for none in the World could Lawfully have done it without him Thus I have shewn you I hope sufficient grounds to Build upon I proceed now to Direct you to keep it as a Sabbath 2. Direct If thou wouldst Faithfully Sanctifie the Sabbath as God Commands thee make preparation for it before it come for there is hardly any thing of great Concernment well done without some preparation and much more here we prepare the Body for Physick before we take it we provide in Summer for Winter and lay in Provision in Harvest we prepare in the Day for the Night and work when we have the Light We prepare in Health for Sickness and in Youth for Age And were we to appear before some great Man we should make preparation accordingly and shall we only be wanting in the Service of our Lord and Master and rush into his Presence without prepared Hearts God bids us remember the Sabbath day to keep it Holy or to Sanctifie it as 't is Deut. 5.12 The word Remember signifies either to call to mind something past or to commit to Memory something for the Future and both are necessary to this business God sets this Memento upon it to Teach us that those that will keep it well when it is come must Remember it before it come or otherwise our Nature is so Corrupt that it will take hold upon some Occasion or other to draw us aside from the Duty in hand We can fore-cast for Fairs and Markets sometimes long before and make preparations for them according to our needs whether to buy or sell We consider our wants to have them supplyed and make preparations accordingly and yet how few make preparation for the Market day for the Soul Many tire themselves in the Labours of their Calling in the Week days and then use the Lord's day no otherwise than a Beast only Rest from their Labours for their Spirits being spent and their Bodies tyred they are more fit for sleep than any Holy Duty and rushing rudely out of the World into the Service of God they bring so much of the world with them that it renders them incapable of any Spiritual Duty But thy Care should be to sequester thy Heart Thoughts and Affections from the world and set them upon God and empty thy Heart of worldly Cares and Troubles that thou maist mind the business God sets thee about The want of this is one Cause why Men get so little benefit by the Ordinances and hear so much and profit so little because they come not with empty Hearts a full Vessel can receive no more when the Prophet multiplied the Widdows Oyl when there was no more empty Vessels the Oyl stayed When the Head and Heart are full of the World this Water of Life will run over But our Duty is to prepare the Heart for so great a work as the Entertaining our Lord and Master the great God of Heaven and Earth who invites himself to Sup with us He is the Searcher of the Heart and the Tryer of the Reins Before the Sabbath come use such fore-sight diligence and Meditation and dispose and seasonably dispatch thy Worldly business that thou maist be more free and fit for the Duties of the day We find Israel did thus prepare to Sanctifie the Sabbath Exod. 16.22 and gathered Manna enough the day before and this was usual among the Jews Luke 23.54 And that day was the Preparation and the Sabbath drew on Thus Nehemiah prepared against the Sabbath that it should not be prophaned Nehem. 13.19 And Gods Example in this is binding to us he finished his works before and so should we and should not meddle with any unnecessary Worldly business then either with Hand or Heart that our Duties be not pestered with the World but that we may be as free to serve the Lord if possible as if we had no worldly business to look to but many fore-cast business for that day or make it necessary through their former neglects but this will appear to be their Sin and their Folly Solomon bids us look well to our Feet viz. our Affections when we go into the House of God Eccl. 5.1 And 't is good to consider whose Presence we come into and with Holy David wash our Hands in Innocency before we compass his Altars Psal 26.6 Examine how the Case stands between God and thy Soul and venture not into his Presence in an unregenerate Condition or having sin unmortified or unrepented of lest he break thee in pieces and there be none to deliver thee Consider what sin thou hast Committed especially in the week past and be humbled for them lay aside thy worldly business betime on the Eve when others only sweep their Houses do thou sweep thy Heart Set some time apart for Reading Meditating Conferring Instructing thy Family and Praying with them reconcile the Differences if there be any in the Family between Husband and Wife Parent and Child Master and Servant yea Neighbour and Neighbour that your Prayers be not hindred for God can hardly be well served where the Members of a Family Live at Discord In a word prepare thy Heart to meet God the day following 3. Direct Wouldst thou Sanctifie the Sabbath Take heed thou do nothing that is unlawful upon that day This is appointed by God for a day of rest and not only as some say from sin which should be Committed no day but also from Labour which at other times is Lawful the works of our Calling yea unnecessary recreations are forbidden Exod. 20.10 In it thou shalt do no manner of Work thou nor thy Son nor thy Daughter thy Man-Servant nor thy Maid-Servant thy Cattle nor the Stranger that is within thy Gates Jer. 17.21,22 Neither do ye any work but Hallow the Sabbath day c. Neither will a bare cessation from work serve the turn for rest is Commanded for an Higher End that we might serve God with more Freedom and therefore Idleness is a sin worse than Bodily Labour upon that day and when Men use not rest as a means but as an End 't is an egregious breach of the Fourth Command and 't is a gross mistake to think that is an acceptable Duty on that day which is a great sin any day He that keeps the Sabbath only by resting from his Labour keeps it but as a Bruit Beast yet the most of Men spend great part of the day in Idleness or what is worse and think if they give God their Bodily Presence for an hour or two it 's sufficeable but God will not be mocked we should think it were an unprofitable Servant that would work but two or three hours in the day God gives us six whole days for our work and shall not we give him one whole
