The Players Scourge, Part 1 · Act 7 · Scene 3 · Floating text 15 – Floating text 22

The Players Scourge · Part 1 · Act 7 · Scene 3 · Floating text 15 – Floating text 22

p. 582eeSurius Tom. 2 p. 1044. Carranza fol. 191.Canon: 24. Ne cui liceat eorum, qui in sacerdo…ali ordine enumerantur, vel monachorum, in equorū curriculis subsistere, vel scenicos ludos sustinere. Sed etsi quis Clericus ad nuptias vocetur, quando ad deceptionē comparata ludicra ingressa fuerint, surgat et discedat, Patrum nostrorum sic jubente doctrina. Si quis autem ejus rei convictus fuerit, vel cesset, vel deponatur.

ffSurius Tom. 4 p. 1048. Carranza fol. 194.Can: 51. is most expresse in point. **Nota bene.Omninò prohibet haec sancta, et universalis Synodus eos qui dicuntur Mimos et eorum spectacula: deinde venationum quoque spectationes, eas que quae …iunt in scena, saltationes perfici. Si quis autem praesentem Canonem contempserit, et se alicui eorum quae sunt vetita dederit; si sit quidem Clericus, deponatur; si verò Laicus, segregetu….

p. 583ggSurius Tom. 4. p. 1049. Carranza. fol. 195.Canon: 61. Eos quoque sexennij canoni subjici oportet, qui ursos, vel ejusmodi animalia ad ludum et simpliciorum noxum circumferunt; ac fortunam, ac fatū, et genealogiā, et quorundam ejusmodi verborum multitudinem ex fallaciae imposturae que nugis proferunt; eos que qui impraecatores, remediorumque amuletorumque praebitores et vates appellantur. Eos autem qui in ijs persistunt, et non ab ejusmodi perniciosis gentilibus que studijs aversantur et aufugiunt, Ecclesia omnino exturbandos decrevimus, sicut et …acri Canones dicunt. hh2 Cor. 6.2 Cor 6Quae enim est luci cum tenebris communicatio, ut ait Apostolus? vel quae templ… Dei cum Idolis consentio? vel quae fideli cū infideli pars est? …quae autē Christo cum Belial concordia et consentio?

iiSurius Tom. 2. p. 1049. Carranza fol. 195.Canon: 62. Kalendas quae dicuntur, et vot… brumalia quae vocantur, et qui in primo Martij mensis die fitconventus, ex fidelium civitate omnino p. 584tolli volumus: sed et publicas mulierū saltationes, multam noxam, exitium que afferentes: quin etiàm eas, quae nomine eorum qui falso apud Graecos dij nominati sunt, vel nomine virorū ac mulierum fiunt saltationes ac mysteria more antiquo et à vita Christianorum alieno, amandamus et expellimus: statuentes ut kkDeut. 22.5. Se… here Act. 5. Scene 6. throughout. Hin… …harondas etiam legem posuit, contra signorum ordinumque in bellis desertores, aut arma pro patriae tutela om…ino de…ectantes: ut id genus viri muliebri vestitu amicti triduum in foro desiderent: quae con…titutio cum leges alibi sancitas humanitate praestat, tum dissimulan…er probri magnitudine e…usmodi ingenio praeditos ab effaeminata mollitie deterret. Siquidem mortē expetere longe praestat, quam tantum ignominiae dedecus in patria experiri. Diod…ru… Siculu… Bibl. Hist l. 12. sect. 15. p. 420. Which shewes how execrably infamous mens wearing of womens apparell was among the very heathen, & shall it not be much more odious among Christians?Deut 22:5Acts 5nullus deinceps mulieb…i veste ind…atur, vel mulier veste viro conveniente. Sed neque comicas, vel satyricas vel tragicas personas induat, neque execrandi Bacchi nomen, uvam in torcularibus exprimentes, invocent; neque vinum in dolijs effundentes, risum moveant, ignorantia vel vanitate ea quae à daemonis impostura procedunt exercentes. Eos ergo qui deinceps aliquid eorum, quae scripta sunt, aggredietur, uti ad horū cognitionē pervenerint, si sint quidem Clerici, deponi jubemus; si vero Laici, segregari.

