A supplement to The Morning-exercise at Cripple-Gate, or, Several more cases of conscience practically…

Nor is it an Inherent holiness which they have Communicated to it,¹ as the Saints of God have, who are made holy by a supernatural change of their natures. But the Sabbath is holy by divine Institution, by special dedication and consecration, God having hallowed this day above all other days in the week, by separating it from common and civil uses, and consecrating it to holy and religious ends and purposes, viz. to be a Sabbath of holy rest. But now

1. 12 Pet. 1.4.

The Question Question. is, How may we thus call the Sabbath holy? or When may we be said truly to make it holy?

1. When we make Gods hallowing and sanctifying this day our Motive and Argument to sanctify it, by a holy Observation of it, ¹when that which God hath called holy by his divine sanction, we dare not call it common and profane by prostituting of it to unsuitable actions, words, or thoughts. There is a real calling it unholy, as well as vocal; He or She that spends the day or any part of it in doing evil, or in doing nothing, or in doing nothing to the purpose, he proclaimeth to the world, what he calleth the day, although he speak not a word; he speaks his heart by interpretation; and when all is done, our works are more credible Interpreters of our hearts, than our words or profession.

1. When we make Gods hallowing and sanctifying this day our Motive and Argument to sanctifie it, by a holy Observation of it,