2. Time set apart for the solemn Worship of God, are carefully to be improved. Christians ought to redeem time from their particular, to attend the duties of their general Calling; they ought not to serve themselves only, but they must look to it, that they allow themselves time also for the service of God. It is true, that some are so much in the outward performance of religious duties, as that they do thereby intrench upon their particular callings, spending more time in outward Worship, than any rule of God doth require, or allow them to do: So the Heretical Euchites of old, &c. But the greatest ⟨p. 151⟩part of men err on the other hand, in allowing too little time, rather than too much, for the performance of sacred duties. But it is a great point of Christian wisdom, to order things aright about this matter; so as that neither a mans particular calling may intrench upon his general calling as a Christian, nor yet his general upon the particular. I say, that time must be allowed for the Worship of God. A man may not neglect the Worship of God, either in his Family, or in his Closet, or in the public Assemblies of his people, out of pretence that he wants time; rather let a man deny himself time to sleep, nay time to eat and drink, than not to take time to pray, and to serve God. Moreover, when a man is worshipping God in any duty, such a season is very heedfully to be improved, else the Lords name will be taken in vain; and men instead of serving and pleasing God, will provoke him to displeasure by an heedless serving of him. And in special, the Lords Day is a season of Grace which ought to be improved, that's the day appointed to solemnize the Name and Worship of God in Christ amongst men, to the end of the World, Psal. 118 24. This is the day which the Lord hath made, we will rejoice in it: The day of Christs Resurrection, which was upon the first-day of the week, even this very day is to be observed, in Commemoration ⟨p. 152⟩of the Resurrection and Redemption of Christ: This is the day, which above others, ought to be prized and improved: It is a Market-day for the Soul, and therefore to be redeemed. Besides, if men take hold of opportunities, to attend there where God is worshipped, they come where the Lord himself cometh, and thence may hope for a blessing: In which respect such seasons should earnestly be laid hold on.
2. Time set apart for the solemn Worship of God, are carefully to be improved. Christians ought to redeem time from their particular, to attend the duties of their general Calling; they ought not to serve themselves only, but they must look to it, that they allow themselves time also for the service of God. It is true, that some are so much in the outward performance of religious duties, as that they do thereby intrench upon their particular callings, spending more time in outward Worship, than any rule of God doth require, or allow them to do: So the Heretical Euchites of old, &c. But the greatest ⟨p. 151⟩part of men err on the other hand, in allowing too little time, rather than too much, for the performance of sacred duties. But it is a great point of Christian wisdom, to order things aright about this matter; so as that neither a mans particular calling may intrench upon his general calling as a Christian, nor yet his general upon the particular. I say, that time must be allowed for the Worship of God. A man may not neglect the Worship of God, either in his Family, or in his Closet, or in the publick Assemblies of his people, out of pretence that he wants time; rather let a man deny himself time to sleep, nay time to eat and drink, than not to take time to pray, and to serve God. Moreover, when a man is worshipping God in any duty, such a season is very heedfully to be improved, else the Lords name will be taken in vain; and men instead of serving and pleasing God, will provoke him to displeasure by an heedless serving of him. And in special, the Lords Day is a season of Grace which ought to be improved, that's the day appointed to solemnize the Name and Worship of God in Christ amongst men, to the end of the World, Psal. 118 24. This is the day which the Lord hath made, we will rejoyce in it: The day of Christs Resurrection, which was upon the first-day of the week, even this very day is to be observed, in Commemoration ⟨p. 152⟩of the Resurrection and Redemption of Christ: This is the day, which above others, ought to be prized and improved: It is a Market-day for the Soul, and therefore to be redeemed. Besides, if men take hold of opportunities, to attend there where God is worshipped, they come where the Lord himself cometh, and thence may hope for a blessing: In which respect such seasons should earnestly be laid hold on.