one for his well rest we must from our Labour but that is not all we must spend it in God's Service we must forbear our work that we may do his and beware of all that hinders us and that is not only our work but our pleasures and recreations works of our Calling we are forbidden and that upon pain of Death Exod. 31.15 He that doth any work upon it shall surely be put to Death And God meant as he spake we find that he Commanded the man that gathered sticks on the Sabbath day to be put to Death and he was stoned Numb 15.36 And there is great reason for how can a man serve God when Heart and Hand when his Thoughts and Affections are intangled in the world How can he serve two Masters but he must sleight the one when the Body is indisposed by Labour how can the Heart be free And God Commands the Heart My Son give me thy Heart Neither will he have a divided Heart he will have all or none and he Commands not only our selves but also our Children and Servants yea even the Bruit Beasts to rest from their Labour that our Hearts may be the freer and there be no occasion for roving thoughts and to avoid distraction in God's Service Recreations also except those that are purely necessary are also forbidden even those which are at other times Lawful sports and pastimes are no less dangerous than work yea much more for they draw away the Heart more than honest Labour Augustine thought it was more Lawful to Plough on the Lord's day than to Dance but many of our wanton Youth are of another mind but the one brings Profit the other oft tends to the debauching of Youth And doubtless God himself hath forbidden these vain pastimes Isa 58.13 If thou turn thy Feet from the Sabbath doing thy Pleasure on my Holy day and call the Sabbath a delight the Holy of the Lord Honourable and shalt Honour him not doing thy own ways nor finding thy own Pleasures nor speaking thy own words c. Worldly and vain Discourse you see is also here forbidden for every moment of this precious time should if possible be improved to a Spiritual ufe our own words should not be spoken our own pleasure should not be sought worldly cares fears should that day be banished the mind for these distract a Man in the Service of God These are the Thorns that choak the Word and it becometh unfruitful Mat. 13.22 Indeed distracting carking Cares are always unlawful much more in recourse to God himself but provident Cares at other times a Duty now become a Sin and must be laid aside as much as may be that the Heart may be free we read in Scripture of many sorts of work forbidden As Jornying upon the Lords day but only to the Ordinance called a Sabbath days Journey Exod. 16.29 for this distracts the mind as well as work Let them look to it that use that time to Ride to Fairs or Markets Acts 1.12 Buying and Selling is also forbidden Nehem. 13.16,17 See how zealous he was against it but 't is a practice too much in Fashion Carrying of Burdens is also forbidden upon no less Cruelty than the Destruction of Jerusalem Jer. 17.22 Nehem. 13.19 In a word whatsoever hinders in God's Service nay doth not some way or other further it cannot be Justified As for dressing of Meat or Drink any further than is necessary or convenient or spending over-much time in Bed or needless Dressing or spending time any ways unnecessarily is no doubt a Sin 4. Direct Though there be a Rest Commanded by God and a Cessation from the works of our Calling upon the Sabbath day yet all works are not forbidden thereupon there is still Liberty given for good works for works are forbidden as they tend to the distraction of the mind and hinder us in the Service of God but those works that further it are not only Lawful but Commanded these in general are works of Piety works of Charity and works of Necessity Works of Piety are such as tend to the Worship and Service of God as part of it or as a means or help thereunto Thus it was Lawful for the Priests under the Law to kill and Sacrifice the Beasts that were to be Offered which was a servile work and unlawful had it not been Commanded Mat. 12.5 Have you not read in the Law how on the Sabbath days the Priests in the Temple prophane the Sabbath and are blameless And no doubt 't is Lawful in Gospel Times for Ministers to Preach the Word Catechize and Personally to Instruct the People though it be to the spending of their Spirits and the Tyring of their Bodies more than on any other day of the week Paul he Preached long even till mid-night upon that day And 't is Lawful for him to Travel that day to the Meeting place and 't is Lawful for the People also to come to hear Yea 't is their Duty though it be several Miles if they cannot otherwise enjoy it We read of a Sabbath days Journey Acts 1.12 which is conceived to be about two Miles We may see this was a Custom in Israel 2 Kings 4.23 when the good Shunammite desired her Husbands leave to go to the Prophet he answered her wherefore wilt thou go to him to day it is neither New Moon nor Sabbath implying these were usual times to go Psal 84.7 Every one of them in Sion appeareth