Propositions TENDING TO PROOVE THE NEcessarie vse of the Christian Sabbaoth or Lords Day And that it is commaunded vnto vs in Gods WORD WHERE VNTO IS added the Practice of that sacred Day framed after the rules of the same WORD By IOHN SPRINT an vnvvorthie Minister of the Gospell of Iesus Christ at Thornebery in Gloucester shire ET VSQUE AD NVBES VERITAS TVA P. S. Imprinted at London by H. L. for Thomas Man 〈…〉 The Summe of all in one Syllogisme That the Lords daie or Christian Sabbaoth is The Lords Day necessarily to bee obserued by all Christians to the end of the World WHatsoeuer dayes obseruation was in the Newe Testament Sanctified by sanctified and set apart to an holy vse 1 Christs resurrection First by Christ his triumphant resurrectioÌ„ 2 Christs first apparition Then by his first appearing to his gathered Apostles Disciples fiue times on that same day 3 Christs second apparition Next hy his second appearing to his gathered Apostles 4 Holy Ghost apparition Fourthly by his sending of the Holy-Ghost to his Apostles gathered againe and blessing of their doctrine by conuersion of soules 5 Command ordinance of postles Fiftly by Apostolicall Commaund Constitution to be obserued by Christian Churches 6 Christs commandement Sixtly by Christs Commaund not to be profaned of anie faithfull Christian 7 Practice of postles Seuenthly by Apostles solemne practice of preaching ministring the Sacraments in the Christian Congregation and meditation of the Scripture 8 Title giuen the Holy-Ghost Eightly by the holy-Ghosts induing it with a notable peculiar title of the Lords day 9 Practice of and the most pâ— Churches By Apostolicall primitiue and all later reformed Churches general and continual practice from thence vnto our times 10 Iudgemeâ—â— the most so 〈◊〉 all godly lâ—â—ned By the iudgement of the spirituall most godly learned Teachers and Writers of the former and later ages 11 Effectes Gods blessinâ— By the witnesse of Gods generall and continuall blessing of the practice therof with peace of conscience ioy of the Holy-Ghost and sensible increase of knowledge and grace in all sincere Christians that with soundnesse prefesse the Gospell euery where 12 Dislike and â—â—â—anation by â—e wicked and â—â—sound And last of all by the dislike and opposition of the onely most wicked of life ignorant of mind or otherwise vnsound in iudgement and doctrine The Obseruation of that Day is most necessary and doth tie the Conscience to the end of the World But such is the Obseruation of the Lords day or first day of the weeke and so confirmed in euery point Therefore The holy Obseruation of the Lords day or first day of the week is most necessarie and doth tye the conscience to the end of the World The Proposition confirmed For the first member Look Section 56 55. For the second third fourth seuenth and ninth Look Sect 61. For the fift and sixt Looke Sect 58 59. For the eight Looke Sect. 55 54 59 60 64. For the tenth eleuenth and twelfth Looke Sect 65. Proofes of the Assumption in the seuerall members The 1. There is no question of this point but that Christ rose on the first day of the weeke The 2. That Christ appeared 5 times on that first day of the weeke which was the day of his resurrection and of the Christian Sabbaoth first to Mary Magdalen Mark 16 9. Io. 20. 14 15 16 17 18. Secondly to the woman Mat. 28 9 10 11. Thirdly to the two Disciples Luk. 24. 18. Mar. 1â— 13. Fourthly to Peter Luk. 24 33. 34. with 1. Cor. 15 5. Fiftly to the eleuen Mark 16. 14 Excepting Thomas Io. 20. 24. Wherein our Sauiour dooth comfort instruct authorise and ordaine the Ministers of the Newe Testament and giues them power to preach and administer the Sacraments Discipline Io. 20. 22. 23. with Mar. 16. 15. 16. Mat. 28. 16 17 18 19 20. This was performed in the night partly by Christs appointment Matth. 28. 16. Partly for feare of the Iewes not daring to assemble by day Io. 20. 19. The day notwithstanding sanctified by Christs fiue fold appearing and the Disciples holy meditation conference of and with Christ The 3. That CHRIST appeared the second time on that day seuen-night Conâ—â—â—â—ing comforting instructing reproouing appeareth Io. 20. 26 27 28 29. Where it is sayd after eight dayes including and counting the day of Christs resurrection for one of the eight which is that day seuen-night as if he should say the eight day after by an Hebraisme The like speech in Luk. 2. 21. 1. 59. Leu. 12. 3. Thus Caluin Beza Piscator Rollock take it and so do the very Papists Ferus Iansenius Emmanuel Sa. vpon these places The 4. That the Apostles met vpon this very day the first day of the weeke on the morning Act. 2. 15 appeares because they met on the day of Pentecost Act. 2. 1. with Leu. 23. 15. 16 called the feast of weekes Exod. 34. 22. Which was the morrow after the Sabbaoth Leu. 23. 16. 15. This also the computation of Weekes betweene the feast of Easter and Whitsontide dooth prooue For it is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as if one should say the fiftieth day Act. 2. 1. because fiftie full dayes or seauen weekes are to passe betweene the feast of Easter or Passeouer the day after which Christ rose and the feast of Whitsontide or of weeks Leuit. 23. 15. 16. Exod. 34. 22. on which day the Apostles now met For this truth look the iudgement of Augustine de tempore ser 251. Nazianzen apud BaroniuÌ„ Leo Ep. 81. Concil Constantinopol 6 Caluine Beza Piscator with the Papists Bellarmine de cultu sanctoruÌ„ lib. 3. cap. 11. See Emmanuel Sa. annot in Act. 2. 1. Baronius Tom. 1. ex Nazianzen The 5. Look for the confirmation thereof Sect. 58. 59. The 6. Look for this Sect 64. The 7. Look for this also Sect. 60. 61. The 8. Look for this Sect. 59. 55. 54. 60. 64. The 9. For this look Sect. 15. 20. 63. 62. The 10. Is prooued Sect. 15. 20. 34. 52. The 11. and 12. Is confirmed by palpable experience and apprehended by him that eyther hath an eye or winketh not Look for these Sect. 65. and the fowre last Sections also To the Christian Reader MAny matters Christian Reader called into question at this day are offered to the viewe of the World and not a fewe of them very friuolous and vnprofitable but there are also matters which doubtlesse cannot bee denied to bee of singular importance for the furtheraunce of our most holy faith and true Religion And amongst the waightiest of these there is almost none of greater vse nor of more necessity to be vnderstood nor being vnderstood to bee more carefully obserued then this which hereafter ensueth touching the nature and quality of the Lords day commonly called Sunday or the
this point of the more strict part yet with subiection to the spirits of the Prophets in the Church of God Beeing ready to yeelde to any man that will refell my reasons and instruct mee better hauing by Gods mercy learned in modesty to iudge of my self and others and to follow the truth in loue peace as in the presence of the iudge of all the world 25 The ground of my perswasion is the euidence of Truth appearing to my conscience being chayned to the iudgement of the present Church of England of the which body I reioyce I am a member The which kind of motiue is to me of double force I say the authority of the visible Church of God being ioyned to the truth which is no lesse waighty with then it is light without the truth of God It is contayned in the second Tome of Homilyes the which is mentioned in the booke of Articles 26 And this mention of the differing iudgements of most reuerend men agreeing in the substance of Religion is not proposed to set them together by the eares or to try the titles of eyther sides authority For how should one escape the note of insolence and pride and want of humble charity and sober wisedome But onely to acquaint the Reader vvith the needefull grounds and simply to propose this matter as rather seeking truth then victory or cause of wrangling 27 Neither dooth this difference of iudgement praeiudice the doctrine of the Gospel For by the one part the Iew gets none aduantage seeing they vtterly renounce their legall Ceremonies strict rest and seuenth day counting from the Creation Neither the Libertine by the other seeing they make it morall and perpetuall to obserue set daies and themselues haue alwayes kept the Lords day holy counting it impious to profane or breake it by contempte or negligence vntill the Church hath greater cause to alter it then the Apostles had to appoint it and command it 28 Nor of this diuision or the like hath the deluded Papist any thing to boast For if they speak but one halfe word heerein wee will presently intreate them to keepe them on their dung hill and first pull out the beame from Bellarmine Bellarm Tom. 1. lib. 3. cap. 10. dâ— cultu sanctorum Tolet Instruct sacerdot li. 4. ca 24. fol. 542. Perkins probleÌ„ tit dâ—â—s festâ— fo 231. Chemnitius loc com â—ars secunda ad 3. praecept fol 61. 62 and Tolets eye who sway with Thomas and Caietane against the streame of Scotus Soto Abulensis and the other Schoolemen about this very matter of the Christian Sabbaoth So might wee deale with them in matters of controuersies for there are few or none depending betweene them and vs wherein they differ not among themselues and like the foure windes blowe in one anothers face Aske Bellarmines three Tomes whether I lye or not and aske withall where is the Catholique vnity they boast of 29 But you shall obserue about this controuersie of the Lords day the former sort company of reuereÌ„d godly Writers for most part liuing in the times next aboue vs of the more remisse and weaker iudgement and the later of the more sincere and strict God as it were rewarding the diligence paines of euery age with the reuealing of some part of truth and alwaies fiery and pearcing wits omitting nothing to oppose or to defeÌ„d the truth which by thaâ— means hath by degrees been manifested The which thing as he did to them in other times before reuealing to theÌ„ sundry truths whereof their Predecessours neuer were acquainted each faithfull one professing purely the holy truth he saw so dealt he with the primitiue Fathers in their seuerall times and so perhaps will doe with them that followe vs so hath hee done vnto this age of ours and as he hath reuealed sundry other truths so also this of the Christian Sabbaoth 30 The occasion of this difference in the former was the opposition that they bare against the Papists the maine and only aduersaries in a manner of those times who imposing on the conscience a necessitie of all the rabblement of their superstitious and Idoll dayes and the like Will-worships and meere humane Traditions by the Church authority Our reuerend VVriters oppose to them againe the Christian liberty Caluin Bullinger Bâ—â—ter BreÌ„tius Chemnitius Vrsinus c. by the which liberty say they the Apostles and Apostolicall Church altered the Iewes Sabbaoth into the Lords day by which the present Church may alter it on iust occasion into another day and by which wee are freede say they from obseruation of all dayes other then such as serue for necessarie seruice of GOD and order in the Church 31 The later iudgement doth arise from the opposition of another kind of Aduersary cleane differing from the Papist I meane the Atheist Libertine and carnall Gospeller inseperable vermine of euery established and slourishing free Church arising chiefely from the sweate and ranknesse of plenty and prosperitie and absence of the Crosse for as the one is choaked with the smoake of superstition and is prodigious in the number and quality of dayes and other Ceremonies so the other is drowned in profanenesse and breake the cordes and bands of God himselfe asunder and will not haue the Christ of God ro reigne ouer them From hence the later writers abounding in another sense presse Beza Iunius Piscator Rollock Fulke c. a necessity of a Christian Sabbaoth and so do differ from the former Necessity compelling thereunto For as the Papist blotteth out the 2. Commaundement and sayth it is but ceremoniall * Catharinus li. de imaginibus apud Bellar. tom 1. li. 2. de imag cap. 7. Beza thes Genev ca. 36. §. 15 positiue and temporall euen so the carnall Gospeller straining the bands of Christian liberty till they be burst blotteth out the fourth Commandement and sayth it is but ceremoniall Why might not now the Atheist and periured person blot out the 1. and 3. and like wise say they be but ceremoniall 32 And so hauing vnfolded the state of the quaestion and spoken of these other needfull circumstances I will proceed to establish the truth of my perswasion and then will answer the obiections 33 The first member of the truth in this controuersie is this That the keeping holy vnto God of one day of the 7. of euerie weeke is apart of the Morall lawe of God and by all Christians to be obserued to the end of the world 34 This proposition is affirmed by a Vide annotata ad §. 20. Bullinger in Rom. 14. 5 Musculus Martyr Beza Iunius Hemingius Bucer Wolphius Piscator Rollock Fulke Perkins Nowell Babington and by the Church of England in the 2. Tome of Homilyes But is denyed by some others by affirming that the Church may alter the obseruation of the seauenth day into the number of the 10. or 14. or any other day as iust occasion is offered 35 The affirmatiue is prooued by
the Lords day or appointing of any other in the steade thereof And finally vnlesse the Church hath the same infallible warrant to bee led into all truth as the inspired Apostles had which the Papists falsly affirme but wee constantly deny the Church can neuer haue equall power in abolishing the obseruation of the first day of the weeke as the Apostles had in ordayning and so by consequence can it neuer be lawfully accomplished for want of due power to performe the same So that it followeth by ineuitable consequence that the keeping holy of the Lords day or first day of the weeke must vnremoouedly stand vnto the end of the World And so an end of this third and last question 74 Now touching the obiections that are alleaged against the keeping holy of the Lords day they are of sundry sorts as are the various apprehensions and opinions of men erring on the right and left hand of the truth The which their differing cauillations albeit it were not quite amisse to haue cōfuted on either side yet I haue thought it fitter at this time to let them passe least the Reader might be rather tyred then instructed the rather because the most of them in very deed are but of froathy feeble nature and are not able to stand or to maintaine themselues the day reuealing them to bee but false and the fire but stubble being grounded on an euill conscience maintained by more subtilty then truth or art answered by sundry others and are aboundantly confuted by the former reasons Only I purpose to take notice and giue answere vnto the cauillations of our present times vvhich beare the greatest shewe both against the things alleaged for the truth as also for establishment of their owne errour 75 Against the places of Scripture alleaged for the Christian Sabbaoth They say that the reasons drawn from Act. 20. 7. 1. Cor. 16. 2. make nothing for the confirmation of the Lords day For that the Greeke word soundeth in both places one of the Sabbaoths which being literally vnderstood must needs haue reference to the Iewes Sabbaoth not to the first day of the weeke which is our Lords daie To vvhich obiection first I oppose the maine streame of all Interpreters that euer vvere both olde and newe that vnderstand them for the first day of the vveeke and doe so translate them Secondly I say it is an Hebraisme or Hebrewe kinde of speech vsuall in the Scriptures to set downe One insteade of the first as Gen. 1. 5. Mat. 28. 1. Mark 16 9. Luke 24. 1. Io 20. 1. And the word Sabbaoth for a Weeke As Leuiticus 25. 8. Luke 18. 12. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And thus doe Caluin Martyr Beza B B. Hooper and euen the learned Papists Erasmus Iansenius Bellarmine Emanuel Sa and sundry others obserue vpon these places And further for the place of the 1. Corinth 16. 2. It is very euident out of the Fathers Iustinus Tertullian and others that from the ordinance of the Apostles grounded on this place the primitiue times did make collections for the poore on this very day vvhich vvas the first day of the vveeke celebrated by them to the honour of Christ his resurrection and publique vvorship of God as Zanchius that most learned and iudiciall Diuine doth soundly conclude Besides ther want not ancient manuscripts to make this place more manifest by adding 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the Text as Beza noteth and Cryspine in his greeke Testament together vvith Wechelus in his edition of the Septuaginta doe expresse Touching the place of Apoc. 1. 10. vvhich maketh cleere mention of the Lords day the obseruation whereof is seconded by the Primitiue Fathers and Churches immediatly succeeding the writer of that book they haue nothing to alleage but that they holde it doubtfull whether that book be Canonicall or not Which cauill albeit it bee vnanswerably confuted by Beza and sundry others yet I iudge it sitter to be decided by a cudgell of the Magistrates owne faggot or the hatchet rather then to be notized or vouchsafed the peaceable or quiet answere of sober men for that it must needs be an opinion of insolent and palpable lewdnesse that cannot stand but by calling the vndoubted Scriptures of canonical authority and principles of the Christian faith in quaestion 76 For the confirmation of their most weake and bad opiniō they brokenly alleage certaine Scriptures from which they draw euen by the eares against their wils three seuerall conclusions The first conclusion is this The fourth Cōmandement is meerely Ceremoniall and therfore vtterly abolished and is Iewish to obserue To this I say in generall it crosseth all mens iudgemens that euer were of any note as in parte appeareth These 20. and therfore is actually absurde and a very Nouel and is besides the doore to Atheisme carnall liberty and all profanenesse a manifest disabling of the other 9. Commandements occasion of neglect giuen to them especially that care for none For further answere to this bare Assertion Look Thes 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. But for the Scriptures they alleage for the ground of this their Conclusion as Exodus 31. 13. 16. and 35. 2. Ezechiel 20. 12 They are too short for their position for these places prooue the Iewish Sabbaoth to haue in it something ceremoniall transitory and as the shadowe abolished by Christ the substance Coloss 2. 16. 17. in that parte wherein it was ceremoniall which was meerly proper to the Iewe but by this they disproue not the Sabbaoth dayes politicall respecte of rest of the bodies of ourselues our seruants and our Cattell Exodus 20. 17. with Deu. 5. 14. and morall part therof which is the publick worship of God Exo. 20. 9. 10. which are perpetually to remain as the other laws of like equity nature being especially by Christ confirmed and by his Apostles and Primitiue Churches continued and by vs therefore to bee practised to the Worlds end VVherefore the stricte obseruation also of a holy rest or Sabbaoth vnto God in the new Testament is not a Iewish thing For seeing the Iewe did rest by a mixt reason Iunius de polit Mosis cap. 8. partly morall partly politicall and partly ceremoniall We rest in no sense for the later but the former two Namely first for the Morall and then for the politicall respect which seeing they are commaunded vs as strictly and concerne vs at neerely as they did the Iewes wee ought with no lesse conscience to obserue them then the Iews And seeing the actions of men are really distinguished by their ends for which they are done and wee proposing not the Ceremoniall or end proper to the Iewe but onely the Morall common to vs vvith them our stricte obseruing of the Lords day cannot bee counted Iewish though hereby also wee forbid the verie gathering of any sticke or kindling of anie fire that shall hinder the seruice of GOD in our selues or others 77 The second Conclusion that they frame
Christian Sabbaoth Concerning which there are diuerse who not by reason of any difficulty in this controuersie but being led with the variable conceit of their owne vnsettled minds do think diuersly and many such there are who doe speake and wright thereof so loosely yea so profanely that if their opinions were imbraced among men there could nothing but Atheisme and irreligious behauiour growe vp thereby and abound Sundry of these points this Treatise following doth with great diligence lay open vnto thy consideration and withall setteth downe plentifully a true and right resolution of this matter Namely that the first Day of the weeke called Sunday as before sayd is in a peculiar regard the Lords day and sanctified to the performing of the solemne worship of GOD vpon the grounds of Gods Morall or perpetuall lawe in the fourth Commaundement of the Decalogue And by the speciall will of Christ establishing it through his Apostles practice doctrine to the same purpose instead of the Iewes Sabbaoth Which Assertion certainly if it were well receiued and belieued would make very effectually to the great increase of godlinesse and to the cutting downe of much sinne and impiety which euen by meanes of the ignorance and neglect hereof doth euery where ouerflowe The Lord in his good time will dispell the errors and vanities of vngodly men and wil aduance in greater bewtie the kingdome of his sonne Christ by dissoluing the works of Satan and treading vnder foote all his malice In the meane while it behooueth the seruants of God to be vigilant and nothing slacke in shewing forth the wisdome of Serpents aswell as the simplicitie of Doues That they being wise in the truth may cause the same to shine among others in these euill dayes and yet withall in their innocencie may find fauour not with God alone but also with men Reade trie and holde faste that which is good and the Lord giue thee vnderstanding in all things Farewel PROPOSITIONS tending to prooue the necessarie obseruation of the Lords day or Christian Sabbaoth 1. IN handling of this Question of the Christian Sabbaoth I purpose to speak in order of three things First of the state of the controuersy Secondly of the arguments and reasons for the truth And last of all the answere of obiections 2 There be two different iudgements concerning the Sabbaoth the one in extreamity the other in the meane 3 The iudgements or rather the opinions standing in extreamity are extreamly opposite and contrary and they are holden by men of such quality as are otherwise branded with the note of infamous heresie 4 The one extreame is of them who holde that there ought to be no Sabbaoth or difference of dayes nor anie certaine time or day appointed for rest and publique meetings for Gods seruice but to leaue it as a matter meerely freâ— for euery one 5 They alleage for themselues 1. That the fourth Commaundement â—anchius de oper redempt li. 1. ca. 19. fol. 608. Vrsinus Cathech â—art 3. ad quaest 103. fol. â—79 Rogers diâ—play of â—he Family of loue â—n a confession of one of that sect § â—0 is meerely ceremoniall 2. The Christian liberty whereby we may where and when we list worship serue God And as we are freed from the circumstance of place Io. 4. 21. 23. So are we also say they freed from the circumstance of time of seruing God 3. They alleage Scriptures as Colossians 2. 16. Galathians 4. 10. Romans 14. 6. Matthew 12. 8. 6 The Authors of this loose opinion are the Family of Lone sayth Rogers and the Anabaptists sayth Vrsinus 7 These men sayth Zanchius abutuntur Scripturis abuse Zanch. vbi supra fol. 608. 611. Vrsin vbi supra the Scriptures and conclude from them that which cannot be concluded Whom he confutes as also doth Vrsinus 8 But to passe by this irregular sect and salt vvhich hath lost his sauour I say with him Iniquum est impium aut nullos esse Zanch. Ibid. fol. â—12 aut qui sunt contemnere It is impious and vngodly either to haue no certaine dayes of Gods publicke seruice or to contemne those that are appointed and established So teach sayth he the Scriptures the Fathers and godly Teachers of our later age and so doth the auncient receiued and approoued custome and practise in all Churches of all places and nations confirme 9 The other extreamity of opinion is of those who hold that the Iewish Sabbaoth of the 7. day in the week from the creation is neuer to be abolished being no lesse necessary for vs to obserue now then it was euer for the Iewes 10 They alleage reasons drawne 1. From the praecedence of the Sabbaoth before the lawe and before the fall the Lawes of which nature are immutable 2. From the perpetuity of the Morall lawe 3. and from the large extent therof appertayning to all 4. From the perpetuity of the couenant Exod. 31. 17. 5. and of the cause of the lawe which maketh it perpetuall which is the memoriall and meditation of the workes of God which belonges vnto the Christians as well as to the Iewes 11 These reasons in themselues are good but being misapplyed to the establishment of the Iewish ceremoniall Sabbaoth which was a shaddowe of things to come and is abolished Conatus eorum tanquam pestilentissimus sayth Musculus Muscul Loc. câ—m part 1. fo 14â— est retundendus their indeuours as beeing most pestilent are by all meanes to bee suppressed Both because sayth hee they obscure the glory of our Sauiour by reiecting the Lords day and bringing Christians as much as in them lyes vnder the yoke and slauery of the Mosay call lawe againe 12 The Authors of this vnchristian opinion are either Iewes as a Vrsin Cath. in praecept 4. ad quaest 103. fol. 7â—7 76â— Vrsinus sayth or Ebion and Cherinthus as b Jrenaeuâ— l. 1. c 2â— Irenaeus and c Epiphan heres 3â— Epiphanius witnesse or Sabbatary Christians as d Muscul loc part 1. fol. 145. 146. 14â— Musculus e Beza Thes Geneuens c. â—9 §. 15 Beza say or Anabaptists as f Grysaldus Perusâ—â— Haereâ—â—cor nâ—minibus Titulâ— Sabbâ—tarij Grysaldus Perusinus a Papist doth report and are confuted by Musculus Vrsinus and g Bellar Tom â— li. 3. de cultu sanâ—â— cap. 10 Bellarmine 13 The iudgement standing in the meane is of such Churches and persons from the Apostles age to ours as withall professing the truth and soundnesse of the Christian faith haue in all times places without interruption question or gainesaying kept holy and established the Lords day being the first day of the weeke from the Iewes Sabbaoth 14 And these are eyther primitiue or later wherein by the way wee will consider of the middle or neuter sort betweene the primitiue and later namely the Papists and their iudgement 15 The auncient primitiue and orthodoxe Fathers both Greeks and Latines doe with one mouth certifie vs of these
they doe all of them generally agree touching the Lords day are chiefely these 1 Musculâ—â— Loc. vol. â— in 4. praecept fol. 147. Caluin instit l. 2. c. 8. sectione 31. 32. Bullinger Decad. 2. sâ—rm 4. fol. 125. Martyr Loâ—â— 7. class â— sect 2. 3. Idem in 1. Cor. 16. fol 444. 6. Beza Thes Geneuens â— 39. sect 8 9. Idem iâ— Argumento Ps 92. 〈…〉 Reu. 1. 10. Zanchâ—uâ— de redemptione l. 1. c. 19. fol. 610. c. Vrsinus Cathee ad quest 103. â—art 3. fol. â—66 〈…〉 Mosis c. 8. fol. 117. 118. 119. 120. 121. Idem prâ—lect in Genes 2. 3. foâ— 63. Cheâ—â—â—â— Exaâ—â—eâ— part 4. de sestu fol. 697. Heming Symagma edpracept 4 §. 12 fol. 362. Enchirid. 〈◊〉 Lex class 2 fâ—l 10â— Hyperiu◠〈…〉 1. Cor. 16. 1. 2. Pezelius ArgumeÌ„t part 3. fol 169. Sadiel contra artic abâ—â—rat resp art 49. fol. 500. ¶ 2. Tome of Homilyes fol. 258 the first parte of time and place of Prayer ¶ Nowel Catech. 〈◊〉 fol. 95. 96. ¶ Deerings Lecture 19 on Heb. 4. 10. Fulke Rhem. in Apoc. 1. 10. Perkins in Gal. 4. 10. Suâ—liffe prâ—ma fides instit fol. 11 ¶ Babington on Com. 4. fol. â—68 That the fourth Commaundement is partly morall and perpetuall and partly ceremoniall proper to the Iewe and quite abolished 2. That the ceremoniall of that Law stood 12. 3. Bullinger â—â—â—sculus relequi â—â—rd omnes locu ciâ—â—â—â— in the seuenth dayes rest from the creation the strictnesse of that rest the shaddowing of Christ to come and rest in the graue which was performed on the Sabbaoth day and Iewish ceremonies and sacrifices tyed vnto their obseruations of it 3. That the publicke worship of God preaching and hearing of the word administring receiuing of the Sacraments and prayer together with the workes of mercy giuing rest to Seruants and to Cattell vpon a certaine and defined day to vvhich some adde the limit of the time one ** Martyr Iunius Hemingius Fâ—lke Perkins Babingâ—on Vbi supra Musodus Iludem fol. 146. Beza confes de Eccles c. 5. §. 41. fol. 157. Wolphâ—u◠〈◊〉 l. â— c. 1. Piscator exposit Câ—thech in 4. prâ—ce â— â—â—l 120. 〈◊〉 in Coloss 2. 16. fol. 1. 64. and his Lecture 19. on Coloss 2. 16. Nowels Cathech fol. 99. 〈◊〉 12. fol. â—12 IdeÌ„in Matt. 10. f. 9â— Book of Hom. fol. 258. 〈…〉 day of 7. is the morall of the fourth Commaundement and of the law of Nature beloÌ„ging to vs as well as to the Iewes 4 Bezâ— The. Genâ—â— c. 39 §. 12. fol. 84 Iâ—em aâ—not â—â— Reu. 1. 10. Zancheuede redemp fol. 6â—0 a. b. Clematiue loc com part 2. fol. 61. v. Visinâ—◠〈◊〉 part 3. 〈◊〉 103 fol. 767. Iunius praeâ—â—â— â—â— Gâ—n 2. 3. fol. 63. Pâ—â—cateâ— â—n â—bseruaâ— ad Gen. 2. 3 Cathâ—ch fâ—l 1â—0 Sadeâ—â— Hemâ—ngius Pezelius Fulke Perkins Babington vbi supra Fâ—x Meditat. in Apoc. 1. 10. Buchâ—lâ—â—er 〈◊〉 â— prelâ—gâ—rn fol. â—â— Hyperius in Heb. 7. fol. 327. That the Apostles of Christ did themselues translate the Iewish Sabbaoth into the Lords day 5 Bullinger Pezelius Martyr Musculus Beza Zanchus Chemnitius Iunius Piscator rel quiserè 〈…〉 Item vid. plura hac dere â—sâ—a seâ—â—ione 58. That this translation by the Apostles is to be prooued and concluded directly out of those places of Act. 20. â— 1. Corm 16. 1. Reu. 1. 10. 6 Bullâ—nger Martyr 〈…〉 Thâ—â— Piâ—cator Pezâ—lius Fulke booke of Homilyes c. vâ—â— supra Hyperius in Hebr. 7. fol. 327. Gualter in Act. 10. 7. fol. 259 Aretius in Aâ—oc 1. 10. Fâ—x 〈◊〉 That this alteration was therefore made both to put a differeÌ„ce betweene the Iewes and Christians as also in memoriall of our Sauiours resurrection 7 Zanch. de Redemp fol. 610. 628. 629. 630. 632. Bulling Dec d. fol. 128. 129. 〈…〉 4. fol. 702. 703. 704. Holuetica 〈…〉 l. â— 2. Tome fol. 260. Perkins prâ—â—lâ—â— fol. 231. 〈◊〉 Synops fol. 429. 430. Zepperus dep litera eccle◠〈◊〉 fol. 94. 95. 96. 97. 98. Hoâ—per on Commaund 4. fol. 45. Babington in coâ— 4. fol. 171. That the primitiue Churches Fathers and Christian Princes did in their seuerall times alwayes obserue and cause to bee obserued the Lords day with all holy solemnity and godly reuerence 8 Brentius in Leuitic 23. 2. Buâ—â—r in Mat. â—2 fol. 112. Hâ—rm confes â— â—6 Gualter in Act. 20. 7. Hom. 132. Zanchius de Redempt fol. 610. b. And lastly that the Lords day is by no meanes to be contemned but hath well and rightly beene obserued by themselues and others heretofore from the Apostles and hereafter to the worlds end aboue all other dayes seeing it is the receiued and confirmed manner the which must needes be better and more fit then any 21 This harmony of iudgement in so many persons of so great excellency and worth and that according to the Scriptures in these conclusions albeit I gainesay not but there may be found among the rubble of the ruins of Gods Image men of so palpable absurdity and nothingnesse of common sense that doubt not to sway against them all and vvith one negatiue to batter their authority weighty grounds yet bee that farre from euery sober minde and honest heart Such Cyphers of men do open but a gap to cast off any thing neuer so foundly concluded by the godly learned to bring in nouelties and to make an Idoll of their owne conceipts and therby manifest vnto the world their pouerty of knowledge of iudgement and of conscience which kind of sicknesse argueth plaine giddinesse of head profanenesse of hart and a schismaticall priuate and praepared spirit to any headlesse error or braine-sicke haeresie 22 The points of difference among the godly learned doe stand in three distinct questions the one depending on the other First whether the keeping holy of the seuenth day or any one day ofeuery seauen be part of the Morall lawe of God and bee perpetually to be obserued Secondly whether the Lords day or first day of the weeke called commonly our Sunday bee established iure diuino by the wil and ordinance of Christ in stead of the Iewish Sabbaoth and do tie the conscience Thirdly whether the Church of God might haue chosen at the first another day or hath yet authority or Christian liberty to abrogate or alter the Lords day into any other certain or vncertaine day or whether it be not of necessity to be continued to the end of the vvorld Some there be that affirm and other some deny 23 The Tenents of either side for asmuch as they are both of most reuerend mention and blessed memorie and yet betweene an affirmatiue and negatiue of the selfe same thing there can be but one truth which we are commaunded diligently to try and follow I wil propose their difference with as much sincerity truth and dissent from that which seems the weaker with as much modesty as I may 24 And doe professe my selfe in
inspiration and reuelation that same day Reu. 1. 10. I omit the collections of the * Augustin de tempore ser 251 Leo Epist. 81. ad Dioscor Concil generale 6. sine Constantinop 6. can 8. Vide Bellarm Tom. 1. lib. 3. cap. 11. de cultu sanctor Fathers as that this very day is the first day of the worlds the Angels and elements and lights creation the first of Manna falling in the wildernesse the day of Christs natiuity baptisme of the starres appearing at Bethlehem to the wise-men of Christs feeding 5000. persons the like And frō hence we may obserue the practise of the Sabbaoth by the Apostles which hath cohaerence with these circumstances To shew vnto vs partly the probability that Christ did sanctifie the 1. day of the week himself and partly that it was his ordinance and will that that very day should bee sanctified by Christians For 1. vvhen the Apostles on this day were gathered together for feare of the Iewes Io. 20. 19. Christ then appeared vnto them Why so Doubtlesse at that time aboue all others to trayne thē vp in the sanctifying of the new Christian Sabbaoth day and therefore also on this very day doth he inspire them and indue them with the holy Ghost And note the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 coacti Gathered together which implyes a Church assembly for it is a word of Ecclesiasticall vse and so applyed Act. 20. 8. and 4. 31. and 11. 26. and 13. 44. and 14. 27 and 15. 6. 30. 1. Cor. 5. 4. The Primitiue is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 From thence 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2. The Apostles second gathering together is performed on this day the day seauen-night after Io. 20. 