SERMON L. 105 part of the Lord's-day, by providing food and other conveniences of life, render many more persons capable of spending theclay in religion, I cannot find that the New Testament forbids it. I say, in some part of the Lord's day, for I think none ought to be so constantly employed in secular affairs as toexclude the whole day from its proper business, that is, religion or devotion, unless in the cases of'necessitÿ before mentioned, I think it may be main- tained in general, that whatsoever tends to destroy or nullify the great designs of religious worship should be omitted on the Lord's-day ; so some lesser labours which tend to make the per- formances of religion more easy, chearful and regular to our- selves and to great numbers of others, may safely be performed on this day without a sinful violation of it. But wheresoever the ,conscience is doubtful, it is best to chose the safer side. Happy is he that condemneth not himself. in what he allozreth; Rom. xiv. 22. And I would take leave to add here also, that as it is a day of sacred rest and refreshment, we are hot called to draw out the duties of worship to such unreasonable and tiresome lengths, nor to be so incessant and uninterrupted in works of religion on this day, as wouldovermuch fatigue the spirits, and overpress animal nature. This does not tend to the edification of men, or the ho- nour of God ; but it has a certain and evident tendency to-preju. dice younger persons against the observation of the Lord's-day, if we renderthe service of it too irksome and tedious. Accord- ing asour constitution is more or less healthy, or our circumstan- ces in the world, as servants or masters, as poor or rich, call us more or less to necessary works on this day, so we are to employ ourselves in the affairs of religion at such hours, andwith such intervals of release and refreshment, as that the sabbath of the Lord may be a pleasure tous, and may not over tire feeble nature W instead of giving it rest. e should all employ this day to the designs and ends appointed, to the honour of God and our risen Saviour, not with Jewish rigours and superstitious abstinences, not in indulgences of the flesh and lazy idleness,not in 'sports and pastime, but with christian wisdom improve our time for religious purposes according to our capacities and stations, knowing that we are in a state of gospel liberty, freed from a state and spirit of bondage, and rejoicing in the Lord our Deliverer and Saviour. This leads me to some practical exhortations. I. as Delight in the Lord's-day as a high privilegebestowed upon you, make it the matter of your holy joy." Give thanks to God your Creator, who has not sufléred you to wear out all your time in the drudgeries of this world, and the cares and toils of a mortal state, but has appointed one day in seven for your
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