The Lawfulness of the CELEBRATION OF Christ's birthday Debated, In case it be Annnally known or not known.  
Discussed By Scripture, and Consequence of Scripture; and many Objections answered, and refuted by Reasons.  
By George Palmer, well-willer to a particular and solemn joyous-thankfulness to God, for his several special mercies in Christ; by way of Gradation.  Job. 32. 7, 8. days should speak, and multitude of years should teach knowledge, but there is a spirit in man, and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding. Isa. 29. 13, 14. & 1 Cor. 1. 19, 20. For as much as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: Therefore, behold I will proceed to do a marvellous work and wonder; For the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid. 
LONDON, Printed in the year, 1649.   

To the READER.  
BEloved, It may seem strange (to many) that I am intermeddling with Controversies amongst the Learned in Divinity. And therefore it▪ is likely that some will say of me, as it was sometime said of one, Thou art but a stripling, but they are men of War from their youth▪ and therefore not to be encountered with by thee. And they will think it more safer for me to be employed about meaner matters, of a lower Nature, rather than to encounter with giants. And (perhaps) give me a nipping check, like that of Eliab to David; viz. Where are those few sheep left in the Wilderness? It is thy pride that moved thee to come and see the battle. But my answer is as that which then was made, What have I now done? Is there not a cause? &c.  
There were Israelites on the one side that stood for the glory of God▪ and the lawful liberty of his children; and there were Philistines on the other side, that did defy Christ and his redeemed Ones, and they had one great Goliath on whom they did cast their confidence, and he did approach towards the Israelites with reproach and defiance, and yet those Israelites remained in a kind of astonishment.  
Our condition is somewhat like theirs (if well examined.) And although I am not furnished with such complete Armour as some other (spiritual) warriors are, yet if the stone of Israel be with me, I shall have good success; You know, a jawbone was but a strange piece of Armour, yet a thousand Philistines could not stand against it, for God was with it: And his riddle did occasion the quarrel between them; for they broke the Covenant of Garments and Sheets, as some have done in a Covenant with me here.  
I will not compare myself with any of those warriors: yet give me leave to put forth a Riddle;  
By weakness comes strength▪ Yet strength beareth down weakness.  
Canterbury, May, 1648. Yours, for Truth, GEORGE PALMER.   

THE lawfulness OF THE CELEBRATION OF Christ's birthday Debated, &c.  
IN the second Chapter of the Gospel by Saint Luke, from the tenth verse to the fourteenth verse, you may find, that the Angel of the Lord, the same day that Christ Jesus was born, did incite the Shepherds to rejoice, by reason of the good tidings which he then the same day brought them, concerning the Birth of Christ the Lord:  
And for their Example, and greater Encouragement thereunto, the Lord our God had then the same day, appointed a multitude of holy Angels to begin the songs of praise with joy, praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth Peace, good will towards men. Yea, the first Angel did render them an exceeding strong reason to move their affections and wills thereunto, in these words; For, unto you is born (this day) a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. From whence I will note one thing by the way, from the speedy delivery of this message to the Shepherds; That if it had not been the Will of our God, that that day should be the day of their solemn joyous praise, than the Angel might have divulged the birthday of our Saviour afterwards only, and not so speedily in the same day of his Birth; but he was speedy in the delivery of his message, and emphatical in his expression, viz. This Day is born unto you a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.  
And very great reason there was that men should then so rejoice, For, if the Angel told Zechariah that many should rejoice at the birth of John the Baptist (who was but the forerunner of Christ, to prepare his way before him) as in Chap. 1. verse 14. you may see; then much more cause had the children of God had, to rejoice at the Birth of Christ their Saviour.  
In the next place, I will observe what our Lord God hath caused to be written (for our instruction in this particular,) by the Evangelist S. Matthew, in Chap. 2. and some of the former verses. There we may see how the Lord God would cause the wise men, of the East to honour Christ (being newborn) with precious Gifts, Gold, frankincense, and myrrh; yea you may see in the second verse, that the Star that appeared unto them, did denote to them his Birth; These are the words, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his Star in the East, and are come to worship him.  
This birth of Christ was much respected by the Prophet Isaiah, as in the ninth chapter of his prophecy doth appear; For he seeing it (by faith) admired it in these words, Behold, unto us a Child is born! &c. Many Scriptures might be brought in to prove the excellent esteem or account of his Birth. The Apostle took good notice of the excellent resemblance that is between Christ's bodily-birth, and our spiritual-birth, as well as of his Circumcision, and our heart-circumcision, and of his death, and our dying to sin, and of his resurrection, and our rising again to newness of life. And farther, the excellency of his birth was typified beforehand, to be very much esteemed of in a particular respect; For every male that first opened the womb, was to be accounted holy to the Lord. And if the type was to be accounted holy, then much more was the thing typified to be esteemed holy.  
Thus I have noted to you the message of the angel to the shepherds, inciting them to rejoice, with the reason to move them to perform that their duty; and also the example set before them, to encourage them therein, by a multitude of Angels singing out his praise, & proclaiming his Glory at his birth: And how the wise men did honour him, being moved by a Star, denoting his birth in an especial manner. And how the Prophet Isaiah admired and esteemed of it (he seeing it but by faith.) And how his birth was esteemed in the Types of it, viz. The first born male was to be esteemed holy to the Lord. Therefore I cannot but conclude, that Christ's Birth was to be esteemed very highly by them then living, and therefore that they were to rejoice for that great blessing of God, that same day of his birth, so many as could take notice of that day; no man will deny this to be a truth, unless such as are of a diabolical spirit. And also that the birth of Christ is to be much esteemed by all those that at any time afterwards do trust for salvation by him; as it was by them that lived at that time, and so rejoiced in it.  
But a question is made, Whether it be to be celebrated annually, and solemnly with such joy for ever after, if in case his birthday be known to us now, as it was to them then; or whether that incitation given by the Angel to the Shepherds, belongs to us Christians successively and annually, or no?  
First, I answer, that it concerneth us now, as much as it did those shepherds, and others then living and believing in him: For the chief reason or cause of their joy at his Birth, was from the benefit which by and from him they were to receive, who then, and at that time was newly born: and we that do believe in him, do obtain the same benefit by his birth, as they did that then rejoiced in him; and therefore it needed not to be commanded in express words successively.  
But some object farther, That when the Jews were to keep any day successively and annually for the remembrance and solemn thanksgiving for any special benefit received; they then were enjoined to do it by God's special command successively and annually.  
To this I answer plainly, That those benefits did concern them in some temporal deliverances, and were for that particular people only, or chiefly at the most; as the Israelites deliverance out of Egypt, and their deliverance from an intended slaughter in the time of Queen Hester, &c. But this Birth of Christ concerneth all Believers in all places, to the end of the World: for so saith the Angel, Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, that shall be to all people, &c. And therefore it being for the good of all Believers in Christ, of all sorts of people to the end of the world, it belongeth to all Believers in Christ to rejoice for the Birth of Christ, as it did belong to them to rejoice that were then living; for the message is belonging to us, as much as it was to them; in as much as the good tidings belongeth to all people: And therefore it being for the good of all Believers to the end of the World, the Angel requireth our greater attention and admiration, by this word, Behold, Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy that shall be to all People, for unto you is born this day, &c. a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And we read of no command from God for the keeping of the new-Purim, but it is noted as well done by them &c. And that it ought annually to be celebrated with joy we may collect farther by reason, that it ought so to be; For if great temporal deliverances deserved annual thanks-givings on some special days, then doth an everlasting deliverance from damnation, deserve much more such manner of thanks.  
But it is farther objected, That all Believers in Christ, do give thanks for that great mercy of God (as they do for all other his benefits) upon the Lord's days in special, and upon all ordinary occasions.  
To this I answer thus, so were the Jews to do upon their sabbaths, for all their temporal deliverances; as for their deliverance from Egyptian Bondage, and Haman's decree of their death; and yet they had their feast of Passeover and Purim, to commemorate those deliverances more specially; and we have special days set apart for us to praise the Lord for our deliverances from the Spanish Invasion, and the gunpowder Treason; and also for many deliverances, from divers great dangers in these our times of War.  
