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Hast thou kept the Lord's day? I am a Christian; I cannot
dispense with keeping it.

Acts of the Martyrs.

WITH NOTES BY M. STUART.

ANDOVER:

FLAGG, GOULD AND NEWMAN.

1833.

[From the 2d London edition.]

March 20, 10016

(977).

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1833,

BY FLAGG, GOULD, AND NEWMAN,

in the Clerk's office of the District Court of Massachusetts.

PREFACE

TO THE AMERICAN EDITION.

THE SABBATH WAS MADE FOR MAN. So said the Son of Man, who is Lord of the Sabbath, and who knows its value and importance to those for whom it was made. But if this holy day is adapted by infinite wisdom and goodness, to promote the highest moral and spiritual interests of the human race, (and thus much seems to be involved in the Saviour's declaration), then does it plainly follow, that the keeping of the Sabbath is not to be dispensed with. That which serves in a peculiar manner to promote the eternal interests of man, which "was made for him," is important to him in all ages and in all circum

stances.

In this way do I satisfy my own mind, that the Sabbath is of perpetual obligation; and that it has been so, from the beginning of the world. When God rested from his work of creation, and sanctified the seventh day and blessed it, his design evidently was, to consecrate it as a day of rest and spiritual improvement for man, whom he had created in his own image. The fourth commandment appears to be only a republication of his original and immutable law, under peculiar circumstances, and with special additions which would secure its observance. The essence of the sabbatical precept seems to be as im

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