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…

The first opinion (to wit of those who maintained the divine authority, of the celebrity of the Lords day by the old Testament) is here censured for inclining much to Judaism, but it is not expressed wherein. And it is apparent, they do not maintain the observation of the seventh day. Certainly this is delivered in reference to somewhat, that is not thought fit to be expressed; yet the prefacer did express it, imputing unto them whom he opposeth, that they do observe the Jewish Sabbath, not in respect of the Jewish day, but of the Jewish manner observing it, to wit, in the way of a rigorous rest. But I know none that maintains any other rest from works, then as they are avocations from sacred studies and meditations: whereas the Jews observed it for some mysterious signification sake, and thereupon were tied to a more rigorous rest. But let them speak plainly, and say we are too rigorous in thinking sports and pastimes unlawful on the Lords day. And herein I appeal to every Christian conscience; whether these be not as great avocations from sacred studies and meditations, as the works of our ordinary callings. Then again which of us comes nearest to Judaism herein? Is it not against the Jews, that Austin professeth? Melius est orare quam saltare, Better to go to plough then to dances; and Foeminae ucstrae melius lanam facerent quam saltarent. Better it were your women should spin wool then dance: as their course was in their festivals. Again, why should their opinion be Jewish, by maintaining it out of the old Testament; rather then out of the new? Then, who are they that maintain it only by the old Testament? And lastly, not one that I know (neither do I think it can be justly obtruded on any) do maintain the succession of the Lords day, in the place of the Jewish Sabbath, either by the original institution of it, as from the creation, or by the fourth commandment; yet upon these nullities is founded the imputation of both impudency and ignorance, in oppugning the received opinion of Divines: That confidently taken up for a received opinion among divines, which is in no tolerable sort proved; not one Ancient alleged for it, and but two Papists quoted; the one of which I have showed to be ⟨p. 224⟩of a plain contrary opinion.

The first opinion (to wit of those who maintained the divine authoritie, of the celebritie of the Lords day by the old Testament) is here censured for inclining much to Judaisine, but it is not expressed wherein. And it is apparant, they doe not maintaine the observation of the seventh day. Certainely this is delivered in reference to somewhat, that is not thought fit to be expressed; yet the prefacer did expresse it, imputing unto them whom he opposeth, that they doe observe the Jewish Sabbath, not in respect of the Jewish day, but of the Jewish manner observing it, to wit, in the way of a rigorous rest. But I know none that maintaines any other rest from works, then as they are avocations from sacred studies and meditations: whereas the Jewes observed it for some mysterious signification sake, and thereupon were tyed to a more rigorous rest. But let them speake plainly, and say we are too rigorous in thinking sports and pastimes unlawfull on the Lords day. And herein I appeale to every Christian conscience; whether these be not as great avocations from sacred studies and meditations, as the workes of our ordinary callings. Then againe which of us comes nearest to Judaisme herein? Is it not against the Jewes, that Austin professeth? Melius est orare quam saltare, Better to goe to plough then to dances; and Foeminae vcstrae melius lanam facerent quam saltarent. Better it were your women should spin wooll then dance: as their course was in their festivalls. Againe, why should their opinion be Jewish, by maintaining it out of the old Testament; rather then out of the new? Then, who are they that maintaine it onely by the old Testament? And lastly, not one that I know (neither doe I thinke it can be justly obtruded on any) doe maintaine the succession of the Lords day, in the place of the Jewish Sabbath, either by the originall institution of it, as from the creation, or by the fourth commandement; yet upon these nullities is founded the imputation of both impudency and ignorance, in oppugning the received opinion of Divines: That confidently taken up for a received opinion among divines, which is in no tolerable sort proved; not one Ancient alleaged for it, and but two Papists quoted; the one of which I have shewed to be