CONCERNING THE MORALITY OF THE SABBATH, AND THE DIVINE APPOINTMENT OF THE LORD’S DAY. QUEST. II. For what ends hath God appointed a weekly Sabbath? ANS. 1. God hath appointed it for manifesting of his own glory, and particularly for displaying his sovereign power and authority over all his creatures. It must certainly be a high acknowledgment of God’s universal dominion and supremacy, to have all the world every week, in one day, lay aside their own business, that they may jointly worship him in a public and solemn manner. 2. He appointed the Sabbath for the benefit of his creatures, and particularly in compassion to fallen man; for he saw man’s heart would be so glued to the world, so drenched in sensuality, that, where he left to himself, he would not allow one day in a month, nay, in a year, for divine worship; but would have drudged himself, his servants, and beasts, even to death, in pursuit of worldly things, without caring for any thing that is better. Wherefore a merciful God hath strictly commanded man to rest one day every week from all worldly concerns, that thereby he might, in a manner, be laid under a necessity to care for his soul, and the things of another world; and, in the meantime, the poor toiled beast, as well as men’s bodies, might have some rest and ease, for their preservation and support. But more particularly, the Sabbath is designed for our soul’s eternal welfare; in regard, 1. The Sabbath tends highly to our instruction, and to the keeping up the lively impressions of the truths of Christianity in our memories. The Sabbath recurring every week doth still anew lay before us a compendious view of these essential doctrines:-The creation of the world, man’s fall, Christ’s incarnation and satisfaction, his death, resurrection and victory for completing our redemption: Besides that glorious and eternal rest above, provided for the people of God. 2. It tends to promote holiness, spirituality, and heavenly-mindedness, in us; and that two ways. 1st. By calling us off from temporal to spiritual employment. Sensual objects through the week are ready to alienate our affections from God, and wear spiritual things out of our minds; for recalling whereof the Sabbath seasonably returns, and presents and entertains us with divine objects. 2d. By affording us a lively emblem of heaven, and the conversation of the glorified saints, in celebrating that eternal Sabbath above. For, as in heaven there is no buying, selling, nor any worldly business, but a continual speaking of God, enjoying communion with him, adoring and praising him for ever, without any mixture of other affairs, so the Lord will have an emblem or representation hereof, as near as may be, given weekly to his people on earth, by the Sabbath, wherein they must lay aside all worldly things, and be wholly employed in the service of God, and work of heaven. And this is in order both to keep them in mind of, and make them meet for, that inheritance of the saints in light
Posted on: Sun, 05 Oct 2014 07:49:34 +0000