The Players Scourge, Part 1 · Act 5 · Scene 10

The Players Scourge · Part 1 · Act 5 · Scene 10

p. 273SCENA DECIMA.

THe third unlawfull Concomitant of Stage-playes, is 3effeminate, delicate, lust-provoking Musicke, as S. rrOportet nec oculos spectaculis, nec vanis praestigiatorū ostētationibus tradere, nec per aures animarū corruptricē melodiā haurire. Hoc enim musicae genus libidinū stimulos acuere solet. Tan…a sanè melodiae rectae à turpi at que obscaena differentia est, ut eam quae nunc in usu est non minus fugere debeatis, quā rem aliquā turpissimam. De Legendis libris Gentili… ̄. Oratio. Tom. 1. pag. 412.Basil p. 274phraseth it, which Christians ought to flie as a most filthy thing; both because it workes upon their mindes, to corrupt them, upon their lusts, to provoke them to all voluptuousnesse and uncleanesse whatsoever. From whence this 25. Argument may be formed.Argument 25.

That which is alwaies accompanied with effeminate lust-provoking Musicke, is doubtlesse inexpedient and unlawfull unto Christians.

But Stage-playes are alwayes accompanied with such Musicke.

Therefore they are doubtlesse inexpedient and unlawfull unto Christians.

The Major is easily confirmed, by prooving effeminate lust-enflaming Musicke, unlawfull. That Musicke of it selfe is lawfull, usefull, and commendable; no man, no Christian dares denie, since the **Exod. 15.1, &c. Numb. 21.17. Iudges 5.3. 2 Sam. 19.35. 1 Chron. 6.32. c. 13.8. c. 15…9, 27. c 16.42. 2 Chron. 5.13. c. 9.11. c. 20.21, 22. c 23.13. c. 29 28. c. 35.15. Nehem. 7.1. c. 10.39. c. 11.22, 23. c. 12.45, 46, 47. Psal. 149. & 150. Eccles. 2.8. Ephes. 5.19. Col. 3.19.Exod 15:1Num 21:17Judg 5:32 Sam 19:351 Chr 6:322 Chr 5:13Neh 7:1Ps 149Eccl 2:8Eph 5:19Col 3:19Scriptures, ttClemens Alexand… Paedag. l. 2. c. 4. Iustin Martyr, Explic. Quaest. à Gentibus positarum. Quaest. 107. Augustinus, Musicae. l. 6. Beda. De Musica Theorica. lib. & De Musica Quadata. lib. Hierom, Ambrose, Chrysostom. Basil. Theodoret, Sedulius, Remigius, Rabanus Maurus, Oecumen…us, Theophylact, on Ephes. 5. & Col. 3. & in lib, Psalmorum. Cassiodorus Variarum. l. 2. Epist. 40. Ioannis Sarisburiensis, De Nugis Curialium. l. 1. c. 6.Eph 5Col 3Fathers, and generally uuPlatonis Crito. & Legum Dial. 3. p. 591. to 599. Aristot. Polit. l. 8. c. 3 4, 5, 6, 7. Ovid Fastorum. l. 6. p. 114. & Tristium. l. 4. Polybius. Historae. l. 4. p. 339.340, 341. Strabo Geogr. l. 10. p. 48.49. Plutarchi Laconica Instituta. Athenaeus Dipnos. l 14. c. 10.11. Gellius, Noctium Attic. l. 1. c. 11. Quintil. Instit. Oratoriae. l. 1. c. 16. Macrobius De Somno Scipionis. l. 2. c. 3. Dioginis Laertij Socrates. AElian, variae Historiae. l. 2. c. 39. with sundry others.all Christian, xxCaelius Rhodiginus… Antiqu. Lect. l. 9. c. 1. to 10. Alexander ab Alexandro. l. 2. c. 25. Polydor Virgil, De Invent. rerum. l. 1. cap. 14.15. Osorius De Instit. Regum. l. 4… fol. 122. Clerke, De Aulico. lib 1. pag. 62.63, 64. Agrippa, De Vanitate Scientiarum. cap. 17. Case Polit. lib. 7. cap. 3.5, 6, 7. with others.all Pagan Authors extant, doe with one consent averre it. But that lascivious, amorous, effeminate, voluptuous Musicke, (which I onelyonly here incounter,) should be either expedient, or lawfull unto Christians, there is none so audacious as to iustifie it, since both Scripture, Fathers, moderne Christian Writers; yea and Heathen Nations, States and Authors, p. 275have past a doome upon it. If we revolue the Fathers, we shall finde yyPaedagogi. lib. 2. cap. 4.Clemens Alexandrinus declaiming thus against it. Those who are seriously occupied in musicke, songs and dances, and such like dissolute recreations, become immodest, insolent, and very farre estranged from good discipline, as those about whom cymbals and dulcimers are sounding, and the instruments of fraud making a noyse. But it mainly behoveth us to cut off every filthy spectacle, every dishonest sound, and to use but a word, every dishonest sence of intemperance, (which is verily a true privation of sence) that doth tickle or effeminate our eyes or eares, bewaring pleasure: For **Fractorū cantu… ̄ & flebiliū Caricae Musae modorū varia veneficia intemperanti & pravo Musicae artificio mores corrumpunt, ad cōmessationis affectionē trahentes, &c. A forti ita que & nervosa cogitatione nostra verè molles & enervatae harmoniae amandandae sunt quam longissimè, quae improbe flexuum vocis artificio utentes, ad delicatā & ignavam vitae agendae rationem deducunt, &c. Ibidem.the various sorceries of effeminate songs, and of the mournfull measures of the Caricke Muse, corrupt the manners, with intemperate and wicked musicke, drawing men to the affection of riotous feasting. The Pipe therefore, the Flute and such like instruments are to be abandoned from a sober feast, which are more fit for beasts then men, and for those people who are most estranged from reason. But modest and chaste harmonies are to be admitted, by removing as farre as may be all so…t effeminate musicke from our strong and valiant cogitation, which using a dishon…st art of warbling the voyce, doe leade to a delicate and slothf…ll kinde of life. Therefore Chromaticall harmonies are to be left to impudent malapartnesse in wine, to wh…rish musicke crowned with flowers, zzExplicatio Quaestionum à Gēribus Christianis positarū. Quaest. 