The Players Scourge, Part 1 · Act 5 · Scene 11

The Players Scourge · Part 1 · Act 5 · Scene 11

p. 290SCENA VNDECIMA.

4THe last unlawfull Concomitant of Stage-playes, is, profuse lascivious laughter, accompanied with an immoderate applause of those scurrilous Playes and Actors, which Christians should rather abominate, then admire. From whence this 26. Argument against Stage-playes,Argument 26. may be framed.

That which is alwaies accompanied with kkRepraehensibilis risus est, si immodicus, si pueriliter effusus, si muliebriter fractus. Odibilem quo que hominē facit risus, aut superbus, aut clarus, aut malignus & furtivus, aut alienis malis evocatus. Martinus Episc. Dumi…nsis, De 4^or. Virtutibus lib. Bibl. Patrum. Tom. 6. pars 2. p. 239. A.profuse p. 291lascivious laughter, with immoderate sinfull applauses of Playes and infamous Actors, which Christians should abhorre, must certainely be unlawfull unto Christians.

But Stage-playes are alwayes accompanied with such laughter and applauses.

Therefore they must certainely bee unlawfull unto Christians.

The Major I shall evidence, by proving such laughter, such applauses to be sinfull. That p…ofuse lascivious laughter, especially such as is occasioned by Stage-playes, is evill, it is most apparant. First, in regard of the originall efficient cause of it, which is commonly some **Oportet autē ipsum quoque subrisū doceri & castigari: & si de rebus quidem turpibus fuerit, …rubescere potius videri, quàm subridere, ne videamur per consensum collaetari. Clemens Alex. Paedag. l. 2… c. 5.obscene, lascivious, sinfull passage, gesture, speech, or iest, (the llNobis autem gaudere & ridere non sufficit, nisi cū peccato at que insania gaudeamus: nisi risus noster impuritatibus at que flagitijs misceatur. An fortè infructuosum putemus gaudiū simplex, nec delectat ridere sin… crimine? Quod rogo hoc malū, aut quis furor? Salvian, De Gubernat. Dei. l. 6. p. 192. Sine amore iocis que nil est iucundū. Horace. Epist. l. 1. Ep. 6.common obiect of mens hellish mirth) which should rather provoke the Actors, the Spectators to penitent sobs, then wanton smiles; to brinish teares, then carnall solace, which suite not with such sinfull obiects; as mmNū haec potius praedicationes, inspectiones, iucunditates, an lachrymas at que g… mitus merentur, &c… Nazienzen ad Selucum. p. 1063.Nazienzen, nnQuod que aegrius ferendū est, non solū nullā talia audientes molestiā capitis, verū etiā ridetis at que laetamini. Cum que vitari ista abominari que deberetis, suscipitis at que laudatis. Quas ob res non cachinnis difflu…re sedentes, sed lachrymis gemere at que dolere oportet. Chrysost. Hom. 38. in Mat. Tom. 2. Col. 299. Ne igitur desinatis super hu…usmodi spectacula gemere, ac saepius remorderi. Hom. 6. in Mat. Col. 53. A.Chrysostome, and ooDe Risu lib. p. 135. to 145. Marp. 1606.Antonius Laurentius well observe. It is recorded of Lot, pp1 Pet. 2.6, 7.1 Pet 2:61 Pet 2:7that he vexed his righteous soule from day to day, in seeing and hearing the unlawfull filthy deeds and conversation of the wicked Sodomites. Of David; qqPsal. 119.136, 158.Ps 119:136Ps 119:158that rivers of teares ran downe his eyes, because men kept not Gods Law. Of Ieremiah, rrIer. 13.17.Jer 13:17that his heart did bleed in secret, his eyes weepe sore and trickle downe with teares, for the iniquities of his people. Of Paul; ss2 Cor. 12.21.2 Cor 12:21that he seriously bewayled the unlamented, unrepented sinne of the incestuo…s Corinthian. Of p. 292Ezra, ttEzra. cap. 9. thorowout, & cap. 10.1, 2.Ezra 9that he humbled himselfe, and rent his cloathes, and mourned and wept exceedingly for the Israelites sin…e in marrying with Idolaters. And of uuEzech. 9.4. Propterea par est, ut animo cōtrahātur lugeāt, contabescant, tū qui delinquūt, tū qui non delinquūt. Illi quidē propter admissa facinera; hi verò quia fratres viderunt fuisse immodestos. Ch…ysostom. Kalendis. Oratio. Tō. 5 Col. 799. A.Ezek 9:4all the faithfull of Ierusalem, that they sighed and cryed for all the abominations that were committed in the middest thereof. Yea, God himselfe enioynes his servants, xxLuk. 19.41. cap. 23.27, 28. Rom. 12.15. 1 Cor. 5.2. c. 13.6. 2 Cor. 7.6. to 12. Phil. 3 18.Luke 19:41Rom 12:151 Cor 5:22 Cor 7:6–12Phil 3:18to mourne for others sinnes: yyIam. 4.9.Jas 4:9to turne their sinfull laughter into heavinesse; zzIsay 5.20. Hab. 2.15.16. Zeph. 3.11. Prov. 24.16, 17.18. Luk. 6.25.Isa 5:20Hab 2:15Hab 2:16Zeph 3:11Prov 24:16Prov 24:17Prov 24:18Luke 6:25and their carnall ioy (arising from lascivious objects) into mourning: effulminating an everlasting woe, a aaGen. 19.22, 25.Gen 19:22Gen 19:25dismall curse against all such gracelesse fooles, who bbProv. 14.9.Prov 14:9make a mocke of sinne, or recreate themselves with the iniquities of other men. That Play-house laughter then which ariseth from such filthy scurrilous objects, must needs be evill, ccImprobū risus ostendit. Seneca. Epist. 52. & Chrys. Hom. 6. in Matth.discovering nothing but a gracelesse heart; delighting onelyonly in ribaldry, in uncleanesse; whereas all Christians, ddQuādo enim mimi illi at que ridiculi blasphemiā ac turpè quid dixerūt, tunc potissimū qui que stolidiores solvuntur in risum: indè applaudentes magis, unde etiā illos lapidibus exagitare debuerāt; qui fornacē ignis horribilis ex hujusmodi voluptate in suū ipsorū caput succendūt. Chrys. Hom. 6. in Matth. Tom. 2. Col… 52. Amust reioyce in God alone, eePhil. 4.5. Isay 29.19. c. 41.16. Ioel 2.23. Ps. 97.12. Nonne audistis Paulū dicentē; Gaudete in Domino. In Domino dixit, non in Diabolo. Chrys. Hom. 38. in Mat. Tō. 2. Col. 298. B.Phil 4:5Isa 29:19Joel 2:23Ps 97:12not in the Devill, not in sinfull pleasures, ffHeb. 11.25.Heb 11:25which are but for a season. Secondly, it mu…t needs ggQuin etiam ipse risus est cōpremendus ei que modus & conveniens tēpus adhibendū est. Nā ipse quo que si quo modo oportet proferatur, praese fert decorem & honestatē: …in aliter prodeat, indicat intēperantiam. Ita que tanquā animalia ratione praedita oportet nos tēperatè componere studij nostri acrimoniam, & nimiū intensam veliementiam moderat… remittentes, non autē inconcinnè dissolventes. Clem. Alex. Paedag. l. 2. c. 5. Non malū est risus, sed malū est id quod est praeter modū, id quod est intēpestivū. Animo nostro insitus est risus, ut aliquando relaxetur animus, non ut diffudatur. Chrys. Hom. 15. in Heb. Tō. 4. Col. 1593. C.D. Hom. 15.21. & 23. ad Pop. Antioch. Tō. 5. Col. 522. A.B. See Nazienzen. Sententiae p. 997.be sinfull in regard of its excesse, it being altogether boundlesse beyond the rules of modesty, temperance, christianity, sobriety, by which it should be regulated. hhNazienzen. ad Selucū … p. 1063… Chrys. Hom. 6. & 38. in Matth. & 42. in Acta. Apost. Salvian, De Gubernat Dei. l. 6. accordingly.Theatricall laughter knowes neither bounds, nor measure; men wholly resigne and let loose the reines of their hearts unto it, glutting, nay tyring their sides and spirits with it: the p. 293iiTemperandū ab immoderato & solutiore risu. Ridere enim solutius, neutiquam ijs permissum qui sunt germanè Christi…ni. S. Antio…hus. Hom. 95. Bibl. Patrum. Tom. 7. p. 209. vid. Ibidem.dissolute profusenesse of it therefore m…kes it evill. Thirdly, the kkChrys. Ho…. 6. & 38. in M…r. Salvian, de Gubern…t. Dei. l. 6. Antoniu… Laur…ntiu…, De Risu. s. accordingly.end of Play-house laugh…r, is onelyonly to satiate mens fl…shly lusts with secular iollity and delights of sinne: t… pamper, to arme the rebellious flesh against the Spirit: to quench those heauenly ioyes, and spirituall comforts which should ravish Christian soules: to llIam. 4.9, 10. c. 5.5. Rev. 18.7 Amos 6.1. to 9. Nullū habebit acce…sū cordis compūctio, ubi fuerit immoder…tus risus ac iocus… Basil. Com. in Esaiā. c. 5. Bedae. Scincillae, Tom. 7 p. 337.Jas 4:9Jas 4:10Rev 18:7Amos 6:1–9exile all true repentance, all godly sorrow and sound humiliation for sinne, which are altogether incompatible with these lascivious smiles: mmAmos 6.3, 4, 5. Mat. 24.38, 39. Luk. 21.34, 35.Amos 6:3Amos 6:4Amos 6:5Matt 24:38Matt 24:39Luke 21:34Luke 21:35to put the evill day farre off from men, by stupifying their selfe-condemning consciences, and lulling them fast a sleepe in a most desperate carnall security. Such is the use, the fruite of this Stage-laughter: it cannot therefor but be evill. Fourthly, this nnRidere & rideri secularibus derelin que gravitas tuā personā decet. Hierom. Epist. 8 c. 7. Prudentibus viris …isus risu dignus est omnis, maxime meritricius. Praestat tristē moribus esse quā lascivū. Greg. Nazienzen Sententiae. p 1168.laughter is altogether unseemely, unseasonable unto Christians. Vnseemely, because immoderate: profuse excessive laughter, (especially at the sight or hearing of a ribaldrous Stage-play,) is altogether ooNon est nostrū ergo assidue ridere, resolvi cachin…is, molliri delicijs, sed …orū potius & earū …uae spectantur in theatris… quae in lupanaribus inquinantur. Non est inquā hoc eorū qui ad aeternū regnū vocati sunt; non est spiritualia arma gest…ntium, quod propriū est Diabolo militantiū. Chrys…st. Hom. 6. in Matth.inconsistent with the gravity, modesty, and sobriety of a Christian, whose aff…ctions should be more sublime, more serious and composed, then to be immoderately tickled with meere lascivious vanities, ppClem. Alexand. Paedag. l. 2. c. 5.or to lash out into excessive cachinnations in the publike view of dissolute gracelesse persons, who will be hardned and encouraged in their lascivious courses, by their ill example. Vnseasonable; because qqFr…tres, non est in hoc mundo tempus ridendi: Beatitudo enim hic praep… rari potest, possideri non potest. Ambros. Sermo. 17. Quādiu sumus in hoc sae…ulo nondū est ridendū, ne postea ploremus. August. Enar. in Psal. 51. Tom 8. pars 1. p 605. Nullū locū hic habere pote…t tempus risus; hoc enim est tempus mundi. Audi Christum dicentē; Mundus gaude…it, vos autem contristabimini. Tu au…ē ridis & ludis? Non est praesens tempus diffusae laetitiae, sed luctus, af…lictionū & ciulatus. Tu autem in dictis urbanis & facetis tempus teris? Est tēpus belli: & tu ea tractas quae sunt …orū qui ducūt choros? Ludis deliciaris, faceta que & urbana dicis, & risū moves, rem que nihil existimas? Chrys. Hō. 17. in E…hes. T. 4. Col 987. See Hō 1…. in Heb. Col. 1993. accordingly.Ps 51this is no place, no time, no world p. 294for Christians to laugh or to be merry in: but to bewaile their owne and others sinnes, that so they may escape the eternall torments of them at the last. Our Saviour, whose doctrine no Christian dares controll, hath denounced an rrLu 6.25 Isay 5.9, 10. Amos 6.1. to 8. Iam. 5.1.5. Rev. 18.6.7, 8.Isa 5:9Isa 5:10Amos 6:1–8Jas 5:1Jas 5:5Rev 18:6Rev 18:7Rev 18:8woe, to all those that laugh, that live in ease, iollity, and carnall pleasures now, because they shall certainely mourne, and suffer eternall to…ments for it hereafter; informing all his Children (whose ssPs. 16.11. … Cor. 2 9 1 Pet 1.4…5.Ps 16:111 Pet 1:4ioyes are treasured up in heaven against another day) ttIohn 16.33. 2 Tim 3.12.John 16:332 Tim 3:12that in this world they shall be sure to suffer persecution and affliction, uuIohn 16 20.John 16:20to weepe, lament, and be sorrowfull: and that this world onelyonly (who xxPsal. 17.14.Ps 17:14have their portion in this life) shall now reioyce; that is, in a carnall worldly manner: whereupon he adviseth all his followers, yyIam. 4.9, 10.Jas 4:9Jas 4:10to turne their secular laughter into mourning, their carnall iollity into weeping and heavinesse; For Christians therefore to make this world a paradice of all earthly pleasures, to spend their dayes in Epicurisme, mirth and iollity, glutting themselves with sinfull Spectacles and mirth-provoking Enterludes, as alas two many doe: to be like zzPerpetuo risu pulmonē agitare solebat Democritus. Iuvenal. Satyr. 10. p. 92. AElian Variae Hist l. 4. cap. 30. Seneca. De Tranquil. Animi. cap. 15.Democritus, alwayes laughing, never weeping, unlesse it be sometimes against their wils, and then not for their sinnes: to be most unlike their blessed Savio…r, aaIta que flentem quidem Christum frequenter inven…as, nunquā verò ridentē, sed nec leviter saltem subridēdo gaudentem. Chrys. Hom. 6. in Mat. T. 2. Col. 50. B.C. Hom. 15. in Heb. Tō. 4. Col. 1593.who was oft-times weeping, never smiling that we read of. bbSalvian. De Gubernat. Dei. l. 6.Quem flevisse legimus risisse non legimus: how can it but be sinfull, yea abominable? Christ Iesus our cc1 Pet. 2.21. 1 Ioh. 2.6.1 Pet 2:211 John 2:6patterne, our example, whose steps we all must follow, if ever we expect salvation from him; ddIsay 53.3.4. Ps. 38.6. Lam. 1.12. Lu. 19.41… Ioh. 11.35.Isa 53:3Isa 53:4Ps 38:6Lam 1:12John 11:35was alwayes mourning, never laughing; (I am sure not at a Stage-play, which hee and his condemne, as worthy teares, not smiles,) and eeChristus in crucem actus est propter tua mala: tu autem rides? Impactae sunt illi alapae, & colaphi & tam multa passus est propter tuam calamitatem, & quae te comprehenderat tempestatem, tu autem degis in delicijs? Chrysost. Hom 17. in Ephes. Tom. 4. Col. 987.shall we doe nothing but reioyce? The Apostles and ffMath. 