FREE PURITAN and REFORMED RESOURCES (Books,
MP3s and Articles)
"I would to God that every holy day (including
Christmas - ed.) whatsoever besides the Lord's day were abolished. That zeal which brought them
first in, was without all warrant of the Word, and merely followed corrupt
reason, forsooth to drive out the holy days of the pagans, as one nail drives
out another. Those holy days have been so tainted with superstitions that I
wonder we tremble not at their very names." - Martin Bucer, cited in William Ames, A Fresh Suit
Against Human Ceremonies in God's Worship (1633), pp. 359-60.
"And next in particular, concerning festival days
findeth that in the explication of the first head of the first book of
discipline it was thought good that the feasts of Christmas, Circumcision, Epiphany, with the feasts of the
Apostles, Martyrs, and Virgin Mary be utterly abolished because they are
neither commanded nor warranted by Scripture and that such as observe them be punished by Civil
Magistrates. Here utter abolition is craved and not reformation of abuses only
and that because the observation of such feasts have no warrant from the
word of God."
- The Acts of the General
Assemblies of the Church of Scotland, December 10, Session 17, 1638,
pp. 37-38
BEST FREE MP3s REFUTING CHRISTMAS
Christmass Condemned
By Christ 1/3 by Greg Price (Puritan Worship
Series)
Christmass
Condemned By Christ 2/3 by Greg Price (Puritan
Worship Series)
Christmass
Condemned By Christ 3/3 by Greg Price (Puritan
Worship Series)
"Christmas was accurately depicted (by
the Puritans - ed.) by such names as the Profane Man's Ranting Day, the Superstitious
Man's Idol Day, the Papist's Massing Day, the Old Heathen's Feasting Day, the
Multitude's Idle Day, and Satan - that Adversary's - Working Day."
- X-Mas: The Biggest Pagan Holiday/Holyday of
the Year by Dr. Scott Johnson
Holy
Days (Lord's Day, Christmas, Easter, etc.)
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FREE
PURITAN RESOURCES (Books, Articles,
Videos, MP3s [MP3s are listed after the free books and text below])
Free MP3s on Election, Easter, Reprobation, the Puritans, etc., by Dr. C. Matthew McMahon
The Regulative
Principle of Worship and Christmas by Brian Schwertley (See the summary for the free MP3 audio Is Christmas Christian (1/2 & 2/2)
below, also by Brian Schwertley, for more information on this book, The Regulative Principle of Worship and Christmas.
This book is must reading if you are a Christian
[especially if you are a Calvinist, as this book deals with the sovereignty
of God over worship] and you are studying
Christmas or any of the worship issues! Schwertley also makes the application
of Sola Scriptura to worship in
this important work.)
FREE ebook at:
http://www.swrb.com/newslett/actualnls/CHRISTMAS.htm
Christmas: A
Biblical Critique by Kevin Reed, M. Schneider & D.W. Cason (Three excellent articles: 1.) "Is Christmas
Christian?" by Michael Schneider; 2.) "Christmas: An Historical
Survey Regarding Its Origins and Opposition to It of Creeds and
Confessions" by Kevin Reed; 3.) "Christmas-Keeping and the Reformed
Faith: A Response to Professor David Engelsma" by David W. Cason.
Regarding the last article: "In 1994 and 1995, Professor David Engelsma
defended Christmas observance in the pages of the Standard Bearer, a denominational publication of the Protestant
Reformed churches. In support of Christmas-keeping, the professor used
arguments which bear upon Reformed principles of worship in general, as well as
Christmas observance in particular. In this booklet David Cason examines
Engelsma's remarks, showing that the professor has seriously misrepresented
principles of worship which are foundational to the Reformed faith. Cason shows
how biblical principles of worship apply to ecclesiastical festivals, and he
reviews the historic testimony of Reformed churches and authors regarding
Christmas observance. The chapter 'Christmas Versus John Calvin' is especially
interesting."
XMAS
(Christmas) by A.W. Pink
FREE ebook at:
http://www.swrb.com/newslett/actualnls/CHRISTMAS-AWPINK.htm
Biblical Worship by Kevin Reed
BLOG: DO DEMONS LOVE
CHRISTMAS?
http://www.sermonaudio.com/new_details3.asp?ID=12188
Foundation For Reformation: The Regulative
Principle Of Worship - Greg L. Price
Free book at:
http://www.swrb.com/newslett/actualnls/REFORMATION-RPW-GP.htm
What Fellowship Hath Christ and Belial?
An examination of the religious
celebration of Christmas in light of the Scriptural duty of separation and the
Regulative Principle of worship.
by Douglas W. Comin
"The real meaning of Christmas is
compromise - a sinful fusion between the worship of the true God and the
worship of the pagan world that was instituted by a church which was not
prepared to cast down the idols of the nations and burn the Asherah poles - or
Yule logs - and enforce the pure worship of the God of the Bible. We must not
join with them. We must not follow in the ways of Jeroboam, son of Nebat. We
must not be yoked together with unbelievers. Let us reclaim instead the glory
and delight of the Lord's Holy Day and learn to call the Sabbath a delight. Let
us rejoice together in the precious sacrament which Jesus has given to His
Church as a celebration of His life, death, and resurrection. And in doing
these things we are promised a blessing from God:
Therefore, come out from among them and be
separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing and I will receive you and you
will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty. Since we have these
promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that
contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God."
Christmas Is Part Of Roman Catholic
(Papacy/Antichrist) Missionary Strategy And High-Handed Idolatry
CHIRSTMASS, REFORMED ICONOCLASM, THE SCRIPTURAL LAW
OF WORSHIP & WE NEED A NEW WAR AGAINST THE IDOLS
DO DEMONS LOVE CHRISTMAS? - Mather, Calvin's
Geneva, the Westminster Assembly, American Puritans ...
CHRISTMAS: FREE BOOKS, MP3s & Videos By The
Best Reformers, Puritans and Covenanters
BIRTHDAYS: PAGAN/OCCULT ORIGINS & THE HIGHEST
OF ALL HOLY DAYS (HOLIDAYS) IN THE SATANIC BIBLE
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Many
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Easter: The
Devil's Holiday by Dr. C. Matthew McMahon
Recalling the fundamentals of the
Papist Holiday and what we should be thinking about as true Christians.
