and that concisely point at some of the Lords daies duties I handling them now onely by way of use to another doctrine That we may keepe the Sabbath or the Lords day we must observantly take notice of the negative and affirmative precepts Negative precisely prohibiting the doing of any manner of works 1. Servile wherein we serve our selves not God therefore all sinfull actions of body and soule for although these are strictly forbidden euery day yet it is a greater sin to do them upon this day it offering fewer vrging or alluring provocations and affording more helps and Per voceâ—â—pus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 seu 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 non intelliguntur directè opera hominum vitiosa quia ea nunquam conceduntur sed opera servilia a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 servirâ— per qua scilicet â—â—â—squisque pro ratione vocationis suae victum exâ—rcet c. Wallaeus de 4. precep pag. 7. meanes against them 2. All workes of minde or body needlesse or unnecessary By the word Thou shalt doe no manner of worke are not understood the vitious workes of men because they are never permitted but servile workes of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying to serve by which every one by reason of his vocation doth pursue his living saith Wallaeus But least I should wander in so wide and spacious a field I will therefore shew you what others which I have read say and then give mine answer onely to some questions Omnis Christi amator Dominicum celebret Diem Diem resurrectioni consecratum Dominicae Reginam Principem Dierum omnium in quà vita c. Epist 3. ad Magnefianos Die vero qui Dominicus vocatur quem Hebraei primum vocant Graeci autem Soli distribuunt qui ante septimum est sancivit a judicijs alijsque causis universos habere vacationem in eo tantum orationibus occupari Honorabat sc Constantinus autem Dominicum Diem quia in eo Christus resurrexit à mortuis Sozomen Histor Eccl. Tripart lib. 1. Cap. 10. pag. 275. Dominicum ergò Diem Apostoli Apostolici viri ideò religiosâ solemnitate habendum sanxerunt quià in eodem Redemptor noster à mortuis resurrexit quique ideò Dominicus appellatur ut in eo à terrenis operibus vel mundi illecebris abstinentes tantuÌ„ Diviniâ— cultibus sErviamus ipse est primus dies seculi in ipso formatasuÌ„t elementa muÌ„di in ipso creati sunt Angeli in ipso quoque resurrexit à mortuis Christus c. Serm. 251. dâ— tempore Videâ—mus ne sed diâ—i dominici sequestrati a rurali opere ab omni negotio soli divinâ— cultui vacemus Ibid. Neque venatione se occupet diabolico mancipetur officio cirumvagando campos sylvas clamorem cachinnum ore exaltans Ibid. Tunc ipsi foris aut causas dicere aut diversis student calumnijs impugnare aut videlicet in alea vel in jocis inutilibus insidiari quatenus unus punctus diâ—i ad dei officium reliquum diurnum spatium cum nocte simul ad eorum deputetur vâ—luptates Idem Ibid. Melius vtique toto die foderent quam toto die saltarent Con. 1. part 1. in Psal 32. Melius enim arare quam saltare in Sabbato illi ab opere bono vacant opere nugatorio non vacant in titul Psal 91. Non hoc autem solum ratione aptum est tempus ad benignitatem prompto alacri animo exercendam sed quod habet quietem remissionem immunitatemque vacationem a laboribus Chrys Tom. 4. pag. 545. in 1. Cor. Homil. 45. Primo die qui dominicus appellatur celebres Magistri ac doctores Sancti patres nostri nobis canendum Psallendum centesimum decimum octanum Psalmum tradiderunt T. 1. Pag. 1055. Ignatius that ancient Bishop of Antioch in his 3. Epistle which is none of his 5. counterfeit Epistles saith Let every one that loveth Christ keep the Lords Day which is the Queene of dayes in which death is overcome and life is sprung up in Christ Renowned Constantine ordained as followeth That day which is called the Lords Day which the Hebrewes call the first day which the Grecians attribute to the Sun which is before the 7. day he ordained that all should cease from suits and other businesses and to be only occupied in prayers upon it and indeed hee did honour the Lords Day because in it Christ rose from the dead St. Augustine saith the Lords Day the Apostles and Apostolicall men have ordained with religious holinesse to be kept because in the same our Redeemer rose from the dead and therefore is called the Dominicall or Lords Day that in it we may onely attend on the Divine Service this is the first Day of the world in it were created the elements and the Angels upon this Day Christ rose and the holy Ghost was given Manna first descended from heaven upon this day And againe Being sequestred from all rusticall works and businesse wee give our selves wholly to the worship of God Neither let him busie himselfe in hunting and enthrall himself in any devillish work in wandering about the fields and woods making a loud noise and laughter c. And in the same Sermon reprooving certaine disorders on the Lords day hee saith Then scil in the time of the publique worship of God without doores they tel tales or study to fight against others by slanders or to take great paines at dice or other unprofitable sports as if one period of the day was set apart to the service of God and the rest of the day and the night to their own pleasures The same father saith thus in one place They might better digge all the day then dance all the day And in another place It is better to plow then to dance upon the Sabbath they rest from a good worke rest not from a vaine and triffing work And S. Chrysostome speaking of the fitnesse of this day for workes of mercy saith It is a fit time to practise liberality with a ready and willing mind not only in this regard but also because it hath rest ceasing freedome and vacation from labours And in another place he saith Our reverend teachers and instructers our holy fathers have given us the 118. Psalme to sing the first day which is called the Lords day Leo the first commanded Sunday to bee kept holy And that all Christians should behave themselves godly and vertuously all the day long in preaching hearing and remembring the Word of God visiting the sicke and poore and comforting the comfortlesse Leo the third at a Counsell in Ments decreed that Sundaies should be kept holy with all reverence and that all men should abstaine those daies from all servile worke and worldy businesse and that there should be no faires markets or any buying or selling on the Sundaies I have read that in a Counsell at Nice order
