with_o joy_n and_o feast_v in_o the_o city_n §_o 30._o the_o like_a may_v be_v say_v of_o the_o festivity_n at_o marriage_n which_o be_v not_o indeed_o institute_v by_o god_n nor_o need_v to_o be_v be_v that_o marriage_n itself_o be_v a_o civil_a thing_n and_o not_o religious_a and_o in_o thing_n of_o that_o nature_n if_o they_o be_v sober_o and_o temperate_o observe_v christ_n be_v never_o scrupulous_a to_o conform_v to_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o place_n where_o he_o come_v but_o christmas_n day_n be_v make_v a_o piece_n of_o religious_a service_n and_o a_o voluntary_a oblation_n to_o the_o honour_n of_o christ_n by_o other_o and_o by_o the_o dr._n himself_o sect_n 28._o §_o 31._o these_o instance_n than_o be_v both_o impertinent_a what_o have_v he_o more_o pertinent_a to_o the_o present_a purpose_n why_o that_o which_o i_o still_o expect_v to_o meet_v with_o be_v his_o strong_a plea_n for_o this_o he_o say_v it_o must_v be_v remember_v that_o the_o weekly_a fast_a of_o the_o resurrection_n the_o lord_n day_n be_v not_o institute_v by_o christ_n or_o god_n himself_o but_o by_o the_o apostle_n of_o christ_n and_o that_o the_o mention_n of_o the_o first_o day_n of_o the_o week_n be_v no_o prescription_n or_o law_n for_o the_o observe_n of_o it_o etc._n etc._n before_o we_o hear_v more_o let_v we_o consider_v this_o for_o first_o there_o want_v not_o learned_a man_n who_o think_v that_o christ_n himself_o do_v institute_v or_o design_n the_o day_n but_o second_o if_o the_o apostle_n do_v institute_v it_o as_o the_o doctor_n grant_v that_o be_v more_o than_o some_o of_o his_o colleague_n will_v grant_v and_o thank_v he_o for_o it_o and_o more_o than_o he_o dare_v peremptory_o say_v of_o his_o christmas_n day_n he_o speak_v it_o doubt_o either_o of_o the_o apostle_n or_o succeed_a church_n second_o if_o the_o lord_n day_n be_v institute_v by_o the_o apostle_n of_o christ_n do_v not_o their_o institution_n carry_v in_o they_o a_o divine_a prescription_n or_o law_n for_o the_o observation_n of_o it_o and_o if_o they_o institute_v the_o first_o day_n of_o the_o week_n to_o be_v the_o lord_n day_n or_o christian_a sabbath_n do_v not_o at_o least_o some_o mention_n of_o the_o first_o day_n of_o the_o week_n imply_v their_o institution_n of_o that_o day_n to_o be_v holy_a and_o require_v withal_o the_o observation_n of_o it_o as_o 1_o cor._n 16.2_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o some_o no_o great_a favourer_n of_o the_o lord_n day_n sabbath_n let_v we_o now_o hear_v what_o he_o say_v more_o if_o any_o thing_n of_o that_o nature_n as_o a_o law_n be_v there_o seek_v for_o it_o will_v rather_o appear_v to_o belong_v to_o the_o annual_a than_o weekly_a feast_n so_o 1_o cor._n 5.8_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d let_v we_o keep_v the_o paschal_n festivity_n be_v annex_v immediate_o to_o christ_n our_o passeover_n etc._n etc._n and_o to_o that_o also_o the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o lord_n day_n rev._n 1.10_o be_v think_v to_o belong_v to_o which_o i_o say_v 1._o the_o vulgar_a latin_a authorize_v by_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n as_o willing_a to_o make_v easter_n of_o apostolic_a institution_n as_o the_o doctor_n do_v not_o find_v this_o law_n for_o it_o in_o this_o text_n that_o render_v it_o only_a epulemur_n let_v we_o keep_v feast_n though_o the_o word_n signify_v also_o festum_fw-la diem_fw-la agere_fw-la and_o be_v by_o some_o no_o mean_a one_o gloss_v thus_o because_o on_o festival_n day_n there_o be_v solemn_a feast_n of_o flesh_n