Sabbath Day Observance

The doctrine of Sabbath Day observance, is one of those doctrines that the puritans fought and died for, yet, sadly, even amongst some Reformed churches today, it is neglected as far as practicing the biblical idea of Sabbath Day observance?

Q. 117. How is the sabbath or the Lord’s day to be sanctified?

A. The sabbath or Lord’s day is to be sanctified by an holy resting all the day,[624] not only from such works as are at all times sinful, but even from such worldly employments and recreations as are on other days lawful;[625] and making it our delight to spend the whole time (except so much of it as is to be taken up in works of necessity and mercy[626]) in the public and private exercises of God’s worship:[627] and, to that end, we are to prepare our hearts, and with such foresight, diligence, and moderation, to dispose and seasonably dispatch our worldly business, that we may be the more free and fit for the duties of that day. [Larger Catechsim] [Westminster Larger Catechism]

J.G. Vos commentary on the question of the Larger Catechism.

Q: What two kinds of Sabbath observance are required by the Scriptures?

A: The Word of God requires both negative and positive observance of the
Sabbath.

Q: What is meant by negative observance of the Sabbath?

A:Negative observance of the Sabbath means abstaining from those things which
ought not to be done on this day.

Q: What is meant by positive observance of the Sabbath?
A:Positive observance of the Sabbath means doing those things which it is our
duty to do on this day.

Q: How does the catechism speak of the negative observance of the Sabbath?

A: the catechism affirms that the Sabbath is to be observed by a holy resting
(a)from sinful works b) from worldly enployments; and C) from worldly
recreations.

Q: What is meant by a holy resting?

A: This means not only resting or abstaining from work, but resting with a
religous motive, as an element of obedience and service to God. We are not
merely to rest but to rest as a form of devotion to God.

Q: How much of the Sabbath is to be devoted to God by an abstinence from work
and ordinary recreations?

A: "All the day,", that is, the whole of the Sabbath Day is to be devoted to
God. [J.G. Vos The Westminster Larger Catechism Commentary]