The works of the reverend and faithful servant of Jesus Christ M. Richard Greenham,…The workes of the reuerend and faithfull seruant af Iesus Christ M. Richard Greenham,…

Now concerning the exercises & pleasures of the body, leaving all vain pastimes at all¹ times unlawful, but most especially on the Sabbath, and to speak of such recreations, as in themselves are lawful, and may lawfully be used of the children of God in their time and place; as those of shooting, training up of soldiers, and such like, all which their pleasures carry a profit either present or in time to come, to the Church or commonwealth; we deny not simply then their places, but think them convenient, and commendable with the testimony of the holy Ghost: 2. Sam. 1. where Jonathan is commended of David for his shooting. Howbeit, the Sabbath day is no fit time for these uses, which we² will show briefly. First we must know, that the Lord having forbidden the works of our ordinary calling, which carry with them a more special promise of profit and warrant of reward in their time, forbiddeth also lawful pleasures: because if the use of those be forbidden, being lawful and necessary for the upholding and maintaining of mans life, then these things not so needful, though convenient for recreation, are much more inhibited. And this we shall see more plainly, if we remember that rest is so far commanded, as it is an help and furtherance to sanctification, and labour so far is forbidden, as it is an impediment of the same. In regard whereof, if pleasures be no less lets and impediments to the hallowing of the Sabbath, than bodily and ordinary labours; then pleasures have no more liberty on the Lords day, than our outward works. Furthermore, we must be circumspect not to rest in any drowsy or sleepy security of the flesh: but in what measure soever we detract from the ordinary works of our calling, in that proportion must we add to the sanctification of the day: not much unlike to good Christians, who bestow on their souls whatsoever they take from their bodies. Which wisdom and diligence though we use most carefully, yet for as much as we shall leave as many duties unperformed, as we shall have performed, I see not what leisure we can lawfully lend to recreations. If any carnal professor shall press this thing more vehemently, me thinketh he may blush at the defence of it, seeing this kind of keeping holy days in pleasures and playing, was used even of the Heathen, who sate down to eat and drink, and rose up to play: