The Players Scourge, Part 1 · Act 7 · Scene 2

The Players Scourge · Part 1 · Act 7 · Scene 2

p. 551SCENA SECVNDA.

THe second Squadron of Play-oppugning Authorities, is the venerable hoary resolution of the whole p. 5522primitive Church both under (if not before) the Law and Gospell; which hath passed such an irrepealable sentence of condemnation against all Stage-playes,The whole primitiue Church both before and under the Law and Gospell condemned Stage-playes. Players, and Play-haunters, as no true member of the holy Catholicke Church shall be ever able to gainsay. That the whole Church of God under the Law (consisting (r)(r)Deut: 14.2. c. 16.18. Psal: 147.19, 20. Rom. 3… 1.2.Rom 3:1Rom 3:2onelyonly of Iewes and Iewish Proselites) abominated and rejected Stage-playes, it is most apparant by these ensuing reasons. First, because we finde no mention at all of any such Playes or Enterludes in any canonicall Scripture, or ancient Iewish Authours, nor any intimation that the Iewes approved them. Secondly, because Stage-playes (as (s)(s)Antiq. Iudaeorum l. 12, c. 6, l. 15, c. 11, 13, & l. 16, c. 9.Iosephus, and the (t)(t)1 Mac. 1. v. 12, 13, 14. 2 Mac. 4. v. 7. to 18.1 Macc 1:121 Macc 1:131 Macc 1:142 Macc 4:7–18Bookes of Maccabees informe us; were most directly opposite both to the Iewish lawes, their government, manners, rites and customes: For first the Iewes (and so all Christians) were expresly enjoyned by Gods Law, (v)(v)Exod. 20.…. Levit. 26.1. Deut. 4.15. to 26. c. 5.8. c. 16.22. Psal. …7.7. 1 Ioh. 5.21. See the Homelies against the peril of Idolatry.Exod 20Lev 26:1Deut 4:15–26Ps 7:71 John 5:21to make no image, likenesse or representation of any Idol, nor (x)(x)Exod. 2….13. See Act. 3. Scene 3. p. 77, 78.Exod 2:13Acts 3yet to make mention of any Idols name. (y)(y)See Tertullian and Cyprian de Spectaculis. Diodorus Siculus Bibl. Hist. l. 16. s. 93. Iosephus Antiqu. Iudaeorum l. 15. c. 11. & Bulengerus de Circo, &c. cap. …8.Now Stage-playes were alwayes fraught with the pictures, images, representations, and names of Pagan idols, which the (z)(z)See Exod. 23.24. c. 34. …. Levit. 26.30. Deut. 7.5. 2 Kings 10.26, 27. c. 11.18. c. 18.4. c. 23.14, 24. 2 Chron. ….1. c. 33.22. c. 34.3. to 8.Exod 23:24Lev 26:30Deut 7:52 Kgs 10:262 Kgs 10:27Iewes could never brooke: and thereupon they (a)(a)Iosephus Antiqu. …udaeorum l. 15. c 11.withstood Herod when he would have brought his Stage-playes into Ierusalem, because of the images, visours and pictures that attended them. Secondly, the (b)(b)See Act. 1. Scene 1, 2. Ier. 10.1, 2, 3. & the Scriptures quoted pag. 18, 19.Acts 1Jer 10:1Jer 10:2Jer 10:3Iewes were commanded to abandon all monuments, rites and reliques of Idols and Idolatry: all customes, fashions, vanities, exercises and pastimes of the Heathen round about them; whose wayes and customes they were not for to learne, much lesse to practise. Now (c)(c)See Act. 1, 2.Acts 1:2Stage-playes were the very monuments, rites and reliques of Idolatry, of Pagan Divell-Idols: the customes, fashions, vanities, exercises, p. 553wayes and pastimes of the Heathen Greekes and Romanes, who bordered on them, and subdued them; as ddAntiq. Iudaeorum l. 12. c. 6. & l. 15. c. 11. 13.Iosephus, eeDe Agricultura lib.Philo Iudaeus … the ff2 Mac. 4. v. 7. to 16.2 Macc 4:7–16Bookes of Maccabees, and others witnesse: therefore the Iewish Church must of necessitie condemn them, never practise them. Thirdly, because the Authour of the ggSee 1 Mac. 1. & 2 Mac. c. 4. & 6.1 Macc 12 Macc 4Bookes of Macabees informes us; that wicked Iason, and his profane confederates were the first that brought in these Playes and Grecian Exercises among the Iewes, who never practised them before; which Playes though divers of the Priests and people embraced, apostatizing wholly from their religion and Gods worship; yet the Iewish Church, with all those Iewes who clave close to their religion did vtterly abandon and condemne them, as directly contrary to the holy covenant and Law of God. Fourthly, Iosephus, that famous Iewish Historian, as hhAntiqu. Iudaeorum l. 12. cap. 6.hee condemneth Iason for this fact of his: so hee informes us likewise, iiAntiqu. Iudaeorum l. 15. c. …1. See Act. 6. S…ne 5.Acts 6that when as Herod would have introduced Stage-playes, Sword-playes and such like Roman Spectacles into Ierusalem, where he had built a stately Theatre and Amphith…atre for the exercise of those theatricall Enterludes; of purpose (as it seemed) to draw the Iewes to Paganisme, and overturne their ancient discipline; to which end he likewise erected another Theatre at kkAntiqu. Iudaeo…um l. 15. c. 13. & l. 16. cap. 9.Caesarea Stratonis: the whole Iewish Nation, and the gravest wisest men among them, were much offended with it; and thereupon withstood these Playes of his, as llSee Antiqu. Iudaeorum l. 15. c. 11.being contrary to their lawes, their received discipline and customes; pernicious to their manners, prejudicial to their Republike, opposite to their Religion, and offensive to thei… God: Which Playes when Herod resolved to bring in by force whether the Iewes would or no, there were cer…aine… Iewes confederated together to murther him in the Theatre it selfe, out of the detestation which they bure to Playes, of purpose to prevent those mischievous consequ…ncies which these Sta…e-playes would occasion both to their religion, discipline, state, and Country manners, which they were p. 554bound in honour, yea in conscience to maintaine, though it were with the hazard of their lives. Fifthly, Philo, a very learned Iew, who flourished in the Apostles times, under Caius the Emperour, (a man whom mmAntiq. Iudae. orum lib. 18. cap. 18.Iosephus, nnEcclesiasticae Hist. l. 2. c. 4, 5.Eusebius, ooDe Scriptoribus. Ecclesiasticis lib. Philo.Hierom, ppContra Faustum Manichaeum l. 12. c. 2.Augustine, and qqTrithemius, Possevine, & others.others highlie magnifie:) as he expresly rrDe Agricultura lib. Opera. Basileae 1558. Tom. 1. p. 271, 272. & de Iudice lib. Tom. 2 p. 976. See Act. 6. Scene 1. & 3Acts 6condemnes Stage-playes, as voluptuous, petulant, nugatory, vaine and hurtfull Pastimes, in which many thousands of wretched people did miserably spend their time nay waste their lives, neglecting in the meane while both the publike and their owne private affaires: So he records withall, ssHanc ob rem ille maximus Moses equum censuit, ut omnes ascripti eius civitati ius naturae sequentes, celebrarent hunc