An Article from the
Reformed Presbyterian Magazine on Christmas.
http://www.covenanter.org/HolyDays/christmas.htm
An Article from
the Reformation Advocate Magazine on Christmas Trees.
http://www.covenanter.org/HolyDays/christmastrees.htm
An Article from
the Reformation Advocate on Faith in Christmas.
http://www.covenanter.org/HolyDays/faithinchristmas.htm
An Article from the
Associate Presbyterian Magazine on Christmas.
http://www.covenanter.org/HolyDays/xmass.htm
Testimony against Several Profane and Superstitious
Customs, Now Practiced by Some in New-England, by Increase Mather (1687). - See chapter three, " Against profane
Christ-mass-keeping. In the Apostolical Times the Feast of the Nativity was not
observed. The very name of Christmass savours of superstition. It can never bee
proved that Christ was born on December 25. It is most probable that the
Nativity was in September. The New-Testament allows of no stated Holy-day but
the Lords-day. Objections answered. It was in compliance with the Pagan
Saturnalia that Christ-mass Holy-days were first invented. The manner of
Christ-mass-keeping, as generally observed, is highly dishonourable to the Name
of Christ. "
Christ-mass and Lady-Day: What are the origins of
Christmass? by Rev. Alexander Hislop
Christmas-Keeping and the Reformed Faith David W.
Cason
Why No
Christmas or Easter by Loughbrickland Reformed Presbyterian Church
http://www.loughbrickland.org/articles/mass-easter.shtml
The
Christian and "Christmas" - Author Unknown
http://apuritansmind.com/Christmas/UnknownChristmas.htm
BLOG: Against (Christmas and Easter) Pagan & Roman
Catholic Holy Days (Holidays) - FREE BOOKS & MP3s
Martin Luther on Holydays
FREE PURITAN WORSHIP SERIES (57 free
MP3s!) by Greg Price, Greg Barrow, Dr. Steven Dilday, R. J. George, George
Gillespie, et al.
The
Puritan Principle of Worship by Dr. William Young
http://apuritansmind.com/PuritanWorship/YoungWilliamPuritanRegulativePrinciple.htm
Free Protestant HoHo (i.e. Christ-mass) Carols
Introductory Essay
to John Knox's True and False Worship by
Kevin Reed
A Vindication of the
Doctrine that the Sacrifice of the Mass is Idolatry (1550) by John Knox
The Present
Evangelical Crisis: A Book Review With Commentary by Kevin Reed
PAGAN ORIGINS OF BIRTHDAYS & BIRTHDAYS THE
HIGHEST OF ALL HOLY DAYS (HOLIDAYS) IN THE SATANIC BIBLE
FREE ON-LINE
AUDIO (MP3s) and FREE VIDEO on CHRISTMAS
Christmass
Condemned By Christ 1/3 by
Greg Price (Puritan Worship Series)
FREE audio (MP3) and video at:
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=51001173548
Christmass
Condemned By Christ 2/3 by
Greg Price (Puritan Worship Series)
FREE audio (MP3) and video at:
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?sermonID=5140112918
Christmass
Condemned By Christ 3/3 by
Greg Price (Puritan Worship Series)
FREE audio (MP3) at: http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?sermonID=5170134541
The Regulative
Principle of Worship and Christmas by Brian Schwertley (OFFSITE)
13 free MP3s begin at http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=7506111921
Free PDF copy of all 13 messages in PDF
(print format) at http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=7506111921
Is
Christmas Christian (1/2 & 2/2) by Brian Schwertley (OFFSITE)
FREE MP3 audio at:
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?sermonid=92703223958
SUMMARY: A very strong and thorough
testimony about why the celebration of Christmas is a violation of the
commandments of God and is therefore sinful. Also touches on foundational problems in the Christian
Reconstruction movement, with a specific testimony against Doug Wilson, and
demonstrates how real Scriptural (and national) reformation will come about
according to God's Word. Furthermore, Brian Schwertley writes,
The Puritan/Presbyterian wing of the
Reformation accomplished a purity in worship not seen since the apostolic
church. This purity was attained by making the Scriptures of the Old and New
Testaments the only infallible standard and authority in determining worship
ordinances. Any ordinances solely based on church tradition or man's authority
were discarded. However, this purity attained by our spiritual forefathers has,
with the passage of time, been cast aside. Pragmatism, tradition and human
opinion are exalted in determining how God's people are to worship Him. The attitude
among many in church leadership positions is to give the people what they want,
rather than to submit to God's divine revelation.
The purpose of this booklet is to show
that God does not leave it up to man to make up his own rules regarding worship.
Christians are to learn and submit to what God says in this area. The first
part of this booklet discusses the "regulative principle" of
Scripture and worship. God has set down in Scripture how He is to be
worshipped. Man is not to add to or detract from what God says. The second part
of the booklet examines the keeping of Christmas. Christmas is a good example
of how many people violate this regulative principle of worship. It is
celebrated almost universally, even by those who claim to adhere to the regulative
principle.
Is
Christmas Christian (1/2) by
Brian Schwertley (OFFSITE)
FREE MP3 audio at:
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?sermonid=92703223958
Is
Christmas Christian (2/2) by
Brian Schwertley (OFFSITE)
FREE MP3 audio at: http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?sermonid=92703235136
Brian
Abshire's Justifications of Christmas, Refuted Part 1 by Brian Schwertley
Brian
Abshire's Justifications of Christmas, Refuted Part 2 by Brian Schwertley
Remember the
Sabbath Day 5/5 by Greg Price
(sermon five in this series deals with Christmas)
FREE MP3:
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=980111053
The Paganism of
Christmas #1 by Harold Chase
FREE MP3:
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=4270615118
A Puritan
Reformed Discussion of Holy Days (Lord's Day/Christian Sabbath, Christmas,
Easter, etc.) by Greg Barrow
FREE MP3:
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=8140513249
Christian
Opposition To Man-Made Holy Days (Christmas, Easter, etc.) by James Gilfillan
FREE MP3: http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=9180521859
Presbyterians
Do Not Observe Christmas, Easter, etc. (A Reformation Argument Against Popish
Holy Days) by Samuel Miller
FREE MP3: http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=91805205440
Christmas: Why
Protestants Oppose Its Celebration by Evangelist
FREE MP3:
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=51607123545
Christmas
(Christ-mass), Babylonianism, Paganism, Romanism and Reformation... by Matthew
McMahon
FREE MP3:
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=3210711187
X-Mas: The
Biggest Pagan Holiday/Holyday of the Year by Dr. Scott Johnson
Free MP3 at
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=6250719659
Reasons
Against Festival Days, Christmas, Easter, Etc. (By the Perth Assembly) - David
Calderwood
The First of Four
FREE MP3s Begin At: http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=51107133713
Against
Man-Made Holy Days & Ceremonies by George Gillespie (Scottish Commissioner
to the Westminster Assembly)
Excerpted from
Gillespie's classic, A Dispute Against the English Popish Ceremonies
Obtruded on the Church of Scotland (the full book is available at http://www.swrb.com/catalog/g.htm)
The First of Six FREE MP3s Begin At: http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=81405114231
Halloween,
Satanism, the Satanic Bible, Separation, the Devil's Tricks, Idolatry and
Paganism by Matthew McMahon
FREE MP3:
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=32007163759
The Way of
the Heathen: A Brief History of Halloween by Matthew McMahon
FREE MP3:
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=102071134610
Should a
Christian Celebrate Christmas? part 1 of 2 by Dr. William Crews
FREE MP3:
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=12806144416
Should a
Christian Celebrate Christmas? part 2 of 2 by Dr. William Crews
FREE MP3:
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=1280614525
On Shunning
the Unlawful Rites of the Ungodly by John Calvin
FREE MP3:
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=21901175234
Classic Charles
Spurgeon Quotes on Christ, Calvinism, Christmas, Covenanters, Separation,
Reading, Affliction, Atonement, etc.