5.3, 4. Luk. 6.21. Iohn 16.20. Acts 20.37… Phil. 3.18. Rom. 12.15. Eccles. 7.2, 4. Psal. 137.1. Lam. 1. & 2.Matt 5:3Matt 5:4Luke 6:21John 16:20Acts 20:37Phil 3:18Rom 12:15Eccl 7:2Eccl 7:4Ps 137:1Lam 1Christians in the Primitive Church, yea all the Saints of God who went before us, were for the most part p. 295weepers, not laughers; deploring among sundry other evils, ggSee Nazienz…n ad Selucum. p. 1063. Chrysost. Hom. 38. in Matth. Salvian. De Gubernat. Dei. l. 6. August. Confes. l. 3. c. 1.2. Cy…rian. Epist. l. 2. Epist 2. Don…tothose execrable abominations which Stage-playes did produce. And shall we be alwaies laughing… nay laughing at these filthy Enterludes which they so much bewailed? Is this to hh1 Cor. 11. 1. Phil. 3.17.1 Cor 11:1Phil 3:17imitate Christ or his Apostles: to live like Saints, like Christians, iiIohn 15.19. Rev 14.3, 4.John 15:19Rev 14:3Rev 14:4like men redeemed from the world? Is this to kk2 Cor. 1 5, 6, 7. 1 Pet. 4 13.2 Cor 1:52 Cor 1:62 Cor 1:71 Pet 4:13participate with Christ in his afflictions; or to trace the llMat. 7.11, 14.Matt 7:11Matt 7:14narrow uncouth way that leades to endl…sse ioyes? O no! this carnall life of iollity, prognosticks nothing but a voluptuous heart, a mmIam 5.5 See. Chrysost. Hom. 6 & 38. in Mat. Hom. 17. in Ephes. Hom 15. in Hebraeos. accordingly.Jas 5:5Godlesse, Christlesse conversation, which leades men downe to nnIsay 5 9, 10… Rev. 18.6, 7, 8.Isa 5:9Isa 5:10Rev 18:6Rev 18:7Rev 18:8Hell: needs therefore must it be ooQuid nobis cum fabulis, risu & ioco? Nā licet interdum hon…st… ioca suavia sint, tamen ab Ecclesiastica aberrant regula: quoniam quae in Scripturis sanctis non reperimus, quomodo usu…pare possumus? Bernard. De Ordine Vitae. Col 1117.unlawfull unto Christians. Fiftly, this profuse Theatricall laughter qqProbant que illa dum rident. Lactant. De Vero Cultu. l. 6. c. 20. Nec solum iubes, sed e…iā exultatione, risu, plausu adiuvas quae geruntur, omnibus que modis hanc Diabolicam confoves officinam. Chrysost. Hom. 6. in Mattb. Col. 52. B.doth give a publike approbation to all the ribaldry and prophanesse that is either personated …r perpetrated on the Stage, and so makes these laughers deepely guilty of it. Sixtly, it produceth sundry sinfull con…equents: as qqChrysost Hom 6. in Matth. & Hom… 62… ad Pop. Antiochiae. S. Antiochus. Hom. 95. Bibl. Patrum. Tom. 7. pag. 209.cachinnations, clamors, impudency, **Risus frequens corrumpit mores, relaxat quo que nervos rigoris astrictos. August. De Temp Sermo. 97. Tom. 9. pars 2 p. 306. Bernard De Ordine Vitae Col. 1117. A.effeminacy, incivility, ssRisus corruptio disciplinae, &c. & maxima quis peccata viderit à nimijs gaudijs provenisse. Chrysost. Hom. 42. in Acta. Apost. Tom. 3. Col. 611. B.voluptuousnesse, loosenesse and lightnesse of spirit, impenitency, carnall security, indisposition to every holy duty, especially to godly sorrow for sinne: therefore it cannot but be evill. Peruse we but the Scriptures; we shall finde ttSee Gen. 18.13, 15. 2 King. 19.21. 2 Chron. 30.10. Neh. 2.9. Iob 12.4. Prov. 14.13. Eccles. 2.2. c. 73.6. Iam 4.9, 10. Luk. 6.25. Iam. 5.1, 5. Isay 5.9, 10. Amos 6.1. to 7. Ioh. 16.20. Rev. 18.6, 7, 8.Gen 18:13Gen 18:152 Kgs 19:212 Chr 30:10Neh 2:9Job 12:4Prov 14:13Eccl 2:2Jas 4:9Jas 4:10Luke 6:25Jas 5:1Jas 5:5Isa 5:9Isa 5:10Amos 6:1–7John 16:20Rev 18:6Rev 18:7Rev 18:8them much condemning this excessive carnall laughter, (especially at vaine, at sinfull objects) as misbeseeming Christians. Survey wee the Fathers, they are exceeding copious in this subject. Witnesse Clemens Alexandrinus, Paedag. l. 2. c. 5.6. & l 3. c. 11. Arnobius, Advers. Gentes. l. 4, pag. 149.150.151, l. 7. pag. 230. to 242. p. 296Basil. De Ebrietate & Luxu Sermo. p. 329.332, 236. Nazianzen ad Selucum. p. 1063.1064. Sententiae. p. 1168. & 997. Ambros. Sermo. 17. S. Asterij. Homil. in Festum Kalendarum. Bibl. Patrum. Tom 4. p. 706. Hierom. Epist. 8. c. 7. August. De Verbis Apostoli. Sermo. 9. Tom. 10. p. 376. Confessionū. l. 2. cap. 9. Enar. in Psal. 51. Tom. 8. pars 1. pag. 605.606. Salvian. De Gubernat. Dei. lib. 6. & 7. Theoph…lact. Enar. in Luk. 6. p. 135. Ioannis Climachus, De Discretione Gradus. c. 31. Bibl. Patrum. Tom. 6. pars 2. p. 280. G. Bedae Scintillae. Tom. 7. Col. 335. Risus. Antiochus. Hom. 95. Quod temperandum sit à solutiore & immoderato Risu. Bibl. Patrum. Tom. 7. p. 209. Bernard in Caena Domini. Sermo. 9. De Gradibus Humilitatis. Col. 961. A. De Ordine Vitae. Col. 1117. A.B. Olympiodorus. Enar. in Ecclesiasten. cap. 2. & 7. and above all, S. Chrysostom. Hom. 6.38. & 69. in Matth. Hom. 17. in Ephesios. & 15. in Hebraeos. & **Sit aliquis valdè gaudens, & laetus & effusus, quid turpius? quid hoc stolidius? Ibid.54.14.15. & 62. ad Pop. Antiochiae. To which I might adde, Robertus Holkot. in Lib. Sapientiae. Lectio. 172. fol. 133. Revelationes Sanctae Brigi…tae. l. 2. c. 29. Nicolaus de Clemangis De Novis Celebritatibus non instituendis. p. 143. to 150. Thomas Gualesius. Lect. 77 in Proverb. Solomonis. fol. 97. Edit. Ascentijs. 1510. (a notable place) Antonius Laurentius, De Risu. l. 2. Summa Angelica. Tit. Risus. Rabanus Maurus. Com. in Regulam. S. Benedicti. Oper. Tom. 6. p. 278. E.F. 283. E. 292. d. Alexander Alensis, Summa Theologiae. pars 2. Quaest. 133. thorowout. & 134. with sundry others which I pretermit: who all passe sentence against profuse immoderate laughter (especially such as Stage-playes doe occasion) as misbeseeming Christians. If any censure these as more then puritanically rigid in this point of laughter, let them hearken what some Pagan Authors have resolved of it, whom none dare tax of Puritanisme. uuAtqui nec risus studio teneri oportet. Ferm… enim …ffusi risus stud…m, vehementem etiam mutationem quaerit. Ne que ergo si quis viros memorabiles risu diffluere faciat admittendum est: multò verò minus si Deos. De Republ. Dialog. 3. p. 586. & Dialog. 10.696.No man (writes Plato) ought to be affected with the desire of laughter. For the affectation of profuse laughter seekes a very vehement change. Neither is it to be endured, that any one should make memorable men to exceed in laughter, much lesse p. 297the Gods. xxNe que petulā tem risum ama, ne que audacem orationē proba: Nam alterū stultitiae …st, alterum insaniae. Assuefac te ut sis vultu non …orvo, s…d sev… ro: Nam illud insolentiae, hoc prudentiae attribuitur. Oratio ad Demoni…ū p 9Isocrates adviseth Demonicus; neither to love petulant laughter, neither to approve of insolent speech; because the one savour… of folly, the other of madnesse: to carry a grave, not an austere countenance; because the one is attributed to insolency, the other to prudence. yyImprobū risus demōstrat. Epist. 53.Seneca, makes immodest laughter, an undoubted character of a wicked man. zzRenidere, usquequaque te nollem: N…m risu inepto res ineptior nulla est. Ad Corneli… ̄ N…p…tem. lib. Carmen. 40. p. …1.Catullus, as wanton a Poet as any, records; That there is nothing more unseemely then wanton foolish laughter. aaAmmianus Marcellinus. l. 23. c. 12. Purc…as Pilgr. Bo. 4. c. 7.Among the ancient Persians it was utterly unlawfull to laugh openly in a loude or dissolute manner. And ifbbVariae. Historiae. l. 3. c. 35. AElian may be credited; in the Vniversity of Athens it was unlawfull for any to laugh, especially in a profuse ridiculous immodest fashion. The very Heathens then as is evident by these and **See Athenaeus Dipnos. l. 14. c. 2.3. Th…mas Gualesius. Lect. 77. in Proverb. Salomonis… Stobaeus. Sermo. 5. fol. 51.59. & Ser. 74. f. 332.sundry other testimonies, condemned loude excessive laughter. If such laughter then as this, was altogether unseemely for modest Pagans, must not our ccSed ne que apud quo…ibet ridendū est, ne que in omni loco, sed neque propter omnia. Clem. Al…xand. Paedag. l. 2. c. 5. In risu & iocis spectari debet tempus breve, nam longius nocet: locus honestus, nam suspectus inficit: modus iustus, nam profusus laedit: licitum genus, nam iniqu…m vulnerat: utilis finis, nam malus perv…rtit omnia. Case Ethic. lib. 4 cap. 6. pag 288.publike infamous Play-house cachinnations, be much more unsuitable for sober Christians? No Christian I presume dares once deny it. Our Stage-playes therefore which ddQui risum moveant longe exterminandi sunt à nostra republica: longè abest ut nobis permittat risum movere. Clem. Alex Paedag. l. 2. c. 5.occasion, which provoke such profuse lascivious laughter, must questionlesse be evill: as Ephes. 5.3.4. with all ancient and moderne Commentators on it will more largely testifie.

