The Players Scourge, Part 1 · Act 2 – Act 3

The Players Scourge · Part 1 · Act 2 – Act 3

p. 28ACTVS SECVNDVS.

Argument 3. Stage-Playes were at first inuented, and destinated to Idolatrous, and sinfull ends… therefore they must needes be sinfull, and vnlawfull.SEcondly, as Stage-Playes are thus sinfull, vnseemely, pernicious, and vnlawfull vntounto Christians, in regard of their originall, and primitiue Inuentors: so likewise are they such in respect of those Idolatrous, vnwarrantable, and Vnchristian ends, to which they were destinated, and designed at the first. The chiefe and primarie end of inuenting, instituting, or personating Stage-Playes; was the **Dubium non est quod laedunt Deum vtpote Idolis consecratae. Colitur namque & honoratur Minerua in gymnasiis, Venus in Theatris, Neptunus in Circis, Mars in arenis, Mercurius in palestris, & ideo pro qualitate auctorum, cultus est superstitionum. Alibi est impudicitia, alibi lasciuia, alibi intemperantia, alibi i…sania; vbique d…mon: imo per singula ludicrorum loca vniuersa daemonum monstra, Praesident enim sedibus suo cultu… dedicatis. Salu. De. Gub. Dei. lib. 6. pag. 206.superstitious worship, or at least wise, the pacification, or attonement, of Iupiter, Bacchus, Neptune, the Muses, Flora, Apollo, Diana, Venus, Victoria, or some such Deuill-gods, or Goddesses, which the Idolatrous Pagans did adore; to whose honour, names, and memories, these Playes (which were alwayes Acted, and celebrated heretofore, as the insuing Authours testifie, on those Festiuall, and Solemne dayes, which were dedicated to the speciall seruice, and commemoration of these Idoles:) were at first deuoted. That Stage-Playes, (yea, and Theaters, or Play-houses too,) were primarily inuented for the honour, and Dedicated to the seruice (or at least-wise oft times Celebrated in times p. 29of Pestilence, to appease the anger,) of these Idole-Gods, whose Images, and Pictures, were carried about, and represented in them: wee hauehave the expresse authorities, not onelyonly of Plutarch, in the life O… Romulus, and Romanae Quaest. Quaest. 107. of Dionysius Hallicarnasseus Antiq. Roman. lib. 2. cap. 3.5. & lib. 7. cap. 9. Of Valerius Maximus. lib. 2. cap. 4. Of Thucidides. Hist. lib. 3. Of Liuie. Rom. Hist. lib. 2. Sect. 36. l. 1. Sect. 9.20. l. 7. Sect. 2.3. l. 26. Sect. 23. lib. 5. Sect. 1. lib. 42. Sect. 20. Of Demosthenes Orat. aduersus Midi…m. Of Horace De Arte Poetica. lib. Of Athenaeus Dipnos. lib. 2. cap. 1. Diodorus Siculus. Histor. lib. 17. Sect. 16. with sundry ppRusticus ad ludos populus ventebat in vrbem: Sed dis, non studiis ille dabatur …onos: Luce sua ludos vuae Commentor ha…ebat: Quos cum taedifera nunc habet ille D…a Quid. Pastorum. l. 3. pag. 57.other Pagan Authors: but likewise of Tatianus. Oratio. aduersus Graecos. Of Theophilus Antiochen…s aduers. Autolicum. lib. 3. Of Clemens Alexandrinus. Oratio. Exhort. ad Gentes. fol. 8, 9. Of Tertullian. De Spectaculis. cap. 5, 6, 7. Of Cyprian. De Spectaculis. lib. Of Arnobi…s aduersus Gentes. lib. 7. Of Lactantius Diuinarum. Instit. Epit. cap. 6. & De vero Cultu. cap. 20. Of Saint Chrysostome. Hom. 38. in Mat. & Hom. 3. De Dauide & Saul. Of Saint Hierom. Comment. in Ezech. lib. 6. cap. 20. Epist. 9. cap. 5. & 10. cap. 4. & 13. cap. 2. & 23. cap. 1. Of Saint Augustine De Ciuit. Dei. lib. 1. cap. 32, 33. lib. 2. cap. 6.8.10, 11. lib. 4. cap. 1. Of Theodoret. Contr. Graecos Infideles. lib. 7. Of Saluian. lib. 6. De Gub. Dei. Of Orosius. lib. 3. Historiae. cap. 4. Of Isiodor. Hisp. Etymolog. lib. 18. cap. 27. Of Cassiodorus Variarum. lib. 1. cap. vel. Epist. 27.30. lib. 3. cap. 51. lib. 7. cap. 10. with other Fathers: Of Iohn Mariana, Master Northbrooke: Doctor Reinolds, and Master Gosson, in their Bookes against Stage-Playes: Of Ludouicus Viues. Comment. in lib. 1. & 2. August. De Ciu. Dei. Of Alexander, ab Alexandro. Gen. Dierum. lib. 5. cap. 26. Of Polydor Virgil. De Inuentor. Rerum. lib. 1. cap. 10. Of Coelius Rhodiginus. Antiq. Lect. lib. 8. cap. 7. Of Alexander Sardi…. De Inuent. Rerum. lib. 1. Of Master Godwins Roman Antiquities. lib. 2. Sect. 3. cap. 1. to 12. with many other Moderne writers; who all giuegive punctuall, vnanimous, and vncontrouleable testimonie: That p. 30Stage-Playes were at first inuented, and celebrated to the honour: and for many hundred yeeres together appropriated to the solemne worship, and seruice of these Idole-Gods; who oft times called for them to attone their anger, diuert their iudgements, demerit their protection, or reward their fauours. The originall end, and primary vse of Stage-Playes then, was odious, and Idolatrous, as all these Authours testifie: Therefore these Playes themselues, (as the recited Fathers, and Christian Writers doe from thence inferre,) must needes be sinfull, and vtterly vnlawfull vntounto Christians. I confesse, that since …he natiuitie, and birth of Stage-Playes, they hauehave beene sometimes wrested by the Heathen, to some other distorted, and Vnchristian ends, besides the worship, or pacification of their Idole-Gods. Sometimes they hauehave beene instituted, and performed, by way of Victory, and Triumph; and that commonly, in execution of a preuious solemne vow, made to some Deuil-God, by the victorious Generall, before the Battell ioyned: of which wee hauehave frequent examples in the qqLiuie. Rom. Hi…t. lib. 4. Sect. 12 27.35. lib. 5. Sect. 1…. lib. 7. Sect. 15.11. lib. 26. Sect. 23. lib. 27. Sect. 25. lib. 22. Sect. 10. lib. 34. Sect. 43. Trebel Pollionis Gallieni. pag. 309.Roman Histories: whose chiefe Commanders, did vsually vow some solemne Playes, and Sacrifices to their Gods, if they would be so propitious towards them, as to giuegive them the honour of the Field, and chasing of their Enemies: which vowes they did performe accordingly, vponupon their wished successe. Other times they hauehave beene purposely celebrated, to bee a kinde of Pander to mens lusts: rrLiuie. Rom. Hist. lib. 1. Sect. 9. Dionysius Hallicar. Antiq Rom. lib. 2. cap. 5. Plutarchi Romulus Macrobius. Saturn. lib. 1. cap. 9. Strabo. Geogr. lib. 5. p…g. 460. Orosius. Hist. lib. 2. cap. 4. Eutropius. Rerum. Rom. lib. 1. Romuli vita. Cyprian. De Specta…. lib. August. De Ciu. Dei. lib. 2. cap. 17. Opmeer…s Chronog. pag. 89 Alex. ab Alex. Gen. Dierum. lib. 5. cap. 26. Zonaras Annal. Tom. 2. fol. 54. …lin. Nat. Hist. lib. 15. cap. 29. Petrarch. De Remed. Vtr. Fort. lib. 1. Dialog. 30. Primus sollicitos f…cisti Romule ludos. Cum iuuit viduos rapta Sa…ina viros, Romule militibus sci…i dare commoda solus: Haec mihi si dederis commoda miles ero… Scilicet ex illo solemnia more Theatra, Nunc quoque formosis insidiosa manent. Ouid. De Arte amandi. pag. 160.161.Witnesse the Playes that Romulus made, to betray the Sabine Virgines, to the Rape, and Lusts of his vnmarried Souldiers: (vponupon whose Rauishment, there arose a bloody warre:) to which end, and vse, they serue as yet. Other times ssSee Plato. Legum Dialogus. …. and Coelius Rhod. Antiquarum. Lect. lib. 8. cap 7. Accordingly.they hauehave beene Acted p. 31for Lasciuiousnesse, delight, and pleasure sake, (the onelyonly vse which men pretend for Stage-Playes now:) Hence ttDe Inuenttoribus Rerum lib. 1. …ap. 10.Polidor Virgil obserues; that Comedies tooke their denomination from the Greeke words foreign: which signifies, to play the Wanton, or Lasciuious person. uuMinshew Dictionarie. Numb 2719.Others deriue their name, from Comus; the God of wantonnesse, and riot: xxLudo. V…ues Com. in lib. 2. cap. 8. August. De Ciu. Dei.others from foreign: because they were Lasciuiously Acted heretofore in wayes, being fraught with petulant, and wanton words: all of them concurring in this; **Gossons Con…utation of Playes. Act 3. Master Northbrooke, and Doct. Reinolds, in their book… against Playes. Accordingly.Acts 3that their end is nothing else, but Lasciuious, Carnall, and Vnchristian mirth; and therefore euill, and vnlawfull. If then this bee yeelded to mee, (as of necessitie it must be:) that Stage-Playes were originally, destinated, yea, appropriated, to the fore-recited Idolatrous, and vnlawfull ends, but more especially, to the honour, and seruice of abominable Idoles, to whose solemne worship they were actually deuoted, for many hundred yeeres together, and that by their owne speciall command, which makes them yyPorrò si quae alis idolis faciunt, ad daemones pertinent; quantò magis quod ipsa sibi Idolae fec…runt cum ad…iuerent? Tertul. De Corona Militis. cap. 6.wholly theirs: I shall hence inferre a third argument.

That inuention which was primarily ordained, yea, for many hundred yeeres together, appropriated, and deuoted, to the immediate worship, and solemne gratification of Deuil-gods; zzAdmisceri huic Christianum hominem superstitions, genus est sacrilegii: quiae eorum cultibus communicat, quorum festiuitatibus delectatur. Saluian. De Guber. Dei. lib. 6. pag. 206. Se… Gualth…r. Hom. 13. in Hoseam. Accordingly.must of ne…essitie be pernicious, vnseemely, and vnlawfull vntounto Christians, especially, if it be not necessary, or vsefull vntounto men.

But Stage-Playes were primarily ordained, yea, for many hundred yeeres together, appropriated, and deuoted, to the immediate worship, and solemne gratification of Deuil-gods, and they are no wayes necessary, nor vsefull vntounto m…n.

Therefore they must of necessitie be Pernicious, Vnseemely, and Vnlawfull vntounto Christians.

The Maior is euident by the cloud of witn…sses, recited p. 32in the premises; by those seuerall Historicall authorities, recorded in the first Act, and Scaene of this Tragedie, to prooue the Deuill, the Author of these Enterludes: and by the generall acknowledgement of all aaSee Ouid. F…storum. l 5. pag 88, 89 95.Learned writers: so that I may spare all further proofe. The Maior, no Christian can, or dares denie, vnlesse hee will turne professed Proctor for the Deuill: If any bee so Heathenish, or Atheisticall, as to gaine-say it, I shall easily euict the trueth of it, by these ensuing reaso…s.

1First, it must bee acknowledged, that those things, which eueryevery Christian doeth solemnely renounce in his very Baptisme, must needs be pernicious, vnseemely, and vnlawfull, else why should he renounce them? But eueryevery Christian doeth seriously abiure in his very Baptisme, all such Inuentions, which were bbSee Cyril. Hierusolom. Ca…echisis. Mystag. 1. Accordingly.primarily ordained, and for many hundred yeeres together appropriated, to the solemne worship, and gratification of Deuil-gods, (as Stage-Playes were:) for hee couenants by his sureties; to forsake the Deuill and all his workes: therefore the Maior must be yeelded.