FREE MP3:
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=130422417
The Scriptural
Law (Regulative Principle) of Worship by William H. Vincent
FREE MP3:
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=7110513355
Regulative
Principle of Worship in the New Testament by Greg Price
FREE MP3: http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=380119184
Regulative
Principle of Worship in the Old Testament by Greg Price
FREE MP3:
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=380103046
Covenanter
Terms of Communion 8 of 19: Presbyterian Worship and Government ½ by Greg Price
FREE MP3: http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=1260514421
Reformation
Worship & Separation by John Owen
FREE MP3: http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=82806152752
Some Comments
For Those Who Attend Idolatrous Worship by John Philpot
FREE MP3: http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=5907163744
The Christian and
Christmass by Charles
Spurgeon, A.W. Pink, John Knox, et al. (Puritan Worship Series, Revelation 18:4)
FREE audio (MP3) at: http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=23011394
Necessity of
Reforming the Church 1 of 4 (1544) by John Calvin
FREE MP3:
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=1280211493
Separation From
False Worship, Idolatry & Popish Principles by John Calvin
FREE MP3: http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=8320101619
What is
Occasional Hearing? (1/3) On Biblical Separation by Greg Price
FREE MP3: http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=6201223051
Strictures on
Occasional Hearing 1 of 7(1820, second edition) by James Douglas
FREE MP3: http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=8605225744
RELATED
Worship: The
Regulative Principle of Worship in History by Dr. Reg Barrow (Discusses the very foundation of all faithful
public worship. Dovetails splendidly with Calvin's Necessity of Reforming
the Church. Cites numerous
examples from Reformation history (Calvin, Knox, Owen, the Westminster Divines,
etc.) exhibiting the Reformation consensus regarding the basis of biblical
faithfulness in this area. A good short, easy-reading introduction to this
topic.)
Psalm Singing in
Scripture & History by Dr. Reg Barrow (Discusses Reformed worship-song in the context of the regulative
principle of worship [Sola Scriptura in Worship]. Defends exclusive Psalmody from Scripture and the
writings and testimony of the most prominent Reformers.)
FREE The Psalms of David in Metre (being the Scottish Metrical Psalter, first
authorized by the Westminster Divines and then also by the General Assembly of
the Church of Scotland [in 1650], with notes by John Brown of Haddington.)
A Warning Against the False and Dangerous Views
of James Jordan Concerning Worship: A Book Review of Kevin Reed's Canterbury
Tales by Reg Barrow
An Essay on Psalmody by Dr. William Romaine
The Psalms: the Divinely Authorized and Exclusive
Manual of Praise by Dr. W.I. Wishart
How Unitarians Saved Christmas and why we celebrate the Solstice (a telling article about how the enemies of Christ view the Christ-mass)
Still Waters Revival
Books (www.swrb.com)
Discount
Puritan and Reformed Christian book distributors serving Christians worldwide
(in over 100 countries) for 27+ years.
[Reformation Bookshelf CDs][Bibles][Books][Music-Psalters-CDs][Sermons & Books on Cassette][Rare Bound Photocopies][Videos][Newsletters][Reformed Children's Books][Super Sales][Free Puritan Books and MP3s]
For SECURE ONLINE
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Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6L 3T5
FOR FURTHER STUDY:
PRICE, GREG
Christmass Condemned By Christ
(1998)
Price shows how the teaching
of the Lord Jesus Christ condemns all man-invented holy days. Scripture and history are
brought to bear most specifically on the celebration of Christ-mass,
demonstrating why it is a sin to celebrate this day. It is also noted that Scripture never commands the
celebration of this day and that there is no evidence that Christ and the
Apostles ever celebrated this day -- in fact, this sycretism of paganism and
"Babylonian" Christianity was not first celebrated until 354 A.D.
(when December 25 was chosen, in accord with the Pagan feast of Saturnalia, as
the day of "celebration"). Price also clearly shows that
to call yourself Reformed while you hold on to this Roman Catholic/Pagan
monument of idolatry makes for a serious contradiction in your testimony -- as the best Reformed churches have always disciplined those
(in accord with Scriptural teaching) who broke the second and fourth
commandments by keeping antichristian festival days like Christ-mass, Easter,
etc.. Citations from Luther, Calvin and the company
of Geneva Pastors, the Church of Scotland's First Book of Discipline,
the 1620 Dutch Synod, the Civil Government of Holland (1625), the British Colonies
in the U.S. and the Westminster
Assembly all speak with one voice against
this Romish corruption. Common objections against the classic
Reformed position are also answered. "Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the
way of the heathen" (Jer. 10:2). For more information see Christmas:
A Biblical Critique by Kevin
Reed free at: http://www.swrb.com/newslett/actualnls/Xmas_ch0.htm.
(3 Cassettes) $4.99 (US funds) [$7 off!]
(3 Videos) $14.99 (US funds) [$20 off!]
These sermons are also available on
various Reformation Bookshelf CDs
at:
http://www.swrb.com/Puritan/reformation-bookshelf-CDs.htm
PINK, A.W.
The
Christian and Christmas
An excellent introduction to Christian
opposition to the Roman Catholic/Pagan holy-day commonly called
"Christ-mass" (which proves that Christmass is essentially a pagan
holiday; and that its religious elements foster an imitation gospel which
actually keeps the world from understanding the true gospel). Authors: C.H.
Spurgeon, A.W. Pink, et al. The
printed version of this booklet is available at http://www.swrb.com/catalog/s.htm.
Free MP3 at http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=23011394
Part of this item is also FREE in etext at: http://www.swrb.com/newslett/actualnls/Xmas_ch0.htm
Also see Kevin Reed's book Christmas: A Biblical Critique.
FREE at: http://www.swrb.com/newslett/actualnls/Xmas_ch0.htm
+++ SCHNEIDER, MICHAEL
Is Christmas Christian?
An excellent introduction to Christian
opposition to the Roman Catholic/Pagan holy-day commonly called Christmass. 16
pages.
SWRB SUPER SALE PRICE
(Booklet) $.47 (US funds)
Remember the Sabbath Day
to Keep It Holy
(Five cassettes by Greg Price on the fourth commandment, $14.90 [US funds] for
the set.)
Why Keep the Sabbath? (1/5) ($2.98)
Is Sabbath Keeping for the Jews Alone?
(2/5) ($2.98)
Sabbath Keeping & Building the
Kingdom of God (3/5) ($2.98)
There is Left a Rest For the People of
God (4/5) ($2.98)
Lordship, Sabbath Keeping,
Holy Days & Christmass (5/5)
($2.98,
against Xmas, Easter,
& other Roman Catholic festival days)
These sermons are also available on Reformation Bookshelf CD volume 21
at:
http://www.swrb.com/Puritan/reformation-bookshelf-CDs.htm
BECKER,
R.F.
Lent,
Good Friday, and Easter
Against superstition and man made
holy-days (not instituted of God).
(Booklet) $3.95-50%=$1.97 (US
funds)
Reformation Worship Sale
http://www.swrb.com/Puritan/reformation-worship.htm
Spurgeon and Other
Biblical/Reformation Quotes on Christ-mass.
+++ From C.H. Spurgeon's Treasury of David, on Psalm 81:4.
Ver. 4. For this was a statute for Israel,
and a law of the God of Jacob.
When it can be proved that the observance
of Christmas,
Whitsuntide, and other Popish festivals was ever instituted by a divine
statute, we also will attend to them, but not till then. It is as much our
duty to reject the traditions of men, as to observe the ordinances of the Lord. We ask concerning every rite and rubric, "Is
this a law of the God of Jacob?" and if it be not clearly so, it is of no
authority with us, who walk in Christian liberty.
+++ C.H. Spurgeon (December
24, 1871, http://www.swrb.com/catalog/s.htm)
We have no superstitious regard for times
and seasons. Certainly we do not believe in the present ecclesiastical
arrangement called Christmas: first, because we do not believe in the mass at
all, but abhor it, whether it be said or sung in Latin or in English; and,
secondly, because we find no Scriptural warrant whatever for observing any day as the birthday of
the Savior; and, consequently, its observance is a superstition, because not
of divine authority.
+++ George Gillespie
(Scottish Commissioner to the Westminster Assembly) on Christmass Keeping and
More
George Gillespie, one of
the Scottish Commissioners at the Westminster Assembly, waxes eloquent on this
matter, including festival days among those "ceremonies that are unlawful, because
they sort us with idolaters."
He writes,
"by communicating with idolaters in
their rites and ceremonies, we ourselves become guilty of idolatry; even as
Ahaz, 2 Kings 16:10, was an idolater, eo ipso, that he took the pattern of an
altar from idolaters. Forasmuch, then, as kneeling before the consecrated
bread, the sign of the cross, surplice, *festival days*, bishopping, bowing
down to the altar, administration of the sacraments in private places, etc.,
are the wares of Rome, the baggage of Babylon, the trinkets of the whore, the
badges of Popery, the ensigns of Christ's enemies, and the very trophies of
antichrist, -- we cannot conform, communicate and symbolise with the idolatrous
Papists in the use of the same, without making ourselves idolaters by
participation. Shall the chaste spouse of Christ take upon her the ornaments of
the whore? Shall the Israel of God symbolise with her who is spiritually called
Sodom and Egypt? Shall the Lord's redeemed people wear the ensigns of their
captivity? Shall the saints be seen with the mark of the beast? Shall the
Christian church be like the antichristian, the holy like the profane, religion
like superstition, the temple of God like the synagogue of Satan?" (A Dispute Against English Popish Ceremonies,
in Gillespie's Works volume one, p. 80, SWRB reprint
http://www.swrb.com/catalog/g.htm, emphases added).
+++ From Christmas: An Historical Survey
Regarding Its Origins and Opposition to It by Kevin Reed, free at
http://www.swrb.com/newslett/actualnls/Xmas_ch2.htm
From the outset of the Scottish
Reformation, the discussion focussed upon the nature of true worship. John Knox
repeatedly confronted his papal adversaries by contending that true worship
must be instituted by God. True worship is not derived from the innovations of
men.
At the heart of Knox's argument is an
appeal to Deuteronomy 4 and 12. These portions of scripture teach that it is
unlawful to add to, or subtract from, the worship which God has instituted in
his Word. Consequently, all religious ceremonies and institutions must have
direct scriptural warrant if they are to be admitted as valid expressions of
worship. This statement of the regulative principle of worship was a hallmark
of the Scottish reformation.
Knox made his case for the regulative
principle at the beginning of his ministry, before he had studied on the
Continent. Knox condemned the false worship of Roman Catholicism. In a public
debate against the Papists, Knox declared:
"That God's word damns your
ceremonies, it is evident; for the plain and straight commandment of God is,
'Not that thing which appears good in thy eyes, shalt thou do to the Lord thy
God, but what the Lord thy God has commanded thee, that do thou: add nothing to
it; diminish nothing from it.' Now unless that ye are able to prove that God
has commanded your ceremonies, this his former commandment will damn both you
and them.[17] With this understanding of worship, the Scottish Church cast out
a multitude of the monuments of idolatry which were part of papal worship;
graven images, the Mass, false sacraments, Romish liturgical ceremonies, and
Roman bishops were all removed from the Church. Ecclesiastical holidays were
also expelled from the Church of Scotland.
In 1560, Knox and several others drew up
the First Book of Discipline. In this book, the First Head of Doctrine begins
with a general statement on the nature of the gospel.[18]
After the opening statement, an
"explication" is given which asserts the sole authority of scripture
as it relates to doctrine and worship. Note the firm condemnation of holidays,
as incorporated in this remarkable document:
"Lest upon this our generality
ungodly men take occasion to cavil, this we add for explication. By preaching
of the Evangel, we understand not only the Scriptures of the New Testament, but
also of the Old; to wit, the Law, Prophets, and Histories, in which Christ
Jesus is no less contained in figure, than we have him now expressed in verity.
And, therefore, with the Apostle, we affirm that 'all Scripture inspired of God
is profitable to instruct, to reprove, and to exhort.' In which Books of Old
and New Testaments we affirm that all things necessary for the instruction of
the Kirk, and to make the man of God perfect, are contained and sufficiently
expressed.
By contrary Doctrine, we understand
whatsoever men, by Laws, Councils, or Constitutions have imposed upon the
consciences of men, without the expressed commandment of God's word: such as be vows of chastity, foreswearing of
marriage, binding of men and women to several and disguised apparels, to the
superstitious observation of fasting days, difference of meat for conscience
sake, prayer for the dead; and keeping of holy days of certain Saints commanded
by men, such as be all those that the Papists have invented, as the Feasts
(as they term them) of Apostles, Martyrs, Virgins, of Christmas, Circumcision,
Epiphany, Purification, and other fond feasts of our Lady. Which things, because in God's scriptures they
neither have commandment nor assurance, we judge them utterly to be abolished
from this Realm; affirming further, that the obstinate maintainers and teachers
of such abominations ought not to escape the punishment of the Civil Magistrate.[19] ...
In 1899, the General Assembly of the pcus
was overtured to give a "pronounced and explicit deliverance" against
the recognition of "Christmas and Easter as religious days." Even at
this late date, the answer came back in a solid manner:
There is no warrant in Scripture for
the observance of Christmas and Easter as holydays, rather the contrary (see
Gal. 4:9-11; Col. 2:16-21), and such observance is contrary to the principles
of the Reformed faith, conducive to will-worship, and not in harmony with the
simplicity of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (emphases added).[63]
+++ From Is Christmas
Christian? by Michael Schneider,
free at http://www.swrb.com/newslett/actualnls/Xmas_ch1.htm
How then did we receive our holidays (holy
days) with their customs and traditions -- Christmas as well as Easter,
Halloween, and Mardi Gras? Each of them has come to us from ancient Babylon,
through Rome, through the Roman Catholic church.
It was for this very reason that in
Calvin's Geneva you could have been fined or imprisoned for celebrating
Christmas. It was at the request of the Westminster Assembly that the English
Parliament in 1644 passed an act forbidding the observance of Christmas,
calling it a heathen holiday. In an appendix to their "Directory for the
Public Worship of God" the Westminster divines said: "There is no day
commanded in scripture to be kept holy under the gospel but the Lord's day,
which is the Christian Sabbath. Festival days, vulgarly called 'Holy-days',
having no warrant in the word of God, are not to be continued." (See also,
James Bannerman, The Church of Christ,
Vol. i, pages 406-420).
When the Puritans came to America they
passed similar laws. The early New Englanders worked steadily through December
25, 1620, in studied neglect of the day. About 40 years later the General Court
of Massachusetts decreed punishment for those who kept the season:
"...anyone who is found observing, by abstinence from labor, feasting, or
any other way, any such days as Christmas Day, shall pay for every such offense
five shillings."
It was not until the 19th century that
Christmas had any religious significance in Protestant churches. Even as late
as 1900, Christmas services were not held in Southern Presbyterian churches.
...
Take, for instance, the very date of
Christmas, December 25. As you are probably aware, no one really knows the time
of Christ's birth and December 25 is a highly unlikely time. Why then December
25? Well, at the time of year when the days began to lengthen again, the
Babylonians celebrated the victory of their sun god. The Roman copy of this
Babylonian custom was called Saturnalia, the feast of the birth of Sol. It was
for centuries an abomination to Christians. The celebration was an orgy of
pagan revelry. But the Church, instead of standing firm against paganism, began
to compromise. It wanted to "help" weak young Christians who didn't
want to give up the fun and merrymaking surrounding the winter solstice. So the
Church said, "Go on with your fun and celebration. Only now we'll call it
a celebration of the birth of the Son of God. Instead of losing people to
paganism, we'll combine the two and gradually even win some of the pagans of
our day to profess Christianity. Let's not force men to choose between the
two."
Then think about the name Christmas
itself. What does it mean? Many people do not even know that it is a
combination of Christ and mass. Christmas is the Roman Catholic celebration of
a particular mass in honor of the birth of Christ. Perhaps it would impress on
our minds the real meaning of Christmas if we would refer to it as Christmass.
What is the significance of the mass? At its heart the Roman Catholic mass is a
denial of the sufficiency of Christ's atonement. It professes to be a
reenactment of the sacrifice of Christ for sin. It is a denial of the gospel
(Heb. 9:12, 24-26; 10:10, 12,14). The Roman Catholic Church has many other
masses, such as Michaelmass, but it is their Christmass that Protestants have
singled out for observance. ...
The very popularity of Christmas should
cause the Christians to question it. Anyone and everyone can celebrate
Christmas without question! Outright pagans, nominal Christians, even Buddhists
join in the celebration. If, in reality, December 25 was a date set by God to
remember the birth of Jesus, you can be very sure that the world would have
nothing to do with it. After all, God has commanded the observance of one day
in seven, a day when Christians celebrate the resurrection of Christ, the first
day of the week, the Lord's day -- but does the world observe it? Of course
not. The world totally disregards it. Shouldn't the Christian be suspicious of
a celebration in which the whole sinful world can join without qualms? There
are multitudes of people who continually desecrate the Lord's Day, but somehow
have great zeal about being in church at Christmas.
The crucial question for the believer is
the Lordship of Christ: "Know ye not that ... ye are not your own? For ye
are bought with a price" (1 Cor. 6:19-20). Are you sincerely willing to
think whatever God would have you
think about this whole matter? Are you
willing to do whatever God would have you do, even though it may mean a drastic
change in your thinking or practice? It's at this point that the conflict
really comes.
I have heard many people say about this
subject, "No I don't want to read a book about it. No I don't want to
think about it. I don't want to talk about it. I'm going to have my Christmas
no matter what. I enjoy it, and no one is going to take it away from me"
(the implication being, not even God). It's then that Christmas becomes an
idol. An idol is anything that comes between you and God: anything you refuse
to give up, even at his command. General exhortations to surrender all don't
affect us greatly; but discipleship really counts when it affects some concrete
area we really care about. The real question is, can you sincerely say to God
about this issue, "Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven" --
"Thy will be done?"
+++ Of Religious Worship and
the Sabbath-day
(Westminster Confession
of Faith,
chapter 21).
I. The light of nature showeth that there
is a God, who hath lordship and sovereignty over all; is good, and doeth good
unto all; and is therefore to be feared, loved, praised, called upon, trusted
in, and served with all the heart, and with all the soul, and with all the
might. But the acceptable way of worshipping the true God is instituted by
himself, and so limited by his own revealed will, that he *may not be
worshipped* according to the imaginations and devices of men, or the
suggestions of Satan, under any visible representation or *any other way not
prescribed in the holy Scripture* (emphases added).
VII. As it is of the law of nature, that,
in general, a due proportion of time be set apart for the worship of God; so,
in his Word, by a positive, moral, and perpetual commandment, binding all men
in all ages, he hath particularly appointed one day in seven for a Sabbath, to
be kept holy unto him: which, from the beginning of the world to the
resurrection of Christ, was the last day of the week; and, from the
resurrection of Christ, was changed into the first day of the week, which in
Scripture is called the Lord's Day, and is to be continued to the end of the
world as the Christian Sabbath. (Westminster
Confession of Faith on the Reformation
Bookshelf CD set (http://www.swrb.com/Puritan/reformation-bookshelf-CDs.htm), Still Waters Revival Books, 2002).
+++ Acts of the General
Assemblies of the Church of Scotland on Festival Days
Festival days not
commanded nor warranted by scripture. General Assembly seeks total abolition
not reformation of abuses only.
December 10, Session 17, 1638.
And next in particular, concerning
festival days findeth that in the explication of the first head of the first
book of discipline it was thought good that the feasts of Christmas,
Circumcision, Epiphany, with the feasts of the Apostles, Martyrs and Virgin
Mary be utterly abolished because they are neither commanded nor warranted by
Scripture and that such as observe them be punished by Civil Magistrates. Here
utter abolition is craved and not reformation of abuses only and that because
the observation of such feasts have no warrant from the word of God. (The Acts of the General Assemblies of the Church of
Scotland, pp. 37-38 [Still Waters Revival Books, reprint, 1997],
at http://www.swrb.com/catalog/c.htm under "CHURCH OF SCOTLAND GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1638-1649").
+++ Observation of festival
days censurable.
February 13, 1645.
Act for Censuring the
Observers of Yule-day and other superstitious days especially if they be
scholars.
The General Assembly taking to their
consideration the manifold abuses, profanity, and superstitions committed on
Yule-day and some other superstitious days following have unanimously concluded
and hereby ordains; That whatsoever person or persons hereafter shall be found
guilty in keeping of the foresaid superstitious days shall be proceeded against
by Kirk censures and shall make their public repentance therefore in the face
of the congregation where the offence is committed. And that Presbyteries and
Provincial Synods take particular notice how Ministers try and censure
delinquents of this kind within the several parishes. And because scholars and
students give great scandal offence in this, That they (being found guilty) be
severely disciplined and chastised before their Masters. And in case the
Masters of Schools or Colleges be accessory to the said superstitious
profanity, by their connivance, granting of liberty of vacancy to their
Scholars at that time, or any time thereafter, in compensation thereof, That
the Masters be summoned by the Ministers of the place to compear before the
next ensuing General Assembly, there to be censured according to their
trespass; And if Scholars (being guilty) refuse to subject themselves to
correction, or be fugitives from discipline, That they be not received in any
other school or college within the kingdom. (The
Acts of the General Assemblies of the Church of Scotland, pp.
285-286 [Still Waters Revival Books, reprint, 1997, at http://www.swrb.com/catalog/c.htm under "CHURCH OF SCOTLAND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
1638-1649").
"The PRELATE, by his doctrine,
practice, example, and neglect of discipline, declareth that he hath no such
reverend estimation of the Sabbath. He doteth so upon the observation of Pasche
[Easter], and Yule [Christ-mass], and festival days appointed by men, that he
preferreth them to the Sabath, and hath turned to nothing our solemn fasts and
blessed humiliations."—David Calderwood, The Pastor and the Prelate.
(1628).
http://www.covenanter.org/HolyDays/xmasshomepage.htm
In the early 1640s, as power passed from
Charles I (who largely supported the existing rituals and festivals) to the
Long Parliament, parliament began the process of clamping down on the
celebration of Christmas, pressing that "Christ-tide‚" (as they
preferred it called, thus doing away with the "mass‚" element and its
Catholic echoes) should be kept, if at all, merely as a day of fasting and
seeking the Lord. In January 1642, shortly before civil war began, Charles I
had agreed to parliament's request to order that the last Wednesday in each
month should be kept as a fast day; many hoped that Christ-tide, 25 December,
would come to be seen and kept as just an addition to these regular fast days.
The Long Parliament, in fact, met and worked as usual on 25 December 1643. In
late 1644 it was noted that 25 December would fall on the last Wednesday of the
month, the day of the regular monthly fast, and parliament stressed that 25
December was strictly to be kept as a time of fasting and humiliation, for
remembering the sins of those who in the past had turned the day into a feast,
sinfully and wrongfully "giving liberty to carnal and sensual
delights." Both Houses of Parliament attended intense fast sermons on 25
December 1644 (http://www.olivercromwell.org/faqs4.htm).
To start this study out lets look at some quotes
from a book entitled:
Sabbats: A Witch’s Approach To
Living The Old Ways by Edain McCoy (A
Practicing Witch)
(Page 53): “Yule is a time of mixed
emotions for pagans. All around us we see
evidence of the Christmas celebration…one
which we know takes its form and
meaning from ancient pagan practices. Virgin births, decorated trees,
festive lights, feasting, wreaths,
bells, and fragrant fires, were-and still areat
the heart of pagan Midwinter
observances.”
(Page 59): “For pagans, this usurping
of Yule (by Christians) has one great
advantage-it has preserved for us many
ancient Yule customs which might
otherwise have been lost. Look in any
book and Christmas customs
around the globe and you will find a
plethora of pagan traditions.”
(Pages 85 and 86): “Music is another
important part of Yule, and Christmas
carols are yet another idea taken from
paganism. Many common Christmas
carols contain pagan images that are
not so subtle. “Carols are form an
Old
/French word meaning “joyous songs”, and
were also the name of round dances
celebrating the rebirth of the Frankish
pagan gods. The English Christmas
Carol “Deck the Halls with Boughs of
Holly” contains not one Christian
religious image.” (Note: That is because the images mentioned
are pagan in
their origin as we will see.) “When Yule rolls around you should feel free to
have a lighted tree in your home, hang a
wreath on your door, ring the jingle
bells, and give gifts in memory of loved
ones. Remember that this is a Sabbat,
a pagan festival, a time that
marks the return of the Sun god both to his
Goddess Bride and to his
joyous people.”
II Corinthians 6:15-19: “Be ye not unequally yoked together with
unbelievers:
for what fellowship hath righteousness
with unrighteousness? and what
communion hath light with darkness? And
what concord hath Christ with Belial?
or what part hath he that believeth with
an infidel? And what agreement hath the
temple of God with idols? for ye are the
temple of the living God; as God hath
said, I will dwell in them, and walk in
them; and I will be their God, and they shall
be my people. Wherefore
come out from among them, and be ye separate,
saith the Lord, and touch not
the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And
will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be
my sons and daughters, saith the Lord
Almighty.”
I Corinthians 5:6: “Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a
little leaven
leaveneth the whole lump?”
Her son had many names as well. Some of
them are Horus, Harpocrates, Mithras, Sol
Invictus, Hercules, Attis and Tammuz. What
do these god-babies have in common?
Well, for one, they were all born on
December 25th. Which is where we derive the
pagan celebration of Christmas from,
which was originally known by the Romans
as Saturnalia. December 21-22 -- Winter
Solstice/Yule. One of the Illuminati's
Human Sacrifice Nights December 21-22
-- Yule -- When the sun begins its
northward trek in the sky, and days
began to grow longer again, pagans
celebrated the Winter Solstice by burning
the Yule log. Since the sun had reversed
itself and was now rising in the sky,
pagans believed this was a sign that the
human sacrifices carried out in Samhain
(Halloween) had been accepted by the
gods. The Roman
Catholic Church later changed the day of celebration to
December 25, calling it Christmas.
