hearts cold and affectiont flat as 't is a dishonour to the Lord of the Sabbath so 't is a dishonour to the Sabbath of the Lord. Christians should be like Angels who are called Seraphims for their fiery zeal in the service of God And so to be zealous in Sabbath-Duty will raise the Dignity of the Sabbath This will admirably evidence As Gods Interest in the Day So the excellency of this Day of God The more we have herein of Heat and fervour life and vigour the better we demonstrate the Day is Gods As the true Mother in the Kings cry'd The living son is mine so sayes God The living Sabbath is mine As when Christ was raised from the Dead then he was declared to be the Son of God Rom. 1.4 So let the Sabbath rise from the dead to its due life and lustre and then 't will appear to be the Day of God Yea the more Vigorous and Spiritual we be in the Day the more glorious and excellent will the day be O what advantage is to the bodies of men when after death they are rais'd again Read 1 Cor. 15.42 43 44. It is sowen in corruption it is raised in incorruption it is sowen in dishonour it is raised in honour it is sowen in weaknesse it is raised in power it is sowen a natural body it is raised a spiritual body Thus will it be with the Lords Day when it shall be raised from the dead as it will be more spiritual in its Nature so it will be more transplendent in its Lustre greater in power higher in honour all redounding to the dignity of it This will bring the Sabbath as the Sun to break forth from under those black clouds with which it is now darkened 3. The Lords acceptance will be certain if we spiritually sanctifie the Sabbath This with the Lord will be acceptable because it is suitable As to the precepts which God gives So to God which gives the precepts 1. The precept or command given of God requires a spiritual care in Sabbath-keeping Remember the Sabbath-day to keep iâ— holy This implies a remembrance of the Sabbath day to keep it spiritually let the spirituality of the day be raised and the sanctitie of the day will not sink but be better seen This will hold out the dayes-hidden holinesse and meet Gods command that calls to keep it holy And such Sabbath-keeoing is to God well-pleasing Esay 56.4 It being that which complies with Gods prescribed Will Esay 58.13 2. God himself from whom such precepts proceed is hereby resembled God is a Spirit and a spiritual being so that spiritual-spent Sabbaths and spiritual-performed duties do best suite a Spiritual God and so are accepted A good God being spiritual spiritual good is most acceptable to God 1 Pet. 2.5 To offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God Acceptable because spiritual With such sacrifices God is well pleased Heb. 13.16 That best likes God Which is most like to God To be spiritual on the Sabbath the Lord likes it and loves it it is so pleasing to God that he does highly prize it and praise it As it is a thing for the praise of God So it is a thing with God of praise To be in the spirit of the Sabbath and to be on the Sabbath in the spirit As it will make for Gods praise from us So it will prove our praise with God The Apostle declaring who are now to be accounted Jewes and what is circumcision under the Gospel sayes Rom. 2.28 29. He is not a Jew which is one outwardly neither is that circumcision that is outward in the flesh but he is a Jew which is one inwardly and circumcision is that of the heart in the Spirit and not in the letter whose praise is not of men but of God So may we say He is not a Sabbath-keeper that keeps it onely outwardly but he is a keeper of the Sabbath that keeps it inwardly and that is observation of the Lords day that is in the heart and in the spirit whose praise though it may be not of men it will be of God God at the great day will give him praise in the presence of men and Angels Yea present praise will God by his Spicit speak to such as spiritually spend his holy day And O how sweet will it be for God in a Sabbath to say to our souls Well done well prayed well preached well heard to day my dear servants Now that which the Lord thus praiseth we may be sure much pleaseth the Lord. Yea to sanctifie the Sabbath in a spiritual way the Lord is so pleased with it that he takes pleasure in it then the Lords day is the Lords delight The Sabbath so kept on earth causes joy in heaven It is meet sayes the Father in the fifteenth of Luke to his friends about him It is meet we should rejoyce for this my son was dead and is alive was lost and is found So sayes God Blessed for ever to all in blisse about him T is meet we should rejoyce for this my Sabbath was dead and is alive the glory of it was lost and gone but is now returned again 4. The Lands general concernments will through the Sabbaths spiritual observance be much promoted Both in the Ecclesiastick And in the Civil State Let the spirit of the Lords day be well up in the Land Then will Gods Ordinances remaine that are present And God will remaine present with his Ordinances 1. Gods Ordinances with us will abide What makes God remove precious means from among a people but their dulnesse in his Sabbaths and service their falling from their fervent affections their leaving their first love and life as we see in the case of that languishing Church Revel 2.4 5. I have somewhat sayes Christ against thee thou hast left thy first love Remember from whence thou art fallen and do thy first works or I will come and remove the Candlestick out of his place Let Christians be carried out with a spirit of love and life in the Sabbaths and service of the Lord and though the Lord may lay some sad afflictions upon them yet he will continue the means of Grace among them And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner but thine eyes shall see thy teaches And thine ears shal hear a word behind thee saying This is the way walk in it Esay 30.20 2. God himself will also abide with his Ordinances Let the Sabbath be so spiritually sanctified Then as God will be with the Ordinances his people use So God will be with his people in use of Ordinances Then may Ordinances say to Gods Saints and Saints may say to Ordinances Emmanuel God with us God with us in service and suffering makes all sweet That is a precious promise Esay 43.1 When thou art in the water I will be with thee and when thou art in the
