A14213:68
A14213:68
A very profitable and necessary discourse concerning the observation and keeping of the Sabbath day serving as well to confute the superstition of the Jews, which obstinately urge the strict keeping of the seventh day, as also to overthrow the vain and godless reasons of others, that stiffly at this day maintain, that Christians ought to keep no set or appointed time to worship and serve the Lord in, in his church and faithful congregation. Written in Latin by Zacharias Ursinus, sometimes reader of the divinity lecture in the University of Heidelberg in Germany, and very newly turned into English, by John Stockwood schoolmaster of Tunbridge.A verie profitable and necessarie discourse concerning the obseruation and keeping of the Sabboth day seruing as well to confute the superstition of the Iewes, which obstinately vrge the strict keeping of the seuenth day, as also to ouerthrowe the vaine and godlesse reasons of others, that stiffely at this day maintaine, that Christians ought to keepe no set or appoynted time to worship and serue the Lord in, in his church and faithfull congregation. Written in Latine by Zacharias Vrsinus, sometimes reader of the diuinitie lecture in the Vniuersitie of Heidelberg in Germanie, and very nevvly turned into English, by Iohn Stockvvood schoolemaster of Tunbridge.
London: printed by T. East? for John Harrison the younger, 1584London: printed by T. East? for Iohn Harrison the yonger, 1584
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
And unto the lawful administration of the Sacraments appertaineth also the shutting out of those,1 whom God hath commanded to be shut out from them.
And vnto the lawfull administration of the Sacraments appertaineth also the shutting out of those,1 whome God hath commanded to be shut out from them.
Like as it was not lawful for strangers from the nation and religion of the Jews, nor for the uncircumcised to eat the Paschal Lamb. Exod. 12. so the Church of God ought not to admit or receive unto the Supper of the Lord, such as are not baptized, or such as being baptized, yet in doctrine or manners are strangers from Christianity.
Like as it was not lawfull for strangers from the nation and religion of ye Iewes, nor for the vncircumcised to eate the Paschall Lambe. Exod. 12. so the Church of God ought not to admit or receiue vnto the Supper of the Lorde, such as are not baptized, or such as being baptized, yet in doctrine or manners are strangers from Christianitie.
To learn the doctrine of the Church,1 that is, to come often unto the assemblies of the Church, to hear and learn the heavenly doctrine, and diligently to meditate and examine the doctrine being heard, and especially to bestow the days appointed for the ministry, in ⟨image 24⟩reading, studying, and handling of divine matters: for inasmuch as God will have ministers of the Church to be, he will also that there be hearers of the doctrine, and the same also diligent. And the desire to learn is not without private meditation. Therefore they of Bercea are praised, Acts. 17. for that they received the word with all joyfulness, daily searching the Scriptures, whether the things were so or no: and especial to such as serve already, or mean in time to come to serve the Church a diligent study to know the doctrine is enjoined. 1. Tim. 4. Take heed unto reading, exhortation, doctrine: foreslow not the gift which is in thee, the which was given th•e to prophesy, with the laying on of the hands of the oldership. Exercise these things: in these be thou, that thy profiting m•y be manifest unto all. Take heed unto thy self, and unto doctrine: in these continue. For if thou do this, thou shalt save thy s•lfe, and those that •eare thee. And 1. Tim. •. and 2. Tim. 2. P•ule will have a min•ster of the Church to be fit to teach, and to confute and overthrow t•• adversaries […].
To learne the doctrine of the Church,1 that is, to come often vnto the assemblies of the Church, to heare and learne the heauenly doctrine, and diligentlye to meditate and examine the doctrine being heard, and especiallye to bestowe the dayes appoynted for the ministerie, in ⟨image 24⟩reading, studying, and handling of diuine matters: for inasmuch as God will haue ministers of the Church to be, he will also that there bée hearers of the doctrine, and the same also diligent. And the desire to learne is not without priuate meditation. Therfore they of Bercea are praised, Acts. 17. for that they receiued the worde with all ioyfulnesse, dailie searching the Scriptures, whether the thinges were so or no: and especiall to such as serue alreadie, or meane in time to come to serue the Church a diligent studie to know the doctrine is inioyned. 1. Tim. 4. Take heede vnto reading, exhortatiō, doctrine: foreslow not the gifte which is in thee, the which was giuen th•e to prophesie, with the laying on of the hands of the oldership. Exercise these things: in these be thou, that thy profiting m•y be manifest vnto all. Take heed vnto thy selfe, and vnto doctrine: in these continue. For if thou doe this, thou shalt saue thy s•lfe, and those that •eare thee. And 1. Tim. •. and 2. Tim. 2. P•ule will haue a min•ster of the Church to bee fit to teach, and to confute and ouerthrow t•• aduersaries 〈…〉.
