SCAENA PRIMA.

THat all popular, and common Stage-Playes, Argument. 1. whether Comicall, Tragicall, Satyricall, Mimicall, or mixt of either, Stage-Playes had their ori­ginall from the Deuill himselfe, therefore they must needes be euill. (especially, as they are now composed, and personated,) are such sinfull, hurtfull, and pernicious Recreations, as are al­together vnseemely, and vnlawfull vnto Christians: I shall first of all euidence, and prooue it, from their originall parents, and primary Inuentors: which were no other, but the very Deuill himselfe; or at leastwise, Idolatrous, and Voluptuous Pagans, impregnated with this infernall issue from Hell it selfe: from whence I argue in the first place, thus.

The Minor, (which is onely liable to exception,) I 1 shall easily make good: First, by the direct, and punctu­all testimony of sundry Fathers. Clemens Alexandrinus, Oratio Exhortatoria, ad Gentes. fol. 8. Tertullian de Specta­culis. cap. 5.7.10.24. Clemens Romanus, Constitutionum [Page 10] Apostolorum. lib. 2. c. 65.66. S. Cyprian, De Spectaculis. l. & Epist. l. 1. Epist. 10. Eucratio, Arnobius Disputatio [...] Aduers. Gentes. l. 7. Lactantius, De Vero Cultu. c. 20. Cyrill of Hierusol. Catech. Mystag. 1. S. Chrysostome, Hom. 6.7. & 38. on Mat. S. Augustine, De Ciuit. Dei. lib. 1. cap. 32. l. 2. c. 6. to 23. Saluian. De Gub. Dei. lib. 6. pag. 206.207. Tertullianus apud Latinos omnium facile princeps iudi­candus: Quid enim hoc viro doctius? quid in diuinis at­que humanis rebus exerci­tatius? Nem­pe omnem Phi­losophiam & cunctas Philo­sophorum se­ctas, auctores, adsertoresque sectarum, om­nesque [...]orum disciplinas, om­nem historia­rum [...]c studio­rum varieta­tem mir [...]qu [...] ­dam mentis ca­pacitate com­plexus est. Vincenti [...]s Le [...]inensis, Contra. Hae­reses. cap. 24. All ex­cellently learned in all the learning of the Heathen, and there­fore, best able to determine of the Originall of Stage-Playes, especially, since they liued so neere vnto their birth-day.) All these, I say, to whom I might adde: Pope Innocent the first, Epistolarum Decretalium. Epist. 2. ad Victricium. cap. 11. (which you shall finde in Surius, Con­ciliorum. Tom. 1. pag. 529. and in Gratian. Distinctio. 51. cap. Praeterea, frequenter:) Ludouicus Vi [...]es, Comment. in Augustinum, De Ciu. Dei. lib. 1. cap. 32. lib. 2. cap. 6. to 22. Coelius Rhodiginus Antiquarum Lectionum. lib. 8. cap. 7. A­grippa De Vanitate Scientiarum. cap. 59. Ioannes Mariana, Doct. Reinolds, Gosson, with sundry others in their Bookes, and Treatises against Stage-Playes: doe expressely testifie: That all Theatricall Playes, or Enterludes, had their Origi­nall birth from the very Deuill himselfe, who inuented them for his owne honour, and worship, to detaine men captiue by them, in his infernall snares: Whence they all condemne them, as sinfull, hurtfull, abominable, and vnlawfull plea­sures: stiling all Play-houses: the Diabol [...] Ecclesia: Offi­cina scelerum; Cathedra pesti­lentiarum, &c Tertul. Apolog. & De Spectac. lib. Clem. Alex. Paedag. lib. 3. cap. 11. Basil. He [...]aem. hom. 4 Temples, Chap­pels, Chaires, Shops, and School [...]s of Satan: and Playes, the Deuils Spectacles, Lectures, Sacrifices, Recreations, and the like. If all these seuerall Witnesses then haue any cre­dit: (as their testimony in our present case, was neuer contradicted to my knowledge, by any Christian, or Pa­gan Author:) my Minor, (yea, my Maior likewise,) neede no farther proofe: But yet to satisfie vncredulous spirits in this point, I shall here in the second place, re­cite some two, or three Histories of note, and credit, 2 which prooue my assumption to the full. Memorable to this purpose, is that story De Spectac. cap. 26. in Tertullian; who informes vs: that a Christian woman in his time, going to see a Stage-Play [Page 11] acted, returned from it possessed with a Deuill: which Deuill being interrogated by the Exorcists, and Christians that came to dispossesse him, how he durst assault a beleeuing Christian in such a presumptuous manner? Returned them this answere, with much boldnesse: that he had done most iust­ly in it, in meo enim eam inueni: for I found her in my owne Temple, negociated, and imployed in my seruice: Whence this acute, and learned Author doeth (as we also from it may) conclude: De Spectac. cap. 24. to 28. that Playes, and Play-houses came originally from the Deuill himselfe, because hee claimes both them, and those who doe frequent them for his owne. Valerius Maximus. l. 2. cap. 4. sect. 4. Polydor Virgil. De Inuent. Rerum l 4. c. 14. Adde wee to this, the storie of one Valesius a wealthy Roman: whose three children being desperately sicke of the Plague, and afterwards recouered by washing them in hote water, taken from the Altar of Proserpina: which remedy, was prescri­bed vnto him by an immediate voyce from his Deuill-Gods, after his earnest prayer to them, to translate their sickenesses on himselfe: these infernall Spirits, in recompence of this their cure, appearing to those recouered Patients in a Dreame: com­manded them to celebrate Playes vnto them; which Vale­sius did accordingly: This story I shall couple with that of Dionysius Hallicarnasse­us An [...]iq Rom. l. 7. c. 9. Cicero de Diuinatione lib. 1. Arnobius Disput. aduer­sus Gentes. l. 7. Lactantius de Orig. Erroris. cap. 8. Minuti­us Felix. Octauius. p. 19. Augustine De Ciui. Dei. lib. 4. cap. 26. Ludo. Vi [...]es Notae. in August. Ibid. Li [...]e. Rom. Hist. lib. 2. Sect. 36. Relate this storie. Titus Latinus, as some; or Tiberius Atti [...]ius, as others stile him: to whom the great Deuill-God Iupiter Ca­pitolinus, vnder the Consulship of Qu. Sulpitius Camerinus, & Sp. Largius Flauus, in a great mortality both of men, and beasts, appeared in a dreame: commanding him, to informe the Senate; that the cause of this fatalitie, was, their negli­gence, in not prouiding him an expert, and eminent Presultor in their last Playes, that they celebrated to him: and withall, to enioyne them from him, to celebrate these Playes afresh vn­to him, with greater care and cost, and then this Plague should cease: He supposing it to be a meere dreame, and fancy of his owne, neglects his arrant; vpon which this great Ma­ster-Deuill appeares vnto him the second time, threatning to punish him for his precedent neglect, and charging him to di­ [...]patch his former message to the Senate: Who neglecting it as before, as being ashamed, and with all affraide, to relate it to [Page 12] the Senate, Quanquam hand sa [...]e liber erat religione animus: vere cundia tamen maiestaris Mag [...]stratuum timorem vic [...]t, ne in ore hominum pro ludibrio abiret. Liuie. Rom. Hist. l. 2. Sect. 36. left it should prooue nothing but his own [...] priuate fancy [...] some few dayes after, his Sonne was taken away from him by sodaine death, and a griping sickenesse seised vpon eue­ry part, and member of his body, so that he could not so much as stirre one ioynt, without intollerable paine and torture. Where vpon, by the aduice of some of his friends, to whom he did impart these dreames, hee was carried vp out of the Coun­trey in a litter, into the Senate house, where he deliuered his former message: no sooner had he ended his relation, but his sickenesse foorthwith leaues him; and rising out of his bed, he returnes vnto his house an healthie man: The Senate won­dring at it, commanded these Playes to bee againe renewed, with double the former pompe and cost; and so the Pesti­lence ceased.

These two precedent parallell Histories, (the trueth of which the Fathers in the margent testifie, (doe insallibly demonstrate, the Deuill hims [...]lfe to b [...]e the Authour of these Stage-Playes, since he inioynes his Pagan worship­pers to celebrate them to his honour, and takes such pleasure, and contentment in them. To these, I shal annexe one story more, which though most Protestants may chance to slight, as a fable; yet all our Roman Catho­liques, (who are much deuoted to these. Theatricall Spe­ctacles,) will ready subscribe vnto it, as an vndoubted trueth: and that as our rare Historian, Historia Angliae, Tiguri 1589. pag. 209.210. Mathew Paris at large relates it, is briefely this: Saint Dominicke, Saint Iulian, and one Thurcillus a plaine Husband-man, being in the Church of Saint Maries, about the middle of the world, where there were many Soules of Saints departed, in endlesse Blisse, others [...] in Purgatory: on a Saturnday euening neere night: saw a Deuill towards the North part of the Church, riding post towards Hell on a blacke horse, with many damned Soules: Saint Dominicke chargeth this Deuill to come pre­sently to him: who delaying to doe it, out of ioy for the great bootie of Soules which he had gotten, Saint Dominicke takes a rod, and whips him well, causing him to follow him to the North side of the Church, where Soules were vsually freed; [Page 13] where the Deuill among other things informes him, that eue­ry Lords day at night, (a time which some men consecrate and set apart for Stage-Playes, and such infernall Pas­times, whereas Act. 20.7.9.11. Saint Paul did spend it all in preach­ing:) the Deuils did vse to meete in Hell, and there did re­create, and exhilarate themselues Ludis Thea­tralibus. with Stage-Playes: Which Saint Dominicke, and the others hearing, they desi­red the Deuill, that they might goe along with him to Hell, to see their Enterludes: who putting by Thurcillus, per [...]it­ted Saint Dominicke, and Saint Iulian to accompany him: the Deuill brings them into a large, but smokie house towards the North, enuironed with three wals; where they see an am­ple Theater with seates round about it, where sundry Deuils sate in a row laughing, and making themselues merry with the torments, and sinnes of the Damned, whom the Prince of the Deuils commanded to bee brought vpon the Stage, and to Act their parts in order. And first of all, the Proud man is brought vpon the Theater: next an Animarum nec casu [...] re­putatur, nec salus. Male viuunt, & subi [...]ct [...]s male vi [...]re volunt. Bernard. ad Cle [...]um Sermo Col. 1726. C.D idle Nonresident, who did not feede his Flocke, neither by Life, nor Doctrine: then a Souldier, who had liued by Murther, and Rapine: then an Oppressing, and Bribe-taking Lawyer, who was once an Officer in the Kings Exchequer, and did much oppresse the Subiects: next a [...] Adulterer, and an Adulteresse: then a Sclanderer: next a Theife: and last of all, a Sacrilegious per­son, who had violated Sanctuaries; all these comming in their seuerall garbes, and postures, did Act their proper parts, and had seuerall Tragicall tortures inflicted on them by the Deuils Ministers, who were likewise Spectators of-these Ludibrious Spectacles. If then the Deuils recreate themselues thus in Hell with Stage-Playes, as this Historian reports; if they thus Proiect, and Puruay for them; they may be well reputed the primary Authors, and Inuentors of them.

Lastly, that which is vtterly displeasing vnto God, and 3 wholy fraught with Scurrility, Prophannesse, Sinne, and Wickednesse: that which was at first de [...]oted to the Deuils immediate worship, and cannot any wayes bee deemed the inuention, or product, either of God himselfe, [Page 14] Psal. 99.5. Hab. 1.13. 1 Pet. 1.15, 16. who is infinitely holy, Nihil turpe ex honesto nasci potest. Lactant. de Falsa Sapi­entia. cap. 11. and therefore, no Proiector of such vnholy pleasures:) or of Christians, or ciuill Pagans; Nihil Dia­boli non est, qui [...]quid D [...]i non est, vel deo displicet. Ter­tul. de Spectac. cap. 24 must of necessitie be fathered on the Deuill himselfe, who is the common seed-plot of all vncleannesse, and pro­phannesse whatsoeuer: But such are Stage-Playes: as See Scaene 2. hereafter I shall prooue at large: Therefore they must of necessitie, call the Deuill Father, and be reputed as his of-spring [...] so that the Assumption of my former argu­ment is irrefragable.

For the Maior: That things which had their birth, and primary conception from the Deuill himselfe, who is all, and onely euill, must needes bee sinfull, pernicious, vnseemely, and vnlawfull vnto Christians: I presume, no Christian dares gaine-say it: For what honest, pro­fitable, good, or lawfull thing, can flow, or issue from him, 1 Iohn 2.13, 14. Math. 5.37. who is wholy euill, 1 Pet. 5.8. Iob 1.7. c. 2.2. and walkes about in an in­defatigable, and restlesse manner, like a roring Lyon, seeking whom he may deuoure? Iam 3.1 [...], 12 Can a bitter Fountaine, send foorth sweete; and pleasant streames? Math. 7.17, 18.19. Or can a corrupt Tree bring foorth good, and holesome fruite? Iob 14 4. Who can bring a cleane thing out of filthinesse; or a good thing out of wickednesse? It is past the skill of any Chymicke, or artist to effect it. Certainely, Ezech. 16.44 such as the Mother is, such is the Daughter: Iohn 3.6. that which is borne of the flesh, is flesh, and that which is borne of the spirit, is spirit: Now the Math. 10 [...]1. chap. 12.43. Marke 3.30. 1 Ioh. 2.13, 14. Peter 5.8. Deuill, is an vncleane, a wicked, a sinfull, and pernicious Spirit: there is no good at all within him: his inuentions, workes, and of-spring, therefore must resemble him: Facit ad ori­ginis maculam, [...]e bonum ex­istimes quod initium a ma­lo accepit. Tertul. De Spectac. cap 8. they must be euill, vncleane, pernicious, and abominable, like himselfe: Math. 7.16. Luke 6.43. Iames 3.12. Men doe not, men cannot gather Grapes of Thornes, or Figges of Thistles: such as the stocke is, such must bee the fruite; as Scripture, Nature, Reason, and Experience teach vs. Since then the Deuill himselfe, is all, and onely euill, abominable, polluted, and pernici­ous; I meane in his qualitie, as a Deuill, Diaboli natura non improba, sed opera iniqua. Ambr. Comment. lib. 5. in Luc. 4. Tom. 3. pag. 33. H. & 85. B. not in his [Page 15] [...]ntitie, as a creature: these Stage-Playes (which are his proper, and immediate issue) must bee so too: if not to Pagans, Ephes. 2.2. 2 Tim. 2.26. inthralled to his bondage, and captiuated at his pleasure in his snares: yet at least to such, as lay any title to the name of Christians: who haue vowed in their very Baptisme, and first admittance into the Church of Christ: Cyril. Hieru­sol [...] Catech. Mystag. 1. Concil [...] Con­stantinop. 6. in Trullo. Can. 96. to forsake the deuill, and all his workes: of which these Stage-Playes, are well-nigh the chiefe: Tertul. D [...] Spectac. cap. 10. Oderis itaque Christiane, quorum Auctores non poteris non odisse: needes then must all Christians hate these Stage-Playes, whose Author they cannot chuse but hate: needes must they re­pute them euill, abominable, and pernicious; Qu [...]d pessi­mo initio niti­tur, in nullo vnquam cen­seri poterit bonum. Atha­nasius contra Gen [...]iles. lib. yea, al­together such; since the genitor, and parent of them, is wholly, onely, alwayes such. Iohn 1.46. Can any good thing come out of Nazareth? was a question, that sincere Nathaniel deman­ded once of Philip, when hee brought tidings to him of Christ: Can any good thing come out of Hell? out of Satan; out of that wicked, and vncleane infernall Spirit, Diabolus omnem homi­nem & omnem spi [...]itum qui sub caelo est, subitò in [...]cti [...] oculi perderet, deleret, inter­ficeret, si per­mitteretur [...]; & si iuxta vo­luntatem ini­quitatis suae potestatem ha­beret. Origen. in Iob. lib. 1. Tom. 2. fol. 13, D. who plots the ruine of mens Soules, and nothing else? is the demand I make to such who are inamoured with these Stage-Playes. Alas, what Christian, or Pagan heart, can so much as once conceiue; Diabolus est humani gene­ris inimicus. Greg. Mag. in 7. Psal. Paenitentiales. fol. 363. H. 1 Pet. 5.8. Mat. 13.39. Ambros. de Paradiso. c. 12. that the professed enemie of mankinde, of God, of goodnesse: the fountaine of all sinne, and wickednesse: the very sincke, and center of all vncleannesse, should be the Author, Propagator, or Con­triuer of any reall good: of any thing that furthers the happinesse, or well-fare of the sonnes of men? Was it euer knowne since the world was framed; that this one­ly Author of all euill, was the cause of any good? of any inuention that might benefit the Bodies, or Soules of men, or further their Temporall, or Eternall well-fare? Oh no: the experience of all ages, all men, all Christians prooues it: For though the Deuill may sometimes com­mend some seeming good vnto vs: yet Virgil. Eclog. 3. pag. 9. latet anguis in herba: there is alwayes poyson, in his best, and sweetest [Page 16] Potions: there is a Soule-intangling snare, in all his in­uentions: a dangerous, and ineuitable hooke in all his baites: all his workes, contriuances, and delights,Immundi spiritus inn [...] meris contranos fraudibus accin [...]t [...], [...]m suadere nobis iniqua neque­unt, ea sub virtutum spe cie nostris ob­tutibus expo­nunt. Greg. Mag. Moral. lib. 39. cap. 28. what euer glittering out-side, or Honie tasts, they seeme to haue; are but so many Diabolus blanditur, vt fallat; ar [...]i­det, vt noceat: illicit, vt occidat. Cypr. De Hab. Virginum. Diabolus non diligit f [...]lios suos, sed odit, quia non amat nisi vt perdat. Ambrose. Sermo. 44. trapp [...]s, and poysons, to captiuate, and in­danger Soules: they are all abominable, and pernicious, like himselfe: and so are Stage-Playes too, as well as others: O then let this conuince them to bee vnlawfull, vnseemely, and pernicious vanities: (as the fore-quoted Fathers, and Authors in the Minor haue deemed them for this very reason;) and now at last perswade all Chri­stians, all Pagans, (vnlesse they will sweare homage to the Deuill, and renounce the seruice, and protection of the Liuing, onely God;) for euer to abominate them, as the very product of Satan, and the broode of Hell.

SCAENA SECVNDA.

Argument 2. Stage-Playes were inuen­ted, and pra­ctised by In­fidels, and Pa­gans, who were the De­uills instru­ments: there­fo [...]e they must needes bee sinfull, and abominable.BVt admit, that the Deuill himselfe were not the im­mediate forger, and parent of these Theatricall En­terludes, which no man can disprooue by any Orthodox recordes: yet this must needes be granted: that Idola­trous Infidels, and the deboisest Pagans, were the first Actors, and Contri [...]ers of them, and that by the Pagan [...] ista docente Di­abolo adinuenerunt. Concil. Ar [...]l [...]tense. 3. Surius Con [...]il. Tom. 3. pag. 727. Af­fl [...]tu Dia [...]oli tradunt ista quae mortem afferunt, [...]idem euertunt, &c. Clemens Rom. Cons [...]it. Apostol. lib. 2. cap. 65. very Instinct, and Tutorship of the Deuill, whose instruments they were: and this alone doeth brand them for euill, and [Page 17] vnlawfull pleasures, which Christians may not practise; as this second Argument will cleerely euidence.

For the Maior, I shall clearely euidence it, by Authen­tique Recordes; which though they somewhat vary in the particular persons, yet they all concurre in this: that Pagans, and Infidels, were the first contriuers of these Stage-Playes. Dipnos. l. 2. cap. 1. Horace de Arte Poe­tica. l. Polyd. Virgil de In­uent. Rerum. lib 1. cap. 10. Alex. Sardis. de Rerum In­uentor. lib. 1. p. 41, 42. Thea­trum Vitae hu­manae. lib. 1. pag 75, 76. Ouid. Fasto­rum. l. 3. c. 57. Lud. Viues Comment in Aug. de Ciu. Dei. l. 2. cap. [...]. Athenaeus, with others, informes vs: that the Athenians were the primary composers of Comi­call Enterludes, in imitation of those drunken Husband-men, who Sacrificed, and made Playes to Bacchus, the God of their Vineyards: De Homero. lib See Dio­nys. Hallicar­nas. Antiq. Romanorum. lib. 7. cap. 9. Plutarch relates, that Comedies, and Tragoedies, tooke their Originall from Homer: Stromatum. lib 1, fol 64. Clemens Alexan­drinus records: that one Thespis: Instit. Orat. lib. 1. cap. 1. Quintilian, that AEschylus, was the first who brought Tragoedies to light. Who euer he was, that first inuented these Playes among the Graecians; yet all concurre, that the Romans (who as it seemes, Dionys. Hallicarnas. Antiq. Rom. lib. 7. cap. 9. Ludou. Viues Comment. in August. De Ciu. Dei l. 2. c. 8. Accordingly. deriued them from the Greekes,) did first imbrace them vpon this occasion. Liuie. Hist. lib. 7. Sect. 2. Plut Quest. Rom. lib. Quest. 107. Tertul. de Spectac. cap. 3. to 8. Valerius Maximus. lib. 2. cap. 4 Sect. 4. Macrobius Saturn. lib. 3. cap. 14 B [...]emus de M [...]r. Gentium. lib. 3. cap. 8. August. de Ciui Dei. lib. 2. cap. 8. & Ludou. Viues Ib. Orosius. Hist. lib. [...]. cap. 4. Cael. Rhod. Antiq. Lect l. 8. c. 7. Polyd. Virgil. de Re [...]. Inuent. lib 3. cap. 13. Alexander, Sardis, de Rerum, Inuent. lib. 1. Godwins Roman Antiquities. lib. 2. Sect. 3. cap 11. Alex. ab Alexand. Gen. Dierum. lib. 6. cap. 19. When as there was [Page 18] a great Plague in Rome, which could not be aswaged by any Diuine, or humane helpes, the Romanes to appease the wrath of their enraged Deuill-gods, sent into Tuscanie for Stage-Players: among whom, one Hister, being more eminent, and expert then the rest, as most: or the AEtrurian word Hister, which signifieth a Play, as others: gaue the name of Histrio, which denominates an Actor, or Player, to all succeeding Stage-Players: How Stage-Playes, which were more rude, and plaine at first, came to be more refined, and in­larged afterwards, I shall referre you, to these marginall Liuie Hist. Rom. lib. 7. Sect. 2. Alex. Sardis de re­rum Inuent. lib. 1. pag. 41. to 46. Horat. de Art [...] Poe­tica. lib. God­wins Roman Antiq. lib. 2. Sect. 3 c. 13.14. Authors, which will at large informe you: onely this I shall say in briefe; that both the inception, and grouth of Stage-Playes, by the consent of all Recordes, was from Idolatrous Infidels, and voluptuous Pagans, whose wayes, and workes, we Christians must not follow.

For the Maior, I willingly acknowledge; that Tota pars humanarum institutionum quae ad vsum vitae necessari­um proficiunt, nequaquam est fugienda Chri­stiano, immo quantum satis est intuenda, memori [...]que retinenda. Omnes verò artes huius­modi vel nu­gatoriae. vel noxiae superstitionis, ex qua­dam pestifera societate ho­minum & da­monum, quasi pacta infidelis & dolosae ami­citiae consti­ [...]tae, penitus sunt repudi­andae Christi­ano. August. De Doctr. Christiana. l. 2. cap. 23, 24, 25, 26. Tertul. de Corona Militis. cap. 6.7. Gossons Con­futation of Playes. Act. 1. accordingly. those inuentions of Infidels, and Pagans, which may further Gods glory, or the good of men: as Musicke, Poetrie, Husbandry, Nauigation, Architecture, Letters, Writing, and the like: are lawfull vnto Christians; because they issue from those common gifts, which God himselfe implanted in them: but as for all their noxious, improfitable, and vaine productions, which dishonour God; which preiudice mens Soules, and were destinated at first to sinfull endes, (which is the case of Stage-Playes:) these Christians must auoyde: if for no other reason, yet for this one alone: that the Heathen Gentiles were the Authors, fomentors, and frequenters of them. Hence God himselfe doeth charge the Israe­lites: Leuit. 18.30. Deut. 12.29, 30. That when they were possessed of the Land of Ca­naan, they should beware, that they committed not any of those abominable customes, which were committed before them, by the Cananites: that they should not defile themselues therein, but take heede, lest they were taken in a snare after them, lest they should aske after their Gods, saying: how did those Na­tions serue their Gods, that I might doe so likewise: Hence [Page 19] Christ himselfe enioynes all Christians, Mat. 6.7, 8.31.32. not to vse vaine repetitions when they pray, as the Heathen doe, who thinke to be heard, for their much babling: be ye not therefore (saith hee) like vnto them: Not to take thought, what wee shall eate, or what we shall drinke, or wherewith we shall bee cloathed: and what is his reason? For after all these things doe the Gentiles seeke: Hence Saint Paul doeth exhort the Thessalonians, 1 Thes. 4.4. to possesse their vessels in holinesse, and honour; not in the lust of concupiscence, as the Gentiles doe: Hence Saint Peter informes vs: 1 Pet. 4.3. that the time past of our liues, may suffice vs to haue wrought the will of the Gen­tiles: Hence Saint Paul exhorts the Ephesians, Ephes. 4.17, 18, 19. cap. 2.3. that they should not hencefoorth, walke as other Gentiles in the vanities of their mindes, in Lasciuiousnesse, and all Vncleane­nesse: Hence the Prophet Ieremie, speakes thus vnto the house of Israel: Ier. 10.1, 2, 3 Thus saith the Lord, learne not the way of the Heathen, and be not dismayed at the signes of Heauen, marke his reason: for the Heathen are dismayed, at them. Hence God himselfe, doeth 2 Kings 17.15. [...] Chro. 33.2. Chap. 36 14 Psal. 106.35. Ezech. 11.12 Ch [...]p 20.32. Cha [...] [...]3.30. Chap. 25.8. oft times in the Scriptures, reprooue, and blame the Israelites, Manasseh, and others, and likewise threaten Iudgements against them, for going after the Heathen, that were round about them: for running after their vanities, customes, fashions, and abominations, conc [...]rning whom the Lord had said, that they should not doe like them, nor learne their workes: Hence is it, 1 Sam. 8.5, 6, 7.20. Chap. 12.17, 18, 19. that God reputed the desire of a King, which in it selfe is lawfull, a hainous sinne in the Israelites, because it issued from an apish imitation of other people: that they also in this respect, might be like all other Nations: and hence, Zeph. 1.8. Isay 3.17. to 2 [...]. did hee threaten to visit, not onely the inferiour ranke of the Israelites; but euen the Children, and Courteours of their Kings, for wearing strange Apparell, and taking vp the garbes, and fashions, of those Pagans which bordered round about them. If then it bee vnlawfull to imitate, not onely the abominati­ons, rites, and ceremonies: but euen the prayers, cares [...] and feare: the gouernment, and strange Apparell, of In­fidels, and Pagans, as all these Scriptures strongly eui­dence: [Page 20] much more must it bee vile, and sinfull, to trace their foote-steps, in practising, approouing, and frequen­ting, their Histrionicall Stage-inuentions, which haue no good, nor profit in them. How chary, and fearefull the Saints of God in former ages were, of admitting the Festiuities, Customes, Ceremonies, Reliques, or In­uentions of Idolatrous Pagans; how ready they were to disauow them; may appeare by sundry instances, that are Parallell with Stage-Playes. De Corona Militis. lib. cap. 6, 7, 8. Tertullian, cond [...]mnes the wearing of a Laurell Crowne, or flowrie Garland by way of Triumph, in a Christian Souldi [...]r; because those Crownes, and Garlands, were first inuented by the Deuill, and See Demost. Oratio De Corona. Oratio aduersus Midi­am. Virgil. Copa p 510. worne by his Minions, to his honour. Surius. Tom 1. Con. p 577. The Councell of Africk [...], Canon 27. Prohibits Christians to make Feasts, or Morrice­daunces, on the Birth-dayes of Martyres, because such Fea­sting, and Dauncing, Qu [...] ab er­rore Gentilium attracta sunt. had their Originall from Gentilis­me. Surius. Tom 1. pag. 299. The Councell of Ancyra, or Engury, Canon 21. exposeth all Christians to fiue yeeres penance, who shall obserue any Prophesies, Dreames, Diuinations, or Fortune-tellers, after the customes of the Gentiles, or should entertaine such Diuiners, or South-s [...]yers in their houses. Surius. Tom. 2. p. 647.715. The second Councell of Towers, Canon 23. The Councell of Antisyodo­rum, Canon 1. Saint Augustine, De Rectitud. Cathol. Conuersationis. Tract. Tom. 9. pag. 1448. Tom. 5. pag. 8. B. Saint Am­brose, Oration. 11. Gratian, Causa. 26. Qu [...]st. 7. condemne the obseruation of Newyeeres-day, and the sending of New-yeeres-gifts, as a sinne, threatning Excommunication, both from the Church, and Sacraments, to such who should obs [...]rue it: because they were but the Reliques, and Obseruations of Pagans, See Ouid. Fastorum. l. 1. Caeli [...]s. Rhod. Antiq. Lect. lib. 23. cap. 11. Polyd. Virgil. De Inuent. Rerum. lib. 2. cap. 4. Macrob. Saturnal. l. 1. cap. 9. Al [...]x. ab Alex. lib. 3. cap. 8. who Cons [...]rated this day, to the honour of Ianus their Deuill-God, and sent reciprocall Newyeeres-gifts to their friends vpon it. Surius. Tom. 2. pag. 748. B. The first Councell of Braga, Ca­non 29. Prohibits all such, who are ordained Readers in the Church, to sing in a Secular habit, or to giue ouer their degree, after the manner of the Gentiles: Surius. Tom 3. pag. 40. B. Gratian Cau. 26. Quaest. 5. & 7. The French Synod vnder Pope Zacharie, in the yeere 742. enioyned all Bishops, to giue all diligence to inhibit, and keepe backe Chri­stians, [Page 21] from all the Reliques of Paganisme, and G [...]ntilisme: as Pageants, Southsayings, Diuinations, Lot-fortunes, Sacri­fices to Saints, and Martyres, neere to Churches, after a Pagan manner; Sacril [...]gious fires, called N [...]dfire, or Bone­fires, with all other Heathenish Obseruations, and Ceremo­nies; because they are vnbeseeming Christians. Su [...]ius. Tom 2. pag. 757. B. Gratian [...] Cau. 26. Quaest. 5. & 7. The Ca­nons of the Greekes Synods, collected by Martin, Bishop of Braga, Can. 71, 72, 73, 74, 75. Prohibit the entertainement of Southsayers, Fortune-tellers, and Diuiners, into Christians houses, after the custome of the Pagans, [...]ither to expell some euill out of them, or to purge them by some Pagan Spelles, vnder fiue yeeres pennance. Yea, they say expressely: that it is vnlawfull for Christians, to retaine the traditions of the Gentiles, in See Ier. 10.1, 2, 3 Gratian. Causa. 26. Quaest. 5. Aug. De Rectitud. Cathol. Con [...]uersat. Tract. Tom. 9. pag. 1447, 1448. Accordingly. obseruing the course of the Elements, Moon [...], or Starres, or the vaine fallacies of Signes; in building Houses, in sowing Corne, in planting Trees, or solemnizing Marriages: that it is vnlawfull to obser [...]e Calends, or to ad­dict themselues to Heathenish Feastiualls, and Delights; or to decke vp their Houses with Laurell, Hedera est gratissima. Baccho. Ouid. Fastorum. lib. 3. pag [...]7. Yuie, and greene boughes, (as we vse to doe in the Christmas season:) be­cause all this obseruation is descended of Paganisme: and that Christians [...]ay not obserue, or vse any Spelles, or Ceremonies, in gathering medicinall Hearbes, or in their lanifices; because the Heathens did obserue them. Surius Tom. 1. pag 513. B. Carranza. fol. 70. The fourth Councell of Carthage, Canon 16. together with Saint Hierom [...], Epist. 22. cap. 13. Prohibit Christian Bishops, to read the Bookes of the Gentiles. Surius. Tom 1. pag. 457.294, 295. The Councell of Laodicea, Canon 37.39. The Councell of Ancyra, Canon 5, 6, 7. Saint Ambrose Orat. 3. Tertullian De Spectaculis. lib. with sundry others informe vs: that it is a great sinne to obserue the Feastiualls, or Solemnities of Pagans; to be present with them at th [...]ir Feasts; to retaine their Feastiuall-gifts; or to communicate with them in their Ceremonies, which are not of God: whence they prohibit Christians from them, vnder paine of Excom­munication, and two yeeres Penance. Surius. Tom 2. pag. 1053. A. 1 [...]49. B. 1050. S [...]e August. De Rect. Ca­thol. Conuers. Tract. Tom. 9. part. 1. p. 1447, 1448. The sixt Councell of Constantinople, Canon 96. Excommunicates all such as [Page 22] shall sweare the Oathes of the Gentiles: Yea, the same ge­nerall Councell, Canon 62. disanulles, and condemnes the ob­seruation of the See Alex. ab Alexandro. Genial. Die­rum. lib. 3. cap [...] 8. AElij. Lampridij. Seuerus pag 23 [...] 1. Ouid. Fastorum. lib. 1.2, 3.5. How the Pagans obser­ued them. Calends, and Winter votes: all meetings, on the first of March; all publike Dauncing of Women: all Mummings, Dauncings, Sportes, and Ceremonies, which might prouoke Laughter, vnder the name of Bacchus, or any other, which was falsely named a God among the Graecians: inflicting Excommunication, and Deposition on those that sh [...]uld from thence obserue them, because they were the Im­postures of Satan, and the Sportes, and Vanities of the Hea­then: Yea, Canon 65. It prohibits the making of See August. De Rectitud. Cathol. Con­uersat. Tract. Tom. 9. part. 1. pag. 1448. Accordingly. Bone­fires on New-moones, before the Houses, or Shops of Christi­ans; together with all skipping, iesting, and fooling about them, after the Ancient custome, vnder the foresaid penaltie; as being a Pagan practise, condemned in Manasseh: in the 2 Chro. 33.2.5, 6. And Can. 70. it informes vs: that Chri­stians who are taught the Lawes of God, ought not to vse the manners, Tumblings, Playes, and Vestments of the Graecian Infidels. De Ebr [...]e­tate & Luxu. Sermo. Saint Basil, and De Tem­pore. Sermo. 132. See my Healthes Sickenesse. Argument. 14. Saint Augustine, con­demne the Drinking, and Pledging of Healthes, from this very ground; that they were the inuention of the Deuill, and the obseruations, or reliques of Infidels, and Pagans: Cle­mens Romanus, Constit. Apostol. lib. 2. cap. 66. Surius. Tom. 3. p [...]g. 727. Gratian. Cau, 27. Quaest [...] 1. The third Councell of Arles: The third Councell of Toledo, Canon 23. Nazienzen. Oratio. 48. p. 796, 797. Cyrillus. Hierusol. Catech. Mystag. 1. with sundry other Councells, and Fa­thers, which I might enumerate, prohibit, and condemne all lasciuious Dauncing, all scurrilous Songs, and Iests, with sundry other Sportes [...] and Mer [...]ments, because they were the Recreations, Ceremonies, and Inuentions of Heathen men. The Councell of Eleberi [...], Canon [...] 34.37. The second Councell of Arles, Canon 23. Tertullian in his Apologie against the Gentiles: and his Booke against Idolatrie. Lactantius De vero Culta. lib. 6. cap. 2. Cyrillus Hierusolomitanus. Catech. Mystagogica 1. together with Ormerod in his Pagano-Pa­pismus. Semblance 37.123, 124, 125. Condemne the bur­ning [Page 23] of Tapers in Church-yardes, or Churches, See Nazi­enz [...]n. Oratio. 48. pag. 796. Hierom. ad­uers. Vigilan­tium cap. 23. Nazienzen Oratio [...] in Pascha. Rhe­nanus in Ter­ [...]ul [...] Apolog. August. De Tempore. S [...]rmo. 3. Ar­ti [...]les of Ire­land. Art. 52. Queene Eli [...]a­beth [...] Iniuncti [...]ons. Iniunct. 23 Doct [...]r Reinolds Con­ [...]rence with Hart [...]ap. [...]. Diuision 4. pag. 512, 513.492 494, 495. Homely against the perill of Idolatrie 3. part. pag. 75. Polyd. Virgil. De Inuent. Rerum. lib. 2. cap. 23. lib. 6. cap. 12. especially in the day-time, as the Papists doe) vpon the selfe-same reason: euen because the Pagans practised it: as i [...] euident by Baruch 6.19. by Plinie. Nat. Hist. lib. 16. cap. 37. Suetonij C [...]lig. cap. 13. Virgil. AEneid. lib. 11. p. 353. Copa. p. 510. & Tatianus Oratio aduers. Graecos. And yet the Papists are not ashamed for to vse them: Saint Hierome, and Theo­doret, in their Commentaries, and Interpretations on Ezech. 44.20. which inioyne the Priests, not to shaue their heads, but onely to poll them; make the ground of this Iniunction, the practise of the Idolatrous Priests of Isis, and Serapis, Baruch 6.31. Apuleius Aurei. Asini. lib. 11. AElij Lamprid. Commodus pag. [...]8. AElij Spar [...]iani. P [...]scennius. pag. 137. Herodoti. Euterpe. Sect 45. pag. 102. Diodorus. Siculus. Bibl. Hist. Sect. 83, 84. Bo [...]mus De Moribus Gent. lib. 1. cap. 5. p. 34. Plu [...]arch. De Iside & Osiride. lib. M [...]r. Tom. 2. pag. 131. Alex. ab Alex. Gen. Dierum. lib. 6 cap. 12. fol. 349. Polyd. Virgil [...] De Inuent. Rerum. lib. 4. c. 8. Ormerod [...] Pagan [...] papismus Sem­blance [...] 99. Ainswort [...], on L [...]uit. 19.27. and 21.5. Munster. Cosmog. lib. 3. cap. 38. pag. 1311. Accordingly. who did vse to shaue their crowne, and beards, and make bald their heads. Yet notwithstanding, this expresse command of God himselfe, which is likewise seconded by L [...]uit. 19.27. and 21.5. Gotardus Histor. Indiae pag. 307. Guagninus Re [...]um Polon. pag. 305. Erasmus Moriae Encomium. pag. 301. Polyd. Virgil. De Inuent. Rer [...]m. lib. 4. cap. 8. All Popish Priests, and Friers, doe shaue their heads, and beards, in imitation of these, and other Idolatrous Busbequius. Epist. Eccles. Ep. 4. pag. 277. Bo [...]mus De Mor. Gent. lib. 1. cap. 6. pag. [...]3. Zenophon, Histor [...] Graecae. lib. 1. pag. 449. Acosta. Indian. Histor. lib. 5. cap. 16. pag. 373. Orosius, Histor. lib. 4. cap 20. pag. 225. Guagninus, Rerum Polon. Tom. 3. pag. 444. Lerius, De Nauigat. in Brasil. cap. 8. Priests, and Nations; yea, they doe Concil [...] Toletanum. 4. Canon. 40. Aquisgranense Concil. Sub. Lud. Pio. cap. 1. Concil Rom. Sub. Greg. 2. Can. 17. Lateran. Sub. Innocent. 3 part. 28. ca [...]. 4 Agathense [...] Can 20. Capit [...] Graecar. Synod. Can. 66. Lateranense. Sub. Leone. 10. Sess. 9. Su [...] Tom 4 [...] pag. 633.6. Gratian. Distinc. 33. in­ioyne this To [...]sure to them by sundry Councells, and Decrees: for which not onely BB. Babbingtons Notes on Leuit. 19. Sect. 14. D. Reinolds Conference with Hart. cap. 4. Diuis. 8. pag. 494, 495. Will [...]ts Synop. p. 353, 354. Ormerod. Pagano-Papis. Sembla 99. Ainsw. Ca [...]u Lauat [...]r and most other Protestant Commentators on Leuit [...] 19.27. cap. 2 [...].5. & Eeze. 44.20. Protestants, but euen their owne [Page 24] Iohn Vale­rian. De Sa­cerdotum Bar­bis lib. E [...]asmus Moriae Encomium. pag. 301. Pol [...]d Virgil. De Inu [...]nt re­rum [...] lib. 4. cap. 8. Agrippa. De Van. Scient. cap. 62. Popish writers doe condemne them, as Heathenish, and absurd; Pope Anicetus was the first that made this innoua­tion: as Gratian. Distinctio. 33. Polyd. Virgil. De Inuent. Rerum. lib. 4. cap. 8. and Lorinus on Leuit. 19.27. record: contrary to the expresse Word of God; and the fourth Councell of Carthage. Canon 44. which inioyneth Clerkes, or Clergie-men: neither to let th [...]ir haire grow long, nor yet to shaue their beards: which their Binius, Surius, Carranza, and Crabb, haue miserably corrupted: as Iohn Valerian in his Booke, De Sacerdotum barbis, witnesseth: rendring it in this manner. Clerici nec comam nutriant, nec barbam; shauing away this word radant, from the latter clause, as a superfluous excrement; because it expressely con­demnes their See Clem. Alexa. Paedag. lib. 3. cap 3. & 11. Clem. Romanus Constit. Apost lib. 1. cap. 4. Lorinus Com. in Leuit. 19.27. who vtter­ly condemne the shauing of mens beards Effeminate, Vnnaturall, Heathenish, and Popish shauing. If then these seuerall Fathers, and Councells haue vtterly condemned, these Morrice-daunces, Bone­fires, Newyeeres-gifts, Newyeeres-dayes, Diuinations, Lot­teries, Mummings, Dancings, Healthes, Tapers, See Concil. Eliberinum. Can 55. Shauen-crownd, and bare-chind Priests, together with all the other fore-recited Ceremonies, Customes, and Obseruations, (which are now too frequent among Christians,) as sin­full and abominable, because they were in vse among the Gentiles, and had their rise, and birth from Pagans: then certainely, by the same analogie of reason; wee must needes reiect, and censure Stage-Playes, as pernicious, vnseemely, and vnlawfull vnto Christians, because they had their birth, their authoritie, vse, and progresse from Idolatrous Heathens, and the deboisest Pagans. Vpon this very ground, among sundry others: Tertullian, and Cyprian, in their Bookes De Spectaculis. Clemens Roma­nus Constit. Apost. lib. 2. cap. 65.66. Clemens Alexandri­nus Oratio. Adhort. ad Gentes. fol. 8.9. Tatianus Oratio. ad­uersus Gr [...]cos. Bibliotheca Patrum. Coloniae Agrip. 1616. Tom. 2. p. 180, 181. Athen [...]goras, pro Christianis Legatio. Ib. pag. 138, 139. Theophilus Antiochenus Contr. Autolichum. lib. 3. Ib. pag. 170. Arnobius Disput. aduersus Gentes. lib. 7. pag. 230. to 242. Lactantius De vero Cultu. cap. 20. Diui­narum [Page 25] Instit. Epit. cap. 6. Cyrillus Hierusol. Catech. My­stag. 1. Fol. 175. B. Minutius Foelix Octauius. pag. 34.101.123. Hierom. Epist. 18. cap. 1. Com. in Ezech. lib. 6. cap. 20. Tom. 4. pag. 389. H. Chrysostome, Hom. 6, 7. & 38. on Mat. Ambrose, Sermo. 11. & 81. Augustine De Ciu. Dei. lib. 1. cap. 31, 32, 33. lib. 2. cap. 4. to 15. De Rectitu­dine Cathol. Conuersationis Tractatus. De Doctrina Chri­stiana. lib. 2. cap. 25. Saluian. De Gub. Dei. lib. 6. Ioannis Salisburiensis. De Nugis Curialium. lib. 1. cap. 7, 8. Concil. Constantinop. 6. Can. 62. The Councell of Africke. Canon 26, 27. D. R [...]inolds, Gosson, and Northbro [...]ke, in their Bookes gainst Stage-Playes; together with sundry other Coun­cells, and Authors, which I shall muster vp hereafter; condemne these Stage-Playes, as vnlawfull, and misbese [...]ming Christians; euen because they were the Inuentions, Sportes, and Ceremonies of Gentiles, which Christians must not enter­taine. Now there is in trueth great reason, why Christians should not imitate, nor imbrace the Pleasures, Sportes, and ceremonies of the Heathen, though many Libertines, and Non minu [...] de [...]ecti qua [...] el [...]ti animi est, voluntate vti, negligere rationem: & veluti ratio­nis expertem, non pro rati [...]one, sed pr [...] libitu agere; nec iudicio vti, sed appetit [...]. Bernard. De Consid. lib. 3. cap 4. Licentious Christians, who make their will, and lusts their law, may deeme it Puritanisme, or brand it for ouer­strict precisenesse, in this dissolute, and vnruly age.

