this_o the_o church_n that_o retain_v these_o feast_n especial_o the_o lutheran_n be_v not_o repute_v the_o best_a reform_a church_n nor_o by_o the_o doctor_n himself_o i_o believe_v think_v fit_a to_o be_v compare_v with_o england_n &_o some_o other_o church_n in_o doctrine_n and_o worship_n and_o so_o no_o fit_a precedent_n for_o our_o reformation_n what_o private_a person_n wish_v or_o say_v be_v not_o much_o to_o be_v regard_v unless_o their_o reason_n be_v constringent_a however_o we_o be_v not_o alone_o nor_o the_o first_o in_o this_o dis-usage_n of_o this_o festival_n some_o protestant_a reform_a church_n be_v with_o we_o and_o afore_o we_o as_o for_o the_o sermon_n give_v to_o christmas_n day_n by_o some_o that_o now_o disuse_n it_o wherein_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o their_o public_a devotion_n be_v false_o say_v now_o to_o consist_v their_o prayer_n be_v as_o good_a and_o as_o large_a as_o the_o liturgy_n it_o will_v afford_v he_o no_o more_o succour_n than_o this_o that_o the_o authority_n then_o in_o be_v command_a vacation_n from_o work_n they_o only_o take_v the_o opportunity_n to_o preach_v to_o prevent_v disorder_n in_o their_o people_n which_o attend_v such_o festivity_n and_o the_o authority_n now_o in_o force_n prohibit_v they_o do_v forbear_v to_o preach_v §_o 12.3_o the_o lay_v down_o or_o disuse_v the_o observation_n of_o this_o festivity_n be_v not_o a_o act_n of_o division_n or_o separation_n from_o either_o the_o particular_a church_n of_o england_n or_o from_o the_o universal_a church_n in_o all_o age_n especial_o that_o of_o the_o first_o and_o pure_a time_n not_o the_o latter_a for_o certain_a for_o we_o have_v prove_v afore_o the_o first_o and_o pure_a age_n of_o the_o church_n do_v not_o observe_v it_o not_o the_o former_a unless_o he_o will_v yield_v that_o the_o reformation_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n in_o former_a time_n be_v a_o division_n or_o separation_n from_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n or_o the_o reformation_n in_o luther_n time_n be_v a_o division_n and_o separation_n from_o the_o catholic_n church_n as_o papist_n say_v it_o be_v §_o 13.4_o if_o superstition_n and_o profaneness_n may_v be_v ground_n sufficient_a to_o lay_v aside_o a_o custom_n the_o complexion_n of_o the_o time_n have_v long_a since_o invite_v to_o the_o lay_v aside_o the_o usage_n of_o this_o feast_n his_o pretence_n to_o the_o contrary_a be_v insufficient_a 1._o the_o omission_n of_o christmas_n sermon_n and_o service_n tend_v not_o to_o raze_v out_o of_o the_o mind_n of_o the_o ignorant_a sort_n the_o slender_a knowledge_n they_o have_v of_o the_o birth_n of_o christ_n and_o consequent_a mystery_n of_o religion_n for_o the_o gospel_n be_v read_v and_o preach_v on_o all_o the_o year_n long_o they_o can_v but_o often_o hear_v of_o the_o birth_n life_n death_n burial_n and_o resurrection_n of_o christ_n the_o knowledge_n which_o the_o ignorant_a people_n learn_v by_o some_o man_n christmas_n sermon_n 25_o act_n 25_o be_v slender_a indeed_o nothing_o but_o a_o superficial_a as_o he_o notionall_a carnal_a knowledge_n of_o one_o jesus_n as_o that_o roman_a deputy_n speak_v that_o be_v bear_v at_o that_o time_n to_o give_v man_n liberty_n to_o feast_n &_o be_v merry_a 2._o this_o can_v as_o he_o charge_v it_o gratify_v their_o worldly_a affection_n and_o assist_v atheism_n etc._n etc._n but_o rather_o to_o keep_v it_o as_o usual_o they_o do_v in_o all_o festival_n delight_n like_o the_o revel_n of_o bacchus_n do_v both_o mote_n gratify_v their_o worldly_a lust_n and_o tend_v to_o atheism_n and_o profaneness_n 3._o the_o casuist_n who_o great_a reason_n he_o seem_v to_o applaud_v affirm_v that_o the_o necessary_n of_o belief_n for_o the_o vulgar_a sort_n be_v no_o more_o than_o the_o great_a holy_a day_n of_o the_o year_n speak_v with_o as_o much_o that_o be_v as_o little_a reason_n as_o their_o fellow_n the_o jesuit_n who_o say_v and_o affirm_v that_o image_n be_v the_o best_a laymens-book_n instead_o of_o the_o scripture_n 4._o the_o eject_v of_o these_o holiday_n out_o of_o the_o church_n will_v not_o any_o with_o dispatch_v the_o opinion_n of_o any_o necessity_n of_o believe_v the_o article_n of_o faith_n the_o creed_n be_v still_o to_o be_v retain_v in_o and_o with_o the_o catechism_n for_o the_o minister_n preach_v constant_o of_o those_o truth_n may_v help_v not_o only_o in_o some_o degree_n as_o he_o but_o very_o much_o and_o more_o than_o the_o great_a holiday_n of_o themselves_o can_v do_v and_o why_o not_o abundant_o sufficient_a as_o it_o be_v in_o the_o first_o plant_n of_o church_n before_o these_o festival_n be_v invent_v we_o have_v have_v enough_o experience_n that_o in_o those_o place_n cathedral_n city_n where_o those_o festival_n have_v be_v most_o punctual_o and_o solemn_o observe_v take_v in_o there_o chrystmas_n sermon_n too_o there_o have_v be_v find_v less_o save_a knowledge_n of_o christ_n more_o superstition_n and_o more_o prophanesse_n than_o in_o any_o country_n village_n where_o the_o gospel_n have_v be_v sincere_o preach_v §_o 14._o the_o impatience_n of_o sound_a doctrine_n and_o readiness_n to_o embrace_v what_o ever_o be_v novel_a be_v not_o to_o be_v find_v in_o those_o of_o dee_fw-mi per_fw-mi sound_a knowledge_n but_o in_o the_o ungrounded_a professor_n of_o former_a time_n make_v formal_a christian_n by_o external_a ceremony_n &_o outward_a pomp_n of_o service_n but_o those_o that_o endeavour_v to_o reform_v the_o abuse_n of_o superstition_n and_o prophanesse_n be_v the_o man_n only_o or_o chief_o that_o propugne_v and_o maintain_v sound_a doctrine_n whereas_o those_o that_o be_v the_o great_a favourer_n of_o those_o festvity_n some_o of_o they_o either_o be_v fall_v into_o the_o propagate_a of_o error_n arminianism_n etc._n etc._n or_o at_o least_o do_v little_a appear_v to_o maintain_v the_o truth_n as_o for_o hospitality_n and_o charity_n at_o those_o time_n its_o observable_a in_o many_o strong_a pleader_n for_o christmas_n that_o they_o be_v willing_a enough_o to_o abate_v the_o charge_n of_o the_o feast_n both_o then_o and_o all_o the_o year_n after_o yet_o no_o body_n hinder_v they_o from_o be_v hospitable_a and_o charitable_a §_o 15.5_o what_o ever_o specious_a design_n be_v in_o the_o first_o institutor_n of_o this_o piece_n of_o service_n to_o jesus_n christ_n as_o after_o it_o be_v call_v it_o matter_n not_o much_o gideon_n design_n in_o make_v a_o golden_a ephod_n be_v very_o fair_a to_o leave_v a_o monument_n of_o his_o victory_n as_o a_o pious_a public_a acknowledgement_n of_o his_o thankfulness_n yet_o it_o prove_v a_o snare_n to_o he_o and_o his_o house_n &_o to_o all_o israel_n many_o of_o the_o superstition_n of_o the_o now_o church_n of_o rome_n have_v no_o doubt_n a_o pious_a design_n and_o a_o show_n of_o wisdom_n but_o the_o issue_n have_v be_v very_o mischievous_a even_o so_o it_o have_v happen_v to_o this_o institution_n now_o in_o hand_n §_o 16._o there_o may_v indeed_o a_o threefold_a guilt_n and_o danger_n be_v charge_v upon_o the_o institution_n and_o continuance_n of_o this_o observance_n 1._o of_o will-worship_n because_o it_o be_v not_o command_v in_o scripture_n 2._o of_o superstition_n in_o observe_v date_n 3._o of_o riot_n frequent_a in_o such_o festival_n the_o two_o former_a he_o say_v he_o have_v speak_v to_o else_o where_o viz._n both_o in_o his_o treatise_n of_o will-worship_n and_o superstition_n and_o also_o in_o his_o practical_a catechism_n in_o the_o two_o former_a though_o something_o be_v say_v in_o general_a or_o in_o thesi_fw-la yet_o nothing_o that_o i_o observe_v in_o special_a or_o in_o hypothesi_fw-la of_o this_o festival_n indeed_o in_o his_o practical_a catechism_n he_o have_v undertake_v the_o vindication_n of_o it_o from_o all_o these_o three_o charge_n but_o more_o large_o the_o two_o first_o there_o and_o here_o more_o of_o the_o last_o that_o of_o riot_n we_o shall_v consider_v what_o he_o say_v in_o order_n first_o to_o free_v the_o festival_n from_o the_o charge_n of_o willworship_n he_o proceed_v two_o way_n 1._o in_o respect_n of_o those_o who_o retain_v the_o usage_n of_o it_o they_o observe_v it_o in_o obedience_n to_o the_o law_n of_o the_o church_n and_o so_o it_o proceed_v from_o obedience_n to_o superior_n a_o duty_n of_o the_o 5_o the_o commandment_n this_o argument_n shall_v not_o have_v have_v the_o first_o place_n but_o the_o second_o in_o a_o just_a method_n the_o doctor_n shall_v first_o have_v prove_v that_o they_o that_o institute_v the_o festival_n have_v a_o lawful_a power_n to_o do_v it_o before_o he_o prove_v they_o that_o observe_v the_o usage_n to_o be_v innocent_a for_o may_v not_o papist_n plead_v the_o same_o argument_n for_o observation_n of_o not_o only_o their_o holiday_n but_o of_o their_o invocation_n of_o saint_n adoration_n of_o image_n and_o the_o mass_n itself_o they_o do_v it_o in_o obedience_n to_o
without_o offence_n to_o god_n follow_v their_o lawful_a vocation_n on_o that_o day_n rest_n be_v make_v a_o oblation_n to_o god_n place_v the_o worship_n of_o god_n in_o the_o observation_n of_o the_o day_n as_o a_o voluntary_a oblation_n and_o parallel_v with_o the_o freewilloffering_n in_o the_o law_n which_o the_o doctor_n take_v special_a notice_n of_o *_o be_v part_n of_o god_n worship_n offer_v it_o up_o a_o voluntary_a oblation_n to_o christ_n in_o the_o service_n and_o to_o the_o honour_n of_o christ_n etc._n etc._n sect._n 28._o four_o forbid_v labour_n on_o that_o day_n with_o great_a zeal_n and_o severe_a penalty_n than_o on_o the_o lord_n day_n it_o be_v hold_v and_o according_o censure_v as_o more_o piacular_a to_o work_v upon_o this_o day_n than_o on_o the_o lord_n day_n five_o in_o the_o necessity_n of_o the_o observation_n of_o it_o in_o so_o much_o as_o he_o be_v esteem_v no_o good_a christian_n that_o do_v not_o observe_v it_o six_o it_o become_v a_o note_n of_o discrimination_n of_o people_n as_o more_o or_o less_o religious_a just_o as_o the_o doctor_n observe_v 28._o observe_v willworship_n s_o 28._o of_o the_o hasidaei_n and_o make_v it_o part_n of_o their_o superstition_n or_o will-worship_n that_o they_o first_o begin_v to_o add_v to_o the_o law_n of_o god_n voluntary_a performance_n of_o their_o own_o then_o they_o make_v they_o necessary_a and_o lay_v the_o obligation_n of_o they_o on_o other_o to_o do_v as_o they_o do_v and_o then_o not_o be_v obey_v discriminate_v themselves_o from_o all_o other_o as_o the_o only_a obedient_a servant_n of_o god_n and_o so_o call_v themselves_o pharisees_n and_o be_v not_o this_o exemplify_v in_o the_o institution_n of_o this_o festival_n at_o first_o after_o a_o age_n or_o two_o from_o the_o apostle_n some_o begin_v to_o set_v up_o this_o and_o other_o day_n as_o a_o voluntary_a oblation_n to_o christ_n and_o a_o pious_a addition_n to_o the_o lord_n day_n other_o in_o time_n make_v it_o necessary_a as_o socrates_n observe_v and_o then_o lay_v the_o obligation_n of_o it_o upon_o other_o to_o do_v as_o they_o do_v and_o if_o they_o be_v not_o obey_v they_o discriminate_v themselves_o from_o such_o as_o refuse_v as_o the_o only_a pious_a and_o religious_a man_n of_o the_o time_n that_o good_a father_n saint_n austin_n be_v a_o little_a faulty_a here_o if_o that_o work_n be_v augustine_n all_o that_o acknowledge_v themselves_o son_n of_o the_o church_n observe_v the_o festival_n of_o the_o church_n cite_v by_o the_o doctor_n §_o 35._o 250_o serm._n de_fw-fr temp._n 250_o to_o which_o the_o dr._n add_v it_o be_v consequent_a to_o this_o that_o they_o which_o observe_v they_o not_o disclaim_v this_o sonship_n and_o cast_v themselves_o out_o of_o this_o family_n pract._n cat._n and_o hear_v the_o doctor_n own_o discrimination_n of_o himself_o and_o his_o party_n by_o the_o censure_n of_o himself_o and_o his_o party_n by_o the_o censure_n of_o the_o refuser_n the_o fastidious_a reject_v or_o not_o observe_v the_o festival_n of_o the_o church_n universal_a the_o great_a day_n etc._n etc._n must_v certain_o be_v look_v upon_o by_o every_o man_n as_o a_o act_n of_o affect_a departure_n from_o the_o universal_a church_n of_o christ_n in_o all_o age_n as_o well_o as_o from_o the_o reform_a church_n of_o england_n his_o mother_n sect._n 45._o which_o sect._n 12._o he_o have_v call_v a_o act_n of_o division_n and_o separation_n from_o that_o church_n of_o the_o first_o and_o pure_a time_n how_o just_o or_o true_o let_v the_o reader_n judge_n by_o that_o which_o have_v and_o shall_v be_v say_v in_o the_o mean_a time_n the_o doctor_n have_v handsome_o give_v or_o take_v the_o name_n of_o pharisee_n to_o himself_o and_o his_o party_n as_o volunteere_n in_o worship_n above_o the_o law_n of_o god_n and_o leave_v the_o name_n of_o honest_a &_o modest_a karaej_n unto_o other_o who_o dare_v not_o venture_v to_o go_v beyond_o or_o before_o the_o law_n in_o worship_n obj._n but_o he_o start_v a_o objection_n it_o have_v a_o semblance_n of_o that_o mat._n 5.9_o teach_v for_o doctrine_n the_o tradition_n of_o man_n he_o answer_v doctrine_n there_o be_v the_o affirm_v a_o thing_n to_o be_v the_o pleasure_n and_o command_v of_o god_n as_o if_o i_o shall_v put_v the_o king_n broad_a seal_n to_o a_o deed_n of_o my_o own_o but_o this_o be_v no_o way_n chargeable_a on_o those_o that_o acknowledge_v this_o a_o ecclesiastical_a institution_n and_o pretend_v it_o not_o to_o be_v prescribe_v by_o christ_n i_o reply_v 1_o teach_v for_o doctrine_n here_o be_v not_o the_o affirm_v a_o thing_n to_o be_v a_o command_n of_o god_n or_o not_o that_o only_o but_o be_v expound_v by_o col._n 2.22_o after_o the_o commandment_n and_o doctrine_n of_o man_n that_o be_v man_n out_o of_o their_o wisdom_n prescribe_v and_o by_o their_o authority_n command_v such_o and_o such_o doctrine_n either_o as_o very_o pious_a and_o please_a or_o more_o acceptable_a to_o god_n as_o a_o voluntary_a worship_n not_o always_o affirm_v they_o to_o be_v the_o commandment_n of_o god_n but_o hold_v they_o out_o as_o the_o tradition_n of_o the_o elder_n as_o the_o pharisee_n do_v 2._o it_o be_v so_o much_o more_o chargeable_a on_o they_o that_o acknowledge_v it_o a_o ecclesiastical_a institution_n as_o a_o kind_n of_o superstition_n because_o those_o pharisee_n and_o false_a teacher_n as_o he_o say_v plead_v god_n command_n for_o their_o doctrine_n for_o what_o they_o do_v in_o matter_n of_o worship_n but_o these_o pretend_v only_o the_o church_n command_n which_o be_v worse_o than_o put_v the_o king_n seal_n to_o a_o deed_n of_o their_o own_o for_o it_o usurp_v the_o very_a throne_n of_o god_n to_o appoint_v his_o worship_n which_o be_v the_o high_a treason_n other_o thing_n there_o be_v concern_v this_o controversy_n which_o we_o shall_v take_v notice_n of_o hereafter_o catechism_n in_o pract_n catechism_n and_o now_o come_v to_o consider_v how_o he_o can_v vindicate_v this_o festival_n from_o the_o riot_n and_o excess_n common_o find_v there_o which_o he_o acknowledge_v a_o sin_n and_o a_o great_a sin_n in_o a_o christian_a than_o in_o a_o jew_n who_o promise_n be_v of_o a_o earthly_a plenty_n etc._n etc._n to_o which_o we_o say_v §_o 17._o the_o jewish_a promise_n be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n of_o earthly_a plenty_n not_o only_o for_o they_o have_v also_o spiritual_a promise_n they_o be_v permit_v like_o child_n feed_v with_o milk_n and_o honey_n a_o week_n of_o earthly_a joy_n and_o pleasure_n but_o the_o promise_n and_o exhibition_n of_o they_o by_o christ_n be_v all_o spiritual_a to_o christian_n chrys_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d chrys_n spiritual_a joy_n be_v as_o the_o doctor_n say_v well_o the_o christians_o eminent_a if_o not_o only_a portion_n but_o these_o be_v not_o limit_v to_o one_o or_o twelve_o day_n in_o a_o year_n but_o daily_a joy_n every_o day_n be_v a_o christmas_n to_o a_o godly_a heart_n rejoice_v in_o the_o lord_n always_o again_o i_o say_v rejoice_v §_o 18._o festivity_n and_o hospitality_n its_o true_a be_v separable_a from_o riot_n but_o very_o hardly_o and_o if_o gluttony_n and_o drunkenness_n be_v the_o prescribe_a worship_n in_o heathenish_a feast_n we_o have_v find_v by_o long_a experience_n they_o be_v the_o practise_a entertainment_n of_o this_o festival_n which_o many_o year_n preach_v can_v not_o reform_v the_o heathenish_a usage_n in_o it_o almost_o yield_v sect_n 2._o as_o they_o do_v imply_v that_o the_o festival_n itself_o be_v institute_v to_o gratify_v the_o heathen_n by_o imitation_n of_o their_o feast_n at_o the_o same_o time_n of_o the_o year_n so_o god_n to_o show_v his_o dislike_n if_o not_o his_o detestation_n of_o it_o have_v fuffer_v these_o humane_a invention_n and_o institution_n in_o his_o service_n to_o be_v attend_v and_o celebrate_v with_o the_o two_o extreme_n of_o true_a worship_n superstition_n and_o prophanesse_n we_o shall_v hear_v anon_o sect._n 21._o that_o in_o the_o ancient_a church_n on_o day_n of_o festivitie_n man_n begin_v to_o adorn_v themselves_o sumptuous_o to_o show_v their_o pride_n &_o to_o fare_v delicious_o to_o surfeit_v &_o drunkenness_n so_o soon_o these_o abuse_n get_v into_o they_o and_o all_o this_o while_n for_o so_o many_o hundred_o year_n can_v not_o be_v get_v out_o by_o all_o the_o father_n &_o child_n of_o the_o church_n the_o spiritual_a dainty_n of_o a_o christian_a peace_n with_o god_n and_o joy_n in_o the_o holy_a ghost_n the_o quotidian_a festival_n be_v free_a from_o these_o excess_n be_v not_o drink_v with_o wine_n wherein_o be_v excess_n but_o be_v fill_v with_o the_o spirit_n speak_v to_o yourselves_o in_o psalm_n and_o hymn_n and_o spiritual_a song_n make_v melody_n in_o your_o heart_n to_o the_o lord_n those_o that_o have_v most_o of_o these_o care_n least_o for_o
who_o bring_v they_o into_o the_o church_n on_o the_o other_o side_n it_o will_v not_o follow_v the_o apostolical_a church_n have_v a_o custom_n to_o observe_v the_o sabbath_n of_o the_o jew_n when_o they_o come_v among_o they_o to_o circumcise_v sometime_o to_o abstain_v from_o blood_n etc._n etc._n to_o avoid_v offence_n and_o win_v the_o jew_n ergo_fw-la they_o that_o go_v about_o afterward_o to_o lay_v down_o these_o be_v contentious_a this_o will_v no_o way_n be_v admit_v the_o reason_n be_v because_o the_o apostle_n afterward_o repeal_v those_o jewish_a custom_n two_o caution_n therefore_o must_v be_v add_v to_o make_v the_o affirmative_a constringent_a 1._o that_o the_o custom_n which_o be_v plead_v for_o be_v bring_v into_o the_o church_n by_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o for_o gospel_n worship_n for_o he_o say_v we_o we_o have_v no_o such_o custom_n nor_o the_o church_n of_o god_n the_o gospel_n church_n by_o we_o plant_v 2._o that_o the_o custom_n plead_v be_v ground_v true_o if_o not_o so_o clear_o upon_o the_o word_n of_o god_n for_o this_o be_v no_o good_a argument_n against_o a_o rational_a disputant_n the_o present_a church_n of_o rome_n suppose_v or_o any_o church_n some_o century_n or_o more_o of_o year_n after_o the_o apostle_n have_v such_o or_o such_o a_o custom_n ergo_fw-la we_o must_v receive_v it_o unless_o we_o will_v be_v count_v contentious_a but_o this_o be_v think_v a_o good_a inference_n the_o apostolical_a pure_a church_n have_v a_o custom_n to_o observe_v the_o lord_n day_n the_o first_o day_n of_o the_o week_n act._n 20.7_o 1_o cor._n 16.1_o 2._o instead_o of_o the_o old_a sabbath_n ergo_fw-la that_fw-mi day_n be_v institute_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o they_o that_o reject_v it_o or_o profane_v it_o be_v more_o than_o contentious_a even_o sacrilegious_a and_o upon_o these_o consideration_n fideration_n the_o doctor_n have_v consult_v ill_o to_o his_o own_o cause_n to_o produce_v this_o text_n for_o his_o festival_n for_o he_o dare_v not_o say_v it_o be_v institute_v by_o the_o apostle_n nor_o can_v prove_v it_o be_v observe_v by_o the_o prime_n and_o pure_a church_n though_o he_o oft_o assert_v it_o than_o the_o inference_n be_v strong_a against_o he_o the_o apostle_n &_o prime_a apostolical_a church_n have_v no_o such_o custom_n as_o the_o observation_n of_o christmas_n ergo_fw-la they_o be_v contentious_a who_o plead_v for_o its_o continuance_n it_o matter_n not_o then_o what_o the_o ancient_a usage_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n have_v be_v if_o it_o begin_v not_o with_o the_o apostle_n in_o the_o first_o church_n which_o of_o the_o feast_n of_o christ_n nativity_n can_v i_o think_v be_v prove_v i_o be_o sure_a be_v not_o perform_v by_o the_o learned_a doctor_n nor_o yet_o that_o the_o church_n of_o england_n be_v extant_a in_o the_o apostle_n time_n or_o if_o it_o be_v that_o this_o custom_n of_o christmas_n be_v from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o plantation_n of_o the_o gospel_n among_o we_o which_o yet_o he_o undertake_v to_o manifest_v §_o 2._o the_o latter_a he_o first_o begin_v with_o and_o that_o it_o be_v thus_o ancient_a he_o will_v prove_v by_o one_o objection_n against_o viz._n the_o retain_v of_o some_o heathen_a usage_n in_o the_o observation_n of_o it_o which_o be_v undeniable_a testimony_n of_o the_o antiquity_n and_o uninterrupted_n continuance_n of_o this_o practice_n even_o from_o the_o time_n of_o our_o first_o conversion_n for_o otherwise_o it_o be_v not_o imaginable_a how_o any_o heathen_a usage_n shall_v be_v find_v adherent_a to_o it_o but_o this_o be_v no_o way_n constringent_a for_o they_o may_v be_v add_v together_o with_o the_o festival_n itself_o some_o good_a while_n after_o the_o first_o conversion_n of_o some_o part_n of_o this_o island_n the_o better_a to_o win_v the_o rest_n to_o a_o like_n of_o christian_a religion_n by_o conform_v to_o they_o in_o celebration_n of_o festival_n as_o the_o like_a be_v do_v to_o win_v the_o jew_n in_o observe_v the_o old_a sabbath_n pentecost_n etc._n etc._n the_o apostle_n say_v the_o doctor_n to_o attract_v the_o jew_n to_o the_o christian_a religion_n 71._o sect._n 71._o do_v gratify_v they_o in_o retain_v many_o of_o their_o custom_n that_o be_v for_o a_o time_n but_o after_o cast_v they_o off_o and_o this_o festival_n be_v substitute_v instead_o of_o the_o old_a saturnalia_fw-la in_o the_o same_o month_n as_o be_v confess_v by_o many_o 63._o sect._n 63._o and_o the_o doctor_n himself_o no_o marvel_n if_o some_o heathen_a usage_n stick_v close_o to_o it_o and_o can_v not_o since_o be_v get_v out_o for_o those_o heathen_a usage_n continue_v by_o the_o rude_a multitude_n and_o other_o too_o though_o they_o have_v be_v no_o part_n of_o the_o office_n of_o the_o feast_n yet_o do_v they_o full_o hold_v out_o these_o two_o thing_n 1._o how_o easy_a a_o thing_n it_o be_v for_o such_o ill_a usage_n to_o creep_v into_o humane_a ordinance_n 2._o how_o hard_o it_o be_v to_o get_v they_o out_o when_o once_o get_v in_o be_v ready_a to_o plead_v prescription_n see_v after_o so_o long_a a_o time_n as_o fifteen_o or_o sixteen_o hundred_o year_n continuance_n as_o the_o dr._n think_v they_o still_o attend_v the_o festival_n people_n be_v more_o tenacious_a of_o custom_n receive_v by_o the_o tradition_n of_o their_o father_n 1.18_o 1_o pet._n 1.18_o then_o of_o the_o very_a institution_n of_o god_n §_o 3.4_o for_o the_o former_a that_o the_o conversion_n of_o england_n be_v early_o be_v very_o likely_a but_o not_o so_o early_o as_o be_v pretend_v but_o not_o prove_v for_o as_o the_o history_n and_o monument_n be_v very_o obscure_a and_o doubtful_a differ_v much_o one_o from_o another_o so_o the_o doctor_n himself_o be_v very_o uncertain_a where_o to_o place_v the_o beginning_n or_o who_o be_v the_o instrument_n of_o our_o conversion_n it_o may_v be_v believe_v either_o apostolical_a or_o very_o near_o the_o apostle_n time_n fain_o will_v he_o have_v we_o think_v it_o be_v by_o some_o apostle_n if_o he_o know_v how_o to_o make_v it_o out_o some_o affirm_v it_o be_v simon_n zelotes_n sect._n 6._o and_o there_o be_v some_o colour_n for_o the_o affirmation_n of_o simon_n metaphrastes_n that_o st._n peter_n stay_v in_o britain_n sometime_o convert_v many_o and_o constitute_v church_n &_o ordain_v bishop_n in_o the_o twelve_o year_n of_o nero_n reign_n but_o he_o slur_v his_o