1O6 THE LORD'S-DAY. release from the business of earth, and your employment in the work of heaven. Give thanks to Jesus your Redeemer, who on this day finished the work of your redemption, and arose from the dead : and as those which are risen with Christ set your affec- tions on the things that are above, where Christ is at the right- hand of God; Col. iii. 1, 2. This is the day which the Lord has made, we will he glad and rejoice'therein ; Ps. cxviii. 24. Bless his holy name that he has appointed Christians to assemble them- selves together for divine and heavenly purposes on this day, and be not the last in those assemblies, because if you are fre- quently so, it looks as if you had no mind to attend upon them at all. Give thanks again to God the Creator and Governor of the world, who has fixed your birthand habitationin a land wherein the Lord's-day is observed, and wherein there are laws to guard the observance of it ; so that you are not disturbed and hindered by the sons of wickedness in the practices of religion on this day. This is a distinguishing favour which you enjoy above the chris- tians of the primitive ages who dwelt under heathen princes, where they had much ado to observe any sabbath, or to employ the Lord's-clay in religious practices, while the whole nation around themwas engaged, either in thebusy affairs of this mortal life, or in vile idolatry and superstition. Do not say, concerning the duties of worship on this day as the Jewish hypocrites did in thedays of the prophets Amos and Malachi,. Behold, what a weariness is it andwhen will the sah- bath begone, that we may set forth wheat and sell corn ; Mal, i. 13. Amos viii. 5. Donot so much enquire, what earthly busi.. ness may I do on this day without sin, as what isthere I can omit till to- morrow? What worldly business can I be excused from doing on God's holy day? This will discover a truly religious temper indeed, and shew that you delight in the things of God more than in things carnal or earthly. II. as Dispose ofyour earthly affairs wisely in the foregoing week, so that, if possible you may not have the Lord's-day, which is a day of rest and worship, invaded and intrenchedupon by the cares and business of this world." Endeavour to quit yourselves of them so early theforegoingevening, that they may not cut short your hours of sleep that night, and thereby render you listless and drowsy upon the day appointed for worship. There is a great deal of Christianprudence and discretion to be seen in such a disposal of our wordly businesses, as may give us full leisure for God and heavenly things upon the Lord's -day ; that when our thoughts are rising up to our risen and ascended Saviour, we may not feel the dares of life hang about them like
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