The Players Scourge, Part 1 · Act 7 · Scene 4

The Players Scourge · Part 1 · Act 7 · Scene 4

p. 668SCENA QVARTA.

4THe fourth Squadron of Authorities, is the ve…erable troope of 70 severall renowned ancient Fathers and Writers of the Church,The ancient Fathers of the Church against Stage-playes. from our Saviours time till the yeare 1200, who have professedly encountred, censured, condemned Stage-playes, in their incomparably excellent writings, a Catalogue of whose names and workes I shall here present you withall, together with a note of those impressions which I follow; omitting the recitall of their words at large; partly to avoid prolixity; partly, because I have already recorded their most eminent passages against Stage-playes and Players in severall **See Act. 6. Scene 3, 4, 5, 12. Act. 4. Scene 1, 2. Act. 5. Scene 1. to 12.Acts 6Acts 4Acts 5precedent Acts and Scenes, on which you may cast your eyes. To begin with these ancient Fathers and Authours according to their severall Antiquities, which I would wish the learned to peruse, for their owne better satisfaction in this point. The 1.11Philo Iudaeus Hec flourish… Anno Ch…ti 50. of them, is Philo Iudaeus, an eminent learned Iew, if not a Christian… whom St. Hi…rom highly applaudes, inserting him into …is Catalogue of Ecclesiasticall Writers. De p. 669Agricultura lib: in his workes Basiliae 1558. p. 271, 272. De Vita Mosis lib: 3. p: 932. De Fortitudine lib: p: 1001, 1002, 1005, 1006. De Specialibus Legibus, p. 1059, 1060. De Monarchia lib: p: 1099. De Vita Contemplativa, p: 1205, to 1216. In Flaccum… l: p: 1305, 1306. De Legatione ad Caium, p: 1342. to 1354, & 1399. De Decalogo, p: 1037. & De Iudice, p: 967. The 2.22Clemens Romanus, Anno Christi 70. is, Clemens Romanus, Constitutionum Apostolicarum lib: 2. cap: 64, 65, 66. & lib: 8. c: 38. Apud Laur: Surium Conciliorum Tom: 1. Coloniae Agrip. 1567. p. 68, 69, & 120. The 3.33Iosephus… Anno 90. is that famou… Iewish Historian Flavius Iosephus, whom St. Hierom inserts into his Catalogue of Ecclesiasticall Writers. Antiquitatum Iudaeorum lib: 15. c: 11. l: 16. c: 9. & l: 1…. c. 7. in his workes in Latine, Francofurti 1617. p. 415, 416, 434. The 4.44Athenago…as Anno 150. is Athenagoras, that eminent Christian Philosopher, Pro Christianis Legatio, Bibl. Patrum. Coloniae Agrip. 1618. Tom. 2. p. 139. A, B, C, D. The 5.55Theophilus Antiochenus, Anno 175. is Theophilus Antiochenus, Patriarke of the famous Citty of Antioch, Ad Autolicum, lib: 3. Bibl: Patr: Tom: 2. p: 170. G, H. The 6.66Tatianus, Anno 180. is Tatianus Assyrius, Contra Graecos Oratio: Bibl: Patr: Tom: 2. p: 180, 181. The 7.77Irenaeus Lugd. Anno 180. is Irenaeus Bishop of Lyons, Contra Haereses lib: 1. cap: 1. & lib: 2. cap: 19. in his workes; Basiliae 1571. p. 23, & 155. The 8.88Clemens Alexandrinus, Anno 200. is Clemens Alexandrinus, Oratio Adhortatoria ad Graecos, in his Latine workes; Basiliae 1556. fol. 8, 9. Paedagogi, l: 2. c: 5, 6, 7, 10. lib. 3. c. 2, 3, 11. fol. 52, 53. & Stromatum lib: 7. fol: 153. The 9.99Tertullian, Anno 200. is Tertullian, who hath profess…dly written an whole Booke against Stage-playes, viz: De Spectaculis lib: in his Workes; Parisijs 1566. Tom: 2. p: 382, to 404. Adversus Gentes Apologia, cap: **See Edit. Iunii Franech. 1597. where the chapters are thus distinguished.6, 38, & 42. Ibid: p: 589, 591, 626, 627, 682, 704… 706. Ad Martyres l: cap: 2. Ibid: p: 17. De Idololatria lib: c: 5. & 18. a booke worke the reading. De Pudiciti…, lib: c: 7. & De Corona Militis lib: c: 5. to 13. Tom: 1. p: 750. to 760. The 10.1010Hyppolytu… Anno 220. is Hyppolitus, an eminent Martyr, De Consummatione Mundi et Antichristi Oratio… Bibl. Patrum Tom. 3. p. 16, 17. The 11.1111Origen, Anno 230. is Origen, p. 670Super Leviticum, Homil: 11. in his workes, Parisijs in aedibus Ascentianis, Anno 1519. Tom. 1. fol. 83. B, C. In Esaiam, Hom: 8. Tom. 2. fol. 108. H. In Hieremiam, Hom: 2. Ibid. fol. 112. I. In Epist: ad Romanos, l: 8. Tom. 3. fol. 203. & Contra Celsum, l: 5. Tom. 4 fol. 67. C. The 12.1212Minutius Felix, Anno 230. is Minutius Felix, a famous Christian Lawyer, in his Octavius, Oxoniae 1627. p. 34, 70, 100, 101, 123, 124. The 13.1313Cyprian, Anno 250. is St. Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, Epistolarum l. 1. Epist. 10. Eucratio. & lib. 2. Epist. 2. Donato. Edit. Erasmi, Antwerpiae, 1541. Tom. 1. p. 56, 57, 72, 73. De Habitu Virginum p. 242. & De Spectaculis lib. professedly written against Stageplayes. Edit. Pamelij Coloniae Agrip. 1617. Tom. 3. p. 243, 244, 245. The 14.1414Zeno Vero…nensis, Anno 260. is Zeno Veronensis Episcopus, De Iejunio Sermo. Bibl. Patr. Tom. 3. p. 127. C. & De Spiritu et Corpore Sermo, Ibid. p. 128. D. The 15.1515Arnobius, Anno 290. is Arnobius Disputat. adversus G…ntes, lib. 2. Antwerpiae 1582. p. 75. l. 3. p. 114. l. 4. p. 149, 150, 151. l. 5. p. 182. & l. 7. p. 230, to 242. The 16.1616Lactantius, Anno 300. is Lactantius Firmilianus, lib. 6. De Vero Cultu cap. 20, 21. in his Workes Lugduni 1615. p. 502. to 509. Divinarum Institutionum, Epitome, cap. 6, p. 737, 738. See De Iustitia, l, 5. c. 21. p. 422, 423. &c. 10. p. 388. & De Falsa Religione, l. 1. c. 20. p. 75. The 17.1717Eusebius Caesariensis, Anno 330. is Eusebius, Bishop of Caesarea, De Praeparatione Evangelica, l. 2. c. 2. p. 33. l. 4. c. 11. Operū Parisijs 1582. Tom. 1. p. 85, 86. De Demonstratione Evangelica lib. 5. p. 382. Hist. Ecclesiast. l. 1. c. 9. l. 7. c. 24. Tom. 2. p. 153, 154. & l. 8. c. 16. p. 169. & Apud Damascenum Parallelorum, l. 3. c. 47. p. 208. The 18.1818Iulius Firmicus, Anno 350. is Iulius Firmicus Maternus, De errore Profanarum Religionum lib. cap. 13. Bibl. Patr. Tom. 4. p. 111, 112. The 19.1919Hila…ius Pict…viensis, Anno 360. is Hilary, Bishop of Poiters, Enarratio in Psalm. 19. in his Workes, Coloniae. Agrip. 1617. p. 202. G. & in Psal. 118. lib. Ibid. p. 258, E, F. The 20.2020Macarius Egyptius, Anno 370. is Macarius AEgyptius, Homilia 27. in his Workes, Parisijs 1559. p. 212. & Homil. 