2Secondly, that which God himselfe commanded in a more speciall manner, to be abolished and reiected; that must needes be pernicious, vnseemely, and vnlawfull vntounto Christians. But God himselfe, hath in a speciall manner, commanded all reliques, monuments, parts, and appendices of Idoles, (especially, such as were primarily consecrated, and wholly appropriated to their vse,) to bee vtterly abolished, and reiected. Hence hee enioynes the Israelites: ccLeuit. 18.30. Deut. 12.29, 30.Lev 18:30Deut 12:29Deut 12:30not to follow the customes of the Canaanites, nor yet to inquire after them, saying: how did these Nations worship their Gods, that I might doe so likewise? Hence hee commanded them, ddDeut. 7.2, 3, 4.16.25, 26. Cap. 12.3. Cap. 20.16, 1…, 18. Iosh. 7.12. Cap. 11.12. Iudges 2.2. Num. 33.…2. See Hookers Ecclesiasticall Policie. lib. 5. cap. 17.Deut 7:2Deut 7:3Deut 7:4Deut 7:16Deut 7:25Deut 7:26Josh 7:12Judg 2:2Num 33:2to burne the Groues, the Images, with all the appurtenances of Idole-gods, with fire: to destroy their Altars, pull downe their Temples, cut off their Priests, and worshippers, abolish their memories, abandon their ceremonies, and not s… much as …o saue, or reserue any remnant of them, but vtterly to abhorre, and detest them, as p. 33an accursed thing. Yea, hence hee obligeth them, eeExod. 23.13… Deut. 6.13, 14. Cap. 12.3. Psal. 16…4. Hosea 2.17. Zech. 13.2…Exod 23:13Deut 6:13Deut 6:14Ps 16:4Hos 2:17Zech 13:2to destroy euen the very names of their Idoles: not to make mention of the names of other Gods: not to suffer them to be heard out of their mouthes: nor yet so much, as to participate of any of their Sacrifices, Rites, or Ceremonies. Therefore since God hath giuen such speciall charge against the reliques, and monuments of Idolatrie heretofore: it cannot but be sinfull, vnseemely, and Vnchristian, for vsus to foster, or admit of ffVarro non tantum in rebus humani… sed in rebu… diuinis ponit ludos scenicos e cum vtique si tantummodo boni & honesti homi…es in ciuitate essent… nec in rebus humani… ludi scenic… esse debuissens. Quod profectò non autoritate sua fecit, sed quoniam e…s Romae natu… & educat… in diuinis rebus inuenit. August. De Ciu. Dei. lib. 4. cap. 1.Stage-Playes, or any other Inuentions now, which were originally ordained, and for many hundred yeeres together appropriated, to the solemne worship, and gratification of Idole-Deuill-Gods.

Thirdly, the Scriptures doe peremptorily enioyne all Christians, ggAct. 15.20.29. 1 Cor. 10.20, 21. Psal. 16.4 1 Cor. 8.1. to 11.Acts 15:20Acts 15:291 Cor 10:201 Cor 10:21Ps 16:41 Cor 8:1–11to abstaine from things offered, or consecrated vntounto Idoles: as these Stage-Playes were.

First, hh1 Cor. 10.20. Omni …udio Gentilium fe…iuitates & ferias declinemus, quia qui vult esse diuinorum particeps, non debet esse socius Idolorum. Ambrose, Sermo. 11.1 Cor 10:20because the things which the Gentiles Sacrifice, they Sacrifice to Deuills, and not to God: therefore those that participate of them, must needes hauehave communion with the Deuill: and I would not (saith the Apostle) that ye should hauehave fellowship with Deuills. Secondly, ii1 Cor. 10.21. 2 Cor. 6.14, 15, 16.1 Cor 10:212 Cor 6:142 Cor 6:152 Cor 6:16because Christians cannot drinke the Cup of the Lord, and the Cup of Deuills: they cannot be partakers of the Lords Table, and the Table of Deuills: for what fellowship hath Righteousnesse, with Vnrighteo…snesse? What communion hath Light with Darkenesse? What concorde hath Christ with Belial? what part hath hee that Beleeueth with an Infidell? or what agreement hath the Temple of God with Idoles? God, and the Deuill, Christ, and Belial, are contrary, are inconsistent: therefore the seruice, and ceremonies of the one, are altogether incompatible with the other. Thirdly, kk2 Cor. 6.14, 15.2 Cor 6:142 Cor 6:15because Christians must not bee vnequally yoaked with vnbeleeuers, with whom they hauehave no part nor fellowship: now if they should communicate with the Gentiles in Stage-Playes, or things consecrated to their Idoles: they should bee then vnequally yoaked, they should hauehave part, and p. 34fellowship with Infidels, in this respect: which God will not allow of. Fourthly, ll1 Cor. 8.4. to 13. Rom. 14.15, 16.20.21.1 Cor 8:4–13Rom 14:15Rom 14:16Rom 14:20Rom 14:21because the Consciences of the weaker brethren, should not be grieued, offended, defiled, or emboldened, by others participation of these Idolatrous Sacrifices; to their ruine, and the Gospels scandall: Fiftly, mmLeuit. 18.29, 30. Deut. 12.31. Cap. 20.18. Cap. 18.9, 10. Cap. 7.25, 26.Lev 18:29Lev 18:30Deut 12:31because all the Sacrifices, reliques, and ceremonies of Idoles, are an abomination to the Lord, nn1 Cor. 10.22. Leuit. 18.28, 29.1 Cor 10:22Lev 18:28Lev 18:29and therefore prouoke him vntounto wrath, to our destruction. Lastly, ooDeut. 7.25. Cap. 20.17.18.Deut 7:25because they are a ready meanes to withdraw our hearts from God vntounto Idolatrie: therefore pp2 Cor. 6.17, 18. Omnia peruersas possunt corrumpere mentes. Ouid. Trist lib. 2. pag. 155.2 Cor 6:172 Cor 6:18wee must seperate from them, and not so much as touch them, else God will not rec…iue vsus as his people. Since therefore God vponupon all the former reasons doeth thus seriously, and frequently prohibit, such ceremonies, and inuentions, as were instituted, and destinated to the Deuills seruice at the first: My Maior is irrefragable, and my Conclusion true: That Stage-Playes are pernicious, vnseemely, and vnlawful **Quale igitur habendum est, apud homines veri Dei, quod à cādid… tis Diaboli introductum, & ipsis a primordio di…atum est, quodque iam tunc idololatriae ini…i… batur ab Idolis, & i… Idolis adhu… vi…is? non quasi aliquid sit Idolum, sed quoniam quod Idolis ali… faciunt, ad damones pertinent. Tertul. De Corona Militis. cap. 6.vntounto Christians; because they were at first deuoted to the honour, and for many hundred yeeres together, designed to the worship of some Idole-Gods, by the very Deuils fauourites.

All that can bee here replied to euade this Argument, is reducible to these two heads. First, that the Dedication of Stage-Playes to these Deuill-Gods, did onelyonly Contract a Guilt, or Sinfulnesse vponupon those particular Playes, that were really appropriated to their worship, and Celebrated to their honour: but qqMalum videtur esse bonum illi, eui mentem deus impulit ad exitium. Sophocles. Antigone. pag. 353. Num. 620.not vponupon all the kinde. Secondly, that though Pagans, or others hauehave abused Stage-Playes, to Idolatrous, and vnlawfull ends, yet this is rrLet these obiectors remember this: Difficilius est male percept… dediscere, qu…m bene praecepta discere. Case. Polit… lib. 4. cap. 1. pag. 313.no impediment, but that Christians may reduce them to a commendable, and lawfull vse, so that we cannot well conclude: That all popular Stage-Playes p. 35are vnlawfull, because the first of them were inuented, and for a long tract of time deuoted, to the Deuills worship.

To the first of these,Answer 1. I answere with ssDe Corona Militis. cap. 6, 7, 8.Tertullian: that though the consecrating of any profitable, and vsefull Inuentions to Idole-Gods: ttSee Polyd… Virgil, and Alexander Sardis, De Rerum Inuentoribus Ouid. Metamorph. lib. 1.2.as of Letters, and Trade to Mercurie: of Musick…, and Poetri… to Apollo: of Physicke, to AEsculapius: of Ships, and Nauigation to Neptune, and Minerua: of Wins to Bacchus: of Corne, and Husbandrie to Ceres: of Fire, and Smitheri… to Vulcan: and the like, by whom they were inuented, as Heathen Poets, and Historians faine: doeth no wayes vitiate, or defile them in the generall, but that they are, and may be lawfull vntounto Christians; because they are absolutely necessary, at least…ise vsefull, vntounto men: for whose benifit by Gods prouidence, they were at first inuented: Euen as the sacrificing of uuTertul. De Corona Militis. cap. 7.8. Alexander. ab Alexandro. Gen. Dierum. lib 3. cap. 12. Ouid. Fasto…um. lib. 1.2.5 Horace. Carm. lib. 1. Ode. 36.a Male-goate to Bacchus: of a Cocke to AEsculapius: of a Bull to Iupiter: of a Lambe, or She-goate vntounto Iuno: of an Horse to Mars: of a Doue to Venus: of a Swine to Pan: of a Doe, or Heifer to Minerua: or of Myrre, and Frankincense to other Idoles, did stampe no Impresse of vnlawfulnesse, or vnholinesse, on the whole kindes, or species of these seuerall creatures; (which did still retaine their entiti…e goodnesse in them:) though it did **Acts 15.20…29. Psal 16.4. 1 Cor. 8.1. to 11. Cap. 10.20, 21. Te…tul. De Corona Militis. cap… 8. Carnes, & panes, & …i…us eiuscemodi pompae Satanae qui in Idolorum sole…itatibus suspendi solent, suapte quidem natura puri sunt, inuocatione tamen daem… num impuri efficiuntur. Cyril. Hierusol. Catech. Mystag. 1.Acts 15:20Ps 16:41 Cor 8:1–11so defile th…s… indiuiduall, and particular creatures that were immediately offered vp in Sacrifice to them, that Christians might not lawfully eate of them. Though, I say, it bee alwayes true in case of profitable Inuentions, or Gods good creatures: that the peruerting of them to Idolatrous ends, doeth lay a blemish vponupon the depraued Indiuidualls onelyonly, not impose an vnlawfulnesse on the whole species, or other Indiuidualls of their kinde: Yet it is vndoubtedly true; xxTertullian, De Corona Militis. cap. 7, 8. August… De Doctrina. Christiana. lib. 2. cap. 23. to 28. Gossons Consutation of Playes. Act. 1. Accordingly.Acts 1that the destinating, and deuoting of Vnprofitable, Pleasurable, Heathenish, p. 36Infamous, Scandalous, and vnnecessary Inuentions, which neither the Scriptures, nor Primitiue Church approoued, to Idolatrous, and Sinfull ends, (and that from their very first conception, which is the case of Stage-Playes,) doeth make not onelyonly the deuoted Indiuidualls; but likewise the whole kinde it selfe, vnlawfull vntounto Christians… so that no particulars of this nature may be vsed. Hence Tertullian concludes; yyDe Corona Militis. lib. cap. 7, 8, 9.that it is vtterly vnlawfull for Christians to weare a Laurell Crowne, or flowrie Garland in any case, though it be by way of Triumph: because these Crownes were first inuented for the honour, worne to the worship, and consecrated to the seruice of zzMille venit variis florum Dea nexa coronis. Ouid. Fastor. lib. 4. pag. 81. Bacchus amat flores: Baccho placuisse coro…am, ex Ariadnaeo sidere nosse potes, &c. Ouid. Fastor. lib. 5. pag. 89. vid. Ib. &c.Pagan Deuill-gods: Hence the selfesame Father affirmes; aaDe Idolatria lib. cap. 18. to 24. See Gratian Distinctio. 86. Gregor. Mag. Epist. lib 9. cap. 48.that it is no wayes lawfull, for Christians to retaine the names of Iupiter, Bacchus, Apollo, or other Idole-gods, or to impose them on their children: because they were the names of Idoles at the first: therefore vnlawfull to bee vsed now: Hence bbSee pag. 22. to 2….the Fathers, Councells, and fore-recited Protestant Authors, condemne all Diuinations, Morrice-dances, Bonefires, Newyeeres-gifts; the obseruation of Newyeeres-day; or the Calends of Ianuary: Effeminate mixt Dauncing; ccNon oportet Christianos ad nuptias euntes v…l balare, vel saltare, sed modestè co…nare & prandere, sicut competit Christianis. Concil. Laodicenum. Can. 53. Concil. Ilerdense. Can. vlt.especially, at Weddings, where it is now most in vse: burning of ddHinc Cereris sacris nunc quoque …eda datur. Ouid. Fastorum. lib. 4. pag. 71.Tapers in Churches, especially in the day-time, as the Papists vse: shauing of Priests crownes, and beardes, &c. as vtterly vnlawfull vntounto Christians now; eePropterea Ap…stolus inclamat: Fugite Idololatriam: omnem vtique & …otam. Recogita siluam, & quantae latitant spinae. Nihil dandum Idolo: sic nihil nec sumendum ab Idolo. Si in Idolio recumbere alienum est a fide, quid in Idoli habitu videri? Quae communio Christi & …eliae? & ideo fugite. Longum enim diuortium mandat ab Idololatria, in nullo proxime agendum. Draco enim terrenu… de longinquo, non minus spiritu absorbet alites. Ioannes filioli, inquit, custodite vos ab Idolis: non iam ab Idololatria quasi ab officio, sed ab Idolis, i… est, ab ipsa effigie eorum, &c… Tertul. De Corona Militis. cap. 8.because they were Reliques of Idolatrie; yea, Sacrifices, appendices, and deuoted ceremonies of Idoles heretofore: If then it bee true in all these cases; that the appropriating of some particulars to Idolatrous vses, doeth p. 37wholy vitiate, and defile, not onelyonly the Indiuidualls thus deuoted, but likewise the whole Species of them, vntounto Christians: then needes must it be true of Stage-Playes, (which bring no glory at all to God, nor good to Church, or State:) that the Idolatrous, and Vnchristian ends, to which they were first inuented, and for many hundred yeeres designed, must make them altogether vnlawfull, abominable, and vnseemely vntounto all Gods Children. And good reason is there, that it should bee so: ffSee pag. 14, 15.For where the Fountaine is polluted, the streames are alwayes filthy: where the roote is bitter, and corrupt, the fruite, and branches are so too: where the foundation is decayed, the building must bee ruinous. If Adam be but once defiled by his fall, ggPsal. 51.5. Iob 14.4. Rom. 3.4. to 24. cap. 5.8. to the end. Ephes. 2… 23. Psal. 14.2, 3. Genes 6.5.12, 13.Ps 51:5Job 14:4Rom 3:4–24Eph 2:23Ps 14:2Ps 14:3Gen 6:5Gen 6:12Gen 6:13all his posteritie must of necessitie be borne sinners. The first inuented Stage-Playes, were the Fountaine, the Roote, the Foundation, and common Father of all the rest: now these were wholy Idolatrous, and polluted: they had the Deuill, and his Instruments for their Fathers; the Deuills, honour, worship, adoration, and recreation, for their maine, and vtmost end: hhThis all the Fathers, and Christian Authors quoted. pag. 29 doe testifie in those their writings. Spectacula vitanda sunt totaliter & cauend… sapi…enti…us, quod ad celebrandos deorum honores inuenta memorantur. Lactant. Diuinorum Instit. Epit. cap. 6.therefore all subsequent Playes which issue from their materialls, or example; must needes be detestable, vnseemely, pernicious, and vnlawfull vntounto Christians, in despight of this euasion, or all that any Libertines, or voluptuous persons (who are but Sathans Proctors) can aleadge against it.

