A letter concerning Christmasse sent to a knight in Suffolke by that Reverent Father in God Dr. Joseph Hall ...
         Hall, Joseph, 1574-1656.
      
       
         This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A45297 of text R40929 in the  English Short Title Catalog (Wing H389). Textual changes  and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more  computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life.  The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with  MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish.  This text has not been fully proofread 
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         EarlyPrint Project
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         ESTC R40929
         19536726
         ocm 19536726
         109039
         
           
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         (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A45297)
         Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 109039)
         Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 1689:2)
      
       
         
           
             A letter concerning Christmasse sent to a knight in Suffolke by that Reverent Father in God Dr. Joseph Hall ...
             Hall, Joseph, 1574-1656.
          
           [4], 7-24 p., [1] leaf of plates : port.
           
             Printed by E.C. for Fran Grove ...,
             London :
             1659.
          
           
             Engraved frontispiece portrait of author opposite t.p.
             Reproduction of original in the Harvard University Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
         eng
      
       
         
           Christmas.
        
      
    
       A45297  R40929  (Wing H389).  civilwar no A letter concerning Christmasse sent to a knight in Suffolke by that Reverent Father in God Dr. Joseph Hall ... Hall, Joseph 1652    4656 5 0 0 0 0 0 11 C  The  rate of 11 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the C category of texts with between 10 and 35 defects per 10,000 words. 
        2005-11 TCP
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        2006-05 Derek Lee
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        Batch review (QC) and XML conversion
      
    
  
   
     
       
       
         
           
             
               Vera
               Effigies
               Reverendi
               Doni
               .
               Iosephi
               Hall
               Norwici
               nuper
               Episcopi
            
          
        
      
       
       
         
           A
           LETTER
           Concerning
           Christmasse
           ;
           Sent
           to
           a
           Knight
           in
           SUFFOLKE
           :
           By
           that
           Reverent
           Father
           in
           God
           Dr.
           JOSEPH
           HALL
           ,
           late
           Lord
           Bishop
           of
           
             NORWICH
             .
          
        
         
           
             London
             ,
          
           Printed
           by
           
             E.C.
          
           for
           
             Fran
             Grove
             ,
          
           dwelling
           on
           
             Snow-hill
             .
          
           1659.
           
        
      
       
       
       
         
           To
           the
           Reader
           .
        
         
           I
           Here
           present
           you
           with
           a
           true
           Copie
           of
           a
           Letter
           sent
           by
           Dr.
           
             Joseph
             Hall
             ,
          
           late
           of
           
             Norwich
          
           Bishop
           ,
           to
           the
           Right
           Worshipfull
           Sir
           
             Iohn
             Wentworth
          
           Knight
           ,
           in
           
             Suffolke
          
           ;
           And
           this
           Iaverre
           to
           be
           Transcribed
           by
           me
           
             Iohn
             Smith
          
           from
           the
           Bishops
           own
           hand-writting
           ,
           and
           I
           wish
           it
           as
           good
           success
           as
           St.
           
           
             Pauls
          
           Letter
           to
           the
           
             Corinthians
          
           had
           (
           that
           you
           may
           not
           read
           it
           with
           prejuduce
           )
           that
           ye
           sorrow
           Godly
           ,
           
             So
             that
             in
             nothing
             ye
             be
             hurt
             therby
             .
          
           And
           rather
           then
           this
           so
           worthy
           a
           Letter
           
           should
           have
           been
           obscured
           ●
           one
           Familie
           I
           have
           ventured
           it
           to
           the
           Publick
           ;
           that
           they
           may
           save
           the
           good
           that
           was
           meant
           to
           my
           Noble
           Friend
           and
           Kinsman
           before
           mentioned
           ,
           and
           that
           that
           hvmble
           and
           meeke
           Author
           (
           and
           Saint
           now
           in
           
             Abrahams-bosom
          
           ;
           might
           have
           his
           due
           of
           all
           .
        
         
           Now
           the
           Lord
           grace
           us
           with
           all
           Spirituall
           Blessings
           ,
           till
           he
           bring
           us
           to
           Glory
           the
           perfection
           of
           Grace
           ;
           for
           the
           attainment
           of
           which
           ,
           together
           with
           all
           External
           Prosperity
           ,
           and
           Temporal
           Felicitie
           in
           this
           life
           ,
           You
           shall
           never
           want
           the
           instant
           Prayer
           of
           ,
        
         
           
             
               John
               Smith
               ,
            
             Gent.
             
          
        
      
    
     
       
       
         
           A
           Letter
           Concerning
           
             Christmass
             ,
          
           sent
           to
           a
           Knight
           in
           
             Suffolke
             .
          
        
         
           By
           that
           Reverent
           Father
           in
           God
           Dr.
           JOSEPH
           HALL
           ,
           the
           late
           Lord
           Bishop
           of
           
             NORWICH
             .
          
        
         
           
             Sir
             ,
             with
             my
             loving
             Remembrance
             ,
             &c.
             