Roman Catholicism is a demonic blend of
ancient pagan religions made to look like
Christianity.
--------
Christmas was not among the earliest
festivals of the Church. It was
not celebrated, commemorated, or
observed, neither by the apostles nor in
the apostolic church -- not for at
least the first 300 years of church history! … The
Constantine-led Roman Church was more
than willing to adapt and adopt pagan
practices in order to make Christianity
palatable to the heathen
Pagan holidays were reclassified as
Christian holidays (holy-days).
December 25th was the "Victory of the
Sun-God" Festival in the pagan
Babylonian world. In the ancient Roman
Empire, the celebration can be traced
back to the Roman festival Saturnalia,
which honored Saturn, the harvest god,
and Mithras, the god of light; both were
celebrated during or shortly after the
winter solstice (between the 17th and 23rd
of December). To all ancient pagan
civilizations, December 25th was the
birthday of the gods -- the time of year
when the days began to lengthen and man
was blessed with a "regeneration of
nature." Moreover, all of December
25th's Babylonian and Roman festivals were
characterized by 5-7 day celebration periods
of unrestrained promiscuous revelry
and licentiousness.
In order to make Christianity palatable to
the heathen, the Roman Church simply
took Saturnalia, adopted it into
Christianity, and then eventually many of the
associated pagan symbols, forms, customs,
and traditions were reinterpreted (or
"Christianized") in ways
"acceptable" to lukewarm Christian faith and practice. (In
fact, in 375 A.D., the Church of Rome
under Pope Julius I merely announced that
the birth date of Christ had been
"discovered" to be December 25th, and was
accepted as such by the
"faithful." The festival of Saturnalia and the birthday of
Mithras could now be celebrated as the
birthday of Christ!) The pagans flocked
into the Catholic places of worship,
because they were still able to worship their
old gods, but merely under different names.
It mattered not to them whether
they worshiped the Egyptian goddess mother
and her child under the old names
(Isis and Horus), or under the names of
the "Virgin Mary" and the "Christ-child."
Either way, it was the same old
idol-religion (cf. 1 Thes. 1:8-10; 5:22 -- Paul says
to turn from idols, not rename them and
Christianize them). Roman Catholicism's
Christmas Day is nothing but
"baptized" paganism, having come along much too
late to be part of "the faith once
delivered unto the saints" (Jude 3). … "'A compound religion had been
manufactured, of
which ... Christianity furnished the
vocabulary and Paganism the doctrines and
rights.' The idolatry of the Roman world,
though deposed from its ancient preeminence,
had by no means been demolished. Instead
of this, its pagan
nakedness had been covered with the garb
of a deformed Christianity" (W.E.
Vine). Pagan customs involving vestments,
candles, incense, images, and
processions were all incorporated into
church worship and continue today.
The blasphemous "Christ's Mass"
shortened to "Christ-mas" -- The Roman
Catholic "Christ's Mass" is a
special mass performed in celebration of Christ's
birth. In this mass, Jesus is considered
both the priest and the victim,
represented by the Catholic priest who
offers Him as a sacrifice each time the
mass is performed. In offering this
"sacrifice," the priest believes he has the
power to change the bread and the wine of
the Communion into Jesus' literal
flesh and blood, requiring the people to
worship these elements as they do God
Himself.
Christmas Tree (The sacred tree of the Winter-god) -- Evergreen
trees,
because of their ability to remain green
through-out the winter season when most
other forms of vegetation are dormant,
have long symbolized immortality, fertility,
sexual potency, and reproduction, and were
often brought into homes and set up
as idols. For ages, evergreen trees would
be brought into the house during the
winter as magic symbols of luck (Lucifer) and
hope for a fruitful year to come.
The five pointed star is a sacred symbol
of Nimrod and also is a representation of
the stars to which the ancient Chaldean
astrologers looked for guidance.
It was left to the Puritans to denounce
everything. For them, Christmas was
rightfully part popish, part pagan, and
was forbidden to be kept as a holiday or
feast day. The attack began in 1644 when the Puritans
controlled the Parliament;
December 25th was changed to a Fast Day.
By 1647, even the Fast Day was
abolished as a relic of superstition,
synonymous with the Church of Rome. No
observation on December 25th was any
longer permitted, but the day was to be
observed as a normal market-day. Christmas
was accurately depicted by such
names as the Profane Man's Ranting Day,
the Superstitious Man's Idol Day, the
Papist's Massing Day, the Old Heathen's
Feasting Day, the Multitude's Idle Day,
and Satan -- that Adversary's --
Working Day. In those days, any
Christmas
celebrations would be broken up by troops,
who would tear down decorations
and arrest anyone holding a service. Some
who celebrated it in Europe were also
thrown into prison. Because of the riots
that broke out following the banning of
Christmas, the celebrations and revelry
were restored in 1660 by King Charles II,
a Roman Catholic (Sulgrave Manor, "A
Tudor Christmas," p. 3).
--------
From X-Mas: The Biggest Pagan
Holiday/Holyday of the Year by
Dr. Scott Johnson
Free MP3 at http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=6250719659
Also see Christmas
Was Not Originally A Christian Holiday (Ignore the Arminianism and idolatrous pictures of "Christ"
near the end of the video on this page).
Jer. 10:2 Thus saith the LORD, Learn not
the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the
heathen are dismayed at them.
Jer. 10:3 For the customs of the people
are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of
the workman, with the ax.
Jer. 10:4 They deck it with silver and
with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.
Why no Christmas or
Easter?
http://www.sermonaudio.com/new_details3.asp?ID=9694
DEMONS LOVE CHRISTMAS?
Also, if you listen to the free MP3 at http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=6706153329, titled "Demon Possession (1 of 3) in Early
America," you will hear how the demons consider Christmass a very
special day for them. On one
occasion, the particular demons is this account even instructed a person who
wanted to make formal covenant with them (and ultimately, Satan) to wait
especially for Christmas day to transact this great wickedness. This example is
at about 8:50 to 9:50 on this MP3. A second historic example, where the demons
desired to keep Christmas with one they oppressed, can be heard in the free
MP3 at http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=6706155859, titled "Demon Possession (2 of 3) in Early
America." This second example is at about 20:20 to 21:20 on this
MP3.
