A Defence Of that most Ancient , and Sacred ordinance of GODS , the SABBATH DAY .

Consequently , and together with it . 2. A Defence of the iiijth Commandement . 3. A Defence of the integrity and perfection of the Decalogue , Morall Law , or X. Commandements . 4. A Defence also , of the whole and intire worship of God , in all the partes thereof , as it is prescribed , in the first Table of the Decalogue . 5. A Discouery of the Superstition , impurity and corruption of Gods worship ; yea , and Idolatry , committed by multitudes , in sanctifying the Lords Day , for a Sabbath Day , by the iiijth Commandement .

Vndertaken against all Anti-Sabbatharians , both of Protestants , Papists , Antinomians , and Anabaptists ; and by name and especially against these X Ministers , M. Greenwod , M. Hutchinson , M. Furnace , M. Benton , M. Gallard , M. Yates , M. Chappel , M. Stinnet , M. Iohnson , and M. Warde .

The second Edition , corrected and amended ; with a supply of many things formerly omitted ,

BY THEOPHILUS BRABOURNE .

Printed ANNO DOM. 1632.

Thus saieth the Lord , stand in the wayes , and behold , and aske for the old way , which is the good way , and walke therein ; and yee shall finde Rest for your soules . Ierem. 6.16 .

This is that old and that good way .

Remember the Sabbath day , to keepe it holy &c. The vijth day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God , in it thou shalt not doe any worke &c. for on the vijth day the Lord Rested ; Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day , and hallowed it . Exod. xx . viij . x. xj .

Obserue it , walke in it .

For verily I say vnto you , vntill heauen & earth passe , one iote , or one title , shall in no wise passe from the Law , vntill all things be fulfilled . Mat. 5.18 .

Whosoeuer therefore , shall breake one of these least Commandements , and teach men so ; hee shall be called the least in the Kingdome of heauen . Mat. 5.19 .

Whatsoeuer thing I commaund you , take heede you doe it : Thou shalt put nothing thereto , nor take ought there from . Deut. 12.32 .

Cursed is euery one , that continueth not in all things , which are written in the booke of the Law , to doe them . Gal. 3.10 .

To the Kings most excellent Maiestie , CHARLES , by the grace of God , King of Great-Brittaine , Fraunce , and Ireland , Defender of the Christian faith &c.

MOST dread and renowned Soueraigne , may it please your excellent Maiestie : such is the power of Trueth , and specially in Religion , that they which haue once tasted it , cleaue vnto it , more then vnto all the hopes of this life besides : The Law of thy mouth ( saith Dauid ) is better vnto mee , then thowsands of gold & siluer , Psal. 119.72 . Yea , such is the excellency of Gods blessed Trueth , as his meekest seruants , will stirr in the defence of it , & the mildest fight , before it shall be indamaged by their forbearance .

I durst not petition your Highnesse , nor aduenture these lines vnto your Maiesties consideration , vntill I had by diligent studie first , so setled my conscience in the certaine trueth of them , as my minde gaue me , that I am tied in conscience , rather to departe with my life , then with this Trueth ; so captiuated is my conscience , & inthraled to the Law of my God . Here therefore I tender this Trueth , with my life , vnto your Maiestie ; that , vnto your Godly consideration ; this , vnto your clemency & mercy ; and both , to the pleasure of the Almighty .

I remember , when the Booke of the Law had bene lost , and was found againe by Hilkiah the Priest , in the Raigne of Iosiah , 2. King . 22. that Hilkiah sent it by Shaphan the Chaunteller vnto the King : which giueth me to vnderstand , that in matters of Gods worship , in case failings and corruptions be found out , the Supreme power , the King , is to haue knowledge of it . More particularly , when the Lords Sabbath was thought to be prophaned , by the Disciples of Christ , by plucking eares of corne , Mat. 12. to whom did the Pharises complaine , but vnto Christ , the Lord and Master of the Disciples ? And when in Nehemiahs time the Sabbath was prophaned , by treading the Winepresse , & bearing of burdens , Nehem. 13. to whom did Nehemiah turne himselfe , but vnto the Rulers & Nobles of Iudah , for redresse ?

I addresse my selfe therefore vnto your Maiestie , humblie beseeching you , to take it into consideration : 1. That that most ancient , & sacred ordinance of Gods Sabbath , prescribed in the Morall Law ; ( and religiously practised , by the most anciët & primitiue Churches , neere 400 yeeres after the Ascention of Christ , euen so longe as they retained their brightest purity ; and which ought religiously to be sanctified , to the worlds end ) it is now prophaned , & trampled vnder foote . 2. That the Decalogue & Law of God , is not taught & maintained in our Church , in its fulnesse , integrity , and perfection ; but onely partially , & by peeces . 3. That God hath not his whole & intire worship & seruice , prescribed in the first Table of the Decalogue ; but is denied one quarter , or fowrth part thereof weekly . 4. That by the common doctrine in our Church , the 4th Commandement is wholly frustrate , & altogether nullified , both roote and branch . 5. That by most men in our Church , there is grosse superstition committed , Gods worship is corrupted , and by many plain idolatry wrought , by keeping the Lords day for a Sabbath , by the 4th Com.

Amongst other things , I haue ( as I beleeue ) made these fiue things , manifestly appeare in this Booke ; and now I humbly present them vnto your Highnesse consideration ; trusting , the cause will speake for it selfe ; and its bare mention , will call for a Reformation .

It was the laudable and Godly care of your deere Father , to cause in his time , a new Translation of the sacred Bible , for the correction of but here and there a word ; how much more ( I trust ) will his suruiuing Sonne & Heire , be mindfull of such weighty matters as these are ? Almighty God , hath honoured this eternall Law of the 10 Commandements , with such honour , as he vouchsafed not , to any one portion of Scripture besids , in all the Sacred Bible ; for hee deliuered it , in most Maiesticall and terrible manner ; in flaming fyer , the earth trembling , Moses & the people quaking ; hee spake it & proclaimed it , with his owne voyce , and wrote it with his owne finger in Tables of stone . The Eternall Sonne of God , whilst on earth bewraied such care of this Law , as that hee ratified it , and euery iote & title of it , to the worlds end , saying , Verily , I say vnto you , that vntill heauen & earth passe , one iote , or one title , shall in no wise passe from the Law , till all things be fulfilled , Mat. 5.18 . The Church of God , in this Christian Kingdome , honoureth at this day , this Law of God ; for shee hath inrouled it , in hir Booke of Common Prayers ; and ordered , that it be deuoutly reade , at the Sacrament of the Lords Supper , & at other times of holy Assemblies . I trust therefore , your Maiestie will afford this sacred & honourable portion of Gods Word , your best protection .

