A37049:1081
A37049:1081
London: printed for Dorman Newman, 1675
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.
Yea, 5. It occasioneth and breedeth other sins; it habituateth to sinning, and hardeneth against challenges, so that men ordinarily become very gross and loose and fall in scandalous sins, who neglect the sanctification of the Sabbath, which is the quickener and fomenter some way of all duties, and knitteth the two Tables of the Law together; hence it cometh to pass, that we often hear men that have turned to be very loose, gross and scandalous (and some of them on Scaffolds and at Gibbets) cry out of Sabbath-breaking, imputing the one to the other, as a main cause; for by this sin men grow stout against challenges, and formal in secret duties, a •d so at length sit quite up.
Yea, 5. It occasioneth and breedeth other sins; it habituateth to sinning, and hardneth against challenges, so that men ordinarily become very gross and loose and fall in scandalous sins, who neglect the sanctification of the Sabbath, which is the quickner and fomenter some way of all duties, and knitteth the two Tables of the Law together; hence it cometh to pass, that vve often hear men that have turned to be very loose, gross and scandalous (and some of them on Scaffolds and at Gibbets) cry out of Sabbath-breaking, imputing the one to the other, as a main cause; for by this sin men grow stout against challenges, and formal in secret duties, a •d so at length sit quite up.
6. No sin hath more sharp challenges for it, and more sad Judgments avenging it, then sins against this command; have there been any men deeply challenged for sin, or at death (whether ordinary or violent) brought to express and utter their challenges, but sins against this command have been main ones? The slighting of the Lords Sabbath made Jerusalem to be burnt with fire Jer. 17. last; for this sin they are threatened with terrible plagues, Ezek. 20.21, 24. not only in temporal things, v. 23. but with spiritual plagues to which ⟨p. 303⟩they are given up, v. 25.26. You know that a man was stoned for gathering of sticks on the Sabbath, Numb. 15. see also▪ Exod. 16.28. and Ezek. 22.8. where the Lord accounteth Sabbath-breaking a refusing to keep his Commandments and Laws, and a despising of his holy things; O is it possible, that a man can be well that breaketh the Sabbath, or to whom it is not a delight?
6. No sin hath more sharp challenges for it, and more sad Judgments avenging it, then sins against this command; have there been any men deeply challenged for sin, or at death (whether ordinary or violent) brought to express and utter their challenges, but sins against this command have been main ones? The slighting of the Lords Sabbath made Jerusalem to be burnt with fire Jer. 17. last; for this sin they are threatned with terrible plagues, Ezek. 20.21, 24. not only in temporal things, v. 23. but with spiritual plagues to which ⟨p. 303⟩they are given up, v. 25.26. You know that a man was stoned for gathering of sticks on the Sabbath, Numb. 15. see also▪ Exod. 16.28. and Ezek. 22.8. where the Lord accounteth Sabbath-breaking a refusing to keep his Commandements and Laws, and a despising of his holy things; O is it possible, that a man can be well that breaketh the Sabbath, or to vvhom it is not a delight?
If any should ask here, if indeed the breaches of this command be greater sins then the br •aches of the come ends of the second Table? and if so, if God will be avenged on these severely?
If any should ask here, if indeed the breaches of this command be greater sins then the br •aches of the comm •nds of the second Table? and if so, if God will be avenged on these severely?
For Answer (premitting this one word, that in comp •ring breaches of the commands of the two Tables, we would compare sins of a like nature together, that is, sins of presumption with sins of presumption, and sins of infirmity with sins of infirmity) we say, that a presumptuous sin against the fourth Command, if it were but to go unnecessarily to the door, or to gather sticks, is a greater sin then a presumptuous murder, because it s triketh more immediately against God: And that a sin of infirmity against the fourth command, is greater then a sin of Infirmity against the sixth: Yet we grant that presumptuous Murder is a greater sin then a sin of infirmity against the fourth command, because presumption and high handedness in the manner of sinning, in a sin little on the matter comparatively, dareth God, as it were, and striketh immediately against him, and so is an additional high aggravation of it; beside what it is in the nature of it: And though our censures against presumptuous breaches of the Sabbath, which are now as great sins as formerly (as is clear from what is just now said) be often more mitigated now under the Gospel, neither was it as we conceive, ordinary to stone the presumptuous prophaneners of the Sabbath, even amongst the Jews; yet vvill this be no good reasoning; men do not now execute punishments upon Transgressors of the first Table as on Transgressors of the second, therefore Transgressions of the second Table are greater sins then Transgressions of the commands of the first; for so we would be in hazard to postpone all the Laws or Commands of the first Table to these of the second; but we are to consider ⟨p. 304⟩that temporal punishments are heightened or lessened according as the peace and order of civil Societies may be more or less therein concerned, so that it is not by these measures that we are to make the estimate of the greatness or smallness of sins in the sight of God, and in order to his righteous and absolute judgments, and therefore it's enough that we enquire what God hath done, and vvill do, and what sinners may expect from him; however men may over-look and pass them by, yet before God they are often taken notice of, and plagued even in this life, and vvill be for ever hereafter, if they repent not.
