A godly and learned exposition or commentary upon the three first chapters of the…A godly and learned exposition or commentarie vpon the three first chapters of the…

A third sort here reproved, though not so bad as the former, are those who think it needful to serve God at those ordinary times of the Sabbath which the laws of the land enjoin unto men; and therefore they will come duly to morning and evening prayer: thinking that they are not bound besides to hear the word of God preached, and that all the rest of the day they may do what they will pertaining either to their profit or pleasure. Of this sort are our ignorant people, and a great number every where. But they sin grievously against God, for the Sabbath day is called the Lords day, because it is wholly consecrated to his worship: but they part stakes with the Lord, and give him but a part of his own day, and that the lesser: taking the rest unto themselves, which thee misspend upon their lusts. Now as these vices must be abhorred so on the contrary, we must with all conscience keep the Lords Sabbath holy according to th• fourth commandment. And therefore we must thereon cease from all works of sin, and from the works of our callings; and sanctify this day wholly by applying it all to the honour and worship of God. And here we must remember that there is a double sanctification of the Sabbath: public, and private. Public when men assemble themselves together publicly to hear Gods word for the increase of faith and knowledge: and to call on Gods name for further graces; as also to give him thanks for his mercies, and to receive his Sacraments. Private, when men in their private places employ themselves in holy duties of prayer, reading, and meditation upon Gods word & works: whereby God is honoured, and their souls edified: and both these must be performed to the Lord every Sabbath day of every man: For we may not abridge God of that tim• wherein glory should be given to his name. If the officers should take our servants in the week day from our private business, & employ them in public affairs, we would think much at it, though it were for the common good. And shall we not think that God will take himself dishonoured of us when we shall take either whole or part of his holiday, and employ it in our business. A main cause why many profit little by the public ministry, is want of private sanctification of this day.

A third sort here reprooued, though not so bad as the former, are those who thinke it needfull to serue God at those ordinarie times of the Saboath which the lawes of the land inioyne vnto men; and therefore they will come duly to morning and euening prayer: thinking that they are not bound besides to heare the word of God preached, and that all the rest of the day they may doe what they will pertaining either to their profit or pleasure. Of this sort are our ignorant people, and a great number euerie where. But they sinne grieuously against God, for the Saboath day is called the Lords day, because it is wholly consecrated to his worship: but they part stakes with the Lord, and giue him but a part of his owne day, and that the lesser: taking the rest vnto themselues, which thee mispend vpon their lusts. Now as these vices must be abhorred so on the contrarie, wee must with all conscience keepe the Lords Saboath holy according to th fourth commandement. And therefore we must thereon cease from all workes of sinne, and from the workes of our callings; and sanctifie this day wholly by applying it all to the honour and worship of God. And here we must remember that there is a double sanctification of the Saboath: publike, and priuate. Publicke when men assemble themselues together publickly to heare Gods word for the increase of faith and knowledge: and to call on Gods name for further graces; as also to giue him thankes for his mercies, and to receiue his Sacramens. Priuate, when men in their priuat places imploy themselues in holy duties of prayer, reading, and meditation vpon Gods word & works: whereby God is honoured, and their souls edified: and both these must bee performed to the Lord euerie Saboath day of euery man: For wee may not abridge God of that tim wherein glorie should be giuen to his name. If the officers should take our seruants in the weeke day from our priuat businesse, & imploy them in publicke affaires, wee would thinke much at it, though it were for the common good. And shall we not thinke that God will take himselfe dishonored of vs when we shall take either whole or part of his holiday, and imploy it in our businesse. A maine cause why many profit little by the publicke mininisterie, is want of priuat sanctification of this day.