before God Works of Mercy also are necessary whether to Man or Beasts God desires Mercy and not Sacrifice Hos 6.6 Now this Mercy is either to the Soul or to the Body To the Body visiting the Sick healing their Diseases easing their pains relieving their Necessity if able this is approved by Christ Luke 13.11 when Christ healeth the Sick and disputes the Case with the Pharisees yea giving or gathering Alms upon that day which we find was the Apostles Command and the Churches practice 1 Cor. 16.1,2 and that which Christ will Reward at the last Mat. 25.35 Meat and Drink also must be taken moderately for the refreshing of thy Body and the making it fit for the Service of the day Christ himself approves of this when he justifies his Disciples for plucking the Ears of Corn Mat. 12.1,2 Spiritual Mercy must be shewed also such is informing the Ignorant reducing the Erroneous exhorting the Negligent comforting the Disconsolate Instructing one another in our most Holy Faith Reconciling those that are at variance yea the Bruit Beasts themselves must that day taste of thy bounty if one be fallen into a Ditch or Pitt we must lift him out Luke 14.5 We may yea must loose our Ox and our Ass from the Stall and lead them out to water upon that day Luke 13.15 Physitians in cases of necessity may Travel to Visit their sick Patients and Midwives attend upon their Office but it should be Charity and Necessity and not for filthy Lucre that this should be done
here something may be added for as thou must remember the Sabbath before it come to prepare for it so when 't is come improve it to the best Advantage And to this End Rise as timely in the Morning as thy Health will permit Were it to go to some Market or Fair or to do some earnest or important business how early wouldst thou Rise And why not now the better to fit thy self for thy Masters work and to Sanctifie as much of the Consecrated time as thou canst and do God as much work as may be and Reason good for God is the best Master and pays the best Wages and therefore he should have most work done And by this means thou wilt redeem the more time for thy private Devotion When thou first awakest Consecrate thy first thoughts to God and begin the day with some Fruitful Meditation suitable to the Season and the work in hand for this will fit thee for after-Duties But if thou let the World or Sin have thy first thoughts 't is hard getting them out of possession of thy Heart Examine thine own Heart what Graces thou hast weak or wanting that thou wouldst have supplyed what Sins are strong that thou wouldst have mortified what sins thou hast Committed especially the week last what Mercies thou hast received that so thy Heart may be affected accordingly Go to God with shame in thy Face and sorrow in thy Heart and if it may be with Tears in thine Eyes and confess thy sins to him and never rest till thou hast a discharge Many give themselves so much Liberty of sleeping in the Morning that much of those secret Duties are either neglected or slubbered over and they have little time to set the Heart in Order But how can a man expect a Blessing that is guilty of such neglects But these secret Duties are not sufficient If thou hast a Family call them together in convenient time Read some Portion of Holy Scripture to them and if thou canst fasten something upon their Spirits by Familiar Discourse or otherwise and then joyn with them in Prayer to God for the pardon of the sins of the Family and a supply of Grace and a Blessing upon the Publick Ordinances for their Souls good And here forget not to put up some Petitions for him who is to be your mouth unto God that he might do it prevailingly and that he that is to be God's mouth to you may reach your Hearts and speak a word in season to your Souls and meet with your beloved sins and put you on to your neglected Duties If Holy Paul desires the Prayers of his Hearers Col. 4.3 much more need have your Ministers And having thus disposed thy private Devotions make timely resort unto the publick 'T is an ill Custom which many have to stay late and savours but of little Love to the Ordinances These Men would make more hast to a Feast or Banquet perhaps to a Stage-Play or Morrice-dance And when thou hast thus done and brought thy Family along with thee behave thy self and see that they behave themselves gravely and orderly and joyn with the Minister hear attentively pray zealously and sing affectionately and do every Duty chearfully write the Sermon in thy Book or in thy Memory especially the most material Heads and after the Morning Exercise use sobriety in Meat and Drink lest thy Body be surcharged and become unfit for the Evening Exercise for though Meat and Drink may be taken yet no more than fits thee for thy Duty Spend the inter-mediate-time in Prayer Singing Repeating Meditation c. and frequent the Evening Exercise as thou didst in the Morning and when the Publick is done spend the remaining part of thy time in private Duties as Repeating the Sermon and Examining the proficiency of thy People incouraging the Diligent reproving the Idle In Meditation of what thou hast heard pressing it upon thy own and People's Hearts and put it into Practice which is the Life of all without which 't is like Food eaten but not digested which seeds Diseases and not the Body Call thy Family together suffer them not to wander after Vanity Read some Portion of Holy Writ and if it may be make them understand God's Will in it Catechize and Instruct them in the Fundamentals of Religion Pray with them and for them for the Pardon of their sins and a Blessing upon the means Commend them and all thine and all the Israel of God into God's