was taken that those who either kept court bought or sold or otherwise prophaned the Sabbath should be prohibited the Communion because Toâ—o hoc die tantummodo vacaâ—duÌ„ quia toto hoc die maâ—uâ— dâ—o expan dâ—â—dae that whole day we ought onely to rest and spread abroad our hands in prayer to God The ancient Waldenses and Albigenses who were Luthers and our forerunners in a short Commentary upon the Commandements say They that will keepe the Sabbath must bee carefull of foure things 1. To cease from all worldly labours 2. Not to sin 3. Not to bee idle 4. To doe things for the good and benefit of the soule Our owne Canons enjoyne us to celebrate the Lords day according Can. 13. to Gods will i. e. in hearing the Word of God read and taught in private and publike prayers in acknowledging our offences to God and amendment of the same in reconciling our selves charitably to our neighbours where displeasure hath bene In oft receiving the Communion of the body and bloud of Christ in visiting the poore and sicke and using all godly and sober conversation Thus saith our Canon 1. An Act made in the first yeare of our gracious Soveraigne King CHARLES saith thus Keeping of the Lords day Anno Câ—roli is a principall part of the true service of God which in very many places of this Realme hath bene and now is prophaned and neglected by a disorderly sort of people in exercising and frequenting Bearbaiting Bulbayting Eâ—terludes Common playes c. Vpon the Lords day There shall be no meetings of people out of their owne Parishes Another Sâ—tute 1628. on the Lords day for any sports or pastimes whatsoever nor any Bearebayting Bulbayting Eâ—terludes Common playes or other unlawfull exercises or pastimes used by any person within their owne Parish The mulct for every breach of this statute is 3 shillings 4 pence Our Homily concerning the first part of the place and Page 138. time of prayer saith God hath given expresse charge to all men that upon the Sabbath which is our Sunday they should cease from all weekely and work day labour even so Gods obedient people should use the Sunday holily rest from their common and daily businesse and give themselves wholly to heavenly Page 139. exercises of Gods true Religion and service In the same Homily It is lamentable to see the wicked boldnesse of those who will be counted Gods people these are of two sorts The one sort if they have any businesse to doe though there be no extreme need they must not spare for the Sunday they must ride and journey on the Sunday drive and carrie rowe and ferrey buy and sell on the Sunday The other sort is worse although they will not labour yet will they not rest in holinesse as God commandeth but rest in ungodlinesse and filthinesse pransing in their pride pranking and pricking pointing and painting themselves to be gorgeous and gay they rest in excesse and superfluity in gluttony and drunkennesse like rats and swine they rest in brawling and railing in quarrelling and fighting they rest in wantonnesse and toyish talking c. So that God is more dishonoured and the divell better served on the Sunday then on all the daies of the weeke besides And in the conclusion of the second part thus Come with an heart sifted and cleansed from worldly and carnall affection and desires shake off all vaine thoughts which may hinder thee from Gods true service the bird c. Bishop Babington writing upon the fourth Page 319. verse of the 31. Chapter of Exodus saith thus A place never to be forgotten touching the Lords commandement of the Sabbath for he will not have his owne worke medled with on that day Oh what can we thinke of our workes His tabernacle builder must be forbidden and our buildings must goe on Reade and feele that place in Ieremy 17. 25. with a tender heart Then shall gates i. e. the government shall stand and flourish ver 27. Kindle a fire i. e. the Lord will overturne all with great destruction He is the same now he was then and his glory is as deare to him The same reverend Divine in his 8 Page 259. note upon the 16 Chapter of Exodus saith thus Forget not to marke the great care that God had of his Sabbath that it might be kept holy May not a good soule thus reason Good Lord what doe I upon the Sabbath day this people of his might not gather Manna and may I goe to faires and markets to dancings and drinkings to wakes and wantonnesse to bearebaitings and bulbaitings with such like wicked prophanations of the Lords day May I bee absent from the Church walking about my closes and grounds sending my servants and cattell to townes with corne which I have sold before are these workes for the Sabbath Can I answer this to my God that gives me sixe daies for my selfe and takes but one to himselfe Of which I rob him also c. Bishop Bayly in the Practice Page 442. of Piety saith we are to cease from all civill workes generally from the least to the greatest instanceth in these seaven 1. Works of our calling 2. Carrying of burdens 3. Keeping of Faires and Markets 4. Studying any Bookes but Scripture and Divinity 5. All recreations and sports which at other times are lawfull 6. Grosse feeding and liberall drinking 7. Talking about worldly things I need not therefore say with learned Sir Walter Rauleigh I rather chuse to indure the 1. Booke 2. Chapter wounds of those darts which envie casteth at noveltie then to go on safely and sleepily in the easie waies of ancient mistakings seeing to bee learned in many errours or to bee ignorant in all things hath little diversitie I having such a cloud of witnesses Neotericke and of hoare-headed antiquity which defend the same in substance some in one thing some in another which I purpose to propound to your considerations I hope therefore that none will taxe me of Sabbatarian paradoxes Apocalipticall frensies or Herterodoxe opinions I being guided by the light of truth and that light which Writers ancient and moderne have set up to lead me In a word therefore consider for I purpose to propound onely foure things to your considerations not peremptorily concluding hegatively or affirmatively Whether it can be lawfull for us to do any bodily workes 1. Consid 1 Reg. 19. 8. upon the Lords Day such onely except which present necessity compels unto for preservation of life thus Elijah by flight the Macabees by fight did and we may and must preserve our lives the recovery of health convenient preservation of health as the ordering of meate for the day the Disciples plucked and rubbed the eares of corne for if we may water and fodder the beast Luc. 13. 15. which yet could live a day without that so it might be a comfortable day to it no doubt but we
yet fully resolved that neither I will nor mine shall if I can remedy it sport and play upon the Lords Day Surcease henceforward O froward flesh to hinder me with thine idle objections Ob. 1 Tell me no more that the Lords Day wil be a sad Day if I may not sport this day bringing sweeter and sounder delights Tell not me that many men must have recreations therefore upon the Lords Day For as my workes have toiled them so my time shall refresh them if such refreshing is needfull I my selfe could not take it well to have another mans toiled servant sent to me for food because he must have food he having wrought hard Tell me no more that many good Divines think them lawfull on the Lords Day for if it be disputable it 's the safest course not to use them And what Divine will say it is not lawfull not to sport upon the Lords Day Consid 3 Whether worldly words are not unlawfull upon the Lords Day 1. Since the Lord Iehovah in expresse words by the mouth of his Prophet Isaiah 58. 