cattell upon a thousand hills and all the Fowles of the Mountaines are mine Verse 10 11. But yet those Bullocks and sheep that were set apart for Sacrifice were more immediately the Lords And thus all time is the Lords there is not a day in a thousand years nor an houre in ten thousand dayes but to the least minute all is the Lords Yet there is a day so set apart for holy service That 't is THE LORDS DAY I shall reduce things to a threefold Thesis or Position 1. Pos That God hath one day in seven set apart for his solemne service is sure even from the beginning 2. Position That Christ also should have one day in seven solemnely set apart for his service is sure 3. Position That this day viz. the first day in the week which Christians have commonly kept is that day assuredly THE LORDS DAY First God from the beginning did ordain such a day for religious duties a holy Sabbath This we shall consider As first sanctified And after ratified The consecration of it to Adam in Paradise And The promulgation of it to Moses on the Mount 1. God did establish a seventh day for a sacred Sabbath Gen. 2.2 3. And God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it c. As God appointed Adam his work to wit on the week-dayes to dresse the ground so God provided him a Sabbath a seventh day of holy rest The ground indeed did not then as now need tillage but the first man must be an Exemplar or pattern to Posterity Neither did Adam need rest by reason of any bodily wearinesse in Innocency presupposed but God would have him full and whole to set himself one day in seven to serve him and in a holy communion then more immmediately to meet his Maker which might be unto him a Paradise in Paradise This Sabbath for his souls solace was as the sweetest flower in all his Garden This Seventh day God had bâ—â—ssed and man was bound to keep As there was a speciall Tree whereof Adam might not eate So there was a speciall time that Adam might not break Though he should live without sin Yet he must not live without a Sabbath Secondly God did publish his Sabbath-pleasure more plain to his People upon Mount Sinai Exod. 20.8 9. ver Remember the Sabbath to keep it holy c. Which words as they concern a set-seventh-day-Set-seventh-day-sabbath so they seem to look towards it with a two-fold aspect Both backward And forward Backward As reflecting upon the Sabbath for meer entrance Such a day already instituted the Seventh day God in mercy had made it holy and man must remember to keep it holy Some especially Popish Writers say there was no Sabbath set before the Lord had proclaimed his Law upon Mount Sinai but all the most Orthodox determine otherwise Besides that in Genesis precited we see Exod. 16.23 To morrow sayes Moses is the rest of the holy Sabbath to the Lord. It appears 't was a preappointed day Forward As directing to the Sabbaths further continuance A day that must be remaining Some would make the fourth commandement to be a meer transient ceremonie to live and die with the Jewish Church But if they graunt that the other nine are morall and perpetuall Then this For 't is comprised among them Yea 't is advanced above them This is set in the middle of all as the very heart of the whole as if the Sabbath on the seventh day were the centre in which all the lines of Gods Law meet Yea this is set beyond them as we may see if we observe with what a word 't is inforced in the preface and with what words 't is inlarged in the progresse Remember it stands at the door to invite Calvin Musculus Zanchius c. 't is a word of great weight as our late VVriters observe And in the precept as we passe the roomes there we meet with many words to welcome The Seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God in it thou shalt not do any work c. As saint Paul said of himself considered with the other Apostles 2. Cor. 11. Are they Israelites So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham So am I. Are they the Ministers of Christ I am more In labours more abundant In prisons more frequent So may the Sabbath-precept say of it self in respect of the other commandements Were they written with the finger of God in stone so was I. Were they put into the Ark safe to be preserved So was I. In reasons more urgent In circumstances more aboundant more particulars pressing practise then in any of the other precepts The whole Decalogue or holy Law of God was delivered in thunder and the loudest and longest clap seemed to lie upon the fourth commandement As if at this the Trumpet gave the largest and shrillest sound to set it forth and to settle it fast So we see God had for his service a Sabbath the seventh day From the creation setled and so to proceed Secondly that our dear Saviour should have such a set day of holy rest and religious labour as relating to him suits with Scripture and agrees with grounds of reason For Christ he hath wrought as God the Father did and Christ is to be honoured as God the Father was First the same works have been done by Christ the Son as were done by God the Father John 5.19 Jesus answered Verily verily I say unto you The Son does nothing of himself but what he sees the Father do For whatsoever things he doth the same doth the Son likewise Did God the Father blesse and sanctifie a seventh day for his sacred service and shall not the Son do the same Is there not a set day which the Son hath sanctified As God the Father rested from his works so hath Christ the Son ceased from his Heb. 4.10 Therefore Christ is to have his Sabbath of rest as well as God the Father in the first age of the world Yea the work of Redemption done by the Son doth it not surpasse the work of the whole Creation Being In it self most precious Upon Christ more pressing and Unto us more profitable First most precious is this work in it self viz. Christs recovering souls above Gods creating the World As mans gaining the world cannot recompence the losse of his soul so Gods making the world does not equalize Christs redeeming the soul To draw men out of an enthralled bondage is more then to bring matters out of a confused Chaos In the former God was to deal with no enemy but in the latter Christ was put to combate with all the Divells in hell yea and to overpower men opposing their own mercies 2. Most pressing was this work to Christ it made his very soul heavy unto the death Mat. 26.38 In this Christ did not onely fight with the Divell but God herein fought with Christ bruised him and put him to grief Isay 53.10 The worlds creation was done without
many thousands murthered But O how exceeding sad is this when people may come to the publike in peace pray in peace hear in peace depart in peace from Sabbath after Sabbath yet loiter at home on the Lords Day I wish empty seats make not way for empty pulpits and that quite forgetting Sabbaths be not the event of slighting Sermons To say nothing of such as desert our assemblies upon the groundlesse grounds of Separation what Atheisme begins to grow in the Land who le Parishes live as without God in the world scarce knowing when a Sabbath comes Help Lord. Now amongst such as sin against the Lords Day in respect of works thereupon to be done Divers things are objected Some against the condition of the work in the day And Some against the continuance of the day in the work The condition of this dayes work considered some object Because any thing of the day is required in publick Others Because so many things in the day are required Some say They can read good books and serve God at home when the Sabbath comes Answer 1. They can but 't is a question whether they will or no. Such as in their houses all the whole week do little or nothing in the worship of God are like to do no great matter at home when the Sabbath comes in the service of God As one well observes that commonly they who forget God in the time of their life do forget both God and themselves in the day of their death So they who neglect God in the week-time do ordinarily little regard God or the good of their souls upon the sabbath-Sabbath-day Secondly The publike preaching of the Word is of more Soul-concernment on the Sabbath then any private reading at home if we consider Either the precept of God Or the Profit of man Both expresse in that of the Apostle 1 Pet. 2.2 As new-born babes desire the sincere milk of the Word that ye may grow thereby Sincere milk of the Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sermon-milk warm milk from the Mothers brest is best to battle the babe Sodden milk hath not so much spirits therein nor the child that refreshing thereby * Revera fratres nubes sunt praedicatores c. August in Psal 35. Sermon-milk is the best food for spiritual growth Agustin compares the preaching of the Word to the raining of the clouds which more refreshes the corn then if pond-water should be poured out in pailes and buckets My doctrine shall drop as the rain and my speech shall distill as the dew Deut. 32.1 2. Slight not such Sabbath-showres nor misse upon the Lords Day the former or the latter rain Object On the Sabbath in publike I shall only hear another at home I my self can speak to God in prayer Answ In publike thou mayest not only hear but also pray even then when not one word thou speakest A man at home may speak many words yet make never a prayer and a Christian in the congregation may pray earnestly though he speaks never a word 'T is not the speaking of the tongue but the working of the heart that makes prayer * Non vocis magnitudine sed cordis magnanimitate clamandum est c. Clamabat populus et non audiebatur tacebat Moses et audiebatur ille Ambros in Psal 119. One observes how the Israelites when the Egyptian army was behind them and the Red-sea before them they lift up their voyces and cryed out to the Lord yet God did not regard this as a prayer Exod. 14.10 Moses he was silent not one word of prayer appears yet the Lord sayes to Moses Wherefore cryest thou unto me ver 15. Though his tongue was still his heart was hot in holy prayer Secondly he that will not upon the Lords Day hear Gods Word his private prayer is but unpleasing to God 'T is a saying of one of the Ancients God oft rejects his prayer in trouble who in the daies of his peace does despise Gods precepts Deus saepe ejus precem in perturbatione deserit qui precepta illius in tranquillitate contemnit Greg. Mor. li. 5. ca. 36. and so God does but abominate his prayer in private who will not hear upon the Sabbath-day Gods holy precepts in publike He that turnes away his ear from hearing the Law his prayer shall be an abomination Prov. 28.9 He must first hear God that will be heard of God Objection On the Sabbath in publike I may be put upon expence in contributing to some or other in want which by being at home I escape Answ 1. Charity to such as are in necessity is alwaies an excellent duty It makes a man to resemble God who hath never need to receive but is ever most free to give Jam. 1.5 2. For the duty of charity the most seasonable day is the Sabbath * Chryso in 1. Cor. 11. Homil. 43. Chrysostenme observes that the Sabbath is the day when God in his best bounty does most appear unto us and therefore for us to expresse our bounty to others the Sabbath is the fittest day 3. Though charitable duties are fit for every Sabbath yet such occasions are not constant Christians indeed upon those Lords Dayes when they are not communicating to they should be commiserating of such as suffer in the World when they are not in their contributions liberall they should be in their compassions lively In their thoughts they should go forth and look upon the burdens of their brethren remembring those that are in bonds as if bound with them Hebr. 13.3 Object Some Sabbath-work I am willing to do but so many works on the Sabbat be burdensome Answer 1. The more work the more wages The more good Sabbath-seed men sowe the more plentifull crops of comfort they shall râ—ap both in earth and heaven God hath more Sabbath-mercies to vouchsafe then we duties to perform 2. As on this day men have much work So they have much help Scriptures Ministers Ordinances yea Angells yea God himself Father Son and Holy Ghost Our Lord is not like Pharaoh who required brick but withheld straw 3. The work indeed on the Lords Day is large but it is all excellent businesse that well becomes Kings yea and pions Princes have accounted it not onely their duty but their dignity not onely to see that others but themselves also in all holy duties do observe the Lords Day Zozom Eccl. hist si 1. ca. 8. History in the praise of Constantine reports much of this And the Scripture prophesies that Princes in Gospell-times should not abate but abound in Sabbath-day-duties And the burnt-offering that the Prince shall offer to the Lord in the Sabbath-day Exek 46.4 shall be six Lambs without blemish and a Ram without blemish This by type did signifie that in succeeding times the Service of God should be plentifully performed even by the highest of the people upon the Lords holy Day 4. Upon the Lords Day though of duties there be
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
of families must upon the Lords day be diligent in houshold-duties We find in the 4 th of Mark yea and likewise Luke 14. how our Saviour on the Sabbath day when he had publikely preached to the people as a Minister of the Gospel he after privately examined his Disciples and further instructed them as a Master of a family From which example of Christ an excellent Expositor observes Chemnit examen cap. de dieb fest how unto the sanctification of the Sabbath besides publike duties there is work to be done in Families as instructing servants repetition of Sermons reading Scriptures counselling and quickning such as are under our care that all may keep holy the Lords day So we see the matters men are exhorted unto I come now to consider the motives by which hereunto men are to be exhorted These are of two sorts Some more driving and Others more drawing Motives that more drive unto diligence in these Duties may arise by observing concerning the Christian Sabbath these four things The necessity of it's continued being The Jeopardy of its future losing The uncertainty of its sudden regaining and The possibility of its present cursing 1. The being of the Lords day is necessary note Negatively and Affirmatively Not that God needs any Sabbath-service or such holy duties as additionals to his Dignity Indeed as to us the honour of God seems to sink when Sabbaths cease And the supporting of Sabbaths seems the advancing of Gods glory but the intrinsecal glory of God can receive no increase God would be infinitely happy though men keep no day holy we need his service not he our obedience When our Saviour sent Luk. 19. to unloose the Colt the Disciples were to give the owner this reason thereof The Lord hath need of him We call indeed to a careful keeping of the Sabbath but we do not say the Lord hath need of it The gods of the Heathen need the supports of such as serve them but so does not the God of heaven Hence sayes the holy Apostle Act. 17.24 25 God that made the world and all things therein seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth dwells not in temples made with hands neither is worshipped with mens hands as though he needed any thing seeing he giveth to all life and breath and all things One well observes of the Angels Chrysost in Matth. Hom. 9 they are not poor though they have no flocks of sheepe they are not in want though silver gold they have none they do not need these things because they have better things abide them Thus God does not want our service in Sabbaths neither needs he any of our duties on holy dayes because of those most perfect felicities and glorious excellencies that are in himself abiding As the Lord is omniscient and needs not any man to assist his knowledge So the Lord is all-sufficient and needs not any thing to help his happinesse And therefore the necessity of Sabbath-observance does not referre to God But to observe Sabbaths the necessity is in reference to us for a double cause viz. Necessitas duplex Praecepti Medii Gods Injunction towards us and Our condition towards God 1. 'T is necessary for us to observe the Sabbath day in all its duties because of Gods injunction And here 't is meet of two things to take good notice to wit Every command of God causes a necessity of our obodience and here is a necessity of our obedience because of Gods expresse command 1. Whereever God gives a word of command there is a work of our obedience necessary I had rather sayes Luther obey the Lords commands then to work Miracles If Miracles need be wrought God will do his own work but 't is needfull we obey commands for God will not do mans work As God by his promises binds himself to vouchsafe mercy So God by his precepts binds us to perform duty As God promising mercy requires our faith so God commanding duty requires our obedience Obedience 't is a debt which as we certainly owe so we must necessarily pay Some they owe to God the debt of passive obedience as they are his prisoners all they owe to God the debt of active obedience as they are his creatures 2. Here God gives a word of manifest command and therefore visibly to obey is necessary Remember thou keep holy the Sabbath day Exod. 20.8 Touching this commandement That the Sabbath day be kept holy we may observe Who was the Giver of it Mediatorem hic appellat Christum declarans quòd ipse ante legem fuerit legem tulerit Chrysost In principio mundi Christus Mediator erat hominum etfi nondum erat homo c. Orig. Ambros lib. 4. in Luc. and To whom it was given 1. He who gave this Sabbath Command was Christ the Mediatour He who came down upon Mount Sinai and gave the whole Law is called Jehovah Exod. 20.2 Deut. 4 11. This the Septuagint translate Lord And the same the holy Apostle applies to the Mediatour our Lord Christ Gal. 3.19 And Origen Chrysostome Ambrose with almost all the Ancients in expounding that place of the Apostle do affirme that 't was Christ the Mediatour both of the Old and New Testament by whom the Law was given So Calvin Junius Marlorat and other able Writers since assert upon the same text We are therefore to look upon this sanctifying the Sabbath as that for which Christ hath given a positive Command 'T was not a Mosaical Ceremony pointing to Christ but 't is a Moral duty appointed by Christ and so to remain under the Gospel and government of Christ untill Christ shall deliver up the Kingdome to God the Father and set an end to all times and things in this world 2. He to whom this Sabbath-Command was given is every one Individually Thou Remember thou keep holy the Sabbath day Thou Not as a Jew but as a man every man both Jew and Christian Herein whosoever exempts himself deceives himself Yea and of all the commands not any have such a Memorandum upon it as that which concerns the sanctifying of the Sabbath Remember As it related to a duty to be performed in dayes past so it related to a people that in dayes past should still perform that duty A Christian Church to come Remember If men forget all the rest yet let them remember this and if they well remember this not any of the rest will be forgoten That which Luther affirms of the first may wel be referred to the 4. Commandment that in the observance of that obedience to all the rest is comprized 2. The Sabbath day in all its duties is necessary for men to sanctifie because of their condition whether they be considered As unregenerate Or as regenerate 1. For men in an unregenerate estate they need to have a holy Sabbath observed And of such there are two sorts Some in a sinful estate and know it not and others that know
the day of his Birth but I never read of any that cursed the day of his New Birth This is the day of rescuing the prey from the mighty the day of opening the Prison-dores and setting the captive free Exod. 12.42 It is a night much to be observed to the Lord for bringing them out from the Land of Egypt This is that night of the Lord to be observed of all the children of Israel in their generations So may we say of the Sabbath 'T is a day much to be observed to the Lord for bringing souls from the bondage of sin This is the day much to be observed to the Lord of all the children of God throughout all generations This hath been the day of many a spiritual Marriage or the day of Gods espousing many souls to Christ Thus hath God honoured this his holy day highly And as for this holy day it doth highly honour God exalting all that appertains to God It beautifies the service of God It dignifies the servants of God 1. Hereby the service of God is beautified Eccles 3.11 Every work sayes the Wise man is beautiful in its season Holy duties are best in season upon holy dayes Preach the Word sayes the Apostle 2 Tim. 42. Be instant in season and out of season rebuke exhort c. In season That is upon the Sabbath day Out of season That is in the week-time So several sound Expositors upon the place Prov. 25.11 Words spoken in season are like apples of gold in pictures of silver Thus Prayers made and Sermons preached in season are as golden apples in silver pictures one helping to honour the other The golden apples grace the silver pictures and the silver pictures set out the golden apples Thus the Sabbath-service advances the Sabbath-season and the Sabbath-season exalts the Sabbath-service and all lifts up the honour of God who hath prepared silver dishes for golden apples and put golden apples into silver dishes Appointing blessed dayes for sacred duties and sacred duties for blessed dayes 2. Hereby the servants of God are dignified God in giving the whole Law and so in proclaiming the Command for the sanctifying of the Sabbath made use of the Ministery of Angels not for necessity to him but dignity to them 'T was an honour to the Angels to be present and assistant when the Sabbath was set forth Gala. 3.19 .. Thus God in the continued management of the Sabbath and carrying on the sanctification thereof in the world makes use of the Ministery of men as a dignity to them Among other respects there are two most remarkable things that do dignifie the office of Ministers above all other Functions The subject they are imployed for viz. The Souls of men And the Season they are imployed in viz. The Sabhaths of God Other callings their work lies upon the week-daies but the Minister in his businesse lies bound for the Sabbath O let not any earthly discouragements sink the soules of my dear brethren but let 's honour that God who hath so honoured us as to bend and bind our businesse to this blessed Day Hath God magnify'd our office to labour on this day Let us magnifie our office by this days-labour Steadfast immoveable abounding in the Lords work upon the Lords day That God who hath blessed the day for our work will blesse our work in the day 2. The Sabbath consider'd as Christian hath honour Christianity brings on dignity Theodosius accounted himself more noble as he was a Christian then as he was an Emperour Hence Luther professed He had rather be a Christian beggar then Heathen Alexander Our Sabbath is Christian and therefore excellent The excellencie of our Christian Sabbath may be seen by two sorts of things Some more Principal Some lesse Principal The principall things that put a price upon the Sabbath lie In the appointing of it and In the abyding of it This day may appear precious if we ponder The person by whom and The reason for why 't was appointed 1. The person through whom this appointment came was Christ and his Institution August de temp Serm. 36. To this Austin applies that prediction of the Prophet Psal 118.24 This is the day which the Lord hath made we will rejoyce and be glad therein Jesus Christ himself set out this Sabbath-time Christ in person Christ in the Apostles THE LORD CHRIST Coelum eâ— Christus non patiantur hyperbolen O how excellent is he Christ and Heaven says Luther in their praise can be no excesse Too little we may speak never too much All the excellencies of God and man meet in Christ That then must needs be excellent whereof Christ is the Author That Child is nobly born which can call Christ Father The Sabbath derives its pedigree from Christ 2. The reason upon which this Day was ordained was Christ in his Resurrection The Resurrection of Christ was the first degree of his exaltation Had he not risen from the dead he had never ascended into heaven never sat down at the right hand of God And therefore his rising day may well be our resting day that day on which Christ took the first step to all his great honours is an honourable day and a day much to be honoured God hath highly honoured this day As by converting on it the Souls of men So by raising on this day the Body of his Son 2. We may see this days excellency in its permanency As the Priesthood of Melchizedeck was more excellent then the Priesthood of Aaron because of its order for ever Hebr. 7.17 So the Sabbath of Christians is more excellent then all the Sabbaths of the Jews because it continues To this Sabbath it might be said in regard of all the Jewish Sabbaths They shall perish but thou remainest and they shall all wax old as doth a garment As a vesture shalt thou roul them up and they shall be changed but thou art the same and thy years shall not fail Heb. 1.11 12. To this day all the powers of earth hell shall never put a period Lastly we may look into the large dignity of this Day From the timing of it and From the naming of it 1. This day is so tim'd as is a help to its honour 'T is the first day in the week We have a rule That the first in every kind is more excellent then all the rest August de civit De. ili 11. Cypria Serm. de Spir. S Austin Cyprian and other of the Ancients much advance the excellency of the Sabbath from the circumstance of time That 't is the seventh Day The number seven being most perfect that which they say comprises many mysteries of moment But that which is more meet for us to consider is the settling of our Christian Sabbath upon the first day of the week Luke 2.23 we read how 't was written in the Law that every Male that first opened the womb was called holy to the Lord our Sabbath it is
