proachable in itself, and has no tendency to give offence, is innocent, and not unbecoming the sanctity of the day. Many of those levities which may be excused at other times, no well-disposed mind would allow itself to indulge on this holy day. It is, however, in this, as in many other parts of our duty; the path, in which we should tread, lies between two extremes. By passing the Lord's day in a strict succession of religious acts only, we shall be in danger of making that obedience painful,-that yoke heavy, which our Lord declared to be " easy and light." On the other hand, by allowing and pursuing relaxation too far we abuse that appointment to bodily indulgence, which was designed to prepare and dispose us for our spiritual duties. Upon the whole, we can never act widely wrong if we reflect that many eyes are upon our behaviour, and how dangerous our example may prove to others; -what encouragement it may afford to a spirit of dissipation in those who are already little disposed to the services of religion, and who are ever for

ward to think hardly of the least degree of restraint laid on them.

We shall be inclined, perhaps, to pay more regard to these considerations, if we bear in mind that on keeping this day holy depends the life and spirit of all religion in a greater degree than we may apprehend. When the Almighty by His servant Moses revealed His will to His chosen people more at large, He placed this ordinance among those commands, of which it was pronounced that no jot or tittle should pass away, and made it the conclusion, and guardian precept, as it were, of those commands, which enjoin the belief and the honour of the only true God. Accordingly experience throughout all ages has shewn, that the spirit of religion lives or dies in every bosom precisely as this day is more or less properly observed. Men who will persuade themselves that the holiness of this day is not necessary for them,-that God originally, indeed, ordained one day in seven to be set apart for His honour, but that the force and necessity of such an institution is no

longer expedient in an enlightened age,such men, and such there have been, will of course disregard and neglect all public worship, all observance of this holy day. On the minds of such persons revelation itself will have little influence; and nothing remains with these men, but the name, and empty profession of Christians; they pass through life, and dare to venture upon eternity, without that hope in Christ, without that free grace and mercy, which is assured to man through his Redeemer and Saviour.

But may we, at least, be more wise and humble!-The highest blessings, we know, have been promised to all who honour the Sabbath of the Lord, "not doing their "own ways, nor finding their own plea"sure, nor speaking their own words:" and since few are the sabbaths, and few the days, which we have to live in this transitory world, may we employ them in so pious a manner, that we may at last be found worthy to enter into that other Sabbath, even that eternal rest, which remaineth in heaven for all the faithful people of God.

SERMON XVIII.

PSALM XXXVii. 25.

I have been young, and now am old: yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

AS mankind in general are but too forward to sacrifice their hopes in a future state to the prospect of some present interest or pleasure, the Almighty hath so far condescended to our weakness, as to strengthen His commands by assurances of rewarding our obedience even in this life. The Scriptures teach us, that however vice may sometimes seem to prosper, there is a more real happiness, and a more lasting prosperity attendant upon a course of piety and virtue. The Old Testament abounds with promises to this effect; and

we know that obedience to the commands of the Lord their God was rewarded in the Israelites by a solemn promise that they should live long, and prosper in the land which the Lord their God had given them. This promise was strictly fulfilled in the nation at large: they prospered or suffered adversity precisely as they more or less remembered and served the Lord their Protector and Redeemer. The Psalmist in many places repeats this divine promise, and speaks of it as designed for individuals also; and, in the words of the text, as being actually verified in the condition of all the righteous within his knowledge: "I have been young,' says he," and now am old: yet have I "not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his "seed begging bread." This fact, however, will not perhaps be admitted now; not that the Almighty is different in His dealings with His creatures in different ages, but that they misunderstand the true nature of His promise, or rather judge wrong of their own merits.

It will be necessary, therefore, in support