such things as are really necessary, we are authorized to say, that " God will have mercy, and not sacrifice :" but it becomes all to be on their guard, that they do not deceive their own souls ; for God can easily distinguish the hidden motives of the heart; and will surely judge our actions as good or evil, according as their quality shall be found in his eyes. If the infringement of the Sabbath be reluctant, as in the extinguish- ing of a fire, or in the exercise of compassion to man or beast, it is well ; but if we be actuated by considerations of ease, or interest, or pleasure, to alienate from God any of that time which ought to be consecrated to his service, we may be assured that we must answer for it in the day of judgment.]
Our one aim on that day must be, to " honour God"—
[The services which we are to render to our God on that day are various, and all compatible with each other. The first undoubtedly are private : we should give ourselves in a more peculiar manner to reading, to meditation, to prayer. On every day we should search the Scriptures, but more especially on that day ; applying them to our own hearts, examining our- selves by them, and entreating God to make them effectual for the conversion and salvation of our souls. From our closets we should go to worship God in public, and to testify before all, our regard for his authority, and our delight in his service. Whilst engaged in the various offices of prayer, or hearing of the word, or of communicating at the table of the Lord, we should be particularly careful that the frame of our minds be suited to the employment in which we are engaged ; lest, whilst we profess to be serving God, we be found only mocking and insulting him by hypocritical professions. In the intervals, when we are disengaged from private or public duties, we may relieve our minds, and improve our time, in such as are of a social nature. The visiting of the sick, the comforting of the afflicted, the instructing of the rising generation, and, above all, the endeavouring to teach our children and servants, and to " bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord," are services well pleasing to God, and admirably suited to the sanctity of that holy day. It is much to be feared that this latter duty in particular is sadly neglected, even in religious families; and that the great predilection that has been mani- fested by the religious world for public services, has brought into disuse those more self-denying offices which formerly occupied a considerable portion of the Sabbath-day. But, in whichever of these duties we are occupied, our great aim must be, to " honour God ;" demeaning ourselves as in his more im- mediate presence, and endeavouring to approve ourselves to him as faithful servants.]