diem mundi natalem, otio, festis que hilarita tibus, intermissis laboribus et opificiis quaestuariis, negotiis que victum comparantibus, ablegata etiam tantisper, seu per inducias solitudine anxia; ut vacarent, non ludicris (sicut quidam) ridendis que spectaculis mimorum, saltatorumque, quae insanus vulgus amat perdite, et per praecipuos sensus, visum auditumque captivat animam suapte ingenio liberam ac dominamised soli verae philosophiae, quae constat ex his tribus, consiliis, dictis, factisque in unam speciem coaptatis, ut quaesita fruantur faelicitate. De Vitae Mosis Enarratio. lib. 3. Tom. 2… p. 932.That Moses thought it meete, that all his Citizens, following the law of nature, should celebrate the seventh day (being the birth-day of the, world) in rest, and festivall recreations; laying aside all workes, all gainfull callings and secular imployments, that so they might wholly apply themselves, not to sports and pleasures, (as some doe) nor yet t… the ridiculous sights of Stage-playes and dances, which the unruly vulgar loves excessively, captivating their very soule by the two chiefest sences, sight and hearing… which of it selfe is free and soveraigne: but that they might solely addict themselves to true phylosophy, and to Gods worship and service. And withall he certifieth us, ttDe Vita Contemplativa lib. Tom. 2. pag. 1208. to 1226.That the Iewes in their solemne feasts and meetings abandoned all drunkennesse, voluptuousnesse, effeminacy and excesse; together with all Stage-players, Fidlers… Tumblers, Iesters, (which the Graecians used in their festivals:) who did onelyonly exhilerate mens mindes with scurrilous sports and iests: using no other mirth or musicke, but Psalmes, and Hymnes, and spirituall songs, wherein p. 555they sounded out Gods praises. All which sufficiently manifests, that the whole Church of the Iewes condemned Stage-playes. Sixthly, St. Chrysostome in his 56. Homily upon Genesis, discoursing of the marriage of Iacob to Labans daughter, (even being before the Law was given) informes us: vvVidisti cum quanta olim honestate nuptias egerint? Audite qui Satanicas pompas admiramini, et statim ab initio nuptiarum honestatē dedecore afficitis. Num tunc tibiae? num tunc cymbala? num tunc choreae diabolicae? Quare enim (dic mihi) tantum statim ab initio damnum inducis in domum tuam, et eos qui in scenis et orchestris operam locant, vocas, ut cum intempestivo sumptu virginis laedas continentiam, et iuvenem impudentiorem facias, &c. Tom. 1. Col. 367. B. Vid. Ibid.That the Saints of God in those times had no Musitians, no diabolicall dancing at their marriages; that they sent for no Players from the Play-house to their houses, to corrupt the chastity of the married Virgin with their unseasonable expence, and to make her more impudent and incontinent ever after: a custome too frequent in his and our times, which this godly Father much condemnes. Seventhly, Origen, (who xxHomil. 11. in Levit. Hom. 8. in Isaiam, & Hom. 2. in Hieremiam. See Act. 6. Seene 3. Siquidem Moyses illa universa sustulerit, quae hominum generi nihil conducerent: Susceperit vero duntaxat et foverit, quae utilia sorent et omnibus profitura; ita ut nec certamina essent apud Iudaeos hos instituta qualia apud Gentiles, in quibus nudi homines decertarent, vel ex equis contenderent, prostituerentur que omnium libidinibus faeminae, ut per impudicitiam naturae illuderetur. Sed illud profecto erat apud Iudaeos praecipuum, ut vel a teneris unguibus excedere naturam omnem, et superare sensibilem discertat, et nulla eius in parte residere Deum existimare, ut quem in supernis et extra corpora conquirebant, &c. Ori…en c…ntra Celsum …. 5. Tom. 1. sol. 67. C. Vid. Ibid.Acts 6much inveighes against Playes, against Players and Play-haunters, as the very broode and bondslaves of the Divell, who have no part at all in Christ or in his Church) records: That Mo…es tooke away all such things as conduced not to the benefit of mankinde; embracing and cherishing those things onelyonly which might be vsefull and profitable unto all men: whence he permitted and instituted no such Playes and gymnicall Exercises as the Gentiles used, in which naked men wrestled together, or contended with one another on horsebacke, or in which women were prostituted to the lusts of all men, that so they might delude nature by their lewdnesse. But this verily was principally intended among the Iewes, that from their very cradles they might learne to transcend all nature, to overcome what ever was sensible, and to beleeve, that God resided not in any part of sensible nature, whom they did seeke p. 556onelyonly in things above, and without all bodies. Lastly, Petrus Blesensis Archdeacon of Bathe, about the yeare of our Lord, 1160. speaking of that holy man Iob; informes us: yyPorro beatus ille Iob plenissime nomen et officium liberalitatis implebat, qui nihil indulgens ebrietati et crapulae, nec sequens huius vitae vanitates et insanias falsas, se totum pauperum necessitatibus impendeb…t. Non alebat leones, ursos, aut simias; non confluebant ad e…m histriones, dulcorarii, fabularum aut nugarum inanium concentores, sed ex pura liberalitatis cons…ientia, dicebat; humerus meus a iunctura sua cadat, et brachium meum cum ossibus avellatur, si negavi pauperibus quod volebant, si oculos viduae expectare feci, &c. O quam melioret per omnia commendabiliorest, maesta, honesta et sobria haec liberalitas, quae ad vitam aeternam fructificat, quam illa quae subvertit animam, rationem hebetat, corpus destruit, & aedificatad gehennam. Petrus Blesensit Epist. 85. Bibl. Patr. Tom. 12. pars 2. p. 769.That he nourished no lyons, beares or apes; that no Stage-players, no singers of fables and vaine idle toyes resorted to him; that he gave not himselfe to the pleasures and vanities of this life, upon which many spend their estates; but that hee bestowed his revenues in the charitable relieving of the poore. All which being laid together, is an undeniable proofe; that the whole primitive Church and Saints of God both before and under the Law, did utterly abandon and condemne all Stage-playes, Players, and such other Spectacles as sinfull and pernicious; not giving the least allowance to them. And shall we Christians under the Gospell, be worse than these were under the Law, and so make our zzHebr. 2.2, 3. &c. 10.28, 29.Heb 2:2Heb 2:3condemnation farre more terrible, our sinne more out of measure sinfull? God forbid.

