Wesley Corpus

able to preserve a cheerful devotion and lively gratitude without it ; it is therefore a proper work of necessity as far as it conduces to both, but we must go no farther; we may not indulge ourselves in any recreation, I do not say which disqualifies, but which does not promote pious meditations. Here then is a short and certain rule ; whatever aids devotion we may use, whatever impedes or does not aid it we must avoid, as it defeats the end of this sacred institution. It is the same with the day as the house of God, and for this reason it is that the Almighty more than once mentions them together : " Ye shall keep my sabbaths and reverence my sanc tuary." We are not so to reverence the sanctuary as not to show mercy, not to save life therein : we may likewise do necessary works, such as cannot be done elsewhere, or not without great inconvenience, but we may not do ordinary works ; the former are not contrary to its holi ness, the latter unhallow, pollute, and profane it ; and when either the temple or the sabbath of God is made a day or a house of merchan