Question 62

Doth labour tend to plenty?

Yes. The soul of the diligent shall be made fat,^b

And does it add sweetness to our gettings?

Yes. The sleep of the labouring man is sweet,^c

Doth idleness tend to poverty?

Yes. It clotheth a man with rags,^d

And expose to many temptations?

Yes. They learn to be idle, and not only idle but tattlers also, and busy bodies, speaking things which they ought not,^e

Is it therefore forbidden under the severest penalties?

Yes. This we commanded you that if any would not work, neither should he eat,^f

And doth it hence appear that a multiplicity of unnecessary holy days is both a nuisance and a sin?

Yes. Ye observe days and months, and times, and years, I am afraid of you,^g

But should our religion be confined to that day?

No. For every day will I bless thee,ⁱ

Must children keep the Sabbath?

Yes. Thou, and thy son, and thy daughter,^j

And servants?

Yes. That thy man-servant and thy maid-servant may rest as well as thou,^k

And our cattle?

Yes. I saw some lading asses on the Sabbath day and I testified against them,^l

Hath the Sabbath a reference to God’s resting from the works of creation?

Yes. On the seventh day God ended his works,^m

Should we therefore on this day remember him in his works?

Yes. Worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of water,ⁿ

Doth it point out an eternal rest?

Yes. There remaineth a rest, (or the keeping of a Sabbath) for the people of God,^o

Should we therefore keep that rest in view, and labour to attain it?

Yes. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest,^p