The Players Scourge, Part 1 · Act 3 · Scene 3
SCENA TERTIA.
THirdly, the Stile, and subiect Matter of most popular Stage-Playes, is Heathenish, and Prophane, consisting of the dExprimunt 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.
Those Stage-Playes, whose Stile, and Subiect Matter is Heathenish, and Prophane, consisting of the Parts, the Persons, Ceremonies, Rites, and Names; yea, the Imprecations, Inuocations, Adorations, and Applauses; together with the very LoueLove-passions, Lusts, Adulteries, Incests, Rapes, Impostures, Cheates, Conspiracies, Treacheries, Murthers, Thefts, Debates, and other abominable villanies, and execrable practises, of Demoniacall, Incestuous, Adulterous, and Infernall Heathen-Gods, or Men whose very Names, and Practises should rot, and perish in obliuion; must needes be odious, vnseemely, yea, vtterly vnlawfull vntounto Christians.
But such is the Stile, and Subiect Matter of most Theatricall Enterludes.
Therefore they must needes bee odious, vnseemely, yea, vtterly vnlawfull vntounto Christians.
For the Minor; not onelyonly our owne eExperientia 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: fO 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, Inuocations, Names, Adulteries, Whoredomes, Incests, Rapes, LoueLove-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: gImmundissimi Spiritus, mal…gnissimi & fallacissi…i Damones, vsus 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: hExod. 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, iDeut 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: k…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 vntounto God, so vnsuiteable vntounto Christian mouthes, and eares; that God himselfe protesteth; lZech. 13 2.he will cut off the name…d of Ioles out of the Land, and they shall be no more remembred: yea, mHosea 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, nAd 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, would rather die, then call Ioue a God; as hee is oft times stiled in our Stage-Playes: (and truely they oEtiam 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 vntounto him; as we Christians to our shame, and his dishonour, oft times doe: Christians hauehave beene alwayes coy, and charie of the very naming of Heathen Idoles, vnlesse it were with detestation, and dislike. pAbsit 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. qChristianus 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 vponupon him. rDe Lege…dis Libris Gentilium-Oratio.Saint Basil, and sAd Seleucum De Recta Educatione. pag. 1063.Nazianzen, persuade, and aduise all Christians; tHaec 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. xEpist. lib. 9. Epist. 48.Saint Gregorie the great, and yDistinctio. 86. cap. Cum multa.Gratian, informe vsus: 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: vponupon which ground, the fourth Councell of Carthage. Canon 16. 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; zNon 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 aQuo 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 onelyonly 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 bOrigen Contr. Celsum lib. 1. fol. 5. I. Tertullian De Idololatria. lib cap. 18. to 24.giuegive a tacite, or secret allowance of them to be Gods: where as in trueth, they are cDeut. 32.17. Psal. 106.37. 1 Cor. 10.20. August. De Ci…. Dei. lib. 2. cap. 3. to 29.but Deuills; dClemens 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 vsus, e1 Cor. 10.19. Isay 41.24.29.nothing in the World. Fourthly, because fQu…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 louelove vntounto 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: gProu. 10.7. Psal. 109.13. Psal. 9.5, 6.that the Names of the wicked should rot: hIsay 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; iSee 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 kIsay 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 lMinuc…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 hauehave hatched, hauehave propagated Idolatrie, and Paganisme heretofore; they may likewise resuscitate, and foment it now, vnlesse Gods grace withhold vsus from it; since wee are mSee pag 27. Deut. 6.12. cap. 8.11. 1 Iohn 5.21. 1 Cor. 10.7.1….all by nature prone vntounto it, as the sundrie exhortations, and cau…ats to auoyde it testifie: nSee 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; o1 Iohn 5.19. 1 Peter 4.3. Isay 2.8 Cap. 10.10.no sinne so generally practised, p1 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 qPs 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 louelove, and seruice. It is dangerous, it is sinfull therefore to applaude such Playes, admit such Poemes, which may withdraw vsus Christians from our God, to grosse Idolatrie, as they hauehave oft seduced others, as able, rIosh. 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 vsus 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 vsus: sGenes. 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: tIosh. 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, uMatth. 5.34, 35, 36. Cap. 23.16. to 23. Iames 5.12.or any creature whatsoeuer: He enioynes vsus to xPsalm. 50.15. Psalm. 32.6. Psalm. 56.2. Ierem. 29.7.12. Dan. 9.13. Isay 45.21, …2Inuocate, Imprecate, and Admire none but himselfe alone; yIsay 45.20, 21.not Pagan Idoles, not zColos. 2 18. Reuel. 19.10. Cap. 22.9. Isay 63.16.Saints, or Angels, who can neither heare, nor help… vsus 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 aSee 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 bExod. 