







 
   
     
       
         Christmas in & out, or, Our Lord & Saviour Christs birth-day to the reader ... / [by] John Taylor.
         Taylor, John, 1580-1653.
      
       
         This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A64160 of text R37876 in the  English Short Title Catalog (Wing T439). Textual changes  and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more  computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life.  The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with  MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish.  This text has not been fully proofread 
       Approx. 28 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 9 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images.
       
         EarlyPrint Project
         Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO
         2017
         A64160
         Wing T439
         ESTC R37876
         17150610
         ocm 17150610
         105900
         
           
            This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of
             Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal
            . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission.
          
        
      
       
         Early English books online.
      
       
         (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A64160)
         Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 105900)
         Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 1160:10)
      
       
         
           
             Christmas in & out, or, Our Lord & Saviour Christs birth-day to the reader ... / [by] John Taylor.
             Taylor, John, 1580-1653.
          
           16 p.
           
             Printed at the charge of the authour,
             London :
             1652.
          
           
             Imperfect: stained and tightly bound, with print show-through and loss of print.
             Reproduction of original in the Huntington Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
         eng
      
       
         
           Christmas -- England.
           Holidays -- England.
        
      
    
       A64160  R37876  (Wing T439).  civilwar no Christmas in & out: or, Our Lord & Saviour Christs birth-day. To the reader. ... Thine John Taylor. Taylor, John 1652    5789 25 0 0 0 0 0 43 D  The  rate of 43 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the D category of texts with between 35 and 100 defects per 10,000 words. 
        2002-10 TCP
        Assigned for keying and markup
      
        2002-11 Apex CoVantage
        Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images
      
        2003-01 Judith Siefring
        Sampled and proofread
      
        2003-01 Judith Siefring
        Text and markup reviewed and edited
      
        2003-02 pfs
        Batch review (QC) and XML conversion
      
    
  
   
     
       
       
         
         
           CHRISTMAS
           IN
           &
           OVT
           :
           OR
           ,
           OUR
           
             LORD
          
           &
           
             SAVIOUR
          
           Christs
           Birth-Day
           .
        
         
           
             To
             the
             Reader
             .
          
           
             Good
             
               Joshua
            
             once
             ordain'd
             a
             Holy-Day
             ,
          
           
             Because
             the
             Sun
             stood
             still
             in
             
               Gi●eon
               ,
            
          
           
             And
             at
             his
             Prayers
             that
             the
             Moon
             did
             stay
          
           
             His
             course
             ,
             above
             the
             Vaile
             of
             
               Aialon
               :
            
          
           
             And
             shal
             not
             Christians
             stil
             give
             thanks
             &
             praise
          
           
             On
             th'
             yearly
             day
             our
             blest
             redeemer
             came
             ?
          
           
             Shall
             Powder
             Treasons
             and
             thanks
             giving
             dayes
          
           
             Be
             still
             observed
             in
             Records
             of
             Fame
             ?
          
           
             Then
             let
             not
             Christs
             Birth-Day
             forgotten
             bee
             ,
          
           
             Remember
             him
             that
             doth
             remember
             thee
             .
          
           
             
               
                 Thine
              
               JOHN
               TAYLOR
               .
            
          
        
         
           
             LONDON
             ,
          
           Printed
           at
           the
           Charge
           of
           the
           Authour
           ,
           1652.
           
        
      
    
     
       
       
         
           Christmas
           ,
           or
           Christs
           Day
           ,
           or
           Christs
           Birth-Day
           .
        
         
           IN
           imitation
           of
           my
           great
           and
           glorious
           Lord
           and
           Master
           (
           Jesus
           Christ
           )
           in
           love
           to
           them
           that
           hate
           me
           ,
           I
           am
           come
           to
           them
           that
           love
           me
           not
           .
           My
           Almighty
           Master
           was
           ,
           is
           ,
           and
           ever
           will
           be
           GOD
           ,
           from
           whom
           nothing
           was
           ,
           is
           ,
           or
           ever
           shall
           be
           hid
           ;
           and
           he
           did
           not
           onely
           know
           ,
           but
           commiserate
           the
           miseries
           of
           his
           enemies
           (
           most
           miserable
           mankinde
           )
           to
           whom
           he
           had
           often
           sent
           his
           Patriarks
           ,
           Prophets
           ,
           and
           other
           Messengers
           of
           Peace
           and
           prosperity
           ,
           and
           how
           they
           were
           ,
           and
           should
           be
           entertained
           in
           the
           world
           ;
           God
           knew
           before
           ,
           and
           all
           Histories
           of
           the
           sacred
           Volumes
           ,
           or
           other
           Books
           of
           Eclesiasticall
           Writings
           will
           testifie
           .
        
         
           And
           as
           my
           good
           Master
           did
           know
           how
           coursely
           he
           should
           be
           dealt
           withall
           (
           by
           misbelieving
           hard
           hearted
           Jewes
           )
           yet
           he
           came
           on
           this
           Day
           ,
           from
           whom
           I
           have
           my
           name
           of
           CHRISTMAS
           ,
           or
           Christs
           Day
           :
           Even
           so
           ,
           I
           come
           this
           25.
           of
           December
           ,
           though
           I
           know
           I
           shall
           be
           hardly
           welcome
           to
           a
           great
           many
           ;
           yet
           I
           am
           sure
           that
           as
           many
           as
           love
           my
           Master
           ,
           will
           rejoyce
           to
           see
           this
           Day
           :
           But
           as
           my
           sirname
           of
           Mas
           ,
           there
           is
           much
           exceptions
           taken
           ,
           by
           some
           that
           understand
           not
           what
           Mas
           ,
           or
           Christmas
           meaneth
           .
        
         
           I
           have
           heard
           Learned
           men
           say
           ,
           that
           the
           word
           Mas
           doth
           
           signifie
           some
           heavy
           or
           ponderous
           thing
           ,
           as
           
             Massa
          
           is
           a
           Wedge
           of
           Gold
           or
           Iron
           ,
           or
           any
           thing
           that
           is
           pressed
           or
           made
           into
           a
           lump
           of
           any
           thick
           matter
           of
           Dough
           ,
           or
           Curds
           ,
           Cheese
           ,
           or
           such
           like
           ;
           but
           my
           sirname
           of
           Mas
           is
           mistaken
           ,
           for
           my
           name
           is
           
             Christi
             missi
             ,
          
           or
           Christ
           sent
           ,
           as
           being
           sent
           from
           God
           to
           us
           this
           Day
           .
           Christ
           had
           his
           Mission
           ,
           he
           came
           not
           before
           he
           was
           sent
           (
           as
           himselfe
           said
           to
           his
           Disciples
           .
           )
           
             He
             that
             believes
             in
             you
             believes
             in
             me
             ,
             and
             he
             that
             believes
             in
             me
             ,
             believes
             in
             him
             that
             sent
             me
             .
          
           Here
           it
           is
           plaine
           that
           my
           Master
           was
           sent
           ,
           and
           as
           he
           was
           sent
           ,
           so
           he
           sent
           his
           Apostles
           ,
           and
           they
           gave
           mission
           to
           the
           succeeding
           Ministery
           ,
           and
           they
           that
           were
           sent
           went
           ,
           and
           none
           were
           so
           bold
           to
           intrude
           into
           the
           Ministery
           without
           his
           Mission
           or
           Commission
           of
           being
           sent
           :
           and
           so
           much
           concerning
           my
           name
           of
           Christmas
           .
        
         
           But
           I
           am
           more
           properly
           called
           Christs
           Day
           ,
           for
           he
           himselfe
           did
           honour
           me
           with
           that
           Name
           ,
           and
           though
           all
           dayes
           are
           his
           (
           for
           as
           he
           is
           God
           ,
           he
           is
           the
           Antient
           of
           Daies
           )
           for
           whem
           the
           Jewes
           did
           speak
           of
           ABRAHAM
           ,
           Joh.
           8
           ,
           56
           ,
           My
           Master
           sayd
           ,
           
             Before
             ABRAHAM
             was
             ,
             I
             am
             ,
             for
             ABRAMAM
             saw
             my
             Day
             ,
             and
             rejoyced
             in
             it
             ,
             and
             was
             glad
             .
          
           He
           appointed
           me
           to
           be
           the
           peculiar
           Day
           of
           his
           blessed
           Birth
           ;
           he
           was
           promised
           in
           Paradice
           ,
           foretold
           and
           foreseen
           by
           the
           Patriarks
           and
           Prophets
           ;
           proclaimed
           by
           Angels
           ,
           with
           
             Glory
             be
             to
             God
             in
             the
             highest
             ,
             peace
             on
             Earth
             ,
             good
             will
             towards
             men
             ,
             
               Luk.
               11.
               14.
               
            
          
           A
           Song
           or
           Christmas
           Carroll
           ,
           of
           three
           parts
           ,
           to
           God
           ,
           to
           Earth
           ,
           to
           Men
           ,
           (
           Glory
           ,
           Peace
           ,
           &
           Good
           will
           )
           a
           gracious
           Consort
           sung
           by
           celestiall
           Spirits
           ,
           Angels
           ,
           and
           a
           multitude
           of
           heavenly
           Souldiers
           ,
           they
           sung
           and
           rejoyced
           all
           for
           our
           good
           ,
           and
           not
           for
           their
           owne
           :
           Then
           let
           men
           sing
           Psalmes
           and
           Anthems
           in
           Churches
           ,
           and
           Hymns
           and
           Carols
           in
           our
           Houses
           ,
           let
           us
           give
           glory
           to
           God
           on
           high
           ,
           and
           he
           will
           give
           us
           peace
           below
           .
        
         
         
           Faith
           is
           very
           clear
           sighted
           ,
           for
           ABRAHAM
           was
           more
           than
           two
           thousand
           yeares
           before
           Christ
           came
           in
           the
           flesh
           ,
           yet
           (
           with
           the
           Eye
           of
           Eaith
           )
           he
           saw
           Me
           ,
           he
           saw
           my
           Master
           and
           my
           Masters
           day
           ,
           and
           rejoyced
           in
           it
           ;
           and
           his
           rejoycing
           was
           approved
           of
           ,
           but
           the
           Jews
           which
           rejoyced
           not
           were
           reprehended
           .
           The
           holy
           Patriark
           rejoyced
           ,
           and
           Christ
           allowed
           it
           ,
           and
           he
           did
           dislike
           the
           unbelieving
           Jews
           that
           rejoyced
           not
           .
           The
           Jewes
           did
           not
           (
           and
           do
           not
           )
           observe
           it
           ,
           but
           all
           Christians
           did
           ,
           doe
           ,
           and
           will
           celebrate
           it
           and
           acknowledge
           it
           ,
           for
           no
           Christian
           will
           strike
           ,
           blot
           ,
           or
           scrape
           Christs
           Day
           out
           of
           the
           Kalender
           .
        
         
           The
           Prophet
           Isaiah
           did
           write
           of
           Christs
           comming
           600
           years
           before
           he
           came
           ,
           in
           these
           words
           ,
           
             Behold
             a
             Virgin
             shall
             conceive
             and
             beare
             a
             Son
             ,
             and
             he
             shall
             call
             his
             name
             IMMANUELL
             ,
             or
             EMANUELL
             ,
             
               Esay
               8.
               v.
               14.
               
            
          
        
         
           And
           again
           in
           the
           9.
           
           Chapter
           v.
           6.
           
           
             For
             unto
             us
             a
             Child
             is
             borne
             ,
             and
             unto
             us
             a
             Son
             is
             given
             :
          
           He
           is
           born
           and
           unto
           us
           a
           Son
           is
           given
           born
           of
           the
           blessed
           Virgin
           his
           Mother
           ,
           and
           given
           by
           Almighty
           God
           his
           Father
           :
           a
           Child
           
             Natus
             ,
          
           a
           gift
           
             Datus
             ,
          
           Is
           borne
           ,
           Is
           given
           :
           The
           Prophet
           saies
           not
           ,
           was
           borne
           and
           given
           ,
           but
           Is
           ,
           which
           is
           ever
           ,
           in
           the
           present
           Tense
           ,
           Borne
           still
           in
           the
           heart
           ,
           soule
           ,
           and
           memory
           of
           every
           Christian
           .
           He
           that
           Was
           ,
           and
           Is
           ,
           and
           Is
           to
           come
           ,
           Was
           borne
           a
           Child
           and
           is
           born
           a
           Child
           unto
           us
           ,
           Was
           given
           a
           Son
           ,
           and
           is
           given
           a
           Son
           unto
           us
           ,
           this
           Day
           of
           my
           Masters
           blessed
           Nativity
           .
        
         
           In
           the
           second
           of
           S.
           Luke
           ,
           v.
           10
           11.
           
           
             Then
             the
             Angel
             said
             unto
             them
             ,
             be
             not
             afraid
             ,
             for
             behold
             I
             bring
             you
             glad
             tidings
             of
             great
             joy
             which
             shall
             be
             to
             all
             the
             people
             ,
          
           a
           Saviour
           is
           born
           on
           this
           Day
           ,
           Christs
           Day
           ,
           Christs
           Birth-day
           ,
           my
           day
           ,
           Christmas
           day
           .
        
         
           The
           Angel
           appeared
           to
           the
           Shepheards
           ,
           and
           told
           them
           newes
           of
           a
           Lamb
           ,
           
             the
             Lamb
             of
             God
             that
             taketh
             away
             the
             sins
             of
             the
             World
             :
             a
             Lamb
             that
             was
             come
             to
             save
             all
             
             the
             sheep
             of
             Israel
             that
             were
             lost
             ,
          
           and
           lost
           everlastingly
           we
           should
           have
           been
           ,
           had
           not
           this
           blessed
           Lamb
           come
           and
           redeemed
           us
           .
        
         
           And
           as
           he
           was
           a
           Lamb
           ,
           so
           likewise
           he
           was
           a
           Shepheard
           ,
           the
           true
           Shepheard
           ,
           the
           chiefe
           Shepheard
           ,
           1
           Pet.
           5.
           4.
           the
           good
           Shepheard
           ,
           Joh.
           10
           11.
           14.
           so
           we
           read
           that
           his
           Birth
           and
           Birth-day
           was
           first
           made
           knowne
           unto
           Shepheards
           .
           Indeed
           Shepheards
           were
           in
           odious
           and
           contemptible
           abhomination
           amongst
           the
           Idolatrous
           Egyptians
           ,
           Gen.
           46.
           32.
           
