Exercitations concerning the name, original, nature, use, and continuance of a day of sacred…

THERE are Two great Concerns of that Religion, whose Name thou bearest; the Profession of its Truth, and the Practice or Exercise of its Power. And these are mutually ⟨image 3⟩assistant unto each other. Without the Profession of Faith in its Truth, no man can express its Power in Obedience. And without Obedience, Profession is little worth. Whatever therefore doth contribute Help and Assistance unto us in either of these according to the mind of God, is highly to be prized and valued. Especially it is so in such a season; wherein the Former of them is greatly questioned, and the Later greatly neglected, if not despised. But if there be any thing which doth equally confirm and strengthen them both, it is certainly of great Necessity in and unto Religion; and will be so esteemed by […] who place their principal concerns in these things. Now ⟨image 3⟩such is the Solenm Observation of a Sacred Weekly Day of Rest unto God. For amongst all the outward Means of conveying to the present Generation, that Religion which was at first taught and delivered unto men by Jesus Christ and his Apostles, there hath been none more effectual, than the Catholic uninterrupted Observation of such a Day for the Celebration of the Religious Worship appointed in the Gospel. And many material parts of it, were unquestionably preserved by the successively continued Agreement of Christians in this Practice. So far then the Profession of our Christian Religion in the World at this Day, doth depend upon it. How much it tends to the Exercise and Expression ⟨image 4⟩of the Power of Religion cannot but be evident unto all, unless they be such as hate it, who are not a few. With others it will quickly appear unto a sober and unprejudicated Consideration. For no small part hereof doth consist in the constant payment of that Homage of Spiritual Worship, which we owe unto God in Jesus Christ. And the Duties designed thereunto, are the Means which he hath appointed for the Communication of Grace and Spiritual Strength unto the due performance of the Remainders of our Obedience. In these things consist the Services of this Day, and the End of its Observation is their due performance unto the Glory of God, and the Advantage ⟨image 4⟩of our own souls. Whereas therefore Christian Religion may be considered two ways: