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

Here alone is mention made of the bounds he set to the observation of the Lords day, namely, that it was to continue from Saturday three of the clock in the afternoon, until the Sun-rising on Monday, in which time he would have them do nothing but that which was good, and if they did, to amend their errors by repentance. A very reasonable motion in my judgement; and if he had extended it to all the days of the week, yea, and hours too, I see no cause why for this he should be censured either as an hypocrite, or heretic. But as for the strictness of observation here mentioned, as namely, That ⟨p. 28⟩during the foresaid time, it was not lawful to do any kind of work what ever, no not so much as to bake bread for the Sundays eating; to wash or dry linen for the morrows wearing. I find no such thing prescribed by Eustachius, in the relation made by Roger Hoveden; and if Parisiensis hath any such, surely he took it not out of Roger Hoveden; from whom yet this Prefacer affirms he took that which he writes hereof. Nay it is directly contradictory to the Tenet of Eustachius, as who determineth the observation of the Lords day to begin at three of the clock in the afternoon of the Eve preceding, in which time is found space both to bake bread for the Sundays eating, and to wash or dry linen for the morrows wearing, if the weather hinder not. And as for the extension of the dominical observation thus far, in respect of the bounds thereof; I find no other doctrine preached by Eustachius, than by the Laws of the Kings who governed this Land, was ordained long before, even before the conquest. For not only King Ina commanded,¹ That no man lay or spiritual, free or bond, should labour on the Sunday: and Edward the elder with Gythrum the Dane, made a law against all labour, buying and selling upon the Sabbath. Item, for no execution to be done on the Sunday: but amongst King Edgars laws, one was, That the Sunday should be kept holy from Saturday at noon, till Monday in the morning. King Canutus also commanded celebration of the Sabbath from Saturday at noon, till Monday morning, forbidding markets, huntings, labours, and Court-keepings during the said space. And it seems to be the general practise of Christendom to allow (or command rather) a preparation for the sanctifying of the Lords day;

Here alone is mention made of the bounds he set to the observation of the Lords day, namely, that it was to continue from Saturday three of the clock in the afternoone, untill the Sun-rising on Munday, in which time he would have them doe nothing but that which was good, and if they did, to amend their errors by repentance. A very reasonable motion in my judgement; and if he had extended it to all the dayes of the weeke, yea, and houres too, I see no cause why for this hee should be censured either as an hypocrite, or heretique. But as for the strictnesse of observation here mentioned, as namely, That