The Law , it is the inheritance of the Church , as wee reade Deut. 33.4 . and who should defend the Churches right , if not your Maiestie ? King Dauid chose this Law , for his inheritance , as we reade Psal. 119.111 . and I beleeue , so hath your sacred Maiestie ; defend it therefore : Why should the corrupt expositions thereof , which the ignorance of former ages haue hatched , be still retained ? Why should one part of this sacred Scripture , be retained , & an other part of the same , reiected ? Why should not God haue his whole and intire worship , prescribed in this Law , as well as some partes of it ? you will not indure it , that your Coyne be clypped or impaired , but count him for a traitour that doth it ; how then should you thinke well of him , that will clippe & impaire , this current & golden Law of God ? you cannot indure it , that any part , of your Royall inheritance of Crowne Lands , should be detained from you ; And how should you indure it , that any part of your Spirituall inheritance , the Law of God , should be withholden from you any longer ? Why should we serue God by halues any longer ? The Lords Sabbathes , which are a portion of Gods Law ; and a part of your Maiesties , & the Churches inheritance , now contemned as Iewish , and ceremoniall , and now prophaned & trampled vnder foote , I humblie beseech your Highnesse , to take a care of .

As the 5th Commandement , is directed vnto inferiours ; so is the obseruation of the Sabbath , in the 4th Commandement , directed vnto Superiours , as M. Brerewood in his Treatise on the Sabbath , hath well obserued ; the care therefore of Gods Sabbathes , pertaineth vnto Kings ; and the 4th Comm. doth in a most eminent sorte , oblige Kings : Hence no doubt it was , that Nehemiah that Godly Gouerner , tooke the reformation of the prophaned Sabbath , into his care & charge : Whose steppes , may it please you to treade , hauing finished the great worke , you may to your eternall comfort , with him , petition Almighty God , to be mindfull of this your care & zeale for him , saying , Remember mee , O my God , concerning this &c. Nehem. 13.22 . How famouse vnto all ages , are those Godly Kings , Hezekiah , Iosiah , & the rest , for Reformers of Religion , & for Restorers of the worship of God! Oh that your zeale , might equall theirs ; that it might be left as a monument , vnto all posterity , that you Restored the worship of God in his Sacred Sabbaths .

If I be able to compare them , none of your Progenitours , did euer leaue the like honourable fact , to this , vpon recorde ; vnlesse it were they , that made the Reformation from Popish Idolatry : and that indeed , may be compared with this : for that , concerned the 2th Com. and this , concernes the 4th Com. that , was a Morall Law ; and so is this : that was touching a parte of Gods worship , in the first Table , and so is this . Two Morall Laws , to wit , the 2th Com. and the 4th Com. haue bene corrupted , for many hundreth yeers together ; the one , by Image worshiping &c. the other by Sabbath breaking : as for the former , that hath ( by the Mercy of God ) bene reformed , this hundreth yeers , and vpwards , euer since we departed from Rome ; and Gods blessing , hath abundantly followed our Church , euer since . As for the latter , we still sticke fast in the myre ; and remaine still in ignorance & blindnesse , togeather with Rome , to this day ; and this , waiteth for the Reformation of our English Nehemiah , Hezekiah , or Josiah .

As it was with the good Kings of Israel and Iudah , in restauration of Religion , still they left something vndone ; So our Ancestours , though they reformed the corruptions about the 2th Com. yet they left the high places , I meane the prophanation of the Lords Sabbaths , still vntouched . No doubt , God foresaw it , that the reformation of one of his Commandements , was worke enough , for those his seruants , in those gaine-saying times ; the reformation of the other , he hath reserued for these later times : oh that these times , might be so happie , as to take the Time ! Let not posterity , take this Crowne & glory : The restauration , of the integrity of Gods worship , and the raising vp againe , of Gods Sabbathes , call for your Maiesties helpe : Helpe O King .

T is true , innovations are dangerouse , yet in some case necessary ; as we see by new lawes daily inacted : But this is no innovation , it is but the reuiuing of an old Law , a long time laine dead ; and the putting into execution , Gods 4th Comm. now , and of long time out of vse . Neither can it be thought a thing impossible , to be done , or disaduantageouse vnto your Realme : for the change of the Sabbath , from the Sunday , backe againe to the Saturday , that holy Day Gen. 2.3 . will not proue ( I suppose ) one farthing losse , vnto your Subiectes : and for your Maiestie , it is but your pleasure ; say the word onely , & it is done ; your Maiesties proclamation or the like , workes a present Reformation : Let me say vnto your Highnesse therefore , as once those seruants of Naaman said vnto their Lord , when the Prophet bad him , but this smale & easy thing , Goe wash , and be cleane : If it were a great thing , which the Lord requireth of thee , wouldest thou not haue done it ? how much rather when he saith vnto thee , wash & be cleane ? 2. King . 5.13 . I leaue the application . To conclude , the counsaile of the Lord is , to inquire for the old way , Ier. 6.16 . be pleased therefore , to serch the Scriptures ; and to inquire of your reuerend Bishops , and lerned Clergy ; as they will answer it before God , if this be not the old way , and the way wherein we must walke , to the Worlds end .

Your Maiesties most humble Subiect THEOPHILUS BRABOURNE .

To the most Reuerent Arch-Bishops , and Bishops of this Kingdome .

RIGHT Reuerent Fathers in God , & right graciouse & honourable Lords ; I presume to offer this Treatise of the Sabbath day , vnto your graue & iudicious considerations ; as vnto whom it doth more principally appertaine , to weigh & determine , of questions & controuercies , of such great consequence ; and whose it is , in a most eminent manner , to see that all corruptions in Gods worship be reformed ; all Truethes of God , fostered & cherished ; and all the partes of Gods worship , duly & religiously obserued .

Amongst other things in this Treatise , I humbly desire your Lordshipes , to take these fiue , into your best & deepest considerations : 1. That that Sacred ordinance of Gods Sabbath ( then the which , is not any in our Church more ancient ; commanded by God in his Morall Law ; ratified by Christ the Sonne of God ; practised by the Apostles ; & also by the primitiue Churches after them , for 300 or 400 yeeres together ) is now sinfully trampled vnder foote , & prophaned . 2. That the Decalogue , & 10 Commandements of Almighty God , are not wholly and fully taught and maintained in our Church , but onely by partes & by peeces . 3. That God hath not his whole & intire worship & seruice , prescribed in the first Table of the Decalogue , but is denied one fourth part thereof weekly . 4. That Gods 4th commandement , is by the common doctrine in our Church , wholly frustrate and nullified , both roote and branch . 5. That by very many in our Church , there is grosse superstition committed , Gods worship corrupted , yea plaine Idolatry wrought : and that by sanctifying of the Lords day , for a Sabbath day , by the 4th Com. These things ( as I beleeue ) you shall find cleerly proued in this Booke .

Vnto whose consideration should I commend these things , for redresse , if not vnto your Lordshipes ? hath not his Maiestie therefore deputed you , vnto your seuerall charges , to ouersee , & see to the well ordering of the Church , & worship of God ? and hath not the Almightie , laied it vpon you , To warne some , that they teach none other doctrine , 1. Tim. 1.3 ? And , To redresse the things that are amisse : Or , To set in order , the things that are wanting , Tit. 1.5 ? Downe then with that Idoll , the Lords day Sabbath : so dealt Hezekiah with the Brazen Serpent , when idolatrously abused : and bring into its roome , & into the Church of God againe , that ancient ordinance , Gods Sacred Saturday-Sabbath ; let not an idoll of mans deuiseing , stand in Gods Church , where an ordinance of Gods , inioyned by a Morall Law , should stand .

Oh my honourable Lords , what a pitty it is , to see Antiquity , true and honourable Antiquity , I meane the Lords Sabbathes , troden vnder foote ! why should not our Church , become followers of those Ancientest , and most pure Churches , of the primitiue times , that liued next after Christ , & his blessed Apostles , in obseruation of the Lords Sabbath ? Who , so long as they retained their greatest purity , so long they religiously obserued the Saturday-Sabbath . Why should not your Lordshipes , exhorte vnto the obseruation of the Sabbath day , as did that Godly Bishop Ignatius in his time ? Epist. ad Magnesi . And why should not your Lordships , defend the Sabbath day , as did that famouse Bishop Athanasius , in his time ? Centur. iiij . cap. 6. pag. 410. This done , the Law of God should be taught and maintained , in our Church , in its integrity and perfection ; the 4th Commandement should be in vse , amongst vs againe ; and be accounted as Morall , as any of the other nyne : and God should haue his whole & intire worship , prescribed in the first Table , as well amongst vs , as euer he had among the Iewes , when they were the onely people of God . If it please not God , to inkindle your Lordshipes hearts , with more zeale for his glory , in this behalfe , then is to be found among common Ministers ; Gods Sabbaths , are like still ( which God forbid ) to lay waste , his Lawes to be partially taught , and his intire worship , to be still denied him .

Let none suggest vnto your Lordships , that the obseruation of the ancient Sabbath , is Iudaisme : for Athanasius , liuing in those first ages of the Christian Churches , taketh away this obiection , saying , Wee keepe the Sabbath day , and yet we are not tainted with Iudaisme , Centur. iiij . In the Booke of Common Prayer , after the 4th Commandement ( wherein the old Sabbath day , is by name specified ) is publikly rehearsed by the Minister , we are ordered to vse this deuout prayer , Lord haue mercy vpon vs , & incline our hearts to keepe this Law . Which prayer , & which commandement , cannot ( vnder your Lordships correction ) be vnderstood of the Lords day , nor of any other day , but the old Sabbath day onely : Wherefore , the obseruation of the old Sabbath , is no Iudaisme ; vnlesse we be taught , to pray to God , to incline our hearts to Iudaisme . It is not vnknowne vnto your Lordships , that not many yeeres since , the Crosse in Baptisme , hath by some bene counted idolatrouse , & the holy dayes , Romish , & yet hath our Church freed them from such imputations ; I trust therefore , that in your graue & religiouse consultations , it will be iudged meete , that the Lords Sabbaths , shall be also freed from the slaunder of Iewish , Iudaisme , and the like : If the Holy dayes of the Saints , may be defended , I trust the Holie day of the Holie one of Israel , shall be protected .

I haue done myne errand , I haue discharged my duety ; the cause is no longer myne , then in my breast ; I now commend it vnto your Lordships , for protection : the cause is Gods ; and therefore youres , and the Churches ; it deserueth the patronag of the greatest , & of the lernedest .

T is true , my person is meane ; I care not though it be fleited , so the cause be honoured : Iudges , regard not persones ; but Causes .

In Courtes of Iustice , if any sewe or informe for the King , if the Kings Title , be in question , though the Informer be meane & neglected , yet the Cause is much regarded ; for it hath all the honour & furtherance , that the Iudges & Courte , can afford it : in speciall sorte , the Iudges , they take in with it , & mannage it , as if it were their owne : Counsaile shall be assigned to pleade for it ; other causes shall stand by , whilst it be tried ; informer & witnesses , shall be countenanced , & incouraged to speake , & the like ; so as if possible , the Kings Title shall get the day . Let me petition your Lordships therfore , in your Triall of this Controuercy , to haue regard whose the Title is , that is in question : it being the Lords Sabbath ; a branch of the Morall Law ; a parte of Gods worship ; and one of the most ancient ordinances , that euer God established in his Church ; the Title is plainly Gods therfore : yea , it is called the Sabbath of the Lord , or the Lords Sabbath , and , myne Holy Day . The Title being Gods then , let it haue that fauourable and honourable triall , in your Synods , Consistories , & Consciences , the which earthly Kings Titles obtaine , in their Courtes . Who euer make squemish of it , your Lordships , as Iudges wil take in with it I trust ; knowing , the Title of him is now in question ; of whom you hold all you inioy for the present , and hope to inioy hereafter : let the day be Gods ; let iudgement passe on his side , if possible ; let the Informer , haue incouragment & countenance ; all helpes & furtherances ; if not for his owne sake , yet for his Cause sake ; and for Gods sake ; hee , pleads the Kings broad Seale , an expresse precept ; the 4th Com. one of the 10 Morales ; and one of the First Table too ; what better , or higher Euidence can be demanded ?

Let no argument , or Text of Scripture be vrged , to the abolishing of this ordinance of Gods Sabbath ; to the impairing , & ecclipsing of the Morall Law , & 10 Commandements ; and to the ouerturning of any parte of Gods worship , once established in his Church , if possible they may be salued and answered , by any warrantable distinction , or exposition : Nor let any answer passe for orthodox , wherby any iote or title of the Decalogue , or any parte of Gods worship , should be denied : This , I humbly begg and craue of our Lordships , and that in the name of God , whose Title I informe for ; and whose Title you are to iudge for , and defend ; and that by virtue of your places , & high offices . For I hold it as an vndoubted Maxime , that it is not godly , nor Lawfull , to abolish an ordinance of Gods , being a parte of Gods worship , once established in his Church , & prescribed in his Morall Law ; vnlesse some most pregnant Text , can be brought against it , which doth necessarily & most cleerly abolish it , so as it can be no wayes answered ; of which kind ( vnder your Lordships correction be it spoken ) I know there is not any one Text that can be showne , in all the New Testament : Now God forbid , that any of his ordinances , should be throwne downe , when they may ( if we pleased ) be still retained .

It may easily be thought , that in so large a Treatise as this is , wherein is handled so many arguments , & answers , passages , & particles , & that in a new Argument , not formerly wrote of by any , that some or others of them may sauour of humane frailty ; & stand in neede of further study ; I craue of your Lordships , that such a thing may not be racked & dwelt vpon , but that the body of the Treatise , & maine Argument , arguments & answers may be attended ; the which are so cleere & sound ( to my vnderstanding ) as I am good Confident , the cause shall obtaine your Lordships Patronage .

So demeane your selues , in deciding , iudging , and defending Gods Title , here on earth ; that when the Lord Iesus , that chiefe Shepheard & Byshop of our soules shall appeare , then you may receiue , an Incorruptible Crowne of glory .

Your Lordships to Commande THEOPHILUS BRABOURNE .

To the Godly and well affected Reader .

KNowing ( dearly beloued and Christian Reader ) that as there ought to be , so there is , a propensity and Holy inclination , in all who are truly Gods , to haue a respect , generally & vniuersally , vnto all his Commandements ; to one as well as to an other , without exceptions & reseruations : To auoide all superstition and will-worship : and to giue vnto God , his owne worship and seruice , prescribed in his Laws , without baulking and abridging him , of any parte thereof ; I iudged therfore , that this discourse , in defence of the Sabbath day , which is one maine thing , prescribed in Gods Commandements , and a parte of Gods worship & seruice , could not be vnwelcome to thee , Calling to minde also , the Parable of our Sauiour , how seuerly he will deale with that seruant , vnto whom he deliuereth but one single Talent , if he hide it vp in secret , so as no proffit come thereof Mat. 25.24 . Remembring also , that our Sauiour , made it an essentiall marke , of Peters loue vnto him , to feede his Lambes , Ioh. 21.15 . And , that it is giuen in charge vnto all , To exhorte one an other , to admonish one another , & to edify one an other 1. Thes. 5.11.15 . These things , laid before myne eyes , I could not for loue , nor durst I for feare , but make knowne my minde in this point .

How could my Spirit , be but stirred within me , to see my Christian betheren , the Church and Spowse of Christ , to lay in the weekly neglect , of Gods worship , profanation of his Sacred Sabbathes , and transgression of the 4th Commandement ; when in the meane time , they zealously & superstitiously , tender vnto God , their will-worship , of the Lords day Sabbath ? how could I but discouer these things ! especially when but the Alteration and chang of a day , as the sanctification of the Saturday for the Sunday ; might helpe all this . In the dayes of Isaiah the Prophet , the Church of God , had profaned the Lords Sabbathe ; Isai. 58.13 . and the Lord gaue him in charge , to Crie aloude , spare not ; lifte vp thy voice like a trumpet , & show my people their transgression , & to the house of Iaakob their sinne &c. Isai. 58 , 1. It is the duetie therfore , of Gods Ministers , to tell his people of their sinne ; and the people and Church of God , must with patience heare it , & with cheerefulnesse reforme it : for which happy Reformation , I make my prayers vnto God , that when they assemble next in Parliament , they may make this one of their maine Consultations ; to cause a serch to be made , both into the Scriptures , & into the Ecclesiasticall Histories & Records of the Church ; to see , what grownds can be found , for the Lords day Sabbath ; & to make also , a diligent inquiry , after the Lords ancient Sabbathes , to see what s become of them ; and when , & vpon what grownds they where first throwne downe ; that so , the errours of our Fathers , may be reformed , in vs their children . Th●s you haue the reasons mouing me to wright .

As I had many & sufficient reasons mouing me to wright , so I mett with many & sondry discouragments ; for some , yea Ministers , who of all others , one would thinke , should iudge most charitablie of their brethren , ☞ they enter into my heart , & say , it is pride and singularity , that sets me on worke &c: And this once broched by a Minister , it runneth also from the mouthes of their people continually : now albeit , I haue professed & protested in priuate , vnto such Ministers , the contrary ; & that after a diligent serch of myne hearte , as I have teld them , yet nothing will satisfy them , but pride it must be though . Well , once againe I answer them , & that in the words of S. Paul , Though I know nothing by my selfe , yet am I not thereby iustified , T is true indeed , The hearte is deceiptfull &c. Ierem. 17. as soone therfore as I can find this haughtinesse arising , I will labour its mortification , God assisting . But what s this to the purpose , among wise men ? say hee be a proude person , & that pride creepeth in , as it will to a mans best actions , too too often ; is his cause therfore starke naught ? then many a lerned , and elegant sermon should be reiected ; and many a zelouse Sermon , of no worth : but thus it is with many of them , that vnlesse a man can so Master his vnderstanding , & captiuate his iudgement , as to say what they say for company ; & out of a reuerence to their persons & giftes , to affirme with them , that all is Gods Sacred trueth , which they fancy about the Lords day Sabbath , though hee can see no such matter , but the cleane contrary , yet ●ee must be branded for a proude person : but with patience , I shall labour to beare them : selfeloue is stronge ; and selfedeniall hard .

Some obiect to me saying , you are but one ; and the Lords day Sabbath hath stoode thus a long time ; and the most are of a contrary iudgement to you ; neuer think you to reforme it , I neuer looke to see it altered in my dayes &c. To which carnall reasonings I answer , should a faithfull Minister in his Charge , be discouraged with such arguings , what Minister might not forbeare the pulpit ? let him preach for repentance , almes deedes , chastity , sobriety , or selfedentiall &c: and may not many in his Congregation , tell him , that hee is bat one , and they haue liued otherwise a longe time ; and many , yea Ministers will doe as they doe ; and therefore neuer let him thinke to reforme them & c ? who could think wise men , should argue thus vnwisely ? and yet these eares of myne , haue heard these arguments vsed by Christians , in other points , of no ordenary vnderstanding . But let these know , that a good cause , hath not at all times , good successe : I haue laboured in vaine ; I haue spent my strength for naught : but my iudgment is with the Lord , and my worke with my God , saith the Prophete , Isai. 49.4 . A Minister therfore , must goe on with courage , ☜ though he seeth no fruite of his labours ; for his reward , is with God .

Some mislike the vnceasonablesse of this motion ; & they could wish in their hearts ( they say ) I had tarried longer , & waited for some more ceasonable opportunity , for the diuulging of these points . To whom I answer , Gods truethes , may not waite attendance , till men be at leisure to receiue them : and why not now , as well as hereafter ? vnlesse these men thinke , these times , so desperatly euill , as ther s no hope left , that they will giue eare vnto wholesome Doctrine . But my feare is , that their season , is when I am out of season , after my death , and so they hope , the point should dye with mee ; but I haue peuented them : I am by the mercy of God , neither so afraid , nor so ashamed of Gods cause , as to deny it my best furtherance & countenance , in my life time : were I ashamed of God & this , Trueth before men , I might iustly susspect , that God wold be ashamed of such a seruant , before his Angels in heauen .

Some say , that there are others in the Church , in many regards more fit then I , for a matter of this weight ; and therefore they could wish , that I had neuer stirred in it ; for now I haue marred the cause quite and cleane , by my meannesse &c. T is true indeede , & I freely confesse it , there are many much more fit then I ; and I hartely wish it , that any of them had taken my place & labour : but this wee know , that the most fit and able men , to doe God seruice they are not euer the most redy and willing to doe it : had it bene a point , the reuealing whereof , might haue wone credit , applause , preferment and the like , I beleeue , you had heard of it long err now : but it being a point , of much and hard laboures , & the reward , like to be nothing but danger , reproch , and heard censures ; and like to meete with greate enemies & many ; in such a point , wise men will take leisure , and giue any body leaue to goe before them . What hope could I haue , that others of better , worth , would vndertake this taske , when as before I published my former booke , many men , of greate lerning & conscience , to whom I communicated my Notes , for confirmation or confutation , they did neither ; but rather turned my vtter enemies , for this cause sake ? wherefore I was not rash , as some men count rashlinesse , but after I had waited , as Elihu did , vpon the auncient and more lerned , & found no courage in their heartes , nor word in their mouthes , to speake for God ; then I spake in my turne , & shewed myne opinion : let no man blame my zeale ; it was for God .

T is true , the meannesse of my person , will be a greate blocke in the way , to the progresse of this cause ; especially in these clyming dayes , wherein the word of God , is so much receiued , with respect of persons ; for men esteeme of the cause , iust as they doe of the person : hence it is , that before many will giue audience to the matter , they will first know of the man ; as , whither he be one of their side or no , & approued of by them : and whither learned , witty , eloquent , and well red , or no : or whither honoured with Titles , eminency , and preferment or no : in so much as , if the Prophet Amos were now liuing , and teaching Gods trueth , it is to be feared , his booke of prophecy , would not be regarded , being he was a Neat-heard : and if S. Paul , were now to preach the new doctrine of the gospell , it may be thought , it would not be entertained , he being a Tayler or Tentmaker : But where are those Noble Bereanes , who serched the Scriptures , and examined the cause , without regard had to Pauls person ? where is that Eloquent and lerned Apollos , that gaue heed vnto the instructions , and matter which Aquilla , and Priscilla his wife , taught him ; of whom he lerned the way of God more perfectly , without respect vnto their persones ? for the one was a woman that taught him ; and both , were Taylers of Tentmakers : If therefore A Trueth , fareth the worse , for the meannesse of the Author , it shall be so , but at the hands onely of such persons , as doe not vnfeinedly desire the sincere milke of the word , that they may growe thereby , as did those Noble Bereanes ; and it shall be so , but at the hands onely of such whose lerning is not sanctified , and seasoned with Humility , as Apollos his was .

Some obiect , that the broching of this point , will breed stirres , and distractions in the Church &c. To whom I answer , t is a trueth they say : when euer entred any new Trueth , or was , any old Trueth receiued , but it came in with stirres and distractions at the first ? It fareth in these cases , as it doth with phisicke , which a sikly man takes to recouer his health ; at first , it makes him sicker then he was before , it causeth him pains in his belly , head , & heart &c: and albeit the pacient know all this before hand , yet will he take this potion , in hope of a more perfect health afterwards : and so I trust will it be in this case : though for the present , it occationeth stirres , distractions , & distempers ; yet , it will be so onely , in the minds of some such , as doe abound with euill humores : neuerthelesse , the conclusion will be good , by the mercy of God ; & a more perfect health will be obtained . When Luther first stirred , to reforme the second Commandement , there was then greate stirres and distractions in the Church , but by this time , and long agone ; there hath bene a sweete accorde , & that vpon better conditions then formerly : and why may wee not hope for like successe ? I mary say some scoffingly , and we shall haue an other Luther now , shall we ? what will you proue an other Luther now ? such a disdainfull , enuiouse , & scoffing age we now liue in that , that which shold be a mans greatest honour , as to imitate the most virtuouse ; it is wrested , as a matter of his reproch & derision : in other cases , we desire to iustifie our actions , by the like actions , of the godly and wise that haue gone before vs , and to make vse of them for our incouragement , and why should I onely be denied this benefit ? I pray tell me , is it not a laudable thing , for any to become followers of Luther , Caluîne , Zwinglius ? of Paul , Peter , Christ ? When euer I propound examples to my selfe , they shall euer be the best , and most eminent ; let these scoffers imitate the worst : for so they doe , they are the sonnes of scoffing Ishmael . Were it an infallible note of pride , to imitate the most excellent , Paul would neuer haue exhorted vs , to become followers of him as he was of Christ : Neither could Christians be accounted humble men , because they doe imitate Christ .

