PHI LOS 0 P H Y . - Classic Works of Apologetics Online

[~batical Institution!. 293
tloy of the wtek, when the disciples come ta;,ether to break
hread, Paul preached unto them." Acts, ~x. 6, 7.
Tile manner in which the histori,.n Dlentions the
disciples coming together to break bread on the first
day of the week, shews, I thinks that the practice
by this time was familiar CLod established. St. Paul
to the Corinthians writes thus: "Concerning the
collection for the saints, as I have given order to the
churches of Galatia, even so do ye; upon the first day
oj. tbe ';:'I~ek., let every one of you lay by him in store
as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings
when I cllme." 1 Cor. X\!:. 1, 2. \Vhich di.
rection affords a. p:obable proof, that the first day
of the week was aln~ady amongst the Christians,
both of Corinth and G~latia, distinguished from the
rest, by some religious application or other. At the
time t!lat St. John wrote the book of his revelation,
the first day of the week had obtained the name of
the Lord's day : " I was in the spirit, " says he, "r)1J,
the Lord's day." Re\'. i. 10. Which name~ and St.
John's use of it, .sufficiently denote dte appropriation
of this day to the service of religion, and that this
appropriation was perfectly knaVin to the churches
of Asia.
I make no doubt but that by the LOT d's
day was meant the first day of the week; for we
fiIld no footsteps of any distinct!OIl of days, which
could entitle any other to that appellation.
The
subsequent history of Chri:· tianity corresponds with
the accounts delivered on this subject in scripture.
It will be remembered, that we are contending, by
these proc,fs, for no other duty upon the first day of
the week, than that of holding and frequenting religious
assemblies. A cessation upon that day frmll
labour beyond the time of attendance upon public
worship, is not intimated in any passage of the New
Testament, nor did Christ or his Apostles deliver, that
we know of, any cOlllmand to their disciples for a
discontinuance, upon that day, of the common offi ...
ccs of their professions. A resel-ve \\~hicll nOlle will
see reason to wonder at, or to blaole as a defect i.l the
in~tituti~m, who consider that in the primitive COll-