IT is not unknown , that Solomon of old said , of makeing many Books there is no end ; yet by the expression , it 's probable he only understood his own continued pains therein , having acc●mplished Abilities therefore : But grant him to check the plurality of other Writters , I dare engage and promise never to write more , that since his time , if there had not been multitudes of Authors , we should not have had one book for a hundreth , which yet we profitably turn over ; Freedom therefore of Writting not being called in , I have for my Mysteria the Apology of a late publisher in the year 1659. ( a time , wherein the Presse , like a skittish Jad , had broke all bridles , Curbs , and Girhts of Licenses , and Restraints ) who entitled his Book , Let me speak too : and believe it , in some things he was worth hearing ; for in all to be perfect , is the sole priviledge of Almighty GOD.

AMONG other blemishes wherewith the face of this Age is disfigured and whereof she ought to be accused as being degenerat from that Pristine Beauty , Justice & Equity , of which our more upright Ancestors bequeathed ample legacies , one is , that whatever savors of that Ancient Doctrine established in the Church , ( who for her age , and Religious hoarinesse ought to be accounted venerable ) Invidiously is by some , foolishly is by many , houted upon , as Superstitious , Idolatrous and Anomolous to verity and Truth ; atteesting , yet without ground , that whatever in Divinis cannot be found in express text , as Fornication , should not be named among Saints : Obtruding this upon some Disciples , it cannot be supposed , but this smal treatise , because an ofspring of Antiquity , shall be deemed scandalous , and as a misshappen birth , in the Midwifery of their forestalled fancy , be smother'd as soon as parted from the womb of the Press , and not buried , but cast forth through the dung-gate of Obloquie or into the Kidrone of disdain .

NOT considering that if the question should be put concerning , some approved practises , and strongly pleaded for Resolves , the legitimating of many Acts should be found to emerge from Scripture , Logically , that is , Rationally understood , conform to that rule a Minore ad Majus . The Iewes appointing feasts as that of Dedication , one great Jew , instituting a feast as that of Purim , the Zealous separating dayes from civil use , to commemorat mercy , the devout Magistrate designing such and such hours , o● dayes , for publick preaching ; Colledges , Halls , Hospitalls , Schools , solemnizing dayes in memory of their pious Founders & Religious Benefactors , exempteth the Church from Censure , in enacting festivitys for her Lords birth , passion , or Resurrection .

SINCE the world could not contain the books , had all things been writen which were done , or said ▪ concerning it by Christ , the world I inferr , is to rest satisfied when any thing is done , not contrary to the things in that one Book taught and delivered by him or at least not to condemn it , which so much the less ●s to be done , that the Judges of these exercises seldome , if ever ( were they exactly scann'd ) are found seriously to reflect upon any one day in the year , the matter wherefore these dayes were set apart , which they condemne because fixed principaly upon one day .

ANABAPTISTS infringe that liberty our Lord hath procured for us in denying infant-baptism , as if they were without the Covenant , in which more & higher priveledges are tacitly granted to the Jew then Christian , he wanting , the other enjoying ▪ the comforts of admitting his Son into that promise made of old unto the people , the Almighty styling himself Lord God of your Fathers : whereas the Baptized by them , stands in a particular , or personall Relation , to the Same Lord from which there doth not flow so eminent Consolation in case of Death in Infancy .

AND such who will not allow the Church in separating times of worship , for dazeling , that is , singular acts of Grace , ought to reflect how the vesture of the Christian , under Gospel-dispensation , is our-tail'd , being made more short , more bare , more thinn , that is , the Churches freedom , more impared by the Death of he● Saviour , then amplified and enlarged ; we b●●fore seeing the Phylactery of the Iew , so extensively broad , large & honourably gracefull , under Typicall oblations , Synagogue and Temple-service , the removeall of which , discharging to the now Believer , that piece of true devotion , wherein the Faithfull of old appeared before God , with joy , haveing Roome , that is , liberty to make , to keep Holy-day .

IT S granted , that neither Jew nor Gentile , men or Angel , ●an , dare , or make offer , to make a day holy now but to observe a day Holily , or to separate a Civil day , that is one of the six for a Holy use , a Saint-like encompassing the throne of God for Celebrating praise or powring forth prayer , as by many it is held good , and performed in the week ; so ought it not to be judged supperstitious , if done by others in the Return of the year .

IVDICIOUS Calvin expoundeth those places of St Paul Orthodoxly genuine , Let no man judge you in meat or drinke , or in respect of a holy day , 2 Cal. 16. Ye observe day●s , and months , and times , and years , Gal. 4.10 . One man esteemeth one day above another . Rom. 14.5 . For , quis nisi Furioso ? who ( saith he ) but Mad-men will here understand any observation condemned , save what ritualy shadowed Christ to come , & neque Ecclesias damnavero , neither shall I censure ( marke the words ) those Churches who have instituted other solemn dayes for the Congregations Conveening together , they Keeping from superstition , of which they shall be free when appointed purely for good order , and Discipline , not as shadows of the Law , &c. Institut. lib. 2. c. 8. S. 33. Whence its deducible that feasts so observed are not to be accounted either Jewish , or Popish , they being purely to Commemorat Christ already come , and appointed for that end , before either Pope , or Romish Antichrist ▪ that is to say , before the usurpation of the Bishop of Rome , above all called gods .

FOR when the Records of the Church shall be exactly viewed , and when again more diligently inspected , and a search made after that , then for greater security , if once more there be a tumbling over the monuments of Ancient times , the Time , the Place , the Persons , by whom the dayes here marked , were distinguished , and first instituted , shall never be found , never be heard of , so that it was a puzling and thorny question , and for ought we find , an Unanswered one , proposed by our Late Soveraign , April ● . 1647. of blessed memory in these words , I desire to be resolved , why the new Reformers discharge the keeping of Easter , the Celebration wherof being of the same Authority , which changed the Iewish Sabbath into the Lords-day , Saturday being no where discharged , wherefor it must be the Churches Authority , that changed the one , and instituted the other : therefore my opinion is , that those who will not keep this Feast , may as well return to the observation of Saturday , and refuse the weekly Sunday , when any body can shew me , that herein I am in an error , I shall not be a shamed to confesse and amend it , till when , you ( Meaning the Comissioners , and Ministers treating in the Isle of Wight ) Know my mind . C. R.

THERE is no foot-steps of Antiquity indeed declaring the rise either of the one or other and those Arguments from proportion , touching the vndenyed one , wants not their influence in approving the other controverted ; the old Church by her own power abolishing the Iewish Sabbath ▪ though expresse law , and Divine sanction for its observance , is scattered throughout , Moses & the Prophets , the present Church abrogating by not using Apostolical constitutions though enjoyned by the holy Ghost in proper terms , as not abstaining from blood , not anointing the sick , not tarrying one for another , before the Sacrament of the Supper in St. Pauls sense , not having Deaconesses to attend the poor Clinick sick and bed-rid : Against which such as are not distracted , foameth not , nor at the Churches desuetude thereof , being convinced at the Reasonablnesse of her omission , and her Authority so to doe , which in the case under debate , is also to be acquiesed in , and conceeded unto .

THE Controversy so early started betwixt the Eastern & Western Churches about the Celebretion of Easter , Anno. Dom. 240. as whether on the 14 day of the Moon with the Iew , or on the Lords-day as with us , gives Testimony for the Seniority of this Festivall , and by anology , of all the other , chiefly considering , that the observance of either is recorded , to arise from a custome long before delivered ; Assiatick Congregations , Synods and Councels keeping it precisely with the Passeover , those of Europ refusing in that punctilio of time to Celebrate their spiritual Pasch , Christ being come , observed the annual dominicall , as we now , both of them , more wise then to put darts in the hands of unbelievers , by affoording Israel Armour to fight against our weekly Sunday , or any Heretick to strugle against the decrees of the Church , because no expresse warrant for their publication , having this in general that what conduceth to our Lords glory and mans salvation , may by our Princes , Churches and Elders be appointed , provided the Church be not burthened thereby , nor salvation held as subsisting thereupon , or pressed , as matters of Faith , the present fault of the Church of Rome , by the Reformed Church abroad eyed , in separating from her Corrupted Doctrine , yet retaining the celebration of Dayes , which she as a Sister had derived unto her , with the Gospel from the times of the Apostles , and custome of all other Churches of God : At which word , let ●one stumble , for though a naked custome , or ●n only custome , as such , signifieth little ; yet when it cometh cloathed with Truth , Reverence , Sanctity and Antiquity ; Its hoary-head ●s to have all due veneration , which Paul●voucheth ●voucheth in recurring to it , in that case of womans being covered in the Church , there●rom surceasing to dispute , 1 Cor. 11.26 .

