The Players Scourge, Part 1 · Act 7 · Scene 3 · Floating text 23 – Floating text 32
mSurius Tom. 3. p. 380.Canon: 38. Cùm ab omnibus Christianis, juxta Apostoli documentum, nEphes. 5.stultiloquium et scurrilitas sit cavenda, multo magis à sacerdotibus Domini, qui alijs exemplum et condimentum salutis esse debent, caveri oportet. Haec quippe à sanctis viris penitus sunt propellenda, quibus magis convenit lugere, quàm ad scurrilitates et stultiloquia, et histrionum obscaenas jocationes et caeteras vanitates, quae animam Christianam a rigore suae rectitudinis emollire solent, in cachinnos ora dissolvere. Neque enim decet aut fas est oculos sacerdotum Domini spectaculis faedari, aut mentem quibuslibet scurrilitatibus, aut turpiloquijs ad inania rapi. Ait quippe Dominus in Evangelio: Omne verbum ociosum, quod loquuti fuerint homines, reddent de eo rationem in die judicij. Paulus ad Ephesos, qEphes. 4.Omnis, inquit, sermo malus ex ore vestro non procedat, sed si quis, bonus ad aedificationem fidei, ut det gratiam audientibus, et nolite contristare Spiritum sanctum, in quo signati estis in die redemptionis. Et non post multa, rEphes. 5.Fornicatio autem, inquit, et omnis immunditia, aut avaritia, nec nominetur in vobis, sicut decet sanctis; aut turpitudo, aut stultiloquium, aut scurrilitas, quae ad rem non pertinent; sed magis gratiarum actio. Et Esaias: sEsay. 5.12.Cy…hara et lyra, et tympanum, et tibia, et vinum in convivijs vestris, et opus Domini non respicitis, nec opera manuum ejus consideratis. Sunt et alia hujusce rei innumera exempla, quae prospecta et diligenter animadversa, non solum sacerdotibus, verum etiā caeteris fidelibus magno terrore sint necesse est; ne dum his contra fas se subdūt, animae suae salutē negligant. Proinde nobis omnibus in cōmune visū fuit, ut si qui sacerdotum hactenus his vanitatibus usi fuerint, ab his deinceps Domino adjuvante, prorsus se cavere debere meminerint.
Can. 38. Since that foolish talking and scurrility, according to the Apostles instruction, ought to be avoided of all Christians, much more ought it to be eschued by the Ministers of the Lord, who ought to be an example, and condiment of salvation unto others. For these things are utterly to bee abandoned by holy men, whom it better becomes to mourne, than to laugh immoderately at scurrilities and foolish speeches, and at the obscene jests of Stage-players and other vanities, which are wont to soften a Christian soule from the rigour of its rectitude and uprightnesse. Neither is it seemely or lawfull, that the eyes of the Lords Ministers should bee defiled with Stage-playes, or their mindes carried away with any scurrilities or filthy speeches. For the Lord …aith in the Gospell: oMatth. 12.Every idle word that men shall speake, they shall give an account of it in the day of judgement. Paul to the Ephesians, saith: Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the edification of faith, that it may administer grace to the hearers, and grieve not the holy Spirit by which ye are sealed to the day of redemption. And not much after, he saith: But fornication and all uncleannesse, or covetousnesse, let it not be named among you, as becommeth Saints; neither filthinesse, nor foolish talking, or scurrility, which are not convenient; but rather giving of thankes. And Esay: The harpe, and the violl, and the tabret and pipe, and wine are in their feasts, but they regard not the worke of the Lord, nor consider the operation of his hands. There are other innumerable examples of this matter, which being seene and diligently considered, must needes bring great terrour, not onelyonly to Ministers, but also to other Christians; lest whiles they subject themselves to these things against right, they neglect the salvation of their soules. Wherefore it hath seemed good to us all in common, that if any Ministers have hitherto us…d any of these vanities, that from henceforth they remember, that they ought wholly to abstaine from these things.
