The Practical Sabbatarian

CHAP. IX. The Doctrinal observation comprised in the Text, propounded and proved.

HAving thus taken in pieces the Text, by a large and copious explication, I shall now set it together again in a solemn and serious observation, (viz.)

[Doctr.] That God hath locked up many rich blessings in sweet and sure promises, for those who spiritually and conscientiously observe his holy day.

Thus the Inventory in the Text presents us with delights for the inward man, with supplies for the outward, with a reserve of happiness for them both. Such shall succeed in the Heritage of Jacob, who keep holily the Sabbath; Now to Jacob, God was his protection here, and his portion hereafter. There is no Duty wears a richer Crown in the performance of it, then the serious observation of the Sabbath; for besides the pleasures, riches, and grace promised in the Text, the Lord, Jer. 17. 24, 25, 26. gives us additional promises; the words recorded in the Text quoted are these; And it shall come to pass, if ye diligently hearken to me, saith the Lord, to bring in no burdens through the Gates of this City on the Sabbath day, but hallow the Sabbath day to do no work therein; then shall there enter into the gates of this City Kings and Princes sitting upon the Throne of David, riding in Chariots, and on Horses, they and their Princes, the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and this City shall remain forever; and they shall come from the Cities of Judah, and from the places about Jerusalem, and from the Land of Benjamin, and from the Plain, and from the Mountanes, and from the South, bringing burnt Offerings and Sacrifices, and Meat-offerings, and Incense, and bringing sacrifices of praise unto the house of the Lord. See in this Scripture, in these two verses, a heap of rich promises, more valuable then a pile of Diamonds, a mountane of Spices, or a rock set with Pearls. The promises clustered and piled up in these verses, they are considerable in a five-fold notion.

[unspec 1] They are full of pomp and splendor, Kings entering into the Gates of the City. Where the Sabbath is duly observed, Prosperity shall guild that Nation; their Princes shall be resplendent, their Nobles flourish, their Potentates shine, in the dazzling rays of glory; such a people shall not only succeed in the heritage of Jacob, who dwelt in Tents, but in the flourish of Solomon, who dwelt in Palaces. The holy keeping of the Sabbath sheds beams of honor and renown upon a Nation.

[unspec 2] These promises they are full of largeness and amplitude; they are not personal, so much as national. A good observation of the Sabbath, can diffuse mercies, scatter them up and down a Land: So the Text makes mention of Kings, and Magistrates of Public Authority, Cities, places of public Receit. The good keeping of the Sabbath procures public benefits, opens the store-houses of blessings to Cities and Nations, it is the rise and spring of Epidemical happiness. And our own Nation formerly, in the strict observation of God's holy day, did taste the sweetness of these Cataracts of mercy; it lay under national happiness, and prosperous abundance, to the wonder and astonishment of all the world: nor was our felicity in the wain, till the Inhabitants of this Land grew loose and careless on God's holy day, and then it fell under the shadows of sore and dismal afflictions; and our Sun was darkened, and made the world wonder, gazing at its Eclipse.

[unspec 3] They are full of stability; so the very words of the Text; And this City shall remain forever. Mercies they are more sweet; by how much they are the more stable. Duration it felicitates and enriches every possession. Christ is the chiefest good, because he ever lives to make intercession for us. Those sweets are precious which are permanent; and therefore the grace of the spirit is more valuable then the Gold of Ophir, for Gold is perishing Gold; Now these promises are of permanent good things, and so the more transcendent. The holy observation of the Sabbath, it intails mercy and blessings on a Person, upon a Family, or a City. Mercy shall not be our physic, but our food: It lengthens our days of prosperity. If thou wouldest put thy own name, and the names of thy Family into a long lease of Grace and Favor, be very strict in Sabbath Observation.

[unspec 4] They are full of impartiality, Sabbath-holiness shall shed a blessing on City and Country, so the Text; They shall come from the Cities of Judah, from the places about Jerusalem, from the Plain, from the Mountanes, &c. This blessed performance of Sabbath sanctity, it shall prosper the Citizen; and the Country man, the Shop, the Farm, the Cottage, nay, the poor inhabitant of the mountanes, who hath but a shed or a Cave to shelter him, shall not be exempted the dew of this benediction. The holy observation of Sabbaths knows no distinction of persons.

[unspec 5] They are full of spirituality. They shall bring burnt offerings and sacrifices, and meat offerings, and incense; so the Text. The due observation of the Sabbath, shall procure soul-mercies, affluences for our better part, the sweets of Ordinances, divine Influences, rich Graces, coelestial Communications, not only the redundancies of outward prosperity, but the participations of better prosperity; It shall fill our understandings with light, our minds with refreshment, and our hearts with joy. They that have delight in the Sabbath of God, shall find delight in the God of the Sabbath, Christ shall be their Paradise. We have now seen what treasures of temporal and spiritual riches are laid up in this blessed Scripture; and what need there any other bait to catch our affections, to love, and keep God's holy Sabbath? This duty is an heir of the sweetest promises, such a duty as may seem to carry the Key of God's choicest treasures about it. God saith to him who holily observes his day, as once Ahasuerus said to Hester, What is thy request, and it shall be given thee? Indeed, not a holy sigh, not an affectionate prayer, not a savoury discourse, not a heavenly duty, not a divine meditation, which is shot up to Heaven on a Sabbath day, shall lose its reward: Holy sacrifices are then more especially a sweet smelling savor in the nostrils of God. It was a rare promise God made to the Eunuch, who kept his Sabbath, Isa. 56. 4, 5. the words run thus; For thus saith the Lord to the Eunuchs that keep my Sabbath, and choose the things which please me, and take hold on my Covenant, even to them will I give in my house, and within my walls, a place, and a name, better then of sons and daughters; and I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut off. Thus if Eunuchs keep God's Sabbath, God will repair all their contempts in the World, and they shall be had in everlasting remembrance; and though their grave bury all the memory of them in silence, because they have no progeny to bear up their name, yet their name shall be engraven in God's house, which shall out-vie the duration of the most numerous offspring. Nay, the Lord, as if he was unwearied in making bonds of love to the holy observation of his Sabbath, makes a rich promise to the very strangers; so the Text, Isa. 56. 6, 7. the words are these; Also the sons of the strangers, that join themselves to the Lord, to serve him, and to love the Name of the Lord, to be his servants, everyone that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my Covenant, even them will I bring to my holy Mountane, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings, and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon my Altar. Here God makes a three-fold promise of the best kind, (viz.) spiritual, to the very strangers who keep his Sabbaths undefiled.

[unspec 1] First, They shall enjoy the Ordinances, I will bring them to my Holy Mountane, saith God. Those who sanctify the Sabbath, they shall not want a Sabbath to sanctify; they shall enjoy seasons of prayer, opportunities of love, means of grace, and feed upon the fat things of God's house. God's Sabbaths are fastened by an holy improvement, and fledged to be gone by a careless abuse. Nothing so ensures our Sabbaths, as a conscientious observation.

[unspec 2] Secondly, They shall be refreshed by Ordinances: I will make them joyful in my house of Prayer: Prayer shall be their Paradise, hearing their Heaven, meditation their Triumphant flight, Sacraments their savoury meat, which their souls shall delight in: All the Ordinances shall be as the holy Alymbecks to drop sweetness into the soul of him, who undefiledly keeps the Sabbath.

[unspec 3] Thirdly, They shall be accepted in Ordinances. God will fill the Temple where they meet with smoke, they shall have sure signs of his presence, fire shall fall down upon their sacrifices, as a testimony of God's acceptation. And all this the very strangers shall enjoy, those who are not inoculated into a Jewish stock, but only transplanted from some other Nation, now joining with the people of God; all which abundantly shows how grateful the holy observation of the Sabbath is to God. And indeed when

• [unspec 1] First, The Author of the Sabbath is holy,
• [unspec 2] Secondly, The Duties holy,
• [unspec 3] Thirdly, The Command holy, Exod. 20. 8.
• [unspec 4] Fourthly, The Day holy,

[unspec 5] Nay, Fifthly, The Design holy, (viz.) to carry on the work of Grace and Holiness on our souls; it must needs b • very acceptable, we ourselves should be holy, our thoughts, our desires, our services, our discourses, our actions on this blessed day. One who profanes the Sabbath, he is the scandal, the abuse, the spot, the deflowering reproach of this holy day, the Antipodes of the Sabbath. In the Primitive times, the Saints made a Collection of Duties, as well as of Charity, as if no part of that day should run over to any impertinency.

[unspec 1] First, And what a strange profaneness, nay, prodigality doth it import, that for the gratifying of our vanity, a wanton palate, a voluptuous inclination, a little fleshly ease, the covetous craving after an unseasonable gain, the purchase of a little waste time upon a Sabbath, we should disinherit ourselves of all that superlative happiness, those many promises folded up in Scripture have made over to a strict observation of that holy day, this blessed Sabbath? What inhumane and frantic prodigality doth this imply?

[unspec 2] Nay, such are prodigal, not only of their own good, but of God's honor. This is one of his ten words, charged by the Creator of Heaven and Earth upon man; Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy; and the engrossing of this charge, God doth not leave to any Amanuensis, but he will write it with his own singer, and also to intimate that his intentions were to perpetuate this (with other precepts of the decalogue) in the morality thereof. The Lord himself imprinted it not in paper, but upon tables of stone; yea, when the first tables of stone were broken, his Majesty gives express order to Moses, to have other tables, like to the former prepared, and he wrote thereon the same Law the second time. As the Lord delighted in the first institution of the Sabbath, so he accounts himself honored in its sanctification; and his complaint, and charge is against them, who are regardless of his Sabbath; I am profaned amongst them; and what do those who profane his Sabbath, but break the tables of stone the second time, and cast a dishonor upon him, who delights to be called the Lord of the Sabbath?

[unspec 3] Nay, the profaners of the Sabbath are highly prodigal of God's favor, for they provoke him by the sin of sacrilege; for it being the Sabbath, and the Lord's day, that time is stolen from God himself which is spent otherwise then he alloweth; and how sad is this robbery and theft? And that smart sentence which was misapplied unto Christ (for he strictly kept the Sabbath of the Lord his God) may be applied to that person, who is an ordinary profaner of this holy time, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the Sabbath day. And indeed according to a man's regard, or disregard of the Sabbath, is his respect, or disrespect to all the rest of God's Commandments. The Sabbath observed, is the comp • ndium and Epitome of the whole practice of Piety; and the transgression of the Sabbath, is the violation of the whole Law of God. When the people of Israel went to gather Manna on the Sabbath day, observe God's complaint to Moses, Exod. 16. 28. How long refuse ye to keep my Commandments and my Laws, saith the Lord. Observe Laws and Commandmentts, in the plural number; in that they break the Commandment of the Sabbath, God accounts it as the breach of all his Commandments; it is a sin against all his concernments. It was a memorable saying of Augustine, Let us show ourselves Christians by keeping holy the Lord's day. And the Council of Paris, We do admonish all the faithful for the salvation and good of their souls, that they would give due honor and reverence unto the Lord's day; because the dishonor of it, is both contrary to Christian Religion, and doth without all doubt bring destruction to the souls of all that continue in it. And holy Bullinger observes, He that despiseth the Sabbath, makes no great account of the true Religion. The Prophets when they would complain of the decay of Religion, they cry out, the Sabbaths polluted. Indeed in the not observing God's holy day, there is not only impiety, but great disingenuity, for the Sabbath is given us, not as a task, but as a privilege, to be a pledge of our interest in God, and a confirmation of our hope of further sanctification, as also of our everlasting Sabbatism, or rest, after our wearisome wanderings in this world; it is given for the sweetening of our wilderness-way unto the heavenly Canaan; it is our spiritual feasting every week; it is our day of delight; in this day St. John was in his divine rapture, and no doubt but many of God's dear servants, have abundant experience of spiritual cordials, given in upon the conscientious keeping of this day, and St. John 's Garments of joy have fell in some measure upon them.