For first, the Scriptures doe positiuely informe vs; 1 2 Cor. 6.14, 15, 16. 1 Cor. 10.21. that Righteousnesse [...] hath no fellowship with Vnrighteous­nesse; nor Light with Darkenesse: that Christ hath no co [...] ­cord with Belial; that he that beleeueth, hath no part, nor portion with an Infidell: that the Temple of God hath no agreement wi [...]h Id [...]les: and that we cannot drinke the cup of the Lord, and the cup of De [...]ils, nor be partakers of the Lords table, and of the table of Deuils. If then Christ, if Christi­ans, and Infidels haue no communion; great reason is it, Quis agis? Deum in te­ipso gestas; & ad illos cur­ris quibus cum Deo nihil com­mune est? Haec cine veni [...] digna [...]unt? Chrysost. Hom. 13. in 2 Cor. 6. that they should not intercommon in these Heathenish Spectacles, and delights of sinne.

Secondly, all Christians haue vowed in their Baptis­me: to forsake the Deuill and all his workes, the Pompes, and Vaniti [...]s of this wicked world, and all the sinfull lustes of the 2 flesh: and haue they any reason then, to harbour, or re­taine [Page 26] the Ceremonies of Worldlings, or Enterludes of Pagans, which they haue thus seriously renounced?

3 Thirdly, all true and reall Christians, are Redeemed by the red, and precious blood of Iesus Christ, from Col. 2.20, 21, 22. the or­dinances, rudiments, and customes of the world: 1 Pet. 1.18. from their vaine conuersation receiued by tradition from their Fa­thers: Ru. 14.3, 4. they are purchased from off the earth, and from a­mong the sonnes of men: Iohn 15 19. Cap. 17 14. they are ransomed, and taken out of this World, and made m [...]n of another world, that so Phil 3.20. they might haue their whole conuersation with God in Heauen; 1 Pet. 1.15. 2 P [...]t. 3.1 [...]. Luke 1.74, 75. and walke on in all holy conuersation, and godli­nesse, seruing God in holinesse, and true Righteousnesse, all the dayes of their liues: Christ Iesus himselfe hath bought them at the dearest rate for this very end, Rom. 14.8. Cap. 12.2. Gal 2.1 [...], 20. 1 Pet. 4.2. 2 Cor. 5.15. that they should no longer liue to the world, or to the will, and lusts of men, but vnto him alone: Ephe. 5.8.11 that they should cast off the workes of Darkenesse, and put on the armor of Light: Ephes. 4.17, 18, 19. Cap. 2.2.3. that they should not hencefoorth walke as other Gentiles, in the vanitie of their mindes, following the desires of the flesh, and of the minde, giuing themselues ouer to Lasciuiousnesse, and vncleannesse: 1 Pet. 4.1, 2, 3. that the time past of their liues might suffice them to haue wrought the will of the Gentiles, when as they walked in Lasciuiousnesse, Lusts, Reuellings, Banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Tit. 2.12, 13, 14. that they should now denie vn­godlinesse, and worldly lusts, and walke soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world, looking for the blessed com­ming, and appearance of their Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ: Ephes. 2.2, 3. that they should not hencefoorth walke according to the course of this world, according to the power of the Prince of the ayre, which now worketh in the children of disobedience: Iam. 1.27. Actes 2.40. but that they should be pure, and vndefiled before God, keeping themselues vnspotted from the World: Since there­fore Ie [...]us Christ ha [...]h thus Redeemed all Christians from the World, and all i [...]s Pagan customes, pleasures, ceremonies, and delights of sinne, Ephes. 1.4. Col. 2 22. that so they might be holy, and blamelesse before him in loue, Titus 2.14. [...] Pet. 2.9. and become a peculiar people to him, Zealous of good workes: great rea­son [Page 27] is there, that they should abominate all Pagan pra­ctises, Enterludes, and Ceremonies, as vnlawfull, and misbeseeming Christians: else they should but euacuate, and make voyde vnto themselues the death of Christ: H [...]br. 10.29. yea trample vnder feete his precious blood, and put him vnto open shame: And would any Christian be so ingrate­full, so dispitefull to his blessed Sauiour, (whose Clamat cla­uus, clamat vulnus quid vere D [...]us sit in Christo mu [...]dum re­co [...]cilians sibi: Patent visce­ra misericor­diae, patet ar­canum cordis per foramin [...] corporis. Quid tam ad mor­tem quod non Christi morte saluetur? Bernard. Super. Cant. S [...]rm. 61. blee­ding wounds doe preach Saluation to his fiercest enemies,) as thus to wrong, and shame him?

Fourthly, mans nature is exceeding prone to Paganis­me, and Heathenish superstition; as is euident, not one­ly by the frequent Apostasies of the Israelites to grosse Ido­latrie, recorded Se [...] 2 Chro. 33 2. to 10.4. Ezech. 8.6. to 18. Psal. 106.33. to 40. Iere. 7.17, [...]8.31. Ezech 16.15. to 36. [...]or all the rest. in the Scriptures; but likewise by that generall deluge of Heathenisme, Mahometisme, and hi­deous Idolatrie, which now, and alwayes heretofore, hath ouerspred the greatest part of all the world: God See Hi [...]rom, and Theodo­re [...]s Com. in Ezech. 44.5. Amb [...]os. Serm. 11. Lorinus, BB. Babing­ton, Caluin [...] and Ains­worth [...] on Leuit. 19.27. Willets Sy­nopsis Papismi. pag. 354, 355. Who giue this reason. therefore out of his Fatherly care, and compassi [...]n [...]o his Children, to anticipate all occasions, which might withdraw them from him, to Idolatrie; doeth oft times prohibit them, to imitate the Fashions, Customes, Vanities, Habites, Rites, or Ceremonies of Infidels, and Heathen Gentiles; for feare lest one thing should draw on another by degrees, till they were quite Ap [...]statized to Idolatrie, and seduced from the Faith. Whereupon, Ludos diabolicos, ve [...] vacillationes, vel cantic [...] gentilium fieri vet [...]te: nullus Christianus hoc exerceat, quia per hoc Paganus efficitur. De Rectitud. Cathol. Conuersationis. Tract. Tom. 9. pag. 1447, 1448. Saint Augustine exh [...]rts all Christians, to prohibit the vse of all diabolicall Enterludes, Vacillations, and songs of the Gentiles: and that no Christian should ex­ercise any of these, because by this he is made a Pagan. Since therefore the imitation of Pagan customes, pleasures, and delights, are but so many ingredients, and See Leuit. 18.30. Deut. 12.29, 30. allectiues to Paganisme, and grosse Idolatrie; and since they alienate, or at least in some degree, disioyne our affections from God, and heauenly things; there is ground, and cause enough, that Christians should reiect them, as sinfull, and perni­cious. [Page 28] So that vpon all these authorities, and reasons, (the force of which no pious heart is euer able to with­stand:) I may safely conclude this second Scaene, with this short Corollary: That Stage-Playes are sinfull, vn­seemely, pernicious, and vnlawfull, at least wise vnto Christians; because they were the inuentions, ceremo­nies, and pastimes of Idolatrous Infidels, and the most Licentious Heathens, (who were no other but the Ipsi scilicet sibi procura­uerunt Dae­mones, per [...]os in quibus esurierant an­ [...]equam procu­rauerunt. Ter­tul. De Coron. Militis. cap. 6. Deuils Purueyers,) whom Christians must not imitate.

SCENA PRIMA.

The stile and subiect mat­t [...]r of Stage-Playes, is vn­law [...]ull, therefore the Play [...]s thems [...]lues.THirdly, as Stage-Playes are thus odious, vnseeme­ly, pernicious, and vnlawfull vnto Christians in all the precedent respects: so likewise are they such in re­gard of their ordinary stile, and subiect matter; which no Christian can, or dares to patronize: If we sur [...]ay the stile, or subiect matter of all our popular Enterludes; we shall discouer them, to bee Ad malum malae res plu­nimae se agglu­tinant. Plauti. Aulularia. Act. 4. pag. 102 either Scurrilous, Amo­rous, and Obscene: or Barbarous, Bloody, and Tyran­nicall: or Heathenish, and Prophane: or Fabulous, and Fictitious: or Impious, and Blasphemous: or Satyri­call, and Inuectiue: or at the best but Frothy, Vaine, and Friuolous: If then, Necesse est vt initia & exitus inter se congruant. Seneca. Epist. 9. the composure, and matter of our popular Stage-Playes, be but such as this, the Playes them­selues must needes be euill, vnseemely, and vnlawfull vnto Christians.

Not to insist vpon this Generall: that the subiect matter of most Comedies, and Tragedies is some vile, and odious sinne: Has ob res non chachin­nis diffluere sedentes, sed lachrymis ge­mere ac doler [...] oportet. Chrys. Hom. 3 [...]. in Mat. Religiosa tri­stitia, aut ali­orum luget peccatum, aut proprium: Be [...]ti quorum l [...]ctus in haec inte [...]tione versatur. Bernardi. Serm. in F [...]sto. Mar. Magd. Col. 244. H. See De Modo bene viuendi. lib. Col. 1252. The stile, and subiect matter of Stage-Playes, is Amorous, and Obscene: therefore the Playes th [...]mselues vnlawfull. which should bee rather a griefe, and abomination, then a recreation vnto Christians: I shall for the present confine my selfe to the particulars here specified.

First, I say, that the stile, and subiect matter of most popular, (especially Comicall) Stage-Playes, is Amorous, Scurrilous, and Obscene, vnbeseeming all Chast, and Christian eares: from whence I raise this fift Argument.

For the Maior, I hope no Christian, no Pagan dares to question it. For God himselfe, hath laid this perempto­rie Iniunction vpon men: Psal. 34.13. to keepe their tongues from euill, and their lips from speaking guile: yea, he hath giuen this in speciall charge to Christians. Colo [...]. 4.6. Let your speach bee alwayes gracious, seasoned with salt: Ephes. 4.29, 30. cap. 5.3.4. See Ambrose, Hierome, Primasius, Theodoret, Chrysostome, and Theophy­lact, on Ephes. 5.3.4. Accor­dingly. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good for the vse of edi [...]ying, that it may minister grace to the hearers: Let all euill speaking be put away from you: and as for fornication, and vncleanenesse, (the common subiects, and principall ingredients of our Comedies,) neither foolish talking, nor iesting, which are not conuenient, let them not bee once named, (much lesse then acted, or applauded) among you, as becommeth Saints: Apud Chri­stianos enim s [...]l [...]cismus est magnus, est vi­tium, turpe a­liquid vel nar­rare, vel fa­cere. Hierom. Aduers Helui­dium cap. 8. Tom. 2. pag. 139. It is a great solecisme, yea, a sinne among Christians, either to relate, or doe, (much more, to Personate, Penne, or Pleasingly to behold,) any obscene, or filthie thing: Christians they are, at leastwise should be, Rom. 1.7. Ephes. 1.1. 1 Thes. 4.7. Hebr. 3.1. Saints; yea, 1 Cor. 3.16. cap 6.17. 2 Cor. 11.2. 2 Tim. 2.21. Reu. 14.4. Chast, and holy Virgins, Temples, and Vessels for the Lord: 2 Cor. 7 1. cleansing themselues from all pollution, both of Flesh, and Spirit: Isay 33.15. stopping their eares from hearing blood, sh [...]tting their eyes from seeing euill: yea, not so much, Isay [...]2.11. 2 Cor. 6.17. as touching any vncleane thing: therefore they must abandon all Vnchast, all Scurrilous, and filthie things: their Eyes, t [...]eir Eares, their Hands, Nihil aliud nouerit linguae nisi Christum: nihil posset sonare nisi quod sanctum est. Hierom. Epist. 9. cap. 1 [...]. their Tongues, their Hearts, must know nothing but Christ, inter­meddle with nothing but pure [...] and holy things: Le [...]it [...] 11.44. cap. 19.2. 1 P [...]t 1.15. Their God [Page 64] is holy: Luke 1.35. Acts. 4.27. their Sauiou [...] Iesus Christ is holy: Psal. 51.11. 2 Pet. 1.21. Reuel. 4.7. their holy Ghost is holy: Iames 1.27. their Religion, Rom. 1.2. 2 Tim. 3.15. 2 Pet. 2.22. their Scriptures, 1 Cor. 11 27.29. Heb. 10.29. their Sacraments, Iude 20. their Companions, Ephes. 1.4. Hebr. 3.1. 1 Peter 2.9. their Faith, Reu 21.2.10. their Inheritance, and 1 Thes. 4 7. Hebr. 12.14. Profession holy, Chast, and Vndefiled: and so must 1 Pet. 1.15.16 2 Peter 3.11. they be too, in all manner of con­ [...]ersation, at all times: therefore all Amorous, all Lasciui­ous, filthie, and polluted things, which haue no analogie, nor proportion with them, must needes bee sinfull, hurt­full, and vnseemely, yea, odious, and displeasing to them. Obscenitie, or rotten discourse: (which the Fathers in the margent who condemne it, define to be nothing else, Turpil [...]qui­um iure voca­tur quae de vi­tiosis factis habeturoratio; cuiusmodi est, si de adulterio, vel de puero­rum Amore disseratur, &c. Clemens Alex. Paedag. lib. 2. cap. 6. See Chrys Hom. 17. in Ephes. 5. Hierome, Ambrose, Theodoret, Primasius, Theophylact, and Haymo, in Ephes. 5.3, 4. Accordingly, where they together with Saint Augustine. De Rect. Cathol. Conu [...]rsationis. Tom. 9. part. 1. pag. 1447. and Saint Bernard. De Pass. Domini. Tract. cap. 27. condemne scurrilitie, and iesting. but a Narration of some Vitious, Amorous, Adulterous, and filthie action, to passe away the time, or to prouoke, and stirre vp laughter: of which sort, are all ribaldrie Songs, and Iests; all Theatricall, Complementall, Poeticall, or Table-di­scourses of the Adulteries, Incests, Loues, and vile Obsenities of gracelesse wicked men, or Heathen-gods, Exprimunt adulterum [...]ouem non tam reg [...]o suo quam vitiis praepotentem. Cyprian. Epist. lib. 2. Epist. 2. Donato. who transcen­ded others in their vices, as much as in their Deitie:) was alwayes detestable, and odious vnto Pagans: Hence Gel­lius informes vs, Non in facta modo, sed etiam in voces petulantiores publice Romae vindicatum est. Noct. Att. lib. 10. cap. 6. that the Romans did publikely punish, not onely Obscene, and petulant deedes, but words: Hence Plutarchi, Romulus. Opme [...]rus. Chronogr. pag. 90. Dionys. Hal. Antiq. Rom. lib. 2. Sect. 4. Romulus inacted this Law: Ne quis praesentibus foe­minis obscaena verba facito: Let no man vse any obscene speach in the presence of any women: Hence Sophocles in­formes vs, Non pulchrum est dicere ea qua factu turpia sunt. Oedip. Tyr. pag. 301. Theodoret, Chrysostome, Primasius, and Theophylact, in Ephes. 5.4, 5. Accordingly. that it is not seemely, nor honest, to speake such things, which are vnseemely to bee done: Hence was that ingenious checke [...] which Diogenes gaue to a beauti­full youth, when hee heard him vttering some obscenities: [Page 65] Non erube­scis; ait, ex eburnea vae­gina plumbe­um educens gladium. Diog. Laert. lib. 6. Diog. pag. 349. doest thou not blush, (saith hee) to draw a leaden Sword out of an Iuorie scabbard? Hence was that brand, which Seneca stamped vpon all scurrilous persons, which I would such Christians whose tongues are tipt, and hearts de­lighted with Ribaldrous Songs, and Iests, would seriously apply vnto their Consciences: wheresoeuer (saith he) thou Vbi [...]unque videris orati­onem corrup­tam, ibi quo­que mores a recto desciuisse non erit dubi­um. Epist. 114. Magna mala habitant in illa anima quae verba vsurpat malae & faceta. Chrys. Hom. 17. in Ephes. 5. meetest with corrupt discourse, there doubt not but the heart, and manners are depraued: and no wonder: for out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh, and euill words corrupt good manners, Mat. 12.34. Luke 6.45. 1 Cor. 15.33. as the Scriptures teach vs Hence Rhetor. lib. 1. cap. 9. pag. 60. Al [...]aei. Carm. apud P [...]nda [...]um. pag. 405. Aristotle magnifies the modestie of that ingenuous Pagan, who when he was about to vtter an vnchast obscenitie, was tongue-tied out of modest shame: Valerius Max [...] lib. 2. cap. 6. [...]ect. 7. the Citizens of Mar­celles though Pagans, would admit no Stage-Playes into their Citie, least their filthinesse, and obsceniti [...] should corrupt their youth: Yea, the very Nil dictu faedum visuque haec limina tangat Intra quae puer est: procul hinc, procul inde puellae Lenonum, & cantus pernoctantis parasiti. Maxima debetur pueris reuerentia. Iuuenal. Satyr. 14. pag. 126. Heathen Poet himselfe, would haue all scurrilitie, and ribaldrie, exiled from such places where Youthes, and Children were, for feare they should de­praue their mindes, and manners. If then God himselfe, if the Fathers, yea, if all these Pagans haue vtterly con­dem [...]ed all filthie, Scurrilous, Vncha [...]t, and Amorous speaches, Iests, and Poemes, as misbeseeming Chast, and Modest eyes, or Lips, or Eares; my Maior cannot but be granted: and so much the rather, Obscaenus s [...]rmo & scurrilitas vehiculum scorta­tionis: Ne dixeris vrbana, scurrilia, nec turpia, nec feceris, & flamniam cupi­ditatis extingues. Chrysostome. Hom. 17. in Ephes. 5. & Theophylact. Ib. because Vnchast, Obscene, and Amorous wordes, are but so many vehiculaes, to carrie m [...]n on to Adulterous, and Sinfull deedes, both which, all Christians must abominate.

For the Maior; that the Stile, and subiect Matter of most Comicae fabulae de stupris virginum loquuntur & am [...]ribus meretricum. Lactan­tius, De Vero Cultu. cap. 20. Comicall, and Theatricall Enterludes, is Amorous, and Obscene; it is as euident, as the Morning Sunne: First, by the expresse, and punctuall testimonie of sundry [Page 66] Fathers. Read but Bibliotheca Patrum. Co­loniae Agrip. 1616. Tom. 2. pag. 180.181. Tatianus Oratio. Aduersus Graecos. Ib. pag. 170. G. H. Theophylus Antiochenus Contra Autolicum. lib. 3. Cle­mens Romanus Constit. Apostolorum. lib. 2. cap. 65.66. Clemens Alexandrinus Oratio. Exhort. ad Gentes. fol. 8.9. Paedag. lib. 2. cap. 6.7. & Quod enim turpe factum non ostenditur in Theatris? quod autem verbum impu­dens non pro­ferunt qui ri­sum mouent scurr [...] & histriones? Ib. lib. 3. cap. 11. Tertullian De Spectac. cap. 10.17. to 28. Apologia aduersus Gentes. cap. 38. De Pudicitia. cap. 7. Minucius Felix Octauius. pag. 101. Philo Iudaeus De Agricultura. lib. pag. 271. De vita Mosis. pag. 932. De vita Contemplatiua. lib. pag. 1209. Cy­prian Sed ad scenae inuerecundos ad sales iam transitum fa­ciam; pudet referre quae di­cuntur, pudet etiam accu­sare quae fiunt. Agentium strophas, a [...]ul­terorum falla­cias, mulie­rum impudi­citias, scurri­les ioc [...]s, pari­sitos sordidos, ipso [...] quoque patres familias regale [...], modo stupido [...], modo obscaenos, modo stotidos, certis nominibus iuuerem. Ib. De Spectac. lib. & Epist. lib. 2. Ep. 2. Donato. Origen in Rom. 11. lib. 8. Tom. 3. pag. 203. Arnobius aduers-Gentes. lib. 3. pag. 114. lib. 4. pag. 149.150. lib. 5. pag. 182. & lib. 7. pag. 230. to 241. Lactantius De vero Cultu. cap. 20. Diuinarum Institutionum Quin scena? num sanctior? in qua Comoedia de stupris & amoribus; Tra [...]adia de incest [...] & parricidiis, fabulatur. Ib. Epit. cap. 6. Basilius Magnus Hexaemeron. Hom. 4. De Legendis libris Gentilium Oratio. & Ascetica. Tom. 2. pag. 180.181. Gregorie N [...]zianzen Oratio. 48. pag. 796.797. ad Seleuchum De recta Educatione Epist. pag. 1063.1064. Gregorie Nyssen. Vitae Moseos Enar­ratio. pag. 525. Ambrose De Paenitentia. lib. 2. cap. 6. & Enarratio in Plasm. 118. Octon. 5. Cyrillus Hierusolomitanus Catechesis Mystagogica. 1. Hilarie Enarratio in Psal. 14. & in Psal. 118. He. Hierom Comment. in Ezech. lib. 6. cap. 20. Tom. 4. pag. 389. H. & Epist. 2. cap. 6. Chrysostome Hom. 3. De Dauide & Saul. Hom. in Psal. 140. Hom. 6.7. Cuncta enim simpliciter quae ibi fiunt turpissi­m [...] sunt: verba, vestitus, tonsura, incessus, voces, cantus, modulationes, oculorum euersiones, motus, tibiae, fistulae, & ipsa fabularum argumenta, omnia (inquam) turpi lasciu [...] plena sunt: quae aures mentis solent magis quam quauis sordes obst [...]uere: vel potiu [...] non obstruunt tantum, sed etiam impurum faciunt, & immundum. Chrys Ib. & 38. in Mat. Hom. 62. in Acta. Apost. Hom. 12. in 1 Cor. Hom. 17. in Ephes. 5. & Hom. 62. ad Pop. Antiochiae. Au­gustine De Ciuit. Dei. lib. 1. cap. 32.33. lib. 2. cap. 4. to 15. cap. 26.29. De Consensu. Euangel. l. 1. cap. 33. Confessionum. lib. 3. cap. 1.2. Prosper Aquitanicus De Gloria Sanctorum Peroratio. pag. 73. Orosius Historiae. lib. 3. cap. 4. Isiodor Hi­spalensis. Etimolog. lib. 18. cap. 41.42. Saluian De Gubernat. [Page 67] Dei. Solae Thea­trorum impu­ritates tales sunt quae ho­neste non pos­sunt vel accu­sari. Ib. p. 186. lib. 6. & 7. Bernard Oratio ad Milites Templ [...]. cap. 4. Bibliotheca Patrum. Tom. 15. p. 348.463. D. 466. C. Ioannes Salisburiensis De Nugis Curialium. lib. 1. cap. 8. & lib. 8. cap. 6.7. Cassiodorus Variarum. lib. 1. cap. 27. & lib. 7. cap. 10. To whom I may adde, Conci­lium Parisiense sub Ludouico & Lothario. lib. 1. cap. 38. Concilium Agathense. Canon. 39. Synodus Turonica. 3. Canon. 7.8. Synodus Cabilonensis. 2. Canon. 9. Synodus Moguntina sub Rabano. Canon. 13. Concilium Coloniense. Anno. 1536. pars. 2. cap. 25. pars. 9. cap. 10. Concilium. Coloniense sub Adolpho. Anno. 1549. & Gratian. Distinctio. 33.48.86. Peruse, I say, these seuerall Fathers, and Coun­cels; (whose words, if I should at large transcribe them, would amount vnto an ample volume:) and you shall finde them all concurre in this: Comoedia & Tragadiae in­cestis gloria [...] ­tur, quas vos libenter legitis & auditis. Minucius Felix Octa. pag. 101. that Stage-Playes are wholly composed of, or at leastwise fraught with Ribaldrie, Scurrilitie; Vnchast, and Amorous streines, and passages: Obscene, and filthie Iests, which inquinate the Mindes, cor­rupt the Manners, and defile the Soules of men, Nonne erg [...] fugies sedilia hostium Chri­sti; illam ca­thedram pesti­lentiariam, ip­sumque aerem quae desuper in­cuba [...] scelestis vocibus con­stupratum. Tertul. De Spectac. c 27. yea pollute the very places, and common ayre, where they are but acted: Whence they all condemne, these Theatricall Enterludes, as vnseemely, pernicious, abominable, and vtterly vnlawfull vnto Christians: as exceeding odious, and displeasing vnto God; stiling them, Ludi scaenici spectacula turpitudinum, & Licentia vanitatum: per [...]etuus morbus animarum; malae cupiditatis inductio, adulteri [...] meditatio, tur [...]itudinis exhortatio. August. De Ciu. Dei. l. 1. c. 32. l [...] 2. c. 8.9. Orosius Hist. l. 3 c. 4. Chrys. Hom. 62. ad Pop. Antiochiae & Hom. 42. in Act. the very sinckes of all vncleanenesse, the Lectures of Obscenitie, the Meditations of Adultery, the examples of dishonestie, the exhortations, and instructions of [...]ilthinesse, and the like: and Play-houses, Sacrarium Veneris: Templum & Ecclesia Diaboli: Arx omnium turpitudinum: Consistorium impudicitiae: Cathedra Pest [...]lenti­aria: sedilia hostium Christi. Tertul De Spectac. c. 10.17.2 [...]. Cathe [...]ra Pesti [...]entiarum. Clem. Alex [...] Paedag. l. 3. c. 11. Pudoris pu [...]lici [...]upa [...]arium, & obscaeni [...]atis magisterium. Cypr. De Spectac l [...]b. Communis & publica offic [...]a sce [...]erum. Basil. Hexaem. Hom. 4. Fornicationis g [...]mnasium; [...]ntemperantiae Schola. Chrys Hom. 62. ad. Pop. An [...]io [...]hiae & Hom. 42. in Act. Lasciua faeditatis & impuritatis omnis officina. Nazianz ad Selu­chum de Recta educatione. p. 1063. Loca & habitacula turpitudinum. Salu. De Gub. Dei l. 6. p. 198. Cauiae iurpitudinum. August. De Cons [...]nsu Euang. l. 1. c. 33. Anima­rum labes & pestis: probitatis & honestatis e [...]ersio. August De Ciu. Dei l. 1. c 33. Vere fugalia, sed pudoris & honestatis. Ib. lib. 2. cap. 6. See Act. 6. Scene. 1, 2, 3. the Temples [Page 68] of Venery; the St [...]wes of Modestie, the Schooles of Ribaldry, and Obscenitie: the Dennes of filthinesse: the Chaires of Pestilence, and corruption: the Seates, the Places, and Man­sions of all filthinesses, and vnchastitie: and the common, and publike Shops of all wickednesses, and defilements whatsoeuer. 2 Adde wee to these in the second place, the expresse, and punctuall Testimonies of Pagan Authours, whom none dares taxe of Puritanisme, or precisenesse in this point. Suruay but Zenophon in his Conuiuium. Plato De Republ. lib. 8. & 10. Legu [...] Dialogus. 7. Aristotle Politicorum. lib. 7. cap. 17. Diogenes Laertius. lib. 2. Socrates. Isocrates Oratio ad Nicoclem; & Oratio De Pace. Tullie Quoted by Augustine. De Ciuitate D [...]i. lib. 2. cap. 9. De Re­publica. lib. 4. Tus [...]. Quaest. lib. 1. & 2. De Legibus. lib. 7. Ad Marium. Epist. 1. Seneca. Epist. 7.90. & 123. Plutarch De Audiendis Poetis. lib. De Gloria Atheni [...]nsium. lib. Symposiarum. lib. 7. Quaest. 8. Liuie Romane Hist. lib. 7. cap. 2.3. Dionysius. Hallicar. Rom. Antiq. lib. 2. Sect. 3. lib. 7. Sect. 9. Valerius Maximus. lib. 2. cap. 4. Cornelius Tacitus. Annal. lib. 14. Sect. 2.3. Lampridii Heliogobalus. Plinie. Epist. lib. 4. Epist. 20. Ouid De Arte Amandi. lib. 1. Tristium. lib. 2. & Fastorum. lib. 3. pag. 55. Horace De Arte Poetica. Epist. lib. 2. Epist. 1. Iuuenal Satyr. 6.8.9. yea, Plautus himselfe, (as obscene as he is) Captiuei Pro­logus. pag. 105. You shall finde all these See Ludou. Vi [...]es. De Caus. Corrupt. Artium. lib 2. Inde ioci ve­teres, obscae­naque verba canuntur: Ne [...] res h [...]c Veneri gra­tior vlla fuit. Ouid. Fasto­rum. lib. 3. pag. 55. acknowledging, yea, condemning the Amorousnesse, Scurrilitie, and lewdnesse of Stage-Playes, as I shall prooue See Act. 7. Scene. 6. anon. If any now reply, that the Playes of our age are defecat [...]d from these grosse Obscenities, and purged from all Ribal­drious, Amorous, Vnchast, and filthie passages: Let him then consider in the third place; that many Moderne Authors of all sorts, doe not onely indite our popular Enterludes of the self [...]-same crimes, but likewise passe a fatall, and finall sentence of condemnation on them, for 3 this very cause: Cast but your eyes on learned, and la­borious Gualther. Hom. 11. in Nahum. 3. pag. 214.215 [...] on Petrarch. De Remedio vtr. Fortunae. lib. 1. Dial. 30. on Bodinus De Republica. lib. 6. cap. 1. on Polydor Virgil De [Page 69] Inuentoribus Rerum. lib. 1. cap. 11. on Alexander Sardis De Inuent. Rerum. lib. 1. pag. 43.44. on Ludo [...]. Vines, De Caus [...] Corrupt. Arti [...]m. lib. 2. on Iohannis Mariana, & Barnabas Bristochius, in th [...]ir bookes De Spectaculis [...] on Doctor Rei­nolds his Ouerthrow of Stage-Playes. on Master Northbrookes Treatise against vaine Playes, and Enterl [...]des. pag. 57 [...] to [...] 77. on Master Gossons Confutation of Playes. Act. 4.5 [...] on Master Stubs his Anatomy of Ab [...]ses. Edit. 3. pag. 101. to [...] 107. o [...] I. G. in his Refutation of Haywoods Apologie for Actors. on Master Iohn Brinslies True watch. part. 1. Abomination. 19. pag. 227.228. on Bishop Babington. Master Perkins, Master Dod, and Master Elton, on the 7. Commandement. on Doctor Laytons Spec [...]lum belli sacri. cap. 45. on The Co [...]e [...]ant be­tweene God, and Man, by I. P. London. 1616. pag. 382, 383. on Master Iohn Downhams Guide to Godlinesse. lib. 3. cap. 21. Sect. 5. on Master Robert Bolton, in hi [...] Discourse of True Happinesse. pag. 73.74. You shall see our Moderne Stage-Playes, euen copiously Anatomized, yea, condemned by them: as being fully fraught, and wholly composed, of Ribal­drie, Obscenitie, Lasciuiousnesse, Vnch [...]st, and lustf [...]ll parts, and passages, which misbeseeme all modest eyes to see, all Chri­stian eares to heare, or tongues to vtter: Whence they stile all Playes, Vitiorum semina s [...]nt, s [...]lerum pa­bula, mortis iter. Ioannes Salisburiensis. De Nugis C [...] ­rialium. P [...]oce. See Master Bolton Di­scourse of True Happi­nesse. p 73 [...]74. the grand empoyso [...]ers of Grace, Iugemio [...]esse, and all manly resolution: the Lectures of obscenitie, the Seedes of vices, the Foode of wickednesse, yea the Plagues, and Poy­son of mens Soules, and Manners: Theatra rectè defini [...]e poss [...]mus [...] tur­pitudinis viti­orum que om­nium sentinam ac scholam. Bodinus De Republi [...]a. lib. 6. cap. 1. S [...]e Gualther Hom. 1. in [...] Nahum. 3. Accordingly. and Theaters, the Ora­tories of the Deuill [...] the Synagogues of Satan; the Schooles of lewdnesse; and the very [...]inckes of filthinesse, and all other vices [...] which Christians should abhorre, yea feare, and flie, as much, nay more then any Pest-house: as these their writings, will at large demonstrate. If then these seue­rall Fathers, Councells, Pagan Authours, and Moderne CHRISTIAN writers, (with sundry others, which I shall receit hereafter in their proper places:) con­clude the very Structure, Stile, and Subiect Matter of popular Stage-Playes, to bee Amorous, Scurrilous, and Obscene; and thereupon passe this Iudgement on them: [Page 70] Talia sunt quae illic tiunt, vt ea non so­lum dicere, sed etiam recor­dari aliquis sine pollutione non possit: In Theatris, & concupiscentiis animus, & au­ditu aures, & aspectu oculi polluuntur. Quae quidem omnia tam fla­gitiosa sunt, vt etiam expli­care ea quispi­am aut eloqui saluo pudore non valeat. Sal. De Gub. Dei. l 6. p. 186, 187. Mel meum, lu­men meum, meum deside­rium, omnes delicias & le­pores, & visis dignas vrbae­nitates, & cae­teras ineptias amatorum, in comoediis eru­bescimus, in saeculi hominibus detestamur: quanto magis in clericis, & in sanctis viris. Hierom. Epist. 2. cap. 6. that they are altogether vnfit for Chast, vnlawfull for Chri­stian, vnseemely for Gracious, or modest Eares to heare, or Lips to vtter: I hope that none will bee so obstinately incre­dulous, as not to beleeue them in the one: or so de­sperately impious, as not to giue sentence with them; not to conforme their practise to them, in the other. But if all these seuerall Testimonies are not sufficient to conuince the most incredulous Play-haunters of the ob­scenities of Stage-Playes; I appeale for finall proofe of my Assumption vnto euery mans experience. Not to re­cord those seuerall prophane, and grosse Scurrilitas atque Lasciuia te praesente non habeant lo­cum. Nunquam verbum inhonestum audias: aut, si audieris, ne inesceris. Hierom. Epist. 8. cap. 6. Obscenities, those Amorous streines, Lasciuious passages, and vnsauourie Iests, which are scattered in Aristophanes, Terrence, Plau­tus, Catullus, Tibullus, Propertius, In his Amorum: De Arte Amandi: Pulex, &c. Ouid, and other ancient Comedians, and wanton Poets; which euery Chast, and Gracious Christian must condemne: I shall confine my selfe vnto the Comedies, and popular Enterludes of our present Age, Ego am­plius dico: non solum agi nunc illas ludicrorum infamium labes quae prius acta sunt; sed criminosius multo agi quam prius actae sunt. Saluian. De Gub. Dei. lib. 6. pag. 201. which farre exceede them in all these. Alas, what are the Maior part of all our Moderne Stage-Playes, but so many Lectures of Ribaldry; so many Abstracts, Compendiums, or Miscellaines of sublimated, Elegant, Wittie, or more Accurate, and choyce Obscenities? which Vocis dulcedines per aurem animam vulnerant; quae quanto licentius adeunt, tanto difficilius euitantur. Hierom. Epist. 12. cap. 3. the more refined, and accute they are, the more doe they empoyson, endanger, and depraue the Auditors: Doe not the ordinary Theames, and Subiects of our Mo­derne Comedies, being nothing else but the Adulteries, Fornications, Rapes, Loue-passions, Meritricious, Vn­chast, and Amorous practises, of Lasciuious Wicked men, See Cyprian. Epist. lib. 2. Epist. 2. August. De Ciuit. Dei. lib. 2. cap. 4. to 15 26, 27, 28, 29. Arnobius Aduers. Gentes. lib. 7. Accordingly. See here Scene. 3. or Heathen Idole-gods; Ephes. 3.3, 4. which should not be so [Page 71] much as named, (much lesse then acted) among Christians? doe not those Of which see Act. 5. Wanton, Whorish, lustfull Parts; those Ribaldrous Songs, and filthie Ditties: those Meretricious, and Vnchast Attires, Lookes, and Gestures: those Amorous, and lustfull Complements, Kissings, Clippings, and Embrace­ments: those liuely, if not reall representations, or ocu­lar demonstrations of the very acts of Whoredome, and Adulterie, which are vsually represented to vs on the Theater: together with all those Obscene, and filthie Iests; those Scurrilous, and beastly passages, those quaint, Subtile, Rhetoricall, and Flexanimous streines of con­templatiue, Elegant, and wittie Obscenities, with which our Playes are fraught, and enterlaced: 2 Pet. 2.7, 8. Ezech 9.4. Psalm. 119.136.158. See Chrysost. Hom 38. in Matth. Cyprian De Spectaculis. lib. Saluian. lib. 6. De Guber. Dei. Nonnullae pru­dentiores, (speaking of Pagans,) auer­tebant faciem ab impuris mo­tibus foenico­rum, & ar­tem flagitii videre erube­scentes, furti­ua intentione discebant. August. De Ciu Dei. lib. 2. cap. 26. And should not Christians much more blush to see them? the very sight, and hearing of which, should cause all modest Eyes to Blush, and Weepe; all Christian Eares, to Glow, and Tingle; all Chast, and Gracious Hearts, to Mourne, and Bleede:) doe not all these (I say) proclaime and testifie to the world; that the Stile, and subiect Matter; yea, the very Action, Circumstances, and Appendices of our popular Stage-Playes, are Scurrilous, and Obscene? what need we then any further witnesses? Doubtlesse, the Obscenitie of our Playes is such, that if the very Stones, and Pillars, which support the Play-house; if the Seates, and Scaffoldes, which adorne it: or the very Theater, and Stage it selfe, had Tongues to speake; they would presently exclaime against it, and reprooue it. And dares any Christian then, be so audaciously absurde, as to gaine-say it? so wil-fully blinde, as not to see it? so desperately prophane, as not to loathe it? when as his owne experience must acknow­ledge, and his very Coscience doeth, yea cannot, but con­demne it? Since then the very Stile, and subiect Matter of our Playes are such; this must, this cannot but enforce vs to reiect them, as pernicious, vnseemely, yea, vtterly vnlawfull vnto Christians; yea, as Si proferas verbum spur­cum, & Chri­stiano ore in­dignum, non hominem con­tristasti sed Spiritum Dei, à quo beneficium accepisti; à quo sanctificatum est os tuum. Non pudet igitur nos illum contristare? Signatum est os tuum a Spiritu, vt nihil indignum ipso loquaris: ne dissoluas igitur sigillum. Theophylact. in Ephes. 4.30. grieuous, and offen­siue [Page 72] to Gods blessed Spirit, who hath Sanctified, and Sealed vp our Mouthes, and Eares from all Scurrilitie: as all the fore-recited Fathers, and Christian Authors haue already done, vpon the selfe-same grounds.

SCENA SECVNDA.

SEcondly, as the Stile, and subiect Matter of Stage-Playes is Scurrilous, and Obscene, so likewise it is Bloody, and Tyrannicall; breathing out Malice, See Seneca. He [...]ul. Furens. & Medea. Fury, Anger, Murther, Crueltie, Tyrannie, Treacherie, Archil [...]c [...]um proprio rabies [...]rmauit [...]ambo [...] Hor. De Arte Po [...]t lib. Fren­sie, Treason, and Reuenge, (the constant Theames, and chiefe Ingredients, of all our Tragedies,) which See Act. 6. Scene. 10. Argument. 6. The Stile, and subiect Matter of Stage Plaies is Bloody, and Tyrannicall: Therefore [...]uil and vnlawfull vnto Christians Effe­rate, and enrage the Hearts, [...]nd Mindes, of Actors, and Spectators; yea, oft times animate, and excite them to An­ger, Malice, Duels, Murthers, Reuenge, and more then Barbarous crueltie, to the gre [...]t disturbance of the publike Peace. From whence I frame this sixt Argument.

The Minor is euident: First, by Experience: Second­ly, by Chrys [...] Hom 38. in Matth. Lact. l. 6 c. 20. Cypr. & Tert. De Spectac. Polyd. Virg. De Inuent. R [...]rum l. 1. c. 10. Mr. Northbrookes Treatise a­gainst vaine Playes, and Ente [...]ludes. f. 30.37. Mr. Stubs Anat [...]mie of Abus [...]s. p. 10 [...], 105, 107 Mr. Gossons Play [...]s Confuted. Act. 4, 5. Seneca. Epist 7. Read Sophocl [...]s, Euripides, and Seneca his Tragedies, with all our Moderne Tragedies, which confirme it. expresse Authorities; both which doe testifie: [Page 73] that the Stile, and subiect Matter of our Tragedies are Bloody, and Tyrannicall; abounding with Enuie, Malice, Furie, Clamours, Wrath, Crueltie, Treacherie, Frensie, Murthers, Treasons, Villany, Vnplacablenesse, Discordes, Mutinies, Re­bellions, Conspiracies, Rapes, Duells, and Reuenge, which prouoke, and whet on the Spectators to all these Barbarous, and inhumane Vices, which they should abhorre.