That the whole primitive Church under the Gospell hath reprobated, abandoned and condemned Stage-playes, is more than evident. First, by the expresse testimonie of Epiphanius, Bishop of Constans, in Cyprus, a learned ancient Father: who in his Compendiary Summe of the faith and doctrine of the Catholike and Apostolike Church, informes us, in positive termes: aaHaec sancta Catholica et Apostolica Ecclesia reprobat omnes scortationes, et adulteria, et petulantiam. et idololatriam, et caedem, et omnem iniquitatem, &c. Prohibet theatra et ludos equestres, venationem, musicos item, &c. Contra H…reses l. 3. Tom. 2. neare the end. Edi…. Luteri…e Paris. 1612. Col. 922, 923.That the Catholike and Apostolicall Church doth reprobate and forbid all Theatres, Stage-playes, Cirque-playes, and such like heathenish spectacles: An evidence so full, so pregnant, that we need no other. Secondly, by the suffrage p. 557of Tertullian … who in his Apologie for the Christians against the Gentiles; writes thus in the name and person of all the primitive Christians of his age: bbAEque Spectaculis vestris in tantum renunciamus in quantum originibus corum, quas scimus de superstitione conceptas. Nihil nobis dictu, visu, auditu cum in…nia Circi, cum impudicitia theatri, cum Xysti vanitate; Spectaculis non convenimus. Apologia Advers. Gentes c. 38. & 42. Operum. Tom. 2. Parisiis 1566. p. 690, 704Wee renounce your Spectacles and Stage-playes, as farre forth as we reject their originalls; which we know to have had their conception from superstition. We have nothing at all to doe with the furie of the Circus: with the dishonesty or lewdnes of the Theatre, with the cruelty of the Arena: with the vanity of the Xystus or Wrestling place, wee come not at all unto your Playes. Loe here a professed publike Protestation of all the primitive Christians, against these Playes and Spectacles which we so much admire; whose detestation of Playes was so notoriously knowne to the Pagans, that Tertullian in his Booke, De Spectaculis, affirmes: ccNumquid ergo superest ut ab ipsis ethnicis responsum flagitemus? Illi iam nobis renuncient, an liceat Christianis spectaculo uti? Atquin hinc vel maxime intelligunt factum Christianum, de repudio spectaculorum. Itaque negat manifeste qui per quod cognoscitur tollit. De Spectac. cap: 24. Tom. 2. p. 400.That the Heathen Gentiles did most of all discerne men to be Christians by this, that they abandoned and renounced Stage-playes. And shall this which was the eminentest badge of a Christian, heretofore, be nothing else but the ignominious brand of a Puritan, now? Certainly its a strong argument, that those whom the world now brands for Puritans, are in truth no other but the sincerest Christians; and that those who stile them so (especially for condemning or renouncing Stage-playes) are little better, (I had almost said as bad, nay worse) than Pagans: since he manifestly denies himselfe to be a Christian, who takes away this speciall marke by which hee is knowne to be a Christian; as the same Tertullian there inferres. Thirdly, this truth is evident by Theophilus Patriarke of Antiochia about the yeare of our Lord 170: Who in the person of all the Christians of that age, writes thus unto Autolycus: ddMonomachias nobis spectare interdictum est, ne videlicet participes huiusmodi caedium reddamur. Nec caetera spectacula spectare audemus, ne oculi nostri inquinentur, et aures nostrae hauriant profana, quae ibi decantantur carmina. Neque dum Thyestis tragica facinora commemorat &c. Nec fas nobis est audire adulteria Deorum hominumque, quae suavi verborum modulantur mercede, &c. Theophilus Antiochenu… ad Autolicum l. 3. Bibl. Patr. Tom. 2. p. 170. G.H.Wee p. 558are all prohibited to behold sword-playes, lest we should be made partakers of such murthers. Neither dare wee beholde those other Playes and Spectacles, lest our eyes should be defiled, and our eares should draw in those prophane verses that are there uttered: neither dare wee so much as to heare Thyestis whiles hee commemorates tragicall villanies, &c. Neither is it lawfull for us to heare the adulteries of the Gods and men, which they modulate with a sweete straine of words, being allured unto it by rewards. Farre be it, farre be it, I say, from Christians, with whom temperance and modesty flourish, and chastity beares sway, that wee should so much as thinke, much lesse behold or act such villanies as these. What fuller, what plainer declaration against Stage-playes can we desire than this? Fourthly, Athenagoras, the famous Christian Philosopher, in his Apologie or Embassie for the Christians, to M. Aurelius Antoninus, and Aurelius Commodus, two Roman Emperours, about the yeare of our Lord 180; writes thus in the behalfe of the Christians of that age: eeAlieno ab his Spectaculis animo sumus. At…enag…ras, pro Ch…stianis Legatio. Bibl. Pa…rum. Tom. 2. p. 170. G. H.We utterly disaffect and condemne your gladiatory Spectacles, Playes and Enterludes. Fifthly, Minutius Felix, that famous Christian Lawyer, who flourished about 200 yeares after Christ, in his incomparable Dialogue, stiled Ostavius, in the defence of the Christians; brings in ffVos vero suspēsi interim ac solliciti honestis voluptatibus abstinetis, non Spectacula …isitis, non pompis interestis. Minucius Felix Octavius Oxoniae 1627. p. 34.Caelicius a Pagan, taxing the Christians, for that they resorted not to Stage-playes, neither were they present at publike shewes: to which Octavius, in the behalfe of all the Christians gives this reply: ggNos igitur qui moribus et pudor… censemur, merito malis volup atibus vestris et pompis vestris et spectaculis abstinemus, quorum et de sacris originem novimu…, et noxia bland… menta damnamus. I…i…em. …. 123. Vid. Ibid.We therefore who are valued by our manners and chastity, deservedly withdraw our selves from your evill pleasures, Playes and spectacles, whose originall we know to have proceeded from idolatry, and which we condemne as pernicious allurements unto sinne. Sixthly, St. Cyprian, that godly Martyr, Bishop of Carthage, about the yeare of our Lord 250. informes hhEpis…olarum lib. 1. Epist. 10: Edit. Erasmi Antwerpiae 1541. Tom. 1. pag. 56, 57. See Act. 5. Scene 3. pag. 168, 169. Wher… his words are quoted at large.Acts 5Gucratius, in an Epistle purposely written to him to this end; that it would not stand with p. 559the Majesty of God, nor the discipline of the Gospell, that the chastity and honour of the Church sho…ld be contaminated with so filthy a contagion, as to permit a Stage-player, either to act his Playes, or to traine up others for the Stage, though he had given over acting himselfe. A pregnant evidence, in what tearmes of opposition the primitive Church and Christians stood wi…h Stage-players, and their filthy Enterludes, which they could upon no tearmes brooke. Seventhly, iiHoc etiam placuit, ut filii Episcoporum vel Ciericorum, spectacula secularia non exhibeant, sed nec spectent, quandoquid…m ab spectaculo et omnes Laici prohibeantur. Sem…er enim Ch…stianis omnibus hoc interd…ctum est, ut ubi blasphemi sunt… non accedant. Conc…l. Carthag. 3. Can. 11… …pud Suri… Concil. Tom. 1. p. 504. Cintur. Magd. Tom. 4. cap. 6. Col. 458.the 3. Councell of Carthage, about the yeare of our Lord 394. Can. 11. which prohibits the sonnes of Bishops and Clergie men from exhibiting and beholding Stage-playes; informes us; that all Christians had beene alwayes inhibited from resorting to such places where Players and blasphemers came. If all Christians then have alwayes beene prohibited from resor…ing unto Stage-playes, as this ancient Councell affirmes; it is cer…aine, the primitive Church and Christians did evermore condemne them: and can we yet approve, applaud, frequent them now? Eighthly, St. Chrysostome, about 400 yeares after Christ, in his 15. Homely to the people of Antioch; and in his 38. Homely upon Matthew, writes: kkSed nunc tac…ntibus nobis, et nihil de hoc dicentibus, sponte Orchestram obstruxerunt, et Circu… inaccessibil…s factus est. Et ante hac nostrorum multi ad il…os currebant: nunc autem illinc omnes ad Ecclesiam confugerunt, et nostrum laudant Deum. Homil. 15… a… P…. A…tioch. Tom. 5. Col. 118. C.That all the Christians of Antioch in the time of their feare and danger, had of their owne accord shut up the Play-house doores, and stopped up all passages to the Circus running hastily with zeale and earnestnesse to the Church to praise the Lord, in stead of resorting to the Theaters; llDiruemus ig…tur omnium loca ludorum … inqui…s, Vtinam iam diruta essent, quamvis quantum ad nos attinet, iampridem desolata iacent. Chrysostom. Homil. 38. in Matt…. Tom. 2. Col. 299. C.which as to us, and all good Christians, (in whose person hee speakes) lie desolate and ruinated long agoe. Ninthly, Saint Augustine about the yeare of our Lord 410. records: That when the p. 560mmDeinde quod de faelicitatis rerum humanarum d…minutione… per Christiana tempora conqueruntur, si libro… Philosophorum legant, ea reprehendentium quae nunc eis etiam recusantibus et murmurantibus subtrahuntur, tum vero magnam laudem reperient temporum Christianorum. Quid enim eis minuitur faelicitatis, nisi quod pessime luxurioseque abutebanturin magnam Creatoris iniuriam? Nisi forte hinc sint tempora, mala, quia per omnes paen… Civitates cadunt theatra, cavcae …rp…tudinum et publicae professiones flagitioso…ū &c De Consenl… Evangelist…ris l. 1… c. …3… To … pars. 1. p… 530.Gospell was spread abroad in the world, Stage-playes and Play-houses, the very caves of filthinesse, and professions of wicked persons, went to ruine almost in every Citty, as inconsistent with it; whence the Gentiles complained of the times of Christianity, as evill and unhappy seasons. An apparant demonstration, that the truth and power of Religion, the true Church and servants of Christ were as opposite to Stage-playes, to Theatres in the primitive times, as the nn1. Sam. 5.2, 3…4.1 Sam 5:21 Sam 5:3Arke to Dagon, oo2 Cor. 6.15…2 Cor 6:15Christ to B…lial: and shall we now yoake them both together? Lastly, St. Bernard, about the yeare of our Lord 1130. instructs us: ppMilites Christi scacos era…eas detestan…ur, abhorrent venationem. nec ludricra illa avium rapina (ut assol…t) delectantur. Mimos et Magos, et fahula…ores, scurriles que canūlenas, aut ludorum spectacula, tanquam vani…ales et i… sani as fal…as respuunt et abominantur. Capil…o… …ondent, scientes …uxta Apostolum, ig…miniam esse viro si comam nutrie…t. Ber…ard. ad Mi…es Templ… Sermo. …ap. 4. Opera An…wer… 616. Co… 832. L…M.That all the faithfull souldiers of Iesus Christ abominate and reject all dicing, all stage-players, south-sayers, tellers of fables, all scurrilous songs and stage-playes, as vanities, and false frensies. Neither delight they in the ravenous sport of hauking. They cut their haire and weare it short, knowing according to the Apostle, that it is a shame for a man to nourish his haire. All which concurring testimonies infallibly cleare this undoubted truth: That the whole primitive Church and all godly Christians that lived in it, have unanimously, constantly and professedly with greatest detestation, abominated, renounced and condemned Stage-playes. For the further manifestation of which; I shall desire you to consider but these particulars more. First, that the Scriptures both Canonicall and Apochryphall, together with the Apostles, the Whole Nation of the Iewes, the Sain…s and Church of God both before and under the Law, rejected and abandoned Stage-playes, as I have largely proved in the precedent Scene: therefore the primitive p. 561Church and Christians under the Gospell, could not but censure and oppugne them too. Secondly, the most, the chiefest Fathers and Councels in the primitive Church have abundantly, unanimously, professedly condemned Stage-playes, in the highest straine of opposition; as the premises, and two next ensuing Scenes will manifest: the primitive Church and Christians therefore did undoubtedly condemne, reject them; whose judgement remaines upon record to all posterity in the laborious writings of these Fathers, and in the Canons of these most famous Councels. Thirdly, the primitive Church under the Gospell, as sundry qqConcilium Eliberinum Can. 62. Arelatense 1. Can. 4. and 5. Arelatense 2. Can. 20. Constantinop. 6. Ca…. 62. Carthaginense 4. Can. 88.Councels, rrClemens Romanus Consti…. Apostolic. l. 8. c. 38. Tertul. De Pudicitia cap. 7. Cyprian. Epist. l. 1. Epist. 