107.Iustin Martyr, (if the Booke be his) writes thus to the selfesame purpose. It is not unlawfull, nor yet altogether unseemely for Boyes to sing; but to sing with in…nimate instruments; to sing with dancing and cymbals; the use of which kinde of instruments, with others fit onelyonly for Children, are exploded out of our Churches, where **Therefore they had no other Church-musicke but singing in his time. Quod nota.nothing is retained but singing onelyonly. S. Hier…m in his 10. Epistle to Furia. c. 4. writes thus. aaComatulos, comptos, at que lascivos, domus tuae tecta non videant. Cantor pellatur ut noxius. Fidicinas & Psaltrias, & istiusmodi chorum Diaboli quasi mortifera Syrenarū carmina, proturba ex aedibus tuis. Ibidem.Let the Singer be thrust out of thine house as noxious: expell out of thy doores all Fidlers, Singing-women, with all this quire of the Devill, as the deadly songs of Syrens. And in his Commentary upon the p. 276Ephes. lib. 3. cap. 2. Tom. 6. pag. 188. A. bbAudiant haec adolescentuli; audiant hi quibus psallendi in ecclesia officium est; Deo non voce sed corde cantandum: nec in Tragaedorum more guttur & fauces dulci medicamine colliniendas; ut in Ecclesia theatrales moduli audiantur & cātica: sed in timore in opere in scientia scripturarū. Sic cantet servus Christi, ut non vox canentis, sed verba placeant quae leguntur: ut spiritus malus quae erat in Saule, eijciatur ab his, qui similitèr ab eò possidentur, & non introducatur in eos, qui de Dei domo scenam fecêre populorum. Ibidem.Let Youthes heare these things; let those whose office it is to sing in the Church heare these things; that we must sing to God with the heart, not with the voyce; neither after the manner of Tragedians are the throate and chops to be anoynted with some pleasant oyntment, that theatrical songs & measures may be heard in the Church; but we must sing in feare, in worke, in the knowledge of the Scriptures. So let the Servāt of Christ sing, that not the voyc… of the Singer, but the words that are read may please: that the evill spirit which was in Saul may be cast out of those, who are possessed by him in the same manner, and that he may not be brought into those, who have made a Play-house of the House of God. And in his Commentary upon the 6. of Amos. Tom. 5. p. 114. A. he writes thus. ccQuibus non sufficit libido gutturis, &c. nisi & tibiarum & psalterij, & lyrae canticis, aures vestras mulceatis: & quod David fecit ad cultum Dei, levitarum ordines, & organorum reperiens varietates; vos ad voluptatem & luxuriam conferatis. Ibidem.The lust of the pallate, and all variety of dainty meates is not sufficient, for you soothe your eares with the songs of the Pipe, the Psaltery, and the Harpe: and that which David hath made for the worship of God, finding out variety of Organs, and musicall instruments, you transfer to pleasure and luxury. S. Valerian in his 6. Homely, De Otiosis Verbis. Bibl. Patrum. Tom. 5. pars 3. pag. 482.483. writes thus. ddInvenimus igitur frequenter, ità impudicitiae viam muniri atque ex hoc fomenta adulterijs ministrari, cum hic agili plectro tinnientis citharae sonos expedit, ille docili digito laborantis organi blandimenta componit. Isti sunt laquei, quibus famulantibus, inter caetera vulnera Diabolus hominum mortes operatur, &c. Ibidem.We therefore oft-times finde a way to be fenced to incontinency, and fomentations to adulteries to be from hence administred, whiles this man playes on the sounding Citheren with a nimble quill, and another with a skilfull finger composeth the melodious inticements of the roaring Organs. Th…se are the snares, by whose assistance, among other wounds the Devill workes the deathes of men, &c. S. Basil in his Commentary upon Esay 5. Tom. 3. p. 419.420. hath these ensuing passages, against Musicians, Songs, and Dances. p. 277**Tibicinae & fidicinae quae tempus floridae aet…tis per flagitia traducūt: chori insuper & cantilenae in commune depromptae per improbos virilitatem corporum suis enervāt lenocinijs, animos que delinientes illo publico concen…u perfringunt, & ad cō plexū obscenae omnis & illigitimae voluptatis ebrios extimulant. Aures capiuntur melico concentu, sed qui ad flagitiosam lubricitatem ex…imulet, &c. Ibid.Fidlers and Musicians, who passe the time of their flourishing age in villanies, together with Dances and songs drawne forth in publike by wicked persons, enervate the virility of mens bodies with their lewde inticements, and soothing their soules with that publike consort, doe breake thorow them, and stirre up Drunkards to the embracing of all filthy and unlawfull pleasure. Their eares are taken with the sweet harmony, but such as may pricke them on to a flagitious lubricity, &c. What a miserable Spectacle is it to chaste and wel-mannered eyes, to see … woman, not to follow her needle or dis…affe, but to sing to a Lute? ffCastis & benè moratis oculis, quā miserabile spectaculū, …ulierem non telā ordiri, aut deducere pensum, sed cantillare ad lyrā? non à proprio viro cognosci, sed ab alijs publicā inspectari meritricē: non modulari Psalmū confessionis, sed cantica concinnere ad libidinē prolicientia: non supplicare Deo, sed ultrò properare ad gehennā: non ad Ecclesiā Dei studiose contendere, sed & secū alios inde avocare. Ibid.not to be knowne by her owne husband, but to be often veiwed by others as a publike whore: not to modulate or sing a Psalme of confession, but to sing songs inticing unto lust: not to supplicate to God, but willingly to hasten unto Hell: not to goe diligently to the Church of God, but to with-draw others with her selfe from thence, &c. ggAtqui apud te …acet lyra auro dente que elephantino interstinct… & variegata; affixa v…lut sublimi cuipiā altari, statua & Idolū Daemoniacū. Et mulier quidē misera, &c. edocta abs te est, forte à mercenario, forsan ab co qui eam lenae cuipiā muli…ri aut prostitutae tradiderit: mox ubi in proprio corpore omnē explevit libidinē, praesidet adolescentulis similium doctrix operum. Quamobrem die iudicij, paena duplex tibi occurret, nimirum ob ea quae flagitia committis, propter item doctrinam improb…m quâ à Deo abalienasti animam infaelicem, &c. Ibidem.With thee there lyeth a Lute interlaced and adorned with Gold or Elephants tooth, a Demoniacall Statue and Idoll, fastned at it were to some high; Altar and a certaine miserable woman, who by reason of the necessity of her servile condition, should apply her selfe to her distaffe, is taught of thee, perchance an hireling, perchance of one who shall delive… her over to some Bawde or prostituted Whore; afterwards when she hath satisfied all the lust in