CONSIDERATIONS ON THE PREVAILING CUSTOM OF VISITING ON SUNDAYS

By JAMES HERVEY, A. M.

The Sentiments here offered against the prevailing Custom of profaning the SABBATH will probably be a Satisfaction to every serious Reader, and be productive of much Good, especially as it is in every Body’s Power to reform one, and as then his own Conduct will be a tacit Reproof to his Acquaintance, who may probably through his Example be induced to weigh these Proceedings attentively, and no longer follow a Multitude to do Evil.

It is certainly a matter of importance to enquire whether SUNDAY VISITS are justifiable upon the principles of scripture and reason? As the conscientious observation of the sabbath has of late years been so much disregarded; and as it is now become the principal Day of Visiting among Persons of all Ranks.

The chief Advocates for the Continuance of such a Practice should methinks defend it publicly, that their Argument may be properly examined, if (in their Opinion) such a Custom can admit of rational Defence. And those, who are sufficiently convinced by what is here advanced, should resolve to discontinue SUNDAY VISITS themselves, and discountenance them in others, as far as they can consistent with Decency and Prudence.

That the Number of such well disposed Persons may be daily increasing is undoubtedly the hearty wish of every one who is sincerely desirous of promoting the GLORY of GOD, and the Good of Mankind.

Question: Whether it be right, for TRULYSERIOUS Persons to visit on Sundays?

THE Persons here mentioned, are the Truly-serious. As to many People, it matters not whether they are at home or abroad: GOD is not in all their Thoughts; they have no Concern for their eternal Welfare; they therefore are, in every Place, altogether and alike unprofitable.

But when we begin to discern the Things that are excellent; when we sincerely desire to “obtain Salvation, with eternal Glory, by JESUS CHRIST;” then, whether it be proper to fall in the prevailing Custom of visiting on Sunday? is the Question.

Were our Companions religious, and was our Conversation edifying, I should make no scruple to my Voice in the Affirmative, every Parlor would then be a little Sanctuary; would echo back the Exhortations, and second the Designs of the Pulpit. And we might truly say, It is good for us to be here.

But, alas! where do we find such Company? When do we hear such Conversation? The general Conversation is all Impertinence. Not so much as seasoned with a Spice of religion. They talk of Vanity every one with his Neighbor Psalm xii.2. For which Reason, I cannot think it safe or expedient, allowable or innocent, HABITUALLY to visit on Sundays.

It is inconsistent with the best Example. I was in the Spirit on the LORD’s-Day, says St. John. I was filled with the Communications of the HOLY SPIRIT, giving me clear Views of CHRIST, bright hopes of Glory, and shedding abroad the love of GOD in my Heart. But is this compatible with—the idle, trifling, insignificant Chat, which engrosses our ordinary Visits?

Objection 1: Will it be said, the Apostles was a peculiar Case? I answer, it was a peculiarly-happy Case. And will a prudent Christian relinquish the Prospect of such—unspeakable Happiness, for the most empty and delusive Amusement? But, I believe, it was not peculiar to the Apostle; rather the common Privilege of all Believers; written as a Pattern for their Practice, and to be the Plan of their Expectations.

It is contrary to the Divine Prohibition. The negative Law, relating to the Sabbath, is, Not doing thy own Ways, not finding thy own Pleasure, not speaking thy own Words, Isaiah lviii:13. Not doing thy own Ways; abstaining from secular Business, and all worldly Pursuits. Not finding thy own Pleasure; renouncing all those Recreations and Amusements, which may tend to gratify thy Taste, not to glorify thy almighty LORD. Not speaking thy own Words; conversing on spiritual, sublime and heavenly Subjects, not on low, earthly, temporal Matters, which, having no Reference to the Creator’s Honour, are therefore called thy own. However some People may act, or whatever they may think, this is the express and unalterable Law, established by the GOD of Heaven. Whether it be possible to mingle in modish Company, and obey this Law, let those judge who are acquainted with the World.