           So
           was
           and
           is
           my
           Master
           Christs
           Name
           and
           Birth-day
           to
           the
           misbelieving
           Jewes
           ,
           miscreant
           Turke
           ,
           and
           Sectarian
           ,
           Schismaticall
           ,
           out-side
           seeming
           Christians
           .
           This
           day
           he
           that
           was
           prophecied
           of
           to
           come
           ,
           did
           come
           ,
           and
           he
           that
           was
           promised
           is
           come
           ;
           an
           Angell
           preached
           at
           his
           comming
           ,
           and
           Quires
           and
           multitudes
           of
           blessed
           Spirits
           sung
           ,
           when
           our
           Saviour
           came
           ,
           who
           was
           ,
           is
           ,
           and
           ever
           will
           be
           ,
           not
           only
           a
           Saviour
           ,
           but
           salvation
           it selfe
           .
        
         
           He
           was
           the
           Word
           ,
           and
           the
           Word
           was
           God
           ,
           and
           God
           was
           the
           Word
           .
           Here
           God
           (
           the
           Word
           )
           was
           a
           Childe
           ,
           a
           Babe
           ,
           an
           Infant
           ;
           and
           here
           the
           Word
           was
           not
           able
           to
           speak
           a
           word
           ,
           Joh.
           14.
           
           
             And
             the
             Word
             was
             made
             Flesh
             ,
             and
             dwelt
             among
             us
             ,
             we
             saw
             the
             glory
             thereof
             ,
             as
             the
             glory
             of
             the
             onely
             begotten
             Son
             of
             the
             Father
             ,
             full
             of
             Grace
             and
             Truth
             .
          
        
         
           God
           sent
           his
           Son
           this
           day
           ;
           note
           who
           he
           was
           that
           did
           send
           ,
           and
           what
           it
           was
           that
           he
           sent
           :
           He
           sent
           first
           to
           us
           ,
           that
           should
           in
           all
           humility
           have
           been
           Petitioners
           to
           him
           ;
           we
           were
           enemies
           to
           God
           ,
           to
           us
           he
           had
           sent
           often
           by
           his
           Messengers
           ;
           but
           this
           Day
           he
           sent
           his
           Son
           ,
           who
           was
           and
           is
           himselfe
           .
        
         
           Therefore
           let
           our
           deserved
           misery
           ,
           and
           Gods
           undeserved
           mercy
           ,
           love
           and
           compassion
           ,
           be
           thankfully
           remembred
           this
           day
           ,
           and
           every
           day
           in
           all
           places
           ,
           times
           ,
           ages
           ,
           and
           generations
           .
        
         
           
           
             This
             Day
             ,
             Mercy
             and
             Truth
             are
             met
             together
             ,
             and
             Righteousnesse
             and
             peace
             have
             kissed
             each
             other
             ,
             Truth
             shall
             flourish
             out
             of
             the
             Earth
             and
             Righteousnesse
             hath
             looked
             downe
             from
             heaven
             ,
             Psal.
             85.
             
          
           Here
           was
           a
           gracious
           and
           happy
           meeting
           ,
           here
           the
           Lord
           Chiefe
           Justice
           of
           Heaven
           and
           Earth
           ,
           brings
           justice
           ,
           truth
           ,
           and
           righteousnesse
           to
           judge
           ,
           and
           mercy
           and
           compassion
           to
           save
           ;
           here
           mercy
           shewed
           her selfe
           a
           good
           Mistris
           to
           misery
           :
           This
           Day
           he
           came
           in
           clouts
           that
           will
           come
           in
           Clouds
           .
           
             And
             without
             controversie
             great
             is
             the
             Mystery
             of
             godliness
             ,
             which
             is
             ,
             God
             is
             manifested
             in
             the
             Flesh
             ,
             justified
             in
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             seen
             of
             Angells
             ,
             preached
             to
             the
             Gentiles
             ,
             believed
             on
             in
             the
             world
             ,
             and
             received
             up
             in
             Glory
             ,
             
               1
               Tim.
               3.
               
            
          
           This
           was
           a
           great
           M●stery
           indeed
           ;
           this
           was
           the
           summe
           and
           substance
           of
           all
           Tropes
           ,
           Types
           ,
           Figures
           ,
           Shadowes
           ,
           Sacrifices
           ,
           Ceremonies
           ,
           and
           the
           one
           and
           onely
           absolute
           fulfilling
           and
           accomplishment
           of
           all
           Prophesies
           .
           And
           in
           the
           first
           Chapter
           to
           the
           Hebrewes
           ,
           verse
           1
           ,
           2
           ,
           3.
           the
           Apostle
           saith
           :
           
             And
             at
             sundry
             times
             ,
             and
             in
             divers
             places
             ,
             God
             spake
             in
             the
             old
             time
             to
             our
             Fathers
             by
             the
             Prophets
             ;
             in
             these
             last
             dayes
             he
             hath
             spoken
             to
             us
             by
             his
             Son
             .
          
        
         
           Thus
           my
           Master
           (
           who
           had
           no
           beginning
           )
           did
           begin
           this
           day
           to
           come
           and
           dwell
           amongst
           sinfull
           men
           ;
           the
           Son
           of
           God
           ,
           the
           King
           of
           Glory
           came
           this
           Day
           ,
           and
           this
           Day
           was
           the
           first
           Day
           of
           Christianity
           to
           all
           Christians
           ,
           and
           as
           many
           as
           have
           true
           faith
           in
           Christ
           .
        
         
           This
           was
           he
           to
           whom
           God
           the
           Father
           said
           ,
           Psal.
           2.
           
           
             Thou
             art
             my
             Son
             ,
             this
             Day
             have
             I
             begotten
             thee
             .
          
           And
           this
           was
           he
           that
           in
           the
           same
           Psalme
           was
           prophesied
           to
           say
           ,
           
             Lord
             I
             will
             preach
             thy
             Law
             ,
             and
             declare
             thy
             Will
             .
          
           The
           Evangelist
           S.
           Luke
           saith
           ,
           Chap.
           2.
           Ver.
           12
           ,
           13.
           
           
             And
             this
             shall
             be
             a
             sign
             unto
             you
             ,
             you
             shall
             finde
             the
             Babe
             swadled
             and
             laid
             in
             a
             Cratch
             ,
             some
             read
             it
             in
             a
             Manger
             .
          
           Here
           
           is
           to
           be
           noted
           the
           great
           humility
           of
           my
           Master
           ,
           that
           though
           he
           were
           Lord
           and
           maker
           of
           all
           ,
           the
           first
           joyfull
           tydings
           of
           his
           birth
           was
           ,
           not
           brought
           to
           Princes
           and
           Potentates
           ,
           or
           to
           Scribes
           ,
           Pharisees
           ,
           Lawyers
           ,
           or
           Doctors
           ;
           but
           he
           was
           gratiously
           pleased
           to
           be
           first
           declared
           to
           poore
           and
           humble
           Shepheards
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           be
           borne
           in
           any
           magnificent
           or
           stately
           Palace
           ,
           or
           in
           the
           best
           room
           in
           the
           Inne
           :
           No
           ,
           the
           Inkeeper
           had
           his
           Chambers
           filled
           with
           Guests
           more
           welcome
           and
           gainfull
           then
           Christ
           :
           There
           was
           no
           room
           for
           him
           in
           the
           Inne
           ,
           therefore
           the
           Redeemer
           of
           mankind
           had
           entertainment
           in
           a
           Stable
           amongst
           Beasts
           ,
           swadled
           and
           laid
           in
           a
           Cratch
           .
        
         
           Neither
           would
           he
           be
           borne
           in
           any
           great
           or
           glorious
           City
           ,
           Jerusalem
           had
           not
           the
           honour
           to
           be
           graced
           with
           the
           Birth
           and
           first
           presence
           of
           the
           Son
           of
           God
           ;
           in
           great
           Cities
           there
           hath
           ever
           been
           more
           misery
           than
           mercy
           ,
           and
           more
           persecution
           than
           pity
           ;
           therefore
           great
           Jerusalem
           was
           the
           place
           of
           his
           bitter
           death
           and
           passion
           ,
           and
           little
           Bethlehem
           was
           honoured
           with
           his
           birth
           ,
           as
           it
           was
           prophecied
           many
           years
           before
           ,
           by
           the
           Prophet
           Micah
           ,
           Chap.
           5.
           in
           these
           words
           :
           
             And
             thou
             Bethlehem
             Ephrathah
             are
             little
             to
             be
             among
             the
             thousands
             of
             Judah
             ,
             yet
             out
             of
             thee
             shall
             he
             come
             forth
             unto
             me
             ,
             that
             shall
             be
             the
             Ruler
             in
             Israel
             ,
             whose
             goings
             forth
             have
             been
             from
             the
             beginning
             ,
             and
             from
             everlasting
             .
          
        
         
           And
           Heb.
           2.
           16.
           
           
             For
             he
             in
             no
             wise
             took
             the
             Angells
             ▪
             but
             the
             seed
             of
             
               Abraham
            
             he
             took
             .
          
        
         
           He
           took
           our
           nature
           (
           in
           the
           seed
           of
           
             Abraham
             )
          
           upon
           him
           ,
           the
           nature
           of
           Angells
           he
           took
           not
           :
           He
           came
           this
           day
           to
           help
           us
           ,
           who
           had
           most
           need
           of
           a
           Saviour
           ;
           he
           gave
           to
           us
           not
           onely
           a
           dignity
           which
           he
           gave
           not
           to
           Angells
           ,
           but
           also
           he
           gave
           himselfe
           for
           us
           ,
           and
           sure
           we
           cannot
           take
           〈◊〉
           safer
           or
           wiser
           course
           ,
           than
           thankfully
           with
           all
           humility
           〈◊〉
           give
           our selves
           to
           him
           that
           gave
           himself
           for
           us
           .
        
         
         
           My
           Master
           gave
           power
           to
           his
           Church
           to
           celebrate
           and
           to
           ordain
           and
           command
           the
           annuall
           celebration
           of
           his
           blessed
           Nativity
           ,
           I
           have
           twelve
           dayes
           to
           attend
           me
           ,
           and
           twelve
           moneths
           I
           do
           absent
           my selfe
           before
           I
           come
           again
           ,
           the
           kinde
           or
           course
           entertainment
           ,
           the
           courteous
           or
           churlish
           usage
           to
           me
           ,
           doth
           not
           ,
           or
           cannot
           increase
           ,
           or
           diminish
           my
           Masters
           glory
           ;
           or
           adde
           to
           me
           ,
           or
           take
           from
           me
           one
           minute
           of
           time
           ;
           if
           men
           could
           be
           as
           faithfull
           and
           charitable
           as
           
             Abraham
             ,
          
           as
           humble
           as
           
             David
             ,
          
           as
           milde
           and
           meek
           as
           Moses
           ,
           as
           zealous
           as
           
             Elias
             ,
          
           as
           patient
           as
           
             Job
             ,
          
           as
           solicitous
           as
           
             Martha
             ,
          
           and
           as
           devout
           as
           the
           blessed
           Virgin
           
             Mary
             :
          
           those
           gracious
           gifts
           have
           been
           ,
           are
           ,
           and
           will
           be
           a
           happinesse
           unspeakable
           to
           such
           as
           are
           by
           supernall
           grace
           endowed
           with
           them
           ,
           but
           the
           profit
           of
           them
           is
           onely
           theirs
           that
           have
           them
           ,
           for
           he
           that
           is
           rich
           in
           mercy
           ,
           cannot
           be
           inriched
           by
           the
           piety-vertue
           ,
           or
           merits
           of
           men
           ;
           so
           that
           every
           Christian
           may
           truly
           say
           ,
        
         
           
             Lord
             the
             great
             love
             thou
             bear'st
             to
             me
             is
             thine
             ,
          
           
             But
             all
             the
             profit
             of
             it
             's
             only
             mine
             .
          
        
         
           So
           likewise
           if
           poore
           old
           Christmas
           day
           be
           made
           welcome
           ,
           I
           am
           not
           the
           richer
           or
           fatter
           ,
           if
           I
           be
           ill
           entertain'd
           ,
           I
           will
           neither
           be
           poorer
           or
           leaner
           :
           Let
           them
           make
           me
           a
           feasting
           or
           fasting
           day
           ,
           all
           my
           joy
           or
           grief
           is
           not
           of
           long
           continuance
           ,
           I
           am
           but
           a
           short
           day
           ,
           and
           not
           far
           from
           the
           shortest
           day
           ,
           and
           therefore
           their
           loves
           are
           but
           short
           to
           my
           Master
           ,
           that
           will
           not
           rejoyce
           and
           be
           glad
           at
           the
           comming
           of
           his
           anniversary
           Birth
           day
           .
        
         
           The
           old
           yeare
           was
           before
           Christ
           ,
           when
           misbelieving
           Iewes
           and
           Gentiles
           lived
           in
           the
           darknesse
           of
           ignorant
           Idolatry
           under
           the
           Law
           ,
           (
           or
           without
           the
           Law
           )
           but
           the
           New
           yeare
           came
           when
           the
           Father
           of
           Lights
           sent
           my
           Master
           (
           the
           Light
           of
           the
           world
           )
           who
           by
           the
           glorious
           light
           of
           his
           Gospell
           expelled
           and
           dispersed
           the
           black
           clouds
           and
           mists
           of
           Egyptian
           blindnesse
           ,
           and
           devillish
           Idolatry
           .
           
           Therefore
           with
           the
           old
           year
           let
           is
           shake
           off
           our
           old
           faults
           ,
           (
           the
           deeds
           of
           darkness
           )
           and
           with
           the
           new
           yeare
           let
           us
           be
           renewed
           in
           our
           minds
           ,
           and
           follow
           the
           true
           light
           ,
           and
           amend
           our
           maners
           ,
           &
           let
           our
           hearts
           be
           fill'd
           with
           praises
           &
           thanksgivings
           ,
           before
           our
           bellies
           be
           overfill'd
           with
           meat
           .
        
