PHI LOS 0 P H Y . - Classic Works of Apologetics Online

Uf Re·vcrcnci12g tbe Deil)'.
£crve them, not only as disrespectful to the day and
jnstitution, but ~s proceeding froll1 a secret contempt
of the Christian f~iitl1-l11at cOllsequently they diminish
a reverence for religion in others, so far as the authority
of our opinion, or the efficacy of our exam·
pIe reaches; or father, ~o far as either will serve for
an excuse of negligence to those who are glad of any
-that as to carJs alIa dice, \\' hich put in their clainl
to he con~idered among the harmless occupations
(Jf a vacant hour, it may be observed, that few find
any difficulty in refraining from plaJ on Sunday, except
they \\~ho sir do\\!n to it; \vith the vievls and ea~
gerne~s ot gamesters; t11atgalllil1 6is seldoln iD.llJCentthat
the anxiety and pl~rl'lrba:iol1s, however, which
it excites, are incOIlsistent \vith the t. Jnquility, and
fi·ame of terllper, in \Vllich the duties and thoughts
.of religion should al\,ra}rs both fil1d, and lea\~e usand
Ia~tly, \ve shall renlark, that the example of othel~
coulltries, where the same or greater licen-e i:, aI/ow.
ed, affords no apology for irregularities in our own;
.becallse a practice \\-llich is tolerated b)T public usage,
neither receives the sallIe COllstructi'Jn, flor gives the
sam~ o~Te!1ce, a'\ where it is censured and .prohibited.
CII.L1PTEf~
IX.
OF RE'TEREN(~ING ']~HE D~~Il"Y.
IN many persons, a seriousness, and sense of
aV1C, oversp~ead the illlaginati()n, \\,Jlenever the idea
of the Supn:me Being is presented to their thoughts.
l-'his eftect, wllich tornls a considerable security
agail1st vice, is tIle conseqtlence not so tnuch of reflection,
as of habit; which habit being generated
by the esternal expressions of reverence, which we use
ourselves, or observe in others, may be destroyed by
causes oppo5ite to these, and especially by that familiar
levity with which some learn to speak of the Deity,
of his attributes, urovidence, revelations, or worship.
God hath been pleased, no matter for what rea.
spn~ "l!hough probahly for thir.:. to forbid the vain