BUT how is it to be observed , when be●●ds Tradition , it cometh with Imperiall Edicts ? ●he division above mentioned being reconcil'd ●y the first , and famous Councel of Nice , determining the Celebration of Easter for ever to 〈◊〉 upon the Lords-day Euseb. in vit. Con●ant . lib. 3. ratified by imperiall proclamations ●mitted from that Holy and Royall Emperour , Constantine , sugaring such Laws , with Kingly solicitation in Epistles , perswading some E●minent Churches to obedience , and conformity that the Resurrection and Passion might be ali●● Celebrated in the Churches , being one sca●●tered abroad . Socrat. Eccles. Hist. lib. 1. u●●ing that the Jewish observance might 〈◊〉 a repetition of that famous Feast by a two - 〈◊〉 celebrating in one year , which as a thing abo●●nable here solved never to endure ▪ whereby them●● it is to be adverted , that the year 1664 made 〈◊〉 clamours , Easter being lost one whole week ▪ that of 1655 caused a whole months Errour , 〈◊〉 as fell almost this present year . 1671 as to 〈◊〉 time of celebration , which is the Sunday 〈◊〉 the first full Moon , next after the Vernall 〈◊〉 , by which account through the processi●● of the Equinoctium Vernum , it will often 〈◊〉 and worse , untill at length it be quit lost , 〈◊〉 unknown ( as is told us by skilfull Mathema●●●cians ) it were generous if the new Stile 〈◊〉 made old Style , and the Julian changed , to 〈◊〉 Carolin account by Emendation of our Tab●● But to go on ▪

THE Emperours Letters were seco●● by others from the Councel to the Church●● Alexandria , Lybia , Pentapolis , including joyfull newes of the Vnion of the Chri●● Churches in the West , South , North , and some parts of the East , concurring to this Act , and adhering to this statute about Easter , those of Italy , Affrick , Egypt ▪ Spaine , France , Asia , Pontus , Cilicia and Britaine ; which last did punctually observe the Pasch according to the Asian Churches : from which it is more then probable , our Ancestors received not the Gospel from Rome , nor any of Romes Emissaries , and we find Joseph of Arimathea first to plant the Gospel here , sent out of France by Philip , the Evangelist , whom Policrates , Bishop of Ephesus attested to have taught those Esterns that way of Institution , Euseb. Eccles. Hist. lib. 5. But afterward Britaine yeelded to the Law , submitting to the determination of the Emperours and Councels , Niceph. Hist. lib. 8. c. 25.

YET before this Nicen Councel , the solemnity of this , as also of all other dayes , is notour : for under the reign of Valerian . A. D. 257. Alexandria being almost desolate by Tumults , Pestilence and Plague ; the unbelieving Inhabitants bevailing their disaster , did the Christians with great joyfulnesse solemnize the Feast of Easter in fields ▪ Prisons , and where not with gladness of heart , Niceph. lib. 6.20 . Yea the more Tyrants design'd the Gospels overthrow , the more zealous were its Followers for its Lord and Masters splendour , particularly in their exact heeding Church Festivalls , among which that of the Nativity was respected , Celebrated in December as now , in the Church being so taught , and received it from times of old , Aug. in Psal. 132. The Archiues of Rome that is , the Registers of the Citty , being Authentick witnesses of his birth , that happning in the dayes of the Universal Taxation by Augustus Cesar , Tert. ad Mar. lib. 4. c. 7. Th● Church generally of old , knowing no other day observed no other , Chrys. de Nat. St. Ioh. Serm● The more solemnity being given alwayes to it , 〈◊〉 regard that without it , the feast of the Epiphany ▪ Pasch &c. had never been , these as rivers flowing from the Fountaine , of the verity of the birth , whereupon it was called the Metropolis , that is , the head , the Foundation of all Festivities , Ib. de Beat. Philog . orat . And what is sai● of one Feast , maybe said of this , and all other , tha● by the Church were they instituted , and annualy observed , Aug. Epist. ad Jan. 119. ● . 14. Even before statutes were made , or before there were any Christian Emperour , to honou● them with a Law .

