Forty-Six Sermons in Vol II of the Works - Edwards - XXI - 'The perpetuity and change of the Sabbath'

Required reading
Forty-Six Sermons in Volume II of the Works by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read the Sermon entitled Sermon XV 'The perpetuity and change of the Sabbath'.

My summary
Today we finish Edwards' series of sermons on 1 COR. xvi. 1, 2, 'Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week, let event one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.'

Initially, Edwards tells us what he has taught in previous weeks and what he turns his attention to now: 'On this doctrine I have already discoursed, under two propositions, showing, first, That it is the will of God. that one day of the week be, in all ages, set apart for religious duties; and secondly, That under the gospel, this flay ought to be the first day of the week. I now proceed to the APPLICATION.'

Firstly he exhorts us:
(i) to be thankful for the institution of the Christian sabbath;
(ii) to keep this day holy.

Secondly Edwards answers the question, 'How ought we to keep the Sabbath?'  He advises:
(i) We ought to be exceedingly careful on this day to abstain from sin;
(ii) We ought to be careful to abstain from all worldly concerns;
(iii) We ought to spend the time in religious exercises;
(iv) We are on this day especially to meditate upon and celebrate the work of redemption;
(v) Works of mercy and charity are very proper and acceptable to Christ on this day.

What grabbed me
I found it interesting that Edwards taught that we should avoid sin more particularly on the Sabbath: 'We ought to be exceedingly careful on this day to abstain from sin. Indeed, all breaches of the sabbath are sinful; but we speak now of those things which are in themselves sinful, or sinful upon other accounts, besides that they are done upon the sabbath. The sabbath being holy time, it is especially defiled by the commission of sin. Sin by being committed on this day becomes the more exceeding sinful. We are required to abstain from sin at all times, but especially on holy time. The commission of immoralities on the sabbath is the worst way of profaning it, that which most provokes God, and brings most guilt upon the souls of men.'

I think that every day we should be 'exceedingly careful' to abstain from sin.

Next week's reading
Read the Sermon entitled 'God the best portion of the Christian'.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.