The Players Scourge, Part 1 · Act 3 · Scene 4 – Scene 5
SCENA QVARTA.
FOurthly; the subject matter of our stage-Playes, is for the most part, false and mPoeta cum primum ad scribendum appulit animum, Id sibi negoti credidit solum dari, populo vt placerent quas fecisse… fabulas. Terentij Andria, Prologus. Argument 8.fabulous; consarcinated of sundry merry, Iudicrous, officious artificiall lies, to delight the eares of carnall Auditors. From whence I forme this eight Argument.
That whose subject matter consists of sundry forged Fables, of artificiall, merry affected lies, must needs be odious and unlawfull unto Christians, nOmne genus …endacij summo operefuge; Nec casu, nec studio loquaris falsum; quia os quod mentitur occidit animam. Bernard. de Interiori Dom… cap. 43.who must abandon lies.
But such is the subject matter of most Comicall, of many Tragicall Enterludes.
Therefore they must needs be odious and unlawfull unto Christians.
The Minor is evident, not onelyonly from experience, and the concurrent suffrages of oFabulae. Mendacia: fabulosissima quae que in ludos & actus redigerūt, &c. August. De Ciu. Dei. l. 1.3, 4. and 6. Clemens Alexand. Oratio Exhort. ad gentes fol. 8. Arnobius lib. 3 4. & 7. advers. Gentes: Iuli…s Fir…icus De Errore profanarum Religionum. lib. with all the Fathers and Authors quoted in pag. 76.sundry Fathers, and pIsocrates Oratio ad Nicoclem. p. 46.47. Plutarchi Solon, and De Audiendis po…tis lib. Diogenes Laertius lib. 1. Solon. Dionysius. Halicar. Antiq. Rom. l. 2. sect. …. Macrobius De Somno Scipionis lib. 1. cap. 2. p. 20. Horace de Arte Poetica. lib.Pagan Authors, who stile Stage-playes, fabulous, artificiall, sporting lies, from whence they take occasion to condemne them: but likewise by the copious testimony of sundry ancient qFabulae, Figmenta, &c. Terentius. in Andriae, Enuchi, Adelphi, & Hecyrae Prelogo. Plautus, in Amphitru: & Captiuei Prologo. Euripides, in Hecubae, Orestis, Phaenissae, Argumento. Sophoclis Aiax flagellatus, Hecuba, &c. Argumentum. Horace de Art… Poetica. pag. 307.308. accordingly.Play-Poets, who stile their Playes by the very name of Fables, Lies, and figments. The Maior needes no large dispute. For since every lye is diametrally contrary to rRom. 3.4. Iohn 1 14. cap. 3.33. cap. 14.1.the God of Truth: …ince sIohn 8.44. Acts 5.3.it proceedes originally from the very Devill, who is a Lyer, and the Father of lies: since it is dir…ctly opposite to the tIohn 15.26. cap. 16.13.Spirit and vIohn 17.17. 2 Cor. 6.7. Coloss. 1.5. Ephes. 1.13. 2 Tim. 2.15.Word of Truth, which enjoyneth every man, (especially the children of God): xLevit. 19.11. Ephes. 4.25. Zech. 8.16. Zeph. 3.13.to speake no lies; to put away lying: y1 Tim. 4.7. 2 Tim. 2 16. Titus 3.9.to refuse prophane and Oldwives fables, with all idle fabulous tales and babblings: xPsal. 31.6. Ephes. 4.25.to hate all such who delight in lying vanities; and to speake nought else but truth; aReu. 21.8. cap. 22.15: Ier. 9.3.5.because whosoever loveth and maketh a lie, shall be excluded the new Ierusalem, and have his portion in that lake which burnet… with fire and brimstone for ever: SincebAugustine De Mendacio ad Consen…ium: Quaestiones sup…r Leviticum l. …. Quaest. 68. & Epistola 19. Ambrose sermo. 44. Basilius Regulae contract. Reg. 76… Hieron. Theodoret, Chrysostome, Remigius, Primasius, Theophylact, Haymo… Beda, and Anselmus in Ephes. 4.25. Bernard. De Interiori Domo cap. 43. & de gratia & libero Arbitr. col. 9.16. sundry of the Fathers recorded in the margent, have abundantly condemned all sorts of lies; as well officious, fabulous and sporting, as pernicious: And since divers cFabulae qua…um nomen indicat falsi professionem; aut tantum conciliandae auribus voluptatis auditum mulcent velut Comaediae; hoc totum fabularum genus quod solum aurium delicias pr…fitetur, esacrario suo in nutricum cunas sapientiae tractatus elimi…at. Ma…robius De somno Scip. l. 2. c. 2. See Plutarchi Solon… accordingly. Per se mendaciū malum est, & vituperandū. A…ist. Ethic. l. …. cap. 7. Plato …egum. Dialo. …. Mentire servile est, dignum que apud omnes hominesodio, ac ne mediocribus quidem seruis ignoscendum. Plutar. De L…be…orum Ed…catione lib.Paga… Authors hauehave positi…ely c…nsured, all …udicrous lies and poems composed onelyonly for delight; we cannot but sub…scribe unto the Maior, as an undoubted truth, and so by consequence to the Conclusion too. Since therefore Stage-playes are dMendacium non possumus dicere tunc tantum modo ess…, quando proximus laeditur: cum enim falsum ab sciente dicitur, proculdubio mendacium est, siue illo quisquam, siue nemo laedatur. August. Quaest super Leuit. l. 3. quaest. 68. Tom. 4. par…. 1. p. 296.but merry lies; and since eCavete fratres mendacium, quia omnes qui amant mendacium filij sunt Diaboli; qui non solum mendax est, sed etiam & Pater & inventor ipsius mendacij: Ambros sermo. 44.Saint Ambrose informes us; that all those who louelove a lie, are the children of the Devill, the Father of lies; let this cause us to detest all fabulous lying Stageplayes, as fQuae autem Poetae de Dijs scripserunt, meras insignesque nugas continentia; verbi gratia, fabulas inhonestas ac faedas, malorum geniorum doctrinas, fabulas inquam, tum risu, tum lacrymis dignas: haec omnia tan quam la…queos & decipulas aversare. Nazienzen. ad Se…e…cum. p. 1063.the very snares and traps of Satan, …or feare we prove the Divels of-spring, who hath no inheritance but Hell to leave us.