Some obiect thus , I but you doe not discreetly , to publish this point , whereby it comes to the peoples knowledge ; rather should a drope of blood , haue gone from my heart , then such a point as this , vnto common people : you should rather haue imparted it vnto Diuines in priuate , and discussed it with them onely &c. Hereto I answer , this obiection of some Diuines , it is no better then a faire flourish , whereby vnder a c lour of discretion , they would haue silenced , and buried this Trueth euerlastingly . For if they could haue tied me , by the rules of this their discretion , to haue made knowne this point , onely vnto Ministe●s , they then know waies enough , how to smother it , so as it should neuer haue come to light , and so as the people , poore soules , should neuer haue heard of it .

Indeed . I iudged it discretion , first to make tender of it to Ministers , before I printed , to the viewe of common people ; and so I did ; for I sent my Notes a broad , to sondry Diuines of the best ranke , both nere and afarr off , expecting their confutation or confirmation , but I obtained neither : In case they had answered me , by way of confirmation , then my resolution was , to haue bene further counsailed by them as touching the publishing of it ; as whither by my selfe ; or rather by some more eminent & able person of their choosing : and touching the time , when ? whither presently , or rather hereafter : and for the persones , to whom ? whither generally vnto all , or rather vnto some eminent persons of the Kingdome ; and the like . But expecting longe their answeres , which diuers of them promised , though they performed not ; and waiting 10 or 12 monethes , and finding nothing but delaies , and foording me off still ; hereby I suspected , that this their counsaile of discretion , was but a dry morsell to stay my stomake withall for the present , and nothing else but a fained thing ; deuised handsomly to make mee beleeue on the one side , that , that they meant seriously and faithfully , to haue taken the matter into their consideration , had not I bene so rash in publishing it , which they neuer meant , as all experience euen to this day sheweth : for both my Notes then , and my Booke since , haue neuer bene answered by them by way of confutation ; nor approued of them , by way of confirmation . And on the other side , to haue kept this Trueth secret , from the peoples knowledge : and this of the twaine indeed , is that they chiefly aime at : it is most grieuouse vnto them , that common people , should espie their errours : as for their owne consciences , many of them are large enough ( as I haue experience , to my exceding greate sorrow of heart ) to brooke the superstitiouse , and ignorant obseruation , of the Lords day Sabbath ; and to neglect the worship of God , in the 7th day Sabbath : they could digest these things , and set downe with them , good quietly , prouided no body might see this their blind ignorance , & halting with God ; but this is that which toucheth to the quicke with them ; that since my publication of this Trueth , and discouery of their errour , now they cannot halt in secret ; now common people , see ther s no grownds for the Lords day Sabbath ; now their parishoners & others , can answer their arguments ; and see their folly and leu●ty ; and how a long time they haue bene carried in a golding dreame . Well , when I saw that Ministers sleited Gods Trueth , then I resolued to turne me , and open my selfe vnto the people , trusting to finde more fidelity & sincerity among them : if therfore it griueth them , that the people know of it sooner then they would , let them thank themselues , for sleiting of it , when tendered vnto them ; and for their attempts to smother it &c. For some of them haue said vnto me , when I haue moued them in it most ceriously , what thinke you , wee haue nothing else to doe , but to listen to your toies ?

Others obiect saying , if I would haue wrote in controuercy , I shold haue wrote against Papists , as Bellarmine , & the like , against a forraine enemy &c. To whom I answer , ther s more neede to deale at home , then a broad : euery man flies vpon A Papist : for the controuercy is made easy by the many helpes of our lerned writers ; & because it is applauded at all hands , so as a man may be a gainer by the controuercy : But fewe or none will medle , to redresse things at home : for these are not onely hard & difficult , requiring much study & greate labours considering none haue gone before to giue them light ; but also , a man may easily foresee it , hee shall be a loser by the bargaine : wherby you may easily gather , that homebred euiles , are more perillouse , and like to stick longe by vs , without reformation : now by how much the fewer will vndertake them , by so much the better seruice he doth vnto God , that will aduenture himselfe in them : for this is that I aime at , not to please men , but him that hath called me , and betrusted me with one of his Talents ; my chiefe desire now is , that I may improue it , not which way my selfe may best gaine credit , wealth , and preferment , but that way whereby I may wine most glorie , to my chiefe Lord and Master . Let none thinke me so ignorant , but that I know well enough , which is the way to rise in the world , were that the thing I short at ; and I know right well , that whilst I am in this argument , I am cleane out of that way : but with Moses , I haue a respect vnto the Recompense of reward .

Some of them obiect vnto me , that by stiring in this point , I shall incense the State , and the Byshopes will molest me &c. To whom I answer , that s the thing indeed would much please them , that the Governement of the Kingdome , would oppose mee , & so much they intimate , by their much wondering , that I am so long suffered in quiet &c: for since they cannot defend the phantasy of the Lords day Sabbath , by the Scriptures , and sword of the Spirit , now they long for the aide of the sword of the Magistrate , wondering it tarrieth so long erre it will aueng them : but had I their cause in hand , I would be ashamed , to desire aide from the sword of the Magistrate , when the word of God , and sword of the Spirit , refuseth to help : first let them soundly answer , & confute my booke , and then let them flie to the Magistrat and spare not . I know well , that things tending to changes and alterations , are not pleasing vnto Statsmen , vnlesse in case most weighty , and of vrgent necessity , of which kind , I trust they will Iudge this to be , after they haue once taken it , into their graue and iudiciouse considerations . The soundnesse and cleernesse of this my cause , giueth me good hope , that God will inlighten them with it , & so incline their hearts vnto mercy ; but if not , since I verily beleeue and know it to be a Trueth ; and my duety , not to smother it , and suffer it to dye with mee , I haue aduentured to publish it , & to defend it , saying with Quene Aester , If I perish , I perish : and with the Apostle Paul , I passe not at all , neither is my life deare vnto mee , so that I may fulfill my course with ioye , Actor . 20.24 . What a corziue would it prove to my conscience , on my deaths bedd , to cale to minde , how I knew these things full well , but would not reueale them ; how could I say with S. Paul , that I had reuealed the whole Counsaile of God , and haue kept nothing backe , that was proffitable ? Act. 20.20.27 . what hope could I then conceiue , that God would open his gate of Mercy to mee , who whilst I liued , would not open my mouth for him ?