Take week-day-delights as in worldly matters and ordinarily there is a deadly hook within a pleasant bait Our Mother Eve Gen. 3. looked upon the fruit of the forbidden tree and it was pleasant for her eye Ai Ai but that which was pleasant for her sight it was perillous for her soul It was but week-day-pleasure in a Garden-tree had she continued innocent and tasted of Sabbath-day-delights in a glorious God of that fruit she might have eate and at that Fountain she might have drunk safely 2. These are the sweetest joyes Weekday-sports in lawful delights are but as pills rolled up in Sugar bitter-sweet sweet without bitter within As the Prophets Book that was as honey in the mouth and as gall in the belly These earthly pleasures are as garden-Roses which as they have their pleasant leaves so they have their pricking stalks Whereas true Sabbath-delights are throughout sweet Some bitter drops may possibly fall in them but they are not properly of them For as there is saltnesse in every drop of Sea-water So there is sweetnesse in every dram of true Sabbath-comfort 3. These are the firmest joyes Unto sinful men their week-delights are weak delights that rise and soone fall that spring up and soone wither away One blast of Gods displeasure it blowes out those Candle-comforts One drop of a troubled conscience sayes Luther swallowes up a Sea of worldly joy Whereas to Gods Saints Sabbath-delights are surer delights stable and strong As the strength of the Lord is their joy So the joy of the Lord is their strength Their delights in the Sabbath of the Lord Is by delighting in the Lord of the Sabbath Isay 58.13 Thou shalt not do thy pleasure on my holy day but call the Sabbath a delight the holy of the Lord honourable and shalt honour him not doing thine own wayes nor speaking thine own words What then Then shalt thou delight thy self in the Lord. I will cause thee to ride upon high places and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy Father Here is a firme foundation for Saints Sabbath-delightings viz. God and his gracious dealings 4. These are the fullest joyes Sabbath-feasting-delights are soul-filling-delights Week-day-pleasures in worldly matters are ever swelling but never filling They are windy and empty and so apt to swell men with pride and self-conceits But they do not fill men so as to give them any good satisfactions Soul-satisfying joyes are Sabbath-sanctifying joyes Comforts in and communions with God give full content Some of Gods Saints who have had their souls filled with sorrowes all the week yet upon the Sabbath God hath turned their water into wine August de tempore Serm. 154. Austin is of the judgement that that Marriage in Cana of Galilee Joh. 2. was upon the Sabbath-day when the six water pots being fill'd with water to the brim Christ made all into wine When with some the six-week-dayes have been like those six water pots all fill'd brim full with the waters of sorrow the Lord upon the day of our Christian Sabbath hath changed all into the best wine of soul-refreshing comfort Joseph de bello Judaico lib. 7. cap. 24. Josephus writes of a River near Jerusalem that upon the six dayes in the week was dry through the failing of the water from the spring head but upon the Sabbath which was the seventh day the springs sent out so fast that the banks were filled whereupon it was commonly called The Sabbath-River I cannot affirm the truth of this But this is truth There are that can by experience speak it When little hath come from the spring head of comfort all the week yet upon the Sabbath day soul-eomforts have flowed in and filled up amaine About the tents of the Jewes Manna fell from heaven onely upon the week-dayes none was found upon the Sabbath 'T is otherwise with Christians that Manna of heavenly joy that falls not all the week is to be found upon their Sabbath day so as that therewith their souls are safely sweetly and firmely filled O how much might this promote among us the careful keeping of our Christian Sabbath viz. The profitable comfort and the comfortable profit that may in the same be possessed Yet upon the souls of several of Gods Saints some things may be supposed sadly to sit Some complain that though past there hath been a long continuance of the Sabbath yet they have found no such profit and comfort Others confesse they have found much comfort and profit but they fear a short continuance of the Sabbath for the future The former are damp'd in the duty and service of the day because they feel no present profit and comfort coming The latter are damp'd in their comfort and profit for present because they fear the day will not publickly endure But that neither the want of the comfort of the day may dishearten the duty Nor the doubt of the continuance of the day may diminish the comfort Some things suitable to both sorts may be said to help in such cases of sadnesse First for such of Gods Saints as are under temptations discouraging from the service of the Sabbath because they have not had such good successe in Sabbaths observed 1. Be it so yet such ought in the Sabbath-day-duties to continue their diligence We are bound to perform duty though we should not receive mercy 't is the mark of meer Mercenaries without some recompence no obedience Indeed the recompence of reward may be in our eye though it be not our end In our work we do we may have a love to the reward but for meer love of the Reward we are not to do our work God is our great Lord and Master though 't is not servile obedience yet 't is obedience of servants we owe to him daily and much more upon his holy day If he should not be as a liberal Master to pay us wages for it yet we must be as loyal servants to perform his work in it A learned Author reports Cassianus lib 4 cap. 24. that he knew a young man who meerly in obedience to a superiours command for a whole year together he went two miles every day onely to poure water on a dry withered stick We ought every Lords day to come under Gospel-waterings though our hearts should remain as withered dry and dead sticks or hard stones though we should feel no softenings quickenings comfortings 't is enough we have a command the duty is ours the day is Christs who is over all God above all blessed for ever 'T is a favour God will imploy us though he should not reward us Angels are glad God will send them on his businesse though they have no new recompence They are chearful to increase their duty though they do not enlarge their glory We be not to conceive of the Angels that some God hath to stand up by him and others are sent out of him for sayes the Apostle Are they not all ministring spirits sent
day and for ever Christ who is The Lord our righteousnesse he is the Lord our Sabbath So chat we shall have a Sabbath last as long as Christ lives A good conscience Sabbatum Dei illud quo exterius â—b opere cessasse dicitur Sacramentum est interioris Sabati ubimens sancto per bonam conscientiam a peccato quiscâ—ns c. Hugo Chrysost Homil. 17. in Genes August Serm. 10. ad fratres in Exem as it is a continual feast so a Sabbath of rest Prov. 15.15 Esay 57.20 The wicked are like the troubled Sea that have no Sabbath of rest Tell me not sayes Chrysostome the man hath a sumptuous Table is cloathed mith silks attended with servants shews me his conscience there is a hurry of lusts a tumult of sins A continual Sabbath-lesse man A good conscience 't is sayes Austin the bed of God the Palace of Christ the Temple of the holy Ghost the Paradise of delights the standing Sabbath of Saints c. Let us be faithful in the Sabbath that may possibly cease and then may we be sure of a never ceasing Sabbath In the saddest most unsetled seasons when customes are changing and Kingdoms are shaking and all Gods Ordinances seem to be taking their leave in a Land yea when all externals in the world are at worst yet there is an internal Sabbath in the heart and an eternal Sabbath in the heavens whereof every Saint may be sure Sabbatum duplex Pectoris et Temporis Aquinas 12ae quest 100. Art 5. Suppose there should be here no more Sabbaths remaining yet there is a remaining Sabbath Heb 4.10 And though the Lords day will end the Lord himself will be a never ending day THE LORDS DAY Enlivened Revel 1.10 I was in the Spirit on the Lords Day THe holy Apostle in the words present plainly reports The Season upon which he was set and The condition into which he was put The Season which he was on It was the Lords Day The condition which he was in He was in the Spirit I was in the Spirit on the Lords Day The Point we are next to prosecute is That it is sensible to some and possible for all pious men to be in the Spirit on the Lords Day This Doctrine I shall endeavour To clear To prove and To presse For the clearing of truth it is fit to unfold What is the Spirit in which they may be on the Lords Day and What it is for them on the Lords Day to be in the Spirit Spirit This is to be considered both as it relates To God and To Man Omnes Nomenis Jehovae literae sunt spirituales ut denotetur Deum esse Spiritum Alsted Spirit This as unto God does import Either the whole divine Essence Or one personall subsistence The whole Essence of the God-head is Spirit As Christ King Priest and Prophet is one compleat Saviour So God Father Son and holy Ghost is one spirituall being And as in the Spirit they are but one being So in their being they are but one spirit Thus God is a Spirit John 4.24 Thus Spirit is attributed as unto God 1 Tim. 3.16 1. Pet. 3.18 c. 2. The third Person subsisting in the God-head is Spirit As there is God a Spirit So there is the Spirit of God Through mighty signs and wonders by the power of the Spirit of God Rom. 15.19 The things of God knoweth no man but the Spirit of God 1 Cor. 2.11 c. This is called The Spirit of truth John 14.17 The Spirit of life Rom. 8.2 The Spirit of holinesse Rom. 1.4 The Holy Ghost Tit. 3.5 Spirit This as appropriate to man implies Either the whole soul of man Or the superiour facultie of the soul 1. For the soul wholly in the substance thereof As every individuall man hath his soul So the soul of every single man it is his spirit Each man is a compound creature made up of soule and body Hence men are compared to Gideons souldiers Judg. 7.16 Ambros de Spir. Sa. lib. 1. cap. 16. Each having his â—arthen pitcher and Lamp therein when the earthen pitcher of mans body is broken by death the Lamp of his soul abides burning either in heaven or hell Thus Matth 10.28 Mans soule while in his body is called his Spirit Isay 26.9 Ex egests vid. Augustin in locum et Ambros Com. in loc With my soule have I desired thee in the night and with my spirit within me will I seek thee early Luk. 1.46 47. Mary said My soul doth magnifie the Lord and my spirit hath rejoyced in God my Saviour 2. Spirit That is the soules superiour facultie As the soule it is spirit So there is the spirit of the soule Or The spirit of the mind as the Apostle calls it Rom. 12.2 This is the intellectual or the knowing power of the soule Who knowes the things of man save the spirit of man which is in him 1. Cor 2.11 Thus 1 Thess 5.23 the Apostle mentions body soul and spirit Indeed this is most applicable to man as born of God considered Not onely in his proper constitution But also in his further restitution As the woman in the Gospell who hid her leaven in three measures of meal till the whole lump was leavened Thus the Lord layes his Grace in these three parts body soule and spirit till the whole man is sanctified Now such a man so spirited is fit to be in the spirit on the Lords Day On the Lords Day in the spirit Spirit it is taken as referring both to God and man The Spirit of God and the spirit of man meeting 2. What it is for a godly man on the Lords Day to be in the Spirit In the Spirit This notes Both his soules habitual condition as settled And his soules actuall condition as moved 1. The soul of a sanctified man according to his settled condition considered is in the spirit Being by grace habitually planted and effectually put into God Father Son and Holy Ghost John 17.21 That they sayes Christ to his Father may be one in us In us That they are not in thee onely nor in me alone but in us viz. Father Son and holy Spirit Every gracious soul Rests in God Abides in Christ and Lives in the Spirit Bernard 1. In God there is a resting Psal 37.7 The soule of every true Believer sayes a learned Writer Hath a double Mansion One wherein it rules viz. the body and The other wherein it rests viz. God The soule of every Saint is settled in God as in its centre The force of some temptation may seeme to unsettle his soule and as it were to separate it from God but then as Noah's Dove out of the Ark it finds no rest back again it comes God is its centre and out of God truly it can never be taken maugre all the malice of hell 2. In Christ there is his abyding John 15.7 In the heart of Christ and In the
but are not towards God burning in affections they keep dayes and carry on duties in a spiritlesse way And for lack of such sparklings and springings of soul they are not in the Spirit on the Lords day 3. Pious men may possibly passe Sabbaths resting in Gods Ordinance without enjoying Gods presence God having made those heavenly creatures Sun Moon and Stars yet rested not till he had created man so man having used holy duties Word Sacraments and Prayer yet therein should not rest till he can attain God When the Jewes were gone out of Egypt and were in their way to Canaan God told them they should have his Angel to go before them but himself would not go with them which when they heard they all mourned and none would put on his Ornaments Exod. 33.2 3.4 Gods servants in Sabbaths should not be satisfied though they had the Ministery of Angels except God himself be present When Rebecca was in her journey to Abrahams house with his servants she rode on the Camel but she did not rest on the Camel when she saw Isaac who was to be her husband she lighted down and modestly met him Gen. 24.63 64. Jacob rejoyced to see the wagons his son Joseph had sent yet was not the seeing of them nor being in them that satisfied Jacob but thereby to go into Egypt and see and enjoy Joseph himself It becomes Christians to rejoyce when God gives them Ordinances to use yet is not the highest Ordinances they can have upon this holy day wherein they should rest contented except thereby they can come to some communion with God It is reported of Master Bradford the Martyr that he would never leave off in holy duties till he found therein somewhat of God as in prayer he would not give over till he had some intimation from God of his love in meditation till he had some manifestation of Gods presence quickening and quieting his heart Gods servants even upon Sabbath dayes when duties are most solemn and settled should not rest satisfied except God shewes upon them some token for good and seals upon their souls some impression of his presence which they may carry with them all the week The Church Cant. 3. being at a losse for her beloved she goes to the watchmen and enquires of them And 't was but a little said she tâ— at I passed from them but I found him whom my soul loveth We are not so far to passe Instruments and Ordinances as not to make use of them or attend in them but we are to passe them a little in respect of any relyance on them or resting in them As evil things unrepented of carry us from God so good things rested in keep us from God It is for Pharisees and Papists to rest in good works done Christians should rise higher and reach at a GOD in every good work at Christ a Saviour in every service of the Sabbath When Samuel was to anoint one of the family of Jesse to be King over Israel Jesse made seven of his sons to passe before the Prophet and as they passed one after another the Prophets word was This is not he Neither this he c. Then sayes Samuel Is there not yet another And Jesse said There remains yet the youngest and behold he keeps the sheep And Samuel said Send and fetch him for we will not sit down till he come hither And Jesse sent and brought in David Then sayes the Prophet This is he and he anointed him 1 Sam. 16. Thus upon a Sabbath when Instruments Ordinances Ministers Scriptures Prayers Sermons Sacraments and all passe one after another the souls of Gods Saints should secretly say Is there not yet another The Lord our righteousnesse we cannot sit down till he comes hither And when the Lord himself appears in an Ordinance each soul should say This this is he Some they sit down in Ordinances though no Christ comes in little or nothing of the Lord himself is seen and so their hearts rise not The Virgin Mary comming into the house where Elizabeth was she being with child the babe leaped in her womb and she was filled with the holy Ghost and said with a loud voice Whence is this that the mother of my Lord should come to me Luk 1. Now it was not so much the Mother of the Lord as the Lord in his Mother that made the child in Elizabeth leap 'T is not the Ministers of Christ nor the Ordinances of Christ but Christ in his Ministers and Christ in his Ordinances that makes the hearts of holy men to leap upon the Lords day Thus they are filled with the holy Ghost and fixed with the Spirit of God Now because Christians do not rise to a high minding the presence of Christ but rest in a low using the Ordinances of Christ they are not in the Spirit on the Lords day Use Exhortion Let this incite all Gods Saints to such a spiritual spending of the Gospel-Sabbath that upon this day they may be in the Spirit Two things 't is here meet to mark Viz. The matter whereof this is comprised and The motives whereby this is enforced Spiritually to spend the Lords day does comprise principally these two things viz. The influence of Gods Spirit with us and The concurrence of our spirits with God 1. The inflowings of Gods Spirit so as to work in a double way viz. Of Resistance And Assistance There being mighty oppositions against us we need the Spirit of God for their resisting and There being many imperfections about us we need the same Spirit for our assisting 1. The blessed Spirit upon the Sabbath to resist Satan and what he secretly suggests to damp the duties of the day Indeed the Divels design is not onely to dull us in but if possibly to drive us from this day in all the duties thereof And when he cannot keep off our bodies to carry away our hearts he comes oft like a flood a flood of water to hinder a flame of zeal Revel 12.15 And the Serpent cast out of â—is mouth water as a flood after the woman that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood When Satan sees that upon the Sabbath we will go out to the Ordinances of God to quench and carry away our hearts he then causes temptations to come as a flood viz. Both in abundance And with violence Against this the best helper is Gods holy Spirit Esay 59.19 VVhen the enemy shall come in like a flood the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him Thus ate the billowes beat back and the floods dryed up and Satans designs dashed and our souls upon the Sabbath set in a more hopeful way for Spiritual work 2. The Spirit of God upon the Sabbath to assist and help our infirmities Rom. 8.26 Our infirmities likewise the Spirit helpeth for we know not what to pray for as we ought but the Spirit it self makes intercession for us with groanes that cannot
Grant some of them meet on Sabbath-dayes in their religious duties yet themselves say they do it not out of obedience to any divine Command or upon the acknowledgement of any Gospel-Canon binding the conscience more to this then to other dayes As for many they pretend to have things so immediate from God that they are utterly against the use of any holy means or times As Ehud told Eglon he had a message from God and in the mean while thrust him through the belly with a Dagger Judg. 3. Some they say they have a message from God and that they alone have the mind of Christ in the mean time they strike through Gods holy day and stab into the very heart of Christian Religion Dear Christians do not hearken to any of these but stoutly withstand them as being strongly resolved for the Lords day and the lively duties thereof 2. Some immediate that may seek to hinder the holy observation of the Sabbath As sinful relations Deut. 13.6 7. If thy brother the son of thy Mother or thy son or thy daughter or the wife of thy bosome c. shall intice thee secretly saying Let us seek another God let us set our selves Sabbath-free thou shalt not consent to him nor hearken to him thou shalt not conceal him c. Yea perhaps ancient intimate acquaintance such of whom thou mayest say as David Psal 55.14 We took sweet counsel together and walked unto the house of God in company spent many a sweet Sabbath together travelled together many a mile to hear the good Word of God went home with hearts warmed full of comfortable conference by the way c. Now course and counsel is quite contrary all to carry off from Ordinances and to discourage care about the Lods day and duties All such must be stifly withstood and you strongly resolved not to lose the Lords-day priviledge When Ahab sought to perswade Naboths vineyard from him 1 King 21. Naboth answers Ahab saying The Lord forbid it me that I should give away the inheritance of my fathers unto thee Thus if you meet any man that would bereave you of your Sabbath-right say The Lord forbid it me that I should give away the sacred time of God my Father If Divel or World profit or pleasure seek to pull aside say The Lord forbid that I should so give away the day of my dear Redeemer c. Thus must you with courage crush temptations 2. Care must be to make for the day due preparations In order to the Sabbath day a double preparation is due More general and remote More special and immediate Matters must be so ordered every day as to prepare for this day As our whole life should be a preparing for death so the whole week should be a preparing for the Sabbath But as this precious day does more approach so preparative work must more increase For that more solemn preparation when the Sabbath day draws nigh observe Wherefore it is required and Wherein it is performed Things that do require and that may encourage Christians to a right preparation for the Sabbath day are The necessities of it The equities for it and The commodities by it 1 Things necessary that for this day we do prepare are Because This preparation is a duty of the Lords commanding And the Sabbath is the day of the Lords comming 1. Hath not the Lord commanded every man to prepare for the Sabbath before it comes Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy Remembring properly is of things absent not present And words of Remembrance or knowledge do import both affection and action To remember the Sabbath 'T is aforehand to mind and manage matters that concern the Sabbaths sanctification or that when it comes it may be holily kept Yea for every Duty of the Lords day must be a due preparance Yea take up any holy task at any other time and for it we ought to prepare Before we pray we must prepare for prayer and before we hear prepare for hearing Prepare for a Sermon and prepare for a Sacrament Now if God would have us prepare for single Duties when they lye more asunder sure we should prepare for the Sabbath when such duties are laid more together or as Jacob and Esau one hold the heel of the other Yea this Day when we are not onely to be in the Duty but in the Spirit in the prompt and powerful and precise transaction of every service we had need to prepare 2. Doth not the Lord upon this Day come in comfortable visits to the soules of his Saints and must not they prepare for his presence When Christ was to come in the flesh preparation was made And must not we make preparation when Christ is to come in the Spirit 'T was the Opinion of some of the Ancients Lactant. lib. 7. ca. 1. Augu t. De Temp. Serm. 154. that Christs personal coming to Judgment will be on the Sabbath Day Christs Spiritual coming in Mercy is to be sure on the Day of the Sabbath We see when the Bridegroom was to come Matth. 25. the Virgins especially the wise trimm'd their lamps and prepared oyl in their vessels The Sabbath 't is the Day when our Bridegroom comes how ought we to trim our Lamps and get ready oyl in our vessels When a Great Man is to come to our houses how are all the rooms dress'd up When a Great God is to come to our hearts 't is necessary we be well prepared 2. 'T is Equal and Meet for us to prepare upon the Sabbaths approach as may appear if we observe the practice of several Some past and Some present In time past the people of the Jews their practice was to prepare for their Sabbath Luk. 23.54 And that day was the preparation for the Sabbath drew on That day they call'd their Sabbatulum or their little Sabbath on which they made ready against the great Day of their Sabbath came Yea the Jews in honor of their Sabbath and that they might the more mind it and be in the better preparednesse for it they use as some Learned observe to call the whole week a Sabbath P. Mart. in Gen. 1. Tremel in Syriac Paraphr Mat. 28.1 Theophyl Matth. 28.1 The first day of the Sabbath and the second day of the Sabbath and so on And thus much is clear according to the Greek in several Texts in the New Testament Luk. 18.12 24.1 And is it not meet then for Christians whose Sabbath exceeds that of the Jews to prepare themselves thereunto We are eased of the businesse of Sacrifices have no Sheep and Oxen to prepare we have the more time to make ready hearts and soules for spiritual service Secondly The practice of severall present makes such Sabbath-preparation meet as may appear if we ponder Both the good actings of some And the evil of others For good actings in order to the Sabbath Observe Both the good that God doth in his People And the
