And as it is a thing to be noted, that Luke saith not, that the Disciples were sent for to hear Paul preach, but the Disciples being come together to break bread upon the first day of the week, that is, to be partakers of the holy Communion, at what time the Lords death was by the preaching of the word showed, 1 Cor. 11.26. Paul preached unto them; &c. And that ⟨p. 507⟩none kept these meetings but Christians, who only are called Disciples, Act. 11.26. But at Philippi, where as yet there were no Disciples, Paul is said to go on their Sabbath day, to the place where the Jews and their Proselytes were wont to pray, and there preached unto them, Acts 16.12.13. so that it is as clear as the Sun, that it was the Christians usual manner to apass over the Jewish seventh day, and to keep the Sabbath: and their holy meetings, on the first day of the week. And why doth S. John call this the Lords day; but because it was a day known to be generally kept holy to the honour of the Lord Jesus, who rose ⟨p. 508⟩from death to life upon that day, throughout all the Churches which the Apostles planted? Which, Saint John calleth the bLords day, the rather, to stir up Christians, to a thankful remembrance of their Redemption by Christ his Resurrection from the dead. And with the day, the blessing of the Sabbath is likewise translated to the Lords day: because that all the sanctification belonging to this new world is in CHRIST,3 and from him conveyed to Christians. And because there cannot come a greater authority then that of Christ and his Apostles: nor the like cause, as the new creation of the world; therefore the Sabbath can ⟨p. 509⟩never be altered from this day, to any other, whilst this world lasteth. Add hereunto how the Scripture noteth, that in the first planting & settling of the Church; nothing was done, but by the special order and direction of the Apostles, 1 Cor. 11.34. 1 Cor. 14.36.37. Tit. 1.5. Acts 15.6.24. and the Apostles did nothing, but what they had warrant for from Christ, 1 Cor. 11.23.
And as it is a thing to be noted, that Luke saith not, that the Disciples were sent for to heare Paul preach, but the Disciples being come together to breake bread vpon the first day of the weeke, that is, to be partakers of the holy Communion, at what time the Lords death vvas by the preaching of the word shewed, 1 Cor. 11.26. Paul preached vnto them; &c. And that ⟨p. 507⟩none kept these meetings but Christians, who onely are called Disciples, Act. 11.26. But at Philippi, vvhere as yet there were no Disciples, Paul is said to goe on their Sabbath day, to the place where the Iewes and their Proselites were wont to pray, and there preached vnto them, Acts 16.12.13. so that it is as cleare as the Sun, that it vvas the Christians vsuall manner to apasse ouer the Iewish seauenth day, and to keepe the Sabbath: and their holy meetings, on the first day of the vveeke. And why doth S. Iohn call this the Lords day; but because it was a day knowne to be generally kept holy to the honour of the Lord Iesus, who rose ⟨p. 508⟩from death to life vpon that day, throughout all the Churches which the Apostles planted? Which, Saint Iohn calleth the bLords day, the rather, to stirre vp Christians, to a thankefull remembrance of their Redemption by Christ his Resurrection from the dead. And vvith the day, the blessing of the Sabbath is likewise translated to the Lords day: because that all the sanctification belonging to this new world is in CHRIST,3 and from him conuayed to Christians. And because there cannot come a greater authoritie then that of Christ and his Apostles: nor the like cause, as the new creation of the vvorld; therefore the Sabbath can ⟨p. 509⟩neuer be altered from this day, to any other, vvhilest this vvorld lasteth. Adde hereunto how the Scripture noteth, that in the first planting & setling of the Church; nothing was done, but by the speciall order and direction of the Apostles,
- aActs 21.4. &c.
- bApoc. 1.10 Mos Christianus, &c. It is the manner of Christians to call it the Lords day, Bede in Luc. cap. 24.1.Apoc. 1.10 Mos Christianus, &c. It is the manner of Christians to call it the Lords day, Beda in Luc. cap. 24.1.
- 3Heb. 2.5. Heb 2.11. and 5.9.
