Sabbath Historical Highlights

You must keep Saturday as the Day of the Lord, because God has ordained that day as such and not Sunday, that men have made for that.

- Lodewijk Willem Ernst, Rauwenhoff, Geschiedenis Van Het Protestantisme

Concerning holy days and Sundays, she said : ‘In six days the Lord made the world, on the seventh day he rested’. The other holy days have been instituted by popes, cardinals, and archbishops.

- Der Blutige Schau-Platz Oder Martÿrer-Spiegel . . . Auf Das Jahr 1660

The church at Nikolsburg was also divided. The followers of Philipp Jaeger and Jacob Wideman were called ‘Kleinhäufler’ (the small body) or 'Stäbler' (staffmen), and the followers of Hans Spittelmaier received the name of 'Schwertler' (sword-bearers) and Sabbatarians. Leonhard Lichtenstein held to the latter party.

- Anton Gindely, Böhmen und Mähren im Zeitalter der Reformation, 1857

I hear that even now in Austria and Moravia certain Judaizers urge both the Sabbath and circumcision; if they should boldly go on, not being admonished by the word of God, they certainly might do much harm.

- In Genesin Enarrationes, Tomus Secundus

They likewise cite that the Sabbath has been changed to Sunday, contrary to the decalogue, as they see it. Neither is there any example more hyped and cited of than the changing of the Sabbath-day, and they thereby wish to preserve the great authority of the church, since it has dispensed with the Ten Commandments and altered something in them.

- Augsburg Confession Article 28

However, it is a matter of their blindness over the change of the Sabbath. . . With that, they do not recognize the authority of the Roman and Apostolic Church.

- Inquisitor Heinrich Kramer, Sancte Romane Ecclesie Fidei Defensionis Clippeum Adversus Waldensium Seu Pickardorum Heresim, 1501

The population of Moscow witnessed the first Inquisitorial burning of Ivan Kuritsyn (the brother of Feodor), Dimitrii Knonopliov, and Ivan Maksimov who were burned in wooden cages for Seventh Day Sabbath Keeping.

God gave a decree of the Sabbath that we should only work for six days. But the seventh day He made a Sabbath and a day of idleness for us to rest, so that we might refresh ourselves and rest from our hard work.

- Carlstadt, Von dem Sabbat vnd Gebotten Feyertagen, 1524

If Karlstadt were to write further about the Sabbath, Sunday would have to give way, and the Sabbath —that is to say, Saturday - must be kept holy

- Martin Luther, Widder Die Hymelischen Propheten Von Den Bildern Und Sacrament, 1525

A certain John Balbus was imprisoned in November, 1528, because he had publicly taught some doctrines contrary to Utraquism: he asserted that one ought first to believe and afterwards to be baptized; the extreme unction was to be regarded as an anointing of joy and comfort; the festivals of the saints were not to be observed; and Saturday (Sabbath) was to be kept holy instead of Sunday. . .

- Geschichte der evangelischen Kirche in Böhmen Vol 2, Page 194

Furthermore: no feasts of saints and celebrations; he spoke of Sunday and the Sabbath, and that the law concerns the Sabbath and not Sunday, which is mentioned and celebrated.

- Jednání a dopisy konsistore katolické i utrakvistické. 1, Akta konsistore utrakvistické

As regards lady she had nothing to say relative Sunday and holy days, she said that God had commanded to rest the seventh day; in this she acquiesced; it was her desire, by the help and grace of God to remain and die as she was, for it was the true faith and the right way in Christ

- Anno Domini, 1529, Der Blutige Schau-Platz Oder Martÿrer-Spiegel . . . Auf Das Jahr 1660

Moses spoke in Exodus 31 about the Sabbaths, stating that they are a sign between God and the children of Israel. The Sabbath, according to the tablet, holds no distinction, as if it were greater than the others, or not a sign, or that it should last forever, under whom it was left according to our Apostle Fischer. It is by God's command concerning the Sabbath. The Ten Commandments and the tablets were publicly written, as stated in Exodus 31, and as this was later renewed by Ezekiel. The Sabbath of the tablet was a sign along with the others, so it must be able to be signified and testified. . .

- Valentin Krautwald c. 1532, Valentin Krautwald “Bericht und anzeigen, wie gar one kunst und guoten verstandt Andreas Fischer vom sabbat geschriben”

Now we hear that among the Bohemians a new one is emerging the type of Jews, they call Sabbatarians, who observe the Sabbath

- Erasmus of Rotterdam, 1533

There is always something new emerging in religious matters that they add to their corruption, like what is currently happening in Moravia where they have begun to celebrate the Sabbath in the Jewish manner. This is an inconstant and frivolous race that wants to have something new every day.

On the Seventh day therefore, in the morning, Adam appears to have heard the Lord giving commandment concerning his domestic and national duty; (the private, and public, worship of God;) together with the prohibition concerning the fruit of the tree. Satan, therefore, unable to endure this most beautiful creation of man, and this holy appointment of the Sabbath; and envying him so much felicity; and moreover seeing all things so abundantly provided for him on earth; and finding him in the possession of the hope of enjoying, after so happy a corporeal life, an eternal life, which he himself had lost ;—. . . So Satan, on this occasion, tempts Eve to sin, and gains the victory over her. . . .I am myself quite persuaded, that all these things took place on the very day of the Sabbath. . .

- In Primum Librum Mose Enarrationes, 1544

The Sabbath therefore has, from the beginning of the world, been set apart for the worship of God.—In this manner nature, in its innocency, had it continued unfallen, would have proclaimed the glory and blessings of God. Men would have talked together, on the Sabbath day, concerning the goodness of their Creator, would have prayed to Him, and would have brought to Him their offerings. For all these things are implied and signified in the expression "sanctified."

