The second reason.

Reason. 2 6. THE second reason may be taken from the matter or argument, which is acted upon the Stage, which is eyther murther and mischief in tragedies, or bauderie and cosonage in comedies, as was observed before sect. 4. And the reason may be contrived thus.

It is not lawfull for Christians to sporte them­selues eyther with the dreadfull judgments of [Page 17]God, or with the abhominable sinnes of men.

But in Stage-playes there are acted sometimes the fearefull judgments of God, as in tragedies: and sometimes the vile and hatefull sinnes of men, as in comedies.

And therefore it is full of horrour seriously to thinke upon them, and much more to be eyther actor to shew them, or beholder and hearer to laugh at them, or delite in them.

Ham derided his Fathers nakednes Gen. 9, 22. but he was accursed for it. Curses are denounced in Gods Law against all sinners, Deut. 27, 26. And they that make a sport of sinne cannot avoyd Gods curse, no more then they that feasted when they should haue fasted, Esay. 22, 14. Surely this iniquitie shall not be purged from you, till ye dye, sayth the Lord of Hoastes.

The third reason.

Reason. 3 7. THE third reason is taken from the Stage-players, and from such their vices as pro­perly belong to them, as they are Stage-players. And four of their vices may perswade all men that their playes are unlawfull.

• 1 First, they being men, change their apparel, and put on womans apparell, without which exchange they cannot act some partes in their Playes, which thing the Lord forbiddeth. Deut. 22.5. The woman shall not weare that which perteyneth to the man, neyther shall a man put on womans rayment: for all that do so are an abomination to the Lord thy God. For this change of apparell maketh the man effeminate, and the [Page 16] [...] [Page 17] [...] [Page 18]woman manish, as some can testifie if they would, some haue confessed, and the Heathen know. Cy­prianus lib. 2. epist. 2. speaking of this change of apparell in Stage-playes, sayth thus: evirantur ma­res; men loose their manhood &c. Charondas made a law to the inhabitants of Thuria (which is a citie in Greece, described by Pausanias in Messeni­cis, and by Strabo lib. 8.) that if any man refused to goe to warres, or being in the field cast downe his weapons and ranne away, he should stand three dayes in the open market in womans apparell, which argued effeminatenes in him, as if formerly he had used it. Diodor. lib. 12.
• 2 Secondly, they never come on the Stage in theire owne name, but some in the name and per­son of a divell, others of a foole, others of a bawde, others of a tyrant, others of other men, which be­seemeth not a Christian, neither proceedeth it of God, nor is approved of God, but is contrarie to Christian profession. Tit. 2.12.
• 3 Thirdly, they sweare by the living God, which is contrarie to the Law of God, Exod. 20.7. or by heathen idols, which is forbidden, Exod. 23.13. or by both, which is reproved Amos 8.14. Zephan. 1.5.
• 4 Fourthly, they teach their hearers and beholders much sinne in the acting of their Playes, as to sweare, curse, lye, flatter, cosen, steale, to play the bawde and the harlot, with very many such other lewde lessons.

The fourth Reason.

Reason. 4 8. THE fourth reason ariseth from the consi­deration of the hearers and beholders, who being baptised into the name of Christ, are brought into danger of gods wrath, and their owne condemnation, in as much as they are partakers of the sinnes of the Players and of the Playes in approving them. And whatsoever brings men into these dangers must needs be evill. And besides the approbation, which maketh them guil­tie, they learne sinne: for as sayth Cyprianus lib. 2. epist. 2. adulterium discitur, dum videtur, they learne to commit adulterie, when they heare and behold such immodest and unchaste words and ge­stures upon the stage. And many goe honest thi­ther, which returne home dishonest. Iob made a covenant with his eyes, that he would not looke on a maide, Iob 31.1. David desired God to turne away his eyes from regarding vanitie, Psal.119.37.

The fift Reason.

Reason. 5 9. THE fift reason may be taken from con­sideration of these eight fruits or effects which follow Stage-playes:

• 1 First, the Stage-players get their living by an un­godly & unlawfull trade, never approved by God, & when they shall stand at the barre of Gods judge­ment, they shall be speachles, and cast into utter darkenes, where shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, except they repent and forsake their wicked [Page 20]trade betimes, whiles the Lord granteth space to repentance.
• 2 Secondly, the hearers receaue much hurte by them, as was noted in the fourth reason, and if it be true which is reported, whoredome is some­times committed at that place, and at that time.
• 3 Thirdly, the better sort of men which are gover­nours of families, receaue domage, when some of their families resorte to Stage-playes, for sometimes their goods are stollen to mainteine Lewdnes, sometimes their daughters or maide-servants are defiled, or stollen away, and maried without their governours consent or privitie.
• 4 Fourthly, the word of God and the ministers thereof, are now and then taxed and taunted.
• 5 Fiftly, the Lord himselfe is there blaspheamed ordinarily.
• 6 Sixtly, the poore in the church of Christ, are hindred from some reliefe,
  dist. 86, c. 8
  which otherwise they might haue. for the prodigalitie lavished upon Stage-players, restrayneth the liberalitie that might and ought to be bestowed upon the poore.
• 7 Seauenthly, there is losse of pretious time, which should be spent in Gods service, by those that are hired to be diligent labourers in his vineyard, and not be wickedly mispent in such sinfull sportes, see­ing everie one, both young and olde, must giue ac­count to God of his labours, and of his time spent in this life. The Holy Ghost sayth Ephes. 5.16. Redeeme the time, for the dayes are evill; but some men say, Let us haue pastime, that is, any sinfull course, whereby we may passe away & mis-spend the short time which we haue in this life, that the day of [Page 21]death, judgment, and condemnation may come speedily upon us before we repent, and before we consecrate our selues wholly to God. Peter sayth: It is sufficient for us, that we haue spent the time past of this life, after the lustes of the Gentiles, walking in wan­tonnes, lustes, drunkennes, in gluttonie, drinkings, and abominable idolatries. 1 Pet. 4.3. And if any be other­wise minded, the Lord in his time will either con­vert or confound him.
• 8 Eightly, whereas the life of a Christian effectual­ly called, should be spent continually in fighting against all kinde of sinne, in crucifying the old man, and in renewing the inner man dayly, these Stage-playes quench the spirit, and destroy the new man, as also on the other part, they foster, cherish, and mainteyne the old man, as all those that haue the spirit of Christ know and feele. But if any man haue not the spirit of Christ, the same is not his. Rom. 8.9.

The sixth Reason.

10. Reason. 6 THE sixt reason may be taken from the opinion and judgment of all sortes and states of men, by whom these Stage-playes haue been disalowed.

1 Orthodoxal Protestants.First, all orthodoxall Protestants of all ages and times, which maintayned the generall doctrine of the Catholike church, haue censured Stage-playes, as unlawfull from age to age hitherto. To reporte and repeate their severall judgements out of their owne writings, or out of histories, is more then I can performe, it would make a greate volume, it [Page 22]would be tedious to reade, and perhaps not so ne­cessarie.

Wherefore it seemeth rather convenient to call a greate number of them together out of all the pla­ces of their dwellings, and as it were out of all the world, that they all may be heard to speake altoge­ther with one consent and voyce. But because it would be a verie tedious, and troublesome thing, for so many, so reverend, and so old aged Fathers to travell so farre; it is more convenient and reaso­nable to spare their labours so much as may be, and call them together at three severall times, and in three severall places of their habitations; that is, to call those of Asia, to meete together in Asia: those of Africa, in Africa: and those of Europe, in Europe.

Asia, In Asia,about two and twentie of the most reve­rend Fathers of those times, met together in Lao­dicea, somewhat more then 300 yeres after Christ, and holding a councill there, decreed cap. 54. that none of the Cleargie should be present at Stage-playes. And the Centuriators of Magdeburg haue inserted this whole Councill in their laborious and worthie historie Cent. 4. cap. 9. col. 834.

Afrike. In Africa more then 400 years after Christ there were some four and fortie of the worthiest & lear­nedst Fathers assembled at Carthage in the third councill that was holden there, amongst whom was that worthie Augustinus, and they decreed cap. 11. that the children of ministers or of others of the Cleargie should not be present at Stage-playes, seeing none of the Laitie might be there. Semper enim Christianis omnibus hoc interdictum est, ut [Page 23]ubi blasphemisunt, non accedant. that is; for all christi­ans haue evermore beene forbidden to come in place, where blasphemers are. And the same reli­gious Fathers then, and there decreed also cap. 35. That the church should not tefuse to receaue the Stage-players into their fellowship, if they repen­ted and renounced that their trade of playing. Whereby is evident that Stage-players in those for­mer and purer times, were generally excommuni­cated, and cast out of the societie of the saintes.

Europe. In Europe divers worthie and graue Fathers of the church, called and summoned by Constantinus Magnus, a little after the Nicene Councill, to come together at Arles in France, held two Councils there, the first, and shortly after the second. In both which they decreed the excommunication of all Stage-players, so long as they continued that trade of life. And in the first Councill, cap. 5. thus they say: De theatricis, & ipsos placuit, quandiu agunt, à communione separari; that is, as touching Stage-players, we thinke it good, that whiles they conti­nue in that trade of life, they be kept from the com­munion. And in the second Councill held there presently after, they decree the same thing againe, can. 20. and almost in the same words.

But yet to giue in more evidence, we may haue all the worthie Fathers of the Churches in Asia, Africa, and Europa, assembled together in the sixt generall Council, which was held at Constanti­nople, approue that which at Laodicea in Asia, and at Carthage in Africa, was decreed against Stage-players. For when Constantinus Pogonatus in the yeare 681 called that sixt general Councel at Con­stantinople [Page 24]against the Monothelites of those times, as Zonoras, Tomo tertio sheweth, about fiue yeares after, his sonne Iustinianus II. assembled the Fa­thers there againe, as Gratianus dist. 16. cap. 7. and the Centuriators of Magdeburgh, Cent. 7. cap. 9. col. 455. doe witnesse: and can. 20. they approue those two former Councils of Laodicea and of Carthage.

And thus we haue the judgement of all the or­thodoxall and true Catholike Fathers of the chur­ches throughout the whole world, against Stage-players, and Stage-playing, with one consent.

2 Papists. Secondly, the Papists, though they be favourers of Stage-playes, and actors sometime upon the Stage (as lately at Lions in France) yet they cannot for verie shame justifie them, but contrariewise condemne them in their writings. And in their great Canon booke of Decrees compiled by Gra­tian, they ratifie the four first generall Councils, and all the other Councils made afterwards, and conteyned in that greate booke of Decrees, dist. 15. cap. 2. & 4. and dist. 16. cap. 6. &c. they ap­proue by name the three Councils alledged be­fore. More particularly they approue that which was mentioned before of the Council of Laodi­cea, de consecratione dist. 5. cap. 37. and that which was decreed against Stage-plaies in the third Coun­cill of Carthage, de consecrat. dist. 2. cap. 96. and the canons of the sixt generall Councill, de conse­cratione dist. 3. cap. 29.

3 Parlement. Thirdly, the Honourable Court of Parliament in this Land, hath justly censured Stage-players, as those that liue not in a lawfull trade to mainteyne [Page 25]themselues by. as in the xiiij. yeare of Elizabeth, chap. 5. and in the xxxix yeare of Elizab. chap. 7. and in the second yeare of King Iames, chap. vij.

4 Fourthly, the civill law in pointing out those persons which are of evill note or name, The civil Law. sayth thus of Stage-players Pandect. lib. 3. tit. 2. Eos enim, qui quaestus causa in certamina descendunt, & omnes propter praemium in scenam prodeuntes, famosos esse, Pegasus & Nerva responderunt; that is, Pegasus and Nerva said, that those were infamous which tryed masterie for gaine, and all that came upon the Stage for a re­warde. Also who list, may reade somewhat to the same purpose. Novel. const. 51.