p. 585llSurius Tom. 2 p. 1049. See before p. 22. Carranza fol. 96.Canon: 65. Qui in Nov…lunijs à quibusdam ante suas o…ficinas et domos accenduntur rogos, supra quos etiam antiqua quadam con…uetudine …alire ineptè et delirè solent, jubemus deinceps cessare. Quisquis ergo tale quid fecerit; si sit Clericus, deponatur; sin autem Laicus, segregetur. In mm4 Kings 21.5, 6, &c. …on… fires ther…f…re had their originall from this idolatrou… custome as this generall Councell hath defined; therefore all Christians should avoid them.quarto enim Libro Regū scriptū est, Et edificavit Manasses altare universae militiae caeli in duobus …trijs domus Dei, et filios suos traduxit per ignem, &c. et ambulavit in eo ut faceret malum coram Domino, ut eum ad iram provoca…et.

Canon: 66. A sancta Christi Dei nostri resurrectionis die usque ad novum Dominicum, tota septimana in Ecclesijs vaca…e fideles iugiter oportet psalmis et hymnis et spiritualibus canticis in Christo gaudentes, festum que celebrantes… nnLay men therfore ought to read the scriptures by this general Councels resolution. See Canon 68.95. & Apostolorum Canones C…n. 84. Clemens Constit. Apostol. l. 1. c. 5, 6, 7, 8.2. c. 61. Concil. Laodicenum Can 10, 59. Carthag. …. Can. 47 & 4. Can. 98, 99. Arausicanum 1. Can. 18. Tarraconense Can. 13. Valentinum Can. 1. Nicenū 2. Can. 2.10. Cabilonense …. Can. 54 59, 66, 67. Aqui…granense Can. 123. Toletanū 3. Can. 7. & Leo Epist. Decret. Ep. 10. c. 1. accordingly.et divinarum Scripturarum lectioni mentem adhibentes, et sanctis mysterijs p. 586jucundè et lautè fruentes. Sic enim cū Christo exaltabimur, et unà resurgemus. Nequaquam ergo praedictis diebus, equorum cursus, vel aliquod publicū fiat spectaculū. Which if this Councel may be credited, are no fit sports for holy times.

Canon: 71. Eos qui docentur leges civiles Graecis moribus uti non oportet; et neque in theatrum induci, nec eas quae dicuntur cylistras peragere &c. Si quis autem deinceps hoc facere ausus fuerit, segregetur.

ooSurius Tom. 2 p. …053. Carranza fol. 196.Canon: 100. ppProv. 4.Prov 4Oculi tui recta aspiciant, et omni custodia serva cor tuum, jubet sapientia. Corporis enim sens…s sua facile in animam effundunt. qqSee Synodus Augustenfis Anno 1548. cap. 28. the 2. part of the homely against the Perill of Idolatry, p. 72, 73. Bernard. ad Gulielmum Abbatem Apologia. AElredus Speculum charita…is c. 52. Bibl. Patr. Tom 13. p. 84. & Speculum charitatis l. 2. c. 24. Ibid. p. 111. Mapheus Vegius De Educatione libe…orum lib. 1. c. 14.Picturas ergo quae oculos praestringunt, et mentem corrumpunt, et ad turpium voluptatum movent incendia, nullo modo deinceps imprimi jubemus. Si quis autem hoc facere aggressus fuerit, deponatur.

Can. 24. It shall not bee lawfull for any who are in the order of Priests or Monkes, to bee present at horse-races, or to act, or see a part in Stage-plaies. But if any Clergy man be called to marriages, when these deceitfull sports shall enter, let him arise and depart, the doctrine of our Fathers so commanding. If any bee convicted of this thing, either let him give over, or let him be deposed. See pag. 575, 576, 578, 581, accordingly.