her owne body, she is set over other yong Girles, as a Mistris of the like actions. Wherefore in the day of iudgement; a double punishment shall seise upon thee; both for those wickednesses thou committest when thou art drunke, and likewise for thy wicked doctrine whereby thou hast quite alienated an unhappy soule from God, p. 278&c. Earū autem …r…ū quae pendent à studio v…nit… is, c…u sūt citharistica, saltatoria, ars inflandi tibias, & aliae ejusmodi, mox ut desijt actio ipsum se declarat opus, id que prorsus iuxta Apostolicàm sententiam; quorū finis, inte…itus & perditio. Haec sanè dicta sunto adversum eos qui per immodicam molliciem, totos se dedunt delicijs, praeter ientaculum prandium & caenam sive continuê: aut certè in eos qui diebus hilaritaris & laetitiae, puta nuptiarū aut conviviorū accuratius conquirunt & adhibent tibias, citharas & tripudia saltationes que , quando nihil horū à nobis requisitū est: quippe qui divina nos docente Scriptura didicimus indignationē promotam esse adversus istiusmodi studia & vitae conversationē. Timore igitur impendentiū malorū flagitiosam hanc vitae vestrae consuetudinem deinceps permutate in melius. Ibid.Of those arts which depend vponupon the studi… of vanity, whether it be the art of Musicke, of Dancing, of sounding …ipes, or such like, as soone as the action it selfe hath ceased, the worke it selfe declareth it selfe, and that altogether according to the Apostles sentence; whose end is destruction and perdition: Let these things suffice to be spoken against those who thorow overmuch effeminacy give themselves wholy over to delights, and that continually; Or else against those who in the dayes of mirth or gladnesse suppose of marriages or feasts, doe more diligently procure Waites, Musicke, rounds and dancing, wh…n as none of these is required of us: who have learned by the teaching of the Scripture, that the wrath of God is bent against all such studies and conversation of life. Therefore for feare of imminent evill from hence-forth amend this wicked custome of your life. Thus farre this Father, who in his Sermon, De Legendis Libris Gentilium, & De Ebrietate & Luxu, & Hexaëmeron, Hom. 4. hath other passages to this purpose. To passe by Chrysostome, who writes; iiCymbala, tibiae, & cantica turpia Diaboli pompa & farrago, &c. Hom 42. in Acta. Tom. 3. Col. 611. C. & Hom. 12. in 1 Cor. Tom 4. Col. 357. Athat Cymbals, Pipes, and filthy Songs are the very pomps and hodgpotch of the Devill, together with our ancient learned Country-man A…chuvinus; who reckons up kkPompae illius sunt canora musica, in quibus saepè solvitur & mollitur Christianus vigor. De Caeremonijs Baptismi Epist. Col. 1158. B.shrill, wanton amorous musicke, which doth oft-times mollifie and effeminate the vigor of Christians, among those pomps of the Devill, which Christians in their Baptisme doe renounce. S. Cyrill of Alexandria a…firmes; llVbi nam que citharae sonus est & tympanorum pulsus, ac tibicinum concentus cum numerorū concinnitate & plausibus, ibi omninò est & omne genus faeditatis, ea que fiunt cl…m ab illis, quae turpè est vel dicere. In Hesaiam. lib. 1. cap. 5. Tom. 1. pag. 141. A.That where there is the sound of the Harpe, the beating of Cymbals, the consort of Fidlers, with the concinnity of numbers and applauses, there also is all kinde of filthinesse; p. 279and those things are done of these in private, which is even unseemely for to utter. mmOratio. 48 pag. 796.797 Nec vestibula nostra tibicinum concentu plausibusque personant, &c. vid. Ibidem.Gregory Nazienzen records, that the Christians in his time had no dancing, no idle Songs, or wanton Musicke in their publike feasts and solemnities; but onelyonly Psalmes and spirituall Songs with which they praysed God. And Epiphanius in his Compendiaria Doctrina, De fide Catholicae & Apostolicae Ecclesiae; ascertaines us; that the whole Catholicke and Apostolicke Church, nnProhibe… Theatra & Iudos equestres, & venationem, musicos item, &c. Ibidem. Col. 922. E.condemned Theaters, Playes and Musicians. Eusebius and Damascen, as they declaime against wanton Musicke, songs, and dancing; so they pronounce an ooVae his qui Dominico die cithara ludunt. Citharae dus autem, tanquam Daemon, cum ligno conflictatur. Damascen. Parallelorum. lib. 3. cap. 47. & Eusebius quoted, Ibidem.woe against all such who play upon the Harpe or Citharen on the Lords-day; comparing a Fidler that playes to Dancers, to a Devill. A harsh comparison, enough to scare such from their ungodly trade. Saint Augustine in his first Booke, De Musica. from c. 1. to 8. declaimes against all wanton, effeminate, amorous, Stage-musicke: which was much in use with Play…rs, who were commonly bad, not good, Musicians in his age: and that Musicke he most discommends which wa… accompanied with Playes ppSi quis suavissimè canens, & pulchrè saltans, velit eo ipso lascivire, cum res severitatem desiderat, non benè utique numerosa modusatione utitur, idest, ea motione quae lam bona, ex eo quia numerosa est, dici potest malè ille, id est incongruenter utitur. Ibid…m. cap. 3. Tom… 1. …ag. 445.or lascivious dancing. The 3. Synode of Turvy under Charles the Great. Canon 7. condemnes effeminate Musicke in these termes: qqAb omnibus quaecunque ad aurium & ad oculorum pertinent illecebras, unde vigor animi emolliri posse credatur (quod de aliquibus generibus musicorum sentiri potest) Dei sace… dotes abstinere debent Surius. Tom. 3. pag. 274.The Ministers of God ought to abstaine from all things which pertaine to the enticements of the eares or eyes, from whence the vigor of the minde may be thought to be effeminated: which may be imagined of certaine kindes of Musicke, &c. Which severall Authorities are a sufficient testimony of the unlawfulnesse of effeminate, amorous, wanton Musicke. Which as it is discommendable in Feasts and merry meetings, so much more in Churches. Hence is that notable passage of AElredus, Abbot of Rivaulx in Yorke-shire, about the