The Maior is vncontrouleable: First, because the Scriptures doe expresly enioyne vs: Ephes. 4.26 [...] 27.31. Genes. 4.5, 6. Cap. 49.6.7. Iames 3.14, 15, 16. Psalm. 71.4. Psalm. 55.9, 10. Psalm. 86.14. Psalm. 140.11. Psalm. 27.12. Psalm. 74.20. Prou. 11 17. Cap. 12.10. Cap. 27.4. Actes 8.3. Rom. 1.29, 30, 31. 2 Tim. 3 2.3.4. to put away all Malice, Anger, Wrath, Contention, Sedition, Strife, Cruelty, Violence, Rapine, and Reuenge; together with all Ephes. 4.31. Psalm. 27.12. Actes 9.1. Psalm. 52.4. Psalm. 55.21. Psalm. 64.3. Prou. 12.6. Cap. 15.1. Rom. 1.29, 30, 31. Galat. 5.15. Rom. 3.14. Colos. 3.8. Cap. 4.6. Tru­culent, Clamorous, Furious, Irefull, Tragicall, Bloody, Fierce, Malicious, and reuengefull speaches: and that for sundry reasons: First, because such words, and actions as these, I [...]mes 3.6.14, 15, 16, 17. Galat 5.20, 21. Rom. 1.29, 30, 31. are Earthly, Carnall, Diuelish; proceeding from the World, the Flesh, and the Deuill, (who are fraught Gen. 49.6.7. 1 Peter 5.8. Prou. 12.10. with Rage, and Crueltie:) not from the wisedome of God from aboue, which is Pure, Peaceable, Gentle, easie to be intreated, full of Mercy, and good Fruites: Secondly, because such speaches as these, Prou. 15.1. Equus est vociferatio, ascensor autem ira, impedi equum, & subuertisti as [...]ensorem. Theophylact Enar. in Ephes. 4.31. are the Fomenters of Contention, yea, the Chariots of Anger, Crueltie, and Reuenge: Thirdly, because such Tragicall, Fell, and Bloody discourses as these, are altogether vnsuitable vnto Christians; who are, or should bee, Ephes. 4 31, 32, 33. Marke 9.50. 1 Cor. 14.33. 2 Cor. 13.11, 12. Ephes. 6.23. Galat. 6.1. Phil. 4.7. Col. 3.12, 13, 14, 15. Men of a Quiet, Peaceable, Gentle, Meeke, and tender-hearted Disposition, being Kinde, and Louing one towards another, and forgiuing one another, euen as God for Christs sake, hath forgiuen them. The God of Christians, Rom. 15.33. Cap. 16.20. 2 Cor. 13.11. Phil. 4.9. 1 Thes. 5.23. 2 Thes. 3.16. Heb. 13.20. is a God of Peace: the Head of Christians, Isay 9.6. Heb. 7.2. is a Prince of Peace: the Guide of Christians, Ephes. 4.3 is a Spirit of Peace, and Vnitie: the Rule of Christians, is a Eph. 6.15. Word, a Gospel of Peace, Luke 10.5. Cap. 19.42. Act. 20.36. which bringeth, and pro­claimeth Peace to all, Rom. 12.18 Heb. 12.14. 1 Pet. 3.11. and perswadeth Peace with all Men: [Page 74] the way of Christians, Luke 1.79. Rom. 3.17. is a way of Peace; yea, their 1 Cor. 7.15. Vocation, 2 Cor. 13.11. 2 Tim 2.22. 1 Tim. 2.2. Life, Psal. 37.37. 2 Pet. 3.14. and End, are Peace: therefore all Irefull, Truculent, [...]ierce, and Tragicke Spectacles, or Poemes, which breathe out nothing but Crueltie, Blood, Vnmercifulnesse, Discorde, Vnplacablenesse, and Reuenge, must needes bee vnseemely, and vnlawfull to them; as being opposite, and Repugna [...]t to their Peace­able, Meeke, and Courteous constitution. Secondly, such Barbarous, Bloody, Tyrannicall, Fierce, and Cruell Spe­ctacles, and Enterludes as these, where Tyrannie, Enuy, Malice, Murther, Furie, and Reuenge, are Acted, and Applauded to the Life, Luxuriosior redeo, immo vero crude­lior & in hu­manior, quiae inter homines in Spectaculis fui. Seneca. Epist. 7. vid. Ib. must needes Inrage, Imbitter, Exasperate the Spectators, and prouoke them to Crueltie, Passion, Rage, Reuenge, and Discontent, vpon very small occasion, as I shall prooue at large Act. 6. Scene. 10. anon: therefore they must needes bee Euill. Vpon this very ground, Aduers. Hae­reses lib 1. cap. 1. pag. 23. Irenaeus, De Specta­culis. lib. Tertullian, Epist. lib. 2. Epist. 2. Cyprian, Pro Christi­anis Lagatio. Bibl. Patrum. Tom. 2. p. 139. Athenagoras, Contr. Au­tolicum. lib. 3. Ib. pag 170. G. H. Theophylus Antiochenus [...] O [...]atio. Contra. Grae­cos. Ib. pag. 180. C. D. Tatianus, De Vero Cult. cap. 20. Diuinarum Instit. Epit cap 6. Lactantius, Oratio. 48. & De Recta Educatione ad Selcucum. pag. 1063, 1064 Nazianzen, Compend. De Doctr. & Fide Eccles. Catholic. pag. 922. Epiphanius, Hom. 38. in Matth. & Hom. 12. in Roman [...]s. Chrysostome, De Ciuitat. Dei. lib 2. cap. 25. lib. 4. cap. 5. Au­gustine, Octa [...]ius. pag. [...]23, 124. Minucius Felix, De Gubernat. Dei. lib. 6. Saluian; together with all the Christians in the Primitiue Church, as these record, did vt­terly condemne, and auoyde all Sword-Playes, Tragoedies, and bloody Spectacles of crueltie; as Fightings, and Combates of Men, with Men, or Men, and Beasts together, (which the Plutarch. Laconica Instituta. Lacedemonians, together with De Republica. lib. 8. Plato, and Epist. 7. Sene­ca, though Pagans, did likewise censure, and reiect:) because See Ioannes Mariana De Specta [...]ulis. lib. Lipsius De Gladiatoribus, Agrippa De Vanitate Scientiarum. cap. 13. Peter Mar [...]yr Locorum Commun [...] Classis. 4. cap. 18, Sect. 2, 3, 4. they did excite, and stirre men vp to Murther, Crueltie, and Reuenge; and make them guilty of the Wounds, and Blood of all those Combatants, and Sword-Players, which they did behold. And hence likewise was it, that the good [Page 75] Emperour Eusebius De Vita Con­stantini. lib. 4. cap. 1. Zozeman. Historiae. Eccles. lib. 1. cap. 8. Nicephorus Calist. Eccles. Hist. lib. 7. cap. 46. Eutropius Rerum. Rom Hist. lib. 11. pag. 142. Constantine; together with Zonaras Annal. Tom. 2. Im­perium Neruae. fol. 101. Col. A. Nerua, Eutropius R [...]rum. Rom lib. 13. Arcadius & Honorius. pag. 174. See Doctor Hackwells Apologie. lib. 4. cap. 4. Sect. 9. cap. 10.11. Arcadius, and Honorius; prohibited all Sword-Playes, Duels, and such like Cruell, and Bloody Spectacles; as mis­beseeming Christian hands to act, or eyes to see; because they were but so many Incendiaries, and Fomentors of Crueltie, Quarrells, Murthers, and Reuenge. Since there­fore the Stile, and subiect Ma [...]ter of our Playes, together with the consequences of them, are such as these, wee must, wee cannot but reiect them, on the fore-said rea­sons, as those fore-quoted Authors haue already done.

SCENA TERTIA.

THirdly, the Stile, and subiect Matter of most po­pular Stage-Playes, is Heathenish, and Prophane, consisting of the Exprimunt impudicam Venerem, a­dulterum Martem, lo­uem illum suum, non magis regno quam vitiis prin [...]ipem, in terr [...]nos a­mores cum ipsis suis ful­minibus arden­tem, &c. Cyprian. Epist. lib. 2. Epist. 2. The Stile, and Subiect Matter of Stage-Playes, is Heathenish, and Prophane: therefore vnlawfull. Actes, the Rites, the Ceremonies, Names, and Persons; yea, the very Rapes, Adulteries, Mur­thers, Thefts, Deceites, Lasciuiousnesse, and other exc [...]rable Villanies of Dung-hill, Idole, Pagan-gods, and Goddesses, or wicked men which should be buried in euerlasting obliui­on lest the memorie, and reuiuall of them should defile the light: From whence I raise this seauenth Argument.

For the Minor; not onely our owne Experientia mortalium Index. Pin­darus. Ode. 4. pag. 39. Quam mul­ta homines experientia docet. Sopho­cles Aiax Fla­gellatus. Num. 1465. pag. 103. experience, which is a thousand Witnesses, and the truest Index; but euen sundry Fathers, and Moderne Authors: as Cle­mens Alexandrinus Oratio Exhort. ad Gentes. Clemens Ro­manus Constit. Aposto. lib. 2. cap. 65.66. Tatianus Oratio Aduers. Graecos. Theophylus Antiochenus Contr. Autoli­cum. lib. 3. Tertullian De Spectac. lib. Cyprian De Spectac. lib. & Epist. lib. 2. Epist. 2. Arnobius Aduers. Gent. lib. 3.4. & 7. pag. 230. to 242. Lactantius De Vero Cultu. cap. 20. Diuinarum Instit. Epit. cap. 6. Basil De Legendis libris Gentilium Oratio. Nazianzen Ad Seleuchum. Eusebius De Praeparatione Euangelii. lib. 4. Theodoret De Sacrificiis. lib. 7. Chrysostome Hom. 6, 7. & 38. in Matth. Augustine De Ciuit. Dei. lib. 1. cap. 31, 32. lib. 2. cap. 4. to 29. Sal­uian De Gubernat. Dei. lib. 6. Minucius Felix Octauius. together with Doctor Reinolds, Master Northbrooke, Mr. Gosson, Iohn Mariana, in their Bookes against Stage-Playes: Ludouicus Viues De Causis Corruptionis Artium. lib. 2. & Comment. in lib. 2. Augustini De Ciuitate Dei. Master Stubs in his Anatomie of Abuses: with sundry others, doe expressely testifie: O impieta­tem! scenam coelum fecistis, & Deus vobis factus est actus: & quod sanctum est, Daemoniorum personis ludi­ficati estis, ve­rum Dei cul­tum ac reli­gionem, D [...] ­monum super­stitione, libi­dinose, & ob­scaene inquinantes. Canunt Furtiuum pulchrae Venerisque & Martis amorem, &c. Clemens Alexand. Oratio. Exhortat [...] ad Gentes. fol. 8. E. F. See Augustine De Ciu. Dei. lib. 2. cap. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 [...]26. that Stage-Playes are fraught with the Genealogies, Ceremonies, Images, Reliques, Imprecati­ons, [Page 77] Inuocations, Names, Adulteries, Whoredomes, Incests, Rapes, Loue-prankes, Furies, Lusts, Lasciuiousnesse, Thefts, Murthers, Cheates, Persons parts, Histories, and abominable Villanies of Heathen Idole-gods: and for this very cause, they vtterly condemne them, as sinfull, and pernicious: And so much the rather: Immundissi­mi Spiritus, mal [...]gnissimi & fallacissi [...]i Damones, vs (que) adeo aut veris, aut fictis, etiam suis tamen cri­mini [...]us dele­ctantur, quae si­bi celebrari per sua festa volu­erunt, vt a per­petrandis dam­nabili [...]us factis humana reuo­cari non possi [...] infirmitas, dum ad haec imitan­da velut diui­na praebetur autoritas. Aug. De Ciu. Dei. l. 4. c. 1. Sec l. 2. cap. 10.25.27. Accordingly. because these Demonicall, and In­fernall Deities, being delighted with these their true, or feined wickednesses; did purposely command them to bee Acted on their solemne Feastiualls; that so men might be encouraged to imitate them, and to proceede, yea perseuere without redresse, in these their Adulterous, Inhumane, and Infernall Vices, which were Countenanced, Authorized, yea Legitimated, and commended by their practicall, and Diuine examples. All Times, all Ages, yea all Ancient, and Moderne Stage-Playes, and Experience, Subscribe, and Suffragate with these our Authors to our Minor: therefore we must, we cannot but acknowledge it.

For the Maior, it is cleerely euident by its owne light, and by the luster of the Scripture. For first of all; God himselfe, enioynes his People: Exod. 23.13. Iosh. 23.7. not to make mention of the names of other Gods, not to let them be heard out of their mouthes, Deut 12.3. Iudges 2.2. but to ouerthrow their Altars, breake their Pillars, burne their Groues, hew downe their grauen Images, and to destroy their very Names out of their places: Whence Dauid doeth solemnely professe: [...]sal. 16.4. that hee will not offer the drinke Offerings of Idole-gods, nor yet take vp their names within their lippes. The very names of Pagan-gods are so odious, and displeasing vnto God, so vnsuiteable vnto Christian mouthes, and eares; that God himselfe protesteth; Zech. 13 2. he will cut off the name [...]d of Ioles out of the Land, and they shall be no more remembred: yea, Hosea 2.17. that he will take away the names of Baalim out of his peoples mouth, and they shall bee no more remembred by their name. Hence was it, Ad mortem vsque conten­dunt Christiani ne Iouem De­um appellent: neue hunc ip­sum alia li [...] ­gua denomi­nent. Christi­ani ea sunt erga Deum reuerentia & pi [...]tate, vt nil prorsus nominum quae poetarum fictionibus compraehenduntur rerum omnium conditori accommodent [...] Origen Contr. Celsum. lib. 1. Tom. 4. fol. 5. [...]. that the Christians in the Primitiue Church, [Page 78] would rather die, then call Ioue a God; as hee is oft times stiled in our Stage-Playes: (and truely they Etiam ne habet hic ali­quid numinis cuius plura munerantur Adulteria quam partus? Viderimus an maeximus, certe optimus non est. Lactan [...]i [...]s De Falsa Relig lib. 1. cap. 16. & 10. Ath [...] ­nasius Contra Gentil [...] lib. had little reason for to deeme him a God, whose Adulteries did exceede his issues in their number:) Yea, such was their reuerence, and Pietie towards God, that they would not so much as apply any Poeticall names vnto him; as we Christians to our shame, and his dishonour, oft times doe: Christians haue beene alwayes coy, and charie of the very naming of Heathen Idoles, vnlesse it were with detestation, and dislike. Absit vt de [...]re Christiano sonet, Iupiter omnipotens, & me Her­cule, me Ca­stor, & caete­ra magis por­tenta quam numina. Epist. 146. Damaso Tom. 3. pag. 408. God forbid (saith Saint Hierome) that omnipotent Ioue, O my Hercules, my Castor, or other such monsters rather then Gods, should euer [...]ound out of a Christian mouth. Christianus fidelis non car­men ethnicum, neque canti­lenam meri­triciam canere debet, quoni­am continget eum in cantione Daemoniacorum nominum idolorum mentionem facere, & in locum Spiritus Sancti inuadet in eum Spiritus malu [...]. Constitut. Apostol. lib. 5. cap. 10. A faithfull Christian, writes Clement of Rome; ought not to sing any Heathen verse, or Meretricious song; because hee may chance in singing to make mention of the names of Diuelish Idoles; and so insteed of the holy Ghost, the euill Spirit may seise vpon him. De Lege [...]dis Libris Gentilium-Oratio. Saint Basil, and Ad Seleucum De Recta Educatione. pag. 1063. Nazianzen, per­suade, and aduise all Christians; Haec omnia tanquam malorum geniorum Doctri­nas, tum risu, tum lachrymis dignas, imo tanquam laqueos & decipula [...] auersaere. Ib. to auoide all Heathen Poemes, and Writings, which treate of Heathen Gods; rela­ting either their Genealogies, Histories, Adulteries, Loues, or Rapes; as being the Doctrine of Deuills, or so many Traps, and Snares, to endanger them. De Recti [...]ud. Cathol. Conuersationis Tract. Tom. 9. pars. 1. pag. 1448. Saint Augustine, inhibites Christian women, so much as to name Minerua, or any such vnluckie persons, in their Spinning, Dying, or any other worke. Epist. lib. 9. Epist. 48. Saint Gregorie the great, and Distinctio. 86. cap. Cum multa. Gratian, informe vs: that the Praises, Histories, or mention of Ioue, doe not beseeme any Godly Lay-mans mouth, much lesse a Byshops: whence they blame Desiderius a Bishop of France, for teaching the Art of Grammer, in which he must discourse, both of the Names, and Praises of Heathen Gods: vpon which ground, the fourth Councell of Carthage. Canon 16. [Page 79] together with Saint Hierome Epist. 22. cap. 13. Isiodor Pelusiota. Epist. lib. 1. Epist. 63. Tertullian De Idololatria. lib. cap. 18. to 24. Isiodor Hispalensis De summo bon [...]. lib. 3. cap. 13. & Gratian Distinctio. 37. Prohibit Bishops, and other Christians from reading the Bookes of the Gentiles; Non enim thura solum [...]fferendo Dae­monibus im­molatur, sed etiam eorum dicta libenti [...] capiendo. Isiodor, & Gratian. Ib. least by Applauding the Names, and Approouing the speaches of their Idole-gods, they should incurre Idolatrie. And good reason is there, that Christians should not ad­mit of the Names, and Histories, (much lesse of the im­precations, and abominable practises,) of Heathen Gods. First, because God himselfe, with all these Fathers, doe thus inhibit them. Secondly, because the Quo diserte cauetur, ne admittant sig­menta fabu­larum de De­or [...]m connu­biis & nata­libus, & qui hinc oriuntur variis casibr [...]s. De Decalogo. lib. pag. 1037. second Com­mandement, as Philo Iudaeus well obserues; doeth not one­ly prohibit the Images, and Pictures, but euen the Histories, and Fables of the Marriages, Birthes, and casualties of Hea­then Gods. Thirdly, because the recitall of their Names, and Histories, by way of approbation, or d [...]light, doeth Origen Contr. Celsum lib. 1. fol. 5. I. Tertullian De Idololatria. lib cap. 18. to 24. giue a tacite, or secret allowance of them to be Gods: where as in trueth, they are Deut. 32.17. Psal. 106.37. 1 Cor. 10.20. August. De Ci [...]. Dei. lib. 2. cap. 3. to 29. but Deuills; Clemens Alexand. Orat: Exhort. ad Gentes. Tertullian Apologia. Arnobius Aduers. Gentes. Cyrian De Idol [...]rum Va­nitate. Lactantius De Falsa Religione cap. 4. to 23. or wicked Men; or rather as Saint Paul informes vs, 1 Cor. 10.19. Isay 41.24.29. nothing in the World. Fourthly, because Qu [...]d [...]m plus meditari delectantur Gentilium dicta propter t [...]mentem & orna­tum sermo [...]em, quam Scripturam Sanctam propter Eloquium humile. Sed quid pre­dest in mundanis Doctrinis proficere, inanescere in Diuinis: cadu [...]a sequi figmenta, & Caelestia fas [...]idire mysteria? Cauendi sunt igitur tales libri, & propter amorem sanctarum Scripturarum vitandi. Isiodor Hispalensis De Summo Bono lib 3. cap. 13. the Hearing, and Reading of such Histories, and Fables as these, which are oft times sugred, and guilded ouer with the very quintessence of Art, and Rhetoricke,) doeth alienate, and coole our loue vnto the Sacred, and Soule-sauing word of God, which runnes in a lesse Elegant, and more humble Stile. Fiftly, because the recitall, acting, and personating of their Names, their Histories, and notorious Villanies, doeth reuiue their names, and memories, which should rot, and perish in obliuion: It is the will, and pleasure of God: Prou. 10.7. Psal. 109.13. Psal. 9.5, 6. that the [Page 80] Names of the wicked should rot: Isay 26.13, 14. Exod. 23.13. Psalm. 16.4 Deutr. 12.3. Iosh. 23.7. Hosea 2.17. Zech. 13.2 Zeph. 1.4, 5. that the Memories, Re­liques, Ceremonies, Names, and Monuments of Idole-gods, should vtterly be abolished from of the Earth, and quite ex­iled from the Tongues, and Pennes of Christians; as being the originall authors, and chiefe Fomentors of Idolatrie; See August. De Ciu. Dei. lib. 2. cap. 10.25, 26, 27. lib. 4. cap. 1. the propagators of all sinne, and villany; and the very Isay 42.8. Exod. 20.23. Deutr. 12.2.30. Corriualls of God himselfe, whose Soueraigne Deiti [...] they would, yea, did vsurpe: the reuiuall therefore of their Names, and Memories, the Varnishing of them with fresh, and liuely Colours in our Stage-Playes, with af­fectation, and delight, must needes bee euill; because it thwartes the Lords good pleasure. Sixtly, because those Playes, and Poemes, which are fraught with the Gene­alogies, Names, and Histories of Heathen Gods, are a meanes to reuiue that Heathenisme, and propagate that Idolatrie, which the light, and power of the Gospel, hath long since abolished: It is the vnanimous resolution of Minuc [...]us Felix Octauns. pag. 68, 69. Iustin Martyr Oratio. 1. Pro Christianis. Clemens Alex­andr. Oratio. Exhort. ad Gentes, & Stromatum. lib. 1.2. Ter­tullian Apo­log. Aduers. Gentes. Tati­anus Oratio Aduers. Graecos Arnobius. lib. 7. Aduers. Gentes. Cyprian De Idolorum Vanitate. Lactantius De Falsa Religione, & De Origine Erroris. lib. Epiphanius Aduers. Haereses. lib. 1. Tom. 2. Haeres. 26. Athanasius Contra. Gentiles. lib. 1. Eusebius De Praeparatione Euangelij. lib. 4. cap. 5. Basil De Legendis lib [...]is Gentisium Oratio. Nazianzen Oratio. 48. Chrysostome. Hom. 3. in Roman. Augustine De Ciuit. Dei. lib. 1. & 2. Theodoret De Principijs. lib. 2. De Angelis, Dijs, ac Daemonibus Malis. lib. 3. Contra. Graecos Infideles. lib. 7. Ludoui [...]us Viues De Causis Corrupt. A [...]tium lib. 2. Agrippa De Vanitate Scientiarum. cap. 4. & Cicero De Natura Deorum. lib. 1. Accordingly. sundrie Fathers: that these Comicall, Tragicall, and Theatricall Poemes, wherein the Genealogies, Marriages, Birthes, Ceremonies, Histories, and Lasciuious actions of Heathen Gods, were but f [...]inedly, and sportingly desciphered, were the chiefe, and primary cause of that Paganisme, Pro­phanenesse, and Execrable, or Atheisticall Idolatrie, which did formerly ouerspred the World: which Poemes the Gentiles dis [...] oft times embrace, for good Diuintie. If then these Playes, and Poemes haue hatched, haue propagated Ido­latrie, and Paganisme heretofore; they may likewise resuscitate, and foment it now, vnlesse Gods grace with­hold vs from it; since wee are See pag 27. Deut. 6.12. cap. 8.11. 1 Iohn 5.21. 1 Cor. 10.7.1 [...]. all by nature prone vnto [Page 81] it, as the sundrie exhortations, and cau [...]ats to auoyde it te­stifie: See Psa. 106.13.19, 20, 21.28 35 [...] 36, 37, 3 [...] Iere. 5.23. Cap. 6.28. Cap. 3.6. to 15. Cap. 14.7. Hosea 11.7. No sinne more naturall, more pleasing, and agree­able to man then this; 1 Iohn 5.19. 1 Peter 4.3. Isay 2.8 Cap. 10.10. no sinne so generally practised, 1 Iohn 5.21. 1 Cor 10.7.14. so hardly auoyded, so ensely entert [...]ined, as this one alone; which hath alwayes captiuated, the greatest portion of the World; and oft times conquered, and bewitched the very chosen people of the Lord himselfe, who Ps 106.36.38 Isay 57.5. Ezech. 20.8.16.18.24.32.39. Hosea [...].17. Ca [...]r 13.2. Ierem. 5.23. oft reuolted to its loue, and seruice. It is dangerous, it is sinfull therefore to applaude such Playes, admit such Poemes, which may withdraw vs Christians from our God, to grosse Idola­trie, as they haue oft seduced others, as able, Iosh. 24.15. to 28. Iudg [...] 2.10, 11, 12, 13, 14. as resolute to withstand this insinuating, and bewitching sinne, as wee: these Authorities [...] these Reasons then should cause, yea, force vs to condemne them.

Secondly, the Scriptures doe expressely condemne all Imprecations, all Adiurations, all Admirations by, all Inuocations of, all Heathen Gods: God himselfe com­mands vs: Genes. 21.23. Deut. 6.13.14. Cap. 10.20. Iosh. 2.12. 1 Sam. 30.15 2 Sam. 19.7. Isay 45.23. Ierem. 4.1. Cap. 12.16. Marke 5.7. Reuel. 11.6. to sweare by his owne Name: Iosh. 23.7. Ierem. 5.7. Cap. 12.16. Amos 8.14. Zeph. 1.5 Zech. 13.2. Hosea 2 [...]17. not by the names of Idoles, Ba [...]l, or Malcham, Matth. 5.34, 35, 36. Cap. 23.16. to 23. Iames 5.12. or any creature whatsoeuer: He enioynes vs to Psalm. 50.15. Psalm. 32.6. Psalm. 56.2. Ierem. 29.7.12. Dan. 9.13. Isay 45.21, [...]2 Inuocate, Imprecate, and Admire none but himselfe alone; Isay 45.20, 21. not Pagan Idoles, not Colos. 2 18. Reuel. 19.10. Cap. 22.9. Isay 63.16. Saints, or Angels, who can neither heare, nor help [...] vs at our needes. How then can it bee lawfull, to Inuocate, or Implore the alde, or helpe of Ioue, of Iuno, Apollo, Mi­nerua, Neptune, Bacchus, or such like Heathen Idoles? How can See Clemens Romanus Constit. Apost lib. 5. cap. 11. we Sweare by Ioue, by Mars, by Venus, by Hercules, by the Celestiall Gods, or such like Pagan Oathes? How can we exclaime, (as oft we doe in Stage-Playes,) Absit vt de ore Christiano sonet Iupiter omnipotens, & me H [...]rcule, me C [...] ­stor, &c. Hi [...]rom. Epist. 146. O Ioue! O Muses! O Cupid! O Venus! O Nep­tune! O ye Gods! O Vulcan, Hercules, Mars, Apollo, Mi­nerua, Castor, Pollux, Lucina, and the like; without a great offence? Certainely, if these infernall Deities may [Page 82] Exod. 23.13. Psal. 16.4. not be named, much lesse may they bee Inuocated, Im­precated, or Sworne by among Christians: their very names are odious, and worthy highest indignation; how then can we approoue their Oathes, and [...]mprecations, their Praises, and Applauses, Prohibitum est iurare [...]er Idola, & in ore habere illo­rum abomina­bilia nomin [...], vel ea colere vel [...]imere ve­lu [...]i D [...]os: non enim D [...] sunt sed improbi Demones, & ridicula opera. Clemens Ro­manus Constit Apost. lib. 5. cap. 11. which our God condemnes? How Execrable, and Vile these names haue beene to Christians in the Primitiue times, the former Section can informe you: and shall not then their Oathes, and Inuo­cations, bee much more detestable, and loathsome vnto vs? The sixt Councell of Constantinople, Canon 94. Eos qui Gentilium iu­ramenta iu­rant Canon poenis subi [...]it: & nos iis quo­que segregati­onem discer­nimus. Surius Concil. Tom. 2. pag. 1053. subiects all such to the penaltie of Excommunication, who should sweare the Oathes of the Gentiles: and shall wee then approoue them in our Enterludes, as Elegant, and comely Orna­ments? Certainely wee cannot doe it, without the perill of Idolatrie, or affronting God vnto his face. For first these Heathenish Oathes, and Imprecations, or Inuoca­tions of Pagan Gods, Origen Contra. Cel­su [...]. lib 1. Isiodor Hispa­ [...]ensis. De Summo bono. lib. 5. c. 33 Clem. Rom. Constit Apost. l [...] 5. c. 11. doe giue a kinde of tacite, yea, attribute a manifest Diuinitie to these Idoles, since nothing is [...]o bee Inuocated, or Sworne by, either in sport, or earnest, Ier. 5.7. Rom. 10.13, 14. but God alone. Now to attribute a Deitie to these Pagan Gods, Si quis [...]orum qui dicuntur apud illos Di [...], actus inspiciat, eos non modo deos non esse, ve­rum homines n [...]quissimo, turpissimosque fuisse comper et. Omnibus post hac futuris cer­tum [...]ere argumentum liceat, eos non esse Deos, qui huiusmodi patrassent s [...]lera. A­thanasius Contr Gent. [...]s. p 17, 18.26. whose Villanie did manifest them to bee worse then men, Exo 20.3, 4, 5 23. and all Exp [...]si [...]ors, and Commentators on it. is grosse Idolatrie. Certainely, if the reading of a Lecture of some Heathen God: If the stiling of an Idole by the name of God, without this addition [...] Heathen Idole, or Dung-hill God: if the receite of a blessing from a Pagans mouth, Haereticorum benedictiones, sunt maledictiones potius, quam benedictiones. C [...]ncil. Laodicenum. Can. 32. which, in trueth, is rather a cursing, then a blessing,) in the name of an Idole, without reiecting, or dis­approouing it, bee flat Idolatrie, as De Idolo [...]a [...]ria. lib. cap. 18 to 24. [...]ertullian, with Isiodor Hisp [...]lensis De Summo bono. lib 3. cap. 13. Gregori. Mag. Epist. lib. 9. Epist [...] 48. Gratian Distinctio. 86. others, hath affirmed; because it giues an approbation to [Page 83] these Idoles, and ascribes a couert Diuinitie to them: then much more must the Admirations, the Inuocations, the Imprecations, and Exclamations in these Idoles names, which are frequent in our Stage-Playes, be palpable, and grosse Idolatrie; Idololatri [...] perimpium & grauissimum delictum est. Ambr. Com. in Rom. 1. Tom. 3. pag. 117. E. which is the highest sinne, and iussells God out of his Throne. Secondly, these Oathes, and Im­precations, as they are exceeding Heathenish, and Pro­phane, vnbeseeming Christian mouthes, or eares; as they are Ridiculous, Vaine, and Foolish, and so within the verge, Matth. 12.36, 37. Ephes. 5 4. of vaine, and foolish words, which God condemnes, and will at last seuerely Iudge: so they are a direct breach of the third Commandement: Exod. 20.7. Leuit. 19.12. Deut. [...].12. thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vaine; in that they attribute the Name, and Prerogatiue of GOD to Deut. 32.21. 1 Kings 16.13. Psal. 31 6. Isay 41.29. Cap. 44 9. Ier [...]m. 8.19. Cap. 10.8.15. Cap. 14.22. Cap. 18.15. Idoles, which are the greatest vanities of the World, yea Vanitie it selfe: and a manifest violation of these peremptory Iniuncti­ons: Mat. 5.34, 35 Iames 5.12. Sweare not at all: and aboue all things my Brethren Sweare not: no, Exod 20 7. with all Ex­positors on the third Com­mandement. not by the Name of God, vnlesse wee are lawfully called to it: much lesse, by the names of Pagan Deuill-Idoles; which is I [...]rem. 5.7. Clem. Rom. Constit. Apost. lib. 5. cap. [...]. the worst, the vainest, and pro­phanest Oath: therefore they must needes be odious, and abominable; yea, displeasing vnto God, and dangerous vnto vs. Thirdly, these Oathes, these Inuocations, and Imprecations, as they renew those Heathenish, and Infernall Deities, See p. 79.80. whose memories should for euer rot: so they doe likewise ingender Heathenisme, and Pro­phanen [...]sse in mens liues, and speeches: See Chrys. Hom. De Dauide & Saule. Hom. De Verbis Isay [...] Vidi dominum Sedentem Ho [...]. 38 in Matth. Salu [...]an li [...] 6. De Gubernat Dei. See pag. 27. Accordingly. they alienate mens Hearts, and Thoughts from God, and heauenly things: they tip their Tongues with Vanitie, and Prophanenesse, which Eph [...]s 4 29. Col 4. [...]. should flow with Grace, and Holinesse: they stampe their liues, and actions with dissolutenesse, and graceles­nesse: they cause them, Ephes. 2.12. Psal 10.4. to liue without God, in this World; and to admire, Plautus sumebatur in manus: si quando in memet ipsum reuer­sus, Prophetas legere capissem, se [...]me horrebat incultus, &c Hierom Epist [...] 22. cap. 13. and relish Heathen Deities, and [Page 84] Discourses, more then God, or his Soule-sauing Word: how may, how dare wee then approoue them? how can wee but condemne them?

Yet loe the Impious, and strange Prophanen [...]sse, yea, the Impudent, and sottish Idolatrie of our sinfull Age, which not onely tolerates, and applaudes, but likewise iustifies, and defends the naming, and inuocating of; the Swearing, and Exclaiming by these Hellish, Heathe­nish Deuill-Idoles, in despight of Gods Command, with these two Wittie, or rather Nulli pecca­tori deest impu­dens praetextus. Chrysost Hom in Psal. 14. Tom. 1. Col. 1110. C. Impudent pretences, and Euasions.

Excus [...] 1.First, that these Idoles are Inuocated, Adiured, Named, Imprecated, and sworne by, in sport, and merriment one­ly; not seriously, or in earnest.

2 Secondly, that they are vttered by way of Proxie, or representation onely; not as the Words, or Oathes of the Actors, but of some feined persons, whose Parts they represent: so that they are not with in the compasse of the Scriptures, and reasons fore-alleadged.

Answ. 1.To the first of these I answere: First, that the Hea­then Poets did Nominate, Inuocate, Adiure, Adore, and Supplicate these Idoles, and discourse of all their Gene­alogies, Villanies, and Obscenities, Athanasius Contr. Gen­tiles. lib. pag. 23.24, 2 [...]. Arnobius. lib. 3, 4. & 7. Contr. Gentes. Clemens Alex. Orat. Exhort. ad Gentes, & Strom. lib. 1. & 2. Tatianus Orat. Aduers. Grae [...]os. Aug. lib. 2. De [...]iuit. Dei. cap. 4. to 13.25. to 29. Ludouicus Viues De Causis Corrupt. Artium. lib. 2. pag. 78. to 83. Agrippa D [...] Vani [...]ate S [...]ient. cap. 4. Lactantius De Falsa Relig. cap. 11, 12. but in a Fabulous, and sporting manner, and that in Theatricall Enterludes, and Poemes, as we now doe: yet this the fore-recited See pag. 80. Fa­thers taxe in them, as grosse Idolatrie; as an abominable, and filthie crime. If then this were detestable, and Idolatrous in them who knew not God, must it not bee much more so in vs, who not onely know him, but professe him too? Certainely, if their fabulous, and iesting discourses of these Idoles, were a notorious crime, Nos qui Christiani catholici esse dicimur, si simile aliquid barbarorum impuritatibus facimus, grauius erramus. Atrocius ex [...] sub sancti nominis professione peccamus. Salu. De Gub. Dei. lib. 4. pag. 12 [...]. ours cannot be lesse then an abominable, and transcendent wickednesse.

[Page 85]Secondly, the Scriptures know no such distinction be­tweene iest, and earnest: they enioyne vs peremptorily: Exod. 23.13. not to make mention of the names of Idoles; Isay 44.9. to 21. Exod. 20.7. not to In­uocate, or Adiure them; Iosh. 23.7. not to Sweare by them, Deut. 12.3. but vtterly to abolish both their memories, names, and reliques: which precepts being vniuersall Negatiues, admit of no euasion: If then we may not Name them, Implore them, or Sweare by them at all, Nihil ad Deum perti­nens leue est ducendum: quia quod vi­detur exiguum esse culpa, grande hoc fa­cit de [...]ixitatis iniuria. Salu. De Gub. Dei. lib. 6. much lesse may wee doe it by way of Sport, or Merriment: since it is more tolerable, lesse hainous, to sinne in earnest vpon some pretended necessitie, Nulla est neces [...]itas de­linquendi qui­ [...]us vna est ne­cessitas non de­linquendi. Te [...]tul. De Corona Mili­tis. cap. 11. though no necessitie can once authorize or force vs for to [...]inne,) then thus to sinne in iest.

Thirdly, if this distinction of breaking Gods Com­mandements in iest, or earnest, should bee warrantable; then euery man Prou. 10.23. Chap. 13.9. as many doe,) would dayly violate them by way of sport, and merriment, not in earnest, and yet they should bee no sinners, because they sinne in iest: and so all Gods Lawes should bee euacuated, Religion vn­dermined, and sinne made a iest.

Fourthly, this Inuocating, Naming, and Swearing by these Heathen Gods in iest, is farre more odious, and sin­full, then to doe it in good earnest, out of ignorant Super­stition, or blinde Deuotion. He that sinnes thus in iest, and merriment, Et hoc De­um maxime irritat quando con [...]ultò, & praemeditatò, & dedita ope­ra ab improbis mala fiun [...]. Chrys. Hom. in Psal. 108. Tom. 1. Col. 926. B. sinnes more wittingly, wilfully, contemptu­ously, and presumptuously, then hee that sinnes in earn [...]st; he contemnes, and slights both God, and these his pre­cepts more; hee loues, and approoues sinne more, Neque enim peccantes it a aduersatur Deu [...], quam eos qui post peccata securi sunt. C [...]rysost. Hom. 6. in Matth. Tom. 2. Col. 51.8. Gra [...]ius est peccatum diligere quam perpetrare. Gregorie Magnus Mor. lib. 25. Cap. 16. hee feares, and hates it lesse; hee sinnes vpon fewer, and lesse weightie prouocations, then those who sinne in earnest: therefore his sinne is farre more hainous, and abomina­ble then theirs is, or this his owne had beene, had hee committed it with greater seriousnesse, as the Pagans did.

Fiftly, King Solomon informes vs: Prou. 10.23. Cap. 13.9. Stul [...]us per ri [...]um operatur scelus. Salu. De Gub. Dei. pag. 205. that it is the [Page 86] propertie of Fooles to make a mocke of sinne, and a pastime to doe wickedly: Pro. 26.18, 19 that hee who deceiueth his Neighbour, (much more then hee who Ephes. [...].6. 1 Cor. 6.9. Galat. 6.7. thinkes to deceiue God, yea deceiues himselfe,) and saith: Am I not in iest: is as a mad­man who casteth abroade Fire-brandes, Arrowes, and Death. If then wee make a mocke, and sport of the Names, and Oathes of Idoles, wee prooue our selues Ludere in iis rebus in qui­bus non [...]st [...]u­dendum, in­scitia e [...]t. Pachymerius. Histor. lib. 4. but fooles, and mad-men, and cast abroade Fire-brandes, Arrowes, and Death to our owne Eternall ruine.

Sixtly, these Lusorie, and sporting Oathes, and Im­precations by, or Discourses of these Idole-gods; may now as well ingender Heathenisme, and Idolatrie, or foment a secret Atheisme in mens Hearts, See pag. 80. as they did in former times; Yea, they doe as really reuiue the names, the reliques, and memories of cursed Idoles, (which [...]hould putrifie, and perish in obliuions Lethe:) and as His, atque huiusmodi fig­mentis, & mendaciis dul­cioribus cor­rumpunt inge­nia puerorum: & in eisdem fabulis [...]nhae rentibus, adus­que summa atatis robur a­dol [...]scunt; & in eisdem opi­nioni [...]us mise­ri consene­scunt: cum sit veritas [...]buia, sed requiren­tibus. Mi [...]ucius Felix. Oct [...]u. pag. 70. effectually propagate all prophanenesse, as if they were vt­tered in the most serious earnest. This iesting distinction therefore, of iest, and earnest, can neither palliate, nor salue this festered sore, nor iustifie these Pagan, and In­fernall Oathes, and passages, which Christians must a­bominate, vnlesse they meane to Deifie the Deuill, and a­dore these Idoles.

Lastly, the taking of Gods name in vaine, is simply euill; yea, so euill, Exod. 20.7. Leuit. 29.12. Deut. 5.11. See Ca [...]uin. Instit. lib 2. cap. 8. S [...]ct. 25. that God will not hold him guiltlesse, that taketh his Name in vaine. But the attributing of a Di­uinitie to these Idoles; the stiling of them Gods: the Supplicating, and Adiuring of them, together with the swearing by them, as God, with approbation, and delight; and that by way of Sport, and Merriment one­ly, without any necessary, or vrgent cause, (which is frequent in our STAGE-PLAYES,) is the Vanum enim dicitur quod non ha [...]et bonum finem: quod ad nihil est vtile. Chrys. Hom. 12. in Ephes. 4. highest taking of Gods Name in Vaine; since both the M [...]rri­ments, Passages, Idoles, O [...]thes, Imprecations, yea, the [Page 87] Auerte ocu [...]los a L [...]d [...]um, & Theatro­rum Specta­culis, auerte ab omni secu­lar [...]. Pompa: Vanita [...] est illa quam cernis. Pantomimum aspicis, vani­tas est. Lucta­tores aspicis, vanitas est, &c Ambrose Enarrat in P [...]al. 118. Octon 5. T [...]m. 2. pag [...] 430. F. G. very Actors, Spectacles, and Enterludes themselues are wholly vaine; therefore it must needes be sinfull in de­spite of this euasion.

To the second, that they are vttered by way of Proxie, or Representation onely, not as the Words, the Oathes, and Imprecations of the Poets, or Actors, but of those feined persons, whose parts they represent: I answere:

First, that Basil De Legendis Li­bris Genti­lium. Oratio. Nazianz [...]n Ad Sel [...]u [...]hum. pag. 1 [...]63. Isiodor Pelu­siora Epist [...] lib. 1. E [...]ist. 63. it is sinfull to vtter, yea, to heare, and read such Heathenish discourses, Oathes, and Imprecations as these, with Approbation, and Applause; because the fore-quoted Scriptures doe condemne them.

Secondly, it is infallibly true, Ezech. 18.19, 2 [...]. Galat 6.5 that euery man shall beare his owne iniquitie, and answere for his sinne: it is likewise as vnquestionably true; Ioshua 2 [...].7. Exod. 23 [...] 13. Psalm. 16.4. I [...]rem 5.7. D [...]ut. 12.3. that these Pagan Oathes, and Passages [...] are sinnes; and that Isay 3.8, 9.11, 14 they shall be [...] imputed as sinnes to some men, because no sinne can euer subsist without its proper subiect. If then all this bee granted: on whom shall all these Oathes, these Heathe­nish discourses, and Imprecations light? on the persons whose parts they helpe to fill? Why these are eith [...]r feined, or long since departed: or suppose they are aliue, 1 Tim. 5.22. Reuel. 18.4. Non peccatum in a [...]iis sentiendo, sed ei con­sentiendo peccamus. Prosper Aquit [...] De vita Conte [...]pl lib. 3. [...]ap. 2. yet they giue no allowance to them, therefore they cannot rest on them: nee [...]es then must they rest vpon the Poets, Actors, and Spectators heads, Rom. 2.6.8, 9. their Soules shall answere for them all at last, and then this vaine Euasion will not helpe them.

Thirdly, this absurd Delusion, hath neither colour, ground, nor warrant in the Scripture; which giues com­mission vnto none, to Act an oth [...]rs part, or p [...]rson on the Stage; Quid ergo ais, simulatio est illa, non cri [...]en? Et [...]ropterea mille illi mor­tibus digni sun [...], quoniam quae f [...]gere c [...]nct [...]s prorsus imperant leges, ea i [...]i [...]aud ve­rentur imitari. Si eni [...] Ad [...]lterium malum est, malum est sine dub [...]o & eius imi­tatio. Chrysostom. Hom. 6. in Matth. Tom. 2. Col. 52. C. much lesse, to personate anothers sinne, which is it selfe, an hainous sinne, well worthy of a thousand Deathes. Suppose that God should enter into Iudgement with any [Page 88] Play-Poets, or Actors, for these Idolatrous Imprecations, Prophane, and Pagan Oathes, or Heathenish Stage-Plaies, Eccles. 12.14 2 Cor 5.10. as he will surely doe at last,) what answere could they make? Can they say, that all was done in sporting mirth, or in the part, and person of some other, who gaue no such commission to them? Alas, this Plea will not a [...]aile them then, let it not therefore g [...]ll, and cheate them now: Questionlesse, all such incarnate Deuills, who dare to Countenance, Admit, Applaude, or Act these Idoles per­sons, Parts, Names, or Oathes in iest, shall bee Damned for them, in good earnest: As it was wittily, and truely said of Nonresidents, and Pluralitie Ministers, who put ouer their Flocke to Hirelings: Qui gregem suum pascen­dum vicario relinquit, in caelum i [...]t for­ [...]asse per vica­rium, in ge­hennam per seipsum. See Aquisgran. Concil. Sub. Ludou. Pio. cap [...] 9. to 37. that he who feedes his Flocke by Curate, shall perchance, goe to Heauen by his Vicar, but vndoubtedly to Hell by himselfe: so hee who personates these Heathen Gods, or Supplicates, or Sweares by any of their Names, by representation onely, in anothers per­son, may chance to enter Heauen in that others person, but Hell vndoubtedly, in his owne: These euasions therefore are but vaine, and cannot iustifie that they pleade for.

