power_n of_o the_o civil_a magistrate_n and_o by_o the_o authentical_a law_n of_o the_o kingdom_n in_o those_o act_n of_o parliament_n which_o have_v establish_v these_o thing_n must_v either_o engage_v all_o that_o be_v within_o the_o verge_n of_o the_o church_n and_o of_o this_o church_n and_o state_n especial_o unto_o a_o peaceable_a and_o pious_a obedience_n thereunto_o or_o else_o leave_v the_o stain_n of_o impiety_n faction_n and_o of_o a_o turbulent_a and_o disorderly_a spirit_n or_o else_o of_o folly_n and_o blindness_n upon_o all_o those_o that_o oppose_v it_o indeed_o there_o be_v nothing_o free_a from_o temptation_n but_o it_o be_v well_o say_v of_o one_o as_o i_o remember_v and_o may_v be_v well_o consider_v of_o other_o that_o it_o be_v not_o at_o least_o not_o always_o the_o infirmity_n but_o the_o excellency_n of_o thing_n that_o make_v they_o the_o matter_n of_o temptation_n abuse_n of_o thing_n that_o be_v good_a must_v teach_v we_o wisdom_n and_o caution_n but_o not_o 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he_o dies_fw-la hosce_fw-la humanâ_fw-la authoritate_fw-la constitutos_fw-la câdem_fw-la posse_fw-la tolli_fw-la &_o mutari_fw-la si_fw-la utilitas_fw-la &_o necessitas_fw-la ecclesiae_fw-la id_fw-la postulaverit_fw-la nam_fw-la omnis_fw-la res_fw-la per_fw-la quascunque_fw-la causas_fw-la nascitur_fw-la per_fw-la casdem_fw-la dissolvitur_fw-la but_o it_o must_v be_v so_o judge_v that_o these_o day_n which_o be_v appoint_v by_o humane_a authority_n may_v be_v abolish_v and_o alter_v by_o the_o same_o where_o the_o profit_n and_o necessity_n of_o the_o church_n do_v require_v it_o for_o all_o thing_n be_v dissolve_v by_o the_o same_o cause_n whereby_o they_o be_v establish_v but_o then_o this_o aught_o to_o be_v do_v upon_o good_a and_o true_a ground_n and_o by_o 〈◊〉_d power_n equal_a at_o least_o to_o that_o that_o have_v establish_v they_o 2._o there_o must_v be_v care_v take_v that_o there_o be_v a_o prudent_a moderation_n use_v in_o the_o number_n of_o such_o day_n that_o nothing_o 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of_o righteousness_n upon_o we_o
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the_o edification_n of_o the_o people_n three_o in_o undertake_v to_o dissolve_v so_o laudable_a custom_n and_o so_o universal_o and_o ancient_o receive_v and_o establish_v by_o full_a power_n of_o the_o state_n and_o church_n either_o without_o any_o authority_n thereunto_o or_o by_o a_o power_n inferior_a unto_o that_o whereby_o they_o be_v constitute_v four_o in_o do_v those_o thing_n without_o any_o admission_n of_o those_o that_o be_v contrary_a mind_a to_o be_v hear_v or_o any_o fair_a discussion_n or_o debate_n of_o those_o difference_n that_o be_v in_o man_n judgement_n thereabouts_o and_o therefore_o their_o proceed_n therein_o be_v and_o may_v be_v just_o dislike_v and_o contradict_v both_o by_o declaration_n and_o practice_n without_o lie_v open_a to_o any_o such_o charge_n as_o you_o mention_v of_o oppose_a proceed_n in_o order_n to_o reformation_n proper_o so_o call_v such_o undertake_n with_o the_o rest_n that_o be_v like_o they_o be_v rather_o in_o order_n to_o a_o deformation_n but_o whether_o in_o this_o they_o have_v play_v the_o fool_n or_o no_o i_o leave_v that_o to_o you_o to_o determine_v to_o your_o twelve_o quaere_fw-la whether_o since_o most_o man_n and_o woman_n in_o england_n do_v blind_o and_o superstitions_o believe_v christ_n be_v bear_v that_o day_n preach_v on_o it_o do_v not_o nourish_v and_o