yeere 1160. in his Speculum Charitatis. lib. 2. cap. 23. Bibl. Patrum. Tom. 13. p. 280pag. 111. De his nunc sermo sit, qui sub specie religionis negocium voluptatis obpalliant: qui ea quae antiqui p…tres in typis ruturorum salubriter exercebant, in usum suae vanitatis usurpant. Vnde quasi, cessantibus iam typys & figùris, unde Ecclesia tot Organa, tot Cymbala? Ad quid rogo terribilis ille follium flatus, tonitrui potius fragorē quàm vocis exprimens suavitatem? Ad quid illa vocis contractio & infractio? Hic succinit, ille discinit, alter supercinit, alter medias quasdam notas dividit & incidit. Nunc vox stringitur, nunc frangitur, nunc impingitur, nunc diffusiori sono dilatatur. Aliquando, quod pudet dicere, in equinos hinnitus cogitur, aliquandò virili vigore deposito in faeminiae vocis gracilitate acuitur: non nunquàm artificiosa quadam circūvolutione torquetur & retorquetur. Videas aliquando hominem aperto ore, quasi intercluso halitu expirare, non cantare, acridiculosa quadam vocis interceptione, quasi minitari silentium, nunc agones morientium, vel extasim patientium imitari. Interim histrionicis quibusdam gestibus totum corpus agitatur; torquentur labia, rotant oculi, ludunt humeri, & singulas quasque notas digitorum flexus respondet. Et haec ridiculosa dis…olutio vocatur religio; & ubi haec frequentius agitantur, ibi Deus honorabilius serviri clamatur… Ibidem.Let me speake now (saith he) of those, who under the shew of religion doe obpalliate the businesse of pleasure: which usurpe those things for the service of their vanity, which the ancient Fathers did profitably exercise, in their types of future things. Whence then I pray, all types and figures now ceasing, whence hath the Church so many Organs and Musicall Instruments? To what purpose, I demand, is that terrible blowing of Belloes, expressing rather the crackes of Thunder, then the sweetnesse of a voyce? To what purpose serves that contraction and inflection of the voyce? This man sings a base, this a small meane, another a treble, a fourth divides and cuts assunder, as it were, certaine middle notes. One while the voyce is strained, anon it is remitted, now againe it is dashed, and then againe it is inlarged with a lowder sound. Sometimes, which is a shame to speake, it is enforced into an horses neighings; sometimes, the masculine vigor being laid aside, it is sharpned into the shrilnesse of a womans voyce: now and then it is wrethed, and retorted with a certaine artificiall circumvolution. Sometimes thou mayest see a man with an open mouth, not to sing; but as it were to breath out his last gaspe, by shutting in his breath, and by a certaine ridiculous interception of his voyce, as it were to threaten silence, and now againe to imitate the agonies of a dying man, or the extasies of such as suffer. In the meane time the whole body is stirred up and downe with certaine histrionical gestures: the lips are wreathed; the eyes turne round, the shoulders play; and the bending of the fingers doth answer every note. And this ridiculous dissolution is called religion; and where these things are most frequently done, it is proclaimed p. 281abroad that God is there more honourably served. ssStans interea vulgus sonitū foll…ū, crepitū Cymbalorum, harmoniā fistularum, tremens attonitus que miratur: sed lascivas cantantium gesticulationes meretricias vocum alternationes & infractiones non sine cachinno risu que intuetur; ut eos non ad oratoriū sed ad theatrū, nec ad orandū sed ad spectandū aestimes cōvenisse: nec timetur illa tremeda maiestas cui assistitur, &c. Sic quod sancti. Patres instituerūt ut infirmi excitarentur ad affectum pietatis, in usum assumitur illicitae voluptatis, &c. Ibidem.In the meane time the common people standing by, trembling and astonished, admire the sound of the Organs, the noyse of the Cymbals and musicall instruments, the harmony of the Pipes and Cornets: but yet looke upon the lascivious gesticulations of the Singers, the meretricious alternations, interchanges, and infractions of the voyces, not without dirision and laughter: so that a man may think… that they came, not to an Oratory, or house of prayer, but to a Theater; not to pray, but to gaze about them: neither is that dread…ull maiesty feared before whom they stand, &c. Thus this Church-singing, which the holy Fathers have ordained that the weake might be stirred up to piety, is perverted to the use of unlawfull pleasure, &c. Thus this ancient English Abbot, whom Iohn Saresbury another ancient English Writer, about the yeere of our Lord 1140. doth second in these words, in his **Bibl. Patrum. Tom. 15. pag. 347.First Booke, De Nugis Curialium. cap. 6. Hic est enim usus Musicae aut solus, aut praecipuus. Phrygius vero modus, & caetera corruptionis lenocinia sanae institutionis non habent usum, sed produnt malitiam abutentis. Dolet igitur & ingemescit species laudabilis disciplinae, se ab alieno vitio deformari, & quod facies meritricis facta est ei, quae viriles quoque animos accendere consueverat ad virtutem. Amatoria bucolicorum apud viros graves esse, fuerat criminis. Nunc vero laudi ducitur, si videas graviores amatoria, quae ab ipsis dicuntur elegantius, stulticinia, personare. Ipsum quo que cultum religionis incestat, quod ante conspectum domini, in ipsis penetralibus sanctuarij, lascivientis vocis luxu, quadam ostentatione sui, muli…ribus modis notularum articulorum que caesuris, stupentes animulas emollire nituntur; Cum praecinentium, & succinentium, canentium, & decinentium, intercinentium & occinentium, praemolles modulationes audieris, Syrenarum concentus credas esse, non hominum, & de vocum facilitate miraberis, quibus Philomena vel Psit…acus, aut …i quid sonorius est, modos suos nequeunt coaequare. Ea siquidem est ascendendi, descendendi que facilitas, ea sectio vel geminatio notularum, ea replicatio articulorum, singulorum que consolidatio, sic acuta vel acutissima, gravibus p. 282& subgravibus temperantur, ut auribus sui iudicij fere subtrahatur autoritas & animus quem tantae suavitatis demulsit gratia, auditorum merita examinare non sufficit, **See Pauli Wan. Sermo. 