on the knowledge of his infinite perfections, of our own nature, of the relation we ftand in to him, and expreffed by correspondent words and actions? ---------The higher, therefore, the sense of our obligation to him is, the higher, confequently, will be our devotion and our endeavours to please him, which conftitute the very effence of religion and this implies a conftant and diligent exertion of all our powers of mind, and body, and is directly opposite to idleness, which is nothing elfe but an indifpofition or averfion to action. When the foul, the fpring of action, is wound up to the height, by contemplation of its own excellent nature, and of the adorable attributes of God, either investigated by reason or discovered by revelation; so wonderfully I 4 derfully and gloriously displayed in the creation of the universe; and much more furprizingly and miraculoufly in the redemption, and fancțification of man; in confequence of which unfpeakable and inconceivable happiness and glory are prepared for his eternal enjoyment; with what activity are all its powers and paffions invigorated?--reafon is ftrengthened; hope is confirmed; faith is enlivened; the understanding is improved and enlarged; love is refined and enflamed, and purged from fear; defire is fharpened; and the whole intention is directed to ferve God in fpirit and in truth; in love and holiness here on earth; and to enjoy his glorious prefence for ever in heaven. 3d. In 3d. In fo large a field of action; in so pleasing an employment; with fuch powers, encouragements, and rewards; how fhameful and inglorious muft the leaft degree of idlenefs appear; and how ungrateful to that good God, whofe we are, and who hath given us all things richly to enjoy; who hath called us out of darknefs into light; who hath redeemed us from the flavery of fin, and Satan, to the glorious liberty of the sons of God; who hath a right to our whole fervice; who hath invited us to it by his only Son, his prophets, and apofles; by whom we are instructed how to perform his will; and hath agreed with us for an hire richer and greater than our defires could form, or our conceptions comprehend. Idleness in in this cafe muft imply the most fhameful stupidity, or the fouleft ingratitude: the heinoufnefs of which is further aggravated by the unwearied diligence of the fervants of a most tyrannical master, whofe wages are death and eternal torments. fee them "rifing early, and very late, To taking reft, and eating the bread "of carefulness; bearing the burden "and heat of the day;" and deny. ing themselves the neceffary repose of the night; to heap up riches that profit them nothing; or compassing fea and land, and running all hazards to gratify their luft or ambi tion: what a difgrace doth this reflect upon our fluggishness in so good a cause as that of religion! How doth it upbraid our negligence or omiffion of gospel duties and our wearinefs and fleepinefs in the common offices of devotion! efpecially when we know that our diligence im thefe duties will be crowned with an ineftimable reward!--A conduct fo prepofterous, fo abfurd, so shocking to reafon, that humanity blushes at it! 4th. The fhame and difgrace of idlenefs in religion will appear ftill' greater, if we confider that it is an act of difobedience to God and a dis rect violation of his pofitive com mand, defrauding him of his right. ----For thus it is written, "Thou 6: fhalt worship the Lord thy God, "and him only fhalt thou ferve." But how do we worship him, when we either wholly refrain from his tabernacles, or approach them with ir reverence |