2. For encouragement —
[Not only personal, but even national judgments may be expeeted for the violation of the Sabbath '. But, on the other hand, every blessing maybe expeeted, both by individuals k and the community ', if the Sabbath be habitually and con- scientiously improved. Indeed, it seems almost impossible that any one who sets himself in earnest to improve the Sabbath-day, should ever perish. God would bless to such an one the ordinances of his grace ; and rather send him instruc- tion in some extraordinary way, than suffer him to use the means in vain m. We can appeal to all who have ever laboured to sanctify the Sabbath, whether they have not found their labour well repaid? Surely " God has never said to any, ' Seek ye my face in vain ' : " and the more diligently we keep his Sabbaths below, the more shall we be fitted for our eternal rest.]
1 Jer. xvii. 27. k Isaiah lvi. 4 — 7. ' Jer. xvii. 24 — 26.
m Acts vhi. 27 — 35. and x. 1 — 21.
Gen. ii. 16, 17. And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou may est freely eat : but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil thou shall not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
WHEN the creation was formed, it was proper that every part of it should shew forth the Creator's glory, and, as far as its peculiar nature and capacity would admit of, fulfil his will. The sun and moon and stars being inanimate bodies, it was sufficient for them to move with regularity in their respective orbits. The creatures that were endued with life, were to follow their respective instincts, and, ac- cording to their abilities, to yield obedience to man, who was God's vicegerent over them. To man more had been given : of him, therefore, was more re- quired. He was endued with understanding and will : he was capable of knowing what he owed to his Maker, and of exercising discretion in performing