40. p. 264. The 21.2121Cyrillus Hierosolomytanus, An. 370. is Cyrillus Hierosolymitanus, Arch-Bishop of Hierusalem, Catechesis Mystagogica 1. Parisijs 1564. fol. 175, 176. The 22.2222Asterius, Anno 370. is Asterius, Bishop p. 671of Amasia, Oratio in Festum Kalendarum, Bibl. Patr. Tom. 4. p. 705, 706. The 23.2323St. Ambrose Anno 370. is St. Ambrose, Bishop of Millaine, De Officijs l. 1. c. 23. & l. 2. c. 21. Operum Coloniae Agrip. 1616. Tom. 4. p. 9. A, B. 28. F. De Poenitentia, l. 2. c. 6. Ibid. p. 193. F. De Elia et Iejunio, cap. 18. Tom. 1. p. 257, 258. &c. 21. p. 259. C, D. Enarratio in Psal. 118. Octon. 5. Tom. 2. p. 430, 431. Annotationes in Deut. 22. Irenaeo, Tom. 1. p. 232, 233. Sermo 11. Tom. 5. p. 8. & Sermo 64. p. 44. A, E, G. The 24.2424St. Basil, Anno 370. is St. Basil the Great, Bishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia, the native Countrey of George the Arrian, Bishop of Alexandria; who was borne in Cappadocia, as is most apparant: First, by aaAriani Gregorium utpote in sua ipsorum doctrina stabilienda tardum et negligentem &c. inde transtulerunt, inque eius locum substituerunt (Georgios os …o men… genos en Kappadokes:) Which Ioan. Christophorsonus renders, Georgium genere Cappadocem,) qui ab illis maxime aestimabatur, tum quod in rebus agendis promptus ac diligens, tum quod eiusdem cum ipsis opinionis perstudiosus esset. Eccles. Hist. l 3. c. 6.Zozomen, bb(Georgion vsus ek Kappadok…as ormato &c.) Which Christophorsonus, and Suffradus Petrus render, Georgium itaque accerserunt, qui et ex Cappadocia oriundus; (& Meridith Hanmer in his English translation out of the Greek Copy, reads, Georgius borne in Cappadocia;) et opinione et religione quam illi tuebantur imbutus suit. Eccles. Hist. l. 2. c. 10.Socrates Scholasticus, **Interea A…iani Gregorium &c. Episcopatu movent: et Georgium quendam Cappadocem genere, (as Ioannis Langus translates it) qui circa panem viliorem et furfur aetatem egerat succiduae que adeo suillae promus condus fuerat, quod in religione tuendo industrius esset pro eo in Alexandrino sede collocarun…. Eccles. Hist. l. 9. c. 7.& Nicephorus Callistus, who all expresly testifie in positive termes, (as their words in the margent evidence,) that George the Arrian was a Cappadocian borne. Secondly, by the testimony of Athanasius, Contra Arianos Oratio, where (as Nannius translates it,) he writes thus. eeEdit. Lat. Petri Nannii. Paris…is 1608. p. 57. D. Edit. Graec. Lat. 1611. Tom. 1. p. 117.Ea que de causa (foreign,) Georgiū Cappadocem quendam redimerunt: (which referres onelyonly to his Country;) Sed nec ille aliquo in numero aut praecio habendus est. Dico enim eum istis in locis, non ut Christianum se, sed ut idololatram gessisse eundem que moribus et instituto carnificem esse: which relates to his lewd conditions. Againe in his Epistle, Ad solitariam vitam agentes; hee hath this passage. ffPag. 238. A. Lat… Gr. & Lat. Tom. 1. p. 666.Nunc autem denuò foreign, Georgium quendam p. 672Cappadocem, (an apparant designation of his Country,) aerarij Constantinopoli questorem et depeculatorem omnium, atque ex crimine profugum Alexandriam specie militari et authoritate ducis in Episcopatum immittit. And in his Epistle, Ad ubique Orthodoxos, foreign, &c. Which Petrus Nannius renders thus: hhPage 170. b. Lat. Edit. Gr. Lat. p. 727. D.Quibus declarabat Georgium Cappadocem natione, successorem mihi datum, satellitium stipatoribus que Comitis in cathedram inducendum: and that properly enough. So that if Athanastus (who had cause to know the birth and life of this Arrian George, who both persecuted and deposed him) may be judge, this George, without question, was a Cappadocian borne. Thirdly, it is evident by the unavoidable suffrage of Gregory Nazianzen, the Countrey-man, if not the coaetanian of this Arrian George: who in his Oratio 31. in laudem Athanasij, writes thus. foreign, &c. which not only Bilius, but kkEdit. Basiliae 1571. p. 527, 528.Ioannes Lewenclavius too, (who well understood the signification of the word foreign) Latine thus. Monstrosus quidā Cappadox ex ultimis terrae nostrae finibus oriundus, malus genere, animo pejor, &c, Which words, monstrosus quidā Cappadox, ex ultimis terrae nostrae finibus oriundus: llGregorius Presbyter De Vita Gregorii Nazianzeni Oratio. Gregorii Nazianz. Monodia in Basilii Magni Vitam. Isiodor. Pelusiota l. 1. Epist. 158. Munster Cosmogr. l. 5. c. 14. Purchas Pilgr. l. 3. c. 15. Vincentius Specul…m Hist. l. 14. c. 88. Opmeeri Chronog. p. 288.(Gregory Nazianzen being a Cappadocian borne;) coupled with this foregoing passage: Atque hic mihi charissimum solum, patriam, inquam, meam omni crimine solutam velim; Non enim patriae, sed ijs qui libera animi voluntate eum (viz. George the Arrian) elegerint improbitas assignanda est. Illa enim sacra, et apud omnes pietatis laude clara et illustris; at hi Ecclesia parente indigna. Porro in vinca quoque spinam nasci audistis, &c. (Wherein he excuseth his native Country, Cappadocia, from all blame; that George the Arrian was borne & made a Bishop in it; since thornes may grow in vineyards, p. 673and those who chose him for their Bishop, not his native Countrey were to blame:) and seconded with this ensuing gradation; malus genere, (which referres to his parentage, hee being a Cappadocian borne, whose wickednesse and lewdnesse, as is confessed, grew into a proverbe:) animo pejor, which relates to his conditions: are an unanswerable evidence, that George the Arrian was a Cappadocian borne. Hence mmSee Nazianz. Opera Lat. Basiliae 1571. p. 535. Scholia 13.Billius in his Scholia upon this Oration, long before Dr. Rainolds wrote any thing of this subject, concludes peremptorily; That George the Arrian was a Cappadocian borne; Cappadox enim erat (saith hee) Georgius Arrianus infestissimus Athanasij hostis. Quatenus autem Cappadox erat, inquit Theologus, videam mihi, et patriam communem cum eo habere, nonnihil etiam ad insidias adversus Athanasium structas conferre. Hence Flaccus Illyricus, Iohannes Wigandus, Matthaeus Iudex, and Basilius Faber, in their Famous Magdeburgian Ecclesiasticall Centuries, (**For the 4. Century was published, Anno 1560. & Dr. Rainolds de Idololatria &c. Anno 1596. 36 yeares before Dr. Rainolds,) relating the life and death of George the Arrian, expresly affirme from this of Nazianzen, That George the Arrian was a Cappadocian borne. For thus they write: nnCentur. 4. Col. 1358.Georgius natione Cappadox, ex sordido et vili vitae genere, ad Episcopatum, seu tyrannidem potius, Alexandriam pervenit. Yea both ooAnnal. Eccles. Anno 341. sect. 5. & 356. sect. 10, 11. Spondanus sect. 3.Baronius and Spondanus from this passage of Nazianzen, and those of Athanasius, affirme; That this Arrian George was a Cappadocian borne, and the Countrey-man of Nazianzen: For writing of Gregory, and this Arrian George: Concordant vero (say they) omnino patria, cum utrumque fuisse Cappadocem veteres scriptores tradant, quoting Nazianzen and Athanasius in the margent. Whence they stile this George, Georgius Cappadox, quem quidem malum genere, animo pejorem, moribus pessimum fuisse, Gregorius Nazianzenus ipsius Gentilis docet, dum ejus scelera recenset. If then we beleeve either the forenamed Historians, or Athanasius, Nazianzen, Billius, the Century-writers, Baronius or Spondanus, p. 674who are most expresse in point, this George the Arrian was undoubtedly a native Cappadocian. Lastly, that passage of Cassiodorus in his ppLib. 4. cap. 14.Tripartita Historia, where he stiles this George, Cappadocem hominem Arianae vesaniae: that more punctuall testimony of qqChronolog. Biblioth. Patrum Coloniae Agrip. 1618. Tom. 9. pars 1. p. 15. H.Nicephorus Constantinopolitanus, who reckoning up the names of the Bishops of Alexandria, whereof he makes this George the 22. stiles him, Georgius Cappadox: (by which title hee distinguisheth him, not onelyonly from rrAthanasii Apologia, secunda: p. 203.207. Socrates Eccles. Hist. l. 1. c. 24. & l. 2. c. 26 Centur. Magd. 4. Col. 708, 750 758, 819. The History of St. George, p. 110, 111, 115.George the Arrian Bishop of Laodicea, but from ssNicephorus Constant. Chron. Bibl. Patr. Tom. 9. pars 1. p. 16.George the 50 Bishop of Alexandria, who succeeded him: perchance the same George whom Photius mentions, ttBiblioth. cap. 96. The History of St. George, p. 113.as the authour of a booke concerning Chrysostome:) together with vvEdit. Athanasii, Lat. Parisiis 1608. p. 161. & 238. in the margent.Nannius, xxEdit. Nazianzeni 1571. p. 528, 535.Billius, the yyCentur. Mag. 4. Col. 104, …55, 1050.Centuriators, zzAnnal. Ecclesiast. Anno 356. sect. 3.Baronius, Spondanus, aaPraefatio in Sancti Hilarii Fragmenta, in Hilarii Oper. Coloniae Agrip. 1617. p. 121.Nicolaus Faber, and the severall Index-compilers of Athanasius, Nazianzen, Nicephorus, Zozomen, Socrates Scholasticus, the Centuries, Baronius, Spondanus, Bibliotheca Patrum, and others, who all stile him, Georgius Cappadox, as being a Cappadocian borne; yeeld us an infallible testimonie in Dr. Rainolds his behalfe; that George the Arrian Bishop (a thing not questioned heretofore by any,) was by birth a Cappadocian. Neither will those two objections to the contrary, so much as once eclipse this shining truth: To wit, bbHistory of St. George, p. 103, 104, 105.that Homo, or Monstrum Cappadox, is a proverbiall speech, denoting, not the Country, but the lewd conditions of this Arrian George, and that Ammianus Marcellinus, who lived about those times, affirmes for certaine in expresse termes, that George of Alexandria was borne at Epiphania in the Province of Cilicia. For first, though Homo Cappadox be sometimes a proverbiall speech, being applied to a notorious wicked wretch, who is no Cappadocian borne, (where it must of necessity be proverbial, because it cannot be litterall); yet it is never so, when as it is spoken p. 675of any native Cappadocian, where it may have a proper litterall construction: which is the case of George the Arrian, whom all Writers hitherto, till some of late, hauehave conceived to be a Cappadocian borne. But admit, that Homo, or Monstrum Cappadox, were a meere Adagie, or a periphrasis of a desperate gracelesse wicked miscreant; (which is unlikely in our case, since ccPatria mea (Cappadocia) sacra est, et apud omnes pietatis laude clara et illustris. Oratio 31. in laudem Athanasii p. 527. Permultaministrat veneranda haec patria mea Cappadocla, non minus bona iuvenum n…trix quam equorum. Oratio 31. in Laud… Ba…ilii p. 494.Nazianzen, & ddAltera …ur…um Cappadocum pars est quam optima, ex qua illi extiterunt qui vitae suae ac praeceptionum luce orbis terrae …inibus praeluxeru…t. Epist. Lib. …. Epist. 158. Pris…o Cappadoc…. B…bl. P…tr. Tom. 5 pars 2. p. 493.Isiodor Pelusiota informe us; that about this George his time the ancient infamie of the Cappadocians lewdnesse was quite abolished, Cappadocia being then become not onelyonly sacred, but even famous and illustrious both for piety, learning, education of youth and learned pious men, who were as so many lights of holy life and doctrine unto all the world:) Yet no one testimony can be produced by the objectors, to prove, that Georgius Cappadox, or Cappadox coupled with any other proper name, is used onelyonly proverbially, for a man of wicked, lewd or vile conditions; not for a Cappadocian borne. For as Anglicus, Scotus, Brito, Iudaeus, and such like nationall stiles, annexed unto proper names, (as Thomas Anglicus, Ioannes Duns Scotus, Herveus Brito, Philo Iudaeus, &c.) denominate onelyonly the native Countrey, not the morall conditions, vertues or vices of men: so Cappadox, united to Georgius, or any other proper name, demonstrates onelyonly the native soile, not the notorious wickednesse of the person: else Philagrius, whom **Oratio 31. p. 531.Nazianzen stiles, Philagrius Cappadox clarus et illustris; (which were an apparant contradiction if Cappadox were nothing but a lewd companion;) else all the pious Cappadocian Bishops in the first Nicene Councels, who are stiled ffCentur. Mag. 4. Col. 618. l. 5. See Acts 2. v. 9. Eusebius De Vita Constantinil. 3. c. 8.Acts 2:9Cappadoces; else ggOpmeeri Chronogr. p. 28….Eustochius Cappadox, as I finde him named; else hhWhom Vincentius Le…nensis cap. 41. and Opmeer…s, Chronogr. pag. 288. stile, illa, or, duo Cappadociae lumina.St. Basil, and famous Gregory Nazianzen, who are called iiCassiodorus, Histor. Tripartita, lib. 6. cap. 37. Nicephorus Calli…tus, Hi…t. Eccles. lib. 10. cap. ….Cappadoces, p. 676kkSocrates Scholast. Eccles. Hist. l. 4. c. 18. Bibl. Patr. Tom. 5. pars 2. p. 314. Spondanus Epit. Baronii Anno 354. sect. 5.Basilius Cappadox, and llNicephorus & Cassiodor qua (i) supra. See Centur. M…gd. 4. passimGregorius Cappadox: yea and Georgius Cappadox, the mmSee Vincentius Speculum Hist. l. 12. c. 131 The History of St. George, & Mr Seldens Titles of Honor, part 2. c 5. p. 794, to 819.Sainted Martyr too, (whom nnPurchas Pilgrimage l. 3. c. 13. Dr. Featly his Handmaid of Devotion, p. 413. with sundry others quoted in the History of St. George, part 1. c. 3, 4.some make the same with George the Arrian; ooSee Ibid.others, and among them ppChronogr p. 309.Opmeerus, qqDe Retione Studii Theologiae, l. 3. c. 7.Hyperius, rrQuoted by Molanus, Hist. SS. Imaginum. Antwerpiae 1617. l. 3. c. 14. p. 277, 278.Georgius Stigelius, and Ioannes AEmilius, ssIn his Pilgrimage l. 3. c. 13.Mr. Samuel Purchas, ttIn his Hymne of St. George, on St. George his day.Mr. George Withers, and famous vvIn his Postils, set out by Dr. Christopher Pezelius, intituled; Philippi Melancthonis viri summi et incomparabilis, et totius Germaniae olim praeceptoris, explicationum in Academia Witembergensi traditarum super textus Evangeliorum Dominicalium &c. pars 3. printed Hanouiae apud Antonium &c. Explicatio in Evangelium in Festo Sanctae Margaretae, (supposed to be rescued from the Dragon by St. George;) pag. 417. the Gospell on that day, (2…. Iulii) being Matth. 13. Regnum coelorum similis est Margaritae &c. where he discourseth thus. Hac septimana fuit usitatum celebrari festum diem Margaretae. Non volo recitare fabulas quae sunt notae, undecun que sunt ortae, sive ab Appollinari, sive ab aliis. Apollinaris composuit huiusmodi poemata, id est Comaedias et Tragaedias, tunc, cū Iulianus prohibuit doceri Christianorū liberos in scholis ethnicis, nolebat enim …os eloquentia et litteris instrui, ut Christiana doctrina facilius opprimeretur, &c. (Which declares the originall of the fable of St. George: and then he propounds this question; Quid significat Georgos? which he thus resolves, (there being this direction in the margent, Fabula Georgii allegorica, to ascertaine the reader that he reputes it but an allegoricall fable:) Significat agricolā colentem terram, et est imago boni et sapientis Princip…. Cultura terrae est conservatio disciplinae &c. Scribitur Georgius defendisse Margaritam, id est, Ecclesiam, ve… Iustitiam, pulchram puellam, quam voluit devorare Draco, id est Diabolus et tyranni, ut nunc etiam fieri videtis. In Anglia exercetur ho… ribilis saevitia contra homines pios. V…inam Deus excitet Georgios, qui defendant illos contra Dracones. Postea obversis nona eulis includitur in dolium, et sic inclusus deiicitur ex ardua monte; id est, necesse est illum Principem, qui curam Ecclesiae suscipit et tuetur iustitiam multa pati, venire in pericula et odia. Sed prorepit incolumis, id est, custodi… divinitus, &c. Vid. Ibidem.Matt 13Philip Melancthon too, what ever some aver against it, as his words I have quoted in the margent witnes:) a meere symbolical or allegoricall fiction; either of pious Magistrates, the Princes of Gods husbandry, who fight against the Dragon, rescuing the Virgin the Church from his assaults, or defending and maintaining discipline and justice, against all tyrants and oppressours: or, of our p. 677Lord and Saviour Christ, the true zzIohn 15.1. Isay 5.1. to 8. Matth. 12.33, 34. 1 Cor. 3.9.John 15:1Isa 5:1–8Matt 12:33Matt 12:341 Cor 3:9foreign of his Church, who hath long since yyGen. 3.15.Gen 3:15bruised the head, **Isay 51.9.Isa 51:9wounded the body, and aaRev. 12.7. to 12.Rev 12:7–12vanquished the power of the great Serpent the Divell, (whom the Scripture stiles bbPsal. 91.13. Psal. 74.13. Isay 51.9. Rev. 12.3, 4, 7, 9, 13, cap. 13.2, 4, 11. c. 16.13. c. 20.2.Ps 91:13Ps 74:13Isa 51:9Rev 12:3Rev 12:4Rev 12:7Rev 12:9Rev 12:13the Dragon,) and ccPsal. 91.13. Rom. 16.20. P…al. 110.1, 2. Col. 2.14, 15. Hebr. 2.7, 8, 14. Ephes. 1.21, 22.Ps 91:13Rom 16:20Col 2:14Col 2:15Heb 2:7Heb 2:8Heb 2:14Eph 1:21Eph 1:22trampled him under his feete, like a victorious conquerour; rescuing the ddRev. 12.1. to 16. 2 Tim. 2.26. Hebr. 2.14, 15.Rev 12:1–162 Tim 2:26Heb 2:14Heb 2:15Woman, his beloved Church, (whom he stiles his Margarit… eeMal. 3.17. Rev. 21.10. to 22.Mal 3:17Rev 21:10–22his …ewell) from his infernall power, as …he Scriptures plainly teach us; all which the emblematicall picture of S. George doth lively represent:) must all be now unsaincted, and stigmatized for nought else, but despera…e notorious castawayes, as this their proverbiall appellation of Cappadox proclaimes them, if the objection prove once true; since this title (Cappadox) is appropiated to them all, yea even to ffWho is stiled Georgius Cap…padox, by Vincentius Speculum Historiale, l. 12. c. 131. f. 157. Chronicō Chronicorum AEtas 6. f. 140. Opmeeri Chronogr. p. 309. The History of St. George p. 183. to 190, 284, 287, 312.George the Saint, as well as to George the Arri… ; he being principally knowne and conceived to be a Cappadocian borne, by this addition, Cappadox: which if it be meerely nationall in George the Martyr, and others fore-recited, must necessarily be so in George the Arrian; there being no reason to make it proverbiall in the one, and literall or nationall onelyonly in the other. Secondly, for the objected authority of ggLib. 