Secondly, as the laughter, so the publike Theatricall Applauses which attend these Enterludes, are evill. First, because they give a publike iustification, not onelyonly to Stage-playes and Actors, exploded by the Church of God from age to age; but eeTertul. De Spectac. c. 25. Cyprian De Spectac. lib. Arnebius. Advers. Gentes. l. 7 p. 230. to 242. Lactantius, De Vero Cultu c. 20. August. De Civit… Dei. l. 2. c. 4. to 15. Chrys. Hom. 6. & 38. in Mat. Salvian. De Gub. Dei. l. 6. accordingly.even to all the wickednesse, the lasciviousnesse that attends them, to all the villany and lewdnesse p. 298that is produced by them. He who upon a Players or Play-Poets Plaudi…e, gives any publike acclamation, any applause unto the Play, or Actors, ff2 Ioh. 10.11. 1 Tim. 5.22. Rom. 1.32. See Ambrose, Hierom, Sedu…ius, Chrysostome, Theodoret, Primasius, Beda, Haymo, Rabanus Maurus, R…mig…us, O…cumenius, Theophylact, Anselme, & Lyra, Ibidem.1 Tim 5:22Rom 1:32approves both Play and Players, with all their sinfull passages… speeches, gestures, and pernicious consequents, and saith Amen unto them: A ggQuum ergo indicium hoc corruptae mentis sit, animae que immedicabilitèr ae grotantis, non immeritò qui peccatum collaudat, longè iniquior iudicatus est eo qui delinquit. Oecumenius in Rom 1.32. Isiodor Hisp. De Summo bono l. 2. c 17.21.Rom 1:32dang…rous fearefull sinne, which makes men hhIsay 5.23. Prov. 17.15. c. 24.24.Isa 5:23Prov 17:15an abomination to the Lord, and drawes downe a dismall woe upon their heads: because it iustifieth the wickednesse of the wicked, calling evill good, and darknesse light; putting bitter for sweet, and vice for vertue, as all Theatricall Applauses doe. Secondly, they iiPeccatū alterius tuū fit, cū illi consentis. August. Enar. in Psal 129. Solae spectaculorū impuritates sunt quae unū admodū faciunt & aspicientiū & agentiū crimen. Nā dum spectantes hoc cōprobant & libenter vident, omnes ea risu at que assensu agunt; ut verè in eos Apostolicū illud peculiariter cadat: quia digni sunt morte non solū qui faciūt …a, sed etiam qui consentiunt facientibus Salvian De Guber. Dei. l. 6. p. 187.Ps 129interest men in the guilt and punishment of all those iniquities, that are either acted or committed in, or occasioned by these Stage-playes, by giving publike and reall approbation to them. Thirdly, they kkChrysost. Hom. 6. & 38. in Matth. Tertullian & Cyprian, De Spectac. August. De Civ. Dei. l. 2. c. 4. to 15. Salvian, De Guber. Dei. l. 6. Alexander Alensis, Summa Theologiae. pars 2. Quaest. 133. accordingly.harden, they animate both Play-poets, Players, and Play-haunters in their ungodly courses, which perchance they would relinquish were they not encouraged in them by these vaine Applauses. Fourthly, if we believe llQuale est, illas manus quas ad Dominū extuleris postmodo laudando histrionem fatigare, &c? De Spectac. c. 25. Chrysost. Hom. 3. De Davide & Saule, Hom. vlt. in Psal. 118. accordingly.Ps 118Tertullian, these Applauses so pollute mens hands, that they can neither lift them up to God in prayer, nor yet stretch them out to receive the Sacrament in an holy manner. God requires Christians, mm1 Tim. 2 8.1 Tim 2:8to lift up holy hands to him in prayer: to bring nnIam. 4.8. Iob 17.9. Ps. 24.4. Ps. 73.1. Isay 1.16, 17. c. 52.11.Jas 4:8Job 17:9Ps 24:4Ps 73:1Isa 1:16Isa 1:17cleansed, washed, pure hands and hearts unto his Sacraments, not tainted with the filth of any sinne. Now Stage-applauses defile mens hands and hearts, making them so polluted, that they can neither lift them up in holy prayers to their ooLevit. 21.8. 1. Pet. 1.16. Hab. 1.13.Lev 21:81 Pet 1:16Hab 1:13holy God (who can endure no iniquity, nor the ppIsay 52.11. 2 Cor. 6.17.Isa 52:112 Cor 6:17touch of any thing that is uncleane;) nor yet p. 299extend them to embrace Christs sacred Body and Blood, without defilement. These Stage-applauses therefore must needs be sinfull in all these respects, as qqDe Spectac. cap. 25.Tert…llian, rrDe Spectac. l…b.Cyprian, ssAd Selucum. pag. 1063.Nazienzen, ttNe que enim theatrali plausu duci debent. De Praeparat. Evang. l. 12 c. 15.Eusebius, uuHom. 6. & 38. in Matth.Chrysostome, xxDe Civ. Dei. l. 2. c. 4. to 17.Augustine, yyDe Gub Dei. lib. 6. p. 192.Salvian, with zzGosson, North…rooke, Reinold…, and others, qua supra, in the Minor.sundry moderne Christian Authors, have already doomed them to our hands.

