Another Councell decreed that the Christians should not celebrate (*) 1.1 feasts on the birth days of the mar〈1 line〉〈1 line〉yrs, bycause it was the manner of the heathen: whereby it appeareth that both of singu∣lar* 1.2 men, and of Councels in making or abolishing of ceremonies, heede hath bin takē that the Chri∣stians should not be like vnto the idolaters, no not in those things which of themselues are moste indifferent to be vsed or not vsed.
It is maruellous to behold your dealing, and to consider how vnder the pretence of auoiding (I know not what) in reciting the words of such Authors as you alledge, you delude the Reader with an vntrue sense: as it euidently appeareth in this can∣non of the Councell of Afrike, the words whereof be these. This is also to be desired (of* 1.3 the Emperours) that such feasts as contrary to the commaundements of God are kept in many places, which haue bin drawen from the errour of the Gētiles (so that now Christiās are compelled by the paganes to celebrate them, whereby another persecution in the tyme of Christian Emperours seemeth couertly to be raysed) might be by their commaundemēt forbidden, and the peyne layd vpon cities and possessions prohibited: especially seing they are not afrayd to cōmit such things in some cities euen vpon the birth days of blessed mar∣tyrs, and in the holy places. Vpon which days also (whiche is a shame to tell) they vse most wicked dauncings throughout the streates, so that the honour of matrones, and the chast shamefastnesse of many women which come deuoutly vnto that holyday, is by their lasci∣uious iniuries inuaded, in so much that those religious meetings are almost shunned. In these words the heathenish feasts of the gentiles which are against the commaunde∣ment of God, being full of impietie and vncleanesse, are forbidden to be vsed of Chri∣stians in the birth days of martyrs, or at any other time. How this can be applyed to your purpose, I know not, except that you count all that for fish that cōmes 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉o nette.
Now let the Reader consider, what weightie reasons you haue hitherto vsed, a∣gainst our order of prayer: nay rather how vnaptly you haue alledged both your rea sons and authorities. And whereas you séeme to insinuate that the things you haue spoken of be most indifferent, that is nothing so, for the most of those thinges prohibited by these canons, be things least indifferent, as it may appeare by that which is alrea∣dy spoken of them, and euen in the very canons themselues.