26. And then also Christ appeareth to them and then is Thomas confirmed in the fayth Why the Apostles gathered Why Christ appearing vnto them Why vpon that day but that they had learned of Christ to meet vpon that day to sanctifie it vnto Christ and that Christ might begin to verefie his promise Matth. 18. 20 3. The Apostles third gathering together and they all in one place with one accord which was that day seauen weekes Act. 2. 1. 2. after Christs ascension and then the promise of the holy Ghost came vpon them Acts 1. 4. Then Peter preacheth and the Iewes are assembled and conuerted Why assembled Why on that day Why the holy Ghost Why Preaching why Conuersion why the promise of Christ accomplished all on that day but still to declare the will and ordinance of Christ in sanctifying and blessing this day vnto his Church 4. The Apostle Paules fourth gathering of the Christian Gentiles Church at Troas And there he preached and administred the Sacrament and cured Eutichus a worke of mercy Act. 20. 7. 10. Here note Paul taryed there seauen dayes in all vers 6. That is he tarryed fiue dayes and on the sixt day of his abiding there he preached and ministred the Sacrament and on the next day departed ver 11. Now why is not the publicke meeting with preaching Sacraments administring which are Sabbaoth dayes workes performed till the first day of the weeke Why not on any of the former Why on the last of his abiding there And then lastly why is the first day of the weeke so precisely mentioned by the holy Ghost Doubtlesse it vvas the Christian Sabbaoth else all this circumstance had been in vaine expressed and set downe 5. The Apostle Paul 1. Corin. 16. 1. 2. ordayneth weekly gatherings but why in diuers Churches why weekly why the first day of the weeke named againe why then a worke of mercy Doubtlesse all this vvas not in vaine it was the Christian Sabbaoth 6. Lastly the holy Ghost appeareth once againe to whom to an inspired Apostle Reu. 1. 10. But why to enable him vnto a sanctified work most profitable to the Church most fit for an Apostle and most glorious to God but why vpon this day and why doth he so definitely and significantly tearme this day euen the Lords day Forsooth all these things are directly fitted to the Christian Sabbaoth established by the will and ordinaunce of Christ commaunded and practised by the Apostles and continued to the dayes of Iohn the Penner of the Reuelation 60 The seauenth Reason Drawne from the bare example of the Apostles admitting there were no Commaundement for it at all who being men 1. peculiarly inspired with the spirit of God 2. and set apart by Christ to plant and establish the Church in the new Testament as Moses vvas by God the Father in the olde Testament 3. and therefore were in forty dayes space instructed by Christ Act. 1. 3. in matter belonging to the Church or kingdome of God like as Moses was fortie dayes with God vpon the mount Deut. 9. 11. As the Apostles therefore must needs be praesumed to bee as faithfull as Moses in all the house of God so could they no more erre in religious matter appertayning or tending to Gods worship then Moses did And therefore as the Apostles constitutions which are called Commandemēts of the Lord Act. 15. 28. must needs tye the conscience So their very practise and example in matters religious morall ministeriall directly tending to Gods publicke worship and solemne seruice whose reason also implyeth a contynuance of practise wherein they could nor erre no more then in their constitutions and commandements doth tye the conscience no lesse and so we see the Apostle giueth such direction and command as if his example were as currant and authenticke as his own personall command 1. Cor. 11. 1. 23. Phil. 3. 17. 4. 9. Euen as his commandemēts were of equal force with the commandements of Christ So likewise we see the argument drawne from exāple of inspired godly persons is forcible as Io. 26. 19. Ma. 12. 3. 4. 5. Wherfore if the place 1. Cor. 16. 1. 2 were no cōmandement tying or concerning vs or if the 4th Commandement of the moral decalogue did not perpetually commaund the keeping holy of a 7. day Yet the bare example of the Apostles their practise of keeping holy the first day of the weeke being a morall duty tending to Gods worship and the reason thereof implying continuance dooth tye our conscience and is as a necessary and sufficient rule for vs to walk by to the end of the world 61 The eight Reason Is drawne from the circumstance of time namely the continuance of it frō the Apostles times to our time Beginning 1. At Christ his two-fold apparition on that day so proceeding 2. to the holy Ghosts descēsion on the Apostles on that day 3. Then to the Apostles practise at Troas on that day 4. From thence to the Corinthian and Galathian constitution and commaund 5. From thence fortie yeares after aboue as the * Codoman anno Christi 55. 93. Perkins Marmonia Biblior anno Christi 54. 95. Moores Tables anno 55 97. Genebr chronol anno
93 Baronius Tom. 1 in anno 53. 97. In the former yeare they say the 1. Epistle to the Corinths was written in the later the Apocalyps the distance of which time is aboue 40. yeares learned iudge to Iohn the inspired Penner of the Reuelation his Testimony and mention of that day 6. Then down into the Ocean of the Fathers and Councels witnessing thereof in their seuerall succeeding ages Greekes and Latines Ignatius Iustinus Martyr Irenaeus Origen Tertullian Basil Athanasius Chrysostome Hierome Ambrose Augustine and the rest before cyted Thesis 15. Togither with the Papists testimonies for their times vnto the practise of the times wherein vve liue From vvhence I argue thus That custome tending to Gods publicke worship hauing ground and warrant of Scripture which was begun ordeined and practised at the first by Christs inspired Apostles and was neuer interrupted or intentionally profaned to this howre by any orthodoxal Church or person but alway confirmed and established by Christian Magistrates and practised by all true Churches and Christians in all ages from the Apostles times to ours the obseruation therof must needes tie the conscience for vvith what conscience may any Church or person break it and the questioning or breaking of it now must needs proue a strange vnheard nouelty head-strong singularity proceeding from a priuate spirit But the former is true of the Christian Sabbaoth Thereforce the later also must needs be true 62 The ninth argument is drawen from the circumstance and vniuersality of place and custome of the true Churches of Christ in all places It being practised at first at Ierusalem and Troas 2. Then at Corinth and Galathia 3. Then in Pathmos and al Asia the lesse as is most probable 4. Then in the Grecian Churches as appeareth by the Greek Fathers 5. Then in the Latine Churches as appeareth by the Latine Fathers 6. And last of all in all reformed later Churches both of Lutherane and Orthodoxall iudgement And no true Christian Church can be named that euer brake off the custome of this day receaued at the first from the Apostles The force of this argument stands in this The Vnity of custome grounded on Gods word obserued by Apostolicall primitiue orthodoxall reformed later Churches in matter tending to Gods publicke seruice doth tye the conscience The sanctifying of the first day of the weeke is confirmed by such vnity of custome Therfore the sanctifying of the 1. day of the week doth ty the coÌ„science The Maior or former proposition is proued 1. Cor. 1â— 16. and 14. 33. The Minor or assumption is already proued Neither let any man obiect these reasons to be Popish which are drawen from custome coÌ„tinuance of time vniuersality of place For such reasons are most forcible that haue ground of Scripture which the Papists haue not as neither haue they coÌ„tinuance of time or vniuersality of place if ye take away their cracking facing out the matter And the Fathers rightly thus fight against the sundrie Haeritiques of their times vvith these verie arguments 63 The tenth Argument is grounded on 2. Tim. 4. 2. Where Timothy is commanded to preach the word in season and out of season the which praecept is perpetuall and appliable to all ministers of the new Testament to the end of the world as that is Matt. 28. 19. 20. And that Minister that so teacheth not in and out of season directly sinneth as breaking that commandement of Christ and this of the Apostle and incurreth that woe which the same Apostle denounceth on himselfe if hee neglecteth this duty 1. Cor. 9. 