that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. And it is no less certain it may come at any time, and will come when men least expect it. As the great Judge of the world finds us, so will he deal with us; such as our state and condition then is, such will be our sentence and doom to all eternity. Let us then be wise ere it is yet too late; let us seize on the opportunities at present afforded us, and improve them with all our might; and constantly and earnestly implore that assistance from the fountain of all wisdom, which alone can ensure success to our most zealous endeavours. Thus alone can we look without dismay at the prospect of appearing before the judgment seat of Christ. Thus alone shall we find satisfaction in the assurance that every one shall receive the things done in his body according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

SERMON IV.

FOURTH COMMANDMENT.

EXODUS XX. 8, 9.

REMEMBER THE SABBATH DAY TO KEEP IT HOLY. SIX DAYS SHALT THOU LABOUR AND DO ALL THY WORK.

THESE words you will immediately perceive are selected from that awful code of laws which, from the peculiar solemity of the manner in which they were conveyed to mankind, as well as the importance and disposition of the matter they contain, have been in every age of the Jewish and Christian churches more peculiarly designated as the ten commandments of God, in contra-distinction to those many minor precepts which various parts of the scriptures contain. Although given in the first instance to the Israelites, to whom the more perfect law of Christ was unknown, and by

being preserved by them, according to the immediate ordinance of the Almighty, with the most attentive care, a peculiar character of solemnity and importance was then attached to them. We are not to imagine that the scrupulous observance of every part of their hallowed dictates is the less enjoined to us, as christians. Indeed our church is by no means behind the Jewish one in the care she takes that they should be fully impressed, and frequently renewed in the minds of her disciples. They are appointed to be weekly read from the altar of our God, and form a very striking feature in that excellent compilation the church of England has prepared for the instruction of its younger branches.

Such being the importance wisely and justly attached to them, it becomes the duty of every minister of the gospel to make them fully understood by those who look to him for spiritual instruction; and more especially to guard his flock from any deviation from the duties they inculcate, should he perceive they are in danger of doing so. When we read over these commandments, we find that the generality of them contain a simple in

junction to forbear from certain offences, which is usually specified in such plain and easy language, that it is impossible to mistake, pervert, or elude the meaning of the Divine Lawgiver. Thus, when we are forbidden to steal, to kill, or to take God's holy name in vain, the most simple cannot but instantly perceive the intention of the command.

In the fourth commandment we are enjoined to keep holy the Sabbath-day; and lest we should fail to understand what is meant by this, the commandment proceeds to lay down several particular directions concerning what we are not permitted to do on the Sabbath-day, as well as to give us the reason of the institution of the Sabbath.

In farther treating on this subject, I shall first consider the reason of the institution of the Sabbath, and the benefits we derive from its establishment. And, secondly, proceed to state to you, how, according to my ideas, we violate God's command to keep it holy.

He who attentively considers, with that dispo

sition of mind that he ought to do, the dispensations of the great Ruler of the universe towards mankind, will soon convince himself that the different rules he has provided for the regulation of the world, are not less remarkable for their fitness to promote the happiness of the creature, than their design to display or commemorate the wisdom, power, and goodness of the Creator. God hallowed the seventh day we are told, because on that day he rested from the great work of creation, and what could be better calculated to induce men to recall to mind the wondrous power displayed in this magnificent work, than a frequent commemoration of the finishing and perfecting this first great blessing of the Almighty towards men? Who can see the Sabbath weekly returning and observed, as, thanks be to God, in this blessed country it is, with decent and becoming devotion, without feeling his mind awakened to the great cause of its appointment? And must not such a weekly memorial of the power of God, in creating this beautiful world of ours, fitted and furnished as it is, with every thing to promote the welfare, or delight the senses of men, be one first great step towards cultivating piety and devotion

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