The Christian Sabbath defended against a crying evil in these times of the antisabitarians…

NOW whereas Doctor Rivetus about the observation of one day in seven as necessary, differeth in opinion from his two Colleagues Doctor Thysius, and Doctor Walaeus, and not so only, but directs himself (after Gomarus) to take into consideration the arguments proposed by Doctor Walaeus for the morality of one day in seven, and to accommodate an answer thereunto: I think it fit, not to omit the discussion of that answer of his; and that in such sort that I may carry my self correspondently to his ingenuous behaviour herein.

NOW whereas Doctor Rivetus about the observation of one day in seven as necessary, differeth in opinion from his two Collegues Doctor Thysius, and Doctor Walaeus, and not so onely, but directs himselfe (after Gomarus) to take into consideration the arguments proposed by Doctor Walaeus for the morality of one day in seven, and to accommodate an answer thereunto: I thinke it fit, not to omit the discussion of that answer of his; and that in such sort that I may carry my selfe correspondently to his ingenuous behaviour herein.

The first argument of Walaeus is this, if by the force and analogy (of the fourth Commandment) it be not rightly collected that one day of seven is to be consecrated to Divine worship, then no certain number or circle of days can be limited (to the foresaid purpose) by any Divine precept, seeing in no other precept ⟨p. 67⟩is found mention of any other number; and therefore it shall be lawful to choose either a thirtieth day, or a fiftieth day without transgression of any Divine precept. But this is absurd. This argument is of great force; considering the difference between proportion of time allowed unto Divine Service; and the difference of the day, keeping still the same proportion. For every master, from the greatest Prince to the meanest householder expects that his servant should be profitable unto him, and accordingly he expects a certain proportion of service to be performed by him; as namely a good days work for every day; a good weeks work for every week. And in every trade it is well known by them that are seen therein, wherein consists a good days work, whereof whosoever fails, he is accounted but an idle and unprofitable servant; but so the work of the day be done, whether he laboureth more in one hour, then in another, he regardeth not. Such in like manner is every ones consideration of a weeks work. So likewise as touching the service of God, it is nothing material as touching the substance of Gods service what day of the week is set apart for that. For whether we consider the advantageous nature of it for setting forth the glory of God who is our maker; and as we came from him so we must be for him,