Church of Scotland on Festival Days

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VirginiaHuguenot

Puritanboard Librarian
Church of Scotland:

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, http://www.swrb.com/catalog/g.htm)


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], http://www.swrb.com/catalog/g.htm)
 
Remember that the burden of proof is not on those of us who studiously disregard these presumed gospel feasts other than the Lord's Day. But company and likemindedness is especially appreciated in a day and age where things tend to be distorted as we find ourselves surrounded in a culture where the overwhelming majority sees it the other way round and the grand chorus of voices repeatedly reminds that we are the weird ones. Not to mention the media bombardment that encourages the public to be consumed for nearly 2 months over one day in 365 - one day that will come and go in a mere 24 hours.
 
Presbyterian Reformed Church, dear sir. Andrew's Pastor has two sermons up on Sermon Audio on the subject.
 
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