16. Now what is meant in this for the Minister or publicke person to teach in season but only to teach in the season appointed by Christ and his Apostles namely on the publicke day of the Churches and Apostles practise and customable meeting which being prooued to haue been vsuall on that day as also the auncient Syriacke translation doth plainly confirm by adding these words vnto the narration of their commoÌ„ publicke meeting for receiung of the Lords Supper 1. Cor. 11. 20. When ye therefore are gathered together in die Domini nostri On our Lords day It followeth of necessity the Minister by teaching must keepe the Lords day holy and so by consequence the people also by publicke and solemne hearing For there is no publicke teaching can be presupposed without publicke hearing no more then obedience is presupposed without commaund 64 The eleuenth Reason is concluded from the words of Matth. 24. 20. The which I can by no meanes ouerslip For that I cannot be perswaded that Iesus Christ our blessed Sauiour and the wisedome of the Father did speake in iest when as he expresly seriously commanded his hearers disciples the Iews and those the â—lect and sanctified for they only haue the gift of inuocatioÌ„ to pray That their flight might not be on the Sabbaoth day Speaking of the time of sacking and euersion of Hierusalem Now if it had bin Ceremoniall and abolished they needed not haue prayed but haue taken flight on that day aswel as any other without any scruple of conscience at all Yea it had beene a sinne for godly Christian Iewes to haue made a needlesle conscience of a ceremony fortie yeares after the abolishing especially the Apostles doctrine of auoyding the obseruation of Iewish daies comming betweene Gal. 4. 10. 11. Coloss 2. 16. 17. And last of al it might seem vain in Iesus Christ and a mockery of his elect which were a blasphemy to say to command them to pray against the breaking of a Sabbaoth day if it were abrogated long before both quo ad genus speciem that is both in respect of the speciall day the which the Iewes obserued and also in respect of the morall of the fourth Commandement that is an holy obseruation of a seauenth day vnto God Now the speciall day which the Iewe obserued was ceremoniall and doubtlesse abrogated Col. 2. 16. 17. But the genus or morall of the fourth Commaundement vndoubtedly was not abolished For Iohn the writer of the Reuelation euen after the sacking ouerthrow of Hierusalem brings in the solemn mention of the Christian Sabbaoth vnder the title of the Lords day as a commoÌ„ name receiued generally so tearmed by the Church by a note of excellence as peculiarly dedicated to the honour and seruice of God in Christ 65 The twelfth Reason Is drawne from the effectes of the wisedome of the flesh and spirit and thus is framed 1. That ordinance tending to Gods publike worship and glory and mans instruction and building vp in godlinesse and knowledge The which is grouÌ„ded on Gods holy word and practise of the holy and inspired Apostles The vvhich is liked of approued of and gladly practised with great spirituall comfort and profit by the most godly vertuous zealous and sincere godly learned writers Teachers and Professors of Gods truth must needes be according to the vvill and ordinaunce of God Such is the
ordinance of the Christian Sabbaoth Therefore it is according to the will and ordinaunce of God The proposition is grounded on 1. Cor. 10. 11. 15. 14. 32. Mat. 13. 11. Dan. 12. 3. Psal 107. 43. Io. 5. 20. Io. 7. 17. The assumption is confirmed on the euidence and truth of such effectes in all the godly of all places and times since the Apostles to our times And the serious and iudiciall Considerer shall obserue them both Ministers and people among us in this Land to go no further to be the most religious zealous conscionable and faithfull Christians and most of all profiting and growing in all grace and knowledge that with conscience delight and diligence doe effectually sanctify the Lords day 2. Again That ordinance tending to Gods publicke seruice and glory and mans instruction and building vp in godlinesse and is grounded on Gods word the which is disliked disputed against cauilled at withstood broken and profaned by the most carnall vngodly irreligious corrupt and vaine persons must needs be most agreeing to the wisdome will of God Such is the ordinaunce of the holy obseruation of the Lords day Therefore it is most agreeing to the wisdome and will of God The Maior or first proposition is grounded on 1. Cor. 1. 18. and 2. 14. and 3. 19. Mat. 13. 11. Io. 3. 3. Rom. 8. 5. 7. The assumption or Minor is grounded on Psa 92. 1. 2. 6. and confirmed by experience For he that shall vnpartially obserue this truth shall finde that the Sabbaoth euery where is onely disliked withstood disgraced disputed against rayled at scorned profaned by the most profane carnal couetous Atheists libertines men of no conscience holiness◠or truth in them and such as eyther liue in vnlawfull callings or vnlawfully in their honest callings such as fidlers stage-players beare and bull-baiters gamesters drunkards vsurers papists families of loue theeues vagrantrogues wearers oppressors coseners Epicures and voluptuous liuers 3. Againe That doctrine practise and perswasion the vvhich is grounded in the Scripture and is most agreeable to godlines peace of a good conscience and fits a Christian best to appeare with security of hart ioy before the iudgemēt seate of Christ that doctrine perswasiō must needs be more agreeable to Gods wil then contrary such is the doctrine practise and perswasiō of keeping holy the Christiā Sabbaoth or Lords day therfore the keeping holy of the lords day togither with the doctrine and perswasion of the same is most agreeable to the will of God 4. And last of all that doctrine practise and perswasion differing from the practise of the Apostles and all Apostolicall Churches and teachers yea from the doctrine practise of the Church wherin they liue the which is most agreeable to the will of man the wisdome of the fleshe the manners of the wicked the state of ignorance and sinne and of an euill conscience the hindrance of the Gospell the the breach of all good Discipline and order in the Church and the very high way to Atheisme carnall liberty and all impious licentiousnesse and confusion and so by consequence procuring and increasing the wrath and iudgement of God or euen but tending therunto or any part therof is impious and vngodly Such is the iudgement and practise of the deniers or disgracers or opposite disputers or omitters or profaneners of the Lords day and of those also that teach a liberty of breaking or omitting of the Lords day Therfore such iudgement practise or perswasion is impious wicked And so much of the second Quaestion 66 The third Quaestion and the last concerning this Controuersie of the Christian Sabbaoth is this VVhether the Church of GOD might haue chosen at the first another day or hath yet authority or Christian libertie to abrogate or alter the Lords day into any other certaine or vncertaine day or whether it be not of necessity to be obserued to the end of the World 67 This Quaestion because it dependeth on the former therfore the affirmation and proofe of the former prooueth also the negation of the former part hereof and the affirmation of the later the which I therfore will the more briefely handle as a point sufficiently confirmed 68 The first Reason The Church hath no Christian liberty to alter any day the which hath absolute Commaundement in the Word The Christian Sabbaoth or Lords day hath absolute Commaundement in the Word as alreadie hath been proued Therefore the Church hath no Christian liberty to alter the Lords day into any other 69 The second Reason The Church could neuer alter any part of the Morall law or of the lawe of Nature nor cannot alter the morall ordinances and constitutions of the inspired Apostles The obseruation or keeping holy of one day of euery seauen is of the Morall lawe and law of Nature and besides the keeping holy of the first day of the weeke is a constitution and commaundement of the inspired Apostles Therefore the Church coulde not nor cannot alter the keeping holy of one day of seauen vnto God nor the keeping holy of the first day of the weeke to Christ 70 The third Reason whatsoeuer Christ ascribeth as his owne and proper to himselfe no Church or Christian ought or may ascribe vnto themselues But Christ ascribeth as proper to himselfe that he is the Lord of the Sabbaoth Therefore no church or person may ascribe the Sabbaoth of Christ to himselfe and so by consequence may not profane nor alter the Lords day into any other 71 The fourth Reason By whatsoeuer onely power the Iewish Sabbaoth was abrogated the Christian Sabbaoth instituted by the same power and none other can it be abrogated againe But by the only power of Christ his Consummatum est or sacrifice was the Iewish Sabbaoth abrogated and by vertue of his resurrection the Lords day originally instituted and by Apostolicall power and authority the one relinquished and the other practiced Therefore by the only power of Christ and his Apostles and by none other can the Lords day be abolished againe 72 The fift Reason If there cannot come so long as the world lasteth so great a cause of changing the Lords day as the Apostles had of ordaining it Then the Church cannot abolish the Lords day to the end of the world But so great cause of abolishing the Lords day the Church can neuer haue as the Apostles had of ordayning namely the resurrection and rest of Christ Therefore the Church cannot abolish the Lords day to the end of the world 73 The sixth and last Reason If the Church haue no farther aucthority then by the word of God either in generall or speciall to appoint or alter any thing established then the Church can neuer alter the Lords day nor appoint any other in the steade thereof But the former is true and therefore also the later For there is no shadowe of authority or ground eyther generall or speciall in the word touching the alteratiō of
