William Twisse: Football match on the Lord's Day

[Reformed Covenanter]

In case it is of interest, William Twisse makes an interesting reference to "a match at Foot-ball, being appointed on the Lords Day in the afternoone" on page 29 of his book, Of the morality of the fourth commandment.

As you would expect from a Puritan/Precisionist, he calls it football and not soccer.

 

[Reformed Covenanter]

On page 30 he makes another interesting comment upon the same theme:

In like sort when upon fresh relation we heare of the the like sport at Foot-ball on the Lords day, at a place called Tidworth, after Evening prayer in the Church-yard, and that therein one had his legge broken, which thereupon gangrened, so that forthwith he died thereof; we doe not call this a miracle; only it calls to our mind that of the Prophet, The Lord hath so done his marvellous works, that they ought to be had in remembrance.