regard_n it_o be_v more_o especial_o require_v of_o all_o her_o child_n to_o do_v it_o at_o such_o time_n then_o at_o other_o time_n and_o the_o fault_n be_v the_o great_a to_o omit_v it_o then_o in_o as_o much_o as_o to_o the_o neglect_n of_o the_o universal_a duty_n be_v add_v the_o sin_n of_o disobedience_n against_o the_o wholesome_a order_n of_o the_o church_n and_o a_o division_n the_o rein_n of_o ourselves_o from_o the_o body_n and_o a_o denial_n of_o that_o concurrence_n and_o assistance_n that_o we_o ought_v to_o give_v in_o the_o communion_n and_o fellowship_n of_o god_n people_n in_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v public_o perform_v for_o the_o celebration_n of_o the_o praise_n and_o worship_n of_o god_n and_o for_o the_o advancement_n of_o divine_a comfort_n in_o the_o congregation_n and_o though_o it_o be_v true_a that_o the_o lord_n day_n be_v a_o day_n wherein_o they_o ought_v to_o rejoice_v which_o yet_o as_o to_o the_o particular_a day_n be_v but_o a_o holy_a 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err_v in_o divers_a respect_n first_o in_o make_v unnecessary_a change_n in_o the_o church_n which_o ought_v not_o to_o be_v do_v but_o upon_o urgent_a cause_n but_o do_v discover_v in_o they_o that_o do_v it_o a_o love_n unto_o change_n which_o the_o wise_a man_n condemn_v prov._n v._n 4.21_o and_o be_v ordinary_o of_o evil_a consequence_n to_o the_o church_n as_o we_o find_v by_o too_o lamentable_a experience_n for_o whist_a the_o people_n like_o those_o that_o be_v sick_a of_o a_o fever_n have_v think_v good_a mutationibus_fw-la pro_fw-la remediis_fw-la nti_fw-la to_o take_v such_o kind_n of_o change_n for_o medicine_n their_o remedy_n have_v prove_v their_o great_a disease_n and_o now_o we_o see_v how_o sick_a they_o be_v grow_v of_o their_o physician_n and_o how_o sick_a the_o physician_n be_v of_o their_o own_o administration_n second_o they_o have_v err_v in_o go_v about_o to_o abolish_v so_o harmless_a and_o useful_a a_o mean_n of_o the_o promote_a of_o god_n glory_n and_o of_o the_o edification_n of_o the_o people_n three_o in_o undertake_v to_o dissolve_v so_o laudable_a custom_n and_o so_o universal_o and_o ancient_o receive_v and_o establish_v by_o full_a power_n of_o the_o state_n and_o church_n either_o without_o any_o authority_n thereunto_o or_o by_o a_o power_n inferior_a unto_o that_o whereby_o they_o be_v constitute_v four_o in_o do_v those_o thing_n without_o any_o admission_n of_o those_o that_o be_v contrary_a mind_a to_o be_v hear_v or_o any_o fair_a discussion_n or_o debate_n of_o those_o difference_n that_o be_v in_o man_n judgement_n thereabouts_o and_o therefore_o their_o proceed_n therein_o be_v and_o may_v be_v just_o dislike_v and_o contradict_v both_o by_o declaration_n and_o practice_n without_o lie_v open_a to_o any_o such_o charge_n as_o you_o mention_v of_o oppose_a proceed_n in_o order_n to_o reformation_n proper_o so_o call_v such_o undertake_n with_o the_o rest_n that_o be_v like_o they_o be_v rather_o in_o order_n to_o a_o deformation_n but_o whether_o in_o this_o they_o have_v play_v the_o fool_n or_o no_o i_o leave_v that_o to_o you_o to_o determine_v to_o your_o twelve_o quaere_fw-la whether_o since_o most_o man_n and_o woman_n in_o england_n do_v blind_o and_o superstitions_o believe_v