For the Minor; that Stage…playes are alwayes attended with such laughter and applauses, it is most apparant. First, by experience, which infallibly informes men, that Stage-playes have evermore aaNā quae pervincere voces Evaluêre sonū re…erūt quem nostra theatra? Garganū mugire putes nemus, aut mare Tuscū, Tanto cum strepitu ludi spectantut. Horat. Epist. l. 2. Ep. 1. p. 284. Populus frequens laetū Theatris, ter crepuit sonū. Idem Carm. l. 2. Ode. 17. Datus in Theatro cum tibi plausus. Idem Carm l. 1. Ode. 20. See Caesar Bulengerus. De Theatro. l. 1. c. 60.61.superabounded with obstreperous wanton cachinnations, acclamations, applauses, misbeseeming modest persons, much more religious Christians. Secondly, by the very end of mens pretended resort to Stage-playes: For what other use doe our most rigid Play-patrons ascribe to Stage-playes, bbErgo non satis est risu diducere ri…tū Auditoris, & est quaedam tamen hic quo que virtus, &c. Horat. S…rmo l. 1. Satyr. 10. p. 192. See Ep. l. 2. Ep. 1. & de Arte Poet. p 198.202, 203, 204. pe…tatū admissi risū teneatis amici? Ibid. p. 295. Inest lepos ludus que in hac Comaedia: Ridicula res est, da…e benignè operā mihi. Plauti. A sinaria Prologus. Aures, oculi, animus, ampliter …ient saturi. Vbi lepos, …oci risus, hilari…as at que delectatio, &c. Plauti Ps…udolus. Prologus See Haywoods Apologie for Actors. & here p. 30.31.but to exhilerate the Spectators, by provoking them to laughter. Or what other pret…nce have Play-haunters for their resort to Play-houses; (though ccIllic ab impijs & facinerosis magistris melius mens perdita & mul…ebris docetur facinus. Iulius Firmicus De …rrore Profan. R…l…g c. 13.many of them ayme at far more sinester respects) but to passe away the time in mirth? to laugh till their sides doe ake againe, at the Clownes behaviour, or some other merry iests and passages;ddQuod est mul…ò dete…imū, & favor, & clamor, & plausus adhibetur & risus, cum in cōmunem perniciem adulteriū tam turpe commitritur in theatris, &c …rys…st Hom. 6. in Matth. Tom. 2. Col. 52. B. or to applaud the Playes, the parts, the Actors which affect them? Thirdly, by the Plaudite, which is commonly affixed as a period to eeSee Plauti Amphitruo, Terentij Andria, Eunuchu…, & their other Comedies, which conclude thus. Plaudite. Clare plaudite. Plausum date, or the like. Don…c Cantor vos Plaudi…e dicat. Horat. De Arte Poët. lib. See Bul…ngerus de Thea…. l. 1. c. 60…61.most ancient and moderne p. 300Playes: at the pronunciation of which, the people, i… they like the Play, are wont to ffQuae que sonár pleno voces que m…nus que theatro. Plausum que Theatris. Martial. Epigr. Apud Bulengerum, De Theatro. l. 1. c. 60. vid. Ibid. an whole chapter to this purpose.clap their hands, and give a publike acclamation, or Amen, as the practice of former and present times doth manifest. Lastly, by the concurring testimony of Pagans, Fathers, and moderne Christian Authors; who all a…firme, that Stage-playes not onelyonly occasion, but are likewise attended with profuse exorbitant laughter, acclamations and ggBulengerus, De Theatro. l. 1. c. 60. Theatra plaudunt. August D… Civ. Dei. lib. 11. cap. 8.applauses; In which regard, the **See August. De Civ. D…i. lib. 7. cap. 1.6, 7.Fathers and moderne Christian Authors much condemne them. For Pagan Authorities; if you peruse but Athenaeus. Dipnos. lib. 6. cap. 6. who there informes us out of Theophrastus, that the Terynthians, who were very studious of iesting Comedies, were so accustomed to laugh at Playes, that they could not forbeare laughter in their solemne sacrifices, nor their most serious affaires. Or Plato, De Republ. Dialog. 3. pag. 586. Aristotle, Politicorum. lib. 8. cap. 7. pag. 533.534. Ovid, Fastorum. l. 3. & 5. & De Arte Amandi. l. 1. Horace, De Arte Poëtica. lib. p. 298.302.303. 