But it is objected again, That we do not know certainly what day in our year Christ's birthday can be celebrated, as the right and true annual day, it being not certainly known; or at the least, it is questioned by many Learned Christians.  
To this I answer, first, That it is not so great a matter whether we know (strictly) the day or no; so as we do solemnize one day thankfully, so near the true day as we can guess; for in such a case we shall be accepted: for so saith the Apostle, God accepteth the willing mind of his children for the deed, (which endeavoureth to perform according to their knowledge.  
Secondly, if in case we do know the day strictly, yet it is not absolutely necessary for us to keep it upon that day always 〈◊〉 for the Jews did not keep their Purim upon the same day of the year wherein their Deliverance was given them, but as on the next Day after; as you may see in the Book of Esther, the ninth Chapter, and the sixteenth verse to the two and twentienth. And Christ Jesus himself did excuse David for eating the showbread in his great (necessity:) And he excused his own Disciples for plucking the ears of corn upon the Sabbath Day, &c. upon their necessity; and therein was the ancient Proverb verified, viz. Necessity hath no Law. We are necessitated to observe a day near the day of Christ's Birth.  
And the Passeover was to be eaten in the first month, as you may see in Exodus 12. 2, 3. &c. nevertheless if you look in 2 Chron. 30. 2, 3. compared with verses the 13. and 15. you may there find that Hezekiah and his People kept it (at that time) in the second month, contrary to the institution (in that particular,) and the reason is there rendered, viz. that they could not keep it at that time in the first month; And yet they were accepted of God too, as in the 20. verse you may see. And although it be said in the last verse now quoted, that Hezekiah prayed for the people, and that the Lord healed them; which implieth, that God was offended with them: You shall see that the reason thereof was for their not preparing themselves better when they did come, (as in the 18. verse you may see) for they came unpreparedly to that holy Sacrament.  
If it be questioned whether we may keep it Festivally or not? I answer, We may and aught so to do: (though not in excess thereof,) but first we are to be exercised in the use of the public Ordinances, as the preaching and hearing the Word, and in Godly prayers and praises, &c. and after that in plentiful feasting, and giving gifts to the poor according to our several abilities: for though Fasting be for mourners, yet Feasting is for joy and mirth, as you may see in the 8. chapter of the book of Nehemiah, the former part of that chapter to the 13 verse, these are those words, Eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared, &c. for the joy of the Lord is your strength: And the Jews Purim was kept festivally, as in the ninth chapter doth appear, in verses the 19, 20. 22.  
But it is objected again, that the name that is given to the day, or the manner of its celebration is now justly excepted against, for it is called Christmas day, which causeth us to believe that it was instituted by the Pope, or at the least thus named by the Pope, for his service which he pretendeth to Christ, is called mass, or at least, much of his service is so called.  
To this I answer briefly, that it is not taken for a bad service in its signification, but indifferently for either bad or good service, (as some affirm) and some one word may have divers significations; And besides it is by some Expositors taken for an heap and greatness in quantity, and so we often now use the word, as a mass of money, and the like: but it was taken (as some affirm) to dismiss an assembly with a blessing, called missa. And besides if the name were given to a bad intent at the first (which I do not believe) if in case the Pope first gave this name to it, (for the first Popes were such as did accompany us in the way to salvation, and were not so bad as in latter times they have been, and now are) yet may we not omit so great a duty of joyous praise as the celebration of so great a mercy is, because some have cast in some evil weed into it; but refine it again that it may be better spiritual nutriment. And therefore take this example of the Prophet Elisha, who did not cast away all the pottage which had some gourds of the wild Vine in it, but did put in some meal that might overpowre the killing strength of the gourds of that wild vine, as you may see 2 King. 4. 38. to 42. Therefore if the name offend you, you may take as quick a way to alter that fault, as the Anabaptiss do in a thing not so warrantable as this; for they can provide a new name against their next washing.  
But it is further objected, that of late time this feasting hath been abused, by excess therein, and many vicious actions have been committed in that day we lately so celebrated to that end we now plead so much for; and therefore it ought to be no more observed as a day of joyous feasting in the remembrance of the birth of Christ our Saviour.  
To this I answer: Thus the best things have been abused, as namely, the Lord's day itself; but many things which are abused may not be taken away or made void, but the abuses purged from them, as I said before concerning the name of the day; for, though some things may be taken away, or suspended when they are much abused, yet such things whose loss will produce very great ill consequences may not be made void; for in so doing we shall, lose many good substances which are maintained and preserved by some means that are of less concernment, (in themselves considered) and especially it is very dangerous to clip off the special occasioning of the remembering of so great a mercy, as the celebration of the birth of so dear a Saviour.  
And if we clip off so great a commemoration of Christ's birth now, it will make way to the neglecting of some other the like mercy another time; and so (ere long be) we shall (through the displeasure of our God) lose all good occasions of our special thankfulness to our God for his sending of Christ in the flesh. Selah.  
The especial celebration of Christ's birthday (though uncertainly known) doth strengthen our faith concerning his human nature, or of his taking it in, and of the Virgin Mary, contrary to the heresy of divers heretics, as the Valentinians, &c. and very likely it was therefore so specially divulged by the Angel (as God's messenger) to be noted, and celebrated with joy by those shepherds, and also performed by the multitude of Angels, as an example to men on earth, to preserve the Saints from the heresies of those heretics, as are mentioned by St. John in his 1. Epistle, Chap. 4. 1, 2, 3. and his 2d. Epistle, ver. 7. For, that men may be assured that he took his human nature in, and of the Virgin Mary, and not otherwise, therefore his birth is expressed by name, in these words, unto you is born, &c. And because they should rejoice for it timely, therefore the time is made known to them also, in these words, This day. And lest they should not be incited or moved thereunto by the bare promulgation, therefore their welfare in him, is divulged unto them, in this word Saviour; And that they might not think, that it should be to them only, they are therefore certified that the benefit belonged to all sorts of people. And because he was to save them from their sins, therefore it was tidings of great joy, (said the Angel.) And that they might take the greater notice of this so great a mercy, therefore the Angel prepareth their attention with this word, Behold, Behold I bring you tidings of great joy, &c. Thus we may see how the all-sufficient foreknowing God hath provided for us a special means to strengthen our faith, concerning the human nature of our Saviour, taking it in, and from the Virgin Mary, against all those heretical seducings of men (that afterwards were to deny the same) by noting his birth to the shepherds for its joyful celebration. And surely (as it is reported) the Polonians do kneel at the receiving of the Sacrament of the body and blood of Christ, because many Arrians deny him to be God. So we may upon the like reason, and with a better warrant, solemnize the commemoration of Christ's birth, because many now begin to question his humanity; I say upon better warrant: viz: from the Angel his inciting the Shepherds to rejoice at his birth, and the multitude of the heavenly host promulgating of their exemplary praises, for that transcendent gift, given for the everlasting joy of all (sorts of) people. And also, from the Shepherds exemplary glorifying, and praising God, as they returned from that joyful sight of Christ then new born, as appears ver. 20.  
And surely the chief question is (by our Christians that oppose the celebration of a day in commemoration of his birth) whether we may set apart some special day for a joyous and festival celebration of his birth, or whether we ought to do it only in the general; And methinks it is a very weak question for wise and knowing men to make, the premises well considered.  
And you may take notice that the children of Israel (being enjoined to offer divers offerings) might offer some offerings over and above to the Lord of their own voluntary will and affections, as thank-offerings, and the like, as you may see in Levit. 22. 29. and Chap. 6. 16. And they might make some vows to do, or not to do some things, and therefore David inciteth us to it in Psal 50. 14. in these words, Offer unto God thanksgiving, and pay thy vows to the most high. And in Colos. 27. Paul will have us to abound in thanksgiving. And likewise they might offer some burnt-offerings of their voluntary free will without any strict injunction in that particular, as in 2 Chron. 22. 31. you may see. And in the New Testament it is said, that Paul had a vow; and in Acts 21. 23 it is said, that there were four men that had a vow on them; for, we have liberty to vow to humble and afflict our souls (as they of the Jews had) when we please, (upon divers occasions) as in Numb. 30. 13. and Act. 21. 23. &c. And so likewise have we liberty to give thanks with joy to God particularly, and specially, upon divers occasions concurring, and solemnly too; For, although all kinds of sacrifices might not be offered at man's choice of times, yet some kinds of sacrifices might be offered at man's choice, and choice of times (for the more part) and voluntarily of their free will only, as in Deut. 23. 23. What think you of that which the Israelites did in the time of the Reign of King Hezekiah, as in 2 Chron. 30. 23. you may read; for they kept other seven days festivally to the Lord, after they had kept the feast of the Passeover; And that 7. days' feast; was of their own free will and affections, by their own counsel, saith the text there. And you may there perceive that the holy Ghost noteth it to their commendation. And truly if this solemn joyous thankfulness in a festival way, was so acceptable to God without any special command, then much more will the joyous, and thankful celebration of Christ's birthday in a festival way be acceptable upon a more warrantable ground, namely, the proclamation from God by his holy Angel to the shepherds (at first) to rejoice for a great good, given for the good of (all) people; for we must abound in thanksgiving, and rejoice evermore; these being our spiritual sacrifices, as those corporal sacrifices were for them then. Besides all this already premised, let us take notice of the great inconveniences that cometh to the civil State of the whole Kingdom, by the endeavouring to overthrow the joyous observation of this birthday of our Saviour; and especially in these times wherein the State standeth so fickle, wicked men being apt to make an insurrection upon the least occasion: and much more upon such an occasion as this, wherein ungodly men may procure so great a party of better men to join with them, though not to so bad an end, but, in an holy indignation; for many of those that love Christ, with a well-informed judgement in this particular, upon the consideration of the great love that Christ hath showed to them, in coming to be their Saviour, taking flesh in and of the Virgin: will be apt to be jealous of the loss of the occasion of the especial remembering of his coming in the flesh. And besides, wicked men will be forward to take this occasion as a cloak to put on to make a par●ie for a worse end, when they see the observation thereof so much opposed.  
Therefore it is fitting that we i. 〈◊〉 itate the Apostle in the cutting off occasion from them that seek occasion (to do wickedness and mischief) and especially in a matter that is so clearly lawful, and convenient too, as the special giving of thanks with joy is, or as the joyous celebration of Christ's birthday is to the Spouse of Christ. For, although the levitical-ceremonial days, times, months, and years, are abolished, being but types of those things that are fulfilled by Christ: as is mentioned in Gal. 4. 10. see v. 3. yet the same Apostle affirmeth confidently, that he that thinketh he may not set apart some days now under the Gospel to celebrate evangelical duties, as hearing the Word, and receiving the Sacraments, and offering the sacrifice of special thanksgivings for some special mercies of God, is as weak as he that thinketh that he may eat but herbs, as you may see in Rom. 14. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.  
And therefore I entreat all well affected people to use their endeavour to get vicious men to be restrained from their abusing of themselves, and the time, to the dishonour of our Saviour, the wounding of their own souls to everlasting death, and to the scandalising of good men, and the perverting of others.  
And this may be done sometimes by gentle means, and sometimes by chastisements, and punishments, provided that the fault be a notorious sin, or at the least more than an ordinary blemish; for I know that some make mountains of molehills (comparing one sin to another) against some men.  
And truly I believe that some do rejoice to see some men transgress against God in that day, because they would thereby take an occasion to make the observation of it to be odious to some that may be a mean to take it quite away; out of a malignant spirit towards the observers of it. I hope better of many. I entreat you to consider, that when men are restrained from the liberty of timely recreation, they then (for a time) will be the more unruly when first they come to obtain it again; and especially from youths, and young raw-mannered men; as it is with horses and cows that have been stalled up, &c.  
If we under the Gospel be not afforded days of refreshing, yea, and somewhat often too, we shall be in greater bondage (in this kind) than the Jews in or under the Old Testament; for they had many festivals, and they were much refreshed by them; shall we be in greater bondage to labour than they were? And shall not we have liberty from sparing dye●, for feasting, as well as they? They feasted divers days together, sometimes, and thereby love and good will was the better occasioned in many that were godly; and we may do so too; though not with all the same ceremonies as they did, because not altogether to the same end as they did; And at such times the poor may be the more easily relieved, and give thanks to God, and pray for us. And by this means men will not be so forward to borrow so much of the Sabbath, or Lord's day to profane it as (perhaps) now they do, when they shall have other convenient time, for their necessary recreation.  
I do confess that some things that are lawful to be observed and celebrated, may (for a time) be suspended, and not celebrated; provided that it be not forborn as a thing unlawful, but as a thing inconvenient; as to prevent a farther mischief for the present time; but if that which in itself is lawful, be forborn as a thing unlawful, then will honest knowing men be offended, and so it will breed a great disturbance in the State; evil men taking that occasion as a fair cloak to put on, for to begin a quarrel; and so incite some better men to take part with them (though not aiming at the same end); therefore it is fitting that men be taught how to distinguish between things lawful, and things unlawful; and between those things that are so lawful as that they may not be dispensed with, so as to neglect the celebration thereof at the instant time; and those things that may be dispensed with for a time to prevent some great mischief.  
And now I will note (to those that shall either read or hear the premises in this little Tract) some of the particulars contained in the same, for their better remembering what I have been hitherto spelling.  
First, that the celebration of Christ's birth with joy was promulgated to the Shepherds, because he was born to them a Saviour.  
Secondly, that they had an example set before them to lead them on to the performance of that their duty, by a multitude of Angels singing out his glory at his birth.  
Thirdly, that his birth was much respected by the Prophet Isaiah, he seeing it but by faith.  
Fourthly, that the Wisemen of the East were sent by the special providence of God, by a special Star, to honour Christ being new born.  
Fifthly, that because the Angel told Zachariah that many should rejoice at the birth of John the Baptist, (who was but the forerunner of Christ) therefore, they were to rejoice at the birth of Christ their Saviour much more.  
Sixthly, that it is our duty to rejoice for the birth of Christ as much as it was their duty so to do, because the benefit of his birth belongeth to us as much as it did unto them then; for the tidings of joy by reason of the birth of our Saviour Christ, belong to all those that at any time did, do, or shall believe in him, as said the Angel.  
Seventhly, divers questions are answered, as, first whether we are, or aught, to keep it annually and successively, in case the day of his birth be known to us annually in the strict time.  
Eightly, whether we ought, or may, keep the celebration of Christ's birth as near the annual day, as may be, if in case the strict time be not known to us as it was to those Shepherds then living at his birth, &c. and many the like questions.  
Ninthly, that if in case there had been no command given for the joyous celebration of his birth, yet we may do it at our freedom of choice which is left us by the will of God; for I have proved, that as the Jews might afflict their souls voluntarily (as they had occasions) so they might rejoice, and offer thanksgivings at their own free will solemnly without any special command, (at some convenient time) at their own choice.  
Tenthly, I have proved, that the Jews in the days of King Hezekiah did keep seven days with joyous feasting to the Lord, by their own counsel, after they had kept the Passeover, without any command from God so to do; And yet the holy Ghost noteth it as acceptable, and therefore it is an example for us to do the like. And if we kept more days evangelically holy, we should not sin in so doing.  
Eleventhly, I have noted divers reasons for the keeping of the celebration of his birthday, as to prevent us from being seduced to the heresy of those that did (and perhaps now do) deny that Christ came in the flesh; and that he did not take it in and of the Virgin Mary, &c.  
And lastly, I have noted divers other inconveniences that may hap to the civil State by our not observing it in times of divisions (in some cases,) and therefore the premises well considered, (especially with the leave of Authority) I will conclude with the words of St. Paul in 1 Corinth. 5. 8. though he spoke it in a spiritual way, Let us keep the Feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness: but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. Thus let strength bear down weakness.  
Octob. 17. 1648. Imprimatur John Downame.  
FINIS.