10. Eucratio: Chrysost: Hom. 3. De David. et SauleFathers, and ssIoannis Sarisberiensis De Nugis Curialium l. 1. c. 8. Gratian. Distinctio 33. & 48. & de Consecratione Distinctio …. Alexander De Hales Summa Theologiae, pars 4. Quaest. 17. Artic. 2. sect. 4. p 394. Aluarus Pelagius, de Planctu Eccles. lib. 1. Artic. 49. Astexanus d… Casibus l. 4. Tit. 7. Artic. 4. Ioannis de Burgo Pupilla Oculi pars 4. c. 8. I. Phocius Monocanonis Tit. 1…. c. 11, 22. Summa Angelica Histrio. Tostatusin Matth. Tom. 3. fol. 40. E. Centur. Magd. Tom. …. Col. 142. Baronius & Spondanus Anno Christi 206. sect. 2. & 371. sect. 10. Dr. Reinolds, Mr. Northbrook, & Mr. Gosson in their Treatises against Stage-playes. Bul…ngerus de Theatro l. 1. c. 51. The 3. Blast of Retrait from Playes and Theatres p. 116. with sundry others. Se… Act. 4. Scen. 1. p. 133, 134.Titus 1Acts 4others testifie, excommunicated all Stage-players, all Play-haunters; thrusting them out both from the Church, the Sacraments, and all Christians society, as …oysome, putred, contagious, unworthy gracelesse persons, till they had utterly abjured Stage-playes, and solemnly protested to returne unto them no more: this therefore is infallible, that they rejected Stage-playes. Fourthly, If any Pagan who was a professed Stage-player or Play-haunter, desired to turne Christian, he was first to renounce his art of Stage-playing, and to abandon all resort to Playes, before hee could be baptised or admitted into the Church, as the ttConcil… Eliberinum Can. 62. Theodoret Contra G…aeco… Infideles lib. 8. De Martyribus Tom. 2. p. 390. Primasius Comment… in Epist. ad Rom. c. 10. fol. 53. Antomni Chronicon. pars 2. Tit. 15. c. 10. sect. 13. fol. 132. Baronius & Spondanus Anno Christi 371. sect. 10. Codex Theodo…i l. 15. Tit. 7. Lex. …. See here Act. 6. Scene 12. & 14.Rom 10Acts 6marginall authorities fully evidence: This therefore is an unfallible evidence, that the prim… tive Church and Christians abominated Stage-playes. Lastly, every Christian that was baptized in the primitive p. 562Church, did solemnly renounce vvSee Baronius & Spondanus Annal. Eccles. Anno Christi 206. sect. 2.4.all Stage-playes, dancing, with such like sports and spectacles, as the very workes and pompes of the Divell, under which all Stage-playes, Spectacles and dancing are included, as Clemens Romanus, Tertullian, Cyrill of Hierusalem, St. Augustine, Chrysostome, Salvian, Isiodor Hilpalensis, HRabanus Maurus, and other Fathers expresly testifie, in their xxAct. 2. Chorus: page 49. to 57. & Act. 6. Scene 12.Acts 2Acts 6forequoted places: to which I shall here annexe some other testimonies to make the point more plaine; that Stage-playes, and dancing are those very pompes of the Divell, which Christians in the primitive Church, (and Wee now as well as they) renounce in baptisme, however we most perjuriously reassume them, against our sacred vowes. St. Cyprian in his Booke De Spectaculis, is most punctuall to this purpose; where thus he writes:yyImpudenter in Ecclesia daemonia exorcizat, quorum voluptates in Spectaculis laudat: et cum …emel illi renuncians, recisa sit res omnis in baptismate; dum post Christum ad Diaboli Spectaculum vadit, Christo tanquam diabolo renunciat. De Spectaculis lib. Edit. Pamelij Coloniae Agrip. 1617. p. 244. He impudently exorciseth the Divel in the Church, whose pleasures hee commends in Stage-playes; and when as by renouncing him once in baptisme, all his pompe and furniture is lopped off; whiles that after this profession of Christ he goeth to the spectacles of the Divel, he renounceth even Christ himselfe as a Divell. Which dreadfull sentence, together with that of zzOriginum l. 18. c. 41. See Act. 6. Scene 12Acts 6Isiodor Hispalensis formerly quoted: (That he who after baptisme agreeth either to act or see a Stage-play, denieth God, and becomes a praevaricator of the Christian faith; since hee againe desires that which hee had long since renounced in his baptisme; to wit, the Divell, his Pompes and Workes: which is likewise seconded by HRabanus Maurus de Vniverso l. 20. c. 38) me thinkes should shake the very heart and reines of every Play-haunter, and make his very soule to weepe even teares of blood. Iustinian, that godly Christian Emperour, aaEpiscopi et Clerici vel hi qui modo recens initiati sunt et adorandis mysteriis dignati, praedicant, ut renuncient adversarii daemonis cultui et omnibus pompis eius, quarum non minima pars Spectacula sunt: Corpus Iuris Civilis. Lugduni 1604. Tom. 4. fol. 162. Vid. Ibidem.Codicis lib. 1. Tit. 4. De Episcopali Audientia, Lex 35. expresly informes us: That Stage-playes, Cirque-playes, Dicing, and such like p. 563Spectacles are not the least part of that worship, of those pompes of the Divell which Christians renounce in baptisme, when they are first initiated and admitted to the sacred Mysteries: whence he prohibits all Christians, especially all Clergy men, either to act, or beholde such Enterl…des and Spectacles as these, or bbPolluere etiā suas manus, et oculos, et aures sic damnatis et proh…biti… ludi… &c Ibidem.to pollute their hands, their eyes and eares with such damned and prohibited Playes. St. Chrysostome, as in sundry places before quoted; so in his 21. Homely to the people of Antioch, and his 69. Homely upon Matthew, he stiles stage-playes, cirque-playes, and dancing, the Divels Pompes and Lectures: his words in the first of these places are remarkable. ccVocis illius recorderis, quam dum sacris initiareris, emisisti… Abrenuncio tibi Satanae, & Pompae tu…e, & cultui-tuo: Circa Margari, tarum enim cultum insania, est Pompa Satanica. A… rum enim c… pisti, non ut corpus vincias, s…d ut pauperes solvas, etenutrias. Dic igitur continue, Abrenuncio tibi Satana. Nihil hac tutius voce, si ipsam per opera exhibeamus. Haec enim vox confaederatio cum Domino est. Et sicut nos servos ementes, ipsos qui venduntur, primo in…errogamus, an nobis servire velint: ita facit et Christus. quando debet te in servitutem capere, prius interrogat an velis illum crudelem tyrannum dimittere, et immitem, et ad foedera suscipit: non enim coactum est ipsius imperium, &c. Homil. 