LAMENTABLE was that slaughter made upon a Christian Assembly in the dayes o● Dioclesian at Nicomedia , where on the Nativity day the Church-doors being shut , by the Tyrants , and life offered to all who would burne Incense to Jupiter , from within the people testifying , they were Christians , believing in one God , and in Christ , for whom with the Father and Spirit they were ready to suffer , a fire was Kindled , which in few minuts redacted to ashes twenty thousand persons , Niceph. Hist. lib. 7. c. 6. To which degree of Cruelty , they are not many leagues distant , who will Censure the service of these Martyrs as will-worship , because Convocat on that day , practising what long before had been taught , by holy Ignatius the second Bishop of Antioch after Peter and said , to be that little Child IESUS , set in the midst to teach his Disciples Humility , Matth. 18. He floriushed , Ann. Dom. 71. And being sentenced to be devour'd by Lyons adviceth against disrespecting Festivities saluteth Polycarpus who is Known to have been Disciple to St. John the beloved Apostle Epist. ad Philip. the Reason of these precepts , being for advancement of believers towards God , or , ( which is a more apt expression ) for returning to him , this one said haranging upon the Natalitials of our Saviour Greg. Naz. Orat. 38. Whence the Golden-mouthed Father , prefaceth a Sermon in upbraiding such , whose zeal and fervour , excited only to Communicat upon such dayes , ( which yet might be often ) and not upon others , pathetically shewing how each day might be made a Festival Chrys. in Fide Ane . Hom. 5. Which them● by Origen . who was Famous Anno Dom. 226. was closely followed in his writting in defence of the Gospel against the cavils of subtile Philosophers , affirming , that to Keep a feast , was but to attend dutifully , offering up Prayer and praise , as unbloody sacrifices unto God , and he who believed the death of Christ , and lived by his word , did Celebrate the Pasch , such who went to an upper Chamber to pray with one accord , Keeped the Pentecost &c. Contra Cels. lib. 8.

WHAT more ? for Paper would faile , if exact rehearsal of the practise of the most fam'd , most Ancient , most edifying , most Religiou● Sermons , Orations , Persons , Churches , and Nations touching these things were in Individuo Specified ▪ without boasting what hat● been said as light , may Conjure those Spectrum Phantasmes , Phasmes , and Apparitions of pretended supperstition , though walking in 〈◊〉 heavenly garb , by a holy vogue , to disappeare ▪ as Impostors & airey vanitys , possessing nothing of the substance of solid piety , not having th● true body of Refined Reason , Laws , Edicts , and Authority regulating Christianity in this exercise , by uniting Churches for observing in the Circumstance of time , that , for the doing whereof they had Authority from Apostles , or Apostolick men ; I say , Circumstance of time , there being a while disagreement among the Churches when , but never about , whether , these dayes should be observed , the difference in our own Churches about Easter after Austine the monks enstalment , being removed by Theodorus Bishop of Canterbury a Citizen of no mean City , born in Tarsus in Cilicia St Pauls Countrey ▪ who appointed the feast of Easter to Commence according to our present Computation , Anno Dom. 662. Ful. Eccles. Hist. Cent 7.

WHEREBY Vnity was beheld in the Churches of Palestine , that Conforming with the Churches of Antioch , of the greater and lesser Asia , of Egypt , Thessalonica , Athens and Corinth , the Churches of the Isle St. Thoms , of Iberia , the Mengrellians bordering on the black Sea , those of Phrigia , Galathia , Bythinia , Lydia , Caria , Paphlagonia , Magnesia , Lycia , Alepo , Damascus , Tripoly , Cyprus , Candia , Zant. those of Media , Persia , India , those of the Abyssins , Babylon , Syria , and those of the once great Kingdom of China : For a learned Author shewing how all these Churches , though under the Dominion of the Turk , Rome , or Pagans agree with us , in the great matters agitat , against our Romish adversaries , as in the Supremacy Purgatory , halfe Communion Transubstantation , &c. Discovers also their disagreement from us in severall points to Instance onely in the case in hand , some beginne their Lent ten dayes before ours , some fast nine dayes before the Ascension , in regard of Christs absence from the Apostles , which to them they reckon a time of sorrow , Paget Christian ograph 146. and 150. Which exception from our observance , evidenceth their agreement with us in the matter under proof , according to that Known rule exceptio firmat in non exceptis .

SHOULD we say in all this they inclin'd to Popery , waspishly they would sting , and frettingly would they be angry , having against that so great an aversness , that the Patriarch or Archbishope of Constantinople when Elected by his Clergy , and confirmed by the Barut or Patent of the Grand-Segnior in the Government of the Churches of Greece , Macedon , Epirus , Thrace , Mosina , Maldavia , Corsu , in the Egean Se● , &c. having under him seventy four Archbishops , I say this great Patriarch yearly upon the Sunday called Dominica Invocavit , solemnly excommunicats the Pope and all his Clergy , for Schismaticks , its true of late his seat hath been oft at Musco , where to this day if a Roman priest by chance should officiat upon any of their tables , or Altars , as polluted , or accursed , they break it into pieces , Paget ut sup. & c 29.

A Learned Critick and Antiquary , viewing the severall Churches of the world , finds that part of the Greek Church in Armenia , Celebrating the Nativity , not as wee , but upon the sixth of January Bree●woods inquir . 124. as if that had been his birth day , which indeed is an old opinion , being received by some , but neither so universaly ▪ nor so rationaly believed , Chrys. Hom. de Nat. led thereunto through a mistake of the word Epiphania signifying manifestation , they concluded the time of his birth , and baptisme to be one , for which cause it may be yet the Ethiopicks sprinkle themselves in the Epiphany in the Name of the Father , Son , and Holy Ghost , yet not as essential unto Faith , but as Historicall , a remembrance of our Saviours baptisme ▪ Barrets travells p. 146.

YET the received opinion by the Current Testimony of all Antiquity from the first , and primitive times , was the feast of Christmas , that is , with the old Saxon Christs feast , computed , and appointed to be observed , as it is now , being Inclyta solemnitas , a Famous Festivity over all the world Cyp. de Nat. Ser. giving it as genuine Characters of true profession to observe the Lords-day and Festivals . Tert. de . Idol . c. 15.

TO make yet a doubting Thomas believe the existence of no Popry in this codicle , let him thrust his hand into the side and looke upon the Prints of these things , in the body of the Church Reformed , he shall , or may be ascertained of its Innocency , in this matter , or be forced to exalt himself , above all in our Israel , accounting none to be so wise , so pure , so knowing , so holy , as he in all our Congregations , when put together .

BEHOLD , Eminent Emissaries of those Churches , chosen as messengers from Holland , Gilderland , Zealand , Vtrech , Frizland , Transylvania , Groning , from the Palatinate , Landgrave of Hesse , Helvetia , Genevah , from the Republick of Brem , and that of Embden , and from the Kingdom of great Britaine met together at Dort. to Censure , Remove , and Rebuke , opposers of their peace , and Corrupters of the Doctrine of the Reformed Church , for preventing of Error , Heresy and Division ; And see them all seated debating for this end , yet unanimously agreeing in full Synod to Intermitt for a while , untill the feast of the Nativity of our Lord and Saviour which then approached , was performed and over , The foraigne Divines , being desired not to remove from Towne for more convienency of meeting , the solemnity being done : This motion freely obeyed and by none disputed , may put some stop to the grumbling Zelot ▪ not to say the Censorious Hypocrite , whose Religion perhaps should altogether not only be questioned , but his prophannesse attested , had he not the salvo of twitting others in the teeth , as Formalists to , buoy up his Credit with the headless Vulgar : And when the Magistrats of Bommel writ requesting that Henricus Leo their Minister , might be allowed to repare to his congregation , to preach Administer &c. with his own people , upon the feast of the Nativity , The Synod smelling a Rat refused the motion , Leo having been cited before them for Censure , yet Censured not , the request , nor hissed at the purpose , adjacent Ministers being easely obtained . Synod Dordre . sess. 36. and 45. How would some of our Precisians have ranted ? dissented ? & to let the world know them to be no small fools , it is probable they had protested against such Actings ,

VEIW these Churches in their severall precincts , it shall be found Dayes of this fort are not condem'd as unholy or superstitious , but honourably mentioned , those of Suitzerland Decently observing the Incarnation , the Circumcision &c. The like is done by the Churches of Germany , Hungaria , Transilvania , those of the great Dukedome of Lituania , the greater and lesser Polonia , the Fratres Bohemi , those of Moravia , Holland , France : in Genevah , its true they are not observed , yet it 's as true , that she condemns not these that do , approving and commending , thereof , as her subscription to the Helvetick Confession , apparently evinceth , Durells veiw . p. 25.26 .

THE practices of the Reformed Kingdomes of Denmark Norway , and Sweden is Known , which appended to what hath been declared may strick an aw , Creat a terror in the bosome of that Malapert , whose rigid conceptions are wraping to a tendency of disrelishment , disrespect or Censure .