on the Sabbath a gracious soul sighs up into heaven Lord I would better break out but my sins beset me I would faster run on but my own heart hampers me Lord I would otherwise serve thee but my thoughs hinder me fears and cares encompasse me help Lord. Unite Not onely the will but the whole soul yâ—â— the whole man and the whole might is knit and bound up for God in every good work body and soul must not lie severed nor any heart in it self scattered 'T was a sad sin in him who upon the Sabbath-day gathered up sticks that lay scattered on the ground Num. 15.32 But it is our duty on the day of the Sabbath to gather up together our hearts and thoughts that are scattered upon the earth and wandring about in the world We should say as the Prophet Blesse the Lord O my soul and all that is within me O my soul and all that is within me pray O my soul and all that is within me hearken c. Vnite my heart sayes David that I may fear thy Name So let each soul say Lord unite my heart that I may hear thy Word Unite my heart that I may hold fast thy truth keep holy thy day Fervent The zeal of Gods house and zeal of the Lords day should even eat us up Our hearts should burn within us like fire See what God by Moses sayes to the Jewes Exod. 35.3 Ye shall kindle no fire throughout your houses upon the Sabbath-day But upon the day of the Sabbath our duty is to kindle a fire throughout all our hearts The fire of zeal fits the service of God On the Sabbath we should go up to God in a Chariot of this fire The force of this fire would carry us into the highest heaven from the lowest earth And from earth to heaven is a good Sabbath-dayes-journey Yea such a burning fire of zeal on the Sabbath would bring heaven as it were down to the earth God into our hearts Exod. 3. we read how the presence of God appeared in a burning Bush In burning hearts in burning prayers appears much of the presence of God 'T was the praise of holy Hezekiah he appointed burnt-offerings for the Sabbath dayes 2 Chron. 31.3 Burning sacrifices for blessed Sabbaths Cheerfull Several of the Ancients much insist upon that care and course which becomes Christians in carrying on the Sabbath more strictly then the Jewes were wont August Enar. in Psal 32. Tom. 8. part Pag. 242. Aug. Tract 3. in Joan. 1. Tom. 9. Ignat. Epist ad Magnes Pag. 57. Hilar. prolog in Psal oper p. 335. Whereas they kept the Sabbath carnally in feasting dancing and sensual delights We Christians must Sabbatize or keep the Sabbath spiritually in holy joyes heavenly contents and religious delights we must feast and dance too but our feasting must be conversing with God our meat and drink to do the will of God Our dancing must be the leaping of soul to see the face of the Lord in the glasse of the Gospel And though on the Lords day we be not drunk with wine wherein is excesse yet we must be filled with the Spirit The comforts of the Spirit are sweeter and better then all the wine in the world and of this we should take our Lords day draughts Cant. 5.3 On this day we should drink wine with our milk eat our hony-comb with our hony be in the Garden and gather Myrrhe with our Spice This is the day that the Lord hath made we will rejoyce and be glad therein Psal 118.24 Psal 42. sayes David Why art thou cast down O my soul why art thou disquieted within me Himself gives the cause His banishment that he could not now go with the multitude to the house of God with the voyce of joy and praise among them that keep holy day Such as can come to God's house upon his holy day should not come with dejected souls but with the voyce of joy and praise triumphing in God Watchful For our Sabbath day watch observe What we are to watch against and What we are to watch for 1. Against the incursions of the Divel we are to watch all the Lords day long That God who will Revel 20. bind up Satan for a thousand years can easily bind him for Sabbath-dayes But yet even upon such dayes Satan is much let loose Job 1.6 There was a day when the Sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord and Satan came also among them The Sons of God on that day came before God for good but Satan had ill designs to hinder them that would honour God VVhen Joshua the high Priest stood before the Angel of the Lord Satan stood at his right hand to resist him Zech. 3.2 'T was the policy of Pompey Vespasian Titus and other enemies of the Jewes soreliest to assault the City Jerusalem on the Sabbath dayes when they refused to defend themselves Upon Sabbath dayes are the Divels most desperate designs He is ever bad but worst upon the best dayes O watch watch A harming Divel on a helping day 2. For the incommings of the Spirit of Christ let us watch upon the Lords day As when the Dove sate upon the Ark Noah put forth his hand took her in When the Spirit of the Lord begins to light upon our hearts we should presently hand it in Embrace his first motions open and give him entrance otherwise Ordinances will do us little good Gen. 1. We find a dark lump of earth and water but if the Spirit of the Lord had not moved upon the face of the water the world had never been made nor living creatures brought forth 'T is the Spirit upon the Word that causes a new creation living Christians O then when we are under the Word and in the midst of the waters of Ordinances waite and watch for the good Spirit of God Other birds drive away but bid the Dove welcome 3. At the end of the Lords day let us see to our duty lest we begin in the Spitit and end in the flesh Nebuchadnezzars Image the head and upper part was gold but the feet and lower part Iron and Clay In the morning and beginning of the Lords day our hearts have heavenly heat and at evening the end of the Sabbath all is Iron and Clay Hearts hard and cold 't is ill when a Christians affections are as the grasse the Prophet speaks of Psal 90.6 In the morning it flourisheth and in the evening it is cut down dryed up and withered Plutarch reports of a River that runneth sweet in the morning but bitter in the evening 'T is the property of some sinful men if they have done somewhat on the Sabbath in the service of God they are the more bold to sin even before the day is gone like the Harlot Prov. 7.14 18. I have peace-offerings with me this day I have payed my vowes come let us take our fill of love till the morning That very day
