N13259:675
Sermons, on the following subjects
Sermons, on the following subjects; The manner in which salvation is to be sought. The unreasonableness of indetermination in religion. Unbelievers contemn the glory of Christ. The folly of looking back in fleeing out of Sodom. The warnings of Scripture in the best manner adapted to the awakening and conversion of sinners. Hypocrites deficient in the duty of prayer. The future punishment of the wicked unavoidable and intolerable. The eternity of hell-torments. The peace which Christ gives his true followers. The perpetuity & change of the Sabbath. / By the late Reverend Mr. Jonathan Edwards, president of the College of New-Jersey.
Hartford: printed by Hudson and Goodwin, 1780
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
So also we find that the first day of the week is called by GOD'S name, being called in scripture GOD'S day, or the Lord's day, which denotes that it is an holy day, a day appropriated to holy uses, above all others in the week.
13. THE tradition of the church from age to age, though it be no rule, yet may be a great confirmation of the truth in such a case as this is. We find, by all accounts that it hath been the universal custom of the christian church, in all ages, even from the age of the apostles, to keep the first day of the week. We read in the writings which remain of the first, second, and third centuries of the christians keeping the LORD'S day; and so in all succeeding ages: and there are no accounts that contradict them.—This day hath all along been kept by christians, in all countries throughout the world, and by almost all that have borne the name of christians, of all denominations, however different in their opinions as to other things.
NOW, although this be not sufficient of itself, without a foundation in scripture; yet it may be a confirmation of it, because here is really matter of conviction in it to our reason. Reason may greatly confirm truths revealed in the scriptures. The universality of the custom throughout all christian countries, in all ages, by what account we have of them, is a good argument, that the church had it from the apostles; and it is difficult to conceive how all should come to agree, to set up such a custom through the world, of different sects and opinions, and we have no account of any such thing.