liness of men's
hearts, by the arrangements of a beneficent providence, first the
seventh-day sabbath, and afterwards the Christian sabbath, was granted
and preserved to the Church of God. That the ordinances of religion
should not fail to be dispensed or waited on, the sabbath was given; and
for this end, throughout every age, it will be kept. On that day
especially, the worship of God is conducted in his sanctuary, and
through the preaching of the gospel are the blessings of God's covenant
freely offered, and its duties illustrated and enjoined. Where there is
no sabbath, religion is unknown. Where the sabbath is not kept, the
benefits of religion are not enjoyed, and the law of God as a rule of
duty is not regarded. The insensibility of conscience that permits to
contemn the injunction to keep holy the sabbath, will not, because of
the authority of God, condemn the breach of any other of his commands.
The ungodliness, and not infrequent immorality of sabbath-breakers,
fearfully show how dangerous it is to trifle with or despise any Divine
precept, and especially exhibit the evil to which they expose
themselves, who, refusing to sanctify this day, are unaddressed by this
as a sign of good, and unsolicited by this or any other Divine ordinance
to resolve to cleave to holiness, the end of which is life and peace.
When the sabbath is not kept, the ordinary duties of religion are not
performed. The sign of God's covenant being dishonoured, no blessing of
his covenant can be enjoyed, nor covenant duty be discharged. As a
reason for pouring out his judgments upon the people of Israel, the Lord
declared to them, "Thou hast despised my holy things, and hast profaned
my sabbaths."[703] And when a restoration to the privileges of the
sabbath is foretold, regard to them as a people in covenant is promised.
Is it said,--"For in mine holy mountain, in the mountain of the height
of Israel, saith the Lord God, there shall all the house of Israel, all
of them in the land, serve me: there will I accept them, and there will
I require your offerings, and the first fruits of your oblations, with
all your holy things. I will accept you with your sweet savour, when I
bring you out from the people, and gather you out of the countries
wherein ye have been scattered; and I will be sanctified in you before
the heathen." In connection with this is given the assurance, "And I
will cause you to pass under the rod,"--as sheep under the rod of the
s