22. cap. 11. not cap. 27.Ammianus Marcellinus, which is misquoted in the chapter: I answer, first, that he was onelyonly an heathen Writer, and not so well acquainted either with the birth or life of George the Arrian, as Athanasius his competitor, as Nazianzen his Countrey…man, and the forequoted Ecclesiasticall historians were; who all affirme him to be a Cappadocian borne: his single testimony then ought not to be preferred before all theirs; no more than the testimony of hhSee the History of St. George, pag. 133, 134…Frier Anselme, or Sir Walter Raleigh, who record, that George the Martyr, was borne in Syria, (not in Cappadocia,) in St. George his castle five miles from Ptolemais; is to be credited before theirs, who a…firme him born in Cappadocia. Secondly, his witnes is not certaine, but dubious, grounded onelyonly upon a flying report p. 678of others, not upon his owne knowledge. It is but, In Fulloni…, in Fullio, or infulio (no man knowes which) … VT F…RE…ATV…, apud Epiphaniam Cilici… oppidum: And shall we beleeve a FEREBATVR, a meere uncertaine rumour, taken up by an Heathen, before th… expresse Authorities of sundry eminent Christians. Thirdly, admit the most that may be, that this George was borne in Cili… ; yet it no …ore followes from thence, that George the Arria… was no… a Cappadocian borne; than that one borne in St. George his Parish in Burford in the County of Glocester, is no English-man borne. For as Glocester-shire is a County of England, and so hee that is borne in it, may be truly called an English-man borne; so this Cilicia in which George the Arrian was reported to be borne, was, for ought it appeares, a Praefecture or Province of Cappadocia; and therefore t…ugh he had there his birth, yet we may truly stile him a… appadocian borne. That this Cilicia wa… but a Province of Cappadocia, it is somewhat probable by the testimony of Strabo, no infamous kkMunsteri Cosmogr. l. 5. c. 14. & Purchas Pilgr. l. 3. c. 15.Cappadocian: of AEnea… Sylvi…s, and Volat…r…nus, who informe us: llStrabo Geog. l. 12. Tom. 2. Lugduni 1559. p. 166, 167, 168. & AEneas Sylvius, Histor. De Asia Minori cap. 43, 46, 49. in his Workes, Basileae 15…1 pag. 325, 327. Volate…anus Geogr. l. 10 f. 102. See Mercator and Ptolomy accordingly.That Cappadocia was divided by the Persians into two Kingdomes, viz: Cappadocia M…jor, towards Taurus, which they properly stiled Cappadocia; and Pontus, which some have called Cappadocia too: and That this Caeppadocia Major und…r King Archelaus and his predecessors, was parted into 10 Praefectures, 5 of them scituated towards the hill Taurus; to wit, Praetura Melitina, Cataonia, CILICIA, (which mmCap. 6. p. 327.AEneas Sylvius stiles, Cilicia Strategia) Tyanensis & Isauriensis; the other 5 intituled, Lavinasena, Sargasena, Sarauna, Chamanena, and Rhimnena: to which the Romans added an eleventh Praefecture out of Cilici…, namely the region of Castabalis and Cydrista …nto Derba, the seate of Antipater the pirate, the eleventh Praefe…ture before Archelaus, who annexed likewise Cilici… Tr…chea, and the whole country that practised piracie unto Cappadocia. If then Cilicia were but p. 679a Province of Cappadocia, and an eleventh Province out of Cilicia, together with Cilicia Trachea were added unto Cappadocia by the Romans and Archelaus: we may as safely conclude, that George the Arrian was a Cappadocian though borne in Cilicia, a part or Province of Cappadocia, as that St. George his Advocate is an English-man, though born in Glocester shire. But admit Cilicia, where this George was borne, were no part of Cappadocia, because it may be objected, that **See P…olomie and Mercator. Epiphania, and Pliny Hist. l. 5. c. 27.Epiphania was scituated in the Province of Cilicia, and not in this Cilicia: to which I may reply out of Volateran, Geogr: l: 11. f: 110. that there were three Citties of that name, and one of them perchance in this Cilicia; yet the Country of Cilicia it selfe (admitting he had his nativity there,) nnStrabo Geogr. lib. 12. p. 166 Plini… Nat. Hist. l. 5. c 24, 25. & l. 6. c. 8. AEneas Sylvius Hist. De Asia Minori c. 40, 41. &c. Pu… chas Pilgr. l. 3. c. 15.borders on the south of Cappadocia. As therefore ooHistory of St. George, p. 150, 151, 152.some affirme, that St. George may without any contradiction be said to have both Lydda and Rama for the Stage of his suffering, because they are both conterminous and adjacent, by which devise they have **Ibid. page 150, 151, 152. & the like is used in the fable of Dacianus, p. 175. to 179.endeavoured to reconcile some jarring Authours: So by the selfesame reason, George the Arrian might be reported, to be borne in Cilicia, as Ammianus writes, though in truth he were borne in Cappadocia, as the precedent Authours witnesse; by reason of the neere vicinity of these two Countries. All which being laid together, will sufficiently justifie the true, though late oppugned position of our deceased famous Dr. Rainolds, (whose ppPrinted 1599 & since reprinted, 1629.Overthrow of Stage-playes, hath thus occasioned me even here to quit his credit in this case of George the Arrian, which might else be questioned in the case of Stage-playes:) qqDe Idololatria Rom. Eccl. l. …. c. …. sect. 22.Sir 50That George the Arrian was a Cappadocian borne, as rrNazianzen, Oratio 30. p. 494.was the Mother of St. Basil: to whose Play-condemning passages I now proceed: as namely his ssQuoted also by Damascen Paralellorum l. 3. c. 47.Hexaemeron Hom: 4. Operum Basileae 1565. Tom: 1. p: 45. Hom: in Psal: 1. p… 218. Sermo 1. in Divites et Avaros, p: 305. De Ebri…tate et Luxu Sermo, p: 329, 333, 336. De Legendi… Libris Gentilium p. 680Oratio, p: 408, 412. Ascetica. Tom… 2 p… 180. & Comment: in cap: 14. Esaiae, Tom: 3, p: 469. The 25.2525Gregory Nazianzen, Anno 370. is Gregory Nazianzen, that eloquent and famous Cappadocian, Bishop of Constantinople, ttGregorius et Basilius nisi una anima in duobus corporibus. Greg. Nazianz. Oratio 30. p. 499.St. Basils most intire friend, Oratio 1. in his Workes, Basiliae 1571. p. 6. Oratio 28. De. Funere Patris, p: 472. Oratio 31 p… 525. B. Oratio 38, p… 583, 584, 585. Oratio 47, p. 772. Oratio 48, p. 796, 797. Adversus Mulieres ambitiosius sese ornantes, p: 994. Ad Seleucum, De Recta Educatione, p: 1062, 1063, 1064. a notable place. & Sententiae, p: 1168. The 26.2626Gregory Nyssen Anno 380. is Gregory Nyssen, De Oratione lib: Opera, Basileae, 1571; p: 9. De Resurrectione Christi, Oratio 3, p: 160. De Vita Beat… Gregori… Miraculorum Opificis, p: 312, 313. & Vitae Moseos Enarratio, p: 502, 503, 525. The 27.2727Prudentius, Anno 380. is Aurelius Prudentius, that eminent Christian Poet, who much declaimes against Stage-playes, Cirque-playes, Sword-playes, and dancing: in his Psychomachia: Bibl: Patr: Tom 4, p: 851, F. Hymnus 6, p: 880. & Hamartigeneia, p: 904, A, B, D, G, E, p: 907, D. Contra Symmachum, lib: 1, p: 910, D, E… 912, B, C, & l: 2, p: 922, E, F, G. The 28.2828Gaudentius Brixius, Anno 386. is Gaudentius, Bishop of Brixia, De Lectione Evangelij Sermo 8. Bibl. Patrum Tom: 4, p. 813, C. The 29.2929Epiphanius Anno 390. is Epiphanius Bishop of Constans, in his Compendiaria vera Doctrina, de fide Catholicae et Apostolicae Ecclesiae: in his works, Lutetiae Paris. 