We may now therefore in the close, exhort, beseech, obtest and charge you all, as in the sight of God, who is a severe avenger of them, that ye would be aware of the sins whereby this command is transgressed: Particularly guard against
We may novv therefore in the close, exhort, beseech, obtest and charge you all, as in the sight of God, vvho is a severe avenger of them, that ye vvould be avvare of the sins vvhereby this command is transgressed: Particularly guard against
1. Not preparing for it, or not remembering of it; many profane the Sabbath, 'ere they come to public, yea, before it come, in some respect.
1. Not preparing for it, or not remembring of it; many prophane the Sabbath, 'ere they come to publick, yea, before it come, in some respect.
2. Carnal thoughts and a common frame of heart, yea, even to speak so, a particular frame that looketh both to our own condition or case; As not stirring it self to be over and above that, to be affected with God and his glorious works of Creation and Redemption, to give him praise for his marvellous goodness on that day; there is alas generally little delight and praise in his worship, even on his own holy day.
2. Carnal thoughts and a common frame of heart, yea, even to speak so, a particular frame that looketh both to our ovvn condition or case; As not stirring it self to be over and above that, to be affected vvith God and his glorious vvorks of Creation and Redemption, to give him praise for his marvellous goodness on that day; there is alass generally little delight and praise in his vvorship, even on his ovvn holy day.
3. General unedifying discourses, of the news of the time, of health, and other things not necessary to that day.
4. Little profiting under the Gospel, and not growing in knowledge and practise; many a Sabbath is thus profaned, few getting or seeking the blessing of it, or on it.
4. Little profiting under the Gospel, and not growing in knowledge and practise; many a Sabbath is thus prophaned, few getting or seeking the blessing of it, or on it.
5. Going to the fields and visiting of Neighbours to put off a piece of time, that so much time may be saved on other days of the Week, wherein many men think they have more to do; and not seeking to edify, or to be edified when they visit. Certainly by this going abroad and running up and down the streets unnecessarily, ye indispose your selves, ye offend others, and tempt them to follow you, ye slight either duties in your families, or in secret, or it may be both, in a ⟨p. 305⟩great measure; I suppose that if ye made conscience of these, there would not be so much time to go abroad; Take some other day for recreating your selves; •f ye say, ye have then somewh •t else to do: And have ye nothing to do this day? Or will ye t •ke more boldly from Gods day, then from your own? Is Sacrilege less then taking what is your own? What if all did so gad abroad? (And it m •y be they have no less reason) What a Sabbath day would we have? There is a remarkable word, Exod. 16.29. that on the Sabbath none might go out of his place, which though it be not to be understood as restraining exercises of piety, or works of necessity and mercy, as we showed before; yet it would seem to be the meaning of the words, that on that which we call taking the air, and on visiting, there was a restraint thereby intended.
5. Going to the fields and visiting of Neighbours to put off a piece of time, that so much time may be saved on other dayes of the Week, wherein many men think they have more to do; and not seeking to edifie, or to be edified when they visit. Certainly by this going abroad and running up and down the streets unnecessarily, ye indispose your selves, ye offend others, and tempt them to follow you, ye slight either duties in your families, or in secret, or it may be both, in a ⟨p. 305⟩great measure; I suppose that if ye made conscience of these, there would not be so much time to go abroad; Take some other day for recreating your selves; •f ye say, ye have then somewh t else to do: And have ye nothing to do this day? Or will ye t ke more boldly from Gods day, then from your own? Is Sacriledge less then taking what is your own? What if all did so gad abroad? (And it m y be they have no less reason) What a Sabbath day would we have? There is a remarkable word,
6. Mens sitting upon choice in the Church at such a distance that they can scarcely hear, and that they may the more securely confer together on common purposes; so that they do not so much as aim to profit, of whom we may appositely say (as Christ said of the Priests, that they profaned the Sabbath and are blameless) That they some way keep it and are guilty; many also sleep, vary, and wander in their thoughts, and are as stones and statutes in the Church.