         
           There
           were
           lately
           some
           over
           curious
           ,
           hot
           zealous
           Brethren
           ,
           who
           with
           a
           superbian
           predominance
           did
           doe
           what
           they
           could
           to
           keep
           Christmas
           day
           out
           of
           England
           ;
           they
           did
           in
           divers
           places
           Preach
           Me
           for
           dead
           in
           Funerall
           Sermons
           ,
           and
           labour'd
           tooth
           and
           nail
           to
           bury
           me
           alive
           in
           the
           grave
           of
           oblivion
           ;
           they
           were
           of
           opinions
           ,
           that
           from
           the
           24.
           of
           December
           at
           night
           ,
           till
           the
           7.
           of
           January
           following
           ,
           that
           Plumb-Pottage
           was
           meer
           Popery
           ,
           that
           a
           Coller
           of
           Brawn
           was
           an
           obhomination
           ,
           that
           Roast
           Beef
           was
           Antichristian
           ,
           that
           Mince
           Pies
           were
           Reliques
           of
           the
           Whore
           of
           Babylon
           ▪
           and
           a
           Goose
           ,
           a
           Turkey
           ,
           or
           a
           Capon
           ,
           were
           marks
           of
           the
           Beast
           .
        
         
           In
           detestation
           of
           which
           superstitious
           diet
           ,
           they
           assum'd
           to
           themselvs
           spirituall
           and
           temporall
           jurisdiction
           ,
           power
           ,
           and
           authority
           to
           search
           and
           plunder
           Pottage-pots
           ,
           to
           ransack
           and
           rifle
           Ovens
           ,
           and
           to
           strip
           spits
           stark
           naked
           ,
           and
           triumphantly
           carry
           the
           pillage
           to
           be
           disposed
           of
           as
           they
           pleased
           ,
           for
           the
           profit
           and
           edification
           of
           the
           righteous
           ,
           and
           chastisement
           of
           the
           wicked
           .
        
         
           As
           there
           are
           many
           sundry
           Nations
           ,
           so
           are
           there
           as
           many
           inclinations
           :
           the
           Russian
           ,
           Polonian
           ,
           German
           ,
           Belgian
           ,
           are
           excellent
           in
           the
           Art
           of
           Drinking
           ,
           the
           Spaniard
           will
           Wench
           it
           ,
           the
           Italian
           is
           revengefull
           ,
           the
           French
           man
           is
           for
           fashions
           ,
           the
           Irish
           man
           Usquebagh
           makes
           him
           light
           heel'd
           ,
           the
           Welsh
           mans
           Cowss-boby
           works
           (
           by
           insusion
           )
           to
           his
           fingers
           ends
           ,
           and
           translates
           them
           into
           the
           nature
           of
           lime-twigs
           ,
           and
           it
           is
           said
           ,
           that
           a
           Scot
           will
           prove
           false
           to
           his
           Father
           ,
           and
           dissemble
           with
           his
           Brother
           ;
           but
           for
           an
           English
           man
           he
           is
           so
           cleare
           from
           any
           of
           th●se
           Vices
           ,
           that
           he
           is
           perfectly
           exquisite
           and
           excellently
           indued
           with
           all
           those
           noble
           above
           said
           exercises
           .
        
         
         
           I
           am
           old
           and
           bold
           to
           tell
           the
           nose
           wise
           Brethren
           of
           these
           critick
           daies
           ,
           that
           my
           great
           Master
           is
           King
           of
           Kings
           ,
           &
           Lord
           of
           Lords
           ,
           whois
           the
           ancient
           of
           daies
           ,
           who
           never
           had
           beginning
           ,
           and
           never
           shall
           have
           end
           .
           And
           on
           this
           day
           ,
           which
           is
           kept
           in
           a
           thankfull
           remembrance
           of
           his
           blessed
           incarnation
           ,
           1652
           years
           since
           ,
           I
           [
           Christmas
           ]
           have
           not
           failed
           to
           make
           my
           aniversary
           &
           yearly
           progress
           into
           Christendom
           .
        
         
           When
           my
           Master
           Christ
           was
           graciously
           pleased
           to
           exchange
           his
           unexpressible
           grory
           for
           mans
           unsupportable
           misery
           ,
           when
           (
           in
           his
           mercy
           )
           he
           put
           off
           the
           Majesty
           of
           his
           Godhead
           ,
           and
           took
           upon
           him
           our
           miserable
           Manhood
           ,
           leaving
           his
           glorious
           Throne
           for
           a
           Maunger
           ,
           when
           he
           laid
           by
           his
           immortall
           honour
           ,
           and
           cloathed
           himselfe
           with
           our
           shame
           ,
           to
           free
           all
           true
           believers
           from
           eternall
           damnation
           :
           Then
           (
           on
           his
           daies
           birth
           )
           my
           day
           began
           .
           Then
           on
           that
           day
           ,
           and
           at
           that
           time
           ,
           as
           the
           Shepheards
           were
           in
           the
           field
           ,
           they
           were
           saluted
           with
           an
           Angel
           ,
           and
           a
           multitude
           of
           the
           heavenly
           Host
           with
           a
           most
           celestiall
           Carroll
           .
        
         
           
             Luk.
             2.
             
          
           
             All
             glory
             be
             to
             God
             on
             the
             High'st
             ,
          
           
             And
             on
             the
             Earth
             be
             Peace
             .
          
           
             Good
             will
             towards
             men
             ,
             't
             is
             the
             will
             of
             Christ
             ,
          
           
             Our
             joyes
             should
             never
             cease
             .
          
        
         
           Thus
           was
           my
           good
           Master
           usher'd
           into
           the
           World
           ,
           and
           for
           his
           sake
           ,
           I
           with
           my
           followers
           (
           being
           12
           daies
           in
           number
           )
           honest
           
             Stephen
          
           &
           true
           
             John
             ,
          
           with
           my
           
             Innocents
          
           Pages
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           rest
           have
           been
           welcom'd
           and
           joyfully
           entertained
           ever
           since
           ,
           by
           all
           sorts
           of
           people
           that
           have
           lov'd
           or
           do
           love
           and
           honour
           the
           memory
           of
           the
           birth-day
           of
           my
           gracious
           and
           glorious
           Lord
           and
           Master
           .
        
         
           But
           now
           of
           late
           the
           case
           is
           quite
           altred
           ,
           Christ
           and
           Christmas
           are
           both
           alike
           welcome
           ;
           and
           if
           the
           Saviour
           of
           Mankinde
           should
           come
           personally
           here
           amongst
           us
           againe
           ,
           he
           were
           likely
           (
           through
           ignorance
           ,
           malice
           ,
           and
           madnesse
           )
           to
           be
           re-crucified
           :
           if
           Christmas
           may
           be
           so
           bold
           as
           to
           aske
           
           those
           fiery
           spirited
           people
           the
           same
           question
           as
           my
           Master
           might
           have
           asked
           the
           Jews
           ;
           for
           which
           of
           my
           good
           works
           that
           I
           have
           done
           do
           you
           stone
           me
           ?
        