and ravished enlivened and enlarged upon the Lords day we had need look to it on the following day and keep our selves lowly lest that mind which hath been one day heavenly be the next day haughty Pride is a worme apt to breed within the best wood Beware beware 3. Let us be faithful to keep up the good we have got we are apt to catch cold after the greatest heats And after some close attendance in Gods service to grow more loose and remisse in duty Let us look to our selves we do not lose the things we have wrought we do not break the bounds we have set or slack the holy bonds wherewith we have been begirt To be unloosened on the Sabbath from week-day bonds is comfortable but in the week-time to unloose the Lords-day bonds is abominable 4. Let us be fruitful to bring forth more good for God both in our general and particular callings That our week day carriage may be the springing up of Sabbath-day seed yea our whole lives must be a walking in Sabbath-day strength Tertul. C. Jud. 4. Origen in Numb Hom. 23. cont Cels lib. 8. Pag. 522. c. Chrysoâ—t in Matth. tract 29. Aug. de civit Dei lib. 22. cap. 30. Idem Epist 119. cap. 12. Et de cons Evang. lib. 2. cap. 77. And thus ought we to keep a holy Sabbath throughout the whole course of our dayes Divers of the Ancients dwell much upon this perswading Christians so to practise piety and pursue sanctity as to perpetuate a Sabbath As upon the Lords day we should be full of spirits so after the Lords day we should be spiritual still As on that day we should live in the Spirit so afterward we should walk in the Spirit Gal. 5.25 This I say then Walk in the Spirit and ye shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh If all the week we be carnal how can it appear we are spiritual on the Sabbath A good Author speaks well in this case Have we well served the Lord upon his day Bucer in Matth. 12.11 let our manners shew it let our works prove it let the holinesse of our lives decleare it Who will believe that he hath been present in publick Assemblies and with a sincere heart hath heard Gods holy Word who passes the following part of his life more loosely vainly carnally coveteously c 'T is this will evidence that on the Sabbath we have been with Jesus when afterward our faces and graces shine our lips and lives hold out the praises of Christ and the power of his Gospel When the Lords day comes we should be as lively firy and full as if we were then to begin and end Gods work We should be found in such a frâ—me every Lords day as if that were the first Sabbath that ever we spent and as if it were the last day that we should live on this earth or as if the weight of all our work lay upon that single Sabbath for which we were sent into the World or as if our eternal being were to be determined hereby And yet after the day is over we must endeavour still to be doing as if no work were done For as we must be all abundant and fervent on the Sabbath day in the service of God as if after were no holy duties So we must be as full and forward to all following duties as if there had been no Sabbath before Before the Sabbath day and after we must do all the good we can even as if there were no Christ to be relyed upon and yet our relyance both in life and death must be on our dear Lorld as if there never had been the least good done We must be precise for the Sabbath-day and duty And yet yet Duty shall not be our Redeemer Nor the Sabbath our Saviour Whether Sabbath-day or week-day we will do as much good as ever we are able but begin and end all in Christ The end with us shall be the glory of the Lord And with the Lord in glory shall be our end Amen Amen FINIS AN Alphabetical Table directing to some Principal things in this Treatise A ADam in Innocency to keep the Sabbath pag. 7 175 Advocate how Christ is and for whom p. 402 Angels they have a twofold knowledge p. 216 Angels all Ministring spirits pag. 227 Angels helpers in all holy Duties p. 228 Angels delight in Sabbath-service p. 217. Atheists of two sorts p. 32 Antichrists ruine how wrought p. 198 Augustine's answer to a Manichees p. 328 Assent to Divine truths what p. 121 B BAbylons fall two-fold p. 203 Baptisme of Infants why many against it p. 401 Baptisme of Infants its great use pag. 340 Book of Psalmes how excellâ—nt p. 129 Blood of Christ what it purchased p. 92 Blessing of God how desireable p. 197 Breaches abundance how they come p. 339 C CHange of the Sabbath upon a double cause p. 34 Christian liberty wherein it consists p. 36 37 Charitable Duties how fit for the Sabbath p. 66 132 Church-Discipline exercised on the Lords Day p. 131 Censures in the Church how to be inflicted p. 407 Chearfulnesse in Gods service required p. 462 Collections for the poor how to be managed p. 340 Conscience good what it is p. 253 Conscience troubled how sad p. 222 Contentions of Brethren how bad p. 328 Communion with Christ how sweet pag. 102 Christ spiritual in all his Estates p. 390 Covetousnesse the root of evil p. 50 D DAyes all how they are the Lords p. 4. Difference of Dayes how under the Gospel p. 38 Doctrine of the Lords Day strongly to be held p. 122 Day of Judgment drawes near p. 116 Delights in the Lords Day required pa. 456 Desires after God discovered p. 350 Discipline requisite in the Church p. 429 Divel a bitter enemy to tht Sabbath pag. 410 Divel large in knowledge p. 321 Divels called spiritual wickednesses why p. 412 Divisions the evil of them p. 431 Divisions how closed p 432 E ENgland one of the ten horns p. 241 England old how made new p. 433 Enmities in man against God p. 319 Errours against the Sabbath how sad p 83 F FAther 's of three sorts p. 208 Faith beyond feeling p. 335 Faith hath its Dimensions p 289 Faith its various Vse p. 387 Faith in the state and in the Acts differenced p 235 Faith the best beloâ—ed Grace p. 248 Fervency in prayer how fit p. 398 Forgetfulnesse of God how sinfull pag. 87 Fourth Commandment most excellent pa. 9 G GOd what he best liketh p 424 Gospel whereunto it guideth p. 122 Gospel vailed in the Law p. 177 Gospel it excels the Law p. 190 Government of Christ how ordered p. 394 Grace in its actings most excellent p. 416 Ground why to be till'd by Adam p. 7 H HAnds given for a threefold work p. 75 Hearts of Gods Saints like Vials p 302 Heart is the best part in a Saint p. 305 Heart of a wicked man as a bow p. 321
Popish the Apostle plainly prohibits this Rom. 14.6 Gal. 4.10 Colos 2.16 Yet by these places the Apostle doth not forbid a distinct observance of the Christian Sabbath for then should he contradict himself as Zanchius well observes and others before him clear those Scriptures from any relation to the Lords day Let him blesse the Lord sayes Luther that knowes how to distinguish between the Law and the Gospel Likewise let him thank God who hath learned to distinguish between several Sabbaths under the Law and this Lords day under the Gospel they being abolished weare not bound to observe them or to make any difference between those dayes and others of equal concernment But for the Christian Sabbath it abides and a difference of that day from others we ought to observe This is that day set apart By the holiest Person and For the holiest purpose Psal 4.3 Know ye that the Lord hath set apart the man that is godly for himself So know ye that the Lord hath set apart the day that is holy for himself Here not to distinguish is to abolish As God will have his Servants to be separated from other men So he will have his Sabbath to be differenced from other dayes As men must not divide what God hath joyned so men must not mingle what God hath separated or debase what God hath elevated 4. Object Every day ought to be a Sabbath Answ True the whole term of our life should be a continued Sabbath in two respects Viz. Cessation from the service of sin and Disposition to the service of God 1. To serve sin we should be ever averse and O how glad would God's Saints be to keep such a perpetual Sabbath as alwayes to rest from sin and O how sad have some of Gods Saints been because such a Sabbath comes so seldome How does the Apostle complain Rom. 7. That though with his mind he served the Law of God yet with his flesh he served the Law of sin Thus Austin condoles his own condition Alas sin follows I fly and yet I fall I fight and yet I am captive I run from it and yet I am drawn to it I would rest but I cannot be quiet one day one hour c. To have such an uninterrupted rest as to be every day at a distance from sin is a very desirable Sabbath 2. To serve God we should be ever prepared Though we are not alwayes in Sabbath-day-time yet our hearts should be alwayes in a Sabbath-day-frame in such a blessed bent as is fit for all holy businesse Some expound that precept of the Apostle Paul Pray continually Have a continual frame of heart sit for holy prayer And that of St. James Be swift to heare Have alway an open ear ready to hearken to the holy Word of God We find Ezek. 1. Angels described under the form of Beasts Having four faces and four wings vers 6. Faces Ready to mind Wings Ready to move into any part of the World about any portion of work God pleases to appoint them Thus Gods people should be in a prepared posture at all seasons for Sabbath-service Yet if we respect the performance of the solemn works of Gods worship or the forbearance of the lawful works of mens callings we are not required to keep an every day Sabbath Exod. 20.9 Six dayes shalt thou labour and do all thy work vers 10. But the seventh day is the Sabbath of tht Lord thy God in it thou shalt not do any work God could in the Creation as Austin observes have made an immediate dispatch of all with a word but he took six dayes about the works of the World that he might allot men six dayes time for worldly works Yea before the Law this was laid upon man In the sweat of thy brows thou shalt eat thy Bread * Cumlegatur Adam in Paradiso positus ut operaretur quis sanum sapiens filios ejus in hoc mundo positos ad sudendum arbitraretur Bern. Serm. And after the Law under the Gospel We command saith the Apostle men to work with quietnesse and to eat their own bread So that if men should not be in their worldy businesse upon the week-dayes they would sin in a defect falling short of what is commanded And if they should be every day in the set service of a Sabbath they would sin in an excesse going beyond what is required which would be but will-worship unwarranted by the Word and unpleasing to God But with men this is but a meer pretence to evade and avoyd all Sabbath-observance As Polytheisme is the way to Atheisme an omni-Religion to no-Religion so a pretended every-day-every-day-Sabbath and then really no Sabbath at all Next we come to consider such as sin against the Lords day in point of practice Such are of two sorts Some doing upon this day what they should not and Some upon this day not doing what they should The works that men should not do on the Sabbath day are double Servile and Sinnefull or Worldly and Wicked works And accordingly those that do upon the Lords day what they be bound to forbear are of two sorts Those that then be about Est triplex servitus unde opus dicitur servile c. Thom. Aqui. 22. qu. 122. art 4. either The evil works of sin or The servile works of the world In evil actings there are those that sin out the Sabbath day passing away this precious time Some in sinful pleasures and Some in the pleasures of sin Pleasures that are in themselves lawful yet are sinfull upon the Lords Day 'T were better Sayes Austin for a man to dig and plow August in tit Psal 91. then to dance and play upon the Sabbath day that to the Common-wealth may be a benefit but of this there is no advantage yet this is one of Satans stratagems to make men mindlesse of Sabbath duties he pleases them with sinful delights Justin lib. 1. As Cyrus dealt with the Lydians when he had conquered them in battel he allowed them liberty for all sports and pastimes and so more fully subdued them that they became his servants for ever Thus Satan in policy puts men upon sinful pleasures even upon Sabbath daies that for ever he may make them his assured and setled Servants How contrary is this to what God in the Prophet expresses Isay 8.13 Thou shalt not find thine own pleasure upon my holy day But there are some who do exceed these passing Sabbath-daies in the down right pleasures of sin in lasciviousness wantonness surfeiting drunkennesse and such like sinfull actions that 't is rather the Divells day then the Lords Day Plutarch thought that the Sabbath of the Jews was from Sabbos a name of Bacchus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Jovialiter vivere that signifies to live riotously jocundly merrily and the like And indeed the Sabbath of Christians as some keep it may seeme to have such a derivation for they make it the day of
and things To be ungrateful to God is bad to be forgetful of God is worse but to be perfidious with God worst of all Theft Though God hath given man the Sabbath for his use yet he still continues therein his own interest and lets it go upon no other account then to have it religiously kept therefore they that take it from God upon other terms and turn it to other ends shall be thrust among theeves in the great day of the Lord. Perhaps a man may say with Samuel Whom have I ever defrauded whose Oxe or Asse have I taken c Some though they have not theeved from their neighbour yet they have stollen from God the time of his holy day Who is not afraid to be found such a Felon August lib. 4. in Exod. habetur 14. q. 15. c. Robbery Austin well observes that Robbers are worse then theeves Theeves they take nothers goods secretly by fraud when the owners are not aware But Robbers they take openly by force the owners looking on Thus men take away the Sabbath day under Gods all-seeing eye that which God holds they profanely pluck away among high-way-Robbers shall such be ranked not repenting Mal. 3.8 Will a man rob God yet ye have robbed me But ye say Wherein have we robbed thee even in the dayes and times of the Sabbath Yea and this greatens the sin of such men they that theeve and rob they possibly may plead necessity having nothing of their own whereon to live But the Lord hath allowed men time of their own for any needfull and lawfull work and yet to rob him of his Sabbath Sacriledge August super Joann habetur 13. q. 4. This is worse then all the rest Austin does admirably aggravate this sin and he makes it so much the greater because it is a sin which cannot be committed but against God alone Augu. cont Cres lib. 4. cap. 10. And what way can it be worse committed against God then by polluting the holy time of his Sabbath To abuse sanctified time is such Sacriledge as the Lord most abominates Thou then that abhorrest Idols dost thou commit Sacriledge Rom. 2.22 Why is it not worse Sacriledge to take this blessed day from Gods holy worship then to take the silver Cup from the communion Table or the great Bible from the reading Desk Be not deceived here be heaps upon heaps many sins piled upon this sin yea more might be mentioned as disobedience rebellion unbeliefe pride self-conceit a base and low esteem of the wayes of God Word of God worship of God all concurre to make this sin hateful and horrible in the height thereof 2. For the breadth This sin is of a large spread Both against God the Father of Christ And against Christ the Son of God 1. This sin against the Sabbath day considered in the duties thereof does reach so far against God as it is found to be a sin Against all the Attributes of God Against all the Ordinances of God 1. The Attributes of God are herein all sinned against He that takes not care to keep the Sabbath of God slights the wisdom of God disobeys the will of God despises the mercy of God provokes the Justice of God contemns the power of God abuses the patience of God defiles the holinesse of God defaces the beauty of God yea as it were undermines the whole being of God blessed for ever No marvel if they that observe no Sabbath should believe there is no God 2. The Ordinances of God are herein all sinned against to sin against Ordinances is to pollute those holy vessels wherein are laid up for us the treasures of heaven and to cut those precious pipes that convey to us the water of life To sin against Ordinances is to break those Chariots wherein the Lord rides towards us and to sink those Boats which are to carry us over to God To sin against Ordinances is to cast by those clear Lanthornes wherein the light of the Lord shines and to fling dirt in those bright glasses wherein the face of our God is seen Word Sacraments and Prayer all are as it were pulled in peeces and put out of doors when the Lords day is laid by and Sabbaths set aside 2 This sin against the Sabbath day in its duties reaches also so far against Christ as it s found to be a sin Against the estates of Christ and Against the offices of Christ Christ considered in his estates is by this sin injured Both as humbled in his death And as honoured in his resurrection 1. To sin against the Lords day is to sin against the Lords death This holy day was one of those precious things Christ purchased and with his blood bought As with his blood he bought a people to serve him so with his blood he bought this time for them to serve him in To sin then against the day of Christ is to sin against the blood of Christ What sin so abominably black as to sin against Christs blessed blood I was nothing sayes Austin and God made me with his word Aug. Serm. 151. de tempore I was worse then nothing and Christ redeemed me with his blood what shall I say shall I ever sin we may well add 2. To sin against this institution of Christ is to sin against the resurrection of Christ August ad Janua 119. cap. 13. ad Casul 86. Idem de civit Dei lib. 22. cap. 30. Idem de verb is Apost Serm. 15. Chemni exam cap. de diebus festis Sozom. lib. 1. cap. 8. Austin does oft in his writings praise the practice of the Apostles in that they did observe this first day of the week to be the Lords day upon the account of Christs resurrection So Chemnitius commends it much saying that the celebration of the day of Christs resurrection was the best way for the abrogation of Judaisme and the exaltation of Christianisme in the world Sozomene sets this down for the honour of Constantine that in the Law he made for the keeping of this day he laid the strength of his reason upon Christs resurrection On the contrary how crosse is this to Christ who rose from the dead this day And what a sinful shame is this to them that professe Christianity to cast by that day whereon Christ rose from the dead Oh the sin of such as put this day to death when Christ died that it might live and how abominable is it to bury this blessed day which God raised together with Christ This is a wickednesse worthy to be cryed down 2. Christ considered in his offices is herein injured Both as a King And as a Prophet 1. Christ as a King is herein cast off 'T is one of the Regalities of a King to appoint his own time when his servants shall attend Berna Serm. 2. in Epipha Christ as one well notes though his kingdom be not of this world yet he hath his kingdom in this
world and in this world is to exercise Kingly power in respect of his dispose of persons and seasons times and things 'T is the message that every Sabbath-breaker sends to heaven Christ shall not be our King we will not have him to reign over us 2. Christ as a Prophet is herein put off Tertul. li. contra judaeot An ancient writer affirmes that Christ by his coming into the world accomplished the prophecies of precedent Prophets and as it were sealed up them but left a Prophetical office of his own to be fulfilling even unto the end of the world and the Sabbath day to be the especial day for his exercise in this office Ramus de relig lib. 2. cap. 6. Another calls it the School-day wherein Christ the great Doctor of his Church whose chair is in heaven August Serm. 4. in fest Jo. B. keeps School on earth and those persons proudly contemn Christs teaching who neglect Sabbath-time Is not this then a great sin a sin against God and Christ a sin against Law and Gospel a sin which Pagans and Divels are not guilty of Object This is the sin of such as prophane and pollute the Lords day but I do not so though I do not the duties thereof * Polluitur Sabbathum cum cujus gratiâ instituitur à plerisque plane non curatur Muscul Answ They pollute the Lords day who do not keep it holy as they are said to defile Gods Name who do not sanctifie the Name of God Jer. 34.16 To fanctifie the Sabbath is to spend it in holy exercises Lyra. in Exod. 26. Bulling in Rom. 14.5 and not to sanctifie it is to pollute it There are things men may be said to destroy them when they do not take care to preserve them So such are said to defile the Sabbath who do not use the means to sanctifie it But for this that saying of the Prophet may suffice Isay 56.2 Blessed is the man that doeth this and the son of man that laith hold on it which keepeth the Sabbath holy and polluteth it not By which place it plainly appears that as he doth not pollute the Sabbath who keeps it holy Zanchi de tribus Eloh part 2. lib. 3. cap 9. de oper creat par 3. lib. 1. cap. 1. Idem in 4. praecep so he who keeps not the Sabbath holy doth pollute it Now all accord that to keep the Sabbath holy is to passe the whole day in pious duties Indeed divers they think they very well keep the Sabbath day if they forbear wicked and worldly works though that day little be done in the service of God But as God speaks in the Prophet Isay 58.5 Is it such a fast as I have chosen so is it such a Sabbath as I have appointed a day for men to do what they will to take up and lay down duties as they please Is it such a Sabbath as I have commanded a day for men to take their carnal ease to be idle slothful and vain Is not this the day that I have ordained to be loose from earthly delights worldly cares to be free from all entanglements for God Is it not for men to give themselves wholly to holy service Is it not to pray fervently to heare diligently c The neglect of these upon the Lords day is a loud sin 2. The judgements that such sinners are subject to come next to be noted These are Both Privative And positive Penalties Through this are Good things renounced and Evil things inflicted Gods judgements of the Privative sort are either In temporal matters or In Spiritual means 1. God in judgment removes or restreines matters necessary for men in this world for the sinful neglect of his Sabbaths and service As things needfull For their personal sustentation For their political preservation 1. Things neeedful and good for the supporting of their bodies as they are men God removes as a punishment for this sinful neglect of the Lords day Hence God does not hear the heavens the heavens do not hear the earth the earth does not hear the Corn. Cypria contra Demet. Cyprian hath an elegant saying thou complaiest that now adaies the fountains are not so flowing nor the air so wholesome nor the rain so plentiful nor the earth so fruitful c. Dost thou serve God by whose means all serves thee dost thou waite on him by whose beck all waits on thee c God withdraws his bounty when men omit their duty When the Lords day and religious duties his house and holy things are laid waste what follows let the Lord himself speak Levit. 26.2 16.19 Hagg. 1 9. with several such texts 2. Things needfull and good as people are embodyed for the preserving of their civil State God in punishment pulls them away for sinfulnesse against his Sabbaths as order government good lawes just administrations amongst men Let justice be removed sayes an ancient Writer and what are Kingdoms and Common-Wealths but great robbing places where might overcomes right Let government be gone and multitudes of miseries break in Nations of men are made as the fishes of the Sea and as the creeping things that have no Ruler over them ruines rush in upon them Yet such are the sad sequels of Gods slighted service and neglected Sabbaths as may be easily evidenced from that of the Prophet Jer 17.24 25. Jer. 22.8 9. 2. Judgements privatively considered which sinners against the Sabbath are like to suffer in removing of Spiritual good things Both Instrumental And Principal 1. Things Instrumental for much good God removes from men not minding his Sabbaths and service I mean the means of grace the Ministery of the Gospel A miserable punishment True such as have an immediade hand in removing the Word of God preached from a people are guilty of a very great sin And wo wo wo sayes Luther to them that leave the Church without a Preaching Ministery through which great Towns of people come to be like dark dens of wilde beasts And a dreadful doom it is on such as suffer under a famine of the Word of God Yet such a famine God inflicts for sinning against his blessed Sabbath See Amos 8. 5. some saying When will the Sabbath be gone that we may set forth wheat c. vers 11. Behold the dayes come saith the Lord I will send a famine in the land not of bread but of hearing the word of the Lord. 'T was ill with Israel when there was no Smith found in all the Land but the Israelites were forced to go to the Philistines every man to sharpen his Share and his Coulter his Axe and his Mattock 1 Sam. 13.19 20. And will it not be ill with England if no faithful dispensers of the Gospel should be found in the Land but poor people should be put to go to Papists and other persons of corrupt opinions thinking thereby to quicken and comfort their dead and sad hearts c. The God
