Question 60
On Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647) Q. 60
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How is the Sabbath to be sanctified?
The Sabbath is to be sanctified by an holy resting all that day, even from such worldly employments and recreations, as are lawful on other daies, and spending the whole time in the publick and private exercises of Gods worship, except so much as is to be taken up in the works of Necessity and Mercy.
Is the Sabbath to be sanctified?
Yes.
In what sense is God said to sanctifie the holy Sabbath?
In making it holy, by way of Consecration.
In what sense are we said to sanctifie the Sabbath?
In keeping it holy, by way of application, viz. applying it to those ends and exercises for which God did consecrate it.
What is required that the Sabbath may be sanctified?
Two things, 1. Resting is required.
What kind of resting must it be? a meer civil rest?
No.
Or a meer carnal and bodily resting, such as the Ox and the Ass must have on the Sabbath?
No.a
What kind of resting then is required on the Sabbath day?
An holy resting.
How long must this be?
All that day.b
From what must we rest, from spiritiual employments and recreations?
No.
From what then?
From worldly employments and recreations.c
When may these lawfully be used?
On other days,d so we use them aright.
What else is required that the Sabbath may be sanctified?
2. Spending the time in the exercises of Gods worship, and this makes the rest to be an holy rest.
May we stay at home, and spend our time in the private exercises of Gods worship with the neglect of the publick?
No.e
May we not rest satisfied in giving attendance on the publick worship, but must we be also careful at home in private?
Yes.f
How much time must we spend in the publick and private exercises of Gods worship?
The whole time, except so much as is to be taken up in the works of necessity and mercy.
What do you mean by works of Necessity?
Such as could not be done before, and cannot be deferred until after the Sabbath.
How are we to perform the duties of the day?
1. We are to perform the publick and private exercises of Gods worship on the Sabath day. 1. With sincerity, having a single respect unto the honour and glory of God, whose day the Sabbath is. Isa. 58. 13. 2. With reverence, and that both of body and mind. Eccl. 5. 1. 1 Cor. 6. 20. Heb. 12. 28▪ 29. Isa. 66. 1. 3. With diligence and attention. Acts 16. 13, 14. Deut 6. 7. Acts 17. 11. and 10. 33. 4. With Love and fervour of Spirit. Rom. 12. 11. 5. With delight. Psal. 42. 4. Deut. 16. 14. Isa. 58. 13. 1 Ioh. 5. 3. 2. We must do works of Necessity and Mercy with chearfulness, and without anxiety of mind, and doubtful scrupulosity. Rom. 12. 8. Mat. 12. 11, 12.
Proofs
Each links to the Scripture index: what else cites the passage.
- a1 Corinthians 6:20
- bPsalm 92:title, 1–2
- cJeremiah 17:21–22; Exodus 16:25–28
- dExodus 20:9; Ecclesiastes 9:7
- eIsaiah 66:23; Luke 4:16; Acts 20:7; Hebrews 10:24–25; 1 Corinthians 16:1–2; Acts 16:13–15; Song of Solomon 3:1–5
- fExodus 20:10; Deuteronomy 6:6–10; Genesis 18:19; Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 3:13; 2 Timothy 3:14–15; 1:5
Cite this
An Explicatory Catechism (1675) on Q. 60, symbolics.dev/explicatory1675/60
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