21. ad Populum Antioch. Tom. 5. Col. 166. C. D.Remember (saith hee) this speech which thou hast uttered when as thou wast baptised, I renounce thee Satan, thy Pompes, and thy service: say alwayes, I renounce thee Satan. Nothing will be safer than this speech, if wee expresse it by our workes. For this speech is a confederation with the Lord. And as we when we buy servants, demand of them first, whether they will serve us yea or no: even so doth Christ, when as he ought to receive thy service, he first demands of thee, whether thou wilt first forsake that mercilesse and cruell tyrant, and then he receives thee into covenant: for his dominion is not forced. And though hee hath redeemed us wretched and ungratefull servants with such a price, the greatnesse whereof the reason and minde of man is not able to comprehend; even with his owne most precious blood: ddEt post haec omnia, non testes a nobis, non chirographa exigit, sed sola contentus est voce: et si dicas ex corde, Abrenuncio tibi Satana, et pompae tuae, totum recepit. Hoc igitur dicamus, Abrenuncio tibi Satana, tanquam in illa die huius vocis rationem reddituri, et ipsam custodiamus, ut salvum tunc reddamus depositum. Pompa vero Satanica sunt, theatra, circenses, et omne peccatum, et dierum observatio, et praesagia, et omina &c. Ibidem Col. 167.yet after all this he exacts no witnesses nor writings from us, but is contended with a word alone: p. 564and if thou saist from thy heart; I renounce thee Satan, and thy pompe, he hath received all he doth require. Let us say this, I renounce thee Satan: and let us keepe this promise, as those who are to give an account of it at the last day, that we may then restore the pledge safe. Now the Divels pompe, are theatres, stage-playes, cirque-playes, costly and gorgeous apparell, praesages, omens, and every sinne. To preserve thee therefore from these pompes, and every other sinne: eeSine verbo hoc nunquam in forum prodeas, sed cum es ianuae vestibula transgressurus, hoc prius loquere verbū, Abrenuncio tibi Satana, et coniungor tibi Christe. Ne unquam absque hac voce exeas; haec erit tibi bacculus, haec arm…tura, haec turris inexpugnabilis; sic ut non tantum homo occurrens, uerum nec ipse Diabolus te quicquam laedere poterit, cum his te cernens armis ubique apparentem. Ibidem Col. 167 D. 168. A.when thou art going out of thy doore, utter this speech first; I renounce thee Satan, and I am united to thee ô Christ: Never goe thou abroad without this speech: this will be a staffe, this will be armour and an impregnable tower to thee, so that neither man nor Divell shall be able to hurt thee, when they shall see thee appearing every where furnished with these weapons. St. Augustine, as in his ffAct. 2. Chorus p. …9, 50.Acts 2fore-alledged place, so in his second Booke De Symbolo ad Catechumenos, cap. 1… & 2. He informes us: ggSi te pompa illa, figura ea… equorum, compositio ornatus et aurigae superstantis, equos regentis, vincere cupientis &c. Si haec te, ut dixi, pompa delectat, nec hanc tibi denegavit, qui pompis Diaboli renuncia…e praecepit; habemus et nos spiritualem nostiam aurigam &c. Fugite dilectissimi Spectacula, fugite caveas …urpissimas Diaboli ne vos vincula teneant m…ligni. Ibid. Tom. 9. pars 1. p. 139, 1394.That stage-playes, cirque-playes, and such like spectacles, are the pompes of the Divell, which God hath enjoyned us to renounce: Flie stage-playes therefore (saith he) ô my beloved, avoid these most filthy dens of the Divell, lest the snares of the wicked one holde you captive. Alchuvinus, a famous English Divine, flourishing about the yeare of our Lord 790. in his Epistle, De Caeremonijs Baptismi, writing of that renouncing which we make in baptisme; wherein we renounce the Divell with all his workes… and all his pompes; informes us: hhNovissime, et omnibus pompis e…us. Quae sunt, inanis iactantia, canora musica, in quibus saepe solvitur et mollitur Christianus vigor, spectacula turpia, vel super…ua et reliqua. Ibidem, Opera Lu…tia. Paris. 1617. Col. 1558.That these pompes of the Divell, are vaine boasting, loud-sounding Musicke, in which Christian vigour is ofttimes remitted and effeminated, filthy Stage-playes, with all superfluous p. 565things. iiDe Sacramentalibus praecibus et Ritibus Baptismi, Tit. 5. cap. 49. sect. 7. Operum. Tom. 3. Venetiis 1571. fol. 94. vid. ibid. sect. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.Thomas Waldensis, a famous Popish English Writer, assures us: that the pompes of the Divel which we renounce in baptisme, before we are united to the fabricke of the Church, are unlawfull desires, which defile, but not adorne the soule; as the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the eye, with the ambition or ostentation of the world, belonging to the lust of the eyes; as vaine Stage-playes, foolish pride, and the pleasures of this evill world. To these I might adde kkQuoted by Alexander Fabritius Destruct. vitiorum pars 3. c. 10.Gulielmus Parisiensis, llDestruct. vitiorum pars 3. c. 10. See Act. 5. Scene 8. p. 256, 257.Acts 5Alexander Fabritius, the mmHistory of the Waldenses, p. 2. cap. 9. p. 25. See Act. 5. Scene 8. p. 230.Acts 5Waldenses, nnPompis Diaboli renunciant, quae sunt spectacula, ludi, choreae, ornatus vestium vel aliarum rerum, et quae que superflua. De Antiquo Ritu Missarum l. 3 c. 58. Bibl. Patr. Tom. 2. pars 3. p. 1069. E.Honorius Augustodunensis, with **See Act. 6. Scene 12.Acts 6sundry other moderne Authours, who make Stage-playes, dancing, and such other spectacles, to be the chiefest pompes of the Divell which wee renounce in baptisme: but I shall conclude with that of Baronius and Spondanus his Epitomizer, who informe us: qqQuin etiam in solenni illo tempore baptismi solita ab omnibus fie… renunciatione, Spectaculis quoque abrenunciare fideles moris fuisse in Ecclesia Gallicana, Salvianus testatur; et alibi sub Pompis Diaboli quibus renunciari mos est, inclusa censita fuisse Spectacula, Cyrillus docet, et OMNES ALII interpraetantur. Baronius & Spondanus: Annal. Ec…les. Anno Christi 206. …ect. 2. & 4.That among the primitive Christians in the solemne time of baptisme, when as they all made publike renunciations; it was the custome of the French Church, for Christians particularly to renounce all Stageplayes, as Salvian testifieth: and under the pompes of the Divell, which it was then (and now) the custome for Christians at their baptisme to