To use the Sacraments according unto ⟨image 24⟩the ordinance of God.1 So God commanded the Passover to be kept in the assembly of the people, and appointed certain sacrifices unto other feast days and Sabbaths. Also Act. 20. The first day of the week, when as the Disciples were come together to break bread, Paul preached, &c. For as God will have true doctrine to be heard, so he will also have the lawful use of the sacraments to be seen in the public assemblies of the Church: because that he will have both these to be a note, whereby the Church may be known and discerned from other nations & sects. The sacraments also, like as the word, are an instrument, or exercise to stir up and maintain faith and godliness in us. They are also a public profession of our faith and thankfulness unto God, and a part of the public worship of God in the church. And therefore the use of them is most especially agreeable unto the Sabbath.
To vse the Sacraments according vnto ⟨image 24⟩the ordinance of God.1 So God commanded the Passeouer to be kept in the assembly of the people, and appoynted certaine sacrifices vnto other feast dayes and Sabboths. Also Act. 20. The first day of the weeke, when as the Disciples were come together to breake bread, Paul preached, &c. For as God will haue true doctrine to be heard, so he will also haue the lawfull vse of the sacraments to be séene in the publike assemblyes of the Church: because that he will haue both these to be a note, whereby the Church may be knowen and discerned from other nations & sectes. The sacraments also, like as the word, are an instrument, or exercise to stirre vp and maintaine faith and godlynesse in vs. They are also a publike profession of our faith and thankfulnesse vnto God, and a part of the publike worship of God in the church. And therfore the vse of thē is most especialy agreeable vnto the Sabboth.
Public calling upon God, whereby we do join our confession, thanks-giving,1 and prayers with the church. For God will be called upon not only privately of every man, but also publicly by the ⟨image 25⟩Church, for his glory, and our comfort, to wit, that we should not doubt, that we are heard of God, when as he hath promised hearing not only unto us, but also unto others, and unto the whole church, praying for us together with us. For to this end he hath added a peculiar promise unto common prayers, Matth. 18. Again I say unto you, if two of you shall agree together upon earth, whatsoever they shall ask, it shall be granted unto them of my father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the middest of them. And thanks-giving and the praising of God, is promised unto God as an especial worship. Psal. 22. In the middest of the Congregation I will praise thee. Of thee shall be my praise in a Congregation of much people, I will pay my vows before them that fear him. And it is commanded 1. Cor 14. Forasmuch as if thou bless in spirit, he which occupieth the room of an unlearned person, how shall he say Amen unto thy thanks-giving? For he knoweth not what thou sayest. And. 1. Tim. 2. I exhort therefore before all things, that there be made supplications, prayers, requests, & ⟨image 25⟩thanks-giving, for all men, for Kings, and for all that are set in authority, that we may lead a quiet & a peaceable life in all godliness and chastity, &c.
Publike calling vpon God, wherby we do ioyne our confession, thanks-giuing,1 and prayers with the church. For God wil be called vpon not onely priuately of euerye man, but also publikely by the ⟨image 25⟩
Neither doth Christ in the 6. of Matth. condemn and forbid public prayers,1 but boasting & hypocrisy, saying: When thou prayest, enter into thy chamber, and shutting thy door pray unto thy Father which is in secret, and thy father which seeth thee in secret, shall reward thee openly. The words going before do witness this: When thou prayest, be not as the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in their assemblies and corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward. And hypocrisy is a counterfeiting & boasting and vain showing of godliness Taring therefore this,2 he speaketh not of the desire to please god, and of praising him as well publicly as privately, but he will have those also which pray publicly, to have regard not unto the judgement and eyes of men but of God concerning us, and not to look unto our glory, but unto the glory of God.