author_n thus_o the_o authority_n of_o this_o writer_n be_v not_o great_a he_o may_v have_v say_v nothing_o worth_a be_v contradict_v by_o so_o many_o other_o and_o by_o the_o doctor_n himself_o by_z and_z by_z yet_o it_o may_v be_v near_o the_o apostle_n time_n by_o some_o apostolical_a man_n some_o say_v rather_o by_o joseph_n of_o arimathea_n for_o so_o mr._n camden_n report_v from_o as_o ancient_a record_n and_o credible_a as_o any_o we_o have_v for_o we_o have_v none_o very_o ancient_a or_o very_a credible_a that_o joseph_n of_o arimathea_n plant_v christianity_n here_o come_v out_o of_o france_n belike_o crescens_n send_v he_o hither_o to_o convert_v she_o britain_n if_o he_o do_v not_o come_v and_o do_v it_o himself_o for_o so_o the_o doctor_n will_v have_v it_o and_o prove_v it_o out_o of_o scripture_n 2_o tim._n 4.10_o crescens_n send_v by_o st._n paul_n be_v go_v into_o galatia_n where_o galatia_n may_v signify_v france_n as_o some_o author_n take_v it_o and_o the_o doctor_n be_v willing_a to_o believe_v it_o for_o present_o though_o other_o contradict_v he_o take_v it_o for_o grant_v when_o he_o say_v what_o be_v so_o early_o affirm_v in_o scripture_n of_o the_o communicate_v of_o the_o gospel_n to_o france_n i_o e._n by_o crescens_n which_o be_v so_o near_o to_o we_o remove_v all_o improbabilitie_n from_o those_o history_n which_o record_v the_o plantation_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o these_o island_n in_o the_o apostle_n time_n it_o be_v easy_a to_o believe_v that_o crescens_n if_o he_o be_v in_o france_n may_v quick_o step_v over_o into_o engl._n but_o the_o former_a be_v yet_o to_o prove_v for_o the_o doctor_n know_v very_o well_o that_o very_o learned_a man_n deny_v that_o galatia_n be_v there_o take_v for_o france_n but_o for_o a_o part_n of_o asia_n which_o be_v far_o enough_o from_o england_n yea_o they_o demonstrate_v it_o as_o they_o think_v that_o it_o be_v not_o mean_v of_o france_n for_o which_o i_o refer_v he_o to_o estius_n on_o the_o place_n 2_o tim._n 4.10_o however_o whether_o crescens_n be_v ever_o in_o france_n or_o no_o sure_o he_o be_v not_o in_o england_n to_o convert_v the_o nation_n hear_v the_o doctor_n own_o word_n this_o which_o he_o have_v say_v before_o be_v a_o evidence_n that_o neither_o peter_n nor_o paul_n nor_o crescens_n nor_o any_o of_o those_o that_o usual_o accompany_v either_o of_o those_o two_o apostle_n do_v bring_v the_o christian_a faith_n to_o
this_o island_n he_o may_v have_v add_v nor_o joseph_n of_o arimathea_n nor_o simon_n zelotes_n upon_o the_o reason_n there_o by_o he_o give_v the_o affirmation_n of_o gildas_n that_o this_o be_v in_o tiberius_n reign_n be_v mere_a tradition_n and_o far_o from_o probability_n for_o then_o england_n shall_v be_v convert_v within_o four_o year_n after_o christ_n death_n in_o the_o 18._o of_o tiberius_n our_o lord_n suffer_v and_o tiberius_n reign_v but_o 22._o in_o all_o no_o author_n of_o any_o credit_n lay_v it_o so_o high_a as_o for_o tertullian_n and_o origen_n they_o live_v both_o in_o the_o three_o centurie_n above_o 200._o year_n after_o christ_n and_o it_o be_v very_o likely_a christianity_n be_v plant_v here_o in_o some_o part_n some_o time_n before_o they_o but_o it_o be_v very_o observable_a that_o neither_o of_o those_o ancient_n nor_o any_o before_o they_o in_o all_o their_o writing_n ever_o mention_v the_o feast_n of_o the_o nativity_n as_o then_o in_o observation_n though_o they_o often_o speak_v of_o other_o usage_n of_o the_o church_n before_o and_o in_o their_o time_n the_o most_o probable_a opinion_n be_v that_o though_o some_o person_n of_o this_o as_o of_o most_o nation_n be_v convert_v early_o to_o the_o faith_n yet_o the_o nation_n or_o any_o considerable_a part_n of_o it_o be_v not_o convert_v till_o king_n lucius_n his_o time_n about_o the_o year_n of_o christ_n 180._o the_o first_o christian_a king_n in_o the_o whole_a world_n which_o be_v a_o great_a honour_n to_o our_o nation_n this_o be_v do_v say_v historian_n in_o the_o time_n of_o eleutherius_fw-la then_o bishop_n of_o rome_n who_o live_v towards_o the_o end_n of_o the_o second_o centurie_n and_o his_o epistle_n to_o king_n lucius_n if_o that_o be_v authentic_a 16._o sir_n henr._n spilm_n council_n brit._n p._n 16._o for_o the_o doctor_n doubt_v it_o and_o well_o he_o may_v if_o he_o do_v but_o remember_v what_o a_o learned_a historian_n say_v do_v not_o say_v that_o britain_n have_v long_o ago_o before_o lucius_n his_o time_n receive_v the_o faith_n but_o rather_o nuper_fw-la late_o and_o so_o it_o be_v in_o the_o latin_a in_o the_o doctor_n margin_n but_o wise_o leave_v out_o in_o the_o english_a which_o why_o it_o be_v do_v let_v other_o judge_n historian_n say_v that_o king_n lucius_n desire_v of_o eleutherius_fw-la that_o he_o and_o his_o people_n may_v have_v some_o send_v to_o baptize_v they_o who_o according_o send_v fugatius_n and_o damianus_n now_o if_o christianity_n have_v be_v plant_v here_o from_o the_o apostle_n time_n or_o by_o apostolical_a man_n it_o be_v not_o probable_a that_o they_o leave_v no_o presbyter_n here_o to_o baptize_v but_o that_o they_o must_v send_v to_o rome_n for_o such_o which_o will_v give_v romanist_n a_o fair_a plea_n to_o subject_a england_n to_o rome_n then_o that_o of_o augustine_n the_o monk_n which_o the_o doctor_n dispute_v so_o much_o against_o hereafter_o §_o 5._o dioclesian_n persecution_n fall_v in_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o four_o century_n after_o christ_n before_o which_o time_n we_o hear_v of_o christianity_n plant_v here_o and_o it_o may_v be_v the_o feast_n of_o the_o nativity_n be_v set_v up_o in_o some_o church_n before_o this_o time_n but_o not_o universal_o in_o all_o till_o about_o 400._o year_n after_o christ_n as_o we_o shall_v hear_v the_o doctor_n confess_v before_o we_o have_v do_v though_o he_o plead_v hard_a to_o prove_v it_o a_o custom_n of_o the_o church_n in_o all_o age_n and_o this_o may_v serve_v anon_o to_o answer_v that_o which_o will_v be_v produce_v for_o the_o festivitie_n that_o dioclesian_n slay_v 20000_o christian_n assemble_v together_o on_o that_o day_n though_o the_o author_n of_o that_o report_n be_v of_o no_o great_a credit_n §_o 6._o the_o celebration_n of_o easter_n by_o the_o ancient_a british_a church_n contrary_a to_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o western_a church_n will_v give_v little_a light_n to_o the_o main_a question_n concern_v the_o first_o plantation_n of_o the_o gospel_n here_o by_o the_o apostle_n etc._n etc._n or_o the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o festival_n plead_v for_o it_o may_v indeed_o argue_v that_o england_n do_v not_o receive_v christianity_n first_o from_o rome_n in_o augustine_n time_n but_o do_v not_o prove_v that_o those_o that_o plant_v christianity_n here_o be_v such_o as_o in_o the_o apostolical_a time_n keep_v their_o easter_n after_o the_o jewish_a manner_n for_o the_o eastern_a christian_n common_o keep_v it_o so_o but_o not_o in_o the_o apostle_n time_n which_o the_o doctor_n take_v for_o grant_v but_o be_v deny_v he_o and_o that_o upon_o these_o reason_n 1._o there_o be_v no_o mention_n of_o either_o the_o institution_n or_o observation_n of_o it_o in_o scripture_n nor_o any_o ground_n to_o found_v it_o upon_o the_o apostle_n do_v take_v advantage_n of_o that_o and_o the_o like_a solemnity_n to_o preach_v to_o the_o jew_n to_o convert_v they_o as_o be_v say_v afore_o but_o so_o far_o be_v they_o from_o institution_n of_o they_o as_o christian_a feast_n that_o they_o do_v express_o repeal_v they_o and_o cry_v they_o down_o 2._o 22._o lib._n 5._o c._n 22._o socrates_n the_o historian_n say_v the_o apostle_n be_v not_o solicitous_a to_o appoint_v any_o festival_n day_n at_o all_o than_o not_o this_o of_o easter_n 3._o the_o difference_n of_o the_o observation_n of_o it_o in_o the_o eastern_a 99_o see_v lo_n falk_n reply_n p._n 99_o and_o western_a church_n make_v it_o evident_a it_o be_v not_o institute_v by_o the_o apostle_n for_o than_o it_o will_v be_v uniform_o observe_v in_o all_o place_n and_o as_o for_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o succeed_a church_n in_o such_o matter_n we_o shall_v meet_v with_o it_o anon_o yet_o this_o we_o say_v at_o present_a that_o the_o observation_n of_o easter_n have_v better_a antiquity_n than_o this_o of_o christmas_n though_o not_o apostolical_a §_o 7._o but_o the_o doctor_n have_v find_v one_o evidence_n of_o moment_n christmas_n day_n be_v call_v in_o our_o old_a monument_n midwinter_n day_n whence_o it_o may_v reasonable_o be_v conclude_v that_o when_o that_o name_n be_v first_o apply_v to_o that_o day_n christmas_n day_n be_v in_o the_o calendar_n either_o coincident_a with_o or_o not_o far_o remove_v from_o the_o winter_n solstice_n and_o we_o continue_v to_o call_v the_o 24._o of_o june_n midsummer_n day_n half_o a_o year_n from_o the_o 25_o of_o december_n how_o sweet_o all_o agree_v john_n baptist_n be_v conceive_v six_o month_n before_o our_o lord_n and_z and_o so_o bear_v six_o month_n before_o he_o hence_o the_o feastmaster_n plead_v his_o birth_n on_o the_o 24._o of_o june_n and_o he_o and_o our_o lord_n on_o the_o 25._o of_o december_n 1._o but_o i_o will_v be_v satisfy_v which_o be_v the_o old_a festival_n that_o of_o john_n or_o this_o of_o christ_n it_o be_v observe_v by_o chemnitius_n that_o the_o feast_n of_o the_o nativity_n be_v not_o hear_v of_o in_o the_o most_o ancient_a church_n till_o towards_o the_o 400._o year_n but_o no_o mention_n of_o the_o feast_n of_o john_n baptist_n till_o towards_o the_o 800._o year_n or_o it_o may_v be_v they_o be_v both_o appoint_v about_o the_o same_o time_n upon_o supposition_n then_o by_o the_o western_a church_n that_o our_o saviour_n be_v bear_v on_o the_o 25._o of_o december_n as_o the_o doctor_n say_v and_o the_o feast_n of_o nativity_n settle_v upon_o that_o day_n either_o they_o or_o some_o other_o placed_z the_o feast_n of_o john_n baptist_n on_o the_o 24._o of_o june_n that_o all_o may_v correspond_v 2._o if_o the_o name_n of_o midwinter_n day_n and_o midsummer_n day_n be_v so_o call_v here_o while_o the_o island_n be_v heathen_a they_o be_v far_o more_o ancient_a than_o christmas_n day_n and_o then_o christmas_n day_n be_v rather_o apply_v to_o midwinter_n day_n than_o midwinter_n day_n to_o christmas_n day_n but_o however_o it_o be_v it_o follow_v not_o as_o the_o doctor_n will_v have_v it_o that_o it_o must_v be_v soon_o after_o our_o saviour_n time_n that_o this_o day_n be_v capable_a of_o that_o appellation_n and_o consequent_o that_o the_o day_n be_v here_o celebrate_v so_o early_o for_o it_o may_v be_v a_o good_a while_n after_o so_o call_v when_o the_o island_n be_v first_o convert_v which_o be_v not_o as_o we_o have_v discourse_v till_o towards_o the_o end_n of_o the_o second_o century_n 3._o it_o be_v confess_v by_o the_o doctor_n that_o midwinter_n day_n be_v a_o fortnight_n soon_o than_o our_o christmas_n day_n the_o solstice_n be_v about_o the_o 11._o of_o december_n then_o say_v i_o they_o keep_v not_o christmas_n day_n on_o midwinter_n day_n for_o that_o be_v a_o fortnight_n soon_o so_o we_o keep_v it_o not_o on_o the_o same_o day_n with_o our_o first_o convert_n nor_o yet_o on_o the_o day_n that_o the_o western_a church_n now_o keep_v it_o who_o