13. saith thus not speaking thine owne words 2. And for these following causes 1. Where the Lord hath commanded the whole man to rest from servile works there he commands the hand to rest from working the foot from walking and the tongue from talking But in the fourth Commandement Thou shalt doe no manner of worke the Lord hath commanded the whole man c. Therefore c. 2. Those things which as lets hinder the duties of the Lords Day are forbidden But worldly words as le ts hinder the duties of the Lords Day scil holy conference therefore c. 3. Where bodily workes are forbidden there those things are forbidden which hinder the sanctifying of the Sabbath as much or more then bodily workes doe But bodily workes are forbidden therefore worldly words hindering more the sanctifying of the Sabbath Because a man may worke alone but cannot talke without company 4. That Commandement which ties the outward man from the deed done ties the tongue from talking of the same e. g. The sixt forbids murther and murtherous words The seventh adultery and adulterous words The eight theft and deceitfull words But the fourth Commandement ties the outward man from worldly workes and therefore the tongue from worldly words And therefore whether many people are not much to blame who make the Lords Day a reckoning day with workmen a directing day what shal be done the next weeke a day of idle tattle about their pleasures profits gossips tales and other mens matters Whether worldly thoughts are not unlawfull on the Lords 4. Consid Day considering 1. That each Commandement extends to the thought binding it e. g. the 6 from anger the 7 from lust the 8 from covetousnesse c. 2. That the Lord especially requireth the inward man Luk. 10. 27. 3. That worldly thoughts hinder from heavenly and therefore whether those are not blame-worthy who busie their heads upon such daies in plodding about their worldly businesse c. And lastly if it be not a pious and profitable a comfortable and necessarie resolution for a man constantly to purpose to do as followeth Affirm 1 Medit. Whereas many men so be they goe to the Church perswade themselves they have done their devoyre to the vtmost if not superabundantly promerited although before and after those solemne sacred and publique meetings they let loose the reynes permit their hearts licentiously to take liberty of wandring and roming libertine-like into a world of businesses and to plunge themselues into innumbred swarmes of plottings and contrivements for the effecting of some dunghill delights or worldly profits yet I for my part although I cannot as I would will doe what I can to withdraw my meditations upon the Lords day from such like trashy and fruitlesse wanderings and bend them to thinke earnestly and orderly upon 1. The workes of God generall and speciall 1. To the glory of God beholding in their innumerable varieties and melodious harmony the powerfull omnipotency and infinite wisdome of God 2. To mine owne endlesse comfort viewing in these the boundlesse and bottomelesse depths of the Lords ample and gracious favours towards me giving me such a being such senses members calling substance such variety of creatures to delight feed and guard mee such a Sauiour such a Word such excellent meanes to save me c that thus feeding my soule with such solacing considerations I may edge and keene my dull desires to praise and magnifie a God so good and gratious 3. To the humiliation of my soule naturally prone to an overweaning conceipt of its owne nothingnesse pondering the grievous groanings and massy burdens of distressefull miseries Gods justice hath inflicted upon the poore creatures for my sinnes and finding my selfe to come short of them in obeying the will of God I continually fayling they alwayes doing that for which they were made 4. For mine owne instruction these being a large and faire booke written by the LORD IEHOVAH in faire and capitall letters wherein he that runnes if he have but eyes in his head may reade his owne fickle and fading condition being like the withering grasse the basenesse of himselfe made of dust and turning to it againe the uncomfortable irk some and fastidious condition of death a spirituall darknesse scil sinne and iniquity resembled to death and darknes naturall Yea the booke of the creatures is a library so full of learned literature that contemptible Ants and glorious Angels beautified stars and basest vermine yea all beings created to swim and play in the liquid streames and vast ocean to flie about with out stretched wing in the thin and perspicuous ayre or to runne and range upon the sound and solid earth by their contentation with and thankfulnesse for their little pittance and obedience to the Lord their bountifull benefactour preach loudly to me contentment with and thankfulnesse for my so large allowance and obedience to a father so beneficiall to me undeserving That so by the meditation of the workes of God I may be stirred up to trust love feare and obey God pondering and perusing his works of justice and mercy The Word of God especially that meanes of my salvation I last of all enjoyed in the Word of God read and preached for when I consider 1. That this is a daily duty Ios Assidua meditatio memoriam efficit indel ebilem Chrys Hom. 35. in Gen. 1. 8. Psal 1. 2 practised by the best men as David Psal 119. 97. 99. and the Virgin Mary Luk. 2. 19. 2. That as meditation without hearing is erroneous so hearing without meditation is barren and the dulnesse of my blunt and obtuse and Affirm 2 the leaking property of my running out memory I cannot but thinke it a fitting duty upon the Lords day thus to doe Conference 2 Secondly whereas many unguard the doores of their lips and suffer those little unruly members to enflame each others ministring and
fellowship 219 c. Grace how like 4. Its spreading nature and excellencie 19 c How it may be lost how not 118 c. We must labour to worke it in others and why 19 c. We must grow in grace if we wil be like Christ 262 263. H HAte sinners and how 10. Sinne and why 39 Hearing of Gods Word needfull and excellent 142 c. Obiections against it answered 143 How to heare and faulty hearers 14â— c. How we must heare and why 172. 