"Sect. XXX. After this, we had no more
such entertainments. The Demons it may be would once or twice in a Week trouble
her for a few minutes with perhaps a twisting and a twinkling of her eyes, or a
certain Cough which did seem to be more than ordinary. Moreover, Both she at my
house, and her Sister at home, at the time which they call Christmas, were
by the Demons made very drunk,
though they had no strong Drink (as we are fully sure) to make them so. When
she began to feel her self thus drunk, she complain'd, "O they say they
will have me to keep Christmas with them! They will disgrace me when they can
do nothing else! " And
immediately the Ridiculous Behaviours of one drunk were with a wonderful
exactness represented in her Speaking, and Reeling, and Spewing, and anon
Sleeping, till she was well again. But the Vexations of the Children otherwise
abated continually. They first came to be always Quiet, unless upon
Provocations. Then they got Liberty to work, but not to read: then further on,
to read, but not aloud, at last they were wholly delivered; and for many Weeks
remained so" (Cotton Mather, Memorable Providences, Relating to
Witchcrafts and Possessions (1689).
Satan loves his demon-inspired, man-made
holy days, and this is a clear example of one of the ways in which devils come
as "angels of light" (2
Corinthians 11:14), feigning unscriptural religiosity to deceive the
ignorant and scandalous. When the church has been at her strongest these
Papist/Pagan/demonic holy-days (Christmass, Easter, etc.) have been matters of
discipline, as noted in the free online quotes at http://www.swrb.com/newslett/freebook/holyday.htm. These quotes also demonstrate that civil
sanctions, in accord with Scripture, have at times also been enacted. For
example,
"It was for this very reason that in
Calvin's Geneva you could have been fined or imprisoned for celebrating
Christmas. It was at the request of the Westminster Assembly that the
English Parliament in 1644 passed an act forbidding the observance of
Christmas, calling it a heathen holiday. In an appendix to their 'Directory for the Public Worship of God'
the Westminster divines said: '
There is no day commanded in scripture to
be kept holy under the gospel but the Lord's day, which is the Christian
Sabbath. Festival days, vulgarly called 'Holy-days', having no warrant in the
word of God, are not to be continued.' (See also, James Bannerman, The
Church of Christ, Vol. I, pages
406-420).
When the Puritans came to America they
passed similar laws. The early New Englanders worked steadily through December
25, 1620, in studied neglect of the day. About 40 years later the General Court
of Massachusetts decreed punishment for those who kept the season: '...anyone
who is found observing, by abstinence from labor, feasting, or any other way,
any such days as Christmas Day, shall pay for every such offense five
shillings'" ( Is Christmas Christian?, Schneider, http://www.swrb.com/newslett/freebook/holyday.htm and http://www.swrb.com/newslett/actualNLs/Xmas_ch2.htm).
Is Christmas Christian?
An excellent introduction to Christian
opposition to the Roman Catholic/Pagan holy-day commonly called Christmass. 16
pages.
SWRB SUPER SALE PRICE
(Booklet) $.47 [$.50 off!]
SWRB REGULAR DISCOUNTED PRICE
(Booklet) $.97
This item is also FREE
at: http://www.swrb.com/newslett/actualnls/Xmas_ch0.htm
Also see Kevin Reed's book Christmas: A Biblical Critique (which
proves that Christmass is essentially a pagan holiday; and that its religious
elements foster an imitation gospel which actually keeps the world from
understanding the true gospel).
FREE at: http://www.swrb.com/newslett/actualnls/Xmas_ch0.htm
+++ BARROW, GREG
A Puritan Reformed
Discussion of Holy Days
Covers the fourth commandment and how it
is related to man-made holy days like Christmass, Easter, etc. Argues that
these man-made days are unwarranted and have the effect of diminishing the zeal
with which the Lord's Day is kept holy, even, in some cases, leading to a
disregard for the sanctity of the Sabbath altogether.
(Cassette) $3.98 (US funds)
THIS BOOK DEALS WITH BOTH
"CHRISTMASS" AND EASTER:
The Two Babylons or the Papal Worship Proved
to Be the Worship of Nimrod and His Wife (1916)
Contrasts the distinctive characteristics
of the truth with the lies and idolatry of the Roman antichrist. Chapters cover
the "Objects of Worship," "Festivals," "Doctrine and
Discipline," "Rites and Ceremonies," "Religious
Orders," and the development of the two systems considered
"Historically and Prophetically." The prophetic section is especially
interesting and shows how far Protestants have moved into Rome's camp
concerning eschatology. The whole book, in fact, shows in a most explicit
manner how much Romanism has infected the modern Protestant churches and their
thinking. And as Hislop notes,
it has been known all along that Popery
was baptised Paganism; but God is now making it manifest, that the Paganism
which Rome has baptised is, in all its essential elements, the very Paganism
which prevailed in the ancient literal Babylon, when Jehovah opened before
Cyrus the two-leaved gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron."
A welcome rebuke to those who would offer
the right hand of fellowship to the "beast from the sea." 330 pages.
SWRB SUPER SALE PRICE
(Hardcover) $29.95 (US funds) [$10
off!]
SWRB REGULAR DISCOUNTED PRICE
(Hardcover) $39.95 (US funds)
George Gillespie was one of the Scottish
commissioners to the Westminster Assembly, the youngest member there, and
undoubtedly one of the most influential. William Hetherington observes
"The effect produced by this singularly able work may be conjectured from
the fact that within a few months of its publication, a proclamation was issued
by the Privy Council, at the instigation of the Bishops, commanding that all
copies of the book that could be found be called in and burned by the hangman.
Such was the only answer that all the learned Scottish Prelates could give to a
treatise written by a youth who was only in his twenty-fifth year when it
appeared" ("Memoir," from the Works of George Gillespie, p.
xviii.). James Bannerman notes, "This was Gillespie's first work, and it may
be truly said to have settled the controversy which called it forth, so far as
argument was concerned. No answer to it was ever attempted by the Prelatic
party; and no answer was possible. It displays singular acuteness, learning,
and force of reasoning; and the thoroughness of the discussion is as remarkable
as the power with which it is conducted" (The Church of Christ, vol. 2.,
p. 435). Possibly the best uninspired book ever written on biblical worship, an
extensive and thorough masterpiece that leaves no stone unturned. For advanced
study.
SWRB SUPER SALE PRICE
(Rare bound photocopy) $4.98 (US
funds) [$4 off!]
(Hardcover photocopy) $12.00 (US
funds) [$7 off!]
SWRB REGULAR DISCOUNTED PRICE
(Bound photocopy $39.95 - 78% = $8.79
(US funds)
(Hardcover photocopy) $19.00 (US
funds)
This book is also available on Reformation Bookshelf CD volume 3 at:
http://www.swrb.com/Puritan/reformation-bookshelf-CDs.htm
Still Waters
Revival Books
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A Fresh Suit Against Human Ceremonies in God's
Worship (1633) by William Ames
Christmass
Condemned By Christ 1/3 by
Greg Price (Puritan Worship Series Free MP3)
Christmass
Condemned By Christ 2/3 by
Greg Price (Puritan Worship Series Free MP3)
Christmass
Condemned By Christ 3/3 by
Greg Price (Puritan Worship Series Free MP3s)