A37049:819
A37049:819
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.
3. The thing required of them is not simply rest from labour, for 1. That is commanded for the Beasts (lest men should be hindered from or interrupted in their holy rest by their waiting on them) and none will say, we hope, that there is no more required as to Children or Servants, than as to the Beasts. 2. Under the Negative, Thou shalt do no work, is included the Affirmative, Thou shalt san •tifie that day to the Lord. 3. The same Duty is required of all alike (in some respect) thou Father, and thou Son, thou Master, and thou Servant, and if worship be called for from the Father, and Master, for the sanctifying of that day, so it must be also from the Child and Servant.
4. The manner of performing this Worship of sanctifying the Lords day in Holy duties, is required not only to be in public, nor only in secret, but by the Members of each Family jointly, and a part from other Families.
4. The manner of performing this Worship of sanctifying the Lords day in Holy duties, is required not only to be in publick, nor only in secret, but by the Members of each Family joyntly, and a part from other Families.
For 1. It cannot be understood to require worship only in public together, because 1. there may be in some cases no access to public worship, and yet the Command of sanctifying ⟨p. 211⟩the Lords day lieth still on, and no doubt by Families. 2. Waiting on public worship is but one piece of sanctifying the Lords day, and that but in a part of it; therefore there must be some other thing included here. 2. It cannot be understood of the Master of the Family, his putting the Members of the Family separately to seek and worship God, and of his own going about Holy duties himself a-part.
For 1. It cannot be understood to require worship only in publick together, because 1. there may be in some cases no access to publick worship, and yet the Command of sanctifying ⟨p. 211⟩the Lords day lyeth still on, and no doubt by Families. 2. Waiting on publick worship is but one piece of sanctifying the Lords day, and that but in a part of it; therefore there must be some other thing included here. 2. It cannot be understood of the Master of the Family, his putting the Members of the Family separatly to seek and worship God, and of his own going about Holy duties himself a-part.
For 1. Though that be worship, yet is it not worship from persons in such a Relation or Family-worship, more than if they were not in such a Relation, or of such a Family; and though it might be said that such and such persons sanctified the Sabbath, yet could it not be said that the Family as such did it; even as Families or persons seeking God in secret, could not be exonerated thereby, as to their being in the Congregation; nor their serving of God be so accepted as Congregational-service, i • they met not together when they might: Just so it is here; yea as it lieth, by this Command, on a Congregation and a Minister to sanctify the Lords day, and to come together for that end; so doth it lye on the Family and Master of it.
For 1. Though that be worship, yet is it not worship from persons in such a Relation or Family-worship, more than if they were not in such a Relation, or of such a Family; and though it might be said that such and such persons sanctified the Sabbath, yet could it not be said that the Family as such did it; even as Families or persons seeking God in secret, could not be exonered thereby, as to their being in the Congregation; nor their serving of God be so accepted as Congregational-service, i • they met not together when they might: Just so it is here; yea as it lyeth, by this Command, on a Congregation and a Minister to sanctifie the Lords day, and to come together for that end; so doth it lye on the Family and Master of it.
2. By this Command there is more required than secret o • solitary sanctifying of the Sabbath, even a peculiar sanctification of it within one Family distinct from another: I say, 1. more than solitary worship, because the Lords saying thou, without repeating Son, Daughter, &c. had been sufficient to have laid it on all separately for themselves; the enumeration therefore of the whole Members of a Family must import some other thing, for the former is implied in all Commands, as Thou shalt not kill, that is, as far as in thee lieth, thou nor thy Son, &c. There must I say, be something more understood by the peculiar enumeration pressed in this fourth Command. I say, 2. Even a peculiar worship, because it's something laid on by this Command which is holden within Gates or doors, and neither goeth to the Congregation, nor to the persons of other Families, at least ordinarily, but reacheth the Members of such a Family who are within such a Mans Gates or Doors; therefore it must be a distinct Family-worship mainly performed by that Family together.
2. By this Command there is more required than secret o • solitary sanctifying of the Sabbath, even a peculiar sanctification of it within one Family distinct from another: I say, 1. more than solitary worship, because the Lords saying thou, without repeating Son, Daughter, &c. had been sufficient to have laid it on all separately for themselves; the enumeration therefore of the whole Members of a Family must import some other thing, for the former is implyed in all Commands, as Thou shalt not kill, that is, as far as in thee lyeth, thou nor thy Son, &c. There must I say, be somthing more understood by the peculiar enumeration pressed in this fourth Command. I say, 2. Even a peculiar worship, because it's something laid on by this Command which is holden within Gates or doors, and neither goeth to the Congregation, nor to the persons of other Families, at least ordinarily, but reacheth the Members of such a Family who are within such a Mans Gates or Doors; therefore it must be a distinct Family-worship mainly performed by that Family together.