So that not onelyonly Clergie men, but even all Christians are prohibited from Stage-playes, under perill of the losse and hazard of their soules, by this Councell, which hath doomed Stage-playes to be scurrilous, filthy and unlawfull pleasures, contrary to Gods word, which defile both the eyes, the eares and soules of the spectators.
The 25. is Synodus Moguntina, sub Rabano Archiepiscopo, Anno 847. where I finde this Canon against Clergy mens resort to Playes.
tSurius Tom. 3 p. 425.Canon: 13. Providendum necessariò est, ut Clerici à *See Linwood Prov. Constit. lib. 3. Tit. De Immunitate Ecclesiae, f. 194, 195. Ioannis de Atō. Othobonī Constitutiones Ne Clerici Iurisdictionem exerceant; fol. 69, 70, 71.secularibus negotijs omnino abstineant &c. Multa autem sunt secularia negotia: turpis verbi vel facti joculatorē esse, vel jocum seculare diligere, aleas amare &c. (as before in Concil: Mogunt: can. 21.) Quae omnia Ministris Altaris interdicimus; hortantes eos ante se joca secularia vel turpia fieri non permittere &c.
Can: 13. It is necessarily to be provided, that Clergy men wholly abstaine from secular affaires &c. But there are many secular businesses: as to be a jester or actor of any filthy word or deed (as is the Clown in Stage-playes) to love a secular jest, to affect dice-play &c. All which wee interdict to Ministers of the Altar; exhorting them not to suffer any worldly or filthy jests or playes to be made before them &c. as in Synodo Rhemensi before… Can. 22.
The 26. is vSurius Tom. 3. p. 529. Baronius Anno 869 sect. 11.Synodus Constantipolitana 8. Anno Christi 867, or 870 as others place it, consisting of 373 Bishops; which is commonly stiled, the 8 generall Councell; wherein the personating of a Bishop (and so by consequence of other persons) is thus severely prohibited.
xSurius Tom. 3. p. 5…6. See Concil. Basiliense here, num. 32.Canon: 16. Colligere licet, solenne fuisse in aulis principum statis quibusdam diebus, componere aliquē laicum insignibus Episcopalibus, qui et tonsura et caeteris ornamentis ySee Guagninus, Rerum Polonicarum, To…. 2. p. 263, 264.personatū Episcopū ageret; et creâsse etiā ridiculū Patriarchā, quo se oblectarent. Quae omnia ut in dedecus Ecclesiae accersita, prohibentur sub gravibus censuris.
Can: 16. Wee may collect, that it hath beene a solemne custome in Princes Courts on some set daye…, to attire some Lay man in Episcopall robes, who both in tonsure and other ornaments should act a Bishops part; and likewise to create a ridiculous Patriarke, with whom they might sport themselves. All which things as brought in to the disgrace of the Church, are prohibited under grievous censures.
The 27. is Concilium Nanetense, about the yeare 890: where I finde this Canon.
zGratian. Distinctio 44.Nullus Presbyterorum quando ad anniversarium diem 30. aut 7. vel 3. alicujus defuncti… aut quacun que vocatione ad collectam convenerit se inebriare nullatenus presuma…; nec praecatus aThat is, by the love of any Saint whose health was drunke at such feasts and meeting…. See Aug. De Tempore Sermo 231, 232 Ioannis de Atō Constitutiones Concilii Oxoniensis Anno 1212. & Edmundi Cant. Archiepi…copi bound up at the end of Linwood, fol. 124, 143. Ioannes Langhecrucius De Vita & Honest…Eccle…iast. l. 2. c. 11. p. 250. Ioannes Fredericus de Ritu Bibendi ad S…nitatem. l. 1. c. 7. & my Healths Sicknes, p. 32, 36, 37. See here Concil. 28. & 38.amore sanctorum vel ipsius animae bibere, aut alios ad bibendum cogere, vel se aliena praecatione ingurgitare, nec plausus et risus inconditos et fabulas inanes ibi referre aut cantare praesumat; aut turpia joca vel urso, vel tornatricibus ante se fieri patiatur: nec larvas daemonum ante se fieri consentiat: quia hoc diabolicum est, et sacris Canonibus prohibitum.