          
        
         
           IT
           cannot
           but
           be
           a
           great
           griefe
           to
           any
           wise
           and
           moderate
           Christian
           ,
           to
           see
           Zealous
           and
           well
           meaning
           Soules
           carried
           away
           after
           the
           giddy
           humour
           of
           their
           new
           Tea●ers
           ,
           to
           a
           contempt
           of
           all
           holy
           and
           Reverant
           Antiquitie
           ;
           and
           to
           an
           eager
           affectation
           of
           Novel
           Fancies
           ,
           even
           whilst
           they
           cry
           out
           most
           utterly
           against
           
             Innovation
          
           ;
           when
           the
           Practice
           and
           Judgement
           of
           the
           whole
           Christian
           World
           ,
           even
           from
           the
           daies
           of
           the
           blessed
           apostles
           to
           this
           present
           Age
           ,
           is
           pleaded
           ,
           for
           ●●y
           Forme
           of
           
             Government
             ,
          
           or
           Laudable
           
             Observation
             ,
          
           they
           are
           streight
           taught
           That
           old
           
           things
           are
           passed
           ,
           and
           that
           all
           things
           are
           become
           new
           ;
           making
           their
           word
           good
           by
           so
           new
           ,
           and
           unheard
           of
           an
           Interpretation
           of
           Scripture
           ,
           whereby
           they
           may
           as
           justly
           argue
           the
           introducing
           of
           a
           new
           Church
           ,
           a
           new
           Gospel
           ,
           a
           new
           Religion
           ,
           with
           the
           annulling
           of
           the
           Old
           ;
           and
           that
           they
           may
           not
           want
           an
           alsufficient
           Patronage
           of
           their
           fond
           conceit
           ,
           our
           blessed
           Saviour
           himself
           is
           brought
           in
           ,
           who
           in
           his
           Sermon
           on
           the
           Mount
           controlled
           the
           antiquity
           of
           the
           Pharisaical
           glosses
           of
           the
           Law
           .
           
             Mat.
          
           5.21
           ,
           27.
           
           Ye
           have
           heard
           that
           it
           hath
           been
           said
           by
           them
           of
           old
           ,
           thus
           and
           thus
           ;
           but
           I
           say
           unto
           you
           thus
           &
           thus
           ,
           &
           as
           if
           the
           Son
           of
           God
           in
           checking
           the
           upstart
           Antiquities
           of
           a
           misgrounded
           &
           unreasonable
           tradition
           ,
           meant
           to
           condemn
           the
           truly
           ancient
           and
           commendable
           customs
           of
           the
           whole
           Christian
           Church
           ,
           which
           all
           sober
           and
           judicious
           Christians
           are
           wont
           to
           look
           upon
           with
           meet
           respect
           and
           reverence
           :
           and
           certainly
           whosoever
           shall
           have
           set
           down
           this
           resolution
           with
           himself
           to
           sleight
           those
           ,
           either
           Institutions
           or
           Practices
           which
           are
           derived
           to
           us
           from
           the
           Primitive
           Times
           ,
           and
           have
           ever
           since
           been
           entertained
           by
           the
           whole
           Church
           of
           Christ
           upon
           earth
           ,
           that
           man
           hath
           laid
           sufficient
           foundation
           of
           Schismes
           and
           dangerous
           Singularities
           :
           And
           
           doth
           that
           which
           the
           most
           eminent
           of
           the
           Fathers
           St.
           
             Augustine
             ,
          
           chargeth
           with
           no
           less
           then
           the
           most
           insolent
           madness
           ,
           
             Insolenti
             sini
             est
             ,
          
           &c.
           
           For
           me
           and
           my
           Friends
           ,
           God
           give
           us
           grace
           to
           take
           the
           advice
           which
           our
           Saviour
           gave
           his
           Spouse
           ,
           
             To
             go
             forth
             by
             the
             footsteps
             of
             the
             flock
             ,
             and
             to
             feed
             our
             Kids
             besides
             the
             Shepherds
             Tents
             ,
          
           Canticle
           1.8
           And
           to
           walk
           in
           the
           sure
           paths
           of
           uncorrupt
           Antiquity
           ,
           for
           the
           celebration
           of
           the
           Solemn
           Feast
           of
           our
           Saviours
           Nativity
           ,
           Resurrection
           ,
           Ascension
           ,
           and
           the
           coming
           down
           of
           the
           Holy
           Ghost
           ,
           which
           you
           say
           is
           cryed
           down
           by
           your
           Zealous
           Lecturers
           :
           One
           would
           think
           these
           should
           be
           reasons
           enough
           in
           those
           wonderfull
           and
           unspeakable
           benefits
           ,
           which
           those
           days
           serve
           to
           Commemorate
           unto
           us
           ;
           for
           (
           to
           instance
           in
           the
           said
           Feast
           of
           the
           Nativity
           )
           when
           the
           Angel
           brought
           the
           news
           of
           that
           blessed
           Birth
           to
           the
           Jewish
           shepherds
           :
           
             Behold
          
           (
           saith
           he
           )
           
             I
             bring
             you
             good
             tidings
             of
             great
             joy
             ,
             which
             shall
             be
             unto
             all
             people
             ;
             for
             unto
             you
             is
             born
             this
             day
             a
             Saviour
             ,
          
           Luke
           2.10
           .
           If
           then
           the
           report
           of
           this
           blessing
           were
           the
           best
           tidings
           of
           the
           greatest
           joy
           that
           ever
           was
           ,
           or
           ever
           could
           be
           possibly
           incident
           unto
           mankinde
           ,
           why
           should
           not
           the
           commemoration
           thereof
           be
           answerable
           :
           where
           we
           conceive
           the
           greatest
           joy
           ,
           
           what
           should
           hinder
           us
           to
           express
           it
           in
           a
           joyfull
           Festivity
           ;
           but
           you
           are
           taught
           to
           say
           the
           day
           conferred
           nothing
           on
           the
           blessing
           :
           that
           every
           day
           we
           should
           with
           equal
           thankfulness
           remember
           this
           inestimable
           benefit
           of
           the
           Incarnation
           of
           the
           Son
           of
           God
           .
           So
           as
           a
           set
           Aniversary
           day
           is
           altogether
           needless
           .
           Know
           then
           and
           consider
           ,
           that
           the
           all-Wise
           God
           ,
           who
           knew
           it
           fit
           that
           his
           people
           should
           every
           day
           think
           of
           the
           great
           work
           of
           the
           Creation
           ,
           and
           of
           that
           miraculous
           Deliverance
           of
           the
           