3. The thing required here is not only worship simply, but worship as from a Member of such a Family, therefore it is not solitary worship: for seeking of God and moral duties in secret still agree to persons in all places and Families alike, but this draweth a line as it were betwixt Families, and so divides one Family from another; yet maketh the Duty more obliging to these within such a Mans Gates or Doors than others without Doors; therefore it must be joint-worship: for, a-part, or as concerning secret worship, all are every where alike obliged.
3. The thing required here is not only worship simply, but worship as from a Member of such a Family, therefore it is not solitary worship: for seeking of God and moral duties in secret still agree to persons in all places and Families alike, but this draweth a line as it were betwixt Families, and so •ivides one Family from another; yet maketh the Duty more obliging to these within such a Mans Gates or Doors than others without Doors; therefore it must be joynt-worship: for, a-part, or as concerning secret worship, all are every where alike obliged.
4. If by this Command something more in the worship of this day be required of a person that is a Member of a Family in reference to that Family, than there is required of one who is not a Member of such a Family, or is required of that person in reference to an another Family whereof he is not a Member; then it requireth a distinct Family-worship, for no other thing can be understood but a joint going about the sanctifying of that day in a stricter and nearer way of Communion amongst the Members of that Family, than with persons and Families in and to whom they are not so interested and related.
4. If by this Command something more in the worship of this day be required of a person that is a Member of a Family in reference to that Family, than there is required of one who is not a Member of such a Family, or is required of that person in reference to an another Family whereof he is not a Member; then it requireth a distinct Family-worship, for no other thing can be understood but a joynt going about the sanctifying of that day in a stricter and nearer way of Communion amongst the Members of that Family, than with persons and Families in and to whom they are not so interested and related.
5. If secret and public worship were only required in this Command, then should we equally and alike sanctify the Lords day with other Families and persons, not of that Family whereof we are Members; for in these we join alike for them and with them; but there is some peculiar thing required here which will not agree to be performed by all alike; therefore it is Family-worship that must be here required.
5. If secret and publick worship were only required in this Command, then should we equally and alike sanctifie the Lords day with other Families and persons, not of that Family whereof we are Members; for in these we joyn alike for them and with them; but there is some peculiar thing required here which will not agree to be performed by all alike; therefore it is Family-worship that must be here required.
6. This Command requireth of Masters, (suppose them to be Ministers, or • Magistrates) another way of Sanctifying the Sabbath, and Worshipping of God, in and with their Families, than it doth in Reference to other Families; the Command being so particular, to him, and to all that are within his Gates or Doors, and Members of his Family, speaketh this clearly. But except it be joint going about of Duties with them, there can be no other thing understood to be required: for, 1. One may exhort another. 2. All come in public together. 3. By the Masters example after the public they all ⟨p. 213⟩withdraw (or should at least) to secret exercises. 4. Magistrates and Ministers may Command other Families to Sanctify that day; What is peculiar then, as to their own Families, but to join with them in Duties of Worship?
6. This Command requireth of Masters, (suppose them to be Ministers, or • Magistrates) another way of Sanctifying the Sabbath, and Worshipping of God, in and with their Families, than it doth in Reference to other Families; the Command being so particular, to him, and to all that are within his Gates or Doors, and Members of his Family, speaketh this clearly. But except it be joynt going about of Duties with them, there can be no other thing understood to be required: for, 1. One may exhort another. 2. All come in publick together. 3. By the Masters example after the publick they all ⟨p. 213⟩withdraw (or should at least) to secret exercises. 4. Magistrates and Ministers may Command other Families to Sanctifie that day; What is peculiar then, as to their own Families, but to joyn with them in Duties of Worship?
7. If there were not Domestic-worship required on this day, then except it were in▪ public, Members of a Family could not converse together; for they cannot converse together in doing their own works, or in speaking their own words, their fellowship therefore must be in exercises of worship, and so that must needs be required in this Command.
7. If there were not Domestick-worship required on this day, then except it were in▪ publick, Members of a Family could not converse together; for they cannot converse together in doing their own works, or in speaking their own words, their fellowship therefore must be in exercises of worship, and so that must needs be required in this Command.