181. Heaven hoped for in vaine by many 88. Holinesse See sanctification How the Saints are holy Honour due to God How God is honoured Why with soule and body both Why with the soule especially How with the tongue and life 72 c. Motives to honour God 84 c. Honour of the Saints 198. And of their communion See glory Hope of Saints its excellency 236. Hosts are Gods 122. Husbands duty 203. Saints husband transcendent 46 203. Hypocrites how hurtfull 26 55. I IGnorance hurtfull its fruits 97 273. Inheritance of Saints unparalel'd 45. Inhabitation in Christ See Christ Whence it is 270 271. Ingrossers of corne censured 67. Imitation of God wherein 138 c. Of Christ wherein and why 257. Of men wherein 262. Imprecations to be shunned though Saints have imprecated and why 76. Imputation of Christs righteousnesse 235. Ioy of the Saints 129 192 224. Why they reioyce 239. Iustice of God by whom abused Obiections against it answered 77. Iustification handled with its causes and fruits 233 c. Whence it is how it differs from sanctification 237. How once iustified are alwayes 240. K KNowledge saving honoureth God 73. It is needfull to do Gods will 97. and necessary to enioy Gods Spirit 272. L LAbour in lawfull callings commendable 24. When not to be taxed of covetousnesse 68 103. Labour on the Lords Day See workes Lords Day why so called 150. Duties of the Lords Day See Sabbath Law how it is kept by the Saints 187. It binds How Christians are under the Law how not 184 192. How free from the Law 243 c. Liberalitie See mercy It s excellency 224. Liberty of Christians frees not them from Gods service 192. Not from authority gives not liberty to sinne Frees not from sinne 243. Not from the obedience of the Morall Law 243 c. Wherein Christian liberty consists and its excellency 248 c. Life godly honoureth God 83. Love of God to us how great Gods lovelinesse 49 c. We ought to love God Who truly love him 46 c. Their paucity 47 c. Love to God greatly rewarded the first and great commandement and how 49 c. It honoureth God 74. By it we cleave to God 190 The rule of love 194 c. What the Saints do love 239. Motives to love God 49 c. Love all men why and how all Saints and how 9 c. Love of Saints whence M MAn an excellent creature 85. Serves himselfe sinfully served sinfully how Disswasives Meditation for the Lords Day 165. Delightfull meditations 173. See thoughts Mercy of God what 79 60. To whom it belongs no incouragement to sinne 60 79. By whom it is abused 79. Mercifull workes of diverse sorts Their excellency 170 c. Who must give when how much of what how 13 c. N NEw creatures How Saints have all parts new 238 c. O OAths haÌ„dled by creatures 81. Rashnes Disswasives 81. Excuses answered 82. See swearing Obedience to Gods Law part of the Covenant of mans part 182. P PEace of Saints excellent with them necessary 34 c. What we must yeeld to for peace 36. It s excellency 235. Wicked have no peace 226 c Perfection how Saints perfect how not 139 242. Obiections answered 55. Persecutors of good men wofull 126 c. 209 c. Pharisees what who like them in these dayes 56. Piety a cause of persecution 212. Please God what pleaseth God that is to be chosen 177. Poore of two sorts 68. They must depend upon God 68. Be content 109. Poverty not to be feared 123. Christs poverty 222. Prayerlesse persons woefull 140. What prayers are fruitlesse 140. What kind of prayer is prevailing 141. It is a duty for the Lords Day 170. Yea delightfull 172. It is part of the covenant 182. Needfull 272. Whence it is 270. To pray for earthly things lawfull 103. Preachers are builders 207. Their faults may not keepe us from hearing 143 c. Priviledges of the Saints 218 c. Prophanest people usually the greatest persecutours 212 Profession is good though some Professors are bad 29 c. Providence good and lawfull 68 103. See depend on Gods providence Pure how Saints are pure 141 242. Puritanes what meant 29 212 No Pharisees 56. Not covetous 69. Not of wicked life 214. Scarce any of them begge 70. Or come to the gallowes 113. R REading Scripture and good Bookes a Sabbath duty and how to read 169. Recreation for the Lords Day 171. What is unlawfull 160. Redemption for Gods honour 80 86. It s excellency 86. Regeneration whence 270. It s necessity Danger of its want â— 72. Reliefe See mercy Remission of sinnes a great favour to whom it belongs 224. See forgivenesse Repentance late very dangerous 61 c. Reproofs how to be used who faulty Why we should reprove 32 c. Restitution 17 39. Riotous persons usually covetous 66. Revenge a great sinne 39. Reproches for Christ should not discontent 110. Not to be feared 123. Riches uncertainty 105. Vanity 106. Of the Saints 222 c. S SAbbath Day to be kept holy the name is Morall it s many names Motives to keep it holy and what then lawfull and unlawfull 149 c. Sacraments of the Iewes and ours how the same how differ Excellency of ours 181 c. Saints fellowship See fellowship Their excellency 127. Their portion to be afflicted 126 210 Sanctification handled with its fruits how it differs from iustification 237 c. It is necessary 272. Whence it is 270. Sathan not to be feared 124. His obiections against perseverance answered 119. Scripture though alledged by Hereticks decides controversies 2â—6 Seeking of God a needfull duty what it is manner and meanes of seeking and motives to seeke God 146 c. Servants of God who who not Services of God and of others How to serve God and why bad Masters hindering this service of God 191 c. Sicke persons duty 170 Visiting them a Sabbath duty 170. How to visit who faulty in visiting 170. Sincerity needfull 92 272. Its signes 93. 〈…〉 a Sabbath 〈…〉 ing 〈…〉 Sinnes 〈◊〉 be concealed 23. And why 28. Sinne 〈◊〉 shunned 53. Yea secret sinnes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 57 9â— Least degrees of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all sinne and why sweet sinner 9 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sins of Saints and wicked men 57 c. How good men sinne ibid. What they do having sinned 59. How they are free from sinne 124 245. Their sinnes no incouragements to sin 62 c. 〈◊〉 encouragements answered 60 c. Disswasives from sinne 63 136 c. Sinne must be shunned if we imitate Christ 262. How sinne is infinite 78. God no author of sinne 77. It is an evill master by whom it is served disswasives from serving it 198. Sinnes of former times â—s great as now 254 255. Why seeme greater now 255. Sheepe of Christ their duty 276. Sonnes of God who 201. Their duty See Father Society See fellowship Soule is to honour God and first 73. Sparing how commendable 25. Spirit of God dwels in Saints Its fruits in them their miserie who want and scorne this co-habitation 270 271. Who falsly boast of the Spirit Who have who want the Spirit 272 273. Duties of both 274. How the Spirit is grieved how quenched how gotten how kept 275. Sports whether lawfull on the Lords Day Reasons Disswasives 160 c. Strength Spirituall whence 207. Swearing now an honour to God 80 Anabaptists confuted Disswasives from all evill kinds of swearing 80 c. Excuses answered 81 c. Sorrow of Saints 239. Sufferings See afflictions T TOngue is to honour God 74. Many wayes 74 c. Thoughts unlawfull on Gods Day 164. Time-serving hurtfull 93. V VIsiting the sicke a Sabbath duty How who faulty 170 Vsury a filthy sinne 92 100. W VVAnts temporall how supplied to the Saints 123. Will of God must be done 88. It s reward 88. It must be done totally 90 Faithfully 92. Timely 93. Continually 95. Meanes motives let removed 96 c. Mans will contrary to Gods 97. Word of God a Word of faith grace salvation reconciliation life 142. It s excellency 75 172. It is to be talked of 74. Not to be iested with 75. No to defend vice nor disâ—hearten vertue 75. Not to be used in charmes 76. Words not fit for the Lords Day 163. What then commendable 167 c. Workes of God for his glory mans good 165. Workes unlawfull for the Lords Day with disswasives 157. World by whom served disswasives from serving it 197. Wrath a great sinne 39. Wicked men are fooles 128. Their society to be shunned and why 6 c. 135 c. Y YOung people should do Gods will and why 93.