             Egyptian
          
           servitude
           ,
           and
           should
           daily
           give
           honour
           to
           their
           Almighty
           Creator
           and
           Deliverer
           ;
           yet
           ordained
           one
           day
           of
           seven
           for
           the
           more
           special
           Recognition
           of
           these
           marvellous
           works
           ,
           as
           well
           knowing
           ,
           how
           apt
           we
           are
           to
           forget
           those
           Duties
           ,
           wherewith
           we
           are
           only
           encharged
           in
           common
           ,
           without
           the
           designement
           of
           a
           particular
           renumeration
           :
           Besides
           ,
           the
           same
           reason
           will
           hold
           proportionable
           against
           any
           monethly
           or
           annual
           Celebration
           whatsoever
           :
           The
           
             Jews
          
           should
           have
           been
           much
           to
           blame
           ,
           if
           they
           had
           not
           every
           Day
           thankfully
           remembred
           the
           great
           Deliverance
           which
           God
           wrought
           for
           them
           from
           the
           bloody
           design
           of
           cruel
           
             Haman
          
           :
           yet
           it
           was
           thought
           requisite
           ,
           if
           not
           necessary
           ,
           that
           there
           should
           be
           two
           special
           days
           of
           
             Purim
          
           
           set
           apart
           for
           the
           Aniversary
           memorial
           of
           that
           wonderful
           preservation
           ,
           the
           like
           may
           be
           said
           for
           the
           
             English
             Purim
          
           of
           
             November
             .
          
           It
           is
           well
           in
           besides
           the
           general
           tye
           of
           our
           thankfulness
           ,
           a
           precise
           Day
           ordained
           by
           Authority
           can
           enough
           quicken
           our
           unthankful
           dulness
           to
           give
           God
           his
           own
           for
           so
           great
           a
           mercy
           :
           Shall
           we
           say
           it
           is
           the
           work
           of
           the
           year
           ,
           what
           needs
           a
           day
           ?
           As
           therefore
           no
           Day
           should
           pass
           over
           our
           heads
           without
           a
           gratefull
           acknowledgement
           of
           the
           great
           mysterie
           of
           God
           Incarnate
           :
           So
           withall
           the
           wisdom
           of
           the
           Primitive
           Church
           ,
           no
           doubt
           but
           by
           the
           Direction
           of
           the
           Holy
           Ghost
           hath
           pitched
           upon
           one
           special
           Day
           wherein
           we
           should
           intirely
           devote
           our
           thoughts
           to
           the
           Meditation
           of
           this
           Work
           which
           the
           Angels
           of
           Heaven
           cannot
           enough
           admire
           .
           But
           we
           are
           told
           ,
           that
           perhaps
           we
           misse
           of
           the
           Day
           ,
           since
           the
           Season
           is
           Litigious
           ,
           uncertain
           ,
           unknown
           ,
           and
           in
           all
           likelyhood
           other
           then
           our
           
             December
             ,
          
           and
           that
           it
           is
           purposely
           not
           revealed
           ,
           that
           it
           may
           not
           be
           kept
           .
        
         
           As
           to
           the
           first
           ,
           I
           deny
           not
           that
           the
           just
           Day
           is
           not
           certainly
           known
           ,
           the
           great
           Saviour
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           that
           would
           
           have
           his
           second
           coming
           without
           observation
           going
           before
           it
           ,
           would
           have
           his
           first
           coming
           without
           observation
           following
           it
           :
           he
           meant
           to
           come
           down
           without
           noise
           ,
           without
           a
           recorded
           notice
           ,
           even
           in
           the
           second
           hundred
           so
           ancient
           we
           are
           sure
           this
           Festivity
           is
           .
           There
           was
           question
           and
           different
           opinions
           of
           the
           season
           ,
           the
           just
           knowledge
           and
           determination
           whereof
           ,
           matters
           nothing
           at
           all
           to
           the
           duty
           of
           our
           celebration
           ;
           most
           sure
           we
           are
           that
           such
           a
           day
           there
           was
           ,
           and
           no
           less
           sure
           that
           it
           was
           the
           happiest
           day
           that
           ever
           lookt
           forth
           into
           the
           World
           :
           It
           is
           all
           one
           to
           us
           ,
           whether
           this
           day
           ,
           or
           that
           ,
           we
           content
           our selves
           with
           this
           ,
           that
           it
           hath
           pleased
           the
           Church
           for
           many
           hundred
           years
           to
           ordain
           this
           day
           for
           the
           Commemoration
           of
           that
           transcendent
           blessing
           ,
           what
           care
           we
           to
           stand
           upon
           these
           12.
           hours
           that
           made
           up
           the
           Artificial
           day
           wherein
           this
           wonderfull
           work
           was
           wrought
           ,
           which
           we
           are
           sure
           cannot
           be
           much
           changed
           by
           so
           many
           intercalations
           ,
           so
           long
           and
           constant
           a
           practise
           of
           the
           Christian
           Church
           upon
           so
           holy
           grounds
           ,
           it
           is
           no
           less
           warrant
           to
           us
           ,
           then
           if
           an
           Angel
           from
           heaven
           should
           have
           revealed
           unto
           us
           the
           just
           hour
           of
           this
           blessed
           Nativitie
           .
        