Thirdly, the Scriptures doe expresly prohibit, the Prou. 10 23. Cap. 13.19. Iude 23. Rom. 1.29.32. Rom. 3.8. personating of any sinne; much more then, the acting of Adulteries, Incests, Rapes, Murthers, Thefts, Loue-prankes, or leaude, and execrable Vanities of Iupiter, Bac­chus, Cupid, Venus, and others of that Diuelish, and In­fernall crew, which pester, and defile all Theaters; which Saint Chrysostome rightly stiles; Diabolicam hanc c [...]nfoues officinam. Hom. 6. in Mat. Tom. 2. Col. 52. B. the Deuills shop. If wee did but suruay the Scriptures, as seriously, as fre­quently, as wee behold these Hellish Enterludes, wee should there finde God himselfe commanding vs: to 1 Thes. 5.22. Iude 23. Col 2.20 23. 2 Cor. 6.17. absteine from all appearance of Euill, yea from the very resemblances, and shewes of sinne: and can wee then per­sonate, or Act these grosse, and odious sinnes to the very life, (whose representations are at leastwise, the appea­rances, and resemblances of sinne,) without offence? God himselfe enioynes vs, Exod. 20.4 [...] Leuit. 26 1. Deut. 5.8. Psal. 97 7. not so much, as to make an Idole, or the likenesse of any thing that is in Heauen, or Earth: [Page 89] And can we then lawfully take up, not onely the Exod 23.13 Sir Thomas Eliot o [...] the Go­vernor Book. 1. chap. 19. See here Act. 1.2.3. and page 77 accordingly. interdi­cted names and rites, but even the very persons, images, ha­bites, shapes, and representations of D [...]vill-Idols (expresly Iosephus An­tiqu. I [...]d [...]orum l. 15. c. 11. Philo I [...]d [...]eus de Decalogo l. pag. 1037. Tertullian De Idololatria lib. Augustin [...], Calvin, Bishop Babington, B. Andrewes, M. Perkins, M. Dod [...] Master Downham, M. El [...]n, Doct. Williams. with all oth [...]r an­ci [...]nt and mo­derne Exposi­tors, both Pro­testants and Papists on the 2 Comman­d [...]ment, and on Exod. 20. Levit. 26. and Deut. [...]. prohibited by the second Command [...]ment) that so we may the Miramini nolim vos, qua propter nunc Iupiter histriones curet. ne miremini, ipse hanc da [...]urus est Iupiter Comaediam. Quid admirati estis? quasi vero novom nunc proferatur Iovem facere histrioniam, &c. hanc fabulam, inquam, hic Iupiter hod [...]e ipse agit, & ego una cum [...]o &c. Operae prae­tium hic spectantibus Iovem & Mercurium face [...]e histrioniam. Plauti Amphitiuo, Pr [...] ­logus. more liu [...]ly personate their most execrable wickednesses; when as not onely Nihil dandum Idolo, sic nihil sumendum ab Idolo Si in Idolio recumbere alienum est a [...]ide, quid in Idolihabitu videri? Quae communio Christi & [...]eliae? Ioan­nes, Filioli, inquit, custodite vos ab Idolis: non iam ab Idolo atria quasi ab officio; sed ab Idoli [...], id est, ab effigi [...] eorum. Indignum enim est vt imago Dei viui, imago Idoli & mortui fiat. De Corona Militis lib. cap. 8. Tertullian, and In cap. 14. Isa [...]ae tom. 3. Operum p. 469. S^t. Basil; but even an whole Qui se daemone correptos esse simulant, & mo [...]um improhitate eorum figuram & ha­bitum simulatè prae se ferunt, visum est, omni modò puniri, & eiusmodi afflictionibus laboribusque subiici cos opor [...]ere, quibus ii qui verè a d [...]mone correpti sunt. vt a daemo­nis operatione liberentur, iure subiiciantur. Concilium Constantino p. 6. in Trullo Ca [...] 60 S [...] [...]aenon. 62. accordingly. generall Councell, have both prohibited and condem­ned all representations, either of Idols or Divels, under the s [...]verest censures: because such representations, doe not onely cause men to frame the very images and portraitures of Pagan Deities, Exod. 20.4. Leuit. 26.1. Deut. 4.15.16, 17. c. 5.8. c. 16.22. Psal. 9 [...].7. which is grosse Idolatry; but likewise transforme even men themselves, (the Gen. 1.26, 27. cap. 5. l. c. 9.6. most lively image of the living God) into the very portraiture of those Divell-Idols, whose parts they are to act: and so turne the expresse Image of God himselfe into the very image of the Devill; a sinne beyond expression:) and yet deeme our selves guiltlesse of the breach of this most sacred Precept? It is the Apostles pe­remptorie command: Ephes. 5.3.4. Col. 3.8. But fornication and all uncleann [...]sse, and filthinesse and foolish talking, let it not be once named among you as becommeth Saints: And can we then practise or approve, not onely the a [...]siduous commemoration of the names, but likewise the artificiall, if not reall acting, not onely of the Parts, but also of the See Cyprian. Epist. lib. [...]. Epist. [...]. Donato. August. de Ciu. Deil. 2 [...] cap. 4. to. 14. lib. 3. cap. 18 [...] l [...] 4. c. 3.10 [...] 36.27.28. incests, rapes, adulteries, [Page 90] whoredomes, and such like execrable abominations of the beast­liest Divell-gods, or infernall Men-monsters (which were Nih [...]l. turpe ac flagitiosum spectandum i [...]itandum­que proponi­tur, ubi veri Dei aut prae­cepta insinuan­tur, aut mira­cula narran­tur, aut bene­ficia postulan­tur, August. D [...] Ciu. Dei lib. 2. cap 28. anciently exiled all such places where Christs Gospel came, as inconsistent with it,) and yet thinke to passe for pious Chri­stians? It was Davids importunate prayer unto God; Psal. 119.37. Turne away my eyes from beholding vanity (which Hilarie Am­brose, Augu­stine, Chry­sostome, Bru­no and others, in Psal 118. He. see p. 52. the Fa­thers generally apply to Stage-Playes) and quicken me in thy way: And can we, dare we then once turne our eyes, and eares (which Psal. 121.1. Psal. 123.1.2. Nihil aspectu gratum sit, nisi quod pi [...], quod iuste fieri vide­as: nihil auditu suaue, nisi quod alit animam, melioremque [...] reddit. La­ctantlus De vero Caelii [...] lib. 6. cap. 21. should be alwayes centred upon God and hea­venly objects, that might meliorate, nourish and refresh our soules,) unto those matchlesse obscenities of Pagan Idols that are daily acted on the Stage (the See August. De ciu. Dei. lib. 2. cap. 4. to. 15. lib. 4. c. 26.27.28. and lib. 6. c. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10. accordingly. very filthinesse of which might cause even Divels themselves to blush and trem­ble) and yet flatter our selves, that we are in Davids pious condition? Certainely, every true Christian indeed (if wee may beleve the Scripture) Eccles 9.2. 1 Sam. 24.5. 1 Thess. 5.22. Iude 23. Quid inter haec christianus fidelis fa­cit cui vitia non licet cogitare? Cyprian De spectac. lib. doth feare and tremble, not onely at the act, but likewise at the very appearance and thought of sinne: yea, Isay 33.15. Vanus enim sermo cito polluit mentem, & facilè agitur quod libenter auditur. Bernard. De I [...]t [...]riori Domo cap. 43. he stoppeth his eares from bearing blood, and sh [...]tteth his eyes from seeing evill. And can wee then prove our selves to be Christians, either in Gods, or our owne consciences account, when as we are so fa [...]re from trem­bling, that we doe Isay 3.9. Rom. 1. [...]2. even rejoyce at the sight, the hearing of these lewd Theatricall Enterludes: being so farre from shut­ting our eyes, or stopping up our eares against them, that we doe readily open them with greedinesse and delight to these infernall, diabolicall, prodigious Stage-abominations, which Quis talia fando Temperet a Lachrymis? Virgil AEneid. lib. [...]. See Chrysost. Hom. 38. in Mat. Nazienzen ad Se­ [...]ucum pag. 1063. accordingly. would pierce an heart of steele with gri [...]fe, and dissolve even eyes of Adamant into brinish teares? It was David [...] religious protestation, Psal. 101.3. I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes, I will not know a wicked person: And shall we Phil 3.17. Hebr. 6.12. cap 13.7.8. who [Page 91] ought to follow Davids steps in this his pious practise, be never better recreated, more delighted, then when the laruated persons, parts and wickednesses of the very worst of men and Devils, (that are Deinde qua­le illud est, vt cum in platea nudam foemi­nam nolis as­picere, imò ne­que domi qui­dem, sed s [...] id [...]tiam fortè contingat in iniuriam tui factum putes­cum verò as­cendis The [...] ­trum vt vio­les vtriusque sexus pudo­rem, obtutus­que proprios pariter incestes nihil [...]bi inho­nestum credat accidere? Si enim nihil in tali re esse o­pinaris obscae­num, qua gra­tia cum id ip­sum in plate [...] videas a [...]xp­to re [...]ilis incessu, & inverecundiam severius exagitas? nisi fortè credis candem rem non similiter esse turpem cum seperati simus, & quum congregati omnes vna sede­mus. Chrysostom. Hom. [...]. in Matth. tom. 2. [...]ol. 52. c. D. every where abominable in the eyes of all men, but onely on the Stage, Si quid horum quibus Cir­cus furit aliubi competit sanctis, etiam in Circo licebit. Si verò nusquam ideo nec in Circo. Nusquam & nunquam licet, quod semper & vbique non licet. Tertul. de spectac. l. c. 16.20, 21. which hath n [...] such sancti­fying vertue in it, as to make ill things good, when once they are brought upon it,) are most emphatically represented to our eyes and eares at once? It is registred of righeeous Lot; 2 Pet. 2.7.8. See Beda and Oecumemus ibidem. that he dwelling among the wicked S [...]domites, vexed his righteous soule from day to day, in seeing and hearing their un­lawfull deeds: And can any Players or Play-haunters then perswade themselves, that they are in Lots condition, when as their unrighteous soules, are so farre from being vexed at the sight and hearing of those-more then Sodomiticall uncleannesses of Pagan Deities, which are acted on the Stage, Instructuosum putamus gaudium simplex, ne [...] delectat ridere sine crimine, Sal [...]ian de Gub. dei lib. 6. p [...] 192. that they are more aboundantly recreated and deligh­ted with them, then with all the soule-ravishing pleasures, of Gods house, or the most delightfull consolations of his Word and Spirit, Quam tu ergo satisfactionem parabis responde quaeso, qui ea quae nominari fa [...] non e [...]t summo studio spectas: quae etiam memorare [...]urpe est, ea cunctis honestis artibus sanctisque praeponis? Chrysost [...] Hom. 7. in Mat. tom. 2. Col. 61. B. before which they oft preferre them? O the Converte hinc vultus ad divers spectaculi non minus paen [...]tenda contagia: in theatris quoqu [...] conspicies, quod & dolori tibi sit & pudori, Aspicias ab impudicis geri, quod nec aspi­cere possit fronspudica: videas, quod crimen sit & videre, &c. Cyprian. Epist. lib. 2. Ep. 2. Donat [...]. horible incests, the execrable adulteries, rapes and whoredomes; the vnparalleld wickednesses, the infernall pra­ctises of those lewd Pagan-Deities, and stupendiou [...] Men-mon­sters that are daily acted on our Theaters? What chaste, Qui [...] [...]nim integro ve [...]ecundiae statu dicere que at illas rerum turpium imi­tationes, illas uocum & verborum obscaenitates, illas motuum turpitudines, [...]llas gestuum [...]ditates? quae quanti [...]int criminis hinc intelligi potest, quod & relationem sui inter­dicunt; Saluian de Guber. Dei. lib. 6. p. 18 [...]. What [Page 92] modest Christian heart can once recount, what tongue relate, what eye behold, what eare receive, what pen diseypher them (unlesse Quamvis animus memi­nisse horret; luctuque refu­git. Virgil. AEneid. lib. 2. necessi [...]ated to display their filthinesse) witho [...]t shame and horror, if not sinne it selfe? Are See Minucius Felix octavi­tis: Arnobius adu: Gentes: lib. 7. Lactan­tius de vero cultu cap. 20. Cyprian. Epist. lib. 2. Epist. 2. & August. De Civit. Dei l 2. c. 4.6, 8, 9, 27. lib. 4. c. 1. 26, 27, 28 lib. [...]. c. 6, 7. & Sal­vian de Gub. Dei lib. 6. ac­cordingly. not the very Master­peeces, dregs and off-sceuring of all those horrid adulteries and transcendent wickednesses, that either the prauitie of man, or the wit of h [...]ll could hitherto invent, epitomized and diplayed on the Stage? Doe not Play-Poets and common Actors (th [...] August. de Civ. Dei. lib. 2. c. 13, 14, 29. Chrysost. hom. 7. & 38. in Matth. Cy­prian Epist. lib. 1. Epist. 10 Tatianus O­ratio advers. Graecos Na­zianzen. ad Seleucum, p. 1063. Agrippa De Vanitate scientiarum, cap. 20.63, 64. and the third Blast of retrait from Playes and Theaters, p. 92. and 102 to 117. prove and stile them such. Divels chiefest Factors) rake earth and hell it selfe; doe not they travell over Sea and Land; over all Histories, poemes, countries, times and ages for unparalleld villanies, that so they may pollute the Theater with Nihil potest confing [...] vitiorum quod non in Thea [...] repertatur. August. De Civit. Dei [...] lib. 4. c. 27. all the hideous obscenities, with all the detestable matchlesse impieties, which hitherto m [...]n or Divels have either actually perpetrated, or fabulous [...]y divul­ged? What shall I record the severall For which you may read [...], Clemens Alexandr [...] Oratio Adhort ad Gentes, Tertullian. Apolog. advers. Gentes, [...]a [...]anus Oratio adver [...]. Gr [...]e­cos. Minucius Felix Octavius, Arnobius advers. G [...]ntes lib. 7. Cyprian Epise [...] lib. 2. Epist. 2. Lactantius De falsa religione, lib. 1. cap. 9. to [...] 22. De vero cul [...]u. P. 6. c [...] 2 [...] A­thana [...]us Contr. Gentes lib. Augustine l [...]b. 1 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, De Civi. Dei. Na [...]ales [...]omes, Diodorus Siculus, Livie, Ouid, He [...]iod, Homer, Macrobi [...] Pl [...]tarch, Alexander ab Alexandro, Varro and other [...] abominable adulte­ries of Venus; the i [...]finit suparlative incests, rapes, fornications, love-prankes, Sodomies, murthers, cheats, with other such ex [...] ­crable wickednesses of Iupiter, the very worst, though greatest of the Pagan Deities? What shall relate the several b [...]astly flagi­tious practises, ceremonies, obsceniti [...]s, of Iuno, Bacchus, Cupid. P [...]iapus, Mars, Serapis, Atys, Flora, the Mother of the Gods, or of the rest of that infernal crew, which come so frequen [...] on o [...]r Theaters? Is not their fil [...]hinesse, their lewdnesse so barba­rously, so stupendiously impious, Talia sunt quae in Theatris frunt, vt ea non s [...] ­lum dicere, sed etiam recordari aliquis sin [...] pollutione non possit. Quae quidem omnia tam flagitiosa sunt, vt etiam expli [...]are ea atque elo qui quis [...]iam sal [...]o pud [...]re non valeat. Saluian, de Gub [...] Deil [...] 6. p. 185.186. Seo [...] before. that it even strikes mens h [...]arts and tongues with horrour, forbidding them to relate it? And can any then behold, or act these gros [...]e abominations with delight, (the very relation of which is suf [...]ient to pol­lute [Page 93] the eares that heare them, the common aire that re­ceives them, yea the breath that utters them) and yet be in­nocent, be untainted by them? Alas, we cannot but with shame and griefe acknowledge, that our moderne Play-Po­e [...]s doe not onely record and publish to posterity in their lascivious Enterludes, the execrable lewd examples of our present Age (which See D. Hack­wel [...] Apology, lib. 4. c. 12. sect. 1.2. parallell or surpasse all those of former times) but likewise Cothurnus est tragicus priscafacinora carmine recen­sere, de parra­cidis & ince­stis horror an­tiquus, expressa ad imaginem veritatis actio­ne replicatur, ne soeculis transeuntibus exolescat quod aliquando factum est. Nunquam aeui senio delicta moriuntur; nunquam cri­men tempo: i­bus obruitur, nunquam see­lus oblivione sepelitur, ex­e [...] pla fiunt quae iam esse facinora desti­terunt. Quae [...]tiam aetas ab­sconderat, sub o [...]ulorum me­moriam redu­cuntur. Non est libidini sa­tis malissuis vti presenti­bus, nisi suum de s [...]ctaculis faciat, in quo etiam a [...]tas superior e [...]rav [...]ra [...]. Cyprian. Epist. l. 2. Epist. 2. l. De spectac. lib. dive into oblivions deepest Lethe, resusci­tating those obsolete putred wickednesses of former ages, which Hell had long since buried in [...]er lowest Cels, lest present and future times should be so happy as not to imitate them, or fi­nally to forget them. And can we then act, or see the action of these moderne, these ancient, these moth [...]eaten filthy crimes, without a crime? No verily. O therefore let Stage-Players Pereant ista vnd [...] vitiorum memoria menti renovatur. Tatianu [...] Oratio advers. Graecos Bibl. Pastrum t [...]m .2. p. 182. D. perish, yea, for ever perish, which thus revive the cursed memory of Pagan Idols, and their infernall wicked­nesses, whose remembrance should for ever be forgotten lest we perish by them: O let those filthy Enterludes, those shamelesse Actors, who feare not to display those shame­full workes of da [...]kenesse in the sight of thousands on the open Theater, with more then Erubescunt videri et [...]am qui pudorem vendiderunt. At istud publicum nostrum omnibus videntibus ge­ritur, &c. Cyprian. De spectaculis lib. See Chrysostome, Homil. 6, 7, and 38. in Matth. blushlesse impudency, which their very Pagan, yea, infernall Authors did even blush, [...]id tremble to commit in sec [...]et, where no eye was present to behold them, but their owne, and that Iob 42.2. 1 Iohn 3.20. Psal. 139.1.2. omniscients, who is Psal. 139.3. to .14. Prov. 15.3. Ier. 16.17. c. 32 [...]19. Prov. 5.21. Iob 34.21. c. 31.4. Heb. 4.13. omni­praesent, beholding both the evill and the good; be ever execra­ble to all pious Christians, Rom. 12.1.2. 1 Cor. 6.19.20. whose eyes and eares [...]re for ever consecrated to that holy God, Hab. 1.13. Nos quomodo haec facimus qui odisse Deum nostrum haec certi s [...] ­mus? Salviax. De Guber. Dei. l. 6. p. [...]88. who is p [...]rer of eyes then to be­hold the least iniquity, then to ⁱ approve our filthy Stage [...]playes; which might cause even heaven, earth, nay, hell to blush for shame, and move the very Sunne it selfe to vaile his Cristall [Page 94] beames for feare they should defile their light. The Numbers 33 52. Scrip­tures, Clemens A­lexandr. Ora­tio Adhort. ad Gentes Fol. 8. f. & 9. A Gregory Nyssen. vitae Moseos Enar­ratio, p. 503. Fathers, In Concil. Constanti­nop. 6. in Trullo. Can. 100. Synod us Augustensis. A [...]no 1548. cap. 28. two famous Councels, with [...]he third part of the Homilie a­gainst the pe­rill of Idola­try, B. Babing­ton, B. An­drewes, M. Dod, M. El­ton, Master Downham, and sundry others on the se [...]enth Com­mandement. sundry Prote­stant Divines, have utterly condemned the making, the behol­ding of all obscene lascivious pictures; as being a meane to en­flame mens hearts with lusts, with filthy pleasures, and to draw them on to actuall uncleannesse. And shall not then those Saint Cy­prian, De spe­ctaculis lib. and Lactan­tius De v [...]ro. cultu cap. 20. call theatricall representations. Simulachra libidinis: Salvian de Guber. Dei lib. 6. pag. 187. stiles them, Imagines fornicationum, & Plu­tarch de gloria Athoniensium. lib. writes; that poesis est pict [...]ra l [...]quens. lively, if not reall pictures and representations of the adulte­ries, rapes, incests; Love-prankes, murthers [...] [...]reasons, and o­ther such practises of Pagan Idols, which ar [...] so artificially acted on the Stage, that a man can hardly difference the representations of them from the sinnes themselves, be much more liable to condemnation on the selfe-same grounds? Doubtlesse, if the substance be evill, the 1 Thess. 5.22. shadow of it cannot be good: if the person be odious, the picture will be such: if the thing acted be simply evill, the representati­on of it will resemble it. Ezech. 36.31. Iob 42.6. Psal. 119.104. All sinnes (much more the Levit. 18.30. Deutr. 12.31. cap. 7.16.25, 26. Chrysost. Hom. 6. and 7. in Matth. Cyprian de spectac. lib. M. Perkins Cases of Conscience lib. 3. cap. 4. sect. 4. accordingly. See Here: Scene 1. loath­some facts of Devill-Idols) are detestably evill in themselves, ^s therefore the personating, the imitation of them on the Stage, the characterizing of them in their freshest colours in our The­atricall Poems, must needs be sinfull, yea, abominable, unto all good Christians. The Non pulchrum est dicere ea quae factu turpia sunt. Sophocles Oedipus, Tyr. Num. 1400. Isocrates Oratio Demonicum. perpetrating of such sinnes is evill, therefore the personating. Tertullian de spectaculis, cap. 17.18. Quod in facto reijcitur, in dicto non est recipiendum. Since then wee cannot but abominate these odious transcendent sinnes themselves, which sunke their originall Authors, downe as low as the uery deepest depthes of hell it selfe, from whence there is no returne for ever, let us not justifie their representations, nor applaud [Page 95] their action. And so much the rather, Malignispi­ritus, quos isti Deos putant, etiam flagitia quae non ad­mis [...] runt de se dici volunt, vt humanas mentes his o­pinionibus u [...]lut retibus induant, & ad praedestina tum suppli­cium securn trahant. Maec de numinibus fingi libenter accipiunt fal­lacissimi spiri­tus, vt ad scele­stia & turpìa perpetranda, velut ab ipso coelo traduci in terra, satis idonea videa­tur autoritas Quantum moliantur malignispiritus exemplo su [...], velut divinam autoritatem praebere sceleribus? hac astutia etiam ludos scenicos sibi dicari sacrari que iusserunt, vbi deorum tāta flagitia theatricis cāticis at (que) fabularū actionibus celebrata sunt, vt quisquis eos talia fecisse crederet, & quisquis non crederet, sed tamen illos libentissime sibi talia velle ex­hiberi cerneret, securus imitaretur. August. De C [...]v. Dei. lib. 2. cap. 10. & 25. lib. 4. ca. 1. vid. 2 [...]. Hoec omnia in hoc prodita vt vitiis hominum quaedam autoritas parare­tur. Isti enim spiritus post quam simplicitatem substantiae suae onusti immersi vitiis perdiderunt, ad solatium calamitatis suae non definunt perditi [...]am, perdere, & depravati er [...]orem pravitatis pravis religionibus a Deo segregare. Minu [...]ius Felix. Octa vius pag. 70. & 85. See Iulius Firmic [...]s de errore profanarum Religionum cap. 13. accordingly. because these filthy Divel-Idols, (as the Fathers testifie,) did heretofore, either re­ally commit those beastly crimes that are acted in their persons on the Stage; or else purposely admit them to be Poetically forged of them, and then openly to be divulged to the people o [...] the Theater in their names, that so they might give a kinde of di­vine approbation or publicke allowance to these their notorious wickednesses by their owne personall examples, to animate and draw on the Spectators more securely, more boldly to commit the selfesame sinnes, to the eternall ruine of their soules. Whence Athanasius informes us from his owne experience, Hinc iam profecto hominibus mali multum adiectum est. Cum enim cernerent his Deos suos oblectari, continuo & ipsi sese ad imitandum [...]os contulerunt, virtutis s [...] in­teresse arbitrantes, praestantiores [...] vt ipsi putabant, imitari. Vnde homicidiis ac parricidiis omnibusque laseiviis dedere manus. Nam omnis fere civitas omnibus nequitiae sordibus plena est, dum student deorum suorum moribus similes fieri. Neque inter Idolorum cultores frugi aliqu [...]sac pudicus est. Isque solum laudatur, quiomnes impudicitiae suae testes habet. A love quidem stuprationes puero rum at que adulteria: à Venere autem fornicationem; a Rea impudicitiam, a Marte caedes, aliaque ab alijs didicerunt, quae pudicis omnibus in exceratione sunt. Athanasius Contra Gentiles lib. 1. pag. 36.37. See Cyprian. Epist. l. 2. Epist. 2. Donato. Iulius Fi [...]micus de Error [...] profanarum Religionum, cap. 13. and Augustine De Ciu. Dei. lib. 2. cap. 7.9.10 [...] 25. accor­dingly. that the proclaiming of the vices of Pagan Idols on the Stage, did much increase the sinnes of men. For when as they perceived their Idol-gods to be delighted with such filthy sinnes, they pre­sently fell to imitate them. Insomuch that almost euery Citie was fully fraught with all the filth and dregges of wickednesse, whiles they studied to conforme themselves to the sinnes and vi­c [...]s of their Idols: there being not one chaste or sober man among all the worshippers of such vitious Idol-gods (as there are now few such among Players and Play-haunters; those [Page 96] onely being appla [...]ded by them, whose lewdnesse was most noto­riously knowne unto all men. If then the personating of the wickednesses of H [...]athen Idols, be but a meere stratagem of Satan, to encourage, to precipitate and allure men to the selfesame sinnes: If it revives the execrable memory of those infernall crimes Zech. 13.2. Hosea 2.17. which should be buried in eternall oblivion: If it worke a loue, a liking, at lest-wise a slighting or lesse hating, of such hellish abominations in the hearts of men: If it be alwayes attended with the very lively 1 Thes. 5.22 appea­rances, or, resemblances of evill, from which Christians should absteins. If it doth Non ad pl [...] ­cendum homi­nibus, sed ser­viendum dae­monibus adhi­betur. August. Ep. 73. Possi­donio [...] Cyprian de spectaculis, and Chrysost. homil. 6.7.38. in Matth. &c. more advance the Divels service, (the originall Author of Stage-playes, See Tert. de spectac. c. 26. as himselfe, and See the Au­thors quoted from p. 9. to 16. p. 43.49.50.51. & Ci­cero de A [...]u­spicum Re­sponsis Ora­tio. Apul [...]ius De Mundo. l. p. 24. Peter Martyr Loco­rum Com. classi [...] 2. c. 12. sect. 15.19. Danaeus Ethi­cae Christianae l. 2. c. 8. p. 107. M. Gatiker of the lawfull vse of Lots, p. 216. accor­dingly. others te­stifie,) then recreate the Spectators; which none can contra­dict, since Satan gaines more soules, more service by them, then Play-frequenters pleasure: This must, this cannot but enforce all Christians for ever to abandon Stage-playes, be­cause they are thus pestered with the very grossest impuri­ties of Devill-Idols, and the wor [...]t of men,Ephe. 5.3.4. which should not once be named, (much lesse then acted) among Christi­ans.

Objection. But here our Actors and Play-haunters, Patrocinia turpitudini suae fingunt vt etiam honestè peccare vide­antur Lactan­ctiu [...] De Falsa sapientia. l. 3. c. 15. that they may seeme in this case to sinne honestly, or rather not to sinne at all; frame these two justifications for the persona­ting, the beholding of these their Stage-obscenities.

First, that in the personating of the vices of Idol-gods and men, they alwayes introduce their virtues; to the end that their virtues may be imitated, and their [...]innes eschewed.

Secondly, that these their notorious wickednesses are thus personated, thus divulged on the Stage to this very purpose, that the beholding of their filthinesse might learne men to Teneros animos aliena approbria saep [...] Abster­rent vitijs. Hora [...]e sermonum. [...]. 1. Satyr. 4. p. 177. detest them: therefore the acting of them in this nature must needs be commendable, not unlawfull.

Answer. 1. To the former of these two allegations, I answer, First, that the virtues of Idol-gods, or wicked men, are seldome brought upon the Stage, but as they are vshered [Page 97] in by their very grossest sins: for in all our tragicall, in most of our Comicall Enterludes, See p. 62. to 78. Iam non existime­tur poema nisi de vitijs canat [...] Ita in poesin tanquamin sentinam quā ­dam vitia om­nia confluxe­runt ac recep­ta sunt. Lodo­vicu [...] Vives, De causis cor­rupt. Artiu [...] lib. 2. p. 81. sinne is the primary, adequate and most proper subiect of the Play, virtue, a Parenthesis onely in the by: Sinne is the Mistresse, Virtue but the Handmaid, which occasionally sometimes attends it. Vice hath the whole, at least the greatest share in all our Stageplaies; poore Virtue hardly findes a part in any, most parts in none. The virtues therefore that are acted in our Theaters, as they doe not ballance, so they cannot justifie nor excuse the vices.

Secondly, Vice oft times acts it part alone upon the Stage with great applause, whereas Virtue seldome comes upon it but accompanied with a cloud of sundry spredding vices; which as Ad deteriot [...] faciles sumus, quia nec dux potest, n [...]c co­mes deesse: e [...] res etiam ipsa sine duc [...], sine comite proce­dit. Non pro­num tantum iter est ad vi­tia sed etiam pra [...]ceps, Sene­ca Epist. 97. they sooner pierce the hearts, a [...]d insinuate into the affections and liues of men then virtues; so they Nihil ae qu [...] vt vitium cor­rumpie, Chry­sost. Hom. in Psal. 9. tom. 1. Col. 665. deprave their minds and manners more, then all the virtues of Heathen men or Idols can ever rectifie them, were they onely acted, al­wayes magnified on the Stage. As therefore Eccles. 10.1. dead Flies corrupt the oyntment of the Apothecary, or as poyson vitiates holsome food; so the contempering of some inferior Vir­tues with more transcendent Vices in our Stage-playes, doth either turne these Virtues into Quicquid facit seminarium voluptatis, venenum puta. Hieron. Ep. 10. c. 4. poyson, or else deprive them of their efficacie.

Thirdly, the V [...]rtues magnified on the Theater, are onely those of Devill-gods, of gracelesse Pagans, or desperate wic­ked men, who never had true virtue in thē. Absit vt sit in aliquo vera virtus, nisi fuerit iustus. Absit autem vt sit iustus verè nisi vivat ex fide: iustus enim ex fide vivir. Quis porro eorum qui se Christianos haberi volunt, nisi soli Pelagiani, aut in ipsis tu fortè solus, iustum dixerit infidelem, iu [...]tum dixerit impium, iustum dixerit diabolo mancipatum? sit licet ille Fabritius, sit licet Fabius, sit licet Scipio, sit licet Regulus. Porrò si veram iustitiam non habent impii, profectò nec alias virtutes comites eius, &c. Aug [...]stine Contr. Iulianum Pelag. l. 4. cap. 3. tom. 7. pars 2. p. 398. vid. ibidem. No men are truly virtuous, but those who are truly religious: others (as Scypio, Ca­to, Fabritiꝰ, Regulus, Fabius, Aristides, & the like) may hav [...] the shadowes of virtue in thē, not the substance; Manifestissim [...] patet, in impiorum animis nullam habitare virtutem, sed omnia opera eorum immunda esse atque polluta, habentia sapi [...]ntiam non spiritualem, sed animalem, non coelestem sed ter [...]am, non Christianam sed diabolicam, non a patre luminum, sed a principe tenebrarum, dum p [...]r ea ipsa quae non haberent nisi dante Deo, subduntur ei qui primus recessit a Deo. Prosp [...]r, Contr [...] Collatorem. [...]ib. c. 28. which growes not in a De­vils, [Page 98] an Idols, a Pagan, or wicked persons, but in a Verae virtu­tes nisi in jis quibus vera inest pietas esse non pos­sunt. August. De Ci [...]. Dei. l. 19. [...]. 4. reall Chri­stians heart, wherein Christs Spirit dwels. It is the pr [...]perty of all true virtue, Virtus est vi­tium fugere. Horace. Epist. lib. 1. Epist. 1. p. 236. Virtus malam vitam non admittit. Seneca de vita bea [...]a. c 7. Quisquis vir­tute aliqua p [...]lere credi­tur, tunc vera­citer pollet, cum vi [...] jis ex aliqua parte non subiacet. Greg [...] Mag. Moral l. 22. cap. 1. to conquer, to expell all Vice; not to cohabit with it, or submit unto it: so that there can be no true vir [...]ue seated in such persons hearts, whose vertues are inferior to, or coexistent with t [...]eir vices. Nay, all the vertues of those Di­vell-Idols, or Heroicke Pagans which Players use to act, Deformes multa bona vno vitio, & [...]o t [...] meritorū gra­tiam vna [...]ul­pa, quā causa culpae est cor­rumpas. Livius Rom histor. l. 30. sect. 14. were contaminated, deformed and controlled by their vices, to which they were inthralled; therefore they are not true, but onely Virtutes, sine fide, folia sunt: Videntur virere, s [...]d prodesse non possunt. Agitantur vento, quia non habent fundamentum. Ambrose Enarrat. in Psalm. 1. Tom. 2. p. [...]14. G. bastard virtues, which have scarce the very huske of virtue in them. Since then their virtues, are in truth no vir­tues, but meere empty Vmbrae & imagines virtutū. Lactantius De falsa Religione c. 20. shadowes of virtue, or rather glittering sinnes, as the Peccata, & splendida peccata Aug. Contr. [...]ulianum lib. [...]. cap 3. & Ennar. in Psalm. [...]1. Pros [...]er. sentent. ex Augu­stin [...] lib. sent. 106. Fathers, and Vossij Disputatio 35. De virtutibus Gentilium. D. Prideaux Lectura 8. De salute Ethnicorum. some others stile them; but their vices grosse and reall sinnes which plunge mens soules in endlesse misery [...] the acting of these feigned virtues (which are as farre from reall virtues, as Players are from those whose parts they act) can never ballance, much lesse excuse, the personating of such execrable vices, which hel it selfe can hardly parallell.

Fourthly, the mutilated outside virtues of Divell-gods, or gracelesse Pagans, Qui vmbras atque imagines virtutum conse­ctantur, ea ipsa quae vera sunt tenere non possunt. Lactant. De fa [...]sa Religione. [...]ap. 20. as they can never make their imitators, or Spectators truly ver [...]ous; so they are no fit patternes for a Christian, who hath Christ himselfe, the Paragon of all vir­tue, together with all those Saints and blessed Martyrs, who tread his footsteps, for his platforme. Christians, Plus debet Christi discipulus praestare quam mundi Philos [...]phus. Hierom. Epist. 26. cap. 4 [...] as they must excell all Pagans (much more then Divell-Idol [...]) in their virtues; so they have farre more transcendent patternes of true virtue for to follow, then the best of Pagans are. [Page 99] Christ Iesus is their Luke 1.79. guide, Iohn 14.6. their way, Iohn 13.15. 1 Pet. 2.21. their example: Matth. 19.21.28. Ephes. 5.1. 1 Pet. 2.21. 1 Ioh. 2.6. Etenim prote­rea Christia­nus es, ideò hoc nomen accepi­sti, vt Chri­stum imiteris, ejusquelegibus operum exhi­bitione pareas. Chrysost. Adi [...]: Iud [...]os Oratio. 5. tom. 5. Col. 957. D. A Christo dicti estis Christia­ni. N [...]n [...] [...]a via q [...]a Chri­stus ambula­vit & vos de­betis ambula­re? Nonne si­cut cove [...]satur est, & vos vi­catiis eius de­betis conver­sa [...]i? [...]ta planò, nisi fortè do­ctiores eo fue­ritis, vel san­ctiores. Bern. ad pastores ser­mo. Co. 1732. G his virtues, his graces must they imitate; him onely must they fol­low, and none else but him, or those Phil. 3.17. 2 Thess. 3.7.9 1 Cor. 4.16. and 11.1. Heb. 6.12. glorious Saints of his, who walke as he hath walked. The supremest virtues of the most renowned Pagans are to inferiour precedents for the mea­nest Christians. The very worst of Christians who shall ever enter Heaven Gates, must transcend the virtues of the best of Pagans: for the Scripture is peremptory: Mat. 5.20. See Opus impe [...]fectum in Mat. hom. 11. That except our righteusnesse exceed the righteousnesse of the Scribes and Pharisees (much more then the degenerate copper vir­tues of Heathen Infidels) we shall in no case enter into the Kingdome of Heaven. How then can we take those Heathen virtues for our examples Nec vera virtus, quum semel ex­cidit, curat reponi det [...]rioribus. Hor. Carm. l. 3. Ode. 5. p. 76. which we must farre excell? The Copie must surpasse the Hand; the Sampler, the Needle­worke which doth but imitate it. The rule must needs bee more exactly perfect, then that which is squared or directed by it; else all will bee erronious. For Christians then, who Isa. 40.31. c. 33.16. Col. 3.1.2. Phil. 3.20. should soare above all others, to stoope to Pagan virtues, or to allay their sublimer mettall to their Isa. 1.22. courser temper, is to degenerate into Pagans; to prove worse, yea, lesse then Christians. It is all one, as for an expert Artificer to lay aside his skill, to imitate a Bungler: or for a Schoole-master to give over teaching, and to subject himselfe to the Tutor­ship of his rudest Scholler. Pagans and Devill-Idols (whose Parts come frequentest on the Stage,) Ephes. 2.1.2.3.13. c. 4.17.18.19. 1 Pet. 4.3.4. are the very worst of creatures; there is no such grace or virtue in them, as is ei­ther seemely, necessary, or essentiall to a Christian. And shall Christians then resort to Play-houses, to learne true virtue from such sinkes of sinne; See August. contr. iulianum. Pelag. l. 4. c. 3. Prosper [...] contr. Collatorem. c. 28. Lactantius d [...] Falsa Relig. c [...] 20. such Glowormes, shadowes or carcasses of virtue, as these Idols, these Pagans were, whose very virtues led them but to Hell? Doubtlesse it is but a very Heathenish, gracelesse, divellish practise; yea, a very shame and blemish to Religion thus to doe; as if [Page 100] Christs own example, the examples of his saints, the precepts of his Word, were not Psa [...]. 19.7. Psal. 119.9. 2 Tim. 3.16.17. sufficient to teach Christians virtue; but that they must resort to Divell-gods, to Infidels, to Stage-Playes for to learne it. The acting therefore of such counterfeit virtues, for the ends pretended, is no plea to ju­stifie Stageplayes, much lesse the action of the forenamed Vices.

Fiftly, if there be such Virtues taught and acted in our Playes, as is surmised, I wonder much why our See Nazian­zen ad Selu­chum de Re­cta Educat. page 1063.1064. Chry­sost [...] hom. 38. in Mat. Gos­son his Playes confuted. Action. 1.2. The third blast of Retrait from Playes and Theaters, p. 110. to 117. accordingly. eminentest Actors, our most assiduous Play-haunters, are more generally, more desperately vitious then most other m [...]n, as I shall proove Act. 4. Scene 1.2. anon? Certainly, if there were any virtue to bee learnt from Stageplayes, or those Pagan virtues that are acted in them, our Players, our Play-hunters would have been good proficients, not retrogrades, in the schoole of Virtue, long ere this; whereas they are now nought else but Graduates, but chiefe Artists in the schoole of Vice. Either therefore there is no good, no virtue to be learnt from Stage-playes, (as in truth See Cyprian and Tertulli­an, De specta [...]. lib. Lactantius de vero cultu. c. 20. Chrys. hom. 6:7. and 38. in Matth. Salvian de Gubernatione Dei. Mr. Gos­son, Master North-brook, M. Stubs, D. Reinolds in [...]n their Trea­ [...]ises against Playes. The third blast of Retrait from Playes, with sundry other Au­thors quoted, Act. 6. throughout. there is not) or else their Vices are farre more active, more infectious then their virtues, or else the Actors, the Spectators of our Playes are past all grace, all virtue which our Playes can teach them, Diogenes mu [...]icos in iusvocabat, quod cum lyrae chordas congruè, aptarent, animi mores inconcinnos haberent. Diog. Laertius lib. 6. p. 330. I may aptly accomodate it to Players. since they learne it not.

Sixtly, admit there be some Virtues acted in our Stage-playes, yet there are farre more Vices. Now as Proclivis est malorum aemulatio, & quorum virtutes assequi nequeas, cito imitaris vitia. Hierom. Epist. 7. c. 3. men by Nature are more propense to imitate mens vices then their vir­tues; even so it fares with Stage-playes. All practise, all take up their vices, none their virtues: all prove the worser, none the better by them. The Foris po­pu [...]us celeberimo strepitu impietas impura circumsonat, & intus paucis castitas simula­ta vix sonat, praebentur propatula pudendis, & secreta laudandis. Decus late [...], & dede­cus patet: quod malum geritur, omnes convocat spectatores: quod bonum dicitur, vi [...] aliquos invenit auditores; tanquam honesta erube [...]cenda sint, & inhonesta glori­ [...]nda. August. De Civit. De [...] lib. 2 [...] cap. 26. hurt, the sinnes, the vices which they hatch and foster, are obvious unto all mens view; wee [Page 101] see, we reade them both in the Actors and Spectators liues, who make a daily progr [...]sse in the wayes of Vice: the good, the virtue which they teach is yet unknowne to the world; we heare, we see it not. Since then our Stage-playes are so bar­ren in producing virtue, so strangely fruitfull in ingendring Vice; their goodnesse will not, cannot ballance, nor assoile their ill.

Seventhly, suppose there are some reall virtues acted in our Enterludes; yet who can be so grosly stupid, as to thinke, to learne any grace or virtue from a Play-house? Who Non necesse habes aurum in luto quae­rere. Hierom. Epist. 10. c. [...]. ever sought for gold, for pearles in dirt? for a Quis in caeno fontem requi­rat? Quis è turbida aqua potum petat? Itaque vbi in­temp [...]rantia est, vbi luxu­ria, vbi vitio­rum [...]olluvies, quis inde sibi hauriendum existimet? Ambros. De Of­ficijs lib. 2. cap. 12. Chry­stall spring in filthy mire; for holesome water in a noysome kennell? Who ever resorted to a Pest-house to looke for health, or drunke downe poyson to preserve his life? Who ever posted to a tippling Alehouse to seeke sobriety; or to a Stewes to learne true Chastity? Delubrum turpi ac flagi­tioso Veneris Daemoni de­dicatum: Era [...] tanquam schola quae­dam nequitiae ii [...] qui erant libidini dediti [...] qui que nimia licentia corpu [...] labefactaue­rant suum, corruperant que: scelerati praeterea & nefarij muli [...]rum c [...]ngressus, clandestinae falsorum connubiorum corruptelae infanda acturpia facinora in co delubro vtpote in loco impu­ro & faedo admissa [...]rant. Eusebius de vita Constantini. lib. 3. cap. 53. Play-houses, (as the Fathers testifie,) are the very Nurseries, Schooles and Marts; the very shops and sinkes of all Vice and wickednesse whatsoever: they are the very Devils temples, Venus her Synagog [...]es, Vices Oratories, Sinnes Pallaces, Hels Ware-houses, Pollutions thro [...]e, Religions slaughter-house, Virtues Pesthouse; and shall wee then flocke to them to learne true virtue? Can Gaull yeeld Hony, or a Flintstone Milke? can Sinne beare Virtue, or Prophanesse Grace? then Playes and Play-houses, (the very See here. pag. 69. grand empoysoners of all Grace, all Vertue, yea, the very Specta [...]ula Diaboli retia. Chrysost. hom. 7. in Matth. Tom. 2. Collum. 59. C. Devils [...]ets to catch mens soules) may make men truly virtuous. Let vs not therefore seeke for vertue in a Play-house where it growes not, as too many doe, for feare we fraught our selves with nothing but a load of Vice, which will sinke our soules for ever to the dephes of Hell.