Protection and so conclude the day in Secret with God as thou beganst confess the miscarriages of thy Heart and bless God for the assistance thou hast found follow this course and the Sabbath will prove a Market-day for thy Soul 7. Direct 'T is not enough to Sanctifie the Sabbath thy self but God requires thee to improve thy Authority that those under thy Charge may Sanctifie it also And if by thy negligence or remissness thou sufferest sin to be Committed on it and wilt not hinder it it will be laid at thy door and charged upon thine Account qui non prohibet cum potest Jubet Now this chiefly concerns Superiors for to them is the Command chiefly directed Exod. 20.10 They are to Command and others are to Obey All Governors therefore whether Civil Military or Ecclesiastical are hereby obliged to improve their Interest and Authority to hinder the Prophanation of the Lod's day and to promote the Sanctification of it It was good Joshua's Resolution He and his would Serve the Lord Josh 24.15 And God himself who could not be mistaken faith of Abraham He knew that he would Command his Children and Houshold after him to keep his Commandments Gen. 18.19 The Magistrate is Custos utrius Fabulae and therefore should look to it that the Commands of God be not broken or Contemned They should be Nursing Fathers to the Church and therefore should see that their Children take good ways and run not into dangers Isa 49.23 They are Vice-Gerents upon Earth and should Act like God and see his Commands observed they should encourage the good and punish the disobedient they should Reprove Threaten Restrain and Punish the Disobedient for the Prophaning of the Sabbath and encourage the good that it may appear they bear not the Sword in vain This was Nehemiah's Practice in the same Case Nehem. 13.15 c. The Fourth Commandment saith as much which is Directed to Superiors who have most Power to Reform this amiss An Example of a Magistrates Power we have in Josiah who Commanded all his Subjects to stand to the Covenant he had made with the Lord and made them to Serve the Lord their God though doubtless many of them had rather have Served Baal 2 Chron. 34.32,33 That is he forc'd them to an outward compliance We find in many places Death is threatned to the Prophanation of this day Now if the Magistrate had not Power to punish as some imagine who should inflict his Death Can it be
At these three Feasts all the Males were Commanded to appear before the Lord Exod. 23.7 The Annual Feasts of lesser Account were two the Feast of Trumpets and the Feast of Expiation both mentioned Lev. 23.24.27 In which also it was not allowed to do any Work nay it was forbidden upon pain of Death Other Feasts were to be Observed after certain Years for as every seventh day was Holy to the Lord so was every seventh Year For as Man and Beast was Commanded to Rest upon the seventh day so the Land was to Rest every seventh Year that it might gather Heart and that the Poor of the Land might be fed of those things which the Earth did Naturally bring forth without Labour and after seven times seven Years which is forty nine the next which is the fiftyeth Year was the Jubilee or Year of Gladness wherein Debts were forgiven Land sold returned to the Owners and Hebrew Servants were Released and made Free Lev. 25.9 To which Christ seems to allude John 4.18,19 who was sent to Preach the Acceptable Year of the Lord c. Some Festivals also were appointed by Man upon great Occasions and were Yearly Observed by the Church as the Feast of Purim Commanded by Esther the Queen and Mordecai the Jew upon the Account and in Memorial of the Famous Deliverance of the Church in their time from the wicked Conspiracy of Haman Est 9.17 And also the Feast of the Dedication of the Temple either after the Babylonish Captivity Ezra 6.16 Or after it was polluted by Antiochus Epiphanes and again Dedicated by Machabeus 1 Mac. 4.5,6 Which Feast Christ himself seems to approve by his Presence John 10.22 And in Gospel times we have our Feasts also as every Seventh day for a Sabbath of which I have already Treated Several other Festivals in later Ages have been Observed which Antienter Antiquity make no mention of as several in Memory of Christ's Birth Resurrection Assention c. Several to our Lady and many in Memory of Saints of which I shall say no more but what the Apostle doth Rom. 14.5,6 One Man esteemeth one day above another another esteemeth every day alike let every Man be perswaded fully in his own mind c. Let us not Judge one another in those things but were those observed as days of Thanksgiving ought to be they would not be so eagerly contended for by some nor so eagerly contended against by others The Papists superstitiously forcing them upon us as parts of Gods worship and their Idol worship thereupon hath made some perhaps run too far on the other side but many spending them as Feasts to Bacchus hath made many abhor the other occasional Feasts we have had as the fifth of November c. commanded by Authority to be greatly observed and others as occasion falls out which if you would keep well or any of the forementioned Holy-days observe these Directions following 1. Direct If thou wouldest offer up to God a pleasing Sacrifice upon such a day as this is get thy heart rightly qualified and rightly prepared there is bad Musick like to be where the Instrument is out of tune this Duty is more difficult than Prayer pinching wants and eminent dangers puts a Man on to prayer as we see by the Mariners in Jonah's Ship but self-denyal is required in praising him ten Lepers could join in a petition for help and but one returned to give thanks Thy heart must be qualified