strengthen_v they_o in_o that_o belief_n answ_n although_o it_o be_v admit_v to_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o some_o uncertainty_n whether_o our_o saviour_n be_v bear_v upon_o that_o day_n or_o no_o yet_o it_o be_v not_o material_a unto_o the_o lawfulness_n and_o wholsomnesse_n of_o the_o observation_n of_o the_o solemnity_n as_o have_v be_v declare_v if_o it_o be_v a_o error_n in_o the_o people_n to_o apprehend_v so_o yet_o it_o be_v a_o harmless_a one_o and_o without_o the_o danger_n of_o superstition_n which_o yet_o preach_v upon_o that_o day_n do_v neither_o necessary_o nourish_v nor_o strengthen_v in_o they_o i_o shall_v not_o deny_v but_o 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people_n to_o travel_v into_o their_o own_o country_n as_o be_v require_v in_o that_o imposition_n of_o augustus_n yet_o it_o be_v no_o strange_a thing_n in_o magistrate_n and_o those_o both_o prudent_a and_o pious_a to_o pass_v through_o such_o small_a and_o private_a inconvenience_n for_o the_o obtain_n supply_n of_o public_a necessity_n it_o will_v be_v a_o very_a weak_a argument_n if_o any_o shall_v hereafter_o undertake_v to_o prove_v this_o unhappy_a parliament_n begin_v not_o in_o november_n because_o that_o month_n be_v usual_o none_o of_o the_o best_a season_n to_o travel_v from_o the_o several_a part_n of_o this_o kingdom_n to_o london_n in_o and_o though_o sheep_n be_v tender_a creature_n yet_o that_o season_n be_v not_o of_o the_o same_o bitterness_n in_o all_o climate_n and_o if_o i_o mistake_v not_o as_o tender_a as_o they_o be_v they_o be_v even_o in_o this_o
the_o vindication_n of_o the_o solemnity_n of_o the_o nativity_n of_o christ_n show_v the_o ground_n upon_o which_o the_o observation_n of_o that_o and_o other_o festival_n be_v justify_v in_o the_o church_n with_o a_o short_a answer_n to_o certain_a query_n propound_v by_o one_o joseph_n heming_n in_o opposition_n to_o the_o aforesaid_a practice_n of_o the_o church_n by_o thomas_n warmstry_n d._n d._n let_v we_o follow_v after_o thing_n that_o make_v for_o peace_n and_o thing_n wherewith_o we_o may_v edify_v one_o another_o rom._n 14.19_o unto_o you_o be_v bear_v this_o day_n a_o saviour_n which_o be_v christ_n the_o lord_n luk._n 1.11_o print_a in_o the_o year_n 1648._o the_o vindication_n of_o the_o solemnity_n of_o the_o nativity_n of_o christ_n etc._n etc._n before_o i_o come_v to_o answer_v these_o query_n that_o i_o may_v make_v way_n for_o the_o clear_n of_o man_n judgement_n i_o shall_v brief_o lay_v down_o the_o ground_n upon_o which_o the_o observation_n of_o this_o and_o 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so_o far_o its_o ground_n in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n four_o that_o the_o church_n have_v a_o power_n from_o god_n to_o promote_v those_o end_n which_o be_v command_v in_o his_o word_n by_o all_o kind_n of_o mean_n which_o be_v not_o contrary_a thereunto_o and_o such_o a_o meanâ—â—_n be_v this_o appointment_n of_o day_n which_o have_v be_v with_o approbation_n practise_v by_o the_o church_n even_o in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o jewish_a bondage_n in_o the_o designation_n and_o ordain_v of_o festival_n yearly_a to_o be_v observe_v which_o be_v not_o enjoin_v by_o any_o express_a command_n of_o god_n as_o be_v clear_o to_o be_v see_v in_o the_o institution_n of_o the_o feast_n of_o purim_n esther_n 9.17_o etc._n etc._n and_o of_o the_o feast_n of_o dedication_n machab._n 4.59_o honour_a and_o confirm_v by_o the_o presence_n of_o our_o saviour_n job_n 10.22.23_o five_o that_o this_o power_n in_o the_o church_n be_v though_o unobserved_o yet_o in_o clear_a consequence_n be_v confirm_v by_o divers_a argument_n from_o the_o allowance_n and_o practice_n of_o adversary_n themselves_o as_o first_o look_v what_o power_n private_a minister_n challenge_v that_o they_o must_v much_o more_o allow_v the_o church_n but_o they_o challenge_v a_o power_n to_o appoint_v time_n for_o public_a worship_n which_o be_v not_o express_o command_v by_o god_n as_o upon_o lecture_n day_n e_o go_v and_o there_o can_v be_v no_o reason_n why_o hey_n shall_v have_v more_o power_n to_o appoint_v a_o hour_n or_o more_o in_o a_o day_n than_o the_o church_n a_o day_n or_o more_o in_o a_o you_o be_v second_o there_o be_v as_o good_a reason_n that_o the_o church_n shall_v appoint_v day_n of_o fâ—â—sting_v which_o be_v not_o command_v by_o god_n as_o dâ—yes_n of_o fast_v which_o be_v not_o command_v by_o god_n since_o the_o end_n of_o the_o former_a be_v as_o exceptable_a to_o god_n and_o more_o excellent_a than_o the_o latter_a and_o have_v no_o plea_n against_o it_o that_o lie_v not_o equal_o against_o 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opposition_n to_o any_o law_n of_o gâ—â—_n 〈◊〉_d of_o excellent_a use_n and_o benefit_n to_o god_n people_n 1._o to_o preserve_v and_o 〈◊〉_d the_o memory_n of_o these_o great_a blessing_n 2._o to_o stir_v up_o the_o people_n to_o the_o duty_n or_o praise_n 3._o to_o call_v upon_o the_o minister_n in_o their_o several_a charge_n to_o study_v and_o handle_v those_o great_a and_o necessary_a part_n of_o christian_a knowledge_n 4._o to_o give_v so_o many_o opportunity_n for_o the_o assemble_v of_o the_o people_n to_o holy_a duty_n 5._o for_o the_o render_n of_o those_o great_a and_o mystical_a blessing_n familiar_a unto_o the_o people_n thereby_o that_o be_v fulfil_v in_o this_o sense_n that_o the_o psalmist_n speak_v in_o the_o 9_o psal_n one_o day_n tell_v another_o and_o one_o night_n certifi_v another_o there_o be_v neither_o speech_n nor_o language_n yet_o their_o speech_n be_v hear_v among_o they_o thus_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o the_o calendar_n of_o the_o church_n &_o â—he_v cycle_n of_o the_o festival_n present_n be_v as_o it_o be_v a_o easy_a and_o familiar_a catechism_n unto_o the_o people_n and_o do_v instruct_v they_o almost_o whether_o they_o will_v or_o no_o in_o the_o apprehension_n or_o those_o high_a point_n and_o comfortable_a motion_n of_o the_o conception_n nativity_n circumcision_n manifestation_n to_o the_o gentile_n presentation_n in_o the_o temple_n of_o the_o death_n and_o passion_n resurrection_n ascension_n of_o christ_n into_o heaven_n and_o of_o the_o send_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n to_o bring_v home_o the_o fruit_n of_o all_o which_o be_v as_o so_o many_o part_n of_o the_o holy_a anthem_n of_o the_o church_n the_o epiphonema_n or_o clâ—se_v of_o all_o which_o be_v in_o the_o festival_n of_o the_o trinity_n which_o be_v unto_o all_o the_o rest_n as_o the_o glory_n be_v to_o the_o father_n to_o the_o son_n and_o to_o the_o holy_a ghost_n etc._n etc._n at_o the_o close_a of_o a_o psalm_n call_v upon_o we_o to_o give_v honour_n and_o praise_n unto_o the_o trinity_n for_o all_o those_o incomprehensible_a blessing_n and_o benefit_n whereby_o the_o work_n of_o man_n redemption_n be_v perfect_v and_o bring_v home_o unto_o we_o this_o wisdom_n and_o piety_n of_o the_o church_n be_v