PRETEXTS ANSWERED. 229 



family, and dependents, will be likely to have 

 his family blessed, and taken eare of by the 

 Sabbath's Almighty Lord. Godliness is profit- 

 able for all things, having promise of the life 

 that now is, and of that which is to come. In 

 keeping God's commandments, there is exceed- 

 ing great reward. 



6. It is better to obey God and please HIM, 

 than to attempt to please men, and get the 

 favour of owners, by taking oil for them on the 

 Sabbath, in direct violation of a positive law of 

 God, made for the good of all men, and in har- 

 mony with the human constitution. 



7. It were better, if need be, to have a voy- 

 age prolonged, and then come back with a clear 

 conscience and God's blessing, than to return 

 sooner a Sabbath breaker, with the ill-gotten 

 gains of Sabbath whaling, and a conscience 

 defiled or seared by sin. 



8. If men grumble, and swear, and sin be- 

 cause I do not order boats to be lowered on 

 the Sabbath day, it is their look-out and blame. 

 If / have boats lowered, it is mine, and God 

 will not hold me guiltless. 