observe_v locum_fw-la estius_n in_o locum_fw-la hence_o this_o word_n be_v use_v for_o to_o celebrate_v festum_fw-la &_o solemn_a epulum_fw-la asolemn_a feast_n or_o banquet_n by_o allusion_n to_o the_o typical_a paschall_n feast_n before_o he_o the_o learned_a aquinas_n locum_fw-la in_o locum_fw-la can_v not_o find_v easter_n here_o epmlemur_fw-la scilicet_fw-la manducantes_fw-la christum_fw-la etc._n etc._n let_v we_o feast_v viz._n eat_v christ_n not_o only_o sacramental_o but_o spiritual_o before_o they_o saint_n chrysostom_n be_v not_o so_o quick_a sight_v to_o find_v a_o law_n for_o easter_n here_o but_o a_o every_o day_n holiday_n for_o so_o he_o say_v the_o apostle_n say_v let_v we_o keep_v the_o feast_n he_o say_v not_o because_o the_o pasch_fw-mi or_o easter_n or_o pentecost_n be_v present_a but_o show_v that_o all_o or_o every_o time_n be_v a_o festival_n season_n to_o christian_n and_o present_o after_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d every_o day_n be_v a_o pestivall_n to_o we_o yea_o all_o our_o life_n not_o much_o unlike_a do_v saint_n ambrose_n interpret_v the_o word_n hoc_fw-la est_fw-la laetitiam_fw-la habentes_fw-la renovationis_fw-la facta_fw-la vetera_fw-la fugiamus_fw-la that_o be_v have_v the_o gladness_n of_o renovation_n let_v we_o fly_v our_o old_a work_n etc._n etc._n resurr_n serm_v of_o resurr_n i_o add_v but_o one_o thing_n more_o the_o learned_a bishop_n of_o winchester_n who_o plead_v as_o strong_o for_o this_o easter_n feast_n as_o any_o yet_o find_v it_o not_o upon_o this_o text_n though_o he_o have_v occasion_n to_o name_v it_o but_o upon_o the_o custom_n of_o the_o church_n 2._o it_o be_v prove_v above_o out_o of_o socrates_n that_o the_o apostle_n institute_v not_o any_o holiday_n except_o the_o lord_n day_n therefore_o nor_o this_o of_o easter_n 3._o that_o the_o lord_n day_n rev._n 1.10_o shall_v belong_v to_o the_o easter_n day_n be_v the_o fancy_n of_o some_o who_o of_o late_o have_v labour_v to_o depress_v the_o honour_n of_o the_o lord_n day_n contrary_a therein_o to_o all_o the_o ancient_a and_o modern_a writer_n in_o a_o word_n as_o be_v say_v afore_o the_o difference_n in_o observation_n of_o it_o in_o the_o several_a church_n argue_v it_o not_o to_o be_v apostolical_a which_o difference_n the_o doctor_n note_v in_o this_o section_n §_o 32._o it_o be_v true_a that_o aerius_n be_v by_o epiphanius_n brand_v as_o a_o heretic_n for_o some_o opinion_n just_o if_o they_o be_v true_o charge_v upon_o he_o but_o it_o be_v well_o know_v to_o the_o learned_a that_o all_o be_v not_o heresy_n that_o epiphanius_n call_v so_o nor_o all_o aerius_n opinion_n just_o censure_v as_o heretical_a 47._o epit._n hist_o cen._n 4._o cap._n 47._o as_o the_o doctor_n or_o any_o may_v see_v if_o he_o consult_v with_o osiander_n the_o epitomiser_n of_o the_o centuriator_n and_o he_o be_v find_v in_o some_o of_o those_o opinion_n to_o be_v second_v by_o divers_a ancient_a father_n as_o be_v assert_v by_o some_o of_o our_o learned_a modern_a divine_n if_o it_o be_v not_o unnecessary_a here_o to_o manifest_v 2._o as_o for_o the_o festivity_n of_o the_o martyr_n it_o be_v grant_v they_o begin_v betimes_o as_o superstition_n ever_o attend_v religion_n and_o devotion_n which_o though_o they_o be_v intend_v for_o good_a end_n yet_o as_o thing_n of_o man_n invention_n do_v they_o produce_v in_o time_n much_o superstition_n not_o only_o in_o multiplication_n of_o holiday_n but_o in_o opinion_n of_o more_o holiness_n more_o 67._o more_o as_o the_o roman_n do_v s_o 67._o efficacy_n of_o prayer_n on_o such_o day_n and_o