7. Alex. Fabricius. Destructoriū Vitiorum. pars 3. cap. 10. accordingly.Cum h…c quidem modum excesserunt, lumborum pruriginem, quam devotionem mentis, poterunt ci…ius excitare. Si vero moderationis …ormula limitantur, animum à curis redimunt, exterminant temporalium solicitudinem, & quadam participatione laetitiae, & quietis, & amica exultatione in Deum, mentes humanas traijciunt ad societatem angelorum. Sed unde hanc moderationis formulam tenes? **Laudate eum in tympano & choro & Organo & chordis, a…t Psalmista: non aeri tinnienti ad mulcendos ac deliniendos animos accommodatis divinos cantus committens, verū nos admonens, ut excarne nostra tympanū efficiamus, sic nempè ut nullum p…aeposteri affectus motum habeat, verum terrenis membris mortua & …xtincta sit. Per chorū autem, concordiam Ecclesiae concentū postulat: Per chordas item sensus nostros intelligit, quorum opera linguae plectrū pulsatur. Deni que Organū quivis nostrū est, cùm Deo mores suos ac vitam probat at que hominū commodis aptus est. Isiodor. Pelusiota. Epist. l. 1. Epist. 364. Bibl. Patrū. Tom 5 pars 2. p. 510.Exultabunt, inquit, cumcantavero tibi, labia mea. Si ergo ex abundantia cordis os tuum laudem Domini moduletur, si spiritu psallis & mente, psallis deni que sapienter, etiam citra articulatae vocis intelligentiam, rectissimam modestiae regulam tenes, & non tam vocis, quam mentis iubilo aures mulces altissimi, & indignationem eius prudenter avertis. Qui autem voluptatis aut vanitatis affectus exprimit, qui vocis gratiam prosti…uit concupiscentijs suit, qui lenociniorum clientulam musicam facit, ignorat quidem canticum Domini, modis Babilonijs festivus in terra aliena. Qui nescio quo pacto plus placeant, nisi quia

Nitimur in vetitum Semper, cupimus que negata.

& aquae furtivae dulciores, & panis absconditus suavior est. Et quidem Phrygius modus, decreto Philosophorum, ab aula Graeciae iampridem missus est, & caeteri quibus descensus fit in lasciviam & corruption…m. Thus far Iohn Saresbury. Our learned Country-man ttPrinted at London by Iohn Day, 1563. Cum Privilegio Regiae Majestatis per septennium.Thomas Beacon, in his authorized Reliques of Rome. cap. 37.38. Of Plain-song, Prick-song, Descant, and Singing in the Church, Writes thus: That uuSee Iohn Bales Declaration of Bonners Articles. Artic. 18. fol. 63.64. …ccordingly. Platina, Bale, & Barn…s in his life. Volateranus in his Cronicle, & Polydor Virgil De Inventor. Rerum. l. 6. c. 2. See Thomas Waldensis. Tom. 3. Tit 2. c. 18.19, 20. fol. 40. to 45. of singing in Churches, what it ought to be, and how it came in. Claudius Espencaeus, Digressionum. in Tim. lib. 1. cap. 10. pag. 218.219. Walafridus Strabo, De Rebus Ecclesiasticis. lib. c. 25. Bibl. Patrum. Tom. 9. pars 1. pag. 962.963.Titus 2Pope Vitalian p. 283being a lusty Singer, and fresh couragious Musician himselfe, was the first that brought Prick-song, Descant, and all kinde of pleasant melody into the Church; in the yeere 653. And because nothing should want to delight the vaine foolish and idle eares of fond fantasticall men, he ioyned the Organs to the curious Musicke. Thus was Pauls preaching, and Peters praying, turned into vaine singing, and childish playing, unto the great losse of time, and unto the utter undooing of Christian mens soules, which live not by singing and piping, but by every Word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Franciscus Petrarcha, in his xxLib. 1. Dialogus. 23. See much more against wanton, effeminate, amorous musicke Ibid. & in Espencaeus Digres. in Tim. l. … cap 10. accordingly.Booke, De Remedijs utriusque Fortunae (saith he) declareth: that S. Athanasius did utterly forbid singing to be used in the Church at Service time, because he would put away all lightnesse and vanity, which by the reason of singing doth oftentimes arise in the mindes, both of the Singers and of the Hearers. S. Hierom, reproved not onelyonly the lewde fashion of the singing men in his time, but also their manner of singing: when notwithstanding if the singing used in his time were compared with that minsed musicke which now beareth chiefe rule in Churches, it might seeme very grave, modest, and tolerable; and ours so light, vaine, madde, fond, foolish and fantasticall, that Hickscorner himselfe could not devise a more wanton pastime. Then he recites some passages out of yyIn Epistola ad Ephe…ios. c. 5Hierom, zzIn Oratione Dominica.Cyprian, aaLib. de Cain & Abel.Ambrose, bbDe Catechis. Rudibus. lib. & Confessionū l. b. 10. cap. 33.Augustine, ccIn Registro. pars 5. c. 44. & Moral. lib. 22. cap. 18.Gregory, ddHom. 44. de Ioan. & Pauli Festo.Chrysostome, and eeIn Constitut. Authent. 123.Iustinian, against such curious Prick-song, and melodious singing in Churches, in which plaine …inging only, which every man may understand, and which is in a manner nothing else but plaine reading, ought to be used. And then hee concludes the Chapter with these Authorities. ffRational. Divin. Offic…Gulielmus Durandus saith, that the use of singing was ordained for carnall and fleshly men, and not for spirituall and godly minded men. ggDe Inventor. Rerum. lib. 6. cap. 2.Polidorus Vergilius writeth on this manner. How greatly that ordinance of singing brought into the Church by Pope Damasus and **See Queene Elizabeths Iniunctions. Iniunction 49. accordingly.S. Ambrose p. 284began even in those dayes to be profitable, S. Austen declareth evidently in the Booke o… his Confessions: where he asketh forgivenesse of God because he had given more heed, and better eare to the singing, then to the weighty matter of the holy Words. But n…w adayes, saith Polydor, it appeareth evidently, that it is much lesse profitable for our Common-wealth, seeing our Singers mak… such a chattering charme in the Temples, that nothing can be heard but