keep_v it_o stilo_fw-it novo_fw-la 10._o day_n before_o we_o which_o difference_n of_o observation_n as_o be_v say_v of_o easter_n argue_v it_o not_o to_o be_v apostolical_a nor_o soon_o after_o our_o saviour_n day_n as_o the_o doctor_n say_v for_o if_o they_o have_v institute_v such_o a_o feast_n to_o the_o honour_n of_o our_o saviour_n they_o will_v all_o have_v agree_v upon_o the_o same_o day_n in_o all_o place_n as_o they_o do_v in_o observation_n of_o the_o lord_n day_n for_o our_o christian_a sabbath_n §_o 8._o upon_o those_o his_o premise_n he_o draw_v out_o two_o corolary_n or_o character_n set_v upon_o this_o or_o any_o other_o christian_a solemnity_n easter_n pentecost_n etc._n etc._n of_o immemoriall_n usage_n in_o this_o nation_n first_o that_o the_o antiquity_n of_o it_o do_v no_o way_n argue_v that_o it_o have_v any_o thing_n of_o the_o corruption_n of_o the_o roman_a see_v adhere_v to_o it_o but_o the_o contrary_n to_o which_o we_o have_v partly_o speak_v afore_o and_o now_o add_v that_o as_o the_o observation_n of_o easter_n different_o from_o the_o western_a church_n do_v argue_v that_o we_o receive_v not_o our_o christianity_n from_o rome_n so_o the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o observation_n of_o christmas_n and_o some_o other_o festival_n suppose_v in_o the_o three_o or_o four_o century_n may_v also_o argue_v that_o they_o have_v nothing_o of_o the_o corruption_n of_o the_o roman_a see_v we_o mean_v since_o it_o be_v judge_v antichristian_a about_o the_o year_n 600._o adhere_v to_o they_o but_o yet_o may_v have_v too_o much_o of_o the_o corruption_n of_o those_o church_n wherein_o they_o be_v first_o invent_v corruption_n we_o say_v which_o creep_v into_o those_o church_n not_o long_o after_o the_o apostle_n day_n it_o be_v know_v to_o all_o that_o read_v the_o history_n of_o the_o church_n how_o many_o innovation_n and_o superstition_n be_v creep_v into_o the_o church_n long_o before_o rome_n begin_v to_o be_v babylon_n and_o romish_a religion_n be_v a_o bundle_n of_o most_o of_o those_o corruption_n §_o 9_o but_o for_o the_o second_o inference_n that_o any_o such_o ancient_a usage_n of_o this_o particular_a church_n if_o it_o have_v no_o other_o ground_n to_o stand_v on_o as_o its_o foundation_n or_o concurrence_n of_o all_o other_o church_n as_o pillar_n to_o sustain_v it_o be_v a_o very_a competent_a authority_n for_o the_o continuance_n of_o such_o a_o practice_n in_o this_o kingdom_n we_o shall_v take_v leave_n to_o demur_v a_o little_a upon_o this_o for_o grant_v as_o we_o may_v that_o this_o anglicane_n or_o british_a church_n be_v very_o ancient_a by_o its_o foundation_n and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d for_o its_o authority_n as_o subordinate_a to_o no_o foreign_a patriarch_n yet_o we_o just_o question_v though_o the_o doctor_n do_v not_o whither_o it_o be_v invest_v with_o such_o a_o unquestionable_a power_n to_o institute_v what_o ceremony_n it_o please_v which_o may_v not_o upon_o good_a reason_n be_v change_v and_o abolish_v it_o be_v know_v sufficient_o that_o many_o ancient_a custom_n and_o ceremony_n as_o ancient_a perhaps_o as_o his_o christmas_n institute_v or_o take_v up_o by_o this_o and_o the_o concurrence_n of_o many_o if_o not_o most_v church_n have_v without_o temeritie_n be_v alter_v and_o abolish_v and_o other_o may_n and_o must_v when_o they_o be_v abuse_v to_o superstition_n and_o profaneness_n as_o this_o feast_n will_v appear_v to_o have_v be_v it_o will_v not_o be_v amiss_o here_o brief_o to_o consider_v what_o that_o unquestionable_a power_n of_o this_o or_o any_o church_n be_v to_o constitute_v ceremony_n for_o its_o self_n as_o it_o shall_v judge_v most_o useful_a most_o for_o edification_n and_o most_o agreeable_a to_o the_o analogy_n of_o faith_n which_o consequent_o may_v not_o without_o great_a temerity_n be_v change_v and_o abolish_v by_o any_o and_o then_o whither_o this_o feast_n be_v a_o ceremony_n of_o that_o nature_n for_o the_o first_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n to_o constitute_v ceremony_n for_o its_o self_n it_o be_v not_o just_o call_v unquestionable_a for_o it_o have_v for_o many_o year_n past_a be_v the_o apple_n of_o contention_n between_o the_o prelate_n and_o the_o nonconformist_n but_o before_o we_o debate_v it_o we_o desire_v to_o know_v and_o be_v satisfy_v in_o two_o thing_n 1._o what_o he_o mean_v by_o the_o church_n whither_o 1._o the_o universal_a church_n for_o he_o often_o speak_v of_o that_o sect._n 12.45_o etc._n etc._n and_o charge_v we_o with_o separation_n and_o schism_n for_o departure_n from_o the_o universal_a church_n if_o so_o i_o will_v say_v two_o thing_n first_o that_o the_o universal_a church_n of_o the_o first_o age_n or_o since_o never_o meet_v to_o institute_v any_o ceremony_n for_o all_o church_n nor_o in_o special_a for_o this_o of_o christmas_n second_o if_o they_o have_v meet_v yet_o that_o church_n have_v no_o power_n to_o bind_v after_o church_n if_o they_o meet_v if_o they_o see_v cause_n to_o abolish_v they_o for_o a_o reason_n anon_o to_o be_v give_v but_o 2._o if_o he_o take_v it_o of_o a_o particular_a church_n as_o this_o of_o england_n as_o here_o he_o do_v than_o i_o say_v again_o 1._o we_o read_v of_o no_o such_o cannon_n make_v by_o the_o church_n at_o the_o first_o conversion_n to_o make_v the_o usage_n so_o ancient_a and_o to_o bind_v all_o her_o child_n in_o after_o age_n 2._o if_o we_o do_v find_v such_o yet_o the_o succeed_v church_n have_v the_o same_o power_n may_v annul_v if_o she_o see_v cause_n what_o be_v by_o they_o institute_v 2._o we_o desire_v also_o to_o know_v what_o he_o mean_v by_o ceremony_n for_o this_o be_v a_o ambiguous_a word_n under_o which_o the_o romanist_n do_v shroud_v their_o superstitious_a will-worship_n ceremony_n then_o be_v of_o two_o sort_n 1._o mere_a circumstance_n of_o command_v worship_n for_o the_o more_o orderly_a and_o decent_a performance_n of_o it_o or_o 2._o part_n of_o worship_n as_o the_o jewish_a ceremony_n for_o certain_a be_v if_o the_o doctor_n mean_v it_o in_o the_o latter_a sense_n as_o i_o think_v he_o do_v we_o must_v again_o distinguish_v of_o such_o ceremony_n they_o be_v either_o dumb_a and_o non-significant_a as_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n have_v many_o or_o significant_a and_o that_o either_o by_o nature_n or_o by_o institution_n if_o significant_a by_o institution_n then_o either_o by_o divine_a or_o humane_a institution_n these_o distinction_n be_v premise_v we_o suppose_v the_o doctor_n do_v not_o mean_a of_o the_o ceremonial_a circumstance_n or_o adjunct_n of_o command_v worship_n for_o that_o will_v not_o stand_v he_o in_o any_o stead_n nor_o do_v any_o man_n deny_v the_o church_n a_o power_n to_o order_v those_o but_o he_o must_v mean_v it_o of_o ceremonial_a worship_n as_o oppose_v to_o moral_a and_o that_o not_o for_o dumb_a or_o non-significant_a ceremony_n those_o he_o dislike_v in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n but_o for_o significant_a ceremony_n not_o significant_a by_o nature_n those_o need_v no_o institution_n but_o by_o institution_n not_o divine_a that_o be_v little_o less_o than_o a_o contradiction_n but_o humane_a institution_n then_o the_o question_n be_v this_o whither_o the_o church_n universal_a for_o all_o church_n or_o a_o particular_a church_n for_o her_o own_o member_n have_v a_o unquestionable_a authority_n to_o institute_v significant_a ceremony_n as_o part_n of_o worship_n which_o may_v not_o upon_o just_a reason_n be_v change_v or_o abolish_v this_o be_v the_o question_n to_o be_v prove_v but_o be_v only_o take_v for_o grant_v in_o these_o particular_n by_o the_o dr._n 1._o that_o the_o church_n whether_o universal_a or_o particular_a have_v such_o a_o power_n to_o institute_v ceremony_n unless_o they_o be_v such_o as_o tend_v to_o eutaxy_n and_o decency_n and_o the_o preservation_n or_o furtherance_n of_o god_n command_v worship_n what_o and_o how_o many_o she_o please_v as_o she_o shall_v judge_v most_o useful_a most_o for_o edification_n etc._n etc._n as_o the_o doctor_n say_v but_o go_v not_o about_o to_o prove_v but_o take_v it_o as_o unquestionable_a this_o we_o do_v deny_v and_o we_o think_v upon_o good_a reason_n beside_o the_o judgement_n of_o reform_a church_n if_o the_o church_n be_v allow_v such_o a_o power_n the_o mischief_n will_v be_v many_o as._n 1._o it_o be_v prejudicious_a to_o the_o simplicity_n of_o gospell-worship_n 2_o cor._n 11.3_o the_o simplicity_n which_o be_v in_o christ_n that_o be_v in_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n 25._o ceremony_n burdenous_a in_o the_o number_n may_v turn_v it_o into_o evil_n will_v worship_v sect_n 25._o it_o be_v speak_v with_o respect_n to_o the_o false_a apostle_n who_o by_o their_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d subtle_a persuasive_a word_n do_v corrupt_v both_o the_o doctrine_n and_o worship_n of_o the_o gospel_n as_o may_v appear_v by_o compare_v this_o place_n with_o col._n
the_o law_n of_o the_o church_n and_o so_o it_o proceed_v from_o obedience_n to_o superior_n append_v vid._n append_v a_o duty_n of_o the_o 5_o commandment_n but_o to_o the_o particular_n we_o say_v many_o thing_n commandment_n pract._n catech_n on_o 4._o commandment_n 1._o do_v he_o not_o a_o little_a before_o find_v the_o time_n or_o day_n design_v to_o public_a worship_n upon_o the_o equity_n or_o morality_n of_o the_o 4_o commandment_n hear_v what_o he_o say_v of_o the_o importance_n of_o that_o 4_o commandment_n it_o be_v a_o designation_n of_o time_n for_o the_o special_a perform_n of_o god_n public_a worship_n and_o again_o it_o be_v not_o only_o lawful_a but_o necessary_a to_o set_v apart_o some_o time_n for_o god_n service_n he_o mean_v by_o that_o commandment_n then_o say_v i_o if_o the_o 4_o commandment_n do_v necessary_o require_v a_o designation_n of_o some_o time_n for_o worship_n private_a as_o well_o as_o public_a for_o so_o he_o resolve_v in_o answer_n to_o the_o next_o question_n there_o do_v not_o the_o same_o commandment_n as_o necessary_o require_v the_o observation_n or_o sanctification_n of_o that_o time_n but_o it_o must_v be_v reduce_v to_o the_o 5._o commandment_n let_v he_o remember_v what_o he_o say_v in_o his_o treatise_n of_o will-worship_n sect._n 4._o if_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o command_n be_v before_o command_v by_o god_n it_o be_v then_o no_o long_o obedience_n to_o the_o law_n of_o the_o magistrate_n but_o only_o to_o god_n the_o application_n be_v easy_a and_o i_o add_v must_v god_n be_v behold_v to_o man_n either_o for_o the_o designation_n or_o observation_n of_o his_o due_a time_n by_o a_o duty_n from_o the_o 5_o commandment_n what_o if_o superior_n be_v so_o profane_a thing_n see_v sabbath_n redevivum_n at_o large_a these_o thing_n as_o to_o set_v apart_o no_o time_n for_o god_n worship_n or_o not_o to_o enjoin_v and_o require_v the_o observation_n of_o that_o time_n be_v every_o man_n free_a to_o observe_v some_o or_o 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may_v design_n as_o little_a or_o as_o much_o as_o few_o or_o as_o many_o time_n or_o day_n as_o they_o shall_v think_v fit_a and_o that_o ordinary_o in_o every_o week_n or_o month_n or_o year_n without_o sperstition_n as_o a_o act_n of_o piety_n which_o we_o suppose_v they_o can_v do_v without_o prejudice_n to_o the_o 4_o commandment_n and_o to_o christian_a liberty_n see_v the_o burden_n of_o jewish_a holiday_n be_v take_v off_o by_o christ_n and_o we_o reduce_v to_o the_o 4_o commandment_n as_o for_o one_o day_n in_o seven_o to_o be_v holy_a so_o for_o our_o allowance_n of_o six_o day_n for_o our_o own_o work_n the_o result_n of_o this_o answer_n be_v this_o that_o they_o that_o retain_v this_o usage_n of_o the_o festival_n as_o a_o day_n make_v holy_a by_o the_o church_n or_o state_n be_v both_o injurious_a to_o god_n in_o usurpation_n upon_o his_o prerogative_n in_o the_o 4_o commandment_n and_o also_o guilty_a of_o willworship_n in_o hold_v up_o a_o worship_n not_o command_v by_o god_n against_o the_o second_o commandment_n 2._o in_o respect_n to_o those_o who_o first_o institute_v it_o without_o command_n from_o other_o in_o who_o only_o it_o be_v call_v will-worship_n they_o be_v free_a from_o guilt_n too_o 1._o because_o among_o the_o jew_n some_o feast_n be_v institute_v that_o of_o purim_n and_o of_o the_o dedication_n without_o command_n etc._n etc._n 2._o freewilloffering_n of_o this_o nature_n be_v to_o be_v the_o more_o not_o the_o less_o acceptable_a for_o be_v voluntary_a to_o this_o we_o say_v in_o general_a it_o may_v be_v will-worship_n to_o observe_v what_o be_v command_v by_o other_o as_o well_o as_o to_o institute_v worship_n without_o a_o command_n in_o special_a to_o the_o first_o reason_n the_o feast_n institute_v by_o the_o jew_n