Seven questions of the sabbath briefly disputed, after the manner of the schooles. Wherein such cases, and scruples, as are incident to this subject, are cleared, and resolved, by Gilbert Ironside B.D.

CAP. XXVI. Wherein is inquired after those duties of holinesse, unto which the Conscience is bound on the Lords day.

THere remaines only the last scruple, which is, or can be incident to this subject, viz. What duties of holinesse are proper and essentiall to the Lords day; whether only the acts of publike worship with the congregation: or the private exer∣cises also of those head-graces, faith, hope, loue; unto which, whatsoever is in Christian Religion, may be reduced? And this is indeed a point of chiefest consi∣deration, because it is practicall; and practice being the life, and spirit of knowledge, the conscience can never be throughly setled, untill this be discovered. Our literall Sabbatharians affirme in this question; and so affirme, that they make the observation of the Lords day the very abridgment of Godlinesse, in re∣spect of the first Table: and of righteousnesse; in re∣spect of the second Table. And from hence proceed these wide outcries against any, that shall contradict them; that Religion is laid upon the back, and pro∣phanenesse

set up in the roome thereof. Nay they so affirme in this point, as that their doctrine is made an open, and professed snare; such a manner of holinesse being exacted, as that it is impossible for any man li∣ving in the state of corruption, to sanctifie a Sabbath in that manner, as is required of him, either in thought, word, or deed. I confesse were it true, that upon the Lords day a man, forsaking the naturall rest of his bed sooner then vpon other daies, must begin early in the morning with the acts of repentance, then proceed to the acts of faith, and after the duties of loue conclude with repentance: and this with that manner of solem∣nity, and formality, which some require; it must needs be even to the best an utter impossibility, whether we looke at parts, or degrees. But that the observation of the Lords day, in that manner as the Lord himselfe expects, whatsoever men please to impose, is not such a Chimaera as they fancy, will appeare, I hope, in its due place. In the meane while we will set downe these arguments, which seeme to support this opinion.