the voyce: and they that are present (they are present so many as are in the City) being content with such a noyse as delights their eares, care nothing at all for the vertue, pith, or strength of the words: **Vnde eò ventum est, ut apud vulgus, omnis ferè divini cultus ratio in istis cantoribus sita ess… videa…ur; quos bona pars populi ut audiat in sacras aedes velut in theatrū concurrit, …os praetio conducet, eos fovet, eos deni que solos domui Dei ornamēto esse existimat, &c. Ibidem.so that now it is come to this point, that with the common sort of people all the worshipping of God seemeth to be set in these singsters, although there is generally no kinde of people more light nor more lewde. And yet the greater part of the people for to heare them, boing, bleating and yelling, flocke into the Churches as into a common Game-place. They hire them with money, they cherish and feed them; yea, to be short, th…y thinke them alone to be the precious Iewels and Ornam…nts of Gods house, &c. Wherefore without doubt, it were better for Religion to cast out of the Churches such chattering and iangling …ayes, or else so to appoint them, that when they sing, they should rather rehearse the songs after the manner of such as reade, then follow the fashion of chattering Charmers: which thing S. Austen in his foresaid Booke doth witnesse, that S. Athanasius Bishop of Alexandria, did in his Diocesse, and he commendeth him greatly for it. iiDe Vanitate Scientiarū c. 17.Cornelius Agrippa writeth of singing in Churches in this manner, Athanasius did forbid singing in his Churches because of the vanity thereof: but Ambrose as one more desirous of Ceremonies and pompe, ordained the use of singing and making melody in Churches. Austen as a man indifferent betwixt both, in his Booke De Confessionibus, granteth that by this meanes he was in a great perplexity and doubt concerning this matter. **Hodiè verò in Ecclesijs tanta musicae licentia est, ut etiā una cū Mis…ae ipsius canone obscaenae quae que cantiunculae, interim in Organis pares vices habeant, ipsa que divina officia, sacrae & orationū praeces conductis magno aere lascivis musicis, nō ad audientiū intelligentiam, non ad spiritus elevationē, sed ad fornicariam pruriginē; nō humanis vocibus, sed belluinis strepitibus, cātillant, dū hinniant discā tū pueri, mugiunt alij tenorē, alij latr…nt contra punctū, alij boant altū, alij frendēt bassam, faciunt que ut sonorū quidē plurimū audiatur, verborū & orationis intelligatur nihil, sed auribus pariter & animo iudicij subtra…itur authoritas. Ibidem.But now a-dayes Musicke is growne p. 285to such and so great licentiousnesse, that even at the ministration of the holy Sacrament, all kinde of wanton and lewde trif…ing Songs, with piping of Organs have their place and course. As for the Divine Service and Common prayer, it is so chaunted and minsed, and mangled, of our costly hired, curious, and nice Musitions (not to instruct the audience withall, nor to stirre up mens mind…s unto devotion, but with a whorish harmony to tickle their eares:) that it may iustly seeme, not to be a noyse made of men, but rather a bleating of bruite beasts; whiles the Coristers ney descant as it were a sort of Colts; others bellowe a tenour, as it were a company of Oxen: others barke a counter-point, as it were a **Waldenses cantum Ecclesiasticum & horarum canonicarum Dicunt …sse latratus canum. Item aedificia altariū & Organorum reprobant Ind…x Errorū quibus Waldenses inf…cti sunt… Bibl. Patrum. Tom. 13. pag. 340. cap. 4.kennell of Dogs: others rore out a treble like a sort of Buls: …thers grunt out a base as it were a number of Hogs; so that a foule evill favoured noyse is made, but as for the words and sentences, and the very matter it selfe is …othing understanded at all; but the authority and power of iudgement is taken away, both from the minde and from the …ares utterly. iiAnno…. in 1 Corinth. cap. 14.1 Cor 14Erasmus Roterodamus expresseth his minde concerning the curious manner of singing used in Churches, on this wise, and saith, Why doth the Church doubt to follow so worthy an Author (Paul?) yea, how dare it be bold to dissent from him. What other thing is h…ard in Monasteries, in Colledges, in Temples almost generally, then a confused noyse of voyces? But in the time of Paul, there was no singing but saying onelyonly. Singing was with great difficulty received of them of the latter time; and yet such singing as was none other thing, then a distinct and plaine pronunciation, even such as we have yet among us, when we sound the Lords prayer in the holy Canon, and the tongue wherein those things were sung, the common people did then understand, and answered, Amen. But now, what other thing doth the common people heare than voyces signifying …othing? And such for the most part is the pronunciation, that not so much as the words or voyces are heard: onelyonly the sound beateth the eares. Thus farre this worthy ancient English Professor, Thomas Beacon, and his alleaged Authors: to which I shall adde that notable passage to the like purpose, in the kkPage 131.second part of the Homely of p. 286the Place and time of Prayer. Finally Gods vengeance hath beene and is daily prov…ked, because much wicked people passe nothing to resort to the Church; either for that they are so sore blinded, that they understand nothing of God or godlinesse, or else for that they see the Church altogether scoured of all such gazing sights as their phantasie was greatly delighted with &c. which seemes an unsavoury thing to their unsavoury taste, as may appeare by this, that a woman said to her neighbour. Alas Gossip, what shall we now doe at Church, since all the Saints are tak…n away; since all the goodly sights we were wont to have, are gone; since we cannot heare the like piping, singing, chaunting, and playing on the Organs (**Pope Agatho was the first th…t brought singing & Organ-playing into the Church of England, in the yeere of our Lord 679. See Iohn Bale, his Declaratiō of Bonners Articles. Artic. 