THE Fairest Daughters of the Church Reformed , being our own three Kingdomes , are not to want their due respect , the particular judgement of each one being equivalent to many extraneous , or beyond Sea provinces , as the Judicious among those will declare , we begin with Ireland as farthest off , whose Clergy in a numerous Convocation in Dublin Anno Dom. 1615. agreeth in their Confession , that every particular Church hath Authority to institute , Change , put away Ceremonies , and other Ecclesiasticall rites , &c. Constituting others making more to seemlinesse , or edification . Art. of Irel. 77. Vpon which firme basis stands fixed her obedience in pleading for , and standing to the observance of these dayes . England in her Confession drawn up Anno Dom. 1562. speaketh the samething ( both agreeing to the Reformed Churches abroad ) saying , Every particular or nationall Church hath Authority to ordaine , change and abolish Ceremonys and rites of the Church , so that all things be done to edifying , adding , that whosoever through his privat judgement , willfully and purposely doth openly break the Traditions , and Ceremonies of the Church , not repugnant to the word , ordained by Authority , ought to be rebuked as he that offendeth against the Common ordor of the Church , thus fare the Article . Now though neither of these be so expresse as are the Confessions of the Helvetian Churches allowing the Celebration of the Lords Nativity , Circumcision &c. nor as that of Ausburgh ( the standart of the Reformed Churches abroad ) retaining the traditions of about holy dayes , the Lords day , the Nativity , the Passeover , &c. Yet upon these pillars stood that Arch of her Law and Church constitution Anno Dom. 1630. viz. ) All manner of persons shall from henceforth Celebrate , and Keep the Lords day , and other holy dayes , according to Gods holy will and pleasure , that is , in hearing the word , &c. And where is that Church , ( Rome excepted ) in the whole world , Regularly constitute , did ever presume to Censure England in this particular ? nay , where is that Church , ( except as above excepted ) but blesseth her as a Daughter and prays for her as a Mother ?

SCOTLAND is behind none of the Reformed Churches in defence of the matter questioned : for she in her Reformation ( which truly in this was according to the best Reformed Churches ) by the Lords of the Congregation after mature deliberation , for raising bulwarks against Popery , concluded , that in all parishes the lessons of the Old & new Testament should be read on Sundayes , and other FESTIVAL DAYES . Spots . Hist. lib. 3. Ann. Dom. 1558. the sence of the word FESTIVAL , determineth the Authors exemption from obloquy , upon the account of this works were any of these noble Patriots alive , to peruse his discourcess ; but least any suspend belief of the thing , out of prejudice to that most Reverend Historian , I hope Mr. Knox will have some influence upon the weak in faith , who records the same thing to be done by the same persons , whom he calls Lords and Barons professing Christ Jesus , Reformed preachers rejoyceing , and much encouraged thereby , the Popish Clergy being on the other hand much Incensed . Knox Hist. lib. 1. Was not our old League with England in ( our new dayes ) and Vniformity thereto in the mouths of many ? which was begun by subscription , and consenting to the rites and service of that Church , by which the French was here overthrown , the Pope , the most Christian and Catholick King , being angry thereat , Buchan . Scot. Hist. lib. 19. All which put together , with the legall procedure of Future times , demonstrateth those bug-bare ordinances , Votes , and Resolves contrary to those proceedings , which hath troubled our Lands , were not Nationall decrees , but Falacious opinions . And beheld by the Churches abroad ( as could be proved by numerous instances ) not so much the Doctrine of our Reformed Churches , as the Dodder of our Churches Reformed ( i. e. ) weeds growing about them excrescences of the Earth occasioned by showers and Tempests of popular commotion , and in seren sky cast over the wall and Empalement of our Congregations .

BVT yet if any man be contentious , and still hold this youngling as Popishly affected , its Father , the Author , from these vndenyable records , smiles at the expression , pittys their mistake , justifying himself , against such selandarous taunts in St. Pauls words we have no such custome , ( that is , so to speak ) neither the Churches of God : But for peace sake do wish the dissenter to cognosce before he condemn , For as the Erecting of the Altar of Ed. Ios. 22.10 . Occasion'd a surmise of Rubens Apostacy , and Idolatry , was upon search , found otherwise : so a right stateing of the Question , and a seasonable distinction ( as with them ) may make us blesse , pray for , and part from each other , to the laying aside contention and debate , which the sense of the Reformed Church , about these things , when hearkned unto shall happily procure .