Neither doth Christ in the 6. of Matth. condemne and forbid publike prayers,1 but boasting & hypocrisie, saying: When thou prayest, enter into thy chamber, and shutting thy doore pray vnto thy Father which is in secret, and thy father which seeth thee in secret, shal reward thee openly. The wordes going before do witnesse this: When thou prayest, be not as the hypocrites. For they loue to pray standing in their assemblies and corners of the streetes, that they maye be seene of men. Verely I say vnto you, they haue their reward. And hypocrisie is a counterfaiting & boasting and vaine shewing of godlynesse Taring therefore this,2 he speaketh not of the desire to please god, and of praysing him as well publikely as priuately, but he will haue those also which praye publikely, to haue regarde not vnto the iudgement and eyes of men but of God concerning vs, and not to looke vnto our glorie, but vnto the glorie of God.
1The honour of the ministry of the Church, which containeth many things: first, reverence, that is an acknowledging of the order and will of God in the appointing and preservation of the ministry, and the gathering together of the church by the same,2 and the declaration & showing forth of this our judgement of the ministry both in words and deeds.
1The honour of the ministerie of the Church, which containeth many things: first, reuerence, that is an acknowledging of the order and wil of God in ye appointing and preseruation of the ministerie, and the gathering together of the church by the same,2 and the declaration & shewing forth of this our iudgement of the ministerie both in wordes and déedes.
1. Cor. 4. Let a man so esteem of us as of the Ministers of Christ, and disposers of the secrets of God. 2. Cor. 5. Therefore we are Ambassadors in the name of Christ, as if God entreated you by us: we pray you in the name of Christ, that ye be reconciled unto God.
1. Cor. 4. Let a man so esteeme of vs as of the Ministers of Christ, and disposers of the secrets of God. 2. Cor. 5. Therefore we are Embassadours in the name of Christ, as if God intre•ted you by vs: wee praye you in the name of Christ, that ye be reconciled vnto God.
1Secondly, Love, by the which we willingly both resort unto the assemblies of the church, and do hear and learn the doctrine of the church, and do wish well unto the faithful ministers of the church, not only in respect of the duty of love, but also in regard of the ministry which they execute. Psal. 84. How amiable are thy Tabernacles O Lord of hosts. My soul longeth, yea, and fainteth for the Courts of the Lord, my heart & my flesh rejoice in the living God.
1Secondly, Loue, by the which we willingly both resort vnto the assemblies of the church, and do heare and learne the doctrine of the church, and do wish well vnto the faithful ministers of the church, not onely in respect of the dutie of loue, but also in regard of ye ministerie which they execute. Psal. 84. How amiable are thy Tabernacles O Lord of hostes. My soule longeth, yea, and fainteth for the Courtes of the Lord, my heart & my flesh reioyce in the liuing God.
Psal. 122. I rejoiced with them that said unto me, we will go into the house of the Lord. Also, For my brethren sake I will now speak peace of thee, because of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek thy good.
Psal. 122. I reioyced with them that sayd vnto me, we will goe into the house of the Lord. Also, For my bretheren sake I will now speake peace of thee, because of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek thy good.
Thirdly, obedience in those things,1 which appertain unto the ministry. Hebr. 4. Obey your Rulers. Hitherto appertain the works of love towards God, and towards our neighbour, that is, the whole life of a Christian, which is the spiritual Sabbath For it is nothing else to keep a spiritual Sabbath,2 then in the ordering of our life to obey the voice of God sounding by the ministry of the Church. For God will have the doctrine learned to this end, that it may be obeyed. Jam. 1. Performe ye the word in deed, and be not hearers only, deceiving your selves: because if a man be a hearer of the word and not a doer, he shall be compared unto a man beholding the countenance of his birth in a glass, for he hath beheld himself, and went his way, and by and by forgetteth what manner one he was.