To the second reply:Reply 2. That though Pagans did peruert these Stage-Playes to an Idolatrous, yet Christians may purge out their corruptions, and reduce them to a lawfull vse: iiHookers, Ecclesiasticall Politie. lib. 4. Sect. 12.Since that which was ordained impiously at the first, may weare out that impietie in tract of time, and then the vse thereof may stand without offence.

I answere,Answere 2. that though it may bee true in some particular cases; (as perchance kkSee Hookers Ecclesiasticall Politie… lib… 4. cap. 12. lib. 5. cap. 11, 12.17. BB. Halls Apologie against Brownists. Sect. 45, 46. Accordingly.in case of needfull ceremonies; or of Temples built, and Dedicated to Idolatrie,) that their p. 38impietie in tract of time may vanish, and then they may be Consecrated to Gods seruice, and reduced to a lawfull vse; as the Cathedrall Church of Pauls, afore-time the Temple of Diana, as llCan…e…i Bri…an…ia. Middelsex. pag. 329, 330. Speedes Historie of Great Brittaine. lib. 7 cap. 8. fol. 234. in the li…e of Seb…rt.some record:) and most of all our English Churches, at …ir…t deuoted vntounto Masse, and Popish Idolatrie, are now designed to Gods publike worship; whence the mmHookers Ecclesiasti…all Politie. lib. 5… cap. 11.17.Brownists stile them, Idole Synagogues, Baals Temples, abominable sties, and would hauehave them rased to the ground; for which wee all condemne them: yet it cannot hold in case of Stage-Playes.

First, because they are altogether vnnecessary vanities, nnVitiosum est vbique quod supersl…um est. S…neca. De Tranquil. Animi cap. 8.and superfluous pleasures, which may bee better spared, then retained. Secondly, because they hauehave beene, are, and alwayes will be, oo1 Cor. 10.32.33. Phil. 4.8. Puta tibi non licere, (etsi alias fortasse liceat,) quicquid male fuerit coloratum. Bernard. De Consid l. 3. c. 4.1 Cor 10:321 Cor 10:33Phil 4:8scandalous, offensiue, and of ill report among the Church, and Saints of God, who hauehave alwayes declaimed against them, yea, censured, and reiected them, from age, to age, as I shall prooue at large hereafter. Thirdly, because from their very first inuention, to this present, (which is at least ppNeque vetustate minuuntur mala. Cic. Tus…. Quest. lib. 3.2000. yeeres, or more,) they were neuer yet in any Age, or Countrie, that I can heare, or reade of; so regulated, or reformed by Lawes, or other wise; as to be thorowly defaecated, and purged from their filthinesse, or reduced to such honest, commendable, profitable, necessary, or Christian ends, as might iustly pleade in their defence. qqSee 3. I… cobi. cap. 21.1. Iacobi cap. 7 14. Eliz. cap. 5.33. Eliz cap. 7. Bodinus De Republica. l. 6. cap. 1. Marcus Aurelius. cap. 14. & Epist. 12 to Lambert. Cassiodorus Variarum… lib. 1. Epist. 20. & 30. lib. 3. Epist 51. lib. 7. Epist. 10.Many are the Lawes which hauehave beene enacted; much the care that hath beene taken by sundry States, and Censors in all Ages… to loppe off the enormities, allay the poyson, purge out the silth, and grosse corruptions of these Stage-Playes, and so to reduce them to a laudable, and inoffensiue vse: but yet these rrI…r. 13.23.AEthiopians, still retaine their blacke infernall hue: these Vipers keepe their Soule-deuouring poyson still: these Augaean stables, are as polluted ssEgo amplius dico; non solum agi nunc illas ludicrorum i…famium lab…s, quae prius actae sunt; …ed criminosius mult… agi quam prius actae sunt. Salu. De Gub. Dei. l. 6. p. 201.yea, more defiled) now, as euer p. 39heretofore: no Art, no Age, no Nation could euer yet abridge, much lesse reforme, their exorbitant corruptions, and enormities: their hurt doeth farre transcend their good; their abuses ouerpoyse their vse: they are so ttEccles. 1.15.Eccl 1:15crooked, and distorted in themselues, that no Art can make them straite: there is no other meanes left to reforme them, but vtterly to abolish them: It is uuAEger est recursus ad honestatem his quae iam gradum ex nequitia protulerunt: nihil sibi ipsis tecum putant commune, quia nihil simile est Plinie. Paneg. August. Dictus. pag. 183. See Case. Polit. lib. 4. cap. 1. pag. 313.bootelesse, it is hopelesse therefore for any Christian to attempt, or vndertake their reformation: and so this Replication is but vaine. Fourthly, these Stage-Playes are very like to poyson: xxChrysost. Hom. 12. in Ephes 4.Eph 4vt laedant, nullo indigent; vt prosint multis: they are yyNon est in …s reme…tum Christii+, sed vene…m Diaboli August. De Recti…. Cathol. Conuersat. Tract. Tom. 9. pag. 1448.poyson of themselues, but they must hauehave many ingredients to make them holesome: yea, the most accurate Chymist cannot so refine them, so compound them, but that they will bee more poysonous then holesome; more pernicious then vsefull, in their best condition: their vanitie, and frothie discourse: their lasciuious complements, and wanton dalliance; their mispence of money, and that which farre transcends all treasures, zzSumptuosissima est iactura temporis. Lypsius. Epist. Cent. 1. Epist. 55. p. 69.of pretious, peerelesse time, (to omit all other circumstances;) will ouer-ballance all the good, that the most refined Stage-Playes can produce: It is then but aaNeque enim q… s…it, id quod …ucun… dum est, ei quod est … praetulerit. Clemens Alexand. Paedag. lib. 3. cap. 11.folly, and madnesse, yea, sinne in Christians to retaine them; though they hauehave hopes for to reforme them, because bbEx malis eligere minima oportet. Cicero. De Officijs. lib. 2.their euill would still exceede their good. Fiftly, it is but a meere Sophisticall, and deceitfull Apologie, to argue thus for Stage-Playes: ccA posse ad esse non valet argumentum R…o… Keckerman: and other Logicians.They may be regulated, and reduced to good, and lawfull vses; therefore they are lawfull vntounto Christians now: I take it for my owne part; that Christians should rather argue thus: They are onelyonly reduceable to good, and lawfull ends, but they are not yet reduced: their abuses may bee reformed, but as yet they are not corrected: therefore dd1. Thes. 5.21. Ephes. 5.10, 11.1 Thess 5:21Eph 5:10Eph 5:11wee must take them as we finde them now, vnpurged, vncorrected; and so we p. 40must ee1 Thes. 5.23. 1 Pet. 2.11. Iude 23.1 Thess 5:231 Pet 2:11Jude 1:23needes auoyde them, yea, condemne them. He that will pleade for Stage-Playes thus: let him first reforme them, then iustifie, and embrace them: else let him ioyne with vsus in their deserued condemnation, till hee can euidently ffNon satis est dicere sanandum esse vulnus, nisi dicatur quo modo. Pachymerus. Hist. lib. 4.demonstrate to vsus their actuall hopelesse reformation. Sixtly, if Playes may bee reformed, and reduced to their lawfull ends; what parties are there, that should vndertake their cure? Good men will not: they rather ggVtinam omnes diluerentur. Chrys. Ho. 38. in Mat.wish their ruine, then their hopelesse, vselesse welfare. Bad men will not, because they approoue them not, hhNobis autem ridere & gaudere non sufficit, nisi cum peccato atque insania gaudeamus: nisi risus noster impuritatibus, nisi flagitiū misceatur. Saluian. De Guber. Dei. lib. 6. pag. 192.but for their pleasing corruptions, which feede their carnall lusts: Yea, both of them together cannot cleanse them from those inueterate corruptions, and natiue obscenities, which adhere vntounto them. For my owne part, I cannot possibly conceiue, how all our popular Stage-Playes should bee so refined, as that their vse, and practise should be eueryevery way Christian, and Legitimate; because I see no meanes, no persons to effect it: therefore I cannot but conclude them, to bee desperate, hopelesse, iiSolae Theatrorum impuritates sunt, quae honestè non possunt vel accusari, multò minus emendari. Saluian. De Guber. Dei. lib. 6. cap. 186.and incorrigible euils, vncapable of any cure, vntractible by any Christian, vnsufferable in any Christian State. Seuenthly, admit they might bee reformed, and reduced vntounto honest, necessary, and Christian vses; what ends, and vses should these bee? If carnall mirth, and riotous iollitie? (the onelyonly vse that I know for them:) all Christians know, kkIames 4.9. Chap. 5.5. Reuel. 18.7. Luke 6.25. Risus est corruptio disciplinae. Saluian. De Guber. Dei. lib. 6. pag. 192.Jas 4:9Rev 18:7Luke 6:25that these are sinfull: But admit they were not: yet if all ribaldrie, wantonnesse, and scurrilitie, were exploded out of Stage-Playes; this mirth, and iollitie would quickly wither. llSi dixerint enim, pro ludo aessumi spectacula ad recreandos animos: dicemus, non sapere ciuitates, quibus ludus pro re seria habetur. Clemens Alexandr. Paedag. lib. 3. cap. 11.If honest recreation onelyonly? what neede of any Stage-Playes for this purpose, since there is so great varietie of farre honester, cheaper, pleasanter, shorter, and more obuious recreations, which would more refresh vsus then Stage-Playes would doe, p. 41mmInfiuctuosum putamus gaudiu… simplex, nec delectat ridere sine crimine. Saluian. De Guber. Dei. lib. 5. pag. 192.if all their filthinesse, and vanitie were expunged? Since therefore Stage-Playes, can hauehave no such necessary, or vsefull ends, nnMelius est peccatum cauere, quam emenda…e. Ambros…. Serm. 11.but that they may bee better omitted, then retained: since they alway hauehave beene, are, and will bee scandalous, and offensiue to the Church, and Saints of God: since their reformation is hopelesse, their ooFacilius est excludere perniciosa, quam …egere; & non admittere, quam admissa moderari. Seneca. De …ra. lib. 2. cap 7. Mul…o difficilius est deprauata corrigere, quam ora…care; vel a fundamentis noua constr… ere. Case. Polit. lib. 4. cap. 1 pag. 313.cure hard, and desperate, but their extirpation easie: since their refining cannot purge out all their drosse, but that they will bee more poysonous then holesome: alwayes euill, though ppEt omne malum etiam mediocre magnum est. Cicero. Tus…ul. Quast. lib. 3.lesse euill, but not intirely good: since their present condition makes them odious; and there is no Censor, no person likely to reforme them: (For priuate persons cannot effect it: and suppose the King, and State might doe it: qqNon vacat exiguis rebus adesse Ioui. Ex te pendentem sic cum circumspicis orbem Effug…unt curas inferiora tuas. Non …a te moles Romani nomini vrget: …nque tuis humeris …am leue fertur onus, Lusibus vt possis aduertere numen mep…is. Ouid. Tristium. lib. 2. pag. 153.as it would take them off from more eminent, and weightie affaires, to the publique preiudice; and rrNon est tam sordida Diuis Cura neque extrem…s iu… est demittere in artes Sidera: subducto regnant sublimia ca lo, Illa neque artificum curant tractare labores… Virgil. AEtna. pag. 471, 472.misbeseeme their grauities, to spend many serious, and teadious consultations vponupon such toyes as these: so the reformation of them, (which would bee alwayes dubious,) would neuer counteruaile the care, the time, and cost that must be spent about it: ssGeneris humani fragili…as …ronior dilabitur ad corrigenda, quam studeat conserua…e correcta: Synodus Meldensis Praefatio. Su…ius. Concil. Tom. 3. pag. 453.and no sooner should their corruptions be exiled, but they would presently reuert againe, without redresse:) I may safely auerre; that they are irreducible, vnconuertible to any lawfull, good, or Christian purposes, which may benefit Church, or Commonwealth, or the bodies, soules, estates, or names of men: and so conclude; that they ttGeneraliter aduersu… Deum sapit q…icquid Diaboli est. Hi…rom. Epist. 1. cap. 4.are vtterly vnlawfull, vnseemely, and pernicious vntounto Christians; because they had their Alpha, and Omega; their beginning, and end: their p. 42birth, and vse from Hell; being not onelyonly inuented by the Deuill himselfe: but likewise by his owne speciall command, and his greatest minions aduice, appropriated, and de…oted to his peculiar honour, and immediate worship for many hundred yeeres. Stage-Playes they had their rise from Hell: wee Christians uuIohn 1.12, 13. 1 Cor. 15.48, 49.John 1:12John 1:131 Cor 15:481 Cor 15:49our natiuitie, and descent from Heauen: they were at first deuoted, (yea, yet continue destinated) vntounto Satan: xxRom. 6.4.13.19, …2. cap. 12 1 cap. 14.8. 1 Cor 6.15.19, 20. 2 Cor. 5.15. Gal. 3… 27, 28, 29.Rom 6:4Rom 6:13Rom 6:19Rom 6:21 Cor 6:151 Cor 6:191 Cor 6:202 Cor 5:15Gal 3:27Gal 3:28Gal 3:29we were at first Baptized into, yea, consecrated wholy vntounto Christ: they were, they are the Deuills; we were, yyCant. 3.16. cap. 63. cap. 7.10. 1 Cor. 3.23. cap. 6.19 20.Song 3:161 Cor 3:23yet now we are not his, but Gods, but Christs alone: zzQuid tibi cum pompis Dia…oli amator Christi? Renunciate non solum vocibus, sed etiam moribus: non tantum sono ling…ae, sed & actu vitae: non tantum labiis sonantibus, sed & operibus pronunciantibus. August. De Symb. ad Catech. lib. 4. cap. 1. Tom… 9. part. 1. pag. 1427, 1428.this must, this cannot therefore but perswade vsus, to abominate them, to condemne them, both in words, and deedes, as sinfull, and vnlawfull.

CHORVS.

Argument 4.ANd here before I passe to the ensuing Act, I shall propound a fourth Argument against these Stage-Playes,Stage-Playes are those workes of Satan, those Pompes, and Vanities of this wicked world, which eueryevery Christian renounceth in his Baptisme: th…refore they are vnlawfull. (which seuerall Fathers hauehave framed to my hands,) as a Chorus, or Corollarie to the premises.

If Stage-Playes bee those Workes of Satan, those Pompes, and Vanities of this wicked World, aaSee Concil. Parisiense. lib. 1. cap. 9… 10. Surius. Concil. Tom. 3. pag. 366.367. and here pag. 3. in the margent… (k)which eueryevery Christian hath seriously renounced, and solemnely vowed against in his very Baptisme; they must then of necessitie be pernicious, abominable, vnseemely, and vnlawfull vntounto Christians.

p. 43But Stage-Playes are those workes of Satan, those Pompes, and vanities of this wicked world, which eueryevery Christian hath seri…usly renounced, and solemnely vowed against in his very Bapt…me.

Therefore they must of necessitie bee pernicious, abominable, vnseemely, and vnlawfull vntounto Christians.

For the former part of the assumption: That Stage-Playes are the workes, and Pompes of Satan; it is infallibly euident: For first, bbNon enim Deus dat ludere, sed Diabolus, Ille enim est qui etiam in artem iocos ludosque digessit, vt per haec ad se traheret milites Christi, virtutisque …orum neruos faceret molli… res. Propterea in vrbibus etiam Theatr… construxit, & illos r…suum ac turpium voluptatum incentores parauit, & per illorum luem in vniuersam vrbem talem excitat pestem. Chrysost. Hom 6. in Matth. Ludi scaenici spectacula turpitudinum, & licentia vanitatum, non hominum vitiis, sed Decrum ves…rorum iussis Romae instituti sunt. Augustine, De Ciuit. Dei. lib. 1. cap. 32… Hoc di…o, quod negantes conuincit Historia, ersdem illos l…dos in qui…us regnant figmenta Poetarum, non per imperitum o…s…quium obsequentium, sacris Deorum suorum intulisse Romanos, sed ipsos Deos vt sibi solennitèr ede…entur, & honori suo co…secrarent…r, acerbè imperando, & quodam…odo extorquendo fecisse Ib. lib… 2… cap. 8… See Act 1, 2.Acts 1:2they were inuented by him: Secondly, he did exact, and require them of, and extort them from his worshippers. Thirdly, they were consecrated to his honour, and appropriated to his seruice, by his owne speciall command: Fourthly, they were ccLudorum celebrationes Deorum …esta sunt; siquidem ob nat…le …orum, vel Temploru… nou…rum dedicationes sunt constitut…. Et primi…us q…idem ven…tiones Saturno sunt at…utae, …ud… s…e…i… Liber…, Circenses Neptuno: …aulati… vero & cateris Diis …em honos trib… caepit, singulique lud… …orum nominibu… consecr…i s…nt, sicu… … Ca…o in L…ris Spectaculorum docet. Lactanti…s D… ve…o Cultu cap. 20.vsually celebrated by his followers on the Feastiualls, and Birth-dayes, of; or at the solemne Dedication of some new erected Temples, to those dunghill Deuill-gods, which Pagans did adore: Fiftly, the ddSee pag. 4. (p) (q) pag. 9, 10.24, 25. and Act. 2. S…aene. 2.Acts 2Primiti…e Church, and Christians, did not onelyonly constantly condemne, but likewise, vtterly reiect them, as the workes, and Pompes of the very Deuill: all which is irre…ragably confirmed in the premised Acts: Sixtly, they eeSee Act. 1. S…a…. 2.Acts 1neuer issued from God, or from his Children; but from the Factors, and Minions of the Deuill, who onelyonly did frequent, and Act them heretofore, and applaude, performe, and haunt them now: Seauenthly, God gaines no glory by them, men p. 44no good; onelyonly the Deuill workes his endes, fulfills his pleasure, both in vsus, and of vsus; and propagates his kingdome by them, as I shall prooue anon. If wee will but seriously… suruay the end, and fruite, or summe vp the losse, and gaine that comes by Stage-Playes, we shall finde that ffQuicquid enim illi… geritur, non est oblectatio, sed pernicies, sed poena, sed supplicium. Ch…v. Hom. 3. De D…u. & S…ul. Tom. 1. Col. …52. A.all are losers; none gainers by them, but the Deuill, whose endes they doe accomplish. ggSee Chr…s. Hom. 3. De Dau. & Saul. Hom. 7. and 38. in Mat. Accordingly.God the Father, he loseth his honour, his worship, his louelove, his feare, his obedience, the fruite of all his ordinances, and the labour of his faithfull Ministers by their meanes. Christ Iesus, hee loseth his glory, his respect; the worth, and dignitie of his person, the e…ficacy, and merits of his blood: the honour, hhSuscepturi Nasalem Domini, ab omni nos aelictorum faece purgemus… Rex noster Christus non tam nitorem vestium, quam animarum requirit affectum, &c. Ambr. Se…m. 4. Tom. 5. pag. 5.and true solemnizing of his Natiuitie, his Circumcision, his Resurrection, and Ascention: which Stage-Playes iiHebr. 10.29. Chrys. Hom. 3. De D…uide & Saul. Tom. 1. Col. 511. A. B. C. Accordingly.Heb 10:29trample vnderunder feete, as despicable, and vnholy things, and cause men for to vilifie: yea, hee loseth the kkNulla res enim aeque eloquia Dei in contemptum adducit, atque Spectaculorum quae illic prop…nuntur admiratio. Chrys. De verbis Esaia…, &c. Hom. 1. Tom. 1. C…l. 1283. C.desired fruite of his Gospel, his Sacraments, his Ambassadours, and of all his trauell, whereby hee doeth sollicite, and wooe vsus to come in, and match our soules with him, who is happinesse, pleasure, comfort, and delight it selfe. The Holy Ghost by meanes of Playes, doeth oft times llEphes. 4.29.30. … Thes. 5.19. Hebr. 10.29. 1 Sam. 16.14.Eph 4:29Eph 4:30Heb 10:291 Sam 16:14to his griefe, euen lose his blessed residence in, his heauenly influence into, his sweete regiment ouer, his flexanimous sollicitations to, those good perswasions, purposes, resolutions, and sparkes of grace, which hee hath kindled in, our hearts: The Angels they lose mmLuke 15.7.10.Luke 15:7Luke 15:10their ioy, in our conuersion; nnPsal. 3….7. and 91.10.11. Hebr. 1.14.Ps 3:7Ps 91:10Ps 91:11Heb 1:14their office, in our protection: ooMat. 18.10. Luke 15.10.Matt 18:10Luke 15:10their happinesse in our Saluation: ppLuke 2.13. cap… 30.36. Hebr. 12.22.Luke 2:13Heb 12:22their fellowship, in our association: The Church shee loseth her outward beautie, and splendor, her honour, qqSee Tertul. De Spectac. cap. 24.25. Puto ego, nec M…iestati diuinae, nec Euangelicae disciplinae congruere, vt p…dor & ho…or Ecclesiae tam turpi & infami contagione Histrionum …oede…ur? Cyprian. Epict. lib. 1. Epist. 10. See Chrys. Hom. De Dau. & Saul. 3. Accordingly.her puritie, her ioy, her externall p. 45tranquillitie, and prosperitie; her members, her fruitfulnesse, and fulnesse by them. The rrSee Chrys. Hom. De Dau. & Saul. De verbis Isayae. vidi Dominum, &c. Hom. 1.Word, and Sacraments, they lose their powerfull efficacy, their reuerend respect, their due esteeme, their spotlesse puritie, their fruitfulnesse, and their frequent resort. The ssChrysost. Ibidem.Ministers, they lose their prayers, their preaching, their exhortations, and reproofes, their reuerend respect, and louelove; their rewards, incouragements, and resort: together, tt2 Iohn 4. 3 Iohn 4. Hebr. 12.13… Neque enim vlla res tantum adfert gaudi… vitae nostrae, quantum hoc, quod ex … nimo gaudetis in Ecclesia congregati. Chrysostom. De verbis Esaia…. vidi Dominum sedentem. Tom. 2. Col. 1280. C.2 John 1:43 John 1:4Heb 12:13with the ioy, and fruite of all their Labours: The Saints of God, they lose their kinred, their friends, their companions, their ioyes, their hopes, their prayers, their admonitions, their good names, yea, the glory of their Christian profession, and the praise, and innocency of their holy conuersation, uuSee Act. 3. Scaene. 5.Acts 3which are oft times vilified, traduced, and derided on the Stage: The xxSee Act. 6. Scaene. 1. to 8. and part. 4. Histriones non parua rerum publicarum pestis sunt. Nam & libidinum ministri sunt, & mores bonos corrumpunt, & Magistratum in contemptum adducunt: & opes ta… publicas quam priuatas m…xime attenuam, & quod in pauperum subuentionem impendi deb…at fere intercipiunt. Quamobrem vir… graues omnibus seculis hoc hominum gen…s a republica sua exclusit, quod illos & m…ribus officer…, & Deorum contempium inueh…re intelligerent. Gualther in Nahum. 3. Hom. 11. See Bodinus, De Repub. lib. 6. cap. 1.Acts 6Nah 3Common-wealth is put to preiudice, by the generall corruption of mens mindes, and manners; the abundance of Idl…nesse, Prodigalitie, Riot, Pride, effeminacy, Treachery, Cruelty, Whoredome, Adultery, Wickednesse, and Prophanenesse, which these Playes produce. The poore are spoiled of that almes, that succour, and reliefe which should refresh their bow…ls, and make glad their hearts. The miserable Spectatours, and Frequenters of these Infernall pleasures, they yySee Act 6. …caene. 3. to 19.Acts 6lose their time, their modestie, their honestie, their credit, and respect with God, and all good men: yea their ciuilitie, their chastitie, their money, and estates sometimes … and if all this be not enough, zzQui Spectaculis & ludis Theatralibus oblectantur, non i…unt i… regnum & vitam citra laborem & pugnam, quoniam angusta vi… est, & afflictionis plena. Macarius AEgypt. Hom. 27. pag. 212.their very soules, and bodies too, without repentance: too deere a price Godwot, for such momentany shadowes, and delights of p. 46sinne, aaVoluptas fragilis ac breuis est, cuius necesse est aut poeniteat, aut pudeat. Sen De Benefic. lib. 7. cap 2.of which wee must of necessitie repent, or bee ashamed, vnlesse wee will be damned. As for the prof…ssed Actors of these Enterludes, they gaine perchance a little vaine applause vponupon the Stage, which they put off with their Players robes: or at the most, bbSee Part. 2. Act. 2.Acts 2a little filthy gaine, or ill gotten Estate, (which they are bound in Conscience to restore, as I shall prooue anon,) and that ccDeut. 28.16. to 21. Prou. 3.33. Mal. 2.2. c. 3.9. Eccles. 5.13, 14.Deut 28:16–21Prov 3:33Mal 2:2Eccl 5:13Eccl 5:14so blasted with the curse of God vponupon it; that it either turnes Wormewood, Gall, or Poyson to the owners, ddPsal. 37.2.20.36. Prou. 28.22.Ps 37:2Ps 37:20Ps 37:36Prov 28:22or meltes away like Snow before the Sunne in their very life time: or else, eePsal. 37.28. Psal. 109.10, 11, 12, 13. Eccles. 5.13, 14, 15. Prou. 12.7. cap. 14.11. Male partis vix gaudet tertius haeres. I…. Sat. 6.Ps 37:28Ps 109:10Ps 109:11Ps 109:12Ps 109:13Eccl 5:13Eccl 5:14Eccl 5:15Prov 12:7it prooues Rottennesse, and consumes to Ashes in their next Heires hands: But alas, their losse transcends their gaines: ffRomani cum artem ludicram scenamque totam probro ducunt, actores talium fabularum, non modo honore ciuium reliquorum carere, sed etiam tribu moueri notatione censoria voluerunt. Augustine, De Ciuitat. Dei… lib 2. cap… 13, 14. See Liuie. lib. 7. cap. 2.3. and Act. 7. Scaene. 6.Acts 7they lose their credit, their respect, their good names, their time, their ciuilitie, their modestie, their chastitie; and all that was commendable in them heretofore: yea, they lose their God, their Heauen, their Sauiour, their Sanctifier, and Oh that I could not say their very Soules, and Bodies for all Eternitie, vnlesse God miraculously call them ggNe igitur desinatis super huiusmodi licentia gemere ac s…e…ius remorder…. Hic enim dolor fiet vobis conuersionis ad meliora principium. Chrysostome, Hom 6. in Matth.to Repentance, and cause them to renounce their Vnchristian, and Infernall profession. Thus all are losers by their Stage-Playes, none gainers by them, but the Deuill, and Hell: the one gaines vassals to …ffect his will, and lusts here; and damned Soules, to associate him in his euerlasting torments hereafter: the other fewell to nourish those scorching, and Eternall flames, in which the Soules, and Bodies of all hhFuge pes…iferam illam piscinam Theatri. Haec est enim, quae spectatores suos in flammcum illud p…lagus mergit, quaeque profundum illius ignis acc…ndit. Chrysostome, H…m 7. in Matth. Tom. 2. Col. 60. B.impenitent Stage-frequenting Christians, shall hauehave th…ir portion. Since therefore, the Deuill is the onelyonly gainer by these Stage-Playes; which Saint Hierome rightly stiles iiDaemonum cibus est carmina Poet…rum. Hierom. Damaso. Epist. 146. Tom. 3. pag. 408.the Deuils p. 47foode: Since kkQuis enim alius spiritus occul…o instinctu nequissimas agitat mentes, & instat faciendis adulteriis, & pascitur factis, nisi qui etiam sacris tali…us oblectatur, constituens in templi… simulachrae Daemonum, amans in ludis simulachrae vitiorum: susurrans in occulto verb… iustitiae ad decipiendos etiam paucos bonos; frequentans in aperto inuitamenta nequitiae, ad possidendos innumerabiles malos. August. De Ciuitat. Dei. lib. 2. cap. 26.hee is onelyonly honoured, and enriched by them, serued in them, delighted with them, puruaying for them: we may safely, yea, infallibly conclude on all the premises; that they are his proper workes, and pompes.