's the proper object of hatred it 's against God and from the Devill pag. 130. c. They who have or desire to have fellowship with God must avoid the society of sinners 4. disswasives whose children what beasts and filthy persons they be They are dirt chaffe dust smoake and scumme pag. 13◠c. They must labour to be like God wherein and why p. 138. c. They must pray to God Prayerlesse persons wofull what faults hinder prayer How to pray aright pag. 140. c. They must heare Gods Word Lets removed Motives to heare Directions how to heare to obtaine fellowshippe with God pag. 142. c. They must seeke the Lord what it is to seeke how by what meanes and why we should seeke the Lord. pag. 146. c. They must sanctifie the Lords Day the name of the Day the judgement of diverse Divines of the Sabbath whether workes then lawfull what workes meant disswasives whether sports lawfull reasons disswasives objections answered whether worldly words 4. reasons whether worldly thoughts 3. reasons Meditation of Gods Workes Word and why conference for the Lords Day workes for the Lords Day sc reading singing and how prayer deeds of mercy their kinds and manner of doing them Recreation for the Lords Day foure motives to practice pag. 149. c. They must choose the thing which pleaseth God diverse choosers which are the best pag. 177. c. They must take hold of Gods Covenant the foundation and frame of this Covenant how the same to the justified Iewes formerly as to the justified Christians now and how not we must enter into and keepe this Covenant outwardly and how inwardly and how how the Law binds how not against Antinomists 6. motives to keepe covenant with God p. 178. c. They must cleave to the Lord what it is to cleave to God manner meanes and motives pag. 189. c. They must serve God what it is to serve God How we are free from the Law how not against Antinomists and others we must serve God with feare objections answered disswasives from serving foure evill masters the excellencie and manner of Gods service pag. 191. c. IIII. Booke ALL Saints have fellowship with Christ because they are his fellowes spouse branches building members and linkt to him in the nearest ties pag. 202. c. Reprehending those who harme them pag. 209. c. Disswading from hurting the Saints why the world is enrag'd against them who are their greatest enemies how holily they live how neare and deare they are to Christ pag. 211. c. Perswading all to joyne in fellowship with Christ This is the sweetest most honourable the firmest richest the most joyfull and peacefull society pag. 217. c. Comforting those who have fellowship with Christ from Christs names against feare Christ loves such with all loves such are justified what justification is its causes How faith justifieth how not sixe notes of happinesse all in the justified Such are sanctified and how difference betwixt justification and sanctification how sanctified persons are cleane how once justified alwaies justified pag. 228 c. They have Christian liberty a fourefold false liberty disclaimed Christian liberty frees not from obedience of the Morall Law what conscience is what binds conscience the Law binds the conscience to obedience wherein this liberty consists its excellencie a threefold use from this liberty pag. 242. c. Exhorting and directing to this society Scripture truths trier sinnes of former times as bad as now why they seeme worse now pag. 253. c. They who have fellowship with Christ do and ought to imitate Christ wherein we must imitate Christ actively passively and why prophane livers fashion followers and followers of men censured how men may be imitated how not what we must doe if we imitate Christ 3. motives to imitate Christ pag. 256. c. They have and must have faith and what faith its excellencie three sorts faulty concerning faith our duty concerning faith pag. 265. c. They have Gods Spirit abiding in them its necessity who faulty our duty to examine our selves who have who want Gods Spirit duties of such who have Gods Spirit and of such who want the same pag. 269. c. They who have fellowship with Christ be and must be his sheepe braunches spouse members building their duties hence pag. 276. c. The Conclusion shewing the drift of all pag. 278. c. Courteous Reader pardon I pray smaller faults escaped in printing and amend these greater as following Page 13. line 5. for comsorts reade consorts p. 21. l. 1. correcting 1. converting p. 31. l. 28. openly r. onely p. 38. l. 19. of r. as p. 49. l. 28. leading r. loading p. 64. l. 33. stayng r. staining p. 70. l. 16. alike r. alive p. 80. l. 12. it r. in P. 100. l. 4. where r. whence Ibid. l. 5. Bubus r Subus p 108. l 33. money r. many p. 178. l. 19. feele r. seeke p. 183 l 17. Iudaicall r. iudiciall p. 227. l. 17. we and all r. woe and alas p. 245 coniunction r. conviction p. 225. l. 33 dissoluble r. indissoluble Marginall faults Pag. 13. for tunica quem r. quam p. 23. bonum r horum p. 100. comitatu r. comitatum Ibid contratius r. contraria p. 110. it appeareth r in apparell p. 245 exemple r Epist p. 253. virtutis r. veritatis p. 154. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 256. limices r. limites Information for the meanest Reader Where you shall find these following this is their signification e. g. For example to wit viz. sc that is i. e. i. Ibid. there or in the same place 1. True good fellowes have fellowshippe with 1. All Saints pag. 3 c. Therefore they must 1. Avoid wicked mens society pag. 6. c. 2. Love all especially the Saints and all those pag. 9 c. 3. Relieve each other pag. 12. c. 4. Communicate gifts and graces pag. 18. c. 5. Conceale each others frailties pg. 23. c. 6. Reprove one another pag. 32 c. 7. Strive for the peace of the Saints pag. 34. c. 8. Forgive each other pag 37 c. 2. The Lord or God the Father pag. 115. c. Therefore 1. Themselves are comforted pag. 118. c. 2. They who wrong them and neglect this communion are reproved pag. 125. c. 3. All are perswaded to this communion p. 129 c. To this end they must 1. Shunne sinne pag 130. c. 2. Shunne society of sinners pag. 135. c. 3. Imitate God pag. 138. c. 4. Pray to God rightly pag 140. c. 5. Heare Gods Word delightfully pag. 142 c. 6. Seeke the Lord. pag. 146 c. 7. Sanctifie the Lords Day pag. 14. 9 c. 8 Choose that which pleaseth God pag 177 c. 9. Keepe Covenant with God pag 178 c. 10. Cleave to God pag 189. c. 11. Serve God Pag