renounce; St. Cyrill teacheth us in another place, that all Stage-playes were esteemed to be comprised, and so ALL OTHERS DOE INTERPRET. So that by the resolution both of the primitive Church & Fathers, and of ALL OTHER INTERPRETERS SINCE, if Baronius or Spondanus may be credited: Stage-playes are the very Pompes of the Divell which wee most solemnly abjure and protest against in our baptisme, upon our very first admittance into the Church of Christ. And certainly they must needes be so. For if Pompa, in its genuine interpretation, signifie nought else (as rrIn their Dictionaries, in the Word, Pompa.Calepine, Eliot, p. 566Holioke, and other Distionaries teach us) but Spectaculum, to wit, a Spectacle, Stage-play, or glorious gaudy shew; in which sence this word is oft times used, both by ssPaedagog. l. 2. c. 10. & l. 3. c. 11Clemens Alexandrinus, ttDe Spectaculib.Cyprian, vvAdvers. Gentes lib. 7.Arnobius, xxDe Corona Militis c. 3. & 11. & de Spectaculis lib.Lactantius, yyDe Recta Educatione ad Seleucum.M…nucius Felix, xxDe Corona Militis c. 3. & 11. & de Spectaculis lib.Tertullian, yyDe Recta Educatione ad Seleucum.Nazienzen, zzHom. 3. de Davide et Saule. Hom. 7.38, & 69. in Matth. Hom. 42. in Acta Hom. 15.21. ad Pop. Antioch. & Oratio 6. Tom. 5. Col. 1471. B.Chrysostome, aaDe Symbolo ad. Catechumenos, l. 2. c. 2. & l. 4. c. 1.Augustine, bbDe Gubernat. Dei. l. 6.Salvian, ccDe Aureo Asino l. 10. p. 282.Apuleius, ddContra Symmachū l. 1. & 2.Prudentius, and eeIsiodor. Hisp. Originum l. 18. c. 41. Minutius Felix Octavius p. 34. 123.other ancient Christian Writers; and likewise by ffDe re Equestri lib.Zenophon, ggEpist. In Verrem l. 3. Ad Atticum l. 13. Ep. 28. 43.Cicero, hhControvers. l. 1. Praefatio.Seneca, iiHist. Rom. l. 22. 30.Livie, kkAntiqu. Rom. l. …. & l. 7. sect. 9.Dionysius Hallicarnasseus, llFastorum l. 4. p. 64. & Amorum l. 3. Eleg. 2.Ovid, mmDe Gloria Atheniensium lib.Plutarch, nnIulius s. 37Suetonius, ooMiles Gloriosus et Mostellaria.Plautus, ppDipnosoph. l. 5. c. 4. & 11.Athenaeus, qqBibl. Hist l. 16.Diodorus Siculus, rrSaturnalium l. 1. c. 6.Macrobius, ssHistoriae l. 1. & 3.Herodian, with divers other ttLucan Pharsal. lib. 1.Heathen Authours, to which many vvSee Bulengerus De Triumphis lib. c. 24, 25, 26. De Ludis Circensibus, cap. 39. G…dwins Roman Antiquities, l. 2. sect. 3. …ap 2. p. 85. See Iosephus Antiqu Iudaeorum l. 7. c. 16. & here page 89. Concilium Eliberinum Can. 57.moderne Writers might be added: who comprehend all Playes and Spectacles, under the name of Pompes: And if Stage-playes were originally invented by, and consecrated unto Divels, on whose festivalls they were alwayes solemnly acted in greatest pompe and state; as all these Authours, and the xxAct. 1… 2. & Chorus Ibidem.Acts 1:2premises largely testifie: then questionlesse the very Pompes of the Divell which we renounce in baptisme, can be no other but Stage-playes, with such other Spectacles, Shewes and Pastimes, which the idolatrous Pagans used in the solemnities and worship of their Divell Gods: and so the primitive Church and Christians alwayes tooke them. If then the primitive Church, and Saints of God, (who to shew their greater detestation to Stage-playes, yyApostolorum Canones, Can. 17. Surius Concil. Tom. 1. p. …3. Gratian Distinctio. 34. See here Scene 3. towards the end.disabled all those who did but marrie women-Actors or Play-haunters, from p. 567taking holy Orders, or any Ecclesiasticall preferments whatsoever) thus solemnly abominated and renounced Stage-playes in their Baptisme, as the **Saltantium virorum choris Diabolus adest in medio; adest enim a meretriciis cantilenis, a verbis obscaenis, a diabolica pompa vocatus. At tu omni huiusmodi pompae nuntium remisisti, te que Christi cultui mancipasti die illo quo sacris mysteriis dignus habitus es. Recordare itaque verborum illorum pacti conventi, et ne illud violes, cave. Chrysost. Hom. in S. Iulianum, Tom 1. Edit. Front…. Ducai, Parisii… 1621. p. 613.very Pompes and pastimes of the Divell; it is most undeniably certaine, that they reprobated and condemned Stage-playes in the very highest degree. And to put this out of all further question; we have the zzCenturiae Magd. Cent. 3. cap. 6. De Disciplina et moribus, Col. 141, 142. Cent. 4. cap. 6. Col. 458. & cap. 9. Col. 837. Cent. 5. c. 6. Col. 721. & Cent. 6. c. 6. Col. 359.Century-Writers, in the behalfe of Protestants, and aaAnnal. Ecclesiast. Anno Christi 206. sect. 2.4. Anno 399. sect. 5. Anno 469. sect. 2. & Anno 371. sect. 10.Cardinall Baronius and Spondanus, in the behoofe of the Papists, upon the serious perusal of all the severall records, and Writers of the primitive Church, proclaiming this as an indubitable truth; That all the Christians, Fathers and Councels in the primitive Church, have wholly abandoned, yea utterly condemned Stage-playes, as diabolicall, heathenish. unchristian Spectacles; excommunicating all Players, all Play-haunters both from the Church, the Sacraments, and the society of Christians, till they had abjured, renounced these lewd accursed Enterludes, which they did most detest. And shall we then who bbA Christo Christiani sunt cognominati. Non se autem glorietur Christianum, quī nomen habet, et facta non habet. Vbi autem nomen sequutum fuerit opus, certis…ime ille est Christianus, quia se factis ostendit Christianum, ambulans sicut et ipse ambulavit, a quo et nomen traxit. Isiodor Hispal. Originum l. 7. c. 14.professe our selves the undoubted progenie, followers, successours of the primitive Churches, Saints and Christians, so farre degenerate from their piety, purity, zeale and Christian discipline; as not onelyonly to tollerate, but even patronize, admire, honour Players, Play-Poets, Theaters, Stage-playes… which they so severely censured, so diligently suppressed? and which is worse, to hate, abominate, revile, condemne, and ignominiously traduce all such for ccSee the 3. Epistle to my Perpetuity, The Epistle to the Reader before Healths Sicknesse; and Healths Sicknesse, Edit. 2. p. 79, 80.Puritans, Praecisians, Humorists, Cynnicks, Novellers, Factionists, & I know not what besides; ddNihil nisi grande aliquod bonum a Nerone damnatum est. Et argumentum recti est malis displicere. Seneca, De Vi…a beata, cap. 24.