Can. 51. is most punctuall. This sacred and universall Synode doth utterly prohibit those who are called Stage-players and their Enterludes; together with the Spectacles of huntings, and those dances that are made upon the Stage. And if any shall contemne this present Canon, and shall give himselfe to any of these things that are prohibited; if hee be a Clergy man, let him be deposed; but if a Lay-man, let him bee excommunicated.

p. 583Can. 61. Those also ought to be subject to sixe yeares excommunication, who carry about **See Iohn Fields Declaration of Gods Iudgement at Paris Garden: & Mr. Stubs his Anatomy of Abuses pag. 133, 134, 135. against Beare-baiting.beares or such like creatures for sport, to the hurt of simple people; or tell fortunes or fates, and genealogies, and utter a multitude of such like words out of the toyes of fallacy and imposture: and those also who are stiled charmers, givers of remedies and amulets, and prophets. And those who persist in these things, and are not turned from such pernicious and heathenish practises, or doe not shunne them; wee decree, that they shall wholly bee thrust out of the Church, even as the holy Canons affirme. For what communion hath light with darknesse, as the Apostle saith? or what agreement hath the temple of God with Idols? or what part hath a beleever with an infidel? or what concord or agreement is there betweene Christ and Belial?

Can. 62. Those things that are called Kalends, and those that are named winter wishes, and that meeting which is made upon the first day of March, wee will shall bee p. 584wholly taken away out of the Citty of the faithfull: as also we wholly forbid and expell the publike dancing of women bringing much hurt and destruction: and likewise those dances and mysteries that are made in the name of those, who are falsly named Gods among the Graecians, or in the name of men and women, after the ancient manner, farre differing from the life of Christians: ordaining that no man shall henceforth bee clothed in womans apparell, nor no woman in mans aray. Neither may any one put on comicall… satyricall or tragicall vizards in Enterludes, neither may th…y invocate the name of execrable Bacchus, when as they presse their grapes in winepresses; neither pouring out wine in tubbes, may they provoke laughter, exercising those things through ignorance or vanity which proceed from the imposture of the Divel. Those therefore who hereafter shall attempt any of these things that are written, after they shall come to the knowledge of them; if they be Clergy men, we command them to be deposed; and if Lay men, to bee excommunicated.

p. 585Can. 65. Those bonefires that are kindled by certaine people on New moones before their shops and houses, over which also they use ridiculously and foolishly to leape by a certaine ancient custome, we command them from henceforth to cease. Whoever therefore shall doe any such thing; if he be a Clergy man, let him be deposed… if a Lay man, let him be excommunicated. For in the fourth Booke of the Kings, it is thus written, And Manasses built an altar to all the hoast of heaven, in the two courts of the Lords house, and made his children to passe through the fire, &c. and walked in it that he might doe evill in the sight of the Lord to provoke him to wrath.

Can… 66. From the holy day of Christ our God his resurrection to the new Lords day, the faithfull (or Christians) ought to spend the whole weeke in their Churches, rejoycing without intermission in Christ, in celebrating that feast with psalmes and hymnes and spirituall songs (not with dancing, stage-playes, dice, tables, or such like revel-rout) addicting their mindes to the p. 586nnLay men therfore ought to read the scriptures by this general Councels resolution. See Canon 68.95. & Apostolorum Canones C…n. 84. Clemens Constit. Apos…ol. l. 1. c. 5, 6, 7, 8.2. c. 61. Concil. Laodicenum Can 10, 59. Carthag. …. Can. 47 & 4. Can. 98, 99. Arausicanum 1. Can. 18. Tarraconense Can. 13. Valentinum Can. 1. Nicenū 2. Can. 2.10. Cabilonese …. Can. 54 59, 66, 67. Aqui…granense Can. 123. Toletanū 3. Can. 7. & Leo Epist. Decret. Ep. 10. c. 1. accordingly.reading of the holy Scriptures, and chearfully and richly enjoying the holy Sacraments. For thus wee shall bee exalted with Christ, and rise together with him. By no meanes therefore on the foresaid dayes let there be any horse-race, or any publike shewe or stage-playe made.

