Let every one YIELD to these accumulated proofs, Let every one SHUN THE INGRATITUDE of making use of the compassion of our Savior to the tacit disparagement THE SABBATH TRANSFERRED BY DIVINE AUTHOR- ITY, FROM THE SEVENTH TO THE FIRST DAY OF The PREPARATORY CIRCUMSTANCES which lay a probable ground for the change of the day: 1. The prominence given to the proportion of time, both at the first institution in Paradise, and in the wording of the 6. The claims which Christ advanced during his ministry, of legislating for the Sabbath, as its Sovereign and Lord, 123 The MANNER IN WHICH THE CHANGE OF THE SABBATH FROM THE LAST to the FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK, was 1. Our Savior, after his passion, began to introduce the ac- tual change tacitly and gently, by his own divine conduct, 127 2. The first day is marked by the gift of the great promise of 3. The doctrine and conduct of the apostles will be found to bring in more decidedly the new day of the Sabbath, ADORE THE WISDOM AND GOODNESS of God in providing for The CHANGES in the circumstances of the law of the Sabbath, have sprung up from NEW BENEFITS conferred on man, In proportion as the benefits of the gospel are more exalted, should our hearts receive the INTIMATIONS OF THE DIVINE Keep ever in view the GREAT END of the institution, The PUBLIC AND PRIVATE DUTIES of the Sabbath, THE UNSPEAKABLE IMPORTANCE OF THE RIGHT OBSERVATION OF THE SABBATH WITH THE EVILS The observation of the Christian Sabbath is A MOST SACRED AND SPIRITUAL WELFARE AS A FALLEN BUT ACCOUNTA- BLE CREATURE, 168 It includes, in fact, ALL THE APPLICATION OF THE CHRIS- The Lord's day connects and holds together ALL THE LINKS The observation of the Sabbath HONORS ALMIGHTY GOD, AND The EXCUSES which men allege in extenuation of a neglect ENLY BLESSEDNESS, PREFACE TO THE AMERICAN EDITION. [Written by request of the Publishers.] THE publication of the following Lectures is very seasonable in our country at such a time as this, when infidels, and even some who profess to be Christians, have made an open attack upon the divine authority of the Christian Sabbath, and used their influence to bring it into disrepute, and when the community at large, and even the better part of it, have fallen into a criminal neglect and abuse of this divine institution. The subject here treated is indeed, at all times, of vital consequence to the Christian religion. For whatever may be the value of other means appointed for our spiritual benefit, they would have but little real efficacy, without the Sabbath. Even the sacred Scriptures, the only standard of our faith and practice, and the institution of the gospel ministry, would turn to but small account, should we give up "the day which the Lord hath made," and so deprive ourselves of any regular and divinely appointed season for reading the Scriptures in private, and hearing their doctrines and precepts explained and inculcated in public. I say a divinely appointed season. A day enjoined by the authority of God is manifestly required in this case; because no consideration of mere expediency, no civil or ecclesiastical decree, and no agreement made among |