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

for the unreasonableness of which interpretation, and the incongruity thereof unto the same words, repeated in the fourth commandment; I appeal to that which I have formerly discoursed hereupon: Now if God from the beginning ordained the seventh day to be kept holy; we leave it to every sober conscience to judge, whether it be not most likely, that both Adam and the holy Patriarchs observed it; for we insist not in this argument upon humane observation, but merely upon Divine institution. And though God did from the beginning command it, yet it followeth not, that all men are bound to sanctify that day, unless they have some evidence of Gods command, wherewith we are made acquainted by the Scriptures. If the law of ⟨p. 235⟩nature be meant a light of nature convincing us, we do not infer hence or at all maintain (nor any that I know) that in this sense, all or any are bound to keep the seventh, or a seventh day holy; but only by virtue of Gods command. Yet this we profess, that seeing it is generally confessed that by the very light of nature some time is to be set apart for Gods service. We cannot devise in reason any better course, then to set one day in seven apart for this; considering the first division of days is into weeks, and if a seventh part of our time be in reason to be consecrated unto God, we think it more convenient to set one entire day in seven apart for this, then the seventh part of every day, because the other businesses of every day are apt to cause distraction from the Lords service. And as I have but erst discoursed; it is more fit the Master should appoint unto the servant what proportion of service he shall perform unto him; then that this should be left to the discretion or liberty of the servant. 1. both the honour of the Master requiring this. 2. and the good of the servant; for hereby he shall be assured of the better acceptance at the hands of his master. And so for the particular day, it is fit the Master should mark out that also unto him by some prerogative set upon the day, as he did the seventh day, by finishing the work of Creation, and by his rest thereon from his works to call man to an holy rest from his, so to be more free for the service of his Creator.

for the unreasonablenesse of which interpretation, and the incongruitie thereof unto the same words, repeated in the fourth commandement; I appeale to that which I have formerly discoursed hereupon: Now if God from the beginning ordained the seventh day to be kept holy; wee leave it to every sober conscience to judge, whether it be not most likely, that both Adam and the holy Patriarches observed it; for we insist not in this argument upon humane observation, but meerely upon Divine institution. And though God did from the beginning command it, yet it followeth not, that all men are bound to sanctifie that day, unlesse they have some evidence of Gods command, wherewith we are made acquainted by the Scriptures. If the law of