LECTURE VII.

MEANS AND MOTIVES FOR BETTER OBSERVING the lord's DAY.

WHILE we look indignant at sin, and weep over the sinner, at the same time the most pleasing emotions and the warmest affections are excited in our minds, when we see the great and the good stepping forward, exerting their energies and influence to arrest the progress of impiety, and to promote the prevalence and dominion of virtue. On this principle, what man of God can read of the pious zeal, the dauntless courage, and the constant care, of the prince of Judah, in reforming the abuses of the Sabbath day; and not revere the man, admire his motives, and feel ambitious to copy so good and so illustrious an example!

As a ruler, he is not secluded in his palace all the year long; nor does he view the affairs of the nation with the eyes of his ministers. Amidst the bustle of a court, the confusion of a new settlement, and the labours of repairing the desolated city; he goes about the town on the Sabbath day, and examines what is onward.

When he sees the day profaned by ordinary business, he passes not by with unconcern; but immediately reprimands even the nobles of the nation; and charges them with the commission of those sins, at which they had been wickedly conniving. Neither does he suffer the evil to drop here, nor leave it with inferior officers to enforce the law. He commands the gates to be shut early on the preceding evening. And, because he suspected the fidelity of the common porters, he puts some of his own well-tried servants in their places, to prevent any traffic on the holy day. After this he proceeds into the suburbs; and finding the merchants trading without the walls of the city, he summons his. authority, and declares, That if they do so again he will severely punish them for it. And, to make all his efforts more effective, he commands the levites to watch the gates of the city, that nothing of the kind might be tolerated< for the time to come. And, finally, he concludes the business with a fervent prayer to God, to pardon the sins connected with his most holy services.

Would to God, that our rulers and all ranks of men, as far as circumstances permitted, would copy this good man's example! Nehemiah, for this single instance of piety, (had it been the only virtuous action of his life upon record,) will beremembered as long as the Sabbath shall be called a delight by the people of God. While the brave warrior, the deep politician, and the sage philosopher, of antient years, are sunk in.

oblivion, or live only in marble unobserved, or in pages unperused, this man shall live in the hearts of the wise and good. "Verily, I say unto you, Wheresoever the gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall this, also, that this man has done, be told for a memorial of him." "The righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance; but the name of the wicked shall rot." The honours obtained by deeds of heroism or by acts of impiety, are like the crowns of the Grecian conquerors, which in a few hours faded upon the hero's brow. We now proceed to consider

IV, and lastly, The Means and Motives for better Observing the Lord's day. And,

FIRST, The Means.-In order, then, properly to sanctify the Sabbath for the future

(1.) It requires you to observe it better Yourselves. And, to simplify the subject, we will address you first, As Individuals; to whom, as such, we say, You must Repent. Let every man who desires to observe the Lord's day better for the time to come, commence by sincerely repenting of his past profanation of it. There will be little reformation without genuine repentance. No man will be very strenuous in pulling down that, the erection of which has cost him little compunction of mind. While, on the other hand, no person can easily rush to the fresh commission of those crimes, over which he has been recently sorrowing. To inspire your hearts with grief, reflect that the best part of your time has been so badly employed, as to

have been rendered a curse to you, instead of a blessing. And if this consideration prove ineffectual, direct your cries to him, "Who is exalted a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance unto Israel, as well as the forgiveness of sins."--You must Resolve. Repentance alone will not be sufficient. You must come to a holy resolution to alter your lives. Multitudes are sorry for their past improprieties; but, then,. they seldom resolve to avoid them for the time to.come. And while the devil can keep them parlying with their follies, he will have little trouble in making them plod onward in the old track of transgressing. Stand up like men, therefore, and resolve like christians, to keep the Sabbath of the Lord, and to reverence his sanctuary. Determine to abandon your fermer companions, to relinquish every bad practice, to fight against every depraved principle within you, and to live at all times, especially on the Lord's day, in the service of God, and in seeking that favour which is better than life. You must Pray. Repentance and resolution will do little without divine assistance. Our tears are soon dry, and our resolutions are easily broken. Go, therefore, to the Strong for strength.

Pray to be made mighty for the work by God's almighty power. Seek to be properly equipped for your spiritual conflict from the well-stored armory of heaven. Apply to the Captain of salvation to lead you forth in triumph over your spiritual enemies. Aided by the Saviour, you must succeed: whereas,

your going to battle without him, will be imitating the infatuated Israelites, who, without their leader or his command, ran to the hill-top, and were cut down by the Canaanites of the land. You must Begin. Prayers are valuable only as they lead to practice. How many

people may be found that now and then weep over their follies, feebly resolve to reform, and sometimes pray for divine strength, that never commence a holy course of living! They are still procrastinating the work itself.

Some

trifle or other is ever coming in the way. They have such an engagement next Lord's day, and after that they propose to be better. The next Sabbath arrives, and solicits their regard; but they are again engaged. And thus they spend Sabbath after Sabbath, without the least amendment. Now we seriously urge you to begin a new life immediately. The past Sabbath is in eternity, the ensuing one is in eternity; this only can be called your own. And while it is called "To-day," harden not your hearts: postpone it a week, and you may postpone it for ever.

We will address you

Secondly, As Heads of Families. To whom we say Give your inmates a good example. How can you expect your children to sanctify the Sabbath, if they do not see it sanctified at home? You may command them to be very religious on this day; but their inquisitive minds will ask you the reason. You may answer, Because God commands it. Yet they will