A Discourse Concerning Natural and Revealed Religion, Evidencing the Truth and Certainty of Both (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1752 edition. Excerpt: ...to thofe purpose?, sor this reafon God himself hath appointed the time, a particular day, one day in feven; and we may with the greatest assurance afsirm, that it was an appointment and allotment, worlhy of the wisdom and providence of God. had the day been one in four, or five, it had returned too often; the poor could not have well fubfisted, if they had been allowed lefs than fix days for labour; and had the day returned seldomer, as had it been one in ten, or fifteen, or twenty, it would not have been fusficient to the ends for which it was defigned, it was defigned for instruction in all divine knowledge, for exhortation to virtue, for a day of rest, felf-enjoyment and moderate festivity: none of which, the more dull and inapprehenfive, or the worldly and covetous, would have allowed to themselves; and not many of the more generous to their servants and cattle, the wise Parent of all' perfons and things, plainly faw and certainly knew, that the seventh, part of out time was the most proper proportion of all others.sor a competent instruction, and for a fusficient refreshment from the cares and labours of this prefent world, we should be infenfible, and very ungrateful, if we did not perceive and own God's fatherly regard and care for us, by this appointment; nor do I think that any one can ferioufly reflect upon it, without adoring the high wisdom, and most gracious providence of God, the common parent and provider. I could nevef doubt, that this part of our time was appropriated td the forementioned ends, from the first creation of man: so much seims plainly intimated at Gen. ii. 3. and is made yet more probable, by the constant obfervation of the feventh day, aj holy and festival, by all nations; concerning which, the curious may fee that...