Lastly, the Church of God, not the Play-house, is the onely Schoole; the Scriptures, Sermons, devout and pious bookes; not Playes, not Play-books, are the onely Lectures, [Page 102] the Ministers and Saints of God, or rather Mentes ho­minum Deus omnipotens ad virtutes prouehit. Gregor. Mag. Moralium. 29. c. 23. In­cassum pro­inde quis la­borat in ac­quisitione virtutum si aliunde eas sperandas pu­tat quàm a Domino vir­tutum: cuius doctrina semi­narium prudentiae; cuius miseri­cordia opus iustitiae; cu­ius vita specu­lum temperan­tiae; cuius mors insigne est fortitudi­nis. Bernard super Cantica: Sermo. 22. fol. 130. L. God himselfe; not common Actors, not those Divell-Idols, Cyprian & Tertullian de spectac. lib. August. de Ciuit. Dei l. 2. c. 4. to. 29. l. 6. c. 6.7. Chrysost. hom. 6. and 7. in Matth. Salvian. De Gubernat. Dei lib. 6. and Act. 1.2, 3. accordingly. who rule and worke in Stage-playes, the onely Tutors of true virtue: True E coelo descendit, [...]: Iuv. Sat. 11. vir­tue is a plant that comes from heaven, growing onely in the Churches, not the Stages garden. See Plutar Moral. to. 2. An virtus doceri possit? Virtu [...] doceri non potest, neque hominibus per homines parari. Platonis Protagaras. p. 431. Philosophy and Phyloso­phers could not teach it; and can Playes or Players doe it? O no: It is the prerogative royall of the King of heaven, 1 Thess. 4.9. Ier. 31.34. Iohn 5.45. 1 Pet. 2.9. 2 Pet. 1 3. See z before. to teach men virtue; and that not by Stage-playes, or lascivious Poems, Gal. 5.22.22. 2 Tim. 3.16, 17. but by his Word and Spirit onely, which breathe not in our Theaters: It is then a Sacrilegij enim vel maximi instar est, humi quaerere, quod in sublimi debeas invenire. Mi [...]u [...]ius Felix. Octauius page 46. sacriledge, ye [...], a madnesse, to relinquish God, his Church, his Word, his Ordinances, his Saints (the onely fountaines of true virtue) as too many doe, to seeke out virtue in Playes, in Play-houses, which are no other but the sinkes of Vice.

Answer. 2 To the second Objection; that Stage-playes doe not teach, Sir Thomas Eliots Booke of the Governor. cap. 13. and Haywoods Apologie for Actors, accordingly. but discover Vices, that so men may learne to hate them, not affect them: I answer first; that it is Psal. 51.10. Psal. 119.37. 2 Tim. 2.25. Converti ad Deum sine ipso non possumus. Est enim paenitentia vnum de perfectis d [...]nis descendentibus a Patre luminum. Greg. Mag. in Psal. 7. poenitentiales. Fol. 364. Ambrose in Psal. 118. Octon. 5. ver 37. God onely by his Word and Spirit, who must teach vs to abhorre all Vice; not Stage-playes, the very Viti­orum semina sunt, scelerum pabula, mortis iter. Iohannis. Salisburiensis de Nugis Curia­lium pr [...]mio Agrippa de vanitate Scientiarum. c. 63.64. fuell of all sinne and lust.

Secondly, if there were any such virtue in Stage-playes, as to alienate mens affections from the vices which they per­sonate, they would then no doubt, not onely haue reclaimed the ancient Play-admiring Pagans and Comedians, but like­wise our moderne Play-Poets, Players, and Play-haunters from all those lewd and filthy Vices which come most fre­quently on the Stage. But I never yet could heare or reade [Page 103] of any ancient or moderne Actor, Composer, or Spectator of any Theatricall Enterludes, whom Playes recalled from the love, the practise of any Vices, that were ever acted on the Stage, wheras they have drawne milions for to imitate them. Therefore there is no such Nunquam virtus quam­vis obscura latet, sed mit­tit signa. Quis­quis dignus fuerit vestigiis illam colliget: Seneca de tranquil. Ani­mi. cap. 3. hidden virtue in them. To cause men to abandon Vice: which if there were, it would have emptied our See pag. 68, 69, 70. vicious Play-houses long ere this, and have made our lascivious, adulterous, amorous Playes, so odious, that none durst approch them, for feare of being polluted by them.

Thirdly, Stage-playes are so farre from working an ab­horring, that they produce, not onely a loue and liking, but also a­nimitation of those pernicious vices that are acted in them, Cyprian. and Tertulli­an de spectac. lib. Clemens Alexandr. Pae [...] dag. lib. 3. c. 11 Lactant. de vero cultu. c. 20. et Divina­rum Instit. E­pit. c. 6. Chry­sost. Hom. 6.7. et 38. in Matth. Nazi­anzen. Oratio 48. et de Recta Educat. ad Selucum. p. 1063. August. de Ciu. Dei lib. 2. c. 4. to. 17. Salvian de Guber. Dei. lib. 6 See Act. 6. throughout accordingly. which are commonly set forth with such flexanimous rheto­ricall pleasing, (or Sub specie iu­cunditatis venenum in [...]undunt. Bernard de Ordine vitae. Col. 1118. A. rather poysoning) streines; with such pa­theticall, liuely and sublime expressions, with such insinuating gestures; with such variety of wit, of art and eloquence, Quid illi qui vel suos vel alienos amores sunt prosecuti? quanta peste pueritiae atque adolescentiae animos consauciarunt? Quid enim aliud sunt cordi adolescentis amatoriae narratio­nes, quàm flamma stupis proxima? ipsae perse attrahunt et incendunt; de quibus Me­nander sentit, cuius versiculum Paulus Apostolus ore suo consecravit. Corrumpunt mores probos collocutiones improbae. Atqui omnia de libidine, de sauitie, de ininani gloria, de fraudibus non dicta sunt ruditer, atque impolitè, sed exculta, exornata, vt eti­am absque omni rei ipsius oblectamento verba ipsa per se arriderent, atque adblandi­rentur Quid verò in illis rebus, quas vltro malitia nostra expetit? quas audire, quas videre gestit; quas omnibus sensibus vsurpare, ad quas toto impetu fertur? Res sine verbis invitassent: verba sine rebus ad se pellexissent: dulci veneno, dulce additum est condimentum; vnde teneris animos et iniquiduis flexibiles rebus pessimis inficerunt. Ludou. viues. De causis corrupt Artium lib. [...]. p 80.81. See Seneca. Epist. 6. Isiodor. hisp. E­tymol, l. 18. [...] c. 27. accordingly. that if ever men did hate them from their hearts before, they cannot affect, at least approve, or but lesse detest them now: they being Nequitia facilè imitatores invenit. Philo Iudaeus de special. Legibus p. [...]053. Non egemus praeceptoribus, minis dociles mulorum sum­mus. Petrarcha. de Remed. vtriusque Fortunae l. 1. Dialog. 68. prone enough by nature for to practise them, without any alle­ctives to edge them on. This practise therefore of acting Vi­ces, doth onely propagate them, not restraine them.

Fourthly, if Stageplayes had beene fit Lectures, Play-houses [Page 104] apt Schooles to instruct men to abandon Vice, the See Act. 6. Scene 1. to. 8. & Act. 7. throughout Primitive Church, together with sundry Councels, Fathers, and moderne Christian Writers of all sorts, would never have so frequently condemned, so constantly avoyded Stage-playes, as the fruitfull Nurseries of all sinne and wickednesse; Prophane and vitious persons would never flocke so fast unto them, as they use: yea, the very Devill himselfe, (whom Diabolum nimis astutum fecit tam na­tura subtilis quàm longa exercitatio malitiae eius. Bernard [...]n Quadragess. serm. Coll. 114 115. G. & Col. 379 D. not onely Nature, but likewise long experience hath made exceeding po­litick) would never have bin so improvident as to See Act. 1.2. invent, to propagate, so inconsiderate as to multiply, to perpetuate Stage-playes to his owne great preiudice, were they such disswa­siues from Vice, from wickednesse, such attractiues unto Vir­tue, as these pleade they are, how truely let all men iudge.

Fiftly, Stageplayes themselves, as the See Act. 6. throughout. sequell will at large demonstrate, are pernicious sin-producing, Vice-fomen­ting pleasures, which all godly Christians have condemned: For any man then to vndertake to make men hate Vice by frequenting Stage-playes, is but Illivitium vitio, pecca­tum peccato medicantur: nos amore vir­tutum vitia sup [...]ramus. Hieron. Epist. 14. Cauen­dum est, ne malum malo cures Pachy­mer [...]s histor. lib. 4. to cure one vice with ano­ther, or to prevent a lesser mischiefe with a greater; yea, it is in truth nought else, but to make Vice a balme, an anti­dote against it selfe; and Absurdum est putare eum qui ab aliqui­bus e [...] bono malus fuerit factus, eun­dem abillis iterum ex ma­lo bonum fieri posse. Dionys. Hallicar. An­tiq. Rom. l. 11. sect. 2. p. 1026. to make ill men good againe, with that selfe-same thing which made them evill at the first: a paradox beyond my stupid apprehension.

Sixtly, the acting of forreine obsolete, and long-since for­gotten Villanies on the Stage, is so farre from working a de­testation of them in the Spectators mindes (who perchance were utterly ignorant of them, till they were acquainted with them at the Play-house, and so needed no dehortation from them;) that Semina paenè omnium scelerum a diis suis peccan­tium turba collegit. Et vt perditus animus possit aliquid impunè committere ex prae­cedentibus facinorum exemplis maiore se autoritate defendit, hominibus peccare cupien­tibus facinorum via de Deorum monstratur exemplis. Iulius [...]irmicu [...]. De Origine pro­ [...]anarum Religionum, c. 13. vid. Ibidem. it oft excites degenerous dunghill spirits, who haue nothing in them for to make them eminent, to reduce them into practice, of purpose to perpetuate their spurious ill-de­serving memories to posteritie, at least-wise in some tra­gicke [Page 105] Enterlude. It is Solinus Po­lyhistor. c. 54. Lucian de Morte Pere­grini. Gellius Noctium A [...] ­tic. l. 2. c. 6. Clemens A­lexand. Oratio Exhortat. ad Gentes [...]ol. 7. Hierom adver. Heluidiū c. 8 [...] Strabo Geogr. l. 14. Munster Cosmogr. l. 5. cap. 5. Alexan­der ab Alex­andro Genia­lium Dierum l. 3. c. 20. Pur­chas Pilgri­mage Booke. 3. cha. 17. ac­cordingly. storied of Herostratus; that hee set the great and famous Temple of Diana at Ephesus on fire, for this very end; ut nomen memoria sceleris extenderet; that the very m [...]mory of this his villanous exploit might eternize his base obscure name, and adde vnto his fame. ‘Iuvenal. Sa­tyr. 1. Salust de Bello Iu­gurthino p. 7. Aude aliquid brevibus Gyaris & carcere dignum Sivis esse aliquis:’ is the onely rode, the best, the speediest passage, that sordid desperate obscure spirits know or take to honour, wealth or fame, especially in declining, Libertas. scelerum est quae regna invisa tu [...]tur Sublatusque modus gladijs Lucan. l. 8. p. 141. vi [...]ious, turbulent or disconten­ted times. Wherefore since obsolete Quod later igno [...]um est igno [...]i nulla cupido. Ovid. de Arte Amandi l. 3. p. 202. unknowne sinnes, are alwayes freest from imitation, and more Iners malorum remedium ignorantia est. Seneca Oedipu [...]. Actus [...]. fol. 104. [...]asily avoyded then sinnes divulged, though with shame, disdaine or punish­ment; whence Plato Legum Dialogus 9. Seneca de Clementia l [...]b. 1. cap. 23. wise Lawgivers, have rather chosen, to inact no publike Lawes against vnnaturall rare-committed crimes, then to prohibit them by publike Edicts, vnder the severest pu­nishments, for feare the publike knowledge of them, by meanes of knowen Edicts, should make them more Multò minus audebant liberi ne [...]a [...] vltimum admittere, quandiu sine lege crimen fuit [...] Summa enim prudentia altissimi viri, & rerum naturae pe [...]itissimi, ma­luerunt velut incredibile sc [...]lus, & vltra audaciam positum, praeterire, quàm dum vindi­cant, o [...]tendere posse fieri. Itaque parricidae cum lege caeperunt, illis facinus paena mon­stravit. Seneca Ibidem. frequent in mens pra­ctise; it wereSatius erat ista in oblivionem ire, quam ne quis postea potens disceret. Seneca De Brevit. vitae cap. 13. Iucundius interdum quaedam nesciri possunt, quàm sciri. P [...]t [...]an [...] Diatrib [...] p. [...]10. Intervirtutes habebitural qua nescire. Quintil. [...]stit. Oratoria. l. 1. c. 13. p. 65. farre more commodious, lesse dangerous, lesse pernitious, that those vnparalleld forgotten villanies, whose me­mory is revived on the Stage, were for ever drowned in oblivion, then re-imprinted in mens mindes by Vice-perpe [...]uating Stage-playes: See Cyprian. Epist. l. 2. Epist. 2. Donato. ne exempla fiant quae iam esse facinora destiterunt; least our depraved times should make those moth-eaten wickednesses, the patternes of their imitation, which all-devouring antiquitie had expunged, out of the much enlar­ged Catalogue of moderne sinnes.

[Page 106]Lastly, if Stage-playes doe onely discover Vices for to make them odious, then those lascivious Pagans who most delighted in them, should have beene meliorated and mor [...]a­lized by them. But the See Act. 6. S [...]ene. 5 ac­cordingly. best Christian and Pagan Authors vnanimously agree: that Theatricall Playes and Poems were the chiefe corrupters of their mindes and manners, the most effectuall propagators of all kinde of vice, See Act. 4. Scene. 1.2. accordingly. there being none so vitious and lascivious, as those Pagan Greekes and Romans, who most frequented Stage-playes. Therefore the acting of such vices doth daily propagate and diffuse them, not de­crease them.

Since therefore the subiect matter of Stage-playes is thus heathenish, vitious and prophane, consisting of the fabulous histories, ceremonies, vices, names, and execrable wicked­nesses of Pagan gods and men,Deutr. 12.30. Psal. 16.4. Ephes. 5.3. Sir Thomas Eliot, in his Governor. Booke 1. c. 19. D. Reinolds Overthrow of Stageplayes. p. 138. The third Blast of Retrait from Playes and Theaters. which should not once be named among Christians; we may hence also conclude them to be sinfull, and utterly unlawfull unto Christians.

SCENA QVARTA.

FOurthly; the subject matter of our stage-Playes, is for the most part, false and Poeta cum primum ad scribendum appulit ani­mum, Id sibi negoti credi­dit solum dari, populo vt pla­cerent quas fe­cisse [...] fabulas. Terentij An­dria, Prologus. Argument 8. fabulous; consarcinated of sun­dry merry, Iudicrous, officious artificiall lies, to delight the eares of carnall Auditors. From whence I forme this eight Argument.

The Minor is evident, not onely from experience, and the [Page 107] concurrent suffrages of Fabulae. Mendacia: fabulosissima quae que in lu­dos & actus redigerūt, &c. August. De Ciu. Dei. l. 1.3, 4. and 6. Clemens A­lexand. Oratio Exhort. ad gentes fol. 8. Arnobius lib. 3 4. & 7. advers. Gentes: Iuli [...]s Fir [...]icus De Errore profa­narum Religi­onum. lib. with all the Fathers and Authors quo­ted in pag. 76. sundry Fathers, and Isocrates O­ratio ad Ni­coclem. p. 46.47. Plutarchi Solon, and De Audiendis po [...]tis lib. Diogenes Laertius lib. 1. Solon. Dionysius. Halicar. Antiq. Rom. l. 2. sect. [...]. Macrobius De Somno Scipionis lib. 1. cap. 2. p. 20. Horace de Arte Poetica. lib. Pagan Au­thors, who stile Stage-playes, fabulous, artificiall, sporting lies, from whence they take occasion to condemne them: but like­wise by the copious testimony of sundry ancient Fabulae, Figmenta, &c. Terentius. in Andriae, Enuchi, Adelphi, & Hecyrae Prelogo. Plautus, in Amphitru: & Captiuei Prologo. Euripides, in Hecubae, Orestis, Phaenissae, Argumento. Sophoclis Aiax flagellatus, Hecuba, &c. Argumentum. Horace de Art [...] Poetica. pag. 307.308. accordingly. Play-Poets, who stile their Playes by the very name of Fables, Lies, and figments. The Maior needes no large dispute. For since every lye is diametrally contrary to Rom. 3.4. Iohn 1 14. cap. 3.33. cap. 14.1. the God of Truth: [...]ince Iohn 8.44. Acts 5.3. it proceedes originally from the very Devill, who is a Lyer, and the Father of lies: since it is dir [...]ctly opposite to the Iohn 15.26. cap. 16.13. Spirit and Iohn 17.17. 2 Cor. 6.7. Coloss. 1.5. Ephes. 1.13. 2 Tim. 2.15. Word of Truth, which enjoyneth every man, (especially the children of God): Levit. 19.11. Ephes. 4.25. Zech. 8.16. Zeph. 3.13. to speake no lies; to put away lying: 1 Tim. 4.7. 2 Tim. 2 16. Titus 3.9. to refuse prophane and Oldwives fables, with all idle fabulous tales and babblings: Psal. 31.6. Ephes. 4.25. to hate all such who delight in lying vani­ties; and to speake nought else but truth; Reu. 21.8. cap. 22.15: Ier. 9.3.5. because whosoe­ver loveth and maketh a lie, shall be excluded the new Ieru­salem, and have his portion in that lake which burnet [...] with fire and brimstone for ever: SinceAugustine De Mendacio ad Consen [...]ium: Quaestiones sup [...]r Leviticum l. [...]. Quaest. 68. & Epistola 19. Ambrose sermo. 44. Basili­us Regulae contract. Reg. 76 [...] Hieron. Theodoret, Chrysostome, Remigius, Primasius, Theophylact, Haymo [...] Beda, and Anselmus in Ephes. 4.25. Bernard. De Interiori Domo cap. 43. & de gratia & libero Arbitr. col. 9.16. sundry of the Fathers recorded in the margent, have abundantly condemned all sorts of lies; as well officious, fabulous and sporting, as pernicious: And since divers Fabulae qua [...]um nomen indicat falsi professionem; aut tantum conciliandae auribus voluptatis auditum mulcent velut Co­maediae; hoc totum fabularum genus quod solum aurium delicias pr [...]fitetur, esacrario suo in nutricum cunas sapientiae tractatus elimi [...]at. Ma [...]robius De somno Scip. l. 2. c. 2. See Plutarchi Solon [...] accordingly. Per se mendaciū malum est, & vituperandū. A [...]ist. Ethic. l. [...]. cap. 7. Plato [...]egum. Dialo. [...]. Mentire servile est, dignum (que) apud omnes hominesodio, ac ne mediocribus quidem seruis ignoscendum. Plutar. De L [...]be [...]orum Ed [...]catione lib. Paga [...] Authors haue positi [...]ely c [...]nsured, all [...]udicrous lies and poems composed onely for delight; we cannot but sub [...]scribe unto the Maior, as an undoubted truth, and so by con­sequence [Page 108] to the Conclusion too. Since therefore Stage-playes are Mendacium non possumus dicere tunc tantum modo ess [...], quando proximus lae­ditur: cum enim falsum ab sciente dici­tur, proculdu­bio mendaci­um est, siue illo quisquam, siue nemo laedatur. August. Quaest super Leuit. l. 3. quaest. 68. Tom. 4. par [...]. 1. p. 296. but merry lies; and since Cavete fratres mendacium, quia omnes qui amant menda­cium filij sunt Diaboli; qui non solum mendax est, sed etiam & Pater & inventor ipsi­us mendacij: Ambros sermo. 44. Saint Ambrose in­formes us; that all those who loue a lie, are the children of the Devill, the Father of lies; let this cause us to detest all fabu­lous lying Stageplayes, as Quae autem Poetae de Dijs scripserunt, meras in­signesque nugas continentia; verbi gratia, fabulas inhonestas ac faedas, malorum genio­rum doctrinas, fabulas inquam, tum risu, tum lacrymis dignas: haec omnia tan quam la [...]queos & decipulas aversare. Nazienzen. ad Se [...]e [...]cum. p. 1063. the very snares and traps of Satan, [...]or feare we prove the Divels of-spring, who hath no inhe­ritance but Hell to leave us.

SCENA QVINTA.

FIftly, the subject matter of Stage-playes is oftimes im­pious, sacrilegious, blaspemou [...], and that in sundry re­spects.

First, in that the sacred names of God the Father, Sonn [...], and holy Ghost (which Deutr. 28.58. Psal. 89.7. Psal. 96.7.9. Apud enim homines offi­ciosis religio­nibus deditos, non ipsi Dij tantum verum etiam nomina debent esse Deorum vene­randa: quan­tumque est in ipsis qui cen­sentur his no­minibus, tan­tum esse par est in eorum appellationi­bus dignitatis. Arno [...]ius ad­vers Gentes. l. 5. p. 184. ought n [...]t to be mentioned but with reverence and holy feare) are frequently recited on the Stage, (too prophane, too impious a place for such dreadfull holy names to come into) and that in a sacrilegious, blasphemous, ridiculous, impious sporting manner, to their great disho­nour and Ier. 34.16. Isay 48.11. pollution. Hence was that passionate exclamation of Clemens Alexandrinus against the Gentiles: O impietas [...] scenam coelum fecistis, & Deus vobis factus est actus: & quod sanctum est Daemonorum personis in Comaedia ludificati estis: verum Dei cultum ac religionem Daemonum superstitione li­bidino [...]è & obscaenè inquinantes. Orati [...] Adhor [...], ad Gent [...]s fol. 8 E [...] O impie­tie: you have made the Theater heaven: you have made God himselfe an Act; that which is holy haue you also derided un­der the person of Divels; you have lustfully and fili [...]ily polluted [Page 109] Religion and the true worship of God, with the superstitions of Devils. Hence was it, that Tertullian in his booke, De spe­ctaculis cap. 28. Chrysost. homilie 38. on Matthew: Salvian De Gubernatione Dei lib. 6. the Surius Con­cil. Tom. 1. p. 504. and Binius Tom. 1 pars 1. p. 575, 579. third Councell of Carthage, Canon [...] 11. with sundry others, did long since stile all Stage-players, Blasphemi. Blasphemers: because they did not onely Quàlis ha [...]e religio, aut quanta maje­stas putanda e [...]t, quae ado­ratur in tem­plis, illuditur in theatris? Et qui haec fe­cerin [...], non poenas violati numinis pen­dunt, sed ho­nora [...]ietiam laudatione discedunt. Lactantius D [...] Iustitia. lib. c. 21. Nec alij Dij rideantur in theatris, quam qui ado­rantur in tem­plis: nec alijs ludos exhib [...]a­tis, quam qui­bus victimas immolatis. August. De Civ. Dei li. 6. c. 6. See lib 2. c. 3. to. 20. Iulius Firmicus De Errore profanarum Religio­ [...]um. Tertullian [...] and Cyprian De spectaculis. Clemens Alexandr. Orat. Adhort. ad Gentes. Arnobius Advers. Gentes lib. 3.4.7. Nazienzen ad Selucum. pag. 1063: Minucius Felix Octavius. Salvian De Guber. Dei l. 6. Plauti Amphitruo. Prologus. 1. See Scene 3. accord [...]ngly. deride, abuse, and personate their owne Idol-gods upon the Stage, for which the Christians taxed them: but likewise See Scene 6. accordingly. blasphemous­ly prophane, satyrically traduce the very sacred names of God the Father, Sonne, and Holy Ghost, in their publike Enterludes; whence the Fathers laid no lesse then blasphemy to their charge. A sinne to frequent in our moderne Stage-playes, where these dreadfull names (to our shame, Playes ruine be it written) are most desperately prophaned, most Athei [...]tical­ly blasphemed. Witnesse our owne late religious 3 Iacobi cap. 21. Sta­tute, of tertio Iacobi chapter 21. Where our Soveraigne Lord the King, together with the Lords Spirituall and Temporall, and Commons in that Parliament [...]ssembled, for the preventing and auoyding [...]f the great abuse of the holy name of God in Stage-playes and Enterludes, which then grew common, en­acted this pious Law (which is Nec quisquam fuerat qui in ea sc [...]lera animadve [...]tebat, propterea quod ex viris grauibus & honestis nemo illuc aud [...]bat accedere. Eusebius de vita Constantins, libr. 3. cap. 53. seldome or never put in ex­ecution, because few else but such who delight in blasphemy, and therefore are unlikely to prove informers against it, resort to Stage-playes;) That if at any time or times after that Sessi­on of Parliament determined, any person or persons in any Stage-play, Enterlude, May-game, or Pageant should jestingly or prophanely speake or use the holy Name of GOD, or of Christ Iesus, or of the holy Ghost, or of the Trinity, which are not to be spoken but with feare and reverence [...] that for every such [Page 110] offence by him or them committed, he or they should forfeit Cùm enim probrum iaci­tur in princi­pem patriae bonum atque vtilem, nonne tantò est in­dig [...]ius, quan­tò a veritate remotius, & a vita illius alie­ [...]us? Quae igitur suppli­cia sufficiunt, cúm Deo fit ista tam nefa­ria, tam insig­nis iniui [...]a? August. de Ci [...]. Dei. l. 2. c. 9. ten pounds. The one moitie thereof to the Kings Majestie, his Heires and Successors: the other moitie thereof to him that will sue for the same in any Court of Record in Westminster, wher­in no Essoigne or wager of Law shall be allowed. A sufficient evidence to testifie the execrable blasphemy of our dome­sticke Enterludes; since, Corn. Taci­tus Annal. l. 15 sect. 3. ex malis moribus optimae oriuntur le­ges: & emendari quam peceare posterius est.

Secondly, as these Sacred names, even so the Histories, Texts, and sacred passages of holy Scripture (which Psal. 50.16, 17. should not so much as come within the polluted lips of gracelesse Actors, especially M. Perkins Cases of Con­science, lib. 3. cap. 4. sect. 4. in sports, in plac [...]s of prophannesse) are oft-times most Atheistically, irreligiously, blasphemously acted, vtte­red, prophaned, derided, mis-applied, j [...]sted at, and sported with in Stage-playes. This M. North­brooke Trea­tise against vaine playes and enterludes p. 32. M. Stubs his Anatomy of Abuses, p. 102. The 3. Bla [...]t of Re­trait frō playes and theaters, p. 79.80.103 104. The Pre­face to the Practise of Piety, accor­dingly. Authors, this experience large­ly testifie, to the griefe of all good Christians, and if this bee not sufficient, we haue the expresse Authority of an Act of Parliament, even 34. & 34. H. 8. c. 1. of [...]4 and 35 of Henry the 8. chapter 1. which irrefragably confirmes this truth. Now for Chri­stians thus to abuse the Word of God, and Scripture Histo­ries on the Stage, what is it but the very height of all impie­tie, which well deserves Gods heaviest judgements: It is Aristeas, historia, 70. sacrae scripturae inte [...]pretum Bibl. Patrum. Tom. 1. p. 12. F.G.M. Stubs his Anatomie of Abuses. p. 102. M. North­b [...]ooke against vaine Playes and Enterludes. p. 32. storied, of Theopompus an historian, and of Theodect [...]s a Tra­gaedian; Tha [...] God strucke the one of them with madnesse, the other with blindnesse for a season: the one, for inserting a part of Moses sacred writing into his prophane story; the other of them for intermixing some passages and histories of the old Te­stament with his lascivious Play-Poems; neither were they re­stored to their sight, or senses, till they had particularly repented of this their wickednesse. If then these Pagans, for these their Scripture prophanations did undergoe so sharpe, so exem­plary a judgement; what a severe punishment may those Christian Play-Poets, Actors and Spectators looke for, who wilfully prophane those sacred Scriptures on the Stage, by [Page 111] which they must be Psal. 119.9. Iohn 17.17 Gal. 6.16. sanctified and directed now, and Iohn 12.48. Rom. 2.12.16 judged at the last? What a stupendious impietie, a desperate blas­phemy and prophannesse is it, for m [...]n, for Chri [...]tians, to turne the most serious Oracles of Gods sacred Word into a Play, a Iest, a Fable, a Sport, a May-game?Non haec io­cosae conveni­unt lyrae. Quo musa tendis? desine perui­cax referre sermones De­orum, & mag­na modis tenuare paruis. Horace Car [...]. l. 3. Ode. 3. p. 71. to temper the Psal. 19.8. P [...]al. 119.140 purest Scriptures with the most obscene lascivious Play-Poems, that filthinesse or prophannesse can invent? to pol­lute those sacred histories on the Theater, See pa. 10. & 49. to. 53. the very house and Synagogue of the Devill, which the sanctifying Spirit of God hath for ever consecrated and 1 Tim. 3.15 [...] Ephes. 3.10. bequeathed to the Church of God? to make the 2 Cor. 10.4, 5. Sin-slaying, the Lust-mortifying, Psal. 19.7. Soule-converting Word of God, the 2 Pet. 1.4.19. Acts 26.6.7. Rom. 4.16. c. 9.8.9. onely evidence of our salvation; a meere Pander to mens beastly lusts, their ribaldrous mirth, their gracelesse wits, and carnall jollity; yea, a meere instru­ment to the very Devill himselfe See here Act. 1. & p. 47. to. 54. In ludis theatralibus delectantur Daemones, & vt constat, vir perfectus non debet intende­re ludicris in quibus Dae­mones dele­ctantur. Alex­ander Fabri­ciu [...] Destructorium vici [...]rum, par [...] 4. cap. 29. B. 2., who rules in Stage-playes; and so an Prou. 13.13. Rom. 2.5.8.9. obsignation of their just damnation. Doubtlesse, as the damnablenesse of this most execrable impietie, (which is next of kinne to that Matth. 12.31.32. Marke 3.28, 29, 30. 1 Tim. 1 20. unpardonable sinne of Blasphemy a­gainst the holy Ghost, the 2 Pet. 1.20, 21. Author of the Script [...]res) trans­cends my narrow expressions; so the eternall tormens a­lotted to it, doe surpasse mens largest thoughts. And yet it now acts it's Part so frequently, so pla [...]sibly on the Stage, that many cease, not onely to apprehend no sinfulnesse, no danger in it, but also deeme it worthy of their best applause. Alas, with what face or confidence; with what joy or hope can such heare or reade the Scriptures in the Church, who thus actually Et quoniam ridere nostram fidem consuevistis, atque ipsam credulitatem facetiis ioculari­bus lancinare, dicite O festivi, & saturati potu, &c. Arn [...]b. ad v [...]r. Gentes. lib. 2. Bib. Patr. Tom. 3. p. 161. B. prophane them, or heare them thus prophaned in the Play-house? With what assurance can they call upon the Name of God, of Christ for mercy at th [...] last, who de­lightfully resort unto those Theaters, where they ar [...] fre­quently blasphemed and prophaned now? Can any thus abuse, pollute Gods holy Name, or Word; and yet hope for consolation, for absolution, for salvation from them at the [Page 112] last? Can any thus blaspheme the Name of God, of Christ, or patiently indure the audience of such blaspemies as are belched out against them on the Stage; and yet dare to in­vocate them in their greatest exigencies? Certainly, Gal. 6.7. God will not, Christ will not thu [...] be mocked. Let not such blasphe­mers then as these Iam. 17. Psal. 11.6. Rom. 2.8.9. expect any thing from Gods hands, but wrath, & vengeance, th [...] onely portion of their Cup, unlesse they speedily repent of these their damnable, prophane, blasphe­mous Stage-playes, which thus abuse the sacred Scriptures, in a transcendent manner.

Thirdly, as the historicall passages of the Old Testament, so the historie of Christs death, and the celebration of his blessed Sacraments, are oft times prophaned in theatricall enterludes, especially by Popish Priests and Iesuites in for­raigne parts: See Missale Romanum. Sacerdotale, Pontificiale & Ceremoniale Roma num. Their severall Bookes. De Missa, & Ri­tibus Cele­brandi Mis­sam. D. R [...]i­nolds Over­throw of Stage-playes, p. 161. Doct. Beard of An­tichrist, par. 3. cap. 8. s [...]ct. 4. B. Iewel, Mor­ney, Su [...]cliffe, Morton, White, and others, in their Treatises a­gainst the Masse, accor­dingly. Who, as they have turned the Sacrament of Christs body and blood into a Masse-play; so they have like­wise trans-formed their Masse it-selfe, together with the whole story of Christs birth, his life, his Passion, and all other parts of their Ecclesiasticall service into Stage-playes. This, not one­ly D. Reinolds Overthrow of Stage playes. p 161. & De Idolol. Rom. [...] Ecclesiael. 2. c. 3. sect. 29. p. 403. Doct. Beard of Antichri [...]t, part. 3. cap. 8. sect. 4. and the Statute of 1 Edw. 6. c. 1 Protestant Writers, but even their owne Records (where the Index Epurgatorius hath not clipt their tongues) doo largely testifie, to their shame. AEneas Silvius, surnamed See Pla [...]ina, Ana [...]tatius, Hopperus, Stella, Tritemius and Antoninus, in vita Pij secundi and AEneae Sylvii perfixed to his Workes. Pope Pius the second: as the Records of himselfe, Epistol. lib. 1. Epist. 15.23.45, 50. and 92. inter opera sua, Basileae 1551. that he was much given to Wine, to Ven [...]ry, Belly-cheere and other beastly lusts,. Epist. lib. 1. Epist [...] 15. pag. 510.511. and that he begot a Bastard sonne on the body of an E [...]glish woman, whose chastity he oft solicited before hee could prevaile; in which fact, which sonne of his, he much re­joyced, as his owne Epistle witnesses: such was his Pius Papall chastitie. So he is not ashamed to publish to the world; that in his younger yeeres Epist [...] 1. Epist. 97. p. 586 [...] and Epist. 395. p. 869. he penned the wanton Co­maedie of Crisid, with other am [...]rous Poems: and in his elder [Page 113] dayes in honour of Corpus Christi Feast, he caused a Shew or Stage-play to be acted, Commen­tariorum de Rebus a se ge­stis. lib. 8. Nonne in spe­ctaculo, quo festum Cor­poris Christi se honorasse gloriatur Pa­pa Pius secun­dus, aul [...] regi [...] [...]lestis expres­sa, memoratur, & sedens in maiestate De­us [...] Virgi­nemque Ma­trem è sepul­chro assump­ [...]am aeterno Patri Filius obtulisse dici­tur? Ergo & histrio, perso­nam ac ima­ginem Dei Patris refe­rens, Deus ae­ternusque P [...] ­ter appellatur stylo Papali D. Reinolds De Romanae Ec­clesiae. Idolola­tria lib. 2. c. 3. sect. 29. p. 403 wherein was represented the Court, of the King of Heaven, and God the Father sitting in Majestie: together with God the Sonne, (O blasphemie, O prophannesse beyond all expression) offering up the blessed Virgin his Mother, taken out of her sepulchre, unto his aeternall Father. What wickedness [...], what blasphemie like to this, as thus to Deifie a Player, and to bring the very Throne, the Majesty of God himselfe, yea, the persons of the eternall Father, Sonne, and God of glory on the Stage. But peace, it was an vn-erring Pope that did it, and so perchance it was Si Papa er­raret praecipi­endo vitia, vel prohibendo virtutes, tenetur Ecclesia credere vitia ess [...] virtutes, & virtutes malas, nisi vellet contra conscientiam peccare. Bellar. l. 4. D [...] Rom. Pontif. c. 5. Careri­us De potest. Pont. l. 1. c. 23. numb. 16. More worke for a Masse-Priest. num. 1 [...]. pag. 14. no sinne at all in him. Honorius Augustodunensis, an Author of some credit among the Romanists, in his Booke, In Bibliotheca Patrum Coloniae, 1618. Tom. 12. pars 1. pag. 1028. De An­tiquo Ritu Missarum. lib. 1. cap. 83. the title of which chap­ter is, De Tragaedijs: to signifie to the world, that the Po­pish Masse is now no other but a Tragicke Play, writes thus, Sciendum, quod hi qui Tragaedias in Theatris recitabant, actus pugnantium gestibus populo re­praesentabant. Sic Tragicus noster pugnam Christi populo Christiano in Theatro Ecclesiae gestibus suis r [...]praesentat, eique victoriam redemptionis suae inculcat. Itaque cum Presbyter (Orate) dicit, Christum pro nobis in agonia positum exprimit, c [...]m A­postolos orare monuit. Persecretum silentium, significat Christum v [...]lut agnum sine vo­ce ad victimam ductum. Per manuum expansionem, de [...]ignat Christi in cruce extensio­nē. Per cantū praefationis, exprimit clamorē Christi in cruce pendētis, &c. Idem Ibidem. Wee must know that those who rehearsed Tragedies on Theaters, did represent unto the people by their gestures, the acts of fighters. So our Tragedian (thus hath he stiled the Masse-Priest, how aptly the ensuing words enforme us) represents unto the Christian people by his gestures, the combate of Christ in the Theater of the Church, and inculcates into them the vi­ctory of his Redemption. Therefore when the Presbyter saith, (Pray yee) he acteth or expresseth Christ, who was cast in­to an agony for us, when he admonished his Apo [...]tles to pray. By his secret silence, he signifieth Christ led to the slaughter as a Lambe without a voyce. By the stretching out of his hands, he denotes the extension of Christ upon the Crosse. By th [...] Song of the Pr [...]face, be expresseth the cry of Christ, hanging vpon [Page 114] the Crosse, &c. Loe here a Roman Masse-priest becomes a Player, and in stead of preaching, of reading, acts Christs Passion in the Masse; which this Author stiles, a Tragedy. Lodovicus Vives complaines, Atqui mos nunc est, quo tempore sa­cr [...] c [...]lebra­tur Christi morte sua ge­nus humanum liberantis, lu­dos nihil pro­pe a scenicis illis veteribus differentes po­pulo ex [...]ibere: etiam si aliud non dixero sa­tis turpe ex­istimabit quis­quis audiet, ludos fieri in re maxime se­ria. Ibi ride­tur Iudas quam potest ineptissima ja­ctans, dum Christum prodit. Ibi Discipuli fu­giunt militi­bus perse quen­tibu [...], nec fine cachinnis acto [...]rum & specta­torum. Ibi Pe­trus auriculam rescindit Malcho, applaudente pullata turba, ceu ita vindicetur Christi captivitas. Et post paulum, qui tàm strenuè modo dimicarat, rogationibus vnius an­cillulae territus abnegat magistrum, ridente multitudine ancillam interrogantem, & exibilante Petrum negantem. Inter tot ludentes, i [...]ter tot cachinnos & ineptias so­lus Christus est serius & severus: cum que affectus conatur maestos elicere, nescio quo pacto, non ibi tantum, sed etiam ad sacra frigisacit, magno scelere atque impietate, non tam eorum qui vel spectant v [...]lagunt, qu [...]m sacerdot [...]m qui eiusmodi [...]ieri curant. Lodovicus Vives. Not [...] in Augustinum De Civit. Dei. lib. 8. cap. 27. D See Francis De Croy his first Confirmity. chap. 19. pag. 48. and D. Reinolds overthrow of Stage-playes. p. 161 [...] accordingly. that it was the custome of the Priests and Papists in his age, when as the solemnity of Christs death was celebrated, to exhibite Playes unto the people, not much different from those ancient Pagan Ent [...]rludes; of which practise (saith he) though I say no more, whosoever shall heare, he will repute it discommendable enough, even in this re­gard, that Playes should be made in a thing most serious, There Iudas is derided, uttering the most foolish things he can devise, whiles he betrayeth Christ. There the Disciples flie, the soul­diers pursuing them, and that not without the dirision and laughter, both of the Actors and Spectators. There Peter cu [...]s off the eare of Malchus, the ignorant multitude applauding him, as if by this meanes the captivity of Christ were sufficiently re­venged. And a little after, he who had fought so valiantly, be­ing affrighted with the questions of one little Girle, denies his Master, the multitude deriding in the meane time the Maide that questions him, and hissing a [...] Peter who denies him. Among so many Players, among so many shoutes and ridiculous foole­ries Christ onely is serious and grave: and when as hee endea­vours to eliciate sorrowfull affections; I know not by what meanes, not there onely, but likewise at the Sacraments and holy Ordinances he waxeth cold, with the great wickednesse and im­piety, not so much of those who behold or act these things, as of the Priests, who appoint these things to be done. Loe here their [Page 115] owne Author declaiming against Popish Priests for their frequent acting of Christs Passion, in the very selfe-same manner, as the Pagans of Old did vse to act the lives and practises of their Devill-gods. A sufficient testimony, how little Papists really estimate the bitter Passion of our bles­sed Saviour, since they make a common Play or pastime of it. This passage of Vives hath so offended the histrionicall Masse-Priests, that Eodem lib. in Scholiis cap. 27. Dele­antur illa ver­ba. Atqui mo [...] nunc est, &c. vsque ad [...]i­nem Annota­tionis. Index Librorum Ex­purgat. 1601. fol. 4. Gaspar Quiroga in his Index Expurga­torius, commands it to be expunged out of all new Impressions of Saint Augustine, and the Divines of Lovan, in their Im­pression of Saint Augustines Workes, Antwerp [...] 1575. and in other of their Editions since that time, have razed it out accordingly, that so they might still proceed to Act Chri [...]ts Passion without controll. To passe by De vita & honestate Ec­clesiasticorum lib 2. cap. 22. Ioannes Langhecru­cius, a Popish Author, who makes mention of this playing of Christs sufferings, and seemes for to approve it. As al­so to pretermit the 1 Ed. 6. c. 1. Statute of primo Edw. 6. chap. 1. which informes us, That divers Papists [...]ad then of late marvei­lou [...]ly abused, contemptuously depraved, despised and reviled, the most holy Sacrament of Christs body and blood, in sundry rimes, songs, Playes, and Iests; calling it by such vile and unseemely words as Christian eares doe much abhorre to heare rehearsed: an uparalleld blasphemy and prophannesse: The provinci­all Popish Apud Surium Tom. 4. p. 8 [...]3.854. Councell of Colen under Adolphus, in the yeere 1549. cap. 17. and 22. not onely impliedly allowes the acting of sacred histories, but likewise expresly Records; Nihil prope tam sanctum quod secula­rium homi­num vanitas non trahat in abusum. Ec­clesia de the­sauro corpo­ris Christi qui dum quaereret salutem nostram in medio po [...]uli versatus est, & vniversalem Iudaea [...] circumambulavit, docens, & egrotos sana [...]s, discipulis concomitantibus: quamobrem & sanctorum reliquias, & imaginies eorum qui vestigia ejus secuti sunt, simul circum­ferimus, significantes illos nunc cum ipso regnare & triumphare in cò [...]lis. Quae me­moria debet pijs esse jucunda & laeta. Verum huc saecularis hominum stultorum vani­tas irrepsit, & adhibentur etiam ludi prophani & scurril [...]s magno strepitu, ac quasi ad bellum procedendum esset, tympana pulsantur, & ociosa spectacula eduntur, rebus istis non cōgruentia: quibus populus delectatus, à rebus quae processione aguntur auocatur. Mandamusid circo, &c. Ibidem. That when as the Church carryed about the consecrated hoste of Christs body and blood in long processi [...]ns (the reason of which processions are there at large expressed) the secular [Page 116] vanity of worldly men did creepe into those processi [...]ns; in so much, that they joyned with them prophane and scurrilous Playes with a great noyse; and as if they were going to Warre, Drummes and Fiffes were strucke up, and idle spectacles which suite not with these things were exhibited: with which the peo­ple being delighted, they were wholly avocated from the things done in procession, Whence this Councell commands all Clergy men to absent themselves from such processions, which were turned into Playes. Yea, the Popish Apud Bo­chellum Deer­cla Ecclesiae. Gal. lib. 6. Tit. 19. cap. 20.21 23. p. 1028. Synodus Carnoten­sis, an. 1526. & Synodus Turvinra. 1583. informes vs, That Catholicke Priests, in the dayes of the first Masses of their new Presbyters, after their merry Feasts, their great and unhallow­ed banquets, did goe forth in publike to exhibite most grosse unchaste Comaedies to the people, and that in the Feast of Saint Nicholas, I [...]nocents, and on other Festivals, they did put on Visars, and act some ridiculous or foolish thing, (and sometimes the Passion of our Saviour, or these of their Sai [...]ts & Martyrs either in their Churches or some other place. It is true, that some few Italian Bishops, being ashamed of this diabolicall practise, of the See Orme­rod his Paga­no-Papismus and Polydor Virgil. De In­ventor. Rerum lib. 5. cap. [...]. accordingly. Paganizing Church of Rome, in acting Christs Passion, did in a Councell at Millaine, under their Archbishop Borrhomaeus, in the yeare of our Lord, 1566. de­cree for their Province; Statuimus vt salvato [...]is passio deinceps nec in sacro nec in pro fa­no loco aga­tur, &c. Con­cil. Mediola­nense: 1. Con­stitu [...]. par [...] 1. cap. De Actio­nibus & re­pr [...]sentationi­bus sacris quo­ted by Iohan­nes Langhe­crucius. De vi­ta et honestate Ecclesiastico­rum l. 2. c. 22. p. 324. and by D. Reinolds, in his Over­throw of Stage-playes p. 161. that the Passion of our Saviour should not be hereafter acted in any sacred or prophane place whatsoever, because of the scandall which it did occasion: But yet to qui [...] the credit of their Church which might justly be taxed for approving this ungodly practise, Turpiora sunt vitia cum virtutum spe­cie caelantur. Hieronym. Epist. 14. they put this faire glosse upon this so execrable villany; that the acting of Christs Passion, however it came to be abused, was a custome religiously practised and brought in at first: Pie introducta consuetudo repraesentandi populo veneran­dam Christi domini passionem, &c. A most irreligious evasion of ambitious spirits, who would rather audaciously justifie their greatest errours to their greater infamy; Sed qui primas non potuit habere sapientiae, secundas habeat partes modestiae; ut qui non valuit omnia impaenitenda dicere, sal­tem paeniteat quae cognoverit dicenda non fuisse. Augustini Prologus in Retract. libr. 9. then ingeniously acknowledge them to their praise. [Page 117] But hath his provinciall Councell or Apud Bo­chellum lib. 6 Tit. 19.19. c. 20, 21, 23: Synodi [...]s Carnotensis, 1526. and Synod [...]s Turonica, 1583. which are much to the like effect, abolished this abuse out of the Antichristian Church of Rome? No verily, for the Iesuites themselves are not ashamed to publish to the world, Epist. [...]apa­nic. 18. Ioan­nis Firnandis Bongo. Doct. Reinolds O­verthrow of Stage-playes: p. 161. and De Romanae Ec­clesiae Idolola­tria l. 2. c. 3. sect. 29 [...] p. 403 that in stead of preaching the Word of God [...] the fall of Adam and Eve, with their exile out of Paradise, and the history of our Saviour, they acted and played them among their Indian Proselites. A true Iesuiticall practise, beseeming well this histrionicall infer­nall Society,Rom. 1.25. who have turned the very truth of God into a lie, and the Isti templ [...] sua in theatr [...] vertunt, & san­ctum Dei ver­bum in ludi­cras fabulas transformant. D [...] Reinolds. De Romanae Ec [...]les. Idolo­latria. l. 2. c. 3. sect. 29. p 403. whole service of God into an Enterlude. And no wonder is it that Papists and Iesuites thus turne Christs Pas­sion into a meere ridiculous Stage-play, (a practise yet in use among them, especially on Witnesse the acting of Christs Passion at Elie house in Holborne when Gundemore lay there, on Good-Friday at night, at which there were thousands present. Good-Friday:) since Quantum nobis, ac no­stro caetui pro­fuerit [...]a de Christo fabu­la, satis est sae­culis omnibus notum. They are the words of this blasphemous Pope: apud Balaeum. De scriptoribus Britt. Centuria 8. pag. 636. Pope Leo the tenth, (such was his unerring pious blasphemy) re­puted the whole history of our Saviour, a meere cheating gai [...]e­full Fable; as we may justly seare these acting Priests and Iesuites doe, or else they durst not thus to play it, to abuse it as we see they doe. And as [...]hey thus act the sacred Passi­on of our blessed Saviour, even so (if Quoted in Iohn S [...]owes Survey of London, cap. 16. pag. 142. Fitz-stephen Solemus vel more priscorum spectaculum edere populo, recitare Comaedias, item in templis vita [...] divorum ac marty­ria repraesentare: in quibus ut cun [...]tis par sit voluptas, qui recitant, verna culam tantum linguam vsurpant, &c. De Inventor. Rerum. lib. 5. cap. 2. pag. 386. See Francis de Croy, his first Conformitie. Cap. 19. pag. 48. & Bochellus D [...]creta Eccles. Gal [...] l, 6. Tit. 19. cap [...] 20, 21, 23. Poly­dor Virgil, Bochellus, or Francis de Croy, may be credited) they act the lives, the miracles, the martyrdomes torments and legions of their Saints upon their solemne Festivals, and that within their Churches in their Mother tongue; not out of any devotion, but for mirth anb recreation sake, after the manner of the ancient Pagans. Saint Augustine, writing of the ho­nour (not of the adoration, a thing not then in vse) which the Christians gave the Martyrs in his age; in­formes [Page 118] us; Absit, ut eos quanuis De­os habeant, sanctis Mar­tyribus no­stris, quos ta­men Deos non habemus, vlla ex parte aude­ant cōparare, Sic enim non constituimus sacerdotes, nec offerimus sa­crificia mar­tyribus nostris quia incon­gruum, inde­bitum, illici­tum [...]t, atque vni Deo tan­tummodo de­bitum: ut nec criminibus su­is, nec ludis eos turpissi­mis oblecta­mus, vbi vel flagitia isti ce­lebrant Deo­rum suorum, si cum homi­nes essent talia commise­runt, vel consicta delectamenta daemonū noxiorū, si homines non fuerunt. Aug. De Civ. Dei l. 8. c. 27. that they did neither exhilerate them with their crimes; nor yet with filthy Playes, with which the Gentiles did vsually delight their Idol-gods. Yet our novellizing Roma­nists, (who Antiquitatem jactatis, & de Die novè vivitis. Tert. Apol. Adv. Gentes. vaunt so much of antiquity, though their whole Religion, (wherein they varry from us) be but novelty) aban­doning the pious practice of these Primitive Christians, (conscious to themselves no doubt, that many of their late Canonized Tiburne-Martyrs, were no other, no better then the devil-gods of Pagans, See Clemens Alexandr. Oratio Adhort. ad Gentes. Athanasius contr. Gentiles I. Ter­tullian. Apologia advers. Gentes. Tacianus Oratio advers. Graecos. Arnobius Ad­versus Gentes lib. Lactantius De Origine Erroris lib. Nazianzen. Oratio 47. and 48. Augustine De Civit. D [...]i. lib. 1, 2, 3, and 4.6.7. and 8 accordingly. who were oft-times deified for their notorious villanies, as Popish Saints are for their matchlesse treasons;) have not onely See Officia bea­tae Mariae & sanctorum, in all Popish Portuasses, Missals and Prayer bookes Bishop. Mortons Protestant Appeale. lib. 2. cha. 12. Iohn Whites Way to the true Church, sect. 39. adored them as gods, erecting temples to their names and worship: but likewise solemnized their anniversary commemorations, by personating in their severall Temples, the blasphemous ly­ing Legends of their lives and miracles, (so fit for no place as the Stage it selfe) in some theatricall shewes; adoring and honouring them in no other manner, then the very Pa­gans did their Devil-gods, with whō these [...]ell-saints are most aptly See O [...]merod his Paganopapismus semblance 1. to. 51. Ludovicus Vives No­tae in August. De Civit. Dei l. 8. c. 27. Iohn Bales Acts of English Votaries: in the Praeface, Doct. Iohn Whites Way to the true Church. sect. 39. Numb. 4. paralleld. Such honour, such worship give the Pa­pists to our blessed Saviour, to these their idolized Saints, as thus to turne, not onely Ad thea­trum potius templa t [...]ansfert [...], in scenis Religionum istarum secreta tradantur, & ut ni­hil praetermittat improb [...]tas, histriones facite sacerdotes. Iulius Firmicus De Errore Pro­fan [...]rum Religionum. c. 13. Bibl. Patrum Tom. 4. p. 112. See Doct. Reinolds De Romanae Eccle. Idololatria. l. 2. c. 3. s [...]ct. 29. p. 403. their Priests into Players, their Tem­ples, into Theaters; but even their very miracles, lives, and sufferings into Playes. To leave the Papists and close up this Scene. It is Nicholaus Cabasila. De vita in Christo. lib. 2. Bibl. Patrum. Tom. 14. p. 112 [...] C.D.E.F [...] recorded of one Porph [...]ry a Pagan Stage-player, [Page 119] that he grew to such an height of impiety, as he adventu­red to baptize himselfe in [...]est upon the Stage, of purpose to make the people laugh at Christian Baptisme, and so to bring both it and Christianity into contempt: and for this purpose he plun­ged himselfe into a vessell of water which he had placed on the Stage, calling aloud upon the Trinity: at which the Specta­tors fell into a great laughter. But loe the goodnesse of God to this prophane miscreant; it pleased God to shew such a demon­stration of his power and grace upon him, that this Post quam verò, id quo per ludum bap­tizatus est, non Ch [...]istianus solum illico est redditus, sed ad ipsorum quo que mar­tyrum socie­tatem aggre­g [...]tus, &c. I [...]dem Ibidem. sporting baptisme of his, became a serious lauer of regeneration to him: in so much that of a gracelesse Player, he became a gracious Christian, and not long after, a constant Martyr. The Nicholaus Cabasila. Ibi­dem. like I find registred of one Ardalion, another Heathen Actor, who in derision of the holy Sacrament of Baptisme, baptized him­selfe in jest vpon the Stage, and by that meanes became a Chri­stian; Gods mercy turning this his wickednesse to his eternall good: not any wayes to justifie Playes or Players, or to coun­tenance this his audacious prophannesse; but even miracu­lously to publish to the world the power of his owne holy Ordi­naces, w^ch by the co-operation of his Spirit, are even then able to regenerate those Psal. 68.18. Acts 2.13.37.38. Acts 9.1 [...] to. 22. who most contemne them, when they are used but in scorne. These notable histories, with the premises, sufficiently evidence, the subject matter of Stage-playes to be oft-times impious, sacrilegious, blasphe­mous: from whence I raise this ninth Argument.

SCENA SEXTA.

SIxtly, Stage-playes are for the most part satyrically in­vective against the persons, callings, offices and professi­ons of men; but more especially against Religion and Servi Dei sunt quos Di­abolus infe­stat; Christi­ani sunt, quos Antichristus impugnat. Neque enim quaerit illos quos j [...]m suos fecit. Inimicus & hostis Ec­clesiae, quos alienavit ab Ecclesia & Io­ras duxit, vt captivos & victos con­temnit: eos pergit lacesse­ [...]e in quibus Christum cer­nit habitare. Cyprian. Epist. lib. 1. Epist. 1. Re­ligious Christians, the chiefest objects of the Divels malice. From whence I deduce this tenth Play-oppugning Argu­ment.

The Major needeth little proofe, since God himselfe in­joynes all Christians, Ephes. 4.31.32. to put away all bitternesse, anger, wrath, clamour, and evill speaking, with all maliciousnesse: to be courteous and tender-hearted one towards another; 1 Pet. 3.9. not rendring railing for railing; Col. 3.12, [...]3, 14. but forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any one hath any quarrell against ano­ther, (much lesse then when as there are no personall vari­ances betweene men) even as God for Christs sake hath for­given them, The Scripture requires, Iam. 3.17.18. that Christians should be patient, peaceable, gentle, easie to be entreated, full of mercy, and good fruits without grudging or calumny, without hypo­crysie or backbiting, 1 Cor. 5.11 c. 6.10. 2 Pet. 11 [...] without rayling or slanders, especially against Isay 5.20. godly men, whose lives, whose persons, whose gra­ces should no where be traduced, much lesse upon the Stage. Mens persons Gen. 1.26. c. 5.1. c. 9.6. are the worke and image of G [...]d him­selfe; [Page 121] their honest callings, offices and imployments, the very 1 Cor. 7.20. to 25. Rom. 13.1.2. Ordinances of God: their graces, their holinesse (to omit their credit and good names, Prou. 22.1. Eccles. 7.1. which are better then precious oyntment, yea, more desirable by farre than great riches) the very beames Iohn 1.16. Mal. 4.2. that flow from the Sunne of Righteousnesse: Wherefore, to personate, deride, revile, or scoffe at all, or any of these, upon the Theater, Prou. 14.11 must needs be sinfull; be­cause it not onely brings them into contempt and scorne, but also offers open Prou. 17.5. indignitie to God himselfe, from whom they issue.

The Minor is abundantly evident. First, by the expresse testimony of prophane Author [...]: It is Plato in So­cratis Apolo­gia. Diogenes La [...]rtius lib 2 Socrates AE­lian Variae. Hist. lib. 2. c. 13. Theodo­ret De Activ [...] virtute. l. 12 [...] p. 428. Plu­tarchi Plato fol. 343. E. Ludovicus Vi­ves. Notae in August. De Civit. Dei [...] l. 2. c. 9. storied of Aristopha­nes, that scurrilous carping Comaedian, that he personally tra­duced and abused virtuous [...] Socrates on the Stage, by the insti­gation of some lewde Athenians [...] who maligned him for his re­splendent vertues; accusing him both for a trifler, an Atheist, who did neither know nor reverence the gods; of purpose to bring him into derision with the people. Plutarchi Alcebiades. Horace Epist. l. 3. Epist. 1. p 282. Suidae Eupolis: Lu­dovicus Vives Notae in Au [...] August. De Civit. Dei. l. 2. c. 8. Eupolis the Comae­dian, did the like to that famous Graecian Worthy, Alcebiades, for which he commanded him to be drowned in the Sea. Et quibus occupatio est in proximo­rum peccata, vt subsanna­toribus & Comicis: ma­lediti enim quodammo­do ipsi sunt, & procliues ad enunciandum, &c. Rhetoricae lib. 2. c. 6. p. 136. Ari­stotle writes of Comaedians, that they are wholly occupied in surveying, in deriding the vices of other men, which they pro­claime upon the Stage, whence he rankes them in the number of traducers, and evill [...] speakers. Oratio de Pace. p. [...]21. & ad Nicoclem. p. 46.47. Isocrates blames the A­thenians much, for preferring Comaedians who did nothing but carpe at them, and blaze abroad their vices to their infamy, before such who best deserved at their hands. Diogenianus in Symposia. l. 7. Quaest. 8. Plutarch, reputes it an unbefitting thing, to entertaine Play­ers, or their Comedies at any solemne Feasts; because their vi­rulent invectives, scoffes, and jests, would occasion sudry quar­rels and debates. The Plutarchi Lacor­nica Insti [...]ta. Lacedamonians banished all Stage-playes, Players, and Play-Poets, out of their Territories; be­cause they could not endure to heare their lawes carped at, or [Page 122] spoken against in jest or earnest. Tacitus An­nal. l. 1. cap. 14 l. 4. c. 3. Dion. Cassius R [...]m. histor. l [...]b. 57. p. 798. Alex­ander [...] ab A­lexandro. Gen. Dierum l 3 cap. 9. Marcus Aure­lius cap. 14. Tiberius exiled all Stage-players out of Italy, by reason of those many commotions which their insolent personall invective Playes occasioned. To passe by that famous Plutarchi Pericles. Gracian P [...]ricles, who was oft times perso­nated and traduced on the Theater: Hiserias saltationes ri­diculè suis ge­stibus imita­bantur. [...]as per ludi­brium depra­vantes, vt spe­ctatoribus ri­sum moverent. Ex triumphis autem quia [...] guntur satis liquet hos lusus cavillatorios & satyricos apud Romanos iàm indo a priscis saeculis re­ceptos fuisse. Licet enim ijs qui triumphum prosequuntur iambos & dicteria ia cere in illustrissimos quosque viros, atque adeò in ipsos imporatores; quemadmodum Athe­nis olim ijs qui plaustris vecti pompam prosequebantur obvios quosque scommatibus impetere licebat. Antiqu. Romanorum lib. 7. sect. 9. p. 713. See Bulingerus De Thea­tro. lib. 1. cap. 9.10. &. 58. accordingly. Dionysius Ha [...]icarnasse­us describing the ancient Enterludes of the Romans, records: that Cavillatorie and satyricall Playes were of old received among the Romans: in which Playes it was lawfull for the Actors to cast Iambickes, scoffes and floutes upon the most il­lustrious persons, yea, upon the Emperors themselves: as it was lawfull heretofore among the Athenians, for those who accom­panied their Triumphes and Shewes in Wagons, to scoffe at any they met withall, which liberty of [...]c [...]f [...]ing, (asQuaerere conabar quate lascivia major. His [...]oret in [...]udisliberior (que) Iocus. Sed mihi succurret numen non esse severū. Apta (que) de­licijs munera ferre Deam, &c. Fastorum. [...] 5. p. 89. Ovid testifies) was likewise vsed in the Floralian Stage-Playes. So that in­vective Playes were common, both with the Romans and Athenians. Dipnosophorum l. [...]. c. 5.6. Athenaeus Records: That Comaedians abound in personall scoffes, reproaches, taunts; which are frequent in the Comaedies of Aristophanes: Yea, Eu­polis atque Cratinus, Aristophanes (que) Poetae, atque alij quorum Comaedia prisca viro­r [...]m est: Si quis erat dignus describi quod malus, aut fur; Quod maechus foret, siccari­us, aut alio qui Famosus; multa cum libertate notabant. Omnes hi metuunt versus, odêre Poëtas, Faenum habet in cornu, longè fugit, dummodo risum Ex cutiat sibi, non hic cui­quam parcet amico. Horace Sermonum. lib. 1. Sat. 4. Horace the Poet, is very copious in describing the personall invectives of Playes in for­mer times, [...]escennia per hunc inventa licentia morem. Versibus alternis approbria rustica Iudit: Lib [...]rtasque recurrentes ac­cepta per annos, Lusit amabiliter donec iam saeuus apertum In rabi [...]m ver [...]i caepit, iocus, & per honestas Ire domus impunè minax: doluêre cruento Dente laccessiti: fuit in­ract is quoque circa Conditione super communi quinetiam lex, Paenaque lata; malo quae nollet, carmine quenquam Describi, vertêre modum formidine f [...]stis [...] Ad bene dicen­dum, delectandum que reducti. Idem Epist. l. 2 Ep [...]st 1. p. 282. [...]ut immunda crepent ig­nominio [...]aque dicta. Successit verus his Comaedia non sine multa Laud [...]: sed in vitium libertas excidit, & vim Dignam lege regi: lex est accepta, chorusque Turpiter obtinuit sublato jure no cendi. Idem. De Arte Poetica p. 304.306. Bullingerus [...]e Theatro. l. 1. c. 9. & 58. accordingly. especially the Fescennia, and the ancient Comedy, [Page 123] which spared neither friends nor foes; whose personall inve­ctives grew so excessive, so odious and intollerable, that the Ro­mans inacted a Law against them, to suppresse their vile abuses [...]n this kinde. This concurrent testimony then of Pagan Authors, is a sufficient justification of my Minors truth. Secondly, as these heathen Writers, even so the Fathers, with sundry ancient and moderne Authors doe positively affirme the truth of this assumption. Witnesse Philo Iudae­us, his punctuall testimonie, De vit [...] Contemplativa; page 1209. Clemens Alexandrinus Oratio Adhortatoria ad Gentes, fol. 8, 9. Tatianus Oratio adversus Graecos, Bibl. Pa­tr [...]m Tom. 2. p. 180.181. Indo male­dicta conuitia sine iustitia, odij etiam suffragia sine merito amoris. Quicquid op­tant, quicquid abominantur extrancum ab illis est: ira & amor apud il­lis ociosus, & odium iniu­stum sine cau­ [...]a. Deus cert [...] cum causa prohibet odis­se, qui inimi­cos diligi iu­bet. Deus eti­am cum causa maledicere non sinit, qui maledicentes benedici prae­cipit. Sed Cir­co quid ama­rius? vbi nec principibus quidem aut [...] vibus suis par­cūt. Quicquid horum quibus circus furit nus quā compe [...]it sāctis, ideo nec in Circo. Ibid. Tertullian De spectaculis cap. 15, 16. Cyprian Epist. lib. 2. Epist. 2. Donato, & de Spectaculis lib. Arnobius adversus Gentes. lib. 4. p. 149.150. & lib. 7. p. 230. to 242. Hierom. Epist. 4. cap. 2. Ambrose De officijs, lib. 1. cap. 23. Chrysostome homil. 38. in Matth. Nazianzen. Oratio 48. p. 792. D. 797. D. Augustine De Civitate Dei lib. 2. cap. 4.5. and 9. and [...] Sancti Valeriani homilia 6. De oti­osis verbis, Bibliotheca Patrum: Tom. 5. pars 3. p. 482.583. Ludovicus Vives, Notae in August. De Civit. Dei. lib. 2. cap. 4.5.8.9. Bulli [...]gerus De Theatro lib. 1. cap. 9.10. and 58. Gosson in his Playes confuted, Action 2. The third Blast of Re­trait from Playes and Theaters, p. 116.117. Doctor Iohn Whites Sermon at Pauls Crosse, March 24. 1615. section 11. (to which I may add [...] our owne Statutes of 1. Edw. 6. chap­ter 1. of 2. and 3. Edw. 6. chap [...]er 1. of 1. Eliz. chapter 2. which precisely prohibit the satyricall depravi [...]g, traducing, or derogation of the Common Prayer-Booke, and of the Sacrament of the Lords Supper in any Enterludes, Playes or Rimes, (in which kinde Playes had beene formerly peccant) und [...]r se­vere penalties.) Cavendum est ergo dile­ctissimi ne scenico ser­mone alter al­torum laedar, & theatrali­bus verbis ve­recundiā fra­tri laesae aesti­mationis in­cutiat, &c. Ibidem. All these, I say, with sundry others which I pretermit, expr [...]sly tax [...], yea, utterly condemne all Playes, in regard of these their personall invectives against particular persons, functions, offices, callings, and the like, concurring fully in my Minors truth.

But to passe by Authorities, our owne particular expe­rience, is a thou [...]and witnesses to this Assumption. Survay [Page 124] we all our moderne Stageplayes with an impartiall eye, Gosson, Play [...]s confu­ted Action [...]. The third blast of Re­trait from Playes and Theaters. p. 116.117. accordingly [...] There is hardly one of them among an hundred, wherein Re­ligion or religious men, or som [...] particular persons, offic [...]rs, cal­lings, professions, are not notoriously, satyrically derided, persona­ted, traduced, defamed, by such Tamdiu quisquis sua peccata igno­rat quam diu curios [...] aliena considerat. Qui semetip­sum aspicit, non quaerit quid in alijs frequenter re­prehendat, sed in semetipso quid lugeat. Bernard. De Interiori Do­mo c. 42. who neither consider nor bewaile their owne iniquities, whiles they curiously survay, and mali­ciously divulge the faults of others. Not to particularize those late new scandalous invective Playes, wherein Gundemore, the late Lord Admirall [...] Lord Treas [...] ­rer, and others. sundry per­sons of place and eminence have beene particularly perso­nated, jeared, abused in a grosse and scurrilous manner; the Scena joci mo r [...]mberi­oris habet. O­vid. Fastorem l. 4. p. 81. Aut immunda cre­pent ignomi­niosaque dicta. Horace de Ar­te Poetica p. 304. Nullum invenire Pro­logum potuisset novus Quem di ceret, ni [...]i haberet cui malediceret. Terentij Phormio, Prologus. frequent scoffes, reproaches, scandals, Satyrs, and disgrace­full passages that are darted out in Stageplayes, against Mini­sters, Lawyers, Courteours, Phisitions, Marchants, Citizens, Tradesmen of all sorts; against Iudges, Iu [...]tices, Maiors, and such like Officers; but especially against all zealous practi­call professors of Religion, Dat veniam co [...]uis [...] vexat censura columbas. Iuvenal. Satyr. 2. who seldome scape the Players lash: (by meanes of which, both Governours, Govern­ment, Religion, and Devotion are brought into contempt [...]) doe abundantly confirme the Satyricall invectivenesse of Stageplayes. Which vitious quality is sufficient to make them odious unto Christians.

Objection. If any here object in defence of Stage-playes; See Hay­woods Apologie for Actors. The third blast of Retrait from Playes and Theaters, p. 116, 117. that they inveigh not against particular persons, offic [...]rs, or professions; but onely against their vices; which is not onely law [...]ull, but usefull, but commendable.

Answer. To this I answer. First, that the Objection it selfe is meerely false; since not onely Cum nulli hominum generi aut professioni ab improbis isto sermone par­catur, ab [...]mnibus tamen ad spectaculum convenitur. Cyprian de spectacu [...]is lib. Cyprian, and the fore-quoted Authors, but even Players and Play-haunters them­selves can testifie, that all sorts of persons, of professors are abus [...]d often on the Stage: their virtues, their graces being there more frequently censured, derided, traduced, then their vices. Secondly, admit the Objection true; yet for [Page 125] See Gosson Playes con [...]u­ted, Action 2. The third blast of R [...] ­trait from Playes, p. 117. Doctor Iohn Whites Ser­mon at Pa [...]ls Cross [...] March 24. An. 1615. sect. 11 accor­dingly. Players to censure, to proclaime mens vices or abuses on the Theater, must needs be sinfull. First, because they have no au­thenticke commission, either from God or man to doe it. For though Levit 19.17 Prov. 24.24.25. Matth. 18.15. Heb. 3.13 every private man may secretly admonish or re­prove another for his sinnes, as opportunity shall require: yet Matth. 18.16.17. Rom. 13.3.4. Isay 58.1. Rom. 14 3.4.2 Tim. 4.2. 1 Tim. 5.20 none must publikely censure sinnes or sinners, but Magi­strates, Ministers, and such like publike persons, who are depu­ted by God himselfe to this very office; vpon which no com­mon [...] Players must encroach. Secondly, because Players are of all others, the unmeetest pers [...]ns to reprove mens vices. Matth. 7.3.4, 5. Rom. 2.3, 21, 22, 23. Accusare viti [...] o [...]ficium est bonorum ho­minum & be­n [...]volorum. Quod cum malefici a­gunt, alienas partes agunt, &c. August. lib. 2. De Ser [...]mone Domini in monte, cap. 30. Non amplius possumus increpare cos quia nobis reguntur, cúm ips [...] quoque [...]adem Febre teneamur, & ipsi egemus medicina, quos Deus posuit ut alijs me­deremur. Chrys. in Ephes. hom. 10. Tom. 4. Col. 9 [...]5. C. Quomodo nos vitam corrigere va­leamus alienam, qui negligimus nostram [...] Gregor. Magn. homil. 17. in Evangelia. He, who will effectually rebuke the sinnes, the enormities of other men, must be [...]ree from open crimes himselfe; else his reproofes will wa [...]t authority, and rather exasperate or en­courage the reproved in their sinfull courses, then reclaime them from them. See Act. 4. Scene 1. Now Players are commonly the most criminous and enormious persons of all others, Damnant foris quod intus operantur, admittunt libenter quod cum admiserint, criminantur. Turpis turpes infamat, & evasisse se conscium credit, qua [...]i conscientia satis non sit. Idem in publi [...] accusatores, in oculto rei, in semetipsos pariter censores & nocentes, Cyprian. Epist. lib. 2. Epist. 2. Donato. being for the most part deepely guilty of all those vices, those abuses which they condemne in any: Therefore their reproofes are vaine and fruitlesse. Thirdly, because Players are alwayes pec­cant in the manner of their reproofes. He, who reprehends anothers faults in a lawfull Christian way, must be sure to observe these circumstances. First, he must doe it Gal. 6.1. 1 Tim. 5.1.2. 2 Thes. 3.15. with the spirit of m [...]kenesse, of compassion, without wrath or passion. Secondly, Mat. 10.16. Ephes. 5.15. Col. 4.5. Prov. 2 [...].9, 10, 11, 12. he must doe it with discretion, in a decent, and pru­dent manner; having a due respect both to the person, time, and place, to the vice or fault reproved. Thirdly, he must doe it Levit. 19.17. Gal. 6.1. 1 Cor. 5 5. 2 Cor. 4.5.5. 2 Cor. 7.8, 9. 2 Tim. 3.16.17. Titus. 1.13. Prov. 25.12. c. 9.89. 2 Thess. 3.15. 2 Tim. 2 26, 27. out of conscience, loue, and friendship: with an unfai­ned desire to reforme the persons, the vices reprehended; Levit. 19.17. Exod. 23.1, 2. Prov. 10.18. Nulli detrahas, nec in co tesanctum, putes si coeteros [...]aceres, Hier. Ep. 4. [...], 8. not to vent his owne private spleene, [...]r to disgrace the party rebuked. [Page 126] Fourthly, Matth. 18.15, 16, 17. Gal. 2.11, 14, 1 Tim. 5.20. Sime vis cor­ripere delin­quentem, aper­te in crepa. Quid enim prodest si alijs mala referas mea? [...]i me nesciente, pec­catis meis, imò detractioni­bus tuis alium vulneres, & cū certatim om­nibus narres sic singulis loquaris, quasi nulli dixeris alteri? hoc est, non me emen­dare, sed vitio tuo satisface­re. Hierom. Epist. 4 c. 10. he must openly reprove the delinquents to their faces, that so they may take notice of their vices to reforme them: not covertly behinde their backes, for this is meere detraction, not reproofe: A publication of mens vices vnto others to their great disgrace; not a discouery of them to themselves for their amendment. Now our Vice-censuring, Sinne-pro­claiming Actors, (who Dum alienos errores emen­darc nituntur, ostend [...]nt su­os, Hierom. Epist. 28. commonly discover, but not correct their owne enormities, whiles they display and censure others, Vae illi, qui [...]uam ren [...]it corrigere vi­tam, & alie­nam non desi­nit detrahere. Bernard. De Interi [...]ri Do­m [...]. c. 42. Col. 1082. B. which makes them truely miserable) transgresse in all these circumstances. Their reproofes are alwayes satyricall, ed­ged with private malice, or pointed with revenge: they are never serious, seasonable, private, discreet: Hi temere judicant de incerti [...], & facilè reprehendunt, magis amant vituperare & damnare, quam emendare atque corrigere: q [...]d vitium vel superbiae est, vel impuden­ti [...]e. August. lib. 2 de Sermone Dom. in monte cap. 30. their ayme is onely mens defamation, not their reformation: sin [...]e they pro­clai [...]e mens vices unto others, not lay them open to them­selves: they dare not looke the delinque [...]ts in the face, but are alwayes clamouring behind their backs: their re­bukes proceed not from true Christian love, which delights to cover, not propalate and divulge menssinnes: therefore they must needs be evill. Fourthly, (as a Doct. Iohn Whi [...]es Sermon at Paules Crosse, March the 24. Anno 1615. sect. 11. reverend worthy of our Church observes) there is nothing more dangerous in a state, then for the Stage and Poet to deride sinne, which by the Bishops and Pastors of the Church is gravely and severely to be reprooved; because it causeth Magistrates, Ministers, and State [...]men to lose their reputation, and sinne to be lesse fea­red. Lastly, admit that Players had sufficient authority to censure the vices, the abuses of particular persons, o [...]ficers, and professions (which I cannot beleeve they have, till they can shew me an act of State, or a Commission for it in the Scripture,) yet this is infallible, Exod. 23.1. Psal. 15.3. that they ought not to re­ceive or raise an ill report of any: Genes. 21.9. 2 sam. 6.16.20. Psal. 119 [...] 136. to deride or scoffe at any mans vices, and Prov. 14.9. cap. 10.23. so to make a mocke of sinne, Iames 4.11. or to speake evill of any one, as they doe: since God himselfe prohibites it, [Page 127] since Iude 9. Michael the Archangel, (whose example all mu [...]t imitate) disputing with the Divell about the body of Moses, durst not bring any railing accusation against him, but said; The Lord rebuke thee: yet our desperate wicked Players (who Improbissi­mi omnium, & maxima paena digni sunt, qui d [...] ijs rebusalios ac­ [...]usare audent quibus ipsi constricti te­nentur. Iso [...]ra­tes, Oratio d [...] Permutatione page 617. in this are worthy the severest penalty, that [...]eing so super­latively vitious thēselves, they dare presume to censure others) to testifie to the world, that they are within the number of these Iude 8.18. scoffers, and 2. Tim. 3.3. dispisers of those who are good, which are prophecied of in the latter times; dare open their blacke Iames 3.6. in­fernall mouthes, in bitter invective Enterludes, against all gr [...]ce and goodnesse; against the very prof [...]ssion and pro­fessors of Religion; against all qualities, callings and de­grees [...]f men, scarce glancing lightly at their vices. There­fore their Playes must needes be inexcusably sinfull, even in this respect.

SCENA SEPTIMA.

LAstly, admit the stile or subject matter of Stage-playes be no wayes such, as I have [...]erto demonstrated it to be; yet at the very best it is Ociosum verbum est, quod sine vti­litate loquen­tis dicitur, & audientis: ut si omissis seri [...]s de rebus frivo­lis loquamur, & fabulas nar­remus anti­quas. Hierom. Co [...]. in Matth. l. 2. cap. 12. v. 36.37. See Theophilact. Ibidem. but idle, frothy, superflu­ous, unprofitable; as vaine, as e [...]pty, as vanity it selfe. From whence I raise this eleventh dispute.

The Major is uncontroulable; since God himselfe inhi­bits Christians, Iob 15.2.3. Reijce ver­bum quod non aedificat audientes. Va­nusenim ser­mo citò pollu­it mentem, & vanae con­scientiae est index. Bernard de In [...]eriori Domo cap. 43. to utter vaine knowledge; to reason with un­profitable talke, or with speeches which will doe no good, Ierem. 2.5.8. c. 16.19. to walke in vanity, or things that will not profit; and 1 Sam. 12.21. Nimirum sapere est ab­iectis vtile nu­gis. Horace, Epist. lib. 2. Epist. 2. p. 292. to follow after vaine things which will not profit, because they are but vaine. Christians Isay 55.2. must not lay out their money for that which is not bread, and their labour for that which satisfieth not, Eccles. 5.7. & 6.11.12. [...]hey must not delight in vanitie, or in things that increase, vanity, and make not man the better; but they must pray with David; Psal. 119.37. Turne away mine eyes from beholding vanity: since the Scripture is expresse; Psal. 4.2. Psal. 10.7. Psal 12.2. Psal. 24.3.4. 2 Kings 17.15 that the speaking, loving, or lifting up of the soule to vanity, folly, and unprofitable things, is an Mores ho­minis lingua pandit, & qualis sermo ostenditur, t [...] ­lis animus comprobatur; quoniam ex abundantia cordis os loquitur. Bernard. de inte­riori Domo. cap 43. Col. 1082. undoubted character of such wicked men, who shall not as­cend into Gods holy hill; not any property of Gods children: Who as 1 Tim. 4.7. they must abandon all idle, fabulous, unprofitable dis­courses; Mat. 2.36.37. V [...]nus sermo non eri [...] absque iuditio, quia ab omni rectitudinis statu deperiunt qui per verba vana dilabuntur. Bernard De Interiori Domo c. 43. Because that for euery idle word that men shall speake they shall give account at the day of judgement: so they must likewise direct even all their actions, speeches, recreations 1 Cor. 10.31, 32, 33. to Gods glory; Col. 3.16.17. Iude 20. the edification of others, and Isay 55.2.3. 1 Sa [...]. 12.21. 1 Tim. 6.18.19. their owne spiri­tuall good; to which Stage-playes, no wayes tend. There­fore the Major is vnquesti [...]nable.

For the Minor; Th [...] the stile and subject matter of Stage-playes is in its very best acception, but vaine, but fri­volous and ridiculous, bringing no glory at all to God, nor good to men: is most apparant. First, by the concurring te­stimony of sundry Fathers, and other learned Writers, Hence Hilarie, Ambrose, Chrysostome, Augustine, Bruno and others, in their Commentaries and expositions on the 118. alias the 119. Psalme verse 37. Turne away mine eyes from beholding vanity: together with Iohn Salisbury, lib. 1. De Nugis Curialium, cap. 8. Master Gosson, Doctor Rei­nolds, [Page 129] Master Northbrooke, and others in their Treatises against Stage-playes; interpret this Averte ocu­los meos vi­deant vanita­tem: hic no­tantur illi [...] qui diversis spe­ctaculis & [...]u­dis Theatrali­bus occupan­tur, &c. Hilari. vanity in the Psalmist. of Stage-playes, and such like spectacles, which they Vtinam hac interproetatio­ne possimus revocare ad diversa Cir­censium ludo [...]rum atque theatralium spectacula fe­ [...]tinantes. Va­nitas est illa quam cernis. Pantominum aspicis? vani­tas est, &c. Ambros. Enar. in Psal. 118. Octon. 5. Tom. 2. p. 430. F. condeme as vanity. Hence Clemens Alexandrinus writes of playes; Spectacula verbis obscenis & vanis tem [...] ­r [...] prosusis plena sunt. P [...]dagogi l. 3. c. 11. that they are fraught with obscene and vaine speeches, rashly uttered: Hence Gregory Nazianzen stiles Playes; Vit [...] vanita­tes, voluptatum Hydra. Ad Se­luchum Epist. p. 10 [...]3. the va­nities of life, and the hydra of pleasures. Hence Chrysostome writes of Playes: In Theatro [...]isus, ineptitudo, verba multae fatuitatis ac stultitiae plena, &c. Homil. [...]2 [...] in Acta Apost. Tom. 3. Col. 612. A. homil. 92. ad populum Antioch [...]ae. Tom. [...]. Col. 3 [...]7. A [...] that they are fraught with laughter, wan­tonnesse, and words [...]ull of folly and vanitie. Hence Anasta­tius Sianita writes of the Severiani: Vestra dogmata magis sunt ridicula quam quae in omnibus s [...]nicis Orchestris, & Thylemicis ludis aguntur. In his Viae duae. [...]ibl. Patrum. Tom. 6. pars 1. p. [...]04. That their positions were more ridiculous, absurd and foolish, then those things that are acted in any Stage-playes. Hence Bernard writes, Mi­mos, fabulatores, scurrilesque cantilenas, & [...]udo [...]um spectacula milites Christi, tanquam vanitates & insanias falsas respuunt & abominantur. Ad Milites Templi Sermo. Col. 8 [...]2. L That the true souldiers of Christ, reject and abominate Players and Stage-playes, as vanities and false frenzies. Hence Iohn Sa­lisbury stiles Playes, Spectacula & tyrocinia vanitatis. De N [...]gis Curialjum. l. 1. c. 7.8. the spectacles and rudiments of vanitie. Hence Cyprian, Lactantius, Cyril of Hierusalem, Augustine, Basil, Salvian, Macarius AEgyptius, and others, See [...]2. former­ly quoted, have utterly condemned Stage-playes, as the very pompes and vanites of this wicked world, which Christians haue abjured in their Baptisme. If then we beleeve these severall Fathers, together with Asi­na [...]ia. Prologus. Plautus, De somno Scipionis. l. 1. pag. 20. & Sa [...]urnal. lib. 2. cap. 7. Maecrobius, Floridorum lib. 4. A­puleius, three Heathen Authors; or Master Gosson, Master Northbrooke, Master Stub [...], and Doctor Reinolds, in their bookes against Stage-playes: or the third Blast against Stage-playes and Theaters, together with Caesar Bulingerus De Theatro, lib. 1. cap. 11. de Ludis p. 141. We must needs acknowledge, both Playes themselves, together with their stile and subject matter, to be meere idle uselesse vanities; Since all these repute and stile them such.