we_o shall_v speak_v anon_o here_o sect_n 29._o to_o the_o second_o of_o freewilloffering_n we_o say_v 1._o these_o holiday_n of_o man_n institution_n be_v not_o like_o those_o freewilloffering_n of_o the_o old_a law_n as_o we_o have_v show_v upon_o his_o treatise_n of_o willworship_n sect_n 29._o 2._o we_o add_v it_o be_v not_o in_o the_o power_n of_o man_n to_o institute_v any_o worship_n not_o command_v by_o god_n and_o be_v flat_o against_o the_o second_o commandment_n but_o these_o holiday_n be_v by_o he_o make_v part_n of_o worship_n 3._o suppose_v the_o jew_n shall_v have_v make_v more_o holiday_n yearly_a than_o god_n command_v will_v they_o have_v be_v accept_v shall_v they_o not_o have_v hear_v who_o require_v these_o at_o your_o hand_n we_o may_v guess_v by_o their_o fast_n which_o they_o appoint_v god_n institute_v one_o fast_o only_a once_o a_o year_n upon_o the_o expiation_n day_n they_o in_o their_o captivity_n appoint_v more_o in_o the_o 5._o and_o 7._o month_n yearly_a but_o what_o acceptance_n find_v they_o see_v zech._n 7.5_o when_o you_o fast_v and_o mourn_v in_o the_o 5._o and_o 7._o month_n even_o those_o 70._o year_n do_v you_o at_o all_o fast_o to_o i_o even_o to_o i_o and_o may_v not_o papist_n who_o have_v a_o saint_n and_o a_o holiday_n almost_o for_o every_o day_n in_o the_o year_n be_v justify_v by_o this_o argue_v have_v it_o not_o a_o great_a show_n of_o wisdom_n piety_n devotion_n to_o devoâ—e_v most_o of_o their_o time_n to_o god_n be_v they_o not_o their_o freewiloffering_n the_o more_o acceptable_a because_o voluntary_a and_o uncommand_v let_v no_o man_n say_v they_o dedicate_v those_o day_n to_o saint_n and_o invocate_v the_o saint_n etc._n etc._n and_o that_o make_v they_o abominable_a but_o suppose_v none_o of_o those_o but_o the_o holy_a day_n be_v as_o the_o church_n of_o england_n express_v herself_o devote_v only_o to_o the_o honour_n of_o god_n but_o yet_o esteem_v as_o more_o holy_a and_o as_o a_o worship_n of_o god_n and_o more_o acceptable_a to_o god_n because_o voluntary_a even_o these_o and_o that_o other_o that_o it_o be_v do_v without_o command_n of_o god_n will_v denominate_v they_o will-worship_n and_o so_o odious_a to_o god_n and_o so_o much_o for_o that_o second_o he_o come_v now_o to_o vindicate_v it_o from_o superstition_n and_o say_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d signify_v supestitum_fw-la cultus_fw-la worship_v of_o daemon_n or_o soul_n of_o dead_a man_n but_o its_o little_a less_o than_o blasphemy_n to_o number_n christ_n with_o they_o etc._n etc._n to_o which_o we_o say_v for_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o superstition_n we_o have_v consider_v it_o in_o his_o treatise_n of_o superstition_n and_o have_v find_v he_o grant_v the_o sense_n of_o they_o to_o be_v far_o large_a than_o the_o worship_v of_o daemon_n and_o we_o have_v prove_v it_o rather_o to_o signify_v any_o false_a superradded_a worship_n not_o command_v of_o god_n religion_n a_o nimiety_n or_o excess_n of_o religion_n as_o super_fw-la statutum_fw-la above_o the_o law_n of_o god_n in_o a_o word_n any_o false_a worship_n of_o the_o true_a god_n which_o be_v exemplify_v in_o many_o particular_n there_o among_o which_o this_o be_v one_o in_o place_v the_o worship_n of_o god_n or_o more_o holiness_n in_o thing_n time_n place_n etc._n etc._n then_o god_n have_v place_v in_o they_o we_o shall_v consider_v what_o he_o say_v to_o vindicate_v this_o festival_n from_o it_o 1._o the_o birth_n of_o christ_n be_v a_o mercy_n of_o such_o excellent_a quality_n that_o it_o can_v never_o be_v overvalue_v etc._n etc._n this_o be_v grant_v but_o to_o institute_n a_o day_n as_o holy_a without_o command_n of_o christ_n for_o a_o annual_a commemoration_n of_o this_o be_v above_o the_o power_n of_o any_o church_n and_o a_o superstitious_a presumption_n and_o withal_o needless_a consider_v that_o the_o lord_n day_n which_o include_v the_o commemoration_n not_o only_o of_o his_o birth_n but_o his_o resurrection_n and_o the_o
day_n than_o on_o the_o other_o three_o that_o the_o excess_n and_o riot_n be_v only_o on_o other_o day_n after_o the_o nativity_n be_v a_o poor_a excuse_n for_o the_o whole_a twelve_o day_n be_v account_v part_n of_o the_o festivity_n and_o order_v to_o wait_v upon_o it_o sect._n 39_o that_o feast_n consist_v of_o all_o the_o twelve_o day_n say_v the_o learned_a doctor_n 63._o the_o saturnalia_fw-la be_v celebrate_v about_o the_o same_o time_n sect_n 63._o and_o so_o the_o day_n itself_o be_v guilty_a in_o part_n of_o all_o the_o excess_n of_o the_o follow_a day_n which_o be_v service_n fit_a for_o the_o revel_n of_o bacchus_n or_o saturn_n or_o for_o the_o birthday_n of_o a_o herod_n than_o for_o the_o festivity_n of_o a_o spiritual_a saviour_n §_o 27._o he_o now_o pass_v from_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o particular_a church_n of_o england_n to_o that_o of_o the_o universal_a christian_a church_n to_o show_v upon_o what_o ground_n festival_n in_o general_a &_o this_o of_o the_o nativity_n in_o special_a pretend_v to_o stand_v and_o that_o he_o do_v by_o certain_a degree_n or_o step_n §_o 28._o first_o he_o acknowledge_v it_o have_v not_o its_o beginning_n from_o any_o institution_n of_o christ_n but_o either_o of_o the_o apostle_n or_o the_o succeed_a church_n that_o it_o be_v not_o institute_v by_o the_o apostle_n the_o same_o argument_n will_v conclude_v which_o be_v use_v against_o their_o institution_n of_o easter_n sect_n 6.1_o there_o be_v no_o mention_n either_o of_o institution_n or_o observation_n of_o it_o in_o scripture_n nor_o any_o ground_n produce_v thence_o to_o find_v it_o on_o 2._o socrates_n the_o historian_n say_v express_o neither_o our_o saviour_n 22._o lib._n 5._o cap._n 22._o nor_o the_o apostle_n command_v it_o the_o feast_n of_o easter_n to_o be_v observe_v and_o there_o the_o scope_n be_v not_o speak_v of_o the_o apostle_n to_o settle_v any_o law_n for_o festival_n day_n but_o of_o a_o good_a life_n if_o for_o no_o festival_n than_o not_o for_o this_o of_o the_o nativity_n and_o its_o observable_a what_o he_o add_v there_o be_v some_o who_o think_v all_o whoredom_n to_o be_v a_o thing_n indifferent_a that_o do_v contend_v for_o festival_n day_n as_o for_o life_n it_o must_v then_o remain_v upon_o the_o succeed_a church_n and_o there_o be_v no_o doubt_n but_o this_o be_v true_a the_o succeed_v church_n do_v set_v up_o festival_n but_o what_o church_n be_v that_o not_o that_o of_o the_o apostle_n age_n nor_o that_o of_o apostolical_a man_n that_o have_v live_v some_o time_n with_o the_o apostle_n for_o the_o first_o record_n of_o father_n we_o have_v say_v not_o a_o word_n of_o any_o such_o observation_n the_o succeed_a church_n in_o the_o second_o or_o three_o centurie_n it_o seem_v begin_v to_o take_v it_o up_o and_o then_o socrates_n add_v they_o that_o receive_v such_o rite_n from_o their_o ancestor_n afterward_o transmit_v they_o to_o their_o posterity_n as_o a_o law_n and_o here_o be_v the_o most_o likely_a original_a of_o all_o festival_n hear_v what_o the_o learned_a lord_n faulkland_n say_v in_o a_o like_a case_n to_o our_o purpose_n some_o of_o great_a authority_n move_v by_o a_o good_a meaning_n may_v thus_o deceive_v other_o these_o thus_o deceive_v may_v deceive_v other_o till_o be_v general_o spread_v other_o good_a man_n be_v loath_a to_o oppose_v they_o for_o the_o same_o reason_n for_o which_o other_o desire_v to_o spread_v they_o think_v it_o a_o error_n that_o will_v increase_v piety_n they_o be_v at_o last_o take_v to_o have_v be_v command_v by_o the_o apostle_n without_o contradiction_n to_o which_o may_v be_v add_v what_o he_o have_v say_v in_o the_o end_n of_o the_o former_a page_n in_o those_o thing_n which_o be_v believe_v very_o convenient_a and_o yet_o fear_v that_o unless_o man_n count_v they_o necessary_a they_o will_v be_v backward_o to_o practice_v how_o easy_a be_v it_o for_o they_o to_o be_v after_o teach_v under_o pain_n of_o more_o danger_n then_o at_o first_o they_o be_v deliver_v with_o but_o superstitious_a rite_n be_v never_o without_o a_o show_n of_o wisdom_n as_o the_o apostle_n say_v col._n 2.23_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d a_o fair_a pretence_n of_o reason_n and_o the_o doctor_n give_v we_o one_o here_o it_o be_v very_o reasonable_a that_o those_o who_o acknowledge_v the_o receipt_n of_o such_o a_o mercy_n from_o god_n as_o be_v the_o gift_n of_o his_o son_n etc._n etc._n shall_v desire_v to_o celebrate_v the_o remembrance_n of_o it_o and_o offer_v it_o up_o a_o voluntary_a oblation_n to_o christ_n but_o if_o this_o be_v so_o very_o reasonable_a why_o do_v it_o not_o seem_v so_o to_o the_o apostle_n and_o the_o church_n of_o that_o and_o the_o next_o age_n or_o do_v not_o they_o acknowledge_v the_o receipt_n of_o such_o a_o mercy_n and_o be_v not_o their_o desire_n as_o fervent_a for_o the_o celebration_n of_o a_o remembrance_n of_o it_o etc._n etc._n will_v not_o christ_n himself_o respect_v his_o own_o service_n and_o honour_n nor_o his_o apostle_n prescribe_v and_o institute_v a_o voluntary_a oblation_n to_o christ_n if_o they_o have_v think_v it_o so_o great_a a_o honour_n to_o he_o be_v not_o all_o superstitious_a invention_n of_o man_n in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n intend_v as_o voluntary_a oblation_n to_o he_o because_o they_o will_v not_o have_v their_o piety_n restrain_v within_o those_o narrow_a bound_n of_o do_v nothing_o in_o the_o service_n and_o to_o the_o honour_n of_o christ_n but_o what_o be_v distinct_o prescribe_v and_o particular_o institute_v by_o he_o which_o be_v express_o against_o the_o second_o commandment_n by_o the_o apostle_n under_o the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d willworship_n col._n 2.23_o &_o 18._o as_o we_o have_v say_v §_o 29._o such_o say_v he_o be_v the_o feast_n of_o the_o dedication_n of_o the_o altar_n among_o the_o jew_n not_o institute_v by_o god_n himself_o yet_o the_o observation_n of_o it_o be_v approve_a and_o confirm_v by_o christ_n presence_n at_o that_o feast_n joh._n 10.23_o but_o there_o may_v be_v many_o mistake_v in_o this_o and_o not_o applyable_a to_o the_o case_n in_o hand_n first_o there_o be_v which_o he_o take_v notice_n of_o three_o feast_n of_o the_o dedication_n 1._o by_o solomon_n 2._o by_o zerubbabell_a at_o the_o repair_v of_o the_o temple_n 3._o by_o judas_n maccabaeus_n for_o the_o purge_n of_o it_o now_o he_o can_v but_o know_v that_o learned_a man_n be_v divide_v of_o which_o its_o here_o mean_v some_o of_o the_o first_o 10.23_o vide_fw-la tolet_n in_o joh._n 10.23_o some_o of_o the_o second_o though_o its_o probable_a it_o be_v not_o mean_v of_o either_o of_o they_o both_o because_o we_o read_v not_o that_o those_o two_o be_v ever_o observe_v above_o once_o and_o also_o because_o of_o the_o time_n of_o the_o observation_n specify_v it_o be_v in_o winter_n which_o the_o other_o be_v not_o 2._o but_o grant_v it_o of_o the_o last_o yet_o there_o be_v reason_n to_o think_v that_o it_o be_v not_o a_o religious_a festival_n but_o civil_a as_o the_o feast_n of_o purim_n seem_v to_o be_v esth_n 9.21.22_o a_o day_n of_o feast_v and_o joy_n and_o send_v portion_n one_o to_o another_o and_o gift_n to_o the_o poor_a and_o so_o it_o be_v say_v of_o the_o feast_n of_o dedication_n 1_o maccab._n 4.59_o they_o order_v it_o shall_v be_v keep_v yearly_o with_o mirth_n and_o gladness_n for_o though_o it_o be_v say_v ver_fw-la 56._o they_o offer_v burn_v offering_n yet_o that_o be_v for_o 53._o according_a to_o the_o law_n and_o so_o be_v worship_n command_v 3._o if_o it_o yet_o be_v say_v it_o be_v a_o religious_a festival_n and_o so_o observe_v even_o the_o day_n itself_o than_o it_o may_v fair_o be_v suggest_v that_o they_o go_v beyond_o their_o commission_n in_o make_v this_o feast_n annual_a and_o perpetual_a which_o neither_o solomon_n nor_o zerubbabell_a do_v they_o for_o aught_o we_o read_v and_o so_o those_o be_v keep_v as_o extraordinary_a day_n of_o thanksgiving_n for_o one_o turn_n only_o which_o we_o grant_v lawful_a to_o be_v do_v by_o the_o superior_a power_n as_o also_o we_o do_v extraordinary_a day_n of_o humiliation_n which_o the_o doctor_n also_o approve_v pract_n catech._n append._n p._n 304.4_o another_o mistake_n be_v this_o that_o that_o feast_n be_v approve_v &_o confirm_v by_o christ_n presence_n at_o it_o the_o t_z xt_v produce_v say_v no_o such_o thing_n but_o only_o thus_o it_o be_v at_o jerusalem_n mark_v that_o not_o at_o the_o temple_n not_o elsewhere_o the_o feast_n of_o the_o dedication_n and_o ver_fw-la 22._o jesus_n walk_v in_o the_o temple_n so_o he_o do_v other_o day_n any_o day_n when_o no_o feast_n be_v he_o be_v present_a in_o the_o temple_n not_o at_o the_o feast_n for_o aught_o appear_v which_o it_o seem_v be_v keep_v
