Maker's kindness? And since his Fall and his becoming a miserable sinner, are not the reasons for employing the Sabbath in sacred things and to holy purposes, abundantly stronger-now that God has opened to us the gate of everlasting life through Jesus Christ? Again: Is not Christ risen from the dead; and do we not, as Christians, comme morate his resurrection every Sabbath, or every first day of the week; and does not the Saviour call on us to look to Him, and expect from his grace a resurrection to that rest, to that eternal rest, which the Scripture saith remains for the people of God?

Brethren, I am persuaded that every sensible, thinking person, when he has put all these things together, will not only be ashamed of the little he does, when he keeps the Fourth Commandment only in the way of mere form and without heart, but grieved on account of the much which he leaves undone.

In one word: the great use of the Sabbath is to purify the heart, and to lead it to the love of God, and to form a heavenly temper at peace with God through the atoning blood of Jesus, that we may lead a sanctified life here, and be thereby

prepared to sing the heavenly song of the blessed, Thou hast redeemed us by thy blood! And you may be assured that every Sabbath is well spent which brings you nearer to your God and Redeemer in faith, love, gratitude, holy joy, and humility. These are the heavenly affections which enlarge the soul in a manner that passeth knowledge, and that wean it also from the world, and raise it to things above. Those who think differently of these things, either shut their eyes entirely, or open them so little as to excite no serious thought and reflection. In a very little time, all of us will think and judge, as those who have now their eyes open do think and judge; that is, we shall have a lively conviction on our minds that the one thing needful, the care of the soul, is the business and proper concern of God's holy day. My prayer is, that you may remember this morning's warning respecting the Fourth Commandment; and let all our most devout prayers be, with respect to this commandment, "Lord have mercy upon us, and incline our hearts to keep this law."

91

SERMON III.

COLOSS. iii. 17.

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

THIS is a very comprehensive and important precept, which, as it has no very particular connection in the place in which it stands, I shall proceed immediately to lay open and illustrate to the best of my power; and then endeavour to apply it in a practical manner to the consciences of different characters.

As the sacred writer allows of no exception, but requires that whatsoever we do in word or deed be all done in the name of the Lord Jesus, it is surely of great moment that we should clearly understand what is meant by doing or saying any

thing in the name of the Lord Jesus. This is the leading idea of the passage. What we do or say must not only be right in itself, but it must be done or said in the name of the Lord Jesus. If it be not so done or said, it is not done as the Christian ought to do it; and is so far from being acceptable to God, who gives the command, that it becomes unchristian, and has therefore the nature of sin.

I would wish, then, to engage the attention of my audience to this particular point. Let us endeavour to make out what is meant by doing any thing in the name of the Lord Jesus; because we see that not a single word or action of our lives can be right without this concomitant eircumstance. Undoubtedly we are to take care that the matter of our words and actions be right and lawful: but this is not sufficient,-they ought to be done in the name of the Lord Jesus.

And it is no nice speculation which I am laying before you. It is an extensive practical principle that is here intended; which must influence all our actions without exception: not only those actions which are directly of a religious nature, but all our social duties; not only the

church and the closet, but the market, the shop, the counting-house, the family; and, indeed, whatever we do or say, all must be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, in order that it may be acceptable to God.

Let no one, then, think me more precise, explicit, and tedious, than is necessary in opening this subject. Rather let it be our earnest prayer, that the same blessed Jesus, in whose name we are enjoined to do and say every thing, may teach us to good purpose what this precept means-not only in the letter, but in the spirit; not in word only, but in power-that we may, in fact, make it our habitual practice to do every thing in his Name. He knows how corrupt, and blind, and self-sufficient, and crooked, and prejudiced our natures are, and how slow and dull of heart we are to understand and receive his commands and admonitions. Be it our prayer, then, that he may give us a right judgment in this great concern; may both enlighten and persuade us. Brethren, be but once deeply convinced, that in obeying him you will find true happiness, and that in following the devices and desires of your own hearts you will find only vanity and misery-in one word, be