The Players Scourge, Part 1 · Act 7 · Scene 3 · Floating text 8 – Floating text 14
dSurius Tom. 1. p. 574, 577, 587. Gratian. De Consecrat. Dist. 2. Crab. Tom. 1. p. 503, 506, 507.Can: 12. Vt Scenicis atque Histrionibus (id est conversis vel …eversis ad Dominum) caeteris que hujusmodi personis, reconciliatio non-negetur.
Canon: 27. …llud etiam petendum, ut quae contra praecepta divina convivia multis in locis exercentur quae ab errore gentili attracta sunt, vetari talia jubeant, et de civitatibus, et de possessionibus, imposita paena, prohiberi: maximè, cùm etiam in natalibus beatissimorum martyrum per nonnullas civitates, et in ipsis locis sacris talia cō mittere non reformident. Quibus diebus etiam (quod pudoris est dicere) saltationes sceleratissimas per vicos atque plateas exercent, ut matronalis honor et in…merabilium faeminatū pudor, devotè venientium ad sacratissimum diem, injurijs lascivie…tibus appetatur, ut etiàm ipsius sanctae religionis penè fugiatur accessus.
Canon: 28. Necnon et illud petendum, ut spectacula theatrorum caeterorum que ludorum die Dominico, vel *Therefore they are no fit Christmas pastimes.caeteris Christianae religionis diebus celeberrimis amoveantur; maximè quia sancti Paschae octavarum die,*Nota. populi ad Circum magis quàm ad Ecclesiā conveniunt; et debere transferri devotionis eorum dies si quandò occurrent: nec oportere etiam quenquam Christianorum, cogi ad haec spectacula: maximè, quia in his exercendis QVAE CONTRA PRAECEPTA DEI SVNT, nulla persecutionis necessitas à quoquam adhibenda est: sed (uti oportet) homo in libera voluntate subsistat sibi concessa. Cooperatorum enim maximè periculum considerandū est, QVI CONTRA PRAECEPTA DEI MAGNO TERRORE COGVNTVR AD HAEC SPECTACVLA CONVENIRE.
Can: 12. That reconciliatiation shall not bee denied to Stage-players and common Actours, and such like persons; in case they repent and abandon their former professions.
Can: 27. That also is to be desired, that those feasts which are used in many places contrary to Gods precepts, which were drawne from the errour of the Gentiles, should be prohihited by command, and excluded out of citties and villages: especially, since in some citties men feare not to keepe them even on the birth-dayes of the most blessed Martyrs, and that in the very Churches. On which dayes also (which is a shame to speake) they use most wicked dances through the villages and streetes, so that the matronall honour, and the chastity, the modesty of innumerable women devoutly comming to the most holy day, is assaulted with lascivious injuries in such manner, that even th… very accesse to the holy exercises of religion is almost discontinued and chased away.
Can: 28. And this also is to be requested, that Stage-playes and such other Playes and Spectacles should be wholly abandoned and laid aside on the LORDS day, and other solemne Christian festivalls, especially because on the Easter holy-dayes people runne more to the Cirque or Theatre, than to the Church; laying aside all their holy-day devotion, when these Spectacles come in their way: Neither ought any Christian to be compelled to these Enterludes or Stage-playes: chiefly, because in practising these things *Nota.WHICH ARE AGAINST THE COMMANDEMENTS OF GOD, no necessity of persecution or violence ought to be used by any man: but every man (as hee ought) may abide in that freedome of will which is granted to him. For the danger of the co-actours ought principally to be considered, WHO AGAINST THE PRECEPTS OF GOD ARE COMPELLED TO COME VNTOUNTO THESE STAGE-PLAYES.
Stage-playes therefore by this whole Councels resolution, are no fit sports for Lords-dayes and holy-dayes: yea they, and the re…ort unto them, …re directly contrary to the commandements of God, and exceeding dangerous to those mens soules, who allure or enforce any others to them.
Canon: 30. Et de his etiam petendum, ut si quis ex qualibet ludicra arte ad Christianitatis gratiam venire voluerit, ac liber ab illa *Which manifests the lewdnesse of their profession.macula permanere, *See Codex Theodos… l. 15. Tit. 7.non eum liceat à quoquam iterum ad eadem exercenda reduci vel cogi.
Canon: 96. Item placuit, ut omnes *Which shewes the infamy and basenesse of Stage-players.infamiae maculis adspersi, id est, histriones ac turpitudinibus subjecti personae, ad accusationem non admittantur, nisi in propriis causis.
Can: 30. And this also is to be desired, that if any man of any ludicrous are whatsoever will come and turne a Christian, and continue free from that pollution; that hee ought not to bee reduced or compelled by any man to practise the same arts againe.
Can: 96. Also, it is decreed, that all infamous persons, that is to say, Stage-players & persons inthralled to filthinesse or lewdnesse, shall not be admitted to accuse any person, but in their proper causes.