Thirdly, obedience in those thinges,1 which appertaine vnto the ministerie. Hebr. 4. Obey your Rulers. Hethertoo appertaine the workes of loue towardes God, and towards our neighbor, that is, the whole life of a Christian, which is the spirituall Sabboth For it is nothing els to kéepe a spirituall Sabboth,2 then in the ordering of our life to obey the voyce of God sounding by the ministerie of the Church. For God will haue the doctrine learned to this ende, that it may be obeyed. Iam. 1. Performe ye the word in deed, and be not hearers onely, deceiuing your selues: because if a man be a hearer of the word and not a doer, he shall be compared vnto a man beholding the countenance of his birth in a glasse, for hee hath behelde himselfe, and went his waye, and by and by forgetteth what manner one he was.
And, for as much as he will have this ⟨image 27⟩Sabbath to be kept all our life time, he will have the examples and testimonies of the same especially to be showed forth on the outward or ceremonial Sabbath day, that is, at those times which are appointed for the teaching and learning of the word of God.1 For if a man all the time do not show forth a desire to obey God, when as the doctrine ringeth in his ears, and when as other cares being laid aside, God will have us to think upon godliness and repentance, he sufficiently declareth that he will not do it at another time.
And, for as much as he will haue this ⟨image 27⟩Sabboth to be kepte all our life time, hée will haue the examples and testimonies of the same especially to be shewed forth on the outward or ceremoniall Sabboth day, that is, at those times which are appoynted for the teaching and learning of the word of God.1 For if a man al ye time doo not shewe foorth a desire to obey God, when as the doctrine ringeth in his eares, and when as other cares being laid aside, God will haue vs to thinke vpon godlynesse and repentance, he sufficiently declareth that he will not doo it at another time.
There it hath always been the manner in the Church, on the Sabbath day to give alms, & to exercise the works of love towards the needy. Nehem. 8. Send parts unto him for whom nothing is prepared, because it is an holy day unto our Lord. God himself also doth witness Deut. 5. that he will have the Sabbath kept, that rest may be given to servants and to our family: least that with the continuance of labours they should be too much brought down. And 1. Corinth 16. Furthermore as concerning ⟨image 27⟩the gathering for the Saints, as I have appointed unto the Churches of Galatia, so do ye also. Every first day of the week, let every one of you lay a side with himself, laying up that, which thorough the gentleness of GOD he may. And Acts 2. all these works of the Sabbath are jointly expressed together: The Disciples were abiding in the doctrine of the Apostles, and in fellowship, and breaking of bread, and prayers.
There it hath alwayes bene the manner in the Church, on the Sabboth day to giue almes, & to exercise ye workes of loue towardes the néedie. Nehem. 8. Send parts vnto him for whom nothing is prepared, because it is an holy daye vnto our Lord. God himselfe also doth witnesse Deut. 5. that he will haue the Sabboth kept, that rest maye be giuen to seruaunts and to our familie: least that with the continuaunce of laboures they should be too much brought downe. And 1. Corinth 16. Furthermore as concerning ⟨image 27⟩the gathering for the Saintes, as I haue appoynted vnto the Churches of Galatia, so doo yee also. Euerie first daye of the weeke, let euerie one of you laye a side with himselfe, laying vp that, which thorough the gentlenesse of GOD he maye. And Actes 2. all these works of the Sabboth are ioyntly expressed together: The Disciples were abiding in the doctrine of the Apostles, and in fellowshippe, and breaking of bread, and prayers.
Fourthly,1 honour comprehendeth also Thankfulness, that is, duties concerning the preservation of the Ministry and Ministers. For if GOD will have a Ministry to be in the Church, he will also that every one, according to their ability, do further the maintenance of the same, that is, that they bestow their money and travail upon the nourishing and defending of godly Ministers and teachers.
Fourthlye,1 honour comprehendeth also Thankfulnesse, that is, duties concerning the preseruation of the Ministerie and Ministers. For if GOD will haue a Ministerie to be in the Church, hée will also that euerye one, according to their abilitie, doo further the maintenaunce of the same, that is, that they bestowe theyr money and trauayle vpon the nourishing and defending of godly Ministers and teachers.
