A Threefold Treatise of the Sabbath, Chapter 21
CHAP. XXI. What Councels and Synods have decreed touching the obſervation of this day.
IT cannot be, but where Emperours and Kings have taken care for keeping holy the Lords day, they had the judg…ment of the godly Divines in their times: But to cleare more this point, let us ſee what hath by the learned beene decreed concerning this.
The Councell of Carthage decreed to petition the Emperour then, that there might bee no Shewes, nor other See Dr. Heylin pag. 101. 111. pag. 112.Playes on the Lords day, &c. The Councell held at Aragon, would have no ſentence pronounced in any cauſe on the Lords day. The third Councell at Orleance informeth us, that husbandry, reaping, hedging, and ſuch ſervile works were prohibited. The Councell at Maſcon decreed, that the day ſhould be kept holy, calling it the Lords day, the day of our new birth, the everlaſting day of reſt, inſinuated unto us, under the ſhadow of the ſeventh day or Sabbath in the Law and the Prophets. On this day none were to meddle in Litigious Controverſies, in actions or Law Suits, nor prepare his Oxen for daily labour; but to goe to the Church, and there powre out his ſoule in teares and prayers, celebrate the day with one accord, offer unto God their free and voluntary ſervice, exerciſe themſelves in Hymnes and ſinging praiſes unto God, being intent thereon in minde and body, &c. The Councell at Dinguloſinum in Bavaria determined, that upon Sunday, every one being intent upon Divine reſt, ſhould abſtaine from prophane or common buſineſſes. In the Councell of Angiers tradeſmen were appointed to lay by their labours, and among thoſe the Miller, and the Barber. The Councell at Coleine decreed, that the people ſhould be diligently admoniſhed, why other holy dayes (but eſpecially the Lords day, which hath beene alwayes famous in the Church from the Apoſtles time) were inſtituted (to wit) that all might equally come together, to heare the Word of the Lord, to receive the Sacraments, to apply their mindes to God alone, to be ſpent only in Prayers, Hymnes, Pſalmes, and ſpirituall Songs. And here were prohibited Playes, Dances, wicked Diſcourſes, filthy Songs, all Luxurie, and Victualling Houſes were commanded to be ſhut up. Concilium Biturienſe, exhorteth ſaying, Let them practice nothing but that which ſavours of pietie, and there are prohibited prophane Aſſemblies, ryotous Feaſts, Dances, Morices, diſguiſes Stage Playes, and going to Alehouſes. Concilium Baſilienſe, forbad Dice and Tables, and would that ſuch as did walke with chaſte eyes, modeſty, and gravitie, ſhould not goe to Dancing.
In a Synod held at Friuli, it was decreed, That all Chriſtian men, ſhould with all reverence and devotion, honour the Lords day, and abſtaine from all carnall acts, Etiam *So S. Augu. in 244. Serm. de tempore,à propriis conjugibus, and all earthly labours, and goe to the Church devoutly. A Synode held in Aken or Aqui…granum 800. yeeres agoe held, that in reverence to the Lords day, it ſhould no more bee lawfull to marry, or bee married. In a Roman Synod under Leo the fourth, it was decreed, that no Market, no not for meat ſhould be kept, and no perſon ſhould receive judgment on that day. And under Alexander the third, in a Councell of Compeigne it was ordained; that none ſhould bee doomed to death, or condemned to bodily puniſhment. In a Synod at Coy, it was decreed, that men ſhould doe no ſervile work, nor take any journey. A Synod at Petricow in Poloniae, forbad Taverne-meetings, Dice, Cards, and ſuch like paſtimes, as alſo inſtrumentall muſick and Dancing.