upon this day we constantly have sou truths of that religion which Christ ar ered unto the world, and the excellenc upon us. And as the observation of t preservative of the truth of Christianit duties thereof. God hath set this one fence for keeping all the rest; for, by conscientiously, the soul is notably frame for serving God in every religi quent recurring of this day, and the gos in dispensed, serve to continue the re and heaven among men, keep sin and rebukes, and put atheism and infidelity away the observation of the Lord's da of God would be cast off, and atheism, disorders, like a flood, would break in We may look upon the duty of Sabb be of no less consequence to the prac than Luther reckoned the article of just doctrine of it, when he called it articulu ecclesiæ; for, if once we make a gap in serious godliness will run out at it, an and looseness rush in upon us. It was this that determined the wisest of empe ments, and church councils and synods lish so many excellent laws and acts fo tion of the Lord's day, agreeable to the anent. It would be happy for church these were put in execution, and all son to have a due regard to them. But notwithstanding of all the laws, for the holy observation of the Lord's d in the age wherein we live, who adventur upon this holy day. Some there are w the morality of the Sabbath, and disow perpetual obligation of the fourth commar they own the obligation of the comman bear servile work, and attend public wors yet plead for carnal diversions and recre worship is over. Many would incline to of celebrating the Sabbath, who, after ma ed in our ears the nis apostles delivof them inculcated Sabbath is a great so it is also to the uty as a hedge or eping the Sabbatlı posed and put in duty. The freordinances therembrance of Christ ce under constant the blush. Take then the worship faneness, and all as they call it.) go presently to piping on us. sanctifcation to e of Christianity, ation to be to the antis seu cadentis is hedge of piety, flood of impiety rely the sense of s, kings, parlia frame and pubne strict observavine laws thereand nations, if of men brought vine and human, there are many co pour contempt dispute against he standing and Others, though so far as to foron the Sabbath, Tons after public ne Papists' way and even-song d dancing, and then to the ale-house; the same way that the ebrated the feast of the golden calf, Exod. people ate and drank, and rose up to play." course were allowed, as of old, in times of darkness, many would then call the Sabbath be, in some measure, reconciled to it; but, v that the whole Sabbath is to be spent in religi exercises, they murmur, and say, as those "What a weariness is it?" It would be no greivance to many to see t nation of the Book of Sports revived and auth us: I mean, that infamous declaration for lit and recreation on the Lord's day, published the year 1633, and appointed to be read fro the prelates consenting to it, and persecutin ters who refused to read it. O what heinou ing wickedness was it, for civil and ecclesia unite in promoting the profanation of the Sa methods! As the heavy judgments of God foll such avowed profanation, so those in our age fear his judgments, who continue to be of the disposition. Oh, is it not evident that sports do unfit the mind for spiritual service, and thoughts from what is serious and solemn? the heart out of frame for attending on God, ing communion with him in holy duties This is shewed more fully in the following tr anc Again, there are others who observe this than the beasts do: they only rest from the bour, and spend the day in idleness and slot keep the Sabbath of an ox or ass, not of a re ture. To sanctify the Sabbath, is not to kee a rest from our common employments, or to idle day: but to keep it as a holy day, a da God's glory, and for promoting our salvatio such is the spiritual sloth and idleness of man souls on this day, they labour as little for thei they do for their bodies; they sleep, loiter, li seldom go to any worship at all; if they go ou for their diversion, to take a walk, to pay a vi but not to attend God's worship. Many, a dozen of miles to a market for a little gain, t one mile, nor a few steps to the church, to attend the gos pel-market for enriching their souls. If the bell that calls them to the worship of God, did advertise them of a stageplay, or of some idle pastime, perhaps they would be found there among the first; but, for spiritual work, they have an aversion to it. Moreover there are many who go to church and attend ordinances this day, rather to please a natural conscience, or support their reputation in the world, than to serve God or save their souls. Or perhaps they go because it is the fashion, or the way in which they have been brought up; but alas! leaving their hearts behind them, they present their bodies to God and no more. And hence it is, that in the time of the most solemn worship, they have their eyes either wandering after vanity, or else shut with drowsiness, and sleep; they find no delight in the Sabbath, taste no sweetness in ordinances, know nothing of communion with God in them: they understand not the Psalmists language, "A day in Gods courts is better than a thousand any where else." No, this day is to them the longest and most wearisome day of all the week; the religious exercises of it are irksome and burdensome to them. It may be said of them, as of Doeg the Edomite, 1 Sam. xxi. 7. "He was that