The ninth, is eSurius Concil. Tom. 1. p. 570. Grantian. Causa …. Quaest 1. &c. 6. …rab. Tom. 1. p. 499.Concilium Carthaginense 7 of 38 Bishops, about the yeare of our Lord 419. Canon 2. whereby all Stage-players are declared to be infamous persons, and unable to beare any testimony. Which Canon is verbatim the same with the 96 Canon of the Councel of Africke here recited, to which shall here referre you.
The tenth, is, Concilium Agathense, in France, fBaronius & Spondanus Anno 506. sect. 1.Anno Domini 506. there being 35 Bishops present at it: where this Canon was promulgated.
gSurius Tom. 1. p. 713. Gratian. Distinct. 34. Centur. Magd. 5. Col. 929. Crab. Tom. 1. p. 617, 618.Canon: 39. Presbyteri, Diacones, Subdiacones, etiam alienarum nuptiarum evitent convivia: Ne… his caetibus immisceantur ubi amatoria cantantur et turpia, aut obscaeni motus corporum choreis et saltationibus efferuntur, ne auditus et obtutus sacris mysterijs deputati, turpium spectaculorum at que verborū contagione polluantur.
Can: 39. Presbyters, Deacons and Subdeacons, ought to avoid the marriage feasts of other persons: Neither may they be present in these assemblies where amorous and filthy things are sung, or where obscene motions of the body are expressed in rounds or dances: lest the hearing and sight deputed unto the holy mysteries should be defiled with the contagion of filthy Spectacles (or Stage-playes,) and words.
Which Councell… as it prohibits Clergy men from beholding Playes or dancing: so it also inhibits hSee Can. 41.55.70.them from drunkennesse: from keeping either haukes or hounds: and from all scurrilous mirth or jesting, under paine of excommunication and suspension.
The eleventh, is, Concilium Arelatense 3. in the yeare of our Saviour 524. subscribed by 15 Bishops; where Ludi funebres, or funerall Playes (which iLivie Rom. Hist. l. 21. sect. 21. Tertullian de Spectac. lib. Bulengerus de Venatione Gir…i lib. cap. 6. p. 401.were frequent among the ancient Romanes) are thus condemned; the reason of which condemnation trencheth upon Stage-playes.
k… Tom. …. p. 727. Crab. Tom. 1 p. 632.Laici, qui excubias funeris observant, cum timore et tremore, et reverentia hoc faciant. *See Concil. Toletanum 3. Canon 22. Surius Tom. 2. p. 675. to the same purpos….Nullus ibi diabolica carmina presumat cantare, nec joca, nec saltationes facere, quae Pagani docente Diabolo adinvenerunt. Quis enim nesciat diabolicum esse, et non solùm a Christiana religione alienum, sed etiam humanae naturae esse contrarium, ibi laetari, cantare, inebriari, et cachinnis ora dissolvi, et omni pietate et affectu charitatis postposito, quasi de fraterna morte exultare, ubi luctus et planctus slebilibus vocibus debuerat resonare, pro amissione chari fratris, &c. Ideo talis inepta laetitia, et pestifera cantica ex authoritate interdicta sunt. Si quis autem cantare desiderat, Kyrie eleison cantet: si autem aliter, omnino taceat. Si autem tacere non vult, in crastino à Presbytero taliter coërceatur, ut alij timeant.
Lay men who observe funerall watches, let them doe it with feare and trembling, and reverence. Let no man presume to sing there any diabolicall songs, nor to make any Pastimes, Playes or dances, which the Pagans have invented by the Divels tutorship. For who knoweth not that it is diabolicall, and not onelyonly farre from Christian religion, but even contrary to humane nature, to rejoyce, to sing, to be drunke, and to laugh excessively there, and laying aside all piety, and affection of love, as it were to be glad of his brothers death, even there where as sorrow and mourning with dolefull sounds ought to be heard for the losse of a deare brother, &c. Therefore such foolish mirth, and pestiferous songs ought to be prohibited by authority. And if any man desire to sing, let him sing, Lord have mercy upon mee: but if hee would sing otherwise, let him holde his peace. But if hee will not be silent, let him the next day bee so chastised by the Presbyter, that others may feare.
The twelfth is, Concilium Veneticum, about the yeare of our Lord 526. consisting of 8 Bishops,lCrab. Tom. 1. p. 948. Su…ius Tom. 2. p. 277. Centur. Magd. 5. Col. 93…. wherein the forementioned 39 Canon of Concilium Agathense, (see pag. 578.) is verbatim recited, and ratified, as the 11. Canon of this Councell.
The thirteenth, is, Concilium Toletanum 3. in Spaine, Anno 617. subscribed by 72 Bishops, where I finde this Canon registred, which though it principally aimes at dancing and filthy rib…ldry songs, yet it necessarily condemneth Stage-playes too, which consist of scurrilous songs and dancing, as I have mSee Act. 5. Scene 8, 9.largely proved in the premises.
nSurius Tom. 2. p. 676. Centur. Magd. 6. Col… 604.Canon: 23. Exterminanda omninò est irreligiosa consuetudo, quam vulgus per sa…ctorum solennitates agere consuevit. Populi, qui debent officia divina attendere, saltationibus et turpious invigilant can…icis, non solum sibi nocentes, sed et religiosorum ossicijs. Hoc etenim ut ab omni Hispania depellatur, sacerdotum et judicum à concilio sancto curae cō mittitur.