No Minister when he shall come to the 30. or 7. or 3. anniversary day of any dead person, or bee invited to a gathering, may by no meanes presume to make himselfe drunke; neither may hee presume being intreated by the love of the Saints, or of his owne soule, to drinke, or to cause others to drinke, or to glut himselfe upon any others request, nor yet to use applauses or rude laughter. or there to relate or sing any vaine fables; neither may he suffer foolish Playes or pastimes to be made before him with beares or tumblers: neither may he agree, that any vizards or shapes of Divels be carried before him: because this is diabolicall, and prohibited by sacred Canons.
The whole scope of which Canon, is onelyonly to inhibit Clergy men from drinking, pledging or enforcing Healthes, upon any occasion or intreaty whatsoever; and to debarre them from beholding Playes and Enterludes, especially such where any Divels had their parts or representations.
The 28. is Concilium Lateranense sub Innocentio 3. Anno Christi 1215. bSurius Tom. 3. p. 734. Carranza fol. 238.consisting of 2 Patriarkes, 70 Arch-bishops, 412 Bishops, 800 Abbots and Priors; where these ensuing Canons were promulgated, which I wish all Clergy men would remember.
cSurius Tom. 3. p. 742 Carranza fol. 241. Ioannis de Burgo Pupilla Oculi pars 7. c. 10 C.D.Canon: 15, 16. A crapula et ebrietate omnes Clerici diligenter abstineant, unde vinum sibi temperent, et se vino; nec ad bibendum quispiam incitetur, cum ebrietas et mentis inducat exilium, et libidinis provocet incentivum. Vnde illum abusum decrevimus penitus abolendum, quo in quibusdam partibus ad *This drinking of H…althes i… likewise condemned by St. Edmond Archbishop of Canterbury, Anno Dom. 1240. in these very very tearmes. See Ioannis de Aton Constitutiones Provinciales, bound up at the end of Lindwood fol. 143. accordingly. See Concil. Oxon. Anno 1212. cap. ne fiant scotteli si…e potationes communes. Ibid. f. 124. b. Ioannes Langhecrucius de Vita et Honest. Ecclesiast. l. 2. c. 11. p. 25 c. & My Healthes Sicknesse; together with Concilium Coloniense 1536. pars 2. cap. 24. & pars 5. c. 6. Surius Tom. 4. p. 761, 771, accordingly.potus aequales suo modo se obligant potatores, et ille judicio talium plus laudatur, qui plures inebriat et calices faecundiores exhaurit. Si quis autem super his culpabilem se exhibuerit, nisi à superiore commonitus satisfecerit competenter, à beneficio vel officio suspendatur. Venationem et aucupationem universis Clericis interdicimus, unde nec canes nec aves ad aucupandum habere praesumant. Clerici officia vel commercia secularia non exerceant, maximè in honesta. Mimis, joculatoribus, et histrionibus non intendant, et tabernas prorsus evitent, nisi fortè causa necessitatis in itinere constituti. Ad aleas vel taxillos non ludant, nec hujusmodi ludis intersint. This Councell and Canon was received in England.
Can: 15, 16. Let all Clergy men diligently abstaine from surfeiting and drunkennesse; to which end let them keepe wine from themselves, and themselves from wine; neither let any one bee provoked to drinke, since drunkennesse banisheth wit, and provokes lust: whence we decree that abuse to be utterly abolished. whereby drinkers in certaine parts doe binde one another to drinke healthes (or equall cuppes) after their manner, and hee in the judgement of such is most applauded, who makes most drunke, and quaffes off most cups. And if any offend in these things, unlesse hee shall give competent satisfaction being admonished by his superiour, let him be suspended from his benefice or office. We prohibit hunting and hauking to all Clergy men, whence they may not presume to keepe either dogs or hawks to hawk with. Clergy men may not manage secular offices or affaires, especially such as are dishonest. Let them not addict themselves to tumblers, jesters, & Stage-players, and let them wholly avoid tavernes, unles perchance in case of necessity, when they are in a journey. Let them not play at dice or tables, nor yet be present at such Playes.