CHAP. X. There must be serious preparation before the solemn day of the Sabbath.

HAving thus in general discussed the Doctrine propounded, I come now to a more particular handling and ventilation of it, and in so doing,

First, Lay down divers duties, which are to fore-run the Sabbath.

[unspec 2] Secondly, Lay down a plat-form, how we must spend every part of God's holy day.

[unspec 3] Thirdly, Give divers rules for the more complete and strict observation of the Sabbath.

[unspec 4] Fourthly, Propose many cautions to prevent the pollution of this blessed day: With many other things which will occur for the more manifest enucleation and confirmation of the doctrinal truth propounded.

But to begin with the first thing proposed, (viz.) what we must do by way of preparation for this holy day. Indeed the Sabbath is not to be rushed upon; Man must not break in upon a Sabbath, as the horse rusheth into the battle, as Jeremiah speaks, without premeditation and previous consideration. Ignatius calls the Sabbath the Queen of days, and Queens have their trains going before them; there must be a train of duties precedeing the holy Sabbath. On the Saturday let us prepare for the Lord's day. We know tuned Instruments play the sweetest; before they are tuned, they jar, and make a harth sound. Our hearts are these Instruments which must beforehand be tuned by several duties, or or they will jar and be discomposed upon the Sabbath. Physic is prepared before it is taken; and our hearts must be prepared, before we take and enjoy the Ordinances of a Sabbath. There is a preparing dress before we go to any feast; and must not the soul be dressed before the festival of the Sabbath, that great banqueting of the inward man? There is a dawning light before the rising Sun: some glimering duties must be the harbingers of the approaching Sabbath. Indeed matters should be so ordered every day, so as to prepare for this day. As our whole life should be a preparing for death, so the whole week should be a preparing for the Sabbath: But as this precious day doth more approach, so preparatory work must more increase. Holy Nehemiah shut the Gates of the City (viz.) Jerusalem, when it began to be dark, the evening before the Sabbath, least the night time should be profaned by bearing burdens in it; and he did this, least the men of Tyre should occasion the Jews to break the Sabbath day, by bringing in wares upon that night. This holy man's care would not suffer any to cast dirt upon the portal, or entrance of the Sabbath; he very well knew there must be some time spent in trimming the soul to meet its Bridegroom on his own holy day. A due preparation for this blessed Sabbath, lies more especially under a five-fold injunction.

[unspec 1] Of necessity. It is necessary we should take some time to compose our spirits for the duties of the following Sabbath. Our thoughts in the week how are they loose, and carelessly dishevelled; some time there must be to bind them up together, and put them into order. The Lord in the fourth Commandment enjoins us to remember the Sabbath; and to remember the Sabbath, it is before hand to mind and manage matters that concern the Sabbath-sanctification, that when it comes, it may be holily kept; for every duty on the Lord's day, there must be a due preparation, for Prayer, for Hearing, for Sacraments, &c. Now if we must prepare for single duties, when they lie more asunder, sure we must prepare for the Sabbath, when such duties are linked together; And this is more considerable, if we take notice, we are not only to be in the duty, but in the spirit, in the prompt, powerful and precise transaction of every service on the Lord's day. And besides all this, doth not the Lord upon this day come in comfortable visits to the souls of his people? and must not they prepare for his presence? It was the opinion of some, that Christ's personal coming to Judgment will be on the Sabbath day: This is most sure, that Christ's spiritual coming in mercy, is for the most part on the day of the Sabbath; and shall there then be no preparation? When a great man is to come to our houses, how are all our Rooms dressed up: When a great God is to come to our hearts, shall not we prepare and dress our hearts for his entertainment?

[unspec 2] Of Equity. The Ministers they prepare for the Sabbath-good of God's people, and shall not the people of the Lord prepare for their own? Faithful Ministers before the Sabbath, do not only prepare matter to speak, but they prepare their hearts to speak the matter. Bernard in a Sermon thus breaks out to his people; To prepare you meat, my heart all this night hath been seething within me, and in my meditations I have been inflamed, as with fire. And is it not equal and most rational, that Christians should meet their Ministers in holy preparation, and plow up their fallow ground to receive that immortal seed, which God's holy Seeds-men are ready to cast into it? Calvin complains of some Christians in his time, who no otherwise regarded the Sabbath then thereon to attend their worldly affairs, the which they reserved to themselves that day, as if they had no other day to deliberate for the whole week to come. Now shall men on the Sabbath prepare for the week, and shall not we in the week, prepare for the Sabbath? Is Mammon more to be minded then God?

[unspec 3] Of advantage. 1. The duties of the Sabbath will the better and freer come off. If we be sedulous in holy preparation, we shall then with more dexterity, agility and facility, transact the several parts of God's service. One cause why we are often unactive in duty, and drive heavily, is, because we did not beforehand oil our wheels, inure ourselves, we did not the day before, labor with God by Prayer, and with our own hearts by care and industry. Oftentimes a Christian is straightened, stiff and bound up in the services of a Sabbath, and knows not how to go on in holy duties, and all this arises from neglect of holy preparation: The heart hath not been dealt withal, to supple it for more voluntary and cheerful performances. Preparatory work would wind up the clock of the soul, that it would go, and strike, it would pray, hear, contemplate, and act any Sabbath service, with far greater pleasantness and consonancy.

2. If we prepare, the mercies of the Sabbath will the larger and fuller come in; according to our preparations, will be our participations. According to the number and measure of sacks, the sons of Jacob prepared, and carried with them out of Canaan, so were they filled with Corn, when they came to Joseph in Aeygpt: And according as we prepare our hearts at home in the week time, so our comfortable fillings shall be, when we come before the Lord on his own day. He that expects from his field a large crop, and a plenteous harvest, must before hand take pains in plowing, and well preparing the ground; we do not before hand take preparatory pains, and that is the reason we reap so little in Sabbath-time; man naturally is slow of heart, Luke 24. 25. Duty and Industry must help Nature, that so our sluggish hearts may be fitted for the receiving of those blessings which usually attend the Sabbath day. Emptied vessels take in the liquor. Pruned Vines become fruitful and feracious: And dressed Gardens cast the sweetest smells. And so the heart mollified with penitential tears, pruned by resolute mortification, and turned up by frequent search, will be accommodate for the magnificent plantations of Sabbath graces.

[unspec 4] Of Zeal and Fervency. Can we observe the several Holy-days to have their Eves, wherein some Service and Liturgy must be used for preparation? The Chapels and Cathedrals must be frequented, and prayers must be made, because some Saints day is approaching; and the neglect of this duty is adjudged an indignity by many great ones in the Church. Shall a day dedicated to a Saint, to an Apostle, to a Martyr, be ushered in with preparatory services, and must the holy Sabbath, the day dedicated to the Lord Jesus, God blessed forever, have no Eve, no preparatory duties, no services to proclaim its coming? But the preceding day must be spent in a more eager pursuit of the World; then we frequent the Markets, mind our shops, reckon with our workmen, pierce further into the night for our worldly business, and we catch greedily after the flying week now drawing towards an end; what is this but to give more honor to the Saints day then the Sabbath day, to an ordination of the Church, then an institution of Christ? Shall the blessed Sabbath have no evidence, no sign of its coming, no preparatory Prayers, no precursory pains? Must the holy days Eve have the Cathedral for service, and not the Sabbath Eve have the Closet for preparation? Where is our zeal for God's honor, and God's day? It is very strange, that the Saints Festivals should be introduced with greater solemnity then Christ's holy day; Surely this doth not become the Christian, who is, or should be sick of love with his beloved.

[unspec 5] Of Holy Ingenuity. Shall we be out-vied by the Jews, the vagabond Jews in our preparations for the Sabbath? Shall they be so exact, and we so negligent? Let not a blasphemous Jew rise up in judgment against us. And here I shall open the care of the Jews in preparing for the Sabbath. The Jews formerly gave, and for the present do give, very solemn and great honor to their Sabbath. The week days they called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Cholim, Profane; as the Greeks call them 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 working days: and in respect of the different degrees of holiness of days, the Sabbath day is not unfitly compared to a Queen, or to those who are termed primary Wives, other feast days to Concubines or half-wives, working days to Hand-maids. The Jews began the Sabbath at six of the clock the night before; And this the Grecians called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 . And the Hebrews 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Biath Hasabbath, the entrance of the Sabbath. Their preparation to the Sabbath began at three of the clock in the afternoon, which the Hebrews call 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Gnereb ha-Sabbath, the Sabbath Eve, and this the Fathers called Caenam puram, the pure Supper, the phrase being borrowed from the Pagans, whose Religion taught them in their sacrifices to certain of their God's and Goddesses, to prepare themselves by a strict kind of holiness (observe the very Heathens prepared for their sacrifices to their Idol God's and Goddesses:) This preparation for the Sabbath is by the Evangelist called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 , a preparation, Mark 15. 42. whose words are these, And now when Even was come (because it was the preparation (i. e.) the day before the Sabbath.) To the same purpose the Evangelist Luke, Luk. 23. 54. And that day was the preparation, and the Sabbath drew on. And among the Jews the whole day was a kind of preparation; for on this preparation day they might not go more then three Parsoth; now a Parsa contained so much ground, as an ordinary man might go ten of them in a day; and Judges on this day might not sit in Judgment upon life and death, &c. And so careful were the Jews of observing the time of their preparation for the Sabbath, that the best and wealthiest of them, even those who had many servants, did with their own hands further the preparation; so that sometimes the Masters themselves they would chop herbs, sweep the house, cleave▪wood, kindle the fire, and such like. In old time, they proclaimed the preparation with noise of Trumpets or Horns; but now the modern Jews proclaim it by the Sexton, or some under Officer of the Church, whom they call 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Shihach Tsibbur, the messenger of the Congregation; and this messenger advised them, that they should prepare seasonably for the worthy Celebration of the Sabbath. Hospinian tells us, (and his testimony is Authentical) that when the Sexton gives notice of the approaching Sabbath, that then they prepared all those meats they were to feed upon the succeeding Sabbath, and put them upon a table covered with a clean cloth, then they washed their heads, pared their nails, and prepared their Sabbath apparel. The Sun setting, the woman of the house sets up lights, and a short prayer being made, then they go into the Synagogue, and in their going, wish one another a joyful Sabbath; and when they return, they spread the table with some provisions, and always set salt on the table, to intimate an inward savoriness, and they put on two loaves of bread, and then give thanks in these words, Blessed art thou O Lord our God, the King of the World, who brings forth bread out of the ground; and then the Master of the Family breaks some to those, who sit down with him, and in a larger quantity then at other times, for the honor of the Sabbath, for then sparingness is intolerable. And the same Author Hospinian observes, that when any person is further from his home on the Friday, then he can reach to observe the Sabbath strictly, he remains where he was, in the fields, or in the middle of a wood, and willingly encounters any hazard, and the want of meat or drink, rather then he will intrench upon the holy Sabbath. And thus exact the Jews are in bodily and spiritual preparations; they would not profane the Sabbath with an unpared nail; they wash their heads to betoken inward purgation; they set up lights to denote spiritual illumination; they go into the Synagogue the day before the Sabbath, to fit them for the sanctuary on the holy day of the Sabbath; and these Jews were so conscientious in these preparations, that Josephus reports, it was taken notice of all the World over, insomuch that Caesar Augustus upon some complaint, wrote unto every Province where the Jews resided, That it was his pleasure, that the Jews should enjoy their ancient Privileges, and among the rest, that they should not be compelled to appear before any Judge on their Sabbath days, or the day before their Sabbaths after nine of the clock upon their preparation days. Their Conscientious Religion in this particular, procured them favor with Heathen Princes, the Roman Emperor, and obtained indulgence for them. And shall the Jew be so accurate and diligent in his preparations, and the Christian so loose and careless? Doth the knowledge of Christ no more influence us? Let us even blush to be out-done by a rejected and obstinate Jew, the Son of a Curse, which adheres to that Generation from Age to Age. Shall those branches which are cut off, as the Apostle speaks, spread in their careful and dutiful observances, and we who are branches growing on the stock, be contracted, and fall short in a due and necessary composing of ourselves for the Lord's day, the weekly memorial of our Lord's Resurrection? Surely it will be more tolerable for Jerusalem and Samaria in the day of judgment, then for many Christians, who wreaking out of the world, rush upon Sabbaths without the pauses and interpositions of a due preparation. But happily now some being evinced, would set upon the work, did they fully understand it; they would keep a Sabbath Eve, did they know how legitimately and suitably to spend it: Therefore the next Chapter shall be the clew to lead us into this Labyrinth.

