Christian Theology - Media Sabda Org

Sabbath day is as culpable as he who labours with his hands in his
ordinary calling. It is by the authority of God, that the Sabbath is set apart
for rest and religious purposes, as the six days of the week are appointed
for labour. How wise is this provision! How gracious this command! It
is essentially necessary not only to the body of man, but to all the animals
employed in his service. Take this away, and the labour is too great; both
man and beast would fail under it. Without this consecrated day, religion
itself would fail; and the human mind, becoming sensualized, would soon
forget its origin and end.
Even as a political regulation, it is one of the wisest and most
beneficent in its effects of any ever instituted. Those who habitually
disregard its moral obligation are to a man not only good for nothing, but
are wretched in themselves, a curse to society, and often end their lives
miserably. The idler is next to the Sabbath-breaker. As God has formed
both the body and mind of man on principles of activity, so he designed
him proper employment: and it is his decree, that the mind shall improve
by exercise, and the body find increase of vigour and health in honest
labour. He who idles away his time on the six days is equally culpable in
the sight of God as he who works on the seventh. The idle person is
ordinarily clothed in rags; and it has ever been remarked in all Christian
countries that Sabbath-breakers generally come to an ignominious death.
The appointment of the Sabbath is the first command ever given to
man: and that the sanctification of it was of great consequence in the sight
of God, we may learn from the various repetitions of this law; and we
may observe that it has still for its object not only the benefit of the soul,
but the health and comfort of the body also.
Because this commandment has not been particularly mentioned in the
New Testament, as a moral precept binding on all, therefore some have
presumptuously inferred that there is no Sabbath under the Christian
dispensation. Were there none, Christianity itself would soon become
extinct, and religion would soon have an end. But why is not the moral
obligation of it insisted on by our Lord and the apostles? They have