with Grace or thou canst not praise God upon such occasions as thou oughtest for what hast thou to do to take the Word or Name of God in thy Mouth if thou hatest to be reformed Psal 50.16 'T is every ones duty for every one receives mercy and 't is a Rent due to the chief Land Lord but every one cannot do it Praise is comely for the upright Psal 38.1 It should be a Congregation of Saints where God is praised Psal 149.11 I do not perswade others from the Duty no more than I do from Prayer but perswade them to cleanse their hearts before they come to the Duty for none but the Righteous can do the work of the day as they ought neither indeed have they cause to rejoice when God is their Enemy and for ought they know they may Lodge next night in Hell that rejoicing is the work of the day is evident Lev. 23,40 Deut. 12.12 and many other places These only are exhorted to rejoice Psal 33.1 Rejoice in the Lord ye Righteous and shout for joy all ye that are upright in heart Phil. 3.1 4.4 Psal 107.22 Declare his works with rejoycing But how can we rejoyce or praise God for Redemption Vocation Adoption and the hope of glory when we have no interest in them Thy evidence must be cleared up or thou art unfit for this Duty Those and those only that have an interest in Christ and a Title to Glory assured to them can eat their Bread with Joy and drink their Wine with a merry heart for â—od accepteth their works Others may speak as much and seem as confident like the Pharisee but there is a difference the true Christian speaks humbly the Pharisee proudly and boastingly the one is humbled for his remaining corruption the other brags though no sin is kill'd Paul cryes out O wretched Man that I am who shall deliver me from the Body of Death The Pharisee thanks God he is not as other Men are or as the Pulican The one thanks God for what he hath the other for what he never had How oft may we hear Men give thanks for their Election Vocation Sanctification c. when there is little appearance of it when their lives evidence that they are neither called nor sanctified the one praiseth God in pity to others the other in contempt Phil. 3.8 To me who am less than the least of Saints is this Grace given I thank thee saith the Pharisee I am not as other Men are One returns thanks out of Custome the other out of Conscience For preparation to the work dispose of and lay aside all thy Worldly occasions as much as possible that they interupt thee not in the work and take daily notice of and store up in thy Memory what God hath done for thy Body and for thy Soul for thy Family and Relations for the Land of thy Nativity and the Church in general How shall we praise God if we neglect and forget his benefits Psal 103.2 his Works and wonders Psal 78.7 this is commanded Psal 105.5 Exod. 13.8 The neglect of this is charged upon Israel Psal 78.11 they forgat his Works and the Wonders that he shewed them and how many are deeply guilty of this fault They heedlesly receive mercies and take no notice whence they come or let them slip out of memory even those they were somtimes affected with and thou shouldest not only remember them but meditate upon them to aflect thy heart with them take notice of the mercy justice and
it at first If it be why dost leave it If thou now leave off all thy Labour and all the pains that ever thou hast taken will be utterly lost in reference to Salvation If the Righteous forsake his ways all his Righteousness shall not be remembred to him in his sin he shall dye Ezek. 18.24 It may be thou hast gone many a Mile to hear Sermons spent many an Hour in Prayer and Humiliation many a Day in Fasting and Humbling thy Soul and wilt thou lose all thy Labour at the last Nay wilt thou now dishonour that God which time was thou seemedst to Honour And wilt thou strengthen the hand of Wicked Men in their wickedness And weaken the hands of poor doubting Dhristians And sadden the Hearts of the godly Wilt thou bring the Blood of Souls upon thy own head If not hold on in a course of Holy Duty Whatever opposition thou meet with in the way Heaven will make amends for all the sweat and blood thou losest and Hell will be sower sauce to thy sweet Meat What madness is it to leave thy work a little before thou shouldest receive thy Wages 4. Direct Let all the Duties thou performest either to God or Man proceed from a right Principle from a Heart sanctified by Grace and purified by Faith and seasoned with Love Make the Tree good and his Fruit will be good but a Corrupt Tree bringeth forth evil Fruit. An evil Tree cannot bring forth good Fruit nor a good Tree evil Fruit. 'T is impossible that a Corrupt Fountain should send forth sweet Water or a filthy Vessel sweet Liquor Let the Love of God be the strongest Motive to thy Obedience and let this engage thy heart to every Duty Though thou shouldest do the duty required if thou do it not in obedience to that Command God will not own it Whatever thou dost do all to his Glory and in Obedience to his Command or thou wilt lose thy Reward let thy heart say in sincerity Propter te propter te Domine it is for thy sake and in Obedience to thy Command that I do it and for no sinister respect whatsoever Hypocrites may do the thing which God Commands but from another ground and for another end they savour of the Cask and smell of self-Interest they reach no higher than themselves as water ascends no higher than the Fountain Head Jehu did what God Commanded in destroying Idolatry and rooting out Ahab's Posterity but all this while he hath a Kingdom in his Eye But the Love of God Oyls the Chariot-Wheels of a Christians endeavours it carryeth him above beyond and out of himself God tells