(by the late Bishop Ryle of Liverpool)
O Sabbath-breaker, unhappy Sabbath-breaker, consider your ways and be wise! What harm has Sabbath done the world, that you hate it so much? What harm has God done you, that you should so obstinately turn your back on His laws? What injury has religion done to mankind, that you should be so afraid of having too much? Look at that body of yours, and think how soon it will be dust and ashes. Look at that earth on which you walk, and think how soon you will be six feet beneath its surface. Look at the heavens above you, and think of the mighty Being who is the eternal God. Look into your own heart, and think how much better it would be to be God’s friend than God’s enemy. As ever you would lie down on your dying bed with comfort—as ever you would leave this world with a good hope, break off from your Sabbath desecration, and sin no more. Let the time past suffice you to have robbed God of His day. For the time to come, give God His own.
Go the very next Sabbath after you have read this paper to the house of God, and hear the Gospel preached. Confess your past sin at the throne of grace, and ask pardon through the blood of Christ which “cleanses from all sin.” Arrange your time on Sabbath so that you may have leisure for quiet, sober meditation on eternal things. Avoid the company that would lead you to talk only of this world. Take down your long neglected Bible and study its pages. Murder no man’s soul by obliging him to work on Sabbath in order that you may play. Do it, do it without a week’s delay. It may be hard at first, but it is worth a struggle. Do it, and it will be well for you both in time and eternity.