Secondly, our owne experience, will readily subscribe un­to [Page 130] it as an undoubted truth. For what are all our Stage-playes, but the frothy excrements of superfluous idle braines; which being impregnated with some 2 Pet. 2.18. Proijcit am­pullas & ses­quipedalia verba. Horace, De Arte Poet [...] ­ca. p 300. swelling words, or high-towring conceited plots of vanitie, (which they secretly adore with highest admiration, as being worthy the most suparlative Stage-applause,) doe travell in paine un­till they have brought forth their long-conceived issues on the Theater, w^ch prove but Quid dig­num tanto fe­rit hic promis­sor hiatu? Parturiunt montes, nasci­tur ridicul [...]s mus. Horac [...] De A [...]te Po [...] ­tic [...]. p. 300. ridiculously vaine at best? Wha [...] are they, but meere miscelanies of over-studied, well-ex­pressed vanities? Their subiect, their action, their circum­stances; what else are they but vanitie of vanities, but ridi­culous follies or frensies in the highest degree, unworthy of a Nunquid tibi videtur sapiens, qui o­culos vel aures istis expandit? Ioannes Salis­buriensis l. 1. De Nugis Cu­rialium c. 8. wise-mans sight, much lesse his approbation? Their Actors, their ordinary Spectators, what are they but ridicu­lous, foolish, vaine, fantasticke persons, who delight in no­thing more then toyes and vanities? Their very fruits, their ends, what are they else, but either the nourishing, or the in­crease of sinne and vanitie? If we survay the good, the profit which accrues from Stage-playes, we shall find, that they are good for naught; that they bring no glory at all to God, no benefit, no comfort unto men; Va [...]um enim est quod ad ni­hil vtile est. Vana illa sunt omnia qua bo­num nullum habent finem. Chrysost. Hom. 12. in Ephes. Tom. 4. Col. 963. D therefore they must needs be vaine. If we respect Gods glory; where shall we finde God more dishonoured, more provoked then in Stage-playes? which had the See Act. 1. accordingly. Divell himselfe for their author, subject, and composer, who proves sometimes their Actor too. Where are Gods Name, his Word, his Attributes, his Ministers, his Saints, his Substitutes, his Children, his Wor [...]hip, his Graces, more blasphemed, pro­phaned, traduced, or derided, See the third Blast of Re­trait from Playes and Theaters. The Preface to the Practise of Piety; Salvian de Gubernatione Dei lib. 6. The Schoole of Abuses; and Scene 5. before. then in Stage-playes? Where is God more offended, more affronted with swarmes of crying sinnes, then in the Play-house? And how can it bee otherwise? We know it was the received opinion of the [Page 131] ancient Pagans; that their Vos persua­sum habetis Theatralibus ludis Deos de­lectari & a [...] ­fici, irasque aliquando conceptas [...]o­rum satisfacti­one molli [...]i. Honorantur his Dij, & si quas ab homi­nibus con [...]i­nent offensio­num memorias illatas, abijci­unt, excludunt, redduntque s [...] nobis redin­tegrata famili­aritate fauto­r [...]s, &c. Mi­mis nimirum Dij gaudent, & illa vis prae­stans, neque vllis hominum comprehensa natu [...]is liben­tissimè com­modat audi­endis his au­res, quorum symplegmatibus plurimis intermixtos se esse derisionis in materiam no [...]unt? delectan­turut res est salpictarum sonitu ac plausu factis & dictis turpibus, fascinorum ingenti­um rubore. Iam verò si viderint in Foemineas mollitudines enervantes se viros, vocifera­ri hos frustra, sine causa alios cursitare, amicitiarū fide salva contundere se alios, & cru­d [...]s mutilare se caestibus, certare hos spiritu, buccas vento distendere, votisque inanibus concrepare, manus ad coelum tollunt, rebuꝰ admirabilibus moti prosiliunt, exclamant, in gratiam cum hominibus redeunt. Haec si dijs immortalibus oblivionem afferunt simulta­tum; si ex Comaedijs, attellanis, mimis ducunt laetissimas voluptates, quid moramini, quid cesiatis, quin & ipsos dicatis Deos ludere, lascivire, saltare, obscaenas compingere cantio­nes, & clunibus fluctuare crispatis? Quid enim differt, faciantue haec ipsi, an ab alijs fi [...]ri in amoribus ac delicijs ducant? Arnobius adversus Gentes. l. 7. p. 232, 234, 236. Devill-Idols (to whose See Bullingerus De Theatro, lib. 1. c 17. so­lemne honour and worship, all Stage-playes were at first devo­ted) were so well pleased with these Theatricall Enterludes, that if they did but honour and adore them with them, they would forthwith pardon, yea, forget their sinnes against them, and of enemies, become propitious, kinde, and friendly to them. And can any Christian then conceive such base conceits of God, or Itane, istud non est Deorum imminuere dignita­tem, dica [...]e & consecrare turpissimas res ijs quas censor animus respuat, & quarum acto­res inhonesto [...] esse ius vestrum, & inter capita computa [...]i indicavit infamia? Arnobius Ibi­dem. p. 233. so farre derogate from his Majestie, his purity, his Deitie, as to deeme him honoured or delighted, not grieved, not offended with such Stage-playes See Act 2, accordingly. wherewith Devill-Idols were attoned? Doubtlesse, that which the Devill himselfe hath invented, appropriated to his owne honour and advantage, See 1 Cor. 6.14.15. can ne­ver bring any praise or glory unto God: therefore our Stage-playes cannot doe it. If we reflect upon the good they bring to men, alas, what is it? See here p 68, 69. and Act. 6. Scene 4, 5, 6. Bodinus de Republica l. 6. c 1. The third Blast of Retrait from Playes, and Master Boltons Discourse of true happinesse, p. 73, 74 [...] accordingly. Where doe they sucke in more poyson, more corruption; where doe they mere blunt their virtues, or make greater shipwracke of all their Christian graces, then a [...] Stage-playes, the grand-empoysoners of mens soules? I have knowne, heard, and read of thousands, who have wrackt their credits, their estates, their virtues, yea, their very bo­dies and soules at Playes, at Play-houses: but never could I yet heare or read of any who have beene meliorated or re­claimed by them. I have read of sundry pestiserous [...]ff [...]cts, and sinfull fruits of Stage-playes, of which you shall heare at large Act. 6 throughout. heereafter: but never could I finde in all the Fa­thers, [Page 132] in any mod [...]rne Writers, so much as any one necessary virtue, grace or reall benefit that hath resulted from them. I have read of See Act. 6. S [...]ne 5. & 10 accordingly. divers Republicks, Emperours, Magistrates, and Authors of all sorts, who have suppressed Stage-playes, as intollerable evils in a Christian or well-ordered Common­weale; they being the Seminaries of all kinde of vices; the chiefe corrupters of mens minds and manners: But never could I meet with any, who affirmed them to be good or use [...]ull in a State. Since therefore it is evide [...]t by all the premises; that Stage-playes in their best condition, are but Hae Nugae s [...]ria ducunt in mala. Ho­race de Arte Poetica p. 312. meere Nugatorie, ridiculous, superf [...]uous van ties, which lead [...] to seri­ous evils; and bring no glory at all to God, nor good to men; we may conclude them to be not onely incongruous, but unlawfull unto Christians, Qui igitur in Chri [...]to est, quomodo po­te [...]t vanitates aspicere, cum Christus in carne sua om­nes mundi hu­jus crucifixe­rit vanitates? Ambros Enar. in Psal. 118. Octon. 5. Tom. 2. pag. 430. F. who must not cast their eyes upon the vanities of this wicked world, since Christ himselfe hath crucified them in his flesh, that we for ever might abandon them.

You have seene now, Christian Readers, the common stile and subject matter of popular Stage-playes, and I dare con­fidently averre, that there is scarce one Stage-play this day acted (our Libenter ve­ter [...]s spectant fabulas, Nam nunc nov [...]e quae prodeunt Comaediae multò sunt ne­quiores. Plauti Casina, Prolo­gus. p. 166. moderne Playes being farre more lewd then those of former times.) whose subiect, parts and pass [...]ges are not reducible to all, to some, or one at least of these recited par­ticulars: therfore we must needs passe sentence of condemna­tion against them, even in this respect.

SCENA PRIMA.

4 FOurthly, as Stage playes are sinfull, and utterly unlawfull unto Christians in regard of their stile and subiect mat­ter, so likewise are they in respect both of their Actors and Spectators.

If we seriously survay the lives, the practises, the conditi­ons of our common Stage-players, we may truely write of [Page 133] them, asEdricus, faex hominum; d [...] ­decus Anglo­rum, flagitio­sus helluo, ver­sutus nebulo, cui non nobi­litas opes pe­pererat, s [...]d [...]ingua & au­dacia compa­raverat. Hic dissimulare cautus, fugere paratus, con­silia regis, ut fidelis, venaba­tur, ut prodi­tor, dissemi­nabat. De gesti [...] Regum Anglo­rum. l. 2. c. 10. p. 6 [...]. William of Malmesbury doth of Edricke; that they are the very dregs of men; the shame, the blemish of our English Nation; ungracious helluoes; craf [...]y shifting compa­nions, who purchase money, not by their generositie, but by their tongues and impudency; they being wise to dissemble, apt to counterfeit, prone to dive into the secrets both of King & State, as faithfull subjects; and more ready to divulge them on the Stage as notorious-Traitors. What Quae quanta in vllo homine iuventuris il­lecebra fuit, quanta in illo? qui & alias ipse amabat [...]urpissimè; aliorum amori flagitiosisme serviebat: alijs fructus libidinum, alijs mortem parentum, non modo impellendo; verum etiam adiuuando pollicibatur. Oratio 2. in Ca­tilinam. Tully records of Cati­line; that there was never so great a faculty of corrupting youth in any man, as in him; he bearing a most lewd affection to other mens wives himselfe, and serving likewise as a most wicked Pand [...]r to the unchaste desires of others; promising to some the fruite of their lusts, to others the death of their Parents, not onely by instigating, but likewise by assisting them. Or what a grave historian reports of Vortigernus Rex Brittanniae, nec manu promptus, nec consilio bonus; imò ad illecebrascarnis pronus, omniumque ferè vitiorum mancipium. Quippe quem sub jugaret avaritia, in qiuetaret superbia, in quinaret luxuria, &c. William Malmsbury, De Gestis Regum. Angl. lib 1. cap. 1. pag. 8. Vortiger a British King; that he was prone to the enticements of the flesh, and a bond-slave al­most to every vice, &c. May be truely verefied of most com­mon Actors; who are usually the very filth and off-scou­ring, the very lewdest, basest, worst and most perniciou [...]ly vitious of the sonnes of men; as all times, all Authors have reputed them. The ancient Pagan Romans, (as Livie Histor. Romanae l. 7. sect. 3. Vale­rius Maximus l. 2. c. 4. sect. 4. Cicero. Oratio pro P. Quintio. Gellius. Noct. Attic. l. 14. c. 17. Suetonij Tiberius, sect. 35. Tacitus Annalium l. 14. sect. 2.3. Macrobi [...]s Satu [...]nal l. 2. c. 7. AEmilius Probus. Excellentium Imperatorum vitae. Praefatio. histories, as Tertullian de. [...]pectac. l. c. 22. Chrysost. Hom. 38. in Mat. Arnobius. Advers, Gentes l. 7. p. 233. August. De Civ. Deil. 2. c. 13.14.27.29. Cassiodorus Variarum. l. 7. c. 10. Gratian Distinctio 33.48.86. & Causa 4. Quaestio 1. Ioannis Saresburiensis [...] De Nugis Curialium l. 1. c. 7.8. Ioannis de [...]urgo Pupilla O [...]ulipars 7. c. 5. O. Tostatus in Mat. Tom. 3. in Mat. 6. Quaest. 38. fol 40. E [...]Angelus de Clavasio in Summa Angelica: Titulus. Histrio, & In [...]amia. Anselmus Tom 1. p. 356. C.D. Alvarez Pelagius, De Planctu Ecclesiae l. 1. Art. 49. f. 28. l. 2. Art. 28. H. f. 134. Astexanus De Casibus. l. 4. Tit 7. Art. 4. Agrippa De va­nitate scientiarū cap 20. Alexander ab Alexandro. Gen. Dirum. l. 3. c. 9. Caelius Rho­diginus. Antiqu. Lectionum l. 1 [...]. c. 17. Photij Nomocanonis. Ti [...]ulus 13. c 21.22. & Theodori Balsami. Cōment. Ibid. Lod. Vives. Comment. in Aug. De Ciu. Deil. 2. c. 13 [...] a. D. Reinolds Overthrow of Stageplayes. p. 60. to. 74. Barnabas Bri [...]onius, & Ioannis Mariana De sp [...]taculis. l. with sundry others accordingly. Fathers both relate) accounted Stage-players such infamous, [Page 134] vitious, base, vnworthy persons; as they did by publicke Edicts, not o [...]ely deprive them of all honour and preferment in the Com­mon-weale; but likewise disfranchise and remove them from their tribe; as degenerating from that Roman stocke, and noble parentage from which they were descended. The ancient De agitato­ [...]ibus, siue Theatricis, qui fideles sunt, placuit eo [...], quandiu agi­tant, a com­munione sepe­rari. Concil. Arelatense 2. Ca [...]. 20. Si Augur aut Pantomimi credere volue­runt, placuit ut prius artibus suis renunci­ [...]nt, et tunc demū suscipi­antur, ita vt vlterius non revertantur. Quod si facere contrainter [...] dictum tenta­verint, [...]roij­ciantur ab Ecclesia. Con­cil. Eliberi­num. Can. 62. Constan [...]inopo­litanum. 6. in Trullo. Can. 51 62.71. Councels, Clemens Romanus Constit Apo­stol. lib. 8. cap. 28. Cy­prian Epist. lib. 1. Epist. 10. Fucratio; Tertullian, de pudicitia. cap. 7. Chrysost Hom. 3. De Davide & Saule. Fathers and Christians in the Primitive Church, did ipso facto, excommunicate all Stage-players, till they had utterly renounced, relinquished their diabolicall profession: re­puting them the very pollution [...] shame, and blemish of the Church; The very depravers and destroyers of youth; the very instru­ments of sinne and Satan; yea, such accursed miscreants, as were altogether unworthy, both of the Society of Christians, and of th [...]se blessed Sacraments, those holy Ordinances of the Lord, which are not to be Matth. 7.6. given to such unholy dogs, nor cast before such filthy swine as they. Plato, Aristotle, the Massillienses, with sundry Christian, yea, Pagan States and Emperours, (as I shall prove S [...]e Act. 6. Sc [...]ne 5. & Act. 7. Scene. 6.7. accordingly. hereafter) exiled all professed Stage-players out of their Common-weales, as the Iewes and Primitive Christians excluded them from the Church. Needs therefore must they be extremely vitious, intollerably pernitious (and so by Quanta confessio est malae rei, cuius actores cum acceptissimi sint, sine nota non sunt? Tertulli­an, De spectacu [...]is cap. 22. conse­quence their very S [...]age-playes to) whom Church and State have thus joyntly vomited out as putred, noysome and infectious members, vnfit to live in either; as Necesse erat histriones perditissimis fuisse moribus, & de­ploratae neq [...]itiae, cùm in ea civitate pro civibus non haberentur, cuius erant tàm multa millia hominum flagitiosorum, & facinerosorum cives. N [...]tae, in August. De Civi [...]. De [...]. lib. 2. c. 13. See Bullingerus de Theatro, l. 1. c. 50. De Scenae & Orchestrae obscenitate. &c. 51. De Infamia Theatri. Ludovieus Vives well concludes. What Polycarpe, once replyed to Marcion the H [...] ­retique; Cognosco te primogenitū Satan [...]. Irenaus. Contr. haere­ses l. 3. c. 3. p. 254. Eusebius Ecclesia [...]t. hi [...]t. l. 4. c. 14. I know thee to be the first-borne of Satan; may be fitly appliable to our Common-Actors; the Arch-agents, In [...]truments, and Apparitors of their origi [...]all Founder and Ioh. 8.44. Eph. 2.2, 3. See Act. 1. & 2. Father, the Devill; their very profession being nothing else, as De Republica. l. 6. c. 1. Bodine well observes, but an apprentiship of sinne, a way or Trade of wickednesse, which leades downe to hell; and their [Page 135] lives (a badge of their profession) much like the life of Vor­ [...]iger, Eius vitae cursus saeuus in principio, miser in me­dio, turpis in exitu, asseritu [...] Will. Malmib. De Gesti [...] Re­gum Anglo­rum. l. 2. c. 10. p. 62. which was tragically vitious in the beginning, miserable in the middest, filthy in the end. What the conditions, lives, and qualities of Stage-players have beene in former Ages, let Cyprian, Nazianzen, Chrysostome, Augustine, Nicholaus Cabasila, Cornelius Tacitus, Marcus Aurelius, with Ludovicus Vives, Notae in Augusti­num De Ci­vit. Dei. l 2. c. 13. a. others, testifie. The first of these informes us; Histrio qui apud vos con­stitutus in eius­dem adhuc artis suae de­decore perse­verat, & ma­gister & do­ctor non eru­diendorum, s [...]d perdendo­rum puerorum id quod malè didicit, caete­ris quo que in­sinua [...]; talis non debet no­biscum com­municare. Quod puto ego, nec maie­stati divinae, nec evangelicae disciplinae cong [...]uere, ut pudor & honor ecclesiae tàm turpi & infami contagione faedetur, &c. Cyprian. Epist. lib. 1. Epist. 10. Eucratio. That Stageplay­ers are the Masters, not of teaching, but of destroying youth, in­sin [...]ating that wickednesss into others, which themselves have sinfully learned. Whence he writes to Eucratius, to excommu­nicate a Player who trayned up youthes for the Stage; affirming, that it could neither stand with the Maiestie of God, nor the Discipline of the Go [...]pel, that the chastity and honour of the Church should be defiled with so filthy, so infamous a contagion. The more than Sodomiticall uncleannesse of Players lives, he farther thus discyphers. O si possis in illa sublimi specula constitutus ocul [...]s tuos inserere secretis, recludere cubiculorum obdu­ctas fores, & ad conscientiam luminum penitralia occulta reserare; aspicias ab impudi­cis geri, quod nec aspicere possit frons pudica. Videas, quod crimen sit & videre: Vide­as quod vitiorum furore gementes gessisse se negant, & gerere festinant: libidinibus insanis, in viros v [...]ri proruunt. Fiunt, quae nec ipsi [...], nec illis pos [...]unt placere, qui faciunt. Mentior nisi [...]lios, qui talis est increpat, turpis turpes infamat, & evasisse se conscium credit, quasi conscientia satis non sit. [...]idem in publico accusatores, in occulto rei, in se­met ipsos censores parit [...]r & nocentes. Damnant fori [...], quod intus operantur. Admit [...]nt libenter, quod cùm admiserint, criminantur, &c [...] Idem Epist. lib. 2. Epist. 2. Do [...]ato. O (writes he) that thou couldest in that sublime watch-tower insinuate thine eyes into these Players secrets; or set open the closed dores of their bed-cham­bers, and bring all their innermost hidden Cels unto the consci­ [...]nce of thine eyes; Thou shouldest then see that which is even a very sinne to see: thou mightest behold that, which these groa­ning under the burthen of their vices, deny that they have com­mitted, and yet hasten to commit: men rush on men with out­ragious lusts. They doe those things which can neither please those who behold them, nor yet themselves who act them. The same persons are a [...]cusers in publike, guilty in secret, being both censurers and nocents against themselves: They condemne that abroad, which they practise at home. They commit that wil­lingly, [Page 136] which when they have committed, 'they reprehend. I am verily a lyar, if those who are such abuse not others: one fil­thy person defameth others like himselfe; thinking by this meanes to escape the eensure of those who are privy to his sinne, as if his owne conscience were not sufficient both to accuse him and condemne him. Thus farre Saint Cyprian, Nihil turpe ducunt praeter modestiam. Nam illorum alij quidem turpitudinis administri, artem hanc so­lam tenent, ut ob varia petu­lantiae genera magnopore semet efferant, mimi rerum ridicularū ad­sueti colaphis & pugnis, qui novaculis pu­dorem omnem ante ipsos cri­nes resecue­runt, lasciv [...] faeditatis & i [...]puritatis omnis officina, qui omnium in oculis, tàm perpeti, quàm designare om­nia, quae cun­que nefanda sunt, artis loco ducunt, &c. Ad Seleucum de Recta Educatione. page 1062 [...] Gregory Na­zianzen records of Stage-players; that they repute nothing filthy or dishonest but modesty; that they are the servants, the furtherers of all lewdnesse; this being their onely Art and profession, exceedingly to magnifie themselves for severall kinds of wantonnesse; they being imitators and actors of ridiculous things, accustomed to blowes and buffets, who have shaven off as with a Razor, all their modestie, before ever they had cut their haire, in the wanton shop of all lewdnesse and impuritie; accounting it a kinde of Art, as well to [...]uffer, as to personate, on the stage all horrible beastly wickednesses whatsoever, in the open view of all men. And so he proceedes against them [...] Saint Chrysostome, as he writes of Stage-players; Histriones-fordidi, infames, &c. propterea mille illi mortibus digni sunt, quoniam quae fugere prorsus cunctae imperant leges, [...]a illi non verentur imitari. Hom. 6, in Matth. Tom. 2. Col. 52. C that they are infamous persons, &c. well worthy of a thousand deathes, be­cause they personate those villanies, obscenities, adul [...]eries, which all lawes command men to avoyd. So he informes vs like­wise,Vnde cre­dis nuptiarum insideatores proficissi? Nonne ab hujusmodi scenis? Vnde qui thalomos aliorum effodiunt? nonne ab Orchestrailla? hinc etiam seditiones exci­tantur, hinc tumultus oriuntur. Qui enim his [...]udis aluntur, quique vocem ventris causa vendunt, qui dicere, facere omnia promptissimi sunt atque in [...]o suam operam collo­cant, hi maximè solent populum rumoribus inflammare, & tumultum in civitates immit­t [...]re &c. Hom. 38. in Mat. Tom. 2. Col. 299. A.B. that the Players and Play-haunters of his time were most notorious adulterers, the authors of many tumults and se­ditions, filling the peoples eares with idle rumors, and Cities with commotions: that they were ready both to speake, and act all wickednesses whatsoever, it being their whole profession thus to doe; and that they were farre more savage than the most cruell beasts. Saint Augustine, as he at large informes us; [Page 137] Romani cum artem ludi­cram scenam­que totam probro duce­rent, genus id hominum non modò honoro civium reli­quorum care­re, sed etiam tribu moveri notatione cen­soria volue­runt. Praeclara sané, & Roma­nis laudibus, annumeranda prudentia. Ec­ce enim rectè quisquis civi­um Romano­rum esse sceni­cuseligisset, non solum ei nullus ad ho­norem daba­tur locus, ve­rum etiam Censoris nota tribum tenere propriam mi­nimè si [...]eba­tur. O ani­mum civitatis laudis avidum, Germaneque Romanum, &c. Romani verò hominibus scenicis nec plebeam tribum, quantò minus se­natoriam curiam de [...]onestari sinunt. De Civit. De [...]. lib. 2. cap. 13. See cap. 14 27. and 29. that the ancient Romans accounting the art of Stage-playing and the whole Scene infamous, ordained, that this sort of men should not onely want the honour of other Citizens, but also bee disfranchised and thrust ou [...] of their Tribe, by a legall and dis­gracefull censure, which the Censors were to execute: because they would not suffer their vulgar sort of people, much lesse their Senators to be defamed, disgraced or defiled with Stage-players: which act of theirs, he stiles; An excellent true Roman prudence to be enumerated among the Romans prayfes. So he likewise gives this ignominious epithite unto Players: Talia in publicum cantitabantur a nequissimis scenicis. De Civit. Dei. lib. 2. cap. 4. Scenici ne­quissi [...]i, most wicked Stage-players: intimating thereby, that Players commonly exceed all others in all kinds of wicked­nesse. Nicholaus [...]abasila hath published upon record. Nihil enim potest mimo inueniri sc [...]lestius. De vita in Christo lib. 2. Biblioth. Patrum Tom. 14 pag. 112. That nothing can be found more wicked, more detestable then a Stage-player. Varijs deinde & saepius inritis praetorum que­stibus, postremo C [...]esar de immodestia histrionum retulit. Multa abijs in publicum se­ditiosè, faeda per domos tentari. Oscum quendam ludicrum laevissimae apud vulgum ob­lectationis, eo flagitiorum ac virium venisse, vt auctoritate Patrum coercendum sit. Pul­fi tùm Italia histriones. Annali [...] lib. [...]. cap. 3. See lib. 1. cap. 14. Cornelius Tacitus relates: That in Tiberius his reigne, the Roman Actors grew so immodest, so exorbitant, that they attēpted many things seditiously in publike, many things dishonestly in private houses: & that they gre [...] at last to such an height of wickednesse, as that after many complaints against them by the Pretors, they were by Tiberius and the whole Se­nate exiled out of Italy. Marcus Au­relius. lib. 1. cap. 14. and lib. 2. Epistle 12. to Lambert. Marcus Aurelius himselfe doth testifie, that the adulteries, rapes, murthers, tumults and other o [...]t-rages which Stage-players did occasion and commit, were so excessive; and the mindes which they corrupted with their lewdnesse, sonumtrous; that he was enforced to banish them out of Italy into Hellespont, where he commanded Lambert his Deputie, to keepe them close at worke. We Marcus Aurelius. lib. 1. cap. 14. Suetonii. Nero sect. 16. Plinie panegyri [...]. Traiano dictus p. 45. Alex­ander ab Alexandro Genialium Dierum lib. 6. cap. 9. See Act. 6. Scene. 5. and Act. 7. Scene 7. reade likewise, that [Page 138] Nero, Traian, with divers other Roman Emperours, did quite exile all Stage-players out of their Dominions, be­cause their lives, their practises wire so vitious, so hurtfull and pernitious to the publike good. Such were the lives, the inso­lencies, the exorbitances of Stage-players in former times. What the lives, the qualities of our owne domestique Actors are, or have beene heretofore; 14 Eliz cap. 5. and 35. Eliz. cap. 7. Two severall Acts of Parliament, which adjudge and stile them Rogues; toge­ther with two penitent reclaimed Play-Poets of our owne, (who were thorowly acquainted with their practises and pe [...]sons too) will at large declare. The first of these two Play-Poets, who out of conscience renounced his prof [...]ssi­on, and then wrote against the abominations of our Stage-playes, writes thus of Stage-players: The third Blas [...] of Re­trait from Playes and Theaters. London 1588. p. 110, to. 118. As I have had a say­ing to these versifying Play-makers, so likewise must I deale with shamelesse inactors. When I see by them yong boyes, inclining of themselves to wickednesse, trained up in filthy speeches, unna­turall and unseemely gestures, to be brought up by these School­masters, in bawdry and in idlenesse, I cannot chuse but with teares and griefe of heart lament. O with what delight can the father behold his sonne bereft of shamefastnesse, and trained up to impudencie? How prone are they of themselves and apt to receive instruction of their lewd teachers, which are the Players the Schoolema­sters in the Schoole of Abuse. School­masters of sinne in the Schoole of abuse? what doe they teach them, I pray you, but to foster mischiefe in their youth [...] that it may alwayes abide with them, and in their age bring them sooner un­to hell? The dispo­sition of [...]lay­ers for the most part. And as for these Stagers themselves, are they not commonly such kinde of men in their conversation, as they are in profession? are they not as variable in heart as they are in their parts? are they not as good practisers of ba [...]dery, as inactors? Live they not in such sort th [...]mselves, as they give precepts unto others? Doth not their Talis homi­ni est oratio, qualis vita. Argumentum est luxuriae publicae orati­onis lascivia. Non potest a­lius esse inge­ [...]io, alius [...]ni­mo color. Illo vitiato, hoc quo que affla­tur. Seneca Epist. 114. talke on the Stage, Naturae se­quitur s [...]mina quisque suae. declare the nature of their disposition? [...]doth not every one take that part which is proper to his kinde? Doth not the Navita de ventis, de tau­ris narrat ara­t [...]r, Enumerat miles vuln [...]ra Pastor ov [...]s. Plough-mans tongue walke of his Plough: the Sea-faring ma [...]s of his Mast, Cable and Saile; the Souldiers of his Ha [...]nesse, Speare and Shield; and bawdy mates of bawdy matters? Aske them, if in the laying [Page 139] out of their parts, they choose not those parts which are most agreeable to their inclination, and that they can best discharge? And looke what every of them doth most delight in, that he can best handle to the contentment of others. If it bee a roisting, bawdy, or lascivious part, wherein are unseemely speeches, and that they make choyse of them as best answering, and proper to their manner of play: may we not say, by how much the more he exceds in his gesture, he delights himselfe in his part? and by so mach it is pleasing to his disposition and nature? If (it be his nature) to be a bawdy Player, and he delight in such filthy and cursed actions, Obiect. shall we not thinke him in his life to be more disordered, and to abhorre virtue? But they perhaps will say; that such abuses as are handled on the Stage, others by their examples are warned to beware of such evils to amendment. Answ. In­deed if their authority were greater then the words of the Scrip­ture, or their zeale of more force than of the Preacher, I might easily be perswaded to thinke, that men by them might be called to good life. But when I see the Word of truth proceeding from the heart, and uttered by the mouth of the Reverend Teachers, to be received See Matth [...] 13.1. to 20. of the most part into the eare, and but of a few rooted in the heart, I cannot by any meanes beleeve, that the words proceeding from a prophane Player, and uttered in scor­ning sort, enterlaced with filthy, lewde, and ungodly speeches, have greater force to move men unto virtue, than the words of truth uttered by the godly Preacher, whose zeale is such as that of Moses, Exod. 3 [...].32. who was contented to be rased out of the booke of life, and of Paul, Rom. 9.3. who wished to be separated from Christ for the welfare of his brethren. If the good life of a man be a Facere, ma­iorem vim ha­bet ad do cen­dum quàm dicere. Chry­so [...]t. ho [...]. 19. ad hebraos. Tom. 4. Col. 1608. better instruction to repentance than the tongue, or word, why doe not Players, I beseech you, leave examples of goodnesse to their po­steritie? But which of them is so zealous, or so tendereth his saluation, that he doth am [...]nd himselfe in those points; which as they say, others should take heed of? Are they not notoriously knowne to be those men in their life abroad, [...]s they are on the Stage, Roisters, Brawlers, Ill-dealers, Bosters, Lovers, R [...]ffi­ans? So that they are alwayes exercised in playing their parts, and practising wickednesse, making that an Art, to the end they [Page 140] might the better gesture it in their parts. For who can better play the Ruffian, than a very Ruffian? who better the L [...]ve [...], than they who make it a common exercise? To conclude, the The chiefe end of Playes. principall end of all their Enterludes, is to feed the world with sights and fond pastimes; See Mar­cus Aurelius Epistle 12. to Lambert, accordingly. to Iuggle in good earnest the money out of other mens purses into their owne hands. What shall I say? They are Players in­famous per­sons. infamous men, and in Players ba­nished out of Rome, and kept from the Communion in the Primi­tive Church. Rome were thought worthy to be expelled, allbeit there was libertie enough to take pleasure. In the Primitive Church they were kept out from the communion of Christians, and never remitted till they had per­formed publike pennance. And thereupon Epist. lib. 1. Epist. 10. Eu­cratio. Saint Cyprian in a certaine Epistle counselleth a Bishop, not to receive a Player into the Pension of the Church, by which they were nourished, till there was an expresse act of penance, with protestation to re­nounce an Art so infamous. Some have obiected; Obiect. that by these publike-Playes many forbeare to doe evill, for feare to be publikely reprehended; and for that cause they will say it was tollerated in Rome, wherein Emperours were touched, though they were present. But to such it may be answered; Answ. that in disguised Players, given over to all sorts of dissolutenesse, is not found so much as to will to doe good, seeing they care for nothing lesse than for virtue. And thus much for these Players. Thus this Play-Poet, and sometimes an Actor too. Master In his Playes confuted. Action 1. and 3. and in his Schoole of Abuses. Stephen Gosson, another reclaimed Play-Poet, writes thus of Stage-Players. That they are uncircumcised Philistims, who nourish a canker in their owne soules: ungodly Masters, whose example doth rather poyson then instruct men. Where­fore (writes he) sithence you see by the example of the Romans, that Playes are Ra [...]s-bane to government of Common-weales, and that Players by the iudgement of them are infamous per­sons, unworthy of the credit of honest Citizens, worthy to be re­moved their Tribe; if not for Religion, yet for shame, that the Gentiles should iudge you at the last day, or that Publicans and Sinnes should presse into the Kingdome of Heaven before you; withdraw your feet from Theaters with noble Marius; set downe some punishment for Players with the Roman Cen­sors; shew your selves to be Christians, and with wicked Spe­ctators [Page 141] be not puld from Discipline to libertie [...] from virtue to pleasure, from God to Mammon: so shall you prevent the scourge by repentance, that is comming towards you, and fill up the gulfe, that the Divell by Playes hath digged to swallow you. Thus he. To him I will annex the testimonie of I. G. in his London 1615. p. 64 [...]65. Refutation of the Apologie for Actors. Therefore (writes he) let all Players and founders of Playes, as they ten­der the salvation of their owne soules, and others, leave off tha [...] cursed kinde of life, and betake themselves to such honest exer­cises and godly mysteries as God hath commanded in his Word to get their living withall. For who will call him a wise man that playes the foole and the vice? Who can call him a good Christian that playeth the part of the Devill, the sworne enemy of Christ? Who can call him a iust man that playeth the dis­sembling hypocrite? Who can call him a straight dealing man, that playeth a cosoners tricke? and so of all the rest. The wise man is ashamed to play the foole; but Players will seeme to be such in publike view to all the world: A good Christian hateth the Devill, but Players will become artificiall Divils, excel­lently well. A iust man cannot endure hypocrisie, but all the acts of Players is dissimulation, and the proper name of Player (witnesse the Apologie it selfe) is hypocrite. A true dealing man cannot indure deceit, but Players get their living by craft and cosenage [...] For what greater cheating can there be, then for mony, to render that which is not monies worth. Of what sort of men Play­ers be. Then seeing they are fooles, artificiall Divels, hypocrites and coseners, most evi­dent it is that their art is not for Christians to exercise, as being diabolicall, and themselves infamous: such indeed as the Lace­daemonians had, & we also have great reason to extrude out of our Common-wealth: for they are idle, vitious, dishonest, ma­licious, preiudiciall and unprofitable to the same. They are idle, for they can take no paines, they know not how to worke, nor in any lawfull calling [...] to get their living: but to avoide labour and worke, like brave and noble beggers, they stand to take mo­ney of every [...]e that comes to see them loyter and play. Hence is it that they are vitious, for idlenesse is the mother of vice, and they cannot exercise their offices but in vices, and in treating of and with vitious men. They are dishonest, for they get not to [Page 142] eate by doing good workes, but by speaking filthie, vile, and dis­honest words: They are malicious, for they are accustomed, either for their friends or themselves, when they love not a man to speake evill of him; and colourably underhand to mocke and flout at any. They are preiudiciall and [...]nprofitable to the Com­mon-wealth, for they cosen and mocke vs with vaine words, and we pay them good money, &c. From all which ancient and moderne testimonies, I may not unfitly write of Stage-players, as Saint Bernard doth of the ancient Irish in Con [...]e­reth in Malachias his time. In vita San­cti Malachiae. Nusquam adhuc tales expertus fuerat in quantacunque barbarie. Nusquam repererat si [...] propteruos ad mores; sic ferales ad ritus; sic ad fidem impios; ad leges barbaros; ce [...]vicosos ad disciplinam; spurcos ad vi­tam, Christiani nomine, re Pagani. And no wonder is it, that Players are so transcendently vitious and unchaste, since they are trained up from the [...]r cradles, in the very Animus im­butus malis artibus haud facile libidi­nibus caret. Salustij. Bel­lum Cat [...]lina­rium p. 32. See Master Gossons Schoole of Abuses, ac­cordingly. art, the Schoole of Venerie, lewdnesse and prophannesse; which quickly eates out Animo per libidines cor­rupto nih [...]l honesti inest. Taci [...]us An­nal. l. 1 [...] sect. 9. all their honesty, their modestie, their virtues, and fraughts them full with vice. Since then it is abundantly evident by the premises, as also by experience; that common Actors are thus excessively vitious, unchaste, prophane, and His divino iudicio saepius contingit, ut per id quod nequiter vi­uunt, & illud perdant quod salubriter cre­dunt. Greg. Magnus. Mo­ral. l. 25. c. 15. dis­solute in their lives, which drawes them on to a dissolute Reli­gion; the most of our present English Actors (as I am cre­dibly informed) being professed Papists, as is the Founder of the late erected new Play-house: the Playes which issue from them must needs resemble these their Actors, Matth. 7.17, 18. the fruit being never better than the tree that beares it; the stream no purer than the Springs that feed it. From whence I deduce this twelfth Syllogisticall Argument against Stage-playes.

SCENA SECVNDA.

SEcondly, as the vitiousnesse of the Actors, even so the evilnesse of the most assiduous Spectators of Stage-playes, infallibly evidenceth them to be evill. If we looke backe to former Ages, we have the expresse testimony of sundry Tertul Apo [...]logia, c. 38.42. De specta­culis. lib. Mi­nutius Felix Octavius. p. 34.123. The­ophilus Anti­ochenus, ad Autolicum. lib. 3. Bibl. Pa [...]rum. To. 2 p. 170. G.H. Tatia­nus Oratio advers. Grae­cos. Ibid. p. 180 [...]181. Athenagoras: pro Christia­nis legatio. Ibid p. 138.139. Epiphanius. Compend. Doctrina [...] &c p. 922. Fathers and Concilium Car­thag. 3. Can. 11. Constantinop. 6. Can. 51.62. Arelatense 2. Can. 20. Elibertinum. Can. 62. Aphricanum. Can. 12. See Act 7. Scene 2, 3. Councels, that all the godly Christians in the Primitive Church, did wholly withdraw themselves from Stage-playes; that all those Pagans who either acted or frequented Playes, did immediately upon their conversion to the Christian faith, and their very first admittance into the Church of Christ, even publikely renounce all future acting, or resort to Plaies: and that none but Pagans, unchaste, pro­phane, and gracelesse persons, Chrysost. Hom. 3. De Davi­de & Saule. [...]ertull De pudicitia. c. 7. Concil. Carthag [...] 4. Can 88. who were cast out of the Church by publike Censures, did use to flocke unto them. Hence was it that Tertullian writes thus harshly: Amphithea­trum omnium Daemonum templum est: tot illic immundi spiritus considunt, quot ho­mines capit. De specta [...] l. To. 2. Operum. p. 393. So many per­sons as there are sitting in the Play-house, so many uncleane spirits are there present: intimating, that all the Play-hun­ters of his Age, were little better than incarnate Devils; whence he seriously dehorts all Christians from Playes. Hence, not onely Oratio. Adhort. ad Gentes, & Paedag. l. 3. c. [...]1. Clemens Alexandrinus, De spectaculis l. Cyprian, De Vero Cult [...]. c. 20. Lactantius, Oratio 48. & De Recta Educa­tione ad Selucum. p. 1063.1064. [Page 144] Nazianzen, Epistola. 18. c. 1. & Co­ment in Eze­kiel l. 6. c. 20. Hierom, Homil. 3. De Dauide & Saule, hom. 6.7. and 38, in Matth. Chrysostome; De Civit. Dei l. 2. c. 3. to .14. De Consensu E­vangelista­rum. l. 1. c. 33. Confess. l. 3. c. 2.14. Augustine, De Guber­natione Dei lib. 6. Salvian, De Nugis Curialium. l. 1 c. 7.8. Iohn Salisburie, the third Councell of Carthage, Canon 11.15. with divers other See Act. 6. Scene. 3, 4, 5. & Act. 7. Scene 3, 4, 5. ancient and The second and third blast of Retrait from Playes and Theaters, M. Gosson, M. North­brooke, M. Stubs, D. Rei­nolds, Ioannes Mariana, in their Treatises against Stage-playes, with sundry others. See Act. 6. Scene 16. moderne Christian Authors: but even Oratio pro Publ. Quinctio Epist. ad Marium lib. 7. Epist. 1. De Legibus l. 1. & 2. Tully, Epist. 7.90. & 123. Seneca, and the lascivious Poet Tristiū l. 2. & De Arte Amandi l. 1. Ovid, with sundry other Pagans; doe earnestly dis­swade men from resorting unto Playes and Theaters, because none but infamous, vitious, dissolute, unchaste, prophane, and gracelesse persons ( Iu­nenal. Satyr. 6.8.15. See Act. 7. Scene 6. whose company was apt to poyson, to corrupt, all such who durst come nigh them) did frequent them. It is observed by Suetonij Tiberius, Claudius, Caligula, Ta­citus, Annal l. 14. c. 2.3. Dion Cassius, Rom. Historiae l. 55. & 59. Herodian. l. 1. Iuve­nal. Satyr. 8. Lampridij Heliogabalus p. 200.202. Iulij Capitolini Verus p. 67.69. Tre­bellij Pollionis Gallieni Duo p. 309.310.314.315.319. Flavij Vopisci Carinus. p. 446, 447, 449. sundry Historians, that Tiberius, Nero, Cali­gula, Heliogabalus, Verus, Commodus, Gallienus, Carinus, (the most execrably vitious, and unchaste of all the Roman Em­perours) delighted most in Playes and Actors; for which they deepely taxe them: whereas the Haec omnia (writing of Stage-playes) nescio quantum ad populum gratiae habent, nullius certè momenti sunt apud principes bonos, Flavij Vopisci Carinus. p. 449. better sort of Emperours were not addicted to them; See Marcus Aurelius Ep. 12. to. Lambert. & Act. 6 Scene 5. Act 7. Sc. 7. but did either banish them their dominions; or else See Act. 6. Sc 2. deminish or withdraw their publike sti­pends. Suruay we all the Christian, all the Pagan Antiqui­ties this day extant, we shall finde the See Act. 6. & 7. throughout. very best of Christi­ans, Iewes and Pagans of all Ages, all places, not onely whol­ly absteining from, but likewise censuring and condemning Stage-playes, the very worst, the dissolutest and unchastest onely of them resorting to them with delight. Vnde credis nuptiatum insidiatores proficissi? nonne ab huiusmodi scenis? Vnde illos qui thalamos aliorum effodiunt? non­ne ab Orchestra illa. Nonne hinc complures adulteri? &c. Hom. 38. in Math. Tom. 2. Col. 299. Saint Chry­sostome, Sed tu praecipuè curuis venare Theatris, Invenies illic quod ames, quod lu­dere possis. Quod que semel tangas, quod que tenere veli [...]. De Arte. Amandi l. 1. p. 160.161. Ovid, with sundry others informe us, That Adul­terers, Whore-masters, Panders, Bawdes, Whores, and such like effeminate, idle, unchaste, lasciuious, gracelesse persons, were the most assiduous Play-haunters in their times, Whence [Page 145] Idem Vero Theatrum, idem & pro­stibulum; eo quod post lu­dos exactos meritrices ibi prosternantur Originum l. 18. c. 42. p. 160. Isiodor Hispalensis, Enarratio. in Rom. 10. fol. 53: Primasius, Explanatio in Gal. 5. v. 19. Remigius, Exegesis in Ephes. 5. v. 3. Haymo, and Com. in E­phes. 5. v. 3. Tom. 2. pag. 285. Se Casw­darus. Variarum. l. 7. Epist. 10. & Eulengerus De Theatro. l 2. c. 50.51: accordingly. Anselme write, That the Play-house and the Stewes were one and the same in ancient times; because after the Playes were ended, the Whores who resorted to the Play-houses, or were har­bored in them, did prostitute themselves upon the Theater, unto the lust of others, they when all derive the Word fornication; a fornicibus, seu locis theatralibus; from Brothels and Play-houses, where Whores were kept and prostituted after the Playes were acted. Such and no other were Play-houses is Stage-fre­quenters in former Ages. And are they not now the same? If we seclude those children, those novices, whose ignorance, childishnesse, vanitie, folly, or injudiousnesse allure them to playes or such like Gugaes, Singula de nobis anni praedantur euntes: Eri­puere jocos, Venerem, con­vivia, ludos, Horace Epist. l. 2. Epist. 2. p. 289. which men of riper yeares and iudgement doe contemne; together with some few sociable ingenuous dispositions, whom the Rogantibus postifera, lar­giri, blande & affabile odi­um est. Seneca De Benefe. l. 2. c. 1 [...]. pressing importunitie of carnall friends, or vehement sollicitations of lewde ac­quaintance doe casually draw to Stage-playes, against the Et sic grandis in suos pietas, impietas in Deum est. Hierom Epist. 25. c. [...]. secret reluctances of their owne gain-saying consciences; AEqualis habitus illic, similem que videbis Orchestram & populum. Iuuenal. Satyr. 3. p. 21. what else are the residue (at least the Maior part) of our assidu­ous Play-haunters, See the third blast of Retrait from Playes and Theaters, and M. Northbrooke, M. Stubs, M Gosson, in their Treatises against Stage-playes. Petrarch. De Rened. Vtr. Fortunae. l. 1. Dialog. 30. accordingly. but Adulterers, Adulteresses, Whore-masters, Whores, Bawdes, Panders, Ruffians, Roarers, Drun­kards, Prodigals, Cheaters, idle, infamous; base, prophane, and godlesse persons, who See Act. 6. Scene 12.13. hate all grace, all goodnesse, and make a mocke of piety? What are they but the very filth, the drosse, the scumme, of the Societies and places where they live? the very See Act. 6. Scene. 6. Mothes, the Drones and Cankerwormes of the Common-weale? the Cyprian. Epist. l. 1. Epist. 10. Chrysost. Hom. 3. De Davide & Saule [...] See Act. 6. Scene. 4.5. shame and blemish of Religion? the most putred, scandalous, noxious, and degenerate branches both of Church and State, which should be spued out, bee lopped off from both, had they their iust demerits? If any Play-haun­ter deeme this censure over-harsh, his own conscience must [Page 146] subscribe unto it, Praet [...]r alia hoc summum ex [...]more sui vitium in ani­mo hominis existit, quod iustus sui ipsius & incorruptus iudex esse ne­quit: [...]aecus est enim rei a­matae cognitor qui amat, ni [...]i quis assueverit, pulchra potuis in praetio ha­bere atque se­ctari, quàm cognata quae sint & dome­stica. Plutarch. De Adulatione & Amicitia Disc. Tom. 1. p. 174. if selfe-love hath not blinded it; since hee can hardly cull out any who dis- [...]ffect or come not vnto Stage-playes, so suparlatively vitious, or unchaste, as those who most frequent them. This, all the fore-quoted Au­thors largely testifie in their Quotations in the Margent: to whom I shall onely adde the suffrage of I.G. in his Refu­tation of the Apologie for Actors. p. 55.56. But now (saith he) to draw to the conclusion of my discourse, I will onely des­cribe briefly, who for the most part they are who runne madding unto Playes. In generall the vulgar sort, in whom Cicero pro Planco, saith, there is no reason, counsell or discretion. But to particularize some onely among all. The prophane Gallant to feed his pleasure; the Citie Dames to laugh at their owne shames; the Countrey Clown [...], to tell wonders when hee comes home, of the vanitie he hath seene; the Bawdes to intice; the Whores and Curtezans to set themselves to sale; the Cut­purse to steale; the Pick-pocket to filtch; the knave to bee instructed in cosening trickes; Youth to learne amorous con­ceits; some for one wicked purpose, some for another; none to any good intent, but all fruitlessely to spend their time. But a­mong any others, that goe to the Theaters, when shall you see an ancient Citizen, a chaste Ma [...]ron, a modest Maid, a grave Senator, a wise Magistrate, a iust Iudge, a godly Preacher, a religious man not blinded in ignorance, but making conscience of his wayes. You shall never see any of those at Playes, for they count it shamefull and ignominious, even an Act of re­proach that may redound unto them. I shall close up this with that of Petrarch, Theatro, quo quisquis malus i [...]rit, redibit pes [...]i­mus: Nam bo­nis itur illud ignotum est: qui si casu ali­quo igna [...]i adeant, conta­gio non car [...] ­bunt. De Re­medio vtr. fortunae [...]. 1. Dialog. 30. The way to the Play-house is altogether un­knowne to good men; to which when any ill man goeth, hee re­turnes the worst of any: and if any good men goe thither igno­rantly by accident, they shall not want contagion; So infecti­ous, so vitious is the company that usually resorts to Plaies: the very best of them in their best condition, 2 Tim. 4.5. being for the most part, lovers of pleasures, more than lovers of God; having onely an outward forme of godlinesse (and most sca [...]ce so much) but denying the power thereof. From all which premises, I shall derive two unanswerable arguments, [...]o prove the unlawfulnesse of Stage-playes.