christ_n be_v bear_v that_o day_n preach_v on_o it_o do_v not_o nourish_v and_o strengthen_v they_o in_o that_o belief_n answ_n although_o it_o be_v admit_v to_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o some_o uncertainty_n whether_o our_o saviour_n be_v bear_v upon_o that_o day_n or_o no_o yet_o it_o be_v not_o material_a unto_o the_o lawfulness_n and_o wholsomnesse_n of_o the_o observation_n of_o the_o solemnity_n as_o have_v be_v declare_v if_o it_o be_v a_o error_n in_o the_o people_n to_o apprehend_v so_o yet_o it_o be_v a_o harmless_a one_o and_o without_o the_o danger_n of_o superstition_n which_o yet_o preach_v upon_o that_o day_n do_v neither_o necessary_o nourish_v nor_o strengthen_v in_o they_o i_o shall_v not_o deny_v but_o 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people_n to_o travel_v into_o their_o own_o country_n as_o be_v require_v in_o that_o imposition_n of_o augustus_n yet_o it_o be_v no_o strange_a thing_n in_o magistrate_n and_o those_o both_o prudent_a and_o pious_a to_o pass_v through_o such_o small_a and_o private_a inconvenience_n for_o the_o obtain_n supply_n of_o public_a necessity_n it_o will_v be_v a_o very_a weak_a argument_n if_o any_o shall_v hereafter_o undertake_v to_o prove_v this_o unhappy_a parliament_n begin_v not_o in_o november_n because_o that_o month_n be_v usual_o none_o of_o the_o best_a season_n to_o travel_v from_o the_o several_a part_n of_o this_o kingdom_n to_o london_n in_o and_o though_o sheep_n be_v tender_a creature_n yet_o that_o season_n be_v not_o of_o the_o same_o bitterness_n in_o all_o climate_n and_o if_o i_o mistake_v not_o as_o tender_a as_o they_o be_v they_o be_v even_o in_o this_o
power_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n and_o by_o the_o authentical_a law_n of_o the_o kingdom_n in_o those_o act_n of_o parliament_n which_o have_v establish_v these_o thing_n must_v either_o engage_v all_o that_o be_v within_o the_o verge_n of_o the_o church_n and_o of_o this_o church_n and_o state_n especial_o unto_o a_o peaceable_a and_o pious_a obedience_n thereunto_o or_o else_o leave_v the_o stain_n of_o impiety_n faction_n and_o of_o a_o turbulent_a and_o disorderly_a spirit_n or_o else_o of_o folly_n and_o blindness_n upon_o all_o those_o that_o oppose_v it_o indeed_o there_o be_v nothing_o free_a from_o temptation_n but_o it_o be_v well_o say_v of_o one_o as_o i_o remember_v and_o may_v be_v well_o consider_v of_o other_o that_o it_o be_v not_o at_o least_o not_o always_o the_o infirmity_n but_o the_o excellency_n of_o thing_n that_o make_v they_o the_o matter_n of_o temptation_n abuse_n of_o thing_n that_o be_v good_a must_v teach_v we_o wisdom_n and_o caution_n but_o not_o set_v we_o upon_o confusion_n and_o true_o there_o be_v need_n of_o more_o wariness_n in_o the_o observation_n of_o these_o day_n than_o have_v be_v use_v by_o many_o 1._o that_o superstition_n be_v avoid_v that_o we_o think_v not_o one_o day_n in_o itself_o better_a or_o more_o holy_a than_o another_o but_o only_o so_o far_o as_o they_o be_v actual_o design_v or_o apply_v unto_o the_o service_n of_o god_n we_o must_v remember_v that_o these_o and_o other_o particular_a time_n as_o place_n be_v but_o circumstance_n in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o gospel_n the_o substance_n be_v in_o