Can: 23. That irreligious custome is altogether to be abandoned, which the common people have used upon the festivals of the Saints: The people who ought to attend divine offices, addict themselves wholly to dancing and filthy songs, not onelyonly doing hurt to themselves, but to the offices of religious persons. That this custome may be driven out of all Spaine, it is committed to the care of the Ministers and Iudges by this sacred Councell.
Which *Surius Tom. 2 p. 676. Centur. Magd. 6. Col. 604, 605.Canon was ratified by the publike Edict of King Reccaredus, who punished the breach of it in rich men, with the l…sse of the moity of their estates; and the violation of it in the paorer sort, with perpetuall exile.
The fourteenth, is, Concilium Antisiodorense, in France, Anno 614. subscribed by 45 Bishops, Abbots and Presbyters: wherein there are these severall Canons applicable to our present theame: the first of which expresly condemnes the Pagan o…iginall of Playes; the second the acting of them in Churches, pSee Polydor Virgil de Invent. Rerum l. 5 c. 2. & Act. 3. Scene 5. Bochellus Decreta Eccles. Gal. l. 4. Tit. 1. c. 45.which the Papists used: the third, the acting or beholding of them by Cl…rgie men.
qSurius Tom. 2. p. 715, 716. Carranza. fol. 150, 151, 152.Canon: 1. Non licet Kalendis Ianuarij vecola aut *See Synodus Turonica 2. apud Bochellum vide August. de Homil. in Festū Decreta Eccles. Gal. l. 4. Tit. 7. c. 7. & 8.cervolo facere, vel *Fortasse Cervula. De quo Tempore Serm. 215. & H. Spelmanni Glossarium Ceruula. See Asterii Kalen…arum. & Alchuvinus De Divinis Officiis l. …. Here. p. 197, 198.strenas diabolicas observare: sed in ipsa die sic omnia officia tribuantur, sicut et reliquis diebus.
Canon: 9. Non licet in Ecclesia choros secularium vel puellarum cantica exercere, nec convivia praeparare; quia scriptum est, Domus mea domus orationis vocabitur.
rCarranza makes it Canon 38.Canon: 40. Non licet Presbytero inter epulas cantare vel saltare.
Can: 1. It is not lawfull in the Kalends of Ianuary to make any bonefires or filthy Playes; or to observe any diabolical New-yeares gifts: but let all offices be so performed on this day, as they are upon other dayes.
Can. 9. It is not lawfull for Quires of secular men or girles, to sing songs, or provide banquets in the Church: for it is written, My house shall bee called an house of prayer.
Can. 40. It is not lawfull for an Elder to sing or dance at feasts.
The fifteenth, is, sSurius Tom. 2. p. 756, 757.Capitula Graecarum Synodorum, collected by Martin Bishop of Bracara, Anno Dom: 610. in which we have these two Canons.
Canon: 59. Non licet sacerdotibus vel clericis aliqua spectacula in nuptijs, vel in co…vivijs spectare, sed oporteat antequam ingrediuntur ipsa spectacula surgere et redire inde.
Canon: 73. Non liceat iniquas observationes agere Kalendarum, et ocijs vacare gentilibus… neque tAtenim Christianus nec ianuam suam laureis infamabit si norit etiā quantos deos etiam ostiis diabolus affinxerit. Ianum a ianua &c. Tertul. de Corona m… litis l. …11, 12. Tom. 1. p 759. Gratian Causa 26. Quaest. 7. & August. De Rectit. Cathol. Tract. accordingly. & here Act. 8. Scene 3.lauro aut viriditate arborum cingere domos: Omnis enim haec observatio Paganismi est.
Can. 59. It is not lawfull for Ministers or Clergy men to beholde any Stage-playes at marriages or feasts, but they ought to rise and returne from thence before the Stage-playes enter.
Can. 73. It is not lawfull to keepe the wicked observations of Kalends, nor to observe the festivals of the Gentiles; nor yet to begirt or adorne houses with laurel or greene …oughes: For all this practise savours of Paganisme.
Which latter Canon comes home to Stage-playes, who had their originall from Paganisme, as I have vAct. 1. & 2.largely proved, as well as this condemned custome.
The sixteenth Play-condemning Councell, is, the sixth Councell of Constantinople, xBaronius & Spondanus Anno Christi 680. sect. 4.Anno Domini 680. which Councell consisting of 289 Bishops, is confessed both by yCentur. Mag. 7. Col. 414. Dr. Crakenthorp his Vigilius Dormitans. London 1631. cap. 19. sect. 19. p. 305.Protestants, and zBaronius & Spondanus Anno Christi 680. sect. 1. See Surius, Binius, Crab, Niccolinus, Carranza, & Merlin accordingly in their Collections of Councels.Papists … to be oecumenicall; and so the Canons of it (especially in point of discipline) oblige all Christians to renounce all Stage-playes, all Stage-players, which they have much condemned, as these ensuing Canons witnesse.