         
           As
           to
           the
           second
           ,
           Surely
           ,
           whosoever
           shall
           
           tell
           you
           ,
           that
           God
           did
           purposely
           hide
           this
           day
           from
           us
           that
           it
           might
           escape
           a
           Celebration
           ,
           as
           he
           concealed
           the
           burial
           of
           
             Moses
          
           to
           avoid
           the
           danger
           of
           an
           Idolatrous
           Adoration
           ,
           makes
           himself
           a
           presumptuous
           Commentator
           upon
           the
           Actions
           of
           the
           Almighty
           ;
           when
           did
           God
           tell
           him
           so
           ?
           or
           what
           Revelation
           can
           he
           pretend
           for
           so
           bold
           an
           assertion
           ?
           If
           this
           were
           the
           matter
           ,
           why
           then
           did
           not
           the
           same
           God
           ,
           with
           equal
           caution
           conceal
           the
           day
           of
           the
           Passion
           ,
           Resurrection
           ,
           &
           Ascension
           of
           our
           blessed
           Saviour
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           descent
           of
           the
           Holy
           Ghost
           ,
           the
           Observation
           of
           all
           which
           Days
           ,
           is
           with
           no
           less
           vehemency
           ,
           and
           upon
           the
           same
           danger
           cried
           down
           by
           these
           scrupulous
           persons
           ;
           either
           therefore
           let
           him
           say
           that
           God
           would
           have
           these
           other
           Feast
           days
           observed
           because
           he
           would
           have
           them
           known
           to
           the
           World
           ,
           or
           yield
           that
           he
           did
           not
           therefore
           conceal
           the
           day
           of
           the
           Nativity
           of
           Christ
           ,
           because
           he
           would
           not
           have
           it
           observed
           .
        
         
           But
           you
           hear
           it
           said
           ,
           there
           is
           Popery
           and
           Superstition
           in
           keeping
           that
           Day
           .
           Tell
           those
           that
           suggest
           so
           ,
           that
           they
           cast
           a
           foul
           slander
           upon
           the
           Saints
           of
           God
           in
           the
           Primitive
           Church
           ,
           upon
           the
           Holy
           and
           Learned
           Fathers
           ,
           who
           Preached
           ,
           and
           wrote
           so
           ,
           and
           kept
           
           the
           Feast
           of
           Christs
           Nativity
           ;
           which
           sacred
           Solemnity
           many
           hundred
           years
           before
           Popery
           was
           hatched
           ,
           and
           that
           they
           little
           know
           what
           wrong
           they
           do
           to
           Religion
           and
           themselves
           ,
           and
           what
           honour
           they
           put
           upon
           that
           Superstition
           which
           they
           profess
           to
           detest
           ,
           in
           ascribing
           that
           to
           Popery
           which
           was
           the
           meer
           act
           of
           holy
           and
           devout
           Christians
           .
        
         
           But
           to
           colour
           this
           Plea
           ,
           you
           are
           taught
           that
           the
           mysterie
           of
           Iniquity
           began
           early
           to
           work
           ,
           even
           in
           the
           very
           Apostolick
           Times
           ;
           and
           that
           
             Antichrist
          
           did
           secretly
           put
           in
           his
           claw
           before
           his
           whole
           body
           appeared
           .
           Surely
           there
           is
           a
           singular
           Use
           wont
           to
           be
           made
           of
           this
           shift
           by
           those
           which
           would
           avoid
           the
           countenance
           of
           all
           Primitive
           Authority
           ,
           to
           any
           displeasing
           (
           however
           lawfull
           and
           laudible
           )
           Institutions
           and
           practises
           :
           so
           the
           
             Anabaptists
          
           tels
           us
           ,
           that
           the
           baptizing
           of
           Infants
           is
           one
           of
           the
           timely
           workings
           of
           the
           mysterie
           of
           Iniquity
           ;
           so
           the
           blasphemous
           
             Nestorians
          
           of
           our
           time
           tell
           us
           that
           the
           mysterie
           of
           the
           blessed
           Trinity
           of
           persons
           in
           the
           unity
           of
           one
           Godhead
           ,
           is
           but
           an
           ancient
           device
           of
           
             Antichrist
             ,
          
           working
           under
           hand
           before
           his
           formal
           exhibition
           .
           Every
           sort
           is
           apt
           to
           make
           this
           Challenge
           ,
           and
           therefore
           it
           behooves
           us
           wisely
           to
           distinguish
           betwixt
           
           those
           things
           which
           men
           did
           as
           good
           Christians
           ,
           and
           those
           which
           they
           did
           as
           engaged
           to
           their
           own
           private
           ,
           or
           to
           the
           more
           common
           Interest
           of
           others
           :
           What
           advantage
           can
           we
           conceive
           it
           might
           be
           to
           
             Antichrist
             ,
          
           that
           Christ
           should
           have
           a
           day
           celebrated
           to
           the
           memory
           of
           his
           blessed
           Birth
           ,
           and
           that
           devout
           Christians
           should
           meet
           together
           in
           their
           Holy
           Assemblies
           ,
           to
           praise
           God
           for
           the
           benefit
           of
           that
           happy
           Incarnation
           :
           And
           what
           other
           effect
           could
           be
           expected
           from
           so
           Religious
           a
           Work
           ,
           but
           Glory
           to
           GOD
           and
           Edification
           to
           Men
           ?
           Who
           can
           suppose
           that
           the
           enemy
           of
           Christ
           should
           gain
           by
           the
           honour
           done
           to
           Christ
           ?
           Away
           therefore
           with
           this
           groundless
           Imagination
           ,
           and
           let
           us
           be
           so
           Popish
           ,
           so
           Superstitious
           ,
           as
           those
           holy
           Fathers
           ,
           and
           Doctors
           of
           the
           Primitive
           Church
           ,
           famous
           for
           Learning
           and
           Piety
           ,
           who
           Lived
           and
           Died
           devout
           Observers
           of
           this
           Christian
           Festival
           .
        