Can: 71. Those who are taught civill lawes, ought not to use Greeke manners or customes; neither ought they to be brought into the theatre, or to practise any playes called Cylistrae. If any man shall presume to doe the contrary, let him be excommunicated.

Can: 100. Let thine eyes behold right things, and keep thine heart with diligence, is the command of wisdome. For the senses of the body doe easily infuse their objects into the soule. Therefore wee command, that such pictures as dazell the eyes, corrupt the minde, and stirre up flames of filthy lusts, be not henceforth made or printed upon any tearmes. And if any shall attempt to doe it, let him be deposed.

Some of these recited Canons, as Canon 61, 65 & 100. condemne all Bearehards, Bearebaiting, Bonefires, and filthy pictures, (which rrTalia etiam Spectacula et tabularum et fabularum prohibemus. Quare Magistratibus adhibenda cura est ut ne que signis ne que tabulis obscaenitas ulla aut faeditas o…ten…atur. Polis. l. 7. …. 17.Aristotle himselfe condemnes:) p. 587yet withall they oppugne Stage-playes, ex obliquo, there being betweene them and Playes so great analogie, that the censure of one is the condemnation of the other. But the other Canons are so punctuall, so expresse against them, that there can be no evasion from them.

The seventeenth Synodicall authority against Stage-playes, 17is, Synodus Francica, under Pope Zachary Ann… Dom. 742. which runnes thus.

ssSurius Tom. 3. p. 40. See Ioannis Sarisberienfis De Nugis Curialium lib. 1. cap. 4. against hunting and hauking. Ambrose Ser. 41. Tom. 5. p. 29. in Psal. 118. Octon. 8. Tom. 2. p. 446. a. b. Bonifacii Epist. 105. Bibl. Patr. Tom. 8. p. 111. Petrus Blesensis Epist. 56. & 61. Gratian. Distinctio 2. HRabanus Maurus Tom. 5. p. 605.Ps 118Illas venationes et silvaticas vagationes cū canibus omnibus servis Dei (speaking of Clergie men) interdicimus. Similiter ut accipitres vel falcones non habeant. Decrevimus quo que ut secundum Canones unusquis que Episcopus in sua parochia solicitudinem adhibeat, adjuvante Graphione, qui defensor Ecclesiae est, ut populus Dei **Carranza. fol. 204. b. Can. 5. reades it Paginas, but corruptly; which Synodus Su…ssionensis thus expounds; Populus Christianus Paganis…mum non faciat.Paganias non faciat, sed ut omnes spurcitīas gentilitatis abjiciat et respuat, sive prophana sacrificia mortuorum, sive sortilegos vel divinos, &c. sive hostias immolatitias, quas stulti homines juxta Ecclesias ritu paganico faciunt, sub nomine sanctorum martyrum vel confessorū, Deū et suos sanctos ad iracundiam et vindictae gravitatē provocantes. Sive p. 588illos sacrilegos ignes quos Nedfri vocant, sive omnes quaecumque sunt Paganorū observationes, diligenter prohibeant.

We prohibit those huntings and silvaticall wandrings abroad with bounds to all the servants of God, and likewise that they keepe neither hau…es nor falcons. Wee decree also that according to the Canons. every Bishop in his parish shall take care; the Graphio or Curate, who is defender of the Church, assisting him, that the people of God make no Pagan feasts or Enterludes, but that they reject and abominate all the uncleannesses of gentilisme, whether prophane sacrifices of the dead, or fortune-tellers, or diviners, &c. or immolated sacrifices, which foolish men make near unto Churches, after the Pagan manner, provoking God and his Saints to wrath, and vengeance. And that they diligently inhibit those sacrilegious fires which they call Ne…fri (or bone…ires) and all other observations of the Pagans whatsoever. Which Canon is likewise ratified p. 588in **Surius Tom. 3. p. 41.Synodo Suessionensi, sub Childerico Rege, about the selfe same yeare wherein this Synode was held.

