60

OUR LORD HONOURED THE SABBATH on all occasions, and

never violated its sanctity

NOTHING IS ABROGATED UNDER THE CHRISTIAN DISPENSA-

TION, WITH RESPECT TO THE SABBATH, but those tempo-

rary and figurative enactments, which constituted the

peculiarities of the Jewish age

70

The DISTINGUISHING PROMISE of the New Testament has

for its object, to RENDER THE DUTIES OF THE SABBATH

more delightful, and thus increases tenfold their obliga-

tion

Let every one YIELD to these accumulated proofs

Let every one SHUN THE INGRATITUDE of making use of the

compassion of our Saviour to the tacit. disparagement of

the Sabbath itself

81

We plead for the CHRISTIAN SABBATH, for which the Holy

Spirit is especially given

SERMON IV.

Revelation i. 10.-Page 83.

THE SABBATH TRANSFERRED BY DIVINE AUTHORITY

FROM THE SEVENTH TO THE FIRST DAY OF THE

WEEK, OR LORD'S DAY.

The PREPARATORY CIRCUMSTANCES which lay a probable

ground for the change of the day:

1. The prominence given to the proportion of time, both at

the first institution in Paradise, and in the wording of the

fourth commandment

2. The probability that the computation of time was lost, in

the bondage of Egypt

3. The freedom and universality of the gospel dispensation . 88

4. The intimations of prophecy

5. The complete revolution which actually took place in the

whole state of the church

6. The claims which Christ advanced during his ministry,

of legislating for the Sabbath, as its Sovereign and Lord. 95

The MANNER IN WHICH THE CHANGE OF THE SABBATH FROM

THE LAST to the FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK, was gradually

introduced by the DIVINE AUTHORITY of our LORD and

his apostles

97

1. Our Saviour, after his passion, began to introduce the ac-

tual change tacitly and gently, by his own divine conduct

on his resurrection

2. The first day is marked by the gift of the great promise

of the whole dispensation .

99

101

102

3. The doctrine and conduct of the apostles bring in more
decidedly the new day of the Sabbath

4. The events of God's wonderful providence completed the

change

5. Ecclesiastical historians bear witness to the observation of

the first day

105

108

6. A perpetual blessing has attended, and now attends, the

Christian Sabbath

111

RECAPITULATION OF THE EVIDENCE that all the obligations

that can combine to enforce a moral command upon man

unite in the case of the Christian Sabbath

112

113

ADORE THE WISDOM AND GOODNESS of God in providing
for man's religious repose in his first creation

The CHANGES in the circumstances of the law of the Sabbath

have sprung up from NEW BENEFITS conferred on man 114

In proportion as the benefits of the gospel are more exalted,

should our hearts receive the INTIMATIONS OF THE DIVINE

WILL WITH MORE ALACRITY, and fulfil them WITH WARMER

Keep ever in view the GREAT END of the institution

The PUBLIC AND PRIVATE DUTIES of the Sabbath

We must carry the TRUE SPIRIT OF THE CHRISTIAN DISPEN-

126

133

137

. 138

141

SATION into these duties
Caution as to TENDERNESS to children and servants in enforc-
ing these duties

We must glorify God for those MIGHTY BLESSINGS WHICH ARE
APPOINTED TO BE COMMEMORATED on the LORD'S DAY

TOPICS OF HUMILIATION arising from the discussion

The CONVICTION which such a discussion should fix in the

minds of the IRRELIGIOUS AND UNCONVERTED

142

SERMON VI.

Isaiah lviii. 1, 2.—Page 145.

THE UNSPEAKABLE IMPORTANCE OF THE RIGHT OB-

SERVATION OF THE SABBATH, WITH THE EVILS OF

THE OPPOSITE ABUSE.

147

The observation of the Christian Sabbath is A MOST SACRED
COMPACT, and the abuse of it the VIOLATION of that com-
pact

The observation of the Sabbath bears upon man's TEMPORAL

AND SPIRITUAL WELFARE AS A FALLEN BUT ACCOUNT-

ABLE CREATURE

It includes in fact, ALL THE APPLICATION OF THE CHRISTIAN

The Lord's day connects and holds together ALL THE LINKS

AND OBLIGATIONS OF HUMAN SOCIETY, which the violation

of it tends to destroy

The observation of the Sabbath HONOURS ALMIGHTY GOD, AND

BRINGS HIS FAVOUR AND BLESSINGS upon a people; whilst

the profanation of it provokes his highest displeasure

The EXCUSES Which men allege in extenuation of a neglect

of the day of God

Let us ENTER FULLY AND DETERMINATELY on the religious

duty of honouring God

SERMON VII.—Page 169.

Nehemiah xiii. 17, 18.

THE GUILT WHICH IS CONTRACTED BY CHRISTIAN

NATIONS IN PROPORTION AS THE LORD'S DAY IS

OPENLY PROFANED.

The CHARGE OF GUILT against the BRITISH NATION SUBSTAN-

tiated

170

The NATIONAL JUDGMENTS which we may too certainly dread 178

The PRACTICAL MEASURES Which each one may adopt to

promote a national repentance and return to God

182

We have pleaded for the Sabbath because it is a MEANS TO

CERTAIN ENDS

Because of the UNSPEAKABLE VALUE OF THE SOUL OF MAN

Because it appeals to THE HUMAN CONSCIENCE

. 188

. 189

Because it is an INDISPENSABLE PREPARATION for THE HEA-

• 190

VENLY BLESSEDNESS

191

SERMONS.

SERMON I.

THE INSTITUTION OF A WEEKLY SABBATH IN PARADISE, AND ITS CONTINUED AUTHORITY UNTIL THE DELIVERY OF THE MORAL LAW.

GENESIS II. 1-3.

Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it; because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.

THE glory of God is peculiarly concerned in the due observance of the Sabbath. It is the day which he is pleased to call his own, and with which he has connected most of the practical blessings of salvation. The Lord's day is one main distinction of the gospel dispensation, as the Jewish sabbath was of the Mosaical, and the Patriarchal sabbath of the first revelation of the divine will to Adam. The profanation of this day tends

B