Sum Of Commandment 4.
SUM OF COMMANDMENT 4.
Evan. Well, then, I ask you to consider that just as the Lord in the third commandment prescribes the right way to worship him, so in the fourth commandment, he sets down the time when he would be most solemnly worshipped, in the right way; and in this commandment there is an affirmative part, expressed in these words, “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy,” etc.: that is, remember that the seventh day in every week is to be set apart from worldly things and business, and be consecrated to God by holy and heavenly employments; and there is a negative part, expressed also in these words, “In it you shall not do any work,” etc. That is, you shall not on that day do any such thing or work in any such way that hinders you from keeping a holy rest unto God.
Neo. I ask you, sir, to begin with the affirmative part, and first tell us what the Lord requires of us in this commandment.
Evan. In this fourth commandment the Lord requires that we finish all our works in the space of six days, Deu. 5.13, and think about the seventh day before it comes, and prepare for it, Luke 23.54, and rise early on that day in the morning, Psalm 92.2; Mark 1.35, 38, 39. Yes, and the Lord requires that we make ourselves fit for public exercises by prayer, reading, and meditation, Eccl. 5.1; Isa. 2.3; and join with the minister and people publicly assembled, with an assent of mind, and a fervency of affection in prayer, Acts 2.42; in hearing the word read and preached, Acts 13.14, 15, 44; in singing Psalms, 1Cor. 14.15, 16; Col. 3.16; in the sacrament of baptism, Luke 1.58, 59; and in the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, as often as it is administered in that congregation of which we are members, 1Cor. 11.26.
Then afterwards, when we come home, the Lord requires that we seriously meditate on that portion of the word which we heard. Acts 17.11, and repeat it to our families, Deu. 6.7, and confer about it with others, if there is opportunity, Luke 24.14, 17; and that we crave his blessing when we have done all this, John 17.17.
Neo. And is this all that the Lord requires us to do on that day?
Evan. No; the Lord also requires that we do works of mercy on that day, such as visit the sick, and do what good we can for them, Neh. 8.10, 12; Mark 3.3-5, and relieve the poor and needy, and those in prison, Luke 13.16, and labour to reconcile those at variance and discord. Mat. 5.9.
And the Lord permits us to do works of urgent necessity on that day, such as traveling to places of God’s worship, 2Kings 4.23; to heal the diseased, Hos. 6.1, 6; Mat. 12.7, 12; to prepare food for the necessary preservation of our temporal lives, Exo. 12.16; to tend and feed cattle, Luk 14.5; Mat. 12.11; and such things.
Neo. I ask you, sir, proceed to the negative part, and tell us what the Lord forbids in this commandment.
Evan. In this commandment the Lord forbids idleness, or sleeping more than necessary in the morning on the Lord’s day, Mat. 20.6; he also forbids us labouring in our particular callings, Exo. 16.28-30; Deu 16.8; and he also forbids us talking about our worldly affairs and business on that day, Amos 8.5; Isa. 58.13; and he also forbids us to travel on any journey for our worldly business on that day, Mat. 24.20; or to keep any fairs or markets on that day, Neh. 13.16, 17; or labour in seeding and harvesting on that day. In a word, on that day the Lord forbids all worldly works and labours, except works of mercy and urgent necessity, which were mentioned before. And thus have I also declared both what the Lord requires, and what he forbids, in the fourth commandment. And now, neighbour Nomologista, I ask you to tell me whether you think you keep it perfectly, or not?
Nom. Indeed, sir, I must confess, there is more both required and forbidden in this commandment than I was aware of; yet I hope that I go very near to observing and doing all.
Neo. But, sir, is the bare observing and doing of these things sufficient to perfectly keep this commandment?
Evan. Oh no! The first commandment must be understood in all the rest. That is, obedience to the first commandment must be the motive and final cause of our obedience to the rest of the commandments. Otherwise it is not the worship of God, but hypocrisy, as I touched on before. Therefore, neighbour Nomologista, even though you have done all the duties the Lord requires in this commandment, and avoided all the sins which he forbids, if all this has been from such grounds, and to such ends, as I told you about in the conclusion of the second commandment, and not for the love you bear to God, and the desire you have to please him, you come short of keeping this commandment perfectly.
Neo. Sir, whatever he does, I am sure I come far short not only in this point, but in various others. For though it is true, indeed, that I am careful to finish all my worldly business in the space of six days, yet, alas! I do not so seriously think about and prepare for the seventh day as I should; nor many times do I rise so early on that day as I should; nor do I thoroughly fit and prepare myself by prayer and other exercises beforehand as I should; nor do I heartily join with the minister and people when I come to the assembly, as I should. Rather, I am subject to many wandering worldly thoughts and cares even at that time. And when I come home, if I meditate, repeat, pray, or confer about the word, alas! I do none of these with such delight or comfort as I should; nor have I been so mindful or careful to visit the sick, and relieve the poor, as I should; nor can I clear myself of being guilty of doing more worldly works or labours on that day, than works of mercy and urgent necessity. The Lord be merciful to me! I ask you, sir, to proceed to speak of the fifth commandment, as you have spoken about the rest. But first of all, I ask you to tell us what is meant by “father and mother”?