to the sick, or relieving pain, may always be done with- out scruple. The holiness with which the fourth com- mandment invests the Sabbath day, is not in the least degree invaded by anything of this kind.
But we must take care that the principle here laid down by our Lord, is not abused and turned to bad account. We must not allow ourselves to suppose that the per- mission to "do good," implied that every one might find his own pleasure on the Sabbath. The permission to " do good" was never meant to open the door to amusements, worldly festivities, travelling, journeying, and sensual gratification. It was never intended to license the Sunday railway train, or the Sunday steamboat, or the Sunday exhibition. These things do good to none, and do certain harm to many. They rob many a servant of his seventh day's rest. They turn the Sunday of thousands into a day of hard toil. Let us beware of perverting our Lord's words from their proper meaning. Let us remember what kind of " doing good" on the Sabbath His blessed example sanctioned. Let us ask ourselves whether there is the slightest likeness between our Lord's works on the Sabbath, and those ways of spending the Sabbath for which many contend, who yet dare to appeal to our Lord's example. Let us fall back on the plain meaning of our Lord's words, and take our stand on them. He gives us a liberty to " do good" on Sunday, but for feasting, sight-seeing, party-giving, and excursions, He gives no liberty at all.
Let us observe, in the last place, the feelings which the conduct of our LoroVs enemies called forth in His heart. "We are told that " He looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts."