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         Reading, John, 1588-1667.
      
       
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             Christmass revived: or An ansvver to certain objections made against the observation of a day in memory of our Saviour Christ his birth. By John Reading. M.A. And one of the prebends of Christs-Church in Canterbury.
             Reading, John, 1588-1667.
          
           [4], 19, [1] p.
           
             printed for John Andrewes and John Garway, and are to be sold at the White-Lion near Py-Corner,
             London :
             [1660]
          
           
             Publication date from Wing.
             Annotation on Thomason copy: "Decemb: 12".
             Reproduction of the original in the British Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
         eng
      
       
         
           Jesus Christ -- Biography -- Early works to 1800.
           Christmas -- Early works to 1800.
        
      
    
       A92206  R207981  (Thomason E1053_9).  civilwar no Christmass revived: or An ansvver to certain objections made against the observation of a day in memory of our Saviour Christ his birth.:  B Reading, John 1660    8931 125 25 0 0 0 0 168 F  The  rate of 168 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the F category of texts with  100 or more defects per 10,000 words. 
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           To
           my
           honoured
           kinsman
           ,
           Mr.
           William
           Rooke
           ▪
        
         
           
             SIR
             ,
          
        
         
           YOu
           know
           the
           occasion
           of
           my
           medling
           with
           this
           controversy
           :
           It
           remaineth
           that
           I
           give
           account
           of
           my
           permitting
           these
           rude
           papers
           to
           the
           publike
           view
           ;
           which
           is
           ,
           first
           ,
           because
           all
           good
           Christians
           are
           not
           satisfied
           herein
           :
           if
           I
           may
           hereby
           undeceive
           some
           of
           them
           ,
           I
           have
           so
           much
           of
           my
           end
           ;
           next
           I
           conceive
           it
           the
           duty
           of
           every
           good
           son
           of
           our
           sacred
           Mother
           the
           Church
           of
           England
           ,
           to
           defend
           her
           rites
           and
           holy
           decrees
           against
           the
           calumnies
           of
           turbulent
           spirits
           ,
           possessing
           
           
           
           so
           many
           in
           these
           times
           :
           whose
           study
           is
           to
           cavil
           at
           all
           ,
           but
           the
           vain
           Minerva's
           of
           their
           own
           brains
           .
           If
           my
           endeavour
           may
           happily
           contribute
           any
           thing
           to
           peace
           ,
           I
           shall
           think
           my
           labour
           well
           bestowed
           .
           Lastly
           ,
           the
           candid
           Reader
           may
           be
           advertised
           that
           the
           satisfaction
           which
           he
           receives
           herein
           ,
           he
           oweth
           to
           you
           .
           The
           God
           of
           peace
           compose
           all
           our
           unhappy
           differences
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           constant
           prayer
           of
        
         
           
             Your
             affectionate
             Kinsman
             ,
             I.
             R.
             
          
        
      
    
     
       
       
         
           An
           answer
           to
           certain
           Crudities
           and
           frivolous
           Objections
           made
           against
           the
           observation
           of
           a
           day
           in
           memorie
           of
           our
           Saviour
           Christ
           his
           Birth
           .
        
         
           A
           true
           coppy
           of
           the
           objections
           .
        
         
           THe
           Question
           concerning
           the
           Observation
           of
           a
           day
           in
           memorie
           of
           Chri●●'s
           birth
           ,
           is
           the
           same
           which
           our
           Saviour
           put
           to
           the
           Pharisees
           ,
           Whether
           
             Johns
          
           Baptism
           were
           of
           heaven
           or
           from
           men
           ?
           
             Luke
             .
          
           20.
           
        
         
           So
           the
           observation
           of
           this
           day
           ,
           if
           it
           be
           of
           God
           ,
           it
           is
           a
           duty
           and
           a
           sin
           to
           omit
           it
           .
           But
           if
           it
           were
           set
           up
           by
           man
           ,
           all
           men
           do
           acknowledg
           ,
           That
           what
           man
           shall
           set
           up
           ,
           man
           may
           take
           down
           .
           Therefore
           first
           .
        
         
           
             1.
             
             Have
             we
             any
             command
             in
             scripture
             for
             it
             ?
             if
             not
             ,
             then
          
           
             2.
             
             Did
             the
             Apostles
             or
             Disciples
             ever
             observe
             it
             ?
          
           
             3.
             
             Would
             they
             have
             omitted
             it
             ,
             if
             it
             had
             been
             a
             duty
             ?
          
           
             4.
             
             Was
             it
             observed
             in
             the
             Primitive
             Church
             for
             fifty
             years
             after
             the
             Apostles
             were
             all
             dead
             ?
             search
             the
             Scripture
             and
             Ecclesiasticall
             history
             .
          
           
             5.
             
             How
             came
             it
             to
             be
             Christs
             day
             ?
             tell
             us
             the
             Original
             of
             this
             duty
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             know
             ,
             whether
             it
             be
             Divine
             or
             humane
             .
             Is
             it
             like
             to
             be
             a
             duty
             and
             no
             footsteps
             at
             all
             left
             in
             the
             word
             ,
             either
             Precept
             or
             Example
             looking
             that
             way
             ?
          
           
             6.
             
             Whether
             the
             Papists
             may
             not
             say
             as
             much
             for
             all
             their
             heaps
             of
             Traditions
             ,
             as
             we
             can
             say
             for
             this
             ?
             And
             if
             we
             once
             follow
             traditionall
             Divinity
             ,
             where
             shall
             we
             stop
             ?
          
           
             7.
             
             Give
             us
             a
             definition
             of
             that
             sin
             which
             the
             Scripture
             calls
             Will-Worship
             .
          
        
         
           I
           suppos●
           these
           Queries
           duely
           weighed
           ,
           will
           satisfy
           ●ny
           ingenuous
           
           spirit
           ,
           That
           man
           was
           the
           founder
           of
           this
           Festivall
           .
        
         
           
             Object
             .
          
           Do
           we
           not
           celebrate
           days
           of
           thanksgiving
           at
           the
           appointment
           of
           the
           Magistrate
           (
           as
           the
           
             5.
          
           of
           November
           .
           )
           and
           may
           we
           not
           this
           day
           as
           well
           as
           those
           ?
        
         
           
             Answer
             .
          
           1.
           
           Where-ever
           the
           Magistrate
           appoints
           such
           days
           ,
           it
           is
           lawfull
           for
           him
           to
           forbid
           them
           again
           when
           he
           will
           .
        
         
           
             Answer
          
           2.
           
           If
           God
           had
           not
           appointed
           what
           memorial
           he
           would
           have
           of
           his
           Son
           Christ
           ,
           man
           had
           the
           greater
           liberty
           .
           But
           where
           we
           are
           directed
           how
           and
           when
           to
           celebrate
           the
           remembrance
           of
           our
           blessed
           Saviour
           ,
           for
           us
           to
           superadd
           ,
           we
           have
           cause
           to
           fear
           ,
           lest
           we
           become
           guilty
           of
           that
           sin
           which
           Scripture
           calls
           Will-worship
           .
           Like
           whereto
           is
           that
           sin
           taxed
           ,
           
             Ezek.
          
           48.
           8.
           setting
           our
           threshold
           by
           his
           threshold
           ,
           and
           our
           posts
           by
           his
           posts
           ,
           which
           is
           there
           called
           a
           defilement
           .
        
         
           Besides
           ,
           consider
           the
           constant
           abuse
           of
           this
           solemnity
           ;
           and
           though
           I
           know
           ,
           
             abusus
             non
             tollit
             usum
             ;
          
           yet
           where
           it
           is
           never
           otherwise
           ,
           but
           the
           devil
           hath
           more
           service
           at
           this
           time
           then
           God
           ,
           I
           think
           it
           concerneth
           the
           Magistrate
           to
           look
           to
           it
           .
           He
           that
           would
           read
           more
           on
           this
           Subject
           ,
           let
           him
           read
           
             Mr
             Cawdrys
          
           book
           against
           
             Dr.
             Hamond
          
           concerning
           holydays
           and
           Superstitious
           ▪
           worship
           .
        
         
           Consider
           that
           there
           is
           nothing
           more
           often
           blamed
           in
           Scripture
           then
           this
           ,
           to
           follow
           the
           inventions
           of
           man
           in
           the
           worship
           of
           God
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           case
           in
           hand
           .
        
         
           I
           would
           ask
           that
           man
           who
           blames
           the
           neglect
           of
           this
           Festival
           whether
           he
           that
           will
           not
           keep
           this
           memorial
           ,
           doth
           break
           any
           of
           the
           ten
           Commandements
           in
           so
           doing
           ?
           and
           if
           not
           ,
           then
           sure
           it
           is
           no
           sin
           to
           omit
           it
           .
        
         
           
             Sect.
             1.
             
             THe
             Question
             concerning
             observation
             of
             a
             day
             in
             memory
             of
             Christs
             birth
             ,
             is
             the
             same
             which
             our
             Saviour
             put
             to
             the
             Pharisees
             ,
             Whether
             
               John's
            
             Baptism
             were
             of
             heaven
             ,
             or
             from
             men
             ?
             
               Luke
               20.
               
            
          
           
             In
             all
             orderly
             di●putes
             ,
             the
             Question
             should
             necessarily
             be
             stated
             ▪
             now
             by
             your
             strict
             prohibition
             of
             our
             solemn
             commemoration
             of
             our
             Saviours
             nativity
             ,
             it
             seemeth
             the
             question
             is
             ,
             
               Whether
               it
               be
               lawful
               on
               any
               day
               to
               remember
               our
               Saviours
               birth
               ,
               and
               therein
               to
               meet
               in
               holy
               assemblies
               ,
               to
               preach
               and
               hear
               the
               word
               of
               God
               ,
               to
               sing
               Psalms
               ,
               pray
               ,
               give
               thanks
               ,
               administer
               and
               receive
               the
               holy
               Saeraments
               ?
            
             we
             affirme
             ,
             your
             sect
             deny
             it
             ,
             as
             if
             some
             
               Act
               of
               amnestie
            
             had
             passed
             upon
             that
             day
             as
             ,
             
               Job
            
             3.
             〈◊〉
             &c.
             and
             
             it
             were
             resolved
             upon
             the
             Question
             ,
             The
             day
             of
             Christ's
             birth
             shall
             be
             no
             more
             had
             in
             remembrance
             .
          
           
             This
             Opponent
             not
             so
             much
             as
             repeating
             the
             question
             ,
             as
             in
             some
             sudden
             passion
             when
             
               furor
               ar●a
               minist●at
               ,
            
             snatcheth
             up
             that
             which
             first
             comes
             to
             hand
             ,
             and
             so
             precipita●ely
             rusheth
             on
             to
             the
             encounter
             ,
             that
             he
             stumbleth
             in
             his
             on-set
             saying
             ,
             The
             Question
             concerning
             the
             observation
             of
             a
             day
             
               in
               memorie
               of
               Christ's
               birth
               ,
               is
               the
               same
               which
               our
               Saviour
               put
               to
               the
               Pharises
               ,
            
             &c.
             
             We
             answer
             1.
             in
             the
             Scr●pture
             which
             you
             cite
             ,
             
               Luk
               ▪
            
             20.
             1.
             there
             is
             no
             mention
             of
             the
             Pharises
             ,
             neither
             
               Math.
            
             21.
             23.
             
             
               Mark
            
             11.
             30.
             where
             the
             same
             history
             is
             recorded
             :
             We
             read
             
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
            
             ,
             
               the
               Cheif
               Priests
               ,
               and
            
             (
             or
             with
             )
             
               the
               Elders
               of
               the
               ▪
               people
               :
            
             Consider
             whether
             you
             do
             well
             translate
             that
             ,
             
               the
               Pharisees
               ,
            
             &c.
             2.
             
             We
             say
             ,
             that
             the
             ●ord
             answered
             their
             question
             by
             another
             question
             ,
             which
             was
             concerning
             the
             Baptism
             of
             
               ●ohn
               ;
            
             there
             is
             not
             a
             word
             concerning
             the
             day
             of
             his
             nativity
             ;
             now
             to
             say
             that
             things
             so
             much
             differing
             are
             the
             same
             ,
             consider
             what
             you
             would
             call
             it
             if
             another
             had
             said
             so
             ?
             what
             a
             filly
             animal
             would
             you
             deeme
             him
             who
             would
             admit
             such
             conclusions
             ?
             In
             many
             respects
             this
             pretended
             parallel
             runs
             uneven
             .
             1.
             ●hrists
             dilemma
             was
             necessary
             to
             shew
             that
             if
             they
             had
             believed
             
               John
               Baptists
            
             testimony
             ,
             they
             would
             have
             known
             by
             
               what
               authority
               Christ
               did
               those
               things
               ▪
            
             but
             your
             objection
             is
             unnecessary
             ,
             as
             will
             appear
             .
             2.
             
             That
             was
             an
             holy
             refutation
             of
             Jewish
             u●beliefe
             ;
             but
             yours
             a
             Schismatical
             caption
             ,
             to
             the
             contempt
             of
             the
             
               Christian
               Churches
            
             customes
             .
             But
             to
             pass
             by
             these
             first
             over-sights
             of
             yours
             ;
             we
             may
             use
             Goliahs
             sword
             to
             cut
             him
             shorter
             ,
             and
             thus
             retort
             the
             point
             of
             your
             argument
             ▪
             The
             prohibition
             of
             our
             observation
             of
             a
             day
             in
             memory
             of
             Christs
             n
             tivity
             ,
             is
             it
             from
             heaven
             ,
             or
             of
             men
             ?
             if
             from
             heaven
             ,
             shew
             us
             an●
             place
             of
             holy
             Scripture
             forbidding
             the
             same
             :
             If
             you
             say
             ,
             that
             prohibition
             is
             of
             men
             ;
             we
             shall
             with
             good
             conscience
             follow
             venerable
             an●iquity
             ,
             rather
             then
             ▪
             trouble
             the
             Sacred
             peace
             of
             the
             Church
             about
             things
             of
             such
             nature
             .
          
        
         
           
             Sect.
             2.
             
             SO
             the
             observation
             of
             this
             day
             ]
          
           
             What
             supplement
             is
             here
             necessary
             for
             your
             elliptical
             speaking
             ?
             we
             would
             rather
             that
             you
             should
             consider
             ,
             then
             we
             determine
             ,
             being
             unwilling
             to
             injure
             you
             .
             
               So
               the
               observation
               ,
            
             &c.
             Do
             you
             mean
             ,
             
               ho●
               dato
               ,
            
             that
             Christs
             forementioned
             question
             and
             yours
             ,
             are
             the
             same
             ?
             you
             have
             no●
             much
             reason
             so
             to
             beg
             the
             question
             ▪
             and
             we
             should
             have
             as
             little
             to
             ●rant
             you
             that
             which
             you
             shall
             never
             be
             able
             to
             prove
             .
          
        
         
         
           
             Sect.
             3.
             
             If
             it
             be
             of
             God
             ,
             it
             is
             a
             duty
             &c.
             ]
          
           
             Deal
             syllogistically
             ,
             and
             your
             assumption
             will
             be
             ,
             
               But
               it
               is
               no
               sin
               to
               omit
               it
               ,
            
             which
             your
             better
             informed
             conscience
             ,
             we
             hope
             will
             shew
             you
             is
             false
             ,
             when
             you
             shall
             know
             that
             contumacy
             against
             the
             lawfull
             decrees
             and
             customes
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             ,
             disturbance
             of
             her
             peace
             ,
             breach
             of
             holy
             unity
             ,
             uncharitable
             censuring
             and
             condemning
             your
             brethren
             ,
             offence
             of
             weak
             consciences
             ,
             bringing
             an
             odious
             scandal
             on
             the
             Church
             ,
             opening
             a
             wide
             and
             dangerous
             window
             to
             sects
             and
             perni●ious
             heresies
             and
             other
             mischeivous
             consequences
             hereof
             ,
             are
             a
             sinne
             whose
             
               name
               is
               Legion
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             Sect.
             4.
             
             All
             in
             ●n
             do
             acknowledge
             ,
             that
             what
             man
             shall
             set
             up
             ,
             man
             may
             take
             down
             ]
          
           
             It
             is
             very
             troublesom
             handling
             such
             dis-joynted
             arguments
             ,
             but
             their
             infirmity
             may
             not
             excuse
             their
             falshood
             —
             That
             all
             men
             acknow●edge
             ,
             or
             ought
             so
             to
             do
             ,
             is
             very
             false
             ;
             for
             some
             better
             understand
             ,
             and
             so
             we
             hope
             will
             you
             .
          
        
         
           
             Sect.
             5.
             
             THat
             what
             man
             shall
             set
             up
             ,
             man
             may
             take
             down
             ]
          
           
             We
             are
             very
             willing
             to
             think
             that
             these
             lame
             expressions
             vail
             some
             more
             solid
             and
             sincere
             meaning
             :
             if
             your
             proposition
             be
             ,
             Man
             may
             lawfully
             take
             down
             that
             which
             man
             seteth
             up
             (
             which
             you
             must
             meane
             if
             you
             dispute
             ,
             
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
            
             ,
             and
             to
             any
             purpose
             )
             then
             we
             may
             justly
             enquire
             concerning
             the
             quantitie
             of
             the
             proposition
             ,
             viz.
             Whether
             you
             universally
             affirme
             it
             ;
             your
             sence
             being
             thus
             ,
             
               Whatsoever
               man
               seteth
               up
               ,
               he
               may
               lawfully
               take
               down
               ;
               if
            
             it
             be
             but
             indefinite
             ,
             as
             (
             some
             things
             which
             man
             setteth
             up
             &c.
             suppose
             an
             house
             ,
             barn
             &c.
             he
             may
             lawfully
             take
             down
             )
             if
             it
             be
             to
             no
             other
             mans
             pr●iudice
             ,
             we
             shall
             willingly
             grant
             it
             :
             but
             if
             you
             universally
             affirme
             ,
             in
             a
             determinate
             Subject
             ,
             subordinate
             to
             the
             service
             and
             glory
             of
             God
             ,
             your
             second
             thoughts
             will
             enform
             you
             that
             your
             assertion
             is
             false
             and
             erroneous
             :
             for
             it
             will
             not
             hold
             in
             things
             dedicated
             to
             God
             .
             The
             Centurion
             built
             a
             Synagogue
             for
             the
             Jewes
             ,
             
               L●ke
               .
            
             7.
             5.
             he
             might
             not
             after
             dedication
             thereof
             have
             taken
             it
             down
             .
             Again
             by
             Setting
             up
             ,
             we
             conceive
             you
             use
             a
             translatitious
             maner
             of
             speaking
             borrowed
             from
             builders
             ,
             founders
             ,
             appointers
             ,
             or
             authors
             of
             things
             ,
             to
             customes
             ▪
             or
             rites
             appliable
             ;
             as
             if
             you
             said
             ,
             Whatsoever
             man
             foundeth
             ,
             determineth
             ,
             appointeth
             or
             bringeth
             into
             use
             or
             custome
             ,
             may
             lawfnlly
             be
             annulled
             and
             taken
             away
             by
             man
             ;
             which
             is
             very
             false
             ,
             if
             the
             instance
             be
             in
             things
             subordinate
             to
             the
             
             Service
             of
             God
             ,
             whether
             we
             consider
             circumstance
             ,
             or
             thing
             :
             for
             example
             ;
             there
             are
             two
             circumstances
             to
             every
             action
             of
             man
             appertaining
             .
             1.
             place
             ,
             concerning
             which
             a
             due
             consideration
             of
             the
             forecited
             instance
             may
             satisfie
             :
             it
             was
             lawful
             for
             the
             Centurion
             to
             design
             that
             place
             for
             a
             Synagogue
             on
             which
             he
             did
             build
             it
             ,
             but
             not
             lawfull
             ,
             thence
             to
             take
             it
             being
             consecrated
             or
             dedicated
             to
             the
             Service
             of
             God
             ,
             
               Durante
               usu
               :
            
          
           
             2.
             
             It
             was
             lawfull
             for
             a
             man
             to
             appoint
             or
             determine
             his
             days
             of
             
               Nazaritship
            
             for
             a
             certain
             time
             ,
             concerning
             which
             he
             might
             vow
             ,
             or
             set
             up
             that
             resolution
             ,
             but
             not
             lawfully
             take
             down
             or
             annull
             the
             same
             :
             See
             
               Numb.
            
             6.
             
             So
             the
             vow
             of
             
               Jonadab
            
             son
             of
             
               Rechab
               ,
            
             commanding
             his
             posterety
             to
             drink
             no
             wine
             ,
             build
             house
             ,
             sow
             seed
             &c
             was
             at
             first
             ,
             arbitrary
             ,
             and
             so
             it
             was
             but
             an
             appointment
             by
             man
             ;
             yet
             they
             might
             not
             annull
             or
             take
             it
             down
             .
             See
             
               Je●em
               .
            
             35.
             6
             ,
             7
             ,
             8
             ,
             18
             ,
             19.
             and
             there
             are
             now
             some
             temporal
             vows
             binding
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             A
             thing
             determined
             by
             man
             in
             Subordination
             to
             Gods
             Service
             ,
             however
             arbitrary
             it
             be
             for
             the
             proprietor
             to
             ordain
             it
             so
             ,
             or
             otherwise
             to
             dispose
             of
             it
             as
             he
             pleaseth
             ;
             yet
             after
             he
             hath
             so
             ordained
             ,
             and
             set
             it
             up
             ,
             he
             may
             not
             lawfully
             take
             it
             down
             or
             impropriate
             the
             same
             ,
             lest
             he
             beare
             his
             sin
             ,
             as
             
               Ananias
            
             and
             
               Saphira
            
             too
             late
             knew
             .
             
               Act.
            
             5
             ,
             3
             ,
             4.
             &c.
             whence
             the
             falshood
             of
             your
             ground
             appeareth
             ,
             and
             what
             your
             Superstructions
             are
             like
             to
             prove
             ,
             may
             easily
             be
             conj●ctured
             .
          
        
         
           
             Sect.
             6.
             
             Have
             we
             any
             Command
             in
             Scripture
             for
             it
             ?
             ]
          
           
             If
             you
             mean
             in
             
               terminis
               terminantihus
               ,
            
             thus
             ,
             Is
             there
             any
             express
             Scripture
             which
             saith
             ▪
             on
             the
             25.
             of
             
               December
               ▪
            
             keep
             the
             feast
             of
             Christ's
             nativity
             ?
             we
             affirme
             not
             ,
             neither
             were
             it
             needfull
             ,
             seeing
             that
             in
             Christ
             ,
             God
             freed
             us
             from
             the
             band
             of
             l●gal
             ceremoni●s
             as
             well
             concerning
             detemined
             times
             by
             the
             Levitical
             law
             appointed
             and
             limited
             ,
             as
             places
             :
             we
             are
             not
             now
             bound
             to
             go
             to
             Je●usalem
             to
             worship
             :
             
               John
               .
            
             4.
             nor
             to
             the
             14.
             day
             of
             the
             first
             month
             
               (
               Exod.
            
             12.
             6.
             
             )
             but
             for
             circumstances
             of
             time
             and
             place
             ,
             it
             is
             left
             to
             the
             authority
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             orderly
             ▪
             and
             conveniently
             in
             things
             publike
             to
             determine
             for
             the
             government
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             in
             which
             the
             ●eremoniall
             law
             left
             no
             such
             liberty
             :
             But
             God
             never
             did
             ,
             never
             will
             permit
             the
             publi●e
             government
             to
             the
             fancies
             or
             judgements
             of
             private
             spirits
             :
             for
             what
             order
             or
             peace
             ever
             was
             ,
             or
             can
             be
             in
             such
             a
             confused
             liberty
             ▪
             yet
             we
             must
             know
             that
             God
             never
             ▪
             lefr
             it
             arbitrary
             ,
             whether
             man
             would
             worship
             hiw
             or
             no
             ;
             or
             whether
             they
             might
             at
             their
             pleasures
             contemne
             the
             authority
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             and
             disturbe
             her
             sacred
             peace
             ,
             the
             Apo●●le
             
             saying
             —
             
               But
               if
               any
               man
               seem
               to
               be
               contentious
               ,
               we
               have
               no
               such
               custome
               ,
               neither
               the
               Churches
               of
               God
               .
            
             And
             again
             ,
             
               Despise
               ye
               the
               Church
               of
               God
               ?
               what
               shall
               I
               say
               to
               you
               ?
               shall
               I
               praise
               you
               in
               this
               ?
               I
               praise
               you
               not
               .
            
             1.
             
               Cor.
            
             11.
             16
             ,
             22.
             
             If
             you
             wo●ld
             here
             Syllogistically
             dispute
             ,
             your
             arguement
             would
             be
             to
             this
             purpose
             .
             That
             which
             hath
             no
             command
             
               in
               terminis
            
             in
             Scripture
             for
             it
             ,
             may
             not
             be
             done
             or
             may
             be
             left
             undone
             ,
             though
             the
             Church
             otherwise
             determin
             :
          
           
             
               But
               the
               observation
               of
               a
               day
               in
               memory
               of
               Christ's
               birth
               ,
               hath
               no
               command
               in
               termin
               ▪
               s
               in
               Scripture
               for
               it
               .
               Ergo
            
             &c.
             Who
             perceiveth
             not
             the
             falshood
             of
             the
             first
             proposition
             ?
             seeing
             that
             we
             have
             no
             express
             command
             
               in
               terminis
            
             in
             Scripture
             for
             any
             thing
             indifferent
             (
             for
             were
             it
             expresly
             commanded
             or
             forbidden
             there
             ,
             it
             were
             not
             indifferent
             )
             those
             things
             being
             left
             to
             the
             Church
             to
             determin
             :
             we
             have
             not
             express
             command
             in
             Scripture
             for
             some
             things
             necessary
             ,
             as
             administration
             of
             the
             Lords
             supper
             to
             women
             ,
             &c.
             
             And
             if
             you
             will
             allow
             payment
             in
             your
             own
             coyne
             ,
             may
             not
             the
             Anabaptis●s
             say
             as
             much
             for
             their
             denyall
             of
             poedobaptism
             ?
             if
             you
             say
             women
             are
             included
             in
             the
             generall
             precepts
             ,
             as
             also
             infants
             of
             beleiving
             parents
             ,
             which
             is
             true
             ;
             then
             allow
             us
             the
             same
             liberty
             of
             concluding
             ,
             and
             we
             shall
             satisfy
             those
             who
             will
             understand
             .
             Lastly
             we
             say
             
               (
               concerning
               the
               observation
               of
               a
               day
               in
               memorie
               of
               Christ's
               birth
               )
            
             have
             we
             any
             command
             in
             Scripture
             against
             it
             ?
             you
             will
             not
             affirm
             that
             :
             being
             then
             neither
             expresly
             commanded
             nor
             forbidden
             ,
             you
             grant
             it
             of
             its
             owne
             nature
             
               adiaphorous
            
             or
             indifferent
             ;
             and
             we
             are
             sure
             that
             in
             things
             of
             that
             nature
             you
             must
             acknowledge
             that
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             hath
             power
             to
             determin
             ,
             if
             at
             least
             you
             will
             allow
             her
             any
             .
          
        
         
           
             Sect.
             7.
             
             DId
             the
             Apostles
             or
             disciples
             ever
             observe
             it
             ?
             ]
          
           
             We
             answer
             ,
             doth
             it
             appear
             that
             they
             did
             not
             observe
             it
             ?
             further
             we
             say
             that
             all
             that
             which
             our
             Lord
             Jesus
             did
             ,
             is
             not
             recorded
             in
             Scripture
             ,
             
               John
               .
            
             20.
             30.
             
             
               John
               .
            
             21.
             25.
             
             And
             can
             we
             reasonably
             think
             that
             all
             things
             which
             the
             Apostles
             or
             disciples
             did
             ,
             are
             written
             in
             holy
             Scripture
             ?
             we
             read
             not
             that
             all
             the
             Apostles
             were
             baptized
             ,
             where
             ,
             when
             ,
             and
             by
             whom
             ;
             will
             you
             therefore
             conclude
             ,
             that
             they
             were
             not
             at
             all
             baptized
             ?
             In
             things
             simply
             necessary
             to
             Salvation
             ,
             the
             general
             precept
             was
             sufficient
             to
             shew
             it
             so
             ;
             and
             for
             things
             subordinate
             to
             decency
             ,
             unity
             ,
             &
             order
             ,
             it
             was
             left
             to
             the
             Church
             to
             determin
             conveniently
             in
             respect
             of
             times
             ,
             places
             ,
             and
             persons
             :
             hence
             appeareth
             a
             sufficient
             answer
             to
             your
             next
             .
             
               Quaere
               .
            
          
        
         
         
           
             Sect.
             8.
             
             VVOuld
             they
             have
             ▪
             omitted
             it
             ,
             if
             it
             had
             been
             a
             duty
             ?
             ]
          
           
             To
             dispute
             
               ex
               non
               concessis
               ,
            
             either
             presupposeth
             much
             igrance
             in
             the
             
               Respondent
               ,
            
             or
             bewrayeth
             it
             in
             the
             
               Opponent
               ;
            
             Who
             ever
             granted
             you
             that
             the
             Apostles
             &c.
             omitted
             it
             ?
             or
             when
             did
             you
             ,
             or
             ever
             shall
             be
             able
             to
             prove
             that
             they
             did
             ?
             what
             vain
             trilling
             use
             you
             in
             such
             a
             frequent
             begging
             of
             the
             question
             ?
          
        
         
           
             Sect
             ▪
             9.
             
             VVAs
             it
             observed
             in
             the
             Primitive
             Church
             for
             fifty
             yeers
             after
             the
             Apostles
             were
             dead
             ?
             search
             the
             Scriptures
             and
             Ecclesiastiall
             history
             .
             ]
          
           
             We
             answer
             again
             ;
             that
             you
             found
             us
             in
             possession
             of
             many
             hundred
             years
             prescription
             ,
             and
             therefore
             it
             rests
             on
             your
             parts
             to
             shew
             us
             that
             it
             was
             not
             observed
             in
             and
             from
             the
             Apostles
             times
             (
             except
             untill
             now
             of
             late
             days
             )
             which
             when
             you
             attempt
             to
             do
             ,
             or
             to
             shew
             that
             any
             consent
             of
             the
             uniuersall
             Church
             ever
             annulled
             the
             observation
             thereof
             ,
             we
             shall
             begin
             with
             you
             upon
             a
             new
             score
             .
             If
             your
             argument
             lie
             thus
             ,
             
               It
               is
               not
               found
               in
               Scripture
               nor
               in
               Ecclesiastical
               history
               ,
               &c.
               
               Therefore
               in
               the
               Apostles
               times
               and
               Fifty
               years
               after
               the
               Apostles
               were
               dead
               ,
               it
               was
               not
               observed
               ;
            
             The
             consequence
             is
             l●me
             ;
             for
             ,
             
               A
               non
               Scripto
               ad
               non
               factum
               ,
               non
               valet
               argumentum
               :
            
             how
             absurd
             is
             it
             to
             say
             ,
             It
             is
             not
             found
             written
             ;
             therefore
             it
             was
             not
             done
             ?
             all
             is
             not
             written
             which
             Christ
             did
             ,
             as
             hath
             been
             said
             before
             :
             if
             therefore
             you
             finde
             any
             thing
             to
             the
             contrary
             in
             your
             search
             of
             the
             Scriptures
             ,
             &c.
             proclaime
             your
             
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
            
             in
             open
             streets
             ,
             and
             sacrifice
             to
             your
             invention
             :
             We
             finde
             that
             good
             and
             antient
             authors
             spake
             of
             the
             observation
             of
             that
             day
             ,
             as
             of
             a
             thing
             long
             before
             their
             times
             accustomed
             and
             in
             use
             .
             See
             
               Ammianus
               Marcellinus
               .
               l.
            
             21.
             who
             lived
             about
             Three
             hundred
             and
             sixty
             years
             after
             Christ
             .
             
               Gregorie
               Nazianz
               ▪
               Orat.
            
             32.
             who
             lived
             about
             the
             same
             age
             ,
             
               Augustin
            
             and
             many
             others
             .
             And
             we
             further
             say
             ,
             that
             the
             reason
             why
             little
             or
             no
             mention
             of
             this
             days
             observation
             ,
             not
             onely
             for
             Fifty
             but
             many
             more
             years
             can
             be
             found
             in
             the
             antient
             Ecclesiastical
             writers
             ,
             may
             be
             ,
             and
             most
             probably
             is
             ,
             because
             so
             long
             ,
             none
             opposed
             that
             rite
             and
             custome
             of
             the
             Church
             :
             So
             was
             it
             in
             case
             of
             
               paedobaptisme
               ,
            
             unto
             
               Cyprian
            
             time
             and
             the
             Conncils
             of
             
               Carthage
            
             and
             the
             
               Milevetan
               .
               An.
            
             416.
             417.
             
             (
             in
             which
             
               Pelagius
            
             and
             
               Caelestius
            
             were
             condemned
             )
             because
             no
             opposition
             did
             before
             that
             ,
             for
             some
             hundred
             years
             ,
             give
             the
             Orthodox
             Fathers
             occasi●n
             to
             dispute
             or
             write
             in
             defence
             of
             it
             :
             indeed
             ,
             to
             what
             end
             should
             any
             write
             in
             defence
             of
             
             that
             which
             none
             opposed
             ?
             But
             when
             some
             pretenders
             to
             Christian
             religion
             opposed
             the
             truth
             ,
             or
             raised
             schismes
             dangerous
             to
             the
             unity
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             or
             the
             wholsome
             Rites
             and
             customes
             of
             the
             same
             ,
             then
             the
             Orthodox
             wrote
             ,
             and
             many
             of
             their
             works
             are
             yet
             extant
             ,
             and
             so
             are
             divers
             of
             their
             Sermons
             and
             godly
             Or●tions
             delivered
             to
             the
             people
             on
             the
             same
             day
             ,
             which
             sufficiently
             testify
             ▪
             the
             custom
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             Christ
             concerning
             the
             observation
             of
             the
             day
             in
             memory
             of
             our
             Saviours
             nativity
             :
             Lastly
             ,
             it
             is
             well
             known
             ,
             that
             there
             were
             some
             obscure
             ages
             ,
             wh
             erein
             few
             or
             none
             writ
             ,
             or
             none
             so
             eminent
             and
             known
             ,
             as
             that
             there
             writings
             were
             transmitted
             to
             posteritie
             .
          
        
         
           
             Sect.
             10.
             
             HOw
             came
             it
             to
             be
             Christs
             day
             ?
             ]
          
           
             If
             you
             beleive
             that
             which
             the
             Angel
             told
             the
             shepherds
             .
             
               Luke
               .
            
             2.
             10
             ,
             11.
             that
             Christ
             was
             on
             that
             day
             borne
             ,
             this
             quere
             is
             superfluous
             ;
             marke
             the
             words
             ,
             
               The
               Angel
               said
               unto
               th●m
               ,
               fear
               not
               ,
               for
               b●
               hold
               I
               bring
               you
               good
               tidings
               of
               great
               joy
               which
               shall
               be
               to
               all
               p●ople
               ▪
               for
               unto
               you
               is
               born
               this
               day
               in
               the
               City
               o●
               David
               ,
               a
               Saviour
               which
               is
               Christ
               the
               Lord
               .
            
             You
             pos●ibly
             will
             say
             ,
             what
             is
             that
             to
             us
             ?
             what
             cause
             of
             joy
             or
             commemoration
             have
             we
             ?
             Certainly
             the
             same
             that
             all
             the
             people
             of
             God
             then
             had
             ,
             if
             Christ
             were
             born
             your
             Savior
             :
             for
             in
             that
             he
             saith
             ,
             
               which
               shall
               be
               to
               all
               people
               ,
            
             he
             includeth
             us
             Gentiles
             as
             well
             as
             the
             Jews
             ,
             for
             he
             is
             not
             only
             the
             
               Saviour
               of
               the
               Jews
               ,
               but
               of
               the
               b●l●iving
               Gentiles
               also
               ,
               Rom
            
             3.
             29
             neither
             of
             those
             only
             who
             lived
             that
             day
             ,
             but
             of
             all
             ages
             :
             you
             may
             say
             ,
             how
             know
             we
             whether
             he
             were
             born
             on
             that
             day
             which
             we
             observe
             ?
             we
             answer
             ,
             how
             know
             you
             the
             contrary
             ?
             One
             day
             of
             the
             year
             he
             was
             born
             ;
             you
             that
             so
             obstinately
             deny
             the
             day
             which
             we
             observe
             to
             be
             it
             ,
             assigne
             us
             one
             other
             which
             you
             will
             affirme
             ,
             was
             the
             day
             of
             his
             nativity
             ,
             except
             you
             think
             he
             was
             not
             born
             in
             any
             time
             :
             You
             will
             say
             again
             ;
             ●ut
             why
             should
             we
             yearly
             observe
             a
             day
             ?
             we
             say
             first
             ,
             for
             the
             same
             reason
             which
             Moses
             gave
             Israel
             for
             the
             yearly
             observation
             of
             the
             Passover
             ;
             
               When
               your
               Children
               shall
               say
               unto
               you
               ,
               what
               mean
               you
               by
               this
               service
               ?
            
             you
             shall
             say
             ,
             As
             this
             day
             (
             by
             the
             computation
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
               )
            
             was
             our
             Saviour
             Christ
             born
             ,
             whom
             God
             sent
             into
             the
             world
             to
             deliver
             us
             ,
             not
             from
             a
             temporall
             bondage
             but
             from
             the
             e●ernall
             misery
             of
             hell
             and
             damnation
             ,
             to
             which
             sin
             had
             inslaved
             us
             .
             Again
             Secondly
             ,
             you
             may
             as
             rationally
             say
             ,
             Why
             should
             we
             at
             all
             ,
             or
             any
             time
             be
             thankful
             to
             God
             for
             this
             his
             greatest
             mercy
             conferred
             on
             the
             elect
             ,
             considering
             the
             end
             of
             his
             incarnation
             ,
             his
             suffering
             and
             mans
             redemption
             ,
             which
             Paul
             reciteth
             under
             the
             motion
             of
             
               a
               faithfull
               saying
               and
               worthy
               of
               all
               acceptation
               .
            
             1.
             
               Tim.
            
             1.
             15.
             and
             our
             Saviour
             recounteth
             as
             a
             principal
             
             specimen
             of
             Gods
             love
             to
             mankind
             ,
             
               John
               .
            
             3
             16.
             indeed
             it
             was
             the
             cheif
             ;
             
               non
               enim
               prodesset
               nasci
               ,
               nifi
               redimi
               profuisset
               .
               Ambros.
            
             And
             is
             it
             not
             worth
             thanks
             in
             your
             sence
             ?
          
        
         
           
             Sect.
             11.
             ●ell
             us
             the
             originall
             of
             this
             duty
             ]
          
           
             They
             who
             will
             not
             learne
             of
             Christ
             (
             the
             onely
             Mediatour
             between
             God
             and
             man
             ,
             through
             whom
             ,
             and
             by
             whose
             merits
             onely
             ,
             they
             can
             be
             heard
             )
             to
             say
             ,
             
               thy
               will
               be
               done
               in
               earth
               ,
               as
               it
               is
               heaven
               ,
            
             &c.
             may
             possibly
             doubt
             concerning
             the
             originall
             of
             this
             duty
             ,
             not
             knowing
             ,
             or
             not
             beleiving
             the
             practice
             of
             an
             holy
             Angel
             ,
             or
             a
             multitude
             of
             the
             heavenly
             hoste
             ,
             praysing
             God
             on
             the
             day
             of
             Christ's
             nativity
             ,
             
               Luke
               .
            
             2.
             10.
             13.
             to
             be
             a
             sufficient
             warrant
             (
             without
             consent
             of
             
               Pharisees
               )
            
             to
             prescribe
             a
             duty
             to
             men
             on
             earth
             ;
             but
             believers
             ,
             whose
             hearts
             and
             tongues
             do
             indeed
             accord
             in
             prayer
             ,
             neither
             question
             the
             original
             of
             this
             duty
             ,
             nor
             whether
             it
             were
             divine
             and
             from
             heaven
             ,
             or
             of
             men
             ;
             guided
             by
             Gods
             Spirit
             they
             were
             .
             The
             ground
             of
             your
             doubt
             is
             a
             meer
             caption
             and
             begging
             of
             the
             question
             ,
             sufficiently
             refuted
             in
             that
             which
             hath
             been
             said
             .
             ●hat
             you
             say
             ,
             
               no
               footsteps
               at
               all
               are
               left
               in
               the
               word
               ,
               either
               precept
               ,
               or
               example
               looking
               th●t
               way
               ;
            
             consider
             better
             and
             know
             that
             the
             gospel
             
               (
               Luke
               .
            
             2.
             )
             is
             the
             word
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             the
             practice
             of
             a
             multitude
             of
             holy
             Angels
             example
             sufficient
             for
             them
             who
             desire
             ind●ed
             to
             do
             the
             will
             of
             
               God
               on
               earth
               as
               it
               is
               don●
               in
               heaven
               :
            
             Lastly
             ,
             we
             say
             ,
             shew
             us
             before
             Mr
             
               Calvins
            
             time
             any
             footstep
             or
             example
             ,
             I
             say
             not
             of
             holy
             Angels
             ,
             but
             of
             any
             true
             Christian
             for
             your
             new
             discipline
             .
          
        
         
           
             Sect.
             12.
             
             VVhether
             the
             Papists
             may
             not
             say
             as
             much
             for
             all
             their
             heaps
             of
             traditions
             ,
             as
             we
             can
             for
             this
             ?
             ]
          
           
             They
             may
             ,
             and
             do
             say
             (
             as
             you
             do
             )
             some
             things
             untrue
             .
             But
             for
             satisfaction
             in
             this
             behalf
             ,
             you
             must
             know
             ,
             1.
             
             That
             some
             traditions
             were
             Apostolical
             .
             2.
             
               Thes.
            
             3.
             6.
             and
             they
             were
             either
             written
             ,
             as
             the
             
               dogmata
               ,
            
             doctrines
             of
             holy
             Scripture
             ,
             which
             
               Jr●naeus
            
             calleth
             
               veritatis
               traditionem
               l.
            
             3.
             
               c.
            
             4.
             or
             
               sine
               charactere
               vel
               atramento
               ▪
               of
               which
               ,
            
             saith
             he
             ,
             
               many
               nations
               of
               the
               Barbarians
               ,
               who
               beleive
               in
               Christ
               ,
               diligently
               holding
               the
               old
               tradition
               ,
               beleiving
               in
               one
               God
               the
               maker
               of
               the
               heaven
               and
               earth
               ▪
               &
               all
               things
               that
               are
               therein
               ,
               by
               Christ
               Jesus
               his
               son
               ,
               through
               faith
               please
               God
               ▪
            
             &c.
             
             Therefore
             some
             traditions
             Apostolical
             ,
             were
             not
             written
             but
             delivered
             
               viva
               voce
               ,
            
             to
             the
             Churches
             which
             
             they
             planted
             ,
             as
             rites
             for
             o●der
             and
             convenience
             of
             the
             same
             .
             The
             ground
             of
             this
             d●sti●ction
             ,
             the
             Apost●e
             himself
             lay●th
             down
             2
             
               Th●s.
            
             2
             15.
             
               saying
               ,
            
             
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
            
             ,
             
               Hold
               fast
               the
               traditions
               ,
               which
               ye
               have
               been
               taught
               ,
               whether
               by
               word
               ,
               or
               by
               our
               Epistle
               :
            
             And
             we
             must
             remember
             that
             the
             Apostles
             committed
             not
             all
             to
             writing
             ,
             but
             onely
             those
             things
             which
             appertained
             unto
             the
             ground
             and
             essence
             of
             faith
             and
             sanctification
             ,
             or
             thereto
             neerly
             subordinate
             ▪
             Again
             it
             is
             ne●essary
             to
             distinguish
             ri
             es
             of
             the
             hurch
             from
             doctrines
             ,
             and
             things
             necessary
             from
             indifferent
             ;
             also
             things
             perpe●ual
             ,
             from
             changable
             ,
             which
             are
             not
             universal
             ,
             as
             some
             of
             the
             others
             are
             :
             for
             som●
             of
             the
             Apostolical
             traditions
             were
             acc●mmodated
             to
             times
             ,
             places
             and
             persons
             ,
             and
             so
             not
             to
             be
             esteemed
             universally
             binding
             ,
             a●
             all
             times
             ,
             places
             ,
             and
             all
             persons
             ;
             as
             for
             example
             ,
             saluting
             with
             an
             holy
             kiss
             ▪
             anointing
             the
             sick
             
               (
               Jam
            
             5.
             14.
             
             )
             abs●inence
             from
             blood
             .
             
               Act.
            
             15.
             0
             ,
             29.
             
             Also
             ,
             as
             it
             is
             necessary
             to
             distinguish
             in
             these
             things
             ;
             so
             ,
             to
             know
             that
             in
             things
             of
             their
             own
             nature
             indifferent
             ,
             thou
             art
             bound
             to
             give
             no
             offence
             to
             the
             brethren
             with
             whom
             thou
             livest
             ,
             but
             to
             observe
             such
             their
             rites
             ;
             there
             being
             necessary
             to
             all
             men
             ever
             ,
             and
             in
             all
             places
             ,
             as
             one
             faith
             ,
             so
             one
             love
             ,
             but
             not
             one
             rite
             or
             custom
             ,
             though
             these
             are
             not
             rashly
             to
             be
             violated
             by
             any
             person
             ,
             the
             institution
             whereof
             was
             from
             its
             beginning
             in
             publike
             authority
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             not
             any
             private
             spirits
             .
          
           
             Moreover
             by
             traditions
             ,
             good
             writers
             sometimes
             understand
             any
             thing
             concerning
             rites
             ,
             doctrine
             and
             discipline
             
               Ecclesiastical
               ,
            
             not
             expresly
             written
             in
             
               Scripture
               ,
            
             but
             that
             which
             is
             by
             good
             and
             necessary
             consequence
             ,
             thence
             to
             be
             concluded
             ,
             as
             
               paedobaptism
               ,
            
             observation
             of
             the
             
               Christian
               Sabboth
               ,
            
             &c.
             wherein
             it
             is
             observable
             that
             Christ
             condemned
             the
             Sadduces
             of
             error
             ,
             through
             ignorance
             of
             that
             Scripture
             ,
             whose
             consequence
             they
             knew
             ▪
             not
             or
             would
             not
             acknowledge
             .
             
               Moses
            
             said
             ,
             
               I
               am
               the
               God
               of
               Abraham
               ,
            
             &c.
             here
             was
             no
             express
             word
             to
             prove
             the
             resurrection
             of
             the
             dead
             ;
             but
             necessary
             consequence
             here
             is
             ,
             because
             God
             is
             the
             God
             of
             the
             living
             .
             Thus
             understand
             in
             holy
             duties
             ,
             that
             though
             we
             must
             ever
             be
             regulated
             by
             the
             holy
             Scriptures
             ,
             yet
             is
             it
             not
             always
             necessary
             to
             have
             express
             Scripture
             
               in
               terminis
            
             for
             our
             warrant
             therein
             ,
             where
             a
             necessary
             consequence
             from
             the
             general
             rule
             is
             sufficient
             ;
             for
             example
             ,
             we
             finde
             no
             express
             word
             commanding
             us
             to
             pray
             in
             the
             
               English
               tongue
               ;
            
             you
             cannot
             hence
             conclude
             ,
             that
             praying
             in
             
               English
            
             
             
               is
               will
               worship
               ,
            
             because
             we
             have
             no
             express
             word
             of
             God
             for
             it
             ;
             because
             the
             general
             rule
             is
             sufficient
             ,
             
               omnis
               lingua
               laudet
               Dominum
               ,
            
             and
             the
             sense
             of
             Scripture
             ,
             that
             we
             should
             pray
             in
             a
             known
             tongue
             ,
             
               viz.
            
             in
             that
             tongue
             which
             we
             ,
             &
             those
             with
             whom
             we
             pray
             ,
             do
             understand
             :
             we
             read
             not
             in
             any
             express
             
               Scripture
            
             that
             we
             must
             preach
             the
             Gospel
             in
             
               England
               ,
            
             or
             that
             the
             Apostles
             ever
             did
             so
             ;
             yet
             you
             will
             not
             say
             that
             it
             is
             
               will-worship
               ,
            
             or
             
               Popery
            
             so
             to
             do
             ;
             because
             the
             general
             rule
             is
             sufficient
             warrant
             ,
             which
             saith
             ,
             
               Go
               into
               all
               the
               world
               ▪
               preach
               the
               Gospel
               to
               every
               Creature
               .
               Mark
               .
            
             16.
             15.
             but
             this
             is
             a
             tradition
             and
             practice
             of
             the
             Church
             since
             religion
             was
             planted
             among
             the
             English
             ;
             though
             we
             finde
             no
             express
             mention
             of
             
               England
            
             in
             holy
             Scriptures
             ,
             yet
             we
             know
             no
             cause
             to
             doubt
             whether
             we
             ought
             to
             preach
             in
             
               England
               ,
            
             or
             may
             lawfully
             so
             do
             ,
             without
             danger
             of
             being
             guilty
             of
             
               will-worship
               ,
            
             because
             we
             have
             no
             express
             Scripture
             for
             it
             ;
             and
             if
             it
             be
             lawful
             to
             preach
             in
             this
             place
             upon
             the
             generall
             warrant
             ,
             why
             not
             also
             to
             preach
             ,
             pray
             ,
             praise
             God
             ,
             on
             the
             25.
             of
             
               December
               ?
            
             the
             general
             warrant
             concerning
             the
             circumstance
             of
             time
             being
             ,
             
               rejoyce
               evermore
               ,
               pray
               without
               ceasing
               ,
               in
               every
               thing
               give
               thanks
               .
            
             See
             
               Ephes.
            
             1.
             16.
             and
             5.
             20.
             1
             
               Thes.
            
             5.
             16
             ,
             17
             ,
             18.
             1
             
               Thes.
            
             2.
             13.
             2
             
               Thes.
            
             1.
             3.
             
               Phil
            
             1.
             3.
             
               Col.
            
             3.
             15.
             1
             
             
               Tim
            
             2.
             1.
             
               Hebr.
            
             13.
             15.
             
             In
             what
             Scripture
             finde
             you
             your
             exception
             to
             the
             25.
             of
             
               December
               ?
            
             may
             we
             not
             on
             that
             day
             give
             God
             thanks
             for
             our
             meat
             and
             drink
             with
             your
             good
             leave
             ?
             and
             why
             not
             for
             the
             greatest
             of
             blessings
             ,
             the
             bread
             of
             life
             bestowed
             upon
             us
             on
             that
             day
             ?
          
           
             To
             conclude
             ,
             hence
             it
             may
             appear
             that
             the
             
               Church
            
             may
             appoint
             and
             use
             external
             rites
             and
             orders
             for
             conveniency
             and
             decency
             tending
             to
             edification
             ;
             though
             we
             hold
             that
             no
             tradition
             be●●des
             holy
             Scripture
             is
             simple
             necessary
             to
             salvation
             ;
             yet
             as
             
               Augustin
            
             saith
             ,
             ●p
             .
             
               Casulano
               ,
               In
               his
               rebus
               de
               quibus
               nih●l
               certi
               statuit
               Scriptura
               divina
               ,
               mos
               populi
               Dei
               vel
               instituta
               maiorum
               pro
               lege
               tenend
               sunt
               ,
            
             that
             is
             ,
             In
             those
             things
             concerning
             which
             divine
             Scripture
             determineth
             nothing
             certain
             ,
             t●e
             custom
             of
             Gods
             eople
             ,
             or
             institutions
             of
             our
             Ancesters
             are
             to
             be
             held
             instead
             of
             a
             law
             :
             provided
             that
             th
             re
             appear
             nothing
             therein
             constituted
             ▪
             accustomed
             ,
             or
             used
             ,
             contrary
             to
             the
             word
             of
             God
             :
             so
             much
             be
             spoken
             concerning
             Apostolical
             and
             holy
             traditions
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             Apostolical
             traditions
             are
             tares
             of
             the
             envious
             mans
             scattering
             ,
             
             meer
             inventions
             of
             men
             ,
             not
             subordinate
             to
             faith
             ,
             sanctity
             and
             edification
             ,
             nor
             consonant
             to
             the
             holy
             word
             of
             God
             ;
             many
             such
             crept
             into
             the
             Jewish
             Church
             before
             our
             Saviours
             incarnation
             ;
             whereof
             see
             
               Math.
            
             15.
             2.
             3.
             6.
             
             
               Mark
            
             7.
             13.
             
             
               Gal.
            
             1.
             14.
             
             Paul
             before
             his
             calling
             ,
             saith
             ,
             that
             he
             was
             
               more
               exceedingly
            
             zealous
             of
             the
             traditions
             of
             his
             fathers
             .
             With
             these
             we
             may
             arrange
             that
             same
             
               faraginem
            
             of
             the
             
               Talmudists
               ,
            
             and
             if
             you
             will
             so
             call
             them
             ,
             
               heapes
               of
               traditions
            
             which
             crept
             into
             the
             Church
             of
             
               Rome
               ,
            
             to
             the
             corruption
             of
             doctrine
             and
             truth
             ;
             for
             which
             traditions
             the
             
               Papists
            
             so
             eagerly
             contend
             ;
             see
             their
             long
             Council
             of
             Trent
             ;
             and
             consider
             the
             vast
             difference
             between
             their
             traditions
             ,
             and
             our
             rites
             .
             Popish
             traditions
             are
             generally
             against
             express
             Scriptures
             ,
             or
             necessary
             consequences
             thence
             to
             be
             deduced
             ;
             and
             of
             them
             ,
             some
             against
             the
             fundamentals
             of
             religion
             ;
             which
             none
             but
             the
             very
             ignorant
             or
             malicious
             can
             object
             against
             the
             rites
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
               .
               Popish
               traditions
            
             (
             properly
             so
             called
             )
             are
             points
             which
             generally
             were
             never
             received
             by
             the
             Church
             or
             orthodox
             fathers
             ,
             thereof
             but
             rather
             generally
             opposed
             by
             them
             of
             the
             purest
             ages
             ;
             but
             ours
             ,
             for
             instance
             this
             concerning
             the
             observation
             of
             a
             day
             in
             memory
             of
             our
             Saviours
             nativity
             ,
             was
             never
             opposed
             untill
             of
             late
             years
             :
             
               Popish
               traditions
               ,
            
             as
             also
             the
             
               Pharisaicall
               ,
            
             did
             make
             void
             the
             doctrine
             of
             God
             ;
             which
             none
             can
             justly
             object
             against
             us
             :
             now
             we
             speak
             of
             Popish
             traditions
             properly
             so
             called
             ;
             for
             we
             are
             not
             of
             their
             number
             who
             call
             all
             that
             Popery
             ,
             which
             either
             they
             understand
             not
             ,
             or
             which
             agreeth
             not
             with
             their
             
               fanatical
               opinions
               ;
            
             for
             when
             they
             speak
             for
             truth
             and
             
               Apostolical
               traditions
               ,
            
             they
             do
             no
             more
             speak
             their
             owne
             ,
             then
             the
             Devil
             did
             speak
             his
             owne
             words
             ,
             or
             sence
             when
             (
             in
             hope
             thereby
             either
             to
             gain
             credit
             to
             his
             lyes
             ,
             or
             to
             bring
             a
             suspition
             on
             the
             truth
             of
             the
             Gospel
             )
             he
             affirmed
             
               Christ
               to
               be
               the
               holy
               one
               of
               God
               ,
               Luk.
            
             4.
             34.
             
             
               Mark
               .
            
             1.
             24.
             
             Nay
             but
             when
             he
             speaks
             a
             lie
             ,
             
               then
               speaketh
               he
               of
               his
               own
               ,
               John
               .
            
             8.
             44.
             
             All
             is
             not
             devillish
             which
             the
             devil
             said
             ;
             so
             neither
             count
             we
             all
             Popish
             which
             the
             Papists
             say
             :
             when
             therefore
             they
             speak
             for
             those
             traditions
             whereby
             they
             slid
             away
             ,
             and
             continued
             not
             in
             the
             truth
             of
             Christ
             ,
             then
             speak
             they
             for
             their
             
               heaps
               of
               traditions
               ,
            
             such
             as
             their
             
               Council
               of
               Trent
            
             equalled
             with
             the
             dictates
             of
             Gods
             ●pirit
             in
             sacred
             
               Scriptures
               ;
            
             and
             such
             other
             inventions
             of
             man
             may
             hereto
             be
             added
             ,
             as
             the
             old
             
               Pharisees
            
             did
             ,
             or
             the
             modern
             now
             do
             
             obtrude
             upon
             their
             deluded
             hearers
             for
             doctrines
             ,
             whereby
             they
             elevate
             the
             commandement
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             as
             much
             as
             in
             them
             is
             ,
             make
             then
             of
             less
             power
             and
             authority
             with
             men
             ;
             and
             so
             force
             Gods
             commands
             to
             give
             place
             to
             old
             traditions
             ,
             as
             Papists
             do
             ,
             or
             to
             new
             ,
             as
             some
             ,
             therein
             as
             bad
             ,
             or
             worse
             ,
             now
             do
             .
             And
             now
             
               bona
               vestra
               cum
               venia
               ,
            
             we
             would
             gladly
             be
             satisfied
             ,
             whether
             you
             (
             who
             would
             fain
             pin
             your
             fancy
             of
             
               will-worship
            
             upon
             our
             sleeves
             )
             do
             not
             you
             in
             your
             
               Classical
               traditions
               ,
            
             fall
             into
             a
             more
             just
             censure
             ,
             or
             suspition
             of
             
               will-worship
            
             and
             depowering
             the
             commandements
             God
             ,
             who
             expresly
             saith
             ,
             endeavour
             to
             
               keep
               the
               unity
               of
               the
               Spirit
               in
               the
               bond
               of
               peace
               ,
               Ephs.
            
             4.
             3.
             and
             
               Heb.
            
             10
             ,
             24.
             25.
             
               let
               us
               consider
               one
               another
               to
               provoke
               unto
               love
               ,
               not
               forsaking
               the
               assembling
               our selves
               together
               ,
            
             but
             your
             tradition
             (
             not
             so
             much
             valuing
             the
             unity
             and
             peace
             of
             
               Christ's
               Church
            
             as
             your
             own
             wills
             )
             will
             not
             admit
             any
             to
             communicate
             with
             you
             ,
             except
             he
             can
             reach
             his
             conscience
             so
             wide
             as
             to
             subscri●e
             to
             your
             new
             discipline
             .
             Gods
             word
             ●aith
             
               (
               Rom.
            
             14.
             6.
             
             )
             
               be
               that
               observeth
               a
               day
               ,
               observeth
               it
               unto
               the
               Lord
               ;
            
             and
             ver.
             10.
             
               why
               dost
               thou
               judge
               thy
               brother
               ?
               or
               why
               dost
               thou
               set
               at
               nought
               thy
               brother
               ?
            
             and
             ver.
             13.
             
               let
               us
               n●t
               judge
               one
               another
               ,
            
             and
             ver
             15.
             
               if
               thy
               brother
               be
               greived
               ,
               now
               walkest
               thou
               not
               charitably
               ;
               destroy
               not
               him
               with
               thy
               meat
               for
               whom
               Christ
               died
               :
            
             And
             ver.
             17.
             
               for
               whosoever
               in
               these
               things
               serveth
               Christ
               ,
               is
               acceptable
               unto
               God
               ▪
               let
               us
               then
               follow
               those
               things
               which
               concern
               peace
               ,
               and
               wherewith
               one
               may
               ●dify
               another
               :
            
             but
             you
             would
             have
             all
             follow
             your
             rigid
             opinions
             ,
             or
             else
             you
             will
             neither
             hold
             communion
             nor
             charity
             with
             them
             ;
             bnt
             brand
             them
             with
             that
             
               bloody
               name
               of
               malignant
               ,
            
             then
             which
             you
             can
             say
             no
             worse
             ,
             but
             only
             reprobate
             .
          
        
         
           
             Sect.
             13.
             
             ANd
             if
             we
             once
             follow
             traditional
             divinity
             ,
             where
             shall
             we
             stop
             ?
             ]
          
           
             What
             will
             not
             unskilful
             confidence
             venter
             on
             ?
             Had
             you
             been
             well
             informed
             to●distinguish
             between
             traditions
             ,
             you
             might
             have
             spared
             your selves
             this
             trouble
             .
             Certainly
             they
             that
             
               follow
               the
               Apostolical
               traditions
            
             or
             doctrine
             of
             the
             Gospel
             onely
             ,
             shall
             safely
             stop
             ,
             and
             rest
             satisfied
             therein
             ,
             which
             ●uide
             and
             constancy
             we
             heartily
             wish
             you
             ,
             but
             as
             yet
             know
             not
             that
             in
             ●our
             late-born
             discilpine
             vou
             follow
             ei●her
             ,
             who
             have
             so
             many
             off-sets
             of
             several
             
               Sects
            
             sprung
             from
             you
             ,
             as
             are
             oft
             to
             seek
             where
             to
             stop
             ,
             or
             of
             what
             religion
             to
             be
             ;
             I
             speak
             things
             too
             well
             
             known
             ;
             witnesse
             the
             miserable
             divisions
             which
             have
             torne
             in
             sunder
             the
             late
             happy
             unity
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               England
               .
            
             Lastly
             ,
             you
             vainly
             trifle
             ,
             and
             would
             imply
             ,
             that
             we
             observing
             a
             day
             in
             remembrance
             of
             our
             
               Saviours
               nativity
               ,
            
             do
             therein
             follow
             
               traditionall
               divinity
            
             in
             your
             sence
             ,
             which
             is
             a
             
               parologism
            
             and
             silly
             begging
             of
             the
             question
             ,
             which
             a
             junior
             Sophister
             would
             account
             very
             absurd
             and
             ridiculous
             .
          
        
         
           
             Sect.
             14.
             
             GIve
             us
             a
             definition
             of
             that
             sin
             which
             the
             Scripture
             calleth
             will-worship
             ]
          
           
             If
             you
             know
             not
             what
             that
             is
             ,
             why
             take
             you
             up
             a
             
               medium
            
             to
             prove
             your
             opinion
             with
             ,
             which
             your self
             understand
             not
             ?
             could
             you
             teach
             ,
             who
             understand
             not
             what
             you
             say
             ,
             nor
             whereof
             you
             affirme
             ?
             if
             you
             do
             indeed
             know
             what
             
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
            
             is
             ,
             why
             are
             you
             not
             
               theticall
            
             in
             laying
             down
             your
             own
             sence
             and
             definition
             thereof
             ?
             you
             that
             would
             catechise
             us
             concerning
             
               will-worship
               ;
            
             rather
             dispute
             fairly
             ;
             and
             your
             argument
             will
             thus
             lie
             .
          
           
             Whatsoever
             the
             Scripture
             calleth
             will-worship
             ,
             is
             a
             sin
             :
             
               But
               ,
            
             The
             Scripture
             calleth
             observation
             of
             a
             day
             in
             rememberance
             of
             Christs
             nativity
             will
             worship
             :
             
               Ergo
               .
            