is this All dayes are alike no difference in the Gospell by the word of God and are distinguished only by the Magistrates not by Gods commaund Nay farther except the Magistrate enioyne it were a sinne to obserue religiously any dayes for the solemne seruice of God aboue others The proofes heereof are Rom. 14. 6. Gal. 4. 10. Col. 2. 16. 17. The former of the which namely Rom. 14. 6. argueth our Christian liberty in respecting all dayes alike which are not discerned say these men by the commandement of a Magistrate of the Church say the Rhemistes but of neither sayth Master Fulke but of the commaundement of God only and so is this place sufficiently answered Master Greenham a man of reuerend memorie answereth this obiection by affirming him the vveaker Christian that counteth all dayes alike V. 5. for that hee must needes be weake in Christianity that esteemeth all daies alike notwithstanding the plain constitution and practise of the inspired Apostles going before The auncient Fathers Origen Ambrose Oecumenius Primasius Anselmus do vnderstand the Apostle to speake of fasting from meates on certaine dayes and as Chrysostome Theodoret and Theophilact define it from swines fleshe which dayes and abstinence say Caluin Bullinger Beza Oleuian Piscator Erasmus Lyra and the very Rhemists are to be construed of the ceremonies meerely Iewish and ceremoniall with the which sense this Scripture being limited it includeth not the dayes established and practised in the new Testament by Apostolicall authority The other places of Gal. 4. 10. Col. 2. 16. 17. are by all Interpreters also vnderstood of the Iewish festiuities so farre forth only as they were Ceremonials figures and shadowes of things to come and being abolished by Christ his comming ought not to be obserued any longer And this the very scope of the Apostle circumstances of the places and manner of speaking and noting the names of the dayes and times and that in the plurall number aboundantly confirme And thus doth Caluin Beza Marlorat Zanchius Piscator Lyra Erasmus the Papist Bellarmine and Rhemists and before them all the streame of Graecian Fathers with Hierome and Augustine interpret both these Scriptures so that as Zanchius speakes The Apostle in these places doth not forbid that there should bee any certaine dayes publikely solemnized in the Church wherin the faithfull might assemble to pray and to receiue the Sacraments together For the Apostles and other the godly did vsually come togither on the Lords day and would that al things should be done by order in the Church Wherfore sayth he vnlesse we would affirme that the Apostle did contradict himselfe it must needes be confessed that the Apostle in these places to the Gal. Col. did nothing lesse then teach that no dayes should be solemnly obserued in the Church of Christ. 78 The third CoÌ„clusion soundeth thus Euery day is a continuall Sabbaoth in Christ his Kingdome and that is a rest from sinne and a continuall seruing of God So farre should we be of obseruing one day aboue another The places of their proofe are Esay 66. 23. and 56. 1. 2. and 58. 13. 14. Hebr. 4. 6. 7. 8 9. 10. But here hence they conclude iust nothing to the point For the first place Caluin Bucholcher and others interpret it of the eternall rest in heauen or if we take it for the Christian Sabbaoth as Chemnitius and others do why may we not vnderstand it as also Esay 56. 2. 4. 6. 7. both for a prophecy prescription of the Gentiles sanctifying of the Christian Sabbaoth in the new Testament seeing the Prophet specially in the later place speakes euidently of the Church of God among the Gentiles which must needes bee in the new Testament The second and third places doe affirme thus much that we ought not to commit any sinne vpon the Sabbaoth What then will they therfore conclude we ought not to obserue any certaine Sabbaoth day it were too absurd Now the last place teacheth that Christians ought to rest from theâ— own works that is from sin and disobedience continually but what hinders this the Christian Sabbaoth or settled proportion of time of the publicke worship of God by the heâ—ring of the word by prayer and receiuing of the Sacraments Nay by these collections either we must haue no certaine solemne dayes at all And then sayth Caluine Praesentissima impendet Ecclesiae perturbatio ruina A most praesent Instit lib. 2. ca. 8. §. 32. ruine and confusion will come vnto the Church Or else in the other extreamity wee must do nothing else euery day then meete together publikely and without intermission continually to heare to pray to take the Sacraments And then what shall become of the Common-wealth and householde the Magistrate and Master the subiect and the seruant how shall the one rule or the other obey and serue what vse of our daily callings who shall prouide for our families whiles we worse then Insidels cast off the care thereof how shall wee cloath and feede our bodies or what vse shall there bee of those Commaundements of GOD vvhich were giuen before the Law In the sweat of thy browes thou shalt eate thy breade Or in the Law Sixe daies thou shalt labour Or in the Gospell We commaund them to worke with quietnesse and to eate their owne breade So that this fancie dâ—â—â—es men eyther into one extreamity of Atheisme to obserue and sanctifie no publicke dayes at all or of Iudaisme to Sabbatize all dayes in the superlatiue degree Other conclusions there are hammered out of other Scriptures as namely Marke 2. 7. The Sabbaoth was made for man therfore man may vse it or not vse it at his pleasure as though Baptisme or the Lords Supper the ministry and preaching of the Word and other ordinaunces of God were not made for mâ—n â—â— if they were as if man might vse them at his pleasure Aâ—â—ine Matthew 12. 8. Christ is the Lord of the Sabbaoth and therfore as Lord might abrogate the Sabbaoth and admit this to be true yet neither doth it proue that he abolished other theÌ„ the Ceremoniall neither disproue â—ut that he established the Moral part of the Sabbaoth for euer But I am ashamed of the seelinesse of these obiections enough to make a man perswaded that some enemy of theirs should father them vpon them to abuse them saue that the maintayners of such opinion may iustly seeme to bee but men vnsensible Wherfore vntill I see reasons more forcible then these confirming a more probable opinion then this I will leaue both reasons and opinion as I finde them and in the meane time will be bold to say Such as the weake foundation is such is the building And thus O Reader according to the modell of my praesent strength thou hast the truth of the Christian Sabbaoth proposed and confirmed to thy conscience A doctrine harmelesse true and holy making thee holy and praeparing thee to heauen agreeing to the Scripture to right reason