at_o last_o flat_a idolatry_n both_o in_o dedication_n of_o the_o day_n to_o those_o saint_n and_o martyr_n and_o to_o invocation_n and_o pray_v to_o they_o which_o at_o first_o be_v only_a time_n of_o commemoration_n of_o their_o vitue_n and_o encouragement_n of_o imitation_n of_o they_o and_o this_o may_v suffice_v for_o answer_v to_o the_o next_o section_n §_o 33._o yet_o when_o he_o will_v infer_v from_o this_o example_n of_o the_o martyr_n festivity_n where_o will_v be_v no_o reason_n to_o doubt_v that_o so_o the_o day_n of_o the_o death_n or_o martyrdom_n of_o the_o apostle_n themselves_o be_v former_o solemnize_v by_o they_o and_o that_o this_o early_a etc._n etc._n he_o presume_v too_o much_o upon_o his_o own_o reason_n not_o able_a it_o seem_v to_o produce_v any_o testimony_n of_o those_o or_o former_a time_n for_o such_o observation_n which_o i_o the_o rather_o take_v notice_n of_o because_o the_o doctor_n use_v not_o to_o wave_v any_o testimony_n that_o do_v but_o look_v that_o way_n and_o also_o because_o i_o observe_v that_o the_o learned_a chemnitius_n a_o man_n of_o vast_a read_n have_v reckon_v up_o the_o festival_n 263._o vbi_fw-la supra_fw-la p._n 263._o that_o be_v in_o observation_n in_o the_o first_o four_o hundred_o year_n can_v find_v none_o by_o name_n of_o any_o apostle_n but_o refer_v they_o to_o the_o time_n of_o carolus_n magnus_n anno_fw-la 800._o or_o at_o least_o to_o constantine_n time_n which_o be_v in_o the_o begin_n of_o 400._o §_o 35._o that_o christmas_n or_o the_o feast_n of_o the_o nativity_n be_v not_o apostolical_a have_v be_v make_v appear_v before_o that_o which_o he_o now_o allege_v from_o the_o constitution_n call_v apostolical_a will_v weaken_v his_o cause_n the_o more_o
heavy_a or_o heavy_a than_o the_o jew_n who_o know_v not_o the_o multitude_n of_o wholesome_a ceremony_n of_o rome_n come_v in_o at_o this_o door_n §_o 33._o this_o question_n of_o a_o competent_a judge_n in_o such_o matter_n be_v the_o matter_n to_o be_v resolve_v because_o the_o doctor_n make_v so_o many_o distinction_n about_o these_o wholesome_a ceremony_n 42._o sect._n 42._o that_o vulgar_a wit_n be_v not_o capable_a of_o they_o you_o distinguish_v of_o such_o act_n wherein_o that_o excess_n be_v suppose_v to_o be_v that_o they_o be_v either_o ordinable_a fit_a or_o proper_a to_o that_o end_n the_o service_n of_o god_n or_o inordinable_a unfit_a etc._n etc._n what_o ordinary_a man_n who_o yet_o have_v a_o conscience_n to_o be_v satisfy_v in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n be_v capable_a of_o these_o distinction_n he_o confess_v there_o be_v great_a store_n inordinable_a unfit_a unproper_a of_o these_o in_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n yet_o they_o be_v not_o of_o the_o doctor_n opinion_n but_o think_v they_o all_o both_o fit_a and_o necessary_a but_o yet_o he_o have_v a_o salve_n for_o such_o in_o this_o case_n though_o any_o one_o may_v be_v a_o nimiety_n and_o that_o a_o fault_n yet_o still_o this_o not_o the_o fault_n of_o superstition_n but_o rather_o of_o folly_n and_o vanity_n etc._n etc._n and_o i_o pray_v what_o be_v superstition_n but_o folly_n and_o vanity_n in_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n be_v not_o idol_n and_o all_o false_a worship_n call_v vanity_n and_o folly_n many_o such_o like_a thing_n you_o do_v mar._n 7_o 8_o 9_o full_a well_o you_o reject_v the_o commandment_n of_o god_n that_o you_o may_v keep_v your_o own_o tradition_n in_o vain_a do_v they_o worship_v i_o let_v the_o doctor_n show_v his_o dislike_n of_o such_o as_o he_o will_v yet_o if_o