not_o understand_v nor_o consider_v by_o those_o heady_a and_o hair_n brain_v people_n that_o weigh_v thing_n in_o the_o corrupt_a scale_n of_o oâ—_n their_o own_o contradictory_n and_o antecclesiasticall_a spirit_n but_o they_o that_o be_v sober_a and_o peaceable_a discover_v and_o admire_v it_o and_o bless_v god_n for_o it_o and_o do_v foresee_v with_o sad_a heart_n the_o design_n of_o satan_n move_v against_o this_o church_n of_o we_o by_o the_o abolish_n of_o these_o and_o and_o other_o useful_a ordinance_n and_o custom_n to_o blot_v out_o by_o degree_n the_o memory_n of_o the_o great_a and_o inestimable_a blessing_n of_o god_n in_o christ_n and_o to_o open_v the_o door_n to_o prophanesse_n and_o infidelity_n to_o the_o former_a benefit_n may_v be_v add_v the_o mercy_n that_o do_v hereby_o accrue_v unto_o servant_n and_o the_o poor_a beast_n in_o a_o relaxation_n of_o their_o labour_n upon_o such_o day_n the_o incitement_n that_o they_o administer_v unto_o work_n of_o charity_n neighbourhood_n and_o hospitality_n thing_n very_o please_v in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n howsoever_o dislike_v by_o those_o of_o this_o age_n that_o place_n religion_n in_o cruelty_n faction_n and_o sedition_n and_o the_o nursery_n and_o supply_v that_o be_v thereby_o suggest_v unto_o the_o exercise_n of_o our_o spiritual_a joy_n and_o delight_n in_o god_n and_o his_o goodness_n last_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n both_o ancient_a and_o modern_a both_o general_a and_o of_o this_o particular_a church_n come_v upon_o we_o with_o all_o these_o warrant_n and_o convenience_n to_o serve_v the_o end_n of_o god_n and_o scripture_n and_o strengthen_v by_o the_o
the_o holy_a ghost_n the_o memorial_n of_o all_o which_o we_o consecrate_v by_o appoint_a solemnity_n lest_o as_o s._n aug._n speak_v by_o the_o course_n of_o the_o time_n a_o unthankful_a forgetfulness_n thereof_o shall_v steal_v upon_o we_o and_o the_o same_o learned_a author_n will_v show_v you_o that_o we_o be_v invite_v hereunto_o by_o the_o obligation_n of_o gratitude_n that_o we_o owe_v unto_o god_n as_o public_a benefit_n be_v to_o be_v public_o acknowledge_v and_o to_o be_v celebrate_v with_o public_a thanksgiving_n which_o can_v commodious_o be_v do_v unless_o they_o that_o have_v the_o rule_n of_o the_o church_n and_o common_a wealth_n do_v appoint_v set_v day_n for_o the_o people_n to_o come_v together_o to_o that_o purpose_n joel_n 2.15_o that_o we_o be_v encourage_v hereunto_o by_o the_o people_n benefit_n which_o they_o may_v reap_v hereby_o in_o be_v upon_o such_o occasion_n make_v acquaint_v with_o the_o chief_a mystery_n of_o salvation_n which_o whether_o they_o shall_v be_v instruct_v in_o or_o no_o be_v a_o matter_n of_o too_o great_a concernment_n to_o be_v leave_v to_o the_o discretion_n of_o every_o private_a minister_n and_o therefore_o the_o church_n have_v think_v fit_a to_o call_v upon_o they_o for_o it_o by_o these_o festival_n and_o i_o pray_v god_n the_o attempt_n of_o the_o abolition_n of_o these_o memorial_n be_v not_o the_o drift_n of_o some_o secret_a plot_n of_o satan_n to_o make_v way_n for_o the_o steal_n of_o christianity_n out_o of_o this_o nation_n if_o we_o consider_v the_o motion_n of_o some_o other_o engine_n of_o he_o together_o with_o this_o in_o these_o time_n i_o doubt_v we_o may_v find_v but_o too_o much_o cause_n to_o suspect_v it_o and_o cause_n enough_o for_o all_o good_a people_n to_o desire_v to_o prevent_v it_o by_o be_v unwilling_a to_o part_v