A threefold treatise of the Sabbath distinctly divided into the patriarchall, mosaicall, Christian Sabbath : for the better clearing and manifestation of the truth ... / by Richard Bernard ...

CHAP. XIX. How it was to be kept by the Edicts of Christian Kings in this our Kingdome.

THe Kings in this Island of Great Brittaine, have from time to time shewed a religious care, con∣cerning the observation of our Sunday.

In King Ina's raigne, Anno 688, 900 yeers since, a Master might not force his bond servant to work, if he did, the ser∣vant was freed, and the Master was punished, and was to pay thirty shillings; but if the servant wrought without his Masters commandement, hee should bee whipt, or re∣deeme his whipping with a price; and if a Freeman, to loose his freedome, or pay three pounds.

King Alured and Edward his sonne, in a league, between him and Gunthran King of the Danes, in this land did pro∣hibite all Markets, and other kinds of works whatsoever on the Sunday: The thing bought was forfeited, and to pay money too, and the servant working, being a Freeman, was to bee made a slave, or to redeeme himselfe: if a slave, then to be beaten, and his Master to answer, for causing him to work: None guiltie was to die on this day for his offence, but to be imprisoned till the day was past.

King Athelstan forbad buying and selling on this day, un∣der a penaltie.

King Edgar, commanded every Sunday to be celebrated of every one from Saturday at three aclock in the after∣noone, till Munday morning at break of the day.

King Canutus, ordained the observation of the Lords day, as King Edgar had done, from three a clock in the afternoon on Saturday till Munday: Hee also inhibited Markets, Courts, and publick meetings for civill businesse, hunting, and that every one should rest from worldly works.

King Edward the Confessor, would have none molested either going to the Church to serve God, or comming from it.

King Edward the Third, in his time the shewing of Woolls should not be made at the Staple on Sundayes, and on the solemne Feasts.

King Henry the Sixth, in his dayes, Fayres, and Markets, were forbidden, as an abominable injury and offence to Al∣mightie God. Yea, it was held then by John de Burge, Chancelour of the Universitie of Cambridge, that the Sun∣day might be called the Sabbath as before I noted, for that we were then to rest from all servile work, arts mechanick, husbandry, law-dayes, markets, and to bee busied at our prayers, publick service of the Church, in Hymnes and spirituall Songs, and hearing of Sermons.

King Edward the Fourth, in his raigne were forbidden, as unlawfull games, Dice, quoits, tennis, bowling; as also the felling of shooes, bootes, nor was it lawfull for Shoomakers to put upon the feet, or pull on the legges any shooes or boots on Sundayes: In whose time it was judged, That sale made on a Sunday of any thing, was not good, nor altered the propertie of it.

King Edward the Sixth, it was in his dayes manifested by Act of Parliament, that the Sundayes were holy dayes, and other dayes there expressed, wherein Christians should cease from all kinde of labour, and apply themselves only and wholly unto holy works properly belonging to true religion, which holy works were to be called Gods Service, whereunto such times and dayes were sanctified and hallowed (that is to say) separated (marke it well) from all profane uses.

In Queen Elizabeth her reigne, this Statute of King Edward the Sixth was in use and practice: and the observa∣tion of the holy day was enjoyned by the twentieth of her

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Majesties Injunctions, in the same words, with our now thirteenth Canon, which was taken out, of that In∣junction.

Thus farre for this Kingdome before the happy uni∣ting of the two Kingdomes in one.

Notes

• Cited by Bi∣shop White, pag. 222.