man_n may_v be_v judge_n what_o be_v fit_a for_o number_n and_o wholesomeness_n every_o after-comer_n will_v think_v himself_o as_o wise_a as_o he_o that_o go_v before_o till_o they_o have_v load_v the_o christian_a above_o the_o jew_n beside_o as_o the_o learned_a chamier_n well_o observe_v there_o may_v be_v many_o mischief_n in_o a_o few_o if_o the_o authority_n to_o institute_v they_o be_v in_o the_o church_n or_o any_o man_n or_o man_n for_o suppose_v they_o be_v but_o few_o now_o yet_o we_o must_v consider_v how_o many_o they_o may_v be_v hereafter_o see_v the_o authority_n be_v give_v to_o every_o succeed_a church_n or_o pope_n to_o constitute_v ceremony_n or_o ecclesiastical_a law_n as_o they_o shall_v think_v fit_a and_o so_o the_o yoke_n never_o certain_a but_o always_o grow_v as_o experience_n tell_v we_o to_o pass_v this_o if_o superstition_n be_v so_o name_v because_o it_o be_v super_fw-la statutum_fw-la above_o the_o statute_n law_n of_o worship_n or_o because_o it_o be_v a_o excess_n of_o service_n add_v to_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n certain_o these_o unfit_a improper_a ceremony_n may_v well_o be_v deem_v such_o 43._o sect._n 43._o and_o the_o doctor_n need_v not_o grudge_v the_o child_n the_o name_n of_o superstition_n as_o for_o those_o that_o charge_v such_o trifle_n they_o be_v to_o the_o doctor_n belike_o but_o trifle_n with_o the_o title_n of_o superstition_n and_o then_o extend_v it_o to_o those_o thing_n which_o have_v no_o such_o fault_n and_o so_o run_v the_o circle_n let_v they_o for_o i_o see_v how_o to_o get_v out_o i_o only_o still_o say_v what_o ever_o deserve_v the_o name_n of_o superstition_n be_v a_o nimiety_n and_o excess_n in_o religion_n and_o what_o ever_o be_v a_o excess_n in_o religion_n be_v superstition_n let_v we_o hear_v wherein_o the_o doctor_n be_v please_v to_o place_v it_o §_o 45._o sect._n 45._o 34._o the_o place_n of_o more_o virtue_n in_o some_o thing_n than_o either_o natural_o or_o by_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o word_n or_o in_o the_o estimation_n of_o pure_a age_n of_o the_o church_n may_v be_v think_v to_o belong_v to_o they_o as_o in_o the_o cross_n etc._n etc._n we_o speak_v something_o in_o general_a to_o this_o â—4_n sect._n â—4_n but_o now_o we_o shall_v assume_v of_o all_o those_o ceremony_n of_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n unfit_a improper_a etc._n etc._n and_o of_o all_o superadded_a part_n of_o worship_n what_o ever_o they_o do_v place_n more_o virtue_n in_o they_o than_o either_o natural_o or_o by_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o word_n belong_v to_o they_o ergo_fw-la they_o be_v superstitious_a the_o assumption_n i_o prove_v thus_o they_o place_n in_o they_o virtue_n to_o please_v god_n by_o they_o to_o procure_v more_o acceptance_n from_o god_n and_o his_o blessing_n upon_o they_o which_o neither_o natural_o nor_o by_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o word_n the_o institution_n of_o god_n they_o have_v in_o they_o ergo_fw-la more_o may_v be_v add_v but_o i_o forbear_v but_o what_o mean_v the_o doctor_n to_o add_v to_o his_o disjunction_n or_o in_o the_o estimation_n of_o pure_a age_n of_o the_o church_n have_v the_o pure_a age_n of_o the_o church_n after_o the_o apostle_n any_o power_n to_o put_v virtue_n into_o thing_n which_o they_o have_v not_o either_o natural_o or_o by_o the_o rule_n of_o god_n word_n if_o he_o deny_v this_o the_o addition_n be_v superfluous_a if_o he_o affirm_v it_o he_o beg_v the_o question_n for_o we_o say_v the_o pure_a church_n have_v