Do not, my dear brethren, be forgetful of the poor of this world; consider, if providence has smiled upon you, and blessed you with abundance of the things of this life, GOD calls for some returns of gratitude from you: be ye mindful of the poor, and when you are so, then you may be said to have a true regard for that time which is now approaching; if you would truly observe this festival, let it be done with moderation, and a regard to the poor of this world.
_Thirdly_, Let me beg of you not to alienate too much of your time from the worldly business of this life, but have a proper regard thereunto, and then you may be said rightly to observe this festival.
GOD allows none to be idle: in all ages business was commended; and therefore do not think that any season will excuse us in our callings: we are not, my brethren, to labour for the things of this life inordinately, but we are to labour for them with all moderation: we are not to neglect our callings; no, we are to regard those places and stations of life, which GOD in his providence has thought convenient for us; and therefore, when you neglect your business to the hurt of your families, whatever pretence you thereby make for so doing, you are guilty of sin; you are not acting according to the doctrine of the gospel, but are breaking the commands of the LORD JESUS CHRIST, both according to his word, and to his own practice.
At this festival, persons are apt to take a little more liberty than usual; and if that time from our vocations is not prejudicial to ourselves or families, and is spent in the service of GOD, and the good of immortal souls, then I do not think it sinful; but there is too much reason to fear, that the time is spent upon our own lusts, and then it is exceeding sinful, it is against our own souls, and it is against the good of our families, and instead of commemorating the birth of our dear Redeemer, we are dishonouring him in the greatest degree possibly we can.
Therefore, enquire strictly into your end and design in spending your time; see, my brethren, whether it proceeds from a true love to your Redeemer, or whether there is not some worldly pleasure or advantage at the bottom: if there is, our end is not right; but if it proceed intirely from love to him that died, and gave himself for us, our actions will be a proof thereof; then our time will be spent, not in the polite pleasures of life, but according to the doctrines and commands of the blessed JESUS; then our conversation will be in heaven: and O that this might be found to be the end of each of you, who now hear me; then we should truly observe this festival, and have a true regard to the occasion thereof, that of CHRIST’s coming to redeem the souls of those which were lost.
Let me now conclude, my dear brethren, with a few words of exhortation, beseeching you to think of the love of the LORD JESUS CHRIST. Did JESUS come into the world to save us from death, and shall we spend no part of our time in conversing about our dear JESUS; shall we pay no regard to the birth of him, who came to redeem us from the worst of slavery, from that of sin, and the devil; and shall this JESUS not only be born on our account, but likewise die in our stead, and yet shall we be unmindful of him? Shall we spend our time in those things which are offensive to him? Shall we not rather do all we can to promote his glory, and act according to his commands? O my dear brethren, be found in the ways of GOD; let us not disturb our dear Redeemer by any irregular proceedings; and let me beseech you to strive to love, fear, honour and obey him, more than ever you have done yet; let not the devil engross your time, and that dear Saviour who came into the world on your accounts, have so little. O be not so ungrateful to him who has been so kind to you; What could the LORD JESUS CHRIST have done for you more than he has? Then do not abuse his mercy, but let your time be spent in thinking and talking of the love of JESUS, who was incarnate for us, who was born of a woman, and made under the law, to redeem us from the wrath to come.
Now to GOD the Father, GOD the Son, &c.