Question 60

Is the Sabbath to be sanctified?

Yes.

In what sense is God said to sanctifie the holy Sabbath?

By making it holy.

In what sense are we said to sanctifie the Sabbath?

By keeping it holy.

Did God sanctifie it by way of consecration?

Yes.

And must we sanctifie it by way of application, i.e. applying it to those ends and exercises for which God did consecrate it?

Yes.

Is the rest of the Sabbath a part of our sanctifying it?

Yes.

What kind of rest must it be? a meer civil rest?

No.

Or a meer carnal and bodily rest, such as the Oxe and the Asse must have on the Sabbath?

No.

What rest then?

An holy rest.

How long must this be?

All that day.

From what must we rest? from spiritual employments and recreations?

No.

From what then?

From worldly employments and recreations?

May we not do our own work upon the Sabbath day?

No.

Nor follow our own sports and pastimes, nor spend the time in our ease and sloth?

No.

From what worldly employments and recreations must we rest? from such as are sinful in themselves, and unlawful at any time?

Yes.

And not only from such, but even from those that are lawful at other times?

Yes.

And how must we spend the time?

In the exercise of Gods worship.

May we spend it idly?

No.

In what exercise must we spend it?

Both in the publick and private exercises of Gods worship.

May we stay at home, and spend our time in the Private Exercises of Gods Worship with the neglect of the Publick?

No.

May we not rest satisfied in giving attendance on the publick worship, but must we also be careful at home in the Private?

Yes.

May not worldly business be done in any Case upon the Sabbath day.

Yes.

What works then may lawfully be done on the Sabbath day, besides the works of Piety.

The works of Necessity and Mercy.

What do you call the works of Necessity?

Such as could not be done before, and cannot be deferred until after the Sabbath.

May works of mercy be done upon the Sabbath day, such as visiting the sick, feeding our bodies, and our beast? &c.

Yes.

And why is this Commandment delivered as to all in general, so especially to governours of families? Is it because it is not enough for them to sanctifie the Sabbath themselves, but they must also look that it be strictly observed, in, and by their families, and because they are apt to hinder their housholds in and by business of their own?

Yes.