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, cProhibitum 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 hauehave 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 vntounto vsus? The sixt Councell of Constantinople, Canon 94. dEos 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 vntounto his face. For first these Heathenish Oathes, and Imprecations, or Inuocations of Pagan Gods, eOrigen Contra. Celsu…. lib 1. Isiodor Hispa…ensis. De Summo bono. lib. 5. c. 33 Clem. Rom. Constit Apost. l… 5. c. 11.doe giuegive 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, fIer. 5.7. Rom. 10.13, 14.but God alone. Now to attribute a Deitie to these Pagan Gods, gSi 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, hExo 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, iHaereticorum 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 kDe Idolo…a…ria. lib. cap. 18 to 24.…ertullian, with lIsiodor 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 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; mIdololatri… 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, nMatth. 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: oExod. 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 pDeut. 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: qMat. 5.34, 35 Iames 5.12.Sweare not at all: and aboue all things my Brethren Sweare not: no, rExod 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 sI…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 vntounto God, and dangerous vntounto vsus. Thirdly, these Oathes, these Inuocations, and Imprecations, as they renew those Heathenish, and Infernall Deities, tSee p. 79.80.whose memories should for euer rot: so they doe likewise ingender Heathenisme, and Prophanen…sse in mens liues, and speeches: uSee 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 xEph…s 4 29. Col 4.….should flow with Grace, and Holinesse: they stampe their liues, and actions with dissolutenesse, and gracelesnesse: they cause them, yEphes. 2.12. Psal 10.4.to liue without God, in this World; and to admire, zPlautus 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 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 onelyonly 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 aNulli 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 onelyonly; not seriously, or in earnest.
Secondly, that they are vttered by way of Proxie, or representation onelyonly; 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, bAthanasius 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 cSee 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 vsus, who not onelyonly know him, but professe him too? Certainely, if their fabulous, and iesting discourses of these Idoles, were a notorious crime, dNos 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.
Secondly, the Scriptures know no such distinction betweene iest, and earnest: they enioyne vsus peremptorily: eExod. 23.13.not to make mention of the names of Idoles; fIsay 44.9. to 21. Exod. 20.7.not to Inuocate, or Adiure them; gIosh. 23.7.not to Sweare by them, hDeut. 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, iNihil 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 vponupon some pretended necessitie, kNulla 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 vsus 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 eueryevery man lProu. 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, mEt 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, nNeque 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 vponupon 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 vsus: oProu. 10.23. Cap. 13.9. Stul…us per ri…um operatur scelus. Salu. De Gub. Dei. pag. 205.that it is the propertie of Fooles to make a mocke of sinne, and a pastime to doe wickedly: pPro. 26.18, 19that hee who deceiueth his Neighbour, (much more then hee who qEphes. ….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 rLudere 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, sSee 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 tHis, 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, uExod. 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 onelyonly, without any necessary, or vrgent cause, (which is frequent in our STAGE-PLAYES,) is the xVanum 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 yAuerte 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 onelyonly, 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 zBasil 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, aEzech. 18.19, 2…. Galat 6.5that eueryevery man shall beare his owne iniquitie, and answere for his sinne: it is likewise as vnquestionably true; bIoshua 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 cIsay 3.8, 9.11, 14they 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, d1 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 giuegive no allowance to them, therefore they cannot rest on them: nee…es then must they rest vponupon the Poets, Actors, and Spectators heads, eRom. 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 vntounto none, to Act an oth…rs part, or p…rson on the Stage; fQuid 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 Play-Poets, or Actors, for these Idolatrous Imprecations, Prophane, and Pagan Oathes, or Heathenish Stage-Plaies, gEccles. 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: hQui 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 onelyonly, 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 iProu. 