may dresse food for our owne comfort Decency of the body as clothing the same Preservation of goods by taking out of or defending from dangers Luc. 13. 15. And giving necessary provision to them Luc. 14. 5. Yea to the fatling beast to feed him 1. Because else he could not live so chearefully 2. The labour is the same in giving much or little 3. All creatures may then have the ordinary provision of the weeke at the least 4. Else to the hurt of the creature so losse of goods Necessity is sanctified and may stand for just excuse when we cannot keepe the rest of the commandements without breach of one of the rest e. g. I am bound to preserve life a man or beast is in danger of death I may breake the rest to save life God will have mercy and not sacrifice mercy is a worke of sanctification sacrifice a meanes we must leave the meanes and do the worke Tertullian saith God forbad humane workes not Tertul. lib. 2 contra Marcyonem pag. 185. Nec Sabbatt inspicis legem opera humana non divina prohibintem Non facies opus Quod Vtâ—que tuum Arcam vero circumserre neque quoti li enum opus vileri potest neque humanum sed bonum sacrosinctum ex ipso Dei praecepto utique divinum Divine Thou shalt do no manner of worke What manner of worke What kind of worke Namely thine owne But to carry about the Arke sc about the wals of Iericho can neither seeme a daily worke nor an humane but a good and a holy work and therefore from the very commandement of God Divine Those therefore I meane which may be forborne without breach of charity sinning against nature or hurt of the creatures And therefore 1. Whether those are not blame-worthy who trot about for gaine or pleasure buy and sell grinde and bake patch and mend or do any other outward or inward worke of man or woman which may be done before or stay till afterward 2. And if it be not good for each man to reason thus or after the like manner with his owne soule 1. Is the fourth Commandement a precept which is morall as it must needs be For 1. Else there would be but nine morall Precepts 2. It being delivered in mount Sinai at the Nec ejus observatio capit Lege data in Sinaised aute celebrabatur ut apparet ex Mannae pluvia Exod. 16. Martyr in Gen. 2. Ex hoc loco probabilis conjectura elicitur Sabbathi sanctitatem suisse priorent le ge ceric quum aute narravit Moses vetitoâ— fuisse die septimo Manna colligere videtur ex recepta notitiâ usu sumptum Cal. in 4. Precep same time by the same Law-giver after the same manner with more motives and a speciall Memento 3. Given in Paradise observed from the beginning before any Ceremoniall Law was given Neither did the observation of the Sabbath begin when the Law was given in Sinai but it was solemnized before as appeares by the raine of Manna Exod. 16. saith P. Martyr From this place a probable conjecture is fetched that the sanctification of the Sabbath was before the Law and truly when Moses did shew before that they were forbidden to gather Manna upon the seventh day he seemes to conclude that it was taken from received knowledge and use saith Mr. Calvin 2. Did our Saviour Christ Iesus confirme the morality of it comming to fulfill not to breake one jot or title of the Morall Law 3. And do the same reasons which bound the Iewes oblige me to the performance of such duties as in it are enjoyned and restraine me as well as them 1. God giving me sixe dayes as he gave them 2. Being my God as he was theirs 3. Proposing his example for my imitation And 4. I needing his blessing as much as they And doth this commandement precisely inhibite the doing of any manner of worke insomuch that those holy followers of Christ Luc. 23. 5 6. and their puritannicall precisenesse is commended abstained from so good a worke as to embalme the body of our Saviour their spices and oyntments being already prepared and shall I gad to faires and markets shall I walke about my closes or grounds except it be to meditate or to praise God for his bounty towards me shall I send my servants and cattell with corne c. Are these workes for the Lords Day Is the day none of mine and shall I spend it about mine owne affaires and profits Dread I to rob men and shall I presume to rob God yea him who is my God of his Day of his Holy-Day No no I will not trouble me therefore no more O rebellious flesh with thy many idle and godlesse pretences Thy covetous carkings formerly have made me with those worldly minded to go and see my grounds which I had purchased to prove mine oxen which I had bought when the Lord did graciously and earnestly invite me to him Thy mistrustfull diffidence hath pricked me forward with remerarious rashnesse to do many un-needfull actions thou having abashed me with a fearefull timidity of losse of undoing hast made me negligent to seeke principally the kingdome of heaven and to care for the morrow when it might sufficiently and time enough take care for it selfe Thy savage cruelty heretofore hath made me unmercifully bloudy to my precious soule servants and beasts fore-casting and fore-providing something for them to do on the Lords day Cease henceforward to molest me with these temptations I have now learned to be content with Gods allowance to me and dealing towards me I am now resolved to depend on him and on his gracious providence and by Gods helpe wil be so mercifull to my selfe servant and beast that we will not do any servile worke on Gods Day wherein we serve our selves and not God Whether sports and recreations yea such as at other 2. Consid Augustine Batly Babings Homil. Sâ—at times may be lawfull are not demonstrated to be unlawfull upon the Lords Day By many of those I have named before amongst whom S. Augustine is one who in another place as I have read not in him but cited speaking of some who rested to sports toyes hunting and nets saith It is to keepe a Qui vacabant nugu ludâ—s venatio nibus retibus c. Sabbath to the golden Calfe the Idoll of Aegypt not to the God of heaven To which I will adde Gualter who saith Therefore they cast farre away the impure workes of the flesh and the Proculergo abjiciunt impura carnis opera insanum studium voluptan dupeccant qui diem hunc superbiae sustus aleae poculu impuro voluptae tum slu lio tribuunt Dies fellos Majestati Aleissimi dedicatos nullu voluptanbus occupart Nec hujâ—t religiosi diet otia relaxantes obscrenis qutbuslibet patimur voluptatibus detiners nihil eodem die vindicet sibi scena theatralis aut Circense certa men tui