1612. Col: 922, E. The 30.3030St. Hierom, Anno 390. is that learned Father St. Hierom, Epistola 2. ad Nepotianum… cap: 6, 7. Operū Antwerpiae 1579, Tom: … p: 5. Epist: 9, ad Salvinam, cap: 5, p: 28, Epist: 10, ad Furiam, cap: 4 p: 31. Epist: 13, ad Paulinum, cap: 2, p: 39. Epist: 18, ad Marcellam, cap: 1, p: 53. Epist: 48, cap: 2. p: 102. Epist: 88, Tom: 2, p: 314. Adversus Iovinianum, lib: 2, cap: 7, Tom: 2, p: 167. Commentariorum in Ezechiel: lib: 6, cap: 20… Tom: 4, p: 389, H. The 31.3131Sedulius, Anno 396. is Caelius Sedulius, Collectanea in Epist: ad Ephesios, cap: 5. Bibl. Patrum Tom: 5, pars 1, p: 506, E. The 32.3232St Chryso…stome, Anno 400. is Golden-tongued St. Chrysostome, Bishop of Constantinople, who is most abundant and divinely rhetoricall **See here p. 392. to 433. where his words are recited at large.against Stage-playes, Play-haunting, Players, and dancing: p. 681Homilia 2. Adversus Iudaeos: Edit: Fronto Ducaei Parisis 1621, Tom. 1. p. 463. C, D. Homil: in S. Iulianum, See here p. 392 to 433.Ibid. p. 615, A, B. Homil. de S. Phoca, p. 878, A, B. Hom. De S. Martyre Barlaam, p. 893, D, 894, A. Homil. 56, in Geneseos 29, Tom. 1. Edit. Lat. Parisijs 1588, Col. 367, 368. Hom. 3. De Davide et Saule, Col. 510, 511, 512. Homil. in Psal. 41, Col. 734, 735. Hom. in Psal. 46, Col. 777, B. Homil. in Psal. 50, Col. 821, C, D. Homil. in Psal. 118, v. 37; 151, & 152, Col. 998, a, 1030, 1031. Hom: in Psal: 140, Col: 1110, 1111. Hom: 1, de Verbis Esai…, Vidi Dominum sedentem &c. Col. 1281, 1282, 1283, 1284. & Hom. 2, Col. 1287, 1288. Hom. 2, 6, 7, 10, 17, 21, 38, 49, 69, 74, & 89, in Mat: Tom. 2, Col. 15, 16, 50, 51, 52, 53, 58, 59… 60, 79, B, D, 144, A, 175, A, 297, 298, 299, 300, 356, 358, 359… 360, 487, 488, 489, 514, 515, 601. Hō. 31, in Ioā: Evang. Tom. 3. Col. 130, Hō. 29, & 42, in Acta Apost. Col. 544, A, 611, 612. Hō. 12, in 1 Ep. ad Cor. Tom. 4. Col. 356, 357, 358, 359. Hom. 17, in Ephes. 5, Col. 986, 987, 988. Hō. 9, in Epist. ad Coloss. Col. 1191. Hom. 15, 17, 18, 19, 21, 23, 38, 39, 54, 62, & 66. Ad Populum Antiochiae, Tom. 5, Col. 118, C, 122, B, C. 135, C, D. 137, B, C. 144, D. 145, A, D. 146, A. 149, A, B, C. 166, 167, 168, 183, 184, 186, 245, B. 250, D. 311, 312, 343, 346, 361, D. Ad Neophitos Homilia, Col. 619, B, C. De Poenitentia Hom: 8, Col. 750, 751. De Ele…mosyna et Hospitalitate Sermo, Col. 785, A. Kalendis habita Oratio, Col. 799, 800. Oratio sexta, 1471, 1472. Oratio 7, Col. 1481, 1482. Oratio 5 in Saltationem Herodiadis, Col. 1815, 1816; and in sundry other forequoted places: See Act: 6, Scene 4, p. 392. &c. The 33.3333St. Augugustine, Anno 410. is St. Augustine, that famous Bishop of Hippo: Confessionum l. 1, c. 10, Operum Lugduni 1563, Tom. 1, p. 99, l. 3, c. 1, 2, p. 116, 117. l. 4, c. 1, 2. p. 128, 129. l. 6, c, 7, 8, p. 165, to 169.See here pag. 341. to 349. Musicae, lib. 1, c. 2, 3, 5, 6. p. 443, 445, 451, 452. De Moribus Manichaeorum, l. 2, c. 19. p. 1129, 1130. Epistola 202, Tom. 2, p. 953, 954. De Doctrina Christiana, l. 1, c. 25, Tom. 3, p. 41. De Consensu Evangelistarum, l. 1, c. 33, Tom. 4, pars 1, p. 530, 531. De Chatechizandis rudibus p. 682lib. c. 16, Tom. 4, pars 2, p. 340, 341. De vera et falsa Poenitentia, lib. c. 15, p. 520. De Civitate Dei Tom: 5, lib. 1, c. 30, 31, 32, 33. l: 2, c. 2, to 15, 26, 27, 29. l. 3, c. 18, 19. l. 4, c. 1, 10, 26, 27, 28, 31. l. 5, c. 12, l. 6, c. 1, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 21, 24, 26, 27, 33, l. 8, c. 5, 13, 14, 18, 20, 21, 26, 27, l. 12, c. 25. Enarratio in Psal. 39, Tom. 8… pars 1, p. 416, to 420. in Psal. 102, pars 2. p. 336. Tractatus 100. in Evang. Ioannis, Tom. 9. pars 1, p. 608. De Symbolo ad Catechumenos, l. 2, c. 11, p. 1393, 1394, & l, 4, c. 1, p. 1427, 1428. De Verbis Apostoli, Sermo 17, Tom. 10, p. 442, 443, & Homilia 21, p. 592… 593. with other forecited places, Act. 6, Scene 3, p. 341, &c. The 34.3434Nilus Abbas, Anno 410. is Nilus Abbas, Oratio 2, de Luxuria, Bibl. Patrum Tom. 5, pars 2, p. 969, G. The 35.3535Orosius, Anno 410. is Paulus Orosius, a Spanish Presbyter, Historiarum lib. 3, c. 4, Coloniae 1542, p. 120. The 36.3636Synesius, Anno 410. is Synesius, Bishop of Cyrene, De Regno lib. Bibl. Patrum Tom. 5. pars 1, p. 51, G. The 37.3737Cyrillus Alexandrinus, Anno 430. is Cyril, Bishop of Alexandria, In Hesaiam l. 1, cap. 4… Operum Parisijs 1605, Tom. 1, p. 134, D. in Ioannis Evangelium, lib. 8, c. 5, p 595, A, B. The 38.3838Theodoret, Anno 430. is Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrus, De Sacrificijs, l. 7. Operum Coloniae Agrip. 1617, Tom. 2, p. 382. De Martyribus lib. 8, p. 390, E, F. De Activa Virtute, p. 408, D. The 39.3939Prosper Aquit. Anno 440. is Prosper Aquitanicus, Bishop of Rhegium, De Gloria Sanctorum Peroratio, Opera D…aci 1577, fol. 73. The 40.4040Sozomenus Anno 440. is Hermias Sozomenus Ecclesiast. Hist. lib. 5, cap. 15, Bibl. Patrum Tom. 5, pars 2… p. 420, E. The 41.4141Isiodor Pelusiota, Anno 440. is Isiodor Pelusio…a, Epist. l. 1, Epist. 62, 63, Bibl. Patrum Tom. 5, pars 2, p. 483, F, & l. 3, Epist. 336, pag: 613, A. The 42.4242Primasius, Anno 450. is Primasius, Bishop of Vtica, Comment. in Epist. ad Romanos, c. 10, Parisijs 1543, fol. 53. The 43.4343Leo 1. Anno 450. is Pope Leo the first, In Octava Petri et Pauli Sermo, Opera Antwerpiae 1583 fol. 165. The 44.4444S…lvian, Anno 460. is Salvian, the famous vice-tormenting Bishop of Massilia or Marcelles, in France, De Gubernatione Dei, lib 6, Opera Parisijs 1608, p. 182, to 224. The 45.4545Olympiodorus, Anno 500. is Olympiodorus, Enarratio in Ecclesiasten, cap. 4. Bibl. Patrum Tom. 11, p. 405, E. The 46.4646Cassiodo…us Anno 5…0. is Aurelius Cassiodorus, Variarum, lib. 1, Epist. 27, 30, 32, in his workes p. 683Aureliae Alobragum, 1609, p. 55, 58, lib. 3, Epist. 51, p. 221 222, 224, lib… 5, Epist: 42, p. 369, 370, 371, 372, lib. 7, Epist. 