day detained before the Lord." They long to be released from the service of that day, and glad when it is over. Alas! the minds of many are so set upon the world, that they complain in their hearts of the length ength of this day, as the Israelites of old, Amos viii. 5. "When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn; and the Sabbath, that we may set forth wheat?" They count all these days lost days, that bring them in no worldly gain. Hence it was, that the heathens (as Senaca tells us) counted the Jews a foolish people, because they lost a full seventh part of their lives, to wit, by observing the Sabbath. But, ah! it is to be lamented, that not heathens only, but also many profest Christians, count the Sabbath a lost day: O what base ingratitude is this to God, for the invaluable privilege and blessing of the Sabbath to the souls of men! Lastly, there are, besides these mentioned, some prodigies of wickedness in the world, persons who prosecute their lewd and profane courses with more vigour on this holy day than upon any other; and so make this day of holy rest the working day, and consume it wholly upon their lusts! daring an affront must this be to a great and holy nake that a day to serve the devil, a day to improve and debauchery, which the Lord hath instituted to y for his own worship, and for our improvement in id devotion! or remedying these woful abuses of the Sabbath that vritten the ensuing treatise; and, to make it more y useful to the poor, I have shortened this fourth of it, by leaving out the Help of Prayer which was d to the former, and possibly may be afterwards d by itself. I have heard of the usefulness of this to some who have read it: O that God would bless ny more, and make it the means to preserve and the love and esteem of the Lord's day in the hearts ! As serious godliness never did, so it never will or flourish in the world, when or where the Lord's isregarded: long experience confirms it, that the bbath-breaking is a woful intet to impiety and pro. They who once begin to make little difference The Lord's day and other days, will easily be brought little difference betwixt the Lord's name and other The Lords table and other tables, the Lord's book r books: whereas a conscientious regard to his is a strong fence to religion, being a mighty awethe soul against the commission of sin, and the of duty. The Lord's day is an unspeakable blessost world, and the sweetest day that ever dawned it ought to be the delight of our souls, and rejoicer hearts. Every wise man that knows the value y. will have a peculiar esteem for it above all the ne week, and will reckon every minute of it preI desire that none of it be mispent. What Christ is disciples concerning the loaves and fishes, he concerning his holy day, Gather up the fragments, up the spare hours and minutes of it, count them as as the goldsmith doth the small filings of his nothing of Sabbath time be lost, improve it wholly nd your souls."” eatise I recommend chiefly to families, because of sanctifying the Sabbath doth nearly concern all s such: for all governors of families are charged, by the fourth command, to see that it be done in all their dwellings: and by the command, they are made responsible for their children, servants, and for all that lodge within their gates, that none of them be allowed to break the Sabbath. If any masters of families be excited by this treatise to mind their proper duty, I have my reward; but let the glorious Author of the Sabbath alone have the praise. May all of us get grace to keep the Sabbath of our God, and choose the things that please him, and take hold of his covenant, that so we may be numbered among those whom he will bring to his holy mountain, and make joyful in his house of prayer! Amen. Some Instances of the great regard which our Ancestors and Legislators manifested to the Lord's Day, and of the Laws and Acts made in Ancient Times for the strict Observation of it, with those of this Nation and Church which still stand in force; being so many Testimonies to the Morality of the Sabbath, and the divine Institution of the Lord's Day. I SHALL not stand here to notice the high regard which kings, prophets, and righteous men among the Jews had for the Sabbath, recorded in the Old Testament; the passages being obvious to those who are versant in the holy scriptures, sundry of which are introduced in the following treatise. Neither shall I stand citing the testimonies of learned and pious divines at hoine or abroad, for confirming the doctrine of this treatise; seeing these are so many as would fill a volume by themselves. I shall only mention some of those of more public authority, and which may be of greater weight with the generality of readers. The ancient Christians, who lived nearest the apostles times, still spoke of the Lord's day with the highest veneration and respect; such as Ignatius, Justin Martyr, Tertullian, and others; who also give an account of the particular religious services performed by Christians on that day. It is observable, that the Christians then commonly called that day among themselves, the first day of the week, and the Lord's day, as it is denominated in the New Testament; With w cient mart sians! Sai 'rest spiri 'lover of most em So stric lic devotio ed, " Tha are near 'church, 'church In the Constant an edict, LORD'S by the co counted LORD'S, army to o where to no work prayers ar We rea England, or traffic, that made |