         
           But
           you
           are
           bidden
           to
           aske
           what
           warrant
           we
           find
           in
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           (
           which
           is
           to
           be
           the
           rule
           of
           all
           our
           actions
           )
           for
           the
           solemn
           keeping
           of
           this
           Day
           ?
           In
           answer
           you
           may
           tell
           that
           
             Questionist
             ,
          
           that
           to
           argue
           from
           the
           Scripture
           Negatively
           in
           things
           of
           this
           nature
           is
           somewhat
           Untheological
           .
           Aske
           you
           him
           again
           
           with
           better
           reason
           ,
           what
           Scripture
           he
           findes
           to
           forbid
           it
           ,
           for
           if
           that
           be
           unlawfull
           to
           be
           done
           ,
           which
           is
           not
           in
           Gods
           Word
           commanded
           ▪
           then
           much
           rather
           that
           which
           is
           not
           there
           forbidden
           ,
           cannot
           be
           unlawfull
           to
           be
           done
           :
           Generall
           grounds
           of
           Edification
           ,
           Decency
           ,
           peaceable
           Conformity
           to
           the
           Injunctions
           of
           our
           Spiritual
           Governors
           ,
           are
           in
           these
           Cases
           more
           then
           enough
           to
           build
           our
           Practice
           upon
           :
           If
           it
           be
           Replyed
           that
           we
           are
           Injoyned
           six
           dayes
           to
           Labour
           ,
           and
           forbidden
           to
           observe
           Dayes
           and
           Times
           as
           being
           part
           of
           the
           
             Jewish
          
           Pedoegogie
           (
           two
           common
           pretences
           with
           which
           the
           eyes
           of
           the
           Jgnorant
           are
           wont
           to
           be
           bleared
           )
           know
           that
           for
           the
           first
           ,
           it
           is
           not
           so
           much
           Preceptive
           ,
           as
           Permissive
           ,
           neither
           was
           it
           the
           intentions
           of
           the
           Almighty
           to
           interpose
           the
           command
           of
           Humane
           affaires
           in
           the
           first
           Table
           of
           his
           Royal
           Law
           ,
           wherein
           Himselfe
           and
           his
           Service
           is
           imediately
           concern'd
           ,
           in
           such
           like
           expressions
           ;
           mayst
           ,
           and
           shalt
           ,
           are
           equivalent
           and
           promiscvovsly
           used
           ,
           that
           instance
           is
           clear
           and
           pregnant
           ,
           
             Gen.
          
           2.16
           .
           
             The
             Lord
             ,
          
           (
           saith
           the
           Text
           )
           
             commanded
             the
             man
             ,
             Saying
             ,
             Eating
             thou
             shalt
             eat
             of
             every
             Tree
             in
             the
             Garden
             ,
          
           which
           our
           last
           Version
           renders
           well
           to
           the
           sense
           :
           
             Thou
             mayst
             freely
             eat
             of
             every
             tree
             
             of
             the
             Garden
             .
          
           And
           if
           that
           charge
           in
           the
           4th
           .
           Commandment
           were
           absolute
           and
           peremptory
           ,
           what
           Humane
           Authority
           could
           dispense
           with
           those
           large
           threds
           of
           Time
           ,
           which
           we
           usually
           cut
           out
           of
           the
           six
           days
           for
           Sacred
           occasions
           ,
           what
           warrant
           could
           we
           have
           to
           intermit
           our
           work
           for
           a
           daily
           Lecture
           ;
           or
           a
           monethly
           Fast
           ,
           or
           for
           an
           Aniversary
           
             Fifth
             of
             November
          
           ;
           And
           if
           notwithstanding
           this
           command
           of
           God
           it
           be
           allowed
           to
           be
           in
           the
           power
           of
           man
           ,
           whether
           Soveraign
           (
           as
           
             Constantine
          
           appropriated
           it
           )
           or
           Spiritual
           ,
           to
           ordain
           the
           setting
           of
           some
           set
           parcels
           of
           time
           to
           holy
           uses
           ,
           why
           should
           it
           be
           stuck
           at
           in
           the
           Appropriating
           and
           Observing
           the
           Pious
           and
           usefull
           Celebration
           of
           this
           Festival
           .
           As
           for
           that
           other
           suggestion
           of
           the
           Apostles
           taxation
           of
           observing
           Days
           and
           Times
           ;
           any
           one
           that
           hath
           but
           half
           an
           eye
           may
           see
           that
           it
           hath
           respect
           to
           those
           Judaical
           Holy
           days
           ,
           which
           were
           part
           of
           the
           Ceremonial
           Law
           ,
           now
           long
           since
           out
           of
           date
           ,
           as
           being
           of
           Typical
           signification
           ,
           and
           shadows
           of
           things
           to
           come
           ,
           should
           we
           therefore
           go
           about
           to
           revive
           those
           
             Jewish
          
           Feasts
           ,
           or
           did
           we
           erect
           any
           new
           day
           to
           an
           essential
           part
           of
           the
           worship
           of
           God
           ?
           or
           place
           holiness
           in
           it
           as
           such
           ?
           We
           should
           justly
           incur
           that
           blame
           which
           the
           Apostles
           cast
           upon
           the
           
             Galatians
          
           and
           
             Colossians
             ,
             False
             Teachers
          
           ;
           but
           to
           wrest
           this
           forbiddance
           to
           a
           Christian
           solemn
           Purity
           ,
           which
           
           is
           meerly
           commemoration
           of
           a
           blessing
           received
           ,
           without
           any
           prefiguration
           of
           things
           to
           come
           ,
           without
           any
           opinion
           of
           holiness
           anexed
           to
           the
           day
           ,
           is
           no
           other
           then
           injurious
           violence
           .
        
