Much might justly be said in commendation of the plan and style of this volume. A glance at the summary of its contents will at once show such a selection of topics, such a felicity in the statement of them, and in their order and connection; and such particularity and completeness, as cannot but afford to the reader very great satisfaction; and in the perusal, instead of a cold, abstract and formal manner and diction, he will be engaged with a style and manner characterized alike by scriptural simplicity, and by the fervency and earnestness of a truly Christian spirit. And it is to be noticed and commended as alike rare and inestimable in such a work, that the author having exhibited his positions in a strong light and sustained them by suitable arguments, brings them, with all the sincerity and fervor of his own spirit, to bear on the conscience and heart. Feeling himself a solemn conviction of the truths he inculcates, and a lively sensibility to their claims upon the consciences and their bearings upon the characters and destinies of men, he cannot proceed with his reader without bringing him continually to consider these claims as personal, and admonishing and exhorting him to yield to them an immediate and cordial obedience. To succeed in argument, and convince the understanding, does not satisfy him; he labors to gain the will, the affections, the whole inner and outer man. In the spirit of true friendship he takes his reader along with him as an accountable fellow-being in whom he has an interest, and to whom it is at once his office and happiness to do good. This characteristic method of the author is exhibitted with great advantage in his other works, and especially in his admirable volumes on the Evidences of Christianity; every page of which requires the reader to feel his personal interest in the question at issue. In all these hortatory and persuasive applications of his subject, the claims of Almighty God on the conscience and heart of man, are ever held conspicuously in view, in connection with man's accountability, and all the essential facts, doctrines, and sanctions of revelation. In this respect the present volume is not only suited to readers of every class, but worthy to be held a model to preachers and writers. There is an array of motives, and a fulness and faithfulness in it, which merit imitation. There is another characteristic of this work which I may be excused for mentioning, namely, the Christian spirit which pervades it-the humility-the benevolence-the reverence of the Supreme Being and of his inspired teachings and requirementsthe deep sense of the prevalence and evil of sin, and of the unspeakable blessings of salvation-the manifestation of faith and hope the harmonious and comprehensive view which seems ever present to the author of all the objects, doctrines, duties, blessings and prospects of religion. The present work, without pretending to be more elaborate or learned on every point than some of the treatises now extant on the same or parts of the same subject, is, I think more comprehensi ve than any of them, and has the advantage of being altogether of a more popular cast; and it is on this account exceedingly well suited to the present time. There is at this moment great need of such a work in this country. The public measures adopted within two or three years for promoting a better observance of the Lord's day, having been directed too exclusively to the attainment of civil and secular aid, instead of relying on the appropriate aids and sanctions of scriptural instruction and example, have failed to occasion the benefits anticipated by their zealous patrons; and the attention which was awakened to the subject, has, it is to be feared, in a great measure disappeared. There is therefore special occasion and necessity for a popular work like this, full of warmth and earnestness, establishing in a satisfactory manner every position, answering and obviating objections and difficulties and carrying home to the bosom of the reader the practical lessons and sanctions of the subject. It is by the preaching and publication of sermons and essays like these, that the public mind is to be enlightened and a reformation promoted. There exists a lamentable want of scriptural knowledge and conviction on this subject. Even the religious portion of the community have too generally but very defective notions and convictions, as to the divine anthority and obligation of this hallowed day; and its observance depends too much on the authority of custom and expediency, and too little on the requirements and sanctions of revelation. A few passages of local application, in the admirable pastoral address of the author, and also near the close of the volume, the judicious reader will readily accommodate, especially in the latter case, to facts and circumstances of a similar nature here. Most earnestly hoping that this work may be widely diffused through the country, and have all the influence under the divine blessing, which it is so well calculated to exert, New York, May, 1831. I remain yours truly, ELEAZER Lord. CONTENTS. 40 The DIRECT REASONS for believing the Sabbath to have been 59 55 The INSERTION OF THE LAW OF THE SABBATH into the DEC- The SABBATH was insisted upon by the PROPHETS, AS OF ESSENTIAL MORAL OBLIGATION, and as DESTINED TO FORM A PART OF THE GOSPEL DISPENSATION, Let us give to the holy day of rest that PROMINENCY IN OUR ESTEEM, which Moses was instructed to give it in his dis- pensation, Let us imbibe the SPIRIT OF LOVE AND DELIGHT in the wor- ship of God, which the psalms and prophets display, Let us dread the FALSE VIEW of the character of God, and THE SABBATH VINDICATED, UNDER THE GOSPEL FROM PHARISAICAL AUSTERITIES, AND SET FORTH IN MORE THAN ITS ORIGINAL DIGNITY The RECOGNITION OF THE TEN COMMANDMENTS, and of the OUR LORD HONORED THE SABBATH on all occasions, and NOTHING IS ABROGATED UNDER THE CHRISTIAN DISPENSA- TION, WITH RESPECT TO THE SABBATH, but those tem- porary and figurative enactments, which constituted the peculiarities of the Jewish age, The DISTINGUISHING PROMISE of the New Testament, has for its object to RENDER THE DUTIES OF THE SABBATH |