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

unless we shall think with Drusius, that they were so denominated from Sebaia, who came along with Dosthai to settle the new Inhabitants of Samaria. Epiphanius says no more of them, but that they observed the Feast of Pentecost in Autumn, and the Feast of Tabernacles in the Spring, at the time of the Jews Passover. But this gives no account why they should be so called. But they got this appellation from their observation of every Day in the Week, between the Passover and the Pentecost, that is for seven weeks, which was the same with the second Day in the Week of unleavened bread, whereon the Omer or Sheaf of first fruits was to be offered. But to return. After this many of them coalesced, and we hear no more of them. In the mean time as there were great disputes and heats between the differing parties, whilst the occasion of their difference continued, so the Gentile Believers did in many things either condescend unto those of the Circumcision, or fell themselves in liking with their observances, and received them into practice. Hence it was that they embraced the Paschal solemnity, with some other Festivals, and also in many places admitted the sacredness of the seventh Day Sabbath, though still observing according to the institution ⟨p. 404⟩of Christ and his Apostles the Lords Day also. And it is not improbable that they might be induced the rather to continue these observations, that they might thereby give a public testimony of their faith against the Marcionites, who began early to blaspheme the Old Testament, and the God thereof; which blasphemy they thought to condemn by this practice. And hence in those Writings which are falsely ascribed to the Apostles, but suited to those times, Can. 66. and Constitut. lib. 7. cap. 24. the observation both of the Saturday and the Lords Day are enjoined.

unless we shall think with Drusius, that they were so denominated from Sebaia, who came along with Dosthai to settle the new Inhabitants of Samaria. Epiphanius sayes no more of them, but that they observed the Feast of Pentecost in Autumn, and the Feast of Tabernacles in the Spring, at the time of the Jews Passeover. But this gives no account why they should be so called. But they got this appellation from their observation of every Day in the Week, between the Passeover and the Pentecost, that is for seven weeks, which was the same with the second Day in the Week of unleavened bread, whereon the Omer or Sheaf of first fruits was to be offered. But to return. After this many of them coalesced, and we hear no more of them. In the mean time as there were great disputes and heats between the differing parties, whilest the occasion of their difference continued, so the Gentile Believers did in many things either condescend unto those of the Circumcision, or fell themselves in liking with their observances, and received them into practice. Hence it was that they embraced the Paschal solemnity, with some other Festivals, and also in many places admitted the sacredness of the seventh Day Sabbath, though still observing according to the institution