A Body of Practical Divinity

2. 'Tis lawful to do Works of Mercy, as helping our Neighbour when either Life or Estate are in Danger. Herein the Jews were too nice and precise, they would not suffer Works of Charity to be done on the Sabbath. If a Man were sick, they thought on this day they might not use means for his Recovery. Christ chargeth them with this, that they were angry that he had wrought a Cure on the Sabbath, John 7.23. If an House were on Fire, the Jews thought they might not bring Water to quench it. If a Vessel did run, they thought that on this day they might not stop it. These were righteous overmuch. Here was seeming Zeal, but it wanted Discretion to guide it. But unless in these two Cases of Necessity and Charity, all secular Work is to be suspended and laid aside on the Lord's Day: In it thou shalt do no manner of work; which justly doth arraign and condemn many among us, who do too much foul their Fingers with Work on this Day. Some in dressing great Feasts, others in opening their Shop-doors and selling Meat on the Sabbath, which I have seen. The Mariner will not set to Sea but on the Sabbath, ⟨p. 336⟩and so runs full Sail into the Breach of this Commandment. Others work on this Day, tho privately. They put up their Shop-windows, but follow their Trade within doors: But tho they think to hide their sin under a Canopy, God sees it. Psal. 139.7. Whither shall I go from thy Presence? ver. 12. The Darkness hideth not from thee. These Persons do profane this Day, and God will have an Action of Trespass against them.

2. 'Tis lawful to do Works of Mercy, as helping our Neighbour when either Life or Estate are in Danger. Herein the Jews were too nice and precise, they would not suffer Works of Charity to be done on the Sabbath. If a Man were sick, they thought on this day they might not use means for his Recovery. Christ chargeth them with this, that they were angry that he had wrought a Cure on the Sabbath, Iohn 7.23. If an House were on Fire, the Jews thought they might not bring Water to quench it. If a Vessel did run, they thought that on this day they might not stop it. These were righteous overmuch. Here was seeming Zeal, but it wanted Discretion to guide it. But unless in these two Cases of Necessity and Charity, all secular Work is to be suspended and laid aside on the Lord's Day: In it thou shalt do no manner of work; which justly doth arraign and condemn many among us, who do too much foul their Fingers with Work on this Day. Some in dressing great Feasts, others in opening their Shop-doors and selling Meat on the Sabbath, which I have seen. The Mariner will not set to Sea but on the Sabbath,