         
           So
           I
           may
           say
           to
           England
           ,
           what
           harme
           have
           I
           ever
           done
           unto
           you
           ?
           I
           am
           sure
           I
           never
           perswaded
           you
           to
           be
           so
           uncharitable
           as
           to
           cut
           one
           anothers
           throats
           ,
           and
           to
           starve
           and
           famish
           the
           poore
           (
           as
           you
           have
           done
           continually
           )
           and
           do
           still
           ever
           since
           you
           banished
           me
           from
           your
           territories
           ,
           and
           it
           is
           to
           be
           feared
           that
           you
           will
           never
           be
           quiet
           ,
           or
           have
           a
           happy
           Peace
           amongst
           you
           ,
           till
           you
           do
           give
           me
           better
           welcome
           for
           my
           Masters
           sake
           ;
           he
           is
           the
           Prince
           of
           Peace
           ,
           and
           his
           peace
           you
           will
           never
           have
           that
           do
           unthankfully
           dispise
           &
           neglect
           to
           solemnize
           the
           day
           of
           his
           most
           blessed
           Nativity
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           a
           lamentable
           and
           too
           long
           a
           story
           to
           relate
           in
           what
           a
           pittifull
           quandary
           I
           and
           my
           followers
           have
           been
           in
           any
           time
           these
           twelve
           years
           ,
           when
           we
           came
           into
           this
           Country
           :
           I
           was
           in
           good
           hope
           that
           so
           long
           a
           misery
           would
           have
           made
           them
           glad
           to
           bid
           a
           merry
           Christmas
           welcome
           :
           But
           welcome
           or
           not
           welcome
           ,
           I
           am
           come
           ,
           and
           at
           my
           comming
           (
           a
           little
           before
           day
           )
           I
           heard
           the
           Cock
           crow
           merrily
           ,
           which
           ●
           took
           for
           a
           good
           Omen
           ,
           or
           Preface
           of
           a
           most
           free
           and
           jovial
           accommodation
           ,
           which
           rejoyced
           me
           much
           ,
           for
           I
           and
           m●
           men
           were
           as
           hungry
           as
           Hawks
           ,
           and
           as
           cold
           as
           Snow-ball
           the
           sable
           curtains
           of
           the
           night
           being
           drawn
           ,
           I
           gazed
           to
           an●
           fro
           to
           make
           choice
           of
           the
           best
           houses
           ,
           and
           house-keeper
           to
           take
           up
           my
           quarters
           amongst
           them
           ;
           but
           alas
           ,
           the
           com
           fort
           that
           I
           found
           was
           colder
           then
           the
           weather
           ;
           indeed
           saw
           many
           stately
           buildings
           ,
           but
           very
           little
           smoak
           from
           the
           Chimnies
           ,
           for
           most
           of
           the
           owners
           did
           carry
           their
           Kitchi●
           in
           Boxes
           ,
           and
           the
           best
           and
           dearest
           part
           of
           their
           Roast-me●
           in
           Pipes
           ;
           besides
           there
           was
           a
           great
           complaint
           that
           Mr.
           〈◊〉
           and
           Mr.
           
           Plunder
           had
           plaid
           a
           long
           game
           at
           sweep-sta
           〈…〉
           mongst
           them
           ,
           and
           that
           they
           would
           willingly
           have
           〈…〉
           ded
           good
           chear
           for
           me
           ,
           but
           that
           they
           are
           so
           misera
           〈…〉
           that
           they
           were
           not
           able
           to
           feed
           themselves
           .
        
         
         
           This
           was
           no
           good
           news
           to
           me
           and
           my
           company
           ;
           we
           had
           not
           been
           used
           to
           such
           uncomfortable
           breakfasts
           ,
           which
           made
           us
           all
           search
           up
           and
           down
           the
           chief
           Cities
           for
           better
           chear
           ,
           but
           my
           especiall
           mind
           was
           to
           try
           the
           curtesie
           of
           London
           ,
           where
           I
           entred
           a
           fair
           house
           which
           had
           been
           an
           Aldermans
           ,
           but
           it
           was
           now
           possest
           with
           a
           grave
           Fox-fur'd
           Mammonist
           ,
           whom
           I
           found
           sitting
           over
           a
           few
           cinders
           to
           warm
           his
           gouty
           toes
           ,
           (
           for
           no
           other
           part
           of
           him
           did
           need
           the
           comfort
           of
           a
           fire
           ,
           )
           from
           head
           to
           heel
           he
           was
           fur'd
           like
           a
           Muscovite
           ,
           and
           instead
           of
           a
           Bible
           he
           had
           a
           Bond
           in
           his
           hand
           ,
           which
           he
           poard
           upon
           to
           see
           if
           it
           were
           forfeit
           or
           no
           ;
           he
           seldome
           looked
           upward
           ,
           but
           as
           it
           were
           riveted
           his
           eyes
           to
           the
           earth
           ,
           as
           if
           he
           had
           been
           looking
           for
           a
           Mine
           :
           his
           keys
           of
           his
           treasure
           were
           hanged
           at
           his
           waste
           ,
           and
           his
           clutches
           alwayes
           on
           them
           ,
           and
           he
           no
           sooner
           espied
           me
           and
           my
           Company
           ,
           but
           he
           cried
           Thieves
           ,
           Thieves
           ,
           and
           reviled
           his
           ●oor
           starveling
           servant
           ,
           saying
           ,
           thou
           Villain
           ,
           hast
           thou
           let
           in
           base
           Rakehells
           to
           rob
           me
           ,
           and
           cut
           my
           throat
           .
        
         
           Then
           I
           began
           to
           intreat
           him
           to
           be
           patient
           ,
           saying
           ,
           Sir
           ,
           there
           are
           none
           here
           that
           intend
           to
           hurt
           you
           ,
           if
           you
           take
           any
           ●arme
           ,
           it
           must
           be
           your selfe
           that
           must
           do
           it
           to
           your selfe
           ,
           ●nd
           not
           we
           .
           My
           name
           is
           Christmas
           these
           gray
           haired
           men
           that
           are
           with
           me
           ,
           are
           men
           of
           my
           old
           acquaintance
           ;
           ●hey
           are
           all
           poor
           and
           true
           ;
           we
           are
           come
           to
           dine
           with
           you
           ,
           out
           if
           it
           be
           not
           your
           pleasure
           to
           give
           us
           entertainment
           ,
           it
           is
           not
           our
           purposes
           to
           force
           it
           .
        