a great variety yet there is no contrariety In the soule of a Saint there be contrary principles flesh and spirit one opposing another but there are not in the Sabbath contrary practices each to other repugnant one duty does not thwart another but Sabbath-services are to each other helpfull Prayer fits for hearing and hearing prepares for prayer 5. The diversity and change of Sabbath-work shewes the Lords wisdome yea and the love of the Lord to make exercises the more easie that holy labour may not be heavy labour nor men tyred all Sabbath-time with one continued work the Lord lets them passe from one imployment to another for refreshment 6. On the Sabbath we have several works yet in all we serve but one Master Indeed had we divers Masters it might discourage but to us there is but one Lord. Upon the Sabbath in religious services we change our place and we change our businesse but we do not change our Master All is to Christ to Christ men should say upon a Sabbath-morning Though other Lords in the week-time have had too much dominion over us yet now we will make mention of thy Name onely 7. If multitude of services be tedious what will multitude of sufferings be Jam. 1.2 sayes the Apostle My brethren count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations How will they rejoyce in divers daily distresses that shrink back because exercises are divers upon the Lords day Object The Sabbath ceases when publike exercises end no longer holy day then while holy duty Answ If so sure then with some Sabbaths are very short But shall we think that men can begin and end a Sabbath when they list The Churches of Christ in ages past have determined of an entire day due to the Lord. The Sabbaths Iren. cont Valent. lib. 4. cap. 31. August de temp Serm 251. sayes Irenaeus do require a compleat day and the perseverance of that whole day in the Lords service Austin declares his judgement touching the time of the Sabbath from that text Levit. 23.32 From even to even shall ye celebrate your Sabbath 'T is evident from that place of the Apostle Jam. 2.10 that whosoever carelessely casts by any part of Gods precept transgresses the whole law of God and thus whosoever wilfully neglects any part of Gods Sabbath is guilty of breaking this whole holy day men must not suite the day to their duties but their duties to the day while the day endures their duty remains Object But so to keep the whole day is terribly tyring a hard service who can do it Answ God because of our infirmities does afford what may refresh the better to bear up our bodies the Lord allowes moderate sleep in the night and temperate food in the day True it was in Tertullians time a dispute Tertul. de coron milit cap. 3. Tom. 1. pag 747. whether it be not a duty on the Lords day to fast but our Saviours Apologie for his Disciples in plucking and eating the ears of Corn upon the Sabbath day may easily quiet that question Mark 2.25 And blessed be the Lord for the allowances of his love 2. Men do not complain of whole dayes for the world They rise early and go to bed late and eat the bread of carefulnesse Psal 127.2 They do not say all the week when the morning is Would God it were evening but rather in the evening they wish would it were morning again to go after the world afresh yet we find some even in sinful wayes so unwearied that when one day is past they pitch upon the very next day with inlarged resolutions Come ye say they I will fetch wine and we will fill our selves with strong drink and to morrow shall be as this dâ—y and much more abundant Isai 56.12 3. We may see what some of Gods servants have desired instance David that dear servant of God Psal 27.4 One thing have I desired of the Lord sayes he and that will I seek after that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the dayes of my life As if he should wish it were alway Sabbath day with him Psal 84.4 10. O blessed are they that dwell in thy house c. For a day in thy Courts is better then a thousand I had rather be a door-keeper in the house of my God then to dwell in the tents of wickednesse Were men of Davids mind a day in seven for the service of the Lord would not be too long 4. There have been them that have spent divers dayes and nights also in the service of God see a considerable instance Luk. 2.37 A widow of about fourscore and four years which departed not from the Temple but served God with fastings and prayers night and day For her sexe A woman For her case A widow not having the company or comfort of a husband For her age About fourscore and four years yet night and day with fasting and prayer serving God in the Temple 5. For such as are tyred out with the time of a Sabbath would they go to heaven There 't is ever Sabbath alway singing serving and setting up of God Bernard urges the observation of the Sabbath and holding out in holy exercises thereon upon this account that by present rest men may learn to live in rest eternal Bern. super Saluz Regina Serm. 4. Col. 1744. and by persevering service men may be prompt to perpetuate the Lords everlasting praise But how would men do to endure heaven and a never ending Sabbath there who know not here how to bear out the durance of a Sabbath day Object I cannot so tend duties on the day for I have other works of necessity to do Ans 1. There are works of necessity which we grant may be done upon the Lords day Vid. Lyra. in Exod. 20. in Jonna 5.8 Beda in Marc. 2.23 Zanch in 4. praece as by food to refresh our bodies to resist the invasion of enemies to stop the irruption of waters to quench the rage of fire to preserve the life of our Cattel and the like 2. Those that say on the Sabbath such things they must necessarily do ought yet carefully to see it be not A fained necessity or A made necessity To pretend a things necessity when yet indeed no necessity of such a thing to be done is to commit a double sin To do what is not good and To say what is not true Men must also beware they bring not a necessity upon themselves upon the Sabbath to do such things as they might prevent through a prudent foresight this is to make a sin with a necessity Isay 58.13 Thou shalt call the Sabbath a delight not doing thine own wayes nor finding thine own necessities so some Paraphrasing expound the Hebrew word men have many necessities which yet are of their own causing and not of Gods appointing 3. There are things necessary in their season that yet are not necessary upon the
