Page:Earnest persuasive to the serious observance of the Lord's day.pdf/11

 whether it be by giving Information of it to the Magiſtrates, or otherwiſe; as that which tends directly to the diſhonour of God, the Decay of Religion, and to the Deſtruction of the Publick Good.

We are all ready enough to lay hands on ſuch as break any Law which concerns ourſelves. If any one ſteals, or robs us of any little Matter, we alarm the Nighbourhood, and raiſe all the Power we can to apprehend the Thief, and are at charge to Proſecute and puniſh him according to Law: And without doubt we do well in it; for the tolerating ſuch Offenders is injuſtice to the Publick, and a Cruelty to the Innocent. But then, why are we ſo ſlack and unwilling to do the like to ſuch as Prophane the Holy Day and Name of God. Are theſe lighter Matters? Has not God a Right and Title to his own Day? Or rather, is it not the true reaſon, becauſe we are not ſo ſenſible of offences againſt God as againſt ourſelves. But this is a very bad State, and a ſure Sign, that we have not that Love and Zeal for God, which every true Chriftian ought to have. Let us therefore rouze up ourſelves to do this Honour to God, or we ſhall never be honoured by him.

To ſum up all: The Lord's Day is in its Inſtitution a Day of Blefling, and of infinite Good to Men: But Men may by their Idleneſs