[Page 147]The first of them, being the thirteenth in number, may be cast into this forme.

The Minor is evident by the premises, by experience, and by the seventh act ensuing. The Major is manifest by its owne ligh [...]. For first the Primitive Christians and godly men, (whose Heb. 13.7. Phil. 3.17. steps we ought to follow) Psal. 97.10. Psal. 101.3. Psa. 119.104.128. Amos 5.15. Gal. 5.17. Prou. 29.27. 2 Tim. 2.22.23. abhorre, reject, con­demne nought else but sinfull, scandalous p [...]rnicious pastimes, (not Christian, laudable or lawfull recreations) repugnant to the Scriptures, [...]o the inward principles of grace implanted in their soules; or to the discipline, puritie and honour of the Church, the Saints of God who went before them; the onely rules by which their lives, their iudgements, their affections are directed. Secondly, unregenerate gracelesse persons,Argumen­tum boni est malis displice [...]e. Seneca de Vita Beata cap. 2 [...]. Nihil nisi grande aliquod bonum a Ne­rone damnatum. Tertul. Apologia. advers Gentes. cap. 5. See Psal. 36.4. Psal. 34.21. 2 Chron. 19.2. Amos 5.10. Mich. 3.2. Prov. 29.27 accordingly. as they commonly hat [...] nought else but goodnesse, so they Prov. 2.13, 14, 15. c. 10.2 [...]. c. 17.10. c. 21.10. Isay 5.18, 19. Ier. 4.22. Hosea 4.8 Mich. 7.3. Rom. 1.32. 2 Thess. [...].12. Titus 3.3. Hominis mali, malae sunt voluptates. Euripides. Ephige­nia, p. 646. most really affect, admire, frequent the pleasures, the delights of sinne, which [...]re most homogeneous to their lusts, most suitable to their sinfull dispositions. No man can finde [...]ny true contentment or delight in any thing, [...]imilia enim similibus gaudent. Macrobius Saturn. l 7 c. 7. p. 694. but that which is sutable to his nature; because Si­mili amicum est si [...]ile Arist. Rhetor. l. 1. c. 11. p. 80. Magnam vim [...]abet ad coniungendas amicitias studiorum ac naturae similitudo. Cicero pro Ant. Cluentio Oratio. p. 40 [...]. Ad connectendas amicit [...]as vel tenacissimum vinculum, morum similitudo. Plin. Epist. lib. 14. Ep [...]st. 19. p. [...]78. Semper similem ducit Deus ad similem. Homers Odysseae. lib. 17. p [...] 498. all pleas [...]re, all com­plecency [Page 148] whatsoever, ariseth from simili [...]ude and proportion. Now nothing is so connaturall, so consonant to the cor­ruptions of depraved Stage-haunters as sinfull, lustfull, or polluted objects. Therefore Theatricall Enterludes, which wicked men most delight in, and many of them so adore, as to make Theaters their Chappels, yea, Playes their weekely Sermons; must needs be sinfull and polluted, as their na­tures are: else they could never flocke unto them daily with delight, to their no small expence. So that this first Argu­ment is unanswerable.

The Minor is su [...]ficiently confirmed by the premises; by the third Blast of Retrait from Playes and Theaters, pag. 66. and by the suffrage of Nazianzen; who stiles Stage-playes Misera ma­lorum specta­cula. De recta Educatione ad Selucum. p. 1063. the miserable Spectacles of wicked men. The Major is irre­fragable.

First, because the Scriptures enjoyned all Christians; 1 Cor. 5.9. 10, 11. Pro. 1.10. to 17. not to keepe company with wicked men; Prov. 28.7 [...] Ephes. 5.11, 12. 2. Cor. 6.14, 15. not to have con­cord, fellowship or communion with them, in wicked things espe­cially: Psal. 1.1, 2. Pro. 4.14, 15. not to walke in the counsell of the ungodly, to stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of the scornefull, 2 Tim. 3.4, 5. 2 Thess. 3.6. Prov. 5.3 [...] 8, 9. Ier. 9.2. Rev. 18.4. Tales habeto socios quor [...] contubernio non infameris. Heirom. Epist. 2 c. 6. but wholly to withdraw and turne themselves from every one who walkes disorderly: a [...]ter the example of David; Psal 26.4, 5 who hated the assemblies of the ungodly: and Psal. 101.3, 4, 5, 7. would not know a wicked person; giving them this resolute farewell: Psal. 6.8. Psal. 119.115 Psal 129.19. Depart from me all ye workers of iniquity, for the Lord hath heard the voyce of my weeping.

[Page 149]Secondly, because Christians must Rom. 12.12, Col. 2.20. Iam. 4.9. not conforme them­selves to the wicked of the world, much lesse comply with them in Heb. 11. [...]4 25. their unlawfull pleasures of sinne, which are but for a season; since 1 Pet. 4.1, 2, 3, 4. Christ hath suffered for them in the flesh to this very end, that they should no longer live the rest of their time to the Quant [...] e­nim homini­bus placent, tant ò sunt Deo odibiles. B [...]rnard. De Ordine Vitae, Col. 1126. [...] lu [...]ts of men, but to the will of God: the time past of their lives, being sufficient for them to have wrought the will of the Gentiles.

Thirdly, because ill company, are not onely an evident 1 Thes. 5.22. appearance of evill, which Christians must avoyd; but like­wise a most Prov. 1.10. to 16. c. 7.5. to the end. 2 Pet. 3.17. Inimica est multorum conversatione Nemo non aliquid nobis vitium aut commendat, aut imprimit, aut nescienti­bus allinit. Vti que quo ma­jor est popu­lus cui com­missemur, cò periculi plus est. Seneca E­pist. 7. dangerous insinuating, bewitching temptation; a prevalent perswasive provocation unto evill; and so much the more dangerous; by how much the more numerous. Lewde companions (especially such as haunt our Theaters) are of a most Sodales ma­li, lues & pestis animorum. Hy [...]sius Epist. Centur. 1. E­pist. 78. & C [...]nt. 3. Epist. 63. Dedit haec contagio labem, & dabit in plures. Iuv. Satyr. 2. infectious, leprous, captivating e [...]snaring qualitie: they are all ofOmnes quos [...]lagitium, egestas, conscius animus exagitabat,, hi Catilinae proximi fa­miliaresque erant: quod si quis e [...]iam a culpa vacuus in amicitiam e [...]us inciderat, quoti­diano vsu atque illecebris, facile par, similisque caeteris efficiebatut [...] [...]alu [...]tij, Bellum Ca­tilinarium. pag. 12. Catilines disposition, they will quickly corrupt all those who entertaine their friendship, or intrude into their fel­lowship; making them as unchaste, deboyst, and vitious as them­selves at last, though they were Saepè malorum consortia etiam bonos corrumpunt, quan [...] magis eos quiad vitia proni sunt. Concilium Tole [...]anum 4. Can. 61. vertuously disposed at the first; how much more then will they poyson and corrupt all such who are naturally inclined unto vice? To entercommon therefore with such contagious persons in their Play-house Conventicles, their Theatricall Enterludes must needes bee [...]infull, because it is a strong allective, a vehement temptati­on unto sinne.

Object. If any here object, that many good Divines, ma­ny gracious, prous Christians resort oft-times to Stage-playes, as well as vitious persons; with whom men may ac­company without any danger: therefore there is no such hazzard, such pravity or infection in Play-haunters society as is suggested.

[Page 150]I Answer, First, that perchance some few exorbitant, scan­dalou [...] histrionicall, (but farre from good) Divines, at least­wise from good Christians, may sometimes visit Theater [...] and publike Enterludes, to the scandall of Religion, the ble­mish of their function,Pl [...]rique Sa­cerdotes & Clerici mal [...] vivendo, for­mā caeteris in malum [...]xi­stunt, qui in bonis esse ex­emplum debu­erunt. Isiodor hispalensis De summo. Bon [...] lib. 3. cap. 38. and ill example of others; for which they should, they ought to receive an heavy censure, were Ecclesiasticall Discipline duly exercised. But I dare pre­sume there is not one zealous, faithfull, concionable, painefull Mi [...]ister this day living, who dares to grace a Play or Play-house with his presence: fince not onely See Act. 7. Scene 4. divers Fathers: but likewise Concil. La­odicenum. Can. 54. Car­thag. 3. Can. 11. Constan­tinop. 6. in Trullo Can. 24. Veneti­cū. Can. 11. A­quisgranense sub. Lud pio. Can. 8 [...].100.145. Mogun­tinum, Can. 10. Agathen­se. Can. 28. [...]9 T [...]ronicum 3. Can. 7.8. Ca­bilonense 2. Can. 9. Rhemense. Can. 15. Moguntinum. sub Rabano. Arch. Can. 13. Pa­ri [...]iense. sub. Lud. & Lothario. lib. 1. cap. 38. Coloniense. 1536. pars 2. cap. 25. Nice­num. 2. Can. 22. Basili [...]nse sub Eugenio. Surius. Tom 4 pag 223. Moguntinum sub Sebastiano. Anno 1549. cap. 74. Lateran [...]nse sub Innocentio 3. Can. 16. Capi­tula Gr [...]carum Synodorum. Surius Concil. Tom. 2. pag. 757. Can. 59. Concil. Lingonense 1404. Senonense 1525. Carnotense 1526. Burdigense 1582. Bituri­ense 1584. Aquense 1588. Turonicum 1582. apud Bochellium. Decreta Ecclesiae Gallicanae. lib. 6. Titulus 19. twenty five severall Councels, besides Decreta Eusebij Papae Anno 309. cap. 4. Surius Concil. Tom. 1. pag. 312. Decreta Innocentij 1. Can 11. lb. p. 529. Reformatio Cleri Germaniae Ratisponae 1524. cap. 4. Surius Tom. 4. p. 713. Decreta Odonis Parisiensis, inter Communia praecepta, cap. 13. apud Carranzam Fol 356. Decreta Pauli quinti a­pud Ioannem Langhecrucium. De vita & honesta [...]e Ecclesiasticorum l 2. c. 21 22. Iu­stiniani Codex. l. 1. Tit. 4.5. sundry Canonicall Constitutions, have expresly inhi­bited all sorts of Clergie-men whatsoever, under paine of suspen­sion, and perpetuall deprivation, to be either Actors or Specta­ctors of any publike Stage-play, or to countenance it by their presence: which I would all scandalous Vbinam hodiē est clericorum decor continentiae in ge­stu [...] victu, [...]estitu, & risu? In convivijs, tabernis, ludis, & Theatris vbique vagantes cre­brius reperiuntur, quam in locis Deo dicatis, Onus Ecclesiae c. 23. sect. 1. Play-haunting Ec­clesiastickes (of which there are now too many) would cordially con [...]ider; that so they might reforme their errour, for feare of degradation, which they well demerit, and good Dioce­sans may justly inflict for this their crime.

Secondly, I answer; that perchance some puny new-converted Christian Novices, being altogether unacquain­ted with the hurtfulnesse, the wickednesse of Stage-playes, may sometimes be occasionally drawne unto Stage-playes; partly to beare others company, whose displeasure they [Page 151] might el [...]e incurre: partly through the importunate, soli­citations of lewde acquaintance; partly by the novalty or subject of the Play it selfe; partly to Intelligere malum lauda­bile est, facere a [...]tem vitupe­rabile. Nec qui intelligit malum ipseta­cit malum, sed qui facit ma­lum. Opus im­perfectum in Matth. Hom. 24. Chrysost. Tom. 2. Col. 770 A acquaint themselves the better with the dangerous consequences and fruites of Play-houses, that so they may more iustly condemne them, more pe­remptorily abandon them for future times; yet principally because they are not fully convinced of their sinfulnesse. But that many, that See Gosson, playes cōfuted The 3 Blast of Retrait from Playes and Theaters, p. 51, 52. accordingly. any gracious, godly, growen, faithfull Christians, who are thorowly instructed in the wayes of godli­nesse, or in the noxious qualities of Playes, doe constantly, doe frequently resort to Play-houses, to Stage-playes, (especially out of a loue or liking unto Playes themselves) I utterly deny.

First, because 2 Pet. 2.8. Acts 17.16. Gal. 5.17: Psal. 119.37. See Chrysost. Hom. 38. in Mat, Gosson Playes confu­ted. The third Blast of Re­trait from Playes, Pe­trarch. De Remedio Vtr. Fortunae [...] l. 1 Dialog. 28 30. accor­dingly. no truely sanctifyed Christian (who cannot possibly delight in any knowne evill) can ever patiently hea [...]e, or de [...]ghtfully behold, the severall grosse abominable wickednesses that are daily acted and committed on the Stage, but his very heart would forthwith boyle within him, yea, his eyes gush forth with teares, out of an holy indignation against them. Second­ly because it is Hebr. 11.24, 25. Psal. 1.1, 2. Psal. 26.4, 5, 6. Amos 3.3. Quibus mala benè sapiunt, bona illis ignota sunt; & curis nobilioribus sunt insueti, qui vilibus delectan­tur. Petrarch [...] De Remed [...]o Vtriusque Fortunae l. 1. Dialog. 28. impossible, that true godly Christians should take any reall pleasure in these Theatricall Enterludes which wicked men most affect: since the 2 Cor. 6.14, 15, 16, Prov. 29.27. gracious, the gracelesse, are as contrary one to the other in their chiefe delights, as light and darkenesse; righteousnesse and unrighteousnesse; Christ and Belial; Beleevers and Infidels. Thirdly, because See Act. 7. Scene [...], 3, 4 [...] 5. all godly Christians in the Primitive Church, have wholly abandoned Stage-playes, as sinfull, as us christian pleasures; Therefore all pious Christians must needs abhorre them now; they being Ephes. [...].1. to 7, Phil, 3.16. 1 Cor. 12.4, 5, 8, 9, 11. 2 Cor. 4.13. guided by the selfe same Word and Spirit as the Pri­mitive Christians were; so that they Rom. 15.5, 6. 1 Cor. 1.10. 2 Cor. 13.11 [...] Phil. 1.27. 2 Cor. 4.13. cannot chuse but have the very selfe-same judgement with them in all things, and so [Page 152] in case of Stage-playes, as well as in other things. Thirdly, admit some godly Christians do commonly resort to Play-houses, (which I cannot beleeve) [...] yet these are few in num­ber; and those for the most part 1 Cor. 14.20. Has res homo sapiens videat, quae non alij [...] vide­antur conti­nere aliquid gratiae, quàm infantibus paryulis, & populariter institutis Arnobius advers. Gentes l. 7. p. 236. children, not onely in spirituall, but even in naturall understanding; being 1 Cor. 3.1. Hebr. 5.13. babes in yeares, as well as in grace: Yea, they are nought else but 2 Pet. 2.13.14. blemishes of Religion, and scandals to the Church, to all their fellow Seints, who See Tertul­lian & Cypri­an De Specta­culis. Lactan­tius De vero Cultu, cap. 20 Chry [...]. Hom. 3. De Davide & Saule & Hom. 6, 7, & 38. in Matth. Salvian De Gubernatione Dei with all the other Fa­thers and Au­thors, in Act. 7 blame, who much condemne them for their Play haunting. The saints who flocke to Stage-playes (if there be any such) are but a despicable, undiscer­nable company, unable to draw others unto goodnesse; where as the gracelesse wicked ones who daily visit them, are many in number, contagious in quality, more apt to poyson, to infect all those who dare approach them, than one who is full of running Plague-sores. Therefore it must of necessity be Tolli Theatra iube, non tuta licentia Circi est. Ovid. Tristium. lib. 2. p. 135. dangerous to resort to Stage-playes. We all know by wofull experience,Ad peertior a faciles sumus, quia nec dux potest, nec comes d [...]esse; Non pronum iter tan­tum est ad vitia, sed etiam praeceps. Seneca Epist. 97. That mans corrupt nature is farre more pendulously propense to vitious, than to good ex­amples: and that evill things are farre more apt to defile that which is good, than good things [...] to rectifie that which is evill. Whence it alwayes comes to passe (as Rerum natura sic est, ut quoties bonus malo conjugitur, non ex bono malus melioretur, sed ex malo bonus contaminetur: malum enim coinquinat bonum, bonum autem non coinquinat malum. Iunge Iutum fa­rinae, non farina sordidat lutum, sed lutum farinam. Chrysost. Hom. 28. in Matth. Tom. [...]. Col. 782. A Chrysostome well ob­serves) that as oft as good and bad men associate themselves to­gether, the ill are never meliorated by the good, but the good are alwayes contaminated, corrupted by the evill: even as when Clay and Meale are kneaded together, the Clay defiles the Meale, not the Meale refines the Clay. Saint Paul informes us; ^a that a little leaven, leaveneth the whole lumpe: King Solomon; ^b that one sinner destroyeth must good; and the sententious Satyrist; That one scabbed sheepe destroyes a whole flocke, one dandraffe Swine, the whole heard; one rotten [Page 153] grape the whole cluster: Subducen­dus est te [...]er animus popu­lo, & parum tenax recti. Facile trans­situr ad plur [...]s. Socrati, Oa­toni, & illis excutere me [...] ­tem suam dis­similis multi­tudo pot [...]isset a deò nemo nostrum, qui cum maximè concinnamus ingenium fer­ro imp [...]tum vitiorum, tam magno comi­tatu Venien­tium potest. Vnum exem­plū aut avari­tiae aut luxuri­ae multum ma­li facit. Con­victor delica­tu [...] paulatim enervat & e­mollit. Vici­nus dives cu­piditatem irritat: malignus comes, quamvis candido & simplici, rabiginem suam af­fricuit. Quid i [...] accidere his credis in quos publice factus est impetus: Seneca Epist. 7. Malorum hominum consuetudo aliquid vitij pueris affricat [...] Plutarch. de Educat. Pue­rorum. Tom. 1. p. 21. Much more then will these troopes of wicked ones [...] who meet at Theaters (which are able to cor­rupt the strongest Christian) deprave those few unstable tender babes in Christ, who intrude into their company; as Seneca well argueth in our present case: It is a good observation of a grave Historian: Notum est illud pietati tuae, quod in Mario Maximo legisti; me­liorem esse Rempublicam, & prope tutiorem, in qua pri [...]ceps malus est, ea in qua sunt amici principis mali: si quidem vinus malus potest a pluribus bonis corrigi; multi autem mali non possunt ab vno, quamvis bono, vlla ratione superari, & id quidem ab Homulo ipsi Traiano dictum est, cùm ille diceret Domitianum pessimum fuisse, amicos autem bonos habuisse. AElij Lamprid [...] Severus p. 249, 250. that is farre better for a Kingdome, to have a bad King and good Councellors to advise him, than a good King and bad Counsellors: his reason is (and it is Non tantum valeat in bonum, bonum vnum, quantum duo mala in malum. De praecepto & Dispensatione, c. 28. Col. 936 A. Saint Bernards too) because one bad man, may happily be reformed by many good; but many evill men can by no meanes be over-ru­led, or rectified, by any one man be he never so good. I may apt­ly accomodate this reason to our present purpose thus. Admit some few good Christians resort sometimes to Stage-playes; yet since they alwayes meet with farre more, farre greater troopes of lewde, deboist companio [...]s there, who (withou [...] Gods preventing grace, which Play-haun­ters cannot challenge) will certainely corrupt them in a Nullum tempus ad nocendum angustum est malis. Senecae Mea [...]a, Act. 2. fol. 146. mo­ment: it must needs be sinfull, be dangerous to resort unto them: since the fewer good ones, are Vnum verò est pro quo vitari malorum societas debeat, ne si fortasse corrigi non va­lent, ad imitationem trahant: & cum ipsi a sua nequitia non mutentur, eos qui sibi con­iunctos fuerint pervertunt. Corrumpunt enim bonos mores colloquia prava. Itaque in­firmi quicunque societatem malorum declinare debent, ne mala quae frequenter aspici­unt & corrigere non valent, delectentur imitari. Anselmus in 1 Cor. cap. 6. Tom. 2. pag. 202. C. more likely to be vi­tiated, by the major multitude of wicked ones, whose wic­kednesse exceeds their goodnesse; than the wicked ones to be reclaimed by their goodnesse, of which they are vncapa­ble. Lastly, the presence of some godly men at Stage-playes, can never make Play-assemblies good, in God or mans [Page 154] esteeme. When good and bad men ioyne together in Re­ligious duti [...]s; the goodnesse of Gal. 1.2. Isay 1 21. the lesser part denominates the whole, and makes it good in Gods, in m [...]ns account: be­cause the end, the cause of this convention, is Gods glory. But when good and bad confederate themselues together in any delights of sinne, 2 Chron. 19 [...] c. 20.35, 36, 37. Ezech. 18.24. Reu. 18.4. Psal. 106.39, 40. Isay 1.4.21. God lookes not on the goodnesse of the good, but upon the wickednesse of good and bad, condemning all for a Isay 1.4.10, 13, 14. c. 66.3.4. Ier. 7.11. Ezech. 14.13. to 22. Congregation of euill doers, because the obiect, the end of these their conventicles are unlawfull. When gra­cious and gracelesse persons shall fit promiscuously toge­ther in a Play-house, beholding some prophane lascivious Enterlude with delight; not onely God himselfe, but even Saints and Angels frowne upon them, as a fraternitie of evill doers; and a Satanicall unchristian assembly, (as the Qui congre­gatu [...]ana cum ijs qui specta­cula & thea­tra cōveniunt, & cum diabo­lo idem senti­unt, vnus ex ipsis connume­ [...]abitur, & vae habebit. Clem. Rom. Constit. Apost [...] l. 2. c. 66 Omnes turpi­tudine rerum vnum sunt, qui sibi rerum turpiū voluntate sociantur. Nam hoc ipso quod aliquis rem obs [...]aenam cupit [...] dum ad immunda properat immundus est. Salvian. de G [...]bern. Dei. l. 6. p. 187 201. O­disse debemus iste conu [...]ntus & caetus Ethnicorum. Quid luci cum tenebri [...]? quid vi­tae & morti? Quid facies in illo suffragiorum impiorum aestuario depraehensus vbi ne­mo te cognoscit Christianum? Recogita quid de te [...]iat in caelo. Dubita [...] enim i [...]lo mo­mento quo in Ecclesia Diaboli fueris, omnes Angelos prospicere de cae [...]o, & fingulos de­notare, quis blasphemias dixerit, quis audierit, quis linguā, quis aures Diabolo adversus Deum administraverit? Non ergo fugies sedilia hostium Christi, illam cathedram pe­stilentiariam, &c. Tertullian. De Spectaculis. cap. 26, 27. Fathers testifie;) because the most of thē are such, & the end for w^ch they meet is such. Wherefore, since the whole Conventi­cle of Play-haunters in Gods, in Angels, in holy mens esteeme, is alwayes evill, notwithstanding the pres [...]nce of some few godly ones; these Playes themselves must cer­tainely be execrably odious to all good Christians, (who Psal. 26.4, 5 Rev. 18.4. 2 Cor. 6.17. Vita malos, cave iniquos, fuge improbos, spern [...] ingratos, a te fuga turbas hominum, maximè [...]orum qui ad vitia proni sunt: periculosum est enim vitam cum ma­lis ducere, & cum his qui pravè vivunt so ciari. Isiodor Hispal. De contemp [...]u mundi. lib. pag. 229 [...] H. must abandon all lewde companions) even in this respect.

SCENA PRIMA.

FIftly, Stage-playe [...] must needs bee abominable, un­lawfull unto Christians, both in regard of their manner of Action, and of all those severall parts, concomitants and circumstances that attend them. From whence I raise this fifteenth Argument.Argument. 15.

The Major needs no confirmation; because such as the forme, the parts and circumstances are, such questionlesse is the whole. The Minor I shall evidence by a particular discussion.

First, of the very manner of acting Stage-playes:1 wherein I shall examine: First, the hypocrisie; Secondly, the obscenitie and lasciviousnesse; Thirdly, the grosse effe­minacy; Fourthly, the extreame vanitie and follie, which necessarily attends the acting of Playes.

Secondly, of the severall parts that are usually acted in 2 Stage-playes; which are as sinfull as various.

Thirdly, of the ordinary apparell wherein Playes are 3 acted: which is, First of all, womanish, belonging [...]o the fe­male Sex: Secondly, costly, fantasticall, strange, lascivious, whorish, provoking unto lewdnesse.

Fourthly, of the severall concomitants or circumstances 4 of Stage-playes: which I shall reduce to these foure Heads. Lascivious da [...]cing. Amorous obscene songs: Effeminate lu [...]t-exciting Musicke. Pro [...]ufe, inordinate lascivious laugh­ter, [Page 156] and vaine theatricall applauses: omitting all other ad­juncts, shewes, and circumstances of Playes, which Indocti, sto­lidique & de­pugnare parati Si discor­de [...], equos m [...] ­dia inter car­mina poscunt, A [...]t vrsum, aut pugiles: his nam plebecu­la gaudet. Ve­rum equitis quo que iam ingravit ab aure voluptas omnis ad in cer tos oculos, & gaudia yana. Quatuor aut plures a [...]laea praemuntur in horas, Dum fugiunt equitū turmae, p [...]di­tumque cater­vae. Mox tra­hitur manibus regum for [...]una retortis. Esse­da festinant, pilenta, petor­dita, naves: Captivum portatur ebur, captiva corinthus, &c. Epist. lib. 2. Epist. 1. pag. 283, 284. See God­wins Roman Antiquities, lib 2. Sect. 3. cap. 2. to 14. Ho­race, and some others mention, as not so pertinent to our present purpose.

To begin, with the first branch of the first particular, to wit, the hypocrisie, faining, or dissimulation that is exerci­sed in acting Stage-playes. If we seriously consider the very forme of acting Playes, we must needes acknowledge it to be nought else but grosse hypocrisie. Tacianus Contr. Graecos Oratio. Cyprian. Epist. lib 2. Epist. 2. Clemens Alexand. Oratio Adhort. ad Gentes. fol. 8, 9. Arnobius. lib. 7. advers. Gentes pag. 230. to 242. Lactantius De vero cultu. cap. 20. Tertullian. De Spectac [...] lib. Augustin. De Civit. Dei. lib. 2. cap. 3. to 16. De Sermone Domini in Monte. lib. 2. cap. 3. Chrysost. Hom. 38. in Matth. Salvian. De Gubern. Dei lib. 6. Gellius Noctium Atticarum. lib. 7. cap. 5. Gosson Playes confuted Action 2. Master Dil [...]o of the Deceitfulnesse of the Heart. cap. 2. p. 21. I. G. in his Re­futation of the Apologie for Actors, and sundry others accordingly. All things are counterfeited, feined, dissembled; nothing really or sincerely acted. Players are alwayes counterf [...]iting, representing the persons, habits, offices, callings parts, conditions, speeches, acti­ons, lives [...]; the passions, the affections, the anger, hatred, cruel­ty, love, revenge, dissentions; yea, the very See Act. 3. Scene 1, 2, 3, 4. vices, sinnes, and lusts; the adulteries, incests, rapes, murthers, tyrannies, thefis, and such like crimes of other men, of other sexes, of other crea­ture [...]; yea, oft-times of the See Act. 3. Scene 1, 2, 3, 4. Divell himselfe, and Pagan Divell­gods. They are alwayes Grex agit in Scena mimum, pater illevocatur, [...]ilius hic, nomen di­vitis ille tenet. Mox vbi rid [...]ndas inclusit pagina partes. Vera r [...]dit facies, dissimulata perit. Pe [...]roni Satyricon. p. 41. See Bulengerus De Theatro. lib. 1. cap. 49. De Mimis. Vi­distisaepe in S [...]aen [...]a tragicos istos [...]ctores [...] qui vt res postulat ia [...] Orontes sunt, Pri­ [...]mi, aut Agamemnones [...] idem paulo post Ce [...]ropem aut E [...]ect eum agens, i [...]ssu Poetae mendicus procedit. Fabula autem finita, exuta v [...]st [...] auro intex [...]a, & persona deposita & cothurnis, pauper ac humilis errat, &c. Lucianu in Necromant. acting others, not themselves [...] they vent notorious lying fables, as undoubted truthes: they put false glosses upon Histories, persons, virtues, vices, all things that they act, representing them in feined colours: the whole action of Playes is nought else but feining, but counterfeiting, but palpable hypocrisie and dissimulation which God, which men abhorr [...]: there [...]ore it must needs be sinfull.

[Page 157]If any here obiect:Object. That the acting of Playes is no hy­pocrysie, no dissimulation, it being onely done in sport, in imitation, with no sinister intent at all, to hurt, to cheate, or circumvent men.

I answer;Answ. First, that admit it be but a meere [...]mitation of other mens persons, parts and vices, yet it must needs bee sinfull: because the very imitation of wicked men, of Pa­gans, of Idols, of Idolaters, especially in their lewdest wic­kednesses (the most vsuall subject of our Enterludes) is without all question evill, Exod. 23.2. Psal. 1.1. Pro. 1.15, 16 [...] c. 5.8, 9. Rom. 1.32. 1 Thess. 5.22. Ier. 10.2, 3. 2 Pet. 2.2.15.18. 1 Pet. 4.1, 2, 3, 4. See Here. p. 18. to 28. as the Scriptures plainly teach us. Secondly, I answer, that by the [...]eining used in our Stage-playes, many of our Spectators are deceived, all cheated. Deceived, with forged fabulous histories instead of truthes; with false represen [...]ations of true stories: Neque enim est apud eos virtutes coler [...] sed vitia cole­rare, quodam quasi virtu­tum minio. Bernard super Cantica Ser­mo 66. fol. 161. E. with palliated vices in lei [...] of virtues: with virtues vizarded un­der the names of vice; with bad Playes oft-times which all dislike, instead of good, as some in some respects account them. Cheated, with shadowes instead of substance: with sinfull, heathenish, unchristian spectacles, in place of honest recreations. These Stage-hypocrisies, which at the very best, are pure vanity, and so not valuable; doe cheate many of their hon [...]sty, their civility, their chastity, their estates, their reputation, their virtues, their salvation [...] See Marcus Aurelius Epi­stle 12. to Lambert. The third Blast of Retrait from Playes p. 115.116. and Act. 6. Scene 1.2. accordingly. most, of their money [...] all, of their time: too deare a price for so fruit­lesse, so wretchlesse a purchase. Besides, See Act. 6. Scene 17. they involve men in the guilt of sundry sinnes, which they little feared or sus­pected, to the eternall hazzard o [...] their soules, which is a great deceit. Yea, the very end why Players act their En­terludes, is The third Blast of Re­trait Playes and Theaters. p. 116. & Act 6. Scene 2. onely to cheate mens money out of their purses by dishonest meanes, not giving quid pro quo: The very ground-worke therefore of this objection, is but forged. Third­ly, admit that no man were cheated, or prejudiced by that counterfeiting, which accompanies the acting of all Stage-playes; yet the meere acting of the persons, parts, ge­stures, offices, actions, passions; especially of the Sexes, Vices, Anger, Furie, Love, Revenge and Villanies of other men, be it in sport, in representation onely, is hypocri [...]i [...]. [Page 158] For what else is hypocrisie in the proper signification of the word, Hypocritae nomen trans­latū est a specie e [...]rū qu Spe­ctaculis tecta facie inc [...]dunt, &c utpopulū dum in [...]dis agerent, fall [...] ­rent, modo in specie viri, mo­do in fo [...]mafaeminae et reliquis prestigi [...]. Vnde et Mimus hypocrita dictus, quia imitator est & fimilator. Calepine, Suida [...], Cooper, Thomasius, Elio [...], R [...]der, Mi [...]shaw, and Holioke: in their Dictionaries in the words. Hypocrita & Hypocrisis. Calius Rh [...]dig. Antiqu. Lect. l. 8. c. 8. p. 356. In Ecclesia. vel in omni vita humana, quisquis vult. videri qu [...]d non est, hypocrita est. Hypocritae sunt, qui [...]egunt sub persona quod sunt, [...]t ostentant in perso­na quod non sunt. Hypocritarum ergo nomine simulat [...]res acceperis August. De Serm. Dom. in Monte cap. 3. and 30. Tom. 4. pars 2. p. 637, 669. Hypocrita autem is est, qui aliam pro alia figuram induit: veluti si pauper quispiam principis sibi personam ascis­cat, tandiu clarus apparens. quandiu theatrum a [...]sidi [...]. Chrysost. in Matth. 6. Tom. 2. Col. 1185. A. The [...]phyla [...]. E [...]ar. in Matth. 6. Ambrose De Elia & [...]ejunio. c. 10. Tom. 1. p. 254. H. Bernard. Super. Cantica. Serm. 33. Zacharias Chrysopolitanus. In Vnum ex quat [...]or. l. 1. [...]. 34. Bibl. Patr. Tom. 12. pars 1. p. 45. E. Chrysologus. Sermo 172. accor­dingly. but the acting of anothers part or person on the Stage: or what else is an hypoc [...]ite, in his tru [...] etimologie, but a Stage-player, or one who acts anothers part: as sundry Authors and Gramarians teach us. Hence that common epithite in our Latine Authors: Calvin. Iustit. l. 4. c. 19. sect. 18. Se [...] Coopers Dictionarie. Histrionica hypocrisis: And hence is it, that not onely divers moderne Master Dike of the Decei [...]fulnesse of mans Heart. The Rich Cabinet, London 1616. page 116, 117. English and La­tine Writers, but likewise Haec vbique in theatris ab hypocritis splendissi [...]is vocibus comaedisan­tur. Irenaus. Co [...]. Hareses lib. 2. cap. 19. Ne obscur [...]s faciem tuam quemadmodum hypocritae faciun [...]. Hypocrita, hoc est histrio, vocatur is, qui in Theatro alienam per­sonam sumit. Vt [...]erv [...]s existens saepenumero domini, & privatus regis. Sic in ha [...] vita ad suos [...]ores orchestras atque theatrum exe [...]cent ij, qui alia corde gerentes, alia extrin­secus hominibus prae se f [...]runt. Basil. De Iejuni [...] [...]erm. 2. Tom. 1. p. 322. Ideo dixit hypo­critas, [...]o quod simulationealienam personam induant, sicut in scena qui tragaedias agunt, pro corum dictis quorum personas gerunt motus suos exercitant vt aut irascantur, aut maereant, v [...]l exultent. Amb. De El [...]a & Ieiun. c. 10. Tō. 1. p. 254. H. Chrys. Hom. 31. in Mat. [...]ō. 2. Col. 170. D [...]et E [...]r in Mat. [...]. Col. 1185. A. Sunt enim hypocritae simulatores, tanquam pronunciatores personarum alienarū sicut in theatri [...]is fabulis. Non enim qui agit partes Agamemnonis in tragaedia, verbi gratia, five alicuius alterius, ad historiam vel [...]abulam quae agitur pertinentis, verè ipse est, sed simulat eum, & hypocrita dicitur. Aug. [...]e Serm. Dom. in Monte l. 2. c. 3. Tom. 4. pars 2. p. 637. Ergo hypocritarum nomen ex an­tiquis theatralibus assu [...]ptum est disciplinis, quia erant [...]im [...]latores (simulator quippe Graece hypocrita sonare probatur) qui tanquam oratores in concione fabulose agebant partes personarum in theatris; & omnia [...]orum negotia tragica vel comica, ac si essent ipsi quorum personas gerebant, monstrabantur. Narrabant enim non suas sed corum hi­storias & continentiam, motus quoque & voces eorum, & vultus, videntibus ob favor [...]m vulgi vicissim repraesentabant. Ita sane & illi qui bona opera ficto laudis officio, non ad Dei, sed ad suam gloriam ostentan [...]. Agunt enim partes justorum & personarum eorum, cum sint simulatores, ob favorem hominum assumant: non quod habeant ju [...]titiae opera, sed quia simulant se habere. Alias autem si justa essent non ad se, imo ad Deum, cun [...]ta quae faciunt boni referrent Nunc autem quia vt minum secundum tragicam pi [...]atem in the [...]ricis, &c. Pas [...]atiu [...] R [...]tbertus in Mat. Evang. l. 4. Bibl. Pa [...]rum T [...]m. 9. par [...] 2. pag. 986. A.B. sundry Fathers here quoted in [Page 159] the Margent, s [...]ile Stage-players hypocrites; Hypocrites, Stage-players, as being [...]ne and the same in substance: there be­ing nothing more familiar with them, then to describe an hy­pocrite by a Stage-player; and a Stage-player by an hypocrite. If therefore we give any credit to the Fathers, or Authors here alleadged; we must needs acknowledge, the very acting of Stage-playes to be hypocrisie; and Histrio e­nim aliter in animo sent [...], foris autem quod non est mentitur, Ta­cian [...] Oratio contr. Grace [...]. Players themselves to be meere hypocrites, (their very profession being nothing else, but an artificiall hypocrisie,) and so an abomina­ble, and unchristian exercise. For God, Iohn 3.33. c. 7.28. Rom. 3.4. who is truth it selfe, Mal. 3.6. Iam. 1.17. in whom there is no variablenesse, no shadow of change Numb. 23.19. Rom. 3.4. Titus 1.2. no feining, no hypocrisie; as he hath given a vniforme di­stinct and proper being to every creature, Iob 14.5. c. 26.10. Psal. 104.5. to 25. the bounds of which may not be exceeded: so he requires that the actions of every creature should be Rom. 13.13. Phil. 1.8. c. 4.8. 1 Pet. 2.2 [...]. 1 Cor. 5.8. honest and sincere, Iam. 3.17. Luke 12.1. devoyde of all hypocrisie, as all his actions, and their na [...]ures are. Hence he enioyes all men at all times, Mat. 23.27.28. 2 Cor. 5.12. Rev. 3.15, 16, 17, 18. to be such in shew, as they are in truth: to seeme that o [...]twardly which they are inwardly; to act themselves, not others: to Ephes. 6.6. Phil. 4.8, 9. 2 Thess. 3.4. Hebr. 10.30. Iam. 1.22, 25. 1 Pet. 3.11. c. 4.19. 1 Ioh. 3.22. imitate those men, those graces which his word prescribes them; not those accurs [...]d villanies, which wicked men (who are now in hell) haue left behinde them. Psal. 51.6. God requires truth in the inward parts; in the soule, the affections; yea, in the habit, speeches, ge­stures, in the whole inti [...]e man. Now this counterfeiting of persons, affections, manners, vices, sexes, and the like, which is inseparably incident to the acting of Playes; as it transformes the Actors into what they are not; so it in [...]useth falshood into ev [...]ry part of soule and body, as Omnis hy­pocrisis men­dacio plena est, & aliud quidem est, & aliud [...]ingit. Christus autem cum sit veritas mendacio adversatur. Qui igitur Christum discunt, hypocrisin [...]ugiunt. Theophylact. Enar. in Luc. 12. p. 158. C. all hypocrisie doth; in causing them to seeme that in outward [...]ppearance which they a [...]e not in truth: therefore it must needs be [...] o­dious to the God of truth; as well as the common ac­cursed hellish art of face-painting, which t [...]e Clemens Alex­andrinus. Paedagogi. l. 2. 10. Tertullian. De Cultu Faeminarum. c. 3. to 9. & de Velan­dis virginibus. Tract. Ambrose Hexaemeron lib. 6. c. 8. De Virginitate lib. 1. Hieron. E­pist. 7. c. 2.3. Epist. 8. c. 5. Epist 10. c. 2, 3. August. d [...] Doctrina Christian [...] l. 4. c. 21. See my Vnlovelinesse of Love-lockes. pag. 2. Fathers, with [Page 160] others much condemne, even from this very ground; be­cause it sophisticates and perver [...]s the workes of God, in put­ping a false glosse upon his creatures. And this the persona­ting of Stage-playes alwayes doth, as much, nay more then it. Neither will this qualifie the matter, that this Stage-hypocrisie is onely in merriment. For 1 Sam. 21.13, 14, 15. See D. Wille [...], Calvin, and others, Ibi­dem. if Davids counter­feiting of himselfe to be mad before Achish King of Gath, for the safe-gard of his life; or Gen. cap. 42 & 43. See the Commenta­tors those chapters. Iosephes iesting dissimulation with his brethren, were sinfull, as good Divines repute it; Omnis simu­latio & omnis duplicitas mendacium est. Ergo non solum in falsis verbis, sed eti­am in simula­tis operibus mendacium comprobatur. Ambrose Sermo 44. T [...]m. 5. p. 31. because there was a li [...] involved in it. Much more must this wanton acting hypocrisie be abominably sinfull, because it is meerely voluntary, there being no impulsive cause to move men to it. If Rom. 3.8. the damnation of those who doe evill, that good may come of it, be iust: much more must their condemnation be righteous, their sinne exceeding great, who commit hypocrisie (a great, a Dupliciter autem damna­tur hypocritae, pro occult [...] i­niquitate, pro aperta simula­tione. Bernard De Ordine vi­ [...]a. Col. 1226. A Se [...] August. de Conflictu viti­orum & vir­tum. & Isiodor hisp [...] l. Sentent. lib. 3. c. 24. p. 465. accor­dingly. double iniquity) on the open Theater, to no other end, but to make others sinfull sport to passe away their precious time. Since then it is evident by the premises, that the very acting of Stage-playes is hypocrisie, as De Spectac. lib. c. 23. Tertullian and De Spectaculis lib. Cyprian, together with Irenaeus, Basil, Ambrose, Augustine, Chrysostome, Ta­tianus, Pascatius Ratbertus, and the other See 2. a, b, c. and d, before. fore-quoted Au­thor largely teach us: we may hence conclude them to bee odious unto God. Wherefore I shall here close up this Scene, with this sixteenth Play-condemning Argument.