         
           Vpon
           all
           this
           which
           hath
           been
           said
           ,
           and
           upon
           a
           serious
           weighing
           of
           what
           ever
           may
           be
           further
           alledged
           to
           the
           contrary
           ,
           I
           dare
           confidently
           affirm
           that
           there
           is
           no
           just
           reason
           why
           good
           Christians
           should
           not
           withall
           godly
           cheerfulness
           observe
           this
           ,
           which
           that
           holy
           Father
           stiled
           the
           
             Metropolis
          
           of
           all
           Feasts
           ,
           to
           which
           I
           add
           that
           those
           ,
           which
           by
           their
           Example
           and
           Doctrine
           sleight
           this
           Day
           ,
           causing
           their
           People
           to
           dishonour
           it
           with
           their
           worst
           cloaths
           ,
           with
           shops
           open
           ,
           with
           servile
           works
           ,
           stand
           guilty
           before
           God
           of
           an
           high
           and
           sinfull
           contempt
           of
           that
           lawfull
           Authority
           under
           which
           they
           live
           ;
           for
           as
           much
           by
           the
           Statutes
           of
           our
           Land
           made
           by
           the
           full
           concurrence
           of
           King
           and
           State
           :
           This
           is
           commanded
           to
           be
           kept
           holy
           by
           all
           
             English
          
           Subjects
           ,
           and
           this
           power
           is
           backed
           by
           the
           charge
           of
           God
           ;
           
             Submit
             your selves
             to
             every
             Ordinance
             of
             man
             for
             the
             Lords
             sake
             .
          
        
         
           If
           now
           after
           all
           this
           I
           should
           let
           my
           Pen
           loose
           to
           the
           suffragant
           Testjmonies
           ,
           whether
           of
           Antiquity
           ,
           or
           Modern
           Divines
           ,
           and
           Reformed
           Churches
           ,
           I
           should
           tire
           your
           patience
           ,
           and
           instead
           of
           a
           Letter
           send
           you
           a
           Volume
           ,
           let
           it
           suffice
           ,
           that
           ever
           since
           the
           second
           100
           ▪
           
           years
           after
           Christ
           ,
           this
           Feast
           hath
           without
           contradiction
           obtained
           due
           respect
           in
           the
           Church
           of
           God
           ,
           &
           received
           many
           noble
           Elogies
           and
           passionate
           inforcements
           from
           the
           Learned
           and
           holy
           Fathers
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           amongst
           the
           rest
           that
           of
           
             Gregory
             Nazianzen
          
           [
           in
           his
           Orations
           upon
           the
           Day
           of
           the
           Nativity
           of
           Christ
           ]
           is
           so
           remarkable
           ,
           that
           I
           may
           not
           omit
           it
           ,
           as
           that
           which
           sets
           forth
           the
           excess
           of
           joyfull
           respect
           wherewith
           the
           Ancient
           Christians
           were
           wont
           to
           keep
           this
           day
           .
           
             Let
             us
             saith
             he
             ,
             Celebrate
             this
             Feast
             ,
             not
             in
             a
             Panegyrical
             ,
             but
             Divine
             ,
             not
             in
             a
             worldly
             ,
             but
             supersecular
             manner
             :
             not
             regarding
             so
             much
             our selvs
             ,
             or
             others
             ;
             as
             the
             worship
             of
             Christ
             ,
             and
             how
             shall
             we
             effect
             this
             ?
             not
             with
             Crowning
             our
             doors
             with
             Garlands
             ,
             nor
             leading
             of
             Dances
             ,
             nor
             adorning
             our
             Streets
             ,
             not
             by
             feeding
             our
             eyes
             ,
             not
             by
             delighting
             our
             ears
             with
             pleasant
             Songs
             ,
             not
             by
             effeminating
             our
             smell
             with
             perfumes
             ,
             not
             with
             humouring
             our
             taste
             with
             dainties
             ,
             not
             with
             pleasing
             our
             touch
             ,
             not
             with
             silken
             &
             costly
             cloaths
             ,
             and
             not
             with
             the
             sparkling
             Jewels
             ,
             not
             with
             the
             luster
             of
             Gold
             ,
             not
             with
             the
             artifice
             of
             counterfeit
             colours
             ;
             let
             us
             leave
             these
             things
             to
             Pagans
             ;
             for
             their
             pomp
             ,
             &c.
             
             But
             we
             who
             adore
             the
             word
             of
             the
             Father
             ,
             if
             we
             think
             fit
             to
             affect
             delicacies
             ,
             let
             us
             feed
             our selves
             with
             the
             dainties
             of
             the
             Law
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             
             with
             those
             Divine
             Discourses
             ,
             especiall
             which
             are
             fitting
             for
             this
             present
             Festival
             .
          
           So
           that
           Learned
           and
           eloquent
           Father
           to
           his
           Auditors
           of
           
             Constantinople
             ,
          
           where
           to
           ,
           let
           me
           (
           if
           you
           please
           )
           have
           leave
           to
           add
           one
           or
           two
           practical
           instances
           ,
           one
           shall
           be
           of
           the
           good
           Emperour
           
             Theodosius
             ,
          
           lying
           now
           for
           eight
           moneths
           under
           the
           severe
           Censure
           of
           Bishop
           
             Ambrose
          
           when
           the
           Feast
           of
           the
           Nativity
           drew
           neer
           ,
           what
           moan
           did
           that
           Religious
           Prince
           make
           to
           his
           Courtiers
           ,
           that
           he
           was
           by
           that
           resolute
           Bishop
           shut
           out
           (
           for
           his
           blood-guiltiness
           )
           from
           partaking
           with
           the
           assembly
           in
           that
           holy
           Service
           ,
           and
           what
           importunate
           means
           did
           he
           make
           for
           his
           admission
           ,
           
             Hist.
             tri
             .
             partit
             .
          
           lib.
           9.
           cap.
           30.
           
