A Body of Practical Divinity

(4.) The Holy of the Lord, honourable.] In the Hebrew it is [Greek or Hebrew], Glorious. To call the Sabbath Honourable, is not to be understood so much of an outward Honour given to it by wearing richer Apparel, or having better Diet on this Day, as the Jewish Doctors corruptly gloss. This is the chief Honour some give to this Day. But thou shalt call the Sabbath Honourable, that is meant, of the Honour of the Heart that we give to this Day, reverencing it, and esteeming it the Queen of Days. We are to count the Sabbath Honourable, because God hath honoured it. All the Persons in the Trinity have honoured it, God the Father blessed it, God the Son rose upon it, God the Holy Ghost descended on this Day, Acts 2.1. And indeed this Day is to be honoured of all good Christians, and had in high Veneration. It is a Day of Renown: On this Day a Golden Sceptre of Mercy is held forth. The Christian Sabbath is the very Crepusculum and Dawning of the Heavenly Sabbath. It is honourable, because this Day God comes down to us, and visits us. To have the King of Heaven present in a special manner in our Assemblies, makes the Sabbath-day honourable. Besides, the Work that is done on this Day makes it honourable. The Six Days are filled up with-servile Work, which makes them lose much of their Glory, but on this Day Sacred Work is done. The Soul is employed wholly about the Worship of God; it is Praying, Hearing, Meditating; it is doing Angels Work, Praising and Blessing of God. Again, The Day is Honourable by virtue of a Divine Institution. Silver is of it self valuable; but when the Royal Stamp is put upon it, it is honourable. So God hath put a Sacred Stamp upon this Day, the stamp of Divine Authority, and the stamp of Divine Benediction. This makes it honourable. This is a sanctifying the Sabbath, to call it a Delight, and Honourable.

(4.) The Holy of the Lord, honourable.] In the Hebrew it is 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, Glorious. To call the Sabbath Honourable, is not to be understood so much of an outward Honour given to it by wearing richer Apparel, or having better Diet on this Day, as the Jewish Doctors corruptly gloss. This is the chief Honour some give to this Day. But thou shalt call the Sabbath Honourable, that is meant, of the Honour of the Heart that we give to this Day, reverencing it, and esteeming it the Queen of Days. We are to count the Sabbath Honourable, because God hath honoured it. All the Persons in the Trinity have honoured it, God the Father blessed it, God the Son rose upon it, God the Holy Ghost descended on this Day,