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

Now let the Reader judge with what modesty it is avouched, That Hence it was that Irenaeus, Justin Martyr, Tertullian, and Eusebius, do affirm for certain, that never any of the Patriarchs before Moses Law did observe the Sabbath; D. Prideaux saith not that Hence it was; neither hath this Author given the least evidence hereof. Sure I am, that in those Patriarchs ⟨p. 11⟩days Christ was not as yet come in the flesh, but rather to come long after their days; and consequently though it be a dangerous course in these days to lay any ground of suspicion that Christ is not already come, but as yet to come; yet this was of no dangerous condition at all in the days of the Patriarchs, because in their days Christ was not come, but to come long after. D. Prideaux begins with Tertullian by this Author translated thus, Let them (saith he in a particular Tract against the Jews) assure me if they can, that Adam ever kept the Sabbath: or Abel when he offered unto God his accepted sacrifice, had regard thereof; or that Noah kept the same, when he was busied in preparing the Ark against the Deluge; or finally that Abraham in offering his son Isaac; or that Melchizedek in execution of his Priest-hood took notice of it. Now I appeal to every sober mans judgement, whether to put the Jews in those days to show this, be to affirm for certain, That never any of the Patriarchs before Moses Law did observe the Sabbath. It is true indeed, we have no particular relation of the observation of the Sabbath in that Book of Genesis, and this Tertullian knew full well; and again it is as true that there is no testimony of ought to the contrary. In the Book of Joshua in like sort there is not any mention of the observation thereof (any more than in the Book of Judges, of Ruth, of the two Books of Samuel) but rather something to the contrary, to wit, in the siege of Jericho, and marching round about the walls of Jericho seven days together. But yet in general we read in Genesis, that when God had finished all his works in six days, and rested the seventh, he therefore blessed the seventh day and sanctified it;

Now let the Reader judge with what modesty it is avouched, That Hence it was that Irenaeus, Justin Martyr, Tertullian, and Eusebius, doe affirme for certaine, that never any of the Patriarches before Moses Law did observe the Sabbath; D. Prideaux saith not that Hence it was; neither hath this Author given the least evidence hereof. Sure I am, that in those Patriarches ⟨p. 11⟩