XVII. DEVOTIONS DUPLICATE.

WHEN the Jewish Sabbath, in the primitive times, was newly changed into the Christian’s Lord’s day, many devout people twisted both together in their observation, abstaining from servile works, and keeping both Saturday and Sunday wholly for holy employments.

During these civil wars, Wednesday and Friday fasts have been appointed by different authorities. What harm had it been if they had been both generally observed.

But alas! when two messengers, being sent together on the same errand, fall out and fight by the way, will not the work be worse done than if none were employed? In such a pair of fasts it is to be feared that the divisions of our affections rather would increase than abate God’s anger against us.

Two negatives make an affirmative. Days of humiliation are appointed for men to deny themselves and their sinful lusts. But do not our two fasts more peremptorily affirm and avouch our mutual malice and hatred? God forgive us, we have cause enough to keep ten, but not care enough to keep one monthly day of humiliation.