         
           This
           old
           muck
           worme
           cast
           as
           dogged
           a
           look
           upon
           me
           as
           if
           I
           had
           brought
           him
           a
           privy
           Seal
           to
           borrow
           money
           ,
           and
           ●t
           last
           he
           opened
           his
           mouth
           and
           said
           ,
           thou
           old
           saucy
           intru●ing
           fellow
           ,
           I
           prithee
           let
           me
           have
           thy
           absence
           ,
           thou
           com●st
           to
           do
           nothing
           but
           mischief
           ,
           to
           make
           men
           waste
           and
           〈◊〉
           so
           much
           to
           entertain
           thee
           in
           twelve
           or
           thirteen
           days
           〈◊〉
           of
           riotous
           Gluttony
           and
           Gurmondizing
           ,
           that
           for
           〈…〉
           after
           they
           can
           hardly
           purchase
           a
           good
           meals
           
           meat
           ;
           besides
           thou
           art
           attended
           and
           waited
           on
           by
           a
           cursed
           crew
           of
           Gamesters
           ,
           Cheaters
           ,
           Swearers
           ,
           Roarers
           ,
           and
           whimwham
           Gambolls
           ;
           me
           thinkes
           one
           of
           thy
           age
           should
           have
           left
           off
           thy
           Coltish
           tricks
           ,
           and
           prodigall
           expences
           :
           Dost
           thou
           see
           any
           one
           that
           hath
           a
           care
           to
           live
           and
           thrive
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           to
           be
           so
           mad
           as
           to
           minde
           thee
           and
           thy
           Bables
           ,
           we
           are
           grown
           somewhat
           wiser
           in
           twelve
           yeares
           ,
           than
           our
           Fathers
           were
           in
           twice
           eight
           hundred
           :
           There
           dwells
           my
           worshipfull
           good
           neighbour
           (
           Sir
           
             Achitophel
             Pinchgut
             ,
          
           and
           M.
           
             Nabal
          
           (
           an
           ancient
           Justice
           of
           the
           
             Quorum
             )
          
           it
           is
           neither
           they
           or
           my selfe
           that
           had
           ever
           come
           to
           have
           any
           estates
           ,
           if
           we
           had
           entertained
           thee
           ,
           or
           relieved
           Beggers
           :
           I
           tell
           thee
           if
           we
           and
           a
           great
           many
           more
           had
           been
           as
           lavishly
           minded
           as
           thou
           wouldst
           have
           us
           to
           be
           ,
           we
           had
           then
           been
           as
           poore
           as
           thou
           ,
           or
           any
           of
           the
           rest
           of
           the
           vaggabond
           beggerly
           Varlets
           that
           are
           thy
           hangers
           on
           ,
           and
           so
           let
           them
           hang
           still
           ,
           or
           starve
           ,
           all
           's
           one
           to
           me
           ;
           therefore
           without
           any
           more
           adoe
           ,
           avoid
           my
           house
           ,
           I
           have
           nothing
           for
           thee
           ,
           neither
           am
           I
           in
           the
           giving
           humour
           at
           this
           time
           .
        
         
           I
           could
           have
           answered
           him
           with
           divine
           Commandments
           and
           Precepts
           ,
           with
           many
           humane
           Histories
           and
           Examples
           concerning
           good
           house-keeping
           ,
           and
           charitable
           Hospitality
           ;
           but
           every
           vertue
           (
           in
           this
           Age
           of
           Vice
           )
           is
           between
           two
           extremes
           ,
           (
           as
           my
           Master
           was
           betwixt
           two
           Thieves
           )
           as
           liberallity
           is
           in
           the
           middle
           ,
           but
           prodigality
           and
           covetousnesse
           are
           on
           each
           side
           of
           her
           ,
           alwayes
           ready
           to
           spoil
           and
           devour
           her
           .
        
         
           All
           true
           Christians
           do
           know
           ,
           that
           what
           reliefe
           soever
           is
           given
           to
           the
           poore
           ,
           is
           lent
           unto
           my
           Lord
           and
           Master
           Christ
           ,
           and
           he
           hath
           ,
           is
           ,
           and
           will
           be
           bound
           to
           see
           it
           paid
           with
           Heavenly
           interest
           ;
           but
           he
           is
           a
           surety
           that
           few
           Usurers
           will
           accept
           of
           .
        
         
           At
           my
           departure
           from
           this
           old
           Father
           Penny-wise
           ,
           his
           
           Sonne
           ,
           (
           M.
           Pound
           foolish
           )
           desired
           his
           crabbed
           Sire
           to
           bid
           me
           stay
           and
           dine
           with
           him
           ,
           at
           which
           the
           miserable
           Curmudgeon
           was
           even
           half
           mad
           with
           anger
           ,
           calling
           his
           Son
           spend-thrift
           ,
           and
           prodigall
           Jack-an-Apes
           ,
           saying
           ,
           that
           if
           he
           bad
           me
           to
           dinner
           ,
           that
           I
           with
           my
           followers
           ,
           would
           take
           the
           boldnesse
           to
           sup
           with
           him
           ,
           and
           lodge
           in
           his
           house
           till
           Twelftide
           was
           past
           ,
           and
           that
           I
           would
           draw
           more
           Guests
           to
           his
           house
           then
           he
           had
           a
           mind
           to
           bid
           welcome
           ,
           &
           more
           Beggers
           to
           his
           gate
           then
           he
           had
           a
           mind
           to
           relieve
           .
        
         
           Thus
           was
           poor
           Christmas
           used
           ,
           which
           made
           me
           and
           my
           men
           look
           blank
           upon
           the
           matter
           ,
           and
           without
           bidding
           him
           farewell
           ,
           I
           took
           a
           going
           welcome
           from
           him
           ,
           and
           wandring
           into
           the
           Countrey
           up
           and
           downe
           from
           house
           to
           house
           ,
           I
           found
           little
           or
           small
           comfort
           in
           any
           ;
           some
           would
           only
           smile
           upon
           me
           ,
           and
           (
           because
           I
           should
           not
           pisse
           at
           their
           doors
           )
           they
           would
           give
           me
           a
           cup
           of
           single
           ,
           slender
           ,
           lean
           ,
           small
           Beer
           ,
           or
           Ale
           ,
           which
           had
           the
           vertue
           to
           cause
           a
           man
           to
           make
           an
           Alphabet
           of
           faces
           ,
           for
           it
           would
           have
           warmed
           a
           mans
           heart
           like
           pangs
           of
           death
           in
           a
           frosty
           morning
           .
           And
           as
           thinking
           or
           remembring
           former
           prosperities
           ,
           doe
           make
           adversities
           seem
           the
           more
           heavy
           :
           So
           I
           call
           to
           minde
           the
           vigorous
           spirit
           of
           the
           Buttry
           ,
           Nappy
           .
           Nut-browne
           ,
           Berry-browne
           ,
           Ale
           Abelendo
           ,
           whose
           infusion
           and
           inspiration
           was
           wont
           to
           have
           such
           Aleaborate
           operation
           to
           elevate
           &
           exhillerate
           the
           vitals
           ,
           to
           put
           alementall
           Raptures
           and
           Enthusiasms
           in
           the
           most
           capitall
           Perricranion
           ,
           in
           such
           plenitude
           that
           the
           meanest
           and
           most
           illiterate
           Plow
           jogger
           could
           speedily
           play
           the
           Rhetorician
           ,
           and
           speak
           alequently
           ,
           as
           if
           he
           were
           mounted
           up
           into
           the
           Aletitude
           .
           This
           merry
           memory
           (
           or
           sad
           remembrance
           )
           of
           Ale
           ,
           caused
           me
           to
           ask
           the
           reason
           of
           this
           alteration
           ,
           to
           which
           question
           an
           honest
           Smith
           made
           this
           answer
           .
        