with_o any_o the_o least_o lawful_a mean_n that_o may_v serve_v to_o keep_v up_o the_o memory_n and_o impression_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o wonderful_a mercy_n in_o our_o heart_n he_o will_v show_v you_o also_o as_o i_o have_v do_v how_o this_o practice_n be_v confirm_v unto_o we_o by_o the_o example_n of_o the_o godly_a people_n in_o the_o scripture_n who_o have_v appoint_v set_v and_o yearly_a day_n for_o such_o purpose_n beside_o those_o that_o be_v command_v express_o and_o particular_o by_o god_n himself_o and_o i_o can_v add_v that_o the_o same_o be_v yet_o further_o confirm_v unto_o we_o by_o the_o judgement_n and_o practice_n of_o holy_a man_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n not_o only_o of_o the_o ancient_n but_o of_o many_o famous_a modern_a protestant_a divine_n as_o melancthon_n hemingins_n scultetus_n etc._n etc._n all_o which_o be_v put_v into_o the_o same_o scale_n with_o the_o authority_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o the_o law_n which_o have_v yet_o find_v no_o authority_n equal_a unto_o it_o to_o dissolve_v the_o act_n thereof_o in_o this_o kind_n will_v i_o doubt_v not_o weigh_v down_o all_o the_o seem_a reason_n or_o divinity_n upon_o which_o you_o have_v ground_v your_o quary_z to_o your_o eight_o quaere_fw-la whether_o the_o true_a and_o genuine_a interpretation_n of_o christmas_n be_v christman_n and_o whether_o to_o persuade_v people'tis_o so_o be_v not_o to_o abuse_v and_o delude_v they_o and_o whether_o we_o may_v not_o as_o well_o interpret_v candlemas_n candleman_n michaelmas_n michaelman_n as_o christmas_n christman_n answer_v that_o this_o be_v a_o question_n so_o childish_a of_o so_o vain_a importance_n and_o so_o of_o no_o concernment_n at_o all_o to_o the_o business_n propound_v that_o i_o may_v be_v excuse_v if_o i_o shall_v say_v no_o more_o but_o either_o to_o wish_v you_o more_o wisdom_n and_o sobriety_n in_o the_o thing_n of_o god_n and_o his_o church_n or_o if_o you_o know_v any_o that_o be_v guilty_a of_o make_v so_o foolish_a a_o descant_n upon_o that_o name_n of_o christmas_n as_o your_o quaere_fw-la present_n to_o leave_v you_o to_o he_o for_o a_o reply_n neither_o the_o church_n of_o england_n nor_o i_o be_v bind_v to_o justify_v the_o folly_n of_o particular_a man_n but_o lest_o your_o insinuate_v quarrel_n at_o the_o name_n of_o christmas_n shall_v meet_v with_o any_o such_o weak_a judgement_n as_o to_o produce_v any_o scruple_n premise_v this_o that_o these_o be_v thing_n that_o neither_o the_o church_n of_o england_n nor_o i_o conceive_v any_o discreet_a child_n thereof_o will_v stand_v upon_o any_o further_a than_o they_o serve_v to_o make_v we_o understand_v one_o another_o and_o i_o wish_v all_o quarrel_n about_o name_n be_v so_o at_o a_o end_n among_o we_o i_o say_v yet_o further_o that_o the_o interpretation_n of_o learned_a bishop_n andrew_n might_n have_v be_v better_o think_v on_o by_o you_o than_o that_o fond_a one_o you_o have_v mention_v reduce_v christ-mas_n to_o christi_fw-la missa_fw-la and_o take_v missa_fw-la for_o missio_fw-la so_o that_o it_o may_v present_v the_o importance_n of_o the_o feast_n viz._n the_o send_n of_o christ_n into_o the_o world_n or_o if_o this_o be_v liable_a to_o some_o exception_n yet_o it_o can_v be_v deny_v but_o the_o word_n mass_n however_o it_o have_v be_v corrupt_v in_o latter_a time_n be_v from_o missa_fw-la and_o i_o believe_v you_o may_v find_v that_o the_o word_n missa_fw-la have_v be_v of_o good_a use_n