ber with his sword
drawne as to rescue the King's person.'"

In this reign many accomplished writers assisted in the Christmas
festivities. Professor Henry Morley[67] mentions that in December,
1623, the name of Philip Massinger, poet and dramatist, first appeared
in the office book of the Master of the Revells, when his "Bondman"
was acted, and the play was first printed in 1624.

King James I. died at Theobald's, Herts, on the 27th March, 1625, and
was buried in Westminster Abbey.

KING JAMES I. AND BISHOP ANDREWES ON CHRISTMAS DAYS.

The remarkable fact that Bishop Andrewes preached seventeen sermons on
the Nativity before James I. gives an unusual interest to the
Christmas Day services of this reign. Nichols makes the following
references to them:--

1605. "On Christmas Day the King attended Divine Service at Whitehall,
where Dr Lancelot Andrews, then recently promoted to the Bishoprick of
Chichester, preached before his Majesty, on the Epistle of St. Paul to
the Hebrews, ii. 16."

1606. "On Christmas Day, the King attended Divine Service at
Whitehall, where Bishop Andrews, now decidedly the King's favourite
Preacher, discoursed on Esaias ix. 6."

1607. "On Thursday, being Christmas Day, the King attended Divine
Service at Whitehall, and there heard Bishop Andrews preach on 1 Tim.
iii. 16."

1609. "Monday, December 25, being Christmas Day, the King attended
Divine Service at Whitehall, and there heard the Bishop of Ely, Dr.
Andrews, on Galat. iv. 4, 5." In a note Nichols says: "This sermon was
much admired by the King. This was probably the reason that it was
printed in 1610, together with that the Bishop preached on the same
occasion in that year, under the following title: 'Two Sermons
preached before the King's Majestie at Whitehall; of the Birth of
Christ; the one on Christmas Day, anno 1609, the other on Christmas
Day last, anno 1610. By the Bishop of Elie, his Majestie's Almoner.
Imprinted at London by Robert Barker, Printer to the King's most
excellent Majestie, anno 1610.'"

1610. "On Tuesday, the 25th December, Christmas Day, the King attended
Divine Service at Whitehall, where Bishop Andrews preached on Luke ii.
9, 10."

1611. "On Christmas Day the King attended Divine Service at Whitehall,
and Bishop Andrews preached on John. i. 14."

1612. "On Friday, 25th December, Christmas Day was kept as usual at
Whitehall; where the King attended Divine Service, and Bishop Andrews
(as usual) preach