10, p. 458, 459. The 47.4747Fulgentius, Anno 520. is Fulgentius Bishop of Ruspens in Africa, Mythologiarum, lib. 1, Opera Basileae, 1617, p. 820, l. 2, p. 861. & Super audivit Herodes Tetrarcha &c. Sermo, Bibl. Patr. Tom. 6, pars 1, p. 148. D, E, F. The 48.4848Gregorius 1 Anno 590. is Pope Gregory the first, Moralium l. 15, c. 18. Opera Parisijs 1533, fol. 89, E. l. 13, c. 18. fol. 78, D. l. 21, c. 2, f. 124, I, K. & Epist: l. 9, Epist. 48, fol. 443, K. The 49.4949Isiodor Hispalensis, Anno 630. is Isiodor, Bishop of Hispalis, Originum lib. 18, cap. 16, to 60… Opera, Coloniae Agrip. 1617, p. 158, 159, 160, 165… de Officijs Ecclesiasticis, l. 1, cap. 40, & l. 2, c. 2, p. 400, C. & 401, D, E. The 50.5050Anas…asius Sianita, Anno 640. is Anastasius Sianita, Patriarke of Antioch, in his Viae duae, Bibl. Patrum Tom. 6, pars 1, p. 604, B. The 51.5151Valerian, Anno 650. is Valerian, Bishop of Cemela, Homil. 1, de Bono Disciplinae, Bibl. Patrum Tom. 5, pars 3, p. 477, C, D. Homil. 6, de Otiosis verbis, p. 482, G, H. 483, A. Hom. 10… de Parasitis, p. 487, F, G. The 52.5252Beda, Anno 720. is our Venerable Beda, In Lucae Evangelium, c. 7, l. 2, Operum Coloniae Agrip. 1612, Tom. 5, Col. 300. The 53.5353Damascen, Anno 740. is Ioannis Damascenus, Parallelorum, lib. 1, cap. 76, Opera Parisijs 1619, p… 63, 64. & lib. 3, cap. 47, p. 208. The 54.5454Alchuvinus Anno 790. is our famous Countrey-man Alchuvinus, Tutor to CHARLES the Great: de Caeremonijs Baptismi Epistola in his Workes, Lutetiae Paris. 1617, Col: 1158, B. & de Divinis Officijs lib: cap: 4, Col: 1013, 1014. The 55.5555Agobardus Anno 840. is Agobardus, Bishop of Lyons: De Dispensatione, Ministerio, &c. Bibl. Patrum… Tom. 9, pars 1, p. 603, H. 604, A. The 56.5656Paschatius Ra…bertus, is Paschatius Ratbertus, in Matth: Evangelium l. 4, Bibl: Patrum Tom. 9, pars 2, p. 986, A… B. The 57.5757HRabanus Maurus, Anno 840. is HRabanus Maurus: De sacri… Ordinibus lib: 1, Operum Coloniae Agrip. 1626, Tom. 6, p. 63, A, B, C. De Vniverso lib: 20, cap: 16, to 38, Tom: 1. p: 248, to 252. in De…teronomium l: 2, c: 29, Tom: 2, p: 437. The 58.5858Haymo, Anno 840. is Haymo, Bishop of Halberstat, Comment: in Isaiam, cap: 56, Coloniae 1531 pag 473. & Comment: in Ephes: 5, v: 3. The 59.5959Remigius, Anno 850. is Remigius, Bishop of Rheemes, Explanatio in Epist: ad Galatas, p. 684c. 5, v: 19, Bibl. Patrum Tom. 5, p. 756, G: & in Ephes: 5, v. 3, p: 970, A, B. The 60.6060Bruno, Anno 1040. is Bruno, Bishop of Herbipolis, Expositio in Psal: 118, v: 37. Bibl. Patrum Tom. 11, p. 221, B. The 61.6161Theophylact, Anno 1070. is Theophylact, Archbishop of the Bulgarians, Enarrat: in Marc: cap: 6, in his Workes Basiliae 1570, p: 89. Enar: in Ephes: c: 5, p. 509, in 1 Tim: 2, p: 573, 584. The 62.6262…uo Carnotensis, Anno 1100. is Iuo Carnotensis Episcopus, Decreta… Lovanij 1561, pars 1, c: 207, pars 2, c: 31, pars …, c: 77, pars 4, cap: 8, 162, 166, 167. pars 5, cap: 370. pars 7, cap: 110. pars 11, cap: 7, 16, 64, 76, to 85. The 63.6363Anselme, Anno 1110. is Anselme, Archbishop of Canterbury, Comment: in Epist: ad Ephe…os, l. 5, v: 3… Tom: 2. Operum Coloniae Agrip. 1612, p: 285, C, D. in Epist: ad Philip: c. 4, p: 306, A. in 1 Tim: c: 3… p: 356, C. The 64.6464Honorius Augusto …unensis, Anno 1120. is Honorius Augustodunensis, De Antiquo ritu Missarum, lib: 3, cap: 58. Bibl. Patrum Tom: 12, pars 1, p: 1069, E. where he stiles dancing and Stage-playes, the very pompes of the Divell which we renounce in Baptisme. The 65.6565Bernard, Anno 1130. is elegant St. Bernard, Abbot of Clarevale, Oratio ad Milites Templi, cap: 4. Opera Antwerpiae, 1616, Col: 832, L, M. & Epist: 87, Col: 1477, A. The 66.6666Ranulphus Cirstrensis, An. 1140. is Ranulphus Cirstrensis, in his Polychronicon, London, 1527. Booke 3, cap: 34, fol: 131. The 67.6767Ioannes Saresberiensis Anno 1140. is our famous Countrey-man Iohn Saresbery, Episcopus Carnotensis in France: De Nugis Curialiū, l. 1, c. 4, 5, 7, 8. & l. 8, c: 6, 7. Bibl. Patr. Tō. 15, p. 358, 463, 466. The 68.6868Petrus Blesensis, Anno 1160. is Petrus Blesensis, Archdeacon of Bathe, Ep: 14. Bibl. Patr. Tom 12. pars 2, p: 714, B. Epist: 76, p: 761, E. Epist: 85, p: 769, E. The 69.6969A…lredus, Anno 1160. is AElredus, Abbot of Rivaulx, in Yorkeshire, Anno 1160. in his Speculum Charitatis, lib: 1, cap: 26, p: 95, G. lib. 2, c. 23, p: 111, G, H. l: 3, c: 12, p: 118, A. and his Fragmentum, conteining the memorable exhortation of King Edgar to his Bishops and Abbots, Ibidem p. 144, A. The 70.7070Gratian, Anno 1170. is Gratian. Distinctio 33, 34, 48… & 86. Edit… Parisijs 1531, fol… 56, 58, 78, 130, 139, 140. & Causa 4, Quaest: 1, f. 260. & de Consecratione Distinctio 2, fol: 663. The 71.7171Innocen…tius, 3. Anno 1200. is Pope Innocent the 3. Decretal: Constitutionum, lib. 3, p. 685Tit. 1, Constit. 3. Operum Coloniae Agrip. 1606, Tom. 2, p: 713, 714. These 7… eminent ancient Fathers and Writers in these their recited works, to which I might adde Iustinian that famous Christian Emperour, in his **See Act. 7, Scene 3. p. 656, to 662.Acts 7forequoted …awes and workes, have constantly even from our Saviours death till the yeare 1200. abundantly oppugned, censured and condemned, not onelyonly Sword-playes, Cirque-playes, and Amphitheatricall bloudy Spectacles; but even ttSee Act. 6, Scene 3, 4, 5, 12.Acts 6Stage-playes themselves, as diabolicall, heathenish, sinfull, lewd, ungodly Spectacles, vvSee Act. 6, Scene 5.Acts 6not sufferable among Christians; condemning withall, not onelyonly the acting, but even the beholding of such lascivious, filthy and contagious Enterludes, the seminaries of all those prodigious execrable wicked effects, which I have more fully anatomized in the xxSee Act. 3, 4, 4, 5, 6, through out.Acts 3:4Acts 3:5Acts 3:6p…ecedent Acts. And if all these worthy ancient Fathers did thus abominate, oppugne the Stag…-playes, Actors and Play-haunters of their times; ô how would they censure and abhorre the scurrilous, obscene, blasphemous, impious Playes and Players of our age, yySee Act. 6. Scene 7. p. 132. & pag. 38.Acts 6which are farre more execrable, prophane and lewd than the very worst in former dayes? From these authorities therefore thus recited, I shall frame this 49. invincible Argument against Stage playes.

