POEMS Annent the keeping of YULE, pro and con.  
Many People retaining the dregs of Romish Superstition,( especially such things as are grateful to the Flesh,) make a pretence of keeping the 25th. of December, in Commemoration of the Nativity of our Blessed Saviour,( not only without any Scripture Precept or Example) but also, do so far abuse the same, that most who make a pretence of Observing it as a Day of Thanksgiving, make it a Day of Rioting and Drunkenness; Wherefore I thought it may not be improper at this time to show in some measure the ill consequences of such a practise; And while I was Advising, whether I had best only offer some Arguments against the Observation of Anniversary Days, or Refute the Arguments made use of to Recommend them; I Resolved on the latter, and for that end have inserted a Poem out of Felthame's Resolves for the Affirmative, and have annexed one of my own for the Negative, which I hope will be looked on by the unprejudiced Reader as a ●u●● Refutation of the other; But however it be, I suppose none will blame me for Wresting or Mincing of my Antagonists Arguments, as is usual in Debates.  


SHall Blood and ruin find a Day  
To Feast and Play?  
Shall we go out in Rage and still  
Rejoice when Brothers, Brothers Kill;  
Shall we each Year the growing State  
Of our great Senate Celebrate?  
Shall Anual Rights, and heightened Mirth  
frolic each petty princes Birth?  
And shall the Lord of life blessed Day  
Be thrown away?   

Dear Day! thy Memory to me,  
Shall precious be,  
Since God at first his Stamp did set,  
And Man till now continued it,  
I'll show my Joy and Thanks: Suppose,  
That very day no Mortal knows;  
Yet since Just Power does one Command,  
That one to me as well shall stand,  
As Leaving egypt; which in one,  
Yet was not done.   

No Day since the Creation yet,  
was graced like it;  
Crowded with Miracles it came  
Into the World: The Heavens Proclaim,  
By New Created Light the Thing,  
While th' Host of God descend and Sing,  
The Joy to Shepherds th' Angel brings,  
And a bright Star doth summoned Kings.  
To all Mankind glad tidings flies,  
To the Weak and Wise.   

And where the Prince does not forbid,  
The subjects tied,  
T' obey him in Viceroy: So,  
Where God my Father says not No,  
There my blessed Mother his chased Spouse  
The Church, as mistress rules the House.  
No Steward of a Private Farm  
Shall there my just Obedience Charm.  
Jews may reject the Day, but I  
Will Christian die.    


WHether Kings may Command a Day  
For Sport and Play?  
In memory of the Day th' are Born,  
Or day Crowns by them first were worn,  
I'll not determine; Yet I say,  
Tho' Subjects do those Laws obey,  
The Conscience is not touched; because  
Th' Obedience called for by these Laws  
Do not to Spiritual matters Reach,  
To Pray and Preach.   

If this Day still has been in fashion,  
Since Christ his Passion,  
How comes't to pass 'tis still unknown?  
For one may think he would shown  
The day, had he thought fit it should  
Be kept as now some People would.  
The Passover was not by Guess,  
All Israel had that Law express.  
When th' other is as plainly shown  
We shall it own.   

That Day was greatly graced, 'tis true,  
What will ensue?  
Can any power on Earth Command  
A Holy day in Force to stand?  
If one, why not six, ten or more?  
Or why not as well Fifeteen Score  
As Papists have almost already  
Dedicat to their Saints and Lady?  
So where God Six of the seven allows?  
Scarce two they choose.   

Neither a Wife nor Viceroy may  
Boldly Gainsay,  
Their Prince or Husband's Just Command,  
Nor may the Church God's Law Gainstand,  
And put Restraints where he puts none,  
As' postatizing Rome hath done:  
In this Grant once the Church a Span,  
She'll take ten Cubits if She can.  
To be no more than's Written w●●●  
Shall me S