THe third Commandment does enjoyn the sanctifying of Gods Name.
By this we are directed to pray that he would enable us to bear a reverent and high esteem unto all his glorious Titles and Attributes; his holy Word, the Religion we professe, his mighty works.
That we may fear that glorious and fearful name the Lord our God,1 that we may sanctifie the Lord God in our hearts; being more careful to observe and meditate upon his holy Attributes and Titles, more solemn and reverent in mentioning his names and word upon every good occasion.
That we may be more conscionable in observing all those good promises and resolutions which we have made.
That we may walk worthy of that vocation wherwith we are called, (Eph. 4.1) labouring by an holy life to adorn our profession, and bring glory to his name. That we may be blamelesse and harmlesse, the sons of God, without rebuke, (Phil. 2.15) in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, amongst whom we may shine as lights in the world: That he would make our light so to shine before men, (Mat. 5.16) that they seeing our good works may glorifie our Father who is in Heaven.
That we may never grieve the hearts, or shame the faces of true Professors.
That we may walk honestly to those that are without, (1 Thes. 4.12) behaving our selves so warily, that we may never occasion his name to be blasphemed. That with well-doing we may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.2 That they may be ashamed who speak evil of us, and falsly accuse our good conversation.
That we may be more ready to observe, and extoll his great power, wisdome, goodnesse, so evident, (Psal. 145.5) both in his making and governing of the world; His various, and manifold works, that are done in wisdome; (Ps. 107.24) More especially those particular passages of his providence, which concern our selves;3 That we may understand the loving kindnesse of the Lord: O Lord, how great are thy works? and thy thoughts are very deep; a brutish man knoweth not, neither doth a fool understand this.
The fourth Commandment does enjoyn us to remember,4 and to sanctifie the Sabbath Ordinary. Extraordinary.
So that from hence we are taught to pray, that God would teach us to esteem of the Sabbath, as an holy honourable day, (Isa. 58.13) set apart from common use, consecrated to his peculiar worship and service; that we may call it a delight, finding a great pleasure and sweetnesse in those sacred duties that belong unto it. That they may not seem tedious and irksome unto us; especially since we all professe to wish, and hope for such a blessed Eternity hereafter, as shall be nothing else but Sabbath.
That we may always remember to fit our selves for the sanctifying of this day, by laying aside all secular businesses and diversions, endeavouring by Prayer and Meditation to put our hearts into such an holy frame, as is required of those that desire to wait upon him in his Ordinances.
That he would be graciously present with all those assemblies of his Saints, which do on that day meet together for his worship and service, in any part of the Christian world: That he would be pleased to assist and direct his Ministers, that they may deliver his Word with plainnesse, and power, to the capacity of the weakest, and conviction of the wisest; That the people may receive it with meeknesse and faith, that so it may accomplish that good work for which it is sent; (Isa. 55.11) and mightily prevaile to the casting down the strong holds of sin, the edifying of his Church, and the making up the number of his Elect.
That he would more especially direct and assist the Minister unto whose charge we belong, to speak unto our consciences, giving unto him the tongue of the learned, (Isa. 50.4) that he may know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary. Being carefull to feed the flock, strengthening the diseased,5 healing that which is sick, binding up the broken, seeking that which is driven away, and lost. That he would give unto us Pastours after his own heart, who may feed us with knowledge and understanding; (Jer. 3.15) and that the work of the Lord may prosper in their hands. (Isa. 53.10)
That he would remove from us all irreverence, distraction, dulnesse, prejudice in hearing of his Word: That he would enlighten our mindes, quicken our affections, and strengthen our memories for the receiving, and retaining of it.
That we may be careful of all those publick and private duties, which concerne the sanctification of this day, both in respect of our selves, and those comitted to our charge. Not doing after our own wayes, (Isa. 58.13) nor finding our own pleasures, nor speaking our own words: But may consecrate our whole selves, both souls· bodies and services to his more especial Worship; spending the whole day with chearfulnesse in the duties of Religion, necessity and mercy.
And so for extraordinary Sabbaths Festivals. Fasts.
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For occasional Festivals, the solemne times of Joy and Thanksgiving; That we may be careful to keep such times holy unto the Lord; not resting our selves in external jollity, (Neh. 8.9) and freedome, but may seriously ponder the mercies which we celebrate, endeavouring to have our hearts affected and inlarged with love and gratitude: That our mouths may be filled with his praise; that by our experience of his goodnesse, we may learn to depend upon him, and to be more confident in him, in all future exigences, exciting others unto this duty. (Psal. 34.3) O magnifie the Lord with me, and let us exalt his Name together. Endeavouring to expresse our thankfulnesse to him, by our readinesse to relieve and supply his poor members: Sending portions to those that have nothing;6 that we may make the joy of the Lord to be our strength.
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For dayes of Fasting, which are stiled Sabbaths in Scripture; that we may not neglect this duty, when we have any extraordinary call unto it; that we may not satisfie our selves in the outward observance of it, but may be most careful of the inward duties, Renting of the heart, afflicting of the soul; Abhorring our selves, and repenting in dust and ashes:7 Remembring our evil wayes and doings which were not good, and loathing our selves for them:8 Being ashamed of our former works of darknesse: Renuing our Covenants with God; expressing a readinesse and zeale in the works of mercy and righteousnesse; (Isa. 58.6) loosing the bands of wickednesse, undoing the heavy burdens.
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