parts of the service Suitable to their places for the service Concerning the service of the Lords day it self observe The spring of it and The spread of it What it must proceed from and What it must extend unto 1. Sabbath-service must proceed from a spring of love The service of our Christian Sabbath-love Amor meus pondus meum eo feror quocunque feror Aug. 'T will facilitate it and 'T will perpetuate it Love it will lead out and carry through the wole businesse of this blessed day with ease to the end Love is the best Load-stone through all the Lords day-duties This is one of the dayes of the Lords appearing which every Christian is bound to love 2 Tim. 4.8 And who ever loves the day will not leave the duty 2. The service of the Sabbath is of such extent that there are divers duties duly to be performed Both secretly in our Habitations And openly in the Congregation In our private dwellings Religious duties upon the Lords day are required of every one as Prayer Meditation and holy Conference Prayer whereby we speak to God Meditation whereby we speak to our selves And good Conference whereby we speak one unto another Prayer The Sabbath is indeed a day God hath sanctified yet 't is not sanctified as to us nor we to it without prayer Our Sabbath in heaven shall all be imployed in praysings of God but prayer to God must have a prime part of every Sabbath we observe on earth Are there Sbbbath duties to be performed we must pray that God would make us able Are there Sabbath mercies to be received we must pray that God would count us worthy Meditation The Sabbath is the day for the bodies rest from earthly affairs and therefore the mind is then most meet to be about the best businesse Theophil in Marc. 1. et 21. One well notes that the Lord commands rest upon the Sabbath that men might read the Word and meditate upon the Word they read The Word and the Works of God are indeed every day to be meditated on but most upon the Lords day Augustine gives this reason why God was six several dayes in the works of the World to wit that upon the seventh day man might the more orderly think upon those Works of God Conference The Sabbath is the day when all in a family have more liberty to be together then on any other day On the week dayes persons in a house are as Bees in a Hive that go forth several wayes to work but on the Lords day their common work abroad ceases so that they may the better set themselyes to assist each other in soul concernments Exhorting one another while it is called to day Heb. 3.13 In our publick meetings The religious duties which upon the Lords day are required be Either more ordinary Or lesse ordinary Ordinary and constant duties for the exercise of all As Prayer to God Hearing the Word and Singing of Psalmes Prayer Upon the Lords day though one be made the Mouth yet 't is meete there should be as many praying hearts as present bodies Prayer was a principal thing the practice of which the Primitive Christians continued in their congregated assemblies Act. 2.42 Austine sadly complains of some in his time August de tempore Serm. 251. who when they should be entring in the Church doors they are tarrying in the Church-yard playing without when they should be praying within idly talking of the world when they should be seriously seeking the Lord c. O that this abuse had dyed in his dayes but the Lord knows it lives for us to lament Hearing Upon the Lords day a great duty is diligent attention to Gods word read and preached They sayes a reverend Writer who rightly use the Sabbath day Gualt in Marc. 3. Hom. 23. they go to the publick assemblies to hear the holy word of God And herein what was the practice of Gods people in the time of the Apostles is plain Act. 13.14 15 16 42 44. Act. 15.21 Act. 20.7 c. And Justine Martyr who dyed for the cause of Christ in the year of our Lord 170. in his second Apologie for Christians reports the people of God to gather into one place perpetually on the Lords day to hear the Scriptures read and to attend exhortations thereupon Singing Upon the Lords day it being the day of Saints sweetest delight holy Psalmes are seasonable to be sung And in ancient times there were some Psalmes penned and purposely appointed for the Sabbath day as is expressed in the Preface of Psal 92. Pliny in his letter to Trajan tells how in those times the Christians upon their set dayes of solemn worship used early in the morning sweetly to sing together unto the praise of God August lib. 9. confessio cap. 6. Austin in this publike exercise sayes he had often wept for joy joy c. Some seek to cut off and cast this comfortable service quite out of doors contrary to the example of Christ Matth. 26.30 the practice of the Apostles Act. 16.25 and other expresse texts in the New Testament August in lib. Psal Prolog Basil de virt laud. Psal Tom. 1. as Colos 3.16 Ephes 5.19 Jam. 5.13 Among other ancient Writers Basil speaks large in the praise of praysing God in this way and abundantly blesses God for the Book of the Psalmes as a fit foundation for this duty Lesse ordinary yet frequent duties upon the Lords day to be done they do relate to Sacraments administring Censures inflicting and Necessities supplying Sacraments The transacting of these suites best unto the Sabbath season One well observes that upon the day of the ancient Sabbath the sacrifices were doubled Danaeus Ethic. Chr. lib. 2. cap. 10. And our Sacraments succeeding these should not onely come in their room but be at their time as services most seasonable for the day of our Sabbath Chrysostome reports how in the primitive times the Lords day had a double name 't was called Chrysost de Resurr Serm. 15. The day of light and The day of bread Of light Because on that day the Sacrament of Baptisme was wont to be openly administred Of bread Because the Sacrament of the Lords Supper used to be celebrated on that day in the Assemblies of Christians And this was the manner of the Disciples in the time of the Apostles Act. 20.7 Censures The exercise of Discipline is fit for the Lords day when the servants of Christ are assembled then to remove from among them scandalous persons both in opinion and practice that 's a plain place 1 Cor. 5.4 In the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ when ye are gathered together viz. on our Lords day and my spirit with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ to deliver such a one unto Satan c. And the first power for this purpose that our Saviour gave to his Disciples was upon the day of our Christian Sabbath the first day of