It breaks the Divine Command. The positive Law relating TO the Sabbath, is, Remember the Sabbath-Day, to keep it holy. Remember, take particular Notice of This Injunction. It is a Duty greatly to be regarded, and most conscientiously to be observed. Upon the due observance of this, our Disposition and Ability, to observe the other Precepts, in good Measure, depends. Keep it holy; devote it to holy Purposes; spend it in holy Exercises; and not barely an Hour or two; not barely the Intervals of private and public Devotion; but the Day; the Sabbath-day; the whole Day. Neither will the whole Day be too long, if we make Conscience of discharging the several Duties of Religion, Reading and Meditation; Prayer and Praise: Teaching our Children, and instructing’ our Domesticks; examining our Hearts; and taking heed to our Ways. All these offices, if properly performed, will leave very little, rather no Time for unnecessary Elopments. And shall we huddle over all these important Offices, or totally neglect some of them, only to indulge ourselves in the most unprofitable Levities? at once doing an Injury to our spiritual Interests, and violating the Divine Precept.

I fear, it will be a kind of crucifying afresh our blessed Master, Heb. vi.6. This Expression we have often read, but think ourselves free from the Guilt implied in it, and indeed from the very Likelihood of contracting it. But let us be reminded, that we crucify our LORD afresh, when we have very little Esteem for him, or Gratitude to him. Consequently, that he has little or no Excellency, for which we or others should desire him. Now what else can the World conclude, when they see us giving in to the Vanities of a licentious Mode, on that very Day, which is sacred to the Commemoration of his Resurrection? “Surely,” might the Children of this World say, if these “Christians had any real Reverence for their LORD, they would shew it on his own Day. They would either be retired to contemplate and adore him; or else come abroad to exalt and glorify him. But they come abroad to be as frothy in their Talk, and as trifling in their Temper, as forgetful of their SAVIOR, and as regardless of his Honour, as the most arrant Worlding among us all.” To afford a Handle for such Reflections, is to wound the REDEEMER in the house of his Friends.

It will grieve the HOLY SPIRIT, Eph. iv. 30. Christians believe, that he is infinitely wise, allgracious, and ever-blessed; that he dwells in their Hearts, and is the Source of all their Holiness and all their Happiness. Therefore we pray daily in our Liturgy, that the HOLY SPIRIT may not be taken from us. On Sunday, we commemorate the Descent of this Divine Guest; and are, in a particular Manner, to implore his Presence, and cultivate his Influences. But can this be done, by neglecting his express Prohibition, and breaking his positive Command ? By disregarding the Examples, which he has set before us; and dishonouring that SAVIOR ? whom He delights to magnify? Besides, dare any Mortal presume to say in his Heart amidst a Circle of our polite Visitants, “I am now acting in a Manner, becoming by Relation to the Eternal SPIRIT. These Sentiments and this Discourse are suitable to his Dignity, Wisdom, And Glory. A proper Method of celebrating and honouring the Day of his miraculous Mission?”

Should any one ask, “What is meant by grieving the HOLY SPIRIT?” It means offending his exalted Majesty, and causing him to act as Men Commonly act, when they are grieved and displeased with any one; they withdraw from his company, and visit him no more: When Samuel was grieved for Saul’s Misbehavior, it is written, “He came no more to see Saul” If the Almighty COMFORTER be provoked to deal thus with our Souls, alas! What a Loss must we sustain! A Loss, unspeakable, irreparable, eternal!

So that if this Practice were not sinful, it must be exceedingly detrimental. And that, not in one only, but in various Respects. Have we received spiritual Good from the public Ordinances ? The Admonition of Heaven is, we ought to give the more Earnest to the things which we have heard, lest at any Time we should let them slip, Heb. 2:1. By this Practice, we not only suffer them to slip, but open as it were a Leak for their immediate Discharge. Have we been under edifying Impressions from our private Exercises ? The unerring Direction is, quench not the Spirit. Stifle not the serious Desires, which he has awakened. Allow them their full Scope, till they are formed into gracious Habits. By the Practice under Consideration, we pour water instead of Oil, upon the feeble Flame. We extinguish what we should cherish. Is the Heavenly Seed sown in our Breasts ? These dissipating Interviews are the ravenous Birds, which follow the Seedsman, and devour the Grain: So that nothing takes Root. No Fruit of Faith, of Joy, or Love is produced.

Let me only add, That on a dying-bed, the Misimprovement of all our Time will be most bitterly regretted. How much more the Misimprovement of those Hours, which GOD himself has hallowed; has set apart for the noblest Purposes; and is wont to bless in an especial Manner! “While others were seeking the Pearl of great Price, and gathering those Treasures of Wisdom and Grace, which endure to everlasting Life; I, alas! was squandering away the precious Opportunities in very Vanity.” To see the Curtain of Time dropping; to see a vast Eternity opening before us; and to have such reflections haunting our Conscience: This will cause Misery, not to be expressed; create Anguish, not to be conceived.

