mi l£4 e i vhi ci ft /b$. Jlk. fa.cvup [ erf fU J Klo Iv ox cac ^jfcmu cdLty Osf fluked** h HIST\10MASTIX. FLAYERsTcOVRGE. ACTORS TilAG£DIE, Divided int§ JtvoParts. Wherein it is largely evidenced, by divers Arguments, by the concurring Authorities and Rcfo- lutions of fundry texts of Scripture. } of the whole Primi- tive Church, both under the Law andGofpell^ of 5 5 Sy nodes and Councels^ of 7 1 Fathers and Chrtflian Writers , before the yeare of our Lord 1 20c;of above 1 ^oforatgne and domeftique Trot eft ant andTopifh Author '/,(incej of 40 Heathen ePhilofophers,Hi~ JlorianSyPoetSiof 'many Heathenjnanj cbriflian 'Nations ,T{cpub- liques, Smper or s, 'Princes ^Magiftr at es, of fundry ^pofto* UetsU^smomcaBUmpentQ Conflitutitnr, and of our ownc English Statutes, MagtSlrttet, Vmvtrfititi, Wtitttt, TrtMcbert. 7 hat popular St age-play es (the Very Tompes oftheDiVeS which we renounce in Bapttfme, if we beleeve the Fathers )are fin- full, heatheni/h, lewde, ungodly Spectacles, and moft pernicious Cor- ruptions; condemned in all ages , at intolerable Mtfchiefes to Churches t to Republickes,to the manner s jnindes and foules of men. tAndthat the TrofeJJion of Play-poets, of Stage-players-, together with the penning, afiing, and frequenting ofStxge-playcs, are unlawfrll, infamous and misbefeeming fori- jlitnt. All pretences to the contrary are here likevvife fuilv anfweredjand the unlawfulnes of ading,of beholding Academical! Enterludcs, briefly d/fcufledjbefides fundry other particulars con. ce:nipg'Daueiugi7) icing, He*lt'r-drinki*g,&e. of _ / which the Table will informe you. f By \v 1 Li 1 am Pr y y n zianVtter-tBarrefterofLhKo\nQSlrmc. Cyprian.Dc SpcQaculis lib 0.244- fuivndtftnt i(l* Chrtfi**b fdtlibiu, ut urn frequenter dixm***, tarn van*, tarn ftrticiof*, rcmfreriltgA S pt H n*U ;cuAyetfi not babtrtnt cr,mf»,btbent is ft tt mtxim'am atpsrum cniruewefidelilus vanitett. Laftantiusde Vcro Cultu cap. ao. Yittuda er^oSpetiMcuU tm%it, n*n (tUtn nt quidvitmum pecloriiut ipfijett^&c. feint cuius not vlun9 Utis confttttudo itlt*ettt atone a Deo eti bonis tpetibu* svertst. Chryfoft.Hom.38.1n Matth.Tom.aCol 299 B & Hom8 De Pan'tcntta/Tr*^. Col 751-. Jmmo vero,his ibestrslibus ludit everfij,*** ltiei,pdin<\nt*tem evtrtet*, tc trrxevr, nvitstu^epm rv- tm^uttis.:E ttnim Tbettrumycon.murtit luxuri* tfficins jublicu* ircontinentjutftonsfiumi catktciapSir lentitflejfmut li(Ui-3plnrimmm'j.ue moibttum pens BsbjUxie* fornax, &c. Auguftnus De Ciric Dei, 1 4 c I« 8> tsmtummodo Uni et horn Hi hmtncim civittteeflcnt, ueci* re fw bumtw Ludifcenui eft dehujfi'n*. ^ L ONDON, Printed by £.e^.and IV- /.for CMichael Sparks ,and arc to be fold at the Blue Biblcy n Greene ATbour,in little Old Bayly. 1 63 $* TO HIS MVGH HONOVRED FRIENDS, THE RIGHT WORSHIPFVLL MASTERS OF THE Binch of the Honourable flourifliing Law- Society of Lincolnes-Inne. IGHT WORFvll, The due refpcft 1 owe un- to your famous Nurferte both of Law and Piety, as my laft Nurfwg CMother, ? and to your Worfhips in (^MT^riSy^ particular, as my efpeciall good Friends j hath at this time imboldened me to commend this Histrio-Mastix toyour worthy Patronage^ which being wholly compi- led within your Walls , implores no other San- ctuary but your benigne ProteSiion^ of which your former Play-oppugning Anions promife it good affurance. For whereas other Inncs of Court (I know not by vi\idi(a)eviHcufiomeyznd (b) mrfe example) admit of common A&ors and Entcrludes upon their * wo grand Fejlivals, * to (4)Maluiufus abolendus. Lii* tfltonftSf.il 2. (^)Pluscxcm- plo quam pcc« cato nocent; quod non fb- lumvitia coa- cipiunt ipfijfod ea infunduut in civitatcixjj ncquc Ibium obfunt, quod illiipiicorrum. puntur,/ed eti- am quod cor- rumpunt.Cf«»** Ve Legtbus lib.l* * Viz. AH- SaintSjSc Can* dlcmaffcday. The Epiftle Dedicatory. (c)ziH 8.c. to recreate tluniifelveswithall,notwithftanding iz i4tiiz.c.5. the Statutes of our Kmgdome (of which Lawyers x9iac!c. 7?sec of a11 others flvulld bc moft obfervant) (c)bave here p.49l, to branded all profeffed Stage-players for infamous 4W- Rogues, and St age-play es for unlarvfu/l pa/lzmes,(d) Ci,,"v6E.6 efteci ally oft Lords-dayes and other folemne Holy- c.3. & here p. dayes,on which thefe Grand-daycs ever fall: yet ^XmiIV.' •uch hath beenc y °"r Pious tcnder care5not on- (0 See here p. 1 y of this Societies honour, butalfo of the jwwj r f*'s°7h V Students g((odA{ox the advancing of wbofe piety Ad.7.sCceneV and ftudie$5 you have of late ere&ed a magnify cfpeciailypag. cent Chappe% and fi nee that z Library ^ ) that as 61^616,617, you have prohibited by h:c publ/ke Orders, all (£) Cyprian, difordcrly Bacchanalian Grand-Chriffmajfes, (e) Dc Ludo Alear / wr, fo here*p.4^°.Be'r- (&) Divines, (1) Civilians, (k) Canomfts, (l)Poli- oard. ad Mili- ticians ,md (m) other Chriftian Writers-by (n) di- tesTempliSep { J ' J J mo, c.4 herep.c6o. IfiodorHifp. Originum'.i^.c.fojto 66.IoannisSaresberienn*» de NugisCurialiumL.i.co. Petrus I'lefenfis ripiir. 74. (6)Bp. Hoopers 3. Sermon upon Jonah, 8p.Lat:mer his 4«.Seimon on the Lords Prayer, fol.ft 4. his6.Sermon bc/oreKing Rdwaid, foJ.70. his Sermon at Stamford, fol. ie6.Thomas Beacon his Catechi(me,f.}6i,?^934oo. Robercus de Sorbona}DeConfcientialib.Bibl.Patrum Tom.i 5.p.j82.w!thot'hersherequotedj p.6"i6.in themargent. (1) Seeherep.6i64 in themargent. (/Q Vid.ibidem. Kl) Andreas Friciusde Repub. Emendanda, l.i c, l7.p.6»,6^. See here p 616 (;?i) Petrarcha deRe.nedioutriufqjFortuna?,!. 1. Dia- log 16,17. Erafmus Moriae Encomium p.68,69, Oforius de Regum Inftit.l.f.fof. i43.Seep.626. (n)Ovid.De Remedio Amorisl i.p.n?,zi6. Virgil. Epigram.dc Ludo p.43 1 Horar.Carm.l- ;.Ode 14 p.9#.rpift.t. 1 . EpiO.i 8.p.26p. Juvenal Satyr. 8,1 i,i4.p.7S,i >o,U5. SuetonilO£ravuis(ec>.7 i.Claudiusf.f,; 5,^9. NeroC$6. Domiiianus r,i,Athen3eusDipnofophkiOjC.if,p.7 03,704. PiatonisLyfisp 401. vers TheEpifile Dedicatory. vers Pagan ^Authors of 'all forts, and by ( were fo beggerly,that they could neither main- Jj^;1, 8-accor- taine their Officers, wox Chnfrmas Commons,with- (*>)&sec herep. out the infamous ^Almes , or turpe lucrum of ***• their Dice-boxes . which empty many a young ^kto^.iu- StudentSjtrades-manSjapprentices, unfortunate ftfaianCodidi gamefters puY(c^nd(r)brwg divers unhappy D/- ^q^™' cers yearely to the Goale, if not the Gallowes, whiles WhetftonTiis they fceke to repaire their loffes by robbery, cheating, ^J*/ °£Vn" ,MV i r it i • u i r ii thnftiflcffc, p. and unlawful/ tneanes . leaving the guilt of all x5,i6.Centu- theirfinnes^with many a bitter execration upon "* Magd.i*. thofe Sockries where they have loft their mo- %tcZnvV\\ Hiftory of Francc,p.i 14,1 i$,i}8 PaulusGcfchinfusConftimtiones Carolina?, Rubr.jo,3t.p.i4,i ?. {(j) 1 % 3.2.^.6. 17 £.4,0.3. with fundry others here quoted, p-45>4549*. CO See 17 E.^c.^PeuusBlefcnfisEpift^, Cyprian, De Ludo Alese, with otheis accordingly , * 2 ncy: 1 he Epiftle Dedicatory. (/)S«AaA ncy; (All which your Worfliips havcpioufly fo^V^455' Prevented to your defer ved honour5byfuppref- (?) scchcrcp. fing Dice-play:) So likewife in imitation of the ^lV?n^ (f)ancient Lacedemonians ami Cfrlafilienfes, or 7. (u)Scc£et. rather of the (t) primitive zealous Chnjiians, $, scene 5,4, you have alwayes from my firft admiifion into (xf see here your Society, and long before, excluded all Aa.6,sccnej, Common Players with their lewd ungodly Tern ore 4iHo- EnterlU(te$ , from all y our (olemne Fefti vals . w^Conruium not fuflfering them fo much as once to enter gravifsima pe- within your.gates,for feare they fhould (u) cor* vtrkm^omi ruP f^e windes, the manners, the vertmm.educati* per biennium on ofthofe young hope full vertuotts Gentlemen com- af flixjt,proqua mitud t0 ymr care fa drawing them on to idlencffe. depetlenda , { f r /r 1 1 r , Pontificeslu- luxune, tncontinencte\ prophanejje, anatbojt other dos rcenicos dangerousvices which Playes and Play-houfes oft oc- «ftilcUproX cafion: they being no other5as the Fathers phrafe pelienda peftc them, but ( x) the very plagues andpoyfons of mens cen°Tm^rbus mndesandfoules.Whkh praife-worthy imitable animarum.H^. a*teritamaii mifchicvous fruits of Playcs,ofPlay-houfcs in ?u^^- fome young Gentlemen of my acquaintance, noncommittal whothoughcivill andchaft at firft, became fo W* «'/M* vitious, prodigall, incontinent, deboift,(yeafo Jg?1** fine paft hopes of all amendment) in halfe a yeares fpace or lefle, by their refort to Playes, where whores and lewd companions had invea- gled them, that after many Vaine affaies of their much defircd reformation, two of them were caft off, and utterly difinherited by their loving Parents, whom I heard oft complaining even with tearesj That Places and Play-houfes kadtw- done their children,™ their no fmall vexation : ( A good caveat for all young Students to (a) keepe (4) Fsclix tpii* themfelves from Play-houfes by thefe two Toungflers «mquc doiorc >W^: ^hereupon I refolved (out of a defire of ^Tca™* the publike good ) tooppugne thefe common mo. TibuUn vice-fomenting ev ills : For which purpofe a- F^iaru^h bout fome 7 yeares fince , recolle&ing thofe. e&'7' Play-condemning paflages which I had met? w ith in the Fathers and other Authors, 1 cTfge- fted them into one entire written Difcourie* which having fince that time enlarged beyond its intended Bulk, becaufe I faw the number of Players, Play-books,Play-haunters, and Play- houfes ftill increafing, there being above forty thoufand Play-books printed within thefe two yeares, (as Stationers informemee,) they be- ing now mote vendible than the choyceft Ser- mons- The Epiftle Dedicatory. •The Fortune mons-,* two olde Play-houfes being alfo lately ree- •whScrs dified,enlargcd,andone * new Theatre exe&zd, Piayhoufc. the multitude of our London Play-haunters be- ing fo augmented now, that all the ancient Di- vels Chappels (for fo the Fathers ftile all Play- houfesj being five in number, arenotfufficienc to containe their troopes , whence wee fee a fixth now added to thera^ whereas even in viti- IfiWteKtSc. w$ Nero hi* raigm there were but (b) three ft an- mca (nrntin^of ding Theaters in Pagan Rome,{ though far re more pXtfl? fpacious than our Chriftian London) and thoje How#)thuscom three too many : Hereupon I firft commended it piaines;Quod being thus augmented to the Licencer, and tempSrcTh™ ^rom him unto the Prefle, where it hath lingred atrisviaepo- longer than I did expeft. Which being now at ftuiantur. De j ft brought f orth into the world in fuch a Play. 6. Andifthree adoring age > that is like to bid defiance to ic, Play houfes \ herc bequeath it to your pious Patronage, to were too much L -1 c n. j j • i m heathen whom it was at hrft devoted , not caring how Rome, mall it fares abroadDfo it may doe good and pleafe at SSrifi* home- Thus wifhing all grace^allhappines and London?God profperity to your Worfh'ips 3 and to the whole forbid. Society of Lineolncs Inne, together with all profperousfuccefle to thefe my unworthy la- bours, I commend both you and them to Gods owne bleffing. Ever reft ing Your Worships, in all devoted Service and refpe&3 William P rynne. TO THE RIGHT CHRISTIAN,GENE- ROVS YOVNG GENTLEMEN- Students of the 4 famous Innes of Court,and efpecially thofe «/LlNCOLNBS INNE. IGHT (a) vcrtuous, fi$iu, „ summ apurf- andmofi Accomplished Gentle- Deum eft no- m^tbcfrefcm hope, the future JjRfegg ^r^ 4## honour of our Engltjh Sola apud Dc- NAtion-tb at cor dull lonrinr de- um Ii/!)Cr.ta$ cft> /» /» ' /1 j llon icrvirc pec» fire of your temporal! and eter- &&.&«**.& nail felicity, which bath a' long ?']/?. ^.f. time harboured in the very innermofi receptacles of mjfoule,hathy as at firft provoked me topen3fo now at la(l to pub It fh this H 1 s r r i o-Ma s t i x for your common good, which here lieth proftrate at your feet, imploring not onelyyour naked acceptations >but your unprejudicated affeclions too-y that fo you may tho- rowly fan it with, an impart iali fcrutwie, before you prepojieroujty fore-judgeit out of a miftnformed pre- judice* The Epijlle Dedicatory. y Hommcs vi- judice. It is not I fuppofe unkmwne to Any,(b)w)\dX. SK2ST favour, what eftiraation Playcs and Players bunt , ut ab. have lately purchafed in the opinions and hearts focmur^iS0" of moft5 which l feare are fo ftrangely foreftal- nonXEoicu. led, fo defperately infatuated with their Syre- risimpulfi lux* njan enchantments,^ they mil hardly brookethe v[t'sHtdcdhi feht> much le(fe the reading of this Play-fcourging luxuriam fuam Difcourfe, whofe very title will be a fufficicnt war- inPhilofophi* rant form4nyto condemned, if not a Super Cede as linu abfeon- / J r * r r r r r 1 t n «Kmt,eteGcon- to themtoperuftit : J uch being the froward aijpo- currunt , ubi (it ton of prejudicatedperfons, (efpecially when their "vXplaS f°Pular ""werfall overbading pleafures of fmne qu^rcntcslibi- in which they mojl delight ycome once to (c) be con- dinibus m»s trol led by fome onepnvateperfon, which is new the Fiquod .'"clcV cafe rf Stage- fUjcs : ) that let the truth be never fi mcntimvltaq, evident, the arguments, the authorities againfi them S^lTn^ mver fi convincing, yet they will qmte reject and lisbonum per. frecondemne them, ere they have once examined duBt, peccandi them. What therefore (d) Minucius Felix, that Laudantcn'im f***ous chriftian Lawyer, and (e) St. Cyprian ea quibujcm- complained of long fmce, againfi the Pagans of their vhb gbrian- aSe> in the mme °f al1 the Chnfiians : Sic occu- mr:idcoque nc pant animos etobftruunt pe&ora, utante nos refurgerc qm- incipiant homines odiffe quam nolle, ne cogni- tiaTifcct ,Ccum tos aut imitari poffint, aut damnare non poffint : boncftus turpi o what (f) Tert ullian writes in the felfe fame cafc acltTt/imiw Nolunt audire quod auditum damnare non veVit4Bfdt4 poffint. Malint nefcire, quia jam oderint, adco "si Au uft cIuoc' nek*unt Pra? judicant id efle, quod fi fciant Eiwrradl^n" odifle non poterant, quando fi nullum odij de- Pfai.n8. p. 7fo,7f i» 7 U$ accordingly, d 0&aviusJpag96'. < Dcldolorum VanitatcTnft. /Apologia adTcrCGenteSjCiji. bitum Ihe Epiftk Dedicatory. bkum depraehendatur, optimum utique fir, de- finere injufteodiffe. Quid vero iniquius5quam ut oderint homines quod ignorant, ctiamfi res mcretur odiumc'Tuncetcnimmeretur cum cog- nofcitur an mereatur. Vacante autem meriti no- ritia, undc odij juftitia defenditur? qu# non de cventu, fed de confeientia probanda eft,&c. Or g De iufthial. what (£) Laftantius of olde lamented upon the like \QQm j . weapon: Student damnare tanquam nocentes mains ideo per. quos utique fciuntinriocentes 5 itaque conftare ^quiturbonfi, deipfa innocentia nolunt- quafi vero major ini- cTnfciXbo- quitasfitprobataminnocentiam damnare qua nus ad malum. inaudiram: the fame 1 fear e may be the jufi com- Fa?at ali*"'" *» p/* it heare him, and know what he doth. What \tl*]Z'*i. (i) Medea therefore requefied of C reon- Sijudi- viiJu. cas, cognofce : or what &) Seneca dt fired of 'his *l^nc^\ friend Licilius • Adhibe diligentiam tuam, et dea.Tati/f. intuere quid fine res noftra*non quid vocentur; H$« A ** kail ^Epiftolano. Ihe Epiftle Dedicatory. et poitci fpiciant,n dcantur n< Kidicio fed ex odii piaefump- tionc ignorata damnare* Hie' r*n. Apologia ddvcrj J&pvUy /Afts 17.18, i9j ^0. Sec Ckiryfbftome, Theophylaft, HRabanus Maurus, & Lyra,Ikidem, • Lcgant prius fhall be my prefent fuite to you* co perufe my H 1- fpicUnt.ncvi- s t r i o-M a s t i x fuft, and then co cenfure dcantur non ex it as you finde it. Perchance it may feeme fome Paradox fome meerefantajlique Novalty3orJlrang$ Montter at the Jirfi in this Play -admiring age- wherein mosl men like the (I ) Athenian Epicurean Stoickc Philofophcrs,who encountred S.Paul, will be ready to demand in [come , What will this Bablerfay? May we know what this newdo- ftrine whereof thou fpeakeft is? for thou bring- eft certaine. ftrange things to our cares j wee would therfore know what thefe things meane. But if you will doe it fo much honour as conjiderate- ly to revolve it, you pall finde it to containe nought elfe hut refolvedyuniuerfafly receiued ancient (though now forgot ten) truthes^ fofarrefrom any fujpiaon of fadious Novalty^rpuritanicall Angularity, that they have the concurrent tejiiwyties, the una- nimous resolutions of (m) fundry facred texts of Scripture; of the (*) whole primitive Church and Saints of God, both before and under the Scene t,p.Y^ Law and Gofpell- (* ) the Canons of 55 feve- & Advene ran oecumenical^nationall^provinciall Synods J'sce Ac>. 7 anc* Councels of divers ages and Countriesrto- Sccne g,[\y7o, gcther with the canonical^the imperiall Con- t0ge6e8^d flkutionsofthe Apoftles themfelves, ofEm- Scene4,p'.668, perours , Popes and other Bifhops , ft) the &c & Aa.*, Workes of 71 Fathers and ancient Chriftian ^sTcAt^l, Writers of chiefeft note, from our Saviours Scene?,p.6&8, Nativity to the yeare 1200. the fufFrages(?J of **?;6,Sccnc above 150 Chriftian Authors of alliorts/rom the yeare 1200 to this piefent j the fentence of 40 *See A&.r, Scene i , here n See A&,7, 5^»5« TbeEpiftk Dedicatory* (r)+o Heathen Philofophers,Orators,Hiftori- ^^^ ans^Poetsjcogether with the Play-condemning & Aa^sc!nt (t) I^awesandEditfsof fundry Chriftian, yea *.p.7o*,*e. Pagan Nations,Republikes,Emperours, Prin- s^cAa'*' ces, Magiftratesin fevcrall ages • with the (u) to47j.&A&* Statut es,Magift.rates,Vniverfities, Writers and 7> Sccnc 7«p. Preachers of our owne renowned Kingdome- *seeA*%, to backjofecond them in all particulars^ ho a/lhavg Scene * p.485, iW (wee pafodthu heavit CenCure againsl Stare- to498« Aa,7, 6 J r J/ J A 7i6. pompes, inventions and chiefe delights of the xSechcrcp.4*. Divell, which all Chriftians folemnly abjure *£ *?£ in their baptifmeif;,) the moft pcftilent corrup- jzi,t what goodnejfe, whatfrojit Scene 2,3,4, doe men re ape from Stage-places , that jbould any l^7{iCCOt" ** z way lnsy9 ' r ' Ik Epiftle Dedicatory. b See h&. 7, way ingagt their affeftions to them? Doe ( b) they fs^a!* not enrage their lufts , adde fire and fewell to Scene 5. * their unchaft affc* , fcienccS5 obdurate their hearts , multiply their t see kCt-. 6, heinous tranfgreflions,(0 confume their eftates, L^dedec^s oiifpend their time//; canker their graces,blaft impietatifque all their vertues, interrupt their ftudics \ indif- pienifsima^a- p0fe t\icm to repentance and true godly fo-rrow tem^/ridc. for their finnesj make all Gods ordinances inef- anmrinthca- feftuall to their fpirituall good, draw downe ^S^S- thc §uilt of fundr7 p^y-h°ufe abomination* moiaat^afte- on their perfons, incorporate them into lewd mrpeciuctiam unpr0diy company, and without repentance paupemmjcu . » / r / j r hachiftrioncs damne their ioules * Doe \g) they nor dilho- agunt etfaiv nour their moft holy God, abufe their motl TarpaSa blefled. Saviour fundry wayes,blafpheame and divimm.^^: grieve Gods holy fpirit , prophane the facred Mfitxiot&mx Scriptures and the name of God, deride and /s'ecAa'us^, jeare religion, holinetfe, vertue, temperance, throughout.^ grace, goodnefle, with all religious, vcrtuons icS"through- perfons, advance the Divels fcepter, fervice, outa'ceording kingdome, by fo wing, by cherifhing the feedes [y* of atheifmc, heathenifme, prophandfe, incon- tinency,voluptuoufnes,idlenes, yea,ofall kind of wickednes both in their A&ors and Spe&a- tors hearts f How many thoufands have Stage- flayes drawne onto finne,to lewdneffe, to aU forts of vice, and at lafl funke downe to hetl,with the weight of thofe prodigious evills which they had quite avoi- ded, had they not haunted Play-houfcs? How many Novices and Toungjlers have beene corrupted, de- bauchyl, The E fifth Dedicatory. bauched, and led away captive by the Divel,by their * Scc A^ 6 twne outragiom lu/ls, * by Panders, Players, Scene^f/ Bawdes,Adultcre(fes3Whores)and other lewd |c^A£h \> companions, who had continued ftudious3 ci- ,9)j0. z,i ' vilJjhopefulIjtowardly and ingenious5had they » Hieron:Epitf: not reforted unto Stage-play es,*^ original! cau- \ ^\&. 8 y?j of their dole fall ruine r which bring no other he- Scene j,p:785^ neft to their Cdclors , their Spectators at the la/}, fe. £«/ this,(h):o polt them merrily on to hell with nonpuemiaiu a greater loade of foflle-condemning finnesj flobis eft> fe(i W quafi vivendi fenfum ad hoc tantum accepe- ?h^PScr& rant ut perirent • as if they had received life for no reman«.et hoc other purpofe , but to0worke out their owne eternal! *I",dem Pciu8 death, which needes no other infiruments to effeel it , ftontatem ka- than lewd lafcivious interludes. O therefore (dear e bonus fenum, Brethren) as you tender Gods honour, the publike l^Xc^ welfare, or your owne foules fafety , abominate thefe roram tantum , glittering gawdy pompous pur es, the fe(k) fugered ^tnlTtn^' poyfoncd potions of the Divell,hy which he cun- ■! Arbitror etfe ningly endeavours your dejlruclion when as you leafl nic nonnullo« fuftettit: and if any of you have formerly ftequen- ffi™a£ ted Stage-play es, either out of (I) childifti vanity, re ad Circum, or injudicious ignorance of their oft-condemntd a , \ ad nefcio quas tmfchievoM lewd effects ^or through the (»0over- hodiemxfefti- prefling importunity of voluptuous carnall ac- yfratis nugas. * • v //•/>/ t Forte i on illos quaintancc $ or by reafon of that popular err onions adduxerunt ad good opinion which our wicked times conceive of Ecciefiam •: fed Stage-play es which humour them in their lusls 5 or ^(Lxemlt0* hecaufe fuch (* J multitudes refort now daily to five ab iis ad Circum adduci non potucmnt,in aqua comradiclionisprobati flint: jtuguri.Endr-i»^[*t^o,Tom. %yp*rs i?j>&> n In vitia alter alterum trudimus ; Quomodo autcm ad falutem rc- rocaripDtfeat, quos iam nemo rctinet^populus irnpellit ISenecA, Egijtl 41* ** 3 them, The Epiftle Dedicatory. them, that they carry one another headlong to thefe finfull pleafures without any fenfe of dan- ger,or hopes of reformation ; be you henceforth ^SSSSL truly penitent fir what is pafty (*) Quern deleda- »43p.5f. bat ipc&are, dele&et orare $ quern deleftabant v see Earics cantica nugatoria et adulterina , dele&et hym- Character of a .. » _. . ' . r J player, cha- num dicerc Deo j currere ad Lcclcfiam , qui raa. 38.6c sir primocurrebat adtheatrum: as St. Auguftine bHrThh^ha*. fwmh ]comcels: an d wholly abandon them for all fu- rader of an ture time. Andfo much trie rather yt hat you may now Innesof Court at lafl falfifie that ignominious Cenfure which fome man. accor= ~ J *.* itt • • / • jrir i r r Singly. Englifh Writers m their printed Workes havefaj- q Bifliop Halls fed upon Innes ofCourt Studqpts 5 of whom they re- Sfe^Si^Mt c*rd*{f) That Innes of Court men were un- Bokon his ge. done but for Players^that they are their chiefeft neraii Direct- pUefts and imploy ment, & the fole bufines that ons for our ® , , r i i • • n comfortable makes them.afternoons men: that this is one or walking with the firft things they learne as f6one as they are hat^lZllel admitted,to fee Stage-playes/*) & take fmoke Stephen Gof- at a Play-houfe, which they commonly make fon his Epiftle ^dr Studie; where they quickly learne to fol- to the Right . 7t , n • 1 • 1 n vt 1 1 Worfliipruii low all raihions^to dnnke all Healths,to weare Gentlemen & favours and good cloathes,to confort with ruf- bo"hCVnivcr. fianty companions.^ fweare the biggeft oaths, fiticsand the, to quarrel! eafily, fight defperately,game inor- innes of Court Y Y J > piayesconfu- ule gracefully fome geituresor apith comple- ted in five a- nient, to talke irreligioufly , to dally with a Miftrcffe, and hunt after harlots, to prove alto- gether lawlefle in fteed of Lawyers, and to for- get that little learning, *grace and vertuc which they had befote:fo that they grow at laft paft hopes XbeEpiJlle Dedicatory. hopes of ever doing good,either totheChurch, their Country, their owne or others foules. Which heavie Cenfure, if any di/folute Play-haun- ters have jttjlly occasioned heretofore, to the disho- nour of thofe famous Law-Societies wherein they live, I hope their fubfequent reformation will re- verfeitnow, that fo all England may henceforth experiment ally difcernejhatStage-Playes and\_A- ftors are as well condemned, detefted by her Law- yers?ashy (r) her Lawes and Statutes , which rSceherepag, brand all Stage-playcs for unlawfullpaftimes-, 45>2>t04*B all common A&ors,for notorious Rogues- too bafe Companionsfor generous Jpirits to beholde or dance Attendance on, who wen created for more no- lleobjects, morefublime imployments than bafein- famom - Enter ludes, or mojl abje ft Players. O there- fore let theferious confederation of your owne native generofitie,$fyourheroicke Studies, elevated with the fublimer contemplations of your transcendent Chritfian Mobility which makes you (?) heires of /'Rom*8*x| heaven,coheircs with Chrift,yea,(0 Kings and J^Km] Prieits unto God your Father, (who hath not onely (*) crowhes of glory, but like wife an "p^.1^* (*) heavenly cternall Kingdome to beftow up- xLukc'n.j*. on yo\x)raife up your deprejfed mindes and thoughts ujbhrc^#1|' fofarre above the fe earthly chiljifh vanities, as with iamci %'jm " a kindeofholie magnanimitie to trample them un- der feete(y)*$&xottie&m) Habet Chriftianus Spedacula ?li8li,b:Ta0.? meliora, fi velit- habct veias ct profuturas vo- 2,p.i44J24*« t ' r r ' .. r •..,• SccAuguftinc luptates, fi fe recollegent 5 etutommam ilia, Enarratio in qiuc noncjutn contemplari poteft, haber iftam 8,Pars i,p*i* mundi pulchntudincm, quam videatatquemi- 417,41s- Dc retur5 folis ortum afpiciat, rurfus occaf um,mu- CaTtchLm^nos tuis vicibus dies no&efque revocantem?globtfm l.z,Tom.9,pars lunae, temporum curfus mcrementis fuis, decrc- ''TV to *4* mentifque fignantem^aftxorum micantium cho- & TcrmHian75 ros,et a fumiito de fummamobilitate fulgentes, fc Nam quoniam variant animi variarimusartcs: Millc mah fpecies, milic falutis enmt, Ouid,De tymedto Amwu^%,ft%%%* * . evaiions. To the Chriftian Reader. evasions, tsftl which being laid together, wiH eafily ex- cufe my overmuch privet 5 which if it feetne irkefome to any Reader, lanufure it was farre mere trettblejome to me the tsfuthor, who if 1 am-> peccant in this kinde, it x onely out of too much love to doe the Readers greater good: who if they complainefor want of time, may [owe ferufeit without any lojfe, by devoting their Play-houfe honres to it, till they have read it overm The fecond,is fome paffages,termes andphrafes, which *. may give offence tofuch,whoconfider not the grounds and reafons oftherru: and thefe are of different natures .Some ofthenu may feeme to be overjharpe and virulent againfi Players, Playes, and T I ay -haunters : Others of thenu may be confirmed to be overmalepart and cenforieus : O- thers, too immodest, too amorous, and obfeene : Others, heterogenealL, and impertinent to the intended theame. To the two fir ft of which lanfwer : Firfi, that I have ^ • *' 2* ufed no more tartnejfe againfi T layers, Tlajes^r Tlay- icr^a's ProV haunter s, nor pajfed no other Cenfures upon thenujhan logusinlib.Dc the Fathers them f elves, with fundry approved Writers Nugis Curia* have done before me,whofe phrafes and invetlives I have l'um>Bibl.Patr. onely revived:Tou mufi therefore lay the blame on them, J?fy ^'i?41' not me, who onely fpeake in their language* Novi enim alii fcrrum pa-* quod ct pnefens actas corrigitur , dum pmerita Jfuis tiantur ct ig- meritis objurgatur. Secondly, inveterate (f.) gangrend n«- Fert aI»s VL\czvs,ascPlayes.and T> layers are, neede fharpe em- triftemfuccus plaifters, biting corroiives, elfe they will not be cured; tormrVm™* becanfe gentle lenitives cannot cleanfe them-*. Thirdly, ferroquaedam the great efi virulency is onely againfi

r r J I - 1 • r r t flllt.0 ># ~ . . . J Timotheum Stage-play es, or having fttch near e affintty with themu, lib. Dr.Iohn that the unlamfulnefte of the one are netejfary mediums Whircs Way to evince thefnfulnejfe of the other. Befldes .though they J?, r*1Ct'^filc differ in Specie, yet they are homogeniatl in their generi- FieM of the call nature .one oftherru ferving to illuftrate the quality, Church, Edit. &f. condition of the othgr : It is no impertinencie there- ult. Dr.Craken- fore for me to difcourfe at large of all or any of thefe.the thorps Vigilius better to dijplay the qdioufnejfe of Stage-play es , with Dormuans^c which they have great analogie3to which they have more fw'er to' Arm?" or kjT' relation , as the phages themfelves Efficiently nius his Exa manifefl. *But admit that fome of therru are heteroge- men: accor- niall. yet it is no abfurdity bj way of digreffiony to touch dingly. , onfuch particular s,as * other Writers oft times doe, yea m See Act.* • ajj^ t^e pathers t00 who have their diqreffions as well as throu«hout3& , . . — . TT «*.,. *"*-* Act7. Scene $. others, tn their Commentaries, Homilies, andmorall Aft. 8. Scene TreAtifes ; where they oft times lajh out into collateral! 3>4« Difcourfes againft Stage-playes, Dancing, Drunken- «ff.*in ncffe,dRminacy, Iafcivious fongs fcntaftique co% his Pilgrim, c. apparell. Pagan Cuftomes, andthofe other particulars 51. pag-490/ which I have now difcourfed againfi , as their parages writes thus. here recited plentifully manifefl. Their praBifi there- Long haite is fore mAy ye my excHfem tsfndfo much the rather , bee aufe an ornament the particulars I have thus lightly danced upon in the to the female ,t r nn r j- a.% • / •// fex a token of w> are umver(all overfpreading JHll-increafing evuls , fubic&ion, an which neede fome prefint oppofition .especially out ofthofe enfigneofmo. pregnant venerable Authorities of Councels, Fathers defty : but mo- anj ancient fyriters that are almost forgotten in the (holt m men wor^-> (whofe memory I have here in part revived as as their haire fare as opportunity would permit: ) which manifefl to growes long, all mens judgements ,(w)that effeminate mixt Daqcmg, and a neatc Dicing, "Stage-play es, Iafcivious Pictures, wanton Fa- ffSS duons^Face-painting^ealth-drinking , WLong haire, Bufli,hangs but as a token Vint ntn yendibifaiOf much vvinejittle wit,of rneu weary of manhood, of civility ,ofChriftianity3 which would faineturne (at the leaftdoc irnitatc)AmericanSalvagcs,rnfidcIs,Barbarianstor women at the lead and beft. Love- To the Chriftian Reader. * Lovc-lockes .Periwigs, womens curling, pouldring * S« my|Vn- and cutting of then: harrc, Bone-fir«, Ncw-ycares- ££** gifts, May-games, amorous Paftoralls, lafcivioustrre- hcrc A^# ' ininateMuficke,exceffive laughter, luxuriovs difor- scene 6, '7,$, derly Chriftmas-keeping, Mummeries, with findry 9,10,11,12. fuch hke vanities which the world now dotes on, as lau- A&.7 .Scene $ . table, goody and Chriftian ,are meere finful^wickcd^n- & *&***** chriftian paftimcs, vanities, cultures and difguifes, 3* k which the primitive Church and Chriftians , together with the very be ft ofTagans quite abandoned, condem- ned^ however we admire, applaud therru now to Gods dif- honour and religions fiame:UWy Jhort Digrejfions there- fore againft thefe new-revived old-condemned jpreading evills, which mo ft men countenance, few can or dare op- pofe, may well be pardoned in this my H I S T R 1 o- M A s T 1 x, mo ft ofthenu being either concomitants or fruites of Stage-playes : by the prefent cenfures of which, the Reader /ball be Jure to reape, either filler fi- iisfaUion, or greater variety of knowledge than elfe hee fiould have met with in this Treatife. The third, is the repetition offome quotations, feme paf- . ^ fages of Fathers and others which are twice or thrice re- cited in feverall places of this Difcourfe , where the fame things are oft debated. To which 1 anfwer : Fir ft, that though the fame things in effebl are oft times tou- ehed upon( efpecially * the idolatrous originall of Stage- ^ Secp.9. to playes,W(o) that they arc the very pompes of the **. $13,5*4, Divetl which Chriftians have renounced in their bap- 7*1*73*. tifme) yet it is either to different pur popes, or where they • Scc P* 4*« to are amplified and confirmed by new-recited ^Authorities 5 6\*%l>l°6 5X*# which as I could not couple all together, fo 1 was unwiU * ' ° 5 frng to omit, for fear e of doing prejudice to the caufe. Se- condly, though the fame Authorities and quotations are oft reiterated, yet it is onelj in thefe two cafes, where the words and ends for which J cite thenu are divers , or where onefentence, onedifcourfe tending to feverall pur- pofes, is fo intire, that it could not be finder ed inn fta- .:- * tlions To the Chriftian Reader. tlions without perverting the fenfe, or blunting the life, the. edge and vigour of it. Thirdly, what ever is oft re- peated , is fome thing or other, worth .remembring :■ if f Fpiftola 17* therefore Scncczjpeakes truth , (p) Nunquam nimis 2Dem.4. £ c. dicitur quod nunquam fatis difciturj this fault may ea- n.^2jofii.i.7 fly bee excufed. The Scripture it felfe (wee know) Rcvz?°ii\9. (qJ where there is no fiiperfluity nor defed: 5 hath oft r Ifey 28.9/10 " times (r) precept upon precept, line upon line, yea fre- 14.2Pet.Lit, quent repetions of the felfefame things, (especially in i$.Philj»x. the Bookes of Mofes, the Bookes of the Kings and Chronicles, the Pfalmes of David, the Proverbs, the Prophets, thefoure Evangelifts,WSt.Pauls Epiftles) in fuch cafes where men are either dull to learne, apt to forget, flow to beleeve, or when as the things re- peated are very obfervable. The like repetitions with little variation, we [hall fnde in divers Authors: and in mpfiofthofe who write of the felfe [ante JubjeEi^but prin- cipally in Commentators aud the Schoolemen) wee find? the felfe fame matter clothed in a different method or fEcdeC 1,9,10 dreffe of words-, (O.there beingno new thing under the Sunne, Et nihil dictum quod non di(5him prius : all be- ing but reiterations of what hath betne written or fpoken informer a^es. This therefore may ex cufe my fhort rei- terations of the felfe fame parages againfi Stage-play es, with which men are fofarrewamoured,that they need? many oft repeated arguments to divorce their affe tlions from them. Having thiu farre apologised for this TreatifeJ (ball here by way of advertisement for thy better fatisfatlion in for me thee, (fhriftian Reader, (hjmething concerning the Authorities quoted in it \ As firft, that li have citctt the very Words of the "Fathers themfelves, for the moft fart , in the mar gent ^whUh I have faithfully englipjed in therDifcourfe it felft r^tnd fometimes ailed red tkew in the mar gent at large, when as I have but touchedthem in the pare : whence I (ball advife thee to reade the mar gent and the page together. Secondly, that I have oft times onely To the Chriftian Reader. onelj quoted the names, the JVorks* of Fathers and other ... Authors for brevity fike, omitting their words, which 'c^mim**ni.* theftudious Reader may doe well to ( t) perufe at ieiiure mus,ct fuavi ct in their workes; whofe fever all parages had Itran. miraquadam, fcribedy I fhould have oft repeawl the felfefime things, etiaminadver- and augmented this Quarto Treatife into many Foiio fis >1®cu»ditatc Volumes. Thirdly J have faithfully recorded the Books, r* ^e^ndunT the Chapters, Columes and pages ofthofe ^Authors here ycj fenbendmn alledged, together with the Impreffions which I follow, utilia , mentis all which you fiallfinde expreffed, Tart. I . sAcl.j.Scen. intendit acu- \ 3,4,5, :& 6. Which editions if any Reader want, let him m^. loamiis thenonely examine the number of theVookes, the Chap- S4rfe^/f, • ters, Homme s or Sermons here quoted, m thofe Editions j)f^%.u Curj4. which he hath .omitting the pages, and he fly aliunde eve- hum. ryquotation true, five onely where the editions varie. * Quicquid c- And if any (hall here quarrett with me for the multitude nim omnes nl Sf Authors and quotations: let him know, that Iprodu- lZ^TnCu°~ cedthem (u) onely for the Readers better fatisfa&ion, manifcft^fa- to evidence the damnable odioufheffe of Stage p/ayes in quenter^perfe- adages, not out of any vaine-gtoYious oftenmnottjwhich vcraritcr, vclut Imuchabhorre. '" ' quodam fibi Which advertifements being thus premifed, Ifhall now Magiftr *"'* befeech thee, courteous Reader , in the feare of Cjod, to ConciIio,acci- perufe this Histri o-Mastix with an impart iall piendo, tcnen- ey e, and even fcrioujly^o confides with an unpredicated do> tradendo affeElion, what all the primitive Chrifiians, what all the f™**™?*.? Councels, Father s,Emperours,LMa£ifk rates, and zAu- L£r°ln U ±l l ; » h ■ , * i i r « tato,ccrto,ra- tnors here enumered have constantly thought of Stage- toque habea- playes, and other particulars here recited : And then I tur. ftncemiut doubt not but rthat a noble B^rlcofthis Kingdome in his L**MifA centr, v late dangerous fok*ejfe, profejfedpitb likely (even with H*re/es>cap.i9 deteftation) of his effeminate fantaftique Love-locke; fuiVn^nam- that he (enfibly perceived it to be but acord of vanity, biges quod by which he had given the Divell holdfaft to leade omnium 4oclo him captive at- his plcafuref who would never let goc ™m tul ba C011* his holdfaft of him as long as hee nouriOied this un- S^SSX lovely Bufh: whereupon heecomanded his Barber to curMi^. V * cut To theCbrillian Reader. x Qui virilem cut it off; ( a fpeech ,a prefdent welt worthy thofe (x)wcm (cxum mulic- manifti Ruffians Cfinfider anon, who yet are peccant in thU bnmolhtiede- i ■ j \ t r ■/ L xc r t r r r ■ • „ honcftanU©™. kinde: ) the fame wilt thou affirme ofthefe lafcivious 8n- UrttitYurfis de eludes • (y) chat they are the very Divels pompes hug* curiae and *inares,by which he captivates and inthralls mens ttmj.Lc.u foules ; who can never enfranchife themfelves from ^Sccll his in^erna^ / vaffalagc, till they have cordially renoun- lV^T'll^ill ced tne^e his fugered gins, which dctaine them captive accordingly. * in his fervice, and binde them over to damnation : m & Rctia lunt the here recite&Councels, Fathers and other 9s4nthonrt cjiujcunque vi- witxefie: whofe worses if Play, -haunters Would bur fiudy, duc iTTtum™" at th°fevAcant t%mes which &ey fitfully wafie on Playes, Admiicram ' on Pl*y-bookes, and fuch like unprofitable pleafurcs of mortc per ir.a- fane,(z,) which will end in horrour at thelaftj they laqu^que tra- would Jpeedily abandonall interludes, all T^lay-houfes, hunt. Iojh.sa* as the meft execrable pernicious corruptions, which now resberienfisAi th fr mHCb dote on as thetr chiefe delivhts. The Lord P^ir.7bw.ic.p, therefore open all Juch bUnde St age -haunters eyes by %19-fi- ^ thefe my poore endeavours, who are ya fo befitted with Z Kcv. 1 8# 7. ignorance andihefc enchanting Speclacles,that they cab** Ecclcf. 11,9. not difcerne thofe infinite ntifchiefes that attend them; Prov.14. 13. ^ wa(yng tr,eir precious time upon them even from a Quisvcroco \ , » . r ;.. • t. 11 r 1 ^i • indionior, qui day today, and quarrelling with all inch pious Chri- fui ipfius'con ftians as would reclaime them, from them : Of wh*m tc.unit habere I may fit ly ufe Stf Kuguftmzsmemwable parage : (b) noticiam? qui Quern kaque comprehe^dan^ftorurn tnfanomm?Quis tempusquod me aucj-jacp qJ€aieorum nos non miferos dicat ■ quia p.irca manu *. } . . A .rrC \^% darum eft ad cum C1S noH mianimus? , Amiiiile nos putant vanas et mcnfuram,ct magnas voluptajesin quibu> .ipfi infiniunt, nee vident- fokiin repaiari quia mendaces funt- Q^ando iilis ovum invito, vei ca- nonpoteft,ufu. licemfalutarem porfigo iaucio -: et quomodoreficiam? acceil^onV^ Hortor itf reficiant, pugnas parant; fasvire volunt in pcenali rePe- medicum. Et fi percuflerint;diligantur: et fi ln/nriam tendimi in vita? fecerinc nop r^linquanturjreditun funt ad mentcm^gra- difpendia pro- tiasacT:un» OremusitaqueproiprfisTratreschariiTimi} digit.etin con- riiaieiiara au^ofis erTandit? loAn.Uresherienfti De*?»pi CuridlsUm ,/.l.f. r. b Augufr. Eiar.in Pfal.j9.To«u8,par$ 1 .p.4*6- iode To the Chriftian Reader. indc crefcit numcrus 6n&oru,de niimero qui crat impi* orum.lt was this Fathers fpeech ofthofe Play-haunters whom he indeavoured toredaime in his time 5 and it Jhallbe mine of ours now $ whofe converjion I Jball truly pray for, how evill foever they intreat mee or this worke of mine $ which if it doe no good to others , or pur chafe nought but hatrea I but contempt unto my felfeyet Sym- $ AmbrofcE . machus htf fpeech [ball be my comfort^ : (c) Saluti pub- U.Ep.%Tom, lica? dicata induftria^crefcit merito cum caret prscmio: f.p.97." or if not his, the Trophet Ifaiah's.'^JThen I fa id ,1 have <* *% 49. 4* laboured in vaine, I have fpent my ftrength for nought and in vaine: yet furely my judgement is with the Lord, and my reward with my God : to who/e onely bleffing 1 [hall now commend this Treatifc , and thee true (%riftia» Reader; whofe Jpirituall good being the 'J^^gf* primum mouens, that fet my thoughts upon this Sub- prol0gusiii jeSl ; / hope it fhall finde thy favourable acceptation : lib. dc Nugis (e ) Sciens, quia ficut non habet undc placeat ex venu- Curialium* ftate,fic ex de votione fcribentis non poterit difpiicere. Bibl Pat ^^ tXndfoIrefl, 'MW-& Thine in the Lord, William Prynni V * *AutoraiOfMfi4Hm* * C I mihi credtdcris,Hnguam cohibebiSjCt aular , •^ LiminanonimretpestduSjeftodortiL Afpeftushominumcautus vitare memento, Et tibi commifTas claude libelle notas. Omnia Tint fufpe&a tibi,quiapublicus hoftis Et maieftarisdiceris e(Te reus. Ignisedax,g!adm%feroxtibi forte parantnr, A.ut te polluta fubroet hoftis aqua. Gum tamen cxieris faciemvclabit ami&as, Defbrmentqjtuam pulvis et aura cutem. ' Sitgradus etcultus habitus peregrinuseunti, Non ni/i barbariem barbara lingua fbnet. De Pi&avorum dices te gente creatum, Nam licet his lingua libcriori loqui, Nufquam divertas, ne quis te laedat euntcm? Nugarumqj Iuat garrula lingua notas. Omnia (I nefcis,loca funt plenifsima nugis? Quarum tota cohorseft inimica tibi. Ecclefia nugae regnant,et principisaula; In clauftro regnant, Pontificifqi domo. In nugis clems, in nugis militis urns; In nugis iuvenes, totaq; turba fenum. Rufticusin nugis; in nugis fexusuterquer Scrvus et ingenuus, divcs,egenusin his. Aecelera greffus,cauto diplomate pergesj Vtvaleas,cftofbbrius,efto gravis. Gens penetranda tibi perlarga, bibaxq} loquaxqj, Et cui ni morem ge(kris,hoftis eris. Icitus atque redi ^ ne quorum carperenugas Aufuses,infligant tcla,necemqucparenu Hofpffiique fidem quaeres fuper,omnia,quo fiis Tutus ab in(idiis,quas tibi quifquc parat. StultoSjprudcntes nimium,pravofquc cavebis, Etquosinfignes garrula lingua facit. Si quis amat verum,tibi fit gratifsimus hofpes, Etquemdcle&at gloria vana,cave. Iui e patronatus ii lum co!e,qui velit efTc, Etfciat,et pofTit tutor unique tuus. Sperne malos,venerare bonos,ignofce volenti Xa»dere$ nulla bonis ultio grata magis. Et nifi feftinus fugeres,teplura monerem, Vixpateris dicipauca, rel ifta tche. kExloantseSa* reskrienfi, dd O^m fuumde Vugis Curtali- ttm.Bit>lP4$rum J4&* ER RATA! 5. COurtetttu Redder, 1/bdUdeJrre thee ere than redd thU Tredtift t» corrett theft feveralfollowingSrrdtaes which in my db fence tbrtugk the Corrc&ors dud Printers everfight have efcapeithe Prejfe. IN the Pages.Pag. i ijl.i4.for ready :read«,rcadily.p. 7 6J. 1 8.for Coatr.r.acLp.77 J« a7.their;his.p.9i.l7.r.difplaicd p. i4i.I»li.r,protervos.p.i 4^.1. ^whence. p.x6£ l.6.fbr p.r-&.p..i 5 9.1.i4.ranflcc>ions.p X79.1.3.r.Thofe.p.i 80.I.1 9 f gr9und,r.gran4 p.i8xJ,t4a,,Euclid. p.i8y.l.i5.r.Mclania p.i88.1.i 9.r.perfumed.p.ii3,I.i. f.io.r« * ,6.p.i 3 6.1.i7.v.Chriftian$.p.i4f.l.i5. f.two, r.rarc. p.»$7.l.6.r. thofcp.xS i.l.i8.rC OHilicbribus.p.3io.l.i5.f,^which3r.with.p,jio.I.7.f.c.i4i r^.4i.p.jij.I.ij.5cp.3i6, !.i i,r.Stage playcrs.p.$i8Jl.t8^.Maiors*}>.33x,l.i4,r.aTocated.p.333 l.i9.£or;r.of. p. ? 1 6 jl« x o,f.done,r.not. p. 34 8 ,1.1 8,r.thofe.p. 3 6 3 ,U 9,r»Goflon. p. 3 8 j J.i^r.Chri*. ftians.p. ^gjl.^f.thiy.bis. P.4X7 J.$,r.comforts. p.41 5J.3 i,f.Chri(t,r.Chriftian. p.4a^,t.io,r.Catcchumenift. p.438,I.xf ,r.defend.p4? 3 ,1.8, r.militibus. P.464JI.H, f.in,r.in three. &1.33,r.difpleafed.p.46$,l#i4>f.and> r.but. p.474»l.**r.chaire.p.478, 1. 13 ,r.pcrfons. p.48 8,!. 1 i,r.kindc p.49 %JL. t69f.in>r.of, p- $oo,l. i 1 ,r.originally, foL 549jh? Jjf.perfedlingj *protc&ing. fol. jjo, I.i7,f.that,r.fit. fbl.5 51 J.i*>f.which,r« withifol.j 53,1.3 o,r.returning. f. 55 f jbjl^f.PolycarpuSjr.Polfo.fol^ f 7,1, j x,f.Ni(I> na,r.Mifnia.rol.* 5 8,b,l. 1 , f.and not,r.not. fbJ.j 59,1-3 o,f.wafiied,r,ciuflied. Ibid, b, L4>f.might,r.nigh.fol.56o,b,1.7>f«their,r.our,foI.56i>|.i7, f.new,r.now..& b,I.i 2,r« vmated.f.56 1,1.3 i,f.&the,r*thc. & b,l.7,f.thefe,r.fuch.fol.567,I.3 2,f.therH, r«men« p.568,1.1 i,r.incon(iftent.p.57o,l -*3,f.54,«,-55*pr7o8,l.}4>jr proccdente. p^o^LiB, r.intercidit p.733,l,8,f.itbe,r it.p.756,l.i4>r.viz.of Al tifiod or um.p. 786,1.1 x, r.prc- rcription.p.79l,l.i9,r.pr3ecolorant,5cl.^,r.Helleboro. p.802,1.1 i,f.Andr.are.p.8i4/ ].8,£carnennq, r.carmenq,.p.8 1 5,1. $o,f.malum,r.bonum.p.8i3,l. 1 7,f.and teachings teaching.!. 1 8, f.that,r.that they. p.819,1. 24,3 j.f.tfie finnej.your fin.p.830,1.1 3,f.the, r.your* In the margent,p. 1 ,1. 1 5,reade G**l>ernator. p.i7j.4,r.0/W.p.4o,J. 39, for op.r ^ge.p.66,1. 2,delc W.p.67,1.4 3,r.riri.p.74,l.i,r#L^4//Vp.6 5,l.4,r.^.i 5.& 1. 15, dele c<r'4-P I4S,1 ii)r.Ca(fto.1.4 J ,r./r«m P/-^r#/, p,l^J,l« ir:{cMf>ittrnim, p.i3o,l.i9,r./<'l4>/f.p.i4 8,\iS,r.rcrum,\. $ 1 ,r.4*/.p.i8o,li 5,r.^*«e- /e. p.287,!. 1 8,r.5if. p.3 2 6,1.19^.04 1 ,1.3 1 ,r,w/«<*.p.3 2.6,1.3 6, r./V«tf/*.p. 366J.11. Y^i'iur. p.38^,1.393r/tfifMOT/nf»it.p.389,I.i8,r. A^,l.4^,r.y»w/ p.39°>1.44,>" Bdt'm^ /9W/.p.3943l:ij',V^i/i»m.p,4 47,l,c,63dcle^/^. 0,45 5^44, r,c,6. p1456,l,4X, Vi4-p,S043i,3 J,r.fir.fol,5 1 ^bjU^^wvewrj.f^ M>U WtfitMu*. f^ 5 1 3b,l,3o5r, £«£///: f,3i,r>/4j^drnM/«r. p,^^,I, I^,i6,r,/r7^w/w. F^7x,l:j7,n <«^M^4.p:76^,l:i9,r:^r^.p:79o,l;44j'i':Sc//»«w p:793,lutr;'Pre*i^«r/^. p;795,l:p, r-dt£!ujuiint..p.79*9l''4*>ditepr: p:8c4,l:» 1, r\*dHUkk$%fJltrtet* p.8o7,I.40,ii Vheodefuu ck \.4$,Vrdteu4t p.81 r,U^8,r.»w«W*Vfw///,l;44,r.C4^/.p.8i7,|.ii,r.^«.p.8i8>1.93r./(|^ Part, i HISTRIO MASTIX, oil, THE ACTORS TRAGEDIE. The Prologve. SVchhathalvvayesbeene, and yet is, the peruerfe,. a QCVijt$a and wretched condition of finfull man, (a) the cogi- \y #und yer^ tations of tyhofe heart are euilL and onelj cuill before or eft miferia9 god, and that continually : that it is far re moreeafie iua™faLf* h~ to eflrange him from his bed, and clnefeft ioyes < then Sc GwS. & to diuorce him from his {b) truefl mifery ;,.{«■) the fleafures fjw Afbitrio. tffinhe, Which are but for a feafon, (dj yet [et mendleffe Co1.9. B. griefe : Man alwayes hugges his pieaiurablL finnes lb fall-, , (e) Which makes &DeliCi***mm bent Molubtdtem, psenam autem fempiternam. Chryfnft hom.' .54. ad Pop. Antioch. e Quid pier ofa incmendabtles facit, omntttm aliafum art'turn piccata^ drttpcilut pudort funty offendttntque xerrant em in vita \ peccata deleft int. Non gaudet nautgfo gubernttur euerfo^non gaudet Agro medictta elato: nin gaudet Orator^ ftpatrwt culpa remcectdit. At contra, omnibut crimen fuum voluptati eft. Sen. Hpift;^ *B his Hiflrio-Maftix. Part. i. f Ruth 1.T7. g Hon pitta eft yt di Vita homines cfttdm de sniquitdte dtfcedant : Qui* exim non cum inio[t*it4- tibtu fuismori- tur> ($ cum ipjis admcdum Atcju? in tpfis fcelertbmfepe- liturl Salu. De Gub. Dt'u lib.5.pag.i7J. Clemens Alex- and. Paedag. lib.?, cap. 1 1. h TertuLDe §>eilac. lib. Cyprian, De foBac & Ep. lih.itEpift.z. Salt*. Ac Gub. DeiM.6.Chryf. kom,6.7 & 38 in Mat.Ioanvis Saluburtcnfis *e Nugis Curi- altum.l.x.c.%. Orofitt* htft. I. 3,r.4- Bodirus de Republt.1.6. CAp. I . Dott. Remolds Ouerthrow of StagePlayes accordingly. i Tit. 2,i 1.12. his reformation dejperate :) that if any fbule-compafliona" ting Chriftians attempt to wreft them from him; hce forthwith takes vp amies againft them ; returning them no other anfw ere, then thatc f Ruth to Naomie, in a farre better cafe : (f) The Lcrd doe Jo to mee, and more alfe, if ought but death part them and mee : Where they dye, I will dye, and there Will I bee buried : and thus alas hee Hues, (g) nay, dies, and lies (as too too many daily doe ) in torn bed both With, and in, his darling crimes. How naturally prone men are to cleaue to worldly pleafures, aha delights of finne, in defpite of all thofe powerfuil attractiues, which might withdraw them from them ; to emit all other particular inftances : wee may behold a reall, and liuely experiment of it, in prophane, and poyfonous Stage- Playes; the common Idoie, and preuailing euill of our diffolute, and degenerous Age : which though they had their rife from Hell ; yea, their birth, and pedegree from the very Dcuill himfclfe, to whole honour, and feruice they were at firft deuoted : though they haue beeneoft condemned, and quite exploded by the whole Primitiue Church, both vnder the Law,and Gofpel : by the vnanimous vote of all the Fathers, and fundry Coun- cils from age to age : by Moderne Diuines, and Chrifti- an Authours of all forts : by diners Heathen Siates, and Emperours; and by whole Grand iuries of prophane writers, as well Hiftorians, and Poets, as Phiiofophers : (h) as the Incendiaries, and common Nurferiesof all ViUany, and Wickednefle ; the bane, and oucrthroiv of all Grace, and Qoodnefie ; the very foyfon, and corruption of mens mindes, and manners ; the very fataU plagues, and ouertures of thofe States, and Kingdomes where they are once tollerated, as I fliail prooue anon : Yet wee, we miferable,and graceieffe wretches,after fo many fentences of condemnation parted vponthem: after fo many Judgements already mflicled on,and yet threatned to vs,for thereafter fo many yeres, and Iubilies of the glorious Gofpel-fun-fhine : (i) Which uachith vs t9 deny vngodlinejfe, and all Worldly lufts, andu line Part- i. Hiftrio-Ma[lix< Hue foberlj , righteoujlj , and godly in this prefect World, looking for the comming, and Appearance of the great God, j. DimyrM and our Sauiour Iefus Chrifi ; yea,after our very vow,and Areopagtta. facred couenant in Baptifme, which bindes vs, (k) to for- EccU/'nierar. fake the Deuili, andall hisJVorkes, the Pomps, and Vanities e.z^.Tertmt, of this Kicked World, and all the ftnfull lufis of the flefi, £ B^^m (0 of Which thefe Stage- Play es are the chicfe : as h wee M™Epifa. were quite degenerated, notonely from the grace, and cyiilm Hieru* holineffe cf Chriftians ; but euen from the nacurall good- f^lo^itanna neflfe , and moralitie of Pagans in former Ages ; doe Cate™efts • now, euen now, in the middeft of all our feares at home, ijllrom^ztifi. and the miferable defolations of Gods Church abroade ; %.c . 5 chryfoji. (the very thoughts of which {hould caufe our hearts to hom. 6. in bleed, and foules (m) to mourne ; much more our Hellifh ColofiXmeiL iollitie, and mirth to ceafe :) as if wee had made a couenant £7/r7 tf^' with Hell,and fwornealleageance to the Deuili himfelfe ; ca„m$6 ' (n) inthrall, and fell our felues to thefe Diabclicall, and hel- \ Tertvl. de lifh S/iter-ludes , notwithftanding, all that God, or man B>c&*c cap,!*.. haue faid againft them : and would rather part with ^u£^fi- de Chrift, Religion, God, or Heauen, then with them. Yea ^telthb fo farreare many mens afredions wedded to thefe pro- f.3 djUfatJ phane, and Heathemfh vanities ; that as it was in Saint HtemfotjCate- esfuguftines time, euen fo it is now : (0) whofoeuer u but ctoefis Myftag.i difpleafed, and offended Kith them, is pre fently reputed for a •**/*'• <^C?«*. common Enemie : he that fpeakes againft them, or comes j^to 197^' not at them, is forthwith branded for a Scifmaticall, or Hookers Ec- clefiafticall Polkie. lib. S. cdp. 64. accordingly, ra Iam.4.9,10. n Ad munAanx gaudia ($ corporalsa bona multitude procltuu eft : Et quamuis incertum caxucumtjve Jit qusd eupttur Jsbentitss tamen fu(ciptt«r labor pre dejtderto yoluptatis* quant tro aw ore y>ir- tutu. Itacumsnnumeri funt qui y'tfibiliaconcupifcunt, Teixinuc>eiunfur qui tempo- ralthut Atcrnapraicnant Leo dc Qaadrajtf Sermo.li. cap. I. o Pspult Uudant non confultortbu* "btititafum fuarumy fed Isrgiteribm yoluptatum, Q piper a conuiuia frequententury lebi cu que libuertt ($ potuertt, diu noftuque luUatur^ bsbatur, y>oma- fur, dtfjluatur : faltat tones "*ndiqy.e concrepent : Theatra mhcnej}<& Utiti* ycctbuSy atsftie omns gencre flue crudelifiimt, fine turptfism* "Voluptatit exdjluent iHe ejipub- licttt inimiczts cut hue false it as difplicet. Q^tfquis earn mut are yel auferre tentau'c tit, cum libera multttudo auertit ab auributy euertit efcdtbtrt, aufert a y/uentibfU, AugulT:. Dt Ciu. Dei. lib. 2. cap 20. B 2 factious Hijlrio-Majiix. Part, i fa&ious Turitan : and if any one ajfay to alter, or fupprejfe p 7{ihtl nohit them, he becomes fo odious vnto many ; that did not thejeare diSu^'tfu ,yd of punijljment reftraine their malice, they Would net onely sudtt* cum (come, and di far ace ■ but euen ft one, or rent him all to pieces , cumimpudfci- ** * man vwwtby for to hue on earth ; thereat fuch Who tUTheatrt, further thefc delights of finne, are highly magnified; as the cumatroatite chiefe contriuers of the publike happinefle. I here was UreM^,cum once a time^ (p)\£Tertulhan, Withjome other ancient Fa- te*:spea*eu- thers, may bee credited :) When as it Vitas the chisfeft badge lis mn eonue- and charatler of a Chriftian, to rejraine from Stage-P layes : nimns. Tcitul. yea, this (ej) Was one great crime Which the pagans didobiefi Apolog. adu. againft the Chriftians in the "Primitive Church ; that they ^Clemens8* came mt t0 t^ir Snterludes. But now, (as if Stage-Playes Alcxand. Ora- were our Cree^ anc* 9°IPe^ or r^e trueft embleme of our tio Exhort, ad Chriftian profeffionj thole are not worthy of the name Gcntcs. rati- o£ Chriftians ; they muft be Turttans^ndPreciftans; nor anus Oratio Protects, who diflikc them. pro Chrtftia- ^as> now *arre are Chriftians now degenerated ,from nis Lcgatio. what they were in ancient times;when as that which was Bibl. Patmm. their badge and honour heretofore,! s now became their Tom.2 p. 138. Dranc| anj fhame } ^ Quantus in Chnftiano populo homr lus'/Vntiochc^ Chriftieft, vbireligio ignobilemjacit I How little doe we »us aduerf. Chriftians honour Chrift,when as the ancient character, Autolicnuml, and pracricall power, of Religion, ( I ineane the abando- 3. accordingly, ning, and renouncing of finne- fomenting Stage-Playes) fl r<>sJ*fPe»fi fubieel: men vnto the higheft cenfure, and diferace ? foHtcitt honetU ( ' ) Conquer ar f an taceam ? ^olnptatthm This being the diflblute, and vnhappy conftitution of abflinetis : non our depraued times, it put mee at the firft to this Ttilem- ^fitt^nin^om "** > whether to fit mute and filent ftill, and i» mourne pUi'nterefi^ *» /&**/ for thefe (x) ouerjpredding abominations, ("which MinutiusFelix. haue got fuch head of late among vs; that many who Oftauius. vifit the Church fcarce once a weeke, frequent the "Play. pag.34.123. boufe once a day :) or whether (y) IJboutdlift vp my voyc? r.£neidos lib.2, s Saluian.de Gub. £>ei.lib.4. pag.i 10. t Ouid de Ponto. lib. 4.EI.3. u Icrc.13.l7. x Z?an.9.27- y IfayjS.i, like Pa rt. i . Wiftrio-Majlix. like a trumpet, andcrie againft them, to my power? If I fhould bend my tongue, or pen againft them, fas I haue done againft fbme other fmfull, and Vnchiiitian vani- ties,j my thoughts informed me ; that I might with the , , vnfortunate 1>ifciples, (z) fi[h all night, and catch iuft no- a Iam ^ thing at the laft, but the reproach, and fcorne of the Hi- b Qmemm ftrionicall, and prophaner fort, (a j tyhofe tongues are fit f~ccurrere pe- on fire of Hell, againft all fiich as dare affront their Hednn ,jgr*t9' (d) to endure the crofje,and defpife the hate, and frame, which dtgnw fur", the publishing or this Histri o-M astix might c^ertt Hierom. procure mee, andto (e)ajjwage (atleaftinmy (f)ende- Epifr 59. uours, if not otherwife,) thefe inveterate, andfeftred vlcers, e ^a ttnti- (which may endanger Church, and State at once,) by ap- T9rumJ^r plying fome fpeedy corro fines, and emplaifters to them, and d&r^rj *! ripping vp their noxious, and infedious nature on the tl9 e ft, tan to publike Theater, in thefe enfuing *SiLls , and Sccenes: -Yelodus adhi- which I thought good to ftile, The Players, or >_sftlors hantur remc- Tragoedie : not fo much for the Stile,or Method of it, (for f/fJJ™" alas, here is neither (g) Tragicke ftile, nor Poeticall fu%t"Hiner*. Leo. dc R-efnr- rect. .Domini Scrmo. I. cap, 6. f Efr nobis ydaiffe Satis. Tibnllus. lib. 4. ?d Mcf- faliam. pag. 99. Quod ft defieiant ytres, audacsa certe Laut ertr, in mapnis & yoltt- tjjefat eft Propertius Eleg. lib.2. Eleg.io. « Nthtl hie Tragtco, aut Sophccleo d>g~ num Cothurno : See Horace, De ArteVoetica* Inuen* Satjr. 6,y. 15, Ca lifts Med, Antiy, Lecl lib. 2 1 . cap. 20 . B 3 ftraines, Hijlrio-Maftix. Part.i. h M*fna "to* c(l ^er it dtps, quAcontraho- minum t tae- nia, cdti'tditd* tern^folerttavt, co at ray, fiftas ommum infi- diat facile fe fsrfeipfdmde fendit. Cicero, p oM.Cclio Orat.pig 577. O >at to y>erttd- tis (implex ejfy {$> non hdbet opus mult it htnc tnde tn- ierbretdtioni- but) ret cn'tm ipfdprofe di~ ctt : mala Treto cdufd Idnguens injcfejidbct QpHs*dccurati6 phdrmdeis : Eurip. Phx- Jii(Tae.pag.i93. tfirn.47. Tides purdrJ dpertd confef Jio non yu&rit- ftrephas £7* dr- gumentd yer- borum. Qmd fimpitciter ere- dituryjimpltci- ter confiten- dxm eft. Hierom.Epift. <m6ng the quitic* lib.r. Greekes, and Romans : fuch as were their Ludtffirccn- Se&.3.cap.i fes With / harlots : their Ludi Qladiatorij, or Sword- Piayes : t.°l I4# *lc** ab -i • > j- ,> r • r/ / r> • • r / Alexand. Gen. their Ltidt Ccmpttahtij , t lorales , Gymmei , Lupercales, jDierum lib.*. MegalenfeSy Cereales, Alartiales, tyfppollinares, Confuales, cap.i^. Ccel. Capita lini, Laqnearij , Retiarij, Troiani, Tlebeif, and the Rnod- Antiq. like Tfince {i)diutrs now oj :late,zs well as heretofore,haue Yi'lf %A7l dilcribed them to the full, in fundry Treatifes : nor yet Giadfatoiifeus. to fhew you the exact differences betweene Comicall, Mr. North- Tragicall, Satyricali, or Mimicall Enterludes, together brookeagainft with their feuerall circumftances, inuentions, parts, or vaine v^jt*> properties, (delineated likewife by the marginall Au- foi^pjjf"* thors,) which differ more in fubftance, then in forme,or yillli z?/in'.. action, in which they neere accord : I fhall onely informe ucnt. Rcmm. you of one moderne diftmdion, which fome haue plea- I1b2.cap.13. led for to make of Stage-Playes. (kj Of Stage-Play cs (fry 14Hb.4c.r4 they) there are two forts : The one popular, orpublike, atted \x®°\ ^ t by hired, and profefed Stage-Players : (the Playesyjcz haue pig 307.PoIi*t. now in hand,) and thefe they all confejfe to be abominable, 1. j.c 8.P.474. and vnUrpfll Paf times : The other Academically managed 47 5 Do&. onely by Sc holler sin private Schooles, and fi Hedges at fome ^agwiafeisr certain feafons : and thefe they hold at leafi Wife tollerable, Rcfnold°s. ° if not lawfully fi as thefe fixe proni foes be obferued: (I) Firft, Doi\. Gcntilis that there bee no Obfcenitie, Scttrrilitie, Prophanenejfe, A- in his 2, E p. to morom Lone-toy es, fVantomeffe, cr Effeminacy mixed With ^r- Remolds. thefe Tlayes : Secondly, that there b-e no Wcmans part, no brook fa°gainft Dalliance, no Luftfttll, nor Lafciuiom Complements, Clip- vaine Piayes pings, or Fmbracements in them : Thirdly, that there be no and Entcr- mentionjr Inuocation of Heathen Gods}or (joddejfes in them: 1 Lldes- fol-3 7 • Fourthly, that there be no putting on of Womans appare 11, cr noehrift"2" Anyfumptuoui, or cofily attire : Fiftly,that thefe Piayes pro- ecmpit"rn^ duce no prodigall, or vnnecejfary cxpence, cither of money, or lib.2.caji $4*. timer Hiftrio-Maftix. Part, i . time : Sixtly, that they be not ordinarily, but very rare, and feUome *s4ftcd-y and that for the mo ft fart in the Latint tongue, fir vtterance, and learning Jake alone j not for any gaine of money, or vaine-glory. If ail, or any of thefe conditions faile (as what Acha* demicall Enterludes faile not,either in all,or moft ?) thefe very icholafticall Spectacles, become vnlawfull, enen by the moft moderate mens confeflion. For the lawfulnefle, or Illegitimacy of our Achademicall Stage-Piayes, I (hall difcufle it in its proper place : in the meane time, I (hall addrcfle my felfe vnto theprobate,of my precedent Con- clufion : by Reafons, by Authorities. Reafons a- ^7 Reafons to euince the vnlawfulnefle of Stage-Play es, f layes ' l {hal1 branch inC0 thefe flxe feaerail Acls* I 2 The firft, isdrawne from the Originall Authors, and Inuentors of them : The fecond, from thofe Impious endes, to which they were deftinated, and ordained at the firft : The third, from their ordinary Stile, or fub- iecT matter, which no Chnftian can euer iuftifie, or ex- 4 cufe : The fourth, from the perfons that Act, and parties who frequent them : The rift, from the very forme,and manner of their Aclion, and thofe feuerall parts, and cir- 6. cumftances w hich attend them : The fixt, from the per- il itious effects, and (infull fruites, which vfuaiiy, if not neceflarily, and perpetually, iffue from them. Authorities My Authorities doe marfhall themfelues into feuen fc- againft Stage- derail Squadrons : The firft, confifting. of Scriptures.: Playes. j^ fecond, of the whole Primitiue Church, both vnder 1 the Law, and Gofpel : The third, of Counceils,and Ca- nonical!, or Papaii Conftitutions : The fourth, of the ancient godly Fathers : The nTt, of Moderne Chriftiati writers o all forts, as well Diuines, as others : The (ixt, of Heathen Philofophers,Orators,Hiftorians,and Poets : The laft, of the AcT:s, and Edicts of iundry Cbriftian, _and Heathen States, and Ernpercurs. Ail which, accom- panied wich the irrefragable, and plaine defeates of thofe pretences, which giue any colourable iuftification to thefe Theatricall 5 6 7. P A RT. I . Hiftrio-Maftix Theatricall Enterludes ; will giue no doubt a fatall, if not a finall ouerthrow, or Cataitropheto Playes, and Actors, whofc difinail Tragoedie dceth now begin. Actvs i. SciENA Prima. THat all popular, and common Stage-Flayes9 whether Argument, I; ComicMl, TrJgicall% Satyr icall, CMimicall , or mixt of either, (ejpecially^ they are now compofed, andperpmated,) Stage-Pfeycs 4trefi4chfinfitll, h Mr t fully and pernicious Recreations, as are al- . $*ir or*<' together vnfeemely, and vnUwfiJl vnto Chriftians ; I fhall the DeuriT* firft of all euidence, and prooueit, from their original! himfelf^ parents, and primary Inuentors : which were no other, therefore they but the very Deuill himfelfe ; or at Ieaft wife, Idolatrous, ™uft ™fdc* and Voluptuous Pagans, impregnated with this infernal! c cm * ifliie from Hell it felfe : from whence I argue in the firft place, thus. That which had its birth, and primarie conception from the very Deuill himfelfe, who is all,and onely euill ; mnft needes be Sinfull, Pernicious, and alto* gether vnfeemely, yea, Vnla wfull vnto Chriftians. But Stage-Playes had their birth, and primary concep- tion, from the very Deuill himfelfe, who is all, and onely euill. Therefore they muft needes bee Sinfull, Pernicious, and altogether vnfeemely , yea , Vnlawfuli vnto Chriftians. The Minor, (which is onely liable to exception,) I Q ftiall eafily make good : Firft, by the dired, and pun&u- all teftimony of iundry Fathers. Clemens Alexmdrinm , Oratio Sxhortatoria, ad Gentes. fol. 8. Tertullian dt SpeBa- culu.cap.f. 7. 10.24. Clemens Rommm, ^onflituttonnm C s/fpoftolorHm^ IO Hiftrio-Majlix. Part. i# ft TertuBidntu spud Latinos •mniumfactle prineeps iudt- candus : Q*id enim hoc Vtro doclius f quid in dining at* yuc human** rebus exerci- tatius ? Nem pe omnem Phi- lofophtam P£ eunftas Philo- fiphorumfe- 3as9 avftores, Adfertorefaue felt arum, om- nefejue eerum dffciplinas, om- nem biftoria- rttm acftudi9- rum yarteta - tcmmir aqua- dam mentis ca- pacitate com- plexus eft. Vinccntins Lerinenfis, Contra* Hae- rcfes.cap.24. b Diabolt Ecciefta: Ojfi- einafceierum ; Cathedra peftt - lentiarum,&c Tertftl.s4po.og. 4$> De Speftac. lib.Clem.M&c. Vtdag '.,:&. tdpj\* Bafil. Bexaem.hom.^ 2. c DeSpeftac, Apoftolorumjib.2* C.65.66.S. Cyprian,De SpetlaculuJ. & Spift.Li. Spift. 10. Eucratio, Arnobiw Difputatio. Aduerf. GcntesJ.j.LAflantiu*,De Vero £h Itu.c. 20. Qrill ofHierufol. Catech. ^Myftag. \. S. Chryfoftome, Horn. 6. 7. & 38. on Mat. S. Auguftine, "De Ciuit. Dei. lib. 1. cap. 32. 1.2. c. 6. to 23. Salman. De gnb.Dei.lib.6.pag. 206. 207. (a) AH ex- cellently learned in all the learning of the Heathen, and there- fore, beft able to determine of the Origmall of Stage- Playes, efpecially, fince they liued fo neere vnto their birth-day.; All thefe, I fay, to whom I might adde : Pipe Innocent the fir ft, Epiftolarum Decretalium. Epifl.2. ad ViBrkinm. cap.i 1 . (which you ftiall hnde in Sarins, fin- ciliorum. Tom. i*fag. 529. and in Cjratian. Diftintlio. 51. cap. Praterea, frequenter:) Ludouictu Vines, fimment. in Auguftinum, cDe Citt. Dei. lib.i. cap. 32. lib.2,cap.6. to 22. Qodius Rhodiginus Antiqnarum Lcttionum. hb.$. cap.j. A- grippaDe Vanitate Scientiarum. cap. 59. Joannes Marian*, DoB.Reinolds,Gojfon,with fundry others in their Boekes, andTreatifes agahfi Stage-Playes : doe exprefTely tcftifie : That all Theatricall Playes, or Enter ludes, had their Origi- nal! birth from the very 'Deuill himjelfe, Who indented them fir his owne honour, and "tyorjkip, to detaine men captiuc by them, in his inf email fnares : Whence they all conderrme them, as (infull, hurtful!, abominable, and vniawful! pica- fures : (tiling all Play-houfes : the (b) Temples, Chap- pels, Chair es, Shops, and Schcoles of Satan : and Playes, th$ Deuils Spellaeles, LeUures, Sacrifices, Recreations, and the like. If all thefe feuerall Witntffes then haue any cre- dit: ( as their teftimony in our prefent cafe, was neper contradicted to my knowledge, by any Chriftian, or Pa- gan Author :) my Minor, (yea, my Maior likewife,) neede no farther proofe : But yet to fatisfie vncredulous fpii its in this point, I (hall here in the fecond place, re- fome two, or three Hiftories of note, and credit, -which prooue myafTumption to the full. Memorable to this purpofe ,is that ft' >ry (c) in TertuUian ; who informes Vs 1 that a Chriftian ^omanin his time, going to fee a Stage* Play Part, i- Hiftrio-Maflix- n n. hi .in ii ■ nil ummmmmmmm j i- Play atfad, returned from it pofejfed frith a DeuiH : Which Deuill being interrogated by the Exorafis, and Chnfiians that came to dtfpojfejfe him, how he dsfrfl ajfault a beleeuing Chriftian in fuch a prefumptHous manner ? Returned them this anfwere, With much boldnejfe : that he had done moftiufl- ly in it, in meo enim earn imieni \ for I found her in my o-wne Temple, negociated; and imployed in my feruice : W hence this acute, and learned Author doeth (as we alfo from it may) conclude : (d) that Playes, and l?tay-houfes came J DeSpetfae. originally from the Deuill himfelfe, becaufe hee claimes both cdp.2.4. tozt* them, and thofe tyho doe frequent them for hi* owne. Adde c ^d{er^ wee to this, the ftorie o£ one Valefim a Wealthy Roman : ^fpX^'l'U Whofe three children being dejperately ficke of the IHague^nd p0ixjor rirril, afterwards rccouered by Wajk'wg them in hot a Water, taken De inuent, from the Altar of Proferpina : Which remedy, Was prefers- Kerum I ^c,i^f bed vntohim by an immediate voyce from his *Deuill-Cjods, after his earnefl prayer to them, to tranflate their ficke neffes on himfelfe : thefe infernall Spirits, in recompen&e of this their cure, appearing to thofe recouered Patients in a Dreame : com- manded them to celebrate playes vnto them ; Which Vale- f B'Mjfi" Cms did accordingly : This ftory I fKali couple with that HJZ7^£m. of (f) Titus Latinus, a* fome ; or Tiberius Attinius9 as / ?x 9< cicero others flile him : to Whom the great Deuill-Cjod Iupiter (fa- de Dimnationc pitolinns, vnder the (onfulfhip of Qu. Sulpitius Camerinus, Itb-s-Arnobius & Sp, Larffius Flauus, in a qreat mortality both of men, and Bijput. aduer- f I *> ,. f & J- I ■ ■ J fmGentesd.J. beajts, appeared tn a dreame : commanding htm, towforme La&Antiuede the Senate ; that the caufe of this fata litie, Was, their negli- Qrf^, £rrorjs. gence, in not prouidinghim an expert, and eminent Prefultor cap% Minuti- in their lap Playes, that they celebrated to him : and With all, M Veltx- to enioyne them from him, to celebrate the fe Playes af re Jhvn- °ttdu,™-P'*9' to him, With greater ewe and cofl , and then this Plague cm Det lib 4. Jhould ccafe : Hefuppofng it to be a me ere dreame, and fancy cap.26. Ludo, of his owne, negletls his arrant- vpon Which thu great Ma- &*** Not*. fier-DeuiH appeares vnto him the fecond time, threatning to *» ^**£"ft M*"' pumfthim for his precedent neglebl, and charging him to di- ^-a ^ 2/ /patch his former mejfaoe to the Senate : who negletlingit as se(t.\ 6. Relate before, as being afbamed, and With all affraide, to relate It to thisftorie. C 2 the 1 z Hijirio-Majiix. Part, i # £ Qudn^udm the Senate, * left it Jhould prooue nothing hut his own* priuate sudftneltber fancy : fame few dayes after, his Sonne Was taken away from erat rehgione fom fry j0fane death, and a griping fu^effefeifed vpon eue- curtdta umen rJ Part> a,*d member of his body , j o that he could not je much mateflans as ftirre one ioynt , Without intclleralle paine &nd torture. MagtftratuHm where vpon, by the aduice of fame of hisjnends, to Whom he ttmorem ^ impart thefe dreames, hee Was carried vp out o[ the (foun- ore homtnum treJ *n a ^ittcr> vnt0 f^e Senate houfe } where he delivered his troludtbno former mejfage : no Jo oner had he ended his relation, bi.t his dhiret* Liuie. ficJtenejfe foorthwith leaues him ; and rifing out of his bed, he Rom Hift. 1.2. returncs vnto bis houfe an healthie man : The Senate Won- c ' $ dring at it, commanded thefe Thyes to bee againe renewed, With double the former pomp e azd aft-, and fo the Tefti- lence ceafed. Thefc two precedent paraliell Hiftorics/the trueth of which the Fathers in the margent tdlifie, (doe infallibly demonftrate, theDeuili himlclfeto bee the Authourof thefe Stage-Play ts, fince he inioynes his Pagan worfhip- pens to celebrate them to his honour, and takes fuch pleafure,and contentment in thcm.To thefe,! fhal annexe one ftory more, which though moft Protcftants may chance to flight, as a -fable; ye^all our Roman Catho- liques, (who are much dcuoted to thefe Theatricall Spe- ctacles,) will ready fubferibe vnto it, as an vndoubted f Hiftoria trueth : and that as our rare Hiftorian, (f) Mathew Paris Angiiae/riguri at |arge relates it,is briefly this : Saint Dominicke^wtf ijr$9. pag. Julian, and one Thurciilus aplaine Hufband-man, being in the Church of Saint Maries, about the middle of the World, Where there Were many Soules of Stints departed, in endlejfe IBliffe, others in Purgatory : on a Saturnduy euening neere night ; faw acDeuill towards the North part of the Church, riding po ft towards Hell on a bkxkehorfe, With many damned Soules : Saint Dominicke chargcth this l^euill to come pre- fently to him- : Who delaying to doe it, out of ioy for the grett boo tie of Soules Which he had gotten, Saint Dominicke takes a rod, and Whips him Well, caujing him to fellow him to the North fide of the Church, Where Soules Were vfually freed ; Where Pa rt. i . Hiflrio-Majlix. i-| Where the Dcuill among other things informeshim, that eue- rj Lords day at night, (a time which fome men confeci ate and let apart for Stage- Play es, and iuch infernal! Pal- times, whereas (g) Saint Paul did Jpend it all in preach- g Aa>2c ?, ing :) the Deuils did vfe to meete in Hell, and there did re- 9. t i . create, and exhilarate thcmf elites {h) With Stage- F Hayes : h LttdisThes.- Which Saint Domiliickc, and the others hearing, they defi- ir*l$ m* red the Tteuill, that they might goe along Veith him to Hell, to fee their Enterlndes : tyho putting by Thurcillus, permit- ted Saint Dominicke, and Saint Mian to accompany him : the Deuill brings them into a large, butjmokie houfe towards the North, environed With three Veals ; Where they fee an am- ple Theater With feates round about it, Where fundry 'Deuils fate in a row laughing, and making themfelites merry With the torments, andfnnes of the Damned, whom the Trince of the Deuils commanded to bee brought vpon the Stage, and to Alt their parts in order, osfndfirft of all, the Troud man U brought vpon the Theater : next an (i) idle Nonrefident, i ^niwdrum Vpho did not feede hu Flock?, neither by Life, nor ^Doctrine : nee cafm re~ then a Souldier, Who had liued by Murther, and Rapine : tutAtMr> **c then an Opprejfmg, and 'Bribe-taking Lawyer, Who Was once &.***■ f A an Officer in the Kings Exchequer, and did much opprcjfe the fcif. ^s mdie SubieBs : next au adulterer, and an Adult ere^e ; then a W# reyJmt. Sclanderer : next a Theife : and lafl of all, a Sacrilegious per- Br reard . ?& fin, Who had violated Sanctuaries ; all thefe comming in their ^ aq? "''Im° feuerall garbes, and poflures, did Atl their proper parts, and had (euerallTragic all tortures infilled on them by the Deuils Afinifters, Who Were likewife Spectators of thefe Ludibriom SpeBacles. If then the Deuiis recreate thcmfelues thus in Hell with Stagt-Playes, as this Hiftorian reports ; if they thus Proiecl,and Puruay for them; they may be well reputed the primary Authors, and inuentors of- them. Laftly, that which is utterly dijpleafng vnto god, and ' 3 . wholy fraught with Scurrility, Piophanneffe, Sinne, and Wickednefte : that which was at firfl denoted to the Deuils immediate worfhip, and cannot any wayes bee deemed the inuention,or producl,either of God himlelfe, C 3 (kjtoho 14 Hijlrio-Majlix. Part.i. k pfal.99.5. (kj Whois infinitely holy, (I) and therefore, no Proublor of Hab.1.13. fuck vnholy pleafures :) or of Chriftians, or ciuill Pagans ; L jv*A*/ * ( w) ^^ ofnecejjitie be fathered on the D eut/l him (elf e, w ho exhoLftlnafci is the common feed-plot of all vndeanneffe, and pro- ^/Laftant. phmneiTe whatfoeuer : But fuch are Stage-Playes : as de Falfa Sapi- (n) hereafter I fhall prooue at large : Theret re they muft cnti*a.«p. r r. Qf neceflitie, call the Deuill Father, and be reputed as his klixe*e/?!* of-fpring : fo that the Affumption of my former argu- imcimA Dei ment is irrefragable. ho* eft, \eldeo For the Maior : That things which had their birth, dtff>/tcet.Tc\- and primary conception from the Deuill him felfe, who tui.de Spcdac. -^ ^V ari(j one|y euj[|^ milft. neecjes bee fitifull, pernicious, n s'ccScaene z. vnfeemely, and vnhwfull vnto Chriftians : I prefume, o 1 lohn 2. no Chriftian dares gaine-fay it : For what boneft, pro- 133 lh fitable, good, or lawfull thing, can flow, or iffue from Math £,37. him, (0) Who is Wholy euill, (p) and Walkes about in an in~ lb Ct 5 * defatigable, andr eft leffe manner, like a r or in g Lyon, feeking q Iani 3,1 1 iz Who** he may demure? (q) Can a bitter Fonntaine, fend t Mith.7.17, foorth fweete, and pleafant fire ames ? (r) Or can a corrupt 18.19. Tree bring foorth good, and holefome fruit e ? (s) Who can S p k4 * bring a cleane thing out of filth ineffe ; or a good thing out u lohn 5 .tf.44 of wickednefle ? It is paft the skill of any Chymicke, or x Math. 10, 1 artift toefrefl it. Certainely, (t) fuch as the Mother is, chap.12.43. fuch is the Daughter : (u) that Which is borne of thefiefh, is Maike 3 30. flefiy and that Which is borne ofthefpirit, isjpirit : Now the p 2 'J *jl 4 ' ( x) ^smll, is an vncleane, a Wicked, afinfull, and pernicious y FAatadori- SpTVt : there ** no g00^ at a^ Voithin him : his inuentions, 'ginismacHlam, workes, and of-fpring, therefore muft refemble him: ue bmxm ex- (y ) they muft be euill, vncleane, pernicious, and abominable, ifhmes qmd ftj^ fomfe/fg . f~ ) mcn cmnot g^cr Grapes 'ha'c^cept™* °f Thames, or Figges of Thiftles : fuch as the ftocke is, Tevtul. De fuch muft bee the frnite ; as Scripture, Nature, Reafon, Speda:. cap 8. and Experience teach vs. Since then the Deuill himfeife, z Math. 7.16. is alla and onely euill, abominable, polluted, and pernici- lames^iV. OUS > T mca!ie" m his'quaiitie, p a Deuill, (a) not in his a D'uboli natmA n.n improha^ fed opsin tm<^H4, h -nent. lib. 5. in LiK*. 4, Tom.3.pag. 33.H. & 85.2?, entitle. Pa rt« i . Hiftrio-Maftix. 1 5 tntitie, a* a creature : thefe Stage-Playes (which are his proper, and immediate iffue) muftbee (otoo: if not to *> Ephef.1.2. Pagans, (b) inthralled to his bondage, and capitated at his * l1™}2'26** p/eafure in his jnares : yet at leaft to fuch, as lay any title filJCatecJ?"* to the name of Chriflians : who haue vowed in their Mjflag. i. very Baptifme, and firfl admittance into the Church of ConcU, Cen~ Chrift : (c) toferfake the dentil, and all his Werkes : of Which ft**ti«op. 6. thefe Stage-Playes, are weli-nigh the chief e : (d) Oderis '?£"£ itaqtte Chrift iane, quorum Aulhres non potent non odijfe : fifer- tnuerof anyre'all good: of any thing that furthers the r?/1tterr€t^f^ happinefte, or well-fare or the tonnes or men? Was it funtatemim- euer knowne fince the world was framed ; that this one- quitath ft* \y Author of ail euill, was the caufe of any good ? of any potefhuem ha- inuention that might benefit the Bodies, or Soules of ^'ifh'tF" men, or further their Temporall, or Eternall well-fare ? ^om. 2.V©l!' Oh no : the experience of all ages, all men, all Chriflians i$, d. prooues it : For though the Deuill may fometimes com- Jl Dtafotus eft mend fome feeming good vnto vs : yet (i) latet anguis in humdmgene- herba : there is alwayes poyfon, in his heft, and i weeteft ^l*^g. in 7. Pfal. Paenitentiales. fcl.5 (z . H. 1 Pet.j.S. Mat.j3.32. Ambrof. de Paradifo,c.i2K i rir£il.Eclb£.i.p*£.9. Potions: \6 Hiftrio-Maftix. Part, i Potions : there is a Soule-intangling fnare, in all his in- uentions : a dangerous, and ineaitable hooke in all his baitesiall his workes,contriuances,and delights,^ *k euer glittering out-fide, or Honie tafts, they feeme to haue ; Arebnt fomtny (I) trappes, and poj forts, to captiuatc, and in- danger Sonles : they are all abominable, and pernicious, like himfelfe : and fb are Stage-Playes too, as well as others : O then let this conuince them to bee vnlawfull, vnfeemely, and pernicious vanities : (as the fore-quoted Fathers, and Authors in the Minor haue deemed them for this very reafon ; ) and now at laft periWade all Chri- ftians,all Pagans, (vniefle they will fweare homage to the Dcuill, and renounce the feruice, and protection of the Lilring, onely God ;) for euer to abominate them, as the very product of Satan, and the broode of Hell. det, -v/ noceat : illicit, ytoccidat. Cypf\ De Hab. Virginum. Diabolutnondtligit filtosfuos, fed 'odit9quia non amat nijl vtpcrdat* Ambrofe. Scrmo. 44. k lmmuYidi fptrtttt* innu merit contra not fraudibtis (trct-tcli, cum fuadt re nobis tniqitx Htejue- unr, ea fu'j Vtrtutxm ffe cte mo fir is oj- tutthu* expo- Hunt, Greg. Mag. Moral. I1b.39.ap 28. 1 Di.tbolt*s hltindtUtr. >t ' m AcTVS I. ScjENA SeCVNDaJ BVt admit, that the Deuill himfelfe were not the im- mediate forger, and parent of theie Theatricali En- teriudes, which no man can difprooae by any Orthodox recordes : yet this rauft needes be granted : that Idola- trous Infidels, and the deboifeft Pagans, were the firft Actors, and Contriuers of them,and that by the (m)verj Inflintl, and Tmorfbip of the Ttenill, whole inftruments they were : and this alone doeth brand them for euilLand mans : there- fore they muft n«d>rs oec finfull, and abominable, m PagAni ijladoceme Dj- dh9h ddinttenerHnt.ConcW* Arehtenfe. 3. Sarins Concil Tom. 3. }ag. 727. Af- fUtu Dta^oU tradnnt tfla ipnof.I.i° (who were the Deuils agents in this feruice:) muft cap.i. Horace need es bee (infull, vnlawfull, vnfeemely, and per- deArtePee- nicious ; at leaft wife vnto Chriftians. *j£ l.{ ^[£ But Stage-Playes, if wee take them in their very bed uent.Vemm" conception, had their rife, their pedigree, and Jib 1. cap.io. being, from Idolatrous Infidels , and the DeboiC- Alex. Sardis. eft Pagans, who were theDeuiis Faclotsin this dcR««min- r • r uentor.hb.J.po feruice. 4M2 Thca* Therefore they muft needes be finfull, vnlawfull, and trum vitac'hu- pernicious ; at leaft wife vnto Chriftians. manse, lib j. For the Maior, I (hall cleareiy euidence it, by Authen- Pag 7$>7t> tique Recordes ; which though they fomewhat vary in °u,d* Fafto" the particular perfons, yet they all concurre in this : that ™™t\ yi^l7° Pagans, and Infidels, were the firft contriuers of thefe Comment in Stage-Playes. (n) Athenaeus, With others, informes vs : Aug. deCiu. that the Athenians Vverc the primary compofers of Comi- Dei.l.2.cap.g. call Enter fades, in imitation ofthofe drunken Hujband-men, yPV*0^10* Vpho Sacrificed, and made PUyes to Bacchus,?^ God of their ttyf Hallicar* Vineyards : * Plutarch relates, that Qomedies,andTragoedies, naf. Antiq. tooke their Originall from Homer : (o) Clemens *Alexan~ Romanorum. driniis records :*that one Thesis : (p) Quintilian, that llb-7# caP'9* 'v£fchylw, *>as the firft Voho brought Tragcedies to light. Kb™™*?!** Who euer he was,that firft inuented thefe Playes among p inftjt# orat. the Grecians ; yet all concurre, that the FvOmans (who lib.r.cap. 1. asitfeemes, (q)deriued them from the greets,) did firft <\ Vicnyf. imbrace them vpon this cccafion. (r) when as there Was ^al[ica"iaf. lib.7.cap.9. Ludou- Viues Comment, in Augu(t. De Ciu. Dei 1.2. c.8. Accordingly, r Liuic. Hift. lib. 7. Sedk 2. Pint Qjeft. Rom. lib. Qjeft. 107 . Tertul. de Spedac. cap. 5. to S. Valerius Maximus. lib. z. cap. 4. Sect. 4. Macrobius Saturn, lib. 3. cap,, 14 BcemugdeM^r, Gentium. IU3. 3. cap: 8. Aueuft.dc Ciui. Pei.lib. 2. cap. 8. 5c Ludou. Vines lb. Orofius. Hift. lib. ?.cap.4. Cxi. Rhod. Antiq Led 1.8.c.7.PoIyd8 Vitgil. dc Rerum. Inuent. lib 3. cap. 13 . Alexander. Sardis. de Rerum. Inutnt. lib.i* Godwins Roman Antiquities, lib. z. Sccl.3. cap j 1. Alex, ab Alexand. Gen. Dkmm* fib. 6, cap. 19, *D 4grfat Hiftrio-Maftix, Part, i agreatTlague in Rome, which could not be afwaged by any Diuine, or humane helpss, the Romanes to appeaje the Wrath of their enraged Tleuill-gods, fent into Tujcanie forStage- 'Players : among Whom, one Hifter, being more eminent, and expert then the reft, memsrtA^ue retinenda. Omnes Verb artes huiuf- modtvetnu- gator 'la ,vel noxtA fuferfti %filn*i~lT *™mions of Infidels, and Pagans, Which may further gods glory, or the good of men ; as Otfuftcke, cPoetrie,Huft?andry, Navigation, ^Architecture, Letters, Writing, and the like : are lawfull vnto Chriftians ; becaufe they ijfue from thofe common gifts, Which (jod himfelfe implanted in them : but as for all their noxious, improfttable, and vaine productions, Which dijhonotir Qod ; Which freiudice mens Soules,and Were deftinated at fir ft to ftnfull endes, (which is the cafe of Stage-Piayes : ) theft Chriftians muft aWoyde : if for no T^'Zff/ftr' otnerrea^on3 'yet for this one alone : that the Heathen (haeuteZ* Gentiles were the Authors, fomentors, and frequenters of them. Hence God himfelfe doeth charge the Ifrae- lites : (u) That When they Were pojfejfed of the Land of Ca- naan, they fhould 'beware, that they committed net any of thofe abominable cuftomes, Which Were committed before them, by the fonanites : that they jhould not defile themfelues therein, but take heede, left they Were taken in afnare after them, left they fhould aske after their Cjods, faying : how did thofe Na- tions ferue their Cjods, that I might doe fo tikewife : Hence mtnum (f a&~ menum, cfuafi fdfta infidelii &* dolofa ami CSt /A COvJft- *ttta>pexttus funt repudi- anddt Chrtfli- ano. Auguft. J5c Z>oftr. Chriftiana. l.i.cap.23, 24,1 5,*£. Tcrtul.de Corona Militis.cap. 6y. Goffons Con- futation ©fPlayes. A&x. accordingly, u Lcuit 18.30. £eut. 12.2^,30. Chrift Pa rt. i . Hiftrio-Maflix* 1 9 Chrift himfelfe enioynes all Chriftians, (x) not to vfe x Mat. 6,7,? va'me repetitions when they pray, as the Heathen doe, Who 3r3J* thinke to be heard, for their much bailing : be ye not therefore (faith hee) like vnto them : Not to take thought, What Wee Shall eate, or whatW 'e Jhalldrinke, or therewith We Shall bee cloathed : and what is his reafon ? For after all thefe things doe the Gentiles feeke : Hence Saint 7^/doeth exhort the Thejfalonians, (y) to pofefe their vejfels in holinejfe, and y I TheC^, honour ; not in the In ft of concupifcence, as the Gentiles doe : Hence Saint "Peter informes vs : (*) that the time pafi of z i Pct.4,3. our Hues, may fuffice vs to haue Wrought the Will of the Gen- tiles: Hence Saint "Paul exhorts the Ephejians, (a) that a Ephc£4.i7, they Jhould not hencefoorth, Walke as other Gentiles in the ^i* cap. 2.3, vanities of their mindes, in Lafciuioufhejfe, and attfncleane- nejfe : Hence the Prophet Ieremie, Jpeakes thvts vnto the houfe of Ifra&l : (b) Thus faith the Lord, learnenot the Way b Icr.io. 1,2,3 of the Heathen, and be not difmayedat the fignes ofHeauen, marke his real on : for the Heathen are difmayed, at them. Hence God himfelfe, doeth (c) oft times in the Scriptures, c 2 Kings 17. reprooue, and blame the Ifraelites, Manaffeh, and others, and J5.2 Chro.33. likewise threaten Judgements againfi them, forgoing after the pr j 5'^^' '* • Heathen, that Were round about thsm : for running after their Ezech.i 1.12 vanities, cuflomes, fa/hions, and abominations, concerning Chap. 20.3 2. Whom the Lord had [aid, that they Jhould not doe like them, Chap.23.30. norlearne their Workes : Hence is it, (d) that god reputed J hap. 2 5. 8. the defire of a King, Which in itfelfe is lawfully hainom -'finite 6 - z* m in the IJraelites, becaufe it iffucd from an apifh imitation cfiap.12.17, of other people : that they alfo in thus refpeEl, might be like 1 s, 19. all other Nations : and hence, ( not onelythe inferiour ranke of the I fira elites; buteuen Ifay3.i7. the Children, and Courteours of their Kings, for Wearing t025« ftrange Apparell, and taking vp the garbes, and fafhions, of thofe Pagans which bordered round about them. If then it bee vnlawfull to imitate, not onely the abominati- ons, rites, and ceremonies : buteuen the prayers, cares, and feare : the gouernment, and ftrange Apparell, of In- fidels, and Pagans, as all thefe Scriptures ftrongiy eui- D 2 dence; 2 o Hijlrio-Majiix. Part, i , dencc : much more mull it bee vile, and finfall, to trace their foote-fteps, in praclifing, approouing,and frequen- ting, their Hiftrionicall Stage- inuentions , which haue no good, nor profit in them. How chary, and f earef ull f Dt Coroaa the Saints of God in former ages were, or admitting the Militis.Hb. Feftiuities , Cuftomcs, Ceremonies, Reliques, or In- cap. rf,7,8. uentions of Idolatrous Pagans ; how ready they were to orStCZ?o difauow them; may appeare by fundry alliances, that Corona. oratio are Parailell with Stagt-Piayes. (f ) Tertullian, condannes dduerfrf Mtdt- the Wear in? of a Laureil (frowne, or flowrie garland bytyay dm. tfirgtt. of Triumph, in a Chriftian Souldicr ; becaufe thcfc Crownes» Copa p 510. and g ar lands, V? ere fir ft inuented by the Deuill,and (g) Vporne 1 .Con 5'TJ7^ h h" Minions> t0 hli honmr- (h) The CeunceU of^fnckf, i Put ah et- (fanon 27. Prohibits Chriftianj to make Fcafts, or UWorrice- roreGentdtum daunces, on the Birth-doyes of LMor tyres, becaufe fuck Fea- attra^Afunt. fling, and Daunting, (1) had their Origin all from Cjcntilif- k Surius.Tom ^ (kjThe Comcell of zAncyra, orEngury, Canon 21. 1 "sunus.Totn. ex¥0feth a^ Chrifiians to fine year es penance, Who fhallobferue 2. p. 647.717. any Trophefies, Dreames, 'Divinations, or Fortune-tellers, m Tom. 5. after the cuflomes of the Canon \. Saint nSZuguftmc, JJe Kechtud. Cathcl. Antiq. Left. Qonuerfationis. Trail, Tom.9. pag. 1448. (*») Saint *Am- lib.23.cap.11. brofe, Oration. 1 1. Cjratian, £au(a. 26. S^ft* 7. condemn* Folyd. Virgil. tfoe obferuaticn of Neytyeeres-day , and the fending of Nen>- c nuen£ y ceres- gifts, as a Jinne, thrcatmng Excommunication, both cap.4.MacroD. from the Church, and Sacraments, to fuch Who jhould obftrue Saturnal. 1. 1. it • becaufe they VPere but the Relicfues, and Obfcruations of cap 9. Alt x. Pagans, (n) \\>ho Confecrated this day, to the honour of lanus abAlex. lib. ^y eRe&itud. Houfes, infowing Come, in planting Trees, or folemnizing Catb^i. Con* Marriages: that it is vnlawfull to obferue (fa lends, or to ad- "c • Tra"" diU themfclues to Heathenifh Feaftinalls, and D elights ; or to l ' , J/, |\ deck* vp their Houfes With Lam 'ell, (s) Tuie, and oreenc Accordingly. hughes, (as we vfe to doe in the Chriftmas feafon :) be- s Htdera eft caufe all this obferuation is defcended of Paganijme : and that irat'F*m*' Chrtftians may not obferue, or vfe any Spelles. or Ceremonies, p^>ro«» ^ in gathering medicinall Hearbes, or in their lantfices ; becaufe ] ib.3 .pa» '5 7 . the Heathens did obferue them, (t) The fourth (founcell of t Surius Tom. (farthage, (fanon 1 6. together With Saint Hiereme, Epift. 22. * • PaS 5 13. B, cap. 17,. Prohibit Chrlftian'BiJbops, to read the Booths of fa"™™2' the Gentiles. (u)The (founcell of Laodicca, (fanon 37.39. aSuriii&Tom The (founcell of tAncyra, £anon j,6,j. Saint nAmbrofe r.png.457. Orat. 3. Tertullian De Speltaculis. lib. With fundry others ~94.> 29S* informe vs : that it is a great finne to obferue the Feaftiualls, x Surius- Tom or Solemnities of Pagans; tobeprefent With them- at their ^"b^ioso! Feafts; toretaine their Feaftiuall-gifts\ or to communicate See Au^uft. With them in their (feremonies, which are not of god: Whence De Red. Ca- they prohibit Chrtftians from them, vnder paine of Sxcom- thol.Comicrf, munication, and two yeeres Finance, (x) The fixt Councell Traft* Tom.9, of Gonftantinople, Canon 96. Excommunicates all fnch a*' 14f% '^' D 3 (ball 2Z Hiftrio-Maftix. Part, i. flail fweare the Oathes of the Gentiles : Yea, the fame ge- neral! Qouncell, Canon 62. difanulles, and condemned the ob- feruation of the (y) Calends, and Winter votes : all meetings \ on the firft of (JMarch ; allfublikf Daunting of Women : all UWummings, Dauncings, S fortes, and Ceremonies, Which might frouoke Laughter , vndcr the name of Bacchus, or any ether, Which Was falfely named a God among the Grecians : inflicling Excommunication , and Def option on thofe that fhould from thence obferue them, becaufe they Were the Inu foflures of Satan, and the S fortes, and Vanities of the Hea- then: Tea, Canon 65. It frohibits the making of (z^H one- fires on New-moones, before the Houfis, or Shops of Chrifti- ans ; together With all spiffing, iefiing, and fooling about them, after the Ancient cuflome, vnder the forefaid fenaltie ; as being a Pagan fratlife, condemned in Manafleh : in the 2 Chro. 3 3.2.5 ,6. And fan. 70. it informes vs : that Chri- ftians Who are taught the Larves of God, ought not to vfe the manners, Tumblings, 'Tlayes, andVefiments of the Grecian Infidels, (a) Sa'mt"Bafil, and (b) Sain t zAugufline, con* demne the 'Drinking, and Pledging of Health ts, from this very ground ; that they Were the inuention of the DeuiH, and the obferuations, or reliques of Infidels, and Pagans : Cle- mens Romanus, Conflit. zApoftol. lib. 2. cap. 66. fc) The third Qouncell of Aries : The third Qouncell of Toledo, fanon 22. Nazienzen. Or at to. 48. p. 796,797. Cyrillus. Hierufol. Catech. My flag. 1. withfundry other Councells, and Fa- thers, which I might enumerate, prohibit, andcondemne all lafciuious Daunting, all fcurrilous Songs, andlefls, With fundry other Sfortes, and Merriments, becaufe they Were the Recreations, Ceremonies , and Innentions of Heathen men. The Qouncell of Eleberis, Canon 34. 3 7. The fecond (founcell of Aries, Canon 23. Tertullian in his ^Apologie againfl the Gentiles : and his ^Booke againfl Idolatrie. Latlantius De vero Culm.lib.6. cap. 2. Cyrillus Hierufolomitanm . Catech. ■ Myfiagogica 1 , together with Ormerod in his Tagano-Pa- pifmus. Semblance 37.123, 124, 125. Condemte the bur- ning y See Alex, ab Alexandre Genial. Die- rum, lib. % . cap 8. JEW). Lampridij. Seuerus. pag. 2.3 1. Ouid. Faftorum, lib. 1.7,3.5. How the Pagans ©bfer- ued them. z SecAuguft. Dc Reditud. Cathol. Con- uerfat. Trad. Tom,9. part.r. Pig. M48. Accordingly. a De Ehrte- tdte & Luxh. Sermo. b De Tem- pore. Sermo. 131. Sec my'Healthes SickenefTe. Argument.14. c Surius.Tom. 5.pag.7i7. Gratian. Cau, 27. Quaeft. I . Part, i . Hiftrio-Maftix. z 3 ning of Tapers in Church-yardes, or Churches, (d)ejpecially d SeeNa2i~ in We day-time, a* the Paptfis doefvpon thefelfe-fame reafon ; enzen. Oratio. even becaufe the pagans pratlifed it : as ii ettident by Baruch 4*. pag^s* 6.j9.byPUnie.Nat.Hifi.lib.i6.cap.S7. Suetonij Calig. ^Ti^iu- cap. 13. Virgil. ssEneid. lib. u.p. 353. Copa.p. 510.^ titim cap.2.3. Tatianut Oratio aduerf. gracos. And yet the Papifts are Nazienzen not aihamed for to vie them : Saint Hierome, andTheo- °r^oi", doret, in their Commentaries, and Interpretations cn£z>ech. P^cha-Rhe- ..... , „ . „ ' n t • 1 r nanus in Ter- 44. 20. Which tmoyne the Priefts, not to {hane their heads, mj ApoiOG.. but onely to poll them ; make the ground of this Iniuntlion,the Au'guft. De pratlife of the Idolatrous P'riefls of I/is, and Serapis, (e) Who Tempore. did vfe to fbaue their crowne, and beards, and make bald their St rm0'3 • A r * heads. Yet notwithftanding, thisexpreiTe cemmand of i^^m** God himfelfe, which is like wife feconded by Leu it. i p. Q^nc Zliqh 27. and 21.5. (f) AllPopijh Triefts, and Friers, doe fbaue heth> Iniuncti- their heads, and beards, in imitation,of thefe, and other ors- Inmna. Idolatrous (g) Priefls, and Nations ; yea, they doe (h) in- a* -^U^Coii- ioyne this Tonfhre to them by fundry Councells, and decrees : ^ mice w ^ for which not onely (i) Trotefiants, but euen their ovene Hart cap. 8. Diuifion 4. pag;. 511, 513. 491 4943495". Homely againft the perill of Idolatries, part pag,7$. Polyd. Virgil. Delnuent.Rerum. lib. 2. cap. 23.11b. rf.cap. 12. . e Barucb 6.$\« Apuleius Aurei. Afini lib. ir. &\\.) LampriJ. Comniodus. pag. 88. JEW) Spartiani. PefccnHius.pag. 137. Herodoti. Euterpe. Se& 47, pag.102. Diodorus. Siculus. Bihl. Hift. Scct.83,84. Boemus De Moribus Gent, lib.i . cap.5.p-34. Plutarch De Ifidc 5c Ofiride. lib. Mor. Tom. 2. pag. 131. AleX. ab Alex. Gen. Dicrum. lib. 6. cap. 12. fol, 349. Polyd. Virgil. De Inuent. Rerum,lib.4. c.8. Ormerod. Paganopapifmus Sem- blance, 99. Ainfwortb, on Leuit. 1$ 27. and 21.5. Munftcr. Cofraog. lib.3. cap.38. pag. 131 1. Accordingly, f GctardusHiftor. Indiae. pag.307. Guagninus Rerum Polon. pag. 305" . Erafrnus Moriae Encomium, pag. 301. Polyd. Virgil. De Inuent. Rernm. lib. 4. cap. 8. g Busbequius. Epift. EccleC Ep. 4. pag. 277. Boemus De Mor. Gent. lib. 1. cap. 6. pag. 53. Zenophon,, Hiftor. Graecae. lib. 1. pag. 449. Acofta, Indian. Hiftor. lib. $. cap.itf. pag.373. OrofiuSj Hiftor. lib- 4. cap 20. pag. 225. Guagninus, Rerum Polon, Tom. 3. pag. 444, Lerius^DcNauigat. inBrafll. cap. 8. h Concil. Toletanum. 4« Canon. 40. Aquifgranenfe Concil. Sub. Lud, Pio.cap.J, Concil, Rom. Sub. Greg. 2. Can. 17. Lateran.Sub. Innocent. 3. part.2 8. cap 4 Agathenfe.Can 20. Capit, Graecar. Synod. Can,££. Lateranenfe. Sub. Leone. 1/0. Seff./.Sur.Tom^ p1g.633.rf. Gratian.Diftinc.33. i BB.Babbingtons Notes on Leuit.19. Se£t.i4. D.Rcinolds Conference with Harr.cap.4. Diuif.8.pag.494,49<. Willets Synop.p.35333J4. Ormerod. Pagano-Papif.Sembla 99. Ainfw.Calu Lauater and moftotbcrPr^teftant Commentators on Lcuit.T9.27. cap. 21. j. &Eezc.44.2u. (K) P'tfi 2 4 Htjlrio-Maftix. Part, i . ^ Iohn Vale- (^J Topi/b Writers doe condemne them, as Heathenifb, and r ian . D c Sa- ab/urd ; Pope tsfnketut W*i the firfi that made this innotiO- ccrdotuTiBar- tign . M Qr4tian. Diftinclie. 35. cPQhd,Vtre Sacerdotum barbis, witneffeth : rendring cnt. cap. 6 2 . \i in this manner. Clerici nee comam nutriant, nee b'arbam ; A?exa Pada* ^nauing avvay tms wor<^ *W*»f, from the latter claufe, lib. 3. cap x.6 as a Superfluous excrement ; becaufe it expreffely con- & 11. Clem, clemnes their (I) Effeminate, Vnnatnrall, Heathenijh,and Romanus PoptJbfhauing.Wthm thefe feuerall Fathers,and Councells Confht.Apott faue vtterly condemned, thefe LMorrice-daunces, Bone- Lo/inusCom fires' Newyeeres-gifts, Newjceres-dayes, Diuinations, Lot- inLcuiti9. ' teries, Mftmmings, Dancings, Health ?s, Tapers, (m)SbAuen- i7. who vttcr- cr ownd, avid bar e-chind Priefls, together with all the other ly condemns fore-re cited Ceremonies, Cuftomes, and Obferuations, c ^a^ln£ (which are now too frequent among ChriftiansJ as fin- beards, t-ull and abominable, becaufe they were m vfe among the m See Condi, Gentiles, and had their rife,and birth from Pagans : then Elibarinum. certainely, by the fame analogie of reafon ; wee mud Can 55. needes reieft, andcenlure Stage-Playes, as pernicious, vnfeemely, and vnlawfull vnto Chriftians, becaufe they had their birth, their authoritie, vfe, and progreflfc from Idolatrous Heathens, and the deboifeft Pagans, Vpon this very ground, among fundry others : TcrwUian, and Cyprian, in their Bookes De Speflacults. Clemens Roma- nia Qonfiit. Apoft. lib. 2. cap. 65 . 66. Clemens ^Alexandri- nsu Oratio. Adhort. ad Rentes, fil.%.9. Tatianus Oratio. ad- uerfm Cjrtcos. 'Biblhtheca Patrum. QalonU a^grip. 1616. Tom. z.p.i 80, 1 8 1 . Athcnagirat, pro Cbriftiani* LegatioJb. pag. 138,139. Thccphihts Antiochcnw Qontr. Antohchum. lib.^. lb. pag. 1 70. Arnobitis Difpttt. aduerfus Cjentes.lib.y. fag. 230. to 242. L.itlantms Dcvero Qultu. cap. 20. Diui- nornm Pa rt- i • Hiftrio-Majlix* 25 noram Inflit. Epit. cap. 6. Cyrillus Hierufel. (fatech. My- fiag. i. Fol. 175. B. tJWinutixs FceltxOliaMHs.pag. 34. I c 1 . 1 23 . Hierom. Efifl. 1 8. cap. 1 . (fom. in Ezech. lib, 6. cap.20. Tom.4. pag. 3 89. H. Chryfoflome, Horn. 63j.&^ 8. on Mat. asfmbroje, Sermo. 1 1 . & 8 1 . AngufcineDe (fin* eDei. lib. 1 . £*/>. 3 1,32,33. lib. 2. ^p.4. ^15. jD1*' cord With 'Belial; that he that belecueth , hath nop Art, nor QuKttkt portion With an Infidell : that the Temple of God hath no Deuminte- agreement With Idoles : and that We cannot drmke the cup of ipfo geftat s the Lord, and the cup of Deuils nor be partakers of the Lords & adiH°s ettr~ table, and of the table of Deui/s. If then Ch:ift,if Chrifti- ZeTn^UoZ ans, and Infidels haue no communion ; great reafon is \ty muKe efl ? (p) that they fhottld not intercommon in thefe Heathenifh Htccine^enU Spectacles, and delights of finnc. d'ln* f"nt ? Secondly, all Chriftians haue vowed in their Baprif- ^cm j me : to for fake the Dentil and all his Worses, the Pompes, and % ^or £' * Vanities of this Wicktd World, and all thejtnfrll luftes of the % pfb : and haue they any reafon then, to harbour, or re- E taine z 6 Hiflrib-Majltx. Pa rt. i ; tame the Ceremonies of Worldlings, or Enterludes of Pagans, which they haue thus ferioufly renounced? ' Thirdly, all true and rcali Chriftians, are Redeemed by I ^ the red, and precious blood of Iefus Chrifi, from (q the or* 21 22." * dmances, rudiments, and cp.ftomes cf the World: (r) from r iPct.i.i8. their vatne cornier fat ion rcccmed by tradition from thetr Fa~ s R'u.i4 3,4- t^ers : (-0 r^°ey arc pttrchrf'd from 0jf*he earth, and from a- t Iolm 15 19- mmg the jonnes of men : (t) they are ranjemed, and taken Cap j 7 14 outdf th>< Wrld, and made m;n of another World, thatfo u Phil 3.20. (*) t^n Tni^ht haue their Whole cormcrfation With God in x t Pec 1 . 1 5. Heaum ; (x , and Walke en in all hcly conuerfation, and aodli- 2 V t.3. » 1 • ne{fe, feruing Cjed in heltncffe, and true Righteoufhejfe, all the Lurie i 74,75- j,yCS 0f .their hues-. Chnll: Iefus himklfe hath bought Cap J2 I4 them ai the ddarcft rate for this very end, (y) that they Gal.2. \ 0 20. fhould no linger line to the World, or to the Will; and lufrs of 1 Pctj-f.*. men, butvnto him alone : (z.) that they fhould cafl off the 2 Ccr .5 . 1 5 • Workes of T) arkeneffre ,and pit on the armor of Light : (a) that *f r c'% U they fhould not henceforth Walk* at other Gentiles, in the iS jo. " ' ' vamtie of their rnindes, following the d'fires of thefrefh, and Cap.2.2.3, of the'minde, giu'mg them fe lues -oner to Lafciuioufneffe, and - p vncleanneffe : (b) that the time paft of their Hues might fuffice a ,% them to haue Wrought the Will of the Cj entiles, When as they talked in- Lafciuioufneffe, Lufls, Retellings, Hanque tings, _.. and abcminable idolatries : (c) that they fhould novo denie vn- j, , 4, godlinejfe, and Worldly kfrs, and Walke fiber ly, righteoufly, and vodiyinthk prefent^orld, looking for the fluffed com- mino, and abearance of their Lord and Saaiour Iefus Chrifi : d EpVicfi^. (d) that thy fhould not henceforth Walke according to the courfe of this World, according to the p.ower of the Prince of the ayre, Which now Worketh in the children of dif obedience : e lam T.27 (e) but that they fh'.uld be pure, and vn defied before Cjod, Aftts 2.40, ' keying themf clues vnfpotted from the World : Since there- fore H us Chrift ha h thus Redeemed all Chriftians from the World, and all its Pagan cuftornes, pleafurcs, /Ephrr.1.4. ceremonies, and delights of finne, ff) that fitVey might1- Col:1 2Z- be holy, arJ 'bl^meleffe before him in hue, (0) and be come a j PciTX 4 peculiar people to him, Zealous of good Worths : great rea- folV: »ni- « i irfi ixubi' . Pa rt. i . Hiftrio-Maflix. zj fon is there, that they fhould abominate all Pagan pra- h Hcbr.10.29; ftifes, Enterludes, and Ceremonies, as vnlawmli, and l c^m^<-la- -misbefeeming Chriftians : clfethey (hould but euacuate, "Zin^utd and make voyde vnto themfelues the, death of Chrilt : ^ereDewft (k) yea trample vnder feete his precious bloody and put him in Chr'tflo vnte openfbame : And would any Chriftian be fo ingrate- »**#*** re- fuli, fo difpitefull to hisbleflcd Sauiour, (whofe (i)b!ee- ^^Ml ding Wounds doe preach Saluation to his fiercefi enemies,) as r^mtferuor* thus to wrong, and fhame him ? £% pfrei *£ . Fourthly, mans nature is exceeding prone to Paganif- canum cordis me, and Heathaiilli fuperftjtion ; as iseuiclent, not one- perferamm* lybythe frequent tApoflafm of the Israelites to rroffe Ido- '"?"*• 3*" 7 jv J , J,s, v . /' i ■ J , ,.1 .? t , tamadmor- latrie, recordea (kj) t# the Scriptures • but ukewite by that temquodnon generail deluge or ' Hcathenifme, Mahometifme, and hi- chrtjltmorte deous Idoiatrie, which now, and alwaycs heretofore, f*?*f***f hath ouerfpred the grcateft part of all the world : God Bcrnard.Supcr. (Ji) therefore out of his Fatherly care, and companion to his » c c ci ' ' Children, to anticipate all occasions, Which miaht Withdraw ^> 2,..to 10.4! them jrom him, to Idoiatrie ; doeth eft times prohibit them, Ezecb.8.6 to to imitate the Fajhicns, Cuflomes, Vanities, Habit es, Rites, l 8- P^l.io^. or Ceremonies of Infidels, and Heathen Cfentiles ; for fear e ^' to 4?" c* left one thing fttoulddraw on another by degrees, till they Were Ezech t£ r 5"# quite Apoftatiz*ed to Idoiatrie, andjeduced from the Faith, to 36. for all Whereupon, (m) Saint Augufline exhorts all Chriftians, thcrcfl:t>. to prohibit the z>fe of all diabolicall interludes, Vacillations, l Sce^lcr^m# And Cones of the Gentiles : and that no Chriflian foould ex- ,. ; r r~ ;S' ercife any of thefe, becdufe by this he is made a Pagan. Since Ezcch.44: 5 . therefore the imitation of Pagan cuftomts,plcamrcs,and Worof. Sam. delights, are but fo many ingredients, and (n) alleilwes to ' • • • Lc l*J?us> Paqanifme* and vrofte Idoiatrie : and [i;icc they alienate* c>r at Babing- leapt, m feme degree, di\iojne our. affections from Cjod, and ancj Ainf- heauenly things ; there is ground , and caufe enough, worth : on that Chriftians fnouldrciedthem, as fmfull, and perni- Lam.19 17. r WiiletsSy- nopfisPapifmi.pag. 354, 355. Who giue this reafon. m Ludosdtabqitos.y yel y ActM.it tones, Mel cam tea genttltum fieri delate : nuUus Gkri'ftUnm hoc exerceat3 quia per hoc Pagan** effieirur. De Rcditud. Cathol. Cornier ft tionis. Tuft. Tom. 9, pa2-i447> M48. n SceLcuit 18 30. Deut. 12.29,30. E 2 cious, 28 Hiftno-Maflix. Part. o Ipftfcilicet Jth pracurd- uerunt Da- mones, per eos in ejuibus efurterant an- tetiu*mprocu~ rauerunt. Ter- tu'.DcCoron. Militis.cap.tf. cious. So that vpon all thefe authorities, and reafons, (the force of which no pious heart is euer able to with- ftand :) I may fafely conclude this fecond Scasne, with this fhort Coroiiary : That Stage-PIayes are finfuil, vn- feemely, pernicious , and vnlawfull, at leaft wife vnto Chriftians ; becaufe they were the inuentiens, ceremo- nies, and paftimes of Idolatrous Infidels, and the moft Licentious Heathens, Qfcho Were no other but the (o) Dcuils Purtteyers,) whom Chriftians muft not imitate. Argument 3. Stage-Play es wereatfirft k jnuented,aud dcftinatcd to Idolatrous, and finfuil ends * there- Actvs Secvndvs. Q Econdly, as Stage-PIayes are thus finfull, vnfeemelyv pernicious, and vnlawfull vnto Chriftians, in regard of their original!, and primitiue Inuentors *. fo likewife are they fuch in refpect of thofe Idolatrous, vnwarran- table, and Vnchriftian ends, to which they were dtili- nated,and defigned at the firft. The chiefe andprimaris end fore they muft of inventing, inflituting,or perfonat'mg Stagc-Piayes ; W<# the needes be fin- * fuper flit ions tyorfbip, or At leafi tyife, the pacification, or at- full, and vn- tenement, o/Iupiter, Bacchus, Neptune, the Mufes,Flora, * ^Dubtmmnon ^P°^°5 Diana, Venus, Victoria, or fome fuch DettiU-gods, tft quodUdunt or Cjoddeffes, V;hich the Idolatrous Tagans did adore ; to Deum^tpote ^hofe honour, names, and memories ■', thefe ^Playes (tyhich idoOsconfeer*' -tyere alwayes ABcd, and celebrated heretofore, asthe.infu- "amue"'^ in§ Authours teftifie,"on thole Feftiuall, and Solemrfe lexola'vr dayes, which were dedicated to the fpcciall feruice, and Mintrua in commemoration of thefe Idoles :) Were at firfi denoted, gymnajitf, Ve- That Stage-Pliyes, (yea, and Theaters, or TLiy-hottfes- too,) mu* tn The A^ ^ere primarily inucnted for the honour, and Dedicated to the Z%r?£vZ fi™lce O ac Ieaft-wife oft times Celebrated in times indrenis, Mercuntt* tnpaleftri* *$ ideoprc qualitafe auftorum, cult us eft fuperfiitto- nttm. Alsbttft impudtcttta^ alibi lafctutn, alil't tntemperantia^ alibi infdnid j Ipbiqve tUnton' tmoperfingulalutYtcrorvm locd"\>niuerfa damonum menjira^ Vr&ddent ertm fcdfbtu fuo culm d§dkdtis% Salu. De Gub. Dei, lib, 6. pag, 205. Cf Part, i . Hiftrio-Maftix. 2 9 of Peftilence, to appeafe the anger,) of thefe Idole-Gods, Vvhofe Images, and Pictures, V? ere carried about, andrepre- fented in them : wee haue the expreiie authorities, not onely of 'Plutarch, in the life Of Romulm , and Roman* jQtttfl. Qua ft. 10 j. oj Dtonyjius Hallicarnajfeus Antiq. Ro- man, lib. 2. cap. 3.5 . ^ lib. 7. cap. 9. Of Valerius Maxi- mus.lib.2.cap.$. OjThucidiies.Hift. lib.2.. Of Liuie. Rom. Htfl.hb.i. Sett. 36. l.i. Sctt.9.20. l.j. Secl.2.3.1.26. Sett. 23 . Ub. 5 . Sell. 1 . Ub.^i.SeB. 20. OfDemofthenes Or at. ad- uerfus Midiam. Oj ti orate T^e Arte Poetica. lib. Of Athe- n&us Dipnof. lib. 2. cap.j . Diodorm Siculus. Hiftor. lib. 1 7, Self. 16. with fundry (p) other Pagan Authors : but like- P R*ft< *n execution of a preuious folemne vow, made to Sea.$.Diony- fomeDcuil-God, by the victorious General!, before the ims Hallicar.' Battell ioyned : of which wee haue frequent examples in Antiq Rom. the (ej) Roman Hifiories : Whofe chiefe Commanders, did lib. 2 . tap 5. . yfaiiy vow fome folemne Playes, and Sacrifices to their Gods, mulus MaT°>"- rf they Would be fo propitious towards them, as to giue*thcm bius S aturn. the honour of the Field, and chafing of their enemies : Which lib. I. cap. 9, vowes they did performe accordingly, vpon their Wifisd fuc- Strabo. Geogr. cepm Other times they haue beene purpofely celebrated, OroC^Hift?" to bee a ^illde of pancler to mens lufts : (d^tnejfe the lib.i cad. 4. ' Tlayes that Romulus made,to betray the Sabine Vtrgines,to Eutropius . the Rape, avid Lufis of hit vnmarried Souldiers : (vpon Whofe Reram.RoTi. Rauifyment, thfre arofe a bloody Warre :) to Which end, and lib.i. Rcnmli n th rerHe Gther times ,^ fh hAfie heene AE}ed vita. Cyprian, J J- J K ' J T)e Speriac.lib. Augiiit. DeCiu. Dei. lib.i. cap. 17, Opmeerus Chronog.pag. 89 Al-x a^A'.cx. Gen. Dicrum.lib .f.cap.iS. Zonaras Annal. Tcm 2 fol.^. I lin. Nat. Hift. lib, 1 5. cap. 29. Petrarch DeRemed. Ytr. Fort. lib. I. Dnlog. 30. Prt- mm f '■'/?' Romule ludos. Cum tunit \vduos rdpta SjhxaVtros, Rcmule rw!t:ibu4 fct 9i ddre commod-i [cIh* : Hsc mihi ft dc-ieris commoda mtles ero S tbcet ex $llo folemxia more Tke&irdy Nunc yuotjue formojis tnjid'tefd-mdnent. O111J. De Arteamanji. pag. 1 60 161. s SeeFlato. LegumDialogus. 1. and Callus Riod. Anti^uarum. Lett. lib. 8. cap 7. Accordir for Part. i. Hiftrio-Maftix. %i for Lafcimottjhejfe, delight, and fleafttre ft-ke, (the cnely vfe which men pretend for Stage-PIayes now :) Hence (t) Poltdor J irgil ohi'trues; that Comedies tooke their deno- * De Inuent- TKtnatvnffom the qreeke Words mtnfrt* : which fignifies, fib\U* "J!™ to flay the Wanton, or Lafauiom ferfon. (u) Others derive u Minfhcw their name, from dmus-, the Cjodoj Wantcnneffe, andriot : D-iAicnaric. ' (x) others fwrni-niiiv rv.7<: oJbh zxa/ua^er: becaufe they Were Nu^b 2719. Lafciuiouh AEled heretofore in Waves, bcinaframht Wiih * Ludo.yiBcg J . JJ i « « / 11 v 1 & * • Com. in lib. fcwL.nt, and Wanton Words : all or them concurring in 2cn g this ; * that their end is nothing elfejbtit Lajcinions, Carnall, Aupuft De and Vnchriftian mirth ; and therefore euili, and vnlawfull. Ciu. Dei. If then this bee yeelded to mee, (as of neceflitie it mutt * Goflc«s be :) that Stage-PIayes were originally, deftinated, yea, ^^^ appropriated, to the fore-recited Idolatrous, and vniaw- Act ?,Maftcr full ends, but more efpecially, to the honour, and feruice Northbrooke, of abominable Idoies, to whole folemne Ivor (hip they andDoa. were actually deuoted , for many hundred yeeres to- Rei"ol(-Js, gether, and that by their owne Jpecia/l command ,' Which ^ainftpi * makes them (j) Wholly theirs : I ihall hence inferre a third Accordingly. ' argument. j Perrbfi^a^ That inuention which was primarily ordained, yea, *fo itaimf*- for many hundred yeeres together, appropriated, nunt> ad d&~ and deuoted, to the immediate worlliip, and fo- Zewt\**mjm& lemne gratification of Deuil-gods ; (*.) muft of ne- m*?l Jriod teffitie be fernicious, vnfeeznely, and vnlawfull vnto tpfa fthi idcU Chrifiians, efpeciaiiy, if it be not neceflary, or vie- fecerunt <*m Mr ' J adutuerenti , vnto men. . -- . , _ Tmul ^ But Stage-Piayes were primarily ordained, yea, for cororaMrli- many hundred yeeres together, appropriated, and tis/ca#& der.ioted,«to the immediate worihip, andfolemne z,^4m'fcerf: gratification of Deuil-eods, and they are no waves hutcCh^tm 0 rf ten arum homt- neceflary, nor viefuli vnto itk n. Kem ruter(?L TTherefbre they muft of neceilkie he Pernicious, Vn- fi0H, ge*u$ eft itemely, and Vnlawfull vnto Christians. f*f> * 'egU\ qt?*f The Maior is euident by the cloud of winufTes, red- e ,rum csHht¥. J corr.muntc.ir^ quorum fej/tiukatihut deleft uur. Saluian. De Gubex. Drijib.. 6. pa^.zctf. Se&. Gualtljcr, Horn. 13. in Hcfcam. Accordingly. ted ?* Hiftrio-Maflix. Part, i a SeeOuid. ]f,aftorum. 1 5. pag 88,89 9^ 5< ted in thepremifes; bythofe fcuerall Hiftoricall aftthc*- rities, recorded in the rirft Act, and Scaene of this Trage- dies prooue the Deuill,thc Author of thefe Enterludes : and by the general!? acknowledgement of all (*) Learned writers : io that I may f pare all further proofe. The Maior, no Chriftian can, or dares tlenie, vnlefte hee will ■turne profeflfed Proflor for the Deuiil : If any bee Co Heathenifh, or Atheifticall, as to gainc-fay it, I fhall eafi- ly euicl the trueth of it, by thefe entiling reafons. tirft, it muft bee acknowledged, that thofe things, which euery Chriftian doeth folemnely renounce in his very Baptifme, muft needs be pernicious,vn(eemely,and vnla wfull, elfe why fhould he renounce them ? But eue- ry Chriftian doeth ferioufly abiurt in his very Baptifme, all fuch Inuentions, which were (b) primarily ordained, and for many -hundred yeeres together appropriated, to the folemne worfhip, and gratification of Deuil-gods, ( as Stage-Playes were :) for hee couenants by his fure- ties; to forfake the Deuiil and all his Vwrkgt : therefore the Maior muft be yeelded* Secondly, that which God himfelfe commanded in a more fpeciall manner, to be abolilLed and reiedted 5 that muft needes be pernicious, vnfecmely, and vnla wfull vn- to Chriftians. But God himfelfe, hath in a fpeciall imn- nerd commanded all reliques, monuments, parts, and ap- pendices of Idoles, (elpecialiy, fuch as were primarily confecrated, and wholly appropriated to their vfe,) to bee vtterly aboliftied, and reiefted. Hence hee enioynes the Ifraeiites : (c) not to follow the cuftomes of the Cana- anites, nor yet to inquire after them, faying : how did thefe Nations tyorjbip their Cjods, that I might doe fo li^ewife t Hence hee commanded them, (d) to burne the Cjroues, the Images, Veith all the appurtenances of Idols -gods, With fire: t& defiroy their Altars, full downe their Temples, cut off * their briefs, and W 'or/hip fcrs , abclifi their memories, abandon their ceremonies, and not fo much as to faue, or referue any rtmnant of them, but vtterly to abhorre, anddeteft them, as an h See Cyril. Hierufolon. Catechifis. My flag 1. Accordingly. 2. e Lcuit.1S.30, Deut. rz. d Doit 7. 2,3, 4.X£.2?,25. Cap 12.3. Cap. 20. 11,17, i8.Iofh.7.i2. Cap. 1 r.12. Iudges 2.2. Num. 33. 52. Sec Hookers Ecclefofticall Politic lib, J. cap. 17. Pa rt. i . Hi/trio-Ma/iix. 3 '3 lt - - n — ' — ' ' • ,[ ' * 1— ——«——■— —. — — i — an acchy fed thing. Yea, hence hee obligeth them, (*)to * Exod.23.15; defiroy euen the very names of their Idoles : not to make men- r>eut« 6>lh J4» tion of the names of other Gods : not tofuffer them to be heard 'pffilf'}* tut of their mouthes : nor yet fo much, at to participate of any Hofca 2.17 of their Sacrifices, Rites , or Ceremonies. Therefore fince 2ech.13.2- God hath giuen fuch fpeciall charge again ft the reliques, f yarro mn and monuments or Id olatrie heretofore : it cannot but be untum in re- flnfull, vnfeemely, and Vnchriftian, for vs to fofter, or bpthumani* admit of (f) Stage-? layes, or any other Indentions now, ^J* ™*^,> tyhich Were originally ordained, and for many hundred yeeres iudos fcenicos t together appropriated, to the fblemrie worihip, and gratifi- cum-vttquefi cation ef Idole-Deuill-gods. tantummodo Thirdly, the Scriptures doe peremptorily enioyne all *W*«r *?*$*• Chriftians, (g) to abftaine from things offered, or Conjecrated ^Hitnte efiekt vnto Idoles : as thefe Stage-Piayes were. nee in re- Fir ft, (h) becauje the things Which the Cj entiles Sacrifice, lus human* they Sacrifice to Senilis, and not to god : therefore thofe ludt fce>'« that participate of them, muftneedes bane communion nuodprofJai with the Deuill : and /Would not (faith the Apoftle) that nnautoliute yejhould haue fellow JJnp With Deuills. Secondly, (i) becaufe fua fecit, fed Chriftians cannot drinks the (fup of the Lord, and the (fup of j^onidm ess T>euills : they cannot be partakers of the Lords Table, and the Kom* natus Table of Deuills -.for Vchat fellow/hip hath Righteeufneffe, indtuLisre- With Vnrighteopifneffc ? What communion hath Light With Iw'tnuenit. T)arkeneffe? what concorde hath Chrifl With Belial ? What Auguft.De part hath hee that Beleeueth With an Infidell ? or What agree- CiU< Dcl' *&• ment hath the Temple of god With Idoles * God, and the .+'a£J< i0 Deuill, Chrift, and Belial, are contrary, are inconfiftent : 29. x Cor.'io" therefore the ieruice, and ceremonies of the one, areal- 20,21. Pfal. together incompatible with the other. Thirdly, (k) be- *M iCor. caufe Chriftians muft not bee vnequally joaked With vnbe- *'* L011' leeuers, With Whom they haue no part nor fellowjhip : now if 0mnt fiudU ' they {hould communicate with the Gentiles in Stage- GentMumfe- Playes,or things confecrated to their Idoles : they fhould Bwtftts & bee then vnequally yoaked, they fhould haue part, ixA fertM de?lm€: yult ejfe diuimrum particefs^ nondclet effe foc'ttu ldelorum. Ambrofc. Strmo. II. i iCor.io.2i,2Cor.6.l4,i5,i«. £ 2 Cor.* 14,15-. F feliowfliip 94 Hiftrio-Maftix. Part, i # fellowship with Infidels, in this refpecl : which Goci will not allow of. Fourthly, (I) be can fa the Confidences of the^Weaker brethren, fijould not be grieued, of ended, defiled, or emboldened, by others participation of theje Idolatrous Sa- crifices ; to their mine, and the Gojpcls ficandall : Kf try, ( m) becaufe all the Sacrifices, rcliqnes, and ceremonies of I- Holes, are an abomination to the Lord, (n) and therefore pro- ttokehimvnto Wrath, to our. deftruttion. Laftly , (o) be- canfe they are a ready meanes to Withdraw our hearts from (Jod vnto idolatrie : therefore (p) Wee mzft feperate from them,andnotfo much at touch them,elfe Cjodwill not recetue vs as his people. Since therefore God vpon all the former reafons doeth thus fericufly, and frequently prohibit, fuch ceremonies, and inuentions,as were inftimted, and deftinated to the Deuills ieruice at the firft : My Maior is irrefragable, and my Conclufion true : That Stage- Play es are pcrniciom .vnfieemely ,and vnlavofinl* v*to Chrifti- a\ns ; becanfe they Were at fr ft denoted to the honour , and for many hundred yeeres together, defign;d to the Wor[hip of feme fdole-Qods, by the very Deuilsfiauourites. All that can bee here replied to euade this Argument, is reducible to thefe two heads. Firft, that the Dedica- tion of Stage-Playes to thefe Deuill-Gods , did onely Contract a Guilt, or SinfulneiYe vpon thofe particular Playes, that were really appropriated to their worfhip, and Celebrated to their honour : but (q) not vpon ale tr\dufh*m,'r$ the hinde. Secondly, that though Pagans, or ethers haue ipfls a primor- abufed Stage-Playes, to Idolatrous, and vnlawfall ends, dh dicMum vet c]-,is [s (f) no impediment, but that Chriftians may re- tfcyuodfue juce t]iern to a commendable, and lawful! vie, fothas uTrUfoLl- we cannot well conclude :. That all popular Stage-Piayes batur ab ldclisy £$ td idol is ad.huc "vluis ? non ffuaft alt^uta ft Udum, fed qufnidm quod I do lis alii fac'tunt, ad damones pertinent. Tcitu!. De Corona Miliris. cap. 6. q Malum >#- detttr ejfe bonum tilt , eui mentem deus impulit ad exttittw, Sophocles. Antigone. pag. 353. Num. 620. r Let thefe obicclors remember this ; Diffinlttu eft male percept* dedifcere, yum bene pracepta dtfeere. Cafe. Polit. lib. 4. cap. i# I 1 Cor. 8. 4. to 13. Rom. 14.15, I6.20.21. m Lcuit.il. 29,3°. Deut.12.3r. Cap 20.18. Cap.i89>TO, Cap.7.i5,2tf. n I Cor. 1 0.22, Leuit. 18. 28,29. 9 Deut.7.2 5- Cap. 20. 17. 1 8. p 2 Cor. 6. .17,18. Omnia- per- verfas pof- fptnt corrum- pere mentes, Ouid.Trift Jib.2-pag.155. * Z**lc '/'- tar haben- dum eft, a- pud homi- nes yeri Deiy quod a eadidtt ■ tit T>iabolisH- Pa rt. i . Hi/trio-MaJtix. 5 5 are vnlawfull , becaufe the firft of them were inuen- ted, and for a long tract of time deuoted, totheDeuilis worfhip. To the firft of thefe, I anfvvere with (/) Tertullian : Anfwer i. that though the con fe crating of any profitable , and vjefull s De Corona Jnuentions to fdole-CJods : (t) as of Letters, and Trade to Militis. cap. Mercurie : of Mufick*, and Poetrie to Apollo : ofPhyftcke, 6>^3*' to ^fculapius : of Ships, and Navigation to Neptune, and yir"j °n^ Mmerua: of Wins to Bacchus : of Come, and Hufbandrie Alexander to Ceres : of Fire, and Smitheric to Vulcan : and the like, Sardis,DcRc« by whom they Were inttented, as Heathen Poets, and Hifto- rumlnucnto- rians faine : doeth no Wayes vitiate, or defile them in the ge- rJ^vs' °ui(j* nerall, but that they are, and may be lawfull vnto Chriflians ; j^# 7 ^ becaufe they are abfolutely necejfary, at leaftmfe vfefull, vnto „. Tertul. Dc men: for Who fe benifit by Godsfrouidence, they Were at firft Corona Mi- invented: Euen as the facrificing of (u) a Male-goate to ^j55* ca*V7*\ Bacchus : rf a Cocke to jEfculapius : of a "Bull to Iupiter : Alexandre. of A Lambe, or She-go ate vnto Iuiio : of an Horfe to Mars : of Gen. Dictum. a Done to Venus : of a Swine to Pan : of a T>oey or Heifer to lib 3. cap.12. Minerua: orofCMyrre, and Pranhincenfe toother J doles, Ouid.Fafto- £id ftampe no Impreffe of vnlawfulneffe , or vnholi- H™ic?Carm' ne(Te, on the whole kindes, orfpecies of thefe feuerall lib.i.odc?*/ creatures; (whieh did ilill retaine their entitiue good- * Aas.15.20, nefle in them:)though it did *fo defile thofe indmiduall,and 29. PfaL 1^.4. particular creatures that Were immediately offered Vf in So- iCor.S.x.to crifice to them , that Chriflians might not lawfully eate of Jl' aP,xo* them. Though, I fay, it bee alwayes true in cafe of pro- Tcitul: pc iitable Inuentions, or Gods good creatures : that the per- Corona Milt- uerting of them to Idolatrous ends, doeth lay a blemifti tis- caP 8- vpon the depraued Indiuidualis onely, not irapofe an vn- c*rnGS>& ^ Iawfuinefle on the whole fpecies, or other Indiuidualis of ^y^ujeemodi their kinde : Yet it is vndoubtedly true ; (x) that the de- p0mf>*S4t*n* ftinating, and deuoting of Unprofitable, Pleafurable, Heat he- quitnidoh- rumfolenni* tatibm fufrendt fdent, fudpte yuidem natura f>uri funt, inno cat tone tame* danti- num impuri effictuntur. Cyril. Hierufol. Catech. Myftag. I. x Tertullian, Dc Co- rona Militis. cap.7,8. Auguft. De Doarina. Chriftiana. lib.z* cap.23> to 1%, Goflbns Confutation of Play cs. Aa. 1. Accordingly, 3* Hiftrio-Maftix, Part. i. nifh, 1 'nfamous ,Scandalous ,and vnnccejptry Inucntionstyhick neither the Scriptures, nor Primitive Church approoued, to iiU'tinib11* Idolatrous, and Sinfull ends, (and that from their very firft cap. 7,8,9. " conception, which is the cafe of Stage-Piayes, ) docth <, Mt'Je yen it make not onely the denoted Indiuidualls ; but likemfe the yariisjiorum Vehole kinde it felfe , vnlawfull vnto Chriftians • Jo that no particulars of this nature may be vfed. Hence Tertullian concludes ; (j) that it is vtterly vnlan full for Chrtfiians to Vpeare a Laurell (rowHe,crfloTVric Garland in any cafe, though it be by V?ay of Triumph : becaufe thefe (frorvms Vrere fir ft in~ uented for the honour, tyorne to the Vrorfiip, and confecrated to the fermce of (*) Tagan T)euill-gods : Hence the felfe- fame Father arftrmes ; (a) that it is no \bayes lavofull, for n*o jidere nojfs Chrtfiians to retain? the names 0/ Jupiter, Bacchus, Apollo, fates, r? c. or other Jdole-gcds, or to impofe them on their children : be- caufe they Were the names of j doles at the firft ; therefore vn- lawfull to bee vfed now ; Htn.ce (b) the Fathers, CounceUs, and fore-re cited Troteftant Authors, condemne all Diuinati- ons, Morr ice- dance s , Bone fires, Netvyeeres-gifts ; theobferua- tion ofNeroyeeres-day ; or the (falends of January: Sjfeminate mixt eDauncing] (c) ejpecially , at Weddings, where it is now moft in vie : burning of (dj Tapers in Churches , ejpecially in the day-time, as the Papifis vfe : jhauing ofPriefts croK9nes,and beardes, &c. as vtterly vnlawfull vnto Chrifiians not» ; (e) becaufe they Were Reliaues of Idolatrie ; yea, Sa- crifices, appendices, and deuoted ceremonies of I doles here- tofore : 1 f then it bee true in all thefe cafes ; that the ap- nuptiai euntet propriating of fome particulars to Idolatrous vC^s, doeth ytlbdldre,*»et fait Are, fed mode fie cctndte (*f prandere, ficut cempetit Chriftiani*. Ccncil. Lacdice- num. Can. 53. Ccncil. Ucrdenfe. C:.n. vlr. d UincCeretij facrii nunc tjuojue ted*, ddtttr. Ouid. FafloruT*. lib. 4. pag. 71. c Prcpttrcd Apiflolw tnchmat : Tugite Jdololdtrtam : omnem^tiajue £sf tetxm. Reccgttd (iluam, & quanta latiidnt fpina. Nihil ddrdum Idclo : ft: r.thil net fumendnm ab idolo. Si in Iddto rccumlere dlte- nttm eft a fide, quid in ido/t hdiifU yideri ? Ou* communto Cbrtfit & Behx i (£ ideo fugite. Lottvum enim dtuorttum manddt ab Idoiolatrid, in nttUo prcxime agendum* Draco enim terrenpu de /onftPfuo, non mint** fptritu abforlet alttes. Joannes fltolf^ intjMtt, cuflcdtte "Vosab idtlis : non ism ah iddolatrta yuafi ab efficie, f(dab Idilx, id efts *b ipfa eftigie, eorxm, &c% Tcrtul Dc Corona Militis: cap. 8. wholy De a nexd co- ronU. Ouid. Fatlor. Iib.4 P^ 81. Bdcchus a- mdtflores : Bdcchopld- cuijfe coro- »dm,ex Ariad- Ouid.Faftor. lib.s pag,89, vid. lb. &c. a Dc Idoiuria lib. cap. 28. to 24. See GratianDi- ftin&io. %6. Gregor. Mag. Epift. lib 9. «V.48. h Sccpag.ii. to 25. c Nonoportet Chnfitdnosad Part, i- Hiftrio-Maftix. 57 wholy vitiate, and defile, not cnely the Indiuidualls thus / Seepag.14, dcuoted, but likewifethe whole Species of them, vnto x*- Pfal 5I.J. 4-4. Chriftians : then nee^es muft it be true of Stage-Playes, |db * (which bring no glory at all to God,nor good to Church, Rom."^ or State : j that the Idolatrous, and Vnchriftian ends, to to 24. cap. 5.8, which they were firft muented, and for many hundred to the end. yeeres defigned, muft make them altogether vnlawfull, p?1} ?' >3 abominable, and vnfeemely vnto all Gods Children. And G(!ne( 6 good reafon is there, that it fhauld bee ib : (fj For n3jy where the Fountaine is polluted, the ftrcames are al- h This all the waves filthy : where the roote is bitter, and corrupt, Fathers, and ^ the fruite, and branches are fo too : where the f ounclati- ^ "J V™0+Y on is decayed, the building muft bee ruinous, Ifayfdam L 2£ ^ds * be but once defiled by his fall, (g) all his poftcritie mvft of tefiifie in necejft tie be borne ftnners. The firft inuented Stage-Playes, thoft their wrere the Fountaine, the Roote, the Foundation, and ™n!jjngs; . common Father of all the reft : now thefe were wholy \Pan/J%lT' Idolatrous, and polluted : they had the Deuill, and his totaiiter^ Inftruments for their Fathers ; the Deuills, honour, wor- extend* [apt - fhip, adoration , and recreation , for their maine, and € **'*"*> i*oA vtmoftend: (h) therefore all fubfequent Play es^hichiffue *f«l (n) wd fuperfluous pleafurcs, which may bee better "%'^w ipared,then retained. Secondiy,becaufe they haue beene, frptrfluum eft. are, and alwayes will be, (o)fcandalous, ofenflue, and of ill Seneca. Dc report among the Church, and Saints of Cod, who haue al- Tranquil. waves declaimed again-ft them, yea,cenfured,and reieded ., nTirwatt!l them, from a^e, to age, as I (hall prooueat laree here- $3. Pbii.4.8. a"er. Thirdly, became from their very firft lnuention, pt*tat4b$non to this prefent, (which is at leait (p) 2000. yeeres, or lj cere t (etjta- more,) they were neuer yet in any Age, or Countrie, that luZaA \uie * can heare3 or r€ac*c °^ *° regulated, or reformed by fZdmfufC- k*wes, or other wife ; as to be thorowly defalcated, and erttedoratum. purged from their filthineiTe, or reduced, to liich honeft, Bernard. De commendable, profitable, necefTary, or Chriftian ends, Confid I.3.C.4. as mjght iuftly pleade in their defence. ( e> . , p&tulerit. Clemens Afexand. Paedag lib. 3. cap.ll. b Ex malls tltgere minima oportet. Cicero, De Officijsjib.2. c Apojj'e adejfe non "valet argumentum Ruiiie. Xcckcrman: and other Logicians, d 1 Thef.^zi. Ephefj.jcyi 1, muft 4o Hijlrio-Maftix. Part.i. mu ft (e) need's amy de them, yea, conimne them. He that will'pieade for Stage-Playes thus : let him firft reforme them, then iuftifie,and embrace them : e'fc let him ioyne with vs in their deferued condemnation, till hee can eui- dently (f) demonflrate to vs their altttall hofelejfe reformati- on, Sixtly, if Playes may bee reformed, and reduced to their lawfull ends ; what parties arc there, that fhould vndertake their cure? Good men will not: they rather (g) "toifi their ruive, then their hopelefle, vfeleffe wel- fare. Bad men will not, becaufe they approoue them not, (h) bm for their f leafing corruptions, which fccde their carnall lulls : Yea, both of them together cannot cleanfe them from thole inueterate corruptions, and natiue obfcenities , which adhere vnto them. For my owne part, I cannot poflibly conceiue , how all our popular Stage-Playes (hould bee fo refined, as that their vfe, and pra&ife {hould be euery way Chriftian, and Legitimate ; becaufe I fee no meanes, no perfons to effeft it : there- nifirifui wiler fore I cannot but conclude them, to bee defperate, hope- impurttdttbtuy [eflfej (jj and incorrigible euils, vncaf able of any cure } vn- traftible by any Chriftian, vnfufferable in any Chriftian State. Seuenthly, admit they might bee reformed, and reduced vnto honeft, neceflary, and Chriftian vfes ; what ends, and vfes fhould thefe bee? If carnall mirth, and riotous iollitie ? (the onely vfe that I know for them :) all Chriftians know, (k) that thefe are finfull: But admit they were not : yet if all ribald rie, wantonneffe, and fcur- rilitie, were exploded out of Stage-Playes; this mirth, and iollitie would quickly wither. (I) If honeft recreation onely f what neede of any Stage-Playes for thispurpofe, fince there is (o great varietie of farre honefter, cheaper, pleafanter,fhorter, and more obuious recreations, which hb.s. cap.186. vvould more refrefh vs then Stage-Playes would doe, flames 4 9. Chap. f. J. Reuei.18.7 Luke £.25. Rtfm ef? corrup'ie ul- ntMimfidica- turejuo mo do. PachyratTuJ. Hift lib.4. g Vttnam om~ ne s dilueren - f*r.Chryf.Hb. 38. in Mat. h Nobis au- tem rtdere & gaudere r*6n fufficit, nift cttmpeccato dtque infanta gaudeamtss : mifceatur. Saluian. De Gubcr.Dei. Iib.6.pa».i9 i SoUThea- trorum tmpu r hates f*nt, qu& honefte non poffunt yeldccufart, mulib minus emendari. Saluian. De €uber Dei. Pa rt. i . Hiftrio-Maftix. 4 r (m)ifalltheirfilthineffe^anivaniue%ereexfungedf Since m infrue7«o- therefore Stage-Playes> can haue no fuch neceffary, or $*»>f»t*mm vfefullends, {n)but that they may bee better omitted, then ^^"cde- retamed: fince they alvvay haue beene, are, and will bee %^t ndere fcandalous, and offenfiue to the Church, and Saints of fine criwine. God : fince their reformation is hopeieffe, their (o) cure Saluian. i)e hard, and &eff>erate, but their extirpation eafie : fince their Guber.Dci. refining cannot purge out all their drofTe, but that they ^ %Mdttt]T* will bee more poyf onous then holefome » alwayes euiil, ^eCcatum ca~ though (f>) left MtU, but not intirely good : fince their uere, quam prefent condition makes them odious ; and there is no emendate. Cenfor, no perfon likely to reforme them : (For priuate ^br0/k perfons cannot effedl it : and f uppof e the King, and State 0 pd<./lim might doe it : (q) at it Would take them off from more emi- ejf excluders mnt,andVveightie affaires, to the publique preiudice ; and pewuiofa, (r) tnifbefeeme their gravities , tofpend many ferious ', and tea- qu*™ revere -, dious confutations vpon fuch toyes as thefe : fo the refor- ^ mn aeimr* nution of them, (which would bee alwayes dubious,) mjjfamodc- would neuer counteruaile the care, the time, and cofi: mi. Seneca. that muft be fpent about it : (s) and no fooner fhonld their De Ira- l»b- corruptions be exiled, but they Vvould prefent h reuert avaint, 2 ' Ct?P' ? • . « • / . J rr \ t r c 1 t_ i t_ • t Multo dquamera« wealth, or the bodies, foules, eftates, or names of men : d*carf\ **l* and fo conclude; that they (t)are vtterly vnlawfull, Jttaneque artificum curant tracl.tre L bores. Virgil. j£ma. pag. 471, 472. s Generis bumanifragtli- to* tronior dtlabitur ad corrtgend* , quam fludeat cenferuare correcla : Synodus Mcld.nfis Praefa tio. Sui ius. Concil. Tom. 3 . pag. 453. t Ceneraliter adrtcrfw Denmfajiit yutcquidDiabolteft. Hicrom. Epift.i. cap.4. €5= birth. 42 Hiftrio-Maftix. Part, i | t i2j birth, andvfefrom He/I; being not onely inuented by the Cbr.is'. Deuill him/e/fi : butHkewife by his owne ipeciall com- mand, and his greateft "minions aduice, appropriated ,and x Rom.f#4.i3. denoted to his peculiar honour, and immediate worlhip ca'^'T'r * f?rmmy hundred yeeres. Stage-Playes they had their Cor 6* i r 19 f^e ^rom **e^ : urce Chriftians (#) our nat'mttie, andde- 20. 2 Cor. $. [cent from Heauen : they were at fir ft deuoted, (yea, yet if. Galj 27, continue deftinated) vnto Satan : (x) We Were at fir ft bap- tized into, yea, confecrated $ckoly vnto Chrifi : rhey were, they are the Deuills ; we were, (y)y?t now We are not his, but Gods, but ChrtJh^alotJe : (z,) this mufi, this cannot there- fore but perfwade vs, to abominate them, to condemne them, both in Words, anddeedes, as finfuli, and vnlavofulL J Cant^.i^. cap 6 3. cap. 7, 10. 1 Cor. 3. 23. cap. 6. 19. 20. Z, Quid t'tVt c»m pompis Dist'?o/f amator Clerifti > Renunctatc non folum "\>ocibr(4, fed etistm mori- btt6 : non tantum fono Ungate, fed 3? attn v*/1^ .- non tA*t»m laktUfonantibn*, (ed & operibttt pro nunc i ant ibm, Augult. Dc Symb. ad Catech. lib. 4. cap. 1. Tom. 9. p^rt. i.pag. 1427, 1428. Ch OR VS. ANd here before I paffeto theenfuing Acl, I flrall propound a fourth Argument againit th^fe Stage~ Playes, (which leilerall lathers bane framed to my hands,) as a Chorus, or Corollarie to the premi If Stage-Piaycs bee thole Workes ot Satan, thofe Pompes , and Vanities of this wicked World, (a) Which turfy Chriftian hath ferioufiy renounced, and folcmnelj vowed againfi in his very rBapiJme-, the)' muft then ci neceilitie be pernicious, abomi- nable v nice nto Chriftians. mc; th'ivforcthevafe vnlawfull. a -SeeConcil Parificnfc lib- 1. cap, 9.10. Surius. Condi, Tom. 3, pag.3 66. 367. and bcre pag.3. in tlicmaxgcnt. (k) But Argument 4. Stage-Playes are tho:e workes of Sa - tan, t Pompes, and Vanities of thiswirked Id which euciy C rifli- anieno incetli in his Baptif- pH77T Hiftrio-tfa/iix. 45 But Sta2e-Pl3)'cs are t^°^e workes of' Satan, thofe powes,and vanities of this wicked work; ,vvhich cuery Chriftian hath fericufly renounced, and fo- lemnely vowed againft in his very Baptifme. Therefore they muftof neceflitie bee pernicious, a- bominable, vnfeemely, and vnlawfuil vnto Chri- ftians. For the former part of the AfTumption : That Stage- h N9nenim Playes are the workes, andPompes of Satan ; it is infalii- De*sdAtl*de- bly euident : For firfr, (b) they Were inuented by him : re,fsdDtabo~ Secondly, he did exatl, and require them of, and extort them lu*> lUe enim from hu^ or Uppers, Thirdly , they Were confecrated to his efllut ettam J, ■> rr . / ? J % - , J . tn artem tocos honour, and appropriated to his fermce, by hu owne Jpeciall \U(icrhue digef- command : Fourthly, they Were (c) vfually celebrated by his ptj ^t per h&c followers on the Feafliualls, and Birth-day es, of; or at the adfetraheret folcmne Dedication of feme new ercEled Temples ,■ to thofe ™i}itesChn(li, • dunMUDeuilUods, V?hich Pagans did adore : Fiftly,the ^irtutt^ue (d) Trimitme Church >ana Chrijhans,didnct onely conjrant- faCeret mollis- ly condemne, but likewife, vtterly retell them,06 the tyorkes, res. Vropterea and Pompes of the very Deui/l: all which is irrefragably in^rbibm confirmed in the premifed Ads : Sixtly, they (0 never ^T^^ ijfuedfrom God, or from his Children ; but from the Factors,. CtfiJs™rJumae and Minions of the Deuill, Vvho onely did frequent, and AB, tyrptum vo- them heretofore, andapplaude, performe, and haunt them luptatumm* now: Seauenthly, God gaines no dory by them, men cent0/es ' Mm ° J J rautt, rj per iUcrum luem in lt>niucrfam "vrbem talent excitat peflem. Chry foft. Horn 6, in Mattb. Ludt fc&n'tct fyeftacula turpttudinum, & /scent to, yan'ttatum, nonbomtnum"vitW) fed Decrum yeftrorum iufis Rom& infittut't funt . Auguiline. DcCiuir.Da. lib. I. cap. 32. Hoc d'tco, quod negantes conuinctt Htfloria , eofdem ilios ludos in yuibu* regnant figment*. Peetarum, non per imptritum ei Ife^uium obfequent turn, facrisDe- erum fucrum mtuitff'e Romanes , fed ipfos Deos y>t fibt filenniter edetentur , F§ honor t fuo confeerarentur, acerbe tmperando^ & ejuodammodo extorquendo fecijfe, lb. lib 2. cap. 8. SeeAft J52. c Ludprum celebrationes Deorum fe(ia (unt ; fijui- dem oh natale eorun?y "vet Templorwv. nouorum dedicatt&nes funtconfttutdi, Et pri- m'ttws tju'idem yenat tones Saturno funt attribute, Udtfcenict Ltbercy Ctrcenfes Nep- tuno : paulattm leero {$ c&terh Dtis item honos trtbmc&pity finguhque ludt ecrum nomtntbu* confecrati funt, ficut Sicin* tt*s Capita m Lt:ri* Speclaculorum dffcet, LnchntiusDe veioCuItu. cap.20. d See pag.4. (p) (q) pag. 9, 10. 24, 25. and A<3. 2. S«erK. 2, e See Aft. 1. S aenc. 2, G a no. , 44 Hiftrio-MAjli^ Part. i. owmtlltcge* rttut, non eft thlecldtto, fed psrmcies, fed feend^fedfup- fltc'tum . no good ; onely the Dcuill workes his cnrles fulfills his pleafure, both in vs, and of vs ; and propagate* h\s king- dome by them, as I (hall prooue anon. If wee wm but ferioufly furuay the end, and fruite, or fumme vp the lofTe,and gaine that comes by Stage-Piayes,we £hall fince that (f) all are lofers ; none gainers by. them, but the Chryf.H0m.3- Deuill, vvhofe endes they doe accomplilli. (g) God the De Dau. & father, he lofeth his honour, hit tyorfkip, hisloue, his fear e9 hk obedience, the fruite of all hid ordinances, and the labour of his faithful! Minivers by their meancs* ChriPtlefus, hee lofeth his glory, hisrefpefl; the worth, and dignitie of his perfon, the efficacy, and merits of his blood : the honour, (h) and true folemnizing of his Natiuitit, his Cir- cumcifion , his Refurre&ion , and Afcention ; which Stage-Playes (*) trample vnderfeete, as dejpicable, andvn- holy things, and caufe men for to vilifie : yea, hee lofeth the (kj) defired fruit e of his Qofpel his Sacraments, his Ambaffa- dours, and of all his trauell, whereby hee doeth 1 ollicire, and wooe vs to come in, and match our foules with him, who is happineffe,plea(ure,comfort, and delight it felfe. The Holy Ghoftby meanesof Playes, doeth oft times (I) t9 his griefe, euen lofe his bleffed refidence in, his heauenly itffluence into, his fweete regiment ouer, his flexanimous follicitations to , thofe good perfwafions, Ambr.Se1m.4- purpofes, refolution$, andjparkes of grace, Vvhich hee hath 7acbr' ioSi 5 &n^ in> our hearts : The Angels they lofe (m) their toy, Chryf. Horn. *n mr conuerfion ; (n) their office, in our proteblwn : (0) their 3 . Dc D auide happinejfe in our Saluation : (p) their fellowfhip, in our ajfoci- & Saul. Tom. ation : The Church fhee lofeth her outward beautie, and 1. Col 5 1 1. fplendor, her honour, (q) her purine, her ioy, her exter- Accordingly, k Null J res en'trn dcfue eloquid Deiincontemptum adductt, at que Specldculorum ojha illtc proponuntur admtratio. Chryf. De verbis Efaia?> See. Hem J. Tom. i.Cvl. 1283. C. I Ephcf 4.19-30. » Thef 5. 19. Hcbr. 10.29. 1 Sarr.i6.14. m Lukei5.7.io. n Pfal. 34.-7. and 9T.1e.1r. Htbr.i. 14. 0 M1t.18.10. r.uke jj.io. p Luke 1.13. cap. 20. 36. Hcbr. 12. 22. «/' SeeTertul.DcSpettac. cap. 24. 25. Putoego, nee Maiefidti dsuinay nee BudngeliCA dtfcipltnt congruerey Vt pudor {g honor EccleftA t*m turpi ($ infami contdgione Hiftriottum fcedetur ? Cyprian. Epift.lib.i.Epift. io. See Chryf Horn. De Dau. & Saul. 3. Accordingly. nail Col. 512. A. g SeeChrvf. Horn. 3. De Dau. & Saul. Horn. 7. and 38. in Mat. Accordingly. h Sufcepturi "Ndsdlem Do- mini, db omn't uosdeh&orum f&ce purgemtts: Rex nefler Chriftus non 1dm nit or em Tteftium, tjudm AntmArum requirit af- fectum, &c i "■ limn i 111 jiHUfi r^i .m'li i i i ■ i -if* Part. I. Hiftrio-Ma/iix, 45 nail tranquillitie,and profperitie ; her members3her fruit- fulneiTe, and fulneflfe by them. The (r)tVord, and Sacra- r SceChryf. ments, they lofe their powerful! efficacy, their reuerendrejpetl, Horn. De Dau. their due efleeme, their (poclefep writic, their fruit fulnefe, and & ^.u|rDe their frequent refort. The (/) Mwifters, they lofe their ^ Dorm*" prayers , their preaching , their exhortations , and re- nar, &e. proofes,tfoeir reuerend refpeft,and loue; their rewards, Horn. 1. incouragements, and refort : together, (t) With the toy, and s Chryfofh fruite of all their labours : The Saints of God, they lofe Ibidem, their kinred,their friend s,their companions,their ioyes, * 2 iohn*. their hopes, their prayers, their ad monitions , their fj1?1"14" . good names, yea, the glory of their Chriftian profeili- ^equll'mm on, and the praife, and innocency of their holy conuerfa- yiia res tan* tion, (u) Which are oft times vilified, traduced, and derided tvm adfert en the Stage : The (x) Common-Wealth is put to preiudice, g****' *'** by the generall corruption of mens mindes, and manner *s; the no- r<*? *Luan~ ibundatice ofldlenejfe, Prodigalitie, Riot, Pride, effeminacy, ^u0(i ex*d. teacher j, Cruelty, whoredome, Adulter j, Wickedneffe ,and nimo gau- Proyhanenefe, Which thefe P/ayes produce. The poore are detistnEc* fpoiled of that almes, thatfuccour, and reliefe Which fhould P* co*' refrefbtbzir bowels, and make glad their hearts. Themife- chfyfoftom. rable Spec verbis plealures, the; (y) lofe their time, their mode flie, their ho- Efaize.vidi. neflie, their credit, and refpetl With god, and all good men : D°minurn yea their ciuilitie, their chaflitie,their money, and eftates fome- Tom i^Co! times; and if all this be not enough, (z) their very foules, ngo.C. ' • and bodies too, Without repentance : too deere a price God- » SeeA&.j. Wot, for fuch momentany fhadowes, and delights of Scxnc-s- J - * x See Act. 6. Scaene. I . to 8. and part. 4. Hiftrioncs non parua rerum pullicarum pefl'n funt* Nam £jf tthidinum miwftriftint, (j* mores bonos co?rumpunt3 _r* M.tgtflratum m contemptum adducunt : ($ opes tarn pub It cat quam prsuata* maxime attenuant, (g* quod inpauperum fubuentio/>em impend/ debe at fere ittercipiunt, Qxamobremytri graues.ojnntbm feculi* hoc hominum gen/ts a republic* fa* exdttfit, quod tUos & mot thus offjeere, & Deorum contemptum inuehere intelltgerent. Gualcher inNa- hum.3.Hom u. SeeEodinus^DeRcpub.lib. 6 cap. r. j See A & 6. Scaene. 3. to 19. ^ {?uj Spettaculis £5? ludis Theatralibus obleBaniur, *. n if,unt in regnum Cf Vtiam eitra Uborem fj pvgxam, yttoxijm 4nguftA Vfd eft, O* affltfttMU plen4» Macarius -^gypt. HQtn.ij . pag.2 r 2 . G 3 finne, 46 Hiftrio-Majlix. Part, i a V.lupt« finnf> W */**'^ ** *»»ft of nccefitie repent, or bee afha- fi*pi» metre- **td, vnltfle wee will be damned. Asforthc profcfled *i eft, cuiM Adors of thefe Enterludes, they gaine perchance a little IZtmt 'Z V"lrje aPplailiC V?OQ thC St3§e' Whkh theY P« Off With /****. Sen their Pl^erS r°beS : 0r aC the moft, (J) * /,'/,/ or ill gotten Eftate, (which they are bound m Confcience torcftore, as I mall prooue anon J and that (c) fi blafied With the curfe of God tpon it ; that it either turnes TVormewood, Gall, or Toyfin to the owners, (d) or meltes away /% Snow before the Sunne in their very life time ; or elfe, (e) it prooue s Rottennefe, and conjumes to dfiestn their next Heires hands : But alas their loffc 5lS »?i14, tratlfccna!S thelr gaines : (f) theJ ¥" ther/ credit, their reftett, their good names, their time, their ciuijitie^their modeftie, their chaftitie; and all that was commend*- ble.m them heretofore : yea, they Iofe their God, their •Heauen, their Sauiour, their Sancftirier, and Oh that 7 could not fay their very Soules, and Bodies for all Eteni- tie, vnltfle God miraculoufly call them (g) toRepentwce, and caufe them to renounce their Vnchriftian, aiV Infer- nail profeffion. Thus all are lofers by their Sta^c-Playes, none gainers by them, but the Deuill, and pfcll : the one games vaflals to effect his will, and lulls fere; and dam- ned Soules, toaflbciate him in his euerfafting torments hereafter: the other fewell to nourijh thofe fcorchtm, and Eternall flames, in Vvhich the Soules, ana Bodies of all (h) im- penitent Stage-tfrequenting Chriftians,fhdl haue /heir portion. Since therefore/^ Deuill is the one ly gainer by thefe State- . P/ayes; which Saint Hierome rightly ftiies (i) the Dcuils tahum fabularum, nen modo honcre avium rehauorum carere, fed etiam tribumo- uert notanone cenfrta Tootuerunt. Augtinine, Dt Ciuitat.Dei lib 2. cap j 3, 14. See Liuic. lib. 7. cap. 2. 5; and Act. 7 Scaene. 6. g re iptur defmatx fiper huwfmQdtltcenttm gemere ac fotus remordert. Htc enlm dohrfiet yob is corner C md mettora prmciptum. Cnryfoflome,Hom. S. in Matth, h fuge pefttferam //- lam ptfetnam Theatrt H&c eft emm , (juA^ec^ato* es fuos inflammcum tlLd pel tnerctt. aumtfue profundum Ulttti i»ms acard'tt. Chryfoltcme, Hem. 7. ihMatth. Tom. 2. Col. 60. B. i D&mwHm cth weft car mtnAT>ot meorum damnap4ntterr.poruv^Y{\trom^:\'}.ix^\) io, u Ephef. 5-19 Col.316.Iam. 5. 13; Pfal . 149 . & I ? o. & 1 03 . Nt-. ue entw quicquam eft quod in hac yttd nosfudu'tw f '$ iu~ cundtw affii (re (cleat, dtq ex r.cde(t<% c^pttur, Uttt/a. In Eccleftd entm co- rum fvt Urantur, Utitia conferu tut •. in Be "lefia3 dolmtes ad arttmi tr^nqu'tltttatem dtducuntnr : tn F.celefid ii qui 4»loi e *{fici^;tu)\ %audio deliniuntui. Chryf. Orat. 7. Tom.j.Col h$o, 14*1. x Hoy woods, Apolbgicfoj A&ors.. which f Mdiorem ofaivent infd~ vd Specldiuia frequentidm, ' qu im bedtd Martyria. Leo. Sermo. inO&aua. Petri & Pauli. cap.i.fol.i6$. t Tempus yitdt med le~ uius curjori- ius : yt enim illi priuftjuam bene ft ent, extliunt : tttt £«f hdc euoldt tnteofudm ye- Ttidt. Chryf. ad Theodor. Epift.5.Tom.5 Col. %6i. A. Quotidie mo* rimur, fuoti- Me commutd- mvr, & td- men tternos ttos ejje credi- mm : hoc ^ttdmeatol- litur : <*uot funftd no tar it, Part, i . Hftrio-Maftix. 4 ? which Chriftians haue renounced in their Baptifme : I flial vouch vnto you the expreffe resolution of fundry Ri- Y #" *"* P'm '' thers : Stage-Playes, (faith (» T^/to,) are the Pompes *>£%%„, . of theT)emil, agairfi Which, We baue renounced tn our hap- tnp£naiJuio tifme ; became, their originally and the materials of Which fat etera- they are compofed, confifteth Wholy ofldolatrie : whence he ""**■ Cuv* a- ftiies Tlay-houfes, (z) the Deuills Church, (a) Clemens -famwrefit Romanus, (irthewprke bee his J calls Stage -Playes • rfc* ^demexle^ Pompes of 1 doles, and Spfttacles of the(T>emll7 lifting all fudt^erh*pt9- Chriftvwstojbxnne, and attoyd them. The Demi's Pompe, fremt*r,re- (faith {byCyril of HientfaLm,) which Wee renomce w our »'"** ta(I'e noi Bapufme ; are thofe Specifies, or Playes in Theaters, and all Dp*f^: ^'g other 'V unites of 'thishinde ; from which the holy Afan of god ^n^ etffS defiring to lee freed, faith: Turne away mine eyes from be^ crenoflrocort- LA'li -r'vanttie. "Be not therefore diligent in the ajfemblies tefiamur. off Lyes. Saint lAwruftine likewife ftiies ihefe Stage- ^d^fim' J 'J , ^ £ i _ ... , • , °. mumdepr*.- Playes the Pompes ortheDemil, which we renounce in cipuumfin •Baptifme. (c) Thou art apprehended, thou^art detefled Oh quo DiMlu*, Chrifiian, (faith he) Vi^» f&ff# tf^J? «#* tht;ig,andprojs(fefi & Pomp*, _ another : U> /.? Iritur ft ex Idololdtrtd, ymuerfltm Speilaculorum paraturam confiare confiite'rit , mduhitate prxindtcatum ertt, etiam dd SpecldcuU perti&ere re- ttuncidtionpt noftr* tefttmonittm in Idttdcro, q»A Btdbolo, fj Pompa, <(g> Angelps tttm jint manctj>ata)&c. D: Speclac. lib. rap. 4,5,6- Sc 24. See Hookers Ecclef.Pclitic. lib. 5 .c .64. z. Diabcli Ecclefta et Tempi***. lb. cap. 7-2 5* a fugttf Tbeatra & Gr/ecorum lud^s: yifdte cmr-em idolorum Pcmpdm, fj>ecittny dentque omnta D&mo- nided SpettdruU : Conftir. Apoft. lib- 2. cap 6/J. b RenurzcioSdthdn^ (j> omni* bw eius optrUus. Potted dtcis, ££ omn'rPompA tllttos ; Porapd T)tsdolieft,in Thedtrie Speeldculd, in htppodromo curftys eafuorum, & "venat'tones, & r imp.idtatia refertas, (£ ytrorum ejfAmindtGrum chorea* fetteris. C tech. Mvft,igoq;ica. 1. c Depr&hendem emm & detegerpt Chrifl'tdne^ ijuando aliud dgi*9 *e} alixd profiteris ; firfelts in nomine* dliud demonftrdns tn optre, non tenens profejltonis tu&fi&em : med'o hgrediens Ec- clefidm ordtiouifs fandere ] pofi modicum in SpecldC°*iis '-urn htftrt^ihtf* impudice clamdre, Qj*td tt'ot cam Vompis Dtafalt qttibut renuncidftt ?• Htyc -vos renunctdre profeflt eftii : tn c-;ud profefitone * on homtmbta^ fed Deo* 0 Jjigeiii etm coujeribent't- bus dixtftis^ReKuncio^c. De Symbolo ad Catcchumerios. lib.4.cap.i,Toro,9. part.l* pag.1427. SeeH0m.s1.T0m.10.pag.592, H no$ 50 Hiftrio-Maftix. Part.i. not keeping the faith of thy promife : going one While into the Church to pray ; and a While after, running to the Tlaj- houfe, to crie out impudently With Stage-Players. Ton haue profeffed to renounce the 'JDeuill ; in Which projcffion , you haue [aid : I renounce : not onely men, but eucn Cjod, and his n^nge Is fub bribing together With you. What then baft thou to doe With thefe Pompes of the Deui/l, Which thou haft re- nounced, ? Saint Chryfiftome, who of all the Fathers is moft Copious, moft Zealous, and diuinely Rhetorical!, agiinft all theatrical! Enterludes, endeauoring out of an d 4tque-x>bi holy Zeale, to withdraw all Chnftians from them, vn- fliritminfu- t0 God : doeth oft times ftile thefe Stage-Playes : (d) the fum eft -*»- jyefitns Pompes : the fables of Satan : Damoniacail myfleries : jruentum^eo . , / . , / ? . r t -^ •? DUbolicas ™e impure foode of the Deutll : and Play- homes : the Demls poTnpattm- conuenticles : And from hence hee doeth ferioufly, and m'tttemmi frequently perfuade ail Chriftians to auoydetheiru Tea, eofabnlM Sd~ ^ajth t flf^ was ^ impiacable indignation, and holy tan*%eocan- . n • • n r> -rfi ^ ^ c rr tilenasmtre- deteftation agamft Stage-Playes; not out or paliion, or tricU turpi- Puritanifme, but true Chriftian Zeale,) / Will neucr giue tttdmii plena* i ouer preaching, vntill 1 haue diffipated, and rent a [under, Horn. De t},at diueli/h' Theater ; that fo the affembly of the Church Saulc *Tom nM1 ^ee m*^e PUrg> an<^ c^e• they protefithey doe renounce, the Deuill, his Pompes, his Ji$u,etaC&- Spectacles, and his Worlds ? Therefore Playes, and Tompes leflthM sf~ according to our profeffion, are thetyorkes of the Deuill. How iefAfo prA„ then, Oh Chrifiian, doefl thou follow St age-? lay es, after uaricatio.' 'Baptifme, Vvhich thou'confefeft to be the tyorke of the Dentil .? 0^ eft e- Thou haft once renounced the "Deuill, and hi* Spetlacles, and mm mB/*?m by this thou mufi needes know, that thou doefl returne to the ^V^ J!#- Deuill, When thou doefl Wittingly, and knowingly returne to anorum pri- Stage-? lay es : for thou hafi renounced both of them together, ma confefi and thou hafi profejfed both of them to bee one. If then thou fi& - $u*fc*- reuert to one, thou hafi returned vntoboth; for thou fayefl, ltcet> mPyt renunctare 1 renounce the Deui'l , his Pompes, his Spectacles > and hie ^ DtAi0i0 Workes, aAnd^hat follow es ? I beleeue, fayefl thou in Cjod et p0mpu c- the Father Almighty , and in lefusChrifi his Sonne. There- ius atque^ fore the Deuill is firfl renounced, that Cjod may be beleeued in : Spettacuhs becaufehe, Who doeth not renounce the-Tteuill, doethnotbe- €t cPerl uj leeue in God: and therefore hee Who returnesto the Deuill, turi Ergo forfaketh God. Now the "Deuill is in his Playes, and Pompes : speBacuU et Pomp*, etiam iuxta noflram profefiioncm of era funt Diaboli, Quomodo, 6 Chriftianej Spe- & acuta pofl Baptifmumfequeris, qu<* opus ejfe Diaboli confiteris c Renunciafli fetuel Diabolz, et Speclaculii eiut} acper hoc necejfe eft, prudens etfciens dum ad Spettacula y erne of y ad, Diabolunt te re dire cognofcas, Vtrtque enimrei fimul renunciaftt3et *r>num \trumque ejfe dtxifli. St ad ynum reuerteru, ad ^trumque remeaftt : ah* renuntio emm, injuify Diabolo, Pcmpu^ Spec1aculisy et operibuseius. Et quidpofiea f Credo, inquis, in Deumpatrem omnipetentem, et in lefum Chriftum flium eius Zrgo prtmum renunciaiur Diabolo, lot credatur Deo : quia qui non renunciat Dtabolo, non credit Deo : et ideo "qui reuertitur ad Dtibolum, relinqutt Deum. Dtabolus autem tn Speftacuhs eft et Tompis fnis : ac per hoc cum redtmus ad Spettaculum, relinquimus fidemChrifli. Hocttaque motto omnia Symbol/ S. tcr amenta foluwtur, et totuvj quod tn Sjmbolo fiquitur, la'iefatfatur et nut at. Nihil emm fequens flat, fipvintit>ale nonfteterit. Si cuiitaqus leue Spettaculorum crimen Vtietury refpiciat cunfla ifta qut diximus, et Vtdeat in SpeBaculis non Voluptatem ejfe > fed mortew.Dc Guber, Dei. lib 6.pag.-ip3, 194. H 2 (yea 5* Hiflrio- Majiix. Part.i. i Arnphtthca* trum omnium D&*nonttm Tcmplum eft. Tot $8icim- mund't fpfri- tUi confident, guot homines eapit. De Sp^dac. lib. Tom. 2. £ Sec Danaeus EthicaeChri- ftianae. lib z. cap. 8. pag. 107. Accordingly. h DeSpccra- culi j 6c Epift. lib.2.Epc v rQ Cultu. cap 20. £ Catechtfis Myfogogica i / Psedasooi. lib.?, cap. ir. *» Oratioad MlitesTem- pli. cap. 4. n Horn. 44. pag. 264. c Hexaeme- ron. Horn 4. Dc Legends libris G nti- lium Oratio. f Oratio. 48. &DeRe£ta Educations ad Selciuum. pag. 1063, 1064. 9 De<5mer. Dei. lib. 6. ■ r their Treatifes (yea the F 'lay-houfe jhe Temple of 'all 'Details ,as (f) Tertul- Hon ebf ernes, u ahvayesfull of Dentils :) and by thefemeanes, When We retternt to Stage-Playes, Weenlwqutfo the Faith of Chrifi,and returne to the 'Deuill. By this meanes then,all the Sacraments of the Creed are abrogated, and all that Which followes in the (freed is demohfhed. If then the crime of Stage- Pi Ayes feemes bat [mail to any man, let him re fie El on all this Which We hane [aid, andhee may fee, that there is no pleafnre in Stage-PUyes, but death : All which, it our Actors, Play-Poets, and Stage-haunters, would but a whiles con- Cider, it would make them foreuer to abominate, and renounce ail Stage-Playes, (g) as they ought 10 doe, becaufe they Were confecrated to the Dentil, as his chifefl Pompes. You fee now by ail thefe concurrent Tcuimoniesof the Fathers/, that Stage-Playes a>-e thofe wry Wcrkes, thofe Pompes, and Vanities of the Dentil, which every Chrifttan hath folemnely renounced, andferhufly vowed aaaixft, in his Baptifme, in the very pre fence of God kimfcife, and all his Angels. That thev are tikpvife, thofe Pcrs.pes, and Vanities of this Wicked World,Which they hane then, and there renoun- ced ; the former rcafons , together with the exprefle, and punctual! furfrages of Saint Hilary , Saint cStmbrofe, Saint Chryfoftome, and Saint &sfugnftine in their (fomments, and Expo ftions on the \\%, alias the up. P Jaime, verfe 37.^ Turne aw y mine eyes from beholding vanitie : ("to whom I might adde, (h) Saint Cyprian, (i) Lattantins, (kf) Cyril of Hiernfalcm, (I) Clemens *s(lexandrinm, (m) Saint 'Ber- nard, (n) CM .coram zsEgyptiiis, (0) Saint Bafil, (p) Na- zsat&en, and (f) Sainton, omitting all thofe (r) Moderne Writers, which are copious in this Theame,) doe abun* dantly teftifie : and indeed, wh.it are, what fhould bee the Workes, and Pompes of Satan; the Spectacles., P!ea- iures, Pompes , and Vanities of this wicked World, which we renounce in Baptifme ; if Stage-Playes are ex- empted from that order ? SccDodor Remolds, Mallei Noithbrooke, and Mailer Go(Tor,in againft Stage- Player If Part. i. Hifirio-Maflix. 5j~ If then this my Afliimption beyeeldtdtomc, as of ne-*s Q^cder.tTu ceHItie it mail:, (for who can, or dares conti o:e it, again ft fa{io *e£f*nts fuch pun.luall, and pregnant euicences?) my Sequel], ^Cue^Uil and Cone ufion mull bee granted without any more di- ne^:ie y/^/} fpute. For what man,who dares to. (Hie hirnfelfe a Chri- nequeprofte* ftian, can bee ib Diabolically abfurd, fo Audaciouflyim- #" partus- pious, or Defperately prophane, as to clenie that (/) to be ?*re dft}Zuf' abominable, pernicious, vndecent, andvnlawfull vnto Chri- cp-'(riac c .^4 ftians, Which they haue all renounced, and abominated in t stiurabu- their Bapti{me f Doubtleffe, if there beany odious, hurt- m*hoi0y thers, (x) renounced the 'Dentil, Withall his Pompes, and ^^^T (blZ #£r«**/* Prodigious, and infernall. Mifcreants ; fuch treacherous firuhnfes Iudatfes to their Lord, and Matter ; fuch perinred and Sf r P"ffc d RebdIs/° *«&* W/**«WM and Onmo.j. cut-throates to */w fo/ip**; fuch Apoftates, and vn- Col.957. a. dermmers to their Faith, and Baptifme : fuch vnnaturall a ^^ and deplored Enemies to their owne Sahiation ; or fuch &$z£z rll'fuU bloody MArt,herers to ^ir °wne s°uie^ £ ^/wX/£, £ approoue, to luftifie, to pradtife, or frequent thefe 7*f*fo renati 5>t:age-Playes, which they haue thus abiured ; or to deeme mchriftoea them tollerable, orlawfull vnfo Christians, Alas luihm in B*p- (b) frhat haue Chriflians any more to doe frith 1 doles* frhat 2S& Vth f,?eH:lli fatn *ith t Pomfes> md *«*" °f nee intelltgere Sf*n ' ™f ^th the fiewes, the fleafures, and vanities of curant,nec this frtcked World? yea, frhat frith Stage-PIayes , frhich ^isfe^t they haue abiured? Is there any late, or new agreement #5ST ^if^^^V^W betweenegRigmhS /*». oafa&e, and Vnnghteoufneffe ? Beleeuers, and Infidels ? Concil. Pari- Is there any peace, or contract newly made betweene fienfc. lib. j. God, and Satan ? betweene Chriftians, and the Deuill > f Hofci i4 s betweene Heauen, and Hell ? betweene the Citizens of XW lit the new Hierufalem, and this prefenteuill World, frhich TZm yeribm W are ™erlaftwg enemes, vncapable of any truce, or mix- DiMli? ture ? Or hath God difperifed with our vow in Baptif- SZuidmihiisr me? or haue we lately renounced our couenant with our znchruf* G°A alKl rw.?,rne allea§eanc^ to the World, the Fkfli, rfrum fun, and the £e»l11 S or die becne ( d) Rebated in their alius Rcdemp- ****** " ">, then Jet vs flocke, and r untie to Sta^e- tmfinrum^ Playes, and take of them our fill, I will not interrupt "or tUt me totum i ' mancipau* Quid mihi & uhi eft! Ttntomagk nos oportet fepertre a DiMlo, quanta tl!e fe dtfetrmt a Chrtfio. Ambrofc Dc Elia, 5c Ieiun. cap 20 c P 5.7. Galat .5.17. lCorinth.^14,15,16. Genef. 3. 15. Galat. 4. 29. D fewper Chnftt AdHerCariK* eft. Chryf0ftome> Horn. 42. in Matth. Tom. 2 dl. 8S7. A. ^ 1 Corinth. 1. 13. . * ketpe Pa rt. i . Hiftrio-Ma/iix. 5'5 keepe backe any. But if the DeuilJ, the World, and God be as farre at variance now, as euer: (c)ifRighteovfxejfe, e2Cor.6.u, and ywighteoufnejfe ; Chrift, and Belial ; TScUeners, and In- 15, k <5. fidcls ; the Temple of God, and the Temple ofldoles ; yea, the I^naes 4«4- World, the Flejh, the Deuill, and Chrift ions, bee jet at irre~ conciloble, and euer lofting enmitie, as they ore : Ir the anci- ent contract betvveene God, and vs in Baptifme, (f) con- f RGm.6 .?,4, ftrmed,and ratified in the preciom blood of our bleffed Saviour Hebr. 9.1 e3 Iefus Chrift,) ftand good : and there bee no new league, 17^> nor couenant betweene the World, the Deuill, Hell, and vs : how can, how may wee then approoue of Stage- Playes? how can wee tolerate, acl:, admire, or frequent f^f^p^f - them, as alas we doe? What, fhall We renounce the Deuill, fa„*tJ™*" and all his Workes? ( g) fiall Wee abiure the.Pompes, <$ui reruns and Vanities of this kicked World, (which ferue onely <"*tfitsinBap- to feed the finfull lufts of the fleflv;) and yet flail Wee '£?£££%": *Pleade for them With our Tongues, Cherifh them with ll p*ompti our Purfes, Runne to them with our Feete, ( h) Applaud eoruw,*uod them "frith our Hands, Magnifie.themin our Judgements, poftmodKm Harbour them in our Houfes, yea, Lodge them in our c°»fr™*/?x Hearts? Alas, poore finfull wretches, who are thus t^tl tura' grofely Deluded, thus miferably Periured; How, how «***/•. HiTrorn (hall we anfwere, how excufe, or iuftifie this our notori- De Rcgula. ous, and will-full Periury to our great Creatour ? how Monachorurn. fhall, how can we iookeour God, our Iudge,our Sauiour, "f • 3°- , or any of the bleffed Saints, and Angells in the face? y?yXw" " (i) where can Weappeare, how can Wee ftand in Judgement, ahrenunctafll Whatjhall We doe, or which way fhall we turrie our felues, fault, efto when God himfelfe fhall challeng vs, when Chrift lefus /***»** %£' fhall arraigne vs, and hee * together Withall his holy Saints, ^V™*' And Angells, condemne vs, in that great, and terrible day of C(tulj0„em Judgement, for breach of this our vow ? O let vs now at foam confide- . laft remember, that there is an Audit, a day of Iudge- r/tt- Ei ***¥** fidem dehes thrifto, fidem ferua, cjua multo precioflor eft yuam fecuma. Ambrofe De Sa^ra- mentis. lib. 1. cap. z. Tom. 4. pag. \6%. A. h Quale eft, Mas manus qua* addom$« num extulerii, poftmodo laudando ktftriontm fattgare ? Tcrtul. Dc Specfoc. cap. z** $ Ffa.i5.iPct.4.i7,i8.Icr.5.3i, * Dan 7ao.Mat.25.31. 1 Cor.s.z^.Xude 14.35, mentj 5* Hiftrio-Ma/lix. Part, i • £ 2 Cor .5.1 o. ment com ming, (kj) therein tye rnufi allsppeare, before the 1 4- 1 ' . l z great Tribunal of the Lord Icjus Chrtft, to anfieere all the breaches of this our folemne ccnenant : and what will then be- come of vs, if wee thus treacheroufly infringe it now, in frequenting Stage-Playes ? Excufe our feiues wc c innot ; Penfh,periih we muft,and that etemaliy without re c ry ; without all pittic. For is it not equall, ihat.fuch w ho readily feme the Deuill, in-pradifing all his workes, and reforting to his Pompes, which they hane couenante I to abiure, (J) Jhmld participate of his Stages, and ' eucrlxftingtor- ments I that fuch who follow the Pieafures, Pompes, and Vanities of this wicked world, m)jhould ii^emfi be con- demned With the Vvorld, and be partakers of its pv.mjhmentt ? who can Commiferate, or Pittie fuch a one, or cieeme him worthy ofSaluation, who leauts his cicr-bicfled God3 (n) to Vvhom hee owes himfelf, and all his jerque ; Rcud rg TI'32 t0 ierue the DeuiU Wll°m hee hat^ dcfied ? °r wirtin^y parts with Heauen, an:! Eternal! giory, by departing from the(o) tyayes of Grace ^hich leadmento it> ro embrace t'.e very vaineft vanities, and Enter ludes of this wretched world, which hee hath thus abiured ? Certainely fuch a mans Damnation is exceeding iuft, and his Saluation, (without repentance; deiperate : And is not this the cafe of ail fuch perlons, who refbrt to Stage-Play es after Bap- tifme ? O then good Chnftian Readers, in the name,and Luk°r '*' 7%2°' ^eare °^oc* > anc* m tenc*er compaffion to your owne di- et VicJ.ii}. ftreffed Soules, Ibefeech you, I intreate you, euen with fobs, and teares proceeding from a bleeding, and lamen- ting fpirit, anxious of nothing but your Eternall good ; that you Would now at lafl, confider ferioufly what you are, and what you hauc done, (p) Ton are all Chriftians in name ; and it i* my defre, my prayer, that you may bee fuch (ej) in tmeth. You haue all proclaimed a fblemne deri- mendits ej} i'h dies t*di( inn quo Tyomtnu* Iefx-f Chrtftus pro - pofoit yens re cum ftamm* fgpts qu&con- f amp turd ejl ddxerftrMS fro!, ($ ees (jut factunt in tjuitatemftkc Ambrofe. Scrmo. 33. Qujyultgau dere cum fa - culo3 nonpof- ftt regnare cum Chrtfta. Ambrofe. Scrmo. 11. 9* Rom. 14. 7> 8>9. chap. 1 2.28. Matt h, 7, 1 4. f Afts 11.26. Chrtfttant erunty & opera pre- cium eft "*>t fi- cut font h&redes nominis ita Jlnt im'ttatores fantt'ttdtU. Bcrnardi. Scnterticc.CoI. 996 L. q Ejfe ChrtfitantAu grande eft, non yideri. Hierom. Tom. I. Epift. 13. cap. 3. Tunc yera tft Dei graua ft hoc rebm exhibeat9 quad yerbu fonat. Auguft. Contr. Iulianum. lib. 4. cap. 7. ancc Part, i . Bijlrio-Majlix. 5 7 anee to the DsuilL, and all his Workcs, and openly re- r Aas.i6.17* nounced the f euerali Pompes,and Vanities of this wicked r Cor. 7, 22,23. World, of which Stagc-Piayes are the chiefe, andmoft l^om.'**?. alfiduous : as being the (r) Servants, and Saints of God, iimcs.'2.'5a * the (s) Heires of Heauen, the (t)Veffeh of Holineffe, the Galat 4.7. * (n) lining Temples of the holy Cjhofi, the (x) fellow Citizens t 1 Then^. of the Saints in Cjlory, and the Inhabitants of a better World z Tim. 2-21. -fh'en this: Ohanfwere therefore your profetfion with a chap.^.9! '* correspondent coauerfation : If yon are, or Would be Chri- Ephef. 2.22. JtianSy doe not yon hsnecfoorth line like Pagans: (y) but as x Ephef 2.1?* j on differ from them in your Faith, be yon Ukpvifi difiingui- Hebr.i 2.22. [lied from them by your Workcs. If you haste renounced the ^ °^a^m" 'JJeutll, and all his Worlds ; O hue not any longer to them: infidelibwyl* If you haue abiured the Po wipes, and Vanities of this kicked t*m,fed a qui* World ; 0 then retume not to them, as Dogges vr.to their bus fide difcer- vomit : (z) Why Jbould you feme, Whyfiould yen re-embrace, v,mury ah f°* how can you toller ate, or approoue the things, Which you haue e^ar^ e<* m9m thus abiured ? God commands you, (a) not togiue place to rtbu* dtutda- the Deuill, but to refifl himftedfafily in the Faith, thatfo hee ntur DecU« may flie from you : how dare you then to entertaine him rdtfi^smmtft* inthefeEnterludes, which are his chiefeft Pompes, and TaTtul^n Workes; againft this Precept, and your Vow? God fmcttutm commands you, (b) not to hue the World nor the things of dd Chrtffunt the World • (c) not to conforme your felues to the Conrfe, the ehar$tntem9 Fafhions, Pompes, and Vanities of this prefent euill World, eu'*€*s * c* (d) which lyes in Wickedneffe ; (e) but to keepe your felues CUp;rceBti*t' vnftottedfrom it : (f) becaufe thefriendfbip of the World, is dtfeefit ma. enmitie to god, and the fiends of this World, (g) which Chryf t>cMh is not of God,) are profeffed enemies vnto God: How can ^"a^,^* youthen admit, or harbour Stage-Playes, (the greateft CcT^JXscc myKealchcSj Sickenffle. pag 22.42.78 Edit 2. z lnijli paUumcum dduerftriottte, d/cexs ei • Rertuncio ttM, Diahole, {£ fault tuo, & Pomps, tua, & opertbus tuU : feruafcedtts quod pet>tcr -fri, &c. Hierom. Epift. 8. cap.?. Tom. 1 . pag. 21. a Ephef 4.27. lames 4 7. i Peter $9. b i!ohn2.i5. c kom. 12.1^2. Colof.2.19,20. EpSef.a.2,3, d ilohnj. 19. e lames 1.27. / lames 4 4. 1 Iohn 1. 1$. g iIohtt-2,16. Scc*lttw net eff ^fecularix autem Diafolj, Tcrtul. De SpeSacuh's Kb. I Pompes, urn car- 5 8 Hijlrio-Majlix. Pa rt. i . Pompes, and Vanities, that this World affords,) againft the-fe Precepts, and your Couenant, without the danger h Matth.6.14. 0f Rebellion, and the higheft Penury ? Chrift Iefus in- Luke 16.13. formes you. (h) that you cannot feme wo contrary Ma- i Tlm'pUeent fters> ** the dentil, or the World, and htm: and therefore mnndo qui you difclaime the one inBaptifme, thatfo you may ap- chriflo dtfj>U- propriate your felues, and feruice to the other. And can **»r Hicrom. yOU t^en voakej anc| ferue them a}[ together ? Can you TluJZ'% re™e Chrift Iefus, and the Deuill? (*J Chrift, and the Originem de World f Chrift, and Stage -Playes ? Or can you be fo be- UohUtrs* fotted by the Deuill, (as alas too many are J astothinke fumpferunt. to pleafe3 to honour, court, and entertaine Chrift Iefus, S^cftac ^ap. to we^corne him into the World, or celebrate his Nati- €.\oiz. uitie, with infernall Stage-Playes, (k) the very Monu- IdoioUtria ments, and Infignes, With Which the Pagans did Gratife, and ludorumom- (/) Court their Deuill- gods vpon their Feaf malls, and fi- mummMer.^ iemn6 Birth-day es :) as if Chrift, and the Deuill, Chrifti- Speftaculis C ans* am* Pagans were accorded ?. as if Stage-Playes,were / Sec Ckero. the chiefeft workes of the Lord Iefus Chrift, (who was De Arufp. Re- (m) borne ofpurpofe to Redeeme vs from them, and to deftroy fponf. Orat. 01it 0jvs fafe Workes of the Deuill :) the principal! recrea- T rtul De tions, and delights of Chriftians ; not the Inuentions, Speaacalis. Pompes, and Solemnities of Satan ; not the remainders of cap 6. to 22. fdolatrie; not the (n) Soule-poyfoning plea fur es, fhewes, & pag- 43- and vanities of this CmMl World, Which Wee haue all mLukct?' (°) remmced- Beloued Chriftians, confider 1 befeech ^5 jUloVn *L y°u> tnat God himf elfe commands you : (?) to heepeyour n Ludifc'enici felues from Idoles • ( ej) and to flee from all Idolatrie , as Anirnorum (r} being the moflcapitall, and dangerous finne of all other : pe/'ilcntta. Auguft De Ciuit. Dei. lib. I . cap 3 z . Quippe nee tra Deum tantum^ nee teld^ nee hvfles^ Quantum fola nocet animU -Hdpfa y>oU>pra*. Siliu* Italicr.s. lib. 1 5. pag. 186. O idolvrttm nee mints* Tempi* \ quxm menumrntd dejyvtmws : qutanon pojfumtt* ccenam Det edtrey (f canam Dxmomorum. Tertul. DeSp~dac lib. pag 395,394. f 1 1 oh n £.21. gr jC0r.10.j4. 4fi(lclti & 1 1 1 c 1 1 111 nomeneft<%c&* fVor/bip: and haue therefore Deene condemned by the teri/?/*, (§ of thefe commands,or of your vow in Baptifme ; w here- reltg'™um m in you did renounce all Ido!es,and IdoIatrie,with ali their frZ°£^^e^ Pompes, and Reliques ? O therefore, as you are ChrifH- puurt.Amo* ans ; as you haue Soules to faue, or lofe for euer ; be you bius Aducrf. now at laft entreated, to lay all thefe confiderations clcfe Gcntcs« 1&-7- vnto your Soules ; before it bee to late. The time will Aifeuft2De come erelong, (and who can tell how foone, fince the ciu.Dci.Iib. Apoftle hath long fmce forewarned vs ; (u) that the Lord Lcap.13.27, is at hand: that the comming of the Lord draweth nigh • and 29.H&.4 cap.i. that the ludge ftandeth before the door 'e; ) when (.v) that laft, * T>miV-j?C and difmallTrumye , (which Jbouldbe (y) alwayes founding cll.±.toi2 this into your eares ; arife ye dead, and come to Judgement,) & 24,25. * /ball fummon you before Chrifts glorious Tribunal, (*.) to ren- Cvprian I)c der an account of your fetues to him, how well you haue sPc&ac- hk kept this vow, thefe Precepts, which now I preffe vp- vcrocSitS.00 on you : and then alas, what can you pleade, or anfwere cap.20. See for your felues ? Can you replie, that you haue kept, or p'g.28,29,3®. (a) at leaflwife endeauouredfor te keepe, to the vttnofl of your * Phil. 4.5. power, thefe feuerall Iniundtions, or your vow in Baptif- Ia ™es s *'£' . me? that you haue renounced the World, the Flefh,the pJflrZtseft* Dcuill, or Idoles, and Idolatrie, with ail their feuerall chryf.Kalen- Vanities, Pompes, and Workes ; whiles you thus iufti- dis Oratio. fie, magnifie, and harbour Stage-Playes, which riot onely Tom-*- Co!- (J?) Fathers, but euen (c) Tagans themfelues, repute, and *°jTj,"e£4 1$ 2. Ccr.G. 10. y Semper tub* tlia tembi'lis yeftris perftrepet aw thus : Surgtte mortui% -\>enite dd judicium. Hierom Dc Regula Monach. cap^e. Tom.9. pag.268 D. Chryf. Hom.71 ad Pop. Antioch. * Rem. 14,10, 12. a Acls 24.16. 1 Cor.g 11,11. Hand eftnocens, yutcunyue von efl fpoKte nocens. Seneca. Herail. Oetius. Ad, 3. fol. 22 1. b Auguft.DeCiu Dei.hb.2-cap.26. Arnob. Aduerf. Gcntes.lib.7.Seepas;.4y,5®,5:r. c Pompa, Vompa, ludorum : Pompa factor am : DeorumVompa. Dionyf. Hallicariiaf. Antiq. Rom. lib. 7. cap 9. MinutiusFelix. O&auius. j.ag.34. Cicero. Epift. ad Attic. hb.i3.Epift. 23.42- Circuserit Pomps celcber ynumeroquc Dorum. Ouid4 Faftorum. lib. 4. pag:^8. Godwin Roman Antiq. lib. 2. Seel:, 3. cap. 2.pa£. 85. / 2 flUc% 6o Hiftrio-Mdjl iX. PaR.T.1, ft tie ; the Worlds, and Dentils Pompes ? Alas, (d) horo hatte you renounced the D rui/i \ World , or I doles 3 Whiles you rc± taine their fhewes, or doe their Workes ? What divorce haue you given to nil, or any of thefe, With which, byWl?ich you fine ? What enmitte haue yon taken up ajgainfl them, Whiles y m are th u obliged to them? Can you deme that (thmke j m3) With your tongues ,Which you confejje With your hands f Or doe you deftroy that in Word, Which you fupport in deed ? <> mybeloued, howeanybu euerfay, (e) that you h^ug hucd lik? Cririflians, not like Pagans ? that you (fj are the Sai -is of God, and Citizens of Heattcn; not Satans Mini- ons, or Burgers of this prefent wicked world ? that you haue m trueth renounced the World, the Flefh, and the Deuiil, with all their Pompes, and Workes ; whiles you waft your time, and your affections ,on thofe Heathenifli, and Infernall Enterludes, and delights of iinne, which are the chiefeft Workes, and Pompes of Satan ; the eminen- teft Pompes, and Vanities of this wicked World ; to which Intidels,and worldlings haue beene moil deuored? Can you plead Not-guiltie of Periurie, and Rebellion in all thefe particulars vnto God hereafter, when as you can- carequi tantos not plead thus,now to men, (g) or to your owne condemning €ffic»?Dei*m Confidences? If ycu hope to prooue Not-guiltie then ; •*er*mpr&dt- ^hy doe your (h) Lines, yoPir Workes, your- Conferences crie earequtfalfcs / . -/ \' 'J ^ ' / . fdcUi Ne?*f Cjttutte now ? If- you coni efle your femes Gcratte now, tequodfdeis how can you plead Guiltltfle, (i ) or efcApe Chrifts doome, €tlere? Tcrtul. andiudgement then f Since therefore it is vndeniably cui- De Liololatria c|ent j^- afl t fe prerniies: that Stage-Playes are thofe Pomps, pas 448 An^ Workes of the Deuilt, and J doles-; thofe "Pompes, and o VA '/? Vanities of this Wicked World, and heathen "Pagans, Which stntmminH opus non agit, Cvrifltanus non effe ^tdeatur. Saluian De Gab. Dei. lib. 4. pag. 94* f Q*i$'i erf° 'tt' curn ter^a *[** pvfotlet cahm ? Quid tilt cum humanity qui adeptuseft tarn e&ttind ? Chrvfologns Scrmo. 2 5 . Nunquam bum An* of era ad- mlrabttur, tfuiftjuii fe cognoutrtr filtum Det. Cyprian Dc Specracuhs. g Se iudtce nemo ntcens dbfoluiwr. Imicnal Satyr. 13.pa5r.n7. gnod quiffue feett, patitur : autorem feelus repetit , fuoiue tremitur txemplo nocens. Seneca. Hercules Furens. A&. 3.T0I.36. (b) h Surjfvero ncnnuNt qut tterna qu& audtunt Yeracher ere* dunty ($ ' tamen etdem quam tenent ft det mntbns cwtratttcnnt '. Greg. Magn. Moral. |b.2^. cap. 3. #. Rom- 2. 3. cutty d Quomodi renu*»ciau't- mus Diabolo & AngelU ciusyfieosfj c'tmus? (hiod repttdium div- tmus his, non d.uo cum > t>HSsfcdd' j ut- hit y>ir-i'mvs I Quam dtfeor- dtimfuptpi- mus tn eos9 cjHtbus exhiqi- tionis nc(l>A gratia obit gait fumus ? Votes lingua negajfe^ quod md»(4 cinfirerii ? Verbo dttlru- erey quod fatto flruu ? Deum Ifinum prtdi Part. i. Hiflrio-Maflix. . 6\ euery Chriftianhath euerlaflingly renounced, and folcmnely V HonnuU* abwredin his Baptifme : Let this, yea this alone,per{wac;e ettAm *unc ail fuch as are Baptized with the name of Christians, *£'£%*' (vnleffe, (kjthcy defire onclj < to feeme C hriftians, net to bee t^t^dll' Chnfliars, from Stage-Playes.) Elfe if they approoue, applaude, and t^vlmlL" haunt thefe Stage-Playes ftill; let thtm know this to ei*+reo»hci- tlieir endlefle terrour : that though they beare the mme are premtfi- of Chriflians, or yeeld'fome fuperfciall tyorjfop vnto God ; "*'.**"[** yet they doe in truerh renounce their Chriftianttie, (o) annihu nJ*ftu,tet4{ J / , . . J , . S < _ ad c ok filler a~ iate their Daptifme, abiure their Religion ; dense their Faith, ttonem fu p** loffc, to fauour Stage-Playes h but of this enough." pr*fentem ah- nem expulfus efi prior hofpes ; per confef'tonem credulitdti*> ivtroedt fecundus. Ama« Iditus Fonunatus. DeEcclefiaft. Offic. lib.i.cap.23. m See AA.7. Scene. 2,^,4, 5. 11 Atcjue bine yet mdstimt inteUigunt fdttum Chrifltdnum de repud*9 SpecldcuU- rum. Negdt statue m.inifefte jut per quid dgnofcttur /o/7/f.Tertul. De Spectaculis. cap. 24. Sec pag. 4- (p) (q) o Nenneeieramus & refcindtmus figndcutum^ re- fctndendo teftdtior.em etus } Tcrtul. Dc Spe&aculis. cap. 24. Sec pag. \9* $o, $ii p Multi funt qui f daunt elcemofjna* (g* tdmen feccare non ccfjdnt% ifli yudfifuA offeruitt Deo, (pfetpfos DsafoU, Ainbrote. §erm.i2. Sec pag. 59,$ 1. I 1 Actvs 6z . Hiftrio-Maftix. Part. i. Actvs 3. Scena Prima. The ftilc and ^Tf Hirdly, as Stage-Playes are thus odious, vnfeeme- fubicft mat- X ly, pernicious, and vnlawfull vnto Chriftians in all Pla°4St;sg n l^e Precec*ent rcfpecls : (o likewise are they fuch in re- lawfull lthere garc* °f their ordinary ftile, and fubiedt matter ; which fore the Playcs no Chriftian can, or dares to patronize : If we furuay the tbemfelues. ftile, or fubiecl matter of all our popular Enterludes ; we q Admalum ^all difcouer them, to bee (q) either Scurrilous, Amo- ™m/fcJo*iu~ rous> anc* Obfcene : or Barbarous, Bloody, and Tyran- tinaut. Plfuti. nicall : or Heathenifli, and Prophane : or Fabulous, and Aulularia. Fictitious : or Impious, and Biafphemous : or Satyri- Aa.4-pag.102 calls and Inuecliue: or at the beft but Frothy, Vaine, r Necejfeefi ancj Friuolous : If then, (r) the compofme, and matter ef exitus 'hur our t°f^ar Stage-Playes, be but fitch as this, the Playes them- fe eongmant. filt*cs muft necdes be emll, vnfeemely, and vnlawfull vnto Seneca .Epift.9. Chriftians. S Ha*°brLes Not. to infift vpon this Generall : that the fubiecT: ItmuerT matter .of moft Comedies, and Tragedies is fome vile, fedentes, fed and odious (inne : (s) Vvhich Jhould bee rather a griefe, Uchrymli gem and abomination, then a recreation vnto Chriftians : I fhall mereacdoler* for the prefent confine my feifeto the particulars here 38. in Mat!"" ^rft* I &y> r^at t'ie ^e> anc* fubiecl matter of moft Reitgnf* tri- popular, (efpecially Comicall) Stage-Piayes,is Amorous, pitU^Aut ali- Scurrilous, and Obfcene, vnbefeeming ail Chaft, and owm luget Chriftian eares : from whence I raife this fift Argument, peccatum, aut ° froprium : Bejtti quorum lu&us in hdc intentione Verfktur. Bernardi. Serm, in Fefto. Mar. Magd. Col.244. H. See De Modo bene viuenci. lib. Col. up. The i\ile,and fubiecfc matter of Stagc-Playes, is Amorous, and Obfcene : therefore the Playes tbemfelues vnlawfull. That Pa rt. i . Hiftrio-Majlix. 6 \ That whofe very ftile, and fubiecl: matter is Lafciui- OUS, Scurrilous, and filthy, (t)muft needes beevn- ^ Sec Clemen* [eemely, vnlawfull, and pernicious vnto C hriftians. v£ito \\u**' But the very ftile, and (ubiefl matter of moft, if not of cap.4,5,5; all our popular Stage-Playes is fuch. BB.Babington. Therefore they mull: needes be vnfeemely, vnlawfull, Mr- p«kins. and pernicious vnto Chriftians. ^' J^oc1, For the Maior, I hope no Chriftian, no Pagan dares to Mr. cvuin. queftion it. For God himfelfe, hath laid this perempto- and others on rie Iniunclion vpon men : {u) to keepe their tongues from thefYauenth fuill, and their lips fomfpeaking guile-: yea, he hath giuen Comm^de- this in fpeciail charge to Chriftians. (x) Let your ft each ^g^Accor" beealwayes gracious, feafoned With fait : (y) Let no corrupt u pfai.34.1j. communication proceed out of your mouth, but that Which is x Co'oi 4.6. food for the vfe of edifying, that it may minifier grace to the J Eph f.4.2$>, carers : Let all ettill (peaking; be put away from you : and as |°' ^P*.5 3;4' r r . . j * 1 & it / \- J ri_- 1 SecAmbroie, for fornication, and vncleanenefje, (the common lubiects, Hierome and principall ingredients of our Comedies,) neither Primatnis, foolifh talking, nor iefling, Which are not conuenient, let them Theodoret, not bee once named, (much lelTe then a&cd, or applauded) Cl\ryf?ftci?Ca among you, as becommeth Saints: (z.) ft uagreatfolecifme, fn« ^,1*' yea, afinne among Chriflians, either to relate, or doe, (much 5.3.4 Acccr- more, to Perfoliate, Penne, or Pleafingly to behold,) dingly. any obfeene, or flthie thing : Chriflians they are, at leaflwife z APU^ Cfjr*~ fiouldb; * Saints ; yea, (a) Chaft, and holy Virgins ,Temples, %fj'/fa!™a and Veffels for the Lord : (b) cleanfng themjelues from all ^alnm^ft^i-- pollution, both of Flefh, and Spirit : (c) flopping their eares tmm,iurpeA- from hearing blood, fhutting their eyes from feeing euill : yea, liquid yelnar- not fo much, (d) m touching any vncleane thing : therefore rare> ^€}f*~ they muft abandon all Vnchaft, all Scurrilous, andfllthie Adu«fH°I™i- things: their Eyes, their Eares, their Hands, (e) their dium cap.8. Tongues, their Hearts, mufl know nothing but Chrifl, inter- Tom .2. pag# meddle With nothing but pure, and holy things : (f) 7 heir (yod 2\9. Ephef.i.*. iThef.4T-Hcbr.3.l. a 1 Cor.3.1^. cap.tf.17. 2 Cor.i 1.2. 2 Tim.2. 21.Ru.T44. b 2C-H.71. c Ifay 33.15. 4 Ifiy52.1i.aC0r.tf.i7. ctyM- oea- ded others in their vices, as much as in their l^eitie :) was tur qux dey>- al wayes deteftable, and odious vnto Pagans • Hence Cjel- tiofjs fatlis /^ informcs VSj (t) that the Romans did publtkely funifb, cuL^nUteCr ' mt onety Otfccne, and petulant deedes, but Words : Hence fide adulter^ (*) Romulus 'mailed this Law : Ne quis pra^fentibus fee- Teeldejtuero- minis oblcama verba facito: Let no man vfe any obfeene rum Amore fpeach in the prefence of any Women : Hence Sophocles in- dtferatur9Scc. f • (x) that it unotfeemely, nor honeft,jto fbeake Clemens Alex. , . ,-„ ' \v/,.f r , r j W Pjeda*. lib.2. fHC" things, Which are vnjeemely to bee done : Hence was cap .6. Sec that ingenious checke , Which Diogenes gaue to a beauti* Chryf Horn, full youth, When hee heard him vttering fome obfeenities: i7.inEphef.5. Hicromc, Ambrofe, Theodoret, Prirrafius, Theophyhft, and H^ymo3 inEpheC 5 . 3, 4. Accordingly, whef e they together with Saint Auguftine. De Reft. Cathol. Conucrfatioms. Tom. 9 part.i.'pag. 1447. and Saint Bernard. De Pa fT. Domini. Trad, cap 27 . conderrne fcurrilitie, and iefting. s Ktcptmunt adulterum louem zontam regno fuo ejuam Otitis pratotentem, Cyprian Eprft. lib.2. E; id. 2. Donato. t Ne&in faftamGdo, fed ettam $n ycces petulant lores publice Rom* vindication eft. Nae"h Att.iib. 10. cap 6. n Plutarchi? Romulus. Opmecrjis. Chronogr. pa*. 90 Dionyf Hal. Antiq. Rem. lib.2. Sed. 4. x Nsn fulchrum eft dicere ea cju* fattu turpta (ant. OEdip. Tyr. paa. 301. Thecdorct, Chryloftome, Primifius, and Thcophvlaft, in Ep'tKf 5.4, 5 . AccorJin^ly, (y)doefl Pa rt. i . Hiftrio-Maftix. 6 5 (y) doefl thou not bin ft, (faith bee) to draw a leaden Smrd _, NoH€rftfo- out of an luorte fcabbard ? Hence was that brand, Which pis • ait, ex Seneca flammed vpon all fcurrilom perfons, which I would ebumea vt- fuch Chriiuans whole tongues are tipt, and hearts de- st™e&'mie' lighted witlfRibaldrous Songs,and Iefts,would ferioufly *^J^ m apply vnto their Confciences : Wherefoeuer (faith he) thou biog. Laert. (*) meeteft With corrupt difcourfe, there doubt not but the lib. 6. Diog. heart, and manners are depraued : and no wonder : for out Pag- 349- of the abundance of the heart, the mouth fbeaheth, andeuiU z fy"*"**!** J . J, ' x i J ■ / tsderts oratt- Words corrupt good manners, \a) as we Scriptures teach vs. cnem C9rrup. Hence (b) <*sfriftotle magnifies the modeflie of that ingenuous tam, tbt yuo~ Pagan, Who When he Was about to vtter an vnchafl obfcenitie3 q*e mores a Was tongue-tied out ofmodeftfhame: (c The fitizens of Mar- re^° defc,u'f[e celles though Pagans, Would admit no Stage-Playes into their um E -^ x " Citie, leaf; their filthinejfe, and obfeenitie (hould corrupt their Magna, mat* jouth: Yea, the very (d) Heathen 'poet himfelfe, Would habitant in haue all fcurrilitie , and ribaldrie, exiled from fuch places *^a amma> Where To uthes, and Children Were, for fear e they fhould de- ?"? er a , praue their mindes, and manners. l{' then God himfelfe, if & facet a. the Fathers, yea, if all thefe Pagans haue vtterly con- chryf.Hom. demned all filthie, Scurrilous, Vnchart, and Amorous 17. in EpScf.f. fpeaches, lefts, and Poemes, as misbefeeming Chaft,and ^JkeV 2'^ Modeft eyes, or Lips, or Eares ; my Maior cannot but be 2 c0r. - 542*. granted: and fo much the rather, (e) becaufe Vnchafl, y Rhetor, lib. Obfcene, and Amor om Wordes, are but fi many vehiculaes, i.cap.9. pag. to carrie men on to Adulterous, and Sinfull deedes, both Co' A*C3SI- which, all Chriftiansmuft abominate. p-ndamm For the Maior ; that the Stile, and fubieel: Matter of pag, 40?. " mod (f) Comicall, andTheatricall Enter ludes, is Amorous, c Valerius and Obfcene ; it is as euident, as the Morning Sunne : Max 1jb- z- Firft, by the expreffe, and pun&uall teflimonie of fundry j**^ ^£ fedttm Teifityve h&c limtna, tangat Intra qua puer eft : procul hinc, precul tnde pueUa Lenonum, ($ cant us pernoffantts parafti. Maxima debet ur pueris reuerentta. Iuuenal. Satyr. 14. pag. 126. e Obfcan&s ferma gf fcurrilttas yehtculum fcorta* tionis : Ne dtxeris yrbana, fcumlia, nee turpia, nee feceris, & flamrnam cupt- ditatis extingues. Chryfoftome. Horn. 17. in Eghef. 5. 5c Theophylad. lb. f Cornic&fabuU de ftupris yirginum Uqmntur ($ amorfbx* meretrienm, La&a»- tius, Dc Vcro Cultu. cap. xo. m K Fathers, 66 Hiflrio-Majtix. Part. loniae Aprip. 16 16. Tom. 2. pag.i8o.i8z. A Ib.pa5w/^ fa & £pia fa £ Donato. quod autem * . ^ r' * ... •, ' J * . . • ■verhumtmpu- Ongen m Rom.n. lw.cl.Tom.^.pag.202. Arnobius aduerj . dens non pro- Gentes. lib. 3 . pag. 1 1 4. lib.q. pag. 1 49 . 1 5 o . //£. 5 . /wjr. 182. y*/v*»/ f**/'- ^ lib.j.pag.2^0. to 241. LaBantius De vero Cult u.cap. 20. /#*» MM«»»f .6. 'Safiltus Alagnus ktftnones? lb Hexaemeron. Horn. 4. Z>*g. I 80. 1 8i . Gregorie N^zian^cn inulremldoT Oratio. q%. p^g-J96.J^j. ad Seleuchum De retla Educations ad [ales tam £p$- p*g> 1 06 3 . 1 064. Qregorie Njjfen. Vita Mofeos £nar- tranfitum fa- ratio, pag. 525. aAmbrofe De Panitentia. lib. 2. cap. 6. & cUm ; pudet Snarratio in Plafm. 118. Oblong . Cjrillus Hicrufo lorn it anus referre yu* dt- Qatecheps Mjfcagogica. 1 . Hilar ie Enarratio in Pfal. 1 4. e?' 'etUm decu- *n Pfi^ ll$- &e. Hierom Comment, in Ez,ech. lib.6. cap.20. fare qutfiunt. Tom.q. pag. 3 89 . H. & Spift.i. cap.6. Chryfbftome Horn. 3 . Agentivm <2)tf Dauide & Saul. Horn, in Pfal. 140. Horn. 6.1. (m) & ftnpha^ dctA- ^ g> -m d ^adf.i de incefiss t£r ptrrtcidii*y fabuldtur. lb. m Cunftd enimfimpltciter qua Ibtjiunt tutptfit- md funt : verba, yeft/tttr, fovfurd, tnceffm, yoces, cdxtf&jmoJulationes, oculorum euerJtones,mott*frtili&i fiftuU, & ipfafdbularum argument a , on: ma (tn^uam) turpi lafciutd fiend funt : eju&aures mentis folent msgif ?tuam qus.vis fordes cb'h uere : ~*il potiw port obftruunt tAntum> fedctiam impururnfadant^ (? immundum. Chrvf lb. Dtk Part. i. Hijfrio-Maftix. 6j 'Dei. (n) lib. 6. & 7. 'Bernard Oratio ad CMilites Templi, n Sot* The** cap. 4. (0) Joannes Salifburienfis Dj Nugii Curialium. lib. r . ******* i**P*m cap. 8. &lib.%. cap.6.7. Calfiodorus Variarum. lib.i. cap. *'ta'"**1" 27. &lib.j. cap. 10. To whom I may adde, Ccnci- »epenonpor. hum Tarifienfe Jub Ludouico & Lothario, lib. 1. cap. 38. funt y>el accu* Concilium zs4'. IS.p.istf. Canon, 7.8. Sjnodus Cabilonenfis. 2. Canon. 9. Sjnodus * Blb'I0thec* CMoguntina fubRabano. (fanon. 13. Concilium Co lonienfe. ,7 IU?!g ^* tAnno. 1536. pars. 2. cap. 25. pars. p. cap. 10. Concilium. D.466. C. . (folomenfefub Adolpho. Anno. 1549. (^ Gratian. Diftinilio. p Comadiay 33.48.86. Perufe,Ifay,thefeleuerallFathers,and Coun- rrax*d'***- cels ; (whofe words, if I ftould at large tranferibe them, ^"AJL'tVs would amount vnto an ample volume :) and you fhall uberterlegtth finde them all concurre in this : (p) that St age-Play es are t~§ audit i*. \X>hotlj compofed of, or at leaftrvife fraught With Ribaldrie, Minucius Felix Scurrilitie ; Vnchaft, and tumorous ftreines , and paffages : ° ^a ■ P1^' Ior- Obfcene, andfilthie lefts, Vehtch incjv.inate the Mindes, cor- ^ntl^dtlfa rupt the Manners, and defile the Softies of men, (ef) yea pollute hoftium Chri- the very places, and common aj re, \\>here thej are but alhd : fit; Mamcd- W hence they all condemne, the fe Theatric all Snterludes, thedram pefti- as vnfeemely, pernicious, abominable, and vtterly vnlawfull ™t,a*tamy *p- vnto Chriftians : as exceeding odious, and difp leafing vnto quxdefut>erin- Cjod ; ftilivg them, (r) the verj finches of all vncleanenejfe, cubat fcrfeftit the Leblures of Obfcenitie, the Meditations of Adultery, the ^ocibt^ con- examples of difhoneftie, the exhortations, and i-iftrutlions of F^Prdtum' filthinefe, and the like : and 7Jlaj-houfes} (s) theTemples spe&ac. c 27. r LudtfcAnict (peftacula turpitudinum , f$ Licentta yanitatum : perpetuus m >rbu$ umC hri ft/. Trx\\\\ D SpeftacVc.z6.i7 2 .Catheara Pe!Wentiarumm Cl?m. Alex.Paed.15. I.3.C.II Tudompu. (filupanarium^^f o' fc antra t ism igtfiertum. Cypr. Dc Spectac 1 b. Communis (£ pubttca offictn* fceterum. Bafil. Hexa 'm. Hom.4. Torn'tcationts g^mnafium • lrttemp?rantt-waJ3.\ziz.{\7-. ad Still- chumde R^£ta educntione. p. icfi, Loca Ff habttaeuh turpttud^rum Sa'u D; Gub. Dei- 1.6- p.l^S. Cauta'urpttednum Au?ierb>t eanuntur : J$ee res hac Veners gr fi- tter yUttfuit. Ouid. Fafto- rum- lib 3. pag. 5 5- x Sec Act. 7. Scene. & 3 ofVenerj ; the Stems of Modeflie, the Schooles of Ribaldry, and Obfcenitie : the Dcnnes of fil thine jfe : the Ch aires of Peflilence, and corruption : the Seates, the Places, and Man- fions ofallfilthinejfes, and vnchaflitie : and the common, and publike Shops of all tyickednsjfes, and defilements tyhatfeeuer. Adde wee to thefe in the fecond place, the exprefle, and puncluall Teftimonies of Pagan Authours, whom none dares taxe of Puritanifme, or precifentfk in this point, Suruay but Zenophon in his Commiium. TlatoDe Republ. lib. 8. & 10. Legum Dialogus. 7. osfriftotle Politicorum. lib. 7. cap, ij, Diogenes Laertius. lib, 2. Socrates. Ifocrates Oratio ad Nicoclem ; & Oratio De Pace. Tulhe (t) De Re- pMica. lib.q. Tufa. S^aft. lib. \.&2. cDe Legibus. lib.j. Ad Aiarium. £pift.\. Seneca. Spift.j.po. & 112,. Plutarch De <*yfudiencUs "Poet Is. lib.. De Gloria ^Athenienfium. lib. Sympofiarum. lib. 7. Qj^ft. 8. Liuie Ro?nam Htfl . lib. 7. cap. 2.3. Diwyfius. Hallicar. Rom. Antic], lib. 2. Seel. 3. lib. 7. Setl. p. Valerius OWaximus. lib. 2. cap. 4. Cornelius JTacitus. Annal. lib. 14 Sett. 2.3. Lampridii hlehogobalus. P. lime. £pijt. lib.^. Fpifi. 20. Ouid De Arte Amandi.lib.i. Triflium. lib. 2. & Fafiorum. lib. 3. pag. $<$. Horace *Dc s* <7 n rT EoltOfl Dl- all Playes, (y) the grand empoy [oners of Grace, fngsnnonfnejje, ft0urfc of and all manly refolution : the LeElures ofobfcenitte,the Seedes True Happi- of vices, the Fcode of'Wid>edneffe, yea the lHagues, and Pry- nef£. p 7$ 74. fon of mens Sotsles, and Manners : (z) and Theaters, the Ora~ z T^f/r* tories of the 'Dcutll the Synagogues of Satan ; theSchooles +0(fumii*\turm of /ewdneffe ; and the very fin-kesrf filthineffe% and all other pitudmisyitt- vices : Which Chriftiansfhou/dabhorre,yeafeare, and ftiey srumgue om- as much, nay more then any Teft-houfe : as theie their »*«"*!****«**• writings, will at large demonftrate. If then thefefeue- ^Jd'ni^c rail Fathers, Councells, Pagan Authours, and Moderne Rcpubli a. Christian writers, (with fundry others, which lib. 6. op. r. I fhall receit hereafter in their proper places :) con- SceGualthet elude the very Structure, Stile, and Sublet Matter of ^°™m"" m popular Stage-Playes, to bee Amorous, Scurrilous, and Accordingly, Obfccne ; and thereupon pafle this Judgement on them : K 3 {a) that 7 o Hiftrio-Majlix. Pa rt. i . a Ta !i t funt (a) that they are altogether Vnfitfor £h aft, vnlaw full for Chri- q*& ilitcfiuttt, fHan,vnfeemely for Gracious or modeft Sares to heare,or Lips V <**''?* f0' tovtter: I hope that none will bee fo obftinately incre- etZ^recoll dulous, as not to bclceue them in the one : or fo de- tUw alfjuu fperately impious, as not togiue fentence with them ; fmepcHutione not to conrbrme their praclife to them, in the other. non pcfii : in j> ^ ft a[[ t hcf e feuerall '1 eftimonies are not fuiricient to The'c^trce^tils contnnce tne mo^ incredulous Play-haunters of the ob- 'Limtu&JL fcenities of Stage-Playes; I appeale for final! proofeof dttu *vres ,£? my Affumption vnto euery mans experience. Not to re- aftea* ocxli corcl thofe ieuerall prophane, and groffe (b) Ohfcenities, folluuntur. ^^ jimorous ftrcines, Lafciuious paffages, and vnfauourie guafutdem Iefts which are fcattered in Jriftophanes, Terrence, Plan- omnia t am na- J . . • * \ • t ■ gitKJkfunt&t tus* Catullus, Tibullus, Troperuus, (c) Quid, and otner etiam expli ■ ancient Comedians, and wanton Poets ; Which euery Chaft, care ea qutfpi- m<{ gracious Chriftian muft condemne : I (hall confine my Tluo'udore' ftlfe vnto the Comedies, and popular Enterkdes of our il»wJ/Sal. present Age, * Which farreexceede them in all thefe. Alas, De Gub. rici . what are the Maior part of all our Moderne Stage-Playes, I5.p.i86,i87. but fo many Lectures of Ribaldry ; fomany Abftracls, Melmeum,lt^ Compendiums, or Mifcellaines of fublimated, Elegant, men meum, Wittie, or more Accurate , and choyce Obfcenities ? mettm defide- wnich (d) the more refined, and accute they are, the more r'unt-> om*es. doe they empoyfon, endanger, and depraue the ^Auditors : fores, £$?if» Doe not the ordinary Theames, and Subiecls of our Mo- dtgnas *rba deme Comedies, being nothing elfe but the Adulteries, ******** e£ ™- Fornications, Rapes, Loue-paflions, Meritricious, Vn- "InZZZTin cbaft ' and ^morous Pracl:ifes , of Lafciuious Wicked 'itmXdiw*- men> 00 or HeMhcn Idole-gods ; (f) Which Jhould not befo befciff*ut, tn fault ho mini1 tts deteflamur : quanto mtgis in clertcit, & infiintlis ~\>trk± Hierom. Epift. 2 . cap. 6. b Scurrtlttos at que Lajrtut.t te pr^fente non habe.mt lo- cum. Nunquam yerbum inhoneftum audtat : aut^fi audteri*,ne inefceru. Hirrom. Epift. 8. cap 6. c In his Amorum : De Arte Amandi : VultXy Sec, * Ego am pit us dico:nonfolum agi nunc i'las ludicrorum infamtum labes quulneranr * qux quarto Itcentttts adeunt, tantodtfft'iltM euiPatttmr. Hiercvn Epift. 12. tap. 3. c Sec Cyp'i"n Epift. (i'> 2 , Epift. 2. Auguft. D, Ciuit.Dci.lib. 2.rap-4.to 1 5 16,27,28^9. Arnobius Aducrf. Gcntcs. lib. 7. Accordingly, Sec here Scene. 3. f Ephef. 5.3,4. muck Part, i Hiftrio-Mafttx. 7 doe not thofe (g)7Vanton, TVhoriJh, toft fall Parts-, thofe fee Art. 5. Ribaldrous Songs, and ft it hie Ditties: thofe Meretricious, tz,\a'z much as named, (much leffe then acted) among Chriftians ? / Of which fee Art. f. h 2 l\t.z.7,$t E- and Vnchaft Attires, Loohes, and Geftures : thofe esfmorox*, pfalm. 1 19. and toft fall Complements, Kiffings, Clippings, and Embrace- 136. 158. ments : thofe liuely, if not real! rtprefentations, orocu- Sec Chryfoft. lar demonftrations of the very ads of W horedeme, and ^om 3*- Adulterie , which are vfually reprefented to vs on the ^*>priah Dc Theater : together with all thoie Obfcene, and filthie spertaailjs. lefts ; thofe Scurrilous,and beaftly pa{fages,thofe quaint, lib. Salujan. Subtile, Rhetoricall, and Flexanimous ftreines of con- lib-^ Dc* templatiue, Elegant, and wittic Obfcenities, with which ^^'Rcl' on Playes are fraught, and enterlaced : (h) the very fight, j/JtJ^f" and hearing of ^hich, fijould caufe all mode fl> Eyes to Blufh, ({peaking of and JVeepe; all Chriflian Bares, to. Glow, and Tingle-, all Pagans,) auer» Chaft, and graciom Hearts, to Mourne, and Uleede :) doe t^ant faciem not ail thefe (I fay) proclaime, and teftifie to the world ; „£&*£? that the Stile, and fubkcl: Matter ; yea, the very Aclion, r«nij(3:*& Circumftances , and Appendices of our popular Stage- temjligstii Playes, are Scurrilous, and Obfcene ? what need we then ^'dereerube- any further witneffes ? Doubtkffe, the Obfcenitie of our ^"'f*?'* Playes is fuch, that if the very Stones, and Pillars, which dt/cebdnt. ' fupport the Play-houfe; if the Seates, and Scaffoides, Augurft. Dc which adorne it : or the very Theater, and Stage it felfe, Ciu JD»- lib. had Tongues to fpeake ; they would prefently exclaime 2* caP againft it,and reprcoue it. And dares any Chriftian then, be fo audacioufly abfnrde, as to gaine-fay it ? fo wi!-fully blinde, as not to fee it ? fo defperateiy prophane, as not to loathe it ? when as his owne experience tnuft acknow- ledge, and his very Cofcience doeth, yea cannbt,but con- demneit? Since then the very Stile, andfubiecl Matter of our Playes are fuch. ; this muft,this cannot but enforce fiami vs to reiecl them, as pernicious, vnfeemely, yea, vtterly dtgnum, non vnlawfull vnto Chriftians ; yea, as (i) arkvotts, and often- ^^nemC6^- J ? v ' ° JJ t.'t/taflt fed Sftrttum Bet, "k quo benefictum dcctp'tflti 4 quo f sin 81 feat urn eft ostium. Nonpudct- itgitur n*s ittum contr'tparei Stgnatum tfl es tuum a Sptriiu, "V/ nihil mdtgr.um ipfoloottarps : ne diffoluai igit HrfigiHum. Theophyiart. in Ephef 430, fine 2. cap. 2:\ And fljouIH not Chriftians n -.uch more blufh to fee them t i St prefer as yerbum ft>ur~ cum, (5- Chri- ore in- 7 z Hiftrio-Majlix. Part, i . five to Cods blejfed Spirit, Vvhohath Santlified, and Scaled irp our CMouthes, and Eares from all Scurrilitie : as all the fore-recited Fathers, and Chnftian Authors haue already done, vpon the fclfe-fame grounds. AcTVS 2. ScENA SecVNDA. £ S<* Seneca. & Medea. ' Q Econdly, as the Stile, and fubiccl: Matter of Stage- 1 . Archtlochum O Playes is Scurrilous, and Obfcene, folikewife it is froprk rdfoes Bloody, and Tyrannicall ; breathing out Malice, (k) Fury, armAuttiambo. ^^ Murther, Crueltie, Tyrannic, Treachcric, (1) Frert- Poet. lib. fie> TreaJon> an Malke, Duels, CMurthers, Reuenge, and more then of Sta^e Plaies 'Barbarous crueltie, to the great diflurbance of the publike is Bloody, and Peace. From whence I frame this fixt Argument. Tyrannicall; Thatwhofe Stile, and fubiedt Matter is Bloody, and Therefore cuil Tyrannicall, breathing out Malice, Anger, Fury, vntoChiiftians Crueltie, Tyrarmie, FiercenefTe, Treafon, Rapine, * ChryfHom Violence, Oppreffion, Murther, and Reuenge, 3?. in Matth. muft needes be Odious, Vnfecmely, and Vnlawmll Xaft.U c.zo. vnto Chriftians. Po^yd.Virg.De efpecially of our Tragicall) Stage-Play es. Inuent.Rcruoi Therefore they muft needes be Odious, Vnfeemely* 1.x. c.io. Mr, and Vnlawfull vnto Chriftians. Trc!idbre°akCS Ttelrfinor is euident : Firft, by Experience : Second- oainftVaine ty> by M exfre$e Authorities ; both which doe teftifie : Phycs, and Enterludcs. £30.37. Mr. Stubs Anatomie of Abufts. p. io^, 10^107 Mr, GofTons Playes Confuted. Ad.4, 5. Scn-ca. Epift 7 Read Sophocles, Euripides, and Seneca Lis Tragedies, with all our Mcdernc Tragedies; which confirmc it. that Part- I. Hiftrio-Maflix. j$ that the Stile, and fubieB Matter of our Tragedies are Bloody, o Epk ef.4. 2 e% and Tyrannically abounding With Enuie, $i. Clamours, Wrath, Qrueltie, Treacherie, Frenfie, Murthers, Genef.4-5>S. Treafons, Villany, Vnplacableneffe, Difcordes, Mutinies, Re- iam"eg , I4* hellions, Conspiracies, Rapes, ^Duetts, and Reuenge, Which 15,16.' prouoke, and Wheton theJSpeElators to all thefe barbarous, rfalm.7T.4. and inhumane Vices, Which they Jhould abhorre. re? ?m ' * * 9> I0* The Maior is vncontrouleable : Firft , becaufe the J^j™; %x6^Xm Scriptures doe exprefly enioyne vs: (o)to put away all pfalm.27.1a/ Malice, Anger, Wrath, Contention, Sedition, Strife, Cruelty, Pfalm.74.20. Violence, Rapine, and Reuenge -, together With all (p)Tru- Frou.n 17. culent , Clamorous , Furious, [refill, Tragical!, bloody, Cap. 12.10* Fierce, Malicious, and reuenge fall ft each es : and that for Adcsg.sV fundry reafons : Firft, becaufe fuch Words, andatlions as Rom. 1.29, thefe, (q) are Earthly, Car nail, Diuelifi ; proceeding from the 3 °> 3 * • World, the Flefh, and the Deuill, (Who are f aught (r) ^ith z Tim-3 *-3.* Rage, and Crueltie :) not from theWifedomeof God from ? EPhcr-4-$r. aboue, Which Is Pure, Peaceable, gentle, eafte to be intreated, ^dcs 0 1 **' fall of Mercy, and good Fmites ; Secondly, becaufe fuch Pralm.52.4. fpeaches as thefe, (s) are the Fementers of Contention, yea, Pfalm. 5 5.2 1* the Chariots of Anger, Crueltie, and Reuenge: Thirdly, Pfel^-^H- becaufe fuch Tragicall, Fell, and Bloody difcourfes as q^'^\6% thefe, are altogether vnfuitable vnto Chriftians ; who Rom. 1.29, are, or fhbuld bee, (t) Men of a Quiet, Peaceable, gentle, so, 3 1. Meeke, and tender-hearted 'Difpofitton , being Kinde, and Galat.jMs. JLouing one towards another, andforgiuing one another, euen ^T'c *** as God for Chrifls fake, hath for giuen them. The God of q^v.1.6. Chriftians, (u) is a god of Peace: the Head of Chriftians, f umcs\.i. (x) is a "Prince of "Peace: the Guide ot Chriftians, (y) ita 14,15,16,17. Spirit of Peace, and Vnitie : the Rule of Chriftians, is a Galat 5.20,21:. (z,)Word, a Gojpel of "Peace, (a) Which bringeth, and pro- R««-L>9j claimeth Peace to all, (b) and perf&adeth Peace With all Afen: l°Qcn.49^-7. 1 Peter 5. g. Prou. 12. 10. s Prou. T5. r. Eyuuteft yociferatto, dfcenfor autem tray impeAi eyutlm, & fubuertifti afcenfrem. Theophyl.i£t Enar. in Ephef. 4.3 r. t Ephef.4 3M2,33.Marke9.5c 1 Cor. 14.33. 2 Cor. 13.11,12. Ephcr.^.23. Galat. ay of Peace • yea, their Rom.j;i7. fc) Vocation, (d) Life, (e) and End, are Peace : therefore c iCor.j 15. altirefull, Truculent, Heice, and Tragicke Spectacles., a Tim*.,2i ~X" or P°emes> which breathe out nothing but Crueltie, Blood, Vnmercifuineffe, Difcorde, Vnplacablenefft', and Reuenge, mud needes bee vnfeemely, and vnlawfull to them ; as being oppofite, and Repugnant to their Peace- able, Meeke, and Courteous conftitution. Secondly ,fuch Barbarous, Bloody, Tyrannical!, Fierce, and Cruell Spe- ctacles, and Enteriudes as thefe, where Tyrannie, Enuy, Malice, Mart her, Furie, and Reuenge, are Acted, and Applauded to the Life, (f)r^ufl needes I nrage, Imbitter, Exafperate the Spetlators, and prouoke thsm to Crueltie, 1m iTim.2.2. e Kal.27.37. 2 Pet.3.14. f Luxuriofior redeo, immo "*>ero crude- It or £«? tnh&* mtmor, qui a inter homines tnSpeilitCHtii Eutft.7?\id ib. Vaftion, Rage,Reuenge, and Dif content, vpon very f mall ^ Act. c. ' occaiion, as I lhallprooue at large (g)anon: therefore Scene. 10. they rnuft needes bee Euill. Vpon this very ground, h Adueif.Hae- Qjsj Ircn&ui, (i) TertuUian, (^) Cyprian, (I) Athenagoras, (m) Theophylus Antiochenus, (n)Tatianus, (0) LaElantius, (p) Nazianz.en, (q) Epvphanius, (r) Chryfoftome, (s) Au- guftine,* Minucim Felix, (t) Salman; together Vvithallthe Chrifiians in the Trimitiue Church , as thefe record, didvt- terly condcmne,andauoyde allSfVord-Playes, Tragoedies, and bloody Speclaclcs of crueltie ; as Fightings, and Combates of Men, With Men, or Men, and Beafts together, (which the T#m.2 . p. 1 39. (u) Lacedemonians, together with (x) 7-V^and (y) Sene- n Contr. Au- ca^ though Vagms, did likjtwife cenfuretandreiec~l ;) becaufe (z,) they did excite, andftirre men vp to Murther, Crueltie, and Reuenge ; and make them guilty of the Wounds , and 'Blood of all thoff Combatants, and Swsrd-P lay ers, Which they did behold. And hence Iikewife was it, that the good refes lib 1. dp.i.pacT.23. i DeSpefta- culis. lib. k Epift.lib.z. Epffl.2. / ProChrifti- anisLagatio. Eibl Patrum tolicum.Iib.3. lb. pag 170. G.H. n Oario. Contra. Gras cos. lb. pag. 1^0. CD. 0 De VeroCuIt, cap. 20. Diuinarumlnltit.Epit cap 6. p Oratio. 48. 6c De Recta Edacatione ad Selcucum. pa^. 10^3, 10*4 7 Conipend. De Doch*. & Fide Ecclef. Catholic, pag. 922. r Horn. 38 in Matth. ck Horn. 12. in Romanos. s De Ciuitat. Dei. lib. 2. cap. 2 5. lib. 4. cap. 5. * O&auius. pan. 123,124. / De Gubcin3t.Dei.lib.6. u Plutarch. Laconics Inftituta. x De Republics, lib.8. y Epift.7. ^ Sec loanncs Mariana DcSpecta u'is. lib. Lipfius DeG!adiatoribus,AgrippaDeVanitateScientiarum. cap. 13. Peter Manyr LacoRxn Commuri, Ciaills, 4. cap. 18, Scd. 23 3, 44 Smpcrour Part. i. Hiftrio-Miftix. 75 Emfcrottr (a) Conftantine ; together with (t>) Nerua, a Eufcbius (c) tSfrcadfas, and Honorim ; prohibited all Svi>ord-Playes, De Vita Con* Duels, and fuch like Cruell, andllloody Speftat/es ; asmif- fantim. lib. befeeming Chriftian hands to a&, or eyes to fee ; becaufe ** caP- I# they were but fo many Incendiaries, and Fomentorsof Hifton*. Crueltie,Quarrells, Murthers,and Reuenge. Since there- Ecclcf. lib.i. fore the Stile, and fubiecl Matter of our Piayes, together cap. g, with the confequences of them, are fuch as thefe, wee Niccphorys muft, wee cannot but reiecftthem, on the fore-faid rea- Hiftliif"1^ fons, as thofe fore-quoted Authors haue already done. cap/46. Eutropius Return. Rom. Hift. lib. 11. pag. 141. b Zonaras Anna^» Tom. 2. Im» pcrium Nerua:. fol. 101. Col. A. c Eutropius Remon.Rom lib. j3- Arcadius & Honorius. pag. 174. Sec Do&or Hack^elJs Apologie. li'0.4. cap.4. Sc^-9-cap.l© 11. A CTVS J- Ti GENA 1 ERTIA Hirdly, the Stile, and fubiecl Matter of moft po- pular Stage-Piayes, is Heathenifli, and Prophane, confifting of the (d) A ties, the Rites, the Ceremonies, Names, andTerfons ;yea, the very Rapes, Adulteries, Mur- thers, Thefts, T>eceites, Lafciuioufhejfe, and other execrable Villanies ef Dung-hill, Idole, rPagan-gods, and goddeffes, or kicked men which fliould be buried in euerlailingobliui- on left the memorie, and reuiuail of them fliould defile the light : From whence I raife this feauenth Argument. Thofe Stage-Playes, whofe Stile, and Subietf: Matter is Heathenifh , and Prophane, confifting of the Parts,the Perfons,Ceremonies, Rites,and Names ; yea, the Imprecations, Inuocations, Adorations, and Applaufes ; together with the very Loue-paf- Cyprian. Epift. lib. 2. Epift. 2. TheStile, and Subiett Matterof Heathcmfli, and Prophane : therefore vnlawfull. ^ 2 fions, d Expr'tmunt impudicam Ver.erem, a- dulterum Martem, 1$- vem tllum fuurrfy non fnjgis revno qudm y tt 'tis primipcM) in tcrrenos a- mores cum ipfis fuisful- mtvtbut arden- temy 5c c. Stage- Piayes, is 7* Hiflrio-Majiix. Pablt. i. fions, Lufts , Adulteries, Incefts , Rapes, Impo- ftures, Cheates, Confpiracies, Treacheries, Mm- tbers, Thefts, Debates, and other abominable vil- lanies, and execrable pracTifes, of Demoniacall, In- ceftuous,Adulterous, and Infernall Heathen-Gods, or Men whcfe very Names, and Praclifes fhould rot,and perifh in obliuion ; muft needes be odious, vnfeemeiy, yea, vtterly vnlawfull vnto Chriftians. But fuch is the Stile, and Subied: Matter of moft The- atricail Enterludes. Therefore they muft needes bee odious, vnfeemeiy, yea, vtterly vnlawfull vnto Chriftians. Tor the Minor ; not £>nely our ovvne (e) experience, which is a thoufand Wituefles , and the true ft Index; but euen fundry Fathers, and Moderne Authors : as Cle- mens Alexandrians O ratio Sxhort. ad Rentes. Clemens Re- manus Conftit. Apofto. lib. 2. cap. 65 . 66. Tatiams Oratio Aduerf. Gracos. Theophylus Antiochenus Contr. ^Autcli- cum. lib. 3 . Tertullian Be Speciac. lib. Cyprian rDe Speciac . cles Aiax Fla- fa & ^pift. lib.*. Epift.i. Arnobius Aduerf. Gent. ltb.2.^ f C*atUSaf io"' &T Pa£- 23°- t0 242' Lattantius e Legends* libris tem ! ftenam Qent ilium Oratio. Naz.ianz.en Ad Seleuchum. Sufebius De cetlumfectflify ^prtparatione Ettangelti. lib. 4. Theodora T>e Sacrifciis. fAndum eft i **ian De Cjubernat. Dei. lib. 6. Mmncius Felix Oclastius* DAmovtornm together with Doclor Reinolds, Af after Northbrooke, Mr. Hnrfimisludi- Qoffon, lohn Mariana, in their Bockes againft Stage-? lay es : ficatteftu, ye- Lu£0U'HHS viff€S qy€ Caufis Corruptionis Artium. lib. 2. & rum L)e$ cut- , . n* « rr> >--»• • *-t> * tumacreli- Comment. %n lib. 2. Augujhnt De Ctuttate \Dct. Adafter gionenty Dx- Stubs in his Anatomie of Abufcs : with fundry others, dee moKum fuper- exprcflely tcftifie : (f) that Stage-Phyes are fraught Kith d**lr f*\- *^e Gene*h&us> Ceremonies, Images, Reliques, Imprecati- fcxne 'mqu'tnantes. CAnunt Turtttmht pulchrA Venerifcjue £•? Mdrfii /tmorem, &c. Clemens Alexand. Oratio. Exhortat, ad Gentes.fol.S.E.F. See AunuilineDcCiu. Dei* lib. 2, cap,4,<;<;7,8t2^. 9MS, C Experienttd mortalium Index. Pin- dams. Ode. 4. pag.39. Quam mul- ta homines experienti* decet. S3pbc Part, i . Htftrio-Majtix. 77 ■ ons, Invocations, Names, adulteries, whoredomes, Incefls, g immUnd$i« Rapes, Loue-prankes, Furies, Lufts, Lafciuioufnefie, Thefts, mt ft'™*** Murthers, Cheates, Perfons parts, Hiflorics, and abominable ^T^-mi V Wanks of Heathen ldole~gods: and for this very caufe, d***** tvfc they utterly condemne them, as fin full, and pernicious : And , J t> n- F, i ^ • r i i & their folemne reajhualls ; that fo men might be encouraged to bicdehririper imitate them, andtoproceede, yeaperfeuere Without redreffe, fe*feft* yolu- in thefe their Adulterous, Inhumane , and Jnf email Vices, erunt}y taper- Which Were Comtenanced , Authorised, yea Legitimated, %%f"?"i*T ' and commended by thtir pra tlicall, and Diuine examples. All "tmZnareuo" Times, all Ages, yea all Ancient, and Moderne Stage- e*ri.*o»pofit Playes, and Experience, Subfcribe, and Suffragate with i*firmttas}dum thefe our Authors to our Minor : therefore we mutt, we "Ahactmtunm cannot but acknowledge it. **€ *JZ _ ■•-».. • • &, i .i i ■ • « n.tpr&bet*r For the Maior3it is cleerely euident by its owne light, autmt* Au<*. and by the lufter of the Scripture. For firft of all ; God De Ciu.Dci.l. himfelfe, enioynes his People : (h) not to make mention of 4» c. j. See l.a. the names of ether Gods, not to let them be heard out of their caP* **>• * ;5 -* 7 * mouthes, (i) but to overthrow their aAltars, breake their h %°^\n^\ Pillars, burne their (froues, hew downe their grauen Images, j0f], x\V% and to defiroy their very Names out of their places : Whence * Deut 12.5. Dauid doeth folemnely profefie : (kf) that hee VfM not Judges i 2. effer the drinke Offerings of Idole-gods, nor yet take vp their J {/ ■ • l ^-4* names Within their lippes. The very names of Pagan-gods m Hofeizi 7 are fo odious, and difpleafing vntoGod, fo vnfuiteablc n jidmornm vnto Chriftian mouthes, andeares; that God himfelfe yfa** eo*te»- protefteth; (l) he Will cut off the name sd of loles out of the dnmt'ckrifiidn^ Land, and they (hall be no more remembred : yea, (m) that he K€ leuem De ' Will tal^e at»ay the names of paalim out of .his peoples mouth, „e,,e g,u„c ;pm and they /hall bee no more remembred by their name. Hence fttmaliaim* Was it, (n) that the Chrifiians in the Vri".ntiue Church, g**demmi- nent* Chnfti- ant ea fttnt ergo, Dettm reuerentia & pittdte, ^t.nil prorftt* nomtnum cftaepoetarfivt. fcltombtes ccmpr&hexdunrur rerum omnium cenditori accommedent % Origen C Geifum. hb. i.Tom.4. fol. 5.L * L 3 Would ?s flfiftrio-Maftix. Part. i. o Etuivrte habet hie alt - quid Kamtnif CHtu* plura munerantnr Adult tria quiim p.irrw ? Vtdertmt'ji an vnaxtmus, . certs optimus won eft. Lactnntiis Would rather die, then call hue a God^ as hee is oft times ftiled'in our Stage-Playes : (and truely they (o) had little reafonjor to deeme him a God, Whofe Adulteries didexceede his i ffttes in their number :) Tea, fitch Was their reuerence,and Pietic towards (jod, that they Vtould not fo much as apply any Pocticall names vnto htm; as we Christians to our fhame, and his dilhonour, oft times doe : Chriftians haue beene alvvayes coy, and charie of the very naming of Heathen Idoles , vnkfle it were with deteftation , and diflike. (p) Cjod forbid ((kith Saint Hierome) that omnipotent Ioue, 0 my Hercules, my Caftor, or other fuch monftcrs rather Dc Falft Rclig then Gods, fiould etter found out of a Chriftian mouth, (cf) A lib. i . cap. 1 6 . faith full Chriftian, Writes Clement of Rome ; ought not to & i ©. A thi- r Heaven verfe,or Meretricious font * becaufe hee may nanus Contra j . <* J . r . J , . /;* ■ ..i Gentil s lib. chance m -ftnging to make . mention of the names of Dtuehfb p Mfit yt de J doles v and Jo infteed of the holy Ghoft, the euill Spirit may are cbrtfiano feije vpon him. (f) Saint Baftl , and (s) Nazianzen, per- fxet, lupiter ^m(j^ m£ ^ft ajj chrifiians ; (t)to auoideall Heathen Poemes, and Writings , tyhich treate of Heathen orna- tum fermonem, ejuam Scripturam San flam propter Eloejuium hum'tle. Sed jusd prc- deft tn munda.tiis Dcttrixii proffcere} iaanefcere in Dtuinis : eadtsca fequ't figntenta, <{$> C&lefl'ta fafttclsre myjler'ta? Ctuendt funt tgttur txleiltbri, & propter amorem fancv+irum Scrtptur.trum v it ana's, ifiodor Hifpalcnfis De Summo Eono. lib 3. cap. 13, g ProtMO.7. Pfal. 109.13. Vfolp.1,6. Names 8 Hijlrio-Maftix. Pa*t.i Names of the Wicked fhould rot : (h) that the Memories, Re- liquet, Ceremonies, Names, And Monuments of T dole-gods, JJ)ould vtterly be abolijbed from of the Earth, and quite cx~ tied from the Tongues, and Pennes of Ckriflians ; as being the originall authors, and chiefe Fomentors of Idolatrie ; (i) the propagators of all finnc, and villany ; and the very (£) Corriualls ofQodhimfelfe, Whoje Soueraigne Deitie they Would, yea, did vfurfe ? the reuiuall therefore of their Names, and Memories, the Varnifhing of them with frefh, andliuely Colours in our Stage-Playes, with af- fectation, and delight, rauft needes bee euill ; becaufe ic thwartes the Lords good pleafure. Sixtly, becaufe thofe Playes, and Poemes, which are fraught with the Gene- alogies, Names, and Hiftories of Heathen Gods, are a meanes to reuitie that Heathenifme, and propagate that Idolatrie, which the light,and power of the Goipel,hath tong fince abolidied : It is the vnanimous refolution of (I) fundrie Fathers : that thefe Comicall , Tragically and Theatrioall Poemes, Wherein the genealogies, ^Marriages, Birthes, Ceremonies , Hiftories, and Lafciuioux alliens of Heathen Gods, Were butfeinedly, and fportingly defciphered, Were the chiefe, and primary caufe of that Taaanifme, Pro- pbaneneffe, and Execrable, or zAtheiflicaU fdolatrie, Which did formerly ouerjpred the World: Which Poemes the (jennies did oft times embrace, for good Dixintie. If then thefe Playes, and Poemes haue hatched, haue propagated Ido- latrie , and Paganifme heretofore ; they may like wife refufcitate, and foment it n©w, vnleffe Gods grace with- hold vs from it ; fince wee are (m) all by nature prone vnto Ayuen. Graces J * Arnobius.lib. 7. Aduerf Gente?. Cyprian De Icloloriim Vanitate. Lafrantius Dc Falfa Rcligione, & DeOriqine Erroris. lib. Epiphanius Aiucrf. Ha?rel'es. lib. I. Tom. 2. Ha^rcf 26. Atrunafius Contra. Gentil's. lib. 1 . Eufebius De Praeparatnne Euangelij. lib. 4. cap. 5. Bafil De Legendis lib. is Gentifuim Oratio. Nazianzea Oratio. 48. Chryfoicome. Horn.:, in Roman. AuauftineDc Ciuit. De'.lib.l. & 2. Theodoret De Principij?. lib- 2 . DcAngtlis, Dijs, ac Dxmonihis M.ilis. lib- 5. Contra. Gnecoslnflieles. lib. 7. Ludoukus Vnies Dc Caufis Corrupt. Artiuoi lb. 2. Agnppa De Vanitate Scientiarum. cap.4. & Cicero De Naura Deorum. lib. 1. m See pag 27. Dent. 6. 12. cap. 3. 11. 1I0ha5.11. 1C01.10.7.U. it: I fay 26. * alm.ld.4. Pcutr.n.j. Jof7l.25.7. H »fca 2.17. Zcch.15.2. Zcph.I.4,5. / SecAuguft. DeCiu. Dct, lib. 2. cap. Jo- 25,2^27. lb. 4. cap 1. ^Ifay42 Exod 23.25. Deutr. 12. / Minuc'us Felix Ofrauus. pag.6S,69. Iufttn Martyr Oratio. 1. Pro Chriftianis. Clemens Alex- andr. Oratio. Exhort, ad Gentes, & Stromatum. liVi.2.Ter- tullian Ap->- ]og. Aduerf. Gentes. Tati- anus Oratio Accordingly. r Pa rt. i . Hiftrio-Majiix. it, as the fundric exhortations, and c meats to anoydeitte- n SecFfa.io^ filfie : (n) No fmne more naturall, more p leafing, and agree- \ 3 . 1 5 ,20, 2 1 . able to hum then this ; (0) no fmne fo generally praEHfed, 2S 3 5 ,3***7 • (p)fi hardly amy ded,fo eafely entertained, as this one alone • **• c $'z*' which hath alwayescaptiuated, the greatest portion of the cap!»i.to'xj. #W^; and oft times conquered, and bewitched the very Cap. 14,7. thofen people of the Lord himfclfe, Who (q) oft reuoltedto its Hofea 1 1 .7. /*#?, andferuke. It is dangerous, it is tinfoil therefore to* * *Iohn J-1^ applaude fuch Playes, admit fuch Poemes, which may tfS**^'** withdraw vs Chnftians from our God, to groffc Idola- Cap.io.ro. trie, as they haue oftfeduced others, as able*(r) as refolme p 1 lohn 5. at. toWnthftand this inpnuating, and bewitching fmne, as wee : l Cor. 10. 7.14- thefe Authorities, thefe Keafons then fhouid caufe, yea, ^ ™ '**'$* force vs to condemne them. EzLli.ioJt.xV. Secondly, the Scriptures doe expreffely condemne all 18.24.32.39. Imprecations, all Adiurations, all Admirations by, all Hofea 4,t7# Inuocations of, all Heathen Gods : God himfelfe com- ^arr I^-2, mands vs : (s) to Jweare by his owne Name : (t) not by the /^ofli. 24. names of /doles, 'Baal, or xJMalcham, (u) or any creature I5.to 28. " tyhatfoeuer : He enioynes vs to {x) Inuocate, imprecate 3and ludgfs 2.10, Admire none but him fe If "e alone ; (y) not Tagan idoles, not xx*i*>i3>i4. (z) Saints, or <*Xnoels, tyho can neither heare, norhelpc vs at * ^'2I ^ J it 1 • 1 1 r 11 t L. Dciit.S.13.14. eurneedes. How then can it bee lawrull, to Inuocate, or cap.1c.20. Implore the aide, or helpe of lone, ofc Ium , nApollo , Mi- iofh.2.12. noma, Neptune, Hacchw, or fuch like Heathen Idoles? * Sam.30.i5 How can (a) We Swear* by hue, by CMars, by Venus, by * Sam.19.74 Hercules, by the Ceieftiall Gods, or fuch like Pagsn i^^^x. Oathes ? How can we exclaime, (as oft we Hoe in Stage- cap. 1 z.i«. Playes,) * O foue ! O Mufes ! O Cupid 1 0 Venus ! O Ncp- M-irkc $j. tune! Oye gods ! O Vulcan; Hercules, Mars, Apellc, Mi- Reuel 11. 6. nerna, Cafior, Tollux, Lucina, and the like; without a \-^'l***\ great offence? Certainely, if thefe infcrnall Deities may £ n \6\ Ames 8. 14. Zi-ph. 1. f. Ztchu-z. Hof?5>r- CaP' 23.16.t023. lames 5. 12. x Pfalm. <,o 15. Pfalm.32.tf. Pfalm.s6.2- Iercm.29. 7.12. Dan 0.12. Ifjy 45'. 5i,>2 j Ifiv 45.20,21. ? Cclof.2j8.Re11d.i9.10. Cap.22.9. IVhV *3i* « See Clemens' Romafiiis Confh't.-Apoft lib. 5- cap. XX. Abfit yt dt ore Cbriftiano foket Jupiter omntpotens, & me HereuU, me C*~ Jor,&.c. Kierom. Epift. 146. " M (*) not S 2 Hiftr'tO'MaJlix. Pa rt. i h E W ^htch our God condemnes * rumdfomin*- How Execrable, and Vile thefe names haue beene to bili* non.tnA, Chriftians in the Primitiue times, the former Section can yele* cd:re jaforme you : and fhall not then their Oathes, and Inuc- jelttmerete- cations, bee much more dete ft able, and Loathfome vnto vs ? enlm tfr'fimt Thefixt Ceuncell of Conftantinofle,^ £ancn 94. [d)fnbiefls fed impro it aS fitch to thepenaltie of excommunication, Whofhouldfrreare D*mones3 & the Oathes of the gentiles : and (hall wee then approoue ct '"Ins r™' ^m m our Enter^cs^ as E^cgant> anc* ccmely Orna- manusConftit inents ? Certainely weec2nnot doeit, without the perill Apoft lib. 5. ' of Idolatrie, or affronting God vnto his face. For firft cap. 1 r. thefe Heathenilh Oathes, and Imprecations, or Inuoca- d Eos jut tions of Pagan Gods, (e)doe giue a kj^de of tacite, jea, Gentiliumtu- attribute a, manifeft Diuinitie to thefe f doles, fince nothing is ra*t*c*i!o"n *° ^ee ^riuocated, or Sworne bj, either in fport, or earneft, fvmxfubtscit : (f) but God alone. Now to attribute a Deitie to thefe Wnosiujuo- Pagan Gods, (g)}tohofe VUlanie did manifefl them to bee luef'£";Sat$' Worfe then men, (h) is groffe Idolatrie. Certainely, if the l?r*. w^ reading of a Leflore of Tome Heathen God: If the (lil'ina of nimtts. Minus . <=> J. . -. ' . . . . . . ,. -. J <*> J Condi. Tom. *n 'dole by the name of C/od, Without thtt addition ; Heathen 2. pa ^.1055. Jdole, cr Dung-hill God: if the receite of a biffing from* e Ongcn Pagans mouth, (i) Which, in trueth, it rather a curfi'mr, then fc? Ub CCI" * bUffinv?) in the name of an Idole, Without retelling, or dif- lfiodorHiTpa. tfproouing it, bee fl.it Jdoiitrie, as (^ Tertullian, With Icnfis. De (/) others, hath affirmed ; becaufe it giues an approbation to Summo bono. lib.j.c.33 Clem. Rom. Conftit ^potf.l.y. c.u / Ier.j.7. Rom.10.13.14. g Si %hU eorum qui dicuntur dpud tlU's Dsi^ actus inf]>i idt, e*s ncn medo Aeos von ejfey ye- rum homines nc^us^imo^turpsfimof^uefutjfe camper? et. Ommb&s poft haefnturts cer* turn ejtpere argumentum ltce*t,eos non tffe Deos, qut hntufmcd't p&tru(fent frrlera. A- tnanafius Contr. Gent.l^s, p I7,!3.2<5. h Exo 20.5,4*5 zj.aftd al! E\p* fitors.and Ccm nenfatois on it^ i Htreticorum benedtfttoncs, funt rrdledtfttones paiu4,(juam bene ditti ones. C^nci!. Laodiccnnm. Can 32. k Dc l^olcia-ria. lb. cap. 18. to 24. / Ifiodor Hifpilcnfis Dc Summo boao. lib $. cap. 13. Cregori, Mag. Epiih lib. $. Epift, 48, Quma Biftinctio. %6. ihe^ PART. I, Hiftrio-Maftix. Sg - theft Holes, and afcribes a couert D'tuinitie to them : then much more mail the Admirations, the inuocations, the Imprecations, and Exclamations in thefe Idoles names, m Id(ltol4trt* which are frequent in our Stage-Piayes, be palpable, and ^ZurthZm ■ grofle Idolatrie ; (m) Which is thehigheft fnne, andiuffells delirium eft. god out of his Throne. Secondly, thefe Oathes, and Im- Ambr.Ccm, precarions, as they are exceeding Heathenifli, and Pro- j"Rem-x' phane,vnbefeeming Chriftian mouthes,or eares ; as they „ g3' pag' are Ridiculous, Vaine, and Foolifh, and fo within the n Matth. i*. verge, (n) ofvaine, andfoolifi Words, Which Cjod condemnes, 36, 3 7 . €nd Will at laftfpserely Iudge: fo they are a direft breach of Ephef. s 4. the third Commandement: (o)th9uJhalt not take the name •Exod.26.jr. •f the Lord thy God in vAtne; in that they attribute the Dcm«9it*" Name, and Prerogatiue of God to (p) idoles, Which p Dcut.32^?. Are the greateft vanities of the World, yea Vanitie it felfe : 1 Kings i£.r$, and a manifeft violation of thefe peremptory IniunfH- v&1 $* *■ ops : (q) Sweare net At all : and Aboue all things my 'Brethren *fa 7 4 * • 2 $• Sweare not : no, (r) not by the Name of god, vnleffe Wee are icJfm.g *'. lawfully called to it : much lelfe, by the names of Pagan Cap. 10.8.1^ Deuill-Idoles ; Which is (s) the Worfl, the vainefi, and fro- Cap. J4.2 2, fhAncft Oath : therefore they muft needes be odious, and c^Pl8-I5- abominable; yea, difpleafing vntoGod, and dangerous Ernest it*** vnto vs. . Thirdly, thefe Oathes, thefe Inuocations, and r Ewd iq'j. Imprecations, as they renew thofe HeathtniHh, and. with all Ex- Infernail Deities, (t) Whofe memories fiould for euer rot: pc£torsorithe fo they doe likewife mgender Heathenifme, and Pro- ^rd Con*- phaneneiTe in mens hues, and Speeches : {u) they alien Ate "i"^™^!' mens He Arts, and Thoughts from God, And heavenly things: clem. Rom.' they tip their Tongues With VAnitie, and Prophanenefe, Which Conflft. A peft. (x) fiould flow With grace, And Holinejfe : they ftampe llb* raP "" their Hues, and anions with diffolutenefle, andgracelef- *u l^^chf^ ncfTe: they caufe them, (y) to Hue Without Qod, in this \iom. T>V ' Wor Id y And to admire, (*)andrch(b Heathen Deities, and Dauide 8c S jule. Horn* Dc Verbis I fay x Vtdi dominumSedentem. Horn. 38. inMattn. Saluian lib.tf. Dc Gubernat. Dei. See pag.2 7. Accordingly, x Ephcf4 1$. Col 4.6. j Ephef. 2. 1 1 Pfal 10.4. z TUutut fxmebdtvr in matt** : fiejuando in menset ttftm rcuer- ft#, Prof betas legere ctpiflcnr, fermc hcrrebat incult*s,b<: Hierom Epift.22.cap.13 , M 2 Difccurfes, g 4 Hijlrio-Mafttx. Part. I ; Difcourfes, more then God, or his Soule-fauing Word: how may, how dare wee then approoue them ? how can wee but condemne them ? Yet loe the Impious, and ftrangc Prophancnefle, yea, the Impudent, and fottifh Idolatrie of our flnfuil Age, a liuUtpeecA- which not onely tolerates, andapplaudes, butlikewife tori dee/l impu- mftifies, and defends the naming, and inuccating of; the ctr^bftHom Swearing, and Exclaiming by thefe HellUh, Heathe- mPril°i4. " niftiDeuill-Idolcs, in delpightofGods Command, with Tow. i . Col. thefe two Wittie, or rather {a) Impudent pretences, and iiio.C. Eutfions. JExcufe i. Firft,that thefe Idoles are Inuocatcd,Adiured,Named, Imprecated, and fworne by,in fport,and merriment one- ly ; not ferioufly, or in earned. 2. Secondly, that they are vttered hx way of Proxie, or reprefentation onely; not as the Wcrds, or Oathes of theA&ors, but of fome feined pc;f is, whofe Parte they reprefent : fo that they are not with in the compaffc of the Scriptures, and reafbns fore-alleadged. '•Anfi*. i. To the firft of thefe I anfwere : Firft, that the Hea- b Athanafius t^ren Poets ^ Nominate, Inuocate, Adiure, Adore, and Contr. Gen- Supplicate thefe Idoles, and difcrurfe of all their Gene- tiles, lib. pag. alogies, Villanies, and Obfcenitiesa (b) but in a Fabulous, 2S-14AS- . and /porting manner, md that in Theatrical! Enterludes,and Arnobius. lib. pocnrieS3as we now Joe . yet t\{ls tfa fore-recked (r) Fa- Contr.Gentes. t^oers tAxe m ^€m> ** &rojTe Idolatrie ; as an abominable, and Clemens Alex, filthie crime.lfthtn this weredeteftable,and Idolatrous in Orat. Exhort. them who knew not God, muit.it not bee much more fo ad Gcm&> & in vs, who not onely know him, but proftfle him too ? Iti^Tatianus Certainely, if their fabulous, and iefting difcourfes of Orat. Aducrf. thefe Idoles, were a notorious crime, (d) onrs cannot be GrsEcos. Aug. lejfe then an abominable, and tranfeendent WickedneJJe. - lib. 2 . De Ciuit.Dei. cap. 4. to 13. 23. to 29. T.uJouicus ViucsDc Caufis Corrupt. Artium. lib. 2. ptg. 78. to S3. A»rippa Dc Vani'ate Scient. cap. 4. Ladlantius De Fatta Rclig. cap. II, 1 2. c See pag. 8 o. A Nos qui Chnfttan't catkoltct cjje dtcimur . Jt Jivtilc altcjuidbtrbdro? um impuritatilwf admits, grautwerramus. Atractm iwm fMbfanfti nom'mxprofefitone feeftmm. Salu. Dc Gub. Dei. lib.4. pag. 125. ' Secondly,. Part. i. Hiftrio-Maftix. 85 m> • > -■■ ' ■ — ■ ' ■ »«■ Secondly, the Scriptures know no fuch diftinclion be- * *>oe De- he conttmwes, and flights both God, andthefe his pre- «m">axim' cepts more ; hee hues, and approoues finne more, (nj hee corjruit), r> feares, and hates it lefe ; hee finnes vpon fewer, and ieffe pr&meditaih, weightie prouocations, then thofe who finne in earneft : &&<£** cpe- therefore his finne is farre more hainous, and abomina- r*"f"prM ' ble then theirs is, or this his owne had beene, had hee cfaryr Horn committed it with greater ferioumefTe,as the Pagans did. inPfal.ios/ Fiftly, King Solomon informes vs : (0) that it is the Toui.t. Coll 92s qttipoftpeccat* fe Ql't '^' ■ precations by, or Diicourfesof thefe Idole-eods: may Hiftor. Iii.4. novv as we"- mgender Hcathenilme, an I Idoiatne, or s See pag.so foment a fecret Atheifme in mens Hearts, (s) as they did informer times ; Yea, they doe as really reuiue the names, the reliques, and memories of curfed Idoles, f which ftiould putrifie, and penfti in ohliuions Lethe :) and as L **"/ 4f/UJ (*) ffi&udly propagate all propbaneneffe, a* %f they Were vt- ml»tT,&' Ure* *n f^c m9fi 1^°^ «*rneft. This iefting diftinSion mcKdacwdul- therefore, of ieft, and ear ne ft, can neither palliate, nor cioribu* cor- falue this fettered fore, nor iuftifie thefe Pagan, and In- rum},uxti„£e- fernall Oathes, and paffages, which Chriftians muft<- 7* !""%"" ' bominate, vnleffe they meane to Deific the Deuill,and a- tabuiUtnhx dore thefe Idoles. rennb/u, aduf Laftly, the taking of Gods name in vaine, u (imply euili ; ivef«mm* yea, fo euill, (u) that god Will not hold him guiltlejfe, that *£*[* re^rf. taketh his Name in vaine. But the attributing of a Di- tneflemoM- u^nitic t0 tnefe Jdoles ; the ftilingof them Gods: the niem'rmmtfe- Supplicating, and Adiuring of them, together with rt confen?- the fwearing by them, as God, with approbation, and funt: cum ft delight ; and that by way of Sport, and Merriment one- lule "uiren- ^-V' w*tnout mY necefl*ry > or vrgent caufe , ( which is ttbmJ** '* frequent in our Stage-Playe s J is the (x) higheft Mi -u:i'.is taking of Qods Name in ZJaine ; fince both the Mkrri- Fclix. oaau. ments, Pailages, Idoles, Oathes, Imprecations, yea, the pag. 70. u ExoJ.20.7. Leuit. 29.12. Bait. 5 11. SceCa'uin. Indit. lib. 2. cap.8. S-&.25. X Van urn eni w dicttur gaod mn hdr:et honuntfa em : SpeSlacles, and Enterludes thcmfclues are y Auerte ec» Wholly vain*- theiefore it muft needes be finfull inde- l*'*L»fo*"m* fpitc of this euafion. yum s a^ To the tecond, that they are vttored by way of Proxie, cui^ auerte or Rcprefencation oneiy, not as the Words, the Oathes, ab omnifecu- and Imprecations of the Poets, or Actors, but of thofe l*rtiPompa : feined perfons, vvhofe parts they reprefent : I anfwere : VdmtM e^r4 Firft, that (*) tt u finfull to vtter, yea, to hear e, and %antomtm1tm read fetch Heathenish difcourfies, Oathes, and Imprecations as afrtcis, yant- thefe, With approbation, and Applanfe ; becaufe the fore- t*> eft. Lucia- quoted Scriptures doe condemne them. toresafftc*, Secondly, it is infallibly true, (a) that every man {ball ^brtfe beare hit otpne iniqmtte, and anfwere for his finne : it is Enarrat in likewife as vnqueftionably true; (b) that thefe Tagan Pfal. 118. Oathes, and Parages, arefinnes; and that {c) they fijaU bee Often 5-Tcm. imputed as finnes to fomemen, becaufe no finne can euer *-Pa§43°* fubfift without its proper fubiecl. If then all this bee 'g^^e granted : on whom (hall all thefe Oathes, thefe Heathe- LeamdlsLi- nifh difcourfes, and Imprecations light ? on the perfons feris G( nti- whofe parts they helpc to fill? Why thefe are either lium.Oratio. feined, or long fince departed: or fuppofe they arealiue, NazianzcnAd (d) yet they give no allowance to them, therefore they cannot c juc ""*" reft on them : neee'es then muft they reft vpon the Poets, jflodor Peiu* Adors, and Spectators heads, (e) their Soulcs fhalUnfwere fiota Epidjib. for them all atlafl, and then this vaine Euafion will not i.Efift. 65. helpethem. * Ezcch.18. Thirdly, this abfurd Delufion, hath neither colour, Q^lt 6 5 ground, nor warrant in the Scripture ; which giues com- y iofTma *v7- million vnto none,to Act an others part,or perfon on the Exod.23 13- Stage ; (f) much lejft, toperfonate another s finne, Which is Pfalm.i6.4- itfelfe, an hahous finne, Well Worthy of a thoufand Deathes. I rem 5-7-. Suppofe that God fliould enter into Judgement with any c ^xl\\ 9. 11,14. d 1 lim. 7.22. Rcuel. 18.4. Non peccatum in aliis fent'tendo,(cdei cen~ fintiextlo peectmtts. Profper Aquit. Dc vita Contcrrpl lib. 3* cap. 2. e Rom. 2* 6. ff, 9. f C^u'tdergo aisi (imulatio eft ilU, non crimen ? Et propterea mille Hit mcf- tibw dtgnijunt, quantum qua fugere cukcIos prorfia imperant leges, ea i*i hdud y>e- re'itur imhar$M Si en'tm Adultertum malum eft, malum eft fine dub to (£ eiwimi- Uiio. Chryfoftom. Hcm.6, in Mattli. Tom.2. C0I.J2. C. Play- Poets,. S8 Hiflrio-Maftix. Part, i • g Ecdcf 12.14 2 Cor f. 10. Play-Poets, or Aclors,for thefe Idolatrous Imprecations, Prophane,and Pagan Oathes,or Heatheniili Stage-Plaies, (g) as he frill furely doe at /aft,) what aniwere could they make ? Can they lay, that all was done in fporting mirth, or in the part, andperfonof fome other, who gaue no fuch commiffion to them ? Alas, this Plea will not auaile them then,let it not therefore gnll,and cheate them now: Queftionleffe , all fuch incarnate L)euills,who dare to Countenance, Admit, Applaude,or Ad thefe Idoiesper- fons, Parts, Names, or Oathes in ieft, (hall bte Damned for them in good earned j As it was wittily, and truely faid ofcNonrcfidcnts, and Pluralitie LMtnifters who put otter their Tfockc to Hirelings : (h) that he frho fecdes his Flack* by Curate, /ball perchance, goe to Heauen by hx Vicar, but undoubtedly to Hell by himfelfe : fo hee who perfonates thefe Heathen Gods, or Supplicates, or S we ares by any of their Names, by reprefentation onely, in another s per- fon may chance to enter Heauen in that others perfon>but Hell vndoubtedly, in his owne : Thefe euafions therefore are but vaine, and cannot iuftifie xhat they pleade for. Thirdly, the Scriptures doe exprefly prohibit, the CO ftrfonatingof any Jtntte; much more then, the acting of Adulteries, lncefts, Rapes, Murthers, Thefts, Loue- prankes, or leaude,and execrable Vanities of Jupiter, Bac- chus, Cupid, Venus, and others of that Diuelifh, and In- fernall crewjwhich peiter,and defile all Theaters ; which Saint Chryfoftcme rightly ftiles ; (k) ^e Dentils flop. If wee did but furuay the Scriptures, as ferioufly, as fre- quently, as wee behold thefe Hellifh Enterludes, wee iliould there finde God himfelfe commanding vs : to (I) abfteinc from all Appearance of Euill, yea from the very refemblances, and fawes of finne : ■ and can wee then per- foliate, or Ad thefe groffe, and odious Cmncs to the very life, (whofcrcprefentations are at leaftwife, theappea- rancesjaiid refemblances of finne,) without offence ? God himfelfe enioynes vs, (rn) not fo much, as to ma1£ an Idclc, or the Uk^ncjfe of any thing that is in Heauen, or Earth: (n) and b Qftizregen fuumpafcen- dum at car to relinica- rium,ingem hsnndmper fe'tpfnm. See Aquifgran. ConciJ.Sub. L.udou. Pio. cap9.tft37. t Prou 10 23. Cap 13. 1?. ludc 23 . Horn. 1. 29-32. Rom. 3 8. k DtAholic/tm h&nc ctnfoties tifficinam* Horn. 6. in Mat. Tom. 2. Col $z. n. I lTfltf.f.2 2 Iiutetj. Col 2.2023. t Cor. 6.1 j. m Evod 20.4 Lenit.2<< r. &eut.?.8. Pfal.9; 7. Part. i. Hirmo'Maflix. $9 _, __ ___________ __ __—— — — — — - < ■ ■■..!' ^ And can wc then lawfully take up , not onely the n interim £E£^J_^1 * Ued names andrites^ but even the very /*r/{hapestand reprefentation of htvilUldoh {exprcfly yeraor BoekjU ° prohibited by the fecond Comman dement) that fowe may *£*?•}% Se* the? more lively perfonate their moft execrable tykkedtufes ; *™nd pagc*77 when as not onely ^TertHfitattjxi&t&.Bapl; but even an accordingly. yfrbolet gencrallCotmetl) have both- prohibited and condem- »**fith*' A** wdallreprefentations, either of Idols or

dee jtot onely phtk rufous eanfe men to frame the very images and portraitures of Pagan & Decalegd L Deities ^which is grojfe Idolatry 5 but likemfe trantforme Prfrt«V7nDe even men themfelves, (the v moft lively image of the living idcloUtrtaUb* God) into the very portraiture of thofe Divell-ldols , whofe ^ugufrtte fartstkejaretoaftundfotHrnethe exprefe Image of God ^m^Z.Z himfelfe into the very image of the Devill; a finnc beyond Andreipes?M. exprcflion: ) and yet decme our felves guiltleflfe of the Perktm>Mt -breach of this moft facred Precept? It is the Apoftles pe- %°t%3% remptprie command •; x But fornication and all Mcleamte[fey M.Elto^Dtrt. and flthineffe and fooltCb talking , let it not be- once named Williamsw\i\ amongyeu a* becommeth Saints : And can we then praeTife *ic° J ™d mo« ' or approve,not onely the afliduous commemoration of the derncExpofi- names, butlikewife the artificial!, if not real! acting , not towjbothPros onely of the Parts, but alfo of the Y mej?s,rapes, adulteries, p^™ dthc 2 Coinman- c3ement,and on Exod.2o.Levit,26'.andDeut.S. p MkamlninolirnvQs, qua propter nunclupiterhiftrionesciiret.ncmircnainij ipfchancdaturus eft lupitcr Comjediam*. Quid admirati eftis ? quafi vcro novom nunc profcratur lovemfaccre bJftrioniam,oVc„ _iancfabulam,inquairijhic Jupiter hodieipfcagit>& ego un* cum eo &c Opera? prarss tium hiefpec'tantibustovem dc Mercuriumfaceiehiftriomam. Flouts Amphittvo,Prcr» logus. <] Nihil dandum Idolo,fic nihil fumendum ab Idolo Si in IdoJio recumbcre alienum eft a fide,quii inldolihabicuvidcri ? Qujc communio Chrifti dc BeIiar?Ioan<* nes,F ilioli,inquit,cuftodite vos ab Idolis : non iam ab Ido!o!atria quad ab officio ; fed abIdolis,idcft>abeffigiceorum, Indignumenim eft vt imago Deiviui,imagoIdeli fk. mortuifiat. De Corona Mitit is Isbjap. S. rlncap. iq.. I/a'ra torn, 3 . Operump. 46 j>« /■Qui rodKmonecorreptoscflefimuIantj&morumiraprobitatecorum fipiram&: ha* fcitum (imulate pi* fc ferunr, vifum eft, omni modo puniri , & eiufmodi affli&ionibue labonbufqucfubiici cosoponcrejOjuibusii qui verc a d»mone correptirunt,vtadaf mo- ms operationeliberentur,,iure fubiiciantur. Concilium CcnftantiwpjJx Trullo Can.60 S* C-e»o».62'.accordi»gly. t Exod.20.4 X-uit.2o\i,Dcut.4.,l5.T6",!7.c.5.8.c.l6\ ai.Pfal.^. y Gm.i.2(J,i7.cap,5.i,c.9.^ aEphef.s.j..*. Col. 3-8. J See Cypmnft.2.Uonato.Ai!guft/dcCHiiD€il.2t cap. 4.. to, ia. Ub^. «p,i8,i^.c.3,Io42<5.27,28, . N when* po Hiftrio-Mjftix. Pamli. whoredoms s ^and fuch /ikj execrable ab imitations oftbcbeaft- ^Mihl. turpe lieft DtvsH-gods, or it f email Men-mcnfters (which were ac fiagiciofum t anciently exiled all fucb places where Chrifls Goftcl cameras ?Th*nium* *»**»$'* with it , ) and yet thinke to paflc for pious Chi i~ queproponi? ftians? It was Davids importunate prayer unto God; tur,ubi ven a 7*rwtf away my eyes from beholding vanity (which b the Fa= ^at£r thers generally apply to Stage-PUyss) and quicken me in thy tur'aut mira=: >r4; : And can we, dare we then once turne our eyes , and cula narran^ ^4>YJ. ^ ^^/r/j c /W/) untothofe matchleife obfeenities of Pagan Idols Cm»-Deim*z, tnat are daily acled on the Stage (the6 very filthinejfe ef £p fid *i 1 9 , which might caufeeven Divels thtmfelves to blnjlj and trem- 37. hie ) and yet flatter our felves, that we are in Davids pious JHilarie Kmc condition? Certainely, every true Chr$(Lan indeed (if wee ft\ll Chfvs m3y b^eve tnc Scripture ) e doth fear e and tremble 3 not onely foftomc, Bm*. attbeaU$ butltl^wifeatthevery appearance and thought of x\o and others, flHn8 : yea, *he ftoppetb his cares from bearing blood 9 and He^feepA:. ft*****!* ^u eyes from feeing evilt. And can wee then *pro ve «p'fal. n 1.1, ourfclves to be Chriftians , either in Gods, orourownc p^fy*I*2* confeiences account, when as we are fo.farre from trem- fratUfi^nifi b^g > that we doe Seven re\oyce*t the fight, the hearing of I wi£ not l&ew a wtcfcd per fon: And (hz\[\\'ck who atfSeeAuguft, y r TJcciu.Dei, tib.2 «p.4,to.T5.Iib«4. e,:6'.i7.tS.andlib,tf,e.r,^,7, 8, 9/and to. accordingly. tfEcc!cs9.i.l Sarn.24.. 51 ThctT.5.22 Iude :}« Quid interna^ chriilianusfidclisfa;: cit cui vina ncn licet cogitare ? Cjfrutn &e {pettat. ttb, f Iiay \\ .15. Vanu« snimferntOcitopoJIuicmentetn, & facile agitur quod libenteraudi'ur. Bernard. D* InteriortDomocap^T,^ / Ifay 3.9. Rom, 1. 32. A Quis talia fando Ternperet a Lacbrymist yirgd/Entid. lib. z. See Chryfoft.tfom. \ Ji-in Mat.Nazienzcnad Se^ Icuruoi pag. i<>53» accordingly,, t PCiJ. 101.3. £. PhJ 3.17. Hebr.6. 12. tap 1 3 ,?.»». NgftJ Part, i . Hiftrio- Maftix. 9 1 ought to follow Davids ftep sin this httpiom praltlfe^n nevcc better recreated, more delighted, then when the Iaruated perfons,£artsandwickedneife*af the very worftof men { r?,?I^e5tI*" and Devils, (that are1 ever;/ where a bominable m the eyes ^"n pi*^ ofallmenjwt onely on the Stage™ which hath no fuch fanBi- ««dam foenu* tying venue in it; as to make iH things good± when once they are n?m nolisaf- 'broughtuponit,) are nioft emphatically rcprcfented to our ^"0^1^ eyes and eares at once? It is regiftred of righeeo'w Lot ; dem/edfiid R that he dwelling among the wicked Sodomites , vexed his etiam forte righteous foule from day to Jay %in feeing and hearing their m- 1^"^^ laxvfnU deeds \ And can any Players or Play-bauatcrs then fa&um putess perfwadethcmfelves,tba€thcy are la Lots condition, when ^Jse^h^l as their unrighteous foules , are Co farrc from being vexed t^mlt vi* at the fight and hearing of thofe more then Sodomkicail lesvtriufque uncfeanncfles of Pagan Deities, which arc a&ed on the ^^tlif- Stage, ° that they are more abmndantly recreated and, deligb- qUe proprios ted with themfhen with all the foule-ravifliing plcafures,of pariter inceftes Godshoufe,or themoft delightful! confolations of his niftum^VrJ^" Word and Sfint^ before which they oft pr e} 'err e them ? O acridereTsi* the q horihle incefls \ the execrable adulteries , rapes anh enim nihil in whoredomes; thevnparalleld wickedn$([esy the infer nagpra. ^^obfc0- tlifes of thofe lewd Paga7i-Deities,andftupendiousMen+mon- num,'quagra- fiers that are daily ailed on our Theater stWhat chafte, r What tia cum id ip- fum in plates videasa cap- to refills inceffiij & inverecundiam feverius esagitas ? nifi forte credis eandem rem nonfimiliter ofTc turpcm cum feperati fimus, & quum congregati onines vna fede- mas4 §hry(oflom, Hcmjjn Matth^tom. 2 . Col. f z.c.D, m Si quid horum quibas Cir- cus fiirit aliubi competit fan^acc^uS,Cupid 2,c.i;,i4, Priapus,Mars,Serapis,Atys>Flora, the Mother of the Gods9 29. Chryfoft. 9y of 'the reft of that infernal crew, which come fofteqnent on our in0Ma7r'tfi.C8- Theaters ? Is not their fikhincflc , their lewdncfle fo barba- prian Epift. roufly,fo (tupendioofly impious, T that it even ftnkes mens Jib 1 .Epift. 1 0 hearts and tongues with horrour, forbidding them to relate it } rat^adverr; ^llc* can any thcn ^chold,or acl rhefe groffe abominations Grxcos Na- with delight, (the very relation of which, is Efficient tqpol- sianzen.ad Scleiicum,p.io6'$, Agrippa DeVanitatefcienriaruiri,cap.20. 63, 64. and the thini BlaftofretraicfromPlayesandTbeatersjD.92.and 102 to 117. prove and ftilcthem fucb. * Nihil Pot:fr confingi vitiorum qukd non in Theatns rcperiatur. Auguft. r>eCivi-.Dei,lib.4.c.27. y For which you may read c, Clemens A lexandr. Orauo Adhort ad Genres /TertullianApolog. advert GentcSj Tatianus Oratioadverf Gt*« cos. MinuciusFelix Odlavms, Arnobius advert. Grmes lib. 7. Cyprian Epift. lib. 2. api-ft.2.LaAantiusDefal!are'iigione,lib.i.cap.9.to.2-2.DeYerocuitu. 1. C.c» 20. A* thanafius Contr Genteslib.Auguftinel b.l 2,^,4,5, aftefcfr. DcCi\i:. Dei. Natales eomes,Oicdorus bicuius,Livk)Ouid,Hcfiod, Homer, Macrobkis, Plutarch, Alexander so Alrxa:idro,Varro and other?. <^ Taliafuntquas in Theatris fiunt > vt eanon Co- lam dicere,fed etiam recordan ahquisfinepollutione non pofsir. Qua: qxwdem omnia rax -agiriofa funt,vr etiaui exrxi.are ea at que eloqui quifpiam faluo pudere non Y*Iea~ . Part, i . HiftrioMaftix, 9 5 lure the earcs that heare them, the common aire that re« aSeeD.f/arkr ceives them, yea the breath that utters them) and yet be in- y^^f?®' nocentjbe untainted by them ? Alas, we cannot but with fedi.1.2. fhamcand griefc acknowledge, that our moderns Play- Po- b cothurnus eft tragicus lafciviousEnterludes, the execrable lewd examples of ©ur carminerccen ctsdoenotonely record and publifh to pofterity in their p^Ttec prekm Age (which * par aM or (urpajfe all t ho ft &f former fere,deparra times) but Hk*wifthd$ve into oblivions deepeft Lethe y refufci- ^"f^an- tatingtheft ebftlete putredwickedneffes of former ages , 8^c6 tiquusj&prefla /ft// ^7^ /wg- yT»tt £mW *»&*r /**/? C erf. Graces Bibl.Patruwt tom.i p+ ]8 2.£>. d -Ernbifcunt videpi ctjam qui pudorcm vendiderunt. At iftud publicum noftrum omnibus vidrntibusge- ntur ^c.Cjpri/trj; Defpe&acuJisfrb.See Chofoftome.,HomJ1.6,7.and 3 8Jn Matthi • elob42.2.I lohn3.2o.PfaI.l394i.2. / Pfal.l 3 9.?. to. 34.Prov.15 .^.ler.16.17, » cl3 2.l9.Prov.^.2l.!ob34.2l.c.^i.4.Heb.4.J?. / Rom. 1 2. 1.2. 1 Cor.$.l9.2o„ h Hab.1.13. Nos ^uomodo hac facimus qui odiiTe D cum noftrum hare ccrti fur> . »us \ Salyian. De Guber&ehU 6.p, 1 &8 . N 3 beames P4 U'tflrio-Majlix. ' Part, r , ^.Numbers 3 3 bcames tor fcarc they fhould defile their light, The k Serif ~ ! Clemens A- tures, * Fathers,™ two famous Cmncels , withnfusdry Protc- Icxandr.Ora- ft*** Bivinesjtevc utterly condemned the making, thebshol- tio Adhort. fcng 0j all ebfeene lafciviotuptfturcs ; as being a meane to en- FoU f *& 9 . fiame mtm ts "**** ^fts^with filthy pleafnres , And to draw A Gregory them on to a%ha& uncle annejfe. And (hall not then thofe Nyflcn.Yit* 0 \tvelj% if^not reall piUures and reprefentAtions of the adulte* wtioT ?o?r* rtes>r«?esi i"c*ft* > Love-prankes >mttrthersy treafonsy and o- m in Condi* ther fuch praciifes of Pagan Idols/which arc Co artificially Conftanti* acled on tbc Stage , that a man can hardly difference the Truilo.cina replantations of them from the finnes therofelvcs,be 100. Synod us much more liable to condemnation on the fclfe-fame a uguftenfl*. grounds ? Doubtlefleyf the fubfhnce be eyili, the vfbadm capliV** ' tfif cmnot btgnd : ifthe perfon be odious,the pi<3we will n i he third be fuch : ifthe thing acted be (imply evil!, thercprefentati- pa rt of the qh 0f \t wjh refemble it *i Ail finnes (much more the r loath- gainft thVpc f^efaBtofDevilUldols)aredeteftably evitl in thtmfelves, rilLof idola- f therefore the perfonating,the imitation of them on the Stage % try,B.Babing- the char a8 criming of them in theirfrejheft colours in our The- drewe's "M." Atricall Poems, muft needs be ftnfull , yea> abominable 3 unto Dod,M.EI- all good Chriftianr. The ^perpetrating of fuch finnes is evill , ton,Mafter therefore the perfonatiw. y JPuodin fa&oreijcitur. indifo Downham, J» •*■ Vr *•• l~ l l • „- andfundry mn e* recipiendum. Since then wee cannot but abominate others on the thefe odious tranfeendent finnes thcrofelves , which funke feuenth Com- their originall Authors, downe as low as the uery deepeft ?s" intCy- depthes of hell it fclfe, from wheace there is no returne for pnanjDcfpes e vcr^Iet us not juftifie their rcprefentations , nor applaud £raculislifi. and La&an- tiuspevero cultu cap. to* call theatricall reprcfentations. Stmuldchr* Iibidinis: Salvian de Guber. Dei lib. 6\pag. i87.ftiles them, Imagines fornicationum, 8c Plu- tarch de gloria Athenienfiuna.lib. writt^ikaxpoefo eft pttt*r a lumens, p iThelTca 22. 7 Ezech.}6\ 3I.Iob42.^.Pral.ii9.io4. r Levit.18. 30.Deutr. 12. 31. cap.7.16.25,26. Chryfoft:Honi.(5.and7. in Matth. Cyprian de fpe&ac. lib. M« Perkins Cafes of Confcicnce lib. 3 . cap.4 . feci. 4. accordingly. See Here ; Scene. I. / Non pulchmm eft dicere ea qua: fa£hi turpia funt. Sophocles Oedifut, Tyr* 27*m. 14.00. lactates CrAtio QeminifHm* > Tertuilian de frcfcaculis, cap. 17.13. their Hiftrio-Majlix.. 95 their aclion. And fb much the rather , * foemfc tbefi filthy ^f^||: Divel-ldols, (as the Fathers tt&i&c,') did heretofore, either re* ceosputanr, ally commit thofebeajfly crimes that treacled in their ferfons ctiam flaghia on the Stagey or elfe purpofely admit them to he Poetically ^"^jff forged of them^nd then openly to he divulgedto the people on the did voiunt, Theater in their names f hat fo they might give a \(tnde of di- v thumanas vine approbation or publicize allowance to tbefe their notorious rentes his o- wkkedneffesby their owne per fonall examples , to animate and udutretibu: - draw on the Spectators more fecttrely } more boldly to commit induant,& ad thefelfefame fanes jo the eternallruine of their fifties. Whence ^j^J, e.^W»/^informesusfromhis ownc experience, ? that cil^kcum the proclaiming of 'the vices of Pagan Ido/s on the Stage , did trahanr.HA-c much increafethe fmnes of men. For when as they perceived £Cn"r^lb"sr their Idol-gods to be delighted with fuel) fitthyfrnnes, they pre- acnphlnffals fentlj fell to imitate them. Infimttch that almofl euery Citie hd&imifymr* was folly fraught with all the filth and dregges of ' mcltediefe, g*^£ whiles they fludied to conforme them] elves to the ftnnes and vi- perpctranda> tes of their Idols : there being not one chaff e or fiber man among vein: ab ip{© all the worshippers offuch vitiow Idol-gods ( as .there are ^taS?oS! now few fuch among Players and Play^hannters ; thofi idonctUfai* titrautoritas Quantum moJianturnaalignifpiritus cxemplofuc^veiut divinam autoritatcm pr^bere fcekribus ? hac aftutia etiamludos'fcenicQsfibidicarifacrariqueiuiTcrunt,vbi deomm tata flagitiatheatricigcaticisatq^fabularu a&iombuscelebratafuntjVt quifquiseostalia feciiTecrederetj& quifquJsnoncredcretjredtaftienilloslibcntiGimcfibitalia vclie ex- hiberi cerneret,fecuru5 imitaretur. Angufi. VeCty.Bei.ltb.i.cap.iQ^o- l^.ltb. $tca* J. S/^.2$. Harcomniainhocproditavtvitiis hominum qiu-dain autoritas parare- tuv. Iftienimfpirimspoftquam fimp'icitatem fuManti.-e fax onufti immerfi Yitiis perdiderutft,ad folatium calamitatis fua: non definunt perdki iam,perderc, & depravati ertorempravkatisprav's rdfigionibusa Deo fegregare, MinuciusFcttx. OftaYiuspag. yo.&Sj. Seelultuj Yirm'ich%de errorepr'fanarwnRelig'tonttw capA\. accordingly ♦ y Hinciamprofcftohominibusmalimultumadicclttraeft, Cum enim cernerent his -Deosfuos oble&ari/ontiRuo & ipfi (efead imitandumcos contuIerunt,virtutisfa« in- tcrefTcarbitrantes-prafftantiores^vt ipfi putabanr?imitari.Vnde homicidii, acparricidifs ommbufquelafciviisdcdere mantis, Nam omnis fere ci vitas omnibus nequiti* fordibus plena eft,dum ft tident deomm fuo rum moribus .fimiles fieri. Neque inter Idolorum CUn.COruCSu Slatiqu:sacpudicuscft' ir<3ucrolumIaudatur}quiomne5i^pudicitiacma: tefteshabet. A love qmdem flupragpnespuerornm atqueadulteria : a VeRcre autcrii xornicationern • aReaimpudicitiaifljTMartcwccs^aliaqueab ali/s didicerunr, qux pudicis omnibus in exccrationc fiwt. Athanapus Contra Gentileslib I. pa^ 2/5 ^7, Ses Cyprian. Epift. L 2. Epift. 2. Donato. Iulius Fixmicus de Errore profanarurn ^£nu*>«P« Ji.«4AuguftincP?Cw,?w,Ub,i.cap.7. 9. »o, 25. accost 9Utl] 9$ RiJlria*Majlix. Pa-rt.t. t Zech.i $ « 2. 0*'^ £"«£ *ppl**dedbj them, whofe /ewdneffe was mofi noto- HoiTh2'r7' r'to"flyK*owtteHntoaUme** W tnen the pcrfonating of the ^Nonadp" wickedneffes of Heathen Idols, be but a meerc.ftratagsra cendiimhomic of Satan , to encourage, to precipitate and allure men. to v^nd^t^ C^e ^^ame^nneS: IHt revives the execrable memory of moribusadhi- cho^e 'nfenall crimes x which fhoutd be buried in eternali bttaf.Auguft, oblivion : If it vvorke a Ioue5 a liking, at IcR-wife a flighting ^P^^#- or leffe hatings of fuch helirlh abominations in the hearts of /e7pe&acui?sn mcn ; if11 ^ a^wayes attended with the very lively a *fpea- and Chryfoft . ranees, e?r, refemBUnces of evilly from which Chrifiians fhonld L°Ma47&8, dfteini. If it doth b more advance theDiveU fervice, {the c See Tert. de 9r*£iHaU Author efStagc-playesf as bimfelfe,zndd others te- fpc&zc.cit, ftific,) then recreate the Spectators ; which none can contra- rfSw the Au- dicl,fmce Satan gaines more foules,morc fervice by them, frorop^to C^cn P^ay*freciuenters plcafure : This muft,this cannot but i &p. 4^ . ^9 , enforce all Chriftians for ever to abandon Stage-playes, be- 5 tne beholding of thefe their Stage-obfcenities. Vanxus Ethi* Fir ft,thac in the per fonating of the vices of Idol-gods and ** chrin:unA, men,they alvvayes introduce their virtues; to the end that mgS^4 tne*r v^rCues may ^c imitated,and their finnes efchewed, of thshwfull Secondly, that thefe their notorious wickednefles are thus v/eof Lots, perfonated?thus divulged on the Stage to this very purpofe, p.iitf.accor- that the beholding of their Elthinefle might learne men to *%fhc$.i.±. *det eft them \ therefore the acting of them in this nature /Patrocinii muft needs be commend abkyiot unlawful!. f^Pfi-dini Anfwtr.i. To the former of thefe two allegations, I criamhoncftV aRfwer,Firft,that the virtues^ Idol-gods, or wicked men, peccare vide- are feldome brougtit upon thcStage,but as they arc v/hcred antiir L doth iter <$. ^ v^ either turne thefe Virtues into lpoyfin , or elfe deprive them t?a ( ed etiam oftheirefficacie.. SS^T" Thirdly, the Virtues magnified on the Theater, arc onely iN&e%5 thofe ofDevill-gods,ofgracelcffe Pagans, or defperatewic* vtvitium coc- ked rnen.who never had true virtue in the.mJV0 men Are truly ?ai*Plc' c^r>" vtYtuomfim thofe who are truly rehgtom\others (asScypio^C a~ pf4i^.toKi.i. loJabritf^gulMiTabiM^riftidesjfrtkelik^may have the Col/, 6 ?. (hadowes of virtue in th£,not thefubftancefvthtihgrowes not in ^ E*cIef.io,i. Facitfeminarium voluptatisivenenumputa.#/£r0».E^. JO.f.4. m .AbfitvtfitinaJiquo vera virtus5nifi fueric iuftus. Abfitautem vt fit iuftus vere nifi vivat ex fide : iuftus cnim ex fide vivit. Qui sporro eomm qui fe Chriftianoshaberi volunt, nifi foli Pelagiani, auc inipfis tuforte iblus, iuftumdixeritinfidelem?iuftumdixcritimpium , iuftum dixerit diabolo mancipatum f iit licet ilJc Fabritius, fit Jicet Fabius, fit licet Scipio, fit licet Regulus. P . rrd fiveram iuftitiamnoidiabentimpiijprofcc'to nec alias virtutescomites ziv.$ydcc.j4ti£*fftne ContrJnlidnum Pelag.l.4.c4t'.$.tom. 7. pars 2 .p.} <)% Md Jkidem . n Manifeftifsimepatt^iniinpioiumaniniisnullara eorumimmunda eftoatcuepolluta.habentiafapicntiarn nonfpiritualcm, fed aninsalem, non cceleftem fed terre am,non Chriftianam fed diabolicam,non apatreluminum,fed apnncipetcnebrarum,dunvb r eaipfa qu* non haberent nifi dantc Deo , fubduntur %\ urrof^tr.C ontra Collator em Jib >f.l 8 . quipnnius reccisn a D«q, O a Devils L Hiftrio-Maftix. Part, t . * Ver* virtu - vils^an Idols,* Paganyor wicked perfons, but in a0 reall Ckri- tei nifi in /is- j^i4tts yeart ^herein Chrifls Spirit dwels. it is the pnpcrty of <]uibus vera ^ ^^ virtue y P to conquer \to expellall Vice ; not to cohabit tiTe non pof- with itjrfubmit unto it : Jo that there can be no true virtue flint. Axguji. feateci infuchperftns hearts , xohofe vertues are inferior to , «r fi Cf"' andvfo?w others ftiie them; but titer poUet, whofe parts they acl)caanever ballance, much iefle excufe. aUqualparte &c perfonating offirch execrable vices5which hel it fclfe can nonfubiacet. hardly parallel]. Greg Mag. Fourthly ?the mutilated outfide virtues of Divcll-gods, 02 c*p*\. * graceleflc Pagans,* 4* they can never makenheir imitators tor p Deformes Spectators truly vertuous; fo they are no fk patternes for a multabonavno Chriftian,who hath Chrifthimklfe, the Paragon of all vir- wmfru^ra- *" V°gc*er with all tbofe Saints and blrffcd Martyrs, who aiamvna'cu!- tread his footfteps? for his ^htfotixic ^hrifiians rv Mthty pa,qiucaufa mufi exCell all ^Pagans (much more then Divell-Idob) in mmp&.Liv!us their virtue*9(o.ihyf have farrc more tranfeendent p3tternes nam hlfior. of true virtue for to follow, thenthebeft of Pagans arc. r^'irtutes,fine fide3foliafunt : Vidcntorvitere,fG- f Vmbrae & imagines virtu^u. La&dntius Defaif* Religtone c.zo. t Peccata,&" fpWidida peccata Aug.Contr.ulianumlib.3 .cap ;.&Ennar.in Pfalm. 1 1. Prober, fen ent cv Augus ftm- lib.f«nt.lo6. S Vofsi; Di(putatio ?c. Dcvirtutibu? Genti'mra. D.Prideaux Le&ura8. DefaluteEthnicorum. . * Quivmbras atcjuc imagines virtutumconfe- &amur,eaipfaqu# vera funttenere non j>oilunt. Lstftant, Dtfafe Rehpone. cap .to. j Plus debet Chrifti difcipulus prsAarequamniundi Philofcphus. Hitrom.Byft* Cbfift • Part. i. Hiftrio-Maftix. . 99 £hrift lefm is their* guide% a ihetr mayy b their example ;c his <> Ll*ke i .7 *. virtues Jhis graces muft they imitate ; him onelj muft they fel- ^fohnitiii. low, and mne elfe bm him^orthofe & glorious Saints of his , mho t Pet.2 .21." walk? as he hath walked* The iupreuiefi virtues of the rno£ e Matth.19. renowned Pagans ate to mkriour precedents for the mea- £l£* f^fj neft Chriftians. The very worft of Chriflians who (hall 2i.iIok.s.& ever enter Heaven dees, muft tranfcend the virtues of the ''Btqjwi prote* beft of Pagans: for the Scripture is peremptory; ■« rW ntTseSdefhoc except oar nghtenfnejfe exceed the righteoufnejfe of the Scribes nomeli accepi- andPkarifees (much more then the degenerate copper vir- ftwchri- tues of Heathen Infidels) me M inm cafe enter into the ^^legibas Kingdmc of Heaven. Ho w then can we take thofe Heathen opaum exhi^ virtues for our examples * which me muft farre excett ? The hf0I)eI^Sa Copie muft furpafTc the Hand ; the Sampler, the Needle- /u2iforatV. worke which doth but imitate it . The rule muft needs bee j.tom.f.CoU moreexa$ly pe^cl,thcn that which is fquared or directed ?^h7*?° £«. by it; elfe all will bee erronious. For Ghtiftians then, eftisChriftia- mho zfhonldfoareahivc allothers.to ftoope to Pagan virtues, ni. N n»e a or to dilay their fublimer mcttall to their *€ourfer temper , is *ia W* c,hri~ to degenerate into Pagans ; to prove woric , yea,- leffe then vit & vos de., Chriftians. Itisall'one, asforan expert Artificer to lay bctis ambula- afide his skilKto imitate a Bungler.- or foraSchGolc-m>fttr ^ ?Nonnefi- to give over teachmg^nd to fubject hjmfdfe to the Tuto - eft,& Vosvi=* imipofhisrudeft Scholler, Pagans and Devill-Idols (whofe catiiseius de- Farts come frequenteft on the Stage J ^are the very morft of J?1" convcr~ , * . /* 1 & . t . r la*i?»ta plane« crettures ; there is no iuch grace or virtue in them, as is a- njfi fortfdo- therfecmely, neceffary , or eiTentiall to aChriftian. And ftioreseofas- flballChriftiansthenrefortto PJay-houfes, to learne true T^sYlf^ virtue from fuch finkes of finnc ; l fitch giomermes3(hadowes adpaJlore>pL or carcaffes of virtue, as thefe Idols, thefe Pagaes were, m6,Co,i'jii.G whofevcry virtues led them but to Hell? Doubtlefle it is fTh^'i7' butaveryHeathenifh.gracclerTe.divellifhpra^ife; yea, a iCor^.io"! • very fhame and blcrnifh to Religion thus to dee ; as if and u.i. J * ' Heb.£.i2, ^Mat.^.io.Sec Opus impeTfe&um in Mat.homj 1 . /"Nee vera virtus,quumfcmel ex- dJitjCuratKponidetcrioribus.Wcf.Crfrw./,^ jydg.fp.jG. g Ifa.40.3 I.e.; j .16. Col, 3.j.:.Phil.;.20, *Ifa.i.i2. AEphef.2.i«2.^.l/.c.4i.i7.i 8.19.1 Pet.4.3.4. * Sec Augiift.contrJuIianum.P€^g.l4.c.3«Profper,contX,ColUtGrem.c.28.La^aiuiV8dg '£alCaMig,«,2Q, O 2 Chrifl* \ *oo HiJlrio'Maflix. Part.!*1 ^Pfal.19.7. C^r^s^wnexamP^c>c^ccxamr^so^*s^nw^hc precepts pfal.i'j 9I9" ofhis Word, were not kfnfiicient to teach Cbriftitms virtue ; iTim.^.i^. but that they muilrefoit to DiveJI-gods , to Infidels, co /SeeNa^ans Snage-Playesfor to learneit. The acting therefore offuch zen ad Selu- counterfeit virtues, for the ends pretended, is no plea to ju - churn de Re- i\£e Stagcplayes, muchlefTe the action of the forenamed ftaEducar. y. ° , % page ,1 06 3. ^* 1064- Chry- Fifcly , if there be fuch Virtues taught and a&ed in our foft hom. 3 8. playes. as is furmifed, I wonder much why our J emiwmefl Ton bis Pla es J^"oys>mr mDfl a]j^oH5 P 7 ay '-« enters , *r* w*r£ generally , corfuted. ' more dtfteratciyvitiotuthmwoft other min, as I /ball groove Th'TdM /i- m*nen* Certainly ,if there were any virtue co bee learnt ofRetrait &om Stageplaycs, or thofe Pagan virtues that are a#ed in from Playes them,our Players,our Play-hunters would have been good andTheaters, proficients^uot rccrogradcs,in the fchooleof Virtue,iGng ere accordingly^ ^is ; whereas they arc now nought elic kit Graduates^but m A ft. ^f ' chiefe Artifts in the fchoolc of Vice; Either therefore there Scenei.:. [s no good,no virtue to be learnt frorn" Stage-playes,(asin and TcrtSli^1 trut^ ° l^sre ** m)ox c^c tne'r ^ccs a*e ^arre mor€ a<5tivej £n3Defpcftac. more infectious the** their virtues ,* or eife the Actors, libXaftantius the Spectators of our Playes are pair all grace, all virtue c^chry^' which our Playes can teach them, ° fine* they learneit not; hom.<:7. and Sixtly,admit there.be fame Virtues acted in our Stage- j 8. in Matth. playes, yet there .are farre more Vices. Now as ?men by Gubcmatbne Nature Are more prepenfe to imitate mens vices then their vtr- Dei.Mr.Gof- tues ; even fo it fares with Stage- playes. Allpraclife, all f©n,Mafl:er ^ take up their vices,none their virtues .• all prove the worfer, M°^uWD? "one the better by them. The* hurt, the fmr.es , thevices Remolds* in which they hatch and fofter^areebviow unto all mens view ; wee In tV'eir Trea- tifesagainft Playes* The third blafc ofRetrait from Playes, with fandry other Au- thors quoted, Aft. ^.throughout. 0 Diogenes muficos in ius-vocabat > quod camlyr* chordas congnje^ptarent, animi mores inconcinnos haberent. Dtor.LaerttHS lib.*. *;. : 30.Ira.iy aptly accomodate it to Players, p ProcUvis eft malorum smulatio; &: -,.orLjmvirtutesatrequineqiKas3citoimitarJsvit;a.^/^rcw.£^.7.c.2!. q Fori? po- fu'us eclebcrimo ftrepitu impieta-simpura circurrfonat;&intuspaucis caftitas fi.r.ula>- Unatjpr^bcnturpropatulapudendisj&fecrctalaudandis. De^us lntet, tteciede*: -cuspatct: qnod-malum geritur,omnes convocat fpeftatorcs: quod bonum dicitur, K^uos invenitauditores • tanquamhone#aerubefcefldaiiEV& mhonefta glori- fa Part. i. Hi/irioMuJiix. ioi * fie , we reade them both in the A&ors and Spectators iiuest who make a daily progrt ffe in the waycs of Vice : thegook, the virtue which they teach is jet unknown* to the world; we heareyoefeeitnot. Since then our Stage-playes are fo bar- ren in producing virtue, fo ftrangely fruitful! in ingendring Vice ; their goodneffe will not, cann©t ballance.nor aflbile tkeir ill. Seventhfy/uppofetiiereare fomercail virtues ac3ed in rNonnecefTs our Enterludes; yet who can be fo groflyftupid, as to habesaumm thinke.toleame any grace or virtue from a Play-houfe? i"1"^?^ Who >- ever fought for goldforpt arks tndtrt} for a iChry- Epi(?.j0.c.vbi vino* theyarethe very Devils temptesjtfcnusher Synagogue slices quTsinde"^ Oratories, Sinnes Wallace s , hels Ware-houfts , Pollutions hamkndum throne, %eligions flaughter-houfe , Virtues Pefihoufe $ and exiftimec?' 'fliall wee then £ocke to them to learrie true virtue? Can jZjjf^of1 GaullYeeldHony,oraFlint$oneMiIke? can Sinne beare cap*\i' Virtue,or ProphaneiTe Grace ? then Playes and Play-houfes, G Ddubrum ( the very x grand tmpoyfonas of all Grace , all Verttte9 yea, t"ofb Venefis the vsryy "Devils nets to catch mens fouhs) may make men Darmonidc^ truly virtuous. Lctvs not therefore feeke for vertue in a "dicatam: E-raft Play- houfe where it growesnor,as toe many doe,.forTcare ^ahn0j™«- we fraught our felves with nothing, btit a load of Vice,whicb dam neqnitl* will frnkc our foulcs for ever tothedephes of Hell. * ihquierant Laftly, the Church of God, not the Play-houfe , is the ^^^ onelySchooie;.the Scriptures, Sermons, devout and pious hcemia corpus bookes ; not Playes5n©t Play-books,are the onely Lectures, labefaaaue- ' ' rantfuuw, corrupevantquerrccleratipi*ictcrea& nefari; mulierum congreflus,cIandeftina?falfbrum connubiorum corrupted infanda ac turpia facinora in co delubro vtpotc in loco impu? ro ik fa'do adtniffa c rant. Eufebtus ie ytta Conftantini. lib^. cap, $ 3 , x See here, pag.69 . y Spcftacula Diaboli retia, Chryfoft. hom.jM MatthtTom. 2 , Colluui, 59. G. O3 the- • . ioz Htftrio-Maftix. Part.1. ^Mcntcshos thcMifiifters andSaints of God, or rather *• God bimfelfe ; not minum Dcus comrnon Adors,notthofe DivelUIdols^wbo rule andxtorke aTvTrtu'tes $ *" Stage- play es9zhc oncly Tutors of true virtue; True b vir- prouehir. tue is a plant that comes from heaven , growing oncly in the GregorMdg. churches,not the Stages garden: c Ploilofepbj and Tkylofo- *9s.z"7ln> phers could not tedchit ; andean Flayes or Players doe it? caflumpros O no ; It is the prerogative royal! of the King of heaven, d to indequislaa teach men virtue ; andthatnotbyStage-playes,orlafcivious quifitione ^ Poems, e but by his Word and Spirit onely 9 which breathe not virturum fi in our Theaters; It is then 4(facrilcdg*,yeas a madnelTe#to fcMndaf -- rclin(3uifll God? his Cnurch> his Word; bis Ordioanccs,his t*tqu*maU' Saints ( the onely fotintaines of true vircuc)as too many doe, Domino vi« to feekc out virtue in Playe^in Play-houfes, which are no tutum : cuius othcr but the finkes of Vice; natST Anfmr.i To the fecend Ob/eaion ; that Stagc-playes prudently doe not teach, %bttt discover Vices , thatfo men may learne to CUrdSianofCnS h*te t(i*m>not "J^ th*m : l anfwer fif ft J *at lt » fc God iuftiti^UScu« onelj&jhU fpord and Spirit ywhomuft teach vs to abhorre at ius vita rpecus Vice j not Stage- play zi>the ierylfnell ofaUfinne and tuft. km tetnperans Secondly, if thete were any fuch virtue in Stage-playes, morslnfignc as to aucnate mcn* affe&ions from the vices which they per- eft fortitude fbnace,thcy would then no doubt,not onely haue reclaimed ms.Betwrd fa ancierit Play-admiring Pagans and Cemedians,bue like- svmoTz.fil! wife our moderne Play-Poets, Players,and Play-haunters 1 3 o.l/ from all thofe lewd and filthy Vices which come nsoft frc- * c \pnan & qucntry on the Stage. But I never yet could hearc or read© Tcrtullian ^ ' ° defpe£ac. jf) iikAuguft.de Ciurt.DeM.?.c.4.to^9.1.^.c.^.%Chryfoft.hom.(j. and7« inMattfc, Salvian,£)e Gubcrnat.Deilib.o' .and A&. r.2, $• accordingly. 6 E coelo defcendit, yvw?i (rzciV7T,i>:fuy Saf.91 . e See Plutar Mora^.to. 2. An yirtus doceri pofsit?Virtus doceriaonpoteft, ncquehominibus per homines paran. PUton* Prtugarat.* p. 43 ja d 1 Thcir.4.9Jer.3i.34.Iohn f.45«I Pet.2.9<2 Pet. 1*3. See <, before, e Gal. 5.22., 22.2 Tim, 3 . 16,17. f Sacrilcgi; enim vel maximi inftar eft,humi quxrerc, quod infublimidebeasinvenirc. Mixuuut Pelix.O&Au'ws p*/e 46. / Sir Tboma* Eliots Booke of the Governor, cap* 1 3 . and Hdjrvoeds Apologie for Aclors, accordingly. ^Pral.c,i.io.Pfal8U9.37.2 Tim.2.2C. Con^rtiad Deumfineipfo non poflumus, Eft enim psniccntia vnumdepcrfe&isdctiis defcendentibus a Patre Juminum. Gref. •Mag in PfdLy.fcsn'ltenttalet. Pol gdj-t Ambrofc tn Pfat 1 1 8 . Oiion. 5 .vcr^ 7« $ Viri- orum femina funt,fcelerurn pabula^mortis iter . Iohanais . SAhtbwfit de 8*1* Curt** tow pnttmto%Agr'ttf4 de twittte Seiennaruh^Ci »$4« • of Part. i. Hiftrio-Majlix. 105 of any ancient or modcrnc A61or,Coropofer?©r Spe&ator ©f any Theatrical! Enccrludes, whom Playes recalled from the love,thepraatfeofany Vices,that were ever aaed on the Stage, wheras they have drawnemilionsfor to imitate them. ^Nunquaro Therefore therein no fuch * hidden virtue in them. To caufe virtus quam* men to abandon Vice: which if there were, it would have ]^^mit2 emptied our Wtckm TUy-houfes long ere thii , and have titflgna.Quif- made our lafcivious,adulterouf ? amorous Playes, f© odious, quis dignus that none durft approch them , for fcarc of being polluted £^g^ by them. # Seneca de Thirdly ,Stage-playes are fofarre from working an ab- tranqMLAm* herring,* hat they produce, not oneiy 4 lone andlikwgM alfo *- ^£pag. <58a mmitatton of thofe pernicious vices that are acledin them3 £9,70* which are commonly fet forth with fuch fiexanimeus rhete- ^J*™*fcm ricallpleaftngXor^ratherpoyfomng^firemes; with fab fa- *"deCp\r£c~ thetiea^ltuelj andfublime exfrejfism , with fuch inftnuating hb.Clemens geftures ; mth fitch variety ofmt^ofart and eloquence, ° that if ■ Aleimdr.P** ever men did hate them from thett hearts fofere', they cannot {%fa£2* mffeU%at leaft approve, or but/etfe detefi them now : they being Yero eultu.c. VpronecnonobhyMtHrefortoPrt&tfethem, without a*y alle- zo.etDivinas Hives to edge them on> This pra&ife therefore of acting Vi- picaliudfunt cordi adelefcentis ateatoria: narration nes,quamrlammaftupispr xm-a? io{a:perteattrahunt etincendunt; dequibus Mes nanderfen.it, cuiu^verficulum Faalu Apoftolus orc'fuo confecravit. Corrumpunt moresprobos collocuuon s improbae. Afqui omnia de libidine dc £vuitie3 deininani gloria,de fraudibus non diftafunt mc'iter^qucimpolitejfedexculra-jCXornatajVt eti- am abfque omni rei ipfius oble&an ento verba ipfa per fe arriderent , atque adblandirs rentur Qnjd vero in illisrebus,quas vitro nalitia noftra expetit ? quasaudire, quas . vidcregeftir ; quasorrnibusftniibus vdipart, ad quisteto impetu fertur ? Res fine verbis invitaffent: verba fine rebus ad fepellfxiiTent : dulci veneno , duicsadditumeft condimentum ; vndetenerisanimos « iniquidnis flcxibilcs r.bus pefsimis inflcerurir, Ludou&ttiei.De 1 Aufts corrupt Arrium lib r*p Iq. 3 . StLSe»eca,Eptfi.o.](toder.bifp.Ea /t»oi,/.i>8.*V<27.accordingly p N-quit'a facile imitatores invenit. PktU Iud&u* defpeciaL Legibusp* . 0/3 . >Jon egemus pra?ceptori6us, njinisdocilesmulorum Cum'* mn,p€{rarchatd€ RerneA ';VtwJ$«e ftrtw* U} ^Dialogj?* Houfe^ i*4 Hiftrio*Maftix. PArt.i, sf See A&.$4 houfes apt Schoolesto inftrucl men to abandon Vice , the ScAay!'*' ^Pri*"'**™ Church, together with fairy Councelt , Fathers, throughout and moderne Chrtftiaie Writers of all forts, would never bavefo r Diabolum frequently condemned , fo confl-antly avoyded Stage-player, as ftdtu^a^ tbefrmf*ltU*rferiesof*ll^ Prophane turafubtilis and vitiousperfons would neverflocke fo faft unto them, qu*m longa as tn£y ufc . yea,the very Dcvill hiraifclfe, {whom r not onely malit!«cius. Nature, but Ukewifc long experience bath made exceeding po- BemarAsn ' litick) would never have bin fo improvident as to Unventy to ^utdragejf. pra/^^foinconfidcrateas to multiply,to perpetuate Stage- iit'.Gl&cd. P*aycs tohilownc great prciudice , were they fuch diffwa- 3 79*d! " fiues from Vice/romwickedacfre,fuchattra^iues unto Vir- /See Aft, 1.2. tue,as thefc pleade they are,how truely let all menindge, throughout.' Fiftly,$tageplayes themfelves,as the tfequellmll at large 0 Illivitium demonftrate, are pernicious fin-producing , Viee-foraen- vitio,pccca- ting pleafures, which all godly Chriftians have condemned ; niSicantur°: ^or aiiy mm tncn t0 undertake to make men hate Vice by nosamorevir- frequenting Stage-playess»sbutv/0 cure one vice mth ano- tutum vitia tber,ov to prevent a lefier mifchiefe with a greater ; yea,it ItoctwEpifl. " m trutn nougnt cJfc,but to make Vice a fealme , an anti- i4,Cauen- ' dote againfl it fclfc ; and* to make %U men good againe , with dum eft.ns that felfe-fame thing 'which made them evill at the frit : a malum malo p4radox beyond my ft Jpid apprtbenfton. merms hlftor. Sixtly ,the acting of forreme obfole te % and Iong-f ince tor- 11^4- gotten Villanieson the Stagers fofarre from working a de- ar Abfardum tgftation of them in the Spectators mindes( who perchance eft putareeutn . _r >> ■* , , quiab aliqui- were utterly ignorant of them, till they were acquainted bus ex bono with them at the Play-houfe, and fo needed no deportation faftus a"-' k°m tftcmOt^at fit oft excites degenerous dunghill (pirits3who dem abillis haue nothing in them for to maJ^e them eminent, to reduce them itemm ex mats ^ro^r^^ir^of purpofe to perpetuate their fpurious ill-de- l°&cEtonjf! Irving memories to pofteritie, atleaft-wife in fome tra- HrtUtcAr.An- .!'.*• t'i!j,RomJ.\i.fe8.z.p*\oi6* y Semina pafhe emnium fcelerum adiisfuis peccan* tium turba collegii. Et vtperditus animus pofsit aliquid iaipunc committere ex pr#- eedenribus facinorum exemplis maiore.fc automate defenditjhominibus peccare cupien- feibus facinorum via de Deo rum raonflratur excnipliSt lubm fjrmeut*peOr'}£*nepr$z fanar»mlteltj>M*m<)c\}i%ytdMde!nt ; . gicke Part.i Hiflrio-Maftix. IG£ gickeEntcrluiffc Ic« %ftoried of Heroftratus; thatheefet ^SoiinusPo^ the great a*d*ausiiT€t»p!eifDhn& at Ephefus en fire /for l^™£^a this vet) end ; tmtomen memoria feeler is extend et\ that the Morte Peres very memory of this his vilUnotu exploit might eternise his gcini-Gellius b&feobfcure name /.nd adds vnto his fame, tictiT*** Clemens A- a Aude aliquid brevities Gyaris & carctre dignttm kxand.O ratio Sivisefealiquis: ' Exhortat.ad n 1 , Gcntesiql. 7, Hierom adver# is the oncly todejthebc^thefpecdieflrpaflagc^that fordid Heiuidiuc.8. defperate obfeure fpiritsknow or take to honcur, wealth or f^J^^e • fame^efpecially in declining^ vitiom y turbulent or difconten- Cofmagr, l.?« ted timer. Wherefore fincc obfoleJE c unknowne finnes , are cap. c. Alex an*. tfoayes freefr from imitation, and .more ^esjily amyded then androGenia- finnes divulged, though with £bame, difdaine or punifti- lium Dierum mem ;whcnce* wife Lawgivers ,bave rather chefta^ toenail i-3-c.2o.Pur- nopnblikeLwes*g*inft wnatmall rare-committed crimes , mageBo^ce; then to prohibit thtm by publtke tdiEis > vnder the fever eft pu- 3 . cha. 1 7.a« moment's, for fear c the publtke knowledge of them y by tneanesof cordi n&Zms known Edittsjhould make them more* frequent in mens pra- . tyr^satoft*" tlife ; it were zfarre more eommedieui, leffe dangerous , leffe de Bello ia- ftrnitiotufhat thofe vnpAralleld forgotten viUanies s nhofe me- f"1^™ P'7* morj is revived on the Stage, were for ever drowned in oblivion, fcclemm^ft tien re-imprinted in mens mindes by Vice-perpetuating Stage- quse regna f layes : h ne exempli fiant qua.iam efe facinora deft iter unt ; *nv£|a tw"uC ieaft our depraved timc$ (hould make thofe moth-eaten modusgIadi/s 'wickedneffesjthe patternes of their imitation , which alK £«r**.L8« devouring antiquitie had expunged, out of the muchenlar- Jfo^iatet ged Catalogue of moderne finnes. igSmeft ignoti nulla ciipido. oVid.de Arte Amdiodi l.j.y ,2ft* . Miners malerurn remedium ignorantiaefK Seneca Oedipus. Alius f.foilo^. e Plato Lcgum.Oialogus 9. Seneca de Clemcntia sJibwl xap".2 3 . f Multo minus audebant liber i nefas vUimum admittere,quandiu fine viege crimen fuit . Summa enim pruderitia altifsimi Yiri,& rerum nature peritifsimijma- ' iuerunt velut incredibiie fcclus,& vltra audaciam pofuum, pneterire, quam dum vindi^ cant>oftenderc pofTe fieri. Itaque parricrdx cum lege ca>perurrt;illis facinus pa-pa mons itravit, Seneca Ibtdem. f Satiujerat ifta in obliviohetc ire^ quam ne quis poiflea potans difceret. Seneca JDeBreViK "Vittcdp. 1 3 , Iucundius jnterdum qnx dam nefciri ^ofluntjquamfciri. Pttteani Dlatriha p.fio. Intervirtuteshabefciturallquanefcireo QHmrilJ*Jftt>OraHrtA,ll3,p%6s* $ Jee Cyprian ,Epift.l.2.Epift. 2. Douito, F Laflly, o6 Hiftrio'Maftix. Part, i 2 SecAft^. Scene, 5 acs cordingly, £See Act. 4. Scene. 1. 2. accordingly. * /Dcutr.12 * 30 .Pfal.16% 4.. Ephef.S.;.. Sir Thomas Efotyin his Governor. Bookei C.T9. D^Re molds Overthrow of Stageplayes. fc. 138. The third Blaft of Kctrait from P laves and Theaters, La(tly,ifStagc-ptayes doc onely difcovew-Viccs for to make thcmodious.thenthofc lafcivioui pWffis who moft delighted in them^ould have beene melicWted and morra- liztxHsy them. But the l beft Chriftian and Pagan Amhets vnanimoujiy. agree : that Theatrical! Playes and Poems were the chiefe corrupters of their mindes and manners, the roof efrccluall propagators of all kinde of vice , k there being none fo vitiQW and Ufciv'mtf^cu thofe ^Fagan Qreekes. and Rowans, who moft frequented Stageplayes. Therefore the acting of fuch vices do ch daily 'propagate and diffufe trTem , not de- cr/cafe them. « Since therefore the fubied matter of Stage-playesis thus. h*eathenift>,vitious anajfo'phane, confifting of the fabulous hiftories,ceremonies, vices, names, and execrable wicked- nefTes of F agan gods and men,1 ftkicbft?9Hld not once be named among Chrift tans ; we may hence aifo conclude them to.be '• finfull,and utterly unlawfoll unto Cbriftiaos.- jwPoctacara primum ad fcribendum appulitanis mum, Id fibi negoti credi- dit fblum dari, populovt plat: cerent quas fe- cifictfabulas. Teremj Anc Arguments. »Omne genus sa^ndaei) turn* mo operefuge° Neccafu,nec .fludio loqua- ri^faifiim • quia or quod xncntituroc- cidit animam. Bemdrd.de In* UrioriDome Actvsj, S.cena'Qvarta. FOurthly ; the fubjccl matter ofGur ftage-Playes,is for the moft ^iiyfalfe andm fabulom ; confarcinated of fun- dry merry, ludicrous, officious artificiall lies, to delightthe earesofcarnall Auditors. From whence I forme this eight Argument, That whofe fubjeel matter confifrs offunchy forged Fablcs,of artificiall,merfy affected Iies?muft needs be odious and unlaw full unto Chriftiaas, n whowttft a- handonlies. But fiieb is the fubjeS matter of moft Comicall , of ma- ny TragicaM Enccrludes . Therefore they muft needs be odious and unlawfall Jin- to Chriftians.. X^?Minc^ is evident^^ponely from experience, and the .' coa» art. i. 'Hiftrio*Mdjlix* 107 concurrent (uffragesof ° fundry Fibers , and? Pagan Ah* ° Fabula% 'hors^ho ftile Stage^layes/abulous^ Artificial, fporung lies, Y^lolhiaz from whence they take occafion to condemne them : but like- qua que in lu- wife by the copious teftirnony cf fundry anc ient ^play-Poets, dos & a&us who ftile their Playes by the very name of Tablet, Lies, and Xu^hf '' figments, TheMaior needes no large difpute.. For fince Ciu.Dd.l.i. every lye is diametrally contrary to x the god of Truth : fince 3>ioynetheverj man, ( efpeciaSy f^^f01:8/ J&fiu?.Halkar.. Antiq. Rom. U :• ie£r,u iMacrobtus De Somno Scipionis lib. i. cap. 2. p. 20. Horace dc Arte Poetica.lib. f Fabula^Figmentaj&c.Tcrentiiis.in Andria?,Enuchi,t\delphi,& Hecyra; Prelogoo Plauttt$,in Amphitru : & Captiuei ProIogo.Euripi*des,inHecuba^ Oreftis, Fharnilla?, Argumento. Sopboclis Aiax flageilatus,Hecuba3o<:c. Argumentum. Horace de Arte Poctica. pag._^o7.3o8.accordingly. r Rpm^.vjjfohn I I4.cap.^. 3 $. cap. I4.I- / John 8,44 A6ts 5.3. t Iohn 1c.26.cap.ioM3 . "k» Iobn 17. *7-* Cor.6.7. ■•ColplT.i.5.Ephcf.KT3. 2;.Tiw.2.i^. at Levit.i^.Il.Epbef.^ 25. Zech. 8. itf. Zcph.j.ij. > 1 Tim. 4.7,2 Tim. 2 ioMitus 3.9. a; Pfal.3i.6.Ephef.4.2f. a Rcir. 2l.84cap«22.iS.Ier.9.3^. b Auguftine Be 'Mendacio ai Confenfium : QnjcftionesfupcrLcYiticuml.J.Qia'ft 68.&Epifto!a T9.Ambrofefermo.44.BaiiIi? usRegul* contra&.Reg^tf.Hieron.Theodore^Chryfoftome,, Remigius, Prirrafius, Thcophyla£t,Haymo/Beda,and Anfdmusin Ephe'r.4.1^ .Bernard.D^Interiori Domo cap.4^,& de gratia & libero Arbitr.col 916. r'F aT>ula'quaruxnnomenindicatfal(i profefsionem-aut rantum conciliand.vauribus voluptaffs audititm mulcent ^clut Co- m#d;a: j hoc totu^h fabularum genhs quod folumauriumdeliciasprcfitttur,efacrarro (110 in Hutricum cunas fapientix traclatus climinar. Marre&ws Defcmno Sap l.l.c.HSee Vlutdicht ^^.accordingly. Per fe rnendaciii malum eft,& vituperandu./4f t/?; Ethic. L ,4 Atp.y.Pldto Legum.Dfrior. .Mentirefervile eft_,dignumqj apud omnes homineso^i-o:) acne medioenbusquidem fcruis \Gp\Gkeh6xim.Plutar,DeLtbe90rum Edvcdlionslth P 2 fcquence io8 Hi/lrio-Maftixs Part.t; ^Mendachm fcquence to the Coucluiion too. Since therefore Stage- ro.i poiTumus playcs are d but merrj *re ^e children of the eflQjquando Vevitlj he Father of lies ; let this caufe us to dot eft all fabu~ proximus ixa /^ [jing StagepUjes,as * the very fares aed traps of Satan y dit'mfairum ab *°r ^earc wc Pro^c ^ DiveU of-fpring, who hath no inhe* fSente djci- ritance but Hell cojeavc us, tur,proculdus fciomendaci^f tim eft;fiaeillo quif^uarn^fiue nemo \xdsL\at.Augufi.QivsO: fupcr L'euit.l.j . quffft.68. Tom.4.par?.i .p.2 ?C e Cavetc f ratres mendacium, quia omnes qui amain mendas cium fili; fbnt Diaboli ; qui non folum mendax eft, fed eciam Sc Pater & inventor ipd* us mendaci; : Ambrof(e,m6.q,q.m.v«jiaIudificati cftis : verum Dei cukum ac religionem Parmontim (uperfticiorftli- feidinosc &©bfca:n^inqumantcs.Or^« AdhortMGint.sfcL % £t Religion „ i i — HP— Part, i . Hijlrio-Mafti *. 1 09 Religion and the true worjhip of God, With the fuperftitions of Devils. Hence was it, that TertuUan in his book* , Ttejpc- Bacttlis cap.2$.Chryfo(t". homilie 3 8, *» Matthew; Salvia* DeGubernationeDeiltb.6. thek third Co uxcelhf Carthage, . Canon i 1 .With fundry others , did long-fmce Me all Stage- ^.t"^! * players,1 Blafthemers : becaufe they did not onely n 'deride, p^p4..and abufe.and perforate their cwne 'idol-gads upon the Stage, for BiniusTom.r which the Cbrifiians taxed them : but likewife n blajphemouf- j^1 ,p* 57S 5 h profane, fatyricaUy traduce the *veryf acred names ef'GodfBUfyhnnu the FathenSonue^ndHo/yCho^m their publike Enterludes; ^f^11^ jwbence the Fathers. laid no kffe then blafphcmy to their "„££££"/«* charge. A finne to frequent in our moderne $tage-playes,ftasputanda where thefe dreadfull names(to our iliamc,Fiayes ruine be cft> 9"* ado* k w*itten)are rnoft defperatcly prophaned^ofi Atheiflkal- pnsUJiiuditur iyblafphemcd, Witnefle ourowne late religious °Sta- in theatris^ tute,oftertio Iacobi chapter 2 i . Where ear Soveraigne Lord Et 9ui hxc & the King, together with the Lords Spirit ttall and Temporal!, p^s violatr and Commons in that Parliament aJfembtcd,fot the preventing numinis pen- and auoydingtf the mat abufe s{ the holy name of God in dunt>fcdh°- f« , ^ flay, Enterlndi^ May-game, or Pageant fhonld ye fthgly or rMtuMntem-' frophanely Jpeakje or uje the holy Name of G O D, or'of Plis : n€C *!v« Cdrifl Ie(Myorofthe holy Ghofi,or of the Trinity, which an not ^°SJ^hib'ua~ tofepkjn but Wtthfeart and reverences that for every JuchVuw£m&~ <£. immolatis, Civ.Dei li.6Vc.6"*Scchb 2«t^to.20.IuIiusFiriHkus DeErroreprofanarumReligio- num. Tertullian. and Cyprian Defpeftaculis:. Clemens Alexandr.O rat. Adfeort/ad Gentcs. ArnobiusAdvcrf.Gentes lib. 3.4.7. Nazicnzcn ad Selucom, pag. loto- ■MHniciusFehxOftavius. SaJvian De Guber.DeiU.PlautiAmphitruo.Prologus'r, See Scene 3 /accord nglyf » See Scene <5. accordingly. \ o 3 Iacobi cap ;2i. p Kec quifquana fuerat cjuiin ea fcelera animadvertebat, propterea quod ex viris grauibus dc honeftis nemo iliac audebac acccdere, Zujtbins de yua Cwftantwt, Ufa 2^ . .?-2 #^# 1 1 o HifirlocMaftix. Part.i. 7 Cum enim offence by him or them committed, Joe or they fhould forfeit j . no. vita illius alie- ies : & omendari qttam pecc 'are po\ierim eft, nus f Qgx Secondlyjas thefe Sacred names , even fo the Hirtories, efa filffic^** Texts,and iacrcd Paffages of holy Scripture ( which *(homU c d .* De ofi t* not fi muc^ (ts come within the polluted lips ofgrdceleffe Actors , ifta tam nefa* efpccially c in /ports , in places ofpfophannefft) are oft-times ria,tam inffg- moft Atheiftically,irreJigioufly,b!afphcmoufly acled , vtte-< Aull^eCm. rcd,prophaned,derided,mif-applied, jeftcdatj and fpoited Dei*\.i,c.9. * with in Stage-playes. This ve^fW/>this experience large- r Corn.Taci- \y teftifie,to the griefe of all good Chriftians^ and if this bee %$aA™lU 5 not fufficient , we haue the exprefTe Authority of an Acl of /Pfal .50 . x6, Parliament , even x of ; 4 and $ 5 of Henry the\, chapter 1 , i7.« which irrcfragably eonfirmes this trath. Now for Chri- t. M.Pcrkins ftians thus t0.a5ufc tfee Word of God, and Scripture Hifto- Caiesoi Con- • . . . • . . , ■ , . . ' . . . *r ,, . fcience,libt3 . nes on the Stage, what is it out the very height of all impie- . cap4.fca.40 tie, which well deferves Gods heavieft judgeracsts ; It is ^ M .'Norths y ft cried \ofTheopompm an hifimany andofTheodcfttha Tra* brooks Trea- g&dian ; That Qodftrnche the one of them with madnejfe , the *lC\ *e*u\ 0t^er Wtt^ towdneffeforafeafon : the one , for inferting a part . *nd enterludcs of XMofesfacred writing into hk prophane fiorj; the other of p. 3 2.M .Stubs them for intermixing fome paffages and hiflortes of the old Tc- hlctC rt0my flamtnt with his lafciviom Play-Poems ; neither were they re- p. 1 02. The 3. ftoredto their fight, or [enfes, till they. bad particularly repemea Blaft of Rs- 0f this their wickedneffe. If thc^ thefe Pagans , for thefe theic. ^d thMt«rS Sc"Prurc prophanations did undergoc (o fliarpe > fo exem- P79.8o.io'3 plary a judgement; what a fevere punifhmenc maythofe io4..ThePre- Chrfftian Play-Poets, Aclors and Spectators looke for, who pCea°ifehof wilfully prophane thofefacrcd Scriptures qn the Stage, by Piety,accor- dingly. x $4,& 24.H.8.CI. y Arifteas,hiftoria,7o.facra* fcriptur.tinterprcturD Bibl.Patn!rn.Torai.p.i24F.C.M. Stubs his Anatomic of Abufes.p'.io2.]Vl- North- brookesgainft yaine Playes'iandEnterludes.p. 3 2. which *_JL Part. I. .HiftrmMaftix. - - im , 1 — — , .'■"■■■ ■ . « •which tkey mnft be a fantttficd and directed now , md a \udged z. Pfel.i 19/ at the Ufi ? What a ftupcmdious impietie , a dcfpcrate blaf- %^h* *£'17 phemy and prophannetfe is it , for men, for Chjiftians, to 4 John 12.48', turnc the moft feriatu Oracles of Gods facrcd Word into Rom.tf.iz.io" 4 P/^ak(Wable3aSPort,a May-game ? to temper the t>^^a ^purefl Scrtptures With tbcmottobfcenc Ufcivious Play- untlyra. Quo Poems, that filthineflc or prophannefTe can invent ? to pol- mufatcndis ? lute thofe facred hiftbries dh ttefheater, <* , fo ^ 6*«/* W ^fr^rre '* fynggogueoftheBevill,Yihich the fan&ifying Spirit of God fermones Des hath forever confecrated and c bequeathed to the [hmch 0/°rum,&:mag>- pAtt ^.cap.Tjt.'B.l. ' £ Prou . 1 j « 1 $ . Rom . 2 ♦ f . $ .9 . / Matth.i2.^i.32#Marke 3. 28)29,$0; 1 Tine.l 20* m 2 Pe*, 1.20,21* * E€ (qtjoniana ridere noftram iidem confueyiftis, atqueipfarn creduiitatemfacetiisiocularl- buslancinare,dicite O feftivi,&raturatipotuP&c<((4r»^,^9*f.C7^»^J./i^2tJ^, Pafr, 112 . Hi(lrio-Maftix, Part.i. .— * ' ■ ■ ' ■ laft ? Canatay thus blafphcmetht Name of God, ofChrift, or patiently indure the audience ©f fuch blafpemies as aro belched out againft them on theScage 5 and yet dare to in- Gal V 7 vocate therfi in their greateft exigencies ? Certainly, n Cod % lam! 1 7. '• wiU not^Chrifl will not thm be mocked* Let not fuch blafphc- pfal. 1 1 #£• mers then as thefe ° expell anj thing from Gods hands , but ^.om,2,3.9. #rAthi& ve»geance,the onelyfertim of their C«/>*,unIeffe they fpeedily repent of thefe their damnable,prophane , blafphc- ^SeeMiflTalc mous Stage-playes, which thus abufc the facred Scripc*re#, Romanum. jn a ttaafcenden.c manner. lontifidSe & Thirdly,a$ the hiftoricall palTages of the Old Tcftament, Ceremonialc fothe hiftotie ofChrifts death, and the celebration of his Romanum.^ blcfTed Sacraments, areoftt'«mes prophaned in thcatricaH W^dT enteriudes,cfpeciallybyPopifhPxicfts and Iefuites in for- Mifla>& Rb raigne parts : p who^ as they have turned the Sacrament of tibus Celc- " £brifis y0fy an({ m00(i iHt0 A Maffe-flay ; fo they have like- famV.Rei- w^c transformed their OWajfe it-felfejogcther wtfb the whole notds Ot ec- fiory ofChrifls birth, bis iife^bu Tajfion , and all other parts of throw of tfa ir £cc/efiafiicall fervise into Stage-playes, This, not one- p"f ij3oa? ty ^Troteftant /FWa?r/,buicven their ownc Records (where Beard of An- the Index BpurgatWius hath not dipt their tongues) doo tichri*f ?lr '** iargery teftifie, to their {h*me.--zs£neo4 Silviue ', funiamed Blewel,Mor- l . Pqp* P*w the fecotid : as the Records of himfeife, 2 that ney^utcliffc, he was mttchgivenjo Wine > t* Yemry , Belly -cheer e and other Wh't °"id *e*fiy !uftSi ' 2 atlf* ^at ^€' ty0* * rB*ft*rdfonnc on the body ©therein their *f wEnglifh woman jvhofe chafiity he oft folicited before be* Treaties a* could prev ail e \ iflwhichfaUjwhichfonneofhis , be much re* gainftthe ]oyced% as hisowne Epiftle wicneYTes: fuch was His Pitts dingly. C Papall ehaftitie. So he is not afhamed to publish to the y p. Remolds world ; that in his younger yceres 4 he pennedthe wanton Co- s£Tu?&* r**die of Crifcwitb other amoromTotmsz and ia hiseWcn Idolol Roip.-Eccleli*l»2.c.;4feefQY aMaJfe-Vriefl. mm.1\ •fAg.lq.* r In Eibiiotheca Patrum Colonial 61 8,Tom.i2.pgrs I pag<702 8: .£ Sciendum-, quod hi qui Tragcediasin Theatris recitabantjacluspugnantium geftibus pbpulo rd- pr.tftnrabant. SicTragicus noftcrpugnam'Chrifti populo Chrifliano in Thestro EccleU2t*geftibus fnis r«praTenratjeiquevicloriam redetrptioniste incukat. Itaquc cum Presbyter (Orate^clicir,Chrifturn pro nobis m agofiia pofitum cxprimit, cirni As poftolosorarcmonuft.Pcrfecretum ii!entium,%mricat ChriAurn-vclutagnum finevos cc ad vic*timam duftum.Pcr manuam expanfionemjdefignat Chrifli in cruce extiniio- nc.Ptr. cantuprjcfationis.cxprimn clam ore ChrtfUin cruce pendctis,&c,/••««»>«« theCroJ[e,&c< Loe here a Roman Maffe-prieft becomes a Player, and in ftead of preaching , of reading , acl; Chrifts Paffion in the MalTe> which this Author ftiies, a Tragedy. i -Atqiumos- Lodovicus Vtves complainesy r that it was thecuftome cftbe itm «e fc-° Pr^ *w^ P^; ?* ^ ^ > **w * thefolemmt? 'fChrifls cm Tic lebfa- death was celebrated , totxhibite P lay es unto the people^ not tut Cfcrifti aweJb different from thofe ancient Pagan Enteriudes • af miTha^num" vbicbprtblife (ft\\h htyhougb I fay no more, whofoever [hall Vi -ciamis/iv; hear e Joe will repute it difcommendable enough, even in this re* dos n ibil p ro - gard, that Tlayes fhoulh be made in a tbtxg mofifcr iou<*f There fllis vcteribus *H^M ** d*rfdtdy uttering the moftfoohfh things he can devife, different** pos whiles he betray eth Chrift, There the Difctylesfitc , thefouU pulo exhiberc: diets purfuing them , and that not without the dirifon and nonndixerc.Ufa. ^g^rM^of the A5tors and Spectators. There Peter am tis turpe exs off the ears ofMalchmfhe ignorant multitude applauding him9 iftiruabit quif- as if by thismeanes the captivity of Ckn ft were fuffciently re- ?udos fitim wxged. And a little after \he who had fought fo valiantly , be- re maxirne (es \ng affrighted with the quefiions of one little Girle , denies his na. ibi ricks Mafttr jbe multitude 'deriding in the meant -time the Maide quam poteft x^at queftions him}and bijpzg at Peter who denies him. Among ineptifsima /a- fo many ThyerSy among fo manyfhoutes and ridiculous fic'le* ^jns, diim riss Chrift onely isferiom and grave : andwhen as hte endet- prodit * Ibi vowrs to eliciate forrowfitll affections ; I know not by ytbat Bifcipufi fii- meanes,not thereonely fbm Itkewife at the Sacraments and holy giunt miiiti- ^Ordinances he waxeth coldy with the great r»ic\edneffe and im- t^u^ncc^fine'" piety ftetfi mP!cij ofthefewho behold or aU thefe things^ of the cachinnisa&o. Priefts^who appoint thefe things t§ be done* Loe nere their rum cV fpefta* torum.Ibi Pe- trusauriculaai refcinditM?.lclio,applAudentepullata turba>e!uita vindicetur Cbrifli caprivitas. Etpoftpauluro, qui tarn ftrenuemodo dimicarat, rogationibusvniusant: cillul^rterritus abnegatmagiftrura.,ridcnteiTiuItitudinc ancillam mterrcgantem 5 & cxibilante Petrum negantcm. Inter tot ludentcs y ittx tot cachinnos & ineptias Mo- llis Chriflruscft'ferius & feverus : cumqueaffectus conatur mazftos elicere , nefcio quo pa&o, nonibitantum, fed etiamadfacrafrigifacit , magno fcelere atquc impif6are> non tarn eorum qui vcl fpt&ant vcl aguntjquam facerdotum qui eiufmodi fieri curaar. LoddTptcHsViyes. Natain AdfcvfiwuM De cfti?.Dei.li&.f*cdp.i?.D See FrancisDe Croyhisfirft Confirmity. chap.19 Pa§- 48. and D.RonoWs overthrow of Stage- playes.p. 1 61 accordingly, owne Part, i . Hiftrio^MaJiix. J 1 5 owne Author declaiming ggainft Popifh Priefts for their frequent acting of Chrifts Paflion , intheveryfelre-fame manner , as the Pagans of Old did vfe to a6^ the lives and pracliies of their De vill-gods. A fufficient teftimony, how little Papifts really eftimate the bitter Paffion of our blcf- fed Saviour^ (ince they make a common Play or paftime of it. This pafTage of Fives hath fo offended the hiftrionrcall Maffe-Pi icfts, that f (Ja/par ^uirega in his Index Expurga- /Eodem lib. tsrm.commands it to be expunged out of all new Imprefftens inScholiis ofSzmAugftftine7zr>d the Divines ofLovan, in their Im- amurTna^lr- preflion of Saint sAugnftwcslVctkesy Antwerp 1575. and ba. Atqui mos in other of their Editions fince that fime, have razed it out nuncc^&c. accordingly , that fo they might Gill proceed to A&Chrifts iemAmlStLs P aflion without coatrolt To pafle by c bonnes Langbecru- tionU judex c/Vw,aPopifli Author, who makes mention of this playing LHre-mm Ex* • of Chrifts Offerings , and feemesfor to approve it. As al- pffi"%l(iol% fo to pretermit the v Statute of pr into Edw.6. chap, i.which * be vita & snforrnesus, That divers Papifts bad then of late mar vei- honcftateEc- loufly abnfed>contemptU0nfiydepravedydeft?ifedandreviled7the f£ **"°™™ moft holy Sacrament ef ghrlfts body and blocdjnfundry rimes, y j Ed.tf.c.r. fing^Playes^nd lefts; calling it by Juch vile and unfeemelj * Apud Si^rinm words as Chriftian eares doe much abborre to he are rehear fid: g ??'*'P' ^ * anuparallcldblafphemyand prophanneffe : The provirxi- y Nihil prope *UPopiJh*Comcellof Coten under Adolphus , intheyecro tamfanaum 1549. cap. Ij.andii. not onely impliedly allowcs the .^j^** acting of facred hiftories, but likewifeexprcfly Records; rmmvanitas y That when as the Church carry ed about the confecrated bofte non trahat ia ofCbrifls body and bloed in long proceffnns (the reafon of ckoTdeche- whichproccfTions are there at large expiefled )the fccnUr fauro corpo- ris efcrifti ^ui dum quxreretfalutemnoftram in medio populiverfatuseft-,& yniverfalem Iud# 2m circumambalavit,docenj,^egrorosrananSjdircipu1is concomitantibus : quamobrem &fan&orum reliquias,& imagines eoram qui vefligiae/*us fecutifunt, fimulcircura= f erircus, fignificantes iilos r.unc cum ipfo regnarc cV triurrpbare in ccclis. Qux me? . mbria.debetpi;sefle;uamda 8c \xtz. Veru'm micfccula*ishominum ftultorum vani- tas irrepfit,& adkibentur etiam ludi propbani & fcurrilos magno ftrepitu, ac cuafi ad helium procedendum d&tjtympanapulfantur, & ociofa fpe&acula eduntur > rebus iftig non cogruent'fa : quibus populus dcle&atus,a rebus qu? proctfuoneaguntur auocatur. Mandamus id rirco,&c./£/cfa which 2 3 . p . 1 o 28 . fuitevot with theft thing: were exhib ited : with which the pgo- *, See Orme^ pfc being delight edf hey were wholly avocatedfrow the things notp^fmus ioni «?r#»» Whence this C ounce 11 command! all Clergy, aadpolydor enente abfent themf elves from fitch procejfions , which were VlYgii;De in- Cllrned into Playes, Yea, the, Popiili * Synedtu Caruoten- libXc^%m &>*"• Jf> 26%& SynodusTfironic4.i^ $. informer vs,That accordingly. Catholicke Prieftsyinthcdayes ef the fir ft Maffes of their new a Statuimus Presbyter softer their merry Fe*fts, their great and unhallow- pafsio ddncccs e^ banquets , dtd goe forth in f Mike to exhibit e moft greffe nee in focro mchafte (fom&dieste the people: andthat in the Feaft ef Saint • necin profas Nicholas J nnocents , and en ether Feftivals > they did put on "ur &c° clss Vifarsyand attfome ridiculotu erfodifh thing Jandfemctimes ciLMedicU* the Pajfton efonr Saviour yor oftheje their Saints & Martyrs ***/*: j . ccn~ either in their Churches orfome otkerplace.lt is true,that fome ca^DvAahz few Italian Bifhops, being afhamed of this diabolicalf myus&re? pra$ife , of the * Paganizing Chftrcb of Rome, inacling prtfeptaiionis Chrifts Paffion, did in a Ceumell at Millaine 9 under their • ulbyroiunz drchbtfhop Burrhomtm^in theyeare of our Lord ,1566. de* nestanghz-z creefor their Tr evince; a that the 'Ptffion of our Savour cruciui. De th fhouldnot be hereafter ailed in any facred or prophane place EccleGAfifcfJ whatfoever, becaufe of the feandaft I which it did vecafion' : fmni.z.c. 22. But yet to quit the Credit of their Church which might jp.324.arid by juftly be taxed for approving this ungodly praclife, b they in hi"oYcr' PHt *™ f4trs &°§e u$m f^f° ^ecrable a viSany ; that the throw of • atting ef Chrifts Taftlon," however it came te be abnfed, was Stage-pkycs a cuftomereligiouflypraVtifed and brought in atfirft : A moft ^Tarpiora ■ irreligious evafion of ambitious lpirits , who would rather Ciint vitiacum audacioufly juftifie their greateft errours to their greater virnituai (pe- infaruy ; d t^e„ mgentoufly acknowledge them to their praife. ftteronjm.Ept^A^.. c Pie intro&i&a confiietudo repra:f:ntandi populo venerans dam Chrifti doniini pafsionem,&c. d ^ed qui primas non potuit habere fapientia?, fecundas habeat partes modefti* • ut qui non valuit omnia impanitenda dicere , fals tern prcnitcat qu«*: sccnoYerit dicenda nonfuilTe, A ugtdtmi fro'.ogm in Retrafl 4 Idr, But Part.i. Hijlrio-Majlix. 117 But hath his provinciall CounccU,ot\ \Sy nodus Carnotenjts, *ApudBos 1 5 zd.and Sjnodm Turmica9i^. which are much to the £^*^ like effect, sboii&ed this abufe-outof the Ancichriftian '20,21,23: Church of &w*? No verily, for the Iefuites themfelves arenotafliamed to publifb to the world, ^ that ^a pad *Epift#Iapa- efpreachingthefVordofGod^faliofMam a»dWe,mth S^fflT, .their exile out of "Taradife, and the hftory of cur Saviour jhey Bongo.Doft. tBedandplayedthem amongthetr IndianTrefdites. A true Remolds Q- Iefuiucallpra&ife,befeemingwell this hiflrfonic all infer- sta-e^yTs: nail Society/ who have turned thevtr y truth of God into a lie , p.iSi.andbe and the* Whole fervice of Gvd into an Entalude. And no Koman^Ecs wonder is it that Papifts and lefuites transform Chrifts Paf- trf fl ° ^ fion into a meere ridiculous Stage-play , { a praclife yet in . fta.29 V40 $ ufe among them, efpecially on * Good-Friday : ) fince g Pope -£*°m* 1 • 2 *♦ Z>**6* *?»/£,( fuch was hisunerringpious blafphcmy ) r*- fua in ^hStra puted the whole hiftory of our Saviour,* meere cheating gainer vertunt,& fans ' futFahle\ as we may j u% feare thefc acting Priefts and Pj^PfS*3 Jefuites4oe,orelfe they durft not thus to play it,t6 abufe ^Sht^' k as we fee they doe. -And as they thus aft the facredPaffi- transformant* ©n of our bleffed Saviour, evenfo{ if * Ftt^ftepheny h<*Poly. &&e$»(Ms. dorVirgil>BocheIltu,£>xiranas de Croy , maybe credited) Ece^efidct*. they aft the lives fhemiraclesjhe martyrdomes torments- and l*trtajat which there were tboufandsprefent. * Quoted inlohnSttwesSuryeyof London,cap. l<5.pag« 142* h Solemus vel more prifcormn ipeftaeu!umedeTepopulo?recitare Comadiaj,it€m in teraplis vitas divorum acmarty- lia rcpr.vfentare : in quibus ut cun&ispar fit voluptas^qui recirant, vernaculara tantum liiiguam vfurpant,& c, De Iny enter. Return Jtb. { .cap,i pag.jSC . Se4 Trancit de Croy^ his firil Conformitie, Cap.iQ.pag., ™ 1€i "ith fi^f Pty**>"M "bich the Gentiles did fanais m a'r- vf**$j delight their Idol-gods, Yet ©ur novellizing Roma- tyribus nos nifts3(«>&* f vaunt fc much of anticjxity , though thsir whole men Dco^non Re ^£'|k(wherein they varry from us)he hut novelty ) aban- doninsths pious pra&ice of thefe Primitive Chriftians, antcoparare* Sicenirnnon habemus;vlla ex parte aude- (confeious co themfel ves oo doubt,that many of their late Canonized Tiburne- Martyr s^ were no other , no better ' conftituirr then the devil-gods of Pagans, lwbo were oft-times deified faccrdotes,nec f0Y their notorious villa*ies , as Popifh Saints arc for their ?rTfi";?usfT "matchlefletreafons : ) have not onely m adored them as criticiamar- ■ • • « 1 «• t tyribm noilri^ gods, erecting tempos to their names and worfhip : bnt quia incon= likewifc foiemnized their annivetfary comrnemorations,by f hum iiJlcfJ" PCTf°nat i^g m tneir feverall Temples, the blafphemous ly- tum eft, atque ing Legends of their lives and miracles, (To fit for no place yniDcorari- as the Stage it felfe) infome theatrical! flicwes; adoring = and honouring themin no other manner, then the very Pa bitum: utnee criminibusfu* is , nee Iudis eosturpifsic misoblefta- mus,vbivel gans did their. DeviI-gods,»w& who thefe bell-faints are mofb aftly nparaUeld. Such honour,fuch worftrip give the Pa- pifts to our blcffed Saviour,to thefe their idolized Saints,as thus to turnepot onely ° their Priefls into Player s, their Tern- flagitiaifti.ee- fles9into Theaters ; but even their very mirades,lives,and iumftoSim" fuffcringsintoPlayes^. To leave the Papifts and clofe up fi cum btfnus this Scene. It is P recorded of one *Porpbery a Pagan Stages nescflenttalia cottimifes Tunt,vel confida dclc&amenta d#monti no*iorij,fi homines non fuerunt.^*/ . Be Ch', Del l.8.c. 27. £ Antlquitatem /'aftatis^cV de Die nove vivitis. Tert.Apol.Adv.Gentes. / See Clemens Alexandr.Oratio Adhort.ad Gentes.Athanafius contr. Gentiles J, Ter^ tullian. Apologia advert Gentes^^Tacunus O ratio adverf. Grarcos. Amobius Ad- verfus Genres lib. La&antius DeOrigineErrorislib,Nazianzen. O ratio 4.7. 3^4.8 * AuguftineDe Civit.Dci.lib 1,2, 3, and 4..<5.7.and 8 accordingly, m See Officia bea- tx Marie 8c fan&erum , in all Popifh Portuafles.Miflals and Prayer bookesBiiho?. Mortons Proteftant AppeaIe4Iib.2.cha.T2,Iohn Whites Way to the true Churcn,fe£t. 39. n SeeOrmerodhisPaganopapifmusfemblance 1. to.c i.LudovicusVivesNo* tx in Augnft.De Civit.Deil.8.e.27. Iohn Bale3 A&s of Englifh Votaries: in the Preface, Doct.Iohn Whites Way jo thetrue Church. fesfr. 5 9.Numb.4« 0 Ad th:a- trumpotiustempla transFerte, in fcenisReligionum iftanjm fecrcta tradantur,& ut nis hil prxtermitratimprobitaSjhiftrioncs fAcifcfacerdotcs Iutius tirrntcm Ds Errere Pro? JAuarum Religionum.c.\$ .Bti/.Pafrum Tom. 4. p. 1 1 2. S:e D)tt. Reinolds DeRmtanA Ecclej.Ulo' Atrid.l.z ,c.$ .{efl tiy.p.q.oi, . ^Nicholaus Cabafila.Devita in Chrifto. lib, 2.BiblPatrum.Toro.iif.p.H2,C.D.E,f . player, Part, i * Hiftrio*Maftix. 1 19 player, that he grew to fitch an height of impiety ^as hadventu^ ted to baptize himfe/fe injefi upon the Stage Jfpurpofe to make the people laugh at Chrifiian Baptijwe , andfo to Bring both it and Chriftianity into contempt : and fir this purpofe he plun- ged himfelfe into, a veffelt of water which he had placed on tin • Stage > calling aloud upon the Trinity : at which the Spetta* tort fell into a great laqghter. But loethegoodneffe of God to thisprophane mifcreant ; it p leafed God to fhety fuch a demon* Jlration of hie power and grace upon him, that this ^{porting ^ p0ftt|uam baptifme of hi* .became aferiom lauer ofregeneration to him : verd, idque info much that of dvraceleffe Player , he became air actons P.erIudu5^P- 'Chrtfltan > and not long after, a eonffant Martyr. TherY*%/ Chtiftianus find regiftred of one Ardalion; another Heathen Atlor , who folum illko inde'rifionofthe holy Sacrament of Bayifme , baptized him- f^^d ffomm felfe in\efi vpon the St age tand by that meant s became a Cbrt- qUOquemar- Jliah \ Gods mercy turning this his witkfdneffe to his eternal! tyrum focie- f ood : not any wajes to ju/lipe Slaves or Players , or to coun- la'cm IPT tenance this his audacious prophannejje • but even mtracu* dem ibtdem. loufly to pubhfh to the world the power of his owne holy Ordi- r Nicholas nacssi^ch by the co-operation of his Spirit, are even then ^#afiIa,Ibi" able to re generate thofcc who mop eontemne them , when /Pfai,facrilcgious5blafp he- inous : from whence Iraife this ninth Argument. Tbatwhofefubjecl matter Kimpious/acriiegious^blaf- phemous t izuift needs be finfull and unlawfull Unto , Chriftians. Witneffe Levit.i^,ii;to\y.i Kings 19. 6.22.Z/4; 37.6.23^.52 j. Matth.\ii 3l.l,uke22. 65.1 TVw.i.^o, But fuch oft- times - is the fubjecl matter of Stage* playes : witneffe the premifes. Thcrfore they nmft needs be finfuttand tnlawfuU'untb Chriftians. Aftus 120 Hi(lrio-Maftix. Ac tvs 5. ScenaSexta. #ScrviDei funt quos Di* aboiirs infes £at; Chrifti- anifunt^quos Antichriftus impugnat. X^ecueenirn qu,vrit illos quos/»m luos fecit. Inimicus &hoftisEc- clefiAr,quos alienavit ab Ecc!eGa&fo- rasduxitjYt captivos& vi&os con- temn^ : cos pergit lacdle- re in quibas Chriftum ccr' nit habitare. Cyprian. Spiff. lib.i.Lp'tfi. 1. >Ephef4„ * *l Pet. 3*9. <>Col.$.i2, ^Iam.3.17. 18. * I Cor.J.lX 2 Pet.l.TI! £lfay 5.20. rGen.1.25, SIxtly,Stage-p!aye«arffforthe mofl part fatyrically in- ye&ive againft the perfons,cailiDgsP offices and prof* (li- ons of men ; but more efpeciaJly againft Religion and t Re. ligious thrift ians ,the chief eft obyells of the Dive Is malice* From whence T deduce this tenth Play-oppugning Argu- ment. That whofe (Vile, whofe fubje£t matter is ordinarily fatyricall and invective, being fraught with bitter fcoffes or jeftsagainft Religion,Virtue, and Religious Chri- • ftians j againft the perfons, callings,offices, or honeft profeffions of men ; mufi needs be odious and unlaw- * full unto Chriftians* But fuch is the ordinary ftile and fubje<3 matter of meft popular Stage-play es. Therefore they muft needs be odious and unla vvfiill unto Chriftians. The Major needeth Httle prcofeifmce God himfelfe in- /oynes all Chriftians,, v to put away all bitternejfe, anger, wrath,clamour, and evil Ip2*ki»g> with all malicioufneffe : to be courteous and tender-hearted ens towards another ■;'* net rendring r Ailing for raiting • Y bat for hearing one another, and forgiving one another, if Any one hath any quarreU againft ane- *£*r,(much lefle then when as there are no perfonall vari- ances bctweene men ) even as G 'od for Chrifi lsfak/ hath for > given tkcm,The Scripture requires, * that Cbriftiaes Jbould be patient, feaceable,gcntle,eafte to be entreated, full of mercy, and good fruits without grudging or calumny , without hypo- cry fie or backbiting, a without ray ling or flinders. , efpecially againft h godly men, whofe lives,whoie perfons, whofe gra- ces (hould no where be traduced , much lefle upon chc Stage. lAmsperfins c arethe work* And image of Ged him- ft/fa Part, i . HiHrio- Maflix. izi felfa ; their honefi catlings, offices and implements '., the very *i Cor.7.20; ^prdintncesofGod: their graces , their holinejfe (to omit *°2S'JR#m« their credit and good names. t e which are better then precious prou.i^.u «ny of thefe,upon the Theater, -€ muff needs be finfull ; be- f Pro«- .1 7. ?• caufeit not onely brings them into contempt and fcorne, [fl*is°™ *£* but alfo offers open h indignitie to God himfelfe, from Whom gia.Diogcnes ihey iffm. ' Lacrtiuflib r The Minor is abundantly evident. Firft, by the expreffe u^fitte!1 • teftimony of prophane Authors It is ported of Jfrifi of ha- HtfUib.2'.* ' t?«,that fcutrilous carping Comadian, th at he personally tr a- c.i$.Theo«fo.i daced and abufedvir Worn Socrates on theStage%by the infti- "Jtute 1.12-* gat ion of [owe lewde Athenians ^ho maligned him for hk re- p. 42 3 .Plus $lendent venues \ accupng him both for a triflery an Atheift, !ar<:hi p!£c<> yeho did neither know nor reverence the gods $ of purpofe to rTuiot kus Vi-» iring him into derificn with the people* fc Eupolii the Com &- ves.Notx i a dianydid the like to that famous Gracian Worthy , Alce&iades, Aag-a&.De fir which he commanded him to be dnwned in the Sea* l Art- \ ^ *9 ei* ftotlewritesofCcm&dians, that they are wholly occupied in {piutarchi furveyingjn deriding the vices of other men , which they pro* ^cebia <"*♦ clatme upon the Stage , whence he ranges them in the number i .^Eplft-K * oftraducersyandevilL(peaktrs, m Ifocrates blames the nA- p2 82.Suid* then&hs much ,for preferring Comedians who Aid nothing but JuP°hs : :_Lu2 carpe at them, andblaz*e abroad their vices to their infamy ■, Not«in Au* before fuch who be ft dvferved at their hands. IDiogenUmts m Auguft. D c a Tlutarch/eputes it an unbefitting thing , to entertaine Play- jClvl« Deie> ?r/,or r^fir Comedies at anyfblemne Feafls ; becaufe thetr vi- / £*t qU;bus rttlent inveb1ives,fcojfes ^aijefls, weuldeccafion fudry quar- occupatioeft. relsanddebates. The ° Lacedemonians bani(hed all Stage- inP"""«o- p lay es, Players, and Play- poets, out of their Territories ; be- yt fubSnna-' caufe they could not endure to heare their lawes carped at , or taribus & Coraicis: nu« ledici enim quodammo- iloipfi fimt,& proctmesaienun,cianc!um,&'e. R&eforicatib.i.c. . J lius cap.14. fiActors to cajt lambtckfsjcops and fames upon the mofl * /-. a plutarchi Ittftriota perjonsyyea3 upon the Emperors them fives : as it was Pericles. lawf ill heretofore amengthe Athchi.wsjtr thofe who accom- r Hi ferias panted their Triumphes and Shewes in IVagensjo feoff c at any faltationcs ri- th ^ withaU,wbich liberty of fcSw, ( 3S*Ovtd certifies) ftibusimita- was Ukewifevfedmtbe Floraltan Stagc-Playes. bo mac m- bamur. ve&ive Playes were commonjboth with the t\cma»s and brmnTde^rl- ^Athenians. < Athene B.tcoxd% : That Ccm&dUns nbouni vantes, vt fpe- inperfonallfiojfes/eproacheSytatmts ; which are frequent in the £atoribus ris Comadies of Ariftophanes : Yea, c Horace the Poet}is very ExviuwpKu copious in defcribwgtheperfenalltnvtcTiv.-s of Play es in for - autcm quia . mer times 9 v ejpecmlly the Vcfcenniatand the ancient Comedy y gunturfatis liquet hoslufiiscavillatorios&ratyricosapudRoraanosianvndeaprJfcis faiculis re- ceptosfuirTe. Licet enim i/s qui triumphum profequuntur iambojek di&criaiaccre inilluftrifsimos quofqneviros,atqucade6inipfosimperatorcs- quercadmodum Athe- nisolinii/squiplauftrisve&iporapam profequebantur obvios qaofque fcomtratibus impetere lioebar. Antitju.RomanorumUb.-Jtft.ot.f.yii. See Bulingeuis DeJThe^- tro.lib. j4cap. 9. IO.&: 5 8. accordingly. * Qujercre conabar quaic la(civiaiba/orf Hisforct in Judisliberiorq; Iocas.Sed mihi (uccurret numen ncn eflefeveru. Aptaq; dc- Jic>/s rauneraferreDeam,&:c.Frf/?tfr«»7^5«/.39. /"Dipnofophorum l.^.c.c.6. rEu? polis atque Cratinus, Ariftophanefq j Pocta:, atque ali; quorum Cormrdia prifca viro- r.itn eft: Si quis eratdignus defenbi quod maius,aut fur j Quod m.^chusforct^ccari^ us,aut alioqui F amofiis ; multa cum 1 ibertate notabant.Omnes hi metuunt vejfu?,odcre Poetas.FA'num habet in cornujionge fugit,dummodo riflim Excutiatfibi,non bit cui- quamparcet amico. Horace Sermcntux Atb ,\ , Sat, 4.. 9 Fcfcennia per nunc invents liccntiamorem.Vcrfibusalternisapprobriaruftica ludit: Libsrrafque rccurrentes ac- ceptaperannos^ufitanubilitcr donee iara feuusapertum In rabi.?mverticrpit,iocus, 6c perhoneftaslredomusimpuneminax : doluere cruento Dentelac:efsiti: fuitinc taclis quoque circa Conditionefiipercommuni qninet!aralcXjPa*naqueIata-a-jalo qu.t nollet, carmine quencjuam Dcfcribi3vcrtcremoduraformidine fuftis Ad bene dicen- dunn,deleib«rtasexcidit,& vim Dignam lege regi : lex eft acccpta^iorufque Turpitcr obtinuit fublatoyurcnocendi./UV/w./Ptf Arte Pcettca p^Qf.joO.BufhxgcrustieThcatro.Ll.c.j,, & S«fs accordingly. which Part, i . Hislrio*Maftix> l23 which {pared neither friends nor foes; whefe perfonaB invc- xl^Aemzlt^ clivesgrerefo excefp.vejo odiotu and intollerable^ that the 7J*- ^ nc luj\ltl3l mans inafted a L*w againft tkemjo fupprejfe their vile abufes o di; ctiam in this kinde. This concurrent teftimony then of Pagan ^iffragia fine Authors, is a fufficient justification of my Minors truth. Qujcq^a ^ Secondly,as thcfe heathen Writers, «ven fo the Fathers, tant, qaicquid withfundry ancient and mo^erne Authors doc pofnively *bo»inantiir affirmc the truth ofthisalTumption. Witncffe "Philo Inddt- aiis'cft "ita & usjnis purH^csall teftimonic , De vita Contemplativa; f*ge amorapud il- 1 2op. Clemens ^iexandrinns Oratio Adhortatorta ad jj» P™f™>f6 GenttSyfol&g.Tatianus Oratio adverfut GrxcoSyBtbl. Pa- fhimfine can* tram Tens* 2. p. 1 So. 1 81. x Tertnllian Be Jpeftaculis cup. &. Dcus certe 15,16. Cyprian Epifl. lib, 2 . Epijt. 2 . Donate y& de Spettaculis ™^"tf* ^ ltb.sArnobiusadver(wGe9ttesMb*4.p.i49. 150.^ lib, 7, fe,cjut1in*m/ p.239J0 242. Hierem.Epi(lt 4>cap. 2. zAmbrofe Be effci/sy cosdiligi iu- hb. 1 .cap.27. Chrjfofiome homiL 28. in Matth. Naz.ianve». hJ*'Deas eti^ Oratio Afi.p.jQi.D.jtf/D.^AugufttneDe Civitate Bet maledicere ltb.2.cap q.$%and p.and 7 Santti Valeriani homHia6.De oti- non finit3qui ofis verbis fBibhetheca Patrum iTom ^pars 3 f.482.583. £^fptL Ludovicm Vives,Notdin Augufi/De Ctvit.Dei. lib. 2 . cog. cipit# ScdGir" 4. 5. 8.9. Bullingertu Be Theatroltb. I. cap.p. 10. W58. co guidama^ Geffon in his Playes confuted \Aftton f .The third "BUfi of Re- ££^£2° trait fremfPlayesa»d Theaters, p.ii6.UJ+ BeRorhhn cjuSaa aut of * Whites Sermon at Pauls Crefe, March 24.161 s.feUion 1 1 ♦ vibus Puis Par- (to which I may adde our ownc Statutes efi.Edw. 6. chap- c£l ^SL?C(?"|f ttr 1.0/2. and 3. £df#. 6. chapters of i.lttz,. chapter 2. circus furitnuf >* Jw& \recifely prohibit thcfatjricalldepraviug% traduc ing, or c^ corepetic derogation eft he Common Prayer-Kooke^ndefthe Sacrament ^1^°^ 9f the Lords Sapper in any Enttt lades , Playes or Rimes y (m j Cavendui * which kinde Playes had beene formerly peccastj undtrfe- eft ergo dile- verepenahies.) All thefe,] fay, withfundry others which f*^*^ I pretermit, exprtfly taxr, yea, utterly condernne all MOne alter al- Playes, in regard ofthefe their perfonall in veclives againfl torumla-dat, particular perfons,funclions, offices, callings, and the like, ^^erbifvV- concurring fully in my Minors truth. rccundiafra- Buttop0{iebyAuthorities,ourowne particular expc- tril*fo;vfti-: rience,is a thoufend witneffes to this Affumption. Survay ^'°"&c"" R s we ibidem. 124 Hiflrio-Majlix. Part. i. *, Gorton, Playcs confu- ted Action ?. The third blaft of Re- trait from Flaycsand Theatcrs.p. 116. 117. accordingly*. 4 Tamdiu quifcuisfua. peccata ignos rat quamdiu curiofc alien* confident. Qui femetip* f tun afpicir, non qujerit- quidinali/s frequenter re we all our modeme Stageplayes with an impartiall eye, * There is hardly one of them among an hundred , wherein Re- ligion or rehgiom mentor fome particular petfonsy officers y caU l'i»gs.profejfunsyare not mtortoufly yfatyrkaU) diridedtferfena- t£3,tradttced}defamedybyjhchawhv neither con pder nor bewail* their owne iniquities , whiles they curioujly fur vaj 3 and malt- cioufly divulge the fault sof ethers Wot to particularize tbofe late new fcandalousinvccliveplayes, wherein hf*ndryper- Jobs of place and eminence have beeae particularly perfo- natedjeared,abufedin agroffe and fcurrilous manner ; the cfrequent fcojfef 7 reproaches, fcandalS) Satyrs, and difgrace- fuUpaffages that are darted out in Stageplayes ^againft Mini* fters^nwyersfiohrteoiirs, Phifitionsy Mar chants, Citizens, Tradesmen of all forts ; againft Ivdges Justices yMaiorsy and fuch like Officers ; but efpecially againft all zealous pracli«. call profeffors of Religion, d who feldome f cape the Players prehend*t,fed faffr ; ( by meanes of which, both Governours, Govern- in ^dT"pf° nient,Religion,and Devotion arc brought into contempt.) iter*ara\De ^oe abundantly confirme the Satyricall invecliveneiTe op intcr'iortDoc Stageplayes. W hich vicious quality is fufficient to make wM.f.4.2. them odious unto Chriftians. the'latc Lord0' Obpttton. If any here ob jecl in defence of Stage-playes^ Admiral!, e that they inveigh not againft particular perfons, officers, LordJr*uf'1" orprofeffions; but onely againft their vices; which is not- TsccL°joT «*ly lawfull,but ufefull.buc commendable, moranberb: j4nptoer. To this I anfwer, Firft,that the Objection it- oristabet, o- fctfQ -ls meerely faife . (jncc not onely f Cyprian yzr>d the fore- 1.4 pAi. Aut quoted Authors,buteven Players and Play- haunters them- iromunda crc^ felves can teftifie > that all forts ofperfons y of profeffors are pentignomis abufed often on the Stage : their virtues , their graces being nH°cT**TcdeAn there more frequently centred, derided, traduced, then tePoettcap. their vices. Secondly, admit the Objection true; yet for 304."Nullum invcnirePro- iogum potuiflct novus Quern di earet,nili haberet cui n:a]edicerct. Terent't) Phcrmie, FrohgAt*. t/Dat veniam coruis.vcxatcenfuracolumba{:./foC-A&ion2' Pov though L vent hid owne private fyleene 3or to dif grace the party rebuked. t\b%i >De sen tnone Domini *«»?o»/f,f^.30.NoiiampIiuspoflun3usincrepare cos quia nobis reguntur, cumipfi quequeeademFebre tenearaur^&ipficgcmusmcdicina,quosDfuspofuitut alijsmcz dcrtrauT.ChryfjnEphefbimAQj'om.j, Co/.r><: ^c. <^uomodo nos viratn corrigere va* Jeainusalienanijqui negliginaus noftram £ Cre^trMa^nMmil 1 7%in Eyangdla. y See A£t«4.. Scene I. x Dnmnant foris quod intus operantur., admittuntlibenter quod cum admiferintjcriminartur. T urpis turpes infamat ,, & evafitfe fe confeium credit, quafi confeientiafatisnonfit. Idem in publico accufatorei,in oculto rei,infemetip£bs pariter cenfores&noceme$,Cjy/»ri4».£///?./^.2.£^/?.2.r?o»^/o. y Gal.6M.I Tim. 5. 1.2. 2Thef./,if. « Mat.lo.l(j.Ephef.5.i/.Col.4..5.ProY.2«r.9,io,ii,i2. a Lcvit. i9«l7.GaI.6.l,l Cor.? ^.2 Cor.4..54 c Becaufc that for euery idle word t hat men fha&fpeake ie&isvtilenu* they (halt give account at the day of judgement : fo they muft &:Horate, like wife dirett even all their action speeches , recreations d to zpifi.i'p-Z'i* Gods glory ; c the edification of others , and £ their owne (pin- *vifay55.2^ tuallgood; to which Stage-playcs, no wayes tend. There-* x. Ecelcf.5.7. fore the Major is vnqueftioaabie. pril.i'i^V ^or lnc Minor ; That the ftile and fubjecl matter of 3 7. Stage-playes is in its very be ft accepti®n, but vaine, but fr i- ^Pfal.4.2. volons and ridiculous,bringing no glory at all to God, nor pfM 1 ° 1* ^ooc* t0 mcn : *s mo^ aPParant.FirftJby the concurring te- Pfal.24.ji4. ftitnony of fundry Fathers , and other learned Writers, 2 Kings 17.15 Hence Hilar iet Ambrofe^ Chryfeftome, Auguftine, Bruno a Mores ho=: an(j otncrs in their Commentaries and expo prions on the pandit, & * 1 o.ahas the 11 9 .STfitlme verfe% 7. Turne away mtne eyes qualis fermo from beholding vanity \ together with loin Salisbury Jtb. 1/ lulniwus0**' CJ)eNf4^ CurialiHmsap.S.UWafter Goffon yD otter %'- ccrmprohatur j quonkirt ex ajbundantiacordis 03 loquirur. Bernard, de tKte-z riortDomo.cdp42.Col.\o%l. h 1 Tim.4.7. c Mat. 2. T>6AJ. Vanus fermo nonerit abfquciuditio^quiaab omni rectitudinis ftatu deperiunt qui per verba vana dilabuntur. Bernard Ds IntertortDomo c*4l< d\ Cor.lo«JI,32>33. e Col.j .16. J7. Iude2o« / Ifay 55*2.3 ♦ I San.l2.ZI. lTim.(5.l8.i?. tioldsf Part, i . HiHrh- Maflix. \z$ . \ a L_ noIdsyUUafier NorMrooke , and others in their Treatifes /Avcrte ocu- againfl Stage-playes ; interpret thisf vanity in the Pfalmift. ^^l^f qf Stage-playes jindfuch like fftetiacles, which they % eondeme tern: hie oos at vanity. Henee Clemens Mexandrinu* writes ofplayes ; tantur illi4 qui h that they are 'fraught with obfeene And vaine Jpeeches, rajhly aacufis&^fu* tittered '.-Hence Gregor y N4z.ianz.en ftiles Tlayes ; « the va* dis Theatralis mtiesof life yand the hydra of pleafures. Hence Chryfoflome b«s occupan- writes ofTW : * rf* ^ «*««£ vitkUughur, r*a„. ™}%£%? tomeffe^and w§rdsfulloffiUy andvamtte. Hence zAnafta- interprcetatios UusSianita writes of the Severitni: l That their portions nepofsitrus _, were more ridiculous^abfurdandfoolifh^henthofe things that ^ver^Cir- are acted in any Stage-play es.Hence 'Bernard writes, m That cenffum Iudo| the true fiuldiers of ftrift,reje5l and abominate Tlayers and rumatquc Stage-playes >as vanities and filfe frenzies. Hence I*A» Sa- foe^cu£?ft-«' fabury&iksPlayesJ1 the fallacies and rudiments of vanitie, ftinantes.Vas ' Hence CyprianyLaBantius^yril of Uierufalemy Auguftinet n"as eft ilia %afl>Salvia»,UWacarius^gyptiKsy™&othvs9 ° former- j^0"^ iy qHQtedJcmiz utterly condemned Stage-playes , as the very afpicis ? vani- pompesand vanites of this wicked world 9- which thrift ians taseft,&c, kaue abjured in their Vaptifm. If then we belceve thefe f^jff^ fcverall Father* .together with? Tlautus^ Macrebius, r //- o^/«.5. r/*». puleiusttht€G Heathen Authors ; *r Mafter goffon,LMafter z >p41 o.F. Northbrooke, Mafter Stubs , \ and T> oclor Remolds^ their ^^^3 bookes again ft St age-play es : or the third 2?/*/? againfi &vanis tenses Stage-yUyes and Theaters > together w ith 'Q&far TZulingerw re p rofufo Pelheatrojtb.l.cap.il JeLudisp.lv. Wemuftneeds £™^unj* ack no wledge, W? PZtfj*/ themf elves, together with their fiile /, 3 ,f : \ / . andfubjetl matter fo be meereidle ufelejfe vanities ; Since all TVitx vanifa* thefe repute and ftile them fuch. * tcs^oluptatum I Secondly, our owneexptnence,wili readily fubfenbe un- /uU/fm E^ £InTheatrorifus>eptitado,verbamultA:fataitaUsac ftultiti* plena, &c. HomiU xz \nAfta Jp0/?.Totn.'$tCol<6lZ.A. hom'tl.Qi.ddpopwum Antioth -aXom.c.Ctf 3 4.7. "<4*, / Veftra dogmata magis funt ridkula quam qu* in onjnibus fecnicis OrtBeftris, 5c* Thylemicisludis aguntur* In hfvia dtt4.W..Patrttm .Tom. 6 .pars j.pU c 4. m Mis ^osjfabulatoresjfcurrilefque cantiknas,& ludorum fpr&acula milites Chrifti,tanquam vanitates & infaniasfalfas refpuunt & abominanturA MtltiesTemplt Sermo.Cd.% i 2 X *Speftacula&tyrociniavanitaeis.D<»^^C«r/ caAioo.Ce"~ ^^hcyhave brought forth their long-conceived ilTues on * / $m6 digs the Theater ,wch/> reve but * ridtculoufy vaine at beft ? What numtantofes are they, but meeremifcclanies ofover-ftudicd, well-cx- forhUtaTi& Prefircd vanitie$ * Thcir fabieftthcir aftion,their circum- Parturiunt fiances ; what elfe are they but vanitie of vanities but ridi- mon^c^nafciwculous follies or frenfies in the higheS degree, unworthy nusriflS2£ ofaV "'fe~mans hht ^>much lefle his approbation? Their De Arte roc* A&ors,their ordinary SpeElators, what are they but ridicu- tsc* j.zoo • lous,foolife;vaine, faotafticke perfons, who delight in nc- tibi vSStir l^n& m0Te l^cn to^es an^ vaD^tICS * Their very fruits,their faphns, qui o- ends,what are they elfe,but either the nouri&ing? or the in- culosvel aures Creafe offinne ami vanitie ? If we furvay the good , the /w^r^/M Profit whicn accrues from Stage-p3ayes5wc (hall find, that hunenpsLi/ they are good for naught; that they bring no glory at all 94N*gUc*s to God,no benefit, no comfort unto men; * therefore they r"raw!r?'im m $ "*"** ** VAme- If we refpe& Gods glory ; where eftq*odddn\- feailwcfinde God more dishonoured, more provoked htftttleefl. theninStage-playes? which had the 7 Dive ft himfelfe for *omnUti4 ^tr f^e*r "^^fob je$,and compofer, who proves feractimes mm VulL m* their A6tor too. Where are Gods Name , hi^ Word, his hdbe»tfinem4 Attributes, his Miaifters, his Saints, hisSubftuutes , his Chr\nzTri' Children ,his Worfhip, his Graces, more blafphemed, pro- Vom+xS* phaned,tradnced,or derided,2 then in Stags-flayes ? Where 9O1.D is God mote offended, more affronted with fwarmes of yUtA&.u crying finoes,then in the Play-houfe? And how can it bee ^cth«Sthird otherwifc? Wexnowitwas the received opinion of the Blaft of Res ^ trait from Playes and Theaters. The P reface to the Pra&ife of Piety -3 SMyUn de Gnhetntttone Dei W,6.The S choole of Abwfes j and S cene J . before. ancien: Part, i . HiBrio- Maftix. i 3 i . ' i ' '■ .HI" I ■ Ml.,. I ■—■ ancient Pagans ; that their a DeviU-Idols (towhofe */*- * Vos perOta* lemne honour and worjhip, all St age -play es were at firflr devo- t™ Sbus ted) mrefo well '/> leafed with thefe Theatric all Enter fades ,t hat ludis Deos de* if they did but honour and adore them with them, they would le&ari&afs forthwith pardon, yeajorget their fmnes againfi them , and of Siqu'aSo* enemies ybeeomepropitiom, fyude, and friendly to them. And conccptas co- can any Chrifl iar/then conceive fuch bafe conceits of God, nan fatisfa&l* or kfofarre derogate from his Majefiie, his purity, his Deitie, f^SSr as to deemehim honoured or deltghted,not grieved, not offended his Di;,& ft Vtithfuch Stage-playes c wherewith & evil-Idols were at toned} ^"as ab ho.mi* Doabdcffc,that which the Deviii himfelfe hath invented, SJ^offciifiow appropriated to his owne honour and advantage, dcanne- nummemorias ver bring any praife or glory unto God : therefore our Stage- lIlata«> ajji/cis: playes cannot doe it. tfwerefleft upon the good they bring SuntguT^ to men,a!as,what is it ? "* where doe they fucks tn more poy fen, Ce nobis redin* more corruption; where doe they more blunt their virtues , or "grata famili- i n i r e.i r • •-»/ a.' r antate fautos makegreattr [htpwracke of aUthnr Chrtpian graces , then at r«s,&c.Mi3 ; Stage-play*s,thcgrand-empoyfoners of mens foules} I have nnsninairum knownc, heard, and read ofthoufands, who have wrackt^^^"^ their creditSjtheireflates^heir virtues, yea, their very bo- fknstneque*- dies and foules at PJayeSjat P ky-houfes ; but never could I vllis hominum yet heare or read of any who have beene meliorated ©r re- ^^jfjiben- claimcd by them. 1 have read of fundry peftiferous effects, tifsime cota** and llnfull fruits of Stage-play es, of which you fbal'l heare modataudk at large £ heereafier : but never could I finde in all the Fa- endishis au- o " res^quorum Jymplegttatibusplurimis intermixtos feeffederifionis in wateriam norunt ? dele&an- turut res eft falpi&arum fonita ac plaufu.fadtis &c diftis turpibus, fafcinoruraingenti* um rubore.Iam vero fi viderintmFoemii eas mollitudines enervantes fe viros?vociferas ri hosfruftra,fine caufa alios curfitare,amicitiaru fidefalva contundere& alios, & cru- ds mutilare fe c#ftibtis,certarc hos fpiritu,buccas vento diftendere , votifque inanibus concreparc,tnanus ad ccelum toliunt,rebus admirafcilibus rooti profiliunt , exclamant,in gratiamcumhominibusredeunt.HxciidijsimrcortalibusobnvionerRafferuHtfrnflulta^ CumjfiexCom^di^SjattellaniSjmiraisducuntLvtifsirHasvoluptatfiSjquidtrioramini^uid cefiatis^quin Sc ip(osdicatisDeof.ludereJafcivire>{a!rare>obfcjena« compingere cantio* ne»,& dunibui flu£tuarecrifpatis?Qind eniai differt/aciantue haec ipil, an ab ali;s fieri in amoribusacdelicijsducant? Arnobws ddyerfus Genre l-y.p. 23 2,2 74,236. * See Bullingerus De Theatro,lib.i .c 17. b Itane,iftud non eft Deoruni imminuere dignita- tem,dicare & confecrareturpifsimas res i/s quas cenfor animus rcfpuat,& quarum a&o- res inhoneftosafleiu8veftruro,& inter capita computariindicavicinfamia?.4m^i»/ lb/" dem.p.i^i. ^ Sec Aft 7, accordingly. rfSee^Cor.6.14.,15. eSce herep 63, ^9. and A,c.l The third Blaft of Retrait front Playes^andMafter^o't^/Difcourfcoftruehappinairejp.yjjy^accordingly./Acl:.^ throughout. S 2 thers^ I$2 Eijlrio-Majlix. — Part, i ; • therein any modcrne Writers/omuchasany onenccefTary /Sec A&.tf. virtue, grace or rcall benefit that hath refulted from them. accordingly0 : 1 hwe read of g divers RefMick^ Smftro»rs,MdgiJlratcs, and Authors of all forts , who h.ive fxppieffed Stage-playes, at int oiler able evils in a Chriflia&or weR-crdered Common- weale ; they betngxhe Seminaries efaftktnde ofvtces;the chafe corrupters of 'mens fninds and manners : But never could I meet with any, who affirmed them to be good or ufefull in a State. Since therefore it is evident by ail the premiies; that Stage-piayes in their beft condition, zrebm^were N'ug^toriesridicH/of»yffiperflfiotis van ties, wbtchleadetoferi* om evils ;and bring no glory at all to God,nor good to men; we may conclude them to be notonely incongruous, but unlawfull unto Christians, l who wuft net caft their eyes upon • the vanities of this wicked world ^ fince Chrifl himfelfe hath crucified them in his flefb, that we for ever might abandon them. You have feenc now,Chriftian Readers,the common fiiie and fubje& matter of popular Stage-playes?and I dare con» fidently averre, that there is Tcarce oae Stage-play this day ac^ed (our k moderne Plajes being farre more lewd then thofe. of former times) whofe fubie<3 , parts and paflages ate not reducible to alt, to fome,or oneatlcaft of thefe recited par- eku!ars:therfore we mud needs pafTc fentence of condemn lion againft them,even in this relpccl:. ftria ducunt in mala. Has race de Arte Peetica p.]it, t Qui igitur in Chriftocft, cjuomodopo- teft vanitates afpicere,cum Chriftusin carne fua om- ncsmundihu- jfus cmciiiJte- • ric vanitates? AmbrofEnar. wPfal.iiS; Offon. $ .Tom, 2.^4$0. F. ^Libenter Ve- tera fpe&ant fabulas^Nani nunc novx qua: prodeunt Comacdix multo funt ne- quiorcs.PUuti Cajina> Proles* A C T V S 4. 5 C E N A P R I M A, Fourthly, *s Stageplayes are finfull,and utterly unlaw firli unto Chriftians in regard of their (tile andfubiedlmat- ter,fe like wife arc they in refpc& both of their Aclors and Spectators. If we ferioufly furvay the lives,the pnclifes, the conditi- ons ofour cornmorfttage-playcrs, wc may trueJy write of them PfcKT. i . Hijlrio-Maftfa. 155 thtmj&slWiBiam of (JMalmefbury doth of Edrtcke ; that 'Edric«s,fer- theyare tb$ very dregs ofntesn thefbame, theblemijh of our Se0c™n^^ Eagtyfc Nation \ wgYMiom bellftoes; crafty Jbif ting comp a- mm,flagitio- mens, who pmehafe money 9 not by their generofitie £ut by their nisbelluo>vers tongue* and impudency ; they being wife- to diffemble, apt to C^™^hi~ counterfeiter one to dive into the jeer ets both of King & State, litas cpes pc- as '.faithfuR fubjeBs \ and more ready to divulge them on the pererat/cd Stage at notorious Traitors. WM^4 records of Cati. d^ct^a- line 5 that there was never fo great a .faculty of corrupting raverat.Hk. youth in any manias in him ; he bearing a moft lewd affeclion dirsimulare to other mens wives bimfelfei and ferving Itkemfe as amofl l^ratm^n- ■ tvick*d Zander to the unchatfe de fires of ether s; promt fug to fil ia regis ut fome the frttiteof their luftsjo others the denb of their Vannts, £&Iis.venabs- not onely by infbgatingjhtt lihs»ife by afiftwgihem. Or \»A\K torf dfremS a grave hi(lorian reports of n Vorttger a Britifh King • that nabat4zfc pfik he was prone to t he enticements tft befiefb, and a bond-flave al- R€iu™ Anglo* moft to every vice,&e. May be truely vcrcfied of raoft com- ™£\ '2,f, I0# roon A6t©rs; whoarc ufually the very filth and off-fcoii- w Qua* quanta t ing,the very le wdeft, bafeft, worft and moft pemicioufly jJJ vl*° h?£W . vicious of the fonratsofmen; as all times, all Authors have J^ebtefeft" reputed them. The anaem-pagan Romans 5 ( as ° hiftories^ as quanta in illof P Fathers both relate^acccsinted Stage-players fuch infamous, S"1&al'as torpifsime^aliorum amori flaptioriimeferviebatrali/s fru&uslibidinumjalijs mortem parentum^non modoimpellendo^verutnetiamadiuuandopollicibatur* Cram ti inCa* ulinam. n VortigernusRexBrittannia: , nee manu premptus, nee confilio bonus ; imoadillecebrascarnispronus, omniumque fere vitio rum roaneipium. Quippe quern fub/ugaretavaritia^inqiuetaret fuperbiajinqinnaretluxuria,&c. WiUtam Malmsbury9 T>t>Geflit Regwi.Axgl.lib i.cap.i.pag.2. o LivieHiftor. Romany 1.7«fee>.g. Vale- rius Maximas 1.2, c. 4.fec*t.4. Cicero. O ratio pro P. Quimio. Gellius. Noel;. Attic. 1. 14. £.17. Sctetoni; Tiberius/eel.^ ^.Tacitus Annaliuna 1, 1 4. fc&.2 . } * Macrobius Saturrtal 1.2. c.7.i?-rriiliusProbus.Excellentium Impieratorum vitas. Prxfatio. p Termlliande. %clac,l.c.2 2.Chryfofl.Hom.38.inMat,Arnobiu$,Adver^GentcsL7.p.233.Auguft. De Civ.Deil42 c.I3.l4.27.:»9.Cafsiodorus Variaruno. l.y. c/io.GratianDiftinc'rio 3 3. 48,86. & Caufa 4.9u«ftio l.IoannisSaresburisnfis DeKugisCurialiuml.l.c^. 8.Ioannis de Burgo Pupilla Oculipars7-c.e. O. Toftatusinlvlat^Tom.} .in Mat. o\Qu*ft. 3 8.fol 40 .E Angelus de Clavafic in Sun-ma A ngelica : Titulus. Hiftrio* & Infaxia. Anrelaius Tom 1 p. 3 5 6. CD. Alvarez Pelagins?DePlanctu Ecclefoel.i.Art; 49.f.: 8.Li,Att,2 8.H.f.I ?4.AilexanusDeCafibus.I.4.4Tit 7.Art.4.Agrippa Deva* tiitatcfcientiarucap 20. Alexin:' erab r lexandro. Gen. Dirum.l.^c. 9 "c^lksRho^ diginus.Anriqu.Leclionum 1 1 t .e;l 7.Photi; Noraocanoftis. Titulus r 3 ,c 21 .22* 8c Theodori Ealfami.C6ment.lbid.L0dJ ives.Cemment.in Aug. De Ciu".Deil.2.c;i5rf a.D JR.einolds Overthrow of Stagcpla>es. p.cjo.to.74.. Barnabas Briflbnius 3dc Ioannis Mariana Defpecla(uIIi,l4wi^ii«iidry others accordingly. S 3 VittQM i^4 Hiftrto-Mtftix. Part.1* ?De agitato* vitiopuj>afeyvnworthyperfons \ as they did By publicise Edi&fJ ^busjlwc t e[y faprive t\ocm 0f4n honour and preferment in the Com* fideles Cunt, won-weale ; hut Ukewtfe dtsfrancmfe and remove them from placuit eos, their tribe ; as degenerating from that Roman ft oclpyand noble Mnt'acom^ Parenfa£e from *^ &*} "er* defcended. The ancient munione fepe- ^Connects,* Fathers and Cbrifiians in the Primitive Church* tzx'uCincil. did ipfofaftosexcommunicate all Stage-players , till they had Camto^ii ^^rhrenQSin€e^n^nelH^e^ l^e$r diabolicall profeffton : r*- Augur aut p^*ng l^em l^e ver7 pollution .(bam* ,aud b/emi(h oft hepsurth; Pantomimi The very depravers and defiroyers of youth ; the very infirm wfttplacuit ** ments °fftnne a"d Satan Whfab *ceurfed mifcreantsyas were utpriusartibus altogether unworthy fotb of the Society of Chriftians, and of feiisrcnunci. thofe bleffed Sacraments %thofe holy Ordinances of the Lord, Smfi fuftipi- w^c^ Ar* m t0 ** {£ivea tofah unholy dogs , norcajt before antur,ita vt fucb filthy fwine as they. Plat*, Atiftotlc, the tJMaJftllienfes^ vlterius non ^th fundry Chriflianyyea, Pagan States and Smpcroursy (as I Q^odfi fecere ^all ?ro^ hererfter) exiled all profefedStage^pla;ers out of contrainteri heir Common-wealesyas the I ewes and Primitive Chriftians diftum tenta- 'xcluded them from the Church. Needs therefore muft they cbitu r Ib^' e *x*remelJ vithtuJntoUerahlypernitious ( and/* by * confe- Ecclefia. Con- quence their very Stage-playes to) whom Church and State cH.Eliberi-. have thus )9jntly vomtted out as putred3noyfomc and infectious *c"ni4Htiwp*x tnembersyvnfit toltve in either ; z%%LudovicmVives well Utanum.sjn concludes. What Polycarpeyonce replyed to Marcion the He* tmlloXan.% i retire ; / 1 know thee to be the fir ft -borne of Satan • may be rCkmens ^^ aPP^a^e to our Common- A&ors ; the Arch-agents, Romanus Inftruments,and Apparitors of their origiaall Founder and Conftit Apo- * Father yt be DeviH; their very profejfton being nothing e/fe, at cap.ra ic - a R°&ne v/ell obrerves,but an apprenti(hip*ffinne , a way or ptwi.Epiflf. Trade of 'wickednejfe> which ludes downe to hell ; and theje lib.i.Epiil. lo.Fucratio3TertulIian3depudicitia cap. 7. Chrjfoft Horn. 3«DeDavide& Saule. f Mat th .7. 6. t SceA&.6,S«He 5. & A&.7.Scenc. 6. 7. accordingly. fc Quanta confefsio eft mala? reijCuius actore* cum acce ptifsirai fint,fine nota non funt ? Tertulli* *tn^De fpeftdcuis c&p.\z% x Nccefleerathtftrionesper^itifiiniisfiiiflremoribuj, &de« plorata: nequiti^ciina in ea ciyitate procivibus non haberentur, cuius eranttam multa milliaheminum flagitioforuoi, & facineroforum ciycs. NbS^ in Au£u0. De Ciytt. Pet* l&.ZS.l itSeeB*Rin£ert£* deTheAtro\.\s.*%Q* De Seen* & Orcheftr^ obTcenitate. 6c c,5i.DeInfamiaTheatri. y Cognofcoteprimogenitu Sztinx. I revaus.ContrMrez fcsl.3»e.$ .p.i %^.Eufebius EctU(iaF,hifi%U%>t**%* ntcatea flayer who trayncdupytuthes for the Stagey firming, iumife Ci-' that it could neither ft and with the Maieftie of God , nor the vir.Dei.l 2 < ZDifcifltneoftheGofpel, that the cbaflitj and honour of the 4$^ ^ Church fhouldbedefilcdwithfo filthy 9fo infamom A contagion. apJ v™con- Themore than Sodomitiealluncleannefieof PJayerslives,he ilitutusineiufo farther thus difeyphers. € O ( writes he )that thou couldefi * ^^ in that fublime watch-tower infinuate thine eyes into thefe decorc^erl^ flayers fecrets ; or fit of en the clofeddoresof their bed-cham- verat>& ma* b*rs and britto aH their tnnermofl hidden Cels unto the cenfei- Sjft**&*>- 3 r. . s rrt n /J a.*] r *l * /• / • ctornon erua we of thine eyes; Thou fhouldeft then fee that which u even a diendorum, vtryfmne to fee : thou mighteft behold that, which thefe groa- fed perdendo- ning under the burthen of their vices, deny that they have com* f"*5 Pujrorurn mitted,andyet hafiento commit : menrufhon men with out- did?cit,catesC rations lufls. They doethofe things which can neither pleafe risquoque ia- thofewhobehold them,noryet themfelves who atl them. The fi™>*»5 talis _ •» - r "/ #/./ / . r * f . / ; non debet nos fame verfons are aocufers tn publike ,g*lty tn fecret, being both bifcum com. senfurers andnocents againfl themfelves : They condtmnethat munkare. abroad, which they praBife at home. They commit that wiL QiLodP"to ftati divine, aec evangelic* difcipiinae congruere,ut pudor & honor eeclefi* tarn turpi & infami €onta%\GncfxdctuT>8icXypri4n.EpfJ}Jtk,i.Epy$.jo.Eftcr4tto. e O IS pofsis in ilia iiiblimifpeculaconftitutusocules tuos in&rere fecretis, recluderc cubicuiorum obdus «ftas fores, & ad confeientiam luminum penitralia occulta referare 3 afpicias ab impudic «i$ geri,quod ne-c afpicere pofsit frons pudica.Videas^qucd crimen fit & videre : Vide- os quod \iticrum furore gementes gefshTefe negant , & gerere feftinant : libidinibus tnfan is,in viros vjri p roruunt. Fiunt,qu# nee ipfi»,ncc illis poflunt placere, qui faciunt. jMcntiornifij»lios,qui talis eft in crepat, turpisturpesinfamat, cVevafiiTe fe confeium «redit,quafi confeientia fatis j*on fit. Eidcm in publico accuiatores,in occulto reijinfe- metipfoscenioresparit -r &rnocentes.Damnantfori«,qHodi»tusoperantur.Admitt|int Ii>cn*er,cuod com admiftrintjCriminariwr^&c/^jw fyiftMti ^fifi.i ,Dovato, Itngly, 1 2 6 Hiftrio-Mafiix. Part, p lingly,which -when they have committed ,c they reprehend. I am vertlj a lyarjfthofe who are fitch abufe not others : one fil* thy perfon defameth others ithe himfelfe ; thinking by this meanes to efcape the eenfure ofthofc who are privy to his fimet at if hi* owne eonfcience were not fnfficient Both to accnfe him /Nihil turpe and condemne him. Thus farre Saint Cyprian, f Gregory Na* ducVnn.pr*ter ^4nz*ettICC0I^$ °f 'Stage-players ; that they repute nothing NamiHoram fl*h or ^Ihonefi butmodefty ; that they are thefervarts, the ali; quidcm furtherers vf ail lewdneffe ; this being their enely Art and turpitudinif prof effion, exceedingly to magnifie themfehes for fiver ail kinds arcnnhancVos *f*A*t*nM{Te 5 *bey being imitators and aQors of ridiculous Umt dtt ions .filling the peoples eares with idle rumors y and pities with gui omnium commotions : that they were ready both to fpeake , and aft a2 perp^qu^n ^ick^e^s whatfoever, it being their whole profeffion thus /# defignare oms doe ; and that they were farre more fav age than the moft cruell nia^uArcun- bsaft:. -Saint sAuvuftwe , as he at large informes us: quencfanda funt,artisloco ducunt,&c. AdSeleftci#ndeRt&AEducdtione,pAgelo6il g Hi/triones fordidyin£amet, &c* propterea mille illi mortibus digni flint, quoniam qua: fagerc prorfus cun&a» imperant legcsjeaiiiinonverenturimitari. Hom.6jnMattb.Toj7t.i.C9l.<;iS< h Vnde creu- dis nnptiaruni in fxdeatotes proficifsi ? Nonne ab hti/'ufmodi fcenis ? Vnde qtti thalomosaliorona efFodiunt ? nonne ab Orcheftrailla ? hinc criana feditiones exci* tantar, hinctumultusoriuntur. Quienimhisludisaluntnr,quiqac vocetn veneris caufa vendunt,quidicere, faccre omniapromptifsimifuntatqjcin eo fuam operam collo- cant,hi maxime folent populiim rumoribus inflammare, 6c tumulmm in civitatesimmic* tere dittfom^ %jnMdtiTQm&,C*l,2<}9<4*B* Part, x . HiBrio*Maftix. 1 57 *. that the Ancient Romans accounting, ths art of Stage-pitying /Romanic&m ttndthe whole Scene infamou** ordained, that this fort of wen *rlm%cenamji Jhould net onely want the honour tf other Citizens? but aljo he quetotara disfranchifedandthruficutoftheirTribe.bya legall and dip probro duces graceful! cenfure, which t hi Cenfors were to execute : becaufe homimmTnon they would not fuffer their vulgar fort of people, much Uffe their modo honoto Senators to be dej anted, dijgraced or defiled with Stage-players : Clvium reii- w hich all of their s Joe fliks\ An excellent true Roman prude nee r "fed Siam°- to be enumerated among the'Romans pray fes. So he likewife cribumoveii gives this ignominious epithite unco Flayers: kScemcine- "•tanonecow fe ^ . D*» • r 1 « . • • - t u l f°na volue- quyjimt jxiolt wicked Stagey laytrs : intimating thereby ,that runt> prxciara Players commonly exceed all others in all kinds of wicked- fane,&Roma- neffe. NichoUw Cabafila hath publiflicd upon r^>rd. f^^^d* 1 That nothing can Be found more wicked jnore deteftableUsen a pmdentia.E c- Stage-plajer. l Cornelius Tacitus relates : That in Ttberttts ceenimreftfc hu reignefhe Roman Attorsgrewfo immodeft, fo exorbitant, ^^a^f t hat theynttepted many things feditioufly inpublihe9many things rUm ejre fani* dipjoneflly in private houfes:& that they grew at laft tofuch an cusdigiffet, height of wickednejfe , as that after many complaints againfi ^^^\ thembjthecPretorsithey were by Tibertus and the whole Se- noiemdaba- mte exiled out of Italy. ra Afarcus zAurelius himfeife doth tur locus, ve- teftife ,tbat the adulteries \ rapes, mttrthtrs> twnuits and other c^forisnota onUrages w6ich Stage-players 'did occafim andcemmit >were fo tribum tenere exceffive ; and the mindes which they corrupted with their propriammi- lewdneffefixumtrcHsi that he was enforced tc r banify them ^^qI^I cut of 'Italy into Hefle{j?ontywhere he commanded Lambert his mum ch/itatis Z)epn!iejokeepethsmclofeatworfa. fVea readelihwifejhat laudisavidum, 3 ^ r ; > Germaneque Romanum,&'c.Romanivero hominibusfcenicls nee plebcam tribum, quarto minus fe- natoriam curiam dehencitari finunt. De Cfoit .Det M.i .cap.i 3 .See cap. 14. 27-and 29. ^ . Talia in publicum cantitabintur a ncquifsimis £ cenici?. DeC&iu Det. lib* z»cap.^. I Nihil enim potcft mimoinucnirifcejeftius. Deytta. tn Chrifto-lib* 2, BibltothPatrxmTcx: \^.pag.i 12. / Vari/sdrinde & 'forjpius inritispnetorum quc- ftibus,pofiremo C?:far de immodeftiahiftriouurn retulit, Multa ab i/s in publicum fe- ditiose/arda per domes tentari. Ofcum quendana ludicrum lacvifsiaue apud vulgum ob- Je&ationis^eo fia^itioruru ac virfumVeniiTe,vt au£toritate Patrum coercendum iit,Puk fi turn Italia hiRriones. Anv4/t&m/fb.q..cap. 2. See lib.i.cap. 14. n* Marcus Aus relius, Iib.l.cap. 14. and Iib,2.Epiftle 12. toLambcrt. « Marcus Aurelius. lib. I. cap. 14. Suttonii. Nero fe&. 1 6.Plnic panegyric. Traianodiftus p.$5.Al;x- ander ab A'exandro Genialium Dierumlib. &,C2p. 9. See Acl:. 6. Scene. 5. and Aft. 7.Scene7. t $r*9% 1 $ 8 Hiflrio-Maftix. Part, i . Nero, TraUn, with divtrs other Rem** Emperours. , did quite exile all Scage-p layers out of their Dominions , bc- caufe their lives \theirprkUtfes wsrefovitious , fo hurt full and pernitious tothe pubhkf good. Such were the lives, the info- • 14. Eliz cap. lencies. the exorbitanccsof Stage-players in former times, V.and 35. \VhaJ the lives , the qualities of our owne dorreftiquc f TheThird A&ors are,or have beene heretofore ; ° Two (evcralltAlls Blaft ^ Res of ? arliamn\xshkb adjudge and {tile them Rogues ; toge* tnic from. ther with r^a penitent reclaimed Play-Toets of our ownc, t Thea-ersi (who were thorowly acquainted with their praclifes and London petfons too) will at large declare. The firft of thefe two i?88.p,no. play.Focts,whooutof confcicnce renounced his prof\(Ii- *Playcrs t' c on,atj^hcrj wrote againft the abominations of our Stage- Sc'ioolenia* playe%writes thus of Stage-players : P As 1 have had a fay- ftcrs in the #* g t0 thefe verifying T lay -makers fo likewife mu(l Ideate with A bufe. C fhamelefie in\ fiors . When 1 fee by them yong boyesy inclining of *Thc difpos themfe Ives to wickedneffe grained up in filthy speeches 3 ***** fitionof. lay- turatl and unfeemely geft ures fo be brought up by thefe School- "oft part mafters y in bawdry and in idleneffe , 1 cannot chufe but with / Taljs homi 1 teares andgriefe ofhean Itment . O with what d?l oht can the m eft oratio, father behold his fonne bereft of fhamefaftneffe , and trained up 5™™!^!, toimpudencie? How prone are they of them Te Ives and apt to eft luxuriae receive mflruction of their lewd teachers .which are the School- pablica? oratic maflers of finneinthe School* of abtife} what doe they te.tch Kon -o^eft3 ' - them J pray youybut tofoftcrmifchiefe in thtir youth thai it may Hus eflc ingc/ alwayes abide with them, and in their age bring themfooner un- nio,alius*nij to hell} * And at for thejje Stagers themfelves 9 are they not ":?5. u#IHo commonly [nth kmde of men in their converfation3as they are in vitiato,noc J* x. J . . , , J • t • quoqwe at'flar profejfion > are they not as v triable in neart ac they are in their tur. Seneca parts } are they not as goodpraciifers ofbavdery , as inaUors ? r*j tTl4r - Live they not in [uch fort th.mfclves y asthty give preempts unto quitur fi mina others ? Doth not their <1 talke on the Stage * declare the nature quifque fur. of their diff option ? doth, not every one take that pa*t which is /Nayira 1c proper t0 fa hiyide ? Doth not the f Tlough-mms tongue walke ris narrat aras of his ? lough : the Sea-faring ma^s of his Afafi \ Cable and tor, E numerat Saile ; the Souldiers of his Ha> nefe , Speare and Shield', and PaftorUllKsra bawdy mates of btwey matters} sSfskexhem* if in the laying out Part, i . ' H&rio-Majlix. 1 59 cut of their parts, they choofi not tho/e parts which are moft agreeable to their inclination .and that they can best dif charge} jind looks what every of them doth moft delight in /hat he can best handle to the contentment of others. If it bee a roifting, bawdy ,or lafciviousp art ^wherein are unfeemely ffeeches , and that they makechoyfe of them as beftanfwering , and proper to their manner of play : may we not fay ,by how much the more A heexcedsin his gefturc , he delights himfelfe in his part ? and (^P by fo mach it is f leafing to his MJpofition and nature ? If (it be bis nature) to be a bawdy T layer, and he delight in fuch filthy and curfed aUionsJhaU we not thinke him in his life to be more ObieU. difordercd/indt o abhorre virtue } *But they perhaps will fay ; that fuch abufes as are handled on the Stage , others by their examples are warned to beware of fuch evils to amendment. In- i/fnf*. deedtf their authority were greater thenthe words of the Scrip* ture,or their z.eale of more force than of the Treacher, I might ■ eafily be perfwaded to thinke,that men by them might be called to oood l>fe. 'But when I fee the Word of truth proceeding from the heart tand uttered by the mouth of the Reverend Teachers, to be received1 of the moft part into the eare, and but of a few * See Matth« rooted in the heart,! cannot by any meanes beleeve , that the i**i •*» *°» words proceeding from aprophane Player , and uttered in fcor- ning forty enter laced with filthy, lew demand ungodly fpeeches, have greater force to mo ve men unto virtue , than the words of truth utteredby the godly Preacher,whofe&eale is fuch as that of JMofes* who was contented to be rafed out of the booke of life, y Exod.3 *» and of Taut* who wifhedto be feparated from Qhrift for the \ Rom.9.^ * •welfare of his brethren* If the good life of a man be ay better j Facere,ma- inftrnttion torepentance than the tongue \3or word, why doe not *orem vim ha: flayers J. be feech you, leave examples of gaodneffeto their po- ^" qtfm* fteritie? But which 0} 'them is fo scalane, or fo tender tth his dicere.c%- faluationythat he doth amend himfelfe in thofe points; which as f'W'?*'19' they fay jOthersfhould take heed of? Jre they not notorioufiy Tom.^Col, kyowne to be thofe men in their life abroad , as they are on the 1 60 8 ♦ Stage > Roisters, Brawler sJS-dealers, rBoftersiLovers, Ruffi- ans ? So that they are alwayes exerctfed in playing their part /, andpraUifing wickednejfe^aking that an jirt,to the end they T 2 might 140 HiJMn.Ua/lix. Pa RT.fi might the better gefture it in their parts. For who can better play the Ruffian Jhan a very Ruffian f who better tloe Levey, than they who make 'it a common excrcifc ? To conclude , the * Jhfep J"cfe * principal/ end efall their Enter hides, ii to feed the worla with z, Sec Mars"' f1$ts and fond paflimes ; % to higgle in good. car r.e ft them one} cus Aurclms Gtiijf other mens pur fes into their omie hands, what (hall l^ £pj2ilh 2* fay * They are * infamsus men , and in * Rome were thought accdBbely. wort^J t0 be expelled, alibcit there was Itbertie enough to take * players in- pleafure. In the Primitive Church they were kept out from the famous pers communion of Chriftians ,and never remitted till they had per- * Players ha ; « forme^ publike pemanct. *And thereupon a Saint Cyprian ni fted out of in a certaine Epiftie counfelieth a Bsfiop,not to receive a Player R orne;and into t he Penfon of the. Church i by which they were novrtjledy Communion tifhhere was an exp/ejfe all ofpen*ncey with protestation to ra- in the Primi- nounce an fembling hypocrite f whacan call him aflraight dealing man^ that playeth a cofonerstricke ? andfo of all the reft. The wife man is afhamedto play thefoole; but Players wiRfeeme. to be fuch in publike view to all the world: A good Chriftian hateth the'DeviBjtut Players will become artificial! Divils y excel- lently well. A tuft man cannot .endure hypocrijie \ but aU the aUs of Player sis diffimulationyand the proper name of Player • (witneffe the ApologiQ it felf e)i/hy$ocrite. A true dealing wan cannot in dure deceit, but Players get. their living by craft and cofenage.jp or what greater cheating can there be, then for mmyje render that which is not monies worth. Then feeing they Of what Con *re foolesyartificiall Div 'els ^hypocrites and cofeners, mojr evi- of raen Play* dent it is thxt their art is not for Chr'tflians to exercifey as being €r s ' ' Aidbolicallyandthemfelves kfamous: fuch indeed as the Lace* daemonians hady & we dfo have great r'eafon to extrude out of our Common-wealth i for they are idle yvitiopuy difhoneft ymt~ iicious ^preiudicialland unprofitable to the fame. They are idle3 for they can take no paines ythey know not how to worke , nor in any lawfullcallingjo get their living 1 but to avoide labour and worke, like brave and noble beggersythejfiandto take mo- ney of every one that comes to fee themloper and play. Hence isit that they are vitiomyforidleneffeii thefmotherofvice^and they cannot exercife their offices but in vices , and in treating of <*ndmtbvitiow men. They aredifbonefcfer they get not to T$ tatt t^z Hiftrio-Maftix. Part, i I e In vita Sans e4te ^ doinggoad ™\"M hIPffa{iPISfiithiey W*i *ni *f- KhxWilV?L folfite ** t1seir lives* ^ich drAwes tfoem cn t0 * d'filute Re?i" dum.Greg. gion ; the moft of our preftnt Englifh AUors ( as I am crc- Mapnui.Mo- dibly informed) being profcfTed Tapifts, as is the Founder ^Matth.7!*" °fthe late ere&cd new /V*;-^*/*.- thePlayes which ifTue 17,18. *' from them muft needs refemble thefe their A&ors , %the iAntuquic= fruit being never better than the tree that be ares it \ the eflfe c^dhbos ^rcam no Purer c^an c^e Springs that feed it.From whence ni,quorum ' I deduce this twelfth Syllogifticall Argument agatnft Stage- profeflbrCs playcS. turpifsimos flagitiofifsi- That whofe ordinary Aftors and Compofers,aro for the mos ccmis ? moft part diflolute/infamous, unchafte, prophane, dc- ^cbcmufffla boyft,and vitious men, mutt needs be finfull and un- fed dedicifle' lawfull unto Chriftians, h becaufe no good thing can pro* Seneca Efi.SS. Malorum magiftrorum mala do&rinaefrj vel potiuSj malorum feminummalafeger. Gregcr.NAvan&n.Qrato.i 8 •/«$ 84, ceed Part, i- Hiftrio-Maftix. 145 eerdfromfHcb. YfmtBcfMatth.?, 17, l8.£w/t. 5. But fuch arc the ordinary Aclors and Compears- of Stage.playes ; vvitncflc thepremifes. Therefore they rnuft needs befinfull and unlawfull unto Chriftiass ; even in thisrefpe&, Actvs4. Scena Sec vnda. SEcondty, as thevitioufneiTeofthe A$ors,evcnfo the evilnefle of the molt afltduous Spe&ators of Stage- playes,infallibly evidenceth them to be evill. If we looke backe to former Ages, we have the expreffe tcftimony of fandry l Father $andkComcehi\\\it all the godly Christians jTertul.A^- in the Primitive Church ^ did wholly withdraw thcmfelvts Iogia,c.3 8. from Staae-pUyes : that all thofe Tagans who either ailed or *\P *$*&**■ V j «# j-j • j.t t • r cubs.Iib.Mts frequented Playes, did immediately upon their cenver [ton to nutiUsFeJix the Chr iff ian faith , and their very firfi admittance into the O&avius.p. Church of Chriftyeven publtkely renounce alt future aft in?. 34'l.zl*Jher , J «> • j ; J f n - in S ophilus Antl- er re fort to Flaws : and that none but Pagans iUnckajte. , pro- ochenus ad phane.andgracefeffeperfonSy l who were- caft out rf the Church Autolicara, by publike Censure $ ydtd ufe tofockf unto them. H ence was ]^ ,Blb]i it that TertuNianmitcs thus har/hly: m So many per- 2p.i7o\ fins at there are fitting in the Play-houfe, fo many mcleanc G.H.Tatia- • fpirits are there prefent: intimating > that all the Play-huv- ™s°'^ . tersofkis *Age , were little falter than incarnate Devils 5 cosJbid.pl whence he ferioufly dehorts all Chriftiansfrom Playes.HQTice, 1 80.1 81 .- notonely n Clemens Alexandrinm * Cjfrian^Lattant'iHt, ^oChlTftll- nis legatio. Sbidp.i$$.l3 9.Epiphanius.Compend.Do&rina,&c p. 92 2; k. Concilium Cars thag.3.Can.ii.Conftantinop<6.Can.5i.62.Arelatenfe 2.Can.2o. Elibertinum. Can.62.Aphricanum.Can.i2.5ee A&.7«Scene 2,3. / Chryfcft.Hom.? . DeDavis de&Saule,rertull Depudicitia.c.y.Concil.Carthag 4.. Can S8. m Arcphithcas trum omnium Dxmonum templum eft : totillic.immundifpiritus coniiduns, quothos mines apit.DefpeflacJ.To. lOperum.p.^^. n Oratio. Adhort. ad Genres^ IJtfdag. •M'.c.ii. cDefpeaaculisI./DeVeroCultti.c^o.^Oratio^S.&DeReila Educa- tions ad Sclucum.p,! 0 63 .1 064. Nazi" ia/l, HiftriotMaftix. P art* i J E 'ftola 1 8 N***«*'*> ' HieromSChryfoftome;* ^ugufttM,* S*lviant [ti!dc Co- ' x M« $alifburie,tk\z third Counceli of Carthage, Canon 1 1 . mentinEze- Xty. with L ^nsjewes and Pagans of all Ages, all places, not dhely whol- & A£t,7. lyabfteiningfrom, but U\ewife cenfuring and condemning Sc2ne 3>4>?- Stage-playes, the very worit, the diffoluteft and unchafteft andthirdblaft oneLv °fthem reforting to them with delight.k Saint Chry. «f Rctrait fofiome} Ovid, with fundry others informe us, That Adtd- from ?i,laycs terersjarkore-mafters ,Panders tBa^des,Pyhores,andfuch like M.Goffon^5' effeminate, idle, unchafte, lafciuious,graoelejfe perfons, were iviiNorths the mofi afftduosu PUy-haunters in their times. Whence broofce,M. Stubs, D.Rei:: nolds,IoannesManJrna,in their Treatifesagainft Stage- playes, with fundry others; SeeA&.6.Scene itf. /«OratioproPubl.9ujnftioEpifl:.adMariiinalib.7. Epift.l. De Legibusl,i.&2. £Epift.7.9o.& 123. c Triftiul.2.&De Arte Amandil.i . <^Iu- nenal. Satyr.5. 8*15. See A&.7.Scene6'. e Suetoni; Tiberius, Claudius, Caligula, Ta- citus, Annal 1. J 4^.2.3. Dion Ca(sius,Rom.Hiftorirc 1.5 5. &r ^a.Herodian.l. I. lave* nal.Satyr.8.Lampridi;Hcliogabalusp.2Oc><202.luli;CapiroliniVeiusp.r)7.69.Tres: bfiUi;PoUionis'GalIieniDuop,^o9«^ 10.3 l4.3I?ol9..Flavi/ Vopifci Garinus. p* 446,44.7,4-49. jf H«comniaf writing of Scage*playesJ)nefcie< quantum ad populum gratia habent,nullius certerooraentifuntapud£rincipesbonos,.FJavi/ Vopifci Carinus. p. 449. /SeeMarcusAureliusEp q Anfelm wrue,7fc* the Play-koufe and the Stems were *ne ^em &p?i* and the fame in ancient times ; becaufe after the ? I ayes were £Ubulum$eo ended* be whores who refined to the Play-boufes, or were h&r- "^^^ bored in them Jidprofiitut e them/elves upon the Theater yunto n^Sr^tce°ib£ the Ittftef others, they when all derive the Wordforn icathn3 profternaum? aformcibwfiulocistkeatrahbM \ from "Brothels and Flay- fffi]^ boufes&here Whores were kef »f and pr oft touted after the Pfayes p^fa* * were atied* Such and no other were Play-hoafes is Stag the Fi^pocket to pitch ; the knave to bee DifcTom,i> inftrutledin cofening trickes ; if out h to learne amorom an- /.174. nits 5 fomefor one wicked ptirpofe,fomefor another 5 000; ro . tnjgood intent Jout all fruithjfely tofpend their time. But a- tnsngany others 3tb it goe to the Theaters jvhenfhall you foe an Ancient Citizen, a cbafle Matron 3 a mode ft ^Ma\dy a grave Senator^ wife Magiftrate3a iufi fudge, a godly Preacher , a religious man not blinded in ignorance , but making ccnfcience of his wiyts. Tott (J?a8 never foe any of thofe at Tlayes, for c Theatro, the j comt itfhamefuS and ignominious , even an A& of re- quo quifquis proacjj tfi,at may redoundunto them, I (hall clqie up this with xedibit pel si- tnat ot cPetr*nbyc The way to the play-houfe is altogether un- mus:Nam bo- knowne to good men ; to which when any iUvtangoeih , hee re- niiitanllud tlirnes the worft of any : and tfanyvood meniroe thither ietio- lgnotum eft : . , A t n m * r ■ c a- ' qui fi cafualb rantly by accident fbey jhaunot want contagion ; So inrccti- quo ignati ous,fo vicious is the company that ufually rcforts to Plaies: adeant>conta2 tne very fc>eft of them in their beft condition ,dbiingfcrtbc bunt. De Bjz w°fi fartjovers 0 f plea fur es were than lovers of Cod ; having medio y/r. 0nely an ovtwardforme ofgodlinsffe(nnd tnoft fearce fo much) firt*m*l9u but denjin7 the power thereof , From all which premifes , I diTim.q. 5. tnall derive two unaniwerable arguments, co prove the unlawfulnefleofStage-playes. The Part, i . Hi fir to- Maftix. 1 47 The firft ofthern,being the thirteenth in number , may be call into this forme. That which the very beft,the holieft Christians , have al- wayesconftantly avoyded, condemned as cvill 5 the very worft and moft notoriously vitious only of Chri- ftians, of Pagans, of ancient and moderne times, affe- cled,applauded,frcquented with plcafurc and dcli&ht: ~ . e u cer tamely eviU^nd\o umtwfm unto Chrifttans. q^d apu(j But fuch is the cafe of Stage-playes, malosdepra:- Therefbre they are certainely evill, and fo uniawfull un- ^ditu^^£ to ChriflianS. poteft. Seneca The Minor is evident by the premifcs,byexperiencc,and aey\tA Beat*, by thefeventha&enfuing* The Major is manifeft by irs ^E^JJ ownchghr, Forfirft the Primitive Christians *nd godly geniorum &r- men ^whofe^fteps we onght to follow }%abhorrcy re\ett% con- ercitusnon demne nought elfe fat fpfnil ,(candalow pernicious pafimes, niGdemalis (ntt ChrtftiavJiAukableor lawftill recreatiom)repugnant to the camf. Naz,h Scripture;, to the inward principles of grace implanted in an^en.De Re* their foules ; or to the difcipline, purkie and honour, pf the ^4 ^"/l"** Churchjthe Saints of God who went before them; the eu^.p.io6^. onely rules by which their lives, their Judgements, thcii /Hib.i}.?. afflSions are directed. Secondly, unrf generate graccUiTe Pp!'5#17' pcrfons,h a* they commonly hate nought elje butgocdneffe , fo pfal.ioi^. " they1 mo ft really affeft, admire y frequent ihe fleafttres , the F fa. 119,104. delights of fane, xchich are moft hemogeneow to their Iftfis, * 2 8. ft mo* mo(l fttiuble to their fmfull difpofttions. No man can fiedc i^.p'rouAV. any true contentment or delight in anything, k tut that 27. 2 Tim,2, which U (utable to his Mtwe ; becaufe lallpleafurei all com- 2. 2-^ • J r j > fcArgumen- tumbonieft roalisdifpliccre. Senecade Vrt4 Beat* cap.i$»JW\\n\& grande aliquod bcrumaNe* rone dzmnztumJTertul.4j>o!egip.64<5. £SimiIia enim fimilibusgaudent. Macmbnts Sat urn A 7 C.7.P.694., I Sfc miliamicum eft fin ile Art ft. Rhetor. I, j.r.i j^.8e.Magnamvim!*abetad coniungendas amicitias Audiorum ac nature fimilitudo. CueroprcAnt. Cluent'io Oratto.p. 40?. Ad conne&endasamicitas vcl tcn^cifsimurn vinculum, morum iimilitudo, Pitn. Epi/f. t$b. 1 4-.£//. 1 9-/»- • 78 , Semper fimilem ducit Deus ad fimilem. Hornet t OdyJJes* /if I7./498. V 2 pUcency i43 HiftriopMafttx, Vakt.i1 /Mifcranm- lorum fpe&as vj\a,\Dere&a Educathxe adSelptcum. ml Cor. 5.9,, lo,ii.Pro.i. lo.to 17. «ProY.r8.7. l2.2Cor.<5.' 14, T 5. oPfal,i.i?:e Pro,4.i4,l?. p 2 Tim,:? i, $.2Thefr.3. 6.Prov.5.3t 8,9,Icr.9§:. Rev.18.4. Tales habeto focios quoruu contubcrnio non infamcris. Heirom.Epift. 2 c.6. $ Pfal 2(7,4,5 rPfal. 101.3, 4>s:37. /Pfal ruptions of depraved Stage-baunters as finfull, luflfull, or polluted obje&s. Therefore Theatricall Enterludes, which wicked men raoft delight inland many of them fo adore, as to make Theaters their Chappcls-, yea, Tiayes their weekcly Sermons ; mufineedsbe finfullaad polluted , as their na- tures are : elfe they could never flocke unto them daily with deIight,to their no fmall cxpence* So that this firft Argu- mentis unanfwerable. Thefecond,(incourfe the fourteenth) Argument a- gainft Piayesffrom hence3is this. Thofe things to which lewde company ,unch2fte,deboift prophane, and gtaceletTe perfons , iockeby troopes, with greedinelTe and dclighr, is undoubtedly finfull,. yea,utterly unlawfull unto Chriftians. But fuch company , fuch perfons as thefc, (cfpeciaJJy Strumpcts^andorSjBawdes, Adulterers, Whorema- fters,Drunkards,Prodigals3)doe flocke by troopes to Stage-playes,with greedinefte and delight. Therefore they are undoubtedly finfull, yea, utterly un- lawful! unto Chrifiian: The Minor is fufficiently confirmed by the premifes • by the third Blafi of Retrait from P /aye sand Theaters, pag, C6. and by the fuffrage o£Naz*ianz*en\ who ftiles Stage- piayes 1 the m'tfer able Spectacles of wicked men* The Major is irre- fragable; Firft, becaufe the Scriptures enjoyned all Chriftians; ^ not to ksepe company with wicked men; n not to have con~ cordfeRewfhip or communion with themyin wicked things ejps- ciaUy : °nottowalkfinthecounfellofthe ungodly , tojiandin theway of [inner st nor fit in the feat ef the fcornefull > P but wholly to withdraw andturne t hem j elves from every one who wallas dif orderly : after the example of David ; <1 who hated the ajfemblies of the ungodly : and T would not know a wicked perfon \ giving them this rcfolute farewell : ^Depart from me ally e workers of iniquity for the Lsrd hath heard the voyce cfmy weeping. Second- Part, i . Hiftrio>Maftix. J 49 Secondly, becaufe Chriftians muft tnctconfome them- fK0nu2.1v felves to the wicked of the worldy much leflfe comply with i^'*^" them in v their untawfull plea fur es ofjinnejvhich are but for a y Heb.i 1 .74, feafin ; fwee x Chrift hath fuffered for them in theftefh to this * ?- - very endjhat theyfhouidno longer live the reft of their time to * l J]'**1* the? lufts ofmenJ?ut to the mil of Cod : the time pafi of their j Q^antoes lives 3beinr (iScient for them to have vtrowhtthe mil of the nimhenouu- Gmties. tant&font Thirdly ,becaufe ill company ? are not onely an evident r>eoodibiks. * appearance of 'evilLwhich Chriftians muft avoydi but like- *?er"ari De Wile a mojt a dangerous inftnuattngjjewitchtng temptation ; a col.iiiGA prevalent per fwapve provocation unto eviU 1 and fo much the <, 1 Thef.5. more dangerous, by how much the more numerous. Lewde 2*' companions(efpccially fuch as haunt our Theaters) are of a to l £.0.7.5, * moft b infectious Jeprous ^captivating enfnaring cjuahtic : they to the end. areallofcCd///«?« difbefition 9 they wiH quickly corrupt all J?^*1/* 1 r 1 • iir r • In ■ . . j • . ; I 1 1 Initnica eit thofe who entert&ine then friendjhtp , or intrude into thetr fel- muitorum lowfhip;making them as mchafte^deboyft^and vitious as them- converfacione /elves at loft, though they were*vsrtmu(lj dijpofed at the ^?monon fir ft \ how much more then will they poyfort and corrupt aU Vltfumaut fuch who are naturally inclined unto vice > To entercommen commendat, therefore with fuch contagiousperfons in thcijr Play- houfe aut imprimit, ConventicIes^theirTheatricallEnterludescnuft needes bee busallinit/Vti finfulljbecaufc it is a flrong allc drive , a vehement temptati- que quo ma- on unto finne. LTcdS-" j Ob\eVt. If any here ob;e£t,that many good Divines,ma- i^ffcmur,^ ny gracious, pious Chriftians refort oft-times to Stage- periculiplus playes,as well as vitious perfons ; with whom men may ac- eft.se»««£s company without any danger : therefore there is no fuch Vs'odales ma- hazzard,fuchpravityorinredion in Play-haunters focicty li,lues&peftis as-isfuggefted. ^im/?ru?^ Centur. I. £= p*fi,7$*& Cext.s.Eptf.Ci.Dcdithxc eontagiolabem,& dabit in plures. /*$.&*# r. 2. c O nines quos fiagitium,cgeftas , confeius animus exagitabat,, hi Catiline proximi fa- mHiarefqucerant : quod li quisetiam a culpa vacuus in ami cit jam pms inciderat,quo*i- diano vfu atqudlleccbris,facile par,fimilifque ceteris efficiebatutl&W^^?^' C*s til I anlvver; that perchance fonae puny new- Can 8^100. converted Chriftian Novices, being altogether unacquain- 1*2 f . Pfcl. 1 . 1 ,2 . Pfal 2'6%4, 5, €\ Amos 3.3. Qui bus n?ala bend tfapiunt, bona illis ignota (tint : &curisnobilionbusfunrinfiieti, quivilibus dele&ans tuTiPetrarch^De Remedto Vtrtufaue Fortune L 1 ,Diaicg.i%i n 2 Cor. 6,14,1?, 16", Prov.29.27- ■• sce Aa.7.Scener,^4,5« J> Epher.a, 1,107^1111.3.16.1 Cor. I2,4,5,8,?,i 1. 2 Cor, 4.13* q Rom.i5«5>$.i Cor,i,io,2 Co^.ij^ii.Philj* l/ilCor.^.i-j. in i 52 Hiftrio'Maftix. Part.k in cafe of Stage-playes, as well as in other things. Thirdly, admit fonac godly Chriftians do commonly refbrt to Play- boufes, (which I cannot belecve) yet thefe arc few in num- ber; andthofefor themoft part * children s not onely in Cor ta JpirituaH3but even in naturall mderftanding ; being f babes lo.tfasres inyeares,as we\\*s ingrace : Yea,they arc nought elfe but homofapiens *blcmifhes of 'Religion, andfcandals to the Church, to all non ali?sWde- l^eit ^ow Seinti, who v blame , who muchcondemne them antur contis for their FUy haunting. The faints wbo flockc to Stage- uere aliquid playes ( if there be any fuch)are but a dcfpieablc , undifcer- infa'ntiSus"1 na^c co*npany > unable to draw others unto goodneffe; parvulis, & where as thcgracelefle wicked ones who daily vific them, , popularitcr are many ia number , contagious in quality, more apt to ™oi?&4dVerr, P°y ^onj t0 mfe& al* tno^c w^° ^are aPP">3cn tncrn, than Gentesl.7, * one who is full of running Plague-fores. Therefore ifc A 2 3 <• mult of neceffity fo x danger om to re fort to Stage-playes. We Hebr° whofe wic- # mu\tUm m** kednefle exceeds their goodnefle ; than the wicked ones to li&cir.CoR- be reclaimed by their goodnefle, of which they are vncapa- ™* atilatfm*" ble.Laftly,the prcfencc of fome godly men at Stage-playes, entmt & e- can never make Play-affemblies good^ in God or mans mollit. Vici- nus dives ch- piditatem irritat : maKgnuscomes,quamvi$cancHdo5c fimplici, rnbiginem fuam a£» tricuit.Qujd tuacciderehis credis in quospufelice fa&us eft impetus : Sen&4 Epifl.f* Malorum hominum confuetudo aliquid viti; pueris nftvic&tP/utarch. de Educat. Puc+ rorum.Tom.l ,p,l I . e Notuni eft illud pietati tua?,quod in Mario Maximo feg»fti;me- liorem efTe Rempublicam,& prope tutiorcny'n qua princeps malus eft, ea in qua Cunt amiciprincipismali : fiquidemvinusmaluspoteftapluribusboniscorrigi ; multianteni malinonpofluntab vno,quamvi5bono,vllarationefupcrari, &id quidem abHomulo ipfiTraianodiiliimeftjCumillediceretDomitianum pefsimum fuifTe, amicosautem bonoshafrmiffe.&lijLainpridtfSeVerusp. 24,9,2 co. /Non rantum valeat iribonum, bonum vnum,quantum duo malgin mahLm.De precept 0 & T>}fJ>eiifdti0»eic.i%.Col<9 $ 6 A, g Nullum tempusad nocendunianguftum eft malis. Senec&Meftea^ Jcl.2,fi/.i^6» h Vnum verd eft pro quo vitari malorum focietas debeat, ne fi fortafle corrigi non va- Ienc,ad insitationem trahanc : & cum ipfi a fiia nequitia non mutentur, ees qui fibi con- iunc^osfuerintpervertunt. Corrumpunt enim bonos mores colloquiaprava.Ttaque in- firmiquicunquefocietatem malorum dcdiRarc debent, ne mala qus frequenter afpicisa unt&corrigercnonvalent, dele&entur imitari* Anjelmustni Cor* ap.CTwZ, /^•202.Ct X k eftccme* 154 Hifbrio-Maflix. Part.k KaftLtob cftecme. When good and badmcnioync together in Rc- *ray*2 r • ltgious duties ; the goodneffe of i the leffer part dtnominttet t ci'cMf, tm whole, and makes ^ good tn Gods , in nans account : be- 3f,l7.Ezech. caufethecfid,thecaufcof this convention, is Gods glory. ,I"24pftlU' But when good and bad confedef ate themfelues together i ofl A 9,40. in &ny dtltghts of finne,k Cjoi lookes not en thegoodnefe tftki - 1 fay 1 . 4/2 1 . goodjbnt upon the whkedneffe of good and bad, condemning all VcM.' for a> Congregation*) euill doers, becaufc theobioSt, the 2j4.ter«7.--iif end of thefe their conventicles are unlawful^ When gra- EzccH.14.13. cious and graccleffe perfons fhall fit prom ifcuoL fly tcge- t0Qu: on re- *her in aPlay-houfe, beholding fome prophanc lafcivious glmrVanacum Enterludc with delight ; nor onely God himfelfc,but even i;s qui fpe&a- Saints and Angels frowne upon them,*/ afraternitie ofevsH tra^enhnt ^r/; ^aSatamC4tHfKhrsf tan ajfemblj^st\itm Fathers & cum diabo- tefttfie ;) becaufe the mod of the are fuch,& the end for wch Ibidem fentis tricy meet 14 fuch. Wherefore, fince the whole Convcnti- r^sconnume^ cle °^ Play-haunters in Gods, in Angels, inholymcm rabiStu°rAva/ cfteeme,isa!wayesevill? notwithftanding the prefence of habebit. clem, fome few godly ones ; thefc Playes tbemfelves muft cci~ %poiCr£?66 ta*nc^y be execrably odious to all good Chriftians, (who Omncs turpi-- * rnnjl London aH lend* comp anion /)evcn, in this refpecl. tudine rcrum vnuoa lunt,qui ■ # fibi rcrum turpi! voluntate fociantur. Nam hoc ipfo quod aliquis rem obfeamam cur it, dumadimmuRdaproperatimmunduseft. SdSsan At Guhern. pet ■. 1. 6*pA%7 201. O- difle debemus ifte conu^ntus & ca?tus Ethnicorum. Quid iuci cum tenebris :' quid vi* tx & morti ? Quid facies in illo fuffragiorum impiorum aftuario deprarhenfus vbi ne- mo tc cognofcic Chriftianum ? Recogita quid dete fiat in caelo.Dubitasenim illo H160 mento quo in EcclefiaDiabolifueris,omne$ Angclosprofpicere de ca.lo,& fingulosde- norarejquisblafpheiniasdixerit.quisaudieri^quis lingua, quisaure* Diabolo adverfus pfutn adminiftraverit ? Nor ergo fugicsfediliahoftium Chrifli/llanicathedram pe- ftilentiariam^&e. Tertullian.De.Spefidculis.cap. 16,17* * Pfel.26\4,S Kev.18.4.. i Cor.6,1 7.V1U raalos.cave imquos/ugc improbos,fperne ingratcj, a tc fnga turbas hominum,maiitric coram qui ad vitiaproni funt : periculofum cA enim vitam cum ma- ils ducere,& cum his qui pravc viYunt To ciarl tfoJor H$<*1. De ctmtmptu wsmdi. lib, Actv S Part. i. Hiflrio-Maftix. 155 ACTV55. ScENA PR! MA, FIftly , Stage-playe* muft needs bee abominable , un- lawfull unco Chriftian?, both in regard of their manner of Aclion^nd of all thofe feverall parts, concomitants and circumftances that attend them. From whence I raife this fifteenth Argument. Argument. That whofe manner of a&ion,parts, concomitants, and 15* fercrall circumftances arc fiafull ; muft certainly be ° 4- * Qgod cnim bomimble and mLmfnll Hn\oChriftl*n$% i Tbeftf . 22. ncc bonum But fuch are the manner of action, pajrts, concomitants, £e5pC0teeft and feverall circumftances of Stage-playcs. (which is the Therefore they are certainly abominable and uniawfull cafe of Stage- untoChriftUn,. . .ffSSST The Major needs no confirmation ; becaule fuch as the aahuneA. fbrmc,the parts and circumftances arc , fuch qucftionlcfTc B*r»*rd.z* is the whole. The Minor I-fliall evidence by a particular j^Zf^* difcuflion. Firft , of the very manner of acYwg Stage-playes : x wherein I (hall examine : Firft,thc hy pocrifie ; Secondly, the obfeenhie and lafcivicufnc fl'e ; Thirdly, the grofle effe- minacy ; Fourthlyjtheextreamevanitie andfollie, whicb neceflarily attends the acting of Playes. Secondly, of the feverall parts that are ufually afied in a Stage- play es ; which areas finfull as various. Thirdly, of the ordinary apparell wherein Playes are 3 a£ted:which is,Firft ofali,womanifli 5 belonging to the fe- male Sex : Secondly, coftly,fantafticali,ftrange,iafcivious, whorifh3provo1cing unto lcwdncffe* Fourthly >of the feverall concomitants or circumftances 4 of Stage-playes : which I fhall reduce to thefe foure Heads, iafcivious dancing. Amorous obfetne fongs : Effeminate lqft-cxciting Muficke. Profufe,inordinate Iafcivious laugh- X 2 tcr. i$6 Hiftrh*MaJlix4 Part.iJ tcr,and vaine theatricall applaufes : omitting all other ad* >TnJofti,ftos Jtfn$s,flicwcs,andcireumftances of Playes, which ? Hq~ Jidiquc & de* r46e2a\& fome others mention , as not fo pertinent to our det.cquosttic- To begin,wrth trtefirftkrancn'of the hrtt particular , to dia inte? ear* wi^thehypocrifie, faining , or difiimulation that is excrci- ^mto"aut Mm a&illg Stagcplaycs. If we ferioufly confider the pugiles : his very iorme of acting Playes, we muH necdes acknowledge nataplebecu- it to be nought elfc but grpfle hypocrifie. 9 All things are turn equitis ^ counterfeited, feined, d/Jfemb/td; nothing really or fincerely quocjue iam abled. Players are ah ayes counterfeiting, reprefenthg the ingravitab perfons ,habits \offices fallings ,parts , conditions ,Jpeeches, atti- omntodweer °**\lw*** 5 thepajfwsfhe affeftionsjbe anger, hatred, crttsl- tos ocuIos,& tyylove,revenge, dijfentions j yea, the very * vices, fimtcs^ and caudia-vana. lufts\the adult eries>ineefis% rapes, murtkers* tyrannies, thefts, ^r^aiito:"* aindfneh life crimes of other me n,of other fexes, of other crea- prsmunturin tttret\yea,oft-times of the * DiveH himfelfe^jd Pagan DiveS- hora«,Dum g0a*u xncv arc alwayes * a tting others, not themfelves : turm^di"U they vcncnocoriousJyingfablcs^asundoubtcdtruthessHiey tumque caters put falfe gloffesupon Hiftories , pcribns, virtues, viccs,all var.Mox.tra- things that they acl , reprefenting theoi in feined colours.: regLTo^una thc whoIc aftion ^Fhycs is nought elfe but feining , but rctordi.E ffe- counterfeiting, but palpable hypocrifie and diflimuiation da feftinant, whicbGod*, which raeaabhorrc ; therefore it mull: needs Captivum portaturebur,captiva corinthus,&c. Eptf.lib.l.Epift. l.ptfr 1 83, 284. See God- wins Roman AntiqUitics,lib 2.Sec"t.3. cap. 2. to 14. J Tacianus Contr. Grarcos Oratio.Cypri^m.EpiftJib 2.Epift,2. Clemens Alcxand. O ratio Ad bort. adGcntes. fol.8,9. Arnobius.lib.7.adverf.Gentespag. 230. to 242. Laftantius Dc vero cultn. cap4io.Tertullian.De $pe£'ac.lib. Auguftin. De Civic. Dei. lib. 2. cap.3 . to i t&t & pcrfona depofita 8c cothurni^paupcr ac humilis crrat,&c . Lmianm tn Fee remans* if Part, i . HiflriO'Maflfa. 1 57 If any here obieel : That the acting of Playes is no hy- Oijili* pecryfie , no diffimulation, it being onely done in fporr, inimitation^with no finifter intent at all5 toburt9to cheate, or circumvent men, I anfwer ; Firfr,that admit it be but a meere imitation of ^fnr^ other mens perfons, parts and vices, yet it muft needs bee finfull: becaufe the very imitation of wicked men ,of Pa- /Exod.ij,":* ganssof Idols,of Idolaters, efpccialiy in their lewdeft wic- Pkl.i.if kedneffes (the moftvfuali fubjea of our Eoterludes) is ^°Jg?*® without all c/uefthn evill, { at the Scriptures pla'mlj teach m, Rom.i.*$ 2, Secondly,! anfwer,that by the feining ufed in our Stage- iTheff.5.2^ playes,tmny ofour Spectators are deceived , all cheated* 2epet!2^i c«' Deceived, with forged fabulous histories inficad of iS.iPet.V truthes ; with falfe reprefeniations of triie fiories ; c with ht>3>4*See palliated vices in leiu of virtues: with virtues vizarded un- 2g"**p#1 ,tQ der the names ofvice ; with bad Playes oft-times which all~ / Nequecniin diflike3infl:cadofgood, as fome in fome refpe&s account eftapudeos them. Chcated^withftadowcsinfteadof&bftance: with ftS^^S fiiifull^heathenifbjUnchriftian fpeclacles, in place of honeft rarevguodam recreations; Thcfe Stage- fcypocrifies, which at the very S^afi virtus bcft,are pure vanity ,and fo not valuable ; doe cheate many S^^jjL^ of their hone fty, their dvility, their chaftitya their eftate*«, ca»t$case^ their reputation, their virtues , their falvadon % vwofi3of m* 66 fit. their money^^f their time : too deare a price for fo fruit- * s^Marcus teffe,fo wretchiefleapurchafe. Betides,* they involve men Aureus Epi- i&tbe gtiilt offundryfmnes, which they little feared or fuf- £Ie V^-L peeled, to the cternall bazzard of their foules , which is a th^ gf^ 0\ great deceit. Yea,the very end why Players a& their En- Retraitfrom terludes, is y onely to cheate mem money out ojihe'tr furfes by Piayesp. 1 1 ?« dijhoneft meanes ynot giving quid pro ^«o:The very ground- J6\ Scene 1.2! worke therefore ofthis objection, is but forged. Third- accordingly/ ly,admit that no man wore chcated,or prejudiced by that * See het -6* counterfeiting,which accompanies the acling of all Stage- ^ThetMrd playes 5 yet the meere acling of the perfons, parts, gc- BlaftofRc- ftures, offices, anions, paffions; efpecially of the Sexes, "^Playes Vices, Anger,Furie,Love,Revenge and Villanies of other ^Y6,&Aa men,beiunfport,inreprefentation oncly,is hypocrifie. $,Sctne2. *3 )?n 1 5$ Hi/lrio-Mafiix. Part.i. *. H\ pocrit^ Por what dfc is bypocrtfie in the proper Signification of the UtTcfta^prcie worc*' X ^n tioe 4&tng 'f toothers t>m orperfon on the Stage : e rfi qu Spe- or what clfc is an Aj^m */*/» his trueetimologtefiut a Stage- &aculistc Hypocr/psXtlius Rhodt^^Atttiqu.Lelt, '.8.?.8.f. j f 6* In Eccleda.vt! in omni vitahumana,cjiiifcjuis vult.videri qut)d non eft, hypocrita eft. Hypocrite funr,qui tcgunt Tub perfona quod funt,utoftentant in peifos ra quod non dint. Hypocrita rum ergo nomine fimulatores 2:cepcris Augufl. De Strm, Dtm.'tn Monte cap^ ,and io,Tom.^..p4rs 2.^.o'37,66"9. Hypocrita autem is eft, qui aliam pro alia figurars induit :veluti li pauper quifpiam principis fibi perfbnam afcif* car,randiuclarusapparens,quandiutheatrumaftidit. Ckryfoft. m Mattb. 6. Tern. 2. f<^. 1 1 8 c. /? . TheopbyUa.Em*fuorJ,J.<'.,4.Bii,{.PXom.q,.fars l.fA i7.Ergohypociitarum nomenexan* tiquijtheatralib-JsafluTptum eft difciplini?, quia erantiimulatores Cfimularorquippe Gr.vcs hypocrita fonare probaturj qui ranquara oratores in co?icione fabulofe agebant partes perfonarura in theatris j & omnia eorum ncgotiaragicavelcomica , acfieiftnt ipli quorum perfonas gerebanc,monftraban'ur.Narrabant enim non fua* fed eorurahit: ftorias Sc co itinentiam,mo'us quoque & voces eorum,c\: vuhus.videntibusobfavortm vulgivicifsim rcprrKfentabant. 1 ra fane & lis qui bona opera ficlo laudisofric'o,nonad Dei,fed adfliam gloriani of^etiranr.Aguntcnim partes ;uftorum & pcrfonarum eorum, cu«fin,:iiT!ulafores,obfavo'-emhominum alfumanr!non quod habcant /uftitiz opera, fed quia iimulant fe habere. Alias autem fi ;ufta eiTent noi^ad fe , imo ad Deum, cunfta cjuae faciuntbonireferrcnt Nunc autem quiavtnainum fecundum tragicam pietatem in th€HridsyScc.Paf?4tifu Bj&!bert»JinMAt.E$angJ^B$bl.f>aJrHmTom9. farsi. psg* 9Z0.A.B. the « I II ™ I Fart. i. Hiftrio-Maftix. 15^ the Margcnt , /Mfo Stage-playm byfmit$s\ Hyftcrites, VHiflrJoe- Stage-players yas being one and the fame info flaw : thtre be* nim aliter in jag nothing more familiar with them, then to defer/be an /^- animofent*, per it e by a Stage- flayer 5 and a Stage-pUyer by an hypocrite, ^o/non^ft If therefore we give any credit to the Fathers, or Authors niemitur,7*s berealleadged ; wemuft needs acknowledge, the very c**»m oratto filing of Stage-play cs to be hypocrifie; und* Players %fi$^B\ themfehes to be meere hypecrites, {their very profejfien being c.7, 28. Rom. nothing tlfejs.utan a>tificiailbypocrife,) and f© an abomina- if ble", and unchriftianexercife. For God, « who is truth it- 1^*£ felfef in whom there is no variabkneffe^ mfhadow of change j Nunib.2 j. % nofeiningjto hyfwrifie $ as he hath given a vniforme di- * 9} K-0I».3 •*« flinch and proper being to every creature, h tie bounds ^fJi^\'l\ which may not be exceeded : fo he requires that the alhom of c.2 6 , i o.PfaL every creature (hould be lhonejt and fitcere, * devcyde of all 104,5^025. hjpocrifte , as all his actions, and their narures are. Hence ph-j^'g^ 1!* hecnioyes all men at all timts, 3 to be fuch in (hew , as they 8. 1 p'et.2i:2. are in trnihxto feeme that outwardly which they are inwardly ; * Cor, 5.?. to act thernfdves^not others : to m imitate thofe men, thofe \l^'jl17' graces which his word prefcribes them ; not thofe accurfed /Mat.2 $. 27. vilanies, which wicked men(who are now in hcll)haue left *8-* Cor.5. behindc them. n Cod requires truth in the inward parts ; in ** ^lCVj J'1*' the foule , the afYccYons 5 yea , in the habit, Gccches, gc- m Ephef, 6 .6* ftures, in the whole intire man. Now this counterfeiting Phil.4.8,9. olperfonsj affirclions, manners, vices, fcxes, and the like, H^/f^o* which is infeparably incident to the acting of Playcs ; as it ia«ki .±if;f * transformes the Actors into what they are hotxfo it infufeth 1 pet.$ .1 1 . falfhood into every part o( foule and body , as ° all kypocrifie ' 4 **9* l Ioh# doth ; in caufing them to feeme that in outward appearance Vvtd.v.c. which they are not in truth: therefore it muft needs bee o- * Omnis hys dioustotheGod of truth 5 as well as the common ac- j^^™"5 cmfedhelttfb art of face-painting ^whicb the? Fathers , with eftj&almd quid* m eft, & allud fingitiChriftus aiitem cum fit Veritas mendacio adveriatur. Qui igittir Chriftuip difcunt ,hypocriiin fugiimt. Tkcophjtaft.Enarjn Lvc. j 2 p. 1 5 8.C. f Clemens Alex- andrinus. P*dagogi.l.2.i0.Tcrtullian. DeCult«Pa?minat'um.c.^to9.& deVelan* disvirginibus.Tratt.AmbrofeHeaaemcro* Ub.6«c«8.DeVirginitatelib.i.Hieron.£- pift.7.c: 3.Epift.8.c,5,Epift io.c.:,^Auguft.deDoI^3,27,28,29.c.a4*5J-^kcla^-CaI.2. //m!^ j3< * Tim.4.2.Iam.3.i7.andthatexcellentpaffageof ftf%y*tzw of* Tertulliau to our purpofe^recitcdin theMargent. Singly. *DeSpe&ac. lib.c.23 . j> De Spe&aeulislib. *, See2,a.b,c, and d,before* a lam vero ipfora opusperfonarum qnarro an DeopIaccat,qui omnem fimilitudincm vetat fieri , quanto magisimaginislirte j? Non amat falfum au&or veritatisj adulterinm eft apud cum omne quod fingkur Proindevocem,fcxas,xtatesmentientem ; amorcs,iras, gcmitusjlachry- mas adfeYcrantem, non probabic qui ©mneoi hypocrtfin damnat,Ce Spfiafulu c ,23 . But Part, i . Htiirio*Maftix. i 1 • r t: 1 1 i . yy ,#! tur/ed etiant g oaly tn this frejent world, as becommeth Saints ; °n§t walking quod motas in /afcivioufnefe^nfis^rwantonneffe^as the Gentiles yor other geftufq; eflcne carnal! per jons doe: but* abfte'tningfrom the fe and all other ^^o'^o- fle(hly fafis which wane again ft tbefonlc** Lafcivioufneffe fobula %fo°m (together with all arnourous wanton geftures, comple- fcenamfaspe rncnts and irrsbracernents which iflue from it) is afrmt of^^ofa- th6flefh;f an evill that proceeds from within, andfo defies rcnt.PVnde& t he heart of man from which it firings. 1 1 is a ■ o fnne of which oMca:num,ait God takes ejpeciallnotice,and will certainly charge it on wens SS92?1^ ewfetences at thelaft. *A^ finm 'to be fertotifly repented of. napalamdick A finne to which the » Gentiles and other wicked men were o i- tur./?*/«»/. Do *> Thedtrol.l* c.^o.p.296. b Titus2.i2.i4,.Ephef4.i7,ig,T9.Rom.l3, 12,13,14.1 Pet.1.14. I;5.c4.2.?.c.2.ii.i2. <\Rom.i$.T3.£ph.4.i7.i9. 1 Pet.4^.2 Cor.12 21. Tims 3.$,I«de4. 5.5. *2Cor,i2.2i,i Epher.4.i9,iPct,4.3,Iude4. Y atmif-befeemiKgChriftians, Xthofevcry *7- outward geflures and d'portment ought to be modefi , chafle, w Clemens and holy 9 a a becommtth the Go%sH ofchrifl. TheMaior .Alcxand.P*- , r ■ n- i_i r dagogi.l.:, chererore is unquestionable, ci.toio.l,;. The Minor is abundantly ratified ; Fiift, by the concur- Cffi *^.niJ>r' Do rcnt teftimony of fundry Fathers and modetne Authors, &1. i.ciii* who from hence condernne all Stagc-playes , becaufe the BaGl. de Vera a£lmg of them is obfcene,and amorous; Witntfle Tertul- vH'^fl • &**• 'Defpectacu/is hb.cap. \ % ° /Ft? *w commanded (writes cacap. i$. ncj t0 PHt awa} aM wantonnejje and tncontwency :by this Tertullian meanes therefore we are divorced from the Jheater 5 the pri- de Velandis t CQ n0ory of an clear,* eTe. where nothing is approved. Out Virginibu?,De . . J i i J , - \, , ^ s. rr n •* euleu Fa-mi - vfhal in all other places u dtf approved, fta^ ttsgreatejt prttfe naram,Cy - is fcr the moflpart concir.natcd oft hat lafciv.ioufnej]^ that fit* bita Vir^inum' f^we!fe w^ *** S*ag^pt*)er aUeth ; which the After /#{#. Hierom.'Epift. wifereprefenteihby women ^who have banifhed themodeflyof 7,8 .i 6.6c 2 3 their /ex J hat fo they may more ea fly blufo at home-fhav en the MoXben* $**£*• Which finally tke Patomimm doth fufftr in his body vivendi Sermo ft om his childhood \that fo he may be exf-e^t tn his prefeffien. 9;Gr;tian Tea^hevery Stfwes themfehes^he (acrifces of p*bU\e Itift, Concilium*1* M brought forth upon theSt age f hey being more triferahle in Valentinum. theprefenceofwomsn}fromwhomaloKe they were concealed ; Can.i jXon- ^ind before the eyes of every agey of every degree, the place, the VetreuMo* hire jhet eft mor.iall are reprefented, yea9 phbUfheduntothofe rum.Can.2C. Calvin, Hoo- perjBabingtDnjPerlnns^lton, Dod,Andrexves,W]iliarns, I afce,and all other. Expofi- torscnthefeventhComroandement.accordingly. » Ephef.5.$.j.«Phil.l.27 . 1 1 im. 2.IO.Ticus2 3«I Pet 2.12,c.} I. to 7. Similiter impadicitiam cmnem amoliri/us: beirunhocigitur modo etiam a Theatro fepsratrur ; quod eft privatum coniiftorium iropudicitiaj,vbi nihilprobaur qu^m quod alibi non probatur.lta fumma gratia ejus dc {pu citia plurimum concinnata eft3 quaoa attcllanus gefticulatur, quim mirous etia, per muliercs rcpr.vfcntatfcrum pud oris extcrminansA'tfAciliusdorpi quam infeena erubefs: cmt.Quamdenique Panromimusapueritia patiturin corporeut arrifexefrepofsit.Ip- fa etiam proftibulapublicazlibid mis horHv in fcena profernntur, plusmifera in pre^ fentia f.cminarum, quibiysfolislatebant : perqucomnis a:ta:is 3 omnis dignitatis ora tranrducuncurJocHSjftipcSjelogium^etiam quibujopui nooeft, pradkatwr,/^/^ to Part, i . Hiff Wo- Majlix. * 6 $ tow-bom thereto no weed P Iforbeare to mention merest bi tng ^Taceode rc- mettbiylhoHldliedfcHrcdmdarknrjfe.tH their dungeons, left \^^% they {hould defile the light, let the Senate blnfj, let all de- fpclunc*sfuis ortes biff [hat this , pneetboje very mnrtherers of their owns delitefcercdc- chafiity fearing their aQionsjhoMbc mamfefiid tribe people, '^l^^T b/ujh once a jeere. T^jw if all unclea nneffe mufk be execrable renr . E rubef- to usjtohy (bould it be Uwfullto he&re thofe things which it is cat fenatu?, unlawful ffpeake) for fence we m^y know that all fcurrillity , ^nefomncT and every vaine Cordis condemned by God, how can it be law- ipr?iiie pudo- : full to bearethoje things which are a wickedneffe to commit i risfuiintes why fiiouldth&fe things which defile a man being uturtdonely g^usfu^sad with h&month, not feeme to pollute him , when they paffe lucem &po- tbrongb his eyes and eares by his copfent ? fence the eyes and F"J«mcxpas eares, He open to the fonle -neither can he be made or rcputfd, "nnoTmbd^ cleanejvhofe appariters are defiled, Those haft therefore an cunt.Qucdfi inUrdtttionoftkeTheaterJrom the interdiction of unclean- nobwowms neffe. Thus Tertufaan. v TatUvm, K Cyril of lernfalem, cur iiceat aus y Sa'tnt'Bafil^ Gregory Nyffen, dcclaimc'much agairft the dire^u*!©-^ lafcivioufnefle, the lewdncfle which attends the acling of cum erianf Playes; cfpccially the a Floralian Enterludes jvhofc traxfeen- fcurrflitatem dent filthineffe, was fo execrably odious^ as 1 dare not to relate & ojrneva" it. Gregory Maz.ianz.en , confidering the filihinefle that /"dicVumT accompanies Playes; doth from thence ftile Play-houfcs, Deofciamus, *> the lafciviom (hops ofaltfiltbine[Jeand impvritie: Platesc ; the ™r£g£f lice \ petulanciej of P layers, fraught with allincontinency : the dt/hc- facVre flagitis urn eft ? Cur ^u# ore prolata communicant hominem,ea per GCulo£3&aures admifla non videantm horoinem comraunicare :c«m fpirituiappareantaures & oculi^nec pofst itundnspra?- ftari,cuiu? apparitoresinquinantur. Habes igitur& theatri interdiftioncm , de inter- di&ioneimpudicitix\ IbidemTom.z £.39 $.$96, * u Oras tioadverfusGra'cos. x Catcchefis Myftagogica I. j Hexarm. Hom.4. & De E~ brietate&luxuO ratio. . z, In dictum Bvangcli;. Quatenus feciftis , &c. a Cdes brantur ludi illi cum omni la(civia, conveniences memorise sieretricis. Nam prater ver« borumlicentiam.quibusobfcaenitasoranisefftindkur, exuunturctiam veftibus populo flagrante raerctrices,qu.\: tunc mimorum funguntur officio, & in confpc&u populi yfs? que ad fatietatcm impudicorum luminuno cumpudendismoiibusdetinentur.L^^^/^ DefdlfaRe!tfJ.i.c. 10.p7i.See AuguftJeCiSft.Dell.i.c. 8.#* LudoyiaV&es Not* ibidem, b. h Lafcivafaeditatis & impuriratisomnisofficina.D^Si/^r^/iffWff^^^r^iw p*lo6 3 . c Mimorum petulantiasomni impudicitia 6c contunwlia refertas4 Lafcivoruns hooninuminhoneftas difciplinai& indecoras, qui nihil turpeducunt pr«tcrmodefti- zmMid. Y2 nefi i raa ( inguamj feeme to artdcvour,cven with one confent to eradicate all mode- turpi lafcivia, fa out of their heart s, and to fatti fie their lufis with pernia- TanranHafci- ouspleafme, Saint ssfuguftivejis he much decUimes againfi viaminaudi- the ohfeenity of acting of P/ayes, %i* fundry places % fo hce cntiumatque^ informes us from his own experience ;hThat on thefolemre rocs infun- day, of the lotion ofBerccynthea, the mother of the Gods, finch duntjVt vno things were pnblikely chjinteh by mofi wicked Stage-pkyers ; as omji.es aniroo ^ mt t}efemeJja^ not, t ha mother of the Gods to heare ; but naentibus mo? evtn ^ mother cfany of the Senator s^cr of any honefl men ; deitsamcvcJle- yea,the mothers of the Stage-players themfelves. For humane xe, &pernici= modeftie hath fitch a re/pell towards parents which wiched* cupiditatesfu- neffe it felfe iannot wholly tahe away. ThcTUysn themfelves as iniplere co- might bltijl?t to all in private at their owne bwfes for exercife xiari videan- y^ y€fore thcir 6XVKe mat hers ythat filthinejfe ofobfeene words *» Matth. ° *nd deeds, which they didp ubliktb/ act before the mother ofxht Tom.lXol 298.CD. £ DcCivit Dei.l.2,c.4..toc.nJ.4.c.;.io}r^7,i8.I;<.c.^.7 I.7.t 2e*Ji2>c.q,.s ,$cel,y%ct26,ij, QQ^S Part, i . Hi/lrio*Majlix. 165 gedsyin the fight and hearing of a moft numerous multitude ' Oil?-' .**»* J*" of both [exes', which if rfhe being inticedby curiofity could bee g^f fcicra / circumfufedly prefent at thefe Playes itfhe ought at kaft to de- aut quadnqui- fart a(hamed from them , her chafttty being effended -with ?atI°.^j9f them. l What things are facrileges, if thefe were facrtfices} ^rcfercula or what u pollution if this were lotion ? And theft were called appellabantui' djhes , as if feme feaft were celebrated, wherewith the uncUane convivium. Devils might be fed%as with their banquets. For who may not epu^jntnun* difcerne whatffirits they are which are deiightediaith fuch ob- da ctemonia (canities} nnleffe he be ignorant Whether there be at all any pafarentur. J 1 ,l- ■ j - • 1 1 r ^ J xuisenimnon uncleane jftrtts deceiving men under the name of yeas , or fo£aatcu,u[i .nnleffe be leads fuch a life, in which he may rather dejtre the modifpiritus favour and feare the wrath of the fe,than the true Cod, Thus ^^J^™* he. That pious Father k Salvtanjecoxds the obfccnity of ieaentur nifi ailing Stage*flayes to be fitch, that no chafe, no mode ft: face vol nefciens cenld one* behold it, no gracious tongue relate it, without fin ^^y™™*9 erfijame. lfthen we will give aay credit 10 chefe recited mUndi fpiiltire Fathers, with fundry other here recited in the eniuing dcommncmi- Sscne. Or to the third Blafi of Kttrait from Playes a«d »*dccipientgs; Theaters ; r* Maffer Northbrocke againft vaine- Playes and gensvitaro, in Encrhdes ; To Mafter Cjoffon his playes confuted, to Ma- q«a *&<« P°- Jtr Stubs in his tAnolomie of Abufes,?. io I. to 107. To „££*"#* Dettor l\eim'ds in his Overthrow of Stage- playes, to Barn*- opret propities ^ Briffonius,Ioamis 7&*ri*na\,er rBulengerm^De Spc&acu- &fonr.idet lis & Ludu Ssinicis. 1. 1 .r,5o3 5 1 > 5 2. or to Bifop Vabing- gJJ^^* ten fBifbop Andrewes sOfmund Lake, M after Perkins I Ma- miens deEru fier Elton, Mafter Dod, Mafler Down ham, with fundry r reprofanas others on the fev cmh Commandement, who concurre with J^^S^T the alleaged Fathers- in the lacivicus fikhineffc of Play* ^Taliafimt' acting; We mutt needs acknowledge the very a&iogof qu*illicfiunt, Stage^playes, to beneceffarily obfecne, and fo unkwfull ^"^ftd unto Chriftians, as they all conclude. Secondly, thofe fe- ctiam recor- vcrall l meretricious amorcpu paffaffes Jit ties, p&rts* and com- dari aliquis r fJ * y ,r 5 finepollutione nonpofsij.Oainiaquidemtam flagitiofafiintj vt etiam expUcare ea quifpam atquc *loqai falvo puciore non valeat,&c De Gubernat.Detl.6.p.\%s>l %6 • l Amansfaltatur \cnus,& pcraffe&c. Arnobm adYttf.Gcntcsl.^p^s^iso.Sctl 7«p.2 jo.t©242. Y 3 flements 1 66 Hi/lrio-Maftix. Part, t » m Anftoplus plcmims which we meet with both in m indent and moderns Terence* Mes P!aJ'P<>ef"si (which can neither be a&ed nor vcccrcd with- nander,and, out much obscenity,) will evidently evince the very acting »E/T'r ofPlayestobclafc'ivious, And doth not daily experience aliudofculTm teftific asinuch ? Survay we but a whiles , thofe venemem inedtumvene* *nchafte> wceftnoui £/^.r,(a5 the n Fathers (tile thcm:):hofe nopIenu.Ti. wanton dalliances , thofe meretricious imbra^ccments, tricia: ofcuU* complements; thofe enchanting, powerful!, overcomming impudicirijc . follicieations unto IcwdnefTe; °tkoje immodeft gejlttres^ virusfapeim- fpeechesattires, which infeparably accompany the acling mem Alexan* of our Stage-playes ; eipecially where the Bawdes , the drmtu, Ptda- Panders,thc Lovers,the Wooers,the Adulterers, the Wo- ^°Ipii'i% mans,orLove-h*cke ^erfons parts arc lively reprefented, <"-i(j.Sunt'mrs (whofeP poyfonous filthinejfej dare not fully anatomize , for pia & immun- pare it fbottld infeSi , not mend the leader, ) muft needs at ctnffiutm, fitft acknowledge, the very action of our Stage-playes to inpfat.ia!™* be execrably obfeene; to be fnch as none but pcrfons def- Tom.i .Col, parately lewde, unchafte, immodeft, can ferioufly affect, fcl°?'p*°b' much lelTe approve or acl. Therefore Stage-playes them- ItoBut-HotB* felvetmuitqueftionlclTebe abominable unto Chriftiansa 1 1 to 18. 0 Vanis geftibus ac nutibus mimu$ rifam provocat. MinHciu* Felix, Offayius pag, I ? I ♦ 1 2 2. p Timeo autem ne forte naagnum hoc venerium totum revelcm , velut cuyufdam bafilifci lcrpentir fa€iem>adperniciemmagiskgentium,quamadcorrec'Uonem. Polluitcnim reyera au- res magna: hu;usaudaci* bla^hema collectio,& hare turpi tudinis coacervatioaccnar- ratio, Eftphan$H* Co?tfrMrefes{fl>B» A C TV s Part, i . Hijlrio-Maftix. j 67 \ A C T V S J. 5 G E N A T E R T I A. THirdIy,asthehypocri(ie, and cbicenicy, even fo die effeminacy of acting Stage-playes , doth manifeflly evince thenuo be evill; as this eighteenth Argument will Argument, demonftratc 1 8. That whofe very acTion is efTeminate^muft needs be un- lawful! unto Chriflians, • .. ? i Cor f f 9, But the very action of Stage-playes i effeminate. \°'*td *9 Therefore, it mufts needs be unlawfulluntoChriftians: i9.R0ra.iV* The Major is ev'dcnt,by the authority of q Scriptures, 1 j.ifey 14. Fathers,and other r Authors who condemneefewivacie^ an J Je«^e'ns ^ unnnurall^diovu fbimefull finne, which nor oncly wif-bc- iexand.Paxlaga feemes aUChrtfltans^ attperfons wh at foever,v mating them 1 i.e. 1*0.13. iiie and deteft able unto others , but31 Hkfwife [but s men out ^^^^J, of heaven ^and without repentance damnes their fifties. Epift.Teni . 1 . The Minor is ratified by the concurrent fuffrages of P- ill-S**** fundry Fathers ? who for this very caufe among divers ^u%"hotheT others, conderone all Stage-playes. Witnefle Clemens Fathcrshere sAlexandrinut* Padagogi lib. 2. cap. 10. Where he Miles enfaing. Players y effeminate enervated dancers , & Ttdagcgi Ub. 3 . {^^PcV- f^.3.where he writes thus. * Novo verily the intemperance Jkins,Dod, of life it grovenefi exceffive^mquiiy infulting and [porting it Williams, felfefhatwhatfosveri* lafcivim and unchafie /u diffufed ^vefand into Cities, Boyes being taught to deny nature , doe counter- othersonthe feit the female Sex>&c. G miferable JpeUacle ! O horrible Seventh Coir,* mc{edexerctfe \ 0 how great is thu iniquity \&c. WitndTe Se^my'va'' JovelineiTe of LovcIockcSjp.iT ,21.48,49* t MilitemChriftivcrum nihil moHedecer. A&lrofe E-z n4t.hV(Al.i 8 .Viris nihil magis pudori cfTc oportet,quam il mnHebrealiquid in fc ha- bere videantur.S^Av or DfC>^.Z>«/.5./.2 64. S Nihil eft necjuiusaut turpius eiFa>s minato viro Cicero Tttfc. Q**ft.L<; J>Ao\ liter vivif, hoc dicunr, malus eR.Senec*. Epifr. 82 *I Cor,6.9,lo*Gal.5. 19-21. ?FraDe fycblaculis lib. where he writes thus. c To tbu raoUttic^Ves v*kfb*tntfitt.deedi4Hotber equaH wkkedneffe is fuper-addsd. neri & Libem zsfman enfeebled in all bis joy nts, refolved into a more than mimolanrur, womanish effeminacy , whofe art it is to (peake with his band* illiperfluxITrn txAgeftwes femes forth upon the Stage : and for this onet diiTolutii& c . / know not whom, neiihe r man nor woman , the whole Citit Ihld\ flocfe together jhat fe the fabulous lufts of antiquity mty be cori'condig- *&*d- Ye*£ men (writes he in another place ) are unman- num dedecus nedont he Stage : all the honour and vigour of their fex is efe- %>ennd«citur min&ted with the Jkamejhedifbonefty of anmfwuedbody* He o-nnibusraem- w^° ** moft ^omaniflo andbefi refembles the female fex > gives brisA vir vl- befi content. The more criminous, the more applauded is he% tramuliebrcm andby how much the more obfcene he isfbemoreskflfuU is he folutus cni ars aclcounted. What cannot he per f wade who it (uch a cue} &c.^ in verba ma- And in another Epiftle ofhis,he writes to Sucratiiu, to Ex- nibas expedi- communicate a Play erf who did traine up *B eyes for the Stage, vnum nefcio quem,nec virum,nec f#minam eoromovetur civitas tota, vt defaltentur fa- bulofeantiquitatumlibidines/Wez*. d EviranturmareSjOmnis honor & vigor fexus cftervati corporis dedecoreemollitur,plufqueillic placet, quifquisYirum magis in ix.* minanr,fregerit.lnlaudem crefcitcx crimine,&coperitior quo tntpiorj/udicatur,&c, Eptft J.iEpi ft. X. Dannie. eMagiftercV Do&or , non erudiendorumfed perdendorum liberorunijCrudUns & docenseontrainftitutionem Dei queraadmodum mafculusfran~ garur in fcvminarr^cV fexus artcmutetur^diabolodivinum plafmamaculanti,per cors mptiatque enervati corporisdeli&a^placeatur.C^uod puto ego nee majeftatidivina^nee evangelical dirciplinreongrucre,vtpudor & honor ecclefia: tam turpi ctinfami conta- gione fa.detur.Nam cum in lege probibeantur viri mduere veftem muliebrem & males diSii e/ufmodi iudicentur^quanto ma;oriseft criminis,non tantura muliebria veftimen- ta induere,fed & geftusquoqueturpes &moIlcs & mulicbres magiftcrio impudicaj ar- tisexprimerc^ EpiftJ, 1. Efjl. IQ. for Part, i . HtFirio^UaJiix. 1 6$ for that he taught themagainp the expreffe infix uUion of god /Kiftrionum himfelfe^amalemightbeeffeminated into a female^ how ^^m^ their fex might be changed by <±Art > that Co thedivell who de* tus.quidaliud files gobs -fporkcrnaxfcip, might be f leafed by the offences *f a nifcliWdine^ depraved and effeminated body. I thinlte it will not ft and with ^g^? q.^l the Ma')eftie of God,northe difcipline of the g off el , that the rum enarvata modeftie and honour of the Church fhould be polluted with corpora,&in^ fttchafilthyandinfamow contagion. For fine e men are pro- ™&*^^ hibitedin the Law to put on a womans garment , andfuch who tUm que molUs doe it are ad\udgedaccurfed. Bow mnch more greater 4 finne tajimpudicas isit,not onely to put on womans apparell , butlikewife to ex~ ndtagefSbuf pre ffe obfeene effeminate womanipi gefiures , by the sailor tu- menthimur, torjhipofan mchaftetArt? Themoftunchaftegeftures and OeVete Cult* attions of Stage-players ( writes f Latlantius ) what clfe doc ' fQc^'%Q" they but to ?ch and provoke luft ? whofe enervated bodies, effe- # Momil. t, 8. minated into an worn anifi pace and habit , refemble unchafte iv Matth.Ctf, women by their dijhone ft gettures,&c. One being a Youth ^iu£umfit (writes? Sain t(fhryfoftome)combesbackehis haire, and effe- adolefcens,co5 minatingnaturewith his vifage, his apparell, his geflnre , and niara pone r^ iheltke , ftrives to reprefent the perfon of a tender virgin : &wn*™raamet* which be condemnes as a moft abominable effeminate acl: afpe&ujvefths There is another fort of A Elors (writes h T^amian^en ) more tu,c# ter ifque unhappy then thefe/o witjhofe who lofe the glory of men , and ^in™°d Alia vero J , natio qu^dam efthisipfis infolicior,qui nimirum gWiam mafculorumamittunt, & impudicis mem- brorurninflexionibusnaruramvirilemfranguntjtniilieres pariter ac mares effarminati: imonecvirincc farming firc&eloquivelleraus.jNamviriqmdernbaud ncanent : utau- tern fominx fiunt non confequuntur. Quippc quod a natura unit, id monim nefpe&u non manent : quod vero irnprobc eiTe cupiunt,id natura non (ant ? Quo fi^vc anigma quoddafintluxuria>,vitiorumq^gryphus,inter fazminasvin, inter viros femina:,Num hare potiuspra:dicationes,infpeftionc5,iucunditates5anlachr)niasatqjgernitusmerentui:?Ni- mirum,in h'srifusregnat,naturavitiatur & adulterinafit5voIuptatum fla^ma multiplex acccnditur,&c.De Rzffa Educat.adSelucurz.p.loGl. * Ipfi fine vinlibus membris .cap.K.£pift. I0.C4. tanquamita ~ .p rJ, ./» 0r ' ^ -n^n Ac *n n- fconorifica Ep*jt.I$.c.2*Epift.q$* c.2.Eftft.$8.cap.4. Or Eufebius grataque ma- apud Damafcenum paralleiorum lib. 3 . cap. &j. Of Caffio- mOeorum dornsVariarumfib.i. cap 27.10. lib. %,cap, Ki.andltb. n. fa&uncflent. , ^r ' , r '' yn , / / An ©mn:s autem ^ap^6. Of Damafctn TaraMorum lib. ^.CSp^J, Of inturpifsimis John Salisbury, D e NugisCurialium lib, 1. cap. 8. together vivunt,& cer= w ^ fa concurrent fuffrages of Ludovicus Vtves De Cau- fufeipcrepra- fts Corrupt ssfrtium /;£. 2 .p. 82. 8 3 . ^ Not£ in Auguftinum vita*isvidcn- Mafter rDownehamy andfiundry other on the feventh Iiiftal™" CommtoAement.'TcA)OtXrPlato™ Cicero, n Senica, ° T«ci- Part, i . Hittrio- Maftix. 1 7 1 tin P luvenaU^ Mar cm Aurelius*?linie , and other Pa- f Anmelior gan Authors; who all with one confent, noconely tcftifie, cc*™^"** but likewife pofitively condemnc the groffe, the execrable cum Vxorem effeminacy which attends the fitting of all StJgcplayes ; which Cornxdus a- ihev^Cjmc^hmfclfe xmU fajbfir to bebM. And gS£Sta£ muft not our owne experience beare witoefle of the invi- palliolo: mu~ rillity ofPlay-acling? Mayfw not duly fee our Players me- Jj«nempc ips tamorphofed into women on the* Stage, not only by putting on the No^peifofta female robes s but likewife the effeminate gefinres , fpceckes, Ioqui,vacua pace, behaviour y attire , delicacy, pajficnsym*nnerS) arts and & plana ©m* wiles of the female fex,yea,of the mojt petulant, uncbafte, in ft- fraVnnku- mating Strumpets , that either Italy or the world a fords ? Ium>& tenui, What wantonncflCjWhat effeminacy parallel! to that which d,ftantiari« our men-women a&ors, in all their feminine, (yea/ome- Ambchus^ec time in their mafculinc parts) exprefle upon the Theater? crit mirabiiis was ever the invirility ofNerojHetiogabatus, orSardanapa- ^1C Aut Stra* to, thofe Monfters, if not (hamesofMen and Nature : ^lli D^mcT was Cver the effeminate le wdnefle of v Flora or Thais, com- trius h^mo* parable unto that which our artificiall Stage-players (tray- Nat*° ^f*. ned up to all lafcivioufnefle from their Cradles ^continually ™*? ^^jj? praclifeontheStage^withoutblufhof face , or forrow of sa(jr.$.pdg* hear^notonely in the open view of men , but even of that 2®- .« * atl-eyed God] who will one day arraignc them for this Lambert' 2U their groffe effeminacie? And dare wee men, wee Chrifti- * Pancgyr. ans yet applaud it? Y Pitty uittoconfider, how many inge- JraianoDi- rObfcaenis par tibus corporis 0 cut is omnium earn irigerunt'turpitudinem, quam crubefcat videre ydCynicus.lo*n»esSares!>urierj/fs.De Nugu Curtalium,l$b.l.capS « f Sed 6c alius morbus pctulantererupit in ciyitates, eorura quipatrant , 6c qui patiuntur rnuliebria, erTarminaticorpore/uxtaatqueanimonefcintillam quidem ictinentes generis mafcus li,propalamplcftentescincirinosornantcfqj & cerufiTafucoq;obIintntesraciem pingens tefque,vnguentisquoquefragranteiexquifiti(simis Necpudet eos marcm fexum data 02 pcramutaremfvrginam Hisparcendumnoneft,fiaudimus legem, qixx ;ubet andros g^num&fcxumruumadultcrantemimpuneoccidi^dieipfaachoraquadepraehenditurs cum lit probrofus, & fareilitf fax patrisque dedecus,atque adco rotius generis humanij, cVc. Phiior:td&t6*.DtStectM*siegibut.pAg. 10 thc Fiay* llouf^ Swotid.p.5c, (a* if their natures were not prone enough to finne,unkffo 51, ^ 2^3. they hadthehclpeofar£tobackethcm)tcthcYery cxccfle whothusftile 0f au effeminacy, to ad thofe vvomanifh, wfaorifh parts> /populus As which Pagans would even blufh to pcrfonate. And is this thenienfis Al- a hudablc^as many ; a h trivial! ^venizlijoarmelejfe thing, a* cibiadisvitys niGfi rep.4te &} Is this a lights defpicable effenunacie . for Temper levKsi^ J rr ^1 -n- ^ " . t * r 1 ma nomina men5tor Chnltians, thus to adulterate, emaiculate, meta- imponerer iu- morphofe , and debafe their noble fcxe ? thus purpofely, ta7emafppeI-~ yeMftc£tadly,to vnman, vnchriftian,vncrcate themfclves, l*n$,Plutar- if I may fo fpeake,and to make themfclves , as it were, nei- chl Atabiades. thcr men nor women3but Mongers, (afints badjiay mrfc with'this* ice f^°4n avy ° A&ult cry offering a ki»de of violence to Gods, owr,5 of players, . w»k?,) and all to no other end but this; to exhilcrate a c Se e/Te adub confluence of unchafte3eferainate,va'}he companions,or to ex^ftimonqui become competent Aclcrs on a Stage; c -the great eft infamy naturamadul- that could befall an Ancient Pagan Romaiy craChriflwi} is terant?c/*s this a meane, a pardonable wickcdncfTc , to violate. the TJdwlitf; LawesofGod, of Nature? to educate thofe in the very **jKl'» * difcipline andfchooleofSat3P9Wj0yW/^£f /ra>W vp in a Planus Deo the admonition, feare, and nurture ef ths Lsrd} that fo they dollfad^uod m2ybemoredeepelyS™/W/^r0 the "Devils bondage all ipfe formavit, * heir dayes, ( fines h cujlotxe U another nature , l ft bang as dijfi- refonnarc 8c cult a thing for frsch who are acenfiomed to evill>to dotgoidy as. wmendunV* for an Ethiopian td change his sh^nyor a Leepardhts fjhts,) quiaopus Dei and be made more fure partakers with him in his etcrnall •ft omne quod torments at their deathes ? O cbcrefore letvs now at laft nafekur, Dk= fcoli quod cun que mutatur. CyprUtt. De Uahitu Virg'tnumAih. e See Auguftine De Civir.Dei.l 2.cap.T3.l4.29« Macrobius Satumal lib.2.cap.7.& A£t.7. Scene 7. ac- cordingly. /" Ephef.^.i.Gen 13.i9.Dcuc 6.7 ° 2 Tirn.?..2 6.Ephcf 2.2. Hebr# 2. I. 5. h Confustudo eft altera natura. Theodcret Sert?JO.$. De N*turahommis Arjfiot.De memorix O" Reminefcextta lib. C Uudi.tr: ,De CenfuUtu Mal.T heed. P Any rtr^ f.l6l, Etaf/nvj Di Puerernm EJfiCAtione j>. J 2 Pet rat ch.Dc Rimed. Vtrtufqtie Pcr;un€, lib.l.DtMogA^GaUtMrdeMoribHXlibtfisA.CafcLtkiCfTwnlib.Z. cap. 1 .accordigly, confider Part. I. Hiflrio*Mafiix. *7? canfidcr with our felves , the execrable effeminacy which attends the very acting of our Stage-playes ; together with the danger accompanying this finne,( which is no /^with- out repentance,then the k etemall loffe if heaven ; ) and then £ i Cor.<7.9* we fhal^we cannot but .abhorre all Stage-playes, evenin io.Gal.5,19, ihis regard. *0/ Ac TVS 5. ScENA QVARTA, FOurthly^asthegrorfeeffeminacic, even fo the palpable Argument* vanitie,the ridiculous folly of acting Flayes ; doth ira- 19. nifeft them to be evill ; as this nineteenth Play-affronting l Rcmm enim Argument will evince. ridicularum That whole very aetion,in its belt acception, is but ridi- potiusaaio- culous folly and vanity, l mufi certainly be vnfeewely, ""m imitate* ymjanlawfnll unto Chrifiians. resexigendi But luch is the very action or Stage-playes. republics Cum Therefore, they rnuft certainly be unfeemely , and un- enim verba lawfull unto Chriftians. Srion/Ir8"* The Major is evident: Brft^bccaufe the Scriptures con- morjbus emas demm m all vanity ^nd nfo5ie ; together with ° all vaine, all rent, fieri non foolifh anions , per fans, (beeches^ words, oefiures. as dangerous , P°.tcft>vt verba amperntcteusevtls, V which draw men by degrees to greater tamurridicula fihneSy ^tofertotu mifchisfss ; commanding men with all qnsnon pro- ber to retnrne againe to folly 9 * there being wickedneffe and ^""ridkdl Sermo enim eft fru&us oogitatronis. Si ergo qui rifum movent exterminandi font a noftra f epublica,longe at eft, vt nobis permittat rifom movere. Abftirdum enim efTet quorum auditores efle prohibitum cft,eorum inveniri imitatorcsrmultd autem diet ab* furdius, ftuderc vt ipfe fis ridiculus. CUwtns Alexandr.P&d'g.l.l x. c . m See A&. 3 . Scene7.Iob 7. ?.c. 3 i.5.Pvov.?o. 8. Ecdes 1.2.^7.15.^9.9. w Iob4.18.cap 42.8, Pfal^8.5.Pfal.69.5.PrQv.5:?.c.i5.2.i4.ci9.3.c<24.9.Heeles. 1.17^ c.2. *. ]2; »Ifty94l7.Ier.4.2 2.c.«jl.Pfal.;..c.Pfal.74.I8 22.Pfal,7C.4-PfaU<5-4.Z"otges 9*4.2 Chron.i3«7ProvW il.c.24«9.c.28.'J9.Ezech.i;.3.,2Sam.i3.lj?«c.24.]0« Lam.?.i4.Mat.i2.36',3 7 -J. plus .4.2 Pet.: 8. Titus 3.9. p Si vanitatis culpa nequa-* quam caute compefeitur,abiniquitatcprotinus mem ineautadevoratur. Greg.Mdgj Moralium.f.iorf.Jiiiiyif .($> I 2i .c.a-.y/d./iid. ^Hxnugje feria ducunt in. mi Horace fie Arte PoeUcaLfriil, fPfal.8?.8. /Eccles.7.25* Z 3 madnefe maliic 1 74 Hiflrio-Maftix. Part, i • / Sf e m and ». madntfe in it* to abandon folly and vanities , which v promote «,»!;f uf 9" W ' 6* eternall beatitude of their feulft : K to depart from the pans in nis o y /• . « / # • i » cordpiens, pre fence ofafooli/h nunyvpbcn m they perceive net in him the <2u.*vanitatcs lips of knowledge. SexondIy,becaufc X vanitie and folly are the funt^quia tu verJ mattir>feminaries>A*Afeedi offmne^fwickednejfe^ there his nequea j x being nothing vtorfc then they, beatirudinem The Minor,as it is evident by the concurrent teflimony ad ittmo"uli* °f before-quoted Fathcrs,A6ts 3. Scene 7. fo it is fuch an utctn.BemarJ experimentall knownc truth , that it were loft labour for DeinterUn co prove it. For what clfe ,is the pcrfonating of the xptoaTa\^m Cfownes,theFooles,the Fantatlickes,the Lovers, theDi- ^Vanitat«vi- ftracled, difcontentcd, lafcivious, furious, angry perfons tArmancipant part, but profeiTcd vanitie , or ridiculous affected folly? xiafililtdt"- Yea,what elfe is the wholeaclion of Playes , but well perfim ftomm^mini- nated a vanity, artificiall folly , or a leffeBedlam frcnzie i ^^^um> Hcwhoflialllcriouflyfurvayb the ridiculous, childtfh, in- peccatorum. confiderate,jea,madand beafily aUions^gefinre speeches , h*- chryfo/i. Qucd bits,prankes and fooleries ofAUors on the Stage, (if he be not fttmi™1*'"* childi(h,fooliili,orfrentiquehimfelfe)muft»^/^^fwe all tJafirmot* S*ag*-pt*Jers children , fooles, or Tedlams ; fince they acl Ten. 1 4 coL fuch parts,fiich pranks,yea,ufe fuch geftures/peeches, ray- 444-.c.l>. ment,complcmems,and behaviour in left, which none but .SnitateS*a children, fooles, or mad-men, doe ad, orvfe inearneft. hofe De J* There is c no difference at all betweene a fooie, afantaftiefue, 4 hafaniM. 2. Bedlam,* Whore,a Pander, a Cheater, a Tyrant, a Drun- tTpaiSoiais ' katd,a Murtberer,a Divell on the Stage ( for his part is oft- irum afpkis^ times acted) and thofe who are fuch in truth, but that the ™nitascfH former are farre worfe, farre more incxcufable than EntrTnpfal. flatter, becaufe they wilfully make themfelvesthatin 1 1 9.oae*.<,. /port,to foment d the wore then chj/dtjh folly, offome vaine DeOvit.Dei.l.ic.ii.&iles'Phyts Licentiavanitatum. b (^uorfumabeant/ani ?cr«fa ancarbonenotandi?-^Edificarecafas,ploftcllo ad;ungere mures, Ludere par impar, equit*rearundine!onga. Si quem d?le&at barbatum amentia verfct. Si puerilius his,de- lirus&amens,n>i£aturmerit6. Qujd difcrepat iftis hiftrid^//Bernardad dixerim,*n r'tdenda* imptias i The foolery, the ridiculouf- Gulielmum nefTeofaclingPbyesisfuchjthat I know not whether men ^b0a"mA- fhouldrnore bewaileit.or deride it. Stirelam^thoughfcw /stultaperfe Spectators can findeteares to deplore the finfuineUe, yet fimi ridicula t moft of them can afford laughter to deride the vanity , the R.idiculum <* folly of a&ingPlaycs. Since therefore fvawtfeandfilljare quodapmc the genuine prof cr cb\e£ts of derifion, and, mens volnftuotu fingitur. fmites ; the laughter Piayes occ*fi6n,(wh!ch is their chiefeft jj^J^kw' end,) is a fufScient evidence of their exec -(five folly; and fo u.^.p^ 80, ground enough for Chriftians , for all men tocondemne Qgofliamlus them as yankies, as fooleries, zi^ Clemens zAlexankimu , ^en^"&r and other Fathers doe at large declare. omniswmifsi© And thus much for the firft confiderable thing kuhe animi,&rifus nunnerofaaingStage-playes. JSfcSSi am ridicula ;ucunda efle,& homines,& orations, & o$&a,,Arificl.Rhefor. Lix.lip&u Dcmocria tusomncsderidebat,quiadicebatomnesinfaniri. fcltan.Vart&HtfiQr'l.^cJXo* g Si tnim ridiculam figuram fufciperc , quemadmodum in pompis videntur nonnulli5 in animumminimeinduxerimus,quomodo internum bominem magis ridiculam fuftinerc figuram jurepafsi fuerinuis? Et fi perfonam noftram,non noftra quidena fponte,in sna^ gisridiculofamvnquamconverterimus, quomodo in verbis Auduerinius efle& videri ridiculi,id quod eft omnium qua: funtin hominelongeprecioci(simum,ntmpe rationem ac fermonem ludibrio habentes ? Ridiculum eft ergo hxc exercere , quandoquidem nee huhifmodi ridiculoium hominum Oratio dignaeft qua: audiatur, per h«c nomina ad turpia fac taaJluefacicns./7 &4*gogi L z ,c«5 . Actv$5. ScenaQvinta. t*He fecond circumftanee confiderable in the forme ©f a&ing PIayes,is the feverall parts and perfons fuftai- ned in them : which fugee£s this twentieth Piay-eppug- Arguments tting Argument. 20. Thofe Playcs,whofe very parts and perfons are finfull, yea, abominable, arc certainly unfeewly, unlawful! unto Chrjflians; go? ij6 lliftriotMaftix. Pakt.iv Alratusfsnex But hfHcii Are (hf parts, the pe'Jons moft frequent mall edar Parafi- St*ge~fUj6S* tus/ycop'ian- Therefore chev are certainly unfecmcly. unlawfull unto avarusleno Chriftians. afsidue agendi The Ma tor is irrefragable, becaufe » fuch as the parts art, «o«7iiSiio*" fHsh " the wMe> wtj;ch * comP°fgci °f them : Ifthc Parcs cum labore ' tnen ^e e vili,thc iatirctie that fprings out of them mail bee maxumo. 7>5 fuch. 7t?*jr Hprli^ Thc Minor l fllaI1 cvidcncc fey this Inclusion, id all our £»**pM. Stage-playcs, we have moft vfually the parts and perfons /Partcstotum o£k D ivel-gods and Goddeffes ; oflupittr, Mays, Apollo yPem determinant; H BaWdes, Tankers, Tyrants, Traitors, {See A&. 3 . Tbeeves9Murtherersy Faricides, Drunkards, Taraftes, Pro- C^rianlfc** digats, Hypocrites, Fooles9 Ruffians, Wooers, Epicures, Fanta- Tertullian dc ftiq*** ,Penmc-Fathers, Vfurers, Scolds, Drabbet, Ravi/hers, Speaaculis. fVantons&edlams^urkes, Infidels, and ° a8 other befperate Y"Qtd™Zly/wteb?d perfons whzxtotvet. There is fcatcc one Diveli in cusYives No- Helf,hardly znotorious/inne or? fimer upon earth, cither tat in Auguft. of moderne or ancient times, but hath fome part or other in DeCiuit-Dei. Stage-pleycs. And can they then be lawfall, be toilerable accordingly* «SaItantesSatyrosimitabiturAlphefib.vus« Virgil. Eclog.?. p. 14. » Concif. Con- ftantinrp.^.Can.'Ji^^ jo.q6.6c Aft. 3 , Scene I. accordingly. 0 ^ee the Printed Comardies and Tragedies of Ariftophanes,Terence,Menander,P'auu*>£uripides,S>o- phocIes,Seneca,and all our moderne Playes.* Together *ith Mafter Stubs, Mafter Northbrookc,Mafter Goflbn,and others in their Treatifes againft Playes accordingly. • VtereftinfaniorrKrum? HordceScrm.l.i.Sat.i.p.zo-. t Afpicc, Plautus Quo pa&o partrstwtaturamantisEpheb^Vtpatrisattenti^nonisvtiniidiQii I Quantusfit Dories *m €daciiju}in Para/Kis^rvK* BpijftJ,i.Ep,I.p.28s . unto Pa rt. i. Hiftrio-Mafiix. 177 unto Chriftians, being confarcinated of fuch polluted parts and pcrfons as thefe c DoubtlelTe, he who will but cordially,but Chriftianly furvay thofe filthy Pagan Divel- gods and Goddefles ; thofe outragious beatlly lufts, un- f^inilexhis paralleld abominations, and execrable finners, which have ^d^umuv their A6b,their Scenes, their Parts, in Stage- playes ; routl pUclmm d"o neccflarily abandon Playes, \ju <1 all ancient Chriftians did) eft,aut con- : as paftimes mere fit for Devils than for Chriftiam: eife hee |rr^"f^ia inuft needs juftifie, not onely finne and finners, but even peropterDk3 Hell it fdfe ; which abounds not with r more polluted Dettils, bolum inftim- andDevilUldols ; with more prodigious Monfters of im- p^"^*", pictie,with more ftupendious matchleffe villanies, than the jnftruaa r^. ^f^,whofc wickedneffeofc-times^tranfeends even that of wlDeftetfac. the infernail Lake. For there.men onely fuffer and bewaile c-l$Mcf™ with teares,the eternal tortures which their unncs occafi- tibuSveftr s& on : Whereas men in Theaters , are fofarrefrotn finne- pompisabftis lamenting forrow, that they even delight themfelves with "^X'dcTa- the representations of thofe wickedneffes,which the origi- ™™originem nail Authors of them now deplore in Hell. And is not this novimus,& ve f 4 defperate matchleffe madnefe9 for men, for Chriftians, to ^t^Jjfi" fport themfelves with thofe individual! finnes upon the ^mus.'JKf*««* Stage ,which the parties acled in the very bittcrneiTe of their rim teUxi foules, are condoling now in Hell ? To make that their °^'*k^ chiefeft earthly pleafute , which is now the damned a&ed %^0'JJ' *' parties greater! paine, and without repentance rray prove »*jw./;i»;r:ci theirstodf To raife up damned foules or Devils out of accordjj"I,Jt*j Hell; with all thofe horrid finnes that funke them thither, traftrehibf* to no other end but this, to play them on the Srage for ommumDar. laughter-fake: and yet never cordially to confidcr the mawm-tcrn* dolefuIlc condition of the perfins, nor (eriouflj to lam en* the jiuc jmniuncK damnablencflejthe eternal! punifliment of the finnes thus rpmtus confi- scated in their fight? O that our Players, our Play-haunters d;in ^uo\ J»osS would now ferioufly confider, that the perfons whofc TtrtdJfr' parts, whofefinnes they acl and fee, are even then jelling sp?adcXcm. fProv to.2^.ct^.9. 1 Pcf. "!.!?. Supra omnem autcro in(5nftraOi?piacu'icxecrati- oncm c(l,fceliisf irammn admitter?,& pudorem fcclecis rton hsbjre. S/ii$!A>72$M&ttk.z$, %h% . Revel. *o< ic. A a in ^» — 178 Hiflrio-Maftix. Part.i* ^indefmcntcr intbe T eterral fumes -ef hell t for thefe particular finncs of atern^dim1- tneirs 5 even tnen whiles they are pi lying of thefe (innes, nationis fup- thefe parts of theirs on the Stage ! O thar they would now plicium in qao remember the fighes, the groanes, the tt>ares^tbe . , - > tur,& humus or tnoie Devil?,Pagans,and fhgitiousperlons who are now iafuiphu^ar^ in Hell. He who can thus make Sinne, or Hell, cr Devils, fcmoitUrnum : y his earthly foUec here, (hali undoubtedly enjoy wo «ffc*r< cu;us4acus * Be Avsn but Hell hereafter. Let the confederation therefore fa guincignc- 0f thefc parts,thefe pet fonsfu Gained in our Stage, playe*, ^ftCcVCquofaUS perfwade us to renounce" them, ai z mifbefeeming Chrift$~ cunquefufee- *ks to Jpcrt tbemfelves witha!l\ From whofe hearts they pit,denergit fli^uld rather draw raournfull teares , than foolifh laugh- iimul 6c exus rh.Ambrcfe Ccr' Pr&atto :. Pr*t4r.4dJV'i(fjm.Tcm.$.p.T6$ E; x Rora.2.^,9.Wat.i 3.42^0. > Qoivultrtg- nari cum Chiiito^non poteftgauderecUmfxculo. Ambrcfe Scrmo 1 1 . <, See loarncg X-angUecrucius, De Vita & honeftate Ecclefiailicorum.lib.2«cap.2l,2 2. Actvs5. Scena Sexta. T^He third thing conGderable in the very acHon of Stage- •3' playes,is the appareli in which they are acted , which 13 firftofall womaniftiandeffeminate,belongingptoperly to to the fcmall fcx ; therefore uulawfull, yea^bominahle un- to Part* i- Hittrio-Maftix. iy9 tomen. From whence this tvvcntyonc Argument is dedu- Argument cible. 21. Thefe Playcs whercfn men acl any worrjens parts in wo- mans apparel), muft needs be linfull, yea, abominable unto Chriftians. Butioal/jOracleaftin aioft Stage-playes whatfbever, ' men a& the parts of * womtn in womans apparelL _ ^f™?.*** Therefore they muft needs be finfuh\yea,abominable vn- x T^l '- 1 ' to Chriilians. The Minor is a notorious experimental! truth which all * ?hl!o Iuc?*m Players,all Play-haunters muft acknowledge : which a/ir»- f^Z^ooz dry Fathers ,and approved b moderns tsfutbors tell ifie. Tertullian Ve The Maior i$ undeniably confirmed by Dettteronomie 22. Spetfaejcap.zj. verfe 5. The Woman (ha£ not weare that which pertameth typriZ Dsspecl. tintoaman^eithtrfhallamanfutona woman: garment ; for ^ & Ef^U.i. all that doe [oy are abomination to the Lord thy Cod. God t^v{v lnn*' himfelfe doth hercexpiefly inhibit men to put on womans Bpi.ca.6. cbrf- apparell, becaufe it is an abomination to him : there- foftom.Hom.i*. fore it mud certainly be unlawfully yea abominable for wMattb.Augu- Players to put on fuch apparell to acl a womans part. fimSoliioqmeru. If any here obieel (as cfime Play-patrons doe) that this Hi/ia/w-4 Ori- Scripture extends to thofe alone, who ufually clothe gimi.i^.c.^9. themfelues in womans array from day to day; 'or to & concilium thofe * who -put it on wit ha lewde intent to circumvent or conftant'mop.6, inamor others:or tofatisfie their lufts:in which cafe the Com'6^ ^ Sjnode of Aagufta inhibit s women ywho put on mans appare!ly $ J% from the Sacrament, till they have repented : not to fuch b calmrhlunwu who only weare it now and then to acl a womans part, ToflatWypcilica- x)r 4 in cafe ofneceffity to fatse their lines ,as fome haue done. nui> Cornelius, & J i JJ J J Lapidc in Deut 2 2. v. 5. V. Remolds Overthrow of Sta d i* direftly condemned by this Scripture : which p.8,to io.and prohibits, not oneiy the frequent wearing, but the ve- 8'y. to 105, ry putting on of womens apparell, for the words are where this not . 4 manftallnot ordinarily or frequently put on a womans F^mlVcTf Cf " ZaYtnent^noryet weare it now and then to a lewde intent ,as the fed : 'with afl Obieclors cgloffe it : but, Neither (hall a man put on a wo- the Fathers, mans garment. The originall word Iilbofcb, which ficnii- Councels, and fieth to put on : is the very fame (as f two Worthies of our Kdin°theF°" chwch obfeme)wkhthatofthci Sam.i-j.^^. where Anfwer fol- lt ls written *> t nat $AV L c^otKt^ Da v 1 D with his Armor ; lowing. and pat an Helmet ofbraffs upon his head3ejrc If then Damd « ■ Hoc Inter- in the Scripture phrafe, were faid to put on Sa v l s Ay* praetari eft, an wor, though S he put it off 'immediately, becaufe he had it tuftDMir* °«ce upon him,though for a little fpace; then he who DettJJcX** PLlts on a womans rayment but to a<3 a part, though it fD.RcinoldsO- he but once, is doubtleflc a putter on of womens appareff3 verthrow of within the very iitterall meaning of this Scripture ; Stage-playes. and fo a ground delinqvent againftGod : becaufe the ftv°r*Jfh2,M' very putting on of a womans garment, not the frc~ Deteicf ulneflc ^uem or lon8 wearing of it, is the thing this text con- oFmans heart, demnes, as the word put on imports. cap«c7.p4x8<*. Thirdly, the very reafon of this precept expreffed in % Ibidem v. $ o. the text,will take off this evafion : The woman /hall not • 3 weare that which pert aineth unto a man, neither Jhall a man put on a womans garment : marke the reafon. For all that ioefo^an ahwmatm to the Lord thy God* Thac which makes P A r T. i . Hiflrio-SMaflix . i 8 1 makes a man an abomination to the Lord his God,muft be fitch a thing as u finfull and abominable in its owne nature ', h See Deur, 7 . not in its abufe or circumftanccs ouely,as the h Scriptures &nc\ 25^6.^1 i^i * Alexander Alefim teftifie :Ifa mans putting on of wo- ci$. 14,0.19, mans apparell were not (imply euill ink felfe, thefre- 9*c.rt*iui** quent wearing of it, or the putting of it on to a finifter ^ V^i 'c* intent, could not make him an abomination vnto God. pr0vf $'. ? t.tjS For f fo •&>/* k of apparell being to clothe and adorne the body j i f 1 6 ., 1 7 , 1 8 3 19, the putting on of it were not vnlawfull, the frequent c,ti.'riio.ca» putting on ofit,being the true vfe of it, could not bee ^l'CA5f39y finfull, and lb not abominable ; there l being nothing odi- vvhere'nouaht ens vnto God but Jinne, and Jin full things. Since then this but capital fins putting on of womans apparell is an abomination to only are Ailed the Lord : not onely the frequent wearing of it, or the domination, putting of it on to le wde intents.but euen the bare put- J in othcc • F- n • • ^ ^ 1 1 . 1 1 r scriptures, ting or it on to act a vicious Play, * \tougbtt be but once, \ Abommatio muft needs be within the verge oftRs facred inhibi- in Scripmra tion. n°n eft nifi Fourthly, this precept ; Neither A all a man put on a ProPter mom. womans garment, as it is a branch of the morail law, s>mmaT™'> hauing a relation to the 7.* Comman dement 3and tojeueral „}(S} \m z ' " m Scrtptures in the New Tc (lament, concerning modefly and ghueji.i] /. decency in apparell: as good n Dtuines obferue. So it is a Mcmbr.zwd. vniuerfall negatiue, which by the rules ° of Theohgte l^nu bindes all men. in all ca(es+in all places, both Semper & ad 7tAJ^n}'7)ZI* 1 i ,, r 1 V 1 r Math, 6. 25, to Semper ; atoayes, andatalltmes whatfoeuer t therefore a ,x> jTim.i 9, man putting on of womens apparell at any time vpon Revel,* .18* Ezech. 1640. iHeb.iJ3.Pfal.$,4,?,6, Omne quod turpe eft, Deo difplicet, Iuftitia Dei odit & deteftatur vi:i?,dccet virtmes.Rcmigw Explanat.mRtm.l.^*Bibl.Tatrum.Tcm.6,; an g.p,8i3,G, * Concedemusne ergohoc fennel fieri ? Nequaquam. Qu;trc?Qiip- niameth feme! tantum fiat^malum eft fimiliter.Quamobrem £c quidem obI'vft?vi3 (i eft quidem malum,ne femel quidem fiat. Sin autem non eft malum/emper fiat. Chryfoft.HoWiiijn 1 C or. Tom. <\. Col. ^^7. B.C. * Sec Calvin on the 7.Commande- ment, and the Authors hereafter quoted. m 1 Cor.n.^.to 17. i Tim, 2 9.1 Pet. 3.?, 4. R-Bp.Bal»i«g/w,M.PfrJj[/»j,M.Dorf,M.Bri»/Zcy, MJ)oWrubm. M.Eltcn3 Mlafe, and others onthey^Commandemenr^D^Rcwo^OyerthrowotStage-pl.iycS^p.ic, . and others herctftej? quoted, Anfwer S.enfuing. ° D.Pfr#W-Cafes ot Conicience. A a j any, 151 Wftrio-JMaftix. Part.i. tJugultimSo- any occalion (yea in cafe of- fauing life, p as ferns afiirme) liiocpiomm. but efpecially to act a Bawdes,a Sorcerefles,Whores,cr 1 'l>j l^'D,Rci" any other levvde females par: vponthe Stage ; mud: vn- » s rtr- doubtedly be within the exprcfie letter ofthisuniver- throw or r tl i ,- . rr . iT3 Stige-pbycs, *a^ negatlve tex^ I ana "> an abomination to the Lord. p,T°4 ' Neither will this ^ poore evafion of acting in womansap- 'Qiiidte ex- pareil but now and then, take ofFits guilt; For (ince empta.mvat mens putting on offuch aray is here prohibited by a b^suha^ h"1" ne§at*ve precept, which bindes at ail times, as an abo- race Epifi, lib z. mimtton to the LordyxrA a thing that is finfuil inks owne Lp. 1,0. :o4, nature ; the r rarity of it can no ws.yes expiate the fmfulneffo r QiiotJ enim that is in it. { That which is finfuil in it felfe% is no where, no per i e nj a 1 un\ timc Uxvfull vpon no occa/io*. It is z no iufiification%no excufe at £^|'d all for a -Jllurthsrcr, a* Adulterer, Swearer, Lier^heefe, fe&um fit fed Drunkard,or the like ,to plead;, that he commits thefe finnes quod afigtun- hut fsldome upon fome [Jp tcial caufes ^ecaufe Gods precepts do fartum eft, are io lb ict, thappey u allow no placebo time for anyfinne. vitujpcnbile. jfe infrequencv, the rarenefle then of wearing wo- j, *,„„■ mans apparellfuitfpofe it were asrarevpon the Sta^e d;. lit: as now it is common) addes nothing to its lawruinefle, fNi2k]mm sc it ftill continues an abomination to the Lord. nuncju im Cx- Fiftly,admit it were lawful for a man to put on womas c^uur cuod apparen to faue his life,or to avoid fome imminent dan- NuTqua^&at %^*m Achilles? EuclisS-Wtlham Bp. of Ely, with * fome few nu lquun licet others *& the Tyrrhcneans are recorded to haue done, though quod Temper & b S. Augujlme himfelfe makes a $u&rc of us lawfttlneffe euen ubicjue non li- i„ cafe of life, andc others determine it to be unlawfully it be- s7ft€rt'l!' DC£ '"& a neiattve morall precept which admits no qualifications; vAuauftm'1 % >ret *c f°Wowes not hence^that therefore it is lawfull for Qj/it.iupcr Men-actors to put on womens aray to act a Piay : For tcvit.Uj.c.68 doubtleiTe if it be abominable in any cafe, or in cafe of Tom.4.pars I. p. z 9 6. 2 9 7. accordingly, ■ i Iohn i.i. Deur.27,26. Gal. 5.10. Luk.1,7 5. iPet. 4.2. Arts 24.16. x Statins Achilleid.l.i. 7 Gellius 5. Noft. Attic.lib.6. cap.io4 2 <5lJatihewParis,lli&, Angliae.pag. 160. 161, uhnBalt Arts of Englifh Votaries* l:b.2.fol.io7. a See D. Remolds Overthrow of Stage-playes. p4u. 89,90, * P/«- tai-cb.Dc -vhtatlbui mulmum. Mor-Tom. 1,^, 519.5 2,0. b Sohloquiorum. Iib,2. cap. 2. * Ambrof. Ircnao. Tom.i .pag.a^ 3 . D. Rcinolds Overthrow of Stage-playes,p.i4. daily Fart. i. Hiftrio-^aftix. .185 daily ufe,as all acknowledge ; it muft ncceffarily bee fo ill cafe of acting Playes, which d are but amccreahufe. d:eeM.G<$k$ For firit.,Playes themfelues,at leaftwife the perfonating j^c° ct A" of the Bawdes, AdultereiTes, Whores, or SorcereiTes part, which fauour of nought elfe but lewdnelTe and effeminacy, are euill : therefore the e very putting on of « Nullus habt- wmans apparell to attfucb parts ^cannot he good. Secondly, tlis 3PU£* nos I1" Playes, and female parts in Playes, admit they bee not cmisclhlliato limply euill, yet they * are but meere Superfluous vanities ; TirtuUian re or Abufes, as fome rightly ftile them, there is no necef- idololatm.U i& fary vfe of Playes, of womens parts in Playes, or of Tom. 2^46 2. - acting female parts in womans apparell. For men there- fSce Sc€ne 4»- fore to put on womans attire contrary to this facred accoldinSIy» "precept, to ad a lewdelafciuicus womans part but of a meere effeminate,vaine,lafciuious humour, there being no urgent neceffity, no warrantable cccafion fo to doe, g. Nemo i;n_ S muff needs be a great abomination, a moft apparant viola- mundus mun- tion ofthis ample precept; which being in itfelfe h ex- chis vide: -i pc- ceedsng broad> as all Gods precepts are, muft alwayes be ta- reft- Tunicam ken in its utmoft latitude, without any humane reftricli- fl md*:*itll ons of our owne ; fince God himfelfe (who can onely fe loKrh For- make exceptions out of his owne gener all rules) hath fuan iUr.mno left us no evafion from it in his Word. inquinare per Sixtly,the concurrent teflimony of fundry Councels, te>kti ru Pcr 1 Fathers,& moderne Authors.do abfoiuttly condemne * r J ranqium ptar- r'ttt& Indeed I finde fome precedents or women,wh» ccptiim diflbl- haue beene peccant in this kinde : As namely, mfome venso&edien- feduced female hifciples of "Euftatius, *>£ where fhe continued thus difguifedfor contra quamdeceret fexum muliebrem,virilcm habitum induerc adduftx funtrHis de caufis Epifcopi finitimi Gangris in unum convenerunt,&c. So^emHtft.EcclcpaJt. Llf.lZ* n Jmbrof. De Virginibus,1.2.Tom.4.p„i2 3.124. See Antonini Chron, pars itTit.i?,c.i$4 ° ?Uttarcb\?l6to^l^. MarcitiM Fickuu in vita Platonis, & 0.7^itf0fc in the * Math)* Paris yeere 1225. who- foiling ker head, and Appareling her fit fc in Hiftonaj An- mafctsltne garment s, of pur pefe to prefer ue her virginity ^her S^P**1** Father being jdefirous to he flow her in marriage ■', entred into reitgion in a Monaflery of the Friers Lftfivor it iesy where fhe lived thus met amorpho fed into a Monke,for divers jeeres* f Pope lone that mafctilwe "Roman Strumpet of know ne in fa- &aty,?a myi- 1 r ■ / rtf*- . .1 t 1 * j\ f r taIoamus8. my3whotransformtngher felfe into the ha&it and tonjure of a ioannis Vale- W4», repaired in this her difgmz>e unto the Vniverfity, where nan.De SaCei> fhe lived many yeere s\ and at lafl fhe afpired into the very dotum Bar'bis, Popes unerring Throne ,'by this her mafculine hah it and ton- See Akxand.it fure, ataman- till her unexcelled delivery of a bafe-borne Mp.his Pope tf ne tn the very mtddeft ofherfolemne proceffion, dtfcrted her to De ' • i$ p be a woman. l A notable Damfell. of Corinth, together with cificum. Metania and Marina, who under pretext of vowingvtrginity, * Antcmimchfo- and preferv'mg their chaftitj^ difguifed themfelues in mant ap- mcon^ais z. pare It, andfo entred into Monafieries, us prof fed Monies, * ir- * 5 • c- * ? • *the better tofattsfie their lufls among thofe Gottjh /have lings. ^ '^{jl^, f u Puell de Dieu, that notable .French Vtrago, who arrayed * See Synodus herfelfe like a man, and turned a great (fommander in the Auguftenfo. Wars,ttllatlaf£ fhe yeas taken prifonsr by the Englifh in the An. 1*48. Su- field, attired and armed like a man ; for which unnatural! att nv£Q onM* .of hers, foe was condemned and burnt at Roan. x The fV/jore u polychronieon. apprehended in Suffollze, in' 7(~/«g Henry the Til I. 'his Bookvlr.c.18. Ratgne, by M. W harton, who bei-ng dtfgmfed in mans appa- fol. $ 1 J. Uol- relkwas taken in the company of four e Popififvavclhg Priefis, I'wfaad. p.6o4. gsod Curates \ who one after another had be flowed the .r chxftity C-a[Ur\[ ^hr0" upon her. All which for this their mannifh imrnocfeft 547^5 wl Mi- attyring themfelues in inans accoutrements, incur the ftory.gf Eft-' execration of this text and CouncelL Ifthcn a worhans gliih-M-rm-i*-- putting on,or wearing of mans apparell, or the imitari- c}-vf> P-§ 3 ? • onofhistonfureincurresan Anathema by this Coun- j^*'8 *;5; ,. eels doome, though chailiry, learning, #)d devotion D^hr^ionof were pretended For it :dotb not a mans attyring him- edmorJuonmrs fejfe in womans.veftments,of purpofeto acl an efFemi- Aniclcs-,Anno natelafcivious,amorousStmmpets'part upon the Stage, MH.Artic.4. much more demerit it, fince there can be no good pre- *oll°' B b tLXt TgT" Hiftrio-Maftix. Part.j text at all for it ? But to come punctually to our pur- pofe- The 6. generall Councell of GonjtanttnopU, Canon 62. * Eas quxtio- *expre(li prohibits and abandons all daunces and myftcrte* mine comm, made tn the names ofthofe who were faljly filled gods among qui falsd a- the Grac$ansy or in the name of men or women, after the ancu pud Grscos wanner Jarre differing from the life of Christians : ordat- . dij nominati . ,; nJJ . ,&J . r w - funt velno- mn& that no man\hoHid fr*m tkence-forth put on a womant mine viro- garment t nor no woman a m*ns af far ell ; and that no man rum ac mu- Jhouldput on theferfon or vtfard of a Comedian , a Satyrift, or herum fiunt 4 Tragedian, vnder paint of depo(itiony if a (flcrgic-man^of ex- fait niones ac c§mm%nicAt^nifa^m^% This is puuftuall. Phtb^kzr- myiteriamore > \ ;• , j . n , \ . antique & a ned revv,records ; *That the law dothftttdy to exerctfe and vitacKiiftia- confirme mens mmdes to fortitude with jo great earneftneffe, noru.n alieno., that it alfo gities precepts what garments muft be ufed^xpre fly amanchmus & yroyyiUng^ thai the man Qjould not take vnto htm womans SuemesVt *W*relly left thefhadow or footfl.ps of effeminacy, fhouldftamp nuilus vir de- fimeblemifh en the mafculine fex. For by following nature^ inccps mulie- he doth alwayes obferue what is feemely euen in the fmalleft bri vcftc indu- things jvhtcb might feeme to be below the care of a Law-giver. atl" !{{e . l~ F°r ™ben hi confidered that the bodies of men and women were convcnicmc. deformtdrand that both oj them had their diftinB offices ; that bed neque to the one of them the care ofdomefttcjuc bufmejfes was commit- comicas, vcl ted to the other Hoe mannagtng of publike affaires, and that fatyricas y„ nature her (elfe they were not both mads lor the fame im- yeltragicas y '■■.'• perfonas induant,&c. SftriiuComiLTctit.i.fAg.ioy. 3 T2ntaporro comentione lex ihicietexercereconfirmareq; ;.nimos ad fortitudinem, uc&de veftimentis qua- libiis utendnm fit praecipiat } diferte inter.dicens, ne vir fumat muliebria, ne vel umbra aut veitigium 'efYaeminationis fexuimafculo inurat aliqu:ro maculam.Sem- per enim naturam fequendo obfervat,quid deceat etiam in rebus minimiSj quae in- rracuramlegiflatoris uidcri poterant. Cum cnim animidverteret defoimiaefle vir 01 urn mulicrumq} corpora, & titrifqi fua ciTe ofneia ; altepis attributam efle cu- ram rei domefticap^lteris publicae,& ab ipfa natura non ad eadem factos negoti.i, . oporteveq; bonam mentem fequi nature inftituta, utile iudicavit de his quoq; re- bus decerncre, fdlicet de viftngamftuq; & huiufmodi ceteris ; voliiitenim virum his fe ut virum decet gercre , praefertim in veftitu : quern cum die no- fluq; circumfer^tjtalis efle debet,ut cum Temper decori honeftanfq, admoneat. Sic & mulierem ornans pro di§niiate,vetat veftem'virilem fumere, lonee fubmonens turn er»mimtos viros,tum pins «quo viriles farminas, Vhilo vifortiMmeM fag. 1001. loci. r'v- Part. i. Hittrio-Maftix* . 187 flojments, and that a good minde ought to follow the itoftruftt- ens of nature, he thought it fit to determine efthefe things alfo9 to wit,offoad and rayment,and other things ofthu nature : For , he would that a man tn thefe things fliould fo demeane himfelfe as a man ought to doe, efpeaally in apparell; which face he carrieth it about with him night and day4 it ought to befuch as may alwayes admon'tfh htm both ofcomlinejfe and honefly : Se alfo adorning the woman according to her degree ,be forbids her to we are a mans garment ; remouingfar both effeminate menJ and women more manly then is fit. Clemens Alexandrinus, 1 „/.(*ulma as r be condemnes the putting on e f woman s apparell as a great &c > pa]a?0g, iniquity \ {fo he demands this queftton ; Why the law tn this lib.i • * . Z ■ S?c very text of Deuteronomy did inhibit a wan to put on a womans here Scene $. garment ? and he refolves it thus ; Eecaufe the law would rQiian™am e* have m to be meny and not to be effeminate neither in body, nor [^ n * l? in deeds, nor in mmde, nor in words. Which reafon doth lex viro prohi- more efpecially hold in cafe of Piayes, where our Men- bet,ne veftem women Actors are mod effeminate, both in apparell, mdwat mulie- body, words,and workes. Tertullian obferues ; c that no brcm ? An non kinde ofirayment as he could finde was accurfed of God, but ^.m &ii f nomens apparell worne by men -}for God faith, (furfedts every corpore^r.ec man who is clad in womans araj. ° Therefore (writes heej fachs, nee me- when as God prefcribes in his law, that be is accurfed who is te,tiec verbis clothed in wemans apparell; what wiUhe tudge of the Stage- ^min:ln?, flayer, Clowne or Foole in the Play, who is attired in womans effc mafcuiUH1 apparellt Shall this (rdftf-mafter, this cheating Companion^ qui vernandac thtnke you, goeunf untfocd* S. Cyprian writes exprtfly in operam in fe- Jlis Eptfile to EverattHS ; K That men in the law are prohtbi- rendis labod- rJ r bus, & pei pea nonibusjin vita ScmoribuSjinfermone &cxercitatione,noctu & interdiu,& ficubi martyrio opus fit quod procedit per fanguinem. Stromal. l.zfol 5 *..£>, Swt G o(ja ordi- nark & Lyra m Dcul 11. c Nulki deniq; cultum a Deo maledictu invenio,nifi mu- liebiem in vivo: Male'dictus enim,inquir,omnis qui muliebnbus incuitur, &c. 7?c Jdolclatrialib <\i6. u Cxterum cum in Ic^e prxfcribit,maledidii eile qui muliebn- bus veftitur, quid de pamomimo iudicabit,qui eriam muliebnbus curatur ? Sane & illeartiircx impunitus ibit ? Dc Sfcftac.cap.ii. * Nam cum in lege prohibeamur viri induere muliebrem ve{iem,& maledicti eiufrnodi uidicentur, quanto maioris ' eftcriminis^non tantum muliebrri indumenta acctpe're, fed Scgeilus quoqj turpesj 5c moUes>$: rauiicbres rmgifterio impudica; actis exprimere ? ibidem. Bb z ted 1 8 8 Hiftrio-Maflix. Pa rt. i. ted to put on a womans garment, and thoje who dog it are ad- iudged accurfed : bow much greater a crime u it then, r,ot onely to put on womans apparel^ but Itkewife to cxprejfe difho- V Hiftrion-ra neft^ effeminate ,womanifb geftures , by the tutorfhip or direction qaoqi cnerua- of an.unchafie art? Which paffage he particularly applies' ta corporate to Stage-play es ^ La ft antux, amon™ ether things .taxeth inccflum habi- * iay<-rs, for putting on womawjh geftttrss, andapparell, to aft tumqjmollita, the parts o\ infamous \emale> : baaing aneyemo queftion, impudicas tx- to 'this text of Deutronomy. Epipkamu* Contra Hare fes. 5? lnf *nh-onc~ Itb.i.l'om.i.Hdirefis 66.C<>1 $$!.%> wformes us : * That it ** P . .'"% i aflame full and dtfbonefi thing for a man to become a woman VtferoCulfr. ' af7^ t$ *?rcnre m the j or me ufayooman. And that it is aeatne iio-o.c. \o. & a mofl abominable thing for women to become men, (as many TAvmYum hi- or' haire-ciipping moderne impudent Viragoes doe) flnsptcap.6. andto wearc the apparell of a man. Whence he condfnmes j ' lirEf C°lU1~ the a Seres for Herettques ; amon9 whom the men didvfe tot clem tit virum n 1 , . t i j u , J teminam fieri K0Hrtl^ and finite tbetr hatre into f^nots like women, (as our & in r.rminx moderne Love-locke wearers doc)Jtttmg all the day idlely. forma clfj. at home, perfumes with oyntments, effeminate, and prepared for urP' Aimum- their wines ; where asuheir women on tbe.otberfide, did cm. the mulKresviros ^aire of their heads, (as our EngliLh Man-women mon- ficri,& vin In- ^ers ^oe of late) and gird themjelues about with a mans gir- bitum geihi-Cj die: both which are condemned by this text of2)/#- ibidem. teronomy : and by the 1 Cor. 1 1 .v. 3. to 1 5 .which I would q^d^ S OLU moc^ernc Ruffians,and Mad-dames would confider* nc^JicZtX Gregory J^azjanz,en,0ratw. j. ad Smomianos, together. dqmi defidcnt with EIias, Metropolitan of Crete, in his Commentary on unguentis de- that Oration ; aflirme, b That it ts an nnnaturall anddif- Jibuti, & efte- or(ierlj thing to fee flowers in winterer women clothed in mans enbus ' par uT or m£naittrc^ tn womens apparell. cFor (as Elias comments) Mulieres verovice verfa^capUlum capitis tondent, virili cingulo fe cingunt,- & jn agro omnia opera pYo^zmnt.lbid.lib.^.Ce'tit.Harcfes. Tom.i. Col. qio.^.b. b Intern- * peiliiium quiddam effe ducimus florem hyberno tempore^ vel mulieres habitu vi- Hli,vcl muhebri viros oxn:si.lbidem.pag.7. c Prxter naturim putandum eft efie., ideoqj ab ordinealienum, florem hiberno tempore confpici., vel muiieres virilcm euitum induere,vel viros muliebrem 3 quum primum ex his temporaperturbetj al- terum nature formam nonconvenientemtnbuat,permutatOYiritxmin3ec]$ orna- &h & ordine quern ipfis natura prxfcripfit^confufo. ibidem. the. Part. i. Hiftrio-cMaftix. 189 ibefirft'ofthefe dtfturbes the times ; the other yeelds an incon- venient forme to nature, the ornament both of the man and woman being changed, and the order which nature hathpre- fcribedto them, being confounded. Vpon which ground * Comas q*as they both condemned he Cymcke Maxtmus.andhisfeU^ for P«»f perverio *n , . ifi * 1 " r £T quodam ituaio nounfhtng and wearing their bntre lor.g, eut o] a perverje affe- j?luennt> $0, Bion: as being aiAfreminate, and unnaturall thing* lebani: enim S. Hierom writes exprefiy ; c That he [haH eternally perijh3 .Cynid ftudicw who being effeminated tnwomannifi? feebleneffe^doth nounfh his fecomatn alc- hajrejolhfb hU skin< and trim himlclfe by the tlafe, which is *ff**&™$M the proper paffion andmadnejfe of women S.Cjpr tan records, fice:^ut erJm * That they are in the ) 6 dignitatem virikm non fine naturae iniuria dehoneftant. De jciimio& 'feitxtioKC. Sermd.Tcm.\.p.i$7. % .Pulcbritudincm tibi a natura, Deo authore coll tam, noli sdiccto cultu exornare3fed humilitcr earn adveiTus homines ita cohibe, capAium comae non nutriens,fed potius ilium detondens & adimensme tu pruntu-vexatiis, & enput lacerationis expers conferv.ms^el unguentis.perfimdens,mducas tibi w.u- lkres^qux hoc modo illaqueant:>& iihqueantur.Fidelis enim cum GsSi homo Dci^, - nou licet tibi nutrire capilium3&jm unum complicare^quod eft delicatum & molle , , vel difcerniculo difcriminaremeqj utro intortum calamiftris crifpare, vel flauum faecre,quoniam quidem lex vetat inDeuteronomio3inquiens j.Non facietis voLis rotund'itatem ex coma capitis veftrimeque incifiones.Neque viro. licet barbx piles . corrumpere meque homines fignram prater naturam mutare. Non incidctis (in- - qui: lex)fuperficiem barbse veftrx.Hoc enimmulie'ribusdecens creator Deus fta- EuitjVins indecorum efle iudicavit. Tu vero hascfaciens, & ut tibi plnceas? legem > VJolans3Ln odio cris apud, Deum3qui creayit te fecundiun imagmem ruam. ibid, Bb 3 ^|>'S3« i^o Hiftrio-SMaftix. Part. cap. t $. Bibl.Patrttm.Tom.jp 5 1 .C <#• W.o".r. ip.p.85.11. Bernard. Oratto ad Milttes Templi capl.& 4. AmaUriut Form trams. CD e EccleftaQici s Officij « , //£. 3 • **p* 2 . to g e t her b.Sscmy Vn- with h Ambrofe, tybrjfofton9CiStdHlmsyPrttnafmstOecumc- Ay. i bee my "Vn- which our Ruilians glory) it u a \bame unto htm ? But if lovdineflc of a woman bane long batre, (Of which l our Engltjh Ladies^ l.ov\-Iockcs. %vno haue caft off God and nature, fhame and modefty, p»4V«to 49. religion and iubieftion, are now afiamed, as being out of * c „ ralluon) tf # 4f /orr f* ib*r ; /«r ber baire is oiuen her for a * See my Vn- . ^ % 1 * ' . /» / j ^ 1 /• lo/elineil^or covering :) doe* coptoujly cenjurc and cozdemne t be friz.- Lovelockes #»£» nourtJhingy and wearing of long effeminate bairey as an thorowout, H?m*tural\> womantfctrrchgtoHS, And unmanly praflice con- k Hl comas ' demncd, not onelybj the k Law of God and nature, in the Sicuat-Opol" l Cor. 1 1.I4. Ez.fcb.44.i0. Levit.l9.27.& 2I.5. Z>*w. te5.it aute fill" 4«3 ?••*«*• p.7,8. I Ttm.2.9. I Pet.^Jfay 3.24 (which os f.inctae Ca- Scriptures I would ourovergrowne Lock-wearers,and tholica? mams frizle-pated men- women would well consider) Buteuen nofhxtcclefiif fy t bis text of Deuteronomy >wbicb inbtbitt men to p*f on a in tonfurT at- rpoma?ifgarw^t*0r ^tire ; of which long haire (the proper quchonefto l ornament of women) as well as womans rayment is a habitu propter part. If then the very nounfhing of long effeminate baire be exuaneos.'Ui- a putting on of womans apparell witbin tbn Scriptures fence . enum enim eft r * r J ' a catholtca Ecclcfu,& a prxdicatione Apoftolorti coma extensa, Vir enim,inqJxt. n .\. tomy.cap 2 2. dedicated to Irenaus : W herein fo examines with others at Urge the caufe, why the law ffteuld prohibit tinmen to wear e hereafter quo- A titans garment , -and men to put on womans apparell ; will tc^#/fr*f« E~ make this point mod cieare. 1 fhall recite his words at j^* %tG^^ large. Thou hafi informed me (writes he) as a fonne, that Can, \ 1\ & fomehaue demanded ol c thee, what is tberesifon, that the law Gratian.'Diftin*. jhouldfo fever ely call them uncleane, whoufe the garments of &10 3°- -Do- another fex>be they men or women. For thus it is written, &or Mips Aa- The appartliof the man (hall not be put upon the wo- thc Rrr mX man, neither iliall a man be arrayed in a womans gar- Ttfhmenr,on ment ; becaufe every one who fhail doc thefe things, is Thci' 1. cap. & an abomination to the Lord thy God. ° And if thon ktXxX>.wiikn mat ft tritely dtfeuff? it ; that is incongruous, which evenna- Svnopns P;t- tureberfel'c abborreth. For why being a man, wilt thou not ^T^so trmn'i feeme to be that whtch thou art b?rne ? why defl thou take unto HifVoria? Ec- thy felfe a different forme ? Why dofl thou feme thy felfe a wo. cidi iticxjhj , man-, or thou woman thy felfe to be a man ? Nature bath do- C,T 2 • ^ibl. ^a" tbed every fexmitb its ownc garments. Finally, there is a at- tl"m>5°m'|" verfeufe.a different colon/ \motton,p^ce, an unequatl flre»gthy ^bwMMaurm Oloffaordinaris,& Lyrain Deut.ii n Ope rum, Tom. 1. p. 132.13}. ° Et n vero difcuttas, tncongrmim eft quod etiam ipfa abhorret naturn. Cur enim hemo ncn ■vis*iden c fit quod natuses ? Cur alienam tibi aflumis fpeciem '? Cur mcntiris fxminam, veltu faemina virnm ?. Suis unum quern que Tex um induit naturamdu- mentis. Ptnique diverfus ufus, diverfus color, motu&, incefTus, diverfs vir^s, diverfa vox eft in viro & fa?mina Sed eti m in rcliqui generis animantibus .alia fpecies leonis,:ilir. Uxax, alia vis, alius forms: alia tauri", alia vimlx, &CilladiSiv See Mbmm ^aurttitli^i,'mVtHt^i^ jty .3 a ♦ accordingly ♦ adtffe-. 1 9i tfiftrio-Maftix . Part.i. a different voice in a man And in a woman. Tea Itkemfe in t£ vtna creatures of another kinde, there is one forme of a Lion, " another of a Ltoneffe,jea another If rength^ another found : one' of a B nil ' .another of a Heifer. In Deere alfofe much as the fex doth differ, fo much doth the forme, fo as thou maift dtflinguifh them afar of. In Birds likewife there may he a proper compa- nion,in regard of 'apparell betweene them and man. For m them the very induments themfelues doe by nature dtflinguifh the fex . The male Feacockes are beaut t full; the females are not adorned wtihfo various a beauty of feathers. The Phefants a! jo have a different colour, which may dtflinguifh the deference of the fex. What difference is there in Poultry* How fhrill is the rNumquid U- crowing oftlq/Cocke, a folcntne gift to fttr up andfing, in the limutan! ^- feverall watches of the night? P Doethefe things change their •cicm fua ? Cur foapeor \0Aylt ? why then doe we defire to change f And ve- deltdcrarous ? n§ l^e CHflome °fthe Grecians hathflowne in amongw, that ' . E c quidem women wearefhort coatestas being fhorter then their owne. Well, G rjBco more be itfo now, that thsfe maj feeme to imitate the nature of the mfluxu ut fa.'- better fex ; why will men counterfeit thi habit of the infer tour min*virilibus [ j Alieevsntnwordisdifhonefl: much more in apparell, quad iuccmc- „. ., . ^ , , \ • r . VV . tionbus turn- riiially, tn Temples, where there ts a counterfeiting of faith, as utacur.Efto there is a counterfeiting of nature: For men * there to sake un- ,tamen ut ills to them womans apparell,and a womanijh behaviour, is themht imitari vide- an foty thing, whence the Law faith : Becaufe every one,wha fc'xus natu°nS fl}*ttdoe thefe things, is an abomination to the Lord thy (fed: ram : Quid vi- f^at ^j a mAn whofhallput on a womans garment. But I fup- n intcnoris pfe, that itfpeakes this, not fo much ofcloathesy as of manner s9 fexus mentiri or of our cuflomes and atlionsy wherein one aft may btcome a I 1 C1^ITmY0 ' \ maH-> anot^er a tvoman. whence alfo the Apoftle faith, as an emm & ^vct ^f^P^^r^f^ ^^> q Let the woman keepe filencein bo turpe eft ; the Church : For it is not permitted to them to fpeak, nedum in ha- but to be infubieclion, as the r Law faith. But if they bitu. Dcnique in TempIiSj, ubimendacium fidei, ibi memlacium nature. Illic nflumerc viros muliebremveftemjgcftumqucfemincHm., facrum putatur. Vnde lex dicit: Quo- niam immundus eft Domino Deotuoomnis qui fecerit h.aec:hoc eft,vir qui ftohm paulicbrem inducrit,&c. * This was the practice then of Pagan Priefts in their Idols Temples, * I Cor,H.34>3 5- r &cn,$i, cap, 1 6, Opcrum, Tom. 1 . jag. 76S> C c with all — ■ — - i94 Hiftrh-Maftix. Part. * st magna withal he tnformes t&* that it is a great Queftto \whether a man 3 l &> u" may put on womans apparelly to'decuve an enemy with tty for £^^MfT/^*/if^»^iy#7^* 0»^r;, *«**/* fe thti he be- nutiicbri turn- comes a woman, perchance to appeare a truer man, Ar.d c i indiKus de- whether a wife manjvho hath fome ktnde of affurance that his bc.it hoftc de- fife xf\[\be neceffary for the good of men, would rather die with cipere,hoc ip.o co/dt then clothe himfelfe in woman appareR, if he can get no iacia fit»fortal- 9fber. ^ut 6ff^ C^a^ ^0 we jha II confider more in another si vci ior,vir place. For vertly thoufeeft how much examination it requires, futurus.Ecutiii to confider how far thefe things ought to be proceeded iny led fapiens qui ali- mtn fad into certaine mexcu fable uncleanveps. And fo he ^T^f^ leaaes the Qiieftion undecided. Mm Firmicm Mater- turn nabeatj ^^ neceffaria fore *w>De Errore Profanarum ReligtOKumJib c.^.Bibl.Patrum. utJin fuam re- 7W.4. p.i 08. 1 09. writing oFthe effeminate Sodomiti- bus liumanis,' Call xJMaU-'Piiefli of Venus, 7 who clad themfeltocs in wo- naalit emon W4WJ apparelLznd were. afterwards put to death by Conftan- fernine'is ve- r*ne r^ Great for their unnatnrall lewfaeffe, as Eu[ebius(De fti_bus,G almd P*f* (fonft anting hb^.cap.%^& lib. 4. cvi/?. 2 5. ) records : adn'fitjanuciri, hath this notable paffage. The Affyriansy who worflxp the Sedde h6c,ut Aire under the name of Venus, have vertly effeminated this it um dt,ali- £/cmeMt blino moved I hww not with what Venerathn. tfhe- iebimus. , , ' - •? .. . > ^ , , . _ . __ Profccfco enim r^ MCM>J* the Aire is interpojea betweene the Sea ana Hea- cernis>-qtiant2 veto, doe they worjhip it with the effeminate voyces of their iaqtuficionis Priefis ? zTdl me, ar f/;w /^ caufethat they feekf a woman ^digeatj^ua. in a man ^ whom the Quire of their Priefis cannot other-wife < -cc'i debeanr" /^VfJ vnleffethey effeminate their countenance joltjh their sk*»t ne in quafdam a3^ differ ace their mafculine fex with womantfh atttre^&cl ihexcufabiies They ejfemimtely adorne their long nourip;ed haire , and mrpitudines being clothed in delicate garments, they fear ce fupport their ilitte**^ bead with their wearied necke. Afterwards, when they have y Punbas- PiK*. l^HS €flr^ged themfelves from being meny ravifhed with Bdpkc j4.chap. the nmfcke of Tipes they call upon their Coddejfc^c. * Dicrnihi,hoc:ineeft quod in viro teminam qu-crunt,cui aliter fervire ficcrdo- tani UiOiiim chorus non pocefl}ni(i efisminent vuhum, altera poliant, & vnitcm ftxunomatumuliebri dcdecorent,&c? Exornint muliebriter nutrito's crinesj & dehorns .amidi veftibus vix caput lafl'ic.er viie fuftentant, Deinde cum fie fc alie- nos a viris fecerint, idirnpleti tibiarnm cantu voc«\at Deam fiunij&c. Ibidem* *What P/ rt. i. Hittrio-M affix. 1 95 ir^ti be reputed women, but the quality of their body con- *ium? NPe„arir /f/frf/b '£' contrary. C9n[l^€Y w^at ^eitJ H ** which is thus de- fe viros eft?, & lighted with the entertainment of an impure body, which ad- font : Mulieres heres touxchafte members, which u at toned with the filthy pol- ^ Jolunt credi> /»//i erum hs non eit veftem mutnre,& neqj huic quide toga indui;illi vero infuu,& muiiebri te^umento capitis. Hon enim erit,inquitjviri oraitus fuper rr.ulie:.e,neq5 inducttir Yir vefte muiiebri : muici magis ha:c nonfunt mutanda^&c. Ibidem. Cc 2 there- \96 Hifirio-Mafiix. Part. i. »^— ^ —————— — therefore are font sy both of them fmne , Jf hen as they confound this good order t and the conftitution of God, and tranfgreffe then limits \heftn falling downe to the humility and da eft ion efthe woman ; fhejn riftng up agaivft the many by her apparell a»d(hape. For tftt he not law full -for them to interchange their garments, neither for a woman to bee clad in a. mansGowne; nor for a man to be attired in a woman* Gowne^orVaik^ for he faith ; Neither ill all the ornament of the man be put upon the woman ; neither /hall the man be clad in womans apparell, Deut.2 2. 5. much more are not thefe things to be changed^c.To pafle by Qamafcerr, Paralelhrum.lib.2.cap.6^. together with Beda Expfitio in . VeuteroHom.c.ii.Qperum. Tom 4. p. 1 64- who condemne mens putting on of womens apparell from this Text, which they recite : that elegant Btfiqftf Marcelles^Sal- * See lib. tf.De *'*»> doth exceedingly tax the Romanes for permitting Gubein.it. Dei men to wearre womans apparell, not onely in ordinary throughout, converfe; but * even upon the Stage* * who (writes he)* Qins credere, CQH^ fcjeeyg $jr Jjeare that menfhould have turned into a wo. aut emm audi- n i / • r \ / re poflitjcon- M*vt/b patience, not onely their ufe and nature ; but tven their verciffe in mu- countenance jacejhabtt, and all what feevcr tsin thefeXj or m hebrem tole- the ufe of a man : all things were fb turned upfide downey that rantiam viros, whereas nothtnq ouohttobe morcfhamefulto menjhen that they taritum at ue J"0U'"J*€me to "AVe anJ vomanijb thing tn them; there nothing naruram,iecl didfeememorcdijhonefttocertaiKemcn, then that they fhould ctiam vukum, feewc to be men in any thingy&c? § This therefore is more to inceiuiiTijhabi- tum,& totumpenitus,quicquid aut in fextt eft aut in ufu viri": adeo verfum in di- verfum omnia grant, ut cum viris nihil magis pudori eflc oportcat,.qua fi muliebre aliquid in fe habere videantur ; illic nihil viris quibufdam tuipius videretur^ quam ft" in aliquo viri videremur. DeCkb(rfiat,rDei,hb-7.p.i6^.z6^ t Illudvero magis ingemifcendum atq; lugendum eft, quod tale hoc fcelus crimen etiam tctius reipub. . videbatuu. Et univerfa Romani nomims di^nitas, facinoris prodigioh* inurebatur infamk.Cum enim'muliebrem habitumviri ftimerent,& magis quammulieres gra- dum frangerent, cum indicia fibi quasdam monftruofe impuritatis innecterent, & fxmmeis tegminum illigamentis ut capita velarent,atque hoc publiee in civitatc Roinana vrbe illic fumma ac celeberima;quid aliui quam Romani Imperi) dedecus erat, ut in medio Reipubltcae fine execrandifTimum nephas ]?alam licerec adrau- tij&c ? ibidem page 1*5. 166/^267,168. fa P A rt. i . Hiftrio-cMaflix. 1 9j londifci be lamented and fitttedjbat this Jo great a wickcdneffe didfeeme the crtrne of the whole Common-wealth ; and the whole dignity of the Roman name was branded with the infamy of this prodi- gious mekfdnejje. For when men fhould clothe themfelves in womans apparellyand become more effeminate then womentand cover their beads with feminine attires, and this fubltkjly tn a Roman City, yea, in the mo fl famous and chief e Ctty there ; what el ft was it jbut the fhame of the Roman Empire, that in the middeft of the Gommonweale this moft execrable wicked- neffe fhouldbe tolerated without controll ? Aftcrms Bifliop of Amzfea, who flourifhed about the yeere of our Lord, 390. in his Homily , In Fefium Kalendarum. Bibl.Pa- { tr*m.Tem.w.joyC.D. writes thus : h That m thisfeaft, ^^IesT the people did learne the infamous and dtfhoneft arts andftudies mhoneuSs of Stage-placers }fom whence effeminacy anddtffoUtwn of man- Scenicorum uers did proceed, Doth not that valiant man, that man of cm- a» 'tes ac *Wia, rate , who is admirable in his armes. and formidable to his enc- ,? moihties j .iii jr si, i acdiiiolutio w*es, degenerate into a woman with his, vailed face f he lets his morum Non- coate hang downe to his ankles, he tmfts a girdle about his brefi, ne velato ere he puts onwomensfhoes,and aftef the manner of women^be in farminam pktsacawle upon his bead'}moreover>he carries about a diflaffe ae£enerat i^e with woolL anddrawes out a thred with his rivht hand, where- ornSj „ a" With be bath formerly borne a trophie, and he cy.tenuatethhts iljeinarmi#' ffirit and vojee into ajhriller and wemanifh found, Thefe are fuis admirabj- the profits of this folenmnis0t thefe are the commodities and hsj hoftibus - fruits of this dayespubiikefeaft. O folly ! O blindneffe ! &c. frraidabili*? So vehement is this godly Bifhop againJM|pis unmanly t^demiccit practice, even in cafe of Stage-play es, which he much ZonampedcK condemnes. Our learned Country-man, Alchuvmus, ri circumvol- writing, of the frattices of the Vagan 'Romanes on the Ka- yit, calcea- lends oflanuary, now our New-yeeres day ; informes us ; ™em,? mull Sccca their rajment one from the e\her :.. it muft needs be a viola- ^f'~ V* f tion of the very diclates of nature', for a man to clothe flux ^c^nsiu^ himfelfein that apparel which nature and cuftome have in p^&ora Ve- prefcribedto another fex, as mif-becomming his. A&ftes-fcinde pu- 0 nature itfelfe doth teach men, that it is afhame for them to er,fcinde^&e. fvearelonahaire (though our moderne Ruilians glory in .¥&*£** hb. u • \ , % .; _ \ D „ 7 - -. • Sec D. Remotes it) btcaufe tt P ts naturally proper unto women,to whom it is 'OyerVow o* given for availed covering: fo much more doth it teach Stage-piaycs* men, that it is a deteftable, unnaturall, (hamefuli thing p.n.13. forthem,toput on womans attire to acta Strumpets n See JMkrofe part. Hence men in womens,and women in mens ap- p^'m^^^ parell have becne ever odious, Witneffe 3 Hdiogabalus, VoyaWSste- vus Orbis,Munfers Ccfmograpb. "Been us De Moribus Gentium, Stnabo&otarduSiLeriufi and all other Hiftorisns and Cofmogrrphers. ° 1 Cor. 1 1. 14. See ji mbrofe iHicnnh TwrnJiutyCkryfoftomeiTheodwetiSedul^Rmigius^cday^ andmy Vnloveimefle ofLove-lockts,p.8.to 16. P iCorji.i 5. See Glbfla Ordi- nms^Lyra^Bidinger^Calvm^arloratiZnd others on the 1 Cor. u> 6. accordingly*. * Latnpidij He/iogfl^/^jf^^op/^ReiUjRom.l.io.foli i4„i 1 5 .Zonaras AnnaLTom ,. a. foI,io*6"«& 107. % " I Sfortu «• zoo liiftrio-Maftix . Part.i. ■ Ismtmi 'Hero 'SporusSSardatapalustT^ro^aligitlaJSuetonij Cdig.fetl. ^d.zC^zonaras 5 2.54A' others;together with the* Mafe-priefts ofFenus, Annai.l.2,f.o8 * r&* Roman Gallt or Cinadt,thc paffive Sodomites Yin Florida, h.Eutro{m,\.y. z Gayra, and *Peru; who clothing ihcmfelves fovtetimesf f ' °/r'1HC >°J **r alwayes in womans appareS (as did alio b tVtlltam Btfhop JttZ^vtn. °fElJ to his ^ame?) "refer this, recorded to pofterity , ^ rte 1. 1 z.'c. 1 ». 1 3 . wrj monfters of nature, and thefoame, the (cum ofmen.Wiz* V'wdoru* Sicu- neiTe the c Inkeepers of Fez* at this day, who attjting them- lus.Bibl Hift, fdves like women ,f?aving their beards, and becommingeffe- ^V^nVf minate in their jpeech, are fo odious to thefe very Infidels % wno are taugnt not oncty ky the light of nature, VuaConft. but of the#d gojpeltoo, to hate fuch beaftly male-mon- L3.cn. mlm iters in the fliapes o§ women ? And as the verdift of Yirmitui, De human nature condemnes mens degenerating into wo- • Err?re ^T^" men ; fo from the very f elfefame grounds, it deepely Itourn!c.4ep«r- ^fures tnc af piling of women above the limits of their thas Pilgrim, female fex, & their metamorphofis into the fhapes of Booke 4. ch.7. men, either in haire,or appareli. As nature dictates to x ?to l*d*us, men, c that it is afiiamefor them to weare long h*tre, or wo* r kCC1 hcri- ncs attondeat quos ei Dcus ad fubieclionis materiam tribuit, vel habitum mutat, & pro folito muliebri amiftum vinlem fumitjtanquam praeceptum diflblvens obe- diential ^anathema fit. ibid* Canon.i 3.i7 together h-t|^--8^p With C afo w, Bui linger, Afar tor at, Lyra,& Gloffa Ordmaris, pi,a ^ Anno 1 58^. apud Bochellum. De- l.j.c.i J.Nice* frffd, Ecclefi*. Gallican£. lib. 6* Tit* p. cap. ii/W^vctf.Ar^ Cwhofewordl would our man-women Eneliiri Gal- S^°s/;£i^ lants would confider) exprelly teach us ; * that even na- I , .,rs J# acT ture herfilfe abhors to Jee a woman fborne or polled ; that a wo- ^Sy.U,Baro^ man with cut hatre in a filthy (peffacle, and much like a mon- w & Spondanm, fler; and k that all repute it a very great abjurdily for a wo- An-57.ie(°c.27. man towalke abrode with P.:wne hatre ; for this u all one as if ,„'**<. °l32 Jbejbomd take vpon her the forme orperfon of a man, to whom ^n '0^.84.^ fhert cut hair e is proper , it being natur all and comly to wo- iNaturaih- mento xourijh their hatre, which even God and nature have quit, ipfa p.b- given them for a covering,* token of fubieftion^ and a natural! l^retmiiiie- badge to difitnguifhthsmfiom men. Yet notwithstanding, n^re^fSifmdl as our EngliOi Ruffians' are mctamorphofed into v;o- cSpca^ & men in their deformed * frizled lockes and halre^\omonftri 'inftar, our Englifh Gentlewomen, ( as if they all intended, to &c.Calvin.J~ inane men outright and weare the Breeches, or to be- f^fe\ come Popiili Nonnes) are now growne fb farre pah: ahfu5um ajuij iliame, pail modefty, grace and nature, as to clip their omnes ef haire like men with lockes and foretops, znd to make mulicr atfbii- : this Whorifh cut, the very guife and fafhion of the ^conr. pro- times, to the eternal! infamy of their fex, their Nation, a^vf/^-7 and the great fcandail of religion. Yea, the ttmlaturaU kermHe'eftet fliameleSe Papifts, bidding as it were profefied defi- acfi viri in ic ancebothto God, to nature, fJMofes, and S. TauJ, haue tranfnm'crcc peiTonam, Sec. ' 'Bulmy>WA& JMarloitot. Jbidm. * Which frizkS haire is condemned by Can- al. Conftantinop 6. Cm, 96. & Synodus Turonica, 1 5 B 3 . Concil, Bku- nenre 1584. apud Bochellum. D d made 201 Hiftrio-Maftix. PA RT.r. iBarmna & made this 3} [okmne Ccnmony at the admiffion vf all their Stondanm&n- 'H?*ines tTlt0 &*& ***My orders, to yoll then heads, and cut naJ.Eccl.Aimo their hairc, in token that they are now immediately efpoufed 57. fc5 wno cut tneir hairc.) An unnaturall m unchri- Cenk'iz. Col. fhanpjamcfullpraclife, derived (as n th em felvts acknowledge) 5? 7 4 1 s0*1-.}"'* ;/>;«"« '^ PH'iUcts Synopfis Papifmi p.? 54-5 5 5- & E>. J>ty« & M CcrtWrights N otes on iThef ^ . fe<5t. i n Bar mum & Spondanm An. 5 7 .(eft, 2.7. '«;.'//# W'/«fi/cf»^,Theolo ;i 1 liinfconfuitorii 1 Locus 3.8.p.fo8.° Plin Nat Htft I. . 5 c. 1 z.baYonm>Sl QtfdAnufiWwdeclgyZnd others qua fupra. Martial. Epig 1 9 Ep. 1 8 27. F Lyra on 1 Co-. 1 1 .6 BarMl&^iondaimjyirMcliyS^u fupj#. SJam lllud fi d.ici poreft, qua ln6:.iioi:c ridiculu eft, quod rurius invencrut ad defenflone crinium fuoul Vjrii ihquiuntaproiiibuit Apoftolus habere corn a. Qui aKtcmcaftr.iverutfeipfos propter re^nu csioru>tatri noh ir.nt vn-i.O'dementui fingulaie,&c! Aitg.DeOpcrc Mon&cborUi c.i-:rm- r C7 & la.Coi ent Germanesana* ' thers, did ufe tofhame and punfh notori- o^vthe Ana-. ous Adult ere (fes And whoresfy fh aumg off their1 haire, is the tohny^f the mod tVKomwicmt>umfhmcnt that could befall them.* Hence the n$ ,n OI?: ancient Roman Smpereurs did ufually pUKiJh Adulter effes by 0.m ^c<\^Xm cutting their haire, and then thrufiixg them into a Mcnaflerjy ci: feet. 1 1. to doe penance there, the true origin all of this Popifh crtfteme. tTacki^sD^ And hence the French Synode under. Pope Zachery, in the MdtifeusGas yeerc 742. decreed, y That if any Names and holy Virgins J^^j* did fall into adultery (as many did) they fhouli be thrice whip- tl^ : Oentiu! ped, t hen caft inte prtfon for an whole yeere, and hive all the l.?.c.i 2. A/#?;- /w/r* of their headjhaven quite away ; f* w*/^r /^w odious j^» Cofmo^. [. for ever after, yet Romamits glory in this their femi- j ;CJ * -At***** nine tonlure of their Nonnes j Whereas the Counccll of ^a^JS^ & * A'imtnum under Con/Ian tins (as if it had been e pur- s'paubom An. pofely fomoned to convict the Papifts oi hertfie in this %j.kc\ 27 .Ca*. very Ceremony of inftalJing Nonnes)together with the FK ^" F^-n- Councel of ^Ga^ra^coVid^PxincdEuflattusfor an hereticjkc- c°l" *■* c 2. Sc Quo d mulier e s comamde tender emonutjfet : for that he had fj' ^V u VunbasVAa.X 5 ^c.5.9. & I. {fc5< appare/l, or men of theirs, efpecially for merriment. To *?.tutmbiJm+ pafTeby b £*w**, who dad her iclfe m mans apparell t* Tom. X . pare avoyd we rage of the Tyrant tJAUximmtan ; together with 545. 346." that mirror of conjugall fidelity, c Empona,*who cut her Afmij. Ho- haire. and wore mans apparell left jhe fhould betray her Huf. mtlin. Quod yai1{^ Iulius Sabinus, being difcovered, with whom (he hied non icec cr. jeeresin avauh .as d ' Tacit m relates ; with fome * other mjtter.eus.orej * J ,. , ' . 1 , , ' , J„ , •Scc.Bibl.P.T.4 a^^-" rorinerly mentioned, who have cut their haire and p.7C7.G.Te- put on mans appareS for learning, danger, or religion fake » tmi?i$mw 1. whofepradtiie I cannot approve, fince God and nature 18. VwJ;e&.c, boirii condernne it : I £hail onely remember two Stories l*hd\ ] dc.i •<. rnore» very pertinent to this purpofe. The nrit is of the e5ee D* j 8, 4. ' Argiv&,or{ Grecian women of Argosy ho driving Cleomenes & Ifiodor Pe- King of Sparta from their beficged City m tier the condutt of lufiotes. Epift. Tclttilhythemoftofthe Argiz/t being flaine before thefie^e; l.i.Ep. 5 1 .See ^ Yemembranct of this their victory, ordained a feaft on the fe- ^IhovcAocks vent b day of the fourth monetb, wherein they exercifed their , p.44,to49- ' HibrifticafacrajCr contumelious folemnittesfm which they i'Plutarclrui De clothed women m mans appare'd, and men with womens haire- Vinutiinis laces, vetles, and head attires : (inverting the very courie JMieraJTom. 0f nature both in the male and female Tex : ) And with- kj6 hkethele mannilh ^r^z^cuer-ruhng nature and thuir c%<$t nktt-;^f Husbands both at once. The fecond Hiftory is that of thii m rhe*Ty- 1 &Ariflodemus the Tyrant , furnamed effemmaie, becaufe he '*& or'Erythr.c Wore Ion? worn amfh haire, for1 which the very Barbarians did m -nmf3Js Su's condemnehtm. This unnatural! Tyrant entevorix? to iffemt- •" ^ »<*/* the Cum aans, commanded and taught their Toutios to rQ~s e*ercebai * nourifh thek haire like W3men,to colmy it yellow, to cur k and omnia (Via fu- embroyder it, andbinde it up in phsllets-, and to weare fainted f^m fiagnia. ««W embroydered Cownei and gay memts untiR-thty were pafi 20. J f^ yeeresofaoe. tAndwtthallhe competed their women to cut «. V "V ;.wi- i.»" 1 ' i-t«^ lextis iititi- thtir haire round, and to put onmxns apparel*. Which lh- turara ipecicn vertion of the courfe of nature in both (zxqs (condem- habitus, ut in Tied by m Plutarch, as a tyranny beyond all his other wicked- viJls softfic?.- mjfes) did make him fo execrably odious to the Cuwmvs, that P1^ ®£pfl(t~ they rofe up with one accord againfi him and flew him, together tia-cririifi quod with all his pofterity, as deteftable and worthy rutne both with max i me virgi--- Godandman. It is evident then by all thefe premiies : nrbusirifignc that the putting en of womans apparel,and fo econverfc ^/^\ d' (,r" is * an unnatural and tea* jbamef till, zn abominable ad : 5^^^ concumulatus in verticem ipflim capitis fuo arcem ambitu crinium contegat. lfodf,r BifpaUnJis.QrigmHm.1. 794.1$. * See Pmbas his Pilgrim.cap.5i. according, Dd 3 therefore xos Hiftrio-JHaflix. Part. therefore to put it on to act a Play, mud needs bee fuch. 2 Secondly, as it is an unnatural!, fo likewife it is an effeminate ad to put on womans apparcil, especially to play a womans part. This ail the fore-quoted Amharsy together with 48 5. Scene 3. abundaudy Leftifie : This " HiTjs nixA-.i Plutarch 0u\ Dtonyfius Haliicam^ff us in the now recited corpore : ; . Hiilory of Artftodemus the Cum&4n Tyrant ; together njoiancfciac- witn Orofias.SttetdrtMS, n Pbdeludc SpwaUbM on a womans rayment, gefture, countenance and beha- - e -.« p.io^. vjOLirj t0 acT- a \Vhores,a Bawdes, or iome other lewd, o 5:cms 108 laidvious females part? If this bee not effeminacy in * S;c Punbat ' Cne iuparlative degi\e,I know not yet what cfrlminacy his Pilg.cs 1. meanes. But if it be effeminate, as * allmufl grant,then p j Cor.^.9,10 ft inuft needs be finfull yea abominable, fince ?efsmtna- j ■■!• 5.19^1- ^.. ^ £^ an odtous anda condemning finne. as both Sci'ip- Eph.4 19 Mi- 1 t- 1 j ,.<=»> r liiuin 1 Chrifci tures aiK* Fatners doe pro&aime it. verd,aihiImoI- Thirdly, a mans putting on of vvomans apparell, be Jedsccc. mbrofit toacla Play, <\is a dtfhonefi, immode/t, and mfeemcly Tn.irMTfa:.;8 thing, which becomes not Chriflians or religion: it is See Vmebai &s a thing of ill, not good report -t a thing not bonefl, but vile *SeeS/Wer«4 a»d filth} tn the fight of all mtn, as the fore-aileaged Au- DeTheatro.li thors, and Ail <>. Scene 3. together with every ingeni- c.5o.si,fz, 0:1s mans confeience and experience teitifie. There- q 4*breC ire- fore it muft needs be .iinfiili, as the recited Fathers, ***>P*bm>**r and * Marzindl Texts of Scripture will more fully evi- bmgtm, on the , *• r < 7.Co:nmAnde- d^nce- jrenr, iad all the fore.quoted Authors.p. r iCor.i 1 .1 $5Iie, and oker annoyances: to* pat men u ^jyl * 2*v in minde of their penu>y, their mortality, h their ffirttttall do- x p^-^ fe"cu£J thing from Heavenyandthe like ; and c f. fe«" Nowamansattyring himfelfe in womans array,.asit ™n^ec"ncte- ferves for neither of thefe good ends for which gar- -^* ."l *' meats were at firll ordained ; which proves it a meere y sVmm 1 Tnc~ ahufe : fo it perverts one principal! ufe of gar- ologI&7. p^Va- ments, to difference men from women ; by confounding^]- Qy^ft. J 2 f.. terchangingjtraiisforming thefe two fexes for the pre- ^?d^:*' fent,as long as the Play or part doth laft. If therefore "^!; * fit hxc eft tota ratio dan-mationis, perverfa admimftratio conditicnis a con J ids. rcYtuLDcSpH:ictTcfn.?.p.;S^. J Gen,},2i.Rev.2..j8.Pro\v7.i6. 2 Chron.^Rj /, Mat. 1 $4 6,4$. iCor.^.t, * Iob.ji. 19,10.0.14. 7, 8, Hag r.6.Mat. 6. 25. to*^.' *Rev.3 .1 7,1 8/Ezech.i *4f>o 1 3,3 9,4.0, Alexander Fabrit'ius, De'rtru&oriunl Vino- rumpus 6,c,2 Obfyaiu De Livxu Veftium. The Homily agairift ExctiTe in A^ra- reil. b lCor 5.i,'23j.Rom,T2.i4.'Rev,?.iS^<,7.94GaI.^?7.Epb44jX4 This the deteftable examples of ?'c%ns^o™L n Heltogabalns , ° Sardanapalus , P Nero &Sportis , the kam,V od ,E<. 'ton,l.a\c 'Jf'illiams ', Ames ,& al others on the 7.C6mandement,& on Deut. 11. j .quoted before. Pfo/o Iftd^adDe Specialisms Le?ibus,p.ioj9.io6o.De Vita Co- templ.p. 1109.1 110. & D.Kc/tfoJds Overthrow of Stage-play€s}p,8.t0 2$.& 8$.toioz k Gen.^8,b\& Ro.i.zi Deiu.i$. 1a.11. l Kom.ui^}i6,i7, m Hph.5.3,4. * Lam[rt>d'if Hefwg^/^E«^ffpwi,Rer$,;RomJao;.^i*4'*i3i 2d«iwMiinal.Toinr*.fol.ro6.1o^. Grimftons ImpeiiaHHift.pa^f ,ijp. ra *«&.?*;# Dipn.l.i 2. c im? .I#/ft».Hift.l.r,0f|d y^tiift \.i.c-.i9. DiodomSkulus ■^ihl.Hift.l.a.feft.ij.S/f/rfjde^'. Impevijs,I.i.p.i7. P SuctDVij NeroM£t.%$ ^J^onaras Annal.Toru^f.98.b. Zutxop\m\ behaniour. «wcarfifca(faic« Andmore efteciaily Yin longttn(hQrnewmartnt[h,frixJe&>lt*ft- fo,^a™ra^ xniuria,ut amatoribus quidem eorum melius confulent,6ce.T,Wtf *£* K/ta Contempt. l.p.xixo.& £>e Specialibus Legibws,p. 10 79.1060. SttSuetov'y Nffofe&.iS. Atht- ritM Dipn.l . 1 3 .c. 17 . Suetont/ Tiberitujcd . 4 $ .n.Vhnyfitei HaUtcarnaf. Antiqu.Rom. L7.C.1.* Suetony ?(er Oyfed. zS .Herodoti Vrama.p.48 z.j«i/ffftf/.Satyr.6.p. 54.77.^- brof.HtxacmX^ .0 $.Btf/j/.;0sMag.Dc Vera Virgimtate,Tom.i.p. 167.ro 173. jtuytfi. DeCiv.Dei.l.7.c.i4.^»tf/?tf/^Sianita, Quxft.66.Bibi.P.T.6.pars I.p-7 7 4-77 5. ThiloDc Specialibus Legibus,p. 1079.1 060. Sc De Vita ContempL p. 1 109.1210, Seduliniin iCor.c.6\f Grandiorespueri,loti,nitidi,fucatiq; ac cincinnatulij ahint capilhtium vel ommno intonfi,veia fronte tantum proefeciis in orbem crinibus. Nunc eogloriantur qui patrat Sc qui paduntur muliebria,erf^minati corpoxe mxta afq; animo,nc fcintillam quidem retmentesgenens. mafculi,prcpalam pleftentes cincinnos ornantefq;,&c, 7>Jb& De Vita Contempl.p-i 208 . & De Spccialibw Lepbrn,?. x 07 9.See ^tmbrofe lrtnao>& RabaiuuJMaurwn Deut.l.i.c.20.?(ii^ien^w Oratio 17 p.460. accordingly. Eft apud eos confuetudo ut puen ufqj adimpuberem aetatem purpuramjcapillorumqj nodos auro revindos geftent. MbtrtKiDipnA.i t.*.6. See lib.i o.c.6, & 1. 1 i.e. 19. Affiftunr pueri coma nitentes ex gente barbarica ad hoc ufus Eledi. Ambrofe De Eiia& leiunto. c.x$, Difcant a te co-Hpifcopitui,comatu!cs pueros & comptos adolefcentes fecum non habere. Eernard De Conp(Uratione.l.$.c.6. Ariftodemus iuflit mares more virginum comam alere,eamqj colore fiavo mficere, cincinnofq;facereJ&reticuiisc3piUos religire & piccis atq; talaribus togis indui, palliolis tenuibus acmollibus amiciri, & ill umbra degere.Eos autem comitabattir ad ludum faltatorum & tibicinum,puerorummagiftra: mulieres, & ipfjc lavabanc eosallatis ad balnea pectinibus & fpccuiis.Talicducatione corrumpens pueros do- nee annum aentts viceiimum implevifleut.Sed quum his alijiq; mulris modis cum contumclia illufiflet CumxiSjfiC a nullo Hbidmis genere temperrifetj&c. una cum totaftirpc excilus eft.DimyfHaUicarn.^ntiqu. Romanor. I.7. c.\y:S 1 4. & Plutarch De VtrtklibHsMulierum&JcrTom.i.v.m.j 45. Nero mfignes pingtuflima coma adc- lefcentulos & ex eel leu fli mo cuitu pueros undiq- clegir,qui diviii infactiones pku- fuum genera condifcerent,&c.S/tffiw* tfero fcR.zo .Sec iS.Cnidmfq; Gyges ,Quem iipueliarum inferereschoro, Mirefagnces fr.lleret hofpites, Difcrimcn obfeurum fclnns cnnibus,ambiguoq; Yi'iltu Horace Carm.l.t. Ode 5.Puer quis ex aula capillis. Ad cyathu ftametur un&is'/*Mr £ffl?0„'.i.Oif i9.I,petc unguentum pue: & coronas, E e provoking no. Hifttio-Maftix. Part.i. ■*■■ — — | ' »' ■ ■-. r>ic& vo\xxfrov°kl»£ bMrc **A Love-lock* j (growne now too much propcret &ex in rafhion with comly Pages,Youthes, and lewd cfftmi- i*, Myrrhcum liate ruifianly perfons ;t$ they were with thefe unnatu- nodo cohibe- rafl pagans, \ darc not write, to amorous beaftly pur- M^Ode?™' Poles> z t0 whkh tha?peq; mutatas diipofuiflecomas^Quidfucofplendente comas redimue?quid.ill.;s» Artificisdofta.fubfecuiffcmanu?Ti^«/Zw5f//g./.i,£/^.8. Vnus de toto peccaverat orbe,comnru AnnuluSj&c.Ocfinenm Lala^c trifles ornare capillos., Tangat 8c inlanu nulla puella c*puti&.c.Martial.E't ig.LzJZpig.46, Tu invemle decus fcrva^ ns pulcricH ilie In longa tueri; quam breviors coma.Hos tibi laudatos dominoru voce capillos. Illetuus lanamifit ab urbc puer: Addidit 6c nitidu facratisenmbus orbc* QV>i^hx facies indice totafuit. ld>.m E/vg./.9 «£/>/£. 14. Copfiliu forms fpeculum, d.iiUc(Vpcap.llos Pergameoprofuntdona.iacratadeo3Illc puer tanto Domino gratify timus auh3Scc.Nec Ganymedeas mallet habere comas, lbid.Epig. 1 3, Noluera Po- lytimc tuos violate capiiIos,&cpcriti{q; nitebat Crinibus SpigA.i z.Epig 68 . See /. I q.epig.z 1.15,14,1 34 Ex or nam muliebrirerniuritos cunts 3&c Julius Firmkns ,12* Errorc Frofari Kclig c 4.MoiIes funt,cum quibns virile perficituricelusj 6c quoru vi- riliain pueritiacaltrabantur3&c. Eide Matrimagnx; contra onmejn viiorirm, mu? licruqi verccundia corifecrnti fuiM^qui trfq; in extremu diem madidiscapillis,& fa- cie dcalbai.a,incefTu ixmmeoperplateas vicofqi Carthaginisapopulo3URde turpiter riverent exigebant,Sftf/put ambitionem perveria via fecmitur,&c. Seneca Efifi y. See Epifl. \ 14. T>c Brcv. rtt*j. \z& Covlr.L 1 .Troem. See Tibullti*. Eltg.L 1 . Eleg.% . Porpcrtms £leg 1 1 . Elc* z.VetrariijSatyricoj 87 Stob*ns$crm.6.Comx ftudiofius adulteri funt.Homeius enini pnellsr u dtcepLO- em coma: nitidioris amanjte facit^uan ad mulicru corruptc- "iam coma cxornaictur. Nuliuscomauis qui noa etiam cinoedus & impudicuj. lyneyiis QaWrii}ZntQm\Hi7h Ancicxt Pa rt. i. Hittrio-Maftix. z 1 1 indent Symptomcs, as fundry profane and* Qhrifiian Writers * Callus Ttfn- tefiifie: Which ftiouldcaufe all chafte ingenious Chri- dig. jtrmqu. fHans for ever to deteft them, the better to avoyd the LcOmmMb. faares, the badges, the fufpicions of incontinency, and lf*c"8* Co~ this moll filthy finne:>fc mare 'to extenuate this their unna- Z^ut^crcUa turaftmckedne/e9or rather the more freely to embolden 3to *«/- f^licium vel* lure and provoke them to the undaunted, unlamented praElife tniuftorum eft;- ofit% by reducing it at neere to nam all lewdnefe as they could nam quid in «lrw/fc:fincefewofthem were fo prodigioufly impu- ^l^lus cxf^*~ dent,founmeafurablyoutragiousatthe firft, as dei'pe- candumlnS Z rately to rufli upon this unnaturall filthinefle in its fa- lafciuus'ilfe parlative native vileneflfe, without fome extenuating ©mams &dbi- va-rnifties caft into it, to charme their confeiences, and na*pr;etereun. inflame their lufts. Yea this the execrable Precedents ^^^ aut of ancient, of moderne Play-poets and Players witnefle, mo™s T^Cidit- who have bcene deepely plunged in this abominable, sat ? Bafii De wickednefle, which my Inke is not blacke enough to Le&utiliibrU difcypher.' Witnefle the example of Sophocles, that fa- &**&*»■ Orat. mous Greeke Tragedian, whona^fo« ** * ntorrall precept 'founded upon the very Law of on the 7. Com- nature ; becaufr mem pntung on ofwomans rayment u a temf- mandement, tation, an inducement not onelj to adultery y but to the beaftly D.Rem'MsO- finnc of Sodwe, which (faith h Latiantiw ) is mofi properly verdirow, &c caRgd buttery, hecaufe it is « unnaturall. Yea hence (as £ Parum Vnim dfiw hive truely observed) :hofe women who put on mens, videb.Kur t\ in and men who put on womens apparelyzvc faid in this text,not cxptignmda onely to be abominable, but even, to be an abomination, in temmaru mi- t\)t abftracl, to the Lord their God ; becaufe it u an occapon fu"nffcutetu> °ff% a vtoleKt provocation to that monftrons nnyaralleld fmne of pisjuifi ctiam Sodomjy ( h peine defeat enterpretatio erubuit ratio, conticutl fexuijuo iniu- crateo:) which the following f chapter, with feverall g o- ri-im faceret. ther Scriptures, cxprefly ftile ; an abomination to the Lord Ho: eft vcrum 0Hr g6^ Since then it is abundantly evident by all thefc ntUcontr"nac°u. P^mifcs, (and I fuppofe by many Players mil Play- ram, Hxc qui haunters particular experience) that mens putting on of feciy'.denmus womans apparell (h efpcciafly to aft a whorcty a Battdesy or an maximusj Sweet-hearts womanijh wanton part upon the Stagey where all ccncoptimv.s the foliicitations, and inefcating alleclivcs toundean- noncixDe Pal- rr j • \ *\. ... . v fa Relit lib.i.cap. nt"c "oc accornPanv !t0 u a preparative yan tKCendtary , not j o mI 3 6 . only to fundry nojfom e Istfts , to fpcculattvejo praBtcall adult eryy « Cogmndum >\horcdome^arid the like ; but even to the moft abominable un- eft mafculoiu ad mafcules,8c feminaru-n ad fa?mina$focietatemprxtcr naturamefie, & facinus corum qui primj .;b voluptaris inconrincntiam id aufi fucrunt. Omnes cquidem Cretcnuunj de Ganymede fabulam daminmusjvelut qui t Jem rationem in ca in. nuer m m cu leges a loveipfis t adirae credantur hanc fabula. contra lovem efrmx- eiunt, quo fcquctes Dcam,etiam hac voluptate rencrenrur. Valeat igitur hacc fa- hula rlatoLcgumTJJabg.z p'7?i- S?e Rom. 1.16.17. d Ibilojudaue De Spcci.ilibus Lc^ibus.p.icjS.iojpjio^^.^ /vriwoW.* O/crthrow of Stage-pkyes. p. 11. c tedtt- ttus\n 1 Cor 6. f Dcu:.2$.i 7,1 8. 1 Lcvit.i 8.21^25,14. iKing.r^ 14.Ezech.16.50. * D. Remolds Overthrow of Siag€-playcs,p.i o.u ,&c. G effort his Playes Confuted, Auion 2. natural Part. i. Hiftrio-cMaftix. 213 natural [mne of Sodom,1 to Vfbich mem imbrcd corruption \ (as \ Calm Rhod. good Authors teftifie) u over-prow; as the deteftabic Antiq. Led.l, examples of the flagitious k Sodomites, l Canaanites, * f • "p 8. 9. m /ewes, n Gentiles,0 Cortntbtans, P Italians, /*r/, ■ Cbintycs, * £Vr € gayrians, * Peruvians, e lupiter and bis Ganymedes, the tonus. D.ffw- * ancient Prie ft s of Venus, 8 Sardanapalus, h Nero and bis n°Ms& Gof>n, Sforus, » Heltogabalus, and k iw**; o/forj ; yea the frequent 2q h* Sodomiticall wickednefles of fundry * nnboly- popes, Ez^h.'ljo. Cardinals, Popifh * Bifrsps, Abbots, Priefjts, Triers, Monkgs, Iudc 7. (fuch are the unchatt fruits of their vowed and much- ' L^vit 18.21 : mDeut.i3.i73i8.Iudg.i o.i 1524,2 J. i Kmg.i4.t4.! King.13 7.° Rom 1.24.16, 27.Eph.419. ° 1 Cor 6.9 10,11. P MvaruA Pelag. 1.2 Arcici p.89 Bp. Babmgtdn on the 7 Cormndement Bur torn Melancholy,pars ^ .feci 2.p 40 8 Heylms G cog. p. 1 5 j . S Lonicerus Turc.Hift l.i.c 17. Busbcqaius Ep 3 p.i?4.to 1 ^o.purcha* Pilg L3.c10.ij, * Atbcnms Dipn.L13.cx7.*>* .CW/wRhod AntiqXcct.l xs^^^HerudnuX^o^urcbaa P1lg.L4.c7.1 ?luiaYchiiGryUin,&. Amatorws,Atbcnxns Dipn.I.13. c 27 tefttfRhod. Antiq Lecl.Li 5.0.94 tM^»/?«r/Cormogr.l.f 4c4io6,p.i2 2i , Purchat ^ PilgJ^.ci^, * Purcbas PiIg.l,4.c^9.x^/oLcgum.Dial42^.79i,/i^».€«J Dipn,l4i3,c.2 7 .Ari- ftot,Polir,l42,c,8 ,rW///J Rhod. Antiqued J4t5 .0.9. 7 Purcbas Pi lg.l .5 4c«?. 2 ;J«r- C^av Piig.l.8.c,7 .* Fbilolnd*us,T)c Vita Conr.p4izo8,toim. Atbcrueus Dipn;l;i 3. cap.27 .C Purcbas Pilg.l«6*ci 1 , « Purcbas Pilg.l,94ci , d Purcluts Pilg.1,9 icli 1 4 e Pluto legu.Dialog,2.p,791 XuCUntm E>e falfaRelig.c.i o4i x.lulws ¥irmicusy De Errore Profan.Rel1gx.13. ( lulius Fimicus, lb, c, 4. Seduhusm 1 Cor, -^ Hufebus De Vit3 Conftmt,l43.4c453.P'^7*' PiW.l.^c^.S Jtf/?i» HiiU.i^/taf^j Dipn4l.i*4c ,13. l440r0/wHift4l#i«c4i9. h SuctQv'u' 7(w?.fec14i6, Zmaras Anm'.Tom,i4 iol.98 ,b + Eutropius 1 ,94fol4i04. i Lampridy & Gr/tr)ftoKSyHcUogabalHS,Burtom Mehncholy,p -rs 3 , fect42.p44o8 *-5et,4tbcn*us Dipn,l.i2,c.y.l.«3.c4274284zj/«r<.u^i,Gr^.« ScAtnatums, Suetony GalbaSefi. 2 i.cVf/wjRhod.Arniq.I ecriptor4 Brit, Cen,24 p.6oy,Aas of EnglimVot,mes,l.i/.846j,7 54l4i4f46, 19,58,^9,61, 17. His A- f>ology4fol ,5,6,24, /tgrip Dc Vrinitate ^cientiarnm.cap, 63,64, MvarittPehieJus, ib,2,Artic4i.f,8 5 John Wb'itrs VVay.h, fed.59.numb. 9, 10.& Defence, of the W ay. chip.c, numb, 2,3 .ftp.Mortom Proteftanrs Appeale}lib4i 4cip,2, kfl.i6,&ct M> fter Coe^« More worke <*or a MaiTe-Pricft, fev4, 3 z . Barters Melancholy, p^g, 408 . 409, * frbawics Dec a fa, Bifhop of Beneyentum wrote a Booke in defence of SoJomy,where he ttiles it a fweet finne?procl liming with?ll,th\t hee never ufe<\ any other of this nature, but this onely. Burtons Melancholy, page 408, See 4!i>awTclagius De Planclu Ecclenae,fe.fL2.fol,2 3 ♦ Ee 3 admired 2,14 Wflrio-JMaftix. Parsm. « Lcvit.i84zX| admired chaftity:) together with the frequent inhibai* 1lit+*9ejZ*i ons% Lames & Edtcls agatnfl this frodightu villany in ,n Scrip* LVtoi/alfn mw9 ° CounceU ° Heathen States, and in our Englifo 14mI% fans' * Statutes r(prhieh have made it capital!, as a late example i3.7.Eiech.il. of a memorable acl of iuthce on an Englifti Peere can 5o,Rom#i^4t witnes) doe more then teftifie ; it cannot but beein- | ,r7/G^l°r* excu^a^ly fmfull, both in the eyes of God, who litteraU i^Eph^.j *cl ty prohibits it ; and in the light of naturally much more 10.Itt.fe7.Calj of Chriftian men, who cannot but deteft it. And fo by M&M.By fields confequence the Playes themfelves which are artedin Expotitio'.lb, fuchapparell (as all our Matques and Stage-play es for "cWRom. thc moft part are) mufl queftionlefTe bee finncfiilL yea <-onitit. Apoft. » • iTi • c •!• \.7.c.i.CoT\n\ abominable, as mens putting on or womans apparell is* l itbennu. Ca. Thus ai the fore-alleaged CouttcelsJFathers, Authors, do 7i.Concil.An- from henceconclude,8cfomuft I from all the premifes. cyi mum Can # If any now obfeft, that it is farre better, farre more rJsPifai tsb commendable for Boyes to acl: in womans attire, then Pland? Ec- C to ^ring women-Aclors on the Stage to perlbnate fe- clefiar.U.Ar- male parts ; a practice much iii ufe in former times a- tic1.tol.83, mong the ° Grcekes, and P Romans ; who had their 1 ML ^Atbcnxus mdf thei|. Scenic* mttlieres, or women-A&ors ( who «$Pfo3'C,£7 were* all notorious impudent, prefiitutedStrumfsts,) efpeci- Amttriiu cati-. alty m their ( Floralian Entcrludesps they have now their MRhodig,Anri9.Lcajj5,c.8i9. P if .H.8 .c.6,t8 Ji\8,c.i.& 6.}i,ri\8#c.7.$x. H.8.c.$.t,& J.Ed,^.c»i9^.£l»i.c,7.0 Mulieres autem nudo atqj opertQ capitc populii abfq; rubore alloquutur tantaq; praetneditatione impudentia alcifcunt3tan- tamq; Iafciviam in audientiu atq; videntium animos infundunt, ut uno omnes am- mo radicitus modeiha c mentibus evellere, dedecore muliebrem naturam afficere, pcrniciofa roluptatc cupiditatcs fuas implcre conari videantur. (bryftfl. Htm. ?8.«i Mat.Tom.i.p.t^S .C. Sec ThtopbylaR.Sc OecHmemus in. iTim.i .9 .accordingly .& Ckry- /i/J.Hornat.ini Cor, P Summa gratia eius de fpurcitia concinn.ua eft, qna mi- mus etiam per mulieres reprsfentatfexum pudoris exterminans, ut facilius domi quam in fcena erubefcant.Ter^/.T)* SpefocJ.i 7 . q Htraci Serm .1 .1 .Satyr,t s p.i 6j . Y,i«MimK.,,3c qua? ludibrio corporis fui quxftu taciunt,publice habitu earu virgi- uum qua: Deo dicatx funt,non utantur.J«j?i&,Co!/jaiJ.i . Tit. 7 . fejtf.j . See luji'mam Nevel.io^,3c<)StSc BulengerusDc Theatro,l.i.c,yo.ji.* Cbryfafi .Horn, n.in i.Ep, ad Gor.Tertul.De Speaaculis.c.i7.B*/*wger«iDe TheatroJ, i.e. 50,71 JuftinutntNo- vd.9S.8c io^.Cajjioderusvar'mi.1.7 Xpift.io . r O^.Eaftorum. lib.j .pagjSg.igo, JUBant'ms De Falfa#ReligfKi.c.to/Iuvcnal,Satyr^,B«/^gi'rff< Dc Theatro.libj* ajo.LuAwKHi Vires ,Notx in Angufi.Dc Civ,Dei,iibtt,c,8t female- Part. i. Hiftrio^Wlaftix. Z15 female-Players in Italy, and other forraigne parts, and * In Michael, as they had fuch French-women 4&ors,m a Play 'not long Jpm** l6lK}t (ince perionated in £lacke-fiffrsPiay-houfeyto which there ♦ SeejX/»« was great reibrt. De lure Con- I anivver firft,that the very ground of this objection fc1et1ae.U5.c3g isfal(e,unleirethe objectors can manifeft it to bee a re^-3°en Oratto 27. ^.460. rem minime & Adverftu tJMalieres ambttiofipufe(e or Mantes. p.992,&c* decent tortos which I would our plaiftered pompous lezJfkAVcnld fe^ Cl,.nes» perufe. By Cyrilins Alexandrines in Hejatam.l^^c .3. By nimLt^c a?^1 Hierom. Epi/r.j.cz.Zptft.S. c.5.10. Epift. iO. r.2. 5 . £p//?. deccris & ok- 3 6s-2+Epift 2Z,. & Adverfm Uvinianumx 9. By Chryfi- eij cbiica vi- /*#"** Chrtfliana.L^c.2l.& Spifl 73 .By F*/- entire!* gentius Epifl. ^.adTrobam. By Bernard, De Modo Vivendi ChnfHams ^ Sermo 9. P,c"",r» : . _ > . y J * /J > . n per bona, cpera ther Commentators, on the 1 Tim. 2 9. and on the 1 Pet. prpfiterr,mere- 3 . 3 . By Alexander A lenfsffbeologta Siima, pars 4. t§tt*/h trido more m- I l. Artic*2.fett.^- Alexander Fabrtttus Deftritttortum vnio- to:ns enmbus r«w.p*r; 6.C.2 7< 9. j4/t/.*riM P*/**'*/ De VlanfrviEcelefiz. !ll-d;t,s "P"*" lib.i.lrttc.Jo.fol, 2^0. Ljuij Waldenfia. pars 2 pag.^%. fe Veluc nimdi- tzAEveas Sylvivs.Epift.lib.l. Ep:ft.i66* Joannes Fredericks, naritias porulo De LnxuFeftiHm.lib. By. Biiliop Hooper JSi&ioip Babi^g- espot.ere. Ideo ton, Mailer fohin, Perkins, DoJ/Do^bam, Brmfy, Lake, non trn l"1 ylr- Etton,mlUams.on'the n. Ccmmandement. and fundrv 0. Sltt«fedcriam m t: I ' e ■ es t ; itor- therDiuines in their Treaties of Apparell yV ride and Lux- tiscrinibus' ac uryy and in their Expo futons on J fay $ and the fore-quottd ni(i vclatis ca- Scriptures ; who abfolutely cenfure, the very ttje and wea- pitibus ac pe- j$nz*f- fitch apparell (much more the ordinary abufeofit a°/e(Pori/^" m lafciuious Epterludes) as a bei*g the incendiary offojljbe ™!^c roV hibemus,&c SynodmTnromca,/ln 1583. Atud Bock Hu.V- acta SccU.GaU 6.Tit.9*ciu fid.Ccncil BiturjsSA.Jbid.c.ii.* See My VnlovelinelTe of Love-locks. p.4£.to 58, F f fomentation z 1 8 Hifttio-Maftix. Pa rt. i- w Non de i ate- f^mey.tauon of pride, the occafion of adultery , the b badge oftn- graconfeicntla conttmncy: condudtngit to be altogether unlawful! for chaff, venit ftudiu r\ ferfober Chnflians, and fit for none but Strumpets, c who are pltcedi per dp- commonly moft compt in their attires, mofi gawdy and nerv- raiiicrinvita-" fangfed tnthstr clothes. Whence they d applaud the Lacede- torc kbidinis monxans Uwf that none but common proftuuted Strumpets CcumisiXertul* fhouldw.-are any coftly or glorious apparell; the better to deter- Dcadu Fumi- all chafte andfober perfons from it. A law which would ^Onvmeco-u wc^ kefit our Nation, our times, wh.ch c Proteus -like in'igni^Uno arc ^Ivvaycs changing fliapc and fafhion, and like the emu fncoruin, Mooimj^peare from day to day in different formes. nonm(jp#fti. Theminor is evident by experience; which findes tuns & impu- an whole Wardrpbeof all gawdy,pompous veftments; dicis femims confluence Qfa\[ whorifh, immodeft, lull-provoking nulhium fere attires ; a itrange variety of all effeminate, Iewde,fan- praeciofiorcni- ta[tiqiie,outlandiiTi apilhfalhions, (or d ifguifes rather) tus eft, nrum pudcr fome lull's in the moft mortified Aftors and Spectators vuis eft .cflim ^€15. jo this we mayadde theverdicl of the Fa- gmum.Lb. thers, who cenlured the Playes m their times, even *Laudoego& from the quality of the apparell in which they were admirorvete- acfted. Witnes Clemens Alexandrtnus ; who as* be resects rum Laced*- ^// w£/y tmmodeft apparell, as fit for no place but the Steves, >moru n ci- or £ll(T€ . r0 fo condemneSy nit only g Playes themfelves \ but virattm, aux r> i ,. t rr ■ i At sr J » , », . iOUS rritixtn- €Ve" *** g deltcacy, the effeminacy, the coftltnejje and IujT'hU cibus Hondas ueffe of that apparell rvherein they were acted. Witnes h Ter- veftes 3c auru tulltan, who writes ; Tk<# /« *// Enterludes there is nothing mundu geitarc permiGt, aprobis mulieribuSmundi ftudium auferens, quod folis meretricibusfe orn.ire concederet.c~/ * That the apparel/ fifed in ^Play-houjes is mofi ' Cunfta fifa- lewde, la fcwio us. filthy ; whence he ftiles ity Veflttm Sam- P[lc'^ andtQ thefewho are cower [ant tn *ht fill, kin ^ * Piopc periculofius eft lafcivis pueliis,ad loca religion^, c^irm in publicum procc- dere. Heirem Epift.8.£ap.lP. m Non mtortis crlmbus^&c. Venitemm utotet, non ut mpudie;:; yehifti petkura geccatorum remiffirnem, at tariquatn fcenam iis in- greftui'accmicarnulier^te exorn^s ? TkeofbHaftlbid. Ncnii-uortis crinibus, Non cnim in Tneatrum,incniir, veniih, fed ut pecc.ua tii? defleres : ncn eft ainem prc- ciofitas fup^lex h;tbkus,r;.ec^ lugentis pec£ata3eft ornament! in te arrog-ntia. Qucd i\ hxc.prohibuit cpxx divitias tantuni ofccndunr,muIt6 m^gis curiofa cc pe,rveiTa^ ^vxluti funt infeftioncs gcmrunupidhiras oculorii, ptrfr :&m inceffus, ir.erenicias tun.cuta amiftus,Zona auiouor_.calceic!;itr:,c'ti,Gve difl\iflj«Nam hxc omni.1., m eo quod dixit 3Jn amictu ccccnu.Occummhti Jb'id. Ncn in tortis crinibus, &c. Am- puta omnem ciufmodi {imul:icionem,circunicide abs te cmnem ulum fcenx attjue hiitrionum geftum. Deus enim non irridetur lita minus & faltatbribusi& his cui infeena vertantur,rerts^ti€nda funt : febria? atque ornats mulieri, nihil talc ccn- gruit. Cbryfcji.Hm.%,ini Tim z.Tom.q Co/.i^S.^. u&. ibidem. Ff 2 ?>taj-b**f* izo Hiftrio-Maftix. Part, r PUy-btftife : nofucb thing is futable to a chafie andjobcr rvo- n*an. An unanswerable Argument, that la(civious dref- fes^and rich immodeft, new-fangled apparell misbe- fecming Chriftians, were much in ufe in Playes and « BccUfiaft. Play-houfes. This n Theodoret, ° Fepijc*!, P Ovid, <1 Ho- Hift.l 2. c.z7. race, * Invcnal^ with {fn*drj others teftific, cf which you ° H Vo'if^1' may rcack more largely in the third and fixt Scene of CannuTp.449. this prefkit A&. All which fuiHciently evidence the p Sped, turn ve- tfuth of the AfTumpticn ; and lo by confequence of the niunr, veniunc Conclufion too; which needs no further proofc to fpeAounaik back tit. oiYte Amandi i'ib.\. l i.£p//Z.i. f.284, 1 Aqualis lubims llliCjfimilemq, videbis, Orche- ftram & pqpulu : Hie ultra vires habitus inter : hie aliquid plus quam fans eit,&c, S*Sjr*34*-l* f Plutarch** De tarda Dei v.ndift lib. Pollux,!!? 4 cap. iS.SM8n'uu,bb~i. £j>iji.z,BHlmgc/M}De Tbtatrojib.ijaf.%6. D. Haclpvcls **po!oge, lib.i,c,S fccl.3 4, AcTVS 5. SCENA OCTAVA, 5 Nunc rurcm HpHe fourth thing confideraMc in the manner of acT- fakatvirp in £ jng Stage-playes, is the adjuncts, the Cocomitaus mwnuai imw£ wn'lCn llfliall>' attend it, the tirit whereof, is, lafcivious cxDr^r^non" inixt.tffcminate Dar.cingon the Stage, not men with uiumagisvidc- women oncly, or rather r*nb whores or ftrfixs.mtre injd* tur infanusqua mot/s, (ferfucb are all theft females in * Saint Chryfoftomes Argument iume this 23. Argument againft our publike Enter- itides. Tl.o'e Playes which are commonly attended and fct forth *i Pa rt. i . Hiflrio-cMaflix forthwith lafcivious, mi xt, effeminate, amorous dancingjeitherofmen with women, or youthes in womens apparell, are undoubtedly finfull, yea ut- terly unlawrull unto Chriftians. But all our popular Stagc-pfaycs are common/"}' thus attended and fet forth. Therefore they arc undoubtedly finfufl, yea utterly unlawful! unto Chriftians. The Major is irrefragab[e,becaufe all mixt effeminate, fafcivious, amorous dancing, (ntjpecial!y mtb torn* fafiuj***® <&&*!& women tor boyes moft exqaifttelj adorned in an tntjcathg wo- &,*f ,ro™\ mamfb Drejje on the of en Stage, where are fwarmes of p.iiui,^ ^6 luftfull Speclarors. whole unchafte unruly lulls are apt accordingly, to be enrlamed with every wanton gefhire, fmile, or *Siibmiiti pace, * much more rvitb amorous daxvees ; ) is utterly pri- %curius ty q»i lawfuil unto Chriftians, to chafte and fobcrpcrfons , as ^tlu^ in&exe^ limdry Gouncels, Fathers, moderne Chriftfan, with an- ruat r'a&ram^ cie»t Pagan Authors and Nations have xefofced $ pariunt pericu.- though it bee now ib much in uic, in fafhion and re- h>qu£tomrgis queftamoag us, that many /pend more houres (more Uie,n~ cum :d.f.Zjo. Scrmo.ro.... r p. 2 56.An.cnki- cjmm eft tr;m pronumid hbidines quam inconditis rnctibus ca qux vcl ii.;tura ab!condir>vel difciphnavehvit, mernbrorum operta nndarf , iudcre cculis, rot: re"- cemcernscomam fp^rgere ? Memo inde inruriam divinit. tis prqcedimr.Quid tnirn vcrccundi^ ibi pore ft cfTe3nbi faltatur ftrepitur,concrcp.uur > Ambrof DcPtrgimbteSf . i.},TM.4.p.zi76'& Lingonenfis , 1404. (foncilium Burdtgen(ey dinqly. ' ' 1582. *y4fud Bochellum* Decreta Scclefid Gallieana. lib. 6. 7 Vidifti cum 7&« ip.^4 TttnUu,lo.cap.6.j.cr 19. We fliali finde,I fay, qultaolim ho- theit: 1 5?. (f ounce Is yexyrt[ly cenfurmg under the ftnahy oftx- neitite mipi-s cofKWiunication. ailmtxt, effemmatejafctviotujimorous danc~ re qui fitamcas '■K > * effcc'afy at Mariages^at which they are now mo ft pompis admi- frcquenr, though not informer times, as y Cbrjfofiomcrvell ramini&fta- cbjervtth\ ) or on Lords day esyard Holy-dayes, efftciallytn tiniab iriuia Church-yards .ftreets ,cr publike places ; (a damnable cufttme nupci iruhcnc- ^ ^ ^ p as s ; t » ^>>^ writes : ) from ftate dedecorc , J , t fJ S r 1 t i t^t • t \ us Ni:m *"€ w *7 beholding of which dancing ait Clergte~men\w no are tunc tibiae ? nu now too frequent Spectators of, and fomethnes Actors timccymbah ? in fuch dances) are inhibited by the fe Cotntitls under f nine D^T-~T* ^ Menthnjefl they Jhculd foUute their eyes, and glut their Quire emm die Jou^cs mt^° ^Hfl* at7(^ 1° Ui1?t t^fcjnfif>' *& holy duties. If wee nuhiumum ^ ptrnfe the Fathers,(who are all ranke Puritans in this dm, mi ftatim point of Play es and Dancing j ) we ("hall finde,not ont ly ab initio indu- . 75. //£. 4. ioipudenricrl faria??Sjtis enim aiduu erat abfq; illis fufiiationibus ilia aetate pofle ferre moderate tepeitatem aftcclionu: turn r.ute & hxcacccdut, tarn quae videncur, cv.r.v. qua? audiuntur^Tnaiufqj accenditur incendiu,& fornax concupiiccnnaru ma- tis inflamatur^uomodo non pciram it adoiefcetis anima?Hmcenim omnia pcatut & coiiupuntur^quiaab initio caftitr.s oppugnatur eoru qui mtcr.fe cenventun funt, & ls;pe primo die iuvenis oculis vidf ns inconnnentibii?, telo diaboiico in anim» YBlfi£ratiir>& pueilapcr ea qux audit & vidct crptiva fit:& abeo die poftca crefcut Vttlncra^naiufqj fit rsAa&cRom.^ in Gen.iy 7om.\.C»l.z67.J*B . 2 Inicmncs m- fjslices 3c mifen qui faltationes ante ipfas etia fanflcru bafihc3S & in fa net 01 u ip^ iorii fcftivitaxibui choros ducut.Quare unde debuerunt Deum Laudare !k meren, inde fibi damnatione rcquirur,^ ficuri Chriftiani ad EccleTiE veniut9ut Pagani t.:- mei) lie bcclcfia icvttt'uurjcrmo 1 l-T.^.f^i V. * Idcirco animas mint,ut rti tancti at^j uiguiliifimi nominix fymphomcas ageient & fcftulatorias hie artes,&c?i^. f.i4P. Part. i. WJlrio-Waftix. zl$ ^.149. 1 50./ J. p. 2$0. to 242. L4 ttantms DeFeroCulttuL6. C10.& Dtvtnarum Inftit. Epi'ome.c. 20. BaJiLHexaemcron, Hum I.T.If .27. &Hom.q.p.^^.Di; Ieiunio. S*rmo.2.p. %19.De Ebrtetate & Lux* Sermop. 332.356. Comment, tn Jfatam.cap.$.Tom.l. p.41 9 420,421. ^ci^.p. 46$. 469. JSjazttHzen Orat^.^f.j96*j9y.Oratto. 3 8./?. 5 8 3. (£• A7;- «r a* (£#/. Oratto* adverfns Multeres.p 994. & ad Sdticumt De Kefta Edueatigne.p. 106$, Ambroje De P&nitenua.Lb. 2 . c+6.T)e Firginibus. tib. 3 . Tom . 4. p. 2 2 (5. 2 2 7 . Z>£ £/*4 & le- + mnio.*c^.Epipia^mJtbA.Ep^.^Sermon.^ flm- p]^nvcrt ment.L6.in Lucy v.^2.T&m.^. P.47.F. Cyii&HsHtsrufolo- ctmdas (lib m'ttanus Chatechefis Myflagogwa 1 . Eufebius famphHus, De cWpe ftu g& Contra i armemawm. ""riianus -mie *//*.? c.6.T9m.i p*ni.p.%%Ao. Cynllus hlexandrtnus in *uvenu^ Iibis- j / / ^ r-.-j oincs morn Bef.£ " £»**£.*. 2 5 .T*£ 5.O/. 1 3 3 . 1 54.^ hb.Un Luc * ell >, qtiserit Evangelimnuc.y. Tom. 5. Col 300. Damafan Par*Uliornm% amputate, non A£. I .c.j6 £r lib.%. c.qj. ChrtfttaKUs Druthntdrus Expojitio faltsrej dilcur- /» Mahtb&unt*c. 3 5 .£/£/ Pat?utx.Tcm 9. pars 1 ,j> 90 I .F. H. 11c *era,no las- jheopbyUPus. Enarrat.in *JWatth. \A..pap ?±. & m Marc* iubaspercer- o.pag.b^. Bernardus, Parabola de Nuptus Ft/if Regis. Co!. viccaij non ca- i^i^.'^.Edmundus Arcktepifcopus Cantuartenfis Speculum pillos,&c Vctii Ecclejtdtye. 1 i.Bibl.Pairum.Tcm. 1 3. /\ 3 59. £. fhfpolitus 1 Kcrlit CM'' ^1/ayt7r> De Confummaiione Mundt & ^nti-Chri^o O- fti" in fade" MM.Btbl. Patrum.Tom^.fag. 1 7. /4. /?. Pafcbattus Ratber- prandeaturr.il- rw; m Mattkti EvangtltumJ.J .Btb/.Pxtrum.Tcm.p.ptrs 2. c\ons,hoD'dl.\- faj. lojo.^SD.Cj. *Utttor Amtochenus, in Evang. Hard, te boimvij ni- c.6.Bibl.Pairum,Tom.^pag.7p%.E. Anfelmus, Enarrat. in tui* JPl Wl* Monte. 1 4. r*»*. 1 . /> 57 //. Rabanus Maurus, Expo fit. in honojcctiir^fa- Matth.L^c.iq.Operum.Tom.s.p.Sj.FJLWt fhal findc, milia veftra in- I fay,thde 40. Fathersyand ancient f^r^/f, in thefe their ijpccti* tripu- ieverali W orkcs^nbibiting, condemning , aft amorous , mixt% ■ diet ditapliin, eliminate yla[civiGus luft-exeitin^ Dancing, be it of men y or fujetireffiili^ X99men-ictt^eY ont^s ^taie *r tlfewberc* as a c dangerous in- falratricu. pciV.s, lenocini.icantoru,voluptatiifomcnra, naufragiamentuijcu Hero- diAdisconvivijsabfcindantur;utpraM~ensgaud:u vcftrii;>ad lxtitiam peiveniat fem- pitemu,/frtf. c Caue foliijiu non derclinoviias ndem,uc afornicatiombus fu£ias,jara fidclis cffeftns-Hoc autc cuftodire ita demu poteriSjfi ebriecate devitetis & convi- vi.iinhoneita,ubi turpiu fasminaru folubrini geftus concupilcentiam movent illi- pKa^ubi Lyra i'onat & tibia5uhi omnia poftremo genera muficoru inter cyiiibala fal- tantm concrepmtjnfasaces ilia; domus funtjqux nihil difcrepant a Theatris. Au- fcrancur quazfo UDiverCa lilade medio : fit donn:s baptizan & Chrillirni homui.s immunis a choro Diabplijfit plane humana,fit hofpitalis, orationibus fan^iincetur^ afTiduiSiPralmJs,hymnis,canticifq3 fpiricualibus frequentetur,&c, Gaudcntius.Brix. qittifupra.Bibl.P.Tom.i.p.Sii Chorus petulans^inianje faltatrjnes. Tarna nx' bfcivac Dei timoris obtlitSjignis £terni min:s nihil pendentes, abjedo fervitutis Chrilli iuiOjpedrbus^eftientes,acoculopetuIco,rifuhfciva^ad faltatione mfanicntes, iu- veiitutis in:eperantiam in (e provocantesjinlocis facvis prornxmbus civitans cho- res cofiftitueme$'»ea profanaverunt ac omnium probri^rum orTicinas reddiderunc* Aereminfuperaiere:ri;e:s cantibusjterram vero lafcivc Caltando contaoainaverCj cendutrjf Pa rt. i* Hiftrfo-Mafiix. 115 eendiary ofluft ; an ordinary etcafion ofya preparative to muck '^^ theatri nhoredome ^adulter y \wantonnesyandfuch effeminate lewdnefe: ^f^m :ntium al)i*bol&afl,atUaftaPaganprafrtceymt^ catervas fibi allfoberChrtftians9e]j>eciaItym their Chrifitan Fefiivals and circumfiften- Selemmties ; from witch the Primitive Cbriflians (as d (jre- tes, &c. Ec gory Nazaenz>en at large informes vs) dtdwholy Abandon, "hbus itaque. *<* 0»#^ Driw^w^, Luxury, Playes, and rtbaldry Songs, g^M ^ &*f *w» fW/rrJ and Dancing toe; a* being fit for none but munes con_ Ethnicke Fefitvafs , <**an viris coniun&js ? Ha: quide amifia virginitatereverfie ftmt,illas veropudicitiam viris minime fervaverunt, &c4 Pro- falcationc itaq$ genu Deo fle&atur, pro tripudio pectus pulfetur.Btf/// De Ebrictatc & LuxuStrmo.'TeitKi.Q.li7*l$1>l I6- d Necdomusliminafcrris corontmuSjiieGocu- lum pafcamus, ncc aurem cantu demulceamus nee chore s agiremusj&c. Verii ha:c prophanisjitq-jethnicisfeitis, fofennitauburoj relincuimus.G>tf//0 38 p. ^ 8 j. 584, fB^.videlbid.Acyt'imum quidtm fratres lxtemur, non corporis fplendore, non veftiumpcrrnutationibusatmagnificentijs, non commeiration:bus & ebrietaubus, qunrum frufhim impudicitbs & cubilia,efle didiciftis; nee floribus pbteascorone- mus,nec vn?uenrorum tnrpitudine menfas,nec veftibula ornemus, ncc vifibili lu~ minefplendcfc~ntdomuSjnectibicinumconcentuplau[ibufq;perfontnt j hicenim Gentilma: feftorum celebrationis mos eft.Nos vero ne his rebus Deumhonore- mu3,hymn-»s protympanis aflumamus } pfalmcdim proturpibus & £?gitio£scan- tibus,pbufumgratiarum aftionis,accanora manuum actionem pro p!au(ibus thea- tricisy^ravitatem prorifu,prudentem fermonem proebriemc, decus & honciV rem prodeticijs. Quod fi etiam te ut feftum animo laeco celebrantem tripudiare con- venitjtripudiatu quidem/ed nan obfeenx Herodiadis tripudium, ex quoBapriftx mors fecuta eft; verum Davidis ob arcs requietem faltitanris: quo qiudem inneris •fan(fli}ac Deo grati agilit.uernjvolubilitatemquemifticedefignari exiftimo. Na^ien- ?cn Oratio 4 8 .fag. 796.797 . vid. Ibidem. * See Ca\v'm-> Marlorat, Atptinast & Lyra, in xCor. 10.7, Gg 12,13. doe 2.2.6 Hiftrio-JMaftix. Part-i. 1 2,1 j . doefpend their dates in plea fare, muficfy, mirth, and dancing, and in a moment goe downe to HeHy to dance with * Sahmtes Sa- Deuils, with infernall frisking * Satyr s^m eternall flames. ^.•fj^1" If we will once againeturneover the Divines and Chri-. wWEfto ftian Authors of punier times, wc fihaii dtfeorer Alex- i mz. 1 4. under Alenfis, Summa Thcologt<& . par J 4 . Quaft. \ \ , Memb. 2. Artie. I i*feftjp£*<%%fag. 35? 2 .3 9 3 Joannts De Bur- go^THptHa Oculi.pars to.c.f.X. Alexander FabrttiuSyDe ■- ftruttorium Vttiorum. pars 4.. c* 23. ^Angelas De CUvafio, Summa Angelica.fol.^Jb. Tit, Chorea Bonaven:ureytK lib. 4^* Sentent.Dtftin&io \6. N. 13. Aftexamu De Cafibiuyltb.2* e Saltationcs ^^* fi'lM*"*?* Langbecrucius *De Vita & Honeflate Cie- rtcorum. ub.i.e. 21.22. Jlla-f* Educations probamusj . LibsrorHm.L\.c.\<\*& L ^.c. 7. 12. FetrarchaDe Remedie uod multoru vtriufque BtrmntJ.i Dialoff.iA.Lvdovicus Vives, De Eru- & oriao Hut ****** £brijhatta Multerts.c. 1 3 ti^.8rafmus,De Contempm ptoterv-iorefqs MundiJibx. 7 . Agrippa De V annate Scientiarttm. c. 1 8.6 3 , c tfi i i mt a4o- 64, 7 1 . P (!f dor ZJtroiL De Inventor ibns Rerum. lib. 5 . ^ ^ peter ijMnnr, Loforum Commu- tcreaiakonqftj *'*9' CiaJJts.z.ci 1. felt. 6 3. to 6S.& Comment, tn Iudtcum, chorei,'iinpu- Ub.c.ii. Flaccus llljricus, with the other Century Writers. dici& libid'jio- Centuria 5 . C0/.724. \A.Gudtber 1*2 Marc 6, Homt.fl.foh iitaftiis $ am- 74.75.tf* Hom.\%6\in Math /0/.34C. 3 5O. /kf*m>7 £*w, u^cutafum", D' *'£** CW' SemptternoJ.l c. 5 4'. Ifaib, t^r Antto- !loru.ii33iid chenusfiloffa Ordmaris, LjratCalvin,Tellic?.nHSyBullinger9 genus alia, un- Mnfculus & Marlorat.Sxpojit.tn Mattb.c. 1 I ,iw. 1 7. tf%cv de inhRita ac j 4.^,6.7 tf 0* Marc.6. V.22. Htperius De Ferijs Baccbana- horrcndamala \&M Aretnn Problematum.Tb'olon.Tqw.l .Locus iA,Pt4t*- m Dcam iam *xt Cc™fit>PfJcaior tn Mattb. 1 1 . Obfervatto 20. />rf^. 1 20. ••tii 111 proxi- Poianus Syntagma TbeologU Geneva. 1 6 1 7. /. 1 o. £. 2 5 . 25. mu piafiiiimt, f.66%.& l&f*\ j.pag.6q6,SimIertiS in Exodus, lib. cap. 32. />rohibeiui?fed 7/7- pfaldenfes and J/brgen/es in Fraxce 'y Hungary, and Bo- c vc rum lila bemia.wbofe cenfure of dancing h recorded in Lydij Wa!dcn- ^onftrofa vZfia?ars 2' M 5^* and in the //^7 0/ f^ tValdenfes and necas, non ad- -Albigcnfes, London 1 624. part ^.hooke 2*cbap.^.p.6^.6^y snnnvir.itid. 65 ,66. To whom I ih.all.adde tfacie enfuing Engliih Au-. thots* Part. i. Hiftrio-<%4aftix. 2.2.7 tflors. Se baft tan Brant, his * Navis Stulttfera, or Ship of * £oI.i i4«n? fooles. [hrtflophtr Fetherfton, his Dialogue againft light, lends , an dlafctvious Dancing, printed by Thomas Dawfon 1 58*. An Anonymous Treatife of 'Dances, printed 1 5 81. £// 4.^,8. #b.&Hom.9in Cobf.Tom.i.CtLu 9 i.K.heftilcs Dances j Choiesc DiabolrcarsSattnnic^fahationes. ** Comment in lifhiam.capj^, J Xu the Hiftory of the Waidenfcs 5c Albi^enfis^rt 5.Book ^,c.o.p.6j.cc 68, »1k Part. i. Hifirio-SM affix: zl<> ingy have unanimoufly profefled and published this truth to all the World ;>whoie words becaufe they are *Vbi Grftatio, notable and punclualf to this purpofe, I Hiall here tran- ibl Embolus; fcribe at large, quoting fome fayings of the Fathers in Hg-^1 Lcft-*7* the Mtrgent, to backe and evidence what they write, ^-j" f^KdU A Qmcefas I finde their words in their Treat ifeagainfi ? v'JJJnctt Danc%g) nthe D evils froceffion; and he that entreth into a convivale thea- Danceymtrethinto his foffeffion. The * 'Devill is the guide y\ke ^u^produciruc middle y and end of the Dance. As many faces a* a man ma- J.afciya canufex hth in Dancing fo many paces doth he make to Hellt A man ' ma'<3u:c r i • « • j- / r nt- Pl0Phet2mnon-- Jtnnethtn Danctng atvers wayes : as in bis face, for all his u\^l0^ feci ^ fieps are numbed: in his touch, tn his ornaments, in his he*- tationc pfofter- r'*£y fight 9 jpsechy and other vanities . ^4nd therefore we will n:it* M *& pu- frove. fir (I. by the Scripture, and afterwards by divers other eilf g*effuPr iw will produce, is that we reade in the Gojpell, Ma, k& 6. P //-*tirasut crdiiW- p/eajed Herod fo well, that it coft Iohn Baptiifc 6« ///?. 7& dry wood to the. fire, to the end it may burnt the better : for fuel c ^"roI^Mui! - tos forma fecit aMrerosycaftti nullir. Tclrarch.De Kerned, utrhfqi Forum* l.i.TiaLz. &S . *>lo Hifirio-Maftix. Part.i. women kjndle the fere of luxury in the hearts of men : as Sam- fSitiitcfump- {ons foxes firedtbePhtliftwscor*e; fo.thefe ' women have tuoii us comes, r t ■ r .1 • a J CI- i ■ i & per publicu fire w *"** faces, in thstr Ztjwres and actions, their glances notabihter in- andwanton words, by which th:y confume the goods of men. cedas oculos in Againe, the Devil/ in the Dance ufeth tbeftrongeft atonor that teiu Venturis il- he hath, for his * weft power full armes are women ^mhtch is hci ;s,uupiii i ^ plane unto w, in thai the Dtviil made chojemmhe wo~ adolcicemu.n r - , J A <- i • » *> i i /v-t , poft re trains ^*w toWttetVc theprft man. So did ml^MW that the Children cdncupKcendi ' of Ifrael if^ht be resetted. By a woman he made Samfon, Libidinc irorri- David and Salomon tofinne. The DevUl tempteth men by as,peccandx to- ^c7Ken thrct manner of wayes; that is to fay, by the das"ut 8cicfa~ t0*c^> fy *** £?s> b tbe c*re' fy t^'fe t^T€e ******* k* tor*p- npn pereasaii- ^bffohfb men to Dancings, by touching their hands, behold* kepcrtia?, in g their beauty, hearing their fongs and muftchje. Aoaine, & velut gladiu thej that dance, breake that prcmife and agreement, which j! &v5nenuvi" they have made Jo Qod in Baptifme, when their God-father t beas: excufari Prow'fi fcrthem, that they (J.all renounce the Devill and all no pores quafi bis pompe ; for u dancing is the pompe of the Devill, and he mente cafte lis that clanccth, maintameth his pompe, and fingeth his t^iaffe. ac pudica . cy\ r for t\K woman that fngeth m the dance is the *Priorcffe of the **?f* Vir~ Devill, and thofe that anfwer are Gierke /, and the beholders ▼el a:p: d us arc the Parifhsoners, and the muftcke are the Bells, and the nvalicnstotum Fitters jhe lum f\:«ic Elias Pro- . lix: occidit Ioannem Ba^Sifta : deijci:pi.cnciam,perdit inuentutem, lliicet & inquieti: ::m. Chry!}' be be male or female, yomittiuitpsae-- committeih adultery with the party they luft after ; a For he ^li^2 Peccj'ca that looketh on a woman, and hft eth after hsr^ hath already ^/^^i'L; committed adultery in his heart. Againft the eight Comman- um^DeftYuStorm dement ta man finnes m dancing, when he with-draweth the pZtt'orwift&i. 4.. , heart of another from God, Againft the ninth, when in dancing «£>i|.Ojoferva he fpeakes fa! fly againft the truth. Agaivfi the tenth, wben-diCm Sabbati, women aftecl the ornaments of others, and men covet the wives \ n m Tca", ni jj j j iion iuciaicis daughters, and fervants of their neighbours. Againc, a min ^\idu qui io— may throve how great an evtll dancing is, by the multitude ^cioabaruatmr finnctthrt accompany thoft tbzt dance : fir they dir.ee with- ^ neqmtiam.; mt mea fare or number. And therefore faith S AtiguftitfeL Mfciius^aim the mtjcrable Dancer knowesnoti that as many paces at bee £qa cn „v makes in dancing, fo many leapes be makes to Hell, They fnne tota die ./aU in their ornaments after a five-fold manner. Firft% ^ in being tarent. Avguft. Emr'm ?.(al%&+ Sfr.j.Tm.%.pars i.p.iAi.De Decern Chord, tib-.c. 5 Tom^-pars i.p 1 149. Sec! uauCquiGp ,, noftrum Sabbatizet fpirmialiterjineditiadone legis gaudeiiSj non corporis rcrocii- latione &rcrairiione,opificiumDei adnvirans9non feltationibus phvnbufcp'lupiuis , ^|dens. Ignatim Fpisi,6 >,ed Maqu fams. % '.Placuit & faltatrix. Scd.quidmirum (tin* ^Ptapes brgas fcrpoculoittm frequences procellas puclia la civiens rnulceat&ftfus* . iaclinecaffe&us > Vinum & faltatio duplex inccndiuii voluptatis. FulgeMm. S titer < tfudit ':: HcrGdcsTttrznbfi.Sermo Bsbl PalnmTm^MYS r,p-i 48. a Math. j'. z8. b Fa^- ftiis iKeft pulchris/eairturq; fuperbia formam. Ovid Ftforum /.i . Nil noil pcrrair- - tit muhcr hbijturpe putat niljCnm virides gemmascolio circumdedit3& cum Auei'<.. buz cxtenfi-s magnqs commiiit Eknchos.fuvsnal, Satyr t6-p 5 8, pre&i 1 i j z, Hiflrio-Maflix. Part. proud thereof. Secondly, by inflaming the hearts of thofc who Mold them. Thirdly, when they make thofe afhamed that , have not the like ornaments gtvmg them occafon to covt the hke. Fourthly y by making women importunate , in denandtng the Uke ornaments of their Hujbands. Andfiftly, when they 1 Sec Antwlm cannot obtaine them cf their TJufbands, they fe eke to get them Horn. 1 7.B1M.V. el few here byfinne. Theyfinne by finging a>:d playing on inftru- ?om.7.f\$7. me„ts} for their cfongs bewftch the hearts oftkofe that heare * Chores vero r^w' wtt^ tempo rati delight '.forgetting God, uttering nsthing pari «» bus re- in their fongs but lyes and vantties* */4nd the very mutton cf imquamus the body which it ufed in dancing, gives teftimony enough of i\ c;,.nulicrculis tVtn 77^; you fee, that dancing is the Devils procejfion, and qux ere no fu 0 ^t^at entreth into a dance, eutreth into the Devils poffejjion. •cm ieunc Ills Of danemgthe Devill is the guide, the middle, the end, and (ane &impude- he that entfeih a good andwife man into the dance, cemmeth tcr faltam & forth * corrupt and wicked man. Sarah, that holy woman was rideanr.Grrg. „oHC 0f tyfe% j}llls farre thc tfaldexfes and Albigenfes, ^rt™M*llcrcs v;llole v/ords I would the dancing, wanton, (that I fay '^/>.994.c.Eft d mt whonfb) Herodiajfes, the effeminate fiwqua-pace mcrctriciabi'c Caranto-frifqumg Gallants of our age, together with pi-ofefTio ;tq; our rultique hobiing Satyrs, Nympbes, and dancing Fairies, extreme aho- w.ho ipend their ftrengtb, c their time, (efpeciafly, the ^ume'ra.Ntm Ea#er> "*'M CMidfommer, and £/^*/W feafon) in ubipedumikc- lewde fafcivious dancing, would now ferioufly confi- pitus cum car- der. And this would teach them, not onely to abandon minibus na- all fuch dancing thcmfelves, but Ikewife to withdraw their ™crofis eSfen- children, cffecidllj their daughters, from the D anting- fcheele9 omniHo & m" Cas S' ' Ambrof* long fincc advifed all holy women, all godly duu ipTacu n phufus rcfonat,& omne genus feditatis, & invitantur fpe&atores ad turpirudinc .iyrillus ^Icxand'in Hcfaiam.l.} .c.$.Tom 1. p.i $4.1). « lob z 1.12,1 3. f Quia dicitii vos fandx fje minx ? vide tis cjuiddocerc,quid etiam dedoccre filias debcatis? Salter,fcd adulters filia,Qux vero pudica,qux cafta eft, filias fras religionem doce- at,non fakatione.lbi enim intuta verecundia,illecebra fufpefta eft, ubi comes deU- ciaru eft cxtrema faltatio.Ab hac virgines Dei proeul effe deiidero. Nemo enimirc dixit quiciam fecuhriudoftor,faltat fobnus ni(i infaniat. Quod (i iuxta f.ipicntiam fecuiarem,faltationis aut tetnulcntia auc*roreft,aut dementia; quid . 1 1 i / /2 j > # -# /2 virtutibus do- they might keepe them chajte and boneji ; leaving S tuft -pro- £Cntur fedim- *9oktngdawing unto AAultcreps and tbttr Daughters ondy, buii'tur fuper- *« »v// befeemirtg none bat jack : in W hofe rotiildcS the hire, choreas Devill for the moft part leades, continues, ends the d«j£re>intiet Dance, as the tvaldenfes, and fore-quoted Fathers large- ta^^f^ ly write. Thirdly, they condemne ail dancing, "as be- aipiibuspaipa- m^^not oush a common recreation oflafctviom dt^nkvn^a- ri& amplecti ganstfr Idolater s, in thetr Fefttvalsandttmts ofpubltk* mtrthy nonverecun- as h Ovid, i Horace, k toenail* Vtroil* m Catullus, n 7***^ <[amur,&c. ntn!isQ'AWEcck(i4f.i7.pift*i6. B SecEcclus.p.^S^, Feminx inplateis fub con- fpectu adolefcentulorum intemperantium choros invcrecundos ducunt, ia&anres comam,trahentcs tunicas ,plaudentes manibus,fakantes pcdibusjperfonantes voci- busjirritantcs in fe iuvenum libidines motu hUtricnico,petu4anti oculo,dcdecorofo ludibrio. Spc&at corona adolafcentul urn, & fie rmferabiie theatrum3&c. ^imbrofe% Ve Elia&Ie'iunwciS. h Ec ducunt pofito duras cratcre choreas 4 Cultaq; diffufis faltnft arnica com is. Fajtor urn l.z.p,$i. Frerrmicos thyrfoconcitatille choros lb.p.%7 . Ebrius incinctis philyra conuiuaTapiilis fsltat. Ebrius ad durum formofse Iirhcn a- micac Cantat,habcns unftx mollia (ertaconnx. idem BaforU^Ls p%9< Hi ludunt,hos? fomnus habet,pars brachia nec"tit3& viridem ctleri ter pede piufathiimum. JrafyorU. !.6.p.io6, i Nee dukes amores fp^rne puer,neque tu chor eas.C6i'tn.Li Ode $>.Nunc eft bibendum,nuncpede libcropuUandatcllus Ode }7«p-;J9'Creflanecare;u;puIchr£l dies notarNeumoremin Salmm fit recmies pedum. IbidOde 36. Qiiam nee ferre pedem dcdecciir choris. Carm.Lz, Ode 12. Ithc-bis pneri die Numen cum teneris vii-gimbus tuum laudanccs^pedecandido, Inmorem Salmm, ter qnatiens humura. Catm.Lq.Qdc i.p.io 2 . Ncc meretrix tibicina,cuius Ad jfjrepiuim falias teme. Epifi, Li £;ijl.:4.f.i' >o ELfcftismatronamo\reniuiridiebus.Df^y^P«,j^304. k por. man expectcs Ht O .ditanacanoroliicipiatprurirechoroySg:454/;7\ii.p no, Ind« virorum faltatas mgro tibicine.$fl(yr,i f p 158. 1 Te luftrare chorofacrum cibi paf- ccrecrinem.iE;^,,'/os.:47^«i5:7.L3etHi-Lludifq; viajjplaufuq; fremebant. Omnibus ift tempiis matru :h ^Liis,6mn!bus zrx.ldctttl 2.^,291. Vobis picla croco,, & fulgenti murke vc'les.Def Jue cordi: iuvat indulgere choteis. IdemL $<>p ^ iz4 Et pedibus p'auuuat chorea's Sccarnina ducunt. lbidjtb.6- SeepulmgemhDeTbeatro.l.i.c.$i4 '"'Vbicymbalumfon? , ' :Xjubi ryiapanareboant. Tibicen ubi csnit Pryx curvo grave ca'Iamo, Vbi c \>ka Mxa'dcsjubi iaciunt hasdarigerse. Vbi facrafancti acu- tis»uluh:ibus agitant. VI i fuevi illadiva^ volinre vaga cohors. Quo nos decct ci- tatis celerare tripadi ». Si nlhaecconiitibus Atyscecinit nova mulier. Lcve tym» panum remagitj cava t-ymb I vewi-cp-nt^viridem citus adit Idam pveperante pede chorus s&'-l,\ -Carm/ ."34 5 e .n Agricela afiiduoprimufatiatns aratro, Cantavit certo ruftka verba pe ' - &nimio furTufu»Daccho rubeti Primus inexperta Huxit ac> arte choros. Vc is e ca'ic: tcDeu!njnaturb3'iocofaObftrcpic,&Phiy- gio tibia cum iono^Ludiu^amnox i ungit equos5&c, Zleg.li.Eicg J £.83.84, „ • Hb Lhs, i}4 Hifirio-SVlaftix. Part.I( €\$£,l %iiif. togetht r with He/iod't A fct &i ySait mn.pag. 6 1.6 4. A * 5.c Mat. 14.6 £/';# adv:rfti6 Cr-:tcs.lb 2 p^-75^ /•4«/,-i47 Chryfoftome9 Mark. 6. 2 2. //,,/». 6.49. £>' 74^ Matth. Cone ilium Arelatenfe^ .Sunuf. vj!Cl' 7**«. I P 7 2 7. (oneil.Aphricaxum. Canon 2 7. Concil. Con- loletanu.11 2. .- T L J, ^ ^ >/* 1 »«->,-». . ».n Can,«.a£ ci-fta"tir'9P'6'CaX'6'i"65* Ifiadqr. Hiff.Originum. /.Ib\ c.50. bilonenfe 1. folydor Virgil. De Inventonbiu return* l.$. c.z. Agrippa De Can.19 Wgri/>p4 Vanitate Scientiarumj.iS* "and infinite * others tcllifie: De Van.b t likewiie a />^r/ *f tfctf folemne worjhsp wherewith they, CiJovj t)S' courted and honored their Devill-ldols, whofe Fell ivjis and gi/,De Invent. Solemnities, were for the nsofi part fpsnt tn Flay a and Dan- rerum. 1,5.02. cmg, as our P Chrtftun Hdy-dayes oft-times are. VYitnefle, accordingly. Exod.% 2.6. 19. I Sa?>i.:}Q.\6 Job 2l.ll.Ifdy I3.2 J. Mat. PWloxcnf & l4>6*M*r*6M*C**9l. Aphrtcar.um. Can.i-j. Coned. Art* Timothari dif- ^tenfe 3« ^'^ Tom.i.p jly. ConctLConftazt.6. Can.6l. ciphna inftru- 65 . Auguftine,De filftt. Dei. M.i.czo. The o phyla 11. En ar- &i,cu cantibus r4f<*# A4arct6.(^hrifitaniu Grammaticus Fxpofhio in Matth. fcchorcis an- c.25 Ml.Patr.Tom.Q.pars l.pao.goi.F.G.H. Sebafltanus IUlOSludoSLi- „ ' 1 * «■>,- • r r V* / ■ J r».# / bero patri faci- Srant* m nls ?^^' Smtfera, Calvin and Ovid, Vtr- dem quos puc- gil> Catullus JTtbulUu J>YepmiuA,~E>ultngeriArnobtU5, Chrrfo- nles vocant: fiome.Polydor Virgil, Sortppa, with others, in their fore- deniqj coru vi- dyjjeaJ.S.p.ziq. who all teitine as much. Witntfte ta in, huiufmo- their rCorybantes, Curetcs, Salt), and fucrwlike dancing di cantionibus BrieJIs7who on the folemne (eftijall dayej of Cjbele, Bacchus, verfatur.poftre- 9J]farsi andother Pagan.deities, danced about the greets and achidcsin tl *JW ark'* ft*ce w*h Cymbales in their hands ,.#» */4f#r* */W atrisc^ catibus CHorrice-dancesy (which were derived from them) the & chords fingul'squibufq; annis publicis fumptibusadolefcentes civibusprasbent. tbidem. r ^'lutaycbi^umajDionyfiu^Halticarmf. Anriqu. Rom. Iib„i. fccc.8. & lilf.7. &&.$.. Mbouui lJipnof.l.i4.c.ii.i »,Livie,HIft.Rom.l.i.fed lo.Virgil. -^neid.l.4. p.I7^I74♦CW/^Rhod4Antiq.Lcc^.l.J,c.3.^/a*d»ifrabAIex.Genlal.Dierurn. 1.4^ <^I 7.Agnppa De Vanit,Scient.c.i x.Plato Legum. Dial.7. p.8 8 1. Eunpede's, Baccha?, Strabo Geogr.l.i o.Bf>cw^De Moribus Genuutn.i,3.c.x 8 . {.6, C17 .Godwins Roman AmiqiutksJubti.fe&.i.c.i 0.14, »' P A Rt . i . Hi fit io-sMafiix. £ $ 5 whole multitude accompanying them tn thcfe their dancing f Oir.ms quam tjftiorrices, mih which they honoured theje their Devifi-ldals. cllGrilf & fo«j Yea,witilvffe the common pratlife ofmefi Uolpmus Pagans, £^£j Cwerem who never honoured, faluted, or off red ary publike jacrtfice to clamete voccnt ^;r Idols but with mufxcks^fongs,and dances ; dancing about in tecta : neque fj^*r Temples and altars, tc their honor* ; as f Drg*/, c Ovid, ance Falcema- ».i 77 ^"^ Baccbe fremens3folum te virgi- nedignum Vociferansj ecenim molles tibi fumere thyrfos, Te luftrare choro. /£«#.i?7.Pandite nuncHeliccna de£,cantuftj5 movere. Ibid.p.i6f. Dona feruntjcurnulantqs oneratis lancibus £r?s.Tum Salij adcantus,incenfa Altariacir- cum Populeis adiunt inan«fti tempora ramis. Hiciuvenum chorus, illefemim, qui carmine laddes Herculeas,& facia fenmt.^»ei^./.8.pa8oXauitia,Iudifqt via2,plati- fuq; fremebant.Omnibus in terr plis raatrum chotus 3 omaibus-Ara% Ante Aras terrain exfi ftravere iuvenci, Ibidp.ipi. See i before, * Arduaiam dudum rofonat ■ tinnitibus Ida, &c. Hoc Curetes habent,hocCorybante"s opus,Cymbala progaleis, pro fcutis tympana pulfant. Tibia dat Phrygios at dedit ante raodos. Taftorum /-4« p.6$* Nos quoqj tangit honos ; feftis gaudemus & aris.Turbaq; ca^Ieftes ambitiofa fumus. Ebnus incinctis philyra conviva capilhs faltat,&c. Fafiorum. //^.5.p,8 848^. Cantabat fanis, cantabat tibhludiSj&c. Qiiaeritur in fcena cava tibia 3 qu#ritur a- ris.Paflorum.l.G.Y'iil Seep.107. Seeh befjre. " Omnis faltatio, & omnes con- fentus confecrentur conftiratis primum feftivitatibus/upputatione fafta in annum quod finjuli temporibu* & fingulis Dijsac ipfnum fili;s & daemonibus fieri con- vene Poiteaveroconftituaturjquam cantifen m in fingulis Deorum facrificijs ca- ncre oportear,& qui Bus choreis iacrificiu.r quod tunc fit, honorarc. Etprimii qui- dem ahqius conftituere oportet: qua; vero cctiftitutai fuerint,parcis & alijs omni- bus dijs fac; ificio f ftojifi toramiihi omnescives hbando confecrare fingulas canti- lenas fingulis d js & olijs, Si vero prater has )pras,quis alios Deorum Hymnos aut choreas -Tdducat^cerdotes utriufoj (e^usjuna aim legum cuftodibus, Dncle & fe- cundum legem cphibearttA&c. In noitris locis & fere in omnrbuspiit in fumma di- camcivit?tibus,hoc fieri folet. Quimenini 1 MagiftrataJ aliquis publice faenficar, pofteachoieis non unus,fed chororum n -.uUitudc venit, & nonprocul ab Aris3 fed aliqu indoiaxta ipfiSjOmnibus convitijs facr- perfund.urit3& verbis, & rythmis, & liifluofifiirms hajmonijs, audientiiim animos exafperames : & qui civitatem qusE facrificavit adlachrymasmaxim^conrit ;re poteft is vieloriae praerr.ia ferr. Lc gum. Z>M/,7.p.874.87 5 vid. ibid. * Geogr.i i~.7 cm.i.p.ii .& at Jo6\. 74, 75, 76. y f)e ExpeditieneCyr>HiftJ.6.p.i7°'S7i- r.Ccrm.1 j Ode <;? £w 4 Ode l.p.io^-See » before. * Satyr, 6. p ,6$ J067 .&Sat}r.iyp .158. b Lib.^carm.N^tialc.'^.p.^.i $; JH h 2 lus% z 3 6 EiftHo-Maftix. P> kr. i. c , _ ■ tltmrum 1 1 *?*'* otleyc At wans, Alexander ab Alex- Elegj > o iH 7. 4??drQ.Gc Rom. 12.17, c.13.13. •iCor.7.^.iCor^,ii,tThcr.4,u.i Pet.i.ii. ^i C°f.i°'5 *>3$« is P art. i . Bifirio-JHaftix, z$ 7 is not oncly an n effeminate recreation y enfeebling the mindes, .* Enervant a- yeajepravmgtbe lives and maners of men ^ a fuflicient ar* ^r^C^3 gumentofits unlawfulnefle : but ic tokewife irritates e^vox^&S-' and ingenders noyfome lufts, it occallons rniichdal- mens Brachia iiance , chambering , wantonnefle, whoredome and motafuis. Ovi4 adultery, both in the Dancers and Spectators. This ^mMo^mms. daily experience; this all the fore-quoted Authors wit- y^^ct^o ticiic, a^d. among the reft, ° Petrarcba, *nd?&4grippa &fuig&s'^ have moil lively exprefied k.. Tomttfoke (write they) nee defies :Dc- bchnosthe art of Dancing* very acceptable to Maidens ax d &dkx cor&$in- Lovers, which they hawe with great care > and without tediouf- va.t iix^ulgere neffe docfrolongitunttll Mid-night, and with great diligence nka-i&hiws^ they devife to davce with f&inedoeftitrcs^ and with msaftrable habere rednni- races to the found of the GymhaJd^a>pe% or Flttt <°, and doc as culamiti:a?, O they thinks very wifsly and fufaiUy , the fondeft thing of all o- vert Phygije ther/s hilt little differing from madnejfe* which except it were k^^ue evhlm tempered with the found of inurnment s and as it is fatdi ifva- p^aluDynd- nity did not commend vanity, there fhonld be no fight mcre'ri- iin,ubiafl\ieris dicnlous^nor yet more out of order thm dancings 4 this u « bifarem'dat ti- liberty to wantonneffe^ a friend to wickednefjeyand aprovoca- wacantiun. Hon toflefhly luft«, an. enemy to ch>ifltty, and a papime unworthy r 7m£ana vc:$ of aft bene ft per f ms.' There ofte times a Matron hath loft her fiVrecynthia^ loug-preferved honour : oftentimes the unhappy {JMtiden hath matris Idxx ; there learmd tkaty whereof (he hadheene butter to be ignorant : finite arma vi- tkere the fdme a*d honefty of infinite women is loft. Infinite XJS>^ ; «a»te from thence have return, dhome uncbajh, many ytith a doubt- ^^V^ 9* fn'll mindiybttt none chafe in thought and deed. And )vs have fff. ' * J * feencthat woman-like hone 'fly w dancing hath bee ne throwne ° De Rcmedio downeto the ground, and alxvayes vehement h, provoked and wnu£qj& Danang.f46 ^.66,67. s Hxc lawmen petiiiamis!, arnica fcelens, incitamen librdfnis, hoftis puchcUia% ac ludaS probis rimaibiM iridignus barpc ibi instromyitait Petrarchs^diu fervatifaeciis per- dicln,iaepe'mfxbx virguncula ibi didicitj quod melius ignoraffer, military ibi tesAa, pc ijc pudorqs.Mults iude domu imp«dfc«, pluses am^gua: reciierc, c -lUor axireiti l*uUa:pudicitia chords faepe ftrata, femperq; impulf m oppu^natamq; \fidefrms;&c; A^a,ihid^iYm\iWm^QrmoA&%. [S^MasrobmSatur.L^ cm, accordingly. * Ub 1 Matrone 2.38 Hiftrio-Maftix. Part. r • o /. * ^ftfatrovewas commended among them for dweiyg. ( Dan- t ti ' '." ne~ w*gJ 'flviCfofal^andiYHely it cannot eahly be [aid, ht and i:e< J 3 r * in a\ r rile dichi quse j*"** toplcafant fomdt, to warn, jongs, to iJhon.jtverfes*, ipariant %J^ii aydens and xJA'tatrons aye there eroded with un- coUoqi'ta & ta- cbsfte hands ;• yea, hj cfllj embraced: the ftus, Saltatuf things which mature hath hd lea, and modefij covered, are a C££ fy * ^e" there oftentimes by nseanet of U]civ'i9ufnep nude naked, and ftrofo'pedum nbauldry under the colour of Pafiimi is dijfembled. An exer- ftretfim/ad cife doubt leffe, not difcendedftom Heaven (1 may addc, not rr.ollcs pulfaci- leading to He wen, into which we muft pajfe thorovf1 many ones, ad laici- apts2ions9 tribulations, prayers, t cares , fafttngs ; thorow ad MtxnT*3 a *ftratte, a **mw, not broad or (lea/ant way, as Dan- carmma,con- cing, Stage-play es, and fuch Paftimes are:) but by the tre&antar ma- Devils of Hell de-vi fed, to the in'my of the Divinity ^when the tronae& \md- pe0pls of Ifraelerecled* C*lfe,tnthe Defert, who ajterthey las impudicis had done fderifice.beoun to eats anddrmke, and afterwards m ambus & ba- r n i h t i ar ■ j j- j fiis, meretri- r0!e uf to-Jport themjelves, and jtngtng, danced tn around, cij% copiexi- Thus they : thus all the other fore-cjiioted Authors, bus 5& quae £Lnce Alexander £abrit'Ms,%\\ ancient Englifh Writer, abicondit na- [\{[cs Dancing *■ z/4 pafttmeof iafctviotts vanity andvolup- SeiSSfa tm*PS*- Andhhnde Burgo\ fauceBar of Cambridge in laforiaftnc King Henry the VI. his Raigne.in his Puptila OcntiSPar* frpenudantur, tis vltima. cap* vlt. eDe Teccatu mortahbus. X* De Dttccnti- ludi tegmine bus choreis. writes, 1 That thofe r&ho dance to incite them- obducitur ^- felves or others unto luflyyea thofe Ukemfe who dance out of proYeAo^nonl CHftome>fmmortdhjh°ygh the) do tt not with a corrupt intent. cadis exortum, fed a mnlisDasmombus excogitatum m inivriam Divinitatis. A- grippa.Jbtdem. * z Tim. 3. 11,12 A£ts i4.ii"i Thef^ 4. 1 Thef.i^.Rcvel.i. 7. cap.7.14. Ads 10.19,31, z Cori.4,cap.6.DGmcbaw> the 7. Commandemmt, becaufe it is a common occzlion L^f&hw$t\nr both of a&iialiand mentall adultery ; astheir fore-men- ^;f ff J;^* tioned Authorities at large declare. Therefore it rrmft onthe7CoSl needs be unia wfiill unto Christians, a among whom adulte- m%odement9 ry ^fornication an d uncle aneffs are not fa much as to b$ named, 3^orciingly4 much leffe the manifeftcccafions of them entertained.. li^Si 5* :'^" Fiftly, dancing b write they, is altogether incompatible DeiWcr^ with that umverfall cho/ineffey d modtfty,* gravity, hem- faentia\ jLf.c4 perance, andfobriety, which God requi^s in aIlchaite5aH I9>pfi7v\%7il gracious Chriftians ; it being a recreation, (as S Cicero, c J p^t i.r4, h Ovid, '' Virgil, together with k Ambrofe, l Bafil, m Cbry- 1 ^ * 6: 2 Pct< fcftome, n Pctrarcha* Jgrifpa* V Peter Martyr, <1M. North- 2 *&• , 6rtoke,rM. Stubs, and (* fundry others fore-quoted) teftifie i ftrn.z^i ?. which none hat Bedlams, Drunkards •, Fsoles> or infatneus per- c.3.2, Phil. 4. 5-, fonsufe, in their riotous, unfea finable voluptuous jeafis and *} 1im#$.3. meetings • which proves it the very rvorfi and/aft of all vices ; f "xjl^Ve it being quite excluded from aH private , hone fl ,. civ ill ban- x Tim 1,91V. ^*»?fi ;^^ tr.W/ abandoned by all temperate, chafte, andfo- c.$. 1 Tit.x.a, ierperfons* Therefore it mud: needs, be unfeemely, un- *•!*• ij*et.x. . 13C.4.7.C 5 3 g Nemo fere faltnt fobrius nifi forte infanit,neqS in folitudine neq; in conviyio* honefto &moderato:.intempeftivi convivij, amaeni loci, multarum delta comes eft extrema faltatio : quod neceiTe eft omnium viciorum effc pGftremu tOfVtw pro Murana Qfcrum.Tcm i.pag.tf 9. h Ebiius incinclis philyra conviva capillis^Sal- tatj& imprudens lititur arte meri. J?aftomm.M.$. pag,Sg. Et iacbnr £>d!cs ad fua terbam>nus. Et ducunt politoduras craterechoreas, Cnltaqj d iff a fa faltat amua coma. Cum redeunt,titubant,& funt fpcctacula ml°uFajlortim.l.$.f6g*$i< i Ebria famofa faltat lafctva taberna, Ad cubitum?raucos excutienscalamos Cefa p. 509. k De Elia"&Ieiunio,cap 18. De Virginibns Lj.Tom. 4^.116.227. I DeEbnctate &LuxuSermo. "> Honing in Matth. n De Remcd. utriufq; Fortune. lib . 1. Dial. 24. o De Vanit. Scientiarum.cap 1 84 P Locorum Com. Claffis. 2. cap. 1 r. fect.6^.ro(>8.& Commenr.in Iudicum.lib.c.ai. q Treatife againft Yainc-Pl::ycs and Dancing. foI46 7. r Anatomy of Abufes.pag.12 5. * Sec Ludovictis Vives, Pc#Eruditionc Mulieris Chriftianas J.i.ci4.8( Scbufimm EratfjNavis Stutifera. - lawfull. 2,40 HiflriO'Mafiix. Part, ' »r- untewfull unto Chriftians. Sixtly, Dancing, (fay they) ; '• - ( r> at now it is fifed, l is an accafion of much v? / (cwdnejfe, vdffiertbbrookc, efbt , h horn dancirio doth of all tfhirs kStkbstia. their ^ wes young Gt ntlemcn from p aews or - ^^ Studies to the Dancm£-SeBo$le9 which 'moroffethaU their ^-~# time, it avoc ate s young Gentlewomen from their Needles, And * Hinc itaqne fuch like honefi imployments, and for *he mofi part makes them applet oralis i£e f-Jufwrves, * whores , or Spend-tbrtfts ever after : It * "ei IC ru '?i r 'draws wen $n* and frames them up to nouoht but idlemtfe% the pli nam ceil Kiirfer) °t a" ot"er V!Ces : ltg^es ™er-s hearts to earnall .plea* plena; fahidi fores and delights offone, and makes them earth ffe of Gods licentiam tunc fierv'iee,unmindt full of their ownt falvatim, or of ihe day of fibi pcrmitte- death and judgement, which fiould be alwayes fixed in their rantomeran- mQn remfiJ msditations* c More-over^ it quite unfits meny ci3E tamen lai- * J , . - , .. ' r c civiaeturpis ana oft with- dr awes them from the religious performance of not.i fiiit nubi- holy duties, many Lords-dayesi mofi other Hcly-dayef, (fet a- Ls puelia? fal- part for Cods peculiar worjltp) being oft-tfnas grofly propha- tatio. Ccrce " Kg^jfnot w!,oly fyeni on lewde lafaviohs dancing, and fuch Lcrumraram Heatbcnifhp«ftmes : as the Qmncell of tylffrtcke, +f.']0$ .706. Salvian, De Cubernatione Dei. &Mar!erat in M,%6«l9~l96m Le'0.1. Sermoin O&ava Tetri&Pauli. * SeeHerej Ac"l^. Scene 13, thorowQut accordingly, 3c pag. 251, Part. i« Eiflrio-Maftix. 2,41 cah 5*f°!' i^$»Eufbiusyapud Damafcenum.Parallelerum. l.?yc aj. Aqrippa De Vanitate Saenttarum.c.^Q. De Fcftis. polidor Virgil De Inventor ibm rerum* 1. 5 .c.i.pag.^ 5 . 3 8 6. * M. T^crtb- EpifcofM Chemnenfis, Onus EcdfJja.c.lS.fe^i .6. Bonaven- bruits Trea- me in lib. 4. Sextentiarun. Difttnttio 1 6. Numb* I 3 . and " j"c agai" t fundry other of the Schoolemen there. Alexander EabriUus cjnJ. fol.68.n" Deftruttcrium Vit torum, pars 2t.ciox Hiflory of the Waldenfes & Albigenfes.pars 3 .2.2 .^.9- p.54. his Dialogue 6% y66$p.Latymer in his Sermons.fol. 1 3 .The 3 .Biaft of Re- *&ao& D™- trait from Playet and Theater s.pag.6 2. ,to 6%M*Br'in(ly in his "eng" . . ., 3. part of the true Watch.ehap. 1 1 . Abomination 3 o.pag.2,02. his DecIaratiS Aflexanm De (faftbuul.2.Tit.<) 3 . Alexander Alenfis. Sum.- of Gods Iudg- ma Theologize pars 4*£u*ft. 1 1 • M*2* Artie. 1 1 .fett.A.Qutf}. mem at iW $.fag.392.l9$'.mthfttndrj others complaine: who doe like- S?ardcn' rhe wife all of them unanimoufly condemne dancing, as an unlaw full ea^ft the ufe cxerctfe and paftime, efpecially en * Lords-dayes, and Holy- an or pa- fbl.341. /". ftime, within the piom Statute of 1. Caroli.cap, 1. within *Gik3WiddwKs% which there is no queftion, but dancing is included ; it innis Sermon being an exercife which all the fore-quoted Councels, 0^*$?? Fathers, and ChrilHan Authors, have unanimoufly can- the A ^u! on demned, as unlawful!, ejpecially on the Sabbath , or Lords- day, Pfal.68. vlir. as weftileit ; "which our owne u Homeliest and Canons wherein he o- eniojne us to {fiend in hearing theWordofGad read and taught-, Penly & P11^ in private and publtke prayer s\ in acknowledging our offer ces p,° p ^ ^ !? f evenup- fiberconverfathn: informing us withall j f That Godhath Sa^in d^PuH pit, and then confirmed his doctrine by his practice, « Of the Time and place of Prayer, part 1. p. 1x4.1 2 5. * Que«ne £/^Initmctions.Iniunft.zo. & Canon JJ, * The \ . part of the Sermon of the Time and place of Prayer.p.i 1 5.1 26. li giv'm z^i Hiftrio-SMaftix. Part.i given expreffe charge to all men , that upon the Sabbath dayy \hey[hould ceafi from all we eke ly a fid worked*) labiurjo the in. lent, that like as (fodhimfelfe wrought fixe dayes, and refled tbe fevsnth, and bleffedandfitnftified it, and confecrated it to quiet neffe andrefl from lalzur\ even fo Gods obedient people jhouldufe the Sunday holy lie ', and refl from their common and daily bufmeffe, and affo give themfelves WHOLLY to heavenly exercifes of gods true religion andfervtce. But alas % See Concili- (quoth the Homely) alt the fe notwithflandmg, it is larnen- um Laodicenu table to fee the wicked boldnes of thofe that will be counted Gods Can. 19. Tar- people^who paffe nothing at all of keeping and hallowing the raC°A6ureIua-n* ?««^« And the fe people are of two forts. * The one forty if nenfe 3,Can , there be bufineffe to dee, though there be no extreme need, they vj. Matifco- mufl not (pare the Sunday: they mufl ride and iourny on the nenfe 2.Can.x. Sunday, ^'c. they muft kjepe Afarkets and Faires on the Sun- t "ci °d °6C ' d*7 > fim!iy> the? *& dl da)eS ali^> forking- day es and Holy. biloneiife 1 " day es are all one. The other fort is worfe : For although they Can.itf.Con- will not travell nor labour on the Sunday as they tloe on the ftatinopolitanu week* day, yet they will not refl m holweffe9 as Cjod comman- 6. Can. 8. & ^ftfj: frHt t^ey Yefl tn ungodlwefie and fihhineffe, prancing in £an°n" 1Q tht i> pride ; pranking andpricking,pointing and painting them* Concilia apud4 felves t0 ie g^g^iu andgay, they refl in exceffe and fuperfiuttj % Palatium Vcr- tn gluttony and drunkenneffe Ukji Rats and Swine : they refl in nis. Can. 14. brawling and rayling, tn quarrelling and fightings they refl Foro-Iulienfe.* $n wdntonneffe, in toyifh talking, tn filthy flefUineffc, fo that rent * C* C 6 ** ^ t0° ev*Ae*tly appeare, that God is more dtfhonoured^ and Turonenfe 3.^11.40; Moguntintum. Anno.813.Can, if. $7 . Synodus Rhemenfis* An.8r^Can.5 5.ConciI.Panricnfe,lib.i.cap.5o.lib.^cap.^&i9. Synodus Aquif- granenfis fub,Lud, Pio Can. 17.21. Condi. Triburienfe.Can.^. Bafilienfe SefT. 19. Surius Concil.TbiH.4 pag.57. Reformatio Cleri Germanic, cap. 10, Ibid. pi 7I4. Synodus Auguftenfis.An.i ^8.Ibid.p.8o8. Synodus Moguntin3. Anno4i 549. cap.98.Ibid.p..87 9 together with Capitula Caroli Magni, Synodus Andagau. Sy- nodus Galonis & Simon's Legator. Concilium Biturienfe. An. 1 584. & Synodus Parif. 1 j 5 7. quoted by BocheUus.Decretomm,Eccle(ix GalIic.Iib.4.Tit. 1 o .p. 5 9 1. . to <$9<). which inhibit all vvorkes of Tillage^ Husbandry) ail Faires, Markets, Pleas, and other kinde of bbour, together with all fports and paftimes on the J-ords-day. * Vnder which Dancingis included: or if not, yet atleaftit is as nnkwfull asit,or any of the particulars here fpecified 5 and therefore as much con- demned by this Homely as they. the Part. i. Eiftrio^%4afiix. 24 J the Devill better ferved on the Sunday ,t hen upon all the dates sntheweekebefides, And I ajfure you the beafts which are commanded to reft on the Sunday , honour God better then this kinde of people : For they offend not God, they breaks not thetr holy -day es. wherefore O ye people of Godjay your hands upon your hearts, repent and amend this grievous and dangerous wickedvejfe, ft and m am of the Commandement of God him- felfe, be not difibedient to the godly order of Chrtfts Churchy ujed and kept from the Ape files time untill this day, Feare the difpleafure and tuft plagues of Almighty God if ye be negligent. Dancing therefore on the Lords-day (which no godly Chriftians in the Primitive Church did once life for ought we read,) is an unlawful! exercife, if our Homelies or (fanons may be iudges ; therefore an unlawfull paftime punifhable by the Statute ofi. Carolucap. i . which inten- asee.hcre pag,1 ded to fuppreffe dancing on the Lords-day, as well a* 2?I# Beare-bayting,Bull-bayting,Enterludesf And (fommon ptayes; * Ineft & in which were not fo rife, fo common as dancing, when °fculis in?.ni~ this law was firfh inacled. Finally, this dancing as the k"^11^ yo~ti [* Waldenfes teach, doth lead men on to the breach if, all the cZm'wXvxfd ten Commandement s, and to fundry inevitable finnes and Poetas mino- mifchiefes: In all thefe refpecls therefore, they con- res.p.n. See elude it to beeevill, and unbefeeming Chriftians. !Wi»fc*« s&- Seventhly, Dancing (as etranha9 comfes,ridtculms Love-prances, lewd? companions ; all which calvin, Martyr, are as fo many fevcrall ft'ovg felicitations to whoredome and Gualtber,Zral- uncltancffe, and ^favour onely of fenfcdlity, of raging flefhly wv*> V'mh lufis, which wane againft thr foule. Therefore its « wholly *raf >*^*f ' b to be abandoned of all good Chriftians. Eightiy, this & i^** * D anting ferves to no neceffary ufe, no profitable, laudable, or fore-quoted pimtndatall*, it neither glmfies God, nor benefits men in places, • /•i 2 joule 144 Iliflrio-Mafiix. Part, r joule, tn body, in eft ate yor reputation : it iffues onely fom the imbred gravity, vanity, wantonneffe, inconttnency \ pride, pro- pW*j/I',ormadneiTeofmens depraved natures; and it JRom. 13.14- (erves onely l to make prov'tfion for the flefi, to fulfil I the lufts ii.Col"J4n Sempronia^ P that [he wot tauoht to finer and dance more 1 rCIf '*?' * *' Uegantlyy then became an honejt vtoman : which Jwgtng ana muniu Claflls. iancing (faith hz)aretbeinftrumentr of luxury. And what a.c.n.fe&.66. did thefe two two qualities (which we now fb much 67>6°- admire) worke in this curious, wel- educated Roman MarJT& h"1 Dame ? the Hiftorian tels us : A ft things were alwayes x 8^ MattK itarer to her then refutation and chaflity : andjhe was fo en- n Trcatife a- Hamed with lufly that (he would ojtner feeke after men, then gainft Dan- they after her. P iMacrobim informes us: that not onely cmgpag.67. Sfyllin dancing was reputed infamous and a badge ofdtfhenefiy ^l^10V^ ° among the Romanes : but that notwithftanding it * the Sonne s lt(sm ? Semproniadoftafuitpfallere,faltareelcgantius quam neceffe eft proba? ; qua* initrumenta luxuriae funt« Ei cariora Temper omnia cmamdecus atquepudiciria fuit : lubidinc fie accenfa, at faepius peceret viros quam peteretur. Bellunt- Catil. pag, 12.15. P Saturnaliumjib.$.cap,i4,pag# 458.459. * Nobilium vero filios, &■ [quod difhinefaseft) filias quoque virgines, inter ftudiofa numeraire faltandi. tneditationem, teftis eft Scifto ^fi'uanm&t. Ibidem^. z46 Hiftrio-Maftix. Part.t - Doceturprae- of Noble. men ', dW ()*fetffc ^ * /7;#»his Oration againft the iudietary eunt in laudcm £*** */" TtberttU Qraccus faith thus : 1 f fcjr tfr* f*0g6/ difhonefh hiftnonu: dif- niggling: they goe withpr etty impudent "Dancer /, n^ <**/#/- cunt cancare : cimer andpfaltery to the praife of St age -players : they learne to nX!Tin o"* ' fi»£> w^ich 0Hr v4nccfteYi wi^ fooM be ™f***A * difgrace f probro^uder '** Gentlemen. There goe ,/ fa) r, into the Dancing-Schoole a- ' voluenlt.Eunt, mong Dancers, both Noble dries and Tomhes* When one re- inquam5inlu- tat edthefe things to me, I could not perfwade my felfe, that durafaltaffcrifi jq0fc ferjon$ mHld te^ch their Children the fe things: but v^n^ptieri! w^0 , j/ . ,'/. t Jifj , i r >n r • i& indticere3ca !i mt* rattles, which ktnde of dance a lewde fooltjb [crvtng- boy ^eros fuos no- could not honeflly dance. Thoufecft (faith he; how Africa- « biles homines nus mourned, that he hadfeene the Sonne of owe who fued for j°^re:peclcum an Office^ which the hope and reafon of obtaining a Magtftra- ludum cT m CJ (at which time he ought to vindicate himfelfe and his from rium.plus me- a^ reproachfull atts) could not then reftratne from doing that, dins fidius in which couldnot be repute'd but dtfhoneft : And before he com- eoludovidi plainesthat mo ft of the Nobility did exercife this difhonefty . puens virgini- y]^ Sc^io jifticanfu.znd CUacrobius iudge of dancing. oCnu^I^ bjway of unum (quo me -fiorne fttles Gabinim, Catilines Conful, a r Dancer ; and rcipub.maxime withall accufeth Verres for his initmate acquaintance with mifertwm eft) Apronius a dtffolute adulterous, lafcmous P ot-companien ; puerum b nil a- f ^ho danced naked at a drunken feaft: which crime of dancing Iiu nonminori na^ he obiefts to l L. Fifo.So in his elegant Oratio forMurx- annis duodecimjcum crotalis faltarcrquam faltationem impudicus fcrvulus honefle faltare non poCfet. Vides quemadmodii ingcmuit Africanus, quod vidiflet cum cro- t ilis faltantem petitoris filium,&c. ibidem" r Saltator lllic Catilins Conful. Oratio fro Cn.Plancio. c In convivio faltabas nudus.Iw VcrrcmMb. 3* «'Cu college tui domus, catu & cymbalis perfonarct3cumq; ipfe nudus in convivio faltaret in quo ne tii qui- decu iilu faltatoriu fou verfaret orbe fortunaj rota pcmmefcebat.Onz//*/)! L.Pifinem an, Part. i. Hilirio-Maflvx. 247 na, he cenfures u Cato, for ftilmg L. Muraena a Dancer : tl Sattatore ap. which if it be truely obietted (faith he) it is a reproach of a ^[^ ^Mu, mo ft vehement accufer : if fat fly, of an ill- tongue d rayler. For ma]ec{ j ^ * a e£ y*Wt*bhk*>thougbk might fchetre to M. Crafllis, though per- pcrcuflionc chance a dfooneft man weald doe it : fliijicientfy teftifie, nsres police that dancing was an infamous thing in men of place' fcriptuseiTe, andnote,among the Romanes: that it was a notorious eii-T'0!'11.10*1 reproach among them to be filled, much more to bee foreCm'Stf'1" a Dancer, and that no fobermen, but vitious, riotous dc) faltarec.At VVhorc-mafters and Drunkards onelyufedit, in their homoiuftus>& Cups and ebrious Feafts. It is Seneca his lamentable cpem fauirnus complaint of his times, and we may iuftly take up the wrimi bonum, fame of ours, z that the wits of (lot h fuH youth wereorowne q-iod in f • ***>**> netther were they indnftrious tn the ftudy of any hone ft transferati de- thtug. S'eepe, and float h, and that which was worfe thenei— tr3het,&c ibid, therfleepe or lazJtneffe, the diligent purfuite of 'evill things , hath * Torpent ccce invaded their minder. The obfeene ftudtes of finging and dan- !!r|cnia dcfidi" cm? (pray marke his epithite) doe pofefe the effeminate: oL-eiuventutis, S% i , S r / re • necinullins a*d to frounce and curie the hatrc, to become effemsnate t* iioneftje rci la- (fetch and body, is thovery patterne of our youth* And now tore vigilatur. obferve what followed here upon :) they are conqnerers Sommis Ian- ef others chaftity, negligent of their owne. (Againe, in his n^iclan^Te N*tHr*U Q™fl'*"s-M-7- cap^i. he complaines; * that turpior, mala- l^e ^oufe of Pyladis and Batillus (two Dancing-mafters rum vcrum in- and Stage-players) hadfuccefforsto continue it : that there duftria, invafit were many Schollers andmany M afters ofthefe arts : Theft aminos. Can- ^flfaflers teach privately, (or there is a prwate Dancing* nun- bf Schoole)th*orowcut the Qttjyehere both men and women dance: ftudia effomi- Men and their wives ftrive betweene themfelveSy which of natos tencnt : themfhallfirjl turne the fde to the Danctng-mafter. After^ Stcapillufran- gere,&c.noftrorum adolefcentium fpecimen eft.EmoUiti encruefq; quod nati funt inuiti manent j expu?natores?licna; pudicitia*, negligentes lux. Centreverf libi.m Troxmio.fag.96 7. * Stat per fucceflbres Pyladis & Batiili domus, h:\rum artium muhi difcitmli funtmultiq; do&ores Privatim urbe tota fonat pufpitum: In hoc virijin hoc ixminx tripudiant. Mares inter fe uxorefque contendunt,uterdet latus iilis.Deinde Tub perform ?cum diu cri'ta frons eft>tranfrtux at ganeam.Jte/.p.4n« ward*) Pa rt. i. Sjftrio-Maflix. 249 wards,when as their wedefiy, and all their jhamc is worne quite away, they pajfe difguifedto a'Brothel-houfe, Loe here the end, the fruits of dancing, which this Heathen Philo- b inftrureenu fbpher much deplores. To paffe by b Iufttn ; who ftiies Iuxuria?,tym« nmficke and dances, the tnftrumerts of Luxury: together pauaafqscri- with c Ovid, * Virgil, c TtMm, aud f Horace; who cen- f'^tf^' fure dancing, ai an effeminate practice of drunken, lewde, i \^mm\ * adulterous men and women, in their luxurious feafts and mes- p'j i.l, y. p48^. f/*gj; and withall to omit the Story, of S Zenophons DeRemedio dancing Trull, who enamored Socrates and the other Spe- Amo"s,Iib.i. Bator s, with her dancing andTtayer-ltke atlipn : The Poet 2^^ j h Juvenal makes dancings the very badge of an adulter eft f he p J ludum lunula* bitur3omniafient Ad veru j quibus incendi iam frigidusar/o Laomcdontiades, oC Neftoris hernia pofi\t.Satyr.6 p.^.vid l£w/«For(itan expe K ^ name d z^o htijtrh-Jtyaftjfo Part.i. carved the Ifoffkriotu, yet ftiled,the mad, by them : for that in his riotous hunks* Feafts, he would [^metimes play together with the tA colors . and once being vailed quite over, Ice was brought in tipzn the Stage by P layers , and laid upon the ground, a* if he were one of them : Afterwards oportun'tty calling him forth, he did caper, he did dance and ieft with the P foyers , fa that all there prefent were aframed : Tofucb miferable things ™ Drpnof.t.12. as the fe, doth that ft 'tip tdtty induce men, which is ingtndred of c.x3.p.8'4i. drunkenneffe. The fame m Athen&u*, out of Theopompmy « Amicasfalta- doth cenlure StraboKing of the Sydoxians, who exceeded tr,fC?Fo mo-" *ft**snm the Jludy of pleafure and delights ; for that he made Lis pnm{\ nunc ajfem bites of Ftdlers, Dancing- women, Lutanifts^ and fent nobis dicere for many Leamons, chores, or Miflreffes out cf PeHeponnefus , non eft Flore- fQY many finging women out of Ionia, and for many amorous tes fakatnees, dries out of all Greece y\ome of which he tendred to thofe that adidt Mercedi" ^nC€^-> others of them he ufuaHy offred to his faends thatfung a'crapiisnt one- as a reward of their covibatCy&c, which verefies the for- ra ponantibus mer pofition, that dancing is the occafion of much lllam, ibidem, lewdeneiTe ; and that Dancers for the moft part are a- tus^c>tUiud " dulterous, lecherous people, given up to fenfuality, and hz faltauones? a^ kinde of vice. Which is further verified in hisDipnof. qua? petulantia / 4.r.6./.8ir.i2.i3./«i0.c.p.i 2./.1 2*c.6.iO. 1 $./. H 13^.6. in pionyfiade 10.3 i,eH. 14.0.3 -5 •* 1. i2.where he fhewes,/fc4f *#**»- xrrupit : tumui- mm profltt^ted whores were expert Dancers ; and all Darcert Jfrd 0084. vid chores, adult ere rs3or lafavious,deboifl ° Bacchanalian perfons, I.4. c.j .1 7 93 5 > an& that fo they were reputed among Pagans. Homer >Odyffe£* 2 4,l.5«'c.3«4.1- //£.i4p.4i8. and out of him 5^^^, Sermo. iS.fbl. 126. 6.C.6.L 1 o.-c94 enumerate this among other effecls of Wine and drun-. ll'l2'\'tl'§**'9 kennefle, P that thty make a wife ma* to fing and dance. \ioUl,\iX Which proves, that wife men anciently never danced 13.017. Li $. hut when ' they were drunken, or franrique; which cap.1.8- Eunptdes his Tragedie ftiled Baccha, and Strabo his Gee- f Vinumetiam £r^6.1ib.io.pag.4&to 55. will moil * plentifully evi- impellitfapien- tem va/de cantare.»8c kniter ridere,& faltare impellit,l/?i^.Tne{l vino facrapars con- vivij3& fplendoris.Ineft etiam pars falt3tioms.Vinii tantx eft potential ut ad cho-N reas vel fenes ipfos trahet. Panyafidcs, & . Ytpbm ApudpMt.M'tlWCh parsvlt.p. 178. 264, * Seelikewifef/dWX^ww.Pw/^.pag.SSi. dence. Part. i. Hifirio^iMaflix. z$i dence, to thofe who have leifure to perufe them. True it is that 1 Plato and r ^Artflotle approve of 'dancing m the *0^gui^ia- Feflivtties and Solemnities of their Idol-Gods, in which they s^' sfbi-slo^ were mofi in ufe : which dances as they were very rare, 7^,880,881^ perchance f onceortwiceayeere; fo they were likewiie 881,871,873,, *certainet appointed b ) iheir tdolatrom^riefls^or by the Over- 874- feers of 'their dances ywk :h ounces miqht not be altered but by °r ^c 7LC' fub like authority by the Tnefls and {JMagtflrates fpecialldt- 1.8 .0,5.6,7*. retlion. Neither wo e they fuch Janets as Chriftians rCum caxitibus can approve. For Via. .even in thefe {acred dances de die a- & chords an- tedto Idol-Gods, would : ivsTonthes andGirles to dance to- ?uos ludosIi~ gether naked, that [0 they might the better difcerre one ana- C1"n/gj" p~t\ thers beauty or deformity , andfo miaht not be deceived in their kius M \l0 « matches and marriages : Which cuitome of dancmg naked, \ag 540. as it feemes by *Tttflf '■ Atben&us, ^Bafil, * Euripedes}ttlAtoUZim^ and othurs, was much in ttfi tn firmer times in drunken r1™ U.^p*8 6o Teafls • in which a naked whorz; or women oft-ttwses attended, 874.881° 88 2' the more to enrage the *ak?d Dancers and the Spetlators » Huiufmodi * lufls, to which they xtere profiitmed at their pie a fur e. Such igmirftudij lafcivious, b?aftiy dances as thefe did thefe Lewde Phi- jpth cti* 'u~ lofophers,and the b drunken Greekes allow, in the Fefitvalsof ^^"^ their filthy Idols. But for all other private dances (fitch pUeliarum con- enely excepted at were filled c ^irricall, wherein men vaul- ftitucre opor- to^ a«d[ danced tn their Armor to fhew their atltvity andtv&t & nudi ftrength; ) they were evermore infamous among Pa- nudasfpedenr, §ans,as the prea dent Authors and DocTor* "Remolds ,%?-"! • rr % l r 1 niii 1 V • liiiSjCu ratione Witnefle : the rtrore they fhould be much more abomi- & a>tate qiudZ nable to all chaftc, all modtii: Chriftians. fuos prxrextus habente^fq ad moderatum fingHlorum pudorem I.egumDial.64p.$6o. * In Vcrrem.l.^.Oratio in L.Pi'onem & Pro Rege Deiorato.T DipnoCl.i4.c. 1 z«*De Ebri.& Luxu.Ser. * In his B-cch2.*Achenaeus Dipn 1.t%c ?. 7ji$- SttetmyTiberimSv£t.q.x.4$l* See 5LmiIij Probi Epaminomis. Polibius.Hift.l.^.p.^o.Homen Iliad. 1 \ 8 p.6p4.700.Euri- pidis Bacchae.Dycnyf.Hallicar.ArmquRorn.l^.feft.?. Srrabo Geogr. [.10. Athe- nxus Dipnof.L,* 4.- n « Pbto.Lcgum. Dialog.7.p3g.88o. 881,881. Zenophon. De Expedi:^ Gyn Hift.Iib.6 pag.370.^ 71. Srrabo Geogr.lib. 10. Athenaeas Din- nofjph lib. 14.cu. P'utarchi btmpofiacum.9 Quasfl-.i 5. Alex abAlexandro.1.6, c4i9.Cx'liusRhodij.Antjqu.Lec1;.l.^.c.4.& 1 i8,c«i6.SeeBulen2CL'us De Theatre, lib.i.cap. j j ,, * See his Overthrow of Stage-playes. paflim. Kk 2 If 2. 5 t Eiftrio-MMftix. Va rt. i. CMtecL ;. I£ any here obie^JQ defence of amorous mixt lasci- vious dancing, ( I fpeake not o f grave fmgle, cha&^and jfober meafurcs men with men) which is now fo much i in aic and high dteeme. Piift, that there are many ia.i- dExo.i5,2o,2f. dable examples of dancing in the Scripture : as d that of Hutig.ii.jp. Mtn^m and the lfraUtt[h women after the drowning of the 2 c_" g'-/' Egyptians y ana t bar miraculous deliverance from them; that i-Chroiuj.io. °f e lepthacs Daughter: i of the Ifralitsfh women after the h Phl.149 J. fighter cj Goiiah rf*d f&f\ thefe dancts which we read of in theSc.rip- vvhere thefe ture, m were all fixgle, confifting altogether of ment or of wo- Scriptures and men onely : (which kjnde of JtKg/e meafurcs were anciently in objections .ire ufe among n the Per fans avdGreecians^ are yet retailed a- JwTred an" "*"& ths ° Br*ftiia*s ar-« others.) W heress our moderne m Sec Exod.15. dances are for the molt, part mixt, both men and \vo- x03ij.iudg.11. men dancing promifcuoufly together by felecled ceu- 34-c.ii.2i,ij. pies* Secondly, thefe dances were no artificiall curtcus 1 Sam.. 8. 6 .7. Gailiards, ftgs, or Carontces, learned with much paines r~?t' *t. j u andpra&ife at a Dancing- Schooie, as ours are: P but ier.3i,-f.luciith - ; . ,r . „ ?, ' „.. ... , .. . 1 5 . r 2 .ij.M u. Jjmp^i flatne^ unartifictallfobsr motions* J hirdly , thefe dan- *4.6,7.Mm.5, ces were no ordinary daily recreations ftY2&\&c\ at every feafl 22. P ZcnophonjDeExpedit.Cyri.l.^.p^yo.^T.^ftaeja Dipnof. 1. 14,0.2 2. ° Ler'm De Navigatrone in Brafiliam.c.9, 'Purcha: Piter. l.i ,c.i.l.6\c.l $ 1.8.c.i4.1ib.o.cap.2. P See Gualthar.liQm-SiJR Marcifc Hom.i8S.in March. Peter Martyr ^Locovu Ccm. CIaflis.2,c,iij(ed^3,to 6S.M.^6rtbbro3\e & Stubss qua fupra, M. Ubn Downham Chriftnn Warfare.!^. ii/cft.5.See Horace De Arte Poctica.p lo^Ttbullui Elee. iib.a.Iilcg j,& tfi'gil Gcorn*.L i. Dial, 24. frdifi the Lord with ail ^after fome extraordinary great d; live* r See Exod.i 5. ra»cts from, or viftones over their enemies, which fcarce *°>--lL^g J* hapned twice in divers a^es : Whereas out dances are i t'c'z 'I9'1^ not fuch. Fourthly, thefe aances were not made in any 6j7 1 a sam< 6. private Houfe, or Hall ; in any Ale-houlc,Taverne,or 16. luditli x 5^ Bower neere adjoyning •> much lefle at any ccMay-p*k, 1 *>*-3> Wak?. or Church-ale; at any Play-houfe, Wedding, or ,*5ce Fch^?f' T^ * r 1 1 U .. " L r J /J Vir&U, DC III- Dancing- Schoole, as ours are: but m the open1 field, yem.Rerii | - where the viihrwiu (fenerail and his Army were to pafje ; c.z.M Stubs A- whom they w#f out to meet and welcome fame with thefe n.itomyof A- t heir dances,* which founded forth his praifs in thofe Pfahnes balcs* ?-i°9,as our (afcivious £ \ cven in °& amorous Dancers doe: but they fifed a z modefi grave c j^ V and fob sr motion, much like to *walkjntr or the grave old M< fufo u ' ' meafures • havtngtimbreU and cymbals in their hands, and x Sim. 18,6,7. a Pfalmes (not fcurrilous amorous Paitorals ) in their ludith tf»it,i9 mouthes^ wherewith they did unfainedly bleffe and praife the u ^° Lord for their obtainedviclories and deliverance s^and^ found tharowo t forth the ftclors pratfes. Seventhly, Thefe dances were j Sam. iS.^.7.'. free from all lafcivious dalliances, from all amorous ge- % S1m.21.tho- ftures, gropings, Rifles, complements, love-trickes/0™0^. Ridith and wanton embraccments ; which abound in all °ur x'^oYf " ■ moderne Dances. Laftly, c thefe dames were wholy devoted' \ , ' j s'ani. \ V. \ 6,7 Judith 1 5.1 i,i 1 A compared together, r Ifay 5 16. fc-Exodif* 20.1 Sam. iS. 6. 7. Iuclith 15.11,12. &c.i„ * Ie was like our Lincclnes Inne failing ofMirthand Solace. * Exod.i5^o,ai.I«sJjr^.i Sam.i».Iudich 16. compared with Ephef j.19^ 2o.Col^.i6.Iam.s\i3.Ier.3i.43i ;.*> 1 Sam 18.6,7. c See * be fore: & Pfal 149,3 Pf. if 0.4 Pi.jo.jj. Thefe dances Were like the tinging or* TeDctm Laudam&s, after vic~tc^ riesj. of which wc has'e fuii^ry prc«dents in our Englifla Chronicles . 2 5 4 Hifirio-Mafiix. Pa rt. x« * See Theodorct. to Cjodspraifeaxd ghrj ; * they were a holy religions few, ce Hift.fccd. i.j. ^w Uhanksfulneffe of fucb heart tta4 jroceea C1I.& Cent.4 w;re ravt[]:edwith Cjvds more jfeciaH mi r cits: Our moderne +i2, wanton dances have no fuch pious ends and circunv fhnces.they proceed not from inch hearts, fudi occasi- ons, fuch extraordinary favours of God as thefe : they differ fromthem in all thefe feverall circuftances: there- fore thefe dances, thefe examples doe nowayes iufti- fie, but condemnc all ours, which rave no aijinity nor cog nation with them. Anfwer 2. To the fecond Objection ; that Safomfon faith, * there i is a time to dance. 1 anhver nrlt,that by dancing in this, * Eccles. 3.4. and the other c obuBtd Set if tares, is not meant any cor- « See^Pfal. 30. poran dancing, or artificiall moving of the feet in mea- pVj al.14^** ^ur? -% btst eilhtr an inward cheer efnU^fc of heart, and readies 2i.4,iiJLam] of fpirtt in Gods fervice ; or elfe a (ptrtttiJtil exultation of the 5 .1 5 .M k.ii 1 7 \ foule in the apprehen/ton offome fpeciall favour of (jod unto ttt Luk.7. 3 1 . See expreffed in an abundant pray ftng of God #» pfdmes , fr hymttes jtmbrofe, Augu- andfpirttuattfongs. This and no other is the dancing ia- Beaafa^rv- ten^ed bY Sai9™»> aiKi commanded in the Scrinture, as ra, Marierat, f Olymptodorm, S fbryfoftowe, h ^Ambrofe, ■ Glofi Ordtna- Gua'tlxr, Ra:a- risy Lyra, k Calvin, and xJundry others teach us. Se- nm Mauruifif- condly, admit this text be meant of corporall dancing, andrjoftatm, vct [z intends no other but religious holy dances, in & other Com- ^j^j, ntyjCY men or women ™praife the Lord, with Hjmncs mentators on , ., _- , r . . 7 . . - i . 1 thefe texts ac- *"d godly ?falmesyftngtng wtth a grace tn tbetr hearts to c ordinely. him, who hath given them fo great an occalion of much fln Ecclefi.$. holy ioy : it allowes no ether dances but fuch,in which g Horn. 38. & tne jieart js more aftive then the feet ; in which Gods if DePxnkek- »ior>'' (not carna^ Jollity) is the utmoft end. It gives ria.1 2.c.6.Ep. no tolleration therefore for our common dances,which 1. 4. Epifr. 50. have neither holim Me for their quallity, nor piety for Comment 1.6. their end. Laftlv, Salomon faith onely, that there u a time inLuc.7.Tom. tQ ^.jCe . an(\ tnis time, I am fur e, is neither n Lords- 3-.pag.47. "In Pial.i494& iyo*In Pl-S^.v II*1 ?ctcr Meaty Gather ^rtbbrootyStubSiLcvtl, T>QW.^ , Pfa!,i 5 *4i« as thefe (which are now made the chiefeR dancing fea- fons) are out of Salomons difpenfation. Againe,the time of working, of following our vocations, of perfor- ming private familie duties of religion ; the times of fleepe and reft (I meane the night * which is more often *." ee Sm r * * 1 • 1 • • j \ • Piir.i2 2.& the* fpent m dancing then in praying, or any pious duty; is rnam Dipn 1 a none of Salomons times for dancing. : it being altoge- cap 6, ii.c*4 \ t* ther untimely at thefe feafons; Therefore thole who & iit>. 1 j ,caj>.,i. fpend their working, praying, reading, ihidyingtime (° which God commandes them to redeeme) in dancing, ° Ephen?.r6. (which too many make their worke, their life, their Ccl,4. 5. See trcde)dance out of Salomons time andmeajure^ who gives ^.6. Scene 1. no allowance to their untimely Rounds. Againe, dan- cing after a man is tyred out with honeft. labour, is al- together unfeafonable : ?fl?(pe and quiet refi^area b?^-pEcc1« j.12. uedmans beftyhis fittefi recreations : They that worke hard all day, had more need to reft, then dance, all night. And yet how many are there, who after an hard iourny q Se5 M~wbe&r or atoylfome day es worke, will take more paines at l!is -er^on o£ night in dancing, then they did in labouring all the day tion^vvkhali time?& becaufe they are quite tyred out with working, th0fe who" they will yet tire themfelves once againe in dancing; writeofRe- and fo difable themfelves the more for the workes and creation. duties of the enfuing day; whereas every Recreation fbould rMiich hke to helfejiot hinder men in thsir caRtngs. Hard workers there- e^^ : 5 4°"1* fore have little time, atleaft but little need or reafon to or ehatin the turne Dancers. For others, who can finde either little, 1 Cor.io,7, or no time at all to worke, (which is the epidemicall Hayj.u,iK& deplorable gentile fafhion r of our l*z>> age,)\ am fure Sa- ^T^^r hmon hath bounded them out no time to dznccEccles. 3. &J4? DeNu^ls hath fet downe i&* fever all times at leaft, for feveral-l CuriaL lib.iV vorfys^nd but one (if that) for dancing* Thole therefore cap-. 1.4,^ who \r$ HifrriO'Maflix. Part. (Sc: i TheCj. who exempt tVicmieives from thefe times of working, 8 io,n}ir..Sec can make no title to this dancing feafon. He that will 5 IT Enf L^ r'ot UhoHr> { tk mfic l"froM P1**- He that hath no wor- bourers^nd a- king time, tis equall he (h oil Id have no dancing time. gatnft Rogues And yet how many arc there now a-dayes who will 6 Vagabonds: needs intitle themielves to this time to dance, though accordingly. t}iev profefiedly difclaime all times to mourne or rtZ^otTtZ worke? How many are there that worke till they dit^Malieris"" frecze.andyet dance till they fweat ? that cannot worke Chnihanae.l.i or pray one houre in a day for (loath, and yet can dance c.-i 3 J4. Ma- nimbly day and night all the weeke long ? that c cannot walke iter Norihbwty twenty yards to Church on foot without the helfe of a Coach; inftDan in* anc* ^ct w*** ^ance 4°* halliards or Carantoes five p 64.b. & cbyl hundred paces long ? Thefe indefatigable dancers,who /^.Hom.7.in would rather die then worke; and not live then live Matth.Tcm i. well : ncedonely a time to worke (which I wimthey Col .co. A. ac- niav f]nd:)not a time to dance,(which they will be fure ^So^krom t0 SaHieXince tnev dance and play away all their time : Eufebiui,Da~ Wherefore fince neither Labourers nor Loyterers have waftme}Fulgen- any need of dancing, they have certainly no title,to Sa- tkUiTbeojby'aft, Unions time of dancing : and fo both their dancing and Viw> Calvin, arguments are out of feafon. Since therefore it is in- ^ ™ f T, fallibly evident by all thefe premifes, that our thcatri- £rafmu4,/igrip- call amorous mixtlafcivious dancing, is linrull andun- f>a>Brant3Kortb' chriflian at the leaf}, if nnouHeathem[h andDtaboltcalUt btw\t, stubs, & The Major of my precedent Syflogifme muff be grated: others fide it, which I fhalhere clofeup with that notable paftage of thcWaldenfes ^lexari^er V*Wand thofe who proceffionibns in?reiliis abingreffucadeftis proceflionis impediat, & nimiru nam,in diebus feftis choreas ducentes faciunt contra omnia facramenta Ecclefix. Pnrno contra Ba.ptif- jnunijin hoc quia rrangunt paftum quod inicrunt cum Deo in baprifmo,ubi promi- fcrunt fe abrenunciare Satana* & omnibus pompis eius : fed pompofnm procefiionc Diaboli intrant cum choreas ducunt.Nam procefTio Diaboli dicitur choreajiu dicir, Qu'iclmiiirarfienfi^AlexaridSabritii^.Dcfr^orium Vlt'iotum^m 3 ctio,Z>. See Htf- lptylcdi-17 I'M Hb.Sapientiaj.cap.i 5/^.1 53. accordingly. w davce P a rt. i. Biflrio-Maflix. z 5 7 davcefeffccially upon Holy-dayes) offend againfi all the Sa- craments of the Church. Firfi, againfi Baptifmc, in this, that they breake'the Covenant which they have entred into with God in baptijmey where they have pr omi fed jhat they would renounce the Devilland all his Pompss ; but they enter into the pompom proceffionofthe Deviliwhen they dance. For * a dance as Gu- * See here pag. lielmus Parifleniis faith yis the Devils preceffion. Secondly , "?• 2 * °» 2 3 z« dances offend againfi the Sacrament of Order • For Ciergte h0™ i i x8 w*» who have received holy Orders, take tbofe orders that they & 2 ^ ]adPop. «?<*7 conveniently celebrate divine fervices in the Church of Anrioch.Horr. Cod: but the fe vanities make divine Service to be contemned *\dtV ^bis I- andneelefted; forthofewhoomhtto be prefent at CMattens ^♦ScHom.in , ©„ , ■ / * K >'•. j Tl • t. 5. lulianum. and yejfiers, are oft-times prefent at theje dances, lhirdiy, -pom jj^ic they offend againfi the Sacrament of tJMatrimonj \ for oft- ParifijsifoV. times in dances yby flgnes ofwantonnefpyvainefongsy and un~ perFrontoDu- law full c on fabulattonsjhe faith of AUtrimony is violated ei- c*um4p.6i 5. ther in confent or wor\e. Fourthly ', they fmne againfi the Sa- ^ jjf *f* a '- crament of Confirmation : form the Sacrament of conflrma- CQrdjnoIv' ' tionthefigneofthe Croffe ii imprinted on their forehead r, a* being bought with the pajfion of £hrift : but infuch dances the figne of the Croffe being cafi atvayy they place the figne of the Devill on their heads* Fiftly, they doe againfi the Sacrament ofPennance : For in the Sacrament of repentance by which they were reconciled unto God, they promifed that they would m never hereafter offend in the like kjinde : but tn fuch vanities they plainely doe the contrary. Sixtlyy thej offend againfi the Sacrament of the Altar. For on E after- day they receive the * . , , Sacrament of the ^Altar, *but immediately after they are onr Bacchant like to Tudas the Traytor : who when he had eaten at the lian Chrift- Lords Table , outofhisowne Dtfbybc went out prefent ly artery mas-keepers* and tooke a band of Soldiers f.m the High-Friers and Ph'a- ™ho fPc,1(i that rifesyand came againfi lefus, as appeareth John the 18. So ^Uom^dm thefe tranforefflng in the forefaid manner \ come dreftly a- thc like ? gainfi Ufm : for when they are in a dance the proceffion of the Devtll, they are not with Iefus , as himfelfe faith, Luk e 1 1 . he that is not with me is againfi me. As Kings in Aniumne and Summer are wont to goe forth to the Warres^ that they may L I take 1 5 8 hiftrio-CMaftix. Pa rt. t ,\kc thai from thiir enemies which they have gained by their labour in Winter : fo the Devill the enemy of mankind* after Eafter; yea, on Softer-fay ttfelfe (we may more truely af- rirmc it on our Chriftmas and W hition Holy-day es)£ Apocalipfe the &prcciok*um 9* A&vifing all men out of Ecclrfiafncas tbe$. not to kcepe lapidu qwibus C0mpa^y with a woman that is a 'Dancer, not yet to hearken utunnir falta- to her voyecjeft they chance to perifh by her fn ares : ar.d Wifhing trices incapiti- all Chriftians to renounce all dancing , ai being thus oppofite to tan "" m-C *M the Sacrament i. Thus much concerning dancing, in n».quas Dhr p*obat of my Major, in which I have the more inlarged bolus pofaitfu- my d ifcourie, both in refped of the neere arimity that pra capita ilia- is betweene Playes and Dancing ; and in regard of the rumpiomulti-univerfaifty 0f tfas iew^e infamous exercife, which quemTabuft10 ovcr^Prc^s OUT °wne and other Nations, whofe com- ipfe Dhbolus monnefle hath purchaf ed it: fuch credit fuch applaufe in per cas defiUjs this en%minate,unchaftelafcivious difiolute age where- Dd.Vnde ficut in we live; that moil repute it a nccelfary ornament, an flrenui milites in torneamentis folcnt in capitibus e quorum lucrum in fignum viftoria? coronas mli Wan, ScmQ |o, k CuftodiAlattitt* accordingly. ' " " effentiall Part. i. Hifttio-Waftix. ^59 dlcntiall commendable quality orvertue, to make vp a Gentleman, a Gentlewoman, who are deemed in- *SceSam*l compleate, at leafl wife rude without it : when as all the Eyrd, his Trca- fore-quoted Councels, Fathers, Pagans, and niodcrne nk ofthe Chriitian Authors, with * infinite others, have thus I/carui'<-» ot branded, cenfured it (efpecially in the female fex who \™* London are now moft devoted to it) as * a Diabolically infernally x 5 8o4c.4.f. ?4, effeminate, unchriftian, wicked, unchafte, immodeft i.%£mtewm. heathenim paftime, contrary to all Gods Commandc- Scrmo.s.& 7- mentsand Sacraments : and as the very pomps of Sa- &*?"$<>&* q*i% tan which wee renounce in Baptifme : which meep^'Tr / thinkesiliould now at laft reclirie our depraved iudge- tl*fe againft ments in this point of Dancing, and rt forme our live$«£ Danun^Ded-- For the Minor, that Stage-piayes are commonly at- cated by 'he tended with mixt effeminate amorous dancing ; it is £rcncll /vll"!- n ,1 j • iters ottneKe- moit apparant ; not onely by our owne modcrne expe- formed Ghur- ricnce,but Likewife by the copious teftimony of fun- ches to the drv Pagan and Chriftian Writers of ail (brts: as namely, KipsofNavar. of* Poltbim. Htflorti. lib. ^\ag. 340, OfLivy. Rom. H>fi. Ri^^ Price, Itb.j.feft.ii.Ot Dionjfu* Hallicarnaffeus. Atttyi Left.lj. ^fa*™^** £8,9. Of 'Plutarch. Sjmfofuwofi.lib 9. g**ft.l5-P*g-V5' LoSonftli* 31 5,3 I 7. Of Athcn&tts Dipnefophzrttm. lib.S.c.i l.p 6$y GuMmm Van- lib.i^c.^ p.pSo.pBiiC.j.p.ypo. * c. jl>p.$99&c. 12. fienfs De Vitus pag. 3 1005. OF ' nJM acrobim Saturnalium lib. z.c.j. Of ^ Y,'iltli^m* Horace b SermonumX 1 . Satyr. 5 . p. 1 83. & lie &4ru Poe- ^JeJ^^I" ttea Itb.p. 303. 306'. Or' 'Euripides , in his Bacchz O£0vid} in f^ndam- Ve e Re medio Amoru.l.2lp.2iO.Q£lTUto.Legum.cDiat.j. bus exultant Darmoncs &* lxtantur Miiiiftri Vxmonum Chryfoft.Hm 49. & 74 in Mcth. & HoU^ot in lib. Safi- en r'w. Lectio \j 1. * Spedaculaacludosm theatris cum cantibusj& chortis^-flhgulis quibufqj snnis civibus praebent. lb';cl. 7 Etenim fa!t;;tio sdCrita ?.d fodalitarem vul- gariquada. Poer.ica, focictate cadeitis dims poefeos amin% in (lulus & attcnitis theatris obtincr tinqua tyrannus fubiugata fibi quad a exili mufica : omneni autem apud prudences & divinos vires perdidit revera honorem.Jb.\4, z Nam embatcria cu:n tibijcordineq^exercetes/dtationibuf.}; ftudcntcSjCupubUca&cur; & fumpm isn^ulis annis in theatris confpiciuntur,&c. !£/<$. * Sunt aute trcs faltationcs pcefis fcenicXjTrngicajComicPjSrryricaj&c.iW. *> Saltaretm Cvclopa rr5g?rct,&c,i^rf. c At tanti tibi fit non lndulgere Theatris. Hue fcffldue ffdi faltantur amores,&c. jbidzm* LI 1 Jriftotk i6o Hiftrio-Maftix. P ART. I Anfloile Poetic. /.i.f.i. Snetonij CdiguU.c. 54. 5 y. C/<*«- dianm Eutroptum. ltb*2. Clemens Alex anarthpu. Padagopi, r.ais lib.i.cap q.folA 50.& lib. i.e. 11. Tertullian & c Cyprian Arnobim Adverf.Gentes.l.i.p.j<).& 1,^.* pt . p^.230. to 240. Laclantius i Divinorum ,. Ambrofe, De I'&mtentia. Itb.i. cap. 6. Bafil pitudinem mu- Hexam* Hom.^ pag.q.5. Napier z,en adSelucum De Refia cam in fcenam Edsicatione.f. 1 06 ? . 1 064. Cbryfofiome. Hom.6,j. & 3$. fo transferut.lforf# %JMmh. S AuguflweyDe Ctvit. Deijtb.-y.c26. Caffwdorus civit^ToTuT ^w*™™'1- 1 •£/»/?• 20- Salvian De Gubemat. Dei.1.6. Ifio- deialtenmr fa- dor.Hijp.Origmkm. /. I 8. c.48. 5 o. Tfo 6. founcell 'of (fon- bulofaeanciqui- flavt mop Ic. Canon 5 1 . (which h inhibits all Players, Playcs* tat um lubidi- and T>atictng on the Stagey under paine of excommunication;) nes. Ibidem. ^ £up^tt4i apHd Damafcenum. Parallehrum. lib. 3, c. 47. tur Venus &a",W^erc t^1US ^e Writes- ' Btit w^at ^otb he behold who per ariettas runnes to Theaters* Diabolic all Songs; dancing G fries ; omncs mere- or that 1 may fpeakem:re true'y, Girle* flirredhithtr andtbi- tricias vilicatis ther with the furies of the Devill. For what doth a Dancerefe im;. udicaex- ^ ? ^y jmpU^ent/y uncovers her hsad, which V&uXbath primitur inn- , , r , J „ tin- , , ~ tatione bacch-*- comma""ed to be continually vailed: pe inverts h;r necke ; {he ri. Saltatur & toff th about her haire this way and that way- Even thefe magna facris things are Ukewife done by her who ispoffeffed by the 'DcvilL conipta cum Such Ikewife was tbefeaj} of Herod : the "Daughter of Hcro- terU&c lb?d ^ns entrw£ *n> danced, andcut of the head &c. Sur'w. Cwc'iLTm.i.fdg .1048. i Quid-iutem cernit qui ad theatracurnt? Diabolicos cantus j mulierculas falutantcs,velut rectius loquar* Daemonis intemperijs agitatas.Qaidenim -faltitrix fajit ? Caput quod Paulus per- petuo te?i Yult impudenter aperit 3 collum invertitjeomam hue atqj illuc expandit. Haec porro eriam ab ea fiunt quam Daemon obfeff.im tenet. Tale nimiru Herodis quoq; conyivium erat. Herodiadis filia ingreffa tripudiavit, ac Ioannis Baptift#7.5 .£.4,5 . M.Cjualt her, Horn, * ontio Ed- 5 2 ./» Marc, Alexander ab Alexandro. Gen% DierumJ.6,c. 1 9 . gari Regis.Bibl. *dgr'PPa DeVantt.Scient.c. 20. M.GoJfon, his P layes Confa- Patrum. Tom. ted.Attion i.D.Rcinolds hisOverthrow of Stage-play es.pag. i?.p.i53'*S4- 1 2. to 1 9. & 1 30. to 1 39. Cjodmny his ^0»**» Antiquities. JJ^™1 &1 fal- /. i.feft.i.c. 1 1 , Balengertts *De TheatroL 1 .c.5 2. with * fun- tantj &c. dry other Authors which Bulenger there recites. All *seeM.Nflrt&- which exprefly informe us ; that dancing was alwayes broofaSc Mr. heretofore, and yet continues an un fefer able concomitant, ,f Stubs qinCupr*. not aneeejfary part ofStage-playes. The premifes therefore ^SoJ. aCCor- being thus confirmed, my conclufion from them a- ^inglyi gainft Stage-play es muft be granted Actvs 5. Sce.na Nona. THe fecond unlawfuti Concomitant of Stage-playes, is- amorous, obfcene, lafcivious luft-provoking Songs*and Poems, which were once fo odious in our Church 1 that in the Articles to be inquired of in Vitiations y fet forth in the firft yeere of Queene Eli zabeths Raigne, Article 54. Church-wardens -were enioyncd to in- quire; whether any Minftrels, oranj other perfons did ufe to fing orfaj any Songs or Ditties that be vile and uncleane ; • which fuggeftsthis 24. Play-oppugning Argument Argument to me« 24# LI 3. Thofe i6 t Hiftrio-Maftix. Part.t * Aiun Thole Pl^Ves which are ufiiaily accornpaned witli amorous Paltoralis, lafcivieas ribaldrous Songs fonhi ''-Vi '. anc^ Ditties, * muft needs be unlawfitl^je* ahminabic ten 1 1 u , JX: ad **** ChriftiatfS. cncurandam But Stige-playes are ufually accompanied with fuch aniisiim qaam Paftotals, Songs, and Ditties as thef e. enocmium Therefore they mult needs be unlawfull , yea aborni- huius reive- naoieunto Chnihans. rumar^u- The Minor is moil aparant. Firfl, by our owne mo- memumaccipe, derne experience, there being nothing more frequent, quod difficile jna[[ oar Stage-playes (as ail our Piay-haunters can qulskvis rods abundantly teftifie; ) then amorous Paftorais,or obfeene ft gravis r:t« iafcivious Love-fongs,moft melodioufly chared out up- vidi mfimtos on the Stage betweene each feueral Ad-ion; both to fup- nm viros qua ply that Chafme or vacant Interim which the Tyring* fceminas unto j10Ufe takes up,in changing the A&ors robe.s3to fit them qujutto melio, for fome other part in the enfuing Scene: (a thing /* ns vocis. An- **fe m Ancient times y a* k Horace, 1 Livy, and ^fttvdry others tonmicbron.faYs hxve recorded ; ) as likewiic to pleaie the itching eares, a* 7^.18.^5. if net to inflame the outragious lulls of lewde Specla- fcNi°' b tors, who are oft-times raviihed with thefe ribaldrous nibusj nunc eft P^afing Ditties, and tranfported by them into a n Ma- gauvifa Tra- homttan Paradife, or extafie of uncleaneile. Secondlr, gxdis.Efiftj.i. as experience, fo fundry ancient and modcrne Authors rj;Jl.i.p.iZo. fuijv fL1ffragate to my'Minors truth. ° In Sta^epUjcs chor^offirifif Cvvrites S' B*fiO irrupt Songs ingenerate too much lufi m ^ue virile De- f^e ™*ndet of men. Thefe vvhorifti Songs refdwa in the readat : neu mtndes of the hsartrs, doe nought elfe bat ferfvtde filihineffe cjuidmedios imerc:n.!t:! comi^elva nibus adhibere lege \>VQhibuit£Htropia.7lm.Hift.lj$.p.i73.4m!'m ViBot &/c/? ^ // z tmoynes att £brifli- Jol,H /j w 4»/#» ffo/r Feafls> their mtrth^ and private meetings, tofing tatioq; hxc ^falmfs, and Hymnes, and (pirituall Songs , ofprajer, ofpraife eniti funt of- to Godwilh a grace andmelody in thetr hearts: a praftife, namenta con- which all the Primitive Chriftians (as the margtn all * A u- vmi.QdytfeeM. t^orJ witneiTe) obferved in their Love-feafls, in all their pri- * Kalvattcs rex vate aK^ fublike meetings; and I would, thofe moderns tzttxLydix Christians, whobanilh thefe things from their Feafts more atqj luxu and Merriments, as altogether unfeafonable, exhilera- barbaricopr*- ting themf elves b wtth nought but fcurrilous bcaftly Songs, ?lti1SpU> lascivious muficke , wanton dancing, and fuch unchrifiian rec Vindncn- w'n^ > would now againe reviue it. So it exprefly pro- tes fiftuhtores bibits c all filthy ■, corrupt, unedtfying communication: d all &tibicines atqs fornication and uncleaneffe which are not fo much as once to be fceminas etiam named amongChrtfttans : together with c all fooltfh talking "bici^sinex- a„^iepn^. allribaldry and feurrility, either infongs or lefts procin&rba- (which f Plato, and the Athenians, though Pagans, did buit, lafcivien- prohtbiteby an unanimous law,) as odious unto God, pernicious tium delicias to the manners, mindes, andfoules of men, and mtfbefeeming conviviorum. Nott'mm jitticl.i. c i i.p.z6-&HcrodotiCl'io.ft& 3. 7 Omneconvivium obfexnis can- ticisftrepi^pudendadift.ifpeftanturX'b. 1 7-l$}39>*°* Gregory NiJJen,De Vita beati Gre- gory Orauo,CJbry/ojta/».Hom in Pfal.4.1 Tom. 1 , Col. 7 $ ?♦ Theodoret, De Evangel. Veritatis Cognitiome.1.8. & De Martyribus. I«p«390.F.Tom.i.P//?2y Epift.ljo.Ep, 97 . b Quis ro§° n*c crror eftj^ux it altitia ? Nunqiud laetari afTiduc & ridere non poflumus, nifi rifum noftrum atque lanitiam fcclus efle faciamus,&c i Sakian, Be Gubcrmt.Deilib/.fag. 191, « Ephcf^^^i, cap. y.4. 1 Cor. M.33. See Aft.3. Scene 1. pag^ 5. to 66. * Ephcf. £.3. c Ephef. j.4.* f Omnibus enim fuflragijs hxc lex vmcit, ut & in cantiknis bonis verbis utamur, & ut cantilenas genus tindi- quaq jex gratiofis verbis conftet. Tlaio U%twPia.lo%.7 . f«g. 874. Qirifttanit Pa rt. i. Eiflrio-Mafiix. z£$ Chrifltans, g whofe word; flmdd he alwaya gracieusjcafoned 3 Col 4.<<, •with f ait .ythatfo they might adm'tmfter grace, not poyionor Ephcf-4-2?- corruption, to the bearers, Ribaldrous amorous Songs, l q„j Satanicas arefounfutabIeforthemouth.es, the eares of CSHritti- cantiienssxbn- ans; that hTheophyi*tt plainly tells us, fita* tt»fer*bo fir.g cimmt/piriui y»^ i^,3 are-poffeffed rvttb an mcleane Spirit: andS. « 2* r- j^jlr ^ ' "*" nard, that be who is delighted with obfcene lefts, and fecular 'mEtftf\itJ Ditties, (as alas too many are) is in the very pavutm or 5IOl H " poffejfion of the Devtiu No wonder therefore if the Scrip- » Qui eufm turecondemnesfuch fongs as thefe,as unbefitting Chri- »*»& feculi itians. Secondly, as the Scripture, fo fundry ancient 2?^°lbu* • *»d modtrne Cowceh exprefiy cenfure,fucfr Toems, Songs, cemotfib Dia- *?*d( Ditties ; rf* abominable and polluted in themfehes, defiling boli eft. d* fta mouthes, the eares y of thofe rvho chaunt, or hear e them Nupiijs filij Re- cbamtcdt as alteUhes untg lewdneffe, incentives unto tuft, gu.Cd.17 if. 4* k which grieve the holy Sptrit of God, whereby me are fealed up *c^j£e*nt \f to the day of redemption, and rvholy effeminate the mimdes of \iX^0 libenter men. WitnefTe (foncilium Arelatenfe.i. apud Suriuw.Con- cantus & in- cil.Tom. I .p'W.J 2 7- Concil. t/$gatbenfe.C«n. 3 g.Venetkum, ftnimenta mir- Can. 11.Taleia.num. ^Can.zp . 3 8. CMcountmum fub Rabano. ^rchietifcopc. cap. 1 7 . Pl« Pe* cantus p^r/ 9. ^ Io J Synodm (famotenfts. Anno 1526. (foncdium yox qll^rimr Burfogevfe.iAnno I 582.$* Synoaut Turonica, 15 8 3. which fobria vita de- 17. (everall Councels ,tnhibite all ChrtftianJ,ejpeaalty Clergy- femur. Cantus men, both from the nfe, the hearings andfrngmg of fuch Songs diflbiuttts me- ^ *£e ,. , r '* ',./ , ^ . A , r hlia & imriio* iwita adverf. GentesJib. 4. cr 7. Tauanus^ Or at to adverftM c .1 8 ,& BaJU De Gr&cos. Lallantius de Vers Cultn !.6>c. 2 1 . Bafil. Hexaeme- Tbmtate & ton. Horn. 4. De Eb met ate & Luxu. Sermo 2.&*De Legend/4 Luxu.Scrmo. jt(.r^ Gentilw Oratio. Naz*icnz,en Oratio 2 8. 3 7, $ 8 . # 48. * Fofis tU"cnl & Ad SelticumDe Ketla Edue*tioric.p.i062. FJieromEptfi. impiismodis ^ Z. ^ K- , A j V , ^ . • tJ & amatonjs 2>c.6.Ep.9.c.$. Ep.io c.q..& Adverjm lovintammd*i.c^ canticis fe ob- (fyrillus Hterufolomitanm Chatechefis Myftagogica. I . (who Ic&ant, nbiaru makes fuch afi»fJi the veryvoonkes and pompes of the De- eantBipiaufu, vt\\ which we renounce tn baptifme : ) Eufebim amd Damsfce- temuientia>& ,-, „ , , ' J A / r ^ _', , 7 . quovisc3!iio nHmfl}arallelortmd.,$.c.tf* Ambrofe -, De Elia & letmto. ac forde opple- *• 1 8 & Sermo 33. Sd. After ij Homilia in Feftum Kalenda- ti. Hocautem rum.Orati8.Bibi-cPatru.Tom.^p.jo6* Augtiftine De (fnfitl dumiantant & Dei lib. 6. c. 6.7. laboribus mortificant membrafua fuper tenzm.TbeodoretlnterpinCantica.Cad ?Q?.J»tMb nounce comic 'all toy es. who vent lyes and clamours in Cirques* quimendacu . rr . s ' . \r si- <*. ? in? &'damores in &c* " If then,contemnmg andfor faking StageplayeSytbM (halt Circe fibus hi- hereafter frequent the (fhurcb, thou haft then refiered health to disedunt.Hofw, thy hauhtng feet : Ifthoujhaltdejpife diabolic 'all fongs , and in m Ff'll-Z l H -v' flead of them [halt learne ffirituatl Pfalmes, then, may eft now i .Co/ io2< rT* JP'eake> whereas before thou wafl but mute. And in another : Si Tlieairafi- Homely he writes thus:- As flime and d:r, fare wont to flop the bus ludrs fprc- eares of the bodjyfo meretricious fongs do ufe to flop the eares of ns atque ncg- the minis ywore then any filthier rathir, they doe not on ely flop y kchs ecc tefiam fat hkewife contaminate and defile them: (or [tie h [onus doe a* it canti pedi inco- **** caftdtrt into the eares What th at Barbarian thr coined. fay- lwniutem red- **g \ youfhall eats your owne dang : that venly doe many to you didifti. Si Di- wwjtot tn wordjbut in deed :yeajh*t which is Jarre worfe and aboiicos can- filthier : tor adulterous fongs are much more abominable then & eorirn Clo*o mJ <*mg* And that which is farre worfe to be endured. ipiritaUs didi- (though it bee the very humour and practice of our ceris,ia loqv.c- lafcivious times) you are not oady not offended nor grieved risjcum ancea at the hearing of fuch fongs, but jcu laugh and reioyce; and mucus efles. whzreas you ought to avoyd and abominate themjou (Mertaine tTzCoUO^b. arjd applaud them. To conclude : Y eDancing>muftckc> adul- * Nam quemadmodu limus & fordes aurcs corporis obftruerefoient, fi.e mrretricij cantus aurcs mentis folentmagis quam cjuasvis forded obftruere. Vel potiusnon obftruiit tantu,veru etiam impuru faciut & immundu:quafi enim ftcrcus immitfeunt auribus Yeftns huiufmodicolloquia.Quodbarbarus llleminabatu^dicens 5 Come- detis ftcrcus veftru,id etiam mulu non verbo, fed re vobis faciunt, imo veromulto pejus aefcedius. Nam Fornicacorij cantus multo magis quam ftcrcora funt abomi- nabiles.Quodqj^gnusferendujncn fold nulla talia audientcs moleftiacapitis,veru Ctia ridetis atqj lttamini.Cuqj vitare iita,nbominariq;deberctis;fufcipitis atq; lau- datis Horn 38.W Mattb.Tom i.Co/.207.C.See HQm^DeycrbisJfaiaJTom.i.Col.iiSS.j, J ChoreXjcymbaIa,tibix,canticaturpia plena fcortationu ac aduIterioriijDiaboh Vom2a>&c.tfQm<4iMAffo.Tm3-ColMi.Ct& Hom.il in 1 Cor-. Tom. 4, Col.} >7"*- term Part.x. Hiflrio-cMaftix. 169 terous ribaldry fongs (faith this Father) which arefo rife and frtqxent in cur marriages ('and yet not fo frequent then, as they are now in ours : ) are the very 'Devils pompe and zQ[}{i{ c|ixeris botcb'$9tch/&c. z V/hat wilt thoufzy ^f their fongs which are ^e ,^:s tanticis fraught with ali incontinence which bring in difioonefl loves, Un- qux funt plena lawfully nay wielded copulations 3 the ever pons ofhoufes and m- omni impudi- numerable Tragedies, and have oft-times in them the name citia3« amores of a Miftns, n t r in ■ 1 rt ■ \ ) r \ , r lnclucunt lnnu- oufly andunfeemely : (porting themfelves with disorderly fongs, merabiles, & obfeene difcourfes, fatanicall muficke, in honour, or rather to frequens habec the dijhoftour of the new married Spoufe. And dofl thou yet nomeii amici inquire cf me, whence adulterers, whence whoredomes, whence & am*nus,& corruptions ef marriage tfhould proceed ? Lo liere the effects ^x. & QXIq^^. of fuch fcurrilous fongs and dances. To which I fhall oranrj gcavif- here adde the faying of S. Valerian concerning fuch fi-min^eis ari- foKgs as thefe,m his 6. Homely, "Be Otiofis verbts,Bib"iiotheca funt virdnes, fatrum. Tom.5.pars 3.^.482.483. *^/^ (writes he) ^g^fr as the hearing is foothed with the pkafant vojee, fo often the £x hoiiore vel fight is invited to a filthy deed* Let no man trufi thefe tre- potius ighorai- cbercus fongs, nor looke backe to thofe incitations of a IxftfuR niam;& inter voyce-, whtch rage whiles they delight, and kill when they flatter, "Bpudicos a- b Thus ws often fee Birds to be deceived with flattering whiftelsi c^^/-^f^ andfoitifh wild beafis to be drawen into a fnare of death by the civienres & in- fweetneffe of the voyce* Such, my beloved, is the cafe cf mcr- ciecore le ge*. rentes cannie-. RiSjverbifq; turpibus,& SacAmcaconfonnntia.Et adbucmerogasj unde matrimo- niorum corruptore3 "" Hivm.njn 1 Cor^Tom,^.€oL^^X. See Hofnu. adPop Ant'mb. Tom S'Co!.l^3..C.D» a Quotieicunque dutcivoccimilcetiiraudituSjadrurpe 1; acinus ilLvitatiit afpectus.Nemoinfidiofis cannons credit, ncc ad ilia Iibidinofrc yoris mci tamenta refpiciat 3 quae cumoble&ant/aevnmt; cum blandiantur, Qccidmu. Ibidem* *> Sic frequetcr vidimus blandis fibilis aves decipi, & hebetes feras in hqr.eum mor- ris dulcceiine vocis impel'i. Simihs eft diteclilfiEni,:aufa morralium, qass dulcifoni cr.ntus cura follicitat. In hoc autem profiaunc varietates vocum> &producla ime fyllabis verb.vn homo aut capiatur.,aut capiat. Explican non poteft,ttiIcciinimi, c^uam periculofoslaqueosgihibeant mimics .ftudiavoluptatis,&c. \b d:m, , LMm 3 ( tall- 170 Hifirio-Maftix. Part.i taHm'en, whom the care of pleafant fongs folhcites. In this cnely the varieties cfvoyces profit, and words drawn out ax length by warblwfs without fyllabUs, that a wan may be either take*) or may take. It cannot be expreffed, my beloved, what cimgerom fnares tht fludies ofmimtcaU pleafure exhibite. Fot tf any man could fearch out the fecYtts ofmens brcfts^hcfhoulb finds the hearts of unhappy wen to figh agame at evsry foundof the Flute. Vnderfiand therefore what over -familiar andfecret [peech may doe betweene men and women, what netre neighbour* - ttcfugiendus hood, whit conferences mixed with ttfts, what a pallate invited eft i-gitur error witb delight,; what the defire of gold expo fed to every wicked- : Ujvocislo- neffeofproflttution^if even the inticemints of a dumbe voyce m^'pcdtoribus may char me the fury of another. c This error therefore to ft he dulccdine fin found of the voyce is to bs avoyded,whtch hath wrought bitter- amaritudinem nes tn the hearts of men by tts fweetneffej&by a certaine perfwa- teat,& perfua- ^on 0fa mellifluous fong^hath oft-times mini >fi red deadly fey font memffc^ tot^fich* I n which place the earcs are firf? to be * flopped, tus frequenter h oppofingthe Buckler of Faith, whereby the hearing of every mortifera - x- voyce enticing unto icwdneffe may more eafily be excluded. And gris venena dfcipline alfo is to be admimflred, which may repeU the de fires commifcuit. In Qjt^e ff^gs^ a?J^ ma^ yr^[e fa imitations of a can fuming heart. mTokiire^fs To all which paflages, I may ioyne that of S. Augmflme, aures funt, op- De Tempore Sermon 1 5. * Before all things, wherefoever yitt '"'ponentesfcu- tumfideij quofacilius omnislenocinantis vocis excludatur audi tus. Adhibenda ctiamdifciplina,qii£ oculorumdefideriarcpellat,& tabefcentis cordis incitamenta compefcat.I/wfcw*. * Sec Thomas Beacon his Catechifme.f0I.3s? accordingly,* Anre omnia ubicunqjfueritisjfive in domo^&c. verba turpia & luxurio(a nolite ex ore veitroprofcrre;fed magis vicinos &proximos veftros mgiter admonere^ut fempcr quod bonum eft & honeftum loqui lhideant3ne forte male loquendo & in fanftis feilivitatibus choros ducendo3canticaluxuriofa & verba proferendo de lingua fin, unde debuerant Deumluidarc,inde fibi vulneravideanturinfiigere.Iftienim infar- lices & miferi homines qui balationcs & faltationes ante ipfas bafilicas fan&orum exercere nee metuut ncc erubefcunt, etfi Chriftiani ad Ecclcfiam vcnerint,Pagani de Ecclefia revemincun quia ifta confuetudo bnbndi de Paganorum obfervauone remanfit.Et iam videte qualis eft ille Chriftianus qui ad Ecclefiam venit orare, & neglecta oiationc3facrile^a verba Paganorum non erubefcit ex ore proferre: videte tamenfratrcschiriiTimijfiiuftum eft,utex ore Chriftianorum ubi corpus Chrifti ingrcditur>luxuriofumcanticum quafi venenum Diaboli proferatur t Ibid. Tom 9. pars i-pag.6} ». See Ambrof. Sermo. 3 $ .Tom. 5 .pag.i 5 . are r Part. i. HiUrio-Maflix. 27 * are, whether in a houfe, or in a ioum;y, or in a feafi, or tn fc pubbke afiembly, utter not yee out of yoxr msuthes any fcurrilotu er voluptuotu words; but rather cotinually .admonifh jour neigh- bour i and friend*, that they alwayesftudy toffeakj that which u hone ft and good, left perchance by evitt peaking , by dancing upon holy Feftivals, and by figging luxur'tom ribaldry fongs, they may feeme to infltft wounds upon themfelves, even pom whence they ought to have fray fed God. For thefe unhappy and mifer able men, who neither fear e nor blu/h to exercife lafctvi- cw Jongs and dances before the very Temples of the Saints , al- though they fhouid come (fhriftians to the Church, yet they returne Pagans from the Church, becaufe this cuftome offing-, ing and dancing is but a reltque of the obfervatton of Pagans, And now behold what a Chrtftian he is, who comes untom the Church to pray, and negletting prayer, is not ajhamed to utter the jacrilegioHS words of Pagans* (fonfider deare brethren, whether it be tuft, that out of that mouth of Chrtftian s where the body of (fhnft doth enter inyadeboift fongpouldbe brought forth,as the very poyfon of the Devill? *tvherefcre (writeth he * Qaare ambti- in another phce)fleuld roe then walk? delighted with vains |*i\c.m»s dcle: (oners, that are profitable for nothing being faeet onely for a . at' vai*.s ~a"~ time, but bme? afterwards r For with fuch f cur rilities tffongs profuturis,ad the tnttfedmindes of men are effeminated, and fall away from tetifpiis dul ci- vertue , flowing downe into filthmeffe, andforthefe very filthy- bns.in boftcwi. nejfestbey afterwards feelepaines^andvomit up thatagdtm with fJTi:ll'ls ? Ta&- great bitterneffe which they have drunke downe with temporall pjtudmibu/" pleafure,drc. To which I may annex that * Canon of the canticnu am- Roman Synods under Lotharius and Lodovicke : Let the mi hunuifi il- Priefis admonifh men and women who meet together at Church ^ec^1 c-hcrvan - on Holy-dayes, th-tt they fin g no filthy fongs, nor lead nor keepe tuiy^ ; 7**2* any dances : And that Conftitution of Charles *tid Lpdo- ^es •& t'uVpira_ vicke: * Let no man dance any filthy Dar.ces orCarantoesy dinem & nor fing any dtjhoneft riotous fings, nor ufe anyfuch Diabol/caS ttfr ipfas aiip> cudines poftca fenriuntdoloves,$t cum magna amantadine digeruntjquodcu remporali dulccdine bibenint.D* Decern Cbordis.cap.^.Tom.^fars i.pdg.n ? r. * Apud Henrici Spelmaurii Glo{rariiim.p466.BalhrCjSc Binius Conciliorum.Tom.;. * Capitul&t. Caroli& ludou.l 6 .Can. 191. & Spelmanni Glofl.umm.p. fbule-impoyfoning pleafures, which all Chriflians ciu-VuKcr iV" ^ouW eternally abominate, as the veryfnares of Hell, carmen men- ° l^e ver) ^dguss of that Common-voeale whtrefltthey are tol- emes k'r.pa- lerated} and the very baites of Satan to draw men on to ftnant : quoru cum ad res ferias,etiam fa?pc triftcs,adh:biri funtjexauditur tacitamodutario? ISIcn Habent ifti otium, fed iners negotiii.D*? BnvitVitx ca 2. f Enervant animos cytha- ra^jcantar,lytjeq;.£t wo%»Scc,J>e Rcmedio Amm.lz.p.*$o. s Grataq^ fxminis ,Im- bciii cythara cannula dixidis.Carmin.l.i.Ods.i >.f.i8. See l.j. Ode.n,p.8^,& OtJ:c. • lj.p.^8.U4.0dc.ll p J 24 E pi ft J. I Epift.z p.2«p. h See Iu venal. $atyr.6, p 54-ff, $5.& Satyr*! o.p-99- * See Lyra, Gmbsn, Tcfiatiu, Cornelius a Lapide, Eftiia, 0 fonder y Calvin, Hu[ciiha^larloYatyZan:biiii,Jrct'm^ ethers. Ibid. * See Hotfcr >Bcacoz3Babingtoa, T>od3 Lltov/erl{i7is,lal{C3iVil{iam, »^j,and others. * Sec Pcttr Marftr3TrsUdtuisiMifctrJPolaBH4,an Part. i. Hiflrio-Maflix. 273 imne, and fo to endleffe deftruclion. Since therefore Stage-play es are evermore accompanied, adorned with fuch execrable unchriftian Paftorals, Songs and Poems as thefe, (which I would wifh all Chriftians, efpecially fuch as are moft devoted to them, as they tender the everlafting welfare of their foules, even now for to a- bzn&on^ for feare thefe momentary fading fleafures flange* SttKt\\i%^7 them into many endlcjje torments.) I muft thereupon now ijL j^yJ.J*' conclude, as all the fore-going Fathers and Authors in An^os 6./3f3V. she Major doe -y that they muft needs be finfull, andal- lam. 5.1,5. together unlawfull unto Chriftians, as thefe their atten- Luke 1 e.x%. dants are ; which need no other aggravations to con- Temporamm demne them but themfelvesalone.W*/V>eV'ttWW> FirtutmqiConfliftu.Tomj.p.iw.B.tl SeeCarminaProverbialia. eSI3SSSS£S§3£@SitiSeS Actvs 5* Scena Decima. T He third unlawfull Concomitant of Stage-playes,w r 0 5 efeminatejelkate, luft-frovok*ng Muf;cke3as S. '^^ocufoTfpefta- culis,nec vanis praeftigiatoru oftctationibus tradere3 nee per aures animsru corrupt trice melodia haurire JHoc enim mufics genus libidinu ftimulos acuere folet.Tanra lane melodiae re&a? a turpi atq; obfeaena differentia eft,ut cam quae nunc in ufu eft non minus fugere debeatis^qtia remaliqua curpif&mam, Ve Legends libra Gmnli** Omio.Tm.i.fa^ii, N» phrafeth *74 Hiftrio-JMaftix. V akt.i. phrafeth hfthichCkriftians onght tope ma mo ft filthy thing; both becaufe it wcrkesupcn their mindts,to corrupt them, upon their luits,to provoke them to all voluptu-. oiunefle and uncleanefte wlutfoever. From whence Argument this 2 5 . Argument may be formed* 2 j. That which Is al waies accompanied with effeminate luft-p.rovoking Muficke, is dcubtkile inexpedient and unlawfull unto Chnttians. Cut Stage-playcs- are alwayes accompanied wit;; fuch Muficke. Therefore they are doubtlefle inexpedient and un- lawfull unto Christians. TheMujor is eafily confirmed, by proofing effemi- nate luft-enflaming Muficke, unlawfull. That Muficke rp . . of it felfe is lawfuil, ufefuli,and commendable ; no man, Nimb' i#l 17! no Chriftian dares denie,fince the * Scriptures, 'Fathers, Iufigcs 5, j„ ' and generally u all Cb/tftian% * all Pagan Authors extant, z Sam.io. 5 5- doe Wlt^ om wfffi*. *vene tf.Btut that lafcivious,amorous,. 1 Chron.6. $i, effeminate, voluptuous Muficke,. (which lonely here c.13.3 c.ij 9, jiicounter,) fhould be either expedient, or lawful! unto z?Chlc'nt]4.i7. Chriilians, there is nonefo audacious as to iuitirle it, c^ii^xovix* face both Scriptuie, Fathers, moderne Chriftian Wri- 21.C i3.ij.c29 ters; yea and Heathen Nations, States and Authors, 28. c. iMJ* Nehem.7. i.c.io.^^.c.ii. 22,13. d.i 1. 4^546,47, Pfal.i49.& ifo.Ecdcs.i.S.Ephef. ^.T9. Col. 3. 19. * Clemens Alexandras dag.l. 2. c.4 JutUn Martyr 3 Hxplic. Quasrt.a Gencibuspoht:irnrn4Qu3:il. i0 7.AuguftiniiSj Mufk^J.6. Bed?. De MuficaTheo- rica.lib.6c De Mufica Qiiidata.lib.Hi?r^v?,^?»i'v^, Cbryfofiom, BafiLTbcodorct^ScduUM, Rem'igw,Rabawi MaiiricsiOecumen',ui,Thcopbyk&, on Ephef $.& C0I.3. & in lib.Pfal- morurn.Cadiodorus Variariim.Ui.Epift^o. loannis Sarisburienfis, Dc Nugis Cu- rialiiiin.I.i.cA u P-atonis Cnro.&Legum Dhl.j.p.for.to 599. Ariftot. Politj. 8.C.3 4,5,<5,7.0vidFailorumX6.p.ii4W/& Tnttium.I.4 Polybiits. Hiftori^.I^.p. 3 >9-340534i.Stt'3boGeogr|cs & morefitfor beafts then men, and for tbofe yeoplewho are moft enervatse har- eflranged from reafon. But mcdeft and chafte harmonies are monia; aman- to be admitted, by removing asfarre as may be all foft effemi- d^« tat nate muficke from our (Irong and valiant cogitation, which u- <^m l6l}V^m fing a dijhcmfl art of warbling the vojee, doe leadeto a dtltcate probe flexuuai andflothfuUkjudecfUfe, Therefore Chromatic allhai monies vodis artifiao are to be left to impudenttnalapartffejfe in wine, to wherifl; mu- utencesa ad gc- fcke crowned wtth flowers, % iuftm tJMartjr* (if the Booke licat* .& !gna- be his) writes thus to the ielfefame purpofe. It is not j™!™-* agenw , / r; 7 / r t r S> r /* .ax ranonem unlawfully nor yet altogether unfeemely jor Boyes to fwg; but deducunt &c. tof ng Uith inanimate tnftruments ; to fwgwith dancing and ibidem. cymbals ; the ufe of which kinds of fxftru&ents,witb others fit z Expiicatio" onely for Children, are exploded out of our Churches, where J^*^?J»* * nothing is retained butfingwg onely. 5. Hierem in his I O. ftjanjs pofltUI Eptftleto Furta.c.4. writes thus. •* Let the Sivger be thrufi rffc Qi^ft.i 07. out of thine houfe as noxious : expell out of thy doores all Fid- * Therefore lers, Singing-women, with all this quire of the Devil I, as the ^Y *" Aadiant hxc Efhef.ltb.^^ap.2.Tom 6pag.i§8. A. b Let Touthes heare adokkentuli; the fc things ; let tbofe wbofe office it is to fing in the Church j^ia"j- hl qiu- hears iht fe things ; that we muft fing to God with the heart ; mccalfiToffi- ^ with the yeyce; neither after the manner of Tragedians ciumeftjDeo are the throate and chops to be anoynted with fomepleafant non voce fed oyntment.that theatrical fingscr meafures may be heard in the cordc cantan * Church;but we mufi fing in fear e, in workejn the knowledge of Two T hl thff Scriptures. So let theServat of Chrift fingjhat not the voyce more guttui"* °f the Singer y but the* rrrds that are read may pleafe: that the fauces°dulci w*H fyr*t which was in Saul may be cafl out oftbofi, who are medicamine poffeffed by him in the fame manner ', and that he may not be coilinicndas 5 brought into thofe, who have made a Play-boufe of the Houfe "heTtfalelmo- 9fGoA% And in his Cmmentmry upon the 6. ofAmos.Tom. duli audiantur 5'h I H-**- he write'sthuS. c The Infi of the pallate, and & catica:fed in all variety of dainty meates is not fuffic ient , for you foot he your timore in ope- cjres with thefongs of the Tipey the Pfaltery, and the Harpe : g™ &■*■«* andthat which David hath made for the worfhip ofqod>find- camet'fer vus * *"& 0Ht varietl °f Organs yand muficall inftruments> you tranf- Chrifti,ut non fir to pleafure and luxury. S. Valerian in his 6. Homely , T)e vox canentis, Otiofis Verbis. Btbl.Patrum. Tom.f. pars 3 . pag. 482. 483. fed verba pla- writes thus. a Wetherefore oft-times finds a way to be fenced ceant quae Ic- t9 ^contintney, and fomentations to adultertes to be from ?untur:ut fpi- , , . ./ 1 1 > #• r t r J urns malus "ence a*mt"'ftred> whiles tbu man flayes on the founding CU qua erat in tkeren with a nimble quilly and another with a skilfull finger 5aule,eijciatur compofetb the melodious inticements of the roaring Organs. ab Jiis.qui fi-^ Thefe Are tbefnarei, by whofe aflifiance, among other wounds S^eo& the Vevill workes the deathes of men, &c. S. BafU in his nonmtrodu- Commentary upon Efay^. Tom^. p.419.42^. hath thefe catur in eos,qui enfuing paflages, againft Muficians, Songs, and Dances1. de Dei domo fcenamfeceVepopuIorum.IfoWaw. e Quibus non fuflScit libido gutturis,&c.. nifi & tibiarum & pfalterij, & lyrae canticis, aures veftras mulceatis : & quod David fecit ad cukum Dei, levitarnm ordines, & organorunv reperiens varietates ; vos ad voluptatem & luxuriam conferacis. ibidem. d Invenimus igitur frequenter, kaimpudicitiaj viam muniri atque ex hoc fomenta adulterijs miniftrari , cum hicagili pleftro tinnicntis cithara? fonos expedit, ille docili digito laborantis or^ani blandimenta componit. Ifti funt Iaquei,quibus famuiaxuibus, inter camera vutnera Diabolus hominum mortes ojperatur>&c. ibidem. 'Futon Part.x. Hifirio-SMaflix. zj? c Ftdlers and L^iuficians^ whopajfe the time of their flour tflnng c Tibicin* & age tnvillanies, together with cDances and fongs drawne forth fidirina? cjea? in publikeby mcked per fons, enervate the virthty of ment bo- tempus florid* dies with their lewde inurements, andfoothino their foules with *t:tlS P" fiJ" / /»/ r j i i t I » /j. gmatraducur: that pHblike confort, doe treaty thorow them, and ftirrc tip chori infuper& Drunkards to the embracing ef all filthy and unlaw fall plea* cantilena in fure. Their eares are taken with the fweet harmony , but fuch commune de- *4 maypricke them on to a flagitious lubricity ^c. what a PromPf:E per miferable Spectacle is it to chafie and weUmanneredeyes , to fee \i^^* VIn~ a woman ,not to follow her needle or dtftaffe,but tofing to a Lute? rum Cms ener- not to be knowne by htr owne hufband, but to be often veiwed vat lenocinijs, by others as a pubhkc whore : not to modulate orfing a Tfalme amrnofqs deli- of con fe (fun, but to Jing fongs int icing unto lufi : not to fuppli- nie™es lllo cateto Cod, best willingly to haftenunto Hell: not to goe dili- cent u^erli in- gently to the Church of God, but to with- draw others with her gtmr, & ad co- felfefrom thence ,&c. S With thee there lyeth a Lute interlaced plexu obCcenx and adorned with Gold or Elephants toothy a Demoniacal/ Sta- omnis & *%*- tue and Idoll, faftned at tt were to Come hijrh t Altar a«d* tlmT 5W?- certasnemtferavle woman, who &y reajon of the neceffity of her muhnt. Aures fervile condition ,/hould apply herfelfe to her difiaffe, is taught capiuntur me- 9f thee, perchance an htrehng, per chance of one who [ball dels- lico concentai, vet her over tofome Bawde or proflitutedwhore \ afterwards ^.S1}1 ad &*- whenfhe hath fatisfled all the lufi in her owne body, (he is fet f^cTc^' over other yong G tries, a* a CMiflris of the like actions, mulct JSujbid. Wherefore m the day of iudgement ; a double punijhment fhall fCaftis &bcne feife upon thee ; both for thofe wickedness thou committefi motatis oculis,. when thou art drunks j and Ukewife for thy wicked -**^-?n^§"^' whereby thou haft quite alienated an unhappy fiule from God, iferemnon te- la ordiri>aut deducere penfum,fed cantillare ad lyra?* non a proprio viro eognofci, fed ab alijs publica infpectan meritricemon modulari Pfalmu confeilionis.fed can- tica concinnere ad libidine prolicientiaYnon fupplicare Deo ,fed ultro properare ad gehenna:non ad Ecclefia, Ddftudiofecontendere,fed& fecu alios inde avocare.Z&irf. Z Atcjwi apud te iacetlyraauro demecj} elephantino mterftin&a & variegate affixa veiutfublimicuipiaaltaiijftatiu&Idolu Daemoniacu. Et mulierquide mifera5&:c. edo&a abs te eft, forte a mercenario, forfan ab eo cjui earn lenge cuipia mnlicri aut proftitutx tradiderit:mox ubi in proprio corpore omne explevit libidine, pr*fi<3*et adolefcentulis fimilium doftrix operum. Quamobremdie iudicij, p^na duplex tibi occurret,nimirum obea quae rlagitiacommittis,propter item doftrinam improbam qiua Deo abalienafti animarn inf*licem,&c Ibidem* Nn 3 cfrc. zy% Hijlrio-Maftix. Part.i- Eaiuautem &c, h Of thofe arts which drpend vponthe ftudie of vant*.yt 2n:uq.jxpen- Aether it be the art of tJMuficfa of Dancing, of founding v . ! t it a 1 sUccu * '/w> *r ^ ^ ^ > asfoone as i he aft ion itfelfe hath ceafed, the Ait cith triftica *w^? ;r/^/* declarcth iif&lfe,ar.d that altogether according to falcatoiia,ars ^ Affiles fentence -ywhofe end is deftrttclten and perdition t inflanditthiafj Let thefe things faffce to be fyoken againfl thofe Vfho thorow K alias cjuiino. 0Verft9UCi, effeminacy give themfelves vcholj over to delicbts* di3mox utile- . . " „ J *> ,„ . n , r \ I I ° {Ijtaftio Ipfuo! **&*»*: cntmtwly ; Or clfe againft taofe who m the dayes of ic declarat c- >w/n& w gladneffe fnppofs of marriage; or fiafts, doe more di- pus3idqj pr or- Ugcntly procure Wattes, Aiufc\e^ rounds and dancmg, wb.n as hj>s i^ta Apo- vonc of thzfe is required of us ■; who have learned by the tea- tcncU^-Quoru *^*i 0/^ Scripture, that the wrath of God is bent againfi all fimsjinteiitus fetch Jhdies and converfatton of life. Therefore for feare of & pciditio. imminem evilifr em hence-forth amend this wicked ctiftome of HxcGncdida your life. Thus farre this Father, who in his Sermon, fumo ad vcrfum ^ Lf ™^ L,^ Gentilium, & Be Ebrietate & Lttxujfr eosqui per lm- _, • r, 111 rr i • mbdicain mol- Hexaetneron,hom.%. hath other paiiages to this pur- iiciemj totos fe pof e. To patfe by Chryfo(lomey who writes ; * that Cym- * cilJls ^lU" ficfa&c. Which fcverall Authorities are a fuificient nehs^&put teftimony of the unlawfulnefleof effeminate, amorous, chre^lrans, wanton Muficke. Which as it is discommendable in velic eo ipfo Feafts and merry meetings, fo much more in Churches, lafcivirc, cum Hence is that notable paffa^e of Aelredus, Abbot of res ^VJ^IC-- Rt'jaulx in Torksi^re, aaout the yeere 11 60. in his non ben^, ut'_ Speculum Charitatis. lib. 2 . cap. 2 3 . BibL Tatrum. Tom. 1 3 . cUC mimerof* rriodutatione utitur, ideft, c.i motione qua* iam boiia, ex eocuia mimerbft eft, dici pbseflrmale* ille, id eft incongruenier utitur. Ikichm up i.Tc??i i.'.r.g 44^. 1 Ab omnibus ci :c-- cunque nd murium & ad bculorum pertinent illeccbras^unde vigor, animi emolliri pciic crcdr.tur (quod de aliqmhas gene:ibus mufic'ojrum fenttri poteil) Dei racers- dotes abftinere debeni Swim Tom. $ • p^g:74- pag: m. Z80 Hiftrio-Maftix. Part.; t^ u tar. 1 1 1 * r Let me freake now /faith he) ofthofe, who m* Dc his nunc r"Z ; * *T . . Jr. , .,.* t r r /r r i r fcrmo G c,qui der thefhew of religion doe obpalltate the bufineffe of fleafure : fubfpecic re- which ufurpe thofe things for thefetv've of their vanity, which ligtonis nc- xhe ancient ¥ fibers did profitably exercifi, in their types offu- 1 n \T twe things. Whence then I pray, all types and figures now cea- wSlhm :°qui /&$> whence hath the Cbzrchjo many Organs and *JMufic*b w antiqui Inftruracnts f To what purpofe, I d:mznd> is that terrible p.itrts m typis blowing of ' Be Hots, expr effing rather the crackes of Thunder, mturorum fa- tfan the fwe:ineffe of a voice ? To what purpofe ferves that lubntcr cxer- contrapjm a„d irflstlion of the voyce f This man Rnas a ccbant, inn- . ' , . r ,, J , / u r , , Jj * J fum fax vani- **/*> trM afmallmeane, another a treble, a fourth divides ana ratis u&rpant. cuts affunder, as it were, certaine middle notes. One while the Vndc quafi, voice is ft rained, anon it is remitted, new agatne it is dafhed, ccflantibus aff^ tyn agAme tt ^ inlarged with a lowder found Sometimes, fiViris^unde whtch is afhame to fpeake,it ts enforced into an horfes neigbings; Ecclefia toe fometimes , the mafculine vigor being laid aftde, it is fkarpned Orgaha, cot inte the JJntlneffe of a womans vojecwow and then it ts wrethedf Cymbala? Ad and retorted with a certaine arttficiaH circumvolution. Some c\y°$[ *c\ times thou may eft fee a man with an open mouth, not to fmg ; 1mm flatus,t°o- b*t m it were to breath out his laft gafpc, by /hutting in bis nitrui potius breath, and by a certaine ridiculous interceptton 9f his voyce, fragore quam as it were to threaten filence, and now againe to imitate the a* vocis expn- gom€S 0ja dying man, or the extaftes offuch as fuffcr. In the mens "aJ*w- meave ttme tbe whole body is ftirredup and downe with certaine tem ? Ad quid „ . n . y. J f , .. ilia vocis con- btftrtontcal gejtures: tbe lips are wreathed\the eyes turne round, traccio & in- the fhoulders play ; and the bending of the fingers doth anfwer fira&iofHic every note* And this ridiculous dijfolution is called religion; fucci nit, Ole a n ^ wfjerff fafe things are moft frequently donejt is proclaimed fupercinit, alter medias quafdam notas dividit & incidit. Nunc vox ftrin- gitur , nuRc frangitur, nunc impingimr, nunc diffufiori fono dilatatur. Aliquando, quodpudetdicerc, in cquinos hinnitus cogitur, aliquando vinlivigore depofitoin fxminia? vocis gracilitatc acuitur : nonnunquim artificiofa quadam drcuvolutionc torquetur & retorquetur. Videas aliquando hominem aperto ore, qu^ii intcrclufo hahtuexpirarej noacantare,acndiculofa quadam vocis interceptione, quafi mini- tan filentium, nunc agones morientium, vel extafim patientium imitari. Interim hiftrionicisquibufdamgeftibus totum corpus agieatur -y torquentur labia, rotant ocuh,ludunt humeri, & fingulas quafque notas digitorum flexus refpondet. Et hascridiculofa diffolutio vocatur religio i & ulu hKC frequentius agitantur, ibi Den| hohorabilius Terviri clamaturf2^'9» abroad Part. i. 'Hiftrio-Maftix. zii abroad that God is there more honourably ferved. l In the * Starts i.;:erci weave time the common people ft anding by, trembling and afto- ™Jpis fonit? „ mfied, admire the found of the Organs, the neyfe of the Cym- CymWoruPm" bals andmuftcaUinftruments, the harmony of the Pipes and hvmoniififtu. Cornets: but yet looke upon the la fcwiotsi gefticulations of the Iarum,tremens Singers, th* meretricious alternations, interchanges, and in- attonitufy rai- frattums of the voyces , m without dsrifion and laughter : p!nttm fed Iafa~ that a man may thinks that they came, not to an Oratory, or gcft^cul.idon« houfe of prayer, but to a Theater \ *ot to pray, but to gaz* a- mecctridas vo- bout them : neither is that dreadfull maiefty feared before whom cum alcernati- theyftand,&c. Thus this Church fwging, which theholj Fa- °ncs & infra- thers have ordained that the weake might be fttrredup topiety, ^j c^hin™ **" is perverted to the ufe of unlaw full pie afure, &c. Thus this rifiiqj iritucwis ancient Englifh Abbot, whom lohnSarejbury another utecsnonad ' ancient Englifh Writer, about the yeere of our Lord oratoriu fed ad 1 140. doth fecond in thefe words,in his * Firft Booke, rk«tru, ncc ad T>e Nugis Curialium.cap.6* Hie eft cnim ufm Mujicaaut fo.&~UJ- i- foltiS,autpr<£crpuu** PhrygiutVero modus, & catera corrup- lnes covemfc] ttonts lenoctnia fana inftitntionis non habent ufum, fed p*o- nee timetur il- Aunt malitiam abutcntis. Dolet igitur & iugemefcit fpecies Ja trem^da ma- Uudabihs dtfciplina, fe ab alien* vrito de for man, & quod fa- Jfr™* "**?%• cies merttrtct/fafta eft et, qua vtrtles qmqus ammos accendere quod finer *onfueverat advirtutem, Amatoria bucoltcorum s.pud viros Patres inftitu- graves ejfe,fuerai crimims. ffunc vero laudi ducitur, ft vi- cnlc ut infirmi ^easgrav'iores amatoria, qua ab tpfis dicuntur elegantitu,ftul- excirarentur ad ticinia, perfonare. Ipfum quofo cultum religionis inccflat, aftj«un^pieca- quod ante confpeftum domtm, in ipfis penetratibus fanftuartj, fumitur "ilJici" lafc'tv'tentts vocis luxu, quadam oftemat'uine fui, multcribus tae voluptaris, modis not ula? uniarticular urn ^ cafuris, ftupetttes anmulM Sec. ibidem. emoRtre nituntur; CumprdtctKetaium, rjr fuccinentium, canen- * Bibl.PatnHfc. Hum, & dsctnexttum, mercinentium & occmintium, primal- OKl#xJ*Pa»« fes modulations audieris, Syrenarum concent m credos effe, ' non hominum,.m.~l\\\i$ far lobnSarefbury. Our learned tcnenis mem- Country-man c7*/>0»;^ Beacony'm his authored Rehques of fens mortua& T^ome.cap^7.?tS. Of ' cPlain-fong>Prtckcfongy Defiant, and &o&mw&* Sml?"& irtthe chHrch> Writes thus : That » Pope Vitaiian concordiam Ecdcfix concentti poftulat : Per chordas item fcnfws noftvos intelligir, quorum opera lingus pleclru pulfatur. Deniq; Organu quivis noftru efty ciim Deo mores fuos acvitam probat atcjj hominu conmodis aptus eft. if odor. TeUfivU-Epifl, l.i.Epift.^64.Bibl,PatrU.Tom J pam.p.%\o. t Printed at London by lobnBay^^i, Cum Privilegio Regiae Majeftatis per feptennium. tt See John Bales Declaration of Bonners Articles ♦Artic.i8.foI.6*j. 64^ccordinaIy. PlatinayBt'ei & Barnes in his life. Volattranu* m his Cronicle, & Polydor Firgil De Inventor.R.erum. 1.6 c.t. See Tbg- tnas Waldenfis, Tom^. Tit i.c.i 8,19,10/01,40.10 4^. of nnging in Churches, what it ought to be,and how it came in, Claudius Ejp c«c*itf,Digreffionum. in Tim. lib. 1 . cap.io, pag.ii 8.119. Wa'afridus sbako}Dc Rebus Ecclefiafhcis. hb.c.15. Bibl. Pa- trum.Tom#o.p3rs.i. pag.061.063, being Part. i. Hifitio-<%4afiix. ^8} *eing a lufty Smgery and fit Jh courdgtous UMuJtciau himfelfey was the fir ft that brought Priekcfongj 1>efcanty and nil kinde ofpleafant melody into the Qhurch ; tn the yeere 653, */ind . becaufe nothing fhould want to delight the vaine foolifh and idleearesoffondfantafticallmcnyheioyned the Organs to the curious Muficke. Thus was Pauls preaching, and Peters fraying, turned into vaine fingingy and childifh flaying y unto the great lojfe of time y and unto the utter nndootng of fibrtftian mens foulesy which Itve not by paging andpipmgy but by every Word that proceedeth out of the mouth *f God. Francifcus Petrarcha, inhts * Book*, De Remedijs ntriufque For- "Lib.i.Dialc* tuna? (faith he) declareih : that 5. Athanafius did utterly gus-*S- See f or btdfinoin? to be ufed in the Church at Service t'tme,becaufe muc^mare a- 1 ,) *> ni 1 tr j 1 t t 1 J Camit wanton. he would put away an Itgbtnejfe and vanity y which by the rea- effeminate a- fon 0 f/inging doth oftentimes an fe in the mindes, both of the morousmu- Singers ana of the Hearers. S. Hierom, reproved not onely fake ibid. & in thelewdefafhtonofthefmgingmenin his time, but alfo their Efpencteui Di- mannerofRnoinq: when notwtthftandmoif 'the (inoina ufedin §ref,ul Tim-1- l /• , * j .1 1 ■ ri rrs i / cap io.accor- ms time were compared with that mtnfed muficke which now dm-Ay. beareth chiefc rule in Churches, it might feeme very gravey mode ft y and tolerable ; and ours fo ltghty vaine, madde, fond, fooitjh andfa»tafttcally ftaf-Hickfcorner himfclfe could not devife a more wanton pafttme. Then he recites feme fafages out of v Hierom, z Cyprian, a Ambrofe, b Augurtine, ^nEpiftoLiad c Gregory, d Chryfoftome, and c luftinian, a&ainft fuch \ pkriipswc.5 curious Prici^fong, and me Iodic u s ftngtng in Churches, in -Dominica"0"* which flame fin gingonly jthrck every man may under ft andyand *Lib.de Cain 8c which is in a manner nothtrg elfe but platne reading, ought to Abel beufed. And then hee concludes the Chapter withthsfe b De Catechif. Authorities. f GulidmusDurandus faith, that the */« V ^confeffionfi Jingmgwas ordained for carnall and fiefhly men, and not for j,^ l0.cap 2, SfurituaR and godly minded men. % Polidorus Vergiiius « in Reaiftro" wrttethon this manner. How greatly that ordinance of ftnging pars * . c.44. & brought into the Church by Pope Damafus and * S.Ambrofe Mcral.Ub.xi. 0 f cap.18. d Horn. 44 de loan. & Pau^i Fefto. « InConftitut. Authent. 12?, l Ratio- nal . Divin. Offic. 8 De Inventor, Rerum, lib.6. cap»2. * See Queene ILliyp* baths Iniunctions.lniun&ion 49. accordingly. Qo 2 In gats z%4 Hiftrio-Mafiix. Part.i. *Vndc co ven- began eveninthofe dvyet to be profitable, S, Auften declareth w«uA,iitapua tvtdentlyintheBoo\^e of his Ccnfeflfcons : where he ashjth ferld-v?m ctfl- fer&weKtf[e ofGodbecAufe he had given more heed, and better tus ratio in iftii earetothc fingmg, then to the weighty matter of the hcly cantoribus fua Words, But new adayes, faith Vo\ydoi\tt afpearetb evident- ell : videnrur s /^ tyat jt „ much teffs profitable for cur Common-wealth, fee- populi waudi- tf1& our &*&*** make fuch a chattering char me in the Temples, at in facias 2- that **thing ctn be heard but the voyce : and they that arc desyclucinthe- frefent (they are prefentfo many as Are in the City) being con* arru concurrit, tent with fuch a noyfe as delights their eares, care nothmo at cospr*tiocon- aU fir the vertue, pith, or firength of the words : * Co thafnow UUCCt.COS IO- . * # • ' . i Ai i r r ■ L vet, cos demo- $t u come t0 l"u tomt> ™At mt" t"e commofl fort °f f^e *& folos domui ' the worshipping ofCfodfeemeth to be fet in thefe fingfters, */- Dei omameto though there is generally no kjnde of people more light nor more Cffe ^*jftimat> Iwde* -4*A jet the greater part of the people for to he are i&De VanTtat ***""> ^oin&> bleating andyehng,facke into the Churches as Scientiarfi c.17. ™t9 a common Game-place* They hire them with money, they *Hodie ver6 in cherifh and feed them ; yea, to be jhort, they thi*ke them alone Ecckiijs tanta to be the precious Jewels and Ornaments of Gods houfe, &c* nraficae Ijcentia wherefore without doubt, it were bitter for Religion to caft out cuMTflxTnflu's >fthe Churches fuch chattering and tangling [ayes, or elfe fi canone obfex- t0 appoint them, that when they fmg, they fhould rather rc- najquat.cjs can- heerfe the fongs after the manner of fuch as reade, then follow tiunculac, inte- thefafhion of chattering Charmers : which thing 5. Auften J™£*K™l'™hUf™€f^B"^*tb »ttn€$e> thAt s> Athanafius Btfhop beant,ipfaq;di- "/Alexandria, did in his Dtocejfe, and he commendeth htm vinaofficia/a- greatly for it. * Cornelius Agrippa wrtteth of finging in erx&orationu fchurcbesin this manner, Athanafius did forbid fsngtng in aTm* Cn°ndUg his Churches becaufe of the vanity thereof: but Ambrofe as lafcivis mulici one morc &*&**** cf Ceremonies And pompe, ordained the ufi *6ad audientm '*//**£**£ **& making melody tn fchurches.Aufttn as 4 max in* intclligentiam, different betwixt both, in his BeekeDc Confeflionibus^rrf*- non ad fpmtus teth that by this meanes he was in a great perplexity and doubt A fornicanam C0HCCfninl *b* matter. * Rut now a-dayes Muficke is growne prurigincjRo humanis vocibus/ed belluinis flrepicibu$,citiHant,du hinniant difca- tu pueri,mugiunt alij tcnorc,alij latrant contra pun&u, alij boant altu, alij frendec baffam,faciuntqj utfonord quide plurimu audiaturiverboru & oratienis intelliga- tur mhiljfed auribus pariter & ammo ludicij Cubtrakitur authoritas , Ibidem* 40 P A rt. i . Hiflrio-SHaftix . z X 5 tofuch and fo great licentioufneffe, that even at (be minifiration of the holy Sacrament, aft kinde of wanton and lewde trifling Songs , with piping of Organs have their place and courfe. As for the "Dtvtne Service and Common prayer, it is fo coun- ted andminfedy and mangled, of our cofily hired, curious, and nice Misfit ions (not to inflruft the audience wtthall,nor toflirre up mens rmnd:s unto devotton, but with a whorifh harmony to tickle their eares: ) that it may iufily feeme, not to be a noyfe made of men, but rather a bleating of bruit e teafis ; whiles the Corifiers ney defcant at it were a fort of Colts ; others be Howe a tenour, as tt were a company of Oxen: others bark* a coun. ttr-fotnt, as it were a * keunellefDogs : others rore out a tre- * Waldcitfes blelikeafortofBu/s: others grunt out a bafe as it were a canttim Eccie- number of Hogs; fo that afoule evitl favoured noyfe is made, fiafticum&ho- but as for the words and fentences, and the very matter it felfe raruim cinoni" 1 1 a 1 1 i* / 1 » • 1 -car una Uicunt u xothtng underftanded at all ; but the autnortty and power of efle iatratug iudgement is takers away, both from the minde and from the canutn. Item eares utterly. * Erafmus Rotcrodamus expreffeth his minde idifiriaalwriu concerning the curiam manner effingingufed in Churches, on & Organorum this wtfe, and faith, Why doth the Church doubt to follow fo 2?x'7rmu it worthy an Author (Paul?) yea, how dare it be bold to dfjfent ym wddenks'm- fromhim. What other thing is heard in UMonaflerieSjin CoL fftifunt.- Bib!. ledges, in Temples almofi generally, then a confufid noyfe of Patrum. Tom. voyces ? But in the time o/Paul, there was no fi»ging but fay- 1 1 • PaS* 3 4°« ingonely. Singing was with great difficulty received of them j^** m of the latter time ; andyet fuchfmging at was none other thing, f Connth, then a diftinft and plaine pronunciation % evenfuch as we have cap. 14., yet amon^ us, when we found the Lords prayer in the holy Ca- non, and the tongue wherein tbofe things were juugy the com- mon people did then underfland, and anfwered, Amen. But now, what other thing doth the common people heare than voy- ees fignifytng nothing t Andfuchfcr the mofl part is the pro- nunciatton, that not jo much as the words or voyces are beard : onely the found beat eth the eares. Thus farre this worthy ancient Engliih ProfefTor, Thomas Beacon, and his allea- gcd Authors : to which I /hall adde that notable paflage to the like purpofe, in the kfecond part of the Homely rf\ Pagcm- O Q 3 tkt ; 2.S6 Hiftrio-Maftix. Part.t the^Place andttme cf Trayer. FmnHyGods vengeance kath beene and is daily pr-ovilted, beaafe much wicked people paffe nothing to refert to the Church ; either }or that they are [o * Pope si gatbo fore blinded > that they undtrfiand nothing of Cod or godliveffe, was the fail 07 elfe for that they fee the Church altogether fceured of aH l * a&MTV f*c'3 Z**^ filets as their ph ant afe was greatly delighted gan-playin? in> ™t.b &,c. which fecmef 4* Uttfavourj thing to thetr unfavoury tc the Church '*/? m nidy apptareby this, that a woman fatd to her neigh- of Highlit!, in bxmr. i/itu Goffif, what fhallwe now doe at Church, ftnee aH ths yecre of tfe samts are taken away ; ftnee all the qosdly fahts we were our Lord 670, . x V J *, ' \? ... See io\ b > ** t0 "ave* are &0ne > ltyiCe ®e cannot beare the like ptptngt his Declantio fwging^chaunttng, and p laying on the Organs (* brought of Banners Arti- firft into England by Pope syfgatho, about theyeere cles. Artie. 18. 6 j 9.) that we could before. Tfrt ( dearely beloved) we D-*G *fV " A**'* ought greatly to resoyce,&r give Godthankes,that our Churches elorii. Uci" are delivered out of all thefe things which dtfpleafed God fo & GratianDi- fore, and filthily defied his holy Houfe and his place of Prayer, ftmftio 19. zc-for the which he hath iuftly defirojed many Nations, &c. EfFe- cordin|ly. minate wanton accurate muficke then,by the verdid of ee Simus triefe feveraU Authors and of our owne Homelies, is v-oncihorum. . ., n . \ r, 1. Toin.4. p. 74.0, altogether atfpeafmg unto God, corrupts his worjhtp, andfiltbt- •Surius.Tom,/p defiles his holy Houfe}&c. therefore it mufl needs bee 4. pag.96i. cvilU Whereupon Synodus Cdwotcn/is.An.i j 26. 1 Conctlt- « Prxcipimas, um Senomnfe. 1528. Can, 1 7. Concilium Burdigenfe. 1582. fmt^iufri can- ^otlciiHm ^Rhemenfe. 1 5 8 } . Concilium Biturtenfe. 1 5 8/f» tus diflinfti, & j4pud Bochellum. Decret. Ecclefu. QalJtb,i, Tit.j. cap.2 $ . difcreti,move- 24.2^.27.28.30. and the Councell of Trent it fclfe, Seffio. tescoriadde- 22. Decretum, De objervanhis & evttandit in celebratione -vouonc com- ^^ . decreed, m that all impur e, la favicus, amorous, fe- punaionemqjj JJ ' * r > J > >J f>orro in Eccielijs prxtcxtu mu(i:i cantus , non funt audiendae publico cantilena? ac afavae.Neq; enimin tragaediotii modii(inquit Hierenhmtojgxtvir & fauces mcdica- minc funt leniendaejne dti blada vox qua*ruur,congrua vita nei?lig',.tur.Na ut can- tor minifter Deum moribus ftimulat, cu populu Yocibus delecbt: ita Iafciuus ani- rausjdu lafcivioribus deleftatur modis;eos fspeauiiensemoUitur& frangitur Curet ergo Sacerdotes & Clerici fie fuos cantusinftituere3ut modefta honeftaqj pfalleridi gravitate,placidaq; & grata moduIatione,ficaudientiuaures delineat,ut provoccst excitentq; addevotionescempundionequejnonad lafcivia,cordifue aut animititil- latione.NoIunaus itaa;,quod Organicis inftrumentis refonet in Ecclefiaj impudica aut lafciva melodia3fed Tonus omnino dulcis, qui nihil prater Hymnos divinos, Sc Cantica fpiritftalia repr9efentet^^i/.5r»«»^^.i7. cnUtt Part. i. Hittrio-Maflix. 187 t:ular Songs and* Muficke fouourtngof levity and folly, fhould * Organorum be excluded the Church, becaufe thejdtd effeminate the lafct- melodiainTe- Viom mindes of the people, and provoke them unto luft ; not plis fie adhibc- eXctte orfltrre them up to devotion and compunclton, as all .tlr ne ^Cl" fourth tMuficie,(*whichJhouldbegrave>andfewus)ought qu^™fotio- to doe. If therefore we give any credit to thefe recited ne exciter, &c. Authorities; to Ofortus.De Regum Inftttnthne.lib.^JoL Concil.CoUmenfs* 120. to 126. who largely ckclaimes agatnfi amorous de- *^rmo\%i^ licbus Songs and \JMuficke, asfi many enchaunting Syrens; £"* l-c^?*i ?• which draw men on to tdleneffe, effeminacy ,luxuryyand a hind of Confhnr 6* wanton diffoluteneffet to the corruption of their manners, ofthetr Canon. 7 5. mtndes , and the perdtt'ton of their foules : Or to fundry * other Chriftian Authors which I fpare to mention, *SeePauli in their Expo futons and Commentaries on the j.Comman- Wan.Sermo,7. dement: on Efay 5.1 1. 12. & 24. p. *s!mos6. I. to %.Ub SummaAnge- 21.12. ii.Exod.32.\8-i9.andthe£ookeof.De V;?n. Scient.cap 17. Po'ydor DVgi/.De Invent.l. 1, c,i 4. a lexavdcr ab Alex.l 1.015. P Vlmnbi yilc'ibiadis. AUxander?b Alex'. I.z.oi5.f.xo$.b. 1 Tlntarcbi Apotho°. Tom.i.mor. pag.397. Calm Rhodia./ ntiqu.Le cl.lib.9. cap.i. Clcr\c3 de Aulico. bbf x. & x. vicU Ibidem. I D.og. L s.ert. ub.6 . pag^ 53.' more i88 Hiflrio-Maftix. Part.!' rPIutarchi La- more punfluall wirn:(Tes. It is ftoried of the f Lacede- cornea Inftitu- rowans, that thmgh they proved ofplainey of grave and t4rH 5?t* : ""Atft > yet tht) utterly exploded all effeminate, light y new- u De Republica f*n£l*A harmonies • for the pracltfe of which Terpander and Dial, i . p. 59 1. Tiinotheus, were fined and cenfured by their Ephort. c Poli- 597. Legum bins 2, grave Hiftorian; condsmnes all amorous Jafcrvious g * *«P- 8®°* harmonies , together with the ufe of muficke for effeminate or x p0'jir j g „£ voluptuous ends. u Plato, though he approves of Muficke* p >' 17.& c.7«t>. y^t he exiles alt loofe unmanly y voluptuous wanton Ljdianor S 3 M34# 53^. lonickp Harmonies and Munitions ; together with all mufcaS r Initni:nenra / nftruments of many firings -t as being a meanes to effeminate uviui Btympa- meffs mn£es corrupt their manner s^abate their couraee , w». naatqjtnpu- r . * r. , , y . w xr 1 J clia. Saluft.vc !Hme l"cfr Um€ > **** ftf "rvW **'w *w t0 tdleneffe and voluptu- Bt'UoCat.pagiz. om living; with whom * Ariflotle and Socrates concurre luJi'm.Hiji.1. 1 o. upon the f elf e- fame grounds, J Salufi and Iufttn, have both P*£' v*4* long fince condemned lafciviom t^Muficke and Dancings as nimoscytha- X^C ff7firfiments of luxury. z Ovid and x Athcnxus, two rx5cantufque great Patriots of ^JMuficke, have netwithfianding cenfured Lyras que, Et effeminate accurate Songs and Harmonies, as emafculating vox, & nume- the virility , and unbending the [inewesofmens mtndes, making rtl*^c^*™~ them of Courteous1, effeminate ; of temperate, intemperate; of ■RemcdiB Amar'u. v*h*ntiUnmanlypcrfonS': "hence they advtfe men to aban- lb. z. ' don tbem.b when the Lydians had revolted from Cyrus, and * Pro humani- taken up Armes againft himy King Crefiis advtfed him this tate,moUicie , Courfeytokeepe them in fubteftion for future times: viz. To \IV^ZX^ prohibit them the ufe of Armes; to caufe them to trAine up ahimiuj'diflb- fhefr Children to effeminate Songs and Muficke: and theny lutioncm ope- O King, faith he \theirmsn will foone degenerate into womeny tmtm&ipufc f0 that thou needejl not then tofeare any rebellion ; which fell 1 14.^.13.0.1010. 9H* accoYjfaiij For when as Cyrus had conquered ihem, be See Cbrjf. Horn. . . & > - : . * r , r t 1 t- \i &z\ ad P "u counfeu into execution ; c by meanes of which, this Vcp.Jntiocha, indufiuous mighty warlike Nation , became effeminate and &t. rtotousy and fo quite degenerated from their former valour. fe Herodoti. Clio,(e&.x3.p.6$.Iuftin,Hift.l.i.p.to.ii. c Et fie gens induftria quondam porens, & mami ftrenua, eifa:minatamollicie luxuriaque virtutem piiftinam perdidit. Ec quos ante Cyrum itiyiffcos bella prxfticerantj in luxuriam lapfos, otium ac dciidii ruperavit. lujtm. ibidem. By P A rt. i. Hiflrio-Mdflix. z g9 By which experimental! example, and the fore-al- Jeadged teftimonies, it is mod apparent; that effemi- nate accurate luft-provoking Muiicke, (efpecially in pMtke meetings >feafis and Enterlndes, where other con- current circumftances confederate with it, to poaft men on to finfull aclions ; in which cafes the d Scriptures moft d Ifay j.iLii, condemned:) mull undoubtedly bee utterly unlawful! I°b *i«i2:>i$. ipito Chriftians, in regard of the fore-named lewde fr™°s6ll,j£8* effects which iffue from it : and Co by confequence muft ^ 7*t"?."iam Playesbetoo, which are either compounded of it, or 4*9*1 o.cj.i,?! attended with it. . jThef.j.22. For the Minor, that Stage-playe,s (which have all Y&ifcatl*»: other inefcatinc; luft-inrlamin^ follicitations accompa- con*lvn (\m^ , 1 ^ • 1 t & • o r 1 WMwa imen- nying them^ that either human pravity, or Satans pol- junt vocem ? licy can invent) are attended with fuch laf civious amo- pra^s cnim rousMuficke, which t6 apt to c captivate mens chafiitjy and pr^bet volup- foment their lufts; it is more then evident; not onely "tc per fc con- by moderne experience, four Play-houfes refouftding I1^,3?? ***** alwayeswith inch voluptuous Melody;; but likewiie ripidisMcdca. by the fufrrage of fundry Pagan and Chriilian Authors, fag . 1 74. both ancient and moderne. Witnefle FIato> Legum Dt~ eMuficaincor- alogus 3. /w£. 822. AriptleTohtic.l.S. c.j. f,. 532. 5331 porcam animi Ltvr, Rom.Hifl. ltb.7.fett. 2. Telybius Htfi. hb.^p. 340. j^f* &}o[o Dtonjfifits HalUcamaf.Antiqti.Rom.L'j.feB.^. OvidyDe Re- audita ad quod medio Amor is Mb.i.^r f Fafierttm. hb.^ 4. 5. Horace, De volt deducit : tArte Toe;tca.lib.p. S 302.^03 . Athenzus Dipnofoph. Liq. <3Ul'1 tenere non c. 3 .5 . T^/tf AnnaU. 1 4./^. 2 . Suetonij Caligula, fetl 54. Pr*valet VCrLbo > ir m ■ ~ J .^ -ni/ ^ w / ~ tacitOjmambus er Nero. feci. 20.21 23.25.32. Plutarcbus \De Aluficd c|a^at fine ore Macrobms S-atftrnal1um.L2.cj- & /.3.C 14. Tertul\iany De loquitur ..& per SpetlaculisJib. Arnobius adverfus Gcntes, hb.^. & 7. &*£/ infenfibilium Hex&emer. Horn. 4. Nazjtenz.cn ad Selttcum. pa* . 1 0*2. °^e41JU^ _Prr" Qemens Alexand. Ptdag.l.i. c.^.&l^.c.i 1. ^Chryfofi. ^^dwi- natum.Cafliodcrus Variaru,/ 2.^.40. f Cantabat fanis,csntrbat tibia ludis lb dan. 5 T»bia non3ut nunc,aurichalco vinfta tuba>q; /Emulated tenuis fimpkx fori pauco Adfpir.'re & adefle choris erarutilis^atq^Nondu fpiiT^ r^imis coir.plere (edi- lia flatu3&c.i/i. &%$. in< Matth. Hom.i j. 2 1.22.23. Ad Pop. Antioch. Augujfine3De MuficaLi .c.i.to 8. Hierom, Com- mem.in Sphef. 1.-$. c.2» Tom.6. p. 1 8 %.A. Ifiodor. Hifpaknfis Ortginnm. /.18.C.47. Damafcen^Paralellorum, U^.cap 47. with fundry other Fathers and Councels quoted in the precedent Scene. Alexander ab Alexandro. I.2.C.2 5. Ma- riana & Brijjonms de SpeUaculis. Stephen Gojfon, his Schoolc ef sibttfes, and Playes confuted. AUion 2. Godwins Roman Antiquities. Booke 2.fett.2i. chap.j i.p. IoS.lop. Bodinus, De Republic a. 1.6. c. 3 » Agrippa, *De Van'ttate Scientiarum, cap. 17.^20. and above all, Cafar Bttlengerus, De Tbea- v Se Scene 0. *ro. ltb.2. cap. i.to^j* All which, with * infinite others, before. largely ratifie the truth of this AfTumption ; that Playes 1 In fpeftacuhs are alwayes accompanied with moft i effeminate .amorous, mo u an imi ltifimpY0V0Uni. j^fHrJCke^ which depraves mens mitsdes and tibiarum con- * r & r 1 1 • \ ^ ^ x r ■ r 1 cemus mere-. manners ; therefore both it and the Conclufion reiul- triciaqj cami- ting from it, muft be granted. ones audienti- um animis mjidentes, nihil aliud afferunt, quam ur omnibus turpitcr & obfexne fegercre perluaceant3 citharaedorumfcilicct, aut tibicmumpulfus urutantes. BafiL hexeem. Hem.^ &vamfccn.Pa>-al.Uh.i.cap.tf. ACTVS 5. SCENA VNDEC1MA. 4 *T~ He laft unlawfull Concomitant of Stage-play es, isy X profufelafci vie us laughter, accompanied with an immoderate applaufe of thole fcurrilous Playes and Aclors,which Chriftians fhould rather abominate,then Argument admire. From whence this 26. Argument againft Stage- a6. playes, may be framed. k Reprxhenfi- That which is alwaies accompanied with k profufe bifis rifus e{t,li immodictiSjfi puenlitereffafus/i muliebriterTradus.Odibilemquoqjhomine facit rifus, aut fuperbus,nutclaru£,aiu malignus & furtivus, aut alienis malis evocatus. M«rtmmZpfcVumtn[th P^4*!« FirtHtimMy.BUrAtrHm^om^.fars if.x&.A. lascivious Part. i. Hiftrio^Wlaftix. *p c - — ■ ■ ■„.-.,> .. » — —• «. lafctviotu laughter, with immoderate flnftill ap- plaufes of Piayes and infamous Actors, which Chriftians fhould abhorre, mult certainely be un- lawful! unto Chriftians. But Stage-play es are ahvayes accompanied with fuch laughter and applaufcs. Therefore they muft certainely bee unlawful! unto Chriftians. The Major I iTiall evidence, by proving fuch laugh- ter, fuch applaufes to be fmfull. That profufe lafcivi- ous laughter, efpecially fuch as is occafioned by Stage- * Oportet aute piayes, is evill, it is moft apparant. Firft, in regard o f ipfUm quoque the originali efficient caufe of it, which is commonly fome nibrifa doceri * obfcene,lafavwxs, fmfull paffage, oefture* Speech, or ieft, & crftigari : & (the1 common obiett of mem helli/h mirth) which fbould ra- ^^"^f" tber provoke the Attars y the Spectators to penitent fobs, then fuerit crubef- wanton [miles ; to brimfh teares, then carnall folace, which cere potius vl- fuite not mih [uch fmfull obiefts; as m Naz,tenz,eny n (fhry- deri,quamfub- foflomey and ° Antonms Laurentius well obferve. It is ric*ere,nevide- recorded of Lot, ? that he vjxed his riohteous foule from ^f^ ^u-S- 1 1 r > 1 / 7 ; c it r, > i i i ienluna colls ta- day to day, tn feeing and bearing the unlaw full filthy deeds and n.ckmemAlex. converfation of the wicked Sodomites. Of D avid ; *«/; f /W he ferioufly beweykd the un- c^oatqj infa- lamented:unrepentedfinm of the wcefluous Corinthian, Of nngjudeamus: nifi rifusnoftei: impuritatibus atq; Sagitijs mifceatur. An forte infruftuofumputemus gaudiii fim- plex3n:cdelenon folu nulla taliaaudientesmoleftiacapitis3veru etiaridetis atqj ixtamini. Cumqs vitariifta sbominariqj deberetis3fufcipitis atqj laudatis. Qurs obresnoncachinnis difHuerefedentesjfcdlachryrnis gemereatqj dolerc oportet. Chryfofi Eom.1%'fnM*t. Tom.t.Col. 199^ Neigitur definatis fuper huiufmodi fpectacula gemere,ac faepius remorderi.HoOT.6 .In Mat.Col.i $.A. ° De Rifu lib^p.x $ 5. to 14 ?.Marp.i6o6, t xPet. a. 6,j. J Pfal,i 1.9.136,1 $8. * Ier.13.17. f a Cor. ii. 11. z$l Hiftrio-Maflix. Part.i* * Ezra, cap.9. Ezra, l that he humbled himfelfe, and rent his deaths* , and thorowout, & mourned and wept exceedingly for the Ifraelttes finne in mar* « Hzech 94 rym& Wtt^ ^oUters. And of u all the fait hf till oflerufakwy Eroptereapar that they ftghed and crjed for all the abominations that were eft,utanimo committed in themiddefl thereof. Yea, God himfeife en- "cotrahatur Iu- ioynes kufervants, *to monrnefor others fnnes: V to turne geat3contabef- thefr ftnfull laughter tntoheavmefje -} and their cay n all ioy (a- » cant,tu quide- >r r . ? •, ■ 1 • xi \ re 1 ■ lihquut, til qui nfingirom laicivious objects; mo moummg: effulmwa- non dclinquut. fi^g an everlafting woe, a a dijmall curfe *gainft all fuch lttiqmdcpi-o\z-grace/ejfe foolvi-who b make a mscke of finne, or recreate ter admifla fa- themfelves wttS^Se iniquities of other men. That PUy-houfe Sra^^ filthy fcurrilous deruntVuiC'/1" objecls, muil needs be evill, c difcovering nothing but 4 immodeftos. graceleffe heart ; delighting one ly in ribaldry, in wcleanetfe; Chryfojlom. %a- whereas all Chnflians, dmufi reioyce in God alone, e notm tsndu.O >ratio. theDsvill, not infinfullpleafures, f which are but for a fea~ *m!'l!*'u fsn- Secondly, it muft needs s befmfull m regard of tts ex. cap . 22. 17,18! &&>** being altogether boundlefe beyond the rules of mode fly y Kom. 17.15. temperance, chrtftianity , fobriety, by which itfloould be reguU- 1 Cor.52.c1?,. ud. Theatrical! laughter knowes neither founds, nor mea~ ' Z t>u-7'\ $ure ' men w^ofy refigne and let loofe the reines of their hearts ylam kj1 ' v*t0 *h getting, vaj tyrtng their Jides and Jpir its with it: the xldy 5,io.Hab»2a5.i^.Zcph. 5 ji.Prov.14.15,17.18. Luk.6.254 a Gen.19. 12,25-. b Prov.14.9. c Improbii rifiis' oftendit. Seneca. Spifi. jx.& Cbryf. Hem. 6. m &Jatth. d Qaadocnim mimi illi atq; ridiculi blafphemia ac turpe quiddixerut3tunc potifli- mii cjuiq; ftolidiores folvuntiu- in nfurnrinde applaudentcs ma?,is 5unde etia. illos la- pidibus exagitarc debuerat; qui fornace ignis horribilis ex hujufmodi voluptate in lim ipforu caput' Cucccndut.Cbrjf.Hom.6 ,'m Mattlj.Tom.iCol 5 i»A c Pinl.4.5.Ifay 29. 19,0.41 ,i'6.Iocl 2.2 5. Pf.97.i2.Nonneaudiftis Paulii dicentejGaudete in Domino. In Domino dixit,non inDiabolo.Cfyy/l Haw i^.in Mat.To.i.Cel.ig^.B. f Hcb.j1.15. 8 Quin etiam ipfc rifus eit copremendus eiq; modus & conveniens tepus adhibendu cft.Na ipfe quoq; li quo modo oporrctprofcracur,praefe fere decorem & honcftatc: fin alitcrprodeatjindicat lmcperantiam.Itaq; tanqua animalia ratioae prxdira 0- portet nos teperate componerc ftudij noftri acrimoniam, & nimiu intenfam vehe- mentiam moderate rcmittentcs^nonauie inconcinnc diiTolventcs. Clcm.Alcx. Vtdng. I. 24c.J.Nonmalueft rifus3fcdmalu eft id quod eft prxtcr modu3id quod citintcpc- ftivii. Animo noftro infitus eft rifus,ut aliquando rclaxctur animus,non ut diftuda- t\XY.Chyf,Hom.i 5. in Heb.To^Xot.i $9$£-D- Hom.i 5.xi.€> 25. ad ?op.Antioch.7o.^CoL 512.W.B See Na^cn%p3Se^tc?itk p.997^ Na^cmgnM 5elucii.p.io62 . Chryf. Hom,6. & 5 8. in Matth,$C 4*fia Acl;a.Apoil45erandu the k end of ^PUy- hot* Co fimvhttrM cneh to ntfuste me#s Mb. ab i^Hera- L i a A r i ■ -r j J / r. / r to & lolu&jre ly lujts tnthfi.etnar totftty and anights a] linne : to pamper, to n[- ^ ,• arme the rebellions pfo again f \ the Spirit: to quench thofe eriirn folutius, hcauenly ioyes, and fpkituall comforts which fhould nsutiquam ijs ravifh Chriftian foules : to ] exile all true rrpcntar.ee, all pcrmijFutti qui gidly ferret* and found humiliation forfivne, which are allege- iunt germane ther incompatible with tkefe lafaviom (mitts : m to put the ,.,.■ J'.'1* ' Hi r rrr t n r- r ■ , ,r \ *AdtiOihttS.Hom. tViS day jarre off from menjby ^*iptjymgthetrfelfe-conaemning ^^.tibl?atruk\ confciexcesyz\id lulling them fall a fieepe in a mqft defpc- Tim.7.p.zo9. rate carhall-fecnrity. Such is the life, the finite of c his vld- IWkm. Stage-kushter : it cannot therefor but be cvill. Fourth- *Lchrf# mlVI ly,tbis n laughter ii altogether unfeemely, Hnfeaformbls rnito c,^,:% (fhriflians. Vnieemely, becaufe immoderate: profnfe-M- b^jl^" ce (five laughter, (efpecially at the fight or hearing of a Mm^uu,^ ribaldrousStage-pIayJ^W/^^?- ° inconfifrentvuh the ^DeRifu. I. gr avity, mode fly, and fobriety of a Chriflian, whop sffeSffifc's accordingly. (hould be more [ubhme^ more ferions and compofed, then to ' ■ p^'f5 \°* be immoderately tickled with meere lafcivious vani- Amos 6. i.to ties, P or to lafh out into exceffive cachinnations in the publtke &NulIu view of dtjfolute graceleffe psrfons, who will be hardned and ^c accefsil cor- encouraged in their lafciviom courfes, by their M example. d3,scornPu^io,. xr r r \\ t /»„#••-» »i ubiiuen: im- Vniealonable ; wcauje^thu u no^ place, no ttme, no worlji mocjcr ,.rr,l_ fits ac iocns.Bafil.Coffljn Sfaia.t.t .BcdaScincilhe.Tom.7 p-337 • m Amos 6-354, & 24.3 S,39tLiik.ri. 34,5 5.° Riucre & rideri fecularibus derelinq;>gravit3S cua per- fona dccet,Hkrom.r.piJl.S cj. Prude ntibusviris lifusrifii dignuseft omnr$,maxinse meritncuis.Pr^fhttriitc morbus effe qua lafcivii. Creg^Na^en^n Stnimlne.y s 1 68. 0 Non eft noftrii ergo aflidue ridere,refolvi cachinnis^moUiri cieiicijs, led ecru pa- tius & earu qua* fpeckantur in theatrisyauae in lupananbus inquinantur.Ncn eft m<. qua hoceoriiqui ad aetcrnii re?nu vocati fun't^non eft fpiritwalia artrsa^eftinuum, quedpropnii eft Diabolo mill zinii\\^Cb/yflfir.ffaitiJ^j» Mattb ? ClcM.'Jlcxand.Vxdag. \,i.c-<). 1 Fntres^non ek in hoc mundo ternpus ndenc!i:Bcatitudo enim hie pra:p.<- rari poteft3pofficierinonpotcft^^r«/,.ftr/w.i7. Qiudiu fumus in hoc faeeulo r.cn- du eft ndendu,ne poftea ^\cYC\v,v.s^hgitJi,Knarjn?fa.l,'yi,T(>m 8 .pars 1 .p 60 5 Nc.l- lu locii hie habere poteft ternpus nfu- :hoc enim eft tempus munch, Audi Chnihim dicenteiMundusgaudebirjVos autem contriftabimini. Tuautc ridis & ludis ? Non ■ eft praefens tempas dirTufx [aetiti^tcdlada^ffUftiohi & eiulatus. Tu aucem in diftis urbanis & facetis tempus tens? Eft tepus belli:& tu ea trncl:.s qua: funt eoru qui duciit choros^Ludis dehciaris,facetaq; &urbana dicis, & r-ifu moses, retnqj ni- hil cxil\iim$HkryfHo,i7Jn Spbef.r.^.Coi 98 7,See Ho ifjtt Heb.C9l.199h accordingly., Pp 3 for *■ I i : 2.94 Hiftrio-Maftix. Part.i. for (fhriftians to laugh or to be merry in : but to bewai/e their owne and other/ Jinnes, thatfo they may efcape the tternalltor- ments of them at the lift. Our Saviour, whofe d \xa dart 5 i an rv?e, to ,\ thoje that long b, that live in eafe, iotlity, and car m i y:ow. becaufi they fiaft ctrtair.ely msurne^ and fufer eter- ' nail toy went s for it hereafter) informing all his Children 6 n.i Cor. (whofe iioyes are treafnred up in heaven agatnft another day) 9 tPct 1.40* ' thai in this world they Jhall be fare to fttjfer perfection and 1 ] ohn I6 43* affliction, « to weepe, lament, and be for row fall : and that this u T ! ™ * 6 J" VP9r^ on^y ( who K have their portion m this life) fhall now re- 1i.17.r4." i0lcv> tRat is, in acarnall worldly manner : whereupon 3 tam.4^,.0. he adviieth all his followers, Y to turne their fecular r i\rp^fcrifu kkig liter into mourning, their caynalt tollttj into weeping and ",0I?e|Hj[V he^vinefe ; For Chriftians therefore to make this ic o co - worj^ a p(ira(Jice of all earthlv pleafures. to fpend rheir nal.Satyr.ip.p. dayesin Epicurifme, mirth and lollity, glutting them- . oz . Lilian I'd- Ivivcs with (infiili Spectacles and mirth- provoking En- rhe Kf l.^.cppi terludes, as alas two many doe : lobe lt*\e T Democrttus, 5C* ScMjca.De pjlwaye s laughing, never weeping, unlciTe it be fometimes wiqud.Amtm: againft their wils, and then not for their finnes : to be *Itaq;fleiuem mo& unlike their bjeiTed Saviour, a who was oft-times wee- quidem Chri- f'*Bg% never fmiltng that we read of. b Quemflcviffe legimus ri- ftum frcquen- fiffe Kon legimus : how can it but be finfull, yea abomina* tei -lnvcru-js/ bie ? Chrift Iefus our cpatterne, our example, whofe fieps ■ ridemTfeTnec We a^ miA t°^owy tfever we expeU falvationftom him ; d was Icvitcrfakcm ■ alwayes mmrnmg, never laughing; ( I am fure not at a fabridedo^gau- Stage-play, which hee and his condemne, as worthy dentcm. cbryf. tearcsmot fmiles,)^ c[hallwe doe nothing but retoyceHhe Horn. 6 m Mat. ApoOiesand * Chrift tans tn the Primitive Church, yea all Howss.'mHeb. Saints of y oa who went btj ore us, were for the moft part T0.4. Col. 1 593. b Stffow8.De Gubernat*Dei.l,e7. c 1 Pet. 2.11. 1 Ioh.1.6.4 Ifay $$. 3.".Pr.3'8.6.Lam.i.n.Lu.i94i.Ioh.ix.3 5.c Chriftus in crucem aftus eft propter tuamah: ru autem rides ? Impadx funt illi alapx, & colaphi & tarn multa paf- fus eft propter tuam calamitatcm, & qua; te comprehenderat tempeftatem,tu autcm is indelicijs? Cbryfoji Homi7. inEpljef.Tom.^. Col. 987. f Matn. j. ?, 4. Luk.^. si. Iohni6.xo,A&s i°-5 7iPhil.5.l8.Rom.ii,i j. Eccles. 7, 2, 4. P&l. 137.1, i-aai. i.ac a« weeper, Part. i. Eiftrio-Maflix. 19$ weepers, not laughers ; deploring among fundry other evils, ^ thofe execrable abominattcKi which Stage-play es did E Sec Va^n^n produce, Andfhall we bealwaies laughing, nay laugh- a^|?iuG^1T,JP; ingatthefe filthy Enterludes which they ib much be- ^p/ /s ^t wailed ? Is this to h imitate Chrifl or his Affiles : to live Mattfr. Salvia*, like Saints, like Chriftians, xltk* men redeemed from the Dc Gubernat. vorld? Is this to ^participate with Chrifl m his afflictions ; ^ci lAdugufi. or to trace the 1 narrow uncouth way thzt hades to endleffe ^ont . i^i* teyes ? Ono 1 this carnaii life of iollky, progaqftic-ks l%fipfa'2DcH nothing but a voluptuous heart, a m Godleft, ffiriftlejfe nVo. ' converfation^ which leades men dowxe to n //i?// : »^^ r&trc- h J Gorj i .I# /oy^ nmjl tt be ° unlawful unto Chriftians. Fifdy, this pro- P^il. 3.17. fufe Theatricall laughter ? doth give a yubii\e approbation lQm**«T$« to all the. ribaldry tindprophaneffe that is either perforated cr ±\ Coi-a < 6 perpetrated en the Stage, and fo makes thefe laughers 7.1 Pcc,4 13. deepely guilty of it. Sixtly, it produceth iimdry (infill! 'Mat.y. 15,14 eonftqucnts : as ^cachinnations glamor sjwpndenty, l ejfe- m ,Ia,rnJ '„* Sec* mnacy, incivility, f voluptuoufneffer loofenefe and light neffe &a8 talViaT - of [pint, impemtencjy car nail fecurtty, indijpefiusn to every "Hom'.iVin E- £*// ^/jr, efpecially to godly forrow for finne: therefore it phef;.Hom.i 5. cannot but be evilL Penile we but the Scriptures; ,we in Hebrxos. fiiall finde cr^iJ-J.p*g. 2>0.to H^^lZcT. fin via Tint, trmen ab Ecdefiaftira aberrant regula : quoniam quae in Scnpturis fanftis nonrcperiimis,qiicmodoufuipare p©ffumus?B£r»tfr^.Dc0?Y//Kf'pr>'tei Co/ iii~ • Q Probamqs ilia dum ti&ent&a&antj)e Vera CmHi?J/> j.io.'Ngc folum utbes!,(ed ctia exuItatione,rifu,plaufii adiuvas qus geninuir, omnibufq; modis banc Diabolicam confoves o fficimvfi. Cbryfoft.Hom.6. in {Mattb. Col f.i B, q C'bty'foft Horn 5. inMatih. & Horn 6a,adPop.Amiochiae. S.Amiochus.Hom.pj.Bibl.Patrum. Tom. 7 , pag.iop, •Rifus freqiienscomimpit mores, rela^atquoqs nerves rigoris a{rrurtcs. Augnft.De Temp Sermo.97 .Tdm y.farsz f.306; 'Bernard De Or dine Viu C0I.1 wj.A. i Riiv.s cor- ruptio difciplinje3&c. & maxima quis pcccatavidcnt a mmijs gaudijs proveniffc. Ckyfoft.HoJri.qi, m A8a,4p(ft.Tom.i.Col.6n.B. t See Gen. 18.13,1 5. 2 King. 19. xt. z Chron^o.io.Neh.i. 9.10b 1 2.,4.Prov.i4.i3.Ecdes..x,2.c«7 3«^ .lam. 4.9^x0* Luk.6.2$,Iarr>5.I,5.1fay j, 0,10. Amos $«i,to7,Ioh.*6.io.Rev 18.6,7,8. ~z96 Hiftrio-Maftix. Part.i, Bafil.De-Ebrietate & Luxu Sermo.p.7,29. 332, 236.^4^- anz,en ad Selucum.p.i 063. 1 064. Sentential 168.$* 997, j^mbrof.Sermo.irj. 5. /#/?£r^. Homiljn Veftum Kalendarum. B1bl.Patrum.T0m 4. p. 706. Hterom. Epijl S.c.j. Augufi. quid hoc ^/l lau>;hter9 an undoubted charestler of a wtcked man* z Catullmy iernra infamy as wanton a Poet as any, records ; That there is nothing Affuefacte ut more unfeemely then wanton fcoltjh laughter. * Among the ^ vultu non ancient Perfians it wa* utterly unUwfutlto laugh openly in a ^N^millud loudeordiffolute manner. And ifb ^£ltan p, ay be credi- mfolen^hoc ted ; in the Vnivsrfity of ^Aihens tt was unlawful! for any to 'prudentix ac- lattghy ejpecially tn a frofufe rtdiculoph tmmodefl fafhton. The tribmiutjjfdtw very Heathens then as is evident by thefe and * fun dry aitxmonuk p 9 oth^tetttmomes, condemned Icude exceflive latighter. * J^^-n. rl~ Iffuc#laughter then as this, was altogether unfeemely j$£5™° for modeft Pagans, muft not our c puhuke infamom 'm VroYcrbzs al1 Theatricall Appiaufes doe. Secondly, AnfelmllL iv- ^Y ' i"!ereft men in the guilt and punifkment of all thofe wt- *«, I bidem. ejutttes, that are either ailed or committed in, or occafionfd by i Quumergo* thefe Stage-playes, by giving publike and reall apjroba- indicium hoc tion to them. Thirdly, they k harden, they animate l&b corrupt* men- p/ay«oets players, and T> lay -haunters in their uncodmcur- tis h^animxqj r t i / / n t n / 6 ^^ immcdicibili- J**twh*cb f enhance they would reltnsfutjh were they not encou- ter sgrotantis, raged in them by thefe vaine Appiaufes. Fourthly 5 if we non immerito believe * TertuHi*ny thefe Appiaufes fo pollute mens handt, qui peccatum tfat tfoey can „either lift them up to God in prayer, nor yet «a ;~- at:> ° '" fire'ehthem out to receive the S.icrament in an holy manner* ge lniquior m- ' . -, .„. ' , , , , # dicatusdico Ood requires Cnrtitians, m to lift up holy loands to htm tn qui delinquit. prayer : to bring * clean fed, wafhed^pure hands and hearts OecumnmuA in unto bis Sacraments , not tainted wttb the filth of any ftnne* Rom t.iiAfiodor ^ow Stage- appiaufes defile mens hands and hearts,ma- bff!o i°' c'i^i ki°S them fb polluted, that they can neither lift them fa ifay j[.i»J up in holy prayers to their ° holy God (who can endure no Prov.i 7.1 5 , c. intqmtyjior the P touch of any thing that U uncleane-J nor yet » Peccatii alterius tuii fir,cii illi confcntis.Aitgull.Enar.mVfal 1 xo. Solae fpeclaculoru 1 npuritates funt qu£ unu admodii faiiuit & afpicientiu & agentiu cnmen.Ni dum fpeclantes hoc coprobant & hbenter vident,omnes ca rifu atqj aflenfu aguntjut verc in eos Apoftolicii illud peculiarity; crdat:quia digni funtmorte non folu qui faciuc ea/edetiam quiconfentiunt facientibus Salvian. DeGuber.Dei.l.6.p.i%7. k Cbryfofl. HomA& 38.1nMatd1.Tcr/fli/fcW & tyfrian,Dc Spe&ac. Auguft.Dz Civ.Dei.l.i.c.4- to 1 5 .Salvian,T)c Guber.DeUA^fcxWfM/e»/&>SummaTheologia^pars i.Quzft. l ; 3. accordingly. 1 Quale eftjilbs manusquas ad Dominu extulerispoftmodolau- dando hiftridncm fatigaie,&c? T): Spcftact.z y . Cbryfofl* Hom.$.De rDavide& Saulc, Hm.vU.mVfal.1 1 3.accordin?,ly.m iTim.* 8. n Iam.4.3.Iob 1 7-9»P^i4.4^7 jii- irayi.i^X7.cjx.H.®Icm.ii.8.i Pcfaa^.Hab.MS.P Ifay JJ.11, iCor.6.i7. ' extend Pa at. i. Hifirio-KsWaftix. 199 extend them to embrace Chrifts facred Body and Blood, without defilement. There Stage-applaufes therefore mult needs be (infull in ail thefe refpects, as',^cSPcAac# 1 TertuUuMy f Cyprian y f Nazjenz>e»y « Bttfebm, u Chryfo- ?$££' a2C ftome,* Augufttney Y Sahian, with z fundry modern Cbrt- x.b/ ** y?/** yf«/W/,have already doomed them to our hands. f Ad Selucum. For the Minor; that Stage- playes are aiwayes atten- p*g loa- ded withfuch laughter and applaufes, it is moll appa- * Nec!5 enim rant. Firft, by experience, which infallibly informes fuduefde^cm" men,that Stage-play es have evermore *fuper abounded with dc j?r*parat. e'~ obftreperow wanton cachinnationt y Acclamations ', applaufeiy vang.l.i z c.if. misbefeeming modeft perfons, much more religious uHom.6.&58a Chriftians. Secondly, by the very end of mens preten- i^^1*4 D ded rcfort to Stage* playes : For what other ufe doe j.ice#4 to'ir.'" our moft rigid Play-patrons afcrtbe xo Stage-play ety b but to ▼ De Gub Dd. cxhiler ate the Spectators y by provoking them to laughter. Or lib A p.19*. what other pretence have Play -haunters for their re- \Golfon> N0rtb- fcrt to Play-houfes ; (though c many ofxhemajme at far ^d*^f^ more fin: ft er rejects )but to pafle away the time in mirth? ^praAnth^ to laugh till their fides doc ake againe, at the Clownes Minor, behaviour, or fome other merry k&s mid pafTages \ or * Na quae per- to applaud the Playes, the parts, the Aclors which af- vincere voces fed them? Thirdly, by the Platdae, which teebfe*. f^^*^ monly affixed as a period to e moft ancient and moderne noftra\§eatra? Garganu mugirc putes nemuSjaut mare Tufcu,Tanto cum ftrcpitu ludi fpeftantut. Horat.Epijl.L.z.EpA.p.zSa^'PcYuias frequens laetu Theatris,ter crepuit foml. Idem CamJ.i, QJc.17 .Pwus mThe.tro cum tibiplaufusJdf.ao.Scc Ctfar Bulengcru&Dd Theatro.l.i.c .60,6 i.b £rgo non fatis eft rifudiducere ri&u Audito- ris,& eft quaedam tamen hie quoq; virtuSj&c, Herat. Sermol.i.Satyr.i o.p.191. See Efli.Tp,i*& (h-Avtc?o€t.p 193.2.01^10 3jZ0 4.cpeftatiiadmifli rifuteneatis amici* Ibid p. x 9 ^.IiieO: Irpos lucufqj in hac Comxdu.-Ridiculares eft,daceccni£nc opera mihi.P&ittfj.4j/;^r^PwfogM.Aures,o^ nfushihncas ;t^; deledatio.&c.Ptei Tfcudolus.ProliitM. See Haywoods Apologie for A&prs«& here p. 30. 31. c Illic abimpijs & facinerofis mogiftris melius mens perdiu & muliebns doceiur hchms.Julm Firmtetcs De Erwt FrcfatJidg.c.iiAQucd eft mui o :etenmuj& favor,& clamor ,& pl&uius adhibetur & rifus, cum in cotnu- ncm p. rn ciem aduiteriu ram turpe commitritur in theatris, &c Cbryfeft. tim>6* /» Matth Tm.xMs iB. « See Vlaut'i AmphHruQ-tfeyent'u *Andwa>Ewucbut> & their other Comediesjwfnch conclude thus. VUudtie. Clare ytiudhe.Tlaufum daU->or the hhe.DimtC tmtw V9S Phm&tt dfott.Jiorai.De Arte Poet.iib See BHUiitfwic Theai.ii,c.6o,6tv Qji z Playes: 300 Hiflrio-Maftix. Part.i. Piayes : at the pronunciation of which, the people, tj ihey fQusq; f°nar hke the Play, are wont to f clap their bands, and gtve a publike pleno vocefqj acclamation, or Anten^ a* the prattice of former and prefemt ^o?PUfuma" times doth m^tf eft. Laftiy, by the concurring tsftimo- Theatris. Mar- nY of Pagans, Fathers, and moderne Chriftian Authors; tkLSyigr.Apud who all ailirme, that Stage-play cs notoriety occafion, Bulengerum, Dc but are likewise attended with profufe exorbitant The'l.jr^.jl*c' laughter, acclamations and Sapptaufcs; In which re- v^hfiatT Sardj the * ****** and moderne Chriftian Authors to this purpefe. much condermie th-m. For Pagan Authorities ; if you % BukngeriUiDt perufe but tsitbenaM.DipnefJtb.6. cap. 6. who there in- Theatro. fci.c, formes us out of Tbeophraftmfhat the Terynthians, who 1 * 7''ieatra were very ftndtous of iefttng Come dt?<> were fo accuftomedto \*flDc "civ d"" iau$ ttTltycS) th** they could not forbeare laughter tn their lib-ii.cap$. * f°l*mne facrifices, nor their moft ferioxts «ffitrcs. Or Plato , * See Attg14.De T>e T&publ. Dialog, 3 . pag, 5 86. i/ir ft. t ky iJclt. icorumJtb.S. Civ.Dci. Hb. 7. cap .7. pag.eArte cap. i.6,7# AmanduLx* Horace,*!)* Arte Toetic*. lib. p. 298. 302. 303. X ZZ 3°4- EVfl l.2-Ep«j. dens non pro- fin* Hallicawaf&Anttqu. Rom J..^. feci. 9, Marcus Aurelius, frriit,qui rifum Eptft. x 2. to Lambert >P(autustAfinaria& Amphttruo>Prolo- movent fcurrae gtts,& 6ptlogm.Tere7itij% Andria & Heutontimorum. Pro- fbidmn°nt!i} bgHi * Epil0£' TacttHS Annal L 1 4-f'a' 2'3* *JM e Theatro. l.i.c. 6 o*6i. you fhali Rnde them copi- poflitatqj>hila- ousin thisiheame. For Fathers I ill all referre you t© ntas cTccitan, Qeme^s Alexarjyinm . Padag. 1. 2 .c. 5 .#* h lib. 3 .c. 1 1 . Ter- ioculatonbus tMa„q)e speBacc^^Cyprian.De Spebtacufa^ EpifU.2. fenuntur cavi- _ ,n ? . r . .? JJ„ , • rj lationibus mi- cptft.l. Arnobmsy Adverf.qentes. U 4. p. 1 49. » 1 5 o. 1 j i« minijconcla- & lq > p. 2 3 o.r* 240. BafiL De Ebrietatc & Luxu. Sermo* p, mant & affiir- 329.332*358. Comment in lfaiam.c .^.pJ^lp ,^20. LaClan^ gum thcatra, tiHST)e VeroCulVt. <%20. Naz,tenz,*» adSelucnm.p. 1053. ^crepaTfra- lo64' CbryfoftrmeHom. 3 .2)* Davide&Saule. Horn.* 6. goribus atq; plaufibus .Ibid, k In Theatro rifus movetur, & indecentibas cachinnis icfolvimtir. Domino irafecce turides,nec videsqaod amplius hinc enim comeverar. Non eft noftrum ergoaflidue uidere^efolvi cachinnis,moIlen dclicijs 5 fed eorum pockis &earum quae ipc^antur in Theatris,&c.Nec folum i»bcsAfed cuain cxulta- tioae>rifu?phttfii adjuvas o^uae geiuntui". ibid.lom^ol^UU* &3$i P a RT. i . Hijhrio^Aaflix . 301 38.$ 69.W Matth.Hom.^iJn ABa Apofi.Hom.i 5.62. ad fop. Am iochU.Hom.ij.it Ephefios. & 1 5. *# Hebraos. An- \§*ftmtfDe Qv«- Dei.L2.c4.to 1 5 .& 2 6. to 30. * l.6c.v6. * <&°<* c"m fit 7.IO./.8 c.io.L 1 irf.S. 5^i4«, D«./.5.er 7. ^SSS Cuffudorm yariarum.l.i%Epift.2y.l.^.Eptft.^ I. loannis Sa- riaentur tn Ufburknfs.De Nugis Curtalium.l.i.cy.2. & ltb.%. cap.6.j. Theatro : -cum Sanftm Aflerms.Hom.in Feftum Kalendarum, BibhPatrum. verd a nefcien- T6m.$. p. 705.705. with others which I pretermit, *lbus : ftu.Ius who fully iufrragate to nay Minors truth. For moderne aenm^iiimiin^ Chrillian Authors, Thomas Cjualefius. Hom.yj. in 3. c@U *i\.%. £ Qjii Actvs 3 oz Hiftrio-Maftix. Part. * F Ac tvs 6. Scen a Prim a. iftly, as Stagc-playes are finfull and founlawfall un- to Chriftians in all the fore-mentioned regards, (6 « Hx nugae likewife are they in refpecl of feveraU mpermcious effeftt, fcriiducumin and dangerous fruits, which uiuaily, if not neceflarily ArtsT^T^z an^ Perpetually iflue from them; thechiefeflof vvhidi ■BMacj^i"' * faali here enumerate in their order; that fo you ma/ 18, 19, to.* ' more evidently ndt{ceruetheb*dnefeofthcmybj tbcjuttd?} i Thef 5.ii. evils they occafion. ♦ Ephef. f3 1 6. jhe ^rn^ of thef e, is the prodigall mifpence of much Tunc verc precioUs time, which ° Chnfttans Jhould hu(ba«d and rc- tempus redimi- K , » a ir 1 i • musquindo ™eme t0 ™ttcr furfofes : From whence this 27. Argu- ajitcaftam vua meat againft Stage-playes may be compofed. quamlafcivi- That which doth alvvaies nnavoydably produce an endo perdidi- intollerable mifpence of much peereiefle time, ^aramus ^S- P *hichfio*ld be carefully improved and redcemed^uil mu fa™phcf*{. certainely be finfull, and fo unlavvfull unto Chn- Tom.i.p.i$L flians. p Cum majus But this doe * Stage-plaves;as I fhall fully manifeft. periculum fit Therefore they mult certainely be finfuJ, and fo uu- m*m aVmo- Iawful1 Lint° Chriilians' ^ndi'ftiUnw" The Major all men muft fubferibe to ; becaufe Cod eftquinonex- himfelfe commands us, not prodigally to vvalte, £** igui temporis q wifely to redeeme the time, and fo much the rather, becaufe mercede mag- ty ^eS ^ eVM% Qur tmCi r # ^ eurrtchefi treafure ; it is **d?m\r.swca that peereiefle fortune which qod himjelfe hath put into our Eitft.49.* See 0vidTi^u\.iS.i6o.AtbeftieuiDipnoC.\tx z.c.%.10, 1 $,ij. Ammanut iW^«i/i«^.l.iS cao.Bfl///9Hexr.em.Hom44,accordingly.(lF.phcr.5.i6 Col 4.5-See /tmbro{c,Hierom>Chryfoflome3Tbederct,Sedulm,?r:mJiu6>Rcm CecumewuA,jnfttmcy7heopbytM&,Lyra,MufcuIta,Calvm,JrM^^ vrbt&tlies Sermon of Times Redcmption,accordingly. * lob 7»I>», }• Ffal. 80,47. Eccles.^.i.tox8.Luk.x.7J.Aftsi3.3^iTim,4.7^ bands 1 Part.x. WUrio-Maflix. 3^3 hands ; that we might improve it to his glory, to eur owne and others good ; not finfoliy c con fame it upon lafcivhus cbtldifb* Ezech«i 5-40. interludes %vanitks% or delights of jinne -y which bring »o- ^ a, 5 j,*^;* thing but c eter nail horror to mensfoules at la/}. For men, AmosV.i.toV for Chriftians then, to caft this unvaiuable Pearle of preci- i Pet. 4.1,5,4, ens ttme u to Swine ; to * dtjburfe this trea fare for that which Iam* 4 9>i °« « »*/ bread yt his money for that which fatssfieth not : to V wafte z im,3 ••*• A* this royull patrimony upon voluptuous ffettacles, or lcwde ^ fe^ iu^0m ridiculous Paftimes : to trifle it quite away upon the HoratSermMz.. very vaincft vanities (as alas T too many doey who a treafme Satyr-. 1. up nothing but et email wrat h and horror to their Joules, again ft * I am . j . 1 , f , thedayofwfath,) how can it but be finfull? bOurdayesJ a^atS '76\ yea every home and minute of our lives \ are Gods, not ours: xifayjj. *z4 they are thofec precious talents which Qodhath put into our 7 Luk. 17.133! 4. - hands to occupy with them till he come : to him a nxuft we give a Magna pars up our account for the imploymem of them at the loft. And can Vlt * el^u"r we then take Gods time, Gods treafure (allowed c onely maxlmf nihil ' to us for his ufey hisfervice, which is abundantly fuffcient to a°entibus.Qne engrcjp> even al our dayesy)zud fpend it whoHy upon finnc? mihi dabis qui upon Satan ? upon ourewne Zcarnall lufts and pleafures ? aliquod prasnu. upon lafcivious Stage-playes, Games, and Sports ? up- L^^gm0^! en Dicing, Carding, Dancing, Drinking, Whoring, mei? qui inteU h Fiaftmg .? upon idle Vifits,Complements and Difcour- ligat fe quotU ics } upon Meretricious Paintings, Frizlings, Poul- diemon^ Ne- drings, Atty rings, and the like, (in which many fquon- m° ^ luf*fet der away their very choictft morning houres, more fit qui^TmpuTa"-.0 for ftudy & devotion then fiich unchri^ian praclifes,) cep^cu^nre- as if we had no God to ferve, no callings to follow, no rim hoc unum eft,quod nc gratas quidem poteft rcddcrc.Sencca Epijl.i . a Rom.t45.to jo.Rev4i8.6,7. Mob 1. i,i.Luk. 1,75 Rom. 14. 7,8. J Cor. 6.19^0 /Vfts 1 j,?^.Pi>iL 1. 21 Gal 2. ic, «Mat.i j-.in/o 18.Prov.17.16 d Rom. 14. 4,7,8,12313.^^.2. 21,11. « iPet 4.23*, 4. iTim.6.ii,ii.Qop tecxleftisfcpientii duceret ires. Hoc opus, hoc fturdiii purtri properemus Scampli.Ji patriae volumus,{i nobis viverecari.Ho^/.E/f/i U,Enft.$jagtt 24}. f Luk.i.75c.i 27. I Thtf,s,i6,i7,P(al.i4s.T,i, 5 Feilinn cnim dcr-irrere velox Flofculus anguflx mifcrse^; breviffima mx Portio,dum bibimus,dum fcrta, ungitcnta,fuellas Pofcimus,obrepitrvonintelleftafcnec'tus. lttv.Sat.S>.p.%9. h Qui- bus in folo vivendi caufa palato eft. Juv.Satjr.i 1./M04. Nulli rei nifi vino & libi-! dini vacant. Seneca Vtt IrevV'iU. cep.6. fouks 5 04 Hiflrio-Maftix. Part. i Heu rinint foules to fav e, j no Hell tofearc, no Heaven to fctke, no homines tan- ludge to cenfure us, no day of Iudgement ro account in, qua mors nul- foQW ^ e j,aye fpent our tjme p ancj ^ * fatter our re* vdu^Xnus fiiPflh «toiref*meweh*veu. CuYt'iuiJib.Z.feft.x. fag. ^41. Detcriori hito pravu9 quos edidit auclor, Er nihil stherij fparht per membra vi- eoris. Hi pecudum ritu non impendentia vitant, Nee res ante vident,accepta ctade quasruntur, Et ferd tranfacta gemunt. Claudlan m Eutro/iUin I i? 2. fag. St. p Re omnium prsciofifiima iuditur. Quia fub oculis non venit, ideo viliflima xftimatur, imovero nullum prajtium ejus eft. Annua congiaria homines darifG- mi accipiunt, & his aut laborem, aut operam, aut diligentiam fuam locum. Ne- mo xftimat tempus ; utuntur illo laxius quafi gratiu to. At eofdem sgros vide, & mortis pcriculum admotum eft propius, medicorum genua tangentes : fi metuunt capitale fupplicium,omnia fua,ut vivant paratos impendere* Tama in illis difcordia akeftuum eft. Sauca, Vt Buv.Vu*.ca$$ . to Part.i.' Hiflrio-Maflix. 305 to play and follow {ports (which ^Tully and other Pa- *Neqj enim - £**j quite deny) and yet thinke to fcape unpunidied? ltaanatuiage Thofe Playes and Paftim est here fore, which miferabiy S"^mS& wafte and eate out all our dayes, which rob us of our iocum fafti efle pretious time (our chiefc, our1 onely treafure,) whtchwe videamur, fed fhould carefully httjband to our good: Which faciilegioully ad feyeritatcm defraud our God, our Country, our Souks, our Callings Pon"sj>& a4 of fundry vacant houres which fhould be fpent upon 3^4^ "tone them, mull needs be eviil and unlawful! unto Chriiti- majorat offi- ans even in this refped:. cp 1 i . op.Tcm For the Minor, f that Stage-playes unavoydably produce *'f*6i*.Stc$c? *n intolerable mtjpence of much pretious time &c. it is mod n:ca^cBr^'^i'' apparant, if we will but lumme up all thofe dayes,thoie 49.*8. * ** houres which are vainely (pent in the composing, con- rOmni^mi ning, praclifing, acling, beholding of every publike, Luciii^.liena or private Stage- play. How many golden c dayes and runt j teraptti^ . houres, I might fay we ekes, nay moneths, and I had almefi ™.?nlm n°ftlu [aid whole yeeres, doe mo ft Play-posts fpend in contriving, pen- rci unills fusa- *i*g% pohfhing their new~'tKvented Playes, before they ripen cisac lu brie as them for the Stage ? When thefe their Playes are brought poffeflione na- unto maturity,how many houres,evenings,halfe-dayes, tllra nos .mlfjt> dayes, andfomerimes weekfs, are [pent by all the Attors ^|^?p^t£ (especially in folemne academicall Enterludes) incoppym ita fac, wii Lu- ing, *in conning, ivy alii fwg their parts, before they are :ili3vindica re ripe for publike action? When this is rmifhed, how tlbi? 3f tempus many men are-vainely occupied for fmdry dayes (yea ^d^dhucauc r • „ \ * i / tf rrt ' ' r> aiif ere ha turn tit f&mcttmes *jecres) together, tn building Theaters, Stages, flliripjekatur autexcidebat,coliigc & ferv.i. Sencea Epift.i, f See D,Re'mol.h Overthrow of is playes p.ao3to 24.TI1C ^Blaft of Retrait from Playes & Theaters, p. 66. 67. & rhc orher Fathers,Councels5& Authors hereafter quoted 'Nil inteiitatu noilri Iiqr.ere P6eta?:Ne^minimiVmervere decus5&c.Si no ofFenderetunuquemqj Poetaru lima? Iabor5& mora:Voso Popilius fanguis, carmen reprarhedite quod nop Multa dies & multa litura coercuit atq; Perferlii decics no cailigavitad ungne. Bona pars non un- gues ponerecurat,Non b?.rba:fecreta pent loca;balneavitat,Nafcifcctnr enim pr*e- tiii norrieq; Poeta?,Si tribus Anticyvis caput infanabile nnnquaTofori Licinocori* miferit,&c Hm 'at Ve Arte Peetp.^06. u See Stmca, De Brsv.Vitx.c12. Non habent ifti otiii Ccd iners negotiu,Nam de illisnemo dubitabit, quinoperose nihil a^?nt, qui liter.iru inutiliu lludijs de'inerur.lfo^.c^. * See 2>/if?yJNat,Hifl.U?6.c 15 Tertul. De Spedacc^.io^i.L^yjHift.Rom.l^^.Tfld^^nnahhi^ ^/fx.ab Alexandre., X>$,c.i6,D.HacJiWls Apologie.l.4.c.3,fect.2.3j4. accordingly. R r Scenes $o£ Wftrio-SWaftix. Paxt.i. S ceres and Scaffolds ; in making thearricall Pageants, Apparitions, Attires, Vifars, Garments, withiuch-liKc Siagc-appur:enances, for the more commodious pom* pons acting and adorning of thefe vaine-glorious En- teriudes? When all things iecmifite for the publikc peribnating of thefe Play es are thus exa&ly accommo- dated, and the day or nigh approcheth when thefc arc yNa n k*° ro Rafted, how many hundreds of* all forts ,vaineiy, if n!}0!;!.^!" not v ridicule-ufly (bend whole dayes, whole afternooncs Hit},, Vliq, pu- . » / U J • I • in crque, Speftat, and nights ort-times,#*z attyrtng them fe Ives tntvctr rtcbefl & ex ma^m robes-, in providing feates to heare, *to fse, and to be parte Senatus ^eenc 0f other s-pi in hearing,in beholding thefe vain iafci- adeft. OvidTn- vj0lls Stage-play ts, (which I a -l Come b three orfoure homes (tsaml.2p.i6o. , , R r ; i f i. i i / » y Si f0iet in at c ne lealt,yea/MW*f*WJ w«^ * **;^ and wee^es together 9 tcrris nderet wmcn befides nights and other feafons, engrcfle every lcbres culriffi- afternoone almofl thorowout the ycere, to their pecu- mafsmin^Iu- liar fervice j as wee fee by daily experience here in do 3 : Copia iu- dicium faepe morata meuti eft Speftitum veniunt3veniuntfpec"tentur utipfx.Ovid, De sArte AtnandL if, p. 1 60, See TertnUiAiij T>e SpcBaeulis, & A&%. Scene 7- before. * Nemo in fpefticulo ineundo pnus cogicatj nifi vidcre 3c videri. Ttrtullian, *De Speftacidk cap.iL b Qoatuor autplures aulxi prajmuntur in horajb &c. Horat, Ejifijti. 1. £pifl.i.pag.z$4. * See livyy Rom. H1fl.lib.4x. fe&.io. Ludi per de- cern dies Icvioptimo.Max.fafti. lib. 31. fe6t.fi. lib 30. feft.46. lib.t 3. feet. 5 o. lib. 2f . fevt.2. lib.40. {eft.ii.SuctonululiusXz&.ig. 6 Horii nonociofa vita dicenda eft, fed defidiofa occupatio. Seneca^ De Bnv'itate Vita, cap. u« * Noftra artas prolapfa ad fabulas &quaevis imnia, non modo aures & cor proftituit vanitati fed oculorurn & auium voluptate fuam mulcct defidiam, luxuriant acrendit con- quirens undiq; fementa vkiorum. loanms Sarcsbnrienfcs,De Vu^U Cuti&'im lib r. tap. 8. e Hjftriones totam fuam vitam ordinant ad ludendum. A^mna43jcttmia ftcHtida. £hi*fi.i6S. Art}. f London; Part. i. Hiflrio- r ^ ... ^ , quam mains mens Alexandrmus F^dagogt.lib^. cap. -ii. Tertulhan & Jiftribuit. A- Cyprtan, *Z) together with turn eft, trofu- much other precious time which mens particular callings did fiflimi in eo require. was (pent in xEifag and beholding Stage-playes: Hence Cl-j"s unius ho- Thtlo lu-i&m, De J^rfculturaMkpao.27 1.27 2. with much n^l ***ntia griefe laments : * That many tfaufands of people thorotvout Bnv-t yU£ Q ^ the world^be fried with the delight of Stage-playes, did with h q^ necefk greedy eyes and eares flocke together to Theaters, to behold the tnbes smiucrc effeminate ge ft urcs and motions of Stage-players *} neglecting m tcropoA Miit^ lu ra? nihil prseciofius tempore, fed heu nihil hodie vilius aeftiinauir. Tranfeunt diCi fciutis & nemo recooit?t,ncmo llbi non reditura momenta peiijffe caufarur. Bernardi.Veclamatmcs., o'.i 01 i.JLAf. i See Scene j i.& Aft 7* Scene 3., where rheir wards are re :ited. k Quidenim aliud credimns quotidie per totum crber^, tot millnfpe&atorum in Theatns#contrahere. Homines enim vifti fpecSaculorum & fabuhramcupidme mfrenestum ocuhs> tumauribus confectnntur cytha^iftas cy- tharsdofque. Prxterea falcatoribns casterifque mimis inhiant .propter gtih.s mo- tufq; tffae.ninatos : atq; ita faCtiones Theatricas inftaurant^fecun cxtcrarum teiu privatarurn pubhearumque, totam vitam in huiufmcdi fpeclacuhs conterentes nuferi. Ibiicrn, Rr 2 the 308 Iliflrio-Maftix. Part.i- ikcmc^ne time the yubiikf welfare y and tbeir owne private q in_ eftates, end vuferably wafttng their lives in thefe vaine Speft*- mulljE */**• Hence Bafil^Hexaemcron.Hsm.^'mformesiis: lTbat qua? multis va- rjfwr* are certain Cittiesywhich feedtbetr eyes and earesfrom rijfgue prarih- tnorr.ingto night jrnth many vartoni Speftactes, and wttheffe- %3ZO\am- I\ minate Amorous lafcivious Sengs and En:erlud?sy engendrtrg prirno dituculo *w **«^ */7«/?.f «w&» the* fettles, in bearing of which then adipfum ufque eares are never fa is fed. A*d fnch people as thefe f writes cxli^adfefge- he) 001*1 cva*? exceeding bapty, becaufe negletstm and JP nino& corrupt *fffe and pie afar e. Hence Naz>wz,en, De Rebla Education? tos cantos pi- adSekcHm.pag.ic6 \ . 1 064. $• Chryfoftome* Hom.\ 5.21. ™^min anU *?•# <5i. AdPopuUm Antiocb. Horn. 6. 7. 38, cr6p. in nemteS <^Matth& Hom- 42- «* >4#4 Apoftolorum • relate, ra flfctf (Time /;; '^ ^*7 ita«/* /for* # 4 /^ 0/ //as?, 4 fuperfluous cwfumpd audiences, non f»« ofdayes • n w.-W* Wf» wrf/?* zrM; ; ridiculous an& latiintur. Atq; pernicious pfeafures, And Wlthall ° f&ey J0M?6 cemplaine; w espopulos that many people leaving the Church did flocke by troopes to complurcspecA rw » / ; /, . *j 1 n ■» t- i ~b btuos efledi- rlq-h9*jeiiVejtemt*gtb*tttmeHpon the Devth% which they c.unt,propttre! /W# $*** dedicated unto God; Hence Auguftine, P IV* ;ro,mer- Decern Chordts. hb.c.^. & De Civit. Det.ltb. i.c.q.to 2 3. 'S Salvtan^De Gubematione *DeiJib>6* Cyrillus Alexandrians ■otife ^6 *"iC'" ;w ^oann^ Evanoelium.ltb.S.c.y Leo. 1. SWvzw i« Gclava. comparandTyi- P*Hh& Petri.c*p.i.foi. 165. 5. After ins > HomtUa w Fe- &u$- cihTi fab- 7?*** Kalenelarum. T>ibl. Patrum. Tom. 4. pag*yo$. yo6.. eundis negle- Damafcen Parallelorum.ltb. ^.cap.qj.Ioannu S are four ten fuy tab*1lfeP°ft~ De Nugis Cuna/Mm.ltb.i.cav.j.S. with other Fathers,' cSa^^iovo-10 Pa^e ^eacence againft Stage-piayes, as rfe/.„ . ■■* P*P |*p. 10. Horace, De Arte Toetica. lib. together With cum iudi inter* b Scipio'2s(aficay that famous Roman, have much condem- calantur,cum r.ed Stage-playes, becaufe they wafte many pretious homes acquis pluvips whch (bo ntd be improved to more weighty ufes. Ami for -mcervreiut dies .. ,. r r , 1 * V„ ' I ™ r, quern perdere this very reaion among iundry othevsy(Petrarcba De Re- ricet,&c, ibid. medio Vtr. Eortu<&. lib. 1. Dialog, 30. Tolydor Virgil. De * Pqpuius fi Invent. Rerum. lib.^ .c.2. Agrtppa De Vamtate Scientiarum. confederet the- cap. 5 9. M Gualther.Hom. 1 1 . in Nahum. farolm Sigonius 2ti'° teros -IC> (De Occident alt Imperio. lib. I. p. 32. ioannii LanghecmctuSy jf^l^00/!'/ D? f/f* C^ Bone (I ate Ecclefiajlicorum. I. i.c. 1 1 . 1 2 . 2 1 . M» b Auouiii); . Nortbbrooke, M. G^w, M. Stubs, D. R^holds, Mariana & Givit. Dei'.l. r . BriJfomfiSy in their Bootes and Treatifes aqawft Stage-playes. c J c • ? *•£%, 7& which iffues alwayes from them, tranfitut pere- at. Projpcr. Aquit. T>e Vecat Gentium. lib,* „ cap.u e Nihil prxtiofius tempore, B:r- Tiardi. Detiah.at. Col. lou.L. M* i Faciro aliquid cperis ut Temper te Dinbolus inveniac occupatum« Opens labor fufcipiatur, non tarn propter villus neceffita- tem,quam propter animx falutcm. EicromeDifpi.nU- in two refpefts. Firft, becaufe it abufeth, it perverteth ^VllcL Gods gocd creatures to an unlawfuil end, by ° mtjpeud- afizib Fat.Tom. ir.gthem upQn 'carnall pleefnresy luflf^and vaine favtaftique 9.parsufr6o$hH humours ; when as they (houid be imployedto P Cjods glo- l »fa'y 5 5. 2, r/, *«r owne and <\ others good. Secondly, became it r robs Prov4ii.ao.c. the poore of that bountifuH charitable relic] e, whtcb elfe they \9'Y$ \ \\ '£> fkould receive fr*m that fetperflvity of wealth which Prodigals u',c,j7')7iLUt confuwei The f maine end why God beftowes abundance f/i $.13,14,1 9. earthly riches uponfoms menjnore thsn others Jbsmg onely thii-y Rcm-i S-ijii4» Gal. j. 21. Ezech. 16.49 Ephef, 5,1 8. Phil. ^.1^,19.! am 5.54iP.t.4..^;4,j, x Pcr.i.i j.Iude 4. I*. 1 3 .Rev. 18.6,9. ■» Clemens Alexand.Pxdag.l,i.c.iz,LaftantMa9 Dc Vcro Culture. 17. Jmbrof.De Officijs I.2 c.z.Bafit. Stzvmo.i"in Dimes & Avatos.^i^rw^a.Cyg» naeorum.Carm.hb p.iof 6.1 bcopbylacl & Beda-jn Luci 5.n Plato De Repub.Dialog* 8.p«06$.^r(fof.Ethic.l.4.c.i. C/$ertf,<3eOincns lib z.Tlutarcb, De Vitarido. ^Ere aIieno.lib.y«v«M.'«S:ityi:.6./Ene3e Gazaei.7feff«pfcr«/2i«apud Philonem Itidgunupag*. 1470. ° Iam.4 25-3. Luk. 15,13 ,14, ;9«P Prov.3 9.*! Ecclcf.i 1 a.l.uk. 19. 8. ilim. 6.17,18, 19. PLf^i 1Prov.19.17.Htb.13.16.Luk.i2 33. ' Quid peculator ? Ille qui aufert alicna Non tu peculator ,cum ea qua? ad difpenfmdum diftribuendumqj reciperis,tibi propria facis ?Num qui vtftem dirtpuerit fpoliator nominabnur, qui autem nudum non texerit, rnodo poffir, alterius cujufdam nominis r-ppellaticne dignus erit ? Bajil9n Divitcs & AvarosSexmo.i . * Deut 15. 7 . to 1 9, lob 3 1 . 1 6. to 23.1 Tim.6. 17,18,19. t C0j.9a.t0 14. Acts 1 1.. 29, 30, Cur tu dives, ille pau- per ? Profeftdnon obaliam cmfam,nih ut tu benignit:.tis ac fidelis adminiftrati- onis premium accipi.is,ille ve/opnientiae maxims metcede honorerur. Efurientis eft panis quern tu retines; nudi eft veftis quam tu area cuftodis jdifc-lceati calceus- qui apud te ma>ceflit;egentis areeruu quod tu in terram derodis . Deniq; tot nffery hominibus iniuri3s,quot defcris cum nivare pofiis. Dei minifter facrtus es,tuoium difpenfitorconfervorum. Ne puta omnii tuoventri prxurari: quje in manibus- habei ut aiicazmikm^BafiiMagJnV'tvites&Aivares^Sermo 1. vid.Jbidemi . that j ii . Hiftrio-Maftix. Part.i. that their fnper- abundant plenty ,might fupply the wants of o- then i not feed tbetr ownc exceffive lufts, as Play* haunters for the moil part doe. The Minor (that Stage-playes alvvayes nexeflarily cafion much prodigal! expence, which might be better ■ •m.hb. imploycd;) is moil: apparent, not onefy by that of Ovtdt J'?*~ 1 R° * * Infyice ludorumfumptm Augufie tuorum-yEmpta tiht magno Hift.K40.fcft. taHa ™Hltak&es' QHcdci3mmut prodefi p ana eft lucrofa Poet a, 44.45.. Plm. Nat. Tantaquc mn parvo crmtna prator emit ; but likewife by H1ftJ.56.cj 5. the Records and Hiftories of former ages. It is ftoried Augufi.DtCiv. 0ftyeLj>£ma*s; that the fummes ofmonj thej dtjburfed in c 1" &*Dc9C5- ereftif'& Theaters, in fetting forth Stage-playes, and fuch li\e fenft EvangJ.j pvblike Spectacles, did annually amount to more then their ex- c.tyS&lvian>De pences on their H/arres,6r Fortifications : in fo much that the G'lbcv/DeUA charge of them at lafl grew altogether ir.tohr able, not oncly to 'SacitMi , Annal. Rome it r^e yHt t0 4//£fy Confederates, andforraiane Tribu- J.i4.icft.3.S//f- ^ J : « ,- , rr j 1 n \ tmu tiberim tar* ^rovmcesj who were much oppre\\ed, much impoverished t.35.47 Cat;- bj rcafen 0} the excejfive charge of*PlajesyartdpHbltkc She^r g«k,feftj8.2i. « towards which they were Contributors. It is rcgi fired 9 0,feft.xx.zz, t]ie x Athenians, that their very pub like Stage-plajes, (m. . :o 1 .& 3 o tajKe£j af tfe mublikes cofi) did fo exhauft their cemmon tream 1 g.Petranh De furf> l"at at *aft l"s7 'eJ* no mcn^ in t"str Exchequer to njge Rcmcd. Vtr. their Ships, to fet forth their Navy, or to defend their C. "FortunX.l.i. try : info much that their enemies laying hold on this tfcir pe- Dial. 5 o, Qpme~ nu^y, prevailed much' again ft them.. Whence they wire noi tYUo "c t? ?t°S; ' 1tffih taxed by a Lacedemonian fcr >' vtafttno fenoiu things on mis Apoloijie. fy0**** an" lavtjhtng cut the provtjion, thejuppltts 0} great K4.G8.iea.3V V!es and -Armies .upon Playes and Theaters, h is recoi u V.vy. Rom. of divers Roman Emperours, (as T Caligula ,Claud:^> Aero, Hift.Ljr.feft.i. l.7Jca#x.3J.io.feft,i3.l.4o/eft.i4.25.9/i/vM«.De Gub.Dei 1.6 P.J9S.JQ9. x p&. tercb.De Gloria Athenienfiu.lib.Ttf^i^C5.Hift.l,5-p.47 7-I^i«.Hift.i.6.cW/^jjL Antiqu.LeA. l.8«c.9. y Res feruts in iudu impendentes, & magnarum chflium& sreitira comcatumin Theatru prodigentes i>M-af./LntQm'' did curtate, or totally withdraw, at over-charge abie t& their KiF bilcfotbutv. Exchequers , which they did mucbexhauft. Net to relate ^.^7-Favy the prodigall expences of the Roman State in generally ^fifci carinx*. or of b fome of their MagiftraXes, or Editors of Playes ^?rp9s^U' particular, who prodigally fper.t their whole eft ate in celebrating ^Zomle^ Playes to the honour of their J dots, or to gaine the acclamatt- Chronoer, p. 9ns of the vulgar crew, who were much delighted with t heath- ^^-i^i^ukn- call and gladiatory Enter iuies ; of which there are fmdry pre- 2<***>£'e Thea- cedents, wherein I might expatiate: I fhall relate the ^Seer/^'o' iummeof all in the words of S. Auguftine, who com- ratio, DeAru" plaines; cthat even in hi* time, and before, more was given fpicu refponfis. to Stage-players, for Superfluous pleafure, then was dtfburfed in p^M-.f^jf 17 theftcond Punicke watre upon the Roman Legions for theyub- In Pifacm. O- Itke fafety, which was then indangertd; with which the pa- ""f^?'' °0,; theticall fpeech ofS*fo/^,to this purpofe,weli records. Ontfo.p. 5^! * In former time (faith he) when every part of the Roman 5 ^560^61, Empire flour ifhed, the Common-weale after a fort, didfeeke $6i.T>toL.Mu- ■ rana.Orzuc.p. '463. In C^i//>M^.Ontio:5.p44^z.P^7ifOratioi p. 638. DeDivinaticne. Lj/pag, 5J7-Lit7,Rom.Hift.l.24reo the dirt; yet no. fft thin? Co much can bt now con Tumid, beemfs there is net mxch qilO.IpniUactll " i r i /- i • r i i I r n ell,vitiofitatis t0 tpend. t Andyetfuch ts o;tr unfaiiable defire ofmoft filthy f m t; quod nunc fleafure, that verify ,ive could wifh that we had more, for this »on agittifjue- onely purpofe, that we might convert more into this mire of pl- cctfitius.Cala- t^nejret ^eas the very thin? 'tl felfefliewes how much we would fifci &mendi- Pr°dtga!ly con fume on St age-play es tj we were rich, when as we cicas Romani w aft e fo much upon them being poore, For this is the blemifh serarij no iinit, and mifery of our pre fent condition, thzt although throughout ibiq; in res y0V2rty &* cannot, notwithftand'.ng thrcugh our vitioufneffe, we - t0rofun"" woti'A)etfPen&m're» Which may as trudy be predicated ar expend. oftheEnglifh Play-haunters, now, as of the Romans. cam adhuc then. By all thefe teftimonies wee may "evidently Ube: mul- difcerne, how prodigally expenflve thefe Playes and ta,& quad in players were unto the ancient Romans, both in their aamr^edtamS wea^^ anc^ poverty. The expences in fitting forth pub- penrc 1am tanta non qucunt,quia nonfunt tanta quae percant.J/^Ttf.ju 98. f Nam quantum ad votumnoftix Hbidinis atqueimpu rift! mas vohiptatis,optaremus pro- fe&ovel ad hoc rantummodo plus habere, ut poflemus in hoc turpnudinis lutuoi plu'racov/ertere. Ec res probat quanta prodigere vcllemus, fi opulenti eflemus ac fplcndidi, cum prodigamus tanta mendici, Ea eft cnim labes prxfenrium inotum atqu2perditio,utcum iam non hibeat paupertas quod poQjtpcrdere, adauctsmen : plus penrc. Ibi(Um,wg. 108.109. ltk$ Part. i. Hifirio^Mafiix. 31c *ke Pi ayes andEtterludes being fo exceffive, that they could hardly be and' rgom by any but the Emperonri as * Cafar Bu- * De Theatto. lengerustefttfieth* And if they were fuch to the very rich- l-i« c.i i,p. J42. eft Common- weales and Monarches, how much more sfeg£t huc^io- intollerably expend ve,thinke you, were they to pri- £l ululius Mef" vate perfbns ? 5 Flavins Vopifcus reports, eflulms UWef. i^er^cuipail° fal/a; that he (pent his whole Patrimony upon Stage-flayers ■ audeo : ilfe e- leaving nought unto his Heires : and that he gave his Mothers nim patrimo- Coate unto a Woman- Attor, and his Fathers Cloke to a ntfjfaufcenicis Player, for which he liberally taxeth htm. h Nicolaus and bufabne^it- 1 i/lthen&HS record of Syll'a, the TZoman Captaine, that he matris tunicam was fo adi tied to Playes, (he being much enamored with ludi- .dedit raimae, crom (ports,) th.tt he gave, them many acres' of ground, out of lacerna patris, the Republics revenues. To which I may adde that cf %™'FyUr*' *Aet'ms Lampridius, who writes offimmodus Antoninus ; J7j ^p^fo. that he demmfhed his Treafury by prcdigall expenfes upon h Hiftoriarum. Stage-play cs\ and that he tdded many Ctr que- playes rather lib. a 7. «ut of luft,thtn out of religion, thatfo he might enrich the *;Dipnof.fiW. OUaflers of thofe factions. Gregory Nazlunz>en informes £!P* v* ,. US; kthat St age-play es and Hoy fe-r aces doe mamjeftly im- ne$ parciflimus poverifh mens cftates. Box* many Families (writes he) have fait, quod lnx- they fodainely ovtr-turmd* how many rich mm have they en- .uriae fumptibtis forced to begge then bread*, how many Qttiies living peaceably a?ranu minue- among them f elves, have they utterly ovsrthrowne ? l Seep thou rdt", lrc^j°f- notfome me: (writes S.Baftl) prodigally con fuming their mo- ex jibidme po- ny in tpUy-hohfe' cpw Tumbler t and Stage:players , which fius quam reli- everf one fhould abhor to behold^ togainefome momentany ho- gione,& m do- nour, and a little popular applaufe ? It is (quoth m Arnobius) minos Fa^iohu an inexpiable fnne, that gifts and fifpends are alowed andap- J^i^T9^ kQuapropter manifefto patet,fcenicorii& equeftriu certaminii fpeltaculu mera a- nimora efife perniciemjcorporu pugna5ac prxterhasccertiffimti facultayim detrirme- tum.Quot enim familias fubitoproftravit ? Quot homines cpulentos coegitribum mendicarc^Quotuibcs pnus fum'ma inter fe amicitia conjunftos, funditus evert'it * MSe!uc}i.T)eRcciaEdiicat.p.ic6$.io64, I Nonne videsquofdam iaTheatris in pancratiafhs & mimoSjquos fpe £hie quis abomir.etur, pro brevis temporishonore ac populi plaufu pecunum prodigemes,&c ? In Vivites & Avaros, Scrtno. t.ftg- 5 ° 5* * m Et quod nuihs pofifit fntisfa&ionibus cxpiariihiftrionibus^Pamorrjimis, excletis atq; irnfonbus minimum dona lnftituuntur,^ munera ; ab cfikijs ociurn publicis immunitas & tfacatio cum coxoms.^dvcYf.Gevtt$tib.4-ldgii $o*\ S f 2 pointed 3 1 6 Biflrio-Mafiix. Pa rt. i. pointed unto St. -} an., worm-out Pantomime s^ the deriderscfthe god, i that they are exempted from publtke Offices axd imploymentsy and crowed with Garlands. S ai nt « Quid ergo il- n Chry[oftome oft complaines ; that Stage-playes are the los inducis ci- eccafions of many prodigatlvaine expenfes: that men did beftow n«dos & exo- inmMerableyyea) unfpeakeable gifts, and con fume much meny cros? eq; 10- Ur0n Stave-players : that they chertlhed them at their owne fed etiam in- prtvate houfes, beflemng that food, that cofl upon them, which nuinerabilibus fhould be {pent upon Gbrtfls poore members: and that they Sdneffsbilibus maintained them likewife out of the publike Treafury y as ifthty honoris mu- ^ mn a€p,rVed of the Common-weale, which haddisfran-' eos^qwi talta a- cMe^ar'^ made thim infamous. Saint0 Ambrofe makes glint puniens, mention of fomey whom he ce n fur eth for prodigals , who f pent hie autem tan- their Patrimonies upon Stage-jUyeSyCr/ques^nd Sword- fi*jerf qua de rcpub- out of a vtine-glonoHs humour ytofurp*Jfe the (olemnities of for* ll'r&Cne mcri~ mer timesy when as all they did was but vanity. S. lAuguftine jVfumiT&p'X complaints,? that the Roman Magiftratesydsd corrupt the lids impends pMikf manners, by fpoylsng the mtferabU Cttiz**sy and by eosalis. At g^ving unto filthy Stage* players \ who received more gftsfor £-mt,inquit,!n- their fupfrflaous Playes , then the ancient %oman Legicns had fames. Cur er- yeflQVped on them for their PVarres. Pope Leo thefirft,makQS j multa^impen- this complaint, of the age wherein he lived. r ThAt pla>es are the c™fe °f Beht and vf»r? i> SeeH0m.4t.in Aft.Apoft.Hom^a adPcp.Antioch.Hom.17.in Ephef. & Horn, £. 7.& 1 8. in Matth.accordingly. •• Prcdigum eftpopulans favoris gratia, exinanire propn as opes. Quod faciunt qui ludis Cncefibus,vel etiam theatrahbus3& muneri- dus gladiatori js patrimonium dilapidant fuu ur vincantfuperiorucelebntatesicum totum ilium fit mane quod agunt.D^ Offisys.l. ij.zi.&Scr.Oq.TGm.f.p.ii.S. P Ht per iilas moribuscorrumpendis, vapiendomiferiscivibus, largicndo fcemcis turpi bus. Quis ferret iftos,quando pro fuperflua voluptate pluradonatur hiflrionibus., quam tunclegionibus pro extremafalutecollata funt5 De Crv.Dci.l.f.c.i^. eW.3c.19. Sec l.i<(.SJoi$. ** Pudet diccre/ednecefTeeft noa tacere. Plus impenditur Damonijs quam Apoftolis,&c/w0^i;o Petri & Pauli.Sermo.ci fi6$ . 'Egregiumhoc feftum £as alienicaufaacfajnons^paupertatis occafio,miferiarium initium. Si pauxilluoi liquid domi conditumin ahmeota conjugis atqj miferoru iibcruuvftomitur id ac the Part. i. Hiftrio-cMaftix. 3 17 caflaway ; 4^^ and his fit all this eminent feafi, hungry ,a-id efurieris atque in digent of a$ things. Men now make havock? if thei? goods, omnmindigus. and prodigally fptnd them with the great loffe both of manners ^.°flof» Ja^tu~ anddifciplme. Tea. the very Confuls themfehes, hint men !fi?f.!?l,£taiS" _ •' ' , , . r \ i ationiiqj&vul- ofrenowne, advanced to the very top of humane honours^ ex- nerum merce- %mfl their wealth through vanity \not onely without fruit ^ but dem^nnonam Uk^xcife with fnnc ; and itmfy be trusly faid, that as fubltme 3C cibaria pro- 06 their throne is jo eminent is their folly, for whereas they mum ac Piodl- are wont to Accept of many dignities yand to obtame mo ft ample ^ovu ^ V royaU Ltiftenantfhips ; tbeyfiudy to rake as much wealth out o/naeq; damno«" each of thtm as they can, Somsof them convert the mtllitary Confutes etia fiipends to their owne priv te lucre: ethers of them fell iufiice xPfi tama incly* and truth for mony : other of them Poll the Kings Treafures tl ad faftigimfi , J , ' „ , f r ■ / rem humanaru and revenues, laying up au they can fir ape together on every evccy pcrva>- ftde% to the offence of God, pretermitting no uniufly no infamous nitatem opes or difhonefl giine : And now when as they bear e rule, in a very exhaiiriuntj no fhort fpace they If end the Cold they have thus hourded, upon ^o fine fro-' filers, St age players ^Dancers and Eunuches. And a little pecc^to^dic^ after. But { thou (faith he)doft * empty thy Bagges, upon vere potlft, ^ the dipjinift recreation of thy mind;, up?n unfeemelj and dif- q-uam fufelimiV orderly laughter, never confiderixghow many teares ofpoere epru thronus, men thou mightefi relieve, by which thy wealth hath heene ^ ^gnon. fcraped together; how many have beene cafl intoprifon ? how Q^cnimc3 " %' many have beenewbipt and brought to the Gallowes^ that iho?4 cere permul- mightefi have fuffcient to give to Stare-players on this day ? tos folem ho- To pafie by the teftimony of c Clemens Alexandrians, noPBS,&c.nuiic n Tertulhan 3and Cyprian in this nature, with fundry * o- nute.Pr2liaen^ yr r ' auruq; con^c- ftu intra breve repusin anrjgas,tibicines,tnimos/altatores/padQiies diftribiinr, &c. ibid.Bib'.PatmTsm.^.pyo^. i At tu loculosc/acuas in turpc animi relaxation^ in .% rifum indecoruSc incondite neq; cofideras quam mukas pauperu lachrymas dones,, per quas opes ills tnx cofiatxjquam mnlti m vinculaconie&i ve< beratiq; fr.eiint, aut ad laqueu acccflermt j ut tibi fuppetat quodfcenicis hodierno die laigi-:ns,&:c. Ibid. * See Bulengerus&e. Theatre hb,i cap.ii pag.242,. * Psedagogi.lib.i.cap iz«. lib ^cap 1 r. » De Spe&aculis.lib. * Cafliodorus Variaram lib, j^Epift.^. &. libj^Epift^o,, Sfi cher ji8 Hijlrio-Maftix. Part.i. ther Fathers ; I fhall clofe up this with that of John Sa« * HifHonibus hftwjyOiir owne ancient Country-man ; * Many (writes acmimispecu- he)0«r*/<* blinde contemptible magnificence, care not to la- nias,infinitas vt/b out infinite fummes ofmory to Stage-} layers and Attors. crogare ncn Uvtany there are rvb* proflitme their grace and favour unto gav3batur,&ci flayers, . ;nd in fetting forward their lewdneffe^ut of a blind* hiftrionibiirS hftonottr able bounty ,pnt them jdves not fo much to wonderful!, mimis muki ** ** mi fir able expenses : and among others, he fbarpely taxttb proftituunt, & Nero the Empsrourfor this very crime. To thefe I fhail in exlubenda ad<]e t}ie concurrent teftimony of fome few Pagan Au- c*cJ quae|r& thors* y iibl. * mot tall folks ithen to learnt of thefe T lay erf, trtflers andfucb ¥&irum.7om.\$. other Iuglers* what thing is^mort a monftrons, then to fee pag:;^.A.B. mfemen reroyde at the paftime of thefe vaine trtflers? what 'Jmri^mm greatefwockerj can then be in the (fapitoli, then the foolifh ted at London /"?'*£ °f a lefler t0 he traHfi^ witb &r€at ^Hgbttr of wife 1 $26. towards men? what greater {lander can be to Princes Houfes, then to the end. have their Gates alwejes open to thefe ftoles, and never open to 2 See Scene ?. wifefolkes? What greater crmlty can there be in any perfon, * See loannh '^** to give more in one day to afoole, then to his fervants in a SaYcsburienfis. Jegre3 or to bis kinne all bis life ? what greater tnconftancy . De Nugis Cu- can there be then to want men to fur mil? the Cjarnfons and nalium.Li.c. frontiers of Iliirico, and tkfe trewands to abide at Rome ?^ . te- curiam fequun- fters, and lugkrs, rather then the rtnowne of Capta'tnes, with turaffidue hi- t(,eir Triumphes and Armes I And when thefe Captaines itriones,3iea- J * tores3raimi,baIatrones,id genus omne. Vctrus Blefenfs. Epift.14. Bibl.Tatrum Tom.H. pars 2. P.714.B. loannh Saresburknfis t>eNi.'gisCwalinm. L1.C.7.S. Gualtbcr. Hom.w'm tfahwt&neatSyfoiH4,Zl>$.l°1-pt6v4*& £pifi the Minftrels gave him weafth& luxu- more towardt it then all his fiends J f the Hiflory be true, when rY . '" ^ny.Uat. Auguftus tdefied the walls of Rome, he had more of the tre- "ff^f^1^ wands that were drowned in Tiber, then of the common Trea- c.ii.areanim- Jure. The fir ft King of Corinth arofebyfuchvillanies. And anfvverable Ar~ as I fay of this fmall number, I might fay of "many other. One gument of thing U cvme to my minds of the chance ofthefe Trew&nds>and meiJ.s Dreat ex" that */, Whiles they be in pre fence, they maJ^e every mdn Ungh ^^™^ vvIiicJtf At the follies they doe and fay, and when they be gone, every tnus enrich the man is firry for his monj that they bare away, And cf truth Players. itisaiuftfextence of the gods , that fuch as have taken VJine fleafure together, when they are departed to * weepe for their * Sperne vo~ lotfes.Thus he. The Poet Juvenal reports ; c that many wo- ^ptatess nocet. men by frequenting Stage-Flayes hadbeggered their Hufbands yo]^ * °«0rL> And (pent their whole eftates : and1 that divers haddifmherited EpM l.i.Epjfi i\. their Heir et , and either [pent or given away all their goods and pag 2. 4 1 4 lands to Players : which is feconied by Flavius VopifcilS, m e lam eadem the Ufe of Carinus.^.449 4 5 o. The Poet JJorace makes * umm is pa*itcr mention of one S iJMarfatu, who gave all his Lands, his Pa- b^oeft Vt'be- r>-c vafanovi/Tima donac,&c Prodigy nenfentit pereuntcm fxmina- cenfumi At velnt exhaujli redivivus pullulat arc.a, Nummus & e pleno Temper tol- latur acervc,Non unqua repntarK quantu fibi gaudia conftant,&cSrftyr ^. p.5 4*5 5- f Namccdice fxvo Ha?redes vetat cflefuosj bona rota ferunrur AdPhi3iei"njtanm prtifkis valer halitui oris., Satyr 10^,09, s Vt quondam Marfa? us anutor Onginis iUe?Qui patriam mimae donate fuhdumq j larernc;'. $cYW0.l.i,Sat)Y.z.p.i6 5 .Seep. 1 63, tf'tmeny 3io Hiftrio-Maftix. Part.i. trtmsny and Houfyold-fluffe to a Woman- Aftor : informing h In ciccre atqs us withall ; h that there were divers who hadfpent bsth their faba bona tu j4lfjf m(j monj ^^ Stage-play esy and donations to thepetpk nL Lmis Tin 'm *loralt*n interludes. To thefe I might accumulate the Circa ifpiticre, tfevittill funrages of moderne Chriftian Authors; ai am seneus uc namely, of Vtncentiut, in his Speculum Hiftoriale. lih.29, ftes, Nadus ar c . 14 1 ./*/. 3 67. a pregnant place ; of Francis Petrarch* gris, nodus <£>, RemeJio Vtrwfq, Fortuna. lib. I . Dtatoo.2 o. Of Mifl numrms, lnfa- ne paternis ? Sermol.z. Satyr, fag- 1 43* r* I #0. QtBodinut, T>e Republic* Jtb. 6. c. 1 ?* " /rfaa De (flemangisy 7) Jf Jn .,,' „, , r demputamus *>& an^ lometimes 4. or 5. ihillings-at a Play-houie, dignu efli Tup- day by day, if Coach-hire, Boate-hire, Tobacco, Wine, pldjs? cbryfoji. Beere, and fuch like vaine expences which Piayes doe Hm.7ifoMat- ufaUy occafiorube caft into the reckoning; and that in op Z£°['\9'A' thefe penurious times, who can hardly fpare, who can Cam!^!. iPcti never honeftly get by their lawfuli callings, haife fo 2.2,3. much? How many prodigally confume,notonely their p Ifayjf.r.,1. charity, appareil, diet, bookes, and other neceffaries; Rev.iz.y- DUt even their annuall Penfions, Revenues and Eftates at D^Thc^fT Pickc-purfe Stage-playes ; ^ which are more expenfive to 1. ca», 30. " * them, then all their nccejfary dijburfements ? If we furame ' <* Parum enim up all the prodigall vaine expenfes which Play-houfes eft luxurix -nd PI ayes occafion every way, we fhall iinde them al- jp?<*hamras moft, infinite, wel-nigh incredible, r altogether i»: oiler a- ^otvitaKt&to' bkinany Chrijhan frxgail flats ; which mult needs aban- cto>i 1 . ' don Stage- piayes as the { Athenians and Romans dtdat Uft, 1 See Scene $. even in this regai d, c that they impoverish and quite mine crwajrdL, many ; as the fore-quoted teftimonie^with many domc- ^^M */& ftiqne experiments daily teftifie. * Et hac qmdem idctrco- * tiui eniinvc- €&° in^tlSYAi re tulips Voplfctis writes o? lHliHtMeffalla)cjM Inmate feoui- faturos editores pudor tangeret, ne patrimonta fna^profcriptis tar omnia pofl> Ugttimu htrcdibHSjnimis & balatrontbta deputarent, pomt, nee w- if any here reply, that they fpend not much at Piayes, luptates fibi apcj tjiat t^ejr p]ay.l10Ufe expences are farre from pro- emit, led fevo- j- ,• t. - /- j r r luptatibus ven- d-gakty, what ever forne men deeme them* fat^entcaM I anfwer firft; that there are few ordinary Stage- Vita Beatac.14, haunters of any generous quality, u but fyendcxceffively at * vchp y°" Tkyc* : feme wafte their * Patrimonies at Play-houfes, a 0inus' others the penfions which their friends alotthem; o- ^ice^Ambrofc, t^iers ^e 1Tloney which fliould fatisfie their Creditors, AugufiiMjBaJUyNa-KJen^UysiJlm^Sahian) Cljryfeftome,JobnSaresbury> and others, in their fore-quoted places. * Codex Theodofij.U c.Tii.5,& o. accordingly.. and Part. i. Hifltio-KyHaflix. 3 1 3 and* relieve their needy Brethren \ or elfe maintaine their * Curegct in- Families. Moft of them mifpcnd more there, then they fenus with which definition, a Petrarch doth ac- *Pr©digi font cord. WitnefTe Clemens Alexandrine, who refolves- T^^c1^ that money fpent on playes andfucb like vanities, is b waftfuli asfundunt C?- frodigality, not honefi exptnce. WitnefTe Saint Jtmbrofe, uro.De Ofays, who describes prodigality, c to be a wafting of wealth upon /•*. about the T layers and Playes for popular applaufe : whence he refutes ^dift' thofe Prodigals wh** doe Co : informing us, withall, *tbat v -c c^me * whatsoever is given to Stage-players, Swore players, ana Jvch l,r. Dialog. 20. like caft-awayes, is utterly left, [0 that wen can reape no com- *> Interims no fort from it. And yet, faith he, e divers Magiftrates hxve fomptus locum prodigally given and consumed almo ft their whole ^Patrimony ^rinct. Padar. in Theater ;, upon P 'layers ^Wre filers, Veneers, andfuch ktnde c"lx V*" " '*" of men. that they might purchafe to them [elves the peoples fa- c Prodigit eft -Vjur but for one hourey without any further advantage. To popularis favo- paffe by Tertullians verdidl ; f that to be unfrutfuil unto ris 2raria exi- j Players, andfuch wtufefull perfons, u great frugality : and J?^"s'R^k" fo by confequence, that to part with money to them is facium ^flu- prodigality : as Saint Bafil9 Naz,ian*en, Leofihryfoftome, dis Circefibus, Afterim^ Salvian, IohnSarifbury, Petrarch, Bodinus, North- vel etiam thea- tralibus patri- moniu. dilapidant fuum,tat vincant fuperioru eelebritatcsjeum totum illud lit inane cp.iodaaiint.DeOjficijs.l.z.c.i'i.'&ScrrnO'Gt. Tom^.p.^^.E. d Ibi hiAriones accipi- nnt & oladiatores, & pent omnequod perditis datur. *Ambn\% Strrno. in Dominica 8, pofl Petitecoftcn. Tom. J. fag. 44. E . C. Sermo. 8 . in the old> and 64. in the new Impieillons of Saint AmbrofeW oxkes, e Mrgiftratus in Theatris., mimis, athletis & gladiatoribus,a!ijfc|Ue hujufmodi genenbus horninum totum psenc patrimonium fuutnlargitur3acprodigit,utunius hcra: f.ivoremvulginimirum adquirar,nihil hbi ulteiius profuturum. ibidcmTom S-P44-S. f His itaque infru&uofos effemagnus eft fruftus . apologia, Advtrf. Gentcs. Tern, z . pagfo6. Tt 2 brooks^ 5 2,4 Hiftrio-Maflix. Part.i brook? , Gualther> Gofjon, Doclor Retncids, and others, in % Dial. Lfilx. their fore-going paiTages cettiSc. Inognitus m Pfal.149. fol.4> *a, b. * and our owne famous Englifti Apoftlc, S lohn Wtcklcfc h Veruntamen expreily teach us; that to give to Stage-flyers is frodtga* toy : and therefore vrkkjtfmfau&s us : h that a magwfi- bet lecunduni /# , r ,, J r . 1 - l . * prudemiapro cent man or^ht carefully to mea fur e out bu bounty tn many talibus caGbus cafes according to prudence, ejpeciallyin not giving to St age- fua largitione players, orflurdte Beggers to pur cafe a vaine-gloriom name, a$. provide men- fa ct4f}ome of many was to dee. S. Auguftine is yet more' furare/peciah- gjj^.. relfolvingUSj * that for a man to befiow his goods or hiftrionibus,s mon) uPon Stage-flayers, is not onely prodigality and no vertue% vel medkis va- but a great hainousvice. Which alien ion of his is both lidisj pro vano recited and approved by k Grattan, l lohn Sartfburyy m A* nomine acqui- ^HMMi n Alexander de Hales , ° Toftattu, P Incogniw*, <\ A- lifo! P.£ f' flcxanus^ Bifhop Babingtonf Matter NmhkrookfiS Stephen iDonare?res fu- ^#«> and H others, upon thele enfuing reafons. Firfta as hiftrionibus becaufe the donation of money unto Stage- players *aotb viciu eft imma- Animate^yea m: Mi aine them in then dtaboltc all lexvde mchrs* ne, non virtus. ft,an pro fejfion, and wakes their >' reformation defperate. Se- rTaioo.rom. condly, becaufe it fupports the Synagogues, Lectures, g.pars 1. p.Vo8, and lewdc inftrument? of Satan, (the Seminaries of all k Diftinft. 86. wickcdneiTe) which e(fe would fall to ruine, there be- tbl.139, {ng no contributing Spectators to fuport them. If there 1 ^e. ^L1S^ Were no Play- haunters to behold and cherijh Stage-playesy r.cap*!T " there would then (as z Chryfoftome truely writes) be no ■'■' 5ecundafcamd£.Qyxit.i68«Artic.i.3m. n Siima Theologian, pars *.QHxft»f}j* Tvjemb.4. ° Expofic,ml.4ReguT6.7.p ioo,C.Z>. PInPfal.149. * De Cafibus.l.i,' i k.$$.rExpoht. on the S'.Comaidement f Treaufe sgainft Vaine Playes & Enter- ludes f. 28.19. * Hayes Confuted.Aft.i. " Mariana SLBriJfonius, De Spectaculis.lib. Suma R.ofella.Tit.Hiftrio.K Exanimat lentus fpeftator.ledul'us inflat. Horat.Epift.l. z.Ep.i p 18 3,7 Vbi enim malos pra'mia fcquutur>haud facile quifqua gratuito bo- nus &.Sakrty.HiJloY.l.i. p. zoo. z Non ita ilic,qui hoc fmgit,eft delmquens,m tu qui hare mbes fierimeq; mbesfolu/ed ftudes & l^caris & laudas qua* fiunt, & omnino applaudis tali ergarteriodaemonioru.Prmcipiu & radix talis iniquitatis vos tfris, maxime qui tnbuitis,qui diem univerfam inhisconfurnitis. Si enim nullus effet talium fpectator acfautor., nee effent quide quidicere ilia aut agere curaient.Quan-i dover<*.voscernunt& artes proprias, & ipfa exercendi quotidiani operis loca,& jpfum quern ex his paratis quscitum Sc prorfus omnia timul vaniffimi lllius fpeAa- culi amore defererc,avidioii & llli intentione ad h#c rapiuntui-,ftudiuqj his magis impendunt.c7j^/*.Ho^.6.w Mat^tom. 1. Col 5 i*5i,& A[ex,A!enfis.Su.Tia Theologiae. pars i.Quaeft.i 5 $«.Memh.4, Vlay-[oetii Pa a T. x . Biftrio-SMafiix . 3 2, 5 Pt*y~poets9 no flayers f$r to fen or a£l them: But when Attors fee men leave their owne callings grades ,and datly imployments, *' together with thegaine arifing thence, and ail thing clfe to run to Stage-playes; this makes them more earnejity to addifl; ihemfilves to their trade of a&ing, and to be/low more diligence mplaying : The multitude of prodigall Spectators ; is that which makes Co many Play-houfes, Playes, and Actors, which clfe would quickly vanifh : Tlay-hauKters there- fore,^ we believe Saint * Chryfofleme and Alexander A- * See n & z be- lenfis) are the chief e origin all delinquents in the cafe ofPlayess fore- becaufe their pre fence at them, their contribution towards them and their ABors, is the rife from whence they faring. Third- *See Aft 7.. Iy, becaufe it maintaines Players in a conilant courfe of ?)ccne z- 3 • & theft: For the very profeiTIon of a Stage-player a being ^tr"Afta* unlawfully Divines agree \)the mony they receive for ailing b in 4 i;e"um (as b Tofiatusy cDanaus,dBtfhop Babtngton, ^Mafler Per* Tom.7. p?oo] kins, Elton fDod<> Downham, Lake, andWilhams, with fun- c- ®* dry others have refolded) mufl certainely be theft ^becaufe \-^\ \f^Q A- not gotten b) any lawfull meanes. Fourthly, becaufe it ij*" l '■ .r e extenuates, or intercepts mens charity tothepoere, who like rail Expofinl" {e mpty Bagoes^re befi capable to receive the fuperfluity of rich ons and Trea- »s^//?«W;, which Players^for the moil: pare now engroiTe. liffs on the s. Fiftly, § becaufe t ho fe whoeive their money to Staqe-t>layess eoni3n^emet. L a - ./ 1 a r r r 1 I (1 r 'cMil Hem 2, belfow it on them onely for the exerctfe of their ur.shrilttan art ; ■ rjivite & for their Tlayes and Attica, not their poverty or defert: thy Avzr os.Gual- are bomttfull to them m rPlayers onely, not as men, as Chrtflu f/Sw.Kom,ii.& a^s^beje very penury begges $n afmss. Our P layer s, though dmbrof. Sermo. they are ** Roguet and Sturdy-beggers by Statute^ are yet fo 6<*' T °fa^' ?\ haughty in their mindes, lfo gorgeoufly glittering in their J-J^. fSzz AmbrofSz*mo.64Jbi Bafrtrtom.i.in Divkes& Avares,accordingly. g Qui hi- ftrionibus donant,dicant mihi,quare donant? hoc in illis amant in quo nequiffimi funt:hoc inillis pafcunt:,hocin illis veitiuntjipfam nequitiam pubheam fpefracuhs. hominu.'Qoi donant aliquid hiilrionibus,qtiaicdonant? nuquid non & lpfa homi- nibusdonancur?Non tam nattiram ibi attendunt opens Dei, fed nequitiam opens humani.Qoi hiftrionibus doium,ncn hommibus donant,fed arti nequiflimaejNam (i homo tantum effet,& hiftrio non enst^non ei denares .Honoras in eo vitium,noR naturam. Augufi.Enar.in PfaU o t .Tom.8.-parsz,?.$ $ 6. See Graimnpijl'mSi. 8 8. & loan. SareibHrienfis.De7{ugis.CumliuJ r,c. 8 .accordingly *ty.£#V*H9«^*c,4 & 1.^07* »See GojJbn,hi$ Schoole of Abufes. accordingly^ Tt 3 hired 32,6 Hiftrio-Maftix. Part.i hired Brokers Robes ; and fometimes Co well lined in the Purfe, that they difdaine the name of Begg ers, though k The ;4'Blaft in truth they are no other, then k arrogant fancy Vagrants^ ofRctraitfrom who rather challenge as a due, then bsgge the almes of Play- tciTv^i?™ 'haunters: Hence ail the coyne they get by Playing, is accordingly/ fbiled by.themfclyes,iiot Almj,bat Wages : not Charttj, but'Defirt ; not bounty, but reward: and thole who part with it deeme it (o ; who gratifie them onely for their Playing, not pitty them for their poverty ; as Ah* i H as the l Scboote- nx Aonx3 vel men fpeake ; that is> for the very exercife of their HniarfnU pro exerckio art, is a vaft notorious finne : (* ^nton'tam hiftrionibus darete(i vicjj fui, imma- <& dtmombmtmolare:') which as it m makes thofe who are entity nc V^^^ofit^'tckedmen^fo it btndes them over to eternal! ptsmfh- fumdZ guafl ments without repentance, as all the Marginal! Authors d$e i6i.Artki*a\ define. La(tly,becaufemens contribution to Piayes and Alexander Mm- Players (whofe n approbation orapplanfe^ no good men (hottli fs,Smma1beth demerit by their bounty to them) invokes them both in the tT*f?rs z' guilt and punifliment of all thofe finnes that are occafi- M^^jiiexa oned or committed by them: as Chryfoftcm.Hom.G.in n^v'eCapbM," \jrf^th. Safoian, De Gubemattone Dei* ltk.6. Augtffttnc. it.7ft.f3. Gra- Enar. in

e Vfonctu 6c- ekfta. iib.i. Artie. 46- fol. !$©• * Vinccmij Speculum Hiftoriale. lib. 2?.cap. 541. Col. 3 67. m Qui donant hiftnonibusj quare donant ? hoc utique inillis fovent in auo nequiiTimi funt. Ncmpc qui nequiuam fovet, eftnc bonus ? unde quid fauto- ribus eorum invnincat colltgis > fi facientes & conientientes pari pasna recolisefle plectcndos. Uannk Sarcsburienjis, Ve ?{ugU Curalium.lib i.cap.%. tt Nihil demen- tius quam de improbo homine bene mere,ri. Quifquis enirn id facit, luo officio fuo- que fumptu hoftem fibi tacit eum, quern neq; amicum, neqj inimicu habere licuit. irxfmm.'Vt Rat. Confer .tp{U pag. 182. ° Pccuniam non dabo quam numeraruram adulter* fciamjne in focietatem turpis fafti, aut cofilij ventam. Si poterb^revocaboj irn mnnus non adjuvabo fcelus. Ve Benefices, hb.i.caj). 1 4, every P^ivr. i. Hiftrw-Maftix. 3-27 every true Chriitians refolution in this cafe of Stage- players : hee fhould not give his money unto Players; left he participate both in the guilt and puniiriment of their finnes,- he mould doe his belt to binder; at leaft- wife he mould never fofter Flayes or Players, by con- tributing to their Boxes, or retorting to their Theaters, for the fore-named reafons. Since therefore it is abunndantly evident by the pre- mises ; that Stage-playes are the occasions of much lvaim>much firiiullpoaigdl exftnee : and that the very PT^pifWi contributing to Players Boxes (of which every com- fft^oiSra mon Spectator mult be alwayes culpable) isnotonely donatio. saera. apparant prodigality , but a 4 Gi*nt-lt\e jinne, which De Benefices, lib* brings much danger to mens foules : It mult needs caufe 4- tap- 1 °. us to abominate^ to abandon Stage-playes, even for *I^mai1^Fc- t bis erf eel, which alwayes neceiTarily attends them. before. ^ J ACTVS^SCENA TERTl A, THe third effect or fruit of Stage-playes, is the irri- 3 tation,theinflamation, the fomentation of divers (infull lufts, of many lewde, unchafte adulterous affecti- ons, both in the Actors and Spectators hearts : From whence this 29. Play- oppugning Argument will ebui- Jrwrntnt Kate, f That which doth ordinarily, if not alwayes defile the eyes, the eares and foules both of the Actors and Spectators, by ingendringj by exciting mere- tricious lu.ft.full, lewde, adulterous defires and af- fections in their hearts ; or by mitigating, by pre- paring, by inducing them to actuall uncles n e lTe ,• rSeeM;it 5 2 x muft needs be abomnabfc and mlmfull unto Chrifti- ^hccVV*. «*•■ Iude »$i' But 3i 8 H'iftrio-Maflix. Part.i, But this doe Stage-plaves, as I fhall here make ma- nifcft. Therefore they muft needs bee abominable and un- lawfull unto Chriftians. The Major is irrefragable ; becaufe ail polluting ob- r CoHcupifcen- jccls, all unchafte affections, and unruly ( car nail tufts % 's (which are lno leffe then adultery , then uncleaneffe itfelfe in ° ^n" "i-'oiii* Q°4* account y) doe not onely u contaminate. and war agaihfl t .-brcflaoratior mevs Jcules ; but like wile x deprive ihem of Cjods favcttrf eft,gravius que y dt fable them to every holy duty, x int brail them unto Satan; prsc'pitat & * exclude them out of Heaven -y and without .repentance m&zmauAmbr.&j/fagftfcn tnt0 fjeHfor all eternity t Since therefore the . wm!*rm!\ p Scripture calls upon us ; c to clean fe our [elves fi-om all pol- 7 4 b.c. Cttpi- luttcn of flejh ar,d spirit \ * to morifie our carnall luffs and cBtas tomes & earthly members : to c cruafie the flejb with the affefhons and veiutquodctam lufls thereof; the f fruit of which u eternaU death : Ztoab- mcenmu ™i- ftawe fiom flejbly lufls which war again f} the fettle* and to orum. Bernard^, ,J t r r +l a n + x ,'cu +i a \t r Scrmo i. in Cava h m«Kem n0 ?roH10? fir tbeflfi, to fulfill the luffs thereof: Vomxoli^.c. Since it exprefly informes us; * that none butJdoLr.rom * M:u«5.i7,2,8. Heathen Gentiles , in whom the Devill ratgnss; k none but Rom.7. 7 .Eph. any e generate, carnall, gracelejfe perfons, who have no fart in y.$.%Pet.2ji4. Qlj^ft^doe wallow wtth delight ; doe fifter, bar btur, or take ^'4,' 84^ j s \ flea fur c in fuck tufts as thefe. And that l all who are Chnfls% 18,19,20.1 Pet, have crucified the flefh with the afifeftions and lufls th 2.ii .Tit. 1. 1 5 . in becaufe the carnall m'tnde i* enmtty agamfl God, neither is it$ * Rom. i^i 8. nor CAn a befnbicS to his law: There are none but W horesr y I lal. o.i °. anj panc|l,rS) or foule incarnate Devils, who dare con- z^phef.i.i -.' troll my Minors truth ; which all Chriftians mutliub- 2. Tim. i.^6. fcribe to ; n becaufe they are no longer debtors to the fit aRev.ir.*7. live after the fiefh ; but ° fw&rne Servants and Spoufe: unt$ Gal,<.i9>-i- cbrift alone ; P to whom they have refivned both their foules iuCor.6.9,10. -J * JS J Gal.6.S.Rcv.ii.9.c.ii l%. 5 iCor.7-i.d CoI^.f.Rom.S ;io,n. e Gal ^.zsJKom. 6.ii,ll &c.3.6,i3.sIPc:,i¥n4 *» Rom.i^.iA. i Ephef.x 2,3.0.4.17318,1 9. 1 Per. 4 iiZiA^0**1'1*1*-10 z9 k Rom.S.y to T4. iPet.2.i$Ji4.Tit.3.j„Iude 8. Amos 6. ,]Co7. * Gal.?. i4,Rom.S. 1,4, 9,1^ m Rom 8.7,8. nRom.8.i2, 1 Per. 4.1, 2,^ o R-mvu4-7}8,9.iCoi\$.2$ c.6. 19. 2,0. iCor.5.ij. Gal. ?,io.? Rom. 6.1 3, 19.cn J. Nupfifti Chrifto,illi tradidifti carnem tua^idi fponfafti matuntatem tuarn. Incedc fecundum fponfi tui voluntatem.7> rtid.Ds Velaadk yir^inibm cap. 1 3. and Part. i. Biflrio-Maflix. $%$ and bodies \to be at none but his di(pofall. The Minor is notorioufly evident, not onely by ex- perience ; butlikewife by the concurring furfragesof ©seep.66 67? fundry Fathers, Councels, and Authors of all ions: <58}69.Withthe Who as they ftile, ° ^Play-houfes ; The Temples •fVtneryy Fathers & Au- the Schooles of Bawdry ; the Dens of Lewdnefe ; the Stnkes of ^J^^' Fihhineffe: and Stage-playes ; the LeEfures of Ribaldry ; the ^thdt Epi- Meditations of Adultery ; the Nurfertes ofVncleaneffe : the tnites or Stiles fomentations of Lechery : the Fuelljhe Incendiaries oflufitand to Playes and the very Devils Forge or Bellowes Jo excite And blow up flames Play-houfes. of carnall Concupifcence.both in the tA&ors and Spectators J.€l c ** K -% J r ^- • -a - c r a n- • »laitotRetraK. hearts : a fumcient ratification or our pretent Aliumpti- fromPiayes & on. So they likewife politively aifirme, andcopioufly Theaters. Vu teftifie the truth of this proportion in exprefle words : Sparfahis Re- WitnefTe Clemens A lexandrinus^vhomfoiVCiZS US; • that tearlal Sermon Comedies and amorom modemePoems teach men adulteryithat ^ atf.s "ro ""» they defile mens eares with incefts, and fornications : therefore x 5 79< ^ f r€ N he tells the Gentilesythat not ontly the ufe, the fight and hearings tife of Dances3 bat likewife the very memory of Stage-playes , yea of the fabu- Anno i 58 1 . lorn Poems ', ptEiures^and reprefentations of their uncbafie, li- Vc^enu Go$°n\ bidixom Idol-aodr &n?ht utterly to be abolifhed \ becaufe their Alf r °° tares had committed wmreaome^ their eyes bad played the dinoly, harlots with them : and which is more firange, that their very ° Quodfandti .fight bad committed adult *ry before any attuall cmbracement, e^Daemonioru % reafon ofthefe obfeene PtVtures.and filthy interludes. Hence V^ffi \$9°' he inftru6teth Chriftians; P that his Padagoge mufl not riffle Define canticu 6 Homere,noneft pulcbrumjdocet adulteriiim, Nos autem ne aures quicie ftupris & fornicationibus inquinare volumus, &c.Horum nonfolum ufusj fed etia nfpeftus & auditus deponendam efle memoriam vobis annuntiamus: fcortata? funt aures veitrx,fornicati funt ocu!ij& quod eft magis novum, ante cemplexum veftri adulreriu admiferunt zfye&i\sj0m'io.s4dhortatei'ia. ad Gcntcs.p.S. E.F- & 9. A P Non ducet ergo nos Pa»dagogus ad fpeftacula:nec inconcinne ftadia & Theatrapeftilen- rias cathedram quis vocaverit.Magnaenim confutioae & iniquitate hi cxtus pla;m funt3&occafio conventus caufaeft turpitudinis,cu viri & faeminse pennixtim conve- niant alter ad alterius fpeft culu.Hic quoq, fceleftii eft confiliii. quemadmodu aj- yerfusiuftii.DumenLmlafciviuntoculijCalefamt sppetitiones, & oculi proximos impudentius refpicere afiuefaai;quod conceflum ociii habeant, intendunt cupidita- tes.Prohibeanturergofpe q x^ai Tragedies and Comedies, are the aug- lerum & tibi- wters ofvtllanies and lufts ; being both cruell and lafciyiotu, dinuauftrices, impiotu andprodigalL r That they defile mens eyes and eares cruentas & Laf- with uncleaneffe .* i and blow up the ffitrkjes of their Lufts. civxympi* & Hence he ftitcs the Play-houfe : c the Cbappell of VeneYfl Vpcfaitoi 8 the H ft °fLecher> : the U Corfftor7 °f iHConttnencj: Hence rOculo$&au- heinformesus ; *that all the Chriftians in the Primitive res communi- C^Hrc^y had utterly relinquifhcd the uncle ane^e of the Theater v cant&c.ibid. Hence he comforts the clofe imprifoncd Martyrs of his f?'I7'n time with this consideration; y that by meanes of their dinum confla" imFififimtm r5 their eyes were kept from the fight of Theaters, bellanc.j^ii/. the places of pub like luft, and lechery t T^eithsr were their cap. z%. eares of ended with the clamors or uncle aneffe of Stage- *SacrariumVc- flayers. And hence hee doubles this AfTertion. * That neris: Veneris Stage-play es are abjolutely prohibited, by the inhibition of in- tapAo. l* * conttnency. Witnefle Origen ; who inftrucleth us : that fcConfiftoriu impudicitix^ubi nihil probatur qua quod ali-binon piob2tmJbid.c I7«, x Nihil nobis cum impudicitiaTheatri.^po/ogifl^f^G^^i.f^H^Nonfcenae tur- petudinibus Chriftianii afnei oportet Vebabitu M*lkrx.j. 7 Non in loca libidtnum publicaru oculmu impinguntmonclamoribus fpe&aculorii vel impudicitiacelebra- tium caederis,^ Martym.lib-c.x. Scenica Fasduas. De FudicitM.hb.cap.7. * Similiter impudicitiam omnem amoliri iubemut ; hoc igatur modoetiam a Theatro fepera- naur^quod eft privatum conGftorium impudicniae, &c. Habes iguur & Theatri in- terdiftionem,de imerdiftione impudicms.'P* Speflacute. eapj7 • . Qsriftians ^art. i. Hiflrio-t-sWaflix. 3 3 r Chriftians muft not lift up their eyes to a Stage-playes, the plea* * Spe&acula 1 fumble delights of foliated eyes (as he there Mcs them) left Citdvd *h% their luftsjhcvld be inflamed by them, what then (writes he in fpTftacuhvirr * another place) fhall we fay ofthofe who with the troopes of the onum,quibus I Gentiles make hafte to Stage-playesy and defile their eyes and libidinem^vel [ eares with unchafte words and motions f It is not our part to ahaqnaeqsvitia \ faffefentence uponfuchjor they themfelves may perceive and ^jj* '^'ST fee what part thej have chofento themfelves. Thou there- AdRom.tuJ*. fore who heareft thefe things. Be ye holy, for I am holy ; Tom $.f.io$.A. Wifely underftand what isfpoken: feperate thy felfe from ter- * Nam deijs reng ablions ; feperate thy felfe from the lufts of the world, and ^md dicemus from the contaqton dfkvery finne. Witneffe Saint Cyprian s 3^„cum ,.en" who fttles Theaters b The Stewes of ynbhke chafttty, and Ma- ad fpedacuia ' fterfhipofobfeanity: which teach thofe finnes in publif^e, that maturant,& men may more ufually commit them tn private* c Whamioth a cofpe&us fuos J faithfullChriflian(writeshe) doe amideft thefe things, who 3t^ ™ditus may nstfo much as thtnke upon any vice r Why is he delighted bis & aftibus with thefe Images of lufts; that fo having depofited his mode- fxdanc > Non fly in them, he may be made more bold to commtt the crimes e# noftru pro themfelves? He learnesto commit ^who accuftometh htm felfe to j^ciarede ta- behold the Theatricall reprefentations of uncleanejfe. Thofe c^tlrl^lfdZ common whores whofe misfortune hath pro/lituted them to tie re pofTuntcui flavery ofthepubltkg Stewes, conceale the place where their fit- fibi dcligerint tbmeffe is committed, taking comfort in their difgrace from pa?te..Tu ergo the fecrecy of their Cells: Thofe Adulterers alfo who have fold l^n^**' their chafttty ^are afhamed to be feene in yuhlilze : But this our re qU;a\ eoo" pubiiki lewineffe is acted in ths open vtewe of all men : the ob- hntlws fum& fc&nity of common Whores is (urpaffed, and men have found DormrmsDeus out koto they may commit adultery before the eyes of others. vefi:C1' > s*P*eJ*- J cer mteiligc quae dicuntur,Vt fis beatus cu feceris ea.Seperateaterrcnis aftibus,fepera te a con- cupifcentia munch: Sepcra te & remove ab omni pollutione pcccati4 Hem i j, Suftr Lcviticnm.Tom.1 fol.$4.B.C. c Quid inter hxc Chriftianus Sdehs facit,cui vitia non licet ncc cogitare ? quid cbiedatur fimulachris hbidinis;ut in ipfis depofita vere- cundia audacior fiat ad crimiaa ? Difcit facere dum affuefcit videve.Illas tamen quas ijlfslieitas fua in ferviuuem proftituit libidinis publica^occukent locus, Si dedecus fuum de latebns conColantur : erubefcunt videri etiam qui pudorem vendiderum. Atiftud publicum noftrum cmnibus videntibus geritur, &proftirut:rum traruitttr obfcccnitas.Quaeiltum eft quomodo adultedum ex oculis aclnriittetuv.^jpri^ Vc $$€? tiacHtis.Hbm Vu 2 ATh'm 11 l Hijlno-Maflix. Pa RT.r d Ita amatur, d l^1** whatfotver Pi frobtOtad, u affected. Now I fayy(l pray quicquid no li- obfcrve it we I good Reader,) it is Not lawfvll for cer,&c.Nonli- FAlTHFVLL ChR I ST I A MS, JC4, IT I S ALTOGETHER cctmquaadeffe VNLAW *VLL FOR THEM TO BE PRESENT AT ^nriitianis ti- T, rr-i r r r r r ? 1 delibus,nonli-THESEl LAYES Tbefe fovame }fo pernicious fo fac, cetomnmo^zc g.*0™ Stage-playtS, AS I HAVE NOW OFTEN AFFIBJ iliis quos ad MED, ARE WHOLLY TO BEE AVOYDED BY ALL bbleftame«ta faithfvll Christians ; becaxfe we jocne acc^ftsme Z^X\^°™Q» onr fives to the praUtfe of that mckedntfe, trhich we bearc inftru&bs fuis *ndfec : For face the minde ef man iseafily led onto theft artibus vanis P*P* °f ** fetfe ', what will it dee when it is prefnted wttb mitcitj&c.Fugi- me haft e examples both of body and »xt1&b ? fh e who thus falls endafunt iftJ of her owns accord, what' will jhe doeij ''(he be precipitated* The in lams - mtnfe therefore is whAly to be avotated from thefe lafciviotti trcquecerdixi- Bnte^ides. /\dde we to this another ipeech of- his to masijtam v.ma, the fame purpofe. c Turne (faith he) thine eyes to the no- tam perniciofa, luffs fin full contagions of a different p?ew : thou matft alfo behold ^eftk^T MTbeaters+tha* which may afftft thee bath with grief and c«H noftri fnt flw1*** It is a Tragedians part t to relate ancient wtckedneffer ftaixcscuftodi- wwjs •' the ancient horror of par ictdes and Inccfluom ftH e«d«5citoc- fons is repr 'ifented by him to the life; left thofe vnckedneffes mni iri hoc :S- which were commuted tn former ages, Jhould grow obfolete in ' audim"USf0lTd alter!:mss' Every age is admontfhed, that what-evtr viilany re.Nam cum *** aftuady committed informer times, may be commiitedftM* mens hcrnmis Thofe things are new made examples , which have ceafed to be acratia tpfr du- ft.-:nes. Then you may pleafe to know from Stage-players^ what ^rur' *?ki <3u'd fUthineffe any man hath committed infecret, or to heare what rt^*1 ? ue' he might have done. f This* is adultery learned whiles it is rit exerrplana- *. ' rura^corporis lubricas^quie fponte con uit, quid taciet Ci fuerit impulfa? Avocandus t ft igitur animus ab ifti s.Cy, ri&nAiid. e Convene hinc vultus ad diver li fpe&aculi no minus pseniteda contagiajin Theatris quoqj infpicies quod nbi & dolori fit & pudo- l'iCotmtrnus eft cragicusprifcafacinora carmine recenfcre,de paracidis & inceftis horror an:iquusaexprefTa ad imagine veriracis aclione rephcatur3nefeculis trafeun- ribus exobi'cat,quod aliquando comiffum efr : Admonetur omnis aetas auditu fieri pofle,quod aliquado hftu e ft,&c. Cyprian £p Li.Ep.z.VoiiatoSzz here Aft j. Scene 3. f Adalceriii difenur du videtur;& lenocinate ad vicia publico authoritatis malo,quaz pudicaforraffe ad fpefticulu matronaproceCfcrat,revcrtitur impudica«Adhuc dcindc moru qtnnra labes , qu^ probrorum foment.i,qua: aliT.ent? viriorum^ hiftnonibus" gefiibus ifiquinari ? vidcre contra tardus iufqjmfcendi patientiamincefta? tuipiru- P A a T. i . Hifirio-JPsi afi i: 33 3 beheld, avd the evitt of publike authority playing the V under to thefe vices jhewh? at firfi came perchance a chafte sjllatron to ths Play, returnes a Strumpet from the Play, boufe. tJMore- ovsry what a great corruption of mens manners^ what fcmen- t attorn of reproachful aci torn , what a fuel! of vices is ity to be polluted with hifirtontcaR geflurcs, to fee filthy I nee fl elaborate- ly alied^ agatnft the very covenant and right of mans nativity f 8 tJMen are emafculatea ; all the honour and vigor of their s See ^ $• Sex is abatedby the filthinefe of an effeminated body ; and he Jj^/'^fj there gives be ft content \who dothmoft difolve himfelfe into * tine is recited . woman: his fmneaddes to his applaufe, and he ts reputed the more skjlfult, by how much the more filthy he ts. what then cannot he perfwade who tsfuch a one ? he moves the fences , he foothes the affections, he expugnes theflronger confeience of an upright heart ; neither wants there the authority of flattering reproach^ that fo deftrutlion may creepe upon men by a more delicate hearing. h They reprefent uncbafte Venus, adult e- b $ ,. « ' rous Mars, yea, their great love, vot more a Trwce in domi- Scene 2. p. 7 V nien , then in vices ; burning with his very Thunderbolts into i See Lactam m commwo forth attended with Etrds to ravifh and fnach .. yon a Toutbrs, m examine now whether thoje who behold thefe Ocaiio. Ad- Spectacles can be fine ere or chafte, whiles they imitate the gods hoc ad Gen- they worfhip ? Even ftnnes ihemfshes are made religions to ces- d&w*m the fewretches: O if thou couide ft flan fang mtbatfubltme®*?*0'^-?'^ watch-towre infert thine eyes into their fecrets, open the do fed morph lib^io" dsores of their bed-chambers, and bring all their hidden inmofi t LaflantiuLVte rocmesuhio the confeience or -he light , thou might eft fee that fahaRelig.cn.. daneby thefe unchafte per fon$, which is a fmne to fee: thou ^rnobita, Ad- mighteflfte tbatjvbxbthey fighing under the fury of their vices j^ Genres- Ovid Metamorph.l.i6.Terc»^ Bimuzhus.Uugufi De Ov.Dei.l .i.e. 7. 1 Laf&mtw De ?al(a.Rclig.c.i i.0i/#Metamorph. Li c. j.dius F amicus, De Errore Profanarum Re- liZfitp.t}. m Qoarre iam nunc an pofiiteffe qui fpectat, integer vel pqdicus, cum Deos fuos quos veneranrurimhantur 5 OGx poifis in ilia fublirni fpecuia. coa- ilittitus oculos ttios mferere fecreEis,tccludere«ibiculoru obdu&osfores,&£d coa- fcicntia luir.inispcnetralia occulta referare>fpiciasab impudicis £,eri,qucd nee a(pi«. cere pofiit frons padica,&o Cy;r\an.e:ip.i.LciJl.i> See Aft 5 Scene j.p.i^S.i^p, V u 3 dwy 334 Hiftrio-Maftix. Part.i. deny themselves to have done, And jet they haft en for to doe it. » Sec A3 j. n ^/,w rft,/& ^w w,„ 3?;f ;; w^^i ««r«/y lufts&c. A fiuficient ^AA^*' adequate teftimony of my Minors truth, Adde wee to Scene ).Z.isi. thefe irrefragable Witneffes feme others of no leiieva- 136.&211. lidity: Tatianus,flsles Stage-players, ? the Promoters of A- 7 Adulterit pro- falter j, the Tutors 0} effeminate Dancers, and Sodomites-, the teotor,cina?do. ambc-rs of damnable prafafes ; the uachen of adultery, who c^S ran vido- *"'r **/«*' wr^ ""'* * loH* V0*'e> *"* *f* iafctv,ou* mQti' rum author, **' promulgating all notlurnall abominations, and nttering all ObfcsniTcrba obfcenities%at might delight the Auditors. 1 Theophylm An- n io refonante tiochentu>\\'rites: That the Qhnftians in his time dm ft not bc~ mo^ indf en hold Suge-playeu left their eyes fhould be dtfiled with the adaU Sfmoventu£ teritsof%cfe\Dsvill-gods and men, that were there perfona- & adultcriorfi ted; and left their tares fhould fueke in.thofe pr'phane verfes infcemMagi- that were there recited. To pafle by r Arnobius, who de- ftiosnii^&fi. claimes much agamft theobfeenity of Stagc-playes, which did ftraOnutt «A»lterate themindes> inflame the lufts of the Spectators, by nequitiac no- rtafin ofthofe lewde adulterous villanies of Idol-gods ih.it were aurn.r3& quid reprefented m them, which he at Urges difcyphers: Laclanti- obfeame divflil US) his Scholler, writes thus of Srage-playes. { In Stage- ^ertuI^Cjfe P°" playes alfo, I know not whether there be a more dangerous cor- alta voce p°ro-' "*** For Comical! fables treat of the rapes of Virgins, or mulganmr. 0- of the loves of Harlots, and by hew much the more eloquent the ratio Contra Gr?- Poets are who have fetned thefe wickednefes, by fo much the cos B:bLPatrum. more doe the) perfivade by their elegant fenter.ee sy and the more r^z.r.iSo.B.C; apj doe their wel-compofed and adorned verfes ft icke 3 Neccaetcra J ' , , „ r 1 -.m.<-r - ..7; tj-Z ■ tn tm fpeftacnla fa. memory of the Hearers, Ltkewtfe Tragicall Hijferies p) aarcauJcmiis, unto mens eyes the ^Paric ides, the Incefts of evdl Kings, and ne oculi noftn t he J demonftrate tragicall wtckedneffes* c The moft unchafte inquinenturjSc aufes noftrce h?.uriantprophana3qu2 ibi dec3ntantur,carmina. Ncc phas eft nobis audire adulteria Deorum hominu^^ c^dAutolycuml.^.Bib Tatr.Tom.z.p 170. G.H r Adverf Genres. 1. 4^.149. 250,1^1. {-7-p. 131.152,133. f In iccnis celcio aniic corruprcia vkiolior.Nam & Comics fabulx de ftupris virginum loquuntur aut a- motibus mercrr;cum:& quo magis Cant eloquei:es,qui flagitia ilia finxerunt,eo ma- ^isfentendanmele^anriaperfuadencj & facilius inherent audientium memoriae numerofi & orn-.ti.Item Tragica hiftorix fnbijeiunt oculrs parncidia& in- ccftaRegum nulorum & cothurnatafcJ.erademon{crant.Lj^«//w,Of FcroCu'.tu, lib.6xap.zo. * Hiftrioniim quoqjimpudicifnnu motus;qu!d aliud3niil libidines do- U):lions Pa rt. i. HiUrio-Maflix. 355 motions Ukewife of Stage-players, what elfe doe ihty but teach cent & jnnj_ tndprouoke tufts? whofe enervated bodies diffolved into a wo- gam? quorum mans pace and habit yperfonate unchafie women with dtfhoneft cnervatacor- feftures. what fhalll Jpeake of mimical! ABors , who cart) P^&inmii- alono with them even m outwardfl?ew,the difciplme of depra* /c le.inctlium vtxg corruptions ? who teach adulteries whiles they feme them, lira, impudicas 4nd by counterfeit reprefentations inflruEl men how to commit faeminas inho- tven reall uncleaneffes. u what may yong CMen, or Virgins ne^is geftibus doe, when as they perceive thefe things to be aUedwithcutfhame, J?^1?*1 jjmur* and willingly to be beheld of allf Verily they are admontfhed ioqnorcor""115 what they may doe, and they are inflamed with luft, which u tehru pra?fe- moft of all excited by the fight : and every one according to his rentibus difd- Sex doth prefigure himfelfe in thefe Images ; yea, thej approve Plln'Tm ? <}ui them whiles they laugh at them, and they returne more corrupt occ"t adu*ce* to their Chambers by reafon of the vices which adhere unto &*finrolatis * them. x And not onely Children who ought not to be feafoned enidiuntad tre- with premature vices, but even old men, for whom it is tin- «*a \ ibidem, leemely now to finne* (tray a fide into this path of vices. "Qi^iuvenc^ t- J i / J c ailt valines fa- Therefore all Spectacles and Stage- h,„, & - « /t t-r • n\ cunt j qauhsee playes (I pray obierve it well; are vvholy to & fieri fine pu- be avoyded, »^ onely lefi any vices Jhould harbour in dore,& fpe&i- our hearts, which ought to be calme and quiet \ but Itkewife left « libenter ?.b the cufiome of any pleafure (Jhould delight us. and fo tvrne omn,'bus cer- J A . Y J i *> J ' _ nunt?Admone- VS FROM bQDAND FROM GOOD WORKES. ? Tea turutiq-cuid thefe Enter ludes with which men are delighted, and at which facere poflin?,, they are willingly prefent ; becaufe they are the greatest &inflamamur instigations vntovice, (pray marke it) and M>idine,qii* THE MOST POVVERFVLL INSTRVMENTS TO COR- * peA" m'1XI" me concit-.tur: acfe quifq; profexu in illis imaginibus prxjigurat : probantqueilla dum ridenr, & adh^rentibns vitijs corruptions ad cubicula revertimusr.I^K/fW. fi Nee pueri mo- do, cuos pra*mnturis vitijs imbni non oporter, fedetiam fenes quos peccare iara non decet in talem vitiorum femitam dilabuntur. Vitanda ergo fpcftacilla cm- nu,nonfolum ne quid vitiorum peftoribus infideatj quae fedata & pacifica eiTe debent, fedne enjus nos voluptatis confuetudo delinisr, & a Deo atqiie a bo- nis operibus avertat. lbidetn. 7 His fpefheulis & dele£hntur3 & libenter in- teriunt. Qua:, quoniam maxima funt irritsmenta vitiorum, & ad corrumpen- dos animos^>otiiTime valcnt, tollenda funt nobis : quia ncn modo ad yitara beatam nihil conferunc/ed etiam Accent plurimum, IbidcriU R V PT 3J6 Hiftrio-Mafiix. Part.i, RVI'TMENS MINDES, ARE VVHOLY TO BE ABOLI- SHED fkom AMONGVS; Smct they doe not onely, not con- tribute any thing to an happy ftfe, but Ukjwtfe doe much hurt* * Quid fcem? In another worke of his he writes thus. z what u the nam fanftior ? lay-houfe ? is it more holy then thefe Sword-playes f in which in qua COme- A Comedy treates of Rapes, and Loves ; a Tragedy of fnceftf, diadcftuprisSc ^^/^^j. Moreover nnchafte Httlrtonicall ocftures, amoribusjlra- . . , . J ; , * * ■ * esedia de ince- *"" wktch they imitate tn famous Women, doe teach thefe Infix parrici- which they expreffe by dancing: And is not then a ^Player the tlijs tabulator.^ corruption of dtfctplineyin whom t ho fe things that are done are llilkionicicua ^^ ^ reprefentatum, that Jo tht fe things which are truely Itus^mbus "in- real^ maJ ^ P'rp^^ate^ without any {home. Tong men behold fames teminas thefe things ,whofeflippery age, which fhould be brtdeled and imitamur,Iibi- governed, is inftrufted to commit finnes and vices by thefe re- dine^qipas ial- pref€ntatt6nt. THEREFORE ALL PLATES ARE TO BEE to ^xPn" avcyde d, that vv E may enioy a ferene fiate ofmtnde. munt,docent: ' / j j j An no mimus THESE NOXIOVS PLEASVRES ARE TO BE RENOVN- corrupteia dif- C En Jeft we bein^ delighted with their pefiiferous fwettutffi, cipUnaru eft J jhouldfall into the fn ares of death. Venue alone, whoje reward in quo huntper ^ immortal, will then content tu,whenfke hath overcome thefe SSSS^S1?- Pleaf"res- Thus farre L*tt**™* nroft elegantly, moft an: finepudo- truely. Addewee ro him Minucius Felix, that emi- re,qux vera nent Chriftian Lawyer, whom a La$antiiu himfelfe com* funt.Speftant meMJs : who writes thus of Stage-playes. b Tour Come- hxc auolelcen- ^ an^ ^ raoeiiei olory in inceftuom perfons, and yet you wiU tes:quoruiri In- . . , , «=• , *, ' . * Jr J n t n bricastas qua? "*£v ^ot^ rt -^dathd heart them : and Jo you worjhtp Ixcejtuous fixaari,ac regi gods, who have coupledwith their owne t_%4 'others f Daughters^ debetjsd vitia & peccata his imaginibus emditur. Fugienda igitur omnia fpcctacula ut tranquiUu mentis ftitum tenerepo{Timus.R-niin:iandum noxijs voluptatibusmedelmitifua- vitate pefhfera3in mortis laqueos incidamus. Placet fola virtus, cu jus merces im- mortalised, quum vicerit voluptatem. LcftantWy Divviarum. Itifiit. Epitome cap. 6. a Minucms Felix non ignobilis inter caufidicos loci fuit. Hujrs iiber, cui Oftavio titulus cft>dcclaratjquam idonus affertor veritatis effe potui{Tet,{i fe totum ad id ftu- duim contuiifl^t.X>c; fuftit'iaHb.s.eapi. b Comxdia? & Tragaedias veftrx inceftis ^lonantur, quas vos bber.tcr & legitis, & audit is : & fie Deos colitis ince- ilos, cum mitre, cum fida, cum forore conjunftos : merito igitur inccftum penes voi fxpe deprxhenditur Temper admittirur. &iinttc'm Felix. Oclazhu. pit. I oi. ¥ Sifters: P a rt. i. Hiflrio-Maflix. Steers: Worthily therefore (fuch was tfee fruit of theie X tlicirStaee-playes) is Incefi oft-times deprehended among \ouTalwayes is it tolerated and committed. c We therefore . mo^ms & who are valued according to our matters and modefiy^ deferved- pUdore cenfe- ly abfteine from your etsill pleaj ares, your(hewes0 with lajcivious Spectacles are the common bhops of auwtckea- pitud0 prolixi- neffe : that theyflickefafi in the mindes of the Auditors : and or4 Nunc enitn ferve to no other purpofe but topsrfwade all men unto filthineffe, ™imu<3 vel ex- Greoory Nyffen records : c That lafcivhus Spectacles; and P°™adultcria, 's y " ' >. . , vel monitrat^ Nunc enervis hiflrio amoremdu fliigir,infl4git.Tde Deos ve{tros3induendo ftupra fufp!ri3,odia,dedecorat.Idcm Gmulatis doloribus lacrymas veftras vanis <*eftibus & nunbus provocst Sic homicidal in verofhgitatisjin mendacio fletis. lbid,p.ii$ji-+. * Spe&acula& corrupt! cantus nirniamin animis ingeneratcs libidme>&c. Nefcij fane ludos fpe^taculis abund?ntes lafcivis,c5munem ac publicum officiaam fcelerum efie : modulationes atq; concentus meretriciofqj cantus, auditoium animis infi- dentesjnil aiuid eiScere,quam ut turpitudincm omnibus perfuideanr, cith:u*2>do- rumfonitus imitantes. Hcxaerneron. Horn. 4* Tcm.i.pag. n. See De Ugcndis libru Gent'iiumiOratio.pag.AoS. 412. accordingly. « Sordida & luxuriofa Speftacula, &inmuns, & in aulis diverfa: ad luxuriam animaj picture, & in vafis fculpturx impreffae nequitiam prxdicant,quibus cogitatio adcupiditates fuas revocatur, vitu- perofi fpe&aculi vifione,ad animam ufque paiTionum afFcdu perveniente,ne fcilicet cupiditatum ardore extinguatur, aut retundamr. Vita Mofcos Enarutio. peg. 50^ See $01. Xx filthy 35 8 Wftrio-SMaftix. Part. filthy cPt%ures engraven or painted eitltartn Walls, in Halls, or Plate, (to fotisfie the luxury of the minde) doe proclame lewdnejfe : the thoughts are recalled to their tufts, by the fight of theft blaryie-wmhy SpeUacles, whofe inflammation fterceth even to the affefttons, left vsrtlj the heat of mem luftsjhould be ona°ra abdita- Venclloed* f tf*h** thou couldeft dive, I fay, not into the Veffels que hum (modi M^ ^Ai^s (for they are manifeft unto many,netther are they non dico vafcu- dijferent from thetr filthineffe ofltfe) but into the retyredhidden h&capfulas (ecretsofthe min.it and foule of a man dt lighted with thtfe (muitisenim ea $pc8acles,tbou(honlde(l verily there finde a fttnking reltenneffe cnafuiw'r^r- %*^wimtA4t*iFt9gge4i that is (as hee there ex- pitudinc vitae) prefleth himfeife in a former paflage) of filthy lufts and led occulta me- v&es. But even the eye of a chafte man is cleane, andrefufeth tis & animi thefk Spettacles which incite men unto luxury, or car nail pie a- ^r;?lccrc P°T fure. Our common Piay-haiinters and lafcivious Pi- accumulator^0 dure- matters therefore, by this Fathers verdid,(what- ranirilputredi. ev^er they may deeme themfelves,) are nochade, no nem reperies modeft perfons ; § yea rather beafts, then msn ; as he there f*tj*2n* At tearmes them. Gregory N*z>ienz,en, ftiles Stage-players; S7c^u^°«ii h tbsfervants °f l'"A"'f': Way-bMfes, « the lafctviotu (hops ■ munduseft, & °f ^fi^thineffe and impurity: Stage- play es : k the difhoneft ha»c quae ad unfeemely inftrucfions of lafcivious men, who repute nothing luxunam inci- filthy, but modtfty ; by which nature is vitiated, and made tam/peaaatla adulterous, and fiveraH flames of different faffs are kindled.. STLmram ' ***«<» '' W< ~* M0*'* *** «^ fr*9 '**»' 5 ¥ refplcit, homi- Mat tbc"fi difeafes fhonld prattifc thetr lewdneffe onely tn fe- rns-, quivitam cret; Rewards are fromifed to thefe difkonefi,and wicked in- confiderat,non homines/ed ex brutorim genere eos effe putabit : cujus quidem bruti fi?n3 tarn in univerfa domo3 quam m'fingulis invenias p3itibus. ib'idm h Turpitudinis adminiftri. dd Selcueum,DeRetta Sdueatione. pag 106$. i Lafciva faeditatis, & impuritatiscmnis officina. Ibidem. k Lafcivorum hominum inhoneftae & inde- corae difciplinx, qui nihil turpe ducunt, praeter modeftiam. Nimirum in his natura vitiatur 5c adulterina fit, voluptatiunque flamma multiplex accenditur. Ibidem. * Etiam fpurcifTimus rebus Theatra conduntur, ut ne hi morbi clam turpitudinem fuam exerceant. Sed difciplinis irnprobis & fceieratis praemia pro- pofitafint. Tuautemmihi velim haecexecreris. Nolipupulas tuas polluere, fed omnes oculorusi corruptelas vitato, ut pupuiae tuae mihi Virgines ctira tua mane- ant, ibidem. ftrnttms : Part. i. Hiflrio-<%3Haftix. jjp ftrnfttons : But doe thou have thefe things in execration : Suf- fer not thy female pupils to he defiled wtth them ; but cxufi them to avoyd all corruptions of their eyes, thatfo they may con- tinue Virgins to met by thy care : Intimating hereby, that, refort to Stage-playes, would foone defioure their Vir- ginity, and make them Strumpets, Saint Hilary in- formes us, m That he who will afcend up bsto the Hill of the m Tmmjculi- Lord muft faepe himfelfe unfpotted from corruption ; his body tusfit, ac nid- tnuft not be defied with whoredome ; his eyes mufi not be polln- d«s : toque ei ted with Stage-playes i which hee there couples" with ^colTus whordome, becanfe they in^ender unchafte affections „"£"* L !!L in- mens hearts, and oft-times allure them to actuall oculi fpedacu- leWdncfle. Therefore in his Commentary on the 1 18. fistheatralibus alias the 119. Pfalme, verfe 37. (Turne away mine eyes fordidati,&c. from beholding vawtyjhz paraphrafeth thus:aT^/ the Pro- ******* m pfal* phet prayes to h*vey both the eyes of his body and mtnde turned n46m autem away from Stage-playes, and the obfeene fables of difhonejl En- & animi & terludes j which did formerly occupy and defile them, Cjrtll of corporis ocu- Hierufaltm affirmes ; ° That Play-houfe meetings , and l°s 3 cos "(cili- j Playes, which are the Devils Pompes, were fraught with all c*tj,Jgj in,the" ' lewdneffe, contumely , andincontinency ; Whence he perfwades ^\s" CzptiY:d~„ all Chriflians to avoyd them. Saint Ambrofe ftiles Stage- cubing & ofr. playes P Spectacles of Vanities, by which the Devxllconvayes &&Ms illis fpe- * incentives ofpleafures into mens hearts* Let us therefore j^^lcrum fa~ f (faith he) turne away car eyes from thefe vanities, and Stage- u i]^&c- vam- flayesjeft our minds fhould affeft th$t which our eyes behold,& ibUm^a?. 2 1 8 * let hs come to God that he would doe it for us. In thefl?ip of thy s. j\ '* body there is a tempsft of lufls rayfedy and yet thou turne ft not ° Pompi Dh- away the eyes oft by Joule that they fhould not fee the fwke y£gypt> are commanded to cafi away all thofe things hiftrio fra ™U^ *^e *nvent'tons ofThilofophers and Beretiques, which nenatr dulce- are ^i^ty flilsdjdols. We muft hkewife remove our eyes from 3 jjnon iuvenis ^ '^- SpeUacles, yea rather, the offences ej zs£gypt,at Sword- culms & niti- playes, C tr que -play es, and Stage-play es ; which defile the pu- c us. Nihil artiu yity of thefoule ; and by the fences gaine entrance to the minde: iim^mr^f1 **<*fi 'bat is fulfilled, which is written; Death hath entred e6 quod mcen- byjourwindowes: By this grave learned Fathers verdict tiva vitiorum then, it is moft evident ; that Stage-play es devirginate omniiuitiilant unmarried perfons, efpecially beautifull tender Vir- animosJ& qui- bufdam illeccbrisad mortiferas animam voluptatcs trahunt,&clfrKfc/»,See Fpiftio. W? 4-& Epift,i 8. accordingly, f Sed & nobis quando cxitur de i£gypiO,iubetur ut offenfiones ocnlorum noftroru abijciamus, ne fcilicet his deleftemur, quibusantea dele&abamurinfa:culo:ne nmulachris -rEgyptipolluamur3adinventionibus fcilicet Philofophoruin,atq; Hxreticoru,qu3ereclcIdolanominantur. A. fpectaculis quoqj> - imo offenhonibus itgypn removeamus oculos3arenae,circi, Theatrorum, & omni- bus,qu2 animae contaminant puritatcm3& per fenfus ingrediuntur ad mentem: im- plcturque quod knptum eft: Mors^ntrayit per feneftras veftras. Ibidem. Tom* 4. gins P A r T . i . Hifirio-SMafirx . 341 and fo let in eternail death upon them. Saint Aagssfitne Specula tur- brands all Stage. playes with this ftigmaticall Impreffe* p^udinum, x>e That they are Uhe Spectacles of fillhineffe : "The over turners CivhSDsllib j. efgoodneffc and hone fty : * The chafers away of all mode fly and ^t}^'. ..'. cb.'jhty: y Meretricious fhswes* The unchafie^the filthy ge- honeftari&e- fi fires of Attors : The art of mifchievous vitlaniss, which even vcrffo. itttag*. wodefl. Pagans-did blujh to behold: The invitations to lewd- KVereFu£alia3 ncjftyby which theDeviflufeth to game innumerable compa- fedpudons& ntesofevilUnenuntohimfefe. Hence hee fliics Theaters; {^f'^flA" 2 The CaKes ofuncleaneffe, the pMike profeffions §f wicked- y Meretrichm neffe, of wicked men\ and Stage-playes ; a The mofl petu- pompam hinc lant^the mo ft impure, impudent, wicked, uncle ane ^ the mofi ceiebrarij&c; fhamefull and deteftable attornments of filthy 'Devil-gods ; Avwtebartc fa- which to tme Religion are mofi execrable: whofe A dors the c??j* aJ, 1™U~ laudable towardnes of Romamertue had deprived of all honour, fcemccram,ar- | I disfianch ifed their tribe, acknowledged as filthy, made infa- tem flagitijvi- motu: be caufe the people were infiruVted, inconraged by the dere erubefcen- fight and hearing of Stage-playes, to imitate, to pratttfe thofe tes,ncauderenc alluring criminous fictions; thofe igneminiousf alls of T> agan- ^J1 IC0S §e~ godst that were either wickedly and filthily forged of them, or C€rnere . &c<( more wickedly and filthily committed by them. Hence is it Frcquemans that this godly Father, doth * oft diffuadc aS Chrifltansfrom in aperto invr- aftingtfeeing^or frequenting Stage-playes, and Cirque-player, tamenta ne~ btcaufe they are but P adders 3but aHeblwes to mcleanejfe,incen- ^^^ Jj^i mtrabi\esm?.\os.lbidml 1.0^6, z Theatra^ Cave 35 turpimdinum 5 &profefliones publics fhgitioforil. Ve Con fen fa Uvanr.Li .c.3 3 .Tom.^.pars i.pj 30, a Hanc talium nuininum placationem petuLmtifTimam^mpuriftimamjimpuclentiffirnarn, nequifli- mam,imniundifl[imam,ciijus adores laudanda Romanse virtutis indoles honore privavic,tribumovit,agnovitturpes, fecit infarnes. Hanc inquam pudendam^ver^qt religiom adverfandam & deteftandam nummum placationemjhas fabulas in Decs illecebrofa's atque criminous, hsec ignomimofabeorum fa&a federate turpiterqj confida3vel fccleratius turpiufque commiflajOcuHs & auribus publicis ci vitas rota difcebatihxccommifla numinibus placereceraebat, & ideo non folum ilfis exhi- henda,fed fibi quGqueimitanda credeb'at. ldem.Dc Civit Dci.lib.i.cap.ij* * Qua iu- pxa.De DoftrinaCbriituna.lib. z. cap. 15, De Symbolaad CatechumenosJib.4, cap.i. ConfeiTionum. lib.^cap.7.8 4& Epift.a-oi, Xx 3 d$ams\ $4* Hiftrio-Maftix. Part.i. —iii * ' __ ^ — , — diaries and fomentations unto carnall tufts. Hence he ipeakes thus to Chriltian Parents ( which I would to God thofe gractleffe Parents who either accompany, fend, encou- rage, or elfe permit their Children to runne to filthy, bQuofemeIeft lewde, lafcivious Stage-play es, b which v$tiate9 which de~ imbuu reccns^ prave tbgm tver after^ Would ferioufly confider:) c As ofty 1 ^iore deare Brcathren, as yon know that any of your Children re fort Ei'iihl.i.Spift i. ***her to furtotu , bloody, or pit by b interlude*, with avatne per* rag. 24. fwation, and peftiferous love , as iftt were to fame good worke, c Ouociefcuq; yen who now by the or ace of God centemne,not onely thefe Ittxu- fratrcsciunfli- rious,but alfo cruell recreation sy anddtjports, ought diligently criliqlAS CXj to chaff tfe them, and to pray more abundantly to the Lord for fpeftacula vel them, becaufeyou know that they run unto vanity and lying t\iriofa,vel cru- follies, mgletting that place to which they are called. d Thefe cnta,velturpia, if they chance to be affrighted in the Play. heufe by any fudden quali ad ah- accident, (I would our Popifh Stage- haunters, who opus cun-enT tninke to fcare av/ay the Devillfrom them by their vanaperXmfio- erodings, would well confider it,) doe prefently croffs ne & peftifero themfelves, and they ft and there carrying that in their fore- am ore cognof- heds, from whence they would depart if they carried it tn their cius3vcs qui bearts% for eveTy one wfj0 Tunnes to any evill worke, if he picio ifta,non c^aftce ^ut t0 (tumble, doth forth-with croffe hii face, and folii luxuriofa knoweth not, that he doth rather include, then exclude the De- fa etiam cru- vilL For thenfhould he crofje himfelfe well, and repell the Dc- deliaobiedta- Vtlloutof his heart, if he recalled htmfefe from that wicked menta de.pici- wor^m therefore I mm at you, deare Brethren, aqake and tis,caitigare , J ,,, ,. ', , . , ,? * , eos3 & abun- ogatne, that you would jup plicate for them with all your might \ dantiuspro cis that fothey may receive under ft adding to condtmne thefe dam- domino fuppli- care debetis,quia illoscognofcitis ire in vanitatem, & infanhs mcndaces, & ne^li- gere qudvocr.ti fun:. Augi.fl.Hom. zi'Tom.iG.pag.')?!- 4 Qui (i forte in ipfo Oreo aliquaex caufaexpaveuant, continuo fe (ignant,& ftant iihc portantes in fronte, undeabfcederent (i ho:portarent incorde. Omnis emm qui ad aliquod opus ma- lum currit, G forte pedemimpegerit,(lgnat os hmmi& nefcit qued'mluditpotiusDx- monem quam excludk. Tunc cnim bene fc fignarct, & Diabolum de corde fuorc- p^Ueret, life abillo opcrcnefariorevocaret. Vnde iterum atque iterum rogo vos fratres charifllmi, uc proeistotis viribus fupplicctis, quatenus ad lfta damnanda intel!e & aflfc&um ad fugienda, & mifericordiam ad ag- nofcendum. Ibidem, noble Part. i. Hittrio-Mafiix. 545 nable things \ deftre, to avoyd them; mercy, to acknowledge them. e JVe may Itkjwife (peake unto thofewhom volupt mm e Loqucmur Stage-playes oft-times draw from the affemblies of the Church. Ja:Tien & ^ lJ" JVotwitbftandino I intreat you, deare Brethren, that ai often °Jj3S? I % ,, r i i r i i 11 r> qucnterab £.0 as youjhattfee them to dee anyjucb thtng,j9u would tn oar ft tad defix conven- mofl fever ely correct th?m : Let them he are our voyce, your tu fpcftacah, remembrance: correct them by reproving them, comfort thsm voluptuofa by conferring with them.oive them an eni ample by living well .- faMueajtt. Ro- Then he will be prefent with them>wbo bath beene prefenrwiih chaiiflimi ut you. Thus Saint Auguftixc,by whofe words you may quouefauiqifts eafily difcover, not onely the truth of our prefent Af- eostalealiqwidi fiimption: but like wife the finfulneiTe^he unlavvfulnefTe ^cere videri- of Playesthemfelves , f as alfoof 'ailing ,hearino, feeing and "s,nd vlcrem frcqucntwg Stage-playes: Which nee hkewife feconds riffimecaifcge- iniome other paffages: as namely in his 2. Book*, De tis.Sitadeos sJMoribus tJManichaorum, where hee writes thus againft vox noftra,me- them. & Finally > we have oft-times found in Theaters divers mor.i? .vcftr3: 0ft heir choyce men, who were grave both in age, and as they onendo^conf - feemed, even in manners too, with an eld Prejbyter. 1 omit famj m aii0_ ytongmenwb&m We were likewife wont to finde brawling for quendo,exem- Stage-pUyers andtfagoners : which thing is no fmall argu- Pium pr as bete ment after what manner they can containe themfe Ives from /e Bacles of Play* honfes delight the eyes It^emfe : the/e are \ Deleftant c- lawfully ho ft 'unlawful!. An holy Ffalme jung facet ly delight t nimutdixi, o- the hearing, and fo doe thefongs of Stage-flayers delight the cutos&fpefta- h . q ; r^ lawfHny the other unlawfully. So that if culaiita magna . <> l V j / r /i f nature. fed de- this Father may be Judge : the very feeing andbearsng of leVtantetiam& Stage-playes m unlawfull. Heare hijti but once more ocul'os fpefta- for all: De Symbolo ad Catechumenos. lib. 2 .cap. 1 . 2. Tom. 9. cula Theatre- ^ars x # ^ ^ 1393.1394,1395. There are two forts of Wea- rum-rtec ici- p^^^^^^^eDevsllfighsAgainfimensfiules; plea- Pfalmus facer fHY*s<> ana fear e. k -/■ e x beloved, ycu mufl kyow, that the Devill iuaviter canta- takes mwe by pleasures ythen by feare. For why doth he daily tus deleftat au- diturn, fed dele ftantauditum emm cahtica hiftrionum. Hoclicitej illud illicit^. ibidem. k Plures tamen noyeritis diiectiftimi ciprre adverfarium per voluptatem, qtiam p?r timorem. Namquarc quotidie mufcipuiam fpectaculorum, infaniam ftu- diorum acturpium volupratum proponit, nifi ut bif'delectationibus capratj quos amifci-at,acla?tetur denu:> (e invenrae quod perdiderat ? Quid nobis opus eft ire per multa ? Breviter admonendi eftis quid fpernere & quid diligere debeatis. Fu^ite ditecliflimi fpeftacuhj fugite caveas turpiflimas Diaboli, ne vos vincula tencau: maligni, Sed C\ obledandus eft animus & fpeciare deler^at, exhibet nobis fan^ta mater Ecclefia veneranda, hxc falubria fpedacula, qux & men- tes veftras obledent fua ddeftatione, & in vobis non corrumpant fed cuftodianc • fidem, &c. Ibidem. % Part. i. Hiftrio-Maftix. 345 fetthe Mousetrap of Stage->playesy the madneffe 9 f filthy fiu- dies and pleasures ', but that he might takethofe whom he hath iofl with thefe delights, and reioyce that he hath found that a- ptine which he had loft ? Wh*t need m runne thorow many 'things? Ton are breefiy to be admonifhed^what you ought to reieiij and what to love. Fits Stage-playes, my be ft belovedy pe (Play-houfcs) the me ft filthy Dens of the Devill, left the Chained of that wicked one hold you captive. But if the minde be to bo exhUerated, and delights to behold, the holy Another the Church will exhibit you thofe venerable and whole fome fpc- Back st which will delight your mindes with their pleafure, and will not corrupt, but keepe faith in you. Is any of you a lover of the Cirque ? what doth he delight in in the Circus ? To fee the Coachmen flrivmg, the people breathing cut fr antique furies y every fwift one going before breaking the horfe of his tAdvtr' fary. This is atithe pleafure to (houtfecaufe he hath overcome whom the Devill hath overcome : to re'toyce and infult, that the adverfe part hath lofi an horfe, when as he who is delighted Wtthfucha ffettacle, hath already loft his foule. See on the other fide our holy, holefomey and moft fweet ffetiacles. Be- hold tn the Booke of the lA Us ofthcApoftles,a lame man never i Afts\ walking from his birth, whom Peter hath made running : fee * one fuddenly whole , whom before thou didefl behold tnfirme; tnd'if there be any foundneffe of minde in thee, if the reafon of equity, and the pleafure of falvation fhine forth in thee; fee what ihou oughtefi to behold, confidsr where thou ougbteft to fhout : there, where found horfes are broken in pieces, or here where bruifed men are made whole? But tf that pompe \ that coulor of the horfes,that compofitton of the Char tots, thofe orna- ments of the Coachman ftandtng above governing the borfef9 md de firing to overcome ; if this pompe, as 1 havefaid, delight thee; neither hath he denied this to thee , who hath commanded the e, to renounce the pompe s of the Devill: we alfo h&ve our ifrrttuall Horfeman the holy Prophet Elijas, who m betngfst m z Kings x, upon a fiery Chariot y hath runne fo much, that he hath taken the very limits , (or won thegoale) of Heaven. A"d tf thou defircjltofcctbcstdverfaries, which even- true vertnc hath o- Ty vcr- 34^ Hiftrio-JMaftix. Part, Vtrccntty An & whom he by filing hath tut -gone ,4ndfiom whofe vtSiory 6e hath received the reward of fupemaR greatncffs ; he ft E*od . i s . ^*'£ «*/? ^' n fl>a* *>** of Pharoh And aH hie ftrengtb mto the •Alias fortaf- Sea : ° Another ^percheixce a bver of the 7heattr, is to be fis Thfcatri a- adwonifhed% tvhat he mufl avoyd, and with what he may be de- maf>r admone- das (IX: %*^ **d> T M lo{' x $ miters n intern : hie have related unJo me their delight sy but not fo as thy Law O refpi.-iemus vc- Lord: all thy Qormnjndemenu are truth* For there vanity rum Dcum Chriftum^caftitatem doccntern,imrnunc!iciam ckfiiucmem, iMubria prxdicantem. Illie fingitur quod idem lovis I un one m ha beat foroicm &ccnjugem : hie pr^thca- mus faii&am Mariana Matrcmjimul ac Virgioem: Illie itupor mgenuir viiui,ex ntu ho.r.iicm \x\ func.amhulantem: hie magnum miraculum, Petram mare pedibus tranfeuntem. lijicpcr immicam (mm:can) curpitudinem c^Ic.tas violator : hie per recreated, and ?/?£ ibaaturludari, Chriflian fonle fed with thefe delight*, and keeping this & pradefiinati fibrtety, it mayavoydthe drnnkenneffe of the DevilL Neither :" ^ ?|$?ai may the combates of the amphitheater feduce or draw any n- |jie ^im' (fhrifltans to them, unto which verily men rnnnefo much the l-Cob linus more greedily , by how much the more flowly they are exhibited* paruulus tic But eveni here what nut dangerous, what not bloody thing is g^rieriSj mol- not inttBcd into mens ejes? where, As mcfl blefed S. Cvprian 5? ln k P1™: j > j jj j r it ! Tint os cti?m faiths a noxious veillcondtmnes men to wtlde bcafis, without an parvujos deirc- offexce. Therefore my beloved, thit crusll [yeiiacle may not ftrabar Iu£«n- invite you ts beh&ld two Hunters contending wuh nine B ear es,zd> quit* ute- but let it delight you to fee our e27.1ib.4.cap.io.x6:)27,i8. 1^.6,^.1,5,6,7,8,9,21^4, »*, *7, 3 $. lib. 8. cap, 14.18,20,11,16,17, where laee lively few out tJ* obfcenity. t>f Stage-playes,. ~ tr Part. i. Hiftrio-Sllafiix. $49 trap mens fates; and that no Chriflians ought for to be- hold them, finee they have fo many other hea/enly Spectacles to contemplate. Which me thinkes flioiild caufeall Chriftians to renouncethem. Not to remem- ber T>fiitu an ancient Abbot,about the yeere of our Lord b 410. who informes us. b That he who is conperfant in a i^^0'^'^ multitude (eCpccizlly at Stage- playes) is a fitted wkh daily Pau-um^Tom! wounds ; for the countenance of women is a Dart anoynted mth $. p3rs lm pag/ foyfon% v»htcb wounds the foule and fends in venome, andby how 969- G« much the Unger tt continue ih by fo much the more the wound c<3p* Vltare cu* dothputrtfe. t He who de fires to *voyd thefe wounds (pray ^^^ff markeitwell) will abfleme from publike Playes and Spebla- publicTs'sjL clesy neither will he be converfant in fuch Afiemblies* For it fticulis abtfi- -ts better that thou ahde at home, then that thou fall into the nebic, Neqj in bands of the enemy, whiles thou tbmkcft to honor fuch Solem- cel^aubl1* piitier* Which comes puncluall to our purpofe. Nor yet ^^tf "n^1* to mention, either Primaftus in Romanes, cap. 1 o. feL 53. Llt ^omi man^ Or Remtgtw, Explanatio in GaUi* 5. 19. Or Kj^/lacanm as,qnam durnf *s£gjttus, HomiL 27. pag.i 1 2. Or Ifador Hijpalenfis. O- P"ras re cek- winum. ttb.i %. cat. 27. 42. to 69. & De Ecclefiaflicis Offi- foitttesTenc- ciff.lib.2.cap.2* Or Haymo & Anfelme,Exegefis tn Epbe- injmjcoriim fios 5. 3. who ranke Players with Whores, and couple Play- inciderej&rf. houfes, and Brothel- boufes together : fwhofe words I iliall * Fornicentur at large recite in the enfumg Scene,) Which proves, that In Spe^aculis, Playes, and Piay-houfes in their opinion are but Pan- pi^t*^**' Ix* ders to mens lufts, yea,the beaten rodes to * whwedome, pagi ;*'6> ^,2# adultery,and unchafte defires.Nor yet to remember Pro- f Mimics rm- fyer his vczdift, who fliles Stage.playes, f mtmtcall un- pitudiaes. De cleanefes ; not onely in regard of their matter, or man- Gloria SmBw% ner of action, but likewife of their lewde unchafte &?<™*fo-fil.73. feels : Or Dama/ceu, or Sufebim ; who call the Stage, S the orlXamTm. publike Schoole of lufl ; and Playes the tnflruments whtcb per- pudicis fpecta- fwadtmznto nothing elfe9 but lewde behaviour^c. a preg- culis affluen- nant teftimeny for our preient purpofe . Not to record tcm,commu- 1 r nemacpubli- camlibi 'inis fcholam ijs ciTs ; Meretriciafq; ibidem cantiones nihil aliud affcrrc,, quam ur omnibus turpiter fe ggrcre & obfeasne perfuadeant. Dawafcen,TaYft!§lkrttm» lib.$ iaj>47* See EujefomibidM,&ecdefia(l#$QrJfat,(ap,'i+ ?] 2 Saint 3jo Hiftrh-Maftix. Part,i h Non eft hie S. Bernard ; who calls h St z^e-pUyes. . child' jh fyvrts provoking bdus pu:nlis, Ivftj with their feminine and filthy iwninos. and rezrefenmr Boneftdethe- atro Deis rjeasujj h-iclibus pro^ exhaufhrs ofhone(?y,&c. Nor yet to rcgiiter our own ltar- yocerlibidines ntd Country-man hhn S^refbary^ rlonriihm?; about the oneftderhe- (or^a[it0lfS . a pun^uail Cvicknce for us : Or Caffudo. eisfcedifqsan* ™«; w ho ftilesSr age-play es,« tnc expelkrs of gravity ; ffo i Speftacalum that they could not be expelled great mens houjes) dih with expellans gra- their obfeens aUions , in fufe fucb fiUhineffj tut 9 the eyes of viffimos ra,i- ^ ' ^ 0**fe t;# wglbf £/*/%> r*/„r. ^ /&<; hqaeftatis &'c -^bich was mere wonderful, neither were they then caft out, Varianm. lib }* n^en ^ * be people making a tumult below ^de filed the ayre with ta?. jr. their frequent noyfe, which being filthily fhut in> they more * Fomenta vi- 'fJibUy uttered. After which he breakes out into thefepajfa- tunim, tyroa- - n £ y rf tQ tyeg tQ fa a wjrg m wy9 s ^ ma vanitatis, * . J . r . . . . ? . 5 , r J Speftacula. De his eyes, or eares tot heje things f Jtts verily a pie afant thing, 7(upt Curiahu, andnot difhomft Jor an hone ft man to be fomettmes delighted ki.e. *. Bihl.i'a- with hone ft mode ft mjrth ; but it is an ignominious thing, for Wtm. Tom.i 5 , gravity to be often recreated wtthfuch wantonneffe. From thefe ? Hin! mimi & ^?e^^es therefore, but especially fxsm ebfeene ones, the eye of tota ioculatorii *» bone ft man is to be kept bat\s, left the incontinency of it, be- Fcefia proced-c. wray lik$wtfe the melcanes of his minded Pandcs ths Colleage Quorum adco cf Sophocles the Fretor reproving htm, faith very excellently; error invaluit, ut a praeeiaris domibns tjon arceantur etiam tlli qui obfejenis partibus corporis, o- culis omnium earn ingerunt turpi tudine^quod erubefcat videre vel Cynicus.Quodq; magis mirere,ncc tunceijriuntur3quando tumuluiantes inferius crebro ioniru acr« £s?danr,& turpitcr inclu(um,tuipius produnt. ibidem ra Nunquid tibi videtui.' fapi- ens qui oculos,vel aures lftis expandit ? locundum quidem eft, & ab hoiKfto non Kceditjvirum probum quandoqucmodefta hilaricate mulceri : fed igncminiofum * eftjgravitatem hujufcemodi lafcivia frequenter refolvi. Ab iftis quoque fpediscu- lis, & maxime ab obfcaeniSjhonefti viri arcendus eft oculus, ne incontinentia ejus, mentis quoque impudicitiam fateatur. Ibidem* n Egregic iiquidem Sophoclem Pr-aetorem Collega Parides arguens, ait : Decet Prxcorcm bcphoclcm, ncn medo manus, fed & oculos habere continentes. Averte, inquit, homo, cux dc regni maicftatc wulta licebanr, oculcs meos, ne videant vanitatem : (tiens utique verum eiTe quod alius ingemefcit : quia oculus meus depraedatus eft ani« $nam axe am. Ibidem. (i A K T. I. RiUrio-Maflix. 351 f I would to God all Nobles and Magiftrates would remember it) h biccmet Pretor Sophocles ynet em'y to have cba/lc hands^ but eyes, Teay a man, to whom much might be law,ullm regArdof the great *JM aiefij of kit Ktngdomey faith; * Turne avfay mine eyes left tbsj behold vanity ; kxQWttg rbai to * PfaLi J 9. 3 ?. be true which another Umenteih: kecaufs mine eye hath preyed #p*u myfoule. To pafle by ( 1 fay) thele ancient Writers which are punduail ; I ihall onely remember two Fa- thers more with whom I will conclude. 1 he firft of them,is Gotden-tongued Saint Chryfofiome, who writes thus of^Staoe-pUyes: that they are the introduction of ftnfu/l ° Ij1 ckeatro, lift) the Mcditttton of Adultery ; the School* ofFormcmon ; ™wduft^X the Exhortation of V ncleaneffe ; the Examples of D*(honefly ; dulterij mcJi- the Incendiartssof mens luftfull AffeDions j the polluters of catio/ornicati- their eyes y their eares, their joules: yea the very originaH onis gymnafiu, caufes of much acluall whoredome, filthineffc, and ™*?ltlldtnis. adultery; as I liiajl more largely prove m the * erfutxg boneftati* ex- Scenc, out of his owne Records,, which I fhall there re- empla 5 verba cite at large. The fecond,is vice-rebuking Salviany Bu multa? fetw- fhop of at can-?rAX P.;en:-*&c* not be thought upon, much leffe uttered wnwut pnne. F*r 0- Aft3 -j Qmm v ther vces challenge their fever all portions mth'tn m : as filthy Col. 6 j 1. H J.-n. centatione Viz* thefe Fathers cenfures? If any Stage-frequenting,Play- CjntemP-p-s adoring Chriftian bee fo incredulous, as net to give »in^Hcfaiam credit to thefe allcaged Fathers : let him then liftcn to hr&jjt&n'u pag.ijj. in !©- hinnis Bvang~iium4ub 8.cp f pag 595-, * De A&iva virtntc lib.rz. Tom.i. ba£, 408. D,E. De Martynbus.tib.8 pag.j^o.E.F. & In Luc* Eyan^elium.cap^Jib.x! Torn.?. Co!, 300. c De Ceremomjs Baptifmi. Col,!i5 8. "4 pro Chiiftianis Legano, BiblJPatru tj. Tom.i. pag.i 3 8.1 3 9 . e Ia Ecclefiaften Enarratio. Cap; 4<( BTbi.Parrum.T0m.11.pag.405.fi. f Hiftoiix.lib.?.cap 4* l De Errore Profa- .mrum.Reli?icnHm),cap 13. Bibl.Pr.rrum.Tom^pag. Ill Hi * Diflinfti0 , , 48.8c 86. &Caufa.4.Qii*ft.i.- * Sandi After ij Homilia.Bibl, Patrum.Torr?.^ 5>a?.7c6. See Aft 7. Scene 4. i Vanus fermo citd poliuit memem, & facile ori- tur quod libenter auditur. BmardDe mtermVom, TraU. cap,* ?« Z z f brne 554 Hiftrio-SMaftix. Part.i, fome Conncehj fome moderne Chrifiiau vlutkcrs j fome ancient T^»/,who averre the felfefame truth, whole ioynt concurrent Authorities he cannot deny. If wee caft our eyes upon Councels; we ihall finde, thefe fe- verall Councels in feverall Countries and ages ; to wit, * The words * Concilium Laodicenum. Can. 54. Eltberinum. Can. 62. 67. & Canons of Arelatenfe.\. Can.^.y(^ 2. fan. 20. £arthagiuenfe.$. fa. cdsarctoeTc ll' & ^'C4rthagtnenfe.^ C*n.%6.& 88. Aphncanum. llxllllcixeljn CaVi 27' ***i* A**tkctsfe. Can. 39, inSurim^ 6*128. tn Act z.SceneV Carra"sca' Ve*rti™m* Can. ii. ^onfloHtinopolttanum.6. m Truth. Can. 24- 5 I, c>2, 66. & 7 1. Turonenfe. 7. C*n.j.%. Cabilovenfe . 2 . Can .9 . t^Moguntinum. Anno Dom. 813. C<*w . * Smuis Con- 10. 1 4. Rhemenfe. Anno. 81 3 . Crf*. 1 7. * Synodm Franciea ahT6.$.p4Q.y>*£ Z4cW;^ Papa.AnnoDomry^2. Aquifgrdnenfe Concili- um, fub Ltidovico Pio. Camh. 83 .1O0, 145. Covet/. Tartfi. enfei, fan. 28. i_M9guntinttm fub Rabano Archtepifcopo. * Surius.Tom. Can. 1 3. Synodus 8. Oecummca. Can. 16.* Capttula Gra- z- Pag-7f7- cartimSynodorttm. Can.59. Concilium Lateranenfe. 1 . Can. * ^IT'si?™' * & * ConctLBafiienfe.SeJfio. 2 1. # Appendix eimfdem Con- *t P« ' z • r z5 • r j/^# e^,/, Senonenfe iV**.2$. Nicanum. 2 . Can. 2 2 . Medio- lanenfe. 1. *Z>£ Mimis & Circulatoribu*. cap. Concil, Carolo Magnum. Qan. 5. Colonienfe. Anno, 1536. pars 2. cap. 2$. pars 3 . cap. 2 (5. par s 9 .£*/>. 1 o ■. Synodtts Auguftenfis. Can. 1 9, Concil.Colonienfe. fub Adolpho, Anno. 1 5 49. C*2w, 1 7. £7*0- */»* {JHoguntina. AnnoA 5 49- /«£ Sebaftiano. cap. 6 l.&*j. 2 3 . 5^??<7- Pccrct*Bcd<1' nenfr. 1585.^.13. wee (hail fihde, I fay, thefe 37. lib 6?Trt?rn? feveral1 Councels, together with lfundry other Canonical! cap. i*i & are Conft tt f$t ions ; prohibiting not onely Players, *» *nd frequenting Stage-playes ; as for fundry other reafons, 16 efpeci ally for this; becanfe Stage-flayes, would contaminate their eyes, their eares, their mindes, their hearts; effeminate, yea deprave their fpirits ; exafperate and foment their lufts ; indt/pofe them, difable them to the religions performance of every holy duty, and nfber in by then eyes, and eares, the whole troope of vices, into their foules. An irrefragable confirmation of our prefent AfTumption. Ifwefurvey againe thofe moderne Chriftian Authors, m Delcftor va~ who have written againft Stage-playes, we (hall finde "J* %&acuU$« them all concurring with 11s in this truth; I fhall onely fa* ^xbeatro: recite fordjfew of them, by which you may eafily con- qU3t duo loca jecTure of the reft m Cirques and Theaters (writes Francis bonis Temper ^Petrarcha') are the two places which have beene hnowne to he adverfa mori- alwajes moft ovpofite to pood manners, whether if any bad man b"s, flll"c no~\ 1 u t r t . il- / i. tiflimum; quo, goe; hewtlhctume muchworfe: For thtsiourny (pray 00- qmfquls m^ fervc it) is altogether un\nowne to good men; who if they iem, redibit ignorant ly chance to go e unto them by any accident ', are fare pefTimus.Nam not to want defilement. n Stage-playes which thou willingly be- bonis iter iHui hotteft, are fitch things, as can neither be honeflly aUed, nor lZnot"m eft •. hone ft ly feene; neither is it eafie to tell, whether the AUor or qujiinariade- t he SpeUator be more infamous ; or whether the Stage be mere ant, contagio filthy then the Scaffold; unleffe it be, that poverty oft-times nonenrebum, drawes men into the one, but vanity alwayes into the other* OeKcmcd. Vtri- 0 Neither is there a greater covfumption of patrimonies at HfiJ******-^ n Libentcr Iudos fcenicos fpc&o. Ra. Rem, quas nee honefte gcritur, ncc heneftc ceraiturjnec facile dictu,an iuCorinfamior,an fpectator ; & an fcena turpioi5an cr- cheftrajnifi quod in lllam fsepe paupertas3inhanc ver6 Temper vanitas tr:hit. Ibidem. 0 Neque enim patrimoniorum lactura gravior quam morum ; ubi libido difdtur, humanitas dedifcitur. Proinde quid dcfpectaculis fperarens, iaminde ab exoidio, primus Regum veftrorum Romulus omen fuit, qui in his rigidam tctricamqj illam Sabinarum pudicitiamcircumvenit, etfi utcunqj matrimomj honor texit in uriam4 At quam muitis hocpoftmodu3non adconjugii:m,fed ad ftuprnm vagamq; Itcen- ti3m fuit via ? Adfummam enim hocteneas vclrni,f>udiariam fpectaculis faepe ftra- tam,femper impulfam,Et ut Gleam viros quibus id fcelerum furor eft, ut pene iam adukeno gloricnrur3multarum ibi famaperijt, pudorque : rr.ultae inde dorr urn im- pudic3e,plures ambiguas redierej caftior autem nullaJii fpewtaculoru frudus,hi Tunc exitus, ibidem. Zu Stage* 3 5 6 Hiftrio-Maflbc. Pa rt. r. St age-play es, then of manners ; where lufl is learned, huma- nity ft* gotten, what you mifht expe&ftom Stage-playes, even from the very begtnningjhc firfi of your Kings, Romulus, may give yon agueffe, who by thefe circumvented that riged, routb mnfleafant shafltty of the Sabine Virgins ; albeit the honor of matrimony t loath in fome fort covered, that offence. But to how many fwcc this have St age-play es becne the way, not to wed- lockc> but to whoredpme, and diforderly liberty ? I will that thou remember this as the fumme of aH ; that chajltty hath bee>:t oft-times overthrown by St age-play es,alwayes affaulteeL r Quisicito -A "A tbtt I way not (peaks of men, the fury of whofe wicked- iugulum Ianus ueffe is fuch, that they doe now welnigh even glory in adultery ; exciperit?Quis the good name, and chatty of many women hath there per t/hed: £&™ldo™lrxit maiiy have thence returned home nnchafte, more ambiguous, cfFutet?°<^is but net one msrc hone ft: Thefe arc the events, thefe the fruit) minus confpc- °f Stagc-pUy9s : (And are they then dcfirable, or true &a morte pal- Chriftian pleafures ?) P Now who would willingly ftretch out iuerit ? Quid his throat to receive the (word that cuts it f who will poure out kMbm™ ad m9re bl°°* 0Ut *f^ij '^W wo*"M who will become leffe. vat?Non cgctis fcarefH'd m 1ht Ufa of death f What doth it avatle you to run praceptonbus, to l^°e Scbwle of tuft and cruelty * You need no Maflers ; yon nimisdociles arc naturally too dectblc of evtS things. Ton learxe mere at miloni.n eltis. home by your felves, then is needfull : what will you learne if &om*%fci°s ^ Ari,ficers ofwickedneffe, and the Miftrejfe of errors, the qua neceWcft. mHltitldde,fhou!dbe addedtofuch ready wits f Many, whom Quid fi tam nature had made meeke} and ehafte, have Stage-plajes taught praroptts inge- Cruelty, an dincontinevcy. The mind* of man which is not*. ni/s artifices rally prone to v tees is not therefore to be infiigated,but brtdeled t gmr^noTm" *J tl ^il4t to ttfelfe, it will hardly ft and % if it be violently dri^ plebs accdTcrTt! vt» forward, tt wtll fall downe hediong. q CMuch evill it Multos,quos nutes natura fecerat,fevitia fcedacula doeuere.Meas hominis in vitiu proni,non urgenda utiq;,fed frenendacftju fibi iinquuuA-5a;gre Habit; fi impellitur, prasceps ruet ? ibidem. Quisterapit impetus ? ut ad horam gaudcaSjUndJ fem- }*z doleas ; ut videas Femel,quod vidnTe milli^s p*niteat,3cc Ibidem* cmvejcA Part, i . Hifirio-cMaftix. 557 conveyed int o w byHheeares9 but mnch more by the eyes: by them, as by two open windowes doth death breaks in upon the foule? Nothing more powerfully fmkes into the memory , then that which is apprehended by the eye : things that are onely heard doe eafely paffe away ; the images of the things we fee fitcke fafi m our mtndes even again ft our wills : yet n'otwith- ftandwg^ they doe not cffr themfelves undefired, but to fuch who wt&itigly behold themy unleffe tt be very jeldome, a>:d that in a tr an fit or j manner to paffe fo one away. Whether goeft thm therefore? what impetus or guft doth violently drawee thee ? that thou (houldefi reioyce but for an hourey in that which thou matft chance eternally to lament : that thou fhouldsft run to fee that once, the very fight of which thoumaift a thsufand times repent off. v I know net what pleafanty or rather what not bitter , or t Nefcio quid forrowfuil thingyyou perceive in Stage-playes : neither doe I lucdulce>feu dtfeerne any ether greater argument ofmadneffe in you. then nonquidpon- • rr j i 11 1 j it •/- // r us amarum3aut that I fee you daily allured unto death by miferable entifementsy ui^c fenti:is . and as if you were drowned in an infernal! flumber, a bitter ncc ullum m- fweetneffcyandan mpleafant pteafure, precipitates you. For vobis niajus there is cne rule almoft of aU things to you ; whatever you de- infahfx argu- fire. whatever you endeavery whatever you doe, is again/} your me„mu Vliic0> r , *t-i *> f nil /i6i..« qua quod quo- [elves. Thus Petrarcba, molt elegantly, molt divinely, tidie vos ad To him T might adde the concurrent fuffrages of Alex. mone mifsris anderfabrittuSy in his Deft rullorium Vtttorum. pars 4. cap. delinimentis 23.5. * Mapheus fegiuj, Be Education Liber orum. lib.i. dle3osj& ve- cap.14. & lib.], cap.7 .& 12. Ludovicus Vives in Augu* ^^mextvs*' fttnum fDe Ovtute Deuhb.i.cap. 51 32,53. t^ lib. 2. cap.$ . ju|cc<|0 ama- to I $,cap 26.27,28,29. & De Caufis Corrupt. tArtiumMb. ra,&deletf mo 2>pag.S l.%$.j4gippa De Vanitate Scienttarum. cap. 20.5 p, inamxna pra> £4,71. "Peter CWartyr Locorum Commmium Claffis. 2 . cap. clPkat- ^V* 1 2>f*tt* 61. 66. cap. 12. feci. 1 5. ip. & Commentary upon ^^feraife* Judges. p,22o 2 2 1 .Matter Gv tit her. Hem. 1 1 in Nahnm.\ 0mrium,quic- podinus De Republic*. Itb.C.cap. \ . loh^nnes T>e Burgo. Pu- quid cupitisj pilla Oculi. pars 1 o. cap+^.V . Danaus Ethtca (fhnftiana lib. quicquid moli- 2, cap.*. Polydor Vtrgti, De Invent. Rerum.Iib.fcap. 2. ^*ft0jSL * Spe&acula dulciffimafunt irrkamenta omnis non tarn libidinis, quam inhu- vnimuus. Ibidem. Z z 3 Trancifcui j 58 Hifltio-Maftix. Part.i Fraud feus Zephyr us. Comment, in Teftu'diam Apologiam. adverfGentes.Peter De Primaudayyinkis French Achademy. C.20. pag. 205. A flex anus De (fafibus.lib* 2 . Titulus 5 3 Itb. q.Titulus 1 7 . Arttca.. Theedorus Balfamon tn Pbocij Tslemg- camnis. Titulus I 3 . cap.zi.Bocbeilus, Veer eta Ecclefla GaU Itcana. lib. 6. Titulus 19jC.11. loannes sjlt arianay & Bar- ttabas Brtjfomusy in their Bockes, De Spcttaculis. together * Quid mulu ? with Bulengerus, De Tbeatro.ltb.i.c 5:0.5 1. * where he con- Audorcsom- fcffetby that all Anthers, bath [acred and prophaneyhave de- nescumSacri eUimeda^amfltbefiitbiueJfc and lewdneffe of the Staoe, not ipurcitiamSce- *»'h *>ecaufc of the obfeemty ofthetr Playes, bat ltkewtje be- nscxagiranc, caufe their motions and geftures alfo are uncbafley in ft much no modoquod that the very Stems themfelves were oft-times brought ujon fabulsobfcenae the Stage, and proflttuted under it. whence Varro writes y rentu^fV^" that that is obfeene which is not (poken openly but onelj on the quod motus a ^tale &c* Dc&or Reinoldsy m his Preface to his 6. The- geftufq; eflent fa , and in his Overthrow of Stage- p/ajes thorow- imptidid, ataj out. Printed 1599* and now reprinted, 1629. Do- adc6proftibula aor spares, ill his RehearfaU Sermon at 'Pauls Cro(fey SpVvenir?nrm Jpr**9,i579- Matter Perkins, in his Treatife of Cenfci- & fub Scena * *»*'•*• 3« *»^ on the 7. Commandemest. Mafter Stubs, in proftarent. Vn- hiftAuatomy of Abufes. fag. 1 o i . to 1 07. Maftcr North- de &obfca?nu brookfy in his Treatife again/} Paine Playes and Enter fades. ait Vano, quod p^, ^ 7# t0 j j. a Booke mtituledy The Church of evifl Men Scena palam a*^ Women, whereof Lucifer is the head, and the members yare dkitur3&c.i/;V. all dtjfolutc Players, and Sinners. Printed by Richard Pinfon Ibidem Jib. r . &e in 8°. A Treats fe of Dances y printed i»8°. I 58 1, wherein it Theatro.cap.$6. is fhewedythat 'Dances are as it were accejfaries, or depen- pag> 196. dams, or things annexed unto whoredome : where alfo by the ~ way is proved; that TUyes are ioyned and kntt together in a ranke with them. Thsfecond and third Blafl of Retrait from PlayesandTheaters.pag.j. 2, 3,4, 4?,44> 53>H>5 J>5*» %9>9 2,96 9%, to 103. (all pregnant places to our pur- pose) printed by Authority. London, 1 5 80. Mafter Gojfon, in his Schooleof Abufe* Two Bookes, the one intituled, The UWyrrer for-tjMagtftratcs ofCitties ; the other, The Coun- ter-bit fl to St age-play esjoy an uncertaine Author John Fteld, in ~»* Part. t- Hittrio-Maflix. 559 in his Declaration of Gods Judgement [hewed at Paris Cjar- den. January t he 1 3 . 1 5 87. Printed by Henry Carre, 1588, /. G. in his Refutation of Haywoods Apologie fir Actors. Mafter Thomas Beard, in his Theater of Gods lodgements, cap. 34. Mafter Elton, and Mafter Ded, on the 7. Cowman- dement. Bifhop Baity, in his Preface to the Traftife of Pietj. Bifhop Hall, in his Epijlles. Decad.6. Epifi.6. I. P. Minifter of Fevcrfham, in his Booke intitule d,l he Covenant htweene God andman. Expofitionon the 7. Commandement* DoftorLayton, in his Speculum Bellifacrt.cap.^. Mafter Brfcfly,in his True Watch. part 3. Abominatton 19W$>J<\* Mafter lohn Downham, in his Guide to Godltneffe. Itb.y cap* 2 1, feci. 5 . and in his Summe of Divinity* lib. 1 . cap. 1 1 .pag. 2O3. and Richard Rawledge, in his Sceurging of Tylers, fag. 2. 3. 4. who * all with one unanimous Vote con- * 5:e Scene $ . demne ail Stage- play es, as altogether abominable unto & Aft 7. Scene Chriftians, from this very reafon among fundry others ; 7* that they irritate and foment mens carnaH lufis : pollute their foules with adulterous affetlionty defile their eyes, their eares, their hearts with filthinejfe.; and aHure,yeprectpttate both their Attors and Spectators to alla&uall lewdneffe ,and execrable un- cleaneffes • being as [9 many ^Panders, BeHowes, and Firebrandi to their vile lafcivtous defires.But patting by alf thefe with $ briefe quotation of their names and workes,to which you may refort, as being too tedious to recite at large ; I (hall onely relate unto you what 4. other Authors of our owne have wiitten,concerning the lewde efTecls of Stage-playes. The nrft of them is reverend Bifhop Ba- bington, who writes thus of Playes. f Thefe prophane f Expofirion and want on St age-play es or Enter ludes, what an tccafion they upon the Com- are of adultery and mcleaneffe by ge/lure, byfteecb, by conva'y- ^m^In his anccs, by devices to attaine to fo ungodly defres, the world wakes' a" kniweth by too much hurt j by long experience. Vanities they hrge,p;inted aretf we make the be/} of them, and the prophet prayeth *to at London have his eyes turned away by the Lord from beholding fuch '*"-thelaft matte « Evil! words corrupt good manners,^ they have * p^'j°' Jt^f abundance. There is in thim> evsr many dangerous fights, tjCor, 1*, and 3 (jo Hiflrio-Maftix. Part. *i TheCj.i** and uwe muft abftaine from all appearance of cvill. They corrupt the eyes with alluring gefiures; the eyes, the heart ; and the heart ths body, tiU all be horrible before the Lord. Hiftrionicis Geftibus inquinantur omnia ( faith Chryfofime. ) Thefe Players behaviour poliuteth all things : And of their Playes he faith ; they are the feafts of Satan, the inventions oftheDcvill, &c. Connects have dc- creedvtry fharpely agttnft them, and polluted bodies by theft filthy occafions have en their death-beds confeffed the danger of them, lamented their owne foule and grievous faults, and left their warning for ever with us to baware of them. cBut I refer re you to them, that upon good knowledge of the abominati- ons of thtmjoave written largely andwell ag<*injt them.* If they * Note this be dangerous i» the day feme, more dangerous are they in the well, Oyce ni^t certaixely: if on a Stage> and w open Courts, much U civious ; per- in Chambers and private houfes* Far there are many ions, who har- . .. \ , • . m. ' . . . / bour Players roomes be fides that where the Play u; and per adventure the in your private flrangeneffe of the place, andlac\e of Ufa to guide them, cau- houfes. feth error m their way, more then good Chrtfttans Jhould in their houfes fajfer. Thus this right godly Prelate of our Church, who makes Stage-play es a breach of the 7. Com- mandement , becaufe they are the frequent occafions both of contemplative, and acluall fornication, and the inducements to it. The fecond, is o.ie Mailer Stephrx Gofon, (once zprofeffed CP lay-poet; yea a great Patron, and * In his Ana- admirer of Plajes and Players, * as himjelje confeffeth, till romyofAbu- Qodhad called him to repentance, and opened his eyes to fee ftljlQ fixe?" their abominableneffe : ) who among other things, wri- toS/piayes teth thus of Stage-play es. J As I have already discovered confuted in five the corruption of Play es, by the corruption of thetr caufes 5 the Aftions, & To Efficient , the Matter^ the Forme, the End • fc mil I conclude thorowout the effetts, that this poy [on workesamon£ us. The Dcvill u the e Boo < ^ ignorant how mightily thefe outward Spctlacles effemmate 7 Playes confu- and f of ten the hearts of men ; vice is learned with beholding ; ted. A&ion 5. ftnneis tickled, defire pricked, and thofe tmpnjfiont of mtnde arefecretly conveyed over to the gamers, which the Players counterfeit on the Stage. A* leng as we kpow ourfelvts f be rr Part. i« Biflrio-Majlix. \6\ p[h beholding thofe examples m Theaters that tie incident I o fiefh, we are taught by other mem e xamples how to fall. And they that come honcfl to a flz^may depart wfcclcd. z Laclan- *L tiusdoubrcth, whcth'r any corruption c&n be greater, then that which is daily bred by :rPUiyes, bscmfe ths expreffivg of vice by iTnitatten, brtngs m by ifafiadow, to the fab fiance "/aConv V - the fame. Whereupon Ice affirmed) them necefary to'ie bant- apllc{ Xenol fhedjefi wickednejfe be learned, or with the cttftome of plea- ph< va, fare by little and little we for act God* what force tbsre is in Franca fuirtT. . thegefiures of PUjerfjrte) be gathered by the tale of Bacchus GlKCG<^ and Ariadne, which a Xenophon reporteth to be played at a \l9\^'-^\ banquet, by aSyracufian, his Boy, 9uam P°~ wanton Vlayes in (uch places, even upon that day ? In which HlJ \^] ^^ arcthecontinuallfowsngsof all Athetfme, and throwing the ratur focij fer- very firebrands of all filthy and noy feme tufts into the hearts of moms ongioi poore fimple foules the birring up and blowing thecoales of con- Et m°veant cufifcenceto ktndle and tncreafe the fire thereof 5 to breake out ^ffoncs &c into an hideout flame urn ill it * burne downe to HelL A>ke bnL 0vy Dc A*tc yourowne hearts as in the pre fence of the Lord, and you wtfl s.eftbte people, znddoixg his worke, wbtrehv ^An^els watte for thee, * They c?.nnot &** ownepr: fence cxpefts thee. * How the* fhou.de ft thou pof- *hmk to cfczpcjibfy efcApe when then wilt offer thy heart naked unto thefe fiery darts of Satan ? how canft thou thitke to be delivered from that fistnte in thy foule \ that fire in the vfer nail lake, that river of br'tmflor.e ihM /hall never be conjumed nor qxettcbed, when thou wilt defperately cafl thy felfe headlong into the m-ddefl thereof ? hew can it be but that fuch maft needs bring fagots and fire- brands tofet in the Gates of our Hierufalcm ? The fourth of them is M. Robert Bolton, a reverend learned Miniiler of our Church, now living; who writes thus of Stage- k - T-DU^Ufk Pkvesi ^&*flfyite tbife examine themfe/ves at this mar ke% n-k*c dt'T" who offer themfefoes to thefe finfulloccafions, breeders of many ' ftre.nge and fear e full mifchiefes, I meant prophage and obfeene \PUyes. Pardon me, beloved, I cannot paffe by thefe abomina- ble Spc3acles without particular indignation. For I have ever c/reemedthem (fince I had any under ft andtng tn the wayes of Cjod) the Gran dempoy finer s of Grace, tngenuoufneffe , and all 4nly refolution ; Greater plagues andtvfefttons to your foules, then the contagions peftilence to your bodies : The inexpiable flame anddtfhonor to this famous City. The r.oyfome '4 01 met that canker and blafl the generous and noble Buds of this Lard: and doe by a (lie and bewitching tnfinuatton, fo empojfon all Seeds of Virtue, andfo weaken and emafcuUte all the cperati- (ugi of the fou}e,wnb a prophaney if not an unnatural! diffolute- *>ct rTd?nes of neffe ; * that wherexs they are planted in thefe worthy houfes of menobfe'111 *" Law7 t0 ^e fitted*"** enabled for great and honourable actions, » - ;Sf for the publike food, and xhe continuance of the flory and bap- pineffe 0; this Kingdcme; they ItcenUoufly dtjfolve into wicked vanities and fit afures : and aU hope of ever aomg good either unto (jod> the Church, their Country, or orwnefinles, meltetb a* the Part. i. Hiflrio<-cMaftix- 5-5 the Winter he, axdfloweth away as unprofitable waters. Thefe infant sm SpeUacles are condemned by ail kjnde of found lear- ning, hnh divine and humane. Diftmclions devifed for their uphildm^ and defence, may give fome fcallow and weake con- tent went to partial!, and (enfuati affefiions, poffefl with pretu- dice : but hew /ball they be able to fat is fie a conference fevfible of all appearance of evitl f How can they pre jervs the it; c, bfenejp of cur corrupt nature fun the in feci ton of thefe Schooles of Lew dnesse, and Si nckfs of all Si nne , as j (to omit Divines, Counsels, Fathers, Ultoralifts, because the point is not direblly incident) even a *■ Politician 'Theatra de£- calh them. Alas, are not our wretched corruptions racing and njre poflumu*; turpitv.cunisvi fiery enough, being left to themfelvss dijperfedat tketr ntturall liberty ; but they maft be united at thefe accurftd Theaters, as nilVTl fentjnim in a holhvp glajfejto fet on fire the while body of our natural), ac Scholam, viciattfnefje at once, and to enrage it farther with lufi,fiercene[fe, BodkLDti Ke- axdejfeminateneffe, beyond the compare of nature? * Doth a- p^iib^.cdp.u ny man think? Upojfible that the power of faving Grace, or fjTpr-u the pure Spirit of God can re fide in bit hearty that willingly and ztrf anj tjjen With fuUconftnt feeds his inward concupifcence, withfuch va- iud^e your riety of fin full vamttesy and lewd occafions, which the Lord felves, himftlje hath pronounced to be, m an abomination unto htm I ra Dcur,; *■ 5"« how can any man, that evir felt m his heart the love or fsare of fo dreadfulla Mais fly y as the Lord of Heaven and Earth>en- duretobeprefent efreculty with delight and contentment , at Oathes Blafthemtes,Qbfcemties, and the abuftng jometimes efthemoflprectom things in t<:>e Eooke of God (whereat we jhould tremble) to moftbafe and fcurrill tells ? Certainely c- very Child of God, is of a. rnoft noble a -id hercicke sjnrit, and therefore is mo fi impatient of hearing any wron^, indignity \ or diftnnor offered to the Word, Name, or Glory of his Almighty Faihsrfjyc* Thus this grave reverend Divine; iniroofe of my Aflumption. If any mandeeme all thefe or any of the fore* quoted Fathers and Councels over-paitiali, in the cafe of Pl-yes. let him then attend unto fome Pagan Authors^ who concurre in iudgeaient with them. Not to recite the fore-mentioned Story of the Aaa 3 Sjracufim $66 Hiftrh-Maftix. Part-i- ~ ■ - - — Sjracufian with his Boj and Trull, who a&ing Bacchus and n Convivium. Ariadne, (as n Xenopbo* relates it) enflamed the flejhly tufts herc^b'c^c •ftlltbe Sfettators t* a ftrange excc/Jivemafure: (a fuifi- in the mar-' ' c*cnC experiment to confirme my Minors truth :) Art- gent. /?<*/> himielfe records it: • Th*t thofe who behold the m>>- ° Qui in Iudis tions, and attions of Players wStage-playes, although there be & fcenis hi- neither verfe, nor finging in them, are yet notmtbft aiding fi ■tos^ft m*" woz'ed,4nd ] affefted 'as the things arc a&cd in them: (o that fpeftam quaro- ^tne things they acl, be filthy or lafcivious, the affecti- nsnumeris ons, the actions, the defires of the Spectators muft bee ipfisfublatis fiich : ° This therefore (writes he) is to be commended ,th at acq; emu bus the tender minder of Children be vrith-drawen, not oneljfrom iSKaS &* hear oems and Poets, efemtnate mens mtndes, corrupt their loementj trs treat of lee '.-sr'-.'u tk*H9s**oxrilk c d water mcut ji s , live Dc them a comandtng ~cwer over meny when as they fhonld he ( Nat : to them : and for tbofe and fttch like rtafont he excludes a$ B\ D;1' 'Tests, ard Stace-p/ajej out cf his Common-wealth, as in- - r \diftwttcbmgimfcbt€fes% that foment ana flsrre tip 9i notions whkh ever j man fi:ould labour to the utn to avejd. Cornelius Tacitus ranges Theaters and Stirpes «Tn ' ' •' afluring us from his awne experience j x that ivxl^edneffes and infamy did t 'J[fte from them in an t manner \a* t pith did yet la mo*c plenty of vers, then P lares. >' Therefore dtvets of . the Senators and people exclaimed Agamfi Pompie, for build- . s about the Stage , wherein the people might fit the greater pari of the day beholding Stag:-flayety which d ftndijs cx- ternis jaiventus gymnaiiajS: otia,& :»rpes amores exen cco,Scc. Proceres Romaru fpecie orationum Sc carminu jfeena poliu:ntur,&c.Noc~tcs quoq; dedecori adjtctas, lie quid cempus pudorireliiiqiiatur,fed caetupromifcuo quod pcrdinfTimus quifque pCr diem con:upiverir>pcr tenebras audeac. ibidem. x Tunc enim per voluptatem faciU^s vi:ia furrepunt,&c. EpiJl-7- b In hoc marcs,in hoc fxminae tnpudianc. De- jn(je fub perfona cum diu tnta frons eft, traniitur adganeam j Philofophi* nulla cura eft. Natural $uus fcifti dare commoda folus. Hsec mihi'ii dederis commoda miles ero. Scili- cet ex illofolennia more Theatre, Nunc quoque formofis infidiofa mancnt« Te Arte Aaizndi fib i, • See Tnftiuar.lib.i.z^ ,4.. De Pontolibri. Aldus Pius Ovidij Vita. * Ludi quoque femina praebeat Nequitias > tollitota Theatra jube4 Pcc- candi caufam quam multis Hsepe dcderimtj Mavtiacum durum fternit arena folum > Tollatuc Circus ; non tuta hcentia Circi eft. Hie icdet ignoto iuncta pi;ella viro. Gum qua; dam (patiantur in haJC* ut amator eodem Conveniat : quare posticus ^illa patct ? Trifiim,lib*t* [fig- 1 5 U Bbb commonly 370 HiftrioSWaftix. Part.i. commonly met without controUy to conclude their adulterous »p.. ii bargatnesy and makeup their unchafte meretricious matches. fcenuTp^Li- S dmcft Preinant ratif cation of ourprefent jtfismption; and onis, qio^i etia a paflage worth eke noting, becaufe a mofi tafctviom Poet, ab adverfano (who was as fane from Puritaniime or over-ftrict fumttar, ut ve- Precifenetfe, as he was from Chriftianity) hath regtfbed ntas ctiam ab u tg pcfimtJ as an experimental! truth : The Poet Ho- Veritatis probe- rnce "et" C0UFie Whores and Stage-haunters together yas betng tm-. Tertul.De equally adulterous , and unchafte : Moreover hee ftiles TrWaic. lb. Stage-playes,1 bafe Playes^ k which men ought not to efieeme\ Tom i.p,i6i. l fat t0 acCQmt fo toyes m 4„£ tribes, which }et notwithftan- xj„Cr^UOn m dir.o brinf men into fortius evil lsy and n by their tUafantneffc tor Orkenis w.fsllihc mtndet of the Auditors to what-ever they pleafe. The ilh, QuTpatna Poet Iuvenal tells us in plaine termes. ° That 4 man in mimx dome, hid ume could not picks forth one chafte woman^which he mtght -cm nmi3iilfuk Mel] loV€ * hu wifc> 0Ht °fthe ™b*le cpuy-hoHit : That aU mrCmaaU cfi mmc* ( ^et ^uc^ wno nave beautifull gadding Play- uxorib? uncpa daunting Wives, and Daughters marke it,) wkofrtquext niienis.Verum Stage-playes, or love lafcivious mtxt dancing, are incontinent y eft cummimis, tinchafte, and infamous pfrfonsy who have for [aited their good 1j ■?m.ineij" nAMes^andbeare out their difioneft attions with thetr audaci- Fama malum olu c ****&** ? That they are fuch who burnein unchafte, in eravius>&c.Sm»o.fj.Srff;nr.x.f>.i£5. i An uia demens Vdibus in ludisdiftaricarmina malisUbid.Sniyr^G.p .195 > Quid cenfes munera ten ac?Ludicra quid,plaufus, & a- mici dona QuiricisJQao fpeftanda modo.&c. Efift.l.i. ep.6p.1464* Spiilis indigna Theatris Scriptapudetrecitare, & nugis adderepondus. Ibid. Epift.19* p.i74- m Has Btt«* fcria ducent in maia.Pf ^rtePeet.p. 3 it. R Non fatis eft pulchra effe Poema- t\ duicia funco,Et quocunq; volent,animu auditoris agunto. Ve Arte Poet'ica. p. 19%* 0 Cuneis anhabentfpechcula totis Quod fecurus amcs,quodqi indeexpetere pofTis? Chironomon LxdamnullifaltanteBatillo Turcia vciicae non imperat : Appura gantiit Sicut in amplexuifubitum Si. mifer-jbilca longu Attendit Thymele3Thymilc tunc ruftica difcir^SccHifpula tragsdo Gaudet5an expedat ut Quinrilianus ametnr? Accipis uxoremdc quacitharsedus EchionjAiu Glaphyms fiat pater, AmbrofiufqS choraules.Longa per anguftos figamus pulpita viros, Nupra Senatori comitata eft hyppia ludu. Ad Pharu^ Nilum, famofaq; msenia Lagi, Prodigia & mores urbes damnante Canopo,&c.Fama contepferatolim,Cujus apud molleis nimiaeft jadu- ra cathcdras.Fortem animaprseftant rebus quas turpiter audent.5^^ £4$ 44>4J« P O auantus tunc illis mentibus ardor Concubi:us?quae vox faltantc iibidine,quan- cus9lllic meriveteris per crura madenua torrens?Lcnonum anctllaspofita Laufella «^ona Provocar3 &tollitpcndenti$pr*macop»* IpfaMedullin* fridu enffantis filthy Part. i. Hiflrio-.'%10ix* : 37 r filthy l»fis, and commit adultery tn earnefi, (as t bey did in their aiqrat, Palnia foleTmejeaftsojTrtafmJfiet tn (port op.reprefemaUo?ionely : inter domino $nfo much that they would profiitute themfelves tofirvants, to buTxqvxUti hired Water-bearer sy and the very bafifi per/ons jor want of 0- ibiperiudum thers, rather then notfattsfic their beafi'ly raging tufts : Such fimulabitur, were the Play- haunting females in this Poets age; and omniafientAd I fcare that ours are but little better now, as I (hall ex- ^^j ?JjJj*s preily prove in the next enfuing Scene. frhfidus *vo You fee then, how all the fore-recked Fathers, Laomatanti'a- Counccls, moderne Chriftiaa Writers, and ancient Pa- des,&Ncftorte gan Authors give puncluall teftimony to my Minors temia poflit. truth, which no one Author to my knowledge, whe- ^or* inroad ther ancient or moderne, Chriftian or Pagan, did ever ens,tuncLrm- yet gainfay : therefore we may refolve upon it without m (implex, la any further fcruple ; and thereupon rejecl, renounce ail fys e&5 admitte Stage play //,as ihc defilements of mens eyes, mens eares, v\ro1S3^IvTltat e Habit* firgivum pag,i* 1 « ** Bbb a when 37*' , * fg^rio-Mafiix. Part.i. * Nam ubi p.- y hen hedhali ierioufly contemplate thofe ' /*/&*/«?«* ge- Aunftrcpitus yfo,^ fatfrt, Complement ty em&> acements : thofi mere tries- numerSTcon- #M) k*fjt* ,*t*ffix?i **d d*lh*ricts i thofi vornton [miles y thofi femic;ibividc- petnUrt nods^fs uuchafle fignes, thoje In fl-irr Hating moti- Iicen omnind& y *"**'f»tt ^provoking obtefts at are able «¥• ?. tm>t. ' *° rcviue the moft mortified carnail affections; */o ?4g» i $ 4. D. J^> *6* mojffiozen bennmmed Infts ; to overcome the moft Hiilriones li- chafte and continent heart; (all which concurre at b^dmes quas once in Srage-playes :J how can it. but ingender, not S5£S ^l)^*?™*.'** *» "^le Jin*, *n H,Uf faciut per ima- fi™J 1fifis "ithm hu fouls 5 an" carry him on to all undea- ginem qua: no neffe wen with a full carere^We all know by wofull ex- fimtjiitfiant fi- perience,thaf all men (but b specialty yengmen and women, nepudorcqux wh0 are the moft afliduons Piay-haun:ers) are excee- fafmmu^. ding prone by nature to unchafte adulterous de(ires,to rum. Txjlh. Epit. 'fltftty infts "bich rvarre Ageitnft their fouks : no finnes *fi Mf^.SeeAn h.ibuaculu, b$*mt Paul, k Saint Hierom, and fome others teftifie. ^^gf^ And ii :l theft men oft-umes fall into theje luft full paffims °f ddiap^cdlbl their owne accord, even then when as they have kept foiuscuiaama- watch and ward againft therm by avoydingall occaii- rimdmereple- ons which might provoke them to them: hm much tuseram: hor- mrre then muftour common AUors and ? lay -haunters, who ^J^rad^ adde fire, fpurres, and fewell to their enraged,unbride- mia &VquaiiX led lufts in Stage-playes, be much more conquered and cutis fou Ae- fubdued by them. ™ If he who \eepes the farthefl diflance thibpicaecarnis from lafctv'totu l*ft*envagtng Stage-playes, can hardly keepe wduxerai; : his affectum, his body within the bounds ofchaftity ; how then ^"^^ can they be chafte in ntindt, in body, who live and wallow in gemitus ; & fi them with delight* Alas, how can the weakeft ftand, quandorepug- whenthe ftrongefl fall ? How can the carelefle be fc- namefomnus cure, where the moft vieilant are furprifed? How ca» im™fns °P' ./• j 1 /r -*- a • in. prefliilet3nuaa mmortifed gracelejfe ■ Yongfters continue chafte, untatn- Jjimi0 vix 0^ hxremia collidebam:decibis vero &potutaceo3 cu etiam languentes Monachi aqua frigida utantur; 8: co&uui aliquid accipiiTe luxuria jfit.Iiie igitur ego^qui ob gehenn£ metum tali me carcere ipfe damnavera fcorpioru tanra focius & feraru3 fxpe chori$ intererapuellarum:pailebant ora jejunijs,& mens defiderijs seftuabat in frigido cor- pore}& ante hominem fua iam carne prxmortuufolalibidinu incendia iufUieb.ant. Si autemhoc fuftincnt illi qui exefo corpoie,foli« cogitationibus oppugnantur;quid patitur puellaquas delicijs rruitur?nempe lilud Apoftoli: yiytn's monua eft. hierom. Epift.xx.ci* f Gcn.19.30.to $8. g 2Sam.g,z.to 18. fl Rom 7.2, 5 314.,% f. 1 Cor. 9,. %7. 1 Com 2..7. k See e * Qaifponte corruit,quid facict & impuUus? typmn T>e Spf- {laenlis.lib. "* Si vix qui longe ab hujufmodi cantibus &fpe^bculis remota eft anima caftimonix honeftatemampleditur^quomodocontinentcr vivere poterit, qui in his vivit> Cbryfoft Boh. 3 8. in Mattb Tom,%.CoLt^9.A. ft Satis enim arduum erat, abfque ilhs fufib.noRibus i\H aetatem poff^ fcrre moderate tempeftatem affe&ionum: quura Bbb 2 tedy 574 Hiftrio-Maflix. Part.i. afttcm & haec tec^y unpolluted^ either in thought , tn fottle, in body, in the very acoerifh middefi of all the temptations, the defilements of luft-trritaung »*> in the very middcit or holy duties m aJoiefceris,3ni- their private Clofets ? Since therefore the very deareft ma ?hinc enim of Gods Saints, <\ vehiaboayet warreagainfl their lufts% are omri-a percunt * pfi -times faUd, vexed, or difiu/bed by them, even then tur°^urJ^n" when as there are no externall objects to tempt them: s^'m Gmef °ig\ mucn more then muft common Aclors and Play-haun- To.ixol i67.b. ters> r whojecld themfelves over as (l*Ves9 as v* falls to their °^zp^7 -6% 169 untamed carnall luJIs, be fiemed, conquered, and controi- p Tcrra enim led by them. And here 1 appeale unto the conferences carnis incite Qf Playcrs 0f i^ay- haunters for procfe. of this effe&« fucrit fubafta ^oe not your owne hearts experimentally mrorme you, culturisjcitd de tr2at there are many finfull fwarmes * and flames of fegni otio fpi- lufl, many lewde unchafte affections oft kindled in your nas tribulofq; brefts l by the very *#>«£, fight, and hearing ef lafctvious Vu&^n^f' Sta&e'Playes* Doenot r^e wanton geftures; the amo- bitfru&nm n5 rous kirTes, complements, and falutes; the meretricious honeis infc- fongs and fpeeches ; the lafcivious whorifh Actions ; rendum/ed ig- the beautiful! faces ; the ravifhing Muficke, the flexani- nibus eoncre- mandiim. Cuflodienda igitur nobis omnium gcrminum feminumque generofitai, quam ex fummi agrtcola; plantation? concepimus, & vigili folitudine providewdum, nc Deinumeraahquainvidentis inimici fhude violentur, & in Paradifo vircutum concrefcar fylva vitiorum. L{o Ve Icimio Penteceft- Sermd.+. cap. $ . fol. 1 6 1 . * Gal. J. l^,i77» mous Part. j. Hittrio-Maflix. 3 75 mous enticements,the witty obicenities.,trie rhetorical! pafTages,the adulterous reprefentations,with alt he other fomentations of unclcanefle in the Play-houfe, (twhsch are a* ft many fiery darts of Satan to wound ourfioules wtth e Haecfum'Di- lujr ; 06 fo many u Conduitf-pipes, or Chariots to ujher concu- aboij ignita Pm ptficence into our hearts ', x thorow the doores, the portals of our ^ 3,?uae t eyes and eares ; ) even raife a tempeft of unchafle affecfH- inflamroant * ons , yea kindle a very hell of lufts within your foules ? Heirom. Epijt. «. 'Donotxhcy.ftrottgljY tnfligate & inrfigc your carnvllmtndes ca.i6. adding much few til unto your lewde. defires t Doe not they ^l£pi ioguen- fraught * your eye:, your eares, your hearts with filthy $b- fomic****s iitts,fiothAtthq cannot ceafe fromfinnet Have they not vehiculu. rbeo- cauftd you to looke upon Whores aud Strumpets, upon pbyleft. Enarm, beautiful! comely women with a luftfuli eye, *and'™z$W*%.^z fo to commit, if not a&uall>yet contemplative adultery with ChryfoJtome>^m-' tb:m m ycur hearts , either more or lejfe ? If you deny all %°Z^lL this,yom pwac confidences, together with all the fore- mrjm j^dem. recited Fathers, Councels, Chriftian and Pagan Au- & Biihop Es- thers will prefently convince you of a lie. If you ac- tington, cafo'm, knowledge it,- as needs you muft; fince your owne ?crjm' hooper, confidences, with all the premifes b will force you to confejfe D°?X & €l!™9 . J ' n -i- i_' J • i_ t onthe7.C0m- tt ; you mult certamely loyne hands, loyne hearts, and mandemem, iudgements with me in cenfuring, in condemning accordingly. Stage-playes, becaufe they contaminate and defile both * Vkijs noftris their Ac fnU j76 Hiftrio-Mafiix. Part.i. a Rom. 8.13. fnllpfhly fojis which war againji thevr (utiles ; d which fhotdd Gal. 5. 14. ^tf mortified, and fubdtud ; c not fojlered, net fomented) as T A C T V S 6. SCENA Qv A RT A. He Fourth effeel or fruit of Stage- playes, is acluall adultery, whoredomc, and uncleanefle, which arc no wayes tolerable among Chiiitians: From whence this 1 o. Argument doth arife. tArgumtnt That which is an immediate occafion, furtherance, 30. or fomentation of much actuall adultery, fornica- tion, whoredome, and uncleanefle, mult needs be abominable, and utterly unlawfull unto Chrifti- ans, Butfuch are Stage-playes, as I {hall cleerely mani- fcih Therefore they muft needs be abominable>and utter- ly unlawful! unto Chrittians. f Adulterio My Minor mult bee yeelded, i hecanfe adultery, forni- ?^^chfm ^ion, whoredome, with *ll other 'dttuali nwleaneffe, (how e- ho^7.d/S- ver m^n may cnance t0 flight them as meere triviall,ve- ttntk. To. sXol. niall fins) are mofl damnable pmle-murthertug abominations. Sp. 743- £>• which God,which Chriftian men abhorre. The finful- g Levh. 19.194 ne(Te9the darnnableneffe, of thefe foulc crying finnes, Pudorcmrei fwhich, alas ; are now fo frequent in the world. % that the follit mmtitu- v. * T J J J ' dopeccantium3 & definit efle probri loco commune maledictu. Nunquid jam ullus adulterij pudor eft.poitquam eo ventum eft, ut ntvlla adulterum habeat, nifi ur adul- terum imtet^Tandiu iftud timebatur,quamdiu rarum erat.Nunc argumentii eft de- formitatispudicitia.Quam invenies cam miferam3tana fordidam,utilIi fatis fit unum idulterorum par ? niii fingulis divifit horas, & aon fufficit dies omnibus ? nifi ad a- lium geftata eft>apud alium manfit ? Infrunita & antiqua eft,quae ncfcu3matrimo- niumvocarij unius adultcrium. Honim deli&orum jam evanuit pudor> poftquam res latius evagataeft. Scncc^DeBcncfiqfS'lib.ii wp. i6, common- Part. i. Bifirio-Maflix. 5 77 commoxneffe of them hath madi tkem tol/erab/ey if not com- mendable and lawfull in the eyes of many y who are fo fane from being afhamed of, that they even boaf} and glory m thefe lafciviopu wickednejfes ; ) will eafily appeare Hty thefe par- ticulars : Firft, they are finnes againft the exprefie h Exod.20,14,. letter of the 7. Commandemetit. h Thoufhalt not commit Deut, 5.x3. adultery: as all ancient, and moderne Expofitors of this Mat. 5.x7,_*8. Commandement teftifie. Secondly, they are finnes, pfai^0.ii " * abundantly condemned thorowout the Old and New Tefta- Prov.tf^Ier. ment y at abominable and highly difpleafing unto God ; whole 7- 9. c4 2 3 . 1 4. wrath none can ttand under. Thirdly, they are the j?efc*l,x*' 3 s* verykvorkesandfroduttsoftheflefh; l iffuing alw ayes from , ^^g1^ a folktedheart devoyd of grace. Fourthly, m they are thofe Ephef. 5 %>*?■ execrable finnes, thofe abominable pollutions wherein the Idola- Gal.5 «i ?>**• irons Pagan Gentries Itved, vefofe lewdneffe Qmflians muft not 1 Cor .6.9,10. imitate* Fiftly, n they are thofe fhamt fully dejperate filthy ?ebr<1|-4* workes of darknefe which the mofi audacious mtfer earns are ^ Gal If 1 aft aide, yea utterly afhamed to commit in the day -time y in the iMat.15.19.' face and vtew of others, out of a filfeguiltinefe, an inward Mark.7.*i;i2, confeioufnefe of their vtlenefe ; P m the aft of which if any are 2 $ . deprehended, they are in the very terrors ofthejhadow of death ; ™ Ro5 ", x j.5-4' like men dtftratted they know not what to doe3 nor whether to ^^c/ij \S fliey the very foulemffe of the fall amazing themy and the leafl ^ai. 1 Thef. noyfe affrighting them. Sixtly,*! they are finnes which mofi 4,4, j; 1 Cor. abominably pollute the bodies avdfiules of men y making them *-x- edi&us both in the eyes of god, andmen* Seventhly, r they are " }°^ 2i' * *' finnes which bring abundance of frame, of difhonour upon the * /J T .Ephef perfonsyfamilies,andpo/ierities of thofe who are guilty cfthem% $>ii,i», 1 3. lob 20,26^17. • Pudet autem noa folum eorum/pa^di&afuntjpudendorum/cd etiam fignoru, ur non folu cum in re venerea verfantur/ed etiam cum adfunt figna e^us rei, & non fo- lum cum faciunt turpia,fcd etiam aim dicunu^riftofJ{betorltb.z.c.6.p.i27.V lob 24. I7.Iamiafranjatur,latretcanis,undiquemagnoPulfa domusftrcpitn refonet : vel pallida ledo DefiUatmulier : miferamfe confeia damet : Crunbus h£cmetuat,don depreWa,egomet mi. Difjin&a tunica fugiendum eft.,a<-pede nudo:Ne nummi pere- ant,aut pyga,aut deniq; faaaa. Deprendi miferum eft Horace Scrmonum lib. j . Satyr. 2. fi^7.Sce?.i64. <*Mat.iM9,20.IThef.4.4>5.Ram.i<24co30.Rev. 21 s,27, Gen.40.4. r Gen^^^Prov^.o.cap.^.ji^j.tSam.ia.io^i^a.Levit. 21.9. nofeax.a* 100x18.42, Gcc and Hiflrio^yl4aftix. Part. % aud even quttc deprive them of their glory : a wottnd} a dtfho- nour (hall they. gety avd their reproach (hall not be wiped away ; as the very wiieft of men informes us, Sixtly, they 4>1I are finnes ^ whtch wholy infatuate and fteale away mens * P10/.7.7.21. hearts ;fi l that they are as anOxe thtt goeth te the flaugh- • ter ; cr as afoele who is led to the correttiw. oftheflockes ; till a dartpir$ke thorow their tsver ; cr a* a Bird that haftnetb to thefnarey not knowing that it is for his Itfe. Yea thele fmncs doe fo befot men, that they can neither consider the danger of them ; nor yet ufe meanes for to efcape them. Prov.f.9,io3 Ninthly, "they conJumey they putrife, not onely the fouler t ii c,64i5,z6, the ft tr its y but the very bodies, and eflates of men y bringing lob ji.9^0, tfom ev;n Htmorfellofbread. Tenthly, they ingenerate *Proy.<.? 4, maiiy filthy * loath fomedifeafes, which oft-times fo pu- 1t.I0b31.12. trifie the bodies of levvde adulterous perfens, that they Prgva*..4- even ftinke above ground, becoming odious, yea intolic- rablecothemf elves and -others: which made S. Chry- * Adulter etia /^wtoaiRrme, ? that an adulterer even in this life y be- yelantcgcheii- f*?i he goes to Helly is the mojl miferabley the moft wretched mm eft omniu of all men. Eleventhly, thty arefuch fmnes, z as are not m,{u:\^^om' fomuch as once to benamtd (much lefTe then pracTifed) nia!aip.cans> amo„ chrtftuns, whom they doe not become • thole there- conricmfceas *ore are no true Chnitians who rake pleaiure in them. *d nullum li- ' Twefelyjthey are fach fmnes, as * exclude mtny both from bensrefpiciens the fociety of Gods Children herey who are not fo much as to «culis,fe* Saints j from which all Fornicators , Adulterers, Strum- cutos videns pets, and unchafie perfont are ipfo faclo by the very Law of ghdiosjimpen- Cod and c man i to be excommmtcated-, that fo they may be Rentes Mores, de/!Vere{i ^ t0 Satan for the deftrutfion of the fejhy till they 'mil hi p fat 7 ° ftdtgivefome outward aUuall tefltmonyqf their fincere ti- TomuCol6$$.B.% Eph^f.j.j.^ * 1 Cor.$,9,jo,i i,ij.fc f Cor.f.i.to the end. iCer. 2-1 *to 13.C.7 ,8.to 1 4.Per hoc quoa.5 exemplum ab Ecclefia naxime expellit cum qui tft fornicatus.C&r/foJZ.Hom.ij. in 1 Cor. 5. See ^mbrefe, Hicrom, 7hcodoretyPri?raptUi Jhem'igiusyTheoz>by(a8i&. H4)W0>Ibidem. c Concil.Ancyranum,Can«i ?.& xo.Capit. ^ra»carumSynodoruin,Can.7^.77.8x. Wormatenfe ConciL Can^.Nannctcnfe. Caj^i ^13,14. with fimdry other's. psnta*et P A k t . i . Hifirio-i Jttaftix. 3 79 pent ance fort he fg fins. Thirteenth!)', they are fucblins,<& make a man exceeding guilty in Cjeds fight. d <*s$ man may as * Prow 6.zj, well take fire in bis bojomeyaxd his cleat he s not be burnt ; or S-$>19* f 4? upen coles j and bis feet not be fcorchcd,as goe tnto his neigh- bours wif cloudy et be innocent : Whence Salomon informes US; c that a flr^n^e woman mcreafeth tranfgreffms amonos~l c Pro\\2j.i8, men, Fourteenthly, they are iinnes which oft- times (horrert and cut off the lives of men : ( and draw on mur- Adultery co~ ther after them ? For S as the Aduhrtffe will hunt for the m~$ & friifttis, preciom life of a man: h fo iealoufie u the rage *f a man; ^d^Chryfi^. therefore he will net fpare in the day tf vengeance: he mil net ^rjizlt'f* regard any ranfome^ neither wi# he refl content, though thou % pr0v.6.W. giveftmavy gifts. Thefe fumes were hhe caufe that the h Prov.cJ.33, Sonne* of Iacob flew the Sechemites and ff oiled their Gtyy for 3 4> 1 S* ravifhing and ufing therf Sifter Dinah as anWhore. Thefe j Genefis 34, k were the death of *>J thofe I fir alius who committed more- jWovveifc. domewith the Daughters ofWiozbyzom God himfelfecom- ^um^] mandedtebefaine. l Thefe occafioned the wane beiweeneihe iiuV,io.-c. Bcniamitesandths other Tribes of the Children of Jfraeft, btothe'end. and which there were threef core and five thonfand men and 0p*cap.2o. &3ij wards flame,-, yea, the wliole Tribe of Benjamin where the he- £0rovvr:r '•. viies Concubine wm ravijhedrfwbtch occafioned this warrej f^inT &fce« were almcfi utterly deflrcj*dy there being 600. men of them lerumamfex onely left alive by meanes cfrbeje men- flaying fins. Thefe fins obfedit ani- ^cauftdDdvidso defiroy Vriah : n Abfalom to murther mos> ctI),ls «*■ his Brother Ammon for ravifhing his Sifter Tamar. Thefe cfa* ft"Pris 1 ~ / > j -J f .r , rumant tot ur- have ° btene afwayes accompanied mth much murther ana j,ss bejja tot blGodflxdin all ages: thefe have cau fed the Husband, to genres oerunt, murther his Wife; the Wife,to poyfon her Husbsnd : &veriaabimo one Whore-mafter to murther his Corrivais to the re2na £ot P°" felfe* fame Strumpet; yea thefe have caufed unnatural s lrx" ' . , 1 / /> r/r » mum. Soma Aiethers to murther thstr owne ffurtom lfft*es> to conceals Hypto'ytM. ^§U their Uwdneffe ; as Authcrs^as our owne P Statutes^nd ex- z.fol.*? 8 , perience teach us: therefore they inuft needs be crying, m * Sam, n.» tozz^iChron. 2o.r4PfaI.fi. » i Sam.i^.thoroTvout. ° See TachmJnnaiuM.lib.ii 12,13. Jofotf Iife,his A&s of Englifii Votaries, with the Apologie for the fame4 thofowout. f xi, Iacobu cap. % 7. accordingly. Ccc t becaufe 3 80 Hiftrio-Maftix. Part, r . becaufe they are b[oody finnes. Fiftenthly, they are fuchfinnes which offer an high indignity to the whole * r Cor, 6. i z4 Trinity. Firft, to God the Father, 1 notoneh in taking to. Rom.6.13. thofe bodies that are his, which were made far bimfelfe aloneftot 19>Z0* fa fornication ; and giving them up at profejjed inflruments offinne, to Infly to Uwdneffe , to Satan, to all mcleaneffe : but likewifc in contaminating, obliterating, and caft- c t Hplicf^.i^ ing dirt, yea finne>upon his r moflboly Image ftamped on f i Cor4<>.i^ them. Secondly, to Iefus Chriil: car Lord, { in taking 1 >l7,iQ. thofe bodies which are bis members , purchafd with hu moft precious bloody hat tbej might be preferred pure and c ha fie 19 him ; and making them the membtrs of an Harlot. Thirdly, •i Cor. 6 i9„ to God the holy Ghoft; ■ in defiling thofe bodies, which cap". 3 . 1 and aflranqe woman is a narrow Pit- ambus fcqnii (out or which men can hardly recover themielves :) concredafti in * None that goe into her rttnwe agame, neither takf they caelum exten- held of the pat bes of Life: And who then would ingage dcrc ail<*ebis, ^ fou[e Up0n fucn irrecoverable irrepenitable fins as &c .cbryfpflom. thefe ? Seventeenthiy, 7 the fe finnes are the very huh-way De Libellorepu- r, ,. , , SJ J ,i • / „ , < r*. ' du.scrm.Tom 4 t0 &*"> t^>e *e*t€n r0*e t0 ^ternail death : % the end of them ta cot:i94rD. bitter as wormwood, Jharpe as a two edged fword* Where- ° Pr ov.21.14. fore Salomon exhorts his Sonne \ a to remove his wayfarre cap. 13,27. from a flrange woman, and not to come nigh the docre of her v ff.wiifii koufe\ (a place well worthy their obfervation, who frornicatiodir- J 9 \ * UTt ' 1, - fl ' . ficnlter elai rcare not i°r to rnn to ™ nore-houies,, or to call them- poteft. Onyfofa felves upon the temptations, the enticements of Strum- How. pmiTbef pets, as too many doe,) ° For her houfe mclmeth unto cap. 4. Tow. 4. fafjj an£ herpathes unto the dead: her feet eoe down* U CoU 1139 ° y Prov.7.17. * Prov.*^. * Prov. 5,758>9- b Prov.i.i8,i9.cap.5.5. cap.7.27. Fornicatio eft via ^uaeducic ad Diabolum. ChryfcflM,ftQrmbL4\.mMattb. Tom, death Part.!. Hiftr'to-SMaftix, 3 Si death, her fiepstakeho/d of bell: berbottfe is the way to hell, going downe to the chambers of death : None tbtt goe into her returns agairn, neither take they holdofthe path ofLtfe, Eigh- teenthly, they are finnes againft the very bodies and c ^ g foules of men. Againft the bodies of men; as theApo- $ce jtmbnfcl iile witnefleth. c Flee fornication ; «wr; /ftw *to a man ckryfiftomejiie-. doth is without the body, but he that conmittvth jormcatian rcm;rbeodorct9 finmetb again ft hss owns body : that is* * in defiling it ; in Pw*«/*5b Rbe~< dishonouring it ; in impayring it ; in deftroying it. rj^)f^4n' Againft the lodes of men-, as Salomon teftifieth : dWbo occumemmrhe- fo (faith he) emmitteth adultery with an woman lacketh m- ofiylaft, htduli* der /landing* he that dsethit, deftroyeih his ownefoule* And tfMnd other of who would be fo inhumanely,fb atheiftically defperate, *j*J fathers on as to deftroy both foule and body for ever, to enjoy the * £* ™Iloie momentany bitter- fweetnefle of thefe filthy finnes ? * Formcacio Nineteenthly ; they are finnes, * which diftbte men to per- tptmncorpas. forme any holy duty Acceptable to GoL Shines, ^mto which ^kzmimSc few fatty butfuch as are abhorred of the Lord, and given up to j:*ec*andi?ra a reprobate fence , to works aHwicJ^ednefe evenwithgre-dtwjfe. j^^u |^/ Sinncs* I which devoure to deftruptm, **d roote out alia mans l cor.Tom.4 increafi. Sinnes, h which caufe the earth to rife up againft Ctf/.^.g. See mn, and the fire not blowne to devoure them. St»nesy * which ^mbrof.Emr. in draw downe the temporally the eternal wrath of Cod upon the Plal* 37- Tom. children of difobedience, k Thefe were the finnes that deftroyed a p'/^1'!*** the old world with water: l which con famed the Citties of So- Adulter exiti- domand Gomorrah with fire fiom Heaven ; Which mcaufed um anitnae fuje three and twenty thoufand of the Ifralttes to fall in one day. concihat. Chryr Thefe were the finnes, "that caufe d God, in the yeerepff^m'^:De our Lord, 1 5 85. even in our Cttty of London-^ to deftroy with J^J Domin'um fire fern Heaven two Citttz,ens,theone leaving his Wife, the fedentem. To. other her owne Ha fband^whiles they were in the very aft of 1. C0L1294. •Pf.JO.I^jl3. f Prov.i1j4.Ron?4T.24to^o, g Iob$i.n3iz. h lob 24.l?,i7-& cap.20.26V i Ephef.5. 3,4,5,6. k Gen.6.1. to f 4. Math.z4.g8. .2 Pec42«5,lo, Libidines di- luvium induxerunt. Berofiu.Trag, lib.$. pag. if. Cbryfofiem. Homil n« in Genefes. * Gen.i9.j,8>i3,i4,Eze:h,i6.49^o. % Peca.^/j 8, 9.,io4Iude7.8< m 1 Co1'- 10. 8. Namb, s$.p. 5 Beyerlinke. Opus Chrono^raphicum Orbis Vniverfi. pag. no.D, Ccs 3. adultery jgi Hiftrio-Mafiix. Part.i. adultery on the L r^ac p n$t ****) ^ IerPes in **cte"* time* ; but riqu. IvLdxdrn. even meere Pagans from the very light of nature, did lib.? .op. 20. punifli with death it feife. Hence ^ Draco enafted ; thm Phi|o ludarns, the adulterer taken tn adultery, might without any dinger to fl^S^mT the pa*V> he U"f*lly ^lk(L * Thc W'-f""* L*» ™™- jn^lo^.Boe- *^ ^ s°l°n AH* Wato, Hence c Romulus, among thofg m us, De Mor 4 lawes which he wrote in brajfe and placed m the fopitolyenafred; Gentiam.Ub,! That the convitted adulter e^e Jhculd be put to death according cap^-Munftcr, asher hujbandj or his friends fhould thinly meete. which aft °§£ {*' w& afterwards, confirmed by the lulian Law. Hence, crf- PiW.i uio **ong the Lacedemonians jt was lawfuH for a man to ktRhim, ^Boemus. lib. who was taken in adultery with his wife. Hence lthe Corin^ 3-cap.i. thians u fed to drown e thofewho profiituted themfelves to the 'Alex. abA- luft of others. The* Veftal Virgins among the Romans being exan w 1 .4. C0KV^ed 0f fornication were buried alive. * I» ancient Timer gum.DiaIog.5. ^tmngthe Turkes, the adulterer and adult ereffe were bothflo- i Opmecrus ned to death : and >* at this day they are both mofl tgnomimonjiy Chronogr.pag. pun'tfhed* z The ^Arabians, and Tenedian/ puvtfh adultery 91. Bocmus. 1. jy^ death, refuting it afarre greater crime , then pertury, or lioncsGo&c-' f*cr'bdge; and therefore worthy of a feverer pumfhment. Tty levxi.inIib.io. a Ethiopians account adultery trcafon, and therefore they Livij Hiftor. make it capital!. b In Peru whoredome is pttnifted with the Iuftmiani.Co- death of both parties. c The Brafiltans profecute adultery with dex. l.^.Tico. t Zcnophon,De Inftit.Cyri.Iib.^. Plutarchi Solpn,& Laconica.In{lituta.Munftcr. Cojfmogr. 1,4. c.^z. * Heraclitus,De Polit. ° Plutarchi Slumn. Livy Hiftor.hb.2. fed.4i.Dionyf.Hallicarftaf.Amiqu.Rom.lib.i.c.8. Eutropius Romany. Hift. Iibj. 6 i.Dion Caflius.Hiftori. $ o4 * Boemus.lib.t.cap.n.MunftetCofmogr. I.4.C.79. 7 Lonicerus.Turc.Hiftor.Ub.2.oi7.1ib.^. c.8.Busbequius Epift j^Purchas Pilgr. lib.j.cap.io. * Boemus.lib.i.cap 11. Alexand ab Alexandro. lib-4-cap. i«Purchajs Pifgr.lib.^.cio. ♦CacliusRhodig.Antiq.Lcft.lib.i8 op.i f.Boemuslib.i.cap,©'. PurchasPiIgr. lib,7.cap.7. b Acofta. Indian Hift. lib. 6«cap,i8, « Lenus, De Navi&at.inBrafii. cap. 17, capita Part.!. Hittrio-Maftix, 383 capital hatred, info much that be whofe wife is taken in adul- tery may lawfull} kiB her, ifbepleafe, d The Indian Bra- ipurchasPils manes may lawfully poyfon their unchafle wives, c In old Sax- l,b. 5 .cap^. &ny, women who were cenvtUved of 'adultery , and ravifhers of c Opmetrus. m aides were firfi banged, and then burned* f In Stam adxl- Chronogr. lib. teryu death, the Fathers ef the MalefaciorSyor the next Kinf f'j^'?4^ ]a men being the Executioners, © In Palmaria adulterous Prtefts jjj, * cg % % are fumjhed With cruel! death, h In Htjpamela uncbafte s Peter Martyr, Tr lifts are either drowned, or burnt, * la Bantam. Mexico, Indian Hi fter, and Ch:m adultery ufUHtfbedwith death. k TU Tartars la- J£«d 4.c2p4, ken in adultery are put to prefent death, forfeare of which they -j n^n nJPr' itve very cbftfte. If then the very judiciall Law of x^Mo- j>eead.7 , k xo*. fes, together with thefe Heathens and Pagan Nations iPe^r Martyr, have deemed thefe ftnnes capitall : lpmifhwg adulterers Indian Hiftor. and adulter effes with death y as being the publike enemies of jy Ck* in*7 mank^nde: needs mud thefe (innes bee execrable, yea li^^niV^' dangerous unto Chriftians. Twentiethly, thefe finnerfrb.V.cip > , are prejudicial! both to the Church and Srate, in defile- k£otimus.iib a ing, polluting, diftionouring, and troubling them with fj¥l<*m an uncleane,degenerated, fpurious, if not accurfed of- r^1 m uxores - . 1 a 1 11 a. r , n n ahoriifn,mtcr- Jpnng, who are no ether but the very * c>lem*/hefiihsimtsi juin & amjC0, and infamy of Church, of Stare, of nature : which all ruminfaniunr, Lawes difinherk : * who were not t§ enter into the Con* & in damnum negation of the Lord.even to tbstr tenth generation, Laftly, pi,oximoru™ thefe finnes exclude men out of Heaven, l none that dte in i i ^Su Si evSas thegtttlt of them (ha!! sv^r uihertte the Kimdome of God or of adutterarc co- Chnfl: 1 hey caufe God to iudgc men in a more fpcciali naatVa conju- manner : m whore-mongers axd AMterers God will iudge s g^h-que vota They binde men over to the great Affiles at the I aft day: [."*" ^ret& ft The Lordtyowctbhotv to refervc the unmft unto the day of *£ 3 brum per e~ iudgement to be ptsnifhed 1 bni chiefly them, that wdke after [aborant infe, nafoilimorbo animae, c.ipitc pleT)e^cct*libwLcgbuiM.i,pAgso^, * Zeeh.9.6. * Deut,i$.2. liCor.6. 23io.G3l.<4i9,2i.Ephef.^$,4>r.R>ev.ii.*7. mHebr.!?,4. n iPet.Lp, jo. Formcationcs & adulterianon vertuniur*incinerem,fed conferibuntur in judicium tuturum. Cbryfojlcm, Uom.n, in Matlk. ?m ties,iefts, or fpeeches havefuch an attractive, iuch a and' fondly o- depraving power in them to draw men on toacluall thcrs, lewdnefle, * much more muft Stage-plajes, (wherein the cgpj^f . quinteflence, the confluence of all obfeenity is pithily c.jlj 4,V,ii*ia! contracted, emphatically exprtfTed, elegantly adorned, See ^mbrofe, rhetorically pronounced) be more prevalently power- cbryfoflomCjThe- full to draw men on to thefe groffe lecherous finnes. *doret,Himma Whence * Nilus an ancttnt tyibbsu advtftth all fitch who *h™ll™> P"- MeoU^nfelme,Otcumenm,Lk Sedulm, together with CdhJin,Mu\cfCui,MeUn£ltm,AretiHSy JtfarloratyMid all other moderne Commentators,Zta/«0 .accordingly & Act 3. Scene z & 3. ♦ See the places o( Ckryfofiowt quoted inthe enfuing pagesj accordingly, * Qm autem in multitudiue rerfatur.affiduis vulneribus afiicitur Miilierum enim afpe&us fagitta veneno illita,qu« ferit animum & venenum immittct &quo diutius manet,eo magis vulnuscomputrefcxt.Qui vitarecupit ejufmodi vulncra, is a publicis Speftacu- lis abftinebit, aeque in celebruatibus ver,fabitur» Satius eft enim, ut domi manea«3 Ddd would j 86 Hiftrio-Wlaflix. * Part.i. quam ivIn]i'tt.Ef;t,c.^ Vtina fola rifu, s< non etia imitati0nedi^naviderentar.^«5*^.D^Civ.D«./.i.c.9. i See \xxtjojSyM-. % Theatrii jroprie facrariu Veneris cft.Itaqs Pompems naagnus folo Thearro fninor^ cu ilium arce omniii turpitudinuextiuxuTeti veritus quadoqj memoriae fuse cenferiam anim- adverfionem, Veneris xdem Tuperpofuit^: ad dedicationemedi&opopulu vocans,no Theatru,fed veneris templununcupivit; cut fubijctemus,inquic,gradus fpcftaculoru, Itadamaatii &daronandu opus templi tituio prxtexuit, & difciplina fuperftinone delujit/ad Vcnert & Libero convenit.Itaq; Theatru Veneris domus eft. TcrtuL De Sfi&uj.io. & Delubru turpi & flagmofc Veneris Daemoni dedicatum,erat unquam fchola nequitis ljs quierantlibidinidediti, auiq; nimiahcentia corpus labefa&avo ran: fuum^crruperanrq;. Nam quidam motles & effaeminati viri, non viri revera, pndore prorfus exato inihrmulieru curprfllma concagione fe ip(i inficienres, D«- monem placabant.Scelerati praeterea & nefarij mulieru congreffus,elandeiiTin* fal- foruconnubiorucorruptelas,infanda & turpia r"aanorain eo delubro#utpote in ioco impuro & faedo, admifla erant. Necquifquamfuit,quiin hx; fcelera animadTer- teret, propterei quod ex viris gravibus & honeftis nemo illuc aaJebat acecdere, EHfeb'w, DeVit* Cmftantini lib.}. cip.fi. &* HttocetK c'io. feU. i6. StrebgXfroirAb*. M7 i°' Mbtnam P'ynof.l&iy c*p.$. Munftor. Q^m^f. (tf.4. u&f* fit Part. r. Hiftrio-Waftix. J 87 Jed without controB, *Th* 6. Ccmcelt ofCon(tanttnople3Can. i Corporis fen* ioc. the Synede of Augufi*,Amo i 548, cap.2%. together fus fuafrrile in With Clemens A lexanarinHs. Oratio Adhort. ad Centes.foL animam effun. 89. Gregory Njfet/,in his VitaMofeosE*arr*tie.p. 503. ****' Fk*ura* Theodoretfioutra Grdtcos JnfidelesJt^Dc Ange/is De£ [0f prxfuin-"" I>5f/, <^ Ddtmowbm malis. Tom.2* f*g*%6% . 3 tf ? . Mapheits gunt, & memc Vegimi T>e Liberorum Educatkmc. Itb. 1 . «p. 1 5 . with fun- corrumpunt,# dry modernc Divines in their Sxf options *n the 7. Own- j*d "«?*»*« vo< mundement ; condemne all amorous wanton ptft teres, of Cour- ^pt,nturn m?" „ . 1 , t_ . 1 \ vent mcendia, tefans, and others > (which now are too to common) as nu\\0 ^fa incendiaries to mens unruly luft J , which draw them on to alia- deinorps im- allkwdnejfe. Certainely, if thefe livclefTe pictures kare pnmijubercus, /* 4p/ to in generate unchafte affeftions, or to pricks men on to &c-co*cil. Com- whoredome and adultery : much more will thefe amorous {™lmP?'.Can* actions, complements,kifles3and embracements ; thefe Tom.i.pjc^. lively pictures, thefe reail reprcfentatiofts of adultery k See Suetd&ij and uncleanefie in our Stage-play«s,doe it. It is ltoried Tiberins.fta. of1 Tiber ititfa monfter of more then beaftly obfeenity,) 4*- that m he adorned his hcufes with lafciviom pifiuresythe better ' Suetonij Ti- to excite his fafts ; fa practice much in ufe with many oenus.fed.43. incontinent perfons now of late ; ) fo he * can fed others *Onullo'fce- to defile one another before his face $ ut adfpectu deficientes lus credibile in libidines excitaret ; that by this lewde beaftly fight he might asytyjuodcjjpo- ftirre up his owne decayed lufts, The Ukf 1 finde recorded fteri^s neget, of mT*merlan the great Scythian Worrier. It is regiftred S^2hy^eSf like wife of that man-monfter, n Heliogabalus ; that he mAianrTcmi- commanded Stage-flayers to commit thofe adulteries upon the rem hbidine Stage in truth, which they formerly perfonated but injhew ; reliquos mor- to quicken up his lufts to whoredome. If then the ve- raIcs long^ fu" ry beholding of lewde adulterous acts, were theonely adef e^eTin incentives thefe prodigious Whorc-mafters ufed to wnfytaTh\o enrage their wearied, fpenr, aHayed lufls ; and to enable mulkres con- ftuprarejube- b3t,(icprovocansnaturam, uc& ipfa defnde coire poffet Lam'ui Chrtcosmd}!* . TH KcbutTurcicis.lib.ifol'S+B' " Mimicis adultensea^uajfotent fimukto fieri, effici ad vtrum juflit. Ai\'ij Lampridij Htliogabaltujeg.ioi. Nefas quod non uila tellus bar- baracommivitunquam,nenvagtiscampt5(jeta,ncc inhofpitaiis Taurus aut fparfus Scythes. SemuHiffolyt^ AfaufoljO' Dddi them }88 Hifirio-Ma/iix. Part.i them to the aduall committing of thefe beaftly finnes ; we t anaot but from hence conclude ; that the perf ona- ting of inctfts, rapes, adulteries* whoredomes, and the like upon the Stage, fet out with all the art that either o Obleftantur bawdery,or lechery have as yet ztchiev cd, fhould* much fimulachris li- more inftigaie if not precipitate men to the felfe- fame wicked- bidmum, m m neffes, to which their owne depraved natures are too lPflScund0flta Pr0ne# Adores fiant" Thirdly,my Minors truth is fully evidently the qua- ad crhnina. ft. Utiesof the Penners, the Actors, the Spectators of thefe pkn&tSjc8* Stage-play es ; who have for the moft part, beene no- uUuMk torioully unchafte in all ages ; Such were the Play- v cec De Arte Poets> mc^ c^e A(flors> the Stage-haunters, in P Ovsdt, Amandi. lib, i. q dthetMif Tibtrius^ foment Alexandr$»t4sy Tertu\Ua*j% Dipnofoph. Cyprians yLaQavt$myBa(ilsy NazMnz^tm^ Hteroms, Auou- their Roman* Hu fore-quoted tcftimonies, with fundry others in the ftonac . Lb. 57.1 precedent Afts abundantly tcftifie. Such were they not Suctonij Tibe- long fince among us, as Matter r r^orthbroo{ey ( Cjoflom, "b'AlwlndJo4 ' E B' B*bmlion> u <~M*ft» Stubsyv;ith * others of our owne l.^.c.o.See Aft domeftique moderne Authors write ; and fuch are they 4. Scene 1. 2. ftiH. What cur common Play-poets and Actors chafti- accordindy. ty and demeanor is; what modeft * mortified perfons * See Art 4. thtyarc,isfowellknowne to all who are acquainted AalTs-cne* with their perfons or Piayes, that I need not defile'my thorowouAc- paper to proclaimed. What the moft of our afllduous cordingly. Play-haunters are ; how chafte their lives, their can ia- * Trcatife a- ges are> >' their owne confeiences can hefl informe themfelves; gamft yaine experience and z pitbhke fame beft tcfttfic unto others : ccrlude* "" Sure * am> t'lere *s **tc*e c^a^cy 0I modefly in their f Schoole of Abufes > and Piayes Confuted. * Expofitiononthe 7.ComiEande- raent, * Anatomy of Abufes..pag. 101. to 107. * See their places quoted in the precedent Scene. * Credis abquis eft ex me pi*s ? Senec* Tkcbati. Aft i.fol. $4. 1 Qualem quifq; confciemiam tulcrit, talem & judicem habebit, ifiodor.Hifr. Senten~ t*drMmJ&i.cap>}Q< * Famac rerum ftanduraeftjiibi certain derogat vctuftas ndena. LivyMjlBri4.M> 7-J*£ *f8- cloathes Part, i . Hiftrio-SMafiix. j 8$ clothes and geftures, * lejfe in their fetches, kali in their * Oratio vui- livcs, if publike fame or common experience prove but tus animi eft. true. Jt is too well knowne to divers Stage-cuftomers; ^ls hom4/i * that the moft notorious Panders, Bawdes, and Strum- iiSvita!smu pets, (the * bant of many a Tongfiers body , foule, Epift.u a. ii^'. eftate, credit:) the moft branded Adulterefles, ftdulte- * See the third rers, Whore-mafters, Brothel-houfe-haunters, and the BlaftofRctreic like, are the chiefeft Admirers, Patrons, Spectators, f™m St*|e- Supporters of; the moft beneficiall Cuftomers and ^j^s* J£liter Contributors to our Srage-pfayes. It is ftoried of Schoole of A- h Heltogabalut y that when he crefttda ftiiltke Stewes, befent bufesrand here to the Circjtiss and Theaters (the'eommon * Marts or Re- Aft 4. Scene », ccptacles in thofe day es for whores) to fiocke and furmfi ^^in^\ h. Certainely, if fuch a common Brothell or Nunnery comnmimi^ado! of adulterous lecherous pcrfbns were now to bee ere- ' lefeemulum- cled, (which God forbid: ) the beft Storehoufe to fur- Temtq Jddpbi. niiliit,were our Piay-houfcs, where fuch * lervde crea- A& * Scene i . /». 'tures harbour, and have moft refort, as lujhnun,Chryfo- ^. Vlt* fe ftomeyStatiwirPla*txj,&, Bulengerus witnefft. Since there- noriesydmqu£ fore Play- poets, Aclors, Stage-haunters, are c thus ftne- Icones* vitavit. rally adulterous and unchaftt ; yea commonly more excefive in Cictro ad'Htrtn* thefefwneuhen others: Since Adufterers, Whore-mafters, ****• *• 4- WHores^&cc. arethe greateft Patriots, applauderssfre- \^yx\%m ri„ quenters, upholders of thefe lafcivious Stage-pl ayes 5 dijHdiog aba- needs muft they pamper and promote their filthy finnes lus. p.xoz. See and Iufts; if not d ingender adultery, and iewdnefle in their Entropius,& hearts : fince fuch creatures live not, delight not, but Zon*Ja^ ja in elements, in pleafures like themfelves ; c nor yet (pread Vy^^^' Originu l,i8-.c44i.Sec i. fc & '. * See Aft 4.Scenc 1.1. accordingly. *~See Iiiitinia- nlNovelia 98. & Toy. & Codex. Thcodofi) Iib.i j.cap.7. Hue intrant facilcs emi puella? Stutim Syivarum.ii, & Butengrw DeTbeatro Lis s0'f>*96'%97' Tranfafta fa- bula,argentu ft-q«is dederit,ut eg© fufpicor, ultro ibit nuptu, non manebit aufpices, PtautM Cajfin* Prolog**, pag. 168. Scortumexoletumne quis inprofceniofede^r,&c. TlaHli PanuJusTrolog p. 5 01. Theatm congregant & meretricu choros iitic inducen- te$ & pueros pathicos,&e.dE»y/«^ Homn x.tn 1 Cnr.Tom<*.C*l.tf6. * Scilicet ex illo fo- lemnia more Theatra.Nuncquoqyforrnofis mfidiofa manent. Ovid, De Arte /.mundu Lip. 16 1.161, • Sed tu praecipue curvis venare theatri$;Haec loca fiit votis faciliora tuis, 1 Hie invenies quod ames quod Iudere poflis, Quodqj femel' tangas,quodq$ tenere v«> lis. Ovid.lbidm. *Ddl\ their 35>o Hiftrio-Maftix. Part.i. their nets, their baites, but in frch filthy troubled ftreames, 'Admultas where they are f alwayes fure for to catch their prey, which prsdawr uT" ^cy feWome mifle at Stage- playes ; where s «M*y *J*/- unam: Et Iovis ^*«» matches, many P*»derly whortfh Eroibel-boufe bar- inmuUasdcvo-gainesartconc'ucltdi the common rode from the Play - lat ales avss.Se houfc, being either with an aduitereffe to a Tavernej* or ^"2?5 ,|"po" witha Whore to a Bawdy. houfe; where many young Formoi^vMcn- Gallants, to Godsdiilioaour, and their Parents griefe; a.X:Qucmrra- dee even fpencl their Patrimonies, waft their bodies, hat e multis damne their foules, h being farrs more pretiom then the £o*{kan uaas world n f elf e. It « r?,« the ufe of ancient times among the fflj 1 1 itffl!- (**feJ **^ Romans,after tbeir Vlayes were ended, for whores neat ftudiofi toproftitute them (elves to the tufts of others, either on, or un- phccndi.Et ctt- ^r *£* Theaters where their Playes were atted; the fame place ram tota men- &j6»j £^/> <* Flay-bessfe, and a Stewei : k whsnee both the Bro- te decoris agar, thcl-houfe and ths word Fomicattmyderive their et'molooy and valcr fopcr ^i^^fiom the Play houfe^where chores l were harboured tibi pendeatha- a*% *ra**?d upat firfty till they were confined to theStewes* mus.Quo mi. How farrethis ufage yet continues I cannot positively nime credis determine ; yet this I have heard by good intelligence ; ^vlFovlf-D t^at our common trumpets and AdultereiTes after our *Arte ™mxndi Staoc-PIayes ended, ■ are ofi-um:s proftimed neere our /.$. p.zo]. Play-houfes^fnoz in them : that our Theaters if they are s See m Gojftm not Bawdy-houfes^ (as they may eafiiy be, fince many Playes Confu- players, n if reports be true, are common Panders,) yet they ted, Action 3. J and the 3. Blaft of Rctrait from Playes, accordingly. & Math>J6.i6, i Idem vcro Theatrura, idem & proftibutum,eo qued poft ludos exactcs incretriccs ibi proftcr- nantur. Ipcdor Hifp. Originum.l.iS.e.si.H.Rabanm Mauru^De ^mvyfoiio.c.^. \rin- ccntiui Speculum Doftr'walc.Li 1 e.g^.TcrtuWan Vc SpeGtac.c.io. Chyfofi. Hm.7> in Mat ah , Tom.z Colj 9.B-C-& Hom,S.tDeTanit.To»i^ .C0I.7 50 7 S * *Akx*nder Fttbritius Deftrucl. VitiorW pari 4«f . i $ . Anftlmus & Haymo,Enarjht Epbef. $ .-&. % Bulexgerus Dt Theatre! u.p$ f.1^6 .x^7.Coi(xTbeod95ijA.\ 5 .Ttf.f-7 . k Ifiodor.Hifp.Originu Lx8.c.4i.Bulengerus DeTheatro.l.i.c.5o.p.i96.297.PnmafiusinRom.c,io.f.^. RcmigiusExplanatio in Gal.j.i^.Haymo & Anfelme,in Ephef.c.f.v. 5 .accordingly, t IGodor. Hifp. Ong9 l.i8.c,4Z.Iuftiniani,Nove!la 98,8c iof,&lij Lampridij Hekogaba!us,p,20j,BnIen- gerus,DeTheatroj,c298, Codex Theodo{ij41,iy,Tit:^.7,m See the 3 , Bhft of Retrait from St'age-playes,& BB^Ba&agiwMExpofition on the7.C0m- mandement,accordmgly« n MJjoJf8it,\n his Schooleof Abiifcs,& Playes Confuted: and the 3,Blaft of Retrait fromPlayeSjWrite thus. See Aft«f, Scene 1, are Part.i. Hittrio-Mafiix. 52* are Cofin-germanes, at * ieaftmfe neighbours to them: *%ifmodiita- Witneffe the Cock-ft*> and Drury-lane: B lack friers Play- Sue P«ronos boufe, and Vuke-humfries ; the Red^bull, and Turnball- JJ^^V flreet : the fyobe, and B*nkcfide Brsthel-hotifes, with o- tueantur artem then, of this nature: Such is the ver'tue of ourPIayes,our meretrfdam, Play-houfes, not ° •«*{? ** inftrutt^and make, but likewifi to cui in n"c ufqj draw PandersyBawdes9Whorest and whore-mafters to them, f^^-f0" ftippiyingthem both with Pcuflomeand revenue, as la- anVrepublica" mentabie experience too evidently informes us. There- locus eft, & in fore we nee d not doubt my Minors truth. Cimatibus Fourthly, if there be any yet uncredulous of this ve- Publica Tiw** - rity, that memorable ad of * P. Sempronm Sephus.a wor- !f ' i!Tun5 v° | thy Reman; who gave bu wife a Bill of Divorce ^ for no othvr cogceffa ferit eaufeatatl, but that fhe frequented StaH-pUjes without his &c. sgriprasbe privity, the very fight of which might make her an adultercjfe Sanitate Sc'mt. andcaufe her to defile hts bed: which Divorce efhis the whole cQaP'6** Roman Senate did approve , (though it were the very fir ft that Dc\! ^? * hapned in the Roman State)) as being a meanes to ketfe women l0. i f, 0dor Wife ekaflea Together with the Conflitution of fufttman ^groun- Origin u. l.jg. . ded upon this precedent example : * That a man may c«4a«i*a«iprnfij lawfully pat away his wife if fhe re fort to Ctrejues, to Phj hou- H^Uof,b^us* fa, or Stage-playes without bis privity andcovfsntjbecaufe [he ltf^ De Va= cannot be temptrate or chafte at hemeywho defres to be incon- nirate Scienti- ttnentyunchafte and to take plea (me in cPlay-honfes abroad: 3rum«cap.6$. wil put this out of queftion. For if it be lawful for a man & 64- «to*r to put away his wire for referring unto Sta^e-plaves ,• l£tl' r . becaufe it is a ready way to make her an adulrerefTe, if turmaUpai- not a probable Argument that fhe is fuch a one already, perras 5 vitioqj flnce fhe dares reforttofuch lewdefufpitious places : potens rcsnat" (which! would thofe who have Play-haunting Wives ndul'rc.r- s*nc™ or Daughters would confider :) then Stage-ptayes are ^[^Zfoifj * Pab.SempromusSophus.tonju^em repud j nota aflftc it, nihil aliud tjuam quod fe ignorante ludos aufim fpe&are. Ergo dum fie olim fajminis occurrkur, mens carum adelifts -bcrat. Valtrim MafmmMk6.cap.i.fM.ii4p4g,%37. A'esaader *b Atexandro. Gen DkYHmlib. % tepj.CtUm ^tei'g. ^ntiqn Led. t&&4 ; ca m 6. * Vir dimittere ux- erero poceft £ prserer roluntatem fwim Circen&s & Theatricas voluptates captat, ubj fcenic* rotuptmes funr, *at ubi ferx cu hominibus pugnant,J»/?j»w^J^W(^4,2i. ^- 9{flve^ 1 17. Xulen-erm Os TbCAlrotft.i.cap.'So.pig.zyf. doubtkife j52, Hiflrio-Maftix. Part. doubtleffe an apparant caufe of a&ual adultery ,and fuch like filthy (innes. But if any man oce yet unfatisfied with thefe evidences, let him reflect on all the feverall Fathers, Counccls, Authors in the former Scene, and withall caft his eyes upon fome pftgnat witnefies which I fhall here produce ; and thui he cannot but (ubferi be * Thcatra Hint UIlto jt ev£n with fu|[ COn(cnt. To pafle by S. Cyprians £*diora quo tcftjm0nv,who infbrmes us; * that many Vrams by fie- cundiailiic quentmg play -hoHfes, dtd blajt the flower of tberr vtrgtmty^ omaisexuitur, mak$ flitpwracke of their ckaftityt and Regenerate into common iarnul cum arm- Strumpets* being Widdowes before they were Wives % and Mo- ftuveftisho- thers before they had Hufblnds; whofe mtferable fail the irtonMmta church^dmHchlamfnn An experimental! evidence of denotaiidaac ' tms moftknowne truth. My firft witneiTe to teftific coatrcftanda thefe adulterous lewde c&c&s ofStage-playes, is Saint virginitasreve- cbryfeftome, who is exceeding copious in this Theame: htur. Sic ergo his words and elegant paflages againft Playes, (which qucmcr wrei- being difmembred into fra&ions will lofe much of their acsfuasplan- elegance, vigor, and perfwafive power,) I (hall here git.ficadinfa- faithfully tranferibe at large, as being very pertinent to mes caiuB & t:hi« particular Scene & purpofe.though moft pregnant deftandasfa- agamft Stage-playes inthegrofle, to which wee will « felR fore apply them likewife. In his < 3. Homily of David ginumcxtin- and Saul; the Title of which runs thus. * That tt is dan- guitur, honor gercus to goc to Stage playes, and that it makes men compleat continently *c adulterers jfrc. he writes thus of Stage-playes. / vmly he* pudor ponitur, y ^ ^^ who lgr( m ^fad^ ayJ departed to eloria omms ac . „ rt , /. • . 1 i r n H n t dianitaspwfa- theSpe^aclesoftrntsmty^arethudayfrefent. f could wifh I nauir:fic fe er- might apparently know who they arc, that fo I might* excom- pugnatui ini- municate them the Church) not that theyfhouid alwatts con* tnicus per artes fuasinfeiit, fie infidijs per occulta fallentibus Diabolas obrepit : fie dum ornari cultius,dum libentius evagari virgines volunt,virginescfle dci?nunt,furtivodedecore corrupta?>viduae antequam nupta?,non mariti fcdChnfti adulters . Cyprian J)t Habitu yirinmm.lA-p*g>*'4~' * Tom.i.Operum Parifijs.is88.Col.5io.5ii,jn. » Peri- culofum effe adirc fpe&acula>quodq; ea res adulteros perfects facit,& hinc focordia, bellumqne nafcatur,&c. * Play-haunters, and Stage-players were alwayes excom- municated, and kept from the Church,the Word, and Sacraments in the Primitive Chucchi Well were it for us if this ancient Difcipline were re rived now. tinui Part.i* Hiftrio-Maftix. 595 time without ,but that being chafiifed, they might returne a* gaine. For a* much as Fathers alfo oft-times turne their offen- ding children out of doores, and remove them from their table t not that they might be alwayes exiled thence ■, but that being meliorated by this chaftijement, they may returne agatne into ihetr Fathers houfe with due p-'ayfe. The fame truely doe Pa* ftors Itkewife whiles they federate the fcabbsd fbeepe from the whole, that being eafed of their wretched difeafe. they may a- gaine returne fafely tojthe whole 5 rather then the ficke fhould fiH the whole fiickfi with that their difeafe, For thsfe reafons we did define to knowthofe men : but albeit we are not able to difcrie them with our eyes, yet the Word, the Sonne of god will know them thorowlytand their confcienccs being checked, he will eafily perfwade them to return? willingly of their owne accord; teaching them that he one-up within the Churchy who brings a t • mtnde worthy this exercifeias on the contrary foe who Irving cor- tec/^d wic'L- ruptly is a partaker of this congregation, although hefland here ec? m!:n are m in perfon, is yet cafi out, f and is more truely excluded^ then truth excom- thofe who arefojhut out, that it is not lawfull for them to be miinicated [>er- partakersofthe*holy Table. For they .being expelled accor- foils^nd? no j- ' ^ j r j • 1 . £ , members,no dmg to Gods Lawes, and continuing without, are yet of good t,ranci1Cs of hope, if fo be they will amend their faults. They are caft out by tne Church, the (fhurchfkat they may returne againe withapure confidence* though they Hutthoje who defile tbemfelves, and being admomfhed not to live within the enter in before they fball have pureed away the (hot contra&ed z^ ' r* • by their finnes, are afterwards ajhamedto repent ,andfo make fowasjc Oiled the wound of their minde, both Jharper and greater. For it is not jns Cbryfeftomes fo hatnoiu a thing to offend, as after an offence to be afhamed of time : not the the remedy >, and not to ibey the CMinifiers who enioyne fuch k°ly Altar. things. But whatfo great wickedneffe is then here committed, \ Irrcvere"t *c" fay they, that menfhouldbe driven from thefe holy limits ? Tea s^crament/a ° what* offence canjf thou fade greater then this f when as they great a dange- huve manifefily defiled them) 'elves with adultery, impudent ly, ious finnc, after the mmner of mad Dog:y they rufh in to this holy Table, u Adultery oc* If fo be you de/ire to knew the kjnde of the* adultery, 1 wiRnot f^nQ* ^ nhear ferny owne words to you, but his who is to iudge efphyef. UgC~ the whole life of man ; that man faith he, * who foali * Mat-Y i^ .