A53694:485
Exercitations concerning the name, original, nature, use, and continuance of a day of sacred…
Exercitations concerning the name, original, nature, use, and continuance of a day of sacred rest wherein the original of the Sabbath from the foundation of the world, the morality of the Fourth commandment with the change of the Seventh day are enquired into : together with an assertion of the divine institution of the Lord's Day, and practical directions for its due observation / by John Owen.
London: printed by R.W. for Nath. Ponder, 1671
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) That the public and solemn worship of God is to be preferred above that which is private. They may be so prudently managed, as not to interfere, nor ordinarily to entrench on one another. But where-ever on any occasion they seem so to do, the private are to give place to the public. For one chief End of the sacred setting apart of this Day, is the solemn acknowledgement of God, and the performance of his worship in Assemblies. It is therefore a marvellous undue custom, on the pretence of private duties, whether Personal or Domestical, to abate any part of the Duties of solemn Assemblies. For there is in it, a setting up of our own choice and inclinations against the Wisdom and Authority of God. The End of the Day is the solemn worship of God; and the End is not to give way to the most specious helps and means.
(1) That the publick and solemn worship of God is to be preferred above that which is private. They may be so prudently managed, as not to interfer, nor ordinarily to entrench on one another. But where-ever on any occasion they seem so to do, the private are to give place to the publick. For one chief End of the sacred setting apart of this Day, is the solemn acknowledgement of God, and the performance of his worship in Assemblies. It is therefore a marvellous undue custome, on the pretence of private duties, whether Personal or Domestical, to abate any part of the Duties of solemn Assemblies. For there is in it, a setting up of our own choice and inclinations against the Wisdome and Authority of God. The End of the Day is the solemn worship of God; and the End is not to give way to the most specious helps and means.
(2) Choice is to be made of those Assemblies for the celebration of public worship, where we may be most advantaged as unto the Ends of them in the sanctification of this Day, so far as it may be done without breach of any Order appointed of God For in our joining in any concurrent acts of Religious worship, we are to have regard unto Helps suited unto the furtherance of our own Faith and Obedience. And also because God hath appointed some parts of his Worship, as in their own nature and by virtue of his appointment are means of conveying light, knowledge, Grace, in spiritual supplies