304. Epist l. 2. Epist. 2. Livy, Rom. Hist. l. 7. sect. 2.3. Dionysius Hallicarnas. Antiqu. Rom. l. 7. sect. 9. Marcus Aurelius. Epist. 12. to Lambert, Plautus, Asinaria & Amphitruo, Prologus, & Epilogus. Terentij. Andria & Heutontimorum. Prologus & Epilog. Tacitus Annal. l. 14. sect. 2.3. Macrobius Saturnalium. l. 2. c. 7. with sundry other quoted by Bulengerus De Theatro. l. 1. c. 60.61. you shall finde them copious in this theame. For Fathers I shall referre you to Clemens Alexandrinus. Paedag. l. 2. c. 5. & hhQuod autem verbum impudens non prof…rūt, qui risum movent scurrae & histriones? Ibid…m.lib. 3. c. 11. Tertullian, De Spectac. c. 25. Cyprian, De Spectaculis, & Epist. l. 2. Epist. 2. Arnobius, Advers. Gentes. l. 4. p. 149. iiVt spectatoribus vacuis risus possit at que hila…itas excitari, ioculatoribus feriuntur cavilationibus numina, conclamant & assurgunt theatra, caveae omnes concrepant fragoribus at que plausibus. Ibid.150.151. & l. 7. p. 230. to 240. Ba…il. De Ebrietate & Luxu. Sermo. p. 329.332.338. Comment in Isaiam. c. 5. p. 419.420. Lactantius, De Vero Cultu. c. 20. Nazienzen ad Selucum, p. 1063.1064. Chrysostome, Hom. 3. De Davide & Saule. Hom. kkIn Theatro risus movetur, & indecentibus …achinnis resolvimut. Domino irascēte tu …ides, nec vides quod amplius hinc enim cōmoveras. Non est nostrum ergo assiduè ridere, …esolvi cachinnis, molleri delicijs; sed eorum potius & earum quae spectantur in Theatris, &c. Nec solum iubes, sed etiam exultatione, risu, plausu adjuvas quae geruntur. Ibid. Tom. 2. Col. 51.52.6. p. 30138. & 69. in Matth. Hom. 42. in Acta Apost. Hom. 15.62. ad Pop. Antiochi…. Hom. 17. in Ephe…ios. & 15. in Hebraeos. Augustine, De Civit. Dei. l. 2. c. 4. to 15. & 26. to 30. **Quod cum fit à facientibus mimis, dignè ridentur in Theatro: cum verò à nescientibus stultis dignius irridentur in mundo. Ibidem.l. 6. c. 1.6. 7.10. l. 8. c. 10. l. 11. c. 8. Salvian, De Gubernat. Dei. l. 6. & 7. Cassiodorus Variarum. l. 1. Epist. 27… l. 3. Epist. 51. Ioannis Salisburiensis, De Nugis Curialium. l. 1. c. 7.8. & lib. 8. cap. 6.7. Sanctus Asterius. Hom. in …estum Kalendarum. Bibl. Patrum. Tom. 4. p. 705.706. with others which I pretermit, who fully suffragate to my Minors truth. For moderne Christian Authors, Thomas Gual…sius. Hom. 77. in Proverb. Solomonis. pag. 97. who is copious to this purpose. M. Northbro…ke, M. Gosson, M. S…ubs, D. Reinolds; Brissonius and Mariana, in their Bookes and severall fore-named Treatises against Stage-playes: The 2. & 3. Blast of Retrait from Playes and Theaters. Bulengerus, De Theatro. l. 1. c. 60. & 61. De Plausu, Sibilo, Clamoribus & acclamationibus Theatri: with sundry others formerly quoted to this purpose. pag. 30.31. will sufficiently satisfie any that doubt of my Assumpsions truth. Since then it is evident by all these testimonies, that Stage-playes do occasion,llIn Theatro omnia contraria; risus, turpitudo, &c. Occasio risus, turpitudinis exempla. Illic risus incompositus, gestus stultitiam & insipientiam prae se ferentes… omnia illic risum & ridicula. Insanit tunc natura, praesentes pro hominibus bruta fiunt: & alij quidem ut equi hinniunt, alij vero ut asini calcitrant… magna diffusio, magna dissolutio, nihil maturum, nihil generosum, &c. Chrysostom. Hom. 42. in Acta. Tom. 3. Col. 611. B. C. 612. A. doe abound with such laughter, such applauses, as I have here evinced to be evill and misbeseeming Saints, I may well conclude; that Stage-playes even in this regard, and in respect of all the fore-going particulars, in the precedent Act, are utterly unlawfull unto Christians; which should cause them wholy to abandon them.

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