             Obseruation
             of
             a
             day
             in
             remembrance
             of
             Christs
             nativity
             ,
             is
             a
             sin
             .
          
           
             We
             answer
             ;
             untill
             you
             shew
             us
             where
             the
             Scripture
             so
             calleth
             it
             ,
             we
             shall
             laugh
             at
             your
             bold
             weakness
             ,
             who
             durst
             undertake
             this
             q●arrel
             :
             yet
             to
             do
             you
             a
             curtesy
             ,
             we
             tell
             you
             that
             
               will-worship
            
             is
             any
             thing
             brought
             into
             the
             worship
             of
             God
             ,
             without
             his
             commands
             or
             by
             the
             without
             of
             man
             only
             ,
             which
             hath
             not
             its
             ground
             in
             ho●y
             Scripture
             .
             As
             for
             our
             parts
             ,
             we
             worship
             n●ither
             time
             nor
             place
             (
             though
             we
             cannot
             worship
             without
             these
             circumstances
             )
             we
             worship
             God
             through
             Christ
             (
             by
             whom
             he
             made
             both
             time
             and
             place
             ,
             
               Heb
            
             1.
             2.
             
               Gen.
            
             1.
             
               Joh.
            
             1.
             2.
             
             
               Col
               ,
            
             1.
             16.
             
             )
             we
             worship
             him
             by
             prayer
             ,
             thanksgiving
             ,
             preaching
             and
             hearing
             the
             holy
             word
             on
             that
             day
             ;
             w●ich
             being
             according
             to
             the
             will
             of
             God
             ,
             and
             the
             express
             word
             of
             God
             ,
             bewa●e
             that
             you
             bespatter
             not
             with
             your
             dirty
             terms
             of
             
               will-worship
               ,
            
             and
             the
             like
             :
             we
             suppose
             you
             will
             not
             blame
             the
             Angels
             for
             comming
             from
             heaven
             ,
             that
             they
             might
             sing
             and
             praise
             God
             for
             Christs
             nativity
             on
             the
             d●y
             thereof
             ,
             and
             preach
             the
             same
             unto
             men
             :
             O
             but
             say
             you
             ,
             you
             count
             it
             a
             holy
             day
             ;
             why
             not
             ?
             seeing
             
             according
             to
             the
             Custome
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               Christ
               ,
            
             we
             set
             it
             apart
             to
             Gods
             s●rvice
             .
             But
             say
             you
             then
             ,
             Is
             not
             that
             
               will-worship
               ?
            
             we
             demand
             ;
             Is
             dedicating
             of
             a
             thing
             to
             Gods
             service
             ,
             in
             that
             act
             ,
             a
             making
             it
             holy
             ?
             or
             is
             a
             counting
             a
             consecrated
             thing
             holy
             ,
             concluded
             
               will-worship
            
             in
             your
             Schools
             ?
             nay
             but
             it
             doth
             not
             universally
             conclude
             any
             worship
             :
             we
             suppose
             that
             you
             will
             grant
             the
             elect
             Angels
             are
             holy
             ;
             that
             supposition
             concludes
             no
             adoration
             of
             Angels
             at
             all
             due
             .
          
        
         
           
             Sect.
             15.
             
             
               I
            
             Suppose
             these
             Queries
             duely
             weighed
             will
             sati●fy
             any
             ingenuous
             Spirit
             ,
             that
             man
             was
             the
             founder
             of
             this
             festival
             .
             ]
          
           
             To
             argue
             by
             such
             often
             queries
             may
             breed
             doubts
             rather
             then
             resolve
             them
             :
             how
             you
             come
             to
             lay
             claim
             to
             ingenuous
             ,
             or
             witty
             ,
             who
             are
             satisfied
             by
             these
             questions
             ,
             we
             wish
             that
             we
             were
             satisfied
             ;
             seeing
             that
             the
             more
             we
             weigh
             them
             ,
             the
             lighter
             and
             more
             frivolous
             we
             find
             them
             :
             your
             consequence
             from
             your
             supposed
             ingenuous
             sence
             is
             another
             begging
             the
             question
             ,
             which
             wise
             men
             account
             the
             most
             foolish
             of
             all
             fallacies
             .
          
        
         
           
             Sect.
             16.
             
             Ans.
             
               1.
               
            
             WHere
             ever
             the
             Magistrate
             appoints
             such
             days
             ,
             &c.
             ]
          
           
             we
             remit
             you
             to
             the
             former
             answer
             ,
             
               Sect.
            
             5.
             to
             which
             we
             onely
             add
             ,
             Was
             the
             Magistrate
             or
             Power
             appointing
             that
             half
             the
             day
             ,
             
               Novem.
            
             5.
             should
             be
             kept
             holy
             (
             in
             memory
             of
             Gods
             great
             mercy
             that
             day
             shewed
             in
             delivering
             us
             from
             eminent
             destruction
             of
             our
             bodies
             )
             authors
             of
             
               will-worship
               ?
            
             or
             the
             due
             observation
             of
             that
             statute
             ,
             such
             ?
             which
             you
             seem
             
               ingenuously
            
             to
             suppose
             ;
             if
             not
             ,
             why
             had
             not
             former
             
               Magistrates
               ,
               and
               Parliaments
            
             as
             much
             power
             in
             the
             days
             of
             old
             to
             appoint
             or
             consecrate
             unto
             the
             same
             Lord
             ,
             days
             of
             thanksgiving
             and
             solemn
             commemoration
             (
             for
             their
             deliverance
             from
             eternall
             destruction
             of
             body
             and
             Soule
             )
             as
             they
             had
             for
             the
             other
             in
             these
             last
             times
             ?
             and
             why
             may
             not
             we
             without
             offence
             ,
             observe
             them
             still
             ?
             our
             consciences
             being
             not
             satisfied
             ,
             how
             any
             authority
             or
             consent
             of
             men
             may
             lawfully
             recall
             ,
             impropriate
             ,
             or
             ,
             in
             your
             phrase
             ,
             
               take
               down
            
             that
             which
             they
             have
             with
             a
             general
             and
             unanimous
             consent
             of
             lal
             parties
             interessed
             ,
             once
             dedicated
             to
             the
             service
             of
             God
             ,
             the
             same
             reason
             ,
             end
             ,
             and
             use
             thereof
             ,
             still
             remaining
             .
          
        
         
         
           
             Sect.
             17.
             
             
               Ans.
               2.
               
            
             BVt
             where
             we
             are
             directed
             how
             ,
             and
             when
             to
             celebrate
             the
             remembance
             of
             our
             blessed
             Saviour
             ,
             for
             us
             to
             sup●radd
             &c.
             ]
          
           
             
               How
               and
               when
               ?
            
             If
             you
             mean
             in
             praising
             God
             by
             Christ
             ,
             preaching
             him
             ,
             hearing
             his
             word
             ,
             adminstration
             and
             receiving
             the
             holy
             
               Sacraments
               ,
            
             which
             represent
             ,
             and
             remember
             us
             of
             our
             
               ever
               blessed
               Saviour
               ;
            
             we
             are
             so
             far
             from
             superadding
             ,
             that
             we
             onely
             desire
             free
             liberty
             of
             doing
             those
             very
             things
             which
             Gods
             word
             evidently
             directeth
             us
             to
             do
             in
             his
             service
             :
             consider
             well
             ,
             whether
             it
             be
             not
             a
             superaddition
             of
             yours
             to
             permit
             remembrance
             of
             our
             blessed
             Saviour
             ,
             adding
             this
             exception
             ,
             onely
             upon
             the
             25.
             of
             
               December
            
             it
             is
             a
             sin
             so
             to
             do
             :
             and
             whether
             in
             your
             sence
             ,
             this
             be
             not
             like
             that
             sin
             taxed
             
               Ez●k
            
             43.
             
             We
             understand
             not
             why
             we
             may
             not
             remember
             our
             Saviours
             birth-day
             and
             coming
             into
             the
             world
             (
             without
             which
             he
             had
             not
             suffered
             for
             our
             salvation
             )
             or
             why
             it
             should
             be
             estemed
             good
             on
             any
             day
             of
             the
             year
             ,
             but
             evil
             on
             the
             25.
             of
             
               December
               ,
            
             if
             you
             can
             solidly
             teach
             us
             ,
             we
             shall
             indeed
             think
             you
             
               ingenuous
               ,
            
             and
             our selves
             your
             debters
             ;
             but
             in
             the
             mean
             time
             we
             confess
             ,
             that
             a
             day
             prohibited
             time
             and
             place
             ,
             we
             cannot
             understand
             .
          
        
         
           
             
               Sect.
            
             18.
             
             LIke
             whereto
             is
             that
             sin
             taxed
             Ezek.
             
               48.
               8.
               
            
             &c.
             ]
          
           
             We
             suppose
             you
             mean
             
               Ezek.
            
             43.
             8.
             which
             is
             as
             much
             unlike
             this
             business
             ,
             as
             your self
             to
             a
             sound
             Interpreter
             ;
             shew
             us
             that
             there
             is
             any
             
               abomination
            
             (
             which
             in
             that
             place
             is
             charged
             on
             
               Israel
               )
            
             in
             remembring
             that
             we
             had
             a
             Saviour
             born
             on
             the
             25
             of
             
               December
               ,
            
             in
             preaching
             on
             those
             texts
             of
             holy
             Scriptures
             ,
             which
             either
             foretold
             ,
             or
             declared
             the
             truth
             of
             God
             accordingly
             fulfilled
             concerning
             the
             same
             ,
             or
             to
             praise
             ,
             pray
             ,
             sing
             ●salmes
             ,
             and
             read
             Scripture
             ,
             or
             to
             administer
             the
             holy
             Sacraments
             ;
             this
             is
             all
             we
             desire
             should
             on
             that
             day
             be
             permitted
             us
             :
             if
             your
             weak
             stomacks
             cannot
             bear
             the
             smell
             of
             superstitious
             pyes
             ,
             or
             pottage
             ,
             we
             will
             forbear
             them
             ,
             rather
             then
             lose
             your
             company
             at
             
               Church
               .
            
             But
             to
             the
             matter
             ,
             That
             place
             of
             the
             
               Prophet
               ,
            
             teacheth
             how
             
               Isreal
            
             sinned
             in
             defiling
             the
             temple
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             by
             setting
             up
             idols
             therein
             ,
             or
             in
             places
             
             and
             chappels
             neer
             to
             the
             place
             which
             God
             had
             set
             apart
             to
             his
             own
             service
             ,
             this
             is
             jdolatry
             is
             there
             and
             else
             where
             called
             whoredome
             ,
             which
             he
             said
             ,
             
               ver.
            
