"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 Savior; the Lords and Commons do order and ordain that public notice be given, that the fast appointed to be kept on the last Wednesday in every month, ought to be observed until it be otherwise ordered by both houses; and that this day particularly is to be kept with the more solemn humiliation because it may call to remembrance our sins and the sins of our forefathers, who have turned this feast, pretending the memory of Christ, into an extreme forgetfulness of him, by giving liberty to carnal and sensual delights; being to the life which Christ himself led here on earth, and to the spiritual life of Christ in our souls; for the sanctifying and saying whereof Christ was pleased both to take a human life, and to lay it down again."

"Resolved by the Parliament: That no observation shall be had of the five and twentieth day of December commonly called Christmas-Day; nor any solemnity used or exercised in churches upon the day in respect thereof."

"That Christmas day, and all other Superstitious festivals should be put down, and that a Market should be kept upon Christmas day. Which not being observed (but very ill taken by the country) the town was thereby unserved with provision and trading very much hindered; which occasioned great discontent among the people, causing them to rise is a rebellious way.

The major being slighted, and his Commands observed only of a few who opened their Shops, to the number of 12 at most; They were commanded by the multitude to shut up again, but refusing to obey, their ware was thrown up and down, and they, at last forced to shut in.

The Major and his assistants used their best endeavors to qualify this tumult, but the fire being once kindled, was not easily quenched. The Sheriff laying hold of a fellow, was stoutly resisted; which the Major perceiving, took a Cudgel and struck the man; who, being no puny, pulled up his courage, and knocked down the Major, whereby his Cloak was much torn and dirty, beside the hurt he received. The Major thereupon made strict proclamation for keeping the Peace and that every man depart to his own house. The multitude hollowing thereat, in disorderly manner; the Alderman and Constables caught two or three of the rout, and sent them to Jail, but they soon broke loose, and jeered Master Alderman.

Soon after issued forth the Commanders of the Rabble, with an addition of Soldiers, into the high street, and brought with them two Foot-balls, whereby their company increased. Which the Major and Aldermen perceiving, took what prisoners they had got, and would have carried them to the Jail. But the multitude following after to the King's Bench, were opposed by Captain Bridge, who was straight knocked down, and had his head broke in two places, not being able to withstand the multitude, who, getting betwixt him and the Jail, rescued their fellows, and beat the Major and Aldermen into their houses, and then cried Conquest."

"I went to London with my wife to celebrate Christmas-day, Mr. Gunning preaching in Exeter Chapel, on Micah VVII:2. Sermon ended, as he was giving us the Holy Sacrament, the chapel was surrounded with soldiers, and assembly surprised and kept prisoners by them, some in the house, others carried away.

It fell to my share to be confined to a room in the house, where yet I was permitted to dine with the master of it, the Countess of Dorset, Lady Hatton, and some others of quality who invited me.

"In the afternoon came Colonel Whalley, Goffe, and others from Whitehall to examine us one by one; some they committed to the Marshal, some to prison. When I came before them, they took my name and abode, examined me why, contrary to the ordinance made, that none should any longer observe the superstitious time of the Nativity (so esteemed by them), I durst offend, and particularly be at Common Prayers, which they told me was but the Mass in English, and particularly pray for Charles Stuart; for which we had no Scripture. I told them we did not pray for Charles Stuart, but for all Christian kings, princes, and governors. They replied, in so doing we prayed for the King of Spain, too, who was their enemy and a Papist, with other frivolous and ensnaring questions, and much threatening; and, finding no color to detain me, they dismissed me with much pity of my ignorance.

These were men of high flight and above ordinance, and spoke spiteful things of our Lord's Nativity. As we went up to receive the Sacrament, the miscreants held their muskets against us, as if they would have shot us at the alter, but yet suffering us to finish the office of Communion, as perhaps not having instructions what to do, in case they found us in that action.

So I got home late the next day, blessed be God!"

"The old Heathen's Feasting Day, in honor of Saturn their Idol-God, the Papist's Massing Day, the Profane Man's Ranting Day, the Superstitious Man's Idol Day, the Multitude's Idle Day,

Satan's -- that Adversary's -- Working Day, the True Christian Man's Feasting day...We are persuaded, no one thing more hindereth the Gospel work all the year long, than doth the observation of that Idol Day once in a year, having so many days of cursed observation with it."

"All the...harmless sports, with the merry Gambolls, dances and friscolls, which the toiling Plowswain, and Laborer, once a year were wont to be recreated, and their spirits and hopes revived for a whole twelve months, are now extinct and put out of use, in such a fashion as if they never had been. Thus are the merry Lords of misrule, suppressed by the mad Lords of bad rule at Westminster. And to roast a Sirloin of Beef, to touch a Collar of Brawn, to bake a Pie, to put a plumb in the pottage pot, to burn a great Candle, or to lay one block the more in the fire for your sake (Master Christmas) is enough to make a man to be suspected and taken for a Christian, for which he shall be apprehended for committing high Parliament-Treason."