him what he would have done a Christian never examines the Command by any Carnal Interest whether he may reap gain or loss Honour or Disgrace by it come what come will he resolves to do it if God command it whatever stands in his way though he meet Death it self in the Face he will go on God calls him and with Samuel he cryeth out Speak Lord for thy Servant heareth he knows he that sets him on work can bear him out Now all Service that ariseth not from this ground is slavish and mercinary and merits nothing at Gods hands but blows he that doth the thing Commanded and knoweth not of the Command doth not Obey God in the work and if he know that it is Commanded and doth it yet not because it was Commanded but upon other account God will not Reward this as Obedience The Pharisees knew that Prayer Fasting and Alms-deeds were Commanded duties yea they performed those duties but not because God Commanded them but that they might be applauded by Men therefore Christ sends them to men for a Reward Mat. 6.1,2,3 c. The performance of a duty will do us little good if we cannot say with the Apostle The Love of Christ constraineth us Many are constant attenders upon the Ordinances not out of Love to God or Obedience to his Will or any delight they have in the duty but for fear of punishment or hope of reward either from God or Man or for popular Applause or one thing or other of that Nature and these Men perhaps in the mean time have their handS upon the works and their Hearts busied in the Devils Service and they look upon Gods Service as a Slavery and glad when they are Released But a sincere Christian is like the Servant mentioned Exod. 21.15 that saith I Love my Master I will not go Free though there were neither Reward in Heaven for my Obedience nor punishment in Hell for my disobedience I will do it because 't is my Masters will and I delight in the work it self this Love of God in the Soul is as weights to the Clock or as Oyl to the Jack it sets it on work for God love makes labour light they do it for Conscience sake Rom. 13.5 when others do it for gains sake Saul obeys for a Kingdom and Jehu for a Crown and when this was obtained their Obedience was over they are like to Dogs they follow their Master till they meet with Carrion examine now thy heart what is the ground of thy obedience if it be lower than thy love to God and desire to obey him 't is not right 5. Direction Let all thy duties whether to God or Man be performed in the manner which God requires now Christ himself tells thee God is a Spirit and he that worships him must worship him in Spirit John 4.24 and the Apostle tells us that bodily exercise profiteth little but godliness is profitable unto all things 1 Tim. 4.8 'T is not the Motions of the Body nor the moveing of the Lips 't is not Bowings Couchings Cringings that he is affected with if the Heart and Affections go not along this is one main difference between a sincere Christian and an Hypocrite both may do the same Duty both may joyn in the same Prayer and both may hear the same Sermon yet one may be accepted and the other not nay for the Bulk and Materiallity of the Duty the Hypocrite may exceed the other the Pharisees they fasted they gave almes they made long Prayer they tythed Mint and Anice and yet all this while lay under the Curse and were Enemies to God and persecutors of Christ their heart was absent from their duty and it was not right to God they lost all their labour in Heavens way because they had little trading with and little knowledg of God or their own hearts Hypocrites feed upon the husks of duty nnd never meet with Christ in the duty when a sincere heart hath trading with God and sweet communion with Christ himself if ever therefore thou wouldst perform pleasing Sacrifice to God be sure to wind up thy heart and affections unto God and never content thy self with any duty till thou meet with Christ in the duty duties are appointed to be done not for their own sakes but to help the Soul to mount
set forth the thoughts the words and Actings of a gracious Soul in every Condition and the Experience they have had of God's help at hand in every Condition How oft doth the Psalmist begin like Jonah in the belly of Hell And is raised up to Heaven before the Conclusion And 't is wonder that any should desist from such an Angelical duty which so much resembles Heaven But because many no doubt out of Conscience Question the Duty I shall first prove the Duty Lawful and then give my Advice how it may be performed 1. Direct If thou wouldest perform this Duty acceptably to God and profitably to thy self be well convinc'd that it is thy Duty halt not between two Opinions do it chearfully and understandingly which thou canst not do so long as thou doubtest whether it be thy Duty or whether God will own it at thy Hands Whatsoever is not of Faith is Sin Rom. 14.23 To this End view the Arguments following which I suppose may be sufficient to prove it thy Duty My business in this Treatise is not to meddle with Controversies yet so far as the digression may be tolerable and my Method and Design will allow I shall speak something for thy Satisfaction Consider therefore God hath furnished Man for this Duty in giving him this Musical Faculty with which as with all the rest he should Glorifie God And how can he Glorifie him better with it than with Trumpetting out his praise and Singing forth his Glory This is the way that David stirs up his Tongue to praise God This was an acceptable Service unto God even before the Ceremonial Law was given Exod. 15.1 Then Sang Moses and the Children of Israel this Song unto the Lord c. By this means also the Spirit of God is stirred up