CHAP. XI. What those Preparatory Duties are, that must fore-run the Sabbath.

THus far we have travelled to assert the duty, that we must prepare for God's holy day; our next task is, to unfold and open the duty, how we should prepare for a Sabbath. Everyone who takes the pencil into his hand, cannot draw a Picture, Preparation for the Sabbath is easier confessed then understood, and many can sooner acknowledge then give an account of it; and that we may therefore neither err in the omitting, nor yet in the doing of it, we must understand, Sabbath preparation compriseth these several duties.

[unspec 1] We must the day before the Sabbath, for some time sequester ourselves wholly from the world, and all the affairs of it; we must for some time make off from worldly hindrances, as Mariners that intend a voyage to Sea, they put off the ship from Land; so if we mean to serve God on the Sabbath, our hearts and minds must be off from the world. Put off thy shoes, saith God to Moses, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. We must put off earthly affections, for the day we are approaching to, is a holy day. A Bird, saith Musculus, That she may fly, she fluttereth with her wings, and frees herself all she can, from what may hinder her flight: And shall not we throw off beforehand what may hinder our flight upon a Sabbath, or stop us in our careire to Jesus Christ? The Jews were angry with the man who carried his bed upon a Sabbath day. How many carry their beds before the Sabbath, lie sleeping on the down of carnal pleasures, and temporal profits, and do not awaken to compose themselves for the Glorious Sabbath of God; they lie snorting in carnal ease, and prepare not for spiritual enjoyments. That Christ might make us a Sabbath to keep, in body he first rose from the earth. In heart we must rise from the earth, before we can well keep the Sabbath Christ hath made. One well observes, That a total sequestering of ourselves from all worldly business, and putting away all earthly thoughts, cares and delights, will cleanse the affections from dross, and make room for the entrances of holiness, for spiritual devotion, and the motions of the Holy Ghost; (and he gives this reason) For no man can serve two Masters at once, God, and the World: Let us therefore by way of preparation cast out earthly and carnal thoughts, and spiritual and heavenly affections will the more easily enter, and be predominant. So then in the first place, we must set apart some time for the trimming and rigging of the soul, to be fit to launch into a Sabbath; we must come off from the stage of the World, into the tyring room, quietly and spiritually to compose ourselves for the heavenly employment of the subsequent day; there must be a pause and cessation from the entangling warfare of the world. And we must enter into our Closets, and commune with our hearts, and be still, that so advisedly we may enter upon the souls harvest day.

[unspec 2] The second Duty preparatory to the Sabbath, is holy Meditation. We must meditate on those things which may quicken grace in our hearts,

[unspec 1] First, As chiefly upon the greatness, holiness, and infinite Majesty of the Lord, before whom we are to appear the approaching Sabbath, and to present ourselves when the light of the day cometh; this will certainly move, and stir up spiritual devotion and affection, as we see by experience in worldly things, how careful we are to trim and fit ourselves, when we are to go to an earthly King, or some great Nobles.

[unspec 2] And in the next place, let us meditate what holiness and purity, especially of heart and soul is required in using the holy Ordinanoes of God, and in approaching near to him. And that Holiness which becomes the blessed Sabbath, and the Ordinances of it, is the putting on humility, mercy, meekness, and all other affections, and departing from all iniquity, 2 Tim. 2. 19. It is the Image of Christ in the New Creature, which is created after God in Righteousness and Holiness; Eph. 4. 24. This is the embroydery we are to wear, when we meet with the King of Saints on his own day.

[unspec 3] We are to meditate on those Scriptures which require holy preparation, as Eccles. 5. 1. which shows God's anger against such who approach his presence in an unprepared frame, Mat. 22. 12. The wise Virgins trimmed their lamps before they entered the Bride-Chamber; and we must trim our selves before we enter the Presence-Chamber upon the solemn day of his appearance. God disgusts man's regardlessness; and a curious plaiting of the soul pleases our Beloved: The harder our labor is to fit ourselves for God's presence, the sweeter will our wages be, in the influences of that presence.

[unspec 4] Let us meditate on that whereof the Sabbath is a sign and a pledge, (viz.) Our resurrection to Eternal Life, and to the Eternal Rest of Glory in Heaven, in the fight and fruition of God, whom none can see without holiness. And this will be most powerful to stir up spiritual affection, and to quicken Grace in our hearts. Our life should be a continual preparation for our Eternal Sabbath; and some time should be granted for a temporary preparation for our weekly Sabbath, we should be very active in this work, and despise the toil and trouble, looking to the joy that is set before us, whereof the weekly Sabbath is to every Saint a happy Harbinger.

[unspec 3] Thirdly. Our third Duty which must precede the holy observation of the Sabbath, is self examination, and this is twofold:

[unspec 1] First, External. We must reflect back upon the past week, and review our Erratas; sin before must be found out, least we come to Sabbath-work, with week-day guilt. On the Saturday in the Evening, we must cast up our spiritual accounts, and when we have found the Jonah, cast him overboard by holy faith, and serious repentance. It is very unseemly to keep a Sabbath with our filthy Garments, with unwashen hearts, with untuned tongues, with untamenting eyes, with unrepented sins. When Joseph was to come into the presence of Pharaoh he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in to Pharaoh; And shall not we throw off our sinful incumberances, and put off our prison clothes, our noisome irregularities by diligent search, and holy repentance, when the day draws on, and we are to come into the presence of the great God? Our memories should be the surveyours to view, and our consciences the secretaries to set down, our hearts the mourners to lament the sins of the week; that Christ would bring his spunge to blot them out, before God's holy day comes upon us. It is observable, those herbs rise high in the Summer time, that in the Winter shrink lowest in the ground; and those hearts that in the week-time are laid lowest, they rise highest upon the Sabbath day: There must be soul-humblings for the daily trespasses of the week, else the day of God's service comes, but we cannot comfortably and confidently serve God on that day, especially if any fouler spot hath deformed any day of the week.

[unspec 2] Secondly, But there must be an inward examination, as well as an outward, a search into our thoughts, our desires, our delights, our dispositions, what they have been the foregoing week; we must examine the passages of our souls, how it hath fared with the inward man. The Psalmist commands heart communion, a serious discourse concerning the behaviours of the heart. As the Shop-keeper casts up his accounts, not only concerning his debts abroad, but his wares at home; He turns every piece in the chest, to see how it goes with his estate. We must dive into our souls, and see what growth of grace, what decays of corruption; what ornaments and additional beauty we have gained all the week before; whether Christ hath given us new bracelets and Jewels, superadded grace, or whether we are more wrinkled in the complexion of our souls, and look more like to the old man. Holy Master Greenham sends us to civil and worldly wisdom, for the practice of this duty; We see, saith he, worldly thriving men, if not every day, yet at least once in the week, they search their books, cast up their accounts, confer their expenses with their gain, and make even their reckonings, whereby they may see whether they have gained or lost, whether they are beforehand or come short; and shall not we much more, once a week at least, call ourselves to a reckoning, by examination what hath gone from us, what hath come towards us, how we have gone forward or backward in godliness; that if we have holy increases, we may then give thanks to God; and if we have come short, to travel with ourselves the more earnestly, to recover our former loss. In a word, the impartial survey of our inward man, will necessarily lead us to a more profitable observation of God's holy day, seeing those wants will be scarecly supplied which lie undiscovered: Let us therefore the evening or day before the Sabbath, withdraw ourselves from the noise of the world, and so quietly call ourselves to an account concerning our progress or regress in Religion the foregoing week.

[unspec 4] Let us further prepare for the Sabbath, by stirring up in ourselves holy affections. It is fit the soul should be on the wing upon the Lord's day?

[unspec 1] First, we should long for the day of God, as the Psalmist saith, Psal. 42. 1, 2. My soul thirsteth for the living God; O when shall I come and appear before God! And as she said, Judges 5. 28. Why are thy Chariots so long in coming, and why tarry the wheels of thy Chariot? So, O when will the Sabbath come, that we may sell all, and buy the pearl of price? O when will the day come, that we may have communion with God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost?

[unspec 2] Secondly, And we should long for God on his holy day. Indeed there is nothing in God but what may set us on longing; his Glory, his Bounty, his Purity, &c. Christ is altogether lovely; and loveliness enticeth affection; Beauty will attract love; rich Pearls draw every eye; so let us entertain in our thoughts whatsoever may ingratiate God and his Ordinances; and let us kindle the fire on the day before the Sabbath, that it may fl • me forth, and burn bright on that holy day. A good man on Saturday evening going to bed, leaped, and cried out, It is but one night more, and I shall be in the house of God upon his holy day, and meet God himself in the use of holy things. Let us before hand fall sick of Love, and then how grateful will the appearances of our Beloved be, upon his own blessed day?

[unspec 3] The fifth Duty preparatory to the Sabbath, is earnest and fervent prayer. Indeed prayer is the omniprevalent Engine, which can do wonderful things, things above expectation, among others, it can admirably fit the soul for the Sabbath.

[unspec 1] First, For the Prayer of Faith can prevail with God for the pardon and forgiveness of sin, and pardoned sin will prepare the soul for Sabbath-mercy; those who are clogged with sin, will quickly be tired in duty. Now the Sabbath is only the Mart, and spiritual Fair of duties: The unpardoned sinner may spend, not keep a Sabbath, may pass away the time of it, not enjoy the benefit of it. Prayer I say can prevail for pardon: The Lord directs us to this very means to procure forgiveness, so Hos. 14. 2. Take unto thee words, and turn unto the Lord, and say, take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously. God will give pardon, but prayer must importune the gift. David he prays for forgiveness, and he obtains it. On the Eve of a Sabbath, let us be earnest for the pardon of the sins of our lives, of the sins of the past week; let the week be cleared before we adventure upon a Sabbath. A sense of pardon will sweeten every service of a Sabbath, make Duty delight, and Pains a paradise, Ordinances shall be our incomes, not our incumberances. Be earnest for pardon, and the Sabbath shall not only piously, but pleasingly be observed.

[unspec 2] Prayer can obtain the spirit. The donation of the spirit is promised to Holy Prayer. Now our hearts are the spirit's work-houses. The spirit can chain up corruptions, draw out grace, blow away the froth and vanity of the soul, open the heart for the entertainment of Gospel-messages, every way put us into a sweet and Sabbath disposition. The spirit is a spirit of sanctity, to make the heart gracious; the spirit is a spirit of liberty, to make the heart free and enlarged; the spirit is a spirit of purity, it is fullers sope, and a refiners fire, to purge and cleanse the soul; and so adaequately prepare the Christian, for the divine duties of the Sabbath.

