Of the morality of the fourth commandment as still in force to bind Christians…Of the morality of the fourth commandement as still in force to binde Christians…

So that had we in these days two Sabbaths in a week instead of one, all were little enough to instruct our people, and strengthen them against the oppositions made by men of carnal minds, and thereby to keep them in the right way of Gods saving truth. And no less necessity is there for the keeping of them in the ways of holiness, such is the degenerate condition of the World; Long ago it is that the severe judgement of God, had its course in giving men over to illusions to believe lies, and all for not receiving the love of the truth, as much as to say for the profaneness of the Christian World, in not making it their care to walk worthy of their calling, worthy of the Gospel; whereunto the Apostle so often exhorts Christians. So that if at any time it were requisite to set one day in seven apart for the service of God, surely by the very dictate of common reason, it is most requisite in these latter days of the Gospel. Especially considering the rage, and fury of Satan in opposing the Kingdom of Christ more now than ever, because he knoweth he hath but a short time. As for the alteration of the day (the same proportion of time still continuing) from the seventh to the first day of the week, that I confess willingly seems not at first sight to have the like evidence. But whereas this Prefacer contends for the alteration of the day, ⟨p. 87⟩as only by an humane and Ecclesiastical constitution; observe that not one of the ancient Fathers are mentioned by him for the justifying of this, though divers are referred unto by him, as against the institution of the Sabbath from the Creation. But we have divers of the ancients bearing witness to the Divine institution of the Lords day, to come in place of the seventh. As first Athanasius Homil de Semente. Olim certe priscis hominibus in summo pretio Sabbatum fuit, quam quidem solemnitatem Dominus in diem Dominicum transtulit. Heretofore truly the Sabbath was in great price, with men of old time, which solemnity the Lord hath translated unto the Lords Day, Austine hath divers other passages to the same purpose de civitate dei. lib. 22. cap. ult. Dominicus dies velut octavus aeternus, qui Christi Resurrectione sacratus est, aeternam non solum Spiritus, verumetiam corporis requiem praefigurans.

So that had wee in these dayes two Sabbaths in a weeke insteed of one, all were little enough to instruct our people, and strengthen them against the oppositions made by men of carnall mindes, and thereby to keepe them in the right way of Gods saving truth. And no lesse necessitie is there for the keeping of them in the wayes of holinesse, such is the degenerate condition of the World; Long agoe it is that the severe judgement of God, had its course in giving men over to illusions to beleeve lies, and all for not receiving the love of the truth, as much as to say for the profanenesse of the Christian World, in not making it their care to walke worthy of their calling, worthy of the Gospell; whereunto the Apostle so often exhorts Christians. So that if at any time it were requisite to set one day in seven apart for the service of God, surely by the very dictate of common reason, it is most requisite in these latter dayes of the Gospell. Especially considering the rage, and fury of Satan in opposing the Kingdome of Christ more now than ever, because he knoweth hee hath but a short time. As for the alteration of the day (the same proportion of time still continuing) from the seventh to the first day of the weeke, that I confesse willingly seemes not at first sight to have the like evidence. But whereas this Prefacer contends for the alteration of the day,