“Easter day was fixed on the Sunday immediately following the full moon which was nearest after the vernal equinox.”—Id., page 24.
15. What was decreed by the Council of Laodicea, a.d. 364?
That Christians should keep the Sunday, and that if they persisted in resting on the Sabbath, “they shall be shut out from Christ.” See Hefele's “History of the Councils of the Church,” Vol. II, page 316.
16. What imperial law was issued in a.d. 386?
“By a law of the year 386, those older changes effected by Constantine were more vigorously enforced; and, in general, civil transactions of every kind on Sunday were strictly forbidden.”—Neander's “Church History,” Vol. II, page 300.
17. What petition was made to the emperor by a church convention of bishops in a.d. 401?
“That the public shows might be transferred from the Christian Sunday and from the feast-days to some other days of the week.”—Ib.
Note.—The desired law was secured in 425 a.d. See pages [444], [489].
18. What was the object of the church bishops in securing these Sunday laws?
“That the day might be devoted with less interruption to [pg 487] the purposes of devotion.” “That the devotion of the faithful might be free from all disturbance.”—Id., pages 297, 301.