£e4 iooke 394 L.iftrio-CMajhx. Part.i- rQupd fi mu- hx>keupona womantohifl: after her, hath committed i^Mfjnccac adultery in his heart, ? If then a woman met cafually m forte in foro the flreet, being but careleflj attyred, hath oft-times taken him obmA' heglc. who hath more curioufij beheld her vpitb the ve>y afpett of her cu iX ' countenance : wtth what face can thofe. wl o not fimplr^ nor ca- cntem curiofi- '"A'lh ?Hl ^W« (l** »fthfo great affebtion and dtfire, that us cxplt ipfo they hkewtfe for fake the Churchy and rmne to the Flay-houje vulus afpeftu : for thu very end, and fit there an whole d*y together idle, ha- iftiqoinon vingtheir eyes fixed on the faces ofthoje noble women ,) fay, qii^fonu ^ fbat they have not looked upon them to luft after them i where ledftadio & efiemtnatc and lafcivious words are Itfawife added; when tanroftudio, ut there are whortfh fonts', where there are voycet vehemently ecciefiam quo- excituvto to pie aftire, where are painted ejes, where are colon- mnrTlnm" rgdchce&> wkercthe autre of the whole body, is full ofde- °racia d » r* ceil full dies and painting , be fides many other gar mfoed entice- Ulucj acco^um wits to deceive andtnefcatethe beholders: where ts the idlenefje ibi defidentcs of the Spectators, o-»r deflxos habent ot™r5 w"At thing* thry have feene m Stagc-playcs. To thefe oculos. qua are added the allurements of Flutes and *Pipes9 and fuchltk§ fronte poterint muficke inticmg to deceit, efftmtnating the fortitude of the Ulcere, quod minde, preparing the mindes of thofe that ft there wtth delight eas non vide- fa ^ traps Offjar/Ots 4HJ caufino them to be more eafilj en- rmt ad concu- > ,r^rt L z>r 1 / 1 • pifcendum? ubi l****** For tf here were there are Pfa'mes, where there ts verba quoquc preacbingof Gods Wordy where there ts the f ears of God, and accedunt fra&a much reverence , concupifcence doth oft-times creepe in privily lafci/aq;, ubi cancioaes meritricisiubi voces vehementer ad voluptatemexcitantesjubi ftibio pi&j oeuli,ubj colonbus tinft.e genaSjubi tonus corporis habicus fucprum impofturapie- nus eh^aliaqj infuperfnultalenocinn ad fallendos inefcandofqj homines intuentcs inftruda,&c./Mcw2, z Etenim fi hie ubi Pfalmi,ubi divinorum verborum enarra- tio, ubi DeimemsjHiultaquc reveren ia, frequenter feu latro quifpiam verfutus clam obrcpitconcupitcenua'i quomodo qui defidentin Theatroj^ui nihil fani neque au- burn: neque-videnr,qui undique obiidionem patiuntur per aures, per oculos^ poflint ilhm fupsrareconcupilceiitiam ? Rutfum fi non poflunt, quouodo poterunt tin- quamab adultenj enmine abfolvi •> Turn qui non liberi Tunc ab adulteiij crimine, quomodo poterunt abfque pxnitentia ad hxz facra veftibula acce.dere^ hujufcjiie prx- dariconventus efle participes35cc. ibidem- like Part. i. Hifirio- that they would firfl clean fe themf elves by confeffion , repen- tanc'y and all other remedies, from the finne they have contro- lled from Stage-playes, and fo they may heare Cfods Word, Neither doe we here commit afmalijinne, as- any one may eafi- lydtfcerne by examples* * For if afervant fhould put his fer- * o that our vile apparent hat is fraught with filth and many Iicl, into a Players and cabinet where his JUfafiers rich, his o olden robes and garments Pfiy- haunters areiaydup: Ipraytetl me, wouldefl thou eafily bro\e fuch a wouldconfidcr- f \i t -r n u a J j j - this difcourfe contempt? But what if ove Jtiould cajt dung and dirt into 4 wnQn tnev golden vetfeH in which prettomoyntments have heene alwayes come, unto the ufmlly k?pt ; wouldeft thou not cudgle him who committed this Sacrament; % or notorious vtllany ? a *y4nd after aUtkisjhallwe be fo carefully * he Church, . CeUctioiu of our caskets, and veffsls, of mr clothes and un- r>T : at °\lr J -j nr*rri r t r -> 1 lay^s and guentfj and yet ejhmate our jouies more eaje then any of thefe ? -p\' haunters, Shillwe there where the Ifirit is an oyntment powred out, cafl and all who in the Devils pomps ? Shall we there lay up the fables of Sa- come i neve-. tan, orfongs that are full of whorifh filthtneffe * . * Goe too, tell ^/^f6 me with what minde can God indure this ? Doubtleffe there is wouldwrry not fo great a difference betweene oyntment and dirt, betweene this in° raven the M afters and the Servants clothes, as there u betweene the in their minds* grace of ^hs Spirit, and this perverfe action. 1)oeft thou not h Agedum,dic jearejoeflihou not tremble, whiles thou beholdefl this holy mihh "ft0 *~ J ' J f J ' nimo lita re- ret Dcus ? Atqut, non tantum eft difcrimen inter unguentum & casnum 5 inter veftes henles & lerviles, quantum eft inter fpintus gratiam, & iftam perver- fam actionem. Non metuis3 non expavefcis, dum oculis quibus iilic ledum, qui eft in crcheftr .fpeftas, ubideteftandae adulterij fabulae peraguntur, ijfdem hanc facram menfam intueris, ubi tremenda peraguntur myfteria ? dum ijfdem auribus audis, &fcoitum obfeame loquens, &Prophetam Apoftolumqtie ad arcana Scrip- ture intrbducentem? dum eodem corde & lethalia fumis?enena3 & hanc hoftiam facram, ac ttemendam3 &c4 Ibidem, Ete % Tabic j 96 Hi ft no- Maftix. P a ri . f T^/tf where dreadful myfteries are admtmftrcdj*uh the f el fit- fame eyes that thou diddeft Meld the bed on the Stage; where the dete ft able fables of adultery are atted? while t with the fame * Loe oere the eares thou hear eft an adulterer fteak**g obfeenely, and a Pro- adulterous cur- fhet and an Apoftle leading thee into the myfteries of the Serif. fed fruits bi ttire ? whiles with the fame heart thou recent ft deadly poyfon, hlT£S S"S<> *"d thii holl *»<*dre*tf"ltS*cr*mcr't * ^re K0t ™fi p/a?" c C>iuproptcr / he fttbverfion ofltfe, the corrupt ion , the deftruttion of mama- rogo vos am- get, the caufe ofwarres. of fightings, and brawles in houfeslFor nes.ut&ipfi when thou * ftoalt returne home from theft Stage-playes more privasinfpe- dtffolxte, effeminate and wanton, betr.% made an evicmy of all rnoradoaes?vt- ch'ft'"> lh'&ht °^ *& m0 *e ^ ^H to *"> Ut h» cetis StaliosUb ^vthatfhewt^ For bang infiimed with that concnpifcence his dedu&osre- which thou haft drunke in at Stage- plaje:9 aid being tahn ttahatii. Qui> with that new fight which hath befotted thee, thou de (fife ft thy Vriltnoncb f***r ™°^ "?*' *h° " conUnud Wtth "^nry diety and oMeftaS^fed ttpbraideft herwith innumerable repr aches ; not betfaufe than p'ernicies ,fed fin deft a *y thing blame- worthy tn her, bxt btcauft thou blufliefi psnijfed fup- to confeffe thy difeafeyb>caufe tfan art afhamed to difcovcr that plum m. Quid W3und% with which thou haft returned home maimed fr?m ptoce ilia Sta?c-plajes : 'Thou frame ft other excufesJeekine uniuft oc* remoorana vo- £ r/./,, r , i n ./ r it ■ i t lupus, du bine cafiMS *f dtfpleafure, loathing all thoje things that are to be perpecu9 nafci- done at homt, gaping after that wicked and uncleane concu* tur dolor, duqj pifcence fr&m which thou haft received an nbunde : an\ whites nocte panter ac tfon came ft in thine eares a ringing found of a voyce,and with ccnciaftimula- theft, the face, the motion, briefly all thofe images of whorifh tusjommbns l#ft,thou beholdeft nothing of that thou hfifi at home With J>!ea- moleftus es & fure* And what doe I [pea^eofa wife or family f when of af~ invrtus?£yLcate>terwards,thouwiltbelejfe wtRtngto vifit the very Church it 25* w¥*™? felfe, when a* thou wih heart a Sermon of chaftity. and ofmo- reputansquahs i V • / . r s rr ■> *r t i r t- % i fias ab Eccieiia "W wtthukffomneffe i Neither are thefe things whttb are rediens, rurfus now fpoktn to thee, for inflruVthnfiut for accufatton • and they <3u;dis a fpecu- will bring thte by little and little tode(paire-> yea at /aft thorn culis, atqjhos wilt fuddenly fever thy felfe fiom the difctflme admintftred for coSST: idfi the publike good of ali. <= Wherefore Itntreatyon aHy that you feceris nihil opus erit meo fermone : Satis eiiim fuerit, hunc diem cu illo corarnffc ad oftendendu & q^uam magna fit hijic uti^taSjSc quanta fit illinc noxa,&c.JMff». would. P A rt. i . Hiftrio-SMafiix . 3 97 would avoyd the wicked commemorations tn St age-play es yeur felvts^andlikewife draw back? others from them, who have bcene led unto them, * For what-ever is there done, is not de- * Nou, light or recreation, bat defiru^ton.but tormeKt^butpunifhrnent. W ha; good doth this temporary pleafure doe, whites ever la fling torment tjfues pom tt, and whiles being pricked mght and day wtrh concupifcenc#y thou art trouble fame and hate full unto all ? - Wherefore ronfe up thy f tie ^ and conftder what a or.e thou art made returning from the Church : againeywhat a one thou arty comm'tng fijm Stage-playes, and compare thefe dayes with thofe : Jfthou will doe thns, there will be no need ofmyjpeech. For it willbzfuffisient to have compared this day with tbaty to poerv what great profit comes fiem the one fide >y and how great hurt from the other. Thefe things I though gcod to jpeake t» your chanty at ihu Umey neither will lever ceafe tofpeake. For fo we fhall both admomfh thofe who ate obnoxious to this dtfeafe ; and we [hall confirme thofe who are now wh&le: for this oration' will be profitable to both ; to the one that they may defifi ; to the other y that they may not falJ into it. So in his * fir ft Homily upon the 50. Pfalme, he is very puncluall * Tom 1. CoL to ourpurpofe. David (writes he) at he was walking up- 8 21. CO. on the top of his Palace after dinner , J "aw a woman wajhing ^^itinqm9. berfelfe, and the woman was very faire and beaut if utt to looke ^aufeeft a/ .upon, * He faw her y I [ay % and he is wounded in his eye, and tehmreiccpit. receivethadari. Let curious per fons hear e this whocontem- Audiat cm-ioii, plate the beauty of others. Let thofe heare this, who arepof- num ferru > **ola the pre, ana yet art not burnecL i Whether u thx agree- Homo es,com- able to reafon ? Tut a candle intoftrawy and then dare thou to muni naturae deny that the fir aw wilt be burnt. That verily which fiubblo oTnoxm^ia - ***ev*n that is our nature. Let our Play-haunters then cernis,nec iue- con^er tn^s» an^ S^ve l^is godly Father an aniwer to ris ? An hoc theie his pithy interrogations. The like paflage wee iftudracioni fmde in * this 17. Homely upon the 5. of Mat hew .* upon c°n^ntane»m thefe WordSylfthy right eye offtnd thee plucky it outy&c Let m fLn"airnam thofe (writes ht) heare the(c words w6ofd °)te* hafi€K t0 the nepctumaude Theater, and doe there a/mofi daily defile themfeives with the negar e3 quod fiithiueffe of adultery. For if the Law command even him who fenum exura- U bound unto thee by familiarity y ij r' he fcandali*je theey to be tur. Quod por- cut off and caft away ; with what fatisfaftion now at la ft can Hoc* da™ they be defended y who by thert convey fatten and flay at Play >l tura noitra eft. konfesy doe daily get the acquaintance ofthofe lewde ones who Ibidem. - were not formerly kpewne to them^ al\o adminifler a thcufand * Tom.a.CoU occafions ofdefiruUwn to themfeives. Againe,in his Homily iftt A'Au/imt *Pon *h* 1 * 8- aIias th* **9- Pfil"**' v'rf- 1 5 1. 1 52. hee adVUeatrum* wr^tcs thus* Let none account hi* life vile y let none cleave reftinantjfeque f*fl t0 V****}' c We cannot ferve two i^Mafters; he ferves ibi pene quoti- two maftersy who goes to Church one dayy and to Stage-playes die adultenj another day. Such a one hath two coatee ; he is farre from that obfcaenitatc QoaXe pp^ci0 cannot be devtdedy far film the IVcddmg garment; 4 Tom i^Col0 ^capLIcyf^at fi * Wedding garment which hath no fpot. For he i o 1 o. 10 j 1. * who goes one day to the Qkmch% another da) to Fiayes9 mares ^ Math. ^24. 4 defiled "'ART. I. HiUrio-Mdflix. $99 * defiled oarmtnt. Every Servant ftandzng with a blemifh *t his Uldafttrs Table, is cafi o»t, and chafiifed vcuh firms: keepe your garment pare 04 you received it tn baptifme. Let no man defile tt wuh hu manners, let no man rend fo beaut if uti a vefiwent with thtvKckidxefis of his heart. You have received fptch a Garment in bapttfme as [the Angels had who attended . . the Lor din his Sepulchery whcfe ray went was as while at /new; Atd you have received fucha gift of grace ; keeps that you have received. He that c\t files thts garment, * let htm wtfhit *Q that our withteares\ let him fperate htmfelje from the wicked, let htm Aftors and confeffe his finnes to God, and having reformed his hfe, let him ^ffiS** not vstume as a Dog to- his vomit . i What fellowlriip hath ^^vice^ light with darkneffe, or what part hath he that belie- r l Cor.VI43 veth with an InfideJU You who tretke Sonnes of the Church 1 5 . ought not to be depraved tn the vanities of Stage-play es. The * Church will not indureyou fiinke, /he cannx be defiled voith * O that our your entrance-, fhe mournei andfighes to Qodbecauje fipefeeth^Amz^^1^ her Sonnes to befuch. % Tremble every day, left God wax ^^too angry, and fo you perifh from the right ways Achyyow- g p{\[, r(„:I2i ledge the very Jignes of his d'lplcafure, becaufe the Heaven is made Braffe, and the Earth Iron ; The Verf Elements pro- claime the wrath of God. h O yee Sonnes of Men how hPfal, 4.2, long will- you be flow of heart I why doe you love va- nity in S t age-play es^nd feek after leafing in Stagc-playtrs? Know ye that the Lord hath made admirable the Joule of all fuch who depart not out of the Church. The foule ts heard when jbe cryes unto Godjvhifes [he departs not from God, Be not ye luke-warme left ye be fpued out of the heart of God, He him- felfe hatbfpoken by his Prophet : » Becauf e thou art neither j RCy.:tj *, 1 s\ cold, nor hot,and I wouldt&ou wert either cold or hot; but becaufe thou art neither co'd nor hot, I will fpue thee out of my mouth. We performe our duty who fpeake true things of the truth. You if you havsemred into the Phy- fictins houfejthai you might cure your wounds , lament your wounds. The medicines being layd on, let the corruptions be purged out ; let health wcrea'e, that fo the Church feeing your amendment y majretoyce of her Sonnes ; becaufe where finne bath 4oo Eiftrio-Maftix. Partm. *Tom.i.Col. hath abounded^ grace bath fuper abounded. In his k Homily iiiz3.C. upon the i^o.Tf alme ; (an excellent diiTwafive from i\k company who keepe men from repentance, and harden iMulti capti them • chcir f ■ x he ba h thi pa{fage# 1 ^^ 4f, tionc, '• captivated of fcrmcation, and have kindled «fire of luff, whues ■voluptat^ ac- they have followed feafts, and Theaters, having much iniquity eenderunt, du in them: A pregnant evidence for our prefent purpofe. viv^&Ther 7"*" m^ Homihon ef*J 6l- Ifaw alio the Lord fit- tr^habectia651" tin% uPon a Throne high and lifted up,&c. hedefcants muku iniqm- tnus of Play-haunters, and the fruits of Stage- playes, t&zis Jbidem. which I would our Players,and Play-frequenters would « Tom. 1 . Col. confider. There are among thofe here prefent, whom I thinly izSi.B^C .DT& are not unhnowne to your charity, who contemning Cod. and 1 2 84, A. B accounting the oracles of the Spirit at vulgar and prophane, ut- ter confufed word, and carry themselves no better then mad men, peeping aftir, and turning about with their whole body, demeaning themfelves fo,as mifbefeemes a Spirit uall meeting. O miferable and unhappy wretch ! Thou oughtefi to fing the Angelicall glorification or Hymne with trembling and reve- rence, and to confeffe to the Creator with fear e, and by this to "Tuvero mi- crave pardon ofthyfinnes. n But thou (here comes the moruno & fal- fruit of Stage-playes in,J brtngeft in hither the manners of huemducis &c ^^Jers A*d Dancers ; whiles thus evidently throweft about thine hands, shtppefts. about with thy feet, and whirleffs about with thy whole body. And hew comes it to paffe that thou fearefl, that thon tremble ft not whiles thou dtreft doe thus, a- *<3 that men gainftfuehj racred oracles? * Doeft not thou thinly that the tlwicnthc" Lcr*bimM' is hiYe **v*fob. prefent, who meafureth every into the ortiS mot*0,*> 6"d takes an account of his con faience ? Dosft thou Church, or notthmke that , the Angels ft and round about his dread full come unco the Table, and compaffe it about with reverence f ° But thou Word or Sa- thtnkffi not ofthefe things, and why? pray marke it: " v^um' tu twaufe thofe things which thou haft hetrd andfeene at Stage- iftanoncosi- fl*J*s have clouded thy minde: and therefore thofe things tas,quonhmea which are done there, thou brtngeft in among the rites of the quae in Thea- • huwur/juseque fpeftantur mentemcuam oblcurarunt;&ideo quae illicgciun- tur in Ecciefi* ritus inducis>&c ibidtfK. Church- Pa rt. i . Hiflrio-Majlix. 40 1 Church; therefore thou doe ft ntier thy intompofed mindein inftgnifcant clamors. How then wilt thou aske fat don for thy Jinnesf how wilt thou receive the Lord into thy houfe> when as thou pray eft to himfo contemptuouftj ? Thou Jay eft, God have mercy upon me\ and yet thou declare ft fuch manners as are con- trary to mercy* Thou cryeft,fave me ; and yet expreffefl fetch a gefture, as is aftranger tofalvation. why doe ft thou ft retch eut thine hands to fray, which are alwayes toffed up on hgh, which ar' wheeled up and downe unfeemely, and make a confu- fed noyfe with their vehement clapping and hating ? z/lre not thefe things verily, partly the praiiifes of common Bawdcs and Strumpets ; partly the examples ofthrfe who cry out aloud, in Play^houfes ? How then do ft thsu dare to mix the (ports of Devils, with the Hymnes of Angels prayfng (fed f Tea why doft thou notfeare this fpeech which there thou uttereft, faying; P Serve the Lord with £eare, and rejoyce unto him with p ^Cahi trembling. Is this to fervewtthfeare, to be fo loud and cla- morous, that thou thyfelfe knoweft not what thou §ea\eft with the confufedbeliomnv of thy voyce? This verily favors of con- tempt, not of fear ? ; of arrogancyy not of modefty : this is ra- ther a part offuch who are playing then conf effing, &c* The Trophet faith, i Rtpyce in the Lord all the earth; make a * Pfal;£tf.'i. joy full noy fe unto God all y ee lands. Neither doe we pro- hibit the voyceofprayfe ; but the voyce ofabfurdtty, and con fu- fton,the vaine and rafh lifting up of the hands into the ayre, the tinckling of the feet, unfeemely and effeminate fi^gs^ which are the proper (ports of thofe whop idle m Tlay-houfes, r From r Tne fruits of thence thefe pernicious enfamplcs are brought in among us-, StaSc~Playcs- from thence are irreltgious and vulgar voyces, fr; and ex- hort them to refpeel their old age and religion, how great then is thetr coldnefje ? hw ridiculous thetr (peech ? They fvf, that thefe things are an example of the victory and crownct which 8 i his is the fhallbein the world to come, and c we rsape much profit from pretence : thence, what faye/t thou man f This is a rotten fptecb i iAj Haunters . i n i /* t now.But mark /*"' of deceit. From whence ca*ft thsu rcape any profit tmnce ? what arifwer From innumerable contentions? from the rafh o^thes of eviU this Father Speakers? Or from tit ^bufes, the revdings, the feoff es with gives t nan which the Spectators bsfpr.-ncle cne another* But from thefe there is no good re aped ; therefore thou altogether reapefl benefit from con fiffcdvoyces,tnfjgntficant clamors , as we li from him \ -o is cafl dovsne upon the arena, as from thofe who c^fl him dtwne, who offer vio'ence , nv,s are m ?dor fooltfh ar.d citfjemble before women. But here vsttly til the ^Prophets and teachers doe fhew the very Lord of \A gels upon an high and eltvated lhroneyanddtflrihuteto thote who <;re worthy, rewards and crow ;?s, but to the unworthy they affigne Hell : and even the Lord htmfelfe doth rattfe this. Be fides thou doeft verily con- temne thefe things, in which there is Itkewtfe terror of confei- ence^redargutionof thy deeds, feare of pumfhments and accu- f ations, and tneVi* able torments. But yet that thou maififinde a certatne excufe ofti f Stage ylayes on which thou earneflly ga^efl, thou fey */?, thor reapeft profit from them by whom thou fuffcrej? irreejovi Table lojf?. I tntreatey and befeech agawc and againe, that we txcufe not ourexcufes infinnes : for thefe are but pretences and deceites by which we procure damage to our «» Tom, z. Col. fehes. In his u 6. Homily upon CMathcw> he writes thus le-Sh^^h of laughter and Srage-playes. If thou therefore porter out fuch teares thou becommej} a follower of thy Lord : for he m T , * wept when he ray fed up Lazarus, and y when he looked bache *Iohnir. ??. r rT ri 1 L r L J *r fl r y Luke i o4 4i. Hton Hterufdem that was to be facked- He was itkewtfe * Luke 2 v 48! z troubled with the treafon and deftruH'm of Iudas. So vertly thou Pa rt . i . Hiflrio^ftiaflix. 40 3 thou mdtft ofu times finde him weeping , but nivsr laughing, no nor yet fo much as fiwhtly re-toycerg wi:h a fmile. Trudy no Eyangelift hath rxadcmerJion ofanyfach iking. That; a Paul * A5:s *°« 97- Itfewife wept tight and day for 3* y eeres together, both others nl * $'1 ' . reftifieofhiv>,dnab? likswif of himfelfe : but that he tver laughed^ neiti er doth he himfelfe jlpew any where nor any other for him \ Tea not one of aU the Saints h%th ever ftgnifed any fHchtkiigcit.fr of hi&Je!;e or of any other. We read of none , b but Soxzh a ely in the Scripture that laughed, ( yea fie is b ^en.iS.i?, prefect I y reproved by the voyce of God) andif the c Sonne of c^Gen'l^/to Noah : but for that laughter, of a Free-man he was made a 1?t /lave, Andthis I lyeahemttotake tway laughter altogether , but that I might quite extingufb all dijjoluteneffe of life. Our Chrift therefore ff takes many things to us concerning mourning, ^botbbyblcffwg thofe that monrne, and by pronouncing thofe d LukAzt \^ miferabie that laugh. For we doe not come into a Flay-houfe, that is, where laughter may be moved ; neither doe we there- fore oft-times meet together, that we fhculd recreate ourfelve'Sy with undecsnt cachinnatsons ; but rather thai we might mourne,and by it inherit a Kingdoms to come. For thou verily ifthouflandeft but m the pre fence of an earthly King, wilt not dare fo much as to fmile. But yet when thou baft the Lord of Angels himfelfe pre fent every where ^thou ftandeft not before him with trembling andgreateft reverence ; but even when he is angry thou laught ft, neither do ft thou con ftder, that by th'S thou do ft more offend him, then thou ddeft difpledfe him with ibyfme* Neither doth God fo much deteft fmners, as thofe who are fecure after their fwnes committed, * And yet there * And arc not Are fome fo utterly utfenfible^ and iron- like, that after aR theft all curPky- words they will fay : verily J would to God that I might never haunters fuch? chance to weepe, but Cjcd grant me, that I may rather alwzyes play and be merry. H1h*ty I pray, can be found more childifh - then fuch a minde ? For Cjod never taught or granted men to flay, but thj DevilL Bears therefore what Flajers have heretofore fuffered. c The people, faith he, fate downe e Excd.3 *A to eate and drinke, and rofe up to play* Such were there x Cor.10.7V heretofore in Sodom : fuch likewife were there at the* time of iff 2 the Hijirn Part. f£zech.z£ the flood: for the Lord f -Mb of them, l i -af they abonti- 1 d with pride, with f 1 lefle of bread, and with richer tKofelikewfctnthetmeofftoe, 8 When they faw*he Ark e bunding for io many yecres together, dd fl)un alt the dxdor oj compunction, and didonely civilly fervt their flat-< kMath.i4.38, terirg *> mirth, betngnothingcarefullof thi gs to come; and 39- there fore the fudden puntfhment of the Flood did drowne them ati and there was mads a common fiipwracke of the whole World Wherefore crave not thou that from God which thou receive ft from the DevtR. Font is Gods ufe to give an hum- bled tremblings broken, chafie, penitent, and wounded fettle* T'h "}■ verily are the gutfts of God, becaufe weUkewfe ft and moji in eefi offucb. For a great combate bangs over our heads: *Ephef.6.iX. attd've waft fight 'agaiiifl invifible powers, againft fpi- rituall wickedndfes ; and agatnfi fuch Itke Principalities, and cPt,wers ; and tt is well with usi if giving all dtlgfnce, and watching with all, we may be able to endure" their fierce ajjauhs* But if we laugh and flttyiftfterivg with all perpetual! tdkmfie, we [hall be mofteaftly overcome of our owne tdlen.ffe alfojevcn bef 'ret hs fight, wherefore tt u not our parts to laugh conti- xua'uy. toletour filves loofe tocachtnnations *nd derijioKs to effeminate our felves with delight, but rather of thofe wen and women Aftors who are beheld in Play-honfes, who are defiled tn Broihel-houfes-, of Parages and flatterers who are made for this wry purpofe. Thu is not, I fayy thspart pftbofe,who are called to an eternal! Kingdome,a*d are likewife regtfired » T he Dc vill *n that cetefital Kingdomeitbu is not the pat t ofthofc who carry the:: is the Aii- fpirttuall armor, whish verily is proper onely to the Soldiers of & Father tbe'Devill: * For he it is who hath dtgt fled iefts and plajes Th * -ind \ mt0 An m> %^at *J l^€ he mi$*1 ^'aw Soldiers ofChrift dares then any unt0 htmfelfe, and might weaken the nerves of their vertue. child of God'; wherefore he hath likewife ere bled 'Theaters in Ctttiesy and any one who hath prepared thefe incentives of laughter and filthy pie ifure .* cither hates or and by their p efl tie ncey he raj fab up the i % plague *pon the vilTrcfirftunto vbdeCttty. which tbmgs S. Paul commands tu tope, ex- them? hottwgy kthat wefliould put farre from as all foolifh * Epb< f..j,3. fpeaking 5c iurrility $ then which laughter is far more pcrni- ciom Part, x . h Ljlrio-SMaftix. cious, and farre worfe* For w7itn thofe Stage-flayers and ridi- culous perfonsy have uttered any blafphemous and filthy things the-" efpicially all the fimpler fort are mod excefjlve in thei laughter ; applauding tb*m moflin that, for which verily they ought to h**je cafh (loves at them, who kindle a furnace of drendfull 'fi-'e upon their owe heads by this kinds of plea/ure, 1 For thofe who applaud th utter ers of thafe things, perfwade ir_e: pjav- them for toa& them; and therefore for this they dtferve rather imraters pori- to nndtrgoe the puntfhment which is appointed for thefe things, der & remera- For if there were no fpeftater, nor maintatner of fuch things, t>erth;s* there wo*>ld certatnely be none who would care to a5i them. But when they fee you to forfakeycvr owie callings, yea the very * flacesofyour daily worke, and the gaine you nap. from thence, and all things elfe, for love of this vame sfeftacle, they are then carrie a to thefe thtngs with a more earnefi intention, and beftow morefiudy in th*m, ji nd this I fpeake* not to excttfe their fault, bat that you may learne , that yon efpecially are the fprtng and head of this iniquity, who fpend the whole day in fuch ridteuloiu , in fuch pernicious pleafures, proclai- ming abrode the honefl name of Wedlocks A^^the reverend bu[i- neffe in it. For he who perfe nates thefe things doth not finne fo much ad thou who commandefl them to be done, ^Neither dofi tk'ju oncly command and call for, but thiu dofi Itkewtfe fur- ther the things that arcatled, by tbymexu/tationf laughter, ap- plaufe; and by all manner- of meanes thou mamtainefi this \Dtaboltcali Shop. * f*tth what eyes then canfi thou now behold * Nota I thy wife, which thou hafl there jeine pro fir at ed to fo great in- ter j in the pcrfon of mother? Hotv canfi thou re frame from hiufbtngy as oft as thou remtmbrefi thy wife, when thonjhalt there fee the fame fix fo filthily made common? Neither matjf th:u reply unto me now, that whatfoever is there done is but a fiffton or fain d argument, but not the truth of things, m For this very fetmng (which comes home to our pur- m Htenim {{- pofe) hath made very many adulterers, an<\ overthroweth n™*3"0 ifta many houfes* And therefore itqrieves me mofi,that this foereat P!urinJ0S a«*iil- n ■ +i t j / * n i i i . i - r tctos fecit, & anevtll.ts not believed to be an evilly but that which ts farre muiC3S domos the worfi of all, both favour, and clamor, ar.d applaufe, and fubvertit^&c, Fff 3 laughter 405 Hiftrio-Maftix. ' Part.i. — i , ■ i .I, , laughter are expreffcd, whenfo beafrly adultery is committed to the puhhkehurt. What then faye ft thou ,ift his onely fcintngjtot « a '/ell therefore are thcfe worthy of a thoufaxd death /, \ aU lawes command mjn to fhun^ thofe thi ngs art fe act afraid to imitate. For if adultery it felfe be t . * Et noru' ll « dotibtkffe the imitation of it mufi be eviB. n A id I dee not yet 9uai}tos . report h?w many and great adulterers they may make who perfo- rm hu mi- v^e fah adulteries tn an hi^rimicallficlton^ndhow impudent modi t$r fptttators. For there is nothing more ■il pM*** the cbaflity of both Sexesyand maifi Itkewife incefluoujly niusitfooculo ^s^e X^me Gwne &eti t^3CH ^e't5Vefl ^at no difhonefl thing nihdque lata- befalls thee f For thou canfi not fay thu-1, that fhe is an harlot vius qui fpeda- that is tbits uncovered ; becaufeit is nature it 'felfe , and there re tnlia p,uien- ^ the fame fiody of an whore, and of a free woman. For if thou ter poteft, ne t^nj^a ^; ^^ ^ no 0yrceKity fc fw^ a fcfo for ^at fllCam ilbcn- yj , n , r I r i . in l /» tcr,&c ibidem. caufewhen as thou jhalt fee the fame thing tn the flreet, doeft thou fiepbache againe from ihy intended walke, and moft fe- verely rebuke that immoMpy? unleffe perchance thou believefl, the fame thing not to be alike filthy when we are fevered, and when we fit all together* But this is meerely derifion and(bame, and words altogether of extreme folly ; and it is better for one to befmeare his whole face with clay and dirt, then with a ffe- fiacleof fo great flthtneffe For dirt is not fo noxious to the eyes, as that unchnjh fpettacle^ and the fight of a naked Harlot, Jie*re therefore what na^ednejfe brought upon man* kjnde even from the beginning^ and even by this meanes feare •Gen, 3.6,7, that filthify fe. what then hath made men naked? ° dtfebe- dtence and the couvfellofthe Devtfl.fomuch hath this alwayes pleafed him from the beginning. 'But they verily when they R were naked, were yet ajhamed ; you repute the fame thing wor- Phil^yj^; thy fray fe7 according to that of the Apofile, P glorying tn ; fhame. P A R T. i. HiSlrio-Maftix. 407 flame. tox'tcatcd,a%dmight revoke you to pure hottvejfe ofmtnde; which vumque redc- venly, together with thj promtfed rewards of piety, we may all untem mulicris happen to enioy by the grace and mercy of our Lord Ufa fc*mcatisd&Q? Chrtft; to whom with the Fat h.r and the holy Ghofl be glory for ever and ever, Amen. In r his 7. Homely upon Cftta- /Tom, 2. Col. thew\ he proceeds thus againfl Playes, and Piay-haim* 59<6o.>6*» tcrs. But what doe I freaks of the fpace of the long tourney of the wife men to fee Chnft, when * as many women are now * And is it not orowne to fuch an height of effeminacy ofwinde. th*t thry can- ° Wlt \ manv s r V 's ■ . " , t-/i r 1 1 r now who mud not jo much at come avery Itttle dtftance fipm tbetr houfes to ^ coacncd to fee the Lord in a fpirituaS manger, unleffe they be carried up- the Church be on {JMules ? But oflfofe alfo who verily can wdure the paine W never fo of walking, fome preferre the tumult of mr Idly bnfneffe, other $ n€Cre tnem ? 7beatrica(lroptts,or Play-houfe meetings before holy Affim- blies. Vertly thefe Barbarians before they had feem (fhrtft^ overcame fo great a tourney for him \ thbU vertly, no not after thou haft feene him} do/i Ukgto imitate htm. f For even when c n , thou hafi feene him, thou fo rehncfmfbeft him, that after htm v\w-}x&a\vLi» thou runnefi to Play-houfes/wd daft rather defire both to heare would but con- and to fee a St age-player, then him : And that I may touch the iidcr this ! me fame things againe that /followed before, thou verily leaveft thinkes it ChriflpUcedm a Spirttuali Manger Jut thou hafiefl to fee * ^ their" hearts with (hame and griefe, and caufe them to renounce thefe Playes, to follow and embrace their blefled Saviour. Strumpet 408 Hiftrio-Maflix. Partm. Strtimfet lying on the Stage. But ef whatpunifhmentt now at la ft doe roe think? this worth} ? Anfwer 1 befeechyou; if any one fhonldpromife he would bring thee unto the King, and would ?e htm glittering on every fide, and fitting amtdeft the ftvtr4.ll ornament, of his pompe and ft ate ; do ft thoA think? thou fbouldefi p refer a StJgeplay, before this eonrtly dignity, though thou expetteelft no benefit to accrue unto thee by it ? Verily out of this Table th'refloxes afsurJatne offftrifuati good things, and this thou pre fently leaving, runnc ft to the Theater, that thou maift fee afwimmn*g woman, and thou behold? ft that fe' *t> the publike View : J fay, that thou maift fee thtsy thou leavifi Cbnft fitting by the fonntame of heavenly gifa* * Ioh.4. 6? &c. For eve* now he fits not onely upon l that one Samaritan Well, but jpcc.-chto the whole (fttty. But perchance even now he jpeakes onely to the Samaritan woman : for even now no man fian&s by him ; fave onely that fome perchance are prefent enely with their be les, but others truely not fo much a* with their bodies, 7$?t -Jtthftandwg he departs not, but ft ate s, and de- mand?*:: d*inke of H4, not water, but holine fie: For Chrtfi de- fir ibuteth holy things to holy men. For he doth not give tu wa- ter out of this Welljbut living Blood, which albeit it be received to tefiifie the Lords death, yet to u* if is made a caufe of life. But thou leave ft the fount aine ef his bUod, and this dreadful I cup, and r untie ft ha fitly to that dtabolicall well that thou maift It feemes by fa^id * a (xvimmtno whore* andfuffer afkipwracke of thy foule. this, that the r 1 . , "' at rt ■ i l L j Grecian A- ^or f^a water is a certame Vijt fea ef luxury, in which bodies ftors, did now are m* drowned, but foule s fuff.-r fhi^wracke. For fhe verily and then to re-, being naked fports her felfe mtbfwimmtng m the mtdtft 0* the frefh and exhi- wafers, but thou looking on her from an high fc« fold art ptun- lafdviouVS e g**i*to the depths of toft. ForthefenetsoftheLcvill, doe not dators brin£ lfi*uu?h catch thofe who defcend into that water, and there roll kinde of Cr - themfelves,M thofe who fit above* For thefe are drowned farrt fternc upon the more cruelly* then */><# Pharaoh heretofore who was overwhelm Stage wherein med with his Chariots # Horfemen.Nowifwere poffible by any naked Whores J • M did fwim, and bathe themfelves betwecne their Ads and Scenes ; which wicked3 impudent3 execrable praftice, this holy Father doth here (harpely 3nd excellently ■deciaime againft. » Exod.1* meanet Partm* Hiflrio-Maftix. 409 waxes for me to (hew unto yen the foules fwtnming upon thefe water: , truely they would appeare no otherwife, then tbofe Egyptian bodies that were tofjed in tbofe floods. But this ve- rity ts far more dangerom, that this [9 great deftruEkion they call plea fore, and this filthy fe a of perdition, the j ft tie the Burt* pus of delight ; when as vertly one may more eaftly and fafely pafff over the ty£gaan,andTyrrhentanfeaf then the horrible dangers of this fpeclacle* Tor fir ft of all the Devil! doth {oi- lieste the hearts of fnch all night long mih an overanxious expe&ation, afterwards bereprefents that which bath bsene fi gneddy beheld, where with he doth prefently bmde and lead them captive. Ts(eitber may eft thou thinke thy felfe free from fanes, tf thou doc ft not couple with an harlot , when as tbvu do ft commit all this with tbfwtll. For if thou art pojjeffed by this concupifcence, thw art vertly burned with a greater flame. * But if by beholding thefe things thou fuffreft nothing, not- * Let this be withiUndino, thou artoutlty, in being a fcandali unto others ; weil 0Ulei"K-<*. j / L \ \r r tJ r r .1 r »r ot cne belt ot and by thj encouragement of fuch pleafnres thou thy fefe p[ay_hiUutcrs« confoundeft both thine owneface.and with thy face thy foule*But that we may not feeme to deale onely by way of reproof e, we will now propound the meanes of reformation, what then is this meanes of amendment I I deliver you to your owne wives to be inftru&ed, when ctrtamely ycu ought rather according to the Apoftle, "tobeinftrudorsof your wiv-cs. But becaufe %l Cor» *x.j, byftnne the order is inverted, and the bodj is made thefupertor, caP'* 4 i * • • the bead the inferior, let it not grieve you to returne to hone ft things by this way. But if thou art afhamed oftbo tutorfhip of a woman ; avoydftnne, and thou matft quickly afctnd into the chair e of a Doftor, which is or&ained for- thee by Cod. But as long as thou fhalt finne, the Scripture doth fend . thee not onelj to an woman, but even to irrattonall and the bafeft creatures. Neither doth a creature endued with the honor of reafon blufh to become a Scboller of tfc Bee and the Aht: neither is this the fault of the Scrtpturejut ofthofe who have loft tbetr owne noblenejfe. Therefore we alfowtll have a care to doe thus. And now verily we afftgne thee to a wsman to be taught : but tf thoujhalt contemnc her admonitions, we will even fend thee t» Cgg the 4 1 o HiftrioSMaftix. P a rt.i- the tntorfhtp of unreafonahlt creature:. For we will /hew the*, how many birds andffhet% yea how many ktndet of hafts and creeping things outftrip thee in honefty and chtftety* But $f thou art afhamed to be compared to fnch creatures^ retnrne to the enfigne of thy owne noblenejfe , nnd remembrtng that vafi Sea of Helly and fiery River, avoyd this pefttferotu Ftjh-pond * Note this of the Play-houfe. * For this is it which doth drowne us Spe-- WCM» Rotors in that fiery Sca^ and which doth kiddle the. very bot- tome ofthatjire* For tfhe who without theft provocations feeth. a woman, is yet notwtthftandmg drawne fometimes to Its]} af- ter her, and commits adultery onely by luffing , he who not one* lyficthybtithkew'tfc earne ft ly beholds a naked and lafctviotu women with his whole minde, how is he mt a thoufand timet made the captive of tuft* • That great Flood under Noah did not foexttngntfh mtnkindcy as thefc.fwmmcrs doe altogether fuffocate all thetr fpettators even with much dtfgrace. Fop. tbatfipod although it brought in the death of bodies, yet it blot- ted out the Vices of fouler t But this water doth the contrary • it:Workes the deftruftien of faults t the bodies fttll continuing * Let th: Ro. in life : * To* verily if that any contention about honor artfethp mamfts ob- contend with all ambition, that you ought to have prehemtnenct uJL^k 1S' l of the while world • flattering; your (elves wtth this privdedee ; Wiio claime the ' .. . . ~. Vj r n *J- J f^,f.n. * * tolfcfamc fupc- J tnat this Citty did firft give the naraeor Chnftiins ta nority becaufe the faithfull: but when you fhoald contend *bou: honefty and ofPffcwchaire chaftity^are you hot a framed left you (lionld be overcome of ^dlch?U'l' the very tafeft villages? Tesjayeftthou. But what then dot whenat -Peter* V* command m to doe? To goe into defer* CMountaines^ w« firft, yea andto become *JMonkes? And what elfe dee I lament, but the firft Biihop that tbeuiht*keft an honeR and pure life belongs onely tctheml ofAntioch. Vcnly Chrift hath given common precepu unto all men. For tu&kL e'-i^ tvhere he faith, MCany manlookeupon.a woman to lufl i-Jim.U. c.4. a^ter ^er> ^ec kath already committed adultery with The Difciples her in his heart : it is not onely ff>_ak$* to a dMonkfy but were firft cal- Itkewifc to an Hufband, For that Mountatne in which Chrift led Chnftians taught tbefe things was then filled almoft only wtthfuch. Con ft- ?jjj^**j &r therefore that Theater , and avoydiheir T>iaboltcall Affemr bites, and dot not as it were blame mj more troMefome fyecch* Part. i. Hifltio-Waftix. % 411 for /prohibit not marriages ymr honeft pkafure ; but J would have it to be done with hone fly t not with obfcenity or ftnne. I d^e not therefore bid the gee into Mountaines and Deferts, but to be bountiful y and Ukewtfe hone ft and mo deft, even whs let thou live fi in the mideft of the Qty. The Apoftk tells tay * The time is fliort, it rcmaines therefore that thoie * , Cor. /.* gtveth the fame fewer to the woman. c Let the man, faith hey « x Cor. 7. j , give unto the wife due benevolence. How then u thy wife honored by thee who is vexed wtth fucb an undeferved iniury, when as thou doeft ioyne thy body which u in her power 3 to hartbts f For thy body is thy wives, what honor I fay doft thou oive unto her, when cLithcHbrinee ft in tumults and con- * tit tent ions into thine ewne houfe, wh^n as thou utter ft fitch things tn the market pUce, that whiles thou relate ft them at heme, thou dtfgraceft thy wife that hearts, and make ft thy daughter that is pre font to b!tfb, and be fides ethers thy owne felfe f For \ ^ it were much better tek^epefilence,then to utter fuch obfeexe **-ctout ™y' thtKgstwhtcbiftbyjervants(hould but fpeakeof9d were tuft for £jcr 0f thlj thee to cudgle them* * t/l*fwer *frayt what fintsfablton can ft Quafre« ggg 2 thou t i 412, HiJMo-MaJtix. Pa rt. i tbiu give, who beboldeft thefe things with great delight which are not law full to h; named f and preferrefl thofe things which are di/hone/i for to name be fere allhonefl and holy Arts? Left therefore I fhoald (eeme more troublefome, / will here end my fpeech : But if you per fever e tn thpfe things ,/wiS launch mth a (harper rafor\and ma\e a more deep incifionpeitber wil I 4 Tom. i. Col, ever reA mtt^ J breake in pieces that Diabriicall Theater, that *97'z9%,i99> l^e tA^mbly of the Chuch may be made cleane and pure : So $0°. [haH we be freed from the prefent turpitude \ and acquire life to come by the grace and mercy of our Lord lefus Chrifl ; to whom be glory anddomtnion with the Father and the holy Ghofl for ever and ever. Amen. In his a 38. Homily upon fJMathew % upon thefe words ; It fhall be eafierfor Sodom and Gomor- rah tn the day of Iudgement then for thee : bee falls into this excilent dilcotirfe againft Srage-playes and their concomitances. The Sodomites though they /tved mo/} wickedly, yet they finned before the Law and Grace: but wbrt pardon are we worthy ofy who commit fuch fwnes after fo dili- gent a care bath of the Law and Cjrace ? We flout our gates , and flop our eares to the poore ; what fay I to the poore, when as we doe the fame to the Apo file sthemf elves? Tea therefore to the poore jbtcaufe we doe it to the Ape flies. For -uhen as Paul is read pub like I j and thou dofl not regard: when as Iohn thunders and thou dofi not heart ; wilt thou heare a poore man who dofl net heare an Apoflle ? That our houfes therefore may be open to thepoore, and our eares to the Apofiles, all filthi- neffe is to be purged out of the eares of the minde. For as filth and dirt are wont to flop the eares of the body ; fo whortfo fongs% the fables of this world, the burthen of Debtors, the accounts of Creditors aud ufury, are wont to flop the eares of the mtnde more then any filth* Or rather , thsydos not oncly flop them% but alje make them impure and filthy, For fuch fyeecbes dn as it were cafl dirt into our eares. That which that Barbarian * iKin3.18.j7 did threaten Jay tug; c You fhall eate your owne dung; even that doe many now unto you, net tn word onebf,but in deed. jea verily even far war ft and filthier : (For whorifh fangs are much more abominable then dung.) */ind that which is wor . ~ to P A rt. i . Hiflrio-,yWaftix 4 1 } to be indwedjou doe not onely not grieve when as you heare fuch things , but you like-wife laugh And teioyce. And when at you ought to avojd and abominate thefe things ', you entertaine and upland them. Therefore if thefe things be not abominable, doe thou thy f elf e hki^ip de fiend upon the Stage, and imitate that thou pray fe ft yhav/ot utter fil- thy words v then truely wtllwe believe thee when as we fhall fee thee not to heare them.For how doft xhm reject vertue^whi art munfhedby hearing thefe things*, how can ft thou under *oe the difficult labours of chaft/ty, who abounded wtth laughter y and art infrared with a whsri/bfing: for if the fiuU%hich isfarre remote from thefe fings, doihfearce retaine th; hone ft y tfch*ftitj9 k*wf tnbtUvc chaftly wholtvethin them! Are Qgg 3 jo* 4 14 Hiftrh-Maftix. Pa rt.i . you ignorant that we are more prontto vices ? when therefore pre run unto theje things with h*ft and earneflneffejoowfhall we avoyd the furnace of eternal! fire ? Have you not heard Paul J Phil. 4. 4. faying ; f Rejoyce in the Lord He hath [aid , in the Lord, not w the DevtB. How therefore can ft thou he are Paul, when thou [halt perceive that then haft finned, when at then *M alwayes at it were made drunk? with tkefe ridiculous Spe~ ttttcles 7. For that thou camefl hither uowy I wonder not ; yea vertl] I wonder great ly. For thou camefl bit her at it were fimply andperfmciorilj : hut thou rufheft thither daily with all eameftneffe ofmsnde, with freed, with alacrity : which of- peares by thus ; becaufe that mo ft filthy ft nne, which by your fight and hearing hath beene mfufed tnto yourfoute, you tarty along with you from the Theaters to your houfes ; yea verify you take *t% and lay it up in your mtndes and thoughts : and thofe things which are net worthy deteflat'ton thou dtfdameft, but abominable things thou admire 'ft and loveft. For many retur- ning from the office of burying, have prejently gone into the tMarkethisO bath; but thofe whe come from 5 Play-houfes have neither Play haunters. moHrm^iWr powred out fount aines of teares. Tet truely a carcafe hath no uncleaneffe ; but ftnne doth fo defile men, that no fountains , no rivers J?ut onely teares and cohfeffion can wafh it away. But there if no man who difcernst how great the flewes offiune are. For becaufe we feare not things that are to be feared, therefore we feare thuje things which have n$ * They had in €MFg °ffear* *n &em. 'But what is this fo great nryft of thofe flayes 'Thzater men f what the fe DtabolicaH clamors ? what this Sa* Come few wo- tanica'A appareli \ One being ayong man hath his haire combed men Actors: backward, and effeminating nature in his countenance, appa- whichinhis un vaceAnbfuch like Jrivcs to deduce it to the fmilitude of on Maibtw [lz a tender Virgin. Another on the other fide bsmg an tld man, ft ile s Vtmin* having his haire and all modefly (haven off with a rafory ftdnd* Theatrics: The- tngbygtrtt is ready to ftcake and to aU all things* h Women acricall wo- rsen : In imitation of thefe fome tYench-wcme^or Monfters rather on Michael- mas Tcrme 1619. attempted to ad a French Play,nt the Play-houfein Black-friers: an impudent, Ihamefull, unwomanifli, graceleii'e , if not more then whorifn attempt. Pa rt. r. Hittrio-Mtftix. 4 1 5 alfo xeith a naked and uncovered bead fpeal^e ** the feopU with- out flame, and ufurpe tmpudency to themfelves with fo great premeditation, and snfufe ft) great lafcivhufneffe into the m'mdes of the Hearers and Speftaters, that all may feme even with one confent to extirpate aH modefiy out of their mindee, to difgrace the female natureyand to fatiate their lufis wttfo pernicious pleafure* For all things that are done there are abfo- luteljmoft obfcene, the words t the afparctt, the ton fur e, the pace, the fpcechcs, the fongs, the duties, the turnings and- glances of the eyes, the pipes, the flutes, and the very argument of the tpiayes, all things (J fry) fi.re full of filthy wantonneffe. Say therefore y when wtlt thou withdraw thy f elf e from fo great an uncle ane defire of fornication which the Devill hath infufed into thee, and repent. ' Tor we are not ignorant how many * Thofe there* whoredomes are there committed, how many marriages are fore that would there defiled with adulteries i how many men are there e , r n u 1 r j 1 / wives, their moji unnaturally abujed ; how many yong men are there daughters their firangely effeminated; all things there are full of the high- husbands,' heir efi iniquity, all full of prodigies, aft full of impudency. For children chaft, which things we ought not to fit laughing cxccjfwely, but ra- let them keepe ther to mourne and grieve even with teares. What therefore pi^u^fc1 *C will you, maift thou fay ;f hall we fhut up all the Play- bonfe dooret, and obeying thee, overtmne all things ? k What hatt k Loe here the thou faid,fhallwe overiurnc ? zAre not all things now over- lcwde,the per- turned t For whence dofi thou believe that the unchafhe attempt nici°lis eff^$ ters of marriages proceed f C6me ^eJ KOt pom the fe Tlay- s^ge-plWcs* houfesf Whence are thofe who invade the marriage beds of w others f Are they not from the Stage? fs it not from hence that many men beteme mo@ trouble fame to their wives, and that women are defptfedof their hufbands I Are net very mtt- uy adulterers fir 6m hence ? Therefore he feemes to me to over- turn aR things who runnesto Flay-heufetjwho brings in a mrJt' eruell tyranny ? Thou wilt fay, tso y to feperatt wwes from Ohjc&hn* their hzfbands, to ravifh children t to cverturne hcufes : all - thsfe arc the atts of Tyrants who have feifedupon thz Cattle, p^versmd and opprejfe the Citty by force ; but the things we doe are k dp* Phy- haunters* f roved by the. lawc^and thefe Stage-playes have never given biufalfely. occafon 4 1 G Hifitio-Mdjiixi Pabt. Anfwcr, occafton to adulteries* Teavertlys who ss not already made an adulterer I For if I could caII all by name / would quickly frew it thee* How many have harlots led away as captives frcm thence ? How many have they either wttkdrawne from their wives , or have not at all permuted them to come to thetr lawful! Aniwcr011' ied* Matt here fore, fay eft thou, fhdl we overturn all the rajhe be ft l.awes by which thefe things are eft ablijhed. n Tea verily y the 'fe my therefore^- Stage-ptayes being overturned,) ou /IaII overthrow , not tbf to iiipprcire a- lawesybut iniquity yandyou]hall quite extinguifh all the plagues d'-ikci^whore- andmifchiefes of the Ctity. For pom hence are [editions ray [edy ■ oinu, ^ultlon> £om ^tfsCC tumults doe arife. For thofc who are nourifhed with tumults, & all J. mi a l l t, s, the rnif^hiefes *hefe Playes, (who [ell thetr voyces for thetr bellies faket of the Comon who are moft ready to ffeak? ,to doe all things, and (bend alt wealth, is to their paines andiuduftry in this,) theje are no ft of all nont to uT*r j^~ **fl**& the people with rumor tt and to rayfe tumults in Citties. Staoe-clY »s For the idle youth educated in th fe evtlsy is more cruell then t he very fierce ft beaft. Are not many evtll doers made and confirmed by the[e Stege-playcs ? For that they may infttgate all the people to the[e things y that they may obtaint their danc- ing pleafures, that they may corrupt mod* ft women mixed Kith ftrumpetsy thej ccme to [uch a height of wickedneff;, thauhey doe rot [o much as abfteinc from the bones of deed men* wbatfhall I fay, that many fpend infinite fummes of mo/iyat theft Dtabclicall fociettest what ft ail I fay of lafci- nLc: our Play- vtcufncjfe? what of other evils > * (fonfider then" that thou Patrons and art he who doft overthrow the whole life of man% when as thou O^'eAion! l Playes are to be given over. Thou wilt fay ; fhall we then pull Aafrver . " downe all the Play.heufes ? Would to Cod they were now puU © O let all Ud downe, albeit , thtt as farre as it appertaines to us, they l&ig Cbritonmho fiKCe fa de folate. Notwithftanding I command yon to doe reiorc to bragc- ^^j of theje things ; fince the magnificence of the houfes may battel***1* ftand.andthe Playes and Dancing altogether ceafe; which feare Tutkes will be more prayfe to you then tfyoufhould quite overturne all and other Inn- Take at leafi an example to jour f elves from the Barbarians, ddswhowant, wko want the filthineffs of all theje Stacc-pUycs. e Wbatcx- who uttetL)' J v n reject all Scage-playes fliould rife up in judgement againft them at the laft. ' " cufi Part. i. Hiftrw-Maftix. 417 cufe then canyon bring feryeur f elves, if jot* who are new re- ciftredin Heaven, you who aye the companions and cohetres of jingels and ^ rch- Angels > p?ov!d be found ferre worfe tfon the Barbarians tn this thing} efpecially when at thou mat!} elfe where procure to thy felfe many better comfort. For when thou wilt refresh thy minde , thou matft goe into (^ or den sy behold running River sy contemplate great Lakes, locke upon pleafant Places, hearefinging Gt -^hoppers ', be converfant in the Tern- pies of (JWartyrs ; from whence thou floalt receive be ft health for thy body, and excellent profit may accrue unto thy fouley from whence thou maift reape fingular pleafure, becaufe no loffeyno grte\e,no forrow followcs *y thou haft a wife, thou do ft n&t want children, thou aboundeft in fiends, all which art wont fometimes to afford hone ft delight andprofit. For wkai is more fwtet then children} What pure pleaf&t then a chaffs wife to a moderate and chafte Hufband ? Verily the Barbari- ans them felves, when as they had heard of thefe Stage-pUjes, and the unfea [onablt delight of fables, are reported to have ut~ tered words mofl worthy ail the inflruttions ofphilofopbte. For they faid> that the Romanes, as if they had wanted wives and children, had devifedfuch pie a fur es as thefe to themf elves. In which wordsthey did fhew, that nothing could be more fweet,mcre pUafaxt to him who would live honeftly, then a mo deft wife and children ? But thou wilt fay y lean fhew that thefe Playes heve Ob;eft:on. done no hurt to many. Yes verily they doe very great hurt in that Anfwcr. thoufptndeft thy time tdlely and to no purpofe, and in that thou off. reft afcandallunto others . P For although thou by a certaixe p Lct c% £*$ fortitude of a fubltme mtnde haft contraUed no evill from ^J8^^", thence, yet becaufe thou haft made others who are weaker ft u- t\^r^z\uQy * diom of Stage playes by thy example^ how haft thou net con- receive no hurt t ratted evill to thy felfe, who haft given occafton to others »/"atail rrom committing evtll} For thofewho are there corrupted, as well Stage, playes* men as women, will all transfsrre the crimes and caufe of their rcmcmiiCr lill< corruption upon thy head. For like as if there had not beene ffeftators, there had not beene any to have atted ; fo becaufe both are the caufe of the ftnnes that are committed, they fhall bothfujfer the fire* Wherefore all be it by the modefty of thy Hhk minds 4 1 s Hiftrio-SMaflix. Part, f minde thou haft effetted,that no hurt fhonld come unto thee *Noca. thence, * which Idee not tbtnkecan be : jet becaufe others, have committed many ftnnes by reafon of P layer, thou (halt undergoe grievous pun foments for this ; albeit thou hadfi been* much more mode ft and temper 'Ate ,tf by no mesne s thou hadft gone thither. Let us not therefore contend unprofitably7 nor devife vaine excufes, when m one excufe mayfuffice us, to flit far from this Babilontjh Stewes,tokeep (ar off from this Egyp- tian Harlot , and if need be , to efcape naked out of her hands: fo /hall we receive great pleajure, when as we are not at all pricked with the flings of conference* So fhall we both Itvefo* bet ly in this life , and obtain e future good things ; by the grace l and mercy of our Lord Iefus Chr'tft. In his 74. Homily on. UWathew, hee hath this notable paffage to our purpofe. * Tom,i. Col. * tetany come mto the Church to behold more curtoufly the 514. *xf» beauty of women , andthefatreneffe of yong men: * doft thou * O that the n$t therefore wonder that Thunderbolts are net fent forth on rimc^who are 'wr> ^ *** that al1 tkinV aye not HtUrly [Averted t For deepely°uihy thefe things are moft worthy, not onely of Thunderbolts, but of this hnne', alfo of the punishment of Hell. But Gedfince he is long, fuffring. would bat con- and mercifully doth in the meane time ketpe in his anger th.it 6 der t hi& Fa- ye may /^ ^ t^ee t0 reytntancc. pyhat dojl thou O man, thott thcrswor s. ^^ diligently feekeft after the beauty of women tn the Churchy and doe ft thou not tremble abujing the Temple of God n V "' " h w**^ & £reat aH *nfytlty ' F°r *n the market place thou blufh- ,ibimpudicf{Ti- €ft*Jed *heufeareft left any onefhouldfee th:e following a wo- mo Theatro wdM : but in the Church of God, when as God himfelfe (peaces ^ iigentium la- ferveitwell) pom the moft unchafte Theater; that moft queuvnconti- contagious plague \ (fo ftiles he the Play-houf e) that peftife- nentium vo- rous ju,yfon jhat inevitable fnare of idle careles per fons, that ve- iXdbidem.Qol tttptuous perdition of incontinent people^ hath sought you thefe n V A* * shsngs. Such is the accurfed fruit of Stage-play es, not onely Part.i. Hiflrio-JMaftix. 41^ only to make the Play-houfe, but even the very Church of God akindeof Brothell, as he there more largely proves. * In his 69 Homily upon CMathew : I finde this <» Tom.i.Col. notable difcourfe. When you are infeare and troubles yon call 48 7.48 8,48 9, thofe exanimo happy, who live a finale life in Mount aines and Caves ; 04 I am not ignorant that thofe have fo (tiled thefe fometimer, who living in idlentjfe fpend both day and night m Theaters and Play -foufes. Fdr albeit thefe may feeme to a^ bound with a thoufandplcafurcs, albett rivers ofpleafure might be thought to be prejent with them, yet they lie for the moft part pierced thorow with many mofl bitter darts from thence. For tf any man/haS be taken with the Uve of any * Woman- * Nota. 3 dancer ', verily he (hall undergoe a torment harder then any Warfare y more trouble fome then any Pilgrimage, and he /hall pajfe thorow more mtferable dayes then any befieged fifty, &c. 'Where ww are thofe who fit daily in the Play-houfe addicied ' Vbi nu"c UthecDancesoftheDevtll%andto pemiciotu Songs f Verily boU^ords'sc / am altogether afhamed to fpcakg of them, but yet Imufi perditis cami- needs doc tt by reafon of jour infirmity. For even Paul bus dediti in himfelfe jaith, f As you have heretofore given up Jr*na quotidie your members to ferve uncleaneffe, even fo now nt ?v ^udct give up your members as fervants of righteouf- de^Uis^faoiret neffe unto holineffe. Wherefore we ■ will now alfo make veruntamea diligent fearch into the lives of1 Harlots and then I needed not to ufe any more words. And although we relate thefe things to earthly men, yet we will fomewhat endevor to pull them out of the filth and dregs* from theft Jongs of Harlots a very flame ofluft doth prefentlyfet the Auditors on fire, and as if the fight and face of a woman ware not (ufficient to inflame the minde, they have found outthe plaguj efthe voyce too. But bythefinging of our holy m:nt if any fuck dyfeafe doth vex the mtndc, it is prefently extingu'ifbed, tyind not oncly the voyce •■The ill fruits and face of a woman y but the * app zreli doth much moretrou- ofccftlyand bk the Spectators \ fo that if any mere rud: &r abuft foore ^TT r^*~] f mun beholds it y he may be too much grteved at it andoft* times in Play houfes f*? thus unto himficlfey Verily awhoreand a Whore-maftcr% Which I wou'd *ke children of Czokes andTaylorsy and oft-tmes of Servants, our flaunting live w fo greit pfeafures : but I a freer?* unhand borne of frte Oalhnrs ^ parentsywho Lv; by hcnefl- labour cannot trusty fo much as wjuidconfi- dreamtr.g be delighted thus ; andfo he. departs dtfejuteted. with grtefe. which thit'g h.'pens net from the fight of {Jbloxkss, y The good •yea the very contrary alwayes ufith to fail cut* y For if he true comes by faff behold the fonnes efrtch men.and the Nephew?* of famous vveanngrnenne ^tsceflers to weare thofe meane garment sy which thefe whs inrell V Tom4a;Ccl to Stage-play es or to Harlots beufesy are Fpirttually lame : how 6q *.£. tbenfhall thefe be Me to ftand in battle , and not to be csft downe with the crimes of incontinency ? In his 2. Honnly- again fl the leweSy he Writes thus. c If thou hafl afervanty cOpeiu.Toro if a wife \ thou maid kgepethew at h*me with great authority, i.Editione. Feriftboupermittejl them not tcgoe into the ?lay-ho-,fe^ how ^ron"°^ucsis much more are they to be driven from the ^vnaoootte of the r3ru^ *r< lewes f Here is greater Wttkedfejfe then-there, a' That which 4£5 , C. £>! is done there ^isfums ; thit which is done hre, impiety* 1 4£ra/marke fpeakenot thefs things to this end that yon fhotsld fvfer hem 1C *«& to goe into the P/ay-htufs; lor* even this is evill: but that driving them from Pldyes, you fhould even much mo^e -prohibit them from this, Goe teo9 tell me n?hat thm runntjl t^fie II hb 3, \ there f 4" Hiflrio-Maftix. Part.i. there? whether men p laying on the Trumpet? Bnt thorn oughtefi fitting at home Jo pour e out ftghes ana teares for them, in that they re bell again ft the command of God; and in that the j have the Devill dancing tn the mtddeft of them. In his • ibid.Tom.i. c jfomily of Saint Barlaam. Doe ye not ( quoth hee ) fee p.89g.8^4.Sce tyre wfa ^rceH^ fiom piay-hufes made more effeminate f Phoca.lbidcm ver*h ** tbecaufe, that they diligently attend to the thmgs p,8;8. A, B. 6c there done. For when as they (hall fix tn then mindes the *n~ l\om\n S.IuU- vertiom of the cjes> the wreathings of the hands, the turnings anum. Ibidem, of the feet, and the images of all thofefhapes which appeare in t^li tf* A r^e Atftortton of the cvrcumagttated body, they depart from purpofe! thence, h it not therefore an unworthy and [hamefull things that thefejhould take fo much care in procuring the deflruBton f Players and of their foules, and keeps a per pet nail memory of the things that Play-haunters are there atted; and that we whom the imitation of thefe then in Saint things t}?all make eqnall to Angels , fhonld not beftow an in- Cbryfojtgmes devor equall unto theirs, to pre ferve thofe thine s that arefpo- judgemcnt,are . \ . . » r J .. , ,J . £ *' more dili- *$n • A ^ocd item unto all inch Play- haunters, and gear and care- Chriftians, who can remember much of a Stage-play, full to deftroy but very little or nothing of a godly Sermon, which their foulcs, concernes their foules; of which there are now too ma- are nto°faveS n7* In his 1 5 * Uomil3 t0 thc t'°Ple °f A»tioch 5 ^ rhet°- them. rizeth thus. S How many Sermons have we be flowed, admo- sOperum.Pa- ntfhtng many flupid ones that they would utterly relinquifh and r ifijs. 1 5 8 8. abandon Theaters, and the laf civ tons things proceeding from Tonxf. Col. thence t and they did not abftitne, but alwayes even unto this iiK.Cin.i2i. dayrunnetothemlawfull ffeftaclesof Playcs and Dances, and fet up a Diabolicall affembly againfl the fulneffe of the Church of 'God, and their clamors brought from thence with much vehemency , did defiurbe the fingtng of this place. But behold now we being filent, and fpeaking nothing of this, they have of their owne accord flopped up the Play-houfe, and the Circus is made unaccejpble. %And before this many of ours did runne unto them : but now all have fled together from thence unto the Church, and pray fed our god. Seefl thou how much gaineis made out of fear ef For from whence the Devill hoped te have overthrown* our Cttty, (to wit, by the abufing Part. i. Hittrio-Maflix. 4iJ abufing and overturning o/Theodofius his Statue , the oo cafion of this and the enfhingh Homilies) /r*?» £&**?* *» SeeHom.io, hath be refloredand reformed tty&c. Let m therefore ac- ad Pop.Amio- knewledge the fnares, and depart farre from them. Let us take ch.!:e' to Ho - notice of the} reduces and not come neere them. * This wilt ^obferve well be an occajion to you of greateft fecurity, not to avoyd finnes this enfninp- •nelj% butiven thoje things alfo, which may feeme to be but difcourfe. indifferent, but yet may drive m untofinnes; as to laugh and to ufeie fling fpeeches, feeme thtrnely not to be an apparant finne, but yet it leads men into manifefl fin :for oft-times filthy words strife from laughter, and filthier aUions from filthy jpeeches. Oft-times from filthy jpeeches and laughter, rayltngs and re- froches arife ; from rayltng and reprochet, blowes and wounds ; and from firokes and wounds, murthers and manfiauohters. If therefore thou wilt confult well for thy felfe, thou wilt not enely avoyd dtfhone ft words and deeds , and firokes and wounds, and man/laughters, but even unfeafonable laughter it felfe, and fcurrileu* words , becau fe fuch things are wont to be the roote ofthefe that enfue, " Againe, to afcend up into Theaters, and \ \ ta Thcatr a to behold the combates of Horfes, and to play at Dice, feeme rurfum a&ea- nottomanytobean apparant finne, but yet they are wont to dere,&equo* hingm infinite evils of life. * For the abode in Flay-heufes [^"f^^ bath brought forth fornication, wantonnejje, and all inconti- a^r^'re non nency: (a fall evidence of my Minors truth : ) and the videtur mulus beholding of the fights of Qrque-yUyes, hath brought with it peccatum efle reproches^bhwjs, aff/onts3and perpetuail enmities : and the manireftii, led ftudy about Dice: hath produced blAemies, loffes^ancer^ revs- mfi.niJ.a, ^^ / • . s- • it r i is* maioL lolet in* bugs, and infinite other things mr ft then thefe. Let us not ferre.Etenim therefore onely avoyd finnes. but iven theft things that feeme to in Theatris 6e indifferent, but jet draw tu by little and itttk into thefe fins, immoratio for- For as he that goes by a precipice, alt hough he falls not, yet he nijationem pe« trembles, and oft-ttmes he tumbles downe being overturned by omrcm^ccn- the very trembling : fo he wh* avoyds not finnes a jar off* but tinentiampe- . pent: & cir- tcnfuimfpe&atio pugnas,convitia, flagella, comumeUas, iuges inimicitias,addaxit ^ & circa aleas ftudiam, blafphemiasj jafturas,iras, conmia, infinitaqae alia his graviorafepe product, &c Ibtim Colli* & * Loe here the fruits of Playes and Dicing. wdkss 42.4 Hiftrio-Maftix. Part.i; walkes by themflives wsthfeare & oft-times fa8s into them,For he who curioufy beholds th* beauties of ether s^alt hough he com- * Math. j , mits not adultery, yet he hath lufled^dascording td k Chips fentence , he is wade an adnltertr : ar.d oft-times from concupifcenceitfelfe, he u really carried -in: o the very finnet Let m therefore withdraw our felves (arrefrom fwnes. Wilt thou bemedeft* not onely fiun thou adultery y bat even a ; wanton locke. Wilt thou be far re from filthy words ? ihon muj} net onely avoyd difloonefi ff>eeches 9 but even dijfolutf laughter and allccncupifcence, &c. Much more then wan- ilbid. Tom.?. ton playesymd wicked Play-houfes. In his 1 17. Homily Coi.i5j.C,D. t9 tfc pyfe of jinti0Ci,^ hec thus difcourfeth. 'But doe lbi??i6 A B thofe things which the King hath done make theeforrowfull* An excellent Vertly neither are thofe things grievous, but thej have even palfrge a°ainfl brought much profit. For tell me what trouble fome thing is Homes iupre- done,that he hath P-spped the Tlay-houfe ? that he hath made macy : and o? t^g Qtrcm inacceffible ? that he hath excluded and overturned maty?C " ^ ^J0ff fomt*ine* ofwickedneffe. Would to God it might not be m O that out granted, that thefe foonld be ever opened againe, m Hence Magiftrates the workes ofwickedneffe have budded forth m the Qtty ; hence wdUj^tffi- Are thofe who carry a crime in their very manners, fc fling ild caufe *^e*r V9]€€S mt0 ^Mtcers, betraying their owne falvatton for them then to three farthings, and confounding all things, &c. But now our fuppreffc all Citty fe ernes to be like a beautifully afatre and modefi woman* Play-houfes, Feare makes her more me eke and honefl, and hath freed her as this good jf0m tfojg wtc^fd one5^ wfo0 hwc adventured to commit theft jOn^Ai1* " horrible wtchdneffes. Let us not therefore lament with wo* mannijbforrow, for I have heard many faying in the (^Mar- ketplace. Woe unto thee Antioch', what is done unto theet How art thou deprived of honor f ±/4nd when 1 bad heard it9 I derided the chtldifh minde of thofe who fpake fitch things. Tor we ought not to fay thefe things new • but when thoufhalt fee Dancers, Flayers^ Drinkers , BlafpemerSj Swearers, For- fw ear ers,Lyers, then ufe thefe words. Wee unto thee Citty,wkat is donennto thee. It apptares then by this excellent diC- courfe, that Play- houfes are the Seminaries of all vice aiidmifchiefe; and that thofe Citties are truely mife- rable Part. i. Eiflrio-Maflix. 4*5 rnble wherein they are but tolerated. To paffc by his n ip, Homily to the people of Antioch, where he commends nIbid.Tom.j, the condition of the Country husband-men, becaufethey C0I.145.D. had no ffettactes of iniquity, nc Hovfe-combatts, nor wherifi? I4?- il- women, &c, where h: withal! defcribes the f 'dines which Tum- bler* f flayers, and Dancers upon the Rope did, t and Pla/f# ths »««'*•« a 1*hM fkxanitnous neigh: ft *fter Women like an Herfe, and pamper eft thy* belly Father vvete Uke-a Beareyandfatteft thy fe/b as a %^m dthgtntly examine ft the corn- em effeminate poftion of every bain, and advtfeftwxth thofe th t (land by, ^c, and with the Barber himfclfe, whether he bath ordeted thofe hones well that are about thy forehead. i/i*d wh:n as those art for the mofl part an old many thou art not afhamea to wax madwithyouthfull vanities. Butwebehoidnot, not o*efy the deformitjf Part. i. Hifitio^yttaftix. 42,7 deformity of our foules;bttt we dee notfo much as any whit at all confide* that beafilyfbape%that Sylla, er Chymaera, according to the Poets Fables, wh*ch we haue put on .• By fill which it is evident, that they who refort to Playes or Play- houfes, have not 10 much as the leafl: Symptomes of any Chriftianity in them ; t4mt they are worfe then men, then beails, then Devils: and carerull onely to adorne their hairc, their bodies, but altogether care- lefTe to correct the groiTe deformities and pollutions of their foules. la his * Sermon, D* Eleemofyna & Hojpita- * Tom.* .Co:, litate ; hee acquaints us : That lafcivtou* and gawdjappa- 78 y . A. red, which all godly Chriftians jhould leave to Dancer ejfes, and lewde Singing-women ; together with filthy and unfeemely plea/are, are reputed comely in Theaters and, Stage-playes. A furBcient evidence of their lewdnefie. In his 1 42. He- * Tcm j. Col. mly on the ^AUs, and in his r 6t. Homily to the people of**} 6lz- Antiech, hee writes thus of Playes. But what f wtlt thon ' £™"*8' Coi" that we compare the Trtfon and the Tlaj-houfe together! * That verily it a place ofaffliBton, but this ofpleafure. €joc to therefore, let Hsfee what things dot happen unto both. There, is much Philofophy : For where there is fadnefe, there al jo- is Philofophy. He who before did gape after riches, who was greatly puffed up, and would fcarce fuffer an ordinary man to fpeake unto htm ; he is then made humble, feare and forrow being fallen upon his foule like a cert awe fire, and foftnmg its hardnefe ; then he is made f err owfuti, thenhefeekih a world- ly change, then he i* made firongto aH things. c But in the rPhy-hcufes Play-houfe aH things are contrary ; laughter, wantoKnefle, therefore in uncle one ffe,Diaboltcal\ pompe and pride, prodigality, expe nee $-0*$$**** of time, and unprofitable wafi;ngofdayes, the preparation and ^wwfe to tnduftton of abfurd and filthy lufi, the mediation or phtting of prif0ns3 and ' adultery, th, Svboolt of fornication and intemperance, the ex- Play-haunters hortation offiltbintffe, the occafton and matter of laughter , the morc mif^a- examples eflewdnejfe. But it is not fo in *prtfonywhere is hu- ^e^mcj"e Uil" , mlityofmmde exkortauo* and excitation to Philcfophy, the [™xl contempt of worldly things, ail things troden under foot and defttfed : Tea fear* fits by as a Schcolcwafter fitting him for In 2 alt •a^. 42, # Hijirio-Majtix. Part.i. all things that he ought to dee. But if thcu wilt we will a c aire inquire into thefe places after another manner, I would have thee meet with one man comming from a Play-houfc, and with * Nota. another goirg out of a Prtfon : * thou fhottldefl behold his joule loathfome, djhmpered, and trutly fettered: but this mans loo fed, prompt, and almofi winged. For he returnes from the Play-koufe bound with the eyes of the women that are there ^ car - ryt* g fond. * heavier then any iron-, to wit, the places ,wordst and hcibus that are there. But he who'gocth from the Prtfon betng frefd by a'ljvtl not now thtnke that he fuffers any grteuow thing, comparing his cafe wtth other mens ; he now gives thar.kes that be k not bound, he contcr/wes hum tn things, fee- tng many r ichmn in troubles, and great men there imprifoned for man? a*dgrtat things, yea he will fuffer any untuft things fo valiant u he. CM^r rover many examples of that place mil tend htm to thinke of the iptugemem to cume^ and he will drtzdibM placet feeing them there already. For as he who is there imprtfone*,* meeke to all; jo he aljo before the tudgement9 before the day to come will be more favourable to his wife, his child* en, ht'firv. .nts. But mm remme net fo from the Thea- ter ; for t he hufb znd will behold the wife more uxplcafantly,he will be more smell tc hts fervant^ he will be more fharpe to bis 'IfMaoifo-ats children. c Tiay-houfes caufe great evils 1* Cities, great 1 itef un and infamous Actors* Part. i. Hifirio-SMaflix.' 4l9 thottfeef^e then applauders of thy anions out of the fe I and wtlt thou, I pray tell me, be commended with Dancers, effeminate perfons, Stage players, and Whores ? And how can this be 6ut extreamemadneffe? For Y 1 would willingly demand of them; TThcfearethc // it an hainous and unfesmely thing to overturn* the lawes of truits cf StaS** nature, and to introduce unlawful! and wicked copulations ? P ' All will (ay tt it a grievous andunworihy att : Tea they fee me verily to punifh Ukevife this hainous offence* Why then do ft thou bring in thofe Cyn&ii,& excletepsrfons? Neither do ft thou only bring tlyem in, but thou Lkswife honor eft them with innumerable and unfpeakable gifts; And where 04 thoupuntfheft thofe who at- tempt fuoh things in another flacti jet here thou (ptndeft mony upon them, and maintained them at the pubUke charge^ at men defervtng well of the Common-wealth* B pit, f at ft thou y Objefhoru th?y are infamous Why then dofl thou traine them up .? why Aiiiwer. doft thru honour Kings by tnfamom per font I Why doft thitt kid fifties ? Tea why alfo doft thou be flow fo much upon them ? Fo> if they are tnfamom, infamous per fens ought to be baxifhed* For why haft thou made them infamous I whether as one that fray i^ft them, or as one who condemns fl them ? Verily at one who condemneft them. ^Moreover, thou make ft them tnfa* mopuasonewhocondimmfi zhem: but yet thou runneft tojee them, yea and admire 'ft Jam dt ft znd appfaudeft them, as thofe who are of hone $ fame, and good repute* In his z Oration ofz Tom, ?.,Cc!., she Kalends, feee. writes thus. There ts new a war proclai- 799- ^ Ev msd agatn ft its, not th; ^Amak\ncs invading us, or other 8o2-c- Barbadians m>>kii. . '. . — . — ........ .. , — — — ■ — - — -* giftrates who connive at Stage-playes woaid corifidtr it) yet it is altogether unworthy o} our religion , if yeu fttfferevtn others for to doe ihem, whether they beyourfer- vants> your friends, or your neighbours. Whom God doth hatet doe not thou commend i buthehatet every one who liveth in tnusftity though he abound in wealth. It ts UwfuP, for thee to reprove and cerreft them for the glory of God* But how is it had^al^d Uwfullt0 chide j^r qod} a // thou fait fre a drunkard, or gracc^odoc a *n*ef*> <* * fcrvant, or a friend, or any ot ljer that is thy neigh- caus nowjthen bour, either running into a Play -hot* fe, or betraying his owns tin ae,thcn fin- foule, or fwearing, for fwearmgy or lying, be angry wtth him, ncrs would not pnnifh him, reclame him, correci htm ; and tbo* haft done ok l^udaXT' thisf°r G°L In his b 6'0rath"- That ail vices arife from andfliamcuVc A0**** : ^ce wr^s c^us of Play- haunters. Before the laft as they are. day, cur (peech toyoetr chanty was purpojely and wholy of the b Tom. j. Col. DeviR. At which time, feme verily, when as we weredtf. 1 47 i.B. courfng ofthefe things out of this place, did then tdlely behold the pompe of the DeviU in Play-houfcs, and did then heare vehortfh fongs ; but you did give your mindes to the mo ft plea* fant (pirituatt Doftrine. tvhotke* bath made them thus t* erre ? who hath avocated them from the holy Sheepefold ? c Let Phy- « Verily the DevtHhath deceived them, but he hath not decei- hauaters then V€dyou. Thofe therefore who runnc to Piay-hcufes cpnudcrthis. are'dcccivedandlcd thither by the Devill, if this holy <* Tom.?. Col. Father may be credited. And in his d 8. Homily of Re- 7s°.7ii< pentance^ with which 1 will conclude: hec hath this memorable paflage againft Stage-playes and Play- houfes, which fliould make all Players and Play-haun- ters for to tremble ; which paflage likewife fully proves the Minor of my former Syllogilme. We may under goe the patnes of a faft, and yet not cbtaine the fruit of a faft, but how ? To wit, when weabfteine from meate, but nu ftomfinne; when we faft the whole day in want, and then * Stage- playcs fper.dwh*t we have faved inunchafle Play-hcufes. * Loe the depriucnicnof . Qr ^ the f.Hit 0f a faft, (much more then of the benefit ot r J r \ - j- J ■• « \ r all their faftino prayer, of hearing, reading, receiving the Sacrament, aiid prayers. ° and all other holy duties, which I befeech all Play- hannter* Part. i. Hittrio-Maftix. 43 1 haunters to confider) is wholy toft, when as we afcend the Play-houfc of iniquity. My fteech is not dire [led unto you, for I know that you are free from this accusation. But it is the cu- ff omc of thofe who are lodcn with grief e, when as thofe are not prefint who give the occafion of griej >, to rufhupon thofe who are prefect > For what game is it tegoeup to the Play-boufes efwickednejfe, to enter into the common fyop of luxury, and the publike Schoole ofincontinency ; or to fit tn the ehaire of pe- nitence} c For if any one (hall call the Play-houferthe ehaire eLoehercan of pe ft deuce, the Schoole of incontinence, the [hop of luxury y and ex.i& character jheScaffoldofaUuncleaneffe^efhould not offend: that «^£ & defcription Wicked place betng a Babileui[h Brot hell fuU of many difeafes : ? \ ^" when thou art drive* unto a/filay-houfe, thou entreftinto a dt~ you t^en [mt rettStewes. The D will thus furnifhing the Cttty wish infer- loath ft, whea naft flames, doth not now put under fialkes ofhempe befmeared 7°u read this with Brimflone, nor Marie ; nor Flax9 nor Pitchy as that Bar- otn • barian did ; hut things farre werfe then thefe ; leacherons fights, filthy words, anointed members, and fbngs fuU of all lewdnejfe. That Whore- hsufe then Jbar bar ous hands have bur- ned*, but this Whore-houfe cogitations morefoohfh then Barba- rians have kindled t this being worfe then that , face the fire u worfe y which doth not wafle the nature of the body, but the good flats and dtfpofttion of the mindt. And that which is worfe, neither thofe who are burned doe perceive it. For if they dtdfeeleit,they would not now fend forth fuch an effufe laughter in Play~boufes, i Therefore this is the very worft evill,whenas f This is ihc- one is we^knedy and yet knoweth not thu, that he is dtfeafed : prefenr condi* 4nd burning mifcrably and loathfomelj, doth not feele the bur- tl°" °f P|Piay" K&g. What profit, tell me, is there then of faftmg,when as.thou £" ^ers ^Q drive ft thy body from lawfull nutriment, but yet bringefl in are altogether. wicked nourifhmtnt to thy joule ? when as thoufpendeft the day fcaceleflS of fitting in the Theater beholding common nature deturpated, de- l^r difeale* formed,and Huchaftewvmen condemned to adultery, colkft -tng theu finQeT there the evils of every houfi ? Pvr liberty is there given both to fee fornications, and to heare b'afphemies, whereby both by the eyes, and by the ear e, a dtfeafe may proceed to the Very >; fault it Jelfei they imitate the calamities and msfchaxces of o+ 432, Hiftrio-Maftix. Part.i t hers from whence the contagwn of filth ineffe gets hto r*r [elves. 'Jell rm there '"ore, what profit the) eu of faffing y tfa foule beirg fed wn h {neb meatesf With what eyes wilt thni behold thy wtfefrom thefe Theaters f with what eyes wilt thou lock? upon thy fonne, thy fervant, thy friend* Verily it muft needs be that he thatfpeakefh there, or he that holds his peace, e It was there- fto/tlei he confounded wtthfhame at the fitthtneffe that is afied, fore the ufc of But thou departeft not Jo from hence : for it u S law full for Chriftians m thee with much confidence to S repeate all things at home, ?ro> S.CtoryfoJlomts ^fowalljpeeches, Apoftolicallpreapt^ Vwr.elawes\ to fur- time to 1 e n or r t& ever t(iy[e cfv,rttse a^ t0 m^ tfy wue mors tne sermons ; n J , J . .. ' ^ ' ' k tlity heard in Cbafte,thy fonne more dutirml, thy fervant more aeare with the Church in the fame repetitions ; yea and thoufhalt perfwade thy very eve- their owneFa- my to lay a fide his hatred. Doft thou fee how thefe precepts milies at home, tell me ? one edifying, and another pars 5-p.76^. pulling downe, what have they profited themfeives by their la- *jj* j.nc^- bour? Therefore let us not kt occupied here in vaine,but pro- for ^petSian fitaply, whereby we may fruitfully, whereby we may lejfe in of Sermons.) vaine . whereby we may not unprofitably and to condemnation k Hethercicie meete here} one building; and the other pulling dowr.e ; left the that rcforts to nmlmude of btsrf&crs bee overcome with the eaftm-ffe of the ptagc-playes filing downe. * Truely it is a part of great nnchaneffe both for any^Denak 70K£ men nr2^ °^ men t0 hzften to the Play-hottfe. But would from the Mi- to (iodthecvilldi* extend no further. For this perchance fee - niftryof Gods meth vat oiler able to an ingenuous man, and worthy to be pu- ■ wordiO there* Ki fad with the greateft lojfe, with rcproofe and frame; but fore that men ^^ t^cern^iBK^ not at al in flitted fo far as to fame. But yet torments and punifhments hang over Play -haunters he a is . * NpU for it muft needs be that thofe who fit there (bouldfwim in the Part, u Hiftrio-MafUx. 43 $ fimte of adultery, not becaufe they are coupled to women> but becaufe they behold them with mchafte eye:. For with (h:fi itmuftofneeejfitybe, that every one is furpftfed in adultery* Neither wtlU fyeake myownc words to you whereby you may ieffe regard it9 but J will explicate the Divine Law, where there is ro place for negleB. What therefore faith the Divine ■ Law 1 i You have heard that it hath beene faid of old ; i Mit^.ivr* * Thou fhait not commit adultery : But I fay unto you, ^ Exod. 10.14- that whoioever fhall looke upon a woman to luft after her, hath committed adultery with her already in his heart ; Haft thou fee ne adultery committed} haft thoufeene fmnrfiKffhed? ±A*dthat which it worft in adulteries, thou haftfeene him that is taken in adultery to be guilty of adultery , not under any humane \ but under aDeyine Sentence; hence deadly punifhments : Forwhofoever frail looke upon a woman to luft after her, hath committed adultery al- ready with her in his heart.//* doth not onely extirpate tie dtfeafe,but Itkewife the roote of the difeafe:for unchafte con- cupifeenceis the roote of adultery , So li^ewife doe Vhiftcianst they looke diligently not enely to dkfeafes, but hkewife to the takmg away of their caufes : although they fee the eye difeafids yet they repreffe the evill rcwme that is above in the temples. Thus Chrifl alfo doeth* isidulteryis anevdilblwdneffcyit is a dtfeafe of the eyes, not of the body onely , but fir ft of the fiulo: Therefore he ftops the reume of uncleanejfe fiom thence by thefeare of the law, whtrcforc he not onely puntfheth adul- tery, but avengeth concupifcence likewifc. He that looketb upon a woman to luft after her,hath already committed adultery with her in his heart. Thefe bare word; repeated arejufficient to purge away all ths difafe offm*e. But pardon us %wecleanfe wounds, and he who purgeth wounds mufl apply htter medtctnes. But by how much the more they jh all indure my words, by fo much the more fhail thepoyfon be purged out. By all thefe faithfully recited paflages of holy * Chryfi- *Whi& I haye ftomey which I would Players aid Play-haunters would thus 5U(*edat feriouflv, would frequently read over'j it is moft appa- ^ f^ rant ; that Stage-piayes are the immediate common hisWorkc^ K k k occafions 434 Hiftrio-SMaftix. Part.: occasions of much a&aail lewdncffe, adultery, and o- ther grofle tincleanefle : which fhould caufe ali Chriftt- * C Ta ' ans t0 aDominatc them, and to keepc their wives And De Moribus* children from tbem> as * the ancient Pagan Germans didy for Germanorum. feare they lhould corrupt their chaltity and draw them c.6 Philippus on topubiike lewdneflfe. To pafi'e by the concurrent Glttverius,An- teftimonies of Clemens Alexandnmu, Tertulhan, Cypriote, nSi^r^o" LaU xntil" > Bafll> K**>"»*'e»> Ortgen, Hterom, Hilary, paV j s \ \ 8 * ' -^ uguftine, Cyril, Salyt*n,and all the other Fathers, Connects, 1 Who floun- and Authors, quoted in the precedent Scene, who give ihed about the punfruall teftimony of this truth, as their words there yeercofour cited will fuificiently manifeft; I fhali confine my BabeusScnD- felfe'onely to foure of our owne EnglitTi Authors for toruBntdni^ finall confirmation of my Minors verity. The firft of Century 7 . them is 1 ty4lcxa*dsr Fabrittns, in his DeflrnUortum Vittk)^ p-5$6, in the rum, pars 4. cap. 23, cDc Ludts inboneflis, or difhoneft HelTthc^ Playes* Tbefccond kjnd (writes he) of unlawjull Playes, m e7 fic-tal" U ^*y ofUfe'tvtOHS vanity ; /a^ ^ *r* Dancings Enter-* ludi foraicati- fades, and other T hcatricall Playes ; which are called Tlayes, onrs mcritricij /™** the Theater or Tlay-boufe which is a pnbltke place ^ & aduherij where the people hath accuflomed to mtet together to play ; be- fonlm^aufr & '**^ After fuch Tlayes ended Whores are eft times proftitu- ideom^libus tedtn[ucbTl*j:s. » And[of*ch Playes are very often the ludis deleftan- caufe of fornication, .whoredome and adultery ; and therefore turDa*njonesj f&en Iacob c*me mo the Land of Ca- Wan. Sermo Ka4"> Dinah his Daughter * walked abroad, to wit, to the 7- & 10. accordingly. * S,Paul, Titus i-U Enioyncs women to be cbaf creepers at borne • in:imating,that fuch wo.nen th.it gad abrode,cfpecially to Piay-hcufes and fuch like places,can never be chzi} e.Solwwn upbraiding an Harlot : Prov.7.11,1 z .tells us.Tbat herfeete abide not in herhoufe : n wfh. u without \now in the flrcets3andlyetb in wnte at every torner .Which Ovid^De Arte Amwdi.li-$.io$ coth t :cond , Vnus eft vobis fnmsfx . pneUa. Sxpc vagos extra hmitf* ferrt £tdcft&c \§o that gadding women, and whoriih wo- men are reciprogall* fyQAcks Part. i. Rifltio-<5Maftix. 455 IjeBacles eft be world, that (he mtght fee the women of that Country; whomSy chim the Sonne eft he King of that Coun- tryfeeing, he was tnamored with her, to4ke her and rav'tfhed her perforce. But M Saint Auguftine faith, if jhe had conti- nued at home among her owne fkekad not beene dt floured by a forraigneravifker. Therefore the joule ought by [o much the more to beware and to reftraine itfelfe% becaufc (be is not once, but eft-times r<*vi(ked and de floured ; let her f care now having had experiment of that which (he wot ignorant of being yet a Virgin. Adde wee to him the teftimony of Matter Fhiltp Stabs in his * Anatomy of Abufes. Doe not Flaps * London \tf% {writes he) maintains Bawdry , in fnnate foolery and renew pag.ioy.io6. the remembrance of heathen Idolatry ? T>oe they not induce to * T*ie fruits nhoredcme anduncieaneffe ? I^ay, are the) net rather plain* of 7pf at*]jf devotirers of Maidenly virginity and chafittj f For proefe a whereof but mar ke the flocking and running to Theaters and (furteni, datly and heurely, night and day, time and tide, to fee Playes and Enter lades ywhere Juch wanton geftnres,fuch bawdy fpeeekesjrcb laughing and fleecing, juch k*ffwg and buffing, Juch clipping and culling fuch wiring and glancing of wan ton eyei and the hks is ufed,at is wondtrfull to behold. Then thefe gooky Pageants betng endedtevery mate forts to his mate.evsry one brtngs anothjr homeward on the way very friendly , and in their fecret conclaves (covertly) tb;y pUy the Sodomites, or * The ?0(^y worfe. And thefe be the flmts of playes and Enter ludes for \^tZl the moftpart. And whereas you fay there are good examples Enu>r[u.jes. to be learned in them: truely fo thsre are: If you mil learne *W:m thing* to play the vice , to teare,fweare, and blafpeame both Heaven are to be Iear- ana Earth- tf you will learne to become a Bawdejo be uncleane, ne£*^ Playes, to devirginate ^Maides,to defionrchoveft Wtvcr, &c* If you will learne tofing and talks of bawdy Lve and venery, &c. If you will learne to flay the Whore-mafter, the Glutton, ¥)run- k&rd, or Inccftueus ^erfon : and finally \ if you will learne to €ontemne God and aH his Lawes,to care neither for Heaven nor Hell, and to conimit all kinde of ftnne and mifchiefe, you needgoe to no other School* ; for all thefe good Examples yon may fee painted before your eyes in interludes and PlaytSc 4}* Hiflrio-Maftix. Part.i' Wherefore, that man who giveth money for i ho maintenance of them^mufi needs incurre the inevitable fentence of eternal damnation, unk fie ke repent. Thus hee. Stephen (foffon a * Sec his penitent reclaimed Play-pott ( * whrfc eyes did /bed mtt- Schoole of A- „y tcarcs offorrow, wbofe heartbeat many drops ofbloodywhen ^RcSer m° ^rgmtm^Stagt-flstyes, to which he was once addict. eordin»Iy.r,aC" ec0 vvrites much to this effect. * IwtS fhew yon (writes * In hfs " hee) what 1 fee, andinforme you what I read ofPlayes. Ovid Schoole of A- /aid, that Romulus built his Th:ater at a Her fe-f aire for bU?'k^' lb'd' ^^rcs> ma<*e Trinmphesandfet Hp Playes to gather the fane Conf d-s" women tether, that every one of his Souldiers might ta\e here before vberc he Itk^d a fnatch for his [hare, &c. It {houldfeeme that Pag-3 6o 3 <**> *be abufe offuch places was fo great, that for any chafte Liver l°hl6fr to haunt them was a blacks Swan and a white Crow : Dion fi Jhaiiiy ferbtddeth the ancient Families of Rome and Gentle- women that tender their name and honour to come to Theater s^ and rebukes themfo fharpely when he takes them napping , that if they be but oncefeene there, he iudgeth it fufficient caufe to fpeake ill of them, and thinks wot ft. The fhaddow of a knave hurts an bonefi man ; thefent of a, St ewes an honefi Matron, and the [hew of Theaters a fmple gaz,er, <+rc. Cook.es doe ne- ver fl?ew more craft in their sunkets to vanquifh the tafle, nor Taiuters in fhadowes to allure the eye, then Poets in Theaters to wound tha confeisnee* There fet they abroach ftrange con- forts of melody to tickfe the e'are ; cofily apyare'il to fatter the fight i effeminate gefture, to ravifh the fence * and wanton Ipeechj to whet defire to inordinate Inft. Tbefe by the prrvf entries of the carefliy downe into the heart , and with ont.fhot of affe£t:o:i ganle tbemir.de where reafon and *ffe&ton flxuld rule the rvfte, Domitian fuffred playing and dancing fo long m Theater sy that Paris led the Jhakjng of the fi.eets with Domitia,WMcn(ter the Trenchmooro with Meflalina,cfr« * De A rte A- In Rome * Ovid char geth his Pilgrims to crape clofe to the >nandi,l.i.& :♦ Saints whom they ferve, ok d fhew their double diligence to lift the Gentlewomans robe.' from the ground, for foyltng in the duft : to fwespe moates from their kfrtles, to keepe their fingers ** ure3 1$ lay their hands at their backet for a* eafit fiay ; to Part, i . Hiftrio-Sl4aftix. 45 7 looke upon thofe, whom they beheld ; toprayfe that, which they commend*, to like every thing that pleafeth them : to prefent them Pomegranets to picke as they fit ; and when all is done to watt on them mannerly to thw houfes. * In our Affcmblies * Loe here the at Plajes in London ;jou /hall fee fuch heaving and fooving, Pandcrlypra- fuch itching and fhouldring, to fit by women: fuch care for p^oufes. their garment st that they be not trod on: fuch eyes to their laps that no chips light in them : [neb pillowes to their backesy that they take no hurt : fuch making in their tares I know not what : fuch gtvtng them Pippins to paffe the time : fuch pUjing at foote Sattnt without (fardt: fuch ticking, fuch toying, fuch fmilmg,fuch »i*kjngy and fuch manning them home when the (ports are ended, that it is A right Comedy, to mark* their be- haviour^ to watch their conceits, as the Cat the UMonfe, and n> good as a com feat the Game itfelfe, to dogge them a little or follow aloofe by the print of their feet, and jo dtfeover by (lot where the Dearetakethfoyle* If this were as well noted, as illfeene ; or as openly pnnifhed, as fecretly praUifed ; / hive no doubt but the caufe would be feared to drie up the e felly and tkefe pretty Rabbets very cunningly ferreted from their bur- owes. * for they that lacfy cufiomers all the weeke, either *Praym3rke beCAufe their haunt is unk»owne,orthe finflables and Officers tili* weI1» of their ^artfh watch them fo narrowly, that they dare not qtseatcb ; to celebrate the Sabbath flockf to Theaters and there ktepe agenerall Market of Bawdry, Not that any filthinejfe w&eedis committed within the eompaffe ofthatgronad, as was done in Rome, bht that every Wanton atsd his Paramour, every tJManand hisLMflris, every John and his loan.?, every Kxave and his Queane, are there fir ft acquainted and *chca- * 'Play-houfe's penthemerchandifemtbat place which they pay for elfe-where 'hen are the as they can agree. 1 intend net to fhev fo»4ll thai f fee, nor c°g°n Marts halfe that I he are e] l tkefe abifftsy left you fudge me more *-/. tiy* full to teach, then wilting tofihbid them. Thus fiff e i his pe- 438 Hiftrie-Maftix. Part.i P lay-poet, and common Play -haunter %who had good experience 0fr.be lewde effetts of Stage-playes, which made him to Mens them, andto renounce his wicked profejfiou, as being incompa- tible with Cbriftian Religion or his ownefalvation, as hi-m- felfe profetfeth in that Treatife,where he writes thus as p Ibid. pag43, foiiowes. P Such doubtUjfe is rmne opinion of 'common Playes, 4434Jj^3 $7 • that in a Cbnfttan Common-wealc they are not fuffer able. My O that our reafen is, becaufe they are publtk$ enemies to nature and reli- ancf Vacefmen &on * A^Hrementi mt0 &nne y corrupter* of good manners; would but con- the caufe of fecurity and carelefneffe -t me ere Broth d-houfes of /ider this. Bawdery ; and bring both the Gojpellinto flander, the Sabbath into contempt, mensfoules into danger ; and finally the whole Commw-weale into diforder. Great and hajnons {fetches, n$ doubt jet notfo hainous, as the exercife of them is odtotss : bi- ting words ; yet not fo bitter as the caufe requireth. It were ill painting the Devill like an Argell ; be muft be portraied as he is, that he may the better be knowne, Sinne hath alway a f aire eloake to cover his filthy body. And therefore he is to be tur- ned out of his cafe into his nailed sk*n*ie, that hts naffy filtty body, and Jlinktng corruption bstng perceived; he might come into the hatred and horror of men* For as we are naturally of our f elves evill and corrupt \ fo are we naturally giuen to love our (elves, and to be blinded with our owne aff. fttons, infomuch that what we kriow to he evill, we are not afhamed either openly to detend> or flily to cloak*. The excufe of wickfdneffe is but the encreafe of punifhment , and an ill caufe defended by autho- rity', and maintained by learning, brings i^Magiflrates into ^Vaotfi.fiyflanderiand learning into contempt. <1 Therefore to the end 5+}5U56>57' that others frjould not be deceived with that wherewith myfelfe was overuken, I thought tt my part to lay open to all mens eyes the horrible abufe as well of Play es, as of the InaUors^ and the diforder of thetr audttory ; that the abufe being perceived, every man might re forme hmfelfe , and be weaned from their wickedmffe : or otherwifejthat the M^giflrates being informed might take fitch good wayes, that the intolerable exercife of Play as mi{ht be utterly put dowue. For I am verily perfwaded, that if they maj be permit ted ftiU to make fale of fane, wefhall full Part. I. HiUrio-Maflix. 459 pull on our beads Gods vengeance . and to our Realme bring an utter eonfufion. what fjhali Jpeake of Playes of my oxvne knowledge, I know may be affirmed by hundreds, to whom thofe matters are as well knowne as to myfelfe. * Seme Cit- * Fruits of tiscens wives (and I would to God our married Citti- Playes for the zens would well confider it btcaufeit concernes them DeviI*0V»nc aeerely) upon whom the Lord for cnfitmple to others hath Uyd m° his hands , have even en their death- beds with teares con- feffed , that they have received at thefe Spettfishs fuch filthy infellions , as h*ve turned thtir mindes from chafie cogitations, and * made them ofhonefl women light hnfmves : * O that thof« ( which very thing is likewife teftified by reverend husbands who Bifhop Babington, in his Sxfofitum on the 7. Command*- either a«*»*- mer.t ; and by Defter Layton, in his Speculum belli Sacri. {!£"« wives **?/>. 45. and therefore worthy credit under the hands trieir daueh- of thefe three witneffes : ) by them they have r dijho- ters unto" mured the Veffcls ' of Holtneffe , and hdve brought their Stage-playes, Hufbands into contempt , their Children into queftion , and^yet defire their bodies into ficknefe , and their foules into the afjault ™cm cj^[J *>f a danger out fl ate. Such is the Mturc and inclination would remem- 0/ *# <«>/, f &<** »?* runne whether affeftion leads w, and are ber this. mthdrawne by company, ^yind therefore as David faith. r * Cor.tf.io, 1 With the godly thou wiltfhew thy felfe godly , with the upright ?°'s3m , a ver/ man thou wilt fhtw thy feife upright^ with the pure thou wilt i6. 2.7. Pfal, ' (hew thy felfe pure, and wtth the froward thou wilt [hew thy 18.25,26. felfe froward. *Therepaireofthem that are hone ft to thofe ,. ,, . w r n r 1 .1 j >r i » / J i He that ton- places of evtll re fort i makes thetrowne good Itfe to be doubted cheth pjtch of- for that theflace'breedsfufpition as well of good as of bad. will be defiled, For who can fee man or woman re fort to an honfe which is r,o~ torioufly wtcked, but wtlliudge them to be of the crew of the wicked and ungodly f * The mofi honefl wife, is the foonefi 1^°\^?Z* afaulted, and hath fuch fnares laid to entrtp her, as, if God * Vhe^beft ajftfther not, &e mpifl needs be take** When I gave my fife fooneft temp- fir ft to note the abufe of common Playes, I found my heart fore ted. fmitt en wtth fort cw ( * finne did there fo abound, and was fo* Horribly openly ctmmirted, that I Inked when God in iuflice would fin^iXut kaieprefemlym his wrath have confounded the beholders.) Theaters. ' *The 440 Hiflrio-Maftix. Partv Maikc this * The Theater J found to be an appointed place of Bawdery% O yc favorers, mtne 0YPtte earej ^ave foard hone ft women attired with ahomu T™\\l\l *a^e fPeec^e5m Sometime I have feene two knaves at once of Pi-ryes. m 'fortunate upon one light hu/wife, whereby much quarrell hath grown* to the dtfqmeiing of many. The fa v Ants otitis manifeftlj to be prov:d, zjav* confented to rob their ' That the vvifedome of the ftefh f R . % *?. *s nothing but enmity again! fc God- Howfmall heed take they ^fthcmf elves, which feffer their owne wicked affections to Withdraw them from God and his Word. We need not volun* tarity feeks our owne deJhstSlion. F*rhe that is veriuovfly di- ff>§[edfhaR finde Uwde per font emw to withdraw him from yteU-doingby thepromrp of plea fur e and delightfdl paft'me, *Thesws t?i% ^hereunto we are naturally tnclined unto the * Sckoole-koufe Schoofcs of ■of Satan, and Chappell oj itlcounfe 11 3 where he fhallfeefo much Satan, a«4 mmuttyandloofeneffeyandfoir^at outraoe mdrfc&toffwne, ^h;^eV©f 44* HiJlrio-SMaftix. Pakt.i. that it U a wonder if he returne xot either grounded in confci- * Counfell to e nee, or changed in life. * / veould wifh therefore all ^f afters Mailers. K9t ojjcly to withdraw tbcmfelvet, but their Servant s alfo from fitch wicked tfimblur* For it is dwayes wifedome to fhunne the occaftons ofevill. Youth wiH be withdrawne by company, if they be not retrained of their liberty. They need not feeke ontfor Schoole-mafters, they can learne eviB too fa/f of them- [elves y and are pregnant enough at home to learne, unhappineffe. * Quantum a * ^lany^f "nature honeft and tradable, have beene altered prop on t o fu o fy tfop fauns and ffeftacles, and become monftsrous . Mans Viun/o udica ^^^dewbichofitfilfeisfrone unt0 vtsg> ** nH t0 be pricked qux venerat^ firward unto vice, but brideled : if it be left unto it felfe, it impudicior dif- hardly ftandah; if it be driven forth, it runneth headlong. cedit ? Cyprian, flee farre from Babylon, yee that carry the Lords Veffels. ve Habit* Vir- zForfbmuch asyouarebaptrfedintoChrift, it flandetb i'lT* *^*41, you upon to be holy both of body and minde, and to dedicate T ' ■ your f elves to his fervice, which ye fhall never doc, unlcffe you withdraw yourfelvesfrcm the izttcements of vanity ,and efchue the occaftons of evtll ; which that ye mxy the better doe, yon are to faften your eyes upon Qod, by whom ye are fantttfied* * III examples * Let not the examples of the wicked be a, pre fide nt unto us, to be fhuned. neither let us be drawne awzy to evtll with the multitude* Cnftomefhall but make hs bold in fwne, and the company of [corners make m more impudent of life* It is not enough for m to excufe our f elves by the doings of other men ; tt mil not he taken for an excufe, although we could alleage ; that every man dyth a* we doe. For it is no msanes to acqttite us before God, to fay that others be no better then our felves. I would rather wtfh that the evtll converfation of others might be an eccafion to draw ua bac\e, left perhaps we be wrapped in the vices thai raignc in ail the wicked, andfo he partakers of the pun'tfhment due to them. For we are not to walks as men that hoke onely upon the creatures, but our p4rt is, tofet Gad before * Motion of our eyes, whofc pre fence we cannot poffibly efc ape. * It is mar- shebody. velous to cenftder how the gefluring of a Player, which Tully termetb%tkc eloquence of the body, u of force to move, and prepare rf man to that which u *h Forfucb things are dtjclofttd f Part. i. Hijtrio-ifttaftix. 445 to the eye and to the eare, as might a great deale better be kept . chfe. thereby a double offence is committed $ ftrfl, by theft diffohtte Players, which without regard of hone fly are not afpa- med to exhibit e thefiiihisfl matter t they can devife to the Qght of men : Secondly, by the beholders, which vouch fafe to he are • and behold fuch filthy ftmgs, to the great loffe fath of them* f elves and the time. There commetk much evitlin at the tares but mere at the eyes, by thefe two open wtndowes d;a?h break? eth into thefonk. Toothing entreth in more effe ttxally into the memory, then that which commeth by feeing : things b;ard doe lightly faffs away , but ths tokens uf that we have feene^ faith Petrarch, (Ikkesfafi in m whether ws will or no. tjfytany *bavebtene entangled with the wsbs of thefe Spiders, who * Snares ©f would gladly have beeneat liberty when they could not* The Player webs are fofubtily fpun, that there is no man that is once within them, that can avoyd them without danger* T^one can come wttbm thefe fn ares- that may efcape untaken^ be fhe %JPidaidelt tJWatron, or what foe ver : fuch force have their enchantments Mofflcafuretodrawthe affections of the mixde. This inward fight flet married men confider it) hath van quired the chaflity of many women ; zfome by talking pitty of the deceit full * L oe thefe are teares of the Stage-lover have beene moved by their complaint the things, the to rue on their fecret friends, whom they h&ve thought to have ^ons *hat tafied the itfo torment : Come havino noted theenfamples how ?en lcn.rneat eJVLzydens reftratned from the marrtage of thofe whom thetr ft tends have mifltkedjhave there learned apollicy to pre vet their parents, by flealng them away :fome feeing by the enfample of the Stage pi 4) er cue carryeA with two much liking of another mans Wtfejhaving noted by v?h*t prablife fhe hath beene affzilcd and overtaken, have not failed to put the like in effeft in earnefl, that was afore fhowne in iefi* Ike wtlir.effe and craft of the Stage it not yet fo gre*t,as is that without en the Scaffolds \for that the? which are eViH dijpofed no foor.er heare any thing fpoken that rnayferve their turnout they apply it to themfelves. %yll as fay thty to their famihar by them, Gentlewoman, is tt not fittj thu paffteneb LovtrfkoHid hefo martyred f And fhe fade her 'wcltKedfofoolifhytttj , ascommonly fuch women areT Lin, then 444 Hiftrio-Majiix. Pa rt. i . >n Ice applies the matter to himfelfe, and fatth, that he it hkew:fe carried a&ay with the tiling of her : craving thatptttj to bt extended upon bmt as fhefecmed to /hew toward the afflt* fled f.moroM Stager. Theft running headed Lovers are ( ^sowne Jo pcrfe& Scatters by long continuance at this Schoole, that there t$ almoft no wordfpoken, hut they can makj matter ofittoferVetheirturne. They can fo fur ely dt [cover the con- cetti of the m'znde, andfo cunningly handle themfehet, and arc growne fo fubttlein working tbetr matters, that neither the \ hazt iealoufeoj Iimo, who frfpeð all things; nor the bflr«it cuftos cum keeping */Danaes may debar; wr the watch fulneffc of Kr°^s I facatra ? Ovid m:h hts hmdre* €7es eIP)' Cr€dn mg> *b*re can be found V 3 Arte Aman- no flronger engine to batter the hone fly as well of wedded dllib.$. f4 208, Wives, as the chaflity of * unmarried Matdesand V/iddowes * Fiie LCa" tn*n are the hearing of common Playes. There, wanton Wtves would be hL Tahlss>*n good difpofttion and manners of* J^^ jouth, infomuchthat it is a miracle, tf there be found either any .olunt vb- lVoman or Maide. which with thefe ffeliacles 'of fl range lufl, ines efie defi- ** Hot oftentimes inflamed even unto fury . The nature ofthetr aes v n\mt4 Cyprian, t^'ome dies are, for the mafl part after ore manner of nature \ Ve Htbitu viA like the tragical! Comedy of Califtu?, where the Bawdreffe pmmXrafctus. Sceld\im?*fi;medthe AlaydesU&beiz with her Sorceries, ?%***• 'Doe we not ufe m thefe difcourfes to counterfeit Witchcraft charmed drinkft, /nd amorous pot:otisi thereby to draw the AffecTionsofmenyA*dteftirretbem up unto tuft, to like even thofe whom ofthemfelves they abhorre f The enfamp/es where- effttrre tip the ignorant multitude to ftk? by fuch unLwfull mranes the love and good will of others, I can tell you of a. ange * stery ff l*k* pratltce ufed of late by a tealotu mfe to her ijle< Hajbandy whoje heart being, as fhe thought eflranged, other. wtfe then ofcuflome, didpraftife wtth a Sorcereffe to have ferns powdery which migb, have force to renew her Hufbands won- ted g9Gd will towards her ; but it hadfuch a vertue in the ryixg and recarrying letters by La^idrsffes^ pratlifing with KTedlcrs to tra*ftort their tekens by colonrzhlt meanes to fell their Merchandicssi and other kjnde of Rollicks tit beguile Father* of their ChfUreny Hhjbmds of their Wives \ Gardens of theh Wards, and Maflers of their Servants, n it rot aptly taught in the + Schooleofabxfe ? But hnpo^nomore. * He meaneth I am forry this SchooJe is not plucky downe, and the School?- Piayesw mafter* bamfhed this * fitty. Thm much I will tell them, if not unfuiy fo they fufferthefe Br oihel-hi tifes to continue, or doe in any wife "J \ allow tbens, the Lsrd will fay unto them as the Pfalmift faith. c If tfipu faiveft a Theefe thou wenteft with him, and 4 Pfal. 50. if?3 haddeifc thy pare with adulterers : thou haft done thefe *r> thmgs,and becaufe I held my peace, thou haftbeleeved; wicked man,that I am likenntcthee ; but I will accuie thce,&o Thus farre our owne Play-poet from his owne experience. By thefe three feverall witnefTes, to which I might accumulate d mfimie other -sy it is moil dSee Bifhop 1 apparant, that Stage- playes are the ordinary occafions Babmgton, Ma- cf much actuall whoredome, adultery, and tixch like fter ?erkim> bcaftly levvdctffc; that they are the common Nurferies, ^ft? ^/^ Schooles, and Seminaries of Adulterers, AdultereiTes, Mafic? Brinfly ore- maflers, vVhores, and fach polluted creatures. 2nd moft o^ This therefore Should caufe all chaite,ali fober Chrifli- ther Expofi- ans to abominate them ; all Protectant States and ^iSon the 7. Churches to abandon them. f m all condemne Pope ^C™m3nde~ Sixtus the I V. with the mholy holy Church ef Rome, for &™\y*CC°t'' ereWng astd alUwtng pitbltkj Sttoes , which yeeld above twenty f .fi V ^ « . thousand Duckets of anmail revenue to the Pope his filtht* torumJBrit-^" itefe, (for holmcffe in this refpecl I cannot. ftileit^^;*6 cani*. Cent- famine is call up among the confiant aunnall yevenfm^ the turia, 8. pag, ^24* Agnppa, De Vamtate Sciendum, cap. 64. Efpenca?us,De Continemia.iib.j.cap.,* Bifhop, *4*rt**x in fn$ ProWhnts Appeale. lib.i, cap. 2. fcft.36. & lib. j. cap. $. feet, u where many of their owne Authors are brought in condemning them. Lll 3 Churchy 44* Hiftrie-Maflix. Pa rt.i . 1 Deut. 23. 18. £W*& 5 whereas God himfelft S forbids the hire of an ¥**a\ I,7" Whore to be cafi into the Treafnry of his Santluary. If then ttofibwtcS-11" M all mf*re the Voftftj, and that dtfervedly, for tollera- goribus Sixtus tmg, for erefttng Stems y where their Vriefls^tbetr Monkes^ Pontiff maxi- and Frhr^who have vowed perpttuall chtftitj (fuch is their mus Rom* ^ ^ hypocriticall holineffe) may recreate themfslves atpleafurc nobilcadmodu mt\j0Ht Any breach of vow yth:ir owne Bi[bops entoynixg every :rux?t!ln Italia °flhe™ t9V*J *n a*tnuall penfi&n for thetr Co>:cMmes,wbe- Roraana fcorca (her they ufe or fife them »Jt> I.e. ufe th:y may nft them if they in fingulas will: fhall we our ldves erefr or tollcrate Play-hoir hebdomadas which are no Other i bm a pnbh^e Starves, c profcjjbd Bro- £0 "tfcfv tbeUb9*fe> as the recited Authors, and the Fathers ftiie cenfus "nnuus them? God forbid. Our Religion, our God enjoyne Roanunquam us not to doe it, in that they command us : k not to com- viginti millia wit adultery : l to fee forme attony and mcleaneffe ; jeay m not Dllcajl°S txSc' fr much as once to name them (much lefTetoacr, to coun- ckifi'proc^ra tenance, or pr°Pagate them) at becommeth Sams. Our id muntft eft, Stage-playes therefore muft certainely be finnefull, and ut una cum Be- abominable even in this refpecl. clefiaruoVpro- ventibus etiamlenocinioium numerent mercedcm4 Sic enim ego illos fupputantes arliqmndo audivi^Habet inquientes, illeduobeneficia, unum curanrum aurcorurn viginti,aitcrum prioratumducatorum quadraginta3& treiputanas in Buidcllo, quae reddunt fingulis hebdomadibus julios viginti. lam vero nihilominus lenones funt Epifcopi ilir& officiales,qui cenfum pro Concubinatua Sacerdotibus quotannis ex. torquent, idq; tarn palamaut apud piescm ipfam in proverbium abircr, ilia eomm Concubin2natxac"tiofive lenocinium quodicunt : habeat vel non habeat, aureum iblyet pro Concubina. & habeat fi velit. Sed ia regno avaritias nihil tuipitudini adferibitur quod lucrum pareat. yfgrip;a,T)e Vanitate Sc'mtiarum.cap.0 4. E(pcnc*ut in Titum. c*p.iCol.7$°.C> * Exod.10.i4. Math. 5. 27,18. 1 1 Cor. * Actvs Partm. Hittrio-Maftix. 447 Actvs 5 SgenaQvint a. THe fift effect of Stage-playes, is the general! depra- 5 vation of the mindes, the manners, both of their Actors and Spectators ; which adminiftreih the 3 1. Ar- Argument gument againft them . 21. That which ordinarily corrupts the mindes, and vitiates the manners, both of the Aclors and Spe- ctators, muft doubtle(Te beunlawfull, yea abomi- nable unto Chriftians, if not intolerable in any Chnftian wel* ordered Common- weale. But Stage-playes n ordinarily corrupt the mindet, and n Scilicet ex* . vitiate the manners, both of their Actors and pedes qt m- SpeeTators. • daf. mater ho- . Therefore, they muft doubtleffe bee unlawfull, yea ^c^fof mo- abominable unto' Chriftians, intolerable in any reTqVam <^io* ChrilHan wel-ordered Corriinon-wreale. habet? luventl The Major is rnoft apparantiy evident : Firft, from S/ttyr.6 the depravation of the one, eft magistaie. Parifing meerelj from the fravity of the other: If Stage- ^triftoLPoficr. play es therefore corrupt the manners, the mindes :Q£fik*-«p-a\A& othcrs,they cannot but be ill themfeives. Secondly, \%^C^n% from the grounds of Theology •. which as they enjoy ne di^ep^' men <1 to avojd the corruptions that are in the world through ? Gal. 6, 8. hsfi : * to efchue all eccafions 0} evilly f all fcurrilom ike Ephef 4.22,20. (peeches* t att wicked places, all lervde companions which may l Tim. 6.*. defile their foulesi their manners • and u to keepe t hem fc Ives 2 Pct>I-4,ReVa * zPet.i.4.*« x Thef. j. i2. c Ifayj2.11, *Cor. 6. 14. to 18, Ephef. 4* ±9. cap. j.. j, 4, ii. * 1 Cor,%. $>, 10, 11, Pfal, 6. 7. Prov. j. 8, 9, 10, ii,. ■ lam, x. 27. unfiotted. 448 Biflrio-Maftix. Part.* x ilhcf. i* a*, m [petted of the rccrld: So they condemn* x all occafons of Rcv.i^.i. Mat. eVjfi9 a]| diflioneft contaminating pieafurcs of finnc ' ,lJ i^s'jo', which filthily difteine mens fouks. Thirdly, frora to, ' the rudiments of civill policy. Tor as T tie h^ppineffs, 7 Piia. Pane- boxer, lift and fafit y ofc every Common-weale confifii tn the gyr. Trajano ingenuity , temperance y and xyh* vevtmw difpofttionef the peo- diftus-Zeno- ^f/ mjKfos aK(i mAnners . ^ the z dt jl err; per ature, malady. and Cyri Hift li z confajionof tt aiwayes tgae^prom the exoypttan* obltqMHj^ the Oforius De uncontroled dsffolutehtffey and degeneracy cf their vtuceu hve?y Regum Inftjt. a which brinp certaine rui;:e.Wbe?iCe the mi ft prudent Princes* lib. i. Ariftor, af1c( p^publiqxes in all ages Jb&vt^ confi la»tiy jupprefffd all jkch Ch f ft H'1 pleafwes3 as might either empoy fen the yon gey peoples man- { i7.XdPoDu- ' vtrSiOypsrvertibetrmtttdes* The Major therefore is irre* lu Antiochiie, fragable. vU.jbidcm. The Minor, is an avowed truth, not onely ratified * Nulla peftis by experience, but by the concurrent teiHmony offun- CivTtue1 luam ^ry ^ates an^ Writers in ail ages, both Pagan and moru licentia: Chrittian. To begin with Pagan Authors.* States, and nulla lues te- 'Magistrates. The unpar-alldd Phiioibpher Plato , as his trior quim im- c 5n>ne pf/orkes, mih * fmdry others teftifis, baxtfhcdall St4ge- Pr^IWSj 'Nam players y Play-poets^ and Play-p eems cut of bis Common-weale* • 1\ M*Z* eu being tht chiefehfiruments to effeminate the minds? + to v't- vcmmmcorpo- * J i *- - _ ■ r \ ralaxatis & tiatei be manners v\ tae people, ( efpectaiiy the yongcr jort) diffoiutis ner- and to withdraw them fiom the ftndy of 'vhtste% to the lave cf vis languid* VICU c Anflotle.tho. Oracle of all humane literature* I redduntn,dif- corcliaq j ek a t corrumpunturjita malis avium mori'us inermes Sunt Civi- 'chi.Lacanica Inftu\& Dz Educa%Puerorum. BoaTnu**] >e RepubJAc.i. Eralrous, Dc EducationcPuerorum/Ancas Sylvius, De Libero.'i.n Educations Mapharus Ve2ius,De Educatione Pucrorum J,i.i, « De Repub. Dirdo^.S. 6c io. p. 6g6. 6^7 Lclum 'Dialog. a.p.5So.5 8i. 4 Ciccro.Tufcul.(SiaLftJ.i.pi.U.7i3d.8.c,i^i':.,i&,*r. & Ludov. Vives Notx IbiderruFi-ancifcus Zephcrus.Epift.Nuncupat.'i: Apologei.T::tu!liani. AiTippa, DcVanit. Scicm4c.4.C2liusRhbdig.Ant.Led:,l.7. c.z. Rodolp h s Gu I- ther.Hom.i i.iftNahum. M.Northbrooke5 M. Scubs, D. Reinolus, Oodn, ani others in their Treatifes againft Stage.pfayes, ^o| * Politic lib. 7* cap. 17. & i 8. cap. 5. fs6, 7- Sec A^. 7- Scene 6, and here page S^. r excludes Part.!* Hiftrio-Maftix. 449 w^mmmmt^.mmm i in « ' ■- ■ > ■ 1 -.. . . p ■ ....jjr- excludos theft St age-playes em of his %epublicke ; debarring puthes and children pom them, as hang aft to poyfon both their mindes and manners* wttb their groffe {currility andUfci- viem foewes. . f Solon^ the wifeft of the ancient Grecian t piUt2KChi So- Lawgivers, reielhd Stage-play es ; net onely as tying, but ion.p.g**l&og, deceitful} fi&tons; which would quickly teach men both to cheat, Laertij.hi..$Q- tojkde+toflay the hypocrites and diffemblers, and to circum- ^^.ir^ vent men in thar dealings, to the publike prejudice : whence lib.4.neere the be deemed them unfnfferable mifchiefes in a Cttty, 5 Tuffy, end.DeLe£i declaimes againfi all pleafurtble effeminate amorous Tlayes bus.l.x.neerc and Poets, as the contagions of mens mindes and manners, *«c end.^c 4^2 - i ■ risers trtc sniG" through their excefftvs delicacy : whence he advtfeth the Ro- ^^ mans to abandon them, left they [houid effeminate and corrupt f» See Platarcfc. them as they had done the Grecians, andfo fubvert their Em- De Gloria. A- pire. Senec* informes us, ' that there is nothi»l fo pern*- f^JSf^S!*? nous to good manners, Touth to Play r sand Theaters, as an undoubted fymptome of a tatn damnofuni degerated declining State, then neere to mine, l p^ta^ch^lf^^Zy an eminent Moialift and Hiftorian, difapproves all Stage- ^ftaculod^ playes; not encly as lafcivious vanities ^ ocdafiomng m,uchpro- fidere : Tunc digaflvaine expense to the Republics dammage ; but as con~ cnim.per vo- tagious eVils which blafl the vertues,marre the ingenuom edu- toptatem faci- catienxorrupt *he lives and manners of all thofe who fieqxent llusv*tia m^" tbemtandmthadhe reports of * Gorgias, that he reputed L& Jt Tragedies and St age-play es, meere mpeftures. m Ltvy the k£pift. 90. graved: Roman Hiftorian, writes of Playes : Thai they 1 11,113 $ac* arefcaree a toller able jolly or mmdneffe in vnalthy Kingdoms : Quaeft.l1b.7- Controvert. lib. 1, Vrojemio, See Augufl.De Civitate Dei. Iib,i.c.*p.9.i3« J ?}*' earchi Solon. L.iconica Inftkuta. De Gloria Athcnienfium. De Audiendis Poette. iib,3c$ympofi.lib,7,Qua'ft 8, * Dc AudiendtsPcetis.pag. zS. m Inter aliarmn parvaprincipiarerumjludotumquocjue prima origoponenda vifa. eft, at apparertft $.4. Fraac>* Curu, i^op.pag.zfj.ij^ CM mm *$mi#g 4JO Hiflrii-SMdflix. Part.i. a§rmingx$ithdl, that thefisVage.playes »M were brought ! into Ron;.- at fir ft with an Mem to affwage the Flaw, and f ,,d V-.V.H gods ■ d,d farre more ^ the \ mendes ofth: R***mst, s>o-Jpiaves a bltmifti to the Roman State, vwebbt the* nera civil, fan- concM, ,„ he intoHerable mijchiefes in a Repute, and gninc; fcenico- d 'oy[o„ers 0f merss manners, from the ( wfit 1 l££S fL^U^M^, * Socrates £«*- v.bmnt.l.-. Gr«i«, *,ri» «/>r# reflihtion of the Delphi Oracle, P.4. De Spe- ?e„Mmtd dfimtdies as permciom,lafcivioiu,lcmr, ftaculis.fef i. n^foMfyfrfimas, which be refifedtorefort ■ wmch *K^ia. «, !fe S,^. * /f«r-r«,tnat grave Grsc.an Orator A.- risApologp;.* claims a^nft all FUyetatd AViors atper»sc»m,fi*,rslom ;$ Laercij. f^^ridwulotu^nvemve^ndcxpenfive, not tollerab.e in \ m». Socrates .' . That valiantRoman * bW**w, w his ©mi»« m gEucn I* the ^oman Senate and people ; produce* tbum an mpmm * anal h,btfhi,mfi*me, temperance, valour and vertue,*,*!, \ Varis H.ft. ;tfSW ^W w &w « 4 #4MU«»»M*-* * fcf *• «w « » o • C-P ^ Stag^layer, nor coftly Cooke about him, as other **?">»• •praao Ad ^JJ, Aolu,e RomMts did, whom he (hies, ■*/? /»- .foratiop. the *«¥«"" 7*r4«**,ftilcs s«S£-Fla;es; jfT" J l^.Edit.'iS,}.^ j(^ pilfer nnhfeemmg the word; whence he *^K H,r- highly apflaudes thU Emperonrfir baching them the Roman pretij cpquum, rorfiteri &c. ,iA? corrupted the Roman Nation, pere queat, in anddrew them on to all kt*de-ef vice, of luxury and lewdfiejje, urbe vifatuij by thefe accurjed Stage-playst, tt> thepubiiks ru'tne. And not ^genercl(]ue onely he, but likewiie { Totikms, t-Dion Cajfm, nluftini niu$ ^Ventuih x Suetonius, Y Tfatarch, % Herodiau, a Inlms Capitolinus, gymnafia & o- h Trebellius Pollio, c Flavins Vepfcus^ and d Juvenal, (to tia^c turpes a- pafle by c£utroptus, * Orofus, § ZoncrOi, h Grimfion, * ty- mores exercen. meerus, with other Chriftian Htftorians) condemne and s-iltuaSSo- cenfure, Nero, Claudius, Tiberius, Commcdus, Helio- ribus0qui ncn gabalus, Verus, Balbinus, Maximinus,GalIienus,SoIo- modo vitijsli- nius,Carinus, <*».p.67.68,cp.& Maximinus & Balbinuf.p.roj. * Eiyfcuc GalUeniduo p.$oj. 706^09, 310,314 .317,319. c Ejus Cnrinus.p. 447. 440,450. *Invenal.Siryr,8.e Rerum Romj.o & rb\Tiberius,CaIigulajNero,H£lidgpbaI.u$, -SccJHiftor ,1.7^. 7 j6*.& 37. 8 Ann#|.Tom.l. in the lives O; Nero, C;Jigiec Auguft, m ai ffofe Authors ioyntly tefitfie, whofe walls could notfe* \j mt&ku curs ^ vbtn as their vertuet, thtir manners were gone ■ ' quite tontine. n Horace -and luvenaL in their feverall Sa- n Sec ScrnUi. tyricall Poems, together with (jcUius NolliumAtticarZ. ^ryr4io.p.t9t Z^.io.^p.^.inveigh againft thefe Stage-play es,Players, lI5?5F9,A~?ft' aiM^ Sragc-houfes, at the occafions of much vtltany and *4<5, Kpift6 Po kwjvejfc ; the corrupters of youth, ejpecially of the female fex, f.i74.Epih.r.z who were mads Strumpets by them- and at the jhamss, the ■ -p. i. p. 17 3. to i/emfoes of the Otties where they mere permitted. The *s*- De Anc wanton Poet Ovid ;■ who was farre enough, I am ^g'^kk^; fiire, from all Puritanical! precifeneffe, as men now ftile k> iq6?- lt-> is even a rancke Puritan in this cafe of Stage-playes, ° Cuneis an For after he had informed his bawdy leacherous com- habent fpe&a- panions- thatVlayes and Flay-ho^t fes Wiethe beft pUces of oiiatotisQupJ Af art for unchafie bargames ; the mofi commodious haunts Biiod^ *"*? y f6r amoroHs Lovers, and i>vhore-mafters ; the mofi dangerous txcerpere pof- fnares t0 e»*rap *H beautiful! perfous, and the onely places for fis ? luvcndsa- Panders, Whorc-maficrs, whoresand fuch Itkj beaflly Men- iyr.G.p. 43.44« monjTcTs to catch their de fired prey ; in thefe lafetvieus difiikes; StcP41*5$>i* which notablv difcry the intolerable m ifchiefes. both luhPll:^' ofPlayes and Theaters : puli irons cm- 7 nualibet btrfutasfroade tegente comas. KfjptctfiHt oculiffcKOtant ftbi quifcfapuellam^ Quam veht ; & tacito petlore mult* movent Dftrnqj rudem frabentc modum ubicine Thufc$% Lydius aquatumterpcdepulfat humtsm9tfrca Trotenus cxiliunt, animum clamo? efatentesy Vtrgtntbmcuptda& mijciuntq^ manhsy&c. Romttlc mdtttbu fciftt dare cqmmoda folu> Hac mihi ft dederis commodity milts ere. Scilicet ex tile fokmma more Theatra, Nunc ejttoifcformofis infdtofa mAnent. W hen he had*hus,I fay, difcovered the lewdneffe of thtfe Stage-playes, though to a lewde intent, and with- all informed Lovers, that tt was impoffible for Parents, for Hnjbands, with all their care and mduflry to keep* thetr Wives or Children chafe , as lon^ as there are fo many Play- houfes fufered in the Ctttj, inthefefbure verfes : n Qutdfaciet cuflos t cumfmt tot in urhe Theatra : n De Arte A* Cam (pellet tunUes ilia libenter eqnos i mandi lib. 3 , Cum fide at Than a fecris operata iuvenca 1 P?§- %0 8* Que fa Jut comitetire vetantur eat* (A good caveat for Husbands, for Parents, tokeepe their Wives, their Daughters from . all Play es and Play-houfes : ) In his Booke De "Ketnedk ^/imeris : he advifeth aH thofe who would live chaftly, and keepe under their unchafte defires ; to withdraw themselves from Stage-plays: u caft away all Play- booths, PUyes, and amo~ reus Poems , eftectallj Tibullus, and hi* owne wanton Verfes ; «i thefeenfuingjines. r At tantt tibifit non indulgtre Theatru, * De Remedio Dnm bene de vacuo pec} ore cedat amor s Amoris. lib. 2*. £nerva»t animos cjthara, eantuf^ tjrty : Pa§* *3 °* Et Vox & numzrti brachia motafme, lllic affile fi£t fahaxtur ammes. OxidcawaSt aftor,q*td iuvet arte docet* Eloq+drMVrtHS t teneros ne tang c Poet a* : Mmm 3 _ $mw~ 454 Hiftrit-Maftix; Part.i; Summoned dotes irnpiM efle meat* CuUimachnmfugito ; n$n eft mmieut Amort : Etcum CaRtmacho tu quoq^ Cce notes. Carmrna qttk fotutt tutb legiffe Tibulli ? Vcltua cuius opus Cymheafolafuit * Quu potuit leUo hurw difcedere gall* ? Et mea nefcio quid carmina tale[onxntjirc> c . Atid to fhew his utter deteftatioa of Playes and -£Uid hicrip- Vhy-hon^s^ whofe amorous Uwdne^b he at Urcredtfciphsrs^ obfeena iocan- hC ^formes ^s£*/?/*, that they are the Summaries rfafl :es ? Qui fern- ^ckednep : the frequent occafions of wuchpnne, much lewd- per iun&i cri-s *ejfe and adultery uxte very many ; tj/e places •{ many adultc- men amoris r0H5 meetings, and whorilh contrails : wlxreftfdn he pir (wades busXducTui"*. ^^^Ht^h^demolijhaU Plaj-ktufes and Theaters; ms procedita- to damne up aH the portals and pajfages ftbem; and to [uf- ciuIterjVcrbaq: frejfe all St&ge-playes ; that fo thefts their pernicious fruits da: ftuttocarii- might be prevented. All -which hee thus elegantly ex* daruptavjro, prcffeth. iMc^ am nice- ilis temci ari l Vt tamen hocfateor : ludrquoq^femiuaprabent vccibus aires, TfeqxitU ; toUi tota Theatra tube Affucfcunt o- ftcctnm caufam qukm mult i* foe dederutst : cuh nsulca pu- . ha + J a ■ r , denda pati. Ottarti* cum dmumfttmtt.areuafolum I Cumq; fefeliit ToBatur fircHSjson tuta licentia firci eft : amans aliqua Hie fedet ignotoiunlhapuetiaviro. novitatc mar i- Cum quadam fpatieutur in hoc ut amator eodem ma favore da* Omnia perverjas pejjunt corrumperementes. Lur° ***< Ltu What could any Puritan(as our prophanc Play-haun- ^andaq; fs e ters ltiIe them Jhave faid more againft Playes then this ? dcdiftisSccnica anc* wnat can any Chriftian fpeakekrTe againft them, vjdifti fetus a- when as aprophane lafcivious Heathen Poet hath writ- dulteria. Trifti- ten To much ? If therefore we are loath to pafle a cen- ^l*hf'16?- fureuponStage-playes, crtoabandon Play-houfes for " 1"m* *" feare we fliould be as good as Puritans ; yet let us now at la(t renounce them, out of frame, left we prove farre W©rfethen Pagans, left Horace, htl/uvenal, and thefe fore- Part, i Hi&rio-Maftix, 455 fore- named Heathen Authors: left wanton Ovid: Or 5 Elegiarum.j, obfcttitPorperiim. (who thus cryes out of Theaters : *»E}cg.«.R*- 8 6 nitms exitio nata Theatra mse i ) }™\™&h ? Should bee more gracious, holy and precife then wee ; inviat.faV whofe holineffe h [boutd exceed even that of Scribes andTha- l Petj.n^tf. rtf/7*/3 ' ww£ »w* thenthis of wanton Pagan Poets, k #&«:& i Splief. *«M< carried them no farther then to Heli\ what ever fome old, c 4«i7.tp gi. fome new Pelagians have dreamed to the contrary. To I c^lt*1^*^ ■ * See betere, — cc before pa(Te from Pagan Authors, to Heathen Magiftrates, p. 97,98, g< ■c States and Emperors. The l ancient Lacedemonians j ex- rardiVcfljj eluded aliStage-playc.: cut of Sparta , permitting neither (femi- ^""potat, 3 f9 dies nor TrapeAies to beaded in it, left their youth fhould be !?e vj"utibus corrupted, their Laves dirided and brought mto contempt. prijcaux ^ And when as an Embaffadc-r ^/"Rhodes demanded of a Lace- ftura.8. DeSa- demonian,B?W wot the cccafion of their lawes againjl Players lute Erhnico- and lexers y fines they fhewed pteafwe to the people, and the peo- runi.Sc Beda. pie hfi ndthiw by it, but laughed at their My. * The Lace- ^e B?l v$m demonian replied, that Lycurgus fawy heard or read of Hiftoria.p 4 fome great dtmage that Players and Jeflers might doe in the Marke 16.16; Common- malcffinct he had eftablifhed fo flrait a Law again ft John 3 ,1 8 ,$ 6 . . f/jiw. But this 1 know, that wGreekes are better weeping JJ-pm.14.23, fyith onrSaees. then the Romans lauohin* at their Fooles. * ev- 2°« »"*.*• T£ Alexand^enalium DierumT A c^o..Agnppa,De Vanir.Scient.czo.Guakhei-.Hom.ii.inNahir^, Thomas Guale- cft.7T.inPxoverb.SaIc»monis . were 4$6 Hiftrio-Maftix. Part.!. wer$ fi Puritanically rigid iu th'tt cafe, that they would hp oh V tearmest no tntreaties what foever, permit any Stage-pLyes t§ r Lisry, Rom. ^ aUed within their Cttty or Territories ; for this very reafou ; Hift.!,7.feft.i. left the beholding of thsmfnould corrupt the tumdes and man* 9\ V-krtus nir5 of their Tout h; and draw them on to commit thofe vices c a fc 'fc^'" P m carHcft, which were afted before tlnm but in ieft.The ancient milii Probi Pagan Romans, as they reputed all common Actors infamous Prjefatio. Pla- ("S the ( Civilians and our owne r Statutes now efleeme to Legum Dia- them,) disfranchifing them their tribe as unworthy per font ; log.7 . Cicero an £ difabling them to inheriie lands ', to give any pubike tefti~ Publio^Ou m^y between man and man, or to be are any honor, office or ftio.Gcllius- dignity tn the Common, we ale*) (aa very great evidence and NoAium Attic, acknowledgement of the evilneffe of Stage-playes.as Tcrtullian 1. 10. c.4. Ma- and others defiant on tt ; fince Players vzere thus branded with crobius Sa^r" the note of infamy, even then when Tlayes themfe Ives were ** citus* Aftaal.r *beir firft and be ft requeft; ) evsn fo K they demoiiflied all their i4.cap.2.j.Aii- Theaters, together with the Galleries bmit about them bj a gull. De Civit. fubltke edtel, left the mindes and manners of the people Jhould Dej.L2.cjt0.t0 fa effeminated and devoured by them, to the publtke preiuaice. lV9' ?r4'c' y Thcmiftocles the famous Atheman Generally wafted * 2»4vvithfun- , , .% n .. « i 1 a dry others Law, that no ^JMagtftrates jhould nfort to Stage-flay es, left fore- quoted, the (fommon-w salt hit felfe Jhould feeme to loyter and play in Summa AnL'elica.Tit.XnfamiruPhotij Nomocanonis«Tit. 15.cn. ?-2,Thcod. Bal- foinonXommentlbid.Gratian.Diftinctio.jg^S^o.&Caufa^/Quxft^^Toftatus. T 0:11,2,. hi M.Uth.6.Qu3eft.2 8.& 6"7.fol.40.E.Ioannis De Burgo Papilla Oculi.pars l.c.^^.Alvarns Pelagius,De Planfhi Ecciefia?J.i.Artic«49. A,& \»%. Anic.28. Di?e- ftorum.l j.Tit.i.De his ^ui notantur infamia.CorpusIuris CivUis. Tom. 1.^541. & Biuteus & GothofYedus Ibidem. See p. 1 5 2 4 before- & Bulengerus De Theatro. l,i.c.$i.DeInfamriTheatri.t i4JBliz.c.?.39.Eli7..c.4. n Quanta confeffio eft ma- lar rci cujus auftotes cum acceptiftimi (int fine nota non (tint? TirtnlDe Sptftaej. 12. * PrifcsRomanorum leges Theatraftuprandismoribus onentia {hum deftruebant. TertHLjpoiogut*Advirf 2 2,3 2. & lib z.cap.i ij $. & Suetonij CVia. vius.feft.4^ y Ioanrie^ Antonius Campanus, De Gerendo Maeiftratu. lib,Bibl, Patrum Tom.ij.pag.8^'. Ioan.Sansberienfis^De NugisCurialiumJib.i.cap.l. Ibidem. pag. j 4f» & Buwrehi Thcaiiftoclcs. thema Part. i. Biflrio-Maftix. 457 in the**, (Et utinam audiretur a noftris (writes * Iohn Sarif- * ^ Nu^ bjw'ry)ut faltcm in provecHori sctate nugis fin's republics CunahflnU.^ feria anteferrent:) <*W *tv» before thh hw ofhu^ it wa6C'*^**' an ancient cuftome in Athens y which wa& lefg obferved> that net the leafi admittance mt& ike Theater (heu/d be given unto auybuifucbwhojhouldpng and utter bone ft things ; left the tjtfagi/trates and people there prefent fhould be made (petlators efdtfhonefl pafltmesy which might draw them en fa-vice. Nst * chryfoflc to (peak? of the Gcthesand ether * Barbarians, who cenfured Homil. 38. and condemned Stage-pUyes 4s effeminate and ridiculous Mzah.Tom.z* fuperfltitt'tei. x Philippm G 'luverius informes us out of Cof* 299.300. Tacitus/ who writes thus of the German women.* £r** j>wnn>> c , * 'V * ,„ afl , „ / . ** Gubernat^Da. fepta pudtettia *guntf uukts fpellacuhrum tllecebrts^ cor- lib.^.pag.xpy. ruptx: ) that the ancient Pagan Germdnes knowing with % Antiqu.Ger- what things the chaftity »f women was moft corrupted among mani£Xix,ao ether Nations, did wholy abandon Stagc-phyts> with which fl|^uni Ba^- tbej were unacquainted : of the corruption of which ffeftaclcs * g \ '?*& l l ' Seneca bath fpekeu moft truety, That there is nothing fo pre- aDeMonbus mdicMte good manners a* to fit idly at a Tlay; for then vi- Germanorum, ces creepc more eaftly upon us through pleafure. b O Pro- fe£t.6.7.Sce fc. pheticall and Divine fbeecb moft worthy Co great a Teacher of hr 9 , vocem 1 \r r J 1 rri - 1 •* \l- rr j i 7 fatidicam 3tq$ Wtfedomel Thu vertly wrttes this Heathen man ywho was al- j)ivin?m ran- together ignorant ofthofe divine Precepts which God by Mof es t0f.ue fapienti rfW 0f for Tropbets hath delivered to hu people* We therefore ad do&ore digr who have now given up our names to Chrtfts discipline and piffinr.am.lIoc warfare.with what face doe we nownet onely excufeour Stave- .{? ^omo * pujes% but Itks wfe applande^and voluntarily tnftitute them f pf:ccGpt.orum which verily are fo mfxb the leffe to be tolleratedj by how much qHx per Mby- the more they exceed the meafure of that old Heatkexifb mo- fta elm r.liof- defty, for now vices dec not onely ft sale upon us through the q^.Pfbpnetas pleafure of beholding :, but they are at it were by force thruft ®™X*{™™1 into fincere and pure mind; sy by examples, by vo)ce, by band [ji(fit p'^nc ni- and ablion : fo that I verily beltevs, there were never any dis.Nos igirur > nunc, qui ■ Chriftianse difciplinae militixque dedimus nomin3^ qua fronte ludorutn fpe&actf. la,nonfolum cxcuramuSjfecilaudarr.usetiamatcjueultro inftituimus,c-U32 fane co minus cr^ttolerandaqwomagisveterisiiiiusgentiiifque modefhs modum exc««- iuutjvVc. Ibidem* Nnn inventors 45 8 Hiflrio-SMaftix. Part.i . . inventor: and tsiSrors of places more corruptly licentious then ours now : Bat theft things arc rather forraigne, then orir owxe) for even nor* the Germanes mves are ieffe foliated with Stage-playes then the wives of oiher Nations. The an- cient and moderne Germancs then,by this Authors te- ftimony,abandoned Stage-playes5as the very Seminaries of lewdneffe, the occafion oLadulteiy, and the grand empoyfoners, efpecially of ail womens manners; which I would wifh ail husbands to obferve. Scipio ^afica^ H^e'^T'r t^iat unPara^el(* Roman General!, as c fmdry Authors AutftrfE! i> ' teft*fie* dd h a publike decree of the whole Senate demolifh ths CiWrJDei. i. i. R°wm Theater s^and interdifl their Stage-playes ^ as the very c«$I'3Vn-& baneandruineofthe Romans manners, veYtuesy valour } and U 2.c4ia.i j, 27. theUke : as the Seminaries of all lewdneffe effeminacy jd!eneffey " bT0 vi!**" v*ce af*dmckedne{fe ; ar.djhe very overtures of the Common- us Maxinuiff wca^e : whofi^dfare was altogether thconfiftent vetib lafsivi- i.c.4. VelUius eui Pl*yes* Whiph worthy acl of his,is much applau- Paterculus. ded by Livy, Tul'y, S. Augufli^e.^ and others here quoted Hift.l.i.pj^. in the margent. d Trebontm Rufinm, banifhed all lufti ppianus.Hift. m^ S tare-play ss out ofVienna,over which he was Govsmour% •Rerum r0^- a* tnfcUwus to thetr manners*, for which when as he was accn- ■ Borum.Hift.l .* fid before the %onsane Senate by fame di'fclute Male-contents , ibl.43.P0ly- bee aufe he did it of his ownehead, without any director, from chronicon. hj. tJ^ Senate ; Iunius Maurkus, a grave Roman Senator tst G^neba V' ?AH Wit^ '°*m> *n^ mft'>fhe^ *&>** A& of his y which he net ovely Chronicon, 1. mtiC^ applauded, but wifoed openly withail, that c all Stags- -~.p$oi3akn-ptayes were Itk^w'tfe expelled out of Rome, as well as out of is Dc The- Vienna ; for the vices of the Visnmans (faith he) rcfidemc- p.ioj, Tercullian, De Speclaculis. cap. 10. & Apologia Adverf. Gemes.'cap. 6. cum multis ali; write againft Stage-playes. d Pliny, Epift, lib. 4. Epift. zz. vicL Argum< tpiftola^prshxum. e Placuit agorta tolh qui mores Vienncnfium infecerat,ut nofter hie omnium. Nam ViennenfiumYitiainttr ipfos refiduat, noftra late va- gantur. Vtcjue in coiporibus Tic in imperio3 graviflimus eft morbus cjui a capite cuifiinditur. Ibidem* f*Oftavi«s P a rt . i . Hiftrio^'Maflix. ^9 Oelavius the Nephew of luiius Csfar, as Marcus Aure- f Marcus Au- Husinformes us, drove away all Stage-players and left ers out KlfrjJ.cap.14. cf Rome.as infufferab/e mifchiefes in the State. I read in- ^ ~vxvu"'1* deed in a Suetonius, and b Dion Cajftus^ that OUavius * suftonij Q- (whom we ufually call AuguftusCafar) was at firftvery ftavius/ec^. «?#<:£ delighted with Siage-playes, (the mcanes perch ace of ma- 44j 45V £/#£ £«# <*» c adulter sr )tn the beholding of which be [pent much ,b Rom' H^* time* and now and then whole day es together* I reade like- 607 &%rim- wife, d that he tooke away the fewer o^unifhing andfuppref- ftGn! pas. $ T* ftng Stage-players permitted to the Roman Magiftrates at all c. Suetonij Q- times and places by the ancient law, (an infallible evidence ftavius.fea^ that the ancient Roman lawes condemned Stage- ^ee ?3y^* play es and h€tovs\) yetfo, as that he referved the pwercf 4 Cbetcionem punifhing Flayers, and reforming Stage- playes to himfelfe ; in Hiftrior.cs . by vertue of which power; he fir ft of aH * inhibited all MagiftrStibas Roman Knights, Cjentkmen, and Gentlewomen from afting in omni ttm- or dancing on the Stage, prohibited likeroife by a former law ; Pore locoIe*° Secondly, he commanded one Stephamo, (fbme'call him njiflam ac Epiphantm,)a» excellent T layer andltfter (who upon a Holy- rrm3 prater-.. day to /hew this Emperour feme pleafure, and hoping to receive quam iix 4^^ rew rd, went thrice unto his Palace: onetime in the at- ftenam.Sa tire of a Page, -and another time in the habite of a Rcmaxe a&vm.jeU* Matron, andfo truely counterfeited every thing, that itfeemed c rj;on Czfr . not to be him, but the felft fame person he represented;) te be us. R. whipped 'pubttfyty three fiverall times one after another absnt lib* 54- P- 68*< the Theater, and then to be banijhkdfor this faU 6f%ii . And |*c -^ ^ 7< B?£'£« ^ complained that the Emperour commanded Vaoa- ffiS V ~ bsndsto be whipped but once, and he wr ice : Atigulms reply ed: c Once they [halt whip thee for the iniury thou diddefl to the Ro- Guevara, t man \&fatron whom thou reprefentedft ; The feevd t theyfhaR whtp thee for the preemption thsu badfc torn it in ccs' l,b* \* c[lP° my prefevce. The th^d,for the time thou haft made divers lofe fj^h^s y£fem for beholding and hear ing thee. For lejiers and Skyers dc- tn fer've not jo much pumfhment for their lefts and P /ayes, as 'for Apoiogie for- the time which they lofe and caufe others to lofe-, Thirdly, A&orsjp^^ the commanded Hylas m eminent St age~playcr, upon a am. c $laintofth*Prctoragair;fthtm,tobepubl'ki\) whipped in the $avfu! Nnn 2 (few* 460 Hijhcu-Maftix. Part.'. *SL,er^mns/ £9mt 0fh^ pjiMe% Fourthly, h be banifhed Pilades (fome fe" him P//rf;J another l/tttor out of Rome and Italy , Princes 'lib. $. aft'~ l™ Lidtafhd of the Whippi*grpofty for pointing at a Spe- c<44 pae. yi2. &»tor with bu finger %vsho had faffed at him\ andfo bad made I G. his Retu- bim nctorioui< fVhtch1?ifosy being very popular, and making A-oio^et6- m*'4yf'kn17. £***ft him, faying : That Rome hath been* mighty and pv;f- fant enough to make hWnenemies floope, and now [he is not able to banifh left en and Fooles ; and that which is worfi of aU9 thzy have preemption to vex my and we have not courage to- reLusCoAU~ r€tr™ them' La%> ** i bamfhed all the Players and Guevara Dili !&*** 0Ht °f '*%&»*' for thofe intolerable mifebitfes they \ ©f Princes, l.j. didcecafion. And when as the people earneftly befought cap.44.p. ji z. him to recall Pilas from his exile : k he condfeended to tfcir ' *uctoniH5.fed. requtfl wtth nmch adtey upon this condition ; that they fhotild *DrilofP ' give a Mafler and Tutor to Pilas, that jhould chzftife and ces. Ibid. See eorreEl him as a Toole : faying ,Th*t fince Sage: take Fooles Dion .Caffius. ' t» be their CMafiersy that Fcoles alfo fhould have Sages for . R°ni.Hi{M.y4 their aJ^f afters. All which is a fiujicient evidence, that X^w?6' & ^f%ufiM deemed Piayes and Players, whom hee thus VitaAmmfti*1 whipped and exiled* intolerable miichitfes in a State. § Tacitus An- s Tiberius y none of the bed Emperours, though he much aal.I. i .c. t 4 . «& delighted in PUyes at firft ; . yet at la ft by retfon of thofe great lib^.c.j.Dion mifcfatfesy outrages, mifdemeanors, tumu'ts, quarrels y mm - ^affius. Rom. tkers,fedttionsy that Piayes and Players did occaftcny after 79%. Marcus ^ many toynt complaints preferred agair. ft them both by the Sc- Aurelius c.ia.. nateandtbe (fommon-people\ he was enforced to condemn* Pliny Panegyr, all Players to the whipping- poft% (a puni foment futable to rrajanodiftiu fuch unruly Rogues) and then, to banifh them and their iUexand 1 ^taie'P^AVs om of Ittly, as in >. Genebm- ^^that vitious Roman Emperour3 h who was fo much di Chronicoii. bsfottedwitb Stage-*rl^yestai for? 'times re play the A&9ry t» pag 2j z. fos eternal infamy ' : * wasiat la ft enforced to So that one of the tokens to know a vsrtnopu or\itiom Prince i See Ad 7. in Rome, write Gusvara and /. ) »* *>M *totor to maintained Play- ]™%™%C°- rr/ , /f/ftrj , a*d Ifiglers among ths> peeyle , yea or no ; pe Epifcdpis which didfo effeminate, vitiate and deboiilboth Ma- &clericis. giftrates, Prince and people too, as to precipitate them ^ex- it- * 8. into all kindes of iewdneffe, iinne and wickedneffe, and £?r?us T£ 1S to prepare them both for invafions and definition* as 4/cqL77.°&' Ammia*m Lftiarcellivus. Itb. t% . c*g. 10. Augufim, 1)e Tir.A.'DeE- Ovitate Dei. ltb> i.c 3 I ',. 3 2, 3 3 . //£. 2 . C.%.to ij. Que- pifcopali Au- *a;?\ Di which dtfpleafeth mefo much c4.vid.Ibid. as the fufirance of thefe unthrifty Trewaut*. In the yeere 2 6q. of the foundation of 'Rome jn a time of an horrible fefti- lence in Italy, to reioyct thefeofle wo* fir ft found out the inven- tion of Theaters by the advice of thefe Tnwants. It is a JhamefuHthtng to hear e, that the pej? Hence dured but twoyeeres9 and the rage and folly of thefe unthrtfts duretbfoure hundred j jeeres. Would 1 0 the mmortaH gods that the plague had ended thefe few which rewmne> before this curfed generation had brought fuch abominable cuflomes into Rome ; for much bet- ter had it bene for our Mother Rome that fhe had wanted Inha- bitants, then fuch Rafcals fhouldhave come and dwelt therein. Thefe M*fttr-fooles have beenefo wily to teach folly, and the * Loe here the Romane youth fi aft to learney * that though they be put in fpreding lepro Barkes% their difciples would lade 9000. Carrackts.Rome was fieofcontami- never overcome by thofe who were valiant and vertmta, yet mting Stage- f foat fay we fAW # overgone & troden underfoot by thofe fooles : player %y WAijsof ^omg^ that were never" touched by the Tawaus had that day their lowfesfull of armed Trewants. Rome that triumphed over all Reatmes, was triumphed upon that day with Flayers and luglers. Iamfo abafoed in this cafe, that I k»ow not what to fay or write* Tet one thing comforteth me% that fit he Rome and Romanes uniuftly doe reioyce with thefe fooles, fhe and the famous V/ifemen itifilyfhaUbe ch a fit fed for their fooles* And in this rhe gods (bah not be dijpeafed ; that fithe Rome laughed at thefe Trewands andmecksrifs, one day fhe fhaHweepe with thefe Tumblers and luglers^&c. Thus farre this Heathen Emperour, who both by his deeds and words,exterminated Playes and Players out of the Roman Part. i. Hiflrio-Maftix. 4^5 Roman Territories, as the greateft contagions and cor- % . nt ruptions of his Empire. « Comehm Taatw records : ^G^ 4Uoq. That when a* Vompie eretled hts ftandtng Theater at Rcmet p0mpeiumin- hcwfit accufed and blamed for it by the Senators; becaufe it cufatua tenia- would be a meanes to make the people fit whole dayes together tibus f erunc, ^ idle in the Theater beholding ^Hift.i.xg^io. Oog hie 466 Hiftrio-SMaflix. Part.i. ble contaminating pernicious plagues in any Well-or- dered Srate; which caufed thefe very Pagan Emperors, States and Magiftrates thus folemnely to exile them ; and thele their Authors to declaime againft them. To pafle from thefe to Chriftians; wee fhall finde both Chriftian Princes, Republikes, Authors, of anci- ent and moderne times, concurring with thefe former Pagans m thefe their doomes of Playes and Acftors. It *Antiq4Iudae- is ftoried by *Iofephue; that when as King Herod weuld orurai.if.cti have brought Stage-pUyesyCirque-plAyes% and other Spefta- 7 H 4IJe4e/i- desirto Uierufalem, where hi had ere Sled a beAuttfull Tbea- ms quidenT ~ l^cri *n& Amphitheater, adorned with Csefars Titles and I»- fpectatoribus fcriptfons ; y the whole Nation of the Iewes, (though For- piurimumad- raione Spectators much admired And delighted in his fpecla- mirationis ifi-- ciu\ psrceivine that thefe P lay es did who iy tend to the diffblw mul atq: dele- *./•!« ■ ■■ \ U iri \ ~ ftationi* afFe- ftMOftbe$r ancient received Country atfctphve » and fearing xtbmttin&qt-tbatfomegrcttinconvdnienceto their Common-wealth would nis vcrd pror- follow upon this Alteration ; thought it thetr duij to maintatne fus ad diffolu- their puhltke difcip/ine which was now dec linings though it were mnmttn- "*** 'be bazjirdof their lives; And not to fkffer Herod to clerc videban-" fr°cced with thefe his SpeUacles, [hutting up their (fitty tur,8cc. Itaque Gates againft them, which when Herod perceived, he began venti ne ex topAcifie And perfwade them with good words, to admit of thefe hac mutatione bis Playes ; which prevay ling nothing with many , he endea- ^tqueretur voured to introduce thefe Plajes Among them perforce : where- quod rcipubli- HPon ten of the Iewes con^tred together to murther him whiles cae detrimental, he was fitting in the Theater beholding thefe his Enter /udei i ; putaverunt fm which they hadcertaineiy effected, had act thU their con piracy officij 1 labanti yeetu ctfuall) detected: Of which Herod takjno advantage, f. ilplT^pub" accomplished bts defire, and fo brought thefe his The«tncall Ucz vel capitis „ ; \ . .,.''./, , & , J f r • t_ t r » periculo fnc- interludes into Htcrufalcm: by mestnes whereoUi&itn tojephiu currere,nec pa- (pray marke the dangerous confequence) r the Iewes de- ti Herodem quicquam contra receptos mores inducere, & pro rege hoftem agere, &c. Jbidem. * Quo factum eft ut magis & magisdifecderet a patrijs ritibus, & pereg~inis ffudijs veterum inftituucorrumperetinviolabiUa : quorum tempore permagna faSa.eft bo- norui» morum in detenus inclinauOjhbante difaplrna qua ante hac popuius folebat contineri in officio* &c. Ibidem* parted Part. i. Hiftrio-S'Maftix. 467 farted more And more fom their Country rites % and corrupted, the inviolable luftitmions of their Avcejtari with forraigno inventions and delights ; fi that there was a very great decli- ning and degenerating sf then good manners into worfe : the -discipline decaying whereby the people were wo ft be forests time to be kept in order* Such vigorous venome .was there in thefe Stage-playes, both to fubvert their State, and difcipline, and corrupt their manners ; the whole Nation of the Iewes being thus both reall witncfles and examples to confirme my Minors truth, whom I have here ranked among Chriftians, as being then oppolite * Sulpitius Sc- unto Pagans :I now come to reall Chriftians. It is vcrus.Sacr« ftoried of fonft amine the Great, that * veryfirfl and mo/} ^°pn*1' famous Chriftian Romane Emperour, (whofe na.me TonM?pars i. we Engiim men have Ipeciall caufeto honour, he being p. 5oj.H. Be- a borne , bred, and fr ft crowned King and Emperour here m rengofus Ab- Englandy hk Mother Helena being a Bnttifh woman to:) *>as,DeIn\ren- *Thathewboly withdrew himfelfe fiom the Secular State- "°"e & aude places of the (jennies mads m the third y cere of his Conful\hip> II#Bibl.Patiu« (0 drive away plagues and difeafes : contemning and retsfting To 7.p.i8 8.B. thefe their Enter ludes ; at which thefe Tagan Gentiles grieve/i * See Ioannis much : After which being eftabiimed in his Empire, he S^benenfis didbypu&likeEdiCis 'abolijb aH the cenmonte sprites, lafcivi- DeNSgis Oi- ou&cuftomes audcbfcentties of the Gentiles, and interdicted all rialium.Brbl. gladiator j Playes *nd Enterludes, at intolerable pernicious Patrum.Tom. y.pag.3^41. D. Liberavit ille Brittannias fervitute, tu ctiam nobiles illic oriendo fecifti- Vantm* Conftantmodi8u6.p$6J>ec Eutiopius.Rerum Rom.I.ir«p,i 3 j.Centuris Magdeburg. Tbm.4,Col.6i.Baroiui!S & Spondanus.Annal.Ecel.Anno 306 kd^.7. Iohn Bale Centuri a 1. S'cript.Brit.c. $6p,?. 2.Mathew Weft. Anno 307.p1 go.Polychronicon, 1-4-C2 j.i6.Galfredtis Monu netenfis.Hi{l,Regum Brit.l.^c.^.8. Ponticus Verun- mus.Hift.Brit.l45 p.io8.Beda Ecclef.Hift.l.i.c 8. SpeedesChroniek.libAcap .46, p.i J3.Socratcs,Bcclef.Hift lib i.cap,2. Caxtons Chron. Chronicon Chronicoru, Anno 544. foL 145. b Zofimus Hiftoriae. lib. 2, Baronius & SpQiidanns. Anno jo^feft. 5. c Eufcbius^De VitaConftantini. lib<3.cap. 52, 56. & lib. 4. cap. 23. 14, *5. Sozomen. Hiftoris Ecctef.lib*- 'arge relates : and I (ike wife finde both him, raknini. c.nus.Anno & . _ , . . rr . , _ * S6$ -fed. <. an a"" Gratian, together With valcns the Emp.r$ur> ena&mg s Eutropius thefe publike lawesagainft Stage-playes and common RcrumRom.I. Acl:ors,well worthy obfervation : ° That no Stage-plajes 13._p.174 ?>*" [hoald be ailed on the Lords-day; that Stage-players and daaiu Ann°n" Women-otters Jhould be quite debarred from the Sacraments 4o*4,fcft.i 74. ** 'ong ** they continued m their pfaymg, and that the Sacra- h Butropius ment jhould not be adminiftred to thsm in thetr extremity }r, he n RerumRom. <# they lay upon thetr death-beds , though they ds fired it, un- •'sl03 >J 74' kJT* l^eJ ^ firfi rw°Hnce * he* wtcked lewde profijfm, and Mi?dcburc * proteft foternnely that they would not returns unto tt tga'tnc in Tom.4. Col.152S.1e30. & Codex. Theodofij lib. t $.TitJ>e Gladiatonbus. k Scc bcfore,p174.75.CilTiodor.Variarum.l,f.c.42. ' Theodofius re&nprnio dedi: adver- fus pfaltrias 5c fidicenasmulieres Civitatura pzfesjtitrophu Rervm Rm.Hift.Li $-pag. 173. Barontui & SpwdaniM, Jnw $8j.fc#. 9. See luftimcni Codex. I 1. Tic. 7. Lex. f. Bulengerus De Circo>&c. pag.87.88. ra Sed a Rege profecta con- .triftant.? Sed nee ilia urofe&ogravia, verum & ipfa multum attulcrunt emolumenti. ^niid enim molcfti ( die mihi ) faftum eft, quod orcheftram obftruxit, quod Cir- cumina'cceiiibilem fecit, quod nequnia? fontes exciufit & fubvertit ? Vunam ncc darecur Bncjuamhos apenn. Hinc nequitias radices in Civiute perminavervint# hinc funt qui moribus ipfis crimen afferuntj &c. Propterea triftaris chiriflime ? Imd & propterea gaudere 3c laetari oporteat & gratias regi agere, &c. Homil I7e circa, pag 81.8*. See here, pag. 41^.42^, 424. ° Codex Theodofij. Lib. i ^. Tit. j . De Spsftaeulis, Lex. 2. 4. pag. 471, 47 2. &Tir, 7.DeScemcis.Lexti.pa^. 473. Spondanus Epit, Baroni; Anao : 7 j, fed, 10, "ft P A rt. i . Hiflrio-SMaflix . A&9 cafe theyfh$uld recover. Such was their deteftation a. gainft common A tors, and fo by confequence againft Piayes themfelves, which made their Actors fo bale, to execrable, to thefe Chriftian Emperours. fjufttnian the p See here"AA Smperour, promulgated this pious Edict; That all forts 7.Scene 3 . pag. of Clergte men, together mtball other firmans, jhould re- I^Jq^' fraine, not onely from Dice play, and CD teen company^ but jib Tlt $ ' tikewife from the very atfing and beholding of Stage piayes and De Epifc, & Theatrisall Spectacles , becattfe they are Y*ot the leaf part ef Ckncis.Lex, /60/tf /wwpM 0/ f he Devil which Chrifttans folemnely renounce 1 7 . 1 8, 5 5 ,3 4t .wfc» f &*/ argthe imployments cf this re- ^0'6l^ ,p's*4 ' ligtous Day doe we permit aiy one to be occupied in objeene plea- r Dies feftcs fures. Let not the Theatricall Scene, nor the Cirque Com- Majeftati altif- fimae dicatos nullis volu-nus voUiptatibusoccupari>nec ullis exa&ionu vexationib^profanari.Do- mimcu itaq3 diem its Temper honorable decernim? &venerandii3ut a cun&is exqju- tionibus excufetur> null-i quemquim urgeat admoni:io,nulla fidejuffionis fla^itetur exac~Uo,taceat apparicio, ad/ocatiodelirefcat, fit ille dies a cognitionibus afie nil's, prxconis hoinda vox filefcat,, refpnent a controverfijs litigantes,& habe.mt :a?derjs inter vallum, ad fefe firnul veniant adverfarij nontiraentes, fube;;t animos vicaria paenjtudo,pafta conferant,tranfa*ftione5 loqiuntur. Nee hujas tarnen religion* diei ocia rehxasues ob'exnis quenqihm patimur voluptatibus detineri. Nihil eodem die fibi vendicetfccnaTheatraHs,aut Circenfcrertamen, aut ferarum lachrymofa fpeftacula : erfi in noftrum ortum aut natalem celebrandafolennitas incidents difre- ratur. Amiffionem militix,profcriptionem patrimonij fuftinebit, fi quis uaquam hoc die feilo fpeftaculis intereffe, vel cujufcunque judicis apparitor pi xtextu neso- cij publici, feu pnv\ti,hxc,qu2B haclegeftatuta funt, crediderittemeranda. Datum. Idibus Deccmb. Confhntinop. Zenone & Martiano Cof, Inflation) Codicti, lib. }> Til. ii, De Fcrys, If*. io,Edit. Varisi/s. 1557. f<* g. 1 24 , Oo$*S bate. 47° Hifltie-Maftix. P A rt.i \ bate yor the dolefull Spectacles *j vnlde Beafisy clarme any li- berty to themfelves on this diy: and if any folcmnity to be ce- lebrated, either in reffeft of our coronation or nativity , [ball chance to happen upon ity let it be put offtofome other time* If any per/on /hall ever hereafter pre fume to be prefent at Stage- * Viz. oh the ftyes on * *bu Holy- day ; or if the Apparitor of any fudge un- L ords-day. der pretext of any pub1 ike or private buftneffe fhall violate thofe things which are decreed by this law, hs fhall under goe the lojfe of hie office, and th§ fequeflratton of his Patrimony. O that this godly Law were now in force with Chriftians I then Playes and Paftimes on Lords-day evenings, would not be fo frequent , then thofe who had ferved Cod at Pi*ayers, and Sermons in the daytime, would not fofe- rioufly ferve the world, therlefrutheDevill, in Dan- cing, Dicing, Mafqucs, and Stagf>playes in the night, 1 Gal.j.j,$, beginning perchance the Lords^day (Hk$ the ( feohfh Ga* t jn his paneg. lathtans) m the sjtrit, but ending it in tht flefhy as alas too gyricus Thea- many carnal! Chriftians doc. Tbeodortcusy a Chriftian dorico diclus. King of Italy /whofeprayfes c EnmdtusTtcinenfisy /?ath Bjbl.Patrum. proclaimed to the world) in his Epiflle to Fauftut, tranf- pa^i afS l ' mitted t0 pofterity, by n zJMarcus Aureus fafiodorus^ a Varitrum. 1. hath pafTed this Cenlureupon Stage- piajsj, and firque- $ , Epift ,5 1 . playes : * that they expell the grave fi manners, invite the mofi « Spedaculum triviall contentions \ that they are the exhauffcrs of hone fly 9 expelkns gra- t/je ever-running fountains ofbrawlts and qxarrels;vbicb anti- cs 1 hwitans" W**! Vertty reputed facredy but contentious pofterity hath made Ieviffifflascpn- tbtm a metre ludibrium. Which paffage he thus fcconds temiones, eva- in his Efiftleto Speeiofius. ? Who can expert grave manners cuator hone- in Stage-playes f Catocs\now not how to meet e togither at ftatis, fotts k- Tlay-houfes. Whatfoever is there ffoktn to the reioycing rifrn^quocfvc" ¥eofe & mt dtwtd an tniury. his a pUce which defends tuftas quidera ex&JJe. In another Eftfile of his to the Roman Senate > he habuic facrum, thus informes them, what great mtfchtefes thefe Stage- fed conteafiofa poikriras fecit effe ludibrium. Ibidem. T Mores autem graves in fpe&aculis quis requirac ? In Circus ncfciunr convenire Catones. Quicquid iihc gaiideari popu- lodicitur injuria nonputatur. Locus eft qui defendic txceflum. Cfljjiodortti Varia* rum. lib, t. Efijt, i7» -% flajes P A R T. I. HiUrio-Maftix. 47 1 playes had procured to the people \who were brought into extreme dangers by them.' z Animum noftrum, PatresConfcripti, Rei- * Variarum.i. pub.curis calentem, pulfavit fitpius querela populon:mi orta i.Epift^o. qmdem ex caujis levtbas,fed graves eruUavtt exceffiis, Qer plorat enimpro fpeUacutorum vriuptate ad difcrimwa fe ultt- maperventffe^S'C. And in his a Eptflle to (JWaximug^vf l Caflfiodorus, the divers fortt of Spettaclesy which the Confab exhibited to varianim. 1.5, the people out ef aprepofierous cuft6mey to iheir great expence; P1""*2- (againit^ the feverall wickedness of which Exterludcs hee bScd hie aptc there much declaimes) he elofeth up that Epiftle with i»ngendumei3| this pat heticail Epilogue. Heumundi error ttolendus : ft yu°d*kdtin- effctullttiaquitAtutotMtHs.taziadivitti pro vita mart ahum tens ^mt^m deberent dart, quant & m morta hominum videntur effundu jcr£ COroprer_ Such was hi 3 Royall Cenfure of theft peftiferous Stage- dere form.is playes3 which bred Co many mifehiefes and difcords in P°flit,&c? j^# the world. It ic c regiflrcd of 'Henry, the third Emperour ^^olphus^ of that nameywbom they fldedblacke and godly \ that when as j/Lj^t. °* a great company of Stage-play o s a d A Bors fl >ck#d together fol. 21 4. 2 1 5 . to Ingelheim to his marriage^ about the yeere 1 044. he xhruft Theodo u , them aR out of the (four 't and Citty ; and commanded that the Zuinger. The- meney which fhould have beene (pent in maintaining^ rewar- ^nim YltJf dim, andadormno themyfhould be diflributed among thepoote: l2 j - * *8 ° ' An example (writes Matter Cjualther, -who relates it) iS^lchiom- truely worthy ofetcfnallprnyfe ; which if Princes and Magi- con Chronico- ft rates of Common* weales would this day imitate, there wsuld lum.Augufta. be leffe place left to filthy and ' (leathfull dlenejfe, then which }^l'^m6' there u nothing more power full to corrupt mens manners : yea 4 j^ Gene- wife and pruacnt men would be then in greater requefl, and the rail Hiftory of poore would be better provided for, who now pander about in Prance. Lon- ever} corner to the preat fcmd&ll of Chriftianity; It is ftoried ^6n i^4*P?;g» of d Philip A**«ftsts, the 42 . Kino of France ; that he beino "^ii^Bodi- r,L jrrr i r i ., j ^, BUS De Repub an enemy tc pumtke Osfjoldttons, and a friend to go.;d order and m, # layer* Juglers,P UyeS, * Li b. 19. c. 41. and L '^i.ig-houfeijjsriiich he wholy fuppreffed, as peruiciotts Edit.Colonia?, ff j banijhino aft Sta'pe-plajers out of prance by AgriP* T45»4- *Jublik?"EdiZi * the true grounds of which worthy g|^f^ . gel of his Vtncentm in his c Speculum Hiftoriale, doth 030,31,31.' thus 47i Hiftrio-Maftix. Part.: thus expreffe. Cum autem in CmV T*gHm v'l principum frequents hiftrionum turba ccnventre folehat^ ut ab eis ourum & arge»tnm> cfr eqnos feu veftes, quae ft'pe pr in apes mutare foUnt verba toculatoria varqs adulationibus plena proferendo ab eii extorqncant : videns Rex cPhriifptts hac ejfe var,a, & ani. * See here, p. wa jaJutt contrarta,mentc premptfjfima Deo promtfit ; quod 314. lucrus omnes veftes fua4 qxamdiu vivtret mtmtn Dei pauper ibn* era* xi^l Otaus &aret > mAfens nu^m Chriftum in panpe^ibm vefiire ; quant Magnus. Hift adulator »bn. vefta dando peccatum i^currere ; * qnomam hi- Li j.c? 1.31, ftriovibw dare ( and I would thofe whoipend their mo- Ioan.Betto- ney at Play-houles would well confider it)efi Dtmonibm chinus.Reper- imaJare, Hoc [i quotidte prinapes attenderent^ nequequam 66 H irtrio tot *ffCC4tores Per ™**dHm dtjcnrrerent. Vidimus autem prin- Guiilermus * cipes quo/dam veftes din excogitates.. &v#33^ Gracos. TMl. Patrum, Tom. 2. p*g. 1 80. 1 8 1. Of TUeofhU ubff nihil al^ luh Antiochenus, Ad Autolichum. lib. 3. Ibidem pag. 170. ud putari de- G. H. Of Minuc'tus Feltx. Otiavtus. pag, 10 1. 1 2 1. Of bet,quam pe- Arnobius Adverf. Gemes. lib* 4. pag. 149, 1 5 o, I 5 I. & ftis acc3' mor~ lib. 7. p4g.2so.u241. QlBafil. Hexaemertn. Horn. 4. ^'muXsT' Tom. i.pag.45. & De Legendis Libris Genttlium.Oratb. flrihit &cQua- pag. 308. 312. Of S. Aferius, in Fefium Kalendarum. propcer mani- Horn. Btbl. Tatrum. Tom. 4 pag, jo6. Of Gaudcnttus refBpatet,illud BrixU. Epifcopus,De Leblionc Evaxtelii.Serm* 8. Ibidem, p. Cpe&aculu me- 81 2. G. Of S.Hterom. Comment. 'in Ezechiel Lb 6. cap ™r^ieT 20.To7r.^.p*g.z%9. A. Of Eufebius& D«ma[cev,Fara~ ^5^^ lellorum tb. 3. cap.^j. with fuudry others hereafter Rctia educate quoted, who all paffe the very felfefame dcome upon 1063.1064; them. Saint Chryfoficme is exceeding copious in this J# iblfcm- Theame, as is evident by all his tranferibed paflages in vv^dsauo^d the preceding Scene. (See here, page 401. 402. 404. be^Scenc Ppp 405.40(5. 3.62:4, 474 Hiflrio-Miaftix. Part.i . 405.40^.415. 416. 424. 43 1. whence heeftiles the ■ rhcntru Ca- ™*pjaf.bo»fe; the Caireof Peftilence ; fib 5fof of Luxury ; Icimx in - " *** Sfc*jf*/<< ^ l*to*tincucy • /fe />*£% &M* 0/ Lwdnefe : tinwitUB gym- * Babdomfh BrothellfuHefmany filthy noyfome difenfes.which nifiujofficina deprave s^defofulatest not the nature of the body, but the good luxun^jimpu- habitude of the funic y n wfctf£ ever -turncs alt I awes, all mods ftyy dicinx orchc- vertUe, dtfcipltne, ° and brings many great mifchiefes unto loaisPplurimo. ^*r*/; Whereupon he thus concludes ; P tk Magiftrates rumq; market ^7 overthrowing Tlay-houfes fhali overtume aH '$nicjmyi and ram plena Ba- utterly cxtm ut[h all the plasms, the msfchiefes of the State Monica for- and Cttty. Saint A*gufiincy as he informes us in exprefTe nax, qux non tearmes . q That tf there had beene none but good and henefl ram °fed boni menm f^e Cttt7 *fRomey that they would never have admitted anims depopu- Stage-playes to have any extflence among humane things, latur. habitudi- much leffe in Divine affaires : fo r he proves at Urge out of nciUySccHom.S H€Athen Authors^ that Stage-fUyes are mofl unfuferabie e Pamtcntia. contaqtons Md mifehtefes in a State, vitiating the mwdes, fub- Tom.f. Col 7*0. 6 1 J Jr \>r • f r 1 r t' 1 J, CD. vid. ibidem. Vertmg x"e tn4nners% the dtfcifhne of tbofe places where they * Ibid.& Horn*, wo but tolerated. Among other paflfages to this purpofe, 33.inMatth. he ailirmes : * That the Roman venue was altogether un- Tom. i.Col, acquainted with thefe Theatric all arts almofl qoo. yeeres +9M ' A- which albeit they were fought after tt delight the vojuptuoxfncff* tatibus mall " of mens lufi slander eft in onely by rcafon of the corruption of fcruntThca- mens manners, yet the Idol Heathen gods de fired that they tra magna, nee might be dedicated unto them. And then fpeaking of the hocvidemus firft occafion of bringing Stage-playes into Rome, to Hmim^62 *Jf»*g'thepefls!euce»hssh affiled their bsdtes^ they brought AdFot.Antiocb. in (faith he) another farre more grievous and fsrpauallpefii-. Toms. col.^M. hue* of their mindts^vhich he thus elegantly exprefleth. PHis Theatra- libus ludis cverfis,. non leges fed iniquitatem everteris, & omnem Civitatis peftem ex ti na uctis. Hom'il l%*'m Matth. Tom. 2. Col. 199. B. & Hcmil.69. * Si untum- modo boai & honefti homines in Civitate efl'enr3 nee in rebus humanis ludi fee- nici effe debuifient. Ve Civitate Del. lib. 4. cap. 1. r De Civitate Dei. lib, j4 cap. 31. 31,33. lib. 2,c.2. to iy. ^,27. 1. j.c. 12. 1. 8.C13. 14. & Eplfl. 202. r Illas Theatrical artes din virtus Romana non noverat : qua* ctfi ad obIeeities of the Romanes to be no gods, butbeaftly Deviisy and Is l° \o' 1?3 unc^€ane irferna!l fpsrits ; who were no fi'iends, no advancers, 6*7 J&Y9, 10*16 *°protcttsrs of the Romanes or of their Ccmmon-weale, but 27jSS- LH.c^.p^JepdenemieSt plagues, and traitors to them both, becanfe 1^,14,18,103 they invent e^y exaUed, countenanced, and delighted in thofe 2.1,2.6, 27. & obfcene, Ufctvious, vitious Stagc~playesy which defiled the bdncr'th*' mwdes, corrupted the lives, ruinated the manners, tnd etcr- cnd and drift n*fy de firmed the fonles of men, by precipitating them into all ofallthefe vice end lewdncjfe whatfoever: which Playes bsth Plato, P^ccs, Scipio, Cicero, and the ancient Romanes quite abandoned, * (>iii font e> Mite Vcrj pffts,the Can^rsy ^4ne *"d overthrow of the SosVccmcos1^- Ccmmonweal^ Such they, fuch he reputed them; and manr,cofq5 di- ^rom thence he %.pei [wades the Romanes to difcardc them, vinis rebus ad- together rttih aS their DeviR-fdols who tooke fuch pleafure in jungi, & fuis them. Taultts Orofmy Saint Augufiines intire friend and fla^am"5 h' Coetanean> in his excellent Hiftory (dedicated to this ke^qubrdvis lc?rned Father,) relating the originall introduction of non'eosindicat Stage- playes among the Romanes, to aflvvage the nullos, fed ifte p! :gue j thus dii cants on that paflage. a Aut ore s fua sere affedus nimi- poutsficef* utlndi fcenicidijS expetenitbus etdereninr : & it a maToin^aC R pro depelienda temporal* pefte corporam, accerfitus eft perpetu- Ve cLitateDei usmor^sammaram: '^eft Stage-play es being no other #&«8. e. i$,v':d, *p* h*S opinion, but a perpetuallfickneffe of mens foules, far Ibidem. fsorfe then any peftilence that could tfflttt their bodies '; What * Hiftori*,lib. State, what perfon then would foment fuch fatall CoaioniEdlt'- PlaSues? bS*ht**> Bftct °f Baffin* '» France, weft' pag.°i 2 b!!1 **** elegantly invcigheth again ft the horrid obfeenity of Stage- *i De Guberaatione Dei, lib, 6„thorowout> well worth the reauimj, to which I ftailrefsiivyou, pUyes Part.x Hiftrio-cMaflix* 477 playes ^in forming the ancient Romanes and ether sf that Stage- c *ee Scene 3< playes were thefe infufier able impurities which polluted their & 4- before, r i j 11 ~ ? j+i . <** ■ n r i ■ where moftof Joule f, depraved thetr manners provoked the LMatefty of then j,is wor(js are God to wrath, offendedtheir blejfed Saviour, dtfhonoured their tranfenbed. & Ch ifttanprofejjion, and drew downe Gods Judgement s on thetr $c#ne »-.& 1 9» State y which wof then mtferablie wafted by the Goathss and Vandals i and thereupon be advifeth them, eternaHy to aban- don Playes and Theaters (according to their vow tnbaptifme) as the mop: pernicious evils, which would bring their foules> their bodies their Church and State to utter ruine. Ifiodsr Pelu/iota, who flourifhed about theyeere of our Lord 440. in his Epiftie to Hiera, who then fwayed the Common-wealth under Theodoftus the Yonger, writes thus of d Stage-players ; that this is their chief e end and d Scenicis3 vir fixdjynot that many fhonld be made better by their fcoffesy (as °P«jne,(um- fome have faid, deceive both thmklves, and tbofe that hear e ™ hoc ftlldia / \ / 1 »/iJ /• . « f eitjnon ut per them,) tut that many might be arawen to Jinne. tor their ipforcJ.uemaand light arts of Stage-play trs are remote pom honeft re3a» convcr- manners -t *n£ that therefore antiquity becsmmtng a Mode- fationisigno- r4tor^ ^ ixhc care to favpreffe thi:- infoleneies by appointing cn?m Uli ncn 0i;f3rs t0 corre^ andpu^ffh them, thatfr they might not *ho- nntu jucundi- ly lafh out, when as they foouldundergoe the cenfure of a lodge. ran fuse, quaa- For the very exhibition rfpliafurcs ts to be admmiflred under a turn aliens le- ccrtaine difapline. If not a true, yet at leaftmfe let a fhadow- thixiSc cendi- gd ordey Qf .m*ce ^ Stage-?! tjes with m compafe. Let none perverfa , , . , i * \ r j • l *\ re rt cum dorainatii iVsn ***/' buftnejles be tempered mtb the qu allocation of Jams, fmscorporibus that fo honefty may rule over &c* Which paffage, velutiquidam as it proves Stage-playes, intolerable mifchiefes; and tos°Nar!fi[ut players> diforderly diiTolutc wicked perfon, whole ex- illisetatcs te- ce^es need to be fupprefled, even by the opinion of the neras adhibita ancient Pagan Romanes, * who appointed Cenfors efpur- cautela cufto- pofe to} coned: their groffe abufet, * which yet could never be diunt,fic a tc redrejfeA ; fo it condemnes the excefilve le wdnefTe of our vid^irn6 enfa" m0^erne p^a>7 es anc* A&ors which have no fuch Survey- . matwitate frc- ers to curbe,to cenfure their abufes-; & withall acquaints nands font, us, how pernicious Stage-playes are, both to mens Age bonis m- manners & the publike weale: and what reafon Chrifti- ftitutis quod ans |iave for ever to abandon themjfince the very worft tTconftat in^' of PaSans> g bgi io"£ flKCC wh9*l Warded them for their veniile Majorcs.Levedefideriu, etfi verecundia noncohibet, diftrictiopraedicta mo- di bzeZiSLcyariarimJ*? £J>°» * SeeBulcngen1sDeTheatro.L1.c53. * Seehere;p. 57.38,59, 40,41. e See Auguft.DcC1vit.Dei.L1.c3 1.3 1,3 3. [.2 c.i 3.12,17. I3.C.18 1.4.0.1,1 0,26,17,28,1^.0. 5.6,7,9,10,26,17,3 3,l.?.c,j .13514,18,10,11,16, 17. Bo- dinusDeRepub.l.6 the hs*?*Al artificers, the mimfiers of unlawful pleafures, who are wont to **°* c f Dei.I,r4ci.Corol.jo.p.i4.i5. P De Remedio Vtriufq; Fortu,l4x .Dialog. 30, q Stie ACI7. Scene 5« r De Caufis Corruptionis Artium, 1.2. p,8 1.8 2, 83, & Comment.in AugulhDcCivit Dei. Ki.c -31,31,5 $<&1 i.c..*.to 16. r De Cafibus. 1. 2. Tit. 53. & L4. Tit .17. feci: .4. c De Vank.$ciemiarutn,c.io. 59,64,71. u French Achademy, c.2o.p.2,oj. * Ethic* Chriftiina?.1.2.c.8»p4i 07. y Locorum Comunmm ClaiTis. I.i.c,ii.fecl.6i.66.c.i2.fc&4i 5.1 9.6c Comment.onIudges,c.2i . x De Vita& Ho-, neftace EcclefiafticorumV-i^.io.zi, * Decreta Ecclefiae Gal.l.6.Tit.i9.c.ii,&c. h DeSpcftaculis.Iib. c De Spec\aculisjib» d De Theatro.l.i c.jo.y 1,52.. e An- nal.E-clefanno 404. fed. 1,1,3. Anno 2o6.feft.2. Anno 3 99/ect^.Anno 469^.2, f Epit.Baronij Anniseifdem. 6 Centuria? Magd Tom.3.Col.i4i.i4x.Tom,4,Col. 458.To;Ti.s4CoL7il.Tom.5.Col.i59. h See Aft 7, Scene y. i Sunt ejufmodi homines non parva rcnim publ. peftis. Nam bbidinum miniftri iunr,Sc bonos mores cQrrumpunt, &c, Gualthtr Hcmil. ii.'m NflbumjoU 14.115* frequent 480 Hiftrio-Maftix. Part.i. frequent the £ourtt of great Princes, and the eminentefl richefi Citties where there is mob hope of gaine propounded to them, are not a faall plague of Cmmon-wcales * for they are thefervitors of lufty ibej corrupt good ma. ,jers *h9j brtnO at religton into contempt : they greatly exhaufl both the pupttke ' And mens private treafn et and that which ought to he diftrtbu- tedfor the poora relief c, thrj by their arts have almcft inter- cepted. Thefe toe Prot ?< t compares to Locnfts, n^t onely for * See Guevara, their niuhitnue .but n her for * tkctr idle fluathfrhcfe^and be- his Dial of caufe bi ing borne oneh for to eatt and drinke, the] doc nothing rinses. 1. 3 . c. in /^f meant »ime that u homft/r which may any way advance the ptibh ke good. Wherefore grave men in aH ages have thought fit to exe u ie thu fort of men from the Common- k Sec here pag. wealth. Thu k P : • a man of mo ft acute iudgement percei- ve k vbenofht biimfhedafi Poets out of his Common-wealth, becaufeb' k?cw they would both corrupt mens manners , and bring th gods into contempt. Neither undefervedly is the l See here pag. oldd>fcip!tnc of the j Maflilienfes applauded who would ad- V* I " * * M& m%t n° S'W'P*) *T/ 1?4° the*7, CmJ* ror any VeYf6ns &Ht fab mus.lib.L.c.5." W^° mre shljutitnfo&e art or other wherby they might boneft- fcft. 7. b m**"t*Me themfelvey To which > hit alfo may be added, that the ancient^) ivtnes muflfharpely condemns both Stage-plajes m Ephef. 7.3 ^ *rtb :n the Courts of Princ s&m rich Re urn Ro- Cm**** whiles grave men whoexc. cell and experience manoru -n .Li 1 « are ** f^e ****** time excluded and 1 1 mnedy and the poore p. 1 40.& Casii- negletttd, &c. Then he recites the examples of? Lkinius, and us Rhodig. An- q Henry the 3 .Emperor of thai r,were filthier then thefe things ^hp™1y1^rn that are atted now. But let this be as it will, yet the things h^turf &tam that airplay ed now are tafcivious, filthy, and obfeene, and very fevcre facri pernicious to Cbn ft tan Religion, And therefore whofoever Csno wts in il- losanimadver- tunt ccnfurisEccleUafticis, vehementcr ut fufpicor, turpi ora efTe qua? olim in Thea- tris agebantur, qaam quae his temporibus. Quicquid vero de hoc fit, talBva funfc quxmodoaguntur,turpia& obfexna^atque religioni chriftianae valdc pernicicfa. Ac proinde quicunaue ^liquid fapitin Domino eos tenetur arbicrari publico* pec- catores, reique public* peftem tanto graviorem, quanto gravius eft anims vulnus ^uam corporis, &c. Ibidem. Qqq **$* 48* Hiftrio-JMAfiix. Part.i. tafts any fweetneffe in the. £erd9 oris dny whit wfe towards g?dy is bound to refute thcmfublikefinners, and fa much the moregrivous plague of the Common-wealc, by hone much the woundofthefiule is greater then that of the body. The finn- cell of Carthage , .Saint Cyprian, Chryfofttmej and Augu~ * Quod. G ho- ft*** (whofe words he there recites at large) excommu- mines fcenici mcatg ^em both from the Society of the Faithfully and the S*~ apud Ethnicos craments, as the very infamy, plagues, and blemtfh of the hibemur inf*. Church, which could not tolerate them without much infamy hoiio«01Jin* **ddifhonour-, fince the very Pagan Romanes disfranchised bantur,ut ve-~ *^em tketr tr*beS>a*d ma& them infamous. * And if thefi iiflime affir- Stage flayers are reputed infamous, among Heathens, and de- raat dives Au- f rived ofallhoneur, as Saint Auguftinc mofl trucby affrmeth. nostandeaUid De Civitate Dei* {ib'1' caP*3 *• *>*> at ought we Chriflians Chriftianos "ow t9 ^°* * V**'11*! vp* oui^ t0 efc^HC an^ condemne both in facere oportet? Tlayes and fforts, what ever is frofufe, what ever it tmmo- Certe fugere deft% whit ever is unfeemeljy what ever is wanton, what ever is ac damnare wicked ; allwhich even Tully himfelfe condemned tn his G§- debemus in CffJ BmaR ^fi^rngt are found in Play-houjei: But if iudoacioco, t ~ #j ,t . i t . i r . /» • quicquid pro- tkat Stage.flayers dehght men with their fleafurcs%tefts,and fufum, quic- wily Reaches, and with the fweetneffe of their fongt, and mu- quid iramode- fake ; or if they adorne and wjlruci men with their grave ftuiB, quicquid illiberale^ /amcquid petulans, quicquid flagitiofhm : quae omnia :n Officijs Tullius ipfe damnabaii In'/eniuntur autem haec in Theatris, Quod fi homines fcenici face, tijs & acumine dictorum3& cantus fuavitate dehftant* & fentemijs gravioribus ad- monent fcerudiunt, & reprxfentatione antiauarum rerum at que affeclibus recre- ant} utinam nunquam ifta bona Comaedijs mifcuiffent. Koc enim idco accidit^quod malum tarn per fe fit debile ac mifcrum, ut feipfum tueri non poflit niii jtivctur a bono. Malum enim fi perfe&um fuerit deitruit feipfum, ut ait Ariftotelis ; ac pre- inde occultatur fub fpecie bom» ut detincat ac fallat homines incautos : Sumus enimnatura vehcmenter propenu* ad honeftatem. Quamvis autem aliqua bona mifceantur in hisludrs3deberemus autem prx oculis Temper habere ilia praeclara verba Hicronomi ad Letam. Nemo ad lupanar "taittit virginem fuam quamvis q lajdam ibi rcperiri poflint de turpi corruptione lugentes : nemo haeredem fuum iatronum turbae committit>ut difcat: audatiam ; nemo in t>crforatam intrat cym- bam ut difcat vitare naufragium. Nemo ergo ad Theatri locum impurum & infa- mem, & contrarium religioni, & modeftiae &fobrietati CKtiftianse (locus fcilicet tile Dxmonibus familians, invifus Deo) debet procedere, ut difcat aut guftet quae ibi dicuntur, funt enim mixta vcacno, ibidem. Sentences, Part. i. Hiflrio-Waflix. 4 85 Sentences y and pie afe them with the reprefentation of ancient things , or mtb their paffions ; ( A common objcftion in the behalfeofStage-piayes;)ww/i 5* their fifties who appl] thtrewto even all thetr fences, To con. ^£.848. c* Qjl% % chide 484 Hiftrio-Maftix. Part.i. elude , we may well fay \ that the Comedians Stage is an appren- tifhtp ofallimfudcncyyloofe,neffe9 whoredome, coicentng) deceit ^oVlticorum*andw$ckfa^fi. ^nd therefore "Ariftotle doth net with * Q that out 0Ht cmfefa1> That they mufi have a care left thefubie Us went Masitaates t0 Come^s • * ^s had f aid better, that they (hould have pulled would confi- downe their 7 heater /, andjbui the Comedians out efthe Citty deiltn gates* For faith * Seneca, there is nothing more contrary r S^e the Ge t0 ^od manners ^ then to haunt *tc s, for commonly they aretkefirfl at them. Thus farre pent. Ex pie- thefe Forraigaers. To pafle by * (farolus Sigonius9 who be autera alij *n tabernis vmarijs perno&abanr, nonnulli velabris umbraculorum Theatralfum feafedeba.n^quiitem aleis pugnantercontendebantjomnes ferme totos dies inThea- tris acCir.is ludis munenbufqs dediti traducebant3otium ipfumlmperatori folertia compemum ad voluptafem,non ad virtutemincitamenta praebentes.Atqj hi quidera mores licet poftenous aliquot Imperatores emendarc conati funt,taraen indies cor- ruptiores drteriorcfq; t ifecti funt quoufqj tota Italia, qua? marcefcente ac diuturno prope languore torpente.barbari Imperiuna ex omni parte d«bile invaferam>& fevif- iirae 4i#raxeruiu, Vt Qsctdent&li Imgtria. lib. 1 .fil.$ 1, wnmraus Part, i . Hifirie-SMaflix. 4 8 5 enumerates the frequenting, tolerating, And countenancing of St age-play es both by Trince ana* people, as the inevitable fore-' runner, and chiefs occafion both ofths defiruftton and over- throw of the Roman Emfire.bj the Gothes and Vandals : and * Guevara,his Dial of Princes. /» 3.^43 <*0 48. I come mow * Who is very to our own domeftique Playes,to fee what our Writers, comous to cur our Divines,in their daily Sermons; what our Vniverfi- p"r pur" ties, Magiftrates,' and our whole State have determined ^ c* of them, in confirmation of my Minors truth. For our Writers. To paffe by thofe of more ancient times, as Beda, tAnfelme, Alexander fabntim, Holkpt, Bradwardtn, loannis de Burgof Alexander de Ales, Edmun- du4 Cantuarienfis, Ioanms Sarefbertenfis, Warm Blefenfis, tJWathei* F arts /Poly chronicen, hudovtcm Vives, Thomas tValdenfis, and * others hereafter quoted, who all con- *A&7.5ccnc| demne thefe Stage-play es as intolerable corruptions. Mafter Northbrooke, an eminent learned Divine, in his excellent Treattfe againfi Vame Playes and Enter ludes, Im- printed by Authority, London 1 $79 writes thus of Stage- playes« b To fpeake my minde and conjeience plainely * FoL *£, vid# and in the feare ofCjod, I [ay, that Players and Playes are Ibidem, not tolerable, nor fufferable m any Common-male, efpecially ivhere the Gofpell is f reached \ ( which he there proves at large-by fundry teftimonies of Fathers, Cbuncels, mo- derne Divines , and others ; and by many argu- ments,) becaufe thty are the occafons of much pnne and mckedneffe, corrupting both the mindes and manners of their tActors and Spectators. The Author of the third Blafi of Retraitfrom Playes and Theater sconce c a P layer ty Play-poet « The 3. Blaft himfelfe, till being pricked in confetence for it, he renounced ofRetrait from hisprofefien) delivers his experimental! refolution of E!^eS and Stage-playes in thefe very tearmes. <* Such doubtleffe is ^o' Fg* mine opinion of common Playesy that in a Ccmtmnwale they *ibidem,'pag. are not fufferable. My reafon ts, becaufe they are publikf 43.44* enemies to vertue and reltgten, allurements to fane, corrupters fifgoodmannersj meere Brothel houfis of 'Bawdery, and bring hfiththc Go[pttl $ntoflander9 the Sabbath into contempt, mtns Qj1- 3 fmleti 486 Hiftrie-Maftix. Part. feules into danger, and finally the whole Corkmon-weale $nt§ diforder: all which particulars hee there conflrmes at large. The title of which Booke is very obfervable; viz. Afecond and third Blafi of Re trait from Playes and Theaters : the one whereof wot founded by a reverend fiifhop^ dead long fince ; the other by a worfhtpfuH and zealous Gen- tleman noy alive : one frewing the filthtnejfe of ^Playes in Umes pafi ; the other the abom%nation of Theaters tn the time pre font : both exprefly proving, that that Common-weale is mgh unto the curfe of God, wherein either Players be made ofy or Theaters maintained : Set forth and allowed by Authority. Anno 1 580. A pregnant Authorized evidence of my Minors truth. Mafter Stephen Gcffov, another great « See his Play-poet before his converfion5 (for e which he after- bure00the°E^ "^'M™*") *&*"*'*">) ™his ( Scboele of Abufe; ftle tothcRea- C9nt**nmg a T^ea fantinvtftive again/} Poets y Pipers, Players* derjaccordin*- A/?'r/> and fitch Ukp CaterpiSers of a Qommon-wealth, fitting ly. ' up a Flagge of Defiance againfi their mifcheivotuexcrcife, and ' T1ii$ is the overthrowing their Bulwarks by Propkane Writers, Natural Soefc ° Reafon, and fommon Experience ; printed by Allowance, and Dedicated to Sir Philip Sidney. Anno 1 578. And in his Playes Confuted, Dedicated to Sir Francis tValfingham ; which Booke is thus intituled : Playes Confuted m five Atiions: ^Proving that they are not to be fufj red in a Chri- fiian Common-weale, &c. Imprinted at London, about the yeerc 1 5 8 1 . doth pofitiveiy affirme, and copioufly demonftrate upon unanfwerable grounds ; That Stage- playes and common ui&ors are no wayes tolerable in any Chrifltan, or We 1- governed Common-weale; becaufe they occafion much wickodnefe, lewdncjfe, and diforder, and excee- dingly corrupt the mindes, the manners both of their Auditors and Spectators : as the Perufers of thefe Tractates (hall 1 Edition 4. more at large difcerne. The felfe-fame AfTertion and Londonim, Conclufion we (hall finde, in Mafter % Stubs ,his Anatomy flntoWoAs. °f >#*/'' -\in reverend *> BB.Babmgte«,hisExpofttionup- i^ax.LojuJon. •* *** 7* Commandement ; in Mafter lohn field t bis 'De- ws 3. p.*o, ' dotation of gods Judgement at Paris Garden j publifhed by, Authority. " Pakt.i. Hittrio-Maflix. 487 Authority. Anno 1 585 . Ina Book intituled, The Church ofevi&menandwomeny&c. printed by Richard Pinfon. Anno I $ 80. In Mathew Parker Archbijhop of Canterbury J) e An- ftqu. Ecclefi* Mrettansca»Londim l%72* fol. ult, ItiM.George Whttfton, his UMirrerfor sJWagiftrates ofCitties. London l S 8<£. fol.2^ In HoHingfheady his Chronicle. Anno 1 5 49. fag. 1028, Numb.2$. 30. Col. a. Anno 15 59. Col. 1 184, *<4»«» Brinfly, his J.p^rf */>/&* True Watch chapter 1 1 . Abomination 30. ^g.302. In Mafter Ofmund Lak.e9 his Probe Theologicall upon the CommarJements. London 1 6 1 2. p4g 167. to 272. In Mafter William Terkjns, his Expofition upon they* Ctm- mandementi in his Workes. vol.i. p.6o D. In his Trea- t'tfe of Conferee, cap. 3. Tom. 1.^.538. In his Cafes of Conference. Books I • chap, 4. /?#. 4. guefiion 2. w/. 2. fag. I40, 141. and in his Commentary on Galathians \. vol. 2. fag. 230. In/.T. his ft™**** betwecne God and man: Expoftion 488 Hiftrio-Majlix. Part. Exfofition on the 7. Commandement . In BB. Bat/}, his Pre- face to the p, atttfe vj THetj . I n Mafter iW.Maifcer Cleaver, M>Elto*.zrA BB. Andiewes en the y. Cowmmdemenu In Mafter Thoh m Gmtktr, of the T his Sn- gltfh Gentlewoman. London 1 63 1 . fag. 53.54. *n E*©ft°r x See D.Teatl'm Thomas Beard, his Theater of Gods ludgementi. Edttton 2 . Hand-maydof London 1631. Booke 2. ehaf. 3d. frtg.^y 4.36. who in Devouo. Edit, thefe their feverall Writings,unanimoufly condemne all z.png.4o8. Mr. Stage-playes,as unfufferable pernicious abominations and hlT Balme^ corrfiP^ot,s '" a Chriftian State, which dejperatelj deprave from Gilead. mens m**fo* *n& manners* by drawing them on to idlenejfe, pag. 8 z. My wantonneffe, frophauejfe, whoredomes^iijfoluteneffe9 ejfemiuacj, Peipetuicy,&c. and all kin^e of vice and wickedneffe whatfoever; as thefe P:*8^587.My their Writings, with *fundry others will more largely te- r«rl?ruut ri' ftifie.; which fully fuffragate to my prefent AfTumption. Co/ens, msCo- _,/ ji tx* • • t. ■ 1 * -i *- zenme De*o~ That our godly Divmes m their zealous daily Ser- tfons.pag.90. mons, have likewife declaimed againft Stage-playes, Lame Giles, his both in former arid latter times, as thefe our Writers ?Lli!tm|f £* r' doe, it is evident, not onely by our owne daily experi- nc^N^ratt ence $( there being not one godly faithfull Minifter on, annexed to where thefe Play, houfes, Playes and Players are admit- it. pag. 14, ted, but hath oft cryed out againft them in the Pulpit, as *. See the Pre- the * vet j School s, the Tutors of Bawdery andAbufe; The R f om° tk* fompesand'ftveraigne places of Satan \ thefoyfonofmens Piavcs and fonles and manner /, the plagues and overtures of the Common- Theaters. wealth, &c. ) but by the teftimony of the Prefacer to the 2 , and 3 . Blafi of Re trait from PJajtt and Theaters* Au*9 1580. Part.i. Hifirio-Maflix. 489 1 5 80. who infbrmes us ; that in his time many godly Preachers day by day, in aM places of greatefi re fori, did de- nounce the vengeance of god to thofe, 6c they high or low, that favoured Playes, Theaters, or Players. That in all ages the moft excellent men for learning have condemned them %y the force of eloquence and power of gods Word: and that many in the principal! places of this Land have, and daily, yea of only doe fpeake again fi Playes, Players, and Theaters; as neither warranted by Gods Wordjior l\ked of Chrifltans,but difallowed utterly, * by Scripture, by reafbn, by Doctors, by Bifhops', by * $ee here h& their very Authors themfelves, yea and by all other good men, 7.thorowout, as the enemies to godlineffe , the corruption of the wcl-dsfyofed: and fo confequcntly a (peciall engine tofubvertati religion, and to overthrow the good State of that Common-wcale wherein they are toleraicd*%y the fuffrage of 'Klaftet* Stephen Gojfon. k Playes Con- Anno 1 5 8 1. who acquaints us : That it is a fbame tefre- fated, A&ion qnnt Playet, imfudency to defend them : it is finne in the *^* l ecoe Genttles to fet out Playes, in Chrifiians it is a prefumptuom finne ; becaufe we fee tetter wayes and yet take the worfe : we l^now their corruptions and allow them* All this hath beene fuffic 'isn't iy proved by ancient Writers, and daily revealed by learned Preachers ; yetwtll not my (/funtry-men leave their Playes, becaufe Playss are the nourtfhers of delight* By the expreffe averment of M.1 (j eor ge Whet fton.An.i 5 86. who l Tn his Mirrer records : Th \tgod]y Divines, in pubhke Sermons, and others for Magi- $n printed Boofys9%*ve (of late) very fkarpely invayed a- ftrates-ioU4- gainft St age-play es. (unpropsrly called Tragedies, Comedies and Morals) as tkefpr'ngs of many vices, and the (tumbling, blockesofgodltneffe and venue. Truelj, the ufe of them on the Sabbath day, and the abufe of them at all times, with fcurrility and unchafl convaiance, mintfters matter fufficient for them toblame,and the fjttagifiratc to refornk. To which I might adde D **Af°Uow the CounfeS of God oi Srage-playcs himfelfe*, n whtch btddeth themythrow no Tearles to Swine. By p.i? 1.151,153. the teitimony of learned D.° Ramoldty\vho airirmes;f/>4* P Cited by Dr. thebeflandgravefl Divines in the Vntverfity of Oxford, con- O^-throw^f demM^i Stage-playes by an exprefe Statute made in a full Con- Sta<*e-playes. v°cation of the whole Pntvcrfityjn the ftere ofomr Lord 1 5 84. pag?i 51.151, whereby the ufe of all common Playes was expteflr frohtbttedtn * Pejora enim the Vmverfityjeft the <\ yonger fort(who on prone to imitate all Iuvcnes facile \^n^ of rice) being fyeblators offo many lewde & evili ifsrts as pr*Cc£La"i»l m them are pratttfedfiould be corrupted by them: anfwerable unt Seneca 1 by- » . . ', ,* ' r r ^ / 1 / T 1 » iflcs. M.i.fol to which the Vniverffty of Cambridge^ I have becpe ere- 36,Parcbit dibly informed) enacted a publike Statute ; that no com* pravi docilis nton AElors fhouM be fnffrsd to play withtn the Prectnfts of the Romannjuven- frnfVerj;ttCS Jurifdtftion, for feare they fhould denave the ufaTri"m.Sehollcrs mAttners- Which Statutes though perchance 20^1 JL mi- * they are not aFway e.s fo ftriclly obferved as they ought, hunt juvenilia yet they are oft-times put in execution, by fuch Vice- pedora peftem chancelers, and Proclors as are moft cqnfcionably vigi. Morcifciam iant ancj careftlu {n their places. All which being put ne^romepuel" together, fuiSciently difcovers our Vniuer/ities judgf- \x. Mant.Faft. ment of common Players and A&ors, what ujiUiffera- Li.&d*. Rat- blemifchiefesand corruptions they are- If any hepe noids spifUtDc- Object; ThSt our Vniverfities approve of private dkat&rytohU6. Stage-playes acred by 5chollersin private Colledges : ?S-'d r • 5k/i tnerc^ore tnc^c ^yes arc not f° intolerably evill in their Overthrow* of °pin*ons* * anfwer ; rthat our Vniverfities 'though they te~ Scageplayes#p, kr ate and connive at, yet they give no yubhke approbation to XM *5*> i5h theft private Emerlu/es, which are not generally received into M*~fi* Part. i. Hiftrio-<-r into all Coiledges, but onely praclifed ill forae private houfes, (perchance once in three or foure yeeres ; ) and th«t by the particular Statutes of thofe houfes made in times ofPapery, which require fome Latine Comedies, for learning-fake onely, to bee acled now and then : Which Playes, as they are compofed cfor the moflpart c/.GJii« Helta by idle fames, who a{fe& not better ftudtes; and aEted (as /. G ) ™l°? of *]* informs etefy Gentle-bleed*, and hfiy Swafk-bncklers, »ho AdcSp^Tr, preferre an outtec of vaine -glory ^ ofientatttn and firmting whofe words I on the S t age y before a pound of learning ;. * or bjfuch who are here recite, fejt to the Vmvtrfity, not fe much to obtain* knowledge, as to * Se* BB»H<*& keeft them from the common ryot of Gentlemen in theje dayes ; PJ 6 " ' *?e~ like 1(0 le Children whom their Tafents fend to S^/toolet the and his ,§>##* rather tokeeye them from under feet in thefireetsytohieh care- VadU Tea. 3.4* full Mothers greatly f ear e f their ffeSkatorf for themofl fart i°»u. being fuch as both Poets and ^4Uors are ; evenfuch ai reckon " D-^»^ '«# mere of their fiudtes, then sjend-ad Gentlemen of thetr caft- Stlee'pla ^s fuites : » So tbegra+er, better yand more ftudiow fort (efyeeially j j , #I j 2y , ^ DivineSytpho by fundry * faucets are prohibited from atting or 1 54. Szt tariff beholding any publike or private Stage-places, and therefore kcrMciusjDe dare not to a approach them) condemne them, cenfurethem, Y1U£ V^nC" come not at them, (efpecially when they tranfgreffe the ft^orum.l.T.c. rules of modefty and decency as ought times they doe:) u4»a.aaor- * Neither are thefe Playes fo frequent now as they have dingiy, beene in former times, by reafon of thofe mifchiefes,, * See kere,p-g. tthofecxpenccsof time and meny which they cccafieu, and l4!*1!0' an(* 1 J ^r • 11 • i_ 7o 1 A& 7.Seeiie2. that affinity they have with common Stage-playes, thorowoat. which ail ages, ail Chriftian, all prophane Authors of * D. Ranalds note, and thete our Vniverfities have folemnely con- Overthrow of demnedf Defcend we from our Vniverfities to our St-ge-pbyes. Magiftrates. The tJMaoifiratesofthe fitty of London, as ^ffisDeciara- y M. Iohn Fteld records, obteined from gueenc Elizabeth, tj0n Qf Gods of famous memory , about the yeere 1 5 80. that all Heatke- lodgement a* nifh Playes and Enterludes fhould be baht(hedupon Sabbath p^s Garden, dayes r and not long after z many godly Crttiz,ensyandz^chaYd**v*'* Monfter lately found out and difcovered,or the Scourging of Tiplers, London 1618 , p3£, %rs followed their worthy fteps, finne would not at this day jora fant rfofti- have beene fo powerfull and raigning otitis. This memora- bus. Auguft. ve Me Ad: of fupprefimg Play-houfes by our London Ma- Chit Deijib.i. giftratesy by Authority from our vertuous Queme Etiz^t- b*R 5 v* * * f ^^' an^ ^er MOft ^A&e ^rtvj £°m(*b, as intolerable grie- the Statutes of* varices and annoyances to ourchiefe Chriftian Metro- i4.Eliz.c#5.& polis,is an infallible argument, that they * all reputed ^:Eliz,c3p.4. them,unfufFerable corruptions in a Chriftian State.Now & i.Iac. cap,7« as thefe pious Magiftrates demoliftied Play-houfes, and * For I|:Elrz thruft out all Players from within thtir Liberties, &*i!/acob*c'C74 which now have taken fanduary In fome pnviledged give them ko " places,without their Iurifdidionjfo divers f age and pi- authority at all Qus Iuftices of Peace, and Magiftrates in fundry Citties to lic^nfe any, and Counties of our Real me, have from time to time, and this then- punifhtd all. wandring Stage-play trs b asHogves, not- bytnc expreflc withftanding the Mafter of the Re\>eh, or ether mens allow* words of i, la- aKCC9^0 have no c legaH authority ta Itct^fa v*r?a»t Players •• spbi. cap, 7, and in cafes where they have had Coinuuflxons to acl, they Part. i. Hiftrio-SWaflix. A9i they have oft denyed them liberty fo to doe, wtthin their Ittrif- dtttions, left then lafctvious, prophane, and filthy Vlayesfhould corrupt the people, and draw them on to vice. All which dif- fidently demonftrates what .our Magiftrates thinke of Players and Stage-playes, which our whole State and Kingdome have condemned, as I fhall now make evi- dent, by ibme A<5ts of Parliament. In d 4. of Henry the * 4. Henry 4, IK cap.ij. Ifindethis Acl: of Parliament made. Item, cnp.iz. to efchew many difeafes and mifchiefes, which hath hafned be- fore this time in the Land of Wales, by many Wajfers, Rimours, Minflrels, and other Facabends; It is ordained andftabltfhed, that no Mafler^rtmour, Minftrill nor Vacabond be in any wtfe fuficined in the Land of Wales to make commoithes nor gathering upon the people there* Loe here an ancient Sta- tute baniiHng all Vlayers, TZjmours, and Minflrels out of Wales, as the Authors of many commotions, diforders, and miichiefes. € In 5. Henry 8. cap 9. there u^this *5«Henry8* Lawena&ed againft Mummers. For as muchlKktely Q*?%9% Within this Realmey divers per fons have dtfguifed and apparel* led them felves, and covered then faces with Vi fours or other things, in fuch manner as they fhmld not be knowne : and di- vers of them in a company together ,nam'tng themfelves Mum- mer sy have come to the dwelling place of divers men of ' favour 9 andfubflantia fl perfons, andfo departed unknowne ; whereupon murthtrs, felony, rape, and other great hurts and inconveni- ences have afore-time growne, and hereafter be like to come by the colour thereof ifthefaid dsforder fhmld continue not refor- med* Wherefore be it enatted by the King our Soveratgne Lord drcthat if any perfons hereafter dtfguife or appare/l them wtthVtfoursorothirwtfe upon their faces , and fo dtfguifed or apparelled as '^Mummers or psrfins unknowne, by reafon of their apparell. ajpciate or accompany them together or apart , and attempt to e nter into the houfe of any perfon or perfons, or affaxlt or ajf. *jiS make upon any perfon or perfons in the Kings high-wayr or zny other place in forme afore dtfguifed, that then th fatd Mwr.mers, or dtfguifed perfons, and every cf them fhall hi art eft ed by any of the Kings Uige f topic as fufpiRs or Rrr 3 n Vacabonds9: 494 Hifirie-Maftix. Part.*-' •»^ -»~ i ■ i ■ . ■ "^ — — — — ^^ Vacabonds^and be committed td the Kings Gaole* there to be tmprifonedby the Jpace of 3. monetises without bajle or main- prife, and then to nmkgfine to 1 b» King by the dtfcretton of the lufliccsyby whom they pall be delivered out off r*fon. And al- fo it is ordained and enaSted by the J aid Authority 9 that if any ferfon or per fons fell or keepe anj Vtfours op t^ifour in his houfey or in any other f face within thts Riatme after.thefenft ofgafter next commingy and after this AQ proclaimed, that the [aid per fen (that kpepeth thefatd Vtjour or Vt fours) [hall forfett to the King our Soveraigne Lord for every Vtfour 2 2.x. And further 'fhalifnffer imprtfonmenti anXmake fine after the dtf- cretton of the lufi/fes afore whom he is thereof convifted by examination or by inquijition, after the eotsrfe of the Common- f Vna omnium '**• Vpon the confideration of which Statute, f Volydor regionum An- Virgil writiftg of Stage-play es and there is this law, that it [hall be capitall for any per fin videre; quango ** fo\t on a Vifour or Vlajors habit: Which Statute, as may mrdi^ngl°$' ^C colledted from Volydor, (who Smote about Jome 10. alijsfaSen* J^eres after it) extends as Well to Players as Mummers. re^Iexeft1 ut " f" h 2 * & 3* °f Philip and Mary. cap,?, intituled ; An A ft capitale fir, fi toavoyddivers licenfes ofhoufes wherein unlatvfull games be quis perfonas ufed : upon the humble Veittion of the Commons to the Queene indueht.D* in- „ VarliamenUit was tna^ed; That whereas by reafin offundrj lapTt™T'* Luences heretofore granted to divers perfonsy as well withm « Tms Booke f^e 0**1 °f L°*don and the Suburbs of the fame, as alfo tn du of his wis pub- ven other places of the Rcalme, for the having, maintaining^ lifted, ^tmo and keeping of Houfesfiardens^r places for Bewling,Tenutfe, i+99> * ap- mo* Vicing (a game prohibited as unlawful by fundry other of Epiftfe Dedi- QUr St*tuteS ; viz.By I I.Richard 2.C.6.1 1 . Henry ^.cap^. cacory. 1 7 •Edward 4. cap .3. Ii. Henry J.cap.i. i9.Henry7.caf. hz.Sc $.philip 1 2<& 3 l.Henry 8. cap.9. where *Dtce~flay is fliled an uni znd Mary, ci 9, lawful^ unprofitable y ungracious , and incommendable gam*, whereby divers are utterly undone and trnpoverifhed of their ' goods 1 and by mc**es whereof divers and many murtbers9rob* berks, Part. *. HiUrio-Mafkx. 495 berte s, and other hatnous felonies were oftentimes committed in divers parts of the Realme.See 1 7. Ed W.4.C 3 .and thereupon tt p. tjeverely condemned under great mulcts andpuntfhments; the Dice- flayers Being to forfeit ten found afeece,andto fuffer two yeeres imprifonment, andfuch a* keepe any ' Dicing-honfes to forfeit twenty found a peece, and tofuffer g .jeers s impri- fonment, &c. ) for white and blacks^ making and marring^ <*nd other HfUawfuR games prohibited by the Lams and Sta- tutes of thu T^alme, divers and many unlawful! affemblies, conventicles, [editions and confpiracies had beene daily axdfe- crexly praBifed by idle and mijruly ferfons repairing tofuch places, of the which robberies and divers m'fdemeajnon'rs had enfned ; that for remedy thereof \all Licences placards or grants made to any per f on or ferfons for the keeping of any Bowlings allies, Dicing-bonfcs, or other unlawfuHgamej(in the which number Stage- play es were included) fhould be utterly . voyd%and of none effcbl. By the1 Statutes of g 4. & 3 5 . Henry \ 3 4; & ? 9 . 8.cap.i.of2.& g. Edward 6. cap.i. 1. £tf*.*a/^ 2,4*^0/ H^*y8-Capr ♦ 3. lacobucap, 2 1 . we have feverall mulch and penalties in- £** ^E4vvard fitted upon fuch, who fhould recite or interpret Scripture, «* cap!*. & 3. £. revile the Sacrament or Booke of Common Prayer, or any part cobi.cap. iu thereof-, or iefiingly and prophanely fyeake or ufe the Name of Ctd the Father, or of Ckrifi lefus, or of the holy Ghoft, or of the Trinity, in any interludes, Stage-players, Rymes or Tage- ants. Andkil any one (hould hence inferre, that thefe Statutes (which are principally intended in priv-ate Playes and Enterludes, fince they condemn* and fup- prefle all publike,) feeme to allow of popular StagQ- playes, becaufe they fupprefTe not Vhyes themfelves, but onely thefe their abufes ; the k Statutes of 14. Sltz,. * i+Mz ct f r4M* 39-Eltz>*cap.dt'l.Iacobi.capj.& \*Cajrolucap.\ doc 19 Elz- cap;** inexpreffewordsj condemn e aU Stage. playes, and common ^^k.cap.7* Enterludes, as unlawfull exercifes and faftiynes; occafoning u - aroll'CI ■ many great inconvenwces, quarrels, blood-peds, and dif or- ders, to gods dtflwnour, and the publike preiudice : For the better fuppreflion ofwhicjp, the 1 Statutes */i 4. £//*,. j ^Eliz^,?. £<*/>.$« & i9.Eliz*i cap.q. have branded, have adsudged all & 39 Ela^. common 4$* Hiftrio-Maftix. Part.i v common ^Players of Enterludes, all idle perfons ujlng anj un- lawful games %aU players and wandrivg Minftrels,Jor Rogue$% fir Vacabonds And Sturdy Beggers ; fubietting them to fuch paines andpunifhments as other wandrmg Rogues andpaca- bonds are to under goe ; unlejft theyfhould belong to feme Baron or other honourable per/on of greater degree, and be Authorized by them to play under their hand and Scale of Armes : which Itcenfe of theirs exempted ihem onely from the pu- nishment, not from the infamy t or ftile of 'Ungues and V*ca- bonds : which Statutes, not (b effectually fupprc/fiflg thefe Playes and Enterludes as was expeded, by rea- fon of tke liberty that Barons and other Noblemen had to licenfc Players of Enterludes belonging to them, to »i Jacofc.c.f . 2& their Playes, the m Statute of \Aacobu cq* to remedy this mifchiefejjath declared and enabled; that from thence- forth no authority given or to be given or made by any Baron of this Realme, or any other honourable Perfonage of greater de- * gree unto any Entcrlude Players, t^Minftrels, luglers9 Bear- ward, or any other idle per fan or perfons whatfoever, ufing any " ^\ C unlawful} games or 'Playes, to play or act, fhould be available rh^howfe^f0 to fi^e ^^fiharge the faid perfons or any of them, from the Coneftion ; p&ines andpunifhmenis of Rogues* of Vacabonds and Sturdy* •imprifoned/et beggers in the faid Statutes (viz.i 4.Eliz.cap. 5; . & gp.Eliz. .in Stockesand cap. 4.) mentioned; but that they JhaU be taken within the and^Frfjf ftil 0fewea^fu^fi^nts^t^fan^^f4tmesy *n* °f &U Std- perfift in Play- mc.°f x • I*c°h> caf< 7* So that now at this day, by thefe ing after thefe feverall Acls of Parliament yet in force, (refolyed'and correftions 5 concluded upon after long mature deliberation by our they may bjc whole State and Kingdome,) all common Srage-playes, h" h»rin I- arefokmnelyadiudgedtobeunlawfullandpermciou6 Sxercifes, ron oi iht^ " not fuferable in our State: andaff common Stage-players, by bredth of an whtmfoever licenfed ; tip be but Vacabonds, Rogues, and Bnghlh (hi I- Sturdy-beggtrs ; who ought tofuffer n fuch paines and pun i(b- lin^, with a great Roman R. in the left (houlder,which letter (hall there remaine as a perpetual! marke of a Rogue,8cc. as thefe feverall Statutes more largely (hew: and if this will not rcforme them ; they may be bamfced,and after that if they return* 3gaine and perliftAncorrigibIe,bc excepted as Felons. mentr pARTa. Hiflrio-Maflix. 497 mentrtn every degree, as Are appointed to be inflt&ed upon aft ether Vacabondu Rogues, and Sturdy-bfggcrsy by the fore* named Statutes. So that all Magi ftrates may now juftly punilh them as Rogues and Vacabonds, where-ever theygoe, (yea they ought both in law and confeienee for to doe it, fince thefe feverall Statutes thus inforce them to it) notwithftanding any Licenfe which they can procure, (ince the exp reile words of the Statute of \Aacobu cap. 7. hath made all Lieenfes unavaylable to free them from fuchpunifhments. Itismoft apparently evident then by ail thefe pre miles ; that not onely Pagan Wri- ters,Emperours,States,and Magiflrates ; together with the Primitive Chriftians, Fathers, and Chriftian Wri- ters of Forraigne parts ; but even our owne domeftique Writers, Preachers, Vniverfities, Magiftrates, and our*B <- « 7 whole State it feife in open Parliament, both in ancient* ^u^^axi* moderne,and prefent times, have abandoned, cenfured, ma Cum irrita-' condemned Stage-playes and common /\&ors» as the menta vitio- • very pefis, the corruptions of mens mindes and manners $ the rUii 3 & aci cor" Seminaries of aUvsce, aHlewdneffe,wickcd*4ey anddiforder: S^^T and intolerable mif chief es in any civiR or well-dtfciplined Com' tiffime vaiehfc nton-weaU: therefore my Minors truth is paft all doubt, tollenda Tunc we cannot but readily iubferibe unto it ; and fo by con- nobis,&c. u- fequence to the conclusion too, without any more di- ^tinmVeV&k fpute. How then can we tolerate, or connive at,much £c'h? n°ho« lefle applaude, frequent, or iuftifie thefe pernicious de- mceftuamc * praving Interludes, which we have all thus condem- al Ad de ned as intolerable evils ? Our owne Writers,Preacbers, Parliament, Vniverfities, Magiftrates; yea, our whole Realme and ?9-E<^a|". T\,. cenfured them, as extreamely evilly how can, how Henry 7,1 b. dare we then foment them, pieadefor them, or refort 3. Edward 4, unto the m, as exceeding good ? Let us, O let us not be z a- *lEc?w-4' worfer then thefe Heathen, nor wiferthn thefe Chri- f * ™0^ ilian fore-recited forraigne, and domeftique Authors, ^ <££ piurV Fathers, Minifters, Magiftrates, Princes, Empuours, busaiijs. Sff States 498 Hiftrio-JMaftix. Part.i States and Kingdomes, who have thus abandoned,fup- preffed Playes and Players for the forenamed mifchiefes which they did occafiombut as we cannot but approve* applaud their ceafiirc. in our judgemecs, fo let us fubmit unto them in our praaife ; renouncing, abominating all filthy Stage- playes from henceforth and for ever, as the very poyfon,the corruption ©four mindes and manners, which they will ftrangely vitiate, as all thefe conclude, and the examples both of the ancient Greekes and Ro- manes witnefle* And no wonder is it, that Stage-playes fliould thus deprave the Aclors, the Spectators mindes fc Pcjora juvc and manners. h efpe€i4ltjf tbofe of the yngcr fort&bo m regard StSiuw totkof their tender ytertsjbetrw** of mdgemet^exfer^ S«- the/lrengthstevtgorofthevWs W their n^rall **. Mt.fol.i6. a nation *nt* evilly *" ™ore eafih **rr*ptcd. front lmlt Citoflorcspe- ^ c$m4pt e&$d m.tn»ers, as the Apoftle teacheth : riimtjcfeo via- tuere }s 0icnty 0f thele in all our Stage-playes, * wbub fSS" ler.de colons: if the fociety of Adulterers Aduke- Hierm E#7. reffes, Whore-mafters, Whores, Ruffians, Panders, f.5olmberbis Baw(]cs or fuch like leprous creatures, can deprave jivenistnadem * M Mprofcpthej mll-yx xvbAt ethers (kail rft mute At ?<£&£" The«ers,J(»cbler* the hues, the miners of lb* SrSpwdifflB a;ris:SublimiS)cupidurq5,&amat3relinqncrc pert.il Bom* t-rdis provum^ J cc,bieanimiisUborar,plcnufoj tit n-.-.-tti tuc- SS,! * See Aft 4.Sccne , accordingly. « A.q; hotu v.norum fpeftator, • fed tel, T)O.C, v. 5« here, pag, 67.68. Sf &**<*** £ Part. i. Hifirio^9l4aflix. 4^9 Spectators, ° a6 they are : whatShewes, what Spectacles ° Io& 1 1*-»7- folewde,foobfcene, as thofe that are daily reprefented **ov*z3 33* on the Stage? If any, if every of thefe will feveraliy '^[fjs^^u corrupt men,ia company, in places where there is little a& s!scene%« danger, as too oft they doe ; much more will they -de- 4. accordingly* pravemen P when they are all combined, as they are in PEt finonpro* Stage-play es ; ^ where all the feveraH fcattercd corruptions "n* fingula, that uiuaily adulterate mens mindes and manners of ^Habcntfcc- thenifelves alone, unite their forces ; their contagions lerum quicqui£ into one. But what need I preffe any further reafons to poffedimus prove this curfed tirecl of Stage-play es,when as our own omnts.claudim vifible experience abundantly confirmes it} For alas, mlCtiPm^1^' whence is at! that prodigious defperate diflbluteneffe, hc^p4^^ t>ropha^efle, wickednefle, drunkenneiTe, impudence, 69. according- ewdneiTe, and diforder; that grofie uncleaneiTe, that ly« exorbitant obliquity, that ftupendious degeneracy in • Iife,apparei,rpeech,gefture,*^r^compiements,and the * See my Vn~ sntireman? Whence all thofe feverail armies of corrup- l°vciinefTe of tions, of vices, which infe&our Nation? Whence all ^a ^ne* thofe feverail bea{Uy,diabolicall, audacious, crying, da- J '" ring iinnes of our Tfemaliz*d got'tfh males, or { mannifh cNu«ceoglo« females ,who out-ftare the very Lawesof God,of Man,of nantor & que Nature, and fend up daily challenges for vengeance to Patrant> &9Ui the God of Heaven^ Whence all thofe common Adul- (EcffS* terers, AckiltereiTeSjWhore-mafterSjWhoreSjBawdes, nati corpore Panders, Ruffians,Rorers,Swearers,Duellers,Cheaters, juxti acqs am- Fifiiion-mongers, Fantaftiques, Libertines , Scoffers, »°» ns fantil- *to«r/«/C«l,ofgrace,ofh©lineffe5 u Defbifers and flan- ^mqu^tin J ' 3 ' Jf J ' retmeat gene- ris mafculini, protinus pleftentcs cincinnos ornamefque , & cerufla fucoqitf oblmeates faciem pingentefquc, imguentis quoq; fragrantes exquifitiflimis., Nam & hac utuntur iUecebra3exercitaci omnibus forms lenocinijs ? nee pudeceos marent qua? jti- bet androginum & fexum fuum adulterantem impune occidi die ipfaachora qui deprshenditar,cumfu probrofus, patrisq; fuse & farnilis dedecusj ?tque adeo co- das humans generis. VbiloludtmDeSptcialibuiUgibws.fag. i Ofo. 1060. c Quem prsftarepoteftmuhergaleatr,(detonfa)pudoLem Quae fugitA fexu? vires amat,* hsc tamen ipfa vir nollec fieri : nam quanmla noftra voioptas, &c ? Iuvctidl SMw.£» Sff 2 isrers $oo Hiftrw-Majitx. Part.i. derers of all religion* men - the Enemies of all modefty and common civility 5 with fuch other lawlefle, godlefle * Thus fdyca- pericns, who now fwarme {o thicke of late in the futCaid to Mar- ftreets of our Metropolis , profefling themfelves open- tiM the Here- iy to be the very *firft-borne of Satan, the very faclors, te^iWenfr and htires apparant of Helf ; in that J tkey proclaims their Sztlna^Stfelt ^nnt M ^om sn *h* °?e* view °fa^ ***** without the final- **Eecief.Hift, left blufh, and glory in thofe infernal! filthy pradifes lib. 4. cap. 14. which fliould even z melt their foules with forrow, and Irenxus Con- a confound their Faces wth the deeftft [hame; b Are not they it. c V*™' ^^rigmaUpom WW* * From Pt*7-hoHfcs .? have they not r ifaJ j.9.1^4- a" their birth, their growth, their aliment, their com- * Pfal 1 19.18. plement, their intention, their fupport from thefe ? Are Nahum.i.io. not thefe the Nurferies, the Fountaines whence they y Ifay lif1?' c' iprlnE* the food by which they live* they grow, and |f-jfrV^ *4, multiply? themeanes by which they roote a ^d ipred 51 '.i^Ezech.0' themfelves ? Certainely he is (hrke blihde thau cannot ; l5-54^3.c.35. he moft perverfly wiiriiU that will not lee it;fo apparant j2. 3Jan. 9.7,8. is it to the eyes,the confeiences of all men who pric in<- rlee S?ry" tothecaufesofthefegroflediforders. Since therefore 38 Sh ll tht danSerous kprofie, the * pefltferom ernagm of mind- accordingly. corruptt*gymanner*def raving Stage-flaycs is io irrefraga- * See ftugtfft. bly confirmed by reafbn, by experience,by all the fore- De Civir4 Dd. quoted Auchoi'kitSjbcth Pagan and Chriftian,rorraigne kk4**"?**2- anddoiiKitiquc; I may fafety, I mty confidently coa- 4*0 1 & "P C^e on aii l^e Prem^csJ (*** I hop* ere long, to fee c our *7.io'. Gractotu S&vera$g*e,ar Church, our State* our Tarlutnent, f Anmmmno- ot*r Com fit J; yea all our •JM*gt$ratesy zJW'wftcrs, People^ #rum3Pa:res even ready concurring with ms in thx rhhs Chniiian Aflcr- confcripti,Kei- pub. curis calemem, pulfavit faepius querela nopulorum3 or ra qui*-" em ex caufis le* vibus,fed graves eruftavitcxccfl'us Deploratenim pio fpe&aciilorum volup;ate r.d «g.xo4. be finfuii andpernitious unto Chriftians, intoiera- * Torpent eccc ble in any Common- weale. See 1. Edward 6 cap.** in,gen11 dcfidi~ %.Edvp.6.cap.i6. $.Edx>.6+c.i. and all our Statutes nec inullius Zga'mft. Rtgues andFacabonds, accordingly. rei honefta? But Stage playesarctheco ifhnt occafioiiSjthecom- laborc rigila- monfprings andnurfcries of much floth and idle- jur«Somn'Js nciTe; witnefle the * prefer* condt ton of our Enflifb fo^^Van- guore turpiorjwalarum return trichiftria,iiiiia$t animos,Oncandi faltandiq; obfca> na ftudtaniuiceffsminatos renenr ; & capidum frangere>& jd muliebres blandiriat. voce extemu e, nollitie corporis ceitarecum fiemiaisj & immtm vfTimis fc cxcolere munditij?Jnoftronirit!o!o^:?miu fpecirneneft.Q'JL'^ 3mliiim v^ftro^urr^quiddicatn. Satis ingeniofusafaus ftudiofusjimmo cjuis fa;is vijr &?$m&Cm.l\<¥fMfn*>$$67*- Sff 1 Tomb, 5oi Hiftrit-Maftix. Part.i; ~ ■ 1 -■■■!— ■ ■ ■ ■ ' ill — — i i Tomb, whopcke f Theaters, whom Seneca hath long « Gen i Pnce dtfcjphtredin the Romanes. Exod 10.90 Therefore they muft needs be finfull and pernicious a3.11. Deut.^ unto Chriftians, intolerable in any Commoa- 13.Pfal.128.!. weale. *lT<*Z'uic* The Maj'or vcri!.y &u^ be sranted to mc • Firft> bCte Eccicf. io.'is] caufe fioth and idienefle are fmnes aga'tnfltbe § exprejfe Exech.i 6.4,9/ command of God. Secondly, bt caufe h they are the very Prov,2 1 . a 7. rufl 4,;d canker of mens mv.des, mens p irts> mens bodies f mem 2 \Jjef'3'V°/^i# Thirdly, becaule lthey are the occajtott, the fottn- 1 TimYi '5,6, ***** tf™0^ other/lines j as k adultery, whore dome, drunk**- * Mollic virosotium & rahigmemobAucit.SenetaControverfl.z, Centr.i.p.io$z. Na- ture bonkatem Cocordn co\:i-\im^it.Flutarcb T>e Liberorkm fj^^.j.Vitainotio de- pofita noncorpora modo fed & animoshbefaar 5 ac ut aqua; htentes fub umbra ac nsn fluences putrefcunt: ita in vita motiuim expertes facultates homiiubus infitas confenefcunt 8i^zrcuat.?lutareb De Occulte Yincndo Tom.i.p.i I7.n<8. Vc enim ferra ufuacexercitationefpiendefcit,diuturnoautem fitufquaiet&rubiginepauiatimexe- dirur atq; conficitur: limiliter hum3na mens officijsviro dignis acuitur, otioautcm hebefcit,& quafi fqualore obdu&ocorrumpitur.Eft enim otium, leutitudo & inertia taciturn quoddam yenenum quo paulatim omnes virtutes infe&as languefcunt, lau- desintereunt3& artes omnes prsdarae in oblivionem adducuntur. Oforim De Re- gum Inftit.fcl 11.& no, Addequod ingenium longorubigine lasfum Torperj &eft multoquamfuicante minus. Fertilis affxduo (i non renovetur aratro, Nil nifi cum fpinisgramen habebit ager. Cernis ut ignavumcorrumpunt otia corpus? Vt capianc vitium ni moveantur zcpx^Ov'tdTr'ifliumtj.Ekgii.p.iii.&DeFmto.l.i.Elcgfi. /*£♦ 127. i Otium continet omniuna flagitiorum feminarium. Mentem enim hebetat, animum comimpit5hominispraritantiam labefactatj rationem dc ftatu deijert, & li- hidinem in animi dominatu conftituit. Otio & fecuritate frangutur vires, languefcit induftria,hebefcit ingenium,vitiacrefcunt,fcelera prorumpunt,animi flatus o^prwni* tHr,flagitiorum omnium bellum inexpiabileconcilatur. Oforim, De Rpgumlnflit. fol, 113.231. t Facmonitis fugias otiaprima meis.Hjec,utamesjfaciunt: ha;c,ut fecere tuentunhascfuntiucundi caufacibulqs mali. Otia (1 tollas periere Cupidinis arcus, Contepta^qi jaccnt & fine luce faces.Qaam platanusrivo gaudet,quam populus un- fla. Et quam limofa canna paluftris humo. Tarn Venus otia amat : qui finem qusrif amons,Cedit amor rebus : res age,tutus eris.Languor & immodici fubnullo vindicc fomni, Aleaq; &multotemporaquaffamero, Eripiant omnes animo fine rulnere vires.Affiuit incautisdefidiofusamor.Defidiam puerille fequi foletjoditagentcSjDa vacu* menti,quo teneatur3opus. Qnxritur Aegiftus quare fit fa&us adulter j In promptucaufaeftjdefidiofuserat.Owd.De ^cmedio Amor'u. lib4\ p.21 5.216. Eftcniro meretrkius animus inftabilis Temper acfluftuat multumqjocio diffiuit3 unde major cxiftitad volaptaces propenfio* Cp'iiiut Alcxmdrinui in Bcfaiam.lib. 1. cap. 9. Tem.i. Pa^t u Hittrio-Maftix. 503 nejfe, the.t, voiuptuoufreffe, pride in apparell, lafciVionfnejfe, VaineMfronrfe, and a world of other Jinnes which would never *Ia deLujseft be committed; to which the ' Devitl could not temp men, 2g|£ ™™*£ — they tmployed in their lawfull callings. Fourthly, be- operis ut km- >r*rtf CAllfc the m very curfe andwrath of God'fto^etherwithn penury, per re Diabo vanity, mifery, and deflruUton Attend thefe fanes. Fiftly, *«sinveniatoc- becaufe thefe fmnes °are mofi dangerous, mofi per nit ions, cuP3tfm ~Pe- freiudtctall and deftrufttve to a State, of all others ; both be- pjatur no cam caufe they indiipofe men too, and keepe them off from propter vichi* their honeft callings from all publike imployments and ncceffttatem,, fervices for the publike good : becaufe they occadon ^m Pr°Pte^ dearth and poverty, robbing the Common-wealth #™™* jJja oft he benefit of mens induftry, and painefuil labour : €ap, 3, and like wife becaufe they are the SeminarieSjNurfenes, *» tzech.i£. and fe well of ail other vices and corruptions,that either 4^> j°- weak en, trouble, diforder, or P fubvert a Repnbkkc, (as n Pi"ov-i°"4«c° idlenefle and luxury have fubverted many,) as all Politi- E^ckf«io°i 8?' tiansdoe aifirme : who cen fur e and exclude all "idle per -Jons, © $ec Euphor- 06 the 4 very faterpillers, Drones ^ and (fanker-wcrmes of the mie Satyncon. Common-weales therein they live * inacling fundry Lawes p.308.309.310 ■againft them,as the lawesof r 'Draco, (who make idlenejfe ^[1msI^- a capital! cnm*:)togz cher with the lawes of th^^fcgypti- foj^ lml 5 jl0O* ans, of c Solon, n of Sardoa, and* Pefiflratus doe abundant- 1 67,i 68, 2 1 $ * 2343*36,148, Ariftot.Polit.lAc.j.p to3.509,Zenophon,DeIn^it. Cyri Hiftcriap 30. Plutarch., De Occuire Vivendojib.accordmgly ? Otiu-n fimul anes beatas ®es perdidir. Catullus. p. 2,5 G iilfoUminbfllis.flQiuexunt,mQxfcgnitia cumotio intrans virturem pariter ac Libertatem ■■mi'eiunt.Cor.Tac'tUA lu'ijf Aptc Pita feB.^<\6^j Nihil eft quod facilius pu{]et rcmpublLam ever. e;e cm u nob .hum 1. n .1.1 Pcrfarum imperium armis partum long 1 p vx acotium delevit Romanum impe; ium quo nullum unquarrs in terns maju$ exticit^otium acq; nimia fecuritas e yettJj\Reg mm Hifpania? floren- tiflimum otiumolim comrmnuit & dif&pav.n\ Gp)r'ius3T)e Kegir/n inH>t lib. 7. c. 8. p. 294. 248. <1 N.^gligensac 0* visqui in deliajs vivit fucis ignavis m-atfjrne fimiiis ei'L "Plate Lcgntn Dialog. 1 0.^ 9^ J\ne<; ftjeos arce-u quod neq} ceras faciunt neccellas cxtrudunt^nccmeilelcomplentjied'ip'um mel apium labore & feduiinte colleftum intemperanter abfumu.it. Si omnes defides & ion.ivi,qHi tanqua fuci nullam reipub. operim navint omnes tame 11 reipub.opes laguriuntj e regni fimbus eliminandi funt^ Qfor'm T>c Kegum Infill X 6. f0l 167.168 t ofoY'm, De Regum Inpt.t-r . folxi 5 . f Ofo- rius Ibid. * PlutarGhi & DicgenisiacnijjVolon.p^j* * ^Vian Varise Hift.l$,c.i. *^Elian»lib. ^,cap, a.j. 504 Hiftrio-Mafiix. Part.i; lyteftiiie. The caufes therefore of fuch pernicious State-fub verting finnes as thele, which have brought yEicch.i^. deftruclion tpmndry great Republikes, as they y long 49 » J ° • fi*ce drew doyen* fire and firm) "i otefrom Hit oven upon Sodom ; mud needs be as dangerous, as litcolerable as thefe fins theinfeivts : and To iny M tjor (if either Divinity or Po- licy may be credited) mult bcintirely condifcended to. For the Minor ; That Stage- play es are the conftant occafions, the common Seminaries and Nurferies o£ much lafinefTe, and idlencfle; (as our reverend Arch- * Ludls raimis bifhop * Matthew Parlor witnefTeth,) it is mod appav moUioS^U1 ni- rant* ^ir&> ky their ordinary Aclors and Frequenters ; mi a rebus ge- z w^° are commonly fuch idle Drones, as live either altogether readis abdu- without any honefl calling ; their whole life being but atv .concur tie jure- Apprcntifhip of idlene(Te,or a continued PIay;(as if they ms quidem fe W€re t>orne for no other purpofe * but to eate, to drinket ""^"P^: to fleepc, to play, and wafle their time :) orelfe fuch me Ecclcft*1 who are altogether negligent, flothfull, indiligent in Brittanua.foL their callings : bfuch who make Pauls thetr Weftminfler ; 44 ?• a Play-houfe, an ordinary or Danc'mg-fchoole, their Study: 4 H^7r080m* Wty-fookthtir Littletonttheir Bible : andloytering, * if Match Clemc" not $^e courtm& rffi*** whore orMtfru ,the greateft part of Aiexandrinus. their profedion ^ as too too many doe in this voluptu- Pxdag. lib. i . ous age : wherein divers of our male, more ©f our female cap.u.TertuI- fex, c repute it a blemifh to their honour ', a dtfparagement to lian, & Cypri- their gentility to be konefly imployed in any lawfult vocation culis libn. *" *^at mtsJ}tett^er benefit themselves or others ,or advance the Guahher. H5. publike good. Secondly, by the very end andufe of x i.tn Nahum. Stage-playes, to which men feidome refort,but to pafle lA.vtytbbrooliZy away their idle houres, which they know not how to ft1' C°^°b3 ^d *Penc* *or want °f other imployments. Alas fay our idle the third Blaft of Retrait fromPlayes and Theaters, accordingly. » Nos nume- rus fnmus, 8c fruges confumere nati HoweEpi(lJib.i .Epift i.pag.z+0. b BB.Hdtf. Epift. Decad. 6. Epift, tf, e4 BB.Htftf Ibidem, Tibi plectra moventur: Te tenet in tepido mollis arnica finu, Et fi quis qu£r;it, quare pugnare recufas j Pugnano- ccticithar*,noxque,vcnufquejuvant. Tutiuseft jacuiffe toro, tenuiffe puellam ; Thciciam digitisincrepuifle lyram. Qiiam mam btn clypeos & acuta? cufpidis ha- iiaab Er gateam preffafuftinuiffc coma «Gvid.£fi/2, 3 */>*§. U. Drones Part.i. Hifirio-Mdflix* 505 Drones one to another, (as if they had no God to ferve, no Bibles to read, no Sermons to heare, no Churches, no Studies, no Clofets to refoit to, no graces to pur- chafe, no lufts to conquer, d no Prayers to mzke, no fpiri- * Vbicumquc tuall inftruclions to learne, no holy duties to performe, fueris intra tc- no workes of grace to finifli, no degrees of grace to ac- metipfumora: quire, no friends to admonifh, no families to inftrucl:, ^ o^frorio^1' no ficke to vifite, no dejected fpirits to comfort, no noli qnaaere gracelcffe perfbns to reprove, no heavenly mifteries to locum, quoni- contemplate, no fpirituali doubts to fatisfie, no callings am tu ipie lo- to follow, no Heaven to defire, no Hell tofeare,) wee ™Si*i* S*^ris know not how to fpend or pafle away thefe after- ^ioi0°o * ^ noones, we have nothing at all to doe ; come therefore & fa e# tem. . let us goetofuch orfuch a Piay-houfe, c and there we plum.Frequen- mBmerrilj pajfe the time* feeding ear eyesy our fares with ihofe ter orandums& Stagc-dsbgbts which flwtt there frefent themfelves unto tu* Aexocorpore Stage~p[ayes ferve for nothing elfe, but either to draw gencia a(j pax. men on by degrees to idlenefTe, or to fofter, to foment sicuteiiim them ink: Wherefore they are rightly called Play es, nullum eft mc« from playing ; becaufe they teach men onely to play a- J*16™1101 suo way their time with-drawing them from their Studies, t™v™*™~ their Vocations, unco idleneffe, and a kinde of iafie tllr Dei bom- life. Thirdly, by daily experience i For what perfons tare & rmfcri- are there more flothfulXidie^nprofitablcunferviceable cordia: fic-md- to themfelves or others; leffe (tedious, lefle diligent lum debet eiTe and laborious in their lawfull callings, then common ^X^ Actors and * PUy-htnnters ? who have many of them fehtem non no other imployment at all, but onely this, to AcT5 or hibeat in me- fee a Stage-play ;cr to dice, to card, to dance, toadorxe fcoria. OHkit etndpAin: themfelves , oft-times *for publk* if not for private ^Pus ln 4uo cogitas hoc te computes pcrdidiflc.BwJMwfc MedUat'umts e<6. Colio 5 6*. e Iocofi ferr.Tc ac ndiculi font plseriq j ornnes mortaliu3neq; illis eft cordi ftudiofum vitse genus in- tcnfa»q; gravitatis/ed fluxumpotms acremiflium. Ex quo fit ut perquam Facile do- minetur eis maligniffimus Dxmon.7heodoret.Dt Sacrifici/s Lj Tom, z.p. 3 8 1, vid-fbfd* * Atqjduas tantum res anxius optat, Pr.nem & Circenfes. luvenaL Satyr. s o. prfg.94* s Ornamenfbrum infignia & lenociniafacoranvnonnifi proftitutis & impudicis fs?- minis congruir,& nuliaru fasre prxciofior cultus eft/quam quarum pudot viiU ei>. Cyprm%De HabituFirgimm Mtnn eft raulierisfed meretricis ilhsd nimium fui o?n?$Ai ftudium, Clemens Afa;mdrimu Ttdagogi.lib. 3 ,'cap, z< Ttt fate* 506 Hiftrio-SMaftix. Part.i. 5 cypL'-11^ pe fale. Stage* play es either S fixde or make men idle : they sllfc^l .'dcher °ccafi°n* or foment their floth i they either 6 j. before] 4 cauie people to live without callings ; or at leaft with- draw them from them, to give their after-noones at- d [ s °callhr tcndance on themfel ves. Hence is it, h that the SchoU convennur? " ler * °f* ^h-drawne from his Schoole, the Student from hi* Propter unum Stndy ; the Mechanicke from hu Trade ; the M after from bis nefcio quem, Family ;t he Lady and Gsntlcmnitn from hir Clofet or Needle; vet virum,vel the Miftris from her honfe ; the flajbaxd from hit Wife ; the femmam com- wfefrom her Hufband; the Servant from hit Mafiers bxfc uioveturtota /r i a j? / • nt i r> • #■ i ' . Cjvitas, utde- "*"'> :c t0 a Wat-h**/*, to a5t,tofe* BanXHexaem. or ^eare a bwde lafcivious Enterlude ; the very belt Ho.ai^Tomi, part whereof, l is furevanuy, if not ftnjull My. » Totam p.4^Chryfoft. hodie Romam Circus cafit ; was the Poet juvenals com- ^Mifl plaint of old; and I f eare it might be ours now; Such Col i \°Te" Preva^ency *s ^ere in theie bewitching Stage-playes to tu\J>e Specie, draw men on to froth, to tdlcneffe; n the vtrj bane, the foy- c.ii.ii.Lid- fo*, and deftruftton of mens fecreleffe foules : which the antius,Dc Ve- very ° Turks s enumerate amavg the number of their fettn g° C.ultu,i^0' deadly finnes. Laftly, my Minors truth, as it is evident GubematDci. ^y experience, fo iikewifeis it ratified by the concur- Lrf.Naiianwii rent fcffrage of fundry Fathers and moderne Authors, De Refta Edu- and by our * owne t/iUs of Parliament 3 who for this vei y catione ad Se- lucum. p.io6^io64. The $. Bbft ofHctrait firm Playes and Theaters, pa a,. <6. 7 6-7 7* M..Gojfo»iM.Stubs}M.NorlbbYocl(ei\n their Bookes againft Stage- playes, accor- dingfy. i See here Ad 4. Scene zM p. 484, * See here Act 6, Scene 1 1. l Averte ocutos meos ne videant vaniutem.Rogat propheta ne ocuiis vagatur per Theatra ni- mirum &chorearumfpe(ftacula, quae cuiidemvanirate redolent, acfructu & militate czvent. CbfyfiJlvK HM. II- i*PfaLii%.Tcm.i £01.998. ~4. m Satyr.u.p.ui. » Hu- manus animus otio languefcens facillime corrumpitur. Citric De Auiito. lib 4. p. 117- Ignavia magnorum faepe ingenion revpeftis. Vt lignum occulta teredo confumit, fie aaimuin paulatimdelinit & exedit jgnnvus hie sffeclus. Lipfitts. Sfifi.CentHr'ia. 2. Epifi4 34-fwg.iy*. • Philip.Lonicerus.Hifloriae Turcicx.l.i c.io.p.j4. * See *4- Eiiz^ ^p.j. jp, Elir,cap.4. i.Iacobi.cap.7. & i.Caroii.cap,i* caufe Part. i. Rifirio-Waftix. 507 >imt ci vita* caufe among fundry other condcrune, reject and cen- fure Stage-playes as unlawful! paftimcs, betaufe they are the cccaftonSj the fomentations of much fioth and tdleneffe. Hence Phtlo Indue*, De Fit* tJWofes. peg 932. & De Agr'tcuhura.ltb.pag. lj\. Clemens Rom4nut. ^Apofi. Con- flit. lib. z. cap. 6^ 66. Clemens A lexandrtnm Padag.hb.3. cap.i i.Ttrtullian & Cyprian, in their JeveraB Bockesy De Spettacnlu. A rnoktts A dverftes Gextes. lib. 5. p. I49.150. lib. 6.& y.p i}0. to 242. Laftantius.ltk 6.De Vero Cultu. cap.20. rfatUm Aftyrij Contra Gracos Or ait*. Bibl. Pctrum. p ^ Ttf/».2.p^i8o. BaftLBexaemerm* P Hom.q.Tom.i.pag. tef"^onnwili, 4$ 'Gregory Naz,tat2z>en, De Reft a E'Jucatioxe ad Seleucum. qU2 multis fag, 1 06 3. 1 0^4. S.Afterij HowiitainTeftnm Kdendarum. Yarijfcme pras- ■BMPatrum.Tem.4.p*g.706. Chryfoft. Horn.:. De D*- %££C*"m. *d9&Seml,Rom.6.7.tf.&69. m Matth.& Hem.%. De l/ef ™^- T&ntteKt'ut. ^Aiiguflin.l&e Ctvitate Dei. I. i.e. 1 1.7,2 Jib, !• Iuculo ad ip- cap.^, toi*}. Salvianmd.6,Dt Gttbernatione Dei/Damafien4 fumufoue c£- 'ParalcQorum. lib. %. cap .47. Cajfiodorm Variarum. lib. 1. himadvefpe- 8pift*ij.& 30. /www Sarejberien/ts, 1 De Nugie Curia- "f^nt^f e- tmm. lib.i.cap. S. Petrarcha De Remedy Vtrixfa Fortun*. ^"""ftofe^ //£. 1 . Dialog. 5 O. Rodolphm Cjualther.Homil. 11. in Nahum% qvJdzm om-i> £inciuit3Ethnicas, knproba Syrca icfidia. At cam noftris prorogant hiftriones. i^irfww, 7^rf 2 Refatarij* i^i . 508 Hiftrio- Maftix. Pa rt. i . Refutation of Haj wo eds Apologie for AUou: (to omit all *Ovid,De Ar- other Chriftian and r Heathen Attthots> which 1 might te Amandi.lib, here enumerate:) doe all concurre in cenfuring Stage- ' 6 \ D °r P*a}' es *n re§ard °' tn** effe<^« Since therefore the Ma- mcd'io Amoris". ior> am* Muior are r^us apparantly true,the Conclufion Jib.i.pag4zij. from them muft be granted, by all who either regard u^Nori ta- the publike, or their owne private good. men otium ta- le quarrendum eft, quale in lufiombus confumitur, (ic cnim vitas noftrae ludus finis eflet neceflTario, quod falfum & abfurdum eft, &c. sirijlot. Tolit, ltb,$.c*p $. fag.] c3. Sec lib. 7. cap. 1 7. and Marcus Aunlm. Epiftlc 1 z, to Lmbtrty who are very copious in this point, Seneca. Controverf, lib. 1. Projemio. pjg. 967. Tacitus Annaliutn. J. 1 4«c.i. 3 .& 1.x 6 ,c,x .Valerius Maximus.!.2.c«6X7»Bufengerus De Circo Rom3iK>« Ludifque Circer.libusv^p.44. ACTVS tf.SCENA SEPTIMA. j 7 ""T^He 7. confequent or effecT: of Stage-playes, is lux- Jl ury,drunkennelTe, and excelTe : From whence this ^Argument 3 3, Argument may be ray fed. 33. That which is an immediate occasion of an ordina- ry temptation unto luxury, drunkenneffe, and ex- *Qoisenim ' ceiTe, is utterly unlawfull unto Chriftians : into- »on iuxuno- lerabie in any Common-wea!e. fum ac nequam j$llt fa^ are Srage-playes : as * LaftantftuJ AftjrttftjHe, FcenkasTrtS11 Sct?t0 K*C**> and thc enfuin§ Authors teftifie. «lomi habcat ? Atqui nihil refert,utrumnc luxuriamfolusdomi,an cum populo exerceas in Theatro. Laflm'm, DcViroCit!tcicxccffe ofwine^evefltngs^banq-tetings.and abo- minable idolatries ; wherein they thivke ttftraxge that jott run not wtth them into the fame exceffe of not peaking eviHofyon .* who (haS gine an account to him who is ready to iudgs both quick? and dead. By Tit He 2.1 1. 1 2. The grace of God which bringeth falvationy hath appeared unto all men; teaching m, that denying mgodlincffe and worldly hfisy wefhould live fiber- h>righteettflj9 and godly in this frefent world. By'Ephef..$. l8. And be not drunke with wine wherein is exceffe. By Luke * Hcalthes 2 1 • 3 4. Take heed to your (elves lefl at any time your heart t be f^^f c \ overchargedwnhfnrfettingauddrmktnneffe, and cares of this mo^fJUmhJ!! world, and that day come upon yon at unawares : by fundry gcFiijsquam fuch like Scriptures to this purpofc which I have for- iuxuria: Luxu- merly quoted in * another Treatife : And iikewiie by the rio^us a^lef- *da?;gerom quality of thefe effeminating foule-deftroying jens Pe^cat» (ihnes, u whtch are more pernic'tom to a Common-weale ^then ucxjnfamt feflilence or warre it felfe ; * mere fat all to mensfitiles and bo- SenecaSontro- dtes, then any Qtrcean charme. vnf. 1 1 . Prctm. The Minor is moft apparant : Firft,from the origi- /> 967'&'M, a. nail invention, and dedication of Stage- pi ayes; whtch contr. 4.p.iof4. were firft of ' aUdeVtfedbya company of drnnke n Grecians tn XuTuria Tnci- honsr of their Devil- Idoll Bacchus (the God ofwine, ofdrun- ^ viaumque kenne/p^and all exceffe ; ) towhom'TUyes, and T/ay-houfes ulcifcitur or- , were cenftcrated at the firft j as t Htfimans and Fathers cer- hcm.iitvcnaL Satyr,6.pfZ. * Luxuries perdulce malum quae dedita Temper Corporis arbitrijs hebetat caligint fenfus^Membraque Circajiserfemmat acnus herbis« Blandaquidem vultu, fed qua nontetrior ulla Interius j fucata genas & ami&a dololis lilecebris, torvos r.ero circumlinit Hydros. Ilia voluptatummultosinncxuit hamis. Claitdian Dc Laudlbitt StilicoM.Ub.i pag.i 8 5. here pag 1 67. y Athenxui Dipnofoph.Ub.a. cap,i.PlBtarchi Romans Quae ft. Qtueft. 107. Tertullian De Spe&aculis.cap. io, Cyprian De Spc- ftuculis Laftantius De Vero CuUuJ^.c^o^EufebiuSaDePrxp^Evang.l.i.e.n.Po- lydor Virgil.De Invenroribus Rerum.l.i.ci o. Mncx Silvij Hiftoria. De Afia Mi- nori.c.7 8.p. 3 7 ^See Buiengerus De Theatro.l. 1 x^. T tt 3 tife 510 Hiflrie-Maflix. Paht.i * Iraq; Then- tifie tu : Whence Tertuiian ftiles the Theater y * the trum Veneris, ^ufe or temple of Bacchus ; becaufe Stage-ylajes (which were I.ben quoq; f«rm0rlj fitted Libe?*h.i)wr* is * Divdorm Stculus, Ifiodor & alios 'a los JitfrwnfiSyAn* ethers record^jt tinted by^ cenfe crated unto fccnicos Libe- ft j.cchu$\tbs /do!, the author of aft intemperance. Jf therefore ralii proprie their very inception were thus from drunkennefle, and v?,cV°,-1Ujyrx" excefie; their progrefle queftionlefTe muft bee men. bero devotes" ~econdiy, ** *s euident from the teftimony, the experi- qujjfnnrDi- c ncc of former ages; whonotonely * enumerate Stage- onyfia penes pUycj anting the exceffss, the luxury both of the Greekes and pr«cosJ>etia,m Rom.tnc\ as the Fathers and Authors in the margent te- iLlhzrV^[- ftifie; but likewife make them the chiefc oCcafions of M de«o& iu Hcnce b Onffl™ and *N*z.u.Hz>tn ftilctfie Play. vocabuli:quum houfe ; 7 he Schoote of intemperance, aebosJlnefe9Iuxfery9aud rei caufaidolo- excefe. Hence b Solvit** toyne* the Stage-places y epicxrtfmt htm fit. Nam and drm^ennefe of the Romanes, and thofe of Treves, both o^UiViUbt t0£etbgr i making one the effecT, the companion of the ralia vocaren- otner« itis noted by c Htftortans, that Cahgula, Heboge- tur hono'rem Liberi patris manifeftefona1>ant.Libero enim a ruflicis primo fiebam ob bcncficiumquodei adferibumpro demonftrata gratia vini.Et eft plane in artibas fceaicis Libcri & Veneris patrociniibqux privata & propria funtfeena:. Dc gefta & corporis flexu,mollitiem Vcneri & Libero immolant:illi per fexum,illi per fiuxum, difoIucis.rmrt/.'Z)^ Speftacc-SJo u4ffitdorut Origmumlib.icap 51. vid. ibidem. • Non- nulii practerea Satyro: Baccho adjongunt,qui infakationibus,&ludis tragicis tiCuSt jociquc oble&amenta Deo cicanr.Dcnique ut Mute liberahs difciplinar bonis ilium juvant & demulcent,ita Satyri ludicrisj& ad nfum compofius gcftibus & adionibus^ vitam DionyfiobeatamGratijfquedelibutamreddanf Qum thymelicos etiam lu- dos hie inftituit, Theatra cxhibuit, & Muficorum acroamatum Scholas inftiruir. &odoYMSkulH5.B';h!Bifld.^rett.ij*l^oiw • Livy . Rom Hift.L7.fe^t#3€4.ValenusMaximus. 1. 2. c.4. Plutarch. Dc Gloria AthcnienGum i:b,C:cero De Republica4l^,.Cornclri5 Tacitus. Annal.l.i4.c.i.3- Marcus Aurelius. fipift.n.to Lambert. Eiij Lampridij Hcliogobalus. Tertul. & Cyprian. De SpeftacL Clcm.Alex.P3edag.L3 cn.Arnobius Adverf.Gentes.L7. p^o.to z+z, Lactantius De Vero Cul:u.c.ip.Bi(ll.Hexac:n.l.4 Nazianzen.ad Scleucu.p.i 063.1064. Chry- foft.Hom.cV7.8c 58. inMatth.Hom.6z.adPop.Antioch, Augnft.Dc Civit.DeU j. c 52.33.1.1.0. 5. co 50.Salvian.L6.De Guber.Dei.S.Aftcrij Hcmiliain Fett4 Ka\en- darun.Bibl.Patrum.Tom.4 p.7c6.Ioannes Saresberi^nfis-De NugisCurialium.l.i. C.7.8.D Hgcfo>ell,in. his Apologie.l.^.c S,feA,t.3,4. b Horn. 6 1. ad Pop.Antioch. & Hora.4i4in A6tt,c Ad Selencu DeRccla E ducat.p.i 0^3.10 64, * DcGuber.Dei.1.6. a Sueroni) Caligula & Nero Lampridij Heliogabalus, Trcbellij Polionis Gallieni Duo. Tacitus Annal.l. 14.c3.D10n Cnfiius.Rom.Hift.f.59. HerodianHift.l.i^See here Scene $.& Aft 7. Scenes, & Zonarasj Emropius,andthe Imperiall Hiftory in rhefc Eaapexo as lives. balus, Pa rt. i. Hiftrio-Maftix. 5 1 1 bains yNero^Commodtu.OAlltenpts^ And other Roman Empe- rows who delighted mod in Stage-playes, were theme ft debeift, tvxttrUm, diff*l*Uy ebriotes, of all others : an in- fallible demonstration; that Stage-play es are the occa- Hon, fewell, and attendants of thefe finnes, f It was the f Plutarch. De cufismeofike P*i**Cjreekes dndTZomaneSyin all their dr»n- Glor" Ath^- kenrhtoHsFe*/ls,(zs it is now the ufage of too many &fy™™JX'7t ChrriHans) to exhiUrate themfelves mth Stage-pUyes, */oi~x&8.Batii pnrpofe to drawmenonto drunkfinneffiy luxury, anci moregrtffg De Lbnctate& intemperance*. Whence the § Comcell cf Laodtua. £av. Luxu Scrmo. 53.54. Andtbe Cenncell of tAqu'tferane urder Lewes the s.,B'n:"s Con| godly > prohibited Stage-playes At Chrtfttam marmgc-Feafts; ^p.ziiSutius And enioyned all Mmtfters not to be prcfent at thentybmto ar>fe ConctLTom.j, and depart from fitch fe aft s before the V layers entrcd ; that i o p« 4 * $ . & G ra- they miglu prevent that riot, that exccfTe which thefe t*au Dift jifl, j. thcatricall Enterludes might occaiion. All which,toge- ther with that of Pint Arch .who relates, *that all Stage* * Sccwci ,nn. player j were confecratednnto Bacchus as well at thefe their fict3 B^.:cb ) Stage-play esj* a plenary ratification of my Minors truth, ^cr^onianae to which our owne experience muft fubferibe. *» For ~ - Qa*«- who more luxurious, ebrious, riotous ordeboift, then k Sec^hc°third our aillduous Aclors and Piay-haunters ? Who greater Blaft ofRe- Taverne, Ale-houfe, Tobacco- (hop, Hot-water- houfe trait from haunters, &c? who greater, ftouter drinkers, health- ^!^es* ancl quafFers,Epicurcs,or good-fellowes,then they ? What c^^f\y r%c" walkc mere ufualf then from a Play- houfe to a Taverne, ^'y' to an Ale-hou(e,a Tobacco- fhop,or Hot-water Brothel- houfe;or from thefe unto a Play-houfe ? where the Pct5 the Can, the Tobacco-pipe arealwayes walking till the Play be ended 5 from whence they retume to thefe their former haunts. Many are the * Ale-houfe,more theBac- *Thcfcarethe chanalian Taverne-meetjngs that are appointed,conclu- ™lg?r, thefe ded at the Play-houfe, from which much drunkenneffe, the fubiimc5 andexceffearife: yea the Play-houfe is the common ^Zfc °L Randevouxe where moft fuch riotous Taverne-conven- t,ie raX § tides are either motioned, plotted, or refolved on, as our Play-haarfcers themfeives confeffe. And is there not 5 » Hiftrio-MAftix. V Art.i. not reafcn, why it ftiould be fo ? Are not drunkennctfe, ioviality, epicurifme, luxury, and profuieneflc, moft rhetorically applauded, mod elegantly adorned in our Stage-playes with thefublimcft Encomiums, the moft infinuatkigPanegyrickes,th2 moil amiable Titles that either art^or eloquence can invent? and doth not this adde fpurs and fewell to many Yongfters lufts ? who to i Haec tamen purchase the empty title* » of have, gencrow, liberally and illi O.nma rigi)t jovtill Sparkts, whom Players moft applaud, doe cum fociant nt- prodigally * confume their Patrimonies, their fen fans J heir vocantur.i«ic- ''w*m TaverneSjOrdinaries^Tobacco-iriops^&C'in cbri- nal.Satyr.il. ous luxurious meetings, to their owne undoing, their Habcbitur ali- friends and Parents griefe. Alas,the pittifuli complaints quando ebrie- 0f fondiy parents, together with the teftmony of our rati honos & owne grave Englifh k Authors^ prove this to be too true : m ceplflfej^vir- Therefore we muft needs abominate and rejeel all po- vasetitSema pular Stage-playes, in refpecl of thefe their curled T)c Bencfic%s!.i< fruits. * Divitiarum & pecunije fm&uro non alium putaflltquamprofufionem.Sordidos & deparcos ipfi putant quibus rario impenfaium conftarct. Suetony Were, fed- $o« *> SB.HaII Epift, Decad.6", Epift. 64 Mafter MM in his Difcourfc oi True Happi- nefle.p.73. 7 4, The 3. Blaft of Retrait from Phyes and Theaters. l.G. in his Refuta- tion of eke Apologie for Aftots. pag,$ ?,& D.Ramtlds Overthrow of Stage- playes. Acrv s6. ScehaOctava. T! 'He eight effect of Stage-playes, is impudency, in*. modefty, and fhamelefnefle , yea even in finfull tArattment things : Whence this 34. Argument may be deduced. -** That which baniftieth all modefty ,ai fhamefaceneiTe, and makes both Actors & Spectators impudently (hameieffe in committing finnc, is queftionleflc abomi- Part* i. Hiftrio-Maflix. 513 abominable and unlawfull unto Chriftians. , . . Bat this doe Stage-playes, and * Play-boufes. £t£™Z Therefore they are queftionlefTe abominable and un- «bris hibct. la wfuil unto Chriftians. Ovid, T)e jxu My Major is irrefragable : Firfl, becaufe * modefly an& Amandi.lib.t. fitamefaftnefeMcfuch graces, fuch vermes, *4fGidhim- t%^kmk felfereqmres tfm inhu W<>rd ; and which the very m Bea- s£rmo'56.z. ' then much extoll. They are the n chief eft ornaments. /virtues, y x Tim. 1.9,1? truides,fupports,and^ayofTomh; the^JMothers^ the confer- e.g. a. 1 Pet. 3. vers of all other fhriflian, or morrali vermes 5 the P ondy curbs 4> * • * ** nef« 3 • that reflratne men fiom all finne, ad lewdnefe and dfoonsfty ptj "^"|0* whatfeever: where thefe are once removed, 3 the whole vL\.69\ 7/ Vratttfe ofhonefty and venue mH be quite extinguished. Hee Ezra 7. 6, who hath loflrhefe venues, xis no Better then a caft-aways m Platonis He who is pad: ail fhame, is certainely paft ail grace.paft P!*uf °^!f L all recovery, all amendment. That therefore which IV^o.LaU banifheth thefe two { reftrajning, vice-fuppr effing vsrtues, daemonij vcrc- in which not onely u Chrifiianity , but even tt all commoyt cundiam efle honeftj, civility y and the $Ptbltkefafetyd§efubfift, mult needs Deum quenda bee abominable. Secondly, becaufe impudency and ]^^'cZ^m fhamelefnefTe,efpecially in committing finne, is almoft u^p^™™" * the very bigheft degree of finne ; yea they provoke God more to Modeftia; fa- dngery and draw a deeper guilt, a more multiplied condemnati- ma neque fum* an upon men, then the finne it felfc which they thus perpetrate. JJiismortaliu They are infallible fymptomesof a cauterized confei- |e^"f^ matut. Tacitus Armal.li $.f.i.f«?oi. a Pudor eft quafi vitij purpurcus fplendor & co- lor xirwxtis. Cafe. ?olit.l.'i.€ 9. p.7 10. ° Modcftia reliquarum virtetu parens eft & ipfa proles :- radix & altrix virtutis eft,&vcrae hmx. Lip ftm. Kpifi .Cent.}. Epift.10. Cent.i* 0dteelgas.Epift.4Cent.tMifcehEpifl.17. * Pudor & juftitia ornamenta & vincula. Ci* ritztum.Tlatenis Protawas. pag. 43 8« Pudor fatis validum vinculurcflegis. Livy.T{om. Mift.lib.if* * Amiuo pudoretonum dignitatis ftudium & honeftatis "exsinguitur* QforitttjVeTtegitmlnfiit Ub.+.foL lit. r Ego ilium perijflc puto cui perijt pudor. Tutean.Ve Laconiftvo.Viatriba.p415. c Chryloft^Hom.^ $. in Hxbrxos. Tom.4. Col* I$76.C« Pudor bonus magifter ofticij-Qui metuit,repnmitur>non emendatur:quem 1 f udet facere in naturam vertit Ambrof. Com. lib.7 . in Evang Luc* c fit. 14* * Ier. $.$.of.6. if. cap. 8. 11, ProY«7. 13. Eiech. 7.4. cap. $.7, ler.S-. JK&caf.f.g. Vuu race* Fol. Hiflrio-JMaflix. Part.i. 7 ftopudcotia cnce, an obdurate heart, y a reprobate fence ; efa man gi- &fron^ltas venwholyover unto finne And, Satan: yea they are very rk^mnonpa- dangerous prefages of a man bound over to ctcrnall dc- reat, non hor- ftruclion. My Major therefore muft be granted. raat, non con- The Minor is as evident as the morning Sunne. Firft, tremifcat, ea by the concurrent teftirnony of fundry Fathers,and mo- i^emiTd* derne Chriftian Authors. * TertuRian reputes Stage- Bcrnardi vcc!a~ P^Y^the bantjherst the murtherers of all modefiy and/hame- mtiones. Col. /*&**£* • S. CltrtAn Henries us ; * that all modefiy is p ut i oo i. u. of at Theaters ; which he ftiles, b the very Brothell of pub- * Despeftacu- \^mddefiy : in which the moft fhamefuil reprefentati- • ThcatnTfunt ons of Luft are a<5led ; ut mipfts depofita verecutdia, audacui- fediora auo mfi*** A& crimina. c Lattantius records; that tbofe things coavenis : Ve- are aticd in Stage-playes by refrefsntation which are not ; thai recundia lllic [o the very things tkemfelves may be committed by the Spetta- omnis exuitur: tort „itym anyfhame. d What (faith he) wilt Touthes and mStu veftis*" ' Vtrltns doe ™hin tbe/MW' e £tvitate Dei, aflirmes the very feifefame nuginem t CruitatcDei. lib.i. tap. $3.1 Vcre Fugalia, fcd pudoris & hoaeftatis. Ve CivitaterVel lib. i. cap. 6. i Fluxam atque caducam formae venuftatem ei$ relinquebat qu* Theatra & tri- via confe&amur, quibus pudori & probro eft crubefcere, Parallel, lik.i. cap* *<. Theaters^ Part. i. Hiftrio-Waflix. 5 14 Theaters, weomt it a reproach unto them, to blufh : fo impu- dently brawny are their faces* The fame doe other Fathers* together with l Petrarcha, m Mantua*, » Agrippa, ° Lo- i De Rcmedi® dovicmVmsJ M*Goffon,\M.V^rthbroo\e, * M .Stubs; Vtriufq; For- The i.Blafi of 'Retrait pom Playes and Theaters, *D.Rai. tuns.U.DiaL noids. with iundry others affirmc : therefore wee need m°Lfl. not doubt its verity. Secondly., our owne prefent ex- hb.a.cap. De perience will evidently manifeft the Minors t* uth* For Carnifpnu,&c who are there more impudently audacious ; morenDc Vamrate Ihamelefly wicked; more ready to heare, to fee, to Scie^t*caP*2°i> fpeake, to ad, to execute the moft execrable obfeeni- f ^Comment tics, the moft groffe impieties without any biufo, u then m Auguft.De our common /Jtlonand Play-haunters ? What Speclacks, Civit. Dei.l.i, what places doe more fteele the faces,or emit the fore- £•$ *«**»$$» & heads both of men and women, then Playes and Play- *" * ,l*j?1&' houfes ? Thole who at firfi, could neither fee, nor heare, AfeufeTan J* fmuchleffe utter or ad) any obfeene or vitious thing Phycs Coafu- without fome fhame of face, or checke of confeience, ted. before their refort to Playes and Theaters ; become fo 1 Againft vaine ftrangely impudent, fo brazen-faced in a very little ^ace ^laye? a,ncl by frequenting Stage-play es,that they cannot onely con- Anatomy of fidently behold and heare, but likewife utter and com- Abufes. mitany filthinefle,or wickedneffe whatfoever9 in the t Pratfatio ad very open view of men, without any bluili at all; even ^-Tkefes. as *Nero did. The ftupendious whorifli unparaileld "0^p^h„?i • iaipudency of our prefent age; Of our effeminate r over- tia%ocTtuVur« grown* Ton£slers,itid blafphcitious Ruffians, z who breath baaitas: libidi- out nothing but oathes, obfcentties9 and dsflperate execrations nofo ore in guinibusinha?- refcunt: homines malse linguae eriamfi tacerent ; quosprius tardefcit impudicitjas faaj,qua» pudefcit* Pro nef as, id in fe pefSmi facinoris admittunt quod necsetas poteft pati moilior, neccogi fervius durior. Hacc & hujufmodi propudia nobis non licet nee audire : etiam pluribus turpe defenderc eft« Ea enim de caftis fingitis & pndieis ^uae fieri noncrederimus,ni(i de vobis profea.etis Mmut.Feiix. Oftovitu.pag* 94*9 5« * Pclulamiam, libidinem, luxuriam fenfim quidena primo &©cculte., ve- lut inrcaili crrore cxercuit: fed ut tunc quoque dubium neminiforer; natura; ilia ritia n«n jctatis efle. SutUny Nere4{e3.i6. y Cujus maaantia fletu Ora pucl- larcs faciunt incerta capilli. Juveml. Stf/r. I*. M>iao. * See Maficr Mam* nis WWtcDeTiU, and Waic Sake Vuu z againft Fol Hiftrio-Mafiix. Part. againfl the God of Heaven, rending the very fieOi and bones, piercing the very heart and foule, blafpheming the very Name and Blood of our Lord Iefus Chrift, at every word they utter : Of our impudent,brazen-ficed » Sec Hie Mu- » Men-wcman tJMonftcrs, who have baniflied all ihewes hcr^an.! My O£modefty,of fliamefaftntiTe from their fex • carrying c/lovtlockes. the very characters of impudency, not onely in. their *Nonfunt ' blufhleffelookes ; but likewife in their lafcivious ge- deiich fed ftures, their audacious deportment, their obfeene dif- monftra-Ta*** courfes, their whorifh attires*, their immodeft fafhions Dt P*dic:tia. ancj complements, their painted faces ; their * prodigious V i Cor1! i < fame, filled lockes and feretcps, which out flare the very to 16. 1 Tim. hL>awes of God, of Man, oj Nature, (fo unnaturcly, and 1.9.1 Pt t.3^ more then c whortft>ly impudent, are many of our females *• lately growne;) Whence is it, comes it but from «. Frov.7.y . piayes and Theaters ? which have diffufed this curled Impwiemiaef- diicafe of fhamelefTe impudency, well-nigh thorowout ficit meretri- the Kirigdome: ^Ana hence u it, that we are all lately growne ccs£br/eftom. fo immoderately exceffive in committing ftnne, becaufe Plajes homlliaisJn and Play-haunters have fcrued us up to fuch a pitch of mbc7l 70nL ImPudency> *hat m 4re lHite P*ft all frame. Neither is it 4- 0,1591. flange, that Playes and Piay-houfes fhould make the «^Nam quis modefreft and moft ingenious Spectators fhamelefle, if peccandi finem not fencetefle of any (inne. For firft the c Aftors of them pofiuc fibi, are certainely pafl all frame, if not all grace. Secondly, quando rccepit i %y «reater'part of common Play -haunters are audacious attrita de fron- Tenders, Whores, Adulterers, Whore- majters, and the like, tcruborem? who areas blufjhkfle as Frier Bacons Brazen-head, or luvcnalsatyr. as he who acls the Deviii in the Play. Thirdly,the Very m?*&\l*% words, the parts, the fpeeches, geftures} complements, Dc Spcft^/cap. an^ rePre^ent^ons m Stage-playes, § are fo ekfce*e,la[civi- 17. Cyprian 0HS> fer*derand beaftly, that the very hearing and behold- De Speftac. ingofthem were enough to banilhall modefty out of lib. & Epift. lib. a. Epift. x. Donato. ChryfoftomeHomilia $8.inMatth. & Nafcianzen,De Re&a Educatione adSeleucum. pig. io6$4 accordingly, f See Aft 4. Scene 1. ». accordingly, See Iuvenal Satyr. 6.pag. 54. Iamque eadem- fummis pariter mi- Jiimifque libido eft, &c, & $atyra 1 1. pag. no. z See Aft 3 , Scene j. & 5. the on .m hmt Part, i . Hiflrio-SViaftix* 5 1 5 the hearts and countenances of the moft ingenious Spe- ctators, or at leaft to drive them from the Piay.houfe : For as lArtftotle well obferves ; k %J\4en are not onely b Pujet Q_ ap?amedofthefefbamefu$ things that are fo called, but hkewife foUm coram ofthejigneseftbem : not onely when they are converfant tn quae di&a any UshcroHi thtng, but Itkew'tfe when the reprefentations gfpriendotnm, that tktni are prefent: and not onely when at they doe filth cdcinmi]~>' ,. t > r r 1 1 * t 1 01 j n' norum: &non things, but hkewife when ibeyfycake them : So that modefty f0illm C1\m m and fhamefaceneffe doe not ©nely reftraine men from re venerea ret, fpeaking and doing; but likewife from hearing and fcntur, fed et$ beholding any fcurriious or immodeft thing. ' Alctitu cum3£lfu amodeft Heathen, being about to utter fome ovfcenUy, was no^foiumVim foovercomeof mode fly, that he brak^ out into tbefe memorable hciuv.t turpia, words * I would have ftoken fome thing, but modefty frohs- fed etiam cum kites me. It is ftoried of Archyias * another Pagan, that a^nr. . his mode fly was fitch, as he would not jo much as utter a fcur- K£:tQX-ll0> ****$* TiloHi word; and being uf en an occafwn neceffttated tofyeake i Xlcaci Car- fowe unbefeeming thing, he could net be induced to relate tt r^ini spud upon any tearmes, but wrote it on the waU, and then pointed to Pindarum-pag., ethers to read it. Yea l Tliny records, that the ba[hfulnejfe £ V'An^' and modefty of brute Elephants is fuck : Vt pudore nun- cap"^J &** quam niii inabditocoeunt : that they never couple but in * Volo a liquid fumefcret place not obvious to msns view, Certainely, if dicerefed me modefty had inch prevalency in thefe bruites and Pa- prohibet pa- gans, to deterrethem both from obfeene difcourfes, jf^V v . and venereousac1:ions,efpeciallyin pubiike: our Stage- HiftoriL.lilb!^ piayes which are fraught with many ribaldrouspafTa- i4ei u.cap ?% any evill that Players act. Saint Auguftme had a hint of iee lib.2.c.6.v this : whence heftiles Stage^playes, h the very overthrow * Se<5t, 16. ofhoneftj andupright dealing. For the theft that Playes k Tacitus^Aa* occafion, I fhall give but two or three inftan.ces. It is ™ %/' ftoried by Suetonius in the life of i Nero; that heputdowne iius.c>IA,Dioa Char tot 'places and Stage-play es, in which men by an inveterate Caffuis.Rom. liberty did ufe to cheate and fteale in is ft, becaufe this iefting Hift.[.$7.& A- turned to earneft at the laft. k Tiber im did the like, banijhmg lender & all Players out ofltaly upon the felfefame ground. Vpon this Gcni!"i a Die- very reafonwasourewne Statute of %%Henryd. c^9*tvimA.^f, againft Fol. Hiftrio-Maftix. P Art.i again ft cJP^fummers ,made ; becaufe thofe thefts and robbe- ries which they attedinfport, proved robberies and felonies in gotdearneft at the laft, and were the oceaftons of much mif- chiefe. The Author of the 3. Blaft of Retra.it from ¥layes ! Pn?« %6.fjy and Theaters in formes us. * That many fervants have learnt i-i, at Stage-playes (as it may be manifeftly proved) to rob and eke ate their M afters, to fupply the wants of their Harlots* That many h^ve there learned a pollicy to prevent Parents of the not marrying of their Daughters to fueh whom they have dfltked, by pealing them away. And that men are taught foStcies in this Schoole ef Abufe, how to beguile Parents of their Children, Hufbandf cf their Wives^ gardtans of their m Schoole of wards, and ^JM afters of their Servants : To which m Ma- Ph^Confu ftcr Gofion anc* n 9t^ers ^oe fut>^cribe# Wherefore from cet^AftionaT all thefe premifes I may now iafely frame this 35. Ar- * Mafter Stubs, gument againft Stage-playes, with which I fhall con- Maftcr i^crtb- clu.de this Scene. broofa Daftor jfat which occafions much theft, much treachery, Ta'^in *h d cozenage and deceit, mufl needs be unlawfull un- Bookesagainft to Chriftians, unfufrerable in. a Common-weale. Stage-playes. Witnefle Epbefa.i$. 28. I Thef.4.6. & Cafe Etbi- cerum. lib, 4. cap. 7. But all thele doe Stage-playes occafion, as is evident bythepremifes. See Aft 3. 4.5. Therefore they muft needs be unlawfull unto Chri- ftians, unftifferable in a Common-weale. Ac TVS 6. SceNaDecima. THe 1 e. effect or produft ©f Stage- playesjs cruelty, ficrcneffc, brawles, feditions, * tmtmlts, «wrther$, 10 :atri Hid Part. i. Hiflrio-Mafiix. 517 and the like; as is evident by fimdry teftimonies and examples* Hence was it, * that Plato bani[hed aU Tragc- • Ignofcent ekes out of his Common-weaiefecaufe they would drajw men on nobis Tragi ti to tyranny and cruelty, by acting, by applauding them, and p°«*aignof- breed parrels and commotions among the people. Hence P 5*- ff™^ ia™ £ necawA <\Plutarch>difltke of Stage-p\ajesJ?ecaufe they enrage modumut m* the mindes of the Spoliators, breeding oft-times many tumuls, rcmpublicam quarrels and contentions among tbem.'Hcncc Horace writes gerunt,quod cxprefly ': r that Tlaves engender contention and anger * anoer l^?s m™&- cruell enmity and dole full wane. Hence we finde it recor- raittimus,uc- ded of l Dionyfiw, z^erot faUgula, and other bloody pote tyrannidfs tyrants ; that they delighted much in Tragedies and Stage- laudators A- playes ; at bemgfu'ttable /# their tyrannicall difrefittonsMcnce llas n*mqj Ci- ^TertuHiany * Cyprian and *Qcmui vilexandrtnm ; *- ^""^^ r/*rar againfi Tragedies and Comedies as the augmentors of ^ a| collieen-" wiekednes and luft; a* bloody wanton y impious and prodigaU tes,& pukhras paftimes which occafton [vnhry tumults and /editions* Gre- & magnas,& £*r; "Hazdanxsen informes us .- 1 That Plajes and Enterludes vercfimiles vo» difiurbe Citties, ray fe up fedition among the people, teach w*» con?u?emef how to quarrel [harden M~fpeaking tongues \ cut afunder the refpublicas ad love of the CittiMuent,fet families at variance betweene them* tyrannidcs & [elves i drive yongmen into fury % kindle quarrels and conten- popularesprin- tio*s,&c. Whence hee ftiles them; A fedition prod*- £paiwtr^??V cing murther, and a difeafe ofCitties. * Saint Chryfoftome fl^l^l P Epift.7,adLucilium4 1 Sympof.l.7.Quxft.84 * Ludus cnim gcnuit trepidum cer- tamen &iram:Ira truces inimicitias,& funebre helium. epifi.l. i,fp4i'9*f*l 7 5* r &- lian Vari3eHiftoriae.K15.c1 8. « Suetonij & Eutropii Claudius, &Caligula.Di on Caffius4Rom.Hift.I.j7.& 59«Tacitus Annal.l. 14^.1^. * Tragaediae & Comsedias fceicru & libidinu au&riccSjcruentz 8c Iafcivx,impia: & prodiga2igne ferroq;Cmtates abfupfit,ca:dib9 cardes coercens atq^fcniens,& maftationesm£&ationib9.Quis igitur haec intueri fuftincat fi fapiat?cum^Ra fit heic pracftigiarum concertatio/editio car- dem pariens,& Ciyitatum morbus, Ve Refta Sdueatione ad Selusim. fag. 106$, 1064. * Hom.3. 6,7.8c 8.iii Matth.Hom.3.deDaride & Saulc.H0m.4zjn Acta^Hom^s, ad Pop.Ancioch.Sc Oratio 7< $« hcxc,f,4if,qi6}$$672$7> & 421. X*t x records L Hiftrio-JWaftix. P akt.i . records from bis ownc experience- That PUjers and • P lay- haunters were the onely men who did fi'A the Gitty with content uns, quarrels, {editions, tumults :. that Playes did (freed debate betweene man and wife ; and that Players and 'Play- haunters by aft ing and feeing Playes became more barbarous then the mefl fwage beafts, infomuch that theyfpared not the bones of the dead* Theodoricns King of Italy, ftiles Stage- Mnvkatiocon- playes, a Tie invitation of contentions 9 the perenniou* foun* tcntionum, & taine ofbrawles and quarrels,* and the frequent occajion of fe- fonsirriguus ditions and tumults. Such Authors of mifrulcquarrels^fe- '^rZTamri. ditions and contentions were Playes in ancient times, of Ll.Epifi.li. which there are divers pregnant examples* Wee "all * Variarum.l.i. know, b that the rape of the Sabine Virgins was cccafioved £pift.3 2, by a Play ; which produced a long and bloody wane between e fcPlucarchi the Romanes and Sabine s. c The fierce andcruell warre be- Rom«Hift 1. i , tweene the Volfci and the Romanes was likewtfe occaftoned by a fea,9,U.fe&* Play; theConfuls uponthe Jpeech of Attius Tullus, excluding 17. and the the Volfci from their Playes, and commanding them to depart Authors for- their Citty, for feare of fomefodaine tumult that might arife * \ ^0°" betweene the Romanes and them, orfome unexpeBedfurprifall • Livy Rotxi. oftbtirCttty whiles th: whole Cttty were bufied abent thir Hift:hb.i.fec*r. Playes. d /» Tiberil^s hie rR atone, there were f$ many tu- 37.38,39, mulsyMUrthers, uprores, quarrels, and open tnfolences cem- * TTb"5 An" *»*""*** Pl^J'bfmfes,occafionedby lJlayes,and ABors^One hb 4 lcap \ ! ^ Centurian,wttb dtvers Soldiers and common people being fiaine, and a C apt awe of the Pretorean band, withfnndry others being likewtfe wounded at a Play) that Tibtrius was enforced to ba- 9 Sueronij Nc- .nfo all Stagi-f layers out of Italy : In the time of c Nero, ro.ieft.i .& there were fo many [editions, quarrels .commotions, and mif- demeanorsm the Roman Theater, that Nero hmfelfe (who had oft an hand in them) fnppreffed all Playes, all Stage flayers by afolemne Sd'tB, though he much delighted in them. In the *Nh cusAu- R^g1^0^ f OWarftu Ameltut, there was a very great tu- rclius.can.14. . tnult and fedit ion occafionedJn Stage-play es, in which much & Epiftleiz, blood wasflied, there betn^^tny fldine and wounded: upon jo Lambert, which occafion this Heathen Emperour, banfhed all Stage- pUytrs for ever fromrRomeh and font them into Hellifpont to Lambert Part. i. Eiftrio-cMaflix. 518 Lambert the Governourtvith a command to com fell them to labour, to chafiice them if thy were idle, and net tofuffer them to ufe their accuflomed toy es.*C*Jar 'Bulengerni informes us; • De Circo Re»* that under Hypatius and Bellifarius, there were at leaf g 5. mano. & Ludts thou/and men flaine in a commotion and tumult ray fed at a Circenfibus, Ctrque-play. In the time of § Theodoricus Ktng of Italy, af^f^* Fa"" there wsrefo many tumults, quarrels, and commotions ray(ed$ Caffiodcrus at Stage-playes ; that hs was ewforcedufou the complaint of the Vanarum. [,i. people, to write to the Senate, andotherofhis Officers, to fup~ EF& *o4& 30. prejfe their infancies, and to pun$fh the mutinies, the comme- |«3andts Rudibu*. Amia l3xol Itb.Tom.^.pars 2.^.340.341. & HRabanm MaurmyDe rum.lj9.c^* Sacris OrdhttbusMb.i. Tem>6.pag.6$. A. B, where the Caffiodorus fundry tumults, quarrels, and other mifchiefes that ¥*rtrumo l'*' Stage-playes and Cirque-playes occafion, are pithily lenW/as Oc diicribed. But thefe arc all ancient forraigne teftimo- Circo,&ccap. nies and examples, may fome fay 2 are there any fuch 47-& De The- modernc domeftique prefidents to be found? Yes verily. at^°. *♦ *• C-13* Witneflethe Statute of * 4. Henry 4. cap. 27 . which re- ?Li£"£sDc cites ; that divers difeafes and mifehiofes (to wit commoti- C3p p * tr°* - ons, murthers,-and rebellions) hadhapned before this time * ^HtMry^ce»4 in the Land of Wales, by many Wafters, h Rtmours, Minflrels, 27. in the Sra~ and other Vacabonds : for the efc hewing of which ; it was or- tutes at large, dained and eft abltfhed by this Statute; That no Mafler Ri- ^,^af!1 0 mour, LMinftrell,nor Vacabond^ouldbeinany wife fuflained h who wre°" 'm the Landof Wales * to make zommotihes or gather mg upon then the Play- the people there. Witnefle the * Statute of 3. Henry 8, ers end A dors cap.?, againft Mummers, (all one with Stage-players : ) that wadred a- which recites. That lately within this Realme, divers per- ^out thcCou«- fins haddifguifed and appareltedthew, and covered their faces * ^Hexuy & with Vifoursor other things in fuch manner 06 they [hsuldnot be cap. ^ kpownc, and that divers of them in a company together gaming Xxx 2. them* ?ol Hiftrio-Maftix. Part. themfelves Mummtri had come in to the dwelling place of dtvers men of honour, and other fubftamiaU per fons, and fo de~ p ar ted unknown* , whereupon murtkers,fell*nie scrapes, and a- ther great hurts and inconveniences had aforetime grown* , and hereafter were like to come by the colour thereof tij :the /aid diforder (houid continue not reformed; for the prevention of which mifchiefe, it was enatted ; that all ^Mummers or per font, thatfhould hereafter thm apparell or difguife them* felveSy or mare, or fell, or keepe any vifor in their koufesfbould be imprifoned for 3. moneths fpacetwithout bayle or mainprife, and make a fine and ranfome to the King* Yea witnefle the great rebellion ofRobertKet,in 3 .or Edward the 6".which * Alexanders?*- zs** Hollingshead with others record; was plotted and viR his Hiftory contrived at, and partly occafioned by a meeting at a St age-play f of fyts ftir*. 4f Wimonham, to which the Country people referttng, they XoUingskted. p, ^ fy t he snjiigatun of one lohn Bower dew, firftincoura- io.&* jo.b.Sce P* t0 fHU ***** the Inclgf*res> dftd the* t0 rebelL ThC lobn stow\ his Statutes of 1 4. £/j*. cap. 5.0/39. £//*. c. 4. & 1 . lacobs. Surrey of Lon- caps], which make common flayers of Enter ludesy Rogues ^oa. cap. 1 6. and Vacabonds, fuhtUsng them to a fevere puntfhmtnt for mcntiVhCrfiS tieirlwde manner of life; doe likewife recite : *That by fund™ tumults me*ncs °f ^efe common Enterlude Players, and fuch other occafioned by %°g*e*> Vacabonds, and Sturdy -begjger sphere daily hapnedin ?laycs & fuch the Realme of England and Wales, many horrible mur there, hfcepaftimes. thefts, and other great outrages, to the high dtjpleafure of AU Ma^iTh*11*- mi£btJ God, and to the great anoy of the Common-weale s Cent.i/co*l which theie Statutes endeavour tofupprefle. Not to 772, where mention either Petrarch. 'De RemedtoVtriufe Fortune you fhallfcc lib. 1. Dialog. 30. or the Author of the 3. Blaft ofRetrait ^vers tumults jyom 7J layes and Theaters, who informes us ; l That he much h\A hath fometimes fecne two Knaves at once importunate upon one &ed, byrcafon **$* Hufwij rrt whereby much quarreli hath growne to the dtf- ofPIayesand quicttng of many : Nor yet to recite the late Statute of Dances. i.Carolu cap. 1. which in formes us : that many quarrels, ?4.EIifc.c.f, bloodrfhedsy and other great inconveniences have grewne by b. So 7 • tfoe r€fort an£ concourfe of people g oir.g out of their owne parishes to Scare- bay ting, Butt-bayting, Er.tcrludes, Common-play es3 and Part. i. Hiflrio-cMaftix. 5 1 9 ** d fitch di for dercd and nulavfnH exercifes *nd pAJlimes: (a futficient confirmation'of my Minors trath*) Our ownc experience can fuificiently inforrne us ; that Playcs and Play-houfes arc the frequent caufesof many raurthers, duels, quarrels,debates,occafioned, fometimes by rea- Ton of fome difference about a box, a feate, or place up- on the Stage : fometimes,by intruding to boldly into fome females company : fometimes,by reafon or fome amorous, fcurrilous or difgracefuil words that are utte- red of,or to fome female Speclatorj ; fometimes, by rea- fon of fome fpeeches or pafiages of the Play particular- ly appiyed to fome perfonsprefentorabfent:fometimes, by realbn of fome Husbands, Whore-mafters, or cor- mC ft rivals p iealoufie, or afFront,whofe Wife,whofe W hore, 1CTnirs ftfmUia,, or Miftris being there in perfon, is perchance foliicited, tus ira, ncc re- abufed,or jeared at in his prefence : fometimes by rea- gi curat., pau- fon of the Apprentifes refort to Play-houfes, efpecially nlrve fr*no$, on Shrove-tuefday; fometimes by meanes of other acci- h:mcl tlmct . dents and occafions. Many have beene the murthers, inmfOSjrcob- more the quarrels, the duels that have growne from vios enfes. se* our Stage- playes,whofe large encomiums of rafa va-nccaMsdtt.AiL lourjduelsjfortitudejgenerofity^rnpaciencyjhomicides, 3>Cborm difci- plina efr, ut perimcre quis poftit 'y & gloria eft, quod pcrcmit. Cyprian. 2pijt-U.£pift, x. Ttontto. Sec Onus Ecdcfiaj.c.iS .fe&,7. 8 .which we may well apply to our times. Xxx 5 that I Fol. Hiftrh-Maftix. Part.t* that fuch favage homicides who reft not with the firft • QuiJ putas mans death, ° [hctild ever live to (lay aftcond, much ieffe a futuram anirna t]lirc} . yea jtty is jt thaj. fuch pjayes, fuch Spectacles homicida:?ah- n ui i- 5r j i«ii_ • • quod credo pc- *h°uld be fuffred, which thus animate men on to quar- cushnier;* & reis, duels, contentions, injuries, impaciency, blood- mactllo defti- fhed,and moftunchrifHan revenge. As therefore P the natum,utper- Fathers, Ckrifhans, with feme Taga* Author s,dtd generaEy 1 wia &1 f" u^ M*demn?; and good Chrtfttan Emperours utterly tafy away sM *ulaventjTanl blooody Sword-flayes, Ctrque-playesy Char ht -play es, and fab ta eft apud ho- like barbarous inhumane Spectacles ;byreafin of the murthers, mines homici- blood-fhed^ quarrels, ctntent ion sjwmultsjk bate s, and fuch like di) viadiSa, favage uxchriftian cfft&s which they occafioned; (o like wife vmTcacurTa* may wc Ilow ^uPPrfe^"e> condemne, and quite abolifh tura: Quis non Stage-playes upon the felfefame grounds, as the fore- praeferat fatcu- quoted Authors and Pagan Emperours have done be- lijuftitla,quam forcus. Wherefore I (hall bricfely clofe up this Scene nS^ruftra " U- With this * 6m play-conf°linding Argument. dio a^maum " That which is an ordinary occafion of much cruelty, c6teftatur,qu* quarrelfomenefle, impaciency, fierceneffe, impla- pra homitie fc- cablenefTe, and revenge : of many tumults, fediti- vierulo rehgio- ons> quarreis, murthers.injurieSjbrawleSjand (uch JnL™^ like barbarous "^chriftian etffecls, q m*ft needs be Tytbag.cap. pig. fiufuU and unlawfull unto Chrifttans, (who/hottld be men 3 5 ot offeaccsfmcckexeflefv'sH'tng tofitfer3to patfe byjfuot to t See hcre.Aft pardon wrongs:) intolerable in any Chriftian or g.Scenc z pag. peaceable Common-weale. v dKFMkcM & But ^uc^ are Stage'PlayesJ as is nwnifeft by the pre- Amhorsto miles. this purpofe Therefore they muft needs be finfull, unlawfiill unto are quoted, to Chriftians ; intolerable in any Chriftian or peacc- ^^ d1 Ty able Common-weale. addc Prudea- tius. Contra Symmachum. hb.i 4 BibLPatrum. Tom.4.p.6i i.B.C.Sc l.i.p.}i$ ,F.G & Hyranus.f.p.88o ,Ct(Tiodorus Variarum. L.y. Epift.4i. Seneca. Dc Brev.Vitr. ci j.'i4.I(tod?r Hifp.Origianm. I.i84c.i7«41. Opmcerus4Chronog.pa86.Baroni- us &Spondanus.Annal.Eccrefiaft.Anno$974» where this pro- pofitioa is fully proved. ACTVf Part. i. Hiftrio-Maftix. 52.0 ACTVS 6. SCENA VtfDECIMA. He 1 1 , fruit of popular Stage-playes, is this ; that they fill mens mouthes with idle, frothie, fcurri- ii ill c baft < . Lettures, the Marts,the common treasuries of all ribal- rSce Aa %. dry ,fcurrility,prophane{Te ; which furnifh their Aftors, £££ & A(ft their Auditors with fuch plentiful! variety of corrupt, 7 irreligious, atheifticali; uiic&riftian and gracekfTe dif- courfes, which they communicate to others upon alloc- . .. cafions,that they fcarce ever fpeake of holy things. This ta^«Scq5i Ovid himfelfeconfeffeth; informing us; l that men fing dedicere thea- thofe tibaldropu foxgs,and utter thofe amor cm verfejtdifcourfes tris. Inde joci at home, which they have learned at the Play-boufi. W hat St- uteres obfeae- *eca writes of the words of flatterers and lewde compa- ^^J"^ nions, I may well apply to Aclors. '"Their fieeches doe rc$haC Veneri much hurt. For if the j dee men noprefent harmeyyet they leave gratior ulla the feeds ofevi%inthsirmindes> and an ev'tll afterwards to a- iuit.Ov«J F4/&- rifejohwcs them even then when a* they are departed from w*-l.3rpU-$$ them. For as thofe who heare Come plea Cant con fort carry away ,oru crmo with them the fwcetnejje of tbeJox£ tn then eares, whtch btn~ ^am ct jam g ders thtir thoughts^ andfuffers them not to be intent upenferi- non fhtim of- ficit, femina ia I ammo reliriquir/equkurc; no? etiam cum ab illis difcefoimus,refurrcc>.jru pofki, j malu.Quemadmodu qui audierunt fymphoniam ferunt fecum in auribus modulaii- ; onem,ac dulccdinem cantu$,quae cogitationes impedit,nec ad fcria patitur intend i 2 I fed adalatorum &pravalaudanuum fcrmodiutius hxret quam auditur : nee faciU iieftpnimodulcem fonu excutere.profequitur & durat,& e* interualto rccurrit. Ideo iclaudend* font aures malisvocihus, & quidemprimisj nam cum Jniti»m fecesun^ *dtn;ff*<}3 funr,plus audent, Stneca2pift.nl . Fol. Hiftrio-Majiix. Part.i * Difcit cnim ctu things : fo the obfcenities of Stage-players ( * which citius,mcmi- men are apt ft to remember , as nsoft Agreeable to their tufts, mtQ\> flbAn"j wker e as they are extraordinary for eet full of all the oood they us lllud Quod . \» j , i t J t, t r / *t j quis deride?, hearejftickj longer by men then whiles they heare thens.Nttiber qui quod pro- ie it an eafie matter to Jhake their pleafent found out of their bat & vcnere- mindcs ; for itfollowes themy ttftayes with them, and recoiles tur. Horace. Epift backs ^aine mto thetr mtndes and tongues after fome little tochzJ'2'**' $aCe% Therefore the eares are to be kept font againfi fuch evtll '"' ~* jpeecbes, and that verily againfi the very firfi : for when they have made a beginning and gotten entrance, they, will make a y j)e ycr0* further attempt, f Laftantw,z Chrjfofiome, a Siemens A. Cultu.c.io.n. lexandrinm, and b BB. Babmgton informs us ; That Play- * Homil. De haunters carry away with them the Idaaes and fimilitudes of David.& Saulc theleW(He representations they behold in Stage-playcs, which o^D Sec writes BB. Babington, call it poltfhing,) rrundement ^ *^eJ are nt ver ^etter then when they have company tobeftow pag. 67. their tales 3 and Stage-greetings upon : And for this reafon among others, they diffike of Stage-playes. As thefc recited Authors, fo our owne experience can fuffragate to the truth of this effect : For who fo vaine, fo frothie, fo prophane, fo atheifticall, blafphemous, iafcivious, fcurrilous ; who lefle holy,gracious,or edifying in their ordinary difcourfes, then Players and Play- haunters ? * See Tke u * w^10^e tongues are tipt with oathes, execrations, ri« Blaft of Re- baidry, Iafcivious talcs, amorous fangs, waaton hifto- traitfrom rics, unfeemely jefts, adulterous infinuations, iiive(ivcor«i- • rf *< 1 /« . 1 t . .a 11 onibuSj live to tbeufeofedfytng,that tt may admtmfter grace to the hea- carixlinibus rers : h Tb*t fornication and all uncleaneffe fbould not be fo divinarum Iit- mucb 04 once named among them, At becommeth Saints : Net- terarum fim- tberfilthinejfe, nor foolijh talking, nor iefttng, which are not Plicem com~ conve ntent, but rather giving oftbankes. • That their fpeech ™^j^c pro (bould be alwayes gracious feafonedwitb fait: k *And that bis fordido, afper- Words anb his Commandements fbould be alwayes in their nantur. Ide- hearts; to teach them diligently unto their Children : to tajke nlmquaerunt of them (not of Play-houfe palTages, or fuch vaine fruit- q«?d fcnfuni leffe trifles) when they fit in their houfes, and when they walks ^mieVe- by the way, and when they lie dewne9and when they rife up : that ro Cu\t^ ca^z r # they fbould binde them for aftgne upon their hands, And that kaot, mifer they fbould be as frontlets betweene their eyes : and that they eg° icfturus fbould write them upon the pofis of their honfe, and upon their ™IlUm> 1*1*- gates ; that fo they might l meditate and difcourfe of them nofti^rnPcre- dayandmgbt upon aR occafions. But alas our Stage-playes bras vigilias, pofthchrjrmas, quas mihi prateritorum necordatiopeccatorum ex imis videribus emebat 5 Plautus fumebatur in manus, fi quando in memetipfumreverfus,Prophetas leeere caspiffem, fermohorrebatincuItus.Hwr««.£pi/1.22.cvaine>unprofitable,lafciviousJfcurrilpus>pro- phane, athcifticalh irreligious phrafes, Play-houfe conferences, and Stage-difcourfes, muft queftion- lefle bee uulawfull, yea abominable unto Chrifti- ans : as the alleadged Scriptures teftifie. But this doe Stage-playes; as the premifes and ex- perience manifeft. Therefore they muft queftionlefle bee unlawfull, yea abominable unto Chriftians. Actvs 6. Scena Dvodecima. 1 2 fTpHe twelfe erFecl: of Stage-playes is this : That they JL whcly indifpofe their Actors and Speclators to all religious duties : that they withdraw and keepethem * See Moianus from Gods fexvice : that they bring the * Word, the Hift. S.Imagi- worfhip,yea all the ordinances of God into contempt; wun.L4.C4i 8. making- them vaine and ineffecluall to their foules. 1 Firft,Ifay, that Stage-playes indifpofe men to the acceptable performance of every religious duty ; be it, prayer, Part. i. Hiflrio^'Maflix. 5x2, prayer ,* hearingyandreadingof Gods Word, receiving the * Dum cnim Sacraments, and the like. This fundry Fathers fully ce- auditumadi*- ftifie: and I would to God all Chriitians would well debkosfermc*. weigh their words which much concerne their fouies nes cffundu^» in the very maine of Chriftianity, to wit, Gods wor- nonVorri?u« fhip,and their vow in baptifme. Tertullian informes us; ad&rina. an* * That Stage-flay es defile the eyes, the ear es, the fouies of the ciUatcranenfe Spectators, and make them to appeare polluted in (jods fight, M inmtnuo $* That none of the things deputed unto Stage-play es are pleafmg c^ 7* unto God,or befcemingtbe fervants of God, beeaufe they were lis^^^T aRinlittutedfor the Devill, and furnifhed out of the 'Devils 396.39*7,398, treafury ; for every thing that is not of God, or difyleafing un- ° Quot adhuc toCjoduoftheDevtll: Stage* playes they are the pom^e of the modls perora- DeviUgainfi which we haveprotefied in thefmle of our faith: j^^* eK That therefore which we renounce, we ought not to participate of foculis aepa- neither in deed, nor word, nor fight, nor view. And doe we not tantur, pUcitii then renounce anh teare of the feale agawe, in cutting off the £>eo effe aut teflimontallofit? Shallwe then defire an anfwer from the very ^fucns^zi Heathens themfclves ? Shall they refolve m, whether it be law- Dommo plad- fullfor Chriftians to ufe St age-play es .' But verily they mo ft of tum non fit>fi aP, difcerne a man to be a Chrtftian,even from this renouncing omnia propter efStage-playesi be therefore doth manifeftly deny himfelfe to Diabolum ia- bea firtfttan^ho takes away thi* badge by which he fkould q\^0\- &c^ be knowne to be a Chrifttan. Now what hope is there remai- jnftrufta mon„ nmginfuchaone? No man hath revolted unto the enemies ftrabimus : ni- Tents, unleffe he fir ft caft away his armes, unletfe he hath firft hil enim noa forfaken the colours and allegeance of his Prince,mleffe he hath DiaboIi ^ covenanted to pcrifh together with them. P Will be thinkeear- noncftvelDeo difplicet:hoc critpompa Diaboli adverfus qua in iignaculo fidei ejeramus. Quod au- tem ejeramus neq, fafto,neq; dido,neq; vifu3ncq5 afpeftu participare deberaus.Ca*- tcru nonnc ejeramus & refcindimias fignaculu,re&indendo teftationem ejus ? Nun- quid ergo fupereftutabipfis Ethnicis refpoafumflagitemus3 an liceat Chriftianis lpeftaculo uti? Atquin hinc vel maxime intelligent f a&um Chriftianum, de repudio fi>e&aculorum Jtaqj negat manifeftc qui per quod agnofcitur3tollit Quid autem fpei uipereft in hujuGnodi riomine?nemo in caftra hoftium tranfit, nifi projedis a-rmis fuis,ni(i deftitutis Ggnis & Sacramentisprincipis fui,nifi pa&us fimul peine ? Ibid* *«14. P An ille recogitabiteo tempore de Deo,poGtus lllic ubi nihil eft de Deo? pu- clicitiam edifcet,attonitusinmimos? Sedtragaedovociferante, exclamationes ille alicuj9 prophet* retra&abic?Imer effsminationis modos pfairau fecii cominucettic^ Tjj 2 nefilj Fol. Hifirio-Maflix. Part.i. & c u atWferae n*fth *f G°d M l^At timet v*'00 ** placed where there is nothing agcnc,iliedidtt- at all vfCjodtwillhe thorowly learne chaftity who admires Stage' rus eftj repcr- playes f will he caS to minde the exclamations of feme prophet, cutiendumnon whilestheTraeed$ans are orying out! wiU he meditate of a effe? potent &„/, * £ i n /r • r » t J t de mifericor- n*lmey who \m amtdeft effeminating meafures f or can he he dia moved de* tnovedwith compajfio*, who iswholy intent upon the biting of fixus in mor« Bearesyandthe fpnnges ofrettariesfGodturne away from all his fus urfonim & fe great a defire of pernicious pleafure. q For what a defperate tioram? Aver" "''^ th$"Z " '*&* * *"*" U&* °Ht °fthe Church *f G^into tat Deus a fuis *h* ChappeHofthe Devill? out ofHtavenfas they fay) into the tantara volup- mire and clay ? thofe hands which thou haft lifted up unto the tatis exitiofa: Lord in prayer % to weary afterwards in applauding a Stage- \ Q^l/e^i e-4 Amen> t0 ^e ^°h one> f0£'vg teftimony to a Sword-player f or nim deecclefia tofayt(%U aic*v&!9) for ever and ever, to any one hut to God Dei ad Diaboli Chrifi f why then may not f ae h become liable to the foffefjion Ecclefiam ten- ofDtvtls, &c f For no man canfervs two CMaifters. what C uodfhintMn h*thliZhtt0 > * / J J // j x tbare ? ex ore Pom men y for no man k^owetb thee to be a Chrtjttan > but quo Amtn in confiderferiouflyjvhat may be done concerning thee in Heaven. fanftum protu- For doft thou doubt but that in the very moment when as thou lerisjghdiato- ri testimonium redderc? tif eumui 3lijomainodicereni(i Deo Chrifto? Cur igi- tu:* nonejufmodi etiam Djemonijs penctrabiles fiant ? Nemo enim potcft duobus dominisrervire.QuidIucicumtenebris?quid vitx 8c meth Devils in h«cvanitatis& levitatis mon- ftra venerunt Quod cnim fpe&acuium fine idolo } quis Indus fine fecrificio ? quod certamen non confecratu mortuo ? Quid inter haec Chriftianus fidelis facit ^ (i idc lolatriam fugit,quid loquitur ? Qui jam fan&usfit, de rebus criminous voluptatem capit > Qjid contra Deumfupcrftitiones probatjquasama^dumfpe&at > Cxterum fciat htjc omnia dsmomorum inventa efie, non Dei, Cyprian Vc Sfcftaculii. lib. Edit. Ye fought after, hzth either «» Idoll, a Devtll, or a dead man oculos mo vet, for the Father of it. Thus the cunning Devtll, bicaufe he knew autdelinit an- that naked Idolatry by it felfe would be aborted, hath mixed it omc fuXnl »^ *W/<*« <«/ faciei, that fo thorow pleafure it flitione qua?- ***£** *e beloved, ivhat used I profecme this any further ? ratur, caufam x If thou aske a PI ay -haunter, what are the parts of a fhriftt- jjraefcrt aut I- an, he knoweth not, or elfe he is fo much the more unhappy that TonTrauf ' **k—*b' lfl^ld againe demand of him, by what way mortuum. Ica *' came tQth4t ^Acle \ he "** confeffe through the Brothel- Diabolus artifex,quia Idololatriarn pet" fe nudamfciebat horrcri, fpeftaculis mifcu- itiUtpervoiuptatcmpoffer amari. Ibidem, « Panes Chriftiani fi perro^es, nefciti- aac iafeliaor fi fcit : quern firurfum perrogem, quo ad illud fpe&aculum itinere1 perveneritj confitebitur per lupanarium, per proftitutarnm nuda corpora, per publi-£ cam libidinemj per pnblicum dedecus 5 per vulgarem lafciviam, per corainunem om-I hiumcomiimeliam. Cui uc non obijeiam quodfortafle commifitjVidit tamen quocfi committendum non fuit, & oculos ad Idololatria: fpedaciuum per libidinem duxit r aufus fecum Spiritum fanftum in lupanarium ducere fi potuifietrqui feftinans ai fpeaacuiumj dimifTus, & adhuc gerens fecum ut affolet, Euchariftiam, inter corpora' ©bfesenameretricum tulit, plus damnations meritus de fpe&aculi voluptatc. Fu-f gienda fun: ifta Chriftianis fidelibus, ut jam fregucnter diximus, ta-m vana, tani pet^ aiciof3jtam facrilega fpe&acmla : 6c oculi nofiri lunt & aurescuftodicnd^&c ibuL heufc, Past, i* HiSlrio-Maftix. 514 houfcfhrough the naked bodies offrofittnted Harhts* through * For Play- the common Stewesy through publike (hamey through vulgar hou^sancient- iafcivioufnefeythrougb the common ref roach of all. To whom ^b"^ that I may not ob'tett,that which perchance he hath committed, orelfe they yet he hathfeene that which was not to be committed, and hath had the Stewcs leAhk eyes though luft to theffettacles of Idolatry t daring, if adjoyning to he had beette able, to carry the Holy Ghofl along with him into them • Sce herc a Brothel- houfe ; who haftning to a Stage-play, asfowe at he p3g> J9°* isdifmtffed the Church, and whiles he carrteth the Eucharifi about him, as he hath wont to do: ; hath brought it among the •bfcene bodies of Whores ; defervmg more damnation from the fleafure of the fpettacle. Thefefo vaine, fo pernicious, jo fa- crilegtOMs Tlayes and tfefiacles are to be avoyded of all Chri- ftiansyaAwe have already oft-times fatd; and bsth our eyes and eares are to be kept from them>&c. If then the Scripture prohibites the acting, the feeing of Stage-playes ; as be- ing the invention of the Devill ; the parts, the i flues of Idolatry : If thofe who refort to Playes renounce Chrift Iefus himfelfe, as if he were a Devill; if they doe as much as inthem lies, even carry the holy Ghofl: him- felfe; and the very Sacrament of Chrifts Body and Blood into a Play-houfe; and fo prophane them in the higheft manner, as this Father teftifles : no wonder is it, if Playes unqualifie men for holy duties, IJiodor Hi- fralenfis, and HRabanm Mam us^ dif courting of Cirques, ^^rtere de of Theaters, of Cirque- playes, and Stage-playes, write besChriftiane" thus of them : >' that unckane Deities pojftjfe them. There- quod Circum * foreO ftriftian, let this be afirangeflace to thee, which many num/na im- fpirits of Satan have taken pofejfion of For the Devill and munda P°ffi^< and Fol. Uiflrio-Maftix. Part.i and the infpeftion of vanity were not ordained ontly by the vices of men, bit hk§wife by the commands of Devils. Therefore a Chriftian ought to have nothing to ooe with the madnejft ofthi Ore m , with the uncleaneffe of the Theater ^ with the cruelty of the Amphitheater , with the bfirbaroufneffe of the Arena, with the luxury of the Tlay. For he denieth God (a terrible fen- tence worthy all Players, all Piay-haun:ers faddeft con- fidcrationsj who prefumeth to all or fee fucb things : being made a Prevaricator of the Christian fatth,who againe de fires that which he bath long fwee renounced in bis baftifme; that is, the DevdLbis pcmpes,andworkes. And is inch a de- fperate Play-haunter, thinke you, fit or able to ferve, to pleafe the Lord* or to performe any holy duty to him in a holy manner ? Olympiodorns in his Enarration upon the 4. of Ecclefiajies, Kecfe thy feete when astbju extrcft into Nc ' \w tbskoufc of God ^ is pregnant to our purpofe. Keep toy mentis eifdem f*0** &Ct That is, faith he; a Lit w not abufc to eviB, qnibus in bo- thofe very in fir urns nts which we ufe in coed : as ifbejbemU no urimur, a- fay ; Doe not, Ibejeech thee, gee to Stage-playes and obfeene butamur in spectacles with the fame feete wherewith thou freqttcnttft ™t °*& usfo the remPk °fGo h *»dthat no filthy, no wicked thing was propounded fcftoqui im- U be feene or imitated^ where either the precepts 0] the true polluto pede fubeunt EcclefiamDei,dsbentabimpijs locis & profanis fepenitus, ut Deo contra* rijs, continere. Qljmffdorm> Enar. in Ecclef. cdp. a . Mibl Patrum Tom. 1 1 peg. 40 j . £J b Nihil enimeis turpe ac flagitiofom fpeftandum imitandumque proponitur, ubi ▼eriDei aut pneccpsa infinuantur, aut miracuU narrantur, aut doaa laudantur, aut I beacficia poftulanti^ Vt C'rvHateTMtt.Ut.x.eap.it, Parim. BiflrichMaflix. 515 God were mfi*H4ed, er bis miracles declared, or bis gifts pray- fed, or bis benefits craved. • That when Cbrifiianity came ^^"^ up,%heVlay-heufetalmofithorowa\l fities fiS downe*, they p|^ „*{"££ being tbe very dens offilthinefe,and the publike profeffms ^peromnespe- wicked ferfins : whereupon the Tagans complained, that the d& Civitates f hrifiian times were evi& times : And whence is it, (writes caduntThea- he) tbattb'ePUy-beufesfalldownetbuttkroughwmofthofe ™^™£ things by wkofe Ufciviom and facriUgious ufe they are fup- public* pro- ported f Bid not their Cicero when as he commended one feffiones flagi- Rofcius a Stagf*player9fay,tbatbe was fo sk*lfuB,that he onely tioWu. Vnde was worthy to come upon the Suce : that he was fo rood a man, en*ra .caclimt tit i -*\n- a. nili iaopia re- th*t he onely was worthy not to come upon it ? jhewmg mojt fBm quarrmn f lamely nothing elfe • but that the Stage isfo filthy, that by fo iafc/vo & ft. much the leffc a man ought to be there , by how much the more crilego ufa he is a good man : and yet their gods were attoned with fitch conftrufta dtfkonefiy,ae he thought ought fit to be removed from good men. ^nt* °^L But moft punftuali is that in his Itb.^SDc Symbtlo ad Gate- cu* R0fcium chumenos. cap, i . Tom.p.pars i ./><*£. 1427. 1 428 .where he auendaa U«- writes thus. d Thou art deprehended and detefted O Cbrt- daret hiftrio- ftian when a* thou doefl one thing,and pro feffejl another : being nem ita pen- fatthfull in name, and [hew'sngthe contrary in deed; notkee- Jm" gff t\he~ ping the faith of thy promifeione whiles entring into the Church nus qlu- in £c. topoure out prayers, and a very little while after comming into nam debcret aVlayhonfe to cry out dtfhoneftly with Stay e-f layers, what intrarc : ita ri- bafithoutodotwith the pompes of the DeviU which thou hafi ™nibonum>ut renounced^ why doe you halt with both hoofes ? IfGodbeGod, °^^\£9r foUow him : if the world be God, follow it. If god be chofen, non debcret ac~ let htm be ferved according to his will: if the world be chofen, cedere ? quid H what end is the heart feined,as it were fitted for God ? c what ahud apertiffi- m hajtthoutodoewiththepompesofthe VeviB, who prof effeft ^ oftendeni* \ \ thy felfe* lever of Chrifi} Doe net deceive thy felfe, for God l^ffe^ in i hates fitch pet fons, neither doth he repute thofe among his p7o- turpcm3nt tan- to minus ibi effe homo debear, quanto fucrit majus vir bonus : & tamen di; eorum tali dcdccorc placabantur, quale aviris boais remorendum e£e cenfebat. Augufth. Dt Confmjtt Ewmgdiftsrum &b.i* eap.$s.ToM<4< Jjo.jji. A Sechere,pag,49o<>. in the margent. • Quid tibi cum pompis Diaboli amator Chrifti ? Noli terallere,vi die enim tale> Deus^nec inter fuoj deputat profcffores5quos cernit via; fua; defenorcs. ibidem Z z>z» f€for*3 Fol, Hiflrio-JMaftix. Part.i • feflors, whom befeetb to be the for fakirs of bit wrfj.All which is a diffident evidence, that Stage-play es wholy in- difpofe men to the true wor/hip of God. Salvia* Bi- *De Guberna- (hopofLMarfelles, is very copious in this theame. f We tione Dci.1.6. fay (writes he) God hath forfaken us, when in very deed we Edit«Pari6js« forfake God. Forjuppofe we, that the Lord will refpetl us, &y -iftians daily abide at the fhewes of unfeemely phacicall in things. Can God then favour fuchkinde of per fons ? Can God latinc 3 which cafl his gracious countenance upon fitch as rage in Cirques, becaule the ^ commtt adultery in Theaters ? Or ts this our mearima or Booke it felre , / / . J t ,r r ' ^ j r i is common I doe we thtnkje ft meete, that for as much a* Godfeetb us m will forbearc £irques and Theaters, that what things we fee he beboldeth ; to tranfenbe, and what filthineffe we behold jhe feet h tt alfo for company ? Tor one of thefe mufi needs be : for if he vouch fafe to loeke upon us, it fo Howes, that he mufi behold all thefe things where we are : or if, which is mofl true, he turne away his eyes fiom thefe things, * O that our * ^e mHft l*h*"fe turne away his countenance fiom us who are Fiay-hawnters there. And the cafe (landing thus, yet nevertbelejje, we doe would conn- thefe things which I bavefaid, and that without ceafing. Or «kr this. tjhfoke we that God hath his Theaters axd Cirques, as had the gods of the G entiles. For thus did they in old time, became they were perf&aded that their Idols delighted in them : but how is * And if our j/ that we doe fo, who are * cert awe that ouf God hcteftetb G od dcteft r^ m ;> qy verHy tfws }^ow tyitt ^^ abominations doe pleafe iiould w> then C6d,IwiH not gain fay but we may re fort unto them continually. afteft them. But ifttbe mourconfeience, that God Morretb, that he dc> who profeffc tefieth ; that god is offended as the Devillisfedby Theaters our felves to * bo&fay we that we worfhtp God in the Church, who always dr^n"* ~ fcrvetbe Devillintheobfcenity ofPlayes, and that wittingly * Markc this and willingly, out of deliberation and fet purpofe? t^rtd wk O Phy- hope I fray you, [hall we have with God, who not ignorantly, haunter s4 */ unawares of end htm ; but after the example ofthofe Giant heretofore, whom we read to have attempted Heaven with the mad endeavour s, and as it were to have marched forwards, gahtfi the clouds ? So we through the iniuries which all t world %v$r we continually commit, doe as it were eppugne fled* vers Part, i . Hiflrk-SMaftix. $%$ vtuwith a common confent* * To Chrifi therefore, O mon- * Let thofe firous madneffe I even to Chrifi doe we offer Cirques and chenwhocofe- Stage-playes ; yea and even then e /penalty when as we receive £]£" Chr^s any goodneffe from his hands, whin any profperity is befiowed forefhon or upon m by htm, or when as God hath given us any victory over Afcention our enemies} Andwhat elfe by this doe we fhtw our J elves to withStage- dee, but even to be likf the man who is inizrious to the per [on P.^68' & fucJl who hath done him good ; who rayles upon him that (peakes him rcmfberTh^' fairs > orfirtkes htm over the face with afword that kiffeth him. ^ confeffe* For I aske the great and 'rich men of this world, of what offence their Error, is that fervant guilty which wifheth ill to a good and gracious Mafier; which ray Uth on him that deferveth well, and r en- drethdtjpiiefull words for his good received? without csutro* verfie all men will fudge him a mofl haintus offender \ who ren. dreth evillfor goodto him, to whom indeed he might not ren- der ev/ll fer evtlU * Thus verily doe even we who are caU * ^ let us tkea ledChrifiians,wefiirreupa mercifullGod againfi us by our ^member this, rtneteanefe; we offend a gr adopts God byourfiltbinejfe, **^ thieved wit we wound a loving God by our wickedneffe. To Chrifi there- |nd afhamed fore, O mon firous madneffe \ even to Chrtfi doe we offer Cir- of it. quers and Stage-players ; to Chrifi doe we render for his bene* fits the filthineffe of Theaters ; even to Chrifi doe we facrtfice the oblation ofmofi bafe /ports. As though our Saviour, who for us became man9 had taught us thus to dot ; As though he had preached this either by himfelfe j or by his Afo files: As though that for this end he bad take* upon him the fhame of mans nativity, and the contumelious beginnings* of an earthly generation: As though for this end he had lay en in a manger, at what time notwithfiandingthe very Angels minifired unto htm : As if for tbispurpofe he would be fwadled in ragges of cloth y whodidgoverne Heaven in his chutes : ^4t though for this end he had hung upon the Groffc, at wbofe hanging the whole worldwas aftomjhed: 5 Who for your fakes {faith % z Cor.8.9. the ^Apofik) when he was rich, became poore, that y ee through his poverty might be made rich. h And be- uphiU.tf. ing( faith he) in the forme .cf God hee humbled him- felfe to the death, even the death of the Crofle. Evev Zz*z* 2 this Fol. Hiftrio-Maftix. Part.i. thu lid Cbrtfi teach tu when he fufred theft things f$r erf fakes. Well doe we requtte hid pajjiontwho receiving through his > Tit. a. 1 1 ,i i, death redemption, leade a mofi filthy life. i For the grace of J5^4« God that bringeth falyation hath appeared unto all men, faith bleiTed /W,and teacheth us, that we fiiould deny ungodlinefle,and worldly lufts,and that wefhould live fobcrly, righteoufly, and godly in this prefent world, looking for the bleffedhopc and appearing of the mighty God and of our Saviour IefusChrift; who gave himlelfe for us that he might redeemc us from all iniquity, and purifie us a peculiar people to himfelfe zealous of good workes. Where be they who doe theft things, for which the Apofile faith, that Chrift came} where be they who fiie the dejires of this world? where be they which live godly and right eon fly, that looks for this blcffcd hope by we§ doing; and leading a pure life ; fbewing thereby that they looks *Tit.2.i4. andlongfor the Kingdome of Cod: where be fuch> *Our lord Iefus Chrift came {faith he) that he might purifie , us a pecular people to himfelfe,zealous of good workes. Where it that pure people? that peculiar people ; that goodpeo- iiPct,z.«. pie ; that people of holineffe} l Chxiil (faith the Scripture) fuffied for us, leaving us an enf ample, that wee iliould follow his fteps : And we fefow thefleps of our Saviour iu Cirques 3 and in Theaters ; m tf our Saviour had left tu fuck an example* whom we read to have wept, but that he laughed we never read* And both the fe for pni fakes: becaufe weeping ts a pricking of the heart, laughter a corruption of manners* aLok^,i5J Therefore faith he; mWoe to you that laugh, for yee ii. fhall waile and weepe. «^»^,bleffed are yee that weepe now, for yee fhall laugh. * But it is not enough for us to *t^et our iovi" l**gh andbemerry, unleffe we re'toyce withfinne and madneffe% E- inures and Hnlt$e0Hr tighter be tempered with filthinejfe, and mixed Chriftmas" *'** impiety* What error I fay is this, or what foBy ? Can- keepers confi- wt we daily be merry and laugh, unleffe we ma\e our laughter kr this* audmirth to be wickedueffe ? Or elfe thinks we fimple mirth to be nothing worth ? and can we not laugh except wefinne ? Wbtttmiftbiefeu tk$*9ervbAt furk} Let m laugh I pray jo* Part. i. Biflrio-cMAftix. 5*7 you and he merry fowefinuenoU what foelifhnetfe, nay mad- nejfe is it, to thinks mirth And toy nothing worth, nulejfo Cod be iniured thereby? yeainmred, and that mofi haineufy. * For * O that all in Stage-playes there is a certaine Apofiafie fiom the faith, pg££J^ dnd a deadly declining from our belief e and the havtuly Sacra- „QuU confides mcuts,&c. asirvpag. 5 1.52. before. And whatelfe is it tkis, but tofaUinto deftruftien, toforegoe the beginning of life ? For where the foundation of the Creed is overt hrowne, life it felfeit deftroyedSTben agamowemufi needs returne unto th where and Turkcs is the wickeinejfe ofdsverfe impurities^ to wit, the deflruBton of ^cIjlht not f our hope and falvathn} Which Tlayes not wit bfiandtng if they f^vhyti, being Pagans didufe, they [houlderre with leffe offence to God : yyhy then becAufe albeit fuch doing were a defiling of the fight, yet were fhould Chri- it not a violation of the Sacrament. But new what can oeefaj fa^s doe it ? fir ourfelves ? we hold the Creed, and yet ovcrtmne it : we confejfe the duty offalvatton,andyet deny it too. And therefore where is our Christianity? who as itfeemetb have received the Sacrament of falvathn to no other furpofe, but that afterwards we might more hainoufly offend. We preferre paftimes before the Church: wedefpije the Lords Table and honour Theaters ; m a word, we love all things, reverence all things, God alone feemeth Vile unto tu in comparifon ofaH other tbings,&c. By which large difcourfe of this pious Father, it is moft apparant : That Stage-playes overturne mens faith and religion 5 annihilate their baptifme ; eftrange their hearts and affections from Gods fervice, and whoiy in- difpofe them to his wodhip. Cjregory Nyfen informes us : • That God neither heares nor regards the prayers ofthofe ° De Oratio. qui in Theatris fauflas acclamationes afFe&ant,&c. who ne,lib- PaS 9+ TeSi applaufes in Theaters, and delight in Stage-flayes. gre- p Ad quos su- [ory'Haz.iauzeu, demanding this queftion, ° unto what tem dedmnis rebus agendum it ? nimirum ad eos,quibus res cordi ellj & qui earn non nugatorie veluti quiddam ie multis.vchiptatj^ammiqtte gratia poft ludos equcftres, poft ITheatra, poft canti- ,5nes,polt vent cis 2. eorum qua? infra ventrem Cunt occupati ones, tra&ant, Qratb.i, id Emomims pag 5, Z&* 2 manner Fol. Hiflw-Maftix. Part.i manner of perfous he fhould dtfcourfie of divine things} makes this reply ; that it mnft be to thofe who would lay them ferioufly to heart ; and not tofuch who handle them flightly 3 as one thing onely of many for flea fare and contentment fake ^ after Cirque ■- playes, after Stage-playes, after fongs, after gluttony and car- uaH copulation: Intimating unto ns; that thofe v/ho de- light in Stage-playes and fuch like Spectacles arc alto- gether unfit to heare Gods Word, or ierioufly to rorme any holy duty; their mindes being to prepoMed with Phyes and thoughts of vanity, after their returne from Play-houfes, that they can never bend them to pious exercifes in that diligent manner as thty ought. And therefore he records of the Citizens of Confiantmo- * 1 dque in ea plfii who delighted much in Stage-playes : 1 That as they Cm#te,quam refHted Cirques and Stage-playes, fo they likewifie efteemed the ti yfrtutTsTx-" ^vme m*fteries themfelves, to be but a pafiime. Saint Chry- emph fervare .fiflome'm his forequoted r Homtlies, is exceeding copi- poCCmt: ut qua; ous in this theame ; where he informes us ; that Stage- ficut circos & play es ft pollute the eyes, the eares, the hearts of the ABors and Theatra* Ita dl- Spectators, that they make them altogether unfit to approach in- myftd^rpro t0 Qc^s holy pre fence, or to tread within the porch, the door es ludohabc.it. of hts holy Temple y much more unfit to participate of his mojl Oratio. \\.m f acred Body and Blood, (which mufi not be lodged in a polluted Laudem Athe- foule) or to heare htspure Word; whtch eares defiled, or rather n*sy. pag.fii . ^rifled and flopped up with filthy Stage-playes, can never fieri- Dwidc&S-iuI. eHfl) *iten& t0°- H*s { fore-alleadged words to this purpofie, Tom.i.CoI. 'arefo emphaticall and flexanirnous, that they might Su.f i£«Hoqi. even move an heart of Adamant,and caufc the moft ob- in Pfal. xi 8.D, durat Stage-haunters for to tremble. If wee adde to Tom I'cof*" ■t^S' tthc C0"ft*ntTratt'fe °f **>' Primitive Church, who etc- i o°2o.io ? x°. * communicated ad Stage-players and Play-haunters both from Horn.' i . be thepfordy the Sacraments and all Cbrtftian fiociety as altoge- Verbis Ifaise. ther unworthy to participate of either ; refufing to admit of any Videdominil fedcntem,&c. Ibidem. Col. 1181,1283,1184, Hom.$8Jn Matth. Tom. 297.198 4 r See here,Scene 4. * See here, Ad 4. Scene 1. par. 1 $ 4. & Aft 7. Scene 2. 3. where I have quoted fevcrali Councels and Fathers to prove Jt. See Gratian DeCenfe- aatione. Diftin&.a. neete the end. s\Btor$ Pa kt\ i. Hittrio-Maftix. ' 518 Aclors or others into the Church till they quite abandoned, not onely the aclwg, but the very fight and hearing of St age-play es, and openly promifed andprofeffed, never toreturne unto them more: Or if wee againe confider; u that Sta^e-players, * See Apofto- with thofe who married Woman-aUors were utterly uxcapable lorumCano- of any Ecclefiafi'tcall Orders y and perpetually dtfabled to admi- nes < Can; 1 7 . nifler either ths Word or Sacraments to Gods people, by reafon d^a"*"' of that inexpiable fleine which the very ailing of Stage-play es ,4 48 loan* * had engrained on them : Wee muft needs acknowledge, nes DeBurgo that the acting and beholding of Stage-playes indi- Papilla Ocatti fpofe men to Gods fervice, and unfit them for his holy 57V'Cp'"?" ordinances : elfe why fliould the Church excommuni- p^™ Plan"- cate or exclude thefe per fons, or thus difable. them m &uEcclefoe.L fo ftricT: a manner? Moreover thofe * fun dry Connects a.Anic.iS.H. and Authors, which debar aB Qergie men from the aUing and fol.i34-Anfel- bt holding efStagc-playcs, either in publtkeor private, left their muf ^ l-Tim- eyes , thety eares and hearts, fet apart, andconfecrated to Gods ?W.c.d' ^ holy myfteries,fhould be defiled by them,andfo indifpofe them to * See here, A & dtfeharge thetr minifleriall function; are a moil: pregnant 4-Scene 2.pag; evidence of this irrefragable truth ; that Stage-play es J5°-& Act 7* tillable men from the right performance of all holy du- ^*c *' tho" ties. And no wonder. For firft they difiewe the foult ?> See here with the filth,and involue it in the guilt of divers fins ; which Scene 1 7.1 8.& makes it odious in the eyes of God ; z Who as he can in- ^JMrf.Ni- dure no iniquity ; fo he * regards nowortyip, no duties of 'piety , J?1* turP1L,s a«c no prayers that proceed from polluted hearts. God will bewor- ^formiUSf h jhippcd onely m the ° beauties ofholinejfe; wtthc ckane hands noxia. Chryfeft. and pure hearts : Whence hee commands all his, dto Hom.iz adp»p. clean fe themfelves from all pollution of flefh and (fir it, per feci- ^ntiocb.Tom.$. ingholtncffeinhufeare: c towafh their heart from wickedneffe [Qb£°*'Cm that they may be faved 1 and not fo much ojs to touch any un- apfei(j$;|* ' cleane thing, thatfo he may receive them. GodwiHbe Sfanlli- i0hn 9. \ 1/ fed of all thofe that come neere him ; he will have them h to be I fay 1 .4. to z 0. holy in all manner of converjation, even as he is holy, thatfo b Pfal.96.9.. they ' may be a holy Prufi-hood,to offer up jfrirituall facrifices f^^ffl *2Cor.7;i.« Iei\,4.i4.Ifay 1.16*. f Ifay 5a.11. iCor«6,i7« 5 Levit.io.3ch 1 Pet. l.xJ3i^LcYit,n,44, i iPet.a^?. cf Fol. Hijtrio-Maftix. Part.ii of prayer audpraife9 acceptable unto him through Ufns Chrfc Rev x< ¥' * **'fe k bio'd ^th clea"f' them ft0™ ** thetT $""** l prefenu Heb. o .14," 'in& *^cm fHre And ^*ty m ^ FAtb*YS fight with fit Jpot or blee- ) Ephef.f \s. mifh, Now Stage-playes, m as I have formerly proved a7 Col. i . 1 4, « universally defile the very bodies andfoules ofmentoverfpred- m*s " s ^m& *^cm wa^ a tyrofi* °ffH*drjfi*"tt, { which they either 4 thorovvout! higenerate or inrufc into their foules, (which &eccltpfe Ad 3. Scene i . Gods grace and favour from them , ? flopping up kit ernes a- 1,3 . & Ac*t 7 . gatnfi ad their prayers^ and ^ fending up an unfavory flmke m- Sccnc 1.3. to hisfacrednoflrels: therefore they muft of neceflity dif- nSeeSalvnn, able them to all holy duties. Secondly, it is impofllbie De Gubcrnat. r m r ' ..,*• * %* n. l 1 1 Dei lib 6,iere *or *") m%n toftrve two different M after s both together y to Scene/. 4. ferveGodand ^Mammon, Chrift and the DeytU: God in Chryfoftom. the Church, the Deviil in the Play-houfe 2 Chrift in Hom.3.De the morning, the Devil! in the evening. He whoferves & Hom* 8 & Satanallche wcekeintheStageor Play-houfe, can ns- 69.muLtht ver worfliip Chrift upon the Lords day in the Temple. 0 Ifiy i9. xx}. Alas, there was never yet fnch dfeSowJhip betweene Chrift Lam. 1 .4 ; ,44. and BeliaU, betweene the renounced pompes and vanities of Sa- ndy 1. iy. tanya*dthc humility of our ftipcr-celefkM Saviour y thatmen \l?i i might ferve and follow them both together. Now c Stage- f'Jfayi-.Tijtx* flayes are the very Devils owne pecultar pompes, cPlay-ho*fes 13.Prov.15.S- his Synagogues-, Players, his prof e fed %Jl4affe-pncfts and cit.17.c18. 9. Qhortfters-t Play -haunters his devoted ferv ants, as f htm- \ Macth* 6 • * £• felfe profefeth, and S Origen. with others, largely prove : iT^Rom] Thofe therefore who thus ferve the Deviil in Playes s^,6,7J8. ' and Play-houfcs ; its impoflible for them to ferve the * 2 Cor. 6. 1 4, Lord fincerely in prayers and Churches. Thirdly, * No ij,l6.0feculu nequam,quod folos tuos fie foles beaue amice* at Dei facias iaimicos. Bernard. E- fifl.ioj. « Sec Act 2. Ck0rus.pag.4i. to 60. here, fol. f 21,713. & Ad 7. Scent 2. f Tertullian De Spe&ac. cap. 14.2$ .See herejpag.io ,1 1. % Nam de ijs quid dicamus, qui cum gcntilium turbisadfpe&acula maturantj & confpe&us fuos aeqj auditus impudicis & verbis & a&ibus fxdant : non eft noftrum prenunciai e de talibus. Ipfi enimfentire & viderc poffuntquam fibi delegeriftt partem. Homii.Ssipcr.levit.7em. I./W.8 3.B. Et revera fi vincamur & poft nxc verba peccemusj fi poft Ecdefiam rur- fum in Circum, & ad eqaorum curfus, Sc ad coaveiuusGemilium eamus, quid aliud fie, quim iuperatos nos poffidct, Idtm. Horn. 8. in IftiaM, Tm.%, fol. 108. H. fc 1 Cor. 10. xi. man Part. i. Biftrio-Maflix. $19 nusncandrinketheCup of "the Lord \ and the cup of Devils; iSeeAfti.n* nor jet partake oftbe Lords T Me, and of the table of Devils : ™™£$£ f But Stage* flayes, i are the cup and table ofDevtls; the very iaa^b*^ Devils meate;his drinkf* tbofe dtfhes and repafls wherewith he ^v cdebra- was folemnely feafted by his idolatrous worfhippersy in his ownrxztvx conviviu, Idoll-temples. It is not pofllble therefore for any Chri- guo vdut tms ftian to feed his eyes, his eareswith thefe diaboiicali T1^ mMB^" banqvets, and yet worthily to participate ot Cnriits pafcercmarr Body and Blood, the fpirituall Sweet-meates of a Chri- ^uguft.veciv. ftian foule. Fourthly, the very acling and beholding of D«,fcfr. *• **/>«* Stage-playes drawes downea felfe-condemning guilti- See here, pag, nefle, and fo by confequent * a cenaine fecret terror cfap" £ 47^& T **■ pearmg in Gods prefence, on mens foules. There is fcarce £q?c*17 p.g04. a man of any grace or ingenuity, but would even blufri * Chryfoftom. and fcare to be deorehended by any good man at a Play- Hom in Ffal. houfe : Tea the very l Heathen Romanes flood fo much tn 1} s-& Hom.r* avse 0/Cato his vice-condemning pre fence : that they durft not ^5, e V ^ " call for their Floralian Enterlndes whiles he was neere the rnmum feden- Theater* And will not the consideration of Gods all- tem3&c.herc, feeing prefence, thinke yee, ftrike much more feare into Scene 4. the m hearts and confeisnees of fuch who are deprehended by *plut«chi him at lewde lafcivtms Stage-playes, then any Chrifitansyany Ep^ft o^Valc- Cztocseyeorface, could ftrike into thefe Heathen Ro- rms Masitnus. mans ; which have nofuch foule- confounding Majeftie l.i.cio.fe&.a. in themas is in the very fmalleft frowne of God?If there- Ludov. V ives fore thofe who refort to Stage-playes by reafbn of their Nnr?J ^ Au~ felfe-convincing confeiences, n can never approach with f^j ec ~£m' boldneffe to Gods Throne of Grace; its certaine they cannot m see Tertuf. fcrveorworfhiphim as they ought. Fiftly, hee who DeSpeftsculis perjures himfelfe in the higheft degree, breaking that c-?7- & here, very origall covenant which he made to God at firft in IhJl 4'b$ Baptifme, and afterward ratified at every receiving of * Seee 4^ 2" the Sacrament, can ° never qneftionleffs fsrvc the Lord in Chorus p. 42. any acceptable ptons manner : the performance of this vow to ^i.& A& 7. and covenant (at ieaft-wife in the defire the endeavour ScceneTf '. , of his foule) being that alone which makes him a Chri- * ^ [ ^ :j£P ftian; and fo a man capable of ferving God. p But Aft 7! Scene t, t/iaa* he pag.$6i3&e. Fol. Hiftrio-JMaftix. Part.i' • i) g he mo afts or re forts to Stage-playes y violates that very origl- io.Cbriftifin- nail covenant which he made to God at firfl in baftifme, and ouis icrrarum afterwards reconfirmed at every receiving of the Sacra- orbis eft pras- merit ; as I have elfe-where largely proved : therefore •tium) Clinftus j^ can never [erve t}ie £orci [n anv acceptable or graci- hoceam om^ ous mamier> according to his will. And alas what ncm adornavit. Chrllian is there, who would frequent or harbour any dxyfofam Hem, inch finfull pleafures , as will quite difable him to 6o.adfop.Antu fcrve his God, to pleafe his blefTed Saviour, 9 who hath le~ that 10 we may be enabled to pleafe that holy blcfled ^ami""noft God, who created, redeemed us at firft, and hath ever- ^Xn^crc- more preferved us lince, % that we might dee him fervice. rca'a ™*ztS~ Secondly, as Stage-play esindifpofe men to, fo they neceffarid ex- likewife withdraw and keep them from Gods fervice, leftiafpermt ac a ejpeeiaiij on Lordf-dayes, Holy-dayes, andfolemne Peftrvals ; defpicit.cfojf. which fhould be wholy and onely confecrated to his more (pec tall ^'y^™^6*' worfhtp ; and fpent in duties of devotion, inlawdtng and hlcf- Cei 50I„g/ fag him for his more (pedal I favour!. And doth not our * Luk. 1,74,7^. owne experience beare witneffe to this truth ? Are not Rom .14. 7 .,8. our PI ay-houfes oft-times more crowded, more coach- I^or-6- 19*°> ed and frequented then many of our .Churches ? and *see 'nIcIio- are they not full oft- times , when our Churches are but iatis De Clc- empty ? Are there not many hundreds ferving the Dc- mangijs. Be \ vill daily in our Theaters, even then when as they Novis Cele- fhould be ferving God in his Temples? Doe not more bnnubus ; no** commonly refort to Playes, then Lectures, which is ill ? o^A^ltoi^o'at yea doe not too too many neglect to come to Sermons, ioanms Lang. that they may runne to Stage-playes, which is worfe ? hecmcius Dc Indeed our b (fhnrch of England (out of the great refpecl Vita& Hone- it yeelds ro Preaching, and the abfolute necellity of it to \ ^te EccleSa- falvation) enioynes God-fathers and (fod-mothertjo call upon ^pl t j * thetr God-children, to heare Sermons ; (which fome pro- * Sec $. & 6. phane ones now begin to loath and fpeake againft, as if Edward 6.c. $ . we had too much preaching s ) thatfo they may the better h 5ee the Ex- forfaketheDevdlandallhis workes,m$rtifie all thetr unholy !]°eXXof corrupt affeblions, and daily proceed in all vertue and god- Cdnwaon- lineffe of living. Yea the Saints of God in ancient times, prayer,as the werequickning and calling upon one another in this end of publike and private baptifme. Sec Canon 45 , which enjoyneth'every bcaeficed Miniftcr that is a Prea^ cher to preach once a Sunday at leaft, either in his owne or fome other ad joy- ningparilh, A* a * 2 manner: Fol. Hiftrio-Maftix. Part.1 al«9f.i^6. manner : c O camlet hi fing unto the Lord, let us make 4 toy fall noyfe unto the Kockf of our Salvation. Let us come be- fore bit pre fence with T ' hankefgivtng, and make a toy full noyfe unto km with Pfalmes, efyc. O come let us worfhip and fall * Pfal .96.11 * 3 dewne and kneele before the Lord our maker ? d O fivg unto the l^'9'^??^' Lord a new Song, jinguntothe Lord all the earth. Sing unto 9.PfaLiooj9i. ^ Lord ; blefje his Name ; [hew forth his fahationfiojn day today. Declare his goodnefe among the Heathen, his won- ders among all fee pie. Gtve unto the Lord (O yee Kindreds of the people ; ) give unto the Lord glory andflrength. Owe un- to the Lord the glory due unto his ^ame ; bring an Ojfring and come into his Courts. O woyfkty the Lord in the beauty of bolt- « Ifay %.\ 3 j. nejfetfeare before htm all the earth : c Comeyee% and let U4 goe Pfal. 1 1 2.1 . uf to the Mountaine of the Lord, and to the houfe of the Cod of Jacob, and he will teach tu of his wayes, and we will wMke inkispathes^c. But now alas in ftead of calling upon one another to heare Sermons, and of thefe encourage- ments to goe up to the houfe of the Lord to blelTe and prayfe his Name (which is now no better then a brand of Puriranifme) we heare nought elfe among many who profeffe themfelves Chriftians; but, come let us goe and fee a Stage-play : let us heare fuch or fnch an Aclor ; or re fort to fuch andfuch a ^ lay -houfe : ( and I would I might not fay unto fuch a Whore or W hore-houfe;) where we will laugh and be merry, and paffe away the afternoone: As for any refort to fuch or fuch a Lcclure,Church,or pious Preacher; its a thing they feldome thinke, much Icffe difcourfeof* Alas, that any who profeiTe themfelves Chriftians fhouid be thus ftrangly, (that I fay not athei- ftically) infatuated, as to forfake the moft facred Ora- cles, the foule-faving Word, the moft blefled Sacra- ments, houfe and prefence of their God ; to runne to 'See AA 1.1.& Piaycs and Play-houfes, the abominable f Spectacles, LeU- p. 10.51,67,68 met, Pompes, and Synogogues of the Devill : as thus S to % r oy. 2 4 1 $3 jeAve tfop4thet ofuprightneffe, to walkp in the wayes of darks neffe ; reioye'tng to doe evtlly and delighting in the frowardneffe of the wicked; even then when as they fhould folace their very Pakt.i. Hiftrio-cMaftix. 5 jx very foules in God.Yet this is the moll defperate deplo- rable condition of many hundred prophane ones jn this age of light; who admire who refped the very bafeft Stage-players, more then the devoured gravefi Preach- ers ; and would rather heare the molt lalcivions Come- dy, then the bed foule-fearching Sermon: their very pratmry&?wlfm Ixt, and the whole Houfe of ^Parliament , in the yeere of our 6 0 ^ ' Lord, 1550. where we writes thus. What Realmefoevsr fol«V$. 44*4f* wiH avoyd the evill of Sedition and contempt of Godly Latvss, which ap- la them provide the Word of Gody to be diligently and trutly points two preached • avdtaHoht mto the SubieBs and Members thereof. Scr™ons a &! V rrl 1 L r t r rri it «- i m Citties on K The lacke of it u the caufrof fedttton and trouble, as Salo- Lords- dayes moH faith ; l where Prophecy wantcth, the people are dtffipa- & Holi-dayes. ted. wherefore I cannot a Itt tie wonder at the opinion and do- S-e Canons Urine offuch, as fay, a Sermon * ONCE IN a v v E E K E , l ^°4- Canen IN A MONETH.ORINA QUARTER OF A YEERE>/«/- joints all li-^ cenfed Preachers to preach one Sermon every Sunday at the leaft, h Mailer Toxy Booke of Manyis.Edit.i6jo.pag. 1366. Col.i 1. Line 77-78. * Ojrhat ourBifhops and Minifters would doe thus new, » Imp.intcd by John Day Anno 1550. *• Let fuchnow who cry downe preachingjLedures and Lecturers* as thecaufe of Sediti- on,confider this. * Prov4io.i 8 . * Let [2C1Q Miniilers, & earekfle ChrilhaxiSj who cry downe Lecture^ and cry up Stage- playes, note this well. siaa* 3 ficient I - Ifl Fol. Hiftw-Maftix. Pa-rt.i- fc'tent ft r the people. Truely tt it mjurioufly and evill (poke* again ft the glory of g?d and the falvatton of the people. But fictvg they will not be in the whole as good unto Cjsd 04 before they have been* ante the DeviR, neither fog/ad to remove falfe doftrine from the people >,atzd to continue them in the true ; where as they did before oecupie the mofi part oftheforemone, the moft part of t&s aftemoone,yc* and a great part of the night, to keeps the efttmation and continuance of dangerous and vzinc fuperjltttons, were tt much now to oecupie one hovRE in THE MOKNING, AND ANOTHER HOVRE TOWARDS NIGHT} to occupie the people with true ands eameft prayer un- * Ler all our t0 G°d ** Chrifts Blood, and in preaching the true DoVtrine of Prelates and Chrtfl, that the) might know and continue m the true Reltghnt Minifters con- and faith full confidence of (fhrift lefu? Fiftetne Maffes tn a tto" Wdl °f Chtlrch datl7 mre mt t0° m*nJi*r the Triejls of Baal; and »Sec theHi- SHOVLD ONI SERMON EVERY DAY BE m TOO MVCH ftoricallNar- FOR A GODLY BlSKOP, AND EVANGELICALL i'ati6,6ccsi prin- Preacher?/ wonder how it can be too much opened unto the ted.An«i 6 j j.. peopie f // any man fay, labour is loft, ard mem bufinejfe Ijeth The Copy or m^?Ke ij (foat memtSm Surely it u ungodly fpoken : for thqfe Letter &c. f^M ^eare l he people in hand offuch a tbingjenoweth right welly Imprinted by that there was neither lab&urs, cares, needs, neceffity, nor any ftealck in the things elfe, that heretofore could keepe them from hearing of beginning of Jtfajfc, though tt hadbeene faid at 4. a cloche in the morning. k^CR C a ^ Therefore ai farrt as I fee, people were content to lofe more la- without an" bour, and^ent more time then togoc to the Devi!*, then now t* Authors or come to God : (as our common Players and Play-haunters Printers name doe.) But my faith is , that both Mafter and Servant fhaU unto n 5 , was fa^gaine thereby at theyeeres end) thov gh the y he ari anlwere vei- MORNING SERMON, AND MORNING PRAYERS EVI- batim by Revert ' * r . . . _, Crowly, and RYDAYOFtHE vveeke. Thus Jarre tbss reverend Bt- prmted by Au- [hop jvhofe words andprattife IwouldthengroJfe and fhamcleffe rhority.Anno pervtrter $ of hu doblrine in the points now controverted, 1 5 66. which fhewes the (hamclefneflc of hinvwho dufft now lately in his new Narration to publifh it as the received Opinion of the Church of England : it being penned by one Champneis, who if John Vei on may be credited, in his Apologic in Defence of his Tieatife of PredefUnation3 was both a Papift and a Pelagian too* (he con Stage Pa rt. i. Hittrio-Maflix. & z (he being a profefled *4nti-Arminiav, and Anti-l>cU- giany and chat in terminis,as his ° printed Worhes mofipofi- © Stz his-Con- tivelj demonftrate, however fome pervert them: ) together feffion and with our conftant Play- haunters would now ferioufly proteftation fider : efpecially in thefe our dayes; wherein an^ith S je-playcsalmofl cry down Sermons, and Flay- books dicateito iinde io quicke a fale, that (if Stationers dee not mifin- ward the 6. & forme mejthere are at leaft a dozen Play-book es vented the whole Par- for one printed Sermon : io that I may iafeiy affirme,that lament. Anno Stage-playes exceedingly withdraw and keepe men l2J°'u *s*rom' fromGods fervice : especially on Lords- day es, Hoh- ,crev.. dayes,andibiemneFeil:ivais, * fet apart for better p%r$o- rame Pfalmes, fes : which experimental! truth is to vilible to the eyes, London 1580. the conferences of all men, that it uqqc\s no further ^j'22;zV2?V proofe. If any man be io uncredulous as not to believe ]^]%3l\'l \ experience, let him then attend to fundry Councels, o^sW.aad Fathers, and other moderne Authors, who affirme: bis Articles thatStage-playes withdraw men from the Church,and lIP5 *h; Creed, keepe them from Gods fervice, efpecially on Lords- London is 81. dayes,Holi-dayes,and folemne Feftivals Vvhich were r r ^^,to let apart for pious ex'erci fes. For Councels, Seethe 4. i/.i^o^, C 'tunc ell ''of Carthage, (Janon 88. with fundry others 36538,30,40, here recited. Ac% 7, Scene 3. For Fathers, Clemens 4*-*o 52>s;, Remantu , in the 2. Beoke of Apoftol.cail Co>?ftitKtions.6Zi67:>7*i9l> cap, 64.6I. complaines ; u That many leaving the fin- wl^Jto/coo- gregatimofthc FatthfnH, with the Church and Lawes of God, eludes point- mne to the Plajes of the Cjrecians* and haft en unto Then- blanks ; the Arminian Tenets which fome men call: upon him. * Kane ob rem maximus llle Mofes jecjuum cenfuitutomnesafcripri ejus Ciwtati, jus naturae fequenses celebrarenr hiinc diem (Sabbatum)ocio fefttfq; hiiaritatibusjintermiffis laboribus & ogificijs cjuaeftiwrijs negotijfq; viftu psrannb? ablcgaraetia tantifper ceu per inducias folkitudine ut vacarent non ludicris((kut quidarn)ridcndifque fpectaculismimcrum fahatorucjs, Cjiix infanum vulgus amat perdne,&c.fcd foii philofophias ycrXjSccaVbitdludaiAs.l.^, D: Vita Mcfts p.$ 1 2.u Tu vero reUfto Hdcliutn caetu^Dei Ecciefia ac iegibus ad Gr«e- ,coruni ludos curris, & ad Theatra properas , cxpetens unus ex venicntibus eo ntime- •rarij& pr.rr1.-c-3 fieri audicicftnm turpiurn, ne dicam abominabilium : necrudifti Hiererai-m diccntem.pomin'lii .; concilia ludenci um ,fed cimui a ccnfpectu manus zux : necjue, lobj dicen't ; ,lbid< Snrita £*»*//. Tom.i* f flg.68 .- tersy Fol. Hifirio-Maftix. Part.? ters, defining to be numbed among thofe who reforted thither* and to be made partakers of filthy > that I [ay not abominable words and ffeftacles : neither doe they hears the Prophet Iere- «Icr ij.t7. my>P*7*n£>: *Lord I have not fate in ths aflembly of Players or Mockers, but I was afraid at the fight of thy T lob i i,i ,5, hand : nor T lob, who jpeakes the like words, &c. Clemens 7. an excellent j4lexandrinus,'mhis 3. Booke of the Pad*goge.cap.ii.fol. P^c- 5M3' complaines; That divers after they are departed from the Church, laying afide that divine infpiration which wm in it, affimulate themfelves to the company m which they fre - or rather laying afide the falfe and counterfeit vifour of gravi- ty, they are found to befuch, 04 they were before unknowne to ' be : and when at they have reverenced that Word which was dum cancmc & §ok$n of God, they leave it where they heard it9 running unto rccant.mt ij qui Play-heft[es,tbe ehaire ofpefltlence ; and delighting themfelves imraortalita- abroads with wicked meafures and amorous Jongs \ being filled tf m antea^cele- ^ith the noyfe of pipes, with clapping of hands, with drunken- de^ermrio- »'f'>™tb*(lks» burying their dead, that is, interring themfelves in rimur. Ii au- death, &c, A dreadfull fpeech, which I would our Dan- tem,.non cms cers, Play-haunters, and,voluptuous perfons would lay vere, fed jam neere their hearts. Saint *Augufline informes us; a That Dcomortm voiHpUQM q>Uyes and Spectacles oft-times withdraw mem £fi« !cemo««" fi™ ihe ^jMbltes of the Church : and *> that the whole Citty twS luos mora.- j *" ..j.j , . //•#»• os, hoc eft, fe- of Rome dsdwtih fubltkf eyes and ear es, learne thofe alluring ipfos in mor- criminous fables, and th$[e ignominious deeds which were tcm infodicn- wtc^ly and filthily fained' of their J del-gods, and more filthily 9 *L &u/marW" morc wic^J committed by them, neglettiug in the meane time tamen& ad lUos, quos frequenter ab Ecclefiae conventu fpeftacula voluptuofafob- ducun^&c./tfKg^.HflW.M.ToW.lo.p.y^ See Enar. inPfal,8o.Tom.8.pars *.p.$.4# g 13,18. b Hanc,inquam3pudendam,yerasq; religioni adverfandam & deteftandant talium numinum placationem,has fabulas inDcos illecebrofas atque criminofas,hrc ignominiofaDeorutn fa&a federate turpiterqj confi&a,fed fccleratius turpiufqjeoro- mifla ocuhs & auribw pablicis Ci vitas tota difccbat,&c. VeCivitatc V&J.z,t*%7 * better Part.i. Hiftrio-Maftix. 533 better things. Saint Chrjf°fiome W cfundryofhis Homi- «Hom. j.Dc //>j complaines : That men did oft-time leave the Church j^q™ ' W r/*«* Debus adcxercenda opera fervilia conceffis> unufquifque fao intentus eft operi, & abftinetacrapa- !a,ludis & vanitatibus.Diebws autem feftis paffim currant ad caupona, ?d ludos fpe- dacula & choreas, in irrifionem divini nominis>& diei praevaricationern : quum ts- men eograviusfit peccatum,quo fandiori tempore committatur: Refipifcant igitur, fc id manium,quod inimicus homo fuperfeminavit in agr o Domini prorfus cxtirpa* re,$ca fe eyellere Ubotcnt.'Cyr'U.AUxJnloat.Eva»g lb.c. j p.59?. Bbb\ on FoL Hiftrio-JMfiftix. Part.i. on Holt-days, which mufl be h fed for the neceffary fuftenance of life -j that foy oh may the more intirely devote j our fehes to heavenly things ; are not tkofe things then much more forbidden which cannot bee committed with out finne and great offence to God? Ondajes that are allowed for ferv He worke, every one is intent upon his owne bufmeffe ; and hee abfiainesfrcm drunkennejfe, pafiimes, and vanities ■. But on Holi-dayes ( loe here the true genious pidure of our prefentage) men every where rttnneto the zAle-houfe, to Tlayes, to Snterludes, and dances j to the very derifion of Cjods 7^ame3 and the prevarication of the day : where of in truth thefmne is fo much the more hainous, by how much the more holy the time is in which it is committed. Let them therefore repents and labour utterly to extirpate and pull uf this tare, which the envious man hathfowne in the Field of '* _> . .the Lord. John 'Damafcen out of Sufebi us informes us. memprsediti * *Thatthofewho are enduedwith the f ear e of Cjod, long for funtjdominicu the Lords day, that fo they may pray unto God, and be made diem etpeftat, partakers of the Body and Blood of the Lord. But fluggtfh llC ?u° Pr3eccs laficferfons lookefor the Lords day, for no other end but that adnibeant, ?c ^ being locfedf om their workf, they may give themfclves o- oth the 'Treacher call to the Chttrch ? all of them grow dent .Quod au- /a/le, ayid make delay e:. Doe the Harpe or Trumpet found? ^rcsf feCf£ ^ofthemprefentlyrunne as if they were winged. h We be. dem facunt. Alio die in mcdiu prodi.Sc ncminem invenies. Die Dominicoegredere, atcj; alios ckhiracanentes^ahos nppiaudentes & fakantes, alios federites, ac proxi- mos maiedicliS infe&antes,ilios deniq; luctantes repencs. Pra?co ad Ecclefiaru vo- cat ? & omnes fegnitie torpent;ac moras neftunt. Ciihara aut tuba perfonuit ? & omnestanquam zhs inRruZii cmrunt.Vmafcen.ParaUeltrum.l.i c.47 f.zoS. * Ecde- Cae fpeftacula cernimus, Dominum Chriftum inmenfa recumbentera profpicimus^ Seraphinoster fanclum Hymnum canentes,Evangelicas voces, Spiritusfanfti prs- rentiamjProphetas iefonantesa Angclorura Hymnum, Alleluia, omni3 fpiritualia '- out Part. i. Hifirio^'Maflix. 5 3 4 holdtheSpeUaclesofthe Church; we fee the LordChrijh omnia falutc lying on the Table, the (feraphynsfingingathr we holy fong, omnia the words of the qojpell; the pre fence of the holy Ghoft, the ^^^ Prophets ecchoing, the <*Angels finging, Alleluia, all things qU!Cj autemie (pirituall, all things worthy falvation, all things procuring cernit qui ad the Kingdome of Heaven. Thefe things heares he that en- \ heatra cur- ters into the Church. But whatfeeth he who runnes to Flay- *"? Djabolicos Infest ViaboUcaUfongs,irrgmncbes, or that 1 ^SSt Jpealze more truely,Girles tojjed up and downe with the juries tes3vel,tit redi- oftheT>evill: (A good difcription of our dancing fe- usioquar3Da> males.) For what doth this U ancercjfe ? She mofi impu- monisintem- dently uncovers her head, which Paul hath commanded to E!nJs agIta^Jt be alwayes covered : Shee turnes about herneckf the wrong tat^x fa™t > " way ; She ' through eth about her haire hither^ and thither; Caput,quod Sven thefe things verily are done bdoer whom the T>evill Paulas perpe- hath poffe fed. But the Fuller, like mbevilUconptt eth with tuotegi jufic, woodden infiruments. Such verily 4fc the feaft */ Herod, ^rcollai^ The daughter ofttzwd'mentred in and danced, and cut fnvcrtit*: core* of the head of [ohn Baptift, and obtained the fubterraneous hucatqsiiluc fiaces of Hell for her inheritance. Therefore thofe who love expandit.Hat Charantoes andDances,have their portion with her Woe un- Porro etiam a^ to thofe who play upon the Harpe on the Lords day, or doe J? fiunt' Tla? / ., r i ?, . , * „ ir i Ja r r Daemon obfef- any Jervde worke. This day was allotted for the rejt offer- hmtcneu Ci- vants and hirelings: For this faith he, is the day of the tharaedus autc Lord,letus reioyce and be glad therein, &c. Salvianis tanquam Das- yet morepuncluail to our purpofe : heare but his words mo"> ,c" ^£no for all the other Fathers, * We preferr e(&kh hz)paftimes TzkffmTmm Herodis quoq;convivium erat.Herodiadis (ilia ingreffa^tripudiavitjic Ioannis B.p- tiftae caput amputavit,& fubterranea inferniloca hxreditatis loco colecutaeft.Quo. circa qui choreas & faltationes amant,cum ea portionem habent. Vx his quiDomu nico die cythara ludunt>aut operantur. Ad mercenarioru & fervoium requietem hie dies conceffus eft.Harc enim Dies,inquit ille3qnam fecit Dominus:exuitemus & !«- temur in ea&c.ldemJbidcm. > Nos Ecclefijs Dei ludicra antepenimusj nos Altaria fpernimus,& Theatra honoramus. Omnia deniq; amamHS,cmnincolimus,folus no- bis incomparatione omnium Deus vilis eft^Deinqj pra>teralia quadd probantjindi- cat hoc etiam haec res ipfa qua dicp.Si quando enim venerit, quod fcilicet faepe eve- nit,ot eodem die3& feftiyitas ecclefiaftica,& ludipublici agantur,qu3ero r b omnium confeientia^uis locus majores Chriftianorum virorum copias habet ? caveanc ludi publicijan Atrium Dei? & Templum magis omnes fedenuu-j, an Theatrum > Difta Bbb*2 before Fol. Hiflrio-Maflix. P'art.i. Evangelioruni before the Curch of Cjod: Wedefipifie the Lords Table, and magis drfigant, hon0UY Theaters. Finally ,be fides other things which prove turn- verba vi»" the fame, fkis which I now fay mamfefls it to be true. For tje, an verba if it fallout (as often it doth,) that at one and the fame time mortis ? Verba an Holi-day be kept, and common P/ayes proclaimed \ J Chi ]fti,an ver- demand of every mans confidence, which flace hath greater bairurm? Non noopes of Chnfiidns? whether the Tardof the publihe Play- cit Gtibium 1 r 1 A es* J L r j r f a i quin iliud ma- "°*fJe> or the ^ 0HYt °t boas hotife 5 and whether menflocke to gis amemus, mofl i to the Temple, or to the Theater ? Whether doe they quod antepo- mofl affiell, thefayings of the Evangel fls, or ofStage-play- nimus-Omni crs f the words of life, or the words of death ? the words of tataSt*? Chr^rthe-.ordsofafooU in aPUji VoMefcvee fiquadibetEc- l°Ve that mofl which we preferre. For if the Church keepe clcfise feftafu. any feaft on that day when there arefolemne Playes ; thofe^ erint,nonfclii who fay they are Chrtfuans, doe not onely not come to the ad-Ecclefiam Church, but if any nonthinking 9fthe Playes come cafually pon veniunt, xhithcr, if they hea^whdes they are in the very Church. qui Cnniha- , ,'-4 '. „ ■ ,Jii , r ^1 » nos fe efle di- l -at t^ere are Playes acting abrod, they leave the Church, cunt: fed fi qui axdrepaire to them- The Temple of God is difpifedtorumie ntCcij forte ve- unto Theaters : the Church 75 emptied, the T)l.iy-houfe fil- f nk-lT in icd: Wele*ve Chriftupon the Table, to feed our adulte- iunt filudosa- roH* eJes Tplt^) the impure and unchafie fight of mofl filthy gi audiunr^ Ec- ^'terludes. k What fl ranger fioever either commeth to elefia'm dere- Ravenna, or to Rome ; flail finde a part of the Romanes hnqimnt.Spcr- at 5:age-playes,andapart'ofthe Ravenians at Theaters ojcar Dei tern- zAndaltl0OUqh any be either abfent or difi 'ant by place, yet plum ut con- / Sr 1 1 / r J ' j J airratur ad u Kc nct excHfod thereby : for as many as are toyned toge- ThcarrumjEc- t her in Ukeneffe of affection, are guilty aLke of the fame cleua ?acuatur, w i eke dneffie that either doth commit. Tet for all this, wee Circus imple- flatter ourfelves of our qood behaviour, and of the rareneffe Airr'^ordcmit- °f0^ impurity, &c. Thus farrc thefe Fathers l Poly dor timusjutaciiilterantes vifu impurifTimo ocuios ludicrorum turpium fornicatronc pafcamus SalvianT>c Gubcr.Dei (.^.p,i 9^.1^6. * Deniqj cujuflibet civitatis ineolae Ravenncm aut Romam venerint, pars funtRomanae plebis in Oreo, pars funt Ra- vennatis in Theatro.Ac per hoc nemo fe loco aut abfentia excufatum putet„ Omnes turpitudtnererumunum funt, qui fibi rerum rurpiumvoluntatefociantur. Et blan- dimur tamen nobis de probitate morum, blandimur nobis de turpitudinum raritate, ttidx.iou l DeInYent©ribuiReruWib.5«cap.i..pag.3 84.38$. Virgil P ART. i . Hiftrio-cMafiix. 5 } 5 Virgil com^Admzs* 7 hat in his time holy dayes weremoft acceptable to youth for no other reafon, but that they had then leafiure to lead about dances ; 'effecially among the Ita- lians, who after the cufiome of the ancient Pagans* did u fin- ally exhibit e SpettaclesandcPlayes unto the people; reci- ting fame dies , and p erf onating the lives and martyr domes of the Saints in (fhurches \ in which that all might receive e quail delight, they aBed them in their LMot her -tongue* Thus was %it heretofore among the ancient Romanes, who on their folemneFeftivals recited the Poems ofToets in a- pen Theaters, and made divers Spectacles of beafts and Sword-players in Amphitheaters ; withfiundrj other Playes thorowout the fitty, with which the people were delighted. , . * <^r/p/>icomplaines, and fo likewife doth ■ BB. La- sc^t^m!c? timer our renowned Martyr, and ° Spificoptts C^cmnenfils: j9.De FeftisV Ik at that wafter of equity, that fubverterof all order and » In his Ser- decency, that author of all evillthings,thecDevili,cndevou- monSi M-i !• rincr daily to pull downe what ever the holy Ghoft doth build ° °nu* 5cf S" up, hath alwayes quite demolijbed this fortification : I he xn feflis pro or eat eft part ofChriftian people fo Jpending the holy reft ^/aivinocukuia- Hely-dayes, not in meeting together to fray, or heare Gods ftitutis vifita- Word, nor yet to per forme thofe other duties for which they mustabernaSe were firft ordained ; but wafting it in aliunde of corruptions choreas feu tri- ofgood manners, and of (fhriftian dottrine, tn Dances, in F & aliter cir- Comedies, in Stage-play es, in ribaldrous Songs, in ffterts, ca iilicitaoc- in drunken meetings, in fallacies , in allkinde of worldly and cupamur,exer- carnallworkes contrary to the Spirit and holineffie : And as citia fpnitualia Tertullian faith ofthefolemnity •of the friars or %omane Eenitus ^ Q / 7 J r ii- ftantes, &c# emperours ; they are wont then to performe a notable piece j^fW< Seecap«. offervice, to make Bonefires and Dances in the ftreets, to z74fe&,7t8c feaftfrom houfie to houfie, toturne the whole 0nJ mt0 then, forme of a Taverne, to force wine downe their throates, to runne earneftly to mif demeanors, toimpudencies, t o irritati- ons,and enticements of lu ft : thus is the publike 'ioy exyrejfed by a publike fihame : fo may it be f aid of our Feftivals. Are we not therefore worthily to bee condemned who thus cele- brate the folemnities of Chrift and of hU Saints I Not to Bbb * 3 remember Fol. Hiftrie-Maftix. Part.i. remember the Statute of 17 Edward 4. cap. 3. which informej us, that the Holi-dayes and Sunday es were (pent in Dice-flay, Kayles, B owle s, and fuch other unlaw full ungra- cious and incommcxdable Games. Nor to recite the words * Part.i.Booke of the authorized * Homily of the time andplace of Ptfy- of Homilies, €Y . whicfo complaints : J hat it too evidently appeares that ^ °' ' Cjodps more dijho?7oured, and the Devi 11 better ferved on the Sunday, then upon all the dayes of the wecke be fides. <* De Vita & Nor yet to recite the lamentable complaint of- 4 Joannts Honefhte Ec- Laxghecructiu : That Lords-day es and Holi-dayes in hi* clefiafticorum time were for the mofl part (pent in drunl{cnnejfe, dancing, Iib.i i cap. 1 1 . wantonneffe, Stage-play es , and the like ' info much that the rowou . ^^ Singing-men and Choriflers of the (fhurch ( fuch was their blindntfj'e and madneffe) didfpend and honor the f acred feaft-day of the Fir gin CMartyr (facilia, not in fackcloth andfafiings ; but in gluttony, in drunkenneffet in dancing in lafcivious and unchafte fongs ; being then more prone to all lafavioHswickednejfejhen to the reformat ion of their lufly, • Atqjhuncfe- or to fafling and prayer : r zAnd that almoft all zArti fi- ll in modum cers an(l T , adef-men had chofen fime one Saint or other accT^fices ^Ti- ** ^e * Patron t0 tkem,whieh Saints they worjhipped in a de- quem fanftoru &°{ft Bacchanalian manner : fit hat by this h^nde of worjhtp in patronu fibi andcufiome,menfeemedto have r clap fed to Heathennifmc dehgerunt co- orAtheifme. I ihall truely tranferibe a notable parage lcndum Ita ut out Qc i^ch0laus de Clemangis to the like effect ; in his tuTc rit°u fad Treacijfe * f De K°™ celebritatibus non wftituendis : cchnicifmu feu where he writes thus : Every one may perceive with what atheifmu rela- devotion Qhriftian people doe at this day celebrate their bivideamur. Feftivals and Holi-dayes. They feldome come to Churchy n^'w W * £ t^eJ mofl fe^ome heare the LMajfe, and that for the mofi Lueduni °Bat! fart ^m httece'mea^e^ &Ct Yea x^e) ^ave f^e Church, 1 6 1 5 .p. 1 43 . ' an^ runne away . One gocth to a Farme ^another to his world- to 1 jo. ly affaires : a great companie re forts to f aires, which now are never kept in a publike andfolemne manner but on the « Quofdam hi- m9ft eminent Feftivals : c the Stage-player delivhtcth fomey ftriodelcftat, & r J £> nennullos Theatra occupant, plurimos pih tenet, permultos alca, &c. Ibidem. Part. i. Hittrio-Maftix. 5 3 6 Play-houfes take up others ; Tennif-courts many, Dice very many. Feftivals are celebrated by the richer fort with great gawdinetfeofapparell', andprovifion of banquets : but be- tweene rich cloathes and pompous fea f s, the confcience lies unadorned in uncleaneffe. The outward houfe is cleaned with beafoms, the floor es are [wept, greene boughes are pla- ced at the doore, the ground is firowed with hearbes and flowers, u all outward things are cleane and trim : but the u Omnia ni- miferableinwardman not partaking of this exultation, pines tent excenora^ away in the meane time in his filth ineffes, and by how much *€<* ^^er inte- more exceffive the laughter is in' the middeft ofvaine de- [/uimfoiin lights, by fo much the more is it afflicted with greater for- particeps exu!- rowes, andwounded with fharper pnekes of finnes. But to tationis, in Luis omit the fe: let us fee what the prophane vulgar doth m the interim fpurcn meane time, and the youth in our times corrupted with lux- tl)scom'^^h ur^^ J have, fitly faid, the prophane vulgar, according to ^"laudi^c" the thing which is done\ becaufe then doubt leffe they are fufior3 eft laeti- farre from the Temple ; and 04 they aice farre from the tia3 tasto in- Temple,foli^ewifefarrefiom home * For Holt- day es are gentioribus ur- KQt celebrated by them in the Temple, nor in their houfes; gcwr*rumnis, all the folemnittes of their celebration are in Tavernes and Pe?c?tora^fau- •Ale-houfes, . They refort thither almoft at Sunne-rifing, ciatur aculeis. and oft-times they abide there unttll midnight \ theyfweare, Ibidtm. forfweare, blafp heme 'God, and curfe all his Saints, they * And Jre not roare, they wrellle, they wranale : they pntr, they rave, they ?ur H^iI"daie5 n 1 1 i 1 j r J si js -n -i ipentthus.too? jkrecke, they make a tumult, andjeeme to be as mad as Bed- lams. They fir ive who [hall overcome one another in drinkj ing : they drinke merrily one to other ; they earneflly pro- voke andfiirre up one another to drinke : And when as they have glutted themfe Ives, and are drunke, then they rife up to play,&c. What fhall 1 relate the vanities of pub like P lay es and sj>eclacles upon Holi-dayes : The croffe-vsayes found againe with dances ? the Milages andftrects, yea the whole (/ttty rebound with the voyces of Singers, thejhoutes, the clamours of Dancers, the confufed found of the Harpe,the Tabret,thePfaltery,and all other muficall Harmonies. There mndes being moved with the flatteries of laughter, the thumping Fol Hiftrio-Maftix. Part\i# thumpingof the feet ,the glances of the eye, the growings of the hands, and. with the allurintr [weetneffe of iScrfes and i Thefc are the Harpes, v Wax effeminate, become vaine, and grew hot to fruits of Playcs luxury and incontinency. There the consultations o f whore- and dancing, domes and adulteries are handled ; oportunities are taken , places, times, and conditions are appointed. And becaufe the day is notfvfficient for their lewdneffe, Girles andejpou- fed Women are there oft-times voluntarily or againfi their wilsravifhedin the darkneffe of the night. J know places, yea famous Citties, in which on Holi-dayes andLords-daics it is law full for CMaides in a pub like manner to runne abrode to their Lovers, yea to their Panders, which promt fed liber- ty they diligently fiudy to preferve without controll,andjfee- ddy asfoone as ever the houre of dinner is paft , they earnefl- ly c all themf elves t ogether, and march in troop es to their cor- rupters with incredible wantonneffe and malepartnefje. We * Loe here the fee in Wakes or FejHvities of (Country Villages, how Harlots effects of Re- come from all quarters out of the neighbour Townes and (fit- vcisjWakeSj ties, and Country" Touthes flocking thither by troopes, who Mornces, perhaps were free from fuch uncleaneffe all the yeere, cafling & May-poles/ ^^ay the bridle of modefly in the folemnity of their Patron which Come fo (the Saint to whofe honour their Church is dedicated) much approve pub likely commit adultery . There Youth hath firfl cafi off and plead for. its ftaftity ; there yong men are polluted, there Children are -corrupted, and they learnethe experiment of a mofl im- pure cont agio m. There they continually provoke -and invite * But we ftilc one another to that mofl filthy pie a fur e, and he that will not fuch a one a f0n0Vl> tfje reft t0 defiruttion is accounted a * wretch, a (lug* * And would ga'<"h an unprofitable perfon, good for nothing. h What He a* theyaot think then skilfull of facrilegious Feaflivals (if he fhould happen fo of our Bac- to be prefent) would not rather be leeve that the F lor alia of chanalian rio- yenus, gr thefeafls o/Bacchus were kept, then thefiolemni- t2us.^ra!]r"« ties of any Saint \ when as he (hould there behold fuch un- o ? to which cleaneffes as were wont to be acted in the Fejtivals ofthofe allthefe paffa- Idols, *i\either doth the filthy obfeenity onely 0/ Bacchus gesmay bcwel And Venus feeme to bee exercifed there, hut likewife of applyed, j^ars 0,d Beilona teo . For it is nm a common fame, thst it Part, u Hiftrio-Maftix. 5 5 7 it is an unfeemely Holi-day which is not {printed with fiahtingandeffufionof blood, ^either is it ftrange if that Mars be made a companion of Bacchus and Venus. For mindes provoked with wine and lufi are wont to becafilypro- & And may we voked to fights Whence Venus Mania was f awed by the not apply this Poets to be coufledwtth a cunning and infoluble knot>What, ^rChrX u the Patron of the Village to be worfhipped by the Inhabi- m^ > tants on his birth-day in fitch a manner, that fo he might be propitious to them all they eere ? What Noble ir great man would not be dijp leafed that his birth-day jhould be defiled wtthfuch atollution I Who may not fee, how much honefter% how much better it were to obferve no Holi-dayes, then to hepethem in this manner ? Wkofe heart is fo e ftrange d from reafonfo devious from the truth t hrough perverfe err or, thai; he may not under ft and it to be leffe evill to gee to p low, or to diffffe , to fow, or doe other Country worses on the Solemnities of the Saints, then not to honour, but toprophane their folemne . Feftivals withfuch horrible obfcemttes ? Andyet if any one oppreffedwith never fo great penury of neceffaries for his fa- miiy be found to have done anything m his Field cr Fine- yard, he is cit ed, fever elypunifbed, reprehended, condemned as guilty of violating an Holi-day . But he who fhall com- mit the feworfer things condemned by the hawes and Com- mandements of God, fhallwant both yunifkment, and an ac- cufer. Andwhyisthis, butbecaufe there is no man who c Officialis E- w ill take revenge on thofe who tranfgrejje the Precepts of pifccpi*mim- the Lord^They have their Officials ( whofe office c Petrus l^^fg, licationis. Credo huiufmodi Officiates nonab officio^nomine, fed ab officio verbo, mutafle vocabulumrnam genus hochominumjquoddicunt offici perdi. Tota Offi* cialis intentio eft,at ad opus Epifcepi fuae junldictioni commiffas miferimas ovcs quafiviceillius tondeat, emungat, exconet, Ifti enim funt Epifcoporu fanguifugas cvomences alienum f.inguinem quam biberunt. Quia teftimonio Scripturas, divitias quas congregavit impius evomet : & de faucibus illius extranet eas Deus. Ifti fuac qu3(ifpongiainmanuprementis,quaficjiia2damcolatoria divitias fuis dominis in- ■ fluentes,&execrandis acquifitionibus nihil fibi prxter peccati fordem & fjeculenti- am retinentes,Quod cnim aggregant per oppreffione paupcrum,Epifcopis quidera ad delichs cedit,Officialibus ad tormentum. Sic vot non vobis/nellifitatii apes. Sic vosnox vobis accumulate opcsMti funt fecretiora ilia oftiola, per qua? rniniftri Belis facrificia quae fuper mcnfarn ponebantur a Rege, clanculum afpoiubant. Sic Epjfcopus quai% feci Blefenfts Fol. Hiftrio-JPfaftix. Part.i* y~ ^u Blefenfts hath excellently characterized)*-^ have Arch- bonaalienade- deacons, they have Promoters, they have Apparitors, who lipir, & notam enforce their Sp/fcopall E dills to be kept -with mofl grievous crimims -afe- penalties. They rttnne thorow the Dioces, they craftily Vrv&)V{:iuimS exam*m 'and enquire •, if any Vme-dreffer or Husbandman ul a»a& infa- hath wrought or carried any thing upon an Holi-day : and mix difcrimen if it fhall appear e that hee hath done any fuch thing, he is impingit. Ideo accufedandpunifhed,notfo often according to the quality quad fab urn- of the offence as at the will of the Judge. But yet Chrifl braEpircopi3& hath none or very few ProB or s who caufe his Commande- palTiat aTfubdi- Ments t0 bee kept,&c. d Saint Augufime faith ; that hee «9sexprimunt, would rather goe to Plow on the Lords-day, then Eceleiias gra- Dance : not that tt is law full then to goe to Plow, or that vant,redditus foee that goethto P low fhould be pardoned, but becaufehee a ienos vio en. ^q danceth offends more grievoufly : becaufe dancing it oculos habent fetfe ** °ft -times afmne, and oft-times enforceth men to ad munera,pu- occafons ofworfer finnes. Conftder what hee would have piilas & vichix faid ofthofe other things, which now are commonly done up- n.on intendunt, on owr Hofo-dayes.And yetnotwithflandina,ifany one foeth &c Ofhcium „, i t s j i • i n. r i Ofn lalium on Lords-day, hee is not onely mojt jeverely pu- hodie eft, jura nifoed, but he is welnigh reputed an Infidell : but hee who confundcre, danceth excellently, not onely hath no reproof e, but he is like- fufcitare htes, tranfartiones refcindere, inneftere dilationes3 fupprimere veritatem, fovere menda* cium,qu£fturri fequi,xqiutaiem vendere, inhiaie exac"tionibus,verfutias concinnare. lftifusit3qui hofpites fuos gravant fupetflua eve&ione, & multitudine clientele. Qnaerunt delvcatos & fupertiuos cibos»cum fenptnm fit,comedentes & bibemes quae apud lllos fiinc.De alienoenim prodigijde propriofuntavari, verborum infidiatores & aucupesfyllabarum tendunt laqueos & pedicas in capturam pecuniae, jura intcr- praeumur ad libitum, & ea pro voluntace fuasnunc abdicunt, nunc admittunt : bene ■difti depravanc,praden:er allegata pervertunt,rumpunt federa,mitriunt diflimulati- oaes/ornicanones difli:nulantarr.atrimoniadiftrahuatj aiulteria fovent, penetrant domus,& mulieresoneraraspeccatiscaptivas ducunt \ difFamant innoxios,&nocen- tesabfoluunt. Et ut multafub verborum paucitate concludam,dum omnia venalicer a^unc filij avarinx, fervi mammonx;fe Diabolo venales exponunt. Si mini credis, imd fi crctfis in Deum, relinque maturius Officialis ofneium, minifterium damna- tionis,rotammalorum, & fpintum vertiginis,qui te ad inania circumvoluit. Mi- ferere r.nim c tuae placens Deo, cui placere non potescum ifto perditionis cfHcio„ Tetrtts Bkfenjis. EpiftA 5 • ad Cjfi.ialem Epifiofi Car??Qtenjis.Bikl.?atrHm> Tm.\ nars i . pag. 7 2^7 1'jividJbidcm. 'J Enaxrauo in Pfal. 3 z. Part. i. HiJlrio-sMaftix. 538 wife plaufibly received with afflaufe and gratulation even by the Cenfors themfelves, &c. ISfow what a thing is it for , men to mangle themfelves in greater villanies, on thofe day es that are appointed for reconciliation and rimifflon df finnes, and on which men wholy ceafefrom terrene a£bi§ns, that they may give themfelves to the contemplation of Hea- venly things with a pure heart .? What confidence can fuch have ofthefuffrage of the Saints, who defile their Holi- dayes with mofl foolifh vanities, mofi impure pollution^ moft wtcked deb ac chat ions, and facrilegious execrations ? Verily they deferve to have them, not moft pious furtherers, but moft deadly accufers. e For what greater iniwy can bee* OthatChri* done to a Saint, then to dtfhonor his birth-day, wherein he was ftians would earned into Heaven and Paradice, with fuch uncleaneffes ?*conhacr this, andwith every fuch facrilegious cuftome wherewith Devils \^q\^^%^ were wont to be attoned by their fuperftitious worjhippers f peaft 0f 0Hr What doe we thinks the ancient holy Fathers would fay, who Saviours N*- ? pointed the folemnities oftheSamstobeobferved in the civity. hurchforthe for ef aid ends, if they were now alive, and fhould fee thofe vanities and counterfeit fooleries that are done upon them? I doubt not but they would take care of the foules that are like to perifby neither would they fujfer fuch things on the holy dayes of the Saints as were not per- mitted to be done in the Bacchanalia themfelves. Either therefore^ they would recall thepeople by the cenfure of d,f- cipline fomfuch moft- unworthy obfcenities,or would comp ell them to celebrate Feftivals with due honefty ; or if they could not breake the force of pernicious cuftome, they would rather abolijh the feafts themfelves, left they fhould bee an occasion of fo great wickedneffes ; which as itfeemes to agree With thefafety of foules, according to the variety of manners and times, are either to be ciifcharged from observance, or elfe more fir icktly to be tied to an hone ft obfervance, left they fhould doe farre more hurt by being ill obferved, then well emitted,&c. By all which diicouife of this learned Author, (who hath much more to theTeifefame pur- pofe, which Hikes punctually with thepraclife of our C c c * 2 prelent Fol. Iliflrio-Maflix. Part.!. prefent times) wee may eafily difcerne, how Sragt- playes and dancing avocate and with- hold men from Gods worfhip, especially on Lords-day es, and the moft folemne Chriftian Feftivals, which of ail other times are moft abu fed, to the eternal! mine of many thoufand Chriftians foules. To paffe by BucerinPfal.gz. Matter Gualther. Hom.%% . in Atta Apoftoloram. cap .13. Mailer $ohn falvin,on eech ? which of us hath his heart occupie^in the feare of God ? who is not led away to the beholding of thofe Spectacles, the fight whereof can brmt- but confufton to our bodies and foules ? Are not our eyes (* there) carried away with the pride of vanity ? our eares *At Phyes dbufed with amorous, that is-> lecherous, flthy, and. abomi- every member liable jpeech f Is not our tongue which was given us onely to of maB 1S defi.*- glorifie God with all, there imployed to the blafrem'wg of c** Gods holy Is^ame, or the commendation of that is wicked h J^re not our hearts through the p lea fur e ofthefefh, the de- light of the eye, an dthe fond motions of the minde, with— drawne from theferv ice of the Lord, and meditation of his goodneffe ? So that albeit it is aflame to fay it, yet dovbt^- leffe whofoever will marke with what multitudes thefe idle ■places are reylemfhed, and how empty the Lords SanBuary is of his people, may well perceive what devotion wee have\ We may well fay we are the fervants of the Lord, but the Jlenderfervice wee doe htm, andthe fmallregardwe have of his CommandementS) declares our want of love towards . him. 'For if yee iovemee ( 'faith fori ft) keepe my *Iokn \w% . Commandements. Wee may well bee Hrelngs, but wee arenoveofhis Houjhold. Wherefore alufe not the Sabbath day, my Brethren:, leave not the Temple of the Lord: Jit VQtjlillin the quagmire of your owne lufts: but put to your * Fol. Hiftrio-Maftix. Part.i ftrength to he/pe your [elves before jour owne waight fincke fEpfcef.$\i6. youdownetoHell. f Redeeme the time for the day es are evill. Alas what folly is it in yon, topurchafe with a penny damnation toy our [elves .? why feeke you after finne as after •None delight a banket? * None delight in thofe Speitacles, but fuch as in common would bee made Spectacles. Account not of their drojfe: their Spectacles but treaCHres are t00 (?are t0 ye laidup in the rich Coafers of your fuch as would . J, _ ■ r .1 a r i JJ ' be Spectacles. mm"e. Repentance isfarthejr jromyouwbenyou are nea- reft to fuch LMay-games. All of you for the moft part doe lofeyour time, or rather wilfully caft the fame away, contem- ning that as nothing which is fo precious as your lives cannot * Time would redeeme-. * I would to Cjod j ou would beftow the time you not bee loft* confume in thefe vanities, infeeking after vertue and glory. i For to fpeaj^e truely ,whatfoever is not converted to the ufe * End of mans wherefore it was ordained, may be f aid to beedofi. * For to creation. this end was man borne, and had the benefit of time gt^jen him, that hee might honour, ferve , and love his Creator, and thtnke upon his goodnejje. For what fo ever is done without . this, is doubt lejfe cafi away . Oh, how can you then excufe your f elves for the loffe of time I doeyou imagine that your care lejfe life fh all never bee brought into que ft ion f Thin^e yee the words of Saint Paul the Apoftle werefpoken in vaine, * i Cor.f .10. when hee faith, c We mult all appeare before the Judge- ment Seate ofChiift, that every man may receive the things which are done in his body, whether it be good or e vill. When that account fl?all bee taken, IfSare me your •» Pag.76.775 reckoning will bee to feeke, &c, tt By fuch infamous perfons 7 84 as Flayers much time is lofi,andmany dayes of hone ft travell are turned into vaine exercifes ; Touth corrupted, the Sab- *WhytheEm- bath prophaned,&c. * It was ordained in Rome by the PCd°Ur T£ b** SiKferour Trajan, that the Romanes fhould oh ferve but 2i Hoh "dayes 22 Uoli-dayesthorowout the whole yeere. Forheethonght tliorowouc the without doubt* that the gods were moreferved on fuch dayes yeere. as the Romans did labour, then on fuch dayes as they refted) * G d -vo ft becaufe the vices were more then which they did commit, fcrved on the then the facr 1 fees they did offer. * Andtruft mee I am of Sabbaft dayes, that opinion, that the Lord ts never fo tllferved as on the Holt-dajcs. Pa kt. j. Hittrio-Majlix. 5 40 Holi-dayes. For then Hell breakcs loefe. Then wee per- mit Youth to have their fwinge • andwhenthey are out of the fight of their CMafters, fuch government have they of themf elves 7 that what by ill company tliey meete withall, and id examples they leame at ^layes, I fear e me, I fcare metheir hearts are more allienated from virtue in two houres, then againe may well be amended in a whole yeere* Thus hee; yea and thus M.* Cjoffon, M. Y North brooke, *InhisSchoole M. z Stubs ,M. a Brmfly, and others too tedious to tran- of Abufes : and Icribe, together with the expreiTe words of the Statute Playes Confu-- of l.Caroli.cap.i. which informes us-^That the holy re^: keeping of the Lords-day in very many places of thi* Realme „^lt?li C a" 1 / r ~ 1 • 1 ■• T v ■ 1 n 1 1 1 gainlt Yaine ■ hath beene and now tspwphaned and neglected, by a difor- Play^s and derly fort of people, in exercifing and frequenting 2taw*--EmerIudes, bayting, Bul-bayting, £nterlndes, common lTlayes, and o- l Anatomy of t her unlawful! exercifes and pajhmes, neglecting Divine Aoufc«.pixqi«; Service both in their owne Tarijhes, and elfewhere. Ail ajhirdpn-tcf which concurrent teftimonies are a iiuficient confirma- the True tionof this experimental! truth; that Stage-playes a- Watch. cap. ii. vocate, with-ho!d,and keepe men from Gods worfhip, Abomination houfe & ordinances,efpecially on Feiiivals, Holi-dayes, ?0P«302- and thofefolemne times which fhould bee more pecu- liarly devoted to his fervice. And no wonder that it Should be fo : Firft, becaufe the vulgar people, (who are t> Populus ac commonly inamored wit-h cbildifh pleaiures,and pom- valgus unpen-- pous vanities,) are exceedingly delighted with £/?- t0rnm *uclis, terludes and Stage-playes ; as b Tully 9 c Horace , ka|n°uWimt enimpopuliacmtalritudiniscomitia. Populoludorum magnificentia voiuptati eft, Ludis delectamur & capimur-Lex ha»c qu# ad Iudospertinet eft pmniu gratifilma, Deie&ant homines mi-hicrede ludiJdautemfpe&acuIi genus eratjouod.omni fre- quentia,atqj omni generc hominum celebratur; quo multitudo mr.ximc deie&atur. Oratio fro Murenx.p ^i %£.& Oratioprs P.Scxtio.p.^i^. c \Tt primum gofitis nu- gari Graeciabellis Ca;pitj& in virium fortuna labier a? qua, Nunc athlecarura ftudijs mire arfit aequorum.JSiunctibicinibus, nunc eft gavifa trag*dis> Sub nuurice puelia velut fi luderet inhns.EpftMb.i.Epift.i .fwg.180. His namplebecula gaudet. Verum equitisquoqs jammigravit ajb aure voiupcasOmnis ad incerto's oculos & gairdia yana,&c.Nam quae pervinccre voces Evaluere fonum referunt quern aoftraTheatra? Garganum mugire putes nernus,aut mare Tufcum,Tanco cum ftrepr.uiudi fpeftan-?. tur.jWw.prtg. 183^84, * Juvenal,-: Fol. Hiftrio-Maftix. Part.i. d Nam qui da- *Iuvenal,c TheodoricusJ Ovid,with %fundry others tefti- bat ohm lm- fe\they are,zs the Apoftle fpeakes ; 1 Lovers of plea fur es perium, fafces, more t%en lovers of(]oa:Go&s prefence,Sacraments,Tefn- nll^nunc0^" ple,Word,and fervice are not 10 grarefull,fb delightiuli Continet, atq$ -to them, as thefe : No wonder therefore if they neglect duas tan*.u res the one, (which are but a k yoke, a xwearifomneffe, a amuus optat, ™paine, a burthen to them,) to enjoy the (infuil plealures ancrn>& c^> of the other, which are iuitable to their vaine voluptu- Satyr. jo p.9i.' OLls rmmour. Secondly ,bccau(e thefe Stage-play pleasures Mjsfima eft, *JV r^ ^sry chiefefl baites, theftrongeft, the moft preva*- caivifle anno ling Sngins which theDevillhathyto with-draw mem hearts Circenfibus fiomCjod: They were fo in former ages, as n TertuUtan* Ua°'ioT'Ac ° c)'Pr'"»> p Cl.ryfoftome, 1 L aft ami us, r sAuguftine&vA ■mfhfpace lm- f Sylvian teach us; no wTonder therefore if they bee fa rnefaj nimlxqs HOW. Lcet Ci dicere Thirdly, as Stage-play es thus with-draw men from f lc^is, Totam £0(js fervice ; fothey bring the Word,the ordinances, Cucus capit^ t^lc wor&ipj Minifters, and tincere fervice of God into fragor amem contempt and fcorne. WitnelTe Saint Chryfofto mey who Peccutk, Ibi* exprefly avers it. c That nothing brings the Oracles and dtm. pag 1 1 j« ^ Ordinances of Cjod into fo great contempt, as the admirati- « Populo votu on and beholdinqyf Stave-play es. Hence u L att ant t us, and eit talia conve- tt • c * J %-/ j r i a j nire Caffiodo- Hierom lnrormeus; That thofe who are accujtomed to rus Variarum. rhetoricall Stage-flay es, to fweet poltjhed Orations and lib. i. Epift«5i. Toems,defpife theplaine common phrafe and humble ft tie * Dz Arte A- of the Scriptures, as bajc and fordid-, feeling after that mandi.lib.i. wlJtch may delight their fenfes. Hence Cjregory Naz^ian- nuchus. Marcus Zi€n inf°rirjes US ; * That Stage-play es make men unfit to Auvelius.Bpi- hear e Cjods Word, and caufethem to contemne it. <*sfnd (Hen. to law- fort Auguft .De Cir.Dei.l i,c.$ i$%X i.cr.4. to 20. M, VorthbYoc\e3 and M.St#bs, qua fupra, rtTim.^.4. k Mat.11.19. 50. 1 Mai. 1. 15. m 1 Ioh 5.3. ° DeSpechc. lib. ° De Spe&ac lib. P Hom.6.& 7. in Matth. 1 De Vero Cultu c.ao.n. r De Civit4Oei.l.i.c,^;Ui.c.g,roi9.DeSymboloadCatcchumcnosl.2.ci. r De Gu- bcrnat.Dei.lib.6- c Nulla res enim asque eloquia Dei in contemptum adducitj ut fpcftaculorum quae in Theatris proponuntur,admiratio. UtmUVe Yti bis 1 fait, yidi VeM'wmJov* l- Col.u%i.C.v'kl.lbidem.dLOr&tio.7. Tom. y. Col. 1484^. " De Vcro Cultu/.ii- * Epift.»i.c.i^S€eS':cnc 3.&11. * Or ati 0.3 9. p. 60 j. Q^oniam au- ,fm femionc Theaurum rcpuigaviinus3&c, 7th# Part. i. Hiftrio-Maftix. 54 f that the Inhabitants r of Confl ant inople who delighted^ Sicui Circes much in Stage-places -y accounted the Divine CMyfieries J^ea"^ andOraclesofgod,butaj^erefport,astheyreputedtheir myft€rlapro Stage-ylay es and Grcjue-^kyes : implying thereby tlfat ludo habent. Play-haunters for the moit part,contemne Gods Word, Otatfo.$z. f* his ordinances, and ail fpirituall things ; as meere toyes Lament Mh&* and trifles. This truth is iikewiie cdhfirmed,by* Saint J^Jftff^; Auguftine, a Salvian, with other Fathers and Councels, lih ^.cap.i.x- * in the two precedent claufes : by T^odolphm gualther, % rje Guber- tone of the eminenteft Divines that the reformed nauone Dei. Churches have bred, who records ;b That Stage-play es, t^cjuaSupsa and common aAttors bring all %eligion into contempt j and . that Plato banished them out of his Common-weale for this~ y kOmacmre- igionem in contempt urn reafon among others ; because they would breed a contempt addncunt. of the (^ods. By the Author of the 3. Blafi of "JR^e trait Hemilian/m from Tlayes and Theaters; by M.GottonyMafter North- *(*bm. btookeyand MS\.\ibs<>tn their Treatifes againfi Playes; by KMafler Brinfly , in the third part of his True Watch, cap. 1 1. ^Abomination 30 pag.^oi. and c by fundry others c ^Mnrrhitcy too tedious to recite. And doth notourowne experi- m ^ JS Se*mcn euce fuffragate to this truth? Alas who more viHfie ^rf^*** Gods ordinances ; or more flight his Word, his Mini- fters,his Servants, A then Players and Play- haunters ? d See Aft 4. liy propei grow ne fo "cold, f b heartltfle in religion ; fo rem i fie, fb chryrflis refero, carelefTe in all religious duties; fo regardiefTe of Gods & curif PercJi- Word, his Sacraments, his fervice : fo iukewarme, yea ]^*°b^ fo frozen in their love to God, his Saints, his Ordiiwn.'^ur^nec^uliu^ ces? it is not from their late extraordinary refort to tanr'jucunditm Playes and Play-houfes, which is now more frequent ei* IjeffoculiV then in former times ? For my owneparc I can impute (lliam c,k'ifti.- it originally to nought elfs but it. Sure I am that riliei- anu?,c.on?lc,s.l on is no where more (corned and jeftcd at, that rchgi- hm*w*&£*m ous men are never more traduced, then on the * Stage : Orath zisMt. Ddd* that Fol. HiflrioSWaflix. Part.i' * See M. Brinflv that there are no fuch Seminaries of * atheifme, irreligi- h»»tt*V^atch. oufheffe, biafphemy,. idolatry, Heatheniime and pro- Abom^naHon' phaneffe,as Piayes and Play*hj|ufes: This the Authors in 50. pag^jeft, tW e precedent zAtts doe fiflryteftifie : It is more then « See Ad 3. probable therefore, that they are the primary funda- Scenc j.&"y. mentall caufes of this moftdefperate lewde effecl. accordingly. i^ftiy, Stage-pfeyes make ail the meanes bf grace and falvation, all the ordinances of God ineffecTuall to- mens foules. Men heare, men read, pray, receive the Sacraments, and come to Church "in vaine, as long as fEcceieuni ^y c°nt*nue Actors or Spectators of Stage-playes. labor & jejimij This all the Fathers, Councels, moderne Chriftian Au- fVuclus nufqua thors, with the feverall reafons alleaged in the three citjcum iniqui- precedent particulars, abundantly evidence ; revolue ntis Theatra tnem, and you (hall finde it true. Saint Chryfofiome is &cSS- punclualltothispurpofe: f Weelofe (faith hee) all the tascurailluc labour, all the fruit of our fafiing whiles wee re fort to hfnc abis ? ego St age-flay es : j*a weereape no bene ft at all from the Word comgo, ille ofCjod. What profitre ape you whiles you goe from hence to corrufnpir: ego theTheater? I reprove yon ; the T layer corrupts you: I bo adhibco il- aPP ) 'medicmes to four dijeaje ; heemtmjters thejewelland Le caufam mor- occafonofthedifeafe' I extingnifh the fire of nature -} hee bi miniftrat: kindles a fiame oflufl : I buildup, andheepuls downe : Yea ■ego naturae hee plainely informes us, § that neither the Sacrament, narnani exiin- ?wr anyotJ3er 0f a0({s ordinances will doe men any food, Co £uo,iUe libiai- , y , Jr u c , , - ■ x a- niaflammam long as theyre fort to Stage-playes. Saint aAuguftme m- accendit. Quse formes us of himfelfe : n Thataslongas hee delighted tn utiiitas,dic mi- Stags -pi ayes (which did nourifh irritate and foment his hi? unus ccbfi- fafis) i (jod was not then his life, and that his life was not a deftru^^uid Irf6^?4* a death. k For Stage-playes (writes hee) are the '' fibilabore pioRccn\nt?T>eP*ritcntia.Hom$.7om.'> .C0L7 $0.7 51, s Hom.3 DeDavide & Saule Horn .De Verbis Ifaix A7 :diDominum,&c. &Hom.#$8.in Matrh. h Con- fefllionumX 3.01.2-. » Talis vita mea3nunquid vita crat Deus mens* Ibid. k Nana quare quotidie mufcipulam fpeftaculorunvnfaniam ftadiorum ac turpiu voluptatum proponit,mft uthis delcctationibus capiat, quos a*iruferatj ac iaetetur denuo fe mve- niffequodperdidcrat^Fugitedileftiffimifpedaculajfu^ire caveas turpiffimas Dia- boli, ne vos vincula teneant maligni. /iuguji.De Symhlo ad CatecbktnM.uap.i.Tom. 9. fart I . pag. 1 5 0 j , 1 394 , vfd ibidem. very ■ 1,11 Part. i. Hiflrio^Maftix. * 541 very baites, the flares, tltfdens, andchaines of the Devill, wherewith he takes ana reintraps the forties ofthofe whom he hath formerly left. F lietherefore Stage-play esfi beloved, the fllthiejt dens of the Devill, left the &ands of that maliff- lW*beatCc nam one hold you captive. 1 whofoever hee bee that will * M^acu'is obtaine perfect remiffion ofh is finnesjet him keepe and with - m ^ L ^LU , draw himfelfefrom thefe sfettacles oft foe world: which confequi- atati- lail fentence of his is approved both by m c^^/«^amremiflfonis. himfelfe, and by n zAlexanderFabriciw, for good Di- DeVera& vinity : If then Players and Play-haunters bee thus ipi- ^lr* Psniten- ritually dead ; if they are ifrthe very chaines of the De- m Seomda fe- vill; and uncapableofthetuli remiffion of their finnes, cunda?'Qua>ft4 as long as they delight in Stage-playes, or refort unto 108. Arties/ them, as this Father writes; needs mull: Gods holy Or- ^J'a dinances bee altogether unprofitable to their fouies " eftruftonu whiles they refort to Ptayes. A planter never heales, as 4,c.2, &&£. long as there is an Arrowes head, or poyfon in the ° Seep. 39. y wound : Stage-playes are an Arrowes head, ° a veno- accordingly. moitspoyfon to the fouies of men ; they are cankers to their * See AA 5 • graces^ meere fire and f ewe 11 to their lufis : no wonder v^Q\At &T& then if Gods Ordinances never cure their foues, whiles 7.Sccne >. 4. they refort to Stage-playes. It was the S ufe of? layers s Theodorec andT lay -haunting Pagans in the Primitive Churchy as Contra Gr*- foone as ever they were converted tothe Chrifiian Faith ; to ^s Inficcles.- renounce and utterly abandon Staae-playes: as altogether iYu q tJI! US tncompattble with their ( hrijtian profejjion^ and making p jao.GonciL all the meanes of grace wcjfeftuall to their fouies. Doubc- Arelatenfe 1 . leffe the very ieifefame courfe muft be taken now. Hee Can.4.5 .& A- that would thrive in grace and holineffe ; hee that VQZttn^'^ would have the Word, the Sacraments, fading, prayer, bertlnura.Can or any other of Gods ordinances efFecluall to his foule, 6i4ConftanH- mufrbid an eternall farewell unto Stage-playes. Thus nopol. 64 Can, did * two eminent 1* lay-poets and Play -haunters of our £f- P"*»fius, owne\ upon their very fir ft converfion unto God, as xthem- ~;omrn(nr-m ' * */J J J J Komanos.r^j, AntoniniChronicon,parsi«Tit.ij,c.io.('ec1:.i^.fol4T3i* * M^StcpbcnGojfonKSi. the Author of the j.Blaft of Remit from Playcs and Theaters, * Mafter Gofonl'm his Schoole of Abufes,and in his Playes Confuted : The EpiftJcs to it, and * Action 1* The j. Blaft of Retrait from Playes andTheaters.pag^.to $4. Ddd+z f elves Fol. Hiftyio-Maftix* Part. i. ons. The $, BiaftofRe trait from Hayes and Theaters. felvesrecord; they abandonedT^f^es and Play-making, an inconftftent vpithfalvation^wtth Chriftiamty,with the grace, f The Schgnie the fervice, the ordinances oj ?Go d:r 'efolving never to returne of Abuffjf unto them more ; but to their powers to oppugnethem,asfor- lr " a a mertythey had admired,compofed & frequentedthem-pohich nns. tIip ■> *" they did accordingly in { fev era 11 printed Bootes: W herefore from all thefe feverall premiies thus confirmed by rea- fon, by authority, I may fafely frame this 3 8. Syllo- gifme againft Stage-playes. That which unfits and indifpofeth men to the accep- table holy performanqfcof all religious duties:that which either with-drawes, orkeepes men from Gods fervice at times of greateft hoiinefle and devotion , and brings the Word, the worfhip* with ail the ordinances of God into contempt; making them vaine and ineffectual! to mens foules ; muft needs bee finfull, and utterly unlaw- ful unto Chriftians. See Hebr. iz.i. Jam.i.2i. 1 T^-2.1,1. accordingly. But * this doe Stage-playes ,as is evident by thepre- mifes. Therefore they muft needs bee finfull and utterly un- lawful! unto Chriftians. viens,ncc pe- u o hodic mLSa : Vefper* in Circo3mane in altario ; dudum fautor rnftrionum,. mine vimnum confccrator.Hw^E^.8 i.OctmM* f *>$. . * Neque enim ofrern potent, Deo oculus f:ortationi fer- *3 ACTVS 6. SCBtfA DeCIMA-TERTIA: 'He 13. effect of Stage-playes is, that they breed in L the hearts of their Actors and Spectators an inward difefteeme, a violent antipathy, an inplacabie enmity a- P-Aar.x. Hijirio-JMaJtix. 543 gainft the pradicall power of grace andholineffe; a- gainft all pious and religious mai- This tLa^tanrim, t DeVeroCuli this u Chryfoftome, * aAugufirne, 1 Salvian, z /*/. qual- tu.c io.& n. l&ir, 77* a lAuthoYofthe^MaflofRetraitfiom Tlayes u "•■*• \8'1:1 andTheaters, b M.'Northbrooke, « *f. #*Ar, with flM- pf^rbirl^ dry e GufcerJ or fcorne them more then they. And no wonder : for x ^ nilia 1 j. Saint "Paul foretold it long agoe ; f T/w* /&o& w** are Jfj lovers of fleafures more then lovers ofCjod (as Players and b r-G" Play-patrons for the moft part are) arfahvayes defpifcrs :-; ofthofe that are good, having onely a for me 6fgodlineffeJ?M PJayes and En-- denyingthefovoer thereof* Labi ant ins hath given the true Jjedudei. reafon of it. g £Wry one (faith he) thatjinnes defire elbow A?nfom7 of roome >he would have free liberty to'finne without contrail-, , l^-?-i°i« neither canhee take any full delight in evill, mlejfe there be d m.Gpj72w his none to difaf prove his wicked courfes- Therefore hee de fires Schfoote of A- toroote out all good men, who are of en five and dijp leafing to bufes.&PUyes him,bec?ufethey are not onely w'nneffes of his evill deeds, ^? r^ ^ but likew'tferef rove and fhame them by their different holy 0 l^L °Tf * Cittics. See here, Aft 3 .Scene 6. thorowout accordingly, « Vc imprcbos m«hiuir£ quosopnrnos kmivcpoziKrum,Minuc'mFcl;x.0ctav.p.i9. * Nam tibkinfc, n:im!, pr3eitigiatores,balatrones jocistantumplacent fcurrilibus ad efclulerandas snimos.. Pbilo lud^uisVtVitaXontempl'p,i2 09\ f x Tim,3.$j4,?, 5 Veritas ided Temper in- vifa eftjquod is qui peccat,vult habere liberum peccr.ndi locum, nee aliter fe purat male factor um voluprate fecurius Perfrui poffe,quam (1 nemo fir cui delicla non pk- ccant.Ergotanquamfcelerum & malitise fus teftes extirpate fundnus nicuntrir sc tollere, gravefque fibi putant, tanquam vira eorum coarguamr. Cur enim Ciii.t aliqui intempeftive boni, qui corruptis moribus publicis conv'iciiim bene viven- ioraciant? Curnonomnes fun t as que mali^apaces, impudicijadulrerijperiurij- cupidi,fraudulenn ? qum potius auferantura quibus coram male vivere pudct>qui peccantinmfrontem,etfi non verbis, quia tacem, tamen ipfo vitae geneie dilfirmli feriunt & verberant. Caftigare enim videtur.quicunque di&mit. Laftaniiiii.Vc !nfii~ Ddd* 3 Lvcs^ FoL Hiftrio-Mafti^- Part lives, though they never jpeake of them wah their tong ues Their very holy lives are a reproach, afcandall to their dif- folute manners therefore theyflander and abhor them.S.Au- * Non auiias gufiine oft- times intormes us ; h That the degenerous vo- Jjgencrej* cuos laptuom Tagans,diddetrattfrom Chrtfiand Chrifttans,ac- Chnfto Chn Cufin(r,yeadeclaimingagatnjl the Chriftian times, as ev ill; fliamicjjrdetra becaufe they fought not after fuch times in which their lives cufantes vtLur might bee^uet, but rather in which their wickednejfe might ccmppramalas beefecure\ in which thej might fecurely enioy their wicked cum quaerant Stare-play es,t heir finf nil luj 'Is, and worldly plea fares, with- temporaiii out any reprehenfion or refiraint. This doe our Pagani- wnlrtntll zinS Adors and play-haunters now ;. they hate, reviie i^cgranerimia. and (lander, all zealous, praclicall Chriftians, under'1 the Auguft.Ve Chit. Tearmes ofTuritanes, Trefcitians, livelier s, Fafbiomfts, 'Deulh.*c*i9&e + Holy -breathren,CM^enof the Spirit, Bible-beares, Ser- Confcnfu . Evan mon-haunters, Hypocrites,Holy-jifiers,and a world of fuch genjt.Li.cii. like ignominious, diferacefull tearmes, (though ibme pimus vas in- 0i them in themielves are honourable, having the holy cruft.ire.Pio-* Ghoft hi mfelfe for their Author, how ever prophane busquisnubif- Atheifticall perlbns turne them into, very mottoes of CUm vi^il:j?mL!lr"^^SraceO I tey abhor the very appearances of all grace fa^homo-im anc* holintlTe, as diametrally cppolite to their ungodly tarda cogngme' courfes, to their prophane, fafcivious, ribaldrous Enter- pinguis cfapms, ludes, which all the Saints of God have evermore con- Hie fugit om- demncd. k They thinks itflrange that holy men run not nes lnfidias, wj^ them into the fame exceffe of not, into the ieifefame 'latasobdiE ■ a- pleafures and delights of finne, in which they plunge perrum? (Quu themfelves : therefore Jpeake they evill of 'them ; l there- genus hoc inter fore theyreproach, traduce, contemne, detefl, oppugne them vita? verfetur with the very heioht of (bleene, of malice \ as being an eve- ubiaens Invi- J *> J Jf J & J - «iia atque vigent ubi crimina) pro bene fano, Ac non incauto, fic*him aftutumq; vc-. camtis. SinpUcior u quis, ur forte kgemem, Aut taciturn impelht, quovis fermene, molcihis : Cornniuni fenfuplane caret, inquimus,&c. HoraccScrmo.hb.i. Satyr.$. pag, 169.170^ * Hcbr,j. z. k iPet.4.^,4, 1 Expedit enim vobis neminem videri bonum, quafi aliena mtus exprobratio deli&orum veftrorum fit* Inviii fplendida cum fordibus ueftris confertis.ncc intelligitis quanto id veftro dcrrimento audeatis. Nam (1 illi qui virtutem fequuatur, aman,libidinofi, ambitiofique funt j quid vos eltisj quibus ipfum nomen vircucis odio eft,&c ? Smtsa DtVita Bcata. cap. 1?. fore, Pa h t. i. HiUrio-Maftix. 544 lore, yea a life-fore to them, as prefent experience Can informe us Hence therefore I argue in the 39. place. ^Argument That which ingenders in the hearts of its Actors and 39. Spectators, an inward hatred , an undervaluing difefteeme, a violent antipathy, a virulent enmity, againft the praclicall power of grace and hcli- neffe; againtt all holy, gracious, godly Christians; mull needs be finfull and abominable unto Chri- ftiafis. WitneiTe the 1 John 3 .Io.to 20. Thil.^S, 9. a*id infinite other Scriptures. But this doe * Stage-play es, as is evident by the pre- * sfe PIliI° miles, by experience, and by *Att 8. Scene 7. Flwcum 1* Therefore they mull: needs be fmfull and abominable p^d^oi. unto ChrihHans. Quafi in Th£ at ro exfibila- bannir,fubfannabamur,& irridebamur fupra modum, Thi'oT): legation* ad CmM* f4g,i$99.Seehere,pag.54i. Ac~fvs6. Scena Decima-qvarta. THe 14 fruit of Stage-playes is this : That they in- I4 amor men. with theiove of iinne and vanity,which is ill 1 yea harden them in their finne, and indifpofe a Voluptas e-v them to repentance, which is farre worfe. The more a niminfatiabilis manreforts to Stage-playes, u the more hee delights in eft^uten"bu* r . r -\ • 1 j rr • ~ '-n • ° t major cm fame pnne,-M vanity, icuxvmty yle\VQntfie ymVagm Rites and Creat.»Krw* j peremonies; the more is hee obdurated and confirmed comment lib*. in his vitious wicked courfes ; the more is hee indifpo- i« ofce. led to repentance : Playes are the K Birdlime, the en- * cf.^tQl1 eft& i chaunting yjf«*r*r of Satan, with which he z capivam viTcimoSatu ; quo Diabolus t\ucnpatur.Cypritfw VeSingularitatc Clericwii^Qm. z.f.io 9 y i.Tim.2»i^. 1 Voluntas efca malorum^iua homines ea tfticpam pifces hamo capiuruur r Ratio- ■ni inimica eft,pcrftringk mentis oculos,nec ullum Jiabet cum virtut'e coxmcicium* Cicero Ve Smftnte. lib. pg$s 2. m and FoL Hiflrio-Maflix. Part.* andintangles foules through pic afure and delight : they are his chief eft initruments to expell all gcdiy forrow from mens hearts, to ftupifie, to cauterize their confei- ences; to banifh the very feare and thoughts of (Inne out of their minues ;- to remove the fence, thf fling of conference & iniquity far from their foules : toluii their a $cc Ifay %. hearts afleepe in deepe fecurity ; a to chafe away farre i i.ii.k/cch. fromthem all thoughts of Hell, of death, ofdamnation.ofthe 1 2. i7, Amos 6. day ofiudgement ; to foreflail all helpes,all preparatives, !« zo9* ali meanes, all motives to repentance, and to \vith-hoid men from it. Alas, how can he loath finne in the ftreet, *»Nin odeii- b who delights in it in the Play-houfc? How can hee mus malum mourne for it in his Clofet ; who (ports himfelfe with bonumamare it in the Theater? How can hee weepe for itinfecret, ^eromEtift*'. * w^° c^us ^auS^es at lt *n publike ? How can he looke cap, 6. ' ' upon it with detefhtion in himfelfe, who makes it his * Sec Chjyfo- recreation When it is acted by others ? How can he re- ftome Hom. 6. nounce , abhorre, condemne it at'home ; who thus ,nMatth.-ex- sppiaucJes, afFeds3 admires it abrode ? Certainely, hee tmsmlipofc. can never make finne his greateuWriefe, who makes Hcrcpng.^oi. the reprefentations of it his chiefeifrnirth : He cannc- 40^404, ver make ribalchy,adtiitery,whoredomc, irxefljand the like, the everlafting objects of his hatred, who makes the hearing, the feeing, the acting, the lively reprefen- tations and pictures of them, the' daily objects of his c pf^ .0 , chiefe delight. Every true penitent muft be fenfible of - S.M'irh.n'".; 9, f nne ; c hemuflfecle the firing, the venom of it, d fee the 1 1 . 1-cr . 1 1 9 , filth of n, c bewayle the guilt of it, i hate the very afpearan- Rom.7 . 11 j 1 3 , ces andrefemblances of it; fie % allthe occafons of it, all the \\'\ allurements to it, yea ^utterly abhorre the very fiaht and 4z 6. if-iy 6.5. Wearing of it, m a mojt execrable, horrid,and accur jed thing. cap. 6A,6\ Andean Players, cm Play-haunters then, " who Jpend « E-ziwo. 6,7. their dayes jnmjrth,tn'carnalliollity, in laughing, m re- Cg f'T*P! -'^' i°ycni%> *n "baldrous fongs, in fcurrilousjefts, in amo- Rom*t Vi! l6 1CUS r>Gcms>m wanton Comedies ; in lewde difcourfes, i 1 Tftef 5 .sa.Iudcij. ? Mat^'i6r.ij.#Pro7.j.7,9,^. & lob 31.1,7, Ifay 331 J. 1 Pec4i.8. i Job au.iijivj. IaiiufVf. in Part.i. Hiftrio-Maflix. 545 _ — ■ 1 ^ in adulterous reprefentations, wallowing in the very mire or feniuality, voluptuouf utile, and iuch like beaft- ly fmnes, without the kail remorfe, be neere to true re- nentance,orto thewayes, the preparatives that lead and bring men to it ? O no I A penitent hezrean hum- bled ibiile, a circumcifed eare, an eye that weepes in k*% *!•*/' truth for finne, kts altogether impatient of fuch obiecls, lPcc,2,p^? iuch Enteriudes, and dt lights as thefe. Witneile the £v5w«iJd pa&ife of the Pagan converts inthe Primitive times, lwho necafpicere immediately upon their baptifme, and fjneere repentance po flit irons pu» did utterly renounce all St age-play es as ac^cur fed Pleafures, dica.c/ rian.S- not daring to returne unto them againe : WitneiTe all Chri- ^ ' 2' hix$ *'* flian converts oj- tatter times, who have done the like, i j\^or%tm Thus did Saint z/fuguftine heretofore, as m himfelfecon- Contra Gr«, fejfeth ; thus did n <~M. (joffen and the ° e/futhor of the cos Infideles. 5 .Blaft of%ctratt ft om St age-play es of late ; as themfelves De M.;i tynbus record: before their repentance andconverfon they compo- ' ^m.x.p, fed, they admired Stage-play es ; immediately vpon their A?elacenfe?i! repentance and reformation they utterly abandoned them. Can. *,?,& 2* and wrote againji them: Thus likewife did P lAlipitts, Can,2o,E liber- Sain tAtguftines convert, as himfelre relates : ^thiu all nn"m« Can/»i. *JW heartily and fmcerelj turne to Cjod have ever done:ihtir q °^2n^ • repentance drew them rirft from Playes & Plaj -houles, mConfeffionu, and then bent their hearts, their judgements, their I.3.01.2.&I.4J tongues, if not their pens againft them: Thus was it c.i. & 14. with the wanton Poet Ovid, 'his very morall Heathenifh n Anatomy o f repentance, made himto detefland write acrainft thofe Playes n] u ef* c and Tlay-houfes, which formerly hee commended: And ted: 'according- will net then true Chriitien Evangeiicali lepentance ly. much more reclai me men from, embitter their hearts, ° Ik; hee therefore, locis3ne rurpi who would obtaine the perfect grace ofremiffion, mufl with- vicina dacfta- jrat, himfelfe from the Spectacles and Emerludcs of the zlitfjp^'e'71 ™r/d ; lt Samt z ^*gHfline> *^"***, crour owne mnem. vtrf.it. Country-manh Alexander Fabrici us write true Docftrinc,' Tcm.1. [.396.2, fo hee that would attaine the grace of true repentance Etquiaubi- mull: w holy * fequefter himfelfe from Playes and Play- amt}ue Apo-^ houfes, which are altogether incompatible with true timdo" d Turn repentance, and both hindring men from it,and indifpo- conflucb.it,nc- ling them to it, to the cternaii lofle, the irrecoverable ceffe erat ut perdition of their deareft foules. Wherefore I fhall magnnm demu hiberet,8c quae remota effet a Circo>aThearrr,& aSpe&aculc,ubi iafcivi ifcurrea- tes,turpiaqua?qj fcfhbantur. Hay mo £ xege pad Pbilcmonem & Remigij Spifcopi Rbemenfis Explanation Epift. ad Pbiltmcntm. Bib!. Vatrum- Tom. j. pan 3. p. 992. C. 7 1 Tbefc.iz, * De Vera&falCiPa»nitentia.lib.cap.ij. * Secundafccvnd3e.Qua?ft.io8.Artic.i^ VOeftruenfis, De "tytgis Curialium. hb.\.cap%.& Lb.%. cap. 6. Saxo-Grammati- CHs.T)anic& Htft.lib. 6.pag.\o$. The$.BlaftofRetrait from Flaps and, Enter ludes. M. (fualther. Horn. 1 1 Jn Na- hum.Bodinus "De Republ:ca.lib.6.c.iyLudovictu Vtves^De Caufis Corrupt tonts Art turn- I. 2. c 8 1.82,83. M. Robert B oulton, in his D 1 fc our fe of True HappixeJJe.pag.yj. y^m * See Ammia- with fundry Authors rcrmerly quoted in tht 5. Scene of nus Marcelli- this prefeenr Act : & Acl 5 . Scene 3 . 6.exprefiy tcftifie. nus.Hift.l.28. * Thefe ejfeminatedthe CJrecians,the "Romanes heretofore, cap.pjo.5igo- T e Colv in v their valour into (loath and la^tneffe, and Co ma- dentali Impe- kl"gthem a booty to their enemies* which made the Maf- riojib.x.pag. fill e fifes and Scipio zAfiicanns to fuppreffe them. And 31.&A&*, if this evidence is not fuiftcient, our owne experi- bcene 5. tho- ence canfufficiently manifeft this truth. For whence is «°Co"*' it that many of our Cj entry are lately c degenerated into 4 rant in mulie- rnorethenSardanapdian effeminacy; that they are now brem tolcran- fofantaftique in their appareil, io womannifh in their tiam vin.non frizlcd Penwigs;Love-lockes,and long effeminate poul- ufum taatum ^red p0unced haire ; fo mimical! in their geftures ; fo fid eriamvu'u ' effeminate in their lives ; fo Player-like m their deport- rom,iQcefllimJ ment; io amorous in their fpeeches ; fo lafcivious in habmim, & their embracements; fo unmanly, degenerous and un- towm penitus. Engltih (if I may fofpeake) in their whole convcrfati- cjuicqmd ant on , i^jc rt S. Barlaaw* Tom.u Edit. Parisijs. 1 6 z j . fag, 8 93 , 73* ACTVS7.SCENA DfiCIMA-SEXTA. THe 16. pernicious fruit of Stage- play esis,the incor- t6 poratingofmen into lewde, deboiii, ungodly com- ~ r _v J^ m i . t r 1 r. 1 . o UfCX 101115 pany, § which oft-times proves the utter rmr.e of their m aarjs Vruus fettles, their bodies .credits -and eftatest How many Gentle- fcabrecadi^&a. men are there now living, who by frequenting Stage- mvmd.saiyr.z* playes,have got fuch intimate h acquaintance with Aduk ^ tam nocec terers,Whore- matters, Adulterefles, Panders, Whores, ^^(^^ Bawdes, Parafaes,Rookes, Cheaters, Drunkards, Ruf- Eufeb!qs,Tk fiaas, Rorers, Duellers, Quarrelers, Fan taftiques, Idle- Morte nitron. bees,Famion-mungers, Stage-players, Purfers, and the advamafmK^ like pernicious creatures, that they have never beene a- fif0-?* TiJ!.s bietomakethem offagainc.tiU they have beene plunged ^felmm : ^ over head and eares in (inne and villany, til] they have Therefore in* waftedthdrhodies,theireftates, their credits, and loft h's Alcaron, rhemfdves paft all recovery? How many aretherenow Azoava.ai.p. in England that even in this refped have caufe ] tsrue ^sh.CjlJ"1"* vos tDalegerentibusaffociare^e. h5ee A&4.Scene i.j« i Qtiis te r; pit impetus ?nt adhorp.m gaudeas imde temper d'oleas,ut videas femel, quod vidiflemillies paeniteav- Ytic&&-Vz T^mtdiB VtYfofaVortuvie.lib. i . T)hLs o. Eol. Hiftrie-Maftix. P ART.i • the day that ever they beheld a Stage-flay? How many tender carefull Parents are there who may with watry eyes and bleeding hearts cry out,that Stage-play es have bctnethe utter-overthrow of their beloved Children, by enfnaringthemin the bonds of diflbiute, graceleffe, k Quaericur prodigall^unchalte companions,t he chiefeft initruments quidem qua* to make men wickedjand irrecoverably deboift e k Fla- res malos prin- ViU6 p^opifcus, in the life ofDivus Aurelianus, inquiring pamum nfmU int° the leverali cau(es that ™*ke Princes evilly reckons licenria,deinde w tcked fiends, and dete ft able.orfoolifh Centers and com- rerum copia ; pamons as the chiefe of all the reft : intimating, that no- amici praecerca thing is more contagious, more pernicious then evill lmprobi, heel- companv . 0f whom we may truely fay as Seneca doth eunuchUvanf- °*au over-induigtnt friend. l Me amando me occidit-ythzt ilmi, aulici vd they kill men whiles they love them. It is ftoried of itultivel detc- ™ Carina* the mo ft defiled of 'men ; that when hee came to ihbiks, & fhe Empire hee abandoned all his beft friends, retaining and (c; ncf an chooftnanone but the very worft of all for his companions : rum publicaru Whereupon hee filled his Court with Stage-players, Harlots, i£;norantia-Ni- J efters, Singers, Bawdes; and committed moft of his af- hilcft difHcili- fares to wickedmcn, whom hee alwayesinvitedto his Feafts. us ijuarti bene j^is ancj no other doe our common PIay-haunters;thcy Hm eni^ at>andon aIJ religious, modeft, fbber, chafte,and ftudi- quaiuorvd ous acquaintance : they fill their houfes, their cham- qu;nquc atquc berswith Pocts,Stage-players,Whore-mailers,Panders, unfed coniilm leftcrs, Drunkards, Whores, Bawdes, Rookes, Syco- imdcraPorRd" Phattts>^ho hang ,ike B«rr^ Vl^ n Horfteeehes upon caSSits^cunt t hcm,t ill they have fuckt themdrie, and then theyvamfh. quid probanJum fit.lmperator qui domi ciaufuseft, vera non novitjeogitur hoc tan- tum Icirejqaod illi Loquuntufj facie judices quos fieri non oportct,amovet a republi- ca quos debcat obtinere.Quid muha ? ut Diocletianus ipfe dicebat, Bonus, cautus, optimus vcndhur:Imperator. Vopijcta. ibidim.fag. 391. 1 DeBeneficijs.Iib.i.c,i4. n Carinas homo omnium contaminatiflimus 5 amicos opcimos cjuofque religavit; peflimum quemque elegit ast tcnuit. Mimis, merctricibus,pantomimiSjCantoribus, atque lenonibus, palatiumimplevit. Hominibus improbis plurimum detulit, cofquc ad conmium Temper vocavir, Tlav'ij Voftfci Car'ntus. ^2.446. 447. n Dum juyat & viiltu ridet forcuna fcreno, Indehbatas cuncta fequuntur rpes : At fimul into- mut fugiunt,ncc nofcitur ulli Agminibus cooucumqui modote&u.s eratf0vtf.7>#i*. ^.1,^.4.^.140. tfhefe Part. i. Hittrio-Maftix. 548 Thefe are their onely counfellers, companions, guelts, and bofome friends, who prove atlaft their deadlieit enemies. This therefore fhould lefTon all good Chrifti- anstorefrainefromStage-playes, for fearethey incor- °Confeflionii,. poratethem into evill company, who will draw them libAcap.8<«>ee by degrees to any wickedneflc* ° S< Augufiwe relates a cap.7- memorable Story of one Alipus, a deare friend and con- * *"^m*mm vert of his, whom he himfelfe had diffwadedfrom fi equent- deteftaret«m- ing Theaters and Cirque-play es ; who * being follicited by iLlj qmdam c^- his friends and fellow Sch oilers, who met him as they retur- jus amid & nedfiom dinner, to goe along with them to a Sword-play, did condifcipuii,. at fir fi earn efr ly refufe and withfiand them\ and being at airn ^orte 1?c !cen* /• r • / •/ a 11 1 r a i? '■'*■/! " tern : bi corpus things growing hot with mojt cruellpleajures ; AUpiusfi: ut- meum m [\.{um ting his eye-lids, forbade his minde, that it jhouldnot proceed locum trahitis, on into fio great evills : and I would to Cjod (writes Saint nunquid &a- aAuguftine) hee had li%cwifie flopped his ear#s. For when jl*n*una & <*u- as agreatfhoutofallthepeople, occafionedbyfome ? acctdcrt j°f "^cub1 * poteftis intendere ? Adero itaqs ut abfens, ac fic3 & vos & ilia fuperabo. Quibus au» ditisjilli nihilo fecius eum adduxerunt Cecum id ipfum forte exploiae cm ientcs^ u- trum poffetefficere.Qiipubi vcntumeft,& fedibus quibus pocuerunt/locati funt/er- vebaat omnia immanifltmisvoluptanbus. Illeclauiis foribus oculorum, interdixic animo ne in tanta mala procederet atq; utinam & aures obruravifler. ;& t\>MJ$cfekfti-compatytow"ic""eev;as come, and a true companion of batur fcclere theirs by whom hee was brought thither. What Jhall I fay certaHMnis & more .? Hee beheld, hee fhouted,hee grew outragous, he car - crnenca -volup- Tie^ away madriene with him fr0M thence, whereby hee was tatc raebritba- . j-7 it • i f t r r tur Etnon enu cxc't€^ t0 returne thither againe, not onely with thoje by jam llle qui vc- whom l:ee was fir fl drawne away, but Uktw.fe before them, nerat, kd unus and drawing along others with him* -And yet thou O Lord de turba ad haflpluckt him thence with a mojk powerfull and mercfuU qu.un veriest, }}a„^ an£ foaft taua/n him not to have any confidence in him- (betas a embus l€LJo^outinthee ; but this a longtime afi er. From this ex- aciJucftus erat, perimentali Story thus related by S. Augufiine^ which Qnid plura ? comes punctually to our purpofc, wee may iearne many Speftavitjda- nQO(\ inftruftions : Firft, that lewde companions are S&uVkihde v the acquaintance, of diflblnte, ie- prunentes, cherous, deboift,prophane, ungodly, vitious.^er- damnofa.Vc- ibns,wkoleade them to deftruclion, * muft needs neris voluptate be fmfulUunlaw full ^abominable unto Chriftians, in- perfundumur. tolerable in any Chriftian State. Witnefle, AH.a. Clemens jkxan* <-. J 3 ^ tlrws.Taetaeo- zcetsei. gulib. 3. eap.tu But this doe Stage-playes ; as the premifes, S. Chry- » Malus enim fofiome. Hom.j.i 7. & 3 8./'» CMatth.& AtL^.Scenc Pentium prx x ,2 . doe largely teftifie. hmm bU VnaT Therefore th&->7 muft nceds *c finfulI> unlawful!, abo- quajqiie beftia minable unto Chriflians, intolerable in any Chri- habet propri- #ian State. um malum; homo autem in fc malus, omnia hafcet in fe mala : fie pejor eft Diabolo, Cbryfeftom, Homil. 43. m Mettb. &Uxxandir MrhmVeftruftwimritiorHm.pars 5. taf.19. Actvs Part. i. Hiftrio-sMaftix. 550 Actvs 6. ScenaDecima-septima, THei7- effeft of Stage-play es is, that they draw men on to & zsftheifme, Heathenifme,andgrojfe Ido- x7 latry andpropharxffe. This is evident by Clemens T\oma- * ^ a&T^ nus.Confttt.Apoflol.lib.2.cap.6^.6^ By Tertullian De scene '.p./V SpettacuHs.eap.2l. where hee aifirmes, That many by 1084/ communicating with the Devi II in St age-play es , have falne quite away from (jod. LaBantimyT>e Veto Cult u. cap. Zo.& 2\.& Cyprian & Tertullian. cDe Spetta.culis.lib. by sAuguftineDe Civitate^Detlib^. cap. 6. to 29.^ e Retti- tudtne Catholic*. Converfationis .Trabt.Tom 9. pars i.pag* 1447. 1448* By Minucius Felix. Obiavius.pag. "JO. by Chryfoft.Hom.6.'j. & 3 8. tn Matth. Salvian. (De Cjuber- nationeT)eulib.6. By Matter i?m?yfy, m his True Watch, cap. 1 1 . ^Abomination 3 o. pag. 302. where hee writes ; >that S t age-play e s fow the feeds of Athetfme in mens hearts jr and that Stage-flayers are the Trumpeters of Satan, who callmenfom Cjod and his Houfe unto the Theaters, from his heavenly Mayfly, to his fworne enemy, and by fiindry • others, who expreily teitihe ; that Stage-play es, (which ' , *> are commonly ftuffedwith the names, the hifiones,perfons, g here>* ft« fables, rites, ceremonies, villanies, incefls, rapes, applaufes, cordmoly*/ oathesjmpr 'ccations ,and invocations of Pagan Idols ; c with * Sec hae,Ad, ath e ifl ica II, b I afphemo us, prophage, and wicked feoff es and ?Scene. iefis ; with abufes of Scripturephrafes, and bitter invettives d .i:)iatl0tHs againft piety, and religion; that matter to ingenderathe- ^"etii \nix- ilme, Idolatry, arid Heathenifme both in the Aclors, «m jocoslu- * Auditors, and Spectators of them) are a ready way to dofqs digest, ■draw men on to Atheifme^agamfmejdolatry^ andallpro- uc Per k»c ac* phanejfe, which are there atted and applauded. Yea <* Chry- (^clxt^ ■virtutif^-, eorum nerves ftceret mollioresj&c. Hem. 6, in Mattb.Tcm. Z.C0/.5 1 &* Fff * 2 foftome, Hiftrio-Maftix. Pa rt. i e Diabolus w-foftome, c Cyprian, Lattantius, Tertulliar*> andAugufline, tifex qmaido- ir) their forequoted places aitirme: That ph el) sev ill him- loLatriam per ^€ invented Stage-play es for this very end,, that he might box Wrer/^" withdraw men from g od unto Idolatry : and by thefe plea- CpedacuUsmiC' fores writes * Theodor et, which fuite well with the f leaf u- cuit ut per vo- rable,floathfull, andvoluptuous difpofnion of men, who are iuptatempoffet mdft 0fthem addiBedtopafltmes,to aremiffe and idle life? amari , &C-Z>* the mofl maltgnant T>ev ill very eafily dommeeres over men, 1 1^™ £rn^ and hath drawne very many into bondage ; who flying lato~ ae ridiculiiunt rious virtue, and avoy ding the difficulty of gods Law, have plariq;.morta- revolted unto him, who hath commanded things eajie and Iivmjiiecp illis mofi pleafantto be done. Stage-playes and Piay-poems as cfHnTvV "^ thccFAthers joyntiy teftifie;were the chief eoccafioners, nus/edfluxur^ .propagators andfomentersofAtheifme,Heathcnifine, poems ac re- Idolatry ,and all diflblute proplianeffe heretofore : h they mi(Tum.E-£ quo heina wholy confecratedto Idols, andcelebrated to their ho- fujutperqujim nour m their folemne Fcftivals, and anniversary commemo- minetur mah°- rations>tothe very frincif all fart of their irreligious worfbip, niflimus' Da- a#d idolatrous adoration. And doe they not produce the mon, neque e- felfefame dangerous tffc&s and ifTues Hill? Alas whence nimeoshorta. is all that practical! ' csftheifmetVagzmfme, and pro- uturadreftam phane{fe . whence ail thofe Heathenifh vanities, cu- guftTmq ™ ™"_ itomes^eremoniesjhabits/peeches^lafphemies, Yexe- peiTcndajfalebrofamjdifficilem & acclivemsfed ad alteram qux prorUjWlinatajIevis atqjexpcditaeft^haud enim Uiisunqua.ternperantia,ju4hnaq3uliam habere ratio* neai pracepit3fcdconridentcr atq; impune cun qui faftu facilia eademqj jucundiflima in\perMix,&.c.D: Sacrifictjs.1.7 ,T6m. x.p*t 8 t.C. 6 See here>p.8o 1. & Auguft. De Civit. Dei.l.i.2j534 Sco'.thorowout. b See Aft i^thorowcut, with the (cverall Authors there recordeJ?& Cicero De Arufpicum Rcfpcnfrs Oratio.p.?x4.to 5 28, In Catili- nam,Oratio 3 p«4 72 .accordingly, i Sunt qui for: una jam caiibus omnia ponunt, Et nullocreduntmundumreftoremovcri,Naturavoluente vicis& lucis, &anni. Atq> idco intrepido quacunq; altaria tangant. Tarn facile & pronu eft fuperos contendere teftes>Si mortalis idc nemo Cci2t J.'ivenal.Satyr.H.f.ii?' k Per fclis radios jTarpeiaqs fi±lmina ju/at, Et Martis framia,& Cirrhai fpicula vatis. Per calamos venatricis . pharetramque puella, Perque tuum pater 2E%xi Neptune tridentem : Addit fit Herculeos arcusjhaftamque MinerYa>Qmcquid habent telorum armamentaria cab* . iHyiru&r Ibidem*. Fart. i. Hijlrio-cMaflix. 55* oration?. Idolatries, fuperft-ieions, and the like ; whence that open l tfeglett and contempts that m denying of God in j Mai, 1.6,7. workes, in aii*ons\ that ordinary n I 'ivin alitei: itat ado- tney are the very Nurfenes or Atherf me, or Paganilme, randus in loci* of Idolatry and prophaneffe, as the experience of all facris, quam ages teftifies: Wherefore I fliall conclude agajnft. them procedit ridexv whichthis 4*. SyUogifme, ^ f^*f That which ingenders Atheifmc, Paganifrne> Idola- wnus,foex~ try, and ail prophaneffe in Actors and Spectators, Apollo cphe-' muftof neceflity bee altogether abominable and bus, ita perfo* unlawfull unto Chriftians* naflmt hiftiio But this doe Stase-playes ; wftfiefTe the premifes* "um> utnon - 1 ir. j 4 l • r fint fhtux dem- and premifed Authors lubrorum &c ? Therefore they muft of neceflity bee altogethorabo- Atguft. veC*- minarble and unlawfull unto -Gh'riftians. vuaie vd. lib, 61 cap.f. See lib, i, caf.^o 19- /&4.fttp. 17**8; * SeeA&j. Scene 5. & /. Q, his Refutation of the Apologie for Aitors.pag, 28,^4^5 ^ «9 True Watch ^.part.cap.ii* Abomination 3^P*g^2»~ ' Fofc Hiflrie-Maftix. Part.i ACTVS 6\ SCENA DeCIMA-OCTAVA. i$ HpHe 1 8. errecl: of Stage-playes is this; that they JL caufe aa apparant breach of all Gods Comrrtande- r s . nally traducing particular ferftns and prof ejfions on the Tofiatus in 4. . Stage ; and in laying falfe„aiperfions,with tearmes of ig- Regu. Tom.7, nominy and fcorneupon the Saints and fervice of God. ? 'g-I0°* C.I>. Of the tenth Commandement; In caufing Children and Mvtd%To- yong Prodigals to defire the death of their more rigid thersonthes" Parents, that fo they might enjoy, and prodigally wafte Commande- . their Patrimonies,and Portions, on their lulls and plea- men:, Alvarez furess and in caufinerrien to covet the Pomp,the State, JflaSjus_Dcf 3 r Planftu Eccle- fiie.U. Artie. 40. A B.C.i 50. * Acl 7. Scene z, accordingly. & Iofephus Antiqu9Xar~ £*orapU,i6,c,Q, £ Aft $. Scene. • accordingly, the ■ Fol. Hiftrio-Maftix. Part.i f Aft 3. Scene 1. the poffeflions, f the wives, the fervants,the goods of o- 5c A A 7-Scenc tner men, as Players,Whores,and others who refort to £,*accordin3" Stage-play es learne to doeo Stage*playes-in thefe and *" fundry other regards forementioned hy^ S. Chrjfoflome, and others in the precedent Scene occafion the breach of all the ten Command ements^nd fo plunge their Com- pofers, AcTors, Spectators over head and tares in finne, involving them in the guilt of all the *& that are occa- iioned and produced by them. This s ^Authors, this the premifes and experience teflifie: Wherefore I ft all hence deduce this 43. invincible Argument of Cin«" The Stage-playes. That which commonly occafions an apparent viola- tion of all the ten Commandements, h muftneedsbc fin j M and utterly unlaw full unto Chrtfiians, intolera- ble in any wel-ordered Common-weale: No Chri- ftian can deny it. But this doe Stage-playes : witnefle the premifes. See pag.23 1.2 3 2. before. Therefore they mult needsJ^iinfull and utterly un- lawful unto ChriftiansJBfcerablein any wel-or- dered Common-weale. - ID.I. Spe- culum Belli Sacri cap.45. The Mirror for Maeift rates againft j.BlaftofKe- traic from Playes and Theaters, See here^pag.iji, k Deut.6. 1. to Match .5.1 8. to 42.I0h.14.1f, 11. lam. 1.9, io,ix. 19 Pliny. Nat ACTVS 6 SCENA DeCIMA-NONA. THe 1 p. fruit of Stage-plaves is this ; that they draw downc Gods fearefull judgements both upon their Compofers, Adors, Spectators, and thofe Republikes that tolerate or approve them ; as thefe enfuing exam^ plcsevidence.lt is ftoried of *€/£^%//^,(the h*rft mpfmj Hift,Ub.xo. cap. j. Opmecrui Chronogr.pag.ux. Calepini iEfchylw. Part. i. Hiflrio-Maflix. 5 5 3 torofTragedies, asb Horace, e Quintilian,Tertiillian,and b Poft nunc d others write : ) that his braines were dafhed out with ^onx^l\x» thefallofaTorteis,whichanSaglefoaringoverhim let fall ^effaf^f uponhis bald-pate,whileheewas fitting meditating on his chyfns, &mo- Playes in the open ayre; a fudden unparalleid & right tra- dicis inftravit ' gicaii judgemenr,upon the very firft inventor of tragick pulpita tignis Entertudes. e Euripides, the famous Greeke Tragedian, £t docuir msg* as hee was returning in the ntght time from Archelaus his "I^- d?!"* Palace, where heefupped, to his owne lodging, was tome in no.De Arte Pee- pieces by Dogs, ( fome write, by women) fet on, as wasfup- tha.p,$o$.}o6 pofed, by Arndamstf Poet, wh&maligned him : A fearefull c Inftit.Ora- death : f Sophocles, the very Prince oftragicke Poets, being ™^ l ' caP«*« pronounced vittor by one cajhng voyce in apoeticall comb ate c, o™eer* a betyveenehimand others ; died [uddenly on the Stage ofo^l-,l . a* vjermuch toy ; his victory proving no other but his owne « Gellius No- fatall Tragaedy : the like wee read of S Philippides ane- ftiu Attic.l.ij. ther famous Greek* Comedian, who died fuddenly in the "P*10* ^"j^ felf e fame manner, upon the fame occafton, h Theodecles a Jt11^1^ P" Vtw r • r^ 1 -111- 1 rr r ■ r mCCll Chro- Tlay-poet,wasJmittenofCjodwith bhndnejje for inferting nogr.p,hj.Ca* fome paff ages of the Old Teftament into one of his Tragedies, lepine & Ho- ' Menander, an ancient Cjreeke Comedian, \ & infanpts mu- hcke.Euripi- lierum amator, as Suidas ftiles him, k was fuddenly drow- ™* - . , ned, whiles hee was fwimming in the Pyr^ drowned nullian be A- and fw allowed up of the Sea, about the ^.yeere of his age, nima. 1. 1. Op. 4* /?e^ was returning out ofCjreecewith 1 08. of Menanckrs me€ri Chro- Comedies which he had tranflated. m Plautus,zn elegant "^PS'1*** comicall Latine Poet, when as hee had fcr aped together a chron MtM great maffe of money by his Stage-play es, loft alio fit by mer- y . tbl.78. chandife\ and then returned backe to 'T^ome, he was enfor- s Gellms* cedtogrinde at a Bakers Mill to get his Lving, and fo died No&.Arric4. miferably. nAntiphanes the compofcr 0/355. Commies, l\$*ll* A tkjw:Iue Praeparatione Evang I.8,c j . M Nortbbroify againil Vaine Playes and Einerludes.f.} 2.& M.Stufo,h\s An.nomy of Abides p 101. Coc.Sabelh- cus.^Eneid.4.5.8 p 6$\tGcdYge jllcyMsVoQTQ Mans Library. parr 1. i Suidas Menan- der. k OpmeeriCh.onogr.p.^3 j. lOpmeeri ChroflO£r,p.i4y,« Chi-onicon Chro- n.corumt^E.cas,5.{ol. 9j,n£>uiria? Antiphanes. q gg * AW Fol. Hiftrio-JMaftix. Part.*. Q tuurchi died fuddenly, being cafuallyftrucke with a Peare. ° Eupolis ^ Soiades. the Poet, for inveighing againfi A upon the concurrent teftimonies of: Tope Leo, Petrus rum, I^-,p.%7. CD amianus , zx\& oAquitanicus, relates this memorable Hiftory; That acertaine Stage-player who got his living by afting, lodging about theyeere of our Lord. I o 1 2 . in the houfe of two old women who were Witches, jituated by the b,gb-wayneeretol{ome, was by their Sorceries metamor- phofed into the fhapeofan zs4ffe; and being thus transfor- med,he became fo tradable that( like another Bankes his * SyMritxin dancing Horfe, or the * dancing Horfes af the Sybarites ramurnde.ma- m^Qar^ans^ hewouldreadily turne and move which way devenerunt ^\ fiever the fi Witches commanded him \ which being bruited equos etbm ad abrode he became very gaine full to thefe his Hoaftejles, the tib am in iym- people flockina by ti*oopes from all places neere adioyning, poGjs tripudi- r . are afluefecerint. Sic Cardiani cqi_os in SympoGjs adtibias faltarc docuciunr, &c* urfJkftcfil DipnoJ. libj. %x cap.6, %/id.lbidcm. n Part. i. Hiftrio-sftiaftix. 554 to behold the rare feates of this Mimicall^Affe,who ftruckc the Speftators with great admiration ofhis ftrange geftures. The fame of this *y4(fes rare qualities being thus bruited abroad, induce da rich man who dwelt nigh to fur chafe this */4jfeat a greater tee of thefe two Witches ; who informed their Chanman, that ifhewouldhavehis Affetopraftife his hiftrionimMfrickes at alltimes, he mufl be jure to keepehim from wa^r^^vhtch he did for along jp'ace,exhilarating both himfelfe and his guefls with this flaying nAffe : who after a while beingnot foftricktly looked to as atfirfi, brake loo fe at laft,andrunningto avondof water that wasnext, bathed and tumbled himflfewereinf or a while, till at length hee cameto his humane fbape. The Affe-keeper in the meane time miffing the Affe,runnes forth tofeeke him,andmeeting him in his humane forme enquires of him whether hee f aw the uStffe ? towhich hereplyed, that hee was the Affe, and roith allrelatedtohimthe whole Story of this his metamor~ fhofis : the Affe-keeper wondring at it reports it to his Ma- jter ; and he declares it to Pope Leo ; who convent ing the two old. women for it, they both acknowledged the premifes to be true; which 1 here fubmit to the Readers raith. If this bte but an Ovids LMetamorphofis, or an Apukius his (jolden <*Affe ; we ihay laugh ai the conceit, and Co parle it by i but if it bee a truth, as the Hiftorian confi- dently arfirrnesit , wee may deeme it a juft judgement of God upon this Actor, who for his acting of other mens parts in jeft, was thus enforced to play the Affes part in earned. { Ludovieus Vives reports from men of r Not* in An- credit, thattnacertaine City of Brabant, where they ufed guft.De Civit. to make annual V lay es tctheirSaintsjiponthe day that their ^ei ^a%1 i,caP» great Church was founded, as they doe in other places of that 2 5 Country ;fome takingthen upon them the vicars andperfons of Saints, others of D evils for to aft thefe Tlayes; one of thefe Aft or s who played the'D evil span being enamored with a Cjirle-which he efpied at the Play, went dancing to his houfc, and there taking his wife as hee was in his Players robes and vizard, he caft her upon a bed,faying,that he would beget a G gg * 2 'Devili Fol. Hiftrio-Maftix. Part. Devillofher ; andfo bee lay with her: his wife upon this conceived, andthe infant which /he brought forth, as foone as ever it was heme, began to dance up and downe, being fhapedasmenufeto paint the Devi II Loe the jaftice of God upon this perfon, that he who acled the Devils part flhould thus beget a De vi.l. ^ Of Gods judgements upon Play-hauntJBfeee have fundry precedents, worthy our moft feriou JoWer vation; t'Diodorus Si. forne of particular pcrlbns onely,others of whole multi- HiiM^sf <<> tudes together. For Gods judgements on particular 9S-9h9 /-P"CT* Per^ons onclv# W e read of c cPhilip King of^JMavedonia, 806. to8-io.° Fathet to Alexander the (freat; that ashee delighted Supplementu much in Stage-play es,fo he was Jlaine by Paufanias as hee QiLCumus h. was fitting in the Theater at a Play ; The like wee h'nde tifft'l " recorded of Cuius Caligula ; who being much devoted to Grofius Hi'ft. St age-play es , (which hee would fome times att himfelfe tn I.3.C.J4. Vm- womans appar ellto his inexpiable jbame) was murtheredby centius Sp;c. Cherea, whiles hewas beholdingtheJ^oble-mens Children Hift. 1. 3 . c, 1 8 . which hefentfor out of<*Afia, 'ailing a T*lay upon the Stage. Ch\on.Tuni Ajjii Wgewnt of God upon theie tvyo diflblute c p.a.feft.i.^ Princes, whomadethefe wicked Playestheir chiefede- cu multis alijs, fcg^fo. It isftoried of * Herod <*yfgrippa, thatinthe third &'Sir Waiter yeereofhisLieutenamfhipheewent to C* fare a Stratonis Ihnvleigbes Hi- where he pubLfhed Spettacles and Stage-playes in the ho- VV^Id IT war of Cxlar, and ordained a folemne Feafi -day for hi* pars 1. feet. 8*. prober ous affaires, unto which all the chief e men of worth p. 1 3 8. avid great Officers of that Trovince re fort ed : on t he fecond ■ IofcphusAn- dayofthefeTlayes and Spectacles, he came to the Theater tiqu. Iuda?or u , jH ap jver roy€ wonderfully wrought, which by the reflcUion nii^lV^ul tC" °f the Sunbeamesyeeldedfo gorgeous aglifteringto the eye, fed s^.SniJx f^at the jhining thereof fe erne d terrible and intolerable to Uiftorica.Cai, the beholders j whereupon fome flatterer s{\t is likelieff that us Caligula. Zc-naras Annilium. Tom, 2, fol. 9^. Dion Caflius. Rom. Hift. lib, fo«pag.. 854^ 5 Iofcphus Amiqimatum Iiida2oium,lib.j$.c:!p,7. Eufcbius Ecclefiaft^Hift.lib. 1. cap. o. but 10. in the English, Nictphorus Ecclefiaftica: Hiftoria?. lib, 2. cap.i j. Opmeerus Chronogr. pag. 100. Baronius & Spondanus. Anno 46, fefo 2, & Atts 32.20. to 24. foms Part, i . Hifim-JMaflix. 5 5 5 fome Players or Play-poets v/ere the chiefe of them) deifying him as a God, and hee rebuking them not ; a little after looking about him, he beheld an ' Argell, hanging o- 'Iofephusmket verhis head,whofmote himwith an extreame paine in hisM was -an bow els whiles he was thus fitting in the Theater, fo that he ^w^» "was carried de fa er at ely ficke to his 'Palace, where being tor- mented for the jpace of fine dayes -with bitter gnawing of his bow els, he ended his life mofl miferably, being eaten up of wormes.Which d i vine judgement^ hough ltmiracuioui- ly ieifed on him for his ambition, in that hee rebuked not thefe flatterers, and gave not Godtheglory •• yet fince this Tyrant, (* who had built a Theater and Amphitheater in *Chronieon flierufalem after the %oman manner, to advance Idolatry 9£r?a" &™s" and Paganifme, and fupprejfe Religion >J was thus fair- ^aMagr^ss ten by Gods Angell in tht Theater ttfelfe,where hee fate w beholdingthefe Playes and Spectacles which hee had then provided for Cxizrs honour, and the peoples recreation, ivhofe deifying acclamations were the caufe of this his fearefull death ; and fince thefe Stage-playes were the chiefe occafion of drawing both himfelfeand the peo- ple into the Theater; wee may juftly behold him as a fad fatall Spectacle of Gods avenging judgements wel for his inftituting and beholding Stage-playes, and erecting publike Theaters, as for his proude ambition. Not to ipeake of 1 Herod the great, whom the Iewes con- y Tofephtis An— faired to murther in the Theater which hee had built at :jqn,lncteorii; . Hierufalemwhiles he was beholding Stage-playes, for that [j *" caP*J *♦ ' hee had brought in Stage-playes into Hierufalcm contrary ' r ' ^ * to Mofes Law and the difcipline of the Iewifh Nation. Nor yet to mention the Emperour Nero, whofe atting and be- . holdina of Playes was one chiefe occafion that fiirred up* Q2:™terT°-' * Subrius Havius,w*"0 others, to conjpire his death* a He- ne,quibus cau- - rodian informesus, thzxCommodns his excejfive delight us ad oblivio- nem facramen- ti procefliffet : Oderdmte, inquit, nee qwifquim tibi militum fidclior fuit dum amari meruiftijodiffe caepi poftquam parricida matris & uxoris* auriga, hiltrio & incendi- • arius extiufti. TwtHa»^mag.}6Q, ^ Hiftori*. lib. i.pag. $$, Fol. Hiflrie-Maftix. Part.i^ wAElors, Gladiators i Playes and Enter ludes, and his un- worthy comming on the Stage in p erf on to play the A [lor and Gladiator before the people, (from which bafe fbamefulL aEl his friends, together with Mama his beft beloved Con- cubine.didearneftly d'.ffwade him, ne Romanum Impe- rium contumeliaaihccretj&cO was the or igmall ground of his untimely death ; he e being poyfaned by his Mania, whom he refolved to murther* for fhts her good advice .« h See his GaU and b Trebelius Pollicarpus records, that Gallienus the lieni duo. pag. Smperour, was murthered by Martianus, Heraclianus, and 1 1 6. & here, Claudius, /*r this very caufe, left by his lewde example in Pa§»4 $• frequenting Stage-playes, and favouring Stage-players, with which hee had fid his Palace, hee fhould bring both himfelfe and the %jpublikeunto utter ruine : Thele f eve- rail Kings and Smperours St age-de lights being thus the tuft oecafions of their untimely death es. A furlicient Item for all Chriltian Princes for ever to abandon Playes and Actors as fatall and pernicious evils both to their ownc perfons,and their lubjeds too. To pafle from Kings and feDeSpe&acu- Emperours to fome of meaner quality, * Tertullian, & lis.Iib. cap. zO. Father of good credit among Schollers, informes us;* That acertaine Chriftian woman in his time going to a Play-houfetofee a Stage-pity, returned thence poffeffei with a "DeviH (as too too many now a dayes doe ; at leaftwife in a fpirituall fence,) which mcleane fyirit be- ing afterwards rebuked in an exorcifme,thathe durft affautt a Chriftian woman \ reply ed, that hee had done constantly andmoft iuftlyjn meo enim earn inveni, for I have found her inmy owne Jurifdiftion. If therefore you will neither f Aft - Scene believe the ^ fore quoted Fathers and Authors, that the i. & Aft z4 Play-houfe is theT> evils Chappell^ yet now believe the Chorus. very Devill himfelfe who claimes it for his owne, to- gether with all fuch perfons who frequent it. The fame • DeSpedacu- x Father relates ; that another Chriftian woman who Jis.lib^cap.»6. wenttofeeaTragedj,hadthe very fame night a linnen (heetpre fented to her in a dreamt ; the Tragedian himfelfe beingli^ewife named to her y with an exprobration for this aB P a * t. i. Hittrio-Maftix. 5 5 £ ■ I.. ■ — ■ "t>" ~~" *—— ^ 1 ( **# of hers ; tf/w which Jhe lived not above fine dayes : To •which two examples ( writes he)a I might addefomefeare~ * Quoutiq; 8t full precedents of others, who by communicating with the a*ia documen* DevillatStage-playes, have fallen quite awajfrom God. ^^^^ A dreadfull Ape Italic and judgement indeed. To thefe Diabobapud two former precedents, I ihall annex the parallel exam- Speftacuia pie of a b late Enghfh Gentlewoman of good ranke\ who comunicando daily be flowing the expence of her be ft houres uponthe a j^oraino ex- Stagehand at laft falling into a dangerous fickneffe of which b ^"m* *i -\ Jhe died, her friends in her extremity fent for a UkUnifter wait, his En- " to comfort, connfclU andprepare her for her end, who com- glifti Gemie- mivgto inflruB: her, and advifngher to repent, andcallup- vvoman.Lon- on God for mercy, fie made him no reply at all; but cryed oniS^V2S* j cut Hieronimo, Hieronimo; O let mee fee Hieroni.no AuthorV^ v ailed; (calling out for a? lay, in ftead of crying #nto God chert prefcntat for mercy,) andc foclofed her dying eyes. O tragicall, O her deparcuve> fearefuil death J anfwerable to her former wicked life? c Pcrcuflbs- Not to relate the various tragicall ends of many, who in ^^ aaite ra~ my remembrance at London, have beene flaine in Play- famema^xni- Koufes,or upon quarrels there-commenced ^ Nor yet to tentia conves- f ecite the fudden fearefuil burning even to the ground, ratut Penface both of the Globe and Fortune Play- houfes, no man per- ergo, qualis ad ceiving how thefe fires came: together with the vifi- c£l:^ca"mdim hie apparition ofthe:*Devillonth^Stage at the Belfavage peryenic ail Play-houfe, in QueeneWiiifihtzths dayes, (to the great a- nonvacatnere mazjement both of the j4Bors and Spectators), whiles they quod fecit. were t her eprophanely playing the Htftory of Fauitus(the &**&&*&•& ted examples of Gods judgements upon many Players and Play haunters together, which I finde fcattered hereand there in fund ry Authors. To begin firlt at home. I read in d Hollinafhead,thatinthe eighth yeere of* Anno S.Etii* gueene Elizabeths %aigne, there were three Scrollers at K$7«pagt Oxford flaitie outright, and divers others hurt and mained, l %°9&: ^ithth^Hr^xpeUidfallofawaUiWhiknhey were behold- Hiftrio-Maftix. Part.i? «M,S/«&J,his inga St age -play : c About the yeefe 1582. many people Anatomy of being ajfemb led together at the Theaters in London to fee ^"k^T^f** the bawdy EnterluAes and other fooleries there praftifed, n of the " ^od €aHfed th* earth on afudden mightily to fhake andtrem- Apolo^ie for ble, as though alt would have fallen to the ground.' where at A«ftois.p.ig.4j« the people fore amaz,ed,many of them leapt downefrom the 44* top of the Turret s,P inacles and Towers, where they flood, to the ground, whereby fome had their legges broken, fome their armes, fome their backes, fome were hurt one where, fome another where ,and many fore crufhtand bruifed;butnot any but they went away fore afrald,& wounded in confidence, d/fndyet (writes my Author) can neither the one nor the other, fray menfiromthefie devillifh exercifes, untill the Lord cofiume them all in his wrath: The Lord of *his mercy open the fM IobnFkfd eytsoftheMagiftratestopluekedownethefeplacesofabufe his Dtclarati- t^oat ^°^ ma) be honmred,andtheir confeiences d/fcharged, on of Gods i Vponthe 1 3 . ofIanuary,Anno 1583 .being the Lords-day, ludgement at an infinite number of people, men,women,and children, re for '- Pans Garden ted unto Paris Gardento fee B ear e-bay ting, Playes, and 0- ^cm\Um^\%t^er^a^imes^m^ beif1g alltogether mounted aloft upon Narration of t^oeir Scaffolds and Galleries, and in the middefi of all the tr the fall of Pa- iollity and paftime, all the whole building (not oneflickefo ris Garden. much asfianding) felldowne miraculoufly to the ground M0n/°/n Ii5-88' Wit^ mHc^ horrorandconfufion: Jnthe fall of it flue men Anatomvof an^ two women wreflaine outright, and above one hundred Abufes. p.i 54. and fifty per fons more,fbre wounded & bruified,whereofimany 13 y . D. Beard, diedfhortly after) fome of them having their braines dafhed his Theater of out, fometheir heads alltoquajht, fome their legges broken, Gods Iudge. fome their armes : fome their backes, fome one hurt, fome an- London 16 u." ot^er y there beingnothing heard there but wofull jlrrcekes Li.c.j5;p.zi2. af!£l cry es which did even pierce the sl^es 1 children beway- & the Preface ling there the death and hurts of their Parents, Parents of tothcPradice their Children ; PTives of their Husbands, and Husbands of iay. J. G. of their Wives ; fo that every way ftom foure of the clocks his Refutation r , r ,, . ^ J 1 J J ^ of the Apolo- m e aJternoone till nine at night , ejpecially over London- gie for Aftors, bridge, many were carried in ch aires, and led betwixt their ?XZ 43 ■ friends, andfo brought home to their houfes with for row full heavy 1 Part. i. HiJIno-Majftx. 5 5 7 heavy hearts, li\e lame Cripples. A jaft, though terrible judgement of (Sod upon thefe Play-haunters and pro- phaners of his holy day : the 8 originallrelator of which, i M.iobttFkld^ doth thus conclude ; And therefore for a conclusion, I be- in his Decla- Ceech allMaeiftrates by the mercies of God in Iefus Chrifi, ratlon of God* that by this occafion and example, they take good heed to pWj$ Garde* looks to the people commhtedto their charge, that they take order, eft ccially on the Sabbath day es, that no Citizen or Citizens fervants have liberty to repair e to any of thefe a- bufedplaces, and that they heepe their fir agling wantons ith that they may be better occupied* sAndasthey have with good commendation fo farre prevailed, that upon Sabbath dayes thefe Heathenijh Enterludes and Playes are ba- nifbed,fo it will pleafe thefn to follow the matter fiill, that they maj be utterly rid and taken away, Tor fur elj it is to be feared, be fides the defiruttionofbody andfoule that ma- ny are brought unto by frequenting the Theater and Curtin9 . that one day thefe places will likewife bee cafi downe by Cjod himf elf e, and draw with them an huge he ape of finch con- temners andprophane perfons to be killed and fioy led in their bodies* Neither was he a falfe prophet aitogetlier. h For ** D. Beared hi? intheyeere of our Lord, l6oj. at a Towne inBedford-jhire Theater of called Ri{\Qy>thefloore of a chamber wherein many werega- Gods ™HZm thered together to fee a Stage-play on the Sabbath day, fell ^^a J^. downe ; by meanes whereof 'divers were fore hurt, and fome killed. If thefe domeftique examples, together with that of * Thales theThilofopher, who was fmotheredand * jy0 Froyjfart in his i qx. 1 93 Vol. * Chronicle, andby fome others fince, that in the T^aigne 143. X44, See 0/Charks the pxt,in theyeere of our Lor d,\ 392. atamar- the Gencrall riage made in the Kings Court at the ho file of Saint Pauls - ^lftory °£ in "Tarts, betweeneStr Yvan ofFoiz,, Baftard Sonne to the SLiidD Bcardl' ^leofFoiz^and one of 'the Queene of 'Francs her Gentle- his Theater of women, the Tuefday before Candlemas day,: <±A Squire of Gods Iudge- Normandy c^//^Hogrymen of Gen fay provided for a Flay ments.lib.i. c. or Mummery againft mght-t for which purpofle he haddevi- 3 7 • pag-43 S- fed $t Coates made ofLinnen cloth covered with Fitch, and din dr. C th er e on cloth and flax I ike h aire, and had them ready in a Chamber : The King hvkg of Orleance,who knew nothing of the Mummery or the Kings command ,entred into the Hallwith foure Knights and fixe Torches, to behold the dancing, and begun himfelfe to dance. Therewith the King and the fine other Mafquers came^ in, in thefe their difgu/fes,fiue ofthembeinafaftned one to the other ,the King onely bewgloofe, who went be few • Part. i. Hifirio^Maflix. 5 5 g and led the device. When they emred the Hall, every one tooke fo * great heed to them that they for gate the Torches, The King departing from his company went to the Ladies to jfort with them, as youth required* and came to the dutches of Berry who tooke hold of htm to know what hee was, but hewouldnot fhew his name. The ^uke of Orle~ ancermningto the other fiue tod f cover who they were, put one of the Torches hxfervants hcldfo neere the fax, that he fet one of the Coates on fire , andfo each of them fet fire on the other, fo that they were all in a bright fame ; the fire taking hold oj the living Coates & their 'Jhirts began to fcorch their bodies fo that they began to bren and to cry out for hetpe.The fire was fo or eat that none durfi come neere them, and thofe that did, brent their hands by reafon of the heate of the pitchy One of them called Manthonilet fed into the Botry andcafl himfelfe into a veffell of water where they ryn fed pots, and fofavedhis life by quenchtngthe fire, but yet hee was fore hurt. The Counteffe of Berry with her long loofe Cjowne co~ veredthe King andfofuved him from the fire : two of the other were burntto death in the place : the Bafiard of Foim. and the Earle of Jovy were carried, to their lodgings, and there died within two dayes after in great paine and mifery, Thus was this Comedy turned into a dole full Tragedy .k The k Tfie French King though heefcapedwas much diftrattedin minde (and rliftory.p.^x. his ferv ants diftrtffed with grief e) at this unhappy acci- dent, fo that he could not fie epe quiet that night. l The next^ Ftoyff'rts day thefe newes being f^red abroad in the City, and every Chronicle. man marvelingat it : fomefaid, how Godhadfent that to- Soolce 4- C**P ken for an enf ample, and that it was wife dome for the King z ' to regard n, and to withdraw himfelfe from fuch yor, g idle wantonneffe, which he had ufed overmuch bewg a Kma. 'j4.ll Lords and Ladles thorow the Regime of France and el fewh ere, that heard of this chance had great mar vane thereof Tope Boniface being at Rome with his Cardinals reioyced at it, and j aid, that it was a token fent from Cjod t9 to the 1{ealme of France, which hadtakenpart againfi him. Surelam it was a jiift judgement of'God,to teach Kings H h h * z and ^i Fol Hiftrio-Maftix. P A rt. r and great men, and not to bee Adors or Spectators of vanity,but wholy to lay afide fuch foolifh Mafques and »J.G. his Re- Enterludes. "* At Lions inFrance, mthe moneth of Ah* futation of the guft,intheyeerei6oj. whiles the J e fakes were atling a A&M°s8i a/°8 ?roTkane Pty ofChrifts comming to Iudgcment at thelaft A rtio^fTrea- &aj> tothedifgrace of true Religion, the Lord from Heaven rife againft continued thunder and lightnings for two hour es (pace toge- Stage-playes, ther,flewtwelue of the Aclors andSfeclatorsprefently, and *XiAT)9A*6lS' wtazjedallthereftmth great terror and fear** To pafle t^heP^ records> Mat .in Mius mem. p3o.i8e Ca?far his time, there refortedfuch a multitude of people to Rome to behold his Stage-play es and SpeClacles, that mo ft of the fir angers were forced to lodge in the Villages adiov- ning in Tents : there was oft-times very many people trod andcrufhed to death at thefe P 7 'ayes by reafon of the multi- tude, and among themtwe Senators : fo tragicaUand fat all «Jtom,Hiftor. were thefe Enterludes. n 'Dion Coffins records; that in hb.3 7 • p,i o i . Pompey his time, a Theater in Rome built for the ailing of Syrian Enterludes was overturnedwith afudden tempeft, to the death and deftrull ion ofmanyperfons. To pafle by the memorable example of Gods avenging Inlticc upon the *• See Tndg. 1 6. * Philiftines and their Lords, many thoufandsofthem being rias^Montan cmft>ed to death with the fall of their Dagons Temple, Comment.in ' which Samionpulled downe upon their heads whiles they lib. Iudicum. were there feafttng, dancing, and acting Playes before their c.i£4Antwerpia IdollT)agon, and beholding Samfon playing, dancing, and 1 J9*;«P-568- making f^ort before them like a Clowne in a Flay, they cal- Lyra, rlflatus *'"£ ^im 0Ht °f f^e Vr?fon t0 r^at pur?°fe' From whence Veter Mffiiyr? * t^ri as OWontanus well obiervts, that it was thecu- Ibidcm. flame of the Philiftines and other Idolaters, to court their *• Ibidem, pag. Idols with dances and Stage -play es on their folemne Fefti* $7o-57i>57~' vals; their temples being built in fuch a manner, thatpeo- »-Vul<70 ut ara- pie might conveniently behold the dances and Stage-play es tificemurprin- that were ailed in them : and thereupon hee iuftly taxeth cipcs varia ac *Chriftian Princes, for exhibiting Playes and fuch Lke im- pleriiqj-huma- ? y ».itari diiTentaneijVel ediint ip(T3vel cdcndapermir.unt fpc&acula. Hinc olim Thea- ?sac?:dibus?.c fangtii^c plena ; hinc noftro tempore ncftriGaue moribus impura, par,. Part. i. Hiftrio-cMaflix. 559 fure,unchrtftian $f>ettacles to the peopU,and tolerating them &ab omni arte in their Kingdomes, they being unfuitable and -pernicious fcmo"> fccna unto Chrifiian manners, and altogether unlaw full unto j- * i„.c°mt" Chr'ifttans as originally conjecrated unto Idols ; the very & oUdiatcrum fitting and beholding of ^them being odious unto Cjod, as this ca?de funefiio- his iudgement on the Philiftines proves. ° Cornelius Taci- racmdelioraqs. tus, and vPaulusOrofius, (and out of them ^fundry o- [au*orurnac thers) relate; that about the eighth yeere of T lberius his nera lia, dat Raigne, there were by the iufl iudgement of Cjod, at le aft retinentibus ac * fifiy thoufandperfons (laine and preffed to death at once, deteftatis fuoe- withthefallofa Theater at Fidena in Italy, (which Thea- r?rum animis* ter was built by one Atilius,) whiles they were there "be- J^*1™ °* holding Sword-play es, andfuch like Theatricall £nterludes\ fantar,^ Jta/.. the doiefulnefle of which bloody Tragedy and judge- ° AniKlium. ment (fecondedwi: ha devouring fire, which al mo ft burnt- l*4*c,i o p.i6f% up that City) is at large defcribed by Tacitus . loannes l f?*p zAventinus in his excellent Annals, hath regiftred two c™f*r memorable Examples for our prefent purpofe. r The q Eutropius firftofthem hapnedat Tifonium, a City of Bavaria ; about Rernm Rom. the yeere of our Lord,i2CO. where divers people affemblinp I«7 /Tiberius* together from all quarters to behold interludes and Cirque- peCra*rly^ playes, above three hundred of them were there (lame out- * -poiti n J right with thunder andhayle from Heaven : The latter of l.i. Dialog? o.; them * fell out in Rome it fe If e upon the I ^.dayofOtlober, Bodinus Me- in the yeere of our Lord 1450 when Tope Nicholas the tnoclo Hifto- firft, fblemni^ed his famous Jubily with fecular Playes : Sf i:7Vw ** ' , ; • / • /* / J J J /r r r Blaft of Re- at which time, fiue hundred and fifty per Jons commwg to tv:iiz from Rome to fee thefe fecular interludes, which this Pope Playes3&c.pa,#*^- ftance, were drowned & wajhed to death in the River Tiber, »d*Apologic ?£? Bridge upon which they were being overturned with the^\'c': A fhortTreatife againft Stage-playe$„ pag. %6. with fundiy others Coc. Sal \ Ennead.7. lib i.pag.ioi. * Sonorites Tacitus, others onely rbove iocoo. •. may both ftandweU together, fince jooco. is above ipcoo. r Aventmus An- mlium Bojorum. Iib.7-pag.f30. f Idem AnmU*ojorum.libi7.pag.668.& 58^ Romx quintadecimo Cab Oclobris pons Tiberinus corruit aquis, obruti interire; quinger.ti fexaginta hominesjqui ed fecularibus ludis, quos Nirobus contra dec Gcnfianticnfis S«natus aperuenr, confluxerans, H.'hh* 3. waters,. Fol. Hiftrie-Maftix. Part.t waters, Tothefel fhall adde one Tragical! Story more *InVitaBeati which zCjregory Nyffen, in the life or Gregory thcwor- Qregorijrpag. j^r 0f miracles, hath regiltred to polterity.- The Citizens 3d o'l^.Edi:. 0fC&farea,andwellmizht all the people of that Province Baiile^. 157 1. J i , * 1 r* r - accuftomcd to meet together at C d fare a once a yeere, upon a * S A** publike folemne F eft ivall which they dedicatedtoa certaine Sceac r . 1. & 'Dev ill- Idol, which that Country worshipped ; at which Ad 2'Eftenim f**ft they * alwaves celebrated fome publtke Stage-play es Indus mrpis & to the honour of this their Idoll, and to delight the people : It mhoncftus qui fortuned that the whole Country and City atfembledthw together after their wonted manner, when Saint Gresortf tatcm irr.ror- o J n . /-l. . » / tic, & tales fs- w^ newly made lynmijter of that £ tfy : 4#d p* /»f thus ccrunt Gentii ajfembled they pre fently flocked to the Theater ; * which be- lts coram dijs fog /j //^ t?//7; r^y* who fir fl hafted thither, thvfe who came fuisinThea- after climbed up by troopes upon the Scaffolds that were tns 5c templis: r t r • Jr 1 a 1 j r 1 r 1 & . J- built about it. fooner was this meffage delivered to poft°emo VI them, lk$* dcltfullfentcncepaffed again ft them, but a de- tiuxcrant mul- vottringp eft 'tlence fuddenly fei fed upon that great ajfembly, titudo fubfel- which were there jporting and beholding T layer, and pre - lijs undique fuperfnndebaiurj atque omnibus ad fpeAacula atque acroamara orcheftram intueri cupiennbus : plen3 Lcen.i tumultus & trepidationis,irrita pr.-efti?iatoribus3 mirabi- liomque ipc&acnlorum artmcibus oftenkatio eratjtumultu fcie muruoconiiipantium non ftiodo obleftaticncin j >edientea fed nc circuhtciibus quidem & pra> fligiataribus luas artes oftentanti tempus era:, &c. Greg. V}ffen. fbidem. *■ Hac autcm ab so voce tanquam trifti quadam fentcntia prolaca peltilenna frequentem ferns agentram,& lndosccicbrantiuinconveRtumejcipir, ac ftatim tripudianrium chorislamentatio rmfcebatur ?.&:o utinlutftus & catarmrates eis voluptaces con- vcrterentur,quum proptaufsbus & cantu tibiaruirij alije fuper alias nxnis cantuf- que lugabres urbem pafTim iRvafiflen^ &c. Ibidem, fently Part* i. Hiftrio-Maftix. 560 fent/y a lamentation was mingled with their dancing, in fo much that their fleafures were turned into forr owes and ca- lamities ; andfuner all dolefull Elegies one upon another were heard thorowout the City tnfiead of acclamations and mu- ffcke: y For as fo one this pefiilentdifeafe had feifed upon J Cum enim men, opinion and conceit did propagate it the f after, itconfu- fca?*I morbus: mingwhole houfes at once, like a fire : tn fo much that fly- J}°miaes inva" ing from their houfes to their Temples forfuccour andreco- ^^ pf^^ very, their very temples were even filed up with the car cafes batur atque° of fuch who there fell downe dead of this dfeafe : whofe ex- ferpcbat, ignis tremity was fuch, that all the Cifternes, Fountaines and pits m modum do- * of water neere the City were covered with the dead corps of^]os aePdic^ns> fuchwhorefortedto them for to quench their thirft ; in fo q-,,Jem [::lVXi . much that many went voluntarily to their graves to die cjuje fpe fanair- there, becaufe the livingwere not fufficient to bury the dead. onis atc]L"ie re- Tfenhcr did this peflilence furprife men fuddenly, but a ■**! confugi- ■ r-i 11 c r a *? r I r eban:,!is, qui certaine Ohojt or Spirit came prjt unto thcje houfes over moj.^0 - j?-_ which deftruciion hovered, and then certaine perdition fol- banc reDictx: lowed after. At laftwhcn the people came to know the caufe tomes vei 6, of this their fichne\fe,they renounced their former I dolatrotts aqua?(ludas, facri fees, rites and Enter ludes, and refortmg with their ^a:u^gmCiq>' whole families to Saint Gregory, they intreated him both mios atrocna'te to inJlruH: them and to pray unto God for them, that fo they mcrbi litis might efcape this peftilence. By which meanes they all a- exurebat3refei> bandomng their Jdol-worffrip were drawne to the prof effion ueflent,&e: ofChrifis TS(ame: part of them being led as it were by the ™\ ■ "5m Ul" hand unto the truth by the difeafe that was then upon them ; a loured KOt onedy fundrjPlay- extinxir. Flu- haunters, but even all the Stage-players then in Rome, J# tzrcbl Queftio- that there was notfo much as one of them left alive : A juft net Roma**. judgement of God upon thefe peftiferous mifcreante. gp*ft.iQ7f*g* And may we not then fufped, that their toleration of, and our great refort to Stage-playes, haah beene a great * 14 Eliz.c.f, cccafion ofthofe devouring Plagues, which formerly 39.EU2. cap 4. and now of late have feifed,not oneiy upon London and rf?eC.iv,De1, her Suburbs, (where divers publike ftanding Play-hou- eHiftorf"* lb *es are ever>' ^2y frcquentedjbut on other Townes and j.cap.4. ' l ' Cities too, where ftragling wandring Players (thoug d Guahhcr, a Rogues by Statute) doe oft-times aft their parts ? Sur Horn, 1 1. in I am that Saint b Augufltne, c Orofius, and d others trucl Nahum.and o- [\{\q Stave-ylayes • the very plague and pefl Hence of me, thers rorequo. ■ 1 s I y f ( J** n r ai *i • ted. at p 67 68 mindes and manners ; and that c Clemens Aiexandrtnw & Ad 6, scene * lertullian, and S.ZChryfoftome, call the Play-houfe; th 5. Hermannus very feate and chair e of peftilence \ no wonder therefore i Sdiedcll. thev produce a plague in thofe Kingdomes*& the Citie Chromcon Vvhich permit them. Indeed the h anient Paean R j£tasm longe graviorem qua plurimu gaud ex hac occa;ione,non rorpontus fed moribus curavit lmrmttererqux animos mifero- rumtantis occje-avittenebris^ntadefo .nutate fjedivit,ute:iammodo3quod inrrc- dibile forfitan cr it,(i a noftris potter is audieturjRonuni urbe v.iftata quospeftilcti* iftapoiTedit,atq; inde hi_:enteSjCnrth i>inem pc: venire potuerunr,in ThtatrisquO- tidicpro hiftncnibus 1 nfanirem. TH Cruit. Dei, Lb. i.ea;, 33. J Hiftor. lib. $ .cap.4. See here, Ace 6„ Scene $ . USj Part. i. Hiftrh-Maftix. 561 -1 ■ ■ •" " — ■ — ■ — — — ■■ > us ; that they were fi farre from mitigating this plague which feifed on mens bodies, which they did rather aggra- vate ; thai infteadcfit? they brought in among themy a far more pernicious and perpetual! pefiilence of their fiules and manners (to wit? their wicked pefliferous Stage-playes) which they could not jhake ojf. Inthe fir fi jeer e of £ueene Elizabeths Raigne, ™ all Stage-plages were prohibited 4? ra Hollinfocad pHbliks 'proclamation from the 7. of Aprtlltill tAUhallon- Annoi$jo. jtide% of purpofe to ceafe that plague which was then begun; p.i 1 84, n. 5 o. and to in ail great ficknefles (inec-tnarcrme, all publike Enterludes have beene fuppreffed for the felfefame rea- fon. If then the inhibiting of publike Stage-playes hath beene fuch a common antidote to afifwage thoie feare- full Plagues, which God in jufticehath inflicted on us; we may then conclude from the rule ofcontrar ies, that Gurrefort to ribaldry Stage-playes (which God with- out ail queftion, as appeares by all the new recited judgements, n cannot but abhorref) is a grand occafion n Sec Salvia** both of the engendring and propagating t hefe late,thefe De Gubernat. prefent plagues which yet wee feele, and fufFer. As -Dei-lib.*, ac- therefore we would flie and feare this dreadfull fatall cjS&lom. ficknefTe, which hath a long time hovered over our Horn j.Dc heads, and hath almoft quite depopulated fome par-David/&s*ul. ticular places of this Kingdome (and God knoweth & Horn 6. & howfoone,howfaftitmayincreafetofweepeus all a- 58-inMauk. way) let us henceforth call out thefe our lewde peftife- rous Enterludes, and rafe downe thefe our Leprous Play-houfes, which may invojue us in the felfefair^mi- feries, that thefe C afar ians here fuftained, to our utter mine. But if all thefe former examples will notdeterre us from thefe Spectacles, let us confider what generall National! Judgements they have oft procured. To paflj; by Gods judgements upon * Sodom for her Cirques ana * Thcatra,E* ^Theaters, ^Prudentius poetically expreffeth it; who af- S'^"?1 cun ma- didafque popinas. Quicquid agunt homines Sodomorum,incendiaju (lis Jgnibite involuunt & Chrifto judice damnant. Raec fugifle femelfatis eft,non refpicU ultra. Lot ftofter,6cc. tr^dentm, Hamertigcnia. BibLFairutn. Tom.4.fag.9°7 *Z>« Hi * firmet Hiftrio^Maflix. Part.i firmeswith allthat Chrifiians after their converfionjretur*1* backe no more toPlayes an^Th eaters. The excejjive expences 9 De G foria of the Athenians on the tr Stage-p lay es (if0 Plutarch or Ju- Athenieruium. ftin may be credited,) was the very overthrow anddejlru- lib.& Iuftin. iiton 0j tke}r State, and the occafion of their bondage to the lb. *paSv Macedonians, p <^r nob ins informes the Gem iles, againft p Nee fatishxc whom he wrote; that all the evils, the miseries with culpa eft, euam which mortality was overwhelmed and opprejfed from day mimis &icurri- to day, without intermiffion, originally Jprang from Stage- f bl/J- flTdlCl'1S' ?IaJes> with which thefe Heathen (J entiles were befotted. p«fon«1Tlnicr. Saint ^ugHfline q at large demonttrates ; that the brmg- ponunturDeo- ingin,and tolerating of Stage-play es, which vitiates the rum. Et utfpe- mmdes and manners of the Romanes, was the principall ctacoribus va- caufe of the very r nine of their Common-we ale and of all ftrat^Sfi- thofefatallmiferies which befell them. Whereupon hee taYexdtarY^o- hreakes out into this patheticall exclamation.1 Ofeoles I culatoribus O madmen I what is this your extreame I fay not error, but feriuntur cavil- frenfie, that when as all the SaflernelSlations, as wee have lationibus^ nu- heard, and the very great efi Cities inthe remotefl Countries mma,&°fl Me pub likely grieve and forrow for your deftrutliony that eunt Theatra, youfhouldrunne after Theaters, enter into them, fill them, cavexomnes andmake them much more unruly and outragious then be- concrepantfra- fore ? This plague andpefttlenceofmens mindes ; this over- 6?ri^Vs atcJue throw ofhonefiy andgoodneffe didworthy Scipio feare would C Vs- a befall you, when he prohibited Theaters to be ereffed ; when . lfta mirari,unde oriantur haec mala,quibus inundatur & premitur fine ulla intermif- doncmomlitzsMdvtrf.Gcntes U^p.l^o.viddbid. * ■DeCivit.Dei.Li«c,$ X.31.33.& 1.1.0.4.10 the end of that Booke. r Amentes,amentes, quis eft hie tantus non error, fed furor ,utexitium veftrum^ficut audivimus^pIangentibusOrientalibuspopulis, & maximis Civitatibusin rcmo; iflitnis terris, publicum lactu mxroremqs ducentibus, ., vosThcatra qu3erereti$,intraretis,implercus,& multoinCaniora quam fuerant antea, fa'cerecis? hanc animorum labem acpeftem,hanc probitatis & honeftatis everuonem vobis Scioio il!emetuebat,quando conftitui Theatra prohibebat, &c. neqcieenim cenfe bat illefse lift eff: rempub.ftantibus mrenibus,ruentibusmonb'js: Sed invobis V.luit quod DdemoF.es impij feduxenrat quam quodhomines providi pra'caverunr. Hinc eft, quod m-tla quas facitis^ vobis imputari non villus; mala verd quas pari- minijChriftianis temponbusiniputatis. Nequc enim in veftra fecuritate pacatam rsmpub.fcd luxuria-ii quarritisiirpimitam^ qui depravati rebus ^rolperis, nee cor-- Hgi pctuiftis idmCs. £* Civil. Da, Hq,i , cap. ? $, ht: Part. i. Hifttio-Miaftix. $6t hedifcemedthat yon might be eafily corrupted and ever- turnedwithprojperity; when as hee would not have you fe- cure from fear e of enemies : neither didhethin^e the Com- mon-weale could be happy , when as thewallsofit one ly flood, butthemannersfelltoruine. But in you that hath more prevailed which wicked Devils have feducingly fuggefied. then that which provident men have laboured to prevent* Hence is tt, that the evils ,which you doe, you will not have them to be imputed toyou\ andthe evtls> whichyoufuffer, j ou imp ute onely to the Chriftian times. Neither in y ourfe- curity doe youfeeke for a peaceable Common-wealth, but an unpunifhed luxury, who being depravedwithprofyerity, can- not yet be amended by adverfity. Saint Chryfiftome, as hee records; * that St age-play es hadbr ought great mifchiefes t Ma<*na Civi- upon fities, both in rejpeft of ftnne and pumjhment ; fo hee tatibusmala with all relates : c That the very Heavens were made feruntTheatra Braffe> and the earth Iron ; that the very elements them- Ta§I\a]^01?' > f elves did pfoclaime Gods wrath againft men for their ti^# Tom,?, Stage-play es. How longth eref ore Ofonnes of men willy ee C0U347.B/ be flow of heart? Why (writes he) doe yee love vanity in * Vei ip(a fig- gntertudes > and feekg. after lies in Stage-players? Holy naagnofcite. Salvia* writes exprefly; That the very facing of Rome, ^l^b^' the deft ruEi ion of all Italy, the jpoy ling of Ravenna,. Tre- jum & terra vers , Mar fetlles ,t/4grippina,& gr eat eft plagues w at can befall a people, that it was never dacium in hi- fo ill governed,neverfo much difordered and corrupted: and ftrionibus. Hcmilfcklt.in Tfalit^ Ttf0tl. O/. 1031* w4. • De Gubcrnatione Dei. lib. 6. & 7, thd* vowout. // / * % that Fol. Hiftrio-Mafiix. Part- ■ Sec tor this (bat the* Romanes themfehes and their Allies were never purpoft:Arno-y^ ftrangely opprejfed, afflitted, dijfipated and confumed, G eiucs°u!& Wlt^ a^ ^nde tff fa£u€s m^ wdgements ; with pefiihnces; 7.Aueuft.De civi f I d/Jfentions, tyranny, forrajgne invafions, exactions, C jvitj)ei« lib j. inundations ^earthquakes, fires, and the like, a* intheratgnes i.&4.Sa4vian, 0f Tiberius, Caligula, Glaudius, Nero, Heliogabaius, 1 6 7 o Df ** Gommodus, Carinus, and the fe other flagitious H 'iftrioni- HM 7. at 6 call Emperours in whofe raignes both ^layes and Players 7j84Tacitus ' * were inmoftrequefi, as well with Prince as people, whofe Annal. lib* 14. fanes were nourished andintended by them \ andfo by confe- 5"I,1h,aI€-I°" 9HenceQads iudgements on them too,. When ever their ri.nSucton«13, ^aJes and Theaters went up, their manners, venues, Tiberius Q*[i.fro]PeritJ and Common-wealth went downe, and alt gulajClaudius, ial.$o. * Againft Vaine Phyes and E'uter lades, fol. J*. 36. a Anatomy of Abufes.o.io 1.106,1 07^ * Mafter Goffoti, his Schoole of Abates. I. G his Refutation of the Apologie for Aftors, A fhortTreatife againft Stage-playes. pag. 16.27 a28.vvith fundry others, Gualther^iejn.jion Nahum.JThc True Wstcn,part 3.chap,u. Abomination jo. Blafa P A rt. i . Hiflrio-cMaftix. 563 Blafts, being once a Play-poet, writes ; d That fane d)d d Ibidrm.pis. fo abound at Stage-play es, and wot there fo openly commit- * * * 6% ted, that when hegavehimfelfefirjl to obferve the abufe of common P /ayes, he looked, when God in infltce fhouldpre- fently in his wrath have confounded the beholders. c And e Ibidem.p.y 3 < lam vertlyperfwaded (faith htt) that if? layers may bee £° m'ces Ma« flill permitted to make fale of fnne, wee jhall pull on our _ GuuMir 1 J r* J ^J JJ nil tOOjinhlSU. heads gods vengeance, and to our Realme bring an utter Homily upon confufion. And no wonder that it fhould bee fo : For Nahum. * where ever finne goes before, Cjods wrath and vengeance ' Deus "(I w-ll cert ainely follow after \ where all wickednefie and °lU2fl£X34. » Matth.:4,38,593^9,5o,yi. i Tftef. 5.2,3,4,. Luke i». 19, to. Dan, f„ 5»4>?AAmos6. 1, tog. • 1 Cor. 10.5, tola. Pr£bcmur cunftis excmpla cun* ucrim quibufdam JrrogataTuppHcia.c/prwfl'Dc S'mg.CkricQrum'Tem.i. fag %ou ftt* z> States > Fol. Hifttie-Maftix. Part.i. p j ft States and MagiftratesfF who fc connivency at any evils cujn^ maxi- &** ^eJf might fufprejje, doth make them deeply guilty of ma & potentiH them) tor ever to exile allPiayes, and demoiifh ail Play- fima qux inhi- hou(es whatfoever; for feare they pull Gods judge- bere maximum mentsdowne upon them, as they have done on others* qSobat' Alas> wh? fcouldany Chriftian Play-poet, Player, or ccbercfieri,fi Spectator; any Chriftian State or City where Piayes fciens patitur have publike countenance, be k> defperatelyiecure, as perperrari : In to conceit ; that though Piayes have brought Gods cujus enim judgements upon others, lyet they Jhallfcapeunpunifted, MohiBfaejL biswrathfballncvcrfeifc on them: what ground, what betagifino.i warrant is there foranyfuch unchriftianfurmife? Is prohfbet ad- not Gods avenging juftice towards finne and finners, imtti, salvia*. ftflj tne fame? and are not Stage-playes, Play-poets, DtOubcrnauMe Aclors, Play-haunters, and thofe places where they are Vacicmisciii- tolerated, as execrably vitious, as finfull, as odious now pam proculda- r°God as ever? Is r not the felfefamepunifhment alwayes biohabec, qui due unto the f elf e fame finnes and finners? and is not the quod po-eft feifeiame finne as finfull, as peccable \ ( yeamorcexecra- corrigere^ncg-; y^ more famiiayie m Chriftians, then in Pagans* God EtncS^ere* hath mo& feverety punifhed Pagan, yea and Chriftian cum poffis per- Play-poets,Stage-players,Play-haunters,andfuch States turbare per- as tolerated them, for Stage-playes heretofore, as the verfosjnihil eft forequoted examples teftirk; and ftiall hee not much vere lw^»f°" moreavenSe himieifeonfuch like Chriftians for their vifiirfiUse.' StaSe* P^yes now ? And yet a4as, c fitch ts the infidelity 1 Vt fit m.igna,tamen arte lenta iraDcorii cft.Sicurantigitur cunctos punirenocer- tcs,Quanno ad me veaient ? fed & exorabile numen Forcafie experior, folet his i£- nofccie:mulci Comittunt eadem divcrfo crimina fato. Ille crucem pretium fcelcns mlit,Hic diadema .Sic aRimum dine trepidumformidinc culpa; Connrmant. Itivenal. Satyr, i$.p. 120. r Oportetutuna psnateneatobnoxiosquosfimilis error inveneric implicaZQS.Cmil.ToktaHtpR.4 Can 74. f Crirninofiorenim culpa eft ubi honeftior fla- tus: (i honorohor eftpeifonapeccantis,peccati cjuoq; major invidia« Itaque nosqui Chnftiani catholici effedicimur,fi (imilc aliquid Barbaioru impunitatiDus facimus gravius erramus«Atrocius cnim fubfancti nominis profeiiionepcccam9:tibi fublimior tft praerogativa major eft culpa.5tffowi.Dc Guber.DcU^.p.i 25.126^130.1 Ha?c Temper eft incredulitas humans duritia?,ut ndn folu audiendo fed eriam videndo non credat alteros interiju'e, nifi & feipfam viderit interire : nee focioru. mortibus quaticur,dum ilios immeritos aut invalidos opinatur>&c. Cyprkn.Dt Sin§tlar6lttkoTH.Tm>i>p.ioi. A r t. I. HiSfrio-Mdfltx. 5 64 fuch the feCUrity of mens obdurate hearts '4. that not onely when the j he are, buthkewife widen they vifiblybeholdCfods. vengeance feifngupon others Sox compoiing, acting, fre- quenting, countenancing thefe vaine delights of (inne ; yet they really believe not, either that thefe have perifhed, or that wemfelvesfhallpenfhfor the fetfefame things , unleffe they likewifefee themselves defiroyed too : neither are they any whit aff ell ed with the fudden fear e full deaths of others, till fuch a death hath feifed on them) elves. O therefore u Aliorum nil- now at laft (as wee tender our owne private or the pub- nus noftra fie likefafety,) u let other mens wounds bee our cautions; cautio, Mmm. let thefe mens deaths, prove our life ; let their judge- EwP-i°:W+> ments be our medicines. K Hee (faith Saint Cyprian) i$ K,M^ttu^e too audacious ,who firives topaffe over there >wh ere he hath fhseiufmpdi feene another to have fallen: he is omragioufly unruly who cafus exiuaj & ■ u not flrucke with fearewhenhe fees another pertfh in that m l^'d fobver- courfc which he is running. He onely is a lover of his owne ne *a°cntiu' vos expentren* fafety, who takes warning by another s death : And he onely ,. ^JrJL,,, u a provident man, who ts made Jolicitotu by the ruines of Ninvum mx- ether men: which Solomon approveth, faying , The pru- ceps eft gju dent feeing the evill man p&nijbed, is greatly wftrufted : tranforecon- - Andagaine., When wickedmen fall, the tuft will bee much tendit> llbl ^ affrighted. Y It is an adverfe hurtfull confidence, which ceciJifTe : k certamely commits its life to dangers >as to a certaine thtng : vihcmenrer Andthatis but a flipper y hope, which pre fumes it fhall be mfr'ems eftyciu fafe amids the foment at tons offinne. It is an uncertaine v;~ nori :R: utimr Bory to fi?hi ami defi.the enemies weapons 1 and it is an in?- tlrn0rall0Pe~ rri 1 J,s. 1 rr j r ■ 1 ji f reante Arrva- pojjible deliverance to be compared a^out with flames, ana rcrvcr6 eft fa- notto bume. W herefore lee not a perad venture, that we lutss Cux, qui may efcape Gods judgements, though we ftill refort to evita - alienee. Stage-playes; overpoyfe^a peradventure,that they may mortlJ? inrc?l\ feiie upon us, as they have done on others. Neither let [T™ .LlpJ;f folicitusfkcladibuscasterorum : ficut Solomon approtat, dicens 5 Aftutus videns malatn puniri,vehernenter erudietur: Et iterum : Odentibus impijs juftivehemen- tcr terrebuntur. Cyprian.De S'mgufaritatc Cleriwrum.Tom.i.pagj 99. ? Ad\ erfa eft ccn- fidentia3qua2 periculis vitam (usm, pro certo comrnendat. Et Iubrica (fes eft qius inter fomenta peccati falvari fe fperat* Incerta vidoria eft> inter hoftilia urma pug- nare. Et impotfibilis Uberatio eft,flammis circundniijnec ard&ej&c^Cft rhfrlbid* I Gods -> FoL Hifirio-Maftix. Pakt.i, Gods iong-fuffring towards Play-poets, Players, Play- haunters , and fuch Repubiikes as approve them, "Sftoou t,±. ( x which in truth fhould lead, them to repentance ; ) make all or any of them or us fecure againlt the feare of his • Diviaa five- avengin<* hand. 2 For the longer Cjods iudgements arede- utis co iniquu {ayed,t foe greater wMthey he atlaft. b That funijhmevt is quTl^fus' mo fitroublefome, which is deferredwith aforegoing terror : percuUt. Greg, that torment is more grievous, more intolerable whtch is de- Magnwi. Moral, lay ed for this onely purpo/eythat it may ftrike the longer ; Ub.if. cap. i . the deeper: Forfudden evils quickjyftrike w thorow; where- Non concern- M delay edtudgements bring a mult iplyed,and ufurious pu~ noal'odic m "foment with them, therefore the ' longer the Lord hath opera peccan- deferred to punijh, by fo much the morefolic'ttOHS let thefer- tium vindicit <-jant be : by how much the longer Chrifl is ere he come, the Chriftus.Qua- m0reprepared let a Chriftianbe. He is no provident fervant, ta emm pitien- ^ ^ Lordwhenhe comes fhall finde unprepared. God tamafeveritatc hath along timefpared many Play-poets, Players* Play- reftituec, cbry- haunters, States and Cities where Playes are harbored, foftom.Dc Militia though feme of thefe have fmarred for them: he hath cbrif'mMHtmiU mercifully forborne many fuch of us at home ; and I °u\ or efe tholISh he bach a lonS time d ch"Me* "***<* Father, ycc nim p*na di" he hath not as yet wholy confumed us, as an avenging lata quam fubi- Iudgc ; but how foone he is likely to doe it, if wee re- ta : moleftius pent not fpeedily,wee may all conjecture : O therefore fupplicium Ut not the long fufFring of our gracious God, c harden wrroredScr- a>?J°fm ln trie love,the exercife or approbation of thefe tur.-oraviorps- ungodly Enterludes, or of any other i pleafures of fnne n3,a,uz ad hoc which are but for a feafon : But let thefe judgements of tardat, ut dm- God, which Playes have brought on Pagans, on Chri- tiusfemt, su- £• heretofore.and for ought * we know upon our felves, bita emm cito ' D * J percutiunt,diLatafa»neratam p^nam vefth\ium£l?ryfofltex Varus in MaitbJocisHm.z^ Tom i.Col.io+o.C. c Quanto tardaverit Dominus,tanto fitfolicitior fervus. Quanta diutius fupet venit Chnftus3tantd fit paratior Chnftianus.Non eft providus fervus , quern imparatu invenent Dominus. Cbryfojl.lbid. d Hebr.n,j.co n. « Ecclef.S.n* 1 1,1 $. f Hebr.n.i J- Delici.T temporariam habent yoluptatern, p^nam autem fem- piternam. cbryfoftom. Hem s+.adPop.^ntioib. * Parpa»na perditionis conftringat, quos in pern j tie prava focietas copula t# Cmibum Ttkumm. 4, Cm 74. Svrim. Tom. i,. Can. 737, be Part.i. Hiftrio-Maftix. 5*5 be now at laft. a warning-peale to us, with fpeed, with care and confcience to abandon them : and thus to fyl- logize againft them in the 44. place, with which I fhall ^Argument ciofe up this Scene. 44. That which drawes downe Gods judgements,wrath and vengeance,both upon the Compofers, A&ors, and Spectators of itj^widlikewifeupon thofe Ma- giftrates>States, and Cities, which fofter and ap- prove it : mull needs be finfull, (ifince God never 2 Ifcy i.i.to*. ixfiiths his iudgements but for fin) yea altogether to caP'** lttolu beavoydedofallgood Chriftians, and not tolera- cap.^it,^/.0" ble in any Chriftian Common- weale. jer«*!i 3 'to io. But this doe Stage-playes ; as the premifes demon- cap. 4.1 7 a 8. ftrate. Hays<>.i. Therefore they muft needs be finfull, yea altogether Lam7/7* tobeavoydedof allgood Chriftians; andintole- »9\ rablein any Chriftian Common-weale. ACTVS 6. SCENA VlCESSIMA. 20 THe laft efFecl of Stage-playes, which arifeth as a necefTary conlequent from all the former, is this; That without fincere repentance * thej eternally damne * Quomodo menspmles. A fruit,a conlequent with a witnelk, which cnim cu C1.iri~ fhould caufe all Players, all Play-poets, all Play-haunters fto &eACT"fblmt to looke about them. And this muft needs be fo : h For, in*'*!!" qui if the wages of finne be death \ }andif every unre feme d,un- cumDiabolo & miniftris ejus focietatem habent in terris ? Quomodo gaudebunt in convivio pcrenni fan&o- rum, qutnonrefpuuntconvivianefanda Paganorum? Aut quomodo in luce pcr- pctuapofluntlaudesDeodicerccumAngelis, qui hie Diabolo exhibent funeftos iudosin idolis> WB^bcatm MattruiMomiUontraTagamcos Irrgra.Tom.^ ,* Rom.6.*3. i Hebr.1.1. Ecclc^xz^^Matth.ia*^^/, -K^A.*' lamented, Fol. Hiftrio-SMaftix. Part.i. lamented, idle, vaine, or finfull a&ion, word and thought , k i Cor .5.9, /hall receive a iufl recommence of reward : Ir k the unnghte- io.G;ji 519, ous,the adulterous and wchafle, /ball not inheritethe King- 20,11 Ephcf.j. domeofGod'andofChrjfi: If* the wicked/hall be turned' 1 Pfal '917 iKt0 Hettwdallthe people that forget Cjod, r hen ctrtainely m see Aft j. the wages of- Stage- play eSj (which m abound with many ihorowout. idh' finfull jp eeches,aB ions, and ref refent at ion .r,dire(5tly fin- full in iundry different reipecls, as! have manifeited by the premiiesjand theiefore cannot but exclude their un- righteous^adulterouSjUnchail Aclors and Spectators out or Heaven, and tumble them headlong into Hell for all eternity, unlefle they prevent this danger by fipxere re- pentance) mull be eternall death. Stage-playes, (as not « Ovid.Trifti- onelythe belt, n but even theworflofmen confejfe,) are um, 1. 1. and the the ° veryjinkes, the feminaries, food, and treafures of all Pagan Empe- wickednejfe and lewdnefle wharfoever : they are the rcmrSiScatcs & verY p baneS) thefnares, the engines, the fweet Syrenean ted* here ^id°" enchantments ofthe'Devill, with which he fweet ly allures Aft 0. Scene 3* men to defiruEiion ; by which he in/inuates all kinde of vice- 4,5 ,& 6. oufneffe into their foules ; and fie ale saw ay their hearts from * See here, Aft God and heavenly things : °ithey are the prmcipall wftru- aJhTs-1' < memst0intiCCi to enthrall men untoftnne, to enamor men accordingly. * **;/^ [mne > t0 detaine men under the commanding power of f Chryfoitom. finrie \ and to keepe them ojf from all true contrition for Horn ,6 .& 7>wjinne; Needs thcr efore muft they drown e their Aclors, ^ a" A*ACe l^x ^mP°^LXS anc* Spectators in everlafting perditi- & Chorus- & on bothof foulc and body, if they repent not of, and Aft 6, Scene utterly renounce them as they have vowed in their bap- ii.accordmgly. tifme. Hence is that memorable paflage of Hippolnus 1 See Aft 6. an ancient Martyr, in his * Oration, 1)e Confummatione Scene 354>55^> rnundi & Antlchrifto, about the ytere of our Lord,220. dimiiy9 ^ " w^cre ^e informes us ; that Chrift Jhallfay thus to Tlay- * Bibhotheca haunters andw'icked men>at the loft day: Depart from me Patrum Tom. yee workers of iniquity, 1 know you not: you are be- 3,pag4°"«i7- comethe worhemen of another Mafler, that is, oftheDe- vill.Toffeffe with htm darhneffe and f re, which is not put out, mdthe worme tkat/leepeth not, andgnafbing ofueth^rc. Part. i. . Hiftrio-JMaftix. j6tf * For I have made your eares that you Jhould hear* the * Aures vc- Scripture s\ but you have prepared them for the fours ^foascondiditit 'Devdsjorharpes and ridiculous things. I have crlated^^^ jtureyes that you might behold the light of my precepts and raftls eas atl thorowlyperforme them', but you have called for whore- canticaD*n»CH domes anduncleaneffes, and have opened them to all other uum> cytharas filthinejfe: I havemade your mouth es to glorifie and praife & j^1"*^ °" the Lordytofmg Pfalmes and ffirituall Songs, and to utter £"e °*j V*t i^ the continuall meditation of what you read : but you have fpkerecis lu- apply edit to ray ling, tofwearing, to blafpemtes, whiles you men prscepco* did Jit and backb Hey our neighbours. I have formed your rum meonim, hmdsthatyou fhould firetch them out to prayers andfup- eac*5 exe4uerc- plications • but youhavereached them forth to rapines, mur- exeraftuis ftu- thers, and mutuall (laughters. I have ordained your feet, pra fc impudi- t h at y ou fhould walke in the preparation of the Gojpell ofcitias, & ad re- peace,both in Churches and in the houfes of my Saints ; but ^amfm- youhave taught them to runne to adulteries, whore domes, Jftos-ipe^ft's St age-play es, dances, vaultings, l^ow the pub like affembly os Veftrum uaijfolved; the fpettacle of this world is ended) the fafhi- compofui ad on and deceit of it is pajfedaway, &c. Depart therefore in- glonficandum to everlafiingfire prepared for the cDevillandhis zAngels. & laildand"m And then aias poore wretches, what will become m0s™ntione[~ of them , when as Chrift fha:l thus upbraide aj^ and kindles the very bottome of « Hom.27.pag. its fire. * dfacarins ts£gyptim writes exprefly ; that in. Sec hire j thofewhoare delighted with Spe&acles and Stage-playes, pag.45.Z. jl all never enter into Heaven without repentance, paine, and fighting, becaufe the way to Heaven is narrow and f nil of affliction. Saint Cyprian, and Jertullian in their Bookes, u Phtetne Be Spell aculis. Lall ant ins B eVeroCultu.c. 20 % Clemens tandem vicam l^omanus Conftit. Apoftol.lib.2.cap. 66. zAugufline Be tmuTJr1 avttate ^ "• **•*• ™P-29- & u M*6' Mp-6* CJJe Symbol &)$ poQucis *^ Catechumenos. lib. 2. cap. 1.2.& l.^cap. 1 .Confeffionum. Theatricisjlu- Hb.2t.cap.i.2.& lib*6.cap.j.%. SalviantBe Gubernatione dicris/ccmcis? *Bei lib.6. write as much : Yea * all thofe Fathers and Abfitsimda- Councelswfich excommunicated Players and Play -haun- veruTta^n"* ters from the Church, till they had repented, renounced manemfacH- the afting, the beholding of all Tfeeatricall interludes, legamque de- aufirme the fame, fince thofe can never be deemed wor- mcuam. Nun- thy the fociety of the Saints in Heaven, who are not lit ^ulf*aJVis Di's to communicate with the Saints on earth. Certainely phcem!&Cuos * th"* ™hkh the Church d°th lawfuIlJ hwde m emh * hxc placam"°S bound in Heaven*, thofe therefore who are juftly excluded cumebniin \\- out 0/3c6demned by the militant Church,7 at Players and he cmnina Mfy-haunters ought to be, are excluded likewile out of trequencantur ^ Kven,are condemned in Heaven, unleiTe they doe re- pofcfndaeft > Pent- ™s al* themoderne Chriftian j4uthort,£ogethtr Nemo,»t arbi- w*tri & two penitent relenting Play-poets of our ownevjh& trcr, uf^ue ad have b written againft Stage-pla) es, doe like wife joynt- tamum pr^ci- jy teftine : And indeed they fhould all have written in pitnimfuno- vaineagainft thele Enterludes, did.they not bring per- taciTmfamT ~ Virion t0 mens foulzs. There are but three things that Nee fabulofaigitur nee civili theologia fempiternam unquam adipifcitur vitam : Il- ia cnim dedijsiurpiafingendo feftinatjhaec favendo merit, &c. Ambs turpes,am- b*ecmed:»mn.:biies- Hinccine vita jeterna iperabitur undc i{la brevis tempo ralifque polluirur ? An verb vitam poltuit consortium nefarioium hominum (i leinferunt ^irec'tjonibus & ailention.bus noilris, & vitam non polluit fc cietas Daemonum qui olantur cnmimbus Luis ? Si veris, quam mala : fi falfis,quam male, lbidctn. * see ^. Scene 2,, y Match 16, iQ,Ioh«io.i$. * See Act 7- Scene z. • M.G<$ws sn.; me Author of the 5, Bla&of Retnkfrom Playes. * Sec herejAct 7,Scene y. have Part. i. Hiflrio^^Maftix. 567 -- ■■ — ■•'" — »— ~ — — — - — . , i - — - — — -*• .- have moved all the Fathers, Counce/s, and Chriftian Authors which I /half here recite,to write againft Stage - playes fo frequently, lo abundantly as they have done. c The hrft is the dimonour,the injury that Stage-play es c See A& j.%, doetoGod: dThe fecond the prejudices, mifchiefes, & Chorus. and inconveniences they bring upon the Church ayd A/H'sccnc* State : e The third, the guilt, the iinnes, the damnation 4,5,1*2 1 1" 1 7 * they procure to mens foules: the laft of which is ane- r8, ceflary confequence from the former, which are meere- d See Act 6. ly faife, if this be not true. Since therefore it is evident Sc^ 5>6- by the ConfeiTion of ail thefe Fathers, Counfeis and $ceenec f* Chriftian Writers, who have centered Stage- play es : 183,« ' £ by excommunicating P layers and, T lay -h aunt eYS m the * See A&6. Primitive Church till their fincere repentance ; by all the Scene 1*. & foregoing Ads and Scenes ; and by the praclife of Play- Aft 7. scene i. ers, Play-poets, Play-haunters of ancient, of moderue times, (%who alwayes upon their true cemverfion and re- % & .? Sce1c fentance have utterly difcardedy and renounced Playes and - jult damnation, unlerTe they ferioufly repent, Yea let petere, sterna this leiTon all them when ever they are tempted to ceferere, inju- ■ •Playes or Play-houfes by any lewde companion's, by j*3 a|e*^ ^ a l cum judex juftorum injuftorumque venerit/uo unufquifque impius confilio prxci- pitatur, quia per hoc qucd hie appr terepravis cogitationibus elegit, in seterni fup* - plicij tenebr^s mergitur. Greg.&iagmtt. Moral libs 4- cap 4. * Vnufquifque f 1 °o no- ftrumanpxnitentiielamenriconr'iigi^jdlun-i flere ante p?rcu{fioncrn vacar< Revo* cemus ante oculos mentis quicquid erfancro commifimus, & quod nequiter egimas'v 3 fl?ntriat^ohe might elcape it? Alas, who would Ifov+cap*. befoddperatelyprcdigallofhisownefalvation; wh« i Macth,5. 19, would fo viiifie,ib undervalue Heaven, or his owne im- 30. cap. 18.8. mortall Soule, (™ the lojfe of which cannot be recompenced Mark. 9.47 j4^ Wlth thc gaine of allthe world,) as to fet to hazard,to for- Hoa.i7.in fckthem for a Stage-play? and yet how many thou-* Match, & Opus imper tedium in M.uth. Homil. ra. * Mortem mortc diflolverc, occifioneocciiionem difpr.rgere, tormenris tonncnta diG-utere, fupplicijs fupplicia cvaporare, vitam auferendoconfeire j carnem laedendo juvare, anirnam eripicndo %rvare j perverlltas cjuam puras ratio e{t,quodfa»Yitiam exjftirnas gratia eft. Errorem opens t"ruftus exculat. 'fertHl.*AdvcrfiuG?iofticQS.Tm,i, pig. 427. 41^ « Matth. x£« 16. See Chryfoftona.Hom, j f ♦ m Match. fand* Pa jit. i. HiSlrio-Mdfiix. 568 lands daily doc it? O that fuch men would confider but a while, n what damnation, what eternall, etcrnail dam- n See Gregor« nation,accompaniedv> with the everlafti.ngwrath andven- Mag. Moral, geance of an Almighty provoked P finne -revenging Cjod.u ! !lL> ! * bittemefe both to foule and body. r T>am- Mark, 9.48. »4f/^« is i *i truth the onelj argument to roufe voluftuott* and Ion-^36- c* *• fecure p erj ons, who lie rotting in'the dregges of finfull frfkyYjii*4* pleafures : O that the terror, and alarum of it would £xcd. 5 4. 7. now at laft awaken thofe miferable gracelefle Play* Nahum.1.5. poets, Aclors, Play-haunters, who lie deeping in the q Prov * 4- very brinke of Hell, without any fufpivion or feare of Ic£z-J9- danger; that foil might caufe them with care aid Dufcia fein* conscience perpetually to divorce themselves from bilem vertunt, Stage-play es ; which as f they had their or iginall begin- &c ning,growth0andprogrefe from the ?>evill; to they l al- x ^ric- 1 6 l6- wayes have their end in Hell, damnation,and eternatl tor- p^ te'ca dc*' ments with the Devill, unleffe Gods infinite mercy,and gJkeniu Wi- mens true repentance interpofe* Afufficient motive to rerrmdiamu?, withdraw all men,ali Chriftians from them : and with w ex huiu that holy Father Szm&4uguftineix\ his rnoft pious Con- min]S & n! fe/Uons ( where he * oft bewaileswthteares his runnin? un- ie. , u 'URi to Stage-flayes before his true converponj j&r ever to re- , jamus n im nounce them. G Deus peccan* tcs in earn c!e- jeftunts ha jus rriinns nonprxmififfet, in eam mult! cecidiflu-nt. Si nunc cnim timo- re animas nofiras concutiente funt aliqui tarn f cilc peccantes^ taaquam nee ipfa fit : ft nihil horum dictum fuiffet, neqite intentatumquid malt non fecifFemus ? Ckofcft, YAd Pop- AvXmb. hHm. % 5 . To«M Col.i 1 8.^ t See Aft j ». & Chorus. * lob 21. n>ii,Ti..Ifay 5.11,11,13. lam 5 ,i,f. Rev. 18, 7. Chryloft. H.om.6.& 7 . in Matth.. !*:Gonfeirionum.lib.3.c.i4i.& 14.1,4.0.1 ^,1.6,c. 7. 8, CHOPS'. ^70u have feene now Cfiriftian Readers, the fev«all I JL bitterfruits, and pernicious effects of Stage-play es, mo&c itlS umo~ e- umennca- Fol. Hiftrio-Maftix. Part.t * See Ad 6, rhoro'wouc, mod copioufly anatomized in the precedent Acl : and ■ Matth 7 .\&. certaineiy utf ever any tree were discovered to be evill i7,i8sipji°- by its ev ill fi nits, then Stage-playes, (whofe varie^ of evill produ&s furmounts all others) inuft be as bad, if not farre worfe, then any. The fruits of Stage-playes (as is evident by the premifes) arc bad in rdpeclof God, whom they fundry wayes dithonour : bad, in re- gard of Church and State, whom they exceedingly pre- judice and corrupt; * bad in regard of the Compofers, M.i i.cap,y lndia.6.fiU5t.c.D. * Cuius ad piecem judc rlcfiicur, fia p:avitate (ua pctiror corri. gatur. Immi- ACTTS Part, i . Htftrio-Ma/lix. 545 "" A c tvs 7. Scena Prima. HAving thus at large related the various i. grounds and reafons of the unlawfiilnefle of Thc Canom- Stage-playes in fuch a perfpicuous manner, caiit^c^\ as I hope will iatiirie the judgement, the con- ture condemns fcience of every impartiall Reader ; I come now to a Stage-playes, particu:ar fummary enumeration of thofe Authorities, WSecAft.i,* that concurre together with me in condemning Playes *ncI *• Aa- ** and Enteriudes, which I fhall marmali into f even di- A*n!3«,''& A. ^ . Act. 4. ocenc ltmct Squadrons. Ij2>> The firft Squadron confifts of fuch texts of holy (* j See Aft, Scripture, as are produced by the Fathers and latter J> ^ ?• Writers againft Stage-playes : fome of them oppng- J.vh.erc t,icfc ning them in one kinde, fome in another* If we furvey quXdTncT the originall Authours, Patriots, Frequenters, Aftors; applied at together with the primary life of thefe theatricall En- Jarge. teriudes; (a) which were at firft invented, atledj foftered, (0 *:kne nuf- ftecjuenteUy Bivel-Ifolsy Tagans^ Idolaters, lafciviow V^^^ dijfolute gracelejfe perfons ; and devoted wholly to Ido- ^ohiSmmia latry t Idols, rDivelsi and the lufts of car nail wicked facris Scriptu- •» or Idly men : wee fhall finde thefe feverall Scriptures nsjnoninCir. that oppugne them ,condemne them : viz. £«/**: 18.30. cum.*kis, non 7W:7. 2^16^26 c; I 2.3,2* >AO.c:lO. lrf,l7, ^J^T 18. Iofi:y.\%. c:l X. II. ludges 1.2. l\Hmb:^ 3.52.?/*/: dum nonoc- 16.4. Ier: ioi,2^. ssftts 15. lO.ig.Rorn: 12.2. ttlj. cidesjnonmass 12,13,14.1 Qsr.%.\. to II. c.IO.7, 20,2r. 2^.^.14, c&aliW»aJ»" 20,21,11. 7VW 2,1 £*4* *??•?< I /V:4.2,3.& 1.14,15? inPf:i.v.i,&c ifc. /*;»: 1.21,2(5 27. 04,7,8,9, 10.05. 1,5.2 P^:2. 7, nam fpecialiter ^j10,1 3,14,19^0,12. I Iobjl.lS 16. c:3.8.c:f. 21 Jude qujedam pro- 4-7,8,12,1 ^6>l^%s.Rev:i.20.c:il 8,27,022,11.15. jglgjgg All which,though they condemnc not Stage-playes in p£ speflaculi* prccife tearmes, (c) (which no Canonic all Scripture /i^r^, 4; A a a a doth:) V\dt tlidtm. 546 Hiftrio-Maflix. Part, i J Gj)SceTerti*L doth: ) yet they pofitiveiy prohibit and cenfure them de ipcclac c 3, under the names , of Idolatry : things confecrated unttt to 2?. Cyprjan jj0/s . tke Qu >p and Table of Divels : the monuments , lb ^Chrvfoft r clique sy ceremonies, cuftomes fries a delights yof Idols and H 6S 7,3 &, fc * Idolaters : the way andfajhion of the Heathen: the mil. of . 69411 Matth. the Cj entiles : the things 9 the courfe, andcuftome of the Wkhthemo- world: carnall worldly lufts and pleafures: the lups of derne Writers, ^^. former ignorance yand our va'tne conversion received A& 6?Sccne <• v tradition fiom our Fathers : revellwgs, banquet tings 9 . ' . and abominable idolatries : the rudiments, traditions, or- inauam' om- finances 9 Jports and cuftomes of the world, of worldly fen- *iaifta fpecU- fftall men : the workes, the will y the lusls of the Divel?9 culorum gene &c. ( d ) under which thefe Stage-plajes are as really , ra darnnavit , ^ abfolutely comprifed as any part is under the whole y iTtHamfuftulit ™ ™Y Species under its proper genus -Hence Saint ludorum om - Cypnan peremptorily concludes, ( e ) That the Scrip- nium matremj ture hath everlaftingly condemned all forts of Spttlacles unde haec va- and Stage-play esy even thenwhen it tooke away Idolatry nitatis et^lcvi- ^ iJMother of all play es y from whence all thefe monfters venemnt. \y* of vanity yoflewdneJfe have proceeded. Which affertion of prUn. veSpi- his is feconded by (f) Tertullian, (g) Latlantiw^ (h) BttuU \ib\VAiu Cyrill of Ierufelem, (i) £hryfoftomey ( k^) ssfuguftine^ Vdmelij Colon** (/j Salviany with (m) others of ancient and moderne tii^uJffldc timQS y wn^ doome ail Stage-playes from thefe very ibid* Scriptures. If wee confider the nature , the materially, (/)DeSpe£ra- the circumftances, the concomitants, the effects, the cutis lib.c.j«to fruites and ends of Stage-playesjtogether with the man- militis \\b°& ner>tnc circumftances of their Action ; the quality of deldololatria tne pcrfons that ad, or elfe frequent them : all which I lib. have at large difplayed in the (n)foregoing ABs: (\vhcre (g) De Vero (0) their obfeenity, vanity, effeminacy , lafcivioufhejfe, Culm 1. 6,c .20 . prodigality ,and lewd pernicious confequences are laid open Sftagogtcfi! "the full:) wee fhall foone difcover, that not ondy 0")Hom. 6,7,38, fc^inMatth Horn. 15,21, & 62, ad Pop: Antiochixj &Hdm. 8 dc Pcenitentia ( /JDe Civit.Dei,1.2,c.$,to 1^28,19. De Symbolo adCate- c^umenos,1.23c.i,2 8cl«4>c.i. (1) De Gubernatione Dei lib ,6. (m) See A ft. I, z,?>& Chorus. (») Sec Aft. iji,j,4,j, 6, throughout. COSceAft. M>and** the Pa r t. i . Hiflrio-Mafiix. 547 thefeventh commandement , (as (p) mofl moderne Expo- (p)Bp.Babing- fitors of it witncfle;) but even, Exod. 3 2.6. 1 9. c. 2 3 . 1 3 . ton > P£rkins' ZW. 22. 5./^. 23. 7./^2l.iI,ir5Ij. 2\r>rf. ly ^wnham? 39. Ty^/. i^4,7y^/.ioi.3. to the end. Pfal.i.i.^fal. BrinifyL. ke, 2 . 3,4, 7/^y 3. *<5:(I7. <:<*/>. 5.12. ftf/>. 33. J 5^ 16 cap, WilIwrrs,Bp# SS^JiCap. 58.?. Hofeai.iy. Ecclefiafies 2. t.cap.j. Andrewes and to 11. Z«r6. 13. 2.0^^.12.36 $7. Rom. 13.12,13, 4&5\ 14. I C£ *ri £ * and quicken me in thy word. If &c Villti* we reflexion (7) Clemens ' pe departed from them we have had much forr&w :fo this llu v ! device pleafed themwell. Thencertameof the people were prohibited ex- f° forward therein, that they went to the King, who gave preuVbyDeur. them licence to doe after the(*)ordinances of the Heathen; 12.30^1 ,?2.& Whereupon they built a place ofexercife at lerufalem, ac- condemned,by cording to the cuflomes of the Heathen^ and made them- a Kings 17.1$. feives Hncircumcife&, and forfooke the holy covenant, and 37.2 & \* \Aaj°yne^ihemf elves to the Heathen , and were folde to doe PfaJ. 106. ?r. mifchiefe. Which ftorie is thus further * amplified, and Ict.ic.^. Ezefr. more particularly related in the 2. of the Maccabees tap. ij.i2/-.2^.5o, 4, ^.7. to 18. Where we reade; That Iefus , who flUed V<^'V{ *-fe himfelfe Iafon , and fy maniac ally pur chafed the High- the z.of Macs pnelhood of Antiochus Spiphanes jromifed to affigne this cabees,c.6.v.7, wicked King 1 50 talents of fiver jf he might haue licence 8>9« tofet him up a ylace ofExercife , (d) hfephus ftiles it ommU °.cf, 7otu\'0Lviii> and the Latine transitions render it gymna- fum$ Part, i . Biprio-Maftix. 549 [mm, which as (e) Calepine, Holioke, and before them * In their D= both, (f) If odor Hilpalen/is, wknetiefigmticth, *;*£- agarics, /% place where vaulting, wreftlmg, running pricing, ^vmmca throwing oftheftone, and all kind i of (g) PUyes and Sn- acs. y terluAeswerepratiifcd : ) for the training up of the lew- f OHginum L. ifi youth in thefafhions of the Heathen, Which when the i ?.c t<<.to i <;. King had granted yanAhee had gotten into his hand the &'. if.cap.2. rule* he forthwith* brought his owne TJjtiontothe Gree- ^fti^Aolh kifh fafhion: and putting downe the governments that ).2.c.^66. were according to the Law , hee brought up newjouftomes Cyprian de againftthe Law : For hee built gladly a place of Exer- Speftaeulislib. ctfe (in (h) nature of a Theatre, where Playes and (ports ^hvyfo%'^0™* wereatted) under the Tower itfelfe; and brought the j^Matth. & young men under hisfubjeBion. 2{ow fitch was the height Horn, 1 5, 1 7, of Cjrcekc fafhions and increafe of heathenish manners 18,19,21^2. through the exceeding prof aneffe of lefts } that ungodly adPop.Antio= wretch; that the Priests had no more courage to ferve ^^accCr3: Any more at the Altar 9 but deffifing the Temple , and £$Cee,'and f neglecJing the fieri fees , haftnedto be partakers of the before! unlawful! allowance in the place of Exercife y after the * Scelfiodor. game of Di feus called them forth: (i) (which one kinde of Hilpalcnfis O- €xercife is put for all the Grecian PI ayes and Taftimes) [^n^\'l; uotfettmg up the honours of their fathers, but liking the Caelius Rhodi- glory of the Grecians (who * were much 'devoted unto ginus Antiq. Stage-play es) befl of all. By reafon whereof fore cala- Lectionum ). mitie came upon them 5 for they had them to be their ene- l ^c* * 7* ** .ex" mies and avengers y who(e cuftomes they followed fo ear- ancjroi,(, neftly y and unto whom they de fired to be like in all things: 2To Adrianiis for it is not a light thing to doe wickedly againfl the Law Turnebus Ad« of God: Which Apochryphallpaflage, (k) theTapifls verfanorum I. .allowing to be Canonic all Scripture y and (I) T* rot eft ants I'c9" pi l Dc Gloria Athenieiifiurru Cyprian de Spe&aculis. TatianusOratiQ adverfus Grae- cof. Auguft.Dc Civit. Dei lib. 2. cap. i©,i 1,1 ?,I4.& Jib.4.eap.2S0 ASixtus Sencnfis Bibl.Sanft. I. l.p. 22^034. Andradius de LibrisCanonicislib. 3. / Dr.Reinolds, Whitaker,Danaei>s, Willet and others. Dc Libris Apochryphis et Canone Scripts Controvert. Bp. Mortons Proteftants Appcalclib. j,cap.2. Dr. Field^Df the Church, Bookc 4*cap, 2 23 2 j, 24 w^ Aaaag approving 5 5 o Hiftrio-Majlix. P art. i . m Sec Att. t. approving to be an undoubted florie t though not canonical} Sec nC up. 17. Text, infallibly affures us ; Firft., that thefe Playes and Horace dc Arte £nterludcs had their oHginallftom the Idolatrous dijfo- oy"uTkaIH-" l*te Pagan grcekes ; and chat they were the exercifes, carn.Annqu. ordinances and cuftomes of the Heathen. Secondly, Rom.1.7.feft. that they were never in ule among the Iewes till this $. & z Mac. wickcd lafons time i (n) who is the firft wee reade of w'sec foVephus that erefted a Theatre or place of exerciie for thefe and Antiqu. Tudx- fuch like paftimes in Ierufil em, about 1 74 yeares before omm lib. 11. our Saviours Natwitie; where (0) Herod like-wife fet cap. 6. up a Theatre and Amphitheatre for ft age-play esfw or d- 0 Iofcphus An- yiayes^ circjue-playes, and fuch other Roman fports9 about 1^1'] .#*..» fome 1 c yeares before our Saviours birth ; till which times rum J.i y.v.u, •» * • •> i • t t /• t See cap. 1 $. & *"* /f mvj B? and good Law of God, and that thofe wh» to 6 4 * ' ' ' praclifeor approve them doe wickedly againft Gods Law. /(Conftit.Apos Laftly, that (i) the introducing of Stage-play es was the tto!.].2.c.6 5,66 caufe of Gods bringing in of fore calamity upon the Iewes - 3c 1.8.c. \ 8. anji 0f th0fe fiwdry judgements and afflictions which they manuTconG= Mered- Ifwe adde to this the apocryphall(k,C™fi»"- ftitutionum 'toons of the A pofttes, recorded by flemens Romanus; we Apoftolica- /hall finde them exprefly condemning and prohibiting rumlib.8.cap. Stage-play es , with all thofe Cjr&cian Enterludes which% 3 8.apud Sun- jafon introduced', commanding all Christians to withdraw Tom. t r.i 20. themfelves from them3 yea wholly to renounce them as the the Title of very inventions andpompes of the T)ivel:my we fliall fee which 38 ( I) St. Paul himfelfc , exprefly excommunicating and chapt^sthis; UmnesTarif VauU Afofioll^t Scene 3. towards the end. cafting Part. i. Hiftrio-Maftix. 55* eafiing out of the Church , all Smge-playersy and T I ay- haunters, whether male or female, till they {ball utterly renounce their profejfion, and take their everlafiing fare- well of Stage-play es. It is evident then by all thefc Ca- m Deut. 27. 16 nonicall and Apochryphal Scriptures, & by the Apoftles * Kings i7.\ ?, conftitutions ; that Stage-playes are direclly contrary Dcutr- **. go, to, and condemned by the very facred law and word ?x^2,Rom»I4 of God; which adminifters unto us this 46 play- ^Ixod. if.**, condemning argument, againft which there can be no Gen. ]9/9% ' averment, from which there can be no evafion. Lcvit. 1 8. j. That which is fully and really condemned by fundry fi- BeutM .£40. cred texts both of canonical and apochryphall ^'rj0' ,?,c*7'* Scripture y (m)mv& certainly be finfuli, andal- to iVlofhl'a"' together unlawful! unto Chriftians , who (n) 1 j. mull: never allow, orpraclife that which the • Demiibusa-; very word of God condemnes. perriffime di. Mvt Stage-playes are fully and really condemned by fa^h nSf- fundry (acred texts both of canonicall and apo- feren/afcntea« chryphall Scripture ; as is undeniably evident by tia eft, fed po- thepremifes. tius exequens Therefore they muft certainly be finfuli, and altoge^ da* Cmtf* •*" ,x,u 'ber"nlawf*lluntoChrimans : /SuZriZfr Who if for no other reafon, yet for this a!one,ihould C4»9$ 1 . now at lafi (0) without more delay es^ renounce, fupprtlTe p Rom. 10. $. all Stage-play es} which the facred Scripture ( the very 17. Luke 24. (p) ground and objecJ of our faith , the \p ) very rule ,the *-*^. . ^ Square both of our lives And thoughts) hath thus con- GalAi$f*° demned. ACTVS 7. $CENA SeCVNDA. THe fecond Squadron of Play-oppugning Authori- ties^ the venerable hoary^refolution of the whole primitive 5 5 1 Hiftrio-Maftix. Pa rt. i . t. primitive Church both under (if not before,) the Law The whole and Golpell ; which hath palled fuch an irrepealabie Church both ^cntence of condemnation againft all Stage-playes , beforcand un- Payers, and Play-haunters , as no true member of the der the Law holy Catholicke Church mail be ever able togainfay. and Gcffpcll That the whole Church of God under the Law {confift- condemned ^ng ^ one[y 0f [€WeS anci ]eWifi Trof elites) abominated (r) Deavl 4%. anc* rciec^ed Stage-playes, it is molt apparant by thefe c.16. 18. Pfal: enfiiing rcafons. Firft, because we finde no mention at 147. 19,20. all of any fuch Playesor Enterludes in any canonical] Rom 3*1$. Scripture , or ancient Iewifh Authours , nor any Jbti- d«orAntl? l »" ^ation that the Iewes approved them* Secondly.be- c.6 j, 1 f3c.i % cau^e Stage-playes (as (/) Iofepbus, and the (*) Ttookes 13, &I. 1 5, ' °f CMaccabees informe us ; were moft direcftly eppo- e. 9. (ite both to the lewijh Uwes, their government , manners (r)i Mac. 1 . v. r;tef andcufomes: For flrft the Iewes (and fo all Chri- 2 M3c.4,v.7.to ^*an s ^ were exPre^y enjoyncd by Gods Law , (v) to j g# " make no image ^ likeneffe or reprefentntion of any Idol, nor (v) Exod. 20.4, (x) yet to make mention of any Idols name. Now Stage- Levit. x*. 1. playes were alwayes fraught with the piBures , images, /?ttt"48^tf reprtfenuitions, and names of Pagan idols , which the 12 Pfal. V7 7. ( z,)^erves couldnever broo^e: and 'thereupon tbey(a)witb~ 1 Ioh.^.z 1. See flood Herod when he would have brought hi* Stage-playes the Homeltes tnto Ierufalem^ becaufe of the images , vi fours and pi- T f d d* ^ ^MrtS ^tended them. Secondly, the \b) Iewes were /VtE J 1*1* commar*ded to abandon all monuments, rites and reliejues See Aft. 1'. of Idols and Idolatry :allcuflomcslj jpeni 'their time, nay wafle their lives, a Trithern'ius , H^g^Eiing in the meane while both the publike and their Po(Tcrine,5c owne private affaires ; So he record twithall, (f) That others. ^ UWofes thought it meetc^ that all his Citizens, following 7 VnICUl' f^e t<*w of nature, (hould celebrate the feventh day [being Bafilea/ 1 c< 8 * the birth-day of the world) in reft , and fefliv all recr eat i. Torr.T. p.i7 1", °ns\ laying afide all workes, all gainful I callings and fe- *7i. & dc In. cular iwplujments^that fo they might wholly apply them- dicelib.Tom.i J elves, not to jports and pleafures^as fame doe) nor yet to £97 .See Aft. the ridiculous fiq-hts of Stinre-playes and dances . which ,u, i the unruly vulvar loves excel lively , captivatmtr their /Hancobrem / , p . . a JJ '' J j, ■ xlle maximus ver7 J0H^e by the two chief eft fences , fight and hearing y Mofes ^equum which of it f elf e is free and foveraigne : but that they cenfuit, utcm. might folelj addiB themfelves to true phylofophy , and to ?es ?rcripti e- G 0d s wor (hip and fer vice. And withall he cemfieth us, nature fcciuen • ^ That the lewes in their folemnefiafis and meetings a- tesjcelebrarent bandoncd all ' drunl^nneffe , voluptuoufneffe, effeminacy Iiunc diem and excejfe ; together with all Stns,factifquein unam fpc-> ciem coaptaris, in quaefita fruantur fcrlicitatc. De Vita M«fc EnarrathAib, i.Tom.U f>91z- * Dc VitaContemp!ativaliKTom.i,pag,.i2o^,to iti6. Part, i HiftriQ-Majlix* 555 citis. Num tunc tibfre ? num tunc Quareenim (die mini) tan* turn flatim ab initio d'amnum inducis in do* in they founded out Gods praifes. Ail which fuflicifcntly S'^^g"1 manireits,that the whole Church of the lewes condem- honcftatenup- ned Stage-piayes. Sixthly, *S>. C^rjf°fiomc in his $o\ tiaseoerint? Homily upon Genefis, difcoutfing of the marriage of la- Audite qui Sa- eob to Lab ans daughter , ("even long before the Law tan,cas Pom- was given) informes us : (v) That the Saints of god in ^\^|[mf b" thofe times had no CMufitians 3 no diabolic all dancing at 'lv{lt\0 nuptia- their marriages • that they fentforno Players from the rum honeftatl Play-houfe to their houfes, to corrupt the chafiity of the dedecore affi married Virgin with their unfeafonable expence , and to make her more impudent and incontinent ever after: A cu- ftome too frequent in his and our times , -which this godly cymbalaTnurn Father much condemnes. Seventhly, Origeny (who (x) tunc chore; much inveighes againft Playes , againU flayers and diabolic* * Play-haunters, as the very broode and bondfiaves of the Divell3who have no part at all in Qhrift or in his £hurch) records : That CAlofes tooke away all fuch things as con- duced not to the benefit of mankinde ; embracing andche- rijbing thofe things onely which might be vfefull and pro- mum tuam, ct fitable unto all men : whence he permitted and infiituud e°s ^Ul in , e* no fuch Playes and gymnicall Sxercifes as the Gentiles ftrfs opcrar^ ufedy m which naked men wr eft led together, or contended locant,vocas, with one another on horfebackfy or in which women were utcum intern* proftitutedtotheluftsofallmen, that fothey might de- P^ofumpm lude nature by their lewdnetfe.But this verily was princi- VjJB:^l * ** ... . J. . r JJ i r i • r continenuam, pally intended among the lewes \ that from their very era- et iuvenem dies they might learne to tranfeend all nature , to over- impudentio- come what ever was fenfible, and to beleeve,that God re- rcrn facias,&c. fidednot in any part offenfible nature, whom they did fe eke ZCZ')'%'}67' xHomil, i J/nLevir.Horrv8.inIfaiam,& Hom.t.in Hieremiam.SeeA£h6. Seene $. Siquidem Moyfes ilia univerla fuftulerit , quaz hominum generi nihil conducerent: TSmceperit vero duntaxat et foverit, quaunilia forentet omnibus profitura; itautnec certamina efTcnt apud Iudaros hos inftituta qualia apud Gentiles , in quibus nudi homines decertarcin, velexequiscontenderenr, proflituerenturq-, omnium libidini- bus faemin.T3 ut per impudicitiam naturas illudrretur. Sed illud profe&oeratapud Iu- dxospraecipuumjUtvcl atenerisunguibus execdere naturamomnem, ctfuperarefen- fibiJem difcei ent,et nulla eius in parte refiderc Deum exiftimare,ut quern in fupernis Ct tnac we necc* no otncr' Secondly, by the fuffrage negavipaupe- ribus quod volebant,n*oculos vidua; expeitare feci, &c. O qua»n meliorct per om- nia commendabiliorefhTiscfta^onefta ct fobria hece liberalitas, quae ad vitam xtcu JnAm frudificat3quam ilia quae fubvertitanimam,rationemhcbetat, corpus deftruir, & asdificatai ochennam. Vttrua bltfenfit Epttl.%%. Eib!. Vxtr,Tom. 1 i.f>4ts 1. p. 760. \ HeW. 1.1,5. 3c c. 10.18,19. a H«c fa ntta Catholica et Apoftolica Ecclcfia reprobat omncsfcortatione.l30. d Monomachia* nobis fpectire interdi£umcft3 nc videlicet participeshuiufmodicsediumreddamur. Nee cetera fpe£hcula fpeftare audcmus,nc oculinoftriinquiaentur,etaures noftrae hauriant profana, qua? ibidecamanturcar- mina.N'que domThyeftistragica facinora comrnemorat Sec. Nee fas nobis eft au~ dire adulteria Deorumhominumque.quac fuavi verborum modulantur racreede, &c* Theopbilns 4nthcht»* *.l ^Htoficnm l.3.Bibl.P*tr»Tw,i.»»\ 7©.6.tf. Vbbb 3 m 5 5 S Hiftrio-Maflix. Pa rt. i J * Alieno abhis are all prohibited to beholde D Hells , left wee [hould bee Speaaculis a- m^e partakers of fucb murthersm Heitber dare wee be- ffi° feff s# £*/&c- ^either is it lawfull for us to hear e the adul- pefi intcrimac ter*es °f^e Gods and men, which they modulate with a lblliciti hone- faeeteftraine of words, being allured unto it by rewards, fits voluptati- Farre be it,farre be it, ] fay from (fhriftians, with whom bus abftinetis, temperance and modeffy ftourijb, and chafiity bearesfway, ^tfs^^non3 tLu Wee P°0Hldf° m»ch ** think> mHch l4e beh°M oraO: pompisiBterc- fHch *&***** asthefe. What fuller, what plainer de- fli«. Mmuciu4 deration againft Stage-playes can we defire than this ? Felix oaav m Fourthly, ssfthenagoras 3 the famous Chriflian Philo- Cxoni* i6i7. fopher, in his esfpologie or Smbaffte for the Christians, *e Nos lohur t0 ^-'^ttrehus Antoninus, and Aurelius (fommodust PUJes and Znterludes. Fifthly, CMmutiusFe- poropiT vc&m llXj tnat famous Chriflian Lawyer , who flourished a- ct fpcdaculis hout 200 yeares after Chrift , in his incomparable Dia- abflinerrus , logue,ftiled Osiavius, in the defence of the Chriftians ; ' quorum et de brings in {f) Cdicius a Pagan, taxing the Chriftians for iaensongmem t^at f» ref0rted not to Stare-playes, neither were they noxia bland> }refent atpubhk? jhewes : to which Oltavius, in the be- menta „ n re •«. • • 1 ... nonaccedant. ent Councell affirmes - it is cerraine, the primitive cwthurthau Church and Chriftians did evermore condemne them : ^c*n.w.ipui and can we yet approve, applaud, frequent them now? Smium c*ndL Eighthly, St. (fhryfoftome , about 400 yeares after Ztofti.M©* Chrift, in his 1%, Homely to the people of Antioch; and %£"r'%$; in his : 8. Homely upon CMatihew^ writes : ( kj That ^ '^£ * all the (fhriftians of Antioch in the time of timr feare and £ §ej nunc ta- danger had of their owne accord fbut up the Play-houfe ccntibus nobis, doores, and flopped up all paffages to the Circus^ run- ctofliil <*e hoc ftintr haflily with zeal e and eameflneffe to the Church dicentibus, siir3/ijy\>J' 1 <-r>i ipontcOrchc- 1 0 pratfe the Lord 3 in jtead of reforting to the Thea- {\ ram 0bftrux- ' ters 5 ( / ) which at to us } and all good (fhriflians y erunt,etCircus ( in whofe perfon hee (peaces ) lie defolate and ruina- inaccefsibilis ted long agoe. Ninthly , Saint esfugufine about the faC. (m) Gosfcll 5 6 o Hiflrio-Maflix. Pa rt. i . w Deindc quod ( m) Golf ell wasjpread abroad in the world \ Stnge-playes J! of Religion, the true Church and fervants of Chrift Aiorum lc-0' were as 0PP0^ce to Stage-playcs , to Theatres in the $rant3ea repre- primitive times, as the ( n) Arke to T>agony (e) Chrift hcndcRtium to 'Belial: and fhall wenovv yoake them both together? qua: nunc cis Laftly, St.Hernard, about the yeare of our Lord 1 1 30. ctiam recufan* info.^ us ; (f) That all thefaithfulljouldiers of Iefus 11 ara Ct:bi«Ur" Ckrifi abominate and re jell all dicing y all fage-plajcrs^ fubtrahunmr, fouth-feyers, tellers of fables, all fcurrilous fongs and tusiveromag- ft age-play e s ^as vanities y and falfe frenfies, l^either de- nam laudem light they in the ravenous fp or t of hanking. They cut repenent tern- ^eir hair e and wear e it Jhort, knowing according to the anonun. Quid MilitesChriftifcacoseta'easdetcibn'ur, abhorrent venationem, nee ludrkra ilia avium rapina (iirafioirt)delc&antur.Mimos crMagos, etfabulatores,(ciHTi]erq;cantilena<,autIudorumrpe£racula,tanquam vanira,;csctin« fjnias faltasrcfpuunt ct abominantur. Capil!ostondent,fcientcsiuxta Apo(to!u'n,ig# nominiam e(fc virp fi comam nutricrir. ltrn*rdt uJMihtes TempU St'm$. cap. 4. Ope.a Jniwtrp* 1 6 1 6.C9'.B 1 2.1, M. Church Pa rt. i . HiftriO'Maftix. 561 Church and Chriftians under the Gofpell,could not but ? Con( »! :UI« cenfure and oppugne them too. Secondly, the moft^the ^b^*^i chiefeft Fathers and Councels in the primitive Church feSVclcari. have abundantly, unanimouily, profeficdly condemned <4and f. Arete Sr age-play es, in the higheft ftraine of oppofitionjas the tenfe 2. Can. premiles and two next enfuing Scenes will manifeft-.the *o*CpnftantT- primitive Church and Chriftians therefore did andoub- canh^nea!* tedly condemne , reject them ; whofe judgement re- fe,t cfn.Ts, maines upon record to all pofterity in the laborious r Clemens Ro. writings of thefe Fathers^ and in the Canons of thefe manus Con- moft famous Councels. Thirdly^the primitive Church ^f^0^' under the Gofpeil, asfitndry (q) Councels, (r) Fathers 3 ^}%l{^\ci and (f) others tefttfie, excommunicated aK Stage-players , tia'cap. 7. Cy- fill cIi lay -haunters ; thrufting them out both from the prian.EpiftJ.T, Churchy the Sacraments, and all Chriftians fociety , as EPi{?» f0- Eu* voyfome,putredycontngiousy unworthy gracelejfe perfons, ^a.u'" C^\V till they had utterly abjured Stege-playes , and Jolemnly David^eTsaule protested to returne unto them no more : this therefore is /Ioannis Sanf- infallible, that they rejected Stage-play es. Fourthly,//' berienfis De uny Taganwho was a profejfed Stage-player or Tlay- NugisCuria-- haunter ^defired to turne Chriftiany he was fir ft to renounce pU™; U rTy his art of Stage-playing , and to abandon all re/ort to ft;naio*2j.& 'Tlayes, before hee could be baptifed or admitted into the 4S.Sc de Con- Church, as the (t) mar ginatl authorities fully evidence: fecratione Di- This therefore is an unfallible evidence, that the prim ;- ftina"> u Am tive Church and Chriftians abominated Stage-playes. H*t«Surnma Laftly, every Chriftian that was baptized in the primi- Theologian J7.Artic.2.re£V.4.p?94.AluarusPelagiu»,dePlan£luEccIeniiKT.Artic.49. Aftexanus dc CaHbusl.j. Tir. 7. Artic.4. Ioannis deBurgo Pupilla Oculi pars 4.C. 8.T. Phocius MonocancnisTiM ?.c.i i,22.Susnma Angelica Hifhic.Toftatusin Matth.Tom.g.fol, 40.EXentur.Magd.Torr.j.Col.i42.Baronius & SpondamisAnnoChrilti 206. feet 1. & \7 i.feft. io.Dr.Reino'ds,Mr.Northbrook,& Mr.Goflon in their Treaties .igamft Suge-playe<.Eu!enerrus deThratro I: .c.5 1. The J.Blaft of Rctrait from Playes and Tiieatres p, 1 1 ^.with fundry otheis.See A&. 4. Seen. 1 .p.i 3 3 , 1 $*, t Concil .kliberinum Can.6 2 .Theodoret Contra Grarcoslnfideles lib.8.De MartyribusTorr. ?.p. 3 90. Pri« Bijflus Comment, in Epift. ad Rom.r.io.fol.c ?. Antoniiii Chronicon.parsa.Tir.ic.c* lo.fed.ij.fol.i^ 2.Baronius5c Spondanus ApmoChrifti 371.fect.io. Codex Theodo* ,fiil*l5.Tit.7.Lcx.i.ScehereAd.^.b.ceneii. 6c 14. £ccc tive 5 6 z Hiftrio-Maftix. Pa rt. i . v See Baronius tive Churchy didfolemnly renounce (v) allStiLge-pUyes> & Spondanui dancing withfuch lik? Jports and Jpeclacles , as the very Annal. Ecclef. mrfe and pompes of the Dwell under which all Store- 206. fe&. 2.4. pity**, spectacles and dan' mg are included , as £ lemens x :.£h 1. Cho- Romania yTertu/han^ Cy> ill of ' Hierufalem, St.tAugu- rus:p^c4o.to Jlinc.Chryfoftome, Salvian^ Ijiodor Hdpalenfis ,HRaba- 57. & AftA w (jrfaurHS^ an£ otljer F/.thers exprejly teftifie, in their j Impudtnter ( x )for equated places :to which I iliail here annexe fome in Ecclcfia d«- other tefHmonies to make the point more plaine ; that monia ex^rci- Stage-playes, aud dancing are thofe very pompes of the zat, quorum £)'lvc\[ f yvhich Chriftians in the primitive Church, S° eaacuHs111 (anc* ^€e now as we'1- as r^e^ renounce in baptifme, laudat: ct cum however we meft perjurioufly realTume them, againft femd illi re- our facred VQW£S- St. fyprian in his Booke T)e Spe- nuncians.re- ttaculisi is mo 0-punchiall to this purpofe ; where thus cifa fit resom- ^e writes:^ ) ffe impudently exorcifeth the Divel in the mat^dumpoft Church ywhofepleafures hee commends in Smge-pUyes ; Chriftum ad And when as by renouncing hint once in baptirme 3 all his Diaboli Spe- pompe and furniture is lofped off; whiles that after this ftaculum va- profeffien offfhrifl he goeth to the (peElacleS of the Dive/P tan' Mmdia *' re™unceth even £hrift himfelfe as a ut renuncientadverfariiciccmonls cultui ct omnibus pompis eius , quarum non minima pars Spec^aavla funt : Corpm Urn Chilis. Ln^dum 1^04. Ttm./\.fo(. i6i0 Fid. iMem* Spectacles Part, i . Htflrio-Maftix. 563 Spectacles are not the leaft part of that worfhip , ofthofe £ Polluere etia pompesoftheDivell which Chriftians renounce m bap- iuasmanus, et tifme, when they arefirfi initiated and admitted to the fi- fc"^" SUrCS cred CMyfteries : whence he prohibits all ^hriftuns,esje- prohi bin's ludis daily all Clergy men, either to all, or beholdefkch Snter- &c lhtdm, Indes and Spetlacles as thefe, or (b)to follute their hands, c Vocis lilms their eyes and eares with fuch damned and prohibited recor^ens, Vlayes . St. Chryfoftome, as in fundry places before quo- faaiTiniti arc- ted; fo in his 21. Homely to the people of Antioch, and his ris , emififti: 69. Homely Hpon CMattbew,he {\i\eS ft age-play es, cirque- Abrcnuncio ti- playes,and dancing, the Divels Pompes and Leclures:his ££ $aun*» 5c words in the firil of thefe places are remarkable. (c)Re. ™^**0\ member (faith hee) this Jpeech which thou haft uttered Circa Margari", when as thou waft baptifed3 I renounce thee Satan, thy tamm enun ' Vompes, and thy fer vice: fay alwayes, I renounce thee cultum jnfa. Satan. Toothing will be fifer than this Jpeech, if wee ex- s^^T1 frejfe it by our workes. For this jpeech is a confederation ^^^ c*[ ypith the Lord. *And as we when we buy fervants, demand pifti, non at of tb em fir ft, whether they willferve us yea or no; evenfo corpus vincias, doth Qhrift,when a* he ought to receive thy fervice,hefirft ^ utpaupercs demands of thee, whether thou wilt fir ft for fake that mer- ^f™A- c^fM* cilefe and cruel! tyrant, and then he receives thee into co- contmue^A* tenant : for his dominion it not forced. And though het rfnuncio'tibi hath redeemed us wretched and ungrateful! fervants with Satana. Nihil fuch a price, the greatnejfe whereof the reafon and minde ^ac ^utius vo* of man is not able to comprehend*, even with his owne mo ft a,fi ipfam per J r , i • / v r r 11 1 • 1 fenritutnri capere, pr'ut interrogat an vclis ilium cradelemtyrannumd'^ittere, ct l.mrutcn, et ad fcedera, fufcipit; nonenim coactum eft ipfius imperiumj 6cc. How//. i\,4dPof>ut^m Antv* eth.Tom. 5. Col. 166. C. p. d Etpofl iiaem Col 167, fece 1 alone: 564 Hiftw-Majltx. Partj. «. , lone: and if thou fais~l from thy heart; I renounce thee hoc nuncuum Satan, and thy pompejhe hath received all he doth require. in forum pro- Let us Jay this, I renounce thee Satan: and let hs keepe this dcas, fed cum promife,as thofe who are to gi ve an account of it at the laft csianuaevefti. fay that we may then refiore the pledge fife. Wow the bulatranlsref- -/ . } , J a r / fums,hocprius D^lspompe, are theatres, ft age-play es, circpte-play es, loqucre vcrbu, costly and gorgeous appar ell, prtfiges, omens, and every Abrenuncio t;. finne. To preserve thee therefore from thefe pompes, and bi Satana , ct ejJery ether finne: ( e) when thou art going out of thy doore, coniungor tibi Htter this fbee:hfirft ; I renounce thee* Satan, and I am Chrtfte.Ncun- . , ^ . -' / ' _r . . ' . . ouam abfque united to thee 0 Chrift : Tfjver goe thou abroad without bac voce excasj this ifeech : this will be a ftafe, this will be armour and haec erit tibi an impregnable tower to thee, Co that neither min nor Di* bacculusjhacc vell jhafl be able t9 hurt thee, when they (hall fee thee ap- arm-.tura,ha*: , r ■ ■ n J ■ / / r r J » • :™ ,„ pearinq- every where furmjhed with the e weapons. St. 4u- nibilisj ficut g^jrine, as m his ' f ) fore-alleiged place, to in his fecond jion tantwn Hook? De Symbolo ad Catechumenos, cap.i. & z. He in- homo occur- formes US: ( g ) That ftage-playes, cirque -play es, and rens,uerum nee ^ nl^ ^^acles^re the pompes of the T>ivell,which lpfeDiabous ->, , , 7 -r . . r r n a 1 # tc quicquam "tfr* r3'ltr} enjoy ned us to renounce : r lie ft age-play es there- lscderc poterit, fore (faith he) 0 my beloved ,avoid thefe mofl filthy dens of cum his te cer- the cDlvell, lefi thsfnares of the wicked one holde you cap- nensarmis u= t^VCt Alchuvinus,zkmo\\s Engiiih Divine,flourifhing tcT.ib^hmcX about the yeare of our Lord 790. in his £piftle,T>e C&- i6yp.i6S^i.' remonijs BaptiCmi, writing ot that renounungwhichwe /Acl.:.Choru> mak? in baptifme ; wherein we renounce the (Div ell with p.49,5°- all h>s work? s , and all his pompes ; informes US: (h)That g Si re pompa t\} /> pomt)es 0fthe DivelL are vaineboafrino- , loud-roun- cquomm,com- dini -/]lf4!lc tn '*hich Chrift tan vigour ts oft times re- A:. do orna - wiitfd and effeminated filthy Stage-playes, with allfiper- IMS ecaiu:gx iuperftamis, equos regent's , vincerccupientis &cc. Si has etc, utdixi, pompa dele- ftat, nee hinj t-bi dentgavit, qui pomnis Diaboli renun:iare prxee.nt; habemus et BO${birMualcmaQAra"mauTiga:Ti eVe. Fugite dilefiifi'.mi Speclacula, fugitccaveas Hirpiiii;)^asDiaboii ccvos vineulateneaac miligni. ILiJ.'l'orH.g.ytrs 1 p. 1 5^9 , 1594. h JNcviCiimc, et omnibus pompis ©us. Qux funt, inanis iadantia, canora reukca, busf^ppc folvitur et moliiiur Chrii\ianus vicor, fpectacula turpia,vel fupcr* -;u a , Ibidem, Opera l.mtu* fori/. 1617, Ct/. 1 5 5 K ftfiOHi Part, i. Hiftrio-Maftix. 565 fluous things, (i) Thomas Waldefifts, a famous Popifli j £>e Sacra- Englifh Writer, aflures us \th*t thepompesofthe rDivel mentalibus -which we renounce in baptifme, before we are united to the praecibus cc fabricke of the Church , are unlaw full de fires, which defile, ^u^ap- but not adorne the fo tile ; as the lufts of the pefi , the lulls ^tfj^&i oftheyeye,with the ambition or oftenmion of the vp or Id, be- Operum.Torr. ion(ringtotheluftofthe.eyes;4SvaineStnge-playes,fo0liJh 3. Venctns pn%, andthe pleafiresofthis evill world. To thefe I ^S'ft might adde ( i ) Gulielmiu Varifienfis ■ (/) ^Alexander ™ '^ FabritiM,the(m)*yalde'nfes, (n) Honorius sAugutto- ^Quoted by dunenfis, with * fundry other moderne Authours f who Alexander Fa- make Stti n 1 t\- it 1 • 1 no, , vel anarum re* the very. Pompes of the Divell which wee mojt folemnly rum3et quaeq$ abjure and prote (I again ft in our baptirme , upon our very fuperflua. ftrft admittance into the (fhurch of Chrift. And certainly De Anti¥i0 #a they muft needes be fo. For iffompa, in its genuine in- tu ^^p*/ * terpretation, (igaifie nought elfe (as (r) Calepine, Sliot, yj»# 2; **w L f.io%.H. % See Aft. 6". Scene 11. ^Quinetiam in folenni illo temper* baptifmi folita ~b omnibus fieri reniinciationc3SpecT:acuIis quoque abrenunciare fidelcs moris fuiflc in Ecclcfia Gallicana, Salvianusteftatur- ct alibi fub Pompis Diaboli quibus renun- tiari mos eft, indufa cenfita fuiflfe Soectacula, Cyriilus docct, et OMNES ALII in- terprsetantur.^rfln;^ &■ SpondaxwAmtiJiakf./ijmQCbTijli io6./etl *,&4. r Jathci? Di(ftionaries3in the \Vori,P6mpa. Cccc 3 Holiekfi $66 Hijlrio-Maftix. Part.! /Pa:da»og.U. Holioke, and other Dictionaries teach us) but Spettacu* c.io.&f.^cii lum, to wit,a Spectacle, Stage-play, or glorious gaudy / De Speftacu- {hew; in which fence this word is oft times ufed, both Gent«lfb ^^ by (f) Clemens ^lexandrinus, (t) Cyprian, (v) Ar. x De Corona no^HS> .(•*") Laclantius, (y) CMinucius Felix, (x) Ter- Militi.sc. 3. 3c tullian, (y) l^azienzen, (z) Chryfofiome, (a)<>sfugu- t i.&de Spe- fline , (b) Salvian, (c) Apuleius, (d) Trudentius , and ^U»S a*' W ot^€r artcM*t (/hriftian Writers ; and likewise by latiouea!' if ) Znfb**, (g) C'"ro,(b) Sc»eca, (i)Ln*,lkJ Seleucum. * 'Dionyfius Hallicarnajfeus, (/) Ovid, {m) Plutarch, (») Hom,3,deDa- Suetonius, (0) Tlautus, (p) *s4thenthC *^er ^ Heat"en Authoursjio which many )moderne Horn*. 42^11 Writers might be added : who comprehend all Playes Afta Horn, 15. **& Spectacles y under the name ofTompes : And ifStage- ai.adPop. An- playes were originally invented fy, andconfecratedunt9 tioch. & Ora- Divels, on whole feftivalls they were alwayes folemnly ^of'^TV* atledin greatest pompe and fiat -e ; as all thefe Authours, 4De Symboio md the (x) premifes largely teftifie : then queftionlefle ad Catechus, the very Pompesofthe Divell which wc renounce in mcnos5l.i.c.i4 baptifme,can be no other but Stage-playes , with fuch ^n 4r k other Speclacles,Shewes and Paftjmes, which the ido- nat.DeiJ./.r" Serous Pagans ufed in the folemnfries and worfliip of eDe AurcoA- their Di veil- Gods: and fo the primitive Church and find. 10. p. Chriftians alwayes tookethem. If then the primitive 28 *• Church, and Saints of God, (who to (hew their greater dContraSym- jetcftation to Stage-playes, ( y ) dibbled all thofewho fnachul.i.Sc*. ,., , *> r JACL y y^ n, 1 r *Ifiodor Hifp. *l(* °Ht marrte women- Actors or Play -haunters , from Onginumli8.c.4T.MinutmsFclixOcl:avittsr.^4.!25./DcrcEqucftn lib. £ Epift, InVfrreml.3. AdAtticuml.l3.Ep.z8.4?. fcControverf.l.i.Pra:fatio.> Hift.R0mJ.x2. 30. ^Antiqu.Rom.l.i.5cl.7.rcd.9. /Faftoruml. 4.p.<*4. 5c Amorurnl. ?. Elcg. ». m Dc Gloria Athenienfium lib. n Iulius f.$7 9 Miles Gloriofiiset Moftellaria.p Dip- nofoph.l 5.C.4. & 1 >. ?$ Chn- %n the primitive £ hurch, have wholly abandoned, yea tit- cjpaftj ^-IC Mo terly condemned Stage-play-es, as diabolicall, heathenifb. quo facris my- unchrifiian SpeclacleS'excommunicdringatlT layers, all fteriis dignus ?Uj -haunters both from the Church, the Sacraments, and nabltus es.Re- thefociety of Chnflians, till they had abjured, renounced yerbomm iUo*- thefe lewd accurfed Enter ludes , which they did mofl de- rum pa£ft con. tefl. And fhall we then who (b ) profejfe our [elves the frenti5 et ne ilk undoubted progenie, followers, ficceffours of the primi- ^ violes,cave. tive Churches, Saints and Chriflians, fo farre degene- fj^^Zfn rare from their piety, purity, zeale and Chriftian difci- jmE'^t Bronte, pline ; as not onely to tollerate , but even patronize 9 Duc^ Vartfl* admire, honour Plavers, Play-Poets, Theaters, Stage- *Wtt«jpj»x^ playes which they fo feverely cenfured, fo diligently * Cemuriac fuppreffed? and which is worfe, to hate, abominate, re- *f6' Dc"£lf. vile, condemne, and ignominioufly traduce all fuch for cipima et mo- (c) Purimns,Pracifians9Humorifts,Cjnnicks,7£ove/lers, ribus,CoI.T4 1, FaclioniftsJ& I know not what befides:(af) an apparant 1*1- Ccnr- * W< VV cap.tf.C0F.45 8. Sccap.o. CoK8 5 7.Cent.f.cACo'.7»i.8cCcnt.6.cA Col.jfp. rfAnnal.E-clefiaft. AnnoChrifti*o6\ fecr.z^.Annojgo.fc&f.Anno 4^. feci. 2. 5c Anno ;7i.fe£bie» *A rhriftoChriftiani mntcognominati. Nonfeautem glorietur Chriftianum, qui nomen habet,et faclra non haber.Vbi autem nomen fequutum fuerit opus, certiflimc ille eft Chriftianus5quiafe faftisoftenditChriftianumjambulansficutetipfe ambula- vit,a quo et nomen traxit. Ifiedor Wfpal. Orieimndf"'. f.14. c See the 3 . Epiftle to my Perpetuity 3The Epiftle to the Reader before Healths Sickne(Te;and Healths Sicknetfe, Edit. 2. p.79, 80. d Nihil nifi grande aliquod bonum a Nerone dasnnatura cft» Et 3T» guraentum rcfti eft malis difplicere. tow, ft VitthAt*, cAp. % 4. arguaiW , 568 Hiftrio-Ma/lix. Part.i c NsnnuIIi pcf- argument of their grace and goodneffe when fuch vi- fjmeloquuntur tious perfons thus revile them J who either write or iitiulSM™De ^Pea^e ag3^ tnem> 0r out of piety and confciencc re- Eentfcp Itt.i. fort not daily to them f Alas, where is our Chriftiani- cap.n. ty, our piety ,our godly diicipline; where is our claimc, /iCor. ^.io. our title , our conformity to the primitive Church: lam. 5.8,9. where our affinity , our cognation to the primitive /sceUypvo- Chriftians > whofe children fucceflburs and difciples litus Dc Con- we profefle our felves , whiles that we thus tolierate, fummationc harbour, juftifie thefe Diabolicali Pompes and Specta- nmndi Otauo. c\cs^ which they fo feriouily renounced as extremely Tom,Pf.triUm °PP°fitet05as inconfif ted with the very praclife and A.°D.^ 1?t profeflion of a Chriftian , and thus {e)cattflefly revile b Chriftiani all thofe who fpeake or write againft them I When we c(Tcdi, veil, which they and we havefolemnly abjured in our noVc Deum b'aptifine ; pafling an eternall doome of condemnation faGis autem3 on us for our perfidious refort unto them, againft o ncgant ; per facred vow ; alas, (g) what can we pieade to juftifie , to qucs,utlegi- extenuate this our fact, or tointitle our felves to the ^I'Wafnnc- triumPbant Church in heaven , whofe difcipline wee tiir* ctDcro- tbus reject on earth ? Can wee alledge for our felves, fanftum Do- that we are pious Chriftians , when as our daily Play- mini Dei no- houfe-haunting (h) proclaimes tts yvorfe than Pagans? mcnfacnlego- or can wc plcnde we a;e members of the holy Catho- ma^ed^o'ne"1 ^c^e Church of Chrift, when as our frequent prefence violatur. Et at Playes, at Piay-houfes, and the diametrail contrariety idco hoc ipfo of our lives,our actions to all the primitive L hriftians, Chrifl ani de- teriores funt qui meliores efTe deberenr. Non enimprobant quod fatcntur, et im- pugnant profeffionemfuam mcribusfiiis; magisenim damnibilis eft rcalitLi, quasi titulus Homtarisacculatj ct reams eftimpii piu.n nomea, SilriinVcGnbew. Vet, i&j.//. 1351,140, 14*. proves M Part. i. Hifirio-Maftix. 569 proves us the very limbes,the bondilaves of the Divelli* 'Cor. 6rt& Certainly we mult needes ftand fiknced, amazed j con- J"^.1.4; \u founded, condemned then, for juftifying , for firequen- ^^t1*1^ ting Stage-playps now, againft die unanimous execra- mUitorum,ut tion, voie and fentence of the whole primitive Church cumfupera'tos and Saints of God,both under the Law and Gofpdi: who damnatofque as they (i) Jhall judge and doeme u* At the laft , fo they fe c^c ^entiant* cnuft needes abominate and condemne us no w.O there- m™nCt"u™ no** fore let no Chriftian now be fo impioufly fhamekii'e, amittant,et fo pdevifhly abiurd , as to apologize for Playes or Piay- quod folum ers, (by pen, by tongue or pradiie,) as tolkrabk,as uie- pofl~unt aos o- foil among Chriitiansj or ignorantiy,much iefle (kj ma- ^'J^ Hciouflj ( out of an implacabk deteftation to all grace, ftUHbcrtatcm all goodnefle) to condemne all 1 uch for (I) Turitans, hxrefcos do- 2{oveliers , or fattious Oblate-contents • the common c^'1 pc^di- voice and clamour of our diflblute gracekfle times, diHe.H/e«*. wherein many turne profefled Atheiits , or incarnate t&'7n9c\:rM ▼^- , •it«i/» r, \/« 1™ *Atnos virttt- Divels, to avoid the jcaloutie or ( m ) being reputed Tu- te$ lpfas invcr- Titans : Butfincethe whole Catholicke Church both tirous atque before and under the Law and Gofpell, with all the pri- fincerumcupia mitivc Chriftians, Fathers, Councels,of all Nations, all J1;^,"^ places , have thus unanimoufly proclaimed an everla- quis nobifcutn fting profefled hoftility, and patted fuch a finall doome vivit ? multum and execration againft Players and Stage-playes; let this eft dimidus eternally convince our confcience,clofe up our mouths, h°mo,&c.H«* alter our refoiutions reforme our Play-haunting lives, & 'sIw^piIq caufe us readily to fubferibe to rhis 47. Play-confoun- i7oV ding Argument, againft which there can be no rcfi- m Expedit vo« ftance, with which I fhall conclude this Scene. bis neminem That which the whole Church of Cjod, beti before and ^tojjgj* under the Law andGofpetl, together with all the ^uls expro- Iewes and faith full Saints before., and primitive batiodeliao- Chriflians in & fince our Saviours -time, have fro- rum veftrcrum feffedly abominatedjre)clled, condemned in the very &*■;} uvItl *felen~ J didacumfor- dilnisveftrisconfertis, itecintclligitisquaato id veftro detrimento audeatis. Nam fi illiqu'. virtutemfcquuntur,avari,lib;dincfi,ambitio{iqj funt, quidvoseftis, quibiif ipiumnomeayirtutisodiocft? SemcAVeVmbuucaP^i* > Dddd . 'high eft 57° Hiflm-Maflix. Part, i higbef I degree, even as the very worses and Pomp* of the cDivell, muft undoubtedly be extremely fin- full and utterly unLiwfull unto {/brifiians : as is evident by i Lor.ro. gf. Phil. 4.8. Fom. 12. 1(5, 17* 1 Cor. 1.104 cap. 14. 23,24,25,32: witiifun* dry other Scriptures, But the whole primitive (« ) Church of God, both a EaEcdefijs b fore and under the Law and Cjofyell, together difplicmt ,mx ^ jltche fcvves and faithfoll Saints fc/w, and omnibus boms «a*tfw fbrtftans in and fince our Saviours Huron .Eptf.i. time, have prof vjjedly abominated, rejected, con- f/p.i. demned Stng'-playes in the very high eft degree > even as the vsry worlds and pompes of the rDivcl\ as is evident by the premifes. Therefore they mufl undoubtedly be extremely (jnfufl and utterly unlaw full unto Chriflians. Let 11s therefore henceforth * walks in the way ofthefe w hT* t' 2C* S00^ msM* an^ ^£eP* *^e Pac^es °f*bff righteous : becom* 'ming followers of thefe blejfed primitive fchrift ions ., as well in renouncing Stage-playesasin points of faith. ACTVS 7. SCENA TerTIA. * ^T* He third Squadron of Authorities, is made up of <4 ■-■»-" "••-'«■■",} I, 57' with Coimcels and Synods* I ftiall here enumerate them in their Order, according to their i'everall antiquities, without any variation from their Latine names, which I ihall ftili retaine for greater certainty , fmce I finde them varioufly englifhed : fetting downe their fevcrall Canons both in Latine & E* glifh Tor the Readers better fati^faftionjinferting likewiie here and there fome other Canons not altogether impertinent to this Difcour/e* The firft Councell againft Stage-piayes , Players and Play-haunters, is, Concilium SUberinum in Spaine, a- bout the yeare of our Lord 305, confifting ofip. Bi- Jhofs : Where I finde thefe three fubfcquent Canons moft pertinent to our purpofe: viz: £*»*#: $y.6-xjSj Ic (0) fanon; $7. Matro- nal, vcl earum mariti, ve- fhmenta iua ad ornaudam feculariter pompam non dent. Etfifecerint^riennij tempore abftineant. I anon; 62. Si Augur aut Pantomimi credere volue- runt, placuit, ut pnus arri Can: 57. Matrons ,or their * APU(* Lau* husbands may notqive {WrentIu™Su*- , 1 , 1 . ' «=> v urn. Coital. lend) their garments, to a- -j-om# , £0. dome any fecular Playes or lonix Agrip. (bewes:Ifthey dee Jet the be 1 5^7*P»3f6> excomunicatedfor^yeares. 3^7* Bini"s ' er or Stage-player will be-cilTom i.Pc leeve, we ordaihe, that they trnsCrab.Con- busfuis renuncient,ettunc I firfi renounce their Arts3& cil.Tom.i.Co. demum fuicipiantur. itaut then after awhile they may lonl3C A?'*\ i«1«>«if;»e n™ fPifoitinhiK \ be received, fo that they re- Carranza Su- turne unto them no more. maConcil.Pa- But if they /■ hall attempt to rifiis'iGi^foh doe contrary to this injun- $7>$8.Centti- ulterius non revmantur Qnodifi facere contra in- terdi&irm tentaverint,pro- jiciantur ab Ecclefia. Canon : 67, Prohiben- dum, ne qua fidclis vel ca- techumena, autComicos, aat viros fcenicos habeat ; qua?cumque hsec receric, a communione 31 ceatur. clion. let them be cafl out "sMag.Ccnt, by the Churchy ^ Can:6*j.Wre prohibit, that nobeleeinngwomanorcate- chumenifi entertain or mar- ry any Comedians or fta^e- playerspvho ever fbal doe ity let her be excommunicated* A fuificient evidence , how execrably detcftable all Ddddi Stage* 57* Hijlrio-M'tflix* Part i. Stage-players and Play-patrons , together with their Stage-playes were unto the primitive Church and Chri- ftians, who would neither admit them into the Church, nor permit them to continue in the Church being ad- mitted, till they had utrerly renounced Stage-playes ; the very lending of clothes to act Stage-playes in , and the. very marrying wither harbouring of a Stage-play- er incurring three yeares excommunication both From the Church, the Sacraments, aid the very fociety of Chriftians# 1. The fecond Cpuncell,is Concilium aArelatenfe I . held f Eodemq; t£- under Conflantine the Great , iri the Citty of l^jrbo in porectiHudfa- France, about the yeare of Chri ft 3 14, confi fling of 600 Bi [hops, as ( p) *Ado Viennenfis informes us : where I finde this Canon againuVStage-pIayerSjintituled Debt qui conveniunt in TloeatrU : and io by conftquence a- gainft Stage-playes too. (q)Canon;s.T)e Thea j Can:?. Concerning flage* tricis , et ipfos placuit, 1 players, we have thought meet quamdiu agunt , a com- to excommunicate them, m firs 2.^.280 .G. muilione fepaf ari. I long as they continue to aft. SceBaroniusSt Spondanus AnnoChrifti 3i4.fe£hf. ^SuriusConciI.Tom.T.p.3^8, Crab.Tom.i.p, 28 i.Cirranzafol.J9.Ccntar.M.igd.4 C0K701, 3\ The third, is, Concilium zArelatenfe 2. about the rSeeSurumfi. yeare 0f our Lor(j ^2$. at which there were prefent /sunusTom".: *°me (r) }% Sifiops, and Come jo Elders and Deacons: p. m> V7- where this Canon was promulgated. cratifsimum Concilium a-. pud Areletcn, fexcentorusn Epifcoporum colligitur,X= dem Chronica* AEtas. 6. Bibl. 0Patt.7om.<$. Can 120. Concerning Aft or or Sta^c-players , who are Christians, we decree them to be excommunicated as long as Crab.Tom.i. (/) Canon: 20* Dea- ;:.294.Ca-ran- gitatoribus five theatri- 7or. Hiatus cuit,eos,quamdiu agunt, Coacil To n. *. a communione feparari. j they perfevere to Play. pars i.p.j6f. ' The fourth, isy Concilium Laodicenum , in Phrygia 4- Tacatiana, about the yeare of our (t) Lord 364.3s fome ifod *? T^ a1**rtne' other's placing it fooner, others later; at which Col??"? ? jTaro- m°ft of the Bifhops intsffia were prefent: where I nir.s 6c Spondanus Anno Chrifti 214. feci. 1 2, 1 3. meete Part. i. Hi/lrio-Maflix. 57? mccte with thefe two Canons , againft: Dancing and Stage-playes. (v)Can: 5 3 «Non opor- | Can: % 3 . Christians going v Surius it Chrillianos ad nupti- 1 to weddings ought neither r'P»4 f 8« tet Torn. Ctab. as euntes vel balare vei f wantonly to fing , nor jet to *^ J™ faltare; fed cafte caenare dkws*; £#* to fuppe or dme ^^ £ "om. I. vel prandere, (icut com- 1 foberly as becommeth Chri- Carranza. fbl. petit Chriftianis. \fiians. S*- Which Canon extending principally to dancing, is j Ccntur. tod.4. Col. ratified and revived by * Concilium' llerdenfe Can, nit: rjiconfeow-* which hath this title: Ff*# Chrifiianorum nuptijs non one Diftindio fait et tir. 5. * Surius C^«^.-54.Nonopor- ] Can: J4. ^Minifiersofthe Concil.Tom.i. tetMiniftros Altaris,vel I zAltar y or any other Clergy P'3^* quoflibet Clericos fpe- 1 men, ought not to bee prefent diaculis aliquibus quae ! at any jlage-playes that are aut m nuptijs, aut in fee- aSied either at marriages or in nis exhibentur,interefle: play-houfes : but before the fed antequam thylemici Flayers or V idlers enter, they ingrediantur, furgeree- \ ought to arife find depart from os, et de convivio abire. | the feafi. Which latter Canon though it extends oncly to Clergy men in words, yet the equity of it reacheth in- differently to ail Chriftians , as the former Canon doth in pofitive tearmes. The R£chJis)C0KC^um Hippmenfe, Anno 393. where- 5» there were divers Bifhops : iti which there were ( x) * See Surius two Canons made ? againft Stage-playes and Aaors; to &° c^urix wit, Canon: 1 3. & 3 5-being the very fame with the 1 1. Maod^jlcof. & 35 ♦ Canons of the 3 . Councell of Carthage next enfu- 8 7 1 ,872, ing, to which I fliall refer you : wherein all the Canons ot this Councell of Hippo were abbreviated and confir- med. The fixth, is, Concilium Carthaginenfe in Africa, &9 about the yeare of our (y)Lord$9j,or i^iconftfling of ^^".Co! 866.Baroniusct Spondanus AnnoChrifti J97.fc&.i4»tj. Profpcri Chronicon to* no i99. Dddd3 44 wz 574 Hiflrio-Maftix. Part, i qq'Bifiops, of which St. Auguftine, then 3 ifbop ofHip~ pot was one : where thefe two Canons were compofed out of the 1 3- and 35. Canons of the forementioned Conncel of Hippo. ^Sjmus Tom. . i. p. 564, fc*.. (z*) £<*»0»: 1 1 . Vt fi- Crab. Tom. 1. [[j Epifcoporum velCle- = ricorum , fpedacula fe- cuiaria non exhibeant, fednecfpe&ent, quan nius Tom. 1. pars i.p.*7$. Carranza.fol. 66. Ctntur. Mag^^.CoJ. 867,869. Gra- tian. DcCpii- fecrat.Diftinft, Can: fi. That the fonnes of Bifiops and Clergy men [ball neither exhibit > nor yet fo much as beholde any fec'H* lar Snterludes , pnce that c- doquidemab fpeftaculo j ven all. Lay -men are prohtbi. et omnes Laici prohi- [ ted from ftage-playes. For hibeantur. Semper enim Chriftianis omiiibus hoc incerdi&um eft, ut ubi blalphemi funt, nonac- cedant. * Sec Codex *Canon: 3 5- Vt fcenicis Theodofii l.i 5. atque hiftrionibus, carte- Tit.7. Lcx.i. jifque hujufmodi perfo- nis vel apo ft aticis, con- verfis vel reverfis ad Dominum, gratia vel re- conciliatio non negetut this hath alwayes beeneflraiu ly forbidden all Christians , that they come not where blaf- phemers are. rfCentur.Mag. 4. Co). 87?. Can: 3$. That grace or re- conciliation [ball not be deni- ed to Stage-playe?s and ex£. clors} andfuch like per fons 3 or to apoflates , who Jha/l con* vert >and ret urnc againe to tht Lord. ♦Which Canon admits Stage-players into the Churcl up on their converfion and renouncing of [their ungodlj profeflionjbut not before. The feventh,is, Concilium forth aginenfe 4. (a)Anm Chrifti 401 ; at which 21 4 , Biftiops were prefent Which as it makes all flattering, all fcurrilous Cltrt h Surius Tom. meHi who delight in filthy jefis 5 or Jtng or dance publikel) Crab Torr ii at any feAfls^a^et0 a flnall degradation : (See fon:S6 44%'c^"n'za ^0.62, :) So it provides thus again ft Playes, and Play fol.73. Grati- haunting. ai . OeConfe- (b) fonon: 8tf. Neo- yI^'c ^jf * & phyti a lautioribus epu- Di58{*. finde thvfe feverall Canons to our purpofe. (d)(, an: 1 1 . Vt Scenicis atque Hiftrionibus(*W eft converfis vcl revcrfls ad Domimtm) cxterifq; hu- jufmodi perfbnis^recon- ciliatio non-negetur. (fanon: 1 7. ! llud ctiam petendum,ut qua? contra pra?cepta divina convi- yia muitis in locis exer- centur quae ab errore gentiii attra&a funt, ve- taritalia jubeant, etde civitatibus, et depoflcf- fionibus, impofita p#na, prohiberi; maximejCiitn etiam innaraljbusbeatif- fimorum martyrum per nonnullas civitates, etin ipfis locis facris talia co- mittere non reformi- dent. Quibus diebus e- tiam (quod pudoris eft dicere) faltationes fcele- ratiflimas per vicos at- que Can : 12. ThatreconcilUti- c/Siuius Tom* at ion {hall not bee denied to *• p 574 » 57 7s Singe-players and common 587. Gratian, Jtlours ,and fitch like perfons; ^ °J!q™£ in cafe they repent and aban- Tom. 1 . p.50 $, don their former profelTions. $06, j0^ Can-* 27. That alfo is to be dejiredy that thofefeafts which are ufed in many places con* trary to Gods precepts , which were drawne from the err our of the Gentiles , jhould be pro- hibited by command , and ex- cluded out ofcittiesand villa* ges : especially , ftnee in fome c it ties men feare not to keepe them even on the birth-day es of the moft blejfed ^Martyrs, And that in the very Chur- ches. On which dayes alfo (which is a fhameto fpeake) they ufe moft wicked dances through the villages and ftreetes y fo that the matro- nall honour , md the cbafti- tie 57* Hiftrio-Maftix. Part. que platcas exercent y ut macronalis honor et in- numerabilium feminaru pudor, devote venienti- um ad facratiffimum di- em, in/uri js lafcivienti- bus appetatur , utetiam . ipfius fan&ae religionis pene fugiatur accefiiis. Carton: 28. Necnon et illnd petendum , ucfpe- dacula theatrorum cx- tcrorumq; ludorum die # Therefore Dominico, vel * ceteris Ch^Wpa-1 Chriftianareligionisdi- femes. e°us celebernmis amo- veantur; maxime quia {an<5H Pafchas oftavarum ^Nota, die,* populi ad Circum magis quimad Ecclefia conveniunt; et debere x tranfrerri devotionis eo- rum dies fl quando oc- current; nee oportere e- tiam quenquam Chrifti- anorum,cogi ad haec fpe- clacula: maxime, quia ill #Nota. h'ls exercendis Qy x. Contra Prjecepta Dei Svnt, nulla perfe- cutionisneceflitas aquo- quam adhibenda eft: fed (uti oportet) homo in li- bera vohmtate fubfiftat fibi conceflfa.Cooperato- rum enim maxime peri- culum confiderandii eft, tj,the modefty of innumerable women devoutly comming to the mo ft holy day, is a faulted •with lafcivious injuries in fuch manner , that even thw very accede to the holy exer- ctfes of religion is almoft dijeontinued and chafed way. Can: 28. iAnd this alfo is ti be requeftedythat Stnge-playei and fuch other Playes and Spe* blades fhould be wholly aban- doned and laid aftde on thi Lo K d s day3and other folemtit (fhrifyianfeftivalls, efpeciall) becaufe on the Safter holy, day es people runne more to thi Cirque or Theatre, than to thi Churchy laying aftde all tht holy-day devotion, when the] Spe blades come in their wt T^either ought any Chriftiaf to be compelled to thefe Sntt ludes or Stoige-playes : chit ly , becaufe in prabliftng tht things *Which Ar Against The Com* mAndements Of Go no necefftty of perfecution violence ought to be ufed any man : but every man (t hee ought) may abide in that freedome of will which is granted to him. For the dan- ger of the co-a clours ought principally ' to be conftdered, Who Part. i. ffiftrio-Maftix, 577 Qyi Contra Pr^- cepta Dei Magno Terrore Co gv n- tvrAd Hi£C Spe- CTACVLA CoNVE- N I RE. Stage-play es therefore Who Against The Precepts Of God Are Compelled To Come Vnto These Stage- P l a y e s. :>y this whole Councels refb- lution, are ne fit (ports for Lords-dayes and holj-dayes: yea they.and the refort unto them \ are direclly contrary to the commandements of God , and exceeding dangerous tothofe mensfoules, who allure or enforce any others to them. Can: 30. tsfndthis alfou to be defired, that if any man of any ludicrous art whatfoe- ver will come and turne a Christian, and continue free from that pollution y that hee ought not to bee reduced or compelled by any man to pra- Elife the fame arts againe. Canon: 30. Et4de his etiam petenduiri , ut fl quis ex qualibet hidicra arte ad Chriftianitatis gratiam venire voluerit, ac liber ab ilia * macula pcrmanere, * non eum li- ceat a quoquam iterum ad eadem exercenda re- duci vel cogi. Canon: 96. Item pla- cuit, ut omnes * infamise maculis adfperfi j id efl, hiftriones ac turpitudi- nibus fubjecti perfona?, id accufationem non ad- iittantur,nifi in propri- is caufis. Can: 96. ssflfo , it is de- creed } that all infamous per^ for.s, that is to fay, Stage-play- ers & perfons inthralledfefil- thine ffe or lewdnejfc, Jhall not be admitted to accufe any per- fon , but in their proper cm- fes. ■ The mnthfis/e) Concilium Carthaginenfe 7 of 3 8 £/'- %ops, about the yeare of our Lord 419. Canon 2,where- 3y all Stage-players are declared to be infamous perfons, ind unable to beare an) tefiimony. Which (fanon is ver- )atim the fame with the 96 Canon of the Councel of A- ricke here recited,to which I (hall herereferre you. The tenth, is, Concilium <*Agathenfe 3 in Trance , Eeec (f)Anno % Whic&m* nifeft* the lew-dneflcof their profef- fion. * Sec Codex Theodofiil.15', Tir.7. * Which fliewes the infamy and bafenefle of Stage- players e SuriusCono cil.Tom. 1. p# 570. Gratian. Cau^M.Quaeft j.Sc *. Crab. Tom.Lp.499* IO« 57» Hiftrio-Maftix. Part, i /Baronms & (f)zsfn no Domini 50$. there being 3 5 Bifhops prefent Sp( ndanus at g . whcrc this Canon was promulgated. (g) Cmon: 39- P^f- J Can: 39; "Presbyters^Dea- Anno 50^ .fctt. £ SuriusToir. I. p.7i$.Gra* tian.Oiftinft. ;4. Centur. Mp.gtU.Col. $z$. Crab. Tom.i.p,6/73 byteri, Diacones., Sub- diacones, etiam aliena- rum nuptiarum evitent convivia : Nee his caeti- bus immifceantur ubi a- inatoria cantantur ettur- pia ,' ant obfe^ni motus corporum choreis et fal- tationibus cfteruntur, ne auditus et obtutus facris myfterijsdeputati , tur- piun fpeftaculorum atq; verborfi contagione pol- cons and Subdeacons , ought to avoid the marriage fe aft s of other perfons: T^either may they he prefent in thefe a ff em- pties where amorous and fil- thy things are fang, or where obfeene motions of the body are exprejfed in rounds or dan- ce* : left the hearing and fight deputed unto the holy myfte- nes Jbould be defiled with the contagion ef filthy Specta- cles ( or Stnge-playes , ) and luantur. words. Which Councell, as it prohibits flergy men from be* fcSecCar. 41. holding T5 lay es or dancing: fb it alfo inhibits (h) them 5 5»7°. from drun^ennejfe • from keepintr either haukes or hounds: and from all fcurnlous mirth or jefting, under patne of ex* communication andfujpenfion. The eievc nth, is, (foncilium Arelatenfe 3 .in the yeare of our Saviour 524. fubferihed by 1-5 Bifhops; where Ludi funebres,or funerall Playes (which (i) were fre- quent among the ancient Romanes) are thus condemned} the reafon of. which condemnation trencheth upon i Livic Rorr. 2i.Tc:tu!lian de Spcftaclih Bulengerus de Vcnatione Cir. Stage-playes ci lib. cap.d.p. 401. .^ Surf us Tom. j.p.7X7.Crab. Tom.t,r.63*. % See Concil. Toletanutn 5. Canon. u.Su* rius Torn. 2- p. 67?. to t!;e /ame purpofc. ( k.) taici qui excubi- as funerisobiervant,cutn timore et tremore,et re- verentia hoc faciant. * Nullus ibi diaboiica car- mina prefumat cantare, necjoca, nee faltationes face re , quae Pagani do- centc Dhboloadinvene- runt. .Lay men who obferve fu- nerall watches, let them doe it with feare and trembling, and reverence. Let no man pre- fume to fmg there any diibo- licall fongSj nor to make any Paftimes , Playes or dances , which the Pagans have inven- ted by the Divels tutor/hip* For Part- i . Hiftrio-Ma/iix. 579 For who knoweth not that it is dUb oh call, and not onely farre from Chrifiian religion , hut even contrary to humane na- ture , to rejoyce , to Jing , to runt. Qui? enim nefciat diabolicum effe , ctnon iolum a Chriftiana reli- gione alienum,fedetiam human* nature efle con- trarium, ibi lartari, can- tare, inebriari, et cachin- gs ora diflblvi, etomni pietate et affedu chari- i love , as it were to he tatis poftpofito, quad de j of hit brothers death , fraterna morte exultare, ubflu&us et plan&us fle- bilibus vocibus debuerat refonare, proamiffione chari fratris,&c.Ideo ta- lis inepta laetitia, et pe- ftifcracanticaex autho- ritate interdicla funt. Si quis autem cantare de- fiderat , Kyrie ekifon cantet : Ci autem aliter , omnino taceat. Si autem ve^drunke , and to laugh ex~ cejfivelj there, and. laying a- fide all piety , and affection of glad eveu there where as fqrrow and mourning with dolefull founds ought to he heard for the lojfe of a deare brother ,&€. There- fore fuch foelipj mirth , and peftiferous fongs ought to be prohibitedby authority. And if any man de fire to fwg , let him fing , Lord have mercy upon mee : but if hee would fing otherwife , let him holde his peace. 'But if hee will not tacere non vult,in crafti- I be filent , let him the next a Picfbytero taliter \day bee fo chaftifed by the no coerceatur, ut alij time- vPresbyter , that others may ant. feare. The twelfth is, Concilium Vcneticum ^bonx. the yeare 1 2. of our Lord 526. confiding of 8 Bifnops , wherein the I Crab.Tom.r.1 forementioned 39 Canon of Concilium nsfgathenfe}(fez P- 943. Sunu* • pag. 578.) is verbatim recited, and ratified, as the 11. c^J^S. Canon of this Councell. 5.C0I.931. The thirteenth's, Concilium Toletnnum $ . in Spain*, x 3 . viAnno6ij. fubfcribedby 72Bifhops, where I finde wSceAft.f. this Canon reeiftred,which though it principally aimes Scene 3,^ * at dancing andfilthy ribaldry fongs, yet it necelfarily condemnetb Stage-playes too , which confift of fcurr;- lous fongs and dancing, as I have (m) largely proved m the premifes. Eeee 2 Canon: 53o Hiftrio-Mdjlix. Part n Surius Tom, 1. p.6"7^»Cen- tur. Magd. 6, Col.to^. (»)CVfw*:25*Extermi- ; Can: 23. That irreligious nanda omnino eft irreli- ' cuflome is altogether to be a- giofe. confuctudo, quam bandoned, which the common vulgus per fan&orum fo- I people have ufed upon the fe- lennitates agere confue- ' ftivals of the Saints : The vit. Populi, quidebent oilicia divina attcndere, faltationibus et turpibus invigilant cantici^ non folum (ibi nocentes ,. fed et religiofqrum oiJicijs* Hoc etenim lit ab omni t Surius Tom.i p-676.Ccnt.ur. Magd. 6. Col. 14. / See Polydor Virgil de In- venr.Rcrum J.c C.2. &Aft.$. Scene ?. Bochelitis De- creta Eccle-T GaU.4.Tit.r. ^ Surius Tom. 2.R. 71^7^. Carranza.fol.. * fee Synodus Turonica 2. as pud Bochel'utn vide Auguil.de Ho a? i 1. in Fc.Vi people who ought to attend di- vine offices, addiEb themfelves wholly to dancing and filthy fongs, not onely doing hurt to themfelves, but to the offices of religious perfons. That this cuslome may be driven out Hitpania depeilatur \ fa- of all Spaine, it is committed cerdotum et judicum a to the care of the LMinifiers coneilio fandlo curarco- ; and Iudges by thts ficred mittitur. 1 CouncelL Which (0) Canon was ratified by thepubhke E'diSi of Kino * Reccaredm \ who punished the breach of it in jrich men, with the lojfe ofthemoity of their eftates ; and the violation of it in the poorer fort, with perpetualleX.de. The fourteenth, is, Concilium sAntifroderenfc , in Prance,tAnno6i^. fubfcribed by 45 TSifhops, Abbots and "Presbyters : wherein there are thefe feverall Ca- nons applicable to our prefent theame:the firft of which exprefly condemnes the Pagan originall of Playes; the fecond che airing of them in Churches, ( p ) -which the Papi(ts fifed: the third the acling or beholding of them by CIcrgie men. Can.* I . It is not I awful I in the Kalends of January to make any bone fires or filthy Playes; er to obferve any dia- bolical l^ew-ytares utftsibm let all offices be fo performed (q) Canon; 1. Non li- cet Kalcndis la -warij ve^- cola ant * cervoio facere, vel * Arenas diabolicas obfervare p fed in ip& die fie omnia orficia tri- Dccrcta EccIef.Ga!. 1.4. Tir.7-c.7- & 8. ^FcrtiOeCervub. DC quo TemporeSenir.il 5. 3c H.SpclinanniGloffarium Cernula.See Afterii KalerJarumA AlchuvinusDcDivinisOiTidis!^.H:re.p.i97ji9?' buantur. Part. Hiftrio-Maflix. 581 buantur, ficut et reliquis diebus. Canon; 9. Non licet in Ecclefia cboros feculari- um vel pueliaruai cantica exercere, ncc convivia pr7 57* (f anon: ^9. Non licet facerdotibus veldericis aiiqua fpeftacula in nup- tijs,vcl in coiivivijs fpe- ttare, fed oporteaLante- quam ingrediuntur ipfa fpectaeula furgere et re- dire inde. Canon: 7 3 . Non liceat iniquas obfervationes a- gere Kalendarum,etocij$ vacare gentilibus 5 neque (t) lauro aut vinditare arborum cingere domos: Omnis enim hxc obfer- vatio Paganifmi eft Can. 59- It is not law full ,AtenimChrr for Ctylimfiers or Clergy men ftftriiis net ia- to beholde any Stage-play es at nuam fuarn marriages or feafts, but they laureisinfama- ought to rife and returne from bitfl norltCtJ* ;* / r 1 n » quaatosdeose- thence before the Stage-playes ^m ofti;sdia. enter. bolus affinxc- rir. Ianum a Can. 73. It is not lawfull vn*k &c Ttr- tokeepe the wicked obfervati- ftMennA ons of Kalends ^ nor to obferve Tom.i.p 1S9' the festivals of the Cj entiles; Gcatian Caufa nor yet to begirt or adorne 16 Quajft.7. houfes with laurel or qreene & Auguft. De bo^s-.Torallthu faifi *fi£S favours ofTaganifmr. dingly. & here Which latter Canon comes home to Stage-playes, Aa.s.Scene*. who had their original! from Paganifme, as I have (v) v A&.i.Sc 2. . largely proved, as well as this condemned cuftome. The flxtcenth Play-condemning Councell,is,the^w& l5r Counce/lofConttannnople>(x)4nnoDomini6$o.\vhkh s^anui & Councell confifting of 289 Bifliops, is confeffed both by A£°* chiifti Eeee 3 Prote- tf80.fcd.-1. 5«* Hiftrio-Maflix. Pa rt. r J Ccntur.Mag. 7.C0I.414. Dr. Crakenthorp his Vigiliu* Dormitans. London \6 jj, cap.tp. fed.ip. p.jof. z Baronms & Spondanus Anno Cbrifti 6So.feet.i. Sec Suriuf, »3mius, Crab, Niccoli- r5US,Carranza, & Merlin ac- cordingly in their Gollefti- onsof Coun= eels. rSuriusTom.i p. 1044, Car- ranzafol. 191. /Surius Tom.4 p. 1048. Car- ranzafol.194, if Nota bene. (y) Troteftants, and (z>)rPapitts , to be cecumenicafl; and Co the Canons ofit(eipeciaUy in point of difcipline) oblige all Chriftians to renounce ail Stage-playes , all Stage-players, which they have much condemned , as thefe enfuing Canons witnefle. (e) Qanon: 24. Ne cui 1 Can. 24. It [bad not bee iiceat eorum , qui in fa- | lawfull for any who are in the cerdocali ordine cnume- rantur,vel monachorum, in equoru curriculis fub- fiftere^velfcenicos ludos fuftinere. Sed etfi quis Clericusad nuptias vo- cetur, quando ad decep- tione comparata ludicra ingreffa fuerint, furgat et difcedat, Patrum noflro- rum fie jubente docTri- na. Si quis autem ejus rei convi&us fuerit, vel cefc fct3vel deponatur. (f) Can: $UK mofl ex- prejfe in point. * Omnino prohibet haec fancla ,: et univerfalis Synodus eos qui dicuntur Mimos et eorum fpeclacula:deinde venationum quoque fpe- ftationes, eafq; qua? fiunt in fcena, faltationes per- fici. Si quis autemprai- fentem Canon em con- tempferit, et fe alicui eo- rum quae flint vetita de- derit; fi fit quidem Cleri- cus, deponatur ; fi verb Laicus/egregetur. order of 7>riefts or (JMonkes, to bee prefent at horfe-raccs , or to ati ,or fee a part in Stage* plaiesJBut if any QergJ ™*n be called to marriages 3 when thefe deceit fu/l /ports [ball en* ter, let him artfe and depart 9 the doctrine of our Fathers fo commanding. If any bee con- vi&cd of this thing, either let him give over , or let him be depofed. See frag. 575 >$7*> 57 8, 581, accordingly. Can. 5 1. is moft puncluall. This facred and univerfall S y node doth Utterly prohibit thofe who are^ called Stage* flayers and their interludes ; together with the Spectacles of huntings , and thofe dan* ces that are made upon the Stzlge, And if any [ball con- temne this prefent Qanvn, and {hall give himfelfe to any of thefe things that are prohibi- ted ; ifhee be a fler?) ntan, let him be depofed; but if a Lay. man, let him bee excom* municatcd. Canon: Part, i ni(lrio-Maftix. 58? (g) Canon: 6\. Eos quoque fexenuij canoni iubjici oportec , qui ur- fbs, vel ejufmodi ariima- lia ad ludum et fimplici- orum noxum circumfe- nint; ac fortunam, ac fa- ucet geneatogia,et quo- rundam ejufmodi verbo- rum multitudinem ex fallacia? impofturasq; nu- gis proferunt; eofq; qui impraecatores, remedio- rumque amuletorumque prasbitores et vates ap- pellantur. Eos autem qui in ijs pcrfiftunt , et non ab ejufmodi perniciofis gentilibufq; ftudijs aver- fantur et aufiigiunt , Ec- clefiaomnino exturban- dos decrevimus, ficut et facri. Canones dicunt. ( h ) Qh& enim efl luci cum tenebris communica- te, ut ait Apoftolus ? vel cjuo. Which qLlidem CIcrici deponi ihewes how ?• r 7, Tr . . ablvinta- jubemus ; 11 vero Laici, fegrcgan, execr mous mens -~& weaiing of womeas apparcll was among the very heathen, 6c Qiall.it not be much more odi- ous among Chriftians? j that are -written , after they \ Jhall come to the knowledge of \ them ; ' if they be Clergy men+ i we command them to be depo~ \fed; and if Laymen , to bee , excommunicated. Canon: Part. i. Hiftrio-Maftix, 5*5 (I) Canon: 6s . Qui in Novilunijs a quibufdam ante fuas officjnas et do- mo s accenduntur rogos, iupra quos etiamantiqua quadam coniuetudine fa- lire inepte et dehre fo- lent , jubemus deinceps ceflare. Quifquis ergo tale quid fecerit; fi fie Clericus^eponaturj fin autem Laicus, iegrege- tur. In (m) quarto enim Libro Regu fcripru eftj £t edificavit Manages altare univerpt militia Cttli in Ambus atrijs do- mus Dei, et filtos fuos traduxit per ignem, cfrc, et ambulavit in eo ut fa- cer et malum coram TJo- mino ,ut etim adirampro- vocaret. Canon: 66. A fan<5h Chrifti Dei noilri reiiir- reclionis die ufque ad novum Dominicum 5tota ieptimana in Ecclefi/s vaearc fideles iugitero- portctpfalmis ethymnis et fpiritualibus canticis in Chrifto gaudentes, fe- fhimq; cc!ebrant€s/») ct divinarum Scripturaruna ledioni menfem adhi- bentes, et fan-ftis myite- Can . 6 5 . Tbofe bone fires that are kindled by certaine people on IS^ewmoones before their /hops and houfes , over which alfo they ufe ridicu- loujly and foolifily to leape by a certaine ancient cuftome, roe command themfiom hence- forth to ceafe. Whoever there- fore fha/l doe any fuch things if he be a Clergy man, let him be depofed-. if a Lay man Jet him be excommunicated. For in the fourth Booke of the Kings, tt is thus written, And ManalTes built an altar to all the hoaft of heaven., in the two courts of the Lords houfe.and made his children to pafTe through the fire3&c. and walked in it that he might doeevill in the fight of the Lord to provoke him to wrath. Can.* 66. From the holy day of thrift our God his refurre- clton to the new Lords day, the faithfull(or ChriiYnns) ought to fpend the whole we eke in their (fhurches ,re]oycing with- out intermijfwn in Chrift, in celebrating that feaft with pfalmes and hymnes andfpiri- tuaftfongs(not with dancing, ftage-playes^ dice^ tables, or fuch like revel-rout) addi cling their mindes to the (n) quirgraiien{eCan.l23.ToI-:tanH^On.7.5c LeoEpift.Decrer.Ep.ic. ri/s | Ffff reading I Surius Torr.t p. 104$ .See be- fore p. iz.Ca*- ranza fol. 96, m 4 Kings in 5,6,&c. Bone= fires therefore had their ori- ginall frem this idolatrous cuftome as this gencrallCoun- cell hath defi- ned ; therefore all Chriltians jQiould avoid therr. n Lay men therfore ought • toreadthefcrip tures by this genera! Coun- cils refolutiona See Canon 68. 95 & Apoflo- lorumCanones Can. 84. Clcs rnensConftir. Apoftol.U.c. 1,6,7,$. 2.C. 6i.Conci!.La- odicenum Can *6> 59- Car, thag.?.Can.47 cV 4.Can.98, 99. Araufica- num i.Can.iS. Tarraconenfe C;in.i$.VaIen» tinumCan. 1. Nicenu 2. Can, 2.1c. Cabilo- nenfe?.Can.54 C9, 66,67. A* c.l.accordingly. • J 586 Hiftrio-Majiix. Part. i. oSuriusTorr.2 p. io?$. Car* ranza fo.'. l^f, p Pro v. 4. 5 See Synodus Auguftenfo Anno 1 5^?. cap.28.the 2. part ofthe ho- mely again ft the Pcnll of I- dolatry, p.71, 73. Bernard.ad Gulielmum Abbatem Apo- logia. Aelredus Speculum cha- ritatis c.52. Bibl.Patr.Tom •Specu!am cha« ritatisJ.Lc.14. Ibid. p. nr. Maphcus Vc« gtus Dc Edu* cationelibero- rutnlib.'.c.i4. r Taliactiaai Specracula et tabuhrum et fabulamm pro* Jiibcmu«.Qi;a- re M.igiflrati* feus adhibenda cura eir ut ne quefi^nisneq; tabulis obfeaj- rtiras uxla aut farditas often= datur,Pd//W.7- u 1 7. t\)S /ucunde et laute fru- entes. Sic enim cu Chri- fto exaltabimur, eruna refiirgcrniis.Nequaquam ergo praediftis diebus., eqworum curius, vel ali- quod publicii fiat fpefta- Culu. Which if this (foun- cel may be creditedyare no fit (ports for holy times. £*«0»:7i.Eosqiiido- centur leges civiies Gra> cis moribus uti non o- portet ; et neque in thea- trum induci^ nee eas quae dicuntur cyliftras pera- gere &c. Siquis autem deinceps hoc facere aufus fuerit.fegregetur. ( 0 ) (fanon: 100 .( p )0- culi tui retta ajpiciant, et omni cuftodia ferva cor tttnm , jubet fapientia. Corporis enim fenfus fiia faciie in animam effim- dunt. ( q ) Picljiras er- go quae oculos praeftrin- gunt,et mentem corrum- punt, et ad turpium vo- luptatum movent incen- dia,nuiio modo deinceps imprimi jubemus.Si quis autem hoc facere aggref- fus fiierit, deponacur. reading of the holy Scriptures, and c hear fully and richly en- joying the holy. Sacraments. For thus wee (hall bee exalted with (florift , and rife to ae- ther with him* 'By no meanes therefore on theforefaid dayes let there be any horfe-race , or any publike fhewe or ft age- pi aye made. Can: 71. Thofe who art taught civill lawes, ought not to itfe Cjreeke manners or cu- ftomes ; neither ouvht thej to be brought into the theatre, or to praltife any playes called (fyliftra . If any man /hall pre- sume to doe the contrary , let him be excommunicated. Can: 100. Let thine eyes behold right things,and keep thine heart with diligence, is the command of wifdome. For the fenfes of the body doe eafily infufe their objects into the fo tile. Therefore -wee com- mand , that fuch pictures at daz,ell the eyes , corrupt the minde, and ft irre up flames of filthy lufts , be not henceforth made or printed upon any- tearmes . *y4nd i f any fhall at- tempt to doe it, let htm be de- pofed. Seme of thefe recited Canons, as Canon 6\J><; & 100. condemne all Bearehards, Bearebaiting, 'Bonefires, and- filthy pictures , ( which (r) ^Artftotle himftlfe con- demues) Part. Hifirio-Majlix. 5*7 demnesOyct withall they oppugne Stage-playes/* obli* 7a*,there being betweene them and Piayes fo great ana- logie,that the eenfure of one Is the condein nation of the other.But the other Canons are fo punctually exprefle againrt them,that there can be no evafion from them. The feventeenth Synodicall authority againll: Stage- play es, is, Sy nodus Francica, under Vo^Zachary Anno Dom.j^i. which runnes thus. (f) Illas venationes et ] JVf prohibit thofe huntings filvaticas vagationes cu and flvaticall wandrin^s a- broad with bounds to all the fervanisofgod, and Ukewife that they keepe neither haukes nor falcons. Wee decree alfo that according to the Qanons every Bvfiop m his parifijhall take care, the graphio or Qu- rate , who if defender of the Church ,affi fling him, that the people of God make no Tagan feafts or Snterludes , but that they rejeEh and abominate all theuncleannejfes of gentilifme ■, whether prophane facrifices of the dead , or fortune-tellers, or diviners, &c. or immolated facrifices , which foolijk men make near unto Churches, after the Pagan manner, provoking God and his Saints to wrath, and vengeance*±Andthat they diligently inhibit thofe facri- legious fires which they call ^jdfri (or bonefires ) and all other obfervations of the ^Pagans whatfoever. Which fanon is likewife ratified Ffff * in canibus omnibps fervis Dei (Jpeaking of C^rgic #tfw)interdicimus. Simi- liter ut accipitres vel fal- cones non habeant. Dc- crevimus quoq; ut fecun- dum Canones unufquifq; Epifcopus in fife paro* chia folicitudinem adhi- beat, adjuvante Graphi- one, qui defenfor Eccle- fiseeft, utpopulus Dei * Paganias non faciat, fedut omnes fpurcitias gentilitatis abjiciat et re- lpuat, fiveprophana fa- crificia mortuorum, five fortilegos vel di vinos , &c.five hoftias immola- titias, quas flulti homi- nes juxta Ecclefias ritu paganico farciunt fub no- mine fan&orum marty- rum vel confefforii, Dai et fuos fanclos ad ira- cundiam et vindi&a? gra vitate provocates. Sive i illos J '7 / Sun'us Tom* J.p.40. Sec lo- annis Sarisbe= ricnfis De Nu* gis Curialium lib.i.cap.^a- gain ft hunting and hauking. Ambrofc Ser. 4*. Tom.f.p. 29.'nPral.iigw Odon.8.Tom% 2. p. 44*. a. b. BonifaciiEpift, iof.Bibl.Patr,. Tom. 8. p. 1 1 1» Pctrus Blefen- fisEpin\?6. & 6im Gratian* Diftin&io 2. HRabanus Maunis Torn, f.p.^oj. * Carranza.foV 204- b. Can, f, readesit Pagi- nas, but corr ruptly^ whicfi Synodus Sue& fionenfisthus expound S3 Po- pulus Chrifti-s anusPaganif* mum non fa- ; ciar. 588 Hiftrio-Majltx, Part t Surius Tom* 1 8. t Surius Tom.3 Concil.p. 48, 49.Baronius & Spondanus Anno Chrift 787. fed. 1. v Surius Tom* }.p. 196. Car- raazafol. j\, Can.fv x 1 Cor. xo. jr. illos facrilegos igties [ in (t) Synodo Suejfionenfijub quos Nedfri vocant.five I Childerico. Rege , about the omnes quascumque funt 1 felfe fame yeare wherein this Paganorii obfervationes,, j Synode was held, dihgenter prohibeant. I The eighteenth Play-oppugning Councell, is, Syno. dus 7S(icEf*y?.ti,U (v) Canon: 22. Deo qtiidem univerfum dedi- care et non propri/s vo- luiitatibus fervire res magna eft. (x ) Sive enim editis , five bibi- tis, inquit divinus Apo- ftolus, omnia in T)eiglo- riam facite &c. Cuivis ergo homini neceflfe eft comedere uc vivat , et qui bus eft vita quidem marrimoni/, et iiberoru, et laici conftitutionis,inv mixtim comedere viros et mulieres eft ab orrini reprehcntione alienum^fi moio ei qui dat nutri- mentfi gratias agunt;non cii fcenicis quibufda ftu- dijs.nVefatanicis canti- cis et citharctdicis ac uieretricijs vocibus , quos prophetica execra- tio profequitur fie dices: (y) V& qui cu cjthara et pfalterio vinu bib tint ,Do- mini [ Can: z 2. V.erily to dedicate all to Cjod , and not to ferve our owne wills, is a great mat- ter : For whether ye eate 01 drinke (fiith the divine zsf- poftle ) or whatfoever ye doe, doe all to th£ praife and glo- ry of God,&C. It is necejfarj therefore for every man to eatt that he may live\and tkofe wht live a married life , and havt children, and are of a lay co> dition, for them to eate men and women together is farre from all re proof e , if fob e the) give ihankes to him who gu veth foode ; not with Stage- playes, or 'cert aine theatric all pratlifes , or with (atanicall fongs , or cither edicall and meretricious tunes which the prophetical! execration purfu- eth in thefe words: Woe unto them whe drinke wine with the harpe and viol, but the/ regard not .he workc of the Lord, & the operation of his hands PART. I Hsftrio-Maflix. 589 mini ante opera non refpi- [ hands they confider not. And ciunt^t opera m^nuiiejus l if there be any fitch 'as thefe non c&n flier ant, Etfkubi 1 among (fhriftians , let them tales fuerint inter Chri- befeverely f unified. ftianos,corrigantur. I Which Canon teacheth tis,Firft,that Stage-playes and ribaldry fongs or mndck^are no he paftimes for Chrifti- ansto praiie the Lord withallon r'eftivall and lblemne feafons* Which condemnes the atheiiticall, ifnot dia- bolical iprafltfe or thofe. heathen Chriffcians, who ufe them moftatfuch times as thefe. Secondly, that the/ are directly contrary to the Scripture , and utterly un- lawful!, not onely to Minifters , but to lay mm too. Thirdly, that triole Chriftians who frequent. or ufe them, ought to be feverely puni(hed,by the expreffe re- folution or'this whole generali Counceil 9 in which all Chriftian Churches, were prefent by their Delegates. The nineteenth is, Synodus Turonenfis 3. under Charles the Great, zAnno Chrifli 813. which determines thus of Stage-players and their Enterludes3tW all Chriflians fbould avoid them: as the enfuing Canons teftifie. (<,)Canon;j. Abom- j Can: 7. The 'JMmifters of nibus qurcuq:.ad auriu i God ought to abfiaine from all allurements whatsoever , be- longing either to the eares or eyes, from whence the vigour of the minde may be thought to be effeminated, (which may be conceived ofcertaine kindes 1 of muficke , and fome other tesabftineredebennquia j things: ) becaufe through the per auriti -oculorfiq; illl- J imifements of the eyes and eares , the troope of vices is wont to enter into the foule. They ought likewife wholly to efchew the infolencies of filthy tias jocorum fet ipfiom- I Stage-players , and of obfeene nino I Ffff 3 ieft*> et ad oculoru pertinent illicebras, unde vigor a- nimi emolliri poffecre- datur (quod de aliquibus generibus mnficorum, a- liifq; nonnullis rebus feiv tiri poteft) Dei facerdo- cebras vitioru turba ad animlingredifolet. Hi- ftrionum quoq; turpiii , •t obfesenorum infolen- 19. z Surius To»5a 3.'p.'i74. Sec Capir. Caroli Magoi A pud Bochellum De- creta EccleH GaIJ.4.Tit.r. c. 39. p.?49«St Tit. 10. c.6. p. e??. where hee prohibits all enterludcSjdan* ciug,fikhy and deboift (bugs* and diabolicall Playes in the ftreetcsjin hovia fes , or in an- other places im* der paineofex* communicati* on j becaufe they were but reliquesof Pa- garuTme, . S90 Hiftrio-Maftix. Part, i % Sec Condi nino effugere, cxterifque j jells , and alfo tt Wormatienfc , efFugienda praedicare de- thers , t hat they Anao 8*8. . f r Can.i7.Surius °™ 0 „ c , . Tom.5. p*a|. CVww*:8. Sacerdoti* accordingly, bus nonexpedit, fecula- Whcre this pc rfbus et turpibus quibuf- naltyis added, Hbet interefle jocis: ve- ha^im pcrfo- nationes quoque ferarum nammhacfue- vel avium minime fe- f it voluptatc dentur. dctcntus,Epif- copustribus menu" bus fc a communione fufpendat , presbyter duobus menfibu$jdia< conubuno menfe abomniofFicioet communione abftineat, 20. The twentieth -% is , Synodus Cabilonenfis 2. under * «;Surius Tom. Charles the Great, <±Anno Chrifti 813. which defines W'i79%r .1 trius of Players and Stage-playes ; that not onely flergj Matifconenfc men> ^Ht eVen a^mmner °f fori/bans ought wholly to a* 2 . Anno"? 88 . bandon them : Witneffe thi s Canon which i s almoft the and alfo to preach to 0* ottvht to be avoided. Can-* 8. It is not expedient that CMiniflers Jhould be pre* fent at any fecular and difho- nefl Plajes orjports ; neither may they follow the hunting either of wilde beafts of birds* Agathenfe An. fame with the laft rccitec no 4*0. Nane* (a) Can:$, Ab omnibus ^'eftJi** oculommauriumq? Me- ImgoneVfe * ccbri? facerdotes abfti- 1 404. Camo- nere debent, et * canum, tenfc i^t^.Sei accipitrum, falconu, vel nonenfe 1*14. cseteraru hujufmodi rem *8^ud coram parvipendere5et Bochellum De- niftrionum five icurro- crct.Eccler.Gal. num,et turpium, feuob- J.^.Tit. 18. De fcaenorum jocorum info- clerico Vena- icntjam non folum ipfi tore p. 1014. r • \ loJ.accoV. re|piiant, verumetiam dingly. ndehbus refpuenda per- cenfeant. 11. I SuriusTom. 3^.187,188. Can.*9. UbUnifters ought ta abjlaine from all wanton en- tifements of the eyes and eares, and to ne^letl or difregard the care of aogges, haukes, faU cons , and fuch, other things : and not onely they themfelves ought to contemne the infolen- cy of Stage-players , letters, and of filthy or obfeene jejls andpaftimes , but likewtfe to beleeve and teach , that they ought to bee rejelhd of all faithfull Chrifiians. The 1 1. is, Concilium CMoguntiacum under the fame Emperour zAnno 813. where I finde this Canon. (£)Cd»0tf:i4.Miniftri autem Altaris Domini, vel Can: 14. We decree that the ^Minifers of the Lords iAl- t*r Part. i. Hiftrio-Maftix. 59i vel monachi , nobis pla- cuit ut a negotijs fecula- ribus omnino abftineant. Multa hint fecularia ne- gotia&c. videlicet, con- du&ores aut procurato- res cfle fecularium rerti: turpis verbi vel fa£ti * joculatorem effe," vel jo- cum feculare diligere, a- leas amare, (cjornamen- tu inconveniens propo- (ito fuo quarrere^ in deli- ci/s vivere velle, gulam et ebrietate fequi ; canes et avesfequi ad venan- dum. Ecce talia et his li- niilia ( under which all Stngeplayes are included) miniftris altaris Domini, et monachis omnino co- lradicimus,de quibus di- ck Apoftolus. Nemo mi- lkan s Deo, imp lie at fe tar & Menkes, {hall altogether abftaine from fecular aff aires , T^ow there are many fecular bufineffes ; as to be hirers or f solicitors, of fecular affaires ; to beajefter or aSlour of filthy words or deedes ; or to love a w _ t „ r 1 • a jt n j- ■ * Such are all fecHlarjcftitoafftZl dicing; to the Foclcs or fee he after fuch attire or or- Glowncs in naments which are inconveni- Stage.playes. ent for his- degree, to defire to c Sec ConcfL UvC in fleafures , to foUor, ££-£* hounds and haukes a hunting, ars IfCap,2£, Loe 'the fe and fuch like things. (which include all Stage- playes, dancing, and fcurri- lous fongs and muiicke) wee altogether forbid the tJMini- fters of the Lords Altar, and Monkes: of whom the Apofile faith thus, (d) No man that r Stage-play es either tn Tlay~ houfes or at marriages : but before the F idlers or Flayers enter ,they ought to rife up and depart thence. Can; 1 00. It is provided for Clergy men by the law of the Fathers, that being feci uded from a vulgar life, they with- draw themf elves from worldly pleafures.They may not be pre* fent at Stage-play es or Jhewes, Cani 145. Clergy men may by no meanes defire the com- pany of women ; they may not. walks with vaine eyes, or with a wanton or proud gefture , or dijfolute reives : they may not be prefent at worldly Specta- cles or Enterludes : they may not trive thcmfelves to^ dice , oranykjnde of hunting: they ouo-ht not to delist in coflly apparell Part, i Hiftrio-Ma/iix. 595 deleftentur veftibus &c. find yet few nowfo richly, fo Jprucely Apparelled a* thefe9who fbould be pat- terns of humility and fobriety to others. The 24. is, Concilium Lothoritts, Anno 829. to (m) Canon: 3 8. Ciim ab omnibus Chriftianis, /uxtaApoftoli documen- tum y( n ) ftuttiloquium etfcurrilitas fit cavenda, rnulto magis a facerdo- tibus Domini , qui alijs exemplum et condimen- tum falutis eiTe debent, caveri oportet. Hsec quippe a lan&is viris pe- nitus funt propellcnda, quibus magis convenit kigere, quam ad fcurrili- tates et ftultiloquia 3 ct hiftrionum obfcsenas jo- cationes etceteras vani- tates3qu«e animam Chri- ftianam a rigore iux re- clitudinis emollire fo- lent 9 in cachinnos ora diffolvere. Ncque enim decet aut fas eft oculos facerdotum Domini fpe- cTaculis fsedari, aut men- tern quibuflibet fcurrili- tatibus, aut turpiloqui/s adinaniarapi. Ait quip- pe Dominus in Evan- w ■ .. gelio: m Sutius Tom. S.p.380. apparell &c. as now too ma- ny of them doe , who are more like to Courtiers or Knights in their beavers., fat- tins, (likes or velvets^then to Mmifters. Tarifienfe , under Lewis and the like eftecl as the former. Can. 3 Z.Since that fbolifh talking and icurrility , accor- ding to the Apoftles mfirutli- on, ought to be avoided of all n Ephef.f. Chriftians, much more ought it to be efchued by the CMini- fters of the Lord\ who ought to be an example , and condi- ' ment offalvation unto others . For thefe things are utterly to bee abandoned by holy men , whom it better becomes to mourne, than to laugh immo- derately at fcurrilities and foohfh speeches, and at the ob- ftenejefts of Stage-players and other vanities , which are wont to fo ft en a Chrifian foul e from the rigour of its rettitude and uprightnejfe. T^jither is it feemely or lawfull , that the eyes of the Lords CMiniflers Jhould bee defiled wit}] Stnge- playes, or their mindes carried away with any fcurrilities or filthy Jpeeches. For the Lord faith in the Goffe/l: (o)Evcry idle word that men {hall fpeake, they (hall give an ac- Ggg^ count 0 Matth.i *, 594 Hiftrio-Maflix. Part, i ^Ephef.4. rEphcGf. /Efay j,n. gelio: Omne verbumoci- \ ojum, quod loquuti fue- rint homines, redient de eo rationemin die judieij, Paulus ad Ephf los, f pifcopo, Anno 847. where I finde this Canon againft Clergy mens refort to Playes (tj Canon: 13. Vrovi- dendum neceffario eit ,ut Cierici a * fecularibus negotijs omnino abftine- anc &c. Multa autem funt fecuiaria ncgotia : turpi s verbi velfatfi jocuiatore effe, vel jocum fcculare diligerc, akas amare &c. (as before in ConciUMo- gunt:can.ii.) Qua? om- nia Miniftris Altaris in- terdicimusjhortantes eos ante ie joca fecuiaria vel turpia fieri non permit- iterc&c Can: 13. It isnecefari'lj to be provided, that C^erZ) men wholly abfiaine from fecular affaire's &c. 'But there are many fecular buftnejfes : as to be a jefter or actor of any filthy word or deedfas is the Clown in Stage-playes) to love a fe- cular jefi, to a feci dice-play &c, AH which wee interdict to Minifrers of the Altar; ex- horting them not to fuffer any worldly or filthy jests or playes to be made before them &c. as in Synodo Rhemenfi be- *5< fSuriu*Tom.$ *SccLtnwood Prov. Conftit. lib. 3. Tit.Dc Immunitate Ecclcfia?,f.i94# i9<.ToanEisde At©. Otbobont Conftitutiones Ne Cierici Iu- rifdiclionem cxerceantj fbL fore, Can. 2 2. The 16. is (v) Synodus Conftantipolitana 8. ayfnno Chnflt%6ypr 870 as others place it, confifting of 3 7 3 Bifhops ; which is commonly ftiled 3 the 8 generall Gggg 1 Couacell; 16. y Surius Torru 3.p.0 9»Bara- niusAnno86? 59$ Hiftrio-Majlix. Part. i. Councell; wherein the performing of a Bifliop (andfo by confequcnce of other pei fons) is thus fevercly pro- hibited. jr Surius Tom. 3. p. %\6. Sec Conci!. Bafili= enfe herc,num. 1 1. j See Guagni- nus, Rerum Polonicarum , Can: 16. Wee may colletl , that it hath beene a folemne cuftome in Princes Courts on fomefet dayes , to attire fome Lay man in Spifcopall robes, who both in tonfure and other ornaments fljould aft; a 2?*- Jhops part \and likewife to cre- ate a ridiculous Tatriarke , with whom they might jport themfelves. All which thin^ as brought in to the dif- grace of the (fhurch, art pro- hibited under qrievous c en- fur es. (x) Canon; 1 6\ Colli- gere li^et^ iolenne fuiflfe in aulis principum ftatis quibufdam diebus.com- ponercalique laicumin- fignibus Epifcopalibus , quiet tonfiiraet ceteris ornamentisfj)perfonatii Epifcopii ageret; et cre- ate etia ridiculu Patriar- Toir.2.P.»63, ch- quoJfeobkdarcnt. Qua: omnia ut m dede- cus Ecclefia? accerfita , prohibentur fub gravi- bus cenluris. 27 • The 1 7.1s Concilium 7%jnetenfe}abow the yeare 890; ^Gratian. Di- wkere j fincJe tfcs Canon. ?35ifty ^)NuliusPresbytero- rum quando ad anniverfa- rium diem 3 o.aut 7. vel 3 . alicujus defunct^ aut qua- cunq; vocatione ad colle- ctam convenerit fe incbri- are nullatenus prefumat; Scrmo 131,151 nee prsecatus (a) arnore IoannisdeAt6 f^&orum vel ipfius ani- mx bibere , aut alios ad bibendum cogere, velfe aliena prxcatione ingur>*i- tare , nee plaiifus et ri'iis inconditos et fabulas ina- nes ibi referre aut cantare \vood,fol.i z4,i4?.IoannesLanghecruciusDc Vita &Honeft.ciccien,anV.2.<:.i r.p.z?cj Ioanncs Fredcricus de Kim Bibendi ad S.iniratem U i .c.7. 5c my Healths- Si&knes,^ 3*»3*»$7;Scchcic Concil.i?.* 38. pra> \ vaine the love of any Saint whofc health was drunkeat fuch feafts and mce. tingf. See Aug. De Tempore Confritutiones Concihi Oxo nicnfi* Anno 1212. 5c Ed- mund i Cant. Archiepikopi . bound up at the end of Lin- 2{o Minifier when he /ball come to the 3 o. or 7. or 3 . an- niverfary day of any deac perfon , or bee invited to a gathering , may by no meanes prefltme to make himfelfe drunkcipeither may. hee pre fume being intreated by the love of the Saints, or of his owne foule, to drinke, ortocaufe others to drinke, or to glut himfelfe upon any- others reejuefi, nor yet to ufe applaufes or rude laughter, or there to relate or finer any Part. i. Hiftrio-Mafiix. 597 prxfumat; aut turpia joca vel urfo, vel tornatricibus ante fe fieri patiatur : nee larvas dasmonum ante fe fieri confentiat : quia hoc diabolicum* eft , et fa- cris Canonibus prohibi- tum. vaine fables •, neither may he fuffer fodhfb Playes or pa* fiimes to be made before him with beares or tumblers -.nei- ther may he agree, that any' vizards or fbapes of lDivels be carried, before him : be- caufe this is diabolically and prohibited byfacred Canons. The whole fcope of which Canon, is onely to inhi- bit Clergy men from drinking, pledging or enforcing HealtheSjUpon any occafion or intreaty whatfoever;and to debarre them from beholding Play es and Enterludes# | efpecially fuch where any Divels had their parts or re- < prefentations. The 28. is Concilium Later anenfe fub Innocentio 3. *S$nno Chrifti 1 2 1 f. (b) confifling of 2 Tatriarkes, 70 s/frch-bifiops , 4x2 Biftops, 800 zsfbbots and 'Priors ; where thefe enfuing Canons were promulgated, which I wifh all Clergy men would remember. 28. b Surius Tom* J.p.7?4. Car- ranzafol. »$°« c Surius Tom. 3 .p. 741 Car- Can .15,16. Let all Qerg1 ranza fo1, 1 4 * * men diligently ab flame bom Iannis dc Bur- forfeiting and arunkennejfe; f^. *tC%l0 to i»nich end let them keepe c.D. wine from themfe Ives , and >fc This d rink- themfelvesfrom wine;neither »n? OT Healthes let any one bee provoked to ^^fecon- 1 • . / r j / fr demned by St, drinks fnce drunkennejfe Edmond Arch. banijheth wit > and provokes bifhopofCan* lufl: whenpewe d,e ere e that terbury, Anno abufe to be utterly ab 0 lifted , Dom. 1 2 40. whereby drinkers in certaine m thefe ver5r partibusad * porus asqua- ' parts doe binde one another sceioannisde Aton Conftituriones Provincialcs, bound up at the end of Lindwoodfo!.i43.accor« I din^ly.SceConfil.Oxon.AnDO 1 2T2.cap.nen*antfcottelli fivepotationescomuiunes0 Ibid.f.U4.KloaanC$ LanghccruciusdcVitaetHoncft.HcC'cfiaft.l.^.c.i T.p.zjc.&My H althes Sickne(fc;togcther with Concilium Colonienfe i$$6* pars i.cap.z^, & pars J,c.6.SuiiasTom.4.p.75i377 J 3 accordingly. ks I Gggg 1 to (c) Canon: 1 5 , 1 6. A era - pula et ebrietate omnes Clencidiligenter abftine- ant, lirtde vinum fibi tem- perent, er fe yino ; nee ad bibcndtim quifpiam inci- tetur , cum ebrietas et mentis inducat exilium, et libidinis provocet incen- tivum. Vnde ilium abu^um decrevimus penitus abo- lendum,quo in quibufdam 598 Hiftrio-Maftix. Part. i. 29. tl Bochcllus Decreta Rcclc ficeGallicanae lib.H.Tit.7c.c. 6.