18. fol. 63.64. Bed…, De Gestis Anglorū. l. 4. c. 1. & Gratian Distinctio 19. accordingly. brought first into England by Pope Agatho, about the yeere 679.) that we could before. But (dearely beloved) we ought greatly to reioyce, & give God thankes, that our Churches are delivered out of all these things which displeased God so sore, and filthily defiled his holy House and his place of Prayer, for the which he hath iustly destroyed many Nations, &c. Effeminate wanton accurate musicke then, by the verdict of these severa…l Authors and of our owne Homelies, is altogether dispeasing unto God, corrupts his worship, and filthily defiles his holy House, &c. therefore it must needs bee evill. Whereupon Synodus Carnotensis An. 1526. llSee Surius Conciliorum. Tom. 4. p. 740.Concilium Senonense. 1528. Can. 17. Concilium Burdigense. 1582. Concilium Rhemense. 1583. Concilium Bituriense. 1584. Apud Bochellum. Decret. Ecclesiae. Gal. lib. 1. Tit. 7. cap. 23.24.26.27.28.30. and the Councell of Trent it selfe,**Surius. Tom. 4. pag. 962. Sessio. 22. Decretum, De observan…is & evitandis in celebratione Missae; decreed, mmPraecipimus, ut in Ecclesijs sint musici cantus distincti, & discreti, movē tes cor ad devotionē compunctionem que , porrò in Ecclesijs praetextu musici cantus, non sunt audiendae publicae cantilenae ac lascivae. Ne que enim in tragaedio…ū modū (inquit Hieronimus) guttur & fauces medicamine sunt leniendae; ne dū blāda vox quaeritur, congrua vita negligatur. Nā ut cantor minister Deum moribus stimulat, cū populū vocibus delecta…: ita lasciuus animus, dū lascivioribus delectatur modis, eos saepè audiensemollitur & frangitur Curēt ergò Sacerdotes & Clerici sic suos cantus instituere, ut modesta honesta que psallendi gravitate, placida que & grata modu…atione, sic audientiū aures delineāt, ut provoc…nt excitent que ad devotionē, compunctionē que; non ad lasciviā, cordisue aut animi titillationē. Nolumus ita que , quod Organicis instrumentis resonet in Ecclesia, impudica aut lasciva melodia, sed sonus omnino dulcis, qui nihil praeter Hymnos divinos, & Cantica spiritualia repraesentet. Concil. Senonense Can. 17.that all impure, lascivious, amorous, secular p. 287Songs and **Organorum melodia in Tē plis sic adhibebitur ne lasciviam magis quam devotionē excitet, &c. Concil. Coloniense. Anno 1536. pa…s 2. cap. 15.Musicke… sauouring of levity and folly, should be excluded the Church, because th…y did effeminate the lascivious mindes of the people, and provoke them unto lust; not excite or stirre them up to devotion and comp…nction, as all Church Musicke, (**See Concil. Constant. 6. Canon. 75. which should be grave, and serious) ought to doe. If therefore we give any credit to these recited Authorities; to Osorius, De Regum Institutione. lib. 4. fol. 120… to 126. who largely declaimes against amorous delicio…s Songs and Musicke… as so many enchaunting Syrens; which draw men on to idlenesse, effeminacy, luxury, and a kind of wanton dissolutenesse, to the corruption of their manners, of their mindes, and the perdition of their soules: Or to sundry **See Pauli Wan. Sermo. 7. Summa Angelica Cantus.other Christian Authors which I spare to mention, in their Expositions and Commentaries on the 7. Commandement: on Esay 5.11.12. & 24.9. Amos 6.1. to 8. Iob 21.12.13. Exod. 32.18.19. and the Booke of Psalm…s; my Major must be granted. But I passe from these to Pagans. It is storied of the nnDiodorus. See Bibl. Hist. l. 1. sect. 81. Polydor Virgil De Invent. rerum. l 1. c. 19. Agrippa, De Vanit. Scient. c. 17. Alexander ab Alex. l. 2.….35. Bo…mus De Mor. Gentium. l. 1. c. 5. p. 46.47. C…lius Rhodig. Antiq. Lect. l. 6. c. 1.ancient AEgyptians; that they condemned M…sicke, not onelyonly as unprofitable, but as no…ious too, because they were perswaded, it would enerva…e the vigor of mens mindes: which caused them to enact a kinde of law; that their Children should for this cause learne no Musicke. Not to record the singular opinion of ooPolyb…us Hist. l. 4. p. 339.3…0. Ath…naeus, Dipnos. l. 14. c. 11. Agrip. De Van. Scient. cap 17. Po…ydor Virgil. De Invent. l. 1. c. 14. Alexander ab Alex. l. 2. c. 25.Ephorus; who writes; that Musicke was invented onelyonly to deceive men; It is registred ofppPlutarchi Alcibiades. Alexander ab Alex. l. 2. c. 25. …. 103. b. Alcibiades, that he reiected delicious Musicke as …nwor…hy any ingenuous person: Of qqPlutarchi Apothog. Tom. 1. mor. pag. 397. Caelius Rhodig. Antiqu… Lect. lib. 9. cap. 1. Clerke, de Au…ico. lib. 1. & 2. vid. Ibidem.Ateas, a Scythian King; that when he heard Ismenia an accurate Musician, playing with great applause and admiration of others; …e reply…d, that the neighing of an Horse was much more pleasing and delightfull to him: And of rrDiog. Laert. lib. 6. pag. 353.Diogenes Cinnicus, that he neglected Musicke as an unprofitable, needlesse, uselesse thing. But these perchance are over-rigorous, and lesse proper for our present purpose; I therefore passe to p. 288more punctuall witn…sses. It is storied of the ssPlutarchi Laconica Instituta. pag. 504.Lacedemonians, that though they approved of plaine, of grave and modest; yet they utterly exploded all eff…minate, light, newfangled harmonies; for the practise of which Terpander and Timotheus, were fined and censured by their Ephori. ttHist. l. 1. p. 342.Polibius a grave Historian; condemnes all amorous, lascivious harmonies, together with the use of musicke for effeminate or voluptuous ends. uuDe Republica Dial. 3. p. 591.597. Legum Dial. 2. p. 800.801, 802.Plato, though he approves of Musicke, yet he exiles all loose unmanly, voluptuous wanton Lydian or Ionicke Harmonies and Musicions; together with all musicall Instruments of many strings; as being a meanes to effeminate mens mindes, corrupt their manners, abate their courage, consume their time; and to draw them on to idlenesse and voluptuous living; with whom xxPolit. l. 8. …. 