CHAP. XVII. Of the Twelfth Day, how observed: The Wickedness of observing the Twelve Days after the common Way. On the Epiphany, or Manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles, commonly called the TwelfthDay, the Eastern Magi were guided by the Star, to pay their Homage to their Saviour; and because they came that Day, which is the Twelfth after the Day of the Nativity, it is therefore called the Twelfth-Day. The Twelfth Day itself is one of the greatest of the Twelve, and of more jovial Observation than the others, for the visiting of Friends and Christmas-Gambols. The Rites of this Day are different in divers Places, tho' the End of them is much the same in all; namely, to do Honour to the Memory of the Eastern Magi, whom they suppose to have been kings. In* France, one of the Courtiers is chosen King, whom the King himself, and the other Nobles, attend at an * In Gallia unus ex ministris, &c.-Idem in Germania, &c. Hospin. in Epiphan. Enter Entertainment. In Germany, they observe the same Thing on this Day in Academies and Cities, where the Students and Citizens create one of themselves King, and provide a Magnificent Banquet for him, and give him the Attendance of a King, or a stranger Guest. Now this is answerable to that Custom of the Saturnalia, of Masters making Banquets for their Servants, and waiting on them; and no doubt this Custom has in Part sprung from that. Not many Years ago, this was a common Christmas Gambol in both our Universities; and it is still usual in other Places of our Land, to give the Name of King or Queen to that Person, whose extraordinary Luck hits upon that Part of the divided Cake, which is honour'd above the others, with a Bean in it. But tho' this be generally the greatest of the Twelve, yet the others preceding are observed with Mirth and Jollity, generally to Excess. Was this Feasting confined within the Bounds of Decency and Moderation, and gave more Way than it does to the Exercises and the Religious Duties of the Season, it would have nothing in it immoral or sinful. The keeping up of Friendship, and Love, and old Acquaintance, has nothing in it harmful; but the Mis fortune TLS et tour Doors be Home Hicourag'd; let earned, the Eyes fed, Let us not Feast ta Wine, &c. From se, what has been the 268 2018 Aad in all Probability state among us, from the m the Lawfulness and the sua and other Christian Festivals. Beginning Beginning of Christianity: However fabulous that Story may be, taken Notice of by * Bishop Stillingfleet, from Hector Boethius, "That king "Arthur kept with his Nobles at York, a very prophane Christmas for+thirteen Days toge 66 '66 ther, and that such Jollity and Feasting then, "had its Original from him." But however these Words, if true, may be a Testimony of the too great Antiquity of the Abuse of this Festival; yet they will by no Means justifie Buchannan's Comment upon them. For as the learned Bishop goes on, "Buchannan is "so well pleased with this notable Observation, that He sets it down for good History, saying upon it, that the old Saturnalia were renew'd, only the Days increased, and Sa 66 66 ** T Origin. Britan. Stilling. ↑ Christmas-day is said to be none of the twelve Days, but one of the twenty. For if it was added, it would make thirteen Days, which are the thirteen Days here mentioned. It is said to be one of the twenty Days, because, as I imagine, it was reckon'd among those twenty Days in which the Church forbad Fasting. For in the Laws of Canutus, it is order'd, || That no Man shall fast from Christmas-Day, till after the Octave of the Epiphany, except he do it out of Choice, or it be commanded him of the Priest. Atque ab ipso natali Jesu Christi die ad octavam ad Epiphania lucem, jejunia nemo observato, nisi quidam judicio ac voluntate fecerit sua, aut id ei fuerit a sacerdote imperatum. Seld. Analect. Lib. 2. P. 108. turn's "turn's Name changed to Casar's: For says 46 66 he, we called the Feast Julia. But why should the Name of Saturn be changed into “Cæsar's? Was he worshipped for a GOD among the British Christians, as Saturn was " among the old Pagans? But the Name Ju"lia imports it; by no Means. For Buchannan does not prove, that this Name was ever "used for that Festival among the Britains ; "and the Saxons, who brought in both the "Name and the Feast, give another* Reason " for it." Buchannan seems therefore to have a great deal more Malice than Truth on his Side. But however such Revellings, and Frolicks, and Extravagances, whether or not derived from the old Saturnalia, as are customary at this Season, do come very near to, if not exceed its Liberties. In particular, what commoner at this Season, than for Men to rise early in the Morning, that they may follow strong Drink, and continue untill Night, till Wine inflame them? As if CHRIST who came into the World to save us, and was manifested to destroy the Works of the Devil; was to be * Vide Chap. Christ, Candle. honour'd |