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

§. 31 Let then the state of things in reference unto the first day of the week, with the presence of God in, and his blessing upon the Worship of the Church ⟨p. 396⟩therein, be considered. And this is a consideration, as I think, by no means to be despised. It is manifest to all unprejudiced persons, that the Apostles and Apostolical Churches, did religiously observe this Day. And no man can with any modesty question, the celebration of the Worship of God therein, in the next succeeding Generations. In the possession of this practise are all the Disciples of Christ at this day in the World, some very few only excepted, who Sabbatize with the Jews, or please themselves with a vain pretence that every Day is unto them a Sabbath. Nor is it simply the Catholicism of this practise which I insist upon; though that be such, and hath such weight in things of this nature, as that for my part I shall not dissent from any practise that is so attested: But it is the blessing of God upon it, and the Worship on this Day performed, which is pleaded, as that which ought to be of an high esteem with all humble Christians. On this Day, throughout all Ages, hath the Edification of the Churches been carried on, and that public revenue of Glory been rendered unto God which is his due. On this Day hath God given his presence unto all his solemn Ordinances, for all the Ends for which he hath appointed them. Nor hath he by any means given the least intimation of his displeasure against his Churches, for their continuance in the observation of it. On the other side, not only have the wisest and holiest men, who have complained of the Sins of their several times and Ages wherein they lived, which procured the pouring out of the Judgements of God upon them, constantly reckoned the neglect and profanation of the Lords-day among them; but such instances have been given of particular severities ⟨p. 397⟩against them who have openly profaned this Day, and that upon unquestionable Testimonies, as may well affect the minds and consciences of those who profess a Reverence of God, in the holy dispensations of his Providence.

§. 31 Let then the state of things in reference unto the first day of the week, with the presence of God in, and his blessing upon the Worship of the Church ⟨p. 396⟩