their estate to be sinful And towards both there 's a necessity of Sabbaths 1. For such men as are sinfull and do not know it but are utterly in the darke Gen. 1. we find that at the beginning there was darknesse as a black vaile drawn over the face of the deepe but God upon the first day in the week created light which was exceeding good God upon the first day of the week our Christian Sabbath creates that good light which scatters darknesse that before covered the face of the soul and causeth such discoveries of things never before seen 1 Cor. 14.23 24 25. If the whole Church be come together viz. on the Lords day there comes in one ignorant and he hearing the Word is convinced is judged the secrets of his heart are made manifest and so falling down he worships God c. And indeed this is one great end of Sabbaths and Sermons Act. 26.18 2 Cor. 4.4 5 6. 2. For such men as know themselves sinful Sabbath-service is necessary that they may consider how sad it is to persist in known sins Luk. 12.47 Joh. 15.22 24. Jam. 4.17 For some our Saviour sayes Father forgive them they know not what they do but of several we may say Father affright them they know what they do They transgresse Gods Lawes abuse his mercies they oppose his Servants and they know what they do The former need Sabbaths to convince them of the evil they know not And these latter need Sabbaths to convert them from the evil they know Yea to all sorts of sinners there 's such a necessity of these dayes and duties as that there is little likelyhood of any saving good to the souls of such as lay aside the Lords day but they who come not within Sabbath-compasse their case becomes incurable Though a man be never so diseased and sick yet as long as he lyes at Physick keeps his purging dayes and uses good means for health there is hope he may do well but when he neglects his healing time lets his disease run will not come under the Physicians hands then his case growes desperate and dye he must Even so though a man be never so sinful yet as long as he keeps within Sabbath-compasse and comes under the means of soul-cure there is hope he may amend but if he neglects the Lords day leaves off holy duties damne he must 2. For men in a regenerate estate the Lords day is of necessary use Of whatsoever sort we consider them Of such Some are in sins relapsed and Others are in sorrowes distressed All need these Sabbath-helps 1. Relapsed Christians need Sabbath-relief Whether their spiritual decay be In opinion In affection Or practice The service of the Lords day is of necessary concernment to clear truth clouded to quicken love deaded and to introduce the duties of a holy life neglected 2. Distressed Christians need Sabbath-succours Sabbath-Cordials are required for the recovery of fainting spirits and the reviving of drooping dying hearts Again Gods Saints are to be considered either As more weak Or more strong And unto them all the Lords day is a day of deep concernment 1. For weak ones they need Sabbath-supplies Dayes wherein they may draw near and derive virtue from Christ into all their feeble parts Dayes wherein as babes from the breasts of the Lord they may suck in soul-nourishing milk of grace and mercy to breed them up 2. For strong ones they need Sabbath-supports that they may stand fast in their good estate and plight The highest and holiest of Gods Saints ought to be under Sabbath-observance 't is a reserve for heavens priviledge to be above Ordinances and present Administrations 'T is the City of the Heavenly Jerusalem that needs not the light of the Sun neither of the Moon Revel 21.22 While we live as we need the Moon viz. the world with its creatures and comforts for the bearing up of our bodies So we need the Sun viz. Christ with his holy times and things for the well-being of our souls Some say of the time that is spent upon the service of Christ as they said of the oyntment poured out upon the body of Christ What need this waste Matth. 26.8 But as St. Paul said A necessity is laid upon me and woe to me if I preach not the Gospel 1 Cor. 9.16 So may every one say A necessity is laid upon me and woe to me if I sanctifie not the Sabbath The sanctifying of the Sabbath is as the One thing needfull to Christians in religion and unto the religion of Christians 'T is said of Jacob that his life was bound up in the life of his son Benjamin So the life of a Christian and the life of his religion is bound up in the life of Sabbaths As Rachel said Give me children or else I dye so a Christian sayes Give me Sabbaths or else I dye Religion sayes Give me Sabbaths or else I die The Sabbath is as the soul of Christian-Religion if that departs all becomes as a Carcase upon which the Vermin of corrupt opinions prey 't is necessary then this continue 2. Of losing the Lords day there is danger And here we shall discover The grounds of the losse and The greatnesse of the losse The grounds on which we may see the Sabbath in hazard to be lost and the Lords day in our dayes likely to cease are The sinfulnesse of men and The righteousnesse of God 1. Men being monstrously sinful put upon us this present peril of being deprived of the Lords day to wit Wicked men against us more remote and Wicked men amongst us more immediate 1. Men of the Romish Religion in remote Nations are they not bigg with a design to make our Sabbaths cease As some of the Powder-Traitors 1605. Confessed the cause why they sought to blow up the Parliament-house was because that was a place wherein against the Romish Religion so many Lawes were made And do not Popish parties in all places plot against the Sabbath day because that is the time wherein against their Idolatrous worships so many truths are taught And are not now their hopes high by our present Wars to deprive us of our precious times and things to raise Rome in the ruines of poor Protestant Nations Does not Antichrist crow ovet these Christian Kingdomes as once Tyrus over Jerusalem Aha aha she is broken that was the gates of the people she is turned unto me I shall be replenished now she is laid waste 2. Among our selves how many seek to set us beside our Sabbath-mercies As Both Papists And Atheists Papists Who secretly consult in our chief Cities to lay us Sabhath-waste Jesuits who can cunningly comr like Countrey-men and be seen like Souldiers Citizens Lawyers Preachers in any posture to promote their projects Atheists These like Pharaoh's-frogs are found covering the land and croaking against the Lords day in every Pond in every Parish Men that would have no God for a Sabbath would have no Sabbath for
God Yea what numbers of two sorts may we see all setting against our Sabbath-enjoyments Men of rotten principles and Men of wretched practices As Herod and Pilate both agreed for the Lords death so these both joyn against the Lords Day As the blessed body of Christ was crucified between the Theeves so the blessed day of Christ is now crucifying between loose Sectaries and prophane sinners And Lord help who labours to rescue it Who sees not our Sabbath-slightnesse wearinesse and willingnesse to be set Sabbath-free The barrennesse of the best and the ingratitude of the greatest part what does it foretell but an approaching time of turning out and overturning Sabbaths 2. God being infinitely righteous makes the danger of this more exceedingly dangerous God in his just way of Judgements makes mournfull removes of such sweet mercies either When men to follow their sins forsake his Sabbaths Or when men observe his Sabbaths but in their sins Isay 1.13 Your Sabbaths and your solemn Assemblies I cannot away with your hands are full of blood Bloody hands cannot hold Gods blessed day Those things will away that God cannot away with 'T is not all the powers nor policies of men and Divels can pull away Sabbaths from a Land if there the Lord will hold them neither is it all the Prayers and Powers of Saints and Angels can keep Sabbaths in a Land if thence the Lord will take them Let not us in England think we have such a settled Fee-simple of the Sabbath as that there is no disinheritting or such an entaile as cannot be cut off The Apostle Rom. 11. speaking of Gods cutting off the Chuch of the Jewes a learned Expositor puts the question How did God cut them off Olevian And then gives the answer By taking from them his Word Sacraments and Sabbaths Lam. 2.6 The Lord hath caused the solemn feasts and Sabbaths to be forgotten in Zion What in Zion The Lord loves the gates of Zion Psal 87.2 The Lord hath chosen Zion Psal 132.13 The Lord dwelleth in Zion Psal 76.2 yet God causes Sabbaths to be forgotten in Zion Yes Zion and Sabbaths are parted with the losse of Sabbaths even Zion is punished And O England doest not thou fear such a day drawing near Art thou better then Zion 2. How great the losse of the Lords day will be we may mournfully foresee in four things viz. The Matter it will be of This was Preached at a time when no lesse lay in danger The Subject it will be to The Season it will be in and The Sequels that will be thereupon 1. The matter the losse will be of In the ceasing of Sabbaths a pawse is put unto the precious things of God as the Gospel with its glorions administrations Was it not a sad cause with the City Jerusalem when the sucklings swooned in the streets and the children cryed to their Mothers Where is Corn and Wine And will it not be for poor people pittifull to cry to their Ministers Where is the Word and Sacraments Where be those blessed refreshments we were wont to find That was a dolefull day Jer. 14.3 when little ones were sent to the waters but they returned with vessels empty because the pits were dry And will it not be a wofull day for men women and children to go for the water of the Word whither they were wont but to return with vessels empty for the pits are dry or full of mud and dirt What the present sinking of the springs and drying of the streams may mean I much fear to think Will not that losse be great wherein the Word of life is lost What sayes Luther is the World without the Word but a dark hell And what is a Land without the Gospel but a black Lanthorne without a candle The keeping of the Sabbath hath been the honour of our Nation and the Gospel the glory of our Land when the one is down the other will be gone and then may we write Ichabod upon all our doors I read of a Germane Minister when he saw hopes of the Gospels-passage he cryed out with joy Let it come let it come O but to let it go what bitter cryes will it cost 2. The Subject this losse will be to It will be the souls of men will suffer sorely herein Sabbath-losse is a soul-losse A soul in our Saviours account is of more worth then all the World Matth. 16.26 Even the worst soul sayes Austin is better then the best body As the Apostle sayes of man he was not made for the woman but the woman for the man And so sayes Chrysostome the soul was not made for the body but the body for the soul which is the better part If we lose health Wealth and all the things of the world that relate to the body 't is but a little losse But if we lose the Word Sacraments and Sabbaths it being a losse that relates to the soul it is exceeding great 3. The Season this losse is likely to be in makes it more lamentable We find it foretold Math. 24 that towards the latter end of the World there should be times of great tribulation Nation should rise against Nation c. Ill in such a time to be without Sabbat as It was wofull for those Virgins Matth. 25. when there was a cry at midnight Behold the Bridegroom comes and then their Lamps were out and their oil to seek And doleful will it be for those Nations when they shall be in their Nights of Trouble and hear nothing but cries Behold more misery comes and then to have their Lamps out their burning and shining lights gone Have not our hopes been high to see Sabbaths more firmly settled the Gospell more clearly preached Ordinances more purely administred and if after all all should be dashed down in the dirt and we left in the dark how dreadful would this be To lose Sabbaths at any time were sad but at such a time as this 4. The sequels of the losse make it most lamentable Fearfull effects will follow the losse of the Lords Day viz. the desolating the places of publike assemblies Levit. 26.31 Lam. 2.6 Psal 74.4 5 6. The Prophet thus sadly sighs it out to God Thine enemies roar in the midst of the congregation they set up their ensigns for signs A man was famous according as he had lifted up axes upon the thick trees viz. to build places for Gods publike Worship But now they break down the carved work thereof at once with axes and hammers They cast fire into thy Sanctuary yea they say in their hearts Let us take the houses of God in possession let us destroy them together and burn up all the Synagogues of God in the Land Decet Sacerdotes cum Templis interire Titus with his Roman army when he ruined Jerusalem burnt the Temple he commanded the Priests of the Lord to be slain Time will come says our Saviour to his Disciples that they which kill
the holy Ghost Answered We know not whether there be any holy Ghost So aske many now adayes whether they have observed the Lords holy day they are ready to answer they know not whether there be any such holy day to be observed Time was a Book was set out to give liberties upon the Lords day men now take their liberties from the Lords day without any Book And they that do not are so listlesse and livelesse in the Lords-day-duties that I doubt if God should judicially deprive us of Sabbath-Seasons we should not thereof soon be sensible And so the time of Sabbath-returnes may likely be long Again if the Lord should lay such a Judgement upon the whole Land as the losse of Sabbaths 't is not probable people will presently make such a profitable use thereof As to prize them highly And to pray for them earnestly Highly God will have them prized God will raise Sabbath-esteems before he makes Sabbath-returns before God brings back his blessed Day as men shall feele the want so know the worth thereof and be of Davids mind One day in thy Courts is better then a thousand Psalme 84.10 vers Heartily God will have them prayed for Sabbath-Liberties Men shall be humble Petitioners for them before they be happy possessors of them 'T was one of the three things Latimur did so ordinarily and earnestly pray for in Queen Marys dayes That the Gospell might be restored to England once again once again c. That Sabbaths might be openly observed and Gods worship publikely performed Once again once again Which words he used to repeat with great vehemencie of spirit Others concurred in the same request and had from God a most gracious grant What are David desires and prayers Psalm 63.2 That I may see Lord thy power and thy glory so as I have seen thee in the Sanctuary And Psalm 42.4 When I remember these things I pour out my soul within me for I had gone with the multitude I went with them to the house of God with the voice of joy and praise with the multitude that kept holyday Should holy Sabbath-dayes cease some I doubt not but upon knees bended would beg their bringing back though the Major part would likely make little of it O that men would yet make much of Sabbath-Seasons lest such a time come when they would they cannot Time will be sayes our Saviour to his Disciples Luke 17.22 when ye shall desire to see one of the daies of the Son of man and shall not see it O if you might but have one Sabbath as in former times Luke 19.42 43. When he came near he beheld the City wept over it saying If thou hadst known even thou at least in this thy Day the things that belong to thy peace but now they are hid from thine eyes The things with the day and the day with the things thereof are now past and gone Amos 8.11 Behold the dayes come saith the Lord I will send a famine in the Land not of bread but of hearing the Word And men shall wander from Sea to Sea and from the North to the East they shall run to and fro to seek the Word of the Lord and shall not find it O now now while it is called to day THE LORDS DAY before Sabbaths and Sermons cease though there should not come such a time over all the Land yet it may be upon particular places rain may fall on one City and not upon another Amos 4.7 Brighr beames of the Sun may shine on one field and the very next field under a dark shadow and over it a black cloud There shine Here rain O the clear light that hath shined upon the Lords Day and the sweet Sabbaths that have been kept in some Townes of England not long since but now Ichabod The glory is gone God knowes whose turn it may be next O let me beseech you of this place to look to the Lords Day be diligent hold fast God never takes away his Sabbaths till people are weary of them and willing to part with them 4. To a people the Lords Day may not be lost but last yet all lie under a curse They may be curs'd to the Sabbath The Sabbath may be curs'd to them The soules of men may be curs'd towards Sabbaths Never let fruit grow on this tree Never let Sabbath or Sermon do this people good No sooner had our Saviour curs'd the fig-tree but it withered at the roots May there not be found amongst us men and women that are most miserably withered Both branch And root Not onely the branch of their outward profession but also the root of their inward affection withered What shall we say of such Galatians who would now pluck out Paul's eyes that were once ready to pluck out their eyes for Paul Are not they withered Are not they under Gods dreadful curse For men to be curs'd in the trades they follow fields they possess is sad but to be curs'd in the Sabbaths they spend and curs'd in the Sermons they hear is worse For God to say to a Minister every time a Sabbath comes Go indeed to the Pulpit and preach to that people Hearing they shall hear but shall not understand seeing they shall see but not perceive For the heart of this People is waxed grosse their ears are dull of hearing their eyes have they closed Now make their hearts hard their eares deafe their eies blind that they may never be converted never healed but live and die under a Gospell-curse and their Soules sinking under a Sabbath-curse yea and so Sabbaths themselves may be cursed to the soules of men As men by their sins may pollute that day which otherwise is holy So God by his judgement may curse that day which otherwise is blessed and so Sabbath-mercy may be turned into a judgement as Moses Rod was turned into a Serpent It would have been ill for Israel if the brazen Serpent should have become a fiery Serpent that mortally to sting them that was made to heal them And will it not be ill for any if the Lords day which is a day of life shall become a day of death This saving day changed into a damning day 1 Sam. 12.17 We see 't was terrible when God turned a day of Harvest into a day of tempest and that time wherein they should have gathered their Wheat with the labour of their hands on earth God scattered it with thunder and hail from heaven And who would not fear such an effect for God to turn a day of Rest into a day of Wrath and therein not to blesse but thereby to blast mens hearts and hopes 'T is sweet for Saints when to them the very curses of men are blessed but 't is sad for sinners when to them the very blessings of God are cursed Mal. 2.2 I saith the Lord will send a curse upon you I will curse your blessings yea I nave cursed them already yet ye lay
what is said upon the Sabbath concerning things Spiritual and Eternal not barely to hear but to hearken not onely to imploy the ear but to apply the mind to mark things mentioned to consider and ponder what is preached and pressed When our Saviour upon the Sabbath preached the Gospel in the Synagogue of Galilee the people were so moved that they pressed with eagernesse to lesson and learn what he delivered Luk. 5.1 Thus people may possibly under the preaching or the Gospel have their thoughts so helped and their hearts so held as to heed what they hear 2. Gods Spirit may upon the Sabbath so move as that men may discern and see much into the matters of God and according to the Word of God become very knowing Divine things may not onely be opened to their understanding but their understandings open to things Divine Numb 24.4 Heb. 6.4 Through the Spirit their minds may so be enlightened and their eyes so opened that into the good things of the Gospel they may have a great insight Their heads may be gold though their feet be clay Their understandings may have light though their affections no heat Though the tree of life be not yet planted that may bring forth fruit unto God yet they may have a tree of knowledge so full of leaves that therewith they may flourish in the World 3. Gods Spirit may move upon the Sabbath so as men may assent to the truth of Gods revealed will so as to believe the reports God hath made in his Word to be all infallibly true A man may be brought to yield such an allowance and to give that credit to whatever God speaks in Scripture that his soul may secretly say Truth Lord. Though that which most transcends reason as the mysteries of the Gospel yet to each the soul inwardly sayes Truth Lord. Though that which condemns his own course and discovers his own case to be naught yet conscience concludes Truth Lord. That secret way is sinful sayes God and must be broken from Yea sayes the man Lord I believe it That way is holy just and good and must be walked in Lord I believe it That is necessary to be sought and that is worthy to be embraced Lord I believe it Luk. 8.13 Act. 8.13 All which is brought on by the blessed Spirit of God 4. Gods Spirit may so on the Sabbath incite as to set men in admiring at the greatnesse of Gods grace and mercy wondring at Gods works and words Luk. 4.14 Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee and taught in their Synagogues on the Sabbath day there they admired him and he was glorified of them all After he came to Nazareth and went into the Synagogue on the sabbath-Sabbath-day where preaching upon some part of the Prophet Esay the people before him witnessed and wondred at the gracious words that proceeded out at his mouth Luk. 4.17 18 22. 5. Gods Spirit may be so inciting upon the Sabbath-day as that men may be much moved to affect the good things of God hereby they may be brought To desires of them and To delights in them Spiritual good things men may be desirous of When our Saviour in a Sermon Joh. 6. preached about the Bread which comes down from heaven and giveth life to the World some of his hearers were so stirred that they broke out saying Lord ever give us this Bread Thus when men hear of heavenly things their hearts may spring witn desires and their souls secretly say O Lord ever give us this good Yea with joy may their hearts dance and leap Luk. 8.13 Thus some rejoyced in the Ministery of John the Baptist Joh. 5.35 With gladnesse of heart did Herod hear him Mark 6.20 6. Gods Spirit may on the Sabbath so move as that men may resolve upon obedience to God and his holy Commands Deut. 5.27 Go thou near say the people to Moses and hear all that the Lord our God shall say and speak thou to us all that the Lord our God shall speak unto thee and we will hear it and do it Jer. 42.4 5 6. I will pray sayes the Prophet to the people unto the Lord your God and whatever the Lord shall answer I will declaer to you and keep nothing back Then they said to Jeremiah The Lord be a true and faithfull witnesse between us if we do not according to all things for which the Lord thy God shall send thee to us Whether it be good or evil we will obey the voice of the Lord our God Thus people under the Gospel their hearts may be wrought to a real resolving upon the right way not onely something perswaded but their present purposes pitched to practise and prosecute that which is good These and such like good movings may the Spirit of Grace have upon the hearts of sinful men upon the day of the Sabbath and yet are far from being like Gods Saints in the Spirit upon the Lords day Now between these there is a discernable difference Gods Saints upon the Sabbath are so in the Spirit as no other ever are Those Spiritual motions that are in other hearts may be found defective in a four fold respect Viz. of Depth Breadth Heigth and Length For depth Those Spiritual movings that are in carnal hearts are but superficial and shallow they do not reach down into the inmost parts of the heart in deep humblings and soul-afflictings so as at first to lay the foundation deep A man admires the mercy of God in Christ but does not abhor himself for sin in the dust as that dear Saint of God who when he was affected and wondred at the glory of God he saw he also reflecting upon his own infirmities abhorred himself in dust and ashes Job 42.2 Gods Saints are first moved to deep and bitter self-bemoaning sorrowes Jer. 31.18 and after comes in sweet soul-quickning comforts Matth. 5.4 Others are like that stony ground Matth. 13.20 who when they heard the Word immediately they received it with much joy the seed sprung upward but downward took no deep rooting as in the good ground Luk. 8.13 14 15. When the Spirit moves upon true believers it makes them to bottom well to dig deep and lay the foundation on a rock and then raise their building in holy resolutions and sweet affections with suitable performances but others all the motions they feel puts them upon some fair buildings without any deep bottomings Matth. 7. Luk. 6. For breadth Those Spiritual movings that are in carnal hearts are but straitened and narrow they do not spread out either in respect Of subject Or object They do not reach out into all the powers of the soul so as to take up the whole soul for God Thus does the Spirit move in the Saints of God having a wonderful work in the whole soul so as that they are set about God and good with their whole heart and whole desires 2 Chron. 15.5 All their joyes and desires are in
fire I will be with thee Water and fire both may referre to afflictions be they various and violent God will be with Yea in the waters of suffering and in the fire of service God is with us Or though we cannot say God is with us when we are in the water to wit when we be cold or lukewarme in his work Yet we may be sure God is with us when we are in the fire to wit fervent and zealous in the works of his worship Is God with us in the fire of heavy afflictions And is not God with us in the fire of holy devotions And let the Lord thus abroad in the Land be with his service and servants and with his servants in service O what great and good things will follow As the cleansing out of pollutions And the closing up of divisions Pollutions cleansed Were the holy Spirit thus up in the Nation the unclean spirit would be soon forced to passe out of the Land Zach. 13.2 This would not onely keep informing Ordinances that are but reforming Ordinances that are not would be also brought in In our English-house we might hope to have the Besome as well as the Candle Luk. 15.8 As the Candle of good Doctrine So the Besome of good Discipline The Besome of Discipline to sweepe out dust As well as the Candle of Doctrine to drive out darknesse 'T is lamentable to see how the Leprosie hath taken our house Levit. 14. And O what an infection hath broke out even in the new building Infliction of due censures would be a good means to remove the plague-stones out of the wall and so to heal the house and help its standing Could we but encrease our Sabbath-zeal sure Church-Keyes would not lie so rusty yea the civil sword would have a sharper edge When God came down upon Sinai in thunder and lightning fire and much smoak God commanded Moses to set bounds about the Mount that the people might not presumptuously break in Thus were there for the Sabbath that fire of zeal that is fits the Civil Power would set bounds that persons might not so profanely break out Those intolerable tolerations we now see would soon cease Those Anti-Congregations that are now Assembly against Assembly in the same place at the same time It is the cause of many sad evils Hence is it that if there be any that will not afford their presence at the publick preaching of the Word or if there be any that cannot abide the power of the Word publickly preached there be those by that will invite them from us and abet them against us Hence is it that the common sort account Sabbath dayes and duties but as indifferent things matters they may use or omit if they please Hence is it that the vilest of men have learned to vilifie and blaspheme the wayes which God hath blessed to speak evil of the Instruments and Ordinances God hath sanctified and by which God is glorified and which of God shall one day be justified c. Did but the spirit of the Lords day rule in the Land those that are opposite we should either reduce or restrain Those grosse abuses and great prophanenesse that is grown amongst us would be either redressed or suppressed Divisions closed If Christians on the Sabbath were higher raised by a spirit of fervency they would at other times be better ruled by a spirit of unity Were there in men more of the spirit of life upon the Lords day there would be more among men of the spirit of love all the week long Men are not spiritual but carnal which is the cause divisions are common There is among you envying and strife and divisions are ye not carnal and walk as men For while one saith I am of Paul and another I am of Apollo are ye not carnal 1 Cor. 3.3 4. To heal the Land of divisions will be Both the beauty and The safetie of it Beauty Rents and divisions are to a Land as fits of convulsions to a child which draws the mouth awry and pulls parts out of their place and causes all to be uncomely cure the Convulsions and the beauty of the Babe returns Safety Rents and divisions are to a Nation as cracks and clifts in a building which yet Art may stop and the house may be strong and the dwellings therein may be safe and sweet Now that which will most powerfully repair our breaches is the Spirit of the Lord which is a Spirit of love and of a sound mind 2 Tim. 1.7 As it is a spirit of love it unites affections and As it is the spirit of a sound mind it unites opinions And so brings all into one Nothing can so cause union of spirits as the spirit of union Were we more carried out by a spirit of power we should be more carried on with a spirit of peace This spirit would be in us out of Sabbath-service were we in the spirit upon the service of the Sabbath yea O the abundant benefits that would abide our Nation upon this spiritual being and being in the Spirit Then would the works of the Divel be dissolved the darknesse of ignorance dispelled Errors outed blasphemies banished the Gospel cherished truth established iniquity would be lesse the love of many would wax warme formalities would fall and the power of Godlinesse rise Ministers would be vigorous and Magistrates valorous and Christians in Gods cause Couragious Inferiours well governed and Families well ordered so that Old England would become New and we should find New England in Old O happy day O let me beseech all that my weak words may reach for our souls sakes for the Sabbaths sake for the Lords sake and the Lands sake let us be spiritual spiritual in Sabbath-service O let us be like St. John in the text upon the Lords day in the Spirit I was in the Spirit on the Lods day Now that the Lords day may be thus spiritually spent there be duties of three sorts to be observed Anteceden t Concomitant Consequent Antecedent duties Before the Sabbath comes Christians that would well keep the day are required to be Both valiant in resisting temptations against it And diligent in making pâ—eparations for it Temptations that may turn soulâ— aside from this observing the Sabbath may proceed From some more remote or From some more immediate There be some remote that may suggest what may draw off from the Lords day and its spiritual duties There be evil spirits now abroad whose bent is to beat down the day of God and to beat off from the soul-benefitting duties thereof As the spirit of Atheisme And the spirit of Sectarisme The spirit of prophanenesse and The spirit of separation The former fight against the Sabbath day and its due observers in open field by professed battels The latter labour to cut off the Lords day and all its lovers by secret and subtill Stratagems Men that separate from our settled Congregations and run wilde in their opinions