that day which first opened the womb of time that day which first opens the womb of every week and therefore may well be kept holy to the Lord and be accounted honourable in the world Whereas the Jewes Sabbath was upon the last ours is upon the first day of the week So that the Jewish Sabbath might well say concerning the Christian as John Baptist of Christ There comes one after me that is to be preferred before me 'T is more excellent as 't is time 2. Our Sabbath as it is named transcends in excellency Heb. 1.9 't is said of Christ in respect of the Angels He hath obtained a more excellent name then they so may it be said of our Sabbath in respect of all the Judaicall Sabbaths It hath obtained a more excellent name then they it is called THE LORDS DAY True there is excellency in the name Sabbath as it signifies rest Rest is the Centre to which all living creatures move Rest is the perfection and satisfaction of all creatures after their tyring and troublesome motions But in this name excellencie more abounds THE LORDS DAY As it made much for the honour of Jacob when he had another name added Israel Jacob signified The supplanter of weak man Israel signified The prevailer with a strong God The latter the far more excellent name This is the honour of the Sabbath it hath another name and the former was not like this last THE LORDS DAY There is admirable excellency in all that is called the Lords The Lords Gospel The Lords People The Lords Praier The Lords supper 1. The Lords Gospel There is excellencie The Law of God hath beauty but the Gospel excells in glory The Jewish Rabbins were wont to say That upon every letter of Gods Law hang Mountaines of admirable matter But Luther of the Gospel goes further saying That the shortest line and the least letter thereof is more worth then all Earth and Heaven The very Angels look out from Heavens Glory stooping down to see into the glory of the Gospell 1 Pet. 1.12 1. The Lords people There is excellencie They are the honour of the earth the glory of the world the ornaments of Townes and Cities As one pearl says Chrysostome is more worth then a thousand pebbles So one pious man is more precious then ten thousand sinners The whole wicked world may say to a Saint as the people of Israel to David Thou art worth ten thousand of us 2. Sam. 18.3 We may say of Saints in the world as our Saviour said of the Lilies of the field Solomon in all his glory was not cloathed like one of these Matth. 6.29 3. The Lords prayer There is excellency Some have called it The Abridgement of the Bible and others Tertul. li. de orat ca. 1. Cypr. ser de orat Dom. The Epitome of the Gospel And several observe that though it be little for phrase of words yet it is great for matter and sweet for order pithy and precious in every part A short prayer may be full of God as there may be little of God in a prayer that is long The Lords prayer is as it were a Breviary and Compendium of the great God Infolded Gods worth and Mans wants 4. The Lords Supper There is excellency 'T is that Ordinance wherein Saints the most excellent of persons and wherein faith the most excellent of graces hath the highest activities Here the precious blood of Christ and the precious faith of Christians meet Cypr. de coe Dom. Here faith sayes Cyprian layes its mouth close to the wounds of Christ and sucks in sin-killing and soul quickning blood O blessed be God! Thus 't is evident what is the Lords is excellent And is not the Lords day Let us observe All time from the Beginning was precious Gospel-time is more precious then any before it The Lords day is the most precious part of Gospel-time 'T was a brave expression of Galeacius Garacciolus that Italian Marquesse when a great summe of money was offered him to draw him to his own Popish Countrey and kindred Let all their money perish with them who account all the wealth of the world worth one dayes Communion with Jesus Christ One Sabbath-dayes society with a Saviour ought to be of higher esteem then all the honours of the earth O let us not sink down the dignity of this day in our hearts but every way let us labour to lift up its Honour higher and higher For As 't is sad to debase it So to advance it is good 1. To debase and despise the Lords day is common now in our Nation Men for the most part make no more of this then of any other day Cant. 5.9 What is thy beloved more then another beloved say they to the Church extolling of Christ Upon this she fell to a more full discovery of the dignities and excellencies of Christ Some had need set up Gods Sabbath-honour the more there are so many that say in their hearts What is the day of the Sabbath more then another day yea and indeed it is no more as many in their lives sinfully make it Dalilah prevailing upon Sampson he lost his locks and his strength and became like another man The Devil with divers hath prevailed so far against the Sabbath that it hath lost its life and lustre glory and honour and is become like another day which I am sure is no sign of good to come Some say that if the Sun which is the chief of planets be Eclipsed it signifies great Commotions Mutations Destructions I dare say that when the Sabbath which is the chief of dayes is clouded and covered over with black opinions and practices it intimates heavy evils to come O how do men pollute that which God hath sanctified and debase that day which God hath dignified Act. 10.15 What God hath cleansed call not thou common And what God hath honoured O man account not thou base 2. To advance this day is its due and our duty And indeed could we in England but recover the Sabbaths honour that this Sabbath-Sun might shine again in its beauty and lustre and our Horizon be filled with the bright beames thereof it would remove the fogs of filthy errors prevent the inflicting of sad calamities regain the credit of contemned Ordinances Joh. 12.32 as there the Lord of the Sabbath said If I be lifted up I will draw all men to me So may the Sabbath of the Lord say If I be lifted up I will draw all to me Then all the things of God shall rise As when Christ was risen Matth. 27.52 Many bodies of Saints which were asleep in their graves arose and went into the holy City c. Thus were the Christian Sabbath raised the whole body of Christian Religion would be brought out of its grave and many of Gods Saints that are as it were now asleep upon the beds of sad seducing errors would arise and come forth to the holy service of God