in us Eph. 5.18,19 Be filled with the Spirit speaking to your selves in Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs This leaves a sweet relish and delight upon the Spirit Psal 104.33,34 I will sing unto the Lord as long as I Live I will sing unto my God while I have my Being my Meditation of him shall be sweet Nay this is that which Saints and Angels do in Heaven and shall do for ever Thus the Angels did Isa 63. even with an Audible voice As also of our Saviours Birth Luke 2.13 Rev. 5.8,9 14.3 15.3 And this shall be their work for ever Yea it hath been Prophesied that there shall be Singing in Gospel times Isa 20. In that day shall this Song be sung Isa 52.8 Thy Watch-men shall lift up the voyce with the voyce together shall they Sing c. Which the Apostle Interprets to be in Gospel Times Heb. 2.12 Yea all Nations are stirred up to sing praises unto God Psal 100.1 Psal 95.12 Which includes both Jews and Gentiles and must be understood of Gospel Times as 't is Interpreted Heb. 4.3 Neither can this Duty under the Law be Typical for neither Scripture nor Reason can shew that Singing Psalms Typified out a Believers Singing with the Heart in Gospel Times any more than prayer with the Voyce Typifies out praying with the Heart Nay Christ and his Apostles after his departure would not have used it had it been Ceremonial If this serve not we have plain Scripture Commands for the Duty even in Gospel Times Eph. 5.19 Speaking to your selves in Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs Singing with Melody in your Hearts Col. 3.16 Teaching and Admonishing one another in Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs singing with Grace in your Hearts to the Lord James 4.9 If any be Afflicted let him Pray and if any be Merry let him sing Psalms Now all this shews this is a Duty If yet this satisfie not we have the best Examples to warrant us I shall set before you the Angels at the Birth of Christ Luke 2.13 And the Holy Men of God in the Time of the Law David was called The sweet Singer of Israel But this is not all we have the Example of Christ himself and his Disciples which is without Exception Mat. 26.30 After Supper they sung an Hymn which probably was the same which the Jews were accustomed to sing at the Passeover viz. those Songs of Degrees from Psal 112 c. to Psal 118.19 However this shews the Lawfulness of the Duty We have also the Example of Paul and Silas that Sang in the Prison with an Audible Voice for the Prisoners heard them Acts 26.25 We have also the practice of the Church down since the Apostles Time and all those cannot likely persist in an Error so long This we have for our Warrant and little can be said against it and therefore I shall conclude 't is a Lawful and Laudable practice 2. Direct Is concerning the Matter of our Singing which must be Holy not Prophane to God's Glory not our own There are many that think it is a Gospel-Duty to Sing Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs and yet they Scruple the Singing of David's Psalms and thus they seek a knot in a Rush David's Psalms were an Acceptable Service unto God and we read not where ever God disclaimed them They were used and Sung not only by himself but others not only in his own Time but in succeeding Generations where they Praised God with David's words As we find in Solomon's Time 2 Chron. 5.13 In Jehoshaphat's Time 2 Chron. 20.21 In Hezekiah's Time 2 Chron. 29.20 In Ezra's Time Ezra 3.10,11 In the two former places we find David's words used in the two latter we find an express Command and Example of Praising God with David's words and with the words of Asaph You see the estimate the Church of God put upon them yea as may be apparently proved they were thus in use even to Christ's Time as History Records these Psalms of David in the times of the Law were sung by the four and twenty Orders of Musicians which seem to Typifie out the Twenty four Elders men ioned Rev. 5.8 The Song of Moses the Servant of God Exod. 15.1 c. Was Sung not only by him but by the People not only by Men but Women also Exod. 15.20,21 Yea Moses was Commanded to write his other Song and teach it unto the Children of Israel and put it into their Mouths Deut. 31.19 And to what purpose was it thus written and thus to be learnt but that they should sing it I have already proved we ought to Sing Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs the very Name gives unto David's Psalms Nay there is strong probability that Christ himself when he was upon the Earth Sang David's Psalms at the close of his Supper for if he would conform to the Custom of the Jews to Sing an Hymn at the close of the Passeover What ground have we to think he did not conform to them in Singing the same Hymn which they were wont to do which was as hath been said David's Hymns however the Scriptures make mention of no other And 't is observed