SCENA QVINTA.
FIftly, the subject matter of Stage-playes is oftimes impious, sacrilegious, blaspemou…, and that in sundry respects.
First, in that the sacred names of God the Father, Sonn…, and holy Ghost (which gDeutr. 28.58. Psal. 89.7. Psal. 96.7.9. Apud enim homines officiosis religionibus deditos, non ipsi Dij tantum verum etiam nomina debent esse Deorum veneranda: quantumque est in ipsis qui censentur his nominibus, tantum esse par est in eorum appellationibus dignitatis. Arno…ius advers Gentes. l. 5. p. 184.ought n…t to be mentioned but with reverence and holy feare) are frequently recited on the Stage, (too prophane, too impious a place for such dreadfull holy names to come into) and that in a sacrilegious, blasphemous, ridiculous, impious sporting manner, to their great dishonour and hIer. 34.16. Isay 48.11.pollution. Hence was that passionate exclamation of Clemens Alexandrinus against the Gentiles: iO impietas … scenam coelum fecistis, & Deus vobis factus est actus: & quod sanctum est Daemonorum personis in Comaedia ludificati estis: verum Dei cultum ac religionem Daemonum superstitione libidino…è & obscaenè inquinantes. Orati… Adhor…, ad Gent…s fol. 8 E…O impietie: you have made the Theater heaven: you have made God himselfe an Act; that which is holy hauehave you also derided under the person of Divels; you have lustfully and fili…ily polluted Religion and the true worship of God, with the superstitions of Devils. Hence was it, that Tertullian in his booke, De spectaculis cap. 28. Chrysost. homilie 38. on Matthew: Salvian De Gubernatione Dei lib. 6. the kSurius Concil. Tom. 1. p. 504. and Binius Tom. 1 pars 1. p. 575, 579.third Councell of Carthage, Canon… 11. with sundry others, did long since stile all Stage-players, lBlasphemi.Blasphemers: because they did not onelyonly mQuàlis ha…e religio, aut quanta majestas putanda e…t, quae adoratur in templis, illuditur in theatris? Et qui haec fecerin…, non poenas violati numinis pendunt, sed honora…ietiam laudatione discedunt. Lactantius D… Iustitia. lib. c. 21. Nec alij Dij rideantur in theatris, quam qui adorantur in templis: nec alijs ludos exhib…atis, quam quibus victimas immolatis. August. De Civ. Dei li. 6. c. 6. See lib 2. c. 3. to. 20. Iulius Firmicus De Errore profanarum Religio…um. Tertullian… and Cyprian De spectaculis. Clemens Alexandr. Orat. Adhort. ad Gentes. Arnobius Advers. Gentes lib. 3.4.7. Nazienzen ad Selucum. pag. 1063: Minucius Felix Octavius. Salvian De Guber. Dei l. 6. Plauti Amphitruo. Prologus. 1. See Scene 3. accord…ngly.deride, abuse, and personate their owne Idol-gods upon the Stage, for which the Christians taxed them: but likewise nSee Scene 6. accordingly.blasphemously prophane, satyrically traduce the very sacred names of God the Father, Sonne, and Holy Ghost, in their publike Enterludes; whence the Fathers laid no lesse then blasphemy to their charge. A sinne to frequent in our moderne Stage-playes, where these dreadfull names (to our shame, Playes ruine be it written) are most desperately prophaned, most Athei…tically blasphemed. Witnesse our owne late religious o3 Iacobi cap. 21.Statute, of tertio Iacobi chapter 21. Where our Soveraigne Lord the King, together with the Lords Spirituall and Temporall, and Commons in that Parliament …ssembled, for the preventing and auoyding …f the great abuse of the holy name of God in Stage-playes and Enterludes, which then grew common, enacted this pious Law (which is pNec quisquam fuerat qui in ea sc…lera animadve…tebat, propterea quod ex viris grauibus & honestis nemo illuc aud…bat accedere. Eusebius de vita Constantins, libr. 3. cap. 53.seldome or never put in execution, because few else but such who delight in blasphemy, and therefore are unlikely to prove informers against it, resort to Stage-playes;) That if at any time or times after that Session of Parliament determined, any person or persons in any Stage-play, Enterlude, May-game, or Pageant should jestingly or prophanely speake or use the holy Name of GOD, or of Christ Iesus, or of the holy Ghost, or of the Trinity, which are not to be spoken but with feare and reverence… that for every such offence by him or them committed, he or they should forfeit qCùm enim probrum iacitur in principem patriae bonum atque vtilem, nonne tantò est indig…ius, quantò a veritate remotius, & a vita illius alie…us? Quae igitur supplicia sufficiunt, cúm Deo fit ista tam nefaria, tam insignis iniui…a? August. de Ci…. Dei. l. 2. c. 9.ten pounds. The one moitie thereof to the Kings Majestie, his Heires and Successors: the other moitie thereof to him that will sue for the same in any Court of Record in Westminster, wherin no Essoigne or wager of Law shall be allowed. A sufficient evidence to testifie the execrable blasphemy of our domesticke Enterludes; since, rCorn. Tacitus Annal. l. 15 sect. 3.ex malis moribus optimae oriuntur leges: & emendari quam peceare posterius est.