& Hcnrici Spelmanni les fuo modo fe obligant potatores , et iilc judicio talium plus laudatur , qui plures inebriat et calices iiciindiores exhaurit. Si quisautem fuper hiscul- pabilem fe exhibuerit, nifi a fuperiore commonitus fatiffecerit comperenter,a bcneficio vel officio fuf- pendatur. Venationem et aucupaticnem univerfis Clericis interdicimus, un- de nee canes nee aves ad aucupandum habere prae- fumant. Clerici oificia vel commercia fccularia non exerceant^ maxime inho- nefte. Mimis, joculatori- bus , et hiftrionibus non intendant , et tabernas prorfus evitcnt, nifi forte caufa neceffitatis in itinere confeituti. Ad aleas vel taxillos non ludant , nee hujnfmodi ludis interfint. This Conncell and Canon to drinke healthes (orequall cuppes) after their manner, and hee in the judgement of fitch is mo Ft applauded, who makes moft drunke , and quaff es off mo If cups, tsfnd if, any offend in thefe things^ unlefjfe hee Jh all give compe- tent fatif fall ion being ad- monifbed by his fuper iour Jet him be fuff ended from his benefice or office. JVe prohibit hunting and hauking to all Clergy men, whence they maf not prefume to keepe either dogs or hawks to hawkwith% Clergy men may not manage fecular offices or affaires, e/Z peciallyfuch at are di(honeft. Let them not addicl them~ felves to tumblers, jefters, & Stage-players , and let them wholly avoid t av ernes, nor yet fiffer his fa- dat, autfamiliares fiiosad miliars to play at dice, o> taxillos,veI alios ludos in- | tables , or other dijhonei honeftos ludere patiatur. ' games. The 33. is, foncilwmToletanumifubSixto quarto, ftAnno 1 47 5 . where I finde thefe Conftitutions. (m) Quia tempore quo facrorumCanonum decre- tis nuptiarum celebratio interdicitur et carnalis copula prohibetur; non- nullos laicos nubere et carnalitcr coramifceri, ac proinde con vi via publica, Crepitus, ac choreas face- re; (a thincr much in ufe a- mong the Ruffians , who at their weddings fpend almofl the whole night in dan~ Becaufe in the time where- in by the 'Decrees of holy (fanons , the fblemni zing oj marriages and car nail copt lation are prohibited-^ it falls out for the mofl part that fome lay men marrie , am ufe carnal! copulation , am thereupon make pnblicl feafis, tumults, and dances (prohibited at marriages by fundry forerecited Coii eels : ) and folemnly cele brat. Part, i . (n)dancing,whicb praUife the(o) Church of God hath alwayes dif allowed: ) etcu hiftnonibus ac joculatori- bus folenniter celebrare3et Hiftrio-Maflix* brate their nuptialls with n Conviv* u- Stage-players , and fo for '***% fcxus the mop pan walke unto fa!tan<*°eclu- the Churches: Wee defrina f*do>c[*™n* to abolijh this perm Jus ol %££& ad EcckflaS fie incedefe \ftome, theholy Councellap- obfeur. par- plerunq; coatingit. Nos pernicioia hu/ulinodi co- fuetudme diveliere cupi- entes, iacro approbante Co icilio , commixtiones hujudit )di,ftrepitusi cho- reas Joculatiories &c fieri decactero prohibemus&c proving it _, prohibit fuch tem coniuaiut commixtures, tumults, dan- & c: Vul§us f n% cesses &c,tobehereaf- Sftffi termade&c. So that Stage- patur &c. la plaie^MafqueSjMummenes wu^iis « a lis and dances, are altogether iolennitati^us UiilawfuII at Marians, by if foe ad .thisCouncelsverdrl: ^?™*- Ab Ecclefia &c. turpitu- ^dfiltbineffe is worthily gor^hJ^ do qusq; meri'.oeltabo- f* bee abandoned from the ducum. G«*c lenda. Quia vero qu^darn Church. 'But becaufe as well mnu* RefUYn tJ°* tarn in Metropolitans qua in 'Metropolitan as in fa- hnh4,um T,m- in CathedralibllS et aii/s j thedrall and other Churches Bcclefijs . noflra: pro via- */ **r TWjf* there haHy a ax coniuetudo inolevit, enframe arowne, that even jut videlicet in fcftis * Na- |tivkatis Domini noftrile- 1Q Chriftl, et fanclornm j St. Stephen John Jnnocents Stepham, Ioanms, Inno- j and other certain holy day es |cetltiiim, ahjTq ■ certis die- /^ m thefolemmtiesofnew in the fsafts of our Lord fe- 2.^.400.408. 0 See heir p. 2 2} •? S3 2 2 J. * Here we may fee whence our diforderly ping had its derivation, bus feftivis, etiaminfo- lennitatibus Miflarum no- Ivarum dum divinaagun- tur, luditheamles, larva?, monftra/pe Macula, necno quamplurima inhonefta et diverfa flgmenta m Eccle- fij's introducuntur, tumul- tuaciones quoq : et turpia carmina, et deriforij fer- oxones dicuntur., adeo quod Maffes whiles divine things are doingyStageplayes, mum- meries, monfters/jpetlacles, as alfo very many difho- neft and various fictions are brought into the Churches, as alfo tumults , % and filthy fongs i and feoff ng ^eeches are uttered , f0 that they hinder divine fervice , and make the people undevom. Hhhh 2 Wee 604 Hiftrio-Majlix. Part. i qyod divinum officii! im-^. Wee repealing this corrupti- pediunt., et populum red- j on by the approbation of this duntindevotu. Noshanc | holy Councell., doe by the contents of thefe prefents , corruptelam facro appro - bante Concilio, revocan- tess hujuf modi larvas,, lu- dos, monftra., fpeftacula, figmenta, et tumultuatio- lies fieri; carmina quoque turpiaet fermones illicitos dici tarn in Metropolita- ns qua in Cathedralibus, caeterifq; noftrse provin- cial Ecclefijs, dum divina celebrantur,;pra?fentiu fe- rie omnino prohibemus : ftatuentes nihilominus ut Clerici qui praemiffa ludi- bria.et inhonefta figmenta officijs divinis imrnifcue- rint,autimmifceri permi- ferintj fi in prasfatis Me- tropolitanis feu Cathedra utterly prohibit thefe difgui- fed Playes , monfters , Jpe- ftacles , fictions , and tu- mults to be made, and like- wife all filthy verfes and unlawful! Jpeeches to be ut- tered , as well in CMctropo- litan as in Cathedral! and other Churches of our pro- vince, whiles divine things are celebrating : ordain in Spe- clacula et con vi via publi- caevitent, ne ob luxum petulantiamq; eorum no- men Ecckfiafticum male audiat like tavernes , ( which too many of them now fre- quent) unlefie they are en- forced to enter them when they travell : and .as well there , as at home and. elfe- wherethey ought wholly to ab flame from furfetting and, drunkennefte , and from every Play prohibited by law, from blasfhemies ,brawles ,and all other excejfes and offences whatfoever.Let themfhwne dances, Stnge-playes &.pnb- likefeafls, left for their lux- ury andwantonneffethe Ec- clefiafticall name be ill re- ported of The 36. is, Synodus Camotenfts.Anno t$i6% Where thefe fubfequent Oonftitutions were compiled. 3 5* fSuriusTom.4 t Queene Eli- liz.Iniiindrions Jmun&.7.Ca- nonr. i£oj,# Car.75.See my Heaithes Sfck= ncftcp.33. ( v ) Cedent diebus fe ftis, judiciajCaufarum cog- nitionesjvenditiones^mer- catus, commeffetiones, e- brietates Judi, »t uundina?. Contra facientes , citen- r tur coram nobis autOifi- ciali noftro &c. In fefto Sanfti On holy dayes let matters of judicature, hearing ofcau- J es, files, merchandice luxu- ry, drunkenneffe, PI ayes, and faires ceafe. Thofe who doe contrarie, let them be cited before us or our officiall &c. In thefeatf of St T^choias, Ka+ ■36. y Bochcllus Decreta Bcclef. GalU.4 Tir.7c c. 4^4^j4^. P« 586. 6o8 Hiftrio-Ma/lix. Part.i Saacfli Nicholai, Catheri- ne, Innocentium, aut alio quovis die prsetexcu re- crcationis, ne Scholaftici, Clenci,Sacerdoce(ve Pcul- tum aliquid auc ridiculum faeiant in Ecclefia , aut ab ali/s fieri peritiitcahr. De- niqueab EccleHa ejician- tur veftes fatuorum perfo- nas fcenicas agentium. x Bachcllus (x) Quia iolent in ple- GaU.&.Tit. i o. J j r • i t: • r eap.6,7.p.p7 5. ceus dererri baculi ip(a- rum confratriarum , pra> cedendbus mimis ct lu- foribus cum tympanis,. quod maxime de'decet ho- norcm Dei et Sanctorum : non eniffi debent ante eo- rum imagines baculis con- fratriarum infixas pra?ce- dere inftrumenra ilia mu- fica ad chorcam et tripu- dia potius quam ad devo- tionem audientes excitan- tia. Idcirco prohibemus diftriete , ne pofthac ta- les baculi deferantur pub- lice per vicos hiftrionico ritu, et modulatione tnu- fica chords accommoda- ta &c. Quoniam in confratrijs primurnre-te conftitutis, etpoftea in deterius pro- lap (is, multa confpiciun- tur K a therine, Innocents, or any other day , let not Schollers, Clergy men, or Friefls, under pretence of recreation , ail a- ny foolijb or ridiculous thino- in the [hurch, or permit o- thers to doe it. Finally let the clothes of thofe who all the fcenicall perfons of Innocents or fooles, be catt out of the Church. Becanfe the flaves of the fraternities themfelves are wont to be carried about in. most places of our Diocese with Singe- players, F idlers and tymbrels going before them, which doth mofi of all unbefeeme the honour of God and the Saints: for thofe mu* fie all infiruments flirring up the auditors rather to fa' rantoes and dancing than to devotion youaht.not to precede their imaves faflned in the (laves of the fraternities. Therefore wee ftrittly prohu bit , that after this fuch (laves be not carried about publish through villages after, an hiflriomcal manner, or with muficall melody ft* ted to dances* &c. Becanfe in fraternities rightly ordained at the fir(f> and afterwards declining m* to worfe 3 many things are fesne Part, i ffiflriQ-Ma/iix. 609 tur committi, ab honefta- te et ChriftiansE mentis religione penitus aliena; ut illis congruum adhibe- amus remediunvmprimis ordinamus ; Ne in ipfa- rum confratriarum con- gregationibus fiant diflb- iuta convivia, compotati- ones ad ebnetatem indu- centes, choreas, tripudia, et caetera id genus,ad Bac- chanalia magis quam ad Chriftianam religionem fpeclantia. Quod not*. (y ) Interdicimus ? ne Cleric i publice aut in pri- vate exerceant ludos tur- pes aut ludibriofos unde fcandalu oriri, et minifte- riii ecclefiafticum vitupe^ rari pofTit , pro loco et tempore, caula et perfonis quibus, prppter quam , et cum quibus hujufmodi ludos exerceri continge- nt. A ludo autem aiea- rum, taxillorum, et fimi- liumquas in forte pendent fie abftineant,ut neque c- tiam alijs ludentibus fau- tores aut teftes (int, Jnter- fint. Diftricle prohibemus, ne facerdotes chords pub- licise pudianonibus, fal- tacionibulve fefecemmii- cunt: feene to be committed altoge- ther different from honefty, and the religion of a (fhrifti* an minde: that we way apply a fitting remedy to them, wee firfl of all or dame ; That in the affemblies ofthefiraterni- ties themfelves , no diffolute feafts be made, no compositi- ons (or Bealthes) conducing to drunkennes ,no dances, gal- Hards , and other things of this nature, belonging rath et to the feafts of "Bacchus, than to (fhriftian religion. men uje no difboneft nor ludi- oail. 1.6. Tit. crons T lay es either in pub- 19,^5,4,20, like or private whence fcan- * f • dall may arife, and the efcle- fiafticall miniftery be disgra- ced, according to the place and time , the occafion and perfons, in which, for which, and with which fitch Playet (hall happen to be ufed. Let them fo abftaine ftom the play of dice, of tuples, and the like which depend on chance , that they bee not fo much as prefent among them that pity, either M countenancers,or witneffes. Wee (Iriflly forbid, that Lfrlinifters intermixe not thcmfelves in publik* 'norri- ces, dances or carantoes : thmat Jiii they 6io Hiftrio-Ma/lix. Part, r ^ x Cor, i j. %■ Such wai theprophanes syid irregulari- ty of the Ro- man Clergir. ccant ; ne turpes, amato- rias,aut laicivas decantent cantilenas , aut cantanti- bus faveant aut interfint. (^) CorrnmpMt fiqutdem they fing no ribaldry , amo* rous or lafcivioHS fongs,nor yetfauonr, or k*epe company with thofe that fing them : For eviU communications bonos more&olloquiapra- ■ corrupt good manners. Ft- va„ DeniquC non (int va- natty, let them not be roving gi bculis , non dicaces , I with their eyes, no talkers, no non jocuhtores , non hi- \ jesters, no ft age-players, for ftriones ; ea enim omnia | all the fe things are unfeemelf indecora 3 ijs prascipuc effecially to thofe to rohom quibusanimarumcuraco-- l thecureoffonles is commit* mifla eft. j ted. Sacerdotes qui in die- i Priefls who in the dayes of bus primarum Miffarum the first Maffes of new Pre/* novorum Presbyterorum, bjters, after merry banquets poft feftivas epulas et and great fe •aft s and enter- grandia con vi via commefc . tainments goe forth in pub* fationefq; * exeunt in pub- ; like to exhibit mo ft groffe licum ad exhibendas po- ( and nnchaft (fomthies and pulo et plebeculx coma?- j dances in the ftreetes to the dias , maxirne craflas et common people, offend with* impudicas, et choreas in I out doubt againft the law of piateis, committunt fine '.the Church, anc^the nApo* dubio in legem Ecclefia? ftolicall decree. Wherefore et Apoftolorum dogma, \tl70fewho have been e fuch ^ Quare qui tales fuerunt^ 11 perfeveraverint, ("riant fe condignam pumtionem et correclionern non evafu- ros. Item prohibemu s fa- cerdotibus ne in fefto San£ti Nicholai, Innocen- tium , aut alio quo vis die ftultum aliquod aut ridi- culum in Ecclefi/s aut alio fjUocunque loco publico faciant if they /hall pcrfevere , let them know , that they fhall not efcape condign e punifb* ment and correction. J that they difguife not them- pore, aot quovis in loco I /elves at any time in anj incedant. I publtks or private place. The 37". is, Concilium Senonenfe^nno 15x8* where 57, Inter 'Deer eta morum, we have thefe two Canons. (a)Canon: 1 6. Cum aute ' deceac domum Dei fancli- tudo &c. Prohibemus id- circo 9 nc hiftriones aut mimi intrent Ecclefiam , ad pulfandum tympana , cythara , aut alio quovis iriftrumento mu(icali:neq; in Ecclefia aut juxta Ec- clefiam fuis pullent inftru- mentis : prohibemus infu- per, ne fiatdeinceps feftu fatuorum aut innocentiu, deque crigatur decanatus patella?. Canon: 15. Clerici neque in publico ludant pyla, aut alijs ludis, maxime cum laici s . A ludo alearum ali- Ifq; qui a forte pendent Can: I tf . as€nd fince ho- 4 Surius Con- linejje becommeth the houfe ciJ. Tom. 4,p« of God: therefore weprohi- 74°,74»,74* bit, thatnofiage-players or ^£%? tumblers pjall enter into the Junius Tom.4# Church to ftrike up any m- ^6Si^^ bret, harpe or other mujlcall infirumenty neither /hall they play upon their inflruments in or neare the Church t moreover wee prohibit that thefeafi of fools or Innocents be not from henceforth obfer* ved, neither may the deanery of the platter be ercfled. Can. *?» Clergy men may not play pub likely at ball or other playes, especially with lay men: they /hall abfiaine from dice-play, and all other abftineatlt , nequc luden- ; games that depend on chance; tiumfautores^peflatores | neither may they bee cheri- aut teftes exiftant.Nonfe /hers, witpejfes or fpeUators admifceant choreis pub- j of fuch as p!«j • They [hall licis, tripudiationibus aut not intermixe themselves in faltationibus : nonturpes I pub like mor rices , gal liar ds amicorias aut lafcivasde- j and dances: they /hall not prommt cantilenas, feu fing any filthy amorous or ca.uantibus faveant aut j lafcivious fonts, njrygtfa^ adtint. Nee in fcenam ve- vour or b- prejent with tbofe tut hiftriones prodeant , thatfmg then. They may not non Ii i i com* 6n % Therefore they may not a£V academicall Entcrludes in Colledges. Hiftrib-Maftix. Part. i. non co£na?dias vernaculas agant , non fpeclaculuna corporis fui faciant in publico privatove loco. Qua? omnia 3 cum omni- bus iacerdotibus font in- decora, et ord, : -Jcri- cali multum deirahentia, turn illis pitecipue, quibus animarum ciira eft com- miffa. * come forth npon tbeflageas zAttorsjior att Comadtes in their mother temgu^ : they Jball make no JpeElacle of their body in any publike or private place. All which, to they are unfeemely to all Mmiflers , and much dero*> gat or y from the cleric fill or* der, fb especially to thofe to whom the cure of fettles it committed. 3*. h Surius Tom. 4. p.7^i.Crab. Tom,3.p.78o, 9 SeeConcil. *7j & 28 be= fore, The 38. is, Concilium (folonienfe, <>Anno f 5 3 6. where we have thefe canonical! Injunctions following. (b) Rars z.cap.iy^ 26. \ Part- 1. cap. 25,26. It.is ^Urfr.i 0.9. fBpheCj.iS. Viveie quidem de Alcario facerdoti licet, iuxurian non permittitur. A cra- pula itaque et ebrietate , a (c ) coinpotationibus illis ad hauftus aequales, a luxu, ab alea, ab immo- deratis fumptibusetcom- meifatioaibus Concilium generate Ciericos revocat univerfos , fequuuim ve- teris teftamenti inititu- tum, quo (d)mimfiri tem- ph vino et cicera prohibe- bantur , ne ebrietate gra varenmrcorda eorum, et ut fenfus eorum Temper vigerct et e(Tct tenuis. Et tsfpoftoltts ait : T^ohte inebriari vino in cjuo efl Inxptria , fed impleamini fpiritn fintto, Etiterum: Non lawfull for a Trieft to live of the Altar , but to be rio- tous is not permitted. There- fore a general I C ounce 11 re- calls all C^ergl men from furfetting and drttnkenneffe, & from drinking of healths, from riot , from dice , from immoderate eXpences and feajls, following the infii tui- tion of the olae Teftamcnt,. wherein the Minifters of the temple were prohibited wine and ftrong drinke, left their hearts pjonld be over- come with drmkenneffejhat- fo their fence might be air- way es vioyfons and thinne. zsfndthiApofrte faith: Be ye not drunken with wine wherin is exceffe,but be yc filled with the holy Ghoft. t/?ni< Part, i Hiftrk-Maftix. 611 Andagaine: Not in rUfcing and drunkermeffe &c. Here- tofore fo great honefly w.vs required in the Clergy, that it was not lawfull for them to bee prefent at mzrria^e- Primus quod pSceCo;:.c:it O&rdfngljr. ^ h Doltktes re* C f ]f !Sj>n *n commeffatio- nibpts et ebriemtibxs &c t Oxim tanta honeftas defi- derabacur in Cierico., ut he ( g ) nnptialibus efxi- dem cmvivijs ipfis inter- ejfe liceret, nm immifrtri \feafls ,nor to intermix 'e them- non tolutaqj^ ftetlaculx ac cttibw ubi [elves in Stare-p/ayes and ^nunbrjjp amatoria cantantur , ant *ffemblieswh?re amorompo- \^™*^ obfc*mmotHS-c«rvor!*,cho- ems were fag, or obCcene FcdefiarJn ' reu aut falmiombm efe- \ motions of the body expreffed Pr*lati,circa rvntur; ne audiciiset in- \ either in dances or « a! hards- com™?ffimo- tuitus iacris my fieri js de- left the heanno^ and Hrit dj nes{u^fs putacus, turpium fpeda- j ^a* „ y~w ^^ £1£ilK culorum atque verborum jhottld be polluted with the ut dcinccos ta- contagione pollueretur. contagion of filthy Jfeclacles c^™s . fere Quid fi videret Ecclefia | and words, what if that an medium noftis ilia prifca Gericos noftri \ ciem Church fhould behold T^'rf tcraporis tabernarios;f£j the mverneJkauming Clergy UQiZl tabemiiq; ( quafi domos men of onr times ^ who (as if tes, vix ad du non haberent) noftu diu- they hadno hou^s) are tyed viuumconcen. que aliigatos? quam ex- | toTavernes both niaht and ™m auiumex- ccraretur hoc facinus ? I day f how would fhedttcflthi, l^Z'^f Pofthac ergo non folum ! »4^.^ W^ SSSS nulius ex clero iordidllti- [ therefore, let no Clergy man 'yncopa mam- mum cauponem aut taber- not onely keepe no taverne or tina &c«c**<^ narium agat , fed (i) ne | bafe victualling houfe , but intabernas quidem, nifi let him not fo much a slum e necedltatis caufa divertat: j afide into tavernes , but in alioquin poena? canonical J cafe of necejpty -.otherwise ca- ' See Concili. imminent illi qui ordini I nonicall punifiments han ce'ffitatem , quam ad vo- luptatemutentem. Nefciat ergo parochi domus com- rnelTationes " crapulofas ; execrerur * copotationes ilias, ad xquales hauftus obligatorias , ( which ani- marum et cor- pora m , ifitro- duttam provi-' da av>probatio- ne profequen* tes, redon bus, vic.iriis « ca« pellanii paroe chialibu^prarr cipimus fubo- ^bedientiar de= bito firmier iungendo Part 3 «c. 26. ThatSta*ge- playes are not to bee brought into the Church. Heretofore Stage-play es and flummeries were brought into Qhurches by a mofi lewd example , fo that there nee- ded a canonicall provision, by which this mo ft vile abufe might bee abolified; which wee re Joyce, that now, as wee hope , it is cap out of layesJan- a'^/eaftingjand.drinking^re^)^* holy-day «r Lordf- day exercifes , which fhould be whoMy confecrated to Gods fervice. The 39. is, Synodus Heideljbebnenfis , tsfnno 1539. which doth thus exprefle its refolution in oar cafe. (p)fanon: 14. Item ut Clericorum, maximebe- neficiatorum , vita fit ex- emplaris et accepta , uni- verfis Ciericis beneficia- tis in facris, et noftradia?- ce(i conftitutis , conftitu- tione prxfenti diftridius inhibemus., ne ludis taxil- lorum aut alijs levitatibus, ac choreiSjhaftiludijs, tor- neamentis, etalijs fpecta- culis publicis et prohibitis interline, auttalia exerce- ant prout poenas condig- nas in contra facientes fa- <5fci exigente qualitatc, au- thoritate noftra infl agen- das, voluerintevitare &c. ViU Ibidem. Can: \$.<~More over that the life ofQergy men,esjecp» ally offuch who are benefi- ced, ma j be exemplary and acceptable : weflriElly inhi- bit all beneficed Clergy men, which are in orders with* in our diocejfe,by this pre fent Canon, that they be not pre- fent at any games at tnbles, or at any other vanities, dan- ces, tiltings,torneiesy or 0* ther pub like prohibited Jpe- Hades , and that they pro- Hife not any of thefe them- felves,as they will avoid con- digne punifhments againfi thj offenders, the quality of thefaTi requiring it, to be in- filled by our authority. The 40. is, Concilium Treverenfe, Anno 1 549. which in Part. Hiftrio-Maftix. 6i7 in Cap: T>e Lftfoderandis Ferijs, decrees as folio weth. (1 ) Et fi quis five Cle- I And if any whether a Clerks f Surius Toau ricus five laicus in pra> or lay man in theforenamed 4.p. 8 86. Sec nommatis celebribus fe- ] eminent fefiivallsjhallrafily Bochdlus Dc- ftis^ompotationibus,^ or contemptuoujly give him- ™*g»A reis, ludis, aut id genus felfe to drnn^nne^e, dances, Tit#7-&lI. lafcivijset levitatibus,te- Tlayes, or fuch like lafcwi- throughout to mere aut contumacitcr fe- oufnejfe and ligbtne(fe , or the fame pur* fe dederit aut immifcuerit, fhallintermixe himfelfe with P°rc« ab Officialibus noftris ar- bitrario pro modo delicti, ctiam brachij fecalaris themywe command that he be punifbedby our Officials m they fhallthinke fit yaccor ding auxilio ( fi opus erit) in- to the meafure of his offence, vocaco puniri manda- \ calling in Ukewife (if 'neede mus# \be) the ajpfiance of the fe- \cular power. Which (hewes how unfeafonable Dancing ; Stage- play es, and fuch other {ports and paftimes are,on Lord(- dayes, hoiy-dayes, and other Chriftian feftivals^ fet a- part onely and wholly for Gods worjhip and fer vice, not for fuch vanities and Playes as thefe; as our owne (r) Sta- tute s&swdl as thefe recited Councels teach us. The 41 . is Synodus ^Auguflenfis, <*Anno 1 549 .which excludes all Stage-players and Dice-players from the Sacrament, cap. i* 17. H.6. cap. 5. 1. Car. cap.t. Sec here 143. 41. (f) Cap. 19. Item ne hoc praxellens Sacra- mentum aliqua ailicia- tur injuria et contemp- tu, exfanclorumPaixum decreto et inititutione ctiam infames ©mnes ab ejus perceptione pro- hibendifunt Praeftigiato- res^incantatores, publics rei, et kurrx, et qui ludis vacat jure pontificio pro- hibkis: Cap. 13. esflfo lefl this / Surius Tom.4 moft excellent Sacrament p.807. Should fuffer any injuria or contempt, even by the decree and ordinance of the holy Fathers , all infamous per- fons are prohibited {frent re- ceivings, luglers, inchm- ters , publike offenders , je- fiers , and thofe who dddiSt themfelves to Playes prohi- bited by the Canon Law (as KkXk. Stage- 1 \ 618 HiftrtfhMajlix. Part.k hibitis: -itidemq; fcortas et lenones, ij,inquarn,omnes ab Altans Sacramento re- movendi funt, donee vita fua improba penitus abdi- cata irrogatam fibi pceni- tentiar mulctam pertblve- rint. Item ijs annumeran- di funt, qui alearum luiui cquibu Stage-playes are) as alfo whores and pander 'S,*all thefe are to be put from the Sa- crament of the ssfltar, tint ill their wicked life being wholly abandoned they Jhallhave fa- tisfied that mulcl of penance that is impofedon them. To theft alfo are thofe to be ad- ded who perpetually give th e* f elves to *Z> ice-play, to whom, the venerable ficrameht is not to be adminiftrcd untiH they absiaine fr-om dicing* . Which accords well with perpetuo vacant, *quious * See Ioannis non eft porrigendum ve dJnuS cl *erabile racramentum do- ^SSSS. pecindeabftineaat.^^ cap.f.Gtatian. accords well with {t){Jon- Diftinftio $?. dUum Shberinum, (fanon Alexander A^ 9 ^ quis fldelis alea, id the Councell of Eliberiss olT iV' eft" tabula .luferit, placuit, Canon 79. If any beleever MemLknic. eum abftincre : et fi emen- | (orChnfrian) jhallplay a.fea.44>?9i . datus cetfavent , . poft ant 393.Mr.North. num poterit communione brooks Trcatiie recondliarj. And with the agamft Dice- - ^^ ComGellofCm, I Surius Tom. fiantinopley £>*. 50. (v) i.p* 3*7. Crab. Nullum omniufive Cieri- Tom.i.p.*86. cum fiveLaicum, abhoc Carianza {o\ ddaccps tcmporc alea lu- l9SuriusTom. dcre decrevimus. Siquis 2.P.io48.Car. autem hoc demceps tacere .raiza fbl.194. ab'hoc tempore aggreffus fuerit, fi fit quidem Cleri- cus, deponatur, fi Laicus, fegregetur. T, dice.; or tables, wee ordaine that hee jball be excommn nicated : and if being refor~ med, he [hall give it over, af* ter ayearesjpace, he may be reconciled and admitted t& the Sacrament. And with the 6. Councell of Con ftantino- ple Can. 50. We decree •, that none of all the Clergy or Lai- ty, {ball from this time for* I wards play at dice. And if a* ny one from henceforth jball hereafter attempt to doe it;if he be a £lergy man> let him be depofed; if a Lay man, let him be excommunicated. Which Cotwcellsl would our common Dice-play- ers and gameflers would ferioufly confider. Part. i. Hiftrio-Mafiix. 619 The 41. is, Concilium Colonienfe, Anno i54Q.where 1 finde this notable Canon to our prefent purpof e. Cap: 1.7. Percepimus Comatdiarii adores quon- dam , non fcena ec thea- tris contentos tranfire e- tiam ad monafteria moni- alium , ubi geftibus pro- phanis , amatoribus et fe- cularijs commoveant vir- ginibusvoluptatem. Qua? fpedtacula , etiamfi de re- bus faeris et pijs exhibe- rentur,parum tamen boni, imli vero plurimum re- linquere in fan&imonia- lium mentibus poflunt, feftus externos fpedanti- us et mirantibus , ca:te- xum verba non intelligen- tibus. Ideo prohibemus tt vetamus pofthac,, vel comaedias admitti in vh> giqum monafteria, vcl vir- ginescomaedias fpeclare Cap. 1 7. We have under- flood that certnine zAtlors of Comedies not contented with thefiage and theatres, have entred into Tanneries swh ere they make the T^ons merry with their prophane3amorous and fecular geflures. Which Stage-play es * although they confifled of f acred and pious fub jells, can yet notwithftan- ding leave little good , but much hurt in the mindes of holy virgins who behold and admire the ext email geflures onely Jbut under fl and not the words \ Therefore we. prohi- bit and forbid, that from henceforth no comadies Jhall be admitted into the LMo- nafleries of T^onnes , nei- ther {ball Virgins be jpetla- tors of comedies. 42. x Surius Tom* 4.p.3$z#Bmius Ton%4.p.76*« # Not* An unanfwerable evidence of the deiperate venemous corruption of Stageplayes. For if comedies even of re- ligious and holy 2ibjed:s, void of all fcurrilky, would with their very geflures and action -contaminate the tnindes,and enflame the lufts of4 'devoted mortified T^ons themfelves, and the moft chaft virgin fpe&ators , much more will amarous wanton Comedies corrupt all other actors and fpeftators , and kindle a very flame of noy- fome lufts within their breads. The 43 . is, Sy nodus CMoguntina, Anno 1^49. which decreeth thusagamft Stagc-playes , dancing, and the like* KkXh> (y)Cat?- *SothePapifts repute them, though many of them have beeneandyee are notorious ftrumpetsSec Bales, Ads of Englifti Vota- rie«.OnusEc- clefi3e,cap,22, fed.t 2. & the Anatomy of the Englifli Nonncry at Lisbcrne^e- cordingly. 43. 6io J Surius Tom. 4.p.870*874» 5fc See Concil, 1 5,33, here. Htftrto-Majlix. Pa r.t. i . (^Cap.GOyCi.Dum a no- vitijs facerdotibus bujus facri primitiac celebranmr, ferib mandamus, choreas et feculares pompas omit- tendas &c. Sed et fando- rum celebritates in di- em dominicam incidentes cenfemus fubmovendas , ct in feriam aliquam pra?- cedentem vel iubfequen- tem tranfferendas , quo fanclorum omnium Do- mino fua confervetur fo- lennicas &c. Et quo Dei gloria in obfervatione di- vini cultus magis iiluftre- tur , et fidelium devotio minus impediatur; diebus dominicis et feftivitatibus celebrioribus , mercimo- nia, tripudia , faltationcs, quas damnat Concilium * Toletanum, et prophana fpe&acula , decernimus non permittenda : fimul etiam ludicra quaedam a pietare aliena, et theatris, quam Templis aptiora, cenfemus in Ecclefi/s non admittenda. CaM4- Clerici infuper tabernas publicas evitent nifi cas peregre proftcif- centes ingredi oporteat , ct tarn inibi quam domi etaUbi a crapula et ebrie- tatibus, Cap:6o, 6\.We ferioufly command, that whiles the fir ft. fruit es of thi* ficrifice are celebrated by new-ordai- ned Triefts , dances and all fecular Jhewes be wholly 0- mitted &c. Wee likewife de- cree, that thofefolemnities of the Saints which happen upon the Lords day , {ball be remom ved and tranff erred to fome * precedent or fubfequent holy day, whereby due fotemnity may beprefervedto the Lord of all Saints &c. And that the glory ofCjod may be more illustrated in the obfervati% of divine worfiip,andthe de- votion of the faith full may be leffe hindred; wee decree that on Lordf-dajes & more eminent festivals , merchan* . difes, dances, morrices and prophane dances, which the (jounce I of Toledo condemns, are not to be tolerated : and we likewife refolve, that cer- taine^Playes that are farre fr 0 piety , & more fit for The- atres than Temples, are not to be admitted in £hurches. Cap. 7 4. Moreover C^erU men muft avoid all publike tavernes,unles it be upon oc- cafien whiles they are travel* ling ; and as well there as at home and elfewhere they muft wholly Part. i. tibus omnique ludo a ju- re prohibito , blafphemi- Hiftrio-Maftix. wholly abflaine from facet- ting and drunks nne(fe,and e* 6zi is, rixis , et alijs quibui- cunque exceflibus ct of- fenfionibus , penitus ab- ftineant. Choreas, ipe- daculaq; et convivia pub- lica vitent , ne ob luxum petulantiamq; eorum no- men Eccleiiafticum male audiat. z See Concil. Cartha«.4.Ca» ,» ?. 4 ?. Aquif- granenfe Can. 45. Matifco- nenfe '.Can.f. & 2 . Can. 1 3 . 1 % . Conftanri- nop.tf.Can.27. Forosiuhenfe Can.6,7. Tu- ronenfes.Can,' 4,*,7,8. Late- very Play prohibited by law (as all Stage-playes are)from blasphemies Jbrawlesjind all other excejfes and offences whatfoever. They must jhun dances ,/hi^e '»p 'lay es,and pub- like feafisy left the Scclefia- fticall name be ill reported of for their luxury & want ones The former part of which Canon prohibits Clergy ranenfrfubln. men from wearing coflly appar ell, pikes and velvets, which j^*™0 f |# fiindry other (z,) Cottncels have condemned in*BiJhops, l9%c^ic. Minifters, and all other £lergy men, who (heuldbe pat- oncio.SefT.?. t ernes of humility and frugality , not of luxury, pride, and DeCardinali- worldly pompe to others ,as many filken and faty n Divines ^us,L(?wne^ now are. PaWf. HifKp. 457.Mediolanenfe i.apudBinmm,Tom.4.p.8piJ8Q2.Nica>num i.Can.i<<. Valenti- num Can.i^.Cabiloncnfe i.Can.4.Tridcntinum ScrT.ii.DecrctumDe Reformatio-, nccap. ConciliiBafilicn^Appen™n] follow the examples of the diebus, Ope. Saints, that wee might de- rumTom.j.pt vote our f elves to prayer, not to idlenes andTlayes.Ther- fore let Reclors of Churches admonifi their Parifhioners, XKKKi &** (i) Caeteros dies feflos Dominicis Ecclefia addi- dit^ut beneficiorum a Deo et fan&is ejus nobis colla- torum memores efFemus, fanftorum exempla fe&a- remur &c. orationi vaca- remus, non autcm ocio et ludis&c. Moneantautem Ecclefiarum Reclores fub- ditos fuos ut r>ra?dic*Hs di- ebus feftis in templum con- 44. 4 Bochellus Decrctorum EcclefiaeGalli- can* 1.4.Tit.7« cap. 3 3,3*. p. 583. SeeHRa- banus Mau- rus Homilia 6o4,^o^aC» cordingly. 6zz HifiridrMaflix. Part. i. conveniant, illudq; fre- thatontheforefaidfeafidayes qdement pieac religiofc they come together into the #Nota. audituri quae in ijs lacra aguntur.* Concionts at- tcnte audiant , Dcumpia mente et religiofo affedtu venerentur et colant. His autemdiebus, utdi&um eft, cdfent ludi, chorea?, ebrietates, vaniloquia, €t qu^cunque divinam poflunc offendere ma;e- ftatem &c £ Bochelli* ^ Fraternitatcs cas Ecciefi*Galli. qu* ad coramefiationes cans U6.Tit.10 et ebrietates ut pluririiiun C.4.P.974. Sec f7unCa reprobamus. Infu- ConciI»j6. be- per baculorum cutn ima* orc# ginibus condudhim ad domos laicorurrijCum tur- ba facerdotum, mulie- rum, et mimorum, di- ftri&e fob poena excom- jnunicationis, et emenda* arbitraria* inhibemus, et pra? cipue clericis , ne ta- i libusfefeimmifceant, aut afienfum quovis modo prseftent. ^nymeanes. 45. The 45. is, fine Mum Triderttinum , which the (c) e See Surius* Papifts boafltobeoecumenicatl, though (d) Protectants Binins.fic Car* ^ainfay it. Which Councell, Seffto 24* Anno Bom: 1 56 ? • ranzd, Andra- q)ecretu de Reformation fan. I l.decreeth as followeth. dius Oekwi. Concilii Trtdentini, & Bellarm. Dc Concihif. J SeeBifliop Iewels Epifllc concer- ning the Councell of Trent, Hiftory of the Councell of Trent, Edit.i.p.8 1 i.&e. Dr. Crakenthorp HisVigihusDormitans^cio.feci.ji.to 40, Omnes. Church , and that they fre* quent itpioufly and religtouf- lyy to hear e thofe holy things that are done in them. Let the attentively he are fermons , let them reverence and worfhip God with a pout mtnde and religious ajfeclion. ^And on thefe dayes, as it U faid, let play es, dances }drun Irenes ,vain difcourfesyandwhat ever may offend Cjods majefty,ceafe &c+ TVe reject thofe fraternities which are for the mofi part made for rioting and drun- kennejfe. Moreover we ftril~t~ ly inhibit under paine of ex- communication, and an arbi* trary'multl3 the carrying a- bout offtaves with images t& the houfes of lay men with * company ofPriefts., of women and Stage-players : , and Spe- cially wee prohibit Clergy men, that they joy ne not them- felves with fuch affemblies, I nor yet affent urttQ them by iU Part, i Hiftrio-Maflix* 623 Let all ftergy men be com- « Concilium Veiled' to difcharre their Ah- Trideminum^ ties or cures by themf elves , fubflitutes. not by th eir Let usTcm.*.pag, 979' them abslaine from hunting , /See Sefifio 6, hauhingydances ,tav ernes and D€ Reformat! P "lay es; and let them excel Lin |^f^ ! ' rfca* integrity ofmanersjhat Reform^, c. 2. De ,9. &SdHo £$•'. De Refor- mat. Can. 1. 5c (?) Omnes vero Qe- rici per fe, et non per fub- ftitutos compellanmr ob- ire oiMcia &c. Ab illici- tifque venationibus, au- cupi/s, choreis, tabernis, lufibufque abftineant, at- que ea, morura integra- te polleant,ut merito Ec- they may be defervedly called, j.Sefsio 14.Dc clefeSenatusdicipoflint. | the Senate of the Church . Reforma%Can, So much pretended goodnefTe at leaft was there in * this Trent Gouncell, as to prohibit all Clergy mens re- fort to tdvernes, dances , VUyesyand fuch like (ports : and f£ to enjoyne them even in proper perfon fur tofeede their g Concilium flockes}andnotby prexie; T^jn-refdence being fuch an Nicaenum V .odious crime in thofe Bijhops, Pafiors and CMiniflers who fy?'1.* l6m have the cure offoules;that this very (f)Trent Counrell, Can.19.AreU- together withfome (g) 54 others * and fundry (h) Cano- tenfe 1. Can.2. 2i. &2. Can* Can.ijAntiochenumCan.?)l7,2i>ti.SardicenfeCan.T,i,5,x?,2o.Conl,tantipoIi- tamimr.fcan.2. &6.Can.8.Carthaginenfe ?.Can.37,$8. & 4. Car. 14,20,27. & %* Can.?. 5c tf.Cahvf ?,i6.Aphricanum Can.}8.Agaten(e Cin.^.ChalcedonenfeCan, 3,10,20,2 3,2 f.Surius Tom. 2. p.L98i20i^io4320^. & AcHo.io. p.177. Veneticum Can.t4Jbi3.p.277. TarraconenfeCan.7.IbM,p.29i. Lonefinenftfub Ottone, Matth. Parif. Hlft.AhglJae p.436. Ttuonenfe 1. Can. 11.^ a.Can.4. Toletanum 2.Can.fc 5c lt.Ckri.2#Aurelianen(e 2.Can.i4.& 3,.Can.j i.Bracarenfe 2.Can,8. Apud Palatium VernisCan.n.Nkajnum 2.Can.io,i5. Arclatcnfe 4.Can.2,io.Cabilonenfe 2-Can. ft,?4.AquiferranenfeAnno 8i6,Can.4y,eo,7 1,87,6c Sub LudovicoPio Anno 832. Can.ii,i6.Pari(ienreht.c.2i,3^.MeMerrfeC3p.28,29:;^,fc. Valcntinu Cap.14,1^ Capir.Gr3BcarumSynQdorumCap.i.Can,,r,^,ii,t2ftadeLudo in Hiftrio-Ma/lix. Part, i teiTerarum ac talorum in- terdicimub. Nee lolum luderc veramus, led eos ludorum fpectatores eflc noiuimus3aut quenquam ludentem in sections iUis forbid them to play , but wee will not fo much as have them Jpeftators ofplaies}or to admit any one to play in their houfes* And were not thefe ranke Puritans thinke ye? Chapter. Of Stage-players and Dicers. Ofthefealfb wee have thought good to admo- nifi Princes and Magi f rates, that they banijh out of their permittere. (m) fop T>e Hiftrio- Traetar.Tra. nibm et cstfleatoribus.De £ratuum.Lug= his etiam Principes et duni Anno Magiftratuscomrnoiicii- Wio.'nni!0 dos cffeduximus,uthi- $a» isberienfis ftrioncs et mimo s 3 caste- territories all Stage-players , DeNugisCu. rofq;circulatores etejns \ tumblers, juglers^efters, and ria!iuml.i.cf. generis perditos homi- | other caft away es of this kind? t Lyrx Prarccp- nes £ ^ finibus ejici- | and that they feverely punifh vo Pricepto.a' atlC> ec *n caupones et a- victuallers and all others Alexander Fa- Uos quicunqueeos rece- \ whatfoever who Jball receive bricius Deftru- perint acriter animad- them%*Andbecaufeitisfound fterium Vicio- vertant. Etquoiiiam ufu \ by experience, that (ft) robbe- rumpars4.c' 25 AlvarusPela«rusDePlanc"tu Ecclefix lib.2.Artic 18. fol. 1?$, B. Danxus Dc Ludo Alex JikAlexandcrAleniis Summa Thcolo^iae pars 4. Quseft. ii.Memb. 2. fe£t.4.p.39',39 2. MapheusVegiusde Educatione Liberoruml.3.c. 7. Bibl.Parrum. Ton>i.i5.p-8^4 F.G.5c I. .0.14.^.848.0 Roger Hutchinfon his Image of God and rnan.EpiitreDedicatory.Sir Thomas Eliot: Governour.l.i.c.x^. Agrippade Vanitate Scicntiar«m,Cap.i4.Mr. George Whetfton his EnemieofVnthriftineiTe or mirrour fbra!lMap.iftrat-s,fol.i j.to* o. Media Villa pars 4. Tn Sentenr.Diflin&io is.Ar ic. 1?.Qiix-ft' P. fo'.2i^,?i<. M>-.Stubshis Anatomy of Abufcs, pag. 129. to 134. Mr. Northbrookehis TYeatile agaiaft dicc-p'ay* Mr.Samucl Byrd hisTreatifeofthepIca. fut e*. of this prefent I ife.'ipiftle to the Reader. 5c cap. i, 2,?. Richard Rice his deftiu&j- ©n of frr.all Vices; Ioannis Lanohccruciusde Vita et Honeftate Ecclefiafticorum l.r. C.I9.2-: I.5.C.:. Summa Angelica, & Summa Rofella.Tir.LudusetAlea. Bp. Rabing- ton, Beacon. Perkins Lake/DodJElton,DownhamAVillbros,Ames3and othersupon the P.Commandemcnt Dr Humphrey of Nobiliry lib.3. Mr, Thomas Gatakerof the Right u!eof Lots>and his defence of that Treatife, B. Rawlidge hisfcourging of typu lcrsp.t.to 6. TofratusTom.io.in part i. Marth 6. Qnasfr. j i.to 57. and 67. Olaus Magnus HtHoriaL*. c.12,1 ? p.^72,57?. MarianusSocinusSenenfis fuperparr. ?. FJb.5.DccfetaliuaidcExcefsihasPra»latoramcapx i.f. 73. to 8©.Lefsiusde Iuuitiaet lure I. a c.2 6.p.?n-to ? I f.with infinite others who have written againft dice-play. Vinccntiw Speculum do&rinale U 1 l.c.97. com- f rtiil Hiflrh-Mafttx. 6ij compertum ert, ex alese | vies, thefts, fraudes,blasfhe- ludo fepe furta, raping fraudeSj blafphemias, a- liaq; id generis fiagitia profkifci^prohibeat tax- ili's aut alea iudi, et gra- viter in publico s aleato- re"S, et in eos qui hujuf- modiiudis interfint^qui- ve do mum ad recipicn- dos.ludentes expofuam habent animadvertant. Maxime vero cificiant , ut bonis artibus mftitu- cudis vd renovandis, o mies , and other wickcdneffeS of this kinde, doe oft troceede from dice-play * let them for- bid all flaying at tables and dice , and fever ely punifh all common dicers , and ihofe who are prefent at fuch games , or keepehoufes to re- ceive fuch gamefters. 'But let them chief J endeavour to effetl , that idletteffe may as much 04 may bee quite bani* foed out of Citties by inflitu- ting or renewing good arts. * See Condi- uniones Caro- lina? Hubr. 30, 31. Andreas Friciusde Re- publics Emeri" dead a 1- I.e. 17. p.62, 6 ^accor- dingly. tia3 quantu fieri poterit, e civitatibustollantur. If therefore all Stage-players, tumblers, and common dicers are thus to be banifhed and can: out of the com- mon wealth , and all thofe to be feverely punifhed who etkertaine or harbour them,their Playes mufc certainly be execrable, intolerable, which make their perfons fuch. The 47. is Synodus Ebroicenfis s benefits, and rendri.no- thankes. But wee think? verily , that in no age men offended more grievoufly and frequently agai ifi the ho- ly and law full obfervation of fe si iv alls, than in ours ; fince many confume them in follow- ing theplearures of this world, in tav ernes , in brothels , in unlawful I VI ayes , and in 0. thervaine,yea, and vit ions a. ft tons, &c. Let therefore the cioore '-keepers of the Church upon holy dayes obferve and note which of the presbyters and Tarifhioners /ball be ab- fent from the Churches Offi- ces , and inquire for what caufe they were abfent ; whe~ ther they Jpend the time in tsfle-houfes or in Playes &c. prsecipimus, ne (inane in Caemeterijs choreas du- ci,aut alios lufus et infa- nias fieri fed potius ea qux lu&us et mortis me- moriam inducunt. (r)Novimus et expe- rimiir aftutias Diaboli ad dcrogandum cultuiDei, et Part, i Htjlrio-Maftix. 619 et ad futi fubftituend'i in illius locum. la uoitiis e- nim diCECciibus per om- nia fefta ioienma Apo- ftolorum et aiionmi ian- ctoru, adaugendiitacri- legu'i, impudica atq;-ob- fcama Ludicra in his ad- mifcet, ut totii hominem perdat in iabbaclu iibiq; iiibjiciat. Dies vero Do- mmicos yidebatur anii- dinis eximere,fed eos no diiiimili ratione fcedavic ac prop-hanavit,&c.Elee- molynamenim vertic in crapulas , orationem in choreas,et concionem in fcurrilitate. Ad has fefto- ru prophanationes mun- dandas&c. praxipimus Ctiratis ut paratfi habeat concionatore, quiverbu Dei prxdicet bis in die (fray mark? it) Ci fieri poifitjUt contineatur po- pulus in pietate , mane fcilicetet a prandio. C6- meiTationes t ebrierates, fumptus, litres , lulus im- probos et inhoneftos y choreas p'enas inianijs, cantilenas tumes; brevi- ter om ^e Luxii etlafcivia arque omne feftorii pro- phanationem damnamus et reprobamus- and to fubftitttte his owne in its roo-ne. For m our D ioce Tg through all fclemnc feafis of the Affiles and other Saints , to augment facrUedre^ he ad- mix th unchaft and ohfcene Plajes in t hefe , chat hee may deftroy the whole man upon the Sabbath, and fubjeH him to him'elf.Buthe thought (rood _ t j J * r *• If then Pa- to exempt Lords-day es from .« r ■ ill jc, 1 j Vlih thus Pro* f aires, yet he hath defiled and v;je ^r two prophaned them with a like Simons every facriledire : for hee turneth Loids d.iv and dimes into riot, prayer into )°^ df to 1 . 0 r / r keepethereo- dances,and Sermons into fcur- le from p,avc$ rility. To clean fe thefe pro- and fintu' Pa- phanations of holy dajes &c. ftunes ; fliail wee command Curates that J^oteftants they provide a Preacher .which thlnke °ne fer* / / 7 r ^ i mon cvery may preach the word of God Lords- day e- * twice in a day (pray marke nough? Cer- \l)ifit be poffible , that the tauityMr»8ii» people may be kept exercifed cevwasofa o- in piety both mornin? and e- Wicrmmdc,.or, r. J c ,. «5 rrt faithhcDomi. vemng,even from dinner. Wee condemn e and reprobate rio- ting ,drunk^nnejfe, prodigali- chiis ad mini- ty , contentions, wicked and mumdn*,fi difboneft olaies, dances frauaht r "• ' 1" with feol:ries , filthy fongs ; Buftrh ^4tthm bri-fly all luxurie, lafciviouf- 1 2.8. w.crVr. nefje, and all prophanation of Bond of the Sa^ holy-day es, under pains of ex- kath ?' ' 6 communication. Vide nicis diebus tn fin&uhs paro- dem. , . Bp.Hoopers^ •^'-)1" paffagetothis pvirpo(e,Ad.^, Scene 11. X///j So 6^o Hiftrio-Maftix. Pa rT. i . So abominable, founlawfull are dances, Playesand amorous Paftorais on Lords-dayes* holy-dayes and ali folemnc feftivals devoted to Gods fervice. The 49-is, Conci['lii™ Bwndigenfe^nn$ 1582. Which as it complaines that Lords-dayes and holy-dayes were much prophaned with Piayes, Paftimcs, drunkenneflc and other viilanies in thefe words. 49' /Bochellus Dccietorum EccIefizGal- licana^!«4.rir. 7. c*2i. p* 580, 5$r. ^ Dommicus dies ideo Do- minions appel- lator, utineo a tcrrcn's ope- ribus, vclmun- di illiccbris ab« ftincntes, tan- turn diviois cultibus fer. yiTimni. Mchtis "»in*t ae Divi. nis Offices cap. 27. Col. 107 2. t Bochellus Decrrtorvm EccIefi*Gal- licanas l.^.Tir. IptC7. p. 1026. (T^Tametfi Dominici feftiqj dies ad hoc unum inltiruti funt, ut fldeles Chriftiani ab * externis Although Lords-dayes and. holy-dayes wereinftitutedfor thitonelypurpofe, that faith- full Christians abftainintr operibus abftinentes, li-j from externall 'worlds ,might berius et majori cum pie- j more freely and with greater tare div'mo cultui vaca rent &c.Nihilominus no- ftris temporibus praepo- ftere fieri foiet , ut tarn folenneset religion* dies non folum in illicitis et fecularibus negoti/s pro- curandis, verum etiam in Iiixu, laicivia, jocis et lu- disvetim, compotatio- nibus carterifq; flagitij's exercendis toti tranfigan- tur. Which abufes it en- joy nes Magistrates & Of- ficials to fttppreffe : So it decreetbtbts. (t)Ckrici nu^quam perfonati ince- dant,neq; comardias, fa- buias,choreas,ve! aliquid aliud Iudicrum ex ijs cmse abhiftrionibus exhiben- tur,agant ve! fpeclenr, ne vilus er obturus facris my fieri jsdicati turpnimj fpefla- piety addict themfelves to Gods worjhip &c. Tfytwith- ftanding it is prepoftereufly ufuallin our times, that even religions dayes are wholly fpent not onely in following unlawfull and fecular af- faires, bm even in riot, Uf- civioufnes, prohibited fports and play es, compotations and other execrable wickedness. Which abufes it en/oynes Magiftrates and Orficials to cenfure.and prohibit: So it decrees thus. Clergy men may never put on vizards er goe difgui^ed , neither may they aft er behold comedies, fables, dances, or any other ofthore 1*1 ayes that are ex- hibited by Stage-players, left the fight and hearing dedica- ted to facredmyfteries px>uld be polluted with the coata- rion Part, i Hiprio-Maftix. 6,1 gion of filthy fpeflacles. Let them wholly abflaine as well in private as in publik? from dice, tables ,c\'irdsyer every 0- ther prohibited and unfeeme- ly flay. Let them be never prefent at riotous and difho- nejl feafts : let them avoid places of judicature ymarketsy and places of report < neither let them ever enter into ta- vernes and innes , bat being necejpmted bjfome longjour- fpe&aculorum contagio- ne poiluanmr. Ab alea., tefleris,c Harris .,et quovis alio vetico et indecoro lu- do cii privatim, tii publi- ce penitus abftineant. Co- rned at ion i bus ec minus honeftis convivijs nun- qua interimt.Forum,mer- catus.andronas rugiatjnec tabernaset dkerlbria nill longioris itinens necefli- tate unquam ingredian- tur &c ney* The50.is, Concilium Rhemenfe, Anno I 58$. Which condemnes the ufe of Stage-play es and dancing, especi- ally on Lordf-dayes, holy-dayes, and the Chriftmas fea- fon, when they are moft in ufe, under painc of excom- munication. (v) Diebus Dominicis et Feflis in fuas Parasfeas populus conveniat, et Mifla^concioni, et vefpe- rijs intcrfit. Ijfdem die- bus nemo lufibus aut cho- reis det operam, maxime dum divinum celebratur officiu , monebiturq; ab Ordinario vel parxcoMa- giftratus ut id nequaqua fieri ptrrmittat.Ludos tbe- atrales etiam praetextu confuetudinis exhiberi fo litos et puerilia castera- que ludicra , quibus Ec- clefise inquinatur hone- ftas et fanclitas in * Chri- fti Let the people meete toge- ther in their pari Jh Churches on Lords dayes and holy dayesy and let them be prefent at (Jltaffe , at Sermon and Veffers.Let no man give him Jelfe on thefe dayes to Playes or dances , especially whiles divine fervice is celebrating and the CMagiflrate [hall be admonifted by the Ordinary or HParifl) Priefly that hee by no meanes fuffer thefe things to be done. Wee utterly prohi- bit Stzige-playes and other childifb paftimes accuftomed to be prefent ed under pretext of cufiome , with which the honefty So. v BocheHuf - Decret.Ecc eG Ga'tl.!.4.Tit.7. * Our Chrift- mas tmerlude* and Pa (times then had thehr onginall from thefe Popifli Entering 6^2 ■ Tl Hiftrio-Maftix. Part. i. Si. x Bochellus Dccretorum Ecclcfiae Galli- cana;1.4.Tir.7# fti et Sanclorum feftivi- 1 honeftj and fanllity of the tatibus omnino prohibe- I Church is defied, in the fe* mus ; contra nitentes au- | ftivalls of Christ, and of the tern pcenis coerceri vo- Saints .thofe that doe contra- lumus a iuperioribus. | ry, tvee will foall be punifhed | by their fuperiours. The ^l .is y Sy nodus Tftronenfs, tAnno 1583. which is fomewhatobfervable. Since according to the pre ( x ) Cum jtixta divi Pauli pra?ceptum, qui Chrifti funt fobiietatem fempcr feclari debeant, diebus Dominicis prader- tim et alijs feftis 9 com- meflaciones , convivia publica, tripudia, faltatio- nes, flrepitus et choreas fieri, vaenatu et aucupatu tempus terere , in hofpi- ti/s feu cauponis alijs qua peregrinis cibaria et vi- num miniftrarijludos pal- marios et alios (maxime dum facra conficiantur , Iaudtfq;Deo decantantur) aptri 1 : comaxlias.ludos fcenicos vel theatrales, et alia ejus generis irre- ligiofa fpedacula agi, fiib anathcmatis poena prohi- bet hxc Sy nodus : prs- cinitque omnibus et fin- guiis Paraeciarurn rectori- bus cos apud Epifcopum deferre , oui huicdecre- to non paruerint, ut ll- lius ordinatione nomina- tim cept of St. Paul , thofe who are (fhrifl sought alwayes to follow fobriety , especially on Lords dayes and other fefti- vails: this Synode prohibits under paine ofexcommunica* tion ( on the forefiid dayes especially) all noting, pub- likefe aft sy galliards, dances 3 clamours and CMorrices to be made , to Jpend time in hunting and haukingfo ferve wine or viUnalls in Innes or vitlualltng houfes to any but to ftr angers^ any prices or 0- ther pi ayes to be /hewed, (ef- pecially whiles divine things are performed , and praifes fung to Cfod: ) any come- dies, Stnae'playes, and other irreligious fbetlacle^of^his kinde (To it itiles thcm>0 be afcled : and it enjoynetb all and fngular ReElors of pa- rifhes to cite thofe before the Bifhop who (ball not obey this decree , that in his name they may be denounced and pro- claimed Pa RT. I Htflrio-Maftix. 6H tim excommunicato de- nuncicntur et publicentur: *valdeetenim eilabfurdii fideles,i/s diebus qui pro- pitiando Deo funt dcfti- nati, fallacious illis Satha- ux bianditijs iileclos a di- vinis oificijs 3 religiofis fupplicationibus concio- nibufq; iacris abduci. claimed excommunicated « for it is very abfurd , that Chriftians , on thefe dayes that are deftinated to appeafe gods anger, allured with thofe deceitfull inticements of Satan, fhould bee drawne away from divine Offices ^re- ligious f applications, and ho - // Sermons. So that by this Synodes exprdfe refolution , Stage- flayes are irreligious fp evades, And the deceitfull intice- ments of Satan, to withdraw mens hearts from God 3 and from his fervice ; which fhould caufe all Chriftians to a- bominate them. The 52.1s, ConciliumrBiturienfe,<^fnno I584#wherc thefe conftitutions were compiled $i< (y) Prohtbctur popu lus prophana fodalitia et commefTationes^choreas, tripudia, larvas et thea- trales ludos diebus Do- rainicis et feftis exercere; pompas inftrumentorum muficorumet tympano- rum in geftationibus i- maginii per vias et com- pita exhibere; a caupona abftineant , et nihil nil! quod pictate redoleat ex- erceant. Imitentur Chri- ftiani tons hifce diebus ftncTos illos quorum mc- moriam colant per opera charitatis. (*>) Clerici nunquam perfonati fint: acomx- di/s, The people are prohibited J Bochellus to exercife prophane affem- ^n?^-^ blies,andrLlsfe*frsUan. e°gSE* ces, morrices, dtfguifes and ' Stage-playes on Lords dayes and holy dayes : to exhibit Jhewes or pompes of mufaall inftrumentsand tabersm the procejfions of images through thefireetes and croffewayes ? let them abftaine from the *Ale-houfe, andpratlife no* thing but that which may fa- vour of piety. Let Chrifti- ans all thefe dayes imitate by the worths ofcharitie,thofi Saints whofe memorie they obferve. z Bochellus Let Clergy men never put GalUATlM<, on vizards : let them abflaine c. H. & 24. p. Mm mm from 1026,101 8 » 34 Hiftrio-Majlix. Part. i. dijSjMimis, chorcis3 ct^fiomatting and beholding co- faltationibus agendis atq; fpe&andis abitincant. A- icas,tefleras, chartas,om- nes ludos vetitos , comef- fationes, acinverecunda convivia, mercatus et nundinationes , tabernas ac diverforia praeterqua in itinere devitent &c. Hortatur eriam hxc Sy- nodus Chriftianos omnes ut pro Chriftiani nomi- nis honore ec dignitace fe gcrant, tripudiaec faltati- ones, publicos ludos, mi- inos,larvas,et aleas, qua- rt fieri poterit, devicent m As Bring* ing Along With Them The Corrvption ♦ SceAndreas pariettbus Te- yphich they have condemned:) Firft,that the prorefllon of ijnquamus> \\Q* a Stage-player is altogether unchi iftian,abominable and que mulierculis iinlawfull: and that all common Aftors and Stage-play- qu*cxno fuo ers ought to (land excommunicated ipfofatlo, both from £*cnes m x*~ the Church, the Sacraments and allChriftiansiociety, i^XiTa .' till they have utterly renounced, and quite given over puJemcr fti-" their infamous , execrable lewd profeffion , which is tent et rideant. no wayes tolerable among Chriftians. And if the very ^w* Muli* proferfion of a Stage-player bee fo execrable by thefe fAJ/~?9.4, Councels resolution, much more abominably execrable ct ^ s^-mo mull: Stage-playes be,whi -h make it fo. Secondly, that See here p. 124, all Chriftian Princes and Magi urates ought to fuppreflc **?• all Stage-playes, all common A&ors,and to banifh them * Speculum their territories and dominions ; feverely punching all omina^i* fuch perfons who dare to harbour or protect them, pars^p.zji," Thirdly, that Stage-playes are diabolicall heathenifli, *v. unchriftian polluted fpe&acles, which defile the eyes, " l" Matth.c J4* ©Concio6.& 19. OperumTom.6.Coloni* Agrippina? i6r 7. Col.6o,6i,204,io<. /Viz.Concilium Conftantipolitapum 6.Synodus NiC*na *.ConciI.Conftantkop»#„ Conci J .Latera nenfc Tub Innocentio 3 . M m m m 3 the 6?8 Hiftrio-Maftix. Part, i * Sec A&. 6 Scene ii, 4- the cares, the foules; corrupt the manners, enflamc the luits of thoie who a<5t,who fee or hearc them a&ed, di£ abling them likewife to,* and withdrawing them from Gods hoiywori hip and fervice. Fourthly, that Stage- playes even in private houfes , at marriages or feafts, are unlawful! , and misbefeeming Chriftians ; as well as in publike Theatres, Fifthly, that the afting of Stage- play es whether publike or private, by common -Adors or others, efpecially in Churches and Church-yards, is altogether abominable andunlawfull ; though it be ftill permitted in iome places,among the Papifts in forraignc parts. Sixthly, that the acting of our Saviours paflion, or of any other facred hiftory, either in the Church, or on the Stage , (a (g)pratlife yet in nfe among the fro - fhane faerilegiotu Tapifts and lefuites,) is altogether to be abandoned,and condemned. Seventhly,that dancing, dicing, carding, and Stage-playes, are unlawfull and a- bominable, as at all other times , fo chiefly upon Lords dayes, holy dayes, and folemne Chriftian fefti vails, (es- pecially on Eafter, Whitfontideand Chrifttide,fet apart and confecrated to Gods peculiar and more fpeciall worfliip$) when they are now moil in ufe. If any here demand of me, how the beginning and ending of Lords dayes and holy dayes (on which thefe Stage-Playes and Paftimcs are more fpecially prohibited) fhould be accounted ? I anfwer;that the Lords day (not- withstanding fome(£)late reverend opinions to the con- trary) hath alvvayes anciently beene reputed to begin at fat ur day evening ,( not at midnight ,or day breaking ,zs fomC now teach ) and fo to continue to the evening following: At the time of the creation, it is moft apparant. that the day began at evening : For, the (i) evening and the mor- niHgweretbefirft, fecond, third, fourth, fifth, fixtb, (and fo by coijfcquenc the feventh ) day : m ratification of which oi iginall law of nature for the beginning and en- ding of dayes, the Lord himfelfe above two thoufand y cares after, commanded the Ifraelites to celebrate their Sabbath 6. /5eeA&. j. Sccn.f.&Ioan- nis Molanus Hift.SS.Imagi- numJ.4.c.i 8, 7- h Wolphius ChronoU.t.e.i Dr. Bond Of the Sabbath, I.z.p.4^.ando» thers who hive fincc followed their miftake. iGeD»M,8,i7 J9,i<, $f. Tn Grnefi nox no pra:cedeiuisdi- eicft fcdfiibfe- qiKnris. id eft, prinJpiam fu= turi, non finis prx-eriti. Hie- torn. \n loam Part. i. Hijlrlo-Majlix. 639 2. Coi.5f9.13. Hietom Coin, inlonamcap.x Tom.Y.p.i 57» G. Iofephui ScaligcrdcE- Sabbath from evening to evening. Levit* £3.32. From K See Exodus even to even (ball yen celebrate your Sabbath, By vertue ^-x>a3st0 S^* of which precept, the (kj leaves did alwayes begin and ^p^Con- keepe their Sabbaths, and folemncfeftivalls from evening tjia Appionem to evening, till our Saviours paflion , and this prefent t *• p. 823. day. Neither did our Saviours refurreftion on the firft Chryfoft.Hom, day of the weeke, alter the beginning and end of that *^ q^L^ day, nor yet of the Sabbath, which we now keepe upon Bt & Hom.*i! it ; For if the firft day on which our Saviour rofe a- in Mnth.Trm. gaine tooke its beginning onely from the time of his re- furre&ion (as fome atfirme'*) then our Saviour could not pofllbly be (I) three dayes in the grave, nor yet be truly [aid, to rife againt the third bay according to the Scrip- tnres : the night in which our Saviour rofe , being ac- cording to this computation^ a part of the feventh day, mendatioae and no part of the firft, of which the (mj Fathers and all Tanporum U ether Expoptors have alwayes made it parce/l , tojuftifie ^omrrTnovi- the truth of our Saviours rejurrettion on the third day. tio,p, 1 1 9. & I, And whereas fome objeel, that it is abfurd, that our &p. £*>*??• Chriftian fabbath fhould begin before the houre of our Godwin his Saviours refurredlion,which is the ground of it; for this lc™1. ^ntl* were to put the effect before the caufe, and to make the ^"p*^ ,***£ (abbath precede Chrifts refurre&ion , which was the AinfWorth hit caufe of its commencement. I anfwer firft; that Chrifts Annotations refurreclion did n®t fanclifie onely the firft houre , but on Gcncfis c.r«' the firft day on which he rofe : therefore the antecedent ^jatrn Ia part of the firft day ,(which was paft before his refurrc- c.i 6.»i.Lu#kc* dion) as well as the lubfequent : For as Chriftians cele- »4.6. Afts \o. brate the day of our Saviours paflion , even from the 40.1 Cm 5. 4. very morning, though our Saviour fuffered not till to- &jlVrCrcc^ wards evening : and as the Ifraelites by Gods owne *n ionam c7° appoint ment, were to begin their Paffeover , (n ) the eve- jom. ?. p. « "? 7* G.5c Com. in Matth.i?. v.46. Auguftin. Qua?ft. Super fcrangelia I. i.QnjeftASc 7. Gregory Nyffen De Reiurrett. Chrifti Oratio up. \ 4 f.Theophilus Antiochenus Con* SnM.itth.l.l. Bibl.PatrumTom.2.p.i^2.AnaftatiusSianita Qiue(r.ifi»!79 *• Theophyla£hCom,in Matth.c. t ». v.40. SeeMar- Jotat.Mufculus, LyrajGorranjCalvinjBuccr, Arctius, and others in Mattn,IitV,40a &i$,v,u. accordingly, n Excd.uA ning 640 Hiftrio-Maftix. Part. ningof the four eteenth day , not at midnight ;thoughthe - , . and the fir# d*y °f the wee^ th< 20.1! 4* * ° * Lords day , they having both the felfe-fame limits. Thirdly, Part, i . Hijirh-Maftix. 6 41^ Thirdly, no Scripture informes us , that our Saviours 3. refurrection changed the beginning or end of the fab- bach, that it fhould now begin at midnight , or mor- ning, not at evening ; therefore it kepesthe feifcfame beginning and end it had before* Neither doth the ob- . je:red reaion, (viz.: that the caufe mould precede the effe :\3 (warranted by no Scripture J prove any thing at ai'. Indeed it any had celebrated the riril day as a iab- ba: h, before our Saviour had rifen, the reafon had beene good: but fince our Saviour was rifen againe before the firftday was ever kept holy; and fince hit re farreEbion ( SecTuftin en it was the (t )catifewhy Chriftians [ubfequently obfer- MaFtyr,Apolo- ved chew hole day , not the very minute or houre on giaz.proChri- whichherofe, or that part onely of the day which re- i*lams: Augd" mained after he was rifen ; thereafon is of no weight "£ ij^ atalU For if our Saviours refurredioa fhould not ex- Dr. Bond Of tend to confecrate that part of the firft day which pre- the Sabbath, ceded it, becaufe the effe cl: fliould not goe before the andallCom- caufe : a man might by the felfefame reaion argue; that r"cntir^es on our Saviours paiTion did not relate a parte ante, tofave mandeinentl thofe beleevers who died before^but only a f arte f oft, to & others who redeeme fuch onely who departed after his incarnation: have written which were blafphemy for to thinke; fince our Saviour ©f the Sabbath was virtually and in detonation (though not actually) accordin§1y« (v ) a lambe jlainefrom the beginning of the world. Now y j^ev# x £*, that the Chriftian fabbath or Lords day begins at even , aid fo ought to be fanclified from even to even not from morning to morning, or from midnight to midnight; (which ecclefiafticali beginning of dayes we never find in Scripture,or in any Ecclefiafticali Writers;Jit is mod apparant : Firft becaufe wereade of no other beginning 1. or end of the fabbath in Scripture but this: and to make it begin from the very houre or minute of our Saviours refurreftion is to make it arbitrary and altogether un- certaine becaufe the very houre and minute of his re- furre&ion is not, neither can it certainly be knowne. Secondly, becaufe the fabbath being nothing elfe in pro- 2. Nnnn per 642 Hiftrio-Majtix. Pa rt. i * Gen.z 1 ,m per fpeach, but a day of reft, it is mod naturall and pro- ExoJ.zo. 8. 10 per ic fhouldthcn begin when as God aid man begin ij.jNoacmc their reft; and leave ott their labour ; not when as they io^orisdaum begin their worke : (x) but Godbegm his reft at the end efleco*nofci* of the fixth day, not on the morning or midnight of the fe- mus, non ad venth day : and men begin their ( y) reft at evening, not nwnerisaticu- at midnight or morning: WitnelTe Tfil. 104. ut 23. ius vcl open* ^he Sttnne arifeth, and man aoeth forth to his worh and t un&ionem , tit 1 • 17/ 1 /1 1 quae fomno ct t0 "** labour unto the evemng: and lohn 9.4. 1 mtijt workg oblivionc traf- the workes of him that fent me whiles it U called to day: the curritur. Am- night commeth when no man can worke ; therefore it foifiimxumj. js mo{i confonant to reafon and nature that it ftiould ,,f"I°' begin at evening. Thirdly, this beginning of the Concilium Lords day on faturday at even doth beft prepare Chri- Conftantinop. ftians for the fandiflcation and duties of the Lords day: tf.Can, 90.& For it makes them put a period to their labours in due Aquifgranenfe time, it disburdens them the fooner of their weekday p.b ^0V1C0 imployments ; it cauleth them to goe to bed fooner, to PdydorVirgH* r^e earlier, a"d to prepare themfelves the better for the Dc Inventori- duties of the enfuing morning ; and upon this ground bus rcrum 1. 6". did the Church appoint ( z.) Vigils and Svemng Satur* c.4. Ioanncs day fervice in ancient times, that Chrittians laying a- DTwttrtHo. fic*e a11 Ocular imployments, and reforting then unto ncftatc Eccle- Gods publike worftup, might (after the manner of the flafticorum U. Iew$,\vho*had their prep ar at to ofthefibbatk )the better ci i.if, prepare themfelves for the facred duties ofthc Lords" *LTkf **" » Say .And hence perchance it is that we have feldome a- 54. ohn 1^.41. ny pjavcs of j^afqUes at Court upon faturday nights. y Laftly, it is infallibly evident by the conftant pra&ife of * Chriftiani the'priraitive Church,who kept the Lords day oneiy fro to dieamc to- cvemngto evening, not from morning to morning ; as IS ccm convenire, evidenced (not onely by the afTemblics of the primitive carmcnqjChri- Chriftians, who met together* before day-breake upon the fto, quafi Deo Lords day to praife their Lord and Saviour Chrtft,)but by £^L fondry Councels, Fathers, and Imperial! Conftitutions, Semndm Epifl, 1 10. E/tf .97. Which meetings Tertullian ftiks, No&urnar con- tocauoncs,^ Vssrtm Ux.r^ And others, Amlmm catt*. To Part. i. Hi^rio-Uajlix. 643 TobeginwitbCouncels. Survey we QonciliumTarra^ * And Apui conenfe Canq . Surius Qoncil.Tom.2.p. 292. Cftfatifco- Radulphum *e»fe 1. Can.i.lb.p.68z.TolemnumA.Can 2. Ib.p.ni9. Jur!grcnfcnL Conftanttnop.G.Can.yo.lb .p.iosx.r oro-)ulienfe (,an.\ % . obfcrvantia Surius Tom. }♦ />. 2 66 . Turonicum 3 . /££ farolo UWagno Propofitio 1 {» 0^.40 . /£./>. 2 7 2. (*) Concilium apud Compendium, A- Bib!. Patrum f *«/ eAlexandmAlefium, Summa Tbeolog.pars 3 .jgtte/P Tom.i i.p.4 4 ? $1* Artie. 2./>. 245. (£) Synodus Vyancfordiana Anno ' *z# 0m* Dom.j9l.cap.l2* (c) Concilium UWoguntinum Anne £Ap'udMchu* %\ 1+ apud luonUDecr eta, ,y ar s ^.c. 16. Synodtts Galonis vini Opera r f Simo/iis L ?gatoris An. \1\2.& Synodus Andegavenfis Col. 189$. M.uU. Ail thefeexpicdy decree. VttdiesDominicus f Apud Bochdf. 4 vesper* ufcjue ad vesper am fervetur. Omncsdtes \Domi- cIcfia, GaiiicaJ> »^j a Vetera in vesper am omniveneratione decernimus nxl.4 Tir.7„ obfervari, et ab omni illicuo opere abftinere .2fjc aliquu a cap. 1 4 . p. j 7$. vefpera diei Sabbat hi, uf que ad vesjera diet 'Dominica ad & *K x ox,f 2" molendma aquar'uynec ad aliqua alia molere audeat e£r .So Jj'/u; j* C^* that by the exprefle refolution of all thefe feverall Coun- d obfertcmus cels,whereof one is oecumenicall : the Lords day ought ergo diem do. to be kept onely from evening to evening ; and fo to begin mmieam fra* and end at evening. If we perufe the Fathers ; we (hall **<*>& f**^* finde(<0«S>. Augufiine, enjoining fhrijlians to celebrate ^"antiquV" the Lords day from evening to evening , as the Iewes did pra?ceptum c(t celebrate their (abbath. And that the Lords day and our de $abbato,di- Chriftian fabbath begins at evening, not at morning cr ce,ltct-egifla- midnighr, it is the direft and puncluall verdift of Wio- [^^jffi* nyfius Alexandrinus Efifr. 1 . Bibl. Patrum Tom. % . p. 8 1 . ram^ccIebrabT A.to H, Of Theophilus Antiochenus Comment. in Evan- tis Sabbatave* geltaj \..*• RefurreEt.^hrifit p. 14$ 146,151 152. J£ otium ^ OfHterd.Com.inIonac.t.To.1.p.n7.E.'& Co. in Mat. fta^L It.v.jp.Ti.Cp.ll 21.ofLeoEpifl.Decret.Epill.$i.c.l. ra dici Sabbat! ERabanus iMaurus Homil.De Dominicis Diebus: Ope- ufque in vefpe- rum Tom. ^.p. 605. fkry roft. Horn. 5 .in QenefrTom . 1 ♦ Col: ram dici duihi- 16B.& Mom:S2.in0^latth:Tom:i.Co/;^9.rB.The^ ™ca\ r«l«<> } ' y ftratia rurali oprrrctabomninegoth, fo!o divfno cultui yaccmus. De Temprt Scrmo sji» See Q^ftioncsftipcr Evan^cliaJ .i.Quaeft.^,7. 2{jt nnt ophjltu — — '■'■-—■ ■* 6.44 Hiftrio-Maflix. Part.i cpvoptcrea c ophy/as ^A/exandrinns Epifl* Tafcba/U 3. Bibl-.Tatrnm nin S riptura Tom^tp.-'jz^.G.CajJianus de Incarnatione Domini lib;* tCI^b[^nit Bib/:Patr:Tom: 5 pars l.p: 8 1 .Ffi.^naftatius Si an it* craonia/n prills (e)^nagogicarum Contemplationum Hexaem.Li.Bibl: cramusincrro- Patr:Tom:6 pars I p.6 34. £.(f) Vutftionttin lib: gnaft; rc^demdetrafc 87. Ibid:p:"jf%. jQii&fi: (g) 1 5 2>I 5 3. Ibid: p: 794,795. ivimus ad hi- TheopbyUEt.in Mattb: 12.^:40. & 28. v. 1. sAnfelmtis CtTj&sTlin rJAUtth: 12« Tom.i,p:6o,6i. & in cap: 28a. p:\16. ra dcindc dies0 Euftbws Cjalltcanns de Symbolo Horn: 2. Bibl:?atr:Tom: Hinc lege eft f.pars 1 p:^^^.G}H. Pafcbatins Kbadbertus in CMattb: conftitutum,ut /.• n^ib Pat:Tom:$.pars l.p: I 230. Hay mo Halberftat- inciperetur a ^ tenps HomiL in Die Pafcbatis, p. 7,8. Radulphtts Tun. nicaCrquoniam grenfis ^e Camnum obfervantia/ib: Propofnio 23. Bib/: a morte obfeu- Tatr:Tom: 1 ) .p:4tf.F,G. & Tropofitio 1 5. Ibid:p:^s> ra procetfimus F,(?. (^ Tom: lq.p:!^!. 'B . C '. oAmalarius Tortunatus ad lucem refuft £>, Ecc/epafticis Officijs /: i.c:\l. Bib/: Patr:Tom:p.pars rcaionij.iy.^ f ^ . ^ j 2 Fm}-[onorms Auguftodmenfis De Imagine Mun- cam a vefpera 4*^bI' cap'"2>7' B*M-' ^^r: Tom: 12. f^r/ 1^:947. HI Sabbati aufpi- d" *Z)tf Antiqno ritn CMiff; lib: I .<:: 1 9 1 . p: 1 047. F. £7?W- camur. /£#. flianus Grammaticus Sxpofitio in C^fattb: Bib/: Patr: , i Qiie,r'libet T0m.-9.pars 1. ^.-941- £>,£. Zacbarias fbryfopo/itanus comnu^re^et *** #^*» *■* quatuor lib.^. c. 1 7 3 . 2?*£/: TWr: 7"^j- !•/>•• 203, 204. To which I may adde Gregorius 9. teno£rc,ceu u. Decretn/J. 2". Tif.9. D* Fm/.f cap.l.p.^^4 Summa An. num eopulare ^/j^ 77/-. T>ies.fecl. I. d" finftitutiones Symonis Iflepe fo us.Sice= Arcbiepirc. Cantuarienfts , apud Gulie/mum Lmdvoood. nin et Movies ^ />• ^ • • # » A vefpera ofq- theGreat,CapitJib.6.emdLe&: (i) that the Lords day a'.? M9. Therfbre all dancing,dtcwg,carding,mafques rjtngeplaies , M*?; \ v^fpet (together with all ordinary imployments of^mens cal- ^fq^a/vefp" lings) upon faturday nights 3 are altogether unlawful/ by ramdieidomi- the verditl oftheforcqtioted (founcels ; becaufe the Lords n»ci fequeftrati day (as all thefe ancient Authorities and reafons, againft a ruraIi. °Pere> all new opinions prove J is even then begun. Neither ? °J^,nl ,ne?°~ .„ . . r f' 11 1 j j« r t;o,lo!ochvino will it hereupon follow, that we may dance, dice, lee tvAmi vacemus Mafques or Playes on Lords-day nights (as too many HRabMu* doe3)becaufe the Lords day is then ended; fince thefe M*urutH. i>*. duties ftill remaining, anfwerable to the workes of the Deut.6.4,?A precedent day : as the (m) repetition .meditation ,and try- % j^7, l ^ all ofthofe heavenly infiruttions which we have hear dor n Epher*.i4. read in the day-time ; (n) prayer to God for a bleffing up- to i t. Phil. i. en all thofe holy ordinances of which wee have beene made 9* x °» l Tim. 2. fartnkers ; ( 0) thanksgiving to him for his manifold mer-. I# * *Hf *' cies: (p) fmging of pfalmes and hymnes and jpirituall j0 Col j'.ic, Jongs: (q) inftrublion and examination of our children, ^Co).:. 1?. fervants and families : ( r ) examination of our owne Deut 6,$,637* hearts , eftates , and wayes by the touch-ftone of Gods Epbef. ?«4- rpord : together with a (f) ferious commendation of our l\£ .4*£ foules and bodies into the hands of God by prayer an&well- 2 Co'r.i ? . }; doing, when as we art 'lying downe to our reft. All which /Pfal.4-8.Pfaf. moft ferious neceffary duties, with which wee fhould 3*«£i*ik.*3« Nnnns clofc ****«-W- 6^6 Hiftrio-Maftix. Parxi^ ^— — ^— i -— n— IT— —i -mn ■!— — r Qiusfcicaa clofc up every day and night, (t)(it being for ought w$ adiicianthodu ^vstoe utmoft period of our lives,) will out all dan- S^Tcm * cinS> dicmS> ! Mafques and Stage-playes, which arc in- poradiifupcri? compatible with thefe holy duties , and altogether un- uerauCdrmA 4. feafonable for the night, w hich God made for (ujjUepc Cit p.Ncmoin andreft ; not for thefe difhoneft workes of darkneffe in cerm""™ rul which too many fpend whole nights, who never im« ^/ii.NTmo PIoyed onc halfe nisht Cor &y) in Praycr> ** thcir (*) tam divosha- Saviour, and (y) King David did. Since therefore wc buitfaventcs never reade of any faithfull Saints of God in former " ff* *nr? Ut tlmQS w^° Pra&*fed dancing,dicing, Mafques or Enter- ficer? scmec*1 todes on Lords day nights, (no ( z>) nor yet on any other Tbyl'faAclX daJes or »*ghts for ought app tares by any Author, )though •rpral.io^t*'. they have oft times fpent whole dayes and nights in rfal. 117. j. prayer : let us not take up this godlefTe pra&ife now, PT^fr*14 which will keepe us offfrom God and better things. Chryfoft O^ But let US rathcr fo,low (a> Sugars and Canutes Lawes9 tio habita Ka- keepingthe Sunday holy from fat ur day evening , tillmon* Icndis. day morning ; fpendingthe <£ whole day and night in x Luke 6.11. ( c) prayer and pratfes unto Cod, and in fuch holy attions, ^/fapc*'PS as wc wollld be content, thtt(d) C hrt ft and death fhouli PO7 CPcJl-i fi^eus doing* No man I am fare would be willing, that Pf.tiM*,' Chrift, that death, or the day of judgement fhould de- z See AtT. ?, prehend him (e ) whiles he is dancing f drinking gaming, Scene 8. quanuemporis fui partem. Sweaty;!?, 11. together Part. i. Hiftrio-Ma/iix. 647 together unlawfull unto Chriftians, and more efpeciaUy to Clergy mcn,( who now are not afhamed to * frequent * Yca fi}mc* them, againft the exprefk refolution of all thefe Coun- tl'r,c$ to ?ft cels:j who are neither to behold nor countenance any VaWcrftk*!1* dancing, dicing, carding, table-playing, much leffe any pubiike or (k) p^vate Stnge-plajes; the very a&ing or K Therefore no beholding of which fubjecls them both to fufpenfion Academicall and degradation} as the recited Canons witnefle to the S^'P1^ fiill : which I wifh all Minifters would now at laft re- member. If any man here ob/e'Opsand Prelates, (who were prefent at thefe Councels, and fubferibed them with their hands,) once open his eyes to fee; his cares to heare , his purfe to • chcerHh, his mouth to /uftifie Plaies or Plaiers? I hope there is none will be fo defperately fliamele{Te,{o grace- lefTe as to doe it now, though they did it out of igno- rance heretofore. , To thefe forenamed Councels I fliall accumulate forne- Canonical! Play-condemriing Conftitutions to the fame effe#, Part, i Hiftrio-Maflix. 649 effecT, according to their fevcrall antiquities. The firitofthem (if we beleeve Clemens Romanus) are the very Canons and Conflitutions of the ApoiHes themielveSjWho decree thus. if) Can. ly.Quiaccepit meretricem , vei mimam feu icenicam , non poteft eiie Presbyter, vel Epifco- pus^vel Diaconu?,vel om- niiioin numero facerdotali f Apoftoloruiw tt r r r . , Canoncs apud ^ Heewho hath married a Sirium c^ ftrumpet, or a woman-aEler ci J.Tom. i,p-a$. or ft agereffe, cannot bean SI- Gratian. Di- dcr, a 'Bifi'op, or Deacon, ainm° 3 4. nor yet in the number of the £3rran0za f°U r. J J Can.! 8. See . tlergy* Binim&Crab If then the marrying with a woman-actor or Stage- Tom.i Conci- hauntrefle (who were commonly (t) notorious proftituted Horum,Apofto7 firumpets tn ancient times, )di tables men from bearing a- lo:u™ Can(*~ ny tcclefiaftical fundion^by the Apoitles owne verdict ; "5^ ^ Aft. how execrable mud Stage-plaies themselves and Plaiers 5,Sccn.6.n.ai^ be? The lame Apoftles in their Conftitutions (recorded 1 1 u Aft. 6. by the felfcf. ime Clemens, ) will informe us: where thus Sccne * >4.Dr. thej write. • Ra"Glds °* (v) David dixit, (*) j David hath [aid , I have^ stat-ph^s Odi Ecclejiam malignan- hated the congregation of p.7a& Codex tium, et cum iniqaa ge- j evil doers,and have not kept Theodofiilib. rentibus non ingrediare. 1 companic with thofe who ^.Tit.r.ac Et rurfus. (y) Meatus vir doe wicked things, tsfnd a- c™fm&: . Tii rr j • i_ Whence Sccni. game. Bieflfed IS the man, camu)ier,or who hath not walked in the mima,is ufed qui non ambulavit in con- filio impiorum , et in via feccatorum nonftetityet in counfell of the wicked , and for a whore.Se<: hath not flood in the way of N?z»cflzen o* cathedra peHilentium non [edit , fed in lege Domini voluntas ejus , et in lege ejus meditattbur die ac notte. Tu vero reliclo fi- delium ca»tu,DeiEcclefi;s aclegibus, refpicis fpe- luncas latronurn , fancla ducens qua: nefaria efle voluit : non folumq; id facis, fed etiain ad Gr#- corutnj finners, and hach not fate in ^J^u7*- % r c - ChryfoiT.Hoiiu the feat of contagious per- ,o.inMatth.x* fons, but his delight is in the C0I.79.D. law of the Lord, and in his y Conftitutlo* law will he meditate day and ™™ jlpof ^ night. 'But thou leaving the Suriuic^n- afiembly of the faith full, the cil. Tom.r.j* Church and lawes of Gods re* & 8 , 69. gar deft the dens of theeves, '^M*** accounting thofe things holy, •? Pfa u J'lt Oooo which 650 Hiftrio-Mafttx. Part. 1. 2 icr.tj.17. lob 3 i , h Afts 14. corum ludos curris,, ct ad Theatra properas , expe- tens unus ex venientibus eo numerari, et particeps fieri auditionum turpium, ne dicam abominabilium: nee audifli Hieremiamdi- centem : rDomine , non fe- di in confilio ludentium i fedtimui d consfettu ma- nus tua : neque lob di- centem fimilia: (a)Si ve- rb et cum riforibns am- bulavi aliquando , appen- dor enim in fiat era jusla. Quid verb cupis Gra?cos fermones percipere ho- minum mortuorum, af- flatu Diabolitiadentium ea, quae mortem afr'erunt, fldemevertunt, ad deo- rum multRudinem cre- dendam inducunt eosaqui ad illos attentionem adhi- bent ? Vos ergo diviuis legibus invigilantes, vita* .-bujus neceflitatibus pu- tate eas pra?ftastiores majorcmq; i/s honorem deferentes, coiwenite ad Ecclefiam Domini , (b) quam accfitijivit (anguine (fhnfli dileBiy (c) vrimo- genitiomnis creature. Ea ' eft enim alriffimi filia , qua? parturit nos per ver- bum gratia?, et (c)forma- vit which hereputeth wicked:and thou doe ft not that onely , but thou runneft likewife to the Grecian Plajes, & hafiefis to theaters ,de firing to be reputed among thofe who refort thi- ther, & to be made a partaker of filthy , that I fay not abo* minable hearings: neither hafi thou heard -Hremie frying - 0 Lord , I have not fate in the affembly of Players, but 1 have feared becaufe of thy hand : nor yet lob , uttering the like: And if I have at any time walked with fcorTers, for I am weighed in a j'uft ballance.^af why defirefithou to he are the Greeke jpeeches of dead men , delivering thofe things by the inflintJ of the rDive!l which bring in death, ov ert urn e faith, induce thofe to beleeve a multitude of gods t who give attention to thofe things f But you waiting upon the divine lawes,efteeme them more excellent than the ne* cefjaries of this life, and gi~ ving them greater honour , come together to the Church of the Lord , which he hath purchafed with the blood of his beloved Chrift, the firft- borne of every creature. Tor (he U the daughter of the mo$ high, who hath begotten us bf the Part, i Hiftrio-Maftix* 651 vit in nobis Chriftum, cu- I jus participes facli , (d) Jacra membra exiftitis et duletla , non habentia ma- culam neque rugam,neque aliquid hujufmsdi fed tan* quamfanUi et irrepraben- ft 'biles in fide, perfecli eft is in ipfo, fecundum imagi- nem ejus qui creavit vost Cavete igitur3ne conven- tus celebretis cum i/s qui pereunt, quae eft Synago- ga Gentium ad deceptio- ns et internum.^,) IS^nl- la eft enim Dei focietas cum Viabolo : Nam qui congregatur una cum ijs} qui cum Diabolo idem fenriunt, unus ex ipfis conm merabitur>etv£ ha- bebic Fugite quoque in- decora fpeclacula , thea- tra (inquam) et Graeco- rum ludos &c. Propterea cnim oportet fidelem fu- gere impiorum castus , Graecorum et Iudaeorum, ne ubi una cum i/s degi* mus , animis noftris la- qucos paremus? et ne ubi in eorum feftis verfamur, qua? in honorem dasmo- num celebrantur, cum ijs habeamus fbcietate impi- etatis. Vitandi quoq; font illorwm me.rcatus , et qui in the word of grace , and hath formed Chriftin us.ofwhom ^EvM.^ being made par tubers , you become holie and beloved members^not having (pot or wrinkle, or anie fuch thing, but as holie and unblameabie in faith , you are perfect in him, according to the image of him who hath created you. beware therefore that y oh celebrate no meetingswith thofe that per ijh, which is the Synagogue of the Gentiles, to deceit and destruction. For tfiCor6 God hath no fellowfliippe with the Divell ; fir he who i* ajfembled together with thofe , who thwke the fame with the Divell , [hall bee ac- counted one of them, andfoall have woe. Fly likewife ( I fay) the unfeemely Spectacles and Theatres of the Cjr&ciansJFor therefore ought a Chriftian tojhun the off emb lies of wic- ked men ,of Greeks and Iewes, left where wee live too- ether with them, wee provide fnares for ourfoules, and left whiles wee are converfant in their feafts , which are celebrated to the honour of Divels, wee become partakers with them of impiety . Their markets likewife are to be efchttedy and the 'JPlayes that are made Oooo 1 m *5 Hiftrio-Ma/lix. Part.i. - in ijs fiunt ludi. Vitate i in them. Shunne therefore all igitur omnem idolorum the pompe, the pew, the mar- pompam, fpeciem, mer- catum, convivia, gladia- tores^denique omnia da> moniaca fpeclacula. ket , the feafts , the Gladia- tors of Idolls , and finally alt d&moniacall Tlayes and Spe- ctacles. Than which Apoftolicall Confutations, there can be nothing more expreffe and punftuall againft Stage- playes. To thefe Play-cenfuring Canons of all the Apoftles together I fhall adde theie Conftitutions of St. Taulm particular, regiftred by the felfefame Clement of Rome , in thefe very words. ffjScenicus fi accedat, five vir fit five mulier, auriga, gladiator, curfor ftadij, ludius, Olympius chor aules,cy tharedus .ly- riftes/altator, caupo, vel defiftat , vel rejiciatur. Which (fanon extends to dAtlors onely, not to Spe- ctators* Theatralibus ludis qui dat opera, venationibus, equorum curfibus ,ac cer- taminibus; vel defiftat, vel rejiciatur. Grascos mores qui fequitur , vel Dc Spc&acJib. mutet fe,vel rejiciatur. & Lypfius de Amphitheatro, Sc Bulcngerus Dc Venatione Circilib.accor. dingly. / Clemens Ro- manusConftit. Apoft.1,8 c.38. Ca nones Varii Pauli Apoftoli, p.120. % He meanes hunting of and combating ■with wilde beafts in Am* phitheaters , which was fil- led, Vcnatio. SeeTertullian, 2* If a Stage-player , he it manor woman, a Chariotor, gladiator, race-runner, a fen* cer, a pratlifer of the Olym- pian games, a flute-player, a fidler, a harper, a dancer, an aleho fife-keeper ,come to turns (fhriftian; either let him give over thefe profefsions , or elfe be rejected. He who gives himfelfe to Stageplaies* huntings, horfe- r aces, or prizes ; either let him defilf, or let him be caft out of the (,hurch. He who follow eth Greeks fafhions , let him re- \ forme himfelfe, or be rejected. Which extends to zAflors and Spectators too. So that if the very apoftles themj relves} or St.Taul may be um- pires; the very acting and beholding of Stage-playes is U'alawfull unto Chriftians of all forts ; as thefe their Canons and Conftitutions largely prove. The i.Confticution which I fhall here remember, is that of Tope Eufebim, about the yeare of our Lord 3 69* Qportce ' Part, i Hiftrio-Maftix* 655 (g ) Oportet Epifco- ', zABiJhop ought to be con- g Sarins Con- ou moderatis epulis con- J tent with moderate feafls, and Cll» Tom. up. tentlim efle, luoiq;Con-s not to urge his guefis to eate cretommpars vivas ad comedendum et j or drinke, but rather to give x $.^7*. bibendum non urgere,1 them an example of Jobriety. Rucbardusl.i4 quin potius fobrietatis Let all augmentations of 'fit- Dccrctomm pra:bere cxemplum. Re- thineffe be removed from his ^P*7; oa,,ncs *■ ,r . \ r n ir t j- Lan°heciucms moveamur ab ejus con- jeajt , and let no ludicrous deVuaetHo- vivio cunfta turpitudinis - Stage-flay es , no vame reci- neftate Ecclcfl- augmenta, non ludicra tallof comic all verfes, no foo- afticomm 1. a. fpeclacula, non acroama- lifh Jpeeches of fooles, nor le- c«i$-p.*84. turn vaniloquia, non h\.u*\ gerdemaines of jefiers be ad- orum ftultiloquia, non fcurrilium admittantur prarftigia: (ssffullclaufe agamfi thefe fiageplayes :) mitted. Let grangers , let poore and feeble perfbns'irepre- fent , who blefsing (fhrift for- th e facer do tall table, may re- Adfint peregrini et pau- j ceive a blejfmg. Let the Scrip- pereset debiles , qui de ture be there recited, and let lacerdotaii menla Chri-j the exhortation of the living ftum benedicentes,.bene-, voice follow it •, that the guefis diclionem percipiant. Re- • may rejoyce that they are fed citetur facra lectio, i ubfe- ' not onely with corporall food, quatur vivse vocis exhor- tario, ut non tantum cor- poralicibo , immov&rbi fpiritualisalimento, con- vivantes ft refeclos gra- tulentur , ut in omnibus honorificetur Deus per Iefiim Chriftum. but hkewife with the foode of the fpiritnall word, that God in all things may bee' glorified through Iefus Chrifi our Lord, Such fhould Bifhops, fuch Minilters feafts and en- tertainments be,though now I grown out of ufe with man) . The 5. is the Decree offpope Innocent the firfi, <±Anno Chnfti 408. Capic. 1 .feci. 1 1 . (^JPrseterca, frequenter \ ^Moreover certaine of our & Sunus Con- t 1 a • t r> ciI.Tom. 1. p. brethren fir iv e to make (j our- tiers, or thofe who are imploy- Clervy men, from whom 0 000 £ greater auidamex fratribus no :ris,curiales, velquibuf- libet publicis fun£Uoni- bus occupatos , clericos facere ? P- 529. & Gras tian. Diftin&io 1h *S4 Hiflrio-Maflix. Part, i * Srageulayes and inch like fpeftacles were fti.ed Munera, becaufe they were freely be- flowed by the Magistrates on the people as a boone or gift. See Codex Thcodbfiil.i j. Tit.f,6,7. 4- i Ioannis de Wankel.Brevi. ariumScxti.l.j. Tit. I. Dc Vita et Hondtate CleFicoium fol. 88.IoannisDc Burgo Pupilla Oculi, pars 7.c# IO.P. * So Wankel, Spelman, and others interpret the word Goli* ^rrfoj.Todoth Gulielmus Pa- rifienfisDeVi- tiis et VJttoti- buscA p. 2.6 1. 5: I{ Ioannis De Wankel Cle- mentinarum Conclufionesj Tit. De Statu Monachorum fo\j6o36i36z. /Ibidem. 6. m Carranza fol. facere contendunt ,quibus poitea major triftitia &c. Conftat enim eos in ipfis munijs etiam voluptates exhibere, quas a diabolo inventaseflenon eft du- biu;et ludoruvel*munerii greater for row arifetb after- wards. m For it appeares that their very offices them* felves they exhibit pleafures, which without doubt were in- vented by the cDivell> find are either chief e overfeers or fpe- apparatibus aut praeefle 3 tlators of Playes and publike aut interclfe &c. fpetlacles. Stage-playes therefore by this Popes verdict (for of them he ipeakes) are the very inventions of the Dive//. The 4. is the Decretn/2 of Pope Sextus ,wherc we readc as followeth. (i) Clericiqui non mo- f Clergymen who doe not a dicum dignitati clericalis ordinis detrahunt, etfe joculatores feuGoliardos aut buffones faciunt,fi per annum ignominiefam ar- tem illamexercuerint,ip- (0 jure, (1 minori tempo- re, etnon defiftunt poft tertiam monitionem, ca- rent omni privilegio cle- rical!. little detraEi from the dig* tie of the clerical/ order , and make themfelves jefters , * Stage-plajers or Buffones , if they fhall exercife that ig- nominious art for a yeares fpace, or for a lejfer time, if they deffi not after the third (7JNe moniales aut co matis aut cornutis utan- admonition, are ipfo jure de- prived of all clericall privi- ledge. The $ is the Conflitution of Tope Clement the $» An. 1 3 1 o. which as it(kj prohibits Cl^&J men and ^Monkes to hunt or hauke ; Co it likewife decreeth : That T^onnes fha/lnot ufe brojdered or horned haire , tur crinibus, aut chords, r nor yet beprefent at dances \ ludis, aut fecularibus in- Playes > or fecular feafls. terfint feffis. The 6. is the Synodall Decrees of Ode Parifenfs, about theyeare of our Lord 1 2©o. which ordaine : (»*) Ne facerdotes in \ It i* wholly prohibited CI cr- 1 57«Boofeellus Porefcomm Ecclcfise Galii.U 8. Tir.19. e, ?.i 7, » *• fuis ' gie Part. H:pio-Ma/Iix. 655 fuis do mibus habcant fca \gie men , that they keepe no chos, etaleas, omnino j checker-men , or tables and prohibetur. Prohibecur penitus uni- veriis facerdotibus ludere dice in their hottfes. ssill Clergy men are ut- terly prohibited to play at ^•Sseloanms cii deci/s, et intereffe fpe- • dice , to bee prefent at Stage* Nyder-Expos daculis,vef* chords affi- j playes ,or ft and by danctrs, ^^Jffi- ftere, et intrare tabernas, j#r fo .orto runne through cap. 5 . fol. 1 2 4. rcre per vicos aut plateas, 'villages or ftreites , or to et ne habeant veftes inor-. j weare diforderly apparel/. dinatas onino prohibetar j The 7. is the Conititution of Pope Pins the 5. Anno Dom.i 566. which ramies thus * Vt Clericiquos prop- ter Chriftum fpe&aculii fieri oporteat mundo, An- geIis>ethominibus, max- ime debeant ab ijs fpe£ta- culis, quae Chriftum noa fapiiwt, abftinere ; et ne comsdias, fabulas, cho- reas, haftiludia, aut ludi- crum, et proranum ullum fpe&aculi genus agant vel fpectent. Ne talis,tef- feris , pagellis piftis, et omnino alea,aut ullo pra> terea vetito aat indecoro ludi genere ludant , neve hujufmodi ludi fpeftato- res fint# Ne comeffario- nibus aut minus honeilis convivijs interfint, cau- ponafque aut tabernas ne ingrediantur, nifi longio- ris itineris caufo ne cui- quam 7. *Pii{. Con- ftimr.An. 1^66 & loan. Lan?- hccrucius Dc Vita et Hineft. That Qerg1 mcn *** EcdefiafticLx. ouc Epifcopis etClericis.Lcx. 3 4. Corpus 111* risCivilis torn. 4»Cpl.i6i,.62 (n) V ehementer credi- mus quod Sacerdotu pu- ritas et decus,et adDomi- nu Deii et Salvaiore no- ftrum Iefum Chriftum fervor , et ab ipfis miffae perpetua? prices, multarn propitiatione noftrx rei- pub: et incrementu prx- benr , per quas datur no- bis et barbaros fubjuga- re, et dominum fieri eo- rum We verily beleeve that the p untie and honour vf^CMiniJ^ flersy and their z.cale to our Lord God and Saviour Iefus Chrifi s and their perpetual^, prayers, afford much reconcM liation and increafs to our Republike ; by which there ii\ power given to us, both tofub* due the barbarians, and to bt made Lord of thofe things which before we have not ob* tamed, Part. i. Hijlrio-Ma(lix< 657 rum qua? antea non obti- nuimusjer quanto plus re- bus illorum accedit hone- ftatis et decoris,tanto ma- giset noftramremp. au- gen credimus. Si enim hi prxtulerint vitam hone- itam et undique irrepre- henfibilem , ec rchquum populum inftruerint, ut is ad honeftatem illorum refpiciens muitis peccatis abftineat, plane eft, quod inde et anima? omnibus mcliores erunt, et facile nobis tribuetur a maximo Deo et Saivatore noftro lefu Chrifto dementia conveniens. Hsec igitur nobis fpeculantibus, nun- ciatum eft,, prater com- munem rerum fide, quof- dam ex reverendiflimis diaconis itemq; presbyte- ris, (nam eo amphus dice- re erubefcimus,Deo aman* tiflimos nempe Epifco- pos3) quofdam,inquam,ex his non vererl, alios qui- dem per fe, aleas feu tefle- ras contreftare , et adeb pudicum,ATQVB Etiam Idiot is A Nobis FRtQVENTER INTER- D1CTVM SPECTACV- Ijlvm participare.alios ve- rb talem ludum non accu- (are, ' tained, and by how much th e more honefty an& comelineffe accrues to their affaires , we beleeve that our common* we ale Jball bee fo much the more increafed. For if theft Jball live an honefl, andeve- ry way unblameable life , and Jball inftruEb the refidtte of the people, that they behol- ding their hone fly may ab- fiainefiom many (innes, it ii manifefl }that fro thence even all mens foules will be the better ,and convenient mercy (hall be eafily granted to us by our great Cjod and Sa- viour Iefus fhrift. We there- fore contemplating thefe things, it is tolde us, beyond, the common truth of things , tliat certaine of the mtft re- verend ^Deacons and Pref- byters, (for wee are more a- Jbamed to fey, that even Bi- Jhops who are befl beloved of Cjod, ) 1 fiy , that fome of thefe ,' are not afraid , fome of them by themfehes , to play at tables or dice, and to participate of fo Jhamefull a, Spectacle , Which Wee Have Oft Pro- hibited Even Lay- men The m s e lv e s-. that others verily blame not this Iplayjbut either communicate Pppp with 658 Hijlrio-Maftix. Part, i o Stage- play es therefore and the heboid ing of Dicers, and Diee.play pol- lute mens eyes, their eares^thcir hands and fouies, j Stage- pi a ves therefore are the very pomns of the Divell, which wee re- nounce tn bap • tifmfu. fare, fed vel communicare tacientibus,aut federe fpe- Ctatores actus indecori, et fpeftare quidem cum avi- ditate omnimoda^res om- nium rerum importunifii- mas, fermones vero audi- re blafphemos, quos in ta- libusneceileeft fieri, poL- luere etiam fuas manus, et oeulos , et aures S i c D'MNAris Et Prohi- bit is Lvdis; alios ve- ro neque obicure ct laten- ter, auc equorum certami- nibus fc immifcere, aut e- tiam invitare aliquos fuper equoru profligacione aut victoria , vel per feipfos vel per alios quofdam. Et quia nodeceter taha ludar, aut Scenicorvm aut thylemicoiu Spectato- REsFlVNT LVDORVM, aut earum quse in theatris certantium ferarum pug- nae fiunt, quemadmodum ip(i vel his qui modo et recen> initiatifunt etado- randis myfterijs dignati, ipfi predicant , ut Abr?- NVNCIENT ADVFRSA- RII Di£MONlS CVL- tvi,Et Omnibvs Pom- PIS ElVS, Q\MRVM Non Minima Pars Ta l I A Spectacvla Svnt. with thofe who ufeit3 or fit Jpettators of this unfeemely aft, beholding even with all greedmefe the mofl inconve- nient foolifh thing ofany3and hearing blasfhemous free- ches which mufl necejfarily be uttered in fkchi Jport s , (o) polluting even their hands, their eyes &eares with fitch Condemned And Pro. hi b i ted Playes t that others truly , not obfeurely and covertly , intermingle themfelves in Cirque-play ei and horfe-races > or elfe bett with others upon the difcom- firing and vi Horie of horfis, either byithemfelves or fome others. And becaufe they cah* not conveniently ufe fuck Playes, they become Spec- tators Of Stage- pl a y e s and 8nterludesy or of thofe combates of wildi beafts that are made in thea- ters;albeit they thef elves dot preach even to thofe that are even now but newly admitted to and made partakers of the (acred myfteries , that they fhould Renovnce The Worship Of Th e DivelTheir Adver- sary , And All His Pompes 9 Of Which Svch Spectacles Or Staged Part, i Hiftrio-Maftix* 659 Sv nt. S#pe quidem iilis talia cuftodin praedica- mus : videntes autem de liis faclam nobis relatione in neceiiitatem incidimus ad prademem veniendile- gem;tum propter noftrum iuper religioue ftudium * turn etiam propter facer- dotij ipfius fimui et com- munis reipub: utilitacem. Erfancimus3neminem ne- que diaconum,neque pref- byterum, etmulto magis neque Epifcopum, (quod quidem etincredibilc for- te videri poflit,) ut qliorfi in ordinationibus prices ad Dominum mittuntur Chriftum Deum noftrum, et invocatio faacriet ado- randi (it Spiritus,et eorum capitibus aut manibus im- ponuntur fancriflima eo- rum qua: apud nos funt myfreriorum, ut fcilicet ipfis omnia fenforia lnftru* menta pura fiant et confe- crentur Deo. Neminem i- gitur riorum audere de cae- tero et poft divinam no- flram legem aut cubicare^ (ideftteiTerisfeu aleislu- dere,) quocunque aleae ge- nere aut ludo, aut ita lu- dentibus communicare aut converlari3auc recreari,aut una Stagepiayes Are Not The least Part. Truly we have oftttmes proclaimed j that J hc h things {hould bee observed by them: but feeing there is a relation of the/e | things made unto us, we are fallen into a necejfuy of com- mmg to theprefent law, both I in resell of our care for re- ligion, as alfofor the pub like bene ft of the minify) it felf i and of the Republike. tisfnd I we decree , that no beacon \ nor Presbyter , and much more no Bi/hop, (which tru- ly may chance to feeme in^ credible,) as m whofe ordi- nations praiers arefent up to our Lord Godlefm fhrift, and the holy and adored Spi- rit is invocated, and the mo ft holy myfteries that are a- mong us are impofedon their heads or h ads, that fo al their fenftive inftruments may be made pure and confecra- ted unto God. * Let none of * Lct ClcrZY them thereforehereafterpre- £™k thif fume after our divine law , either to play at tables or dice, or at any kinde of dice- play, or game, or to commu- nicate or converfe , or to be recreatedwith thofewho play thns,or to play together with them, or tobearewitnejfeto Ppppl thcm> 66o Hiftrio-Maftix. Part.i. una cum ijs agere, aut eis them, or to be frefent at fuch teftimoniu perhibere, aut j Plebeian Spectacles interetfePLEBEiis Hv- , A n d Stage-Playes Xvsmodi SpectAcv- which wee have Jpoken of be- lls qua? prills diximus, \fore, or to doe any of thofe aut quid eorum quae in his things that are here prohibi prohibetur facere/edOM- ni Ad Illa Parti- cipio In Postervm Abstinere &c. Si vero ted, butto Az s t mni Hereafter From All Participation With Them. And if any one {ball quis de csetero tale quid | henceforth bee deprchended *Yet fomeper chance there are who have Stage- pi ayes acted before faciens deprehenfus fiie- rit &c. et convictus fiierit diaconus et presbyter vel aleator elTe, vel aleatorum pamceps, aut talibus afli- dens vanitatibus, vel prac- dictJs intereffe fpe&aculis; aut etia forte aliquis Deo amabiiium Epifcoporum (quod quide neque even- turum eile conridimus, ) prorfus tales cujutda par- themnowand ticipes effe fpecraculi, aut then to their cum aleatoribus una fede- fliamr, and the re et diiponere, aut pacif ill cju- others, t on Lords day c*tero aufus focnt eum a nights too. facra leperari liturgia ja- * And was not bemus, ac imponnpfi ea- ihis Emperour nonica poena m, et definiri making fuch a ™\ rnetrapolitanu fiiu je- fevere Law as juni/s et fupplicationibus this againft utentem magnum propiti- rhefe fcanda- ari Deum {~ ta,j tnmf ions irregular ^ zr i r - - Cieroymen. greffio;ie:ct U per dehmtu tempus doing any fuch thing, and if any Deacon or Presbyter (bat bee convitled to bee either a dicer, or a fanner with di- cers , or one that ftteth by fuch vanities, or to be fre- fent at the forefaid inter- ludes :or if perchance any one oftheBijhops beloved of God (which * truly we truft will never happen,) [hall hence- forth pre fume to be -a parta- ker of any fpetlacle or play, or to fit together with di- cers, and to direct , or bar- *m&?\f c* aut: fponfiones facere,de | game, or bett, wee command him to befequeftredfrom the facred Uturgie,and canoni- callpumfbment to be infill ei on him , and a convenient time to bee Appointed within which hee may reCort to his CfrUtropolimtt with f aft ing andfupplications, to appeafe the great God for this his of* fence ; and if during the ap- pointed. Part, i Hiftrio-Maftix, 661 tempus maneat lachrymis et pcenitentia et jejunio et ad Dominum Deum ora- tione, remifilonem delicfti exorans, confeftimei cui fub/e&um ett hoc diligen- pointedtime he (ball continue imploring the remiffion of his fault with * teares , re* *The folema- pentance, and fakinr , and ne(]fe a"d {c: L i - r> j / • / • rioufnetfe of prayer to bis God: tbis ban r .. .«-.*«« n j-r i i ». thi* repentance fpeedily made knowne to who before his read. ter cogoito , et follicite I he isfubjett, and diligently miflion into requifito., commune qui- I examined by him , hee Jball theMiniftenc, dem pro ipfo orationem • provide a common prayer to fliewcs Hie hai- be made for him ,and with all tjiat Smitten diligence [hall enjoy ne him , orBifiiopsoF- that he (hall afterwards ab- fence,who ci- flaine from fuch a di fir ace jhcrplayes or \c.i - -a. j'ci n 11 bettsatdicc^or oftheminifiry;andifhefiall lookcs on di_ thtnke that bee hatb fuffici- Cers,orrefort$ ently repented, let him to Stageplayes*. vouchfafe to reftore him to his minifteriallfuntlion fBut if even after his excommm* nication he fb all be found not to have truly repented , and contempt uoufly to returne to the fame thing againe beinr manifestly /educed in his mind by the Divell ; let the Bifbop or LMinifter under whom he lives ftrike hi-w out of the facred catalogues , and altogether depofe him- & let him by no means obtaine any future licence to come into fieri curabit, et cum omni diligentia injunget ipfi ut poitea a tali facerdoti j de- tkcoratione abftineat;etfi putaverit ipfum fuilicien- ter ad pcenitentiam venif- fc^tum iacerdotali eum re- ftituere dignetur clemen- tiae. Si vero et poft ex- communicatione inventus fuerit, neq; vera pceniten- tia ufus, et alias etiam af- pernatus earn r£m et ma- nifefte ab adverfario (dia* bolo) mente inefcatusr ip- fum quidem facerdos fub quodegit, facris eximat catalogis , omnino eum deponens : ille autem non amplius ullo modolicen- tiam habeat ad facerdota* lem venire gradum &c. i the LMinifteriali order * Which Conftitution ftiewes how execrable a thing *I»ftinian Co it is for Clergy men efpecially^to refort to Stageplayes. iaSR *# Jdn's ? To this- worthy Confutation or Law of his, iihall &cJLcxjJ.t69 annexe two others, worthy our obfervation. a, Lypfius De (*) Vir nullo modo ux- I sAman may by no meanes Amphitheatro3 662 b luftiniam Novella 2i.Sc H7,Buicngc- rus, DeThea- trol.i.c.fo.p. iQ7.heicp.^oi t See here p. d Bulengerus dc Thcatro 1. 1. e»f.f. 297. & here P. ?89, 390,^1. e AgrippaDe Vai.itateScien. tiarum cap.6$, 64.5c herepag. 43 V- r° 444, 4*M ^.accor- dingly. /"See Aft <\ Scene 2,4,^. accordingly. 2. ^Tuftinian.Co. dicislib.i. Tit. ^.DeEpifcopis crClerids JLex. i7.Bdi .Pirifiis Xy37.foi.1tf. Hiftrio-Mdftix. Part. 1. orem expeilat , nifi adul- j put away his wife, unlejfejhe teram &c.nifi circeniibus vel theatralibus ludis, vel arenarum ipeftaculis , in ipCis locis in quibus hare adfolentcelebrari, ie pro- hibente gaudentem. (^) Vir dimittere uxo- rem poteft, fi praster vo- luntatem fuam circenfes et thearricas voluptates captct , ubi fcenici ludi funt,aut ubi feras cum ho- minibus pugnant. be an adult erejfe,&c. or unles ft?e refort to firque-playes, or Stuge-plaies,or Sword-plaies, in thofe very places where they are wont to be celebra- ted ycontrary to his command. zs4man may put away his wife, if without his leave fhee runne to fcirque-playes, and theatrical interludes, to play* houfes, (or places where are S tnge-plaies , ) or where beafts fight with men. Which iawes of reauthorizing men to pttt away their wives , (as (c) Semprenius Soph us did.) if they re fort t§ PUyesjo T3 lay -ho ufes yor other fpefiacles without thetrdi- cence, (d)(becaufe it is an apparant evidence eftheirlewd- nejfe , and 4 meanes to make them common proftituted whores y few elfe reforting unto Playes butfuch;) is anim- preg nable evidence of the iewdnefle^ the unlaw fulncfle, the infamy of acting and frequenting Sfage-playes, and of the intollerable mifchievous qualities of Plaies them- felves which thus ftrangely vitiate their Spectators 2 and withail fhould caufe all husbands, all parents,to keep their wives and daughters from Playes and Theaters , (tht(e )very marts, the instructions ofbaudery and adulte- ry) ,if they would preferve them chaft;to which Adulte- rers. Woers and others oft entice them , that fo they may more eafily overcome their chaftity , and make them pliable to their lufts , (f) which they are alwayes fure to accomph[h,ifthey can once but draw them to refort to Playes; as ancient, that I fay not moderne experience, can too well witnefle. The fecond,are the imperial Constitutions ofHonorius andTheodofius, which runne thus. \ (q) Piacuit noftrae cle- I It pleafeth wr grace that mentis f, Q€rl3 Part. Htjlrio-Maftix. 66] mentis ut nihil conjunct Cierici cum pubiicis a Ai- onibus vel ad Curiam per- tinentibus habeant. Pra> terea i;s qui Parabolani vocantur, nequcadquod- libet publicum fpfeclaculu, neque ad Curia? locum,ne- que ad judicium acceden- di iicentiam permitrimus &c. Interdicimus fanilif- fimis Epiicopis ec pref- byteris,diaconis et fubdi- aconis, et lefloribus , ec omnibus alijs cujuflibet ordinis venerabihs colle- gij aut fche maris confti- tutis, ad tabulas ludere aut alijs ludentibus participes cfle, aut infpeAar.es fieri, auc ad quodlibet fpeflacu- lu fpeftandi gratia venire. Si quis auce ex his in hoc deliquerit, jubemus hunc tribus annis a venerabili minifterio prohiberi,et in monafteriuredigir: fed in medio tempore 5 fe pceni- tenteoftenderit, liceat fa- cerdoci fub quo confti tu- tus eft tempus minuere, et rurfus C^gy men intermeddle not with publicke atlions or things Belonging to the Court. Befides, wee permit not thofewho are called* Pa- rabolani, to have leave to come to any publtke Specta- cle or Stageplay, nor yet to the Court yor place of judge* ment. Wee prohibit the mo ft facredeBijhopsy and Presby- ter sy Deacons and Subdea- censy and all others of the venerable colledge,or livery, to play at tables , or to bee partners with others that play, or fpettators of them, or to come to any fpeElacle or fiageplay of purpofe to be~ held it. If any of thefe Jhall offend in this, we command him to be fuffended the ve- nerable miniflrrie for three yeares, andtobethrufl int§ a \-Mona$ery ; But if in the middle of this time bee Jhall (hew himfelfe penitent jt fhal belawfullfo*- the 'JMinifler under whom hee is placed to Jhorten the time,& to report him to his former minifie- \ ry+ , hunc priori rurlus mini- fterio reddere. To which I may adde thefe ending Imperial! Con~ fiitutions ofGratianus, Valentinianus ,and Theodofius. (VjNuUus folis die po« r Let no man exhibit any pulo fpe&aculum praebe- I Stage-flay or Speffacle to at* L the *Thatis,fuch Miiaifters as were appointed to cure the jbo. dies of thofe who were weake and ficke. Ssctiu ftinian.Cod.I.. i. Tit. 6. Lex. I ^.according* rCodlcisThe* odofianilib.if Tit.?. DcSpe* aacuiis,Lex *> Pari(iisiff30 66+ Hiflrio-Majltx. Part. i? /Ibidem Lex. J p.a^-.SeeVa- lentinianus, Thcodofius,5c Arcadins.lufti. nian. Codicis lib.}.Tir.i2. De Fen is Lex, 7«accordingly. ^ Therefore Lords day nights are no fit times for Mafques ©r Stage*playes. . "X- Kings then are molt ho- noured :w hen asGodhbefl: ferred by rheir fubicels and Courtiers. at, nec divinam venerati- ons m confecta foiennitate contundac. (f) Dominico qua? eft feptimanar totius primus dies cc natale , atque £• piphaniorum Chrifti, Pa£ cha? etiam atque quinqua- gtfima? diebus omni The- atrorum atque Circenfium voluptate per univerias urbes earundem populis fkiicgata}tota: Ghriftiano- rum ac fldeiium mentes Dei culdbus occupantur. Si qui etiam nuncvel iu- dsei impietatis amentia, vel ftolidx paganitatis er- rore atque infania detinen- tur, aliud efle iuppiicatio- num noverint tempus, a- liud voluptatis. Acne qui s exiftimet in honorem nu- minis nottri veluti majo ri quadam imperialis oifi- cij neceiTitate compeJli, et nifi divina rcligione con- tempta fpedaculis opera daret, fubeundum forfitan fibi noftra? ferennitatis of- fenfam, Ci minus circa nos devotionis oftendcri- qua folebat , nemo ambigat , * quod tunc maxime man- fuetudiin noftrx ab hu ma- no genere defertur, cum virtutibus Dei omnipo- tentis the people on the Sunday, nor confound Gods wor/hip wtth any ailed Enterlude. On the Lords day which is the firft day and birth* day of the whole weekend on the feaft-dayes of the Epi- phany of Chriftyof E after al~ fo and of Whitfontide, all the plea/are of Stage-play es and Cirque-playes, being denied the people throughout all their (/itties , the whole minds of Chriftianscfr belee* versfbalbe bufiedin the worm > [hip of God. ssfndifany now are deceived either with the folly of Iewijh impiety , with the errour and frenzit of foolifhpaganifme\let tht know, * that there is one timt °f applications , another oj pleasures. And left any or fbould thinke himfelfe as ii were compelled out of honot to our Ma)efty with a cer» taine greater necejfttie of if periaS duty , and that pi chance he {hall under goe tht dijpleafure of our grace, un» lejfe contemning divine relu gton , he /hall addict himfelfe to Stage-playes , or if hte /hall /hew lejfe devotion to* wards hs in this k±ndc than hee was wont : let no man doubts that then moft of aU is Part. i. Htftrio-Maftix* 66$ potentisac meritis I is attributed to our clemencie by univerfis obfequi- mankind ', when as the obedience and um orbis impen- \fervice of the -world is beslowed on dhur. [ the venues and univerfill merits of I the omnipotent God. Thelaftis that o{ Mian the d^poslata, who in his Letter to csfrfizcius ,the csfrch-Tagan Trieft of G alalia, writes thus by way of 'injunction, ofpurpofeto draw the Pagans to the difcipline of the Chriitians (t) Deinde lacerdotem quemq; cohortare, ne in theatro confpiciatur; ne a- pud caupories potet; neve arti cuiquam aut operas pudenda aut ignominiofa* prsefit. Et morem quidem .gerentes perfequere , re- belles vero a te repelle moreover exhort every Triefi that hee be not feene in the theatre \that hedrinke not at ale-houfes ; and that hee* pratlife or furvey no /V- nominious ,no Jhameful art or works. And honour thofe who are obedient , but repetlthe rebellious from thee. So much fhew of ingenuity was there even in this grand Apoftate, as to doome Stage-playes unfit Specta- cles, Playhoufes & Alehoufes undecent places for Pagan Priefts, how much more then for Chriftian Minifters. To all which Councels and Conftitutions of this na- ture, I fhali adde GratiamViftinttio 3 3,48.^ Caufi 21 . gu&sl .3 ,ecr eta pars ^. cap^jy. & pars 1 1. r: 76.78,79. Tanormitan-.Tit: DeVittiet Honefiate Cle- ricorumy & De Clerici Officio, csflvarus Telagius De PlanBu Ecclefa, lib : 2 . Artie: 28 ,fol: 133. Ifiodor Hisfa- I en [is De Offices Scclefiafiicis l:i.c:l. HRabanus CMau- rus (De Sacris Ordinibus lib;\,Operum Tom:6.p:6^ . A/B Alexander Fabricius DefiruElorium Vitiorum I: pars 4. t: z^.Ioannis De Wankel Gloffa in Breviarium Sexti lib: ?* Tit: 1. DeViin et Honefiate Qlericorum. (v)Inno- centi us 3 . Decretulium Conffit : lih:^ Tit: I . ^De Vita et Honefiate Clericorum. Spifcopus Chemnenfis , Onus Ec- clefiA , cap: 1%. fett: I ,&c.Ioannis de AlhonsOthoboni Con- fiitutiones'yfol: 78^79,80. & Confiitutiones finc'ily Ox t Zozoineni Ecclcf. Hid. 1. 5.C.17. Nicc- phorusCallifiu6 Eccl.Hift.l.ic c^2.£utropius Rerum Rom. Hiftorl.u.p. 150. Centur, Magdeburg. CenM.CoJ. 45 8.Baronius & Spcndanus Annal.F.cclef. Anno $6 2.fe&. 6o. v Operum Tom.r.pag. 7i7« : X111 omen^s ( 66 6 HiftrioMaftix. P a rx i . onienfisjfol: izi^ 123,124. Lindwood T^r ovine ialium (fonftitutionum J ': $.Tit :D e Vita et Honeflate Clericorum fol:i'^Summa Ro fella, Tit: Clericus, feci: ij& Chorea Summa Angelica, Tit: (fhorea: & C 'lericus, feting yi 1. Claudius SJpenuus Digrejfionumin £pift:adTimothciA% See Ambrofc, W ith fundry other Canonifts and Caiuifts in their Trea- Rcmiguis , tiles, De Ecclefafticis OJficijs, & De Vita & Honeflate Chryfoftome, flericorum:who all unanimoufly conclude,(as the fore* TheophyUd °jlloted Councels and Coniritutioiis doe;) That it is ut- Anfclme,Bcda, te}'ly unlawfull for any Clergy men whatfoever , ( whs HRabanus pjould be ( x ) patternes of piety, temperance and humility Maurus, Pri- %0 others:) not onely to hunt, to bauke, to drinke or pledge ™a 'riljs,Haymo afJ^ t,ea/tljes . to make any riotous feafls , to weare any Calvin Mar- ' OU velvets, fdkes,or coftly apparell, to intermeddle with lorar,Arctius, fecular affaires &c. to dance, to play at dice or tables, or with ochers I* at any unlawfull games, or to looke upon any others who are bidem, accor- dancing orptojing: but likewifeto be allots, hearers, or dingly^on. ^e^tori 0f any interludes, Sta , ; r . . . &, /. / V. n J . lancnfc amid Spectacles whatfoever either m pub like or pnvate;ior the Binium,Tom. premifed reafons. All which concurring Authorities, 4^.891,891. (fecondedby the Canons-and Conftitutions of our ovvne J Sccfv/rSpr" Church of England ; Witneffe, Reformatio Legum Ec- >cy o: r.Co- cleriafl1carHm ex zA nth or it ate Reels Henrici'S.et E do- zens nis coze- J ,. • _ ,. . ^. n . nlno Devoti- vardi 6, Londini 1 5 7 1 .Tit. De Ecclefiajtica, et miniftrts ens,p. 71.8c the eJMf,caj^f^?m Where we thus rezde.Presbyteri nonjint Eplftlc Dcdica- compot ores, non ale at ores, non aucupes, non venatores, non A°ryL Jn the c Cycophantiynon otiojt,&c.& Ibid:fol'43. cap.i5.f. to. Crf- £jchbifhors & JJ [ -c -r * • r • /• r , Bifliops&c.be- kpifcopus ne otu/os ,vanos, impuiicos aut aleatores fore my Ami- nutriat. t&c. Together with Queene Elizabeths Injun- ArminianifnuN tfiovs, Iz>jvncl:jtC.wo;u Anno i§Jl.fol:q.2, 13.^ Cav nons. Part. i. Hiftrio-Maftix. 66 7 nons 1603. CVw:73,74. Which thus decree \*That Mi. niftersfhall not give them/elves to drinking or riot, fpen- * I would all dmg their time idly by day or by night, flaying at cards, or 'nfonformablc tables, or any other unlaw full * P a rt. i . Hiflrio-Majlix . 669 Agriculture lib: in his workes Bafili0 9°* St.Hierom inferts into his Catalogue of Ecclefiafticall W riters. Antiquimum ludaorum lib: 1 5 %c: 11 . /; \ 6.c: 9. » &l:ip.c.j.in his workes in Latine,Francofurti 16 17. p. g 415,416,4^4. The 4. is AihenaaorM , that eminent ^.Athenaeoias Chriftian Phiiofopher, Pro Chriftiani* Legatio, Bib/. Anno1^- ^atrum. Colonic Agrip.1618.T0m. 2. p.i39.A,B,C,D. I The 5. isTheophilus Antiechenm , Patriarke of the fa- ^Theopj|fiis mous Citty of" Antioch,^ Autoltcumjib: } .Bibl-.Tatr: Antiocheaus, Tom:l.p: 1 70 .(/, H. The 6is Tatianus Afyrius, Contra ^atianui (jr]exanc|r]nus> Padagogi.l:2. c:5fiy*J,lO. lib.3. C.2,3,11. fol.52^3 & Anno 100. Stromatum lib:j.foi: 15^. The 9. is Tertullian , who S*Tertullian, hath proftfltdly written an whole Booke againft Armc200- Stage-play es, viz,:De Spell: adults lib: in his Workes -Pa- rity's 1566. Tom: 2. p: 382, to 404. Adverfus Cjentes *SeeEdit.Tunii Apologia } cap:* 6 ,'<%,& 42. Ibid: p: 589,591, 616,627, Pranech.i W- 682 yo^.yo',. Ad Martjres heap: 2. Ibtd:p:iy. <£>e Ido- ^rc thusP# i lolatriahb.c:^% & 18. a booke worke the reading. "De diftinguifhed. ' Pjidicitia, lib:c:y. &T)e Corona CMilitislib: c:$* to it.* Tom: 1 mp: 750. to 760. The i o;is Hyppohtus, an eminent ™^p,°ly tus Martyr, *7)57,72,73. £>* Habttn Virginump .2^2. & T>e Spe&aculi* lib. profefledly writ- ten againftStageplayes. Edit. Tamely ColonU zAgrip* 1617. Tom. 3. 0*243, 244, 245. The iq.hZeno Vero- nenfis Epifcopns, De lejmio Sermo. Hibl.Patr.Tom^ .pm I27.C & Be Spirit h et Cor pore Sermo , lbid.p.\%%.D . The 15. is Arnobius Dijputat. adverfusGentesJtb.i. Aiitwerpia:i$82. p*75« I.3. p.114. I*4«p-I49)i50>i5i. Iff. p. 182. & I.7. p.2 30, to 242. The 16". isLattantius Eirmilianus, lib jS. T>e Vero Quit a cap. 20, 21. in his WorkesLugduni 161 5. ^.$02/0509. 'Divinarum In- ftitutionum, Epitome,cap.6,pmyyyjS 8. See rDeIuttttia, l,$,c. U.p. 4223423.^ c.io. p.388. &rDeFalfaReligi* one, /. 1 .c. 2op*7$. The 1 7. is Eufebius, 'Bijbop of £'*- farea,D? Prtparatione Evangelica,l.i.c.i.p.% ^J.^.c. 1 1. ' Operu Parifi/s i5%2.Tom.itp+%5 y%6*Dc Demonftrationc Evangelica lib^.p. 382 JrIifi%Eccle(iafi.l. i.e. 9.I.7. c. 24. Tom.2*p. 1 53,154. &l.S.c.i6.p. 169. & ApudDamaf- cenum Tarallelorum, /. 3.^.47.^.208. The 1 8. is IulittS Tirmictis CfrUternus , De.errore Profanarum Retigio- numlw.cap.i^/Bibl.Patr.Tom.^.p.m^iii. The ip.is Hilary ^ijh op of Potters, Enxrratio in Pfalm* 19. in his Worses, Colonise Agrip. 1617.^.202. G.&in P/al.11%. lib. Ibid. p.258,E, F. The 20. is CMacarius AEgyptius, Homilia 27/in his Workes,Parifijs i$$9p.lii. & Ho- mil.^o. p. 264. The 21. is Cyrillic Hierofolymimnuf, Arch-^ifhopofHierufalem, Catechefis Cfrfyftagogica I. Parifijs 1564. fol.i-js ,176. The 22, is Afierins, Bijbop 12. Minutius Felix, Anno 230. 1 ^.Cyprian, Anno 150. i4.ZcnoVerp- nenfisjAnuo 260. 1 <. Arnobius, Anno 290. i6.La&antiu5, Anno 300. 1?. lufebro*. Cjefarienfis^ Anno 3 30. iS.IuliiisFir- micus, Anno 350. 19. Hilanus PicKvicnfis , Anno 36c. 10. Macanus Egyptius,Anno 570. ». i. Cyrilhis Hicrofolomy- tanus, An, $70. 22.Aftcrius, Anno 3 70. ¥ Part, i . Htftrio-Maftix. 6y i §f Amafia, Oratio in "Feflum Kalendarum, TZibL Tatr. tom.^.f. 705,706. The t3. is St.Ambrofe, -Bt[h,pof ^^f0* Millaine,De Offices I. i.c.i$. &Li.c.zi. Operum Co- ' loniaeAgrip. i6i6.Tom.4.p.g.A,B.28.F. cDe Poeniten- tUy L 2. c.6* Ibid, p . 193 . F. cOe Elia et Iejunio, cap. 1 8. Tom*i.p.2$7 )!%%.& c.zi.p.l^p.CyTt.Snarratiain Pfal. H 8. Oiion.^.Tom.l.p^o^i . Annotations in Deut. 21. Iren(c)& T^icephorus Ca/ti- Henda tardurn flus'who allexprefly teftifie inpofitive termes, (as ^"^^nf their words in the marqeat evidence,) that George the *. ' L \n " . ^ j • / 11 1 1 ■»• lUicriinc j in- Amanwas a Cappadocian borne. Secondly,by the telti- que eius locum ,mony of Athanafms 3 Contra Ananos Oratio, where(as fubftituerunt 2{annius tranflates it.) he writes thus. Ce)Eaq\ de catsfa (Oeorghs ouo \ f / \ \ » * 1 XN _ * mm genos cu I [ytcopytov aLTroTns KctTTuJUdbxicu TiyxyjCfeorgin Cappa- j^*^«:-) docem qticndamredimemnt : (which referres onely to Which *oan# his Country;) Sednecille aliqno in numero aut prtcio Chriftophorfo-, L 1 j a. n* •/!••/• ^t-a- nus renders, babendus eft. Dico emm eum iftis in iocis, non ut Chrifii- Geor°ium <>e- anumfe, fed ut idololatram gefftfte eundentcf; moribus et nere Canpado- i inftituto carnificem effe : which relates to his lewd con- ^m,)qui ab il- ditions. Againe in hisEpiftle, Al folitariam vitam ^ ma x hue a: » agentes;hee hath this paffage. (/; 2{unc autem denno fj"^^ reI0V TiVcc Kct7tGrcL ShltllV cLtJ^7ai}Georgiumquen^ rebus agendis promptus ac df« ligens, turn quod ciufdem aim ipfis opinionis pcrfludiofus eflet. GccleU Hift.t ?. c. & b(Georgion vj el^l^pp^dohldd ormzto &c.) Which Chnftophorfonus, and Suffradus Pe- trus render, Georgium itaq'.ie accerferuntjqui et ex Cappadocia oriimdus5 (& Meri* dith Hanmer in his Englifh tranflation out of the Greek Cbpy3read?,Gcorgjus borne in Cappadocia^ ) etopinioneetreligionc quam il!i tueb.inturimbutus fuit. Ecclek Hi(U.i.c.io. t Interea Aiiani Gregoriura&c. Epifcopatu movent : et Georgium quendam Cappadocem gencre,(as Ioannis Langus tranflates it) qui circa panem vi- 1 io rem et furfur setatem cgerat fucciduseqj adeofuillae promus condus fuerat, quod in religionc tuendo induftrius eflet pro coin Alexandrinofedecollocarunr.Ecclef, HiA.U9.c7. * Edit.Lat. Petri Nannii.Parifiis i6oS,p,57fD.Edit.Grjec.Lat.i^H.ToW. l.pliJ7./Pag.ij8,A.Lat-Gr,ac Ut,Tom,r.p.5^^ dam: 6yz Hiftrio-Maftix* Part. i b Page 176.K Lat. Edit. Gr. JLar.p.7i7.D. J^Edit.Bafili* iJ7«.p.5*7, 528. » Gregorius Presbyter De Vira Gregorii Nazunzeni Oratio.Grego- rii Nazianz. Monodia in Bafilii Magai Vitam.Ifiodor. Pelufiotal. r. Epift. if*. MunftcrCof- mogr.l.5.c.i4. Purchas Pit- gr.l.f.cif. Vincentius Speculum Hift. I.i4.c.88.0p. mecri Chro- nog Ctypadocian borne. Thirdly, it is evident by the unavoidable fuftageor Gregory T^azim anz,en, the fountrey-man, if not the coa?ta:iian of this Arrian George : who in his Oratio 3 1. «* Uudem Atba-' najij, writes thus.T^s n Kct7r7ra,cJW{oV ex, rSy toyci- twv rm yuwnfcw op^pey/ovjTJrcvepos to }*!«$, wovepoTofr* ro$ rtu &clvolaz,ianz,en3 That George the *s4rrian was a Cappa- no 1 560.& Dr» docian borne .For thus they write : (n) Georgius nation e Rainolds but from (f) Cjeorgethe jo Bijbop of Alexandria, Ccnmr. Magd. wno fucceeded him : perchance the fame Geor qe whom 4.Col.7O0,7fO nr ■ i t r t r .3 8l9 t^ Fvotius mentions, as the aut hour of a booke concerning Hiftoryof St. C^ryf°ftome 0 together with iv) 2{annius, (x) Billius, George,p.uo_, the(/) Centuriators , (z>) Baronius , Spondanus , (rf) 1 1 1, 1 1 <. 2{icolaus Vaber, and the feverall Index-compilers of A- thanafus, Tfjzianzen, T^icephorus, Zozomen, Socrates Scholaflicus, the Centuries, Baronius, Spondanus {Biblio- theca Pat-rum, and others., who all ftilehim, Georgius Cappadox^s being a Cappadoeian borne; yeeld us an in- fj?V' fallible tcftimonie in rDr.Rawolds hisbehalfe;that Cjeorge GcorffJ, t^oe 4rrti» Bifhop (a thing not queftioned heretofore by p.115. any») was by birth a Cappadoeian. Neither will thofe -v Edit.Athaaa- two objections' to the contrary, fo much as once eclipfe tt,Lat.Parifiis this fhining truth : To wit, (b) thzt Homo, or LMon- 3 V^1.1, flrum (fappadox, is a proverbiall fpeech, denoting, not the marpear. Country , but the lewd conditions of this Arrian Georgey 3 EcUr.Nazian, and that Anmianus 'JMvrcellinus , who lived about thofe times, affrmes for cert aine in exprefe termes, that George of Alexandria was borne at Epiphania in the Pro- vince jofCilicia. For firft, though Homo Cappadox be fometimes a proverbiall fpeech, being applied toano- • torious wicked wretch . who is no Cappadoeian borne, (where it muft of necelTicy be proverbial 3becaufe it can- not be litterall) 5 yet it is never fo, when as it is fp:>ken h Hiftojy of. Conftanr. Chron.Bibl. Patr.Tom.9. pars 1 .p.i6« t Biblioth.cap $ $ i.i» u*fc dox, or Cappadox coupled with any other proper name, s.^7 iM94' I 3r , ,rr ,.r„ c r • f Ii j ^ Altera rur- xs u:ea onely proverbially, tor a man or wicked, lewd or fum Cappa Jo- vile conditions ; not for a Cappadocian borne. For as cum pars eft jiagltcHSyScotHSyBrito.Iudaus, andfuch like nationall quam optima* Riles', annexed unto proper names, (as Thomas An- «quailhex- flicus, loannes Duns Scotus, Herveus Brito, Philo In- tl.teru"t clul S \ 1 • it -r> vitas iua: ac dans, arc. ) denominate onely the native Countrey, not pr3eceptionutn the moral! conditions, vertues or vices of men: fo Cap- luce orbis ter- p^*, united to Georgius, or any other proper name,de- r^ finibuspne* I monibares onely the native foile,Kot the notorious wic- k^erunt^P'A [kednefleoftheperfon: dkPhilagrws, whom (e) 2\£*- {g^g* zianzen ftiles , Vhilagrius Cappadox clarus et illuflris\ B y^pj^rom.% (which were an apparant contradiction if Cappadox $ars i.p.493. were nothing but a lewd companion; ) elfe ail the pious « Oratio 3 x. p» Qappadocian BiJhopsintheRrftl^icene Councels , who J*1, M a are. filled {/) Cappadoces ; elfe (g) EuHochius Cappa- 4,cX6i8J.?- dox, as I fiiide him named; elfe 1 h) St. Bafil, and famous $ee a#s 2,v.9, Gregory 2Ta<,ianz,en , who are called (i) Cappadoces , Eufcbius De 0 7 V VitaConftan*. I tinil.?. c.8. g OpmeeriChronogr.p. 18:. b Whom Vincentius Lerinenfis cap. 1 41. and Opmeems, C hronogr. pag.288. (tile, ilia, or,duo Cippadocia; lumina- I; * Cafsiodorus, HiiVor. Tripartita, lib. 6, cap. 37. Nicephorus Calli2us,.Hift.Ecdc£ [i lib, 10. cap. 2^. Rrrri IB a f Has 676 Hiftrio.Ua/iix. Part.i K Socrates ( £J "Bzflins Cappadox, and ( / ) (fregorius Cappadox ; ^ftrlvi^" ^ea ^d^eorgius Cappadox y the (m) Sainted rJMartyr \ 3 Wbl'patrl t00> (whomW^ *»*£* the fame with Qeorge the Ar- T6m.f .pars 2. f*^; W *^p Melanblhon too, what ever fome aver |CNtcq>liorus againft ^ > as his words I have quoted in the margent & Cafsiodor witnes :)a meerefymbolical or allegoricaU fiSbion ^ithcv of qua (i)fupra. j> / ^ defending and maintaining difcipline tius Speculum andjuflice, again[t all tyrants and oppre/fours : or, of our Hift.J.i i.e. 13 1 The Hi (lory of St.George,3c Mr Seldens Titles of Honor,part a.c f. p.794jto 8 ip.nPurchas Pilgrimage U3. c.i j.Dr.Featly his Handmaid of Devotion,^ 4iVwithfundryothersquotcdintheHiftoryofSt.Ocorge,parti.c.j,4. #SceIbicL ?Chroriogrp.$©9. 7 De Ra ti one Stud ii Theologiaijl.j.c./. r Quoted by Molanus, • Hift.SSJmaginum.Antwcrpiae 1617. 1.5.c.i4.p.*77j*78« /In his Pilgrimage I.j.c. J 3. fInhisHymneofSt.George,onSt.Gcorgchisday. y In his Poftils,fet out by I)r.Chriftophcr Pezelius, intituled; Philippi Melan&honis viri fummi et incompara- fcilis,et totiusGermaniaeotim prajceptoris, cxplicationum in Acadcmia Witember* genu* traditarum fuper textus Evangeliorum Dominicalium Scc.pars 3. printed Hano- tiix apud Antonium &c, Explicatio in Evangelium in Fefto Sandra* Margareta:,, (fuppofed to be refcued from the Dragon by St.G^orgeQ pag.4 r 7. theGofpell on that «fay, (1 ?. Iulii) being Matth.i $.Regnum coelorum fimiliseft Margaritas &c.wherc he difcourfeth thus. Hac feptimana fuit ufitatum celcbrari fcftum diem Margareta?;Non volorecitare fabulas quae funt nota»,undecunq.; funtorta^fivc ab Appollinari, five ab alii?. Apollinariscompofuit huiiifmodi poemata,id ell Coma»diasctTragaedias9tunc, Eborious conquer our ^refcuingthe (d) Woman Jh is beloved ^cv'I2«7.to Church, (whom he ftileshis CMargaritat(e)his lewell) hv&\.9uiim from his inf email power , as the Scriptures plainly teach Pfal.74. 1?. us;all which the emblematicall picture of S. George doth % * '^.fcer. lively reprefent : ) mud all be now unfaincled, and ftig- Il-M>7,9»'3» tnatized for nought elfe, but defperate notorious caft- c^/^o"* a way es, as this their pro verbiall appellation of Cappa- fWalo/.ijV dox proclaimes them, if the obje&ion prove once true; Rom. i<$. 20. fince this tk\e(Cappadox)\s appropiated to them ail, yea Pk|.uo.is2. even to (f) George the Saint, as well as to George the YMat%^V\ jirrian; he being principally knowne and conceived to Ephef^iiV* be zCappadocian borne , by this addition , Cappadox : 22. which if it be meerely national! in George the Cfrlartyr, d Rev. 12. 1. to and others fore-recited, muft neceflarily be fo in George *_*•* Tim»2**^ the <*Arrian\ there being no reafon to make it proverbi- \}&&l\l^ all in the one, and literall or national! onely in the other. Rcr.2i.iG.t0 Secondly ,for the objected authority of (g) aAmmianus 21. iMarcellinus, which is mifquoted in the chapter : I an- / Wn0 is ftIIccl fwer, firft,that he was onely an heathen Writer,and not G c°r&? s ^ fo well acquainted cither with the birth or life of gearge £eant°*; \J£m the esfrrian&sissfthana/rus his competitor, ttT^azian* lUm Hiftorialc, *en his Countrey man,and the forequoted Ecciefiaft icall 1. 1 *. c. 1 3 1. f^ hiftorians were ; who all arlirme him to be a Cxppade- l < 1% Chronic© cian borne: his (ingle teftimony then ought not to be ^^T^o.^ preferred before all theirs; no more than the teftimony opmeeriChro* of (h) Frier iAnfelme> or Sir Walter Raleigh , who re- nogr. p. 309. torci, that George the (J^fartyr, was borne in Syria , (not TheHiftory of inCappadocia,)^^. (jeorge his caftle five miles from St.Gcorgep. Ttolemais; is to be credited before theirs, who aiftrme \i'4^s^\%. him born in Cappadocia.SecondIy,his wrtnes is not cer- ^ ub.22.cap. I taine, but dubious, grounded onely upon a flying report 1 1 .not cap, tj •-.. b SccthcHiftory of St. Gcorge,pag. 1 33, 134 , Rrrr 3 of 67S HiftriO'Maftix* Part. i? f\ Munfteri Cofmogr.!.?. c. 1 4 6c Pur. chas Pilgr.l.3^ c 1 1. I StraboGeog. I.12. Tom. 2. Lugduni 1 559. p. 16^167, 16S.Sc Aeneas SylviuSjHiftor. De Afia Mino* ri cap. 4 5,46, 49. in his Workes,Bafi- tear M?»,pag. ^zf,$i7-Vo. iateranus Geo- grj.io f. 10 2. See M creator and Prolomy accordingly. of others, not upon his o wne knowledge. It is but, In Fullonio, in Fullio, or infulio (no man knowes which) n&tis Vt Fsrebatvr, apud Epiphaniam Cilia* op* pidum: And fhaii we beleeve a Ferebatvr, aineere uncertaine rumour, taken up by an Heathen, before che expreffe Authorities of iundry eminent Chnftians. Thirdly, admit the mod that may be^ that this yeorge was borne in Cilia; yet it no more rollowes from thd.ee, that George the Arrian was not a Cappadocian bome; than that one borne in St. George his Tarijh m Bur fori in the County ofgiocefter, is no £ngli(h-man borne. For as G locefter-fliire is a County of England, andfohec that is borne in it, may be truly called an Englifh-man borne ; fo this Cilicia in which G eorge the Arrian was reported to be borne, was,for ought it appcares,^ 7V*- feflure or Province of £appadocta;&nd therefore though he had there his birth, yet we may truly ftile him a Cap- padocian borne. That this Qilicia was but a Province of Cappadocia, it is fomewhat probable by theteftimo* ny diStrabo, no infamous ( kj) Cappadocian : ot JEneas Sylvius y&n&Volat?ranMs, who informe us : (/) That Cappadocia was divided by the ^Per/tans into two King* domes , viz,: Cappadocia {JWajor, towards Taurus / which they properly fitted Cappadocia; and Pont its, which fome have called Qappadocia too : and That this Cappadocia Ma^or under King Arch elans and his predecejfors , was parted into 10 Prefectures ^ of them fcituated towards the hill Taurus ; to wit, Pratura Melitiria, Qataonia, Ci l I- c I a, (which (*n) j£neas Sylvius (tiles, Cilicia Stratc~ gia) Tyanenfs & Ifaurienfis ; the other 5 intituled^ La* vinafena, Sargafena , Sarauna, Qoamanena , and Rhim- nena: to which the Romans added an eleventh Prafeclure out of Cilicia , namely the region of Caftabalis and fydrifta untorDerbay the feate of A^tipater the pirate,, the eleventh Prxfeftnre before Archelaus, who annexed likewife filicia Trachea, and the whole country that pra- tlifed piracie unto Cappadocia, If then Cthcia were but Part, i . Hiftrio-Maftix. 679 a Province of Cappadocia,and an eleventh Province out I of Cilicia, together with Cilicia Trachea were added I unto Cappadocia by the Romans and Archelaus : we I may as fafely conclude, that George the Arrian was a \ Cappadocian, 'though borne in Cilicia, a part or Pro- j vince of Cappadocia,as that St. George his Advocate is # See Ptolcu i an Englifh-man^though bora in Glocefterfliire.Butad- mi« and Mer= mit Cilicia, where this George was borne, were no part cator* *?!$*" ofCappadocia, becaufc it may be ob/ecfted, that * Epi- ^^7 phania was fcituated in the Province o? Cilicia, and not n stra'bo Geo- in this fili&A ; to which I may reply out oiVolateran, gr.lib.T2.p.i6S Ceogr: In i . f: n o. that there were three Citties of that P^6 Nat« name, and one of them perchance in this Cilicia; yet the ^lft*j56 c*8 ' Country of Cilic ia it felfe (admitting he had his nativi- Aeneas Sylvius tytherev) (n) borders en the [oath ofCappadocia. As Hift-. DeAfia therefore (0) feme affrr»e,that St. Cjeorgemay without Minori c.40, any contradtSiiQn be fcid to have both Lydda and Rama 4* • ftc» Pur- for the Stage ofhisfuffering, becaufe they are both conter- CQ as Pl'§r,1,*« minous and adjacent , by which devife they have * en- 0 Hiftory of $£ deavouredto reconcile fome jarring »s4uthoHrs : So by George,p. 1 jo, the feifefame TeafoFl, George the Arrian might be re- MVf*- ported j to be borne in Cilicia, as zAmmianus writes, * Ibld* Pa£c though in truth he were borne in Cappadocia , as the y^hchkcVs* precedent Authours witneffe; by reafpn of the neere vi» ufca jn the fa- cinity of thefe two Countries. A 11 which being laid to- ble of Back* gether, will Sufficiently ju/lifie the true, though late op- nus4p.i7f. to pugned pofition of our deceafed famous Dr. Rainolds, l7?\ (whofe (p) Overthrow of Stage-play esy hath thus OCCa- ^ "nccreprin- fioned me even here to quit his credit in this cafe of ted, i619. George the Arrian, which might elfe bequeftioned in q Deldololatria the cafe of Stage- pkyes : ) (y)That George the Adrian Rom-Ecci. U. *>as a Cappadocian borne, as (r) was the Otfother of St* c ^^"'1* 'Bafil: to whofe Play-condemning paffages I now pro- oratio 30. p. ce.d : as namely his (f) Hexaemeron Hom:q. Opernm 494. "B a file a 1565. To m 1.^:45. Ho m: in Pfal: 1 .p : z 1 8 * Sermo f Quoted alfo l.inDivites et tAvaros ,p: 305. 6So Hiftrio-Maftix. Part, i ] 2f . Gregory Oratio, p:qo%^i 2.Afcetica. Tom: 2p: I %o.& Comment; Naziaazcn, incap.'i^EfaU/Tom^^p:^. The 25. is Gregory 2^0- t Greoon'us ct ***"**"> that eloquent and famous Cappadocian^Bifhop Bafilius nifi u- of Conitantinople., (t) St.Baftls mo ft mire friend, Ora- na anima in tto i. in his WorkesjBafiliae i57Lp.tf.Or4w iS.DeFu- duobuscorpo- nere cPatris,p:^-]2. Oratio 3 1 _p:^z^.fB.Oratio tfyp^^sj, vZLZ&h 5*4,<%S>OratK>47ip:772.0rano4S3p;y963797- f*~ ao.i..49«, ^.Epiphanius patmm Tom:^p:S 1 3 , C. The 29. is Spipbanius 'Bijbop Anno 3 90. ofConflans, in his fimpendiaria veraDottrina , *fe jW* Catholic a et Apoftolica Ecclefi*: in his works, Lute- jo.St.Hierom, tiaeParif.i tf 1 2. CV:922.,£.The 3o.is that learned Father Anno 390. ^r Hierom , Spiftola z.ad T^epotianum. cap:6j. Operii Ant werpia? 1 5 79* 7* 10: I p; 5 . £/>*/?: 9/^ Saivinam}cap 5 ,/>: 2 %,Epift: 1 0,4^ Furiam%cap: Af.p'- 3 1 . tyi/?: 1 3 >^ ^*»* A»/*w, r4/>: 2 3 />: 39. */?; 18,4^ Marcellam, cap: 1 , p: 5 3 . Epiff:4&)cap:2j:ioi,EpiJ};2oi9Tom:i)p:$i4. Adverfut Anno 6 ' IovimanHm>l&:l fap:y yTom:lyp\\6y. Commentariorum 3 H!st Chryfo. ** E^bieHib: 6,cap: 20, r^:4, />: 3 8 9, # The 3 1 . IS ftome, Anno Cf/*#.f Sedulws, Collettanea in Epift: ad Epbejios, cap: 5. 400. Bibl.Patrum7"(Pw:5,/>4r/i,^:5otf,£. The 32. isGoI- *Sce here p. den-tongued St. Cbryf°ftonte> Bifliop of Conftantino- whcret0h?s? $ ' Ple> w^° *s mo& abundant and divinely rhctoricall * a- wordsarcrcci^ gainft Stage-playes, Play-haunting, Players, and dan- tcd at large, cing: Part. i. Biprio-Maflix. 68 , cing: Homilia i.Adver/us Iudtos: Edit: Fronto Ducaci Parifis i62i,Tom*i.p 463. CfiMomtl^nS. Inlianum, lbid.p.6i& 192^07.998^, 1050,1031. HomrinPfal: \<\oyQol\\ 1 1 o, 1 1 1 1 . //01W: I , ^/«.*, 6,7, 10,17,21, 38,49^ ^9,74^89JwA/^:J'tfw.2,C^/.i5,i6,50,5i,52,5 3>58, 5960,79,^,0,144,(^175^,297,298,299,300,356, Evang.Tom.s.CoLiioflb.iy^&^iin Atta Apofl.QoU 5 WyA,6ny6i 1.H0.11.ini Ep%ad C0r.T0m4.C0l.556, iV^yW-Hom.li in Sj>bef^,Coi^6^'J^^H^ p^n 8pifi.aU Co/off, Col. 1 1 9 1 . Horn. \ 5 , 1 7 y 1 8, 1 9, 2 1 , 23 , 3 8,39,54,62,^ 66*AdPopH/um AntiochUyTem.$^CoU ii8,C,i2 2,£,C. I35,C,Z).I37,^,C.I44,^.I45,«^ Z). 146,^. i49,^,5,C. 166,167, 168,183,184,18(5, 245,^.290,1). 3 1 Ij3I2,343,346'36i, D .ssfd ?{eophi- tos Homilia , £V.6i9, #,^. £>ie,that famous BiOiop of Hippo:C°»fiJfi°~ ^•SrJVugu- num l.i,c. ioy Operum Lngdum 1563, Tom*i, />.99,/-3, j?10# <\I 2,^.1 16,1 r 7, /.4,. 1 1 2 9 , 1 1 : o. Spi- ftola 202,^^.2,^.953,954. DeDottrina Chriftiana, /. I ,f . 2 5, Tom. 3 ,^.4 1 . De Confenfu EvangeliffarHm, l.\^c, c. 3 3 , Tom.^pars i9p. 53 o, 5 3 1 • Dandu rudi- Sfff bus 68a Hifirio-Uaftix. P a rt. i . btu Ub.c. i GTom.qjars 1 y p. 3 40 ,341. *De vera et falfa 'Poenitentiajibf.i 53p.$lo/De fivitute Dei Tom: 5 Jib. 4, c.i, 10,26,27,28,3 i./.5,c. 12, /.6,c.i, 5,6,7,9, 10,21, 24,2^27, 33/8/. 5, 13, 14,18,20,21, 26,27, /.i2,c. ii, /.139s, 1 394,(^-/4^.1^.1427,1428. DeVerbtStApo* ftoli, Sermo iy,Tom.io,p. 442,443, & Homiltaii ,pA 592,593 ♦ with other forecited places, A*r.6, Scene 3, p. 54. Nilus 341 , &c. The 34. is 2^/*w Abbas, Orattoi, de Lhxh- Abbas,Anno ria, BibL Patrttm Torn. 5, pars 2, p. 969, G. The 35. i$ 4 ! °* _ Panlus Orofitts, a Spanifh Presbyter, Hifloriamm ltb.*i- Anno 410. c.4,Colomaei542,p.i20. The 36.1s Synefiw , Bifhop 5^yntfius, of Cyrene^Z^/^^/^.Bibl.PatrumTom.s. pars i,p. Anno 41°. 51 ,G. The 3 7 .is Cyril, Bifhop of Alexandria, In Hefai- |7.Cyrilliis aml.i,cap.^ Operum Parity's i6o<$yTom.i3p.i74,rD.i* Anno 4n o?S' loamis Zvangelium, hb. 8,c5, p 595, A/B. The 3 8. is 3§.Theodo*et, Theodoret, Bilhop of Cyrus, De Sacrifices ,1. 7 .Operum Anno 4™/^ AqtutanicHs, Bifhop of Rhegium, De gloria loSozomcnus San&ornm Peroratio,Opcn Duaci I 5 77M73 .The 40. Anno 440. is Hermias Sozomenus EcclefiaftMs~lJib.^,cap.\ 5 5BibU 4s.IfiodorPe- Patrum Tom.5,pars 2.p.42o,E. The 41.1s Ifiodor Pelts- fufiota, Anno fiotzt, EpifiJ. 1 ,£/>*/£. <$2,6*,Bibl.Pamim Tom. 5, pars 2, l^mafms M?3>F> & i+Epift.tf*, png: 6\ %,A Theii.isPn- Anno 4?o. mafias, Bifhop of Vtica, Comment \in Epift.ad Romanes, 43.Lcoi.Anno flO> parifijs l5435foI-53- The 43. is Pope Leo the firfi, 4 so. /* OltavaTetri et Pauli Sermo, Opera Antwerpia: 1583 44. Sylvian, fol. 1 65. The 44.1s Salvian.xht famous vice- tormenting 4<.OIvmpio- ^^°P of Maffilia or Marcelles,ia France, De Cjuberna- dorus'Anno tlone Dei, lib 6, Opera Parity's i6o8,p.i82,to 224. The 500. 45. is Olympiodorns ,Enarratio in Ecclefiajlen,cap .q.Bibl* 46.€afsiodor Patrum Tom.1ijp.405, E. The4$. is Atsrelitss Cajpo- rt^Anoo $ 0. ^*j, yanar*m, lib, i^Eptfi. 27, 30,3 2, in his vvorkes Aurelia? P a rt. i . Hijlm-Maftix. 683 !_ __- _£= 1 : . '. ~ ■ Aurelia? Alobragam, itfc>9,/>. ?5>5 V^»3> Epift. 5 * .p^n 22Zt2z^/i{>:5,£ptJ?:42,p. S69»37°^7l^7^-7^' pift. 10, p. 458, 4$9. The47. is Fulgentms Biftiop of 47-Fulgentius3 Ruipensin Africa, Cfytytbologiarum, lib. 1, Opera Bafi- Atino *10* lea?, 1 6 1 7, p. 8 20, /. 2 , />. 86 1 . d- «$•«/>«* audivit Her odes Tetrarcha &c.$ermoy Bibi.Patr.Tom.6,pars 1 ^.148. Z), •E,^. The 48. is Fo/^ Gregory the firft, CMoralittmt. 1 5, 48.Gregorius j r.18. Opera Parifi/s im9fol.%9,8J.v$,c.i%.fol.j%fD. Anno 1^0. L2i,c>i3f.ii4iI,K.& £ptft: 1*9, Epift.fiyfol.^K. The 49. is Ifwdor, Biffiop of Hifpalis., Originttm lib. 18, 49. Ifiodor cap.i6yto 60, 0/w*, Colonix Agrip. 1617, />. 158,159, Hifpalenfis, 160,165, ^ 0jjky/ £cclefi*ftkisj.i,cap. 40, &l.i3c.ij. Armo63°- 400, C. (2* 401, £>, 2:. The 50. is tsfnafiajitss Sianita, *o. Anaftafius Patriarke or Antioch, in his Via du&y Biol. Patrum Tom. Sianita, Anno 6,pars i,p.6o4,B. The 5 1 .is Valerian 3 Bilhop of Ceme- 6*°' . la, Homil. iyde 'Bono Difriflina, Bibl. Patrum Tom. 5, a^o^co?* pars 3, p-477,C,D. Homil.6,de Otiofis verbis, p^ifi, H.q%i,A.Hom.io,deParaftis,p.^%7}F,G. The 52. is **.'Beda,Anno our Venerable Beda, In Lhca Evangelism, c.y, I. 2, Ope- 7i0* rumColonia?Agrip.i<5i2,Tom#5,Col.goo. The53-is f?.Damafcen> loannis Damafienus, Parallehrum, lib. \ , ^. 76, Opera Anno 740. Parity's 1619, p 6*3,64. &lib.2>cap.^7,p.ioS. The 54. . is our famous Countrey-man Alchnvinm , Tutor to * ^Alchuvlnus C h a r l E s the Great : de Caremonijs Baptifmi Eptfiola n° 79°* in his Workes, Lutetian Parif. 161 7>Col: n$%B. & de fiivinis Offices lib:cap:4yCol;ioii ,ioi4.Thc 55. is A- „. Aoobardus gobardtts, Biihop of Lyons : DerDiff>enfatione,CMirji- Anno°84o. fterio,&c. Bibl. Patrum Tom^pars i3p.6o3,H. 604, A. The $6.is Tafchatins Ratberttis, in Matth lEvangelinm *6.Pafchatius /.4,Bibl:PatrumTom.9,parS2)P.936,A,B. The 57.1s ^a^anus HRabanus Maurtis: Dejacru Ordimbus lib: I , Operum Maurus,Anno Colonic Agrip. 1626, rom.ff,p.$3, A,B-C.Z>* Vniverfo 840. Itb:io^cap:i6to ^%yX0n:i. p:2^ //."$'7}J 61. Tuo Car* 584. The 62. is /«* Carnotenfis EpifcopusyrDecretn,Lo- notenflsjAnno z>4»jf l$6l}pars ic:lo7ypars 1} c:7, l,pars $ye:?% pars 4,^/>:8, i62yi66)i67.pars5,cap:i70*parsj,cap: no. />ar.r n, cap: 7,16,64., 76/085. The 63. is ssfnfrfme, Archbifhop of Canterbury, Comment :in £pifl: ad Sphe- fios, lmf9v:$i71um:%m Operum Coloniae Agrip. 1612, p: l85,£yZ). in Epift:ad Philips. q,p: 106 yC4. in 1 Tim: C 3 ,/>: 356, C' The 64. is Honorius Anguftednnenfis, De Antiquo rittiLMiftarHW, lib: $,cap: 58. Bibl. Patrum Tom: 1 2,pars 1, p: 1069, E. where he ftiles dancing and Stage-play es^the very pompes of the Divell which we renounce in Baptifme. The 6 5. is elegant St. Bernard, Abbot of Clare vale, Oratio ad Militcs Templiycap: 4, Opera Ant werpise, 161 6, Col: 8 3 2, L,M.& Epift: 87, s,An. Coh\Af77, A. The 66. is Ranulphm Cirflrenfis, in his 1 140. Polychrome on, London, 1 5 27. Booke 3, capi^fol: I g 1. 67.Toanncs Sa The 67. is our famous Countrey-man John Saresbery, Epifcopus Carnotenfis in France:^ ^(ug^ ftrialtuj. 1 100. 63. Anfelme, Anno xi 10. ^.Honorius Auguftodu* nenfis,Anno Hzo. 6f. Bernard, Anno 1130. 66. Ranulphus resberienfis «.p«™bIc- V.4,y)7)8.^A8)r:(J)7.Bibl.Patr.T6.i5>p.358)4.-i4.Bibi.Patr. Tom, 1 i.parsi,p:ji 4, #% Epift: j6, p:76i} P.Epifl: 2$,p: 769, E. The 69. is sAelredns , Abbot of Rivaulx, in York efh ire, Anno 1 160. in his Specnlnm CharitntlsiHb:\ , cap:i6yp:<)<>, G. lib, 2,^.23, p- 1 1 1 ,£, #. /•• 3 >£v 1 2,/>: 118, >4. and his Fragmentum, concerning the memorable exhortation of King Edgar to his Bifhops and Abbots, Ibidem p.i44,A. The 7©.is Gratian.Difiintlio 33,34,48,(^86. Edit.Parifijs 153 1, fol.56,5%,7%,1 30,139,140. & Catifa 439ii The 71. is Tope Innocent the 3. 'Decretal: Conftitmioww, lib. ?, Tx* 1160, 69. Aelredus, Anno 1 1 60. 70. Grarian, Anno 1170. 71- Innoccn» t'»us,3.Anno Uoo. I Part, i • Hijlrio-Maftix* 685 Tit. i , (fonftit.^. Operum Colonia? Agrip. i 606, Tom. 2,^713,714. Thefe 71 eminent ancient Fathers'' and Writers in thefe their recited works, to which I might adde Iuftinian that famous Chriftian Emperour , in his * forequotecHawes and workes, have conftantly even * See Aft. 7, from our Saviours death till the yeare 1 200. abundantly ^661? ' oppugned, cenfured and condemned, not- onely Swords p/ayes, Cirque-playes, and Amphitheatricall bloudy Spe- tlacles; but even (t ) Stage-play es themfelves, asdiabo- * Sec A^' 6> licall, heathenifb,finfull,lewdy ungodly Spectacles, (v) ?£ncM»fi not fuferable among fhrislians ; condemning withall, v See Alt. 6 Dot onely the atting, but even the beholding of fitch lafci- Scene $♦ vious, filthy and contagious Enterludes, the feminaries of allthofe prodigious execrable wicked *jfSeeA&^ prophane and lewd than the very worft in former day est Scenej.p.iji.' From thefe authorities therefore thus recited , I (hall & PaS- 38« frame this 49 .invincible Argument aganift Stageplayes. That which 71 fever all Fathers and eminent ancient Argnm.49. Writers of the Church have conftantly, profeffedly zQi!iccluid c: condemned, as finfull, and abominable in thefe their p|urcSj uno eo. recited worses ; (z) mult certainly be defperately demq \ fenfu, finfull, unfeemely unlaw full unto Chriftians, Ja- manife(te,fre- tollerable in any Chriftian Commonweale. quentcr, pcrfc* But thefe 71 feverall Fathers and eminent ancient VPri- quo^'faY* ters of the £hurch, have thus conftantly, prof e fed- confentiente ly condemned Stage-playes and StUge-P layers , in Magiftrorum thefe their recited worhes. Concilio acci- , Therefore they mu ft certainly be deff>erately finfull , f^^ firmaverint,id proindubitatOjcertOjratoque habeatur. yenwtlu* Urinenfis tow Sfffj mfeemelj, 686 Hijim-Majltx. Part. i. 4 Erratenim is quiaviaquam Patrum ele&io monftravitab- errat. Hojmi/da Pap* Eptft. ad To{f0onm. unfeemely, unlaw full Pinto Chriflians, int oiler able in any £ hrifiian Commonweals The Minor is evident by the premifes : the Major I dare challenge the mod impudent Puyer, or Play-pa- tron to denie. For what man , what Chriitian is there fo peremptorily audacious,fo unchriftianly immodenVo Bibl.Patr.Tom. ^aj err0nioufly (chtfmaticall,as to control!, and quite re- b'sccDail7 1' )Q~> the unanimous refolutions offo many reverend, 32.0.52,7. lob pious, incomparably learned Fathers? whofe Play-con- 8*8,9, io.c.11. demning cenfures, feconded by the definitive fei 17, 1 #. er.6.,6 tence of the whole primitive Church both under the pr? *' X pr ^avv anc* Gofpell ' not onely challenge our reverend re- y^fprbv r JPe^> (h^Ht 0Hr fubfirtption too. We are all exceeding S3'q.c. 4. t \i\ ready in matters of faith, to give credit to Councels, to c. 13.1.0.12.28 the renowned Fathers, and ancient Writers, efpecially o.i*.i2«c.2#2o« where al!,or many of them concurre : and fhall we then rejed and undervalue them here in the cafe of Stage* playes, in which they all accord, without the lead dik H-b.6.1 2. See tent? Never (I dare pofitively affirme it) did Fathers, Iohn whites Councels, and Writers of all forts^all ages, more plenti- Wayrf? ^ m^y> ro°re unanimoufly accord in palling fentcnce a- D^reff.Tfca. gamft.any abufeor wickedneflc whatfoever, then in 4.10 9/ ' cenfiiring,in condemning Stage-playes;as the precedent e Quod nimi* and fubfequent Scenes will evidence : and fliall wc then miferi volunt, defcrt them where they all concord ? Could Players, hoc facile ere. piav. haunters or lewdlafcivious perfons, finde out but Hercules Fureus one CoLlilce"> one Father or two,to countenance Stage- jt&. 2. playesj dancing,dicing, Health-quaffing, face-painting, d Eft et haec Love-bckes,or their ftrange fantaftique habits and di£ perverfitas ho= guifes; they would fo (c) huggeit^oadoreit, that nei- rmaum, fahi- ther the Uwes Qj> Gq^ Qy. mm^ fye authorities 0f Chnft, exitioTa fufci- his Prophets and A po flies ,the concurring refolutions of all pere,pericu!ofa other Father s£ouncels or Writers to the contrary fhouli quarque jmcdi- be able to convince them that thefe things are evill: (d)fb camentavitare, morideniquecitfiis quamcuravi AdnfeTant.TertuQ.4dverfiu GnoflkosTtm %i M2f.Iftt Hecl•at^lnibllsconvlncl^ltur.quiln6'nteUi•Tllnr,neCAuthoritatibuscorriguntu^,q»it non rccipiu'it.necfledentu (uafiorubus quia fubverfi funt,probatum eft,mori maeis eligunt quam coiwerti.fr* n*l»per tomtit* Scrmo 66. Jku i 6o.f pertinacioufly 1 Cor. 14. *9, 32. Heb.12.1 1 Pa rt. i . Hiftrio-Maftix. 687 I pertinacioufly doe men adhere not onely to their opinions ', but their errors too, who jufiifie or foment their vices in i the leaft degree. And £hali not then the uncontrolled I authority of all the precedent Chriftian Councels and Fathers,, be much more prevalent to withdraw them from pernicious Stage-playes, with other oft condem- ned vanities, which have not fo much as one Father , one Councell to defend them? (hall men beleeve, (yea fometimes preferre) the Fathers before the Scriptures, I where they feeme to give any countenance to their er- I rours or iuperftitions; and yet reject them, where they I all unanimously condemne their finfull pleafures ? O let I us not fo farre undervalue thefe their pious, judicious, I unanimous refolutioni againft Stageplayes and Actors, I as ftill to magnifie, frequent, or patronize them in de- Ifpite of all thefe their determinations ; (e) but let w *pnii, 3,16. [jeyne hearts , and hands, and pens, and judgements ,yea and Rom. i 5.?,6, Your pratlife with them; palling the very felfefame doome * Cor*1- 16+ on Players,on Stage-playes,as they all have done before pS"",1 *2* I# us ; for feai e their pious refolutions prove io many un- c.2%x,i PctA^ avoidable endi^ments of condemnation againft us at heiaft. We all profeffe our felves inheritors of thefe athers faith ; let us not then be afhamed to inherit he purity 9 piety 9 discipline , and devotion of their ivts. (f) It was one great part of their difc if line, to f SeeA£h 7. cenfure^ onebad^e of their Chrifjtianity, their piety, to a- Scene 2. 'andon Stage-playes, ? layers and T lay -h aunt ers\\Qt it be ne peece of our Ecclefiaftical,if not civil difcipline,and evotion,todoethelike. And (g) fine ewe are compaf- fed about with fo great a chud of Play-condemning Au- L Hcbr.i *«*• thorities, let us now at (aft refolve , to lay away every •weight, and the /?#,(thefe finfull ftigmatized Stage-playes which doe fo eafily befet us; (h) Let us hearken to the in- * Prov# ** *• (truElion of thefe pious Fathers, and attend unto their do- * ' Brine: not (i) removing thofe ? lay-exiling Land-marges i Prov«iz.»S« •which they havefet us : that fo imitating them in their piety, wee may at laft participate with them in their glory. Actvs 688 Hiftrio-Maflix. Part. i. ! ifoModerne Chriftian Wri- ters have con- demned Stage- playes. 1. Guillermus, Altifiodorenfis Anno Don. 1106. 2. Saxo Gram- matics Anno j.Will. Mal- mesburienfis , 4«GuiieJmus Parifienfis , Anno 1240. 5. Alexander Alenfis,Anno 1240. 6, Edmunius Cantuarienfis, Anno 1140. 7.VinCentius Bcluacenfis, Anno Ufo. 8. Matthseus Parifienfis , Anno iafo. ACTVS 7. SCENA QyiNTA. THe fifth Squadron of Play-oppugning Authorities, is the refolution of fur: dry Chrittian Authours, as Well Papilts as Proteftann, from the yeare of our Lord 1 loo, to this prefent tirnc,a Catalogue of whole names and workes I fhall here prcLnc un:oyou, according to their feverall antiquities .together with the Impreflions which I follow* The 1 . o' them is Gmllermm Altifio- dorenfis y Summa Aureainlib. Sententiarum , Panfiji 1 5oo,L* g/Tradat.7, Quaeit: 3 , fol; 163. where he con- cludes thus, §hti dot kiftriombtts immolat dtmonibtts &c. The 2 . is Saxo GrammaticHs, Hiftoi ia: Danicae 1.6. Francofurti 1 576,p. 103. The 3. is Willielmpts C^Uimefi burienfis, De Gelhs Regum Anglorum, 1.2, c. io, Fran- cofurti * 60 1 , p. 67,68. The 4.1s Gulielmns Tanfienfis DeLegibus,c.i3, Opera Venetijs 1591^.42,43. & D Vitijs et Virtutibus,lib.c.6, p. 261. The 5. is *sllexatt« der Alenfis, the famous Englim Schooleman, Summa TheoIogia?,Culoniae Agrip.i62i,pars4, Qujrft. 1 1, Ar- tie. 2,(ed.4,p.39i,3 9 2, 393. The 6. is Edmnndtts Can- tuarienfisy Archbifhop of Canterbury, Specumm Ec- clefi2E,cap.n.Bibl.PatrumTom.i3,p.3 59,t. The 7.1s Vincentws'B eluacenfis , Speculum Docl rinale, Venetij: 1 $91 » lib. 11, c. 9 3 ,to 98, fol.194 &o Speculum Moral L3, pars S^iftin^tio 4, &pars 9, Diftir.cflio 6,fol.244, 151,2 52, & Speculum Hiftoriale Venetijs I494> 1,29> c. 41.tol.367, where he hath excellent large Difcourles, both againft dicing, dancing, Cirque-playes and Stage- playes, well worth the Readers observation. The 8. is CMmh pag: 288,289,291. The io. is^onaventura, that famous popiih Cardinall, icBonaventu- InSententiaslib:4,Diftincl:i6, Dub:i 3; OperumMo- r^Anno 1161. guncis,jtfo9,T6m:5,p:i9*. Hie u.is iW^,Hifto- ^no^o' nca,Bafilice J 58 i,p: 1 27. Ardahurius & Caius,iec p.* 193 lu iUcard°us The 1 2. is Ricardus de CMedia Villa, Super lib. 4, Sen- dc Media Villa, tentiarum Brixia? 1 591, Diftin&io 1 6, Artie: 3 ,-Qua?ft: Anno 1 290. 1,0:232. The 1 5 . is ISUcohms de Z,rr^inDeut:221v:f, i?.Ntc.DeLy- t< ■ , -r • k , -r o ra,Anno 1 2 20, Duaci 16 j 7, 1 om:i,p; 1 595.111 Amos 6, Tom:4,p.i 879 \ in 1 Tim:c.2*, Tom:<5,p:698. See him on cap: itfjludi- €um,&incap:i4, Matth:&c:6,Marc. The 14. ise^f/- '^Alvarus Pc. varus PeUgiHs, Dc Wanda Ecclefi*, Lugduni 15 17, 1: Zf^f**** i,Artic:49,f:a8,lib:2,Artic:28,fol«i 34>& Artic.46,fol. ' 1 50 The 1 5. is Thomas Gualenfts, alias Wallis, a lear- > <• Thomas ned Englifti Writer, Leftio 77,111 Proverb.Solomonis, j^jo*" > j£dibus Aicentianis,! 5 10/01:97: an excellent full place * JO l*JO# againft Stage-playes : & Summa Coliationum ad omne genus hominum,pars i,DifHn<5Ho i4> cap7- quoted by Alexander Fabritius, DeftrH&orium Vitiorum lib: pars 4^.23. The 16. is *4&exan*s, Dz Cafibus &c. Nu- ^ft1cxanu*, rembergae 1482. lib 2. Tit* -3.&l.4,Tit.i7. Artic.4. U ■°# The 1 7» is that profound Englifli Doctor, Thomas 17. Thomas Ttrtdwardin , Archbifhop of Canterbury, De Caufa Bradwardin, Dei, lib. 1, cap* 1, Corolla 20, Opera Londini 161 8, p. AlinoiJ4°. 14,15. The 1 8. is Robertus Holkot, a famous Englifli u'^obftus Schooleman, LecTio 172, fuperlib. Sapiential Bafiiese ™£ot*Anno 1 506, foi. 1 3 2# I 3 3 ♦ The 1 9. is Trancifcus Petrarcha, , 9# Francifcu$ De Remedio.utriulque Fortune, lib. i,Dialogus 24,25, Petrarcha, to 3 imprinted 161 3. p«9 5, to 130. where wee have an Anno 1570, excellent Diicourfc againft dicing, dancing and Stage- 20# Toannig playes. The 20.1s haunts tvick/ife, our famous Englfli WickIifTe,An. Apoftle, Dialogorumi.3,c.i,foi:45,Edit.i5r45.The 21. i38o« is haunts deBurge , Chancellour of the Vniverfity of jf»Io*nil?ls Cambridge; Pupilla Oculi , Parifijs 1521, pars 4, I!9C"rg0, "' cap. 8, I, pars 7, cap. 5. O. & pars 10, cap.5»V,X* Tttt The 6po Htftrio-Maflix. Part.i i*. Nicoiaus Cabafila,Anno 1400. i?.Ioanms Gcrfon,Anno 1410. Z4. Alexander FabritiuSjAn, if. Thomas Waldeniis , Anno 1430* a 5. Toftatui Abulenfis , AanoX4P» 17. Ricardus Pahpoliranus, Anno J43°» akNieolaus De CIcmangis3 Anno 1x30. The.**, is 2{icoLaHs Cabafila, De Vica iniChrifto I. 2, Bibl.Patrum Tom* 1 4, p, 114, C^E F. The 13. is lo- annis G erf on, the learned Chancellour of Paris, De Pra> ceptisDecalogi, cap. 7, Operum Parifijs 1 600*, pars 2, Col. 264, & Sermo Dominican 3, Adventus ; Operum pars 4jCo1:3 3 2, 3 2 3, 334* The 24. is ^Alexander Fa- britius, a learned Englifh-man, Deftruftorium Vitio- rum, Lutetia? i5i6,pars 3,c.io>C>D.pars4,cap:23.Dc Ludis inhoneftis ; an excellent place againft Dancing, Dicing and Stage-playes ; where he quotes one IVale- ranntts and Wahnfis againft thefc paftimes , whofe workes there cited are not at this day extant. The 25.1s Thomas JValdenfis, a learned Englifti Writer, Iohrt Wickliftes profefled Antagonift, Tit*$,Dc Baptifmi Sacrament x.49,le6t. 7, Operum Venetijs, 1^71, Tom., ;3p.96,B,See here A(ft.7,Scene i.The i6.is7*tf/^«i^ bulenfis ythzt Voluminous Writer, Comment, in Deut# tiy Quarftio 2, Operum Colonix Agrip* 161 3, Tom* 3, pars 2, p. i99>B,C.In lib#4» Regum, Qufeftio 44, Torm 7,pars iy f 100, CD. & inMatth cap.6, Qujrftio 38, & 67, Tom. lobars 3 1 fol.40,E, &c. The 27. is Ricardns Vanpolimnns, a famous EngUQi Hermite, In Verba Sa- lomonis; AdolefcentttU dtlexerunt te nimii &c. BibU PatrumTom:i5,p.83 8, A, where he thus writesjiW cjuidenu utpueri vadunt adludos, acLfpeftacula, ad mnt- tat atiat van states : qnamvistamenTycunu fentper pr*- ponunt, quaft Deum^ amare neftirent ; where hee ftiles Stage-playes, vamtiesytho(c who refort unto them,^/- di(hperfons,tvho k*ownothowto love God at they ought. The 28.is T^icolaus de Cleman^is, De Novis Celebrita- tibus noninftituendis, Traft.Oper Lugduni Batt. 16*13, p. 1 4 3 ,to 1 60. De Lapfii et Reparatione Iuftitia?,cap. 1 5, 0.54. &Epift.28,j4> p 102,103,104, 148, 149. where ne excellently declaimes againft Dancing, Stage-playes, and other wanton effeminate exercifesand diforders in his time-3& De Corrupto Ecclefix Statu, 02, feci. 3, p. ?f M^p.7.c.i5,fe(ft.3,p.x5;C.i8,fea,i,p. 18, where he cenfures Part. i. Hiflrio-Ma/iix. 691 ccnfures the luxurie and exorbitances of the Clergy, cfpecialiy for their dancing,dicing,refort to P*ayes, and their cfteeme of Players. The 29- is V*norr»im*My that ^.panormiu* induftrious Abbot, 5. Decretalium, De Qtrico Vena- nus, Anno tore,TiM4, lugduni 1580, fol, 187 ; and in fundryo- m°« ther places. The 30.1s Antoninus, Archbifhop of Flo- 30.Antoni.Mf, rence, Chronicorum,pars 2,Tic,i5;c.io,fea.i3,Edit. Anno x4«4* Lugduni iS43iol.i3M&pars 3,Tit.i8,c<5, feft^rbl. 19. The 31* is &neds Sylvius, afterwards Pope Pius ?i.£neasSy!« the a,Ep!lU.i,Epift. 166, Opera Bafileae 1551,^.72 if *™> Anno 722,7x3. '& De Liberorum Educatione,p.p68. The 3 2. *4*Ma u is Afapheds Vegitts£)z Educatione Liberorum 1. 1x14,- VegmsJL^ &l«3»c.7*i*» hibl.PatrumTom.i5,p.83 53E,F,8<55,H, i4jo. 847, F>&. 8*48, C;D* The 3 3«is Ioannis Antonins ,Bifhop *3-foannis An. of Champaigne, De Gcrendo Magiftratu, lib. Bibl. Pa- tionius' Anno trutnTom.i5>P*8o9»B,c. The 34- is P<*hIhs vr*n, £panhls Quadragefimale, Hagenau, 1 501 , Sermo 5, De Cufto- Wan,Anno diaquinqueSenfuum, Sermo 7, De Cuftodia Auditus; 14^0. & Sermo io5De Cuftodia TacTus. The 3 5.is UWichaet i 1- Michael Lochmair3$ertnoii9 Hagenaw i$5o9Y,Z; Sermo 33, ^nnoT^ F1G,HiSermo38JK;Seimod*,L;Sermo65?Z;& io<5,F ^. Antdus The $6.is fol:I»3,I M» The 41. is ^Alexander Nydcr.Aano «b tAlextndro, Genialium Dierum lib: 3 , c*9, Hanouiar " J°* i6io,fol:i35,'3^&^>c:8,fol. 280,281. Thesis ^S^ L^w«/r^^,NotacinAuguil:inumJDeCivitatcDei Anno M TO# l.i,c.30,to ^4,&1.2,c.i,to i6,&c.I.8,c.37;&DeCau- 42.Lcdovicus (is Corruption* s Artium, lib.*, Edit; i6u,p.8i,8?. Viv«,Anno Tttta The'^o. 6p2 HiflrioMajltx. Part. i. 4?. Polydor Virgil, Anno 1 5 10. 44« Ioannis Aventmus, Anno 1 fio. 4?.Epifcopus Chemnenfis , Anno i?$o. 46» Coccius #abellicus , Anno if $0. 47.Stephanus Cofta,Anno if 4* 48. Nicola us Ploue,Anno M4o. 49. Mr. Iohn Calvin,Anno 1540. K o.Cornelius Agrippa^Anno 5».RaduIphus Gaalthcr , Anno 1^48. 5 i.Martin Bu- cer,Anno 1550 5^. Peter Mar- tyr, Anno 1 J 50 54. Olaus Magnus,Anno 1550. The 45. is Tolydortis Virgilius, De Inventoribus Rem, 1604, 1.53c.i,2,p.38o,to 589. &1.3,ci3,p. 251,257. The 44. is Ioannis ^Aventinus, Annahum Boiorum,, Ba- filecE i59°>lib 7,pag.5 36,& 6(j3. The45- is Spfdopus Chemnenfis, Onus Ecclefiae, 1 5 3 1 ,c. 2 3 , feil. I, fol.4 3 % cap. 27,ied.i5, 16,17,18/0!. 53, &cap. 2 8,feft. 6, fol. 54. The 45. is rJA£arc: <*sfntoniHs Cocciu* Sabellicus M* neadis 231.9,Bafileae 1538^.299,1. 4, p. 2qo. j£neadis 4,1.1^.482,1.3,^.508. 7Eneadis5)lib.4,p.73o»74^Jib. 7^.799. i£neadis7,1.2,p.2oi,203,lib.i, p.i9i: where he lliewes at large, how Stage-playes were originally devoted to the Roman Idol-Gods, who exacted them at their hands to their great expence. The 47. is Stepha- nas Cofta, De Ludo Traftatus\ num*3 ,4,9, 1 2,14,1:0 25. inTra&at.Tra l5%, 159,160. The 48. is 2(ico/aHsrP/oueiDQ Sacra- mentis, Ibid.Traclar.Tracl:atuum, pars 8. p. 5 x, fed. 3. The 49. is reverend UWr. Iohn Calvin, Sermo 126, in Deut. 22,5. & Epiftola Facillo, Operum Geneva? 1607* Tom.6,pars 2, Col. 92,94- See Sermo 70,79* & 80, in lib. lob. The 50/ is Henricus Cornelius Agrippa, De VanitateScientiarum,cap.2o,59, 63,64, &71. Colonise 1 58 1. The 5 1. is learned and \zbovi\is Radolphtts G natter, H6.ii.in Nahum 3.f.2i4,2iDeRegno Chrifti Sernpi- terno, lib. 2, cap. 54. where he condemnes all popular Stage-playes, though he feemes to allow of academical! with fome reftriclions. The 53. is acute and learned Peter CMartyr, Locorum Communium, ClaiTis 2, cap* ii,fccT.62,66 c.r2,fe& 15,19- & Commentary upon Iudgesjn the Engjifh tranflation, p. 2 14,21 5. The 54. isO/ans Lftiagnns, Archbifhop of Vplalis, Hiftoria, Bafilea? 1 567 ,lib.i 5,010,11,12,13,31, to 35: where he notably cenflues all amorous lafcivious ribaldry dan- ces, pictures, fbngs and muficke, together with Stage- playes and common Actors; taxing all fucb Princes and Great ones> who harbour thefe lewd Players in their Courts pART. i . Htftrio-Maftix. 69^ \ Courts or territories, or tollerate theirtnteriudesa- mong the vulgar. The 55. is Petrus Crab, in his ieve- 5f. Pctms ! rail forealledged Councels: See Scene 3, in the margent. Crab> Anno The 56. is Francifcus loverim, San&iones Ecclefiafti- 'j*?* .f lc.a?tam Synodica? quam Pontificis, Panfijs 1555, Ciaf- rovcriu",Anno fis i,iol: 61: 156, Claris 2, fol.5,6, & 27. The 57. is 1^4. ; Henry Stalbridge: his Exhortatory Epiftle to his deare- s7.Henry StaL \\y beloved Country of England, againit the pompon* blldSe> Anno Popiih Bilriops thereof.- as yet the true members of '** - ! their filthy Father, the great Antichrilt of Rome: prin- ted at Bafil 1556/01.18, where he wrices thus. So long 1 as minftrels and "Players of Snterltides flayed lies 3 and fnngbawdy fongs, blasfheme&God, and cor rapt ed mens I confidences, the Popijh Prelates never blamed therru, but were well content ,&c. The 5 8. is Andreas Frifetts , De * 8. Andreas RepublicaEmendanda.Bafile* 1.559. l.i3c.6,p.2^cap. Frifius,Anno l7,p.<52,63,cap.7,p.25326Jcap,23Jp. 90, &lib.2 cap. M5 " 1 1 , p. 1 5 2: where he condemnes all Srage-playes, dan- cing, dicing, and fcurrilous fongs and Eiiteriudes as un- fiifFwrable evils in any Chriftian well-ordered Common- Weale. The 59. is reverend ^Matthew Tarker, Arch- <9 Matthew bifliop of Canterbury, De Antiquitate Ecclefiae Britta- Parkcr>Anno nicac, 1572^^.445. The 60. is pious and learned Tho- ^°jhomas mas 'Beacon, his Catechifme, in his Workes , London Beacon,t\nna 156*4, part 1, fbU 341, 3 55) ? 61, 3 6 6,400,486. where 1560. he condemnes, not onely all Dicers, Card-players and Gamefters, but even Stage-players too,as theeves ; ft- vcrely cenfuring Dancing, Stage-playes, Enterludes , fcurrilous fongs and Play-bookes, as the fomentations of lewdneffe, the occafions of adultery, and things alto- gether misbefeeming Chriftians, especially on the Lords day, which they moft execrably prophane. The 61. is ^i.Theodorus Theodora Batfamon, Canones Apoftolorum et Conci- AnaoTAo. liorum, Parif: i62o,p.2 17^0224 284^0 288,422,423 6*58,659. The 62. isflaftdius irfenctus, in Epift:i,ad <**• Claudius Timotheum, Lutecia? 1 561, c.2,p-44, H:c. 4,p.88,G: c. ^fpenca5U6s^ jjp.ioijA^Digreffionuml^jC^, p.202,203. The nn015 fc Tttt3 *h 65^4 Hijim-Maftix. , P a rt . i . usCarranzTf ^3* is BartfalmeHs farranza , Summa Conciliorum, Anno ij 60/ Parifi/s 1624, in the places forequoted, Scene 3 . The 64. Franciicus 64. is Francifctts Zephyr us , Epiflola Nuncupacoriain Zcphyru^ , Apolog. Tertulliani adverfus Gentes, apud Terculliani ^George °Ptra ' 5*6/1*001.2^.550, to j $5- and Commentanirj Alicy3An,i0iTertuI; Apologiam^bi^p.^i, 626,627. The65. is 66. Lauremius learned George ssf Hey, BiQnop of Exeter, and Divinity Sin ius, Anno Leclurer at Paules,in the fecond ytare of Queene E l 1- V66~ ,. ZABETHsrai^ne, In his Poorc Mans Library, London Rhodi^uis, 1 S 7 ■ , part 1 M- 1 3 , 3 9, ; & £01.46,47: where he notably . Anno 1566. dedaimes againftT lay -bookes, andSmge-flajes, as the c8. Iohn Bo- fomentation, the fire andfewe/l of mens lufts, the occafion aiine ,An.i 566. of adultery^ other intollerablc evils among fchriftians or 9;Flac'usll»^£^^^hc 66ds Lanrentius Sarins ,in his forequoted i :i66. 3 Councels, Colonic Agrip. 1 567 . See Scene 3 . The 67. 70. Ioannis is C alius Rhodiginus, Antiquarum Lectionuoi, 1 5 99J. 8, . Wigandii*. c.7,8. Col.355,3 54* The 68. is IohneBodtnethis Com- 7 1. Matthxus mon-weaIe,1.6,c. 1, London 1606,^644,645. See here 7 i.Tafiliui P;*8 3 • 484- T he 69, 70, 7 1 , 72 , are i7*«*j /£;r#V*,, Faber. Ioannis Wigandus^Matthens Judex, and Hafilins faber: 7?.Theodorus in their CenturiatEcclefiafticae, 1564,8^;. Centuria*, Zulngcr.Anno Col.266,Z79,28o.Centur.3,Col.i 41,142. Cent.4, Col. M7o. 458,857. Cent.J,Col.72i, i509>&Cent.9,Col. 259, ^rtochinu" l60m ?hc7S.isTheodorusZuingertThemumvhxhu- AnnoiV74.* man*, Bafiles 1 $70,vol. 12,1.^.1834, 183 5. The74- 7f. Petrus de is Ioannis Bertochinus, Repertorium Bafilex i574^pars Primaudayc, 2>pag 5^ Hiftrio. The 75. is P^r^j de Trimaudaye, A^nAnt5nfus m ^s Frenc^ Academy, London 1618, cap. 20, p. 205, 8. The 77. is Iaannit ~An.ai " o Sim[erHS> in Exodumxap. 32, Tiguri 1 $84lp. 1 56. The 79. GiH>crtus 78. is Andreas Hyperius,Dc Ferijs Bacchanalibus, Bafi* Gencbrardus, lea? 1580. The 79- is Guilbertus Genebrardus, Chroni* 1580. con, Lugduni 1609, Iib.*,p.2i23& 3i4.The 80. \sPa*. So.Pdulo ian* i0 ^mceiett0) inftitutiones Iuris CanonicLlib^Tit. De C*Z°/A™° Euchariftia Pa rt. i . Hiftrio-Maftix. 695 Euchariftia,Lovani; 1578^.269,270. The 81 AsPetrus 81. Perms Berchorins, Di&ionarij five Repertorij Moralis, Vene- ^erchoriu»» n;si583,pars2,Tir.Ludcre>p.428: &DcEpifcopis AnnoI.<8'- inTraftatuTraclatuum,pars4, fol.25, num.ioi. The 8 2. is Lambertus Damns, De Ludo Alea?5 cap. 5 , et E- 8 * *am*>mus thic* Chriftiana^l.2, c.8, in his Opufc. Theolog. Gene ^»*»^n™ vse 1583^.107. lYitfy.isIoanncs LanghecruciMS, De 85. Joannes Vitaet HonedaceEcclefiafticorum, Duacii588,hb.2, Langheaucius c.i i3i 2,20,21 .where he copiouily cenfures Playes and Atlno »5»». Play-haunters out of LacTantius, Cyprian with other Fathers and Councels. T he 84. is T>idacut Dc Tapia3 84. Didacus inTertiam partem divi Thomas, Salamanca: 1589, p. De Tapia , 545,545. See here p. 483,484. The 85. is Tetrus Op. Anno I,** meertts, Opus Chronographicum Orbis Vnivcrfi, Ant- mceru"Aano" werpiae 161 i,p.i 86,185. Seeherep.48i# The 86. is, i$9o. 5 'Barnabas Briffonins, Commenrarius De Speftaculis in **. Barnabas Cod.Theodofij,Honovia2i6oo,p. 2o8ato2io, where Bridbnius, he largely difcourfeth againft Stage-playes , producing nno ' *?°* (undry paffages out of Tertnkian, Cyprian, Lattantius, Chryfofiome, and other Fathers, to teftifie their unlaw- fclneffe, and lewd mifchievous erTedrs. The 87. is / An* clatus de SpecTaculi*, profeifedly written againft Stage- 5 playes,where he proves their unfufferabie naughtineffe, and unlawfiilnefle both by Councels, Fathers, and Hea- then Authours. The 88. wTctrm JV^An. i<9o. iplayes, and fuch like Enterludes.. The 89. is ? turns 89.GregTho- GregoriusThofolanus, Syntagma luris Vnivern\Franec. ,£™s> Anno l5P9,Iib.39,cap.5. The 9.0, is learned esfridt JMontn- 9o.An'asMon- ntts, De Varia Republic*, Sive Commentaria in lib. Iu- tanus,i 19c. dicum,Antwerpia;i59x»cap.i^,p.568,to575.The9i. 9i.fuftu$Up- is lHJtns Lipfins, De Gladiatoribus lib: & De Amphi- >™M^9°» theatro lib: Antwerpia? 1 584. where he not onely de- fcribes at large the formes and feverall fabrickes of The- atres , Scenes and Amphitheaters,together with the dc- tcftableneffe of Sword-playes andfuch like Amphithe- atricall 6g6 Htftrio-Maflix. Part, i atncall ipedacles,but iikewife inveigheth againft Itag playes too, The 9*. is Rodolphus Hefpinianus, De Ori« gineFeftorum,Tiguii i593,cap:22. rbl.118, 119, ijif ,52>I5 ?• The 9 3 . is faro/us Sigonius, Hiftoria de Oc- cidental Imperio, Franec: 1593. lib. i,p. 3 2. See here p. 482. The 94. is Erafmus Marbachius, Comment, in Deutr.22.v.j. Argentorati i597-p-2I7>2'8. Thesis Lauremms rBochetlusy Decreta Ecclefia? Callicana?, Pa* rifijs 1599. iib.6. tit.19. and in fundry other places al- ready quoted, Scene 3 Xw the margent. The 96. is Don Antomo de Guevara^ his Diall of Princes, Booke 3. cap. 43- to 48. London 1616. p.509. to 522. wherethe in- tolerable miichiefes that Players and Playes occafion are anatomized to the full, and their unlawfulneffe ma- nirefted by the teftimony of heathen Authours.The 97. is that laborius Roman Hiitorian Cardinall 'Baronius^ Annales EcdenVifticse, Colonise Agrip. 16*09. Anno 1 to; led. 30. Auno 179. feet. 47. Anno 201. feet. 34. Anno 2o6.fect-4. and in fundry other places. The 98. is that famous Popifh Cardinall Robertus Bellarminus, Con- cio 6. De Dominica 3 . Adventus, et Concio 9. de Do- minica QuinquagefimXjOperum Colonic Agrip. 16 17 torn. 6. Col. 60,61,104, 205. where he cenfures ftage- playes and dancing as unlawfull unchriftian Paftimes,e£ pecially on Lords-day es and holy-day es. The 99. is Thomas ZeruU, Bifliop of Beneventum , Praxis Epit copalib. Vene ljs 1 599. pars i.tit. Ludus fol.141. The 100 is Onitphritts P anuinius Veronenfis 3 De Ludis Qr- cenfibus. Venetijs 1600. lib. 1. cap, 1,2, 3, 4. et lib. 2. p. 1 20. to 1 3 6. where he at large relates the idolatrous hea- thenifh Originail of Cirque-playcs and Stage-playes, which he there profeffedly coildemnes,quoting St.Cj* priany and Tertullian^ De Spectaculis , againft them, which bookesare there verbatim tranfcribed.The 10 1. is Paulus Windecke, Theologia Iurifconfultorum, lib.i 91. Rodolphus Hofpinianas , A1110 1 595. 93 .CarolusSi" gonius,Anno 1595- 94. Erafmu's Mdfbachius, 9i, Laurentius Kocheiius, An. *S9«, 96. Anr. Gue- vara,An,i6oo. 97»Baronius, Anno 1 600. 98.Bcllarminc, Anno 1600. 99 Thomas ZeruIa,Anno 1600 ioo,Onuphri= us, Anno i6oot lot Paulus Windcckc , Anno 1 604. x02.BuIenge- rus,An,i6otf. Locus 38. Colonise Agrip. 1604. p. 1 10,1 1 1« The I02.is Julius fafar BnUngcrus^ De Circoet Ludis Qrcenfi- bus, Part. Hiflrio-Maftix. 697 bus, De Venatione Cirri, & de Thcatro &c. Opufculo- rum Tom.2. Lugduni idi Lp.-71.to 90.De Theatro lib. I. throughout, eipecially cap. 5o,& $ 1 , De Scense et Or- cheftrae obfcenitate, & de Infamia Theatri .• in which boo*es, he not onelyat large relates theOriginall of Cirque-playes3 Sword-playes and Stage-playes , toge- ther with the feverall formes and parts of Theatres , Scenes and Stage-playes , with the feverall forts of A- dors, and all other Stage-appurtenances , it being the beft difcourle in this nature that I have hitherto feene ; but he likcwife peremptorily cenfures Stage-playes (a- gainft which he produceth fundry Fathers , Councels and Authorities) as intolerable ^polluted Spectacles, which misbefeeme all Chriftians. The 103. is Franca 1>e Croy, his Firft Conformity, printed in Englifh,Lon- don 1620, cap: 19,20. The 104.1s Severinns Binius, in his forealledged Councels. See Scene 3. in the margent. The 105. is Gentiamts H printed 1 625. and dedicated to the Parliament : Vcrrutius3Lex. (all Englifli Treatifes profeffedly written againft Stage- icon Vtriufquc playes by Englifli men, and publiftied by authority, dus1S&M ^U wn*cn * would defire our Players, our Play-haunters to ma:who there Pcr"fe at leifure: ) Mr.OJmund Lake , his Probe Theo- condemnc logicall upon the Commandements , London 1 61 z, p. both Stage- 167, to 272. and thofe 30 other forequoted Englifli players and Writers, (pag. 485, 486,487,488.) whofe names and witlf'Budxus workes I pretermit : all which being put together, a- Gothefrcdus/ niount to 1 50 in the totall fumme. Thefe 1 50 modcrne $c others here- Chriftian famous Writers,! fay,with (b)fundry others after quoted , wh6 1 pretermit; have in their recited works,by a con- ^sT Aaf*-*' ^ant un*ntcn uPte^ fiicccflion from the yeare of our Scene 8.5c Aft Lord 1 200, to this prefent 9 unanimoujly oppugned and "»cbriftian, heathenifi Speslacles, notfuferablein *7' any Chrtftian Church or State $ handing all (d) Stage* players , Pa rt. i . Hiftrio-Maflix. . 6 99 players for gracelejfe Jewd infamous mifcreants,who ought to ve excommunicated ipf of atto both from the Church, the Sacraments, and all Chriffian fociety , till they have whol- ly renounced their diabolic all vile prof efft on , and given pub like tefiimony to the world, both of their reformation and fmc ere repentance. And as ail thefe recited Writers, even fo our owne CMagtflrates, our Vniverftties, and all our faith full Minifiers, both in their pub like Sermons , and private difcourfes , together with all godly zealous Chriflians pom age to age, have pajjed the very felfe- fame doome and verdift againft ^layes and *P layers, as I have ( e ) elfewhere largely proved , and our owne e \&6.Sccm % experience can fufficiently teftifie. If then all thefe Pro- p.48^ to 49 8. tcftant and Popifh Authours, Magiftrates,Minifters and Aft. 7. Scene*, godly Chriftians, both at home and abroad , have fuc- pi^je before D. ceflively from age to age, from yeare toyeare,thus pub- Rainolds Over! likely, thus profeffedly condemned Stage-playes , both throw ofStago by their words and writings, as moft pernicious evills 5 piay« » and and that not coldly or flightly, but with the very height '* t^"of the ofzealeandearneftnelTe; dare any Chriftian now be fo "now for perverfely obftinate, fo Angularly wilfiill,fo defperatcly Aftorsaccor- audacious, as ftill to magnifie, frequent, or patronize dingly. them ? Never, I dare confidently averre, was any one thing whatfoever (except onely fomegrofle notorious finne againft the exprelfe law of God and nature) fo u- niverfally, abundantly ,profefledly condemned by Coun- eels , Fathers , Chriftian and prophane Emperours , Princes, Magiftrates, States, and Writers of all forts, all ages, all places whatfoever, as Stage-playes , againft /See Cyprian which the (f) Fathers of olde, and many Chriftians of & Teitullian, late have written whole Treatifes, ISookes and Volumes DeSpcftacu- with foch affeclion and acumen, that wee (hall never J*1*- ?alvia" r j , n . . ' . . de Gubernan, nnde them more lharpe and piercing, more vehement, Dcilib.6.Au- elegant,and divinely rhctoricall, than in their Imprefli- guftinc DeCi- ons againft Stage-playes, wherein they farre tranfeend Tit.Dei lib 1,*. themfelves. Yea fuch hath beene the harmonious una- a"d. °thcrs m nimity of Writers in condemning Stage-playes , and ^phcwT^ Vvvv t Aftors, 7co Hiftrio-Majtix. Part, v ^Afo I$>.24, aj,&c. £SccDr.Rai- nolds his O- verthrow of Stage piayes, where his words are ci- ted and an- swered » In his two Epiftles to Dr. Raiaolds 0= vcrthrow of Sta§e.playes, J^Ethicorum , ].ic.8.&Po« lit.l.5.cap.8. / In his Over- throw of ftagc- playe*. m Sec the Epia file before Dr. Kainolds his Overthrow of Stage-playes accordingly. Actors, that I never met with any Chnftian or Hea- then Autrnur (Lodge onely and Haywood two Eriglifh Players excepted ) chac durft .publikely pleade in any printed worke for popular Piayes and Actors. It is true, that thefe two Players Lodge & Haywoodyxhc firft of them in his Tlay ofTlayes,the latter in his Apologie for Colors, thruft out in print by Health , perceiving Play-houfes, Piayes and Actors to grow into difgrace by reafon of fundry pious Bookes that had becne writ- ten againft them, by cJWr. 2{orthbrooke, UWr. ffojfon, CMr. Stabs yDr. Rainolds, and others fbrcrecited; un- dertookethe patronage of Piayes and Players (*&(g) Demetrius and his fdver-fmithes did the defence of their great Diana and her filver (brines) for their owne pri- vate ends , it being the craft by -which they got their wealth and living.But their ridiculous Player-like Pleas, favouring of nought but paganifme,ignorance and folly, were no f boner publimed by connivance,but they were prefently fo foledly refuted, (the firft of them, by ^Mrm Stephen (/*Jfon, a penitent Play-Poet, in his Tlajes con- futed in 5 iAHions\ the latter by I:G: in his Refutation of the asfpologie for csittors, London 161$. bothpub- lifhcd by authoritie : ) that they durft not , yea they could not (ince replie unto them, there being fo much againft Piayes and Players in all writers, all ages, (b lit- tle (and that little as good as nothing) for them , that it is not onely booteieffe, but impious and abfiird , for any to indeavour their defence, which (h) Dr% Gager, (i) Dr. Gentiles, and (kj Dr. Cafe, who writ fame- thing in behalfe of academicall Stage-playes onely , (m which argument they were likewife fo utterly foyled and overthrowne by that ornament of our Church and Nation , {l)Dr.Rainolds^ they were glad to yeeld the wallers to him,to m)chmge their opinions ,& fet downe with lofte;) durft never undertake; they all condemning popular Plaics and Plaiers , even in their Apologies for private academicall Entcriudes. Let therefore the nu- merous Part. i# Hiftrio-Maftix. . y0f merous concurring refolutions of all thefe learned emi- nent approved Authors, whofe fingle opinions wee highly eftimate in moft other thin%$f(n)overbaltance the n Hom|ni mcn. prejudicatc erronious inconfiderate private and fubi- tepnedkopau- tanc Opinions of all ignorant novices, or lafcivious in- ci fapientes , judicious Players or Play -haunters whatioever, who mulns infipi- are fo prepotfeffed, fo befotted with the love of thefe ^ntibu8ma|> moft finfollpleafures, that they are altogether unable to %Zmhs^m. judge rightlie of them : And let us chufe rather to judge fofwmj.z^u aright of Plaies and Plaiers, with ail thefe worthie Sa- ges, than to erxe with novices, children, fooles,or lewd ones, who for want of grace and rectified judgements, are (0) unable to difcerne betweene goedand w/Zjcontra- $ Hebr. <, 14, £Hng the ftimme of all our prefent Refolues into this 50 Play-refelling Syllogifme. That which above 150 moderne P rot eft ant and Popijk Arff!im *0 Writers of all forts, of our orvne and other Nations* ° together with many learned godly UWinifters and private (fhriflians have profejfedly written, prea- ched, declaimed againfi fronu time to time , with an unanimous confent, without any publike oppofiti- on or controll ; muft certainely bee execrable, un- feemely, unlawfull unto Chriftians* Witnejfe, Mat- thew *?. i, 3. Luke 10. 16. 1 Corinth. 10. 32, 33. Hebr.13. 17. 1C0r7.15.c9.13. Ephef.5. M.cap.6.1,2. 1 Pet. 5. 5. But above 150 moderne Proteflant and Popijb Writers of all forts as well domefticjue as forraigne, together with many learned godly iJWinifters and private (fhriftians, have profefedly written, preached, de- claimed againfi Stage-play es fronu time to time, (even fronts *s4nno 1 200, till now;) and that with a moft unanimous confent, without any publike op- pofition or controll : Witnejfe the premifes* Therefore, they muft certainly be execrable, ufeemely* unlawfull unto Qhriftians. Vvvvj Actvs 702 Hijlrio-Majlix. Part.i. ■ 6. 4©. Heathen Writers and Philofophers againft Stage- playes and A&ors. • In/anifapi. cnSj nomen ferta?quusini- qui, ultra quS fatis eft virtu- tem fi petatip- fam. Hordttm EfiFi.t.i.Efill.6 f Nonideo bo- nus Caius et prudens Luci- us quia Chrl- ftianus : Vt quifquc no- mine Chriftis anicmendatur offendit. Ter* tuU'uni Apologi* adrerf. Gent a eap.z^. 5 iPer. 2.16*. i. Socrates, Anno Mundi, 3 ? 9°. aut eo «irc(tcr; AcTVS 7. SCENA SEXTA. BVt it may be fome rafli Play-houfe ccnfiirers, out of their grofle prophanefTe, will be ready to ccn- furcall the fore-all edged Fathers and moderne Chrifti- ftian Authours, for ( 0) Puritans or Trecifians , and fo blow away all thefe their authorities at one breath , the very title ofa Puritan (as of olde the( p)name of a ChrU • ftian) being fufficierit to daft, to blaft them all I (hall therefore in the next place controll the (q ) madnejfe of thefe AntipuritanPlay-proftors with a fquadron of fuch Play-condemning Pagan Philofophers, Orators, Hift rians and Poets, as the very Divcll himfelfe dares not brand for Puritans, though perchance fome defperatc Players or Play-haunters will, againft all fence and rea- fon, becaufe they are better than thetnfelves. I (hall be- gin with Heathen Philofophers, Orators, Morralifts, and then proceed to Hiftorians and Poets, whofe name; and workes I (hall onely quote for the molt part, with thofe Editions which I follow; becaufe I have recited raoft of their words at large, *Acl.6. Scene %.& $.p. 365.^3 7i.c£*44O.f0 45 o.cr Attje.Scen&.p.l^s.to 25*. on which you may caft backe your eyes. The firft Play- condemning Heathen Philofopher is Socrates, the very wifeft Heathen,by the exprefle verdi<5t of the Delphian Oracle, (witneife Tlato his Socratis Apologia, p. 12. & Diogenis Laertij, Socrates : ) who condemned Comedies and S t age-play es, asperniciottf, lafcivious vanities^ refft* [ing to report to Anflophanes his Come die s^& per fuading the Athenians -with all the Cjracians to abandon ComicaS Play -Potts, which they did accordingly : for which fee, Plato his Socratis Apologia, p. 22. Viogenis Laertij So* crates ' Part, i . Hiftrio-Maftix. 70? crates : ULlian VarU HiflorU, L %% c. ig. Volateranm \ Comment ariornnu lib :%g.fol: 113.^- Plutarcb:De Glo- ria tAthcnienfiHvru, lib:p:$i^ The 1* is lfocrates, that *. Ifccratci, famous Oratour, Oratio ad Nicoclcm, Editione Crif- Anno 36JC# pinii6i9.p.4534^47-&OratioDePace,p.32i. The %Plato#Anito 1 3. is that incomparable Philofopher Plato, who baniihed ^u [all Players and Play-Poets with thtir Stage-playes out i of his Common weak. De Republica, Dialog, 2. Opera i^Lat. Bafilea? 1561^.580,581. Dialog. 3. p 585,586, &c. Dialog.io. p.696,6p7. Legum: Dialog. 2. p. 8oo, 801, (8o2.Dialog.3.p.8ii.Dialog.7.p.87o,to877. SeeAu- jguftine De Civit.Dei,!; 2^:14,1*8^: 13: 14. Cicero Tufc |Quaeft:l.-i,p:449: and here p:448, accordingly. The 4. . is Arifiotle, the moft eminent of all Plato his fchollers, 4- Ariftotte , land the Coryphaeus of all Heathen PhylofophersiPoliti- * 4°* I corum lib.7, c:7,& l-S^c^^and 7.Francofurti idoi« 1 Rhetorics 1: 2,c:6, p; 1 36,1 37. Hanouiae 1 606: & Pro- f Mematum 1: 3, quoted by Gellius3Noctium Attic: 1: 20, Jc.*4. The 5. isGorgias, whofe cenfure of Play it and £j\5£J' * I Tragedies for meere impostures &c. is recorded by Plu- jtarch, De Audiendis Poetis lib: p: 26. The 6. is M: 6. Cicero, Ar, Tullius ficero, the Prince of Roman Orators, Oratio !9°4« I pro Pub: Quinctio,ifj his workes Aurelise Alobrogum, 1 do 8 , torn: 1 ,p: 1 1 5 ♦ Epift: lib: 7, ad Marium. Epiit. 1 9 f tom.i,p:5 3.Tufculanarum Quseft: I: *, pag: 449, & lib: 1 4jpag-47i,47 3- De Legibus lib.i. pag. 593 •& lib.2.p. 4 598* B,C. & De Republica lib. 4* quoted by St. Augu- 1 ftine De Civit.Dei 1. 2.09. The 7«is Lu; Annans Seneca, 7.Seneca, An. I the divincft and moft abfolute heathen Morralift^Epift. 4©*<>. \ 7.90,122, ix$«Opera Colonic Alobr. 161 4^.154,155, 3 77,&c. 50 5 . & Naturalium Quaeft.l.7. c.3 1,3 2* p.95 2, 951* De Vita Beata, 012,13,14. ^3^637. DeBre- i vitatc Vitas 012.^707, 708. &Controverfiaruml.i. Proarmium p. 9S6&67. The S. is vfulus CfelliusyHo- 8.AuIusGel«- aiumAtticaruml.2ox.4.Edit.i59i.p.^44^45. The u,^*°s'sc- 9.is C. Tlinins SecundHs^zXtiXiXis Hiftorise 1.36.c#i5- cundus, An* Colonic Alobr.i^i6.p.4o4,&l.io.c.5i*P-500.Epifto- 4070. bran 7°4 Hiftrlo-Maflix. Part.i. io. p. iSy, larum lib.4. Epiftola 22. Colonise Alobr. 1610. p. i8yj 1 86, 1 87. & Panegyric : Trajano di&us, p. 3 8, 45* See herepag. 462,463. The 10. is CWacrobius tAmbro- fltu aAurelianus , De Somno Scipionis, lib. i* Edit. 1607^.20. SaturnaliorumU.c.i.&7. p. 3 86,3 8 7,408. to4ii. &1.3.cap.i4. p-45^.to46o. Then. isCMar- cus zAurelius Antonius, that worthy Roman Emperor andPhi'ofopher, in his Epiftie to Lambert: Epift. 12, in the Booke intituled M: Aurelius 5 where it is recor- ded : and in Guevara his Diall of Princes, 1. 3. 045,46^ 47. See here p. 3 18, 319,463,464. The 12. is'Athc- »4!/*/,Dipnofophiftarurril.2. ex. Edit. Bafileae, 1556. p. p.67.1,6*. c. 1 . p. 3 64.I.4.C. 1 7* p.249, 250. 1. 5 .C4. p. 3 14, togip.l.ii.c.g.p.734. SeeLi2.c.7,83p,io. &c.i3.p, 841* &c. 18,19,20. i.i3«c.27.&i.'4«c-7«toi4- Th 1 3 . is Diodorus Siculus, Bibliothcca? Hiftoria?, I.4 .fe< 3,4,5,6,7.Hanoviac 161 Lp.202.to 206. The 14.1s Dj onyfius Hallicarnajfeus, Antiqu.Romanoruml.2. fecfh 3^ Edit.i5po.p.i^7?i38.c.5.p.i 51,152. &I.7. feet. x. p. 6 34.»See lib. 2. c. 8. p. 1 9 5, 1 96>i97- & 1. 7. fed. 9. p. 700, to joy. where he defcribes at large, how the Roman, and Cjracians fpent their holy-day es in dances and Stage* playes, which they dedicated to their Idols, as a fpectai part of their worjhip andfervice 5 which Idols had thei Saii/, Curetes, Ludiones, Hiitriones, their dancing Stnge-playing ^Priefls devoted to their fervice : their Cir- cenfesand The atr ales Pomp*: et Spe&acula (lb. p. 197,709, 712,714,7x5.) as this Authour oft times 1 ftiles them; an infallible evidence, that Stage-playes are 1 the very(ivel: which Playes, faith this Authour (p. 709) were antiquated and abolished by the Lacedemonians ', though fome other Greekes and the and* ■■ i ent Romans out of a fuper flit ion to their Idols who exa* » . tied them at their hands tdidfii/l retaine them. The I $.is f.Cri/pus Saluftius, an ancient Roman Hiftorian,In his Bellum Catilinarium, Opera: Colonia: Agrip. 1615. p. i^*3.&BellumIugurthinum;p.i59.The i6.is Valerius LMaxiMHS, icMacrobius, An.4100. 1 1. M. Aurelius An.4150. ia.AthenaJus, An.4150. 1 ?. Diodorus Siculus, An. 39° *• i4.Diony(Ius Hallicarnaffeus An. 3904. e See here p. 41 todi, & $61, to 568. X f. Saluftius, An«j9o6". x 6. Valerius Maximus,An. S990. 1 Part, i , Hiftrio-Ma/lix. 705 LMaximus, lib. i. cap. 4. & cap.6*. fed, 7. *RapheIcngi; idi2.p.5^,57,58,59/o.&I.6.c.3.fed.i2. p*237. The 17. is 77f#/ Livius Patavinus, that exce lent Roman 1 7. Tims jciri- Hiftorian, Hiftorix I.7. fe(5l.2,3.Francofurti 1600. p. us>An.4oio. 255,256. The 18. is Corneliut Tacit us , Annahuml. 1. iS.ComTaci* fecl.i4.EdiM6i4.p.4^45. l-4.fecl:.3.p.i 39,140.1.14. tusiAa.4070. " fecl.»,?«p,3oi.toSoj«l.i5.fcd-ii.p.36o.l.i6.fcd:.i. p»366,367«Hi{toriael.2. fecl.22. p.48 1 48 2. De Mori- bus Germanorum, l.fed«6.p.6 15.6c De Oratoribus Di- alogue fecfh 14,1 5 j6-p.6"79^ 1,68 2. which Dialo^^^ though fathered upon him by fome , is yet attributed nd that truly to fguintilian , (a j 9. Heathen Authour) T 9. Quio&ili- by moft : where, as he complaines of the effeminacie an, 40*0. and lafcivioufneffe of Orators language in thefe words. f Scc &cm* 1 •* {T^eejHc enim oratoriusy immo hercttle ne virilis quidem E*?°* 2,8>9' ?///*#/ */? ^f«(7 plerique temporurru noftrorurru atlores ita , ^ j^"s V ,?" tuntur Ht lafcivia verborum-> >et levitate fententiarunu, ifav ^. t y. t licentia compoptionis , hiftrionales modo exprimant , lam, 4, 3,4. qttodque vix audita fas ejfe debeat, laitdis et gloria et in- l Tim. 5 10. r*»jf loco plerique ja$ani,canmrtfaltarique comment*- z£ * *£" r*. Stag e-playes : which he thus notably expreffeth. Qui* crobius Satur* enirru ignorat et eloquentiam^ et c&teras artes defcivijfe nalior.l.^c 1 r, b ifla veteri gloria ynon inopia hominurru, fed defidia ju~ lM4<.Anftotle vent ut is, et neglioentik parentuyru, et infeientia pr&cipi- ° 'HcnricuT* entium->> et oblivione moris antiqui ? qu& mala primunu Stephan us Ho- mi urbe natajnox per Italianufufajam in provincias ma- rodoti Apolo. nant &c. lam primumfuus cuiquefilius ex cafla parente g" P*4^. Cafe fiatus, non in cella empta nutricis , fed gremio ac ftnu )l" 'J'aqG* (r)matrit educabatur, cujus prtcipua laus eraty tueri do- ^tn infinite* fathers : that ali women that have mHke ought to nurfe their o\vr>e ch^drenj becaufe (God hath given them breafts for that purpofc j becaufe all other oeaturcs that hare Xxxx nmnu, j o 6 Hiftrk-Mafttx. P art . r milkc girc murruet infer vire liber is. Eligebatur autemaliqna ma- fucke unto jor n(ltH propmqua cujus probatis jpeftatifque moribut their ownc:be- omnes CH]HrqHam famili* foboles committer etur , coram fe^ne of unni- ^Ha m*lue dicere fas erat dfuoa turpe aUtu, nequejacere turalncflcaad quodinboneftum fycluvideretur. oSfcnon fludta, mo do want of love to curafq^fed remiffiones etiam lufufq ; puerorum, fanblitate their children , quadamacverecundia temper •abat&c, s^4t nnnc natns becaufe °C n' mfans dele gat ur Gr8. An.4080, 71, Tiberius fed* 43,44,47. Caligula/eft. 18319^20,21, 52,7455' 57, 58. Claudius, feci. 6,12,2 1,28 ,,3 4. Nero, fecl-i 2,1 ^15,20,21,22^23325, 26,28, 30,32,54. Vat patianus, feci. 19.& Titus/ed. 7,8,? . where he declares his diflike of Srage-playes , taxing thofevitious Empe- :rours who either aded, frcquented,or fupportcd them, and applauding fuch who did fuppreffe them. The 23. aT-D.iogcn« iscDioginesLaertiusy De Vita Philofophorum , lib. 1. '£e<£u,,An* Soton«p. 46*. The 24. is JElianns^ Varise Hiftoria?, I.2.C. 24. AElianus, i 3. Edit. 1 599. p. 3 3. to 39. where hee brings in Socra- An.4 i0e. Ites declaiming againft Come^iaHS > **. fttjricdl, inve- **• D5°n Caf- Elive, inyurous ferfons , who favour of nought that is good ausaAn«4*oc. *r prof table. The 25* is 2)*?» Cajfiusy Romance Hifto- ri^Lugdunii^p. I.42.P.312. 313, 32^.1. 49-p. 555- L 50. p. 5 58. 560. & p«*75,576« where hee ob/ecls this 0)Dancing to Antony j Quod Cleopatra ludos cum eo cur ah at: and the^eff5rCu C*"* withall hee brings in Cafar, incouraging his foldiers f^ni^to thus againft him, even from his dancing and efFemina- dance, was res cie. T^emo ^Antoniurru Cenfulerru aut Imperatorenu putcdanerTe- fuijfe , fed Gjmnaparchanu exiftimet. T^jque metuere mjnate3igno* qutfquanu debet . nets aliqmd momentum^ hello fit aHa- ?1)}!jU|S*n(f turns, &c. Fieri enim-j non poteft ut is qui regio luxui amono the° moliifteiq; muliebri indulget v'tro aliquid dignum vej con- ancient Ro- fulatvelagat. Eft enim necejfe omninout qmbns unuf- mans, and all quifque vita rationibus utiturs tarum ftmilis reddatur. dancers were t • r a /^\t>. . ~ c _ „ „ - eftecmed citi- Etemm fiquKveftrum(p) R 1 d i c vle SaltaRE, ac minatcamo. choream Bacchv ducere opus habe*ty omnino is ab et thefauros maxima s brevijjimo tempoiy of pjaycs. re exhm[it(%. notable prefldent of the prodigality and ex*J pence of Stage-playes) et demonflravit prior a, quoque */?< non jttdicio fed prodigalitate a fe facia fuiffe, &c. I pag. 629, 630* hee thus branded fa/igula for favourii Players, and a&ing Playes and Mafques himfelfc, Caius ab aurigis gladiatonbufq; regebatur , fervus hi* tPlaycs there Ttrionurru et fcenicorurru hominurru. Trag&dorunu ei iore were not e atate pri^cipenUy temper et in publico fecurru habuit, df very day acted • 1 f r - r r r La- • ; in Rome in wdefeorpm ipfe y feerftnu hiftriones , omwde* qua hu», ' thismoftvlti- jufmodi homines potentiam natti agcre aufmt , perege-- ous Princes runt : qua ad earn rem pertinebant y ipCe pernicivfifftme dayes,as they quacunqne occafione fuppedttavit Ac conftitnit , coegitqui etiam-> pr&tores ac Confutes ut ea pararent : itaque (t)fe* re quotidiefabula aliqua atla fuit. Principio ipfe jpeEla- v It is infa- tor em tantnm fe^ac auditor em prtbuit, aefiudio fuo qua* mous m this n mHS ^ tJirya hominum, aut favit cuidarru . am rtfritit^ Authors nidge. J. .. , , ' ..' . n ' , J > mentforEni ita ut *t*quanao advert arys tratns ad fpectacHCUm non tCforsorper venerit, Procedente tempore multos tmitatus efivarijs fons of quality in rebus ^ cum multis certavit ; nam et aurigavit , et pug* a°Sta n°* V 'Aft naVit ^ (v)faltavit> €t TragAdiam egit, femper hac tra- aaPJay,e*0Th ^ms xfcm*l noUuprtmorilirHS patrnm qnafi adneceffaria deliberativnem are of later gimes, Part. i. Hi(trio-Ma[lix. 709 deliberationem vocatii, coram faltavit. Which Sueto- nius thus exprefFeth. (x) Sed & aliorum generum artes x Caligula, ftudioftfjime & diverfijftme exercutt. Thrax & auriga, fe& *4> S ?• . idem cantor at que fait at or . TZatuebat pugnatorijs armi*^ aurigabat extrufto plurifariam Circo. Cantandi acfal- tandi voluptate it a ejferebaturt ut nequepublicis qmdem fpettaculis temper -aret } quo minus & fronuncianti tra- gado concineret,et geflumhiftrionis quafilaudans velcor- rigens palam effingeret: nee alia de caufa videtur ea die qua pertij, pervigilium indixijfe, quamut initium infee- i ndmprodeundi licentia temporis auffiicaretur* Saltabat autem nonnunquam etiam noUws & quondam tres confu- tares fecunda vigiUa m palatiumaccitos^ multaq; & ex- tremametuentes fuper pulpit urn coliocavit 3deinde repent e magno tibiarum drfcabellorum crepitu}cumpalla tunica-- que talari profiluity ac defaltato cantico abijt* Quorum * *vero fludio teneretur, omnibus ad infaniam favit. Jilne- flerempantomimum etiam inter jpettacula ofculabatur^t Ji qui* fait ante eo leviter obftreperet ,detrahi juffum mana fua flagellabaty&c. A good caveat for all Pagan, all Chriftian Princes and Magiftrates, to beware of being I befotted with Piayes, or Afrors as this prodigious Pa* [ ganEsnperour 8c* others were to chcir eternall infamy. vew?j^nt*: The 26.1s luftin.W ftorix\ib.6. Spii* itfio.pag. 79. |°Xs wkT I who writs thus of the miferable efTe&s of nitage-playes others * * i among the Athenians after Epaminondas his deceafe. 26. lulling An,' ! Hujui morte etiam +s4themenfium virtus inter ridit. Si- 4 no. qmdem amiJfo} quern amulari confueveranty in fegnitiem torporemquerejoluti/ton ut olim in claffem^exercitufque, fed in diesfefios, (y ) APP AR At v S QV E LudoRV M , y The proeGubernationt F>ei} \,6. and Carol u s Sigoniusy De Occident ali Imperii, Atquciwom- /. i,fi 32, informe us. See* Tuftinjib. 30.^.2^4. to the nia magnitude fame purpofe, where he taxeth Ptolomic for dancinr maSX &£*£> «»d?lf»g- Thc*7.isHerodian»s,HMo& litusnoacin lib. l.Ingolfiadtj ltfo8.p.2p,3i. 55.10 74.&I. $.p.2<*7/ ftupris, dies in to 282. Where he exceedingly cenfureth Comw°dus & conyivijscon- Antoninus the firft , for delighting m Stage-playes % fumit. ^dun- Sword-play esf AB or s^Gladiat or s ,and playing the Gladi- ta luxurijetym- *tor »*mfelfe> t0 hu perpetuall infamy and the peoples piha, & tripu- griefe, contrary to his imperiall dignity \and the earnefl in* dia; ncc iam treaty of his friends t which by confequence proved fpcfotor,R.ex ^ oecafion Qfhis untimely death: the latter for his n^uteSS. dancing & delight in Stagj-playes. ^28,29,30,31. vorunioblcaa* are Julius Capitolinus, Trebellius Fotlto, Mlius Lam* menta modu- pridius, and Flavins Vopifcus; in their fore-quoted pla- tun ces: Ad. 6. Scene*, p. 451. in the margentj where An* * • an> they condemne H^ogabalHsy Commodus, Veruslfari- aMuliui Ca- nHS>the ^ alieni^nd other RomanEmperors for fofiering pirolinns , An. ^w a*d Flayers, on whom they fpentmuch treafure Qr 4 1 00. time'y whereby they corrupted their owne, and likewife the 29. Trcbeliius peoples mindes and manners to their et em all infamy, The PalUo, Ann. ^ {$ ^mianm Marcellinus, Hift. 1. 28. 0 9, lo, Lon- \l. AElius d°n I<5°P- P- 34°> 34'j *4*- Where he firft declairaes Lampridius, againfi the Senators and Roman Cj entry, for their play- An. 4 500. haunting & dice-play ; f fc* » againfi the float h, the vanity 3 i.Flavius Vo- g. iewje yeljaviour of the commo people ywho flocked thick ^Ammianus ^threefold tothebafe fans of the Theatre, wherethe Marcdlinus, After s were fare to be hiffed by them ojfthefiage if they An. 4 3 70. had not with fome money bought the favour of the abject multitude-, which there did nought but clamour, fiout, and Part, i . Hijlrio-Maftix. JT^ and raife up tumults. The 33,34,35,36*, are OW^Htf- j3..0vid,An. race Juvenal ^ni Tropertius : 4 famous Heathen Poets, * J Horace Am who in their feverall fbrequoted places, Ad.6. Scene 3. \ ^Qk & 5^.369,370.371,452,453,454. condemne all Stage- gf.iuvenal, playes and nAttors, as int oiler able mifchiefes in a ft ate: An.4020. and at the occafions of much adultery , viliany, lewdnejfe, 3 .Pr°permus, prodigality, and the like; as their fbrequoted teltimo- n** niesmore largely prove, to which I {hall referre you. Tothefel might adde C-Velleius Pater cuius, Hift.I.i. 37.Paterculus. Francofurti, i6oi.p.i6. Taurus x\\e Phiiofopher,apud 38'Taum* Gellium, No&ium Attic. I.20.C.4. who there labours to withdraw his fch oiler front Stagelayes, with ajpeech of A- riftotle. Together with Macro the Philofopher,tutor to 1 9«Macro. Caius Caligula ; whom he difluaded from Playes and Players : as Philo ludaus , De Legatione ad Caium, p. 1 341. records: and that paflage of Tlautus , in his 4°'Plautus» Captivei Prologus ,Rapheleng\j 1609* p. 105, where he Writes thus. Profetlo expedit fabuU huic operant dare: ^nnpertr ablate faUa eft, neque idem ut cMera : Neque fburcidici infunt vtrfus immemorabiles . Hie neque per* iurus leno eft, nee meretrix mala &cm A n infallible evi- dence that mo ft Smge-playes are fraught with ribaldry; with bawdes, with whores andpanders parts 5 and that fuch Playes are lewd and vile, not fie for Pagan (much lelTe for Chriftian) Auditors, as this paflage intimates. If then all thefe 40 feveral Pagan Writers,Philofophers, Hiftorians, Poets of chiefeft note , ( which none but Atheifts,or men more deiperately wicked,dare taxe for Puritans) have thus cenfured Playes and Playqrs, as in- tolerable mifchievous evils, even inta heathen Conv monweale ; taxing all fuch for vitious unworthy per- fons, who countenance or applaud them; c^n any Chri- ftian be fo far paftiriame,paft grace, or hopes of good- neffe, as once to patronize them ? Alas, with what countenance or forehead can any Chriftian pleade for Playes or Actors as tollerable among Chriftians, which not onely Plato 3 Seneca and Tully , but even Ovid and Propertiul 7 1 2 Hijlrio-Maftix. Pa rx i z Plus cnim Propertitts too have long fince doomed, as unfit for Pa- debet Chrifti gans p YV'ith what affurance can any one fiile himfelfc faSuam*" a ( *) chrifi'a»> who in this cafe of Play es, of Actors, mundi philo- an^ fach like branded evills , comes fhort of all thefe fophus.Hi^row. Pagans i If therefore there t>e yet any fparkes of inge- Efifi.16.c4. nuity, modeity, grace orgoodneife remaining yet in nosfalvo^ctfT ^hriftians, whereby they may manifeftto themfelves quandoomnc anc* otncrs> that they are , if not farre better, yet at leaft impuritatis fee- *s good as all thefe Pagans: let them now at laft declare lusjomnisims kin abandoning, in iuppreffing Playes and Actors, pudiati* mr- which they have long fv ice ftigmatized as lcwdperni- fihnk\dmh- ci?us evils# Alas wnac an incoiicrabie eclipfeand ble- titur a barba- m*^ w^^c be to thehcnour,punty, power and holincs ris \rindicatur? of Chriftian religion I (a) what a defferate hazard un- hic nunc illos to all onr foules. St non vmftat fides quod exhibnit infi- 2orTs°noimC"" ddtt**f lf Chri^ 'IS (T ould fdil feo" of Pagans in con* ta°nTeffe°quam Winning P!ayes and Accors, and prove (b) farre rvorfd barbaros , im* *^an they, as too too many doe I As therefore we defire pudicitiam nos to fatiffie our owne confeiences and others,or to fecure diligimus,Eth onr foules3that we are reall Chriftians as well in truth as nici cxecran- appellation , Jet us now at leaftwife equall, if not traii- nos fugimus, lcen« theic Pagans in anathematizing and renouncing alii amant for- Stage-play es, according to our vow in baptifme, which nicatio apud Pagans never made, who have no fuch ftrong profefTed llloscnmcn at- fokmne engagements againft Playes,as wcs(c)whohav* eft^ aud^nos OHr^^ttfmallcovenmtto^m^eHS'i the concurring ex* decus. Et pu- arnples of all the (d)forementioned primitive Christians, tamus nos ante Fathers, Councels, and modern e Chriftian Writers, to Dcum poffc induce us to it. And if any out of ignorance, perverfe- ™wDeG»h*r neflcor 'prophanetfe, have deemed it overmuch pra> DeiiJ.p.llT. c^cnen"e heretofore , to imitate the piety of the forc- b Hierotn. Ep. quoted primitive or moderne Chriftians from age to j.c.4. age, in Cenfiiring, in renouncing Stage- phyes , as t xe- rSeebercp.4% crable,lewd) infamous fpectacies, unfit for Chriftians: to 66t'8c^6i' lee them not now degenerate fo farre beneath them- iSctnc 1,3,4, ^ves' a<5 toProvc worfe than Pagans in this cafe of ^before/" Playes, (e) whom they jhould farre excell : but rather fubferibe ; Part, i. Htflrio-Ma/lix. yi^ fubfcribe to this $i Play-refelling Argument 5 which ' Profcflio e. will certainly condemne and Thame them, if it convince nim rc^onls them not 5 with which I fhall dole up this Scene. ?on ^"^ • . 7 , r bitum, fed an- get* quia adfumptio religion* n6mims,/ponfio eft devotionis : ac per hoc tamo plus quifpiam debet opcre,quanto plus promiierit profeflione. Salman. a-JEuhfam Catku licatnl.i.p^Si. Th<*t which 40 Heathen Writers, Philofophers, Hifto- Argum.? I. rians} Orators and Poets of chief eft note, have u- nanimoufly cenfured , condemned from the very principles and remainders of corrupt nature , and ' their owne experiment all knowledge of its lewd pernicious effects; muft doubtlejfe be Jinfull and al- • together abominable unto Chriftians : Witnejfe, Rom.2T r4,ic,to29 Ier.2.10 11.c18.13, 14, "But thefe 46 recited Heathen Writers, Thilofophers, Hiftorfons, Orators , and Toets of chief eft note , have finanimoufly cenfured and condemned S tare- play es, from the very principles and remainders of corrupt nature, and 'heir own, experiment all know- ledge of their many lewd pernicious effects : JVitnes the premifes, and Solon> rp/at0> Sowes, The. 44^449 4*5 8 m^ftoc^es > Scifio 2(ajfica, Trebonius Rufinus , /#»*'** 10466. * Maur icus, together with sluguftus CrigHre> Baftl> and thc (0 whole Stat* 5. Scene' 8. p! of Sngland m fundry zs4c?s of Parliament, condemning , 2 2 o. 1 28. to [tippy 'effing Playes and Players, as mo ft prophane unchri- 2 $ 2.5c A& 7. ftian SpeUacles, not toller able in any (fhriftian Republike: iCC Andrea36' witnc{]fc AdW.Scene 3 ,4,5>i*« & Aft. 7. Scene 2,3,4, Fridu^DcRe- *• on which y°u may ca^ your eyes\ *f we defire any publica Emcn- precedents of Chriftian Emperors5Princes,Ma£iftrates$ danda,lib. i.e. we have not only the examples of Noah, Melchizedecf^ 17.& 2».p.9o. Abraham, Ifaac,Iacob,lofeph,Mofes,Io{huah}David,So- I See Aft. 6, l0mon,Hez,ekiah, Ioftah, with other godly Patriarkes, 4»y"to 498, Kings and Princes, recorded in the Scriptures for our Chriftian imitation ; who were fo farre from cherifli- ing from approving interludes ^ Mummeries , Ma fques or Stage-pUyes, either in their Pallaces , Courts or King* cfomes (as too many Princes fince have done) that we never read in Scripture,nor in any other Story whatfoe- ver,that they were fo much as once experimentally ac- £ , quainted with them ; (m)the whole lewifi Nation (fome 466 467. & few Apoftates onely excepted) oppugning them from time $ * 1. to s ?7. to time (and fo by conference thefe Patriarkes, Magi- accordingly, ftrateS Pa rt. i . Hiflrio-Ma/lix. y 1 5 ' ftrates and Princes too ) as oppofite to their religion, man- ners, Uwes and government , as I have ehe where largely proved: (Which me thinks fhould fomcwhat move all Chriftian Princes & Governors to abandon Stagep'aies now, fince they can finde no King, no pious perfbn in all the Bible., that ever harboured or beheld them here- w $cc A#t $ tofore:)But likewife the patterns o£(n)£onft amine, The- scene r p.\e8m odofius, Leo, Anthemius, Iuftinian, V^lentinian, Valens, to 47 2. & A£h Gratian,{o) (fharles the Great, Theodoricus, Henry, the 7* Scenc?« p. 7.t£mperoHr of that name, Philip Auauftus Km? of I *'° ,6f; tranc creta Eccle- with our London iJMagi ft rates , and Vmverfities in her fix Gall, J. 4. raigne, vv ho all fupprejfed,mhibited St age-play es, Sword- Tir 1 . c. $ 9. & pi ayes , and Aclors , as unfiifferable mifchicfes in any T,f,I° c&p. Christian State or City. To thefe Imightadde* Lodo- J$ee A£h 6*. vicusthe Smperour , who by his publike Edicts (a- Scene j.p. grecing verbatim with the the 7.&8.forequoted Canous ^9^°^9U oiSynodus Twrotmfis 3-p.589.590.) inhibited all cJWi- * Frdcricus mfters all Clergy men from Stage-playes , hunting, hau- CodVxLefum king &c. Together with (q)Charles theg.mA Henry 3. Antiquaram™. ' of France ', (who by their folemne Lowes and Sditts pro- 1 1 65. hibited ah Stage-playes , all dancing on Lordf-dayes,or 0' ? SeeBochellus ther folemne annnah feftivals, under paine of imprifon. P^** Ecc^c'* mem , and other penalties to be inflicted by the Magi- „* .C|?" ftrates;) and our owne moft gracious Soveraigne Lord, King Charle s j who together with the whole Court r 1 Car.cap.f. of Parliament, in the firft yeare of his Higneffe Raigne, * ^ce *• & f- enacted this moft pious Play-condemning Law,(intitu- whichenfoyns led, (r) An Aft for pub lifting of divers abufes committed men to fpend ° on the Lord f day , called Sunday. jF or afmuch a* there is no- the Lords day thing more acceptable to Cjod , than the true and fincere on.ely & whol- worpnp of him, according: to his holy will, and that the* ho- ? jn ncarmS / / • r t r 1 6; • • // r 1 and reading of v keeping of the Lords day, u a prmcip all part of the true q0(js wor(f j|~ ferviceofGod, which in very many places of this Realme prayer and hath beene, and now is profaned and negletJed by a difor- praifes unto derly fort of people, in exercifinq and frequenting; Be are- God,and fuch / •/• rn „ / •*• -n * ^ other religious easting, Bull-baitwgfc nterlv des, Common ^^ & Tyyyi Playes^ 7i6 Ht/lrio-Ma/iix. Part. i. * Which in- cludes Dan. cing, Dicing, Bowling a Cards,and all other games and fports 3 which areun- 1 aw full on this day. See all the forequoted Councels,Ca- nons,and Im- periall Con£> flutions,Ad:7. Scene $.& Act. 5. Scene 8. p, 140. to 244. 5c Dr. Featly his Handmaid of Devotion Edit. *»p. »o8. accor- dingly. * This claufe extends toad whogoeoutof their parifhes to unlawful! fparts or paf- time?. if This claufe extends to all who ufc any unlawful! i ports or paf- rimes within their owne fa- JliiLCS. P L a Y E s , and * other unlawfull exercifes and pastimes ^ upon the Lords day . And for that many cjuarrells, blood-* Jheds, and other great inconveniences have gr owne by the re fort and concourfe of people going out of their owne pa- rifhes to fuch difordered and unlawfull exercifes and paf* times, negleblinv Devine fervice both in their owne pa- ri fees and elfewhere. Be it enabled by the Kings mo ft ex* cellent Majefy }the Lords fpirituail and temporall,and the Commons in this prefent Parliament affembled,and by the Authority of the fame {That from and after 40 day es next after the end of this Seffion of Parliament affemb led, there fhallbeno meetings, ajfemblies or concourfe of people out of* their owne parijhes on the Lords day within this Realme of England, or any the dominions thereof for a- nJ (ports or pa^imes whatfoever : nor any Bull-baiting t t£eare-baiting,EuiEKLVDEs, Common PiAYEs,0r other unlaw full exercifes or pafiimes ufed by any p erf on or perfons* within their owne parijhes : and that every per* fon or perfons offending in any the premifes fhall forfeit for ever j offence 3 [billings 4 fence: the fame to be employ- ed and converted to the ufc of the poore of the Parijb where fuch offences [hall be committed. And that any one luflice of the peace of the County, or the chief e Officer or Officers of any (fit re, Borough or Towne Corporate where fuch of fence (hall be comttted, upon his or their view, or confeffion of the par tie, or proof e of any one or more witneffe by oath, whieh the faid luflice or chief e Officer or Officers by ver- tue of this atl (ball have authority to minifber, jhall finde any perfon offending in the premifes ; the faid luflice or chief e Officer or Officers , fljall give warrant under his or their hand and feale to the Confab les or Church- wardens of the Parijb or Parijhes where fuch offence Jhall bee committed , to levie the faid penalty fo to bee affeffed , by way of dtHreffe and fale of the g9ods of every fuch offender , rendringto the faid offender s the 0- verplns of the monie raifed of the faid g^oodsfo to be folde* And m default of fiich diffreffe, that the party offending be Pa rt. i . Htftrio-Maftix. 7 1 7 be fetfubltkely in the ftockes by the (pace of three houres. /Omnia debi- Which Act, being to continue unto the end of the firfi tum ordinem Seffionofthenext Parliament, only: wasfincerecontinued d«rfruilt? hoc by the Statute of 3, Carolicaf.^ and fo it remaineth prium^XTe 'ftillin force: So that if it were as diligently executed, pervcrfis, nee as it was pioufly enacfled,it would fupprefle many great tantu'm difce- abufes (both within the letter and intent, which is very dere a Tc&°ffi large) that are yet continuing among us to Gods diflio- 3!iara» .on§1n nour, and good Chriihans gnere m too many places of fbrdida eft,trita our Kingdorne; which our Iuftices,our inferiour Magi- ac vulgari' via fttates might foone reforme, would they butfet them- wercTalis ho* felves ferioufly about it , as fome here and there have rum conn-ana done. IftheaallthefePagan^thefcChriftian Nations, ^S fed v!S Republickes, Emperors,Princes,Magiftrates,have thus eft. Caufa ta- abandonedjcenfured,fupprelTed Playes and Playersjfrom men przeipua time to time,as moft intollerable pernicious evi's in any ™l*}i videtur Scate or City , how can, ho w dare we now to juftify the, vi"™* m01 bi . as harmeleffe^comendablejOr ufefull recreations? What, faftd^T'ouo- are we wilei, are we better than all thefe Pagan Sages 5 mod© culm fe than all thefe Judicious Chriftian Worthies, who have a uteris di- thus abandoned, fuppreffed Playes and Aftors, out of a ft,nguunt, long experi mental! knowledge of their many vitious 2w - , &. /, , A n° 1 , ,., J gantiara-naru, lewd fleets? Or are we alhamedtobe like ourance- mundiciis ve. ilors hi judgement , in opinion, as wee are in tonfure, hiculorum, fie complement, habit and attire in this age of Novelties, volunt etiam •which (f) likes of nothing that is old or common, {though *cPerare tcn> {t) fuch things commonly arethebeft of all,) that wee fi^ntTunt" thus undervalue the resolutions of all former ages in falita peccare, this cafe of Playes and Players, preferring our owne quibuspeccan* wits and lufts before them i O let us beafhamed now ^i premium at laft to counrenance, to pleade for that, which the ve- j^™^-*' ry beft,the wifeft Heathen , yea Chriftian Nations, ,?"* ^T States and Magiftrates of all forts, have thus branded and t Illud melius caft out as lewd, as vitious , as abominable in the very ct v5«us quod higheft degree$& let us now fubmit our judgments, our ?^u T* TJfm praclife , lufts and foolifli fanftes to their deliberate rrtf- {"J™. Jy^ Hmticos lil>. et Vtmtntm Lerintnfis Advcrfu* prepbants Hureticorttm nouitates* Yyyy3 ture 7 1 8 Hiftrio-Maftix. Part, i 1 tare expcrimentall cenfuresjabominating, condemning Piayes and Players,if not exiling them our Cities coaft* and Countrey,as all thefe have done: arming our felves with peremptory refolutions againft all future Stage- playes, with this 5 2 Play-oppugning Syllogifrne, with which I fhall terminate this Scene. Argum.5*. That which the ancient Lacedemonians, Athenians, GrsecianSjRomans^Germanes, Maflilienfes, Bar- barians, Gothes and Vandals ; the whole Iewifli Nation of old-divers fhriftian Countries^W Cit- tiesjince : together with many Taganjnany (fhri- ftian Republickes y ^MagiflrateSy EmperourSyPrin* ces in fever 'alt ages and places , have cenfured,a- bandoned3 rejettedyfupprejfed, as a mofi pernicious evilly as a very feminary of all vice and wickedneffe^ mufi certainly be fitfully execrable t and altogether unlawfull unto (%ris~iians ; Witnejfe, Rom. 13.6. c. 13.1.W8. lPet.2.13,14. Butfuch U the cafe and condition of Smge-playef : at thepremifeSy andzsfc~lj6m$cene 5. &c. moft plenti- fully evidence. Therefore they mufi certainly befinfull, execrable, and altogether unlawful! unto Chriftians. Chorvs. YO V have feene now Courteous Readers 7 feverall Squadrons of unanswerable Authorities encounte- ring Stage-playes and Adtors, and giving them fuch an oniet, as I hope will put them with their Parrons quite to route, fo that they fhall never be able to make head againe ; their forces being fo weake, fo few, that they . ; cannot Part, i . Hiftrio-Maftix. 7 1 9 cannot bring one Councell,one Father, one ancient, one v His Play of moderne Chriftian or Pagan Writer of any note into p,ave?» the field, to maintaine their caufe , againft this army- *Qf ^a^s roy all of Play-condemning Authorities , which I have here muftered up againft them. It is not their long fince conquered and confuted (v) Lodge or (x) Hay. »W(two fcribling hackney Players,their onely profef- fed printed Play- Champions that I know of,) who can withftand their all-conquering troopes ; which either feverall,or united , are impregnable ; able to over- po- wer to vanquifli all the forces, that the whole world can raife againft them.Let it thereforebe your wifdome now at laft to take the bcft, the ftrongeft fide, not onely in quality, but in number too. Stage-playes and Acftors, fas the foregoing Scenes declare* J have bin oppugned, condemned in all ages, all places, by all forts of men ; lewes and Gentiles,Greekes and Barbarians, Chriftians and Pagans-, Emperours, Magiftrates, people, Writers of all forts,have bent, not onely their hearts and j udge- ments, but their very hands, their tongues, their pens and power againft them: Yeathofe who are dead and rotten long agoe, ftill fight againft them in their furvi- vingworkes: (y) ( Licet o fa jacent, calamus bellage- j Philippus to* rit: ) and they will one day rife up in judgement (as they iIcc^s,Turci- doe now in armcs) againft us, if we fubmit not to them. fffaVb"*' Let us, Olet us not thereforebe any longer befo te , befooled with thefe lewd ftigmatized Playes or A&ors, as we have beenc in former times $ but fince all Ages, all Nations ** (yea thofe who loved them belt and moft z Scc ^ 6o at firft,to wit ythe(*>) greekj and Romans )togcther with Scene ?. ' all primitive and moderne pious Chriftians, Fathers, Councels,Writers, have thus unanimoufly, fuccelTive- ly condemned, renounced them, let us abominate and reject them too. It was the branded infamie of the lewes, (a) that they f leafed not God, and were contrary * iThe(T.x.i ?, to all men : and will it not be ours too, if all thefe Au- thorities will, not fway us I If Scriptures, Councels, Fathers, yio Hijkio-Maftix. Part. i. b Rom.i.i4.to »?. 2 ThefT.x. 11,12. c See A&. 6* Scene I?, io. culi metuet a- mlucrc.TertuLltftd. A Nam et eoufqucenervatus eft Ecclefiaftics? difciplinae vigor, ct ita omni languore vitiorum,pr#».ipiratur in pcius, ut iamnon vniisexcuiatiofedau« thorirasd«ur:quonia non defunt vitiorum auertores blandi et indulgentcs patroni qui prailant vitiis authoritatcm,et quod eft deter ius,cenfaram Scripturarum coclcftiumio ad vocationcm criminum et fpecraculorum convtrtunt' &o. CyprUn de Sp8a(M. t Z z>z,z Arnobins^ 7 2 2 Hiftrio-Maftix. P a rt. i . * Advert. Gen- (e)zArnobius >{f)Chryfbftome,(g) Auguftine, and (hi tcsl.7.p-*ji- Salvia* $ who anfwerthem to the full. And as thefe *°*4°' 0 • Pagans of olde, fo fome who would be deemed Chri- /Hom.?8.in ..& * , _ , rl Ma*th.& Horn, ftians now, (as namely one Thomas Lodge, a Play-poec, , 3. De Davidc in his P/*7 of Piayes, and one Thomas Haywood a Play- ctSauIc. er, iii his apology for *Attors3) have lately pleaded as t DcC^nfenfu hard for Stage-playes, as ever (i ) 'Demetrius did for fcvangdiltaru, ^ ^ r/)^ . j whofc {qv^{[ al|egations jn tfce Ovit. Dei l.i. behalfe of Piayes are foledly refelled; by 'JMr. Stephen c.z9. &1.6.C. Goffon, in his Piayes confuted : by the Authour of the 1,6,7, 8. 3 . Blaft ofRetrait frorru Piayes and Theaters1, by CMr. fcDcGuberna* JohnlS^orthbrooke, in his Treatife againfi vaine Piayes iAfts 19.14 to af*d Enterludes ; by Dr. Rainolds, in his Overthrow of 7>9t Smge-playes : by I: G: in his Ibfutntion of the Apologie k See Aft 7. fir ABors , (which you may perufe at leifurc ) and by Scene f. ^ fundry others ( O forerecited, whom I fpare to men- 1 / ^catorfdeeft tion* T^e players>tne Play-patrons of our prefent age, ImpiKlcns prz« as tncir cau^e *s worfc, fo (I) their Pleas for Piayes are textus &c. Sed no other,no better than thofe ©f former times , which hi quidem funt neede no other replies then what thefe Fathers , thefc p^textusqui Authours have returned: yet fince their anfweres are I aihil habent growne obfolere and our (m) Play- Advocates' rationis, necfe » . t ■ j? r ,, 1 7 ■ n r> iillo iure pof- perfevcrtng in thetr former folly, proceede to jufttfie one funt defendcre. vamtte, one fal '/hood with another, diluting much for the cbryfoff.Hom in Uwfullufe of Smge-playes (perchance toexercife or de- ?f*l. 1 40. 7«w c/are tfjeir witts in the unhappy patronage ofevill things:) CD.*110' * ^a^ tnere^ore addreffe my felfe to give a (atiffa&ory w Qiiid dicam anfwer to alf their chiefe Play-propugning Ob/eclions, de ils nefcio , that lo I may puc them to perpetuall filence. qui cum feme! aberravciintconftanterinftultitiaperfeverantjCtvanisvana defenduntjnifi quodeoi interdum puto aut ioci caufa philofophari,aut priidcBtesetfcios mendacia defenden- dafufcipere, quad utingeniafua in. malis rebus exerce.intvcl oftende.it. laHantiits X>t Fdlfa S4pientia.li,r,i4. Ob\eUion\. The firft, if not the beft Argument in defence of Stage-playes ,may be cafl: into this forme. That which is not prohibited, but rather approved and commendci Part, i . Ht/trio-Mafiix. jz^ commended by the Scripture, can-not be finfult nor » Thcatrum eft unlawful! unto fhri&ians. Io™ s femicir* *But Stare-play es are not prohibited, but rather appro- ["I1 fiS"ram $ ' , { 11,10 rt habcnsjinauo ved and commended by the Scripture. ftantes popuii Therefore they cannot bee finfull nor unlawful! unto ludos fcenicos (fhriftivns. . inrus infpkiea The Major being unquestionable, the Minor may be ^a^ ™£ea thus confirmed, Atts 1 9. 29, 3 1 .there is mention made GwccTheatri of the Theatre at Sphefus , (n) a place wherein Playes nomen acce. were afted: and in the 1 Cor, 4.9. St. Paul writes of pit.Bed*inMta himfelfe and of the other Chriltians in this age: We are ^^.e.x^.s made a Theatre or Spetlacle unto the world, unto Anaels, CaK* .; &,De and to men.To which may be added the 1 Kings 15*8. fun}inAnu ju 1 Kings 16.14.1517^^1.11, 12. I Cor.y, 24, 25. & pofi. lbid.CoL *i$.2l.Eph.6.l 1,1*,* 3> 14. which mcntio horfes,chari- 671. cts, races, duels, combat es: alluding to the Olympian games t * See Ambrofe, the Roman Circus ,Sword-plajes, and other amphitbeatri- ^^ jhco- call Spettacles, which thefe Scriptures feeme to juftifie ; doret,Primafl- and fo by confequence Stage-playcs too < which are in us, Sedulius, the felfefame predicament. Remigius,Be* da,Maymo,An* felme, Oecurnenius,Theophyla£r, HRabarms Maurus, Lyra, Toftatus, Gorrhan, Aretius>lufculus,Calvin,Marlorat,and others Ibidem, fomeof whjch take it littca ral!y,that St.Paul did actually fight with beafts in the Theatre at Ephefus. Tothis Ianfwer firft ; though Stage-playes are not Anjw4u expreily condemned in the Scripture by name, yet they 0 AcV.Scen.r. are in other generall tearmes ( as well as Apoitefie, A- theifme, poyfoning, Inceft;and luch other finnes whofe . Iofep"hus a«: names we flndc not in the text) as I have (0) already tiqu.ludasorum proved : So that both the Major ^nd Minor arc falfe. l.if.cn. Sec Secondly, I anfwer, that thereafon why Stage-playes A£r.7.Scene x. are not by name condemned in the Scripture is, becaufe ^5,4P^ \\lu the penmen of it being Iewes, were unacquainted with lph.2.24! cV Sta^e-playes , (p) which the Iewes would not admit , as 17.tozf.1Cor* bein(T oppofite to their religion , and pernicious to their ic. 10, 21, 22* State: wherefore they condemne them onely under y*'*'^!,0™" thole generall termes, ! cj) of Idolatry , ficr if ces of Idols , \^Am' x i0hjj vanities of the Gentiles, rudiments and cuftomes of the 1.^,1^. See Z k>z»z> % worlds Aft.7»Secncia 724 Hiftrk-Majltx. Part. 1 . fEgo pau'us world , &c. under which they are fully comprized, mimmus Apo- Thirdly though the Scriptures inhibit not Stage-playes "olorumharc • Ji °«A n /L> r \C ■ L- /-* A- J k- t difponovobis °^ name, yet Jr. ?^/himlelreiu his Conftitutions, ^if Epifcopis ct Clemens Komanus may be credited) hath condemned Presbyteris. T^layes and ' T3 'layers in exprejfe tear met , (r) decreeing, Scenicus fi ac- f^ ^// PUyers and Play -haunters (hould defift frorru fi^vcmJlicr Sta>gc-?Uyes,orelfebecaftout9ftheChttrch; and the auriea, ™adia- (^ other *Apoftles 2X^0 decreed the like: yttK.\\z(t)whole tor, curfor fta • primitive Qhurch in feverall generall and T^ationall ciii, Iudiui, O Councels, the ancient Fathers in their renowned writings, lympus, cho- ^^ /-^^ holiefl fhnftians (v) frorru age to age, have gi- *jC* \ c^nZ' venfentence againfi the?n-> as unlawfull Spetlacles, which faltator caupo* *^e r90r^ °f$°d inhibits as misbefeeming Chriftians: this defiftat Vd re- therefore is fuficlent to difprove the Minor. Fourthly, iiciatur. Thca- the Scriptures here produced as approving Stageplayes, tralibus Iudis doe no wayes countenance , but oppugne them. For rani vcUcCi- ^r^' ^ac ^neatre mentioned Afts 19. 29. 21. was no: iht,vci reiida a Theatre on which Playes were a :ted - but a * place of tur. Clemens publi^e meeting, where mxlefathors were punished, Orati* 'R.om.Cmflit. A- ons mtde to the people, and the 'Jbtagi ft rates and people fotJAj.1%. ufitdh met together to confult of pub like affaires : A flol.U.c.65 55 place much like the l^r&torium-, , into which our Savi- i Sec Ad. 7. 0Hr was brought, CMatth: 27. 27. or like to Areopagus Scene »>?,4, y. or'JAtirshill in A hem , where Paul made an Oration to y Si ad boni ^ Athenians : A%s 17. 19 22. That this Was fuch a Witamentiim Theacrc „ cvjdent . Rrft, b^caufc filch places of ^«*. ta deefTcnt oro '^ concoHr'e and co^fulttltton, where speeches weremzde, lege nobis fan- and malefactors fometimes executed, were ft i led Th ea- Aorom exem- tres : witneffe (x) Aj^Conius , f y ) Apuleius, (fc) Cicero, fad^wU?' M Tacitus,(b)Livie,{c)?hilofiratHsi{d)Varro,(e)?hi^ T>e Snmmo hnol,ue.W, * See Socrates Hrr.Fccl.1.7. c.f$. Phifo IudaeusinFlaC- cumli^.o.i jo^,i ^06,1 ^ 1 a.Co;.S.ibellicusJ^ineacJ. 4. Hb.8.pag.6^.C accordingly. *Et Auicisquoqne Qaibusthearmtn curia? prafbetvicem ,Vna eft Athenis arquc 11 omniGra?ciajadconfu!eridumpublici fcdfsloci.L«.7^ Sacien$um f. 86. 7 Florido« racnl.Lp.30z. ^ProFlacCO Oratb. a T\inc Aatiochenfium Theatrum ingreiTiis, ubi il lis con fu !t. Pars maxima fuper Thcatrurn circaq;, afTueti e: ante fpc£t.culisconcionum conf\&unt.H*w.HillJ.i4»fe3. 39. 1?. ^41. # Apqi Noaniun:& apudBulengerum,Dc Tbeatiol.i.c.3*. liflbidem. elbidem. Part. i. Hiftrio-Maftix* J2$ fa, (f) Chryfoflome, (g) Synejius, Juvenal, nAppianus, f O ratio ji. &(Bulengerus DeTheaty> , /.i.r.32. where this very i^^r text is.quoted. Hence (h) Eufebiussx\&(i)?{icephorus, p^'T °S.d1 »W*, that Ignatius with other (-Martyrs were tortured, TEcclcfiHtftor. and put to death in the Theatre : yea hence ( k) Or of us, 1.8 . c 1 4. . (and out of him (J) Haronius and Spondanus) record ; ' Ecclef.Hift.l.3 that Iulian the Apo flat e, commanded a Theatre to be built ?'|?ft 'IX j of the mat eri alls that were brought to reedifie the temple £|a> at Hierufalerru , in which Theatre after his returneforru \ Annates Ec# Perfia he intended to cafl the Bijhops, CMonkes, and other del. Anno \ 63. Qhriflian inhabitants of that place to beafls which jbottld fe^4* teare them in peeces : ut fci licet ibi ejfet Chriflianorum^ carnificina,unde eoru religio videretur ejfe progrejfa* Se- condly, the very words and circutnftances of the te xt af- *• fore us,that this was 'fuch a Theatre : For firft,it is faid , 1 ♦ that all the people rafted with one accord into the Theatre, v. *9.as into a place of common counfell. Secondly, that *• thecaufe of this their cone our fe was, to prevent the decay cf their craft of making filver (brines , and to maintaine the henour of their great Goddeffe Diana: v. 27. Thirdly, 3 • that Paul would have entred into the Theatre to have made an Oration unto the people., from which his fiends diffwaded him: v. 3 o, 3 1 .Fourthly ,that the affembly there 4» •was confufedyfbme crying one thing, fome another , and that the mofl part knew not why they were come together: verfe 3*. Fifthly, that they caught Qaius and Arifiarchus , 5* and drew them as mriefaElors into the Theatre : verfe 29. Sixthly, thit they drew Alex tnler ant of themul- &• titude, who there beckoned to them, with his hand , and would there have made his defence to the people: v. 3 7* Sc 7* venthly,that the Town-clerke mtde there afolemn fpeech to the people, aimonifhing therru to be quiet }and to doe no- thing rafhly againft Paules companions, whorru they had brought into theThsatre, face they were neither robbers of Churches, nor yet blasfhemtrs of their Godde(fe:infor- ming Demetrius and hit fellow craftfmen,that if they had rf matter againft any man, the Court-day es were kgp*> and £*>*,* 3 there yz6 Hiftrio-Majlix. Part.i there were deputies before whom-j they might implead me another : and if the j inquired any thing concerning other matters > it fbould be determined in a law full ajfembly:y9 35-to4i. AJl which concurring particulars infallibly UatrT^Id Prove> that this Theatre (0 was oneljaplace of pub like others Ybidcm C0HnJ ell, ptttce and execution \ not a Theatre whereon; & Socrates ' Playes were a&ed : therefore it gives no colour of ap- Scholafticm probation to Playes or Play-houfes, no more than the • EccI„,,Hi/y 7* Courts of luftice at Weftmiafter argue, that the Playe* M^urus,Dcv! an^ Play-houfes about London arc law&il. But admit niverfb f. i0 c. z^s Theatre were a place for Stage-playes,yet it affords 16.Sc36.T0m. no justification atall to Playes or Play-houfes. For the 1 .p.148, 2 so. afTembly in the Theatre, which this Scripture mentions, ^A$s 19.2^. to was ^^j ym A tumultuous concourje of Idolaters, without 4 " Any lawfnH authority : and that not to all or fee a St Age- flay ', but to defend their Goddejfe Diana, and their idola~ troHs trade of making herfilverfhrinesy by which they cot their living : to perfecute St. Taul and his companions 1 whorru they accufed as malefaSiors , and to withfiand the preaching of the Gofpell, which would fupprejfe their tradd. and their Diana both together. This unlawfiiil afTembly /Afts i9.35.to therefore, which both the Scripture, their owne (ly 4 ' * Towne-clerke, and themfelves condemned, is no juftifi-. lm cation of, but a ftrong evidence againft our Play-aflen> t» Ambrofe, blies, which are commonly as tumultuous, as oppofite Hicrom,Sedu< to Chrifts word, his Saints,his kingdome^as this Ephe- lius, Chryfo. fiar| COnventicle. lrome, Thco« , 1 doiet, Prima. Secondlv,that text of 1 Cor.^g.fVe are made^ix^^ fiiis, Oecume. wbich the Fathers and moft Latine Authors render ,Spe* TheopkyladV, ^culunu ; and our Englifh Tranflations,* Speclacle,or in 1 Cor. 4.9! gaz,ing-fiocke : makes nought for Stage-playcs. For & Chryfoft. what if the Apoftles were made a Theatre or Spetlacle Hom.ad Neo- t0 tlje WOrld,to tAngcls and to men : (that is,as [m)fomt ColTi'TCD Fathers interpret it\ The whole world of men and *A*~ uAmWofe Kc gels good and bad y beheld the miferies, the afflielions they mi^ius , Beda, endured for Chrifl and his Cjofpell, not onelj in one corner ', Anfclme in but in all the quarters of the world. Or as (») others of iCor.4.^. them . ; ^ . *~_ Part. i. Hi(lrio-Maftix. 727 them paraphrafe it : They were made a wonderment , a laughing-ftocke to unci eanejpir its, and to the wicked of the ■ i, world,who rejoycedat their miferies, their torments, bein? Mad to fee them drawne to the flace of execution called \Theatrurru] a Theatre, where the innocent CMartyrs for the mott part fufferedin the view of all the people as ° f^*A A,n' ourTraytors ufiiaUyfu^ Kt ior that purpofe : both which expofitiwis {j^fomegood Lyra, and o- Jnter prefers have conjoyned i) yet this no wayes juiti- *hers,in i Cor., fies but oppugnes our Stage-playcs. For firft the Apo- 4'9' , ftles did not make themfelves a voluntary Spectacle * Hu j V'L* as all Players doe; but they were made Specfacles by f,* i\ ] L others. Secondly, they were no Spectacles of lafcivi- /x Com! 19. ournelTe^vanitie^ollie^jrjirth.orwickednefre, asPlaies A£h *• 27»2^ andPlaicrsaresbutof gracc,of faith, of piccie, rplpati- ™iU '"a* tnce,con(tancy,martyrdome,andthelikcs which Plaies SccneVzT and Plaiers are not. Thirdly, they were Spectacles of &Choms. Gods owncinftitution, they beingfcfl appointed, called, f Ads 15. 7. dejhnated to their fuferings by Cjod bimfilfe • whereas l Cor*x 1 * Plaies and Adors are Spectacles not ofGods, bat o£ the i^*?*1* \verylr-]Dive/sowneinventionandappointment.Fourth- RornT?/' ly,they were memorable publike Spectacles of admi- PfiWiY*. ration, of [/J imitation, both to the world, to tsfnrels Scc Chryfoft. #W f 0 *m» ; Playe$,Players and Play-haunters were vet ad NeoPh?tos> never luch. Fifthly, they werereall, not hypocritical!, l^c°U hiftrionicallperfonated Spectacles, confiding of repre- ?&«* Mentations onely, as all Playes and Aclors are. Sixthly, *»> Exhortatio they were Spe&*ctes[jl appointed enefy unto death not a<1 Martyrcs> to laughter : Spectacles of paffion.of compa{Tion,not of n %n dC :. mirth and pleafure: Spectacles onely at a W,appoin. £*""*"*- I ted unto martyrdome5not on a ftage.to ftir uplaiShtcr: xCyprian e. tSpedacles they were, which the veryfvl^nJ/s and pift-I. t.FpKt. I faints applauded, not condemned % which Bivels and wic, h*\£&* ■kd men derided, perfecuted, not applauded: Spectacles, it^uf, ■■^^fC*]^^^Aw^ not the reproach, \\t^ ^ «»*ljj tnfamj of Chriflianity , *s rp/ayes an(L is from th* allufl0n which *e AP0lUc hath t0 diwrim,longc Theatres,toSpe<5hcles 3 which being an alluficnonely melius fuifTe to the fpeftacle of a Martyr, at the ftake; or of a malefa*- lftis nulla s Htc- ftor at trie p[ace 0f execution , as all Expofitors accord j fie 5teMslca™ not to a Play or Enterlude on a Sta8e- f«feverts their ve- re. Verba emm ry foundation, and takes them off from this their hqldj etcxemplaqux in which they had moft repofe.* But admit, it were art ad exhortario- allufion to a Piay-houfe Theatre, yet as theeves can ne- nem Evangeli- ver juft[£e t},eir dealing, nor usurers their ufuric to be fitt7"nUt"!ldw" kwfoii, becaufe the Scripture faith, [VJfW Chrifljhat tiorum patro* t^i€ ^a7 °f*hc Lord Jhallcomeas a theefe in the ni^ht : an4 cinia tranffe* \_b~^that he will require his owne with ufurie : no more mnmr, quonfc can our Play-champions conclude from heuce y that Oaremur ^ft C Stage-playe$ are warrantable or lavvfull among Chrifti* fcripta funr ans> becaufe St. Paul by way of fimilitude, writes thus fed tit animis ofhimfelfe and his fellow-Apoftles: Wee are made 4 noftrisinftan. Theatre or Spectacle to the world, unto Angels, and tt tia maiorcxci- merJt Thefe tvvo mainc Scriptures being thus fully via* SLris'S dicated from our PIay-Pro^orswreilings, the other tanta eft a pud will fall away of themfclves-* there being no analogie at Ethnicos in re. all bet weeiie a race and a Stage-play: an horfe or chariot bus noprofutu- for warre, andaComedie tor fport. I (hall therefore eft er?o wci!5 ailfwer them aU t0gether in St* C7trians words' H !* taidaf virtutis f^^ P*ace * majfa7> r^at ** had beene better for thefe Ob* non permiffio ]ctlors never to have knowne the Scriptures, than thus to five Ubertas reade and wrefi thertL*. Tor thefe words and example* fpt-c>andi Gen- which are laid downe as exhortations to cvancrelicallver* nits erroris j ut * per hanc animus plus accendatur ad evangelicam vktutem propter divina praemiij cumperoanniumlaborumct dolorurt cafaraitttcm conceiatur penrcuire ad terrena eoMpcndia.C^p''WM deSfecutulu tit. Part, i . Hifirio-Mafiix. 729 tue, are tran fitted into apologies for vice;Fcr thefe things d Nam quod are written ,not that they (hould legated upon, but that a E?«sa'ungii e& - moreearneft vehemency Jbonld be 'ftirred up in our minds I^ac.lls'noaPa* r r, t- lil ■ r r ,-,- . trocmatur fpe» in profitable things, whiles there v [o great a diligence in ^andis Circen* Eihmckes in unprofitable things , It is an araus-nent there- fibtis, in nu(Io fore of exciting vert ue, not a permiffion or libertie of be- enim ls Circa holdmo- the Cj entiles error ; that by this the minde may be CuclYr^ .jr* more enfiamed to evangelicall vertue by divine rewards, cnfnc^J Dei when as men muft pajje through the miferie of all toyles choroses4njwer 1 , t. /Sec A£h*. Scene f. & Aft.7.Scen.6, 7.BodinusDe Kepub.l.6.c. 1 . & Guevara his Diall of Princes,!, j.c. 45. to 48. THe fecond Ob/e&ion in defence of Playes is this: (e)That they are innoxioui, pleafint ,boneft & lau- dable recreations, which the ancient Greekes and Romans not onely tollerated but applauded : therefore they are tollcrable among Chriftians. Not no anfwer this objection with that exclamation of* Volateranus in this very cafe of Playes : Sed quid nunc de face hujus fx.culi dicarn^ ? quurru virtuterru ac gloriarru veterum-> imitari nullo patio vahamus,vitia m- menomniftudioimimmur. Iarrufcena ubique renovata eft, ubique comtdias Jpeblat uterque fexus, quodque longe impudent ins , ipfi Sac er dotes et profiles, quorums erat ojL ficium-j omnino prohibere. CMulto igitur feveriores in hac parte Graci, qui omnes fuos comicos jamdiu abolue* runt, propter unum-f tsfriftophanewu, quamvis moribus mi-nme officeret. I anfwer nrftjthat Playes are no harme- lefle, honeft or laudable recreations, as all the premifed Authorities, and this whole treatife prove at large: this ob/c&ion therefore is but a begging of the caufe in que- ftion. Secondly, I anfwer, that although fome Pagan Greekes and Romanes approved Stage-playes at the firft in lewd and diffolute timesjyet ff)at lap after long experience ofthofe intolerable mifchiefes -which they oc- ca ft on ed, enforced by deare bought repentance \they banished therru their fcommonwealcs and Territories by publtke folemne SdiUs, as inconfiftent with their fafcty. And al- though fome vitious hiftrionicall Roman Emperours, as ^(jro, faligula,Heliogabalus,fommodus,and others, reduced Plates &Plaiersyet the grave ft Roma Smperors, Senators } Phtlofopbers did ft ill oppofe and reexile tberru M Pa rt. i . Hiftrio-Maftix. 7 5 1 04 thefeminaries tfall vice and lewdnejfe, and intolerable mifchiefes inthe (fommonweale : as I have (g) largely g$tctJk,6» proved. Wherefore wee ftiould rather imitate the beft, Sc™'3*£i6~ the vvifeft Pagan Greekes and Romans in abandoning, f Aa.7.&c«u than the worft or le vvdeil in retaining Stage-play es. Se- * 2# condiy, 'the reafonwhy the ancient Pagans, Grecians hDc fttft&f* and Romans toilet ated Plaies and Plaiers (as (h) Bodme *.cap. i. Guc- and Guevara obfervc) was not for any good or laudable vafa , Diall of quality in thenu, but onely ontof fuyerftition and idol a. Prmccs» M-c« trous devotion to their Idol-gods % (i)who exaEledfolemne JfanSft 1 up* St age-flay es ftorru therru as the mofl pompons if not fen- 2 9, > r. ous part of their idolatrous worjhip : which 7* lay es (faith ? Sec Ad. 1. Cjuevara)wcre dedicated to therru by the divine fi fferance Scene l »*» ?• of the living God, who would that their Idol-gods being ?0^^s- but laughing-ftockes (bould be ferved, honoured andfea- qU jt,-cs \ z# fc^.# ftedbyjea$~lures3mockesandcPlayes. The tmth of this 3.C.1.T011. is evident,not oncly by that of (O tsfrtftotle; who pro- \ Politicorum hibiting the fight of all unchaft fabulous Tlayes or pi- J>b.7.c.i7.fe&. ftnres, andadvifing the CMagiftrates tofupprefe therru^ 77.p«S°M©*» comes in with this exception : 2{ifi forte apud illos T>eos, t ijuibus etianu per leges lafcivia ilia conceditur , et apud quos (acrafacere At ate quiderru proveftioribus profe, pro liberie et conjugibus permittitur : by Dionyfius Hallicar- naffeus, AntiquJtom.L z.c.$»& 7.*. 9. by fieero in Verre, * */4tt.6* Oratiode Arufpicum ResJ>onfis}p. 52 4,526,527. Oratio 3. in Catilinarru, p.452. b. Where he informes IXSy that Stage-play es were exafbed by , and dedicated to /Afl.t.Scea.i, 5, 6,7. p. loi. to 206. with fiindry other Pagans : and by to 282. (/) St. Auguftine, De Civitate Dei lib ,2. c,q. to 1 $.& l4 m Hiftori* 4.C.2027. HRabanusCMaurusl.i.c.io. with others ^om-|-?-kft- (1) formerly quoted; but by that alio which (m) Livy f ^.Valerius and («) Ovidhwe recorded of the Romanes: who when xfaVu.c.^ as all the I idlers and T layers departed from Rome to Ti- for. 4. bur in one difcontented company , becaufe the Cenfors fro- wFaftoriuai.* Aaaaal hibited P*If* 7 3 2 Htflrio-Maflix. P a rt. i . • V/no (cuius hibited them~> to eate in the Temple of love, as they had avidum fcrroe accuftomed: the Senate oUt of their care to religion \there genus crt)fopi- being no man Left in Rome to fing and flay before their // *L C' Jacrifices) fent embaffadours after therru to Tibur^reque* *SecPolychro- fl'm& the Tiburtines to doe their 'befi endeavour to per- nicon,!.?. c.$i. fwadeph&'/ru to returne to Rome : upon which embaffie foL 1 1 1. Vola the Tibnr tines Cent for thefe companions into their Senate tetanus, Con- k0Hft f where they firft perfwaded them to gee backe to mcnt* j1q"^ Rome ; but their mtreaties not prevailingjhey concluded Refutation of t0 m*ke therru drunkewith wine, (o) (of which they were the Apologic verj greedy) and then to. put them into carts being drnnke, for Actors, p. a.nd [o to carry therru backe to Rome', which they did ac- 2i,zz. Pru- cordvnaly. Where upon their returne, the Senate to ob- dentms Contra s J . j -r; a j t vJL • r. Svmm \c1utti 1 tdl7lc their gooi will, restored thenu to their former pri- i.2.5cBib.Patr. viledges, and with all authorised them to goe freely about Tom.4.p.a i o. the Citty s and to afi their folemne St age-play cs every &c* yeare. Vpon which * Valerius CMaximus defcanrs circumvent a temulcn- c.io,jo to ill l^ catifam habet. Idolatrie therefore, and the * pleafing a Qor.c . 1 4.to ofldi /• Gods being the chiefe, if not the onely caufe why 1 8. i Ioh ?.•» i thefe Paoan (freely and Romans allowed Playes or Play See Act.r.S;en. ers . their example grounded on this reafon, (p)fiould ^3?J\ « • rather enoao-e all Christians eternally to detcflthem. than q See Act. 7. «* ^ , _., . ,. ' .. i f . Scene m>4,<, ""J wyes to approve them. Thirdly, admit that Stage- 6,7. plaies were in high eftimation among thefe lafci- r 1 Ioh. 2. £**/; ' to fvverve ^rom thrift and primitive Chriitians j 8/19. Col. 2. as not worthy the following , in this cafe of Plaiesjand 2c. ! P?r.*.i, to make the worft, the moftlafci vious heathens, the i>3* ' "nipff.4. guides and patternes of their aftions. A:as, v. ^ ere is Scene *. ^ our Chriftianitie, oiir pietie, our obedience or i »ur love* to Pa rt. i . Hi(lrio-MaJiix. 733 to Chrift, ifwechufe rather to imitate the very vices of the lewdeft Pagans^ than the graces, the holinefle of the beft Chriftians ? It was the brand , the infamie of the Iewifh Nation 5 (t) that they were mingled among t pfa]# 106. , 5 . the heathen, and learned their workes : and lhall it not be a Chron. 3$. * much more ignoble and finfuil for us Chriftians , to ;u- x 4. ftifie the lawfulneffe of Stage-play es from the bare ex- Mi h 1 1 amplesof thele wicked Pagans ? O let it bc( vjnever be l saa^i.io. heard in (jath^orpnb lifted in a^fs^elon, that any Chri- ftians (liould grow fo atheiftically prophane, fo ftupen- dioufly impious, as to preferre the lewd examples of the deboifeft heathens, before the unparalleld patternes I of their molt holy Saviour, and the beft of Chriftians: (alas^what need wc run to fuch precedents of impiety, when as we have .better examples nearer hand? ) but A « 6 (mCQz\\Chnh\2iniyt2Li{x)theverybeftofrPagan Greeks &**£ X*. 1 and Romanes have utterly condemned and exploded 7.Scene6,7 : Stage-playes,the very ( yjworft of Greek* s and Romanes y See Act. 4. I finely approving thenu by their prattife, and that tojini- Scene 1,2, 3. [fter ends : let us rather imitate the beft , the wifeft of I them in abandoning ,than the very worft of them in pa- > tronizing, in applauding Stage-playes; for feare we [ renounce our Chriftianity, and prove farre worfe than > the very worft of Pagans ever were. Actvs 8. Scena Tertia. IH He third Objection in the behalfe of Playes is thisj Objection 3 . X ( * ) that they are not oneiy commendable but ne- * See Hay- ceffary in a Commonweale ; and that in three refpefts: ™°0fJ^0^ ? Firft, for the folemne entertainment and recreation of where this Ob- forfaigne EmbaiTadours, States and Princes ; Secondly, iectionismade, Aaaaa 3 for 754 Hiftrio-Maftix. Part, i . for the folemnizing of feftivals andtriumphes : Third- ly for the exhileration and neceffary recreation of the people. Therefore they ought to be countenanced^ con- tinued, not fupprefTed. Anfw.i. To this I fliall firft reply ; that Stage-play es are fo a Sec A&.6. far from being commendable or neceflary in a Comon- A&.7.Sccnc weale, that they are the very greateft mifchicfes which 6i7[ " can befall it : {a) whence the wifeft States and Cfrlagi- b See Aft. 4. ftrates have beene fo farre fronts toller ating , th at they Scene i. have quite difcarded them as inconjiftent with the fubhkc tu?Tf "fde- Tfeifare.So that the very ground of this objection failes, ccnf ct lumina and then the particulars cannot ftand, which I /hall now rerum. owd\ad examine. For the firft of them; that Stage-playes are tiuMmpan 1. neceflary for the folemne entertainment of Embaffa- A-3* ?• dours, and forraigne States; though I will not take up- bu DcN^ oa me to ^emie wnat entertainment will befit fuch per- g^sCurialium, fonages-, yet with ail humble fubmiflion to better judg- 1. 1 .c.7,8.Bodi. ments,! conceive,that common Stage-playes(to which nus ue Rcpub. every cobler, tinker, whore, and bafe mechanicke may ]'6'c'u Chl7' refort from day to day,(£) as many ofthem^ doe)wt no foft.Hom.i j.in mgeU rLortsor entertainments for (c) Chriflian Princes, I Cor. 1 oin«4. Jf . ■ > • • • n • • • p. $c6. accor. States, and Potentates; whole pietie,majeitie,gravitic dinglf. are fo tranfeendent, that they cannot but difdame the € Rom. 1 j. t. fight, the prefence of fuch ridiculous, infamous, fcurri- } pe.t#V ' 3,! 4* lousxhildifh Spectacles, as common Stage-playes are, omnibus? fed wmcn favour neither of ftate, nor royaltie, but of moft in cxteris ma- abject bafenefle, though too many great ones (I know ior quo meli. not out of what re'pecls) have vouchfafed to honour or.Vun.fec.Pd. them (or (d) rather di]honouredthemfelves)\vith their diftusl.'s*"0 Pre^ence* For mY °wne part it is beyond my Creed to I F acere rJae beleeve, that Chriftian Monarches, Peeres,or forraigne eivesfuosprin. EmbafTadours, who are fat leaftwife fhould be) men ceps optimus of(e) highefi dignity, o£(f) eminenteft piety , fevereft facienJo do- gravity, deepeft wifdome, fublimeft fpirit.and moftfi- perio maximus ^er' W eXemplaH converfition,vt>tthottt any mixture ff fit exemplo m ,ior cft.Vdleius Viterr.R.m.HtitJ.z /> 1 3 4. Vi;a Princis cenfura eft, jeaq; perpetua : ad luncdingimur, ad hanc convcrtimur : ncctamimperio nobis opus eft levitiet Part, i , Hi/lrio-Mafiix. 7$ 5 levitie, vanitie, or childijh foHy , (the lead tinclure of quam cxem- which in men of fupreme ranke , (though it be but in P!o W11?]* .in* *te> (&) (ports) is (i) no fmall deformity , no meme ec- m^a\^ e$ clipfs unto their fame) fliould fo farre degenerate , or mem*.Mdius (kj defcend below themfelves, as toadtnicof Common Homines ex- Plaiesor Adtors, (the (l)moft infamous ,fcurnlom ,igno- cmpUs doccu- ble pleafures andperfons that the world affords) into tur>/l"* m their royal prefence.We know that|j*3*M»7 fhriftian, J^1™* h^t, many Pagan States and Emperours, have long fince fen- qUOd appro- tenced, exiled Playes and P layers , and that the whole bantqu*prae- Church of God, with allfaithfall Chriftians fionu age to ciP^nt fic» age have execrated and cafi therru out, as the very orea- £° e# L m' -" tejt grievances, /frames ana cankerwormes both of £ hurcio ^t * ^ g# and State: We know, that £»] many pub like <>s4Ebs of b Nihil eft in Parliaments, even of this our Realme , have branded Rcgeferendum flayers with the very name, the punishment of Rogues nc *^° cluldc and Vagabonds, and condemned S t age-play es as unlaw full t*UI° at e £_ Pafiimes. Andean anyone then be lb brainlicke, fo corumfit. of- jfhamelefle to arfirme , that thefe anathematized hea- w«# De ^um thenifh Spectacles, thefe ftigmatized varlets, (which l4'uAtb.%..f. all times, allChrirtians, all men of gravity and wif- ^A'lia cA.CGn. dome have difdaincd as the mod lewd infamous per- ditio eorum Ions, are fit to entertaine the nobleft Princes , ortoap- qui in turbx peare before them m their royall Pallaces , at times of quamnonex- greateftftace* Certainly as [>] Earles fcome to fhoope <**i»" latent: ° n- J /• ' vr&> i n quorum ctvir. at fives, or as magnanimous lions difdame to chace a moufe'y tJ^s ut l# even fothofe generous Chriftian Monarches,who have ream diu lu- Caftout Playes and Actors as intollerable mifchiefes in ftantur, etvi- their meaneft Qitttes ; will [f\ never fo farre grace them, tia tenebras. fa£radictaquerumorexcipit,etideo nulli magis tiiiendum eftqualcm famamhabe- ant5quamqui qualcmcunque babuerint magnam habituri fmuSeneca dc dementia I, 'i, *A.SecVlw.Vaneg,Tr*i*n9« vatimfiibeat, Vhdwm Sic.BitttHijlJ,i}.fea*$o,j>a£ew. as ————— J $6 Hijlrio-Maftix. Pa rt. i ? Pfal. ior. 4, attodeeme thenu worthy to approach their Courts, as yA7A ncccflary ornaments and attendants 3 on dayes of moft ActsT^il'.141 f°lemnitie. It was King Davids godly proteftation ; f See Act. 4 C^Q that he would fit no wicked thing before h is eyesyhat Scene i,2, the worke ofthofe who turned a fide fbould not cleave unto t Prov.io.8^6 hinu : That a fioward heart fbould depart frorru him, See Rom. r 3 . an£ {fQat ^ ^^ not fyow a wicked perfon : whofo privU 1^*14. et**" h jlandereth his neighbour, him (faith he) will I cut off: v See Gual- ™m that hath an high looke and a proud heart, I will not ther,Hom. 1 r, fuffer .« he that worketh deceit [hall not dwell in my houfe* in Nahum,p. he that telleth lies Jhallnot tarrie in my ft^ht, &c. Ccr- x Act e^s* tainlie, there is never a true Chriftian Prince or Potcn- ?. y Sec Act,4 tate tms day n* vin£> DUt is> DUt muft, °r ought to be of Scene U Davids mind, {/"jbe being a man after Cjods owne heart: x See Suetonii therefore hec can never luffer Stage-plaies , which are Caligula, fed. wicked^ lewd and heathenifh Paftimes ; or commoa UMMeito' Actors> fwhoare^/] perverfe, yea froward, wicked, fed. 1 2, 1 3,20, fr°ud, deceit full, Jlanderous, lying perfons in the highefi 13,25,26,30, degree) to come into his prefence, or harbour in his j 2. Philo hi. pallace. (t) sAKing thatfitteth in the throne ef judge- done ad CafcT **'"' ^^ ^ Wifeft Killg } fcattereth al1 €viti with hU fa: 42 ro 1 4 ^ w*fc King fcattereth the wic\edyand bring* & the Authors dbthe wheele over them, Prov .20.8, & 2^ .Needs there* forcquoted , p. fore mufta juft, 2 prudent Chriftian Prince , abandon * *+• Playes and Players from before his eyes, the one being the aSl l^greateftevillstoaState: the other, the \__y^very 1 34 2>to 1358. w or ft and moft infamous men. It is true indeed, that fome < Epiftic 1 i,to diffolute Roman Emperors, as \j^\ Caligula, 1S{cr9,Hc* Lambert. liogabalus, Carinus, and others, have beene much ena- Hn 0' moured with Playes and Atlors : but -this was onely the CurialiumU ^ot> l^e ™fam*e of thefe fhames ofCMonarchy , a? * Philo c.7,8. Iud greater fbame : £e\\ Res other quoted in the margcnt,p. 1 44* letter c. See Plinius Secundus Panegyr. Traia- nodicr.p. 58,6c 4 f. where he much inveighes ag^inft them, e Iuvcnal. Satyr.8.Ioha Sarisbury De N^igisCuriaIiuin/.i,e.7.Pol$Tlironicon I.4, c.9. hand Part, i • Hiftrio-Maftix. 737 handmira t amen cythar ado Principe mimus ,NobilLs &c. f See A£h *. being the fole encomium, that they have kfc behind Scene y.&A&.' them for it. Their examples therefore can be no good £"-Scc2e 7* & argument to lecond this objection , elpecialiy Imce TraiaHodia. (f) the b eft Roman Senators, CA'lon arches , both T*aoan p.* 8, 45-. and Christian have exiled Stage-players ', and ftippreffed £ See lohan- Playes, as even 2\£jr47?-.'*Hiiroria>lib.i 5.cap.}i,34. i Hincenim mimi, falii, balatrones,ae- miliani,gladtatores,paleftritae, gignadii, pr3eftigiatores,maleficiquoquemulti, et tota ioculatorum fcena proced it. Quorum adeo error invaluit, ut a praeclarisdomibus non arceantur,etiamilli qui obfca?nispartibuscorporis,oculis omnium earn ingerunt tarpttudinem, quarn crubefcat videre vel Cynicus. Quodque magis mircrc5 nee tunc eiiciuntur,quando tumultuantesinferiuscrebroibnituaeremfa?dant , etturpiterin- clufurn,turpiusprodunr. Nunquidtibividetur fapiensqui oculos vel aures iftis exs pandit?Df KugtaCuri4UumJ.uc$Jte€.4& 7* ^ Regis n'.curiam fequuntur altiduc,hia ftrionescandidatrice?,aleatores,duIcorarii,caupones, ncbulatorcs, mimi, balatroneSj, id genusomne. Efift, 1 4. Bibl. Vatrum Tom.\%* pars l.p .7 1 4. B. See Epiff. 8 5, p.7^.E, / Magna peccandi facultasfequtturprincipatum : adeftirritamentumgul.^copia vi- ni, etlaura? gloria menfa?5 aiTuntcomiptorcs^adulatoreSjioculatores, hiftriones, qui aieemadolefccrtiseundiquenitunturexpugnare. Quod fi tempus diiferendidaretur, monftrarem}omnes homines ftultosetfe qui vitamhabentesaliam in qua poiTint ho* neftevivere, in curjisprincipumfe precipitant. Ideo vos tantum monco, ut agrum hunchiftrionesetadulatoresjac alios nebulonesmeterefinatis, qui nigrum in Candida Vertunt; nullus enim vii is bonis apud principes locus, nulla emolumenta labo- rum &c. EpijtJib.i.Ef>i$.ioi.p.6o4,erEpift.i66j.'7iiSie p.7*137i637i7- rn Com-* prehenduntui' ergo hocti'ulo molies et delicatuli, omncfq; voluptarum illicitarum miniftri five artifices, qua'esfuntmimi , ludiones,circulatores,cantores, cytharxdi, parafW, teuenes, ethisomnibusdeteriorescunuchi;fpadones, atquecvna»di. Solent tales regum magncrum aulas, et urbes celebriores frequentare, eo quod in illis quae- ftumubernmii'-n fibipropofitum vki^ant &c. How. 1 1. inN*butnpa£. 114, zi5« Set ^P^479548o,48i. Bbbbb have 738 Hiftris-Ma/tix. Part.i. * Vis cnim alia havepublikely complained and bewailed in their wri- audircqu.^eo- tings ; that Stuge-playcrs, T amblers, ~F idlers, Singers, demcmiamT' le^ers^ ^dfftch like idle perfons, have followed Princes Quarnamau- Courts ,and haunted great mens houfes ; that they havt te?n funt ilia? there found accede and harbour, when as experienced,ver- Theatra cm- tuous, well-deferving men, have beene excluded, contem- gregant,et me- ne£ and(ent away without rewards thefe caterpillars and retrcum cho- /i r r t r • • • .A illic i du- fefts of the commonweale , not onely anticipating in the centes, etpue- meanwhile their charity to the poore, their bounty to men ros fcortantes, of b eft defert , but even exhau fling their treafures ,depra- et qui in>. una ving their manners, fomenting their uices to the publike' apfam aflficmnt ^rejH£ltce> m^ rj^r owne et em all perdition : But this mm populum ^cy cenfure as their fliamet their folly and overfighr, inlocofuperio* not their priife; as did St. (fhryfoftome long agoe, re faciunt con whofe words I would thefe O je ftors would obfer ve : ildere.Siccivi. (n) IVilt thou heare againe (izithhz) fome other things a e re rcan. wfocfo fcew tye folly and madneffe of thefe wife Law-qi- tesjhc magnos jr. . ■> t » J ' , & rc^es , quos verstT hey gather together Players G7- Theatres, Cr bring femper propter in thither troopes of harlots, of adulterous youthes &c. trophaea et vi- making alt the people to fit on fcaffolds over them : Thus x ftonas admi- recreate they the Cittyi thus doe they crewne or eat rantur, coro- v. i / a. ■ f i j • n't nantes. Atqui ^tn^s^ whofe victorious fopbees they aimi^e. But alat\ cuid eft hoc what is more cold than thx honour ? tVhat mire unplsa- honore frigi= (ant than this pleafure ? rDoefl thou thenfee\e applauderr dius? Quid vo- 0fthy actions among thefe ? Tell me J pray thee, wilt thott luptate ilia m» ye ^rtereoH«. or great ones with Playes or common tsftiors: and a fane ^noines auluc greater frenzie is it for iuch to fbfter, to applaud them, Jodi^ vu?<>i and to be pratfed by them^;(o) becaufe no true praife can Jaudes, qlfas proceed frorruany, but fuch who really deferve applaufe virprudenspr© themfelves. Adde we to him the verdict of laborious njhiI° **ePuta; Gualther, (p) who reputes it an argument of corrupted, bit: quia nulla of everted difcipline, that at thus day Players, letters, nj^ a ven-s ' effeminate per f on s , and further ers of moft difoonefl plea- veniat lauda- Jures are in great requefl in Princes Courts and in great tis. ALneu Syh cities ,<$c. which he there proves at large .To him I ffial mui EP,Jt' '* l annex that notab'e paffage ofOlaus Magnus to the like ^ ^l^" purpofe, well worth all Princes, all Piayers and Play- VAneJr.Tr'ix. haunters moft ferious consideration : in his HiftorUl. nodiclusp.tf. *5-f 3 i. De Hiftrionibus et Mimis. Where he writes V Magnum «* thus. 2{jrtto miretur quod-faac etiam peffimaoccupatione §° c°ft™ptx rtpletn Jit h perientia in- ftrucYifr.ntj.iTt interim dc pauperibus etegjenis nihil dicamquibus principum aulas re infpi< ere quidem licet, er quibus per urbesopufcntlorcs vix tranfitus conceditur* H»m,\ j.ta Nah.>mp.ti4,ii ^. q So (tiles he the profeffi^n of a Stage player. ^ Ga* Itcnnm.See here p. 4*f. r Suetonii Odavius,fcd.4 5.Sceherep. 45v>1^0* Bbbbb % ri, 74o Hiftrio-Mafttx. Part, i /The profefli ri,(f) quorum pr&cipua profejfto eft infamibus colludes e, cl a^n(1.end of turpibufque colloquys bonos mores corrumpere, eofq; eft* —u?* ifiJ*9* minatds efficere, ac libidinofbs reddere et luxuriojos:pr&- terea com&diarum-j more adnlteria etftupra reprefentare vel concinnere, undefpetlandi enafcatur voluptas et con* fuetudoyac turpiffima qu&que faciendi licentiaperniciofi, et dent que ad omniurru virorunu graviurru obmutefcere t Plutarchi rationenu et cenfurarru. fojus rel teft*s e& *^'a (0 Maf- Cato. Jtlienfis meretlix, qu continuity et alijs mirantibus, ait } [eve- rum-* virurru adeffe: qua quiderru voce oslendit , longe * Aliquis vir pluns effe * gravijfimi viri aJpeElum,quarru totius populi bonus nobis applaufum. Quocirca, etfi cuntti,maxime principes Liu* eigenduseft, dari appetant, TamEX INTIME Cw E ANT neidpro* ae iemperante rr , r • A ,T t- oculos hab-n- CHrant ve' tdmittant fieri Ab HlSTRloNIBVS Et 4, , ?4I who whifpered thus into his earc , ne ynis audiret ali- 134$. us, blonde admonens : T^on decet te alijs audiendo jpe- ilandoque it ufu c&terorum fenfuum ejfe fimilenu , fed tantPtm debes in ratione vivendi excellere, quantb emi- nentiorem te for tuna conftituit : abfurdum enim f tier it terra marifque principem, cant ib us, cavillis,e t bujufmodi ludisfuccumbere : oportet Ulnm femper et ubique memi* ftijfe majefiatis imperatorU, tanquam paflorem gregi pra- f of turn, et undicunque diUisfaElifque in melius proficif cere : (a good leffon for this fcandalou% ignoble, diffo- - ry10n Caf» hiteEmperour, whowas not onely a (petlator , an op- fiUSjRom.Hift. •planter, but fbmetimes (k>) an all: or too ofCMafques \^9. p8x9.Sc and Smge-pl ayes to his et email fiame : ) are fufficient to ^ere P* 46z' ! difprove this crack-brain'd frentique Objection of an Z*™ x &'^# infamous Player 5 That Stage-playes are neceflary • pa- 7. scene?, ftimes for the recreation, the folemne entertainment of b Marcus Au- Chriltian Princes, States y Embaffadours , Nobles 5 rdiusF.pift.12. whofe majcfty,whofe greatnes cannot but difdain fuch Sp^3^13 bafe infamous fpeccac!es,which make their (a) <*Attors c ^"0*48. and Spectators infamous. Certainly he who fhall readc c Page 38. 4 r. the (b) E 'pi file of lMwcus ^Aurelius, unto Lambert ; here p. \6i>*6$ ' the (r) Taneo-y -kke of £. Tlinitts Secundus,Ko the Em- ^Pl^archi La. peror Trajan : the anfwer of (d) aAgefilaus, to Colli- J^ ^^' Bbbbb 3 fides F'* 742 Hiftrio-Maftix. Part.i. e See Munfterl fides the expert tragicke Player;( who fainting this royalt Cofraogr.l.3.c. Xing, and thrtiftwg himfelfe into his prefence, expelling Vi\' -\ and hoping that this noble Prince would have taken fome part 2.fol < 6, fyeciallnoticeof him, and jpoken kindly to him; and then 7> i * *>* 5 ^. & perceiving that he (lighted him, demanded of him; cDoeft I 7?.to 8 5. thou not know me 6 King,and haft thou not heard whom I /Matthew Pa- am? vpj00 /00^g Hpon him, returned him no other reply i] Tl^mas'wal- ^' '^' ^rr wo' r^ Callipides the 9? layer * intima- \ Gngbaro Hi^. ting, hiimi!i et tritaconfuetudincquolitvencrabilius, vacuucfleconvenir.Ka/rt'. M4*J.*.c.6.f.if* fticably Part. i. Htftrio-Maftix. 74? jpitably bafe and altogether unmeet for fitch fublime occa- I See Aft. i, , fions. Extraordinary roy all occaiions, perfons, enter- Dionyf- tainments will nonfuite with common profhtuted En- terludes, which every tin ker3cobler?foot-boy, whore or rafcaii may refort to at their pleasure, as they doe unto our Stage-playes; which as they are every mans for his penny, fo they are every dayes Paftime too , at every roguifh Play-houfe. And are fuch common hacknie Enterludes, rhinke you, fit for high-dayes, for Princes Courts and prefence ? If therefore you will exalt thefe fordid Stage-playes to fuch fublime imployments as you here pretend, you muft now fhut up our {landing Play-houfes pnifequefter all Stnge-pUyes fro:?Lj the vul- gar crew, appropriatingtherruonely to fome cert awe fo- fum:gaudeo i- Umne publike feftivities , and times of roy all entertain- taque Willis ^ ment, fas he (I) ancient Greekes and Romans did ; who V0^ cfle \ich lefe any private) interludes aEled ^ ' V°* day by day, but onely pub like Stage-playes , at times of rcbunteflTe slo- fublike triumph, or on the great folemne Fed ft -dayes of riofiores. hern, their Idol-gods, towhorru they were devoted: ) that lb *"P- "•/•,7&» their (m) raritie may ennoble them to rucb royallfer vices as are preten led, when as their(« ta/Jiduous commonneffe hath now made the & their Aelors bafe; too bafe (I dare feyjfor anyPrinces prefence^when as they deeme thern- feivesh'ghiy honoured, with the very meaneft varices. To the fecond claufe of this O ajeciiott, Thac Srigc- playes arenectffary for the true foiemmzi ig of our Sa- viours Nativitie, and other fuch folemne Ghriftian Fe- ftivallsj itis fbdiametrally oppofi eunto truti, above 40 (everall Councels, 'befides Fathers and other Chri- ftian Writers profeflfcdly contradi.^ing it, (See AcVtf* ^puTcher Scene r2. & Aft. 7. Scene 3.) that I cannot fo much as Hcmogenes name it but with higheft indignation. Alas into what unquaml git, atheifticall heathenifh times are we now relapfed , into f^^U prs* tcrCalvum, ctdo&us cantare Catullum. Haec ego hido,Qtia» nequeinaedefonant, certantia mdice Tarpa, Ncc redeant fterum atquc iterum fpe&anda theatris.Hor. i. Scene i5»,$. & Choru9. * Qualis ha»c religio, aut quanta maie- ftas putanda eft, quae ado- ratur in tern- plis,il!uditur intheatris?Et qui haec fecc« rint,non pa>- nasviolati nu* what a ftupendious height of more than Pagan impiety are we now degenerated, when as Stage-piayes (the very [jzT\ chief eft pompes and ornaments of the mo ft exe- crable pagan Idols feftivities) are thought the necejfary appendants of our mo ft [V] holy Qhriftian folemnities f when as we cannot fanclifie a Lords-day, obferve a firt of November , or any other day of publike thanksgi- ving to our gracious God, nor yet celebrate an Eafter, a Pentecoft, or iuch like lolemne Feafts, (much lefle a £hriftmaffe, as we phrafe it) in a plaufible pious forty (as too many [b~\ paganizing Qhrtftians now conceit) without drinking, roaring, heakhing, dicing, carding, fea^honoratf' dancing, Mafques and Scage-playes ? which better be- etiamlaudati- come the facrifices of Bacchm, than the refurre:lion, que difecdunt. the incarnation of our molt blefled Saviour, [V] which Uclant. Vein- are mo ft execrably prophaned, mo ft unchnftianly dtjho- fiitu U.c.\6. nouredwith thefe "Bacchanalian paftimes. \\Thac pious di nobiTfunt* Chriftian heart bleedes not with teares of blood, when qui Tub Chri* he beholds the facred Nativitie of his fpotleffe Saviour, ftiano nomine tranfrormed into a ftftivitie of the fouleft Divels?when Gcntilcm vita he {hail fee his bleffwd Iefus, [d'] who came to redeemed agunt,etaliud cafj ftom-j their (innes, and [el to purifie unto hinu profeffione, a- r ,r J .. ,} , r L j i J Hud convert JelJe a f^uliar people zealous of good worses ; entertai- tioneteftantur. ned, honoured, courted, ferved like a Di veil, yea rather [V] crucified and nailed to his croffe againe, with nought elfebut defperate notorious (Innes*. by an unchriftian crew of Chriftians, ( I might fay [Y] P^»/,or Q^J /'*• camateDivels) who during all the facred time of his Nativity , when they fhou'd be moft holy , are more Bird his Dia- efpecially and that profeffcdly too, a mod impure peo» logue, of the p[Cj 2£a?ous of nothing butofStagc-playcs}dicing,dan- fUresof this0* cing^ealthing,riotiig,andfuch evill workes,as would prefent life make the very \h~\ lew deft Pagans to bldft for {bame. London 1580. p.t?.to3 1. 8c NicoIausdeClemangisjDeNoviscelebritatibusnon inftituenc!is,T\i4$ to iff, ^Matth.9.i^.Tir.z 14. e Hebr. 10.19. c.t.t. Rev. 1-7. f Nomine Chriftiani, tz\>&gM\&em*rdm VttaStnfti MctLithifr g Iohn 8 44- Ephef.i.i.i 'ohn $.8. /(;Sce Salvian Oe Gubern.Dei, L4. p.f jtf, i^js 1 j8, 5c my Healths SickiKffe,p,i 1. // Hterom* Epift. I4.c.l. t Mr.Stubs bis Anatomy of Abufes,p. 130. Mr. Samuel Part. i. . HiftriQ-Majlix. . 745 \j2 Is this the honour, the entertainment, the gratitude ,pr tr •. the holy fefvi^ the welcome we render to our Savi- gitur piiblici our, for his Nativity, his incarnation or his padion, to hoiks Chnili* court him thus with heathenifh Piayes or hellifh pa- ani quia impje* ftimes y as if he were no other, no better than a Pagan ™tonbus n*$s Idol or infernal 1 Divei, who were alwayes worshipped, mcSL'ntes^. courted with mchfolemne Enterludes ? Ai-t[_IQrhrifi qu£ tancrarfos and "Behal (thin k e we) reconciled ? or is there no difre- honours di- rencebetweene our Saviours Nativity, and a Divel-I- CMU^ yax dols birth-day 3 that we thus commemorate them in ^/j^01^ the felfefame manner: For how did the {J^iddmrom f0!ennia ec- Gentiles honour, or plea fe their Iupiter, Venus, Flora, rumcbnfqen- *Apo llo, H erecy nth e a, Bacchus, and fitch like cDiveLq^9ds tiapotius qua upon their gaudieft feafi-dayes, but with healthmg,dm- |a*~cim ceJe- cing,CA4afc]ues-and S'nge-playes - the very Wbrkes and fcUcct officii pompes of Satan, invented for, appropriated to thefe I- um fecos et dols Service, as I have largely proved ? and how doe thoros in pub- we Chriftians fpen<# or celebrate for the molt part , the lici!rn educcre, Nativity *of our Saviour , but with mch heathenidi ^drf^" fportsasthefe, which Turkes and Infidels would ab- tabema/habi. ilorre to pradlife? \m~\0 veickednes,0 prophaneffe beyond tu obolefacere, all cxprejfion ! even thm to abufe our Saviours folemne vino lutumco. birth-time, as to make it a patronage for all kjnde offinnel Scrc 3 Gatei'va- Were wee to celebrate the very fouled Idoi-Divels aTinCJbsad birth-day {%s[_n]many wretches doeindeedes, whiles impudemias, a,d libidmis illecebras?Siccine exprimitur publicum gaudium per publicum dedccus!?Ha?ccineic- lennes diesprincipumdecent,qua? aiiosdics non decent ? Quj obfcnantdifciplinam dc Ca»farisrefpe;ftu3 ii'eam propterCarfaremdefeiunt, etmalommlicentia pietas em; occaiioluxurias religio deputahitur ? O nos merito damnandos ! cur enim vota et gaudia Cxfarum expungimus ? cur dielseto non laureis poftes adumbrannu? nee lu« cernisdiem infringimus? Honefta res eft folcnnitate publica exigentcinducerc do« mui tux habitum alicuius nevi iupanaris. TtrtuK ApologitMdverftM Centcs. cap. $0,3 *• Tom.z.p4^m 682. which m*y bemofi aptly applied to our C^^m/ic. I\ 2 Cor.6, 1 5,1^. / See liere Aft. 1. Scene i3i,?. & Aft. ?. Scene P. &!TrfllkotLeftio 172. inLib. S.ipienti^fol.i^. m Quis unquam credeiet i/que in hanc contumeliam Dei pro* p •vVuirameflelnimanaecupiditaus audaciam, utid jpfum in quo Chrifto iniuriam faciunt, dicunt ie obChriftinomeneiTefafturos. O iwjeftimabile (acinus et pfodi- gioium ! S*him DtGt*ber;i.Dril.4.f>. 134. n IahnS.^.Ephef.z.*. C c c c c they 746 Hijlrio-Maflix. Pap.t. i • Sec Ad. s. Scene i,t,3* * De Gubcrn. fEphef.f.i*. q Fiuntet-am nujicetdeiicla religiofa. Cy frtan £f/jV.?. rExod. j *#<\ I Cor. io.7« /Detrimen- tum iam dies fentic. Sunt qui officii lu» cis no&ifq; pervcrmnr, ncc ante d id u cunt oculos hellcr- they fekmnizc Chrifts in fhew) how could we piealc or honour him more,thau to court him #ith lafciviom Mafquesor Stage-piayes, (an [o~\ invention of and for htm; elf e, which he hath $ft exacted fronu his worfbippers upon his felemne feftivals : J or to give him the very feifefame welcome that moft men give to Chrift, in the feaft of his Nativity ; when the Divell hath commonly more profeiled publike kr vice done him, than ail the yeare bolide ? For may I not truly write of our Englifh Citries, and Country villages in the Chriftmasfeaion, as Salvian did of Rome;"T*^ qnafi [cat ur lent em vitijs civitutem^uideo urbem omnium tnicjuitatum generi fervi- cntem->, plenarru cfnidenu turbis, fed magis turpitudmim bus : plenum-* divitijs, fed magis" vitijs : vmcentesfe in- vicenu homines nequitia ftagitiormru fkorum-j > alios im- puritate cert antes, alios vino Unguidos , altos cruditate difentos,hos fertisredimitoSy illos wguento oblitas, env- oi.os vano lux us murcore perditos ,fM pene omnes una er- ror nm-> merteproflratos : non omnes cjuidem~> vinolentia temulentos , fed omnes tamen peccatis ebrios. Topulos pit. QuahsiK putaresnon [uni flatus, nonfui fenfus, nonanimo incolu- lomm conditio mesnon graJH } quaft in morenu baccharunu crapula naturaVut ait €atcrvaii'/rLj infervientes &c» Thole who are tempe- Virgifia>)p:di, rate and abftcmious at ail other times, prove JEpi- bitsnoftnsfub. -cures and drunkards then* Thofe who make con- : fpience to \j>~\ releems all other fe a fans 3 detme it a \jfl Point °f Christianity to mihend all thm, [V] eating, drinking, and rifng up to play, whole day es and nights together. Thofe who are civill at other feafons, will be now deboift; and fuch who were but foberly diflolute before(if I may lo fpeak)vvill be now ftark mad3fbrget- ting n^^>nely their Saviour but themfelves.Thofe who rcpnr^R fhame to be unruly diforderly any other pan omnibus non of rhe yeare*, thmke it an honour to be outiagioufly &\(- regiofc6 vita ordered and diftempered now , [_f~] turnina day wt+ .•■'♦.Sunt q:*> dam intadem urbe ^ntijx>de$,qui nee oricatem folem unquam viderunt, necocci- Jetttcm.Hostue>iAinnasfcirequcmadmodurn vivendum eft, qui nefciunt quandor night, pula,qua.Ti ap peterc nox ex no pofnit,NTof- queubi primus tquis oriens , afflavitanhc- lis a Hi is fera tubens acccd- •iitluirJna vcf- pcr. Talis ho= rum Cbntrarh Part, i, ttfrio-Maftix. y^y nighty and night into day, again ft the conrfe of nature, Et *" Mortem like Seneca his ^Antipodes , fetting no bounds to any fr^contide lull. That which is not tolierable at other times feemes runt? tamin- laudable unto moft men now : that which were it done fautti omi^is i ac any other feafon could not bu*: be condemned as an quamnoaur- execrable firme, becomes now avertue atleaft a veni- n? Civfs lU.ntv all crime. In a word, thofe who make a kinde of con- unouchtoqut* fcience of drinking amarousdancing^heaithing,dicing, tenebras fuas idtentfle^Srage-pia} es,a: id of every linne at other times^ extant, licet * [f^decme it a part of their piety to ma' e no bones of cPll;ls> e^m thde5 ofanydeboiftntlTeor propbaneffe now : thofe fc^j^Sftcnl whoareconihnt in religious famiHe-duties , nowdif- tis, return t>ei- continue them ; thole who remembred their Saviour vcrCx vigilise and finnes before, now quite forget them : thofe who l«wpus <*idu- feemed Saints before, turne Diveis incarnate now.* thofe c?"t>n^n c°*- whowere reafonable men before, are metamorphofed iu5a fibiVaci* into bcafts or monllers now : thofe who were former- unt. Momtis ly good at leaft in outward fhew , doe now turne bad; certe intcrdiu and all who were bad before, prove now ten times parcntantnrf worfe;& all under this pretence of folemnizing Chrifts "£ 'j/y'iJu Nativitie. as if he were delighted oncly with their fins. ^e,.„] Thus doe we even crucifie our bldfed Saviour in fns /NuncfaciH- very cradle9and like t\\zx[y~]Tyrant Herod, feekg.to take us ihVeniasre- Hway hiMfe>as foone as he is born, whiles we thus impi- °l maJornm oufly celebrate & prophane Fus birth,& eve pierce h:m non omnilam: through with thefe grofle diforders which are now too fadiwsmaro- frcquent among many Chriftians.Should Turkcs & In- rum aimkura dels behold our Bacchanalia Chriftmas extravagancies, quam mmo* would they not thinke our Saviourtobe * glutton, an ™?£ ev* Epicure, a yvine-bibber, a Divell, afrimd of pub Heaves m'Xra crimi"- andfwners, as the *" Iewes once ltiled him ; yea a very na cum mino- Bacchus, a God of all diflbluteneffe, drunkennelTe and r&us.quain- fince his Nativitie is thus folemnized by his q"\ ^"filc ho are never fo diffolutely, fo exorbitantly ^afor|bus ^er- kindes,as in this his feffivall? Would they ''petr.mt. Tn un probrofitatem propeomni* Ecclcfiaftica okbi rcA.Oa e4 • utin cunfto popfflSciinftiano genus quodammodo fanaiutis ft.ii.inus cfle vitiofum 5c c, ldvi*%DeGMkm.Deil.wM. * Luke 7.$ ,:.Matth.?.j,4.ioh:i 7-°. Ccccc a not 748 Hiftrk-Majlix. P a r t . r . *De Gubema. not take up that ipeechin Salvian. * Ecce quale s funt tio'ne Dei 1. 4. qHl Chrijtunu colunt ? falfunu plane ill ud est quod ai- p. 1373 x38, pint fe bonadifcere, quod jail ant fe fanbla legis pr&cepta retinere. St enirru bona difcerent, boni ejfent. Talis pro- fetto fefta eft, qvtales et feftatores: hoc funt abfque dubto quod docentur. ^Apparet itaque Prophetas quos habent trnpurituterru docere, et o/fpoftotos quos legunt nefaria fenfire, et Evangelia quibus imbuuntur hac qua ipfi 'fact- um pradic are. Toftremo (anil a a (fhrifttanis fierent, *fi £ hriftus fantla docuiffet . Mftimari itaque de cultoribits futspoteft i/le qui colitu?\ Quomodo eninu bovus magifter eft, cujus tarru malos videmus e(fe difcipulos ? Ex ipfo e- ntrru (fhriftiant funt , ipfknu audiunt , tpfirru legunt : prompt um~> eft omnibus (fhrifti tntelligere doUrinam^. Vide (fhrifianos quid atrant , et evident er pot eft de ipfo Chrifiofciri quiddoceat. Would they not condemnc' our God, our Saviour, our religion, and loath both thcm,and us ? qui it a agimus ac vivimus, ut hoc ipfknu . . ... quod Chrifttanus populus ejfe dicitur, opprobrium-* (fhri- dem p.!* jfi ft* eSevt^eatnr 5 as tne ^am'e Father fpeakes, O inaftiA * 3 7 3 1 1 4* mabtlef acinus et prodigiofurru ! ff}uid non aufdtcunt fe fcelus quoda^unt agerc pro Chrifio. Such are our graceleiTe unchriltian Chriftmas lives : who when as our Saviour daily cries *Mitth.C.i6. unto us •" * Let your light fofhi*? before men , that they may fee your good worses, and glorifie your Father which is in heaven : we on the contrary live fo in the Chrift- mas feafon, (that I fpeake not ofother times) that the fonnes of men, that Infidels and Pagans may openly be- hold our evill workes, and blafpheme our Father, our mofl: blcfled Saviour, who is now grievin^y-ieaven, whiles we are thus dishonouring his NatiW Iba c on earth. And fliould not our hearts then frnuS^iiiouIcl not fhame confound us all for this our heuous finne? for Part, i . Hi/lrio-Ma/Hx. 749 for this our indignity to our blefTed Lord and Saviour, who never findes worfe entertainment in the world thaa in the feaft of his Nativity, when he expecls the beft ? O let us now at length iemember,that our holy Saviour was borne into the world for this very pur- pofe^ [V] to redeeme and call us fi-om (not to) thofefinnes x Matth.9. 1 j, andflnfullpleafures; [_y~]to deflroy out of us (not to erecl y £"* \%1%\q% !i within us) thofe very workes andfompes of Sat an, which j x i0hn $.5,8." ;, now we more efpecially praclife at his facred birth- [i tide : as if he were borne to no other purpofe , but to ilfet hellloofe, to give a liberty to all kinde of wicked- Ijnefle^ and to prove a meere broker (for iuch a one men then make him) to the very DivelL DjS we but feri- oufly confider and beleeve,that our Saviour Chrift was for this end borne into the world ; [V] that hee might Tiu ^ lurifie and wafb us both from the guilt , and power of all x £0hn I# 7.9. our fmnes in his mo ft precious blood ; ^jf\ that hee might Rev. 1.5. Heb. fanclifie andclemfe us with ihewafhingof water by the 9«'4« word from all iniquitie , and prefent us to himfelfe a 4 EPhe£**2 » glorious Qhurchwiihout any (pot or wrinkle: \b~\that he IO" x f might teach us to deny ungodlinejfe and worldly luff's, and y Xic.x. 1 i>i j. to live fob erly, rivhteoufly and godly in this prefent evill world, expeEling every day his fecona comming : [jc^that c i 1f* ** V4* he might quite deflroy out of us the worses of the Divell, purge us from-> all iniquitie, and purifie us unto himfelfe apeculiar people zealous of good workes: \jf] that wee «Ltt*«T»74>7?» being delivered out of the hands of our enemies might ferve hinu without feare in holinejfe andrighteoufneffe before hirru all the dayes of our lives £f\(bining as lights e Phi!. 2. 1 ?. in the midfl of a crooked and perverfe generation:^ fr^that fi Pet. 4. x, we fhould henceforth ceafe from finne, and no longer live 2>3* the reft of our time in the lufts of the fle/h to the will of 1 men, but to the will ofCjod : Qr] that we might be holy in 5 1 Pet, 1.1 5 3 tall 'manner of ' converfation and godlineffe , even as hee is l • f holy, efpecially at holy feafons : £&] that wee fhould not henceforth live unto ourfelves, but unto him who died for \ ns and rofe againe : \J~\ttff}wh ether we live we might *Rom.i4t7>8. Ccccc 3 live J 75 ° Hiftrio-Maftix. P a rt. i " l*V9 unto him, or whether we die we might die unto him, \i Cor. .20. And that living and dying we might be bis; (k) glorify, inghim both in our foules and bodies which are his. And did we withall remember, that this our blefled Saviour ' X T 4'7' (0 bath called us, not to uncleanneffe , but unto holinejfe ; m Rorn!i V.^x, r^at ^C ^at^ l&ewife enjoyned us , (m) to caft off all the , , ' workes ofdarkritffe, and to put on the armour of Ugh t : to wal^e honeftly as in the dayy not in chambering andwan~ p I!"/ *" ** tonne ffe, not in rioting anddrunkenneffe , (n) not in di- &P C i 6*Vr " Vers l^^ andpleafures , (o) according to the ceurfe of x 8. * * *^^ wicked world, according to the power of the rPrince of t Ephef.4.17. the ajre, which now worketh in the children of difobedU to 30. ence. That he Rath ferioufly charged us, (p) That wee walke not from henceforth as other (f entiles walke, in the vanity of their mindes, who having their under /landings darkned, and being alienated fiom the life of God, and paft all feeling, have given themfelves over unto all lafcivi- oufneffe to worke all uncleanneffe with gxeedinejfe. That wee put off concerning our former converfation the olde man which is corrupt according to the deceit full lufts; and Tuke it id t^jat WefHt on the hew man which after Cjod is created in holinejfe and true- right eou/nejfe. (ij) That we take heed unto our fehes, left at any time ( how much more at times ofgreateft devotion) our hearts be overcome with farfettin^ and drunkenneffe, and that day come upon us t Gal. y. 24. at unawares, (r) That we crucifie the flefh with the affe- 0 " }' *• Rions and lufts thereof , and abftaine fi'om fle/blj lufls f 1 Pcr.l.? 4. which warre again ft our foules, (f) fince the time paft of our lives may fuffce us to have wrought the will of the Cj entile s^wh en as we walked in lafcivioufneffe , lufts, ex- n . ceffe of wine, revcllinvs , banquettinvs, and abominable t Rom.12.1,?. .f, J . ' rrl & ' . 7 3 \ ,, , idolatries : (t) That we give up our joules and bodies as an holy and. living facrifice unto God 5 net fapnoning our y lam. 1 27. fe/ves t0 t\je conrfe of this pre fen t evili world, (v)but kee- x Eph. f . 1 ? j 1 6. ping onr f elves t-njpotted from it : (x ) walking cirenm- Rorw.1^.14. fpetlly as intheday, notasfooles,butaswife, redeeming the time becaufe the dayes a^0vtH; and making noprovi- fton Pa rt. i . Hiftrio-Maftix. 75 1 fionfor the fie fh to fulfill the lufls thereof. Did we (I fay ) butferioufly ponder and unfainedly beleeve all this, it wouldfoonef/j turneour difTolute Chriftmas laugh- ing, inte mourning $ our bacchanalian jollities into iin- ^ Ialn*4 *• & lamenting Elegies ; our riotous grand-Chriftmafles r'xi?tus2.i2 into fuch pious Cbriftian duties, as would both honour i ? . cur Saviours birth day, and make it welcome to our Eph.f. 16,17. foules . Let us therefore cordially meditate on all thefe x Pet-T- ! *• ' *• facred Scriptures, on the ends of our Saviours blelTcd \ 2 j ** I9' • incarnation, (which was,(^. ) toreieemeus from all thefe tomt muit;m. curfinnes and fin f till pleafxrcs; to crucifie our lufis,to re- dopcrccantium, generate and fantlifie our depraved natures, to* make us et definet cflc holy even as he is holy, and to conforme us to himfelfein Vro°n }oco * ] all things: ) and then this inveterate heathenifti (a) icdTaum.y™w. common cuftome ofpropharithg Chrifts Nativitie with De Bmp Hi* jpent in feafting,drinkingjancing,Playes and interludes: °r*% !"* ** e Macrobius Saturnal lib. 1. cap, 7, pag. zyg. d Saiurnalium ,lib.i.cap. io» 75* Hiftrio-Maflix. Part. i. 3 4.Afterius Homil. in Pe« Hum Kalenda* rum. Alexan- der ab Alexan- dre* lib.3. cap. 16 e Ovid. Fafto- *r the end of which they celebrated their [VHj Feftum Ka- rum lib.«. p. i. Undarum, on the fir fi of Unitary, (now our NeW-yeatfCS to 10. Sueromi d , he h r ^ ^ j ^%h r /p, . Tiberius feet » ?* , ., A r , ,. '- wifefolemmzed with d tageplayes, Mummeries ,MaJ que s , \ dancingfeafling, dr tn king, and tn fending mtituall /P(jw- y ear es gifts one to another, for divers dayes together. In thefe their Saturnalia and feafts of Ianu s, all ferv ants were fet at libertie, and became checke-mates with their mafters, with whom they fate at table : every man then >fc See Suetonif wandred about without controli, an$ tool^e his fill of plea*- O&aviias feft. fare, giving himfclfeovertoallkindeof* luxurie,epicu- ?!]?*" ,. rifme, dtboiftnejfe , diforder, pride and want onne fife *^f\ Saturnal.lib. 1 . tQ primes; Enterludes fJMummeries-^St age-play es ,dan- cap.7. & 10. cing,drunkenneffe, and th of every diforder s that accom- Polydor Virgil, p any our grand unruly Chr\ftmajTes~.which Saturnalia& De Invent. Re- ^agan Fejlivalls the enfuing Authors thus defer j, be.Servi &^hebeniSne CHm Sat1irHaiia tenant (writes Q-] Tlutarch) am Li- Authors4 Hof beralia, in agro vagantes celebrant, ululatio eornm et tu~ kot,Lc&ioi66 multns ferre non pofsu pra gaudio et imperitia xerum 1 67. in lib.Sa= pulcrarum, talta agentium et loquentium: ffluid defides? quin bibimus et capimus cibos? Sunthac mi Telle, in prompt u: curtibiinvides ? Vocemftatim hi dedere: turn Bacchi liquor Infunditur^ et corona ahquk ornat caput. Lauriqne pulcram adfirondem turpiter canit, Inducia Vhabo,\anuamq\ alius domus Tulfam operiens, excludit car am conjugem,&c» Saturnalibus tota fervis licentia per mitt it ur : ludi per urbemm compit is agitantur* (writes [h~\CMacrobius: ) {-Maxima pars Craium Saturno,et maxima ^Athtna Conficiunt facra, qua Cronia effe iterantur ab illis. Cumque diem celebrant ,per agros urbefque fieri omnes Exercent Epulis Uti, famulofque frocurant guifquefuos, nofirique it idem, et mos traditur illinc lfie, ut cum dominis famuli epulentur ibidem, &c. Parallell ro which is that of (i) Seneca : Decemb menfis quo maxime Civitas defudat; jus luxur i a public* datum pientia?. Hof= pinian DeO- rigine Fefto- rumlib Fran« cis De Croy liisfirft Con- formity j cap. *9- ' _ g Non pone fuaviter vivi fecundum Epi- curi decreta. " Gommentar. Moral.Tom. i. p. ion 6 Saturnalium l.i.cap.7. EpiftolaiS. Part, i . Hiftrio-Maftix. 753 datum-* eft : ingenti apparatu fonant omnia , tanquanu \ Scrmonunj quicquam-j inter Saturnalia nunc inter fit, et dies rerunu '• 2-Satyr.7.p, apendarunu. nsfdto nihil inter eft, ut non videaturmihi ?X7*> ,tm errajjc qui dixit, olwu menjem-* Decembreiru ejfe, nunc j#I tQAt 57, anntinu,&c. And that o£ Horace: » SeeHoipi. (tj ^^^ hbermte "Decembri . ni$g Dc Ori- ( jguando im major es voluerunt) mere : narrat &c\ gineFeftqrum; (0 ^3nc eft bibendu, nunc pede libera pulfanda te/lus; ^Qn ^ Q- Nuncfaliaribus ornare pulvmar T)eorum,tempus &c. tC(j jn thc mar. That the ancient Romanes (yea and the Grecians too) gent,pag.2Zf, in times of Paganiime) did ipend their Saturnalia, Fe- **6> 2 1 1> 234» ria, and other iblemne Feiti vals in dancing , drinking , bLuu Holkot" feafting Mummeries,MafquesaridEnterludes, thePo- Lc tndique vocant,fpettate Qttirites bant.Sic in fa- Stfora martefuo litigiofa vacent. crificiis Bacchi tAnnuimus votis^Conful nunc confute Indos ,&c. ctCybeles ma- (r) Ta/ia luduntur fumofo menfe Deccmbri t"? . ®eoT}}m ' Qua jarru non ulli compofuiffe meet. bifibus et lux. /rx _ The third,thus. uriis vacantcs (f) 3\unc mibi nuncfumo vcterv prof err efalernuwu totam no&ern Confutis et Chio folvere vine I a cado. fcirpitertfanfi • ytrta diem~> eclebrent, non fefia luce madere bu?tA otfoTus EP r"*°n erranfe* et ™*l*ferre P"*'s- ad "phefios "! $ed bene i-Meftatlanu fua qui/que ad pecula dicat; Nolite com- Tyumen et abfentu fvngula verba fonant, &c< ■aunicare ope- <*Agricola ajfiduo primum fatiatns aratro "bus ' nfr"au- Cantavit certo ruftica verba pede. !!1S r.TL™"- tArricolact nimio (uffurus Baccborubenti rum, led magts * 1 / / ^ rcdarsuite. primus me Xpert 0 duxit ab arte choros &c. Quxautemir* whom (0 Pbilo ludaus (writing of the Romans fefti- ccculto fiuut va|s^ Jq^ fecond in this manner. In omnifefto noftro et abiphs turpe cetebritate qu&tmramar , funtk&c: feCurit:tsfemiffio,f- and fuch like venda? , quam interludes, (x) wherein Tidier sand others abledlafcivi* KaIcnd«.Nani -4>us effeminate parts , and went about h heir Towns and JJ^"|"t q™1* Cities in womens apparreH : whence ( J ) the whole um colcntcs" diem ipfum muftis fpurcitiis facraverunt.Qi2.idam mutabant fc in fpecies monftrofas, in ferarumquc habitustransformabant. Alii in fa:minco geftu mutati,virilem vulturn efFa:minabant: aliqui fanaucisanguriisprofanabantur, pcrftrcpebant faltandopcdb bus, tripudiando plaufibus : etquod histurpius eft nefas, nexis inter fcutriufqjfexus chorijinops animi,fuicos vino turba mifcetur.Diabolicas etiam ftrcnas, et ab aliis acci. piebant,etipfi aliis tradeba«-.Necn6etiamenfulasplenas ad manducandumtotanoftc pararo* hnbebatjCrcdetes quod Kalends Ianuarii per totum annum piseftare pofftt.Ec quia his atque aliis miferiis mundusuniverfus iepletuscrjt,ftaruituniverfalisEcclefia Ddddd2 fatbolicke 756 Hiftrio-Maflix. Part, i iciunium pub- Qatholicke Church (as t^lchuvinus, with others write) hcum rn lfto appointed ajolemne pub like faft upon this our Ncw-yeares dicfi tenusiftiscala- ^aJ > (which faft it feemes is now forgotten) tobewaiU rnitatibus au« thofe heathenijh Enter ludes,Jports, and lewd idolatrous ftcr vita: finem pratlifes which had beene ufed on it : prohibiting all(fhri- Hnponcret,&c flians under paine of excommunication, from-, obferving ^mToffr's the 'Kalendi or M °fI*™aH (which wee now call cy™C*l.iQi\ New-yeares dayjU holy ,and from fending abroad 2^ew- 10 14. ifndor Jf ear es gifts. upon it, (a cuftomc now too frequent; )*> ,be- Hi/p.Dt Offtdfj ing a me ere relique of Taganifme and idolatry , derived Baiefafticif I 1. from_, t£,e heathen Romans feaft of two-faced Ianus; and a, ?64nnu uThe Pra^fef° execrable unto Christians, that not onely the trndm v'eVu* whole Catholicke Church 5 but even the 4 famous it Hwe[late Ec- £ouncels of (z,) tsfltifiodorum and (a) Towres ; fapit. ilrfiafiicornm , (jr Synodorttrru, here p. 58 1 . & Concil. Con- i.i.c.is.Am. jlantinop:6.herep.sSs. ( c) St.sSfmbrofe, U)**Amu- krefe Servo n. n. , r. Mh . i *> ,r\ ur> / , a* ,.