           Had
           that
           gracious
           Emperour
           been
           of
           the
           Diet
           of
           these
           our
           new
           Divines
           he
           would
           have
           sleighted
           that
           repulse
           ,
           and
           gladly
           taken
           this
           occasion
           of
           absense
           from
           that
           Superstitious
           Solemnity
           ,
           or
           had
           one
           of
           these
           grave
           Monitors
           been
           at
           his
           elbow
           ,
           he
           might
           have
           saved
           that
           pious
           Prince
           the
           expence
           of
           many
           sighs
           and
           tears
           ,
           which
           now
           he
           bestowed
           upon
           his
           abstention
           from
           that
           dearly
           affected
           Devotion
           .
           The
           other
           shal
           be
           a
           History
           of
           as
           much
           note
           ,
           as
           horror
           ,
           too
           clear
           a
           proofe
           of
           the
           ancient
           Celebration
           of
           this
           Feastival
           ,
           it
           was
           under
           the
           Tyrany
           of
           
             Dioclesian
             ,
          
           and
           his
           Co-partner
           
             Maximinus
             ,
             Nicephor
             .
          
           1.7
           .
           
             ca.
          
           6.
           that
           20000.
           
           Christians
           
           met
           to
           Celebrate
           the
           Feast
           of
           this
           Nativity
           in
           the
           large
           Church
           of
           
             Nicomedia
             ,
          
           which
           were
           made
           an
           
             Holocaust
             ,
          
           and
           burnt
           together
           with
           that
           goodly
           Fabrick
           to
           ashes
           on
           that
           day
           ;
           Lo
           so
           great
           a
           multitude
           as
           20000.
           
           Christians
           of
           al
           ages
           ,
           of
           both
           Sexes
           ,
           had
           not
           thus
           mett
           together
           in
           a
           time
           of
           so
           mortal
           danger
           ,
           to
           celebrate
           this
           Feast
           ,
           if
           the
           holy
           Zeal
           of
           their
           duty
           had
           not
           told
           them
           they
           ought
           to
           keep
           that
           day
           ,
           which
           these
           
             Novellers
          
           teach
           us
           to
           contemne
           .
        
         
           Now
           let
           these
           bold
           men
           see
           ,
           of
           how
           contrary
           a
           disposition
           they
           are
           to
           those
           ,
           blessed
           Martyrs
           ,
           which
           as
           this
           day
           sent
           up
           their
           Soules
           (
           like
           
             Manoahs
          
           Angel
           )
           to
           Heaven
           in
           those
           flames
           .
        
         
           After
           thus
           much
           said
           ,
           I
           should
           be
           glad
           to
           know
           (
           since
           reason
           there
           can
           be
           none
           )
           what
           Authority
           induces
           these
           Gain-saiers
           to
           oppose
           so
           antient
           &
           received
           a
           Custome
           in
           the
           Church
           of
           God
           ;
           you
           tell
           me
           of
           a
           double
           Testimony
           cyted
           to
           this
           purpose
           ,
           the
           one
           of
           
             Socrates
          
           the
           Historian
           ,
           which
           I
           suppose
           is
           fetched
           out
           of
           the
           5th
           .
           Book
           of
           
             Eclesiastical
          
           Story
           
             Chap.
          
           21.
           where
           upon
           occasion
           of
           the
           Feast
           of
           
             Easter
             ,
          
           he
           passeth
           his
           Judgement
           upon
           the
           indeffrent
           nature
           of
           all
           those
           ancient
           Feasts
           which
           were
           of
           use
           in
           the
           
             Primitive
          
           Times
           ,
           shewing
           ,
           that
           the
           Apostles
           never
           meant
           to
           make
           any
           Law
           for
           the
           keeping
           them
           ,
           but
           left
           men
           to
           the
           free
           observation
           thereof
           .
        
         
           For
           Answer
           whereunto
           ,
           I
           do
           not
           tell
           you
           that
           this
           Author
           is
           wont
           to
           be
           impeached
           of
           Novatianism
           ,
           
           and
           therefore
           may
           seem
           fit
           to
           yield
           Patronage
           to
           such
           a
           Clyent
           ;
           I
           rather
           say
           ,
           that
           take
           him
           at
           the
           worst
           ,
           he
           is
           no
           enemy
           to
           our
           opinion
           ,
           or
           Practice
           ,
           we
           agree
           with
           him
           that
           the
           Apostles
           would
           have
           men
           free
           from
           servitude
           of
           the
           Jewish
           observation
           of
           days
           ,
           that
           they
           enacted
           no
           Law
           for
           set
           Festivals
           ,
           but
           left
           persons
           and
           places
           so
           to
           their
           liberty
           in
           these
           Cases
           ,
           that
           none
           should
           impose
           a
           necessity
           upon
           others
           ;
           this
           were
           to
           be
           pressed
           upon
           
             Victor
          
           Bishop
           of
           
             Rome
             ,
          
           who
           violently
           obtruded
           a
           day
           for
           the
           Celebration
           of
           
             Easter
          
           upon
           all
           Churches
           (
           supposing
           in
           the
           mean
           time
           an
           
             Easter
          
           universally
           kept
           of
           all
           Christians
           ,
           though
           not
           on
           the
           same
           day
           .
           )
           This
           makes
           nothing
           against
           us
           ,
           who
           place
           no
           Holiness
           in
           the
           very
           hours
           ,
           nor
           plead
           any
           Apostolicall
           injunction
           for
           days
           ,
           nor
           tye
           any
           person
           ,
           or
           Church
           to
           our
           strict
           
             Calender
             ,
          
           but
           only
           hold
           it
           fit
           out
           of
           obedience
           to
           the
           Laws
           both
           of
           our
           Church
           and
           Kingdom
           ,
           to
           continue
           a
           joyfull
           Celebration
           of
           a
           memorial
           Day
           to
           the
           honour
           of
           our
           blessed
           Saviour
           :
           But
           that
           other
           Authority
           which
           you
           tell
           me
           was
           urged
           to
           this
           purpose
           ,
           I
           confess
           doth
           not
           a
           little
           amaze
           me
           :
           it
           was
           ,
           you
           say
           ,
           of
           K.
           
