The history of all religions in the world, from the creation down to this present time in two parts : the first containing their theory, and the other relating to their practices ... : to which is added, a table of heresies : as also a geographical map, shewing in what countrey each religion is practised ... / by William Turner ...

4. In Tamuz, June and July.

Jewish.

17. A Fast. The Tables of the Law broken. This day the Jews account unlucky, not only because of the Tables being broken, but the Siege begun upon this day by Nebuchadnezzar.

The three whole Weeks following, viz. in the Dog-days, the Jews abstain from Flesh and Wine, and undertake no hard Work. Alsted.

Epistemon burns the Book of the Law, put his Statue in the Temple. Cessat 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Scaliger.

This Fast of Moses's breaking the two Tables; the loss of their daily Sacrifice; Setting up Idola∣try in the Temple; The second Siege of the City, (on the 17th of Thamuz, our June) lasts till the 10th of Ab, and is kept with a strict Idleness. Dr. Addison.

See more on the fifth day of Ab.

They avoid all great Business on these days, and School-masters will not beat their Scholars. Rosse.

Ancient Christian.

Because the Ancient Christians observed so few Holy-days, rather than leave this Section quite vacant, I shall set down some Remarks and Cen∣sures of Eminent Persons, made upon the Abuses of Festivals in these latter Ages

The Sixth General Council of Constantinople or∣dained, That the whole Week, after the Day of our Saviour's Resurrection, should be thus Cele∣brated.

—Christians must go constantly to Church, re∣joycing in CHRIST with Psalms, and Hymns, and Spiritual Songs; and give their minds to the reading of Divine Scriptures, and chearfully en∣joy the Holy Mysteries: For so (saith the Canon) we shall rejoyce, and rise together with CHRIST. But by no means let there be any Horse-Races, or Publick Shews, on the aforesaid days. Conc. Con. 6. Gen. Can. 66.

Card. Bellarmine, in one of his Sermons, deli∣vers himself to this purpose.

I cannot verily (good Hearers) explain by Words, with how great grief of mind I behold, in how perverse and diabolical manner Holy-days are celebrated in this our Age; how far perverse Men have obscured and defiled their Picus Insti∣tution, with their corrupt manners, may be un∣derstood by this, That to Strangers, and those who are ignorant what manner of Festivals these are, from those things which they may see every where done, they may seem to be not the Feasts of God, but of the Devil, and even the Bacche∣nalian Revels themselves. Yea, verily, when, I Pray, are more Sins committed, than on Holy∣days? When are there more Sumptuous Feasts kept? When more Lascivious Songs heard?

When Bowling-Allies and Taverns more frequen∣ted? When are there more execrable kinds of Plays, Scurrilities and Fooleries? When are there more Dances, in most places, to the Sound of the Harp and Lute, than on these Days?

Mahometan.

Persian-Harizon, 30 Days.

On the Feast of St. John Baptist, in Fez, they make Bone-fires. Rosse.

July 16. A. C. 622. was the time of Maho∣met's Flight, and the Hagyra, or Epoche, of the Mahometans.

Ancient Heathen.

Jun. 20. Summani Sact. ad Circ. max.

25. Crowned Ships carried Banquets over Ty∣ber.

Jul. 1. Migrationes ex adibus in alienns aedes.

Jul. 9. Ancillarum festum.

Jul. 11. Ludi Apollinares.