* ** ^, %Concil.,Vtif- ft*ne> (e) ^fieriM> (f) HR*ban™ tii.Bocbe1'** Dctrtta EicLGal.k+.Ttt.j.car.j.-y Tn ii.e.tf. Z. Joannes Part. i# Htflrio-Majiix. 757 (p) Ioannes Langhecrucius , {cf) 'Bochellus , (r) Ste- p De Vita ct phanus fifta, (f) Francis de Croy, (t) Po ly dor Virgil, HoneftatcEc- [v) Durandus, with (x) fundry other, have pofitively ^fiaft,corum, frohibited the folemnization of T{ew-yeares day, and * ^creta gc^ 40;/ the fending abroad of I^ew-yeares gifts , under an a- dcilx GalUib. nathema & excommunication^ unbefeeming Chriftians, 4.Tit.7. c.7,8. whofbovld eternally abotifb, not propagate, revive, or re- & Tit» * *• c**» continue this pagan feflivall, and hcathenifh ceremonie, ^ " J; rar* which our God abhors. If wee compare (I fay)ourBac- aatu TraGa. chanalian ChriftmafTes & New-yeares tides y with thefe tuum,Paufiis Saturnalia and feafts otlanus , we Avail finde fuch neare 1 5 4 f. Tom. 1, ajBnitie betweene them both in regard of time, (they ,'• IJ7'158* being both in the end of 'December , and on thmfirfi of fb"^„ *" January:) and intheir#iannerof folemnizing; (both of lo. them being fpent in revelling, epicurif me, wantonnefTe, t De Invento- idleneflc, dancing, drinking^Stage-playes, Mafques,and [ibus Reram, camallpompe and jollity;) that wee mull needes con- '*■£*'. . / 1 1 1 l 1 r \ -(T r^t v Rationale elude the one to be but the very ( y ) ape or tjjue of the 0- pivinorum therm Hence (z) Tolydor Virgil affirmes in expreiTe OfFieioruml.tf. tearmes; that our Chrifrmoi Lords ofmifrule, (which c.ij. cufiome, faith he y i* chiefly obferved in England,) toge- x See here pag, ther with dancing /JMafques, ^Mummeries ,Stnre'playes, *£ . - 1^1 1 £1 n * i-% 1 • r.- f ~i ■ jPanafuntu* and fuch other Chriftmas diforders now in ufewith Chri- njus fementis ftians, were derived from thefe Roman Saturnalia , and germina , et *Bacchanalian festivals 5 which fliould caufe all pious cjvioci laiebat Chriftians eternally to abominate them. If any here ln rf^"bus demaund, by whom thefe Saturnalia , thefe diforderly ^fJuafbu?. ChriftmafTes & Stageplayes were firft brought in amog vn^emtra the Chriftians ? I anfwer, that the paganizing Priefts colt^rem/.^. and Monkes of popi(h{thc( a Jfaine with heathen Rome) z Dc ln*«rto» were the chiefe Agents in thisworke: who as they ri^sRcrum>1« borrowed their Feafi of (b) <*All-Saints, from the hea. a'^ Ormerod hisPaganopapifmus,& Francisde Croy bis firtt Conformity. t> Durandus, Ratio- nale,!^ vin:OrTic. I.7.C.34. Beda Ecclefian\Hiftor J.:ucM JMatina, Onupbnus, Lnn> prandiubjFafcicuIus Temporum, Balaeus et Barns in vita Bonifacii quart! } Thomas Beacons Rdiques of Rome, cap. 59. Polydor Virgil, Dc Inventoribus Rerum, lib.5, cap.B.p-rus,de NataM.io.c.i, Francisde Croy his firft Conformity chap. 19. Vola- i tcranus Comment.l. 1 2.f. 1 ^7^ accordingly. Ddddd3 then 758 Hiftrio-Maftix. Part.l 1 thenkftivzW'Pantbtort; and the feafi of the (c) Turifi- t Michaclis cation of the Virgin Mary, (which they have chriftned Lochmair Ser- w jt j, tf,e name or Candlemafe) from the fefti vail of the mo 5% Tho= qoddeffe Fcbrua, the mother of CMars : to whorru the mas Beacon his ^ " ' , . .-. J inn. Roroes Re. Pagan Romans offered burning tapers, as the rapjtsin Jiques,cap.48, imitntion of them-* now offer to the Virgin Mary on thii $9. Hquidcra day at «>) needeS n°^Hch TaPers> *s(°) LaZlantius tells US.) fumpiere.Per- So they have deduced (not the celebration of our Savi- tinacipaganif- ours Nativity in a Chriftian manner, which was anci- moimitatione fubventumeft, quem rei in totum fublatio potius irritaifet. T{henamts Aiwotjn Uh.fr TenuLadverftu Macion.p. 478. Francis deCroy his firft Conformity, cap. 17,2 j. Po- lydor Virgil.de Invent. Rerum,1.f. c.i. Iacobus dc Voragine Sermo 8 2. De San&is^ Innoccntius,3.Scrmo in Fefto Punflcationis. Baronius Martyriologium in Febr.?. c/PolydorVirg'Idelnvent.Renim, lib.f.cap.i. e Aras Saturnias non maelando vi« ros fed acccniis luminibus excolunt. Indc mos per Saturnalia miiTirandis Cereis caepir. Macrol\ Satum.lik. 1 ,rap.7.p*g* *76* f Sec here pag. 2 2, 23. Illicaccendunt geminas pro lampade pinus, Hinc Cercris facrisnunc quoque tarda datur. Guii Faftjtl>.4,pag.7i. Accipiuntfragili fimulachra nitentia cera, Et matutinis operator fcfta luccrnis. Iuucn&l.Sdtyr. iz.pdg.iif. Tunc Saliiad cantusincenfa altaria cii» cum&c. Virgil, &nii<). lib. S.pag. 23V. Sec Francis de Croy his firft Conforrnitic, cap, 2*. & Ormerod hisPagano-papifmu*. g Accendunt lumina vclut intenebris agenti. L*cl4Hiius, VeveroCultu, cap. i. h Pfal. 105. <. & i£f. 16. f Ma1. 4. 2. ^ Luke 2- 78, 79. Iohn 1. 8, 9. / lames 1. 17. EphcC 1. 18. w Revel. 2 1 . 2 j. cap.22. ?. « 1 Iohn 1.^,6,7. o Vcl ficcelefte lumen quod dicimu* fclem , con* templari velint , iam fentient quod non indigeat luccrnis eorum DeuSjqui ipfe in ufum hominis tam Candida m luccm dedir. Num igitur mentis fu 2 compos putandus eft,quiau£tori etdatori lurRiniscaojdclarum aut cerarurn lumen ofFcrt pro munere? De Veto ChIih tib.6, cap.i. ent) Jart. i. Hi/trio-Maflix. 759 at) but the riotous folemnizing of this facred feftivall, roni thcfe Pagan Saturnalia ; which having (p) bapti- f Cum fcrips ;ed or new cruilded over with this alorious pompons title. tum . \ . n r r^ »# • t r r / • nominabis no- ; Christ-Masse, (a name I am lure or their owne men Domini : mpofing, not knowne to the ancient Fathers y as the Dei tui in vanu . vIas s s therein imports:)they tranfmitted it as a moft ir» revcrentia ; acred Reliqueor Tradition to diflblute pofteritie:who £hrl{*1 d.cci~ pre fo farre befottcd with its bacchanalian paftimes,En- c^r"j fouli j erludes, and other heatheniflh diforders,that they have vanitates nihil both loft their Saviour and themfelves y whiles they iam-paenc va- pus celebrate his Nativitie; which in regard of thofe nius. guam q) inf email prophane[fes,of that licentious liber tie ofjtn- S£nft* \xomtXi • / / * !Li * J n 1 c»c vidctur. \nng which men mw t&ke nnto themfelves more than at Denique ad \ther feafons y may more truly bee ftiled Divels- hoc res cc- ' IvIasse, or Satvrnes-Masse (for fuch (r) too cidit, utcum nanj make it ) than Chrift-maffe ; there being farre Pc!j, f nrifti P°' noreaiBnitiebetweene the Diveil.Saturne, Mafle, and ^^1^1 iotous Chriftmas-kceping , than betweene Chrift and icra etiam reli- hem: whoashe(f)never approved idolatrous facri- giofc e(Tc fa- Regions pompous Lfrlajfes, which rob him.* of his honour, c1utos.s<*to?/. vorfbip,anda/l-fafficientfacrifice0nceforatl:Cohecmnot fe "* Dn )ut abhor thefe bachananalia paga Chriftmaffes, which JsccMr.Smbs- leprive him of his fervice, praifes,love, and proclaime his Anatomy lim an open parron of thofe notorious {infull Chrift- ofAbnfes, p. jnas prafhfes which hee doch moft abhorre. When i?0*Mr.Sa- hefe diforderly extravagant kinde of ChriftmafTes ^oSlca- ::reptfirft into the Church, I cannot certainly deter- fures 0f this* nine, yet this I doe conje&ure. After that Pope(t)Bo* prcfentlife,p. [ « face, and (u) Pope Gregory the firfly under pretence of if.ro jj. 1 drawing menfiorru Paganifme to (fhriftianity , had chan- r Giia»mnus red divers of the [V] Pagan Feftivalls into Chriftian: as c"^m T°0^z"# ?ag.i7i. /See Morney SutclifFe and othersof the MaflTe : 5c Bjfliop Morton his In- ftitutiottof the Sacrament,1.7,8. / See Beda RccIefiaft.Hift.!.2.c.4. with the Authors atb.bcfore. u Gregorius Mag Epiftolarumex Regiftro lib.p. Epift.71. * See Du- randus Rational. Divin.Offic.!.7.c.$4J>olydor VirgiUdelnventoribus rerum U.c. 1 ,2. Thomas Beacon hisRomesReliqucs5cap.*9. Francis deCroy his firft Conformity, e. 19, 20, z?, 26. Hofpiniande Originc Feftorum, Ormerod hisPagano-papifmus* wmpluribasaliif. Pantheon 7 <5o HiftrioMajlix. Pa rx i . J Sermo r r. Pantheon inf ssfll Saints ; Februalia, Lftpercatia, Prw- ^DeCivir.Dei Jerpinalia and Paliha , into the FeafiofCandlemafe^ IS. cap. 1 7. & guirin alia, into Innocent s^the Feafafthe Kalends of [*m ConfcOlonum HHArjj„t0 0Hr Saviours Circumcifion or ^Jjw-jeares * Canon 17. ^7 > r^/* Saturnalia into our Saviours 7{jtivitie; and 28. Sec here p. the like: (contrary ro the judgement of[_y J St. . ^yiugus~line , the [V] ipWf Cottncellof Af- RhenaiuiSjAn. jfoV^, W ££J others, who wi/hed all Pagan Feftivals not nouinl»|.Ters changed into Chriflian, hut quite abo lifted, the better to tul.contr.Mar- A „ . . _i i '. . . ' , . . cionemp.478. avoid all heath emjh cuflomes: ) it came to pafle, that the Polydor Virgil obfervation ofrhefe Pagan Ve&ivatts^nhofe names they dc Invent. Re onely changed) [V] brought in all ^Pagan rites and ccre- rum 1 1, ? . c. 1 , ? . monies that the idolatrous heafoens ufed, {at drun^ennes, •n 1 j"a?vS -i health-quaffinir , wantonneffe, Inxurie, dancing;, dicing; Polydor Virgil ? •" a' ••/ » i r/t n. •<* Ibidem. Fran ** tuge-playes, Mafjues with all other Ethrticke (ports }fi& cisde Cioyhis to the fturch of God -, (which was never defiled with firft Confer* thefe prophane abominations, till thefe Pagan hory^ mity, c*V*l9> dayes were metamorphofed into ChriitianJ which by Ormerod his rea^on of mens naturall proneffc untoevill, did fo one Paoano-papif- tranfforme all (fhriftianFeftiualls ibtocPagan , as good mus. Authors witnefe : partly .through the [_d^]peoplesflro^ c Hofpmian, prop unfit y to carnatt pleafiires , to heatheni[b rites a\ *ranCls ceremonies to which they naturally adhere •, but princi- rod,Rhenanus, Pa^'y through the [Y] intolerable luxurie anlvoluptu*. with others oufnefie of the Popijh Clergie ; whole exceffive endow- qua b. ments, power, pride, and lordly pompe drew them on ' $• GcfTVy Chaucher his Plow mans Tab, Peirce Plowman his Creed , Bernardi ad GuUelraun Abbatena Apologia, 5cConcioa.-iClc.:un inConcilio Rhencnf. Toaun;* \VicklirTe Dia'ogo- gamin lib.4» cap. ^. to 39. Ioannes Aventiuus Ann.ilium lioiorum lib/1 & ?. Iohn BalchisA&sof Engiifli Vorarie?.5cCiemangisdcConuptoEcc!en2e (latuaTracl. couifes, 1 Part, i . Hiftrio-Ma(lix. 761 • courfes',, they not onely fluffed their (f) KaUnders with /'Sec Calenda- . new-invented Fefiivals and Saints dayes z but lihwife ri%uraetMa^% , . inn n. j i* ^/ noSofclUlH R.O- (gjcoHntenaticedall Pagan jports and cujtomes on Ihenu, mani{Jn HRa* 'exhibiting pub like banquets, interludes y UWummeries, bani Mauri et Dances, and merriments to the people; wlto being bribed I&roniiMarty- i with their belly-cheare, and fbothed with their plea- «°logia,Nico. f flexures, (h) applauded themfor theprefent, and then I^cn"^ ,; fell to (i) imitate thenu for the future; till at laft (kj ah Celebritatibus [ Chriflendomewas over-runne, yea all life, all power of non inftitucn- [ Ch'riftianitie quite eaten out with thefe Tagan Chrifi- disaccording* I mas paftimes and deligtits of /fo.That the Popifh Clergy fcc^ccAft'7# I (whofe extravagancies andmoft intollerable luxurie in ^icoh^sCJc- j this kinde, (I) many Councelsand(m) ^Authors have mangis Dc Nbvis Celc- | britatibus non inftituendk, Polydor Virgil de Invent.rcrum I.5.C.2. Lodovicus Vives I .Commenc.in AugulT.De Civit.Dei lib.8. c.27. b Populi plaudunt non coniultoribus ||BttUitatum(uarum, fed largitoribusvoluptatum. Augafl* De Ovir.Dei lib. z.tap.zo* Bum enim maiores ipfi voluptatidefcrviunt,minoribus lafcivia? fnena laxantiir.Q^is enim fub difciplinaefe conftrictionecontineat, quando et ipfi qui ius conflriclionij accipiuntfefc voluptatibus relaxant? Greg. Magnus Mer*Uib*t{ pernicio* I flus dc ^epublica merqntur vitiofi reports, quod nam folum vitia concipiunt ipg, fed Ica infundnntincivitatem: neque folum obfunr,* quod ill i ipfi corrumpunt,. fed cti. am quod corrumpuntur, plufque cxemplo quam peccatonccent. Cicero De Le^tbta hb.$, / Synodus Turonenfis fub Car. Mag.Can. 5. to ic. Surius Tcm.3. pag. 274. Synod.Cabilonenfe2.Can.9,io. Ibid, p.279. Moguntina Anno 8 1 ^.cap.io. 5c 36, pag.289,290. dConcil.AquifgrancnfgCan.loo.p. 333. Parificnfel.i.c. 19,21,37, 38,46. &lib.2.cap. 18. Rhemenfe Anno 8 13. cap. 17,18. Mogunrinum Tub HRa- banocap.i}. Lateranenfe Tub Innocentio 3. cap. if, 17. Colonienfe Tub Radolpho cap.i 7. with fundry others. Sec Aft. 7. Scene 3. m Bernard ad Gulielmum Abbatcm Apologia, DcConfideratiohelib. 3,4. Ad Clerumct ad Pa (tores Serrno, Col.r 276. &c. In Cantica Serrno 77.Declamationes, etEpirt.42. 78. Gregorius Magnus Horn. I7.in Evangelia, 3c Paftoralium lib. Guildas in Ecdefiafticumordinem acris Correp- tio.Bibl.Patr.Tom.f.pars3.p.68 2,&c.PetrusBlefcnfis Epi£r.7j 18,23,42,56,61,76, 85,102,152. & Compendium in lobe. 1. AelredusSermo 1 '* 8c u.incap, ^.Ifaiae. S.Brigittae Rcvelationesl.4. c.i 3 2.to 136. J,, dicamm regail power quod bom luvent,mali rident > dicarru do/ens (ft turned and Ecclena- V . ,, » s , ,.ra : «< . .# fticall London "tcp Poteft ) quomodo difftuant ineommefjattontbus, we- 1 j 56, fol. 84, brietntibus, i9eubilibus, in impudicitijs , ut janLs domns 8?,8tf.where (flericorunuputentar proftibulameretrieunu, et corici- itis englifiiedj frabula hiftrionum^Jbi alea, ibifaltus et cantus, ibi uf- • l- Fr j en- que i* medium notlts (batium protrab~t for eretling Theaters for this purpofe in their Churches, x jn *tertiam on which their Priefls and Monkes , together with com- partem Divi mon Enter lude-P layers, and other Laic kg* did perfonate Thomae Sala- thefet%eirPlayes. Which groflfe prophanefle though ™DC*i589- thus^x^declaimed againfl by many of their own Authors, §£ Aa * & condemned by their Conncels, is yet ftill in life among scene %,6. them^ not onely [jzJDidacus de Tafia, and others who y See A£t4 j. much lament *>,butcven daily experience3&the Iefuites Scene *.&Ac>. pra&ife, together with lohn Molanus, Divinity-pro- 7' Sce"c ** reffor of Lovan, witneffe: who in his Hifioria S3. 1- 1(^aa" maginurru & Pitturarunu Antwerpia 161 7. lib. 4* cap. 4 Lib. dclma- l8. T>e Ludis qui fpeciem quandam Jmaginum habent, ginibusc. 17. in quibufdam annifolennitatibus,p.^7^3 425,416,427. * Wilhclmui . out o([a] Conradus Bruno, and[V] Lindanus , writes a^i*™-^11 thus in juftificatipn of thefe their Enterludes. 2\£ob>*- adGermanos ven Smge-playes have a §ertaihe fbape of Images, anJkoft Tom.3.cap.j fc Ee cce 2 times I 764 Hiftrio-Majlix. Part.'i. times move the pious ajfeftions of Christian*, more than prayer it [elf e. [V] Lift up your gates yee princes , and bee jee lifted xo' up yee ever lading gates , that the King of glory may come in : and he who watcheth in the gates demanding, • Who is this King of glory? the Presbyter anfwers againey The Lord ftrong and mighty in battaile ; the Lord of hoafts he is the King of glory. Likewife, that on the day of the refurretlion of our Lord in the morning after mor^ ntng prayers, Angels in white garments, fitting upon the- fepulcher, aske the women camming thither and weeping, d Luke »4«4>5> faying Whomfeeke ye women in this tumnlt .weepingf^d^ he is not here whomyefeeke: but goeye quickly ,and tell hit *Difciples • Come anj fee the place wkre the Limd lay. And thai on the fame day the image of our Lord, bearing an enfigne of Vitlorie, is carried about in pub like procef- fion, and placed upon the altar to be gazed upon by the people. Likewife that of zsffecntion day in the fight of auAe people , the Image of the Lord is pulled up in the midfl of the Church, and /hewed to be taken up into hea* vefl. In the meane time about the Image arc little win- ged images ofzSfngels, carrying burning tapers in their hands, and fluttering up anddowne, and a Trieft finging* i Iohn%o.i7. DO I afcend unto my Pather and your Father ; and the Clergy finging after him, and unto my God and your' God : with this folemne hymne, T^ow is a folemne &c* /"Mark i* 1 f An* *ty RetyonfolrJ : C fl Goe ye into the world &c. \g r " • tAndihat upon Whitefunday tthe image of a dove is let dewnt Part, i . ■ Htflrio-Maflix. 765 *downc from-* abone \in the midfi of the (fhurch , and pre- fently a fire falls downe together with it with fome found > jnuch like the noyfe of guns, the "Prieft finging, Q-] Re- ^ lohn io.it. . ceive ye the holy Ghoft &c. and the flergy recb anting-^ [hj There appeared cloven tongues* to the Apoftles, &Afts2vr* g &c. By all which and other fUch like jpellacles, and thofe ejpecially which reprefent thepajfion of our Lord, nothing ilfe is done, but that the (acred hiflories may be repre- fented by thefe exhibited Spectacles and Snterltides to thofe who by reafon of their ignorance cannot reade them->. %/indtheftthings hitherto out of Qonradus TZrttno in his Bo»ke of Images, cap. i 7. Thou baft the like defence of \ thefe [bewes and Snterltides in \f\ William Lindane the ,- jom.?. cap. : reverend Bijhop of Ruremond in his (t/fpologie to the Cyer- e j% mans, where among other things he faith : For what other are thefe Spectacles and Tlayes than the living histories of Lay-men ? with which the humane ajfeEiion is much more efficacioufly moved , than if they {bould reade the (ame in private, or heare the publikely reaiby others &c„ J^Scchere page Thus he.O thedefperate rmdnefle^theunparalleld pro- « * Vl3« fanes of thefe audacious Popifh Priefta & Papifts, who * See Aa' *• dare turnc the who!e hiftory of our Saviours life^death, ^^hout- Nativitie, Pa'Jion, Refurreftion, Afcention , and the & Acf.r.Scenc very gift of the holy Ghoft defcending m cloven s".Yea contrary tongues, into a meere prophage ridiculous Stage-play; to the Decree (as even their owi\t[_ijmpiousT>o^ Pius th? 2. mo ft ^Bm^*5 propha idy did.) contrary c» the (7 j forequotedrefolu- w£0 3eThis tions of fundry Qouncels and Fathers , who would have Edict. Nullus thefe things onely preached to the people, not ac~led,not re- penims opors prefented in a (hew or Stage-play* No wonder then if tct Spcftacula fachtumetrje (acred folemiity of our Saviours Incarna- ^rnn™a qLjo tioainto a Pagan Saturnal, or Bacchanalian feaft ; who »xhiberc! cole* thus tranfform^ his humiliation, his exaltation, yea his Tbeodofi ffyi% . whole worke of our redemption into a childifh Play.. W*M«.4 But let thefe Playerlike Prieft* and Friers, whojuftifie "^t^f this prophanefle, which every Chriftlai heart that Jur sariojr hath any fparke ofgracc muft needes abominate, attend chriftt • Ecece 3 mm y66 Hi/lrio-Maftiyr. Part, i • i*D vero \U Unto their learned Spznith Hermite/JDtdacus de Tapia* !"«UIobn Fr'an5- Wh° readeS th* Ledure ^^ t0 thCI" ™d US# * ^ cifci convcrffo * ^ ver^J ** altogether intolerable, that the life of lob, of m ' Magdaicnae , St Francis , efUWary ^Magdalen, (how much more ^&c reprefen- then of Chriil: himfelfe) fbould be attcd on the Staged or ■tantuiyjmnino fince the very manner and cuftome of Play-houfes up ro- le Cum'1" f^ane, it is lefe evill (if it were toller able) that prophase thcatrom-n things onely fhould be ailed, and that holy things be han- iros prophanus died onely in a haly manner &c. 'But now that a Theatre, fit, minusma- A Place So Familiar To Divels, And So w3^5?fr 0diPvs Vnto.God (praymarke \x) (houttbe fet pr*fentaVemur Hf ™ tf°€ Verl mi^efi °J tbe body °ftioe C^Hrc^ before *k* prophana,, fan- high ssfltar and the moft holy Sacrament for Playes to be #a vero non atled on it, he onely can brooke it, who by reafon of his (ins ni/ifantfetra hath not yet knowne or felt , How Cross E And &c?Wcro °PPOSITE These Things Are To The Ho- utthcatwmlo. L,NES Op God. It is evident then by all thefe pre- ens fciiicet ijie miles, that our riotous,ludicrous & voluptuous Chrift. dxmonibus fa- maffes, (together with Stage-playes, dancing, Mafques miliary invi= and fuch Hke p { t$) rw^ their erigmall froni fus Deo.mme. d / • ■ • ;/ r j r n n n dioipfocor o* " a£an> their revival! and continuance pom Popijh Rome, re Erclefix co= wno f°ng fince traofmitted them over into England: ram altari ma- For if [V] Tolydor Virgil may be credited, even in the ion et fan&f- 1 3 .yeare of Henry thefecond, z/fnno Dom. 1 270. it wot toTatua?uTT the CHftemeofthe 8ngliJh.to Spend their QhriftmM time le folu* ferat " tn ^^a7esy *n ^-Mafques,in moft magnificent and pompous qui ob peccata Spetlacles,andto additt them/elves to pleafures, dancing, . fua nondum dicing yand other unlaw full prohibited games, which * then ccrnitaefentit, rvere tolerated and permitted 5 contrary to the ufage.of wfiTet* uaf" moft°ther ^Jtions, who ufed fuch Playes and wanton nantia fintcii Tafti™e* not in the (^hriflmas feafon , but a little before Dei fan&hatc.'/M t rr ttam partem dim Thorn*, Artit. 8. QuaQto. Vtrum Sdcremtntttm darifoffit kijtrutitifui* £*£. f 4*. Vid Ibidem, m Sec Pol ydor Virgil De Invent. Rc« rumiib.f.cap. 1,2. Francis DeCroy his firft Conformity, cap. 19, zo,6o,6%, Mr.Sa- muel Byrd his Dialogue oftheufe of the pleafure? of this prefcntlife,pag. if, to jj. Nicolaus C lemangis De Nevis Celebritatibus non Inftituendis-, ck Hofpirrian Dfi OrigineFcftorum accordingly. » AngliacHiftoria,Bafiiea; 1570 p.uj. *Seci3.H, 7»c.i. ip.H.7.c4n. 3S.H.8.CI1. thd Part, i • HiftrmMaftix. y6y their Lent, about the time of Shrovetide. What therefore * See Taxa Ca- Salvia** writes of Sodomie and publike fiewes , (frorru mera;, Agrippa I"'*! which the "Topes Exchequer receives no fmall reve- Pe *amtate nue) [_oJ Hac ergo impuritas in Romans et ante Chrifii cap#^4# Efpen, Evangelmrru ejfe capit : et quod eHgravius, nee pofi E- cxu$ De Con vangeliurru cejfavit: the fame may I fay of Stage-play cs rinentialib. ?. and unruly Chriltmas-keeping : they had their firil o- c*4, & in Tl* riginall from heathen Rome(I meaae from their Satur- ^^TlL '" P* walia^acchanalia, Floralia&c.) before the Gofpell 0 De Gabern. preached to her; and they Qf] have beene fince revived, Dei 1. 7. p. isS'. 1 continued, propagated by zsfntichriftian Rome, even fince ? See Ioannis ', the gosJeUpreached : which fluuld caufe all pious Pro- n^^t™ iteftant Chriftians eternally to abandon them, confor- HoncftateEc^ ming themfelves to the moft' ancient pra&ife of the ciefaftkorum, primitive Chriftians, who celebrated this feftivall of Li-e.7. to zu : our Saviours Nativitie in a ferre different manner. For accordingly. ' whin as the \jf\ *Angel of the Lord appeared to the /hep- ?>u*c z* 8> 9* j beards, abiding in the fields, (not feafting and playing in r v,giient it*. \ their houfes) and k*eping\f\ ytfhh over their flockes que natoDo- (not dancing, dicing, carding, drinking. or keeping minoPaftores Chriftmas rout) h night \andf aid unto therru^feare not: ^uPra grcgem [for behold I bring unto you tidings of great joy which S^enS I, /ball be to all people: for to you is borne this day in the Ci- diipenfarione I ty of ID avid ,a Saviour which is Chrifi the Lord s What minifefta vigi- i! Chrifj^s mirth and folace was there made , but this laturos »n Ec* whictW. Luke hath recorded for our everlaiting imi- de.fia Paftores ! ration? [/J Sodamly (faith hee) there was with the fta^.^ibus r tAngel a multitude of the heavenly hoaB praifmg god dicamriPafcite and faying ; Glory to god in the higheft, on earth peace, qui in vobis eft goodwill towards men. This is the onely Chriitmas fo- gregcm Dci\ lemnity which the hoiie Ghoft,which Chrift himfelfe, ^S^ pa- l the whole multitude of the heavenly hoaft, and the ve- |0ribusAnge, * lus apparet, eofque Dei chritas circumfulget, quia illi prac carteris vidcre fublirnia merentur,qui fideUbusgregibuspraeeflc fciunt j dumque ipfi pie fuper grcgem vigi- I lant, divina (iiper eos gratia largius corufcar. Bed* Expofit* in Luc.c.i. See ^imhofe Ser- ve 7. T«».f.p.$.F. J Liik i. v.i 5, 1 4. Digna plane aciufta fententia qua: in Narivi- .tatcChriftiaetDcohonorem reprxfentatin c*lis, ethominibuspacempraelentatin, tcrris. ^im^^fcSermo^.^P. *y »■--,■■ * y6S Hiftrio-Majtix. Part.i . f r_ ry bcft of Chriftiaas have commeuded to us from hea- dine^antfe^ ven 5 this I am fure is the (t) anaehteft and the befi ftatur, ideflTe patter ne of Chriftmas -keeping , that wereadeof; why dominkum ct then fhould we be unwilling or afhamed for to imitate vemm quod ;t ? when our Saviour was borne into the world at * '^SSm' firft, weheareofnofeafting, drinking, heajthing, roa- emancum et roaring, carding, dicing , Stage-playes , Mummeries, falfum quod Maiiques or heatheniih Chriftmas paftimes ; alas thefe fit poiVrius im. precife puritanicall Angels, Saints and fhepheards (as *Mim*T.i78.Po- Divell and his accurfed i •ftruments have fince appro-' tiora funt ad priated to his* moft blefled Nfativitie. (v)Here we have1 inftruendam nothing but (/lory be to God on high, on earth peace, good- animampriora wm towards men.thiS is the Angels,the fhepheards only/ W. feS' Chriftmas Caroil : which the Virgin CMary in the for-; woMoAmmd,' nier chapter, hath prefaced with this celeftiall hyrnne c. ?. of prayle.*( x) CMy fouledoth magnife the Lord, ant u See Ambrofc my ftirit hath rejoyeedif^odmy Saviour : and Zacha- SLuk°T7#697. "'"fceonded with this heavenly fonnet : (y) Tleffei ? luk.i".68 \gbethe Lord God of lfrael,for he hath vi/ited and redeem % Rer.4. 8 ,9, we'd hi* people : zyfnd hath raifed up an home offalvation io,i i.e.?.] 11, for us in thehoufe of his fervant Davidm This was the i$ji4-c.7>9> only fportand merriment, thefe the foule-ravifhing IVoioeiaad- Ditties, with which men and Angels celebfqM the verf. Gentes.c very firft Chriftmas that was kept on earth ; yea this it 39,40. the (z) onelj Chriflma4 folemnity that the bleffed Saints ^Pxiagogil.i and <*Angels nowobferuein heaven: why then fhould Cn 4\r c we *° earne^v contend for any other? If we re fled up- templatlva UK on the Chriftians in (a) Tertullians, (b) Clemens Jf- p*a<*. 1 no. t<* lexandrinus, (c) Thilo Iudtus, (d) LMinucius Felix, 1 2 1 5. (e). Plinie thefeconds, ( f) fhryfoftomes, and (g) Theo- d Odavius p. dorets times : wee JhaU^nde them {h) banifhing all glut' fEpiftJ.10.ep.97. /Centra Gentiles TcnM-Col. 8 7 7. £ De Marty rib us I. 8.Tom.J. p 590.F. /jSecmy Hcalthes Sickncs,Edit 1, p.?, 9,11. & IoannisLanghecruciusDe Vita et Honeftatc Ecclefiafticorum U i.c.7. to 2 f . Ioannes Ficdcricus Dc Ritu bibentft ad Sanitatem lib.i .cap.1,3. tony *; Part. i. Hiftrio-Maftix. 769 tony, drunkenneffe, health-quaffing, intemperance, dan- cing, dicing, Stage-playes fidlers jesters ,ribaldrie fongs ' Coimus iu and lewd dtfcourfes fionu their feafls, and Chriftian Fe- Cf*U*£'t*\ ftivals; which they celebrated m this manner, (i) Firft g^ l°^£ of all they dffembled them/elves together into one compa- manu facia nie, that [o they might as it wereaffault and bejlege God prsecationibus with their united prayers \{k)after that they did feed their ambiamus os faith, ere & their hope, fettle their confidence, inculcate ran^s* xc f • /•/ • /• ■ / ri •« • Mi r vis Deo grata their dijcipline with the Scriptures and holy conferences, cft# Coimus and with the often repetitions of 'divine precepts, ufing addivinarum withall exhortations , corrections and ecclefaflicall cen- Htterarum co- fures:which being ended they kept their A gape, or feafls of ^moratione, Lovej wherein no immodefiy was admitted\at which feafls ^ remDoru" they never fate downe to eate, till they had fir fi pro* mi fed quafitas aut afolemne prayer unto God: and then falling to their meat, pra?moncreco~ they did eate no more than would fat is fie their hunger, and • %lt* aut rccog~ ArMe no more than was fit for chaft perfons : fat latino- p:° 1 ~f-rtC t Vi / t i J ill * fidem fantfis themf elves fo, as that they remembred they were to wor~ voCit,us pafci. fhip Cjod in the night: difcourfng like fuch who knew full rnus, fpcm eri- well that God overheard therru. softer the bafon and gimus, fiduci- ewer and lights were brought in, every one as he was able, a!" %imus > was provoked to fmg a pfalme unto God out of the holy ^^WonMri Scriptures, or out of his own e invention : and by this it jiihilorainus was manifested how he had drunke. , , '. n r - r / r peratoribiisiic. n°r wto the lafiings out of lajcivtous perjons -y but to the que vanes ne= fame care of modefy and chafiitie, like thofe who had not que mention- fo much repotted a fufper as difciplme. Yea fuch was tcs, nequcte- the puritanicall rigidacfle of the primitive Chriftians noreTdfcam- on l"c *olemnc birth-dayes and Inaugurations of thl quia vers re- Roman Emperors , when as other men kept revel-rout y ligionis komi- feaflingand drinking forru parity to parity, making the nes folennita- whole (fittie tofmelllike a taverne , kindling bonefrcs in- tes corum con. every flreet . (fnd running by troopes to 7*layes, to impu- v. entw potius ^ prank?*, to the enticements of lull &c. accounting quam Jafcivia . . r \ ' , , .n tr r I r r i ■ i ra cclcbraisr. O their licentious deboijrnejjeatfuchjeafons their chiefejt nos memo 'piety and devotion , (as our Grand Chriftmas keepers damnandos! % now doe:) that they would neither Jbadow nor adorn e Cur enim vota tjJetr c[oores w;rfo UurelU nor dimimty the day-Uvht with, ctoaudiaCx , r it j • i J faium cadi ct ^onepres and torches, nor yet drwke, nor dance, nor runne fobriictprobii to P'lay-boufes, which they wholly abandoned; but kept expungiir/us ? themfelves temperate ,fober , chafi and pious ; (I) cele- cur die lajto brating their folemnities, rather with con fcience and de- fte^adurabra^ votionthan lafcivioufnejfe; whence they were reputec mus?nec lucer- publike enemies, as TertullUn, (m) Thilo ludaus, anc nis diem ins (n) Clemens Alexandrinus moft p-entifuUy informe /ringimusrHo- us. HenceTheodoret writes, (o ) That the Christians nefta res eft fo- gffo& time^ mftead of folemni^ing the feftivals of love lica" extern! >~ ""d-Bacchus, didtelebrate thefefiivities ofTeter, Paul, inducer? do= Themas , Sergius, LMs.rcellus, Leontius, Antoninus, and mui \ux habi- other holy CMartyrs ; and that in fleadof that ancient turn r>l cuius n -villi panaris &c.tii(lemp.6$i. m De VitaContempIativap.il t.&o n Pxdagogi L-:.c.4. ©P:c Pandiis etiam Diafiifquc ajc Dionyfiis hoc elHovis Libeiiq; patris fo. icnnitatibus,Petro Paulo, Thorns, Sergio, Mated io, Leontio, Antonino, Mauiis tio, aliiiqi fancli:- Marryribus (olenuitatcs populari epuloperaguntur. Pioquci la ve- tctiPompa, pro turpiobfeaenitate atque impudentia fiuncmode(la?,caflaf, actempc- ranris plena? feftiuita:es,non illxquidem merode!ibiua? , noncommeilaticnibusle- ve?,non cachinni'sfGluta^ leddivinis canncis pcrfonantes, facrifqj fen nonibus audi* em is mtenta?. Inquibusad D cum prices non line fanftislachrymisacfufpiriis Deo juaunittunnir. jb^ dvtt At M*rtyrtint»sLB,T9m. i.£.j 90.F. pompey Part. i. Htftrio-Maftix. 771 fompe, that filthy obfcenity and impudency that the Pa- gans fifed on their feftivals , the (fhriftians instituted ho- ly-day es fall ofmodefty, chaftity and temperance: not feck as were moiflned with winejafcivious with riotous feaftst diffolute with pjoutes and laugh t er \b ut fech as rejounded with divine fonrs, as were jpent in hearing holy Sermons, on which prayers were humbly powred out to Cjod not without teares and fights. Thus did the primitive Chri- ftians fpend their (blernne holy-dayes j and fo fhouid we doe too, as our owne Statute of <$-& 6Sdt6,c^,Qx- prcfly enjoynesus.How the primitive Chrift'ians cele- brated the Nativitie of our Saviour in particular, and in what manner we alfo ought to folemnize it,Iet Gregory 2{azianz^n in his 3 8 Oration upon our Saviours Na- tivity, now at laft informe us; where thus hee writes ; (p) Hccfefium-j noHrums eft, (treating of our Saviours Y page * 8 U Nativitie) Hoc hodierno die celebramus , Dei nimirurru 5 ,.4' i?.*\?.a" , , ' rr j rsm r r talis Chrifti ad homines accefturru, ut ad Ueurru propcifcamur yaut ,ut dics quomodo aptiori verbo utar, revertamur, abjetloq; veteri homine celenrandus. novunuinduamus; et quemadmoduwu in veteri Adamo VideNicctae mortuifumus, it a in Chrifto vivamus, una curru eo naf- Comment. centes, una crucifixi, una fepulti, una refer gent es. Pne- ™idcm. clara enirru victffttudo atque converfio mihi fentienda eft, ut quemadmodum ex fecundioribus rebus adverfdt na- tafunt, fie contra ex adverfis adUta projperaq^ redearru^ Ybi enim-» abundavit pecc at unu, flip erabundav it gratia: *t // truftus condemnavit , quant o magis Qhrifti paffio ju- ■ ftificavit ? Quocir canon osientorie ,feddivine\nonmun- di ritu, fedfupra mundi ritum\ non res noftras fed noftri, • vel ut reclius loquar, Domini; non ea qu 1 J tr u Cbriftianoru ft** '• nec floribus pUteas coronemus , nee ungnentorum quomodoce* turpitudine menfxs,nec vefiibula ornem'is , necvifibili icbranda. lumine fplendefcat domus, nec tibicinum concent u plaufi- j llorc. 1 j. bufque perfonent : hie enim (jentihtixfeftorum celebratu onis Part. i. Hijlrio-Maflix. 77? iMatth. 14. u t Regum 6, x DeNativita- te Chrifti Ser- mo, Tom. *.p« ifo. Dc Tempore te Domini Ser« mones io. O- peiura fol. i%» ton* 4 In Natali onismos eft* Tfys verone hit rebus cDeum honor emus , ne prafens tempus indignis rebus attoilamus • verum ani- mm, puritate, et mentis hilar itate , et lucernis totum Se- ekft a corpus illufirantibus, hoc efi divinis fpeculationibus «t fententijs fuper [acrofanEhum candelabrum eretlis , et cxcitatis,orbique univerfo pralucentibus # 'Tarvum meo quidem juiicio ac tenui, jicum hoc comparettsr , lumen illudomne eft, quod homines feftos dies celebrantes prim vatim pub lice que accendant, &c. Hymnos pro tympan s I ajfumamus, pfalmidiam pro turpibus et flagitiofis canti- i bus , plaufum ojatiarum ablionis et canoram manuum \ aSlionem pro plaufibus theatricis, gravitatem pro rifii , , \pruiente fermonem pro ebnetnte,decus et honeftatem pro Sermo i.to %6* delicijs. Qvodji etiam te ut feftum lato animi ce/ebran- ^ Dc Nativita- < tem, tripudiare convenit; tripniia tu q ridsm, fednon eb- \fcen& (t) Herodiadii tripuiium , ex quoTZaptift&mors \fecua, efi, verum (v ) 'Ddvidis ob arc a requietem \ jaltimntis , qui qaidzm itineris fanEli ac Deograti a- \giUtatem volubilitatemque myflice dzfigna^i exiflimo* Domini Serm. [ThefearetheChriftmasexercifes,thistheoalyChrift- c6f 6i>6S>t0 j mas-keeping , chat all the primitive Chriftia as ufed, f, chryfoftome and this godly Biflaop calls for. To paGTe by chat excel- De Beato Phi- (lent pa(Tage of Salvia* , againft our Chrtftmas E iter- logonio Ora» I hides, which fully meetes with the O )/e ftorS frenzie: n° Tom. j.CoI. I* fhrifto ergo b amjntiamraftruofa, Qhrifto Circenfes o^'J^ m- " ojferimus et'JM'WS, tunc et hoc mtxime , cu) L?o, (a) Ber- nard, with (b) fuiiry other Fathers^ who have written of our Saviours Nativitie, ri3W it ought to be celebra- ted with the greateftrnlineffe, fobriety , andchiefeft I devotion; I (hall relate thefumme of all their Mindes F f f f f 3 ( in 5. p.?8i,?3i, 58^. Delnftis tutione Cleri- cofuml.t.c lU Tom. 6, p. 2 i, with divers <> thcrs. 774 Hijlrio-Maftix. Part, i c OpcruTcm. 5. p.:. ^Telcfphorus Papa apudRo- manos natal is Domini cele- brationis pri- mus author lc giturextkuTe. ERabunus Mavrus De In* fi it ut .Cleric or rum l.i.c. 31. Oj>erumTomt6. p.zi.ft. in the words of St. t/fmbrofe, who is fomewhat copi- ous in this theame, Sermo 2. Do finnica 1, advent us, he writes thus, (c) Hoc tempus,fratres charifsimi, non immerito 'Domini advent as vocatur, nee fine caufa fan tti Tatres advent urn Domini celebrare eaperunt, et fermo- nes de hit diebas ad populum habuerunt , id namque idea inflituerunt, utfe unufquifque fidelis prapararet et emen- daret, quo digne 'Dei ac Domini fui * J^ativitatem ce- lebrare valeret. ^am fi aliquis veftrum fertiorem [nam in ejus domum fufcepturus, ab omnibus fordibas et im- mundis rebus ipfam domum mundaret, et qu&que honeft* etnecejfariaejfent, fecundum/uam pofsibiiitat em prapa- raret; et hocfacit mortalis fufcep turns mortalem-, quant 0 magis fe mundare debet creatura, ut fuo creatori appa- rent i in came non disfliceat : I lie juftus venit ad nos peccatores, ut ex peccatoribui facer et juftos : pius venit ad impios, ut nos facer et pios : humilis venit ad Juperbos, ut ex fuperbis facer ethumiles. jQuid plura? ille nature bonus venit ad homines qui eray>t pleni omnibus malis, jQuapropter hortamur vos> ut his diebus abundantius e* leemofynasfaciatis^ad Eccleftam fequentius convenixtis, confefsionem peceaterum veftrorumpurijfime faciatis, et ab omni immunditia vos fiudiofjjime contineatis. Odium nihilominusy iram, et indignationem, clamor em et blaf phemiam , fuperbiam at que jablantiam cum omni carnali deletlatione procul avobis repellatis : ut cum dies rDo- minicdt Nativitatis advenerit , filubriter ipfiim celebrare poffitis. Etfcut multifunt foliciti de carnalibus divitijs, et de preciojis veftimentis, ut honorabiliores ceteris vide* antur in ilia die ; it a vos folicitiores eftote de Jpirituali- bus divitijs et veftimentis : quia feat anima melior eft came, ita delicia fpiritales melior esfunt qttam camales, St. multo melius eft animam ornare virtuttbus , qudm corpus preciofis induere veftibus.Hac admonitio Fratres, idcirco ad vosfacla*efi, ut qui boni fknt per hanc fnt me* hores; et qui males fe effe recotunt, certiffime ronvertan* tur-, ut par ker indie Dominica Nativitatis latanjpiri- taliter Part, i . Hijhio-Maftix. yjr taliter mereatur% Which he thus profecnts in his 4«Ser. Dominica 2. Adventus. (d) L&titia quant a ft, quan- ^°PcrumTo. tufq; concurfus, cum-> Imperatoris mundi ifiius natalis {fny. l*o ' •» celebranduseft, bene noflis quemadmodum duces eius n \ finde veiba- principes omnes militantes accurate fericis veftibus ac- tim in HRa. cintli, operofis cingulis auro fulgente pretiofis ambiant kanus Maurus foiit onitidiu sin con sf>etl:u regis incedere. Credunt enim J\IsWorJces> ■ rr t • j- /•• »j • • r Homilia i.ante ( mains ejje Imperatoris gaudium, ft vidertt major em fu& jsiatalem Do- vapparationis ornatum ; tantoque ilium Utum futurum , mini.Opemm I quanto ipjifuerint in ejusfeflivitate devoti; ut quia Im- Colon.Agrip. operator tanquam homo cor da non confficit , affectum eo- 1 6*6»Tom. f, irum circa feprobet vel habitumcontuendo jta fit utfplen-. M2°}* *• ; didiusfe accuret quifqui s regemfdelius diligit. T>einde \quiain die Natalis fui fciunt eum largum futurum ac \donaturum pluravelminiflris fuis , ve/ijs qui in domo ujus abjetli putantur et viles,tanta print tbefauros ejus replere divitiarnm varietate feflinant , ut in quantum^ prorooare volnerit, in tantunu prorogatio copiofa nonde- )(it, et ante voluntas donandi deficiat , quanta fubfiantia \largiendi. H&c autenu ideo fo licit efaciunt, quiamajo- \rem-j fibi remunerationenu pro hac folicitudine Jperant \fnpuram. Si ergo fratres f&cuh iflius homines propter Yprafentis honoris gl or iam^ terreni regis fui namlem-> diem Uanta apparitione fkfcipinnt , qua nos accuratione Aterni [regis nofiri Iefit '(fhriffi T^atalerru fufcipere debemus f qui pro devotione nostra non nobis temporalerrulargietur qloriam^, fed Aternanu^ nee terreni honoris adminifira- tionerru dabit qud (itcceffore finitur , fed caleflis imperif divnitntc,qu& non habet fucceffore '. Quails aute ' noftra re- munerate fit futur a, dicit Trophetzi. (e)Qgx oculus non f Ifi. ^ vidit^necaurisaiklivit, nee in cor hominis afcendit , ,Cor.*/ qiiGe prseparavit Deus diiig^ntibus fe. Quibus tndu- mentisnos exornan oportet? Quodauterru diximus nos, hoc efianimas no fir as : quia rex no flex C^flHS non tam nitorenu vefliy>m->, quanu animarum requirit affectum, nee infpicit ornament a corporum, fed confiderat cor da me- ritorum : nee fugilis cinguli pr&cingentis lumbos opero- fitatem j j 5 Hiftrio'Maftix. P a rt. i • Jitatem miratury fed fortis caftimonU reflringentis libi- dinem adpudicitiam plus miratur, <*y4mbiamus ergo in- vemri apud ip/umprobatifide, compti mi\ericordiaymori- bus aceurati ; et quifidelius Chnftum diligit, nitidius fe mandatorum ejus obfervatione componat : ut vere nos infe credere videat, cum it a in ejus folennit ate fulgemus, etmagis Utusfit, quo nos perjpexcrit puriores. zAtqne ideo antecomplures dies cafiificemus corda noftra, mun- dcmus confiientiam, pnrificemus fpiritum}et nitidi acfme macula immaculati Domini fufcipiamus advent um : ut cujus nativitas per immaculatam virginem conftitit, ejus Natalisper immacularos [ervulos procuretur. Quifqnis enim in ttlo diefordtdusfuerit ac pollutus ,N atalem Chri- fti ortumq\ non curat : inter/it licet Dominic A feftivitati cor pore, mente tamen Ion gilts a Servatorefeparatur Nee foctctatem habere poterunt immundus et fanSius , avarns et mifericors, corruptus ac virgo\nifi quod magis i/iger en- do fe indignus ojfenfione contrahit en minimi fe cognofcit, T>um emm vult officio fus effe, injur io Jus exiftit: ficut Hie f Matth xi. ™ (?) Evangelio,qui in csetu fancloru invitaus ad nup- tias venire aufus eft veftem non habens nuptialem : et cum alius niter et jufiitia, alius luceret fidet alius cafti- tatefulgeret,i!le folus confcientU f in prtteritttm remaneat ad devotos. Oportet ergo effe nos P a rt. i . Hiftrio-Maftix. 777 nos fantlitate pur§s,mundos pudicitia,mtidos boneftate,ut quo diem f eft u advenirepropinquius eernimus ,eb accura- tius incedamus. Si enim muliercuU folent aliquot fieri as faficeptura, macula* veflium fiuarum aqua, diluereicur non magts nos accept uri 7{a ml em D omini, macula* a nimarn noftrarumfietibus abluamus? (b) Vnufiquifq-, ergo quic- l?crT? 7*i* quid in fie reprebenfibile recognoficit, in bac die in qua Fi- j^m\nipm j. lius D ei nafcitur ,corrigat : id eft , qui frit adulter, vo- HA A. veat Deocaftitatem: quiavarus, largttntem : quiebrio- Jus, fiobrietatem ; qui fiuperbus , bumilitatem : qui de- trailer, cbarttatem voveat et reddat : fecundum ilium Tfilmi verficulurru : (i) Vovete, etreoidite Domino * pfal.ry. Deo veftro. jNj>s fide liter voveamus, Me dabit pofifibih- taterrufiolvendi. Valde quippe boneftunu eft ftatres, ut nullus fit qui non bodii domino aliquid offer at. Re gib us \ vel amictsfiuficeptis munera damus , et creatori omnium-* ad nos venienti nibil dabimus ? T^ibil enintj a nobis ma- gisrequirit, qudmnofimetipfios. Offeramus igitureinos ipfios, quatenus et d prafientibus malts , et ab Aterniscru- ciatibus, ipfius ineffabili pietate hberati, in caleftis regni beatitudine fiuficefti perpetuo valeamus gaudere. zAnd Sermo 6. Dominica quarta Adventus: beproceedes tbus. (kj Tropria divimtatefratres dilettififimi jam adveniunt A^Pag.4 .E,F3€ dies, in quibus T^atalem Domini Servatoriscum gaudio dejideramus celebrare, et ideo rogo et admoneo , ut quan- tum-* pojfumus cunu Deiadjutorio labor emus, quatenus in Mo die cum fine era et pur a eonfeientia, et myndo corde, etcafio cor pore, adajtare "Domini poffimus accedere , et corpus, vel etiam fianguinem ejus non ad judicium, fed ad remedtum anim& noftr&mereamur accipere. In Cbrifti enim cor pore vita no fir a con fiftit , ficut et ipfie Dominus nofter dixit: f/JNifi manducaveritis carne Fiiii hominis /loan. 6, et biberitis ejus f'angifinem, non habetis vitam in vobis. Mutet ergo vita, qui vult accipere vita, ^(afi non mutat vitam, ad judicium accipiet vitam*, et magis ex ipfa cor- Yumpitw, quamfianetur^ magis occiditur, qudm vivifice- tur. Sic enim dixit i^fpoftolus : (m) Qui masiducat wx,**or'1 • Ggggg corpus . 77s HiftriQ-Maflix. ' P'art.i. corpus Domini, et bibic finguinem ejus indigne, judi- cium iibi manducat et bibit. £t ideo licet omni tempore bonis operibus ornatos acjpfendidos ejfe conveniat , pr&ci- pue t amen in die Totalis Domini, ficut in Evangelio ipfe n Mattb.f. dixit , (n ) uc Jucere debeaut opera noftra coram homi- nibus. Conadirate quafe fratres , quando aliquis homo potensaut nobilisnAtalem autfitum autfilij Jui celebrate dejiderat, qnanto ftudio ante plures dies quicquid in domo Jho fordiduzn vident ordinat emundare ,quicquid ineptum et incongruum projicit, quicquid mile et neeeffarium pr&- eipit exhibere : domus etiamfi obfeura fiierit , dealbatur, et diver fis rejperfifloribm adornatur ; pavimenta ant em- afcopis mundantur, quicquid etiam ad latitiam animi, ep corporis delicias pertinet orrmifollicitudine providetur. Vt quid ifta fratres charijfimi nifiut dies natalicius cum gats* dio celebretur hominis morituri ? Si- ergo tanta pr¶s- in natal icio tuo, am filij tui; quanta praparare debes fuf- cepturus T^atalem^Domini tui ? Si taha pro-paras mori- tnro, qualia praparare debes tterno ? Qhticquid ergo non- vis inveniri in domo tua, quantum pot es labor a ut non in- veniat Deus in anima tua. Certe ft Rex terrenus ant quivis pot ens paterfamilias ad fitum natalicium teinvi- tajfet , qualibus veflimentis ftuderes or n at us incedere ?' qudm novis v el 'nitidis ,q nam flendidis, quo nee vet aft as; nee vilitas, nee aliqua ftditas oculos invitantts offende- ret ? Tali ergo ftudio, in quantum prdtvales Ch^ifto aux- iliante contends, ut diver (is virtmum ornament is anima n Uiamcompofitam, (implicit atis ^emmir , et fobrietatis flo» ribus adornatam, ad Folennitntemreois aterni, id eft, ad' Natalem Domini Salvatoris, cum Cecura confeientiaf ra- ced is, caftitate nitida , charitate (plendida, eleemofjnis Candida. (Jhriftas cnim ^Dominus nofter ft te ita comptf* Jit urn ejus natalitium celtbrare co*hioverit, ipfe per Ce ve* nire, et animim tuam non folk n vi/itaye, fed etiam in e& requiefcere, et in perpetuum in ilia divnabitur habit are, «iCor,& Jicm fcript%.n eft : (o) Ec inhabirabo in illisec inambti- Mpoc.$n labo inter cos : Et iter urn, (p) Ecce fto ad oftium et pulfoj Part, i . Hiftrio-Ma/lix. 779 puifo; (i quis iurrexetit et aperuerit mini, intraboad il- lumnf caenabo cum illo,et ille mecum. £uam-,fttix eft ilia anima qui vitnm fuam ita (Deo auxiliante ftuduerit gubemare, ut (fhrtftum hofpitem wbabitntorem merea- tur excipere. Stent e contrario qudrru inf&lix eft ilia co/i- fcientia, toto lachrjmarumfonte lugenday qu *}** I^niculum nuncupatur y in cujus hono- do uomina ve* rem* gentibns Kalendt funt lanuarU nuncupate : undt ftra delcre dc q *i Ka/endas Ianuarias colit , peccat , quoniam homini. coelo : funt ^ mortuo defer t dtvinitatis obfequium. Inde eft quod ait quidem miilti, ^p0a0ius . / v\ £)jes obfervatiset menfes, et tempo- quod peiiu eft, f r x . y r r \ , * . ,r. qui Hon folum ra> ct annos, timeo ne linecauia laboravcro in vobis. fcipfos inebi i- Obfervavit enim diem et menfem qui his diebus autjeju- ant, fed etiarn navit, aut ad Seclefiam non procejfit. Obfervavit diem alios cogunr, qui heft erno die non proceffit ad Seclefiam, proceffn ad etadiurant, ut campum Erao Fratres omni ftudio Genttliumfeftivita^ amplnis quam r r . \ .. J , .... . J J . . expeditbibanr tem etJ^rias dechnemus, ut quando tut epnlantur et Ut% &c. Illc Chri fun?) tunc nos fimus fobrij atque jejuni, quo intelligant U+ fiianus qualis titiamfuamnoslra abftinentiacondemnari* * Idihabeant eft, qui etiilo. mArein (heatro.nos habeamus portum in Chrifto. If then ad^vomhum" <>L3r Saviours Nativicie ought thus to be celebrated by ufque bibct et ^ 5 if all (x) drunkennefte, epiairiCmtfiealth- quaffing, poftcaquam. fc dancingjdicing^nterludes^PlaytSjlarcivioufneflejpride lncbnaverir , an(j pagan cuftomes muft now be laid a fide; if all kinde iurget ve ut Qf finne and wickednefle whatfoever muft now be ba- lnianus.diabo nifoed our bod i es, foul es. and houfesj if our foules muft )ko more ba- now efpecially be eleanfed by repentance from all their tore ct faltarc, f'pirituall fil hincfie, adorned, beautified with every ? crba turpia ct c^rjOjian grace and made fuch holy fpiritiiall Temp'cs, rxur°io(acan= thac (?) »g°fgl°rJ ^y come anddweU tore, Sec. RR4l»a)in* M*unu, HotHfiU m Dominicis Ditkrts. & Vt Bmorum Chrtfti^orntH $tfrlalorum Mori^tu^crumTQm^o^o^V.Oo'/.B* y Pfal. 24.7, 8>9>l0« withi* Part, i . Hiflrio-Ma/iix. 78 1 within them : if nought but (*>) holineffe, temperance, * i Pet.t.i4>'f ibbriety and devotion muft now be found within us, l6t % Pcr'M# yea,if fading andabftinence muft now be pra&ifed, as all thefe Fathers teach us , let us now at laft for very fhame abandon all thofe bacchanalian infernall Chrift- mas diforders, Enterludes, fports and paftimes which now overfpread the world, as (a) diametrally contrary a see Mr. Sa- not onely to (Christians , but t9 our Saviours Nativitie, muei Bird his which they moft defferately dishonour and prophane. And Dialogue °f if there beany fuch deboi ft ones left among us (as alas ^afares \tf there are too too many every where) who will ftill tnis prefcnt fupportand pleade for thefe abominable Chriftmas ex- life,p.i j.to $i. cerfes, not onely indefpiteoff/^, ofChrifl}o£zsfn- * Sec Ad. 7, gels, Fathers ,(b) Cottncels , and godly Chriftians who ^"u^r c condemnethe^but even ofourowne pious Statute,^'^. 1I#m l0e $,& 6. Ed,6.cap. 5. Which exprefly enjoynes men,even c All Stage- in the Qhriflmas holy-day es, as well as others ; to ceafe playes and ft owl, all other kinde of labour , and to apply themfelves dancing ther* *Onely And Wholly to land and praife the Lord, ^gg 40 refort and hear e Gods word, to come to the holy Com- anddicingare mnnion, toheare, to I ear ne and to remember almighty unlawfull Gods great benefits, hu manifold mercies, his ineflimable *Ports ancl Paf gracious o-oodnejfefo plentifully powred upon all his crea- "imes °y thls tures, and That of his infinite andunjpeakable goodneffe, aTd to tmnifli* without any mans defer t : and in remembrance hereof to aDic by the render him mo ft high irid hearty thankes , with prayers Statute of 1 and fupplicat ions, for the relief e of all their daily neceffi- Car.cap.i See ties 3 becaufe thefe holy-day es are Separated from all pro- e P-*4o. «> phane ures, and fanBtfed and hallowed, dedicated and ap- ^ino\y, pointed not to any Saint or creature , but onely unto God and his true worjhh. (Which Statute excludes all Stage- * Sce the Sta^ pIaies^Mafques,*dinc;n^ dicing and fuch other Chrift- ^j0 fat\^ mas outrages from ^his lacred feftivallj it being fepara- ^^0 of the ted from allprophane ufes, and onely and wholly devoted Lords day j to Gods worship } and the forenamed duties of religion, Which names which are inconfiftent with them: ) If there be any d^g,tn*c fiich^ fay,as thefe wtfhm our Church,I only wift th$m Lower houfc*. Ggggg.J baniflied 7 S 2 Hiftrio-Majlix. P a rt. i . d In Nclcwki banifhed into Nelewki in OWofcovi a, every Chriftmas; oppido y quod vv here if we beleeve (d) Cjuagninus , *# <-Mofchevttcs fognomcn ab are profnytted to health ,to be drunks, or to keepe reveU 1 olult habct, r'*'' '*'?' **'# " '*' Chriftmas, Eafter, Whitfontide 9 omnibus ex-' and certame other folemne feafts of Saints , ejpecsally 0f traneis militi- *SV. Nicholas their patron, and the feftivities§fthe Vir, bus et adrenis g^n CMary, Teter and lohn $ on which like men let out fareWbufquc 0fprif0„t they honour "Bacchus more than God , or thefe Oandi vaTio thctr $*ints ; healihing and quaffing downefundry forts potus genere, of liquors fo long, toll they are as drunke as [wine, and then facultasconceC they fall to roaring , flouting, quarrelling, abufing, and (a eft , quod f-0rJLj thence to wounding, ftabbing and murthering one Mofchovms anoijjCr fcfomttch that if this drunkcnnefie and diferder pravifubpocua • i \ r ,i tin. prohibetur- ex- were permitted every day, shey would utterly deftroy one ceptis aliquot another with mutualt flaughters. This is the Moicho- diebus in an* vites Chriftmas-keeping , who have liberty granted no, videlicet triCmtobe drunke all Chriftmas, yea thefe are their vlrtisarcfur- drunken fatall ends , which if our Chriftmas roaring redionis Do- boyes afFeft, they may doe well to keepe their Chrift- minic*, pro mas commons with thefe beaftly drunken fwine , fcfto Penteco- where ftr angers have libertie to be drunke , to carouse ftes, et in qui- & heM €Ven aJ[ chriftmas, & at all times elfe.But let all buidarn lolen- . . r % rr \ > nioribus feftis wrK) have any tparkes or tobriety, temperance or grace divorum^ra?- within them, abominate thefe unchriftiarf Chriftmas cipue vcro- Ni- extravagancies ; (e ) fafsing all the time of their fojour- co!ai,queftich. ning here in fear e, concluding with that fpeech of holy profequunmr1,1 ?eUr * (f)The ttme fafl °f 0Ur UvCS m^ MCe US t0 hav* etbeatae vinri- wrought the will of the Gentiles, and to have walkedin nis Marias3Pe- lafcivioufnejfe , lufts, excejfe of wine and riot, revellings, trietlohannis banquettings , abominable idolatries^cchz\^\^\\ Chrift- feftis: mterea mas paftimes anddiforders : And thereupon refoiving, vero veiutvin. , \ r .. . , ,. . , * X^ , .. . &> culis eminfi , 'l) t0 ?Hr£e on our nature, as wee muft now put on his grace, hrs nc *' ; holineffe) and making no proviji on for the ficjh to fulfill the lufis thereof ': So (hall wee celebrate our Saviours Nativity, and all other Chriftian Feftivals, with which Stage- playes art altogether inconfiftent, both to our 1 Saviours honour, our owne prefent comfort , and our cternall future joy. For Jhe third part of the Obje<5tion:that Stage-playes 3. are neceflary to recreate and delight the people. I ani wer rirllj that there are many other farre better , nsfnfw* 1 c eafier and cheaper recreations void of all offence , with which the people may feafonably delight themielves : therefore they neede notthefe lewd fuperfluous coftly' Enteriudes to fport thcmfelves withall . Secondly, wee ' , rf f ft fee that people live belt of all without thenv There are Hoc^. - Y. °n ' (I) many T^ationsin the world , who never knew what Matth.herep. Stage-playes meant ; yea there are fundry (hires and 4l554^7.Phi' Citties in our King-dome, where Players (who for the ljPPus GJuve- moft part harbour about London, where they have on- ^^"^f , ly conftant Handing Play-houfes) never come to make c20.pag.1Vr,' them fport ; and yet they never complaine for want of 1 8 2. & here p. pleafures, or thefe unnecefTary Stage-delights: The 5?*»K*. ac- moft, the beft of men live happily, live comfortably ^n^;Aa Without them 5 yea ( in) farre more pleafantly than "sccn/^^i. thofe who moft frequent tberru. Therefore they are no 9"jI0, s/19/ iuch accordingly. 784 Hiflrio-Maftix. Part. 1 fuch neceflfary paftimes, but that they may well be ipa- 3 • red.Thirdiy - there are none fo much addicted to Stage- p-ayes,but when they goe unto places where they can- not have them, or when as they are fupprcffed by pu(> » Sec here Aft. like authority, (as in (n)times ofpefiilence, and in Lent . Scene i9. tiu now of laccj can wdl fubfift without them, finding out far better recreations to folace themfelves withall, and to pafle away their idle houres : therefore they are 4- meere fuperfluous pleafures which may be better fpa» 0 See Aeh 4. recj t^an enjoyed. Fourthly, what people fhould thefe !££$& dfphc\Goodrp}c? AXT'!^tJhMVheJ?i> 291. &A&.7. *bhorrethewu, they fee nought eljemTlayes but filth** Scene 2,3 ,4,$, *ejfe, wicl^ednejfe, and that which grieves their righteouf 6>7- foules: therefore their fouks can take no pleafure in AMagiftntus thern. Lewd people? Alas, their ( h ) lewdnefe Jhould tum^aocre" be crofiedjheckedyfupprefied, not countenanced, notfo debet ut Tpie mented with this foode of vice : yea thefe fhould ra- bonus iit, fed ther be afflicted, nay terrified with Gods judgements, etiiocefficere hell, and the ferious contemplation of their owne for* defiuam1^ Io^c finfiill eftates, which might leade them on- to fin- vun jx euier. lamenting forrow and fincere repentance 5 then Too* Dd Li, f.169. thed, then delighted with thefe momentany pleafures i Hebr.j.13. of finne, which doe but (i) cru$~i their confidences , obdu~ ^lob 1 1. 1 1 , i z rate their impenitent hearts, and (kj pofl therru on to hei 13. Amos^ .1. w^ more fee urity and greater [feed. Good men needc /See Chryfo-' not thefe infernall delights to make them worfe;ill mea ftomeHom.^ neede to want them, that they may grow better ;(l)for De Paeniten- whiles they diligently frequent therru, they are altogether ua,krep.43S hopelejfe of becomming good :, therefore it is neceflary Sccn.fi.& 10.' onely tnata^ Should want them, but no neceffitie at aH * ' ' that any frtould enjoy them. Laftly , (m) all the wifefi in See A£t 6. Heaven Smperours, States, lThilorophers , have deemed Scene {•& A& therru fo unneceffary ,f& mtollcrably pernicious, that they r.Scene 637« have wholly abandoned them as good for nothing but to, n See Act (% corrupt the peoples mindes and manners : yea all thepri- Acl.7 Scene i ***tive Christians, the primitive Church both undertime 2 , ?34, f A 7i Law and G ofyell together vah fundry fiwicels, Fathers, accordingly. _ Chrift$0* Paht.i. Hi/trio-Ma/iix. 785 Chriftian Emperors, Kings and Writers have excluded them Qhurch and State as unlawfully unfit fferable tore- 0 Havwaod maine in cither w recreations no way es fit for (hrittians, thc PUyer, m especially onfeftivals and holyfeafons\ on which no man his Apologie ever thought them ufefull but (0) one poore fcrihlmg for Aftors,the hackgej Stage-flayer, for his owne advantage, who ^now^0^- was likely to be undone if Playes fliould once mifcarry. / e" ^of Pop^i- Wherefore I may fafely conclude with the unanimous Jar stage- fuflFrageofallthe forequoted Authorities? that Stage- pk y«, and playes are no whit ufefull or neceffary to recreate or tharGoc}wot delight the people, who may live well without them 3 ^hichTs my but cannot live well with them> as I have more largely well refuted proved A&.&Scene 3,4,$ .& 1 %io< on which you may by 1.6 in his reflet v¥y «moit» AcTVS 8, SCENA QyARTA. THe fourth Ob/eftlon for the law&lneflc of Playes is this 1 (p) That they are ancient, andoflong obje&4. continuance , that they are tollerated (till among p ${c Hay. us ; rHgt many, yea moft frequent thems approve them woods Ap* in their judgements § therefore they are certainly law- ]3k for A* full &QJS. To this I anfwer firft;Tha( the long dtotinuance and Anf*% 1 , antiauitieofStagepIayesis no good jirgument of their ^Rev.u.p. goodnefl'e. Thdff ]£*W/ and(r^fin are of greater ami- 1 Iohn 3. 8, 9*#ft> and continuance than Stage-'playesj yet their an* rRom' *J . & A&.6, Scene j,4,f . * Sec Act.*. Scene $,4,f. & Ac>.7.throaghout. zAnfw.z. Secondly I anfwer. That their tollcration is a (Irong y See Rom. 9. evidence of their mifchievous naughtinefle : fince good * Pe*M lo^Luk. anc* Pro^ta^^c tnillgs are alwayes approved,e(lablimedj I?. 7tK " * and nought but (y) til things tollerated or connived at, r/see Stat. De which are to be removed : But admit they are thus tol- 3 Eiiz. cap 8. fiM: We know,that many wicked men and notorious 1 1 lac cap.7. malefaflors are tollerated for a time ; and that not one . 4 See Bp.Dow- \y by men, but (b) even by Godhimfelfe, who is patient nams Lectures u r on the r f.Pfalme.BifhopIcwell in hisExpofmon upon x Thefn^r.&p. no,to 14*. with infinite others who have writtCH of Vfunc. b Rom.9,n«iPer.$.9. xPet.j.io. f**t< Jw.o.throughour, and P A rt. i . Hi(lrh-hfajlix. 707 and long-iurfering towards finners : and yet they are cRom.2.4,f. not therefore good, but bad men 0 ill ; and («*) fo much HccU 9jlc,i i. the worfe, by how much the longer they are forborne* The * S'c A<^* 6* tolleration therefore of Stage-playes will not evince Aa^lcc^w their goodnelTe: the rather, becaufe though they are dSceM.Nortk Connived at defaBo, yet * they are long (ince condemned brookes Trea- de jure by our Lawes, our Statutes, our CMagiftrates, *»& againft And Writers, as unlawfull paftimes : their tolieration y*1™ cPKes therefore is no better an evidence of their lawrulneflei fol.^Mjoh* than a reprivc or pardon ofa condemned traytors inno- Field hisDecia. cency : which are onely arguments ofa Princes lenity, ration of Gods but infallible teftimonies of the traytors guilt. That ludpewcnt at Playes, that Players are iuffcred ftill,;as too many other Pa i.g ?kh ?Rc- condemned fins & mifchiefesare)*># um dence of their goodneffe* Secondly, we muft not Judge ^{^"In/oti of the lawfiilncflc of unlawful things by the moft, but /,0^54», /Matth. 7,v, U,i4» SccHicromEpi(l.i4.cap.i,j. / 5ecroyAnti=Arminianjfmc, fcduion ». pag. u9j 1*2,150,131. HhhhhJ h .- f¥» 7SS Hiftrio-Majlix. Part by the (v)bes~l of men : now the beft,the wifeft of men, c r^z' 4 l°o as l (x) have UrlelJ pw*> have al wayes condemned i^Vnoa mr Stage-playes, no matter therefore what the multitudes bam fcquantur judgement or pra&ife is, (^j whorru we m u ft not follow cpantcjn qui ^ doe evill. Thirdly, Chriftians are not to waikeor fc difcipulos j^geby examples, but by precepts 3 the (z) word of ventnns confi >, ? J , A» r r fit i J tentur. H/Vrew. "**> not tnc actions or lives or men , w*/r 0* ffc* onely Eoifi. 14.C. 1. ' mie both of their prattife and their judgements too. Now x See A& 6. the Scripture, (yea the (a) whole (fhurch of god from* Scene j ,4, f . 4ge t0 Age) have pafled Sentence againft Stage-playes, as f*af'Sccnc unlawfull paftimes : no matter therefore what the ?'exocU}.». world efteemes them. Fourthly ,for thofe who approve Inrercaufas e= ofStage-playes or refort unto them , what are they> nim malorum Children, youngsters, ignorant injudicious perfons who jioftrorum eft, ' now not foow t9 diflincruijh betweene crood and evilljudcre- adexempla,ncc ™gonely of the goodnejfe of things by fence , by pleafure, ratione com* (b ) by the opinion And pratlife of others , or as they are ponimur, fed lwayed by their unruly lufts, not by right rcafon or the confuetudine word of God : or clfe they are gracelerTe,di(Tolute,pro- Ouod fiUpa«. phane,lafcivious,godle(Te perfons, (u(c) ntofl Players, ciTfceerfnt , 1* lay-haunters, and Play-prottors are) who(d)call good nolcmus imi- evill, And evill good : who (e) count finne their honour, wrij cum plu- fobriety,modefty, and true piety,their fhame :(f) jud- resfaccrc cx~ ginaamifte of God.of grace, ofholineffe, of all iinde of ha^eftiusfiV g00"nefe and good men: no matter therefore, what quia frequen- thefe judge of Srage-playes , who thus misjudge of all tins feqiumun things. Let US therefore judge of Stage-play es (g) with a refti apud righteous judgement, as God, as Chriftians, as the pri- n7°rcntirm £" micive Church, as Councels, Fathers, and the beft, the net error ubi ,r > r„. .n. r ' ' * pufeticusfa&iM wileitorChnltian,ot Pagan Emperours, Magnates, ctt.Sin.caEpijf. Republ'ckes, Philofophers , and Writers of all for:s 12.}. zPi'al.no.g. Gat6.i6.a Pa.1.19. < See Aft 7. Scene 1, a, j,4,?. J See Ac* 4. Scene accordingly, b See (y) before, c See Ad>.4.Scene 1,2. ^Ifay ?.2c. e IOiy 3.9. Phil. 7.19 See my Healths SickneflTe, Edition 2. Epi'ftletorhe Reader } and jag. 7 9, 80,81,82. accordingly. / Sec Rom.i.n.to ?*. A&S14 13.0.28.2 2. 1 Cor. i.!4.ca^4,ij.2Thc(T».ir,i2. iXinuj.*,j,4,y. 2 Per.z, 12,1 3,17,1?. Rom.3.10. *e 10, Hay;f.io. £ Iohn 7.24. have Part, i . Hijlrto-Maftix. 789 have££] already determined of them to our hands; and * Sec A& 6. then wc muft certainly condemne them, as moft intol- Scenc 3,,4,*'?f lerableand unchriftian plea(ures5 as all thefe have ^.through, done. ACTVS 8. SCENA QVINTA. THe fifth Allegation in the bchalfe of Stage-playes Objetl. $• is this : That there is much good hiftory , many grave fentences , much good councell $ much poetry, eloquence,oratory,invcntion,wit,and learning in them. Therefore they muft certainly be very good and com- mendable recreations, osfnfw. 1. To this I anfvver firft : that it is true, there is in ma- g See Cyprian ny Stage-playes many commendable parts of hiftory, Epift.U. Epift. poetry, invention, rhetoricke, art,wit,learning ; toge- ^Dgnai°5 £ ther with much good language, and fome fage Counfell ij^xcrtuUUn! too, all which are good and ufefull in themfelves ; (g) De'speftaclib, hut yet there is fo much obfeenity Scurrility and lewdnefte c.17. & here mixed with th em-»y like deadly poyj ron in a fit gred potion, Afr.3. Scene 1, that thefe (h) very good things make the T lay es far re ^o^jSfl7* worfe. The ftronger the wine, the better, thefweeter ae Tapia^nter! the conferves wherewith poyfon is conterri|perated,the tiam partem more deadly , the more dangeroufly it workes; the dee- divi Thorn* , per it CmkGs into the veines , and the more greedily and Amc.s.p.* 4S. (i) infenftbly it is (wallowed downe. So the more (k)wit- • ^^^ ty} themore eloquent and rhetoricall the T^layes, the more ianto pcriculo- imperceptibly yt he more pernicioufly & abundantly dijfufe fius laedunt they their vices , their obfeenities ,& poyfonful corruptions quanto fubti- into the eares and hearts of the Spectators. It is a true lmS fl^^ ftiX4M.li. ^SeeTapia qua (fc)& Mr.Goflon hisSchoole of Abufes,and Playcs'coa- fated} I.G. his Refutation of the Apologie for Aftors, accordingly. Hhhhtvj faying 7 9 o Hiflrio-Maftix. P a rt. i l Valde noxia faying of judicious tsfugufiine, (/) That evi/l things cle* fUrta Sr^'wii &anth cxPrejf*d aremofl ?ernic**HS : whence {m) La. tttim *Orhbu &*"**** affirmed;* W the heathen Thilofophers, Orators (ihx. y and Poets were mofl hart full in this, that they did eajiiy m Nam et in intangle unwary mindes with the fweetnes of their words, hoc et Philofo an(i tJJe k#rmo„y 0f their fmooth -running verfes , which phi,ctoratorc$, wcre yHt as ^ covering poyfon. The more elegant ct poets perm- . « / i Ki ' i_ j & ciofi fum,quod and witty therefore the Playes, the more dangerous incautos ani- and deftruftive are they, as the Fathers teach us $ then mos facile irre- being nothing el ft but (n) poyfon under the honey of art tire poilum m r> poetry, iwectneffc, wit and curious Ian- minum dulci gliagc *n our Stage- playes , is (*) onely to conceale their modulatione venome, their contagion t that fo the auditors,the fpe&a- currentium. tors may fwallow it downe with greater greedinefle, aenumteo^ ^lefefijpinon. (p) KFfia *co»im htbuntur Qfalibw t\™Dei4?th ^e Diveli and his accurfed inftrumerus know full well, J. f.f, i • &M poy fined potions mufl be mfufed {ej) not into earthen, aVcncnumfub but into golden fuppes ; that VCliemous pills nwft riot melle later. ^ tempered with gall or collocjuint , but withnoncy, v7m*frT*vll! fweet-meates, or the mod lufcious confer vcs,clfe none ^icf. y will fwallow or quaffe them downe J wherefore they. 9 sceTertui). temper, they guild over their venemous obfeenities Dc Spc&aculis and Stage-corruptions ( which (r) if they came naked c.»7. & Dida- on tf9e Sfagf withQHt thefe trappings, would be fo bitter, SC fifi"*< «** defter atclj obfeene that few Chriftians could Thomar,Artic. digefttherru) with thefe fpecious outlides, thefe lufci- «.p.M^» accor- ous conferves of wit,of eloquence, invention, learning, ainglyjVcncna hiftory, and the like, that fo they may the better coun- turniiTincUe" tcn^ce, fli rowd and vent them to the hurt of others. circumlita. What Qregorj the Great writes of Heretique>: (s)Ha* HitrQ'i.Epifl.7. bent hoc haretici propriunu, ut mails bona permifceant, 4d utam, vo- x De Spe&ac.. cabulis pracolerant , ut nemo fere ubi fupra-fcriptunt^ le- l1D»& EjSftiu gerit remediunu, fujpicetur venenw/ru. The fame may DeSpc&ac. I truly write of Play-poets and Actors. They cover *£27# and fweeten over their poyfon, their corruption with ^ DcGubenu eloquence, art and witty inventions, that fo they may D«L°V have the freer vent; and temper their evil! with fome JL Ch*Tr°& fliewes of good, that fo it may more eafily circumvent ^jn mI^U. the Auditors, and find freer entrance into their foules. See A&£.Scen Th\s{jc2 Cyprian, this [_y~^Ter tuition, \_^\Salvian, J>4, j,u, with other [V] F at hers, together with ££]' Didacus de b in j. partem Tapia , and fundry \f\ moderne ^Authors teftifie : heare £ho ™*# Artic* but Tertullian for them all, who writes thus of the /^fhop Ba- pleafure , the eloquence and good ingredients that are bingto,North- oft in Playes • \jQ Hjmo venenum temper at felle et heHe- brook,Goflbn, bora, fedconditis pulmentiset bene fapor atis, et plurimum Stubs, Dr.RcU dulcibus id matt injicit* Ita diabolus let ale quo conceit, ™ f* -na^c£" rebus 'Dei gratiffimis ac acceptiffimis imbnit. Omnia, foreqUotcd itaque illic (fpeaking of the Theatre) feufortia, feu ho- WOrkes. *efta,fe*fonorayfeucanora, fen fubtilU proindehabe ac d DeSpe&a% /J jibt cap* 17. j pi Hiftrio-Maftix. Part, i . fiftillicidia mellis de libalunculo venenata; nee tantigu. larru facias voluptatis, quanti periculurru. All the elo- quence and fweetnefie therefore that is in Stage-playes, is but like the drops of honey out of a poyfonedlimkecke, which pleafe the pallate onely , but deftroy the man e La aantius ^at ta^es them.So that I may well compare our Stage- DcFalfaSapi- play es to Apothecaries Gallie-pots : [Y] Quorum-, ti. entia,Iib. 3. c. tuli habent remedia, pyxides venena : which have glo- 1 *• rious loo thing titles without, but poyfons ondy with- in. Thirdly, though all thefe good things are in Stage- play es now and then yet they are there onely as good /Matth.f.13. things perverted, which prove ^f^worslofany. No- Luke 14. 34, thing 1$ there to pernicious [g~^a* good parts ,or a good l*Vincentius ™*tabu[ed: as wit, art, eloquence and learning call a- Lcrinenfis Ad- way upon an amorous, prophane, obfeeue lafcivious yer£ Ha»rcf, c. fubject ; on which whiles many out of a vaine-glori- 23>*4- ous humour have fpent the very ere? ne and flower of their admired parts, I may truly affirme with Salvian, b Praefatio in £/Q Non tanu illuftraffe mihi ipfk mgenia,quam^ dam* lib. 1. dc Gu- najfe videantur ; they fecme to me not fo much to have feern.Dcip.*, illustrated as damned their much applauded wits and parts , in being acutely elegant in fuch unworthy (or- did theames, which modtft eves would blufli to reade, and chaft tender coniciences blecde to thin^e of* As therefore Ovids tranfeendent poetry, ^JMartiah pro- phane and fcurrilous pandei ly wit, Catullus, Tihullus, and Vroptrtius their eloquence, made theit obfeene laf- civious poems farrc more pernicious, not more chaft and commendable ; (o the elegancy in vention^ftile and phrafe ofStage-pIayes, is onely an argument of their greater lewdnefle, not any probate of their reall good- iAdverlusH*- p^fle. What therefore [jQ Vincenriu s Lerlnenfis writes refcsMtci*, 0£OrigenandTertuUian, tint their tranfeendent abili- ties of eloquence, learning and acutenejfe, made their er- ronious Tenents farre more dangerous : the lame wee may conclude of Playes and Poets; the more witty and fublime their ftile or matter, the more pernicious tfieirfrukes: for thai, Viferiunu Pa rt. i . Hiftrio-Majl'tx. 79 $ (k) Viperium~> obduSlo potnmus mellevenenu»2~>. ^ Profpci Dc We drinke downe deadly poyfon in a honey potion 5 Pyemia lib. which proves honey onely in the pallate3but gail in the bowells^death in the heart;asthe moftdelighcrull amo- rous Stagc-playes alwayesdoe. Actvs 8. Scena Sexta. TH e 6. Objection in the defence ofStage-pIayes is ofyett.6. this; which is as (l) common as it is prophane:lhzt /StcMr. Stubs Stage-playes are as good as Sermons ; and that many his Anatomy ! learne as much good at a Play as at a Sermon : therefore of Abu{*es> P- they cannot be ill. ft +JF ffl To this I ftiall anfwer firft in the words of Mr.Thi- 0}Vh/^jbgy lip Stubs, and of/. G. in his Refutation of the sApologie for Aftors, p. for zSlZbors, p. 61 ♦ Oh blafphemy int oiler able ! lArc ob- 60,6 u fcene Vlayes and filthy interludes comparable to the word ssfnfiv.l. of God , thefoode of life , and life it felfe ? It it all one as if they hadfaid^ Baudry, Heathenry, i> aganifme ,Scurri- litie and rDivelry it felfe is equall with Gods word: or that Sarhan is equipollent with the Lord. Cjod hath ordained h;s w$rd,and made it the ordinary meanes of our filvati- on : the 'Divell hath inferred the other as the ordinary meanes of our dfftruQton, God hath fet his holy word and CMinifters to inflrutl us in the way of life ; the Dwell inflituted Tlayes and zAElors to feduce us into the way of death. %AnA will they yet compare the one with the other ? If he be accurfed, (m) that calleth light darkj w ifay ?.2Co neffe and darkneffe light ; truth fal 'flood , and falfhood truth ; then a fortiori, is hee accurjed that faith, Playes And interludes are equivalent with Sermons , or compa- liiii reth 794 Hiflrio-Maftix. Pa rt. r »Rom.tf.2p. Luke 2.10,11 • See Ad. 6. Scene j. f SceAa-6 Scene n.& 20 throughout. reth (fomedies & Tragedies with the word of god; where- as there is no mifchiefe ,almoft , which they maintame not. Thus they. But ifStage-piayes be as good as Sermons (as many prophane ones, who heare and readc more Playes than Sermons, deeme them*) then Players cer- tainly by the felfefameargument,areas good as Preach- ers : and if this be fo, what difference betweene Chrift and Belial, Play-houfes and Churches, Miniiters and Aftors } yea why then doe we not ereft new Theaters in every Parifl^or turne our Churches into Play.houfes, our Preachers into zAttors , fince they are thus paral- lels in their goodneffe ?But what prodigious and more than ftygean profanefTe is there in this companion ? Whoever paralleld hell with heaven,vice with vertue, darkneffe with light, Divels with Angels, dirt with gold ? yet there is as great a difparity in goodneffe be- tweene Playes and Sermons3as there is in thefc; the one being evermore refuted the (n) chief eft happinejfe , the other the (o) greateft mifchiefe in any fchriftian State. But this part of the obje&ion is too grofie to confute , fince the very naming of it is a fuflicient refutation, I come therefore to the fecond clauie : That many learne as much good at Playes y as at Sermons . And I beleeve it too; for had they ever learn'd any good at Sermons, (which would be altogether needles, ifio much good- neffe as is ob/etted might be learn'd from Playes; they would certainly have learned this among the reft, never to refort to Stage-playes. The truth then is this $ mod Play-haunters learne no good at all at Sermons 5 not becaufe Sermons have no goodneffe for to teach them, but becaufe they are unapt to learne it : partly, (p ) be- caufe they feldome frequent Sermons, at leaftwife not fo eft as Playes : partly, becaufe their eares are fo dull of hearing, and their mindes fo taken up with Play-houfe contemplations whiles they are at Church, that they mind not ferioufly what they heare : partly becaufe the evill which they learne at Playes , overcomes the good they learne Pa rt. i . HiftriO'Majiix. 795 Iearne at Sermons, and will not fijfer it to take root with* in them.* : and partly , becaufe Playes and Sermons are fo incompatible, that it is almofl impoffiblefor any man to I receive any good at ailfronu Sermons , whiles hee u a re- forter unto Stageplayes: Well therefore may they iearne as much goodnefle from Playes as Sermons , becaufe they never learned ought from either, but much hurt from both, (?) the very word of God being a fumbling Luke % blocke, a meanes of greater condemnation , yea a favour of ^om.9.3 2>* ?• death unto death to fuch unprofitable hearers who reape 2 Cor.7.15,1 tf. no grace nor goodnejfe fronts it. But to patfe by this, if Heb.6.7,9. there be fo much goodnefle learn'd from Playes,! pray informeme who doe Iearne it; if any, then either the Actors or Spectators '• For the Actors, their goodnejfe verily ufo (r) little, that it is akogether-to be iearnt as r Scc A^# *• yet; and if ever they chance to attaine the fmalleft dram CCDC ' of grace fas they are never like to doe whiles they con- tinue Players) it mull be then from Sermons onely,not from Playes, which make them every day worfe and .,. worfe, but cannot poflibly make them better. For the un^^^ Spectators, they can Iearne no good at all from Playes, qu| delinquant becaufe (as (f) If odor Peluftom long fince refolved it) corrigere ina- P layers and Stageplayes can teach the none*Nzvzv heard nimum indu- or read I yet of any whom Stage-p^ ayes meliorated or iCum,.j /r*c,> taught any good: ail they can teach them,all they Iearne Mj^jca^im** from them is but fome fcurrill jefts, fome witty obfee- comm ars na- nities , fome ribaldry ditties, fome amorous wanton tura tantum- compiements, fome fantaitique fafhions,fome brothel- mo^° ad no= lloufe CourtOiippe to wooe a (trumpet, or to court a ^J^^^a whore : thefe are the beft leffons thefe fchooles of vice 43.^.33 6. BibL and lewdnefle teach, or thefe their fchoUers Iearne .* I vmy. Tow. j . fliall therefore clofe up this objection with that of (t ) ^rsip.6i$^ Mr. Stubs and (v) I. G. in their forequoted places. If '^™*£ you will Iearne to doe any evi H, ski If uHy , cunningly , covert- IQ<> *' J ly or artificially, you needegoe no other where than to the u Refutation Theatre. If you will Iearne falfhood, cofenage, mdireEt of the Apology dealing 5 if you will Iearne to deceive , to play the hypo- f°r A&ors,p. I Hi 1 2 crite, *>><»>6»* 796 Hiftrle-Majlix. Part.i. .:.. crite, fycophant, parafite and flatterer : if yon will learn? to cooge, lie andfalffie; tojefl, laugh, and feere\ to grin t nodde, and mow 5 to flay the vice, to curfe,fweare, tearet and blafpheme both heaven and earth in all kindes and di- ver fities ofoathes : if yon will learne to flay the bawd or curtefan $ to pollute yourfelfe, to devtrginate maides, to deflowre wives, or to ravifh widdowes by enticing them to ■ luft : if yon will learne to drabbe andftabbe,to murther9 kill and flay; to picke, fieale, rob and rove : if yon will learne to rebel I againft Princes, clofely to carry treafons% to confume treafures,to praftife idleneffe, to fing and mike of filthy love and venery 5 to deride ,cjuippe >, (come, fcoffe, mocke and float e; to flatter andfmooth: to play the Divel, thefwaggerer, the whoremafter, the glutton , the drun- kard, the injurious or incefluous perfon • if you will learne to become proud, haughty and arrogant : Finally, if yen will learne to contemne God and all his lawes,to care nei~ ther for heaven nor hell, and to commit all kinde of finne and mtfchiefe with fecrecie and art , you neede not goe to any other fchooles : for all the fe good examples may you fee painted before your eyes in interludes aud P/ayes. Thefe, and thefeonelie are the great good inftruclioas that either A&ours or Spe&atours learne from Stage- plaies; which make them fit fchol'ers only for the Di- *See Aft. 6. Vel,and traine them up for hc\[}(x)where allPlay-houfe Sccn.ii.& 10. g00e{ne§e (unieffe God grants mercie and fincerc repen- tance) ever ends. Actvs 8. Scena Septima. Ob)eU. 7. nr* 0 pafTe by other Objections in the defence of JL Stsgeplayesj as namelie,that they reprehend finnc and Part. i. Htflrio-Maftix. 797 and vice; that they inveigh againft the corruptions and See Dr* Ra*" corrupt ones of the times ; that they remunerate and ™rmv 0f$tage- applaud vertue, and fharply cenfure vice: that their a- piavCs. bufes., their excefles may be regulated., and themfeives y This obie- reduced to a good decorum: therefore they are law- tYionasI hare full : which Objections I have anfwered by the way h"ar£ was,;„ . c * s s \ much ursed in before : w*. at pag.34.t042* p.9^.to lod. & p. 124. a moft fcurIi. to 127. The grand Objection of our prefent diffolute iou$ and pro- times for the juftification of thefe Playes is this ; (y) phane manner That none but a companie of Puritans and Precifians inthe firft Play fpeake againft them; all elfe applaud and eke frequent -^^NeVe- them;therefore cetain'y they are very good recreations, lzett& Play- fince none but Puritans difaJffecl them. houfe: a fit ~ r confecration To this I anfwer, that the objection is as falfe as fn- Sermon for volous : For firft, I have already fully manifefted, that that Divels (z,)many Heathen States and £mp er or s , and among the Chappell. reft* Tiberius, ?{jro, and Mian the sApoftate , (who «^/*p',» were as farre from Puritanifme , as the deboifeft Anti- \I** L \k 1 n \rr 1 tVi t>i 5Cen,?.C*. ACT. puritans , the molt dmolute Players or Play-patrons 7. scen.6,7. this day living) have condemned, fuppreffed Playes and <* See Act. 6. Players : Beftdes, I have largely proved , that (a) not Seen. $,43& f* onely Plato, ssfrijlotle, Cicero, Seneca, and other heathen Philofophers $ but even Horace, Iuvenal, nay Ovid and I Propertius, (the moft lafcivious heathen Poets , who I were as farre from Puritans , as they were irom I Chriftians) have declaimed againft Stage-p'aies. And I is not this then a notorious falibood ? that none but I Puritans condemne Stage-plaies. Were Tiberius, T^j- m ro, Julian, <±sfris7otle,Tibu/lus, Ovid, (thinke you) Pu- ritans? Were all thofe (b) fore-quoted Tagans, who * See Act.*, cenfured and fuppreffed Stage- plaies, Puritans ? If thefe Sccn# *• be now turn'd Puritans in the Objectors phrafe, I pray I what manner of Chriftians (I dare not fay incarnate Di- I vels) are thofe perfons , who thus taxe thefe diffoiute I Pagans, for puritanicalll Precilians? certainlieif they are fomewhat better than infernall Fiends, yet they are liiii $ by 79 S Hiftrio-Maftix. Part, i c Quantum ad by (c) many decrees tvorfe than the very worfl of all thefe ^nctl'icT Pag*n'\ who by their owne confc(lionsyare(d) Saints, nos finccom? *re Punt*"* M resjett oftbenu* O then the ftupendi- parationc Bar- ous wickedneffe I the unparalleld prophaneffe of our baris etfe me- gracckffe times ! when Chriftians are not afraid, aflia- a°reS' qjartG med to profefle themfelves more defperately vitiou$> tlbvlc^ur Jafovious> ar»d deboift, than the very worft of Pagans, doleo et plan' whom they thus honour with the ftilc of Puritans, be* go e/fept lores, caufe they are more vertuous, lefle vitious than them- Hoc eft autem felves ! Certainly ifatheifticail prophaneffe. andiijfer* dctenorem tl nainewdneffe increafe but a little more air- asii ic,ma^!?reum . ... .r„ t n-n efc. itafcens 1S verv ,lke " Stage-play es itill continue fortafle qui thefe Obje&ors will grow to that txcclTc c ha:c legis, et ere long, that the Divell himfelfe,(nay / Beelzebub tb& condemnasin. very Prince of Divets ) {hall be canonized by them ols.Non rcfu- a puritan, becaufe he equalls them not m wickedneffe.* giocenfuram Let thefe Play-patrons therefore , either waive this tuamj condem. falfe Objection .or elfe confeffe theie very heathen Puri- na fi mentior , tans (as thev deeme them,) to be much better , much non robave- worthier °f the namc of Chriftians, than themfelves. iTuondemna Secondly, I have infallibly manifefted; (e)That the fi id quod a He- whole primitive (hnrch both under the Law and G off ell, ro, non etiam together with all the primitive Chriftians , Fathers and Scripturas fa. founcels have mofi abundantly cenfkred and condemned monftravero, *'<7" ™j PUJerxS ™ [he. ™7 £&& *'F" of ,pp+. &c. saIvuh De fitton. And were the primitive Church and Chriftians, GMforn.Deiy/.i. the Father s , or Bifhops who were prefent at thefe f.i 17, 1 2 8. & c. Councels, Puritans ? If not : then the objection is falfe. whcrebneC«! #" Puritans; then Puritans are no fuch Novellers, or cellcntly new upftart humorifts as the world reputes them : yea provesthis his then they are in truth no other, but the true Saints of aflertion. Godithe undoubted fucceffors of the primitiveChurch rflnhancemm ^ Chriftians, whofe do4g. 8$. * Ninth. 1 1.14. c Sec Ad. 7. Seen. 2, 2, 4. & Act. 6 S:en.?,4,^,n. ners Part, i . Hiftrio-Maftix. y p 9 ners they onely pra&ife and maintainc. And indeede if the truth of things bee well examined wee may ( No? iraciue eafiiy prove (f) the Fathers, the primitive Church and Z??um£il Chriftians, (yea Chrift himfelfe, his Trophets and Apo- viris, et cum files) Turitans, if that which brands men now for Pu- Ecclefia Chri. ritans in prophane ones cenfures,may defcidc this Con- fti.in nuiu? fi" troverfie. To inftance in fome few particulars. One lin^,pouldring,and 7. Scene ? . 5c accurate nice eompoftng of it : to declaime again fl our my Healths whorift females frilling, broydring, pouldring, dying, Siefetdfc. plaiting-, with their late impudent mannijh, that I fay not w See here Act. * n s • j n c.i • 1 • 11 • $ .Scene 1. & monflrous cutting and /hearing of their haire ; and their \QX^ scene?. falfe borrowed excrements : to declaime againfl face- * See.br. Bur- painting, vaine wanton complements , firange fajhions , geffes his Re- ioyndex, An- fwcrtothe Preface, p.6,7. publifhed by his MaieftSesfpeciall command accordingly. n See herc Act. j. Scene 1. Act.f.Scen. 8 , 9,10,1 f. & Act.6\ Seen. $,4, 5,**. & Act.7. Scene i.to 6. 0 Sec my VnlovclincfTe of Love-lockes, Archbifhop Abbots Lecture iS.oa Ionas,fect.ii.p.570j57i«an^ here Act.5.Sc in the fame u Gal.:'. 1 1 . excejfe of fmne and riot of dilToluteneiTc artd deboiftnefle gPhiU.i ?, 1 6. that they runne into : to [V] reprove or croffe men in k l P^r.4-34* their finf nil faftions, cuftomes, diforders, tufts or courfes: ' r Iol"n ?'zo* i with fundry other particulars which I pretermit; are J*^ ' rov,iy* 1 now Qk~] infallible arguments and fymptomes of a ranke j^ See my Pets Turimn. But this did Chrift, his Prophets and Apo- petuity of a itles, together with all the primitive Churches, Coun- Rcgcn«atc eels, Fathers and pious Chriftians, asthofewhom the J?*^** I world ftiles Puritans doe now : therefore without all j doubt they are Puritans (as Puritans are now reputed) i eveain the very higheft degree. Yea,were our Saviour \ Chrift, St/Paul, St John, together with all thofe holy Patriarkes, Prophets, Apoftles, Martyrs, Fathers, and (other primitive Saints which we readeofin the Scrip- l tures,or Ecclefiafticall Writers,now living here among us, I doubt not but they would all be [/^pointed at, hif- l \ Cor.4f 10, 1 fed, reviled,hated,fcorned, if not perfecuted,as the very to 14, A£te 1 7* : Archeft Puritans , for their tranfeendent holineffe, and * to V%t%%H ( rebukes of fin & finners:fince thofe poore Saints of god, ^^u^y'l^S. t \jn^who have not attained to the moity of their tranfeen* pfa| 1 2# 6,5^4 r dent grace and purity, are nowftifed,& painted at for ^Pu- my Perpetuity, I ritans,evtn for that little purity and holinefTe which is EJJ?k> discovered in their lives. If therefore Chrift himfelfe, "^m^h ? his Prophets and Apoftles^together with alltheprimi- ,gai?,a^ * • tive Churches, Fathers, Councels,and Chriftians were Puritans, in that very fence,& on the felfefame grounds that thofe whom the world ftiles Puritans are fo named Kkkkk now, 8o2 Hiftrio-Maftix. Part, i Scene f. At Acr.tf.Scene • SceaPopifli Pamphlet late- ly divulged; TKatProtcfta- nifme is no- thing elfe but a Puritan con- ceit-. 2 See my Per- petuity, Epiftle ?. Mr.Boltons Di;'co;ufe of truehappines, p too.to >9^« Dr.Burgeffehis Reioywder,the Araiwcr to the Preface, publi- shed by fpeci- all command from his Maic- ily , and my Healths Sick- neuneJp.79,to 89 according- 1 SeeProv.io.. 17. Tohn 3.19, zo.Pfai.jf. if, 1$. Rom,i»293 jo.Wifd.z.n, "10 i%. now, as I have fully manifefted by the premifes ; and dare make good in all particulars againft any An ti -pu- ritans whatfbever ; the objeftors muft now either dif- claime their Antecedent, (that none but Puritans con- demne Stage-playes : ) or in cafe they grant all thefe to be Puritans, they rauft now invert their rafh conclu- sion : that Stage-playes certainely are evill , becaufe Chrift,his Prophets and Apoftles,the whole primitive Church, the Fathers, Councels, and primitive Chrifti- ans, (all ranke Puritans) have out of their very puritie and holineffe condemned them long agoe,and none bur the very flhame, the fcumme of Chriftians, or men un- worthy that worthy title did anciently approve them, as I have largely evidenced, Aft.4. Scene r, i. Aft. 6. Scene 3,4,5. & Aft.7. Scene i.to 7. Thirdly, I have manifefted, that many (n) mvderne Christians, not onely Troteftants, b\tt Papifis too, have utterly condemned Stage-playes. And I hope all Pa- pifts (the origmali inventors of this ftile of Puritans , which they have caft (0) on orthodox Prateftants as a very Cbfatto or by- word of difgrace, ) are exempted from this number of Puritans intended in the Obje- clion. Either Papifts therefore mull be Puritans , for condemning Piayes , which many of the cbicfe Ob/e- ftors being Papifts (as are molt of all our Players) will hardly grant; or elfe the Objection muft be faMe# Fourthly , admit that none but Puritans condemne or cenfure Stage-playes ; confider then, I pray you, with an impartiall eye, what kinde of perfons thele Play-ab- horring conformable Puritans and Precifians are: (p) zAre they not the holieft, the devouteft, the eminenteft and mo ft religions gracious Saints, tvho I cade the fir i ft eft, pur eft ,heavenliefty godlie ft lives , outftrippino- all at hers both in the outward praclife, avd inward power of grace? Are they not fuch whofe piety ., whofe univerfall holi- neffe in all companies .times and places ,are an(q) eye-fore, a life-fore, an heart-fore , yea a frame and cenfure unto others \ Part, i, Hiftrio-Maflix. Soj others ? Are they not fuchas (r) Labi ant ins writes of> , {> juOati* Smt aliqui mtempeslivh boni >cfui corrupts moribus pub- i.5, c.9. lids conviciurru bene vivendo faciunt. Srgo tanqnarru feeler unu> et malitia fua teffes extirpare funditus nitttn- tur et toller e 5 graveftfue febi put ant tan^narru eorurru wa cearguatur. Idcirco auferantur, qmbns corarru vi~ verepudet\ qui pec cant ium** front enu etfinon verbis ,quia tacent, tamen ipfo vite genere difsimiliferiunt et verb*- rant ; Cafigare enirru videtur qnicunque dtffent it ♦(The cafe of the primitive, pious Chriftians, amongft the diflolute vitious Gentiles.) And they not ftch who are (f) peremptory in the confcionable performance of every rj0fjlt l4 T(5 holy duty \ refbluteinthe(t) hatred of every cuslomary 18, i\. finne, (u) refufing to runne into the fame exceffe of wic~ t Pfal.n9.104.> fednejfcj into the groffe corruptions of the (x) times , * l8° into which mofi men rtt/b ( y ) with greedinejfe , at the *■» *,4s horfeimo the battell f DoubticiTe,what ever the malice j ie^e 'r* ■ of others may conceive of them, yet they are no other but fuch as thefe,as the very rierceft Anti-puritans con- ^. c«ms fciences wbifperto them 5 (*) <(** fnfyettit ommbus pei;xoaavLs, Ht improbos met Hunt > etwru qms QPtimos f entire potne- p 39. rant. If any man doubt of this, tnefe few expenmen- tall arguments may convince him. For firftsthere is ne- ver a fincere, devout or pious Chriftian this day living h England, who (a) ex-cells in holinefft of life, in tnte- 4Vhi }6>h grity of confer fm ton 3 (i>) avoiding all the corruptions t> * PeJU.*. thai are in the world through Ml $ and (c) living righ- Ga|«5-*4- teoufiy , fob erly and godly in thk frefent cvill world*, refn- c^ltUi ** *& fing to (d) conforms himfclfe t<* the fafhions , vanities, Qf tmehappi- be his place or condition what it will" Hee who hath nerfc-p 19r.ro morcgraceand^oodneffe,morechan;ity,modefty,ren]- 197. *&<>% Eerance or fobnety, more love and dread of God.more 4\W$* atred of fin and wickedness kite tm&ure of atheifme, Kkkkkt impiety, $0a Hiftr'uhMaflix. Part.i # Nunc aute impiety, voluptuoufneffs and prophaneffe, than others novum pceni- among whom he lives , lee him be never io juft in his tcmix genus-, jea[jngS towards men, never fo * conformable to the da- ° in™ hoftes * ®rme an^ ceremmt'es °f the Qwrch , is forthwith bran- quorum fidem ded for a notorious Puritan and Precifian a^ England o- publice negarc Ver 5 and (f) the more eminent his graces and holinejfe non audent. are fa t(je Vlew 0f others, the more is he maligned , en vi- c^rurT^nnos e^> hated, and the greater Puritan is he accounted , as hin^indecon* every mans owne experience can informe him, Thefe fuiti$}ut corum Puritans and Precifians therefore are the beftofChri- carpkis vitam, ftians. Secondly, thofe who are moil: violently ii-iv^- quorum ffdei ftiVd> and njaliciouQy defpitefall againft Puritans and vllcJsT^w. Precifians, both in their words and anions , are fuch Ep1fl.71.Pa1*. ' who are unfound or popifaly affeded in their religion, macbeo. or prophane and diflblute in their lives. The mod Ro- /Sicutcantha- mitlized Proteftanti, the * deboifefr drunkards, the ef- adtwru^i femi^ateft R jfians,the mod fantafticke apiih Faftion- bJs ct rofis flo. mongers; the lewdeft whoremafters, Panders, Strum- rentibus in- pets; the prophaneft Roarers, Players, Play-haunter s, cumbuntiita and Brothel-hunters -, the moft prodigious Swearers, invidia maxi. Epicures and Health-quaffers; the moft gracelefTe viti- bonos°etKad oas perfons of all rankes and profeiTions ; ( efpecially virmtcm et temporizing , floathfull, unorthodox, epicurean, Ale- gloriam pro- houfe haunting, diflolute Clergy men, the (g) greatefi ficifcentcr.P/tt- enemies of all others, to true grace and piety , as all ages tfauOaVtlil' wimeu"e;) are alwayesthc greateft railers, the (h)fier- Vi/Jk) poulder, frize/l, and fet out her haire f^m^Vn- loveliaefTe of Love»lockes , and here A&.f.Scene 6, AbfolomsFalljOrtheRuineof Roi fters. Wherein ever yChriftian may as in a mirror behold jthe vile and abominable abufe of curled long haire,fo much now ufed in this our Realmc. £ ?,<*, 8,9,10. p A* l$a in ft which fee Cyp iande Habitu Virginum.Tertullian DcCultu Mu!iebri,& De HibituFseminaru^Clemens Alexandrinus, Paedag.l.z.c.io, 1 1. L3.cf.t0 5. Philo IudarusLegis AUegorial.2. p 100,101. De Fortitudine lp.106.De Specialibus Le- gibus,p.iof9-& DeiMercedeMfiretiicis&c. p ir6i, ti6»iZeno Veronenfis Sermo de Pudiciria.Ser. deContinentia> Ser. de fpiritu et corporc. Scr.i.de Avaritia. Bibl. Patr.Tom.j. p. 112, 114,1 18,130. Ifiodor Pelufiotalib. 1. Epift. f 3. Nazianzen ad verfus MuliercsamSitiofius fefe ornantes*Au:>ufr.Epift«7 j.Gratian de Confecraiionc DiftincYio <. Aiexander Alcfius Summa Theologian pars 4. Quaeft.i 1. Memb. *, Art.2. feft.4.Q^,x(t.9. Alexander Fabritius,Deftru£Vorium Vitiorura pars 3,0 io. & pars 6, c.».& 69. Peter Martyr Locoru communiu n Clafsis i.e. 1 r.Pecl 7 1 to 8 $ Innocentius j.De Contemptu rnut*dil.i,c, 40. Thomas Lake htsDifcourfe againft Paintingiwitb all thofe other Authors and Fathers here quoted A&* j.Seenc 7. & in my Vnloveline? of Love lockcs,p. 1,^16^0 21,^0,49.50* Kkkkkg *te 8 c 6 Hijlric- \faftix. P a rt. i //^**/ com- thcr, Dancus, mends: and what elfeftiall they heare from all the Ruf- Eftms, H\ pen- flans, fantaftiques, and Frenchefied wanton Dames that us, Marle>™t , \{yc about them,but this opprobrious cenfure^that they CardfnalU if ° arc Decome profeffed Puritans, if any make conference ra" Toftatus * of frequenting Play-houfes, Dice-houfes, Whore-hou- Anfclme,HRa- ^at let a man be vitious in one kinde,and yet Lofcjbidcm. temperate in another 5 as let him be a Play-haunter, a q See' here Aa. gamefter, and not a drunkard \ a drunkard, and yet no 5* Scene $, 9, i\vearer3no whoremafter, no rurBan,.or the like 5 or let 10, u,iz. & amanbevitiousindiverfekindes,andyetnotfobadas 5 4J7. CnCi' others of his companions, and he fliall befometimes reproached for a Puritan , becaufe he is not fo univer- fa'ly, fo extremely wicked and deboift, as thofe of his companions who are farre worfe than he. Whence we oft times finde, that fuch who are reputed no better than prophane ones, when they are in company fome- what better than themfel ves ; are cenfured for Puritans , among prophane ones, (r) becaufe they are not foun- ciim^an^tatVs ™eafir<*blywickedattheworftofthe»L>. And as thofe lit minus effe who are not fo defperately outragious in their extrava- vitiofum. gant finfull courfes as others, are thus houted at for Pu- ritans and Precillans, by fuch as are lewder than them- felves: fo thofe who outftrip all others in holinefle, pietie and vertue , are reputed Puritans too , becaufe they Part, i . Hiflrio-Maftix. 807 tbeyexcell in goodnefle. For let a man be a di-igenc ( See my Per- (. hearer and repeater of Sermons and Lectures ; a con- peuu-,y,p. i*. &znt(t) reader anddifcourftr of Godsword;& fci&ob- ^j^-^Mr. j ferver of the Lords day; a /over, and (v) companion of c^fifofTnie I the bolieft men $ a man that is (x) holy and gracious in HippinefTe, p. I kisjpeecbes in all companies and p laces , defirous to fow 190:0198. i fome feedes of grace, and to plan: religion where ever Dcur-^-J-to to I he comes.- let him bo. (y) much in prayer, inmedi.nti- « pfjV V/* <5 [ en, in fafiing and humiliation, (*,) much grieving for hi* xit.f.8 I Jinnes ■, and complaining ofh:s corruptions-^ let him be al- x i.p?r. f. 14, j wayes (a) hnngring and thirfiing after grace, and ufin^ l T> c 6> Bphef.4 [ all thofe meanes with confcionable care which may *££!£"f*?m I bring him fafe to heaven, (b) abandoning all thofe fins, \ a I thofe pleafures and companies which may hinder him-> in z pfal.fo.i,to I his frogreffe towards heaven: Let a man be a diligent 1*. rfMat.jA 1 powerful! foule-learching (c) fmne-repfoving Miniver, ^ &*h ? 4. m. refiding conftantly upon his benefice, and (d) preaching Pft * *s,p *£• f tfz/^r; Lords-day twice : or let him be a diligent upright Hebr. riiif. Magiftrate, (e) punifhing drunkenneffe, drunkards, fwea- c Amos 5. &. rers,(uppreffing f ?2> ^a?» I ^7 , according to his oath and duty ; Let any of any orfcourfe^f profedton be but a little holier or flicker than the Major true Happines, [ part ofmen;and this his hoWnzsb'isforwardnesinreli* p. 19$. 1 'tig**** isfuflicient warrant for all prophane ones, for j#Scc*i.laco» 1 all who fail fhort of this his pra'fticall power of grace rp^Jj frora to brand and hate him for a Puritan, as every mans (he ancient Pa^ confeience cannot but informe him* It is oiitiifeft then gan feafts and by all thefe particular experimental! inftances ; that pftfoftes on thofe whom the world ftiles Puritans and Prectfians , ljjc fir^L?C are the very beft and holieft Chriflians r and that they Lft*^ ^yli- are thus ignominioufly intituled, yea (b) hated and ma- jcd Maiuraa, which Arcadius and Theoioret Jong fincefuppreflTedby this Edict. Illud vero quod fibi nornen procax licentia vir.dicabit Maiumam fcedum atque indecorum fpecfcacula dencgamus. Co It* Tbeodofu 1. 1 (,£¥;•&£».*• See Calvini Lexicon furidicum, & Iaco- biisSpielegias,Pa!idolphusPtotens,6cH eronimasVermtius,' Lexicon Iuris,Tit.Ma» hnxia: 5c Suidas Vf4>}MVJ4/,5cSpondanus An. J99 feci:. f. g See 1 Car.c.i. bMalitia Temper coatra virtutem \\\(\muChrjfo(l,HQm. 1 5 . in Gen*Tom* i -Coh 1 4*-4t lignedy 8o8 Hijtrio-Maflix. Part. i. ncflc,p.i9i,to 1 97. according, ijr, an excellent place to tbis purpofe, well worth the rea- ding, and all Antipuritans raoft fcrious confederation. * See Mr. Bol- ligued, becaufe they are lefle vicious, more pious, ftrift tons Dilcourfc ancj vertuous in their lives than fuch who call them (o. ' Fourthly , there is no man (b fierce an Antipurjtan in his health and life£*] but de fires to turne 'Puritan and Pre- ciftan in the extremity ofhUfichne^e and the day of death. When God fends his judgements, croflcs, or tormen- ting mortall difeafes upon fuch who were moft bitter Satyrifts againlt Puritans all their lives before;or when hce awakens fuch mens conicicnccs to ice the gaftiy horrour of their notorious (innes } when they are lying perplexed on their death-beds with the feareof darn- S^ne aadftr- tutlon reac*y to Dreatn out tncir foules into hell at every vants of God gafpe * they will then turne Puritans in very good ear- reputed in for. neft, defiring to die fuch as they would never live : yea mer times. See tnen in fuch extremities as thefe they fend for thofe vc- iCor.i, 18,21, ry purftan Miniftcrs , whom they before abhorred to x 4.c.^li?8.Cc^. in^ni^> to comfort them,to pray wiih them,for them. \o. i Cor. 11. andtoadviiethemwfiattodoethatthcymaybefaved: 16,17,19, ti. & however they reputed the no better than hypocrites, [\C\foo les, or [_Q diftracled furious ntad ones before yet they would willingly change lives ^ change fouies and confidences with them then, wifhing with many teares and ftghes that they were but fuch as they. This every dayes experience almoft teftifies ; therefore Puritans nas. Vimmcir- an(j prec|flans even in tne true internal! confcicntiall cuniipcctura ct . , c . . . n . amicum pro- judgement or every Ann-puritan are the molt godly pris coHicien- men. Fifthly, let a drunkard,a whoremafter.a fwearer, tiac calumnian. a ruffian , or any other prophane notorious wicked per- r hypocnti fon ^c trujy COnverted from thefe their fmnes, and un- fainediy devoted and united to the Lord fo as [minever to returne unto tbenu more , £»] cleaving unfeparably unto him both in their hearts and lives ;or let God worke any fuch vifible notorious happy change in men , as to [V] call them-, out of darknejfeinto his marvelous light, iSam.u.-i $,14,15. iKin^^.ir. Hofea ?.?. Hay s9.1j.Ict.29.af Acha£.24,if# Mar.j 1 1 John io.io.iCor 14,15. iCor.f,^ m Pfal.Sj.S. «Deutti unci*.** Iofh.%2 f.c.23.8. #Aasi6.i8, 1 Pet. 2.0. Coli. 1 ;. and Laftantiusdc Iut'ticiaJ.J.c. 1 6, Timor Do mini fimplici- tas reputatur, nedicamfatU' Eernirii. Di Conflict 4 wne /•4.C.1.C0I.98? C. /So were the Saints ofolde a ecru need . Part. i. Hiftrio-Maflix. 809 and to translate thenu fronu under the power of Satan into the kingdome of hit dear e Sonne ; and no fooner (hall t Vt. 3 «£ f a - n. P3& 408. nee lunu totunu in malo pofttunu eft : et verunu eft 1 merit 0 writes thus. Ac eninu totunu in malo effe dicitur ,ubi boni locunu habere Vero nunc di- non pojfunt : Jiquidenu ita totunu iniquitatibus plenunu verfiiTime et eft, ant ut malifint, quifunt;aut qui boni funt malorunu jmpiiffime nuU perfecutione crucientur. And thus is it now in our f"j °mini»re- dayes. Therefore Puritans and Precifians are undoub- loquitur, qua tedly the very primed: Chriftians, becaufe they are ne- qui bus ob Dei revcrentiam p!usdcbctur : nullos pietas minus refpicit , quam quos prxcipue religio conomena dat : Dcnique fi qui a parentibus fiiii offcruntur Deo , omnibus film ponpo* nuntur oblati j indigni iudicantur hacreditate, qui digni fuerint confecrationc : ac per hoc una tantura re parentibus vilcs faint , quia caepcrint Deo eflc prc= dofi. Lllll ver " 8 ! o HifirioMaftix. Pa rt. i ver honoured with thefe titles till they (f)turne better /Multi, quad t^m f, were af nn yeayetter than all thofe that re- dolendum eft, , / § , i J rr a ji profc-aibus u proach therru by thefe names of [come. And here we may i unmr aliem's; obferve a difference betweene eminency in reiigion^and et qui fe virtu- excellency in all other things befides. For let a man tibus wkuos ^e exqUjfite jq ai)y other art or profeffion whatfoever, ranurSw ^c *c in phificke, Muficke, Law, Philofophy, or any li- in coram odi- berallfcience, or mechanicke trade; yea let a man be a um quorum zealous forward Papiit, Iefuite, Prieft or Votary 5 the nonfequitntur more eminent they are in all or any of thefe, the more p/Sl"™^gfc honoured, reverenced, frequented , admired, and belo- tnASermoio.f. ved are they of all forts of men 5 becaufe they are but 9 j. naturall humane excellencies , to which corrupt nature t Tn bono pro- and the Divell have no antipathy at all. But let any man pofito conftitu. become a it) confcionabley zealous , fineere and forward, SSBIM?Cltl"?- pro fe (for of true religion, tranfeendinq others in the pra- difftmtliumdi r.J f J S \ '. f r abolo inftioan. "Wall power of grace, or m the inward beamy of holinefje; te non deiunr, and the more perfpicuoufly eminent he gr owes in thefe, the etfacile in odia more is he commonly hated, (laundered, perfecuted,reviled prorumpunt , y~ tjoe tongHes 0f w'ic\^d men a and the greater Purimn probTrnores" l^eJ dccount hinu 3 becaptfe (x) there is grace within deteftabiliores hints, that is diametrally contrary to their corruptions. fiunt compara. Neither neede we wonder at it : for ever fince God at tionerec'torum. firfi put (y) enmity betweene the feedeof the woman and Iniquitas cum the feede of the ferpent, U) thofe who havebeene borne habetpaccm, after the fie Jb, have perfecuted, {lander ed, abhorred thofe temperantiam who have beene borne after the jpirit ; and (a) thofe who odit cbrietas, who are of this world, have hated fuch who are redeemed falfitati nulla 0Ht 0fthe world . there (b) beinv never as yet in any aire, , . . any concord or truce betweene Chrifr and BeliaLliaht and f. concordia. y _ . . y , *> -n 1 non amat Cm- dar^nejje, righteoufnefjeand unrighteoufnejje, Beleevers perbia manfue* and Infidels*, (c) thofe who are upright in the way, beinv tudinem, pctu* lantiavcrecundiara,avaritia largitatem, ettampertinaces babct diver/itasiflacofi- fliclus,utetiamfiextcriiisconqt»iefcat, ipPatamcn piorum cordium penetralia in- qiretare non definat,ut verum fit quod qui voluerunrin Chriftop;e vivcre, perfecu- tione patientur, ScC.Leo De Quadr.Ser.p.f.Sy.x Gal.v.i 7.1 Cor.<5. 1 ?,i6. y Gen. 3. 1 f. z Gaf.4. 19. iloW;* 12,13. « Ioh,t5.io,io, b *CoAM>T U16* c Prov.29.17. alwajes P a rt. i . Bi(irio-MaJiix. 8 1 j^ a/way es an abomination to the wickedfox thefe very rea- d Rfal. i$i* ions onely,and no other -, (d) becaufe they follow the 2c- y P"-4- thing that good is, and (e) runnenot with them~>into the *'4' J l S»A /4?» five aperto evill. Thefe and no other were the true original! catiies pra?ii0jin 0m- of mens hatred & reproach againfiii) Chriflians,againfl n'bus fidelibus (fhrifl and his zsfpoftles heretofore ; and of mens inve- propofitum bo» terate rancor and malicious calumnies againft Puritans n* voluntatis • n- t i_ infeltant.ini* now, what ever mens pretences are againlt it,as I have micum autcm more largely manifefted in a (k) precedent Treatife. If \\\^ cft omnc any thinke this ftrange, that men fhould be thus perfe- quod rectum, cuted, hated, reviled, nicknamed, flandered and con- omwquod ca« temned even for their grace, their hoiine{Te,and the ve- pX^Do JL* ry praffcicall fincere profeflion of religion: let them con- SeYm9 , 9> £ fider but thefe few particulars which will give them 140. ample fatiffaflion in the point. Firft, thofe frequent pre- ' Malediftionc dictions or premonitions of our Saviour to ali the pro- aute,m ct aI?a." fdTors of his name : (1) That they {hall he hated, perfe- ™ *l\te^l cnicd,reviled of all men & 2(ationsfor his fake: ( m)that torumeft.Quis they {hall feperate them from their company ,ca(l out their enim ita emen- names as evill, & fay all maner of evill avainfl the * fa/ fly dati orls eft » J a J J J/ quern non ma- Icdicenticonfueiudofoilicj'tet? non dicatadverfuscos quimaledi&odigni funt, fed ctiamadverfuseos quos Dominusnonmaledixit-id eft,iuftosetinnoc;ntesviros.0>7. g(nid.:.in Epifi.^^m.c,j.roof^.f§l.i^^C> ^J. 'bid. ^ In my Perpetuity kpift. 5. & Healths SicknclFe,p.79.to 89. / Mat. lev. \6 to ^6.0.14.9. Ioh-M«'9»*fc&i*.*a3JXi x 7,14. wMat.?.n,iz.Luk,6.2 2,2 3. ^Maioriscontumelia? reseftjfalfisquenquam notr.reetinfignirecrimimbus quam vera ingerereatq; oble&are deli eta. Qu'^ eniai CcCc dici, et quod elfe tefcnties.morfum habet minorem teftimonio tzatx rccogniti- onisinfraehim.Ulud veroaccrbiffimcvulneratquod innoxios et quoddecus nominis ej2eilimauonisinfaaut,^r^/w tdoefiiu Gcntes 1.4.0.1+7. LIU I a for 8 1 2 Hiftrio-Majlix. Part. i. n 1 ohn 1 6. j $ , jQ>r &tf names fake ; (») that in the world they [hall have • Iohn 162. tribulation, and(o) that whofoever ktlleth them [hall thinly ^™W$* bed*thG*A goodfirvice. Secondly, that memorable Quxs cnim cx= poiition of St . Paul, i Tim. 3.11,11. Tea, and (p ) all ceptus potcft that will live godly in Chrifl Iefus fball fuffer perfection - cffe, cum ipfc (q ) for through many tribulations and afflictions we mufl Dominus per- enter ^nt0 t\de Kingdome of heaven, Thirdly^the exam* tentamenta to- Ples °^ Gods Saints in all ages even from -Adam to leraverit?^0>6r. this prefent. if we looke upon Qain and ssfb el, the two Eri4r. in vfal. fird-borne of the world , wee (hall beholde graceiefle 118. Oclon. io- (r) Cainywho was of that wicked one, flaying his righteous Tom.x.MouG. yrother Abel:& wherfore (lew he him?i\M* refolves Sec Ambrolc, , n. . , r l r 1 • Chryfoft.Thc tne quelhon in thele very termes y becaufe his owne odoret,Theo- worses were evill and his brothers righteons: and there- phyIad,Rcnni- upon he grounds this inference ; CMarvellnot, my brc- r>ius,Bed.a,Ari- thren, if the world hate you. (f ) Non enim mirum eft', icmrPrima 1 /writes Salvian) nunc fantlos homines quadam afher* us , rliyrxio ? » , . . ' 1 t> HXabanus paft, cumviaeamus quod Dens ettam per maximum ne- M.iurus, and fas, primum fanclorumfivit occidi. Looke we upon ho- all other Fa- [y King David , we fhall finde him thus complaining: thefrsarn^*.s Pfal.tf.i 9 }lo. They that hate me wrongfully are multi- text r8°r plied, they alfo that render me evill for good are my ad- * Ads 14. 22. verfaries, (pray marke the onely reafon) becaufe I fol* 1 Thetf. $.4. low the thin% that good is. The Prophet Ifay complai- r 1 Iohn 3.11, neth thus of his times 2 Ifay ^9. 14,15. Judgement is fiv£3 h - turned away backward and jufticeflandeth afarre off •■> for tione Dei 1 U trHth is fallen in thefireets, and equity cannot enter ; yea p. 22, truth faileth, and hee that depaneth from evill maketh himfelfe a prey , or is accounted mad: yea hee brings in Chrifl himfelfe prophetically fpeaking in this manner; (r ) 'Behold I and the children whom the Lord hath given $ Ifay 8. !&♦ me are for fignes and wonders even in Ifrael. The Pro- phet *Amos writes thus of his age : *A Epiftlc et pracepta et exempla debitricem martyrij fidem often- j'^corfl.o dunt. Ifweelookeupon [V] Chrift and his isfpoftles, i0_ We fliall fnde them hated, perfecuted, flandered, reviled e See Tuftia with opprobrious names an i obloquies, ££] being made as Martyr, Apo» the very filth of the world , and as the of (cowing of all c^Uarfis! things unto this lay 5 yea wee {hall fee them martyred TertuUiani*A* a-id put to death for no other caufe at all, \jf\but onely pologia , La. for their qjace, their hilinejfe, their tranfcendent good- ftantiusDc Iu« neffe, and their oppofoion to thefyinesanderrours of the ftltia '• *«c l> firms: aslhave[^j^*^ hancfutffe fummarru vel culpa (^hrislia* norum, vel errors- quod effent foliti ftato die ante lucem convenire, carnemque ChriftoquaficDeo dicerefecum in* vicem ; feque facramento non mfcelus aliquod obftrin- gcre,fedne furta,ne latrocinia , ne adult eria committer rent, ne fide m fatter ent, ne depofitum appellati denegarent: Aiid yet rbr this alone were they pcrfecuted mv&pfttt* death, rience was it that Clemens Alexandrinus writes /Stromatum thus in the behaife of Chriftians : (f) Kos ergo pro- jequuntur, non ut qui nos ejje Wjujtos deprahsnderentjed quod nos vita humana injur iam \ facer e exifliment eb quod flmus Chrifiiani, et ipfos inqmm, qui fie vitam inftitui- mus, et alios adhortamur ut vitam degantfimilem.Wcncz I Apologia ad- is that exce'lent difcourfe ofTertu/lian to the like pur- ■j:< us Gt-nteSj pofe : (g) Scce autem et odiohabemur ab omnibus ho- '-'< j h minibus nommis caufa* IS^onfcelus aliquod in caufa eft, ct 0C fed nomen : et fbltus nominis crimen eft. 2$ on ideo bonus cnoque genus J~ . r • ^1 n- rr -r ■ invenitur qui C ams> e* prudens Lucius, quia Chrijtianus. Ft quifqun meliores obtre- nomine Chrifiiani ({ may now fay Puritani) emendatur dare majint offendit. Oditur inhominibus innocui* , nomen innocuum* q&affl Iroiiau, Nomen detinetur, nomen expugnatur, et ignomm fettam, et.q ' i J . > ' > dcfperent,co. nen quiaconvwcitur. Which I may asjuftly apply to rj-' affjdant Puritans and Precifians., as ever he did unto Chriftians fiinultatcm; w}10 are perfecuted and hated onely for their graces, foo "nomine111 their furPairinS goodneffe , under the vizard of theft obfeuri flltlt odious names, * by fuch who would rather flaunder, than alienoinnotef- imitate their holineffe. Hence Gregory T'^azianz.en alfo cant. Ablaut thus complained of the ufage of the pious Chriftians of FU'dorHmti. fas age : (h) Spstlaculum novum fa Eli fumus non *An- ?" *f *' . . f fills et hominibus, fed omnibus ferine improbis et liaviti- »Oratioii.p. o t • r • • •/ 4 1 2. °fis> et quovx tempore et loco, m pro, in compomtiombus, in Part, i, Hiftrio-Maftix. - 8*5 in wluptatibus, in lutlibus : lam etiam adfcenam ufque * Who are oft prodijmus (quodpropemodum lachrymis refero ) et cum traduced on perditiftimis obfcdtnijfimifque ridemur^ nee ullum tam\u- * . Sf6 cundum eft feeEbaculum, quam Chrtftianus comics ca- Overburie villis fitggillatus. And is it not as true of (* J Puritans C a. -a •■of and Precifians now.as it was thenofChriftiaiu? He -cc n *«l«iit alio was the complaint of holy St. .isS#g#(£i#t< \{k ) In ti: ' "\\ and filtatur homini quia Chrftianus eft : infultatur etiam Scene ^accor * homini qui inter multos Chriftianos melius vivit, et ti- drngly. mens affera verba infitltatorum incidit in laqueos diabo- k Enarrati( li. (/) Tibipro convicio obftcitnr quod Chriftianns es. Pf3'»9c.rotn.o Cur autem modo ob'iicitur quod Chrifkianus eft ? Tarn PaTs*-P 14-> „, • „• f A .J . J... . i4^.S_*er«nar. paucinon Chrijttani remanjerunt ,ut ijs magis objiciatur , jnpiai4 128.0. quia £hris~liani non Junt , quam ipfi audeant aliquibus 1 so, 7 % *. objicere quia Qhriftiani Junt . Tamen dico vobis ftatres ' knarF^tib in met. incipe quicunque me audis vivere auomodo Chriftia* $n' m ■ t r /•/• * r» -/2 • r J pars «.. p. ■ ■ •;., nu s, et viae ji non tibi objiciatur et a L hrijtianit , fed no~ \ , gee \ ^^ minetnon vita, non moribusJSIemo fentit nifi qui exdertus p, i9C. to 108. eft. \nd is not this the cafe of Puritans, among titular accordfciujtysJk Chriftians now ? Survey we all the other (m) Fathers - 'e Cmt.-itei U and Scclefiafticall Hijlorians, we fhall findethem yejrv ^TuHn M r- copious in this theame 3 that the beft ffiHBians have tyr) Apologia beene evermore hated^ persecuted and reviled by car nail i,z. Anaxa«o. men,and that one ly for their grace and goodnes : Witneflfe ras proChriQi- the expreflc refoiutionof.fr. Chryfoftome: (o)Chri- an,s LcScat,.°> „. v • r± J It r J • a* • Cvorianhpilt. Jtiamrum genus 3 non quia est odibile, Jed quia ejt divi- i4i"Enift.i.bo num.odiunt carnales : Which St.<*sfugu [line thus fc- nata. BaiKL E« Conds. Invidentia illius diabolic dt, qua invident bonis ma* pift.So^fciufta- li, nulla alia caufaeB, nifi quia ilh boni funt , illimali. thl° Medtc^, (/?) Omnis enim malus ideo perfequitur malum ,. quia illi j Jl^u "! '/ «ow confentit ad malum. And this onely is the caufe why ,, 9. Leo 2 £0Tt $t g . And (r) St. Hierom in- mrfuTqu^uc formes us, that Chrifttans were thus ftiled even in his aliam inimici- age. Vbtcunq; vidertnt (^hriftianum.ftatim ifludi trivti tiar caufam J ypcuxas hn&Ttsi vacant Jmpoftorem et detrahunt. Hi contra nosafs ,r rr r j / • r er a fi<*nant: atquc ™woreS turpijjimos Jernnt, et quod ab ipfis egreffftm eft, ita nulla in re idab alijs audtjfe/e ftmulant ; ijdem autlores et exaggc- malitia corum ratores .as our Antipuritans are now. Secondly admit C°"x *« ufcdb r^at Pur*tans wcre ^uc hyppcrites & Impoftors (which ha^imenuta *s impoffible for any particular men to /udge,fince they culpa rcfiliunt, are unacquainted with thefecrets of their hearts ,* which aliiincumbunt god alone can onely fearch , which me thinkes ftiould ct rurfus ilia fl.0p thefe obje&ors mouths)yet none exclaime aga nit apprchoidunr t^iem as Puricans an^ Preciflans for thefe vices onely 5 et ti omnia dc hut for that very profeflion of religion which they quibu* nos ao make. For let a man be never fo treacherous or deceit- cufant dilucrjs full in his dealing, yet if he make no forward profefli- mus , ab odio on 0f re]jaion,he may pafle very wc\\(f)for a politique, tamennonre* r ° . / V. \_ * « 1 » n • '• cedunt.B«/?/.£- crafty provident man; he fhall then be no Puritan: but pift. Ho. Ettftstbi* Medtce9 frm.x p. 74. j/iJ. ibidem, q Mat. 27. 63. Ioh. 7. tia tf* r&pift lO.adFuriamc. 1 SecSpondanusEpit.Bsronii Anno f 6.fe&.3. *" Ter.i7«9» 'o.Afts 1.14. 1 Chron.21.0. 1 Cor.i.ii. f Dat veniani corvis,vcxatccnfura cos lumbas, 4u vensl. Sttyr.*. i« "*" Pa rt. i . Hiftrio-Majtix* 8 1 7 let him profefTe religior?, be he never fc hondftin his » l-'ideie? fe deaiings,yet he (hall certainly be branded for a Puritan; ftwk&j »w It is not therefore mens hypociiiie, but their profefiion ^^ndbu^nc^ of religion that maxes them Purjfeas: which if ic be Cea6t|fw*irrf. but meerely counterfeit, why doe not our Antipuritans De cwfiderati- make that profeilion of religion in trtith^the very fhew 0fie l9J**c#t of which they (o much hate,evcn for the fubftarice lake ? 88^ &• Thirdly, admit fome Puritans or Precifians are mcere fnp^ ' "^ Impoftors. making (v) religion -a veryvaileto cloaks %Ql^lx% their treachery , and circumvent their brethren-^ as there y Chriftianus are now too many fuch : yet malice it iefe mull: needs 6 fa improbus, acknowledge that the Majorpart of them are moft juft ^Ccutfespr°j and upright in all their dealings toyvards men •, witneiTe re '{^ utcn, experience , and the common fpeech ; that .fuch and tem male.Non fuch are very honeftand upright in their trades,or they cnim oportet are worthy Gentlemen which men may frely truiYbuc damnare res, yet they are Puritans; as if their piety were a difparage- !c^ cu™a?uirc ment to their honefty: and yet men hate and (lander tj{ur.Quando' them all alike for the hypocriiie onely of lome few ; as quide et Iudas they did the Christians in St. Jngufttnes dayes* (x) prodkor fuiu Quanta mala (faith he) dicunt in malos ChriQtanos cju (ec* perfecutetheminthe lumpe without "diftincTionj they ^jJ^nTi. deeme them hvpocrites and deceivers all alike, when divert Efais, as the moft of them are not fuch ; (as if their very pro- tw.x Col.isoz feffion ofrc]igion(y) madethem~> hypocrites jevhieb men V%d*ibidtm^ are apt to believe: ) therefore they deteft them not for 5uCa?cltatIsf their hypocrifie, which reacheth onely to fome few, ci"e*on7umint but for the ftricl holinefle and precilenefle of their lives ut qui non vi. alone, wherein they all accord. Fourthly, the realon dent qua; funt, why men thus uncharitablie forejudge all Puritans VIc!cre *ldtran' for hypocrites, though they neither know their hearts font3>*»™* nor perfons , is onely this ; becaufe they (*>)fee that ^U^,Gt%m M m m m m bo/in*(fe, t* u . "8 1 8 Hiftrio-Majltx. Part.i SeeWifdom.i. holineffe, grace and goodneffe i%therru , which they finde i2,tozo. &c. not in themselves or others : and thereupon to iatiffie M;i>3i4. thcir ownefelfe-condemning confeiences, they cenfure .< Cicero Tuf- ail excetfe of grace 2nd holincfle as meere hypocrifie, cut.Quxft.l.r. for feare themfelves fhould be reputed but prophage Seneca Confo- in wanting all thofe graces , thole eminent degrees of brio. ^ holineiTe wherein they excell. It was a true fpeech of fNaturainvi- an neathcn Orator : (a) tAnnon hocitafitin omm p0. diolj erant A . , * ■ j . thenienfes ct P*1™ ? nonne omnern^ exuperantiarrij virtut'6'oderunt ? ad optimisquL Quid? osfriftides nonne ob earn.* ipfam-> caufam^ yatria bufquedetre- fulfils eft quod prater modurru juft.vs effet ? Certainly if ftandumpro- the exuberancy of moraK vertues have made heathens c ives, non o- ,y > 0^ofiS unt0 v'lt^0HS q^atrans, no wonder if the tran- lum lis qui in ' ' . . r «? , adminiftratio- icendent eminency or Puritans graces procure the ma- ne rcipubl.ee lice3 the reproaches of all carnall Chriftians, who being Magiftratuexj (c) unacquainted with the power of faying grace them- cellerenr, veru feiveS} aie apt tocenfure it as folly, hypocrifie or mad- cbdriiu'liteTa ne^e *a a^ otriers : but yet this may be their comfortj rum vel vita; * Curru damnamur a vobis, a 'Deo abfolvimur, gravitate pr*- if any now reply/hat Puritans live not as they fpeake fulgerunt^- and teach ; therefore the world condemnes them for lT(J?4fm^-P0Crlzcs an<^ dillemblers : let Seneca give them c i Cori ?to afatisfa&ory anfwer. (a) filter, inquit, loqueru-, ali- 1 6. ter vtvis. Hoc per maligniffima capita, et Optimo cuique * Tcrtul. Apo- inimicijfima (b) T /atom objettum-j es~i , objeclum^, 8pi- log. adverfus CHro ^ 0yje^f4m Zenoni. Omnes enim isli dicebant non 4 Seneca' de" quemadmodum ipfi viverent , fed quern admodum viven* Vita bcata c. ^Hm eJfet* &e virtute, non de me loqxor* Et cum vitifS 1 9,10,1 . convictumfacio,in primis meisfacio : cum potueroyvivam t> This there- cjuomodo $portet. 2{jc malivmtas me ifta multo veneno forewas an tinC~ln deterrebit ab optima* 'Ne virus quidem islud,qut ancient com- »..*.•« r • • j monobkdiou ^osjpargttis, vos necatis, ne imp edict , quo minus per- a^ainft the fever em laudare vitam,non quam ago ,fed quam agendam beft heathen fcio, quo minus virtu tern adorem, et ex inter vallo ingenti Philofophcrs , reptabundus fequar. Expcftabo fctlicet, ut quicquam ma- v °!rf' livolentia inviolatum fit cut facer nee Rutiltus fuit nee honed for their J . \ .,-' vertues. Cate,Qrc* Ut Menus vita, de alttrtus morte di^utatis ; it Part: i . &i(lrio-Maftix. 8 r 9 et ad nomen magnorum ob aliquam eximiam laudem vi- rorum,jlcut ad occur jumignotorum hominum minuti ca- nes, latratis* * Expedit enim vobis neminem videri bo. % This then num\ qttaft aliena virtus exprobratio delitlorum veslro- is the caufe rum fit. Inviti Jplendtda cumfordibus veftris confertis y y^ m<\n *"° nee intelligitisquanto id ve fir o detriment o audeatis. Nam ja.p!!\ fit Hi qui virtutemfequuntar avari, libidinofi \ambitiofiq-, becaufe their funt 5 quid vos efifs quibus ipfumnomen virtutis ocfio efi .^goodnefle T^egatis quenquam prdtfiare qu£ loquitur , nee ad exem- Giames other flar orationis fu&vivere. Jjhtidmirum? cumloquantur mens kaanes. fortiaingentia, omnes bumanas tempefiates evadentid ; cum refigerefe crucibus conenturjn quas unufquifque ve- firum clavosfkos ipfe adjicit. lS(on prafiant Pbilofophi qunt loqxuntur , multa tamen praftant quod hquuntur, quod bonefta mente concilium. l^amfi etparia ditlis a- gerent, quid ejjet Mis beatius ? Interim non efi quod con* temnas bona verba, et bonis cogitationibus plena pr&c or - diafiudiorumfalutarium, etiamcitra ajfetlumjaudanda tr ablatio efi. f$uid mirum fi non afcendunt in alt urn f Arduos aggreffus virtmis fofcipeietiam fi decidunt mag. na conantur. Generofia res efi, relficientem non ad fuasy fed ad nature [ha vires , conari alta, tentare, et mente major a concipere , quam qu& etiam ingenti animo ador- natis effici poffint. <$ut bocfacereproponet, volet, tenta- b it , ad deos iter faciei \ neille, et i am fi non tenner it y mag- ms tamen excidet aufis* Vos quidem qui virtutem cut to- %• Note this rtmq^ ejus odifiis, nihil novi facitis. T^am et folem Ih- mina dtgraformidant, et averfantur diemfplendidum no- ilurna animal ia, qui ad primum e]us ortumflupent ■•, et la- tibulafua pajfimpetunt, abdnnturin aliquas rimas 3 ti- mida lucis. Gemite,etinf % ,°qZ\\\ e as veellflsjfirit, which fometimes fliewes it ielfe; they j7." Maim mm 2 hive 8zo Hiflm-Maflix. Parti. #Ro:tvm4>2*. have (e)adyingbody offtnne within them^hich though /Kom. :>. i *, jf fj raigncs not in tbe/ru as a King, yet (omenmes iC a *h>*t' ' overmaiters them in fome particular ailionsas a ty- R ' 7*1 < 1 8 ranc i C?J injomuch as they cannot doe the good they i9,xo)»i,ii,> would, and the evill that they would not that they doe: 23. Buc yet this frees them from hypocriiie. Firft, h Kom. 7. \6. tj]ac j-^y Unfaincdly (h) defire and endeavour to mortifie . to the end. . ^ their finnes an{{ i„fiSy an<{ t0 ye freeJ fom them. Se- thcaid.c.8.1 5. condly, they utterly (i) abominate and det eft their Jinnes , Gil. j. 24. Col. continually watching, fighting, praying againft them, and 3. 4,? A labouring to destroy them. Thirdly, when they fall in- ^1 Cor.i 1, 1 1. to aily ^nne of infirmity put of humane frailty, (k) they yfrP z* * '*' condemne and judge themselves for it 3 it is their great eft 1 4. prat ?8.6. grief e and [hame , and they goe mourning for it all their i !ob 42. 6. dayes,(l) loathing and abhorring themfelves becaufethey Ezech.i6.6i , have thus offended. Fourthly, they become more (m)vi- 6l* gilant againft their fins and frailties for the time 1 0 come, mi a .39.1. yindino- (n ) themfelves by folemne vowes and covenants Pial.141. ;• ^ K ' J / J . lob 1 i.t.Mar. never to'relapfe into them more, {0 ) crying mightily tint* 16.41- 2 Cor. God for ftrength to refift , and power to fuvdue tkem-*t 7.M* Fifthly, they (p)allow not themfelves in one knovone fmne w*v>*x *\ r whatsoever ; they fmne not Co frequently , in that manner Pf.6i.8,Ecc!ei. J , / fit • / n • r 1 as others doe , (q) keeping themfelves innocent for the 9 Ezh 9.7. to f. moft part from great offences , and notorious- fmne s , in Dan.9.4- to 10. which thofe who moft condemne them wallow. Laft- 2 Cor.i x.7,8. ly^ t^ey leade farre (r) holier andftritter lives than other A^vn'*'' men, they ferve and honour God more than they ; they a/,i4-PCu^ (f) l°ve ** **.* •* beliious perfons and enemies both to ftate and govern- seaetd ve Viu ment : and that this onely is the caufe why they are To Beatacap. 1 6. much hated, perfecuted, reviled. I anfwer, that this is an ancient fcandall which hath beene alwayes laid, up- on the choyceit Saints of God from age to age; where- fore we may the leffe wonder at it now. For did not (d) Pharaoh long agoejhus cenfitre Lfrlofes and tSfaron^ d See Exod. f. and thereupon drove them out of his pre fence as factious 4s.5,5c 10 • fer forts who did let the people from their worke,and flirre thsm up to mutinie ? Did not (e)King >Ahab accufe the e 1 &ng« 1 8- holy ^Prophet Sliijah as a troubler of Ifrael , when as it 17>1^ was onely himfelfe and his fathers houfe that did dif quiet it?ar\d (fjAdh? not hate and imprifon the good Prophet /* Kings izt CMicaiahWs an enemie to him and his proceedings , be- 8> a4» t0 z9» ■caufe he alwayes prophecied truth unto him , and would not fatter him in his ungodly eourfes and humours ? Did not that wicked ig) favourite Haman , accufe the whole Ration of the Iewes to King Ahafuerusythat their lawes SE^cr ?•*>?> were diverfefrom all people, that they \?pt not the Kincrs to en * lawes , ani that it was not for the Kings pro ft to fuffer them j and thereupon procure the Kings Letters to the Lieutenants ani Cjovemours of the people , that they ^ might bedeftroyed? Did not (h) Rehum and Shimfhai fcg2ra 4#ICV write letters to King aSfxtaxerxes againft Hierufalem^ to 1 7. of purpofe to hinder the building of it out of their malice io the pious Iewes : that it was a rebellious and a bad Ci- tie, and hurt full unto Kings and provinces , and, that they had moved [edition of old time in the middeft thereof, for which caufe it was defiroyed : informing the King withall, that if the walls thereof were fet up againe , they would not then pay toll, tribute and cuflome , and fo the Kings revenue jhould be endamm Aged .?and did not * San- * ballatfend his fervant to Nehemiah with an open letter in his handy wherein it was written j it is reported among UMmmmmi the Siz Hiftrio-Ma/lix. Part, i • the heath en, and Cjafhmu faith it, that thou and the levees thmke to rebell , for which caufe thou buildefi the wall, that thoH maift be their Kingf&c. Was not the Prophet i Ier.i f. i o. c. (0 leremy perfecuted and imprifoned by the high rPriefit 20. 1 3i,3,c. j 2. t he Princes ana all the people, for a man of ftrife and con* i .to 6. c.i 8,i, tent'von t0 tlj€ whole earth j as aprofejfed enemie both to the King, the State, and all the people ', for no other caufe but this, that he faithfully delivered thofe dijpleafing mef- I Amos 7 i fa£es which God enjoy ned hirru to proclaime again § them to i y. for their finnes ? Did not (kj) zAmaziah the 'Prieft of 'Bethel accufe the "Prophet where he would have no faithfull Prophets , no truth- telling (inne-rebuking Chaplaines come who knew 1 Daa.rf. 1 2.to not kQW to flacter, D^ not (l)thegovernours who con- faired together againfi the 'Prophet Daniel , put in this information again^ him to King rDarius, that he neither regarded him nor his decree which hee had figned j accu- fing him of di' obedience faction and opposition to his lawes and royall authority? Yea was not our blejfedSa- m Matth.i 7.14 viour himfelfe, though he (m) payed tribute to Cafar,in- *\\6\ 1?* joyning all his follower s,(n) to give unto (fa'ar the things that were Cafars ; being as free from all fedition or re- bellion againfi Princes as from all other finnes; accufed, condemned as a feditious Anti-monarch icall perfon? ©Luk.'-2. i,i, Did not the (*) whole multitude of the people with the 10. & Iohn 19. chief e Priefls and Scribes accufe him before Pilate, fay- **• ing ; We found this fellow perverting the Nat ion, and for-, bidding to give tribute to (fa far, faying, that he himfelfe was Chrifl a King ? and did not they thereupon cry out againfi Pilate when as he fought to have releafedhinu, faying, Part, i . Hiftrio-Ma/iix. 8 ^ ? fay ing,if thou let this man goe,thou art not Q&fars friend \ for hejpeaketh againfl C*far -? And if cur moft innocent Saviour were burthened with.thefe moft falfe andfcau- •dalous reproaches offedition^aftion,treafon and rebel- * Fundendo iionagainft£rf/^r; no wonder if* none of all hts follow- fanguincm ct • ers can be exempted from chefe calumnies : (f>) For if patieado ™*\ they have thus falfelj called the Majler of the houfe Bel- &SATJ^t;S 111 1 1, t at t >> ri ■ 1 n ,1 endoconmmc Kebub, bow much more will taey flue thofe of his houjhold i;as Chrifti fi t ths'cDifciple not being above his Ofrfafter , nor the fundataeftEo fervant above his Lord ; as himfelfe doth argue in this clcfia: p^^cu- very cafe. To confirmc this further by fome other ^^Tbwro. pregnant examples. Was not (cj) St.Taul bimfelfe , ^Jllt^™' together with all the Difciples and beleeving (fhriflians nos f0l0s cx- botb at "Philippi and Thejfaloniea , accufed by the Iewes pclicic cupU and other lewd companions, as men who did exceedingly uny- nos J°K trouble the Citty,and teaching new cufromes which it w.is ^ul cc \\x not lawfullfor men either to receive or obferve ? that did mus,EccleGam fill contrary to the decrees of (f&fars and that they hadtur- finderc dici- ned the whole world upflde-downe ,infomnch that (r)theit mur. H"rom. feci was every where (poken againfl ? Did noc the Iewes £M|*-C*M* cry tut againfl this mofl laborious tsipoflle St. Paul, fay- * Matth. io. ing, (f) CMen and brethren helpe ; this is the man that \^ 2^ *z6. ' teacheth all men every where againfl the people and the Iohn i$. xtf. law and this place , and hath lik^wife defiled this holy & if. 20. place ; and did not all the people thereupon lay violent 1 A hands upon hirru, intending to put him~> to death , as a g f A^s tg IU mofl feditious fatlious per /on. Yea did not (t) Tertutlus f Ads 2 1.»3. the Iewifh Orator, accufe hirru before Felix }'and the high & c. t A&s 24* Priefls & Pharifees traduce him before Feflusfor a pefli- *•& 2 5«l« lent fellow, a mover of f edition among all the lews through- out theworld,& a ringleader of the feci of the Naz,arens? A id vet who fo free from fedition,fa£lion, rebellion or difcord, as this moft bleffed Apoftle; who commandeth „RomiM#1 ^ ( h) every foule to be fubjetl to the higher powers: ( x) to &c. x Hcb. 1 /• obey thofe who have the rule overthenu , and to fisbmit 17. y 1 Tim* unto therru even out of conference fake ? (y ) who exhorts ». 1 * 2. all men to make [applications , prayers > inter ceffions and thank*- 824 Hiftrio-Ma/lix. Part.i. z Epher.4. $. thanksgivings, for Kings and all that are in authority ; t§ * Re m. > 6 1 7. / ^ j \^e^e t%e hnity of the [pirit in the bond of peace : to ' *J (# mark^ thofe who caufe divifions and offences contrary c 1 Pet. :. 1 1. t0 the 'do Urine they had received 3 and to avoid therru ; . tc i «. & c . (bjb/ammg the Corinthians for their dijfentions.BcCides j^i7.compa- this/doth not «S>. Teter informcus, (c) that albeit the re togetner. . chriflians in his time had their conversation honeft a- 4-9 ton. * mongthe Gentiles, Submitting themselves to their Go* 2Cor.4,8. to ver Hours , iGtfjrj- 3.iudei5. people ,and'rebels or enemies to Cjovernours and govern* Rer !2.io. went?*!® palfe by (^) many notable texts of Scripture e Vt-nrum eft which ratifie this notorious truth ; Doe not ( both ancient and moderne , ex* c\c. Prapttfea prefly informe us, that the primitive Chriftians ( who itur puMici were 0ft nicknamed by the ignominious titles of (m) Cja* HUans, Sibyllips, Impofiors, Cjreekes, Sarmentifj ., Se* ' ibus neq- m"lfi)> Biothonati ,Magitiansf{n) loannites, and the like, ' s, neque ' as they arc now derided under the names of Puritans me tientes , and Precifians) though they were never detecled of any nequctemera- treafbn Rebellion, mutinie, or f edit ion whatfoever (the d;cunt°n&r CAfc °f thofe whonu men ftile Puritans and Precifans . 4-v//>gM «r/v. Gents sitom.i. p.67$.to*8{. f Adverf.Gentes 1. 1,1,?. ^Delaftitia 1 ».& 9. /> Apologia i.& i.proChriftianis. i Octaviu^paflim. ^ Horn. 2^. in cap. I3,ad KomanosTom.* Col.n$ A. ' F.ufebius Eccld.Hiit.l. 7«c. 10 14. Nicephorus Ciiliitus, Ecclcfiaft. Hift.l.o.c.j.to 8. Ccnturix Magd.^Coj. 419,410. Centuria-4« Col. 1 0,11,1 t ;,? 14. Baroniusand Spondanus,Annalcs Ecclef. Anno Chrifti p.fech i,i4.Ai.^.f.J.An.66 C3,An.9a.f. i.An.gS.f.i. An. 100.fi i.An.ioo.d, An.i02.fi53. An. 2.0$ f.3.An.27j«fa,xAn.z5 3 f.« f, An.i $8X3. An 186. f.4. Mr.Fox Booke of . Martyr?, 16" 10 p.+a, 48,50. AntoniniChron.pars i.Tit.4,^,7. See Hietom.Epift.6j. cap. ?,4. w Nicephorus Calliftus,Eccl.Hift.l, io.cap4. pag ^?8,& cap.10.pjg.571. Origen contra Cejfum lib. > BibUPatrum Tomt- p. 1 88. H. Tertullian. Apologia adver^Gentesc.co Hierom.Epift. to.ad Furiam,c. 1. Arnobiuslib.x . contra Genres, and Barontusand SpoiLlanus qua I. n SoCrates S:holaft,1.6.c.4,5,i^. To which I might addc the name of Lollard* now:) hortes Chrifti am qu \ im;ie raror" vanos, neque . Part, i . Htftrio-Maftix. i 8^5 new :)ytt they were alwayes flandered,accufed, traduced, « Centur.Mag, perfecuted as refractory , [editions, factious, mutineers : \'^° *410' r ^ )J 1 , 1 -r i ~ P Socrates £c- as enemies and rebels to the bmper ours and (fovemours c|cf#Hift.l.i.c. under which they lived j and as the authors of all the mif- ^.o.U.c 22, 2 5 chief es and troubles that hapned in the world ; by which Theodoret Ec* falje pefiilent frggeftions in the eares of Trine es, continu- cl.Hift.l.i.c.- o aH bloody persecutions wereraifed up aI<>.Sozo- whofe finnes and err ours they reproved, and that even tn ™en ' ,c,20# good King Edward the 6. his dayes £ Survey wee all the An^S/ee*! Fathers, all Ecclefiatticall Stories, we fhall finde poore r o. An.404. innocent peaceable harmelefle confcionable Chriftians f.? in ali times and places, malicioufly (laundered with the * s?c BP# Latl" crimes of fedition, faction, rebellion, difobedience to ^/mon before Princes and their !awe>, of purpofe to make them odi- Kin<* Edward, olis both to Prince and people, even without a caufe ; andhis4»Ser- (u) they being but as lambes tn the very mids~i of wolves. mon on "w And is it any wonder then, that Puritans and Precifians ^/^maW ' fiiould iuflfer the very felfefame calumnies now ? Alas Amj Bifliop' what powder treafons , (x ) what conspiracies have Hoopers Apo- thefe poore Piay-condemning Puritans and Precifians; logietoQu. hatched againft King or State? what rebellions have MJry* they raifedr what publike uprores have they ever cau- "in"eftu/fUm, cur non requi-rant? in Dcoset Caefaris aliquid cammkto, cur non foabeo quo purger? TcrtuliMverJ.Gentis c.4. Nnnn n fed Sz6 Hi/lrig-Mafttx. Part.i. j Stz the pray - fed from the beginning of reformation till this prefent ? cr upon the wnat treacheries, what mutinies arc they guilty of,thac fifth of *??" they are thus condemned , as if they were as bad or Iohn White* worfe than T>aptfls, Tnefls or Iefuites , ( for io ibme Ids Sermon at aifirme;) vrhofe (y) very faith isfattion, whofe dottrine Paulcs Croffe, rebellion , and their praftife Treafon ? Certainly were March 24. t^cfe whom the dilTolutenefTe of the times now brand fence'©* the f°r Puritans and Prccifians, though every way coafor- Way5cap.6 & mable to our Churches discipline , fuch rebels , fafti- Dr. Crakca- onifts, mutineers ..difobedient antimonarchicall perfons thorpehisDc- as tne world conceives them, as Papifts, Priefts, lefu- fenceof Con- ites,prophane & diflbluce companions proclaim the for hiTTreatifeof to be,we fhould have fec^cfome fruits .experiments and the Popes Tern- (*•) detections of it ere this. But bleffed be God, we have porall Monar= heard of no Puritan treafons,infurre&ions or rebellions chyacordingly. jn 0llr age. and experience (in defpite of fcandall and t2emunuomo- all lying rumours) hath manifefted, that thefe Puritans dTproditum and Precifians arc fuch perfons as both (a)feare God eft quod admit, and honour the King, though they oppugne the corrup- timus? Fama tions, (innes, profaneffe , and Popifh and Pelagian Er- *■*■ f 1? ■ 1 t - r t nonvaLt.7Vr> m#V>™ their (d) printed worses ; none going fo farrc !••*& apologia iCdp.y.vidJhtti, d 1 Pet.1.17. £Ea enim decaftis,probisetpudicisn*n- gitisquar fieri noncrcderimus, ntfidevobis probarctis. Miniteim Felix Oltuiut p.91. Voce negant quod Uteris confitcntur. Hicrom £^.78./?. $o$« e Ifti utconvicia rnfikntiammitterentfuavitarninfamareconatirunt alienam. Etcumpoflent ipfi ab innocentibus argui , mnoceures arguere ftuducrunt , mittentcs ubique literal Uworedi&mteconfcripra*. O^uttu Umtf* pArmm.hb.x, f4g »}. d Seethe AnfWer to Dcu.' fc Rex. in Part.i. Hijlrio-Maftix. 8zj in fuppreiTing the Popes ufurped Authority , or enlar- ging the Kings and temporal Magiftrates preroga- tives and iupremacy as they 3 as even the Icfuite in his esfnfwer to Deus et Rex , hath proclaimed unto all the world. Let therefore the Moguntine leiuites Contzen diiciples, (following the defy er ate plot of their Olfafter, to cheat a Proteftant Church of her religion , and to f erne in V of er j into tt by degrees without noyfe or tumult , by raiftng (launders upon the Do Urines and per- fons of the moft zealous Proteftant CMintfyers and Tro- teftant s} to bring them., into the Princes t (e) and peoples 'PoHwcorum hatred, and thru ft therru out of office) accufe Puritans of /q!js7 Vnfons* faction, fedition and rebellion now , (f) without any CT-n q acCnfa. ground or proof e at all as the Pagans did the Chriftians tori criminc longagoc: or let the Epicures and prophane ones of non J>Ij?bato> our voluptuous times repute them fuch , becaufethey 6dcsnabcatur: (g) wage warre again ft their [mnes and ftnfull fleafures ; ^mt fn8. yet now upon the ferious confideration of all thefe pre- g Chriftiani, mifes , I hope their confeiences will acquit them of non generis thefe malicious (launders, and readily fublcribe to this hwnanihoftis apparant truth, that they are the holieft, meekeft, and YmufTplu U moft zealous Chriftians, and that they are onely hated c "7. ''*"& and reviled for their goodnefTe. Since therefore thefe b See Lipfius Play-cenfuring conformable Puritans and Precifiansin Oratiode Ca- their proper colours (uncaied of thefe odious perfecu- lupnn,a- intum tedtermes affcandall, which reprefent them to mens fan- »P»«".non.lc* Jtes in a moft ugly forme $(* J there being never pooreperfe* quj; y^a ^5 cut ed word, fmce malice againft Godfirftfeizcd upon the fan's eft virtu- damned zsfneels, and the graces of heaven dwelt in the tcm ^ Petat heart of man, that paged through the mmthes of all forts jPf^- ^4et of unre generate men with more diftaftfulnejfe and gnafi- i^Jr" goltons ing of teeth ,than the name of P v R I T a n doth at this day: Difcourfe of which notwithftanding as it is now commonly meant, and true happitss, ordinarily proceedes from., the Jpleene and Jpirit of pro- ?*l9h fhaneffe and good fellow fhippe } is an honourable nick- name of Christianity and grace 5 as a worthy reve- rend Divine obferves;) are the very cminenteft,chci- Nnnnn 1 e'eft 8*8 Hijlrio-Maflix. Part, i . ^Prxftatcnim ceft, and moft gracious forward Chriitians , let us not advclfomalos tbinke the better» (k.) but farre worfe of Stage- play e J, omncsUS «mam becaufc they all abominate, condemne them , as all good cum multis Chriftians have done before them : and if any have thus malis adverfus perfecutedjhated, or reviled themouc of ignorance or paucos pugna malice heretofore, let them heartily bewaile it,and give ntf'^Awtfh OVCr no w> (*) becaufe it is not onely a kinde offacriledge, »w p. A i. bat even an high indignity and affront to God himfelfe, / Sacrilcgii tohate,tof.atinder$crfecuteorvt>ronghisfervants, efpe- quippc genus daily for controlling hs m our delights of finne , of which eft Dei odifTe ^j-, conftantly condemned Sm. Hi* am caedat, nos rom : (m) zsfpud Chriftianos yut ait cjitidam, non qui pa- in fervorum no titttr , fed qui facit contumeliam, mifer eft : and then iirorum cacdit t^Q maijcious caiumnies a*ainft Puritans and Precifi- lniunam: et n ... ... .n ° a quoquam fi? ans Wl11 quickly vaMlh. lius verbcreturalienus, iafupplicio filii pietas paternatorquetur: ita et cum fcrvus Dei a quoquam laeditur,maieftasdivinaviolatur, dicenteidipfum Apoftohsfuis Do* tnino: Qui vosrccipit.mcrecipitjet qui vos fpernityne fpernir. BenigniflTimus fcilicct acpiiflimusDominuscommunemfibicum fervis fuis et honorem fimul et contumea liam facit, nequis cum laedcret Dei femim,hominem tantum a fela?di arbitrarctur: cumabrquedubioiniuriisfcrvorumdorninicorumDeiadmifcereturinfuria, teftante id fuis Deo afFe&u indulgcntitfimo, in hunc modum- Quoniam qui vos tangit, quafi quitangitpupillamoculimei.Adexprimendamteneficudinispietatisfua!,tcncrrimam partem humani corporis nominavit,utapertiflimeintelligerernus, Deumtam parva ian&onun faorumcontumelialardi, quarp-parvi vcrberis ta&us humani vifus acles IxdcrctuuSAhittiiDe Gufarn.Dei l$.p.z%6* wEpift.77. p.$oi. Cho r v s. YOV have feene now Chriftian Readers, the feverall arguments and Authorities againft Stage-playcs , together with the flender Apologies for them, which how P a rt. i . Hiftrio-Maflix. 8 1 9 how poore,how illiterate and weake they are, the ve- ry meaneft capacity may at h*rft difcerne. (y) lbefeech 7Rorr».,».r* you therefore by the very mercies of God , as you tender i, P* ?i the glorie of Almighty God-, the honour and credit of 561^05^6^ religion} the happineffeand fafety both of Church and cordingjy. State •, the ferious covenant you have made to God in a See theCon- baptifmj; (*) to for fake the Dwell and all his worlds, the fc"K>" in our pompes and vanities of this wicked world with all the (in- omin°* r n t a. r r n n t rn r ■ , Prayer.Booke fullluftsofthe pefb ; whereof Stage- play es certainly are before the not the leaf: : as you regard that folemne Qonfeffion you Communion. havepublikely made to God , and ratified in the very * Rom.x *.i,3. facred blood of the Lord Iefus Chrift , at every recei- * ^Tbankf- ving of the Sacrament ; (a) that you doe earneflly re- fhcCommuni pent, and are heartily forrie for all your mifdoings; that *Cn. the remembrance ofthem-> is grievous unto you^ the bur- c See Chryfoft. then oftherru intollerable ; and that yon will ever here- Homil. r. in after ferve and pleafe God in newneffe of life , to the ho- Matth«herep. j 1 rt' /L\ re • j r 409. <5cHom% nour and glory of his name : (b) offering and prefentwg ?8.jnMatrh nnto the Lord your [elves, your foules and bodies to be a herep.417. reafonable, holy, and lively facrifice unto him : or as you d See A4> ferious perufall of all the premifes , you would now at *Vpct.ia£ laft abominate and utter'y abandon Stage-playes, as the 1 Tim."i.i$. " very fatall pefts both of your mindes and manners, ajyl &&*i.i7. the moft defperate foothing enemies of your foules y ^ A&.i,i,Sc 6. (d )as all awes, all places have found the by experience At I ?i? .rc. in i_ r ^ V r u 1 / \ • j- • ralfa? opinio- may be iome or you through ( e ) ignorance and mcogi- nis crrorem tancy have formerly had good opinions and high pnnfquamve. thoughts of Playes and Players, (as being altogether uu- fa cognofcas, acquainted with their infernall originall and moft lewd l!?P?nu ' cft a- effe&Sywhich(f) Ihaveheredifflayedto the full, and asTpeTfevTrare that made you fo diligently to frequent them: ) Let not vero in eo poft- this then which was only the fin of ignorance, oF weak- quara agnovc- ne(Te heretofore, become the (g) finne of wilfulnejfe,or rl.s> contlima- frefumptionnow: but as God bythefe my poore en- C™^}Zt deavours hath opened your eyes to fee., fo doe you pray ym$^ j 5. N n n n n 3 unto 852 Hiflrio-Majlix. Part, i . unto him for ftrength and grace, to rcforme your anci- ent errour in this cafe of PJayes- ( h ) Repent therefor§ h C^r V' Wit^ teares °fgr'efe»for "bat ispafi ; and then fpeediiy io.°r" * ' ' divorce your lelves from Playes and Theaters for time to come; that as your confeiences upon the ferious per- ufall of all the premifes , cannot but now fubferibe to this ftrange Paradox, (as fome may deeme it) which I i See here pA ^ave ncre ma(^c &°°^ ; W ^at a^ P°PH^ar *"d co**~ mon Stage-} layer, whether Comicall, Tragicall, Satyri- call, Mtmicall, or mixt of either: {especially as they are now compiled and'perfonated among us) are fuch fin full, hurtful I , pernicious recreations , as are altogether u/t- feemely , yea unlawfull unto Chriftians : io the lives * and pradife kkewife may fay ts4men unto it. So flial! you then obtaine the intended benefit, and I myfelfe enjoy the much-defired end of thefe my weake Endea- vours, which was, which is no other, but Gods owne glory, your temporall and eternall happi- nefle, and the Republickcs welfare : For which as I have hitherto laboured, fo I fliall now by Gods affiftance proceede to endeavour it in the enfuing part of this Play-icourging Difc ^ courfe; wchnow craves your fa- vour and at- tention too. * * * * * * * » * * V Part.j. Hiftrio-Maftix. 831 $h3h$^$^3k?ih$&3h$^3fe3h3h THE SECOND PART. ACTV S INI IMYS, IF then all popular Stage-play es, bee thusfinfull hurtfuil, execrable, unfeemly, unlawfiill unto Chriftians,as I have at large evinced in the prece- dent part of this my Hiftrio-maftbc, I fhali thence inferre thefe 3. enfuing Corollaries which neceffarily iffue from it. Fir ft, That the frofeffion of a *¥ lay-poet, or the compo- . * fing of Comedies, Tragedies orfuch likecPlayesforpub- like T layers or Play-houfe%) is altogether infamous and unlawfully Secondly , That the very profeffion of a Stage-flayer ,' 2 together with the atting of Playes and enterluaes, either in publike theaters or private houfes 5 is infamous y Scan" dalousy and no wayes lawfull unto Christians. Thirdl y : That it U an infamous fhamefuR,and unlaw- 3 full prattife for Chriftians to be either ffettators or fre- quenters of Playes or Play-houfes. In briefe ; the very penning,a&ing and beholding of Stage- playes, are infamous, unfeemly, unlawfoll unto Cbnftiaas, fince Playes themfelves arefo. To begin with the firft of thefejl ihall for the better • Nnnnn clearing 8 3 1 ' Hijlrio-Majlix. Pa rt. z t clearing of its truth and the avoyding of all miftakcs^ moil: willingly acknow edge. (4)s"pontcfua Fiift,that asPoetrsy it feke is an excellent endowmet S^STa'd Poller un:o fome by (*> W *f**tur*tt Gtnitafo il apto«,Etquod l> like wife lawfull, yea \b) tt/cf fill and commendable a. tcntabam fcri* mong Chriftians, if righly ufed : a> noc onely the divine berc verfus erat hymmes recorded in Scripture , together with the fa- \U%e\oU W3mous ancient Poems of Tcrtullian, Arator, Apolli»a- i4c/mine ^\\^tl^x4an^en,Trttdenti'M ^rojper^o .her Chrifti- Tupcri placan- an worthies, with the moderneDiftiques of ^ff bar toe, tur, carmine Beza, Scaligery Bucanon, Heinfms, Wtthars y Hall, manes H«rac Quarlcsy our late Soveraigne King Jamts^yjith infinite % * GaSct c- others ' but Iikewife thc much applauded veries of Ho. nimvirtuste- mer> 'Pindarus, Virgil, Statins, Svlius It aliens, Luc ah ; flesfibi innge* CLttidiany Horace, lmenall , and foroc parts of Ovid, irMufafjCar- where he is not obfeene, moft plentifully evidence; menamat,quif wh0fe Poems are both approved, read,&highly mag- dighaaocTr nified of all learned Chriftias,who both allow & teach tUu&mfrtfau them in their publike Schooles. Yea, were not Poetric nub.i.dtuu. and Poets Lawful!, we muft then rafe out of our Bibles. *ibn$ stWconis tsffts t7.28. i fir a 5.3 3, Titus 1.12,1 3. where the lj.103.fee Omd. fentences 0f Menander^Epimenides^ndzyfratHS, three EttlT.plutarX heathen Poets are not onlyrecited but Canonized too, it Audien'dis If any defire any further fatisfa&ion in this point foetis lib. vlme which is Co cleare , I fliall onely referre them to Ter- cpift,1.7.epift.o tulltanadVxoremlib.i.to St, Bafxl , de le^endis lihrit* oT™™'1*' Gentiliuyru Oratio : to 2{icefborus Callifius Ecclefta- t) See B.^to? ftica Htfiord L 1 o.r,itf .to the ancient & moderne Com- hh poore man metators on thefe texts;to Georg Alley Bijhop of Exeter, £ibraric.part i. his poore mans Librarie part I. CMifellanex Tr&letlto- fol.xo5.106. nis^t pag. 1 6$»i 66. & D.Rainolds Overthrow of St ag- flayes p. 11,22, who will abundantly fatisfie them in thispoynt. * Secondly, that it is lawfull to compile a Poeme in * nature of a Tragedie, or poericall Dialogue, with feye- rall atfts and parts, to adde life and lifter toit,efpeci- ally j in cafe of neceflitie when as truth fhould elfe be firf- Part, i, Hiftrio-Maflix. 855 » 11 ■ ■ >. ■ ■■ — " Suffocated. Hence ( d ) T^icep horns and Qaffiodor re- cord of ayfpolinaris the Elder, that being inhibited by Lilian the Apostate to Preach or teach the GoJpe//tor to ^Ediaitqiio- traine the christians children to learning and poetrie, he ^ulatu^ *** thereupon translated divers *Bookes of Scripture into Tragi osz€t*t verfe, andcompofed divers Tragedies in imitation ofEu- Pindar i etiaq) ripideS) and fundry Qomedies and lyricke verfesin imita- liiam atttgit, tionofMenander and Pindar us, con fifling only of divine « com,c» ^g" rn • a. - 1 li t • a. n 1 mentaadM?* arguments and Scripture /tones $ by which hemjtruued nAnjrttxtm. thofetowhom he could have no liberty to Preach : the plumtra&avit, like did ^egory Nazianzen and others in the Primi- vniufcuiufque tive Church y upon the fame occafion, having no other «rr»inis icgi. meanes to defend(V)or propagate religion withappro- t^sJ^ucc^m bation or connivance but by fuch Poems asthefe, meldkafumj* Hence divers pious Chriftians likewifein King Henry ta exdmnisli- the 8. and Jgueene ^Maries bloudy raigne, being reflrai- teris materia, ned by Super tour Popift powers to oppofe received errors argumcntis cis er propagate the truth and Doctrine of the gojpellin pub- ^ifque com- like Sermons, or polemicall pofttiue treatifes, did covert- p0ncndis,nu- !y vent and pub lift fundry truthes , yea cenfure fundry mcrum Cycli- Errors,and interpret divers (cripture sin Rimes, in Come- cammdifcipli- dies, Tragadies,& Poems like to Playes under the names, "t"£cf$£ theperfons of others, whom they brought in difcourfng of y'trm $4\ty^ fundry points of true religion, which could not elf e bee Eulefa®. faft.r. Preachedbut by fuch Poems as the fe , which the people i$s.if.& dp gladly heard and read, and 'Priefies conivedat atfirfi 5 by the flatute of 3 4- <^ 3 Marie by her exprejfe "Proclamation in the firfi yeare of 'H.8.c«i.M.Fox her raigne (which the popift Prelates did moft ftrittly hisBookcof execute) Prohibited the fet ting forth or penning of any Marty rs,i 610. fongsyPlayes, Rimes, or Enter ludes , which wcdledwith^*^1*^, interpretations of Scripture, contrary to the doctrine efta- his exhortato- blifted in their ratgnes. Wherefore I £hall here ap-riecpiftlca- gain ft the pompous Popifh BMhops of .England. p.i8./M, fox his bo.of Martyrs, p.i*8i. g Sc HctoSiAltridaj: his epift p. 1 8.accordingly . O o o o o z prove 8f4 Hiftrio-Maftix. Part, z HzLcwKtUvii prove cVnot condernn^the ancient Tragedy bWsAchri- cenfura huius flm pafus (h) &{{[y attributed to Nazia-a<,en) where 2v in2tV*»1 drifts paJion is elegantly defqphercd, together cdit'V^tpa! m&BlmryfcxHfOehto his 7>W/ ofFreervil^ujp€ S69.3c c oci* Morncy his Tragedte of leptha his daughter \ (t)Edrpard tf Comedie de meretrtce TZabtlonica^Uhn 'Bale his accordingly. Comedies de Chriflo & de Lahore , She/ tons Comedtes ScripSrfkts6 ^ VtrtuteydeMa*mficentia, & debono Or dine, l{icho- Br*//.centur8. /*«•* Grimoddus ,de Archiprophetdt, Tragedia&C. which cap.66.6>.« i. like ^#7 C^atiCers & ^^ the "Plow mans tales and S>$moo. Dialogues, were penned only to be (0 read, notacled 3 theirfubiecls being al ferious/acrtd^ divine, not fcurri- k)S<;e BafiLDc |ous wanton or prophan^as al modern Play poems are . So" Thirdly , as it is lawfiill to pen, -fo likewife to recite, racioSc Nice* t0 ^eadfuch tragic all or comicall poems as thefey compo- fborus&cckt fed oncly to be read, not a&ed on the Stage. tAnd in hift.l.ioc.15. truth the Tragedies, Comedies and Play-poems of anci- •, %6' ent times, as thofe ofSophoclesJiuripedesiMlfchylus, Me- nander, Seneca, and others, were onely read or recited bj the Poets themfelves, or fome others of their ap- pointment before the peoplemot a&ed on the Stage by mens Vilibus Mayers,as now they are ; it being a great difparagement m ludisdiaari '» 'Poets *° h*ve thetr Cp°^ms aEiedy as (/) Horace (m) (carmiraa malis? T>iodorus Siculus and (n)Quintilian tefti fie. That thefe Scrm i.i.fc#. ancient Comedies and Tragedies were thus read or re- 1. 649* , 1 j.fea.7. Pa- bffauenall, Satyr. 1*4. & 8- ofDiodorus Siculus * Hibl. 66$.n De Ora^ hift l.l^fett. I io.p.^49,650. oiTlutarch^e asfudien- tmhsVtf°& disPoetislib. oSVlinic : Epiftil.i. Epifi: i^.Epifl l.t m.i+ Epift.Kxty. Epifttis.iU.s. Epift.ily. EpiJr.ij.l.S. Epifi. 1 1 .t.g.Epi'}.17.0?SuetoniHs in his OcJauiusfeft. 89* QftQnintiliandeOratoribus T>ialogus: 1. 6.14.0/ Polykor Vtrgil, de Invent, rerum , /.3 .rfi ? . of Scaliger 'PoeticisLl.c. 7. ofDr* Reinolds. in his Overthrow of Stageplayes p.li, of Ttulengerus de Theatre J.z.c.i.p. 3S9 ^ Hi PARt. l . Hijtrio-Majnx. * ? 5 3 19.A.B.withfundrj others who all give tcftimony to this truth. Which cakes or one grand obieetion that Players,and Play-poets make to iuftifie the Ading,and penning of Scagc-playes ; that many good men have compiled Play es and Tragedies in former times, of purpofe that they might be afledon the Theatre; when as in truth theie Playes of theirs were never adled but recited onely, they being compofed for Readers , not Spectators, for private fcudies,not publike Piayhoufes, as our prefent Stageplaves are. The foiecontroverfie then is this ; Not whether it bee (imply unlavvfuli to penne a Poem in nature of a Tragc- die or Comedie, which may be done without offence, in cafe it be pious 5 ferious , good and profitable ; not wanton amorous, obfeene, Prophane, or heathenifh, as raoft Playes are now : but, whether the profeffion of a Playhottfe-Toet , or the penning of Playes for pub- like or private 7 heaters, be warrantable or law fall I And .for my owne particular opinion,! hold it altogether un- lawful!, for thefe enfiiing reafons. Fir ft, to be an inv enter , a contriver of c vill, fcanda- x lous, unprofitable or noxious things, iscertainely un- lawful unto Chriftians : witneffei? 0^.1.30,3 1. Pfal. 3i.d. Ecclef: 7. 29. Prov.14. 2a r. 24.8. and //ty. 55. 2. But, Stage-play es fas I have (0) already manifefted at 0 Sec part u larg)are evrl,fcandalous,unproHtable,noxious paftimes Aft tf.fcene w yea intolerable mifcheifes both in a Church or State. t©*o.&A&7. Therefore the inventing and contriving of them mud rccnc ** W? certainely be ahla wfull. Secondly , to be a compiler , an Author of tracer- a taine, the common occafions of much wickednefTe, fin and lewdnefle,can be no wayes warrantable or la wfulk as is evident by by the 1 Thef<$.i2. 2 Sam.i 2.14. and p sec parti. /?ow.i.3o.ButStage-pJayesvAasthcfp)^rfw//f/ teftifie; Act^.fccne u are the certaine,the common occafions of much wick- to 2o- cdnefle, vice and lewdneffe : 7>4 Play-poets and Play- jDevanitat^ foomsif(q) Cornelius *Agrippa may tje creditedi^^ ^fntiarum#ca# Nannn 3 the + 8|6 Hijirfc-Majiix. Part.*.1 the verjgretteft entifements to all Ifchericjrauderie&ice And lewdnefje : Vnde FoeU inHr lenowes principautmfal cileobtinuerunt^uofuisJafciuis rithmvalijfq;fabulu ac amatortjs bucolic v,prdceptiunculif, comadiffque ex perti- tijpmis Venerts armarijs deprompti* lafciuu carminibut% lenocinio funfta, pudtcixiam omnem/ubuertit, ac adole* fcentta bonam indolem, morefque corrumpit. Therefore to be an Author,a compiler of Stageplayes, can bee no wayes warrantable or lawfull unto Chriftians. 3 Thirdly \ To foment men in their (nines and finfiill courfes, to uphold them in their ungodly profefllons, is without a;l fcruple finfull and unlaw full : witneffc I Tm3 4»f «&c* prodigality, lewdnt fle,and the like ; it drawes them on tomany other (innes, which clfe they might efchewe: It fupports all publikc Actors in their graceles, infa- mous, ungodly, lewdprofeflion of Acling, and others • Sceoflenhis ^lUncir fin&U praftiie of beholding Stagc-playes; if Playcs confut- there were no new Play es to acl or fee, all Players , all ed Artie. r.&4. Play-haunters would quickly vanifii,the Play-poet be- icchryfofiMo, jng the( o)prime mover in this infernal fpherc of lewd* *.in Math. nefle# Therefore the penning of Playes for Play-houfes, 4 is without all queftion very unlawful!. f Sct^a2rt,x,p0 Fourthly to be a profefled factor for the Devill and IsecparVi. ^s inftn-ixittits ; to maintainehisf/^pomps & vanities A&i.i.& 4. which we have all renounced in Baptifmcis finfull and rSeepart 1. p. -abominate : as the I P*f./.8,io. 1 Ioh.^.S. Ephefz. 4-.to"6i.a&,6 i,2.r#5.i i.&M.8.44.infalliblie evidence. 'ButStaerc- fc^f^ poets are profejfedfaaorsf or the Devill and his infirtt- $6 /to $*S. ments(q)who are moft honoured & delighted with them, accordingly, now as well a* heretofore) and they maintaine f yea forge & Bulengcms and pen,) the very pompes and workes of the DiveH dcdrcoRoma which wchave all renouced in Baptifmejforl have in- *° {*£ 4 -P* felliblie proved (r) Stagepl ay s(which they fo ferioufly compile,) Part.2. Hiftrio-Maflix. 857 Compile J 1 o be the Devills pomps which wee proteft a- gainft in 'Bap if me : Therefore the profeflion of a Play* poet even in this refped,is ftnfull and abominable. Fiftly for men to waft their \vits , their parts and precious time (with which they might and ought to doe God and men good fer vice) on amorous, filthy, wanton, ridiculous , vainc, prophane, unprofitable, fiibie&s, which tend not to Gods glorie , to the good of men, or the peace and comfort of their owne foules at laft ; is altogether unlawfull, fee Ifay.55. i.Pfat,y<6. Pfa/t+.2. 1 Sam. i2.li. 1 Cor. 5.15. Rom.n. 1,2. 1 Cw.6.20.0' 10*31,32,33. Ecclef.$.\6. Lukji.y^,y$. 2 Pet. i . 1 o, 1 1 , 1 2. for proofe of this proposition. ) But thofe who penne Playes for the Stage ; doe waft their wits, their parts and precious timej(with which they ought to do God & men good fervke)-3* rtes 8$S Hiftrio-Maftix. Part. 2 ries, and to make their braine a very rorge tor lying va- nities^and old- wives fables 5 is certainly unlawful! a- mong Chriltians, who mult put away lying fables, and fpeake nought but truth: See £^^4.25,29. ^5.3,4. 1 Tim.q.2,7. and fart \. zAft 3. Scene 4. p. 106, 107. accordingly. But Piay-p^ets cnu^ racke and bend their wits like bowesfor iyesa-;d lying fables j they corrupt and mifrcprefenttrue hiitories, and make their braines a very for^e .for lying vanities and old wives Fables: wvtapsAft p Scent 4. p. iot> lo7* with the Authors there qaotc d • wit:* effe the common prouerbiall f'peech zP/«/**&dc (z^Permnltucanum mendacia vatesy that Play-poets AudendisPo? broach verie many lie >,thac being no Poem in (a) So- tisiib.ro;n.i. crates his iudgement , d'quAabefret mendacturru y in Sibiilbio- wm'cn tncrc lg not £°me l};c or °L^ couched : witnes genisLactii \b) Solon who prohibited Tkeff is either to aft or teach Soioirp.46, Tragedies jnutilem easfalfi loquentiarru vocans)becauft & VlmanhiSo they wrebut unprofitable lyes, ox vainc common thricU "dant ^are f^ulous figments *f Stage-poets extolling vaine protritaslam. & *Me things , with many words, as (c) Philo Iud&'ts natafq^fabu- phrafeth them, witneffe, the i.Hlafi of Retrait from lasfigmento- ftagc-playes, p.iC4« which informes us ; That tlfe «*. rum poctico- taf/eft nar £ %eeome the beft Poet : and that he who can *%™*xt$Tttiumak* %^e moft notorious lye y and difguife fal/hood in limultis verbis/^? fort, that it may paf[emferceivedy is held the beft cxaggcranti.. writer, for tbeftrangeft Come die brings great e (I dele ft a* um.Dr indite, tion andpleafure* Yea witneffe our own experience3our nb.p.^76. moderne Playes being nought bur amorous ridiculous figments ylies & vanities tOrfopbifticatedftories.Thepen- , . ning therfore of fuch ftorics as thefe muft needs be ill. - Seventhly ; that profeflion, or action , which hath no good warrant either from the pradtife of the Saints ; or from the word of God , the fquare of all our lives and waies}and in the profecution of which a man cannot proceed with faith, or comfort, nor yet ferioufly pray for>or expect a blefling fromGod > muft queilionles be unwarantable,unlawfull for a Chriftiatv witneflc Part.2. Htftrio-Majlix. 8 3 9 witnefle^/.j. i<5, 17,18. c.6.i$.Pfal. 1 19,9. 104,105. i^^^.14.23. 1 £V.ii.i. £&*/• s. 1,5 •?/**• 1*9*7 >$*9* Phil, 4, 6, 7,8. But the profeffion of a Play-poet, and the compofing of Playes tor I- heaters , hath no war ant at all either from thepraclife of the Saints of god (f) a- f See part i.Aa mo/to whom we read of no profejfed Play poets or *F layers ^.Scene. 12,14, of ancient or moderne times, but fuel? snely who upon their 2 °' & £&. 7. true converfion & repentence renounced this their hellift l rOU^ 0uf' lewd profeffion: nor yet from the iaawd woid of God, the fquare of all our iives and wayes 5 m which I can- not fo much as find one tide , one fyllabie to luft fie ei- ther the penning or a cling of a Stage-play: fo that a man cannot proceed on in them either with faith or comfort^nor yet expecT or pray for Gods blefling or af- fiftanceon his Places or Studies, which ferveonely to £s£epart M& advance the Divifsfei vice, and (g) foment mens lufis ^Tcypmn and vices. Therefore the very profefTIon of a Play-po- & Tertuiliandc, et, and the compiling ofPlayes for Theaters, mu ft que- Spectac.Chry= ftiinlefle be unwarrantable,unlawfull for a Chriftian. f°ft* Hom.6. & laftly, that very profefEon & function which Chri- p^^us ftians, which heathens, which even relenting Play-po- D(! MonaTchia cts themfclves have cenfured, renounced, condem- p. 1099. & in ned, asfinfull and abominable jmuft undoubtedly bee Piaccum.Lp. unlawfuilfor a Chriftian: But Chriftians,heathens,yea nof-Theophi# and Play-poets themfelves have thus cenfured, renoun- n^erc 7o. Eufec Writers, who in condemning Piaycs, have cenfured blu* de Pr*pa- their compofers, not onely by confequence, but in (h) ia g Janfo ]'c' expreffe termestoo. Witneffc the (i) ^Athenians, W,-^^^/^ ( k^) Solon, who inhibited the penning of Comedies and 730. ^ Sec here Tragedies : together with (I) Plato & \m) Tullie , who p.44»£/%. f .9 »7,9i8.ac- ly renounced, cenfured,and bewailed in their riper j ear es cordingly.* See thofe tv Anton amorous playes and poems which they had Thecd.bez* CQmpi[edin their youth ;of(u)(JvS. Stephen Goffon, &the amatona ab . r, r 1 m n. r • 'r / 1 Ipfoadolefcerr Authour of the 3. Blaft of re trait from playes and teeditaetab Theaters ; two Eminent EngliihPlay- poets Who jpfo pftdam- being deepely wounded in confeierce tor thofc nata.Lur.if48. cpirlyeS they haft penned for the Stare thereupon uS?hlX?^n abandoned this* their hellijb trade efTlay.pennina.as T,»4.io.p-4«5 *»c°Mpati(?lewttb larijtiamty orjalvation, and by way 4^6. fo1.5tf 6. of holy recompence and revenge, compiled (x) three me- & £io. »$&• morable printed Treatises again fl penning, ailing and ptien Go-floa frequenting Stage-play es y which now are extant to Abufc^PIaies^^ eternall praife , and to the jail condemnation confuted in $. ofall thole Playpocts which perievere in their relen- Actlons.&theted and reclaimed flep^. The penning therefore of 3. R!a«r ofre- Stage-playes for the Theater ( which hath no precept, p?K *"' vrh no cxarnP^e ^or to warrant it in the Scripture or in the a«**TVM.to Primitive Church J muft certainely be fin Full and 11 n- r,?e ' lawfull unto Chrlftians. All which I would wifh our " . moderne Play-poets to confider.Who being oft times men of eminent parts,and choyfe(lwits}ab!'c pithily toexpreffe what ever they undertake : I (hall onely * Tnflit Orar.I.% of them and their poems as*Qgintilsan doth ofiV- io.c.i p. 5 70. neca & his books, Mult a in eo clar*q;fente»ti ignafuitilla nature qu& meliora vellet,qua quod volu" it fecit. And thus much forthe firft conclufion. Actvs Part.2. Hfjlrh-Maftix. 841 A ACTVS 2. SCENA PRIMA. Theinfamic I proceed now to the fecond Corollary ,That the ve- ofSragepIayers ry profejfio of a Stageplaycr^ theaElmgofStageplays a R»ifiHi(kfib" is bafe and infamous, yea fin full and unlawfull among 7- iedt.t.5. *o* (fbrifiians. Firft,for the infamie of Stage- players and q^!^, ,(#1# play-acling, it may be evidenced by thefe examples. c^Exte/W Firft,thcy were infamous even among Pagans and In- tium imperato5 fidells ; Witneffe the ancient pagan "Romanes , who ad- rum > i^,pr?- iudred all y!5rors% all St a// ed them rt , /$atur. their tribsyas unworthy of their (locker hinredMfabling nal. 1. i.e. 7.* /ta*z both to inherit lands as heir 'es to their parents, or ■ Tiberius Seft. to beare any publike office in the common wealth:as (a) ? *• '} Noft. At* Livie(b) Cicero, (c)V*leri»s CMaximus, {d) Mm/i- S&J^MDe usProbus(e) Tacitus i(f)Macrobius(g) Suetonius ,(b) foc&acV*i Cjelliusy{i) luvenall, (/() Tertulliany (/) Amobiust{m) /AdrerfiuGca. Augufiine (n)Cajftodorus y(o)Tofiatus y(p) Agrippa,{q) K^h'p*i^. Alexander ab Alexandra , (V) Gotbofrede, (f) Arius ™ DfCivit- lMont*nus,{f) CdiHsrRkodiginus,{u)cBarnabasrBri^ i^'^f foniusi(x)tBudausi (y) Dr.Rainolds, (z) andinfi- «i Variarum.1^1 #*>? nans as[c)flpian & other (fivilUms in- tyris CiviLs \ forme its all ft a ge players and Attors were wfamoM per- 0fll& r * h 'A*' J an^ f° dijabledto beare teftimonyjo inherit lavds ficd Ibidem. & *W "cceiveany public1^ place of honour in the £om- D Remolds, mon-weale. And as theic Romans, even io the Pa^au quaj, before Grecians too ( whof:.in the Vargenr.and herep. 844.1* Tertul. Dcfpefracc ii.Cypiia<.«Epiil.,.l Epift. 10 5c Arnobius, Clemens Ro- manusjAuguftineCaitioJorusoua fupra./.»&».& infra p.^44. »S^ 94- Aquinas ^a. par? Q^arft. R. A>fic. 6. Did^cusdeTapia ia jam. partem diu' Thoma? Artic.8, 0.54^,^4^. r Olaus Magnus Hift.l.i ^.cap. 31 ^4.BulcngeiusdeTheacro.!.i.c.Ti. (D Ramolds 0*erthrovvof Stase playcs p.4,.ftoiof &>pto 8 », See here p. %6uj&f* /Comment, in lib,Iudkum. c>i6. P« 570,571- imk* W^ ■ ' ■ i ■■■■ in' Pa&t.z. Hiftrio-Maftix. 845 imicis , principibus , ac populo . Qui legit tntelli^at; publico fait antes j et huiufmodi ffteEliculorttm perfo- nas, turpitudmis atque infami& not a inuftas, et ratio ip- fa, et antiqua ]ura * fere omnia volant , divina vero lex ± jsjot minime admittenda, fenfuit, in vulgaribm etiam ac vi- libus capitibus, nedum in honeftions ordinis atquecen- fits viris : neque vero tantum vitro non qu&renda & op- tanda , fed nee ft innitis fuerint illata , ferenda effe cenfet Crc.Certe qui de virtute vera .deque corrupts ho- minum moribus prudenter locuti funt yhujus generis abli~ ones ingenuo homine indigniffimas duxerunt, vt ille de Nerone. (v) In Scena nunquam cantavit Oreftesy H tywcnaJ S:.« H*c opera, at que ha funt gen er of principisartcsy *?*' CJaudentis patrio yeregrwa aut pulpit a (alt h Proftitui jCjraiaufue apium meruijfe cor on* f . Which pafTage of his extends as well to Mafquers, or Academical voluntary A&ors,as to common ftage- players, they being bothalike infamous in this Au- thors judgement. How great this infamy of Aclors was among Chriftians in the primitive Church,and yet is, or ac leaftwife ought to be,with modern Chri- ftians, will appeare by thefe particulars • Firft, it (x) excluded them fiom the (fhurch^ the Sacraments y x Sec here p. & all Chrtfttanfoctety .making them 1 pfo fadlo excom- 1 1 i« 1 3 *• 1 6 *• municatedfolong as they continued play ersjieither were they readmitted to the Church ,til they hadwholy relin- quished & given over fitting Witnes the f. verc impe- rial! Edicts o&Valentinian Valens \and (jracian, againft. Male and Female A'flors. (y)Scenici & Scenic* qui y$ceCo<1cx in ultimovitiZ necesfitate cogent e interitus imminent is ad i heodofii.l.i f. Dei fumm% racr amenta properaruntyfifortasftsevafe- ttt.7.!ex.« Ba« rint, nulla pofthac in Theacralis fbettaculi convention e r?nm^S?on* revocenmrx Ante omnia tawn dili e et in extreme periculo hcrcp.t68.469c Conttitutiyidprofj!4teDorcentes {fittmen anti/fttes frobant) beneficijconfqucinrur. Quod vt fi deli ter fiat, Ffpfp 1 ft mm 844 Hiftrio-Maftix. Part.*. ftatim eorum adjudices fi in prefenti font, vel curato- res Vrbium fingularum deftderium perferatur^ Quod & inffieclatofibu* misfis feduia explorationequAratur^an % Sec .here p. indulgcri his necesjitas pofcat cxtremafuffragia: which *7h *7», ?7, Edi&SjCxdude all Stage-players from the Sacrament, f?4> S8M8 J» even when th^y layvpon their death -beds, vnkfle they « Sec her7' earneitly defired i t, and rmnifefted fuch fincere i epen- * 52! MnSibi. tance for their piay-ading,as might in the Magiitrats tamermrpc eft or Minifters judgement prepare and fit them to rc- effe hiftrionem. ceive it. Hence, (*») Concilium E lib erinum. Can.Gz. Sacramquidcm finc'tUum Arelatenfe I. Can. 4^. & 2. £>*.lo. Con. communioncm y Crfrf^- . Qan.%%. Concil. Conflantinopolitanum, mimis dum ^C.Can.z^i.ConciLnipponenfe.Can^s.ConciLCar^ mahtia perfeve thaginenfe. %.Can. %$. Concilium Africanum. Can* rantexauctori- I2, 28. & Sy nodus Auguflenfis i549.Can.19. exprefi "ttbi?tr!r r"°n & d an^ debarred from thefacrament till they gave over c Item hirtno- ^eir. profeffion,& that upon their repentance they fbould xubusfcen ids be admitted to thefacrament & reconciled to theChurch. et aliis infimi- Hence (a) Clemens Romanus.Conttit.Apoftol.l.K.c.tf. mfnSis^on Ter**Ui<** de Pudicita. c.y.CyprUn Epifi.l.\.£pifi%xo. cftEuchariftia Chryfoflome Horn. $ /Be Davide & Saule, Theodoret conferenda, de Martyribus. lib. Tom.i*p. 590. Gratian Diflinclio. quia tales vitam 33, & & all Cnriftianftciety, toMaicftatidi- till they abandon play es and ailing. And hence (b) lo- vin^.nccEccle- annes Sarijherienfis^De Nugis Curialiuml.i, c. 8. A* iufticasdifcipli. hxander, Alenfis Summa TheologU pars 4. Quefi. 17. n* congruere Articl% Sf# # 4. p. ,94. Aluarus Pelagius de Plantlu utpudoretho- r . r , ; r. &^ A n .a & . _ r. * nor Ecclcfix Ecclefnt I. I* Artie. 49./. 28. Aftexanus de Cafibus. I. ram turpi atquc 4« Tit.y. Artie. 4. Toftatus in Math.c.6.Qudft.'fi. [c) infamicontagi- •ne f ardctur :et loquitur ibi de quodam qui fuit hiftrio, quipublicc artcm /uam ex* crcuit,et inde Doctor puerorum perdendoi una fuit. Poflet ergoilluddecrctumin- rtlligidcquolibetfimilihiftrioncnotorio : GlclTa dicit, quod nee tali ncc cuictm que infaminotoriocftEuchariftiaimperticnda. Si tamen tales revcrtantut ad dc* um ex gratia ve!reconciliatione,eisdcnegandanon eft. Nonftatim tamendebc" ^an talibui hollu feu Euchariflia , nifi vfquc ad pcractarn pxnitcmiam, proptet Mm art. x. Hifirio-Maflix. 845 loannis de Bur go, Papilla oculi pars q, cap. S./.'/^i/if-rcven^iamSa^ #=* LMonocanonts .Tit. 1 3 . ca. 2 1 , a 2. loAnnls 3ertochi- <*»Q»ntij vt »f* *V Spifcopts, Trattatus Tract. part ±.f 25. ». 101 Probetu5orurR w 1 r hr j e - rt j o\ coni'criio non UHj^cholaus P louesde Sacrament is .Ibid, par j 8./.51.0.3 fjcraj nj(- a,i. Stephanas Cofia,de Ludo.Tracl.Tratl.part.i.f 15 j, quis arriculus 1 5 8 . 1 5 9 , x £0. Angelas de C^vafio, fumma Angelica ncccflfitatis feu Hiflrio.& Infamia. "B apt ift*Tr9uem*la fumma RofeU ^TfXXst la Tit. AhdatioJoannis Langhecruciusde vita & hone- recuadurnR^ fiate Ecclefiafticoram lib,l.ca,li.(d)Didacas de Tapia chard. Diftin- interiam partem divi Thomz A'tic.%, Qxtfi, vtrum ciio.9. Ibidem, facr amentum daripoteft hiftrionibus. p. 545. 546. (e) , "Paulo Lanceletto, Infiitut tones \ur is Canonic i lib* 2. |eeherfP^ • ttt.de Euchariftia. p. z6g. 270. Ivo far not enfis, pars Scenicisatque 1 \. D ecr ct £.%■$.& par si %c. % ?. Aqain.tertia parte tfu.%. hiftrionibus c;e Art.6Jofephus Angles T lores Theology hijtr 10 : tesexcrcuerint Centuria. CMagd: cent:^ . col. 142. Baronius & Sport- non eft danda danus A«naL EccL An. 20 6.fe&. 2, <£• 37 1. Sett, 10. e^hariftia. i- c*l*t0M'*'y'156>wtitz^\XS\)n)Non congruitjuthcre in ftinctio33.cap. AmpbitbeatroModie in Ecclefia 5 vefperein circo, ma- Mariturn.fsf. nein altarioidudumfautor bi(lrionum> nunc confecrator k\n Matth 6. virginum* Hence Pope (jregorie the firft determines Qua?ft j8.f.4o. t|lus of StageplaycrS (i) Illos qui in Scena Infiffe nof- /Inc.oim. o- cuntur non ordinandos cenfemus ;all which extend to vo- honcitClcrico- luntary, as well as hired Aftors. Hence To flat us Abu. rum,& fumma I**fi* informes vs, kj Hiflriones & qui adherent ijs Angelica. Hi- funt infamesy nee poffunt promoveri ad facros 0rdines4 (trio. wTracta Hence (I) Panormitan aflirmes, Hiflriones non poffunt tusTra .Tom. promover^ a(} clericatttm etiam peraEba ptnitentia, dum- wRcpcrtorii modo exercuerunt art em fuam caufa qudstus. Hence Moralis.par$.x (m)Stepbanus de Coflaywrites.Hiftriones infames Cunt f HiOrio.p. 669, nee poffunt ad ordines promoveri. Hence ( n) Joannes •Super .1.3 Oc TSertocbinus propounds this queftion. Qx*ro an hi* Tit! cZnlLJrioP°Ifn degiEfifcofus?^ he refoives it thus:*^*- Clerieoium.c. ^eo quod nonyneque pofl peratlam p&nitentiam. Quint* 1 1. Tom 5J. mo hislrio nonpoteft corpus Cbrifti accipere, ratio eft, 4» quia eft inf amis not or ie. Hencef 0 ) Antonius de*B ra- tio avers : Hiflriones non poffunt promoveri poft pe pofi. fet^nihil »minus poft peraftam p&nitentiam pot eft or di- nar*. Vilitas enim perfona eft caufa. quare tales ab ordi- nibus repelluntur : for which he quotes Extrauag. de vita eft honeftate Qlericorum : cum decorum-* in oh[% *I»»o:&c. So that no ccademicall or private voluntary *Seeherepf Aclors by the cannon Law ought to be admitted to 65h6^- orders, before they have publikely repented and done fome open pennance for this their private acting. The fame we fhall finde affirmed by nsflxarus Pelagtus.-De q Summula Tlantfv Ecele/i* *" man & mamwitnejfe fincil. Africanum Canon. $6. & - a ■ ft ! » ConciLQarthaginenfe. 7. Can. z.bcrtf*s7j. Ioanes *Ber- rmm Canones tachinus RepertorijCMoralis,pars.l.p.669.Tit, hiflrio; Can.i7,Grati- Angelns De Clauafio^ Summatsfngelica.Tit Anfamia* anDiftind.34, MulatioyHiftrio, & feftis:with(f)dlvets others. *>«* j*649. Fourthly, it made Players fo execrablie infamous, . &. / that for a Chriftian woman to marrie a Stageplayer, {on\urukum", was Excommunication ipfofatlo ; witnes, Concilium ana moftothcr Eliberinum.can. 67, here p# $ 7 1 . Canonifts in^ Fifciy,the infamie of players was fuch, that they *h!"Tit]c$I?i* might lawfully be difinherited by their parents,and fo ^^^^ mightVhy-hzuniexsioofiiftrionesemn^funtinfames ' ' » &c. et qui adherent mimis et hiftrionibus pojfunt *xhe~ tjn Matth.c.6« redari&c. asToftatusinfoxmesus. Qu2ft.1ZS.40 orrne ftockjy the whtppingpoft , and alt other funijhments to p,^,^. which Rogues are fubiett -.Which Statutes if any Qjjqqq Aclors 848 Hijlrio-Majiix. Part .2 * Sec here p. A&ors thinke over rigorous ; let them remember that 4^,460, ac- *both (x) Anguftus Cafar, and (j) Tiberius , two hca- cordingly. then Roman Emperours, made Stage-flayers liable t§ nanTc^"" thelafi, or Bedles whip, (a puniflimcnt iuirable to fuch & 1*4. c,\< ' bale idle Rogues as thtyJfVhenas it was altogether m- Scchcrep.460. lawful! for any ingenuous Roman to be fcourged ssfft. *Oratiopro.P X6. 37^ 38. #* il.24.f0 30* 'By all which Tejtimonies Quimio.p 1*5. together with that parage o/Tully concerning Roicius t^rC I?i Tr the eminent fyman tAclor, to whom * Syla gave an An- ,4.*. dc Con- »*al Tcnfion and a ring of gold ; Etentm, cum arttfex em fenfu Euange* jufmodi eft9ut filusdignus videatur e([e,quiinfcenajj?e» liftarum.1. i .c. ftetur; turn vir e jufmodi e^utfolw dignus videatur qui 3 3. * Sic ita= €0 mn accedat:quid aliud apertiffime ojtendens, (as* St. JTpMtcsfpcat- Augufh defiant* onit)mfiillamfcenamc{fetamturpe,ut culorum Ufa- tato minus ibieffe homo debeattfuatofueritmagisvir bom mata conditio nus\it isabundandly evident fThat Stageplayers are mo ft cft.Tcrtullian * infamous per fins, and their very profejjion mofibafi l1ti?c°r0na ml'^d execrable both among Tagans and Chrifiians. z" Rom!Ptoft. I. Neither is the art or publike profeffion of a Diex Caffms U 59. p 831.8 j7.842«/'Lib.<9.p.8<4.&SuetoniiCaiusrcft,5*.^.|; Tacitus.An. nal.Li4.c«i.l.i 5.c.4,<.^ SabellicusEneid 7*\,x p«20i.Eatropiusrerum Ko.\.g.p.io^t ZonarasAnnal0Tom.tfol.9S. frSuetonii Nero Sec"r. i»,i^,20,toic.et Seft.41, he writesthus, Quinimocumprofpcri quiddamex provinces nunciatum eflct,fu- perabundantiffimam cacnaiocularia indefcc*tionisduccs carmina,lafciueqjmoduh- ta,qux vulgo innotueruntjetiam gefticulatus«(r:ac(j)cclac«ilis thcatri clam illatus, cuidam Scenico placenti nunciummifit,abutieumoccupationibusfuis,&fec.f4# Sub exitu quidem vitae palam voverat,fi fibi incolumis flatus pcrmanfiflct,proditu- rum fepartae victoria? ludis, etiam hidraulam et choraulam, et?tricularium, ac no- Tiflimodic hi.ftrioncm,faltaturumqiVirgiIii Turmim.&c. JZqqqq * plures 850 Hiftrio-Maftix. Part.z plures cantaxit dies, l^eque eo fegnius adolecentulos e- queftris crdinis et quinine ampUus millia e plebe robu- ftiffima iuuentutis vndique elegit -y qui divtfi infabliones plaufuum* genera condifcercnt , operamque nauarent c ant ant i jib 1 wfignes pingmffima coma , et excellentiffi- mo cultu pueri, nee fine annulo Uues : quorum duces qua* dr agent millia H S.merebant. Etiam Romx T^eroneum atrens ante pr&ftituturru diem reuacduit : Nomen fnum in albe profit en tium-> citbaradorurru iujfit adfcribifor* ticulaque in vrnam cum ceteris demiffa, intramt ordine fuo fiinulque Prdfetlipraterij citbaram [uttinentes ,poft tritium militi prout quamque diligeret : inter cetera cantanit tiamvaviivefti- Canacen partuzientem, Or eft em matricidamfiedipodem &11 d^cfecorc exc&catum, Herculem infanum. In quafabula fama eft 11 ct, 2 nta t yrnncuiltm mi lit epo fit urn ad cuttodtam aditus cum ettm ia,m Scennci- J . . . r J . r i ^ n t •/ tharcdico habi» °rnari ac vwctri catenis.jicut argument u poJtulabatyvid$ tu vcl traaxdi- ret ,accurijfe ferendx opis gratia. M ox ipfe aurigare dtq$ c?. See Grim- etiam jpeclari fdtpim voluit .pofitoque in bortis inter fen rtl* ,ift vitia et fordidam ptebem rudiment 0 ^vniver forum fe of Nero. Yin- ,, . ■>■ • / • j • centii S<>ecu- 0CH'-ts iYl C trco m£lximo pr&bmt, certamma deinceps 0- l*m hilior. 1 g. bijt omnia* fantantc eo, ne necefiaria qutdem caufa ex- c.6. Freculphi- cedere Theatro licit um crat. \taque & enixa quadam Chromccn. jn jpettaculi* dicuntur%et multi udio audiendttfaudandi- ^St^k Tacitus 1*** cian^s °ppid°rum portis , aut furtim diffi luijfe de Annal. 1. 1 6% wuro, aut mortefimulata funere elatu {JO Confl^ut ph- ka. 1. rofque equitum dum per anguftiat aditus & ingruentem znultitttdinem Part.z. Hijtrio-Maftix. 8 5 1 multitudinem enituntur obtritos^et alios dum Diem noc- temque fedilibus continuant , morbo exitiabili c'orrep- fcNcro publics tes ; cptippe grav'wr inerat mcttts fifpeElaculo defttiffent, ^.^^co multis palam et fluribus occultis , vt nomina ac vultus, aurigauitTTa* alacritatem^ triilitiamque co-euntium [crmarcntur.Vn- iccit'in Gi\tc*« de tenuioribus slatim irrogatafupplicia , adnerfus illu- *toj«on ufnru fires diffimulatum ad prefens , etmox redditum odium. "°r«Jui«*ftl- ', JJ n - 1 a i- • 1 tandi, cithara? Interea Senium propwquo tarn lujrralt certamtne^ ut de- pLlifan(^ „r2B- decm avert eret yofert Imperatori vivlonam cantus adij- coniifaciendi citfacwdia coronam , qua ludicra deformitas velar etur. agendasquctra Sed Nero nihil ambitu nee potefiate Scnatas opus effe gcdiaecaufo diBitanSyje dquum adverfus amnios et religion e in di- nJ^"^^^ cum merit am laudem ajfecuturumy * primo carmen in crj,r> fccj expc. Scena recitat : mox flagrante vulgo vt omnia fiudiafua ditione prat o- pnbhearet [b&c enim verba dixere)ingreditur theatrum P^s vt Pericdo* CunElis cithardt, levibus ob temper an s : nefeffusrefideret, nices,!deft,paf- r j r - j i 1 . /i j fun victor , vt tte fudorem mft ea quamtndutus gerebat vefie deterge- aJ-cj>at cua(je- ret ;vt nulla oris vel narium excrementa viferentnr. rcr. sed quis Poflremo flexus genu3 et c<£tum ilium manu veneratus fingulaciusfa- fententias iudicum opperiebatur fiblopauore.£t plebsquo. &* cnumerct? qut 'vrbishiHrionum ctuoqnc qeflns inuare folita per Co- ^amvi}° v?^- nab at certis modis , plaufuque compofito , CrsderesU- viles hiftriones t art yac fort a§e Utahantur per iniurtam * pnblici fla- reprefentant<# gittj:(o he (liles it. Sed qui remotis emunicipijs \feueram. omnia ipfedi. qneadhuc et antiquimorisretinentesItaliam,qutque per fcbatetA2cie- longas prouincias lafciuia inexpertiy officio legationum, ^ ni^ qu^} AUtfrmatavtilitate advenerant: neque ajpe&lum ilium aureiscatenis vinciebatur, nam ferreacRomanorum Imperatorem haud decuiflent.Aliquando igitur Miles vin- ftum confpicatus pra? indignauone accurrirjCamque foiuit. Zonaras Annal. Tom. 2.^98. ^ Omnia in Ncrone probriet ignomiwiae plena. Omni pudore abieflo Romas cantu in thcatro certavit, vbiinfanum Herculcm acturus, cum de more vin- calis ornaretur, qui praefidii caufa in proximo fteiir, catenas intuitus,ratufque vim iMiintendijConrt-ernamsanimo, eo occurrit cpem principi laturus. Nee fatis fuit per haec indelebilg Romano Populo notam ab eo inuftam^in Gra?ciamcantandi ftu« dionavigavitomniburquceiusgeatisfpectaculisjCantUjjaurigatione^prajconiocers tavit.Indereverfuscurruquo olim Auguftustnumphans vrbem ingredus ell,pra?j miorum pompa titulifque finguiorumcertaminum longo ordinc prafmifTis. SabeL licivjsAEaeid.7 1.2.p,ioi. Q^[ q q q 3 toller are 852 Hi/lrioMaJiix. Part.** tolerare, neque Uboriinhoneftofufficere9cummanibus nefcijs fatifcerent9turbarent gnaro,ac f*pe a mi lit $b us verberarentur, qui per cuneos ttabant y ne quodtempo- ris momentum impart clamore% tut jilentio fegni prtte- riret,&c. Such was the Playerlike citharedicall life of this lewd vitious Ernperour : which made him fo ex- / Tacitus An* ecraye to fome noble Romanes , who afFcded him at pVo i!£aTa£ fifft> before he fell to thefe infamous pradifesjthatto tusAnnal.I.15. vindicate the honour of the Kynanc Empire , which fea.9.p.3 59* , was thus bafely proftituted,they confpired his deftru- »ReshaudmU #jon . which confpiraric being deteded, Subrius Flo- Txdrtrintitt' ^'w a chiefe captain, one of theconfpirators,bcingdc- mimusNobilis maunded of j^ero, for what reafon he had thus con. &c In scena fpired againft him ? returned this anfwere(/) Oderam minquam can- te inquit , nee quifquam tibi fidelior militum fuit dum tavit Ore ftcs: amari meruifti ; odiffe capi poftquam parricida ma.tr is et }^funt\cnc* vxorisfxriga, Hijhio, et incendiarius extitifti. And rofi Principis - Sulpitius Ajper9a Centurianybcinf> demanded the like aite?,Gaiiden- queftion, made this reply ; 2{on aliter tot flamy s eius tisfxdo ?&*- fubueniripofte.hn&vjhenzs fome of thefe Conipira- ufalmP^i". torS WOuld have had P*f* to fuCCeed Ner0 in Cafc thdr tui,Grai*que* treachery had fucceeded, Flavius made them this an- apiummcruifle fwc^c(m) Tfjnreferre dedecori>fictthar&dus dimoue. coronae Iuuenal retur et Tragadus fuccederet : quia vt 2fjro citbara, Satyr. *•?•**, itaPifo tragic* ornatu canebat. All which, together „?' y^llT with theSaryricallinvediuesof (n) ImsmaU and (0) us, /.onaras, •/**_••*« mi j- « v J Sabcllicus3& others againft thi s infamous Piayerhe Emperor,are a Grimfton in fufficent evidence, what an ignoble fliamefull thing it his life. Arius is for any Prince or Ernperour to fing,to dance,or ad Montanus in a Sf H ^ j AFlius Lamprtdius^nd Eu- lib. Iudicumc. Ar^. • 9 • ~ j A r s Yr j- i$.M9o.f7i. troPHS in their Commodus Antoninus^ and Herodian Dr.Rainolds hiftorUl.i. & 1. p. 57. to 73. fevercly cenfure this Overthrow of diffolute Ernperour Commodus, whom they and the Stage playcs p. people ftiled,a gladiator ^an Ador on the ftage : Quod 4,tg ,0, p *9# nudus ingreffw amphitheatrum-* eft , fumftifque armii 90 01 ^JM#- ntimeros gladiatoriol implebat &c Trifle vero( writes ria^f'.p«7.a= mous>how difgracefulathing it is,for Kings or Empe- beJiicus & rotlrs t0 turne Aftors , Malquers , or Gladiators on a hishfc.011"1 StagCj even In trie very judgement of heathens, much more of Chriftians. It is ftoried of Antoninus the Emperour to his deferved infamie ; (t) Quode Syria fHerodian Lr, profetlus ^flatim debaccbarifupra modumc&pit , cult urn p.i 7.z6$,t7i , patry numtnis^ Cffi dicatusfueraty celebrare fuferuacuis faltationibus , veflitum vfurpans luxuriofum ; ad tibiarum et tymp:inarum fonum in publicum prodibat trgya numinis celebrans &c. From which M&fa ear- neftly defwaded him ; ne tyettantium oculos offenderct* lpfe veri identidem aurigans autfaitans confpiciebatur: quippe ne latere qutdem fuapatiebatur flagitia,precedens etiam in publicum * pifiis oculis geutfquepurpurijfatisi ^ Letoiw cftc« faciemque fuapte naturafor mofam^ indecorts cohribus mmatemen. inficiens. Quod ammaduertens M&fa. ac fufbetlans mi- women who . J / * r • • »• • are ©uilty of *itum °v talem Imferatons vitam mdtgnationem : per- the ielfefame fuadet lent alioqui flolidoque adole/centi} vt fibi confo- womanifh fol- brinum futtm ssflexandrum adopt aret , etC&faremde* \ y coafidcrthis. clararet3 &c. Fofiea igttur quam Alexander Cafar efi appellatusvolebat eumftatim jintoninusfuis iltis intt't- tHtisimbuere, nt fcilket choros agitans faltanfque , ve- filtH Part. 2. Hiftrio-Maftix. 855 fiitu e&dem atque artibus vteretur ; quern tamen mater % Dancing U^lammaaa * f&disilliset qua Imperatores dedecebant thercfore,toge* ablionibus avertebat : at que omnium difciplinarum ^.jher with acts Uores clam accerfebat ; modeftiamque edocens, ac PaU- ^ infamous fir a virtlibufquegymnafijs infuefaciens , grdtcifqut eum am0n2theS.o- pariter ac latinis Uteris infiituens. Quibus irattts An- mans. Sec Gu« toninus magnopere indignabatur, Quapropter omnes liclmus Smc- illius Dottores aula exevit.Quofdamque illuftr'torespar- km* A^tlclui" •/• /r^" • '• / // tatumConviu: Urn mortc,partim extlto ajfecrt ; naiculas allegans can- . f accor- fas, * Quodfilium ipjtus corritmperent , enm neque a- ^\nQ\^ git are cboros, neque ebacchari permittendo \ fed ad mo- % j be fame r thefelcwdcpr*? ht sfrtomb us maxima imperij mumademandabat: fermj- ftjfesand Cxs que fms autlibertis vt quifque turpitudine reliquos an- cefles now> teibat, procurations tradebat prouinciarUm. Ita rebus which fay they omnibus per omnem contumeliam et temulentiam debac- ^oc qu»teCor= ebantib'us* cum cateri omnes ^ turn imprimis T&mani*^1** . ... . >,, , / . / r thcmPuritans^ milttes. mdignabantur 3 abominabanturque eum3 vtpote ^ ^n crijeHt vultum component enu elegantius quam-* f&minarru proband rcmarlcas bam deceret : infuper aureis monilibus , mollifftmoque ble teftimony vefiitu haudquaquarru virtliter ornaturru, y fait ant em- how execrable, que in conffeflu omnium. Quare propenfiores animos in dancing d"^ Alexandrum habebant , fpemque meliorem in puero mo- effeminacy was defte et continent ere ducatoy&c. Qua intelligens A*to- to ail the Ros ninus nihil non injidiarum Alexandre matrique intende- mans > though bat ,&c. Quod milites aqre ferentes, imperatorem e me- m °/ lhcm 1. .. ^^- _ * ' n * . were then meer aio tollere turptter [e gerentem vellent \ quaprefter tp- pagans. f»m Antoninum et matrem Sotmid'em inter ficiunt >cum- queifsferuosminiflrofque omnes fcelerum. So execra- ble did his dancing,afting,efreminacy,& love of Stage- players make him to all the Senate, feldiers and people^ Rrrrr that S$6 Hijlrio-Majlix. Part.* that they thought him unworthy for to raigne or live and at laft dragged his carcale through the Cittyand cafl: it into the common lakes. It is regiflred amon<» other of Heliogabalus his lewd effeminate unworthy u\&ii Lampri. actions (u)Quod agebat domifabulam Paridts t ipf9 dii Hchogaba- yeneris perfonarru fubiens'3ita vt [ttbito vefles adtedet ins p.l 89. 1 90. 1 n 1 r j , * . io7.Sce here d defiuerent, nudu{que vna mann ad mammam ,altera p#- 208, ' dendis adhibita , wgemcnlaret, poflerioribus eminenti- hm infubaUorem reiettis et oppofitis. Vultum praterea eodem cjho Venus pingitur fchematefigurabat , corpore tote expolitus'jpfe cantavit,faltavit ^adtibias dixit tuba cecinitspandurizJtvit, organomodulatus efl. Ferturet vna die ad omnes Circi et theatri meretrices (a good e- vidence that all whores, and few women elfe frequent: thefe Play-houfes) tellus-cucuhone mulionico, neagnof- ceretur, ingreffus &c. An aparant proofe, that an Em- perour dancing or acting a part in Playes or Mafques even in his own private pallace is infamous,and his re- * Hiftor 1 *. *°rt t0 P^yhoufcs more abominable, To paffe by the iuipnoVophJ. ceniiire oi*Thilarcus %f Athenmsjxpon Lyfimacbus, 14.C5.P.980. who bring in "Demetrius thus ufually fpeaking of his Court. Aulam Lyfimachi nihil differ re a Sccna Comic a: to whom Lyfimachus replied : ego igitur meretricem- exenntenu ex Scena tragica non vidit It is recorded to Cornelius Ta= thefhame oiVitellius*VitelUo cognitifcurr et cumlenonibus^ mimis, fcurrtfque vixifte: And that of the Emperour Carinas too, (z) Quod mimosvndique \ FlauiiVopif- advocavit* Exhibuit et ludum Sarmeticum quo dulciuscl(~*imixs¥* nihil eft : Donatum eft et gracis arttficibuss etgymnicisy 44*' et hiftrionibuss et muficis durum et argent urn : donata et veftis [erica* Sedhac omnia , nefpio quantum adpoptt- fum(wtitCh fopifcus) gratia babeant, nuUius certefunt momentiapudprincipes bonos. cDioclejiani denique di- ftunufertur, cum ei quidam largitionalisfuus editionem Carilaudaret, dicens-jnultum placutffeprincipibus i/los, caufa ludorum theatraliumjudorurnqne Qircenftum^er- go[inquit)benerifu4 eft imperio fuo Carus. All which is a convincing proofejiow abfurdathing it is for Prin- ces to* delight in playes or Aclors^much more to A& # Hence a!fo Enterludes or Mafques themfelves, TheopompusHifto-^dzf in his riariumlib. 28 & lAthenaus Dipnofph.lib.6.c. G, pa, ^22^ 4*2. condemne King ?h$lip,qui cum Theffalos pro- Cth Ardaburius digos ej[e cognovijfet, at que omnino intemper antes y arti- Quodfedeflex, bus omnibus Mis placer e ftuduit : nam et tripudiabat, et lt *& muliebres /afciviebaty omniaq- prater modefliampatiebatur. £rat ^c[lcias-pau; , r J fr tr j- l / • ^ t \ debatenimMi* tmmnatura fcurra3 fmguhfque diebus emus &c. {*) miSiCt?Tx^^ *Polybius & Athenaus /everely cenfure Amiochus the atari bus,etpm. illuftrious,who they phrafe the mad : Quod una cure- nibusfcenicis citatoribus ludebat ,totufq\velatus infer eb at ur a mimis todicris5ethii. atque in terram deponebatur quafi vnus e[fet ex mimis. 1H"nodl "^P* ? . . , . 5 J J ,. 1 ■ . • j- / tns totos dies Conctnnttate detnde evocanterex exihebatjrtpudtabat- exioens Mouse que et iocabatur cum mimisjta vt omnes verecundia ca- infigniapror- perentur.Ad res huiufmodi miferas inducit ftupor is, qui fus negligebat. exebrietatenafcitur. Yca(b) Athenaus tzxeth Stra- * V^1"*™ ton King ofSidoniafor this very thing Quod convent us ^$ Dipm£i cum tibicinis,faltatricibus ac cythartftis faciebat ; mul- |0.c.ia. p.6$ '4* tafque arnicas ex Peloponefb accerfebat ,complurefque69i.Scchcic$, cantatrices ex Ionia, at que ex vniuerfa Cjracia arnicas *49»*fo. f Hellas >quaru alias quide»faltantibus, alias cane tib us a- 'Dipnofophi. mcis premium certaminisproponerefoleb at 9quibufcum **3P' Rrrrr 2 etiam 85S Hijirio-Maflrx. Part.2 ttUm coire [aptus deUftabaturtCKmvtt* hHtHjme.it m. flitntionem completer eturipf* nutnrafernns erat v<>!h. ptatnm. By all which feverail recked examples ( worthy a 1 Chriftian Princes confideration and detefta* tion too ; DequilfHsnefcio an dec Her it msrnorU pr0dit fKoromRoma as {c ) Entropius writes of Caligula his vices,**// forth r.oruml.T.p. ?*'"* ***** ** Principles nojfe omnia.vt impr obi fatten* famametu decline* talia;) itismoft evident! thatic harh beene alvvayes a mod infamous thing for Kings, and Emperours to act Piaycs or Mafques either in privare or publike ; or to fing,or dance upon a Stage or theatre; or to delight in Piayes and Actors. Which affertion is likewiie confirmed by Tlinins Cecundns Pancgyr: Traiane diftns p^i.^f. 1 io,here ^.462,463, Froyfart his Chronicle Booke 4, cap. 1p2.fol.a4j. 244. Theeenerail hiftory of Franc* p. 231. QueHam hisDialoFPrince$l,3«c.43. to 47, D.Kainofds his O- verthrow of Stage*playes p. 6. to 10. & 63,1076, Anus Montana* t* !tbjHdicumc.i6.p 470. 571. & Ik- uenalSatjrti.bjTtcitus, Herodian, SmttemmPe/jU. us, Atkendms, Flauius Vopifcas^ Miius Lampyidins, Trcbelltus Tollio, EatropiHs3C orceins SaiMcus An. "«. bTnL W grimftonin the lives of thefe forewarned Em- Lubioi, loan- *?™rs\ and T thc P'acc5 9Uoted in tbc margent. with nil fcrnuaid, W ^ndry others wnom I pretermit. See here p 462, P.PHi*i,C* -453,557,5^,734.to743. &p. 710. the example of In StcvLaAi.Cu-'Pt atomic 9 accordingly. »S£. f0 aIfo;sic fo; an-v; ^g^ates, Nobies , Gent.*™* bino Iuvcnal °r penons or ranke or quality, to aSa part in pub- Satyr.8 Iofli". hcke or pnvate on the Stage. Hence (*) Cornelius Ta. **L'aP^-"/*f wmes tbusof 5^-, t^ rjme.. Sedftmitarun, t, 1 \ t! ^"'"-"StnttjrmmtiHtpilHf, per ■ wmfaUti fat •• Annal L14.C mlt<™>"f>°n<-r»s.tgeftatel^je,i« Scenanu deduxit ».< p.3oi,J», q»**f«topfrf*KBtt. nt xomtmtm trtdam^, maiaribHS 1** Pa &t.2 . HtftriQ-MaJlix. 8 j 9 quipeoumam^ ob deli&a pott us dedit, quam ne deUnquc- re»tt T^jtes qusque equites Romanos opera* arena pro > mittere fubegit, danis tngemibus % nift quodmerces ah eo qn i $ lib ere poteft.Vim necejfitatij after t. 7^e tamen adhuc publico theatre dmotufqtte bant virtlet &c Whereupon divers of the Senators and people complained and cried out, 7roceres Uptnani specie wationu&u et carminum See- na polluantur% quid fuptrejfe , nifivt corpora qmq\ nu- dent >et cafiu ajfumant \eaffc pugnas pro militia et armis f $e&. in»a meditemut &c.vidlbidh Which infamous n6i(f)Sue» See Ly?fius confeUorefque ferarumet advaria arena minifteria.&c. Which ignobleflagitious bafe pra&ife of his & others, . the Poec Juvenal doth thus notably inveigh againft. (g) At vos Troin^ena vobts itnefcitis & qua gluvena! Sa- Turpia Cerdoni. Vdefos&rutofquedlcebunt. tyrS.p.81,8*, . Quid fi ttunq nam adebfoedis i a deoque pudendi* ytimur exemp/is t vt non pehrafuperfint? . Confumptis opibus vocem Damaftppe locafti Sippar.io, clamofumageres vt Thafma Catulli, Laureolum velox etiam bene Lentulus egtt, ludicetne, * dignus v>ra cruce:nec tamen ipft. Ignofcas ptpuloipopulifron: durior hunts, * Nota, Quifedet, &fl>e{fat trifcurria patriciorums F/ampedes audit Fabios \ ndere potefi qui Rrrrr 3 Matmr* 26o Hiftrio-Maftix. Pa rt. z\ Mamercorum alapas, qnanti fuafunera venhant% Quid re fen ? vendunt nuUo cogente 2fjrene, Nee dubitant celfi Fratorts vender e ludis. # Nota, * Tinge tamen gladios wde, atque hincpulpitapone, Quidfatt^mortemfic quifquam exhvrruit^vtjit Zelotypus Thymeles>fkufidi collega Corinthi* Reshaudmira tameny cttharcedo Frimipe mimtu 2{okilx> hac vltra quid erit mfi Indus ? & tlltc Dedecus urbish aires, nee Mirmillonisin armity 2^ec clypeo GracchumpHgnantem, ant fake fupina. (Damnatenim tales habitus ^ & damnat & odit.) Nee galea fiontem abfcondity movet ecce trident em, Toftquam vibratapendentiaretia dextra 2^equicqnam effndit, nudum ad fffeclacula vultumj Erigtti & tetafugit agnofcendus arena. Ergo ignominiam graviorem pertulit amni Vulnere^cum (jracco iuffus pugnare fecutor \&c \ An elegant description & demonftratio of the infamic of fuch mensading playes : Which Laberius an anciec Roman Knight, drayvne upo the Stage to acl a part by the hire & comad of 2fjro, doth excellently defcypher in this expreflion of his ovvne diihonor. (h) Labor tit a(p era, liber tatis cquitemRomanunu (writes (J?/ aero- SaturaJ.1^7. ™s) 'C*f*r qmngentis miUibus invttavit, nt prodiret in £.408,40?.' \ fcenanu,et ipfe ageret mimos quos fcriftttafat. Sedpa- teftas non folum ft inmxax , fed extern fi ' fupplicet ; cogitm Vndefe et Laberius a Cdfarecoatlumin Frologo teftaxur his verjibus. T^eceffitas, cuius curfus averfi impetunu Voluerunt multi effugerey paucipotuerunt. Quo me de- trufitpene extremis fenf bus ? Quern nuRaambitiopul- la unquam larg itioy Nu/lus timer, vis nulla nulla autlo - ritas l^fovere potnit in iuuenta de fiatu • Ecce in fe- netla vt facile labefecit loco viri exccllentis mente cle- ment e edito, Submijfa placide blandiloquens oratio. E- tenim ipfe dtj negate cui nihil potuerunt Hominem me denegare qnis pojfct- pati f Ego bis tricenis annis at! is, fine nota, Equcs rF^manus lare cgreffus meofDomnm re- vertar P A r t. 2 . Hi/lrh-Majiix. 8 6 1 vertar mimus. * T^imirum hoc die Vno pltts vixi mihi * Nota. ■k quam vivendumfuit. For tun a immoderate in bono At que i tn malo}Si tiki erat libitum liter aru laudibus Floris ca~ \ cumen no fir <£ f amtfr anger e3 far cum vigebam mernbrts I pr<£uiridantibus, Satisfacere Populo, et tali cumpoteram : viro, No* flextbilem me concur uafti.vt caperes ? Nunc me quo deijcis f quid a fcena affero ? Decor em forma, » An dignitatem corporis ? zsfnimi virtutem , an vtcis io* ! cunda fonum \ ft haderafcrpens vires arbor eas necat; Jta me vetuftas amplexu annorum necat ; Sepulchris Jt- tnili rt I . . . JJ a • 1 'Seneca Epi-ft. jr altos : bapientta vero ammorum magijtra , nontnde* Q0 i7 £_« cor os corporis motus3nec variosper tub am et tibiamcan- tfts'efficit, &c. Hence (m) zAuguftus fafar , quoniam^. Dl0n Caffius Equites etfemin* illuflres adhucm OrcheftrafaltabantyHi(i']'™'V'*H* prohibuit ne non modo Patriciorum liberi(id enim antea cant urn erat) fed etiam nepotes eorum , quique equefiris erant ordinis, amplius id facer entm In his aHionibus Le- gi flat oris zsfuguftus et Imperatoris fpeciem nomenque . - oflendit. Hence this is laid as a tax upon Caligula, that hift i "^^ in his prefence, [n) Patricij pueri Troiam lufermt. 0DjonCa{fiu° And hervupon (0) (flaudius his fucceffor,to draw men hidl.tfo.p^is Jrom g 1 2 Hifirio-Maftix. Part. from this infamiej In Orchefiram imrodnxit inter alios vires etiam equites ae muheres , quales Cay principatu fait are folebantyton quod ijs deleHareturfedvt praterita argtteret. Nampofthac certe nemo eornmin fcena vifns eft dnm Claudius viveret ? Pneri quoque quos ad Pyr- rbicamfaltationem Cains evocaverat Jemel duntaxat ea fait at a civit ate donative *blegatifunttAlg deinde ex famulis (flaudij fait arum :hictn tkeatro. Yea fuch was theinfamieof atsJE- &4?3844> 84J> m^ttts Trobus, Dio, * Xiphilinus,Dionyffius Gothofre- *4*3847.&c« &**> Ioannes de *3urgo &c, together with the concur- rent fufFrages of Lipfms SaturnalJ,i.c.i.m& ofLubine C alius fecundu /, Farnaby, and others in their Com- mentaries and notes upon Juvenal ySatjr 8. who all af- *Se*D.Rai- firmcthe voluntariedefcendbg of any perfons of qua- noldshilover- lityor rankc upon the Stage (* etiametfnepramioJtQ ' throw of Stage a& a part even without reward or hire,to be infamous playes,p.8. ancj aDmrd • but our learned Dr. Rainolds in his Over* throw of Stage-playes p.4. to 1 1 ♦ & 63. to 77. and in ©ther pages of that difcourfe, hath proved this point fo fully, that I will here proceede no further in it. 2 Thirdly, it is altogether infamous,yea unlaw fuH,for any Clergie-men whatsoever or their Children, ard for any who intend to enter into orders, either volun- taril or compulforily, for reward or without reward, r Sec here p. t0 a^ a Part "P00 r^e ^fa»Cj cither in any publicke or 574. private Enterludcs.Hence the(>) Councel of Carthage, Anno Part.*. Hijlrio^Majlix. 26$ Anno.Dom. 397. Can.i 1 .Decrees: That fonnes ofBL fops and Clear gie men ( much leflethen they them- felvcs) fionld neither exhibit y aEl or bthold any fecular fhcrc M**^1* Enter ludes : Hence aifothe4, Councell of Carthage : se*Gul!clmus Can.56.60.61.lhc 7.Coun,of(f) Carthageycan:jQ.ihc Smckius Ami- 6. Qonn.of Confi ant tnople, can. 24. 51. 62. the 3. Synod quitammCou- of Towers, can. 7.%. the 2. Synod of Cabilon,can 9. vivialium! 3.0 theconnaof ^Menti ssfnti 1 ^.cvw.i^the QomuofTa- ^",a*Cor= ris.1An.Z19* can. 38. the Synod of t-Mcntz, under Rt- mg *' banns : can. 1 3. the Coun. of iVW/^quoted by Grati- an: diftinft. 44. her. p«599. The Coun. of Cants y An% 123 1. here.p. 598. The Synod of Lingres, An. 1404. her .p. 5 99. 600. TheCouncel of 7Vf< Nota. pernicte imminere-jdcirco fummopere referttvt pueritia qut feminarium eft omnium rerum publicaru in timore Domini^ verecundia, pudicitia^et bonis difciplinis edoce- aturypyout fupra ex SS.Concilio Tridentino demon fir *- turn f hit. [a) cDivus enim Cyprian* s f conjultus quid fibi videretur de hiftrione quodam , an talis deberet ~£\ V*.1* ."j J 1 /• • /f ■ r\ pift.io-fcucran. commumcare cum catholicis , qni adhuc in in eiujaenu artis fff£ dedecore per fetter ab at 3 refpondit his verbis: *Futo ego nee maiefiati divina,nec evangelic a difciplina congruere, vt pudor et honor ecc/efia , tarn turpi et mfa- mi contagione fadetur, &c. 2\(ec excufetfe quiffianL*, ft a theatro ipfe cejfaverit cum tamen hoc cater is doc eat. 2{j>n potest enim uidert cejfajfe,qut vicarios fubftttuit ,et qui pro fe vnoplures fuccedaneos fuggeritjeehtra inftitu- tienem Dei , erudiens et docens quern admodum mafcu- lusfrangatur inf&mtnam , et fexus artemutetur, et di- abole divinum plafma maculanti yper corrapti at que ener * See here p* uati corporis delict* p/acatur, &c* Then he quotes *?4' , f the forementioned paffagc of St.Cyprian to cDonatus who "0VJ, °e^ EpiftJ* z. Spift. 2. to iurtifie this his anfwer : After Crucifixes and which he thus proceed?. Deinde in tcumenica Synodo Images in our fexta , qu&fuit Conftantinopo/itana ^.Canon 6t.ftatu- Churches con- tunu eft : vt nullus vir muliebri vefte induatur.nec mu- XT^jy t.0(?ur^r ,. \ r j /* rr* ticlesJniun&i- her vefie vtro conventente\fed nee £ omicasynec Tragic as ons homilies nee Satyricas perfbnas induant. Qui [ecus fecerit, fi cle- Conons , Sta- riciftnt^deponantur \fi Laici,fegregentur a communion e: tutes5& writers ( which Canon prohi bites all manner of perfons what- yea fontraric foever, whether laymen or Qergiemen, from acting ^^rTrion "* any fort of Enterludes, be they Comedies, Tragedies confider this: or Satyrs )Quare pie et reftc a provinciali Synodo Mech- and thofc alfo linienft ftatutunufuit ; vt illi auBores3qui per gent Hit a- v> ho ufe any team turves am*res iuuenum mores * cor rump ere poffent neathcm& Ce- y r 1 I- 9 n ri « ^ /• + 1 • remomes and afchohs arceantur ? £t vt nen folum e temflis et locis rcprt.fcnratjcn$ facr'iSy verum etiam e domibus et hortis ecc/efiafticorum jn tnejr Enter- tollantur imagines, fculptura, aufaa, qu^ gtmilitatem, ludes. Sffff 2 aut 866 • Hiftm-Majltx. - Part.2 out mendaces ethnicommfabulas^Satyrorum^faunorum* Sjrenarum , termmorum ac Nympharumyac id genus *. liarepr&fentatti (which are the commonneft icpre- fentationsinallMaiqucsand Stage-playes:J Similiter qH&cunejHcfigur* lajciua, procaces,et ob pudendam nudi- tatem vel alias tarn obfcen*, vt fios mentes offendantt et fuperftttiofarfui fidelium mentes a, religione et devotione difirahunt et fdpius graviter offendmt* Then hee quo- b See here page tes the (b) forementioned Canons , prohibiting children*, 601,60^604, ailing of Flay es in Churches upon Innocents day : to^e- , 698,6 ii, * i ', thef wltfr the Canons of the CounccltofChlilUme ,-from \ See here Pa«c a11 which he truely and pofitively concludes : That it 624,6x5. & i s unla-w f ull f or School e makers or their Schol/ers, to at? any Comedies ^Tragedies or other flageplayes. And fhall Proteftants then allow ofthat whichthe very Papifh condemnefGod forbid. From a 11 which premifes thus layd together, wee may quickly learn e what to judge, not onely of the perfonating of all private and publick Mafques and Mummeries,which are now to frequent, % Academicall DUC likewife of the acting of * Academicall Enterludes, Enterludes and by Vndergraduates, Graduates, Deacons, andfome- the adingof times young Divines 5 which Playes are commonly them infamous as fcurni0us, as prophane , as{candaIous,as inve&iue See Gbjdwjs aaainft religion and the proftflbrs of it, as experience o:uckius rtnti* o. T c . *■ _ , . ft %i\ qui.C0nv1v.L3. witnef Teth, as any that arc acted m our ftandmg Play- c,2i,2i. houfes. Certainly whatever the Error, the corruption % See p. ?73- of the times may judge j yet the forc-aleaged * Coun- to 668. 843 t0 eels, Fathers, Authors doome the afling, (yea the ve- Ja^o! J3' 17 beholding ot fuch academicall Enterludes, efpeci- ally by Clergie-men, who are now to forward to pen, . to ail and fee them whereas (d) above 40. feverall rfSee^At1:.7. Councelshave poflitively decreed, rhat they ought not to be prefent at any fuch Playes or Enterludes) to bee both fcandalous and infamous, not onely in the repute of Chriftians , but of Pagans too, efpeci^ , . ally of the anciant Pagan Romans ; In fcenam emrru atfi (l **' predire et populo ejfe jfetlaculo * nemini in CJracvgenti- — «= P a r t. 2 . * Hiflm-Maflix. 8 6? buiftiit tftrpitudini : qua, omnia apud Romanos, parum infamia, partirru humilia , atqae abhoneflate remote ponuntnr , as (d) Emilias Vrobus writes. Andean a- f In. ,lis Excef- ny gentleme n or fchollers whatfoever, thinke this an J^™- ™^ra honor to them , to be excellent A dors , Mafquers or Piefotiop./-<5. dancers,in any Academicall Enterludes,which the ve- ry heathc i (befides, Councels, Fathers, and Chriftiaii authors J haue long (ince fentenced as their fhame ? Doubtles no ingenuous chriftian ought to be fo ftupid, (6 prophane or gracelefle, as to harbour any fiich con- ceit within their breads. And here that I may not to • farredigreiTeinto a large difcourfeagainft esfcademi- callor private Enterludes flncel have beene fo over- teedious againft popular, I fhall onely commend thefc three confederations to the Readers, and all Academi- call A dors confciences# Firft,that the Fathers, the Primitiue Chriftians,. I the fore-recited Councels , and Pagan authors , never made, nor knew ofany fuch novel! diftin&ion asrhis, oWopular &j4cademicHll Enter\uds,but condemned all /Sec here pa& playes alike,as wd\ thofe in(£)private houfes, as in pub- 773.$ Si* h\e rheators } as well thofe that were acled by Volun- tary as by hired and profefled A&ors^both which they reputed infamous, as I haue here largely manifefted. Secondly that all , at lealhvife moft of all the argu- 2 ments, the authorities here produced againft pop ular fhge-players , ftand flrme againll Academicall too, there being no other difference betweene them that I know,but this; that the one are more frequent, rmre p . . r publike then the other : their materials, circumftan-^ja^ern(!ntjs ces, concomitants, and manner ofafting. being (^)for gcrmina. Pro- the moil part both alike, and their original to&. /per Aqjir. Thirdly, that Academicall Enterludes are in this re* Contr Collato gard farre worfe then popular,in that they give a kind rcra c' 4 Io of authoritie , and juftification to publike Enterludes 3 Aftors, and Play-haunters, our common Players and Playhaunters aileaging the examples of our vniverfity Sffff3, Interludes 863 Hiflrio-Maflix. Part.*; h vdociuscnim Enterludes as their cheifeft Agument, their beftapolo- ctcitiusnos gie both for the vfe and IawfullnefTe of publicke Stage- ^r^domc™ P*aycs> as Prc^ent experience manifeils : and in that ftica exempt their (£)example,their fcandall is farr worfe then that fubcunt ani- of popular ftage-playes,and fo apt to doe more harme, jnos magnis by increafing the number both of popular players ancj auftonbus. Iu- Afters, and hardningthem in the love, the praftife of V!i i I.Excras1 ac^ng an^ frequenting Playes; becaufe the perfons who pla tantura commonly Atl, behold and fen them being fchollers and coafpeftiora divines (who fhould be (i) pat t ernes of piety , gravity, lunger cfthaci'fobriety and right chriflian c onv erf ation unto ethers) us mov«it, i are 0f farre better education ranke and qua'Iity , in re- SXSo §ard of cheir P«>feffions , and of the Vniverfities the- n*aquibusdc" &[ves in which they live , ( they being the very eyes fignantur Dio- and Lampes , the Seminaries and Nurferies of our I- dorus SicBibl. la nd, where youth are vfually either made or marde for hift.Epift.Dcdi. £ ver f to £rie grcat pilblike good or hurt ) then cither i\ Tim.?. 2 to ^e Penners i or awrj*cri are there fo folidly anfwered,that verthrow of * ^y were inforced to yeeld their caufe.(w) Dotl Ga- Stage playes, g& fubferibing at last unto 'D.'Reynolds his judgement;) accordingly, will be a fufficient evidence,to convince the vnlawfu1- » Sfc/. o.hls nes 0f Academicall Enterludes , and the( n)infamie of Sssst fu<* ^t?reCrt t0/a *H1 «/-*7.*^*- for Afton There profc]Jffd Actors of Academic all, of common Stageplayes p.490 491. being infamous perfons,as the foregoing Authorities, * E>cVanitatc largely teftifie.I dial therfore here coclnde thi?Scene, Scienucxo. wjtb tba- excellent paffage of Cornelius Agrippa, of cap* *9* the infamie of acling& frequenting ftagplayes,/>^Wtf veto exercerc Pa rt. 2 Hiftrio-Maflix. 8 69 exercere hiftrinica, non foltiturpis et fcelefla occupatio eft, fed etia consficere et diletlari flagitiofum ; fiquidem et I af anient if animi oblettatio cadit in crimen.Nnllnde- niq\ nomen olimftiit infamins tfuam hiftrionnmy et legi- ble ip(ts arcebantnrab honoribns ^mcHnqfabulam [aU taffent in Theatro. And thus much for the infamie of Acting Stageplayes : a good Prologue or introducti- on to the uniawfulnes both of the Profefllon of ftage- pla, ers andof acting Playes,which I dial next difcuffe. CTVS 2. SCENA SeCVNDA. IN the handling of which fubiect , I fhall firft of all The unlawful- briefly evidence, that the profeflionof a Player^and ncflcofaPJay. the acting of Stage- play es are unlawful!* crsprofcffion Secondly, I Oiail laydowne the Severall groundes zndoUamS and reafons of their unlawfullnefle. For the firft ofthefe, I fhall need to vrge no more butthefeten Arguments Fir ft. Argument x. Thatwliich bath ever been infamous, fcandalous and of ill report , both among Chriftians and Pagans to , muft queiHonlefle be finfull , unlawfull unto Chriftians,*^ are to follow things only of good re- port , and to provide things honeft in the fght of all men, giving no offence cit her to Jew or Gentile^r to the Church of God. I . Tim. 3 , 7. I ,Pet. 2 . 1 1 . 1 2. i5.c,3.i5.i(5./,^7.4,5.8.p.Rom.i3,i3«c.i4.i3-. ip.cap.15. 2. cap. 12.17. 1. Cor. 10. 31,32,33. Ephef.4.2 But the profefiio of Stagplayers,& theacting of playes either in publike or private, have been ever infa- mous, fcandalous, and of ill report, both among Chtiftians 870 Hiftrio-Maftix. Pa rt. za Chriftians and Pagans , as the foregoing Scene demonstrates. Therefore it muft queftionlefTe bee finfull , unlawfull unto Chriftians. Argument, t. Secondly. If th©/ewho have acled Stage-PIayes , have all wayes beene banifhed , excluded and caft out of the common weale, and made uncapable of any honor, or promotion,by Chriftian by Pagan Re-* publiques. Emperors, Kings, Magiftrats> If they have bin excommunicated both from the word, theSacraments^the focietie of Chriftians3& difa- bled to giveany teftimony,or to take any Ecclefi* afticali Orders or promotions upon thcm,by thd iblemne refolutions , conftitutions and Decrees, of Councels , Fathers , and the whole Primitiue Church,even for their very PJay-ading 5 which thus debarred them from all the priviledges both of Church and common weale5then certain ely the profefiionofaftage-player , together with the acling of playes , is unbefceming and unlawfull unto Chriftians, See p.i 3 3,1 34. Butthofe who aded playes, have alwayes thus beene handled:as being altogetherunworthy ofany pri- vileges ofChurch or comon wealc jwitnes the ex* ampies of Plato, Arisletlejhe Majfilicnfes,Lac<£* demonians^ Iewes, auncient Germaines, Tiberius, jitt^uflus TS^ero JTraian^ Marcus Aurelius, Con* ft antine,TreboniusrB^fnns Henry the third ,P hilt p zAugufius y and othersforecited 5 v>ho excluded flayers and flay -poets out of their Republics , and bam(hed them their "Dominions: ( to which i hiIo^vGoTra mi§ht adde W L™» the 9. furnairu d ihe godly, Francep.138, who made divers good Lansagainft Vice-hou^s, 'Players , playes and other enormities) Witncffe the forealeaged Councels , Fathers and Primi- tive Church, &Chriftiansfvheexcommmicated al Stage-players Part.*, Hiftrio-Maftix. 871 ers & Abler s from the word3 the Sacraments and aH Chrifiian fociety ; difabling them to give any pub like teftimonyyorto.takeany eccle(iajhcail or- ders and preferments &c. even for their very ailing of Stage-plajts: See part i.Acl^.Scene i. Acl6« Scene 5. Act. 7. Scene 2. 3, 7. and the next fore going Scene,where all this is largely manifefted. Therefore the profetfion of a Stage-player, together with the acting of ftage-playes, is unbefeeming and unlawful] unto Chriftians. Thirdly: _ Argument, j, 1 he proreflion , the action or any unlawfull fcandalous or difhoneftfports, cannot but bee unlawfull, efpecially unto Chriftians, who mufi abfteine, not onely from all evill things, but likje- wife from all appearance of evilli x Thef.5.22. See here 'Part 1. Ad> 3 . Scene 3.Acl. 5. Scene i,*>3.& Act. 6. Scene 4. accordingly. But Stageplayesasthe Premifes prove at large, arc unlawfull, fcandalous and difhoneft fports. Therefore their action cannot but be uniawfuli,elpc- cklly unto Chriftians. Fourthly. _ Argument. 4. That profeflion which hath neither Gods word for its rule, nor his glorie for its end , muft certaine* Jy be unlawfull unto Chriftians ; witneffe , Pfal. II?.Q,I0. Cjal. 6.16 . 1 CV.i 0.31.^.6. 20. I Pet. 4.1 1. which informe us, that Gods people muft make his word the fcjuare, his glory the cheife and onely end of all their actions. But the profeflion or art of acting Playes, hath nei- ther the word of God for its rule (there being nei- ther precept nor example in all the fcripture for to warrant it, but many texts againft it s See here p.$47«to $51. &723.t0730jJnoryettheglory of God for its end, as I have here largely manife- fted, p. 127. to 1 3 3-& /• S10* t0 57°' Ttttt Therefore 872 Hiftrio-Maftix. Part.; Argument, f . Therefore it muft certainely bee uiilawfull unto Chriftians. Fiftly, That art or trade of life, in which men cannot pro- ceed with faith or coin for t,& on which men can- not pray for or expect a blefling from God, mull queftionlelTe be unhwfull unto Chriftians: wit- ne(Te,^£,w.i4,2j. ft iifually acled on the Stage: which arc for the mod part (p) T>evills, heathen Idoll gods and Qoddeffes , Satyrs, Sylttanes, Furies 3 Fayries, Fates }2{ymphes, Mufes, & Xft^f Scene"' fuch like ethnicke idolatrous figments , which Chriftians 2,?54,<.5c Act ' fhouldnot name or reprefent:Or elfe Adulterer s JYhore- f .Scene ?.to 6. mafters, Adulter -ejfe s ,Wh ores .ISawdes , Panders Jnce- Mr«SrubsAna* Jiuous perfons .Sodomites, Parricides .Tyrants ? Traitors > tc^V of Abnfes Tlafphemers, Cheaters, Drunkards } Tarafites, Prodi- G^refotatL galsy Fantaftiques, Ityffians , and all kinde of vitious on of Apologie godleffe perfons \ whofe very wickedneffes are the comon for A dors p. 5 6 Subieblofthofe Stageplayes which men fb much applaud: *7«6l«accor- And if the perfons of any Magiftrates CMinifters or In^y* Profe for s of Religion are brought upon the St3ge (as now too oft they are) it is ( & D°^ Re7nolds> and (c) othcr> wit. cs| Sec here p 4of. becaufe iuch things as tbefe, (drought not to be named) 406, t De Spe- much lefle then Perfonated , among Chriftians : they ctaculisl.Epift. are evill in their owne nature, their rcprefentations lLI^l{^10- & therefore, being ithe (<0 appearances of evill , which Dc vero Culm Chriftians muft abftaine from, cannot be good. c.xo.*DeGu- Thirdly, in regard of the very manner of acting bern,dei.U,j? PIaycs,coniifting offundry particular branches,which his Treatife a- ] have at large dif cuffed e/#?. c;. Scene. 1.2. 3.4, 5,6.7. g P?^cswn- &C* °11 Which y°U may rcfied ' afld thcrcfore ftiall fated Actbn'i. Pa*k morebreifly over them now, reciting on 'y fomc 2.5.* Anatomy paiTagcs,fome authorities that I there omitted. ofAbufespio$ The firft considerable particular in perfonating of Io4» h ?*cc'a Stage- playes, is the hypocrifie of it , in counterfeiting phyrspiir4C.notoncly the habits>geftures' °ffices> vices, words, &c.fed[cenicorum iwitato. res quorum Tfeciem tenebant in corde. Which being adcLd to that or learned and laborious Mr. -Fa*, who f tiles hypocrites and falfe teachers, (k) htfiriones pieta- tis9 (as ( /JDr. Humphries and others call the Maffe.Hi*. ftrionicam fabularru y et theatricum PapiJmiSpeffaca- ^ [n Apocalyps lum) is a lufficient evidence^that Stage-players are hy- c.a & *.p *5, pocrites,and the acting of Piayes hypocrihe, therefore ^cv^fttmor, unlawfull unto Christians. ^Iuem:p.7i; The iccond unlawfull circumftance in the aclingof Piayes ; is the groflc obfeenity, amoroufnefTe,wanton- neffe,and effeminacie that acteads it,which heie I fhali but name becaufe I have at Iargedtbated lt.Aclj. Scene 2,3,4,5. to which I fhall referreyou. The third, is the apparent vanity, follie ,and fanta- ftiquelightnefTe which appeares intho&(m)ridicu/ous antique ;mimic all ,fo oh jh geflures ^complements ,embrace- ments [miles ,no&s ^notions of 'the eyes, head, feete*, hands, Cfr whole intirebody which ^Players vfe,ofpwpofe to pro- m See Act.?. vokjheir Spectator sto prof ufe inordinate \ laughter , which Sc^ne4, & A& abfurd irrationall , unchriftian>if not inhumane geftures » scc^Sam. and actions, more fit for skittifh goates then men,or fo- 21. ij ' I4, \^ ber Chriftians,if grave men, if reafon or religion may Pro^rf. i8,i^# be judges,are tntruth naught elfe but the vety(n)extre- Ecc^*-a.i2 c. mitie of fslly, of vanity ,if not of 'Brdlam frenzy. ¥or what 7^l *,c*9*3*c*10 greater evidences can there be of vanity^ foily.or fren- 0 SeVivtr Stubs zy.then to fee a wife man afl the foolesor clownes ; a '»* Anatomie fober man the drunkards, bedlams, wantons, fantai-ofabufesP-Ioy ftiques -.a patient man.the furies.murtherers.ty rants &c. . G-fa'srefllta* t n t_ n J • i_ n j 1 tIon of Apolos a chart man the Sodomites,whorcmaiters,adu!terer,a- a,cfor A&ors duitrefles, whores bauds or Panders $ an honefr. man p. 56. 77. Or! the theefs or cheatcrs*,yeaa reafonable man the horfes, Reynolds Oer Beares, Apes, Lyons, &c. or a male the womans part* 'krow of Stage What more abfurd, then to behold a bafe notorious ^Iq^I'^ Rogue reprefenting not only the perfon'ofa Maicftrate minifter,Peere, Knight, &c. but even the Maieftie, Pompe 878 Htftrio-Majiix. Part.*.1 fEccKio.*,7- Pompe State,office,ofthegreateft Monarchjthe vanity Vrov. jo.x 1 ♦ that Salomon reprehended long agoe : when he (p)fo* Be : 1 9. i o. ^ « ^ inoTeM dignity -When he beheld Servants to ride PfaUf.Tora.S ** horfes, and Princes walking asfervants oh the earth. pars i,68. rSee Or what can be more impious or prophane, then to be here p«77.8&. hold aChriftian who beares the image of God, of 89/rertull. De Cfirift ingraven on his Soule,c#*#.r fignnm fe infronte Philo Iudseus ?"*"■' ajferit, et de cordeperdidity as (q) St. Atiguftine dc Dccalogo 1, ipeakes Jto afl the part,the perion ,to put on the habit, and all con- the Image of a pagan,an ldo\,(r)yea a heathen^Godand menrators on Goddcjfe on the Staa e , the very recitaU of 'whofe names , man^menTa™" whofc ™es3thever^ making of whofe imagesjs groffe I- coTdinal.y with d-olatry , condemned by theexprejfe letter of the fecond ourowne ho- commandement i and (f) infinite other Scripture , as all milies againft Chiiftian writers iointly witneffe. Certaineiy if the the perill ofi* Scriptures be (6 rigid, as to prohibit, (t) all idle wanton c Z*aI\ * /C f°°hfi words ; all nnfeemely geftnres, and lafciuioHS mo- Deatr 7. j. 2 "*w/ */ ™e body : («)^ the pride the lof tines of the conn- King. 10,26. tenance,the(x)amorous glances of the eye > /£* walking c.i i.f8. c. x8. with ftr etched out neches and wanton ejes3the mincing, rhron * -14" * **^ tinckling of thefeete &c. commanding Chriftians 7. flolmiu (*) t0 fHt away VAnitie f°ty An^ madnes.with a!l{a)unr 1 Mm\\,\%.i6. (eemely things ; and confineingthem(£jr0£rrfwi>/».4.xIob 0f flMl,eft moment the ( jr) gravitieofChrift&Chri. 37, Mat. <. 28 7"**!/ being ftich informer time that they were never fee* 19. 2 Pet.2. 1 4. ?0 laagh Jeldome to (mile much lejfe to ufe any light dif- Prov.6 12. i ?. honefl geflures3or play any wanton Chtldifh prank* ^ as a- y Hay $.16. #ors Joe:) we cannot but from thence conclude,that it 7^1014 * condcmns t^cfe wanton poftures, Complements^dalli- PfaL'4 x. Pfal. ances,motions,& reprefentations, that alwayes attend 11937* &c!ef» the acling of Playes; which in their very beft acception 9.9. cio. 10 c. (h) are vanity & the appearance of evili if not impiety nr\7,c'I0;u0 and finne ic fc& 3 & fo vnlawfuli unto Chriftians. phcC 5«^0.9.*. lCor.if.i3,T4« c.M,f.£TiriM,2l, iTim.».Q.iaPhiJ.4.8.Eph 4.i.Eph.Y.7.^i7.Rom.i5.2Phi!.!.27.f iTim.2.9.io.Ifay.2.i8.to29.Dcut.2i.^ Zeph. !. J. 1 Pet. j.?>4. «/ 1 Cor. 1 1.4.10 1 6. iTiiYT.2.9, J Pet/i.j. See my unloveline* ofLovclocks.rEph-4, 19.51^.13,4 P^gp.i.PC 9 14 /Gen.6\j.ProtM 2,5.0. iy. 26tIer.4,i,5Hercp.294.402^4O3.^Hercp.ii7.toiii< The Part. z. Hisirio-Maftix. S79 The fourth is the appareli wherein Playes are a&ed ; * 4 in which two things are cenfiderable, which make the acting of Piayes unlawfull : Firft, the abufe ; Secondly, the exceffivegawdinefie, amoroufneiTejand fantaftique ftrangeneffe 0? theatrical! appareli. For the flrft of thefe ; not to infift upon this partial- I Iar,that infamous fordid Aclors oft ufurpe the habits of * cJWi^^r^Magiftrates, Gentlemen, Citizens, and o- * See here, pan- thers • yea, the robes of Emperours, Princes, Nobles, S96-6$*,w* Bifhops, Iudges,and thofe whofe parts they aft, which ^Xlfti^ a are no waies fuitable to their condition or profefTion ; part jn Bi- Ifhall onely pitch upon this one particular abufe, of rtiops, Mink- mens acting female parts in womens appareli and haire fters*or&eU- in Enterludes ; Vbi alius foccls obauratvs, indutusfe- S1CHIS Pcrron* ficavefie, mmdotfe pretiofo, & adtextis capite crinibus, ^m^ llnqh*- incejfuperfluo f&minam mentitur ; as k zApuleiw expref- cruc'm,DevitA feth it. Which praclife is diametrahy contrary to&Hmftm ^Deut. 22.5. The woman fballnot we are that which pertai- Ecclefiafticorum, nethtoa man^neither JhaH a man put on awomans^ar 'merit ; j^w'12, ^ z*' for all that doe [0, are an abomination to the Lord thy God* ^{zoiV^ix Which Scripture, as it condemnes womens cutting 0/^.181. their haire like men {as HRabanus LMaurus, Nicholaus deLyra, Hugo Cardinalis , Junius , and fundry other l Ac^ f -Scene 1 forequoted Sxpoptors on this text aifirme, who couple _\. . it With the 1 Cor.u.qao 16.) together with their scotus.l^.^- cloathing of themfelves in mans array:(amannifa who- tas.^ An 854, rifh praclife, of which m Tope J one, a notable flrumpet ; Col. 1 5 a«Mai> n Theodora, ° a Roman Matron,who waited on Stephanio tini p°l^ni the Player, in cut haire, and mans appareli, as his? age ; a^^c"!*" * Tecla, a famous Virgin, Qua pro Paulo qu&rendotonfn- jj2.Papa.109. ram& virUemhabitumfufcepit) (even againlt S. Pauls Polychroni- conl j.cgo. fol.i*4.Caxtoris Chronicle, part f.Anno 88j.VoIateranus Commentar.hb.it, fol. iz8. Balasus De Rom*norum Pontificum Ac~Hs. lib. '4. psg. 1 if. with others here quoted, pag. 18?. n Niccphorus CaliiftusEcclefiaftic.Hiftor. Iibj7*cap«5» Centuriae Magdeburg. 6. Col. 349. 8©8. ° Snetonij Oftavius fed* 41- * VkI1- centij Speculum Hiftoriale. lib. ^. cap. 48. Antonini*Chronicon. p3rs i.Tit.tf.cap, iS.feft U fol. 1 57. V v v v v profefled 880 Hifltio-Maftix. Part.*: * Vincenrij profeffed do&rine, I Cor* II. 5, 6> i^.Jandfo rep aired ftorC?lum' H1" thm difgHif€^ t0 his lg^ging , to bee inftrutted by him. 1 1 5I1 1 °6 fol' * Eugeni* a female Rotmfh Saint, wh§ did cut herhaire, ii9. ' and cloath her [elf e tn mans appartll, andfo went dif guided * Vincenrij to the LMonaftery of Saint Helenus the Bijhop, whether Spcculnm. Hi- no ntoman might have excejfe, where fhee entred into Reli- 7°K76**'7Az g'"*' and lived many yeeres m mans appareHli^e aMonke, Sec lib! ^7'cL.* andwas at lafir eletted sAbbot of that CMonafiery, which 2 9. the like office Jhe managed with great humility like a man, as aR re- example of fitted her. * Marina, and Eufrofina, whopollcd their heads, Metenia. and put on mans apparell, and then entred into Monafleries , i^kio^zzo*' where they lived and dted profejfed monkjjh Votaries, (or 204. & Agrip- rather difguifed proftituted Strumpets to their chafl pack Vanitace fellow Monkes) as * fundry others have done of latter Scientiarum. times* Gundo,zn infamous Virago, Qua comam capitis in* £ aP 3 ♦ . fcidit,& contra Dei iura viriliafumpfit indumenta^armifc^ SpecuUim^Ki- accinUajsaculo^ innixA :": and thus art yred,reforted to the ftoUib.xi.cap. Monafiery 0/S.Karilcphus,W?0 avoyded the fight ofaRwo- 44* men;But nofooner was (he entred intothe inward parts of the f See Vincen- Abbathie, but fhe was prefentlyflrucke blinde in both her H fto* 1 7 b f/f/* MdpoJfeJfediPitk a Devi 11, vomiting up bloodih a hor- if eap 7 4, to * rid manner, for this her unnatur all bold attempt : with di- 8 o'. Socrates vers other %omifl? P female Votaries, who have polled their Schohft. Ec- heads, and entred into Monafleries as prof e fed Monies, in clefiaft.Hiftor. wanJ apparell,thc better to fat iate their owne andother un- an CaufjJ? i"" c^afie Monies lufts, have beene notorioufly guilty. Qu*ft.i.£*4* W ritnettc Cornelius Agrippa, who writes thus of thefe b.dc here,p.i84 chafte Virgin Nonnes and Monkes : 1 £uin & plurim l0 1 > z ° 4j monialium & vefiarum & beguinarum domus * private * DeVanit.Scient,c.^5.*Reflantnttncfol3e moniaIes3&c.Dchisaute pluradicerc (& fi plura,qu£ dici pofTint fuppeteban^vermindiaprohibet/ienonde caetu virgi- num Dcodicataru fedmagisde Iupananbus,dedolis & procacia mcretricum,de ftju- pris & inceftuofis operibus dandum fermonem, prolix e trahamus* Nam qtiid,obfe- cro,aliud funt hoc tempore puellaru mona(leria3nifi quaedam non dico Dei fanc"tu.i- ita/ed veneris exccrandaproftibula-' Sedlafcivoru & impudicorum juvenii adli- feidines e«plcndas receptacula,ut idem hodie fit pnellam velare* quod & publicc ad fcortandum exponere,&c. T^kclm Dt CltmttngUjit CWtyU Eccltfie Statttjibjq.ii , See tap., ts* qutdam Part.*. Hifitio^^aftix. 88 1 qu&dam meretriculorumfornicesfunt^quas etiam monach&s & religiofos (ne diffametur eorum caftitas) nonnunquam fab monachali cuculla, ac virili velle in monafterijs aluiffe fcimus,&c. Habent eritm facer dotes ymonacki,fraterculi, monthlies, & quas vocant forores jpecialem lenociniorum pr&rogattvam, quum His religionis pr qui traditi in reprobum fenfuntfaciuntqux non conveniunt. Quae enim in occulto Hunt ab Epifcopis turpe eft dicere. Melius itaq; arbitror fuper hoc diffimulare & fuperfedere3quam aliquid, unde fcandaliientur innocentes & in- cxperti dicere. Scd ego cut ycrecundor dicerej quod ipfi non verecundamur facere ? Vvvvv 2 vers 88i HiftrioSMaflix. Part.2. irao quod A- vers other Popifi and Protectant Authors, I wifh our poftolus non Romifh Catholikcs, who glory of the chaftity of thefe fcXre&Trr3e-thdrgoati(h Votaries,would confider.) So it iikewife dicarc Djcit reprehends mens nourishing of their haire like wo- autem egregius men, and their putting on of womens attire, (though ic predicator : Sic be but now and then.) as an abomination to the Lord : imfcuhin mif. ^n anc^ tne weari1]g or% l°ng haire fhould make men tes,& mercede abominable unco God himfelfe. fince k w as an abomi- fui en oris re- nation even among Heathen men : Witnefle, not oncly cipicnces. Fra- the xforequoted examples of Heliogabalus, Sardanapalus, infiS>fnU-fUin Nero '' S?orm> iCaiu* Caligula, and others: together me coei?ifhs° w*tn c Commodm and ■ Anr.arm the effeminate governor BirriArcL Scrmo ofBabilon, (all great Sodomites and Adulterers:) whofe aipaftorcs hi Sy going clad fometimes in womans apparell (for none of nodo Rhcmtnji. them went conftantly in that array, fome of them one- M 1 1 7< [y once or twicc)^ hath made them for ever execrable to 100,208 loo' *ttp°forityy'mibmuch that * zs£lius Lampridius writes nc^ or Commodus, (qui clava nonfolum hones invefte mu- 1 See Suidas liebri, fed etiam multos homines ajflixit) Quod tanta im- Caius,p. 195. pudenti* fuit, ut cum muliebri vefle in lAmphitheatro & fario f«r'cTene" Theatro fcdem tublieh fif'tf""' bibertt. And what ao corrcptus ve- cur^ed fruits this effeminacy of his produced, the fame ftes muliebres Author witnefleth ; Necirruentiuminfe iuvennmcarc- induebat Cai- bat infamia^omni parte corporis at que ore in fexun%utr urn- us ,& coir.am que po Hut us. It is ftoried of z Ortygesthe Tyrant of £ry- p icjs qui bui- tjQYe m£ ^ companions, £ui legibusfolutis res admimftra- & faeminas * bant civitatis \ that they grew to that height of erTe- imitaado, & minacy : Quod per hyemem muliebribus calceis induti omnia flnpitia ambulabant, comas nutriebant , nod'tque capillorum erant e%Jrtrf " ftudtofi,(\tt our Ruffianly Love-Iocke wearers marke t?.1}.^- itO caput pttrpureis cotoneifque dtadematibus convolven- pridij Cora- '. r . r r p modus.o2°.8Qt tes» Habebani etiam muxaum muliebrem totum aureum, oi4 ficnt habere famine canfuiverunt ; which made them fo "Athenaius abominable to the people, that Hippotes the brother of Dipnof.Ui.c. r r rr xfp.848. * CommodusAntonmus.p^a.oi. T Pag. 86, * Athenaeus Dlpnof, Iib^,cap,6.pag.42x.4H« Cnopus Parti. Hiftrio-JMaflix. 883 Cnapus invadedthem -with an army, anAflue them* The a Samians are taxed for effeminacy by Duris and Athena?- * Dipnofoph. US,Q**^ circa brack ia ornatum mulicbremgeflare confue- i*1 ^c.p.p<8 $x. verant, at que cum Junomum celebrarent comas pexas ha- bentes,atque in tergum reieEtas incedebantJSic il/ipexiju- nonistemplapetebant Aurea C&faream contort am vinculo, nettunt: and the Sybarites are taxed for the feifefame crime; hQuod eft et'mm apud cos confuetudo, tit puerib Athenaeus ad impuberem ufque etatem purpuram, capillorumque no- ^ipnof. lib. 1 2, dos auro rcvinttos pe(lant.cPaufanias writes ofLeuffppus, "P;6*P 8 1 *• i j • 11 J i / ■ -l-uilanise Who went clad in womans appare 11, and wore long effemt- Arcadica I 8 note haire like a woman, confecrated to Alpheus, the bet- p. 2 r 4. Alekit ter to circumvent the chaftity of a Virgin whom he loved; adokfcens Al- that he was Jlaine by Daphne and her Nymph es, who difco- pheo co.nam, vered him to be a male in womans attire, as he was bathing cam cum' among them:io deteftable was this his lewdnes to them, ™orel"oIencS Yea,tuch was the detcftation of this effeminate unnatu- relight, in rail odious pra&ife of mens putting on womens appa-muiiebri vcftc rell3even among Ethnickes ; that the ^Lycians when they acl D^phnen chanced to mourne,did nfually put on a womans varment, f ut y!mt> flIia^ *e aeronnitate cultus common, watu-?*usJt#ltumproyceremu\mStQum mwdorus Siculus informes us ; is much applauded for * "^fv^ enacting this law among the Thurians^ that whereas o- oilmen a- ther Lawmakers made it capttall for any man to fo? fake mo ie de^inxit his colours in the warres,or to refufe to beare armes for the &c« defence of his Country, he contrariwife enatted ; that fuch d Valerias mends thefe,fhould fit three day es together in the market 7t^^tti4 place , clothed in womans appare IL Which Confiitutwn pig". 66* ffaith Diodorus) as it exceeds the I awes of other places* Bibl. Hifxor. in mildneffe ; fo it dothfecretfy deterrefuch cowardly per- hb.u. fed. 1 6. fons from their effeminate cowardice, (probri magnitudi- PA§-4*°' $ee nt) with the greatneffe of the reproachfullfhame, Siqui- ** dem mortem oppetere longe prtftat, cjuam tantum igno- miniae- dedecus inpatria experiri : For it isfarre better Vvvvv 3 for 884 Hiflrio-Maftix. Part.1 for a man to be ft 'awe , then t$ undergoefo great an ign&min) J and frame m his owne Country. The wearing of wo- mans appareli, even for a little fpace in thefe Pagans judgements being fo fliamefiil,fb execrable a thing,that a man were better to bee put to death, then to pi t on fuch array; with which l/ffcanius doth thus upbraide the Troiawes. f Virgil.^- i Vobis pitta croco, &fulgenti murine vefles : neidos .lib.?. T>eJldU cordi : iuvat indulgere chords : P3©-? l >• £t tunic a manicas, & habent ridimicul* mitryndamazubi affuetts biforum dat tibia cantum, Tympana vos buxufy vac at Berecynthia matris Idea : finite arma viris & cediteferro. -.- p t Nothing being more abominable even among Hea- vertSs javenes tfcens then effeminacy in I long, compt, frilled haire, utfxmina and wcrnanifh apparelf,as theie examples, and *» Afaf- com$ti.Qmque f£i&y'egipu,De Educatione Puerorum. lib. 5. cap. 4. and fhas ponuntin Ac! 5. Scene 6\ abundantly teftifie : on which you may GvidlT^tT rcfied- irthcn tic putting on of womans apparell were /smandij.s-pag. fo abominable to Pagans, no marvel! is it if this text 205. * of Deuteronomy ftiles it an abomination to the Lord feBibl.Patrum. our God ; the grounds and reaibns of which, as I have Tom,i5.p/88i. zx.'\ large infi fled oxi before, fo I fhall briefly touch upon * Aft *S ene t^lcm now in k Gulielmus Parifienfis his words. Caufa 6. pa*. 19 z. to vero prohibitionis, ne vir utatur vefte famine a, vel c con- 114. verfo>multafuere. Primo,fuit congruent ta ipfim natura, kDc Legibus. videlicet, ut quod natura fexu difcreverat,difcerncret & lH>,c.i$.pag. veflitus. Secundo3ut oportunitat f auferreturturphudinum * SccA°rippa 1***6 flu ;poJfet e nim * intrarevirad mulierem fub habitu Dc Vanicate rnuliebris(jr e converfo mulier fub habitu virili, (as the Scient.cap.6$. examples of l sAchi lies, who by putting on womans appa- ^4.Tertullian reU deflouredDddzmia. King Lycomedes Daughter; of SummzAnoll " c*oiiw> who hth" ">ilc a^ufed Pompcia, lulius Car. lica.Tit.Ornatus.feft. f.Summa Rofeila.Tit.F#mina.accordingly.& here,pag.xo8« to 214. J Statius Achillcid.1.1, & Dj^ain&lds Overthrow of Stagt-playcs.p.ij. to 87. £ Suetonij lulius. feft.74. fars Part.x. Hiftrio-Maflix. 885 fars wife; and of* Leucippus,^* by this ftratagem fought n Paufanias toravijh Daphne, with ° other examples of worsen r/*3/«Arc:iciica^8 £- mans appar elite fatiatethe iufts af others, witneiTc :) Ab-*Y£ . lata eft igitur per hanc difcretionem veftitus, mnlta oppor- isiVs'j.Vocl.' tunitasflagittj. Tertia, exterminatiofacrorum. P -^r/^thervvichtfie (£* Veneris : in facris n. Mart is, nanfolum virili veftittte**mpksoE *j veftiebantur mulieres,fed etiam armabantur,ut in ipfis ve- Sard*n*pduu ftimemis bellicis, id eftarmisyipfum tanquamDcum belli &T^r0}Iiciw^' victor i n 1 lit r rr • . vvhoredomes tn veftibus multebrwm Jatra veneris exercentes, propter and adulteries. huiufmadi facrtlegos rttm Venerife placer e cr.edemes atfe beina thus at- cju&rentes. Quart a can fa eft, 4 ut occafo magna prov oca- tired in wo- tioni libidinis auferretur: magna enim eft provocatio libi- mans apparell. dinisvirts veftitus muliebris,& e converfo : (how much ee f/e*Pa& more then when amorous wanton parts are acted in dmoly. it?) & hoc eft quoniam veftis muliehris viro circundata, q See herc,pag. vehementerrefricatmemoriam,& commovet imaginatio- xo%.%o^, zio« hemmulieris, &e converfo: alibi autem didiciftts, quia ?^D ' .RanMs imavinatiorei defiderabilis commovet defiderium.Quinta „ /errnJ0W ° 4 r r J r . c ■ J ., ^ ... Stage-playes. caufa, xut auferretur occajto malepctj quibus gentes ilUp ij.toij.pi refertiffimdt erant, & in ijs nutrit14>$i* decepti applJcatione veftiummuliebrium,maxime in facris Veneris,coniungi fibi ac conciliari amor e fort iffimo cor da mulierum,prepter quas hocfacerent,velqueut. lib. 1 . c. I 3 .fol. 221. Joannis fVolphius in 'DeutAib.ySermo. 52-/0/. 114. Dionyfius Carthufianus in *D em. 22. j mol.qj9. Hugo Cardmalis in7)eut. 72. Pe- trus Bert onus. Tropologiarum. lib.^. in cDeut. eap.it.fol. 47. Conradus P elhcanus in Dem. iz.v. 5. Lucas Ofian- der in *D eut. 22. verf.'$. 7 0 fiat us <*Abulen[is in Deut.2 2. Quafi. 2. Tom. 3. pars 2. p. 199. B.C. Procopius, Leonar- dus Marius,& Cornelius a Lapide in Deut.22. verf.$. Erafmus Marbachius. Comment, in 7) eut. 22. pag. 217. 218 Joannis Aiariana.Scholia in Deut.2 2 . vcrfc. p, 9*9, Taulus Fagius Annotations Paraph. Onkeli Chald. in cDeut. Franc 1 feus Junius Analyfis in D eut. 22. v. 5. Ope- rum Geneva. \6i7>.Tom.^.CoL^']2. 575. (who makes f Eft prxecptu this text: of Deuteronomy, a f Precept of honefty ,twt foun- honeftatisnon ded in the Ceremoniall or Politicall law, but in the very m cereinonia, [aw of nature , as doe all other Orthodox Writers :) toge~ nonincivili ^ct wjtj1 Maphdtus Vegius, De Educatione Puerorum. co CUinJmu- t-lb.%.c.\. Bibl.Patfum. Tom. 1 5. pag. 882. Angelus De ra ipfo funda- Clavafio, Summa Angelica. Tit.Omatus.fett, <$*Jaco~ ta.l bidem. bus De Grafftjs Defcitionum Aurearum. pars 2 . /. 3 .c. 26. C0I.s71.See y^#. ^ Hypmus "De Ferijs Bacchanalibus lib. Joannis here.pag.i.j : 1. Lar>jhecmcjUs jye Yita & Honefiate Ecclefiafticorum. 2 n.oc Doctor ... <=> ~ •"* T • m n Kaiwlds Over- l>b.2.cap.2\.22. pag 3 19. 3 2I. J. G. his Refutation of throw of ?£i?j abfoiutely condemned, even from this very text, not l*J , Z^'2C onety mens conflant wearing, but likewife their very putting x 5ee j^rc, 0H °f tomans apparell (efpecially to all an effeminate amo- Aft ? , Scene 6. rous womans part upon the Stage) as an abominable, unna- tural!, jhame full, dijhonefi, unchafte, unmanly wicked all, _ which God and nature both deteft , for the precedent reafons. Yea, fo univerfally execrable hath this pra- clife beene in all ages, that the tXomcell of Bracara, Anno Part. 2,. Hittrio-Maftix. 887 Anno Dom. 610. (asu Juo Carnotcnfs informes us) en- ■ Decree pars aded this particular Canon againft mens acling °? lcl'c^'°£S^ Piayesin womens, or womens afting or mafquing in "J^JioJi" mens apparell : 5# £#/* balationes ante Scclefias fanfto- to the like pur- raw, /?# quifaciemfuam tranfmutaverit in habitu mulie- pofe; briy & mulier in habitu viri, emendatione pollicita, tribtu armis paniteat : and Baptift* Trovomala, difcufling this ~ very queftion ; R Whether it be a mortall finnefera woman i^i^z^xi^ to put on mans, or for a man to weare womans apparell to aft \lx£i Vel joci u- a CMafqtteorPUy ? maketh this reply. Refpondent om- tensrclte viri- nespr&dicatorcs & totus mundus quod fie : all Preachers, ll> vel vlr veftc and the whole world doe anfwer that it is : and for this ™^"£ %g (faith he) they alleage Gmtian ¥>iftinttio. 3 o . cap. Si qua summa RofcB*.* mulier: and 'Deut.iz.j* The reafon why it is a mortall Tit.Famina.foL. finnc is rendred by y iAngelus De Clavafio, becaufe it 114.*!?. is contrary to this text of Deut. 22. 5. and inconvenient T Tertmm for the per Cons who put it on : and by z Alexander Alcn- 4uoclre4lwn- r J \ a- • r / r • • J- nt / tur m ornatu y7/,and a tAqmnas: because it is directly contrary to the eft conveniens decency and virility of nature, and likewife to this textoftiapctConx. Deuteronomy 1 Necpertinet ad hone flat em virivefle mu- I taque mulier liebriindui: utriaue en im Cexui diver Ca indumenta natu- ^^ m\tm \v5* 1 j. + tt / • Ji r • /i- cl 1 1 • lie viriw.vel c ra dedit, * Habet entm & fexus tnlUtutam weciembabi- ~nt„JL nf>r t us (writes Ifiodor Hijpalenps) ut in viris tonfi capi/li, in cat monaiiter, mulier ibpu redundant ia crinium\ quad max imevirginibus quiafacit con- infigne eft,quarum & ornatus ipfepropriefic eft, ut concu- tra praeceptum mulatns in verticem ipfam capitis fui arcem ambitu criniii T>Mt^.i,Sum-* contegat. If then all thefe ieverall Authors, and Coun- ^tt OrmuZfeft. eels, together with Vincentius Belfenfis Speculum Hi- 4 dently cut their haire, or put on mens, or men who ejfe- {[^ Abbot \^minat€b * nourifb their haire, ot yut on womans appa- i^LeSbre reli toad any mummery, Mafque, or Stage-play, or for tjpon lonab. fe&n.pag. J70. 57 x, againft long womanift haixc* any Fart.x. Riftrio-<(Mafiix. 8S9 any fuch like ends ; S that theyfinne againft nature,their s Debet enim fex, their owne falvation , making themfeives not^kuuscon- onely double monfters, but even an abomination to the "f*&^^^ Lord their god, as all the premifes witnefle. And what perfonse & Chriftian, what Mummer, Mafquer, or A6lor is there Co fexus. lacobta defperateiy prodi^all of his owne falvation, as thus to De Graffys. T>t- becomean ^Anathema Maranatha, a perpetual! imfuf-c'^MW* Ama' ferable abomination to his God, by putting on fuch ap- ™W^V^'5 parell for an houre,to acl a Matrons,pej chance a Strum- h \ CoLitS** peis part, which may make him miferable for ail eter- nity ? As therefore this putting on of womans appa- rellisan abomination unto God, fo let it be an execra- ble and accuried thing to us ; and fince there is lo much ingenuity left in moftmenfl rather to goe could and naked,yea to expofe their lives to hazard,then thus unnaturally to cloath their nakednelTe, or to walke a- broad in womans veftments ; let there not bee hence- forth fo much impudency in any Adors, Mummers, Mafquer?, as to appeare publikely in feminine habits, or attires on the Stage, rather then to foregoe their laf- . g- ^..6 .ft civious fmfull Playes and Enterludes>which (it l S.A&- pfai^^Tom, guftine, or * others may be credited,) are the very broad '8. pars r.p.414. way, -which leades men downe to Hell andendlejfe death, in \ 1 *. •which many multitudes daily walke and [fort themfelves. * D.ffomw, Jfliali therefore clofe up this particular(which ^^^-Lateandn^.' nolds hath at large difcujfed, and I 1 myfelfe more cepioujly ^ow vvay.cap.7 infifiedon in the foregoing fart) with the Commentary of? a^.70. rn Erafmus (JWarbachius on this text of Deuteronomy. * Overthrow Diflinxit Deus in creattone virum amuliere,utforma cor- °f Snt>Qm ports, it a quo a. officio: * hanc dtftinttionem vult D eus\^l%¥$? \ ^ conjervari,& neutrum Jexumhabitu & vejtttu in alium1est fe transformare,nec qua alter iusfunt u fur fare. Lftfulieris * ACT: ?. Scmt eflfuo veftituindui, & colum ac lanam traUare, dome ft i- ^-pag-i78. to 21$. rt Argpntorati.r5Q7.p. 117, 218. * See RHabanus Maurus In Deut. lib. z, cap, i9,Tom. 2. Upcrum, pag 457, Alexander Aleniis Summa Theologian, pare 2, Quxft r 5 j. memb.2. pag. 617, 6. 18. & Maphcus Vegius, De Educatione PUero- lum. Iib.$.cap.4, accordingly. Xxxx x 2 clique 890 hUftrio-SMaflix. Part.*. c&quereicuramagcre. Virieft,[uis quofc veftibns indttt, 0- cjxaforis & reipub. enrage, &c, Trohibcntur itafe hac lege Iarv * D$ Nugis retricius mtor,hiftrionicus habitus f Hence c John S4- CunaliuUfi. rishery our Countri-man ufeth this expreflion incen- c.i j.Bibl.Pa- furina the effeminate compt fantaftique Gallants of his trum, 1 orxi.2 S* . .1 . . / -a ■ 1 i- 1 0,3 8 4 Ba *^\mcYmmviammeretrwhtftrmtshmt*m* And heacc Part, z • Hiflrio-SWaftix. 89 1 hence our learned u Walter Haddon, phrafeth Mafle-at- tt Centra Hie^ tire,gawdy Copes,and f ucn like vt&mentSyHiftriMt'cus r°nymu Ofo-^ vefhitus: Which feverall phrafes and expreiTions,with ^* l '3'p3S fundry others to the like purpofe are frequent in moil Greeke and Latine Authors. All which being coupled with 22. Henry 8.^.13. ( which fpeakesof the coiHi- neffe of Players Robes) and with Ad 5. Scene 7. pag. 2 16. to 220. where 1 have more largely demonicrated this particular, will bee a fufficient evidence, of the g-nvdinefle , lafcivioufnefle , and newfanglednefTe of .- Stage apparell, and fo by confequence of * its unlawful- Sce^ee ?^ J^_ nejfetoo. For the ftrange difguifednefle of theacacall din^ly.summa attires, it is moft apparant : For doe not all Aclors, Angelica, & Mummers, Mafquers ufually put on the >* Vizards, [bap es Sumtri>R6feI- andhabits of Iupiter, Mars, Apollo, Mercury, Bacchus, ij-Tlc>°riia- VulcanjSaturne.VenuSjDiana^ep-unejPan^ercSjIuno, y see AA ?. and fpich tike Pagan Idol-gods and Goddeffes :the perjons, Scene 3 .& A3 the reprefentations of Devils, Satyrs, Nymph es,Sylvanesy 5. Scene $.4,. Fayr us, Fates, Furies, Hobgoblins, Mufes, Syrens, Cen- Cyprian Epift. taures, and fuch other Paran Fittions? yea, theiortrai- i! . ,f.L L* j r r r s t> a J A-m tt r remilhan.Dc tures and formes of Lyons, Beares, Apss,<*A\]es, Horjes, soeftac.Iofe- Fifhes, Foules, which in outward appearance metamorphofe phus A'nticm. them into Idols, Devils. Afonflers, Beafts, whole parts iudxoru n.jib, theyrepreient? and can thefedif guilds bee lawful!, be * 5-cap.ir. tolerable among Chriflians ? No verily. For hrfhthe * An^-Iua«- former fort or them, as z Jofephus, a Philo J^^^j^De^Decalo^ b Tertulhan, c with all ancient and mo derne Sxpoftors on lib.pap.103 7? the i,Commande ment witnefTe, are meerely idolatrous ; bDeSpectac. the very d mentioning of the fe Idols names, much more hb.cap.1.1 De then the rtprefentation of their parts, the making and °™xlg «*'r£ c wearing ofthetr Vi^ards,fhapes^ and Images being wholy idoloiatriajib condemned by the Scripture ) which commands Chrtflians <= see herejpag* 89.90. 4 See Act i. & AS 5. Scene 3. pig, 77- e Exod. -?• 4. cap. aj. 24. cap 54. 13, Levit. 16. 1,30. Deut, 7. 5:. cip4 16. 2,2. % Kings 10. 16. csp,i7. 10',, cap. 18 4 4,.cap.i$. 14, 24. zChron.ji.i.cap. 34. $,4,7, ler. 4$ ♦ 1$. cap, 50, j Ezck, 6,4,6. iIoh,j,*i. Xxxxx 3 ** 8^i Hiftrio-Maftix. Part.i. 1 1 Cor.io.7,t4. to 'foe all Idolatry ,and not to come nccre it,left it (hould PropiLTca da- infect them.Stcondiy, there is no warrant at all in Scrip- mar Apoftolus, turc for any fuch Stage-difguifcs,but very good ground J?SL a" asainft them. Forfirftic I condemns mens difq-uifina of mam, omnem f r , , ., . t ,- i& ' ucjq. & totam thcmjelves like women, am womens wctamorpkojing them- &c.Longum [elves intomen either in haire, apparell, offices, or conditi- cnim divortiu ons : how much more then mens transfiguring of them- Tol urr mrd°i ielves into the lliaPes of Idols,Dcvils,MuiiUei S,Bealls, lo pmxtm^a" &c# betweene which and man there is no Analogic or izenduiru Draco proportion^ is betweene men and women. Secondly, enim tcrrcnu's it enjoyncs mc.i and women, h to attire themselves in dclonginquo mode ft, decent, and hone ft apparell, [unable to their [exes non minus fpi- and degrees, as becommeth thofe who profcjfe godlinejfe : litcs! Ioannes" ^uc ^uc^ Viiards and difguifes as thde, are neither Fiholi, inquit^ modeft , decent , honeft, nor yet fuitable to their hu- caftodite vos man nature. .Thirdly, it requires them, i to abandon all ab Idolis : non wanton, ftrange,la[civ'ious,vaine,fantaftique dre[fesyfaft?i- lat: 1Cl°r°"K 09ts* veflments : much more then fuch habits,fuch dif- officLlbd ab° guilesasthefe, which are both inhuman, beftiall, and idolis/id eft ab Diabolical!. Fourthly, it commands men, k not to bee effigie eorum. like to Hor[e and Mule, which have no under/landing : TertuU De Cm* therefore not to act their parts, or to put on their skins namUtisj.$. or ]ikeaeffe. it was Gods heavy Iudgement upon King i Cor iVl t l Nebuchadnezzar, that he was driven from men, and did 26 See Aft'?, eate graffe as Oxen^and that his body was wet with the Scene 6.8c here dew of Heaven, till his haires were growne like Sagles fea- pag. 879, &c. thers, and his nailes like Birds clawes : yea, it is mans 1 Tim. a 9> greatefj- mifery, m that being in honour he became like to i°Dcut!»i .'£'*" the b eafts that per ifh : And muft it not then bee mans Ifay $. 18/19, finne and fhame to act a Beaft , or beare his image, 20.Zeph.i,8. n with which he hath no prof onion? What is this but to Pf*fScene 7 ' him[elfehathftamped ok us, to ftrip our lelves of all our Prov. 7.10. See obliterate that moft ° glorious Imaae which God Aft j.Scene - 1 Dan.4.2j 2! excellency, and to prove worfe then bruits ? Certaine- 1X1 Pfrl.49.i2>io.n Pronaqjcumfpe&antjmirnaliacseteraterram: Oshomini fub- Iimededit,cadumq5 v;dere jufTitj& ercftos adfidera tollere vuh\3S.Ovid.MetaWffr[b4 lib.i.CiccreDc?fyMa.Dsorm,lib.i.3* ° Gcn.i>z6,i7,cap.j.i,cap.^ ly, Part.x. Hiftrio-Maflix. 895 ly, that God who ? prohibits, the making of the likenejfe p Deac. 4.10, of any beafi, or fjh, orfowle, or creeping thing, whether17*1 ^^- male or female, to expreffe or repretent his owne like- nefle; condemningthe idolatrous Gentiles, ^for changing qRom.r.2g. the glory of the uncorruptible Cjod into an image made like Pfal.io6,2o. to corruptible man, and to birds, and foure footed beafts, and creeping things • r with which he hath nofimditude or r Ity 4°. * s« proportion ; mutt certainely condemne the putting on of A&S17^9* inch bruitifh Vizards, the changing of the glory, the fhape of reaibnable men, into the likenefle of unreafo- nable beafts and creatures, to acl: a beaftiall part inalaf- 1 ";c 2"?:i?"e* t. ., rr, . \ . 7.i3«Matth4j. civious Enterlude. rirtly, it enjoy nes men,r not to alter ^$ c s z6 pro that forme which Cjod hath given them by adding or de- 12..18. trailing fromhis work? \ not to remove the bounds that he f* Cor,7.24.c, hath fet them-, but to { abide in that condition wherein hell*SmV? l6'n hath placed them: Vpon which grounds, as thec Fa- HabmTvirtii- thers and others aptly cenfure face-p aiming, Perewigs, num. Temil. vaine fafhions,difguifes and attires, together with the en- De CultuFae- chroachments ofonefex upon the habits, offices, or duties of 'minirum.Cie- the other-, fo I may likewifc condemne theie Piay-houie pC^A}qx^ Vizards, veftments, images and difguilcs, which du- j^L^iazian- ring their ufage in ouuvard appearance offer a kinde of Zen adm-fus violence to Gods owne Image and mens humane Mujieres am- fhapes, metarnorphoiing them into thofe idolatrous, bhiofiHs-fefe thofe bruitilli formes,in which God never made them. °rnan^s °- ~. , • r 1 • • j n - rati 3. Alexan- Sixtly? it cenfures mens degenerating into beafts, or jerAlcnfis. Devils, either in their mindes or maimers, he it but for SutnmaTheo- afeafon; as the nmargt nail Scriptures witneffe; there- l°gi^p-irs 4. fore it cannot approve of thefe theatricail, beftiall,and Qi*ft#n.Ar- AizboXicdl* transfigurations of their bodies; which are AnacuTfic'1 inconfiftent with the y rules of piety, gravity, honeft y, Sumoia-Rofcl- modefly, civility, right reafon, and expedience, by which all la.Tit.Oma- Chriftians attions fhonld be r emulated. Seventhly, it in- tus : See my Vnloyelineffs of Lovelockes.pag. 2,&c and here. Aft ?. Scene 5.^,7. » PfaU ?2. 9* Pfal.49.11, ao.i Pec. 2. az.Rev«i2.i y.Pifaf.^x.S . Pfal.94,8. Pni.75.2a. « See Dan, 4. 33. Rom, 9, 7,8,9. y Pfak4. 8. 1 Tim.2, 95 to, Tiuis 2, i53, 4^ j3^iv. 1 Cor, II. 13. formes 8p4 Hiftrio-Maftix. Part.- » i Sam. ii ,i i formes us, that even z Achifh King ofCath, a meerc Pa- 1 +>J M gan Idolater, when £r pw David *?#/'#£ ^ niadman be- forehim, and feimnghimfelfe diflrabled, fcrabling on the doores of the gate, and letting the jpittle fall downe upon his beard; faid thus unto his ferv ants • Loeyoufeethe man is mad: wherefore then have yee brought him to meef Have I need of mad-men,that yee have brought this feU low to play the mad-man tn my pre fence ? fhall this fellow come into my houfe? If then this Heathen King was (6 impatient to {zteZ>avid act the Bedlam in his prefence, even in his ordinary apparell,that he would not fuffer him to ftay within his Palace; how much more impa- tient (hould all Chriffcian Princes and Magiftrates be of beholding Chriftians a&ing, not onely Mad mens, but even Devils, Idols, Furies, Monfters, beafts, and fence- leiTe creatures parts upon the Stage in fuch prodigious deformed habits and difguifes,as are unfmtable to their humanity, their Chriftianity, gravity, fobriety; be- wraying nought eife but the very vanity , folly , and bruitifhfrenfie of the'r diftempered mindes ? Certaine- ly thofe who readily cenfure and deteft fuch habits, fuch reprefentations in all other places mud needs con- * See A&6. demne them in the Piay-hcufe, whofe a execrable infa- ^{CnvV s'& moHS Iwdnejfc may happily make them more urriaw- De Thlacro! faU> never commendable or fit for Chriftians. Laftly, kki.c. 50.51. thefe theatrical! habits, vizards, and difguifes have beene evermore abominated,condemned by theChurch and Saints of God : as namely, by the Iewifli Church and Nation : who, as they never admitted nor erected any Images or Pictures of God, ofChrifi, or Saints within their mcdiaaHtieroln Temfle> as h Hecauus sAbderita, 'Cornelius Tacitus, folyma quadroporticus, &c. Simulachrum vero aut aliquod anathema ibi nequa- quameft. Aptd lofefium* Contra *4pioncm. lib. 1 . pag, 8 3$ . « ^gyptij plarraque animalia effigiefque corcpofitas venerantur* Iudsi mente Tola unumque numen intelhgunt. Protanos qui nideum imagines mortalibus materijs in fpecics homi- num emngant. Suramum illud atque aeternum,neque murabile,nrque inrerirurum,, Igituf nulla fimulachra uibibus fuis, neque temphs, Non regibus h«c adulatio, non Cxfaribus honor. lf#w.tffr.^.i.iWfrW*« d Dion ™nrf^^ accounting it a hainous/inne S contrary to the ex-pretT* fomirdiquis- vordsofthefecond Commander, tapai„t or mJe £ hommibus ob future a»j Image of god; became the h /TO//#/, ;„™< tmen/> cural'Js fruJl God, (whom nomanhath Ceene at am JZ J "buS "^ fee •/>,**,.**. ~L j rJ eat any time, noreaavux quotidia- * rJntt>de' "," Fopnion,) eMMt be expreffed fertlm 1™* b}**j vfibleJhapeorUkenejre whatsoever, (hislmLebe- mU£n ?"- >Kgo»elj{ftritHalla»d ^.nvifible Uke himfe/fe ) £ not "* : D,'sJolunt: ondy the « ^„,,, but even - ^ and -^ Z Et Turn quoqjtemporis nullum Hierofolymis nmulacromextabat-n,W° "J?""",' lum Deum meffabilenvnvifibilemq; eaiftimantes s^ / » fiT« ThT * propatmdepra:catuspoitremaspro Templo KKtSu'w n , " Oomine.jam indeab .nicio nullam nnquTm adm fi/ manufaftam "ffi ■m,,,0,n Cr' Deodom.cihum: piSorumeuun & ftaLrion,™ o^rlt^Tncf^^ t imagines: .llumauteminvifibikmpinacreaut fince£ Le j lenGb,llum„ D<:°«™ res. Non G«cus.r.on Barbaras non R~« S a * a,uxcrBnt "oft" majo- ftdtt^non bellum nonca; ' " L „on afta "^nTn 5?" "' g***— 5 "<><« c[ademmt»!,t8Utco>ntr.n SS^&SS,* ""J™ «»«"» io59. f G^cisuaqj&ahpquibufdambonumeffecrediturimaJm^in^ Deniq: &patrum>& uxonimdioriimqjI^ajdepin^sliS^n^ "*"• etiam mhil f.bi comperentmm fumunc inWmes, &c Porro au «£W " quafi prophetMs Romanorum potemiam non Wrand^m "5 tan 8 "' f" ncq; Deo neq; hominitas ucilem defpiciens,& quon am toTiusani^? F?** eis Dei inanimati, probatur hoc infer.us intlX? ™ totlus/n"nati, multd ma- tern effe cognofcitur : nihil fimile neque ridenuis ; neque ooffum« fi fn^ Yyyyy forme 896 Hiflrie-Maftix. Partm. 'forme us: Vpon which grounds the Primitive Chri- °Ir.hocn ftiar*s (who had no Images, no Ftttures, no Altars confueftis par- tn their Churches, as ° &c. & ob alia pleraq, non his diffimilia : non modo Deorum templa & Aras & iiimilachra Iiaec averfamur,fed vel ai mortem fi fuerit neceffe promptius veniunt, nc ex aliquoreceffu & impietateprorfusinquinent,quodde Deo omnium conditore optime fentiunt,&c. Celfusigitur haudquaquam prodijs fimulacra haberi ami-mat, Ted dijs dicata : cum plane perfpicuu lit hujufmodi facere & amrmare, hominum effe cuca divinitatem errantium.Sed nc divinae quidem imaginis fimulacra hxc effe duxe- rimus,quippe qui Deiuc invifibilis ita & incorporei formamnullam efngiamus,&c. C0nt.Celfum.L7 f 96.97 .See 9 i,9x.Celfus & Aras & fimulacra & delubra nos ait de- fugere quo minus fundentur,Sunt nobis vero fimulacra non per impuros opifices a- liquos fabricata, fed per Deiverbum innobiscdita&formata; virtutes fcilicet pru mogeniti omnis creaturse lrmtatrices, &c, in quibus par effe crediderim,ci honorem deferri,qui omnium lit fimulacrorum exemplar, imago fcilicet invifibilis Dei, uni- genhixsDeusy&c.CQntr.CdfumLZ.fil 1 00. vid,lbidt& lib ,4/3/46.47 • ^Putatisnos oc- cultare quodcolimus li delubra & Aras non habemus : quod enim fimulacrum Deo fmgam,cum fi rede exiftimes (it Dei homoipfe fimulacrum40i/#/tfg.iO4. * De Originc Erroris. Li.c.a. 3,4, 5,7,17, 18,19 fSed nee eos qui hoftijs multiscoronilqj ex flonbuscontextis colantur,homines quieorum ftatuas emfta in Templis ftatue- runt, Deos appellaverunt, quandoquidem hxc inania & mortua effe fcimus,.Deiq; formam ecfiguram non habere. Neqj n.tarn Dei figurameffearbitramur,quam qui. dam honoris caufaad imititkmem ernctam effe co-nfirmant.-fedillorum raalorii ge- niorum habere & nomina & figuras. Quid enim attinet vobis qui fcitis, exponere ca cpix artifices difpofita materia fecando,dividerdo,conflando,percutiando.& ex vails ignominiofis faspe artificio mutata folum forma & figura alia indufta, Deorum no- mine appellant ?quod qvude non folum ftultu effe,(ederiam con-tumeiiae Dei caufa fieri judicamus : qui cum gloriam formamq; cxprimi qua? non poteft liabeat, earum rerum qua* intereunt,curaq; egcnt,appeilatur nomine. Quinetiam haru rerum arti- fices lafcivi funt,omnicu malicia& improbitateprxditi,&c.^o/dg/a.2.proC/7»7/Jw»M. p.i6.BC. * AdverfusHaerefes.Ui.c.2$4i4,p,88 91.8c I. a. c.6-p. 134.13?, »Deus, qui folusvere eft Deus intelligentiapercipitur,nonfenfu. Antifthenes Socratis fa- miliarisjdixit,Deum nulli effe fimiiem, quare nemo ilium poteft di fcere ex imagine. Xenophon autem Athenienfis ipfe aperte fcribit:Qui omnra movet & quieta efficit, ma^nus quidem eft& aperte potens,fedcujufmodi (it forma non apparet,&cOrati0 adhort»ad Gences. fol.7 .8,9., x 0 ^i 1. vid.lbU an excellent difcourfe agaiaft Images \ mens Part^. Hiftrio-<w» n.quod videm9nunqua,nefcirc cfleducimusturpe,&c. 4dvcrf.Gentes.l.i.p.i6i.to 112. See2.6.p.i8$.ioi.to 106./.7. f.l 1 1. 134,1 1 5 . c De Origine Erroris.l.2.c.i. 2,3, 4,5,7^1 i*i7>i2aiQ. Quae igitur amentia eft3aut ea fingere, qua* ipfi poftmodum timeant, ant timere quae finxerunt. Non ipfa3inquiunt,timemus3fedeos ad quorum imagines ficta; & quoru nominibus confecrata funt.Nempe ideo timetis.,quod eos incauo efle arbitramini:neq> n. fi dij funt aliter fieri poteft. Cur igitur ocuios in caelum non tollitis, & advocatis eorum nominibus in aperto facrificiacelebratis ? Cur adparietes & ligna& lapides potiffi- mu,quam illo fpeftatis,ubi eos effe creditis? Quid fibi templa>quid arae volunt3quid deniq, ipfa fimulachra ? qua: aut fhortuorum aut abfentium funt monimenta. Nam omnium fingendarum fimilitudinu ratio idcirco ab hominibus inventaeft, ut poffet eorum memoriaretineri3qui vel morte fubftra&i,vei abfentia fuerant feparati.Deos igitur in quorum numero reponemus? Si in mortuorum ? quis tarn ftultus ut colat ? Si in abfentu3colendiergo non funr,fi nee vident quae facimus3nec etia audiunt quae precamur.Si autem dij abfenteseffe non poflen£3qui3quonia divini funt, in quacunq; mundi parte fuerint,vident & audiunt uniyerfa:lupervacua ergo funt fimulacra, illis ubiq; prefentibus,quum fatis fit audientium nomina prccibus advocare.At enim non nifi ptaefentes ad imagines fuas adfunt3&c Sed tameji poftqua praefto efle Deus ille C2pit,jam fimulachro ejus opus non eft. Quaero enim, fi quis imaginem hominis 8*8 Hiftrio-Wlajtioo. Part-i- tiuTcSoeCOnftrd6r^°^ NjJfen> '^Mfo'f'y i Hierom, % v*Hgtiftmei cur fxpius,& ex eo folatium capiat abfentis > num idem fanus efle videatur fi eo re- veifo atq; praefente,in contemplanda imagine perfeveret,eaq$ potius quam ipfiusho- minis alpec*lu,fLui velit?Minime j^ofec'to.Etenim hominis imago neceffaria turn vi- detur quum procul abeft,fupervacua futura quuprasfto eft. Dei autem cujus fpintus acnumenubiq, diffufum,abeflenunqua pot ft, temper utiq) imago fupervacua eft. Sed verentur ne omnis eorum religio mams fit & vana, fi nihil in praefenti videanc quod adorent,&ideo fimulacra conftituunt,qua? quia mortuoru funt imagines,fimi- hamortuis fum, omniemm fenfu carenr.Dei autem in aeternu viventis vivii & fen- iibile debet effe fimulacrum:quod ii a fimilitudine id nomenaccepit,qui poffunt ifta fimulacra Deo fimiliajudicarijqux necfentiunt,necmoventur ? Itaqj fimulachrum Dei non illud eft quod digiti»nominis ex lapide aut asre, al.iave materia fabricatur, Ted lpfe homo3quonia & ientit & movctur, & multas magnafq; actiones habet,&c. Qaiiquane igitur taminept9eft3ut putet aliquid effe in Gmulacro Dei,in quone ho- minis quide qtiicqua eft praeter umbram? Uiiant.De QrifrLrrorti c ,*. Daemones funt qui fingere imagines & fimulacra docuerunt ut hominu mentes a cultu veri Dei a- verterent.Ztaf c. 1 7«Quare non eft dubium quin religio nulla fit,ubicunq; fimukcru eft.Nam fi religio ex divinis rebus eft,divini autem nihil eft nifi in csleftibus rebus: carer ergo religione fimulacra, quia nihil poteft efle caelefte in ea re quae fit ex terra, quod quide de nomine ipfo fapienti apparere poteft.Quicquid n, fimulatur id falfum lit necefle eft,nec poteft unquam veri nomen accipere quod veritatem fuco &im*- tatione mcntitur.Si autem omnis imitatio,non res potiffimum feria,(ed quafi ludus ac jocus eft,Pon religio in fimuiacris,fed mimus religionis &.lbidct9* d Simula- crorii odium commune eft omnium qui fidei participes funt/ed ejus prascipuu quod Arianam infidelitatem fimiliter atq; fimulachroru cultum abominabatur. Nam eos qui increaturanumen divinum effe exiftimarer, nihilo minora colere ataj venerari putabat cm?m qui ex materia fimulachra efficiunt,& rede ac pie ita judicabat. Nam qui creaturam adorat etiamfiin nomine Chrifti id facit, fimuiachrorum cultor eft, Chrifti nomefimulachro imponens.OratioFunebris de ?ladllap ^90.19 i.See Expla- natio in Cant.Cantic.p. 559.' Gentiles lignum adorant, quia Dei imagine putant, fed lmifibilis Dei imago non in eo eft quodvidetur, fed in eoutiqj quod non vide- tm.Enar.h2 Tfal, 1 1 8. Ofton. 10. Tom. ip 4?4 B» Ecclefiae inanes ideas & varias nefcit fimulacroru flgurasjfed veram novit Tnnitatis fubftantiam/Z)* Fuga Seatlieap.L See Epi(l.$ 1. f In primoprxceptoprohibeturcolialiqua in figmencis hominum Dei fi- rm Utudojnon quia non habet imagmem Deus, fed*quia nulla imago ei collibebar, nifi ilia quae hoc eflet quod ipfe,nec ipfa pro illo fed cumillo. Epijt.xi . Dc CeUbmkne J?aJch.See Comment . in Spy. Mp.40.. & Auv?uft.Epift.i i94Enar in Pfal.ii^.Concio.z^Credimusetiam quodfe- det addextramDeipjitris: Necidco tamen quafi humana forma circumfcriptum eflfe Deum patrem arbitrandu eft, ut de illo cogitamibus dextrum autfiniftrn Iatus ammooccwrat$amid ipfum quod feder€ pater diciturjflcxispoplitib? fieri putandtl h Bnfebius Part.2,. Hiflrio-cMaftix. %99 ^Eufebius^SfifhamM^ fyriKw Alexandrinw \ * Dam*- &\ n€ »n '&*& crilegium, quo execratur Apoftoius eos qui communicaverunt gloriam incorrup- tibilisDci in fimilitudinem corruptibihs hominis. Talen.fimulacrum Deo-nc- fas eft Chriftianoin Templo collocare, multo magis incorde nehrium eft, ubi vere eft Templum Dei4 ^ugujl'm. VeFidc& Symbolo cap. 7 'Tent. 2, pag. J&Q. See De wonbm Scclefa Catholic*. cap.i$* h Quod enim corpus intelle&ui divino fimili- tndinem habebir, cum nee mentis humanae imaginem habere poffe cognofcatur ? humana n, mens incorporea eft atque (implex , corpus autem omne corrup- tibile atque compofitum. Quare jure, rationales atque immortalis anima & intel- lects ejus imaginem & fimilitudinem Dei habere dicitur. Immaterial^ enim & incorporea, intelleftualis, rationalifque per eflentiam eft, virtucis & fapientia? t capax. Quod fi humma? anima? atque mentis formam & erhgiem fingere impofli- bile eft, quoniamnecfenfupercipitur : quis adeoftultuserit, ut ligneum fimula- chrum ac effigiem Dei creatoris omnium, fimilitudinem Dei habere arbitraretur ? Naturan.dmnaomnemmateriam& omnia qua? percepirnus excedit,mente fo~ lummodo & fan&is animis intelle&a. Figuravero Iovis qua? in fimulachro con- fpicitur, mortalis viri effigies eft, non qua? totum hominem, fed pejorem ejus par- tem imit3ta,expre{fit, nullum n, vita? atque anima?, veftigium oftendit. Quomo" do igitur univerfi Deus,menfq*, omnium creatrix ipfe Iupiter erit, qui aut in a?re, aut in mortuo ebore cernitur V Dc Praparatwic Evangcltj. lib. 3. cap. 3. pag. 5 $4 See €cclcfiaft. Hiflor. lib. 7,cap. 18. 1 Inveni igitur velum pendens in foribus ejufdem Ecclefia? tinctum atque depictum, & habens imaginem quad Chrifti, vel fan&i cujafdam, non enim Git - s msmini,cujus imago fuwit. Cum ergo hoc vidiflem in Ecclefia Chrifti contra auftontatem Scripturarum hominis pendere imaginem, fcidi illud,& mijus dedi confilium cuftodibus ejufdem loci, ut pauperem moituum eo obvolverent 3c efferrent. Deinceps pra?cipere, in Ecclefia Chrifti iftiufmodi vela, quae contra religionem noftram veniunt, non appendi. Ejiybaniui Ep'ifl. ad Joaancm Hicrufol apud Micron. Epi f> 60. cap. 5 Tom. 1. fag. 2,1 1. See Biihop vfocrs Anfwer to the Iefuits challenge, pag. 507. k Cui fimilitudini fimilem feaftis Deum? Quid n. ericei fimile & equipollens feunatura?, feu ponderis, feu nobi- Iitatis rationed Num enim arte fabri &lignarij,num auri fuforum peritia for- matias eft in imaginem alicujus creatura? ? An inquit emclus eft, humana imago ? Minimc. Nihil enim ei quicquam aequari poteft. Deusn. cum (it, natura & ex fe, quia aliud non extitir, omnibus omnmo fuperior eft. Cum itaque fupra omne eft quod factum eft, Sc qucdgenitum eft, deridet idolorum effidionem, &c. Qw/Z/tf ^lexandr.inHcfakm. lib. 7 .Tom. 1. pag. 17 6.177 ..and in loan. Evang. lib. 3. cap. II. pag, 47 8. I Adha?c quifnam eft, qui invifibilis & corpore vacantis ac cir- cumfcriptionis & figura; expertis Dei fimulachrum effingere queat ? Extreme iuque dementia? & impietatis fuerit divinum numen fingere ac figurare. At- qui hinc eft quod in veteri teftamenco mimine tritus ac pervulgatus imaginunv ufus fuerit: Orthodoxy Fidei. lib. 4, cap, 17. pag. 477., & lib. 1. cap. 4. pag. i$ 1, vidi. ibidem* Tyjyyi fcen, 900 Hiftrio-Maftix. Part.z. m See Hihr.De fcen9znA m other Fathers ; together with n Conftantine the Trir.it I.i p. ^ Great? Conftantinpu Caballwtts, Nicefhorus, Stawatius, T>ru!??(*' Philtpfictts , Anthemius , Theodofms the fecond , Leo 8 p .^B De 4™™*"*™™** Theodoftm the third, Michael Balbns, Tnnit .L6,jttg* Theojhihis, Charles the Great, with other Emperours ; 31 Specie & the Counceis of P Eliberis, ^Conftaminoflc, Toledo, and fi?ncB caret Frankford ; withfundrj r P^p*//? and f Froteftant Writers Dais. Nonfo- lumautem fculpciiras artis Dcus noneft fimilis, Ccd neq; altericuiquim humafla? cogitatione fubi jcimr.ThcophylaifLEnar.in Ioannem.c. 5 .p. 148 .Chryfoft.Hom^ 8 i^Aclt,Apoft.Tom.5.Col.5 87.C. Athanalius, Contra Gentes Oratio. p. 7.& 10. Contra Sabeilij Gra?gales.p.48.49.& Qua?ft.50.p.4oo.Theodoretin Deut Quajft. 4- Nicephorus. Ecclefi. Hiftl.i 8.c. 5 j.See Sednli^PrimaJiiMiTkeodoret.KemigWyBeda, HtymOjHRabanuiJMauriUiOceumev'Wjdmbrofe, Cbryfoflomc, & 4lfelmus.Com. in Rom. 1. 23.8c il"im.6.i64?erenusMariilieniis,apudGreg,Mig.Epift.l.7,Epift.i09.& I.9 Epift.9. Claudius Taurinenfis Coiura Imagines. l.Bibl«Patru.Tom.4.pars i-p.91.to 1 1 84 Amphilochiusj in BB.Vfhers anfwer to the Iefuits challenge, p.506. Centur. Magd. 8. Col. j 59.564. & V.Rainolds, De Idololatna. Rom.Ecclefi:e.l.i.c.2.fecT: 9. accordingly. *» Quod potelt inteiligentia folum perfpici & conprehendi mentc,nec ^Ppetitformam quacognofcatiu-,necfiguramadmitcit,ut imaginem SccfUeicm.Oya- ttoadSanftorumcatm.c 4.apudEufcbium.Tom.z.p.io°. ° See the Homily againft the penll of Idolatry pars 2.3 . Centur .6.C0I.3 *9'V 5>7°7<.Centur.8,Col.3.i 2,41,3 3 , ^7^313535^58^559,^60,561,66^^44,545,612362^377, 174. Cent. 9, Col. x9^2,24, 3 51,352,3 5;. ? Placuitjpiciuras inEcclefiaeflenon debere j nequod cohtur aut adoratur,in parietibus depingatur.Concil.Eiib.Can 36, Surius.Tom.i. P-3^J, 1 SeetheHomilyagainfl the penll of Idolatry.part 2.3, BB. vfhers Anfwer to the Iefuits Challenge, pag. 5 11. to 514. Carolus Magnus. 1. 4. Contra Imagines, I Ergo 6 ftultaj Gentiles,cui fimile feciftis Deum ? Curauro & argento aut rei ali- cui infenfatse ? Aut quam imaginem ponetisei qui ilium aliquo modo exprimat qui fpiritus eft,&c ? Cum igituripfe incomprehenfibilis & immenfus fit,dicitfan- ftus, Cui me aflimulaftis ? cur homini,cur volucri,cur ferpenti? Et cui "me ada> quaftis ? cur auro,cur argento ? cur aiicui creaturae ? HaymoComment.inlfaiam.C.40. fol.$s 1 .3 3 5. See Agabardus de Pi&uris & Imaginibus. lib. & Lucas Tudenfis. 1.2. Adverfus Albigenfes C.3.& io.Bibl4Patru.Tom.i3.pag.26o.27i,273. an excellent difcourfe againft the Images & Pictures of God or the Trinity, where he thus con- cludes. Imago Deificz Trinitatis,ab hominibus nee debeat,nec poflit depingi. See ~D.Ra'mold$de IdololatriaRom.Eccl.l.^.c. 2.fed.i o. r Peter Mart jr, In Epift.ad Rom. ci.p454.to 73.C*/w'»,Inftit.l.i.c.ii.& Com.inRom.i.23.&Aft.i7.29.See Mufculut, Marlerat,BKcer3Bitlinger> dretius, and others Ibid & in 1 Tim. 6. 16- T>o€tot>wiUet, Com.on Rom.i.Contr.2 2.p.95'.96.HfXtfpifl in Exod.c.2o.C5mandement i.Contr. ^M.CartWrlght on the Rhemifh 7*eft.on A&.i 7.fect4.Heb.9.f.4. 1 Ioh.^Xj . Rev. i3,fecl.^&Mat.9.f.9.D,B^«5his Poftils.p.49.T&i4,with others hereafter quoted, p, 844. 89 5, fincc, Part.i. Hiftrio-Maflix. 901 fince, our late renowned c Soveraigne King James, and t.HisPrcmo- our owne Homilies, againfi the per HI of Idolatry, (efta- "!"0"toail bliflied by » Aft of "Parliament, and confirmed by our Ar- p^ccT tides and Canons, as the undoubted Doclrine of our ai$.E\iI.lltl Church, to which all our Clergie fubferibe:) doeabfo- Artie. 3 y; ' ' lutely condemne , as finfull, idolatrous, and abominable* Artic.35.Ca- the making of any Image or P 'iff ure of God the Father, *}?as*6o3* Son,and holy Ghoft, or orthefacred Trinity, & the ereEhmg y j^^' I* of them, of Crucifixes, or fuch like Pictures in Churches, .Sever? Chriito which like the >' Emperor Adrians Temples built for Templfifacere Chrifl,fhouldbe without all Images, or Saints Pictures. So yoluit,eumquc they likew iie codemned the veryz art of making Pitt uresmter De°s re" and Images, as the occafion of Idolatry, together with all H^J--iin«s Stage-portraitures, Images, Vizards, or reprefentati- gitafle fertur, ons of Heathen Idols, &c. as grofie Idolatry, as a Jofe- qui Templa m phus witnejfeth: The felrefamecenfure is palled againll ornnibus civi- thefe theacricali Pictures, Vizards, Images, and di£- tatl^us finefl?" guifes, by Tbilo Judms,T>e DccalogoJib.pag. I o 3 7 . By rat gc*. [j^ty' TertulDc Spcttaculis* lib. cap. ,2 3 . De Corona MilitisAib, Lampridi Stve- cap.%.9.& De Idololatria.lib. By Cyprian Spifl.lib.I.Epifi. ru*.p.i 3 6. 2 . dr lib, 1 . Epift.iO* & De SpeclacMb. By Amobius Ad- x See P-hito verbs GemesM.j. By Lattantius T>e Vera Cultu lib. 6, lfxm>, Dc, cap.iQ, by Augujtine, De Livit.-Oei.lib.i.cap.^.to i^j..pao ^o^_ By the 6. Councetlof C on ft ant mop le. Can. 60, 67. fSeephus Contra "here pag. 88. 6q, 583, 584,) By the Synode ofLmgres. Apionem l4i p. herc,/><*£.6bo. By thc'CouncellofBafi/, hercpag 60 1 . By 8 5 8. Clemens the Counc ell of Toledo, here pag.603, 604. by lundry &--&$£ a"? other fore-quoted Counc els and Synods, here p^» 606. Qcnt^s*Q --lm 6 25 ,63 3 ,63 5 ,&c. By our owne Statute of 3 . Henry 8, an,De Tddloiu a. By Joannis Langhecrucius,rDe Vita & Honeftate Ec- oiu.lib *i 5 .cap, clefiafticomm. lib: 2 . cap* 22 . pag. 321.322,323. By Do- 1 x . pag. 41 5 , clor %ainolds, in his Overthrow of St age -play es, and by moft others who have written either againfi Stagi- play esjvainefafkiQns, and apparelhor face-painting. W here- fore 9oi Hiftrio-Maftix. Part.*. fore they are certainely unlawfully as I have formerly proved at large. Alb 3 . Scene 3 . & Alb 5 . Scene 1.2,3,5, 6,j. on which you may reflect. I fhall therefore clofc b Col. 991. this point with that fpeech of ^ Saint Bernard, in his 994. recited Apologie to William the Abbot, in his paflage againft the hkewife by j overcoftly building and adorning of Temples, and the culum ^ Hi ft or fitting up of vaine Images and Figures in Churches, (a l:b.i8.cap.$>6. thing muchcondemned by k fundry Fathers, Councels, 97. and Imperiall Chriflian Confiitutions ; by all Reformed i Omitto ora- churches, and orthodox 1 Protefiant Writens, and by m the toridhumm£- s ames n Intunttions,0 Homilies, P Canons, <1 ancient fas altitudines, im.noderatas longitudineSjfupervacuas latitudines3fumptuofas depolitiones,curio- fas depiftiones , qua: dum orantiu in fe retorquent aipec'tum., impediunt & affeclu, &c. Quern, inquam, ex his fru&um requirirr.us ? ftultorum admirationem an fim- pliciumobleclationem ? An quoniam commixci fumus inter Gentes, forte didici- mus opera eorum, & fe'rvimus adhuc fculptilibus eorum ? Et ut aperte loquai-j an non hoc totum facit avariria,qu3s eftidolorum fervitus,&non requirimus fruftum fed datum"? Si quau-is, quomodo ? miro, inquam modo.Tali quadam arte fpargit.ur ce^,ut multiplicetur: expenditur ut augeattir, & efFafio copiam parit. Ipfo quippe viliifumptuofarii fedmiiandarum vanitatum accenduntur homines mjgis ad ofFe- rendum quam adadorandum. Sic opes opibus hauriuntur, fie pecunia pecuniam trahit, quia nefcio quo paeto, ubi amplius divitiarumcernitur, ibi offertur liben- tius. Auro teftis reliquijs fignantur oculi, & loculi aperiuntur. Oftenditurpulche- nma forma fancti vel fan&ae alicujus,& eocreditur fanctior quo coIoratior.Curruc homines ad ofculandum, invitantur ad donandum,& magis mirantur pulchra quam venerantur facra, &c. Quid puras in his omnibus quamtur, pxnitentium com- punftioyan intuentium admiratio ? O vanitas vanitatum I fed non vanior quam infanior . "Fulget ecclefia in parietibus,& in pauperibus e^et, Suos lapides induit au- ro,& fuos filios nudos deferit. Dc fumptibus egenorum lervitur oculis divitum. In- veniunt curio{t,quo dele ° Homilies againft the perill of Idolatry. The Homilies of the Right ufc of the Church, part 2 . Homily of the place and time of Prayer, part 2. P Can. $i4 * Archbifhop Cranmer who penned the Homilies againft the perill of Idolatry. BB .Hooper on the 2.Commandcment j and in the Confeffion of his Faith upon the Creed. Artie .7 8.& 8 7 . BB. Latimers Sermon,** Ckrtm. fol. 5 . 1 1 . and his Sermon in the Shrowdes at PaulsXi8.li . BB^jrf/^jhis Treatife in the name of the whole Clergy of England, to King Edward the VI, concerning Images not to be fee up, or and P a ji t. i. Hisirio-Maflix. $o 3 rf«^ moderne Bifhops,& authorized r Writers of the Church worihipped in 4*d State of England, who teach, that all Images and Pi- Marches. M*. clures,efpecially Crucifixes, with the Images jhe Tift*rejofl*^*™k*- god the Father, and t he f acred Trinity, which to make is London 1V10, groffe Idolatry andfuperjhtion,oughtwholy to be aboltjhed p. 1917. 1018, and caft out of Churches ,111 which iome ot late crea the:) i9*9>*9i°> where thus he writcs.Caterumin clauftris (I znay fay in (Scc therc Pa|» SjcBaculisdr theatris Jcora legenttbus fratribus quidfacit ' j **** |* t a r ' *#* ridicula monftruofitas,mira de firms* f or mo jit as, ac for- 7 9^\7 96fi^s\ mofa deformit as'i ^quidibi immunda fimia, quiafert leonesf 1000,1014, quid mofifiruofi Centaurt \ 'quid femt-homin^ si 'quid maculofa > ° - 5 5 1 * 8 * > tieridesfqutdrntlites pwnantes? quidveuatores tubtcwates? 1! 8 *>& '94® yf • j r*r ■ ** t where we ihall Videos fub unocapne mult a corpora,®1 munecorporecaptta fee Commilfi- multaJCernitur hinc in quadrupede caudaferpemis, illincin ons both from pifce caput quadrupedss. Ibibeftia prafert equum, capram H.8.& £«6.for trahens retro dimidiam, hiccornmum animal equum gent?u^ino <*owne pofterius. Tarn mult a dent fe tamfe mira diver farum for- ^Ta§e^ 0U.r ° marum nbicfo varietas apparet, ut magis Lgere libeat in ^ica Images were deftroyed both at Zum\t &Btf///,& condemned by the Martyrs that furfred:)Icfc/2 B4.'«Ceiit.Script.Bric.p^8#79,8Q,i^^j548>^j^BB<^]S.AbbotJH!>.Babmgt9n> on thezConnundement. tt. Morton $V> .White &1&.rDavefiaiei&. others. xM..Tmdall in his Anfwer to Sir Thomas &t»re$. 170. to 1.7 f. and in his Anfwer to M., Moorcs 4. Booke.p.jry.D Barnes his Treatife >that it is againft the holy Scripture to honor I- mages.p ^ 5 9,&c. lohn Wragtm, in his Courfe and Hunting of the Romifh Fox, &c. lohn Veron his ftrong battery of the Invocation of Saints- Thomas Beacon his Cate- chifme.p.$ j-7-to 5 1 6.8c his Romes Reliques.c.z? i$.D.Ca!fihi!smCvxer to lohn Mar~ jh'mls Treatife of the Croflfe,The Prcface.fol.i,toi9.& Arte. ;40,io.f.8|., to 86. & i6~4.to 186. being an excellent Treatife againft fettirigup Images in Churches. Dr. Hmfries De Vita & morte Iuelli.p. ^Gualthsrui HaddonContra. Olbrium.l.i. £$$• to g7.l.?.f.as 4>*7 1 ,2.7 i,2-7^ji86^97,^2,-i>.i^c5 againft /*/£/'»« Epiftle to the Reader. D Ramo'Js r)e IdoloIatiiaRom.Ecclefix : to whom I might adde D. Ftf%f Anfwer to theRhcmilh Teftamcnt. Ad.17 feet. 5^.400.401. l Ioh.of,fc&.5.p3g. 8 39. Anfwer to Martin^.i.D.FhldyD.Cralpmbme&.mltet, D.iobnWhite, with-atl our Writers upon the r.CommandementjWho ail concur in this; tint Images ought not to be filtered or fet up in Churchesjto which Affertion eery Bilhop and Mini- fter of the Church of England doth fubfenbe in fubferibingto our Arucles & Ho- milies,which amrme the fame in pofiti^e tearmes : thofe therefore who 'defend* or erect Images,revolt from their owne fubfcription, and fo ought to be deprived, by the Statute of 13. Eii^cap.i z.whocaufed Images to bee taken out of Churches in thefirilandfecondyeeresof herRaignc,as Haddon Contra Ofor,l,$.f,*7i,& B*, THUtf in his Anfwer to Martm.c. 3. fed. $ . p.36, exprefly teftifle. Z z, z> z, z, marmtfibus 304 Hiflrio-Maftix. Paht.x. tharmoribus quamincodicibus^otumife diemeqcKparcfn- gula ifta mirandorfuam in rDei lege medttando. O vanitat vanttatum i fed r.on vaniorquam infanior. *Pro Deofinon pudet tnepttarum ; cnr vel nonptget expenfarum. And thus much for the manner of acting Stage-play es. T He 5 thing which makes the profeflion of a Player and the vecy acting of Playes unlawful), is the end for which they are acted, which is double; profit, or * Seneca The- pleafure ; thefirit, the end of all common Players : Yl*66^' * * * quipr&mium tncertum f etunt certumfcelus : the fecond onely of Academicall and private Actors. To begin with the firit . 1 lay it is altogether unlawfull for any to act Playes for gaine or profit lake, or to make a trade I or living of it. Firit, becauie the profeflion of a Player is nolawfullwarantable trade of life, but a moll: infa- mous lewde ungodly profeiIion,cond^mned by Pagans, 'See Aft 6. by ChriiUans in all ages , as the c examples of "Plato, Scene rp 4-9.8; . lenhs.Summa and i anomfts teach us \ thatjor men to give thetr money to xhcolo°i*. Stage-players for their play ing, is a very great Jinne: Yea, pars^Qwcft. % Gmllermns Altiffiodorenfis, h Hierom, Jtto, i Vtncentms *4.Artic.