[unspec 3] Prayer lays the foundation of Sabbath blessings; the prayer of faith keeps the Key of God's treasury door. Blessings indeed, which are really so, are the fruits of prayer. Prayer it can open the womb; Hannah prays, and the obtains a Samuel: It can melt the Heavens, it can open the prison doors, it can avail very much; and prayer can turn a Sabbath into the souls blessed harvest; it can open the heart, procure a blessing upon Ordinances, engage Christ's presence, make duties fruitful, and spiritual Manna nourishing: Prayer can make the Sabbath a time of grace, an opportunity of life, a day of salvation, a term of love. It hath been the manner of some Christians, the day before the Sabbath, to meet and spend some time in seeking God by prayer, and quickening one another; this fervently performed would lay a great ground of a good day indeed to follow; and therefore let us Pray, pray, pray beforehand, that divine Ordinances may be accompanied with divine benedictions; that sins may be discharged, that our souls may be enlarged, and hearts may be upon the wheel. Our Savior saith, Pray that your flight be not on the Sabbath day; but let us pray, that our flight may be upon the Sabbath, our flight towards Heaven; when the soul is upon the wing, and the heart upon its speed towards Jesus Christ. A believer on a Sabbath should make haste to enjoy the embraces of his beloved, which are as the Espousals, forerunning an Eternal wedding day.

[unspec 6] The Eve before the Sabbath, we should spend more time then usually in family duties. Our preparation must not only be the work of the Closet, but the work of the Family; Then we should read the Scriptures, refresh one another with holy discourses, be more solemn in our addresses to God; Shall we prepare no more for a Sabbath, that bright spot of time God gives us for our souls, then for another day? Will we approach the Princes presence, with the same disregards we will converse with the Peasant? Esther purified and perfumed herself with Oil of Myrrh, and sweet Odours, before she came into the prefence of Ahasuerus; and shall our Families have no holy anointing, no divine quickening, before the day come we must enter the presence of the King of Kings, nay the God of Kings? Shall there be nothing to put a Selah upon a Sabbath Eve? Let us take some time the evening before the Sabbath to teach our little ones the holiness and Solemnity of a Sabbath, let us tell them how jealous God is of his Sabbaths, what severe punishments he hath overtaken those with, who have violated his holy day. Let us bring up our servants in the Holy Trade of Sabbath observation; let us leave it upon their Consciences the night before the Sabbath, how accurately, and carefully God will be served on his own day; and inform them what it cost Aaron's Sons for offering strange fire. Governors of Families should take pains with those subordinate to them, in begetting an awe upon their hearts, and so fit them for Sabbath duties. Surely we should more solemnly prepare for the day of the Soul, then for the days of our Calling; for the services of the Sanctuary, then for the gains of the Shop: God's day gives us a more solemn summons, then man's day doth. And now having thus prepared ourselves in the discharge of the forementioned duties, let us retire ourselves to our rest, and let the hand of faith draw the curtains about us, and so quietly repose our bodies, till the approaching morning of God's holy day, and how that must be passed and solemnly observed, comes next under our most serious discussion.

CHAP. XII. It is most advised and necessary, to rise early • n God's Holy Day.

DIvine providence unclasping our eyes in the morning of the Sabbath, let us lose no time; as we lie on our beds, let us think, now the Lord looks down from Heaven, and bids us make haste, get you up, for this day I must abide in your hearts, and this day I must transact with you, about the great importances of your souls. When Abraham was to offer his Son in sacrifice to God, He rose early in the morning, and saddled his Ass, and took two of his servants, and Isaac his Son, with wood cleav'd for a burnt offering, and went to the place of which the Lord had told him: And shall not we on a Sabbath morning be early up ourselves, and our families, to go to the place where the Lord hath appointed, and offer up our bodies and souls in service to God? The Israelites who lay in siege against Jericho upon the seventh day, they being to compass the City seven times, the text saith, And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they rose up early, about the dawning of the day, and they compassed the City after the same manner seven times. Upon the Lord's day we are today siege to Heaven, and to compass it many times, and to plant our batteries by holy and invincible prayer, and therefore we should be early up; And there are two things which would much advantage this duty, (viz.) rising early on the morning of the Sabbath.

[unspec 1] First, A timely going to rest the night before. It is too common a fault among Christians and Professors too, for them to clog themselves the night before the Sabbath with a multitude of worldly busin • sses, which causes them to sit up late; hence in the morning when they should be up with God, they lie sleep-bound in their beds.

[unspec 2] Secondly, An entire love to the work of the day that follows. Alas, we have too little love to the Lord's day work, and so but little list to be at the work of the day: Were there love to it, we should long to be at it. Our minds run upon the things we love: We should think of the Sabbath, even in the night time, and we should catch the very first hour of the day, with my soul have I desired thee in the night, and with my spirit within me will I seek thee early, saith the Prophet to God. Were we for several months kept without a Sabbath, how would our spirits spring at such a days appearance? Why should the Commonness of the Sun-shining, and the Sabbaths coming diminish the mercy? How should we every Lord's day morning have our minds mounting, and say, behold the Sabbath of the Lord, it is come, it is come. Now there are many Alarums to awaken us betimes on the morning of a Sabbath, and to throw off carnal sloth, and fleshly case.

[unspec 1] Let us eye Christ's pattern; he rose early from the Grave, even while it was yet dark, before the Sun had guilded the World with its bright appearance. On the morning of his Resurrection the Sun of Righteousness prevented the Sun of Nature. Can we indulge our sloth on the Sabbath morning, and think of Christ's Resurrection? He was up early to save us, and shall not we be so to serve him? shall not we take the wings of the morning, as the Psalmist speaks, and retaliate this kindness of our Redeemer? That Christ arose from the dead, there was the truth of our redemption; that he arose early, there was the love of our redemption. Christ's longing to arise, and finish our work, should enforce us to rise betimes to set upon his. Job saith, the morning stars sang together: Our meeting with Christ on a Sabbath morning, will make the sweetest music: When carnal sloth surpriseth us, let us survey the History of Christ; and as he left his tomb, let us leave our down betimes. Let not the Sun of Righteousness shine in our faces with our curtains drawn about us. May I not here expostulate; Is the Disciple greater then his Master? Betimes he left his lodging, and shall not we? The Master among us doth not usually rise before the Servants. In a word, Love to the Spouse, to the Church, made Christ betimes draw the curtains of his grave; and let love to our Husband, to our Duty, to our Souls, cause us betimes to draw the curtains of our beds, so shall we seasonably adore this morning Sun.

[unspec 2] Let us hear the clamours of the soul. The Lord's day is the souls market day, the souls fair day, its term time, its busy opportunity, for the securing to its self an everlasting inheritance, and therefore no time can well be lost. The Client who hath his suit to follow, gets up early to wait at his Counselors door. The Husbandman betimes waits on his business in harvest time. The Sabbath is the souls good wind for heaven, and mariners must not lose their winds, they may so lose their voyage. The Israelites were not to gather Manna on the Sabbath, for then the shower ceased; but Christians are then chiefly to gather their spiritual Manna, for then the shower is most plenteous. If one day in God's Courts be better then a thousand, as the Psalmist speaks, it is so in relation to the soul, and shall then any time of it be lost? Shall we clip that day, when the very clippings are as good silver, as any that is left. The souls interest widens the Sabbath, and would lose no time. The temptation of Satan contracts the Sabbath, and would mind no time. Now whether we should hearken to our better part, or our worser enemy, is most easy to discern. Surely carnal sloth on God's holy day doth only evidence the conquest Satan hath gained over us. There are two things he tempts us forcibly to, to lose our Sabbaths, and to lose our souls; and it is no weak, no faint memento to us to rise early on God's day to seek him, when he professes so often he rises early himself, and sends his Prophets early to seek and inquire after us.

[unspec 3] Let us cast an eye upon the examples of God's Saints; they are early in their visits of God. The Church resolves to get up early and go into the Vineyards, she would betimes gather clusters, spiritual food for her feeding and refreshing. The Church denotes her longing after Christ's presence; there will be nothing but fruitfulness and flourishing, where Christ draws near. Christ comes not empty to his Spouse, but he brings abundance of grace and sweetness with him. The bubbling and boiling hearts of God's holy and hidden ones are waiting for the first opportunities to enjoy communion with God; they will file off the chains of sloth and sleep, to be free to converse with their beloved. The holy Psalmist in this duty writes us the fairest copy; sometimes he began his devotions in the night watches; before any appearance of day had made a rent in the mantle of the night, when others were rockt asleep, and fast in the arms of natures nurse (for so sleep is) David was waking and busily employed in holy meditation and devotion: But if the night had been farther spent, yet he was so early in his addresses, that he professes that he prevented God himself, he was with him, before the Lord could well expect him; If he delayed his devotions till towards morning, yet then he grew so impatient, that he longed as much to be with God, as the poor tired Sentinel waited for day peep, that he might be taken from his harsh and dangerous employment; for thus he speaks, Psal. 130. 6. My soul waiteth for the Lord more then they who watch for the morning, I say more then they who watch for the morning: And it is observable, least we should think he had spoken more his affection then his practice, he repeats the word twice for our greater assurance. Nor will his zeal, or divine affection suffer him to let the morning steal upon him, that he should see the light of the sun, before he had pursued the light of God's Countenance; no, He will prevent the very first dawning of the morning; so he saith, Psal. 119. 147. I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried, I hoped in thy Word. And in this passage it is most remarkable, timely piety and devotion it was not a fit of love, but a holy custom. And lastly, if his natural rest had kept him a prisoner from God longer then usual, yet he resolves he will awake early, Psal. 108. 2. Nay he will awake right early, Psal. 57. 8. The rest of nature shall not long withstand • he force of grace and holy love; but he will break out of the womb of the morning to cry, and wait for God, to enjoy salvifical fellowship with him. Now if David was so early in his inquisitions after God, on any time, or time indefinite, how much more should we on God's own holy day, that peculiar day which God hath especially made for close converses between himself and the precious soul. Now if you ask me what employments or affairs engaged David's early awakings, that he could not fetch his sound sleeps as well as other men. I answer, I find four things that took up David's earliest thoughts:

[unspec 1] First, Prayer: so Psal. 5. 3. and so Psal. 88. 13. And in the morning shall my prayer prevent thee. This holy man must break the silence of the night by the approaches of his soul, before God break the darkness of the night, by the approaches of the sun. He remembered that those who sought God early should find him, Prov. 8. 17. A rich promise can draw out David's heart in holy prayer.

[unspec 2] Secondly, Meditation, Psal. 63. 6. David could let out his earliest thoughts upon God, as the most pleasing subject they could prey upon. Indeed most suitably our thoughts should begin with him, who is the beginning of all things, who is both the fountain to bubble forth, and the pillar to support our beings. In the spiritual nature of God, is the reason of our spiritual worship, his wisdom is the reason of our submission, his holiness is the reason of our conformity, his justice is the reason of our fear, his goodness is the reason of our love, his truth is the reason of our trust, his grace is the reason of our prayers, and his glory is the reason of our praises. Now here is the flowy field for the soul to meditate in, in the freshest morning.

[unspec 3] Thirdly, Holy thanksgivings, Psal. 92. 2. the words are these; To show forth thy loving kindness in the morning, and this Psalm is the song for the Sabbath, as the title informs us; indeed every morning, but much more on the morning of God's holy day, there should be a dew of holy thanksgiving upon the heart of every believer.

