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

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"In this way [that is, by presenting <strong>the</strong><br />

testimony <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Bible on <strong>the</strong> subject] arose <strong>the</strong><br />

ancient Sabbatarians, a body it is well known <strong>of</strong><br />

very considerable importance in respect both to<br />

numbers <strong>and</strong> influence, during <strong>the</strong> greater part <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> third <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> early part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> next century,"[19]<br />

The close <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> third century witnessed <strong>the</strong><br />

<strong>Sabbath</strong> much weakened in its hold upon <strong>the</strong><br />

church in general, <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> festival <strong>of</strong> Sunday,<br />

although possessed <strong>of</strong> no divine authority, steadily<br />

gaining in strength <strong>and</strong> in sacredness. The<br />

following historical testimony from a member <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> English Church, Edward Brerewood, pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />

in Gresham College, London, gives a good general<br />

view <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> matter, though <strong>the</strong> author's anti-<br />

Sabbatarian views are mixed with it. He says:--<br />

"The ancient <strong>Sabbath</strong> did remain <strong>and</strong> was<br />

observed toge<strong>the</strong>r with <strong>the</strong> celebration <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

Lord’s <strong>Day</strong> by <strong>the</strong> Christians <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> east church<br />

above three hundred years after our Saviour's<br />

death; <strong>and</strong> besides that, no o<strong>the</strong>r day for more<br />

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