And, brethren, you must allow
that these persons are best qualified to judge of the question I have
proposed, Whether is best, to walk in the ways of God, or in the ways
of sin? For they have experienced both sides of the question. They have
tried the pleasures of the world, and they have also tried the
pleasures of religion. And they will readily assure you, that in their
deliberate judgment, one day thus spent in devotion, and the exercises
of religion, is preferable to a thousand days wasted in the vain and
unsatisfying pleasures, which they sought in their former wicked
practices [Ps. lxxxiv. 10.].

I have written thus largely upon the due observance of the Lord's day,
because of that shameful, open, and general neglect, that daring
profanation of the Sabbath, which abounds amongst us. It is well known,
and it is matter of great grief and concern to me, that numbers of you
pay not the least regard to this day. Numbers of you will not come to
public worship at all, others but seldom, and then with much
reluctance. And when spoken to, different persons frame different
excuses, all which, when examined, amount to little more than a want of
inclination.

I have here a more special reference to those of you, who are
called Settlers and Free People. You think, perhaps, and some of you
say, That having served out your appointed term, you are now your own
masters, and have therefore a right to employ your time as you
please. But, indeed, it is not so. I must tell you, brethren, that my
commission from God, and my appointment from government, extend
equally and alike to all the inhabitants, without distinction. It is my
duty to preach to all, to pray for all, and to admonish every one. And
it is no less the duty of all, to come to public worship, to hear the
gospel, and to pray for me. These mutual ties and obligations between
you and me, are not lessened by any change in your circumstances. And
remember, that the slight you put upon the public worship, is not
properly a slight of me (if that was all, it would be a matter of utter
indifference) but upon the Lord himself; for I trust it is his message,
and not my own, that I deliver to you [Luke x. 16.]. I wish, therefore,
what I have said upon this subject, to be understood as addressed TO ALL,
whether of higher or lower rank, who are guilty of breaking the
sabbath. Whatever our station or calling may be, our obligations to keep
holy the sabbath-day, are precisely the sam