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, LoueLove-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; kDiabolicam 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 vsus: to l1 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 vsus, mExod. 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: And can we then lawfully take up, not onelyonly the nExod 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 oIosephus 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 pMiramini 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 onelyonly qNihil 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 rIn cap. 14. Isa…ae tom. 3. Operum p. 469.St. Basil; but even an whole sQui 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 onelyonly cause men to frame the very images and portraitures of Pagan Deities, tExod. 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 vGen. 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: xEphes. 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 onelyonly the a…siduous commemoration of the names, but likewise the artificiall, if not reall acting, not onelyonly of the Parts, but also of the ySee 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, whoredomes, and such like execrable abominations of the beastliest Divell-gods, or infernall Men-monsters (which were zNih…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; aPsal. 119.37.Turne away my eyes from beholding vanity (which bHilarie 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 cPsal. 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 dSee 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) eEccles 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 onelyonly at the act, but likewise at the very appearance and thought of sinne: yea, fIsay 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 gIsay 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 hQuis 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, iPsal. 101.3.I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes, I will not know a wicked person: And shall we kPhil 3.17. Hebr. 6.12. cap 13.7.8.who 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 lDeinde 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 onelyonly on the Stage, mSi 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; n2 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, oInstructuosum 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, pQuam 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 qConverte 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, rQui… …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 modest Christian heart can once recount, what tongue relate, what eye behold, what eare receive, what pen diseypher them (unlesse sQuamvis 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 tSee 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… uAugust. 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 xNihil 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 yFor 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, zTalia 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 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 onelyonly record and publish to posterity in their lascivious Enterludes, the execrable lewd examples of our present Age (which aSee D. Hackwel… Apology, lib. 4. c. 12. sect. 1.2.parallell or surpasse all those of former times) but likewise bCothurnus 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 cPereant 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 dErubescunt 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 eIob 42.2. 1 Iohn 3.20. Psal. 139.1.2.omniscients, who is fPsal. 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, gRom. 12.1.2. 1 Cor. 6.19.20.whose eyes and eares …re for ever consecrated to that holy God, hHab. 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 beames for feare they should defile their light. The kNumbers 33 52.Scriptures, lClemens Alexandr. Oratio Adhort. ad Gentes Fol. 8. f. & 9. A Gregory Nyssen. vitae Moseos Enarratio, p. 503.Fathers, mIn Concil. Constantinop. 6. in Trullo. Can. 100. Synod us Augustensis. A…no 1548. cap. 28.two famous Councels, with n…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 oSaint 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 p1 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. qEzech. 36.31. Iob 42.6. Psal. 119.104.All sinnes (much more the rLevit. 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 tNon 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. vTertullian 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 their action. And so much the rather, xMalignispiritus, 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, yHinc 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 eueryevery 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 onelyonly 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 zZech. 13.2. Hosea 2.17.which should be buried in eternall oblivion: If it worke a louelove, 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 a1 Thes. 5.22appearances, or, resemblances of evill, from which Christians should absteins. If it doth bNon 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, cSee Tert. de spectac. c. 26.as himselfe, and dSee 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,eEphe. 5.3.4. which should not once be named, (much lesse then acted) among Christians.