5 Heathens. Fiftly, the infidell Heathens, howsoever they first devised them, and after used them very much, yet haue they disalowed them, as Augustine de ci­vitate Dei, lib. 2. cap. 13. rehearsing the words of Scipio out of Tullie, sheweth: Quum artem ludi­cram scenamque totam probro ducerent, genus id homi­num non modo honore civium reliquorum carere, sed etiam tribu moveri notatione censoria voluerunt. that is, The Romans accounting those playes, and the whole Stage to be reproachfull, when they valued the goods and enrolled the names of their citizens, gaue not the honour of other citizens to Stage-players, but razed their names out of their wardes or companies. Suetonius taxeth Nero for a favo­rer of them, and an actor among them. Arnobius lib. 7. contra gentes, appealing to the conscience of the Heathen, sheweth that they disallow them, and sayth thus of the Stage-players, actores inhonestos esse jus vestrum judicavit, that is, your owne law hath adjudged the stage-playes to be no honest men.

And these judgements of men are sufficient to condemne Stage-playes as unlawfull, and dishonest also, as Cornelius Nepos sayth in his preface before the description of the noble Emperours.

The seauenth Reason.

Reason. 7 II. THE seauenth and last reason is drawne from the judgments which God hath inflicted upon the Players, and be­holders.

1. Philip king of Macedonia, and father of Alex­ander the greate, was slaine at a play by Pausanias, as Diodorus Siculus writeth lib. 16.

Plinius histor. natur. lib. 7. cap. 53. speaking of divers that dyed sodainly, sayth, that one M. Ofi­lius Hilarus a noble player of Comedies, after he had played his part gallantly on the day of his birth, and was vaunting at supper of his dayes worke, died sodainly at the table.

3. Paulus Orosius lib. 7. cap. 4. writeth that in the twelft yeare of Tiberius, (which was three yeares before Christ beganne to preach the Gospel publikely) there were twentie thousand persons slaine by the fall of the Theater at Fidena in Italie.

4. About thirteene yeares after, Caius Caligula the Emperour was slaine at a play. Ioseph. antiq. lib. 19. cap. 1. Suetonius in Caligula cap. 58.

5. About 150 yeares after Christs nativitie, whiles the Playes were kept at Rome with great solemnitie, for the space of three dayes and three nights together, continually and without inter­mission, [Page 27]a great parte of the citie was sette on fire and consumed. And Phillip the Emperour was slayne at Varona, and his sonne at Rome, as it is reported by Sextus Aurelius, Pomponius Laetus, and Eutropius lib. 9.

6. Tertullianus in his booke de Spectaculis, sayth, that a Christian woman going to the playes, was then possessed of a divell, and when other Christians, intending to cast the divell out of her, demanded of him, how he durst pre­sume to assault one that beleeved in Christ, the divell answered, that he found her in his owne house, and therefore had good right to seaze upon her. Also he writeth in the same Booke and place, that an other faythfull woman going also to behold the Playes, had eyther a feare­full dreame or a vision the next night after, wherein shee was checked for going to the Playes, was warned of her death, and dyed within fiue dayes after.

7. Aventinus annal. Bojorum lib. 7. writeth, that about 1200 yeares after Christ, three hun­dred men were slaine with hayle and lightning at Pisonium, a cittie of Bavaria, in the confines of Italie, whiles they were there to behold the Playes.

8. The same Author Aventinus annal. Bojor. lib. 7. writeth also, that when Pope Nicholaus V. solemnized his rich Iubilie, in the yeare 1450, with Stage playes, fiue hundred & threescore per­sons, comming to Rome to behold the Playes, were partly troden to death, and partly drowned in Tiber.

9. At London in the yeare of Christ 1583 eight persons were slaine, and more hurte, by the fall of the theater.

10. At Lions in France in the moneth of August, in the yeare 1607, whiles the Iesuites were acting their Playes, to the disgrace of true religion, and the professors thereof, the Lord from heauen con­tinuing thunder & lightnings, for the space of two houres together, slewe twelue persons pre­sently, and amased all the rest with great terrour and feare.