much to cease from our callings one whole day. The answer (together with a first reason to inforce the sanctification of the Sabbath) is in these wordes, which is taken from the greater to the lesse. If I permit thee to follow thy calling, sixe whole daies, thou maist well, and must leaue one onely to serue me.
But the first is true. Therefore the second.
The first propositiō is wanting: the second, or assumption are these words, Sixe daies, &c. The conclusion is the commandement it selfe.
Here may we see, that God hath giuen vs free libertie to worke all the sixe daies. The which freedome no man can annihilate. Neuerthelesse, vpon extra∣ordinarie occasions, the Church of God is permitted to separate one daie or more of the seuen, as neede is, either to fasting, or for a solemne day of reioy∣cing, for some benefit receiued. Ioel 2.15.
The seuenth day] The second reason of this commaundement taken from the ende thereof.
If the Sabbath were consecrated to God, and his seruice, we must that day abstain from our labours.
But it was consecrated to God, and his seruice.
Therefore we must then abstaine from our labours.
The assumption is in these words (the seuenth day, &c.) where we must note, that God alone hath this priuiledge, to haue a Sabbath consecrated vnto him: and therefore all holy daies dedicated to what soeuer either Angel or Saint, are vnlawfull: howsoeuer the Church of Rome haue imposed the obseruation of them vpon many people.
In it thou shalt doe] This is the conclusion of the second reason, illustrated by a distribution from the causes. Thou, thy sonne, thy daughter, thy seruant, thy cattell, thy stranger, shall cease that day from your labours.
Any worke] That is, any ordinarie worke of your callings, and such as may be done the day before, or left well vndone till the day after. Yet for all this we are not forbidden to performe such workes euen on this day, as are both holy and of present necessitie.
Such are those works, which doe vpon that day preserue and maintaine the seruice and glorie of God, as I. a Sabbath daies iourney. Act. 1.12. Which is now Hierusalem, containing a Sabbath daies iourney. II. The killing and dres∣sing of sacrificed beasts in the time of the law. Matth. 12.5. Haue ye not read in the law, how that on the Sabbath daies, the Priests in the Temple breake the Sab∣bath, and are blamelesse? III. Iourneys vnto the Prophets, and places appoin∣ted vnto the worship of God. 2. King. 4.23. He said, Why wilt thou goe to him this day? it is neither new moone, nor Sabbath day. Psal. 84.7. They go from strength to strength, till euery one appeare before God in Zion.
Such also are the works of mercie, whereby the safetie of life or goods is procured: as that which Paul did, Act. 20. 9. As Paul was long preaching, Euty∣chus ouercome with sleepe, fell downe from the third loft, and was taken vp dead: but Paul went downe and laid himselfe vpon him, and embraced him, saying, Trouble not your selues: for his life is in him. vers. 12. And they brought the boy aliue, and they were not a little comforted. II. To helpe a beast out of a pit. Luk. 14.5. Which of you shall haue an oxe, or an asse fallen into a pit, and will not straightway