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THere is yet another Sin that calleth for Iudge∣ments, and it is a declina∣tion from Religion to pro∣fanenesse. The ordinarie meanes which Christ hath left to maintayne the life of Religion is the Word and sacraments by the dispensa∣tion of his Ministers. Now this Word and Sacraments, and the Ministers that dis∣pense them, for the due per∣formance
of this work must haue a fit maintenance, a fit time, and a fit place. If* 1.1 any of these be wholy wan∣ting Religion falls to the ground, and as much as they are impaired, so much Religion is diminished. For the maintenance of the Mi∣nistrie, Tithes are allowed; for the place, the Church; and for the time, the Lords day. Therefore, the abate∣ment of tithes, the ruinous∣nesse or the neglect of the House of God, and the profaning of the Lords day must needs be corrosiues to Religion. Yet the first hath long since beene done by Popish superstition, neither hath it yet beene healed by
a due Reformation. I haue spoken elsewhere, and now* 1.2 heartily pray, That in such places where teaching wants for want of mainte∣nance, that there might bee a supplie of it, by a supplie of maintenance, which it seemes to mee doth not ex∣ceed the wit of man to de∣uise. And till that time that it would please Authoritie either to allow them some helpe from the adioyning Ministers, or permit them to buy bread for them∣selues, or by some other meanes prouide for that want; since howsoeuer ful∣nesse of bread be suspected of nicenesse and wanton∣nesse, yet it is pitie that
want of bread should there∣fore lacke that compassion which belongs to it. As* 1.3 for the place allotted to the Ministerie, it hath of late receiued decent Reforma∣tion, but I wish the houses be not emptier as they grow fairer. For Mans corrupt Nature is apt to make ill vse of Libertie and Impu∣nitie, and as there is a Re∣cusancy of a deceiued Con∣science, so there is a Recu∣sancy of a No-Conscience; and I wish the latter Recu∣sants make no ill vse of any Libertie giuen to the for∣mer, neither that they grow bold vpon any Impunitie not intended to them. Last∣ly, for the Time, which is
the Lords day, to lay aside* 1.4 all Iewish superstition, it is most assured, That as the Church cannot ordinarily consist without the Word, nor the Word without a Place; so neither can the Word in his place be profi∣tably communicated with∣out an appointed Time. If* 1.5 so; then the Time appoin∣ted for the Ministerie of the Word is a mayne preserua∣tiue of the Church; and on the contrarie, the peruer∣ting of that Time is a very corrosiue and consumption to the Church: Then how wary should men be of en∣croching vpon that time by any vnfit or derogatorie action, since the ouerthrow
thereof hath such a fearefull effect as the ouerthrow of the Church? It is fit that men should keepe off from the borders of such a capi∣tall Sinne, as they would keepe themselues a good wayes off from the brinke of a bottomlesse pit. And a good and tender Consci∣ence should cast with him∣selfe, how he may bee sure with discretion to goe farre enough from it, rather then how hee may safely come nee•…•…e it. Againe, it being* 1.6 confessed that the worship of God hath as much need of a determinate time as a determinate place, and that one worke euen the publike seruice of God hal∣lowes
both the Time and the Place, why should wee not thinke it a profanenesse in turning the time as the place from the worke ap∣pointed to it. To turne the place of Gods seruice into a place of sporting, euen when Gods seruice is not there, is in most mens eyes a profane incongruitie and indecencie. And why is it not a like profanenesse to turne the day appointed to Gods seruice into a day of sporting, euen then when the seruice of God is not doing? Surely, to doe the dayes worke in the day seemes to bee most proper and reasonable. If so; then works, or if you will, playes
of distraction that make the proper workes of the day lesse profitable and more forgotten, how can they be iustified? Yet men are not bound wholly and onely to the chiefe works of the day, which are Prayer and Tea∣ching, but any action is lawfull that furthers them and is agreeable to them, as workes of mercy and cha∣ritie, profitable and com∣fortable conference, and a∣ny such refreshing as with∣out scandale makes vs more cheerefull and able in the duties of the day. So that a Christian is not bound from any •…•…it Libertie, but •…•…om that licentiousnesse •…•…ch vnnecessarily tur∣neth
the day from and a∣gainst his proper workes, which as much as it is, so much it decayes Religion, and admits profanenesse. Yet herein men haue beene most audaciously violent; and especially such Gentle∣men who hauing played the six dayes haue least need to play the seuenth, yet are in greatest paine if they may not make it out a whole weeke. For, three houres labour of sitting (if not sleeping) in the Church, is so full of wearinesse, though a Dinner come in the mid∣dle, that a whole sixe dayes recreation cannot expiate it, without an euening sacri∣fice to the Boules or Cards
on the seuenth. And these men yet would fayne be ex∣cused,* 1.7 and to that end are glad to lay hold on any •…•…hew of protection; But thereby they plainly shew their partiall Loue to a car∣nall libertie, since it is com∣mon to heare from them a∣ny pretence for their pa∣stimes on Gods day, but I could neuer heare three men to speake of his Maiesties* 1.8 Proclamation forbidding pastimes on that day. And therein this is remarkable, that it agrees almost in words with the Decrees of ancient Emperours, cited* 1.9 by Chemnioius, to this ef∣fect. The holidayes dedi∣cated to the highest Maie∣stie
wee will not haue to be bestowed in our pleasures, nor profaned by the vexa∣tion of exactions. Therfore wee decree that the Lords day shal be kept with honor & reuerence, &c. and a little after; Neither doe we giue such libertie to the leasure of this day, that we should suffer any to employ him∣selfe in obscoene pleasures. Let the Stage that day chal∣lenge nothing to it selfe, nor the conce•…•…tations of the Circus, nor the lamentable spectacles of beasts; yea, if the solemnitie of our owne birth light on that day, let it be deferred: The words of the Proclamation doe thus paralell them; For that
wee are informed, that there hath beene heretofore great neglect in this Kingdome of keeping the Sabbath day: for better obseruing of the same, and auoyding of all impious profanation of it, wee doe straightly charge and command, that no Beare-bayting, Bul-bay∣ting, Enterludes, common Playes, or other like disor∣dered or vnlawfull Exerci∣ses or Pastimes be frequen∣ted, kept, or vsed, at any time heereafter vpon any Sabbath day.
By want of main∣tenance to the Mi nisterie.
Medit. 79. 3. part.
By the neglect of repairing Gods House, or repayring to it.
By workes or playes of distra∣ction and incongrui∣tie on the Lords day.
Dange∣rous to the very Life of the Church.
The day of Gods Ser∣uice to be reu•…•…ndly vsed as the place of his seruice.
Profane∣nesse seeks out means of defen∣ding, not of amen∣ding.
Giuen at The •…•…lds.
Chemni•…•…▪ exa. part▪ 4. ca•…•…. De Fe∣s•…•…is.