Wesley Corpus

places, but rather of the two, to school : as to the innocence of either, it is no importance which you do, but the latter looks more like prudence : if ye disregard the other world, why should you neglect this ? why sell your own and your children's souls for nothing? Perhaps you may gain somewhat which you value by industry as to the command of God you throw that quite out of the question ; this is totally rejected either way ; you no more hallow that day when you play, than when you labour, and as to the ends, you destroy them alike : you are no more endeavouring to remember your Creator, to be thankful for his benefits, and conformed to his holiness, while ye pollute his holy day by diversion, than by work ; but in the latter case you may gain some earthly gain which you prize, and ex change conscience for money. If you lift up your hand against your God in labour rather than idleness, you may have this comfort in your rebellion, that ye did not serve the Devil for nought. Not that any who serve their heavenly Father, who keep his day wholly sacred, and neither pollute it by diversions nor work, have less reason to expect a reward from their divine master, even in this present world. For to these who would not be disobedient to his command, even to acquire riches, who love God better than pleasure, or gain, or reputation, to these saith the Most High, " If thou turn away thy foot from doing thy plea sure on my holy day, and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord honourable, and shalt honour him, not doing thy own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words ; then shalt thou delight thy self in the Lord, and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob, thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it."'