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History of the Sabbath and First Day of the Week - John N. Andrews

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"The observance <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Lord’s <strong>Day</strong> was<br />

ordered while yet <strong>the</strong> <strong>Sabbath</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Jews was<br />

continued; nor was <strong>the</strong> latter superseded until <strong>the</strong><br />

former had acquired <strong>the</strong> same solemnity <strong>and</strong><br />

importance, which belonged, at first, to that great<br />

day which God originally ordained <strong>and</strong> blessed. . . .<br />

But in time, after <strong>the</strong> Lord’s <strong>Day</strong> was fully<br />

established, <strong>the</strong> observance <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Sabbath</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

Jews was gradually discontinued, <strong>and</strong> was finally<br />

denounced as heretical."[10]<br />

Thus is seen <strong>the</strong> result <strong>of</strong> cherishing this<br />

harmless Sunday festival in <strong>the</strong> church. It only<br />

asked toleration at first; but gaining strength by<br />

degrees, it gradually undermined <strong>the</strong> <strong>Sabbath</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

Lord, <strong>and</strong> finally denounced its observance as<br />

heretical.<br />

Jeremy Taylor, a distinguished bishop <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

Church <strong>of</strong> Engl<strong>and</strong>, <strong>and</strong> a man <strong>of</strong> great erudition,<br />

but a decided opponent <strong>of</strong> Sabbatic obligation,<br />

confirms <strong>the</strong> testimony <strong>of</strong> Coleman. He affirms<br />

that <strong>the</strong> <strong>Sabbath</strong> was observed by <strong>the</strong> Christians <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> first three hundred years, but denies that <strong>the</strong>y<br />

575

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