             James
          
           our
           Learned
           Soveraign
           of
           late
           &
           blessed
           memory
           ,
           whose
           testimony
           was
           brought
           in
           before
           the
           credulous
           people
           (
           not
           without
           the
           just
           applause
           of
           a
           
             Solomon-like-wisdom
          
           )
           as
           crying
           down
           these
           Festivals
           :
           and
           in
           a
           certain
           Speech
           of
           his
           applauding
           the
           purity
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           
           
             Scotland
          
           above
           that
           of
           
             Geneva
             ,
          
           for
           that
           it
           observed
           not
           the
           common
           Feasts
           of
           Christs
           Nativity
           &
           Resurrection
           ,
           &c.
           
           Is
           it
           possible
           ,
           that
           any
           mouth
           could
           name
           that
           wife
           and
           good
           King
           ,
           in
           such
           a
           cause
           ,
           whom
           all
           the
           world
           knows
           to
           have
           been
           as
           zealous
           a
           Patron
           of
           these
           Festivals
           ,
           as
           any
           lived
           upon
           earth
           ;
           and
           if
           he
           had
           let
           fall
           any
           such
           Speech
           before
           he
           had
           any
           Down
           upon
           his
           chin
           ,
           &
           whiles
           he
           was
           under
           the
           Ferule
           ,
           what
           candor
           is
           it
           to
           produce
           it
           now
           to
           the
           contradiction
           of
           his
           better
           experience
           ,
           and
           riper
           judgement
           :
           Nay
           ,
           is
           it
           not
           famously
           known
           that
           it
           was
           one
           of
           the
           main
           errands
           of
           his
           journey
           into
           his
           Native
           Kingdom
           of
           
             Scotland
             ,
          
           to
           reduce
           that
           Church
           into
           a
           conformity
           to
           the
           rest
           of
           the
           Churches
           of
           Christendom
           in
           the
           observation
           of
           these
           Solemn
           Dayes
           ,
           and
           to
           this
           purpose
           was
           it
           not
           one
           of
           the
           main
           businesses
           which
           he
           set
           on
           work
           in
           the
           Assembly
           at
           
             Perth
             .
          
           [
           one
           of
           the
           5.
           
           Articles
           of
           
             Perth
          
           ]
           And
           wherein
           he
           imployed
           the
           service
           of
           his
           worthy
           Chaplain
           ,
           Dr.
           
             Young
          
           Dean
           of
           
             Winchester
             ,
          
           to
           recall
           and
           re-establish
           these
           Festivals
           .
           And
           accordingly
           in
           pursuance
           of
           his
           Majesties
           earnest
           desires
           this
           way
           ,
           was
           it
           not
           enacted
           in
           that
           Assembly
           ,
           that
           the
           said
           Feasts
           should
           be
           duly
           kept
           ?
           Doubtless
           it
           was
           ,
           &
           that
           not
           without
           much
           wise
           care
           &
           holy
           caution
           ,
           which
           act
           because
           it
           cannot
           be
           had
           every where
           ,
           and
           is
           well
           worthy
           of
           your
           notice
           :
           and
           that
           which
           clears
           the
           point
           in
           hand
           ,
           I
           have
           thought
           good
           here
           to
           insert
           :
           The
           tenor
           of
           it
           ,
           therfore
           
           is
           this
           ,
           
             As
             we
             abhor
             the
             superstitious
             observation
             of
             Festivall
             days
             by
             the
             Papist
             :
             and
             detest
             all
             licentious
             and
             prophane
             abuse
             thereof
             ,
             by
             the
             common
             sort
             of
             professors
             ,
             so
             we
             think
             that
             the
             inestimable
             benefits
             received
             from
             God
             by
             our
             Lord
             Iesus
             Christs
             Birth
             ,
             Passion
             ,
             Resurrection
             ,
             Ascension
             ,
             and
             sending
             down
             of
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
             ,
             was
             commendably
             and
             godly
             remembred
             at
             certain
             particular
             days
             ,
             and
             times
             ,
             by
             the
             whole
             Churches
             of
             the
             World
             ,
             and
             may
             be
             also
             now
             ;
             therefore
             the
             Assembly
             ordains
             that
             every
             Minister
             shall
             upon
             these
             days
             have
             the
             commemoration
             of
             the
             aforesaid
             inestimable
             benefits
             ,
             and
             make
             choice
             of
             severall
             pertinent
             Texts
             of
             Scripture
             ,
             and
             frame
             their
             doctrine
             and
             Exhortations
             thereto
             ,
             and
             rebuke
             all
             Superstitious
             observation
             ,
             &
             licentious
             prophanation
             thereof
             .
          
           I
           could
           ,
           if
           it
           were
           needfull
           ,
           give
           you
           other
           proofs
           of
           K.
           
             Iames
          
           his
           zeal
           for
           these
           days
           :
           but
           what
           should
           I
           spend
           time
           in
           proving
           there
           is
           a
           Sun
           in
           the
           Heaven
           ,
           &
           light
           in
           the
           Sun
           ,
           the
           name
           of
           that
           great
           King
           suffereth
           for
           his
           exces
           this
           way
           .
           Seeing
           then
           the
           Church
           of
           God
           ,
           his
           anointed
           Law
           ,
           Antiquity
           ,
           and
           Reason
           ,
           are
           for
           us
           in
           this
           point
           (
           and
           I
           doubt
           not
           but
           we
           wil
           gladly
           be
           on
           their
           side
           )
           Away
           with
           all
           Innovations
           and
           frivolous
           quarrels
           ,
           we
           were
           divided
           enough
           before
           ,
           and
           little
           needed
           any
           new
           rents
           ;
           the
           God
           of
           Peace
           quiet
           all
           these
           distempers
           ,
           and
           unite
           our
           hearts
           one
           to
           another
           ,
           and
           all
           to
           Himself
           ;
           Farewell
           in
           the
           Lord
           .
        
         
           FINIS
           .