Thus Gentle Reader , I haue both giuen thee my reasons mouing me to wright , and also showne thee , the many discouragements opposing me , & how I haue encountered them ; now in the last place my request vnto thee , shall be 1. that thou expectest not from me , expressions of greate Schollarship , reading , elegancy of phrase , and the like ; but onely soundnesse , plainnesse , and godly simplicity ; as this is all you shall find , so is it as much as I desire you should finde . Touching Method , I could wish that here and there , some things were otherwise placed ; but considering , that nothing is more tediouse vnto me , then vnnecessary wrighting of one thing twise ouer , whereby such slipes might haue bene amended , I trust I shall obtaine thy patience ; and the rather , considering that after this worke was first finished , it laying still by mee , I had occation to add too many and sondry things here and there , and not finding roome enough in the margent of my Notes , to inserte them were I would , was forced to thrust them in where I could .

2. Whereas in some passages , a harsh word or two may fale from my pen , which the temperate Reader may thinke , might better haue bene spared ; In this case , I desire him to thinke , that he is not yet so sensible of the foulnesse of the cause , as my selfe , who haue peraduenture better weighed circumstances : for I consider of the foulnes of the matter , seeing it most palpably ; of the obstinacy of the aduersaries , after sufficient meanes of conviction , tendered long a gone vnto them ; and of the dangerouse consequences , arising from their greate errours , in a matter of greatest weight and moment , it being about a Morall Law , a parte of Gods worship , and a most Ancient ordinance of Gods ; I see their absurd answers , distinctons , and arguments , and how by their subtilty they corrupt , the Scriptures , and abuse the well minded people of the Land : obserue it , and you shall still find some of these things , the foregoing occation of euery tarte speech I vse ; now these things , my Reader at first , cannot be possessed of , as I am : & who can speake of such foule things , without some expressions , of a iust indignation against them ?

In specialll , I haue often occasion to vse the word Puritan● : Hereat let none be offended ; for I vse it not in reproch vnto sanctity and purity , or the professours thereof , considered as truly such ; for I honour purity in my heart , & endeauor after it in my life : I vse the word therfore , but onely as a note of distinction , to point at some men with whom I haue to deale , rather then others ; & grieued I am at my heart and in my soule , that I must haue to deale against persons so qualified .

T is true this cause concerneth all men none excepted , whither Ministers or people : yet in speciall , as cause there is for it , I direct my speech chiefly against Ministers ; of Ministers there are two sortes , puritanes , and such as are no puritanes ; these , as I find them not redy to imbrace things new ; so I find them , not redy to condemne a cause , before they haue heard it : wherefore , spareing them , my speech is onely against puritane Ministers : of these also there are two sortes , some who happily neuer so much as haue heard of this question , or if they haue , yet neuer raised slaunders & oppositions against it ; but carying it temperatly and discreetly , wish it a due triall , that so the trueth may be boulted out , these men I reuerence : but there are others , & in speciall those tenn Ministers named in the title lease , at the begining of this booke , these men in speciall I oppose ; for these after they haue had my Notes , and also my former booke and conference with me , now fowre yeeres past , yet still doe raise vp all the oppositon , against both my person and my cause ; that they can ; and that both publikly and priuatly . Salomon telleth vs , there is an appointed time for all things , A time to laugh , and a time to weepe : A time to rend , and a time to sowe : A time of warre , and a time of peace : A Time to keepe silence , and a time to speake Eccl. 3. my former booke was a time of silence : for there I laboured , to couer the spotes & blemishes , of these my brethrens errour , hoping a word had bene enough to the wise ; but they abusing it , this booke is a time to speake , and lay them forth in their cullers . My former booke , was a time of peace , for there I handled the matter meekly , mildly , and in all friendlinesse , hoping these my brethren , would redly haue imbraced Trueth with peace ; but they proclaiming open warres against me , & Gods cause in my hand ; this booke is a time of warre ; & here I take them for Gods enimies and myne : Let me desire my Reader therfore , to giue me patience , to prosecute these enemies of Gods Trueth rowndly , not sparing them , though they be Ministers .

Happily thou wilt say in their behalfe , oh but these men whom you would so prosecute , they are Ministers , whom we exceedingly reuerence , and who doe truly feare God , as your selfe cannot deny &c. Yea , they are your brethren , &c. And so doe I reuerence them too , but with this limitation , in their virtues , and wherin they doe well : And they truly feare God , as I am strongly perswaded , yet they haue not at all times , a respect vnto all Gods Commandements , as the Prophet Dauid speaketh ; for they transgresse the 4th Com. weekly , by prophaning of Gods Sabbathes : I may not vnfitly resemble these 10 Ministers , vnto that clowd which had a light and a darke parte ; when I behold their light parte , & see them walking in & teaching the trueth , I cannot loke enough on them , I may truly speake it : but when I looke on their darke parte , and see them in their errours , I abhorre their sight , as one abhorreth the darknesse . The Prophet Dauid was to be exceedingly reuerenced , yet not in his sinnes of murther & adultery , against the 6th & 7th com . Hee truly feared God , yet at this time , he had not a respect vnto these two Commandements , of murther and adultery . The Apostle Peter , being a Minister , was to be highly reuerenced , yet not in his deniall of Christ : He truly feared God , yet when he forswore his Lord and Master , therein he bewraied it not . Let good men therfore , & Holy , be defended , no further , then their goodnesse and holinesse will extend ; and suffer them to be prosecuted and discouered , in their erroures & sinnes , that they may reforme them . I confesse they are my brethren , & so I acknowledge them ; but what then , may not their erroures therfore be discouered and reproued ? Peter was Pauls brother , did Paul therfore cloke Peters errour ? no ; Paul discouered it , and reproued it to his face , and that publikly before all men Gal. 2.11.14 : shall the sinnes of the people be reproued , and not the sinnes of Ministers ? shall Ministers , haue a patent to sinne without reprofe ? our Sauiour , reproued Peter , saying , get thee behind me Satan . I hold , sinne is lesse to be borne withall in a Minister , then in a priuate person ; especially if it be , both in their life and doctrine , as that is , for which I shall reproue them : for when they not onely practise it , but also erroniously teach it , hereby they draw whole multitudes after them ; and therefore sinnefull errour , would be snibed in them , as a riuer would be stopped in the fountaine .