Objection II: Will it be said, in Answer to these —Considerations, “That Company, even trifling Company, is a Relaxation. We return to the Instruction of our Families, and to our Evening Devotion, with fresh Alacrity, being sick of these Triflers?” A strange Argument! It should rather be reversed. The Objectors might truly-say, Being sick of Religion and its Services, we want Triflers to afford us some Relief. The sincere Servant of CHRIST would find no Recreation, but feel Grief of Heart, in such Interviews. It must be a real Affliction to observe his Divine LORD absolutely disregarded. Disregarded on the Day peculiarly devoted to his Honor. Every Vanity now preferred before him, as Barabbas the Robber was formerly. The true Refreshment for our Souls consists in having our Faith increased, our Hope elevated, and our Views of Heaven enlarged. In contemplating the infinite Perfection and Glory of our Redeemer; the infinite Grandeur and Fulness of his Propitiation; and our complete, I might have said, our infinite Security from Wrath and Vengeance, by being interested in his Merits.

Objection III. “Sunday is the best Part of our Time for this Purpose. Business is suspended. Every body is ready dressed. All Circumstances invite.” Is it the best Part of our Time? Then let it be devoted to the best of Beings. Who is more worthy of our choicest Thoughts, Affections, Hours, than that divinely compassionate Saviour, who offered himself, in the very Prime of his Life, a bleeding Victim for our Sins, that his Sacrifice might have every recommending Circumstance, which could render it acceptable to GOD, and available for Man?

Objection IV: “It is the universal Custom. To discontinue it, would render us unfashionable.” And cannot you bear to be a little unfashionable for his Sake, who was despised and rejected, who humbled himself to Death, even the Death of the Cross, for your Sake? Is it the universal Custom ? Then Custom is. the Idol, which we are called to renounce. I must say of Custom, in this Case, as Elijah said of Baal; If Custom be GOD, follow its Dictates; but if JEHOVAH be GOD, observe his Precepts. It is written in the Scriptures, Rom. xii.2. Be not conformed to this World. To what does this Prohibition relate? To such ungodly Customs, no doubt. No Battery of Cannon was ever pointed more directly against a Citadel to be demolished, than this Text against such Customs. In different Matters, let the Christian avoid Singularity. Let him dress somewhat like his Neighbours. Let him make an Appearance suitable to his Station. But let him not follow a Multitude to profane the Sabbath, or to do any Evil. Here Religious Persons should, by all Means, be singular; should distinguish themselves by a becoming Zeal for their GOD; should set an Example, and shine as Lights, in the Midst of a crooked and perverse Generation. Otherwise, they may do, not themselves only, but others also, increditable Harm.

Objection V: Some perhaps may start, and reply, “If these Things are so, to what a Degree of sinful Negligence is even the Christian World arrived!” With Regard to the World called Christian, This is too true. And no measure of Sorrow can be sufficient to bewail the deplorable Degeneracy. Negligence, or rather Obstinacy, in this capital Instance, is a melancholy Indication of no less Disobedience in other Respects.

Objection VI: “This will be irksome, will render our Religion a Burden.” I hope, no one that pretends to seriousness will offer to make this Objection. The Sinners in Zion made it. For which Reason they are branded, and by the divine SPIRIT himself, with Infamy that will never be blotted out. Oh! what a Weariness is it! when will the Sabbath, and its irksome Solemnities, be gone? Mal. 1:13. and Amos 8:5. This discovers a Heart alienated from GOD; that has not tasted the good Word of Grace, and savours not the Things which be of CHRIST. Otherwise, such would be the language; “One Day, thus employed, is better than a thousand.” Psalm 84:10.

Is it tedious and burdensome to pass a single Day in devout Exercises ? How then shall we pass, how shall we endure the Ages of Eternity ? Since we are assured, that those happy Beings, who stand around the Throne, clothed with White Robes, serve their GOD Day and Night, for ever and ever, in his Temple. In the regions of Immortality they find a Heaven; because, there they have a never-ceasing and eternal Communion with GOD; because there they have an uninterrupted and everlasting Sabbath.

Submitted.

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