Secondly, as these Sacred names, even so the Histories, Texts, and sacred passages of holy Scripture (which sPsal. 50.16, 17.should not so much as come within the polluted lips of gracelesse Actors, especially tM. Perkins Cases of Conscience, lib. 3. cap. 4. sect. 4.in sports, in plac…s of prophannesse) are oft-times most Atheistically, irreligiously, blasphemously acted, vttered, prophaned, derided, mis-applied, j…sted at, and sported with in Stage-playes. This vM. Northbrooke Treatise against vaine playes and enterludes p. 32. M. Stubs his Anatomy of Abuses, p. 102. The 3. Bla…t of Retrait frō playes and theaters, p. 79.80.103 104. The Preface to the Practise of Piety, accordingly.Authors, this experience largely testifie, to the griefe of all good Christians, and if this bee not sufficient, we hauehave the expresse Authority of an Act of Parliament, even x34. & 34. H. 8. c. 1.of …4 and 35 of Henry the 8. chapter 1. which irrefragably confirmes this truth. Now for Christians thus to abuse the Word of God, and Scripture Histories on the Stage, what is it but the very height of all impietie, which well deserves Gods heaviest judgements: It is yAristeas, historia, 70. sacrae scripturae inte…pretum Bibl. Patrum. Tom. 1. p. 12. F.G.M. Stubs his Anatomie of Abuses. p. 102. M. Northb…ooke against vaine Playes and Enterludes. p. 32.storied, of Theopompus an historian, and of Theodect…s a Tragaedian; Tha… God strucke the one of them with madnesse, the other with blindnesse for a season: the one, for inserting a part of Moses sacred writing into his prophane story; the other of them for intermixing some passages and histories of the old Testament with his lascivious Play-Poems; neither were they restored to their sight, or senses, till they had particularly repented of this their wickednesse. If then these Pagans, for these their Scripture prophanations did undergoe so sharpe, so exemplary a judgement; what a severe punishment may those Christian Play-Poets, Actors and Spectators looke for, who wilfully prophane those sacred Scriptures on the Stage, by which they must be zPsal. 119.9. Iohn 17.17 Gal. 6.16.sanctified and directed now, and aIohn 12.48. Rom. 2.12.16judged at the last? What a stupendious impietie, a desperate blasphemy and prophannesse is it, for m…n, for Chri…tians, to turne the most serious Oracles of Gods sacred Word into a Play, a Iest, a Fable, a Sport, a May-game?bNon haec iocosae conveniunt lyrae. Quo musa tendis? desine peruicax referre sermones Deorum, & magna modis tenuare paruis. Horace Car…. l. 3. Ode. 3. p. 71. to temper the cPsal. 19.8. P…al. 119.140purest Scriptures with the most obscene lascivious Play-Poems, that filthinesse or prophannesse can invent? to pollute those sacred histories on the Theater, dSee pa. 10. & 49. to. 53.the very house and Synagogue of the Devill, which the sanctifying Spirit of God hath for ever consecrated and e1 Tim. 3.15… Ephes. 3.10.bequeathed to the Church of God? to make the f2 Cor. 10.4, 5.Sin-slaying, the Lust-mortifying, gPsal. 19.7.Soule-converting Word of God, the h2 Pet. 1.4.19. Acts 26.6.7. Rom. 4.16. c. 9.8.9.onelyonly evidence of our salvation; a meere Pander to mens beastly lusts, their ribaldrous mirth, their gracelesse wits, and carnall jollity; yea, a meere instrument to the very Devill himselfe iSee here Act. 1. & p. 47. to. 54. In ludis theatralibus delectantur Daemones, & vt constat, vir perfectus non debet intendere ludicris in quibus Daemones delectantur. Alexander Fabriciu… Destructorium vici…rum, par… 4. cap. 29. B. 2., who rules in Stage-playes; and so an kProu. 13.13. Rom. 2.5.8.9.obsignation of their just damnation. Doubtlesse, as the damnablenesse of this most execrable impietie, (which is next of kinne to that lMatth. 12.31.32. Marke 3.28, 29, 30. 