6. p. 527. &c. 7. p. 533.534, 536.Aristotle and Socrates concurre upon the selfe-sam… grounds. yyInstrumenta luxuriae tympana at que tripudia. Salust. De Bello Cat. pag 22. Iustin. Hist. l. 30. pag. 254.Salust and Iustin, have both long since condemned lascivious Musicke and Dancing, as the instruments of luxury. zzEnervant animos cytharae, cantusque Lyrae que, Et vox, & numeris brachia mota suis, &c. De Remedio Amoris. lib. 2.Ovid and aaPro humanitate, molliciē; pro tēperantia, intemperantiā; animi que dissolutionem operantur. Dipnos. l. 14. c. 13. p. 1010. See Chrys. Hom. 15. & 23. ad Pop. Antiochiae, &c.Athenaeus, two great Patriots of Musicke, have notwithstanding censured effeminate accurate Songs and Harmonies, as emasculating the virility, and unbending the sinewes of mens mindes, making them of Courteous, effeminate; of temperate, intemperate; of valiant, unmanly persons: whence they advise men to abandon them. bbHerodoti. Clio. sect. 28. p. 63. Iustin. Hist. l. 1. p. 10.11.When the Lydians had revolted from Cyrus, and taken up Armes against him, King Cresus advised him this course, to keepe them in subiection for future times: viz. To prohibit them the use of Armes; to cause them to traine up their Children to effeminate Songs and Musicke: and then, O King, saith he, their men will soone degenerate into women, so that thou needest not then to feare any rebellion; which fell out accordingly. For when as Cyrus had conquered them, he put this counsell into execution; ccEt sic gens industria quondam potens, & manu strenua, e…faeminata mollitie luxuriaque virtutem pristinam perdidit. Et quos an…e Cyrum invictos bella praestiterant, in luxuriam lapsos, otium ac desidia superavit. Iustin. Ibidem.by meanes of which, this industrious mighty warlike Nation, became effeminate and riotous, and so quite degenerated from their former valour. p. 289By which experimentall example, and the fore-alleadged testimonies, it is most apparent; that effeminate accurate lust-provoking Musicke, (especially in publike meetings, feasts and Enterludes, where other concurrent circumstances confederate with it, to poast men on to sinfull actions; in which cases the ddIsay 5.11.12. Iob 21.12, 13. Amos 6.1. to 8. Isay 24.9. Dan. 3.5, 7, 15. Iam. 4.9, 10. c 5.1, 5. 1 Thes. 5.22. Vbi sunt laeta convivia quid frustra intendunt vocem? praesens enim praebet voluptatē per se convivij abūdantia mortalibus. Euripidis Medea. pag 274.Isa 5:11Isa 5:12Job 21:12Job 21:13Amos 6:1–8Isa 24:9Dan 3:5Dan 3:7Dan 3:15Jas 4:9Jas 4:101 Thess 5:22Scriptures most condemne it:) must undoubtedly bee utterly unlawfull unto Christians, in regard of the fore-named lewde effects which issue from it: and so by consequence must Playes be too, which are either compounded of it, or attended with it.

For the Minor, that Stage-playes (which have all other inescating lust-inflaming sollicitations accompanying them, that either human pravity, or Satans pollicy can invent) are attended with such lascivious amorous Musicke, which is apt to eeMusica incorpoream animā corporaliter mulcet, & solo auditu ad quod vult deducit: quū tenere non praevalet verbo tacito, manibus clamat, sine ore loquitur, & per insensibilium obsequiū praevale…sensuum exercere dominatum. Cassioderus Variarū. l 2 c. 40.captivate mens chastity, and foment their lusts; it is more then evident; not onelyonly by moderne experience, (our Play-houses resounding alwayes with such voluptuous Melody;) but likewise by the suffrage of sundry Paga… and Christian Authors, both ancient and moderne. Witnesse Plato, Legum Dialogus 3. pag. 822. Aristotle Politic. l. 8. c. 7. p. 532.533. Livy, Rom. Hist. lib. 7. sect. 2. Polybius Hist. lib. 4. p. 340. Dion…sius Hallicarnas. Antiqu. Rom. l. 7. sect. 9. Ovid, De Remedio Amoris. lib. 2. & ffCantabat fanis, cantabat tibia ludis… Ibidem.Pastorum. lib. 3 4.5. Horace, De Arte Poëtica. lib. p. ggTibia non, ut nunc, aurichalco vincta tubae que AEmula, sed …enu…s simplex foramine pauco Adspirare & ad esse choris erat utilis, at que . Nondū spissa nimis complere sedilia flatu, &c. vid. Ibid.302.303. Athenaeus Dipnosoph. l. 14. c. 3.5. Tacitus Annal. l. 14. sect. 3. Suetonij Caligula. sect. 54. & Nero. sect. 20.21.23.25.32. Plutarchus De Musica. Macrobius Saturnalium. l. 2. c. 7. & l. 3. c. 14. Tertullian, De Spectaculis, lib. Arnobius adversus Gentes. lib. 4. & 7. Basil Hexaëmer. Hom. 4. Nazienzen ad Selucum. pag. 1063. Clemens Alexand. Paedag. l. 2. c. 4. & l. 3. c. 11. hhCūcta enim quae ibi fiunt turpissima s…nt; verba, voces, cātus, modulationes, tibiae, fistulae, &c. omnia (inquam) turpi lasciv…a plena sunt. Ibidem. Tom. 2. Col. 298. D.Chrysost. p. 290Hom. 38. & 89. in Matth. Hom. 15.21.22.23. Ad Pop. Antioch. Augustine, De Musica. l. 1. c. 2. to 8. Hierom. Comment. in Ephes. l. 3. c. 2. Tom. 6. p. 188. A. Isi…dor. Hispal…nsis Originum. l. 18. c. 47. Damascen, Paralellorum. l. 3. cap. 47. with sundry other Fathers and Councels quoted in the precedent Scene. Alexander ab Alexandro. l. 2. c. 25. Mariana & Brissonius de Spectaculis. Stephen Gosson, his Schoole of Abuses, and Playes confuted. Action 2. Godwins Roman Antiquities. Booke 2. sect. 3. chap. 11. p. 108.109. Bodinus, De Republica. l. 6. c. 3. Agrippa, De Vanitate Scientiarum. cap. 17. & 20. and above all, Caesar Bulengerus, De Theatro. lib. 2. cap. 1. to 47. All which, with **Se Scene 9. before.infinite others, largely ratifie the truth of this Assumption; that Playes are alwayes accompanied with most iiIn spectaculis modulatissimi tibiarum concentus meretriciae que cantiones audientium animis insidentes, nihil aliud afferunt, quàm u… omnibus turpitèr & obscaenè se gerere persuadeant, citharaedorum scilicet, aut tibicinum pulsus imitantes. Basil. Hexaëm. Hom. 4. & Damascen. Paral. lib. 3. cap. 47.effeminate, amorous, lust-provoking Musicke, which depraves mens mindes and manners: therefore both it and the Conclusion resulting from it, must be granted.