8. Some other thing is required by this Command, of a Member of a Family which seeketh God, than of a person in an Heathenish Family; or some other thing is required from so many persons joined together as Members in one Family, than from such persons suppose them to be scattered from one another, amongst heathenish Families; certainly where Husband, Wife, Children and servants are Christians and Professors of the same true Religion, there is some other thing required of them than where only the Husband, the Wife, the child or the servant is so; but if they were scattered and became parts or Members of diverse Families among Heathens, they would be obliged to seek God a-part; therefore no less, but much more is joint-seeking of God required of them, when they are united together as Members of one Family.
8. Some other thing is required by this Command, of a Member of a Family which seeketh God, than of a person in an Heathenish Family; or some other thing is required from so many persons joyned together as Members in one Family, than from such persons suppose them to be scattered from one another, amongst •eathenish Families; certainly where Husband, Wife, Children and servants are Christians and Professors of the same true Religion, there is some other thing required of them than where only the Husband, the Wife, the child or the servant is so; but if they were scattered and became parts or Members of diverse Families among Heathens, they would be obliged to seek God a-part; therefore no less, but much more is joynt-seeking of God required of them, when they are united together as Members of one Family.
9. This Command (when it mentioneth all within his Gates or Doors) requireth some other thing of a Master when at home with his Family, than when he is withdrawn from them: But a Master at a distance may Command all in his Family to worship God, and pray to God for them, and so may they all if they were scattered, worship God secretly; therefore when they are together, there is some other thing required of them by this Command, which is, no doubt, To worship God together.
10. The Duties that are to be performed on this day will require this; such as, Instructing one another, Exhorting, Admonishing, Comforting, strengthening one another, and talking to, or conferring with one another, of the word, D •ut. 6. v. 7.8. ⟨p. 214⟩Which cannot be denied to be Duties called for, on this day; and yet they cannot be done but by joint concurring together in that work, and therefore it concludeth strongly that Family-worship, at least on the Lords day, is commanded here; and if Families be called to worship God jointly on the Lords day by the worship competent for that day, then by proportion are they also called to worship him jointly on other days by the worship suitable to them, there being the like ground for all.
10. The Duties that are to be performed on this day will require this; such as, Instructing one another, Exhorting, Admonishing, Comforting, strengthning one another, and talking to, or conferring with one another, of the word, D •ut. 6. v. 7.8. ⟨p. 214⟩Which cannot be denyed to be Duties called for, on this day; and yet they cannot be done but by joynt concurring together in that work, and therefore it concludeth strongly that Family-worship, at least on the Lords day, is commanded here; and if Families be called to worship God joyntly on the Lords day by the worship competent for that day, then by proportion are they also called to worship him joyntly on other dayes by the worship suitable to them, there being the like ground for all.
11. And lastly, that which is required of Families, is such a worship as ought to be performed by them, supposing there were no public worship, nor yet any other Family, worshipping him in the World. So Joshua resolveth Chap. 24.15. I a •d my House will serve the Lord, and Sanctify His Sabbath (that being a special piece of His service) what-ever ye will do; but if there were no worshipping of God in all the World but in one Family, then ought that worship to be joint according to that same word of Joshua's, I and my House, otherwise we behooved to say, that there might be a plurality of worshippers of God in the World, and yet without any joining together in worship, which were in it self absurd and contrary to Joshua's Religious Resolution.
11. And lastly, that which is required of Families, is such a worship as ought to be performed by them, supposing there were no publick worship, nor yet any other Family, worshipping him in the World. So Joshua resolveth Chap. 24.15. I a •d my House will serve the Lord, and Sanctifie His Sabbath (that being a special piece of His service) what-ever ye will do; but if there were no worshipping of God in all the World but in one Family, then ought that worship to be joynt according to that same word of Joshua's, I and my House, otherwise we behooved to say, that there might be a plurality of worshippers of God in the World, and yet without any joyning together in worship, which were in it self absurd and contrary to Joshua's Religious Resolution.
It being thus made out by this Command, that there is such a worship as Family-worship, and that it is Commanded, we shall consider in the next place, how the Scriptures do otherwayes hold it out.
1. Then consider, that where the Scriptures speak of eminently Godly-men, they speak of them as making conscience of this, and take notice of their honouring of God in their Families as a special part of their eminency; So Abraham, Gen. 18. v. 19. Joshua. 24.15. Job. in the first Chapter of his Book, and David Psal. 101. are noted; It must then be a commanded and commendable Duty, which is so particularly remarked in them.