1 Tim. 1 20.unpardonable sinne of Blasphemy against the holy Ghost, the m2 Pet. 1.20, 21.Author of the Script…res) transcends my narrow expressions; so the eternall tormens alotted to it, doe surpasse mens largest thoughts. And yet it now acts it's Part so frequently, so pla…sibly on the Stage, that many cease, not onelyonly to apprehend no sinfulnesse, no danger in it, but also deeme it worthy of their best applause. Alas, with what face or confidence; with what joy or hope can such heare or reade the Scriptures in the Church, who thus actually *Et quoniam ridere nostram fidem consuevistis, atque ipsam credulitatem facetiis iocularibus lancinare, dicite O festivi, & saturati potu, &c. Arn…b. ad v…r. Gentes. lib. 2. Bib. Patr. Tom. 3. p. 161. B.prophane them, or heare them thus prophaned in the Play-house? With what assurance can they call upon the Name of God, of Christ for mercy at th… last, who delightfully resort unto those Theaters, where they ar… frequently blasphemed and prophaned now? Can any thus abuse, pollute Gods holy Name, or Word; and yet hope for consolation, for absolution, for salvation from them at the last? Can any thus blaspheme the Name of God, of Christ, or patiently indure the audience of such blaspemies as are belched out against them on the Stage; and yet dare to invocate them in their greatest exigencies? Certainly, nGal. 6.7.God will not, Christ will not thu… be mocked. Let not such blasphemers then as these oIam. 17. Psal. 11.6. Rom. 2.8.9.expect any thing from Gods hands, but wrath, & vengeance, th… onelyonly portion of their Cup, unlesse they speedily repent of these their damnable, prophane, blasphemous Stage-playes, which thus abuse the sacred Scriptures, in a transcendent manner.
Thirdly, as the historicall passages of the Old Testament, so the historie of Christs death, and the celebration of his blessed Sacraments, are oft times prophaned in theatricall enterludes, especially by Popish Priests and Iesuites in forraigne parts: pSee Missale Romanum. Sacerdotale, Pontificiale & Ceremoniale Roma num. Their severall Bookes. De Missa, & Ritibus Celebrandi Missam. D. R…inolds Overthrow of Stage-playes, p. 161. Doct. Beard of Antichrist, par. 3. cap. 8. s…ct. 4. B. Iewel, Morney, Su…cliffe, Morton, White, and others, in their Treatises against the Masse, accordingly.Who, as they have turned the Sacrament of Christs body and blood into a Masse-play; so they have likewise trans-formed their Masse it-selfe, together with the whole story of Christs birth, his life, his Passion, and all other parts of their Ecclesiasticall service into Stage-playes. This, not onelyonly qD. Reinolds Overthrow of Stage playes. p 161. & De Idolol. Rom.… Ecclesiael. 2. c. 3. sect. 29. p. 403. Doct. Beard of Antichri…t, part. 3. cap. 8. sect. 4. and the Statute of 1 Edw. 6. c. 1Protestant Writers, but even their owne Records (where the Index Epurgatorius hath not clipt their tongues) doo largely testifie, to their shame. AEneas Silvius, surnamed 1See Pla…ina, Ana…tatius, Hopperus, Stella, Tritemius and Antoninus, in vita Pij secundi and AEneae Sylvii perfixed to his Workes.Pope Pius the second: as the Records of himselfe, 2Epistol. lib. 1. Epist. 15.23.45, 50. and 92. inter opera sua, Basileae 1551.that he was much given to Wine, to Ven…ry, Belly-cheere and other beastly lusts,. 3Epist. lib. 1. Epist… 15. pag. 510.511.and that he begot a Bastard sonne on the body of an E…glish woman, whose chastity he oft solicited before hee could prevaile; in which fact, which sonne of his, he much rejoyced, as his owne Epistle witnesses: such was his Pius Papall chastitie. So he is not ashamed to publish to the world; that in his younger yeeres 4Epist… 1. Epist. 97. p. 586… and Epist. 395. p. 869.he penned the wanton Comaedie of Crisid, with other am…rous Poems: and in his elder dayes in honour of Corpus Christi Feast, he caused a Shew or Stage-play to be acted, 5Commentariorum de Rebus a se gestis. lib. 8. Nonne in spectaculo, quo festum Corporis Christi se honorasse gloriatur Papa Pius secundus, aul… regi… …lestis expressa, memoratur, & sedens in maiestate Deus… Virginemque Matrem è sepulchro assump…am aeterno Patri Filius obtulisse dicitur? Ergo & histrio, personam ac imaginem Dei Patris referens, Deus aeternusque P… ter appellatur stylo Papali D. Reinolds De Romanae Ecclesiae. Idololatria lib. 2. c. 3. sect. 29. p. 403wherein was represented the Court, of the King of Heaven, and God the Father sitting in Majestie: together with God the Sonne, (O blasphemie, O prophannesse beyond all expression) offering up the blessed Virgin his Mother, taken out of her sepulchre, unto his aeternall Father. What wickedness…, what blasphemie like to this, as thus to Deifie a Player, and to bring the very Throne, the Majesty of God himselfe, yea, the persons of the eternall Father, Sonne, and God of glory on the Stage. But peace, it was an vn-erring Pope that did it, and so perchance it was 6Si Papa erraret praecipiendo vitia, vel prohibendo virtutes, tenetur Ecclesia credere vitia ess… virtutes, & virtutes malas, nisi vellet contra conscientiam peccare. Bellar. l. 4. D… Rom. Pontif. c. 5. Carerius De potest. Pont. l. 1. c. 23. numb. 16. More worke for a Masse-Priest. num. 1…. pag. 14.no sinne at all in him. Honorius Augustodunensis, an Author of some credit among the Romanists, in his Booke, rIn Bibliotheca Patrum Coloniae, 1618. Tom. 12. pars 1. pag. 1028.De Antiquo Ritu Missarum. lib. 1. cap. 83. the title of which chapter is, De Tragaedijs: to signifie to the world, that the Popish Masse is now no other but a Tragicke Play, writes thus, qSciendum, quod hi qui Tragaedias in Theatris recitabant, actus pugnantium gestibus populo repraesentabant. Sic Tragicus noster pugnam Christi populo Christiano in Theatro Ecclesiae gestibus suis r…praesentat, eique victoriam redemptionis suae inculcat. Itaque cum Presbyter (Orate) dicit, Christum pro nobis in agonia positum exprimit, c…m Apostolos orare monuit. Persecretum silentium, significat Christum v…lut agnum sine voce ad victimam ductum. Per manuum expansionem, de…ignat Christi in cruce extensionē. Per cantū praefationis, exprimit clamorē Christi in cruce pendētis, &c. Idem Ibidem.Wee must know that those who rehearsed Tragedies on Theaters, did represent unto the people by their gestures, the acts of fighters. So our Tragedian (thus hath he stiled the Masse-Priest, how aptly the ensuing words enforme us) represents unto the Christian people by his gestures, the combate of Christ in the Theater of the Church, and inculcates into them the victory of his Redemption. Therefore when the Presbyter saith, (Pray yee) he acteth or expresseth Christ, who was cast into an agony for us, when he admonished his Apo…tles to pray. By his secret silence, he signifieth Christ led to the slaughter as a Lambe without a voyce. By the stretching out of his hands, he denotes the extension of Christ upon the Crosse. By th… Song of the Pr…face, be expresseth the cry of Christ, hanging vponupon the Crosse, &c. Loe here a Roman Masse-priest becomes a Player, and in stead of preaching, of reading, acts Christs Passion in the Masse; which this Author stiles, a Tragedy. Lodovicus Vives complaines, rAtqui mos nunc est, quo tempore sacr… c…lebratur Christi morte sua genus humanum liberantis, ludos nihil prope a scenicis illis veteribus differentes populo ex…ibere: etiam si aliud non dixero satis turpe existimabit quisquis audiet, ludos fieri in re maxime seria. Ibi ridetur Iudas quam potest ineptissima jactans, dum Christum prodit. Ibi Discipuli fugiunt militibus perse quentibu…, nec fine cachinnis acto…rum & spectatorum. Ibi Petrus auriculam rescindit Malcho, applaudente pullata turba, ceu ita vindicetur Christi captivitas. Et post paulum, qui tàm strenuè modo dimicarat, rogationibus vnius ancillulae territus abnegat magistrum, ridente multitudine ancillam interrogantem, & exibilante Petrum negantem. Inter tot ludentes, i…ter tot cachinnos & ineptias solus Christus est serius & severus: cum que affectus conatur maestos elicere, nescio quo pacto, non ibi tantum, sed etiam ad sacra frigisacit, magno scelere atque impietate, non tam eorum qui vel spectant v…lagunt, qu…m sacerdot…m qui eiusmodi …ieri curant. Lodovicus Vives. Not… in Augustinum De Civit. Dei. lib. 8. cap. 27. D See Francis De Croy his first Confirmity. chap. 19. pag. 48. and D. Reinolds overthrow of Stage-playes. p. 161… accordingly.that it was the custome of the Priests and Papists in his age, when as the solemnity of Christs death was celebrated, to exhibite Playes unto the people, not much different from those ancient Pagan Ent…rludes; of which practise (saith he) though I say no more, whosoever shall heare, he will repute it discommendable enough, even in this regard, that Playes should be made in a thing most serious, There Iudas is derided, uttering the most foolish things he can devise, whiles he betrayeth Christ. There the Disciples flie, the souldiers pursuing them, and that not without the dirision and laughter, both of the Actors and Spectators. There Peter cu…s off the eare of Malchus, the ignorant multitude applauding him, as if by this meanes the captivity of Christ were sufficiently revenged. And a little after, he who had fought so valiantly, being affrighted with the questions of one little Girle, denies his Master, the multitude deriding in the meane time the Maide that questions him, and hissing a… Peter who denies him. Among so many Players, among so many shoutes and ridiculous fooleries Christ onelyonly is serious and grave: and when as hee endeavours to eliciate sorrowfull affections; I know not by what meanes, not there onelyonly, but likewise at the Sacraments and holy Ordinances he waxeth cold, with the great wickednesse and impiety, not so much of those who behold or act these things, as of the Priests, who appoint these things to be done. Loe here their owne Author declaiming against Popish Priests for their frequent acting of Christs Passion, in the very selfe-same manner, as the Pagans of Old did vse to act the lives and practises of their Devill-gods. A sufficient testimony, how little Papists really estimate the bitter Passion of our blessed Saviour, since they make a common Play or pastime of it. This passage of Vives hath so offended the histrionicall Masse-Priests, that sEodem lib. in Scholiis cap. 27. Deleantur illa verba. Atqui mo… nunc est, &c. vsque ad …inem Annotationis. Index Librorum Expurgat. 