A53694:487
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.
(3) For the manner of our Attendance on the public worship of God, with Reverence, Gravity, Order, Diligence, Attention, though it be a matter of great use and moment, yet not of this place to handle; nor doth it here belong unto us, to insist on those ways whereby we may excite particular Graces unto due actings of themselves, as the nature of the Duties wherein we are engaged doth require.
(3) For the manner of our Attendance on the publick worship of God, with Reverence, Gravity, Order, Diligence, Attention, though it be a matter of great use and moment, yet not of this place to handle; nor doth it here belong unto us, to insist on those wayes whereby we may excite particular Graces unto due actings of themselves, as the nature of the Duties wherein we are engaged doth require.
§. 19(4) Although the Day be wholly to be dedicated unto the Ends of a Sacred Rest before insisted on; yet,
1. Duties in their performance drawn out unto such a length as to beget wearisomeness and satiety, tend not unto edification, nor do any way promote the Sanctification of the Name of God in the Worship it self. Regard therefore in all such performances is to be had, (1) Unto the weakness of the natural constitution of some, the Infirmities and Indispositions of others, who are not able to abide in the outward part of Duties, as others can. And there is no wise Shepherd, but will rather suffer the stronger sheep of his flock, to lose somewhat of what they might reach unto in his guidance of them, than to compel the weaker to keep pace with them to their hurt, and it may be their ruin. Better a great number should complain of the shortness of some Duties who have strength and desires for a longer continuance in them, than that a few who are sincere