the_o worship_n and_o service_n that_o be_v give_v unto_o god_n thereupon_o not_o in_o the_o observation_n of_o this_o or_o that_o particular_a day_n which_o be_v in_o itself_o a_o matter_n of_o liberty_n as_o the_o apostle_n show_v rom._n 14.5_o etc._n etc._n col._n 2.16_o and_o that_o may_v be_v a_o satisfactory_a reason_n why_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n these_o thing_n be_v not_o particular_o or_o express_o enjoin_v in_o scripture_n because_o these_o be_v but_o matter_n of_o order_n and_o of_o liberty_n not_o of_o absolute_a necessity_n and_o therefore_o leave_v to_o the_o moderation_n of_o the_o church_n but_o then_o we_o must_v remember_v that_o the_o liberty_n of_o christian_n be_v first_o the_o right_a and_o interest_n of_o the_o body_n and_o then_o of_o the_o member_n who_o must_v not_o urge_v their_o particular_a interest_n against_o public_a moderation_n and_o constitution_n in_o these_o thing_n yea_o it_o be_v a_o main_a liberty_n that_o belong_v unto_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o church_n that_o she_o have_v power_n to_o restraâ—ne_v the_o liberty_n of_o private_a member_n by_o public_a authority_n for_o the_o public_a good_a but_o superstition_n must_v be_v avoid_v as_o i_o have_v say_v no_o humane_a authority_n must_v impose_v these_o or_o any_o such_o like_a thing_n as_o substantial_a unalterable_a or_o absolute_o necessary_a to_o salvation_n but_o as_o matter_n of_o order_n as_o holy_a circumstance_n and_o mean_v conducible_a unto_o high_a end_n and_o so_o and_o no_o otherwise_o they_o be_v to_o be_v receive_v and_o obey_v by_o the_o people_n according_a to_o this_o be_v that_o of_o a_o late_a learned_a father_n of_o our_o church_n non_fw-la putandum_fw-la plus_fw-la sanctitatis_fw-la uni_fw-la diâ—i_fw-la inesse_fw-la quam_fw-la alteri_fw-la sad_a sciendum_fw-la quod_fw-la propter_fw-la ordinem_fw-la &_o praeceptum_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la aliasque_fw-la causas_fw-la supra_fw-la memoratas_fw-la uno_fw-la die_fw-la magis_fw-la quam_fw-la alio_fw-la convenimus_fw-la ad_fw-la hac_fw-la exercitia_fw-la sanctitatis_fw-la and_o again_o non_fw-la putandum_fw-la 16._o bishop_n davenant_n upon_o the_o coloss_n c._n 2._o v._n 16._o etc._n etc._n we_o be_v not_o to_o think_v that_o the_o church_n of_o god_n be_v tie_v by_o any_o necessity_n to_o the_o immutable_a observation_n of_o these_o particular_a festival_n day_n sed_fw-la statuendum_fw-la say_v he_o dies_fw-la hosce_fw-la humanâ_fw-la authoritate_fw-la constitutos_fw-la câdem_fw-la posse_fw-la tolli_fw-la &_o mutari_fw-la si_fw-la utilitas_fw-la &_o necessitas_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la id_fw-la postulaverit_fw-la nam_fw-la omnis_fw-la res_fw-la per_fw-la quascunque_fw-la causas_fw-la nascitur_fw-la per_fw-la casdem_fw-la dissolvitur_fw-la but_o it_o must_v be_v so_o judge_v that_o these_o day_n which_o be_v appoint_v by_o humane_a authority_n may_v be_v abolish_v and_o alter_v by_o the_o same_o where_o the_o profit_n and_o necessity_n of_o the_o church_n do_v require_v it_o for_o all_o thing_n be_v dissolve_v by_o the_o same_o cause_n whereby_o they_o be_v establish_v but_o then_o this_o aught_o to_o be_v do_v upon_o good_a and_o true_a ground_n and_o by_o 〈◊〉_d power_n equal_a at_o least_o to_o