December 1644
[19 December, 1644.]
Public notice to be given for observation of Monthly Fast till further order.; And on the next day, being Christmas Day, in particular.
Whereas some doubts have been raised whether the next Fast
shall be celebrated, because it falleth on the day which heretofore
was usually called the feast of the Nativity of our Saviour. The
Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled doe order and
ordaine that publique notice be given that the Fast appointed to
be kept on the last Wednesday in every moneth ought to be
observed untill it be otherwise ordered by both Houses of
Parliament: And that this day in particular is to be kept with
the more solemne humiliation, because it may call to remembrance our sinnes, and the sinnes of our forefathers, who have
turned this Feast, pretending the memory of Christ into an
extreame forgetfulnesse of him, by giving liberty to carnall and
sensuall delights, being contrary to the life which Christ
himselfe led here upon earth, and to the spirituall life of Christ
in our soules for the sanctifying and saving whereof Christ was
pleased both to take a humane life, and to lay it down againe.