in_o the_o church_n and_o derive_v from_o a_o good_a and_o laudable_a custom_n of_o dismiss_v the_o catechumeni_fw-la before_o the_o communion_n in_o the_o primitive_a time_n and_o may_v import_v as_o much_o as_o the_o office_n or_o communion_n of_o the_o faithful_a and_o then_o christs-masse_n may_v sound_v as_o much_o as_o the_o office_n or_o communion_n of_o the_o faithful_a upon_o christ_n day_n or_o in_o the_o praise_n of_o christ_n or_o in_o memorial_n of_o he_o or_o if_o you_o be_v loath_a to_o admit_v of_o this_o in_o justification_n of_o the_o word_n missa_fw-la i_o entreat_v you_o yet_o to_o allow_v thus_o much_o that_o however_o evil_a the_o word_n be_v in_o the_o use_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n yet_o since_o you_o know_v it_o have_v no_o such_o evil_a importance_n in_o the_o sense_n of_o the_o church_n of_o england_n and_o it_o be_v not_o unlawful_a to_o reform_v the_o abuse_n of_o word_n as_o well_o as_o thing_n there_o can_v be_v no_o harm_n in_o the_o use_n of_o that_o title_n for_o distinction_n no_o more_o than_o it_o be_v for_o st._n luke_n in_o the_o 17._o of_o the_o act_n v._o 22._o to_o comply_v so_o far_o with_o custom_n as_o to_o call_v the_o street_n in_o athens_n by_o the_o name_n of_o mars_n his_o street_n although_o mars_n be_v a_o heathen_a idol_n or_o to_o call_v dionysius_n by_o the_o title_n of_o the_o areopagite_n v._n 34._o i_o advise_v you_o therefore_o to_o take_v the_o counsel_n of_o st._n paul_n hereafter_o for_o your_o own_o good_a and_o the_o quiet_a of_o other_o and_o the_o church_n that_o instead_o of_o be_v such_o a_o one_o as_o he_o condemn_v 1._o tim._n 6.4.5_o sick_a of_o a_o spiritual_a tympany_n and_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d dote_a or_o mad_v about_o question_n and_o strife_n of_o word_n whereof_o come_v envy_n strife_n rail_n evil_a surmising_n froward_a disputation_n of_o man_n of_o corrupt_a mind_n and_o destitute_a of_o the_o truth_n you_o will_v become_v such_o as_o he_o advise_v 2._o tim._n 14.23_o that_o you_o strive_v not_o about_o word_n which_o be_v to_o no_o profit_n but_o to_o the_o pervert_n of_o the_o hearer_n and_o that_o you_o will_v put_v away_o foolish_a and_o unlearned_a question_n know_v that_o they_o engender_v strife_n to_o your_o nine_o quaere_fw-la whether_o the_o saint_n be_v bind_v to_o rejoice_v in_o the_o birth_n of_o christ_n on_o that_o day_n man_n superstitious_o call_v christmas_n more_o than_o at_o other_o time_n and_o whether_o the_o lord_n day_n be_v not_o the_o day_n appoint_v for_o they_o to_o rejoice_v on_o ans_fw-fr leave_v your_o imputation_n that_o you_o lay_v of_o superstition_n upon_o the_o name_n of_o christmas_n to_o the_o correction_n of_o that_o which_o have_v be_v already_o say_v unto_o the_o quaere_fw-la next_o before_o i_o answer_v that_o though_o christian_n be_v bind_v at_o all_o time_n to_o rejoice_v in_o the_o birth_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v sufficient_a to_o condemn_v the_o boldness_n of_o those_o that_o forbid_v man_n upon_o any_o time_n or_o day_n to_o do_v it_o by_o that_o rule_n of_o the_o apostle_n philipp_n 44._o rejoice_v in_o the_o lord_n always_o and_o again_o i_o say_v rejoice_v yet_o to_o help_v our_o infirmity_n and_o to_o stir_v up_o our_o backwardness_n and_o to_o make_v for_o the_o great_a cheerfulness_n and_o solemnity_n of_o this_o joy_n the_o church_n have_v do_v well_o and_o pious_o to_o appoint_v some_o special_a time_n to_o call_v we_o together_o to_o rejoice_v in_o the_o great_a mercy_n of_o god_n and_o in_o that_o