that_o that_o have_v establish_v they_o 2._o there_o must_v be_v care_v take_v that_o there_o be_v a_o prudent_a moderation_n use_v in_o the_o number_n of_o such_o day_n that_o nothing_o be_v impose_v o-ove_a burdensome_a upon_o the_o people_n 3._o that_o they_o be_v right_o employ_v not_o in_o superstitious_a worship_v of_o saint_n or_o angel_n as_o be_v in_o use_n in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n nor_o yet_o in_o riot_n intemperance_n or_o any_o other_o sinful_a liberty_n as_o have_v be_v the_o practice_n of_o too_o many_o among_o we_o make_v little_a or_o no_o other_o use_n of_o such_o time_n but_o to_o give_v themselves_o to_o idleness_n looseness_n and_o vanity_n a_o evil_a that_o have_v not_o only_o violate_v the_o holiness_n of_o these_o festival_n we_o speak_v of_o but_o also_o the_o lord_n day_n which_o some_o have_v turn_v into_o sabbathum_fw-la vituli_fw-la aurei_fw-la into_o the_o sabbath_n of_o the_o golden_a calf_n of_o which_o it_o be_v say_v exod._n 32._o that_o the_o people_n sit_v down_o to_o cate_z and_o drink_v and_o rise_v up_o to_o play_v other_o into_o sabbathum_n bâ—â—â—â—_n &_o asinorum_fw-la the_o sabbath_n of_o the_o ox_n and_o the_o ass_n spend_v it_o in_o eat_v and_o drink_v and_o do_v nothing_o and_o too_o many_o make_v little_a or_o no_o other_o difference_n between_o that_o and_o other_o day_n but_o only_o in_o put_v on_o their_o better_a clothes_n and_o give_v themselves_o to_o none_o or_o else_o worse_o employment_n than_o all_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o week_n as_o if_o bene_fw-la vestiri_fw-la &_o nihil_fw-la agere_fw-la to_o be_v well_o attire_v and_o to_o do_v nothing_o be_v to_o celebrate_v the_o christian_a sabbath_n and_o indeed_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o as_o this_o have_v be_v the_o ill_a lot_n that_o too_o many_o have_v cast_v upon_o the_o lord_n day_n and_o other_o festival_n so_o it_o have_v be_v too_o too_o much_o the_o share_n of_o the_o solemnity_n appoint_v for_o the_o celebrate_n the_o birth_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o festival_n that_o the_o church_n have_v join_v with_o it_o which_o instead_o of_o be_v make_v day_n of_o praise_n and_o thanksgiving_n to_o god_n and_o of_o the_o exercise_n of_o other_o holy_a christian_n and_o charitable_a duty_n with_o that_o sobriety_n that_o become_v christian_n have_v be_v make_v day_n of_o riot_n and_o game_n and_o wantonness_n and_o unlawful_a liberty_n as_o if_o man_n be_v to_o sacrifice_v to_o the_o devil_n for_o these_o great_a and_o incomprehensible_a mercy_n of_o god_n a_o great_a and_o intolerable_a abuse_n of_o such_o bless_a opportunity_n and_o such_o as_o although_o it_o do_v not_o at_o all_o justify_v man_n in_o the_o abolition_n of_o they_o but_o shall_v rather_o have_v set_v they_o upon_o the_o reformation_n of_o those_o miscarriage_n and_o the_o restitution_n of_o such_o time_n unto_o the_o first_o and_o prefitable_a institution_n of_o they_o that_o these_o evil_n and_o corruption_n be_v remove_v the_o divine_a solemnity_n and_o religious_a duty_n may_v have_v be_v return_v and_o advance_v still_o among_o we_o to_o the_o comfort_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o honour_n of_o the_o name_n of_o god_n yet_o they_o may_v just_o provoke_v god_n to_o