[unspec 4] Fourthly, Acting of graces; so the Psalmist, Psal. 119. 147. I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried, I hoped in thy word. Morning g • aces like morning stars shine brightest: David used to cast anchor upon divine truth in the morning; he did not only meditate on it, but act his hope and confidence in it, and this was David's work in the earliest part of the day; and this is a rare Copy for us: How should we prevent the dawning of a Sabbath in our flights to God, in our longings after Christ, in beginning our Sabbath-work. Love to God and his Ordinances, should tear the curtains open, disdain the softness of the pillow, and betimes break open our closet doors to enjoy fellowship with the Father, and his Son Jesus Christ. But to conclude this particular, Plutarch reports, That the Persian King had one of the Servants of his Chamber every morning to come to him, and to cry to him, Rise O King and follow those cares, which thy good genius will have thee to pursue. Let us only invert the phrase, and instead of thy good genius, say, God's good spirit, and it will be applicable to ourselves; Let us especially early on God's day resolve we will follow the traces, in which the holy spirit shall lead us.

[unspec 4] Let us seriously preponderate the weight and multiplicity of a Sabbath-days work. The Traveler who is to ride many miles, gets up early in the morning, and so sets upon his Journey. The soul hath a great way to travel upon the Lord's day, its task is great, and therefore its time must not run wast.

There are many duties to perform.

[unspec 1] First, Secret duties. On the Sabbath, there are some duties which must only be acted between God and the devout soul. A gracious heart will have private intercourse with God. Jesus Christ went into a Mountane apart to pray, and he was there alone. The Saint sometimes turns the Closet into a Sanctuary, and never more fitly then on a Lord's day. Our dear Lord bids us go sometimes into our Chambers, and shut the doors upon us. The Saints are God's hidden ones in point of worship; they serve God in their recluses, and private retirements, and this is an evidence of their uprightness: The Spouse sometimes meets her beloved, and none shall be spectators of their holy fellowship; and upon God's holy day, let the gracious soul set upon these several duties;

[unspec 1] First, The reading of God's word. The Eunuch was reading the Prophet Isaiah in his Chariot, not only because he would lose no time, but because he would be more serious in this secret duty. David compares the Word to an honey comb, Psal. 19. 10. and honey combs are usually in the private gardens: The same Psalmist saith, The Law was his Meditation in the night, and then surely he had few witnesses to view his devotion. The closet door may keep out not only other people, but other thoughts; and then we are fittest to converse with God's Word, when we are most intent.

[unspec 2] Secondly, Another secret duty for the Lord's day, Is holy Prayer to God, and praising of God. Indeed prayer is a duty accommodated for all places, for all times, and all cases; but closet prayer on the morning of a Sabbath, is like a morning star, which portends a fair day: We read of our Savior, Mark 1. 35. that in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed; let us go and do so likewise: And holy Peter in this confessed, that the Disciple was not greater then his Master, for he pursued the same practice, Acts 10. 9. Peter went up upon the house to pray about the sixth hour. And as we must pray to God, so we must sing the praises of God in secret: sometimes our closets must not only be our Oratories to pour out our prayers in, but our Mount Olivets to sing Hymns of praise to the Divine Majesty. We must begin the works of Heaven in secret, which we shall be doing to eternity in blessed Society. Thus David praised God seven times a day, and certainly he had not every time witnesses of his Divine Exaltation.

[unspec 3] Thirdly, A third secret duty is, Holy Meditation. When the mind, that Spiritual Be, is working, and seeking honey out of every flower: and this piece of service, is calculated only for privacy; Company untravelling whatsoever meditation works (but of this more largely hereafter.)

[unspec 4] Fourthly, The last duty to be acted in secret upon the holy Sabbath, is Self-Examination; when Conscience is both Judge, Witness and Tribunal; And in the acting of this duty, there needs no Sessions-house, but a man's own breast. David saith, when we commune with our hearts, we must be still. There wants no noise from the world, nor from the company of others. These two last duties, (viz.) Meditation, and Self-Examination, are most proper for the most secret and retired places, fitter for the Closet then the Church, the secret Chamber then the open Sanctuary; they are, as one saith, actions of the mind, and so concern a man's own self in particular. And these secret duties of piety should especially be performed in the morning of a Sabbath, that the Lord's day may begin with them, and then we shall be in a good preparation for other duties. The beginning with God thus in the morning may influence the whole Sabbath, like the tuning of an Instrument, which makes the whole Lesson's melody the sweeter; and indeed pure Religion, and undefiled, which the Apostle speaks of, Jam. 1. 27. never look's so comely as on a Sabbath day; the day inhances the duty, as the lovely dress doth outward beauty. Thus we see there are secret duties to be acted on a Sabbath.

[unspec 2] Secondly, Private Duties. On God's holy day we must not lock up ourselves and our services above in the Chamber, but we must come down into the Family, and there the morning stars must sing together, to allude to that of Job. Consort makes the music. The stars shine brightest in a constellation. Jesus Christ would not be transfigured alone, but he took some to be witnesses of his Glory; when he would pray, his Disciples were with him; and when he would open the blessed mysteries of the Gospel, he takes his Disciples to him. In our closets there is indeed a meeting of thoughts, but in our houses there must be a meeting of Relations; there must be Parents and Children, Masters and Servants, those who are born at home, and the stranger within our gates, and all these must jointly keep God's Sabbath in holy duties; and no less God commands in the fourth Commandment, the Son and Daughter must remember to keep the Sabbath holy, as well as the Parents, the Man-servant and the Maid-servant, as well as the Governors of the Family, nay, the stranger within the Gates. On the Lord's day, we must by a conscionable, and constant performance of holy duties, turn even our private house into a little Church; and thus we shall intail God's presence to our houses, as he vouchsafed his blessing on the house of Obed Ed • m; we must not only act secret duties on the Sabbath, but likewise Family duties. What those duties are, shall be more copiously handled hereafter.)

[unspec 3] But Thirdly, we must act public duties on God's holy Sabbath: we must not only open the doors of our closets, and of our chambers, to come down into our houses, but we must open the doors of our houses too, to meet with God's people to celebrate the Lord's day. The Sabbath is the day wherein the Saints visit God, and one another; they then begin that society, which shall be perfected and eternized in Glory. David rejoiced when he went with the multitude to the House of God. The great Apostle taught everywhere, in every Church, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 : He taught when the people were called together. The Corinthians came together in one place to eat the Lord's Supper. Nay, Christ himself will declare the name and praises of God to his Brethren in the midst of the Church. We must therefore serve God on the Sabbath in the Assemblies of God's people; not in our houses only, but in the Church, (i. e.) in the Congregation of the faithful. Moses speaks of a holy Convocation, Exod. 12. 16. and the Psalmist makes mention of the Assembly of the Saints, nay, the promise is entailed▪ on the Congregation of God's people, Isa. 4. 5. The omission of this our assembling of our selves, is by the Apostle sharply rebuked, Heb. 10. 25. One commenting on this Text, hath divers things remarkable, and worthy of our observation; As

[unspec 1] First, By this assembling, the Apostle intends no other but the meeting of Believers to hear the Word of God, and to pour out their prayers before God.

[unspec 2] Secondly, The Apostle enjoins the Assemblies, that Christians might meet publicly to profess their faith in Christ, and to sing the praises of God, to stir up one another to love and good works.

[unspec 3] Thirdly, The same Author observes, that these Companies and Assemblies do exceedingly foment and cherish faith, which by a perpetual recluse and separation, quickly would languish and be enfeebled. Nay,

[unspec 4] Fourthly, He observes, That those who forsake the Assemblies of God's people, will easily in the urgency and heat of persecution desert the Church of Christ; thus far that learned man. And what a rare promise doth the Apostle mention, 2 Cor. 6. 16. the words are these; For ye are the Temple of the living God, as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Christ when he was upon the Earth, he goes into the Synagogue on the Sabbath day, Mar. 1. 21. and taught the people. Paul and his Company go into the Synagogue on the Sabbath, and Paul preacheth there: Nay, afterwards Paul preacheth to the Christian Assembly in a house on the Lord's day, Acts 20. 7. In a word, where doth Christ walk but in the midst of his candlesticks, which are the Churches? Rev. 1. 20. Cornelius Alapide observes, that holy Ignatius, who was the Disciple, and follower of the Apostle Paul, adviseth in his Epistles those of Smyrna and Ephesus, to frequent the meetings of the Saints, and gives this reason, because they will wonderfully confirm us in the faith: so then the whole duty of a Believer on the Lord's day, lies not in the Closet, or the Family, but likewise in the Societies of God's people met for divine worship. Coals put together make the warmer fire. When the Christians were Assembled to hear Peter, then the Holy Ghost fell upon them. The Saints in Glory are the Assembly and Church of the first-born, Heb. 12. 23. and therefore we must act public duties on God's holy day in the public Assemblies: (But now what these public duties are, and how we must demean ourselves in the performance of them, shall be more largely discussed hereafter.)

[unspec 2] We had need rise early on the Sabbath; for as we have many Duties to perform, so we have many Graces to act. The Sabbath is both the field to exercise Grace in, and the treasury to supply grace with. Ordinances are both the breathing, and the breasts of grace. In prayer we act, and we augment our graces; and so in other Ordinances. The Sabbath is the Believers resting day, but Graces working day; it is love which sweetens the work of a Sabbath; Faith makes eff • ctual the Ordinances of a Sabbath; Repentance reconciles the God of the Sabbath; Zeal makes acceptable the duties of a Sabbath; Humility engages God's presence on a Sabbath. We cannot hear the Word profitably on this holy day, without we mingle it with Faith, nor address ourselves to God in prayer, without we inflame the duty with fire, with the fire of zeal. In our prayers, we must get our affections fired by the Holy Ghost, that they may flame up towards God in Devout and Religious ascents. Broken-hearted, and penitent believers must meet with Christ at a Sacrament; A contrite heart is the fittest company for a Crucified Savior. In singing of Psalms, there must be holy joy, we must make melody in our hearts; Holy affection must make the reading of the Word savoury and saving to us; The Sabbath then, without we act our Graces on God, on Christ, on the Word, and in the Ordinances, is only a day of theatrical shows, and spiritual pegeantries, which when it is over, leaves the soul empty of any purchase or satisfaction: And if so many graces must be drawn out into act, we had need take the wings of the morning, and speed to our Sabbath employments, which are so numerous and important.

[unspec 3] There are many faculties and parts to employ on the Sabbath; All that is within us, and all that is without us, must serve and praise the Lord; every part of our bodies, and every faculty of our souls, the whole man is but a reasonable sacrifice to be offered this holy festival.

[unspec 1] First, Our outward man; the tongue must be employed in prayer, the ear in attention, the heart in devotion, the eye in speculation, the knee in submission. And

[unspec 2] Secondly, Our inward man, the understanding must be improved to drink in truth, the will to entertain truth, the memory to retain and record truth, and our affections have a three-fold office:

[unspec 1] First, To espouse the Word, by receiving it in the love thereof, 2 Thes. 2. 10. A careful attention opens the door to the word, but a lively affection opens the heart to the word. The preaching of the Gospel lays a treble injunction upon us;

• 1. To receive it.
• 2. To love it.
• 3. To live in it: But the

[unspec 2] Second office of our affections is to heat our prayers; it is love makes that sacrifice to smoke and flame. And

[unspec 3] Thirdly, To scale Heaven in longing for a better Sabbath, more durable, more sweet, more full and superlative.

