A practical exposition of the X. Commandments with a resolution of several momentous questions…A practical exposition of the X. Commandements with a resolution of several momentous questions…

2. We gather that humane, whether Ecclesiastic or Civil, appointment of ordinary fixed days for worship throughout the whole day, beside the Sabbath, will not agree with this command allowing men six for labour. It's true, God might Sovereignly limit men, but where he hath given liberty (if it were but by concession) who can restrain?

2. We gather that humane, whether Ecclesiastick or Civil, appointment of ordinary fixed days for worship throughout the whole day, beside the Sabbath, will not agree with this command allowing men six for labour. It's true, God might Soveraignly limit men, but where he hath given liberty (if it were but by concession) who can restrain?

Concerning days therefore, we lay down these four: 1. That there can be no solemn setting apart of any day to any creature; thus Saints days are unlawful: for the Sabbath or day of rest is to the Lord, and to none other, it being a peculiar piece of worship to him who hath divided time betwixt his worship and our work. And although men should keep the day, and alter the worship, yet this is a taking of that which was once abused, and never enjoined, for to apply it to God, and wanteth not offence; even as the retaining of other things in worship which have been abused, and are not necessary, is offensive. 2. No man can institute any day, even to the true God, as a part of worship, so as to bind consciences to it, or to equal it with this day: That is a part of ⟨p. 298⟩Gods royal prerogative, and a thing peculiar to him to sanctify and bless a day. 3. Even those days which are pretended to be set apart to and for God, and yet not as a part of worship, cannot be imposed in a constant and ordinary way (as Anniversary days and feasts are) because by an ordinary rule God hath given to man Six days for work, except in extraordinary cases he shall please to call for some part of them again. 4. Yet extraordinarily upon occasions of Humiliation, or of Joy, and Thanksgiving days, for that time, may be set apart for God, without wronging this concession, even as in extraordinary times we may work, and not rest on the Sabbath day, though ordinarily we may not: This proportioning of time therefore is for the ordinary rule, but yet admitteth of the exception of extraordinary cases.