         
           Alas
           Father
           Christmas
           (
           quoth
           he
           )
           our
           high
           and
           mighty
           Ale
           ,
           that
           would
           formerly
           knock
           down
           Hercules
           ,
           and
           trip
           
           up
           the
           heels
           of
           a
           Gyant
           ,
           is
           lately
           st●ook
           into
           a
           deep
           Consumption
           ,
           the
           strength
           of
           it
           being
           quite
           gone
           with
           a
           blow
           which
           it
           received
           from
           Westminster
           ,
           and
           there
           is
           a
           Tetter
           and
           Ringworme
           called
           Excise
           ,
           doth
           make
           it
           look
           thinner
           then
           it
           would
           otherwise
           do
           ;
           before
           these
           times
           every
           Brewer
           did
           keep
           two
           strong
           fellows
           to
           carry
           the
           Mault
           ,
           and
           one
           weake
           boy
           to
           pump
           the
           Water
           ;
           but
           now
           they
           have
           shifted
           or
           changed
           hands
           unluckily
           ,
           for
           the
           poore
           boy
           carries
           the
           Mault
           ,
           and
           the
           two
           strong
           knaves
           carry
           the
           Water
           .
        
         
           Indeed
           (
           to
           speake
           truth
           )
           my
           best
           and
           freest
           welcome
           with
           some
           kind
           of
           Countrey
           Farmers
           ,
           I
           will
           describe
           one
           for
           all
           the
           rest
           in
           Devonshire
           and
           Cornwall
           ,
           where
           though
           both
           the
           Armies
           had
           been
           with
           them
           ,
           and
           given
           them
           severall
           visits
           ,
           insomuch
           that
           if
           the
           Cavaliers
           had
           taken
           their
           Horses
           ,
           thee
           other
           Party
           made
           bold
           with
           their
           Oxen
           ;
           if
           the
           one
           had
           their
           Sheep
           ,
           the
           other
           plaid
           sweep-stake
           ;
           so
           that
           (
           according
           to
           the
           Countrey
           phrase
           )
           great
           Crock
           ,
           and
           little
           Chock
           ,
           all
           was
           I
           go
           ;
           yet
           as
           soon
           as
           they
           spied
           me
           ,
           they
           saluted
           me
           with
           much
           love
           and
           reverend
           curtesie
           .
           The
           Good-man
           ,
           with
           the
           Dame
           of
           the
           house
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           rest
           of
           the
           men
           were
           exceeding
           glad
           to
           see
           me
           ,
           and
           with
           all
           Countrey
           curtesie
           and
           solemnity
           ,
           I
           was
           had
           into
           the
           Parlour
           ,
           there
           I
           was
           placed
           at
           the
           upper
           end
           of
           the
           Table
           and
           my
           company
           about
           me
           ,
           we
           had
           good
           chear
           and
           free
           welcome
           ,
           and
           we
           were
           merry
           without
           Musick
           .
        
         
           A
           ,
           ha
           ,
           quoth
           I
           ,
           this
           piece
           of
           the
           world
           is
           well
           mended
           ,
           our
           Dinner
           is
           better
           then
           our
           Breakfast
           ,
           this
           was
           as
           Christmas
           would
           have
           it
           ,
           here
           is
           neither
           too
           much
           cost
           ,
           nor
           too
           little
           meat
           ;
           here
           is
           no
           surfeit
           on
           the
           one
           side
           ,
           or
           hunger
           on
           the
           other
           ;
           they
           are
           alwaies
           the
           best
           Feasts
           where
           the
           poor
           are
           reliev'd
           ,
           for
           the
           rich
           can
           help
           themselves
           .
        
         
           After
           Dinner
           we
           arose
           from
           the
           Boord
           ,
           and
           sate
           by
           the
           fire
           ,
           where
           the
           Harth
           was
           imbrodered
           all
           over
           with
           roasted
           
           Apples
           ,
           piping
           hot
           ,
           expecting
           a
           bole
           of
           Ale
           for
           a
           cooler
           (
           which
           presently
           was
           transformed
           into
           warm
           Lambs-wooll
           :
           )
           within
           an
           houre
           after
           we
           went
           to
           Church
           ,
           where
           a
           good
           old
           Minister
           spoke
           very
           Reverendly
           of
           my
           Master
           Christ
           ,
           and
           also
           he
           uttered
           many
           good
           speeches
           concerning
           Me
           ,
           exciting
           and
           exhorting
           the
           people
           to
           love
           and
           unity
           one
           with
           another
           ,
           and
           to
           extend
           their
           charities
           to
           the
           needy
           and
           distressed
           .
        
         
           After
           Prayers
           we
           returned
           home
           ,
           where
           we
           discoursed
           merrily
           ,
           wi●hout
           either
           prophaneness
           or
           obscenity
           ;
           supper
           being
           ended
           ,
           we
           went
           to
           Cards
           ,
           some
           sung
           Carrols
           ,
           and
           merry
           Songs
           (
           suitable
           to
           the
           times
           ;
           )
           then
           the
           poor
           la●ouring
           Hinds
           ,
           and
           the
           maid
           servants
           ,
           with
           the
           Plow●oyes
           ,
           went
           nimbly
           to
           dancing
           ,
           the
           poore
           toyling
           wretches
           being
           all
           glad
           of
           my
           company
           ,
           because
           they
           had
           little
           or
           no
           sport
           at
           all
           till
           I
           came
           amongst
           them
           ;
           and
           therefore
           〈◊〉
           leaped
           and
           skipped
           for
           joy
           ,
           singing
           a
           catch
           to
           the
           Tune
           of
           hey
           ,
        
         
           
             Let
             's
             dance
             and
             sing
             and
             make
             good
             Cheare
             ,
          
           
             For
             Christmas
             comes
             but
             once
             a
             yeare
             .
          
        
         
           Thus
           at
           active
           Games
           and
           Gambols
           of
           Hotcockles
           ,
           〈◊〉
           the
           Wild
           Mare
           ,
           and
           the
           like
           harmless
           sports
           ,
           some
           〈◊〉
           〈◊〉
           the
           tedious
           night
           was
           spent
           ;
           and
           early
           in
           the
           morning
           we
           took
           our
           leaves
           of
           them
           thankfully
           ,
           and
           though
           we
           had
           been
           thirteen
           dayes
           well
           entertained
           ,
           yet
           the
           poor
           people
           were
           very
           unwilling
           to
           let
           me
           goe
           ;
           so
           I
           left
           them
           〈◊〉
           out
           of
           hope
           to
           have
           my
           company
           againe
           for
           a
           Twelve-months
           space
           ,
           that
           if
           I
           were
           not
           banished
           in
           my
           absence
           they
           should
           have
           my
           presence
           again
           the
           next
           25.
           of
           December
           1653.
           
        
         
           
             Glory
             be
             to
             God
             in
             the
             Highest
             ,
             Peace
             on
             Earth
             ,
             and
             to
             Men
             Good-will
             .
          
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
         
      
    
    