[unspec 4] There are many persons to converse withal on the Lord's day:

[unspec 1] First, We must converse with God. The Sabbath is called the Lord's day, not only as it is the commemoration of his glorious resurrection, and his appointment and institution, but likewise because our business is with him on that day; then more especially our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. Our praying on a Sabbath, is the pouring out of our souls into God's bosom, our hearing is only receiving, and being acquainted with God's mind; in Ordinances we wait upon God; in the Sacrament we feed upon Christ; in our Services we do homage to God; in our Praises we pay tribute to God. The Sabbath is the souls meeting day with God, its spiritual Mart, in which it traficks, and drives its trade with Heaven. Take away God from a Sabbath, and the Ordinances are dry and parched; duties are heartless and unprofitable, the Sanctuary is filled with emptiness, the people and professors hunt after a shadow, and at last shall catch that which is not bread. All our addresses on this holy day are to God, our delights are in God, our expectations are from God, our fellowship and sweet communion is with God; and therefore holy David speaks of God's Power and Glory in the Sanctu • ry, and makes its only request to behold the beauty of the Lord in the Temple, and magnifies a days opportunity in God's house. The Spouse enquires where Christ feedeth, and where he makes his flock to rest at noon. Our great and principal business is with God on the Sabbath.

[unspec 2] Secondly, We must converse with the Ministers of God; they are on this day the stars to guide us, Rev. 1. 10. they are the Stewards to provide for us, and give us our meat in due season, Luk. 12. 42. 1 Cor. 4. 1. 1 Pet. 4. 10. they are the salt to season us, Mat. 5. 13. they are the wise builders to edify us in the increases of God; their lips preserve knowledge; their feet appear beautiful in bringing the glad-tidings of Peace; their voice is sweet to the hungry soul. On the Sabbath we must wait on the Ministry of God's faithful Ambassadors.

[unspec 3] Thirdly, We must converse with the Saints of God on his holy day; then God's people must gather together, and pursue a joint interest. Public Assemblies adorn the Sabbath. Grapes are best in clusters. There are many strings to the Lute, which is the sweetest Instrument. Flocks are most pleasant when gathered together in one company; and Armies most puissant, when kept in a body, their dissipation is both their rout and ruin. Christ's sheep must flock together on Christ's holy day: Pareus gives us four solid Reasons for it, which I shall mention for their substantial worth.

First, The Congregating of God's people (especially on the Lord's day) is the solder of unity; like many stones so artificially laid, that they appear all but one stone. Every Congregation is a little body, whereof Christ is the head: Unity is the strength and beauty of the Saints; nothing so preserves it, as frequent and holy Assemblings.

Secondly, It is the preservative of love. Many sticks put together kindle a flame, and make a • laze. Frequent visits multiply friendships. In Heaven, where all the glorified Saints meet together, how ardent is their love! Absence, and seldom associations beget strangeness, as between God and us, so between one another. To meet to worship the same God, is the best way to attain to the same heart; like the Primitive Saints, who were all of one company, and all of one mind, Acts 2. 46.

Thirdly, God hath made his promises to the Assemblies of his Saints, Mat. 18. 20. 2 Cor. 6. 16. He will not neglect a weeping Hannah, who prays and sobs alone, 1 Sam. 1. 13. but will give her not only a Child, but a Samuel: But yet God will create upon the Assemblies of his people a cloud, which was the sign of his presence, Isa. 4. 5. And

Fourthly, The prayers of the faithful Congregation receive strength from their union. When all Nineveh entreated the Lord, and put on sack-clothe, God repents himself of that intended and threatened evil, and puts his Sword into the scabbard, though drawn by an open denunciation of Judgment, Jon. 2. 7, 8, 9, 10. Prayer is the souls battery of Heaven; and when these petitions are the common breathings of the whole Assembly, the force must needs be the stronger, and the answer must needs be the surer. Though a file of Soldiers cannot take the City, an Army may. But

[unspec 4] Fourthly, We must converse with our Families upon God's holy day; then Parents should draw out their softest bowels towards their Children's souls, and Masters discharge their most faithful duty towards their Servants eternity: But of this more hereafter.

[unspec 5] We must rise early on a Sabbath, for we have many good things to pursue, and usually the richest lading requires the longest voyages; where we look for great gain, we must spend much time. Now this holy day is God's market day for the weeks provision, wherein he will have us to come to him, and buy of him without silver or money, the Bread of Angels, the Water of Life, the Wine of the Sacraments, and the Milk of the Word to feed our souls, tried Gold to enrich our Faith, precious Eye-salve to heal our spiritual blindness, and the white raiment of Christ's Righteousness to cover our shameful nakedness. And now all things being laid together, that hath been suggested, how should both interest and duty awaken us right early on the Lord's day, for these holy pursutes, that no time be drowned and lost in unnecessary sleep and sluggishness.

[unspec 5] A fifth Argument to raise us betimes on a Sabbath, is seriously to consider the heats of worldly men. With what wakeful diligence do they prosecute the meat that perisheth; they rise up early, and go to bed late, and eat the bread of carefulness, and all to grasp the shadow of a few flying and dying enjoyments, when, as one saith, we should be careful to rise sooner on this day then on other days, by how much the service of God is to be preferred before earthly business: There is no Master so good as the Lord is, and in the end no work shall be better rewarded then his service. Dr. Twisse Reports, that at Geneva they have a Sermon at four of the clock in the morning on the Lord's day for the Servants; and Bishop Lake wished, That such a course was general, as was in his Majesty's Court in his time, to have a Sermon in the morning for the Servants on the Sabbath day. How did this holy man breath after holy Services on the morning of a Sabbath? And let everyone of us say, seek the Lord, O my Soul, seek him early on his holy day: Let us do as Mary Magdalene, she was early up to seek him whom her soul loved, she was last at the Cross, and first at the Sepulcher, in the dawning, while it was yet dark very early in the morning, say the Evangelists: O that our love to Christ could keep pace with hers. Shall we love the World better then Christ? O that we were as wise for our souls, as we are for our bodies! Let not sleep, that devourer of time, beguile us of our golden hours in the morning of a Sabbath, when we might have the softest and sweetest converse • with God. Let the sinful sluggard, who sleeps with the Sun beams in his face this day, remember the saying of Augustine, If the Sun could speak, how roundly might it salute thee with this reproof, I labored more then thou didst yesterday, and yet I am risen before thee today: But this is too low an Argument, behold the Sun of Righteousness is risen, let us not sleep as do others, but say and sing with the Church, Isa. 26. 9. With my soul have I desired thee in the night, yea, and with my spirit within me will I seek thee early. In a word, it must needs enforce us to a blush, to think that the Labourer who toils in his earthly employments, should take the wings of the morning to muddle in the World, and we should let the morning fly away by our sloth and carelessness, and not overtake it to meet with God upon his own holy day.

[unspec 6] And sixthly, let it be considered, the gracious soul will long to be with God. The Spouse sought Christ upon her bed, and the Saint will leave his bed betimes on a Sabbath to seek Jesus Christ; the Spouse would pursue her beloved in the night, and the Saint will not omit to follow hard after the Lord Jesus in the morning, as soon as she is awake she is with God, especially on his own day, Psal. 139. 18. Our heart is where our treasure is, as our Savior speaks, Luk. 12. 34. And if Christ be our treasure, our spiritual love will prevail against our carnal sloth. Let us take notice of holy David, with what ecstacy of love he was transplanted, Psal. 63. 1. O God, thou art my God, early will I seek thee, my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee, in a dry and thirsty land where no water is. Where there are thirsts after God, there will be early enquiries for him. The gracious Soul pants after God, as the Hart pants after the water brooks: Now the thirsty Hart will not be so taken with the green and pleasant Grass where she is lodged, so as to forbear the brooks which must quench her thirst; nor will the Saint be so toiled and fettered with sleep, or sloth, so as to suspend his communion with God on his holy Sabbath, he will tear those drowsy withs, his thirsts after Christ will admit of no delay.

Nature itself calls us up betimes on God's blessed day, for then we are more fit and fresh, more lively and vigorous for holy and spiritual duties. Grace doth not only command us, but Nature invites us; and surely we should serve God on his own holy Sabbath, as David danced before the Ark, withal our might. Nature and experience teacheth us, that our memory is quickest, our senses are readiest, our natural powers ablest in the morning; our mind then is free from evil, vain and worldly thoughts; our memory is renewed, and hath recovered far greater strength, our senses are not inveigled with terrene and outward things, our natural powers being then revived, have their greatest liberty; then our affections are disengaged, and divine things may first attract and seize upon them; and these things being weighed in the balance, how necessary is it, early in the morning of a Sabbath, that the first thing presented to our minds, should be the beholding of God, the first thing presented to our thoughts should be the Word of God, and the first thing presented to our affections, should be the enjoyment of God. One well observes, that in Scripture-language, to do a thing in the morning, and to do a thing diligently, are the same thing, Psal. 101. 8. and so Prov. 7. 15. illustrates this; where the Harlot tells the young man that she came forth to meet him, and diligently to seek his face; the Original Word there, is, to seek thy face in the morning: So then to get up early in the morning on the Sabbath, is the emblem, and the evidence of our diligence. We have a saying amongst us, that the Morning is a friend to the Muses, (i. e.) the morning is a good studying time; I am sure it is true, that the Morning is a great friend to the Graces, the Morning is a good praying time, in Exod. 23. 19. The first of the first fruits of the Land, was to be brought to the house of the Lord. God would not only have the first fruits, but the first of the first fruits; if there were any sooner ripe then others, God would have them: So God will have the first of the first fruits of the Sabbath, the very earliest time of the morning; the morning blushes are most beautiful in his sight. In the morning, Nature renews its strength like the Eagle, Psal. 103. 3. The eye is more fit to contemplate, the tongue more fit to pray, the knee more supple to bend, the understanding more lively to speculate; we are freshest in the first setting out of the race, and we run with the greatest liveliness. The travelling beast foams, and is rampant when it first sets out in the morning. Nature itself opens our curtains betimes in the morning, especially on God's holy day.

[unspec 8] Men will rise up early to pursue their pleasures. Young Men, as holy Mr. Greenham observes, will rise up early to Marriages, to Feastings, to go a Maying, and will not this be our shame, that for holy and heavenly exercises, to serve the Lord in spirit and truth, we will redeem, no time, whereby the glorious Sabbath may be better sanctified? Can carnal delights have a more forcible influence upon us, then spiritual? Shall the dregs be more lushious and sweet then the Wine on the Lees? All divine complacencies the soul may find in Gospel Ordinances: Shall delight in the Creature more enthrall our desires, then delight in God, who is the sweetest Paradise to a gracious soul? Shall Young Men rise early to gather May, and not we prevent the dawning of the Sabbath to gather Manna? to feast with Christ? to let our thoughts wheel about towards Heaven, and take their flight within the veil? Let not a dalliance, nor a merry meeting more engage the carnal part of the World, then the Lord's feast of fat things, the set banquets of his holy Sabbath, necessitates our most early flights after that blessed prey.

[unspec 9] Nay lastly, How early will men rise to prosecute their sinful designs. The Persians adore the rising Sun, are early up for their Idolatry. The Prophet observes, that the Drunkards rise up early in the morning to follow strong drink, and continue till night, till Wine inflame them; they are early up, and are unwearied in their sins, and cursed profuseness. The Israelites rose early to evidence their madness and their folly, to offer burnt offerings and peace offerings to a Golden Calf, and to eat and drink and rise up to play; as usually superstition ushers in profaneness. The Papists will break their sleep, that more timely they may have their Masses, and Popish practices; and Heretics will attend on their vain Revelations, and will recover some time by early rising; their Enthusiasmes and fantastic dreams shall snatch them out of their beds betimes. God makes his complaint against the Jews, that they rose early to corrupt their doings, to entangle themselves in sin, and provocation. Saul sends messengers to slay David in the morning, he will take the earliest time of the day, for murder and cruelty. The Philistines rise early every morning to enter their Idolatrous Temple to worship their Dagon; and shall not we infinitely more rise early on the Lord's day to worship Jehovah? Shall Dagon have more honor then the Ark? Surely the sinners vehemency might justly shame us into early piety.

