But such is the long-suffering of the Lord, that though
others have been cut off, you are spared to this hour. May his goodness
lead you to repentance! Or otherwise, light as these things may appear
to you now, and though you may plead a necessity for what you do, I
tell you again, as I have often told you before, that a day is coming
when God will call you to a strict account.

Besides, If you would reasonably hope for the blessing of God to
succeed your labours, it is certainly your interest, as well as your
duty to obey his commands. And this in particular, Keep the sabbath day
holy. If, in direct opposition to this plain, precept, you will
work and labour, as on other days, what ground can you have to expect
that God will bless and prosper your undertakings? You have much
greater cause to fear that his curse will follow you in your affairs,
and blast and disappoint all your wishes and prospects.

Let then the misconduct and fatal ends of others, and the calamities
and troubles that you have brought upon yourselves--Let the gracious
promises of God, on the one hand, and his awful threatenings on the
other, induce you, in future, to remember the sabbath day, to keep it
holy!

And let me offer you a few plain directions, as to the observance and
improvement of the sabbath:

Begin the day with prayer; and for this purpose seek some place of
retirement, if you find it impracticable to meditate or pray, from the
interruptions you are exposed to in your dwellings*, from those
who ridicule and scoff at every appearance of religion. Retire from
them, and pray to him who seeth in secret; and praise him for the many
mercies you have received. Consider with yourself, how little you have
improved them. Humble yourselves before God, under a sense of your sins
and imperfections, and pray for pardon and repentance. Intreat him, to
enable you to watch over your hearts, words, and actions, throughout
the day, and that you may not be hindered or hurt by the snares and
temptations around you. Intreat God to assist your minister, and to
accompany what you may hear from him, with a blessing to your soul, and
to all who shall be present with you.

[*Footnote: Many complaints have been made to me on this head.]

If you have families, you should call them together, and pray with
them, and for them. There are many promises made to worshiping
families, and to those who, like Abraham, endeavour to teach
their children and household to