height_n but_o do_v the_o father_n at_o all_o go_v about_o to_o prove_v this_o that_o which_o he_o say_v be_v that_o the_o preach_n of_o the_o gospel_n so_o i_o think_v he_o mean_v or_o of_o christ_n by_o tent_n maker_n fisherman_n and_o vulgar_a man_n take_v the_o whole_a world_n in_o few_o year_n by_o the_o power_n of_o he_o that_o be_v preach_v but_o he_o say_v not_o a_o word_n when_o the_o feast_n of_o the_o nativity_n first_o begin_v to_o be_v celebrate_v 2._o his_o second_o demonstration_n be_v from_o the_o great_a tax_v of_o the_o world_n by_o augustus_n when_o all_o go_v to_o be_v tax_v into_o his_o own_o city_n at_o which_o time_n joseph_n and_o mary_n go_v up_o to_o bethlem_n christ_n be_v bear_v luk._n 2.6.7_o now_o the_o time_n of_o this_o tax_n be_v record_v in_o the_o roll_n of_o augustus_n at_o rome_n and_o the_o good_a father_n be_v certify_v from_o thence_o by_o some_o that_o dwell_v there_o that_o it_o be_v in_o such_o a_o month_n and_o such_o a_o year_n all_o this_o may_v be_v grant_v but_o this_o prove_v only_o the_o truth_n and_o time_n of_o christ_n birth_n but_o not_o the_o observation_n of_o the_o day_n as_o festival_n yes_o may_v some_o say_v with_o the_o doctor_n for_o the_o father_n add_v those_o that_o live_v there_o do_v observe_v that_o very_a day_n that_o we_o do_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d from_o their_o ancestor_n and_o from_o ancient_a tradition_n as_o the_o doctor_n render_v the_o word_n and_o send_v we_o the_o knowledge_n of_o it_o this_o might_n well_o be_v if_o we_o consider_v the_o time_n and_o age_n that_o both_o they_o and_o this_o father_n live_v in_o which_o be_v as_o we_o say_v in_o the_o four_o centurie_n a_o 100_o or_o 200._o year_n before_o may_v be_v so_o style_v a_o ancient_a tradition_n 3._o his_o last_o demonstration_n be_v from_o the_o consideration_n of_o the_o time_n of_o john_n conception_n which_o be_v 6._o month_n before_o the_o conception_n of_o he_o and_o our_o lord_n as_o the_o scripture_n say_v express_o luk._n 1.26_o now_o the_o ground_n of_o all_o his_o large_a discourse_n be_v upon_o this_o supposition_n that_o the_o message_n of_o john_n conception_n come_v to_o zacharias_n in_o the_o month_n of_o september_n from_o whence_o the_o six_o month_n when_o the_o angel_n come_v to_o mary_n and_o she_o conceive_v her_o son_n be_v march_n and_o as_o we_o calculate_v it_o the_o 25._o day_n from_o thence_o count_v 9_o month_n more_o and_o it_o fall_v to_o be_v just_a our_o december_n and_o the_o 25_o day_n thereof_o but_o how_o prove_v the_o father_n the_o first_o that_o zacharie_n be_v officiate_a in_o the_o temple_n in_o our_o month_n of_o december_n his_o discourse_n be_v very_o large_a the_o sum_n of_o all_o come_v to_o this_o he_o take_v for_o grant_v these_o two_o thing_n first_o that_o zacharie_n be_v then_o high_a priest_n and_o second_o that_o the_o time_n be_v the_o feast_n of_o tabernacle_n and_o the_o day_n of_o expiation_n on_o the_o 7_o month_n and_o 10_o day_n of_o the_o month_n at_o which_o time_n only_o the_o high_a priest_n and_o he_o alone_o go_v into_o the_o most_o holy_a place_n now_o say_v the_o father_n zacharie_n be_v at_o this_o time_n go_v alone_o into_o the_o most_o holy_a place_n and_o all_o the_o people_n be_v without_o pray_v luk._n 1.9_o 10._o this_o he_o prove_v because_o it_o be_v say_v when_o the_o angel_n come_v to_o he_o he_o see_v he_o stand_v on_o the_o right_a side_n of_o the_o altar_n of_o incense_n which_o zacharies_n lot_n be_v to_o burn_v at_o that_o time_n the_o altar_n of_o burn_a offering_n say_v he_o be_v without_o and_o the_o altar_n of_o incense_n within_o the_o veil_n but_o now_o if_o learned_a man_n be_v not_o mistake_v this_o be_v a_o great_a mistake_n in_o this_o father_n locum_fw-la so_o in_o ambr._n in_o locum_fw-la for_o first_o the_o author_n of_o the_o note_n upon_o the_o five_o tome_n of_o chrysostome_n sir_n henry_n savill_n i_o suppose_v make_v this_o observation_n upon_o the_o father_n word_n pag._n 515._o l._n 24._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d from_o the_o premise_n of_o chrysostome_n no_o conclusion_n can_v be_v collect_v unless_o first_o it_o be_v prove_v that_o zacharie_n be_v the_o high_a priest_n which_o yet_o be_v not_o true_a although_o this_o father_n nourish_v his_o same_o opinion_n in_o other_o place_n by_o what_o probable_a argument_n at_o least_o lead_v to_o it_o i_o know_v not_o so_o far_o he_o second_o chemnitius_n be_v confident_a he_o be_v not_o high_a priest_n by_o many_o reason_n 1._o luke_n call_v he_o simple_o priest_n and_o officiate_a in_o the_o order_n of_o his_o course_n ver_fw-la 8._o and_o that_o be_v of_o the_o course_n of_o abia_n ver_fw-la 5._o who_o be_v not_o of_o the_o high_a priest_n line_n but_o a_o ordinary_a priest_n of_o the_o 8_o course_n of_o the_o 24._o 1_o chron._n 24.7.10_o 2._o he_o officiate_v and_o burn_v incense_n by_o lot_n but_o so_o do_v not_o the_o high_a priest_n but_o by_o office_n exod._n 30.7_o 3._o the_o altar_n of_o incense_n be_v not_o within_o the_o veil_n but_o without_o and_o there_o zacharie_n be_v ready_a at_o least_o to_o burn_v incense_n when_o the_o angel_n stand_v on_o the_o right_a side_n of_o it_o the_o high_a priest_n do_v offer_v his_o incense_n indeed_o within_o the_o veil_n but_o that_o be_v in_o a_o censer_n not_o upon_o the_o altar_n as_o be_v say_v levit._n 16.12_o but_o he_o only_o take_v coal_n from_o the_o altar_n of_o the_o burn_a offering_n and_o incense_n from_o the_o altar_n of_o of_o incense_n and_o put_v they_o both_o in_o a_o censer_n and_o offer_v it_o within_o the_o veil_n whereas_o the_o other_o priest_n offer_v it_o daily_o without_o the_o veil_n now_o the_o supposition_n of_o the_o father_n be_v ungrounded_a what_o he_o build_v upon_o it_o will_v be_v far_o from_o a_o demonstration_n but_o if_o all_o his_o proof_n be_v good_a that_o the_o month_n be_v december_n and_o the_o day_n the_o 25._o of_o that_o month_n whereon_o christ_n be_v bear_v we_o ask_v again_o what_o be_v this_o to_o prove_v the_o antiquity_n of_o the_o festival_n of_o the_o nativity_n chrysostome_n himself_o have_v much_o shake_v the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n universal_a in_o constitute_v it_o and_o celebrate_v of_o it_o in_o all_o age_n for_o it_o seem_v it_o be_v very_o questionable_a in_o his_o time_n whither_o it_o be_v a_o new_a or_o a_o ancient_a custom_n hear_v his_o own_o word_n 15._o tom._n 5._o p._n 512._o l._n 15._o in_o the_o homily_n where_o he_o so_o earnest_o plead_v for_o it_o i_o know_v very_o well_o that_o many_o be_v even_o now_o doubtful_a among_o themselves_o concern_v this_o day_n some_o accuse_v some_o defend_n and_o there_o be_v much_o talk_n every_o where_n about_o this_o day_n some_o charge_v it_o to_o be_v new_a and_o of_o late_a original_a and_o now_o bring_v in_o other_o apologize_n for_o it_o that_o it_o be_v ancient_a and_o from_o the_o beginning_n famous_a and_o manifest_a in_o many_o place_n to_o those_o that_o inhabit_v thracia_n etc._n etc._n so_o that_o it_o seem_v to_o be_v a_o tradition_n indeed_o of_o some_o stand_n and_o observe_v in_o many_o place_n but_o not_o universal_o in_o chrysostom_n time_n in_o the_o four_o centurie_n yea_o question_v by_o many_o and_o so_o no_o universal_a much_o less_o a_o apostolical_a institution_n which_o all_o this_o while_n the_o doctor_n have_v endeavour_v to_o make_v the_o world_n believe_v §_o 45._o his_o conclusion_n then_o must_v needs_o be_v like_o his_o premise_n weak_a and_o insufficient_a if_o not_o injurious_a that_o the_o fastidious_a reject_v or_o not_o observe_v the_o festival_n of_o the_o church_n universal_a the_o great_a day_n etc._n etc._n must_v certain_o be_v look_v upon_o by_o every_o man_n as_o a_o act_n of_o affect_a departure_n from_o the_o universal_a church_n in_o all_o age_n and_o not_o only_o from_o the_o reform_a church_n of_o england_n a_o heavy_a charge_n if_o it_o can_v be_v prove_v once_o as_o it_o be_v assert_v twice_o here_o and_o sect._n 12._o before_o but_o now_o i_o can_v return_v he_o this_o answer_n 1._o that_o he_o have_v not_o at_o all_o prove_v that_o the_o universal_a church_n of_o the_o first_o age_n have_v observe_v any_o of_o they_o nor_o the_o universal_a church_n in_o many_o after_o age_n have_v observe_v all_o those_o which_o he_o have_v name_v 2._o there_o be_v a_o time_n when_o the_o universal_a church_n of_o some_o yea_o many_o age_n and_o this_o of_o england_n among_o they_o i_o mean_v during_o the_o time_n of_o antichrist_n revel_v in_o all_o church_n observe_v may_n more_o holiday_n than_o the_o reform_a church_n of_o england_n do_v observe_v or_o he_o plead_v for_o will_v he_o say_v the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o
himself_o be_v guilty_a of_o a_o affect_a departure_n from_o the_o universal_a church_n if_o the_o church_n of_o england_n at_o her_o first_o reformation_n see_v cause_n and_o have_v power_n to_o throw_v away_o some_o may_v not_o the_o same_o church_n of_o england_n have_v the_o same_o power_n upon_o just_a the_o same_o or_o like_a reason_n cast_v off_o the_o rest_n if_o he_o say_v he_o speak_v it_o of_o the_o universal_a church_n of_o all_o age_n and_o especial_o of_o the_o first_o age_n we_o shalll_v join_v issue_n with_o he_o therein_o and_o and_o say_v if_o he_o can_v prove_v which_o i_o be_o confident_a he_o can_v that_o in_o reject_v or_o not_o observe_v these_o festival_n we_o have_v depart_v from_o the_o universal_a church_n in_o all_o age_n we_o shall_v be_v content_a to_o let_v his_o censure_n fall_v upon_o we_o till_o then_o we_o be_v safe_a and_o for_o a_o closure_n of_o the_o whole_a matter_n we_o shall_v take_v into_o consideration_n his_o rule_n prescribe_v in_o his_o first_o quaerie_n abour_n resolve_v controversy_n and_o be_v judge_v by_o it_o it_o be_v this_o 35_o quaere_fw-la 1._o sect._n 35_o what_o ever_o have_v the_o concordant_a attestation_n of_o the_o christian_a church_n of_o the_o first_o age_n the_o scripture_n remain_v obscure_a or_o silent_a in_o the_o matter_n that_o it_o be_v the_o doctrine_n or_o practice_v apostolical_a there_o remain_v not_o to_o any_o that_o now_o life_n any_o imaginable_a ground_n of_o sober_a or_o prudent_a doubt_v or_o question_v the_o truth_n of_o it_o this_o resolution_n and_o case_n the_o doctor_n begin_v with_o and_o intend_v it_o as_o a_o rule_n applicable_a to_o all_o the_o follow_a case_n against_o socinian_n and_o other_o heretic_n and_o schismatic_n sect._n 40._o he_o mean_v we_o thank_v he_o those_o that_o reject_v this_o festival_n as_o sect._n 12._o and_o 45._o of_o this_o quaerie_n appear_v but_o be_v this_o rule_n universal_o true_a be_v there_o no_o caution_n nor_o exception_n yes_o three_o at_o least_o 1._o it_o must_v be_v in_o case_n where_o the_o scripture_n be_v either_o obscure_a or_o silent_a in_o the_o matter_n 2._o that_o it_o be_v not_o extend_v any_o further_a than_o to_o the_o primitive_a ancient_n 3._o and_o again_o to_o a_o accordance_n of_o those_o testimony_n without_o any_o considerable_a opposition_n that_o this_o or_o that_o be_v deliver_v from_o the_o apostle_n we_o shall_v by_o his_o leave_n apply_v this_o rule_n to_o the_o case_n in_o hand_n and_o dare_v venture_v to_o be_v judge_v by_o it_o first_o consider_v the_o rule_n and_o then_o the_o caution_n and_o first_o for_o the_o rule_n itself_o we_o desire_v to_o know_v