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The witness of

of Christianity

regarding the Sabbath of the Lord.

© J. F. Coltheart. 1954.

Some obvious spelling mistakes in the quotations and their sources have been rectified.

Bohemia:

"Erasmus testifies that even as late as about 1500 these Bohemians not only kept the seventh day scrupulously, but were also called Sabbatarians."

Cox, "The Literature of the Sabbath Question,"
Vol. 2, pp. 201, 202; "Truth Triumphant," p. 264.

Norway: (Church Council held at Bergen, Norway, August 22, 1435).

"The first matter concerned a keeping holy of Saturday. It had come to the earth (sic) of the archbishop that people in different places of the kingdom had ventured the keeping holy of Saturday. It is strictly forbidden – it is stated in the Church-Law, for anyone to keep or to adopt holy-days, outside of those which the pope, archbishop, or bishops appoint."

"The History of the Norwegian Church under Catholicism,"
R. Keyser, Vol. II, p. 488. Oslo: 1858.

Norway: 1435 (Catholic Provincial Council at Bergen).

"We are informed that some people in different districts of the kingdom, have adopted and observed Saturday-keeping. It is severely forbidden – in holy church canon – one and all to observe days excepting those which the holy Pope, archbishop, or the bishops command. Saturday-keeping must under no circumstances be permitted hereafter further than the church canon commands. Therefore, we counsel all the friends of God, throughout all Norway who want to be obedient towards the holy church to let this evil of Saturday-keeping alone; and the rest we forbid under penalty of severe church punishment to keep Saturday holy."

Dip. Norveg., 7, 397.

Norway, 1436: (Church Conference at Oslo).

"It is forbidden under the same penalty to keep Saturday holy by refraining from labour."

"History of the Norwegian Church," p. 401.

France – Waldenses:

"Louis XII, King of France (1498-1515), being informed by the enemies of the Waldenses, inhabiting a part of the province of Province, that several heinous crimes were laid to their account, sent the Master of Requests, and a certain doctor of the Sorbonne, to make inquiry into this matter. On their return they reported that they had visited all the parishes, but could not discover any traces of those crimes with which they were charged. On the contrary, they kept the Sabbath day, observed the ordinance of baptism, according to the primitive church, instructed their children in the articles of the Christian faith, and the commandments of God. The King having heard the report of his commissioners, said with an oath that they were better men than himself or his people."

"History of the Christian Church,"
Vol. II, pp. 71, 72, third edition. London: 1818.

India:

"Separated from the Western world for a thousand years, they were naturally ignorant of the many novelties introduced by the councils and decrees of the Lateran. ‘We are Christians, and not idolators,’ was their expressive reply when required to do homage to the image of the Virgin Mary."

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© J. F. Coltheart. 1954.

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