the Sabbath that they practise And indeed as the leavers of the Lords-day-duties so the liveâ—esse in the duties of the Lords day who would not condole their conditions and endeavour to quicken their affections These latter we as Ministers should much lament and if possible amend The wonted way and day of Gods worship how doth it wax old in our Land Like David when he was old and stricken in years they covered him with cloathes but he gat no heat wherefore his servants said to him Let there be sought for my Lord the King a young Virgin and let her stand before the King and let her cherish him and let her lie in thy bosome that my Lord the King may get heat 1 Kings 1.1 2 3. 'T is not ordinary cloaths or bare outward Ordinances that will bring warmth into this blessed day that now seems with us to wax old and cold We must seek for the Spirit of God the spirit of duty which as the soul being brought into its bosome will put new life with warmth thereinto And were but the Lords day thus recovered to its heat and health other duties of Religion would not long lie sick yea though all religious duties with divers lie dead in our dayes yet if this live they would live likewise Of the lively Lords day we may say as 't is said of Eve Gen. 3.20 She was the Mother of all living As the Lord of the Sabbath is the Father so the Sabbath of the Lord is the Mother of all spiritual life In the womb of a wel-spent Sabbath are the most vigorous and best spiritual conceptions In the armes and by the breasts of such blessed Sabbaths are born and brought up many new-born babes for God yea let the Spirit of the Lord spring life in the Lords-day-duties and Ministerial endeavours how soon would sunk Christians decaying and dying professors be fetched back that are going apace to the grave of Apostasie And other raised that are â—ven dead and buried in sin Indeed some have sunk so low and God-ward been dead so long that we may say of them as Martha of her brother Lord by this time he stinketh Joh. 11. yet we might look to see even such Lazarusses arise from their Sepulchers of sin upon the spiritual living of Sabbaths and the sacred service of God such things I also considering my encouragments have encreased thus publickly to appear in this present Treatise Yet as great cause requireth reflecting upon my many infirmities crosse thoughts have sometimes beset me not knowing what to do but looking up to the Lord at length I resolved to let it go considering likewise that the Lord oftentimes does great matters by litle and unlikely means The Prophet was pulled out of a dark deep Dungeon by cast clouts and rotten rags that onely seemed fit for the Dunghil Jer. 38.11 12 13. If thâ— Lord will my poor weak word may be some means to draw Sabbaths and sacred Ordinances out of those Dungeons of contempt into which they seem now to be cast And therefore good Reader joyn with me in prayer that a blessing from above may abide this book and that the great God of heaven would go with it from heart to heart and make it some help to this holy Sabbaths and servants Now the good Lord put life into every leafe line and letter and the Lord out of his goodnesse more enliven my soul and thine Who am thine in the Lord glad to do thy soul any good Philip Goodwin August 9. 1654. To the Reader THe matters of Almighty God and of mans immortal soul are things of the greatest concernment in all the world This truth is in the generall readily acknowledged by all and yet there is no one truth more contradicted by the constant courses of the most of men The businesse of the Sabbath is a convincing instance for although Gods honour and mens welfare are very much engaged herein yet many in opinion and more in their practice do oppose the right observation thereof as holy to the Lord. First Gods concernment herein may many wayes be made manifest This is one of those ten Commandements charged by the Creatour of heaven and earth upon man â—eut 4.13 â—â—o 31.18 Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy And the engrossing of this charge God did not leave to any Amanuensis but he writ it with his own finger â—eut 4.13 â—â—sworth Also to intimate that his intentions were to perpetuate this with the other precepts of the Decalogue in the morality thereof the Lord himself imprinted it not in paper but upon Tables of stone yea when the first Tables of stone were broken â—xo 34.1 â— â—en 2.2 â—hald Paâ—phr â—a 58.13 â—oc ad â—eum non â—d homines â—ferri deâ—t Calv. â—ark 2.28 his Majestie gave expresse order unto Moses to have other Tables like to the former prepared and he wrote thereon the same Law the second time As the Lord delighted in the first institution of the Sabbath so he accounts himself honoured by its sanctification yea he taketh this as a title of glory to be called The Lord of the Sabbath whereas this is his complaint and charge against them who are regardlesse of his Sabbath I am profaned amongst them Ezek. 22.26 Secondly Mans obligations to keep the Sabbath would neither be judged few nor weak Ezek. 20.12 Ezek. 20.20 Ezek. 20.12 Heb 4.4 5 8 9. if principles of sacred self-love might prevail For the Sabbath is givin not as a task but as a priviledge to Gods people to be a pledge of their interest in God and a confirmation unto their hope of their further sanctification as also of their everlasting Sabbatisme or rest after their wearisome wandrings in this World â—sa 58.13 Sabbathum deliciarum And for the sweetning of the Wildernesse-Way unto the heavenly Canaan the Lord hath provided a Sabbath for our spiritual feasting every Week in which respect he commandeth us to call it and to observe it as a day of delight The Text opened and improved in this ensuing Treatise giveth instance of an heavenly rapture Isa 58.13 Sabb thum delicatum quia delicatè et te nerè est observanduâ— Lapid locum â—n with which Saint John in his exile was refreshed on the Lords Day and the servants of Christ have in all ages had abundant experience of spiritual Cordials given in upon their consciencious keeping of this Sabbath therefore the rather should we observe it with holy tendernesse as Solomon counselleth every one to keep Gods Law as the Apple of his eye Prov. 7.2 Upon the first consideration we may condemn the profaners of the Sabbath as guiltie of sacriledge Exo. 20.10 Rev. 1.10 for it being the Sabbath of the Lord and the Lords Day that time is stollen from God himself which is spent otherwise then he alloweth And how sad this sacriledge and theft is I find unfolded in the following Treatise Onely observe
Spirit on the Lords Day p. 293 4. The properties of Gods Spirit towards good men p. 294 5. The properties of good mens spirits towards the Lord. p. 300 6. Unsanctified men cannot be on the Lords Day in the Spirit why p. 309 7. A false spirit moves mightily in them how that is discovered p. 325 8. How far some such men may be moved by the Spirit of God p. 343 9. Objections by and about some in this regard answered p. 357 10. Some of Gods Saints on the Lords Day are not in the Spirit why p. 354 11. Spiritually to spend the Lords Day what it contains p. 380 12. Motives that incite spiritually to spend the Lords Day of two sorts p. 389 13. Duties requisite to a spiritual spending the Lords Day of three sorts p. 433 14. Preparation for the Lords Day wherefore and wherein it is p. 437 15. How the Lords Day is to be begun carried on and ended p. 452 16. What is required after the Lords Day is over p. 468. A short Epistle to the Reader touching the Errata's Courteous Reader THough thou art no fault-finder yet thou mayest find many faults in a few sheets both through the Defects of the Authour and through the Mistakes of the Printer These latter are either lesser or greater Very many words false-spelled * As centre for center survile for servile and such like and mis-printed yet the sense of the place preserved These and such errours being lesse I let passe But many words are printed so much amisse as destroy the very sense of the place And among such errours more grosse Note these In the main Text. Page 33. line 12. for sports read spots p. 34 l. 24. for use r. cause p. 37. l. 25. for breach r. branch p. 54. l. 3. for meal r. wheale p. 96. li. 15. for renounced r. removed p. 107. l 4. for note r. find p. 108. l. 4 for frogs r. fogs p. 121 l 21. for conjunction r. conviction p. 135. l. 14. for Yea r. So. p. 142. l. 27. for in dayes past r. in dayes future p 145. l 6. for but r. yea pa. 153. â— 3. for cause r. case pa. 217. line 10. for Goats r. Groats p. 250. l. 2. for pre r. preserve p. 2â—2 line 12. for whole man r. whole of man p. 353. l. 16. for fixed r. fired p. 372 l. 18. for fixed r. fired p 389 l. 16. for spirituality read spiritual pag. 412. l. 23. for provoke r. promote p. 419. l. 16. for condile r. condole c. Errata in the Mergent Pag. 41. pro sâ—dendum lege ludendum pag. 24. pro ancle leg ante pa. 253. pro sancto leg sancta ibid. pro quiscâ—ns leg quiescens ibâ—d pro Exem leg Erem pag. 322. pro pessima lege pessimi pag. 328. pro August leg August These Good Reader and some other such Bruises the Body of this Book in the Birth hath suffered which yet thou mayest much heal by applying thereunto thy charitable Interpretations which he humbly entreats who heartily desires Gods honour herein and thy Benefit hereby Philip Goodwin THE LORDS DAY Enlivened Revel 1.10 I was in the Spirit on the Lords Day SAint John among the Apostles is compared to the Eagle among the birds and truly let him be observed but onely as the Text present reports therein he is found to fly exceeding high soaring upward with heavenly wings yea he did as it were pass out of the world into the Spirit to converse with God in sublime mysteries upon the day of the Lord. I was in the Spirit upon the Lords Day Indeed if we reflect upon the foregoing verse we may view him in a very low place and case I John who also am your Brother written to some afflicted Churches of Christ and companion in tribulation c. Other Histories also tell into what troublesome times he was turned how Souldiers having apprehended him in Asia Non multum ante temporis Apocalypsin vidit Joannes Sed pene nostro seculo ad finem Domitiani Imperii Irenaeus li. 5. cont Valent and hurried him to Rome where being brought before Domitian under whom was the second if not the saddest of the ten persecutions this cruell Emperour caused him for the cause of Christ to be cast into a Cauldron of boyling oyl out of which by a strange providence being escaped he was after carried to prison in the Isle Patmos which as Geographers write was a barren beggarly place a little desert Island lying in the Aegean Sea where sure this good man met with misery so much as might have sunk his Soul But though he was world-ward in a woe case all the week yet he was in a high rapture and Heavenly posture when the Lords day came I was in the Spirit upon the Lords Day In the words of the Apostle are observable Somewhat implyed And Somewhat expressed Or his Concession And his Assertion That which he silently grants and secretly yet certainly implyes is That there was then a Lords Day in use and which he himself in his sufferings observed That which he positively expresses and plainly affirms is That upon this Day of the Lord he was in the Spirit I was in the Spirit on the Lords Day As there were two brazen Pillars whereupon the burden of Solomons Porch was placed 1. Kin. 7. So the burthen of following discourse shall all be brought and layd through the Lords help upon two Principall Points 1. Point That even in the times of the Gospel there hath been and is continued a day which is the Lord Christs by a peculiar claim THE LORDS DAY 2. Point that some of the Servants of the Lord have been and others may be in the Spirit on this day of the Lord. The Apostle is plain from his own experience I was in the Spirit on the Lords Day Upon these two bottomes I shall endeavour to raise the Religious observance of the Christian Sabbath and to lift up the Lords Day unto its highest and holiest use And now enter the first That the Lord Christ our dear Saviour hath a day that is peculiarly His THE LORDS DAY All daies indeed are the Lords The Lord Christ in all daies hath an undoubted interest yea and a double power for their dispose Natural and Oeconomicall An originall power and property pertaines to him as he is God coessentiall and coeternall with his Faher A derivative property and power as he is Christ the Mediator For as God the Father hath put all things so all times into his Son Christs hands We find Genesis 1. the whole space of time divided into Dayes and Nights Now there is not a night or day but is the Lords Psalme 74.16 The day is thine the night also is thine Yet there is a day which is THE LORDS by an excellency and in a super-eminent and immediate manner As we see Psalme 50. the Lord sayes that all creatures are his Every beast of the Forrest is mine the
difficulltie But the redemption of souls was difficult and painfull To effect the former God did but speak the word VVhereas to fulfill the latter the Lord Christ did shed his dearest blood 3. Most profitable unto us men is this mighty work of Christ Indeed to have earth to tread on air to breath in meat to feed of light to walk by are benefits but the subduing the strength of the Divell the removing the sting of sin with all the astonishing and sad sequels thereof The reconciliatian of Gods anger and The reparation of mans nature These and the like are benefits more abundantly benenficiall 'T is a mor admirable and andvantagious work for Christ to pull brands out of the fire then for God to bring a world out of the water After such works then may not Christ well require a day of religious rest A Sabbath to be sanctified for his service one day in seven Secondly The same honour is due to the Son that was done to God the Father John 5.23 All men should honour the Son of God even as they honour the Father In the times of the Old Testament all men did honour the Father with a day of holy worship and was a special part of his honour therefore all men must honour Christ the Son in the times of the New Testament with a set day for his solemne service To Christ for his Honour is ascribed The service of the day and therefore The day for the service is his due We find Christ honoured by attributing to him the Word Coloss 3.16 The Sacraments of Baptisme Act. 8.16 of the Supper 1. Cor. 11.24 So prayer John 16.23 Yea the whole Gospel-Ministery 1. Cor. 4.1 Sure then he ought for his honours-sake to have a Sabbath-day for the exercise of all these And are there not as great endeavours in these last dayes to lay the honour of Christ in the dust as ever before was to trample down the glory of God the Father Yea and far greater For Christ and the things of Christ As they are much above nature created So they are most against nature corrupted Yea and the corruption of nature was never so active and opposite against the dignities of Christ as in these last daies 1 John 2.18 Little Children it is the last time and as ye have heard that Antichrists shall come even now are there many Antichrists whereby we know that t' is the last time or the last hour as in the Greek And the divell knowing his time is short as he is the more malicious Quanto potestas Diaboli decrescit in tempore tanto crescit in malignitate so he is the more expeditious and industrious to dash down all the dignities of Christ and to hinder him the honour of his day which for his honour is his due Thirdly that the first day in the week is the day due to Christ THE LORDS DAY And this is fitly called the Lords day for a double cause Because of what was done by the Lord on this day and Because of what upon this day was done unto the Lord First Such things the Lord did upon this day as might well denominate it The Lords Day as 1. His resurrection from the dead upon this day Luk. 24.1 2. John 20.1 Very early in the morning did this Sun rise upon the first day in the week And well might he settle this day most observable for by his this day rising he made himself Most honourable Most profitable Most comfortable First Hereby honourable manifesting his marvellous Power when after three daies dead the Sepulchre sealed the stone rolled a strong watch placed yet he broke through all bars beat down all opposition as a Triumphing Conquerour over death and devills Lazarus John 11. When he rose came up with his grave-clothes bound but Christ cast off his grave-clothes leaving them in the Sepulchre Joh. 20. signifying he had victory over death wereas Lazarus was subject to die again Plus erat de sepulchro surgere quam de cruce descendere plus mortem resurgendo destruere quam vitam descendendo servare Greg◠The Jewes cryed Let him come down from the Crosse and we will believe T' was more sayes one for Christ to ascend from his sepulchre then to descend from the Crosse more to vanquish death by rising then to save his life by escaping O the honour of this 2. Hereby profitable The death of Christ was at the sowing of the Corn Joh. 12.24 The raising of Christ is as the springing up of the Corn. The benefits of Christs death are reaped in his resurrection the death of Christ was as the casting of Joseph into the pit selling him into Egypt and putting him into Prison the raising of Christ is like the preferring of Joseph by which he comes into a capacity to enrich all his Relations 3. Hereby comfortable O the joy of a raised Christ The Christians in the Primitive Church were wont when they saw one another to have this joyful salute The Lord is risen and the others ordinary answer was True 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Plus gaudere propter resurrectionem gloriosam quam dolere propter passionem ignominiosam Bern. The Lord is risen indeed We should not so much mourn saith a good Author at Christs ignominious Passion as we should rejoyce at his glorious resurrection The day therefore of Christs rising may well set up this Christian Sabbath 2. Christs appearing to his Disciples was upon this day he shewed himself five times upon the very day he rose first to Mary Magdalen in the morning Mark 16.9 Secondly to the women Matth. 28.9 10. Thirdly to the two Disciples Luk. 24.18 Fourthly to Peter Luk. 24.33 Fifthly to the Eleven Mark 16.14 Excepting Thomas Joh. 20.24 When the Disciples were assembled Christ came in and he stood in the midst among them as the tree of life in the midst of Paradise and unto them we may observe He spake peace and He gave power He said unto them Peace be unto you Peace From outward foes and From inward fears And when fears were out joyes were in Joh. 20.20 Then the Disciples rejoyced when they saw the Lord never did their spirits so spring within them Never before did such a day of comfort dawn And upon this day he gave them a threefold power To Preach the Gospel To administer the Sacraments and To exercise Church-Discipline As is evident Matth. 28.16 17 18 19 20. Mark 16.15 16 17. Joh. 20.21 22 23 c. Hereby He did both sanctifie the day for such Ordinances And he did signifie such Ordinances were for the day And again the very next first day of the week after he arose from the dead he appeared to his Disciples Thomas being with them Then he did for his sake more familiarly and fully unfold himself then before This made one say He was more beholding to Thomas doubting then to Peter believing for upon the occasion of that Disciples doubts our dear
which does belong to God The Sun must bear the swey of the Day though the Moon rules the Night and though the World hath the predominancy all the week yet 't is meet Christ should have the command of his own day THE LORDS DAY I proceed to a second sort that sinne against this Lords day by not doing on the day what they ought Concerning Sabbath-day-duties we shall consider The kind they are to be of and The place they are to be in For the kind the duties on the Lords day to be done are Of Piety towards God and Of Charity towards men For the place the duties to be done on the Lords day Are in our publike meetings Or in our private dwellings Now persons who do not their Sabbath duties and so sin against this day are of two sorts Some that Idle out the day and do nothing of the duty and others that trifle in the day and of the duty do but something 1. Too many are manifest that spend this holy day in Idlenesse By the Law the Priests upon the Sabbath day were to offer double sacrifice whence Chrysostome collects Chrysost concion de Lazaro that the Sabbath ought not to be a day of ease and Idlenesse but of double diligence in holy exercises In the Gospel even the Lord of this day is revealed not as in an idle but an active posture During the dayes of his flesh he went about doing good Act. 10.38 And the Sabbath was the day of his best and most abundant works as is well observed and therefore this Lords day calls for diligence in the best duties and does not indulge Idlenesse The Jewes use to call the seventh year the Idle year because then the ground lay follow no Plowing or sowing or bringing forth of Corn. Many Christians may call the seventh day the Idle day for then is no praying hearing c. or bringing forth any fruit that is good the whole day to the man and the whole man in the day lyes like the desert dry and barren where no seed is sowen through Idlenesse on the Lords day men they become Most culpable in their sin and Most lyable unto Satan 1 To be Sabbath-idle increases a mans sin Idlenesse is ever evil but never so bad as upon this good day No time is allowed for Idlenesse As of every idle word Matth. 12.36 so of every idle hour a man must give account at the day of judgement and as one upon the place further infers Sâ— pro etioso verbo reddemus rationem videamus ne reddamus pro otioso silentâ—o Ambros de ossic lib. 1. cap. 3. ut nullo die intermittantur certa tempora orandi Aug. Haeres 57. We shall not onely give account for our idle sayingâ— but we must give account for our idle silence for our not speaking when men do not take unto themselves words in prayer and the like but he like the Prophets Idols having mouthes and speak not ears and hear not c. Some religious exercises are every day duties Austin upon that place of the Apostle Pray continually Expounds it See that in no day there be any intermission of certain times for prayer But then from prayer and other holy duties to be idle vacant and voyd on the Lords day deepens the sin because on such dayes Men have best work And most work to do 1. The Sabbath is a day of the best work Most of the week-work is world-work poor in comparison of this That 's like digging in a dark pit this as reaping in a pleasant field As 't is best being with God so 't is best working for God Weekly labour is but bodily labour burdensome labour Sabbath-work is chiefly soul-work and all sweet work Men work on the week that they and theirs may live well in this world a while But the Lords Day-work is our meal for ever Therefore for any to be idle on this day aggravates their sin of Idlenesse Secondly the Sabbath is a day of the most work men on that day should do more in the service of God then all the week besides The Jews did much on their Sabbath Christians are to do more on their Lords Day If we compare Numb 28.9 with Ezek. 46.4 we shall find that the offerings in the time of the Gospel prophesied of were more then those in the time of the Law In Num. we find but two Lambs but in Ezekiel we find six Lambs and a Ram for the Sabbath This signifies that in the settled times of the Gospell Gods Worship upon the Christian Sabbath should be solemnized more fully then in former times under the Law Now for men to be idle when they have most work to do causes idlenesse to become the more culpable and the greater sin Secondly to be Sabbath-idle exposes souls to Satans service hence so many do the divells drudgery and draw the divells cart upon the Lords day When Satan especially in Sabbath time sees men idle and not about any thing that is good then he soone sets them about that which is naught so that upon this day men are most eager to go on the divels arrand though to their own ruin Yea men upon the Lords Day that lye idle they tempt the Tempter and do invite the Divell to their dwellings and as it were ask if he hath no work or what service he will command them They are ready each saying Here am I send me As in supper-time Satan entred into Judas so in Sabbath-time Satan takes possession of such idle ones Some keep the Sabbath like their cattel they go not to plow in deed but nothing good they go about They are in their houses as their horses in ther stables yea perhaps in their beds as their hogs in their styes Or on the Lords Day if they be not as beasts they are as birds that flye from place to place so do they wander from town to-town idly passing away of Sabbath-time Yea 't is with many in this as with the Divells they believe a Sabbath but they observe no Sabbath as they can keep no Sabbath in point of rest so they will keep no Sabbath in point of work Men are on earth as the damned in hell who never are in any religious duties they may be crying for water to coole theie tongues but never praying for grace to change their hearts or for mercy to remit their sins For thousands of idle Sabbaths hath God with some to reckon and let them be fure that as God will not hold them guiltlesse that take his Name in vain so God will never hold them guiltlesse that spend his time in vain Secondly I come to consider such as indeed do somewthat of duty in the day of the Sabbath but of these there are that take up their Sabbath-work Either in some one part of the day Or in some one place for the day The part of the Lords day wherein the exercises of religion ought to lye being both