The 29. is, Concilium apud Castrum Gonterij Anno 1231. which decreeth in this manner.
dBochellus Decreta Ecclesiae Gallicanae lib. 8. Tit. 70. c. 6. & Henrici Spelmanni Glossarium… Goliardus. See the same Canon in effect made by Willielmus Parisiensis, apud Bochellum Decreta Eccles. Gal. l. 6. Tit. 14. c. 22. & in Sexti Decretalia l. 3. Tit. De Vita et Honest Clericorum. Ioannis De Burgo Pupilla Oculi pars 7. c. 10 P.Statuimus, quod Clerici ribaldi, maximè qui Goliardi vulgo dicuntur et nuncupantur, per Episcopos et alios Ecclesiae Praelatos praecipiantur tondi, vel etiam radi, ità quod non remaneat in eis clericalis tonsura: ità tamē, quod ista sine scandalo et periculo fiant. A just censure upon such disorderly Clergy men, who were not ashamed to turne Rimers, Iesters and common Actors or Tumblers, as many of the Popish Clergie did.
We decree, that scurrilous or riming Clergy men, especially those who are usually called Goliardi (that is jesters and Stage-players, as the marginall Authours expound it) may by Bishops and other Prelates of the Church, bee commanded to bee polled, and likewise shaven, so that their clericall tonsure may not remaine upon them: provided notwithstanding, that these things be done without scandall or danger.
To passe by Synodus Pictaviensis, Anno 1377. whicheSee Bochellus Decreta …ccles. Gall. lib. 4. Tit. 1. cap. 49. p. 551 condemnes the dancing of young men and maides together, as the occasion of much luxury, wantonnesse, fornication, lewdnesse, and sundry other misdemeanours: The 30. Councell against the acting and beholding of Stage-playes, is Synodus Lingonensis Anno 1404. Where I meete with this Canon.
fBochellus Decreta Ecclesiae Gall. l. 6. Tit. 19. c. 1. p. 1025.Prohibemus clericis et viris ecclesiasticis, potissimè in sacris ordinibus constitutis, et maximè sacerdotibus et curatis, ne omnino ludant ad taxillos, ad aleas, neque ad chartas, neque ad stophum, neque ad luctā, neque ad jactum lapidis, ad saltum, ad choreas, neque ad clip…um, neque cum fistula, vel alijs musicalibus instrumentis, quibus cum ore seu bucha luditur. Non ludant etiam ad bolas, ad cursum vel currendum in campo pro lucro, vel pro vino, ad jaculandum, vel gladiandum, neque ludant ad quillas, vel torneamenta, seujostas. Summopere caveant, ne intersint neque ludant in ludo quod dicitur *A Play in nature of a Mummerie Ma…que or Stage-play.chareuari, in quo utuntur larvis in figura daemonum, et horrenda ibidem committuntur: quem ludum non solū Clericis, sed generaliter omnibus subditis prohibemus sub excommunicationis paena, et decem librarum nobis applicandarum: neque etiā in ludis illis inhonestis quae solent fieri in aliquibus Ecclesijs in festo *Which wee call Innocents day.Fatuorum, quod faciunt in gOur moderne Christmas Playes and Pastimes sprung from these Popish Enterludes and disorder….festivitatibus Natalis Domini. Non ludant etiā ad ludum scatorū, nisi forsan rarò: quia quamvis sit ludus honestus, et proveniat ex subtilitate ingenij, tamen magnam et inutilē requirit occupationem, et prolixitatem temporis.
Wee prohibit Clergy men and Ecclesiasticall persons, especially those in holy orders, and most of all Priests and Curates, that they play not at all at tables, at dice, nor at cards, neither at whirling, nor at wrestling, nor at throwing of the stone, at leaping, at dancing, neither at the buckler, neither with a pipe or other musicall instruments, which are played upon with the mouth or cheeks. Likewise they may not play at bowles, at running in the field for money or wine, at darting, or sword-playing, neither may they play at quintins, at torneies, or justs. Let them diligently beware, that they be not present at, nor yet play in the play that is called Chare…ari, in which they use vizards in the shape of divels, and horrible things are there committed: which Play wee prohibit not onelyonly Clergy men, but generally all our subjects under paine of excommunication, and of ten pounds to be paid unto our use: nor yet in those dishonest Playes which are wont to be made in some Churches in the Feast of Innocents, which they make in the Festivalls of our Saviours Nativity. Moreover they may not play at Chesse, unlesse it bee very rarely: for albeit it bee an honest play, and proceedes from the subtilty of wit, yet it requires great and unprofitable studie, and much prolixity of time.
