A Christian caveat to the old and new sabbatarians. Or, A vindication of our Gospel-festivals. Wherein is held forth, I. That the feast of Christs nativity is grounded upon the scriptures; was observed in the pure, antient, apostolique times; and is approved by all reformed churches. II. That Christ was born on the 25th. day of December; and all objections to the contrary refuted. III. An answer to XVI. Quæres, touching the rise and observation of Christmas, propounded by Mr. Joseph Heming of Uttoxeter. IV. The originall and true ground of the Lords Day. V. The just meaning and nature of the Sabbath. / By a lover of truth; a defender of Christian liberty; and an hearty desirer of peace, internall, externall, eternall, unto all men.

QUAERE X. Whether Christmas day ought in any respect to be esteemed above another of the week-dayes? And whether people may not without offence to GOD follow their lawfull vo∣cations on that day?

ANSWER.

From what we have already proved, the solution of this Quaere is easy and obvious; For, in respect that Christmas day, being the day of our Lords Nativity, is the Lords day; and by his Spouse, i the Church, set apart to GODS publick wor∣ship and our souls edification, it ought clearly to be esteemed above any of the common week-dayes: And for people on this day wil∣fully and contemptuously to follow their ordinary (though at other times lawfull) vocations or callings, is, in the first place, a breach of the fourth Commandment; for the day of Christs Nativity is a sabbath or rest unto the Lord, k and GOD will have us to keep holy the sabbath or rest-day. Next, it is a despising and dishonouring of their Mother the Church, which whosoever are guilty of, not onely sin against the fifth Commandment; l but by our Saviour himself we are enjoyned to account all such as revolters from the Christian Faith, heathen men and pu∣blicans. m Lastly, it is a ground and in let to the violation of

all orders and decencie in GODS service, which is expre〈…〉〈…〉 〈…〉〈…〉∣demned in Holy Scripture. n And if to break GODS 〈…〉〈…〉∣mandments, to contemne his Churches authority, to 〈…〉〈…〉me heathens and publicans, and to overthrow all order and de∣cencie in GODS services, be offences to GOD; Then mu•••• we conclude, that to work or follow our vocations on Christmas-day, is a great and high offence unto GOD.

Notes

• i

  Cant. 4. 9.
• k

  See the de∣finition of a sabbath in our Answ. to the last foregoing Quaere.
• l

  Perkins Cases of Con∣scil. l. 1. c. 5. Sect. 5.
• m

  Matth. 18. 17.
• n

  1 Cor. 14. 40.