To the extent possible under law, the Text Creation Partnership has waived all copyright and related or neighboring rights to this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above, according to the terms of the CC0 1.0 Public Domain Dedication (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/). This waiver does not extend to any page images or other supplementary files associated with this work, which may be protected by copyright or other license restrictions. Please go to http://www.textcreationpartnership.org/ for more information.
XI. In this matter touching Recreations to be used on the Lords-day, much need not be said, there being little difficulty in it, and His Majesties last Declaration in that behalf having put it past Disputation. I say then,
1. For the Thing. That no man can rea∣sonably condemn the moderate use of law∣ful
Recreations upon the Lord's-day, as sim∣ply, and de toto genere unlawful.
2. For the Kind. Albeit there can be no certain rules given herein, (as in most indif∣ferent things it cometh to pass) by reason of the infinite variety of ••••rcumstances, to fit with all particular cases, but that still much must be left to private discretion: yet for some directions in this matter, respect would be had in the choice of our Recreations.
1. To the Publick Laws of the State. Such games or sports as are by Law pro∣hibited, (though in themselves otherwise lawful) being unlawful to them that are under the obedience of the Law.
2. To the condition of the Person. VValking and discoursing with men of liberal Education, is a pleasant recreati∣on; it is no way delightsom to the ruder sort of people, who scarce account any thing a sport which is not loud and boy∣sterous.
3. To the effects of the Recreations themselves. Those being the me••test to be used, which give the best refreshing to the body, and leave the least impression in the mind. In which respect, Shooting, Leaping, Pitching the Bar, Stool-ball, &c.
are rather to be chosen than Dicing, Carding, &c.
3. For the Vse. That men would be ex∣horted to use their Recreations and Pastimes upon the Lord's-day in godly and commen∣dable sort. For which purpose, amongst others, these cautions following would be remembred.
1. That they be used with great mo∣deration (as at all other times, so especi∣ally, and much more) upon the Lord's-day.
2. That they be used at seasonable times, not in time of Divine Service, nor at such hours as are appointed by the Master of the house whereunto they be∣long, for Private Devotions within his own house. His Majesties Declaration limiteth mens liberty this way, till after Even-song be ended.
3. That they be so used, as that they may rather make men the fitter for God's Service the rest of the day, and for the works of their Vocations the rest of the week, than any way hinder or dis∣able them thereunto, by over-wearying the body, or immoderately affecting the mind.
4. That they use them not doubtingly, for whatsoever is not of Faith, is sin. He therefore that is not satisfied in his own judgment, that he may lawfully, and without sin, use bodily recreations on the Lord's-day, ought by all means to forbear the use thereof, lest he should sin against his own Conscience.
5. That they be severer towards themselves than towards other men in the use of their Christian liberty herein, not making their own opinion or practise a rule to their brethren. In this, as in all indifferent things, a wise and charitable man will in godly wisdom deny himself many times the use of that liberty, which in godly charity he dare not deny to his Brother.