Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God, and the Father by him. Colossians 3:17. Whether, therefore, ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31.
Who, enough, considers these words in all his actions, and remembers especially when he sits down at his table, that it is written for our admonition. The idolatrous Israelites sat down to eat and drink, and immediately rose up to play. Is it not matter of lamentation, that in these our happy and enlightened times, even the ministers of Christ should connive at, approve of, and indulge themselves, or their own household in the excesses of the age? Must not this be a stumbling-block both to the children of God, and the children of this world?
It highly concerns you, O ye vain and worldly people, to try your works by the touch-stone of these words. Judge ye yourselves, whether your dancings, plays, sports, and other darling pleasures, can be done in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the glory of God? Pray consider in time how you will answer for these things, before the Judge of heaven and earth.
But examine yourselves, all ye that profess religion, whether ye have truly acted up to this rule? Have all your doings been, and are they still to the glory of God alone? For by this test, all your words and works are to be tried, and whatsoever does not tend to honour God, is worse than vanity.