             7.
             should
             be
             no
             more
             ,
             which
             was
             litterally
             fulfilled
             after
             their
             return
             from
             their
             
               Babylonish
            
             captivity
             ;
             and
             to
             so
             this
             day
             they
             have
             no
             idols
             ,
             though
             they
             worship
             not
             the
             true
             God
             aright
             because
             they
             beleive
             no●
             in
             
               Christ
               ,
            
             whom
             they
             do
             not
             think
             yet
             to
             be
             born
             ,
             and
             therefore
             would
             willingly
             accord
             with
             you
             in
             forbidding
             a
             day
             in
             remembrance
             of
             
               Christs
               nativity
               :
            
             But
             to
             your
             parallel
             ,
             
               like
               whereto
            
             &c.
             it
             is
             easily
             and
             truly
             refuted
             ,
             by
             saying
             
               unlike
               whereto
               is
               that
               sin
               taxed
            
             &c.
             for
             there
             
               Israel
            
             defiled
             Gods
             house
             by
             idolatry
             ;
             is
             it
             so
             when
             we
             preach
             ,
             pray
             ,
             or
             communicate
             ?
             your
             ingenious
             application
             is
             admirable
             ,
             and
             't
             is
             strange
             that
             whatsoever
             you
             think
             ,
             the
             bells
             must
             ring
             .
          
        
         
           
             Sect.
             19.
             
             YEt
             where
             it
             is
             never
             otherwise
             ,
             but
             the
             devil
             hath
             more
             service
             that
             time
             &c.
             
          
           
             We
             answer
             concerning
             this
             
               Cup
            
             put
             into
             
               Benjamins
               Sack
               ,
               with
               whomsoever
               it
               be
               found
               ,
               let
               him
               die
               ,
            
             and
             bear
             his
             sin
             :
             but
             we
             desire
             the
             calumniator
             to
             read
             and
             well
             consider
             
               Deut.
            
             19.
             16
             ,
             17.
             &c.
             
          
        
         
           
             Sect.
             20.
             
             I
             Think
             it
             concerns
             the
             Magistrate
             to
             look
             to
             it
             .
             ]
          
           
             It
             doth
             so
             ,
             if
             you
             mean
             the
             abuse
             of
             it
             ;
             but
             that
             you
             say
             ,
             
               is
               never
               otherwise
               ,
            
             is
             a
             calumny
             which
             would
             suit
             with
             the
             
               accuser
               of
               the
               brethren
               ,
            
             but
             such
             untruths
             ill
             become
             a
             
               Christian
               :
            
             here
             your
             own
             concession
             is
             answer
             enough
             ,
             were
             your
             assumption
             true
             ,
             
               abusus
               non
               tollit
               usum
               :
            
             you
             may
             know
             howmuch
             prayer
             ,
             preaching
             ,
             &c.
             are
             abused
             ;
             should
             they
             therefore
             be
             used
             no
             more
             ?
          
        
         
           
             Sect.
             21.
             
             LEe
             him
             read
             Mr
             ▪
             Cawdryes
             &c.
             ]
          
           
             Let
             him
             for
             us
             ,
             who
             knows
             no
             no
             better
             use
             of
             preceious
             hours
             .
          
        
         
         
           
             Sect.
             22.
             
             WHich
             is
             the
             case
             in
             hand
             ]
          
           
             Still
             begging
             the
             question
             ?
             't
             is
             not
             the
             case
             in
             hand
             :
             here
             is
             no
             following
             the
             inventions
             of
             man
             in
             
               the
               wors●●p
               of
               God
               ;
            
             what
             a
             silly
             combatant
             would
             you
             judge
             him
             ,
             who
             inst●ad
             of
             using
             his
             armes
             ,
             would
             only
             intreat
             his
             
               Antogonist
            
             to
             give
             him
             that
             which
             is
             contended
             for
             ?
          
        
         
           
             Sect.
             23.
             
             ANy
             of
             the
             ten
             Commandments
             in
             so
             doing
             &c.
             ]
          
           
             We
             retort
             your
             argument
             ,
             and
             shoot
             your
             bolt
             back
             again
             ,
             asking
             you
             Who
             blame
             the
             obseruation
             of
             this
             festivial
             ;
             whether
             he
             that
             keepeth
             this
             day
             in
             memory
             of
             our
             ▪
             Saviours
             nativity
             ,
             doth
             thereby
             break
             any
             of
             the
             
               ten
               Commandments
               ▪
            
             and
             if
             not
             ,
             then
             sure
             it
             is
             
               no
               sin
               to
               observe
               it
               ;
            
             and
             what
             ground
             then
             ,
             have
             all
             your
             clamors
             against
             so
             constant
             a
             custome
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               Christ
               ?
            
             but
             to
             come
             neerer
             to
             you
             ,
             this
             your
             Quaere
             is
             not
             much
             more
             rationall
             then
             that
             ridiculous
             question
             ,
             
               What
               part
               of
               speech
               is
               Qui
               ante
               non
               ●avet
               ,
               post
               dolebit
               ?
            
             what
             if
             one
             should
             ask
             you
             ;
             doth
             he
             that
             violateth
             charity
             and
             the
             unity
             of
             the
             
               Church
               of
               Christ
               ,
            
             break
             any
             of
             the
             
               ten
               Commandements
               ,
            
             would
             you
             not
             readily
             answer
             ,
             that
             he
             breaks
             them
             all
             ?
             because
             you
             know
             that
             
               Charity
            
             is
             the
             sum
             and
             end
             of
             the
             law
             .
             
               Math.
            
             22.
             36
             ,
             37.
             1
             
               Tim.
            
             1.
             5.
             without
             which
             whatso●ver
             else
             we
             do
             ,
             is
             nothing
             worth
             ,
             1
             
               Cor.
            
             13.
             1.
             &c.
             and
             therefore
             the
             Apostle
             saith
             ,
             
               Rom.
            
             14.
             1
             ,
             2.
             &c.
             (
             speaking
             of
             things
             in
             their
             own
             natu●e
             indifferent
             ,
             whereof
             he
             instanceth
             in
             two
             ,
             choice
             of
             meats
             ,
             and
             observation
             of
             days
             )
             that
             God
             may
             be
             glorified
             on
             this
             ground
             ,
             that
             he
             giveth
             God
             thanks
             ,
             
               ver.
            
             10.
             and
             earnestly
             blameth
             judging
             or
             censuring
             a
             brother
             in
             such
             things
             .
             
               ver.
            
             15.
             concluding
             that
             ,
             
               if
               thy
               brother
               be
               greived
               &c.
               now
               walkest
               thou
               not
               charitably
               ,
            
             or
             according
             to
             
               charity
               ;
            
             and
             if
             I
             by
             thanksgiving
             am
             partaker
             of
             
               Christian
               liberty
            
             and
             freedome
             to
             serve
             God
             and
             to
             give
             him
             thanks
             and
             praise
             him
             on
             any
             day
             ,
             
               why
               is
               my
               liberty
               judged
               of
               another
               mans
               conscience
               ?
               and
               why
               am
               I
               evil
               spok●n
               of
               for
               that
               for
               which
               I
               give
               thanks
               ?
            
             Have
             you
             for
             these
             and
             other
             like
             respects
             so
             much
             rent
             the
             sacred
             unity
             of
             the
             late
             happy
             
               Church
               of
               England
               ,
            
             that
             we
             now
             seem
             like
             those
             dry
             and
             scattered
             bones
             in
             
             the
             Prophets
             vision
             ,
             
               Ezek.
            
             37.
             whereof
             the
             question
             may
             be
             ,
             
               Can
               these
               dry
               bones
               live
               ?
            
             have
             these
             quarrels
             caused
             the
             English
             to
             be
             a
             scorn
             and
             derision
             to
             foriagn
             nations
             ?
             hath
             the
             contempt
             of
             the
             holy
             
               Churches
            
             authority
             opened
             the
             door
             to
             so
             many
             ridiculous
             ,
             irrationall
             and
             impious
             heresies
             ,
             which
             all
             know
             were
             at
             first
             but
             your
             off-sets
             ?
             hath
             the
             bloody
             sword
             so
             often
             disputed
             these
             unhappy
             questions
             ,
             undone
             so
             many
             noble
             and
             good
             families
             ?
             and
             
               
                 Sed
                 praestat
                 motos
                 componere
                 fluctus
                 ;
              
            
             I
             say
             no
             more
             ,
             but
             do
             you
             question
             whether
             they
             by
             whom
             these
             offences
             come
             ,
             do
             therein
             break
             any
             of
             the
             commandments
             ?
             please
             your selves
             ,
             conclude
             ,
             
               Sure
               it
               is
               no
               sin
               :
            
             for
             our
             part
             ,
             we
             look
             upon
             these
             prodigious
             divisions
             with
             greif
             of
             heart
             ,
             and
             fear
             of
             the
             issue
             ,
             being
             truly
             sensible
             that
             these
             breaches
             are
             too
             wide
             already
             ,
             and
             heartily
             desire
             their
             happy
             closure
             ,
             as
             for
             many
             reasons
             of
             greatest
             moment
             ,
             so
             for
             that
             which
             the
             holy
             Ghost
             recordeth
             ,
             
               Gen.
            
             13.
             7.
             to
             mark
             the
             dangerous
             importunity
             of
             that
             strife
             ,
             between
             Abraham's
             and
             Lot's
             pastors
             ,
             
               The
               Canaanite
               and
               the
               Perizzite
               dwelled
               then
               in
               the
               land
               .
            
             Let
             us
             therefore
             entreat
             all
             in
             the
             Apostles
             words
             
               Phil.
            
             2.
             1.
             
             &c.
             
               If
               there
               be
               therefore
               any
               consolation
               in
               Christ
               ,
               if
               any
               comfort
               of
               love
               ,
               if
               any
               fellowship
               of
               the
               Spirit
               ,
               be
               like●
               minded
               ,
               having
               the
               same
               love
               ,
               being
               of
               one
               accord
               ,
               of
               one
               minde
            
             &c.
             
             And
             now
             joyn
             in
             petition
             with
             us
             ,
             unto
             the
             God
             of
             peace
             that
             he
             would
             be
             pleased
             to
             breath
             the
             Spirit
             of
             unity
             and
             life
             upon
             our
             divided
             parts
             ,
             and
             to
             give
             a
             right
             understanding
             to
             all
             parties
             ,
             that
             with
             one
             heart
             and
             tongue
             we
             may
             glorifie
             him
             ,
             and
             live
             to
             him
             ,
             that
             we
             may
             be
             saved
             by
             him
             .
          
           
             Amen
             .
          
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
    
    

