Exercitations concerning the name, original, nature, use, and continuance of a day of sacred…

§. 30 These foundations being laid, I shall yet by some important considerations, if I mistake not, give some farther evidence unto the necessity of the Religious observation of the first Day of the Week, in opposition unto the Day of the Law, by some contended for. It is therefore, first, acknowledged, that the observation of some certain Day, in and for the solemn public Worship of God, is of indispensable necessity They are beneath our consideration by whom this is denied. Most acknowledge it to be a Dictate of the Law of Nature, and the Nature of these things doth require it. We have proved also, that there is such a Determination of this Time, unto one Day in seven, as it must needs be the highest Impudence in any Person, Persons or Churches, to attempt any alteration herein. And notwithstanding the pretences of some about their liberty, none yet have been so hardy from the foundation of the World, as practically to determine a Day for the Worship of God, in any other Revolution of Days or Times, to the neglect and exclusion of one Day in seven. Yea the Light hereof is such, and the use of it so great, that those who have taken up with the worst of Superstitions instead of Religion, as the Mahometans, yet complying in general with the performance of a solemn Worship to God, have found it necessary to fix on one certain Day in the Hebdomadal Revolution for that purpose. And indeed partly from the Appointment of God, partly ⟨p. 395⟩from the Nature of the Thing it self, the Religious observation of such a Day, is the great preservative of all solemn Profession of Religion in the World. This the Law of Nature, this the written Word directs unto, and this Experience makes manifest unto all. Take away from amongst men, a conscience of observing a fixed stated Day of Sacred Rest to God, and for the celebration of his Worship in Assemblies, and all Religion will quickly decay, if not come to nothing in this World. And it may be observed, though it be not evident whether be the Cause, or the Effect, that where, and amongst whom Religion flourisheth in its power, there, and amongst them is conscience the most exercised, and the most diligence used in the observation of such a Day. I will not say absolutely that it is Religion, or other Principles, that teacheth men exactness in the observation of this Day;

§. 30 These foundations being laid, I shall yet by some important considerations, if I mistake not, give some farther evidence unto the necessity of the Religious observation of the first Day of the Week, in opposition unto the Day of the Law, by some contended for. It is therefore, first, acknowledged, that the observation of some certain Day, in and for the solemn publick Worship of God, is of indispensible necessity They are beneath our consideration by whom this is denyed. Most acknowledge it to be a Dictate of the Law of Nature, and the Nature of these things doth require it. We have proved also, that there is such a Determination of this Time, unto one Day in seven, as it must needs be the highest Impudence in any Person, Persons or Churches, to attempt any alteration herein. And notwithstanding the pretences of some about their liberty, none yet have been so hardy from the foundation of the World, as practically to determine a Day for the Worship of God, in any other Revolution of Dayes or Times, to the neglect and exclusion of one Day in seven. Yea the Light hereof is such, and the use of it so great, that those who have taken up with the worst of Superstitions instead of Religion, as the Mahumetans, yet complying in general with the performance of a solemn Worship to God, have found it necessary to fix on one certain Day in the Hebdomadal Revolution for that purpose. And indeed partly from the Appointment of God, partly