Whether this day be of positive Divine Institution, and so to us Christians of necessary observation, is out of my way to handle here: I refer those that doubt, to what is in Print on that subject, especially Master George Abbot against Broad, and (above all) Master Cawdrey and Master Palmer their Sabbatum Redivivum. Its an encouragement to the doubtful, to find the generality of its rational opposers, to acknowledge the usefulness, yea necessity of a stated day, and the fitness of this above all other days. I would I could persuade those that are convinced of its morality, to spend a greater part of it in this true spirituality. But we do in this as in most things else; think it enough that we believe our duty, as we do the articles of our faith, and let who will put it in practice. We will dispute for duty, and let others perform it: As I have known some drunkards upon the Ale bench will plead for godly men, while themselves are ungodly: So do too many for the observation of the Lords day, who themselves are unacquainted with this spiritual part of its observation. Christians, let heaven have some ⟨p. 705⟩more share in your Sabbaths, where you must shortly keep your everlasting Sabbath. As you go from stair to stair till you come to the top, so use your Sabbaths as steps to glory, till you have passed them all, and are there arrived. Especially you that are poor men, and servants, that cannot take time in the week as you desire, see that you well improve this day: Now your labour lies not •o much upon you, now you are unyoked from your common business; Be sure as your bodies Rest from their labours, that your spirits seek after Rest with God. I admonish also those that are possessed with the censorious devil, that if they see a poor Christian walking privately in the fields on the Lords Day, they would not Pharisaically conclude him a Sabbath breaker, till they know more: It may be he takes it as the opportunest place, to withdraw himself from the world to God; Thou seest where his body walks, but thou seest not where he is walking in the spirit. Hannah was censured for a woman drunk, till Eli heard her speak for her self; and when he knew the truth, he was ashamed of his censure. The silent spiritual worshipper is most liable to their censure, because he gives not the world an account of his worship.
Whether this day be of positive Divine Institution, and so to us Christians of necessary observation, is out of my way to handle here: I refer those that doubt, to what is in Print on that subject, especially Master George Abbot against Broad, and (above all) Master Cawdrey and Master Palmer their Sabbatum Redivivum. Its an encouragment to the doubtful, to finde the generality of its rational opposers, to acknowledg the usefulness, yea necessity of a stated day, and the fitness of this above all other days. I would I could perswade those that are convinced of its morality, to spend a greater part of it in this true spirituality. But we do in this as in most things else; think it enough that we believe our duty, as we do the articles of our faith, and let who will put it in practice. VVe will dispute for duty, and let others perform it: As I have known some drunkards upon the Ale bench will plead for godly men, while themselves are ungodly: So do too many for the observation of the Lords day, who themselves are unacquainted with this spiritual part of its observation. Christians, let heaven have some ⟨p. 705⟩more share in your Sabbaths, where you must shortly keep your everlasting Sabbath. As you go from stair to stair till you come to the top, so use your Sabbaths as steps to glory, till you have passsed them all, and are there arived. Especially you that are poor men, and servants, that cannot take time in the week as you desire, see that you well improve this day: Now your labor lies not •o much upon you, now you are unyoaked from your common business; Be sure as your bodyes Rest from their labors, that your spirits seek after Rest with God. I admonish also those that are possessed with the censorious divel, that if they see a poor Christian walking privately in the fields on the Lords Day, they would not Pharisaically conclude him a Sabbath breaker, till they know more: It may be he takes it as the opportunest place, to withdraw himself from the world to God; Thou seest where his body walkes, but thou seest not where he is walking in the spirit. Hannah was censured for a woman drunk, till Eli heard her speak for her self; and when he knew the truth, he was ashamed of his censure. The silent spiritual worshipper is most lyable to their censure, because he gives not the world an account of his worship.