read of many such sad examples Some within doors their brains beat out others abroad their bodies burnt with Lightning and beat down dead with claps of Thunder as some recite Object We see no such punishments in our present times upon persons profaning the Sabbath Answ The Lord now leaves men unto that which is worse then punishment to wit sin Both in the time of the Sabbath And out of Sabbath-time O the sad sins of several even upon the Sabbath day Such sins set Musculus upon the fourth Commandement to make a sad moane and Bucer upon the 92. Psalme does bitterly bewaile such sins O that we had some so seriously mourning for we have now many miserably so sinning yea and also at other times Men are in sin when they are out of the Sabbath God leaves men to week dayes transgressions as a punishment of Sabbath day omissions The Lord lets men on the week dayes do the evil they should not because on the Sabbath day they did not the good they should Yea let 's sadly consider our abominable sins Both in judgment And in practice The sinking of Sabbaths is the rising of all errors Hence we note Arminian Socinian Pelagian opinions published almost in every place With our sins against the day of Christ we have sinful errors against the death of Christ against the whole Doctrine of Christ Dignity of Christ Deity of Christ I have found some affirming that 't was a piece of the Divels policy to hinder the Sabbath from being called the Lords day that he might the more keep men from knowing and imbracing the Lord of truth and the truth of the Lord. I dare say 't is Satans design that he might make men vent and advance Venomous opinions against the pure and precious truths of Christ he causes them to become carelesse in keeping the Lords day 'T was observed among the Jewes that when they grew remisse concerning the Sabbath they became corrupt in their Tenents touching the works of God in the Creation And it may be observed among Christians that since men have fallen to soul neglects of the Lords day they have about the works of Christ redemption wax'd wilde in their imaginations yea errors of all sorts hath God suffered as filthy froggs to infect our English air 2. Sinful and prodigious practices are also plentiful in every place As the observation of the Sabbath is that which brings on all the duties of godlinesse cease that and all sinks so the violation of the Sabbath is the inlet of al loosenesse a door to all the works of darknesse what wickednesse will not rise up where the Lords day is down As in the Decalogue the command for the Sabbath is set in the middle being the band of the whole and that which hath an influence into all thus in the Catalogue of Jerusalems sins Ezek. 22. the sin against the Sabbath is set in the midst amongst them as being the main and that through which all the rest move Read vers 7 8 9 10. In thee have they set light by father and mother in thee have they dealt by oppression in thee have they vexed the father lesse and the widow Thou hast despised my holy things and hast profaned my Sabbath In thee are men that carry tales to shed blood in thee they commit lewdnesse thou hast greedily gained by extortion and hast forgotten me saith the Lord God Now for the Lord in a Land to suffer such sins is worse then if he should in an ordinary way punish punishment not being so great an evil as sin Sin is the common cause of punishment In evil things the cause is more corrupt then the effect punishment is the work of God sin is the proper work of the Divel punishment is opposite to the peace and quiet of the creature sin 't is repugnant to the very being of man yea of God himself 'T is sin alone which formally and causally separates a soul from God the chiefest good and therefore is the greatest evil 'T is sins that are Bars in Heaven-gates that there is no entering in and Bonds in Hell flames that there 's no getting out If I sayes Anselme were in hell without sin I should not be kept in and were I in heaven with sin I should soon be turned out This sayes Chrysostome do I think and this I will ever Preach that 't is worse by sin to offend Christ then to be tormented in hell-fire for ever May not we then well think that sin is a sorer evil then any punishment possible And therefore though God does not punish persons for polluting his Sabbath yet in that he leaves them upon this unto other sins their case is a thousand fold worse Yet of such too many are manifest men who on the Sabbath do not regard Gods assisting grace to help them in good God on the week dayes withdraws his restreining grace that might keep them from evil even sin the worst of evils 2. Though God does not in visible wayes punish such men yet he does in various wayes whereof they are not aware viz. Negative and Positive 1. 'T is a punishment that God does not punish them Hosea 4.14 I will not punish your Daughters when they commit whoredome Infignis est poena vindicta impietatis connivere Deum indulgere peccantibus Philo. lib. de confus linguarum c. When God does not punish persons for polluting and neglecting his Sabbath this is a sore punishment Yea 't is a notable punishment sayes a learned Writer and a dreadful revenge when God seems to indulge and as it were oversee sinful men As God shewes love in correcting so he shewes wrath when he does not correct 'T was mercy to me may some man say that I was chastised 'T was good for me sayes David that I was afflicted So every wicked one shall one day say 't was ill for me I was not afflicted 't was a judgement to me God did not correct me The lesse smart on earth the more pain in hell 't is a terrible punishment upon some Sabbath-breakers to break the Sabbath and yet to passe unpunished 2. God sends in sad Judgements for this sin which men do not see as a Judge he smites them with blindnesse of mind and hardnesse of heart for this God threatens Levit. 26. to make the earth as brasse and heavens as Iron Iron-hearts are worse then Iron-heavens If sometimes on the Lords day to the Congregatiō men of hard hearts come yet that word which is a mercy to some is a judgement to them * Quum sanctae exhortationis verba aliamens suscipit alia recipere recusat super unam civitatem pluit Dominus non super aliam Grego in Ezek. Hom. 10. 't is Gods expression in the Prophet That he caused it to rain upon one City and not upon another that is sayes an ancient Writer the same words of exhortation which God as a loving Father causes some to receive
as an angry Judge he makes others to reject Yea God for sinnes against his Sabbath gives men up to follow their own fancies and eagerly to pursue their own seducements Ezek. 20.24 25. Because they despised my statutes and polluted my Sabbaths I gave them statutes that were not good and I polluted them in their own gifts c. Under such punishments poor people perish and perceive it not We see mens Sabbath-sins against God and Gods judgments are upon men for those sins though we see them not 3. Though God does not appear presently to punish such men yet he will ere long God is fitted himself to be sure and God has fixed his day which is neer 1. God himself is fitted to inflict punishment upon such as defile his holy day for as he is the Lord of the Sabbath so he is the Lord of hosts The same that in the Hebrew term is the Lord of the hosts in the Greek Septugint is the Lord of the Sabbath and so does the New Testament expresse it Except the Lord of hosts sayes the Prophet had left us a remnant we had been like Sodom Isay 1.9 Except the Lord of the Sabbath sayes the Apostle Rom. 9.27 repeating the words of the Prophet It appears he that is the Lord of this day hath many hosts at his command wherewith he is ready to give Battel to all the breakers of his blessed Sabbath Josephus lib. 5. Ant. Judaâ—car cap. 6. Josephus speaking of the Battel Judg. 5. wherein God fought against Sisera with an host of Men an host of Stars an host of Stormes an host of Rain Haile and Winds for sayes he there fell such a sudden and terrible tempest beating full in the faces of the Canaanites as took away their sight and benummed their hands that they could not hold their shields not fling their darts but beat so on the backs of the Israelites as emboldened them the more God indeed does not immediately make war with men that misuse his Sabbath but he hath his forces ready to fight them his Armies are mustered and ready to march all his weapons of war are prepared Psal 7.12 13. 2. God hath such dayes drawing neer when he will certainly proceed against Sabbath-sinners and pursue them to death As a day of National Judgment And a day of general Judgement Indeed a dismal day of calamity may our Land look for wherein the polluters of the Lords day shall be drawn out to suffer Gods severe vengence There be some offenders and Malefactors which the Magistrate does not immediately punish but they are bound over to the next Assizes Though Sabbath-breakers by Gods immediate blowes be not beaten down yet they be bound over to such an Assizes as we never yet saw in England God may not aforehand inflict exemplary punishments upon particular transgressing persons because he means to come with common calamities upon the whole body of a Nation when transgressors shall be destroyed together Psal 37.38 if a National repentance prevents not Such a day of National distresse drawes neer wherein Sabbath-breakers with other sorts of sinners shall assuredly suffer The Lord will either lay the Land in blood or in water If waters of sorrows do not flow from men fires of fury will flame from God and then wo to such as sinned down the day of the Sabbath 2. The great day of Gods general Judgement is now apace approaching when such as sin against Gods sacred Sabbath The Lord will disown them and The Lord will condemn them Disown them so that they who regarded not the Lords day shall not be regarded in the day of the Lord nor of the Lord in his day Condemn them down to endure pains perpetual and torments eternal O how sweet would one Sabbath of rest be from Hell-torments in ten thousand years But they who would not keep the Lords day of rest shall never have a day of rest to keep The day when Sabbath-slighters shall be certainly adjudged so to suffer now draws on God in some former ages might more exemplarily punish Sabbath-abusers because then this Judgment-day was at a further distance this day now drawing nearer the Lord may more let men alone and they may escape present penalties But they that neglect the Lords day shall not escape the dreadful day of the Lord. We may observe a double day that men for the most part mind not The present day of the Lords Sabbath and The approaching day of the last Judgment Men live as if there were no Sabbath day to be religiously imployed in and as if there were no Judgement-day to be diligently prepared for I eat I drink I play Bernard de interna Domo cap. 33. sayes Bernard as if I were gone beyond the day of Judgement Thus may many a man say I eat I sport I sleep I leap and laugh as if I had passed over and got above Gods blessed day Men are as if they were now exempted from attendance on the Lords day and as if they should hereafter be excused from appearance at the day of the Lord. But the day drawes neer when all men must appear before the Judgement-seat of Jesus Christ and answer for non-attending upon his holy day Hieron Epist de scient legis Tom. 4. Oh what shall we do sayes Jerom in that day when the Lord shall come with Trumphet sounding fire flaming sinners fainting stars falling mountains melting poor creatures crying to graves to hold them and hills to hide them Let none that abuse the Lords day suppose this day of the Lord to be far off for Beâ—old sayes the Apostle The Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones to execute judgment c. Jude 14 15. The comming of the Lord draws nigh Jam. 5 8. Tâ—e Lord is at hand Phil. 4.5 Heare this all ye who with the Lords good day put off the evil day of the Lord. Lastly though the Lord does not evidently punish all such men yet he hath openly of late laid hold upon some Yea herein the Lord hath spoken so loud from heaven against Sabbath-sinners that I cannot be silent We hereabout have had in a short time terrible tokens of Gods severe vengeance upon men not minding the service of his day Among our selves a sad example a Townsman going into the Parish and gathering Cherries on the Lords day fell from the tree and in the fall was so battered and bruised that he never spake more but lay groaning in his blood untill the next day and then he dyed Another man not far off this Cherry-time fell from a Cherry-tree and lay in dreadful dolour all the week and the very next Lords day dyed A grown youth upon the Lords day not long ago in a Neighbour-Town scrambling with others for Pears thrown out of some pockets in the Church-yard broke his main thigh-bone and the bone of his leg on the same side in such a miserable manner as a precious man who set those bones assured me though
it not to heart Beware then I beseech you how you spend the Lords day lest the Lord make this blessed day to become a curse But I proceed from these Motives that are more driving Generosus animus facilior ducitur quam trahitur to insist upon such Motives as are more drawing for upon Generous and Ingenuous minds such Arguments work most And here I beseech you consider The carefull keeping of the Lords day and the Lords day carefully kept It is Equitable It is Honourble It is Profitable It is Delectable And O that God from heaven would set to the help of his own hand that unto diligence in the Lords-day-duties you might be drawn by this fourfold Cord. 1. For the equity That 't is just and fit we all do the utmost of our endeavours in the duties of this day divers reasons may be drawn Some from God Some from other men and From our selves some 1. If we consider God in his gracious dealings there is much may draw to a diligent observance of his holy Sabbath As his general dealing towards us with others And above many others his special dealing with us Let us mark how well God hath herein dealt with man-kind in common as for instance His mercy in appointing this day out of other time and His bounty in affording so much time beside this day First if we consider Both our souls And Bodies There 's much mercy The common rest of the day is mercy to our bodies And the holy work of the day is Gods mercy to our souls For the saving of our souls God injoynes the work And for the casing of our Bodies God Ordains the rest That neither our souls fall into hell-torments Nor our bodies faint under earthy toylings God is pleased in pitty to set apart a Sabbath Hence 't is said Mark 2.27 That the Sabbath was made for man That is for mans use in order to mans advantage Gualter in Marc. 2. Homil. 22. A learned Expositour upon the place does excellently open this Even as had it not been for man a Saviour had never been born So had it not been for man a Sabbath had never been made For their sakes sayes Christ do I sanctifie my self And for their sakes sayes God do I sanctifie my day Now it cannot but be manifest to as many as mark this mercy how meet it is for each man to make much of the day of God 2. Let us see how liberal the Lord hath been in allowing man so much other time viz. six dayes with a reserve to himself This ONE As Joseph Gen. 39. said to Potiphars Wife My Master hath not kept back any thing from me but thee because thou art his Wife So may each man say to the Sabbath God the great Master hath kept back no time from me but thee because thou art his DAY We read how under a Parable Nathan the Prophet aggravated Davids sin 2 Sam. 12. A rich man that had many flocks of sheep yet when a traveller came to his house he spared to take of his own but took and killed the one ewe-Lamb that this poor neighbour had nourished up for himself This aggravates the sin of many a man when a temptation comes to his heart and businesse he is to go about he spares to take of his own time though he hath several dayes but takes of this ONE DAY which God hath set out for himself Luk. 13. There are six dayes wherein men ought to work in them therefore come and be bealed but not on the Sabbath day So say I There are six dayes for lawfull labour in them men may go and trade and travel but not on the Sabbath day What sayes the Apostle 1 Cor. 11.21 Have ye not houses to eat and drink in or despise ye the Church of God So I say What have ye not nights to sleep in and have ye not dayes to buy and sell in and have ye not time to recreate and take any lawfull delights in but pollute ye the day of God Seeing 't is but one day in seven how unwearied in holy workings ought we to be As Christ said to his Disciples when he found them asleep Could ye not not watch with me one hour So will the Lord say to some at the last and great account Could ye not work for me one day Seeing the Lord hath been so bountiful as to give us six daies for our necessary concernments in the World he may well claim our close attendance upon this one day God might as one well observes have required all dayes to be spent in the works of his worship See Pet. Martyr Gen. 2.3 Read Cal. upon Deut. 5. Ser. 35. and set us by night to get our necessary living Had all time been ours then if God had taken out one whole day for himself and his service and left us six we might have made some exception But when all time was Gods so that for men to have a minute is a mercy yet to have such a plentifull portion as six-days-time of God every week with so small a reserve to himself is well worthy of wonder But O how much more to be admired is God in his goodnesse towards us of this Nation and especially in these parts thereof in settling amongst us for so many years such Sabbath-Helpers and Helps for Sabbaths Should we go into many parts of the Christian world yea into divers parts of this Land we might see poore people sitting of Sabbaths destitute Matth. 20.6 7. 't is said to some Is it not the eleventh hour Why stand ye here all the day idle they said Because no man hath hired us Thus might it be said to severall Is it not the Sabbath why walk you about or sit you at home all the day idle They may answer Because we have no Minister to preach to us For want of the Ministery of the Word in many Churches of this Land the Lords Day lies dead and buried the generality of people running into Atheisme ready for Popery and all Soul-poysoning opinions yet God is good to us and gives us Sabbath-supplies Sermons in season and out of season Week-day-lectures as preparatives to Sabbath-day-labour and preservatives of Sabbath-Day-life to keep up quickenings in Christians that what they gain on the Lords Day they may not lose in the week Behold what manner of love is this And is it not meet that this Day should be duly observed 2. Let us consider some men and we shall see the observance of this day more meet viz. Adam before Moses The Jewes before Christ 1. For Adam Peter Martyr upon Genesis the second observes that man immediately after his creation was to enter upon this Holy-day-duties God having made him a woman for his wife soone made them a Sabbath for their work And Chrysostome notes Chrysost Gene. 2. Homil. 18. how God in setling the very first week of the world sanctified a Sabbath thereby says he insinuating
will fight for me Which when the Duke heard he disbanded his forces saying he would not contend with that man that engaged God in his quarrel Let who will resolve warre against us this dayes reforming would prevent the Lands ruining Indeed while Religion is languishing Nations are perishing while Sabbaths are sinking Cities are shaking O what a controversie hath God! O what a fire did God threaten within the walls of Jerusalem for the breach of his blessed day Jer. 17.27 Breakin gs of Sabbaths brings burning of Cities And the best way for the safe keeping of Cities is the well keeping of Sabbaths 2. The sanctification of the Sabbath is of singular use against evil ones As the Devil And Antichrist Much good against the Devil may this day be done To the delivering from him and To the conquering of him O the rare rescues of souls from the power of Satan upon the Sabbath day Luk. 13.16 We see a poor woman eighteen years bound by the Divel was upon the Sabbath-day loosed from her bond Some under the sore bondage of Satan twenty thirty fourty years have been delivered upon the Lords day God hath made heavy chains to fall off and Iron gates to fly open which hath put the Jaylor the Divel in a rage to see upon the Sabbath souls pulled out of his prison and sinners set free from his fetters And O the successeful Battels that have been sought against Satan upon this day of the Sabbath We read Josh 10. That when five Kings came out in Battel against Israel there was a day the Sun stood still and the Moon stayed at the command of Joshua And sayes the text There was no day like that before it nor after it that the Lord so hearkened to the voyce of man for the Lord fought for Israel and they had that day a very great victory vers 13 14 c. Thus upon the Lords day combinations of Devils have been broken and beaten no day like this wherein God hearkens to the voyce of man Heaven and Earth stand still God fights and the Divel falls Luk. 10.18 2 Cor. 10.4 5. Yea and much good may be done this day against Antichrist and all his Adherents both by The preachings of Christs Gospel And the prayings of Gods people This dayes preaching of the Gospel brings on Babylons fall Rev. 14.6 An Angel flies in the midst of heaven having the everlasting Gospel to preach to men that dwell on the earth And what followes v. 7 8. Another Angel saying Babylon is fallen is fallen The words are doubled to foretell a double fall of Babylon The one Spiritual The other Literal Babylons spiritual fall viz. in the hearts of Princes and people this is wrought by the Word Babylons literal fall viz. in its visible pomp and power this shall be done by the sword The former falling makes way for the latter The more purely the Word is preached and the more clearly the Gospel shines the more the Mysterious workings of that man of sin is made manifest and the more he loses in the minds of men 2 Thes 2.8 Then shall that wicked one be revealed whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth and destroy with the brightnesse of his coming It notes the coming of Christ in the clearnesse of the Gospel to cast down Antichrist and call home the Jewes Amen Lord Jesus come quickly 2. Sabbath-dayes prayings of the people of God this brings Babylon down Luther was wont to call his and the Churches Teares and Prayers their great Guns and Cannons Upon the Lords Day the Lords people play with their Cannons aganst the walls of Babylon and make irrepairable batteries and breaches Joshua 6. Every day the army of Israel went round the city of Jericho but on the Seventh day they compassed the city seven times And at the seventh time the Priests blew the trumpets and the people shouted and then the walls fell and the City was taken Every day the Saints of God in their sighs and suits should besiege Babylon but on the Sabbath day beset it seven times Ministers preach and people pray Upon this day all the souldiers of Jesus Christ must march out of their quarters into the open fields to fight the battel of the Lord against Satan and Babylon Hell and Rome and when they be in prayer fervent then they are in the heat of battel then shout shout this would make walls fall O even upon this account let us keep up Sabbaths and therein cry mightily Jerem. 50.14 15. Put your selves in aray agâ—inst Babylon round about all that bend the bowe shoot at her spare for no arrowes shout against her round about her foundations are fallen her walls are thrown down Upon this day let all Gods people in all parts put themselves in aray against Rome Mysticall Babylon pour out teares put up prayers all Artillery-Christians bend the bowe shoot spare for no arrowes cry again and again With the hands of the Prayer of faith lay hold as Sampson upon the pillars of the great Philistine-house bowing himself with all his might then down it fell Judges 16.30 O let us every Lords day bow our selves with all our might 2. Samuel 17.13 Counsell was given to Absalom that if David were got into a City all Israel should bring ropes to that City and draw it into the River till not one small stone be found there Is not Antichrist got into a City Every Sabbath let all Gods Israel bring their ropes pull hard by holy prayer draw all into the River till not a stone be left upon a stone No marvell Antichrist and the divell seeks to throw down Sabbaths for Sabbaths will throw down the divel and Antichrist Again great is the profit of this precious Sabbath For good things towards men and For men towards good things First this brings on things that much concerns mens good In Church And in State Let Sabbaths be well observed and we shall see Good Governours to be obeyed and Good obedience to Governours To keep holy the Sabbath is a sure way to settle a succession of Governours that are good Jerem. 17.24 25 26. If ye diligently hearken to me saith the Lord and hollow the Sabbath-day Then shall there enter into the gates of this City KINGS and PRINCES sitting upon the throne of David riding in Chariots and on horses they and their Princes the men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and this City shall remain for ever This speaks good things to the State And they shall come from the Cities of Judah and the places about Jerusalem and from the Lana of Benjamin c. bringing burnt-offerings and Sacrifices of praise unto the house of the Lord. This speaks good to the Church and all upon this account The well keping the Sabbath If then in Church and State we would have things go well and do desire a series of such settled as may govern for God let us see to the Sanctification of