deprive_v we_o of_o the_o comfort_n of_o these_o joyful_a celebrity_n which_o we_o have_v so_o miserable_o abuse_v to_o his_o dishonour_n and_o the_o hurt_n of_o ourselves_o and_o of_o our_o brethren_n but_o these_o be_v the_o error_n of_o particular_a man_n they_o do_v not_o blemish_v the_o constitution_n of_o the_o church_n in_o these_o thing_n which_o intend_v not_o such_o time_n for_o such_o evil_a purpose_n but_o for_o the_o service_n and_o honour_n of_o god_n and_o the_o edification_n of_o his_o people_n and_o therefore_o as_o it_o must_v be_v the_o care_n of_o all_o good_a christian_n to_o separate_v the_o abuse_n in_o practice_n so_o it_o be_v their_o part_n and_o duty_n to_o yield_v a_o ready_a obedience_n unto_o so_o profitable_a and_o wholesome_a a_o constitution_n and_o as_o in_o other_o festival_n so_o in_o this_o of_o the_o nativity_n of_o christ_n etc._n etc._n this_o be_v as_o it_o be_v the_o rise_n of_o the_o sun_n of_o righteousness_n upon_o we_o
the_o vindication_n of_o the_o solemnity_n of_o the_o nativity_n of_o christ_n show_v the_o ground_n upon_o which_o the_o observation_n of_o that_o and_o other_o festival_n be_v justify_v in_o the_o church_n with_o a_o short_a answer_n to_o certain_a query_n propound_v by_o one_o joseph_n heming_n in_o opposition_n to_o the_o aforesaid_a practice_n of_o the_o church_n by_o thomas_n warmstry_n d._n d._n let_v we_o follow_v after_o thing_n that_o make_v for_o peace_n and_o thing_n wherewith_o we_o may_v edify_v one_o another_o rom._n 14.19_o unto_o you_o be_v bear_v this_o day_n a_o saviour_n which_o be_v christ_n the_o lord_n luk._n 1.11_o print_a in_o the_o year_n 1648._o the_o vindication_n of_o the_o solemnity_n of_o the_o nativity_n of_o christ_n etc._n etc._n before_o i_o come_v to_o answer_v these_o query_n that_o i_o may_v make_v way_n for_o the_o clear_n of_o man_n judgement_n i_o shall_v brief_o lay_v down_o the_o ground_n upon_o which_o the_o observation_n of_o this_o and_o 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with_o heal_v in_o his_o wing_n and_o that_o whereon_o all_o the_o succedent_fw-la work_n of_o our_o redemption_n and_o salvation_n do_v depend_v and_o therefore_o as_o this_o do_v in_o a_o eminent_a and_o special_a manner_n challenge_v our_o praise_n and_o solemn_a service_n and_o acknowledgement_n unto_o god_n for_o so_o great_a a_o mercy_n so_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n in_o appoint_v a_o solemn_a time_n for_o such_o solemn_a service_n do_v serve_v a_o holy_a and_o scripture_n end_n very_o acceptable_a to_o god_n and_o by_o such_o a_o mean_n which_o he_o himself_o have_v approve_v and_o allow_v the_o church_n of_o god_n to_o make_v use_v off_o and_o do_v just_o require_v our_o obedience_n thereunto_o which_o we_o can_v withdraw_v ordinary_o without_o make_v a_o breach_n in_o that_o communion_n of_o saint_n which_o be_v both_o our_o comfort_n to_o enjoy_v and_o our_o duty_n to_o maintain_v and_o these_o ground_n be_v thus_o lay_v and_o well_o understand_v i_o hope_v may_v 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&_o diu_fw-la expectata_fw-la nativitas_fw-la adest_fw-la solemnit_fw-la as_o inclita_fw-la &_o in_o praesentia_fw-la salvatoris_fw-la grate_n &_o land_n visitatori_fw-la no_o per_fw-la orbem_fw-la terrarum_fw-la sancta_fw-la reddit_fw-la