18The eighteenth Play-oppugning Councell, is, Synodus Nicaena 2. Anno Dom. 785. or 787. in which there were ttSurius Tom. 3 Concil. p. 48, 49. Baronius & Spondanus Anno Christ 787. sect. 1.present 350. or 377. Bishops … as some record: which Councell (commonly reputed the 7. oecumenicall or universall Councell) determines thus of Stage-playes.

vvSurius Tom. 3. p. 196. Carranza. fol. 54. Can. 5.Canon: 22. Deo quidem universum dedicare et non proprijs voluntatibus servire res magna est. xx1 Cor. 10.31.1 Cor 10:31Sive enim editis, sive bibitis, inquit divinus Apostolus, omnia in Dei gloriam facite &c. Cu…vis ergo homini necesse est comedere u… vivat, et quibus est vita quidem matrimonij, e… liberorū, et laici constitutionis, immixtim comedere viros et mulieres est ab omni reprehensione alienum, simodo ei qui dat nutrimentū gratias agunt; non cū scenicis quibusdā studijs, sive sata…icis canticis et citharaedicis ac meretricijs vocibus, quos prophetica execratio prosequitur sic dicēs: yyEsay 5.11, 12Isa 5:11Isa 5:12Vae qui cū cythara et psalterio vinū bibunt, Domini p. 589autē oper… non respiciunt, et opera manui… ejus non consideran…. Et sicubi tales fuerint inter Christianos, corrigantur.

Can: 22. Verily to dedicate all to God, and not to serve our owne wills, is a great matter: For whether ye eate or drinke (saith the divine Apostle) or whatsoever ye doe, doe all to the praise and glory of God, &c. It is necessary therefore for every man to eate that he may live; and those who live a married life, and have children, and are of a lay-condition, for them to eate men and women together is farre from all reproofe, if so be they give thankes to him who giveth foode; not with Stage-playes, or certaine theatricall practises, or with satanicall songs, or citheredicall and meretricious tunes which the propheticall execration pursueth in these words: Woe unto them who drinke wine with the harpe and viol, but they regard not the worke of the Lord, & the operation of his p. 589hands they consider not. And if there be any such as these among Christians, let them be severely punished.

Which Canon teacheth us, First, that Stage-playes and ribaldry songs or musick, are no fit pastimes for Christians to praise the Lord withall on festivall and solemne seasons. Which condemnes the atheisticall, if not diabolicall practise of those heathen Christians, who use them most at such times as these. Secondly, that they are directly contrary to the Scripture, and utterly unlawfull, not onelyonly to Ministers, but to lay men too. Thirdly, that those Christians who frequent or use them, ought to be …everely punished, by the expresse resolution of this whole generall Councell, in which all Christian Churches, were present by their Delegates.

The nineteenth is, Synodus Turonensis 3. under Charles the Great, Anno Christi 813. which determines thus of Stage-players and their Enterludes, that all Christians should avoid them, as the ensuing Canons testifie.

zzSurius Tom. 3. p. 274. See Capit. Caroli Magni Apud Bochellum Decreta Eccles. Gal. l. 4. Tit. 1. c. 39. p. 549. & Tit. 10. c. 6. p. 593. where hee prohibits all enterludes, dancing, filthy and debolst songs, and diabolicall Playes in the streetes, in houses, or in any other places under paine of excommunication, because they were but reliques of Paganisme.Titus 1Canon: 7. Ab omnibus quaecūq: ad auriū et ad oculo… pertinent illicebras, unde vigor animi emolliri posse credatur (quod de aliquibus generibus musicorum, aliis que nonnullis rebus sentiri potes…) Dei sacerdotes abstinere debent: quia per auriū oculorū que illicebras vitiorū turba ad animā ingred… solet. Histrionum quo que turpiū, et obscaenorum insolentias jocorum, et ipsi omnino p. 590effugere, caeterisque effugienda praedicare debent.

Canon: 8. **See Concil. Wormatiense, Anno 868. Can. 17. Surius Tom. 3. p. 523. accordingly. Where this penalty is added. Quod si quis harum personarum hac fue…it voluptate detentus, Episcopus tribus mensibus se a communione suspendat, presbyter duobus mensibus, diaconus uno mense ab omni officio et communione abstineat.Sacerdotibus non expedit, secularibus et turpibus quibuslibet interesse jocis: venationes quoque ferarum vel avium minime sectentur.