- In Primum Librum Mose Enarrationes, 1544

Nor would Adam, had he remained in paradise in all his original innocence, have lived a life of idleness. He would have taught his children on the Sabbath day: he would have magnified God with his due high-praises by public preaching, and he would have stirred up himself and others to offerings of thanks, by a contemplation of God's great and glorious works.

- In Primum Librum Mose Enarrationes, 1544

Although therefore man lost the knowledge of God by sin, yet God willed that this command concerning the sanctifying of the Sabbath should remain. He willed that on the seventh day both the word should be preached and also those other parts of His worship performed which He Himself instituted

-In Primum Librum Mose Enarrationes, 1544

These works God prohibited on the sabbath, not because they are bad. . . but rather
that man may find himself unencumbered for the true and spiritual sanctification of the
Holy day ...

- Constantino Ponce De La Fuente, Suma de Doctrina Christiana, 1550

The church has transferred the observance from Saturday to Sunday by virtue of her own power, without Scripture.

- Johann Maier von Eck 1556

The Sabbath, the most glorious day in the law, has been changed into the Lord’s day. . . . These and other similar matters have not ceased by virtue of Christ’s teaching (for He says He has come to fulfill the law, not to destroy it), but they have been changed by the authority of the church. 

- Archbishop Gaspar Del Fosso

My Sabbath, you should keep in spirit as I desire it, do not divide your values ??and grasp my teaching, keep your body and soul well under control so that they follow my will with fresh, free courage.

- Oswald Glaidt, "Es redet Gott mit Moses, ich bin der Herre dein,” 1563

Some have suffered torture and separated themselves simply because they would not rest when others kept Sunday, for they declared it to be the holiday and law of Antichrist, with whom they would have nothing in common, as well as were the other holidays.

- Sebastian Frank, Chronica: Zeytbuch vnd Geschichtbibel, 1565

In the villages of Champagne and Brie, and in particular the bailiwicks of Sens, Melun, Montereau, Bray, Nogent, Pont, Troyes, Sezanne, Châlons, Reims, Épernay, Château-Thierry, Meaux and Provins, the belief is spreading among the peasants that. . . they must refrain from working in the fields on Saturday. . . A young girl from Charly-sur-Marne, near Épernay, boasts of having received these confidences, and gives miraculous signs of his mission.

The Cardinal of Lorraine had her arrested and questioned; she is burned alive as a Waldensian and a witch. Claude Haton asks elderly people if it is true that Saturday rest was previously observed. The priests and parish priests of Brie fall into this impiety or allow it to spread.

- Mémoires de Claude Haton Contenant Le Récit Des Événements Accomplis De 1553 A 1582

They allege the Sabbath changed into Sunday, the Lord's day, contrary to the decalogue, as it appears. Neither is there any example more boasted of than the changing of the Sabbath-day.
Great, say they, is the power and authority of the Church, since it dispensed with one of the ten commandments.

- Philipp Melanchthon Corpvs Doctrinae Christianae 1572 pp. 62

They also, neglected the reverence of the Lord's day, as in other days, so he too has to insist on laboring that he is not at all allowed. . .

- De Vitis Sanctorum Ab Aloysio Lipomano, Episcopo Veronae, ... Olim Conscriptis, 1581

The Sabbath was passed with a celebration not seen anywhere in the world ...

- Delle Meraviglie Del Mondo Per Lui Redute, Di Nuovo Ristampato 1590

I. The observance of the Sabbath is a part of the moral law; for the decalogue wherein the Sabbath is commanded is the most essential part of the moral law. Inasmuch as the other precepts of the decalogue pertain to us (for the law is written for one and all, as a rule of morality) so like- wise does the observance of the Sabbath, being a moral duty, belong to it.

2. Only the ceremonies instituted by Moses have been abrogated; the Sabbath, however, is not of Moses. It has been kept holy since the beginning of the world, and therefore has not been abrogated.

3. The benefit of creation is intended for all men, Christians as well as Jews; and, consequently, belongs to all ages in which men have existed; but therefore, the symbol that is to keep the remembrance of creation fresh among men, must also be observed by all. Paster, Pentecost, and the feast of tabernacles are based on a different foundation; for they are holidays on which are to be commemorated the benefits God had shown especially to the children of Israel. But the Sabbath does not concern the Israelites alone.

4. The Sabbath is, according to Ex. 31:17, in the covenant made by God, called the eternal, i. e., the everlasting covenant.

5. The spiritual sabbath rest is the same in the Old as in the New Testament; therefore the Sabbath ought to be the same also."

- Rodolphus Hospinianus De origine, Progressu, Ceremoniis et Ritibus Festorum Dierum Judaeorum, Graecorum, Romanorum & Turcarum

Secondarily, we should do it so much the rather, because he hath gone before us in his own example, who therefore rested upon the seventh day, when he had created the whole world in fix, that we thereby might the rather be allured unto that order, which he was purposed to establish, namely, that we should rest upon the 7-day from our own works, as God did from his, and so be like unto our Creator.”

- Nicholas Bownd, The Doctrine of the Sabbath, Plainely Layde Forth, and Soundly Proued by Testimonies Both of Holy Scripture, 1595

8. Sabbatarians, so called because they reject the observance of the Lord's day as not commanded in Scripture; they consider the Sabbath alone to be holy, as God rested on that day and commanded to keep it holy and to rest on it.

- Ross, Der Welt unterschiedlicher Gottes Dienst, 1665