$. Betlovicenfis , k 6 fans t-Magnus, xJoannis Bertachintis,^^-6* m Stephana? Cofta, and n divers other certifie us ; that, * ?*?*!?.; Yrn.r. ■/ 1 * m .1 t • 'comendatran- Htjtriombus dare eft D&mombas tmmolare, to give to or ufuS ,juvenal Satjr.x 1 p 1 1 1. See M.^rf/jfowfcagainft Vaine Playes & Enterludes, & M.Wbtatty his Redemption of t'n.e accordingly. * Gen. $.i7sio.Exod. 20.9. f Seehere^.^^. }i6. 8 Summa Aureainlib.54Sentent.Traft.7.Qi«ft.^ fol.163, h Apudiuonis Decret.pnrs ri.c.84. i Speculum Hiftoriale 1.19. c.4 1. KHiftoriae.UM.c.ji.j*. * Kep^torij p:rs2.p.564,Tit.Hiftrio. m DeLudo,Tr3c1:.f€&.2.n.J7- in Traftat, Traftn. Tom. i«fol.i57. 158. n Summa Summarum.Tit.Hiftrio, Iacobus De GraffijsiDecif.Aureamrn,lib.2,cap.i2i. Zzzzz % Stage- $o6 Hifirio^yHafiix. Part.*. Stage-players, is nought elfe but to facnfice unto De- vils;bccauie their prorcilion is unlawful! & Diabohcall too : it being both a linne /or Piay-haunters togiv e,.or Players to tatvc any money for their Piay.es and action. ® In their Ex- Hence is it that ° mofi Divines and Cafuifts informs. petitions on the ^ythat money gotten by'D ice ,by Cards, by ailing Playes, °. Comman- or any unlawfuii prof ejjum whatjoevtr, is ylaine theft, and iement, and that Dicers and A' Haye/S a> e bound to refiore their games in in their aifr c^e t hey. are able, erelfe to dtftributeit to the peore.Hzncc. Ludo & He- * «&f*#* Cyprian ^ and out or him ^Joannes Langhccru- {fttutione,&: cius, and * juo Camotenfis) mformes us, that iJiayers ^tisfaftione. games doe uut ieperate them from che Society or the v Epiit.lib.i. faints in Heaven, and tat them up tor Hell : tor thus he id v°* & writes^r a Player who pretended poverty and necellity - Honeftate £c- to continue in his acting y Quod fi penuriam talis & ne- clefiaft.lib.2. ceffit at em pauper talis obtendit,poteft inter c&teros qui ah- cap. i %\ mentis £cclefi&fuftinentur, hujus qnofy neceffitas adj uvari, * Decrejalium. ji tamen contemns fit frugalioribus er innocent thus cibts* &tsllAtt i.& Aft 5 .Scene n. for fuller fatistadion. THe 6. and laft ground of the unlawfulneflfe of acting 5 Play es is the evil fruits that irTue from it,both to the Spectators (of which I have at large difcourfed, Part 1 . i 'Aft 6. thorowout,) and likewife to the Actors, which I fhal here o»eiy name.As firi>,it makes the Adors guilty of many iinncs; to wit, ot vaine, idle, ribaldrous, and blafphemouswords;oflight,lafcivious,wantongeftures and actions ; lofle ot time,, hypocrifie, effeminacy irn- pudency, theft, luft, with fiuidry other finnes, which they cannot avoyd : Secondly, it ingenerates in them n^ft- • a perpetual habit of vanity,efFeminacy,idlenefle,whore- Dc vero'cul* dome adultery, andthofe other vices which they daily tu.c.ao,&GyI ad : u Dtfcunt entmfaceredumajfuefcmt agere,& ftmula- prian Dc Spe- tis erudtuntur advera,zs Laftantius and Cyprian truely &ac«hl\ write. Whence we fee for the mod part in all our com- * ^™ £ Au" mon Adors the reali pradife of all thofe finnes, and Sja.k^ J* viilanies which they ad in fport ; they being (as *£#- r Lexicon Iu- dovicusVives,} 'John Calvin the Civilian, and zJaco- ridicum.Tit, bus Syielegius write) Ptrdivffmis. moribus, & deplorat* Hll^IO» neauittei; men ofmoiUewde,molt-diffoiute behaviour, *i3 clvihs TiT and moil deplorable defperate wickedneffe, as I have Hiftno, Z 2 Z Z z 3 » elfiwhere9 , 5Q8 Biftrio-Maftix. Paet.i. •ScehcrfjAft *elfewhere largely f proved. And how can it bee crther- ^HCnC1E ft wlle? hQigfei»d*ft*n>y#tareccnsfirv4kitod*remteft* lib.°.Tpifta. *■&** being as true as it is ancient. When Children pag.i4j. * ' c Touthes and others, (hall be trained up either in Vni- ■ Hale inge- v*er(ities, Schooles, or Play-houics,to Piay effeminate a- nu adokfeen- morous* wanton Strampets parts; toacl: the parts of howftfuc via Wooers' Covers, Bawdes, Panders, Whore-mafters, ad luxunTltq; Incsftuous perfons, Sodomites, Adulterers, Cheaters, volupcates di- Roarers, Blafpemers, Paricides, and the like: when labufKurjfer*- they (hall be initructed. d Magifterio impudtca ants ge- dian HiJtM.t. ftus cjuo lar Stage- players (that I fay not our ordinary Play* k$eciuuiafe- haunters) idleneffe ; quod totamvittm ordinant adlu-cundx. Quxft. dendum^s* i/fquinas writes of them : they even fpend i68.Artic«$, thur whole lives in playing: W hence l Marcus Aurelius* EPJ^e i *• to lonq a^one, and our ovvne m Statutes fmce, have ranked ^mbcrt- flayers amorg the number .or idle vagrant Truants, C1Z* 1 K* Rogues,and V<> gab ov.ds, which ought [ever ely to bepunifhed c,5. \$ ei^.c. and then fet tojome honefl worke, to get their livings; their 4- *./ars themfQm entring into Heaven, and brings downe an Scene 1 1. 1 $> et email condemnation on their foules and bodies hereafter, if they repent not in time, thofe being bound over to the judgement of the great gener all Affifss and et email tor- rIohn 10. i %. ment seven in Heaven, who are thus v bound and jufilycen- M3tth.16.19. furedby the Lawes and Edtfts of the Church or State oh *Sce Aft 6. €arth. Hence was it, { that divtrs Players and Play-poets Aft15 j;°* & in the Primitive Church , and fr nee, renounced their prof ef- 3. ' pons, as altogether incompatible either with Chrifiianitj orfalvation; yea hence a late English Player fome two yeeresfince, falling mortally ficke at the City ef Bathe, whether he came 10 aft ; being deepely wounded in confcicnce, and almoft driven to defpaire with the fad and ferious consideration of his lewde infernall pro- feilion, lying upon his death-bed ready to breath out .his foule; adjured his fonne whom hee had trained up t§ Play-albing, with many bitter teares and imprecations, as hetendred the everlafling happinejfe of his foule, to abjure andforfake his ungodly profeffion, which would but inthrall him to the D evils vajfalagefor theprefent, and p lunge him deeper into Hell at lafi. Such are the difmail execrable foule-condcmning fruits of Play-acling; the profeffion therefore of a commori Player, and the pcrfonating of theatricali Entcrludes^muft needs be unlawfull even in this refpeci. And thus much for the fecond Corolary ; That the profeffion of a Stage-player, and the acling of Stage-playes is infamous,yea finfuil and unlawfull unto Chriftians. Actvs Part. z. HiSlrio-Maflix. 91 1 Actvs 3. I Now proceed to the 3 . Ccmfe&ary • That it is a fin- ? full, fhamefull, and unlawfull thing for any Chrifti- Thatit is un- ans to be Spedators,frequenters of Piayes or Play-hou- lawfull to be a &$• In which I (hall be very compendious, becaufe I Spcftator of have fo largely manifefted it in the fir ft part of this dif- btaSe-Playes« courfe. Now thereafons ofche unlawfulneffe of be- holding Stage-playes, are briefely thdc. Firft, becaufe x Piayes themfelves are evill, and the appearances, the occasions of evill • c therefore the beholding of them muft t See i Thef.f. bee fuch : Secondly* * becaufe it hath ai waves beenea ai-^om-i.j*. fcandalous , infamous and difbonefi thing both among u s* * '2 ' Chriftians and Pagans to retort to Stage-playes, and I7, x c°oT.'io! athingofill report: Thirdly, becaufe it is x contrary to ;i,;i.Phi[,4.8 our Chriflian vow in baft if me, to for fake the D evill and & A& 7* tho- allhis workes, the yomfes and vanities of this wickedworld rovvo£r' andallthcfinfull lufis of thcfiejh, of which ^age-playes^^^ are notthemeanefi: Fourthly, becaufe y it gives ill ex- to'^ 25.56 i.co* ample to others, and maintaines, and hardens Stage-flayers < 67. in their ungodly prof effion, which el fe they would give over, 7 See here pag. were there no Spstiators to encourage or reward them. 4°9-4i7>4i8» Fiftly, becaufe it is an apparant occalion of many great finnesand milchiefes ; as z lojfe of time, prodigality, ejfe- * See Part 1. minacy, whoredome , adultery , unchafte de fires , luflfttll A& S.diorow- Jpecularions , luxury , drunkennejfe , prophanenefe, hea- ouc* thenifme, atheifme, blafpemy ,fcurrility , theft , murther, duels ,f antaftiqueneffe , cheating, idle difcourfes ,wanton ge- ftures and complements, vaine fafhions, hatred of grace, ofholinejfe, and all holy men , acquaintance with lewde \ companions, the greatefl enemies to mens falvation ; and a > A aaaaa world _ ■- ' 9i2, Hijh'w-Maftix* Part,i. worldoffuch like finnes and mifchiefcs, as I have formerly (5 proved at large, <*A'd tf.thorovvout. Sixdy, becaufe n * See AS 6. * wtth-drawes mens mindes and thoughts from Cjod And Scene 12. from his ferv ice unto vanity, and indijfofeth them to all holy duties, making all Gods ho ly ordinances inejfecluall to 7 their joules. Seventhly, becaule ir b tends onely tofatisfe b See Ad 64 mens jleftlyiufts which wane again ft their fonles ; men be- Scene 5 ^,% . ^ carried alwayes to the Play-houfe by the fmfullcamalL fuggeftionsoftheflejhy or by the ioliicitations oflewde companions; but never by the Dictate, the guidance « Pfal 1 1 9.$. of Gods holy Spirit or Word, c by which all Chriftians Pfal.7 3.24. muft be wholy guided, even in all their attions. Eightly, Rom 8.1,14, becaufe all Chriftians ought toturne away their eyes from if.Gal j. 1 6> beholdifjgvanity. pfal. 1 1 Q 3 7. (a text d apply ed by the d SeVhere paa ^at^°ers Hrit0 St age-play es: ) and what greater, what $iW*48-&' worfer vanities can men behold, thenthea&mgof lai- p civiousEnterludes? Ninthly, becaufe Stage-playes are * See part 1 . c but Pagan Heathenifh paftimes, yea the ordinary recrea- AS i« x4 tions of'Devill-Idolsy of Idolatrous voluptuous Tagans, whole pleafures and iports no Chriftians ouaht to pra- jO clifc. Laft'y, becaufe the * Primitive Church and Saints f AS 7, Scene of God, together with the very befi of Chriftians, of Pagans i.ta7.& AS in all places, all ages, have conftantly abandoned the be~ 6. Scene 1 . to holding of Stage-playes themfelves, and condemned it in 0- iC* thers,the very worft of Tagans onely, or men unworthy the name of Chriftians, and few or none but fuch alone affoord- ingthem their pre fence v as the fore-quoted Authorities plentifully evidence. All 4. Scene t .1 . Aft 6. Scene 3 . sNufquam 4, 5. & ^7. Scene 1. 2,1 ,$,5,6,7. Which feverail emm & nun- reafons with all the reft that I have formerly produced ^SdDcw againit Stage-playes in the hri\ part of this Piay-con- daranat, nuf- demning Treatife, will be a fuiricient conviction or the qmm&nun- unlawfuinttfe of beholding, of frequenting Stag^- quam licet, phyes, S aswellin private houfes, as inpublike Theaters ; quodfempcr & which fhould caiUe all Chriftians, all Play-haunters to Kumnl'De abandon Stage-playes, as all the fbre-alleaged fathers, speOac 1 20. Councels, and Authors doe advife them ; and that efpe- cia' iy Part.z. Hiflrio-KCMaflix. 91 j daily upon Lords-daycs and Holi-dayes, on which Stage-playes and dancing are e/pecially prohibited by this pious Decree of Pope * Eugeniu* c.% 5. with which * Iuo Carno- I fhall cloze up this Ad:. Ne mulieres f eft is diebhs vanis tenfis.Decret, ' ludis vacent.Sunt quidem &maxime mulieres ,quifeftis ac Pa.r$ " ' £7 7# facrls diebu4xat(fc fanBorum natalicijs, quibus debent 'Deo ' ' ^ *£** vac are, non deleft amur ad ecclefiam venire ',fed balandoac U7, verba turpi a decant undone choreas ducendo, [imtlitudinem Paganorli per agendo advenire procurant/I ales enimfi cum minor ibus veniunt ad ecclefiam, cum tnajoribus feccatis re- vert untur. In talt emm faHo debet unufquif^ Saardos diligent ijjlmepopulum admoneremprofola or at tone bis die- bus adjedefiam recurrant, qniaipfi.quitalia agunt,nonfo- lumfeperdHnt,fedettam alios deperire attendunt* Die an- * Nota, tern Dominicanihilahud agendum eft>nifi Deovacandum. nulla operatio in die ilia honeftacompertatur, nifi tantum hymnis & pfalmis., & canticis Jpiritualibus dies ilia tranfeatur. Which I would wifh all groffe prophaners • of this iaered Day now ferioufly to confider. ■■- ■- ( 88SB8lgi£iaiBaBB8a88 Act vs 4r Scen a Prim a. ■ HAving thus run over thefe three Corollaries of theunlawfulneffe of penning, acting and behold- ing Stage-playes ; 1 come now to anfwer fuch Objecti- ons as may bee made againft them; efpeciaily againft theunlawfulneffe of afring &: beholding Stage-playes* The arguments (or pretences rather) for the acting of Stage-piayes (which 1 ffiall firft reply to) are thefe : Firft, it is lawful! to read a Play ; therefore to V&hObje&li. toaftorfeeit aded. T9- this I anfwer firft ; that the obfpenity, ribaldry, <^nfw*i. amoroufnefle,heatheni{hnefleaand prophanefle of moft Play-bookes, Arcadiaes, and fained Hiftories that are Aaaaaa 2 now 5>i4 Hiftrio-JWaftix. PArt.z- now Co much in admiration, is fuch, that it is not law- full for any (efpecialiy for Children, Youthes, or thofc of the female fex, who take mod pleaiure in them) fo much as once to read them, for feare they fhouid in- flame their lulls, and draw them on to artuall lewd- •fcHomilin nefle,and prophanefle. Hence h Origcn, ■ Hierom and a'od Hieroni- * ot^ers inrorme US, that m ancient times Children and mi opera.Tom. ^outhes among the Jcwct were not permitted to read the S.pag.i 1 1. and Booke of Canticles before they came to the age of% O.yeeres, in his owne for feare they jbould draw thofe Jpiritualllove paffages to a Workes.Tom. carnaH fence , and make them infiruments to inflame their i%roaemium ^Hffls% Vpon which ground 1 Ortgen advifeth all caruall in Ezcchicl. perfons, and thole who are prone to lull:, to forbeare the 1 om.+.y.iio .reading ofthis heavenly Songof Songs . Si enim aliquis ac- %>* cefjerit, quifecundnm c&rnem tantHmmodo vir efi, huic tah Theodoret nm paYHm €X hac Scriptnra difcrtminis ver'tculicL nafcetur. Interp.in Can- J ,. \ ,J a. J ., r . ** . J r . ncurn Cantic ^^dire emmpnre (j cajtis aurwHs amor is nomma nejci- To« ,i .p. 1 1 y , e*s> ab interior i homine ad exterior em & carnalem vir urn, Philoms Cm- omnem defiettat audit f*m,& a fpiritn convertetur ad car- f athiorum E- nem . nutrietfy infemetipfo conenpifcentias carnalesx& 9c- pilcopi in Can- cafione diviti* Scripture commoveri, & incitart videbitur rica«Cant. In- j/./.i. ■ m i -*■ m j terpr Bibl Pa- adlwtdtnem carms. Vb hoc ergo meneo & conjtlium do, tmra.Tom.4. omni qui nondum carnis & fanguinis moleftijs caret, nef^ p.559.E.Pro- ab affettu nature mater i alts abfcedit^ut a leVtione libelli *j?er Acluit' ^hujw, eorumfa qu&ineo dicentur,penittu temperet. Atunt e Vita Con- £fJ-m 0yrervart et^ apud Hebraos3auod nifiquis ad dttatem temple. 6. jafa- - J / ■ 1 / n 1 j dhemVciiut ferfebtammatHramfaperveneritJibellum huuene cjnidem DePerfeve- inmantbus tenerepermittatur. If Children, yong men, i-antia Religio- and carnall perfons then upon this ground, are thus ad^ nis.lib.j. Bibl. vifedto refraine the reading of this facred canonicall Pamim.Tom. Booke 0f Spiritual! love exprellions betweene Chriit sl'c^HKabania ' anc* ms beloved Church : m Nefub recordation fanfta- Man)-tt6,Lyr*, rumfdminarHm,&c qua ibi nommantur,nexi De Perfeverant. ido.f * 1 6<)jqr«- ^* *{"**$? f i^K Diftin&io. 86, 7£ennDc ^antt< Infiitutione^uventutu. Can. 2. The Councell of Triers. Sc!ent^P 64- zAnno 1540. (fap.De Scholis. Surius.Tom.^. Concil. pdg.838.890. ° The Synod of Towres. Anno 1583. The ° Apud Bo- Councell of Bur deaux. 1582. The Synod of Rothomagium. ch?lltmi De- c^«.I 58 i.Francifcus Zephyrus in his Epifile to Simon ^^^i- and Nicholas prefixed 1 0 Tcrtullians Apologie. Gcorgius ia * ' * " Fabritiw, his Epifile to the 'Duke of Saxony. Agrippa De ?l^ 9 £ ^ ' A aaaa a Z Vdnitaze. : 6 Hijhio-Maftix. Pa rt . i« - ^f- —————— Vamtate Scientiarum. lib. cap. 64. & 71. Lodovicu* Fives, l>e Tradendts Difcif lints, lib. g. y?4g.288. 289. Eptfcopm Chemnenfis>Onus Ecclejia. cap. 18.7^.8.9,10, * Sum enim 1 1 . Oforius lT>e * l^egum Inftit. lib.q.pag. 1 20. 1 2 1 Ma- auid£poet*pc-p£fjtf Vegius Be * Education Liberorum. lib.2.cap.\%.hb. nf mollMbeff*" I* c*f% l'2' & De Perfcveratstia RdigionuM. $. BibL nu^ui hLmlPatrum' Tom x5* f*g*929**30. E>< Humphries of true & impuns car- Nobility. Book* 2. D.Kainoids Overthrow of Stage-play es. nruftii? aminos />**£. 12 2. 1 2 3. Thomas Beacon, "BlZ.Babington,BB.Ifooper, a padore & m- J9antiusNyder,U.Per^ws,Dod,8lton, Lake, Downeham, duitriagdlibi-^^ ^andailorherEx poiitors on the 7. Comman- via turpicer a- dement, together with molt Commentators on Ephef.<$.2, vocamcsj qui 2>4- have exprcfly condemned and prohibited Chriftians quide quo dul- to pen, to prwt Jo felkto read,or Schoole-mafters and others cioreslunt, co t0 feacb any amorous wanton Play-bookes , Hifiories, or V^^ri^%H^mhw^^hm*e^e^gy °vlds ™amon Epifilesand cuxdaomnib^^^^ of love', Camllui,Ttbullus, Properties, Martially qui aures lllis the Comedies ofcPlautus, Terence, and other fitch amorous pr.-eben^perni- Bookes favoring either of Pagan Gods, of ethnicke rites ciem& interim and ceremonies, or of fcurrility,amoroufnejfe& prophanejfe; TJu.^n™L\„n as their alleaved places will mofi amply tefiifie to fuch who pibus ille eapi- J Caliper uje them at their leijure :. the realon ox which is talior eft qui thus exprefTed by Ifiodor Hifpalenfis, Juo Qarnotenfts, ma jus ingeniu ejr Cjratian, Ideo prohibetur Chriftiams legere figmenta adhibet, quod p{>etarum, quia per ob left amenta fabulamm menterb nimts in poetis value' j • 1 lj at / r t perfpici • excitcnt ad incentiva libtdinum. JVon emmthura Jolum cpncmnuenim offer endo damonibus immolatur,fedetiameormn ditta li- te eligans car- bentius capiendo. The penning and reading of all amo- menhbemer reus Bookes was 10 execrable in the Primitive times, am™F& 'lim " ^ow evertney aremucn a^mir-^now> tr)ac p Heludo- igitur lafcivi rusBifhop of Trie a was deprived of his Bifhopjrickf by a carminis vene- Provivciall Synod, for thofe wanton amorous Bookes he had nii in animos influitj& eligantias fuavuate conditum, prius internum dignitati afterr, quam ali- quod remeciiam adhibcyi poilit^&c. Omnes igitur Poetse qui non honeftatem, fed turpitudinem mollibus & lalcivis carminibus exprimunt,non ab aula tantum regin, iVd a tonus patriae finibus exterminandi & eijciendi funt^c. ibidem* P Nicephorus >ljs.Ecclefia{t,Hiit.lib,ii,cap.34.Col.7j7. m " :y written Part, l , Hiftrio-Maftix. 9iy written in his y out h, his bookes being lil^ewife awarded to the fire to be burn (though they are yet applauded and read by many amorous perfons) quia lettione eorum juvenes multiinpericulu conijcerentur : becaufe divers yong men by reading of them might bee corrupted and entiftd untolewdneffe; anfwerable to which memorable pious ad: are theie Conftitutions of the C ot*nc ell ofBurdeaux. An. 1582. and of the Synod ofTowres. Anno 1 5 8 3 . well worth our observation. ^Quia multi a vera fide aber- * Bockellus Decree. Ecclef. lafciviam t&lnxum provocates imprimantur,vendantur,* Noca. legantur, ant retineantnr omnino ; jubet^ficut repertifue- rint comburantur, fub ejufdem Anathematis p&na quam ipfofatto incurrunty qui minime paruerint. Moneantur e- t tarn [dpi ffime fi deles Chriftiani dfuis Parochis & confejfa- rijs utfugiant, tanquam virus mortiferum, leBionem libro- rum quorumcumfo qui vel ad art esmagicas pertinent, vel obfedtnas & impias narrattones continent : eoffautolim tem- pore *' \Apofiolorum faBum legimus, comburant. Yea * Acls 19. 19, r Ignatius Loyola , the Father of the Iefuits , was \ :^^us in fo precife in this particular ; That hee forbade ]£* %^Tll? the reading of Terence in Schooles to Children and^yz Touthes ^before hisobfeenities were expunged, lefi hefhould more corrupt their manners b_y his wantonneffe, then by his^ Latinehelpe theirwits. And i/£neas Sylvius, afterwards Pope Pius the fecondy in his f Trattatc, T>e Liberorum f Opera Bafi- £*5Wrf/70ff?,Dedicated to LadiflausKing of Hungary and^QXA * J i« PaS* Bohemia; difcourling what Authors and Poets are to9 4* be red to Childrtmrelblves it thus. Ovidius ubit^ triftis, ubity duleis eft, in ylerify tamen has niminm lafcivus. H or at ins five fun mult a eloquent it fuf- ficiently convince us of the danger, t! e unlawfumcflfe of reading amorous Bookes and Playes, the moll ai'Tidu- ous ftudies of this our idle wanton age ; confider then t Sec here3p.ig. that t PUt0j a Heathen Philofcpher, banijhed all Play- * See here pa*. ■P*^' an^ t^>eir ?oems 0Ht °fbis Common-wealth ; that 4??. 456,457/ the Lacedemonians, Mqffilienfes, and at I aft the Athe- *Seehere,pag, mans to, prohibited and fupprejfed all P lay es and Play- 448 ^W>45°- poems, not fujf ring them to bee read or alted: * that Ari- ltotle,Piutarch,/W Quintilian exprefly condemnedthe rea- ding of wanton, amorous fabulous ^olfcene lafavious Poems and Eaut. z. Hiftrio-Maftix. c,i9 andlVriters'jhati &U$&.\1S banijhed Ovid for hisobfcenet 7 °™1 Triftui. and panderly Mokes of love ; and that *Ovid hwfelfe l f^M™miBS dijfwa&d men very fenonfiy fromreadmghis owne or other !£c SabelHcu^ mens wanton B pokes and Po ems, as being apt to inflame mens Zonaras, Op~ lufts, and to draw them on towhpredome, adultery, effemi-, meerus Chro- nacy,fcurrtlityxand all k^nde of beafily lewdpeffe. And ntconChronic. can Chriftians then approve or juitirle the delightful! & A^u?vidlj reading and revolving (that I fay not the penning, ftu- 3rt0Xg£jr. dying, * printing and venting) of fuch lewde amorous * Seehere,pig. Bookes and Playes, which thefc very Heathen Authors 4?i-4?3>4*4' have condemned, and (o prove farre worle then Pa- * 0v'idi Art oi gatis? I ^alitherefore cloze up this fir ft Reply to this i^'^o^ Objection with the words of learned reverend George b\^s a*° ~ran. Alley, (Bijhop ofSxeter, in the fecond yeere of Queene flated into En- Elizabeths RaigneJ againft the reading, writing, and gli&s &anevN Printing of wanton Bookes and Playes. * It is to be ^prefnoh of lamented, that not one ly in the time of the idolatrous and ^^0^mt^ fuperfiitious Church, but even in this time alfo lafcivious yeer°# CVCry impure canton B ool^es, pear ce into many mens hqufes and * in his Poore hands. s/£la\ wh#t ,doth fuch kinde of Bookes worke and m*ns Library, bring wi^b them .? Fprfooth nothingelfe but fire, eventhe London 1571. burning^ flames of an ttnchafieminde,the brands of pleasure, ri^lfJioTe^ the vole/of filthinejfe'j the fire I fay, that doth eonfume,l[x Majefta- devoure, and root e out all the nourijhments ofvertue, the tis.part j. Mif- * fir.e I j/ty,which is aproeme and entrance into the eternall^^** 6» fire of Hell* What isfo expedient unto a Commonwealth Pras]e^1?fe^ as not to fuffer ' witches to live? for fo the Lord comman-™ ag# 4 " dedby hisferyant * Mofes. And (Iprayyou) benotthey * Exod.12.1S. worfe then an hundred Witches , which take mens fenfes from them? nofwith,magicall delufions, but with the en- chantments of dame Venus, and as it were, to give them Circes cup to drinke of andfoof men to make them beafts. What punijhment deferve they as either* nfrie or pnntfuch *I would our unfavory Bookes ; truely I would wifh them the fame re* £jay-poets and ward wherewith"0 Alexander Severus recompenced his woufdconfi" dcr this. b -&lij Lampridijj Alexander Severus* pag, ajo^See Eucropius nnd Grimpnio. his life, B b b'b bb very 9lo Hiftrio-Maftix. Part.l very familiar Vetronius Tiirinus, ut fiimo videlicet pe- reanrtjui fumurn vcnduntjhatthey perijh with fmoke who fellfmoke. And what other things doe thefe fet forth f [ale, butfmoke, ready to breake out into flame ? For, that certaine perfons bequeath themfelveswholy to the reading of fuch lafcivious and wanton Booty, who knowethnot, that thereof commeth the firfi preparative of the minde, that when any one (park* of fire ( be it never fo little) falls into the tinder of Lady Venus yfuddenly it is fet on fire as towe crfiaxe. Many doe read the verfes which Lycoris the Strumpet, the Paramour of Gallus the Poet did read} and the verfes which Corynna mentioned in Ovid, and which Objeftien* Nesra didread. It wiU perchance bereplyed, that if hey doe read them,eitherfor the increafe of knowledge, or to drive Anfwer. awaJ tdlenejfc. I anfwer, If any doe falute Venus, but a Itmine, as they fay, that is, afarre off, as it were in the en- trie, what kindling and flames, I pray you, willenfue there - * Note this of when the coles bee once ftirred? * ft is to be feared well. that no fmall number of themwho prof effe Chriftiamty, be in this refpeftagreat deale worfe then the Heathen: The * See hercpa^P^P^^^ c Maffilienfes, before the J knew Chrift,yca,or> 4 5 5 *J 6+ ° heard whether there were a Chrifl, but were; very Pagans? andfacrificers to Idols, yet were knowne to all the world te be of fuch pure and uncorrupt manners, that the manners of the Mafijlienfes ( as Plautus teflifieth ) are commonly counted the befi andmofi approoved manners of aH others* Thefe among many other good orders of their well nurtu- red City made a fever e law, that there Jhould be no Comedy played within their City, for the argumemfor the moflpart if fuch Playes, did com aine the affs of diffolute and watr* ton love- They had alfo within their City (about 6\"$. yeeres before the birth of Chrifl) a Sword of execution wherewith theyuilty and offender sjhould be fiaine ; but the Hprightneffe of their living was fuch, that the Sword not ieingufedwas eaten with rufi, and nothing meet to ferve that turne : And alas are not almofi all places in thefe dayes replemfbedwith Juglers„ Scoffers, Jefters, Players, which Pa rt . z . Hiftrio^'Maftix. 91 1 which may fay and doe what thej luft be it never fo fiejhly and filthy f and yet fufrcd with laughing and clapping of hands f d Hiero Syracufanus, did punijk Epicharmus the <* Plutarchi A- Poet,becaufe he rehearfed certaine wanton verfes in the pre- pothcgmata. fence of his wife, fir hee would that in his houfenot onely^10'^0™'1' other parts of the body Jhould be chafte, but the eares alfo, ^ *9 * which be unto other members of the body in ft ead of a tun- nell,to be kept, fartas te&as, that undefended and covered, as the pr over be faith, and to befhut from all uncomely and ribaldry talke. Vnto which fait of Hiero, the worthy fen- tence of c Pericles is much confonant and agreeable. So- «Ioan.Saresbe- phocles,who was joynt fellow with Pericles in the Pm*r- rien^. <*e Nu- (hip, beholding and greatly prayfing the well favored beau- J£ t "3 g ujn# t? of a certaine Boy pajjtng by him, was rebuked of 'Pericles * " his companion after this fort : Not onely the hands of htm that is a Pretor ought to reft aine from lucre of money, but alfo the eyes to bee continent fcom wanton lookes* The i Athenians .provided very well for the integrity of their fPIutarcnus, Judges, that it Jhould not be lawfull for any of the Areo- De Gloria A- pagites to write any Comedy or Play : and Epicharmus jhenienfium, fufred pmijhment atthe hands of Hiero for the rchear-hb™*tttz- r n rr • 1 ./1 r t* r n. 1 • • r r nus Comment, fall of certaine unchafte verfes. But I jpeake tt with for- 1. 2 « f0l. * » j . row of heart \ to our vicious Ballad-makers, and indiBors See here^pag.' oflewde Songs and Playes, norevengment, but rewards are 4* S- largely pay d and given: «Gerardas a very ancient man % See Plutarchi tf/^acedemonia, being demanded of his Hofte,whatpaine*^lc\'~ j i r jr j £ j r • r r\ r ■ potnegmata:& adulterers fujf red at Sparta, made this anjwer: U mine Laconics In- Hofte, there is no adulterer among us neither can there be: ftitut. accor- (prey marke the reafon : ) For this was the manner a- dingly. mongthem,that they were never prefent at any Comedy, "nor any other P lay es, fearing left they Jhould heare and fee thofe things which were repugnant to their lawes. But to revert to ourpurpofe: Wanton Bookes, can bee no other thing but the fruits of wanton men, who although they write £ le\fe he repemed y and acknowledged hfcfanft, for i \ the fitting forth of -that- Booke! I would God they hedrd thefe things whom it dettghtethto write or readfuchfhamc- leffc arrd lafcivious worses. Let them remember the faying C !1 6 9, rfSAint Paul ; i aA man fhall teape that which hec bath Wr-UioVnco.^^* k Ghryfoftome, a great enhaunfer of Pauls pray- miaftica in Pe- /«"> writeth ; thatfi long jhallthe rewards of Paul rife more trum & Pau- and more, how long there fhall remaine fuch, which fhall lum . either by his life or doctrine be brought unto the Lord God. The fame may we fay of a 11 fuch, who while they lived have fowne ill feed, either by doing, faying, writing, or readings that unleffe they repented, the more perfons that are made ill by them, the more fharpe and greater growth their faine, as Saint Auguftine wrote of Arnus. Godfave every Chri- fitan PART.i. Hiftrio-SMaftix. 0,2,5 ftianheart> from either the delighting or reading $f fuch mifirdble monuments. Thus concludes this reverend Bi- :fhopT and fo {hall I this firft reply. Secondly, admit it a be tewfull to read Play es or Comedies now and then for recreation fake, yet the frequent conftant reading of Play-bookes, of other prophaneiafcivious amorous Poems, Hiftories, and difcourfes, (which many now make their daily ftudy ;) to read more Playes then Ser- *nons, then Bookes of piety and devotion, then Bookes or Chapters of the Bible, then Authors that (hodden- abie men in their callings, or fit them for the publike good,muft needs be finfull, as all the forequoted autho- rities witneffe, becaufe itavocates mensmindes from better and more facred -ftudies, on which they Should fpend their time, and fraughts them onely with empty ^pr? x * '* ** words and vanitieSjWhich l corrupt them for the prefent, p^i 119IV7. and btnde them cWr to damnation for the future. The Col.a. 8,zo,* Scripture we know commands men, ™ not to delight in 11,11. iTim, vanity, in old wives tales, in fabulous poeticall difemrfes,*^ "5* -Tim. or other empty ftudies which tend not-to cur fpitituaH good :z'l6>*$* A"s n Not to lay out our money for that which is not bread, and \ 9£1 * - x }U §ur labour for that which fattsfieth not : ° but to redeemeo Ephef. \.i<>. thetime, becaufe the dayes are will. Yea, it commands Col, 4.$* men toT be fruit full and abundant in all good workgs; therefore it cannot bee lawfull. Befides the Scripture Bphef.5.3^5" commands men even ? wholy to abandon all idle words, ier#4.,'4. Bbbbbb 3 all $2,4 Hiftrio-Maftix. Part.2, all value unprofitable difcourfes, thoughts and alliens. If then it gives us no liberty fo much as to thinke a vaine thought y or to utter an idle word, certainely it aloes us no vacant time for the reading of fuch vaine wanton 1 EpHef. 4,*9, Playes or Bookes. Againe, God enjoynes us, z that our j i. Col. 4.6. jpeech fhould be aiwajes profitable and gracious, feafoned with fait ,t hat fo it may admin'tfter grace to the hearers, and build them up in their mofl holy faith : Therefore our writings, our ftudies, our reading muft not be unedify-i ing, amorous and prophane, which ought to be as holy as ferious, and profitable as our difcourfes. Moreover, it is the expreflc precept of the Apoftle Taut, (whom many prophane ones will here taxe of Puritanifme) Eph.q,tg.(fr c. 5 . 3 ,4. But fornication and all uncleanejfe ,or covetoufnejfe, let it not be once named among you as becom- meth Saints : neither filthinejfe, norfoolifh talking nor je- fiing, which are not convenient, &c. Let no corrupt communi- cation proceed out of your mouth es but that which is good j a * So the Mar- * ^difie profit ably, that it may minifier grace to the hearers, gent of our &c. And may wee then read or write thefe finnes and Newtranfla- vices which wc ought not to nan^e ? or ftudy orpcr- tion renders it, ufe ty^ wanton play es and Pamplets, which can admi- nister nought but gracelefneffe , luft , prophanefle to I®hnj. 34 c. the Readers? La(Uy,wee are commanded to a fearch 7«5*.A«97, Andbecaufeno time flriould bee left for any vaine ftu. Pfal \6 ?' ^lcs or difcourfes; we are further enjoy ned, c to have e Deut! 6 ¥.\o *^e Wor^ 0fG°& alwAJts f* our hearts ; to teach it dili- io. gentb t0 0Hr children, and to talke of it when we are fit- ting in our houfes, and when wee are walking by the way, when we lye downe, and when we rife up : Which for any man now confeionably to performers no lefle then arrant Puritanifme, in the worlds account. If then wc believe Part.i. Hiftrio-Maflix. $2,5 17* according- believe thefe facred precepts ( to which I might adde two more ; d Pray continually* Rejoyce in the Lord <* i Thef.f.ir alwayes,andagaineJfay rejojce) to bee the Word of 1 6, Phil.4.4. ' God, and fbto binde us to obedience; there are cer- tainely no vacant times alotted unto Chriftians, to read any idle Books or Play-houfc Pamphlets, which are al- together incompatible with thefe precepts, and the fe- rious pious ftudy of the facred Scripture, as S. c Hierom « Epift. i%, ad writes.J£#»(quoth he)comunicatio luci adtenebras? Euftockium. guiconfenfus Chrifto cumBelial? ejutdfacitcum Tfalterio caP«i 3-Tom.i, Horatiusl cum Svangelys i^Maro f cum Apoflolis Cicero ? ^Z'*1* Sce Et licet omnia munda muxdis & nihil reddendum quod nl0*l!i0lenm rt. • • r 1 it "S.quartapars. cumgrattarum act tone perc/pttur; tamen Jimul von debe- Decree, cap. mus bibere calicem Chrifti , & calicem ?> Amoniorum ; i^z.i^^i^, as he there proves by his owne example, which I i^if^.Gra- would wiftiall fuchas make prophane Playes and hu- mn^^f^ man Authors their chiefeft ftudies, even fcrioufly to fy7 confider ; For faith \\z>when ever I fell to read the Pro- yhets after I hadbeene reading Tully and Plautus, Sermo horrebat incultus, their uncompt ftile became irkefbme tome; & quia lumen c Acts oculis non videbam,non ocu- lorumputabam culpam effe, fed foils. Whiles the old Ser- pent did thm delude me, aflrongfeaverfhed into my boner, invaded my weake body, and brought me even to deaths doore : at which time I -was fuddenly rapt injpirit unto the Tribunall of a Judge, where there was fuch a great and glorious light as caft medowneupon my face, that I durfi not looke up. -And being then demanded what I was0 I anfwered, lam a Cbriftian : whereupon the Judge reply ^ edsthoulyefi : Ciceronianus es, non Chriftianus : thou art a Ciceronian, not a Chrifiian: for where thy treafure ' is, there alfo is thy heart ; whereupon J grew fpeechlejfe, and being beaten by the Judges command, and tortured with the f re of ' conscience ; I began to cry out and fay, Lord have mercy upon me. whereupon thofe who flood by falling down at the Judges feet, intreated that he would give fardon to my yomh,and give place of repentance to my error : ex~ atlurus ^7~ Hiflrio-Maftix. Parta aBurus deinde cructatum fi gentilium litter arum UMps a- liquandolegiffem. I being then tn fo great a fir ait, that I could be content to promtfe greater things, began tofweare andprotefibyhts Name, faying, Domine ft unquam ha- buero codices feculares, fi legero, te negavi* ' And being difmijfed upon this my oath I returned to myfelfe agatne, and opened my eyes, drenched with fuch afhowre of tear es, that the very extremity of my grief e would even caufe the incredulous to believe this trance, which was no flumber or vasne dreame, but a thmg really ailed, my very J boulders being blacke and blue with ftripts, the fame of which re- mained after I awaked* Since which time faith he; Fateor me tanto^ dehinc fiudio divina legijfe , quanto non ante mortalia legeram. And from hence this Father exhorts all Chriltians to give over the reading of all prophane Bookes, all wanton Poems,which in his 145. Epifile to Damafus, hee moft aptly compares to the Hushes with which the Prodigall in the Gofpell was fed; where hee * Tom. 1 . pag. writes thus fitly to our purpofe. f Poffumus & aliterfili- 4<>8 ♦ quas interpr atari. Damonumcibus eft carmina poet arum, facularisfapientia, rhetoricorum pompaverborumMacfua emnes fuavitate deleBant,& dum aures verfibus dulci mo- dulation currentibus capiuntur, antmam quoq^ penetrant* & pectoris interna devinciunt. Vemm, ubi cum fummo ftudio fuerint, & labor e per fetta, nihil aliudnifi inanemfo- num,& fermonumftrepitHmfHis leEboribus tribuunt, nulla- ibi faturitas veritatis , nulla refeBio juftttia reperitur: ftudio fi earum in fame vert, in virtutum penuria perfive- s 1 €or. 8. fa***' Vnde & Apoftolus prohibet ; % ne in Idolio quis re- cumbaty&c Nonnetibi videtur fub altjs verbis dicer e, * ne legas Philofopbos, Oratores, Poet as, nee in tllorum letti- onerequiefcasf Nee nobis bUndtamur,fi ineis, qua funt fcripta, non credimus, cum aliorum confetentia vulneretury , & putemur probare,qna dum legimus, non reprobamus.Ab- fitutde ore Chrifiiano fonet, J uppiter omnipotent, & me Hermle9 & me Cafio.r, & cat era magis portent a quam *u- mina. At nunc etiam Sacer dotes Dei (and is not as true of Part.*. Hittrio-Maftix. $zy ' of our times ? ) omiffis Evangeltfs & Prophet is, viiemus Com&dias legere , amatoria Bucolicorum verfuum verba canere,tenere Virgtlium,&id,quodinpuerisneceffitatis efl, crimen in fe facer e voluptatis, Cavendum igitur Ji captt- vam velimus habere uxorem,ne in idolio recumbamus : am p eerie fuerimus ejus amore decepti, mundemus earn, & omni fordium err ore purgemus,ne fcandalum patiatur j ra- terfro quo Chrifrusmortnus, cum in ore Chriftiani carmi- na,tnidolorum laudem compofita,audierit perfonare. Since therefore all thete idle Play-bookes and (iich like amo- rous Paftorals are but empty huskes, h which yeeld no h Xnquinaat nourijhment but to Swine, or fuch as wallow in their nonalum. se- beaftly lufts and carnall pleafures ; fince they are incom- mcA- fy$* *•; patibiewith the pious ftudy and diligent reading of ^ee £?$P"b* Gods facred Word, ( * the gold, the hony, the milke, the ^^ |£J^ marrow, the heavenly Manna,fedfl andfweatefi nourtfh- cordin?ly/ mentof our foules,) with theferious hearing, reading, fPfaI 19.10. meditation, thoughts and ftudy whereof we mould al- p^l.i 19. 10$. wayes confiaptly < feed,refrefh,rejoyce,audfeaft our fptrits, HeIM'l2> r3> which commonly ftarve and pine away whiles we are jxLiJ {.i?* too much taken up with other ftudies orimployments, PfaLtfj.^k.* especially with Playes and idle amorous Pamphlets:(the very reading of which * S. Augufline, repented andcon- * Confef.lib.r, demned: )\ctus hencefore lay afide fuch unprontabIe,un- cap,i $.16,17. chriftian ftudies, betaking our felves wholly at leaftwife principally to Gods facred Word,which is^onelyable to * * Tim, 3.1 j. make us wife unto falvat'ton,and to nourtfh ourfoules unto c- A n t email life:U fince Chriftianity is our general profeflion, enTumTaS" let not Paganifme,fcurrility,prophanes,wantonnes,amo- annam facta roufnelTe, Playes,or lewde Poeticall Figments or Hifto- Scripturatranf- ries,but Gods Word oXon^which as *Sumuta Raymundi cendit,verum faith, tranfeends allother Bo*k$s & Sciences; be our chief- gjf^* * ad eft ftudy, at all fuch vacant times asare not occupied in ^m mvitaf,/""; our Iawfull callings,or other pious duties.I mal therfore 1 Conftir, kpo-* . cloze up this 2. reply, with that ApofiolicallConflitution ftel.liM,cap.6 recorded by1 Clemens Romanus, (if the Booke bee his) 7«ApudSuriu, which I would wifti al Papifts who deny the reading of f ™CI; Jom; Cccccc the ,pk§45. 5,2 8 Hiftrit-Maftix. Part.*. * CaTholica the Scripture unto Lay-men, to who this good precept ciodrina de is directed as the very * Title andfirft Chapter proves ,e- Laicis. ibid, ven ferioufly to conlider.Sedfiveadfideles & ejufdemfe- *^Noti Sec WemU homines accedis, cwferens cum ys vitalta verba lo- Hieroni. Epift. quere : fin minus accedis,intusfedenspercurrelegem,Regef, 7- 03,7. Epi.9. Prophet as: Pfalle hymnos David,* lege dtligenter Evange- c ,5 . Ep. 1 o ,c .4. Uum,quod eft horn complement^. Ab ft ine ab omnibus Cjen- £ Ut *8 C ^* tUiHlibris.Qnidenimtibt cumexternislibris> vellegtbut, the end.Ep!"! veiProphetts'fqua quidem leves a fide abducunt.Nam quid c.6,1 5,16. Epi. tibi deeft inlegeT)ei,ut ad iRas gentium fabul as confugias? 23. Epi.z5.c1. Nam' fi hiftorica percurrere cupu, habes Reges : fi fophi- ^mbrofe^ chry-ftjca & Prophetica,habes Prophet as ,<£r Job, & P rover bio- foftome,Primafi- rum amhorem inauibui omnis poetic*, & fapientia accu- edoret Bgda &c ratam ^atianem tnvemes; quomam JJomwi Defy qmfo/us cm Ephef. 5. & efi fepiens , voces funt. Quod fi cantilenas cupis, habes Col. 5 . to the Pfalmos : fi rerum origincs nojfe defideras, habes Genefim : like pur pofe. fi leges & pr&cepta, gloriofam Dei legem. <±Ab omnibus ™ Bernard Su- i^tHr exteris & diabolicis librts vehementer te confine, Sermo 8 tf^fol. ^-I*0™*** ** ipfi verbo funt omnia* Ibi remedtum vulnc- 1 7 6 . C . rum, ibi fnbfidia necejfuatum, ibi refarcitus defeltuum, ibi n See D.Rai- profetluumcopiA,ibi denitfe quicquid accipere vel habere mldsOvQ^ homintbus expedit, quicquid decety quicquid oportet. Sine throw or caufa ergo aliud a verbo petitur , cum ipfum fit omnia. pa^M.z?re Thirdly ,admit a man may lawfully read a Play-book^/- accordingly. # n will not follow, that therefore he may pen, or aEi a Play . *See Th.Bibli- or fee it atted* For firft, a man may lawfully read fuch andri Apologia things, as hee cannot pen, or act, or behold without proEditione offending God. A man perchance may lawfully read Nicobtde Cu- a Maffe-booke, but yet he cannot write a MarTe-booke, faCribrario nor yet aB, or fay, or fee a Maffe without committing Akorani. finne. Some men may lawfully read an *Alcoran,ov any * ^w^.Com^hercticallBooke,* ut magis judicext quam fequantHr,xz- m Luc. i.i.c.i. tfocr coconfnte then follow it ; butno man can pen, or «(£n or Pubu^ it with delight, (no nor yet read it ii.capa 9.4,7! out of love and liking, as men read Play.bookes) but E/cch. 16.49. he mufttranfgrefTe. A man may fafeiy read the ftories 2 Pet. 2,6,8, of ° the Sodomites fimesy of the Canaanites and Ifraelites Iude7* Idolatries 1 Part.*. Hiftrio-<{Maftix. $t9 _ Idolatries ; but yet to act, or fee them acted cannot bee lefle then finfull. A man may and muft P daily read the p Dcut. 6,^6, f acred Scriptures, the Pajfion of our Saviour, the Hiflories 7- p&l.i;». of zAdam, Abraham, Mofes, David, Solomon, Job,znd tl-1** others recited in the Bible ; yet none 6i6}76$. pkanejfe; though fome graceleli'e wretches as well int0767' private as in popular Stage-playes much prophane them, r 0 ... r bringing not onely Mint jters, preaching and praying, ##r a Mi aiftcr in even the veryfacred Bible andthefiories in it on the Stage, Bedford the 1 at fome late notorious damnable (if net damned,) prece- ^(^Chrifttidr3 dents witnejfe ; when as not onely our owne pious St a- m^e Corn" tute of S . JacobUap.2 I . but likewii e * Concilium Rhe- Jh^Aed^ menfe, Anno 1585. which decrees thus : J&t ea vi tent private Enter- fideles quibus cult us divinus impediri pot eft, flat uimus, ne Slide, where he quis Scry turn facra verba ad fcurr ilia; detr eft ationes , fit- mac*e a prayer perflitiones, incantationes, Cortes, libellos famofos audeat on^e. Srage> 1 r c - r • • J /•*•'• andchoiea ufurpare. Si quis contra fecertt, juris & arbifry pants Text.wfc A3* coerceatur : And u Concilium Biturienfe. Anno 1554. I0« 14. on which thus ordaines. Nonliceat cuiquam verba & fen- which he moft tentiasfacr* Scriptura ad fcurrilia, fabulofa, vana, adu- Proph<a, T» amorous Play-houfe Poems; they may not ftrengthen or ftuffe their memories with fuch vaine lewde empty, froth as Playes now are; nor embolden themfelves by acting effeminate, fcurrile, whorim, impudent, or immodeft parts : nor yet helpe their action, their elo- cution by uttering,bypcrfbnating any ^lawfull things, which may either draw or tempt them unto levvd- nefle* We know that frequenting of Tavernes and Brothels; courting of impudent Strumpets, keeping ofdeboift company, reading of amorous Bookesand Paftorals, adde fpirit and boldnefle unto men, yea oft improve their elocution, carriage, and amorous fond Cccccc 3. difcoarfe,. *$* Hiftrio-Maftix. Pa RT.l. * See here.pag. 48?.&Auguft. Confef.lib.i. cap. 15.1^,17. • Hierom. IL- pift.2,2. 0 13. * See Aueuft, Confer, lib. j, cap, 1 6 j 7. ac- cordingly. « See Aft 6. thorowouf. •Orator eft vir bonus, di- cendi peritus. Cicero. De Oratore.hb.i* Quintilian In- ftit.Orat.l,ii. cap. 1. accor- dingly. f Saturnal.iib. 5.cap.x4.pag, 4*9- •Oratoriso- pus oratio. QttintiL toftit. /.1 2. c>io.tag. 703. dilcourfe, as much or more then Playes, * yet none may ufe thefe wicked courfes to obtaine thefe petty benefits ; no more then he may opprefle, or fteaie, or cheate, or perjure himfelfe to augment his wealth, or ufe charmes and forceries to recover health. Fourthly, c Melius eft aliquid nefcire, qttam cum periculo difcere. The hurt, the danger that accrues to men by penning, by acting Playes, is evermore * farrc greater then the good, the benefits here alieaged : the evill is certaine, the good,uncertarne:it is no wifedome,no fafety there- fore to plung men into fundry great and certainc evils, to atchieve iome probable meane emoluments. Fiftly, the good that comes by penning or acting Playes, is oneiy temporall; the hurt, the mifchiefe is eternal]; the good extends no further then mens bodies; the d damage reachcth to their foules, yea oft unto their bodies, goods and names : it is no difcretion then for men to hazard the lofle, the da mage of their foules, for fuch petty 'improvements of their bodies, Sixtly, there is little or no analogie betweene the action, the elocution of Player s,of Orators and Divines : The prin- cipal! prayfe of Actors is a lively counterfeiting and re- prefentation of the parts, theperfons they fuftaine, by corporall geftures rather then by words : the chiefeft prayfe of Orators is toc expreJfe,to defer ibe the things thej Jpeake of in an elegant flexammotu phrafeyand grave elocu- tion: the dutyof the one being to reprefent things to the eye,whereas the other fpeaks oneiy to the care. Which diverfity is warranted both by the ftory of Cicero the Orator ^andRofcius the ABor^ho^Macrobius writes, did ufe to contendmogether \ Vtrum iiefepius eandem fen- tentia varijsgeftibus efficeret, an ipfeper eloquentM copiam fermone diver fepronunciaret : by the very (tiles ofAttor, and' Orar*r,thefirft,importing oneiy corporall geitures, and repr,efentations ; the other, verball expreffions; and by the ufuall phrafes of feeing a St age-play, and hea- ring an Oratton. Now what proportion is there be- tweene Part.*.. Hiflrio-Maftix. 93 j tweeae geftures and words ? betweene * acting -and *Horu orpniu fpeaking weii,thatone fhould be fuch a helpe or fur- diflinriiis a;©; therance to the other ? Alas what profit, what advan- divcrfa inter fe tage can an Orator gaiue by acting an amorous females, rano ^^ JU* a Bawdes,a Panders,a RuJjans,Drunkards,Murtherers, J^ ^ lovers, Soldiers, Kings, Tyrants, Fayries, Furies, l>-mar,ne?n!!r" vils or Pagan Idols part with fuitable geftures and fpee- tione Poecas ches ? tell me I befeech you; what furtherances thefe nob^& Hifto- are to make a perfect Orator, who though hee may ricoj>Oratores plead or fpeake for others, muft ad no other man but ^3^ himfeife alone, whereas Players muft never ad: them- pmemus. Sua felves but other parts ? Certainely if wee believe cuiqj propofita § Quint ilt an, or a h late famous Orator of ourovvne,the Icx>fuus decor acting of Playes,which is full of wantcnncfTe, of light, ^&| %*'»&. ofkwde,offooh(ri geftures and fpeeches,is the next ?' lt'7l4.oCZl way tomarre an Orator, whofe fpeecb,action and de- g inftir/Orat. pomncnt muft be grave and ferious. Hence i Quiwi- lib.i.cap.19. lian (as eminent an Orator asmoftnow extant) in his &l.u.c«?.pag, directions Jiow an Orator fhould frame his jpeech,his t^jf'fj^' voyce andgtflure , exf re fly forbids him , to tmitate the OmchroVof voyce k or geftures of T layers, or to exprejfeoralltheflaves, Stage-playes. the drunkards, lovers, penni-fathers, cowards, or any fuch p.i 1 9. to 1 16, Play-boufe part, becaufe as they were no wayes neceffary ! Inftit.Orat. for an Orator, fo they will rather corrupt his minde and'"1, c'18* l9* manners ^thtn any wayes helpe his elocution or atiion. The ?*- ^"& l*b*i x* acting therefore of Playes is no wayes neceffary or ufe- cap. \ . pa<>« full for an Orator, it being no furtherance but anappa* 6*1-64**677. -rantobftacLe to true oratory, action, elocution ; there *Orat0r matur being no analogic betweene the wanton amorous ge- ^f ^fo ~ ilures, fpee ches, Paftorals, jefts, and floriChes of a Poet, vi^u neon \l an Actor ; and the fad, grave, ferious elocution or fcena& hiftri- action of an Orator. And as Play-acting is no wayes ombus, fed ab ufcfullforan Orator, fo much lejfe^for a Minifter, or* ™s,&r,Non emm corun- dum effe fed oratorera vol 0, Quare nee in ge(h* perfequemur omms argutias, ncc in loquendo diftinftionibus,temporibu$,erlTftionibus moiefte fequernur, ut C\ in fcena fit dicendutfij&c * See M, Bmwd his Faithful I Shepheard. cap. 1 3 . pag .%$< accordingly. Divine, 934 Hiftrio-Maftix. Part.2,. 1 Ad 7. Scene Divine , there being no &4nalogie betweene Treacher* I. & Pare 2. and flayers, Sermons and Playes, Theaters and Churches, ^croSlaciiit- becweene tne facrcd , fober, chalk, and modeft ge- ut ca™prorfus ' ftures> tne foule-faving fpeeches of the one, and the mdndanas dig* lafcivious, fcurrill, prophane, ungodly action and dif- nitatcs,quas fe- courfes of the other. Hence the l forementioned Coun- culares yin vel Ce/Sy pathers and Canonifls, together with * Concilium prmcipcs terrx Foro-juUenfe,Can.6. which I before omitted,have inhi- in venationib? bltec* -M/m/hrs and Clergte men from penning^ ailing and fcihcet; vel beholding Stage-playes, as being no wayes futia.ble , but cancicis fecula- altogether incompatible with their moft holy and o-rave* nbusj aut in profeffion : Hence alfo they excluded all common molmaliX A[iors> (and ^ft ^ademicall to, tiRthej had done tia in lyris & publike penance) from the Minifteriallfunftion ; the attirig tibijs & his of Playes being fo far from making men fit for the miniftryy fimilibus lufi- that it made them both unfit, and likewise uncapable to re- buV ?Ua-us fub ceive iu What therefore m *Agis junior replyed to a none coX"" wicked fdlow who oft demanded of him, Quis efet tus ob inanis Spartanorum optimus ? Quituieft difftmilimus ; the fame tetitise fluxu3 may I fay of Minifters; that hee is the benVMinifter audeat, faftu whois moft unlike a Player both in his gefture, habit, fuperbiae tumi- fpeecn and elocution. Hence n Saint Ambrofe, Bijhop of abucij&c. Suri-fadfor them, and likgrnfe deprived another (who after- to.Tom,$.pag.' wards fell to the astftian hetejie ) Quia lucebat m \ eorum *6\> incejfu jpecies qu&dam fcurrarum percurfantium : con- m Piutarchi demning not onely ait thofe Giergie mcn,but alfo Lay- junior1^ a.6S. men to> w^° u^ play€rty geftures, qui fenfim ambu- n De Offices. Iwdoimitamur hiftrionrcos geftus, & qua ft qu&damfcr- Ub. i, cap. 1 8. cula pomparum, & ftatuarum motus nutantium, ut quo- Tom.4. p. 6.7. tiefcunfc gradum trans ferunt modulos quo f dam fervor e vi- a 1 h 1If* r)8,t &eantHr : avice too common in this our antique wanton Officii jib, 1 . aSe' ^Ve t^iat know c^at ° A& Chriftians,and more efpect- c.i 8 .Galacius *lh Mini ft er sought to be fober, modeft. grave, chafte, both De Moribus in their gefture and deportment ; Hence P Concilium Seno- p Sunns Con- nenfe* An. 1528. Decreta Morum.tap.2 5. decrees thus. cil.Tom.4.pag. jQfoitffo incejfu quo ^ hone ft at em exhibeant» ut gravitate 742'743' itwer/s, Pakt. z. Hislrio-Maftix. 5,3 c itinert* , mentis matHYttatem oftendant. Incompofnio tmm corf or is, rifus dijfolutus, indecens oculorum vagatio, inDe atting, the beholding of Plajes, will make men 4 amorous, Verbis' I faiaT. wanton, light and Playerlife in their geftures, as x Saint Tom. x, Col. Chryfoftome with others largely teftinc* And as T;hea-Col# Il8;* tricali geftures are altogether unfeemeiy inaMinifter, Orat''*To& (whence Protectants condemns f all UMaffe-priefts ge- j/coLi^a™1" (lures branchings and mddings in the celebrating or ailing 1 48 j. See here of their Majfes, which they compare to Places,) So like- Pa£«400,4oi. wifeare all poeticail Play-houfe phrafes, Clinches, and ^ee AA * * ftrong lines , as now fome ftile them - (too frequent -o^Mds\u in our Sermons ; which in refpecl of their * Divifions", {hop a*/*?, Bi-" language, aft ion, ft He , an dfubj eft matter, confiding either fliop Mwtdn, of wanton flafhes of luxurious wits,or meere quotations D- Sutcliffe,D. of humane Authors,Poets,Orators,Hiitories,Philofo- *£ard,™doJ phers,and Popifri Schoole-men ; o^fefquipedahaverha, Mafe?&tf ? 8 ,Ier.i6.2. x Cor.i.i7«cap.a.f, *. *Z>ddddd not 9} 6 Hiftrie-Maftix. Part.i. y Col»t48, not in the y language ofToets, and other humane sAu- thors,in which Cjods jpir it never breathe /.They are Chiifts * Toh. 10.3,4, Vnder-fhepheatds, x therefore they mufl [peak* unto their S > 8 , 1 6\ ^ Flockes in Chrifts owne voyce, which they mufi onely know and he are, and follow, not tnthevoyce of fir angers, who fe vojee they will not, yea they mufi not heare : They are the * Col ,1. i?,i6, *Minifiers,the mouth of Chrifi, therefo e they mufi one* i7;*8. 1 Cor. ly preach andfoeake his language: They have no other 2 Pet>4,16* Conimiffion, ^ but to goe and preach the Gofpell, (not * Matth.z8* 1 9 Hift°rie5 anc* Poets)#»r 0 men ;They are the c Stewards of 20, Mark, 16", ' the mifieries, andmani fold graces of the Cjofocll,ofthemilke i5,i6\Ephef.3. and bread of Cjods holy Word\ and thefe alone they mufi 8,9,Col.i#2y. difieHce ... They are (ent out by God ror no other pur- c°/r-* pofe, but onely d to open mens eyes, and to turne them from 1 Pet.4.10,11, darkenejje to light, andfromthe power oj Z>atan unto hod, Luice 1 1 .42, * ^£ f ^ plaufum d populoftudeat expetlare fed gemitum. HocsJ>e-7&!?iy"'>Vri~ ctaliter dotlor Eccleftafticus elaboret, quo punt quiaudtunt Jh^Tfn" Cor cum funis difputatiombus meltoresynon vana affentatione i,ut0j .zcqqz- f nut ores. Lachrymas quas vult a fnis audit or i bus fundi, dingljr. ipfeprimitusfundat, & ficeos compunttione fat cordis ac- cendat. Tarn fimplex & apertus, ettam ft minus Latinus, difciplinatus tamen & gravis fermo debet ejfe Pontificis ut ab intelligentia fui nullos, quamvis imperitos, excludat w fed in omnium audientium pectus cum quadam deleft at tone defcendat. Den'tq^ alia eft ratio deelamatorum, & alia de- bet ejfe doflorum. Ilh clucubrata declamation* s pompam totisfacundiafua viribus concufifcunt : iftifobrioufitatofe fermone Chrifti gloriam quorum. lilt rebus inanibus pre- tiofaverborum tnduunt ornamenta, iftiveracibusfententijs ornant, & commendant verba jimplicia. I Hi affeffant fuo- rum fenfuum deformitatem tanqudm velamine quadam phalerati fermonts abfeondere ; ifli eloquiorumfuorum ru- flicitatem fiudent pretiofis fenftbus venuftare* I Hi totam iaudemfuam infavore vulgi,ifti in vtrtute Deiconftituunt. lilt plaufib titter dicunt , & nihil auditor ib us fui s devla- mandoprofictunt : ifli u fit at is ferm&mbus.docent, & imi- tator esfvos inflituunt ; quia rationem fuam nulla fucatdt, compofttion'ts ajfetlatione eorrumpunt. Ifttfunt miniflri . verbi,adjutores*Dei, oraculum Spirims fantli* Per tales £ |^ '6 r* Dens flacatur populo , popultts inflruttur Deo, Hence Bibl Patru n. m IfiodorTeluftota writes thus fharply to Theopompus Tom. <;. pars z. and TaleUus two preaching Lftionkes. Quis te comicis pag. 48 ?• See falibusnonperftrineat? Quis te non commiferetur.quicum luoCarnoten- tn phtlofophta dtfctpulorum Domint tranquiliitatejedeas? capI60;to GentiltHmhiftoricorum& poet arum tumultumatj3 Aft urn ,^«, Ddddddz tecum 9$8 Hiflrio-JMaftix. -Part.*. tecum trahas f Quid enim die qUAfo, apud illos eft, quod religtoni noftrA fit yraferevdum? Quid non mendacio ac rifufcatet ex ijs quA magno fiudie confettantur ? An non divmitatesexvitiofis affettiombus ? t/fn nonfortiafaci- norapro vitiofis ajfecliombw ? sAn non certamtnapro vi- tiofis ajfeftionibus ? Quamobrem ipfam quofa ftditatis or obfcAnitatis lelhionemfuge (nam & ea miram Adaperiexda vulnera jam cicatrice obdutt*. vim babet :' ) ne alioqui vehementiori cumtmpetufytrittu improbus r evert at ur, ac deteriorem acperniciofiorem tibipriore ignoramia ant neg- ligent t a clad&m infer at. Serme, qui adaudientium uttltta- tern habetur}potens fermo eftrfuify Optimo jure fet mo appel- letur, imitationemq^ ad Deum habeat. *At qui voluptate folaacplaufuterminatur? arts [on it us eft, magno fir ep it u aurem perfonans. Quare aut fermonem tuam gravitate moderare, acfermonis faftui ac pomp a mediocritatem an- tepone, autte cymbalum theatrorum fcenae accomodum eife fcito. And hence is that lamentable complaint of o Onus Eccle- n Epifcopus £hemnenfis : fiiodemis autem temporibus in »x. cap. 1 8. academy s publicis fcientia duntaxit Mun^ana inva/uit, '^I0• fcientia Dei non eft in terra. Sacrarum liter arum doclrina ubi^ prorfus perift, doBores fcientia inflate docent fuum chere, circumferuntur omni vsnto dottrina. Sicutgentes, ambulant in vanttatefenfus fui, tenebris habentes obfeura- tum intellcttujn, propter cAcitatem cordis ipforum. Ctci Jpeculatores educunt difcipulos cacos in viam quam nefci- tint, ponunt tcnebras in lucem, & prava in retia, & nox noBi indie at fcientianu Et fie ubi^fuos feducuw orateres. Sxtollunt doEirinam s/friftoteli*, Avemis, & aliorum Gentilium Scribarum, ad ex cogitandum profunda & vora- ginofa dogmata, obfcurantiafolemfapientiA C^rifitanA *c Evangelic a vitA> acpurum aerem re ligiofi flatus fuis fa- ftuofis verbis y acutify difputationibus, ae Jiphifticis gar- rulitatibus maculantia. Modo equidem cernimus omnia fere gymnafia ubiolim tradebatur theologtca dotlrina,poe- t ic is figment is, v ants nugis, ac fabulofis portent is effe im- pleta. Vbi eftliteratus? Vbi legis verba ponder ans? ubi eft Part. 2. . Hiftrio-JMafiix. $}? eft dottor parvHlomm ? videbis populum altijermoms, it a ut nonpoffis imclligere difert itudtnem lingua ejus, in quo nu'iU eft f0bientia*sAtquipr&dicatores couciomrij ftudent, non us fymmo affeQu , fed gratia propria laudts & verbis. ornapis &politis anres auditorum demulceaxt* Mel tores autemjmt fer mones vermes quam difert tores. De talibus dolboribus difert is inqu'tt Salvator. ° In vanum me colmt, 0 j^att[j decent e s dottrinas & precept a hominum : relinqnentes emm mavdotta Dei, tenet is traditiones hominum. All which recited parages, are fufficient teftimonies, thac poeti- call ftreines of wit and Playerly eloquence,are no W2yes tolerable, much lefle then commendable in a preaching Minifter. Theickore the acting, the penning of Playes, is no wayes iKcefTaiy or iifefull for Clergie men to fur- ther them in their rnintihy. All the benefit that Schol- ar pigj: ig Mayes, :s this ; that it makes *them* See M.Ber- \ll j -anfr^i , unprofitable verbal! 3 Preachers , nard hisFauh- m i'e fit fojrta Piay-houie tfeen a Pulpit. The aeling falUhephean*. and penning therefore of Stage- playes is no waves c$'l*: ^u9n^ helpefull either for an Orator or aPreacher,as the Ob- vc'nhr0w 0f jeclors dreame, Laftly, menmayiearne boldneffe, elo- Stagc-playes, q^ience, a&ion, elocution by.farre readier, eaficr, and p.i 1^:0127. and more laudable meaner then the penning or aeling Playes ; as by frequent Declamations, and often repetiti- ons of eloquent Orations, and the like ; the onely meanes P Qmntilian prefcribes, and the ordinary method that ? Inftir. Ora- all Schoole-mafters & Tutors ufejomake men yerfeEb O. tor.libtz.cap.8, rators:no need therefore of penning,of aeling Playes,for thefe pretended ends, which it cannot effecl. We never read that the Apoftles,Prophets,and elegant Fathers of old, (as Cyprian,BaJil,N'az,ianz,en, Chryfoftome,Ambrofe, Hierom, Auguftine, Leo, Gregory the Great, Chrjfologus, Bernard, and fuch other unparaield Chriftian Preach- . ers ; that Demofthenes, Cicero, or Quintilian, the moft accomplished Heathen Orators foraclion,phrafe,and elocution that the woiid hath knowne,) did ever at- taine to their perfeclio of Oratory by ading Piayestnei- Dddddd3 ther 94o Hiftrio-Maftix. Part.*. — ■ "iii i ' "i i .I ■ ■ , ^, therhavewe heard of any Orators of latter times who hve trod this unknowne path to elocution, to perfect rhetoricke by adingTiayes ; yea I have nocjgad to my remembrance of any one common A&or or^Ry-poet, that was an exquifite Orator : The acting therefore of Playes is but a prepofterous Spurious courfe, to traine up youthes to an oratorical! grave comely action or i Ephef.6.4# elocution, who fhould rather be 1 educated in the feare Gen.18.19. andtiurtureofthehord^inthe Grounds and Princ tp let of Ueut.6,7. Religion, in the knowledge andfludy of the Scriptures; in honeft callings, Sciences, Arts, imployments, which might benefit themfclves and others, then in penning or a&ing Stage-play cs, which hath alwayes beene con- demned as infamous, both by Chriftians and Pagans too. 0£/>#. 3. The 3. Objection for the compofing and acting of 'Sec Thomas Play es, is this : r That they dilucidate and well explaine Lfrn his .Pla^ man7 darke obfeure Hiftories , imprinting them in H*>*^5Apo- ens min^cs *n fucn indelible Characters, that they logy for Adors can hardly bee oblitterated : Therefore they are ufe- accordingly. full and commendable. zAnfa,i* To this I aniwer Hrft, that this Objection extends not unto feined Comedies or Tragedies , which are now moil in ufc, but unto fuch reaii tragi call Hi (tori cs onely as are brought upon the Stage, which Play-poets and Players mangle, falfifie. if not obfeure with many additionali circumftances and poeticall fictions ; they r See M. Goffon doe { not therefore explaine, but fophifticate, anddefcrme his Places con- good Hiftories,with manyfalfe varnifhes and Play-houfe Zrfw0*1' fooleries. Secondly, thde Hiftories arc more fuJly, &.I.G. his Re- . J\ j... . . *' fuution of the ™ore truely exprelied, more readily and acurately !ear- Apologie for ned in the original! Authors who record them, then- in Aftors, accor- derivative Piay-houfe Pamphlets,which corrupt them* dingly« all circumftances both of the perfons, time, 'occafion, tSetGfT h placeicaufe>manner,endt &c- being commonly truely Playes eonfu- regiflredin the flory, which are either c altered or omitted tecui majmvonum,vel minus malum ejt Topic. lib.?. confequens, as a very Heathen hath truely taught us. cap,!, fra'.u The ^Objection for the penning and acting of Playes Objett. 4. is this : That both our Vniverfities,and long continued cuftome approve them : therefore they are good- To this I anfwer firft ; that the Objection it felfe is Anfw. 1 . falfe,fince y both our Vniverfities condemne all popular t D.Gagcr'm Enterludes,and the belt,the graveft in our Vniverfities, &*RaineMsbis all academicall Stage-playes too : as I have already ^)vert^ovv of prooved: Aft; 6. Scene ^.^.489.400^1. Secondly, J^'F^l' though the diflbluter & yonger fort in our Vniverfities, » $ec here,pag. (being * but Touthes or Children, who are aft to dote on 491. {pectades of vanity, and unable to judge of good or e- * Rom- *-I>i» vil)approve perchance ofStage-plaies in their practife; lWS>**>**> yet the holieft,* the graveft in our Vniverfities con- Magna'™ eft demne them in their judgements, if not their practife confeiemx. to. And here by the way,in cafe of examples,we muft ckcroOrat.^.in ever learne to judge of the lawfulnefle or unlawfulnefTe catttmm.Quo* of things,not fo much by the actions,** by the judgements ^[l|^^c£. *ndfelfe-condemning* confidences of menyby which they betattonitos& furdoverberecaeditjOccultumquatknteanimotortore flageiium ? Node diequc fuum geftajre in pe&ore teftem^Hi funt cjivi trepidant, & ad omnia Ycrbgra p*ilent, Ihvtml, Satyr a j . wg. 1 z 5 . ffiall 94i Hiftrio-Maftix. Part.; ftiall at laft bee judged. There is never a Drunkard, Whore-mafter,Lyer, Hypocrite, Thitfe, that Lves or . wallowesifl thefefinnes approving them as lawfull by his continual! pra&ifc, but doth ftcretly pafle fcntence againft them in his cdnfcience- As therefore wcmuft not argue,that drunkennes, whoredome^adultery^ying, hypocrifie and theft are lawfull, becaule they are com- monly committed,& fometimesapplauded,{ince the ve- ry committers do condemne them,no more may we ar- gue,that the acling or beholding of Stage-playes is iaw- rui,becaufe Schollers and Vniverfity men do fometimes ad and fee them; fince if they will but ferioufly examine their checking confciences,they (Lai iinde them padlng a fecret doome of codemnation againft them, what ever 5 their pracTife be.Thirdly , h fort/lions mufi notllve bj ex- »» See Dodor amples,butby precepts : if therefore- the rules of Religion Kainelds Over- anj Chriftianity allow them not, no matter though the throw of ^ whole world approve them; they will be e viil & unla wf ull pagTsji .ayM *^> anci *° muc^ c^e wor^ becaufc io many juftifie effierom.R- them. Laftly, admit the Objection true ; yet * Si au- pift.8y.Tom.z. ttoritas quaritur, orbis major eft urbe : The authority pig. $ 1 1. of the * whole Church of God from age to age, of 71 . •See Part, 1 . Fatj,ers - z .Connects, above 150. moderne Chriftian Au- A&7.thorow- , /j. w >a. -> rr / at • %J n out thors^of diners Chrtfttan & Heathen Nat tons, Magifirates, EmperourSy States ,&c. of 4.0. Heathen Waiters, and of out k gcc fort rap.*r*ne C^yHrc^ an^ State ^ who condemne the penning,atitng^ 48 5. to 497. ° and feetngof Stage-play es>isfar greater then the cuftome 7 1 4- to 7 1 7. or exemplary Authority (not the fad and ferious refolu* according^. tjon apccr fan dcfc>ate, which Stageplay^es never had as yet)of both our Vniverfities :This Objection therefore is too light to fway the ballance of this prefent contro- * Qointilhn. verfie ; * Confuetudo enimfiex eo quod p fores factum no- Inftk, Ui. c 1 1 , menacc'tpiat ,periculofum dabit exemplu, mn orationi modo, Vt>- 5 *• fed (quod majtu eft )v it a. Ergo confuetudtnem v'tvendi vo- caboconfenfam btmomm, fient fermonps , confenfum erudtto- r#7#.And thus much for the chiefe Objections, befthfor the compiling and aCling of Stage-playes. Acxvs Part. z. HiUrio-Maftix. HS Actvs 4. ScbnaSecvnda. 1 now come to anfwer the Obje&ions, the pretences n/ . for feeing and frequenting Stage-play es. The firft of ^ v e&' l * them is this. Wee goe to Play-houfes (fay all our Play-haunters) with no evili intent at ail i for recrea- tion fake alone, and for no finifter purpofe : therefore our refort to Playes cannot be evill, becaufe our in- tentions, our purpofcs are not Co. To this I might here reply as * Saint Cyprian did to f^rf?' u thofe lafcivious Virgins who ran to wanton Bathes, as vlr inum"** fome doe to our Ba^thes,to fee & to be feene,or to bathe a^""11"**0* with naked men t and made this very objection. P#- de rk , wquis»qua time mentc quis veniat, mihi tantum re- ficiendi eorpufcuii euro, eft & lavandi: To which hee gives this anfwer i Non te purgat ifta defenfio, nee laf- civu & petulantia crimen excufat* Sordidat lavatioifta, non abluit, nee emundat membra fed maeulat. Impudice tu neminem confptcis,fed ipfa conjpiceris impudice. Oculos tuos turpi oblettatione non pottuis, fed dum oblelbas alios poUueris. SpeBacuium de lavacro facts y&e. Theatrafunt fadiora quo convents y verectmdia illic omnis exuitur, &c but I anfwer, firft; that men cannot run to Playes and Play»houfes with any good intent : For every intenti- on is regulated by its object, and if that be ill, the in- tention it felfe cannot bee good. If a man intend to murther another for any good or publike end, the in- tent cannot be good becaufe the thing intended, to wit the murther, is evill. d Vz*za no doubt bad a good * t Sam. 6.7, intent (far better then any Play-haunters have in flock- ing to Playes or Play-houfes) when as hee put forthiris E e e c e c hand 944 Hifttio-Maftix. Part.*. hand to flay the Arke, which was fhahen and like to fall: and jet God prefently flew him for it, becaufe God had • Numb. 3.31. forbidden any to touch it but the 'Prielts. The $ Beth- Dcm.10.8. fheemites had queftionlejfe a good intention, when they Iain 5. 1 >4,6, t00\^ downe the Arke and fried into it upon its unexpected t'liinS retumefiom the Philifiins: a/id jet God flew fifty thou- to ii? fandthretfcoreand ten men for ft; becaufe he had prohi- bited all but the Ptiefls and Levites to looke into it. 5 Rom .^.8, S Men mufl not doe evill that good may come of U: -there- fore they mufl not, they cannot goe to Stage-playes, (whofe finfulneffe and unlawfulnefle I have uafictesty difcovered,) with any good intent ; Thefe Playes themfelves being ill their good intentions cannot make either them,or your refort unto them, good & lawful!, 3 Secondly,! anfwer,that the intctions,the aymes of mod t> See hk 6, who refort to Playes, are meereiy ill. For to what end Scene $ 4,?. doe our h Common Strumpets ^Bawdes, Panders, Adulte- 1 See Auguft. rejfes, Adulterer 's,Whore-mafters,&c. frequent either Playes Enar,inPfah orPlay-houfes,butfor lewde and.finifier purpofes ; to con- par's 1. p 8. 8c c^e of times, of places for their Jhamefullworkes ofdark^ C0nfef.Li.c7 *effe,todraw others onto ftnne, and to fatiate their owne 8.SeeA3 6. ungodly lufis ? And why doe mod other Spectators Scene 1 6. ac- flocke unto them ; but ■ either to gratifie fuch lewde com- coiaingly. pinions who imtce them thither; or to fpend and pafFe vciSiui^'^ni- their time which might bee better imployed •. k to fee unc Spcdentur and to bcfeem : tolearnefome apifh famions,or antique ut ipf«. Ovicide complements : to behold fuch 01 fuch an obfeene or Sa- Arte Am&nti. tyricall Comedie acled : J to laugh exceffively in a profnfe M,fM7o.Cle- unehri/lianchildifh manner ; to Cat is He fomefecret car nail Pardao.l ».c.u. Hftot other, wbwhprtckesthemonto Stage-playes ; or fome &Tertul.De flran^e^fayitafl'tque humor of novahy, vanity, ridiculoju Spcftac. lib. mirth and jollity ; and the like ? Thefe I dareboldly fay •IS£C p*nAIm arethechiefe, if not the onely ends why men repaire Scene 1 1 ** to Scage"Playes 5 and thefe all are finfull : therefore their » 1 Cor.' 10. intention in rcforting unto Stage-playes is not goocL 31. See Aft 3. Thirdly, no man when he goes ro fee a Stage-play, pro- Scene 7» pounds Gods glory (which m ough to be the xtmoftendof all Part.*. Hiflrio^iMaflix. 045 all mens aftions) for his end ; nor yet the good , the peace,the comfort of his own and others foules : his in- tentions therefore cannot be warrantable. Fourthly, 4 admit the Objection true ; that your meanings and mindes are good when you run to Piayes; yet Bonus animus in mala re dimidium eft mail; as even n Plautus « Pfeudolus-. the Comedian writes : your good intentions makepag-471. your ill actions far the worfe,becaufe you commit them with greater greedineiTe, and kite remorfe, as if they were truely good, at leafl: not ill- Fiftly, admit 5 that you goe to Stage-play es onely for recreation fake ; yet it will not follow, that your rcfort to Piayes is lawfull , becaufc Piayes themfelves are no lawfull re- creations. And if the confequent of this Objection • bee now admitted : then men might by the felfcfame reafon run to Brothels, Whorc-houfes, Dice-houfes, Tavernes,Alehoufes,to whore, to drab, to drink them- felves drunke, and caft away all their eftates at one° Prov. 14.9, defperate throw, as too many doe, without ofFe»ce,un- cap.24.1 7 , der pretence of recreation. The Scripture therefore is !1 * ;tu %'^8' exprelle, ° that roe muft not make a [fort or mocke ofjtnne, 7 ? it being the objett P onely of our godly forrow, and deep- * Ephef.^.3,4, eft grief e> not of our earnall joy : that we may not re- j.Scc Aft 3. create our felves 1 with fcurrility, ribaldry, lafcivious, Scene 1.2, prophane or amorous Enter ludes ,but onely with good and c l ™' IO*3 ** lawfull things, which are no r wayes fcandalous, or of ill \^\ report : therefore we may not make Piayes the objed: t See Ad 6. of our Recreation, which were ever f infamous and un- Scene z. $,4,?> lawful! too. Sixtiy, I anfwer, that mens pretence of go- t6- . ing to Stage-play es meerety for their honed: recreation, icim2" found* isbutafalfefurmife,which will be moft apparant, if q^x n. t $g/ we fhall truely weight, what it is to doe a thing,onely m.-p^wj his for honeft Recreation, and what neceflary ingredients Cafes of Con- and circumfhnces all lawfull recreations muft have, fcience^|.c 4- t Svery honeft lawfull Recreation muft have thefe condi- e^ ' 0°,' £ M.7{0rthbro9kehis Treatife of Vaine Piayes and Enterludes. M.Samuel Birdjhi% Vft of the Pleafures of this prefent life,and others who write of Recreations , Eeeeee 2 tions: 5>4« Hiftrio-JMaftix. Part.x. tions : Firft the obje playes(efpccially inPiay-houfesJare defe&ive thirdly, Mfay 58.5,13. it muft have all thefe circumftances oftime : Firft, It c.ii,ii>i3,i4. y muft not bee on Lordf-daya* on times devoted to Gods £*h*fl0'6*i9' morefpec^fervic^on^m^s either of publike or private hf I Aft 6 fafi*n£ tndfokrnne humiliations :■ nor jet in times defigncd Scene 1 a. & for 0ffr honefi fiudies, callings, or any necejfary publike in~ A a 7. Scene $.f loymenu : Secondly, it muft not be in the x night feafin Summa Ange- when men by Gods appointment, and the ordinary courfe of Iica.Tic.Lu- „atureoughtto take their reftyto enable them the better Expoficors on t0 f^e ^Hties af^e enfuing d*J : anc* *° much the rather she 4, Com- becaufe fuch * night-recreations are occajions, if not pro- mandement, vocations unto workes of darkeneffe* Thirdly, it rnuft be * See here,pag. onely at fuch times when we ftand in need of r ecrea- ^46.74^747, tj0DS torefrefli our bodies or fpirits: It muft bee al- ^o'accor- wayes either after ficknefles, or naturall infirmities, dingly. & Se- or diftempers of body or minde, to recover ftrength, ncca Epiftju. health and vigor : or elfe after b honefi labours, fiudies, * Ephef. ?. 1 j j and imployments,in ourlawfull callings, to repaire thede- 1 2 j 1 1 . Rom, cayeSi t0 refrefb the wearinejfe of our bodies, or to whet the i.Thef.5.7. blunted edge of our over-wearied mindes: Fourthly, It Prov. 7. 9, 10, mull bee c rare andfeldome, not quotidian. Fiftly, the See here, pag. recreation muft d not be overlong, not time-confuming ; *6°* . it muft be onely as a battetoa traviler, a whetting to a & rempor\s"& Mower or Carp enter, or as an howres fteepe in the day ufus occaGone time to a wearied man;we muft c not fpend whole weekes^ reluti laboris whole dayes, halfe dayes or nightson recreations, as now voyd of grace, of fin-abhorring, vice-lamenting repen- aiiegly, Eeeeee 3 tance, 948 Hiftrio-Maftix. ' Part.*. tance, and wholy enthralled to the love, the fervice of thefe finfull lufts and pleafures, which will plunge them over head and cares into eternal! torments at the laft • * Ifay 3.9. this being one of the highelt degrees of lewdnefle, nfor Pbik m their little deteftation of the other. Sixrly, whereas * ^ fome 9$o Hifirio-Maflix. Part.*, fomc objeft,that they hate all fcurrilous, filthy, amo- rous parts, difcourfes, paflages, Pailorals, jefts, and ge- fturesin the Playes they goe to, approving none but chafte, but modeft reprefentations, paflagesripeeches : To this I anlvver. That as few Play- haunters, I dare fay, can fpcake this ferioufly from his hearts : fo it is but an i idle falfe furmife. For hrft, every man who rcforts to Playes, comes with a refolution to heare and fee the whole Play acted, not one particular Scene or Adt: he refolves, not this before hand with himfelfe,I will one- Iy fee and heare this Aft, this Scene, this Part; but I will debarre mine eares, mine eyes from all the reft, becaufe I deteft their lewdneffe : no man goes thus pre-refolvcdto a Play; he comes not therefore with an intention to abhor its lewdneffe, but to approve the a whole. Secondly , few Play-haunters (that I fay not any, I meane in point of confcicnce, though many doc it out of lafcivioufneffe and luft) inquire before hand of the Play, whether it be fcurrilous or obfeene ? whe- ther there be any prophancffe,any lewde partsor pafla- ges in it? whether it bee fuch a one as they may be- hold with a fafe confciencc ? whether there bee any lewde ungodly perfons who refort unto it, &c. but they run head-long to it without thefe premifed Que. ries: Thofe therefore who make no fuch confcionable , .-j inquiries of the unlawfull parts and paflages of Playes **hcrc*;ol« before they refort unto them,can * hardly deteft them • when they come. Thirdly, he who truely abhors the lewde i^urrill parts and finrull parfages of Playes, will •Sec RcT.i8.4.chu(e rather to*avoyd the whole Play for the evill i Cor.tf.itf, parts and particles which defile the whole ; .(as every 17 * l8# man is apt to flie thofe Cities that are but in part in- j lay 5^.1 i« feftc(j witn the plague, and to efchue thofe fweet con- ferves and wholfome potions that are contempercd with a little poyfon J then to behold the evill parts though with deteftation, that he may injoy the plea- furc of the good ; there being more danger of finne, of corrupt Pa* t. z. Hittrio-Maflix. 95 1 corruption by the one, then hope of any reall benefit or contentment from the other. Laftly, every Play- a haunters x pre fence at the whole entire Play, and his con- * SeeOiryfo- tribution to the *Attorsfor flaying of the whole, is ano- ftom.Hom.6, tor iota approbation of, an unavoydable affent unto the &38«'nMaitI- whole, in gods, if not in mens efteeme, who will thence accordln§v' conclude that they confented to and tooke pleaiure in the whole. Let no Play-haunters therefore any longer cheat thefelves or others with thefe dilufory falfe pre- tences, which have neither truth nor fubftance in them: but quite abandon Play es and Play-houfes,not withstan- ding thefe evafions which wil not help them in the day of Judgement. And thus much for the flrft Objection, The 2. Objection or pretence for feeing Stage- Objetl*i. playes is this : That it ferves to paffe away mens idle time, which would elfe perchance be worfe imployed. To this I anfwer firft; That { therefore it is evillbe- Anfw. i . caUfe-it thus con fumes mens pretious time which fhould bee 'See A& 6. Better imployed, either in pub like or private duties of piety Scenc x* and devotion, or elfe infome honeftftudies, catlings, or im- ploymentsfor the publike good. Secondly, there is no man 2 who hath fo much vacant time, that he needs to run to Playes,toPlay-houfcs,towafte, to poaft away bis idle houres. Alas, we all complaine with z Seneca and others, tt>z Brcvitatc Ars longa,vitabrevis% that our ftudies, our profefllons vit*,cap,i« are long, our lives exceeding fhort and fwift ; and fhall wee then adde wings, adde fpurs of life-confuming pleafures of fm to our few winged dayes,to make them flie away with greateft hafte and worfer {peed, as ifal we had too much life ? u Our time is too too fwift already; 1° ?&{*'* 6] it runnes whiles wee fit fill', it is alwayes flying more pfal.ia{.lf ] ' fwift then avy poaft, whiles we are eating,&rmking,fleeping, Pfal. 144. 4. play ing, and thinke not of its hafte : yea fo fwift winged Ify4o Mam. is it * ubi perluxum ac tegligentiam defiuit,ubi nulla rei £' *See Ad 6 bona impenditur,ut quod ire non imelleximus praterifjfe x^eca De fentimus^ that whiles we walk it thus onPlayesand Brevit.Vitx. fports.ius paft and eone before we difcerne it move. Ub.cj.z,n,it, \ Ffffff And ^5 a Hiftrio-Maftix. Part.*. And (hall we then bee fo de fperately prodigallof our lives, our rich and peerelefle houres, as to plot, to iludy how to paffe them quite away with more celerity, and farre leffer fruit ? Certainely if we would but ferioufly y Sensca De confider and pcrufe that elegant Treatife of an y Heathen* BrevitateVit*. Qfthe fhortneffe of Ufa or this memorable fpeech of * Seneca -piit« \^% Oj^oti^emorjmfiri qyotidie enim demitw aliquapars vit mofl adorned', all which are fuiJicient to mono- ofae veftis in- polize even all our idle dayes& more. And if we would duere,necin- ^fe to this . thefe (tricl commands of God: Exod. dumentum Chrifti quod perdtdit cogitare ? accipcre prcciofa ornamenta & monilia elabo- rata, nee divini & casleftis ornatus damnadeflere? Cypim De Lap/is. \ag. 343. Sec ChryfoftonvHom.S, in i.Tim. accordingly. 7o.£. Part.*. Hiftrio-^'Maflix. 953 2o«9 • Stxe dayes %jhalt thou labour and doe all thy worke ; * Which pre- Cen.-i.igdnthefvoeatofthy face (halt thou eate bread till c^z ls not a thoH rewrite unto the ground : (a curfe,a precept layd on £on to jab0Hr> all mankinde.)£^/.5-i f,i6.See thatyee walke circum- as f0mc ex- Jpeftly,not asfooles but as wife, redeeming the time,becaufe plaine it,but the day es are ev ill: 2.Thef.3. 10,11,12,13, 14. For even an 3broiuce whenwewere with you this we commanded you, that ifany^l^lJ™xJc^ . . ' t n 1 1 1 r> i 1 command, bc^ would not worke,neither jhouldhe eate. For we heare there rbomas Ecac&n, arefome (andO that we did not now heare of many his Care- fuch among us) which wafye among you disorderly, ## chifmcfol.34.} working at all, but are bu fie -bodies. Now them that are^f^' J^** fuch wee command and exhort by our Lord Jefus, ^^ceoEuftertiam. with quietnefte they worke and eate their owne bread, not c-v.r^.Gorran, being weary in well doing. <*Andif any obey notour Word Lyra, RHabania hy this Epifile note that man, and have no communion with MaurM,RBtBa- htm, that he may be ajhamed, Did we, I fay, confider all ??#?> Mf cr' this, or did we remember, how narrow, fieepe, and dtf- ^Do^ uu and ficulttheway is unto Heaven, and what paines all th ofe others on the tmft tah^e who meane to climbe up thither ; We fhouid 4. Commande- then fpeedily dif cover, how little caufe men have to ^^nt* run to Stage-play es to paiTe away their idle houres, ^^ eft^ia3n" which flie away fo fpeedily of themfelves. But flip- qu^ucit \d pofe there are any fuch (as alas our idle age hath too vitam ^ durus too many,) who though they are loath to die, (as ^//&arduus li» wen fhouid be ' willing to depart who have finijhed or fur- mes 4ui tenc*iC vived their wor ke,or elfe want good imployments,) yet Non°cft ad ^they have fo much idle time, that they know not how to magna facili* Jpend, ftandingallthe day idle, like thofe lazy Loytcrers, tfcQnCus.Qacni Matth.20. 1 .to 8. even tor want of worke ; or loytring frdorem per- . abroad like our common Vagrant Sturdy -bee jers, not fo P"1™111'' 4uein 1 t_ r* ^i_ - T. i_ r 166 u laborem ', cum much becaule they cannot, but becaufe they will notconamurafc(,n. worke; let all fuch idle-Bees know, that Chrift Iefusderecolles & their Lord and Mafler hath a Vineyard in which tbjy may ver tices mon - and ought to jpend their time ; he hath (lore of imploy- tium, qaid ut ments for them though themfelves have none, even ^^^utliitm 4.6,7,8. h bee Seneca De Brevitate Vit*,cap.i.i,p. to 12. Ffffff2 enough $54 HiflrioSWaftix. Part.*. enough to take up all the vacant houres of their lives. When therefore any Play-haunters or others have fo much idle time that they know not how to beftow it, let them prefently ftep into the Lords Vineyard-, let them repair e to Sermons, and fttch other publike exercifes * Ifay 1,5 #. of Religion^ calling upon one another and faying, h Come and let usgoe up to the mount aine of the Lord, to the houfe of the God of lacob> and hee will teach us his wayes, and wewillwalkein his pathes : or elfe betake themfelves to their owne private prayers and devotions : Let i Deut,6. sao tfem i rgadthe Scriptures^ fome other pious Bookes, lotus 5S0? * which may inftrucl them in the waves of godlinefle : A§' *ts precepts, promifes, threatnings; on Heaven and ever- thoVovvout.Pf! lifting hapfinejje : on. Hell and all its torments.', on finne 6 1 .6. Pfal.77. atK* aiA tne naileries that attend it : -1 on their owne frailty nJPfak 115*1 5 andmortality ; on the r vanity of all earthly things ; on 23,48,7 8 .Pfai. the ^ of death and1 judgement, which fhould be alwayes \ t> * ' ** r^'r thoughts ; and on a thoufand fuch like particu- f SeeVcclcs.?! V'ars» 011 which they' fhould imploy their mindes and i,*,&c vacant houres. Ifmen will but thus improve their idle r* Cor, 5-.10, time which now they wafteon Playesand fuch like **• vanities ( which l onely trea/ure up wrath unto their SLcVivi'i'A&f0**™ againft the day of wrath, and plunge them deeper ^Lcnts 9 10. into Hdlatlaft,) what benefit, what comfort might they Part.2,. Hiftrio-JMaftix. 9 5 5 they reape? their idle vacant feafons would then prove the comfortable!!, the profitable!!: of all others, and bring them in a* large returne of grace here, of glory hereafter. Let us therefore henceforth labour to inv prove our caft, our icifure times to our eternail advan- tage ; c & ab hoc exiguo & caduco tempore tranfitujn ilia * Sen !? De nos toto demus ammo, qua immenfa qua qua 1CV\ lta5 caP' cum melioribus communia : H$ 6 Hiftrio-Maftix. Part.i. meete judges in this cafe, becauic mod of them being iV-ph.i.TjZ^.yetzintheftateofJime and death, aie altogether fence- See Part i. lejfe of the growth and progrejfe ef their corruptions, of " 4* which they take "no notice. Excellent to this purpofe • Epift. ? 4. is that fpeech of a Seneca, guare vitiafua nemo confite- Pag» H* ♦ t-ur f Qum eiiam nunc imllis eft. Somniumnarrare, vigi- lant is eft ; & vn'ut fua confiteri, fanitatis indicium eft. Expergifcamur ergo.ut error es noftros coarguere poffimw. Stage- haunters are for the molt part lulled alleepe in the Dalilaes lappe of thefe finfuil plcafures, yea they «> 1 Cor, 4.4. are quite dead in (innes and trefpafles ; their b eyes arc Hcb.3.13. f0 blinded that they will net fee, their hearts fo hardned that they cannot difceme, their conlciences fo cauterized that they never ieriouily behold nor yet examine the execrable filthineffe, greatneffe, multitude, growth, or daily increafe of their beloved linnes and lulls ; no mar- vaile therefore if they aiJirme this falfehood ; that ^ they receive no hurt at all from Stage-play es. Second- ly, every man (efpecially chofe who were never tho- rowly humbled for their (innes, as few Play-frequen- «Male verumters are,) is a c corrupt , a par t tail, and fo an unfitting examinat om- judge, in his owne caufe. As therefore men inordinary niscori-Hptus differences, referre the cenfure and determination of ^emlTlatr e*r °wne cau^cs to indifferent Arbitrators who are i^pagilfa a/T'no wayes ingagedin their fuits, declining their owne particular difcitions to avoyd all partiality ; it beinga- • Se&.uz.ii.gainft rcafon (as d Ml .Littleton and our Law-bookes H.4A Rt.Leete teach us,) that any man fhould be the Judge of his owne l%7.ufi'^icau^' °raS *Arifiotle writes o£ Phyficians, that they i. ? .1 \ . a.s \ A,Hfe the helpe of other Phyficians in their owne ftcknefte, be- 8«S#3,2.a. caufe they cannot difceme the true touch of their owne • Polit. lib^j. difeafes by reafon of their diftemper : the lame fhould cap,ji* our play-haunters doe in this particular; referre the examination of the hurt they receive from Playes and . Play-houfes unto others, who are impartiall judges; 'Epift.i.c^.j.butnot unto themfelves, whom feife-love makes too * 9 partiall. Thirdly, I anfwer with S»Hierem; f Tunc max t me Part, l . Hifirio-Maftix. 9 5 7 , . , - _< maxime oppugnarzs,fite oppugnari nefcu. Adv erf arms no- fier,tanquam lea rugiens, all quern devorare quarens cir- cumit j CT tupacem put as .? Sedet in mfidtjs ; infidiatnr in eccjtlto ; d* f» frondoft arboris te&w umbraculo, molles famnos fmurpu pr&da, carpis .? Indc me perfequitnr luxuria, tnde compellit libido, ut habitant em m me Spiritum fanttum fugem,ut templum ejus viol em: perfequitur, mquam, me hofiis, cm nomina mille, mille nocendi artes ; & ego inf&lix vittorem me putabo, dum capior? In Hlo cr- petranda naufragia, Scjlla feu rentdens, libido blandttur. Hie barb arum litus, hie Viabolus pyrata cumfoczjs portat vincnla capiendis. Nolite credere, nolite ejfefecuri. Lien in modumfiagnifufum aquor arrideatjicet vixfumma ja- cent is elementi jpiritt* terga enjpentur: magnos hie cam- pus montes habet; intus inclufum efi periculum, intus efi hofiis ^expedite rudentes,velafujpendite ; tranqpiillitas ifia tempefias efi. Stage-players and Play- haunters are com- monly moil dangeroufly corrupted by the Piayes they acl and fee, when as they are leapt fenfible oftheir hurt; yea their oft refort to Piayes and Play-houfes which perchance did fomewhat gall their confeiences at the firil:,hath made them fencelefie of their mifchiefe at thelaft. zVulner%evetufto& negletlo callus obdveitur, & & Bernard. De eoinfanabilequoinfenjibilefit. Solum efi cor durum quod Confideratio- femetipfum non exhorret quia nee [emit. I lha!/ there- neilb**«c'2- Yore (hut up this reply with that of h Bernard, which I h De Confide- would wiuh all unlamenting Play- haunters & finners to rauone.l,2,c.i* ContideTiScioJongiuJ afalute abfifiere membrum quod ob. fiupuit,& agrumfefe non fentientem,periculofius laberare. Fourthly, the hurt men receive from Stage-playes, is 4. - like the growth of their bodies, it increaieth by ccr- taine infenfibie degrees, fo that it is hardly dif cerne'd whiles it is growing, till time hath brought it to matin rity. * Nemo repent e fit tmpijfimm : is as true as ancient, i luvena! .Si-- . Neman becomes extreamely vitious on a fudden, but by tyring, ia., unfenfible gradations, and fo doe Play-haunters too, even 9J8 Hiftrio-Maftix. Part,*. even by thofe feeds of vice which Stage-playes fow k Epifl.125, and nourifh in them. What k Seneca writes of the SceOforiusde difcourfes of lewde companions ; Horum fermo mul- Regum Inftit. tHmnocet', Nametiam f nov ftatim ojficitifemina inani- ' Is^ir/the^ morelinqmt ; fequiturfy nos etiam cum ab illis difcejferi- mar?enr3accor- mfiS refurretturumpofted malum* The fame may I truely dingiy. write of Playes ; whofe evili fruits, like * tares that are *Mattki$.ij, buried under ground,are oft concealed for a time, till 163 &c* at laftthey bud forth by degrees, and come to perfed ripeneiTe ; and then they are abvious unto all mens view. No wonder therefore if Play-haunters difco- ver not the hurt they receive from Piayes, becaufe it creepes thus on them by imperceptible gradations, though falter upon fome then others. But albeit Play- haunters feele no hurt at firlt, ( no more then thofe who drinke downc poyfon in a fugered cup , which yet proves fatal! to rhem at the lair, though it were fweet and lufciousfor the prefent.) yet when terrors of con- fcience, death, and judgements, when croffesand affli- ctions (Kali thorowly awaken them ; when God fhall fet all their finnesin order before them, or bring them 1 Sec Part 1. Dv his grace and mercy to flncere repentance, then they h£t6.Sccnciz. fall finde and know it to their grief e (as fundry l penitent 1-4,18*19**0. Players and? lay -haunter shave done before them,) that &pag^io. Stage-playes have done them hurt indeed* Fiftly, 5 Stage-playes have exceedingly m depraved , corrupted A&*6 Sed *" many Spett*t°rsfrom timc t0 time, and draxvne them on 1*8,19 io' t0 divers Jinnes, which have even funke their foules to Hell; as the premifes largely teitifie : And can any then think to efcape all danger,even where they have feene fo ma- ny perifh ? Can any man reft fecure where multitudes «De singulari- ^ave mifcarried ? What n S. Cyprian therefore writes rate Clcrico- in a like cafe, that fhall I here commend to Stage-haun- rum4 Traft. ^ters. Advos nunc mea exhort at io convert it ur, quos no- Tom, a. p. 1 9 9« famus experiri talia pracipit'ta ruinarum. Metuite qpian- 20 °« turn pet eft is ejufmodicafus exttia. Et in ifta fubverfione labentium vos expertmtntarperterream. Nimium praceps cfi Part. z. Hittrio-Maflix. 95 9 ~ eft quitranpre contendit, ubi alium convex exit cecidijfe, & vehement er infrenis efl cui non incut itnr timor alio pe- retime. Amator vero efi falutis fua qui evitat alien*, mortis incur fum, &ipfe eft provides qui fo licit us fit cladi- bns c&terorum. tsidverfa eft confidemia qu&periculis vi- tamfuam pro\certo commendat ; & lubricajpis eft qua in- ter foment a peccati falvari fe fperat. Incerta victoria eft, inter ho ft ilia arma pugnare ; & impoffibilis liber atio eft Jiammis circundari, ncc ardere ; quod ? Solomon non ne (rat, ° P«>v,<\ dicens, Qttis alligabit in fmufuo ignem, veftimenta autem fua non comburet t Credite quafo vos,credite divhtdt fidei quinimoplus qudm noftr £ . c£) ifficile qms venenum bib et & vivet ; verendum eft dormienti in rip a, ne cadat, cum die at Apoftvlus, T Quifeputatftare vide at ne cadat. In hac* i Cor.io,. parte expeditplw bene timere, quam male fidere. 8t uti- Uhs eft infirmum fe homo cognofcat 9 ut fortis exiftat ; qudm fortis videri velit, ut infirmus emergat. Sixtly, £ all Play-haunters receive much hurt from Stage- play es '^ '^°4* jeds men to Gods curfe and vengeance here, and to Gggggg eternall s6o Hiftrie-Maflix. Pa&t.i- q eternall torments hereafter I Fourthly, your very ex- ample in frequenting Playes and Play-houles, a$ it is a Prorfus dif- .ufcandalous and offenftve to Gods Church,Gods Saints, jplicet in Ful- x ^ mbeCeemtric the Cofpellof Chrift, fo it is a meanes pore non folu to harden vicious Piay-haunters,t° encourage and draw morbus fed & on many Spectators unto Stagc-playes , who are pol* nxvus.Bernard, luted, vitiated, and made worie by them : whofe tins Epift.i49.fil. flia[f certainely be put on y our,as well as on their fcores, ** Decct Chri- at la^» whofe le wde example was the original! occafioir ftianum non " Dotn of their finnc and hurt. I fhall therefore cloze up foium habere this reply, with that of / C£>rjf0ft9me > t° ■ thofe who vita* fanitatem, made this very objection. Sed ego, inqmes, ofiendam, fed & fama: de - n^ti mtiltjs hujufmodi Iff do j obfftijfe ; immo vero idmaxi- ^li^i^'Thl cetl qH°d frffi™ & incaffum tempts confitmis , & 206.V fcandalum alys offers. Nam effi tu qtiodam excelfi animi y Rorm\.i%.mrobore ,nihilinde tibi mali cotttraxifti: attamen qmniam Matth.Tom.i.rf/iAf imbeciftiores , exemplo tuLfpeBact^ornm ftuAioftu ft- Csl.jo*. A«B. cifli,quomodo non if fe malum tibi Contraxifti, qtti caufam malt commit tendi atys pr&bttifti / Qui^im ib4 cpmtm- puntw tarn viri quam mttliereSyOmnes corruptionis crimina & caufam in caput tuum transferunt* Nam quemadmo- dump non effent qui fpeclarent,nec effentetiam qui lude~ rent : fie quoniam uterfofunt caufa peccatorum quA com- mittumur^gnemetiam^attentur. Quare quamvis animi tuimodeftia efficifii,ut nihtltibi inde obfuera,quod ego fieri ■pojfe nonarbitror : quoniam tamen alij caufa ludorum mult a ■peccamr.ti graves propter hoc p&nat lues, quamvis etiam * Here, pag, ' mulio modefiior & temper -am tor ejfes,fi nuilo modo eo per- 4i7°4l8- geres. YVhich.paiTage (formerly z Engliifced^ I would 7 wii'h all Play-haunters ferioufly to cenfider*. Laftiy, admit that many Spectators receive no hurt from Stage-play es ; yet certainely they are very dangerous temptations unto evill ; and it is Gods preventing grace alone , of which no Play-haunter can pre- iiime, that preferves men from their gr^ffe corrupt tions. Why then fhall wcerunne ourfeives into iiich temptations, luch infedious, mfiauating, if not eniiia- ring Part.i. Hiflrio-^'Maftix. $6i ring pleafures of finne » which wee may avoyd with fafety, but not refort to without feare of danger ?« Hierom. E- a Quid tibi necejfe eft in ea verfari domo m qua necejfe ha- pi&47 .cap, i . heas aut per ire , aut "vincere ? Quis unquam rrtbrtalium juxta viper am fecurosfomnos cepitt qua, etfi nonpercutiat, cent follicitat, Securivs eft ferire non pojfe, quam juxta periculummnperijfe.. O therefore let us flk thefe pe- ftiferous Bnterludes which will endanger hurting us, if that they harme us not. %£ph- If any here reply, as fbme did to b Tertullian in this b 5cd S<>1> imo very czfeiThas theSunne /bines onadung-hilUandyet itslf* Peus ^a beames are not defiled by it : Co men may loohe §n Stave- &'Xl° ^" plajes anayet not be polluted', c for unto the pure all things minatur. Plane are pure: And admit there be fbme oblcenity in Stage- Sol & in doa- playes, yet chafte hearts and eares will not be tainted cam radios Cu- with iu d Auribus enimcaftis obfcani fermones cum fono os defert-» nec deficient, necfecretumpudici cordis irrumpunt : nee erum- nnuT^Spt' (it fermo turpis exmenteniftfe voluntarit mens ante cor- ftac. c.io.pag, rumpat,qudmrecipiat aliquid unde corrumpatur, aut pro- 197* ferat. Turpia quo^ verba per aures ingrejfa, quid pr&va- 6 Tit ks 1 .1 ? . lent9ftnonfuerint arbitrio mentis admi/fa ? Quando au- yfr0^zr* c tern prevalent , non ipfam corrumpunt mentem, fed jam t<.mpy T c 6, corrupt am fponte reperiunt. Pulchrorum quotfe corporum form a per oculos trrepentes, animum non movent incorrupt tum ; & quando corruptibtliter movent, non corrumpunt fanum.fed oft endunt propria voluntate corrupt um j as Pro** /per Aquitanicus writes. To this I anfwer firft, that the Sunne is of a pure and Anfwer. celeftiall nature, uncapable of any defilement whatfo- ever ; its fhining therefore on a dunghill can no wayes maculate its pure rayes, which oft-times make the * Pfai.14^5. dung-heape ftinke the more. But mans nature as it was Pfal, yi.f. capable of pollution at the firff, before aAdams fall, fo Iob '4.4-cap. his e altogether filthy, ft inking, and corrupted fince, more *M4-^onM* i^n j-i_ir*- r r 9 -to 19. cap.7. apt to bewnamed with any laicivious amorous lpee- ,a v0 aj^4. ches, geitures, Playes and Enterludes, then Tinder, Gen. l.i 1,1 a. Gun-powder, Flax, or Charcole are with the leaftlky^©.*^ Gggggg'* fpatkes 2i-\tJ n j r ; • ; j i , of ori^inall rw/,w5 and his 1 heart mojt desperately wicked andde- fmne,andits ceitfulLabove all things, as both Scripture and experi- nature. eiice teach us : No wonder then ifStage-playes ("which s Gcn.6.^11, if we believe m S. Chryfofiome, arefarre more contagious *»Vf £ 6 &fihhy then any dung,) defile mens vitiousnaturesythou°h j Rom.74,\ 8. no linking dung heape can pollute the (Tuning Sunne. k t PctXi4. We fee that n the very fight of the forbidden fruit was J Ier. 1 7*9- fufjicient to tempt Adam and Eve tofime even before their m Horn, 1 8 jn Natures were depraved: and we know ° that the cafuall Matth ^cvc^?' fightofBgLthlhcbawasfufficient top evoke even regenerate i Gen. rjs'i l^avid to anadulterous all : And will not then the pre- ° 2 Sam. 1 1. 1, meditated voluntary delightfull beholding of an un- to6". chafl adulterous Play, much more; contaminate a vo- luptuous, carnall,gracekfle Play^haunter, who lies rot- ting in the finke of his moil beailiy lufts ? A very Hea- P Seneca.Epift. then could informe us thus much : V Ad deter iora no<> $1 . t ant umpronum iter efi,fedetiam pr<£cepsr,i\\ax. mans nature isnetoudy prcncbutprecipitste.unro evill thingsrand fliaU ChrLiiians thenthinke themfeives, as uncapable of contagion as: the fhining Sunne? God forbid: we may perchance beefuch in Heaven hereafter, as neither * Auguft.De Svelte, nee poffe peccare ; burhere we cannot be fuch • Conept. & For what man among us can fay, r that he hath made his G rr.tn,cap. 1 1, heart cleaney andthat he is pure from hisfinne f Certaine. I prov 10 ly if any dare fay fo, (as fome Papifls write of their fu. filohni!8l per-errogating fuper-aitogant Saints,) { St. John - « Tit.i.i5,See will tell him that he is a Iyer, and there is no truth in him \ AmbrofcHicnm And although* mto the pure all thin? s( that is all £»od,all Tbeodoret,Tri- ° f S a m^fimMdiiUm^gm^mM^iArifelme,^ Lyra^n- (c(m:}To[lam3Calvi?J3MarloYat, and others, ibidem* lawfullr Part.2,. Hijtrio-JMaflix. 96} lawfnll, all indifferent things, all meates and drinkes, for oft hem the zApoflle fpeakes J are pure, yet unto the impure (and tech *for chemoft part are all Play-haunters ) aU*Sze Partis things (that is all good, all indifferent things, all meates, AQ^nI *'**' the very meaneft whereof are farre more plealant,then Piahiy.t.pfil, the very be ft of Enterludes, then all our Stage- playes 1 1 3. 9. Pf.i 17, put together? Beiides, though men are debard froin £,4.1Y.ii8.3.4. Stage-playes,Dicing,or mix lafcivious Dancingjor any L'CMi'kl't0 0t^er unlaw^Ll11 irPorts3 tntv haveftore of hon-ft, of a 9', go! Scc°# healthfiill recreations ilill remaining, with which to Cfcryfoftom. refrefh themfelves; as walking,riding,fiilung,fowling, j*. in Muth. hawking, hunting, ringing, leaping, vauting, wreftling, accordingly, running, {Looting, * fingittg ofPfalmes andpiotu 'Ditties; * SamCS8 68" P*aPng Hton tnufic-all Inftruments, cafting of the Barre, 1 Ckon a I .5. c°ffing the Pike,riding of the great Horfe, (an exercife aChron. 5.1V fit for men of quality) running at the ring,with a world Pfai.68.if. offuch like lavvdable,-cheape, and harinlefle exercifes ; Pfal.867.Pfal. which being ufed in due feafon,with moderarion,tem- \X? V7' * U perance,and all lawfullcircumftances, will prove more PfaUi^o.V,^ wholfome to their bodies,more profitable & * delight- 5) 6.Eph»f.io. full to their foules, then all the Enterludes, the 11 n law- Col. $.i£*8£'full Paftimes in the world. Men need not therefore lam. 5 j 3 . complaine for want of recreations in cafe they are de- qu*Tpe3*cu- priced of Playes, when they have fuch plenty of farre lis,campo,tef- better fports. Thirdly, admit the objection true, that fens, ociofis you fhali be ftript of all your earthly pleafures in cafe denies fcrmo- you are kept from Playes, yet what prejudice fhould nlbUS? miw"& your fouIes or bodies^ufFer bv ic ? Carnall worldly "nviWorum pleafures, you know, are no part, no particle of a Chri- xnora come- ftians comfort, hee can live a moil happy joyfull life rwnt/ieome- without them 3 yea he can hardly live happily orfafcly tr-x ^otm$, ac witn them. Worldly pleafures are full of daneerous -pen- to plus dele&itionis ex hishabituri,quamcx illis incruditis voluptati- ■ntfi 1 nfrtM.i cap. 1 9 pig. 8 5 . foule- Pa* t. z. Hittrio-Maflix. 967 fouk-entangiing fnares,which are apt to endanger the very beft of Chr iftians. Hence was it, * that holy Mofes »Hcb j 1.1 j, ehofe rather to faff er afflittion with the people of God, then to enjoy thepleafures offwnefor afeafon , Hence our c Sa- e Luke 6.if. viour pronounceth an woe unto them that laugh now, for they fhallweepe and lament hereafter ; Hence '«£. James f lam. 4.9,10. advifeth men,** turne their laughter into mourning, and their joy into heavineffe: And S Solomon hereupon in- s Eccles47.$, ftructs men ; that it is better togoe to the houfe ofmour- 4* S* nivgi then to the houfe offeafling ; for that is the end of all men, and the living will lay tt to his heart. Thatforrow is better then laughter ,f or by thefadneffe of the countenance the heart is made better : And that the heart of the wife is in the houfe of mournings but the heart onely offooles m the houfe of mirth : there being nothing more dangerous to - mens ibulcs, h more oppofite to their venues, then carnall pleafures* This Heathen men long fince acknowledged. ■ irtutl ""- «V- / r , * .. ° . .. „ . j & . mica voluntas. V olupt as ejcamalorum qua nulla capttaltor peftts komim- silimltalicm. bus a natura datur, Nihil altum, nihil magnificum & di- PunicBelMk-i $ vinumfufcipcrepoffmty qui fuas omnes cogitationes abje-fol*l*U cerunt in rem tarn humilem aty, contempt am : writes 1 Cicero. Rejpuendafunt volnptates,enervant & ejftminant. ' Dc SencAute V olupt at i indulge? e initium omnium malorum eft. Indu- pag^S *«De A. randus itafy eft animus & blandimentis volupt'atumprocul micltia# P» ,# abftrahenaus. Vna Hannibalem hybernafoluerunt, & in* domitum ilium nivibus atfy sAlpibus virum enervave- runt f omenta Campania. Armis vicit, viti/s vittus eft,&c. Debellandxitafo funt imprimis voluptates ; is the advice of k Seneca* And good reafon is there for ir. * Epift. ?r» Quippe nee irabeum tantum,nec tela, nee hoftes9 1 04. x 1 o. Quantuntfola noces animis illapfa voluptas, as 1 Silius Italicus affirmed long agoe : anfwenble to 1 pimicorum which is that of m 5^/^appIiable to our prefent times. Bcl.hb. 1 5 .foL Non eft tantum ab hoftibus armatis Atati noftrv* onety a va^e rfwiferj, a place of forrbw, griefe and labour 193. 294 * °* to all the Saints of God. P Cum enim legatur Adam in /oca P Bcrnard.De voluptatis ah initiopofitus fit operaretur,quis fanumfapiensy eo quod Scrip- fifos .ejus in loco ajflittionis ad feriandum pofitos arbitre^ turn eft. Beams tuf ? £very man is q borne into this world weeping, to font- mo. fol,8 4,.a4 Pe f"at **tS a f'ace °f teares, not of laughter ; a prtfon, net * Natul-a nc>- a Paradice ; and fliall we then thinke to make it onely a minemtanciim Theater of jollity and delights ? Fifdy, let no men fo far nU^UT> & m deceive themfelves,as to expect an*earthly Paradice and natali die °' an heaventy to° > as to enJ0V the pleafure* of earth and abijeit ad va- Heaven both. r i>elicatus esfraterfi & hie vis gaudere gicus ftatrm & cum^culo, & poflea regnare cum Chrifio, writes Saint ploratiim, mil- Hierom. Alas,thole who receive their pleafure in this lurnqjtot ani- ^f£j muft notlooke for any comfort, but torments one- maliimi aliud j • h jif t CQ ( mdf0 mmh pleajure M ft h ad lachrymas, 7. . , r i? n ,t 1 r n • 1 J - & hasprotenus enjoyed here, Jo much torment jh all they jujteme hereafter t vita? princi- c None reape.injoy hereafter, but thofe whofow in tear es of pio. At her- godly f or row now* u Our light affliElions (not our carnall cule rifus precox llle & celerimus ante quadragefimum diem nulli datur, Ab hoc lucis rudi- nicnto qua: ne feras qiiidem inter nos genitas^vincula excipiunt, & omnis membro- runa nexus. At homo infeliciter nitus jacet,marribus pedibitfqs devin ** cujus hicfoia- tiumomnefinitur, cujus caduca ac brevis vi:a hie aliquam dulcedinsm coT;pur:.t voluptatum; cum iftinc receiTent, psena jam alia fupereft ad doloiea;. Cyprian. CsntraDcmetr.^ag.zz^. * Si aliqua amififtis. Vit£ gaudiaj negotiatio eftaliqnid amittere ut majoi'alucrens. Ttrmilianad MartyrcSiCfyi. Hhhh hh 2 now, 970 Hiftrio-SWaftix. Part.*. now, that fo ye may gaine far greater, far better in Heaven 6 hereafter. Six tly, thole Enter hides and 'warnalipaftimc* wherein the world takes fo much folace, can bring no true joy to a Chriftians heart, who tramples upon them b Epift i u. as not worthy the enjoying. It is an excellent faying foI.ioa.A. & or*b BernarA : Gufiato fpiritu, neceffe eftAefipere carnem : Epift. i j 4J1, affettanti calefl'tajerrena nonfapmnt : aternis inhanti,fa- Hanc Dei gra- fliAiofunt tranfitoria. Revera tlluA verum & folum eftgau- tiam recolens, dium, quo Anon de creatura feAAe creator e concifitur, & cahce b wl° 1*°^ CHmf°JfiAeris nemo toilet ate, Cuicomparata omnis amplius fitit,& aliunAejocunAitas, mar or eft ; omnis fuavitat, dolo^efi; adDeumvi- omne Aulce, amarum\ omne Aecorum, fadum ; omne pa* vum erigens ftremb qnoAcunc^ aliuA Aele&aripoffit, moleflum, Erery finadiriUIf' ka pi°US Chriftian hath the C Goitf*U comfort anAconfoU- ingu an ame ^ (without whom nothing u plea f ant J -with all his tku tenetur jut £reat and glorious attributes : the mercies or God the demceps fdlca Father ; the merits and foule-faving paiTlon of God peccatoru hor- the Sonne ; the confolations, joyes and graces of God rcatpocula, & the holy Ghoft ;the wifcdomcpowe^gobdncffe^tcr- SamenTo. *&> competency, mercy, truth and alfuificiency of rum carnaliu, tne lacred Trinity, which are onely able for to fill the fit ei qaafi ran- fiule : the word, the promifes of the God of truth ; the ddum ro- eternal! joyes of Heaven ; the fellowship of the blefied denfqV pallatu sajnrs and Angels, to ravifli, folace, and rt Joyce his dtatfs tectum *°Uie u$on a^ occa^ons ' on thefe he may caft the eyes, £y$mn.rDeC«> yea fix. the very intentions and defires of his heart : in xaDom'mi.Scrm, thefe his affections may even fatiate themfelves, and Wj°i. take their full contentment, without any fubfequentre* nf £ 5?4* Pawnee, finne, or forrow of heart : Thofc then who te adtft "rx- cannot fatisfie their foulcs with thefe cdeftiaI1 Specla- ter'Dcum no-" cles, and foule-ravifhing delights, in which all Chifti- ftrum, non eft ans place their complacency and fupreme felicity , it is dulce* Ncli- naits omnia quae dedit, (i non dat Ceipfum qui omnia dedit. jiuguflm. Enarratio in P/i/,8 f . Tow. 8. fan i. pag.66. <6ee lob i f. 1 1. * Nimiium nd imaginem Dei fa&a anima rationale, caeteris omnibus occupari potenVepIeri omnino non potcft. Capacem Dei3 quicquid Deo minns eft, non impleb t, Bctnardi Veclamationct. a. fure Part.i. Hiftrio-SMaftix. yj\ a fare chara&er, that they have yet no fhare in Chrift, no acquaintance with the leaft degrees of grace, no in- tereft m Gods favour, no true deiire of grace, of Hea- ven, and everlafting life, which would foone embitter and debafe al worldly pleafures,whrch are but cyphers in refp eel of thefe. Laftly,if any Play- haunter bee yet 7 fo devoted to his Piay-houfe Spectacles that he will not part with them upon any tearmes; let him then behoid farre better, farrc fublimer Spectacles then thefe with which to delight himfelfe;which I fhal commend unto him in S. Auguftines words : Quid ergo facimus fratres? writes d he in our very cafe. Dimiffurieumfumm ? fine d En^-^ E&t fpettamlo morietur,non fub (iflet, non nosfequetur.Qmd ergo *9' °m' ' faciemas? D emu* pro fpe&aculis fpettdcula. Et qua fpe- 4lu "^ ftacula daturifumpu Chrifiiano hominiy quern volumut ab illis fpcBaculis revocare ? Gratias ags Domino Deo no- firo,fequente verfu ofiendit nobis qu&fpettatoribusfpebtare volentibus fpettactila prober emus, & ofiendere debeamus. €cce averfus fuerit a Circo, a Theatre, ab Araphitheatro? qtt&rat quod ' fpettet, prorfus qu&rat; non eumrelwquimus JtnefpeBaculo. Quid pro illis dabimus f zAudi quid fe- quitur, Mult a fectfti tu Domine Deus mens mira* iilia tua. LMiracula hominum intuebatur , inten- datmirabiliacDei. Mult a fecit Dominus mirabili* fua, hac refpiciat. Quote illi viluerunt .? tAurigam laudas regentem quatuor equosy &fine lapfu at£ offenfione eurren- tes. Forte talia miracula fpiritalia non fecit Dominus, Regat luxuriam, regat injuft it iam, regat imprudent i am: tnotus iflos qui nimium lapfi h2o'i m'1'£ea^f^' erg° d-um Ethnici gaudent, ut cum lugere ctpe- 40 j, ' rwt , gaudeamus ; ne par iter nunc gaudent es , tunc fIohni6.2o, quoty pariter lugeamus. Delicatus es Chriftiane, *i j i*. fi.& infeculovoluptatem concufifcis, imo nimium ftultas fi hoc exiftimas voluptatem. Pnilofophi quidem hoc nomen quiet i & tranquillitati dederunt, in ea gaudent, inea avo- cantur, in ea etiam gloriantur. Tu mihi met as & fcenas &pulverem,& h arenas fujpir as* Die as veltm, non pojfu- mus viverefine voluptate, qui mori cum voluptate debebi- mus f Nam quod eft aliud votum mftrum, quam quod & 1 Phii.i, 1 j . Apoftoli ; § exire defeculo & reeipi apud Dominum* Hac voluptas,ubi& votum. Jam nunc fi put as deleft; ament is exigere fpacium hoc, cur tdm ingratus es, ut tot, tfr tales voluptates a *Deo contributas tibifatis non habeas, ne(fe recognofcas .? Quid enim iocundius quam Dei "Tatris & cDominireconciliatio,quamveritatisrevelatio, quam er- rorum recognitto, quam tantorum retro criminum venia f *Noti4 qua major voluptas, * quam f aft tdtum ipfius voluptatis, quamfeculi totius eontemptus, quam vera libertas, quam confeientia integra , quam vita fufficiens 3 quam mortis trmornullus,quQdcalcatDeos Nationum, quod Damonia expellis, Part.*. Hiflrio-Maflix. 975 - .-* expellis, quod medicinas fact's 3 quodrevelattonespetis3quod *Deovivis ? Ha voluptates,h&c fpettacula Chriftianorumi fanffa,perpetua, gratuita ; in his t'tbi ludos ctrcenfes inter- pratare ; curfusfeculi intuere, tempora labentia dinumera, met as confummationis expetta, focietates ecclefiarum de-* Nots* fende, adfignum ^Dei fufeitare, ad tub am zAngeli erigere, ad martyr if p almas gloriare, * SifcenicA doBrinA deleBant, fat is nobis liter arum eft,fatis verfuum eft,fatis fententta- ' rum,fatis etiam canticorum,fatis vocum, nee fabuU, fed v er hates i necftrophA,fedfimplicitates. Vis & pugillatus & luBatus ? prafio funt, non parva fed mult a* aAfpice impudifhiamdejeBam a c aft it ate, perfidiam ctfam a fide, favhiam a mifericordia contufam, petulantiam a modeftia adumbratam, & tales apud no s funt agones, in quibus ipfi coronamur. Vis am em & fanguinis aliqutd I habes Chri- fiu Quale autem fpeBaculum in proximo eft , adventus Domini jamindubttatt, jam fuperbi, jam triumph ant is f Qua ilia exultatio Angelorum, quA gloria re fur gentium fanBorum .? quale regnum exindejuftorum ? qualis civitas nova Hierufalem f At enim fuperfunt alia fpeBacula, ille ultimus & perpetuus \udicij dies J lie nationibus infperatus, *xPet. 3.7^, ille derifus, eumtantafecult vetuftas, &tot ejus nativ hates ^unoignihaurientur. Qua tunc fpeBaculi latitudof quid admirer? quid ride am? ub'igaudtam,ubi exult em fpeBans tot actantosreges, qui in edum recepti nuntiabantur cum *pf° JoveyCr ipfisfuis tcftikus.inimis tenebris congemifcen- tesl item pr /fides perfecutores dominici nominisftzvioribus quam ipfi flammiSjU vierunt infultantibus contra Chriftia- nos clique fcentes: qms ' prater ea fapientes illos philofophos coram difcipulis fuis una.conftagrantibus erubefcentes, qui- bus nihil ad Deum perttnere fuadebant ■, quibus animas aut nullas, aut non in priftina corpora redituras adfirmabant] * Let our etiampoetas ,non adRhodamantinec ad Minois,fedad in- Tragedians opinati Chrifti tribunal palph antes. Tuncmagis * Trag&di a^ Aftors audiendi, magis fcilicet vocales infua propria calam'u ate \ ° q™* r Tunc hiftriones cognofcendi folutiores mnlto per ignem : ° ] tuncfpeliandus aurigainflammea rotatotus rubens: tunc. Xyfticl 974 Hiftrio-Majlix. Part.x Xyfiici contemplatdi, non in gymnasijsy Jed in tgne jatu- lati, nifi quod nee tunc quidem illos velimvifos, ut qui ma- iMat.tI1j3.5f lim ad eos potius confpettum infatiabilem confer re qui k1^ h 6'*'k in dominum defavierunt. Hie eft tile (dicam)'1 fabriaut i IohnY 48 ' qH*ft**ri*fihu*> k Sabbatideftruttor, l Samarites & Da- ta Matth.irf* rnonium habens. mJHic eft quern a Juda redimiftis, hie eft 14,1 u 67> 6Z. ille arundinis & colaphis diverberatus, fputatnentis dedc- c.i7«*9> jo, coratHSyfelle & aceto p status. Hie eft quern n clam difcen- n m * *h 8 tesfubripuerunt, ut refurrexijfc dicatur, vel hortulanus dc- utoiV '■ tr*x*tnelattucafuafrequemiacomeantiuml to their eternail prejudice. cara10 funt, Anc* here I fliall firft of all befeech all Play-poets, to pretiofuovi- ponder with themselves; that they are the primary lia, Nefcimus asftimare ies,de quibus noncum fama3 fed cum rerum natura deliberandum. Nihil habent ifta magnificum, quo mentes in fe noftras trahant, prxter hoc, quod mira- nillaconfuefcimus. Non enim quia concupifeendafunt laudantur 5 fed concupif- cuntur quialaudan fanes &cum fingttlorum error publicum feccrit, fingulorum flrrotem facit publi;us, Sima. Ep$« Si.ptfg, 351, caufes P A b t. z. HiSlrio-Maflix. 975 caufes of all the (innes which Players, Playes or Piay- houfes doe occafion : not any one finne is there that any A&ors, Auditors, or Spectators commit by raeanes of acting or beholding thefe their Stage-playes , but flowes originally from them, and zfhallat lafi befet on * * Tim. 5. their account : for if there were no Play-houfe-poets "' s^e m/ there could be no Playes to fee or ad, and fo by confe- ^3 Slck" quence no fuch accurfed h fruits of 'Stage-playes as now^A^^'*1" are too too frequent in the world, both to. the publike pi.^bui ^iT" and mens private hurt. Now tell mec I befeech you, tae feg{t!S ma~ what man, what Chriftian is there who in Gods, in lorum eft au- mens account would thus be branded lfor an inventor ^°r* Vtmfibi- ofevill things ; a publike nurfery of all fin and wicked- *^0ratio Dt neffe ; a man borne oncly for the common hurt both jr^ of himfelfe and others, yea an inftrument ray fed up from Hell it felfe to draw on thoufands to that horrid place of their eternall woe. k Quanto autem non nafci k Seneca De melius fuit, qua fie numerari inter publico malo natos? lBet- CIcmentia.lib. ter had it beeneforyou never to have had a beings to ™ have l ' caP- 1 8* perifiedin the wombe like an untimely birth : yea happier J^a"kz^*4« were it that a nmilfione hah beene fafined about your Eccfcs3 V* ' neckfs andyou fb drowned in the very depth of the Sea, jhen Ffai % 8 . 8. that you thould thus pull downe damnation, eternall n Match, "i 8.6. damnation on your owne and infinite others heads ' ^arke 9«4*« by thefe your prophane ungodly Enterludes, which CI7'Ijl* will ° prove no other at the laft but the evidences of your o Sec here pa<* vanity, folly, finne andjhame, and without repentance you* *i £to 924 ac- owne and others deftrublion. O therefore deare Chriftian cor*J7> done before y ox, endeavouring to confecrate your much f 4M 8« ' 66 aPP^au^cc^ wits,your parts and induilry to Gods glory, 5 68. pL/^'. cne Churches, the Repub likes benefit, your owneand 841,910^1 8, others fpirituall good,which you have formerly deve- st **• ted to the c "Devils pompes andfervice? uthe %epublikes Sec pag.ic.to prejudice? Jinnes advantage ', Religions infamy, and mens a see 0 x common hurt, O coniider, confider I befeech you, that tofoi.56*5. ac-as Jong as you continue Play-poets, you are but the cordingly. * prof effed agents of the world, theflefh, the Devill, whofe n Secherc,pag. pompes, whoje tufts and vanities you have longfince re- 44.1061,92, mHHce({. cnat «ou joe but facrifice your wits, your * parts, your itudies, your inventions, your lives to thele accurfed Matters, who can gratifie you with no other * Rom.^i 5 . * wages at the laft,but Hell and endleffe torments ; a poore x*-! t 1 7* reward for lb hard a fcrvice- Doe not, Odoe not then T devote your pretious time, your flourifhing parts of Poetry, Eloquence, Art and Learning to thefe ufurping * Rom.i i.x. helli/h tyrants, vAiichyouJhould * vfholy dedicate to your itCor'/*xo ' $°^' y t0 w^om Tb*y arc 9neb ^He : ^ut ^ncc y°u are z no 7 1 Cor' V ' ^"i^ dehors to the frefh to live after the flejh, nor yet to ie# ' the * world, the Devill, or ftnne to doe them fervice, let * Rom. 8.1 2. God alone henceforth enjoy them, b from whom, for •Rom, 6.i 6y whom yon did at firft receive them. Alas my Brethren 1 7 ji 8,1 1 .,1 1, when you fhall come to die, when c terrors of confeience \T*tuh™'fi*11^ or when as d Chrift himfelfe i«iy 16. fhall fit upon his Throne of Cj lory for to Judge you, what k Rom, 11.36, good, what comfort, (yea what cfhame and i horror) Rev. 4. 1 1 4 will all your Play-poems bring to your amazed fpirits ? •af V ** 4*8 tnen W*M you wifh in earneft, O that we had beene fo lobule** naPPy a3 never to have pend, or feene a Stage-play ; xx. cap. 27.2"*. ve* woe be to us that we were ever fo ill imployed as Pfal. 5 j. 4. to caft away our time, our parts, our ftudics, our lear- PjaL 7 g. 10. ningupon iuch heatheniflh, foolifti and unchriftian va- *Dan8*ir5lo* nities* Ala5> » we day, one honre tn Qcds Courts, Gods Matth.tf.31j*. • Rom.^.zr.Ier.j.2^.cap,n.5l.E^ch1i^5i5j4,^2. f Pfal, 5j.y.Pral,ii9.5$.E»ech.7.8. « PfaI.84.xo. fervices Part.*. Hiflrio-^'Mafiix. 977 fervice, had h beene farre better to us ; then all the yeeres h Eccles, 6. x i< of em vatne ufelejfe lives, which wee have fpent on Playes and Theaters,which now bring nothing elfe but a more multiplied treafure of endleiTe miferies and con- demnation on our owne and others fouies, which thefe our Enterludes have drawne on to fundry (innes. • O l Iobl«3>^r* that the day hadperijhed wherein we were borne, and the1*' night wherein it was [aid, there is a man-childc conceived ! Why dyed we not fiom the wombe, why' did we nop give up theghofi whenwe came out of the belly Jbef ore ever we had learnt the art of making Playes f for then fhould wee have lien ft ill and beene at reft; then had we beene free from all thofe Piay-houfe (innes and tortures which now furcharge our fouies, then had wee never drawne fuch ^troopes of Players, of Play-haunters after us into Hell, k Qui enim a- whofe company cannot mitigate, but infinitely enlarge our liospeccare fe» endlejfe torments. And then all this over-late repentance "nt> multos will be to little purpofe. O then be truely penitent and ^"f^ wife } betimes, before thefe dayes of horror and amaze- tcni3 & necefle ment over-whelme you,that fo you may have m peace eft m fit pro and comfort in your latter ends, in that *(jr eat, that terrible tamis rcuj> 'Day of the Lordjefus, whenall impenitent Play-poets, q^ncosfcairii Players, and Play- haunters " faces Jhall gather blackneffe, ntm!salvUn!~ their hearts faint, their Jpirits languijh, their joy nts trem- z>e Guberttat. * ble, their knees finite one againft the other, and thetrDcll^.f.\^u mouthes Jhreeke out unto the n Mountames to fall upon x Iob 8«f • them, and unto the Roches to cover them, for feare of the " "~ *7t*7' Lord, andfor the glory of his *~Ma]efty, when he Jhall come m^Jel a!$!" tn flaming fire to render ° indignation andwrath^ tribula- Nahum *. xo. tion andanguijh to every foule of man that doth evill^whe- Ifajr i 5**57, ther he be Jew or Cj entile. Certainely the time will P come l\9* ere long,when the <\ Sunne Jhall become blacke asfackcloth, n ^ * *'u Q^ and the Moone at blood : when the Starres of Heaven Jhall Rev,$. x e'i 7. * fall unto the earth even as a Figtree cafteth'her untimely ° Rom z. 8,9. fruit when Jh ee is Jhaken with a mighty windc, when the Iude 1 4. ' ?. F Rev. n.io,I:im. 7.8,9. Heb.io.37, iPet.$.i6\ Iude 14, * Rev.tf.n.to 17. Kay 34„4..cipj3.Q,l03ii.Lukei;.36. 2 Pet. 5. 7,10,11. fiifii 2 Heavens 57 8 Hiftrio-SMaftix. Part.*. Heavens/hall depart as a fcrowle when it is rolled toge- t her > and the Elements melt with fervent heat ; when eve- ry Mount aine and IJland/hall be moved out of their pla- ces,yea the earth aifo and the workes that are therein (hall he burnt up with fire: when the Kings of the earthy and The great men, and the rich men, and the chief e Captames, and the mighty men,(who now wallow fecurely in their finfuii lufts and pieafures without feare of God or mzn)and every Bon"d-man and every Free-man (who lives and dyes in finne and vaine delights) /hall hide them- felvesin the Dennes and Rockes of the Mountaines , ye* fay to the Mountaines and %ockes,fall on us land cover m from the face of him that fitteth on the Throne, and from the wrath of the Lambe : for the Great Day of his wrath h comeyondwhojhall be ableto fiandl And then what ■ lob 33 .17. x goody what profit will ail the Stage-play es you have i Sam 1 1 V Pennec*> feene,or aI ' ° laugh at) will then fland you. infieaa,znd fheiid of all the twifd. 5.3,4. terrors ofthatdifmallDay. * wherefore (beloved) feeing See here, pag« that all thefe dreadfull'SpeSiacles, and this day of horror 1 20. to 1 28. drawfo nigh , he diligent that yee may be found ofCjodin **'. JVac" peace, without Jpot and blameleffe ; abandoning Play- *> rPew.ii Wdkingy with all fuch fruitle/fe ftudies, pajfing aH the j 4. 1 Pet.1.1 <>>time ofyourfojourning here in feare , endevouring to be 1 6,\ 7 , holy in all manner ofconverfation, even as God is holy ; * and *2Pet.3.j8. growing up daily more and more in grace, and in the know- lubim'it l9%ledXe Qf0Hr Lord a"d s*viour Jefus Chrifi, 7 laying u? injtore for your f elves a good foundation againfi the time to come ; that fo you may lay hold on eternaU life, and re- ceive that Crowne of right eoufne/fe which the Lord the righteous Judge /hall give at that Day to all thofe who Part. 2,. Hiftrio-cMaftix. 979 love ,andwait for his appearing. Secondly, I fliall here beieech all voluntary Actors, 2 of academicall or private Enterludes, in the name and feare of God, as they tender the glory of their Creator and Redeemer, the peace of their owne confeiences, the eternali welfare of their foules, or their owne cre- dit and repute with men, now ferioufly to confider the intolerable infamy , finfulneffe, fhame, and vanity of acting Playes,which not only *the Primitive Chriftians, * See hcre,pag# and Proteftants, but even Pagans and Papifts have con- 84,1, to 8*6. demned. Alas how can you juftifie or excufe your fclvcs in the fight of God for this your action, when as you are thus condemned in the eyes of men ? or how can you appeare before God with comfort in the Day of Iudgement, when as you are unable to ftand in- nocent before mans tribunallin thefe dayes of grace ?■ Certainely,if z for every idle word that men fhall jpeake, % Matth J% 6 (ye a and for every idle part or geflure to, which they fhall s^.lfay \%\6» dtt or ufe) they mufi gtve an account at the day of Judge- ment ; what a dreadful! reckning muft you then expect for all thofe idle wanton words and geftures which have parted from you whiles you have acted Playes ? j Repent therefore, repent I fay with floods of brinifh . , teares for what is paft,and never adventure the acting ( of any academicall Ehterlude for time to come. And jj if any Clergie-men, who have taken minifteriall Or- ! ders upon them, are guilty of this infamy, this impiety of prophaning,of polluting their high & heavenly pro- feffion by acting or dancing on any publike or private Stage ; becomming thereby the worlds,the Devils pro- filed Minifters infteadof Chrifts, to the intolerable*^" Bernard, fcandall of Rdigion,thc iU example of the Laity, (• who £1^° . & o- Are apt to imitate them in their b lewdnejfe) and their own rati0 a(fpa_ deferved infamy ; Let fuch diforderly hiftrionicall Di- ftores.accor- vines, confider that of c Bernard, Si qui* de pspulo de~ dmgly. b Idcoque ti- mendum eft, ne quos duces hujus retti itincris habere nos credimus,eos cemircs habeamus erroris. Hwomfyi$*mc*M tA&*h t Epift,ii7/°l«i8^ lit Hi 3 viat 980 Hiftrio-Maftix. Part.*. viatfolus per it, Verum P after is error tnultos involute, & d Rpift.4x.f0l. tantis ob eft quant is fr deft if ft, d Verum tu Sacerdos Dei lS6' altiffimi , cut ex his placer e geftis , mundo an 'Deo ? Si mundo, cur Sacerdos f Si Deo, cur qualis populus talis & Sacerdos ? Namfiplacere vis mundo, quidtibiprodeft Sa- cerdotiumf Volens ttafy placer e homwibus, Deo nonplaces. Si non places, nonplacas. Alas how can any commit the cuftody of their foules to flich who are altogether neg- « Bernard.Ser, ligent of their owne, c Qui ftbi nequam , cut bonus .? may prcfent or admit fuch Play-acTing or other fcandalous tScc here,pag. Minifters to the cure of foules, which ought to be de- *f9h94» everlafting cenfure of the h Great Shepheard of the Sheep, Summa Ho- Chrift J efus , hereafter : and let this for ever diffwade nCIv-S,'1& J* rhem from this ungodly pradife of perfonating Stage* ne^at*taCj"°3piayes> which hath beene moft execrably infamous in corum.foUj"" a^ former a^es. As for all profelTed common A&ors, I & 1. * ,bc Cic- fliall here adjure them by the very hopes and joy es of rico Vcnatore, Heaven, and the eternall torments of Hell, toabomi- LuV ^ ^it* natc> to rcnounce al1 &turc ac^inS> anc* this their « hcl- tnn^ccntius1?' Ifo Vrofeffton,which makes themthe very inftrumeuts, the Operum.Tom! *rch-agcnts,theprofeffedbondftaves of the DeviH,thepub^ * 'pag- 47 * »ac- like enemies both of Church and State, the authors of their cordingly. oww and others juft damnation ; excommunicating them s h * 4aa ^ot^° fiom x^e Church, the Sacraments, andfociety of the 4 .Scene"' A6tfait fH^ "tthislife^nd everlafiingly excluding them from c\ Scene 10. & Gods ble fed prefence in the life tecome.You then who are Aft 7. Scene but newly cntred into this infernall unchriftian courfe fc 3' of Play-ading9confider I befeech you,that this your in- famous profeffion is the broad beaten rode to all kindc of vice,of wickedneflc & prophaneffe; the readied paf- fage Part.i. Hiflrio-Maftix. 981 fage unto Hell it fclfc^in which you cannor finally pro- ceed without the aflured lotfe of Heaven; & a profefled apprentifhip to the very Devill,whofe porapcs,whofe fervice you have long fince renounced in your bap- tifme ; and therefore cannot now embrace wirhout the higheft perjury. O then take pitty on your owne poorc fouks before it be too late; before Stage-playes, finne, and Satan have k gotten fuch absolute full pojfejfion of you, ^q^ Mandi- *s utterly to disable yon to caft off their yoake : And endo dulce mi" now I pray fay thus unto your foules ; * cur er&° tan- trivit malum topere vitam iflam defideramus, in qua quant o amy bus vi- fcr0 recufat vimus tanto plus peccamw f Quanto eft vita loncrior, tamo fci re qui me uti^quiavado admeum at^veftrum, immo umverforum ante fecerunt patrem. sAlioquin quid mihi & vobis? ° Quid a ^/, damnatCy^am * * J ^-' natura. recca- torejpeccatorem in peccato fuo genuerunt, & de peceato nutriverunt. Nihil ex eis habeonifi miferiam & peccatu,& corraptibile hoccorp* quod gefto^Quidfum ego ? htibwo. 981. Hiftrio-Maftix. Part.i. Homo de hu- habeo nifi peccatum & miferiam f hocfolum quod gefio more liquido. corruptible corpus de veftro me habere fateor & agnofco. F ui enun in JVonfujficit vovis quod me in hancfeculi miferiam mtferum tc^on^ehu- miferi ivduxiftis, quod in peccato veftro peccatores pecca- manofemine tor em genuiftis\ quod in peccato natum de peccato nutri- conccptus, &c flis, mfi etiam invidendo mihi mifericordiam quam confe- -Deinde fpuma cutusfum ab eo qui non vult mortem peccator is, ft liumin- illa ccogulara y^r gehennafaciatis ? O durum patr em ! 6 fevam ma~ SnVo^cTrofo- trem ' ° f*r-cntes crude les & impios I imo non parent es fed da eft. Vofciperemptores, quorum dolor fains pignorss, quorum confola- plorans & eju- tiomorsfilij eft. Qui me malum perire cum ijs, quam reg- ions traditus nare fine eis. Qui me rurfus ad naufragium unde tandem nujus nudus eva/i, rurfus ad iqnem,unde vix femiuftus exivi, mundlCXi 10, r \t J * /S r ■ in r r i & ecce jam rurfus *d latrones a qmbus Jemtvivus reltUusfum,fed mi- morior f>knusferaf*tc Samaritano jam aliquantulum convalni,revocarc iniauitatibus conantur, & militem Chrifti pr ope jam rapto calo trium- & abominatio- phantem,ab ipfo jam introitu gloria, tanquam canem ad n f S ^am vomitum, tanquam fuem ad lutum, ad feculum reducer e \nti$\&i\k\xmm°ltHnttir' Mira abufio. T^omus ardet; ignis inftat a judicem,de o- tergo, &fugientiprohibetur egredi, evadenti fuadetur re- peribus mcis gredi ? & hac ab'his qui in incendio poftti funt & obftina- r ationc m red- tiffima dementia, ac dementiffima obftinatione fugere peri- dtturus,&c. CHiHm nojtim I Prob furor I Si vos comemnitis mortem ve- tationucap.i, firam,cur etiamappetttts meami bunquam negltgttis fa- /0/.280. Intern veftram, quid juvat etiam per fequi meam? Quare vos non pot'tus fequtmini me fugientem, ut non ardeatis .? s/fn hoc eft vefiri cruciatus lev amen, ft me etiam perima- tis,& hoc folumtimetis, nefoli pereatis f Ardens ardent i- bus quod folatiumpr aft are poterit? Qua inquam confola- tto damnatis focios habere fua damnationis, &c ? *D /finite igiturparentes mei, definite, & vos fruftra plorando affli- gcre, & me gratis revocando inquietare. Doth the love PMatth.i$.i*. of gaine or pleafure allureyouto it ? Alas, ?what will it profit you to win the whole world ( much IdTe a little fil- thy gaine, or foolifli carnall mofnentany delight) and \ Ecdc*. 1 1 .i« then to lofeyourfoules f 1 Remember therefore your Crea* tor in the dajes of your youth, by abjuring the Devils fer- vice, Pabt.*. HiUrio-Maftix. $g$ vice, and betaking your ftlves to Gods, left the Devill being your lord and mafter in your youth, prove your tormentor onely in your age. r %ecedat itat^ peccandt i* Eufefeius amor,fnccedat judictj timor. Nam quamiiu in vol? is car- Gailicanus. naliumrcrumvixerit appetitus spirit alium a vobisferfii-^™0^0™' umclongabitaffettus. is^emo invas aliquofatore corrnpTC^%^\% ► * turn baljamapretiofatrartsfundit; & ficut dixit cDominus\ tJUm, torn.*" Nemo mitt it vinum novum in utres ve teres, difficile efi^us r. pag, Ht ajfurgere ad bonum pofis, nifi a malo ante divert er is : f 94«H» quamdiu nova deltfta adyciumur 3 Vetera non curamur. ProrftiSpe.cc at a non redimet, qui peccare non definit : quia nemo potefi duobus dominisfervtre. In uno anim& domictlio imquitasatfe iuftitia, cajtitas attfcluxuria fimul habitare nonpojfunt. Inter dicatur jgitur accejfus voluptati, at(L li- bidini, ^t domus munda pMeat caftitati : excludatur Dia- boluscum rnihttti vittorum, ut Chrifius cum choro pojjlt intrarev'ttutum. You who have beene ancient Stage- playeri, ana have ferved many Apprentifhips to the Devill in this your infernall profeflion,Oconfider,con- fider ferioufly I befeech you, the wretched condition wherein now you Hand : your parts are almoft adted, your laft dying Scenes draw on apace, and it will not be long ere you goe offthe Theater of this world f unto r Ads i« 2 f • your proper place ; anel then how miferable will your condition be ? You4iave beene the Devils profefled agents, his meniall hired fervants all your lives, and muftyou not then expert his wages at yourdeathes? Youc have treasured up nought but wrath untoyourfelves* Rom.z.t.tQ tgainfk the day of wrath <>whiles you lived here, prccipita- * 2« ting both your (elves and others to deftruclion ; andean youreape ought but wrath and vengeance hereafter ifyom repent not now .? Your very uprofefflon hath excommuni-* See Aft 4. eatedyou the Church, the Sacraments, thefociety of the Scene \JHl 7. Saints onearth; and will it not then much more exclude £cene M-& you out of Heaven ? * O miferabilishumana conditio, &. g art 2g p* 4** fine Chriflo vanum omne quod vivimus I was S. Hieroms* HlCrom]E- patheticall ejaculation : and miy it not be much more pift^.cap 6. Kkkkkk yours, 984 Hiflrio-Maftix. Part.i. Ephef.i.ii, yours, who have y lived without Chrifi in the world, who have renounced his fervice , and betaken your felves to the Devils workes and pompes againft your baptifmall vow, as if you had covenanted by your felves and others toferve the Devill,and perfbrme his workes; even then when you did at firft abjure them 1 O then bewaile with many a bitter teare, with many an heart-piercing figh ; with much fhame, much hor- ror,griefe and indignation,the loffe of all that precious time which you have already confumed in the Devils vafTaJage, and fince God hath forborne you for Co many yeeres, out of his tender mercy, O now at laft thinke it enough, yea too too much that you have fpent your beft, yourchiefeft dayes in this unchriftian diabolicail » 1 Pet,4.i,$>Iewde profeflion; profeiling publikely in *S. Teters *• words ; The time paft of our lives may fuffice us to have wrought the will of the Cj entiles, and of the Devillto, we will henceforth live to God alone : if you will now caft of^our former hellim trade of life, with fhame and de- teftation ; if you will prove new men, new creatures for the time to come ; Chrifts armes^ Chrifts wounds, yea and the Church her bofomeftand open to receive * 1 Pet.M r > you, notwithstanding all the a lufls andfinnes of your for - ih 1 3 • mer ignorance. But if you will yac ftop your eares, and harden your hearts againft all advke, proceeding on $& * Quid autem in this your ungodly trade oflife, * m which you cannot co infadicius but be wickedjinzn know you are fuch as are marked out cuijamefle for Hell: b Cuch who are erven up to a reprobate fence to malum neceffe , ,? J , rr / A J- rr r n eft, Seneca. De wor*£ alluncleanejje even with greedinejje? that you all may lra,lib,im.i4< 1 ©. ' ^ll^ppeare before the Judgement Seate ofChrtfi, to give a particular account of all thofe idle, vaine andfinfull actions gefiures, words and thoughts, which hope proceeded from joh., or becne occafonedin others by you all your dayes j be fure r — — Part. 2,. Hiflrio-<(Maflix. 9%^ fure to give over this wicked trade of Play-ading without any more delayes, which will ccrtainely bring you to deftruclion, i£ you renounce it nor, d as all trued See pirt r f enh ent T * layers have hone before yon* For if the righte-A&6.Scenc ousfhallfcarcely be favedin the r£>ay of ~ Judgement ; where r4- *Q« & here [hall fuch ungodly firmer w* you appeared Ccrtainely, £you P# 9 l °. /ball not be able tofiand in Judgement-, or to juftifie your x g er,4# I7# felves in this your profeflion in that finne-confounding 'Pfalj.j £, foule-appaling Day: but Sjoufhall then bepunifhedwithz i Thcf.i«8. everlafling perdition from the pre fence of 'the Lor d,<& from 9* the glory of his power, i£ the very riches* of his grace and mercy will not perfwade you to renounce this calling now;* Quanta efediutws Dens vos expeStavit vt emendetisSBemardiMc- tanto difiritlius judicabit fi neglexeritis : by how much <3itationes. c.z. the longer God hath forborne you here expecling your fo^ 28°- repetance,the morefeverelyfhal he then condemns you. If any Stage-players here objecl, that they know Objection. not how to live or maintaine the mfelves if they fliould ^ give overacting. To this I anfwer firft, that as it is no good argument ssfnfiy. i. for Bawdes, Panders, Whores, Theeves, Sorcerers, Witches,Cheaters,to perfevere in thefe their wicked courfes,becaufe they cannot elfe maintaine themfelves; fo it is no good Plea for Players. h No man mttfi live\\ see Tertul« by any finfull profeffion ; nor yet doe evill that good may de Idololama. come of it : therefore you mutt not maintaine your felves Kb.Chryfoft. by acting Playes, it being a lewde unchriltian infamous f?01^/ *°« V1 occupation, SecondIy,there are divers lawfull callings ai4L Alenfi? and imployments by which Players might live in bet- Stimma Theo- ter credit, in a farre happier condition then now they fogise. pus 2. doe, would they but bee induftrious: i ItisthereforeQ^^'^s- Players idlenelfe, their love of vanity & finfull v lea fur es, not *?* J * want ofot her callings, that is the ground, of this object ton. Am$m^v,i- Thirdly, admit there were no other courie of life but ftu r %, to Lam- this for Players ; I dare boldly averre that the charity ben, acrordmg- ofChriftians is fuch, as that they would readily f up- lY & ^*n T« ply the wants of all fuch indigent impotent a<*ed Aa C'-?CCS1C *- Kkkkkk2 Acors 9%6 Hiflrio-SViaftix. Part.2. Actors (unable to get their livelihood by any orher lawful! trade) who out of confeience fhali give over Playing. Certainely , the charity of Chriitians- was k Ep,^ \fo , iuch in k Cyprians day es, that they wonldrather maintaine Epiit. 10. See foore penitent usttlors with their publike dimes, thenfuffer here p.^06, them toper ifh, or continue aUing; and I doubt not but their charity will be now as large in this particular as ic was then. Laftly,admit the objection true ; yet it were farre better for you to die, to ftarve, then any wayes to 1 ^Ulla^ °e~ ^ve ^ ^nne or fin&M courfes. There is l no abfelme ne- C uendi uibus ceJTlVat A^ f^at ^enfhonld live j fat there is this neceffity unaeftnecefli hes on all men,notto fmne\ yea every pious Chriftian as us non delm- is evident by the concurrent examples of all the Mar- quendi. Twtu! tyrs, fliould rather chufe to die the cruellell death, ther* ve corona MM- to commit one ad: of finne. Better therefore is it for tis,cap,7. Players to part. with their profeflion forChrifts fake even with the very lofle of their lives and goods, m Matth. 1 o . (which m they mufi willingly lofefor Chrifi, or elfe they are not worthy of him,) then to retaine their Play-afting^nd fo loie their Saviour, themfelves* their very bodies and i bules for all eternity , as all unreclaimed, unrepenting Players in all probability ever doe. Let Players there- fore if they will be mercifull to themfelves, fhe w mer- cy rather to their foules,then to their bodies or eftates. * Bernard, ad n 7 at is enim mifericordia crudelit ate plena eft, qua vide - Gulielmum Icet itacorport fervitur, ut anima iupuletur. Qu* enim Abbatem A- ; J J ... , n . J & ,. ?V^ Dolo^ia. Col, c"arit f *8» mindes and manners', the onely Canker-wormes of their ^^6l*to graces, their venues ; the chief eft incendiaries of their car- \ p7a'rt * *A^ ^ nail lufts; the common occaftons of much avtuall lewdnejfe, scene i.to xo« finne and wickedneffe ; the principall obflacles of their fm- accordingly. cere repentance \ the grand empoy [oners of their Joules ; and * Eccc <}ua w0~ if we believe r S* tAuguftine, the mortiferous broad bea- ieb^s Ire>eccc tenway to Hell it felfe, and everlafting death, in which tx non fruftra "whole troopes of men run daily on unto dejirutlion. O then jpfa duck ad let all thefe,all other fore-alieaged flexanimous confide- Amphithea- rations divorce you now from Stage-piayes , f rom tmm> non ^ Theaters, which eife will feperate you rrom your God ; ?[a ^ ducIt and fo engage your hearts, your j-idgements,your con- Virmomfera fciences againft them, as never to frequent them more eft, latimdoe- upon any occafionor perfwafion whatfoever. You have jus dele<5ht ad heard arid feene at large what Cenfures, what Verdicls tempus, finis the f Primitive Church, both before and under the Law and eJus anSuftus Gojpell; the ancient eft Chrift tans, C ounce Is. ; Fathers; the^f1^^' beft Chriftianjhe beft Pagan NationsJLmper ours, Princes, ftrepunt^turbx . States, Magiflrates , Writers, both ancient and moderne, feftinant,tur- have conft ant ly, have unanimouflypajfeduponStage-playes, baj collu^an- Theaters,Tlayers, Play -haunters, a^ainlfc whom Ter^mt*tmhx??*~ it. A J w r a J a-or- j currunc. Noli tulltan, Cyprian, Chryfoftome, Augufttne, balvian, and o- jmjtarj noij a_ ther Fathers, with fundry moderne ^Authors, have pro- vcrti: vanitates fefTediy v^ttqp ample Volumes: You have feene al! fant& infaniae mendaces. Noli numerare turba^hominum incedentes laus vias, implentes craftinum Cir» cum;ciritati? natalc clamando ceiebrantes,civitatem ipfam male vivendo turbantes. Noli ergo illos attendere,mulu funt. Et quis numerat > Pauci auccm per viam an- guftam.£fldr. in Tfal.i 9. TomS.parsi.p.+n^i^vid.j)^. 417, 418. [ See Partly h£t 6. Scene 3.4,$,r2«& Ad 7. Scene 1.107. Kkkkkk 3 a°cs, c, 8 8 Hiflrio-Mafiix. Part.*. * see P?.rC i. ages, all places, all qualities and degrees of men, l J ewes A&6.Scene ^ and Gentiles, Greenes and Barbarians, Chriftians andPa- 4j?5ii.& Ad gam, V rote ft ants and Papifts, yea Popes and Jefuits to, y.Scene i,to 7. concurnng in their juft damnation. Be not, O be nor tnbuTdoclio-" ^ee therefore u wifer, nay worfer, then all .then any ofthefe res aut devoti- PI Ay -condemning Worthies who have gone before yen ; ores fumus ? (whofe harmonious P lay -confounding refolutions agree- Pcriculofe able with the Scripture, if Saint * Bernard may be crc- prxfumimus ditcd, muft bindeyouto renounce all St age-play es, in the rum m'tahbus verJ felfefame manner ** tf G°d himfelfe had exprefiy prudeittia pre- eommandedyou. to abandon them :) frequent not Playes terivit. Bernard, which they abominated ,• pleade not for EnterJudes Epifi.17 4- fol. which they fo feriou(ly,fo abundantly condemned : Let "ob d' not t^at ccn^ure °f noty y Bernard be verified of you ; mix maioribus tha*J0* have now not onely loft the power of the ancient: prabetur Deo Chriftian Religion, but even the veryfhew and out fide to: cxhibecur. but as you are Chriftians in name, in profeflion, fo bee Qiumobrem vou fuch in truth, in pra&ife. And fince it was the ^uicquid vice z moft notorious char abler of Chriftians heretofore, to abo- homojoucd rninate , to abandon Players, Playes and Play-houfes ; non fit tamen let it bee your honour , your piety, your . pracTicall certum difpli- badge of Chriftianity to forfake them now : that fo cere Deo, haud imitating the Primitive Play-renouncing Chriftians in a?dpiendn«m° *** ^olineffc> you. may at Ia^ participate with them cft,quam fi™1 in their eternall blifle. . And fo much the rather let me patcipiat admonifli you to withdraw your felves from Playes Dens, Quide- andPlay-houfes, becaufe no ordinance of God can doe you mm inrcreft any good, or clenfeyoufromyourpnnes, whiles you refort to anp^ruos6 Theaters, as I have * largely proved : heare but Saint mmiftroftfive C^rj[°fiome once more to this purpofe, where fpea- hommes five king againft mens and womens parlingjaughjng, and ga- Angeles ho- m Iff minibus innotefcatfuum placitum Deus ? Sive enim Deus,five homo vicarius Dei mand.itum quodeundj tradidcrit,pariprofecT:dobfequcnduny.:{t cura, parirevercn- ti.idcferendu'T»,uui tnmen Deo contrana non praecipic homo.Dc Pneccpto & Di- ipMfaiionc.foLi^o.H.l^ 7 lam religionis antiquae non (olum virtutem amifimus, led nccfpcctetn rc:memus. Ad Gulklmum Abbatem Apologia* fol z6o.T>. * See here, P«4'6ij5 j 7. accordingly. * See Part 1. Ad 6< Scene 12. & p«$o*.to 40^.435,43/. zing P A rt* x . Eiflrio-Maflix. 9 %9 z^ing about in Churches (which * hee [everely cenfures) *SeeCfcryfcft; he writes thus. a Nunquid theatrica fiunt hac qua hie Ho«h1.»4 m ferunturf op'mor autem quod id Theatris debeamus. Ino- ^ta Apo& edientes enim multos nobis conflttuunt & inept os : qua s°* on Playes, on Play-houfes, and fuch lafcivious fports, J*^7^8,69r ■ you who have call: away your money, your eftates °n 3 20041^74* Players, Playes & Play-houfes,(the hveryfaElors,pompes 2.8$'4I8, '431* andfynagogues of theevill)c wherewith y&u Jhould have 44^47 1>474> cherifhed thrifts poore needy members; You who have 488,^10, %6o. beene ancient Patriots, Supporters of Adlors or their V TlS 1 ■ . # nis coitus di*- highly, too long I provoked, kcructfied,lgrteved; which nitatis, ful^erc^"^ m ^* wwr <^? Alas. h 2 cor f.20. a" c"e cime that y°u have air^ady pait in Play-haun- Rom. ?.r.* ' tin^, and fuch delights of finne, hath beene but a time i Ifay 3.8. of jpiritu all death, wherein you have beene worfe ihen Icr.41.84 nought in Gods account : ° Ab eo enim tempore cenfe- aI,x °6<7> mur ex quo in Chnfto renafcimur, as Saint Hierom trafel y Vhq^6.6 writes: and what otherprorit have you reaped from *Eph„4.i9/$o.Piayes or Play-houfcs, F Nifi quod fenes magis onufti Heb, 10.29. peccatorumfafceproficifcimin;vi. he iarne Fa.rurfpeaks? m Se^ Part *• O therefore now at lail before it be too ilate, before f ^ & ioCnC death natn wounded you, Heaven excluded you, Hell n Deo dic'ata devoured y ou, repent of all your former Play-haunting membra nulla with many a foband teare, abandoning ail Playes, all tibi temeritatc Play-houfes for the future ; r utfic corretti at % in melius ufurpes$fciens, reformatio qui aimiratifuer ant prim in SpeUaculis infant- quodpietati am 9 nunc admirentur in moribus difciplmam. You who fanaihcatanon \ , , j •■>•■'•_•■ j abfq; ^ravi fa- afe Duc young and newly entred ituo this dangerous crilegio in ofus courfe of Play-haunting ; you of whom I may fay as vanitatis3vo- * Seneca once did of the Roman gentry ; Oftendam nobi- Iuptatis, aut c- Hffmos juvenes mancipia pantomimorum9 remember that V^ot Serb*" ^oIy covcnant which you not long iince made roGod in affumamur. baptifme, l to for fake the 7)eviU and aU hu werkes, the Bernard, in Pfal. pompes, the vantties of this wicked world, with all the fin- §m Habitat, fulllufts of the fie fh, of which Stage-plajes{as the r Fathers Serm^-foLji. • Epift:J.c.5.Ephcf.i.i5Xjj.f HicromEpift.g.c.7-*Matth.2j.io.toi4. 'Cyprian. Epift^-1 .Epift.5,p.5 7/* Seneca.Epiit.47.pag.1xo, r Sec here,pag. j.& 4a. to 61. t Seeker^ pag. j. 41.10 6ft, 561. to 567.130,136, 257, 4M.> 4J°, 5i~> 5*4> 518,658. teach Pa b t. i. Hittrio-Maflix. 99 r teach you) arc the chief e; O perjure, perjure not your f elves, renounce not your chriftianity, your faith, your vow, your baptifme (by frequenting Playes) in your youth,your child-hood;* bequeath not your [elves fofoone a Tu fitempli unto tht T> evilly after your folemne confecration unto God fpiritus fantti ptChrifi; let not him gaine pofTeflion of your perfons, violas,G intra But as * you have given up jour foule sand bo dies as an holy de cahce Da: living facri fee unto God in baptifme, to ferve him with moniorum them in holineffe andrighteoufnejfe before him all the dayes SSg^ ' of your lives {fo be yee fure to make good your promife, eft,nonrcligio: by 7 remembringy by ferving your Creator in the dayes of injuria, non your youth, your ftrength,your health and life, who will devotio:Idolo- * then crowne you with glory and immortality at your ™m reTItuf & death. Pitty it is to fee how many ingenious Youthes rr^natio^vellc^ and Girles ; how many young (that I fay not old) fimul Baal fa- Gentlemen and Gentlewomen of birth and quality, mulari & (as if they were borne for no other purpofe but to c^i&oxyfria confume their youth, their lives in lafcivious dallian-^Crf;M^w' ces, Playes and paftimes, or in pampering, in a adorning *'se*necaEpift. thofe idolized living carcafes of theirs, which willturne n6, to earth, to dung, to rottennefie and wormes-meat ere * Rom ,12.1,1. be long, and to condemne, their poore negIeded^aP 6«3-to x4« foules) calling by all honeft ftudies, callings, imploy-y^J J la- ments, all care of Heaven, of falvation, of their owne *Rom. £io« immortall foules, of that God Who made them, that 2 Tim! 4.8.' Hebr, 1.7,9. » To whom I may ufc S.Cyprians words in the like cafe. Tu licet indumenta pere- grina & veftes fericas indues, nuda es : Auro te licet & margaritis gemmifq; condc- cores,fine Chriftidecoredeformises«Si quern de tuis chiris mortalibus exituper* didi{Tes,ingemifceres dolenter & flcres/acie incuks, vefte mutata negle Bowling-allies, and fuch u.toi6> 'infamous places, upon thole life-devouring, time-ex- haufting Playes and paftimes, (that I fay not finnes be- fide,) as is a fhame for Pagans,much more for Chriftians to approve. O that men endued with reafon, ennobled « Col. j. 1,2, j, with religion ; with immortall foufes, ^ftonelyforthe Phil«4. 8,9, noble ft, heavenlieft,fublimeft and dlvineft attJans, fhould Ifay43.11. evcr beefo defperately befotted as to waft their pre- ^Ecdls 1*1' Cious ^me uPon ^UC^ va*nc> ^uc^ childifli, bafe igno- to tL 1 6. 11 .' ^Ie pkafures, which can d no way profit Joule. or body* 1 Sam.12.1i! Church or State ; nor yet advance their temporall, Ifay 5 j. 1. lob much lefie their fpiricuall and eternall good, which *5«3 i-Hofea 8« they fhould ever feeke. You therefore deare Chriftian 7% om. .it. 3retjircrij whoare, who have beene peccant in this kinde, for Gods fake, for Chrifts fake, for the holy Ghofts fake, for Religions fake,(which now extremely «Rom42.24« c faffers by this your folly;) fortheChurch and Gorrv Ezech*a5 10 mon-weales fake, for your owne foules fake, which you 2j# - ' fo much negled, repent of what is paft recalling; and for the future time refolve through Gods afliftance, never to caft away your time,y our money, your eftates, your good names, your lives, your falvation, upon thefe unprofitable fpe&ades of vanity, lewdneffe, hCci- vioufnefle,or thefe delights of finne, of which you muft f Rom. £.21* neceflarily repent and be ( ajhamed, or elfe be condemned Ezra 9. 6, Ifay for them at the Ialt ; ZfaJJing all the time of your pilgrt- E 19t 2 66 6' magebereinfeare> an<3 imploying all the remainder of *c . c 1 ' ' your ftiort inconftant lives,in thofe honeft ftudies, cal- c 1 Pcm.ib lings, and pious Chriftian duties^ which have their fruit JRom.6.1*, HntohoTmejfe, and the end ever lafting life. And because we have no w many wanton females of all forts refort- A ins Part. 2,. Riflrio-JMaftix. $93 ing daily by troopes unto our Playes,our PlAy-houfes,to fee and to befeene,zs they did in * Ovidsagc; I fhall only { Sec jje,.c defire them (if not their Parents and Husbands, to con- 4^. * fider; k that it hath evermore beene the notorious badge* See Part r. of profiituted Strumpets and the lewdefl Harlots, to ram- Aft 6-Scene *« He abroad to Playes, to Plaj-hotifes ; whether no boneft, 4»?«&P-i44. chafi or j ober Girlesor Women,but only branded Whores, & I , \'l * ,*?jf* infamous Adult ere jfes did ufually refort in ancient time s : \ 7 0,3 89,390, the* Theater. being then made a commonBrothell : And l9i»^19Al^» that allages,allplaces have conflantly fufiebbed-ihe chafti- to 441^4$ a, ty,yea branded the honefiy ofthofe females who have beene J^ din^T" **" fi immodefl as tore fort to Theaters, to Stage-play es, which * Adulterijs* either finde or 'make them Harlots;* inhibiting all 'married impudicitijs, Wives and Virgins to refort to Playes and Theaters, as I pucroriim vio- have here amply proved.Since'therefore Saint Taut ex- Ia.n°mDlls om~ prefly enjoy nes all women (efpecially thofeoftheyounger^n^^nt% fort) to be1 fiber, chafle, keepers at home, (yea m therefore execranda? fie- J^eepersat home, that they may be chafi e and fiber, as anci- bant mulieref- ent andmodeme Commentators gloffe it ;) that the Word of0^ acl ea *PC~ Godbenotblafbhemed: (whereas the diffolutenefle of ^3cula ™*- , r , . ■". ,v , . «. r . . bantur:o iceie- our laicivious, impudent, rattle-pated gadding females ftUm. lllud no- now is fuch,that as if they had purpofely ftudiedto ap- fturnu funeftu- propriate to themfelves King Solomons memorable cha- quefpeilaculu I racier of an whorifh woman, n with an impudent face, a fub- *n Theatro tile heart and the attire of an Harlot; they are lowde and ^ ea ?"" fiubborne ; their feet abide not in their houfes ; now they virg0 mtsx a- are without \ now in the Jlreets, and lie in watt at every dolefcentes in- corner; being never well pleafed nor contented, butlanos atque when they are wandring abroad to Playes, tJ> Tlay- ebmm turbam ^^•/,Dancing-matches,Mafques,and publike Shewes; !„/&<. £KJ" from which nature it felfe ( if we believe S. * Chryfofiome uom^M Tit. r ." Tom. 4. Col. 1484. B. * Seepages* 356,439, 443,444. accordingly. * See Thomas Beacon his Catechifme. fol. 515. & 536, Women ought not to refort to Playes or Enterludes, I Tics. 4,7* «P See here pag. 4 3 4. 43 5. & Do d or Taylor his'Commentaryupon Titus 3, verf. S«pag. 389, i^o+Thomas Beacon his Cate- chifme. fol. fif. 5^.andmhis ^.Bookeof Matrimony, fol. 61%. n PrQV.7,10.5 1 1> X 2* i 3 . See lyra, C^tmlght, Vodyand Holcot on this place. * Nam quoniam a feens & i\% quae llliC funt turpia & indecora ipfa natura abdux* mulieresj Diabolus Llillli b#b 25>4 Hiftrio-Wlaftix. Part.*. where gynccaeum, ^ they oft-times leave their modefty, their chaftity be- feu^ Vm^U& ^e t^iem>to t'ie^r eterna^ infamy : ) Let rne now be- mcrarices* ^echall female Play-haunters, as they regard this Apo- Hom.nJn'col^ flolicallprecept,which enjoynes them, to be fober \chaft% Tm^.colnio keepers at home (or good care full Hottfe-wivcs, as °fom§ Bind. ibidem, have.rendrcdit: ) ? adorningthemf elves in modeft appa- ^ndT'C77^atS rc^9 ™lt^ foamefaftneSTe wdfobriety: (which now are Tranflatlons * out °f fe^*00) wv*th broidered cm or borrowed plaited and the Fa- ' hairc, or gold, or p carles, or coftly array , (the onely faftii- thers, who ons of our age; ) but (which becommeth women frofejfing rf nder a *°l g°dline$e) with good workes : As they tender their owne ^moftparr. honefty, fame or reputation both with God and men; habenut™'** the honour of their fex; the prayfe of that Chriftian 9 1 Tim. 1.9, Religion, which they profefle, the glory of their Godt 10. 1 Pec. 3,3, their Saviour, and their ^foules falvation, to abandon 4>£ X CTTr,1!' p^ayes and Play-houfes,as mod pernicious Pefts; where U jif.Ilay 3. r^// females wreck* their credits; mofi> their chaftity; S6,tOi$.Prov. r J r . 1 ^- ,- 1 . r 1 \ £ 7, io4 iKing. /^W*> their fortunes ; not afew> their joules: and to lay 9.50/sceGu- unto them as the Philofopher did unto his wealth lielratis Petal- which he caft into the Sea, * zAbitein profundum maU dus . Summae enpiditates ; ego vos mergam ne ipfe mergar a lobis. vitiorum. Tom. 1 . Tit. De SHperb'ia. cap, 1 o . to 1 $ . 9 Cum enim judicium carnis e* anima pendem3 carni nihil potell utilius cjuam falus animae provideri« BernarjiDe- siamatmes.fol.i'/o.B. * See Part x. Ad 6. Scene 3.4, jb ao.&pag^^, 356,43?* 44-3*44. * Hicrom.Epift.j4.cap.34pag.9p. iiiiiiiiiippiiiiiiiaiii^i Catastrophe. i Have now deare Chriftian Readers, through God3 afliftance , compleatly finished this my Hiflrio- mafiix? Part.2. Hiflrio-SMaflix. 995 Mtftix, wherein I have reprefented both to your view and f centres to, (as well as my poor e ability, and other f In h°c cnim interloping Imployments would permit,) the unlaw- Tnftatu, non fulnefle,the mifchievous qualities and effefts of Stage- Leforanfed playes themfelves, and of their penning,ading,and t re- etiam ubenun quenting; endeavoring (out of a lcordiall defire of your corre&orem tternallwelfare) as much as in mee iieth, to peri vvade defidero. Ve- you to abandon them; by ripping up the feverall mif- J^tamen ficue chiefesand dangers that attend them. If any there- um^oS'mihi fore henceforth perifh by frequenting Stage-playes, eflc deditum, after this large difcovery of their fin-cngendring foule- ita|corrcftore condemning qualities, their finne/ their blood [[hall light n°l° flbi- *UC upon their owne heads, not on mine, who have taken all me I|on amc5 this paines to doe them good. All then I (hail defire of ^hoHcam *£U you in recompence of my labour, is but this; that as I dem 5 iftc fc " have a&ed my part in oppugning, fo you would now "on amet am- play your parts to in abominating, in abandoning, PlmsHuam ca- Stage-playes, without which this Play-refuting Trea- j!^"" v^ tife, will doe no good, but hurt unto your foules, by n^M^De " turning your finne^ of ignorance, into finncs of know- Trimmt. Pro*- ledge and rebellion. The labour of it hath beene mine *»w. &?ttm alone ; my defire, my prayer is and fhall bee, that the Lombard**, in benefit,the comfort of it may be y ours,the Republikes, li}ft 4» **"»*'*■ and the glory, Gods ; the * convincing concurrence °f\U^Qm\o!i whofeever-blejfed Spirit, fo blerte,fo proiper it to your "Ezech^W evtrlafting weale, that ? your whole jpirits, fifties and bo- Ads 10.26. dies,may be henceforth preferved blameleffe^ from all fu* * ybi Deus ture foule-defiling Enterludes and delights of finne,^'^-***.*^ unto the comming of our Lord Jefiu Chrifi'X1 before ^y*ritu™uod do- dreadfulTribunailwe muft al'ereloug befummonedj ogive cetur Lt$. i.ve an account of aU our attions:) & that you may fo judge of PentccofttSerm. Stage-play es nowaas you will determine of them in that ^cap.u great dreadfull Day of Iudgement, and in the day °fl 'coT/fo * death, when you fhall not judge amifle. And becaufe Rom.T4.1c, ' nodiffolute Libertines, or licentious Readers through ir, ' Satans or the worlds delufions , jfhould cheat their foules of the benefit intended to them by this worke, Llllll 3 out 996 Hiftrio-Maflix. Part,*. out of a prejudicate opinion, that it is overftricl, and 1 more then puritanically *inveiftive againft Players, Piayes and Theaters; to present this fond evafion, and » Nunduam n. t0 Put ^Zexclaiming Play-patriots to perpttuall filence, fine querela "pretermitting the memorable omitted authorities of segratan^un- £julielmvu Stuckiw, Ant i quit at urn ConvivaUum* lib. 3. tur. Seneca De cap,2o.zi,223&c Tiguri. 1 597. and ofGulielmus Peral- Zr Wltri c the Imperiall Editts of ZrmMaJTonL ^fsthe great, againft Stage-plajes and Dancing on his Treatife of Lords-day es, and Holj-dayes , and all tore-cited Play- Dancing, & condemning Authorities:) 1 (hall here by way of Con- Part 1. Aft $. clufion, cloze up this whole Difcourfe, with the words ^ A 8th ,Whh of J^^ ^rto' a famouS V# J# ^ who fo- there "quoted • ^es his large and learned Books, 'De Spettaculis, pro- and thofe o- ' feffedly oppugning Stage-playes, hath fince the publi- ther Writers cation of that Treatife, in his 3 . Book* And 16. Chapter in the Table. Be T^ege & Regum Inffiitntione. pag. 3 41 . * o- Seated to King Philip the 3 . of Spaine, and pubhflied in femvenerit the yeere I59». C»™ PrivilegioCafare* Majeftatis& tam per dies p^rmijfu Super tor urn, with the i p eciali prefixed approba- Dominicos, tions of ' Stephanas Hoieda, Vtfitor, and Petrus De Onna, quam & per fo- Af after Provincial! of the J efuits oftheProv'tnce of Toledo, lemmtates >n Spaine,) delivered his pofitive and deliberate refolu- liud ibinon" l^on againft Players,Playes,and Piay-houfes in thefe en- agat, nifi quod fuing termeSj.which is every way as harfh, as rigid and ad Dei perti- precife as any verdicT^hat either I my fclfc,or any other netfervitium, ibre-quoted Authors have here paftagainit them. His Iationcs& cX- wor^s wel1 worthy all Players and Play-haunters confi- tationes^can!." deration are thefe. ticaque turpia.>'& Iuxuriofa,& ilia lufa Diabolica non facial j nee in plateis, ncc in dotnibus, neque in ullo loco, quia hxc de PagaRorum confuetudine reman- ferunt, Et qui ipfa fecerit canonicam fentcntiam accipiat„ BotheUui Decret Ec* clcfi&c< See fk,io. cap. 2. to 19. where there are divers Coriftitutions to the fame purpofe, Publicam Part.jl. Hiflrio-Maflix* 997 * Puoiicam ludorum infaniam, qnse fpeclacula nomi- * De Rege & nantur, * feperata difputatione pro virili parte caftiga-**£*» '»#<•/#« vimus,multifq; Argamentis& majorurn tefiimonijs con- : }xa^l6-h) 4i- firmavimus, theatnltcentiam, de quapottfjimumlaboran- wl^^ 1$.l dum eft, nihil effe ahud; * qiaam oificinam impudicitise * in his Books & improbitatis, ubi omnis Atatk, [exits & conditionis ho- De Speftaculis. mines depravantur : fimulatiffe & ludicris aUionibm adColoni*-<4£ty< vitia vera informant ur. aAdmonentur enim quid facer el6oZ' See ^erc fojfinty&inflammanturtibidme, qua afpeEiu maxime &V^Q^* aurtbus concitatur: puelUprejertim, & juvenes,quos tn- temfeftive voluptatibus infici grave efi, * at% reipublica * Note bm» Qhriftiana exitiale malum. Quid enim continet fcena, nifi virginum .* ftupra,& mores proftituti pudoris fas-* Hence Saint minarum, lenonum artes, atq; lenamm, ancillarum &hw^w writes fervorum fraudes,ver(ibus numerofis &ornatisexpli-t^s:.;?^fy^' rata, fententiarum iuminibus diftinfta, coq; tcnacius ^/S^w- memorias adharrentia, quarum rerum ignoratio multd re, necfium lu- commodior eft ? Hiftrionuin impudici moms &geftus, dm,nu Atella- fracla?q;infasminarummodum voces, quibus impudi- mupffit effari. casmulieres imitantur,qiiid aliud nifi adlibidinem m- EPlft-48-cap^ flamrnarit, per fe ad vitia fatis proclives? sAn ^^caufe^hyers ulla corrupela morum excogitari poffit ? Qiias enim in ufually a&ed . (cena per imaginem aguntur, verafta fabula cum rifu moft wicked. commemorantur,fmepudore deindeftunt, voluptatis cupi- things, ditate animum titiilante:qui font veluti gradus ad fufci- piendam pravitatenijcum (it facilie a jocis adferia tran- fitus. Rede enim & fapienter Solomon, Quafiper rifum, wqmtifttilws operator Scelus; turpia enim,atqj inhone- fta fa&udi&uq; dum ridemus,approbamus : fuoq; pon- dere pravitas identidem inpejus trahit : * Cenfeo ergo, * 2^;. moribm Chriftianis certifftma pefiem afferretheatri licen- tiam,nomini Chriftiano graviffimam ignominiam. Cenfeo Trincipi earn rem vel maxime cur a fore, ne autipfe fuo ex- tmplo authorttatem conciliet arti vantjfima,fi frequenter interfitjpettaculis, audiatefe libenterfabulas,prafertim qua ab hiftriombus venahbu* exhibenmr : & quoad fieri pote- nt > de totaprov'mcia exturbet earn pravitatem* Ne% con- cede. 998 Hiftrio-Maftix. Part.* * Not*, cedat mores fuorum ea turpitndtne depravaru * Hoc no- ftrum votum eft deftinataq; fententia- Vcrum populi lcvitas& peccantium multitudo, quafi moles qasedam opponitur ; tumau&oritas eorum qui communi Errori patrocinantur. Eteftexcufatiofuroris multitudo infa- norum,hoc quoq; nomine prava noftra natura, quod vi« tijs fuis & cupiditatibus favet, neq; facile avelli fe finit ab ijs qua? cum voiuptate fufcipiuntur ; cujus fumus na- tura cupidiflimi. Vfque adeout fi quis vanitati refi- * Sec here, flat, ei vehementer iraicatur populi multitudo. * Illejlt pag- i A* publicum inimictu, Auguftinus ait, cm h&c fdiciras difp/i- cet, quifquis earn auferre velmutare tentavertt,eum libera, multitudo, avert at ab aHribtu, evert at dfedibw, auferat a viventibtu. Excsecat nimirum prava confuetudo ani- mos, & qua paffim fieri videmus, defendere conantur * Let our Play- quidem * UcentU patroni, magnifcilicet Theologi, quafi patrons well juri & sequitati confona,otio & Uteris abutentes : quos obferve this redarguere facile erit teftimonio & authoritate veteran* Epithite. Theologorumjn hac re non difcrepantfum ; a quibus dif- ccdere noftrae aetatis Theologos velle non putamus. Has omnes fimulatae veritatis prseftigias rctegerc non erit diflicilejOiultitudinem a furore retinere difficilius erit: nifi pubiica accefferit authoritas, quorum interefl magfltratuum. Profefto curandum eft, ut ea ppinio * Let Play- publice fufcipiatur, * Tkeatrafanc, quibui obfeana ar- hauntersnote gUmentatraftantHr\ efficinam univerfa improbitatis efey * LetPlayers 1Ht cmcurmnt €0 *on [ecus facer e, quam qui adganeas, ad, marke this . fma,adc*dcs>ad lupanaria : qui fufcepti laboris fruftus ftile and title, erit muito maximus. Erunt enim qui pravitate cognita * And if Pa- definant pcccare,falutemq; fuam turpi voiuptate potio- gans prohibi- rem habeant,neq; prudenter & fcientes in mortem feran- comcuato* t0 t*rf*re**es>r*P*d*>& ^niferabiles^ IHudcerte omni cur a thdr Idols so-preftandum,utnac* natio perditorum hoininum, pevitus lemnities,(hall dtemplU exturbetur : quod Romanorum tempore fuifle Chdftians ad- aliquando faftum , Tacitus, Libro quartodecimo his mit them to verbis indicat. sAc ne modica quidem ftudiaplebi* exar- Lcr aments ™ f&W't* rcdditi quanquamfc*n*pantomimiy* certamnibus faeris Pakt.2. Hittrio-Maftix. $99 facris prohibeantur. * Qua ergo front e hifir -tones de foro* Stagc-phyes raptos e yublicis diverforijs in Templum Chrifiiamindu^ then are no fit cent, ut ?er eosfacrafefiorum Utttia augeatur ? Aut qui ?r rh ^ conveniar, uci zAugufiinm contra Romanos antiques FcaflivaVwid ait ; hiffir tones tgnominia notare, at ^ $ ^ fat. Nudas quidem in noftra Theatra mulieres prodi- aiatth. re non arbitror, tametji nonnunquam in ipfa attione nudari audicbam, certe tenuiflimis veftibus indutas prodirc, quibus membra omnia figurantur, ac ferme fubijeuntur oculis. Mulieris autem afpeclu pulchrse & ornatse, pre- terea geftus & verba in molliciem fra&a ad/ungentis, quid potentius effepojfit ad illiciendas animas,at^in fern- piternam mortem impellendas, infiammandaf^ Itbidine, ego jane non video : vinctt ojfictum lingua periculi magnitudo: eo amplius quod haec etiam turpicudo fuos patronos ha- bet, non quofuis de populo, fed viros eruditionis 6c modeftiseopinione praeftantes.Aiunt enim aut coma?dias in univerfum abdicandas, aut mulieres inducendas in Theatruni, * quod majuspericulum tmmineatfipuerifub- * ^r9UL ytne< flituantnr in vefie muliebri & omatu, quo afpeCtu.ad pra- pofieram & nefariam libidinem populus folicitetur. Nimi- rum velamen malitiae quasrunt : aliud agunt, aiiud agere videri volunt* Hifpanorum nationi fufpicio criminis imponitur, a quo natura abhorret, (paucos excipio) & nos in.provincijs quibus id malum viget, fcimus fa?pe pueros in fcenam prodijffe fine periculo ; variafq; per- ionas ut res fe dabat cum dignitate, eligantiaque a<5ti- tafle. Cupiditas autem muliebris fexus latius patet,ma- Mm mm mm 2 jorefque iooi Hiflrio-SWaflix. Part.*. jorefque multo impetus habet^non {chimin corruptif- fimis hominibus & pravis, quales (tint qui puerorum a- moribus indulgent, fed m ahjs etiam viris, aliqua pro- bitatis & modeftise laude confpicuis. Mitto quod fa- win ut mag- ni cognomen ex ea fabrica acceflerit. Id fait multitu- dinis judicium3qua paka? inftarleviflimae inomnes par- tes circumfertur : nam prudentioruin magna? partis re- praehenfionem incurrit, unde laudem captabat. Sic do- cet Tacitus libro quartodecimo , producTis etiam in utramquc partem probandi& improbandi Theatra ar- guments: ut* quod in ea temporum face & morum tabe* Xetabcns* dub it atumefl, nobis pro cert o lege ej[e debeat, nequaquam populi Chrtfliani mortbus & [anUitati convenire, ut per urbes & oppida, certa, perpetuafcfedes hiflrionibus detur. Scimus fape a Cenforibus Roma ever fa "theatra nihilomi- nus, quafi mo'um certijfimam k lafcivia lab em : & erit in populoChrif}iano,hacprofe{fione, qui reflituendacontendat I ^Adh&c: Sufcepta Qmflireltgione peromnes pene Civi- tatescadunt Theatra, uti Auguitinus zit,cavea turpitudi- num & publictprofeffwnesflagitioforu; & nosea inftauran- dacontendamus f Vincitrei dignttas orathnis facultatem. * Neqne cxcufes, noftra Theatra non efle conferenda * f^m cumantiquis, ncque rmjeftate operis, neqne litdorum apparatus Turpitndinem loci accufamus, non ftruclurae modum; rivus tenuis, naturamcontinet fontis unde ma- nat;furculus arboris undeexcifuscft,fticcum habtr.Nam fi magno vectigali, mblato Theatro rempub. privari Mm m m m m 3 accufes3 1004 Hiftrio-Maftix. Part.*. accufes, rifum tenere non potero>#^ enim tanti lucrum ejfe debet > ut mores populi & religio negligantur ; ncquc deerunt aliunde rationes.fi Theatrarepudiemus,ad ege* norum inopiam fublevandam. Etmihi qui fecus flatu- unt, magni Pompetj factum imitari vellc videntur.. Is enim utreprehentionem evadcret quafiTheatro confti- tuto turpitudinisfcholamapperuifkt, Veneris Templo Theacrum quad appendicem adjunxit, religionis fandri- tate novam itrucluram velaturus, nimirum verebatur ne aliquando memo rid fud cenforia ignominia accederet, quafi arcem omnium turpitudimm ftruxijfet ; uti 7 'ertullianus ait: Ergo Pompeijimitatione cum templis, auc hofpi- * N W c^'s PauPerum theatrum jungatur, quo majus lucrum fie, enfum? paf- honeftiu« fufceptae improbicatis veiamen. * Cenfeo ergo fage,and the cum multis, fore e republic a > ft hiftrion.es pretio venales accurfed fruits penitus removcantur* Omnes enimpecunid vias norunt, & of Stage- pecunid caufa omnes turpitudines fufcipiunt , inftillant^ playes, well, ^s . .qUefluaria arte cxhauriunt pecuniary & veluti fopitis voluptatefenjibus latent er extorquent, qua* non minor i tur- * tm • i p Undine infumanty otio & defidia ut torpeant Cives eflici- *This the r J . . J j. n / . •/ ^ Iefuit writes mt><]Ud omnium vitiorum radix eft i vitys omnibus & not that hee fraudibus viam muttiunt, libidine maximey qua auribus would have & oculis fufcipitur. 'Divinum Cult urn minuunt diebus any Stage- f eft is, cum vacandum ejfet rebus divinis, populo ad fpella- playes lufFrcd, CHla attratto>quapeftis omnibus piaeulis procuranda vide- feth shewn- batuY. * Quod fi non obtinemus, ut ludi fcenici penitus trary before; amoveantur, & placet nihilominus earn obledationem but oncly by populis dare : quod jus & a?quitas poftulare videtur, way°fPrcv[en-impetrarccertecupimus,utdeleclus aliquis fit, neque caf^hVcouId Prom^cue Hcentia quidvis agendi hiftrionibus conce- not procure all datur : fed iegibus certis circumfcribantur & finibus, Playes to bee" quos ncmoimpune tranfgrediatur. * Tametfi nullis le- fupprcffed,that gibus putabam fuYorem hunc fatis frenari : prudenter yet thofe that qU[dam O here, inquiry* res necmodumhabet ncfe Con- miih^bee'thus f^lHm' ratio*€> rnodo^ trattarinon vult. Sequamur tameu regulated. Platonis inftitutum, qui poetarum Carminibus exami- *Houbtne. nandis prasfici fanxit viros prudentes non minores quiri- Part.*. Hiflrio-Maftix. 1005 quir q.>aginta annis : eorurn judicio quaecunque agendas eruntfabulse examinentur, ipfi etiam intermedij ac"his quibus mijot turpitudo inefle folet ; multer es in Theatre induce e neftu efto : Themrum nufquam pub lice con flit ua- tur. Diebusfeftis (uti antiquis legibus lancitum memi- nimus) ludifcenici ne exhibeantur* ne temponbus quidem jejuni) Chriftiani : quid entni commercij fqualori cum , Theatri rifu> plaufu%> $A templis & fanttorum qui cum * 5ee herc^a^. Chriflo in Calo regnant* ac omnino divinis celebritatibus xi $♦4453440'., amoveantur : ac pr&fertim ij modi & geflus, qutbus turpi- 8 8 1 4 & BB p0- tudo in memoriam revocatur,&ferme oculis fubiicituriqui& m Apolo- „ , ,. . . n J \ aJ'J. . 2ie or Amwer funt vulnerarehgionis nofira probra, monjrrafo tmmama : °0 DManyn^, Hifpanorum nationis dcdecora, *adeo faeda, ut ftilus6i& 78.5^./^ contrec'tare vereamr,fuoque fefaetore tueri hoc genus ccntuv.z.pag, mali videatur. Poftremo, quoad fieri p oter it minor i ttate 66^ w^ere pueri &puelU arceantur ab ysfpeEbacults, ne a teneris ret- ?c S° ^ °j public & fdiminar turn vitijsinfici at ur> qu& gravijjlmapeflis popi(h Cleric ffi. Adfint infpectores publice defignan,viri pij & pru- is defcried. & dentes qujbus cura. fit ut nirpkudo amis amoveatur, * See here Part & potefta's coercendi psena (i quis fe petulanter gefTeric. * A<^ 8* Scenc Denife, yopulus intelligatMflr tones nonprobari a republics \ s^'/^r ' a- fedpopuli obleUationi atfy importunis precibus dati : quae ly. &u0dautm cum non poted: qua? lunt meliora obtinere, folet ali- ds iftis quedam quando minora mala tolerare, & populi levitati aliquid tnhg^efia & m&~ concedere. What could any Puritan or Precifian (as hn^\a^nm^ the* worldnowfiiles all fuck who run wt with them into™k™mYum , - /r /• J / rr \ • l^as *>0C *& opus the fame exceffe of riot and prophanejje) write more z~fmpCr Diabolic gainfl: Stage-play es,Play-houfes3Players,Play-haunters;/iri;os Dei mtn~ or what have I faid more again ft them in this Trea- dado laccrat,'& tife, then this great Iefuit hath done, and that by pub- ophumibus fatfis like approbation both of his Royall Soveraigne, his^™"0™" Vifitor and Superior too ? And mult not Stage -play es co„f£'mt}a i„ce then be extremely bad when as pofetfed Iefuits To k-fu* cbrefcunt verely cenfure them ? yea> Hiall not Proteftants, nay a'ienhrumortbut Papifts to, be unexcufably licentious, if they fhould be /"or^f^r- cy- more moderate or indulgent unto Playes, then they ?^n^ ^Plft-U» Let no Player3or Play-haunter, no voluptuous libertine ij1,^'*1- l therefore ioo6 Hiftrio-Maftix. Partm- therefore henceforth quarrel either with me or otherst as being too puritanically rigid againft Stage-playe«, when as theie loofe lefuits equalize: if not exceed us in their Play-condemning Ceniures , as this large tran- * i Pet. jti 7. icribed paflage fully proves. b tee therefore, beloved Reader s,feeingyee how know thefe things before hand, be- ware left ye alfo being led away to Piayes, to Theaters, with the error, the example, the importunate fo 11 i citations of the wicked (as many ignorant and un ft able nominall Chriftians have beene before you;) fall from your owns ftedfaftnejfe, faith and Chriftian vermes, into a finke of cHeb.i2,io, hellifri vices, to your eternall mine. c Now the god of aI, peace that brought againe from the dead our Lord Jefus, that great Shepheard of the Sheepe, through the blood of the everiafting Covenant, make you perfeft in every good worke to doe his will', working in you that which is welL-pleafing in his [Jghtjthrough J (fas thrift ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. nAmen. Augultinus de Symbolo ad Catechumenos\1.4.c*2. Quifquis contempto 2) eofequeris mundum, & ipfe te defer it mundus* Sequere adhucquantupotcsfugttivum,& ftpo- tes\apprthendere eum, tene eum: fedvideo uonpotes,fallts te. I lie n.labiles motusfuos torrent is ib~hupercurrens9 dum te videt inhtrentemftbi, & tenentemfe, ad hoc te rapit, nonutfalvetyfed utperdat te. Quidn. cupompis*Diaboli am at or Chrifti ? Noli tefallere,oditn.tales Deus,nec in- ter fuosdeputatprofeffores,quos cernit vUfua defertores. Ecceruinofus eft mundus,eccetantis calamitatibus reple- vit Dominus mundum,ecce amarus eftmundus & ftc a- matur, quid facer emus ft dulcis ejfettO mmdc immundel teneri vis per iens, quid faceres ft mancres?Quemnon deci- peres dulcis ft amarus aliment a mentirislVultis dilettijfi- mi non inh&rere mundo, eligite amare creator em mundi, & r enunciate pomp is mundanis , qui bus Princeps eft Diaboluscum Angelisfuis. FINIS. A TABLE a Milllilillil ^i^ii^iHi® TABLE (WITH SOME briefe Additions) of the chiefeftPaffages in this Trcatife : p. fignifying the Page: f. theFolioes: from pag. 513, to 545. (which exceeded the Printers Computation) m. the marginall notes : if you finde f. be- fore any pages from 545. to 568. then lookc the Folioes which are overcaft : if p, then the pages following. abomination, ufe d alwayes for a heinous finneinScripture.pag.iSi.in.Mens wearing of womens , and womens putting on of mens apparell, an abo- mination to the Lord.p.n 8 . to xi tf.8 79. to 809. ASling of popular or private Enterludes, for gaine or pleafure, infamous^ un- lawfull,and that as well in Princes, Nobles, Gentlemen, Schollers, Di- vines,as common Actors.p.x ^ 5.134, 137,140, 8 41. to 911, p. $7 !• to 668. Sparfim. accompanied with effemina- cic, hypocrifie, and others finnes.p. iji.to i?o. 841. to 9 11. IcoccaGons divers fins in Actors and Spectators, p. i5i.toi 1 7 73,4° J^o 6^4.9. See Idols. Achilles taxed for putting on w®men« apparcll.p.i 8 1. 1 99,8 84., Adrian his Temples built for (Thrift, without Images, pag.901. Adultery znhxmous dangerous finne.pag. 576.10384. punifhedwith deathin divers places.p.3 8 1,383. Seethe Ho- mily againfl Adultery . part 3 , pag£6. 8 7. *ni Thomas Beacon bis $. Sooty of 'Matri- mony, p. 660. to 670. occaHoned, fo- mented by Playes and Play-houfej. p.ai7,to 446,498,661. Egyptians, condemned muficke. p. 2, 8 7. Aelredm \ his cenfure of iafcivious 179. 280. of Church-muficke. pag Playes. pag- 684. JEneai Sylvius, his prophane Play and life. p. 1 1 z. 115, 765. his recantation of his amorous Poems.pag.840.918. his cenfure of wanton Peers, p. 917. 918. of Playes and Players, pag. 691. 7 37 m. &fcbylUi, one of the firft inventors of Nnnnnn Tragedies, The Table-,. Tragedies, pag, 17. f.5 5 1, his ftrange and hidden death. foL 5 5 %*$?$• &thi9;;ans , punifhed adultery with death.pag.382. ^ge^.aui his anfwer to fafyMcs. p. 7 41 , 74*. CtAgrippa, hiscenfure of Daneing. pag. 257. 238. of lafcivious Church-mu- ficke, pag.184.28 5. of Popifh Stewes, and or the incontinency of Monkesj Nons,and Popiih Clergiemen. pag. 215.21 ?,44^44'i46.& Arties 3. Devif.6. p^XS.Tfiomas Bcacon^n his Cateckfme. /tf/.4>*4 William Wragbton, in has Hun- ting of the RoraiiL Fox.fol.14. B'Jhop Hooper, his Iud^ement of them. Sec Hooper. GuUebxui AUifiodorenfSy his cenfure of Playes. pag. 68g, S./taiirflfohiscenfure of Dancin^,efpeci- allyin women, pag. 223.232. m. of Dicing. Epift.Ded.i. of mens putting on womens apparell, p.191,1 9 2, 1 9 3" of mens long and frizled haire.p.190,, 193,209,01. of Images, efpeciallyof the Deity. p. 898. m. of Kalends anci New yeeresgifcs.p. 20.786. of lafci- vrous Songs, p. 166. Of Stage-playes. p. 3 3 9,671. of giving money to Play- ers.p.3i^.3 23.H0W Chnlh Nativity ought to be celebrated. 0,774. to 7 8 /. Ammianus MarccHmui , his cenfure ©f Playes and Dicing # p.4.6 5 ,7 1 o . Annanufris effeminacv- pag.882. Anfelm?,his cenfureof Playes. pag. 684. 846. fol:547.. Anthemiu&,\i\s Edift for fan&ifying the Lords Day, and fuppretfing Stage- playes.pag.469.470. againft Images, pag. 900. Antiocb, its preeminence before Romftp. 410.424. Antmbia the mad,taxed forhisDancing, Mafcjuing, Play-haunting, pag, 2^9, 150,857, Antipbanes the Comedian,his death, fol. 55?- Antorimtu the Emperor cenfured for his Dancing and delight in Playes. pag, 710.874,855. Antoninui his cenfure of Playes and Players. The Tabic. Players, pag. 69 1. AtfanUythe end and ufe of it. p. 107. o- vercoftly new-fangled Play-houfe apparellcenfured.pag.19.116.to 2,10. 4i°j427i57X>^4, 586> 7 55*7 57, 77ij77?37763 896- ^0004. Mens putting on of women*, and womens of mens apparell (efpecially to ac"t a Play) unlawful!, abominable , un- naturall, the occafion of Sodomie and lewdnefle: proved at large.p. 168, to i7i.x78.to 276,584,8503870,10 889. appearances of cvill to be avoyded. p. 8 8, 8Q,to 106,948^49. Apoftlcs , their Constitutions againft Stage-playes and Aclors. p,jjo. 649. to 6 Ji.flandered and pcrfecuted as Se- ditious perfons .p.8 1 3 ,8 3 3, Puritans, as the world now judgeth. pag.799, 800,801. dpplauftsot Playcs and Players cenfured, 0.297.198,199. See CbrjfoJl.Hm. 30. /» **# ipojloLTom. 3. Co/. 549. y 50. rfgaia/z itage-applaafeSi and the beming andap^Unding of Treacher! in tbetr Ser- mons. Aquinashis cenfure of Playes, Players, & putting on womens 3pparell. pag. I79«i8*>303X^, 316,314.315,341^0 349,474>47*> 476,fo.524,5i5^^^4^54^56°3 681,843, »44,97i^87.of mens ad- ingin womens apparell &long haire. p,i9$.i94. 189.202. SeeEnar.in?f.$i* p.244.his repentance for reforcing to Playes before his cover (ion, f.568.hi$ Nnnnnn 2 opinion The Tables . opinio o£ the beginning of the Lords Day. p.643 .of giving mony to Stage- players, p. 5 24.3 25,873. Auguftm his proceedings and Lawes a- gainft Playes, Actors, and Dancing. ^459.460,707,708,861. M. Aurclius his Iawcs and cenfures a- gainft Phyes and Players, whom he banifliedintoHcllefpont.p.3 18.319, 463,464,137,138. Axiothta herrefort to Plato his Schoole in mans apparelltaxed.p.184. fipjop Bab'mgten his cenfure of Stage- playcs.p.3 59.360. Bacchanalia, how celebrated by Pagans. p.744. 745,75 i.to 760. Imitated by Chriftians.f. 5 3 6. p-7 4 1 -to 749-7 5 7. to 7 6 5 . Bacchus, Players., Playes & Play-houfcs dedicated to his wormip.p.i7.2 2,i 68, 510,511. not to bcinvocated. p. 5 8 4. Baptifwe in jeft upon the Stage turned into earneft. p. 1 1 8 . 1 1 0. Stage-playes and Dancing theucry Pompes of the Deviil which wee renounce in bap- tifm*. p. 3. 15, 2 5,42.10 61.120,230, ag^j *57,4M>4?°.5">5*$>5M5 528,560.10 5673658>68437°45829, 836,8 3 7,9 11,990. Oar vowinbap- tifme to be performed and moft feri- oufly considered . p. 5 3 . to 6 1 . a great pratervativc againft tin if oft remem- bred. p.563.564. Saroniuthis cenfure of Stage-playes. p. 566.567,696. S.Baftl his cenfure of Dancing.. p. 223. 124, 225. m. 277.278. of Kealth- drinking,p.2 2. of iafcivious Songs aad Mufickc. p. 266. 27 3,i763i77,*78, 3 08 . of Stage-playes,and Play-poets. p.308. 3 37,679,680,91 5. of mens effeminate long haire.p. 2 1 1 .m. BaUologies in prayer prohibited. p. 1 9. Thomas Beacon his cenfure of Dancing, Dicing,and Stage-playes. pag.6i6.m4 693. of iafcivious Church-Mufkke. p. 282.1028$. Bc-Uarmme his cenfure of Piayes.foI.538. pag.696.^97. Bcare-baiting cenfurcd and prohibited *p. 583.8c fol.556. S.Bemard againft Stage-playes, Dicing, long haire,and nbaldrie Songs.p. 350. 5 60. 6 8 4. againft Images, &c. p. 901. 903,904. his pr^iyfe of the Scriptures fulnetfe. p,9i8. Bi%a his recantation of his Iafcivious. Poems. p. 840. Bi/fopichildren prohibited to behold,act, or fet forth Stage-playes, p.574. 591,, 653. ought to iupprefte Playes,Dan- cing3&Play-haunters.p.i5o.oughtto invite the poore to their tables, and to have fome part of the Scripture read at meales,and then to difcourfe of it p.* 9 1. 6$ 3 . See Gratian Diftkft. 44. not to wcare coftly apparcll, p. (Sai.muft not play at Dice, nor be- hold Dice-players,nor keepe\any Di- cers or idle perfons in their houfes. p.657,to 661,666. Bimops parts not to be acted on the Stage, p. 596.601. ought not to read Heathen or pro- -phane Authors. pag,78-79)?i5^i6, 925,926,8^. ought to preach con* ilantly once a day in BB. Hocpm opi- nion.fol.511. p. 629. See Minifters, Tetrm Blefenps hi» character of an Offi- ciall.f.557.m.his cenfure of Players and fuch who harbour them.pag, j 5 6. Bo&ne his cenfure of Stage-playes. pag, 483.484- M.Boltm his verdict of Stage-playes pag. 16^4,365. Bimfim condemned by Councels and Fathers,p.2i.22,58o,58 3,5 85,587> |88a770,77^773, f-535* look: The Tabic. Beotys of Paganifme and Pagan Idols prohibited to be read.p.7 8.79^1 5->t0 pi8. Prophane, lafcivious, amorous Play-bookes, Poems, Hiftorics, and Arcadiaes uniawfull to be penned, printed, read, efpecially of children andyouthcs.pag.103.n1. 108.rn.307. 453>4*4>83 i.9i3-to929 Magicke, and lafcivious Bookes ought to bee burnt, p. 9 16.717,919,910,911, Bering to and before £ltars , derived from Pagans p. a ? 6, See my Lame Giles bis Haltings.p 1 6 .to g 9. & the Appendix toit.p.I$. 1 6". Bowing and kneeling downe to Images,! s Idolatry, p. 896. to 904.n1 £;«kUo j.f. 13.24 Uvit%%6. i.Nvm.is.t.Deut i$39> Iofh-z i\6. ludg. 2. 12, I7> 19> * K}ng.i9-i§ zKmg.$,i8<;.i7.35« 2 £>*«>. 2 5 , 1 4, Dan.$j,6,i%*Rom. 1 1.4. Therefore bow- ing and cringing to Altars {a thing never Hfed by the lews or Primitive church and CbrifHans^hut onely by the Pa?ifls3who de- cree thus : Sum ma reverentia & honor maxim9fanftis Aitanbus exhibeatur, & maxime ubi facrofan&um corpus Domini refervatur & Miffa celebns- tur,Bochelhis Decret.Ecclef.Gal.l.4. Tit.i.c.8i.p ?$8-) M»ft be Idolatry too. If any reply 5 that they bow and tymlc not unto Images, Altars^r Communion Tables* but before them : I anfwer,that as bewing, Jpueling, ptaymg, and worfhipping before Cod 1 tithe fame in Scriptme\hrafewlth boring, Reeling, praying unto God, and myjhipping of God : ask evident by Vent. iG6;iSaM*iA*9*f*i9' iCkron.io. l2.PraUz.7.Pfal.72.9 PfM9.Pf.9U b.?f96.Q3i%.?fal9^.6^.ifay66.2^ X«/.3.9.*.4.iaff.<.8.M£7-ii'««if'4. compared with lfaytf.z 3. £49. 23,^, ^o4i4,KoW.i4ai.Ge«.24.26.4.8.ff.47. z.i.Heb.i 1. 2i.Ux6d441x.11.27 -M4- 8. 1 cbYon.29 2 Cbron.7.S.ci9. 29 > $o.?(ekmS&?p7*-9" And as bowing, i(neeling,or falling downe be fere mm, is all one With bowmg^neeling, and falling down to men 1 witnejj'e Gcn.49 . 8 . 1 Sam. 2 5 . 23 , 2 Sam 14,3 3. cap. 24. 20. 1 Kjng. i.itf, 23. 2 King. 2. 1J. L'rov, 14. 9, compa- red with Gencf. 27^19. Exod. 11. 2. 1 Kjng.z.9. 1 chron 21* 21. So bowing, kneeling, and falling downe before Images > Altars >or Commumon-Tables, is the very fame in Gods owne language and repute ? with bowing, ^neeling^ and falling downe unto tbem: as the 2 chron 2f .i^Zai^, 7.DS- Levit.26.i.&lattb.i 1.9 and the fore- al- leagcd Scriptures infaWy demongrate, and the Homily aga'mjl the pcrill of I dola- try.p, 44 Jq 75. with William Wraghton his Kep'y to theRefcutr of the Romjb Foxj and the authors here quoted.p. 902. 90$. abundantly prove: Needs ikrefore muft it be moftgroffe Idolatry, as our owne Ho- milies and writers teach us. ' Thomas Bradwardine his paftage againii Stage-playes.p.689. BramanesyBraftlians& thofc of Bantam pu- nifh adultery with deatb.p. 3 8 2 ,3 8 $ . Bribe-ta\ptt ad their parts 'in Hell p.i 3, MJrinfley his cenfure of Stage-playes. p* ?63.5o-4.f.ffo. BroWnifts cenfured. p. 3 S, Buccr his opinion of academical and po- pular Playes.p. 7» 691. for two Ser- mons every Lords Day.p. 619 m. BriJJonituhis cenfure of btaee playes, p. C^iilengerushis cenfure of,and Booke a- gainft Stage- playes.p.320.3 ^^96^97 lohn de Burgo his verdift of Players, Playcs and Dancing, p.23 8,239,680, 844^.84^.847. C CXaligula, cenfured for favouring Play- ers/or acling and frequenting Stage- playes ? putting on wcm:ns appaiell, anddrinking his Horfes health, pag, Nn nnnn 3 200. The Table-,. 100.149, 462,708,709,73 6,74i>8*8 849-flamc at a Play.f554p.849. Calvin his cenfure of Playcs and Play- ers.p 6}i 907.ofDancmg.p226.240. Candlemas, and the burning of Tapers on it derived from the Pagan Februa- ln.p.758.760. Cantkks, anciently prohibited to be read of children and carnall perfons p.^if, C^padeciiyhs extent -nddivifion.p 678. 679. us prayfes.p.675. Cappadocians, not alwayes infamous, pag. 674, to 677, Cappadox, not a proverbiall but a natio- nal! title.p4674«to 678, CrfrifltfJ cenfured for favouring Players, and lewde perfons, f.j47.p»7 1 0,8 57 CaJJkdgMS his cenfure of Playes and Players, p.470.471 ,47 8,68 2,68 3. Cirque-playes cenfured and condemned by Fathers and Emperours.pag.470. 5*^6-85,340,729, fol.519, 523, Catiline hisconditions.,pag.i 3 5.149. C4to,how much feared of the Romanes. f.5 29. his gravity. p.740. Catullus cenfured, pag. 916", Cenfors appointed to correct Playes and Players.p 38.478,472, Charles the Great his cenfure and Edicts again tt Stage-playes, Dancing, and ribaldry Songs on Lordf-dayes and Holy-dayes, p. 271.715,996. Seethe places of BochcUfM quoted in the mar- gent : againft Images. p.90o« Charles the 6. of France his danger at a Mafque.f,5{7.5?8« Charles the 9, of France, his Edi&s a- gainft Playes and Dancing 6n Lordf- dayes and Holy-dayes. p. 7 * f- "Ejng Charles his pious Statute for fuppref- flng all Playes, and Enterludes, and unlawfull paftimes on the Lordf- day.p,24I.24jJ 495, 71^71^ 7J7- Dancing upon Lordf-dayes punisha- ble by thisStatuie« Ibidem. Qhannda* his law againft Cowards. p3g, 584,™. 88$. Children to be kept from Playes. p, 566. 367,See Parents, Chrijl wept oft, but never laughed. pag. 294.402,403^1 526. accufed of fe- dition & rcbellicn. p. 822. S2 5 .coun- ted a Deceiver.p.816. a Puritan, pag. 799.80oj8o!.hisNativiry how to be celebrated.p.48.225, 526,743^0 785 for what end he dyed and differed, and was incarnate, p. 26, 5 16,749, to 75 » .the onely patccrne of our imi- tation.f.526,p.732.difhonoured and; offended with Sta^e-playes,.p,44.4S. ^525.526^.743^0 7so.Hispaflion ought notto be a&ed,^ndyetPapifts andprophane Iefuits play it. p. io84 to 1 19.624,63 6,763,764,765,7 &6, 929. Why he redeemed hs, p. 26.27, 749,450* Chriftians, muft'imirate & follow Chrift aIone.p498, 99,5 26,73 2. muft excell Pagans in grace and vertue. p. 57.98, 99^415,454,455^711^0713, what they are and ought to bcp.5 6.57,63, 425, perfecuted and hated for their goodnefle and becaufe they are Chri- stians ,p«799.to 826,nick-named pag. 824.accufed of f2&ion,rebellion, and hypocrifie.pag.8 16, to 8 28.muft not follow Pagan cuft omes . p . 1 7. to 2 8 . 3M**7»578> 1*0, 582, 583,584, 585,586,587,751^0 762.net to read Playes and wanton Bookes : but the Scriptures and good Bookes. p, 913, to 924.the Primitive Chriftians con- demned Stage-playes, and excommu- nicated Players and Play-haunters ,p« 2.3^49^053.325. to 355, 545. to 705.and paflim. Ill Chriftians worfe thenPagans.p.454.H55,7ji.to7I3- 7984ejcceedmgly diihonour Chnft, and The Table.,. and fcandalize religion, pag, 744, to 749* CbrifimasdiCovdzrs cenfureA at large 4p.<}.8 225,743,10783.600 to635.SeeHtfk- ri«./.34*°- See Homii. zo. ad Epbef & Horn. 1 2, cdCoIIef. of gawdy apparelland Stage-attires, p. 219.410. ©fexce.five Hughtcr.p. 290,10 296, 403,404. of effeminacy pag. 169. 0f mens long haire,womes cutting their hair&,& mens putting on of womens apparell. pag. 169.195,196-426. Of Stage-playesj Players, Play-haunters and Play-houfes, p. 50.66,156,164,, 1693391^0432,474.^51,5^3,566, 680,68 1,733,988, oS^See Hommm CoUof. & 20. in epbef. CbhrcbeSf no Playesj Dances, fcurrilous Songs or Paftimes to bee fnfrred in them3noryet in Church-yards.p.581. <5oo, to 660 , Spgrfim, 99 5. 999, 947, Cazers mitcenfured. p, 418.999, no Images, Crucifixes,or Saints Pictures to be fu:Tre#in the*. p.89^.to 90 5,not to be overcuriouily or vainly adorned. p.902.903«the Primitive Church ex- communicated Players & Play-haun- rers, & condemned Stagc-playes, and dancing.p. 134.5 43,to690.SeePlayes. CUmangis his cenfure of Dancing, Oi- cing,Playes, and Players, and of the abufes on Lordf-daye: and HoU- dayes.f. 5 3 5.536,5.7^.690.69 1. of Popifh Nens and their groffe incon- tinency.p.88o.m. Qimtns Aiexxnc.rwus his cenfure of hfci- vicus kifTes and dancing.p, 166. m. 2 2 2 , of mens acting in womens appa- rel! and wearing long haire p. 167 18 7 1 S9» of lafcivious apparell , p,i 1 8. of Images,efpeciallyofGod the Father, p.896,,897. m. of exceffive laughter. P«392/eurrilous Songs, p. 266, effe- minate Muiicke, pag„ 275, of Stage- playes,and Theaters, p. 67, m,329* 344,4723532,609, Cfaxens %omanm Ms cenfure of mens long and frrzled feu're, p. 189, m, of PIayers,Playes3andPlay-haunters,p, 49»M 3 2,p,649,to 652 ,his command and exhortation to Lay-men to read the Scriptures, p,927, Ccmmdut, cenfured for a&ing the Play- er and Gladiator, for favouring Play- ers and Gladiators, for Sodomie and putting on womens app-arel^&c, fol« 55C.72i,8j2;853J894J882thismur- ther,f,555,p,854. Ccw^wyofevill perfons to be efchued. p.i44,l48tto 1 53,f,*47^48*a dan- gerous fnare, apt to draw men to Playes and fundry nnnes, pag, 143^0 152,416,417X547.5483549. got by frequenting Playes, f. 547.548,549, 598. See Mafter Bottom walking with God,p,73,&c, CenflanUne the Great an Enghihman borne: a fuppreffcrof Snge-playes, of Sword-playes,p,75,467, and of Images, p, 900, Cenftmiu-i his Edict againft Sword- playes.p,468. Councels : 5 5. againit Stage, playes, pag« 570,to 668, againft D mcing,D>cin2, Health- drinking , Beare-bayting , B-onefires, New-yeercs gifts, lafcivi- ous The Tables. ous Pi&ures,$on»s anc^ Muficke.pro- phoning of Loi.i.-dayes, Holi-dayes, .CluircheSjPaj;-.:! cuftomes, haunting of Alc-houfcs and Tavernes,Clergy- mcns feeing and aiftmj of PLaycs, Dan:irig,Oicing,Non-rciidency,'&:ct p*570,to 668^.150.01.221.222,240, 265,:86,i37,354;75<5,9i*,9l7,Scc. Seetheie lererall Titles. Generall Councels binde in point of manners. Ibidem, For fanc"h tying the Lords Day.pt242,m.5 7o4to 660. OviMns (Touncels againft. Stage-play.?s, p,57l- to 660, Crojfingot the face when men goe to Piayes,fhuts in the Devill, p 342. Crownesof Lawrell not to beworneof Chriitians,p.20.36, Cyprian hiscenfureofMens long haire- p.l89ofmens acting in womensap- parell. p.i 68.169,187,1 88. of lafcivi- ous apparell.p,2l7*ofImagestpt897. his Bookes againft Stage-playes, and cenfure of PIayers,Playes,Play-haun- ting and Theaters,&c,p.ig. 13 5.136, 168,169,187,188,331,332,333,334., 4735*22,546,558,562,670,392,722, 728,729* Cynllm AlexAndr'uwfcis cenfure of ma- king Gods Tmage. p.898, of Dancing & Stage- playesjefpecially on Lordf- dayes and Hpli-dayes. pag.278. 279, 53 3,534,6"824 of wanton Muficke.p, 278.279- Cyritlui HicYufolomitanus, his cenfure of Stage-playes,as the Devils pomps,&c. which we renounce inbaptifme, pag. 49.339^^2,5^5* T) 7)dm[ccn his cenfure of Playes & Dan- cing Specially on the Lords Day.pag. 26o.349-^53 3 «544.p°*8t3 .of making the Pidure of God.p.899 m. Twmnatlon) oft occalioned by Stage- playes.f^6^to 5 69^.910. ofttobec thought on .ibidem. Dancing at marriages, condemned . p.20 . 22,36„222, 278, 555, 573^02,603, See xMarnage : the Devils procefllon and invention, p.228 229,232,0^ of the Devils pomps which we renounce in biptifme.p.22f, 228,229,232,2 j6> 238,257,562,565, an occ.-.ficn of the breach of all the 10, Comandements. p. 23 1 .23 2 . an offence agamft all the Sacraments, p.257.258, derived frorp. Pagans who fpent their Feftivals in dancmg,and courted their Idols with it.p.225,233, 134,235,236,251,575, 576,584,704,751^0763,771,779. Intamous among Pagans, and con- demned by them, pag, 245,to 252.8c 709* to 71 1. 849^0 864, 884, 854, 8553801, a concomitant of Stage- playes.p. 2 20.2 2 1 ,z 5 9,260, condem- ned by the Waldenfes and French Proteftants. p,n6,to 233, 636, 6}?. Chriftians ought not to teach their Childrep,efpecially their Daughters, to dance, p. 23 1, 133, 236,636,637, Delight & skil in Dancing, a badge of lewdelafnvi ous women & (trumpets. pag.13 1,236,1 37,138, 140,145,148, 149,150,158. The Devill danceth in dancing women, p.118, 119,13 2,157, 258, 260, effeminate,mixt, lafcivious dancing condemned by Scriptures, Councels, Fathers, Pagan and mo- derne Chriilian Authors of all forts, as an occahon of much fin and Iewd- ncs,&c,p,22, 56,120^0262,271,172, f«534»57M76*, 599,584>^oo,636, 637,6^2,666,693, 79f, 698, 704, to 7 1 1 ♦729,76' 5 >770,77 1 >77M79*Pr o- hibited and condemned upon Lordf- dayes,ind Holi-dayes as a finfull,un- feemely, and unhwfull paftime , by Councels,Fathei*s,ImperiallandCa- nonicall Coaftitutions , Cliriftian Writers The Table-.. Writers of all forrs by our owne En- glish Canons and Homilies, and by the Statutes of i. Car, c,it& 5 1& 6»£. 6\e.3.p,23 1 . m. 220. 222, 240. to 24$. 257,258,260,27 1 j i?1'? I °*zo $40.p. 57? ,576,580, 60 5. to 609. 615, 616, 6115622,625,627. to 636*664,71$, 7l7i 7,770,7 7i> to 779^780,781, 913, 693^ 419, All Clergie-men prohibited todance,or to behold o- thers dancing, or to reward or encou- rage Dancers .p. 173.10678. Sfarjim. See Trudentim contr, Symmachum. lib. 1 • B'tblTa:rutTom.^.p9io.D Greg. Nyfftn deTtfurrefi Cbr'ifti- Orotic 3 -p. 160 Vo- krian.Hom.i. Dcbcnopdicitice. BibkF*- trum. Tom. $. pars 3 . p. 4 7 7 . C ,£>. ^ri*# Montana* inUb.ludicum.^i64j.y6%. to 573 . Jo«twus Munflcr De Salutionibus libA Gulielmus Stucl(ius jintiqu.Conv'tvalium .' /. 3 %cap 11.22 .Zcghcdmi loci Communes. Tit,Cborea& Saltatio. Gulielmus Pcral- dus Summa Virtutum oc Vitiorum. Tom. 2.Tit.T>e Luxuria ^3.^.68. «#/ .Dcering bis lo.Lefture on the Hebrews, Front is Sain bis Introduction to a devout life, pott $.c.Sl.$ 3-p. 648. 6 '49 Vincent 'us Belua- cenfis Speculum Mor a' e I i,pars9.DiJlintt. 6 p42$ 1.252. & SummulaT(aymundi,fol. 93. where a Dance is thus defined. chore a e$ sir cuius cathenotus cu)us cen- trum eft Diabolut, with fundry others here omitted,againft Dancing. David hi* Royall refolution. p-737* cen- fured tor feining himfelfcmad.p,894- 160, his dancing before the Arke no juftification of'our lafcivious dan- cing. p«f*2.to $55,729,77 5,729* Day of Iudgement at hand, and ever to be meditated on. ^56.59,976^0979. Dice-play ,and Dice-boufcs cenfured, con- demneid,by Councels , Fathers , all forts of Writers both Christian and Paean, by {Mahometin his Alcoran, by "impcriall Edifts , and Princes Lawes, and by the Statutes- of nut Kmgcome Epiflje Dedicatory, j ,2,p. 471-492,494,49^18^1^,627,^55 10666.69$, 700,795. Mimftcrs and Clergie-men prohibited tc play ac Dice or Tables , to ftand by' or looke upon Dicers ■ or to furTcr any Dicing, Carding,or Gamin? isithcn <"°ufes1M7^o*$8.SM&». Dicers excommunicated and kept r the Sacrament in the Primitive Church,p,6i8-926, DidacusdcTatia, his cenfure of Players , Playes, and Theaters* pag^i^S*, . tfh/66, DiodorusSfculus his teilimony of the or:- ginall of Playes : & cenfure of them. P, 5 1 0,704. • Diogenes Ciwtctis his cenfure of Mtificke, Diogenes Laertiks his cenfure of Stage- playes.p,707* Dion Cajfius, his cenfure of Dancing, Playes,& Caligula his acting of them. p.707.ro7io4 Dionyftui Haltcarnaffeus his cenfure of Playes, their ongmall and ufe. p. 704^ Devils and DeviH-ldds the inventors, the fomenters of Stage-playes, and Daiv cing which were appropriated to their .folemne honour and woribii-, their Feftivals being fpent in Eb;yes and Dancing, which, they cxactei from their worfhippers*p.9.to 50. 96, 1 3 1,164,165,177,125, 128,229^,32, 236,238,157,403 ^.04,4^ 0,476,479, J09,eio,C2255a?,v*4^5o,^i,^1, to $67, 576,584,658, 684, 69 x, 704, 7-6, to 7 34, 751, to 763, 766,772, 77?,779, 78o, 786, 793 . have Stage*. playes in Hell every Lordf-daynight. - p;i2. 1 5. The inventors of no good things, and the enemies of mankinde. pag ,9,14,1*, 16, Sec, Claime Player, Play-haunrcrs , :.nd Pby-houfes as O o o o o © their The Tabid-*. thea-awiie.p.io.ir, 482. &W#f*l» 5ff. honoured oft-times in (lead of ^hnift,p.744,74f)7^ Theoncly gainers by Stage .playes.p,44,to 48, Divinations and charmes unlawfully pag, Divorce; women whorefortto Playes & Play-boufes,may be divorced from their Husbands by the ancient Ro- manes and iHJHnian his Lawes, p ,3 9 1 , 661,661, 5* Dommkke , a ftory of his going to Uelltf .12*13. Domitian banifhed Players and fupprefled Playes, p^6i,yj^ Dfl/Wfoicenfuredfor putting on mans ap- j^irell, p,i04, 2>»l«^»»(rj(^3occafioned by Stage-playes p, 508,10512.731,732, a great and fcandaious iinne,efpeciaiiy in Clergy men. p. j 08. %Q%&1 ♦ to 636% Sparfim. 780. m, E JE*fett>his excellent Oration to hisPre- Iates,p,7<;2, Edriclp his cenfure ,p,,i 33 , Edward the 6. his Statutes ani Commif- lion for aboliihing Images and Saints # pictures out of Churches, £,902,903, m. For fan&ifying the Lords Day, &cpv78i.his Comedy., DeM&etricc Babilcmca,p*$$a, Effeminacy, a great finne, p,i 67,206, fol, 546,547, a neceflary concomitant of Play-aclinganda fruit Gf Playes,p^?, 1 6^. to 2 1 4. 4 :0,4 s 2,45 8,^540,547, ?4 8,874,10 895. 949, m haire, appa- rell,fpeech or geftures much condem- ned, /fo/cw. Qucene Elizabeth, and her Coun« fell fiipprelTs*d Playes , Play-houfes, and Dice -houfes.p.491. 49-2, her In- junctions againft Images. .&. Pictures m (Churches, which (he caufed to bee cfc-naohfhed & taken, out of Churches. . pag,902,903. m, her Statutes againft Playes and Players, p.495. Engi'jh Lawes, Statutes , Magistrates^ Vniverfities,Writers, againft Dicing, Mummers, Players, Dancing, Stage- . playes, lafcivious Songs and Muficke, lJlay-bookes,&c.p,i09.i 10,217,261, *73>*79, to 288.358, to 366. 434, to 445*48 J,to497*f.fi7^ 18,519^,698^ 699,700,71 5^i6,7I7j793>79459I9* to 924. againft Images in Churches. P 9° 1.902,903 ,m.Fpift.Dcd, 1. For the falsification of the Lords Day. pag,z4i,24i,243,7i 5,716,717,781, £/tfwi,pag. 188.922. Epborm his cenfure of Muficke,p,287. Spicarmus puniihed.for his wanton Vtr- fes,p,92r, Efipbanw his cenfure of. Stage-playes* wanton Muficke, mens, wearing of womens appareil , long haire , and vr omens cutting their haire. pag, 1 88. 279j556,68o.of Images in Churches, P-&99,nv Erafmtiihis cenfure of wanton Church- finging.p,2Sf. Efau and lacob a tipe of the Reprobate and ElecVp, 2.47. £«f/idcenfured for putting on women? appareli.p,i8i. Eujyrofma and Emporia ceafured for. cut- ting their haire, and putting on mans apparell.p.184.2.04.. Eupo!i& the Poet drowned by ^kebiades. p,i2i.f,555. Zufcbim his cenfure of Stage-playes . Dancing and wanton Muficke, efpe- cially on Loidl"dayes.p.i64.i6oa/bi, * 3 M34* f-279* 670, of making the Image of God.p,899„m. Euripides his death, f. 5 5 3 , Euftflt'm condemned fos an -Heretiquc. for perfwading womenxto cut their haire and put on mans apparel I under pretence of devotion ^.203,204 1 84, Example; The Tabic-,. Examples of Gods fearefull Iudgements upon Play-poets, Piayers, and Play- ruumers.f.f 53, to $6$. Sxbortatiom to Play-poets, Players,Play- haunters,p, $3. to 62. f.$67.$68,p:>g, $66.10569 686^87,701, 711,7x2, 7i7>7I8>8t^>83o,974, to 99$, Face-painting condemned p.i $9,1 6o,f o f 3945*29389^7993780,8 54,893. See Gulielmm Peraldm Summa VirtHtum acVitioru.Tom.2.DeSuperbia.c.i4. Fathers : againft Dancing, p, 22.363221. to 230. Dicing. Epiftle Dedicatory. 1. Heatheniih cuftomes. pag. 20. to 37. Health-drinking, p.i 6.5 97 * 5 9 8 3609, 614, 61 f . Mens long haire and Peri- Wigs, p 1 88. to 1 9 1 .200,2 1 o. lafcivi- ous Songs andMu(icke.p.26i.to 28c, fantaftique andgawdy apparell and falhions347>4^7j 468> Reading of Play- bookes and prophane Authors* p.78. 79^9 1 5 ♦ to 928. New-yceres gifts, p. 20.36,197^8, 4.29, 4.50, 75 j, 7S6> See all thefe Titles. Their concur- ring refolutions to bee fubmittedto* p.68 5 586^687,718,7 19)710+ Puri- tans. p.222,798. to 802 Feaftivalt of Pagans fpent in Playcs, in dancing and exceffe. pag.225. 233. to *?7.2fi,75i.to76i.77i>779. See Dancing: to bee abandoned by all Chri{tianspag.20.2l,575)57<5^84> 75 1. to 76 1 ."turned into Chriftian Holi-dayes, and fo brought in Hea- theni{h abufes. pag. 7 J 1. to 7^1* See Holi-davcs* Foafls of the Primitive Chriflians defcri- bed p.7^8.tb78o. Few favcd,p. 244.78 7, 7 8 8 ,See D cbe twin his ftrait way and narrow gate. julmFirmktiii againft mens long haire and putting on of womens apparell : and Stage-playes .p. 1 94. 1 9 5^70. Floralkn Enterludes acted by Whores ob- fcene and invective, p. 112.163, 214. fol.529. Fornication* h*aihous frnne. pag. 37 5. to 38o.men prone unto it. p. 372.375. oCcafioned and fomented by Stage- playes.pag.3 27. to 446.144,145,146, 43l»43j*498, 662. See whores and • whoredome. Not to be acted among Chritons-p.63.to 7 a.89.to 94. Andreas Frifiiu his cenfure of Dancing, DicingjPlayes and fcurrili Songs.pag. 69h G GaHienut cenfurcd, yea flaine for favou- ring Players , acting and frequent- ing Piayes.p.46j,f.e 5 f.p.739-85^- Gatlus the Poet cenfured.p.454. Gclliui kis cenfure of Stagc-playcs.p^fo George the Arrian,a Cappadocian borne, p.67 1^0679. Gorge the Martyr made Symbolicall by M clantton and others, p.676. 677. Gtrardas his faying.p 9 20. Germanes punilh adultery with death. p« $82.ufed to poll their wives taken in adultery &fo turnethe packing. p.ioj condemned Stage-playes & kept their wives from rhenv.p.434. 4f7>4?8,7 13, Gerforf his cenfure of lafcivious Poems, Playes and dancing, p 690. 5 3 8.922 . Geftuns of Minifters and others ought to begrave.p.934.935. Glxveritts his cenfure of Stage-playes. p. 457-458' Gods Image or Picture cagnor, ought not to be made 5 a great impiety to make it p. 894.10 904. his Comman- dements not to be broken in jeft pag. 84. to 88- he abhorres Stage-playes Oooooo i 130, The Tables. 130* lji.fol. $2$, $z6. G&rgiaf his ceniure of Stage- playes. pag. 449-703, Gojfpn a penitent Play-poet, his cenfure & Books againft Stage-playes. p. $40. 2 G,hts refutation of theApologie for A- , ftorsyind his cenfurc of Playcs.p. 141. Gotbes andlfanelals rejected Stage-playes p.4^7.f.527p.7^. Gratian the Emperour his Edict againft PIayers,and Playes.p.468,813. Gmian the Canonift, his cenfure of Players and Playes. pag, $84,846. of New-yeeres gifts, p. 796+ of Health- drinking, p. 596. Grecians 3 the onginall inventers of Playes p. 17,509. atjmircd Playes and Players, at nrft , but abandoned and made them infamous at laft. pag.455. ^04,73o>7^>7383 843, 844. Their manners,cufTomes>and Playes prohi- . bitcd Chriftians. p. xi. 12,549,586, 650,651,652. Gregory the Grair,turned Pagan Feftivals into Chriftian. p. 7C9. 760. his cent* fure of Playes and Pagan Authors, p. 78.79^83,848. Gregory Na^jan^cfh his cenCure of Dan- cing ^225.279,637.01.771.772,773. Face- painting, p. 2 17. 890, 8 9$. mens long and frizled hake, pag 1 89, mens putting on of womens apparell. pag. 1^9.170,188^189. lafcivious attyres.. p.117 £96. Players,and Stage-playes, p. i36.I63,I64,l69,3i5J?28,j29, 473,fol. 5 27.680. howChnfts Nati- vity muft bee folemnizcd.pag.771. 772,773- Gregory Ttyfffft) his cenfure of Dancing, lafcivious pictures, and Stage- playes, P 3 37. 3$8>S*7'*ol- 5?9*56o pag. 680, of Images and Gods Picture, pag. 89S. Gregory the worker of Miracles, his ka- tredof Playes caufed a fuddenpefti, lence among Players and Play-haun- ters.f.559.560. Tb. GuaJenJis his cenfure of Playes and laughter, p.2^.301.,689. Gualtber his cenfure of Dancing,Players, letters j Playes j and Play-haunters, p. 45.01. 226. 310,479,480,481,692, 737,73*- ' Guevara his cenfure of Stage-playes and Actors, p. 461.461,696,731. Gtilklmm Parifienfis his cenfure of Stage- playes and Dancing. p. 6 8 8. his paffage and reafons againft mens putting on of womens apparell, er women of mens, p.884. 88 5,886. Gtmda her punifhment for cutting her haire, and putting on mans apparell, p» 800. H Haire, womens cutting and frizling of their haire condemned by Deut.22.5. x King. 9.30, tfay 3.18, 20, 22, 24, I Coivi 1 .5,6,14,1 5. 1 Tim,2 9. Tir„ *«tfe*rt>ft 1 Pct.3,^4,5,Roan.i,26# Zeph, 1,8, Prov.7. 10, 1 $♦ Rev, 17,4, c-s.8.by CouncelSjfatherSjand Chri- stian Writers of all forts as an unna- rurall, impudent whor'ifh practif&,pag. 1S4. to 206.217.rn, f.f 14.799,805, 879 .to 8? o,S^//i».994,See GuUeltnvA Teraldia Summa Vimujim ac Vitio- ' rum, Tom .2, Tit.de Stiperbia.c. 14, accordingly. Examples of women who have cut their haire, cenfured. Ibidem* Whores and Adulter effes pu- nhhed heretofore by cutting their haire, which our women now make a fafhion. p.202. 203,204. Popifh Nons cutting of their haire when they are admitted into Nonneries derived from the ancient punifhment of Harlots,and Euftatm his Difciples. p,202,i03j 204, condemned. Ibidem. Mens The Tables. Mens wearing of long, falfe, curled haire& lovelockes,condened by Deut. 22,5. Ezech„ 44*i°« Dan« 4»33- lCoi\ii.i4,i5.Rcv,9,8.Num,6.5, Ier,7,29.Pfal,68,2 I. _ compared toge- ther, by Councels,Fathers, and other Writers, as an effeminate unnaturall amorous pra&ife, an incitation of luft, an occaiion of Sodomy, and a pra&ife of ancient Ganymedes and Sodomites 4p,i86*to 203, 209, 210, 211,425,560,799,873,10 890,893^, Ded«2,& 3 ♦ To the Reader, See Guli. Teraldus qua fupra., M+Bolton his com- fortable directions for walking with God* p, 195, 2,00, W. T, his Abfoloms fall , wherein every Chriftian may as in a Mirror behold the vile and a- bominable abufe of curled long haire fomuch now ufed in this our Realme pag, 8.9,10, j 7,1 3,19. Arch-bifhop Abbot his »8. Lecture upon lonah, fect.u,p,570, 571, Auguftin, Enar, inPfal,3t,Tom,8.p:rs i.pag, 244, M. Edtrard Ratmlds his finfulnefleof (inne,p, 1 3 ^QuintiUInftit, 1 a ,c,i 5 , againft mens long compt haire, tiau^mg. Hunting , yea keeping of Houses and Hounds prohibited Clcrgie men by fundry Canons and Councels,p«f 87, to 662* S par fira. Haymo hiscenfure of Stage- play es and A&ors,p,349»S63* of making Gads Image 4^,9 oo,m. Health-dr'mtyng, prohibited, condemned by Councels,Fathers,and others,pag. 22,596,597^98,509,614,61^^6, 771, 780, m, 78 2* 79®+ See ™Y Healths fickneffe, -with the Authors there quoted, HKabams Maum Com. in Titum, c, I, Tom,?. pag,50 2.E, Homil, in Dominicis diebus, Tom, 5,Op,p.*o5, D.Iohannis Sarisberi- enfis, De Nugis Curialium« 1. 8. c.6< Iuo Carnotenlis,Decvet.pars 6.c,i-5 1 Mafter Gualtber Hom.o. inHabac. p» 22.9.230* Innocernius 3. Opcriun Tom.i.p 470. Gulielmns Stuckm An- tiqu. Convivalium.l:b,3, thorowour,, Hoftienfis Summa.l.i.Tit.de Tem- pore ordinat.f.j 1. loan.Langhccruci- us.de Vita & Honeftate Ecclefiaftico- rum.l.atc.ii,p.25o<>&c.is.p.254^.5 5 Gratian Diftinct.44.Polydor Virgil, de Invent.rerum.l. 3 ,c.5.p.i 1 5. D.lohn White his Sermon at Pauls Croffc. March z+.i 6i$Se£t 8 $6, Henry the 3 .the Emperor rejected Playes^ and Players.p.47 1 4 Henry the 4. of England his Statute a- gainft Rimers and Minftrels.p.49 3 . Henry the 8, his Statute againft Mum- mers., Vizards and Dice-play. p,49 3 ,. 494. his cxpences upon Playes and Mafques.p.3io. his Commiflions for aboliihing Images in Churches, pag. 903. m, Hewythz 3. o( France his Edicts againft Stage-playes and dancing on Lordf- dayes and Holi-dayes.p,7i 5, Hercuki cenfured for putting on wo- O 000 00 3 The Tabic-,. mansappareii.pag.888. Herod /grippa Cmittcn in the Theater by an Angell, and fo dyed- foi.f 54,5 5 j . See Frecul[biChronicdn. Tom .2. I, i.e. i4.Bibl.Patrum.Tom.9.p.4o8. Herod the Great, the firft ereaer of a Theater among the Iewes , who thereupon confpire his death. p. 486. Hefodian his cenfure of Playes and Dan- cing, p. 710.8 r i,8 5 2,8 S3,8h>8 5 S- Heredias, her dancing taxed : the Deviil danced in her.p.ziS ,129. m. 131. m. 260.773.^534. H/Vo punifhed Spicarmui for his wanton Verfes.p.921. Hkrom his cenfure of mens long and curledhaire,p.i88.34.o, of iafcivious Mufickc and Songs, p. 27 $.276, 3 40. of ImageSjfpecially of God.p.8^84m. of Players and Stage-playes.pag.340, 680. of Dancing, p. 223. of reading Poets andprophane Authors.p.78.79 trance.p,Q2^.9264 for Laymens rea- ding the Scripture.p,9 28.rn.how Mi- nifters ought to preach, p.9 3 6,9 3 7. Hilarie his cenfure of Stage-playes, pag. 3 39. £70* of making Gods Image, p. 9oo,m. Hijlmet fophifticated by Players and Play-poets.p.94O.94i0 Holkftt his cenfure of Stage-playes and Danci»g.p.ti9,m.»56.689. Heli~dayes, how to be (pent and folemni- 2ed.p.x40.to 244.t.f37.5385&c.^7; s8f,?86,6o$.to 686. Spar Jim. 74 3. to 78$. exceedingly prophaned with dancing, dicing, drunkennefle and prophane paftimes,p. » 22 ,23 x.to 2 5 o, Sparfim. 27 1 .363. f0„f 30.10 $41. 775, to 66tf.743.to 78 3 .9 3 3. Dancing and Stage-playes prohibited oh Holi- dayes by Councels, Fathers, and all Writer J&«fafi#See Dancing. & p.913. Augmented by P.* pi fts who- have tur- ned Pagan Feftivals into Chnftian,p. 7 5 *• to 76 1. See Haddon Com. Ofo- rium.i 3. f .262.163, 264,Abridged by 7rvij of which he writes thus in his 3. Ser- mon upon lonah, before King Ed" mrd 6. An.i % * i.p«8 i.Jfqueftio* non be asJfcd, u there then no Sacrifices left to be done ofebriftian people ? yea truelyjout none other thenfueba* ought to be done without Altars : and they be of 3 .forts : The firfi it the facrifices ofth&kef giving .Pfal. j 1 . I7,i9,Amos 4.$.Heb,i3.if.Hof.i4 2. Tfai.is benevolence and liberality to tbepoore, Mich. 64 8. 1 Cor, 16, !? 2* 2 Cor,8 .19. Hebr. 13,16. The third lpndc of Sacrifice U the mortifying of out oWne bodies >and to dyt from fmne. Rom. 12,1,'Matth. u.Luk.14.. ifwefludj not daily to offer thefe facrifices to God, we be no Cbrijlianmen. Seeing chrijlian men have no other facrifices then thefe 9 which may and ought to be done without altars, there fbould among fhriftians be no Altars. And therefore is Was not without the great wifedome & knowledge of God, that clrrift* his Apoftles and tht Trim'tthe ckmch ' lacked The Tabic-,. tecl(cd Altars, for they tytcw that the ufe of Altars then was ta\en away. It were well then that it might pleafe the Magiflrates t& turn* the Altars into Tables, according to the firft mftituum ofcbnft, to takeaway tbtfalfe perfwajm of the people tUy bav£ offacrifius to be done upon the Altars. For as long as the Altars remamt, both the igiorant people, *nd the ignorant and evitl perfwaded Vriefi mU dreame almyts cffaoYifice. Therefore were it beft that the Magiflrates remove ail the mo- numents and tokens of idolatry and fuperftiti- on. Then ftjuld the true Religion of God foo- ner ta\cplace->&c. & Sermon 8, f. i 50, A great fhame it is for a TfybleKjng, Emperor or Magftrtte contrary to Cods Word to detaine or \eept from the Devill or bis m.nifters^any of their goods or treafure,as the Candles, Imag:s, CroJfesjVtftmsmt, Altars ; for if they be fept mihechuuh as things indfthent, at length tbcyw.ll be maintained as things neceffary. And doc not wee fee his words prove true ? Againii the making of Gods I- mage and faffring or erecting Irrr ges in Churches, pa? 902. m. of which faec writes thus in~his Declaration of tlx fecond Commandment. London 1588,101. 29.ro $l.Tbis Comnwidemt m hath 3 . parts ; Ihe firft ta&bfrom ws all liberty and lkcncs3that we in no cafere,rcfcnt or manifeft the God tnvifible & incomprebenfible with any Figure or Image, or reirefent him unto our fences that cannot be comprehended by tbe wit of man nor AngeU. The fctond fart forbiddeth to honour any image. The third partjh.wah ms that it u no need to prrfent God tow by any Image , Mofes giveth a reafott of the firft part, why no image fhouldbe made, Deut. 4. 1 5. 7{e- member, faith Joe to the people, that the Lord ff>a\e to the in thevaleofOreb, Won beard- eft a\ oyce, butfawefino manner offt,i'Jtude, but cncly avoycz bar deft thou- E i8#&44-9,^. du'igntjfhewhb wh abfurdity a?id undecent thing it it tbeMajefiie ofGod mcom:r(bsi Utile bloc fa or ft one, a spirit, with an Image. The % doth Paul/* the 17. of tbo ac%s. The text therefore forbid'dab all manner of Images that are made to expreffe or rcprcfent Almighty God. lUfccond fartforbiddcthto honor any Image made : The firft word ho- nour fignifieth, to bow head, lcgge,k?iec, or any pdrt of the body unto them, as all tkofe dot (pray marke it) that fay with good confei- ence they may bee fufjred in the church of Cbriftj&cSeeing tkntbercis noComandemcnt in any of both Tcflamrnts, to haze Images, but as you fee the contrary ; and alfo the univer- faU Catholi^e and holy Church never ufed l- j mages,as the writings of the Apefties and Pro- phets teftifie, it is but an Lthml{c verity and Gentile Idolatry, to fay God acdhis Saints be honoured in them, when as all Hiftories tcjlifc, that in manner for thi fpace of 500. yecres af- ter chrifts Afcention,wbcn tie doctrine of the Gofbellwas mo ft {merely preached, was m Image ufed, &c. There fare Sj^fcb.ddctb usnotonely beware of bonsurlnpm Images, but of the Images tbemf elves . Thou foalt fin/.e the origiwll oflmagos in no place of Gods Word, but in the writings of the Gentiles and Infidels, or in fuch that morefollowtd tbiir owie opinion and fu^crftitiout imaginations, than the authority of Gods Word. Herodo- tus faith, that the /Egyptians were the firft that made Imigcs to repnfent their gods, jtnd ai the G entiles fafhloned their gods with what figures they lufled, fo doc the (fbfiflianu To declare God to beftreng they made bim in the forme of a lion. to be vigilant & diligent fin the forme of a Vogy&c. So due they that Would be accounted christians, paint God and bti Saints yw.tb fuch pictures as they imagine in their fvitaf.is. Ged,li^e an old man w.th a * 1 bead, at though bis yottb w^re pa ft, wh.ch bath wither beginning nor aidin§,&c. No & far-Meat all betwteve a christian man arJ Gentile. in this Idolatry, faving onely the tbey tho gin not their Images to be God, b tfufi ofed that then. Gods would he Ths TahL e-r. fa honoured that waye 5,0s the ebriftians eke. I write tbefe things rather in contempt and l>atrcd of this abominable ido'atry then to Icarne any Engr?fhman tht truth, &c. The third part declare th, that it is no need tofocw God unto us by Images, and provetb thf (am: with 3 . reafons. Fir ft, I am the Lord thy God, thatbvetb thee, helpetb thcc> defender is present with thee : bc'ieve and love mo, fo [halt thou have no need tofce^e me and my fa- vourable prefence in any Image, The fecond rcafonz lama \ea 'om God and cannot faff cr thee to love any thing but in me and for me, I cannot fuffer to be otherwife honoured than 1 have taught in my Tablet and Tejiament The 3 i reafon is, that God rcvengetb the propha- nation of bis Divine Ma)efty,'fit be transi- ted to any creature or image > and that not only in him that committeth the Idolatry, but alfo in his pofterity in the third and fourth genera- tion^ f they follow their Fathers idolatry.Then UavoyMRkof God and toobtainc his fa- vour,we%uft ufeno Image to honor him with a% GodsLawes expulfcth and putteth Images out of the Church, then no mans lanes foould brmgthemin. All which he thus feconds in his bricfeand cleare Confejjion oftbsCbri- fiian Faith in an 100. Articles, according to the Order of the Creed of the Apofilcs. LondonM3f.Artic.79.Sc87. 1 believe (writes he) that to the Magiftrate it doth appcrtaine, not onely to have regard unto the Common-wealthy but alfo unto EccUfiaJUcall matters, to ta\c away and to overthrow all Idolatryand falfe [crvingofGod, and to ad- vance the Tfyngdome of Chrift, to caufe the JVordoftbeGofpell every where to He preach - ed,andtbcfametomaintaine unto death: to chaften alfo and to punifh the falfe prophets which leadc the poorc people after Idols and firange gods,&c . 1 believe alfo that the begin- ning ofaU Idolatry was the finding out and in- vention oflmages,wbicba>fowtr« made to the great offence of the (ouksofmen, and are as [nam and traps for thefeetc of the igiorant to makettxm to fall. Therefore they ough nm tobeehmomed ferved, Wor[hippcd,%ither to Ufuffredm the Tcmpks or Cbwchet, where Cbrmm peopkdoe met together, tobeare and mdvUndthe Word of God, but rgtber the fame oug!>t utterly to bee tafrn a*ay an'd thrown: tbWne, according to the effect of the 2..Ccrn^(tndemcntcfGod;and that ought to to Horn cy the common authority of the &4a*i- ftratc-andnot by the private authority o^cver> particular win For the wood of the GalUw- whereby jufliceu doners bleffcd of God but ■tat Image made by mans hand U acenrhdof thcLovd,andfouhethatmade it. Andtherc- f or ewe ought to beware of Images above aU things. I his wis this Godly Martyrs faith concerning Images : this wis the t jith and doclrine of all our pious Mar- tyrs and Prelates in King Henry the 8. King Edward the 6 Queene Maries, and QueeneE/j^^Raignes: this is the authorized dodrinc both of the Articles and Homilies of our Church which every Enghfti- Minifter now fubferibes to, and is enjoyned for to teach the people as the undoubted truth ; Yea this wis one of the Articles propounded by Do- ctor Chambers, to which the reverend Bifhop, feweU,md all other von. Prote- ct Students in both our Vmverdties fubfenbed, in Edward the 6. and Queerfe Maries Raigne, Jmsflus & fimulachra non cffetnTcmpli* hahenda^ofaue gloriam Dei immmHcre qui vel fuderint velfabricatifuc- nntvcl finxcrint, vel pinxermt, vtl fabri- canda &facienda locarmt : is Doftor Hum- fries Dc Vita & Morte JueUi. pag. 4 2 in. formes us : which I wi(h our moderne Innovators and Patrons of Images would remember. HoracehiscenCureof Phyes & Pliers Hybnpcafacra> how folemnizedp 20* Hylas the Player whipped.p.^ 9. Hypocrifte, a neceffary concomitant of acting The Tables. acting Playes, and a damnable finne* pag. 156. to \6\, 876, 877. Chrift, nisApaftles, the primitive and mo- derne Chriftians unjuftiy taxed of it. p*8i6.to 811* Hypocrites and Players, the fame, p , 1 5 S* Hjrprfifcahis cenfure of Stage- playes,and lafcivious Songs .f* $ 6 5 . 5 6 tf* Ring fames his Statute againft propha- ning Scripture and Gods Name in Playes. p*i 09 «xi°. his Statutes make Players Rogues j and Playes unlaw- ful! paftimes.pag.495«496- exprefly condemned the making of God the Fathers Image or Picture. P*£QI.» Jafon, the firft introducer of Heathenifli Playes among the lewes. p*548-549> 5 50,^1,5 5 3- .^ JaUtm the author of New-yeeres gifts, &c See Kalends and New-yeeres gifts. Jdleneffe a dangerous mifchievous (Jnne occafionedjfomented by Stage*playes* p*i4l.47l>5°i>to $04. 9°9>947j>oyi, to 956.480,1001. &b/; and Devils parts and ftories unlaw- full to be acted 5 their Images, fhapes and reprefentations not to be made, p.7S.tolo6,i4i)I76Ji77,f.$5o.fSi 5 fa. pag« 547«8*$» 866,890^0 904, The mentioning of their names and imprecations, adjurations, or excla- mations by them,unlawfull.p,$ 1,33, $6,77.1089.891,915. Things origi- nally confecrated to them unlawfull. pag*i8*to 42.8 1 . to 90. Stage-playes invented by, and confecrated unto I- dols , and Devil- gods , who were courted withthemln their Feftivals* See Devils&ancing, and Fefihafs. pag, 4.78*479548*.foL558-559>P'73i> 73i>7$5. Idolatry a grand finne j to which mea arc naturally prone, p. 27.58,50,80,81, 82^8 3, the mother of Stage-playes. p* 28 to 40^8,59.^521.558,559. pag, 54° 54?«The acting of an Idols part, or making his reprefentatio Idolatry, p.89.9°J^5586^89i589a,Theveiy relicjues and uHadowes of u to be a- ^voyded, p. 27.58,59,80,8 1,651,891, 892, occasioned by Stage-playes and Play-poets p.So.Sl ,84,^1.550,55 1, 55^650.651,652. Jcfaitsact Chrifts paflion,&c«in ftcad of preaching it p.n6^u 7,7 65,7^6,767, 999,Gods Iudgement upon them for a prophanePIay.f^;58.Somcofrhern have condemned Stage-playes. pag. 996-997j &c* Jcsvcs, condemned and rejected Stage- playes, and Idols lhapes and vizards* pag. 466.552. to 556.7 14,7 18,713, 894,981* had no Images in their Temples, and condemned the veny art of Imagery* p. 894* to 902. kcept their Sabboth from Evening to Ere- ning.p*6$9,642* Ignat'w the Martyr, condemned Dan- cing on the Lords Day. p.212.13 i.m. Ignatius Loyola, prohibited Terence to be read in Schooles* p.917. Images and Pictures of God the Father, Sonne and holy Ghoft unlawfull to be made, or fet up in C lurches, pag* 286*894. to 9O4. See Hooper, Images in Churches condemned by Fathers, Councels , Emperours, Proteftanc Churches and Writers, and by our owne Englifh Statutes, Articles, In- junctions,Homilies,Canons, ancient Bilhops and Writers, Ibidem. Sec Bi. fhop Jewels Reply to M. Harding. Av tic«i4- P*496-t0 517. Roderick* Mors his complaint to the Parliament in King Henry the 8 . dayes* cap. 19, 24. D.lohnFonet BB.ofWinchefter, his Apologie or Anfwer to Martyn.i 555, Pppppp cap* The Tabic. cip.6.7 . pag. 74, 84., 8$. Archb (hop yftxrs Aniwer to the lefuns Chal- icnge.pag4495.to 51 4, Edit, ulr, & a fliorc Defcriprion of Amichrift. 1 555. pag, 26, Demob med at Zm\c\c, and Bajil3md here in England by H«nry the 8, Edward the 6. and Quecne Klity- fo*6,p,003.m. Images condemned by the Persians, Syrians, Scythians, and Lybians of old, Ongen. Cont, Cel- fum, lib.7/01,96. none fuftred in the Temples and Synagogues of the Iewes,Turkes,Saraz.ens,Mores,Mof- chovites, or barbarous Heathen Na- tions of Afia, Africa and Europe now, Haddon.Cont*Oforium Jib^C, z U . condemned by Mahomet in his AIcoran.EditXar.B'ibliandri, 1 5 5 o.p, 1 9.105,1 26,144,1 5 2. & (hall Chrifti- ans, thai! Proteftants fuffer, applaud, ereft them, when as thefe condemne them ? See Thomas Waldenfts, Tom* 3. Tit, 19. De Religioforum domibus* cap-i 50.10 162, Imitation of Pagans and their cuftomes unlawfuh\p.i8,to2$,72o.to7$4. See Pagans, impudency a dangerous finne occafioned DyStav>e-playes,p.4ii,f i2.to 516. infamous to aft Phyes,Sec Acting,Play- ers.p, 47^ 429,841 . to 8*0. Intention of Play-haunters.p,Q43.to 947. Inventions of Pagans, how farre lawfull and unlawfull .p. 1 6.to 42, Jofephiti his cenfure of Stage-play es and Theaters p 466.467,553,554,&c. <>* Imiges.p.894.895. Jjiodor Hifpa'enfis, his cenfure of Dice- play, Epift. Dedic. I. of Stage-playes and Theaters . p,3 49.f«? 14.5 2 f .pag. 562.58 3,757,7 5$.m.of New. yeeres gifts ,p75 7 758, m, of reading pro- phane Writers p.7 87 9>9' ^9*6, Ifiodor Pelufiota his cenfure of Playes and Players, p 477. 795. of reciting hu- man Authors in Sermons I pag.937 938. Ifocrates his cenfure of Playes and Play- ers. ^121.4^0,70^, Irenaw his cenfure of Phyers & Playes, p,xf8.m.66g. lodgements of God upon Play-poets, Players,Piay-haunters«f,f 50.j52.to 565. Julian the Apoftate his Edifk againft Minifters refort to Playes or Ale- houfes,p .461.66$* \ul\ws &A.e$aU* his expence on Playes. p , 315,^22. Ihb Carnotenjis his cenfure of Playes 3 Players, acting in womens apparell^ &c. 665.684, 846,886,906. lnn'm Maurkui his cenfure of Playes. p, 4*8, lujiinian his Edicts againft Dicmg,Play- ers,Sword-playes,Stage-playes,which hee ftiles the Devils pompes, p. 469. 562,56^656, to 663, his law for divorcing of Play-haunting wives, p. 29i.66i>662. lufiin Martyr his cenfure of Imagcs.pag, 896. of lafciviousMufickc. p.275. Jufttn the Hiftorian his cenfure of Playes and Dancing. p7°9 7iO- luvenal his cenfure of Players, Playes, Play-haunters and Dancers, pag.249, i50,3i9>37°>t5*>843'8f2*m«8f9' 860, K r f Kalends, their obfervation, efpecially o the firft of Ianuary, prohibited, p. 19. to2'3.i$7,i98,4*9>43°j 580,581, .J8?>7?5;756>780,75*. Kjngs moft honoured when God is beft fcrved by their fubjefts. p. 6^4. have fupprefled Playes and Dicing,and exi- led Players.p 455.10472.656.10665. 703 to 713,725, 870. infamous for them to aft or frequent Playes,or fa- vour The Tabic. vour Players, pag. aSW «**M29> 4^>to 472X557,5 J^,p.707. to 7 ii. 7 Mfio 744.848.to 8 5 8, 897. A good King and bad Councilors , worfe j then an ill King and good Councel- lers. p, 1 c 3 . what makes Kings evilL r\$47. Their life ought to bee exem- plary .p.7 3 4.73 5>7h,839. L&Rm'm his cenfure of Images. p.8g64 897,8 9 8.m. of acting in womens ap- parell.p.i 8 8. of Stage-playes and A- aors.p, 160.180,334,335,336,473. 670. l$M.Langbccrucm his cenfure of Health- drinking,Stage playes, acting of Aca- demical! Enter ludes , and admg in womens apparell, ^596^97, m.695. 8*4,865,866. Lafciv'mfnejfe condemned : a neceflary concomitant and efted of PIayes,and Play-acT:ing.p.|6j to 178.332^0446. Sijhop Latymer his cenfure of Dice-play. Epift.Dedic. I. of dancing and pro- phaning Lordf-dayes. f,5 3 ?« ' of Ima- ges. p. 901. accufed of fedition. pag. 8 if. laughter , prophane, profufe, exceffive, cenfured.p,290.to 298,1x33403,404. Chrift never laughed. 194. 40 3 , 404. thislife no time of laughter but of teares.p.293.z94>4°4« See Chryfoft. Horn. 1 2. in Collof. 4. an excellent difcourfe to this purpofe : occasioned by Playes.p475. aoo.to 304,403^04, LaureH, Chriftians prohibited to dreffc their houfes with it.p. 11. 581,75^,01. 770*77 ly77i> See Tertulfde Corona militis.lib,c,U.Ii. Itfjwcnenjoyned by Ceuncels, Fathers, and God himfelfe to read the Scrip- tures diligently* Epift. Dedicat.?,.pag. 58e.9t4.to 93 1. are fpirituall Priefts, and ought to be as holy as the Clei> gie.p^ 0.647,648. Lwthe Emperourhis Edict for the fan- ctifyingof the Lords Day andfup- preffion of Stage-playes p.469,470. Levis the 9. of France his Edict agamft Players, Play-houfes, and Dice-hou- fes. p 870. Leuctppus, his effeminacy in haire and apparell cenfured. p.883.88^. Lh/ie his cenfure of Stage-playes. p. 449. 45o.f.5*o.p 705. LidovlctU the Emperor his Edict againft Clergie-mens refort to Playes, &c, p*7i5- Lodovkus Arch-biihop of M3gdeburgc, his death, £557. Loclovicm Vtvth his cenfure of Players, Playes, Play-bookes, Dancing, and Popifli Enterludes.pag. 1 14.11531 34, »i6.fol. 554. pag. 691. 916. Londen Magiftrates fappreffed Playes , Play-houfes and Dice-houfes. p. 49 1. 492* Lords Day , (exceedingly prophaned by Stage playes, Mafques and Dances, which are prohibited on it by Coun- ccls,Fathers, Imperiail Lawes, our owne Englitli Statutes, Homilies, In* junc~tions,and fundry other Writers,) how it ought to bee fpent and fancti- fied p. 1 3.2a, 240.10244. 2.71 , 363, 468,4^9,470,491, 5 $o.to $41. 489* 554,55^57 5^576, 61 5. to 66 3.5^r- fim. 71 5 . 71 6, 9 m , 9 46. See Dancing, Heli-dayes. & Thomas >V996. and on Lords Day and Saturday nights. pag. I J.i i ,40, 64$, 64^ It begins at eve- ning, not at morning or midnight 5 proved at large by Councels,Fathers, and others.p.638. to 646. Hence Juo CamotenJis.rDcoret pars 6,cap.yi.Grat'un 7)ifiinM-7U and a^ Canoniftson this place of his, upon the words o£ Tope Leo Epift.2 1 .cap,i. conclude thus, that the Lords Day begins at Evening : 7{onpafim (lay they) diehm omnibus fa- icrdotalis vdlevitica ordimtio celebretur, Jedpoft diem Sabbati ejufy noblk qu\?ce • dcmkvofiu trahitur ad diem fcqiicntem , ht five de ventre in Sabbat 0, five de mane in 'Dominico ord'mes confer antur fempcrin die Dominico videantur ctrnferri. Hence alfo Hofiicnfis. Sum Jib, 1. Tit. do Term. foU\ 49 Baptifla Trovomala in his Sum^ 'nta\1(o[etl* Tit, Fcrix feci. 4. «. Summa Angelica, Tit. vies feci. 1. Lindwood Conftitjprovinc Itb.i.Th de Feri/s.foL?*. with all other Canonists .Tit de Fcrt/s, & fcannis de Burgo ?ilftttd oculi pars 9, cap. 6. De Fer%s.D.E.hy downe this for an infallible maximc. Qjiedabftbiendu eft afcn>iUbnstyerib:u omni die Dominica ab bora vefpcrtinadiei Sabbati incboandojton . ipfam horam praveniendo. Quod feriatio- ntm tenure debemtto a. vefpera in vefberam. Quoddcbcmusftftum imipere quantum ad fcriationem a yefpera in vtftcram -3 fcilictt ab ultima parte diet precedent k feu v'tgiti*. Quod dies diver •fismodii incipit & deftnit : nam quoad ctlcbraiionem div'marumiconfi- deraur de vefpera in vefperam : quoad \u- diciat de mane in vcjperam, &fic de luce in lueem :fcd quoad contractus 9de media node in mediam notltm : And this hath beenc the received refolution of all former ages, which mould over-b.illance all new opinions. See Tolydor Virgil. De invent. Kerum- Hb.i.cap.6, f©r the be- ginning and ending of dayes . Lovelocfes, bullies of vanity whereby the Dcvill leads and holds men captive, Epiftle to the Reader : provocations to luft and unnaturall lewdnefle, in ufe among Sodomites and Pagans of old,andnoneelfe,p,i88.to 19^109, *io,ziij88x,S8?98$8, SecHaire. Lucas Tudenfis againft making the piflure of the Trinity.p.900 m. Luxury a dangerous £nne, occafioned by Stage-playes. ptfo$, to yi j. Lycurgus prohibited Playes, p-4*f . Lyda.ni effeminated by Tvluficke, D.:n* cing,Playc3jandidleneffc. p. 188. Lyes, condemned : freq ::ntinPh)es. p. lo6.io75i°8;S37-'838. Lyfimacbui his Court cenfuved. p.^t>. M $lacams &gyptim his cenfure of Mayes andPlayers.p^^.m. f^6.p«67o. /«&* temr.erantia $C modeftia, gravi- tate & honeftate. Contrarium autem video , faltantes tanquam cameIos3 tanquam mulos, Quid facis 6 homo? quid ludibria ilia, quid monftra indu- cis ? Omnino turpe eft & indecoru, - viros molles & faltantes & omnem pompam Satanicamdomum introdu- cere. Quando urtguentum componi- tts nihil male olens linitis appropin- quate. Matrimoniume*ft unguentnm; cur caefti faetorem inducis lrrcompo- {uioncm unguenti ? Qniddicis? fal- tat virgo* & no earn pudct frtfc squa- lls ? opoi-tei cnim ipfam hac eiTeho- neftiorem & graviorern,ex ulna enim egreffa eft3 non ex palseftra, &c, Ne tranfuehas & in pompam ducas virgi- nitatem. An non funt ha*c pro brum & dedecus ? Sunt. Probrum enim & dedecus eft fe indecore gercre etiamji iit Re^is filia^ etiamfi ferva lit virgo, etc. lneatrum enim non eft matn- monifim 5 eft myfterium, feu 'facra- mentum, &rei magna* typus. Sacta- mentum inquit^hoc magnum eft, ego autem dico in Chrifto & Ecclefia, Ecclefi£ eft typus & Chrifti, & falta- rrices introducis ? Si ergo^nquis.ne- qiie virginesfaltant, neoue qua? nup- feruntjquis falttbit ? N'ullus. Salta- tionis enim qua* nam eft ncceflitas* In myfterijs Grsecorumfumfaitatio- nes : in noftris autem3 filentmm, ho- nefta gravitas , pud or & modeftia. Magnum peragkur myfterium, foras merctnecs faltatrices, foras prophani, &c.Haec vobis non temere dicta funtjfed ut ves nee nuptijSj, nee faltationibus.,nce chorisadlitis Satanicis. Vide enim quid mveneritDiabolus* Nam quoniam a fcena & i js qua; lllic funt turpia & inde* Cora, lpfa natura abdiixitmulieres, qua: funt theatri abduxit ingynaecium, mol- les inquam, feupathicos & meretrices, Hancpcftem invexit lex nuptialis; irao veronon lex nuptiatis, abfu,fed lex-no- ftrae mollitiei. Quid ergo dico oportere ? Omnia turpia cantica qua; funt Satani- ca, inhoneitas cantilenas , immundoni juvenum circuitiones auferre a matri- monio3>& ha?c poteranr caftigarc fpon- fam & modeftam redderejftatim n. apud feconfidcrabit. Papa?, qualis eft rue vir! eft philofophusj hanc vitam nihili duct* ad procreandos liberos & educandos me domt duxit}& ad domum cuilodicr dittU Ex his ipfis oftendit mentem fuam,nullo honim delev^arijncq; unqnim concefTu* rum ut riant falrationes & csnarttui pudica cantica, Sed hsec fponfa? funt in- jucunda ad primum ufq; & fecundum diem,non autem deinccps ', fed & maxi- mamcapiet voluptstem fe ab omni fufpi* cione iiberans. Nam qui nequc tibias neque fiutantes^neque k'zQfci cair.usfu- ftinueritjtdque tempore nuptiarum, vix ipfein animum induxeric ut turpe ali- quidunquamaut faciat aut dicat. Sed videntur res quidem indiffcrens qua? fi- unt circa macrimonium. Sunt autem caufse magnorum malorufri. Omnia funt plena iniquitate, Turpitudo & ftulti- loquium & fcurnle verbum, inquit, ex ore veftro non exeat. Omnia autem ilia funt turpitudo, Siftuhiloquium & fcur- rilitas, non levirerj, fed cum intcntione. Ars enim eft hoc, & magnam affert lau- dem ijs qui earn exercent,' Ars fafta func peccata, Nonleviter& temere ea tra- damusfed adhibito ftudio &feientia,& Pppppp 3 dc The Tables. de caetero Diabolus eft harum rerum Dux flc Imperator. Vbi n» ebrietas & lafcivia,ubi Icrmo obfzxnus & foltatio, adcTt Diabolus iua afterens. Cum his convivans die quaefo, Chrifti myftenum peragis,& Diaooluminvocas ? Me forte exiftimatis gravem & importunii. Nam hocquofq; eftmultas pcrverfitatis, quod qui increpat ludibno habetur tanquam auftcrusn Nonne auditis Paulum dicen- tem. "Quicquid faciatis live comedatis, five bibatis, five aliquid faciatis, omnia ad gloriam Dei facite? Vos autem ad maledicentiam & ignominiam, Non auditis Prophetam dicentem. Servitc domino in timore, & cxultate ei in tre- more ? Vos autem dimuidimini & luxu dirfluitis. An non vero licet etiam tu- to laetari ? Vis audire pulchros modos ? Maxime quidem ne oporteret quidem. Sed me dimitto, & me tibi accommodo. Si velis, non audias Satanicos modos, (cd fpirituales.Vis videre faltantes? Vi- de cnorum Angclorum, Et quomodo fieri potcft ut videam ? Si haec abegeris, veniet Chriftus quoque ad has nuptias. Si adfit autem Chriftus, adeft etiam cho* rus Angelorum, Si velts., nunc quoque faciet miracula ficut & tuncFaciet nunc quoque aquam vinum & multo admira- bilius. DifHuentem & diffolutam con- vertetlamtiam& cupiditatem, &tranf- fcrct ad fpiritualetru Hoc eft ex aqua vinum f icete. Vbi funt Tibicincs (pray marke it) ncquaquam eft Cbriftus. Std&ft fuerit tngreffus, toi primutn tjjcity & tunc f "a- cknurasula. Quando itaque es fa&urus nuptias ne domos obeas, fpecula & ve- ftes commodato accipiens ; res n* non fit ad oftentationem, neque filiamaddu- cis ad pompara: fed ijs qua: in ea funt domum exhilerans,voco vicinos,amicos & cognatos. Quos nofti quidem bonos & probos, eosvoca, & ut ijs quae adfunt contcnti fintadmone. Kx ijs qui funt ex Orcheftra,adiu nullus. Illic n. eft fumptus vacuus & indecorus. Ante alios omnes voca Chriftum. Orna fponfum non aureis ornamentis,fed manfuctudine & pudore St confuctis veftibus. Pro quovis mundo aureo & implicatuiis & intexturis,induens pu~ dorem & verecundiam, & quod ilia non quaerat. Nullus fit tumulcus* nulla perturb nio. Vocetur fponfus, accipi.it virginem. Prandia & caena? non fint plena ebnetatis^fed fatietate cum voluptate. Videamus quam mul- ta ex hoc funt bona,quando viderim', ex ijs quae nunc fiunt nuptijs, fi nup- tiae & non potius pompae funt dicen- da» ,quot mala ? Illic enim Chriftus, hie Satanas. Illic triftitia,hlccura, Il- lic rolaptasj hie dolor. Illic fumptus, hie nihil tale. Illic probrum & dede- cus, Wc modeftia* Illic invidia, hk nulla plane eft invidia : Illic ebrietas, hie falus,hic temperantia. Hxc autem omnia cogitantes , hactenus ma- lum fiftamus, ac cohibeamus,ut Deo placeamus, & digni habeamur qui confequamur bona quae funt promif- fa ijs qui ipfum diligunt, gratia & bc- ni?nitate Domini noftri Iefu Cbrlfti, Tne whole Homilies are worth the reading , but thus much onely I thought good to infert'to control! the marriage diforders of our iafcivi- ous age« Marbacbius his cenfure of Vizards, dif- guifes,wanton apparell, and acting in womens appareil.p.8 89.890. ^Mariana the Iefuit his Book aeainft, and cenfure of Stage-playes, Players, and Theaters, p.^9 j.9^6.to 1 000. Mariushis cenfure of Dicers,of Player s* p.4V°- MartiaU his Poemscenfured . p.79 i ,9 * 6, 917. Motile turned into a Stage-play , and Mafl'e- The Tables. priefts oft-times ir.ro Aftors. p. 1 1 z , to 1 1 5.57 3. to 66%. Sparfm, pag,76** 10767, 877j9$?>999. Sacrilegious unto Chrift and his merits. p-7f ?♦ Maflilienfes prohibited and condemned Playes andidlenefie.p. 6f. 44^446, 48o,7i3>92°)8j9» M*y-g**KS, and May-poles derived from the ancient prohibited Heathen £Aa- jW**«p.25?.m%807*m. & from the Fioralian Feafts and Enterludes of the Pagan Romanes, which were fo- lemnized on the firlt of May, See Ovid Faflorutn. lib.*, pag. 8 1 # Milk ve- nit varijs florum dea nexa coronis, Scena joci morem liberioris habet. Exit & in Majas FeftuFlorale Kalen- fas.&Ub.UK'%6't*9i» Mater a- des florum ludis celebranda jocofis Incipis Aprili , tranfis in tempora Mai) : Alter te fugiens, cum venit, alter habet. Cum tua lint, cedantque tibi confinia menfum , Convenit in laudes ille vel llle tuas. Circus in hunc exit clamataq; palma Theatris, &c. Die Dea,refpondi, ludorum qua? fit ongo.&c. Convener e Patres : & fi bene floreat annus. Numinibus noftris annua fefti vo vent. Annui- mus votis,Conful nunc confule ludos, Pofthumio Lenas perfoluerc mini, Quacrereconabar quare hfcivia ma- jor, His foret in ludis liberiorque jo- cus > 8ed mihi fuccurrit numea non effe feverum, Aptaque delicijs mune- ra ferre Dcam. Tempora futilibus cinguntur tota coronis, Ei latet in- jefta fplendida menfa rofa, Ebrius incindisphilyra conviva capillis,Sal- tat, &imprude ris utitur arte meri. £- brius ad durum formofae limen ami- cae Cantat : habens uncta: mollia fer- ta comae. Nulla coronata peraguntur feria fronte : Nee liquida? vin&is florc biburwur aquae,&c* Bacchus a- oro- potcs, mat flores s Baccho placuiiie c nam Ex Anadnaeo iidere ftofl'e p Scenalenisdcccthanc: noneit,mihi credite3noncit,lllacothnrnatis m:er habenda Deas,Turba quidem cur hos eelebret meretneia ludos , Non eft de tetricis,non eft de magna profeffi«, Vult fua plebeio.facra patcre choro, &o See Alexander ab A lexani. Genial. Vierum lib.C.cap.Z. Godwin, his Konm7?<*. m. (Tope Manym Decree ) pag 7 JC, 770,780,20, zi, 22, tj. Tcrtrtllian De Corona Mlitis lib. Polydor Virgil. De invent 7(erw < lib.<>.- cap. 2. M. Stub* his Anatomy of Abufe?, p 109. no, (who particularly condcrrne both May-games and May-poles : ) and Francis deCroy his fir ft Conformity, cap.i^.zo.accordingly, Mcnander the Comedian his death, fol. Mmiftcrs and Clergic-men , proh.bifd to Dance,Card or Dice, or to behold Dancers,Carders, Dicers, in publike or private,, or to fufferthem in their houfes^ The Tahiti. houles , to a£tor behold cither pub- hke or private Enterludes : to play at any difhoneft or unlawful! games : to difguifc themfelves : toHauke^Hunt, or to keepe Haukes or Hounds : to haunt or keepe Tayerncs or Alc- houfes, or to enter into them but on- ly in cafe of ncceflity when they tra- vel! : to begin or pledge any Healths ; to frequent or make any riotous Feafts 5 or to weare coitly apparell, j).lfo.4<98o. rol.C18.pag.c73, to 66$*, Sparfim.Sec Vincentg Speculum. Hift. lio.iy. cap. $9. 40.47, Summa Angelica Clericus, 1 1. & nil Canonifis. De^ita&Honefiatc Ckn~ corum : conclude the like. Ought to fupprefle and diiTwade others from Dancing, Dicing, Health-drinking, or refort to Playes. Ibidem. Scurrilous Iefting,Dancing,Dicing,Play-a&ing, or Play-haunting Minifters to bee fufpended and deprived. Ibidem.Thz'u: duties. Ibidem- Ought not to meddle with fecular affaires, not to beare fe- cular offices, ibidem. Ought tobere- lideat on their Cures* and to preach twice a day, fol. $31. pag4 639* 613, 624. Ought to be grave in their ge- stures and fpeeches, not Player-like. P 9 1 3 « to 958. Ought not to read lafcivious Poems, or prophane A11* thers 3 nor to ftuffe their Sermons withthem,p.70.79>9if.to 939. No Players or A&ors of Playes to bee made Minifters,or to take Orders* f . 528^.846. 847 ,934>93?- Mmucius Felix ", his cenfure of Playes and Players, p 336,$ $7>f 58;>6"70*of Images.p. 896.897* Modefliemd fhamefaftneffe banilriedby Playes, fol. ? 1 2, to 5 1 6. their prayfe. ibidem. IdoUnus his justification of prophane fa- crilegious Popi(h Enterludes* p. 76$ . 76"4o7£f. Menfai many of the Sodcmites, Whore- matters, Epicures, pag. 113,760,761, 761,880, 881. See Vincentij Specu- liiiB,Hift, Iib.27,c, 19. to f8, hb. 28, cap46^to x9.cap.90.t010!. Women- Monkes.pag^ig^S^zojjio^io*, i043880j8ai. M or ice-dances cenfured. p. 20. See Timet and May-games. ffiiofewttes how chey j^eepe their Chnil- mas.pag. 782 ♦ Mofes prohibited Playes and Enterludes, whjr,pag,fff. Mourning tor other mens hnnes, a dury. p. 2 9 i .to 2$ f .This life a life of mour- lbid. & p,967,to 97 3-See Chryfifi Horn. 1 1 An Co'&f. accordingly. Multitude no argument of goodnes. pag, 787,788,14*. Mummeries and Mummers condemned.p, 495,494. fol.51V.891.to 904, Murtbers occahoned oft by Playes, fol. 5 1 6+ to 520. jtf#^?,lawfull,ufefull,p ,274,! afciviotis effeminate Muiicke.unlawfull, p.*73, to 290* 1 94- ? 9 U See Vinceniu Speculu. Hift. lib.19.cap.lw. MNortbbroofehis Treatife againit vame PIayes,&c,foI. 39.40,4.1. AgrippaVc VamtateStient. cap.f>4> M.Stubs his Anatomy of Abu- fe's.p. 12 8. 119,130, &c Church-mu- ficke ought to be grave,ferious, pious, not quaint, delicate , or lafcivious 5 which abufes of it are cenfured,p.276~ to 18 B. & Reformatio LegumEcelefap^ ex Autboritate Regis. Hf«,8, & Edtv.6. Londini J $71 .Tit.De Dfainis Officusx f , f.4* 3. grounded on,and authorized by the Statutes of if.He?iry 8.c. 19, 27, Henry S. ci ?, & 3. & 4, Edward 6. c. 11. which prefcribes this rule in Church-muikke, in divinis capitibus rccitandts&Pfalmisconcinmdis, miniftri & clerki diligenter hoc cogttare debent* nonfolumafe Dtum laudari oportere,[ed alios The Tables. alios etkm hortatu & exemplo& obferva- tione illorum,ad eundemcultumadducendos effe. Quarter partite voces & diftinfte pronunctent, & cantut fitiUorum clarta & aptua, ut ad auditor um omnia [tn{um> & mteUigentiam perveniaxt. ltaqtvlbratam iUam & operofam muftcam, qua figurata dicitur9 auferri placet , qua fie in muliitadi- uis amibm tumultuatur, ut fepe linguam nonpsjju ipfam loquentcmintclligere, (See Q1f/i-^.Injundioas.In;unct49> accor- dingly.). Which kinde of quaint and delicate Church-muficke is Largely cenfured, by Hugo Tariftenfis.ltb. i.I26» by Gualtbcm Hidden Contr. Ofor'mm. libj. fol.z6$ .164. & M4 T^ottbbrookfi againft Dice-play fol.40,41, Muficke,when, why,and by whom brought into the Church, p.2 7 7. to 288. Tfame of God not to bee ufed in Piayes, in which it is oft prophaned. pag. 108. to 112. Wanes of Idols not to be named,invoca- ted,3cc. by Chnftians. p. 3M3*3^> 77,78.1088. 584, 801,926. }Ja\ed Harlots not to be looked on. pag. 406. dancing naked cenfured. p. 14.6. 2 ? 1. See Lampridif Csmmodui. p«9°. Hero cenfured, and his death confpired for his iinging, acting, dancing, and Mafquing on the Stage, p: 4.51 . 4^?* fol.f 17^ Sf.pag.707. 736>7 37^43, 849. to 853. Supprefled Piayes and Players.p.460.516.517,714. Nerva prohibited Sword- piayes. pag.7? . 468. HeW-yecres gifts, and the obfervation of New-yecres day condemned as. a Pa- gan cuftome, by Councels, Fathers, and others, pig. 10,36,197,198,419, 43°»5«o,58i,58i,7^j7J6°. Vetrm Binsftldius de Iuftitia & Injuftitia Clericorum in Ordine ad Beneflcki.c, 3. in his Enchiridion Theologian. 1609. pag, 489.10506. Summa Angelica Clencus 7* Ambrofe Scrm.7.& % Tom.f p, $. & 6. G,H, Htfww. Epift.r,c 7.8. Epift,$. c,f . E- pift«4,.cj.Epiil.83,c>a. Projperdc Vita ContempIJ.i.c4i3,to 3$. Auguft'mui de Paftoribus, lib. Tom. 9, Cbryfoftom, dc Sacerdotio.lib.6\Tom.j,Operum„ Greg.Magniu Paftoraliil.lib. & Horn, 47vm Evangelta. Bernard, Horn. 77. Super Cant. De Contideratione, 1. z. 04 Declamationes, & ad Paftores. Sermo. HiMdwfjtf,Epift«4$.> Bibl.Pa- rrurn,Tom.i2, pars i,p, 328. Hinc mari Rhemeniis, Epiit. 14, Bibl.Pa- trurn Tom 9 .pars a.p.47- PetrusBle- /i?a//5,Epift.i4 8. Bibl. Patrum, Tom. 12. pars i, p. 8 14 sAthanafiHS Conjlanti- tnfis, De NeceiTaria Epifc.Reiidentia. Bpifl.8. Bibl. Patrum. Tom. 1$. pag. 486" 4to 491. Cyprian Epift.l.i,Epift,2. 3 ,9. & 1. ?♦ Epift.i ?. BB.J*»*# on the Tbefalonians.p 40^.407. vvith fun- dry other Commentators on the 8, Commandement, on Ezech. 34, 2. to 18.22,23^,44.8- Ter 23.1.10 5r.c3.1y. c.6, $. c«3 1 , 10. cap. J 0.6,7 ,Zech. 1 1. 4, * >7>8ji f. Mal2^738»Piov^7.»3. Ii'ay40%ii.c.%9,fO,iiji2f Pf.78. 7i37^Gen.ji.38,39j4,G,rSamti7,28J 34*3?. Luk.1.8. Ioh,io.2.toi4.c, 21. if.i^^Acts 20.18,20,18. cap, 1 5.3 5, 36, Rom, Ii, 7,8, iCo^9.7,9,ii,I3, ^^j^^o, 21,22, 27, * Cor. 12. 14,15. Phil,2.iO,2i, 26,30. Col, 4, '7* 1 Thef.2.738,9.c .c.12, 2 Thef. $,io,i 1. 1 ^1^3,1,2,5.04.6,12,12,14,15,16, c.f,i7,i8»c,6 17. 2Tim,i.6",n. c,2,i, 2,4,14,24,25, cap.3.i 6,1 7-^4,1,2,5,7, i7,Tica$i.5,9.c.2,T.tothcenxi,c 3.1, to 12. Heb,i 0.14,25. c.i 3,7, 17^ 1 Pet, 4-10,11.05. 1,2,2. zPct. 1. 12,13,14, 1 5. Tude 3.5. all which condemne Nor»- refidency, and Non-reudents, who ad their parts in Hell, pag. 13. andgoeto Heaven by their Curates^ to Hell by themfeives. pag, 88. For preaching and feeding of their fiocks'with care & con- fciencc being a perfonall duty impofed on them by God himfelfe, as the very eflence of their function, they can no more difcharge it by a Subftitute, then themfeives or Laymen c*n receive the Sacrament, pray, heare , sead the Word, orferve^God by a Deputy, neg- lecting all thefe duties themfeives. And if cures may bee well difiharged by a poore fbpendinry Curate, lfee no rea- fon but Lay-patrons (is fome EccLeila.- fticall doe) may keepe their Livings m their owne hands when they tall, fo as they procure a fumcient Clergie-maii to difcharge the cure, which "they may doe perchance with the tenth part of the profits : which fome Non-refideats thinke too much for a laborious learned Curate who takes all the toile, when as two or three good Livings is not fuf- ficient for themfeives , who take no painesat all, or very little. Certainely if 10, or 20. or 2 o. pounds a yeere be a fumcient ftipend for an able p^ine/ull Subftitute, (perchance a man of spore worth> more learning, and of a greater ckarge The Tables. charge then his Mafter Non-refident) it muft needsbe a more then fufficient com- petency for the negligent Encubent,who rranfcends not his Curate, cither in fun- ction, or defers but onely in {loath, in |*ide,and idleneffe« I mall therefore de- lire all fuch Non-refidents & Pluralifts who feed their flockes by Subftitutes, to confider the words of Guli.Peraldus Sum- mV'v/Mu ac yitiwuJow.i.Tit.Avmtiaf. 59«6*o,(a moft excelletdifcourfe agauaft Pluralifts,) where thus be writes, Contra, iHos vero qui credunt fe poffe habere plura talia beneficia, quia vicarios ponunc. Prim© dicimus, quod eadem ratione Laicusunus, immoctiam mulier poflet habere dece beneficia ecclehaftica: poffet enimponerc vicarios. PraJterea,ndicu- lum eft marnmonium contrahere fpc ponendi vicarium 5 & qui hoc tacit, vi- detur incidifle in illam maledi&ionen% Deutronomij i8« Vxorem habebit & alius dormiet cum ea. Tertio, quaerimus de Vuiario eo,utrum lit Paftor vel mer- cenanus ? Si mercenanus eft,latro eft, ficut prius oftenfum eft« Quum ergo di- cit aliquis, Bene poflum habere hoc be- neficium, quia ponam ibi vicarium, paj- ne idem eft ac fi dicat 3 Bene poflum il- [ud habere, quia ponam ibi Latronem, qui furetur, & ma&et, & perdat j Ioan- nis 10 Si vero Paft or eft, quae ratio eft ut tu habeas duas Ecclefias, ipfc vero nuilam ? Nunquid dicet tibi Ioannes, id eft gratia Dei, vel in quo eft gratia Dei; Non licet tibi habere uxorem fra- tris tui ? Quarto qiuerimus a tali,utrum vicar ius ille fit minus bonus, vel a? que bonus,vel melior quam ipfe > Si minus bonus, tunc naturalis ratio dictat, quod non eft recipiendus pro eo. Operarius n. in vineam aiicujus condudus,non poteft vicarium minus bonum ponere. Si vero aeque bonus eft vel melior,quae caufa eft, quod ifte habeat duo beneficia., & ille nullum > Quinto , quod ipfe deberet attenderc quid accident de primo vica- rio Synagogue, Sic enim legitur Exodi. 32, Moyfes reliaquens popu- lum, fatis parvam moram fatturus cum Domino , dimifit vicarium fans, bonum Aaron, & tamen in reditu po, pulum quern reliquerat fidclcm, infi- delem 8c idololatram invenit# Prxte- rea dixit Apoftolus, quod fi quis non laborat, non maaducet, Qao jure izi- turpafcitur aliquis de beneficio ltlo ubf ipfe non laborat ? Ordinavit Deus, ut qui feminat fpintualia, metat carna- Iia, Qua ratione ergo pauper vicarius fpiritualia feminobit , & alius carnalia metet ? Ec quum Dominus dicat 5 Quos Deusconjunxit homo non feparet : q«io jure denarius ille quern fubditus offerr. vicariopauperi fibifpirituaiia feminanti, accipietur apatrono male vivente ? Et fi quo ad forum comenfiofum jus ibi vi- deaiur habere: tamen quoad judicium fac*a? Scripture ipfe raptor eft , ufur- pans fibi alterum eorum quae a Deo conjun&a funt fine reliquo 5 id eft mer- cedem fine labore : immo etiam homi- cida reputatur > & refpeftu mercenarij quern defraudat, & refpe&u pauperum fubditorum quorum fudorem comedir. De primo legitur, Ecclefiaft, 3^ Qui efFunditfanguinem,&qui fraudem fa- cit mercenario,fratres funt. De fecun- do legitur ibidem. Qui aufert in fudo- re panem quafi qui occidit proximum fuum. Vltimo diccmus , quod llli qui vicarium ponunt, quifolacupiditate lu- cri ferviunt, & non amore Dei, talem a- morem faciunt matrl fuae ecclefise qui- lem amorem aliquis faceret autri fax carnali, fi pedem veium ei auferret, & loco ejus pedem ligncum tubftituerct. Pes ligneus non vivit neque corpori zq- hxret. Sicvicarius qui charitatem non habet non eft membrum Yinim vita fpi- Q^qqqq 2 rkuali, The Table-, ntuali,nec adhxret corpori eccleliz. Sola n. charitate vivit quis, & adhe- rer ceteris membris Ecclcfiae. See much more to this purpofc in that pithy Difcourfe. Tfonnes , many of them notorious vVhoie«,and Bawdes 3 who have clad themfelves in mans apparell, Ihorne their haire, and entred into religion in Monaftaries as Monkes, tofatiate thefe their holy Votaries lufts, pag4 1 84, 1 8 f, 201,202, ^03,104,879 ^80, 881, 88 f. See wiUiam Wraghton his Hunting of the Romiih Fox* fol, 24. and John Bari his Ads of Engliih Vo- taries, Cambdmi Brut*. G!*cefler-fijirey Barely Caflle. Their haire ihaven off when they enter into Orders, pag, 201 . 20*, 203 j 2104. Yet Joannes de fVanlfel, Clementinarum Conftit, Tit.de Statu Monachorum/,^, pro- pounds this queftion. An moniales potfint nutrire comam,aut debeant fibicrincs prgefcindere ? & Hoftienfis Sum. libfi. Tit,de Tempore ordina- tionis, &c. concludes ; Quod mulie- ribus ordines non funt conferendi, quia nectonfurari debent, nee mu lie- ns coma amputanda eft: quoting Gra- tia?: Diflinft. 30. to warrant it. See Summa Angelica. Fa^mina. fe&.i. & Sum, Rofelb.Faemina,!. accordingly, ■Mafter T^prihbrooke his Treatife againft, and cenfure of Dancing, Dicing, Stage-playes ,and Aftors. p^f .698, Qaibesofthc Gentiles, or by Pagan I- dols unlawful!, pag. 1 i.iz, 8 1. to 89, fcLffi. Ob'pftions in defence of Stage- playes, of acting,penning,and beholding them, anfwered, pag, $4, to 42. 96". toiotf. 124 to I27*7*i* to 828.913, 1097*. in defence of lafcivious mixtDancing, anfwered.p.2f2.to 157. Okfcenity and i'currihry condemned i which abound in Stage-playes, p. eu ioyz. \6o,to i63,l62,x64>i6y,38i> $855423>9i4.to93CM23,524. Occajions ok hnne to be efchued. pa^,42j. Qchin his Tragedie of Frec-will.p.83 4. Odo Pariftenfis , his Decretals againfl Clergie-mens Dicing and refort to Playei,pag.6f4.*5jr. OfficiaU, characterized, f 737, Seeffa- centtf Speculm.Hifi. lib. 29 cap. 1 2 8. QfiliM Hilam the Playcr,his death, fol. Qlaws Magnus his cenfure of Players, le- tters, Playes, lafcivious Pictures, and fuch who favour Players, p. 739.740. 741. OlympiodoYHi his cenfure of Playes and Play-haunting, fol,$24. Operius Danm his wanton Bookes cen- fured.p.922, Opmettm his verdict of Stage-playes. pag, 48i* Oratorie not helped or acquired by acting PIayes,p.93i,t0 938, Organs by whom brought firft into Churches, p. 260. 18 3,28?, 286,187, See William tfraghton his Hunting of theRomifh Fox, and his Anfwerto the Refcuer, fol,i i. 59,1 2 f ,1 25, Origen his cenfure of Altars and Images, p,896". 897. of Stage-playes, Actors, and Play-haunters, fol. \ 28, m, 330. g3i^5^y^9^70. Orofim his doome of Stage-playes.p.47^. fol,j6ro.p,68z, Ortyges his effeminacy and de3th. pag 882.883, Cferw his cenfure of wanton Bookes and Poems, p 916. m, Ovid his exile for his amorous Bookes, Pa& The Tables. Pag-»3^9.92i. $ee Thomas Beacon his Booke of Matrimony ♦ pars 4.J0I6 62. his cenfure of Playes, Play-houfes, Play-poets,and the reforters to them 3 and or wanton Dancing, Songs and Mufickc.p, 249,, 172, 288,369,3 7 o, 452,4.5 3 j4J 4,91 1. his defcription of Pagan Feaftivals. p. 23 3. 75 3,7 5 4. tixford, the Vnivcrftties Edict againft Scage-playes«p.49o.4ji,94i>9^2, TKans, the original I inventors and fre- quenters of Stage-playes. pag, 1 6* to 40,73 1 3 732. See Stage-places: their cultomes and ceremonies to be avoy- ded. Ibidem. & p. 23 6. 545,546,552, 55*>$6M75> 578, 580, to 5S8. 6jc, 651, 652, 658, 730- to 734- 743. «° 781. Sparfim. No paternesfor Chn- ftians, who muft excell them,p.96.to loo in* to 218.730^0734. Some inventions of theirs lawfull, others noe.p.i 8, to 29. Their vermes coun- terfeit, and mining finnes, pag. 96^0 loo. fpent their Feaftivals and hono- red their Idols with Playes and Dan- ces. See Dances J eaftivals and Idols JA*- ny,yea al the beft of them condemned Stage-playes,and made Players infa- mous. See Tlayersand Stagc-playes. ?aganifme>men prone unto it. pag. 27 ,i8. Rich. Vanpolitanm his cenfure of Playes and Play-haunters* p .690. fapifi* ro^h addicted to Playes, many of our Players being fuch.p. 12. 142, 566* to 56S. spar(tm. 762. to 766* A& the pafTioa and ftory of our Sa- viour, the Legends of their Saints, &c.both on the Stage and in Chur- ches,which many of them condemne: many of their Pricfts Players. p.i©8. to ii9458o,to668.Sp4y/J3w.7^2.to 766. !&»9>gj99aiooo.Sw ToptSyMon^eSfNons. Parents ought not to traine up or encou- rage their children to acl,to dance,or Behold Stage- playes : bee Mlmgand Vancing, & pag, 335, 336, }i$, 540, 3*r» 3 4 333S°>363>364>366j367> 369'37°j37Sj 374, 39i>39V4$7:> 43 9> 44 15 44 3 447> to 49 1 . Sparfjm* 174 999 to i°°5. S. Paul his Conftitutions againft Playes and Players, p, 5 5 o, 5 5 1 > 65 2 . would not have a lodging inRomenecre the Piay-houfe,andwhy. fol, 545. See HKabanm Maurus. Comment, m Epift* Tauli.Ub.16. Opcrum. Tom^.pag. 537* D. Thomas fValdenfa. Tom, 3 . T/M9- Z>* Kcligioforum Domi'm-cap. i49« /0J.268. Hierom. Comment, in Philemon* Tom/, pag. 116, E. Jacobns Tamel'm Comment. in Epift Pauli ad Philcm, apud HUabanum Maurum. Operum, Tom«5. p. 166 G, and molt ancient many moderne Proteftant and Popifli Authors on the Epiftle to Philemon, accordingly,. Pauls Church in London originally con- fecrated to Diana. p. 38, Peace becomes Chriftians who muft bee peaceable^p.73,74yi20* Pericles his grave faying. P.92L Tetrarchahis cenfure of Playes and Dan* cing*P*i37.i?8,355>356^f7. Pbilipides the Comedian his fudden death.fol.552, Philip A Hguftut, his diflike and cenfure of Playes and Players, p.47i-484j7i5« Philip of ' Maccdonflninc at a Play,, f. 554. cenfurcd for acting and dancing, pag. 857. ThHofudauSj his prayfc,p. 554,66.8. his cenfure of Stage-playes , Dancing, mens putting on of womens ap- parell, and wearing Periwigs,or long effeminate frizled haire. p,~i68, 18^, 209,01.122.307, 308, 554^37- m- 668.669+of Images in Churche§;pag. The Tables. S^m.ofthe Vizards andHiftories ©f Pagan-Idols, pag. 79. 89> 9°l. ©** luxurious Feafts. p,$ 54.754>755.his opinion how the Sabboth mould be fanftified. p, $54,111, pictures amorous and lafcivious, provo- cations nato luft and lewdnefle, con- demned, pag, 94. 367, $87 9^6,740, 74M29>3*8>86f>S6^ Pilades the Player whipped. p.46o, Plagues occafioncd by Stage-playes, fol. $$9.$66,$6t. All the Roman Adors confumed by a plague. Ibidem* The Romanes ufed Playes to aftwage the peftilence that was in Rome. Ibidem* Sep. 18.28, 19. Plato his cenfure of lafcivious Jongs and Muficke, Play-poets, Players, and Playes.p.264,i§8,36M48,703,9i8, •Plantus his mifery* f. 5 5 3 . Tlay-boo\es: See Booths. "Players, infamous, both among Chrifti- ans and Pagans, excommunicated the Church , debarred from the Sacra- ments, uncapable of Orders, of gi- ving tettimony, of bearing any pub- like office, of inheriting lands : dif- franchifed their tribes , rogues by Statute,and fubjeft to the whipping- poft,p.464m.i 1 1 ,134,1 $73i40>l9$> 34i,36234i934*53456,46o,468>48r, 481.495,496. foU$27. 528,560,561, 5^7^57 t. to 587.617^13,626,6^7, 649,6$ii6U>69*>699> 735- to 741. 84$,to870.9°4j9°539iCb998>999. Renounced their profeflion before they could be admitted into the Pri- mitive Church Jbidem. Many of them Papifts and moft defperate wicked wretches. p.ioo4i2$,ijx. to 143.388, 718,907,908, 9°9>998« Thegiving of money to them, a grand fin, yea a facrificing unto Devils, pag. 46,324^ 325,3*6, 472, 688, 739>9°4> 9°*' 906. Their gaines, theft> and ou^ht to bee rcftored. Ibidem, Profefled&a- gents and inftruments of the Devill, the pciis of the Common-weale, the corrupters and deftroyersof youth.o. 9^47i,W3^oi45, 5 30. to M*47* to louSparfim, 84t.ro 911 Sparfw.^o. t0 9864iQ02,ioo?5i004.Hypocntcs: <£ee that Title. Can hardly be faved without repentance and giving over their ungodly trade, ibidem, & p. 4c. 46. fol. 521. to $47. 565,566, 567, 841^09*1, Play-haunters, the worft and lewdeft per- ibns,forthe moft part. p. 100.104,143. 10155,588,389,415, 416,4$!, 0.76, 5°^5M,7ii57»'?7i 9,7 20,730,797 788,798,&c,See Whores ; excommu- nicated in the Primitive Church.pag, S9**19h 1 27, 518. Vnfit to heare Gods Word, or to receive the Sacra- ment, v. 391. 10396.399,400,401, 425,426,430,43^,432X5x1. to 550, 988, 9?9. Their nrndesand manners corrupted by Playes, and thcmfeWes made guilty of many fins, ibid See p, 502, to ^6«;.5>io,9i 1,912,913, 94$. to 975 Judgemtts ot God upon Play- haunters f,5 5 5 to $6 3,850,$ 5 14 Play-haunting unlawfully p.71. to f. 83 1„ 911,911,913. Objections in defence of it anfwered.p-94^to 960. Tlay-houfes ftiled by the Fathers, and o- thers,the 'Devils temples, chappels, fynagogues 5 the chaire of pefti- lence, the dens oflewdnefle andfil- thinefle ; the fchooles of bawdery and uncleaneffe ; the Stewes of fhame and modefty 5 the (hops of Sa- tan : the plagues, the poyfons of mens foules 5 a BabilonilhBrothell, &c.p.io«il349> 50,51,67,68^9^ oi> 102/44, I45,i65>i7:,? 29,3 *°>n7 34*, $49, 369>$7o, 574, 386,3*9, 390, 4l8;4$r> 440,44^ 4A*>*7Z> The Table*. 474,4$8,48%58af\$i$.$6o.Publikc Stewes amd commoa Receptacles of whore sin former times and now to, p, 349, to 369,570, 391, 419, tc 44/J. 524>452>453> 408,6*2, 1005, See Whores & Stews. Alwayes ful of devils^ who claime them as their owne, p. u. 5 1,5 »**4 ?.404,45 1>43 3. ^5i°-523, 524,556^.766, Not to be tolerated, and why, pag. 3 69.370,404, 415,41 6, 422, 417, 428, 431, 447. to 501/ Sparfim 10 o *,i o o 3 .• 004, Play-poem recited, not acted in former times, p,8}4,$35, p/rf;^ft,examples cf Gods Judgements on thechiefeft of them.foU 552.553- Their profefTion 2nd the penning of Playes, for Play-houfes.un lawful! p„ 448, 831^0843. the Objections m defence of them anfwered. p, 91 3, to 94 3, Examples of divers Play- poets who have repented , bewayled with much gaefe and many teares their penning of Phyes, and written againfl: it too,pag. 1 3 8. 3 60,4 3 6,437, 43 8,44.0,486. fol. 542.54$;$66>568, 837, 840,940,917,918,9^, Pkafiires : Ses worldly, 'Piiny his ceniure of Playes and A&ors. p445o.+5 1^.62,463,703 4 Tlut&rch his ccyXuze of Playes, Players, and Play-poets^. 3 2 1. ^49>7°^. Poetry, \wrh\W md commendable. p.8$:. to 8 7, o. Obfcene Poets, Poems, moiQ; pernicious and unlawful Up. $£5,83 5. to 84 3 ,9 1 3 .to 9 % o. See Boosts Poets, banimed by Plata, p. 449-91 8 . tne chicfe fomenters ofPaganifme. p. 781. 8o4 The greateftPanders^p. 3 85,915, 916,919^0925, Policarfits his cenfure of itfdratftyMo*, Volydor yirgil his cenfure of effeminate wanton Church-muficke,p.i8$^84« of Dancing, Stage, playes, and Mum- mers,p.2i6,i 17,494,692. Pom;.a3 what itfigmfieth.p.5^5.566. Pompcs of the Devill which we renounce in baptifme,aie Stage- playes and Dan« ring. See Baptifme, Dancing} Devill. Poore prejudiced by Stage-playcs.pag.4f 4 3ii,3U;47J,472,48l)7l8* 0L-Snt not to wander abroad. lbidw> Pope Boniface the 8. his Secular Enter- ludes.p.760 763. Pope Clement the 1. his cenfure of Playes, Players, Dan- ce$j&c. See CUmtns Romanus, Pope Cle- . Wflrtthe 5, his prohibition of NonS to behold Playes or Dances. pag.(J$4« Tope Eugcnius his Decree againft En- teriudes & Playes on the Lords Day, P913, PopcEnfeblus his Decreull a- gainfl Ciergie-rnens refort to Playes, &c,p88o 83 1 , The chiefe fautors and hungers in of Stage-playes, Chnftmas disor- ders, and Pagan cuftomes into the Church, yea oft-times Actors and Spectators of Stage-playes. p. io8.to *I9. ?3o,to655.Sf*r//»i.754,t0757 9 -Q«Popi!h Saints what they are,and hovvhonoured.p,!t6,ii7,ii8. Forficryz Player,his ftrangeconverfion, pu8.H9# froceflitm, their reafon and abufes. pag, nf.ix6. Trodigditj/ a great finne occasioned by Playes. p. I $7,310, to 327. 47* -47 2, 708,709,710,416,429,481,^2,8*7, 1004, Tropcrtim hiscenfureof Playes &Play- houfes.p.4^, Vrejper Aamtanicuk his cenfure of Playes, p.549.68i.hisopini©n forplaine and profitable preaching.p.9? 7.928, Vrudtntiu* his cenfure of Playes. p«6"8o, 710. fol.$6i. Vfalmcs ought to bee fung at Chriftian Feafts, not filthy fongs. pag. 48.264, ?*43f J5>76"6,to78o.64i.m, Vtolomie cenfured for dancing, playing, and acting, p, 710. Vutl de T>kut her mannifh practice and execution, p. 18^.284,18^ Vuritm 5 condemners of Stage-playes and other corruptions itiled fo.p.3.4, <,^7;568> 569, 797. toSig. 100$. The very beft and holieft Chriftians called fo, even for their grace and goodnefle. Ibidem. & fol.542-Cnrift. his Prophets, Apoftles, the Fathers, and Primitive Chriftians,Puritans as men now judge. p ,797.10 8 28. hated, and condemned onely for their grace yea holincfle of life ibidem, accufed of hypocrite and feduion, and why fo. pig. 81 6. to 828. Puritan , an honourable nickname of chriihanity and grace p.8 27, Quarre's & tumults occafioned by Sta*e- playcs.p The Tabic. Reereatiens, when, why, and how to bee ufed ,> what circumftances requi- fite to make them" lawfull , p. 94 5 , to 948 4 See Matter Bolton his general! Dire&ions for our walking with God. pa 54 to 181. Great variety of honcft Recreations befides Stage- playes^.40 .41 7 .96 5 .to 970* Repetition of Sermons commended,com- manded by Scriptures and Fathers p, 43 248oo ,80 1 . See Chryfoft .Horn, to, in Epbef4f ,Tom.4.Col.ioio,C Sint prices vobis communes ; unuf- quifqj eat ad ecdcfiam,& eorum quae illic dicuntur & leguntur, & maritus abvxore partem domi exigat, & ilia araarito. Si fan&um quemquamin- veneris qui poffit domm veftra: bene- dicere, & pedum ingrefiu vaieat uni- verfam inferre Dei benediftioncm, cum voca : Thus he. See 1 Cor.14.5 S • Domi inquit, a fuis maritis difcant. Hoc autem & illas ornatas reddit, & viros attentiores facit,ut qui debeant, qua: in Ecclefia audiverunt, uxoribus ea interrogantibus recitare, ac veluti apud cas deponerc. Tbeopbylaft. Enar. ht 1 Cor.i4,pag.4i7. See Primafiusin I Cor.iq.. andmoft moderne Prote- ftant Commentators, accordingly. Reprebentim of finnes and vices, how, when, where, and by whom to bee made,p, 124, to 127* not to be done by Players, ibidem. Ripublil(e,rm\ch prejudiced by Playes and A8+4>737>998,999« - 2tyiwChriftian,the fame with Pagan, p-757.to 7^5.Its bcaftines.p.u $.767* Tipfcm the Aclor his skill, p. 9 $2, TuW his cenfure of hisaain?.p,848.f,f 2f . Rufctam much given to Dancing* p# 6os# 60j» S Sabbotb; See Lords Day: example! o£ Gods vengeance upon the propha- nersofit. f. j 56,557. Sabineffrgins ravilhed at a Play* pag^o, 45*>453- Saluft, his cenfure of Playes and Dan- cing.p.»45.704, Salvuot his cenfure of Stage- playes : Epi- ftle to the Reader, p.^i, 52^105, J13, 5»4^$I,35M77.^ 515*526,527^. (582. Samians taxed for their effeminacy ani long compt luire, p. 8 8 3 , John Saresber'u againft iafcivious Mu- ficke, Playes, Players, and Dice-play. p 281,28 2,318,350,351,684. Saturnalia, when and how celebrated, p. 7$ 1. to 766. the ground and patterne of diforderly Chriftmaffes. Ibidem. SclploAfiicantu, his cenfure of Dancing, p. 245,246. ScipioNaJJka, his cenfure, his fuppreflion of Playes and Theaters* p, 45 8,475, Scriptures againft Dancing, p. 2 28. Pagan cuftomes,and names of Pagan-Idols. p.18.19, 77» Stage-playes.p, 545. to 551.713,724. againft effeminacy, a- dultcry,fornication, idleneffe, prodi- galityjdrunkennerfe^nens long haire, womens curling and cutting their haire,.mens acting in womens appa- rell, Iafcivious attire, faftuons, appa- rcll : lying, hypocrifie,, vanity, &c. See thefe Titles : Ought diligently to bee read , as well of Laymen as Clergie-mcn. Epift.Dcd,2,f«5ii. pag. 585.586,91 3#to 940,591. 760,771, To be read at meales at Bilhops and Minifters Tables, p. 59 1. 65 3 , 769, Rrrrrr 772, The Tabic-*. 77*>77 1 • Not to be abufed or ufed in Stage-pbyes,Iefts,Libels, &c, f. 40 j. ^110.10116.929. ^$%%'76}^6^yG^. Their excellency and all-fumciency, p 927.9*8, Sedition, occasioned by Stage play es. pag. iS6\fol.ci6.si7,fig.Chnft,his Pro- phet, Apoftks, and Chriftians in all ages accufed of it,thoughmoft unjuft- ly.p.8 H.to 828. See c.^.2, c.5 . iji.+ c«f5*a.H.fc7*i. &».PjW. JU*rf,c.6. Htddon Contr.Qforium.Lz.f.lii* where wc ihal findc Witclifi ^Luther ,& the an- cient Engliih Proteftants, whom they nicknamed Lollards, accufcd of ScditN on.Occafioned for want of preach- ing, not by preaching. f« ?3 !♦ Stmprom* taxed for her dancing.p,i4f . StmpronitaSopbni divorced his wife far xeforting to Playes without his leave* p. 39i,*'Z. Sow* his cenfure of Stage-playes.p,36*8, 3^9;449»4T7,4«4> 703 ♦ of dancing, lafcivious fongs and muficke, of mens compt long frizled haire. p,i48.i49. of mens putting on womens apparell, p^99.of night diforders«p,74^. 747. m.oftheancie:Saturnalia«p.7$2.75 3« of making Gods Image, p, 895. m. Sermons twice euery Lordf-day and fo- lemne Holi-day enjoyned by BB,Hcs- fer,&tartynBuccr, a PopifhCouncell. f.ni-P.629-&by 5,&6~.£.6«c,i.34 l.E&r^c,** 1 s ,€ffik c?p. 3». 1 Jac. c. 4 . which joyne divine Service and Ser- mons together on Sundayes & Holi- dayes, becanfe an fuch dayes one of them mould be as frequent as the o- ther,& men ought to hearc them both alike,Seef.fl.2.c«?,Ought to be plain, tdifying,notfraughtwithPbets,Hjfto- ries, flames of witj&c. but with Scrip- ture profe andphrafes, p.935,to 939. God-fathers enjoyned by ourChurch to caU upon their God- children to heare Sermons, fol, 530, Shaving of Pricfts crowncs and beards ill ul'e with Papifts,an Heatherum cu- ftome.p.i3.i4.Shavingand polling of Nonnes,cenfured.p,t02»to 10 c, Socrates traduced in Playes; pagan, his cenfure of Playes. p. 4J0. Sodomt Theaters and pumihment*f.C$i. Sodcmie occaGoned by afting in womens apparell , by wearing long compt haire and Love-Iockes. p.2o8, to 214. 88*3884, 88c, 1001, iooj. Players, Play-poets guilty of it. pag. 12* ♦ til. Popes, Popilh Prelates, Priefts, Monkes addicted to it. pag, 21 $, 44*^446,881,767, io0t, iooc. See Balam Cent. Script, Brit, pag.f 6f . Ma- ny Nations, and mans nature prone unto it. pag,2o3.to2l4. 1001,100$, An execraole finne, fttled abomina- tion in Scripture, p. 2 3 8 .11 2,Capitail by our En^luh Lawes,p.2M. Sodomites ufually clad their Ganymedes in womens apparell, caufed them to nouri(h,to frizle their haire, to weare Periwigs and Love-Iockes pag. 208 . to 2I4*& 88r,to 890, Solon his cenfure of Stage-playes, 0.4.4.0, 4«4.*i«,«j8,8j9. Songs lafcivious and nbaldrous frequent in Stage-playes , condemned, p 261 to 2744H> 4 I ?>4*Oj 4M> 5 18, 57x3 578, *79>*83, 606, 610, 611,613, 77 f , 774* ?$ 2. See V'menttj Speculum, Hijior.lib. i?.cap. 144. & AgippaDt Vaniute Sclent, cap. 64. Sofbotks the Tragedian hisdeath, f, 'to 97 f. Sfeccbes of Chriftians ought to be graci- ous and profitable. fol. $21,518-'$:*- 6 ?, 128.924. Spels unlawful I. pag. 2 T, 5 8 3. j Stage-playcs : condemned by Scripture, p. f f4$.co$5 1.713^0727, By the whole Chorda The Tabic-*. Church of God both under the Law and Gofpell.p.$fi.to 570. By f 7. oe- cumenical!, Nationally Provincial! Synodes,Ccuncels, the Apoftles Ca- nons, fundry Imperiall, Canonical! Con{titutions.p,570.to*68. By 7U Fahers & ancient Chriftian Writers from our Saviours Nativity, till An. I»oop.668.to 688,329. to 554.. 392. to 4 3 4.472,10 4 7 8, r',5 2 2, toe 28, By above iCo.moderne Chriftian Writers from An.1200.to 1652, p, 688. to 702,pag,«8.69, 355,10 366, 43 4. to 44.7,4.8 e .to 488.By 40.Heathen Au- thors.p.702.to 7 13.365,10 $61447, to 467. By divers Pagan & Chriftian Nations >Republikes , Emperors,' Ma- giftrates,r£ings,&c. both ancient and modernc. p.45 5 , to 472, 71 3 . to 71 8. & I 37. 138. 847 .to 862. By our owne Englilh Statutes , Princes , Magi« ftrates,Vnimfities,Writers, Divines, P.*8.6q,3 57.10434.485^0499* 0*98* ^9^700,715,71^,919,10 9x3. Pro- ved unlawful in fundry refpects.Firft, of their inventors which wereDevils, Pagans.p, 9.1048. 96, See Devils, Pa- gans. Secondly,of the ends for which they were inverefk to wit,the folemne worfhip & honor of Devil-Idols, on whofc Feftivals they were acted,or o- ther unlawfull ends. p. 28,to 54. Sec Devils, Thirdiy,of their fubjeft mat- ter ,which iSifirftpmorousjobfcencp * 6l,t0 7a.3*7«to48o.&9i4.to9i4. SecondIy,tragicall ,tyrannicall. p,72« to 75 .Thirdly,Heathenifh,propnane. p.7Jto 1 06.1 7 ^,i 77. Fourthly,falfe, fabulous .p. 1 06. to 109 .Fiftly, facrile- I gious, impious, blafphemous, abufing the Scripture,&our Saviours Paflion. p.lo8,to lt^76h to 767» 9*9> 999> iooo.See Cbrift. Sixtly, Satyricall, in- vective,efpecially againft religion and religious men, p. 1 icto 1 27,foI.542. 543,8:4,815, Hence the beleeving Iewes andChriftians. Hebr. xo, 33. (& I Cor.4.9-) are faid $e&Tpt£o petrol , to be made a l'lay,a Spcftacle, or gayngftocf(S9 through reproaches and affltftions, ot to bee brought on a publike Stage & there de- rided ,perfonated,traduced, as Clxyfoftmi AmbrofcfrimiJMjiaymOtAnfelmj Rcmigi- #*,& moft other interpret it: becaufe no- thing was more ufuall in the idolatrous Gentiles Stage-playes,then to perfoliate jearej& flandcr Chriftians(as now they doe Puritans)on the Stage;. See pag,8 14, 8i5,Seventhly,vaine,unprofitable,bring- ing no glory to God, nor good to men. po 5 8,4 1 ,4f , 1 17* to 1 3 a Jwthly,in re- gard of their Actors, Spectators, which are commonly lewde & wicked perfons , p. 1 3 i.to 1 5 5J.547.to 5 ^o.Sce Players, Play-haimters.Whores,FiftIy, in regard of their manner of acting and thofe cir- cumftances which attend it:as firft,hypo- crifie & diflimuIation.pj56.to 161,876, 877. Secondly, lafcivioufnefTe.p.i6"i.t© 176. Thirdly , effeminacy, p.i 67^0 173. f,546.p.877.Fourthly,vaniry,ridiculoiw folly.p473 -to 17 5 .877,87 8.FiftIy,lewde Diabolicall finfull parts and paflages. p, 75 .to 106.j75.to 178,890,904. Sixtly, mens acting in women sapparelU p. 178, to 2l6,879»to 894. Seventhly, gawdy, lafcivious, fantaftique appaiell, vizards* difguifes, pag. 116. to 220. 8^0, ^904, Eightly, effeminate lafctvious mixt dan- cing^. 220.to 26 i.See D3 784,79537^^ Sixtly, floathandidlenefie.p,foit to $08*709, 7 10,1002,1003,100*. Seventhfy,luxu- ry>drunkenneffe,and exceffe. p. fo8*to fi2, Eightly, impudencv and fhame- lefnefle,even in finfull things, f. 5 x i. to fi6. Ninthly, cofinage, fraude, theft. Cfll.tio'* Tenthlyjcrueltyjfierceneffe, quarrels ,feditions,murthers. fol4j Itf.to 510. Eleventhly, unprofitable, vaine, lewde difcourfes. f.yio.f ix# Tweifely, indifpofition to all holy duties 5 avoca- tion from Gods fervice: prophanation of Lordf-dayes and religious Feftivals : contempt of Gods Ordinances, Word. Minifters ; and the making of all Gods Ordinances ineffc&uall to mens foulcs. p.39 Ito 404.40734o8345I>45 z» £ 5 *I« to 541. 988,9.89,1004. Thirteenthlyjan emnityagainft,& difefteeme of grace, of virtue,and all religious men, f % 42.^43. p.i io,to 117. p.814,8 1 5. Fourtcenthly, inamoring men with fin, vanity, and in- diijpofingthem to repentance. f.$44« ? 4 J. Firteenthly, effeminacy in words, appa- rell,haire,ai67-& p.^o.Sce Players. Authorities 3gainft them.p 30$ to 7ii.5fflv//OT.Objeftionsin defence of them aniwered.p.7 1 1 .to 83o,Thepen- ning,acting, beholding of them prooved unlawfulUp.83 J*to 914. Objections in defence of the penning,acting, feeing of them3anfwered.pag.913. to 989. .Stage, playes, the very pompes of the Devill which we renounce in baptifme.Scc Bap- tifme/DeviU3Pompes. Stiled by the Fathers and others, The feminarics of vice, of lewdneffe;thcle> 3 i9*to i9o.SparfimA.s66 SecPlay-hou- fes : unfuflferable evils in any Chriftian Church or State/ .3 3 o.to $QiiSparJim*8t *4f«to 780, Devils & E)eviIl-Idols de- lighted with them,honored by them.Sce Danc'mg^Devils, ldo 's}Feflivals Incorrigible mifchicfes. p. 3 8 .to 41. The Devill ;S8jH9j?*9*390'440'> 993 ^ee lujlin:Autent.CtUat 5.T//.4.fy6. Strabo the Geographer a Cappadocian borne 5 his divifion of Cappado- cia,pag,6784 Straton King of the 5ydonians, cenfured for his dancing,&c,p.250,857. Mafter Stubs his cenfure of Dancing, Di- cing,May-polcs,Wakcs, Stage-playes, Epift.Dedi.pag.227.358H^,436> 698,625,m. 793,794, 795,796V Culi. Stuclpus his cenfure of Dancing, Health-drinking and Stage-playes pag*9997$> againft actinjpn womens apparell. p. 187.88 8. againft Images* Vizrrds and Stage-difguifes.p.36.m. 60, 89.rn.160.897.nl. 9 01, his cenfure of face-painting, lafcivious apparell, falfe haire , wearing of Lawrcli crownes , Bonefircs, and diforderly Feftivals pag,20.i6o.m,2i7.58i.m« 74y«m.768.769,77o.m. Tbales prefled to death at a PIay.f.557. Theatre, not alwayes taken for a Play- houfe, but fometimcs for a place of publike meeting where Orations were made, and Malefactors execu- ted. pag,7Z4, to 727. Theaters over* turned by tempefts, f.558.5 y 9, Theft, occafioned and taught by Stage- playes and Dicing, Epift, Ded. 1. fol. 5 5 8,5 59-Mony got by Dice- play un- lawful! games,or ading Stagc-playes> theft, p. 315,326,905,906, Thcmftodes his law againft Magiftrates refort to Playes. p. 4 5 6,4*7. 7fo0^c#tthisipttni(hment for inferting Scripture into his Playes. p. iio,fcl. ffsV Theodora cenfured-for putting on mans apparelI.p,2o 1,879. Tbeodorethis cenfure of Playes and Play- ers.fol.j50, Theoiomm his cenfure of Playes an not to be read, pag. 45 5. 4^4, 916,917- Tiwgflirotjpretious,and to bee redee- med. p^8.m.3oi^oj,3 10.34$. con- fumed , mifpent on Piayes and va- nities ,pag, 3 01. to 310. 837.903,946, 9^I.to946.9fi.9S2,9^,957,9S8» t. J 30. vacant times and houres how to be (pent. p49fi. to 9c. 6. Ttftatuhit cenfurc of Piayes, and Play- ers, p.^o-fy^g^ Tragedies and bloody Spe&acles,cenfured p.72t0 7*.f.?i6'.tof20. Trajan his cenfure and fuppreffion of Piayes and Players, p 462. 46 3 , 7 1 4. his abridgement of the number of Holi-dayes.f,$$9# Trebmm 7{ufuu* banimed Piayes from Vienna. p,4$8. Tultj his cenfure of Dancing and Stage- playes. p. Mo\H7>248,449,70$, his comefting with K<^W5#p,93i,his cen- fure of him, ^,848, Tumblers cenfured.pag.21. T/wfc;,punim adultery with deaths 82, may juftly cenfurc Chriftians for their exceffe. p. 747,748. condemne idlcnefle as a mortall finne. p. f 06. V Salens his Edid againft Players and Piayes, p. 468,84*. Valentinian his Edi& againft Sword- playes,Stage-playes,& Stage-players. Pv4'68,843^844. Valerian his cenfurc of amorous MuGcke, Songs,Playes.pag.2^9.i70j*7^83. ITa'efiHi Maximui his cenfure of Piayes, p,4yo.704>7$*« Vale fun a ftory of him,pag«i 1. Vanity and vainc things to be avoyded of Chriftians4p.i28.n^>i73ji74«^ $44. ^4$. Stage-piaycs vanity, and vainc delights. Ibidem. & p« 5 1. 1 27, to 111.173. to 178. Vmm the Patroncflc of Stage-playes. p. 168. 386, her effeminate Pricfts in womens attire and long haire. p. 194. 204,107,88 j. her facrihees. Ibidem. VeiMm Turinm his death, pag,92o. Vcrtue of Heathens, no vertuc, nopat- terncfor Ghriftians. pag. 96. to 100, God onely can teach it, not Piayes or Players, j5.96.to 103. 1 39. VeJiaU Virgins how punifhed for forni- cation.p.382.did cut their haire and confecrate ic te Lucina, from whence the polling of Popiih Nonnes is de- rived. pag.20 2* Veflments of the Gentiles prohibited* Pag. 22. Vices, a&ed in , and taught by Stage- playes, pag. 100, to 106.305, to 568. God only can teach men to hate vice, not Stage-playes,p,i 39.140. Vigils why appointed,p.642. Sec Oration *Diflmft.ji. abolifhed.p,7$4.ra,$78. V'tncentm Beluacenfis cenfure of Piayes, and Dancing, p,$37.688,47i,47 1. ViteUim taxed for favouring Players. pag, 80, his law againft Knights aclting on a Stage, pag .8 6 2, Lod,ViveSjhi$ cenfure of Players> Piayes, and Popifli Enter hides. p,lo3 .m.n 4. Vmverfities their cenfure of commonEn- ter hides, p.490^9 *»94 l >94*-m- Volateranuihis cenfure of PIayes,p.730. Vortiger his vices. pag,i 3 $,1 3 f. Vulgar, delighted with Playes,fol.f 40, Vl& his death, pag.943 «944« W Wa^es, derived from the ancient Vigils. p,i36,7f4.m, their hurt.fol,f 16, See M. Stubs his Anatomy.pag,Ti2.i 13. ffaldenfes, their cenfure of Dancing, Di- cing, and Stage-playes. p,228. to 23 3. am ■W ;iy m