ecclesia_fw-la there_o be_v now_o present_a the_o much_o desire_a and_o long_o expect_v nativity_n of_o christ_n now_o be_v present_a that_o famous_a solemnity_n or_o festival_n and_o the_o holy_a church_n throughout_o all_o the_o world_n do_v render_v thanks_n and_o praise_n to_o her_o visitor_n in_o the_o presence_n of_o our_o saviour_n and_o though_o it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o bind_v we_o that_o so_o wholesome_a custom_n be_v enjoin_v by_o authentical_a authority_n in_o this_o church_n and_o nation_n yet_o this_o and_o other_o testimony_n that_o may_v be_v bring_v of_o the_o antiquity_n and_o universality_n thereof_o do_v much_o strengthen_v the_o obligation_n that_o lie_v upon_o we_o for_o the_o
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celebration_n of_o the_o praise_n of_o god_n for_o his_o great_a mercy_n upon_o the_o 25_o of_o december_n or_o upon_o any_o other_o day_n or_o to_o enjoin_v it_o or_o whether_o it_o become_v christian_n to_o prohibit_v the_o work_n of_o god_n at_o any_o time_n a_o addition_n of_o some_o testimony_n out_o of_o antiquity_n concern_v this_o festival_n theophaniam_fw-la ho_o nostrum_fw-la festum_fw-la nominamus_fw-la in_fw-la quo_fw-la mundi_fw-la saluta_fw-la rem_fw-la concelebramus_fw-la diem_fw-la '_o domini_fw-la natalem_fw-la basil_n in_o serm._n the_o humaâ—â—_n caristi_n generatione_n festum_fw-la est_fw-la omnium_fw-la festorum_fw-la maximè_fw-la venerandum_fw-la quod_fw-la si_fw-la qâ—is_fw-la appellet_fw-la omnium_fw-la festorum_fw-la metropolim_fw-la hand_n quaquam_fw-la aberret_fw-la chryâ—â—stomus_n in_o oratione_fw-la pro_fw-la philogonio_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d natales_fw-la servatoris_fw-la &_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d adventum_fw-la seu_fw-la apparitionem_fw-la vocat_fw-la nazianz._n natalem_fw-la '_o domini_fw-la sicut_fw-la &_o pascha_fw-la &_o pentecostim_o majora_fw-la solemâ—â—â—_n vocat_fw-la beda_n lib._n 5._o c._n 19_o the_o antiquity_n of_o this_o feast_n be_v so_o great_a that_o hospinian_n confess_v quando_fw-la &_o a_o quo_fw-la ho_o festum_fw-la institutum_fw-la sit_fw-la certo_fw-la sciri_fw-la non_fw-la potest_fw-la so_o that_o for_o aught_o he_o or_o any_o can_v say_v against_o it_o it_o may_v have_v its_o institution_n even_o from_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o the_o same_o author_n acknowledge_v the_o mention_n of_o it_o to_o have_v be_v very_o ancient_a in_o the_o church_n by_o theophilus_n bishop_n of_o caesarea_n palaestinae_n who_o live_v about_o the_o time_n of_o commodus_n and_o severus_n and_o he_o she_o w_v how_o afterward_o in_o the_o time_n of_o maximinus_n this_o festival_n be_v glorify_v by_o the_o martyrdom_n of_o divers_a christian_n at_o nicomedia_n who_o be_v there_o burn_v together_o with_o the_o church_n wherein_o they_o be_v celebrate_v this_o boly_n day_n see_v nicephoâ—us_a lib._n 7._o cap._n 6._o and_o we_o have_v good_a reason_n to_o believe_v these_o martyr_n be_v as_o good_a christian_n as_o some_o that_o will_v sequester_v the_o holiness_n of_o feast_n church_n and_o all_o other_o man_n upon_o earth_n scarce_o spare_v the_o saint_n in_o heaven_n that_o they_o may_v arrogate_v the_o title_n of_o holiness_n and_o saintship_n only_o to_o themselves_o finis_fw-la