For the second branch of the Assumpsion: That Stage-Playes are the Pompes, and Vanities of this wicked World; these impregnable reasons will euince it. First their very inchoation, and conception, as my first Act prooues, was meerely from the Deuill, ll2 Cor. 44. Chap. 14.13. Iohn 12.31. Chap. 16.11 Ephes. 2.2.John 12:31Eph 2:2the God, and Prince of this World; …rom …nfide…s, and Idolaters, the mmEphes. 2.2, 3. Chap… 5.12. Iohn 8.22, 23. Chap. 15.18, 19. Chap. 17.14. 2 Peter 2.5. 1 Iohn 4.5. 1 Cor. 2.6.8. Chap. 5.10. 1 Tim. 6.17. Iames 4.4.Eph 2:2Eph 2:3John 8:22John 8:232 Pet 2:51 John 4:51 Cor 2:61 Cor 2:81 Tim 6:17Jas 4:4naturall, and most genuine, if not the principall parts, and Agents of this world, nnGal. 1.4. 1 Iohn 5.19.Gal 1:41 John 5:19which lyes in wickednesse: Secondly, the common Actors, frequenters, and admirers of them, both now, and hereto…ore, are no other but ooPsal. 17.14.Ps 17:14the men of the world, who hauehave their portion onelyonly in this life, pp2 Tim. 3.4.2 Tim 3:4being louers of pleasures, more then louers of God: Thirdly, their qqSee Act. 3.Acts 3subiect matter, their seuerall partes, and passages, as experience teacheth, doe sauour onelyonly of worldly Pompe, and Vanitie, if not of sinne, and all prophanenesse: Fourthly, those Pompous, and stately shewes, and Scenes; that effeminate, rich, and gorgious Attire: that glittering, and glorious Apparrell; those mimicall, antique, clownish, hellish, amourous, filthy, foolish, ridiculous, obsceane, and wanton parts: those licencious complements, clippings, and embracements, withall those other rrSee Act. 4.5.Acts 4:5ceremonies, and circumstances, which attend our Stage-Playes; what are they but the chiefest Pompes, and Vanities which this world affordes? Fiftly, is not the very ground, and end of all Theatricall Spectacles, (especially, such as are acted in priuate houses, and societies,) a vaineglorious desire of some worldly Pompe, and State? or an o…ficious compliancy to the course, and fashion of this wicked World? Why doe men send for Stage-Players to their houses; p. 48why doe they flocke vntounto their Theaters ssMaiorem obtinent insana Spectacula frequentiam, quam beata Martyria. Leo. Sermo. in Octaua. Petri & Pauli. cap. 1. fol. 165.thicke, and threefold, on Feastiuall, and Solemne seasons, especially in the Christmas time? Is it not out of worldly Pompe, and State? out of a prodigall, and vaineglorious humour? a degenerous, and Vnchristian symbolization with this present World? a voluptuous, and base seruilitie to our filthie carnall lusts? or at least wise, out of an affected desire, to post, and passe away our peerelesse time, (which ttTempus vitae meae leuius cursoribus: vt enim illi priusquam bene stent, exiliunt: ita & h…c euol…t an…equam veniat. Chrys. ad Theodor. Epist 6. Tom. 5 Col 862. A. Quotidie morimur, quotidie commutamur, & tamen aeternos nos esse credimus: hoc ipsum quod dicto, quod scribitur, quod relego, quod emendo, de vita mea tollitur: quot puncta notarii, tot meorum damn… funt temporum Hierom. Epist. 3. cap… 10flies too faest without these winges, and spurres to speed it:) to banish God, and Christ out of our Hearts; Grace out of our Soules; all thankefull remembrance of Gods fauours to vsus on such times as these, out of our mindes, and thoughts? and wholly to auocate, and estrange vsus from all true Christian ioy, and heauenly solace? which expresseth it selfe, uuEphes. 5.19. Col. 3 16. Iam. 5.13. Psal. 149 & 150. & 103. Ne que enim quicquam …st quod in hac vita nos su…uius & iucundius afficere sol…at, atque ea, quae ex Ecclesia capitur, laetitia. In Ecclesia enim eorum qui laetantur, laetitia conseruatur; in Ecclesia, dolentes ad animi tranquill… a…e… deducuntur: in Ecclesia it quí dolore afficiuntur, gaudio delin…untur. Chrys. Orat. 7. Tom. 5. Col 1480, 1481.Eph 5:19Col 3:16Jas 5:13Ps 149in Psalmes, and Hymnes, and spirituall Songs; in diuine Meditations, and discourses of Gods merciemercy towards vsus: in powring out heartie praises, prayers, and thankesgiuings vntounto our Gracious, and euer blessed God, with inflamed, and inlarged spirits, for all his superabundant fauours, and compassions to vsus: not in Hellish Playes, and carnall merriments, which Christ, and Christians doe abhorre: If this then bee the vse, the end, and …ruite; these the appendices, and parts of Stage-Playes: needes must wee now subscribe: that they are, if not the greatest, and most assiduous; yet not the meanest Pompes, and Vanities of this wicked World, to whose vse, and ends they onelyonly serue; as their xxHaywoods, Apologie f…r Actors.owne professed Apologist doeth acknowledge.

