[499] For a more full statement of the case of Ignatius, see the “Testimony of the Fathers,” pp. 26-30. The quotation from Ignatius examined in this chapter is there shown, according to the connection, to relate, not to New-Testament Christians, but to the ancient prophets.
[500] Sabbath Manual, p. 120.
[501] See his “History, Authority, and Use, of the Sabbath,” chap. iv. pp. 87, 88.
[502] Examination of the Six Texts, pp. 258-261.
[503] The date in Baronius is A. D. 303.
[504] Examination of the Six Texts, pp. 263-265.
[505] Note by Domville. “Dominicum is not, as may at first be supposed, an adjective, of which diem [day] is the understood substantive. It is itself a substantive, neuter as appears from the passage, ‘Quia non potest intermitti Dominicum,’ in the narrative respecting Saturninus. The Latin adjective Dominicus, when intended to refer to the Lord’s day, is never, I believe, used without its substantive dies [day] being expressed. In all the narratives contained in Ruinart’s Acta Martyrum, I find but two instances of mention being made of the Lord’s day, and in both these instances the substantive dies [day] is expressed.”
[506] This testimony is certainly decisive. It is the interpretation of the compiler of the Acta Martyrum, himself, and is given with direct reference to the particular instance under discussion. An independent confirmation of Domville’s authorities, may be found in Lucius’s Eccl. Hist., cent. 4, chap, vi.: “Fit mentio aliquoties locorum istorum in quibus convenerint Christiani, in historia persecutionis sub Diocletiano & Maximino. Et apparet, ante Constantinum etiam, locos eos fuisse mediocriter exstructos atque exornatos: quos seu Templa appellarunt seu Dominica; ut apud Eusebium (li. 9, c. 10) & Ruffinum (li. 1, c. 3).”
It is certain that Dominicum is here used as designating a place of divine worship. Dr. Twisse in his “Morality of the Fourth Commandment,” p. 122, says: “The ancient fathers, both Greek and Latin, called temples by the name of dominica and κυρίακα.”
[507] Domville cites St. Augustine’s Works, vol. v. pp. 116, 117, Antwerp ed. A. D. 1700.