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

that it was preached in Norfolk, that to make a feast or wedding-dinner on the Lords Day, is as great a sin as for a father to take a knife and cut his child's throat. I wonder the Prefacer doth not call them miracles; Somersetshire is a pretty large County; and there be many market towns in Oxfordshire; and I do not doubt but there are many parishes in Norfolk; But no particular is here set down, either of person or of place; and we have no better authority for the proof of these imputations than this mans word, which yet undoubtedly was not present at these Sermons: for then he would have been very careful to express that, as in the next story he doth the like. So that in the issue, the strength of all comes but to this, that he hath heard it thus reported. Now, I have heard it preached, and that at Saint Mary's in Oxford, that a man in Bunbury, or thereabouts, having broken a bone, his son refused to go for a Bonesetter, because it was the Lords Day, and this Sermon, afterwards coming into print, the party finding himself aggrieved by this scandalous report cast forth of him, repaired to the quarter Sessions holden at Oxford, and complained to the Justices of the wrong that was done unto him; the Preacher of that Sermon being by, and the whole matter being opened, and the contrary justified; the preacher professed, that he delivered no more than he had heard, but promised the next time that he printed that Sermon, he would leave that story out. Doctor Hoskins of our house was present at the hearing of this business, and brought us word of it. But whether that Sermon ever came to be printed a second time, I know not. In like sort, I have heard it reported of Master Bolton, that when one fell into the River on the Sabbath day, he would not suffer those that were with him, being near to run to help him out: I professed at the hearing of it, I knew Master Bolton so well, that it seemed uncredible to me, but the reporter professed to deliver it upon knowledge. But if it were so, many there be that can bear witness thereunto in the place ⟨p. 163⟩where he lived. Lately, it hath been brought unto me, that one hath been heard to lay to my charge behind my back, that I should say, David sinned more in dancing about the Ark, than either in deflowering Bathsheba, or killing Uriah;

that it was preached in Norfolke, that to make a feast or wedding-dinner on the Lords Day, is as great a sinne as for a father to take a knife and cut his childs throat. I wonder the Prefacer doth not call them miracles; Sommersetshire is a pretty large County; and there be many market townes in Oxfordshire; and I doe not doubt but there are many parishes in Norfolke; But no particular is here set downe, either of person or of place; and wee have no better authority for the proofe of these imputations than this mans word, which yet undoubtedly was not present at these Sermons: for then he would have beene very carefull to expresse that, as in the next story hee doth the like. So that in the issue, the strength of all comes but to this, that he hath heard it thus reported. Now, I have heard it preached, and that at Saint Maries in Oxford, that a man in Bunbury, or thereabouts, having broken a bone, his sonne refused to goe for a Bonesetter, because it was the Lords Day, and this Sermon, afterwards comming into print, the party finding himselfe agrieved by this scandalous report cast forth of him, repaired to the quarter Sessions holden at Oxford, and complained to the Justices of the wrong that was done unto him; the Preacher of that Sermon being by, and the whole matter being opened, and the contrary justified; the preacher professed, that he delivered no more than he had heard, but promised the next time that he printed that Sermon, hee would leave that story out. Doctor Hoskins of our house was present at the hearing of this businesse, and brought us word of it. But whether that Sermon ever came to be printed a second time, I know not. In like sort, I have heard it reported of Master Bolton, that when one fell into the River on the Sabbath day, he would not suffer those that were with him, being neere to runne to helpe him out: I professed at the hearing of it, I knew Master Bolton so well, that it seemed uncredible to me, but the reporter professed to deliver it upon knowledge. But if it were so, many there be that can beare witnesse thereunto in the place