again_o what_o he_o mean_v by_o the_o church_n of_o the_o first_o age_n if_o he_o take_v it_o inclusive_o to_o take_v in_o the_o church_n of_o the_o apostolical_a time_n while_o they_o be_v yet_o alive_a we_o shall_v not_o stick_v to_o grant_v his_o rule_n to_o be_v good_a what_o ever_o doctrine_n or_o practice_n have_v the_o concordant_a attestation_n of_o that_o church_n it_o be_v apostolical_a the_o negative_a whereof_o being_n a_o sure_a rule_n to_o judge_v by_o what_o ever_o doctrine_n or_o practice_n want_v such_o concordant_a universal_a uniform_a attestation_n be_v not_o apostolical_a for_o they_o be_v all_o guide_v by_o on_o spirit_n will_v all_o agree_v uniform_o in_o the_o same_o doctrine_n or_o practice_n but_o there_o be_v not_o many_o thing_n so_o attest_v by_o the_o church_n of_o that_o age_n on_o the_o other_o side_n if_o he_o mean_v it_o exclusive_o of_o that_o age_n and_o to_o include_v only_o the_o after_o age_n it_o will_v prove_v a_o crooked_a rule_n many_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n be_v take_v up_o which_o be_v not_o apostolical_a but_o mere_a invention_n of_o man_n which_o like_o a_o gangreen_n soon_o overspead_n the_o face_n of_o the_o church_n and_o by_o the_o different_a time_v and_o observation_n of_o they_o prove_v by_o the_o best_a divine_v not_o to_o be_v apostolical_a second_o for_o the_o concordant_a attestation_n of_o the_o primitive_a ancient_n of_o the_o second_o or_o three_o age_n without_o considerable_a opposition_n which_o be_v one_o of_o the_o caution_n that_o this_o be_v deliver_v from_o the_o apostle_n i_o shall_v put_v in_o a_o just_a exception_n in_o the_o word_n of_o the_o learned_a and_o honour_a lord_n falkland_n in_o his_o discourse_n of_o the_o infallibility_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n who_o plead_v the_o universal_a tradition_n of_o the_o church_n for_o their_o religion_n as_o the_o doctor_n do_v for_o his_o christmas_n thus_o he_o write_v if_o the_o relation_n of_o one_o pappias_n can_v cozen_v so_o far_o all_o the_o prime_a doctor_n of_o the_o church_n christian_n into_o a_o belief_n of_o the_o celebration_n of_o a_o thousand_o year_n after_o the_o resurrection_n so_o as_o that_o not_o one_o of_o those_o two_o first_o age_n oppose_v it_o mark_v that_o till_o dionysius_n alexandrinus_n who_o live_v at_o least_o 250._o year_n after_o christ_n nay_o if_o those_o first_o man_n do_v not_o only_o believe_v it_o as_o probable_a but_o justin_n martyr_n say_v he_o hold_v it_o and_o so_o do_v all_o that_o be_v in_o all_o part_n orthodox_n christian_n irenaeus_n set_v it_o down_o direct_o for_o a_o tradition_n and_o relate_v the_o very_a word_n that_o christ_n use_v when_o he_o teach_v this_o which_o be_v plain_o than_o any_o other_o tradition_n be_v prove_v or_o say_v to_o be_v out_o of_o antiquity_n by_o they_o of_o rome_n if_o i_o say_v these_o can_v be_v so_o deceive_v why_o may_v not_o other_o of_o the_o ancient_n as_o well_o be_v deceive_v in_o other_o point_n and_o then_o what_o certainty_n shall_v the_o learned_a have_v when_o after_o much_o labour_n they_o think_v they_o can_v make_v it_o appear_v that_o the_o ancient_n think_v any_o thing_n a_o tradition_n that_o indeed_o it_o be_v so_o etc._n etc._n the_o doctor_n wisdom_n can_v easy_o apply_v this_o to_o the_o case_n in_o hand_n and_o i_o perceive_v he_o be_v aware_a of_o such_o a_o objection_n and_o therefore_o labour_v to_o prevent_v it_o by_o say_v that_o justin_n martyr_n 38._o quaer_fw-la 1._o sect_n 38._o the_o prime_a assertor_n of_o it_o that_o be_v a_o mistake_n for_o he_o and_o irenaeus_n also_o have_v it_o from_o pappias_n who_o be_v their_o senior_n confess_v other_o christian_n of_o pure_a and_o pious_a intention_n to_o he_o otherwise_o mind_v but_o for_o that_o let_v he_o answer_v his_o friend_n the_o lord_n falkland_n 73._o lo._n falk_n reply_n p._n 73._o who_o say_v that_o justin_n martyr_n say_v that_o in_o his_o time_n all_o all_z orthodox_n christian_n hold_v it_o and_o join_v the_o opposer_n with_o they_o who_o deny_v the_o resurrection_n and_o esteem_v they_o among_o the_o christian_n like_o the_o saducee_v among_o the_o jew_n and_o again_o say_v it_o find_v no_o resistance_n in_o above_o two_o age_n by_o any_o one_o know_v and_o esteem_v person_n and_o what_o now_o be_v become_v of_o the_o doctor_n rule_n three_o the_o rule_n apply_v to_o the_o case_n in_o hand_n will_v prove_v more_o than_o the_o doctor_n intend_v a_o light_a to_o discover_v his_o christmas_n far_o from_o a_o universal_a apostolical_a usage_n for._n 1._o the_o rule_n must_v hold_v only_o in_o thing_n wherein_o the_o scripture_n be_v obscure_a or_o silent_a but_o for_o institution_n of_o feast_n particular_o this_o of_o christmas_n the_o scripture_n be_v neither_o obscure_a nor_o silent_a for_o the_o scripture_n be_v clear_a and_o speak_v aloud_o against_o it_o both_o in_o the_o law_n the_o four_o commandment_n which_o require_v peremptory_o but_o one_o of_o seven_o for_o god_n allow_v six_o for_o man_n occasion_n and_o also_o in_o the_o gospel_n which_o clear_o speak_v against_o observation_n of_o day_n except_o the_o lord_n day_n the_o the_o christian_a sabbath_n whither_o jewish_n heathenish_a or_o christian_n festival_n of_o old_a be_v part_n of_o the_o ceremonial_a yoke_n upon_o the_o jew_n and_o therefore_o to_o give_v the_o church_n a_o power_n to_o institute_v holiday_n be_v to_o reduce_v the_o yoke_n again_o 2._o they_o have_v not_o the_o concordant_a testimony_n of_o the_o primitive_a ancient_n neither_o of_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o nor_o of_o those_o that_o live_v in_o the_o same_o age_n with_o they_o as_o of_o ignatius_n nor_o in_o the_o second_o centurie_n of_o pappias_n justin_n martyr_n irenaeus_n etc._n etc._n which_o may_v the_o better_o be_v believe_v because_o the_o doctor_n bring_v not_o one_o instance_n of_o any_o of_o those_o so_o much_o as_o mention_v this_o festival_n except_o out_o of_o the_o constitution_n of_o the_o apostle_n false_o so_o call_v which_o isodorus_n by_o gratian'ss_n report_n of_o he_o dist_n 16._o say_v where_o know_v to_o be_v corrupt_v by_o heretic_n under_o the_o name_n of_o the_o apostle_n this_o chemnitius_n further_o prove_v because_o the_o
father_n of_o the_o first_o age_n do_v not_o so_o much_o as_o intimate_v any_o such_o usage_n in_o their_o time_n no_o mention_n there_o be_v among_o the_o most_o ancient_a of_o celebrate_v the_o feast_n of_o the_o nativity_n till_o basill_n nazianzenes_n and_o chrysostom_n time_n who_o live_v not_o till_o the_o four_o centurie_n at_o least_o they_o say_v indeed_o it_o be_v in_o practice_n in_o some_o place_n before_o their_o time_n but_o that_o may_v be_v some_o 100_o more_o or_o less_o year_n and_o yet_o be_v far_o from_o the_o first_o age_n of_o the_o church_n or_o be_v universal_a 3._o another_o of_o the_o doctor_n caution_n be_v it_o must_v be_v attest_v without_o any_o considerable_a opposition_n but_o this_o his_o christmas_n find_v in_o the_o four_o centurie_n as_o we_o hear_v sect._n 44._o in_o chrysostom_n time_n there_o be_v a_o considerable_a opposition_n many_o be_v doubtful_a many_o charge_v the_o festivity_n with_o novelty_n and_o as_o of_o late_o bring_v in_o for_o a_o conclusion_n then_o of_o all_o the_o doctor_n censure_n be_v too_o harsh_a and_o the_o character_n too_o hard_o that_o be_v set_v upon_o the_o refuse_v of_o it_o that_o it_o have_v nothing_o but_o the_o novelty_n and_o contempt_n of_o antiquity_n to_o recommend_v it_o unto_o any_o we_o shall_v only_o put_v he_o in_o mind_n of_o two_o place_n in_o his_o own_o writing_n the_o one_o here_o at_o sect._n 35._o the_o other_o testimony_n of_o nicephorus_n that_o justinus_n the_o emperor_n first_o command_v it_o to_o be_v keep_v festival_n over_o the_o world_n then_o say_v i_o it_o be_v not_o a_o universal_a usage_n in_o all_o age_n of_o the_o church_n which_o the_o doctor_n have_v so_o long_o plead_v for_o for_o justinus_n live_v in_o the_o sixth_o century_n i_o know_v what_o he_o answer_v to_o it_o that_o belong_v only_o to_o the_o edict_n of_o the_o emperor_n for_o the_o universal_a observation_n do_v no_o way_n prejudge_v the_o church_n whither_o apostolical_a or_o primitive_a institution_n of_o it_o it_o be_v enough_o to_o prejudge_v the_o universal_a observation_n of_o it_o in_o all_o age_n and_o consequent_o it_o be_v not_o apostolical_a the_o other_o place_n be_v in_o his_o practical_a catechism_n where_o he_o confess_v 181._o pag._n 181._o it_o be_v not_o solemnize_v universal_o till_o about_o 400._o year_n after_o christ._n how_o often_o have_v he_o charge_v we_o with_o departure_n from_o the_o universal_a church_n in_o reject_v and_o not_o observe_v the_o festivity_n of_o the_o universal_a church_n etc._n etc._n sect._n 12._o and_o in_o that_o sect._n 45._o i_o hope_v upon_o second_o thought_n he_o will_v be_v more_o moderate_a in_o his_o censure_n and_o find_v that_o his_o rash_a zeal_n for_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n his_o mother_n and_o tradition_n of_o the_o ancient_n his_o father_n have_v carry_v he_o beyond_o the_o bound_n of_o reason_n and_o religion_n §_o 46._o the_o remain_a part_n of_o the_o doctor_n discourse_n be_v spend_v in_o answer_v 16._o quary_z propound_v by_o another_o but_o most_o of_o what_o he_o have_v say_v may_v be_v take_v away_o by_o what_o have_v above_o be_v answer_v i_o shall_v not_o put_v my_o sickle_n into_o another_o man_n corn_n but_o leave_v it_o to_o the_o author_n of_o they_o or_o some_o friend_n of_o he_o to_o vindicate_v they_o §_o 74._o the_o doctor_n now_o for_o a_o conclusion_n draw_v out_o some_o quaeres_fw-la of_o his_o own_o to_o be_v consider_v and_o answer_v by_o he_o that_o shall_v undertake_v this_o business_n as_o a_o short_a way_n to_o question_v and_o debate_v the_o truth_n or_o suppose_a certainty_n of_o some_o of_o his_o own_o principle_n for_o a_o essay_n this_o §_o 75._o whither_o it_o be_v not_o lawful_a for_o the_o church_n either_o national_a of_o one_o or_o universal_a of_o all_o part_n of_o christendom_n especial_o of_o that_o age_n near_a the_o apostle_n of_o the_o first_o and_o pure_a time_n to_o take_v upon_o it_o to_o institute_v one_o or_o more_o day_n upon_o any_o special_a occasion_n of_o some_o eminent_a mercy_n of_o god_n towards_o the_o whole_a church_n to_o be_v use_v yearly_o in_o act_n of_o christian_a piety_n and_o charity_n 6._o chemnit_fw-la exam._n de_fw-fr dieb_v fest_n ames_n medul_a in_o 4._o precept_n d._n riu._n in_o exod._n 20._o p._n 206._o 6._o by_o all_o the_o child_n of_o that_o church_n and_o to_o expect_v obedience_n from_o they_o but_o under_o favour_n this_o be_v not_o the_o question_n now_o between_o we_o for_o not_o only_o the_o lutheran_n but_o even_o the_o most_o rigid_a calvinist_n and_o nonconformist_n as_o they_o be_v call_v do_v grant_v that_o the_o church_n or_o rather_o the_o state_n have_v power_n to_o set_v apart_o any_o day_n to_o the_o act_n of_o piety_n and_o charity_n not_o only_o upon_o extraordinary_a eminent_a mercy_n but_o upon_o ordinary_a occasion_n provide_v 1._o they_o be_v not_o too_o many_o for_o number_n nor_o 2._o impose_v as_o necessary_a to_o the_o prejudice_n of_o christian_a liberty_n nor_o 3_o make_v part_n of_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n and_o other_o like_a caution_n and_o condition_n by_o they_o prescribe_v and_o if_o the_o superior_a power_n shall_v appoint_v such_o day_n so_o qualify_v this_o may_v secure_v both_o those_o that_o institute_v they_o and_o those_o that_o observe_v they_o from_o any_o crime_n of_o superstition_n it_o be_v more_o than_o probable_a that_o they_o who_o first_o appoint_v those_o day_n in_o memory_n of_o the_o martyr_n in_o their_o particular_a church_n intend_v no_o more_o but_o on_o such_o a_o day_n yearly_a to_o commemorate_v the_o faith_n and_o constancy_n of_o those_o holy_a sufferer_n as_o with_o thanks_o to_o god_n for_o his_o grace_n in_o they_o so_o to_o the_o encouragement_n of_o other_o christian_n to_o imitate_v their_o virtue_n but_o after_o age_n soon_o grow_v superstition_n