his son who sent the waggons The Ordinances upon the Lords day they are the waggons that for us God hath sent it is some reviving to see them O but to see God whence these waggons are and whose the Ordinances be how reviving is that O sayes David to God that I may see thy power and thy glory so as I have seen thee in the Sanctuary Psal 63.2 2. The closer upon the Sabbath we can draw to God the better will our revivings be We read 2 King 13.21 of a dead man that being let down into the Sepulchre of Elisha as soon as he touched the bones of the dead Prophet he presently revived Thus Christians whose hearts are dead yet coming close to God in the Sabbath have sudden soul-revivings and most comfortable quicknings And this is the way to recover the life of the Lords day and so to settle the liberties thereof which at least to some seem to be shaking Towards the Lord yet further that his day may endure let us Keep in the presence of the Lord Keep up prayer to the Lord. 1. The presence of the Lord kept in with us will hold holy Sabbaths amongst us Indeed let the Lord depart and then the dayes of grace and means of grace will immediately remove When Christ goes he calls Come with me my Sabbaths Ordinances and all my holy Institutions Time was Christ walked in the midst of the seven golden Candlesticks Rev. 1.13 That is those seven once famous Churches of Asia had the presence of Chirst with them and the Ordinances of Christ among them the Lords day was a known day But now the Sabbath of the Gospel and the Gospel with the Sabbath is gone because Christ there was not kept O sayes Martha Lord if thou hadst been here my brother had not died If thou hadst been present my brother had not departed So may those Asian people now say to Christ Lord if thou hadst aboad with us thy holy Times and Things had never been stirred Matth. 28.20 Christ there hath promised his presence even in the use of Ordinances unto the end of the world The way to retain Christs presence Is to believe his promise No hands like faith to lay hold upon Christ Faith sayes Luther is like the beloved Disciple it leans in Christs bosom it will not leave him nor let him go Faith it produces A vigorous love and A vertuous life Unto a people both will bind Christ 2. Prayer to the Lord kept up by us will hold holy Sabbaths amongst us In the land were the Spirit of prayer up Sabbaths would never go down Indeed it will be a hard matter to make Sabbaths stand if still praying hands fall O pray pray pray And in prayer plead with God To send out more Sabbath-labourers and To blesse Labourers more in the Sabbath 1. Pray that more may be sent out who will be faithful in the labours of the Sabbath Matth. 9.37 38. The harvest is plenteous but the labourers are few pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest that he will send forth lavourers into his harvest Many places in this Land are as fields of ripe Corn and alas how do the Divels those fouls of the air Math. 13.4 and wicked men those swine of the earth Matth. 7.6 wholly waste and spoil all for want of Sabbath-labouring men to gather into Gods Barn In divers places upon the Lords day O what dark doings people being as a black Lanthorne without any Candle And shall not we pray that God would set up lights and send out labourers that his day may be duly observed and that we may pre his day 2. Pray that those who are sent out may be fruitful in their Sabbath-labour that they may see the travels of their souls and be satisfied That Gods good work may prosper in their hands and their peoples hearts That every Sabbath they spend and every Sermon they preach may prove as the bowe of Jonathan which from the Battel never returned empty There is a precious promise fit in prayer to be pressed Esay 54.10 11. As the rain comes down and the showers from heaven and returns not thither but watereth the earth making it bud and bring forth seed to the sower and bread to the eater So sayes God shall my Word be that goes out of my mouth it shall not return to me void O pray we that neither the Red or the Black horse be harnessed out to the Battel But that Christ on the white horse may conquer Rev. 6. Many souls in the Sabbath by the Gospel may be gained over to God This would perpetuate Sabbaths and make the Lords day lasting Last of all unto Gods Saints a Sabbath in some sense is sure never to cease Gods people Shall either have the Sabbath of the Lord Or to them the Lord will be a Sabbath Ezek. 11.16 Thus saith the Lord I will be to them as a little Sanctuary in the Countries where they shall come Gods people in Babylon when they could not go to worship God in the great and beautifull Temple at Jerusalem yet then God was as a little Temple to them And this little Temple was better then the great Thus the Saints of God when they cannot have the Sabbath that is present God will be to them a Sabbath more precious God is the best Sabbath 1 Sam. 1.8 Elkanah sayes to Hannah his Wife Am not I better to thee then ten sons One God better then ten Sabbaths and twenty Sermons to the souls of his Saints No Sabbath of God is like God a Sabbath no Sabbath-rest like to the rest that is in this Sabbath no comfort in a Sabbath like this Sabbath of comfort Yea let Gods sincere Saints live or die they have a Sabbath will last an everlasting Sabbath If they live their Sabbath will be ever with them and If they die they shall be ever with their Sabbath Ambros in Psal 119. August de cavit Dei lib. 22. cap. 30. Some of the Ancients were wont to call that eternal life God gives in heaven The great Sabbath And That long Sabbath-day that hath no night O but then God himself who in heaven gives life eternal what a Sabbath is he O the height and depth breadth and length of this Sabbath Christus est magnum sempiter-numque Sabbatum cujus parvum illud Judaicum exemplar in illo siquidem Sabbato requiescimus cum in illo solo spem ponimus cum hunc toto cordis amore diligimus c. Epiphan lib. 1. Haeres 30 Greg. Nyss de Resurre Orat. 1. Yea I find of the Ancients who affirme that to Gods dear Saints in the dayes of the Gospel there is a double enduring Sabbath viz. Christ And a good conscience Christ is the great and eternal Sabbath which in the Gospel God hath set up and in this Sabbath we rest when we repose our hearts and hopes upon him This is an unchangeable Sabbath Christ the same yesterday to
a Mountain to pray and as he prayed the fashion of his countenance was altered and his raiment was white and glistering Thus for a Saint to be set in Sabbath-Prayer that his grace is vigorous and his face is glorious This is then to be in the spirit Yea upon the Lords Day to be in the prayses of God on high and in the high praysings of God As adoring God for his goodnesse received from him So admiring God for goodnesse perceived in him In such Sabbath-celebrations of God blessed for ever and of Christ for ever blessed of God as to say Psalme 45.1 2. My heart is inditing of a good matter my tongue is the pen of a ready writer Thou O King art fairer then the Children of Men God hath blessed thee for ever c. Some birds how sweetly do they sing when they soare up into the aire and in a sun-shine-day sit in trees upon the highest Twigs Thus some of Gods Saints upon the Sabbath-day with hearts meeting and mindes mounting O the melody that they make in heavenly Hallelujahs unto God Of such it may be safely said they are in the spirit upon the Lords Day This will be further unfolded In that which followes In the Spirit That is in the comforts of the Spirit considered In their heights And breadths Heights of comfort Upon the Sabbath the soul sanctified may be carried in comforts high Both for matter And measure The matter of the comforts wherein the soul of a Saint may upon the Sabbath ascend is exceeding high Higher comforts had John in Patmos then Adam in Paradise The Apostle upon the Lords day had comfortable converses with God in Christ which our first parents had not in the day of their Innocency They rejoyced in God a Creator But not in Christ a Redeemer And they be far lower delights in which the most of men do since solace themselves upon the Sabbath-day Upon Gods holy day men find onely their own pleasure Esay 58.13 But Gods Saints can find soul refreshing comforts in Christ the Lord upon the Lords day With delights in the Lord their hearts leap Yea and the measure of their comforts may mount their minds so high upon this holy day as to make them to be like Moses upon mount Pisgah viewing Canaan flowing with milk and hony The soul of a sincere Christian upon the Sabbath may be as it were swimming in a Sea of sweet delights unto the Land of promise He whose heart hath been as a Boat that could not be got up because of low water all the week yet it hath been brought up in a high spring-tyde of spiritual comfort upon the Lords day Comforts so high that he is ready to sing with Simeon a Nunc dimittis Now Lord let thy servant depart in peace Now the man would gladly die and be gone to God content never to see his habitation or relations on earth more his soul being so fired and filled with joy upon Gods holy day in his house of prayer Esay 56.7 Breadths of comfort Upon the Sabbath the pious soul spreads it self in sweet delights God having given to a good man for his comfort as Caleb did to his Daughter the upper and the lower springs A Christian in his lower comforts the further he goes the narrower they grow and the lesser they be but in his comforts upward the higher he rises the greater are their encreases when he is most lively let in they are most largely let and laid out Sabbath comforts may be exceeding broad All things that meet being made into comforts and. All things for comforts being made to meet Into comforts are made all things that meet the soul of some Saint in the service of the Sabbath The crosses of the world are the encreases of comfort Gods rod and his staffe cause comfort Psal 23.4 As sufferings abound consolations abound 2 Cor. 1.3 The more outward troubles the more inward triumphs The Apostle was never so in the Spirit of comforts as when he was a prisoner at Patmos Under his greatest confinements he had his sweetest enlargements His every day-afflictions encreased his Sabbath-comforts To his soul nothing was sad when the Sabbath came Yea upon the Lords day a believer being in the Spirit the worst evils greaten the best comforts Sin remitted Hell removed Death vanquished Divel conquered do all encrease his comforts Out of every eater comes meat He gathers grapes of thorns and figs of thistles Upon Sodom sayes Salvian God rained hell out of heaven Upon the Sabbath God to his Saints raises Heaven out of Hell Hell Divel Death Sin Crosses Curses all encrease their Sabbath-Cordials Yea upon the Sabbath a gathering of all comforts considered according To several sorts And seasons Comforts of differing sorts receive a Sabbath-change Earthly comforts are made heavenly those delights that lye in worldly relations possessions promotions creature-accomodations and contents in the Spirit are made spiritual As a man in carnal comforts makes all comforts carnal so a Saint in spiritual delights makes all delights spiritual The upper and lower springs run all into one stream and upon the Lords day become all as of one kind Comforts of differing seasons are brought within the Sabbath-compasse A Christians case becomes such That in Spirit good past is then with him presenr And good future he is then present with in Spirit Things past come in for comfort at present Luther reports that sometimee and especially upon a Sacrament-day the death of Christ was as full and fresh upon his spirit as if he were then at mount Calvary and as if that were the very day and hour wherein our dear Lord died Thus a Christian may be so in the Spirit of comfort upon the Sabbath-day as if that were the very day when Christ broke the bars of the grave flung the stone off the Sepulchre and rose again from the dead Or as if it were the very day when with the holy Apostles he stood and saw the Lord Christ taken up into heaven to sit down at the right hand of God Now to his comfort he can recal the comforts found in former dayes and duties That very Sabbath his soul comfortably possesses all the Ordinances of Jesus Chhist He sees as it were the Lord opening his bowels his bosom and drawing out both brests of his blessed Word and Sacraments bidding his soul suck and be fully satisfied And unto things future he comes for his present comfort Not onely as at a distance a believer may look at heaven and the felicities thereof but his soul in the Spirit of comforts may be so carried out as if heaven were already possessed 'T was a brave expression of the Martyr to his cruel tormentors Work your will upon my weak body as for my soul it is in heaven already and over that Caesar hath no power And as such may be a Christians case in the day of his sufferings so may it be in THIS DAY of his service Jerom professes
Gods Saints are best brought together both In Body And Mind Christians being thus gathered upon the Lords Day lie in the readiest way for these high workings of the Spirit Act. 2.1 2. And when the day of Pentecost was fully come they were all with one accord in one place And suddenly c. Day of Pentecost This fiftieth day so the word imports it was the first day in the week Vid. Cypri de Spir. San 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as the best affirm even our Lords Day They were all That is Basil de spi Sancto ca. 27. August de temp Ser. 251. all the eleven Apostles of Christ as is plainly expressed Act. 1.26 In one place In an upper Chamber at Jerusalem they were all Bodily gathered together With one accord Their minds were met as well as their bodies They were all in one house with one Heart waiting for the promises of the Lord. And suddenly there came That is with all speed the Spirit of God came down upon them so as never before for Manner and Measure The manner A sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind all about the house where they were sitting And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire and sat upon each of them The measure And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and they spake with other tongues August Ser. 2 ad fratr in eremo as the Spirit gave them utterance The Spirit spake in them and they spake in the Spirit the wonderfull works of God The Spirit was poured in upon them and they poured it out in the Spirit Gods work was wonderfull and thus being upon the Lords Day gathered they found such spiritual fierings and fillings That evil spirit oft assaults the souls of Gods Saints when they are solitary single and severed Matth 4.1 But the good Spirit of God descends upon the soules of his servants met in their solemn assemblies One well observes that the dry bones which the Prophet saw Ezek. 37. the Spirit of God did not enliven them while they lay scattered in the field but when the bones came together bone to his bone then the Spirit of life came into them and they stood up upon their feet vers 7 8 9. Thus Gods servants when together they are upon the Sabbath assembled then these kindlings and comfortable quickenings come Yea though their hearts and thoughts were all the week more scattered about in the world yet they are better gathered in to the Lord upon the Sabbath-day And the souls of Gods people put into such a Sabbath-posture are most prompt and best prepared for comfortable converse with God in the Spirit And in the Spirit on the Lords day some actually are that so they may the better For present receive the mysteries of Faith and For future perform the duties of obedience Faith That the apprehensions of this may hereby be enlarged and man unto the Dimensions hereof may hereby be better enabled By being in the Spirit a Christian is made more able to reach out unto the lengths breadths heights depths of faith and by believing to find out and fetch in the vast Mysteries of God in the Gospel Gospel-truths vailed are hereby clearly revealed and closely received Hence St. John came to receive such close and clear revelations from God which he could never have reached had he not on the Lords day been in the Spirit His whole Book that is so mysterious to others Jerom. epist ad Paulin. things therein were perspicuous to him To him therefore several of the Ancients so apply that Ambros lib. 3. de Spir. Sancto cap. 21. August de civit Dei lib. 20. cap. 17. Revel 22.1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life clear as Crystal proceedinding out of the Throne of God and of the Lamb. Things to him issued from God all pure and clear This made John the Baptist a greater Prophet then Esay or any other before him things intricate to others were explicate to him Now the Apostle could not have been capable of such clear discoveries had he not been first in the Spirit upon the Lords day Upon the Lords day being in the Spirit a Christian rides in the Chariot of faith triumphant from earth yea possibly as out of Hell into Heaven where he sees those glorious mysteries of mercie that concerns his souls comfort yea and what may be of singular concernment for the souls of others Obedience That the several conditions of this may be the better fulfilled Both in service And suffering Gods servants by being in the Spirit are abundantly fitted Both for Affliction And Action Act. 20.22 23 24. And now sayes the Apostle behold I go bound in the Spirit to Jerusalem not knowing the things that shall befall me there save that the holy Ghost witnesseth in every City saying that bonds and afflictions abide me But none of these things move me neither count I my life dear to my self so that I may finish my course with joy and the Ministery which I have received of the Lord to testifie the Gospel of the Grace of God O what a fixed frame of heart had the holy Apostle to honour God both By doing And dying He was bound in the Spirit The Spirit that is compared to winde did now upon the Apostle blow with such a full gale that he went as a ship full saile unto the Port God had appointed The spirit of this good man did not hang loose but was girt up to go thorow with the work whatever came The Spirit hemm'd it about loosened him from all that might any way hinder but so gathered up his heart for God and the Gospel as to further him in his way and work One telling a Martyr that it was hard to burn It is indeed said he for him that hath his soul liâ—ked to his body as a Theefs foot in his fetters but for him that hath his soul set above his body it is easie to burn Kindle fire I come Saviour Another having put one foot into the flame steps back saying The flesh shrinks and sayes On earth it is better to burn The Spirit sayes In heaven it is sweet to shine The flesh sayes wilt thou shorten thy life The Spirit sayes It is nothing nothing to life eternal The flesh sayes Wilt thou leave thy friends The Spirit sayes Christ and his Saints society is better c. And so in the power of the Spirit he flings himself into the fiercest flames And the souls of Gods Saints may expect such Spiritual supports in the dayes of their suffering who serving God have been in the Spirit on the Lords day The truth of all which some have sensibly found 2. That others of Gods Saints possibly may find their souls thus in the Spirit on the Lords day This proved By the properties of the Lords Spirit towards them and By the properties of their spirits towards the Lord. As for the Spirit of the
shape assume the body of man so he can in shew assimulate the Spirit of God 1 John 4.1 Beloved believe not every spirit but try the spirits whether they are of God or no. Whence we note 1. That there are spirits which pretend to be of God and are not 2. That such meere pretending spirits may much resemble the true Spirit of God 3. That their resemblance may proceed so farre that professing Christians may be prone to believe they are the very Spirit of God 4. That such spirits may not be believed a discovery of them is to be made by tryall 5. That the tryall to discover spirits to be not of God must be exact and prudent Try the spirits viz. as skilfull Lapidaries do their stones or as wise Goldsmiths do their mettalls by touch and weight as the word imports Now that men may so try as to discern whether upon the Sabbath as at other seasons they are moved by the Spirit of God Be it known that The Spirit which is Swelling Smiting Roving 'T is not â—he Spirit of God Renting Ranting Driving 1. A swelling spirit that puffâ— men up with pride is not the Spirit of God One of the chief lessons taught by Gods holy Spirit is humility of heart And upon this account Gods Spirit suggests to a man His Iniquity and His mortality When mans heart begins to swell the Spirit of God puts in Berna August Serm. 21. Christ was humble yet without sin and shall a sinner be proud What thou proud dust and ashes For pride God plunged Angells out of heaven and will he spare thee a rotten creature a worm that must die tomorrow Swelling in heaven Angells sunk and shalt thou proud upon a dunghill passe unpunished Ambros lib. de viduis As Christ sayes a good Author cured the blindnesse of the man by putting clay upon his eyes so the Spirit of Christ cures the swelling pride of mans heart by putting thoughts into his mind of his mortall and dying condition That while he lives he is but a piece of warme clay That is the Spirit of God which as it enlarges a mans abilities it increases the mans humility As Nazianzene said of Athanasius He was high in worth and humble in heart Of such instances the Holy Scriptures are full But some their soules are swelled with pride as Simon Magus who gave out that himself was some great one Act. 8.9 Such a one was Muncer the Anabaptist in Germany as Sleiden reports his proud pranks and bragging boasts such a one is that man of sin who exalteth himself above all that is called God 2 Thess 2.4 The Spirit of God it is not that moves these men 2. A smiting spirit that makes men clamorous and contentious is not the Spirit of God Chrysost homil ad Pop. Ant. 36. et 51. the Spirit of God it makes men peaceable pittifull To act pitty and shew mercy sayes a good man is a more glorious work then to raise the dead or to build temples for God Yet this lesson men learn through the help of Gods holy Spirit A meek and a quiet spirit Such a spirit acted in Abraham Genes 13.8 And Abraham said to Lot let there be no strife I pray thee between me and thee or between my herdmen and thy herd-men for we are Brethren Is not the whole land before thee take either the right hand or the left c. Abraham said though he were the Elder and Superiour Let there be no strife His spirit did so incline to peace that he would not have the least breach I pray thee he begged agreement so greatly did his soul desire it I scorn sayes Luther to the Pastors of Stratsburge that any should be more earnest then I for peace Brotherly peace and bowells of pitty are the fruits of the Spirit Gala. 5.22 Likewise long-suffering gentlenesse meeknesse temperance It is an evill spirit that makes men tumultuous mutinous contentious apt to smite both with hand and tongue 2. Chron. 18.23 And Zedekiah smote Micaiah on the cheek saying Which way went the Spirit of the Lord from me to speak to thee It was not the Spirit of the Lord but a lying spirit that moved Zedekiah against Micaiah Such a spirit wrought in them against the Prophet Jer 18.18 Come let us smite him with the tongue and let us not give heed to any of his words A false spirit is so all for speaking that it cares not to hear 1 Joh. 4.6 Hereby we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error He that is not of God heareth not us Thus a Manichee furiously contesting with Augustine clamoured and cryed out Hear me hear me To whom the good man modestly answered Neither hear me or I thee but let us both hear the blessed Apostle Some they are all upon speaking wording of it with a full and fierce mouth against others As Samsons foxes that had fire on their tailes and set all the fields on a flame So some have such a fire on their tonges that they set Cities and Countreys in a blaze Those movings such men have are not from the Spirit of God 3. A driving spirit that hurries men to move about matters wherein they do not consider or consult Times or Means Grounds Or ends But on they go this is not the Spirit of God Gods Spirit moving to any great matter does not drive but draw and so leads men as to let them Both consider with themselves And consult with others Whether the time be seasonable Viz. The means approvable The grounds warrantable And the ends comfortable When Gods Spirit is the mover a man so examines the matter about which he is moved that 1. He considers if the time be fit he is moved in He knowes that which is untimely is uncomely things being beautiful in their season Eccl. 3. 2. He considers if the means be right he is moved by and that which he is to make use of For as the least false weight is not allowed for the getting of the largest gain No more is the least evil lawful for the attaining of the greatest good 3. He considers if the grounds be sure he is moved on Not successe in the world But an expresse from the Lord. A warrant from Gods revealed will in his Word for that onely can bear him out in his obedience 4. He considers if the ends be safe and good he is moved to not onely in respect of his purpose and intendment of good therein but in respect of Gods promise and engagement for good thereupon Such a man is certainly moved by the good Spirit of God Yea and in respect of others Counsel He both asks And takes That both from God And men In holy prayer he humbly asks counsel of God When David had lost all by a Troop of the Amalekites horse who had plundred Ziklag his spirit sparkled to be up and after them But David first calls for Abiathar the Priest to bring the