Now to prooue vntounto you further; that Stage-Playes are the very workes, and Pompes of Satan; yea, the very selfe-same Pompes, and Vanities of this wicked World, p. 49which Christians hauehave renounced in their Baptisme: I shal vouch vntounto you the expresse resolution of sundry Fathers: Stage-Playes, (saith yyHoc erit Diaboli Pompa aduers… quam in signaculo fides e…eramus. Cum aquam ingres…i Christianam fidem ex legi… sua verba profitemur, renunciasse nos Diabolo, & Pompae, & Angelis eius ore nostro contestamur. Quid erit summum ac praecipuum, in quo Diabolus, & Pompae, & Angeli cius censeantur, quam Idololatria? Igitur si ex Idololatria, vniuersam Spectaculorum paraturam constare constiterit, indubitate praeiudicatum erit, etiam ad Spectacula pertinere renunciationis nostrae testimonium in lauacro, quae Diabolo, & Pompae, & Angelis eiu… sint m…ncipata, &c. De Spectac. lib. cap. 4, 5, 6. & 24. See Hookers Eccles. Politie. lib. 5. c. 64.Tertullian,) are the Pompes of the Deuill, against which, we hauehave renounced in our Baptisme; because their originall, and the materialls of which they are composed, consisteth wholy of Idolatrie: whence he stiles Play-houses, zzDiabol… Ecclesia et Templum. Ib. cap. 7.25.the Deuills Church. aaFugite Theatra & Graecorum ludos: vitate omnem Idolorum Pompam, speciem, denique omnia Daemoniaca Spectacula: Constit. Apost. lib. 2. cap. 6….Clemens Romanus, (if the worke bee his,) calls Stage-Playes; the Pompes of Idoles, and Spectacles of the Deuill; wishing all Christians to shunne, and auoyd them. The Deuills Pompe, (saith bbRenuncio Sathanae, & omnibus eius operibus. Poste… dicis, & omni Pompae illius: Pompa Diaboli est, in Theatris Spectacula, in bippodromo cursus equorum, & venationes, & reliqua omnis eiuscemodi vanitas: a qua postulans…liberari sanctus ille Dei; Auerte, inquit, oculos meos, ne videant vanitatem. Non ergo sis curiosus in frequentia Spectaculorum, vbi conspicias mimorum petulantias, omni contumelia, & impudicitia refertas, & virorum effaeminatorum choreas secteris. Catech. Mystagogica. 1.Cyril of Hierusalem,) which wee renounce in our Baptisme; are those Spectacles, or Playes in Theaters, and all other vanities of this kinde: from which the holy Man of God desiring to bee freed, saith: Turne away mine eyes from beholding vanitie. Be not therefore diligent in the assemblies of Playes. Saint Augustine likewise stiles these Stage-Playes the Pompes of the Deuill, which we renounce in Baptisme. ccDepraehenderis enim & detegeris Christiane, quando aliud agis, & aliud profiteris: fidelis in nomine, aliud demonstrans in opere, non tenens professionis tuae fidem: modo ingrediens Ecclesiam orationes fundere; post modicum in Spectaculis cum histrionibus impudice clamare. Quid tibi cum Pompis Diaboli quibus renunciast…? Huic vos renunciare professi estis: in qua professione non hominibus, sed Deo, & Angelis eius conscribentibus dix…stis, Re…uncio, &c. De Symbolo ad Catechumenos. lib. 4. cap. 1. Tom. 9. part. 1. pag. 1427. See Hom. 21. Tom. 10. pag. 592.Thou art apprehended, thou art detected Oh Christian, (saith he) when thou doest one thing, and professest another: when thou art faithfull in name, faithlesse in worke, p. 50not keeping th… faith of thy promise: going one while into the Church to pray; and a while after, running to the Play-house, to crie out impudently with Stage-Players. You hauehave professed to renounce the Deuill; in which profession, you hauehave said: I renounce: not onelyonly men, but euen God, and his Angels subscribing together with you. What then hast thou to doe with these Pompes of the Deuill, which thou hast renounce? Saint Chrysostome, who of all the Fathers is most Copious, most Zealous, and diuinely Rhetoricall, against all theatricall Enterludes, endeauoring out of an holy Zeale, to withdraw all Christians from them, vntounto God: doeth oft times stile these Stage-Playes: ddAtque vbi spiritus insusu… est vnguentum, eo Diabolicas Pompas immittemus? eo fabulas Satanae, eo can…tilenas meretriciae turpitudinis plenas? Hom. De Dauide & Saule. Tom. 1. Col. 511. B. Proinde frequenter vos hortatus sum, ne quis eorum qui horrendae, ae mysticae victimae participes sunt, ad illa iret Spectacula, non diuina cum Daemoniacis commisceret mysteria. De verbis Isaiae. vidi Dominum, &c. Hom. 1. Col. 1283. C. D. In Theatro omnia contraria, risus, turpitudo, pompae Diabolica. Magna ili Diaboli Pompa, Cymbala, tibiae & cantica plena scortationum ac adulteriorum. In Act. Apost. Hom. 42. Tom. 3 Col 611. C. 612. A. Quo tempore, alii quidem cum nos haec ex hoc loco dissere…em… in Theatris otiose Diaboli Pompam Spectarunt: & impurissimis Diaboli escis vescebantur. Oratio. 6. Tom. 5. Col. 1471. B. Considera ergo Theatrum illud, ac Diabolicos istos refuge conuentus. Si vero in eisdem perseueraueritis acutiore ferro, & altiore incisione discindam: nec vnquam prorsus quiescam, quoadusque Diabolicum illud dispergam Theatrum, vt mundus Ecclesiae caetus purusque reddatur. Ita enim & praesenti turpitudine liberabimur, & vitam acquiremus futuram, gratia & misericordia domini nostri Iesu Christi. Hom. 7. in Matth. Tom. 2. Col. 60. D. 61. B. C.the Deuills Pompes: the fables of Satan: Daemoniacall mysteries: the im…ure foode of the Deuill: and Play-houses: the Deuils conuenticles: And from hence hee doeth seriously, and frequently persuade all Christians to auoyde them. Yea, saith hee, (such was his implacable indignation, and holy detestation against Stage-Playes; not out of passion, or Puritanisme, but true Christian Zeale,) I will neuer giuegive ouer preaching, vntill I hauehave dissipated, and rent a sunder, that diuelish Theater; that so the assembly of the Church may bee made pure, and cleane; freed from its present filthinesse, and enioy eternall Life hereafter, by the Grace, and Mercy of Iesus Christ their Lord: a memorable, and Christian resolution. That holy man of God, and professed enemie of p. 51Stage-Playes, Saluian Bishop of Marcelles, is very Elegant, and Copious in this Theame. eeIn Spectaculis enim quaedam Apostasia fidei est, & a Symbolis ipsius, et a C… lestibus Sacramentis letalis pra…aricatio. Quae est enim in Baptismo salutari Christianorum prima confessio? quae scilice…, nisi v… re…unc…are se Diabolo, et Pompis eius a…que Spectaculis et operibus protestentur? Ergo Spectacula et Pompae, etiam iuxta nostram professionem opera sunt Diaboli. Quomodo, ô Christiane, Spectacula post Baptismum sequeris, quae opus esse Diaboli confiteris? Renunciasti semel Diabol…, et Spectaculis eius, ac per hoc necesse est, prudens et sciens dum ad Spectacula remeas, ad Diabolum te redire cognoscas. Vtrique enim rei sim…l renunciasti, et vnum vtrumque esse dixisti. Si ad vnum reuerteris, ad vtrumque remeasti: abrenuntio enim, inquis, Diabolo, Pompis, Spectaculis, et operibus eius. Et quid postea? Credo, inquis, in Deum patrem omnipotentem, et in Iesum Christum filium eius Ergo primum renunciatur Diabolo, vt credatur Deo: quia qui non renunciat Diabolo, non credit Deo: et ideo qui reuertitur ad Diabolum, relinquit Deum. Diabolus autem in Spectaculis est et Pompis s…is: ac per hoc cum redimus ad Spectacul…m, relinquimus fidem Christi. Hoc itaque modo omnia Symboli Sacramenta soluu…tur, et totum quod in Symbolo sequitur, labefactatur et nutat. Nihil enim sequens …at, si principale non steterit. Si cui itaque leue Spectaculorum crimen videtur, respici… cuncta ista quae diximus, et videat in Spectaculis non voluptatem esse, sed mortem. De Guber. Dei. lib. 6. pag. 193, 194.In Stage-Playes, (writes hee) there is a certaine Apostasie from the Faith, and a deadly preuarication, both from the Symboles of it, and the heauenly Sacraments: For what is the first confession of Christians in their wholesome Baptisme: what else, b…t that they protest they doe renounce, the Deuill, his Pompes, his Spectacles, and his workes? Therefore Playes, and Pompes according to our profession, are the workes of the Deuill. How then, Oh Christian, doest thou follow Stage-Playes, after Baptisme, which thou confessest to be the worke of the Deuill? Thou hast once renounced the Deuill, and his Spectacles, and by this thou must needes know, that thou doest returne to the Deuill, when thou doest wittingly, and knowingly returne to Stage-Playes: for thou hast renounced both of them together, and thou hast professed both of them to bee one. If then thou reuert to one, thou hast returned vntounto both; for thou sayest, I renounce the Deuill, his Pompes, his Spectacles, and hi… Workes. And what followes? I beleeue, sayest thou in God the Father Almighty, and in Iesus Christ his Sonne. Therefore the Deuill is first renounced, that God may be beleeued in: because he, who doeth not renounce the Deuill, doeth not beleeue in God: and therefore hee who returnes to the Deuill, forsaketh God. Now the Deuill is in his Playes, and Pompes: p. 52(yea the Play-house, the Temple of all Deuills, as ffAmphitheatrum omnium Daemonum Templum est. Tot illicimmundi spiritus considunt, quot homines capit. De Spectac. lib. Tom. 2. pag. 393.Tertullian obserues, is alwayes full of Deuills:) and by these meanes, when we returne to Stage-Playes, wee r…linquish the Faith of Christ, and returne to the Deuill. By this meanes then, all the Sacraments of the Creed are abrogated, and all that which followes in the Creed is demolished. If then the crime of Stage-Playes seemes but small to any man, let him reflect on all this which we hauehave said, and hee may see, that there is no pleasure in Stage-Playes, but death: All which, if our Actors, Play-Poets, and Stage-haunters, would but a whiles consider, it would make them for euer to abominate, and renounce all Stage-Playes, ggSee Danaeus Ethicae Christianae. lib. 2. cap. 8. pag. 107. Accordingly.as they ought to doe, because they were consecrated to the Deuill, as his chiefest Pompes.

You see now by all these concurrent Testimonies of the Fathers: that Stage-Playes are those very Workes, those Pompes, and Vanities of the Deuill, which eueryevery Christian hath solemnely renounced, and seriously vowed against, in his Baptisme, in the very presence of God himselfe, and all his Angels. That they are likewise, those Pompes, and Vanities of this wicked World, which they hauehave then, and there renounced; the former reasons, together with the expresse, and punctuall suffrages of Saint Hilary, Saint Ambrose, Saint Chrysostome, and Saint Augustine in their Comments, and Expositions on the 118, alias the 119. Psalme, verse 37. Turne away mine eyes from beholding vanitie: (to whom I might adde, hhDe Spectaculis, & Epist. lib. 2. Epist. 2.Saint Cyprian, iiDe vero Cultu. cap. 20.Lactantius, kkCatechesis Mystagogica 1Cyril of Hierusalem, llPaedagogi. lib. 3. cap. 11.Clemens Alexandrinus, mmOratio ad M…lites Templi. cap. 4.Saint Bernard, nnHom. 44. pag. 264.Macarius AEgyptius, ooHexaemeron. Hom. 4. De Legendis libris Gentilium Oratio.Saint Basil, ppOratio. 48. & De Recta Educatione ad Seleucum. pag. 1063, 1064.Nazianzen, and qqDe Guber. Dei. lib. 6.Saluian, omitting all those rrSee Doctor Reinolds, Master Northbrooke, and Master Gossor, in their Treatises against Stage-Play…s.Moderne writers, which are copious in this Theame,) doe abundantly testifie: and indeed, what are, what should bee the Workes, and Pompes of Satan; the Spectacles, Pleasures, Pompes, and Vanities of this wicked World, which we renounce in Baptisme; if Stage-Playes are exempted from that order?