burthens Neh. 13. 15. Ier. 7. 22. 24. 3 Buying or selling wares or victuals albeit offered to sell vnlesse in an extraordinary case the wares to our great losse or hazard of vndooing shall vndoubtedly be spoyled or vnlesse we shall endanger our health by not buying victuals Neh. 13. 16. In which cases prouidence would be required before and repentance vvith amendment of our negligence after 4 Trauelling on the Sabbaoth for gayne or pleasure Exod. 16. 29. 30. 2 The second Table 1 Murder profanenes vpon the Sabbaoth Mark 3. 4. Ezech. 23. 37. 38. 2 Couetousnesse oppression and worldly cares lusts and desires Amos 8. 5. 6. Luke 21 34. 3 Adultery Ezec. 23. 37. 4 Debate and contention Esa 58. 3. 4. 5 Vaine words Esa 58. 13. So much of the publicke sanctifying of the Sabbaoth The priuate sanctifying of the Christian Sabbaoth is performed priuately and by priuate persons namely when Christians can by no meanes enioy the benefit of the publique means which case because it is a iudgement and heauy plague of God both by withdrawing light and leauing vs in darknesse Christians in this estate are to obserue these rules 1 To be greatly humbled and to mourne for absence from the Church assemblies Communion of Saints and meanes of spiritual nourishment direction and comfort as also in respect of the profanations of Gods Sabbaoths by the wicked Psal 42. 4. 120. 5. 137. 4. 5. Lam. 1. 7. 2. 6. Psal 119. 136. 2 To long for earnestly and hunger with zealous and continuall desire of minde after the fruition and enioying of so great a benefit Psalm 42. 2. 84. 1. 2. 3. 4. 10. 3 To vse all possible good meanes to come by the publique ordinaunces of God vpon the Sabbaoth and esteeme it as a rich benefit worthy of all endeuour to obtaine it 1 By earnest intreaty carefull suit vnto the Magistrates and gouernors by whose authority they are permitted and encouraged as also to the Teachers themselues Act. 13. 42. Io. 4. 40. Ier. 38 9. 10. and 26. 17. 18. 19. 1. King 22. 8. Exod. 5. 1. Neh. 1. 11. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 2 By feruent and continuall prayer vnto God the Lord of the haruest both to thrust out faithfull labourers into his haruest as also to make vs especially partakers of the same Mat. 9. 38. 24. 20. Psal 27. 4. 3 By kinde intreating incouraging defending and maintaining of the godly learned Preacher and so to purchase to our selues this pearle or treasure that gifte of God vnto his Church for the gathering of the Saints and edification of the body of Christ Eph. 4. 12. Heb. 13. 17. Gal. 6. 6. 1. Thess 5. 12. 13. 1. Cor. 9. 7. 8. 11. 13. 14. Matth. 10. 10. 11. 14. 40. 41. 13. 44. 45. 46. Prouerb 23. 23. Else where the duty is omitted a iust and heauy iudgement followeth Hebr. 3. 17. Mark 3. 5. Matth. 16. 4. 8. 34. Act. 13. 46. 19. 19. 4 By seeking with great hunger feruent desire and trauailing abroad how-euer painefull or costly it may prooue to redeeme and enioy this benefite Remembring that is a Sabbaoths day iourney to worship God and to heare a Sermon 1. King 4. 23. Amos 8. 11. Dan. 12. 4. Prou. 8. 33. 2. 4. 5. Act. 1. 12. and to suffer much affliction to enioy this blessing 1. Thes 1. 6. Matth. 12. 42. 4 To vse and put in practise all the meanes within our power that are commaunded of God or practised by the godly wherein wee are carefully 1 To double our priuate diligence in the absence of the publicke meanes 2 To obserue as carefully the whole day both fore and after-noon as if the publicke meanes were present considering the perpetuall equity of these Commaundements Ex. 20. 8. 9. 10. Esa 58. 30. 1. Cor. 16. 1. 2. Psalme 92. 1. 2. The priuate practise of the Lords day is eyther performed 1 With others as in a family or consent of practise by willing and vnited Christians in which cases are required a spending of the day in 1 Examination instruction and Catechisme Deut. 6. 7. 20. 21. and 11. 19. Gen. 18. 19. Eph. 6. 4. 2 Conference and godly questioning and answering Luke 24. 14. 17. 18. Col. 4. 6. 3 Prayer with thanksgiuing and praise Mat. 18. 20. yea with fasting on fit occasions 1. Sam. 31. 13. Hest 4. 16. 4 Singing of Psalmes Act. 16. 25. Eph. 5. 19. 5 Reading of Scriptures Act. 17. 11. Malac. 3. 16. 6 Deedes and duties of mercy collections visitings comfortings Matt. 25. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 2 With our selues alone as in a case of trauelling imprisonment hard seruice or slauery in which later cases wee are by humble intreaty to seeke Liberty of sanctifying the Lords day Herin are required these things or so much as is within our power all or the most 1 Meditation of our sinnes Gods word and works of wisdome power Iustice mercy state of the Church to reioyce or grieue at it according as it is Psalm 119. 58. Psal 92. 5. 6. 9. 12. 13. and 1. 2. 2 Prayer and thankesgiuing vnto GOD. Matt. 6. 6. Iames 5. 13. Genes 24. 63. 1. Thes 5. 17. 18. Col. 3. 17. 3 Singing Psalmes Iam. 5. 13. Psalm 57. 7. 77. 6. Luke 2. 46. 4 Reading of the Scriptures Ioshua 1. 8. Colossians 3. 16. 5 Workes of mercy according to our power and fit occasion 2. Cor. 8. 12. Mark 12. 41. 42. 43. 44. 6 To ioine prayer with fasting if neede bee to bee humbled for sinnes or iudgement or to farther prayer for our necessities Neh. 1. 4. Dan. 9. 3. So much of the priuate sanctifying of the Christian Sabbaoth Motiues reasons and incouragements to the cheerefull and faithful obseruation of the Lords day or Christian Sabbaoth and deterring vs from the profanation of the same both in respect of 1 Blessings obtained 2 Escaping iudgements 1 Blessings and promises obtained 1 Concerning the life to come 1 Priuate vrged to persons in priuate 1 It is a good worke Psal 92. 1. 2 Sabbaoth exercises commaunded of God are blessed sanctified vnto vs of God Exod. 20. 10. Gen. 2. 2. and a meanes of our sanctification Exod. 31. 13. Ezech. 20. 12. 3 Gods acceptation of our Prayer and obedience in sanctifying it Esa 56. 8. 4 Planting vs in his Church as flourishing plants Esa 56. 7. Psal 92. 13. 5 An heart to delight in God Esa 58. 14. 6 Ioy of the holy Ghost Esa 56. 7. 7 Assurance and security of Gods election Esa 56. 3. 4. 8 Saluation and blessednesse Esa 56. 2. 58. 14. 2 Publicke The flourishing of the Church of God Ierem. 17. 26. Leuit. 26. 2. 11. 12. 2 Concerning this life 1 Publick A flourishing Cōmon-wealth with other temporal earthly blessings To the Kings Nobles subiects and whole estate * Ier. 1 Leui. 26 6. 7. 2 Priuate It gaineth vs and ours lawfull rest of minde body from the paines and labours of our calling Exod. 20. 10. 23. 12. Deut. 5. 14. 2 Curses plagues and iudgements following the profaning of the Sabbaoth which by obseruing it wee doe escape Heerein wee are to consider touching the profaning of the Lords Sabbaoth by negligence or wilfulnesse 1 What it bringeth 1 The guilt of a great and grieuous sinne to violate the constitution and practise of the inspired Apostles 1. Corin. 16. 1. 2. Act. 20. 7. To forget that which God bids remember to profane that which hee bids keepe holy to labour in that day which he bids rest to vnhallow that which he blessed Exod. 20. 8. 9. 10. 11. Ezech. 22. 26. 2 It is an heauy punishment of God and a punishment of Idolatry and false Prophets for God to giue vs ouer to profane his Sabbaoths Hos 2. 5. 11. Lamentations 2. 6. 14. 3 It bringeth Gods great plague and increaseth wrath and guilt vpon the Magistrate people and whole estate of the Common-wealth Neh. 13. 18. Ier. 17. 27. Ezec. 20. 13. Namely 1 Sicknesse Leuit. 26. 2. 16. 2 Famine Leuit. 26. 2. 16. 19. 20. 26. 29 3 Warre Leuit. 26. 2. 25. 36. 37. 4 Enemies rule tyranny and triumph ouer vs. Leuit. 26. 2. 17. 5 Wilde beasts Leuit. 26. 2. 22. 6 Captiuity Ezech. 20. 23. 24. Leuit. 26. 2. 33. 34. 7 Encrease of plagues Leuiticus 26. 2. 18. 21. 24. 28. 8 Vtter desolation and ouerthrowe of the whole estate of the Common-wealth Ier. 17. 27. Amos. 8. 5. 6. 7. 8. 10. Neh. 13. 18. Leu. 26. 2. 32. 34. 38. 4 It finally bringeth euen vnto the Church these euils 1 Famine of the Word Amos 8. 5. 6. 11. 12. 2 God abhorring and not accepting our sacrifice Amos 5. 21. 22. Esa 1. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 3 Vtter desolation of the Church of God Lam. 2. 6. 5 The bodily death for the breach of the Ceremoniall did figure vnto vs the death of the soule for the breach of the Morall part of the Sabbaoth For the curse remaineth still Exod. 31. 14. 15. 35. 2. Deut. 27. 26. Galath 3. 10. 2 What it maketh and marketh men to bee in the eyes of God 1 Generally in all sorts 2 Particularly in the Clergie 1 In the people and all persons whatsoeuer 1 They are not of God which keep not his Sabbaoth Io. 9. 16. 2 They are fooles and vnwise that do profane and not sanctifie the Sabbaoth Psal 92. 1. 6. 3 Vnbelieuers vagabond and wicked fellows are enemies and hinderers of the sanctifying of the Sabbaoth Acts 17. 5. 17. 4 They are Hypocrites that are offended at the keeping holy of the Sabbaoth Luke 13. 14. 15. 5 They are enemies of God and of his Church that mocke at the Sabbaoth of the Lord. Lam. 1. 7. 6 They are such as iudge themselues vnworthie of euerlasting life that do hinder or persecute the sanctifying of the Sabbaoth day Acts 13. 45. 46. 50. 2 In the Clergie and spirituall sort 1 It ariseth of grosse and wilfull ignorance in the Clergy if they do not rightly sanctifie the Sabbaoth of God and deserueth iust reproofe Matt. 12. 3. 5. 7. 2 They are a wicked Clergie and vtterly disliked reproued by God that hide their faces from keeping the Lords Sabbaoth holy and so profane it Ezec. 22. 26. 46. 2. Hos 4. 6. MATTHEVV 12. 8. The Sonne of Man is Lord of the Sabbaoth FINIS