and hopes have been down and dead yet then to look back and call to mind mercies of old tracing the former foot-steps of God in their soules looking up and reading over the Lords love letters long since sent and then comes quickening life into their hopes and hearts Psal 77.5 6 7 8. Lam. 3.18 19 20 21 22. And though these gracious actings may be at other times yet I appeal to the most experienced Christians whether they have not found themselves best bent about such Soule-work upon the Sabbath-day 2. Direct actings Upon the day of the Sabbath the soules of Gods Saints may be set a work Onwards towards the People of God and Upwards towards the God of his People In grace admirably acting towards their Brethren Both in sufferings scattered And in service assembled 1. Where ever a good mans body be found or fixed yet in spirit he goes visiting his fellow-servants in prisons and the forreign Churches of Christ in all their afflictions Beza reports of Calvin That he was so tenderly affected to Christian Churches remote as if he had carried them on his shoulders or born them in his bosome often sighing out Vsque quo Domine How long Lord more lamenting the Churches calamities then his own adversities Thus the holy Apostle 2 Cor 11.28 29. Besides those things that are without viz. severall sad afflictions upon his own body that which cometh upon me daily more then all the rest the care of all the Churches Who is weak and I am not weak Who is offended and I burn not c. Yea and in such Christian compassions to others in affliction Gods dear Saints are most deep upon that day wherein they see their own sweet liberties priviledges and Gods precious things peaceably possessed 2. Where ever a good mans body abides yet in soul he will be sure at some place in which Gods People publikely meet for Sabbath-service David when in body he was banished and lay hid in the Land of Hermon yet he was in spirit at Jerusalem and went with good people to the Temple for the service of the Sabbath My soul sayes he thirsteth for God for the living God Oh when shall I come appear before God viz. In body also When I remember these things I pour out my soule within me for I had gone with the multitutde I went with them to the House of God with the voyce of joy and praise with a multitude that kept Holy Day Psal 42.1 2 3 4. The Jewes that were bodily at Babylon yet in soule they kept their Sabbaths at Jerusalem Psalme 137.5 6. Jonah though his body was in the bottom of the sea and belly of the Whale yet in spirit he was in the Temple at Jerusalem Then I said I am cast out of thy sight yet I will look again towards thy holy Temple Jonah 2.4 Though the body of Saint John was a prisoner at Patmos an Island as some write near Affrica yet was he in spirit with the Churches of Christ at Asia and with them he kept the Lords Day When Saint Paul was in body at Philippi yet in spirit he was with Gods Saints in their assemblies at Corinth I verily as absent in body yet present in spirit have judged concerning him that hath done this deed in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ when viz. on the Lords Day ye are gathered together and my spirit with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ to deliver such a one to Satan c. So when he was in body at Rome yet in spirit he was with Gods assembled Saints at Colosse Though sayes he I am absent from you in the flesh yet I am with you in the spirit rejoycing to behold your order viz. in their Church-assemblies c. Colossians 2.5 But above all are the soules Sabbath-actings in Grace God-ward Though the body is then carried out by the soul Yet the soule to God is then carried beyond the body A mans soule is then so set as that it incites the body and the body is so brought on that it sayes to the soule as Ruth to Naomi Whither thou goest I 'le goe where thou stayest I will stay thy God shall be my God and thy people my people nothing but death shall part thee and me As Joseph and Mary went together to seek Christ So on the Sabbath soul and body in publike and private go together to serve God Even upon week-dayes when the body as Martha is about worldly and household-businesse the soule as Mary sits at the feet of Christ But upon the Sabbath when they be both serving of God yet the soul does the most and the best work Body and soul are upon the Sabbath as those two Disciples that went out to Christs Sepulchre but the soule is as that Disciple which out-ran his fellow John 20.4 It comes quickest in and closest up to Christ Yea. suppose the heart and mind of a good man may all the week-time be as a boat that beares upon the ground yet upon the Sabbath the soule may be set as a boat upon a strong stream and goes as a Ship full saile for God In meditations of him And applications to him O the admirable meditations this day on God! The mind that in the week hath been as the foot of Jacobs ladder standing upon the earth upon the Sabbath the soule hath been as the top of that ladder reaching up to heaven in high thoughts of God One observes of the Virgin Mary Hieron Epist 17. when the holy Ghost had over-shadowed her and that holy thing was conceived in her womb she arose went up into the hill-countrey Luke 1.39 When the holy Spirit comes upon the soule of a Saint and holy thoughts are conceived in the heart O how the mind mounts up hill to God in heaven Such a soule-frame is most frequent in Sabbath-time And O the close applications this day made to God In prayer and In praises A good Expositor gives this glosse upon what the Apostle does here expresse Vid. Aret. in Locum I was in the Spirit That is he was in prayer upon the Lords Day It is one thing to be at prayer And another to be in prayer There is never a day comes over a good mans head but he is at prayer Bernard in Fâ—st Pen-Pentec Serm. 1. but to be in prayer on the Lords Day that is more Not only praying by the Spirit but in the Spirit of prayer Prayer does not onely ascend to God from the soule but the soule it self ascends to God in prayer In prayer wrestling with God and With God reasoning in prayer So that such beames break out Greg. Orat. de laudib Basilii as make the mans heart burn and his face shine It is reported of Basil that the Emperour Valence coming in upon him while he was in prayer he saw such lustre in his face as struck him with terrour that he fell back Luk. 9.29 And Jesus went up into
