God would have us upon the Sabbath rest from all other works, that we may be free to converse with him. Therefore it is so much the more inexcusable if we have nothing else to do , [if we should] deny to converse with God as he requireth of us. If a friend should come to your house to converse with you, and he should know you have no business to take you up, yet you will scarce see him, or spend a little time with him, will he not take it ill? If indeed you could have such an excuse that your business is extraordinary, though your time be less you spend with him, it would not be so ill taken; but when he knows you have nothing to do, and yet you deny time to converse with him, will not this be taken for a slighting him? Thus you deal with God; Had you indeed great occasions and business to do upon that day, though you did not so converse with God in holy duties, it were another matter. God might accept of mercy rather than sacrifice. But when he shall appoint you a day to rest, wherein you have nothing to do but converse with him, yet then to deny it, this is a slighting of the Majesty of God.
– Jeremiah Burroughs, An Exposition of the Prophecy of Hosea