That which 71 severall Fathers and eminent ancient Writers of the Church have constantly,Argum. 49. professedly condemned, as sinfull, and abominable in these their recited workes; zzQuicquid enim omnes, vel plures, uno …odem que sensu, manifeste, frequenter, perse…veranter, velut quodam sibi consentiente Magistrorum Concilio accipiendo, tenendo tradendo firmaverint, id pro indubitato, certo, ratoque habeatur. Vencentius Lerinen…is con…ra H…reses, cap. 39.must certainly be desperately sinfull, unseemely unlawfull unto Christians, intollerable in any Christian Commonweale.

But these 71 severall Fathers and eminent ancient Writers of the Church, have thus constantly… professedly condemned Stage-playes and Stage-Players, in these their recited workes.

Therefore they must certainly be desperately sinfull, p. 686unseemely, unlawfull unto Christians, intollerable in any Christian Commonweale.

The Minor is evident by the premises: the Major I dare challenge the most impudent Player, or Play-patron to denie. For what man, what Christian is there so peremptorily audacious, so unchristianly immodest, so aaErrat enim is qui a via quam Patrum electio monstravit aberrat. Hosmisdae Papae Epist. ad Poss…ssorem. Bibl. Patr. Tom. 6. pars 1. p. 375.erroniously schismaticall, as to controll, and quite reject, the unanimous resolutions of so many reverend, pious, incomparably learned Fathers? whose Play-condemning censures, seconded by the definitive sentence of the whole primitive Church both under the Law and Gospell; not onelyonly challenge our reverend respect, bbSee Deut. 4.32. c. 32.7. Iob 8.8, 9, 10. c. 15. 17, 18. cr. ….16. Ezra 4.15. Psal. 44.1. Ps. 78.…. Prov. 1.8, 9. c. 4.1, 2. c. 13.1. c. 22.28 c. 23.22. c. 2.20. 1 Cor. 14.29, 32. Heb. 12.1. 1 Thess. 2.14. Heb. 6.12. See Iohn Whites Way to the true Church. Digress. 47. sect. 4. to 9.Deut 4:32Job 8:8Job 8:9Job 8:10Ezra 4:15Ps 44:1Ps 78Prov 1:8Prov 1:91 Cor 14:291 Cor 14:32Heb 12:11 Thess 2:14Heb 6:12but our subscription too. We are all exceeding ready in matters of faith, to give credit to Councels, to the renowned Fathers, and ancient Writers, especially where all, or many of them concurre: and shall we then reject and undervalue them here in the case of Stage-playes, in which they all accord, without the least dissent? Never (I dare positively affirme it) did Fathers, Councels, and Writers of all sorts, all ages, more plentifully, more unanimously accord in passing sentence against any abuse or wickednesse whatsoever, then in censuring, in condemning Stage-playes, as the precedent and subsequent Scenes will evidence: and shall we then desert them where they all concord? Could Players, Play-haunters or lewd lascivious persons, finde out but one Councell, one Father or two, to countenance Stage-playes, dancing, dicing, Health-quaffing, face-painting, Love-lockes, or their strange fantastique habits and disguises; they would so **Quod nimis miseri volunt, hoc facile cr…dunt. S…neca. Hercules Furens Act. 2.Acts 2hugge it, so adore it, that neither the lawes of God or man, the authorities of Christ, his Prophets and Apostles, the concurring resolutions of all other Fathers, Councels or Writers to the contrary should be able to convince them that these things are evill: ddEst et haec perve…tas hominum, salataria excu…ere, exitiosa susci…pere, periculosa quaeque medicamenta vitare, mori denique citius quam curari desiderant. Tertull. adversus Gnosticos Tom. 2 …. 425. Isti nec rationibus convincuntur, quia nō intelligunt, nec authoritatibus corriguntur, quia non …ecipiunt… nec flectent… suasionibus quia subversi …unt, probatum est, mori magis …ligunt quam converti. Be…n. Super Cantica Sermo 66. fol. 160. C.so p. 687pertinaciously doe men adhere not onelyonly to their opinions, but their errors too, who justifie or foment their vices in the least degree. And shall not then the uncontrolled authority of all the precedent Christian Councels and Fathers, be much more prevalent to withdraw them from pernicious Stage-playes, with other oft condemned vanities, which have not so much as one Father, one Councell to defend them? shall men beleeve, (yea sometimes preferre) the Fathers before the Scriptures, where they seeme to give any countenance to their errours or superstitions; and yet reject them, where they all unanimously condemne their sinfull pleasures? O let us not so farre undervalue these their pious judicious, unanimous resolutions against Stageplayes and Actors, as still to magnifie, frequent, or patronize them in despite of all these their determinations; eePhil. 3.16. Rom. 15.5, 6. 1 Cor. 1.16. 2 Cor. 13.11. Phil. 1.27. c. 2.2. 1 Pet. 3, 8Phil 3:16Rom 15:5Rom 15:61 Cor 1:162 Cor 13:11Phil 1:271 Pet 3:8but let us joyne hearts, and hands, and pens, and judgements, yea and our practise with them; passing the very selfesame doome on Players, on Stage-playes, as they all have done before us; for feare their pious resolutions prove so many unavoidable endictments of condemnation against us at the last. We all professe our selves inheritors of these Fathers faith; let us not then be ashamed to inherit the purity, piety, discipline, and devotion of their lives. ffSee Act. 7. Scene 2.Acts 7It was one great part of their discipline, to censure; one badge of their Christianity, their piety, to abandon Stage-playes, Players and Play-haunters; let it be one peece of our Ecclesiastical, if not civil discipline, and devotion, to doe the like. And ggHebr. 12.1.Heb 12:1since we are compassed about with so great a cloud of Play-condemning Authorities, let us now at last resolve, to lay away every weight, and the sin, (these sinful stigmatized Stage-playes) which doe so easily beset us; hhProv. 4.1. & 13.1.Prov 4:1Prov 13:1Let us hearken to the instruction of these pious Fathers, and attend unto their doctrine: not iiProv. 22.28.Prov 22:28removing those Play-exiling Land-markes which they have set us: that so imitating them in their piety, wee may at last participate with them in their glory.