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

But how comes that to be accounted superstitious, which all the Bishops of the land, and the whole Kingdom accounts the profanation of the Sabbath, not to speak of particular Bishops, though as great for learning and place, as Bishop Andrewes, who in his pattern of catechetical doctrine, tells us of some, who on the Lords day, vacant nugis, specta•ulis, theatris, choreis, and approves the stilling of such a Sabbath, Sabbatū aurei vituli, the Sabbath of the golden Calf; I make bold to translate it for the benefit of the common people; and B. Downham bestows the like denomination upon such a Sabbath. Bishop Andrewes over and above cites Austin for the like saying, but that is more then any quotation of his doth make good, for ought I find hitherunto. But what should I allege one or two Doctors opinions hereupon though ⟨p. 5⟩never so great, when an whole Kingdom stands for the same in my judgement, even the Kingdom of England, as may appear by the Act of Parliament 1. Caroli, concerning the Sabbath. The introduction thereunto, manifesteth three grounds whereupon they proceed to make that Act. 1 That there is nothing more acceptable to God, then his holy worship and service. 2 That the due sanctification of the Lords day, is a great part of Gods holy worship and service. 3 That men are very prone to profane it. Now to prevent this profanation of the Sabbath, many things are there prohibited; and one amongst the rest is this, that none shall come forth out of his own parish about any sports or pastimes; whence I conclude, that to come out of a mans parish on the Lords day, about any sports or pastimes is to profane the Sabbath. For to prevent the profanation of our Christian Sabbath and to maintain the sanctification thereof is this law made. Now to come out of a mans own parish about what business soever, no wise man will say that it is to profane the Sabbath; but according to the nature of the business, whereabout he comes forth of his own parish, so shall he be found, either to profane the Sabbath, or not to profane it. As for example, for a man to come forth of his own parish to hear a sermon, no man I think, will say, that it is to profane the Sabbath.

But how comes that to bee accounted superstitious, which all the Bishops of the land, and the whole Kingdome accounts the prophanation of the Sabbath, not to speake of particular Bishops, though as great for learning and place, as Bishop Andrewes, who in his patterne of catecheticall doctrine, tells us of some, who on the Lords day, vacant nugis, spectaulis, theatris, choreis, and approves the stiling of such a Sabbath, Sabbatū aurei vituli, the Sabbath of the golden Calf; I make bold to translate it for the benefit of the cōmon people; and B. Downham bestowes the like denomination upon such a Sabbath. Bishop Andrewes over and above cites Austin for the like saying, but that is more then any quotation of his doth make good, for ought I find hitherunto. But what should I alleage one or two Doctors opinions hereupon though