(an apparant p. 568argument of their grace and goodnesse when such vitious persons thus revile them) who either write or speake against them, or out of piety and conscience resort not daily to them? Alas, where is our Christianity, our piety, our godly discipline; where is our claime, our title, our conformity to the primitive Church: where our affinity, our cognation to the primitive Christians, whose children, successours and disciples we professe our selves, whiles that we thus tollerate, harbour, justifie these Diabolicall Pompes and Spectacles, which they so seriously renounced as extremely opposite to, as inconsisted with the very practise and profession of a Christian, and thus eeNonnulli pessime loquuntur de optime meritis. Seneca De Be…fi…ijs lib. 2. cap. 24.causlesly revile all those who speake or write against them? When we shal all appeare before the dreadful tribunal of our most holy Saviour, as ff2 Cor. 5.10. Iam. 5.8, 9. Iude 14, 15.2 Cor 5:10Jas 5:8Jas 5:9we shall doe …re long: and when we shall there behold those blessed Patriarkes, Apostles, Fathers, Bishops, Saints and holy Martyrs in the prim…tive Church, who have so zealously anathematized, renounced Stage-playes, as the very Pompes of the Divell, which they and we have solemnly abjured in our baptisme; passing an eternall doome of condemnation on us for our perfidious resort unto them, against our sacred vow; alas, ggSee Hyppolitus De Consummatione mundi Oratio. Bibl. Patrum Tom. 3. f. 17. A. D.what can we pleade to justifie, to extenuate this our fact, or to intitle our selves to the triumphant Church in heaven, whose discipline wee thus reject on earth? Can wee alledge for our selves, that we are pious Christians, when as our daily Play-house-haunting hhChristiani esse dicuntur, et non sunt, qui per flagitia et turpitudines suas no men religionis infamant, qui, ut scriptum est, ore fatentur se nosse D…um, factis autem neg…nt; per quos, ut legimus, via veritatis blasphetur, et sacrosanctum Domini Dei nomen sacrilegorum hominum maledictione violatur. Et ideo hoc ipso Christiani deteriores sunt, qui meliores esse deberent. Non enim probant quod fatentur, et impugnant professionem suam moribus suis; magis enim damnabilis est malitia, quam titulus bonitatis accusat; et rea…us est impii pium nomen. Salvian De Gubern. Dei, lib. 3. p. 139, 140, 142.proclaimes us worse than Pagans? or can we pleade we are members of the holy Catholicke Church of Christ, when as our frequent presence at Playes, at Play-houses, and the diametrall contrariety of our lives, our actions to all the primitive Christians, p. 569proves us the very limbes, the bondslaves of the Divell? Certainly we must needes stand silenced, amazed, confounded, condemned then, for justifying, for frequenting Stage-playes now, against the unanimous execration, vote and sentence of the whole primitive Church and Saints of God, both under the Law and Gospell: who as they iiCor. 6.2, 3. Iude 14.15.shall judge and doome us at the last, so they must needes abominate and condemne us now. O therefore let no Christian now be so impiously shamelesse, so peevishly absurd, as to apologize for Playes or Players, (by pen, by tongue or practise,) as tollerable, as usefull among Christians; or ignorantly, much lesse kkMalitia ita infecit corda multorum, ut cum superatos damnatosque se esse sentiant, tamen venen… mentium non amittant, et quod solum possunt nos oderint, per quos putant se libertatem haereseos docendi perdidisse. Hierom. Epist. 79.maliciously (out of an implacable detestation to all grace, all goodnesse) to condemne all such for llAt nos virtutes ipsas invertimus atque sincerum cupimus …as incrustare: Probus quis nobiscum vivit? multum est dimissus homo, &c. Horace Serm. l. 1. Satyr. …. p. 169, 170.Puritans, Novellers, or factious Male-contents; the common voice and clamour of our dissolute gracelesse times, wherein many turne professed Atheists, or incarnate Divels, to avoid the jealousie of mmExpedit vobis neminem videri bonum… quasi ali…na virtus exprobatio delictorum vestrorum sit. I…viti splendida cum sordibus vestris confer…is, nec intelligitis quanto id vestro detrimento audeatis. Nam …i illi qui virtutem sequuntur, avari, libidinosi, ambitiosi que sunt, quid vos estis, quibu… ipsum nome… virtutis odio est? Seneca De Vita bea…a cap. 24.being reputed Puritans: But since the whole Catholicke Church both before and under the Law and Gospell, with all the primitive Christians, Fathers, Councels, of all Nations, all places, have thus unanimously proclaimed an everlasting professed hostility, and passed such a finall doome and execration against Players and Stage-playes; let this eternally convince our conscience, close up our mouths, alter our resolutions, reforme our Play-haunting lives, & cause us readily to subscribe to this 47. Play-confounding Argument, against which there can be no resistance, with which I shall conclude this Scene.

That which the whole Church of God, both before and under the Law and Gospell, together with all the Iewes and faithfull Saints before, and primitive Christians in & since our Saviours time, have professedly abominated, rejected, condemned in the very p. 570highest degree, even as the very workes and Pomps of the Divell, must undovbtedly be extremely sinfull and utterly unlawfull unto Christians: as is evident by 1 Cor. 10.32. Phil. 4.8. …om. 12.16, 17. 1 Cor. 1.10. cap. 14.23, 24, 25, 32: with sundry other Scriptures.

But the whole primitive nnEa Ecclesijs displicent, quae omnibus bonis non placent. Hierom. Epist. …. cap. 2.Church of God, both before and under the Law and Gospell, together with all the Iewes and faithfull Saints before, and primitive Christians in and since our Saviours time, have professedly abominated, rejected, condemned Stage-playes in the very highest degree, even as the very workes and pompes of the Divel; as is evident by the premises.

Therefore they must undoubtedly be extremely sinfull and utterly unlawfull unto Christians.

Let us therefore henceforth **Prov. 2.20. Hebr. 6.12.Prov 2:20Heb 6:12walke in the way of these good men, and keepe the pathes of the righteous: becomming followers of these blessed primitive Christians, as well in renouncing Stage-playes as in points of faith.