and after God Whom have I in heaven but thee and who on earth do I desire besides thee Psal 73.25 Others they desire God but there is somewhat besides their soul is set upon In their affections or resolutions God he hath not the whole heart or whole soul and spirit Neither do those good motions they have reach out to all the precious things of God Something of God they would have but not whole God O how are they delighted to hear of the loving kindnesse patience pity mercy of God But the omniscience omnipresence purity holinesse of God they are not so taken with or stirred at pleased with The Death of Christ for their salvation Not the life of Christ for their imitation Fain have that of Christ which justifies But care not for that of Christ which sanctifies A Saint of God spiritually moved desires to know nothing but Christ and him crucified And God forbid sayes the Apostle I should glory in any thing save in the Crosse of our Lord Jesus Christ Gala. 5.14 Moses can prize the reproaches of Christ Heb. 11.26 Others onely regard somewhat of Christ the honours of Christ the happinesse of Christ the comforts of Christ but to bear the Crosse of Christ and to possesse the Grace of Christ and to stoop to the yoak of Christ this is grievous For height Those spirituall movings that are in carnal hearts cause them Heaven-ward to make some assayes but up to heaven they do not in soule ascend as Gods Saints who mount up and have communion with Christ 1 John 1.3 and have their conversation in heaven Phil. 3.20 sitting down in heavenly places with Christ Eph. 2.6 Upon some movings of the Spirit others hearts and minds like Grashoppers leap up but fly not far Or as a vapour that ascends out of the earth into the lower regions of the air but never rises to get up into the highest region but when the heat or force is a little over as a heavy body it falls back again and that which was like to be fire proves but water When the minds of carnall men are most mounted and their hearts most heightened yet they do not come to that pitch of pious affections and positive resolutions as whereunto Gods people are raised They do not so highly admire nor so highly desire nor so highly esteem the holy things of God as do the dear Saints of God in their heavenly converses with God when God by his Spirit carries them as upon Eagles wings For length Those Spiritual movings that are in carnal hearts are for the most part sudden and short as sparks of fire that are soon quenched out Esay 50.11 Or as morning dewes that are soon dried up Hose 6.4 Through the workings of the holy Spirit O in what a hopeful way for heaven are the hearts of men sometimes set but things do not abyde all being by and by beate down This made Chrysostom observe a sad difference between the work of the Minister in his calling and the work of other men in their earthly trades and ordinary imployments Men commonly as they leave their work so they find it But the Ministers work who is a Co-worker with God for peoples spirituall good it is one day set forward and another backward Upon some Sabbath O how mighty are men moved how sweetly are their soules disposed how are their affections fixed and their resolutions raised as if the new building would pass on apace but by that time a Minister comes again to his work all is dashed down so broken as not a stone is left upon a stone The work is new to begin yea the case perhaps worse then it was before As water once warmed being ward cold some say is afterward the more hardly heated Those holy heatings warmings workings movings meltings mountings and meetings of God which good men have through the help of Gods holy Spirit are more remaining and better abyding such good things are stablished and nourished in them that are vanishing and perishing in others Luk. 8.13 John 6.67 60. Gala. 4.15 16. The Spirit does so act and stir in the hearts of holy men and their soules upon the Sabbath may so act and stir in the Spirit as is not possible for any other persons The peculiar priviledge of pious men to be in the Spirit on the Lords Day 2. We yet grant there be severall of Gods Saints who though they possibly may yet upon the Lords day in the Spirit they actually are not Because Either they go from Ordinances Or they rest in Ordinances Some upon the Sabbath forsake Gods publike Ordinances and for that cause they are not in the Spirit The wise God will so honour his own holy appointments that such as sinfully desert them shall not comfortably possesse him But they shall comfortably enjoy him who carefully attend them O how much of Gods good Spirit have good men met when they have been on the Sabbath assembled in the use of Ordinances John 20.19 upon the first day in the week when the Apostles were gathered together The Greek word does signifie such a gathering as in Church-Assembly it being a word of Ecclesiasticall use and so applyed in severall texts Act. 4.31.11.26.13.44.14.27.20.8 1 Cor. 5.4 Then the Lord breathed on them and they received the Holy Ghost When Peter was preaching the Gospel the holy Ghost fell upon all them that heard the Word Act. 10.44 It is in the use of Ordinances Christ hath promised his Spirituall presence Matth. 28.19 20. As the presence of Christ in body is not enjoyed but in the heavenly Jerusalem Grego Moral lib. 18. et cap. 15. the generall Assembly the Church of the first-born where are gathered an innumerable company of Angells and the spirits of just men made perfect Hebr. 11.22 23 24. So the presence of Christ in Spirit is not to be expected but in the holy Assemblies of Gods Militant Saints met to honour God gathered to glorifie God in the way of his Ordinances Word and Sacraments c. It is true divers of Gods dear Saints can by experience speak that they have met with much of Christ in Spirit and much of the Spirit of Christ in private duties as Meditation and Prayer c. But then this comfortable experience hath been to Christians Either while publick Ordinances also were attended Or when Ordinances in publick could not be enjoyed 1. Christians while they remain upon the Lords day diligent in publick duties may in duties private meet with much of Gods Spirit Christians may even in the week-time have sweet incomes of Spirit in their private Closets the better to prepare them for encourage them to and carry them through the publick service of the Sabbath when the Lord with enlarged measures of refreshing mercies may more fully flow in upon them 2. The souls of sincere Christians may have in the private exercises of religion large enjoyments of God through the Spirit being deprived of publick Ordinances
be uttered 'T is not prayer nor any other part of Gods service upon the Sabbath that we can spiritualy perform except the Spirit assist The Spirit helpeth Or claspeth in with us together as the Greek word notes As when a businesse is too big a work too weighty for one others put to their helping hands lifting and labouring together The work of the Sabbath especially to be spirituall therein is above our abilities except the Spirit closes in and sets to his assisting hand service will be sleepy and souls will be dead As 't is said that the whole soul is in the whole body and the whole soul in every part of the body to animate and actuate all Thus the holy Spirit must be wholly in the whole body of Sabbath-businesse and whole in every particular duty that all may be active heavenly and lively Upon the Lords day Gods people need the help of Gods holy Spirit Both to transport them And to support them 1. The Spirit upon the Lords day to transport and carry them out in holy duties beyond ordinary formalities and their own abilities though in the week their wings have been wetted in the world yet upon the Sabbath they are made fit to fly and soar up to God Though upon this day Christ rose from the dead yet it was fourty dayes after he ascended into heaven But to a Christian through the Spirit as it is his resurrection day so it is his Ascension day As on this day he comes up from the dead So on this day he goes up unto God 2. The Spirit upon the Lords day to support and keep them up in holy and heavenly frames of heart That in Gods service they sink not Either through sinful inclinations Or through Satans temptations Good mens hearts are as Moses hands when they are lifted up they must be born up Ever since Adams fall mans natural motion is downward The soul that ascends will soon descend if Gods blessed Spirit does not bear it up This made David pray when he saw the people for the service of the Temple with their hands liberal and their hearts lively O Lord God sayes he keep this up for ever in the thoughts of the hearts of thy people c. And Satan he sets in to sink the soul down when it is highest in holy movings and heavenly mountings Matth. 4. we find when our Saviour was taken up into the holy City and sâ—t upon a pinacle of the Temple then Satan solicits him that if he were the Son of God he might cast himself down Such is Satans design when he sees Gods Saints taken up in holy service and set upon the pinacle in the practical part of holy Sabbaths then he privily puts in presently to pull them down but the Spirit helps and holds them up 2. There must be the close concurrings of our spirits with God or the Lords day cannot be spiritually spent Not our bodies barely but our very souls must so set in with God in Sabbath-service as Freely to stirre and Firmely to stand 1. To stirre freely with readinesse and willingnesse of mind moving about the businesse of Gods blessed day Though there seems difficulty in work and Though there is diversity of work Although some of the service of the Sabbath may seem difficult yet with a prompt and ready mind to move thereto and with all agility apt to act therein As some of the men that Mosâ—s sent to search Canaan they came back and their hearts sunk O say they The Cities aâ—e walled and the people are strong and we can never do the work But Caleb who had another spirit and was of a ready and resolute mind Come sayes he let us go up and take it at once Num. 13.30 Some are as awke to enter upon holy Sabbaths as upon walled Cities their hears shrink back and they say The service is too great they cannot do it whereas Christians of another spirit whose minds are bent upon Sabbath-businesse they say Come let us go up through God we shall do great things this day Yea to have a heart free and fit to move although the duties of the Lords day be divers viz. Works of piety works of charity Works together works asunder Sometimes lowly abasing our selves for sins committed Sometimes highly advancing God for good vouchsafed c. As a well-tuned instrument the strings are ready to stir upon a light touch to divers lessons which the Musician may play as he please one after another Thus to have a well-framed heart apt upon the Lords day to its divers duties prompt to pray swift to hear ready to distribute prepared to every good work 1 Tim. 2.21 Tit. 3.1 Yea to have a heart freely moving not onely about divers Ordinancts but about the same Ordinance To set in a way of work severall graces and To set the same grace several wayes a work As in prayer in hearing the Word in receiving the Sacrament in any one such service of the Sabbath to act up in the soul several graces Faith Hope Love Sincerity Humility Fervency c. To have the heart in a ready exercise of all these at the use of any Ordinance Yea such an Ordinance one of these is wherein the soul of a Christian is to exercise the same grace several wayes As in receiving the Supper of the Lord there is a manifold use of faith Faith here it is as an eye to see as a hand to take as a tongue to taste as a mouth to feed as the stomach to digest retein c. Thus when Gods Saints upon the Sabbath do not onely use sacred Ordinances but therein also exercise several and suitable graces yea and are active in their exercise so that their spirits are quick in co-working with the good Spirit of God then indeed do they Spiritually spend this holy day 2. To stand firmely when the Saints of God upon the Lords day as they labour to get their hearts up so they are loath to let them down all the day long Whereupon they strongly strive Rising to stand fast they may not fall and Falling to rise they may the faster stand 1. That rising their hearts may stand fast and not fall in holy duties while the day lasts As when General Joshua was in the heat of battel against the enemies of Israel having his spirit fixed he looks up to the firmiament saying Sun stand thou still upon Gibeon and the Sun stood still and hasted not to go down about a whole day So a Saint of God when he is in the heat of Sabbath-service his affections all on a flame he looks in and says to his soul O my soul now stand thou still Hold here and so the heart holds up and the soul stands still all the Lords day 2. That falling their hearts may rise again to a more fixed affectionate performance of all holy duties Prov. 24.16 The righteous falleth seven times a â—â—y and risâ—th again Seven times even upon
the seventh day the Sabbath day the hearts and souls of Gods Saints are subâ—ect to fall from those heatings and heightenings they then have in duties holy But then they struggle in holy heats of heart to rise higher and to fix faster Psal 108.1 O God my heart is fixed my heart is fixed Fixed and loosened and fixed again Warmed and cooled and kindled again so as that the fire is greater and flame hotter More abounding and abyding through the businesse of Gods blessed day Thus when Gods Spirit flowes in upon us and our spirits fall in with God so as with agility to act and with stability to be set in all sweet wayes of Sabbath-works This is Spiritually to spend the Lords day 2. The Motives that may incite all Gods Saints to such a Spiritual spending the Gospel-Sabbath may arise from things of two sorts observable viz. Some more antecedential and Some more consequential Arguments from things antecedent which may set all the servants of God upon a Spiritual passing this present day may be to consider Sabbath-ward these four things all which we find to be spiritually viz. The Ordainer of it The Ordinances in it The ends for it and The opposits against it 1. The Ordainer of this day the Lord Christ the things Spiritual concerning him we may discern by considering of him Both as he once was And as he now is 1. Christ the Lord of the Sabbath was Spiritual In his Conception and Birth In his Conversation and life In his Passion and death In his Resurrection from the dead And in his Ascension to heaven 1. Christ in his Conception and Birth was spiritual he being conceived of the holy Ghost in the womb of the Virgin â—nd the Angel said unto her The holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the power of the most High shall overshadow thee therefore that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God Luk. 1.35 36. 2. Christ in his Conversation and life was Spiritual Lo the heavens were opened uâ—to him and the Spirit of God descending like a Dove lighted upon him Matth. 3.16 Joh. 1.32 His joyes were Spiritual Luk. 10 21. His words were Spiritual Joh. 6.63 All his wayes in the world both towards God and men were Spiritual Heb. 7.26 3. Christ in his Passion and death was Spiritual He through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God Heb. 9.14 Even when he was condemned in the world he was justified in the Spirit 1 Tim. 3.16 4. Christ in his Resurrection from the dead was Spiritual Rom. 1.4 He was declared to be the Son of God by the Spirit of holinesse in his resurrection from the dead Rom. 8.11 If the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus dwell in you c. Christ put to death in the flesh but quickened in the Spirit 1 Pet. 3.18 5. Christ in his Ascension to heaven was Spirituall As he went up to God by a Spiritual assistance so upon a Spiritual design viz. to send down the holy Spirit of promiâ—e Joh. 16.7 It is expedient for you that I go away for if I go not away the Comforter the Spirit of truth will not come unto you but if I depaâ—t I will send him unto you which we find fulfilled Act. 1. Act. 2. 2. Christ the Lord of the Sabbath he is Spiritual Both in his positive condition And in his Relative transactions Considered in himself according to his glorified estate he is all Spiritual His blessed body is now brought beyond all humane infirmities filled with beauty clarity agility impassibility immortality through the eternal Spirit In his humbled estate he was endowed and adorned with the Spirit what then in his honoured estate God gave him then the Spirit not by measure Joh. 3.34 O what immense and immeasurable fillings of the Spirit were in a crucified much more in a glorified Christ Such an infinite fulnesse of the Spirit is fixed in Christ whereby he is compleately fitted to the perfect performance of all his excellent offices Yea and Christ in his actings is now every way Spirituall Both in what he does with God for men And in what he does with men for God With God for men Christ hath his Spiritual exercise Christs acting as an Advocate with the Father 1 Job 2. His appearing and pleading our cause in the presence of God Heb. 9.24 His making Intercession at the right hand of God Rom. 8.33 As this is founded in the sufficiency of his Merit So it is performed by the efficiency of his Spirit As a meer man Christ does not manage his Mediatorship with God but Christ in Spirit presents unto God the Father for his members His deserts and His desires Both what for his people he hath purchased and what to his people God hath promised that they may perfectly possesse Joh. 17.21 23 24. And with men for God Christ acts all Spiritually As Christ executes his Priestly office in heaven So he fulfils his Prophetical and Regal office on earth in a way of Spirituâ—l working As with Ordinances by the Spirit does Christ teach So by the Spirit with officers does Christ govern As his Kingdom is Spiritual which he governs So his government is spiritual of his Kingdome It is through the Spirit that Christ does such great things in our dayes as it was through the Spirit that Christ did so many good things in the dayes of his flesh Being anointed with the holy Ghost he went about dâ—ing good Act. 10.38 He now sits on his throne in heaven yet by the holy Ghost he transacts manifold and marvellous things on earth By the Spirit he writes his Law in the hearts of his people and rules his people by the Law in their hearts Leads his flock in the way they should walk and Feeds his flock as they walk in the way c. Thus Christ the Lord of the Sabbath is Spiritual And shall not we be Spiritual in the Sabbath of the Lord 2. The Ordinances in the Lords day are Spiritual likewise Go through all the appointments of God that are for this dayes exercise Are they not Spiritual If we seriously consider things that concern The Word Prayer Sacraments Singing of Psalmes Collections for the poor c. Are they nor all duties to be spiritually done Doth not Both the precepts of God binde us hereto And the practise of the binde us hereto Godly 1. For the Word As it is of a Spiritual nature So it is in a Spiritual manner to be managed Both on the Ministers and On the peoples part Every part of Gods precious Word is Spiritual The Law is Spiritual Rom. 7.14 The Gospel that is Spiritual Rom. 1.11 Yea because the Law in Spirituality comes short of the Gospel the Gospel in glory out-goes the Law As it is excellently opened 2 Cor. 3.6 7 8. They that preach the glorious Gospel that is so surpassingly Spiritual must endeavour to do it in the evidences and efficacies of the Spirit
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
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
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
Sabbath 'T is necessary for a man to follow his lawfull calling and to be diligent in his worldly businesse When we read sayes Bernard that Adam in the pleasant place of Paradise was appointed to work shall we think that the sons of Adam in the troublesome Wildernesse of this world are placed for play No 't is necessary for the sons of men to be industrious in their lawful affairs Moses putting his hand in his bosome 't was leprous but putting it out 't was made whole God hath given men hands for a threefold work sayes one To lift them up in prayer to God To stretch them out in charity to the poor and To put them down by labour in a lawful calling So that for a man in his lawful calling to labour it is necessary viz. in its season But herein to labour upon the Lords day is dangerous The gain of this day may be as the gold of Tholosse as the cole brought to the nest setting the young and all on fire Luk. 10. Reproof is given to Martha by our Saviour for her being about ordinary affairs assuring her that One thing was needfull Needfull it was for Martha to be about her houshold businesse Yea but not then when Christ was present and an opportunity served for soul-advantage which her sister Mary minded Thus though 't is needfull for Christians to look after their lawfull occasions in the world yet not upon the Lords day the season for soul-advantages 4. Are such wordly walks and works necessary and are the works of Gods worship arbitrary yea upon the Sabbath is not the service of God much more necessary As the Apostle said Act. 4. Whether it be more needfull to obey God or men judge ye So say I Whether it be on the Sabbath more needfull to serve God or your selves judge ye whether more needfull to take care for your temporal or your eternal being judge ye Among necessaries that which is most necessary is to be first minded Object We see none so exact our neighbours are not so nice but take their liberties on the Sabbath and why not we the same Answ 1. We must live by precept not by example 't is the Law of God and not the lives of men that must be our rule As he that will be for God must crosse the most of men so he that would go to heaven must leave the greatest part of the world behind him He shall never write a good hand that makes the world his Copy nor shall he ever well observe a Sabbath who frames himself unto the common platforme 2. If patterns are to bo followed Be ye then followers of God as dear children Ephes 5.1 In six dayes God made heaven and earth and rested the seventh day wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath-day and hollowed it Likewise let us look unto the Lord Christ Luk. 4.16 He went into the Synagogue on the Sabbath day as his custome was c. Learn we ought of Christ though not as Austin observes to walk on the waters yet to work in Gods worship upon the Sabbath-day 3. If we will take our Model herein after the manner of men 't is best to look back to preceding Saints Gods Church and people considered as past and present may be compared to that cloud Exodus 14. which was partly bright and partly dark The bright part was before to give light to the Israelites and the dark part behind to blind the Egyptians The Saints and people of God aforetime were as the bright side of the cloud shining clear in Chistianity strict in all the waies of God and most exact in Sabbath-service such as now professe themselves the Saints of God are as the following dark side of the cloud more dim and dull in holy duties more loose upon the Lords Day having lesse of the life and lustre of religion O let us but think what was the care of Christians not many years ago to improve Sabbaths and all the service of God such follow with holy Apostles and Martyrs and the spirits of just men made perfect 4. If herein we will take such as are present for our pattern Blessed be the Lord some are left that hold up religion to the life and with great care look to the Lords Day and the duties thereof Indeed there are divers of whom we may complain Chrysost in Matth. Hòm 3. as Chrysostome of some in his time Whereby sayes he shall I know you to be Christians Do you not delight in any place more then in the Courts of the Lords house and take pleasure in any time more then in the hours of the Lords day Yet some few are found faithfull to the Lord and his Day and such we should duly observe 5. When an age is in religion loose 't will be the more any mans credit and comfort to be exact and strict To be a precise Sabbath-keeper in a Sabbath-breaking-age that 's a mans honour For a man to remain sound in his principles and punctuall in the practicall observation of the Sabbath when opposite evills are high and huge August de Tempo Serm. 23 2◠in times and places that strange birds build their nests when multitudes in Townes and Parishes as Austin resembles them are like Toades and Frogs in fens and puddles Croaking against the Lords Day When many as Musculus upon the fourth commandement complaines Beza in Cant. Solo Hom. 30. Bucer◠in Psal 92. the like Beza Bucer and others laments pittifully prophane the Lords holy Day this is praise then to be painful pure and permanent in the practice of all the Lords-Day-duties Object We for our selves observe the Sabbath but there are some with us that will have their liberties and who can help it Answ Superiours must help as much as is possible that others under them as well as themselves observe the Lords Day Therefore as many of us as have others within our gates and under our government we ought as much as in us lyes upon the Lords Day to endeavour the drawing them to holy duties which may appear plain through a double proof The precept of God about them The property of God in them 1. God gives his precept for them herein as we find in the fourth Commandement The Seventh day is the Sabbath in it thou shalt do no manner of work thou nor thy son nor thy daughter thy man-servant nor thy maid-servant c. If it be our duty to keep them from ordinary work for the case of their bodies then to bring them to holy ordinances for the good of their Souls and the bodily rest we are to allow them lyes upon this account they are to rest from the common works of their vocation in order to the exercises of religion in private and publike upon the Lords Day Luke 13.15 Doth not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his oxe or his asse from the stall and lead him away to watering and ought not each one of