Hitherto appertain the laws of Moses, concerning the first borne, first fruits, tenths, and very many offerings, the ⟨image 28⟩which were appointed unto the Priests & Levites in stead of a stipend, wherewithal to maintain the life of them and theirs, that they might attend upon the ministry. Albeit the circumstances of these laws be abolished & taken away, yet the general remaineth for ever, because God will have the ministry preserved even until the end of the world. Deu. 12. Take heed unto thy self that thou forsake not the Levite all thy days upon thy land. 1. Cor. 9. Who goeth on warfare at any time upon his own charges? Who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? Or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? Doth not the law also say these things? For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the Ox, that treadeth out the corn. Also, If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great matter, if we reap your fleshly things? Again, Are ye ignorant, that they which serve about holy things, do eat of the things which are of the altar? And they that serve at the altar, do take part of the altar? So the Lord hath ordained, that they which preach the Gospel, should live of the Gospel. ⟨image 28⟩1. Tim. 5. The elders which do rule well, let them be counted worthy of double honour, especially those that do labour in the word and in doctrine. For the Scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle up the mouth of the Ox, that treadeth out the corn. And the work-man is worthy of his hire. Math. 10. He that receiveth a Prophet in the name of a Prophet, shall receive the reward of a Prophet. Hereunto also pertaineth the examples of the widow of Sarepta, nourishing the Prophet Elijah. 1. King. 17. Of Obadiah saving the Prophets, whom Jezebel did persecute. 1. King. 18. Of the Church of Damascus, letting down Paul by the wall
In this part of the honour towards the ministry is also contained the maintenance of schools:1 inasmuch as without the studies of learning and arts men are neither fit to teach, neither can the purity of doctrine be preserved and defended against Heretics. Therefore Christ Math. 11. promiseth a reward unto those, the which for the furtherance and imparting of doctrine do well unto those which do either already teach, or which are in time to come to teach, or whose travail ⟨image 29⟩doth serve, or shall hereafter serve for the preservation of doctrine.
In this part of the honour towardes the ministerie is also conteined the maintenaunce of schooles:1 inasmuch as without the studies of learning and arts men are neither fit to teach, neither can the puritie of doctrine be preserued and defended against Heretikes. Therefore Christ Math. 11. promiseth a reward vnto those, the which for the furtherance and imparting of doctrine do well vnto those which doe either alreadie teach, or which are in time to come to teach, or whose trauaile ⟨image 29⟩doth serue, or shall héereafter serue for the preseruation of doctrine.
Hethertoo appertaine the lawes of Moses, concerning the first borne, first fruits, tenthes, and very many offerings, the ⟨image 28⟩which were appointed vnto the Priestes & Leuites in steade of a stipend, wherewithall to maintaine the life of them and theirs, that they might attend vppon the ministerie. Albeit the circumstaunces of these lawes be abolished & taken awaie, yet the generall remaineth for euer, because God will haue the ministerie preserued euen vntill the end of the worlde. Deu. 12. Take heed vnto thy selfe that thou forsake not the Leuite all thy daies vppon thy land. 1. Cor. 9. Who goeth on warfare at anie time vpon his owne charges? Who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? Or who feedeth a flocke, and eateth not of the milke of the flocke? Doth not the lawe also saie these things? For it is written in the lawe of Moses, Thou shalt not musle the mouth of the Oxe, that treadeth out the corne. Also, If we haue sowen vnto you spirituall things, is it a great matter, if we reap your fleshlie things? Again, Are ye ignorant, that they which serue about holie thinges, doe eate of the thinges which are of the altar? And they that serue at the altar, doe take parte of the altar? So the Lord hath ordeined, that they which preach the Gospell, should liue of the Gospell. ⟨image 28⟩1. Tim. 5. The elders which doe rule well, let them be counted worthie of double honour, especiallie those that do labour in the word and in doctrine. For the Scripture saith, Thou shalt not musle vp the mouth of the Oxe, that treadeth out the corne. And the worke-man is worthie of his hire. Math. 10. He that receiueth a Prophet in the name of a Prophet, shall receiue the reward of a Prophet. Héerevnto also pertaineth the examples of the widowe of Sarepta, nourishing the Prophet Elias. 1. King. 17. Of Obadiah sauing the Prophets, whome Iezabel did persecute. 1. King. 18. Of the Church of Damascus, letting downe Paule by the wall Acts. 9.