p. 53If then this my Assumption be yeelded to me, as of necessitie it must, (for who can, or dares controle it, against such punctuall, and pregnant euidences?) my Sequell, and Conclusion must bee granted without any more dispute. For what man, who dares to stile himselfe a Christian, can bee so Diabolically absurd, so Audaciously impious, or Desperately prophane, as to denie that ssQuod eni… facto negam…s neque fac…o neque dicto, neque visu, neque prospe…ctu participare debemus. Tertul. De Spectac. c. 24.to be abominable, pernicious, vndecent, and vnlawfull vntounto Christians, which they hauehave all renounced, and abominated in their Baptisme? Doubtlesse, if there be any odious, hurtfull, vnseemely, or illegitimate thing in all the world; if there bee any euills, any vanities, or delights of sinne that Christians must refraine; ttSi iura humanae pactionis firmiter conseruantur, fixius tamen atque feruentius iura tanti pacti, quae cum Deo facta sunt, inuiol… biliter sunt obseruanda. Concil Pa…isi…nse. lib. 1. cap. 10. Su…ius. Tom. 3 p. 367.then certainely those which they hauehave vowed, sworne, and solemnely protested against, in the very house, and presence of God himselfe, and that in the audience both of men, and Angels; those whom they hauehave euerlastingly abiured, in that init…atory Sacrament of Baptisme, which giues them their primarie admission into the visible Church of Christ, must needes bee they; no Man, no Christian, no Deuill can gaine-say it. Since then I hauehave prooued by irrefragable Testimonies; that Stage-Playes, are those very workes, uuP…mpa Diaboli hoec est, qu… et P…mpa mundi: id est, am…itio, arrogantia, vana gloria, omnisque …uiuslibet rei superfluitas in humanis vsus…tus. Concil. Parisiense. lib. 1. cap. 10. Ib.and Pompes of the Deuill; those very Pompes, and Vanities of this wicked world, which eueryevery Christian, hath solemnely disclaimed, and seriously uuP…mpa Diaboli hoec est, qu… et P…mpa mundi: id est, am…itio, arrogantia, vana gloria, omnisque …uiuslibet rei superfluitas in humanis vsus…tus. Concil. Parisiense. lib. 1. cap. 10. Ib.renounced in his Baptisme; who can, who dares stand out to iustifie them? who can, who dares denie them, to bee abominable, incompatible, and vtterly vnlawfull vntounto Christians? God forbid, that any who hauehave beene dipped in the Sacred lauer of Regeneration; any who hauehave beene bathed, and purified in the Soule-cleansing, and Sinne-purging blood of the Lord Iesus Christ, any who hauehave pledged their Faith, and Troth to God in Baptisme; any who hauehave beene Baptized with the name of Christians; any who hauehave either by themselues, or others, xxAbrenunciare enim Diabolo, est penitus …um respue…e, spernere, reiicere, eique contradicere, seque, et vnumquemque ab eo alienare, siue aliud quid quod in hoc verbo et hoc sensis exprimi potest. Concil. Paris. lib. 1. cap. 10. Ib.renounced the Deuill, withall his Pompes, and p. 54Workes: together with all the Pompes, and Vanities of this wicked World, yy1 Peter. 1.14, 15, 18. Colos. 2.20, 21, 22. Reu 14.3, 4.1 Pet 1:141 Pet 1:151 Pet 1:18Col 2:20Col 2:21Col 2:22Rev 14:3Rev 14:4from which Christ Iesus hath Redeemed them; should prooue such desperate, zzDiabolo seruientes Daemones sunt. C…rysostome Oratio. 5. Col. 957. A.incarnate Deuills; such mo…sters of Impietie; such Atheisticall, Prodigious, and infernall Miscreants; such treacherous Iudasses to their Lord, and Master; such periured, and professed Rebells to their God; aaMagna quippe ex parte Christianorum decus vilescit, quando renati in Christo ea quibus in Baptismate renunciauerunt nec intelligere curant, nec ab his se, vt Christo polliciti sunt abstinere satagunt. Concil. Parisiense. lib. 1. cap. 10.such blemishes, and cut-throates to their Religion; such Apostates, and vnderminers to their Faith, and Baptisme: such vnnaturall, and deplored Enemies to their owne Saluation; or such will-full bloody Murtherers to their owne Soules; as to approoue, to iustifie, to practise, or frequent these Stage-Playes, which they hauehave thus abiured; or to deeme them tollerable, or lawfull vntounto CHRISTIANS. Alas, bbHosea 14.8. Quid nobis cum operibus Diaboli? Quid mihi & tibi est Belial? Ego Christi seruus sum, illius Redemptus sanzuin…, illi me totum mancipaui. Quid mihi & tibi est? Tanto magis nos oportet seperare a Diabolo, quanto ille se discernit a Christo. Ambrose De Elia, & Ieiun. cap. 20.Hos 14:8what hauehave Christians any more to doe with Idoles? what will the Deuill? what with the Pompes, and workes of Satan? what with the shewes, the pleasures, and vanities of this wicked world? yea, what with Stage-Playes, which they hauehave abiured? Is there any late, or new agreement signed betweene Christ, and Belial? betweene Righteousnesse, and Vnrighteousnesse? Beleeuers, and Infidels? Is there any peace, or contract newly made betweene God, and Satan? betweene Christians, and the Deuill? betweene Heauen, and Hell? betweene the Citizens of the new Hierusalem, and this present euill World, which ccRom. 8.5.7. Galat. 5.17. 1 Corinth. 6.14, 15, 16. Genes. 3.15. Galat. 4.29. Diabolus semper Christi aduersarius est. Chrysostome. Hom. 42. in Matth. Tom. 2. Col. 887. A.Rom 8:5Rom 8:7Gal 5:171 Cor 6:141 Cor 6:151 Cor 6:16Gen 3:15Gal 4:29are euerlasting enemies, vncapable of any truce, or mixture? Or hath God dispensed with our vow in Baptisme? or hauehave we lately renounced our couenant with our God, and sworne alleageance to the World, the Flesh, and the Deuill; or else beene dd1 Corinth. 1.13.1 Cor 1:13Rebaptized in their names? If so, then let vsus flocke, and runne to Stage-Playes, and take of them our fill, I will not interrupt, or p. 55keepe backe any. But if the Deuill, the World, and God be as farre at var…ance now, as …: ee2 Cor. 6.14, 15, 16. Iames 4.4.2 Cor 6:142 Cor 6:152 Cor 6:16Jas 4:4is Righteousnesse, and Vnrighteousnesse; Christ, and Belial; Beleeuers, and Infidels; the Temple of God, and the Temple of Idoles; yea, the World, the Flesh, the Deuill, and Christians, bee yet at irreconcilable, and euerlasting enmitie, as they are: If the ancient contract betweene God, and vsus in Baptisme, ffRom. 6.3, 4. Hebr. 9.16, 17, 18.Rom 6:3Rom 6:4Heb 9:16Heb 9:17Heb 9:18confirmed, and ratified in the precious blood of our blessed Sauiour Iesus Christ,) stand good: and there bee no new league, nor couenant betweene the World, the Deuill, Hell, and vsus: how can, how may wee then approoue of Stage-Playes? how can wee tolerate, act, admire, or frequent them, as alas we doe? What, shall we renounce the Deuill, and all his Workes? ggNihil ad vos de Pompis saeculi attinet qui renunciauistis in Baptismate, mundo, Diabolo & Pompis eorum, quod postmodum confirmastis sub pollicitatione iuramenti. Hierom De Regula. Monachorum. cap. 30. A…renunciasti mundo, abrenunciasti saeculo, esto sollicitus. Qui pecuniam debet semper cautionem suam considerat. Et tu qui fidem debes Christo, fidem serua, quae multo preciosior est quam pecunia. Ambrose De Sa…ramentis. lib. 1. cap. 2. Tom. 4. pag. 168. A.shall wee abiure the Pompes, and Vanities of this wicked World, (which serue onelyonly to feed the sinfull lusts of the flesh;) and yet shall wee Pleade for them with our Tongues, Cherish them with our Purses, Runne to them with our Feete, hhQuale est… illas manus quas ad dominum extuleris, postmodo laudando histrionem fatigare? Tertul. De Spectac. cap. 25.Applaud them with our Hands, Magnifie them in our Iudgements, Harbour them in our Houses, yea, Lodge them in our Hearts? Alas, poore sinfull wretches, who are thus grosely Deluded, thus miserably Periured; How, how shall we answere, how excuse, or iustifie this our notorious, and will-full Periury to our great Creatour? how shall, how can we looke our God, our Iudge, our Sauiour, or any of the blessed Saints, and Angells in the face? iiPsa. 1.5. 1 Pet. 4.17, 18. I…r. 5.31.Ps 1:51 Pet 4:171 Pet 4:18where can we appeare, how can wee stand in Iudgement, what shall we doe, or which way shall we turne our selues, when God himselfe shall challeng vsus, when Christ Iesus shall arraigne vsus, and hee **Dan 7.10. Mat. 25.31. 1 Cor. 6.2, 3. Iude 14.15.Dan 7:10Matt 25:311 Cor 6:21 Cor 6:3together withall his holy Saints, and Angells, condemne vsus, in that great, and terrible day of Iudgement, for breach of this our vow? O let vsus now at last remember, that there is an Audit, a day of Iudgement p. 56comming, kk2 Cor. 5.10. Rom. 14.11.1 Qua… tremendus est ille dies iudicii in q… Dominus nosier Iesus Christus proposuit venire cum flamma ignis quae consumptura est aduersarios suos, & eos qui faciunt iniquitatem? &c. Ambrose. Sermo. 33.2 Cor 5:10Rom 14:11Rom 14:1wherein we must all appeare, before the great Tribunall of the … Iesus Christ, … all the breaches of this our solemne couenant: and what will then become of vsus, if wee thus treacherously infringe it now, in frequenting Stage-Playes? Excuse our selues we cannot; Perish, perish we must, and that eternally without recouery; without all pittie. For is it not equall, that such who readily serue the Deuill, in practising all his workes, and resorting to his Pompes, which they hauehave couenanted to abiure, llMat. 25.41.Matt 25:41should participate of his wages, and euerlasting torments? that such who follow the Pleasures, Pompes, and Vanities of this wicked world, mm1 Cor. 11.32 Reuel. 18.4. Qui vult ga… dere cum soeculo, non possit regnare cum Christ…. Ambrose. Sermo. 11.1 Cor 11:32Rev 18:4should likewise be condemned with the world, and be partakers of its punishments? who can Commiserate, or Pittie such a one, or deeme him worthy of Saluation, who leaues his euer-blessed God, nnRom. 14.7, 8, 9. 1 Cor. 6.19, 20. Luke 17.10.Rom 14:7Rom 14:8Rom 14:91 Cor 6:191 Cor 6:20Luke 17:10to whom hee owes himselfe, and all his seruice; to serue the Deuill whom hee hath defied? or willingly parts with Heauen, and Eternall glory, by departing from the ooProu. 2 13. chap. 12.28. Matth. 7.14.Prov 2:13Matt 7:14wayes of Grace, which lead men to it, to embrace the very vainest vanities, and Enterludes of this wretched world, which hee hath thus abiured? Certainely such a mans Damnation is exceeding iust, and his Saluation, (without repentance) desperate: And is not this the case of all such persons, who resort to Stage-Playes after Baptisme? O then good Christian Readers, in the name, and feare of God, and in tender compassion to your owne distressed Soules, I beseech y…, I intreate you, euen with sobs, and teares proceeding from a bleeding, and lamenting spirit, anxious of nothing but your Eternall good; that you would now at last, consider seriously what you are, and what you hauehave done. ppActs 11.26. Christiani a Christo nomen acceperunt, & opera precium est vt sicut sunt haeredes nominis ita sint imitatores sancti…atis. Bernardi. Sententi…. Col. 996. L.Acts 11:26You are all Christians in name; and it is my desire, my prayer, that you may bee such qqEsse Christianum grande est, non videri. Hierom. Tom. 1. Epist. 13. cap. 3. Tunc vera est Dei gratia si hoc rebus exhibeat, quod verbis sonat. August. Contr. Iulianum. lib. 4. cap. 7.in trueth. You hauehave all proclaimed a solemne defiance p. 57to the Deuill, and all his Workes, and openly renounced the seuerall Pompes, and Vanities of this wicked World, of which Stage-Playes are the chiefe, and most assiduous: as being the rrActs. 16.17. 1 Cor. 7.22, 23. 1 Pet. 2.16.Acts 16:171 Cor 7:221 Cor 7:231 Pet 2:16Seruants, and Saints of God, the ssRom. ….17. Iames. 2.5. Galat 4.7.Jas 2:5Gal 4:7Heires of Heauen, the tt1 Thes. 4.4. 2 Tim. 2.21.1 Thess 4:42 Tim 2:21Vessels of Holinesse, the uu1 Cor. 3.16. Chap. 6.9. Ephes. 2.22.1 Cor 3:16Eph 2:22liuing Temples of the holy Ghost, the xxEphes. 2.19. Hebr. 12.22.Eph 2:19Heb 12:22fellow Citizens of the Saints in Glory, and the Inhabitants of a better World then this: Oh answere therefore your profession with a correspondent conuersation: If you are, or would be Christians, doe not you hencefoorth liue like Pagans: yyNon agamus similem Infidelibus vitam, sed a quibus fide discernimur, ab …orum studiis etiam & moribus diuidamur. Declarat fidem tuam qu…tidian… actio tua: confirmet tuam ad Christum charitatem, euidens a carnalibus concupiscentiis discessio t…. Chrys. De Militia Christ. Hom. Tom. 5. Col. 633. A. See my Healthes, Sickenesse. pag. 22.42.78. Edit 2.but as you differ from them in your Faith, be you likewise distinguished from them by your Workes. If you hauehave renounced the Deuill, and all his Workes; O liue not any longer to them: If you hauehave abiured the Pompes, and Vanities of this wicked World; O then returne not to them, as Dogges vntounto their vomit: zzInisti pactum cum aduersario tuo, di…ens e…; Renuncio ti…i, Diabole, & saculo tuo, & Pompae tuae, & operibus tuis: serua f…d… quod pepigisti, &c. Hierom. Epist. 