1601. fol. 4.Gaspar Quiroga in his Index Expurgatorius, commands it to be expunged out of all new Impressions of Saint Augustine, and the Divines of Lovan, in their Impression of Saint Augustines Workes, Antwerp… 1575. and in other of their Editions since that time, have razed it out accordingly, that so they might still proceed to Act Chri…ts Passion without controll. To passe by tDe vita & honestate Ecclesiasticorum lib 2. cap. 22.Ioannes Langhecrucius, a Popish Author, who makes mention of this playing of Christs sufferings, and seemes for to approve it. As also to pretermit the v1 Ed. 6. c. 1.Statute of primo Edw. 6. chap. 1. which informes us, That divers Papists …ad then of late marveilou…ly abused, contemptuously depraved, despised and reviled, the most holy Sacrament of Christs body and blood, in sundry rimes, songs, Playes, and Iests; calling it by such vile and unseemely words as Christian eares doe much abhorre to heare rehearsed: an uparalleld blasphemy and prophannesse: The provinciall Popish xApud Surium Tom. 4. p. 8…3.854.Councell of Colen under Adolphus, in the yeere 1549. cap. 17. and 22. not onelyonly impliedly allowes the acting of sacred histories, but likewise expresly Records; yNihil prope tam sanctum quod secularium hominum vanitas non trahat in abusum. Ecclesia de thesauro corporis Christi qui dum quaereret salutem nostram in medio po…uli versatus est, & vniversalem Iudaea… circumambulavit, docens, & egrotos sana…s, discipulis concomitantibus: quamobrem & sanctorum reliquias, & imaginies eorum qui vestigia ejus secuti sunt, simul circumferimus, significantes illos nunc cum ipso regnare & triumphare in cò…lis. Quae memoria debet pijs esse jucunda & laeta. Verum huc saecularis hominum stultorum vanitas irrepsit, & adhibentur etiam ludi prophani & scurril…s magno strepitu, ac quasi ad bellum procedendum esset, tympana pulsantur, & ociosa spectacula eduntur, rebus istis non cōgruentia: quibus populus delectatus, à rebus quae processione aguntur auocatur. Mandamusid circo, &c. Ibidem.That when as the Church carryed about the consecrated hoste of Christs body and blood in long processi…ns (the reason of which processions are there at large expressed) the secular vanity of worldly men did creepe into those processi…ns; in so much, that they joyned with them prophane and scurrilous Playes with a great noyse; and as if they were going to Warre, Drummes and Fiffes were strucke up, and idle spectacles which suite not with these things were exhibited: with which the people being delighted, they were wholly avocated from the things done in procession, Whence this Councell commands all Clergy men to absent themselves from such processions, which were turned into Playes. Yea, the Popish *Apud Bochellum Deercla Ecclesiae. Gal. lib. 6. Tit. 19. cap. 20.21 23. p. 1028.Synodus Carnotensis, an. 1526. & Synodus Turvinra. 1583. informes vsus, That Catholicke Priests, in the dayes of the first Masses of their new Presbyters, after their merry Feasts, their great and unhallowed banquets, did goe forth in publike to exhibite most grosse unchaste Comaedies to the people, and that in the Feast of Saint Nicholas, I…nocents, and on other Festivals, they did put on Visars, and act some ridiculous or foolish thing, (and sometimes the Passion of our Saviour, or these of their Sai…ts & Martyrs either in their Churches or some other place. It is true, that some few Italian Bishops, being ashamed of this diabolicall practise, of the zSee Ormerod his Pagano-Papismus and Polydor Virgil. De Inventor. Rerum lib. 5. cap. …. accordingly.Paganizing Church of Rome, in acting Christs Passion, did in a Councell at Millaine, under their Archbishop Borrhomaeus, in the yeare of our Lord, 1566. decree for their Province; aStatuimus vt salvato…is passio deinceps nec in sacro nec in pro fano loco agatur, &c. Concil. Mediolanense: 1. Constitu…. par… 1. cap. De Actionibus & repr…sentationibus sacris quoted by Iohannes Langhecrucius. De vita et honestate Ecclesiasticorum l. 2. c. 22. p. 324. and by D. Reinolds, in his Overthrow of Stage-playes p. 161.that the Passion of our Saviour should not be hereafter acted in any sacred or prophane place whatsoever, because of the scandall which it did occasion: But yet to qui… the credit of their Church which might justly be taxed for approving this ungodly practise, bTurpiora sunt vitia cum virtutum specie caelantur. Hieronym. Epist. 