in_o their_o number_n in_o their_o use_n and_o end_n dedicate_a day_n to_o to_o saint_n invocate_a they_o in_o their_o prayer_n make_v the_o observation_n of_o they_o necessary_a the_o day_n themselves_o holy_a holy_a than_o other_o day_n than_o the_o lord_n day_n place_v the_o worship_n of_o god_n in_o they_o expect_v more_o acceptance_n more_o blessing_n from_o the_o service_n of_o those_o day_n as_o a_o voluntary_a worship_n these_o abuse_n be_v foresee_v by_o the_o reform_a church_n and_o thereupon_o either_o the_o day_n be_v reject_v altogether_o by_o some_o or_o caution_v against_o by_o other_o especial_o by_o this_o church_n of_o england_n as_o all_o do_v know_v but_o when_o this_o last_o generation_n of_o misdevout_a man_n begin_v to_o exceed_v in_o the_o honour_n estimation_n and_o observance_n of_o those_o remain_a festival_n especial_o this_o of_o christmas_n equal_v they_o with_o if_o not_o prefer_v they_o above_o the_o lord_n day_n as_o be_v say_v before_o etc._n etc._n then_o those_o that_o be_v conscientious_a and_o tender_a of_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n begin_v to_o oppose_v such_o inchroachment_n upon_o it_o who_o former_o do_v observe_v the_o day_n and_o other_o that_o think_v they_o have_v power_n in_o their_o hand_n do_v lay_v they_o aside_o upon_o these_o reason_n it_o be_v too_o long_o to_o instance_n the_o particular_a superstition_n not_o only_o of_o the_o vulgar_a people_n but_o even_o of_o many_o divine_n discover_v in_o their_o practice_n and_o discourse_n against_o the_o lord_n day_n and_o for_o the_o holiday_n none_o that_o i_o know_v or_o have_v meet_v with_o have_v manifest_v more_o way_n of_o be_v superstitious_a in_o this_o subject_a of_o holiday_n than_o the_o doctor_n in_o this_o discourse_n of_o festival_n as_o have_v be_v make_v appear_v at_o the_o end_n of_o the_o sixteenth_o section_n to_o which_o i_o refer_v the_o reader_n and_o proceed_v to_o his_o second_o question_n §_o 77._o whither_o such_o a_o ancient_a institution_n of_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n by_o name_n the_o anniversarie_n feast_n of_o christ_n birth_n though_o it_o be_v not_o affirm_v to_o be_v command_v by_o christ_n or_o institute_v by_o the_o apostle_n or_o in_o itself_o consider_v without_o respect_n to_o the_o institution_n absolute_o necessary_a to_o the_o be_v of_o a_o church_n yet_o be_v thus_o more_o than_o lawful_a pious_a in_o itself_o proper_a in_o respect_n of_o the_o ground_n primitive_o catholic_n if_o not_o apostolic_a in_o respect_n of_o the_o institution_n may_v be_v lawful_o abolish_v etc._n etc._n wherein_o the_o doctor_n take_v for_o grant_v these_o thing_n which_o he_o have_v not_o prove_v 1._o that_o this_o festival_n be_v of_o so_o ancient_a institution_n as_o primitive_o catholic_n if_o not_o apostolic_a seeing_z it_o have_v be_v make_v appear_v to_o be_v neither_o 1._o apostolic_a or_o 2._o a_o primitive_a institution_n nor_o 3._o of_o catholic_n observation_n till_o at_o least_o the_o 400._o year_n by_o his_o own_o confession_n 2._o that_o it_o
2._o the_o worship_n of_o the_o law_n be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n ceremonial_a in_o external_a pomp_n and_o service_n but_o the_o worship_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v less_o ceremonious_a and_o gaudy_a and_o more_o spiritual_a joh._n 4._o in_o spirit_n and_o truth_n oppose_v to_o those_o ceremonial_a typical_a shadow_n and_o figure_n of_o the_o legal_a worship_n the_o gospel_n worship_n be_v for_o the_o most_o part_n moral_a pray_v preach_v hear_v etc._n etc._n without_o any_o thing_n like_o to_o that_o ceremonial_a worship_n except_o the_o observation_n of_o the_o lord_n day_n and_o the_o two_o sacrament_n design_v and_o institute_v by_o christ_n himself_o or_o by_o his_o commission_n but_o if_o the_o church_n have_v a_o power_n to_o institute_v ceremonial_a worship_n she_o may_v bring_v we_o back_o to_o a_o legal_a worship_n equal_a with_o the_o jew_n as_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n have_v do_v 2._o if_o the_o church_n have_v any_o such_o power_n to_o institute_v ceremony_n they_o must_v be_v either_o non-significant_a one_o but_o those_o protestant_n disclaim_v as_o idle_a foolery_n or_o significant_a and_o then_o either_o by_o nature_n or_o institution_n those_o of_o nature_n need_v no_o institution_n if_o institution_n be_v plead_v it_o must_v be_v either_o divine_a but_o the_o church_n have_v nothing_o to_o do_v with_o they_o they_o be_v institute_v to_o her_o hand_n or_o humane_a but_o that_o be_v expresl_o against_o the_o second_o commandment_n as_o have_v be_v say_v elsewhere_o god_n only_o can_v prescribe_v his_o own_o worship_n hence_o it_o be_v that_o those_o tradition_n of_o worship_n introduce_v by_o the_o false_a teacher_n be_v coudemn_v because_o they_o be_v the_o doctrine_n and_o commandment_n of_o man_n col._n 2.22_o which_o when_o our_o divine_n urge_v against_o such_o kind_n of_o ceremonial_a worship_n in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n as_o humane_a institution_n they_o have_v no_o way_n to_o avoid_v it_o locum_fw-la vide_fw-la estium_fw-la &_o corne_n l._n a_o lapide_fw-la in_o locum_fw-la but_o to_o say_v ceremony_n institute_v by_o a_o humane_a spirit_n as_o we_o be_v be_v there_o condemn_v but_o they_o be_v institute_v by_o the_o holy_a ghost_n join_v with_o their_o pastor_n in_o the_o regiment_n of_o the_o church_n as_o the_o rhemist_n speak_v on_o math._n 15.9_o and_o other_o more_o and_o therefore_o papist_n may_v better_o plead_v their_o bind_a power_n than_o we_o can_v do_v i_o shall_v add_v to_o this_o that_o to_o institute_v significant_a ceremony_n as_o a_o part_n of_o worship_n be_v a_o superstjtious_a excess_n and_o so_o will-worship_n which_o i_o prove_v from_o the_o doctor_n own_o concession_n to_o put_v more_o virtue_n and_o efficacy_n into_o thing_n 45._o of_o superstition_n sect_n 45._o then_o either_o natural_o or_o by_o the_o rule_n of_o god_n word_n be_v in_o they_o be_v a_o nimiety_n &_o so_o superstition_n but_o for_o man_n to_o institute_v significant_a ceremony_n for_o edification_n to_o teach_v and_o instruct_v etc._n etc._n be_v to_o put_v more_o virtue_n and_o efficacy_n in_o they_o then_o natural_o or_o by_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o word_n that_o be_v divine_a institution_n god_n put_v in_o they_o ergo_fw-la the_o major_n be_v the_o doctor_n own_o the_o minor_a be_v evident_a they_o have_v it_o not_o by_o nature_n nor_o by_o divine_a institution_n than_o they_o need_v not_o humane_a institution_n ergo_fw-la it_o be_v superstitious_a and_o consequent_o the_o church_n have_v no_o such_o power_n 3._o grant_v she_o but_o such_o power_n and_o there_o will_v be_v no_o end_n of_o ceremony_n no_o man_n can_v tell_v where_o she_o will_v stay_v 38._o of_o superstit_fw-la sect_n 38._o unless_o some_o bound_n be_v prescribe_v in_o scripture_n the_o doctor_n qualification_n that_o they_o be_v few_o and_o wholesome_a have_v no_o ground_n to_o rest_v on_o for_o who_o shall_v judge_v of_o the_o number_n or_o unwholsomnes_n without_o a_o rule_n not_o any_o private_a man_n that_o be_v deny_v and_o very_o reasonable_o not_o a_o particular_a church_n the_o universal_a may_v judge_v otherwise_o not_o the_o universal_a church_n of_o one_o age_n for_o the_o next_o generation_n may_v be_v wise_a and_o think_v they_o too_o few_o or_o too_o many_o not_o wholesome_a or_o unwholesome_a and_o so_o may_v either_o multiply_v or_o annul_v they_o see_v more_o of_o this_o in_o the_o discourse_n of_o superstition_n sect._n 32.33_o upon_o this_o ground_n grow_v all_o those_o more_o than_o jewish_a ceremony_n of_o the_o romish_a church_n that_o of_o the_o first_o 2._o the_o doctor_n take_v for_o grant_v also_o that_o the_o church_n have_v power_n to_o institute_v holy_a day_n such_o as_o christmas_n and_o to_o make_v they_o equal_a with_o the_o lord_n day_n for_o of_o this_o he_o be_v speak_v while_o he_o give_v the_o church_n this_o unquestionable_a power_n but_o he_o can_v but_o know_v this_o be_v deny_v by_o many_o divine_n 3._o he_o also_o take_v as_o yield_v that_o there_o be_v some_o ancient_a institution_n of_o this_o church_n for_o his_o christmas_n from_o our_o first_o conversion_n which_o must_v be_v the_o ground_n for_o it_o to_o stand_v on_o and_z a_o competent_a authority_n for_o the_o continuance_n of_o such_o a_o practice_n in_o this_o kingdom_n but_o this_o he_o have_v not_o prove_v 4._o once_o more_o he_o take_v as_o grant_v that_o such_o ceremony_n or_o festival_n establish_v by_o a_o church_n 56._o that_o be_v to_o restrain_v our_o liberty_n and_o to_o exchange_v one_o burden_n for_o another_o so_o the_o dr._n of_o superstition_n sect_n 56._o may_v not_o without_o great_a temerity_n be_v change_v or_o abolish_v by_o any_o what_o not_o by_o the_o universal_a church_n not_o by_o the_o succeed_a church_n that_o be_v to_o make_v the_o law_n of_o a_o particular_a church_n like_o those_o of_o the_o mede_n and_o persian_n unchangeable_a and_o equal_a with_o the_o law_n of_o god_n or_o else_o to_o cut_v short_a the_o succeed_a church_n from_o the_o same_o privilege_n of_o the_o former_a and_o so_o in_o time_n the_o church_n may_v lose_v all_o power_n to_o institute_v new_a ceremony_n or_o else_o ceremony_n may_v be_v multiply_v to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n and_o so_o much_o of_o the_o first_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n to_o institute_v ceremony_n a_o word_n of_o the_o next_o second_o we_o must_v inquire_v whether_o if_o the_o church_n have_v any_o power_n to_o ordain_v any_o ceremony_n this_o of_o christmas_n be_v such_o as_o she_o may_v ordain_v we_o have_v say_v and_o say_v again_o to_o institute_v holy_a day_n and_o to_o make_v they_o part_n of_o geds_n worship_n be_v a_o privilege_n of_o god_n alone_o if_o now_o the_o doctor_n shall_v say_v the_o church_n institute_n this_o festival_n only_o as_o a_o circumstance_n or_o adjunct_n of_o worship_n command_v it_o will_v be_v little_a to_o his_o purpose_n and_o make_v it_o no_o more_o holy_a than_o any_o other_o day_n when_o the_o same_o worship_n be_v perform_v but_o it_o be_v evident_a that_o in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n this_o and_o other_o festival_n be_v not_o count_v mere_a ceremony_n in_o that_o sense_n but_o as_o part_n of_o divine_a worship_n and_o so_o observe_v with_o great_a solemnity_n and_o more_o ceremony_n than_o the_o lord_n day_n itself_o which_o be_v both_o superstitious_a and_o sacrilegious_a and_o thus_o it_o have_v be_v with_o some_o yea_o many_o of_o our_o prelatical_a and_o cathedral_n man_n esteem_v and_o observe_v not_o only_o as_o equal_o holy_a with_o the_o lord_n day_n but_o with_o more_o solemn_a service_n with_o more_o abstinency_n from_o labour_n and_o recreation_n as_o we_o shall_v hear_v our_o doctor_n confess_v anon_o we_o now_o consider_v what_o he_o say_v to_o prove_v the_o disuse_n of_o these_o feast_n unblamable_a §_o 10._o these_o be_v part_n of_o that_o establishment_n which_o the_o reformation_n in_o this_o kingdom_n have_v enact_v for_o we_o by_o act_n of_o parliament_n to_o this_o we_o say_v 1._o the_o reformation_n former_o make_v in_o this_o kingdom_n we_o have_v good_a cause_n to_o bless_v god_n for_o but_o we_o know_v it_o be_v not_o so_o full_a and_o perfect_a as_o the_o reformer_n themselves_o can_v have_v wish_v by_o reason_n of_o the_o time_n new_o come_v out_o of_o the_o darkness_n of_o popery_n and_o the_o tenaciousnesse_n of_o old_a custom_n receive_v by_o tradition_n of_o their_o father_n 2._o this_o seem_v to_o grant_v that_o the_o reformation_n and_o so_o the_o establishment_n of_o these_o festival_n in_o this_o nation_n be_v make_v by_o the_o state_n and_o not_o by_o the_o church_n which_o now_o be_v plead_v for_o §_o 11._o second_o this_o &_o other_o feast_n of_o christ_n be_v in_o the_o reform_a especial_o the_o lutheran_n church_n still_o retain_v and_o where_o they_o be_v take_v away_o in_o some_o church_n by_o some_o sober_a member_n wish_v for_o we_o answer_v to_o