A help to holy walking, or, A guide to glory containing directions how to worship God, and to walk with him in the whole course of our lives / by Edward Bury.

2. Direct. When thou keepest a day, keep it to the Lord, and not to thy self. Let thy ultimate end and aim be Gods glory, and the main design thou drivest on be his praise: 'tis true in all Duties this should be regarded; but especially in this: for this Time is set a∣part meerly upon that account, to praise him with an inlarged heart; and if thou propound lower ends than these, God will not own thy work. These days are appointed to praise God, and not as many abuse them, and pam∣per the Flesh; 'tis the Apostles advice, and doubtless our Duty, 1. Cor. 10.31. Whether ye eat or drink, or whatsoever you do, do all to the praise and glory of God. And if in our or∣dinary

course we should drive on this design, much more in this extraordinary Duty, in so solemn a day, and exercise; here the joy of the Lord should fill the heart, Spiritual and not Carnal Joy, & the praise of the Lord should fill our Mouths, not vain laughter: we should speak out the great works of God, which he hath done for our Souls; and whatsoever suits not with this, is unsuitable for the occa∣sion; but 'tis a sad thing, that many that pre∣tend Conscience in the observation of Saints-days, blame all those thot look upon them as indifferent. I say, that those to whom honest Labour, at other times Lawful, is held a great Transgression, yet make no Conscience at all of serving God upon these days; but spend their time vainly, and prophanely, neither to the benefit of Soul, or Body. These think they serve God better at an Ale-house, at a Cock-pit, or Bear-baiting, or Stage-play; at Cards, or Dice, or other unlawful Games, than they can in an honest Calling: But is this the Feast that God hath chosen, to eat and drink, and rise up to play? This may serve turn, if we worshiped such an Idol as Israel then did, Fxod. 32.6. But shall we serve our God with such service, as the Heathen did Baccus? He is a Spirit, and must be wor∣shiped in Spirit, and in Truth; and is eating and drinking, to Gluttony and Drunkenness this Spiritual Service that is commanded? Shall we praise God for his Creatures, by in∣temperance, and abuse of them? Yet are not

these the Exercises of some of the greatest Sticklers for such Festivals? Look into an Ale-house, and see whether more meet not there upon such days as these, than the whole Week beside; and many an Oath sworn, and many a Lye told, and many a vain word spoken, at such times, and upon such occasi∣ons; yea, much Drunkenness, Debauchery, Quarrels, Fightings; and sometimes Murder, is there committtd. And is this Gods Feast, or the Devils Sacrifice? It more suits an Heathen Idol, than an holy God. Is this the place where God is like to meet thee? or wouldest have Death meet thee here? or is the Discourse of the Company suitable to the work of the Day, wilt thou thank God for thy Reason, when thou hast lost the use of it by drinking; and transformed thy self into a Beast? or canst then remember Gods benefits to praise him for them, when thou canst not remember what thou dost? 'Tis far from me to Judge any Man that keeps those days, as days of Thanks∣giving ought to be kept: And 'tis far from me to approve of them as they are kept. I know the Godly are allowed to eat their Bread with Joy, and drink their Wine with a merry heart; but it is Spiritual, not Carnal Joy: They ought upon Thanksgiving days, to cease from their Labour; but that is not all, then they keep it but as a Beast: But as a Fast is a help to humiliation, and makes Prayers the more fervent; so Feasting in an holy manner elevates the Soul, and makes praises the more

hearty, when we freshly tast Gods goodness in the Prevision made for us: Labour in both is forbidden, as 'tis an hindrance in the Duties in hand: but 'tis sad that God is more disho∣nored in those days pretended to be set apart to honour him in, than in all the days of the Year besides; but God will not own such Servants, nor accept of such Service, when Men think there is nothing but work forbid∣den upon that day, or nothing more than idleness required; but many would glorifie God much better in a Lawful Calling, than at an unlawful Exercise, or unnecessary Recrea∣tion. I know Recreation is Lawful, as I hope in due time and place to demonstrate and give Directions in it: But why should we take Gods time for our use? if these days be appropriated to Gods Service, let them be spent in his Service; if for our Recreation, let us never put the Title of Holy-days upon them, let them be left indifferent, to be used, or not used, at pleasure, or People kept from dishonouring God in them.