in Preparing Declaring Conferring Confirming All are spiritual Christ the hidden Manna for the heart and the hidden Man it self of the heart which God makes ready by causing hungring humble and holy Desires by quickening Graces calling up all Divine qualities abilities c. That presenting and setting forth Christ as Shew-bread on the Table evidencing and opening Christ his Wounds his Worth c. That giving Christ his Body to be eat and his Blood to be drunk that is meat indeed and drink indeed whole Christ given out c. That settling soules in the assurance of his love so as they may proceed in the paths of Piety and Peace Are not all these spiritual Acts What we are to do in Remembring Discerning Applying Imploying All are spiritual To remember Christ cruc fiâ—d by Meditation to look back on the bitter sufferings and bloody death of our blessed Lord till the heart be warm'd and wound up To discern Christ so as that the outward Elements are as bright Glasses and broad Lattices through which we see the Lord looking and behold the Bounty of his Goodnesse and Beauties of his Holinesse To apply Christ so as to take and eat not barely the bread of the Lord but also the Bread which is the Lord. Potiphar's wife had the Garment but Joseph himself fled from her The Elements are but the garments 't is Joseph himself and Jesus himself that we apprehend To imploy and make use of Christ so as to go from the Table of the Lord in the power of the Lord and strength of his might meet for all managements In these spiritual actings lyeth the life of the Lords Supper 4. For singing of Psalmes This is a spiritual service Ephes 5.18 19. Be filled with the Spirit Speaking to your selves in Psalmes and hymns and spiritual songs singing and making melody in your hearts unto the Lord Coloss 3.16 1 Cor. 14.15 I will sayes the Apostle pray with the Spirit and pray with the understanding also I will sing with the Spirit and I will sing with the understanding also Luther was wont to make a large and lively use of the Psalmes of David Johan Manl. loc Com. Pag. 43. According as he had his several sufferings he had his suitable Psalmes Having been under Satans sad Assaults Come sayes he to some company about him Let us go sing the 130 Psalm in despight of the Devil A precious Minister once in England now with God being upon the waters with some friends in a Boat Come sayes he let us sing the 16 Psalm And when they had pass'd through those words Of perfect joy are in thy face And pleasure for evermore His spirit so wrought and heart so leap'd that he affectionately broke out What pleasure for evermore O let us sing that again Nicepho Hiâ— Eccles lib. 3. ca. 37. History speaks much of the zeal of the Primitive Christians how by singing of Psalmes they were wont to make hard work seem easie and long journeys appear short and bitter cups taste sweet In all their Travels and Troubles Doubts and dark conditions they use to ease themselves and chear their soules by this heavenly service which they spiritually performed however now sinfully slighted 6. Collections for the Poor This is also a Duty to be spiritually done Both Pondering And Pitying Persons in Poverty Pondering and considering such as are in a poor condition Psal 41.1 Blessed is he that considereth the poor and the needy Not onely relieves them with his hand but layes their case to heart Considers the poor The ground of their poverty whether it be good whether that it be from Gods hand upon them or mens hands against them for Gods sake The degree of their poverty whether that it be great Considers the poor and needy That is such as are miserably poor needinesse noting extream poverty Quanta nobis paupertas imò egestas Seneca Epist ad Lucillum A good man so considers this as according to the poores Necessity he proportions his Charity To help he does not onely reach out his hand but drawes out his heart If thou draw out thy soul to the Hungry Esay 38.10 With Bowels of Pity compassionating persons in their impoverished condition There is little of this Duty done except with the bounty and contributions of the hand there goes the Pity and compassions of the heart 1 Cor. 13.4 If I bestow all my goods to feed the poor and haâ—e not chariâ—y 't is nothing Liberal alâ—es are nothing without a fpirit of love Love to Christ and love to men as the members of Christ herein lyes the life of liberality This is spiritual 6. Inflicting of Censures This is also to be done Both with a spirit of zeal against the offending person And with a spirit of love unto the person offending There ought to be anger and grief against the scandal of the man and yet compassion and love towards the man that is scandalous 1 â—or 5.2 3. Ye have not mourned that he which hath done this deed be taken from among you I verily as absent in body but present in spirit have judged concerning him that hath done this deed In the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ when ye are gathered together and my spirit with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ To deliver such to Satan for the destruction of the flesh yet with affections to the soul That the Spirit may be saved in the day of our Lord Jesus This casting out must have a spiritual carriage and be upon spiritual accounts Thus all the businesse that belongs to the Lords day is and ought to be spiritual 3. The ends for which the Lords day was appointed are also spiritual Whether we consider The end primary viz. The glory of God or The end secondary viz. The good of man And these are to be our spiritual aims in Sabbath-times that the Lords gracious ends and ours may suite 1. Sabbaths are seasons set apart for the exalting the glory of God Both in his spiritual being And in his spiritual working That the glorious being of God blessed for ever might the better be set out the Sabbath was set up Although there is no day wherein we can add any glory to God yet on this day does God open much of his glory to us Apud Persas persona regis sub specie Majesta tis socâ—u litur c. Justin lib. 1. Historians report that it was a great part of the pomp of the Persian Kings that they were seldom seen but upon some very high dayes they use to shew themselves to their people in their most Princely attire when they were so much the more admired and adored The Sabbath is that high and holy day whereon God so shewes himself to his servants in his garments of glory that they are made much to admire and adore him who at other seasons is more conceal'd Our Saviour after his resurrection and begun glorification still took this day to discover