no_o authority_n in_o matter_n of_o religion_n to_o put_v virtue_n or_o efficacy_n into_o they_o but_o god_n only_o in_o nature_n or_o by_o his_o institution_n in_o the_o word_n or_o if_o any_o the_o pure_a church_n shall_v take_v upon_o she_o to_o do_v it_o i_o shall_v make_v bold_a to_o add_v the_o doctor_n word_n in_o part_n the_o do_v of_o such_o be_v either_o groundless_a and_o then_o it_o be_v folly_n or_o else_o it_o fasten_v some_o promise_n on_o christ_n which_o he_o have_v not_o make_v in_o the_o gospel_n and_o what_o be_v that_o but_o a_o lie_n and_o a_o addition_n to_o the_o word_n a_o nimiety_n or_o excess_n of_o religion_n as_o he_o call_v it_o that_o be_v sinful_a superstition_n and_o that_o will_v impure_a the_o pure_a church_n §_o 35._o the_o nimiety_n must_v be_v a_o excess_n of_o fear_n or_o be_v afraid_a of_o god_n when_o we_o need_v not_o as_o think_v ourselves_o bind_v when_o god_n neither_o command_n nor_o forbid_v abstain_v religious_o etc._n etc._n we_o take_v what_o he_o grant_v this_o be_v one_o kind_a of_o superstition_n as_o we_o note_v above_o in_o state_v of_o the_o question_n at_o sect._n 7._o but_o not_o the_o only_a there_o be_v many_o more_o and_o i_o like_o the_o doctor_n reason_n well_o here_o because_o such_o a_o man_n add_v to_o the_o command_v of_o christ_n as_o the_o former_a to_o the_o promise_n annex_v to_o the_o christian_a religion_n those_o thing_n which_o belong_v not_o to_o it_o and_o so_o be_v a_o exceeder_n in_o the_o fear_n and_o service_n of_o god_n etc._n etc._n and_o this_o be_v superstition_n sect_n 47._o and_o this_o he_o confess_v be_v a_o culpable_a and_o criminous_a excess_n not_o in_o do_v what_o god_n command_v not_o for_o that_o may_v be_v innocent_a enough_o but_o in_o affirm_v god_n to_o command_v or_o forbid_v what_o he_o do_v not_o etc._n etc._n true_o in_o thing_n leave_v indifferent_a and_o free_a by_o god_n he_o be_v not_o guilty_a of_o this_o kind_n of_o superstition_n if_o he_o do_v they_o or_o abstain_v but_o yet_o he_o may_v of_o another_o kind_n that_o be_v if_o he_o place_v more_o virtue_n in_o they_o in_o do_v or_o abstain_v than_o either_o natural_o or_o by_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o word_n be_v due_a to_o they_o as_o he_o say_v before_o but_o in_o matter_n of_o worship_n it_o be_v not_o so_o for_o there_o it_o be_v a_o nimiety_n and_o excess_n to_o do_v what_o god_n have_v not_o command_v as_o we_o have_v often_o say_v §_o 36._o when_o as_o he_o conclude_v that_o this_o way_n of_o dogmatize_v 48._o sect._n 47_o 48._o or_o impose_v as_o necessary_a such_o thing_n as_o the_o law_n of_o christ_n have_v not_o make_v necessary_a be_v the_o special_a and_o only_a kind_n of_o superstition_n which_o he_o believe_v any_o kind_n of_o protestant_n to_o be_v guilty_a of_o it_o be_v a_o great_a mistake_n for_o 1._o he_o grant_v another_o kind_n sect._n 45._o in_o place_v more_o virtue_n in_o thing_n than_o natural_o or_o by_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o word_n belong_v to_o they_o 2._o all_o willworship_v devise_v by_o man_n and_o add_v as_o part_n of_o god_n worship_n have_v be_v prove_v to_o be_v a_o excess_n in_o religion_n and_o so_o superstition_n beside_o the_o rest_n which_o we_o have_v note_v above_o as_o for_o his_o addition_n of_o observe_v ominous_a inauspicious_a event_n unlucky_a day_n etc._n etc._n they_o fall_v under_o his_o first_o kind_n of_o superstition_n sect._n 45._o place_v anl_o put_v more_o virtue_n in_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
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