Objection. But here our Actors and Play-haunters, fPatrocinia 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 in by their very grossest sins: for in all our tragicall, in most of our Comicall Enterludes, gSee 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 onelyonly 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 hAd 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 iNihil 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 onelyonly acted, alwayes magnified on the Stage. As therefore kEccles. 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 lQuicquid 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 onelyonly those of Devill-gods, of gracelesse Pagans, or desperate wicked men, who never had true virtue in thē. mAbsit 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; nManifestissim… 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, 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, pVirtus 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, pDeformes 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 onelyonly rVirtutes, 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 sVmbrae & imagines virtutū. Lactantius De falsa Religione c. 20.shadowes of virtue, or rather glittering sinnes, as the tPeccata, & splendida peccata Aug. Contr. …ulianum lib. …. cap 3. & Ennar. in Psalm. …1. Pros…er. sentent. ex Augustin… lib. sent. 106.Fathers, and vVossij 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, xQui 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, yPlus 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. Christ Iesus is their zLuke 1.79.guide, aIohn 14.6.their way, bIohn 13.15. 1 Pet. 2.21.their example: cMatth. 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. Ghis virtues, his graces must they imitate; him onelyonly must they follow, and none else but him, or those dPhil. 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: eMat. 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 fNec 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 gIsa. 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,) hEphes. 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; iSee 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 Christs own example, the examples of his saints, the precepts of his Word, were not kPsa…. 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 lSee 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 mAct. 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 nSee 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, oDiogenes 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 pProclivis 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 qForis 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 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 sQuis 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? vDelubrum 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 xSee here. pag. 69.grand empoysoners of all Grace, all Vertue, yea, the very ySpecta…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 vsus 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 onelyonly Schoole; the Scriptures, Sermons, devout and pious bookes; not Playes, not Play-books, are the onelyonly Lectures, the Ministers and Saints of God, or rather zMentes 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, aCyprian & 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 onelyonly Tutors of true virtue: True bE coelo descendit, foreign: Iuv. Sat. 11.virtue is a plant that comes from heaven, growing onelyonly in the Churches, not the Stages garden. cSee 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, d1 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, eGal. 5.22.22. 2 Tim. 3.16, 17.but by his Word and Spirit onelyonly, which breathe not in our Theaters: It is then a fSacrilegij 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 onelyonly 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, gSir 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 hPsal. 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 onelyonly by his Word and Spirit, who must teach vsus to abhorre all Vice; not Stage-playes, the very iVitiorum 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 onelyonly hauehave 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 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 kNunquam 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 lSee 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 onelyonly a louelove and liking, but also animitation of those pernicious vices that are acted in them, mCyprian. 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 nSub 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, oQuid 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 pNequitia 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 onelyonly propagate them, not restraine them.
Fourthly, if Stageplayes had beene fit Lectures, Play-houses apt Schooles to instruct men to abandon Vice, the qSee Act. 6. Scene 1. to. 8. & Act. 7. throughoutPrimitive 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 rDiabolum nimis astutum fecit tam natura subtilis quàm longa exercitatio malitiae eius. Bernard …n Quadragess. serm. Coll. 114 115. G. & Col. 379 D.not onelyonly Nature, but likewise long experience hath made exceeding politick) would never have bin so improvident as to sSee 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 tSee 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 vIllivitium 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 xAbsurdum 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 ySemina 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 hauehave 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 Enterlude. It is zSolinus 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 vntounto his fame. aIuvenal. Satyr. 1. Salust de Bello Iugurthino p. 7.Aude aliquid brevibus Gyaris & carcere dignum Sivis esse aliquis: is the onelyonly rode, the best, the speediest passage, that sordid desperate obscure spirits know or take to honour, wealth or fame, especially in declining, bLibertas. scelerum est quae regna invisa tu…tur Sublatusque modus gladijs Lucan. l. 8. p. 141.vi…ious, turbulent or discontented times. Wherefore since obsolete cQuod 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 dIners malorum remedium ignorantia est. Seneca Oedipu…. Actus …. fol. 104.…asily avoyded then sinnes divulged, though with shame, disdaine or punishment; whence ePlato 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, vnderunder the severest punishments, for feare the publike knowledge of them, by meanes of knowen Edicts, should make them more fMultò 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 weregSatius 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.
Lastly, if Stage-playes doe onelyonly 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, kSee 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,lDeutr. 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.