CHAP. XIII. How we must spend the morning of a Sabbath.

ANd now when our zeal hath made its way through the curtains, and raised us from our beds and our down, let us set upon Sabbath work; let us betimes wait for the visits of Christ in the performance of the duties of a Sabbath: Now especially God waits to be gracious, but it must be in a way of duty. Holy duties they are the paths to meet Christ in, the road of Divine mercy, they are the Garden wherein the Spouse meets her Beloved: Therefore in the morning let us set upon those sacred services, which becomes God's holy day. Indeed by private duties before the public, our spirits are made more tuneable; and by private duties after the public, God's Ordinances are made more profitable: The morning of a Sabbath is but the spring of a Sabbath, which is the sweetest and most pleasant season for the soul to converse with God; then the soul seems to be most green and freshest, then duties seem to be most melodious and musical, and then Grace more delightfully buds forth, and is exerted with the greatest satisfaction and beauty, In the morning Moses went into the Mount to meet with God. In the morning the Apostles went into the Temple to declare the Gospel. In the morning early, Joshua and the Priests take up the Ark of God, which was the testimony of the divine presence. Job rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings. The poor multitude early in the morning wait upon the Ministry of Jesus Christ, they wait for the morning dews of the Gospel, they are the sweetest, they are the freshest, they are more natural, and most seasonable. Christ preaches his morning Lecture to his flocking and numerous Auditors. In a word, the performance of holy duties, in the morning of God's holy day, they work a three-fold good.

[unspec 1] They prepare the heart. The sluggish heart must be roused and awakened in private before it can see its beloved in the public: It must be breathed by some divine duties, that it may be more fresh for the public administrations. Bells must be raised before they be rung to make the pleasing music. The flowers must be watered, either by the shower or the watering pot, before they lift up their pleasant heads, and cast their wonted perfume. The morning duties of a Sabbath, they put the heart into a serious and heavenly frame, and make it fit company for Jesus Christ. When I have prayed in my family, I am tuned and wound up the more, for that duty in the Assembly of the Saints.

[unspec 2] They are the discharge of conscience. A conscientious person cannot waste the morning of a Sabbath, that is destinated to holy service. Among the Jews they had their morning sacrifices on their Sabbaths. There is no part of a Sabbath must lie fallow, especially in the morning. On the morning early Christ rose for our salvation, and on the morning of this holy day, we must rise for his service. Christ calls himself the morning star, Rev. 22. 16. And when is it fittest to behold this star, but on the morning of his holy day? The morning of a Sabbath is the time for our first salutes of Heaven, for the dressing of our souls, for the trimming of our Lamps, for the imitation of our Savior in his early rising; for the seasoning of our Families. The morning is as currant coin as the rest of the day, it is more congruous to Nature, as congruous to Grace, an • whosoever shall by his sinful negligence let that part of the Sabbath fly away, shall hardly overtake the blessing the subsequent day. It is not without remark, that Christ is called the morning star, Rev. 22. 16. and the Rising Sun, Mal. 4. 2, both to denote our early approaches to him.

[unspec 3] They are the Ensurers of spiritual gain. It is in spiritual, as it is in secular affairs; The most thriving Husbands, get up early in the morning, and do much business before the shop is open; and so the thriving Christians get up early on the Sabbath, and so spend the morning as that they have done much of their work before the Sanctuary door is open, or they meet with the more public Assemblies: What views mightest thou have of God by Holy Meditation? what smiles, and answers of Love from Christ by ardent and servant Prayers? what heart warmings by holy Discourse on the morning of a Sabbath? Then the first winds and brizes of the spirit blow, and we may weigh Anchor, the more happily for the whole ensuing day. Josephs Brethren so minded their Journey, that they set forward as soon as the morning was light. The Sabbath day is our travelling day towards Canaan, and therefore we must dispatch much of our Journey in the morning, we should do, as it was prophesied of Benjamin, devour the prey in the morning; that prey which God hath provided for those who right early sanctify his holy Sabbath; and we should do this the rather, for it may be with us, as once it was with the people of Israel, that the cloud was taken up in the morning: Now the cloud was the sign of God's presence, and if the cloud be taken up, how can we expect a shower of mercy? David saith, that the Lord is as the light of the morning when the Sun riseth; when then is it more suitable to meet these bright appearances, but on the morning, especially on his own day. The very Priests of Baal called upon their Idols from morning until evening; and afterwards prophesied, until the time of the evening sacrifice; and shall not we call upon our God, the living God, from morning until noon, and so to the evening sacrifice, especially on that day which is a day of worship and sacrifice? The wis • man observes, it is a principle agreeable to Nature, to •• w our seed in the morning; and what are our holy duties but this seed, which will spring up in Heavenly rewards if piously sown? and the fittest time for them is the morning, especially the first day of the week, Our Sabbath, which is the morning of the week: Christ speaking of the Spouse, Cant. 6. 10. asketh the question, who is she that looketh forth as the morning, not only denoting the Spouses freshness and beauty, but the time and season for spiritual communications between Christ and the Spouse. But now the main Query will be, what are those duties which are incumbent upon us on the morning of a Sabbath? To Reply therefore to this Query, I shall instance first in Meditation; Meditation is the souls flight towards Heaven, and therefore it had need take the wings of the morning. When thou hast broken thy sleep, begin the Sabbath with holy Meditation, that is the morning sacrifices of the mind.

CHAP. XIV. The Benefits and Excellency of Holy Meditation.

MEditation is a most notable piece of God's service, the very life and strength of all other Duties, and without which, all duties are enfeebled, full of weakness and infirmity. Meditation is the Nurse which feeds our prayers, it is the Nail which fastens the Word, it is one hand that puts on the wedding Garment to fit us for the supper of the Lord. Meditation it is the spiritual silk-worm which works rare and curious silk, rich goods out of its own bowels. It is the travel of the understanding, the souls Hue and Cry after Divine things; it is the fixing of the heart upon God, or something of God; it is the stop and pause of the mind from the impertinent wanderings and rovings of it: In a word, Meditation is the randezvous, and trooping together of the thoughts in some spiritual matter, as Sun-beams are gathered together in a burning glass. If we meditate upon the Word, or any truth therein, then our thoughts flock together, and center in the divine truth, in this spiritual object. Now for the canvasing of this Excellent Duty, I shall briefly open what may conduce to the fullest discovery of it:

[unspec 1] First, Let us view Meditation in the nature of it, and it may be thus described. It is the souls retiring of itself, that by a serious and solemn thinking upon God, or something divine, the heart may be raised up to heavenly affections: Some refer this holy duty chiefly to the understanding, but others draw it nearer to the memory; as one describes Meditation thus; That it is the exercise of the mind, whereby we calling ourselves to remembrance, that which we know, we do further debate of it, with our own souls, reasoning about it, and applying it to ourselves, that we may make use of it in our practice, and so it frameth our affections accordingly. Holy Greenham observes, in Meditation two parts of the soul are busied:

First, The Memory, remembering something heard or read;

Secondly, The understanding, gathering something upon that which is remembered. Now

First, Meditation is a retired duty. A Christian when he goes to meditate, he must seclude himself from the World; the affairs of this life make so much noise, that they drown the sweet, though secret music of meditation. Holy Isaac retires into the field to meditate: there must be a necessary sequestration of ourselves from every impertinent and intruding object, if we will pursue this holy service of Meditation; this duty is chamber, nay, closet practice: The sweet Manna the soul feeds upon, when there is no spectator of its banquet. When Zacchaeus would see Christ, he climbs up into the Sycamore tree to see him; so when we would see God, we must get out of the crowd of worldly business, we must climb up into the tree by retiredness of Meditation. St. Bernard when he came to the Church door, he used to say, Stay here all my worldly thoughts, that I may converse with God in the Temple; so say to thyself, I am now going to meditate, O all ye vain thoughts stay behind, come not near. When thou ascendest the mount of meditation, take heed that the world do not follow thee at thy heels. Indeed meditation is an inward and secret duty, the soul retires its self into the closet, and bids farewell to all impertinent extravagancies which may discompose its privacy, and takes a view of those things which are within its self. Meditation is an invisible duty to the eye of the world, and therefore carnal men do relish it.

[unspec 2] Meditation is a Serious Duty, and it is one of the noblest works a Christian can perform; Reason then is in its exaltation. When the soul doth meditate, it puts forth the most judicious and rational acts; then is the soul most like to God, who spends eternity in contemplating his own essence, and glorious attributes. When the Christian meditates he practices an imitation of Divine Majesty.

[unspec 3] Meditation is a sublime Duty. It is an exercise of the understanding, it is not a duty in which we converse with drossy things; meditation properly sets upon spiritual things, upon spiritual objects, spiritual truths, spiritual doctrines: David meditates on God's Law. Meditation pitches upon the joys of Heaven, the great account man must give, the defiling nature of sin, the extremities of hell, and on objects of the like nature.

[unspec 4] Meditation is a fixed duty. It is not a cursory work. Mans thoughts naturally labor with a great inconsistency; but meditation chains them, and fastens them upon some spiritual object. The Soul when it meditates lays a command mand on itself, that the thoughts which are otherwise flitting and feathery, should fix upon its object; and so this duty is very advantageous. As we know a Garden which is watered with sudden showers is more uncertain in its fruit, then when it is refreshed with a constant stream; so when our thoughts are sometimes on good things, and then run off, when they only take a glance of a holy object, and then flit away, there is not so much fruit brought into the soul. In meditation then, there must be a fixing of the heart upon the object, a steeping the thoughts, as holy David, Psal. 108. 1. O Lord, my heart is fixed. We must view the holy object presented by meditation, as a Limner, who views some curious piece, and carefully heeds every shade, every line and color; as the Virgin Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. Indeed meditation is not only the busying the thoughts, but the centering of them, not only the employing of them, but the staking them down upon some spiritual affair. When the soul, meditating on something divine, saith as the Disciples in the transfiguration, Mat. 17. 4. It is good to be here.

[unspec 2] Having thus defined, I now come to distinguish meditation from some things which looks very like it: There are some duties which have a great resemblance, and yet differ from meditation; those duties and meditation they are like similar complexions, there is need of a familiarity to distinguish between them.