Perhapes thou wilt further say for them , but what is it you haue against them ? it seemeth by these words , that you haue some greate matter against them , which we cannot beleeue , since we know them to be men so Holy , so lerned , and euery way so qualified , as we cannot say , black is their eye &c. Why amongst others , these things I haue against them ; In generall I challeng them , for their false and erroniouse doctrine , where with all they haue now a long time deceiued , and seduced the people of God , & wherein they still stifly persist , he particulars whereof are these ; by their vngodly and abhominable reiecting , of that most ancient ordinance , of Gods Sabbath , by name commanded in the Morall Law . 1. They are become companiones to those wicked . Priests , who were partiall in Gods Law , Mal. 2.9 : for they deny the Integrity & perfection of the Law , and teach it onely by halues & by parceles and peeces , and so make Gods Law , a lame and defectiue Law . 2. They deny God , a parte of his holy worship and seruice , prescribed in the first Table of the Decalogue , and this they neglect and omit weekly . 3. They haue vtterly abolished , and by their doctrine nullified , the whole 4th Commandement , both roote and branch . 4. They haue most shamefully abused the 4th Commandement , by their most grosse , false , and erroniouse expositions of it ; so as I neuer saw , any one portion of scripture , more corruptly and falsly expounded , by any Popish Iesuit . Whereby they worthily deserue the Title , to be called , The corrupters of Gods Law . 5. They doe shamefully abuse certaine Textes , and portions of Scripture ; and that by setting Scriptures together by the eares : for they wrest certaine Scriptures of the New Testament , to the vnnecessary contradicting and ouerthrowing , of things commanded in the Decalogue and 10 Commandements of the Old Testament . 6. They haue and doe , most vnschollarlike , abuse the 4th Com. by applying it , to the Lords day , the which God directed properly vnto the Saturday , or 7th day of the weeke . 7. They teach and maintaine , that the Lords day is the Sabbath day , by Christ his institution ; and to this purpose , they haue most vnlernedly & dishonestly , wrested and abused , diuerse & sondry portiones of sacred Scripture , a thing which one day they must account to God for : and hereby they haue shamefully abused , many of the well affected people of the land , nursing them vp in Superstition , will worship , and idolatry : If I shall make these 7 things good , against these 10 Ministers , as in this booke I shall , then I trust you will pardon me , if now and then , I let fale an harsh word or two , against them ; and then I trust you will not blame me , for taking vp the bucklers against them , as Gods enemies , in these cases : I could not haue taken these things so euilly , at the hands of any as of puritans , nor of any puritans as of puritane Ministers : for at their hands I looked for better .

As for them , these 10 Ministers , I require and charge them , as they will answer it before the Tribunall of Almightie God , at the generall day of Iudgement , that they study the 4th Commandement better , and other the Scriptures now in controuercy ; so that they may deliuer nothing to the people , but the pure word of God , in their exposition ; and that they forbeare these erroniouse doctrines , in pulpit and in priuate ; yea and reuoke these their foule erroures , making a mends to the people of God , whom they haue wronged , by acknowledging the same vnto them , before either they , or any of their people departe this present life : it is no dallying with mens soules , and Gods matters . Or else , let them answer this my booke , and so honestly acquite themselues , of these things I charge them withall : it is but equall that I demaund , that they should either confirme my booke , or confute it : some of them say they will giue their liues for the Lords day Sabbath , I trust then , they will giue their laboures , which is lesse , to defend it . I doubt not , but you shall heare them make many shiftes , & friuolouse excuses , that they may not answer me , as hitherto they haue done , when moued to answer my former booke ; but this is but still to maintaine their credit , among the people , as if they could easily answer all , but they will not wast their time forsooth . Happily the combination of these 10 Ministers , will agree , euery man to preach an invectiue sermon or two , euery man in his owne parish , against this booke , and so raise a greate cry against me ; picking partially some fewe things in my booke , to cauill at ; as it is no hard matter , for a Rhetoricean , to delude the people with words ; and for a Sophister , to beguile them with seeming arguments and answers ; but my request vnto them is , that they would answer my booke , and that punctually , from point to point ; not snaching and catching here and there at things ; and that they would print it , as I haue done , and so they shall stand to what they say , without alterationes , and after minceings and extenuationes : An Author , may be much wronged and abused in pulpit , as I haue bene alredy by M. Chappell , reporting to the people , things out of my former booke , falsly , which I neuer wrote there ; & so confuting their owne phantasies , in stead of my booke ; and the Author hath no remedy , but patience . To auoide the like , I desire them to forbeare pulpit confutations , and come to printed confutations , that so they may be answered againe .

What remaineth Christian Reader , but that in the last place , I craue thy single eye and vnpartiall censure ; and that you carry a minde , voide of all preiudice , & euill will , either to the person or the cause , whereabouts thou art redy to be imployed in reading : Remember , we are not to receiue the word of God , with respect of persons ; nor yet to stop the eare , and winke with the eye , least we should see and vnderstand : for so thou shalt both wrong thy selfe , and thy Author . Remember , thou art now in the place of a Iudge : for thou must reade the Controuercy of the Lords Sabbathes , pleaded pro & con , betwixt these 10 Ministers and mee : they against Gods Title , and I for Gods Title ; they against Gods Sabbaths , and I for them : and betwixt them and mee , thou must Iudge & passe sentence , now a Iudge must not be carried away with partiality , and respect to persons ; nor suffer his minde to be prepossessed , with an ill will to the cause , before he heareth it : these things are but equall and right , which I craue of thee , wherefore I trust I shall obtaine with thee . This onely note , that if thou wi●t suffer thy selfe to be swaied , rather on the one side , then on the other , thou oughtest rather to take in with mee , then with them : for the Sabbath day , it being an ancient ordinance of Gods , a long time in vse in his Church , therefore the cause and Title it is Gods ; and since I stand in defence of this Sabbath day , therfore I stand in defence of Gods cause , and Gods Title , & so side it with God : but they , setting themselues against Gods Sabbath , set themselues not onely against me , but also against Gods cause , & Gods Title : wherfore iudge thou , whither it were better for thee , to take in with them , or with mee ; against Gods cause & Title , or with Gods cause & Title . And so I commend thee to the grace of him , who is able , to build vs vp further in the knowledge and loue of his Trueth .

Thine in Christ Jesus THEOPHILUS BRABOURNE .