taking occasions offered extravagantly to wander into olden times gladding themselues with their large discourses of their many madde and merry meetings their frolique frisques and gambols their infamous exploits and deeds of darknesse or idly to range about from royall diademe to the penylesse cottage from field to towne from towne to houses from houses to particular things and persons yea to their owne homes and houses taking thence many large and deepe discourses of the number and severall conditions of their sheepe horses c. the unrulinesse of this the faire conditions of that the great penyworth they had in the one the worth of the other And anon ramble in their serious communication into their fields fallow and severall discoursing of their longitude and latitude of their lands the quantity and quality of their seed their great and many businesses they have finished or intended and presently flie backe into the streets and for want of other matter to fill up the pretty lispings and stâ—mmerings the falls and stumblings the unmannerly roguing or whoring this man that woman the pretty pronunciation of this or that oath of their children shall not be forgotten and then from these merrie Colloquies rake into the dunghill puddles of the true or fained miscarriages of their neighbours good or bad tossing and tumbling these from tongue to tongue as sharpe as speares renting and tearing the good names of men better then themselves fathering upon them that themselves never dreamed of turning by their cunning art a hearsay may be supposition into a peremptory proposition that it was so and then to mount it upon the wing of flying fame to passe swiftly and securely without stop or controlement and clothing all upright-hearted Nathaniels with the darke and divelish robes of censorious uncharitablenesse Luciferean pride and damned hipocrisie because these truly befit many who are professors and others in their conceipts thus extracting matter of large discourses to please themselves purchase admiration and applause for their great and deepe experience and procure many farewell thanks for their good company Yet I although I formerly have bene and still am too often and futurely may be that way overtaken so as to talke of such fruitlesse and unneedfull matters resolve henceforward to have my communication of such things whereby God may be glorified my selfe and others edified in the holy faith not medling with other mens matters but such as concerne my selfe or those with whom I conferre and principally those which appertaine to our soules good and amongst other things by name of the Word of God in generall and such Scriptures as I have heard read and expounded in particular as wisely peaceably orderly lovingly honestly and humbly as I can I well considering besides the necessity and furtherance of such like conference Mot. 1 1. That these communications are more comfortable then those they yeelding not the least glaunce or glimmering of sound delight or comfort when a man is going to his bed falles into any affliction or temptation or comes to his bed of death But instead thereof many befoolings of himselfe for mispending so many precious houres and golden opportunities about fruitlesse fome and froth these abundantly cheering the heart gladded with the consideration of the many benefits it hath gained and fruits it hath reaped by such like talkings together 2. This conference is more advantageous then that Can you say and speake truly that ever you gained any knowledge of God your selves the Word the way to heaven Can you say that ever you gained any grace goodnesse or any thing save an addition of new sinnes to the catalogue of your old by such like Lords dayes chattings Whereas I dare affirme this kind of Sabbath conference to increase saving knowledge sound comfort true Christian love heavenly-mindednesse and to warme and vivifie the saving graces seated in the heart 3. And more honourable mee thinkes it 's a poore commendation or credit for a man to have a faculty with facility to find out idle discourse to drive away a day each new speaking stammering child which can lispe out but halfe english being able to tattle somewhat or other to that purpose But for a man humbly lovingly and feelingly to conferre of the narrow way which leadeth to life how to walke in it with comfort declining the many by-paths of sinne of the Christian combate the number and nature of enemies their sleights and subtilties how to escape them and to get the victory this is a greater glorie to a Christian man Whereas many men and women spend the Lords day in Affirm 3. Deeds sloathfull lithernes sleeping or doing certaine odd chares which purposely they had appointed for that day yet I determine resolutely to spend all spare time 1. In reading Gods Word and good bookes and that with inward desire and outward endeavour to profit 2. In singing of Psalmes Hymnes and spirituall songs Ephes 5. 19. In which angelicall exercise I will doe what I can to sing 1. With my heart Ephes 5. 19. i. e. with understanding sense and feeling 2. To the Lord Ibid. scil 1. In his glorious powerfull and gracious presence 2. Vpon a holy remembrance of his blessings 3. To his honour and glory 3. With Grace Col. 3. 16. to exercise the graces of the heart as holy joy trust 4. In Gods mercy c. in singing Teaching and admonishing my selfe and others 5. For mine owne and others consolation Ephes 5. 19. making melody c. Iames 5. 13. I well considering this duty to be 1. Gods owne ordinance Ephes 5. 19. 2. Binding all persons Iames 5. 13. is any merry let him sing 3. To be performed publiquely Ephes 5. 19. 4. And privately Psal 101. 1 2. 5. A speciall duty for the Lords day Psal 92. Title 6. And a duty which is 1 Good having in it no evill being Gods ordinance 2 Pleasant in it selfe and to the hearers 3 And comely to the user Psal 147. 3. In praying to God to sanctifie the day and duties thereof to me I being able to do nothing of my selfe 4. In doing such like workes of mercy as these following sc 1. Visiting the sicke and that 1. To benefit mine owne soule and that by 1. Taking notice of mine owne mortality 2. Sathans subtiltie striving to lull men asleepe in security or plunge them into desperation 3. The difficultie if not impossibility of repentance deferred till death and sicknesse 4. The excellencie of saving graces a good conscience c. which will do men good when all worldly contentments forsake them 2. To doe good to the sicke party and that by perswading him to a Christian carriage in sicknesse sc 1. A serious consideration causing sicknesse 2. The profit and advantage of sicknesse trying grace weaning from the world provoking to prayer and taming the flesh 3. If men rightly behave themselves in sicknesse 1. Not neglecting nor depending too much upon the meanes 2. Praying to God 3. Giving good counsell
