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

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Mr. Benedict speaks <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m as follows:--<br />

"The account <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir practicing circumcision is<br />

undoubtedly a sl<strong>and</strong>erous story forged by <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

enemies, <strong>and</strong> probably arose in this way: because<br />

<strong>the</strong>y observed <strong>the</strong> seventh day <strong>the</strong>y were called by<br />

way <strong>of</strong> derision, Jews, as <strong>the</strong> Sabbatarians are<br />

frequently at this day; <strong>and</strong> if <strong>the</strong>y were Jews, it<br />

followed <strong>of</strong> course that <strong>the</strong>y ei<strong>the</strong>r did, or ought to,<br />

circumcise <strong>the</strong>ir followers. This was probably <strong>the</strong><br />

reasoning <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir enemies; but that <strong>the</strong>y actually<br />

practiced <strong>the</strong> bloody rite is altoge<strong>the</strong>r<br />

improbable."[49]<br />

An eminent church historian, Michael Geddes,<br />

thus testifies:--<br />

"This [act] <strong>of</strong> fixing something that is justly<br />

abominable to all mankind upon her adversaries,<br />

has been <strong>the</strong> constant practice <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> church <strong>of</strong><br />

Rome."[50]<br />

Dr. Allix states <strong>the</strong> same fact, which needs to<br />

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