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A Testimony Against several Prophane and Superstitious Customs.

Database

A Testimony Against several Prophane and Superstitious Customs.

James Dodson

Now Practised by some in
New-England, 
The Evil whereof is evinced from the
Holy Scriptures, and from the
Writings both of Ancient
and Modern Divines.

By Increase Mather,

Teacher of a Church in Boston, and Rector of Harvard College at Cambridge in NEW-ENGLAND.

 
They turned quickly out of the Way, which their Fathers walked, in Obeying the Commandment of the Lord; but they did not so, Judg. 2:17.

 
The Customs of the People are Vain. Jer. 10:3.


Ego (inquit Apostolus) omnibus per omnia placeo, Nimirum Saturnalia, & Calendas Januarias celebrans, hominibus placebat? An Modestia, Patientia, an Humanitate, an Integritate Timent Gentes ne viderentur Christiani. Nos ne Ethnici pronunciemur non veremur. Tertullian De Idololatr. Cap. 14.

 
LONDON:

Printed in the Year, 1687.

 

 

CONTENTS: 
 

Featured
The Preface.
The Preface.

1687-Increase Mather (1639-1723).-In this preface, Mather begins by decrying the profaneness of the stage and stage plays, occasioned by the erection of a theater, this describes why this should be avoided by Christians.

CHAPTER I.-Against Health-Drinking.
CHAPTER I.-Against Health-Drinking.

1687-Increase Mather (1639-1723).-This chapter discusses the common practice of drinking healths (i.e., the toasting that often accompanies special occasions) and its heathen origins and reasons why Christians should avoid such evils.

CHAPTER II.-Against Dicing, Cards, and such like Games.
CHAPTER II.-Against Dicing, Cards, and such like Games.

1687-Increase Mather (1639-1723).-This chapter testifies against the use and abuse of the lot for purposes of gaming showing the wicked heathenism of many pastimes now considered innocent.

CHAPTER III.-Against Profane Christ-mass Keeping.
CHAPTER III.-Against Profane Christ-mass Keeping.

1687-Increase Mather (1639-1723).-A chapter devoted to the history and superstition of Christmas keeping showing that it is far from being either an innocent or a Christian observance.

CHAPTER IV.-A Testimony Against some other Superstitions.
CHAPTER IV.-A Testimony Against some other Superstitions.

1687-Increase Mather (1639-1723).-This final chapter of the Testimony takes up the sinfulness of certain traditional practices which identify with Romanism or paganism as well as challenging the wicked practice of cock-fighting.

tags Increase Mathers, Gaming