A37049:1086
A37049:1086
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.
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.
A second is, be well employed throughout the Week, and be not given to idleness or laziness in your particular Callings, nor in spiritual Exercises, there will be no sanctifying of this day without that; be not therefore slothful in business, but fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, Rom. 12.11.
A second is, be well imployed throughout the Week, and be not given to idleness or laziness in your particular Callings, nor in spiritual Exercises, there will be no sanctifying of this day without that; be not therefore slothful in business, but fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, Rom. 12.11.
3. See that nothing unbecoming the rest of the day be admitted, no manner, not only of deeds, but of words or thoughts.
4. Let every one take inspection of others, and seriously mind it in your several places, as ye are called.
5. Follow Gods example in other things, as it's proposed to you for your Imitation, and ye will do it the better in this.
6. Aim at the blessing as well as at the duty; hang on himself for life and strength to discharge the duty, and for the blessing, since he is the Author and Bestower of both, and do the duty delightsomly and with joy, through the faith of his blessing; and acknowledge his unspeakable goodness in privileging you with his day, and the worship thereof, still waiting on him, and trusting in him for whatever good may come to you in it.
6. Aim at the blessing as well as at the duty; hang on himself for life and strength to discharge the duty, and for the blessing, since he is the Author and Bestower of both, and do the duty delightsomly and with joy, through the faith of his blessing; and acknowledge his unspeakable goodness in priviledging you with his day, and the worship thereof, still waiting on him, and trusting in him for whatever good may come to you in it.