northern_a and_o cold_a climate_n fold_v sometime_o without_o door_n in_o the_o winter_n if_o the_o difference_n about_o this_o point_n be_v such_o that_o no_o certain_a resolution_n can_v be_v find_v it_o be_v lawful_a for_o the_o church_n to_o make_v choice_n of_o such_o a_o day_n for_o the_o purpose_n of_o this_o solemnity_n as_o appear_v most_o convenient_a and_o what_o day_n more_o convenient_a then_o that_o which_o as_o it_o be_v confess_v to_o have_v be_v most_o ancient_o receive_v so_o be_v commend_v too_o by_o the_o universality_n of_o the_o practice_n and_o consent_n at_o least_o of_o all_o the_o western_a church_n therein_o and_o if_o god_n be_v serve_v and_o praise_v by_o we_o in_o such_o holy_a and_o solemn_a manner_n as_o be_v due_a for_o so_o great_a a_o mercy_n upon_o that_o day_n which_o the_o church_n have_v enjoin_v it_o will_v be_v no_o doubt_n as_o acceptable_a to_o god_n as_o if_o it_o be_v do_v upon_o some_o other_o day_n of_o your_o choice_n whether_o it_o be_v the_o very_a day_n of_o christ_n birth_n or_o no_o and_o i_o hope_v you_o do_v think_v it_o fit_a that_o some_o day_n or_o other_o may_v be_v employ_v in_o so_o good_a a_o business_n the_o only_a question_n than_o will_v remain_v whether_o the_o church_n and_o magistrate_n or_o you_o be_v fit_a to_o choose_v which_o be_v not_o worth_a the_o discuss_n to_o the_o thirteen_o quaere_fw-la whether_o this_o feast_n have_v not_o its_o rise_n and_o growth_n from_o christian_n conformity_n to_o the_o mad_a feast_n saturnalia_fw-la keep_v in_o december_n to_o saturn_n the_o father_n of_o god_n in_o which_o there_o be_v a_o sheafe_n offer_v to_o ceret_fw-la goddess_n of_o corn_n a_o hymn_n in_o her_o praise_n call_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o whether_o those_o christian_n by_o name_n to_o cloak_n it_o do_v not_o afterward_o call_v it_o yule_n and_o christmas_n as_o though_o it_o be_v for_o christ_n honour_n and_o whether_o it_o be_v not_o yet_o by_o some_o more_o ancient_a then_o true_o or_o know_o religious_a call_v yule_n and_o the_o mad_a play_n wherewith_o it_o be_v celebrate_v like_o those_o saturnaliâ—_fw-la yule_n game_n and_o whether_o from_o the_o offering_n of_o that_o sheafe_n to_o ceres_n from_o that_o song_n in_o her_o praise_n from_o those_o gift_n the_o heathen_n give_v their_o friend_n in_o the_o calends_o of_o january_n omâ—â—is_fw-la gratia_fw-la do_v not_o arise_v or_o spring_v our_o blaze_n christma_fw-la kariles_fw-la and_o new-year_n gift_n answ_n that_o the_o original_n and_o growth_n of_o so_o pious_a and_o holy_a a_o practice_n in_o the_o christian_a church_n shall_v be_v allow_v no_o other_o root_n but_o a_o suppose_a conformity_n of_o christian_n to_o the_o mad_a feast_n of_o saturnalia_fw-la when_o there_o be_v so_o many_o better_a and_o clear_a fountain_n to_o derive_v this_o from_o in_o the_o order_n that_o it_o have_v unto_o scripture_n end_n and_o duty_n to_o gospel_n and_o christian_a performance_n and_o in_o the_o warrant_n that_o it_o have_v from_o scripture_n example_n in_o like_a matter_n be_v a_o argument_n of_o some_o want_n of_o charity_n in_o those_o that_o go_v about_o to_o infect_v man_n with_o such_o persuasion_n charity_n engage_v we_o to_o judge_v the_o best_a even_o of_o the_o action_n of_o private_a man_n much_o more_o of_o the_o public_a constitution_n and_o observation_n of_o the_o church_n what_o ever_o abuse_n have_v be_v bring_v in_o by_o wicked_a and_o loose_a man_n to_o