Hearing Gods Word a Duty p. 128 Hereticks not endure Scripture p. 364 Honour to Christ due as to God p. 305 Humble how necessary p 325 Humility how wrought p. 326 Hypocrite how far observing the Sabbath p. 417 I IDlenesse on the Sabbath a great sin pag. 52 Judgments of God upon Sabbath-breakers p. 103 Jewish Sabbath ceased p. 31 Judgment Day now approaching p. 116 Jewes had divers Sabbaths p. 176 Israel a more excellent Name then Jacob. p. 189 Isle Patmos where it was p. 2 John the Apostle compared to the Eagle p. 1. Intercession of Christ how performed pa. 393 Judgments of God on Sabbath-breakers p. 105 K KNowledge of God by his Judgments p. 118 Knowledge necessary to practice p 458 Knowledge to sin against it sad p. 144 L LAst dayes many Antichrists p. 14 Law given by Christ p. 141 Law and Gospel differing p. 38 Libeâ—ty under the Gospel what it is p. 36 Light of Nature to what it leads p. 122 Love the spring of all Gods Mercies p. 470 Love the spring of all our obedience p. 125 Lords Day how excellent a Name p. 189 Lords Prayer how excellent p. 190 Lords Supper how excellent p. 191 Lord of the Sabbath why Christ so called p. 24 Lord of Hosts why God so stiled p. 112 M MAgistrates who honour them most p. 208 Magistrate his duty on the Lords day p. 134 Minister on the Lords Day his duty p. 135 Masters of Families their duties thereon p. 136 Ministers Office most excellent wherein p. 184 Mission of the Holy Ghost when it was p. 19 Meditation how excellent p. 370 Man a compound creature p. 257 Ministers work differing from others p. 353 Ministers must preach though none profit p. 229 Motions spiritual how discovered p. 348 N NAzienzen's saying of Athanasius p. 326 Necessary what works are for the Sabbath p. 74 Necessary the Sabbath for all sorts of men p. 144 O OBedience to God is a debt upon all p. 141 Obedience double due to God p. 148 Ordinances their great Vse p. 369 Ordinances the best not above them p. 147 Ordinances of God are all spirituall pa. 395 Order in Gods service requisite p. 459 P PAtience its necessary Vse p. 335 Pleasures of sin and sinful pleasures differ p. 43 Places of publick Worship to be frequented p. 63 Publick preaching above private reading p. 64 Punished here some sinners are and not other so why p. 118 Psalmes of David fit to be sung pag. 129 People of God more excellent then oâ—her men p. 190 Power given to the Apostles threefold p. 18 Prayer the admirable force thereof p. 204 Praising of God more excellent then prayer p. 371 Preparation to the Sabbath opened pag. 444 Presence of God how with his Ordinances p. 358 R RAnting condemned p. 341 Rainbow sign of peace p. 321 Reading the Scriptures in publick necessary p. 367 Reason cannot rule many men p. 334 Redemption surpasses the work of Creation p. 11 Robbery worse then theft p. 88 Resurrection of Christ how excellent p. 16 Remembrance of Good what it implyes p. 438 Reliance must be on Christ alone p. 476 Relapsers of three sorts p. 146 Resting in Ordinances how bad p. 369 Ruine of Rome drawes nigh p. 241 S SAbbath how it ought to be continuall p. 39 Sabbath the whole Day to be kept p. 56 71 Sabbath-breaking how great a sin p. 86 Sabbath not sanctified is polluted p. 95 Sacrifices dead suited Jewish Sabbaths p. 374 Sacriledge how great a sin p. 89 Sin worse then punishment p. 109 Sin against Ordinances how great p. 90 Singing of Psalmes a sweet Duty p. 128 Soul of man how excellent p. 154 Sacraments to be administred on the Sabbath day p. 130 Segullah what it signifies p. 26 Sacrament of the Supper how excellent p. 191 Separation the evils thereof p. 337 Seducers why called spirits p. 413 Seraphims why Angels so called p. 422 Soul of man hath a double Mansion p 260 Spirie how variously taken p. 257 Spirit of God moves freely p. 329 T THankfulnesse for Sabbath liberties p. 470 Tree of life more excelllent then the Tree of knowledge p. 345 Trinity of persons their proper works p. 20 U UNity among Christians the good fruits thereof p. 433 Vnity in Religion how obtained p. 432 Vnthankfulnesse a great sin p. 86 W VVAldenses whence their Rise p. 120 Watchfulnesse in Gods servants needfull p. 463 Withering branch and root how sad p. 166 Week-day Lectures their good p. 174 Weâ—k-day plâ—asures their danger p 221 Works not to be done on the Sabbath two sorts p. 42 Works on the Sabbath to be done of two sorts p. 51 Works Christ did the same God did p. 10 Willingnesse required in Gods service pag. 459 Word preached better then Word read pa. 64 Wrath unfits men for good Duties p. 452. Z ZEal in Gods service good p. 375 Zion deprived of Sabbaths sad pa. 152 Some Scriptures occasionally explained Genesis ch ver pag. 2. 3. 197 13. 8. 327 Exodus ch v. pag. 32. 19. 161 Leviticus ch ver pag. 26. 33. 153 1 Sam. ch v. pa. 28. 15. 363 Job ch ver pag. 1. 6. 228 Proverbs ch ver pag. 24. 27. 183 25. 11. 183 Psalm 41. 1. 306 51. 12. 283 108 1. 306 Esay ch ver pag. 43. 1. 413 Jeremiah ch ver pag. 17. 27. 104 Lamenta ch ver pag. 2. 6. 103 Amos. 4. 7. 111 Matthew Ch. Ve. Pag. 5. 3. 266 12. 44 316 24. 20. 24 Mark ch ver pag. 1. 23. 316 2. 28. 26 Luke ch v. pag. 2. 37. 73 5. 6. 237 15. 8. 267 John ch ver pag. 20. 24. 17 Romans ch ver pag. 8. 7. 319 8. 9. 262 8. 26. 382 9. 16. 230 12. 2. 258 Galatians ch ver pag. 3. 9. 141 5. 25. 261 2 Timothy ch v. pag. 4. 2. 183 2 Thessalonians ch v. pag. 2. 8. 204 Hebrews ch ver pag. 4. 12. 360 1 Peter ch v. pag. 2. 2. 64 Jam. ch ver pag. 4. 5. 316 1 John ch v. pag. 4. 1. 325 Revelations ch ver pag. 4. 8. 265 5. 8. 302 12. 15. 381 14. 6. 203 21. 22. 147 22. 1. 290 FINIS