6. Mens sitting upon choice in the Church at such a distance that they can scarcely hear, and that they may the more securely confer together on common purposes; so that they do not so much as aim to profit, of whom we may appositely say (as Christ said of the Priests, that they prophaned the Sabbath and are blameless) That they some way keep it and are guilty; many also sleep, vary, and wander in their thoughts, and are as stones and statutes in the Church.
7. Little ones and boys going and running up and down playing and making a noise, and servants gadding; all which will be charged on Magistrates, Ministers, Elders, Masters and Parents, who are not conscionably aiming and endeavouring in the diligent use of all suitable means to amend and prevent such abuses, and to punish continuance in them: •specially look to it when few plead or appear against such sins.
7. Little ones and boyes going and running up and down playing and making a noise, and servants gadding; all which will be charged on Magistrates, Ministers, Elders, Masters and Parents, who are not conscionably aiming and endeavouring in the diligent use of all sutable means to amend and prevent such abuses, and to punish continuance in them: •specially look to it when few plead or appear against such sins.
8. Much idle loitering over of the Sabbath, doing nothing, and much sleeping it over. Idleness is a sin any day, much more on this day.
9. Little care of sanctifying the Sabbath when men are from home, or when they are not in their own Congregations, when they are not in their own Houses, or have not any to take the oversight of them: There is much liberty taken this way, and there are many complaints of it; What my Brethren? ⟨p. 306⟩Doth not the Sabbath require as strict sanctification abroad as at home?
If any should ask remedies of all these, and such like evils, I know none better then these that are in the Command it self.
The first is remember, what? 1. Remember by-gone failings, and repent of them: 2. Remember coming to Judgment, that ye may be found of it in peace as to this or any other guilt, and endeavour to prevent it: 3. Remember to be all the Week over in your worship, and walk, minding it.
For Answer (premitting this one word, that in comp •ring breaches of the commands of the two Tables, vve vvould compare sins of a like nature together, that is, sins of presumption vvith sins of presumption, and sins of infirmity vvith sins of infirmity) vve say, that a presumptuous sin against the fourth Command, if it vvere but to go unnecessarily to the door, or to gather sticks, is a greater sin then a presumptuous murther, because it s •riketh more immediately against God: And that a sin of infirmity against the fourth command, is greater then a sin of Infirmity against the sixth: Yet we grant that presumptuous Murther is a greater sin then a sin of infirmity against the fourth command, because presumption and high handedness in the manner of sinning, in a sin little on the matter comparatively, dareth God, as it were, and striketh immediately against him, and so is an additional high aggravation of it; beside vvhat it is in the nature of it: And though our censures against presumptuous breaches of the Sabbath, which are now as great sins as formerly (as is clear from what is just now said) be often more mitigated now under the Gospel, neither vvas it as vve conceive, ordinary to stone the presumptuous prophaneners of the Sabbath, even amongst the Jews; yet vvill this be no good reasoning; men do not now execute punishments upon Transgressours of the first Table as on Transgressours of the second, therefore Transgressions of the second Table are greater sins then Transgressions of the commands of the first; for so vve vvould be in hazard to postpone all the Lavvs or Commands of the first Table to these of the second; but vve are to consider ⟨p. 304⟩that temporal punishments are heightened or lessened according as the peace and order of civil Societies may be more or less therein concerned, so that it is not by these measures that we are to make the estimate of the greatness or smalness of sins in the sight of God, and in order to his righteous and absolute judgments, and therefore it's enough that vve enquire vvhat God hath done, and vvill do, and vvhat sinners may expect from him; hovvever men may over-look and pass them by, yet before God they are often taken notice of, and plagued even in this life, and vvill be for ever •ereafter, if they repent not.