remission of sinnes how and by whom wherein every sincere Christian may behold clearely the unparalel'd love of Christ Iesus freeing him by his owne painefull passion from the guilt and guerdon the due desert and dominion the power and punishment of his sinnes 5. Let it be upon the inheritance which is incorruptible undefiled not fading away reserved in the heavens c. And I think it wil be granted without contradiction that such like meditations make the godly soule to leape for joy 6. Let it be upon dismall death and mouldring mortality even this will comfort the heavenly minded soule loving the appearing of Christ longing after the same with the Bride in the Revelation certifying him that these miseries are but momentany and that this miserable mortality shal be swallowed up of glorious immortality 7. Let it be of the judgements of God denounced or inflicted upon others or upon himselfe even these contemplations want not matter of consolation to that soule which considereth Gods infinite love sending no greater he deserving the extreamest enabling him to make a good use of them and to beare them christianly This I suppose is a commodious and profitable necessary and warrantable Christian not Iewish resolution to abstaine from those worldly and wanton words workes and thoughts and to be wholly imployed and that delightfully in those holy and heavenly contemplations communications and actions And that I may stirre you up to put in practice this so laudable sweet and profitable resolution to those former reasons and motives I have intermingled in my former passages give me leave to adde these following reasonings and pious arguings 1. Is the Lords Day the queene of dayes yea the Lords market day for our soules wherein we are to buy Isa 55. 2. without money or mony worth the heavenly and celestiall bread water wine and milk of Gods sacred Word and saving graces the golden gifts and precious merits of Christ to inrich our faith Rev. 3. 18. The eye-salve of true wisdome and the Spirit of light to illuminate our spirituall blindnesse and the white raiment of Christs righteousnesse that we may be clothed and that the shame of our nakednesse do not appeare and shall we passe it away in wanton delights in fruitlesse and hurtfull discourses in distrustfull and distracting musings or in needlesse and dunghill actions And not rather spend this Day in buying such peerelesse traffique not onely in the publique assemblies but also before and after the same by Divine contemplations heavenly communications fervent and faithfull prayer and other such like pious Lords Dayes practices 2. Is this the Lords Day not mine his Holy Day no common or prophane one therefore to be sanctified therefore to be kept holy and shall we shew such intolerable ingratitude as to deny so small use of time to him that gives to us so much and so large use of time 3. Is it a matter of duty and not of curtesie of charge and not of choice of allegiance and not of liberty of necessity and not of indifferency not permitted but commanded to sanctifie the Lords Day and keepe it as holy as we can and shall not wee use our utmost endeavour to doe the same 4. Do those who conscionably sanctifie the Lords Day imitate the prime and purest examples walking in those paths which have beene traced out by David Nehemiah and such like ones by Iesus Christ such a Sonne such a Saviour by the Lord Iehovah who rested the seventh Day from his worke of creation although as easie to him as to speake and cause it to be created And shall we be drawne into unwarranted courses or omit necessary pious duties upon Gods Day because many who are great Schollers good Preachers great men the wealthiest in our parish and many honest men make no bones of worldly discoursings unneedful actions nor are very forward in those other substantiall duties Learning they may have wisdome greatnesse yea goodnesse yet may their example be erroneous no sufficient patterne for imitation in many things we offend all yea and good St. Paul would be followed no otherwise then he followed Christ 1 Cor. 11. 1. Be it they be wise or wealthy honourable or honest who give or take liberty yet sure we are we take the surest and safest course yea the most commodious and comfortable having Gods precept for our warrant and his example for our encouragement Powerfull they may be but he is omnipotent wise they may be but he is wisdome it selfe honest they may be he goodnesse it selfe 5. Since the Lords Day is a blessed Day so called either 1. Because it is instituted to Gods service 2. Or because the Lord gave it a singular priviledge to be a Day of rest and holinesse a Day of delight and heavenly feasting to the world 3. Or because the Lord doth blesse more effectually all such who conscionably keepe it holy on that Day then any other so that then they enjoy after an extraordinary manner this transcendently sweet and lovely fellowship with the Father We for our parts will alienate and estrange our soules tongues and bodies so farre forth as in us lieth from such workes such words and thoughts which withdraw the mind from God and endeavour to spend those little parcels of time which remaine to us exempt from the publique assemblies of the Saints and the doing of some few necessary actions in Divine contemplations Christian communications such pious and holy actions that so the Lord may suppe with us and we with him Rev. 3. 20. We feasting him with the fruit of our true repentance 2. With our faith beleeving and applying the Word and promises of God 3. By serving God faithfully giving up our soules and bodies holy and acceptable sacrifices to him he feasting us in his Word and Sacraments That so he may dwell in us and we in him and to conclude that we may obtaine if still we want communion with God or get if already we have a more perfect and full assurance of our fellowship with the Father CHAP. XIII The eight Meanes and Duty Chusing the things which please God What those things be Diverse chusers Which are best HAve we or desire we fellowship with the Father Shew 8. Meanes Duty it and seeke it by chusing the thing which pleaseth the Lord This chusing being both a marke and meanes of mans communion with the Father Isa 56. 4. Where and who is he that would not be a chuser might the choice tend to his reall and seeming contentment With what greedy graspings would some possesse mountaines of gold silver pearles and precious stones and worlds of wealth With what enraged bloudy and implacable cruelty would some bathe their hands and glad their hearts in the last groanings and effusion of the most warme and in most hearts bloud of their enemies How would some ingrosse kingdome after kingdome yea one world after another How would some plunge themselves into a bottomlesse Ocean of voluptuous delights