Let every one YIELD to these accumulated proofs,
Let every one SHUN THE INGRATITUDE of making use of
the compassion of our Savior to the tacit disparagement
of the Sabbath itself,

We plead for the CHRISTIAN SABBATH, for which the Holy
Spirit is especially given,

109

110

111

THE SABBATH TRANSFERRED BY DIVINE AUTHOR-

ITY, FROM THE SEVENTH TO THE FIRST DAY OF

THE WEEK, OR LORD'S DAY.

The PREPARATORY CIRCUMSTANCES which lay a probable

ground for the change of the day:

1. The prominence given to the proportion of time, both at

the first institution in Paradise, and in the wording of the

fourth commandment,

114

116

2. The probability that the computation of time was lost, in

the bondage of Egypt,

3. The freedom and universality of the gospel dispensation, 117

4. The word of prophecy,

5. A complete revolution actually took place in the whole

state of the church,

119

120

6. The claims which Christ advanced during his ministry,

of legislating for the Sabbath, as its Sovereign and Lord, 123

The MANNER IN WHICH THE CHANGE OF THE SABBATH

FROM THE LAST to the FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK, was

gradually introduced by the DIVINE AUTHORITY of our

LORD and his apostles,

126

1. Our Savior, after his passion, began to introduce the ac-

tual change tacitly and gently, by his own divine conduct, 127

2. The first day is marked by the gift of the great promise of

the dispensation,

6. A perpetual blessing has attended, and now attends, the

Christian Sabbath,

5. Ecclesiastical historians bear witness to the observation

of the first day,

3. The doctrine and conduct of the apostles will be found to

bring in more decidedly the new day of the Sabbath,

4. The events of God's wonderful providence completed the

change,

129

130

133

135

138

RECAPITULATION OF THE EVIDENCE that all the obligations

that can combine to enforce a moral command upon man

unite in the case of the Christian Sabbath,

138

ADORE THE WISDOM AND GOODNESS of God in providing for
man's religious repose in his first creation,
The CHANGES in the circumstances of the law of the Sabbath,
have sprung up from NEW BENEFITS conferred on man,

In proportion as the benefits of the gospel are more exalted,

should our hearts receive the INTIMATIONS OF THE DIVINE

WILL WITH MORE ALACRITY, and fulfil them WITH WARMER

DELIGHT,

140

141

142

SERMON

SERMON V.

Ezekiel xx. 12.

THE PRACTICAL DUTIES OF THE CHRISTIAN

144

SABBATH.

Keep ever in view the GREAT END of the institution,

The PUBLIC AND PRIVATE DUTIES of the Sabbath,

We must carry the TRUE SPIRIT OF THE CHRISTIAN DIS-

PENSATION into these duties,

147

151

-

158

We must glorify God for those MIGHTY BLESSINGS WHICH

ARE APPOINTED TO BE COMMEMORATED on the LORD'S

DAY,

161

The CONVICTION which such a discussion should fix in the

minds of the IRRELIGIOUS AND UNCONVERTED,

164

May we not, all of us, discover TOPICS OF HUMILIATION in

the discussion?

SERMON VI.

Isaiah lviii. 1, 2.

THE UNSPEAKABLE IMPORTANCE OF THE RIGHT

OBSERVATION OF THE SABBATH WITH THE EVILS

OF THE OPPOSITE ABUSE.

The observation of the Christian Sabbath is A MOST SACRED

COMPACT, and the abuse of it the VIOLATION of that com-

pact,

.

AND SPIRITUAL WELFARE AS A FALLEN BUT ACCOUNTA-

BLE CREATURE,

168

170

172

It includes, in fact, ALL THE APPLICATION OF THE CHRIS-
TIAN RELIGION AND ITS PRESERVATION IN THE WORLD,

The Lord's day connects and holds together ALL THE LINKS

AND OBLIGATIONS OF HUMAN SOCIETY, which the violation

of it tends to destroy,

175

180

The observation of the Sabbath HONORS ALMIGHTY GOD, AND
BRINGS HIS FAVOR AND BLESSINGS upon a people; whilst
the profanation of it provokes his highest displeasure,

The EXCUSES which men allege in extenuation of a neglect

of the day of God,

Let us ENTER FULLY AND DETERMINATELY on the religious

duty of honoring God,

183

185

187

SERMON VII.

Nehemiah xiii. 17, 18.

THE GUILT WHICH IS CONTRACTED BY CHRISTIAN

NATIONS IN PROPORTION AS THE LORD'S DAY IS

OPENLY PROFANED.

190

The CHARGE OF GUILT against the BRITISH NATION substan-

tiated

191

The NATIONAL JUDGMENTS which we may too certainly

dread,

198

The PRACTICAL MEASURES which each one may adopt to pro-

mote a national repentance and return to God,

201

We have pleaded for the Sabbath because it is a MEANS TO

CERTAIN ENDS,

206

Because it is an INDISPENSABLE PREPARATION for the HEAV-

Because of the UNSPEAKABLE VALUE OF THE SOUL OF MAN, 207

Because it appeals to THE HUMAN CONSCIENCE,

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209

ENLY BLESSEDNESS,

PREFACE TO THE AMERICAN EDITION.

[Written by request of the Publishers.]

THE publication of the following Lectures is very seasonable in our country at such a time as this, when infidels, and even some who profess to be Christians, have made an open attack upon the divine authority of the Christian Sabbath, and used their influence to bring it into disrepute, and when the community at large, and even the better part of it, have fallen into a criminal neglect and abuse of this divine institution. The subject here treated is indeed, at all times, of vital consequence to the Christian religion. For whatever may be the value of other means appointed for our spiritual benefit, they would have but little real efficacy, without the Sabbath. Even the sacred Scriptures, the only standard of our faith and practice, and the institution of the gospel ministry, would turn to but small account, should we give up "the day which the Lord hath made," and so deprive ourselves of any regular and divinely appointed season for reading the Scriptures in private, and hearing their doctrines and precepts explained and inculcated in public. I say a divinely appointed season. A day enjoined by the authority of God is manifestly required in this case; because no consideration of mere expediency, no civil or ecclesiastical decree, and no agreement made among