A65285:2151
A Body of Practical Divinity
A body of practical divinity consisting of above one hundred seventy six sermons on the lesser catechism composed by the reverend assembly of divines at Westminster : with a supplement of some sermons on several texts of Scripture / by Thomas Watson ...
London: printed for Thomas Parkurst, 1692
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
2. Positively. We keep the Sabbath-day holy by Consecrating and Dedicating this Day to the Service of the High God. 'Tis good to rest on the Sabbath-day from the works of our Calling: But if we rest from Labour, and do no more, the Ox and the Ass keep the Sabbath as well as we, for they rest from Labour. We must dedicate the Day to God, we must not only keep a Sabbath, but sanctify a Sabbath. This Sabbath-sanctification consists in two things.
2. Positively. We keep the Sabbath-day holy by Consecrating and Dedicating this Day to the Service of the High God. 'Tis good to rest on the Sabbath-day from the works of our Calling: But if we rest from Labour, and do no more, the Ox and the Ass keep the Sabbath as well as we, for they rest from Labour. We must dedicate the Day to God, we must not only keep a Sabbath, but sanctifie a Sabbath. This Sabbath-sanctification consists in two things.
I. The solemn Preparation for it. II. The sacred Observation of it.
1. The solemn Preparation for it. If a Prince were to come to your House, what Preparation would you make for his Entertainment? Sweep the House, wash the Floor, adorn the Room with the richest Tapestry and Hangings, that there might be something suitable to the state and dignity of so great a Person. On the blessed Sabbath God intends to have sweet Communion with you; he seems to say to you as Christ to Zaccheus, Luke 19.5. Make hast and come down, for this day I must dine with you. Now what Preparation should you make for the entertaining this King of Glory! Now this Preparation for the Sabbath is, First, When the Evening of the Sabbath approacheth, sound a Retreat, call your Minds off from the World, and summon your Thoughts together to think of the great Work of the Day approaching. Secondly, Purge out all unclean Affections, which may indispose you for the Work of the Sabbath. Evening-Preparation will be like the tuning of the Instrument, it will fit the Heart the better for the Duties of the Sabbath ensuing.