Can: 7. The Ministers of God ought to abstaine from all allurements whatsoever, belonging either to the eares or eyes, from whence the vigour of the minde may be thought to be effeminated, (which may be conceived of certaine kindes of musicke, and some other things:) because through the intisements of the eyes and eares, the troope of vices is wont to enter into the soule. They ought likewise wholly to eschew the insolencies of filthy Stage-players, and of obscene p. 590jests, and also to preach to others, that they ought to be avoided.

Can: 8. It is not expedient that Ministers should be present at any secular and dishonest Playes or sports; neither may they follow the hunting either of wilde beasts or birds.

20The twentieth, is, Synodus Cabilonensis 2. under Charles the Great, Anno Christi 813. which defines thus of Players and Stage-playes; that not onelyonly Clergy men, but even all manner of Christians ought wholly to abandon them: Witnesse this Canon which is almost the same with the last recited.

aaSurius Tom. 3. p. 279.Can: 9. Ab omnibus oculorum aurium que illecebris sacerdotes abstinere debent, et **See Concil. Matisconense 2. Anno 588. Agathense Anno 420. Nanetense 1264. Andegauēse 1265. Lingonense 1404. Carnotense 15…6. Senonense 1524. & Aquense 1585. Apud Bochellum Decret. Eccles. Gal. l. 6. Tit. 18. De Clerico Venatore p. 1024, 1025, accordingly.canum, accipitrum, falconū, vel caeterarū hujusmodi rerū curam parvi pendere; et histrionum sive scurronum, et turpium, seu obscaenorum jocorum insolentiam, non solum ipsi respuant, verum etiàm fidelibus respuenda percenseant.

Can: 9. Ministers ought to abstaine from all wanton entisements of the eyes and eares, and to neglect or disregard the care of dogges, haukes, falcons, and such other things: and not onelyonly they themselves ought to contemne the insolency of Stage-players, Iesters, and of filthy or obscene jests and pastimes, but likewise to beleeve and teach, that they ought to bee rejected of all faithfull Christians.

21The 21. is, Concilium Moguntiacum under the same Emperour Anno 813. where I finde this Canon.

bbSurius Tom. 3. p. 287, 288.Canon: 14. Ministri autem Altaris Domini, p. 591vel monachi, nobis placuit ut à negotijs secularibus omnino abstineant. Multa s…nt secularia negotia &c. videlicet, conductores aut procuratores esse secularium rerū: turpis verbi vel facti **Such are all the Fooles or Clownes in Stage-playes.joculatorem esse, vel jocum seculare diligere, aleas amare, ccSee Concil. Coloniense Anno 1536. pars 1. cap. 26.ornamentū inconveniens proposito suo quaerere, in delicijs vivere velle, gulam et ebrietatē sequi; canes et aves sequi ad venandum. Ecce talia et his similia (under which all Stage playes are included) ministris altaris Domini, et monachis omnino cō tradicimus, de quibus dicit Apostolus. Nemo militans Deo, implicat se negotijs secularibus.

Can: 14. We decree that the Ministers of the Lords Altar p. 591& Monkes shall altogether abstaine from secular affaires. Now there are many secular businesses; as to be hirers or sollicitors of secular affaires; to be a jester or actour of filthy words or deedes; or to love a secularjest; to affect dicing; to seeke after such attire or ornaments which are inconvenient for his degree, to desire to live in pleasures, to follow hounds and haukes a hunting. Loe these and such like things (which include all Stage-playes, dancing, and scurrilous songs and musicke) wee altogether forbid the Ministers of the Lords Altar, and Monkes: of whom the Apostle saith thus. dd2 Tim. 2.….2 Tim 2No man that warreth to the Lord intangleth himselfe in secular affaires.

