A short ANSWER OF JOHN LING, To the 16. Quaeres of joseph Heming, about CHRISTMAS.  
Wherein all the care that can be is taken to avoid expense of paper, so much having been spoilt already. For  
Were't not for Christmas which is nigh,  
When fruit, spice, eaten and digested Pie  
Calls for more paper, no man could make shift  
How to employ JOS. HEMING to his thrift.  
Printed in the Year 1648.   

A short Answer of john Ling to the 16. Quaeres of joseph Heming about Christmas.  
IT is perceived that one Joseph Heming, not long before Christmas, 1648. (as by his printed Paper doth appear) from his Study in Vttoxeter, otherwise and vulgarly Vxter, in the said year doth challenge all those who can write and read, to answer his 16. Queries concerning the observation of the Feast of Christmas, or the Nativity of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; to which I John Ling having been a Grammar Scholar, and having seen somewhat in the world both in this Church, and the Reformed beyond Sea, do make this Answer.  

The first Quaere.  
Whether such religious customs as are binding to all the Churches of jesus Christ, ought not to have sure footing upon the Word of God, or Apostolical practice?  
Resp. Because I will not make Paper dear by long Answers or recitals, I say such Religious Customs as are binding to all the Churches of Jesus Christ, aught to have footing upon the word of God, or Apostolical practice.   

The second Quaere.  
Whether you can substantially prove that Christ was borne on the 25 of December? And what your proofs are?  
Resp. It is not material, I, or no, whether I can prove that Christ was borne on the 25 of December, as it now standeth in the English Calendar.   

The third Quaere.  
Whether the celebration of that day (grant he was borne on it) can be clearly warranted by you from Scripture? And what your Scriptures are?  
Resp. It imports no more than what is answered in the first and second.   

The fourth Quaere.  
Whether you can clear it by sound consequence from the New Testament, though not set down there in totidem verbis?  
Resp. It is cleared by sound consequence, both from the Old and New Testament, that the day of the Birth of our Saviour, God and man, should be kept with Festivity: I will now first give you instance in the Angel's song to the Shepherds, Glory be to God on high, on earth peace, good will towards men, see the 118 Psalm, 22.23. and 24. verses, The stone which the bvilders refused is the head of the corner, which is interpreted in the New Testament to be meant of Christ. 24. This is the day which the Lord hath made, we will rejoice and be glad in it, which all good Interpreters say to be meant by the day of the Birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Many places there are in Isaiah, and other of the Prophets: So that now you have better proofs from Scripture for keeping holy an Anniversary day for the celebration of the Birth of our Lord, then for changing the Sabbath to the Lords day; the proofs whereof are chiefly grounded upon Apostolical Custom, Isaiah, 28.16. Math. 21.42. Acts, 4.11. Rom. 9.33. 1. Peter, 2.6. and 7.   

The fifth Quaere.  
Whether you can do it by universal tradition?  
Resp. It's done by Universal Tradition, and in that I will bring it to the Customary Practice of the Reformed Churches of Dutch▪ French, and Geneva.   

The sixth Quaere.  
Whether (in case it can be evidenced by none of these, viz. plain Text, solid Inference, universal Tradition) it be not a mere humane invention, and so Will worship? And how you will one day acquit yourselves before God, for placing, and crying up men's Inventions, instead of the institutions of jesus Christ? And whether it were not faithful dealing with poor simple people to tell them that you have neither of these to warrant it?  
Resp. I answer, it were false dealing to tell Christian People that which were untrue.   

The seaventh Quaere.  
(Since days and times commanded by God himself to be observed under the Law, were, and are unlawful under the Gospel) Whether days and times commanded by men, and not by God, under the Gospel, are not less lawful?  
Resp. If this day and time were only commanded by men, it were unlawful, so far as to command it as a mere Religious duty.   

The eighth Quaere.  
Whether the true and genuine Interpretation of Christmas be Christ man? And whether to persuade people 'tis so, be not to abuse and delude them? And whether we may not as well interpret Candlemas Candleman, Michaelmas Michaelman, as Christmas Christman?  
Resp. (Because you make sport, and have brought in a Gambol) That I have a conjecture that Joseph Heming is some School Master, or some great School Boy, that can interpret the Latin Master for a man, and then Christmas is Christman; and certainly it is to abuse people to persuade them so and so of the rest: But I have heard what was answered Dr. Lamb by a good fellow, to whom he objected to have said Christyde, and why not as well Tom tied? The Answer was he could say Christmas, or Thomas, or Lamb, ass, and so he left him, and so do I you with your Gambol.   

The ninth Quaere.  
Whether the Saints are bound to rejoice in the Birth of Christ on that day men superstitiously call Christmas, more than at other times? And whether the Lords day be not [the] day apppointed for them to rejoice on?  
Resp. You beg the Question of Superstition, and so until you frame the Argument out of the Question in Mood and Figure, I shall answer you no more upon that point.   

The tenth Quaere.  
Whether Christmas day ought in any respect to be esteemed above another of the Week days? And whether people may not without offence to God follow their lawful vocations on that day?  
Resp. That by the established Laws of this Kingdom, in the times of the first Reformation (and still continued) this is commanded to be kept as a holy day.   

The eleaventh Quaere.  
Whether you think the Parliament and Assembly have erred and played the fools in condemning and rasing out Holy days not warranted in the Word? And whether to observe them, be not highly to dislike, and flatly to contradict (in point of practice at least) their proceed in order to a Reformation?  
Resp. I say it is a Proposition of ill language, and therefore I say no more, but demand of you whether you think the first Reformers that suffered Martyrdom were Fools and Knaves?   

The twelfth Quaere.  
Whether (since most men and women in England do blindly and superstitiously believe Christ was borne that day) preaching on it, doth not nourish and strengthen them in that belief?  
Resp. At first you beg the Question, but to the second part of it; I say since preaching is lawful upon any day; so is it expedient, if not necessary upon a day commanded.   

The thirteenth Quaere.  
Whether this Feast had not its rise and growth from Christians conformity to the mad Feasts Saturnalia (kept in December to Saturn the Father of Gods) in which there was a Sheafe offered to Ceres' Goddess of Corn, a hymn in her praise called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉? And whether those Christians by name, to cloak it, did not afterwards call it Yule; and Christmas (as though it were for Christ's honour?) And whether it be not yet by some (more ancient then truly or knowingly religious) called Yule, and the mad plays (wherewith 'tis celebrated like those Saturnalia) Yule games? And whether from the offering of that Sheafe to Ceres; from that song in her praise: from those gifts the Heathens gave their friends in the Calends of January, ominis gratia; did not arise or spring our blazes; Christmas Kariles, and New year's gifts?  
Resp. Whether this Feast had not its Rice from Christians conformity to the mad Feast Saturnalia, I answer, I think it a very mad Question: But I confess in some Nations they call that Feast Yule, and amongst your brethren the Scots, they call it Zule, as I have found it in their Calendars; but until you can prove that those Nations speak Greek, you will be far to seek for your Argument: Therefore good Mr. Schoolmaster, or Schoolboy, leave off your Etymologies; for you will find it hard to prove that Christians used to celebrate this Feast in any relation to the Saturnalia or Ceres Songs.   

The fourteenth Quaere.  
Whether conformity to, and retention of Heathenish Customs be commendable in Christians, suitable or agreeable with Gospel Principles, though under pretext of Christ's Honour and Worship?  
Resp. In the Negative it is not lawful; but how will you apply it, John Ellis, I cry you mercy Joseph Heming?   

The fifteenth Quaere.  
Whether you are not bound to prove your practice for the conviction and satisfaction of your Brethren, whose duty it is to walk with you in things agreeable to the mind of Christ? And in case you cannot; Whether you ought not to acknowledge your error, lay down your practice (as others have done theirs) no longer befooling and misleading the people committed to your charge?  
I answer, this reproof would serve for a Preacher if he had misled his people, of which number I am not, but if this charge be unjust, see how you disobey the Laws of God and man.   

The sixteenth Quaere.  
Whether in case you return no Answer to these Queries, I have not ground sufficient to conclude you utterly unable to give any rational account of your practice, now put upon it?  
Resp. Whether I have answered your Queries or no; Let me know it by your confession or Reply.  
From no great Study, this 23 of Dec. 1648.  
FINIS.