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

(6.) The Tendency of Principles, Doctrines, and Practices to the Promotion or Hinderance, of Piety, Godliness, and Universal Holy Obedience unto God, is to be enquired into. This is the End of all Religious Worship, and of all the Institutions thereof. And a due Observation of the regular Tendency of things unto this End, will give a great discovery of their Nature and Acceptance with God. Let things be urged under never so specious pretences, if they be found by Experience not to promote Gospel Holiness in the Hearts and Lives of men, they discover themselves not to be of God. Much more when Principles, and Practices conformable unto them, shall be evidenced to obstruct and hinder it, to introduce Profaneness, and countenance Licentiousness of life, to prejudice the due Reverence of God and his Worship, do they manifest themselves to be of the Tares sowed by the Evil One. And by this Rule, we may try the Opinion which denies all Divine Institution unto a Day of holy Rest under the New Testament.

(6.) The Tendency of Principles, Doctrines, and Practices to the Promotion or Hinderance, of Piety, Godliness, and Universal Holy Obedience unto God, is to be enquired into. This is the End of all Religious Worship, and of all the Institutions thereof. And a due Observation of the regular Tendency of things unto this End, will give a great discovery of their Nature and Acceptance with God. Let things be urged under never so specious pretences, if they be found by Experience not to promote Gospel Holiness in the Hearts and Lives of men, they discover themselves not to be of God. Much more when Principles, and Practices conformable unto them, shall be evidenced to obstruct and hinder it, to introduce Profaness, and countenance Licentiousness of life, to prejudice the due Reverence of God and his Worship, do they manifest themselves to be of the Tares sowed by the Evil One. And by this Rule, we may try the Opinion which denies all Divine Institution unto a Day of holy Rest under the New Testament.

These are the Principal Rules, which in this Disquisition after a Sabbatical Rest, we shall attend unto. And they are such as will not fail to direct us aright in our course, if through Negligence or Prejudice we miss not of a due regard unto them. These the Reader is desired to have respect unto, in his perusal of the ensuing Discourses; and if what is proposed or concluded be not found suitable unto them, let it be rejected. For