Which Canon regulates the sports and pastimes of irregular Clergy men, prohibiting them from Stage-playes, among other Playes.
The 31. is, Synodus Trecensis, sub Ioanne Lesguisier Episcopo, Anno 1427.
hBochellus Decreta Eccles. Gall. l. 4. Tit. 1. cap. 122. p. 562.Curati et Ecclesiarum rectores prohibeant suis parochiauis ex parte nostri, ne in suis Ecclesijs, vel earum cimiterijs, ludos publicos, choreas vel alia hujusmodi de caetero exerceant &c.
Let Curates and rectours of Churches prohibit their Parishioners on our behalfe, that they suffer no publike Enterludes, dances, or such like things, to be henceforth exercised or acted in their Churches or Church-yards.
The 32. is, Concilium Basiliense, Anno 1431. Sessio 21. Cap. De Spectaculis in Ecclesia non faciendis: which decrees thus.
iSurius Tom. 4. p. 62. Crab. Tom. 3. p. 63. Carranza fol. 255, 256.Turpem illum abusum in quibusdam frequentatum Ecclesijs, quo kSee Polydor Virgil. De Invent. rerum l. 5. c. 2. accordingly.certis anni celebritatibus nonnulli cum mitra, baculo et vestibus pontificalibus, more Episcoporum benedicunt: alij ut reges, ac duces induti, quod festum fatuorum, vel innocentium seu puerorū in quibusdam regionibus nuncupatur: alij larvales vel theatrales jocos: alij choros et tripudia marum ac mulierum facientes, homines ad spectacula et cachinnationesmovent: haec sancta Synodus detestans, statuit ac jubet tàm ordinarijs, quàm Ecclesiarum decanis et rectoribus, sub poena suspensionis omnium proventuum Ecclesiasticorum trium mensium spatio, ne haec et similia ludibria in Ecclesia, quae domus orationis esse debet, ac etiam in ca…miterio exerceri amplius permittant, transgresso res que per censuram Ecclesiasticam, alia que juris remedia punire non negligant.
This sacred Synode detesting that foule abuse frequent in certaine Churches, in which on certaine festivals of the yeare, certaine persons with a miter, staffe, and pontificall robes, blesse men after the manner of Bishops: others being clothed like Kings and Dukes, which is called the feast of fooles, of innocents, or of children in certaine Countries: others practising vizarded and theatricall sports; others making traines and dances of men and women, move men to spectacles and cachinnations: hath appointed and commanded as well ordinaries, as deanes and rectors of Churches, under paine of suspension of all their Ecclesiasticall revenues for three moneths space, that they suffer not these and such like Playes and pastimes to be any more exercised in the Church, which ought to be the house of prayer, nor yet in the Church-yard, and that they neglect not to punish the offenders by Ecclesiasticall censures, and other remedies of law.
And in the Appendix of the same Councell I find this Constitution.
lSurius Tom. 4. p. 223. & Crab. Tom. 3. p. 226, 227.In via quilibet incedens pudicis oculis, cum modestia et gravitate, ad loca minus honesta non vadat, nec ad spectacula publica, choreas, ludos, hastiludia, torneamenta, et alia hujusmodi. Nemo ludat, aut familiares suos ad taxillos, vel alios ludos inhonestos ludere patiatur.
Every one walking in the way with chast eyes, with modesty and gravity may not goe to dishonest places, nor yet to publike spectacles, dances, Playes, tiltings, jests, and such like sports. Let none play, nor yet suffer his familiars to play at dice, or tables, or other dishonest games.
The 33. is, Concilium Toletanum, sub Sixto quarto, Anno 1473. where I finde these Constitutions.