corrupt_v and_o deprave_v these_o wholesome_a ordinance_n which_o we_o approve_v not_o nor_o will_v undertake_v to_o justify_v there_o be_v no_o conformity_n nor_o compliance_n at_o all_o between_o the_o holy_a aim_n and_o intention_n of_o the_o church_n of_o god_n in_o the_o appointment_n of_o this_o or_o other_o festival_n and_o the_o frantic_a loose_a and_o impious_a manage_n of_o the_o saturnalia_fw-la among_o the_o heathen_n these_o be_v appoint_v by_o the_o church_n to_o be_v day_n of_o piety_n and_o sobriety_n of_o praise_n unto_o god_n for_o his_o great_a mercy_n of_o spiritual_a joy_n in_o his_o divine_a comfort_n and_o holy_a delight_n in_o our_o christian_a society_n of_o hospitality_n and_o mutual_a office_n of_o christian_a love_n one_o to_o another_o which_o be_v the_o true_a and_o proper_a employment_n of_o holy_a festival_n commend_v and_o warrant_v unto_o we_o by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n if_o any_o practice_n have_v creep_v in_o as_o there_o have_v too_o many_o to_o the_o depravation_n of_o these_o time_n and_o disappointment_n of_o those_o end_n for_o which_o they_o be_v institute_v by_o riot_n and_o looseness_n or_o such_o rude_a carriage_n and_o demeanour_n which_o may_v be_v too_o true_o sort_v with_o the_o heathenish_a saturnalia_fw-la they_o have_v be_v ancient_o reprove_v as_o hospinian_n will_v inform_v you_o by_o that_o which_o he_o have_v cite_v out_o of_o that_o famous_a oration_n of_o gregory_n nazianzen_n upon_o the_o nativity_n of_o christ_n and_o he_o will_v tell_v you_o a_o story_n too_o if_o you_o will_v believe_v it_o of_o one_o otherus_n and_o some_o other_o to_o the_o number_n of_o 15._o who_o be_v reprove_v by_o rupertus_n a_o priest_n for_o profane_v that_o night_n of_o our_o lord_n nativity_n by_o light_n and_o lascivious_a dance_n and_o sing_v and_o require_v from_o he_o ut_fw-la ab_fw-la hujusmodi_fw-la lsvitate_fw-la in_o nocte_fw-la tam_fw-la sancta_fw-la desisterent_fw-la that_o they_o will_v desist_v from_o such_o lenity_n in_o so_o holy_a a_o night_n when_o they_o will_v not_o yield_v unto_o this_o wholesome_a advice_n but_o persist_v in_o the_o vain_a exercise_n they_o be_v about_o upon_o the_o prayer_n of_o rupertus_n that_o they_o may_v continue_v dance_v so_o all_o the_o year_n long_o they_o do_v so_o continue_v night_n and_o day_n for_o the_o space_n of_o a_o whole_a year_n and_o he_o cite_v trithemius_n in_o chron_n hirsang_n for_o the_o author_n of_o this_o story_n which_o if_o it_o be_v true_a do_v not_o at_o all_o oppose_v but_o 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deal_n be_v no_o good_a character_n of_o a_o reformation_n they_o that_o do_v so_o winnow_v not_o with_o god_n sieve_n but_o the_o dâ—vels_n shake_v out_o the_o wheat_n and_o retain_v the_o chaff_n they_o be_v no_o good_a physician_n that_o purge_v out_o the_o good_a and_o wholesome_a humour_n and_o leave_v those_o that_o be_v corrupt_a and_o distemper_v behind_o nor_o be_v this_o the_o way_n to_o procure_v health_n unto_o the_o body_n in_o the_o name_n of_o god_n if_o they_o mean_v to_o reform_v as_o they_o talk_v let_v they_o distinguish_v between_o good_a and_o evil_a between_o healthful_a and_o profitable_a institution_n and_o pernicious_a and_o abusive_a depravation_n and_o let_v these_o be_v remove_v and_o those_o establish_v if_o it_o do_v appear_v that_o the_o time_n of_o this_o festival_n do_v comply_v with_o the_o time_n of_o the_o heathen_n saturnalia_fw-la this_o leave_v no_o charge_n of_o impiety_n upon_o