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

¹The first opinion (to wit of those who maintained the divine authority, of the celebrity of the Lords day by the old Testament) is here censured for inclining much to Judaism, but it is not expressed wherein. And it is apparent, they do not maintain the observation of the seventh day. Certainly this is delivered in reference to somewhat, that is not thought fit to be expressed; yet the prefacer did express it, imputing unto them whom he opposeth, that they do observe the Jewish Sabbath, not in respect of the Jewish day, but of the Jewish manner observing it, to wit, in the way of a rigorous rest. But I know none that maintains any other rest from works, then as they are avocations from sacred studies and meditations: whereas the Jews observed it for some mysterious signification sake, and thereupon were tied to a more rigorous rest. But let them speak plainly, and say we are too rigorous in thinking sports and pastimes unlawful on the Lords day. And herein I appeal to every Christian conscience; whether these be not as great avocations from sacred studies and meditations, as the works of our ordinary callings. Then again which of us comes nearest to Judaism herein? Is it not against the Jews, that Austin professeth? Melius est orare quam saltare, Better to go to plough then to dances; and Foeminae vestrae melius lanam facerent quam saltarent. Better it were your women should spin wool then dance: as their course was in their festivals. Again, why should their opinion be Jewish, by maintaining it out of the old Testament; rather then out of the new? Then, who are they that maintain it only by the old Testament? And lastly, not one that I know (neither do I think it can be justly obtruded on any) do maintain the succession of the Lords day, in the place of the Jewish Sabbath, either by the original institution of it, as from the creation, or by the fourth commandment; yet upon these nullities▪ is founded the imputation of both impudency and ignorance, in oppugning the received opinion of Divines: That confidently taken up for a received opinion among divines, which is in no tolerable sort proved; not one Ancient alleged for it, and but two Papists quoted; the one of which I have showed to be ⟨p. 224⟩of a plain contrary opinion.²