52. The first day of the week is appointed or separated by the Holy Ghost for the holy Assemblies and public worship of the Church and other holy exercises; and is herein to be improved to the honour of God, and the edification of our selves and others: and all other employments are therein to be avoided that any way hinder the holy duties of the day; except such as become a greater duty, upon the account of Piety, Justice or Mercy. That some stated ⟨p. 57⟩time be separated to the public service of God and the benefit of our souls, is a thing that the law of Nature doth command; that this stated time should be at least one day in seven, the reason and equity (at least) of the fourth Commandment doth acquaint us: that this day should be every first day of the week, the Holy Ghost in the New Testament hath revealed to us; acquainting us with Christs rising on that day (which laid the foundation of the change) and of the Assembling of his Disciples on that day, and his owning their Assembly by his appearing to them, and teaching them, and blessing them, and giving them their commission and the Holy Ghost, Joh. 20. 19, to 24. The same they did the next first day, where he again appeared and owned their Assembly, and revealed himself unto them, Joh. 20. 26, 27. And that this was the practice of the Apostles and the Primitive Christian Churches directed by them, appeareth Act. 20. 7, 8. 1 Cor. 16. 1, 2. so that it was called the Lords Day, as the last day before was called the Sabbath, Rev. 1. 10. And to put us out of all doubt of the matter of fact, and consequently of the meaning of these texts of Scripture; the certain Tradition and most ⟨p. 58⟩Concordant history of the Church assureth us, that ever since the days of the Apostles, the universal Church in all parts of the world, hath constantly observed the Lords Day in Commemoration of the Resurrection of Christ: which it is not possible that they could have done, without contradiction and rebukes from the Apostles themselves or some of the Churches which they planted, if it had not been a certain truth. Those therefore that will be against the holy observation of the Lords Day, must either impudently deny the Testimony of all Church History and Tradition, which with one consent assure us that it was observed universally in the Christian Churches from the Apostles days, as a thing by them established and practised;
52. The first day of the week is appointed or separated by the Holy Ghost for the holy Assemblies and publike worship of the Church and other holy exercises; and is herein to be improved to the honour of God, and the edification of our selves and others: and all other imployments are therein to be avoided that any way hinder the holy duties of the day; except such as become a greater duty, upon the account of Piety, Justice or Mercy. That some stated ⟨p. 57⟩time be separated to the publike service of God and the benefit of our souls, is a thing that the law of Nature doth command; that this stated time should be at least one day in seven, the reason and equity (at least) of the fourth Commandment doth acquaint us: that this day should be every first day of the week, the Holy Ghost in the New Testament hath revealed to us; acquainting us with Christs rising on that day (which laid the foundation of the change) and of the Assembling of his Disciples on that day, and his owning their Assembly by his appearing to them, and teaching them, and blessing them, and giving them their commission and the Holy Ghost, Joh. 20. 19, to 24. The same they did the next first day, where he again appeared and owned their Assembly, and revealed himself unto them, Joh. 20. 26, 27. And that this was the practice of the Apostles and the Primitive Christian Churches directed by them, appeareth Act. 20. 7, 8. 1 Cor. 16. 1, 2. so that it was called the Lords Day, as the last day before was called the Sabbath, Rev. 1. 10. And to put us out of all doubt of the matter of fact, and consequently of the meaning of these texts of Scripture; the certain Tradition and most ⟨p. 58⟩Concordant history of the Church assureth us, that ever since the days of the Apostles, the universal Church in all parts of the world, hath constantly observed the Lords Day in Commemoration of the Resurrection of Christ: which it is not possible that they could have done, without contradiction and rebukes from the Apostles themselves or some of the Churches which they planted, if it had not been a certain truth. Those therefore that will be against the holy observation of the Lords Day, must either impudently deny the Testimony of all Church History and Tradition, which with one consent assure us that it was observed universally in the Christian Churches from the Apostles daies, as a thing by them established and practised;