14.they put this faire glosse upon this so execrable villany; that the acting of Christs Passion, however it came to be abused, was a custome religiously practised and brought in at first: *Pie introducta consuetudo repraesentandi populo venerandam Christi domini passionem, &c.A most irreligious evasion of ambitious spirits, who would rather audaciously justifie their greatest errours to their greater infamy; dSed qui primas non potuit habere sapientiae, secundas habeat partes modestiae; ut qui non valuit omnia impaenitenda dicere, saltem paeniteat quae cognoverit dicenda non fuisse. Augustini Prologus in Retract. libr. 9.then ingeniously acknowledge them to their praise. But hath his provinciall Councell or *Apud Bochellum lib. 6 Tit. 19.19. c. 20, 21, 23:Synodi…s Carnotensis, 1526. and Synod…s Turonica, 1583. which are much to the like effect, abolished this abuse out of the Antichristian Church of Rome? No verily, for the Iesuites themselves are not ashamed to publish to the world, eEpist. …apanic. 18. Ioannis Firnandis Bongo. Doct. Reinolds Overthrow of Stage-playes: p. 161. and De Romanae Ecclesiae Idololatria l. 2. c. 3. sect. 29… p. 403that in stead of preaching the Word of God… the fall of Adam and Eve, with their exile out of Paradise, and the history of our Saviour, they acted and played them among their Indian Proselites. A true Iesuiticall practise, beseeming well this histrionicall infernall Society,fRom. 1.25. who have turned the very truth of God into a lie, and the *Isti templ… sua in theatr… vertunt, & sanctum Dei verbum in ludicras fabulas transformant. D… Reinolds. De Romanae Ec…les. Idololatria. l. 2. c. 3. sect. 29. p 403.whole service of God into an Enterlude. And no wonder is it that Papists and Iesuites thus turne Christs Passion into a meere ridiculous Stage-play, (a practise yet in use among them, especially on *Witnesse the acting of Christs Passion at Elie house in Holborne when Gundemore lay there, on Good-Friday at night, at which there were thousands present.Good-Friday:) since gQuantum nobis, ac nostro caetui profuerit …a de Christo fabula, satis est saeculis omnibus notum. They are the words of this blasphemous Pope: apud Balaeum. De scriptoribus Britt. Centuria 8. pag. 636.Pope Leo the tenth, (such was his unerring pious blasphemy) reputed the whole history of our Saviour, a meere cheating gai…efull Fable; as we may justly seare these acting Priests and Iesuites doe, or else they durst not thus to play it, to abuse it as we see they doe. And as …hey thus act the sacred Passion of our blessed Saviour, even so (if *Quoted in Iohn S…owes Survey of London, cap. 16. pag. 142.Fitz-stephen hSolemus vel more priscorum spectaculum edere populo, recitare Comaedias, item in templis vita… divorum ac martyria repraesentare: in quibus ut cun…tis par sit voluptas, qui recitant, verna culam tantum linguam vsurpant, &c. De Inventor. Rerum. lib. 5. cap. 2. pag. 386. See Francis de Croy, his first Conformitie. Cap. 19. pag. 48. & Bochellus D…creta Eccles. Gal… l, 6. Tit. 19. cap… 20, 21, 23.Polydor Virgil, Bochellus, or Francis de Croy, may be credited) they act the lives, the miracles, the martyrdomes torments and legions of their Saints upon their solemne Festivals, and that within their Churches in their Mother tongue; not out of any devotion, but for mirth anb recreation sake, after the manner of the ancient Pagans. Saint Augustine, writing of the honour (not of the adoration, a thing not then in vse) which the Christians gave the Martyrs in his age; informes us; iAbsit, ut eos quanuis Deos habeant, sanctis Martyribus nostris, quos tamen Deos non habemus, vlla ex parte audeant cōparare, Sic enim non constituimus sacerdotes, nec offerimus sacrificia martyribus nostris quia incongruum, indebitum, illicitum …t, atque vni Deo tantummodo debitum: ut nec criminibus suis, nec ludis eos turpissimis oblectamus, vbi vel flagitia isti celebrant Deorum suorum, si cum homines essent talia commiserunt, vel consicta delectamenta daemonū noxiorū, si homines non fuerunt. Aug. De Civ. Dei l. 8. c. 27.that they did neither exhilerate them with their crimes; nor yet with filthy Playes, with which the