gives thee Christ and thou givest him thy self if thou hold God will not flinch He promises Heaven and Happiness and thou promisest Love and Obedience And those Vows which thou madest in Baptism and renewest in this Sacrament must be fulfilled 't is an horrible thing to prove Treacherous to this God and to break Covenant with him God will avenge the Quarrel of his Covenant 'T is a dangerous thing to have God for an Enemy and our Consciences for our Accusers resolve therefore to make good thy Engagements and fulfill thy Vows Consider in the Sacrament what Entertainment thou hast met with from God and what welcome he hath given thee hast thou sped or no Did he meet thee in the Ordinance or hast thou had an Answer of thy Prayers or hast been frustrated of thy hopes and expectations If so examine thy Preparations and demeanour before and after the Duty haply thou maist find some miscarriage if so humble thy self and be more careful for the future take notice of the repulse and be humbled yet despair not Sometimes the Ordinance may be more beneficial after than at present as the Sacrament of Baptism usually is If thou hast met with some Fruit but not so much as thou expectest or desirest consider thou art not to be thy own Carver he deals his Mercies as he sees best thou must wait upon him in a longing Posture it will come in the most suitable Season if thou hast found any 't is more than thy desert bless God for it from whose bounty it proceeds If it be not so much as thou expectest 't is more than thou deservest 't is to be owned he that is not thankful for a little God will not trust him with much Thou givest him thanks for Bodily Food and wilt be thankful for Crumbs and not for Christ For Temporal Favours and not for Spiritual Mercies And this should be expressed in deeds as well as words thou shouldest live thanks as well as speak thanks And as Christ gives himself to thee so give up not only thy Name but thy Heart to him keep alive in thy Soul the Spiritual Fervor and maintain thy ground against thy Corruptions See how thy Graces grow and how thy Corruptions dye this is the way to grow in Grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Walk in the strength of one Ordinance to another and thus doing thou wilt be a growing Christian and thou wilt find through the Blessing of God upon thine Endeavours that the Sacrament which many get little benefit by is indeed a Soul-fatting Ordinance CHAP. XI Directions about Oaths THE next part of Divine Worship that I shall Direct you in is the right Use of an Oath for though rash swearing be an horrible sin as I intend God willing elsewhere to demonstrate Yet an Oath in it self is Lawful and necessary yea a Commanded part of God's Worship Thou shalt fear the Lord and serve him and shalt swear by his Name Deut. 6.13 The like we find Deut. 10.20 My work therefore in the first place will be to shew you what an Oath is and then to prove it Lawful and afterwards to give you Directions in this as I have done in other parts of God's Worship An Oath is a part of that Religious Worship which we owe to God in which being Lawfully called thereunto we call God to witness the Truth of what we Assert and our real intention to perform what we promise and to reward or punish us according to the Truth or Falshood of what we say That it is a part of Religious Worship the Texts before quoted serve to prove 2 Cor. 1.23 Moreover I call God for a Record upon my Soul that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth 2 Chron. 6.22,23 If a Man sin against his Neighbour and an Oath be laid upon him to make him Swear and the Oath come before thine Altar in this House then hear thou from Heaven and do and Judge thy Servants by requiting the Wicked by Recompencing his way upon his own Head and by Justifying the Righteous by giving him according to his Righteousness Lev. 19.12 Ye shall not swear by my Name falsly neither shalt thou prophane the Name of thy God Exod. 2.7 You see 't is a part of Religious Worship for herein God is called to be a Witness to Justifie or to Condemn who only knows the Integrity of the Heart and the sincerity of the Intentions yea sometimes 't is put for the whole Worship of God Isa 19.18 Where swearing to the Lord is meant worshipping the Lord Nay we have the consent of all Nations that always have esteemed an Oath Sacred and Venerable Poets Philosophers Heathens and Infidels make Conscience of this Religious Band and Reason shews it also for hereby we acknowledge the Wisdom Power and Justice of God His Wisdom in Searching the Heart and knowing the hidden thoughts and intentions of it His Power in being able to punish it and his Justice in giving every Man accoding to his desert and this Worship he will not give to another Jer. 12.16 They taught my People to Swear by the Name of Baal Amos 8.14 Zeph. 1.5 The Lawfulness of an Oath is confessed by most and denyed by few and those Contemptible we have Scripture warrant for it yea the Command of God as you have heard Exod. 22.10 Where an Oath was to be taken in the Case of lost Goods Isa 45.63 Vnto me every Tongue shall swear Isa 65.16 He that sweareth in the Earth shall swear by the God of Truth Now God would not have Commanded any thing that was sinful in it self as a part of his Worship Nay he doth not only Command it but lays down the qualifications of an Oath Jer. 4.2 Thou shalt swear the Lord Liveth in Truth in Judgment and in Righteousness and in what Cases it ought to be required Exod. 22.11 Neither can there any Reason be given why 't is not Lawful as well in Gospel times as under the Law it was not Ceremonious nor Typical neither in the Matter Form nor End Nay we have Examples of God himself and therefore 't is not intrinsâ—…cally Evil Gen. 22.16 By my self have I sworn saith the Lord Heb. 6.13 Because he could swear by no greater he sware by himself Jer. 44.26 I have sworn by my great Name saith the Lord Amos 4.2 The Lord hath sworn by his Holiness We have the Example of Christ Mat. 5.18 For Verily I say unto you till Heaven and Earth pass one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass till all be fulfilled compare this with Heb. 8.14 Surely Blessing I will Bless thee c. This is called God's Oath and frequent are the Asservations of Christ Verily verily we have the Example of the Holy Angels also Dan. 12.7 The Angel lift up his Hand and sware by him that Liveth for ever The like we have Rev. 10.6 we read of the Saints Swearing Gen. 14.22