[unspec 1] Solemn Meditation (the duty we treat of) differs from occasional; as if one heard the clock strike, he presently may think with himself, what thought have I had of God this hour, I am one hour nearer the Grave, and it lies in God's bosom whether I shall live another hour; such occasional meditations, are things only in transitu, in a short and sweet passage; and as one observes, the subject of occasional meditation ariseth very frequently from things artificial, civil or natural, indeed anything we see or hear: But the objects of solemn meditation, are only things spiritual and divine. Occasional meditation is when the soul spiritualizes any object, when the understanding is like an Alymbeck which distills some thing from every thing; this is that spiritual Chemistry which turns any metal it meets with into Gold. Our blessed Savior was an admirable example of this, He drew spiritual matter from natural objects; from the people's desirousness of the Loaves, he sends them to seek the meat which endureth to everlasting life; and so the Gospel is full of Parables, and indeed a Christian should see something of God in all things, and all things most eminently in God; every stream should lead us to the fountane; all things below should be the pedestal to raise the soul higher: A good Christian, I say, may from every emergence and occurrence, extract matter of meditation. To instance in a few particulars, when we look up to the Heavens, and see them resplendent with light, we may raise this meditation; if the footstool be so glorious, what is the Throne, where God himself sits? Monica, Augustine's Mother, standing one day, and seeing the Sun shine, raised this meditation, Oh, if the Sun be so bright, what is the Light of God's presence? When you hear music that delights the senses, presently raise this meditation, what is the music of a good Conscience? Nay, rather what is the music of the Bride Chamber? When you are dressing yourselves in the morning, awaken your meditation, and think thus; Have I been dressing the hidden man of the heart? 1 Pet. 3. 5. Have I looked my face in the glass of God's Word? I have put on my clothes, but have I put on my Christ? When you sit down to dinner, let your meditation feed upon this first course, how blessed are they that shall eat bread in the Kingdom of God? What a Love-feast shall there be in Glory, when none but friends, and the Bride-grooms guests shall be admitted? When you go to bed at night, meditate of the putting off the Tabernacle of Clay, the earthly clothes of your body, and lying down in the bed of the Grave. When you see the Judge go to the Assizes, meditate on the last Judgment, when we shall all stand before the Tribunal of Jesus Christ, 2 Cor. 5. 10. Indeed everything might feed the meditations of a Saint, who is the curious Alchemist, who can spiritualize every presented object: But all these are occasional meditations, and differ from that meditation which is solemn and deliberate; (which is the subject discourse of this present Chapter.)

[unspec 2] But secondly, Meditation differs from study: Indeed the Students life looks like meditation, but it varies from it:

[unspec 1] First, Meditation and study differ in the subject; wicked men study, and it may be more then Godly men, but wicked men study only, Godly men meditate; It is one character of a Godly man, to meditate on God's Law day and night.

[unspec 2] Secondly, They differ in their nature. One well observes, Study is a work of the brain, Meditation of the heart. Study sets the invention on work, but meditation sets the desires and affections on work.

[unspec 3] Thirdly, They differ in their Objects. Study is of all manner of things, whether Natural, Civil or Mathematical; Study pursues Aristotle as well as Moses: but Meditation is only of matters which concern our everlasting welfare.

The matters we most study, are those truths which are most knotty and difficult, and afford least spiritual nourishment, as Criticismes, Chronologies, Controversies, &c. But if matters of Meditation, they are plain and of great spiritual advantage.

[unspec 4] Fourthly, Meditation and Study differ in their design. The design of study is Notion, the design of meditation is Piety; the design of study is the finding out of truth, but the design of meditation, is the holy improvement of truth; the one searcheth for the vein of Gold, and the other diggs it out. The end of study is knowledge, the end of meditation is holiness. Study is like a winters Sun, warms but little, and hath an inconsiderable influence, but meditation leaves one in a more holy frame; it melts the heart when it is frozen, and maketh it drop into tears and love: In a word, if we see a learned man, we presently conclude he hath studied much; If we see a devout and holy man, we may conclude, that man hath meditated much.

[unspec 3] Meditation differs from memory. Some have called memory the scribe of the soul, it sets down, and pens those things which are done; what we hear or read, the memory doth register; and therefore memory seems to bear some resemblance with Meditation; but they differ,

[unspec 1] In that the remembrance of a truth, without meditation on it, will but create matter of sorrow and trouble; A Sermon remembered, but not ruminated on, will serve only to aggravate our condemnation. Memory is only the registering of a truth, but meditation is the learning of it by heart; memory opens the door to entertain spiritual knowledge, but meditation it locks the door upon that discovery; It will not let it fly out again: Meditation, like Lot, is importunate, that holy truths, like welcomed Angels, lodge with us.

[unspec 2] The meditation of anything hath more sweetness in it, then bare remembrance. The memory is the chest to lay up a truth, but meditation is the palate to feed upon it. The memory is like the Ark in which the Manna was laid up; Meditation is like Israel's eating of the Manna. When David began to meditate upon God, it was sweet to him as marrow. There is as much difference between a truth remembered, and a truth meditated on, as between a cordial in the glass, and a cordial drank down.

[unspec 3] The next thing considerable in this excellent duty of meditation, is the timing of it; how much, how often, how long we must meditate. Indeed the Scripture doth not positively determine any set time for this holy service. Our chief Pilots and Guides is this main importance, must be spiritual prudence, and divine affection; Our wisdom must select, and our love must limit the time for sweet meditation. Indeed some of God's holy people have taken long Journies in this holy duty. David tells us, that he spent the whole day in it, Psal. 119. 97. Nay, he mentions a Godly man, who when the day was shut in, would not call off his soul from this blessed service, as being tired and wearied, but would travel all night in the same complacential performance. But leaving these extraordinary examples, we may certainly and truly conclude, that we must consecrate some part of our time every day to this duty of meditation. David though he had the business of a Kingdom, and the pleasures of a Court to divert him, yet saith of the Law, it was his meditation all the day; and in this, evidences the excellent disposition of his soul. Truly frequency in this duty, is not only praise-worthy, but will bring in a harvest of spiritual gain.

[unspec 1] By frequency we shall make our thoughts more pliable for the discharge of this secret and difficult duty, the soul will be made more apposite and accommodate for it. Frequent and customary running maketh a person long breathed, and more able for exercise: when we use this duty of Meditation every day, our thoughts will be more consistent, they will be more improved and ripened for meditation. And on the contrary, when we neglect the frequent use of it, we shall find meditation, first more unpleasant, and then more unnecessary, and at last more distasteful and burthensome. Disuse quickly brings holy duties into disgust.

[unspec 2] The interruption in, and infrequency of this duty, will hinder the fruits of it; when there are long strides between the performances of this duty, we lose the benefit of former meditations. As in the body, when a man makes a free and liberal meal, this will not maintane and support him long, but the next day a new and fresh hunger importunes another meal, and if denied, the body faints and languisheth: So meditation, like food, it must be our daily repast, else the refreshing of former meditations wear out, and leave no fruit or benefit behind. When the Hen leaves her Eggs for a long time, and doth not sit upon them, they are unfit for production, and never are reared to be Chickens; but when she daily broods upon them, they are living, and lively productions: So when we leave our wonted course of meditation for some space of time, our affections grow chill and cold, and are not fit to produce comfort and holiness to our souls; when we are constant in this work, we shall find the benefit and advantage of it.

[Quest.] But if it be demanded, how long we must continue in this duty of meditation?

[Answ.] It may be answered, so long, till meditation bring forth some considerable benefit, till it stir up our affections, warm our hearts, and tune our inward man, till we find some sensible change, and transformation in our souls. Indeed nature disrelisheth this duty, and we are very apt to be soon weary of it: Our thoughts are like a bird in a Cage, which flutters the more when confined; and meditation fastens and confines them to some spiritual object: But the distastes of nature to this duty, should make us not more weary but much more vigorous. As when the wood is green or wet, we do not throw down the bellows in a pet or anger, but we spend more time, and draw out more strength in the blowing, and in so doing there first riseth some smoke, then some sparks, and by going forward, at last it breaks into a hot and bright flame: And so it is with the duty of divine meditation; when we first meditate on spiritual things, at first we raise a smoke of a few sighs towards God, and by continuance sparks of holy affections fly up heavenward; but at last, there is a flame of seraphical loves, the soul is in an ecstacy with Jesus Christ. Now we should not give over meditating till this flame break out and ascend up towards God, as Noah 's sacrifice, with a sweet smelling savor to the Divine Majesty. When a man goes forth in a calm and serene evening, and views the face of the Heavens, he shall at first see a star or two twinckle and peep forth, but if he continues his prospect, both their luster, and their number is increased, and at last the whole Heavens are bespangled with stars: So when we first meditate upon the promises of the Gospel, at first it may be, one star begins to appear, a little light conveys itself to the heart; but let us go forward, and we shall find when our thoughts are amplified and ripened, there will be a clear light, more satisfaction will be conveyed to the Soul; and in continuance of these divine meditations, the Covenant of Grace will be bespangled with promises, as the Heavens with stars, to give us rich and full satisfaction.

But there are some signal and special seasons for the acting of this duty of meditation: Sometimes our affections are more smart and vigorous, our thoughts are more lively and unwearied, and so more disposed to this excellent service; and such seasons are our harvest for the acting of this duty, and reaping the great comfort of it.

[unspec 1] The morning is an accommodated time for meditation; then the body hath been refreshed with the sweetness of rest, and so the impressions of toil being worn off, it is the more active for the labors of meditation. David was with God before break of day. The morning Sun smiles with the most pleasant aspect when first it begins it's laborious circuit, Our thoughts are shot out of our minds with greatest strength in the morning, when our bodies can yield their most lively assistance, and there are many pregnant reasons for it.

[unspec 1] Holy thoughts and meditations are most acceptable in that season. When we awake in the morning, many suitors attend our thoughts, and every suitor useth urgent importunity; now if spiritual things obtain the first admittance, this is most grateful to God. It cannot but be a sinful provocation, that our thoughts should be as the Inn in Bethlehem, Luke 2. 7. where strangers took up all the rooms, and Christ was excluded, and was fain to lie in a manger. Indeed it cannot but be matter of deploration, that vain and worldly thoughts should take up all the rooms of our souls in the morning, and Christ shut out: But for the prevention of this, let Divine things first attach our meditations, and this will be well-pleasing to the Lord. In the stilling of strong water, the first water which is drawn from the still is more full of spirits, and the second and the third they are weaker and smaller, and not of the same value: So the first meditations which are stilled from the mind in the morning are the best, and we shall find them more full of life and spirits, and they come nearer to Abel's sacrifice. The morning is the golden hour of the day, like the first springing grass, which is most pleasant to the eye, and most sweet to the taste. The morning is the first budding of time; Let Christ have it in holy and divine speculations.

[unspec 2] Meditation in the morning will be more influential. The Vessel which is first seasoned with that which is precious and odoriferous, will retain the scent and tincture, nor will easily lose it but with much toil and labor. That of the wise man is considerable, When thou awakest, it will talk with thee. As Servants come to their Masters in the morning, and receive Rules from them, how they shall manage their business all the day following; So a gracious heart, which meditates on God's Word, and things divine, in the morning, those savoury tinctures abide on him all the day, and he walks with more circumspection and fruitfulness. Wind up thy heart towards Heaven in the morning, and it will go the better all the day. The wool takes the first die best, and it is not easily worn out: The heart seasoned with holy meditations in the beginning, will keep this color in grain. It would become us to perfume our minds with divine thoughts betimes on the day, that the smell may scatter itself to all we meet withal that day.

[unspec 3] Equity requires our morning meditations to be sequestered, and set apart for God: Some of his first thoughts were set upon us; If we are in Christ, we had a being in his thoughts of love, before we had a being in the world; His earliest loves fastened upon us, when we were only in the possibility and futurition of a being: We had the morning of God's thoughts, before ever the Sun did rise or shine in the World: What thoughts of free and rich Grace, what kind thoughts of mercy and peace had God of us from all everlasting? Let us in some measure retaliate the first loves of God, let us fix our thoughts upon God in holy meditation before the day breaks, and delivers the light, the infallible harbinger of it.

[unspec 4] But more especially, the morning of a Sabbath is the most genuine and sweetest season for meditation, and that upon this twofold account.

[unspec 1] Holy meditation will fasten the heart upon God, which is very necessary upon the morning of a Sabbath. Meditation is properly the centring of the thoughts, (as was suggested before) and fixing them upon some spiritual object. Our hearts they are naturally slippery, and will be gadding with