d 21.0 CIVIL POWER IN TnINGS SACRED. celebration Of the christian religion ? 'Io answer this question impartially, IX. Answer. Let us turn the tables; and suppose the ruling powers, 'and the greatest part of the people tobe Mahórnetaus; and then enquire, .whether they may not command every person of what religion soever, to abstain from all public sport§ and labours on a Friday, because it is manifest that the indulgence of them would be an offence to Mahometana, and a weans of hindering their children and families from the learning or cele- bration of some parts of the Mahometan worship. If this be allowed, it is certain, whatsoever a Mahometan prince has a right to do in his own country, a christian prince has a right to do the same in his. But unless this prohibition of public sports and labours on any certain day, can be reasonably construed to -the natural and civil welfare of the state or the people, it may be doubted whether any prince, either heathen, christian, or Mahometan, has a right to forbid any of his people to get their I velihood by public labour one day in a week, merelybecause it is accounted religious and sacred, by hirn and the greatest part of his subjects. i say,this may be doubted andWould bear a dispute, nor will l pretend to determine here absolutely on this argument. X. Therefore I add further : God himself when he was king of the Jews, or their civil ruler, appointed one day in seven, that is, Saturdayor their sabbath, as a proper season for the natural rest and reposé of animals, both of man and beast, as well as for hisown worship in public assemblies, and that un- der severe penalties,; and the stranger within the gates was obliged to submit to it. It is true, the great God well knew that one day in seven was the most proper and just proportion of time for the rest and repose of animal nature, and for the cele- bration ofpublic religion : And therefore princes and states who know this, should appoint the saine proportion. But since God as the king of the Jews, appointed this seventh -day, there seems tobe some reason for us to say, that even princes who know not this divine appointment, may assume this authority to require their subjects to devote one day irr seven, or ten, or twelve to the rest and repose of nature,- for the God of nature has informed us by the fourth commandment, this is for the good of the peo- ple : And the prince may forbid, at least, all public labours on that day, and public diversions too, that all his subjects may have leisure, and may be encouraged to maintain and practise sonic religion, and to pay some public worship to their God w hoot interruption or molestation. This seems also to be need- fu1 for the civil interest of the state or the- whole people, as has Ix en provedbefore. But as this day was Saturday when God was the king of the Jews, so in a Mahometan country this day will be Friday ; in a christian nation it will be Sunday; in heathen nations perhaps other days would be appointed, and
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