Gentiles did vsually delight their Idol-gods. Yet our novellizing Romanists, (who kAntiquitatem jactatis, & de Die novè vivitis. Tert. Apol. Adv. Gentes.vaunt so much of antiquity, though their whole Religion, (wherein they varry from us) be but novelty) abandoning the pious practice of these Primitive Christians, (conscious to themselves no doubt, that many of their late Canonized Tiburne-Martyrs, were no other, no better then the devil-gods of Pagans, lSee Clemens Alexandr. Oratio Adhort. ad Gentes. Athanasius contr. Gentiles I. Tertullian. Apologia advers. Gentes. Tacianus Oratio advers. Graecos. Arnobius Adversus Gentes lib. Lactantius De Origine Erroris lib. Nazianzen. Oratio 47. and 48. Augustine De Civit. D…i. lib. 1, 2, 3, and 4.6.7. and 8 accordingly.who were oft-times deified for their notorious villanies, as Popish Saints are for their matchlesse treasons;) have not onelyonly mSee Officia beatae Mariae & sanctorum, in all Popish Portuasses, Missals and Prayer bookes Bishop. Mortons Protestant Appeale. lib. 2. cha. 12. Iohn Whites Way to the true Church, sect. 39.adored them as gods, erecting temples to their names and worship: but likewise solemnized their anniversary commemorations, by personating in their severall Temples, the blasphemous lying Legends of their lives and miracles, (so fit for no place as the Stage it selfe) in some theatricall shewes; adoring and honouring them in no other manner, then the very Pagans did their Devil-gods, with whō these …ell-saints are most aptly nSee O…merod his Paganopapismus semblance 1. to. 51. Ludovicus Vives Notae in August. De Civit. Dei l. 8. c. 27. Iohn Bales Acts of English Votaries: in the Praeface, Doct. Iohn Whites Way to the true Church. sect. 39. Numb. 4.paralleld. Such honour, such worship give the Papists to our blessed Saviour, to these their idolized Saints, as thus to turne, not onelyonly oAd theatrum potius templa t…ansfert…, in scenis Religionum istarum secreta tradantur, & ut nihil praetermittat improb…tas, histriones facite sacerdotes. Iulius Firmicus De Errore Profan…rum Religionum. c. 13. Bibl. Patrum Tom. 4. p. 112. See Doct. Reinolds De Romanae Eccle. Idololatria. l. 2. c. 3. s…ct. 29. p. 403.their Priests into Players, their Temples, into Theaters; but even their very miracles, lives, and sufferings into Playes. To leave the Papists and close up this Scene. It is pNicholaus Cabasila. De vita in Christo. lib. 2. Bibl. Patrum. Tom. 14. p. 112… C.D.E.F…recorded of one Porph…ry a Pagan Stage-player, that he grew to such an height of impiety, as he adventured to baptize himselfe in …est upon the Stage, of purpose to make the people laugh at Christian Baptisme, and so to bring both it and Christianity into contempt: and for this purpose he plunged himselfe into a vessell of water which he had placed on the Stage, calling aloud upon the Trinity: at which the Spectators fell into a great laughter. But loe the goodnesse of God to this prophane miscreant; it pleased God to shew such a demonstration of his power and grace upon him, that this qPost quam verò, id quo per ludum baptizatus est, non Ch…istianus solum illico est redditus, sed ad ipsorum quo que martyrum societatem aggreg…tus, &c. I…dem Ibidem.sporting baptisme of his, became a serious lauer of regeneration to him: in so much that of a gracelesse Player, he became a gracious Christian, and not long after, a constant Martyr. The rNicholaus Cabasila. Ibidem.like I find registred of one Ardalion, another Heathen Actor, who in derision of the holy Sacrament of Baptisme, baptized himselfe in jest vponupon the Stage, and by that meanes became a Christian; Gods mercy turning this his wickednesse to his eternall good: not any wayes to justifie Playes or Players, or to countenance this his audacious prophannesse; but even miraculously to publish to the world the power of his owne holy Ordinaces, wch by the co-operation of his Spirit, are even then able to regenerate those sPsal. 68.18. Acts 2.13.37.38. Acts 9.1… to. 22.who most contemne them, when they are used but in scorne. These notable histories, with the premises, sufficiently evidence, the subject matter of Stage-playes to be oft-times impious, sacrilegious, blasphemous: from whence I raise this ninth Argument.
That whose subject matter is impious, sacrilegious, blasphemous, must needs be sinfull and unlawfull unto Christians. Witnesse Levit. 24.11. to 17.2 Kings 19.6.22. Isay 37.6.23. c. 52.5. Matth. 12.31. Luke 22.65. 1 Tim. 1.20,
But such oft-times, is the subject matter of Stage-playes: witnesse the premises.
Therfore they must needs be sinfull and unlawfull unto Christians.