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

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husb<strong>and</strong>ry, or exercise himself in any mechanical<br />

employment on <strong>the</strong> Lord’s <strong>Day</strong>, or o<strong>the</strong>r holy days,<br />

but where it was a work <strong>of</strong> necessity or charity, <strong>of</strong><br />

which <strong>the</strong> minister <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> parish was to be judge.'<br />

"[69]<br />

The rulers <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> church <strong>and</strong> realm <strong>of</strong> Engl<strong>and</strong><br />

were diligent in establishing <strong>the</strong> sacredness <strong>of</strong> this<br />

day. Yet <strong>the</strong> following statutes show that <strong>the</strong>y were<br />

not aware <strong>of</strong> any Bible authority for enforcing its<br />

observance:--<br />

A.D.1358. "Istippe, archbishop <strong>of</strong> Canterbury,<br />

with very great concern <strong>and</strong> zeal, expresses himself<br />

thus: 'We have it from <strong>the</strong> relation <strong>of</strong> very credible<br />

persons, that in divers places within our province, a<br />

very naughty, nay, damnable custom has prevailed,<br />

to hold fairs <strong>and</strong> markets on <strong>the</strong> Lord’s <strong>Day</strong>. . . .<br />

Wherefore by virtue <strong>of</strong> canonical obedience, we<br />

strictly charge <strong>and</strong> comm<strong>and</strong> your bro<strong>the</strong>rhood,<br />

that if you find your people faulty in <strong>the</strong> premises,<br />

you forthwith admonish or cause <strong>the</strong>m to be<br />

admonished to refrain going to markets or fairs on<br />

<strong>the</strong> Lord’s <strong>Day</strong>. . . . And as for such who are<br />

682

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