A guide to godliness or a Treatise of a Christian life showing the dutiesA guide to godlynesse or a Treatise of a Christian life shewing the duties

§. Sect. 2 That we must rest from our own works on the Lords Day.

§. Sect. 2 That we must rest from our owne workes on the Lords Day.

And thus we see the time of the Lords Day how long it is to continue: now we are to speak of the duties which ought to be performed in it. And these are all comprised in these two things; first, in observing a Rest, and secondly, in keeping it holy, or in sanctifying this Rest unto Gods service. The Rest consisteth in the forbearing, or not doing of our own works, but only in cases of necessity, and when the sanctification of the Lords Day requireth them, as duties tending to the advancing of Gods service, or such works of mercy and Christian charity, as belong to this Day; as the study and pains of the Minister, the travel of the people to places of divine worship, visiting and helping of the sick and distressed, confounding of contentions, and making peace between neighbours, feeding and tending of cattle, and such like. Where, by our own works I understand all our thoughts, words and actions, which simply or chiefly tend to our own profit or pleasure. As first, the works of our callings, ¹of all kinds whatsoever, as all works of husbandry, even in the time of harvest, buying and selling, carrying of burdens, travelling, and such like. Secondly, all kinds of recreations which are not necessary for the preserving of health and life, and tend not to the better fitting and enabling of us for religious duties, but to sensual and carnal delight. Of which sort are walking abroad that we may take the air, or that we may confer one with another, or meditate on the creatures, some bodily exercise in course of physic to refresh the body, and in some cases music, not only vocal by singing of Psalms, ⟨p. 384⟩