8. cap. 5. Tom. 1. pag. 22.why should you serue, why should you re-embrace, how can you tollerate, or approoue the things, which you hauehave thus abiured? God commands you, aaEphes 4.37. Iames 47. 1 Peter 5.9.Eph 4:371 Pet 5:9not to giuegive place to the Deuill, but to resist him stedfastly in the Faith, that so hee may flie from you… how dare you then to entertaine him in these Enterludes, which are his chiefest Pompes, and Workes; against this Precept, and your Vow? God commands you, bb1 Iohn 2.15.1 John 2:15not to louelove the World, nor the things of the World; ccRom. 12.1, 2. Colos. 2.19, 20. Ephes. ….2, 3.Rom 12:1Rom 12:2Col 2:19Col 2:20not to conforme your selues to the Course, the Fashions, Pompes, and Vanities of this present euill World, dd1 Iohn 5.19.1 John 5:19which lyes in wickednesse; eeIames 1.27.Jas 1:27but to keepe your selues vnspotted from it: ffIames 4.4. 1 Iohn 2.15.Jas 4:41 John 2:15because the friendship of the World, is enmitie to God, and the friends of this World, gg1 Ioh… 2.16. Seculum Dei est, secularia autem Diaboli. Tertul. De Spectac…lis lib.1 John 2:16which is not of God,) are professed enemies vntounto God: How can you then admit, or harbour Stage-Playes, (the greatest p. 58Pompes, and Vanities, that this World affords,) against these Precepts, and your Co…enant, without the danger of Rebellion, and the highest Periury? Christ Iesus informes you; hhMatth. 6.24. Luke 16.13. Iames 4.4.Matt 6:24Luke 16:13Jas 4:4that you cannot serue two contrary Masters, as the Deuill, or the World, and him: and therefore you disclaime the one in Baptisme, that so you may appropriate your selues, and seruice to the other. And can you then yoake, and serue them all together? Can you serue Christ Iesus, and the Deuill? iiPlus placent mundo qui Christo displic…nt… Hierom. Epist 3. cap. 31.Christ, and the World? Christ, and Stage-Playes? Or can you be so besotted by the Deuill, (as alas too many are,) as to thinke to please, to honour, court, and entertaine Christ Iesus, to welcome him into the World, or celebrate his Natiuitie, with infernall Stage-Playes, kkLudi omnes Originem de Idololatria sumpserunt. Tertul. De Sp…ctac. cap. 6. to 12. Idololatria ludorum omnium mater. Cyprian De Spectaculis.the very Monuments, and Insignes, with which the Pagans did Gratifie, and llSee Cicero. De Arusp. Respons. Orat. See Act. 2. & Tertul. De Spectaculis. cap. 6. to 22. & pag. 43. Accordingly.Acts 2Court their Deuill-gods vponupon their Feastiualls, and solemne Birth-dayes:) as if Christ, and the Deuill, Christians, and Pagans were accorded? as if Stage-Playes, were the chiefest workes of the Lord Iesus Christ, (who was mmLuke 1.74, 75. 1 Iohn 3.8.Luke 1:74Luke 1:751 John 3:8borne of purpose to Redeeme vsus from them, and to destroy out of vsus these workes of the Deuill:) the principall recreations, and delights of Christians; not the Inuentions, Pompes, and Solemnities of Satan; not the remainders of Idolatrie; not the nnLudi scenici animorum pestilentia. August De Ciuit. Dei. lib. 1. cap 32. Quippe nec i…a Deûm tantum, nec tela, nec hostes; Quantum sola nocet animis illapsa voluptas. Silius Italicus. lib. 15. pag. 186.Soule-poysoning pleasures, shewes, and vanities of this sinfull World, which wee hauehave all ooIdolorum nec minus Templa, quam monument… des…u…mus: quia non possumus coenam Dei edere, & coenam Daemoniorum. Tertul. De Spectac lib. pag. 393, 394.renounced. Beloued Christians, consider I beseech you, that God himselfe commands you: pp1 Iohn. 5.21.1 John 5:21to keepe your selues from Idoles; qq1 Cor. 10.14. Apostolus inclamat: Fugite Idololatriam: omnem vtique & totam. Ter…ul. De Corona Militis. cap. 8.1 Cor 10:14and to flee from all Idolatrie, as rrPrincipale crimen generis humani, summ… seculi reatus, tota causa …udicii, Idololatria. Tertul. De Idololatria. lib. cap. 1.being the most capitall, and dangerous sinne of all other: p. 59and can you then embrace these Stage-Playes, (which were originally ssLudiquibus Floralibus & Megalensibus nomen est, caeterique omnes al… sacros esse voluistis, & religionum inter officia, & res diuinas deputari. Arnobius Aduers. Gentes. lib. 7. pag. 232. August. De Ciu. Dei. lib. 2. cap. 13.27, 29. lib. 4 cap. 1.consecrated vntounto Idoles, as holy, and religious things; as parts, and ornaments of their Pompe, and Worship: and hauehave therefore beene condemned by the ttTertul. De Spectac. lib. cap. 4. to 12. & 24, 25. C…prian De Specta… lib. Lactantius De v…ro Cultu. cap. 20 See pag. 28, 29, 30.Fathers; as the Issues, Limbes, and Monuments of Idolatrie, from whence they had their birth:) without any breach of these commands, or of your vow in Baptisme; wherein you did renounce all Idoles, and Idolatrie, with all their Pompes, and Reliques? O therefore, as you are Christians; as you hauehave Soules to saue, or lose for euer; be you now at last entreated, to lay all these considerations close vntounto your Soules; before it bee to late. The time will come ere long, (and who can tell how soone, since the Apostle hath long since forewarned vsus; uuPhil. 4.5. Iames 5.8, 9. Iudicium Dei prae sortbus est. Chrys. Kalendis Oratio. Tom. 5. Col. 800. C.Phil 4:5Jas 5:8Jas 5:9that the Lord is at hand: that the comming of the Lord draweth nigh; and that the Iudge standeth before the doore;) when xx1 Thes. 4.16.2 Cor. 6.10.1 Thess 4:162 Cor 6:10that last, and dismall Trumpe, (which should be yySemper …u…a illa terribili… v…stris perstrepet auribus: Surg…te mortui, venite ad iudicium. Hierom. De Regula Monach. cap. 30. Tom. 9. pag. 268. D. Chrys. Hom. 71. ad Pop. Antioch.alwayes sounding this into your eares… arise ye dead, and come to Iudgement,) shall summon you before Christs glorious Tribunall, zzRom. 14.10.12.Rom 14:10Rom 14:12to render an account of your selues to him, how well you hauehave kept this vow, these Precepts, which now I presse vponupon you: and then alas, what can you pleade, or answere for your selues? Can you replie, that you hauehave kept, or aaActs 24.16. 1 Cor. 8.11, 12. Haud est nocen…, qu…cunque non est sponte nocens. Seneca. H…r. ul. O…tius. Act. 3. fol. 221.Acts 24:161 Cor 8:111 Cor 8:12Acts 3at leastwise endeauoured for to keepe, to the vtmost of your power, these seuerall Iniunctions, or your vow in Baptisme? that you hauehave renounced the World, the Flesh, the Deuill, or Idoles, and Idolatrie, with all their seuerall Vanities, Pompes, and Workes; whiles you thus iustifie, magnifie, and harbour Stage-Playes, which not onelyonly bbAugust… De Ciu Dei. lib. 2. cap. 26. Arnob. Aduers. G…ntes. lib. 7… See pag. 49, 50, 51.Fathers, but euen ccPomp…, Pompa ludorum: Pompa sacrorum: De…rum Pompa. Dionys. Hallicarnas. Antiq Rom. lib. 7. cap. 9. Minutius Felix. Octauius pag. 34. Cicero. Epist. ad Atti…. lib. 13. E…ist. 28.43. Circus …rit Pompa celeber, numeroque D…orum… Ouid. Fastorum… lib. 4. pag. 68. Godwin Roman Antiq. lib. 2. Sect. 3. cap. 2. pag. 85.Pagans themselues, repute, and p. 60stile; the Worlds, and Deuills Pompes? Alas, ddQuomod, renunciauimus Diabolo & Angelis eius, si eos facimus? Quod repudium diximus his, non dico cum quibus, sed de quibus viuimus? Quam discordiam suscipimus in eos, quibus exhibitionis nostrae gratia obliga…i sumus? Potes lingua neg…sse, quod manu c…nfiteris? Verbo distruere, quod facto struis? Deum vnum praedicare qui tantos …fficis? Deum verum praedicare qui falsos facis? Negas te quod facis colere? Tertul. De Idololatria lib. Tom. 2. pag. 448.how hauehave you renounced the Deuill, World, or Idoles, whiles you retaine their shewes, or doe their workes? What diuorce hauehave you giuen to all, or any of these, with which, by which you liue? What enmitie hauehave you taken vp against them, whiles you are thus obliged to them? Can you denie that (thinke you,) with your tongues, which you confesse with your hands? Or doe you destroy that in word, which you support in deed? O my beloued, how can you euer say, eeQui Christiani nominis opus non agit, Christianus non esse videatur. Saluian De G…b. Dei. lib. 4. pag. 94…that you hauehave liued like Christians, not like Pagans? that you ffQuid ergo illi cum terra qui possidet coelum? Quid illi cum …umanis, qui adeptus est iam diuina? Chrysologus. Sermo. 25. Nunquam humana opera admirabitur, quisquis se cognouerit filium Dei. Cyprian. De Spectaculis.are the Saints of God, and Citizens of Heauen; not Satans Minions, or Burgers of this present wicked world? that you hauehave in trueth renounced the World, the Flesh, and the Deuill, with all their Pompes, and Workes; whiles you wast your time, and your affections, on those Heathenish, and Infernall Enterludes, and delights of sinne, which are the chiefest Workes, and Pompes of Satan; the eminentest Pompes, and Vanities of this wicked World; to which Infidels, and worldlings hauehave beene most deuoted? Can you plead Not-guiltie of Periurie, and Rebellion in all these particulars vntounto God hereafter, when as you cannot plead thus, now to men, ggSe iudice nemo nocens absoluitur. Iuuenal… Satyr. 13. pag. 117. Quod quisque fecit, patitur: autorem scelus repeti…, suoque premitur exemplo nocens. Seneca. Hercules Furens. Act. 3. fol. 36. (b)Acts 3or to your owne condemning Consciences? If you hope to prooue Not-guiltie then; why doe your hhSunt vero nonnulli qui aeterna quae audiunt veraciter credunt, & tamen eidem quam tenent fidei mor…us contradicunt. Greg. Magn. Moral. lib. 29. cap. 3.Liues, your Workes, your Consciences crie Guiltie now? If you confesse your selues Guiltie now, how can you plead Guiltlesse, iiRom. 2.3.Rom 2:3or escape Christs doome, and iudgement then? Since therefore it is vndeniably e…ident by all the premises: that Stage-Playes are those Pomps, and Workes of the Deuill, and Idoles; those Pompes, and Vanities of this wicked World, and heathen Pagans, which p. 61eueryevery Christian hath euerlastingly renounced, and solemnely abiured in his Baptisme: Let this, yea this alone, perswade all such as are Baptized with the name of Christians, (vnlesse, kkNonnulli etiam …unc Christiani …sse non appetunt, sed videri. Gregor. Mag. Moral. lib. 1…. cap. 11.they desire onelyonly to seeme Christians, not to bee Christians, as many doe,) to llSee pag. 42. (z) In die Baptismatis omnibus …os antiqui hostis operibus, a…que omnibus Pompis cius renunciare promisinius. Itaque vnusquisque ad considerationem suae mentis oculo… reduca…; & sic seruat post Baptismum, quod ante Baptismum spo… spondi…, Per praesentem abrenuntiationem expulsus est prior hospes; per confessionem creduli…atis, intr…e…t secundus. Amalarius Fortunatus. De Ecclesiast. Offic. lib. 1. cap. 23.abominate, and condemne all Stage-Playes; not onelyonly in iudgement, but in practise too; as Per…icious, Vnchristian, and vnlawfull Pompes, and Vanities, mmSee Act. 7. Scene. 2, 3, 4, 5.Acts 7as the Church, and Saints of God hauehave alwayes done in former Ages. (And so much the rather; because Christians in the Primitiue Church, (how euer the times are changed now,) were nnAtque hin… vel maxime intelligunt factum Christianum de repudio Spectaculorum. Neg…t itaque manifeste qui per quod agnoscitur …ollit. Tertul. De Spectaculis. cap. 24. See pag. 4. (p) (q)especially knowne, and discouered to bee Christians, by their abstinence, and diuorce from Stage-Playes.) Else if they approoue, applaude, and haunt these Stage-Playes still; let them know this to their endlesse terrour: that though they beare the name of Christians, or yeeld some superficiall worship vntounto God; yet they doe in trueth renounce their Christianitie, ooNonne eieramus & rescindimus signaculum, rescindendo testationem eius? Tertul. D… Spectaculis. cap. 24. See pag. 49, 50, 51.annihilate their Baptisme, abiure their Religion; denie their Faith, their God, their Iesus: ppMulti sunt qui faciunt eleemosynas & tamen peccare non cessant. Isti quasi sua offerunt Deo, & seips…s Diabolo. Ambrose. Serm. 12. See pag. 59, 51.and bequeath themselues wholly to the Deuill: yea, they forfait… Heauen, and their owne Saluation, and wrecke their deare immortall Soules for all eternitie. And who is there that beleeues a God, a Heauen, a Hell, so desperately prodigall of his owne Saluation, as to incurre all these, or to put himselfe to such a losse, to fauour Stage-Playes? but of this enough.

p. 62ACTVS 3.