The 22. is Synodus Rhemensis, under the same Emperour 22Anno Christi 813. concurring with the former.

eeSurius Tom. 3 p. 292.Canon: 17. Vt Episcopi et Abbates ante se joca turpia facere non permittant, sed ffLuke 14.12, 13, 14, 21. 1 Cor. 13.3. Iob 29.12, 16. c. 31…16. to 20.Luke 14:12Luke 14:13Luke 14:14Luke 14:211 Cor 13:3Job 29:12Job 29:16pauperes et indigentes ad mensam secum habeant… (which many of them now **Iam. 2.2, 3, 5, 6.Jas 2:2Jas 2:3Jas 2:5Jas 2:6disdaine to speak to, much lesse to eate with, though Christ ffLuke 14.12, 13, 14, 21. 1 Cor. 13.3. Iob 29.12, 16. c. 31…16. to 20.Luke 14:12Luke 14:13Luke 14:14Luke 14:211 Cor 13:3Job 29:12Job 29:16commands it) p. 592et lectio divina ibi personet, et sumant cibū cū benedictione et laude Domini secundùm Apostolum; gg1 Cor. 10.31.1 Cor 10:31Sive manducatis, sive bibitis… omnia in laudem Dei facit….

Can: 17. Wee decree, that Bishops and Abbots permit no secular Playes or jests to bee made before them; but let them have the poore and needy with them at their tables: (which some now scorne as a disparagement to their greatnesse:) let the reading of the Scripture sound forth p. 592there, and let them eate their meate blessing and lauding the Lord, according to the Apostles rule; Whether yee eate or drinke, doe all to the praise and glory of God.

23The 23. is, Concilium Aquisgranense, under Lewis the godly, Anno Christi 816. which concludes thus of Playes, and prohibits all Clergy men especially, from resorting to them.

hhSurius Tom. 3. p. 327.Canon: 83. Quod non oporteat Sacerdotes aut Clericos quibuscun que spectaculis in scenis aut in nuptijs interesse: sed antequā thylemici ingrediantur, exurgere eos cō venit, aut inde discedere.

Canon: 100. iiIsiodorus de Officiis l. 2. …. 2. Surius Ibid. p. 333.Clericis igitur lege patrū cavetur, ut à vulgari vita seclusi, à mundan…s voluptatibus sese abstineant. Non spectaculis, non pompis intersint.

kkSurius Tom. 3 p. 357.Canon: 145. Clerici contubernia faeminarum nullatenus appetant; non vanis oculis, aut petulanti tumido que gestu, ac dissolutis renibus incedant: non spectaculis, nō pom…pis secularibus intersint: non aleae, non quibuslibet venationibus inserviant: llSee Concil. Coloniense Anno 1536. pars 1. cap. 26. Concil. Mediolanense 1. apud Binium Tom. 4. Concil. p. 891, 892. & those other Councels quoted in my Answer to Mr. Cozens his Cozening Devotions: p. 71, 72. against the excesse and pride of Clergy men in their apparel. See Synodus Mogunt. c. 24.nequaquam praeciosis p. 593delectentur vestibus &c. and yet few now so richly, so sprucely apparelled as these, who should be patternes of humility and sobriety to others.

Can: 86. Ministers and Clergie men ought not to bee present at any Spectacles or Stage-playes either in Play-houses or at marriages: but before the Fidlers or Players enter, they ought to rise up and depart thence.

Can: 100. It is provided for Clergy men by the law of the Fathers, that being secluded from a vulgar life, they withdraw themselves from worldly pleasures. They may not be present at Stage-playes or shewes.

Can: 145. Clergy men may by no meanes desire the company of women; they may not walke with vaine eyes, or with a wanton or proud gesture, or dissolute reines: they may not be present at worldly Spectacles or Enterludes: they may not give themselves to dice, or any kinde of hunting: they ought not to delight in costly p. 593apparell &c. as now too many of them doe, who are more like to Courtiers or Knights in their beavers, sattins, silkes or velvets, then to Ministers.

The 24. is, Concilium Parisiense, under Lewis and 24Lothorius, Anno 829. to the like effect as the former.